Community Blog

Well I've just got back from the eXpo Conference for Macintosh Computer Users in Auckland and on the flight back to Palmerston North, two simple thoughts ran through my head...

• Good on you Peter Mellow!!
• Where the heck were you Renaissance?
  

For those unfamiliar with who Renaissance is, you'd probably (and incorrectly) refer to them as Apple New Zealand. In fact, there isn't an Apple Computer New Zealand, but Renaissance is referred to as "Renaissance Ltd, Apple Computer Division".

In short, they are the distributor of Apple Computers in New Zealand, represent Apple in this country and are responsible for supporting and encouraging the Mac user base within New Zealand...although those last two roles are something that I've just bestowed on them. Renaissance might argue that these two jobs are not part of their official role, but I'd respectfully disagree.

Peter Mellow deserves to be applauded for the work that he has put in since the beginning of the year to prepare the eXpo. Up until August of this year I had never met Peter but had certainly communicated with him. Through a shared interest in e-learning we have had the opportunity to meet and his enthusiasm for Macs, for learning and for getting things done is incredibly impressive.

So I was exceptionally pleased to sign on to the eXpo during the early stages of its development and to be a part of a great weekend. Congratulations to everyone involved and who attended. Can I also say a big thank you at this stage to Stupendous Software, GeeThree, Virtix, eZedia, BKMS and ImageIP for their support of my presentation.

The eXpo was absolutely superb, and I particularly enjoyed the opportunity to give away over $2000 worth of iMovie plug-ins on the day. You might have read that I was going to hand out around $600 worth of plug-ins at the prize giving, but what I had kept quiet was that I had a lot lot more than that to give out, with the bulk of the software handed out at my presentation. Sorry to those folks that didn't attend my presentation, but I didn't think it would have been right for me to try announce all the software prizes as it might have been seen as me trying to drum up people to come to my presentation.

And let me explain how hard it was for me to get software companies to offer prizes....I said to them "Hey, want to be in on this?"and every one of them came back to me with "Yes". Unconditionally.

So with software companies on the other side of the planet prepared to support New Zealand's first eXpo of this kind, why wasn't the main distributor (and representative of Apple in New Zealand) prepared to do the same? If Renaissance knew about the eXpo (and of course they did) you would never have known. Sadly, there wasn't a single mention of the event on their website...despite the fact that it was being held on their home turf of Auckland.

Don't get me wrong. The staff of Renaissance are a great bunch of people. I enjoy every opportunity that I get to meet them, communicate with them and chat to them. They are a very enthusiastic and talented group. I would have welcomed the opportunity to see a presentation from any one of their staff as well as there being so many enthusiastic Mac users there that would have loved to have seen a visible Apple presence.

I hope that Peter enjoys the success of the event. I know on the day he was run ragged...and a quick beer after the day that he, Greg Crayford and I had, saw him almost nod off at the pub. He'd done his dash, he was knackered and he deserved to go home and relax.

But what happened right after this beer perhaps shows you just why events like this are so great. I gave Greg a lift back into central Auckland so Peter wouldn't have to. I'd never met Greg before and had been really upset that my iMovie presentation clashed with his GarageBand presentation. The plan was for us to stop at a central petrol station where his partner would find us and she would then take Greg back to where they were staying. Without a moments hesitation as we waited, Greg whipped out his PowerBook, fired up GarageBand and played me the music from his session. Then he fired up iTunes and played me the music with the soundtrack of the vocalist (who attended his presentation and recorded her lyrics and harmonies live on the day) so I could have a listen to the final mix.

It was a strange sensation to be sitting in a central Auckland service station listening to GarageBand and iTunes in action, but it was magic nonetheless. To me, that shows the spirit of Mac users, and the spirit of the day....and what I want from this site....coummunity supporting community...Mac users supporting Mac users.

My most favourite quote of the day was from an elderly couple sitting behind me during the rather unique prize-giving at the end of the day.

The lady behind me said "This is a very casual prize giving"
The gentleman replied..."I know...It's great huh!"

I know that Peter extended thanks to everyone at the end of the day and we awarded him with generous applause. He needs more....he needs thanks and support from all those who embrace and enjoy Macs...regardless of who you are, what you do or what company you run or work for.

I know I'm going to be forever pleased that I was a part of the first eXpo and I personally want to say thanks to each and every person that was there at the eXpo and that I had an opportunity to chat to. Thanks to those that sent greetings and support from the far flung corners of this planet or contributed or donated to the event. Congratulations on being a part of it all or being there in spirit....as well as the three friends of Peter that were beamed in live via iChatAV from the States (your "Turn the camera left" note scribbled on paper and held up to the camera was priceless).

Please make sure you continue to support events like this and I look forward to next years event (Hurry up and choose a date will you Peter!). We want every one of you to be there with us next year....and that goes for you too Renaissance.

Regards,
Philip Roy