First, a programming note. We’re coming up on the third Tuesday in September, and you know the significance of that. No. It’s not the start of “leaf season”, although that is surely (and sadly, for those of us who feel like we missed summer as it scooted by) happening. And it’s not those crisp, cool (and cruel, for those of us who feel like we missed summer as it scooted by) breezes that swirl the early-fallen leaves. It’s not the loss of a loved one (at least for a few months) to football fever (Go Pats!).

It’s, of course, time for the September MMOOS (Maine Macintosh Owners & Operators Society) meeting! Our local Apple User Group will gather next Tuesday, September 18th, at 6:30 PM in the large meeting room in Bldg. 25 at Thornton Oaks Retirement Community in Brunswick (see our web site at mmoos.net for directions).

This mmonth mmany MMOOS mmembers will take turns behind the golden MMOOS podium presenting their favorite “third party” Mac software. What does “third party” mean? Loosely applied, third party software is software developed for the Mac platform by someone other than Apple. While these third parties can be big software companies like Adobe, Intuit, and even Microsoft, we’re going to focus more on the “little(r) guys”.

For example, by far the best way to design and print your own business cards is not Microsoft Word or Apple’s Pages. It’s an application called “Business Card Composer” from third party developer BeLight Software, whose software engineers are based mainly in the Ukraine. So, next week we’re going to focus on the “little guys” doing big things for the Mac platform. Hope to see you there.

You’ll remember that last week in this space I reported Apple’s announcement of a $200 price cut on the 8 GB model of the iPhone. While I was content with paying a $200 “Early Adopter Tax”, others were not. Apparently, Apple CEO Steve Jobs’ email InBox rapidly overflowed with discontent. So much so that the very next day, in an open letter to iPhone buyers on Apple’s web site, Mr. Jobs extended the olive branch of a $100 Apple Store credit to those who purchased iPhones before 09/05/07.

In related news, Apple announced this week the sale of the one millionth iPhone, about a month ahead of schedule. Apple is also clearing out the discontinued 4 GB iPhones at their online store for $299.