When I was growing up, my family traveled the Western U.S. extensively, via our trusty family automobile (easily done with gas at 25 cents a gallon).  When my father saw a signpost announcing a “Scenic Vista” ahead (or, he knew we were reaching the top of a hill or pass where a possible panoramic view would soon be upon us), he would prepare us by saying. “Get ready to oooh and ahhh”.

Sometimes the event itself was anticlimactic.  Often, however, we were rewarded with the beauty of nature in all its glory.  Of course, I continued the family tradition with our kids.  So, I’m all about “ooohs and ahhhs”.  The more “ooohs and “ahhhs” in life, the better, I think – whether you’re on the giving or the receiving end of them.

At monthly meetings of MMOOS, our local Apple User Group, where I’m privileged to lead discussions and/or teach the wonders of some new application, I often hear “ooohs and ahhhs” from the assembled MMOOSers when performing a feat of daring-do with the Mac that few have seen before.  I love the feeling.  It makes me smile.

Next week, at our MMay MMOOS mmeeting, I’m going to be smiling a lot, because we’re going to concentrate on “Mac Ooohs and Ahhhs”.  Besides “ooohs and ahhs”, expect to hear exclamations like:

“I didn’t know you could do that!”

“I’ve been doing it THIS way for so long and THAT way is much faster!”

“Wait!  Do that again, only slower this time!”

You get the idea.  There’ll be something for everyone – new Mac user to seasoned pro.  That’s next Tuesday, May 20^th, 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 and more information about MMOOS.  Hope to see you there.

In other Apple news, we’re a little under three weeks away from Apple’s annual Worldwide Developers Conference.  One prime focus of this year’s conference is the impending June release of iPhone software, version 2, which will be open to third-party developers.

Rumors are flying around the web that Apple will release a new version of the iPhone itself concurrent with the new software.  These rumors are bolstered by the fact that present iPhone models are listed as “Currently Unavailable” on Apple’s and other reseller’s web stores.