Washington Apple Pi

A Community of Apple iPad, iPhone and Mac Users

July 25, 2009 General Meeting

Social Networking, Part 1

9:30 a.m., George Mason University, Route 123 and Braddock Road, Fairfax, VA

This month's General Meeting will be focusing on Social Networking! So how does this apply to you, and what can you learn from this meeting?

If you think about it, everyone does social networking when they keep in touch and interact with family and friends. Your Mac is a wonderful tool to help you do this in an efficient, entertaining and resourceful manner.

Our goal during this month’s General Meeting (and also in August*) is to look at our social network of family and friends and show how various Apple applications can enhance and strengthen that network. Then we will bring into play key ingredients of today’s social networking phenomena.

Here is the basic outline for the meeting:

9:30 Q&A Panel - Bo, Larry and Bob*
10:15 Pi Stuff - Jay
Short Break
10:45 Main Presentation - Several Club presenters will provide various aspects of social networking to include an overview of social networking, applicable Apple applications, text messaging, Skype, MySpace and Facebook.
12:15 meeting ends

Due to unavailability of the SIG leader, the iLife SIG will not meet. In lieu of the lunch break, volunteers will be available for post-meeting questions. Those interested in a lunch meet-up afterward can find several eating establishments nearby at University Mall.

* Because this is a huge topic we are going use two, back-to-back General Meetings to cover it all. The August meeting will look at Twitter and focus more on the mobile aspect of social networking.

** Questions for the panel of experts can be submitted in advance and this is encouraged. Advance submission allows the experts a chance to fully research the topic as well as giving those who cannot attend an opportunity to tap into their expertise. Send your questions to feedback@wap.org.

Finally, check back here to see if there are any updates or changes to the meeting.

George Mason University Essential Information

Address: 4400 University Dr., Fairfax, VA (near Rte 123 and Braddock Road)
Directions and Map: http://www.gmu.edu/welcome/Directions-to-GMU.html

Here is a campus map with annotations (PDF, 1.1 MB).

Important Parking Information:

PDF of this file (650K)

The meeting is being held in Enterprise Hall, Room 178; No. 13 on GMU campus map. The closest parking is in the Sandy Creek Parking Garage, a pay-for-parking facility. Park in Visitor area, the lowest level. Take the elevator to the third floor (Campus Level), and you will be at the correct level for the short walk to Enterprise Hall.

Free parking is available in Lot A, while the parking in Sandy Creek Garage remains a pay-for-parking option. Sandy Creek parking is more convenient and closer and the Pi will continue subsidizing that facility's parking fee by providing vouchers for a $3 donation.

Directions to the meeting from Lot A

Park as close to Mattaponi River Lane as possible, then walk north along that road toward the main campus buildings. The sidewalk route takes you directly to the side entrance of Enterprise Hall, where our meeting takes place. It is at least a five-minute walk up a slight incline. We will also be running a golf cart along the route, picking up folks who need a lift.

Handicapped Parking: There are three handicap parking spaces next to Enterprise Hall that can be used by members, on a first come first served basis. They should have their Handicap Stickers showing on the dashboard or on the rear-view mirror.