BMUG is a membership-based non-profit organization dedicated to helping users of graphical interface computers. It represents the interests of over 12,000 Macintosh users in more than fifty countries.
BMUG offers something for everyone. Here are a few of the reasons that more than 12,000 people belong to BMUG:
The BMUG Newsletter -- Published twice a year, each Newsletter contains 400 pages of reviews, reference material, and commentary (and no advertising!).
Planet BMUG and BMUG Boston, the BMUG BBSes -- our FirstClass graphical interface electronic Bulletin Board Services. Use your modem to exchange messages with BMUG members around the world, send mail via the Internet, and download software from BMUG's vast software library.
The Helpline -- Access to our technical Helpline is available to members during business hours by phone, fax, or in person.
The Software Library -- One of the largest and most up-to-date collections of Publicly Distributable software anywhere. It is sold on disks and CD-ROM or can be downloaded from the BBSes.
Publications and CD-ROMs -- BMUG publishes CD-ROMs of Shareware, and books on scripting, resource editing, software programs, and more.
The Meetings -- BMUG holds weekly Main Meetings in Berkeley, monthly general meetings in San Francisco and San Jose, and Special Interest Group meetings virtually every night of the week. See interesting product demos, meet other computer users, and hear the latest industry rumors.
Contacting BMUG
By Phone
Announcement Line (510) 549-2684 x8
Business Office (510) 549-2684
Fax (510) 849-9026
Planet BMUG (BBS) (510) 849-2684
BMUG Boston (BBS) (617) 356-6336
BMUG--product orders only (800) 776-BMUG
By Mail
BMUG Inc.
1442A Walnut Street, #62
Berkeley, CA USA 94709-1496
Our office location
BMUG Inc.
2055 Center Street, cross street Shattuck Ave.
in downtown Berkeley
The BMUG Philosophy
BMUG started as a small user group in 1984, shortly after the introduction of the Macintosh. As a non-profit corporation BMUG strives to give the plain, unbiased truths about product performance and the industry in general. We don't sell advertising in our newsletters and make it quite clear that we will not exchange good reviews for product donations. BMUG is neither affiliated with, nor receives monetary support from, Apple Computer or any other for-profit entity.
Our goal is clearly stated in our motto:
"We're in the business of giving away information."
BMUG Memberships
BMUG is member-supported. Membership privileges include semi-annual issues of the famous BMUG Newsletter, technical assistance, and access to Planet BMUG or BMUG Boston.
Join BMUG today and find out why MicroTimes lists BMUG among the 100 most important influences on the computer industry and said, "BMUG is what every user group dreams of becoming."
California Business magazine rates BMUG in the top 100 of California's Hottest Digital Information providers.
Select one of the following membership packages for individuals:
Six Month Membership - $28
* One issue of The BMUG Newsletter
* Access to The BMUG Helpline for one person for six months
* A six month account on a BMUG BBS (60 min/day)
Contributing Membership - $45
* Two issues of The BMUG Newsletter
* Access to The BMUG Helpline for one person
* An account on a BMUG BBS (60 min/day)
Sustaining Membership - $70
* Two issues of The BMUG Newsletter
* Access to The BMUG Helpline for one person
* An account on a BMUG BBS (90 min/day)
* Access to online magazines when available (such as BoardWatch, NewsBytes, USA Today)
Hero Membership - $100
* First Class mailing of two issues of The BMUG Newsletter
* Access to The BMUG Helpline for one person
* An account on a BMUG BBS (90 min/day)
* Access to online magazines when available (such as BoardWatch, NewsBytes, USA Today)
* Acknowledgement in The BMUG Newsletter
Satellite Club Membership - $250
* First Class mailing of two issues of The BMUG Newsletter
* Access to The BMUG Helpline for one person
* An account on a BMUG BBS (120 min/day)
* Access to online magazines when available (such as BoardWatch, NewsBytes, USA Today)
* Two of each BMUG product released during the year of your membership (except PD library floppy disks)
* Acknowledgement in The BMUG Newsletter
The BMUG Newsletter
BMUG Newsletters are published twice a year. Each is approximately 400 pages long, contains no advertising, and is written and edited by BMUG members, volunteers, and staff. We encourage you to contribute your efforts as well. Remember, the only way to receive the current Newsletter is to be a BMUG member!
The Newsletter includes software and hardware reviews, "how-to" guides, commentaries on the computer industry, and Choice Products -- BMUG's respected product recommendations.
Each Newsletter comes with a disk of the latest and greatest Shareware and Freeware, as well as a program to help you access our electronic Bulletin Board Service.
BMUG Online
Planet BMUG and BMUG Boston BBSes
Got a modem? That's about all you'll need to get online with BMUG on our electronic Bulletin Board Systems (BBS). Members can request a free account on either of our FirstClass, graphical user interface BBSes. We support baud rates from 300 to 14,440, on all 17 lines in Berkeley and all 11 lines in Boston. Nearly 6,000 members log on and discuss every subject under the sun and many of the conferences are directly gatewayed between the two BMUG BBSes. We exchange mail with Internet via UUCP mail. Much of the most current Shareware and Freeware is available.
BMUG is also on many of the commercial forums across the nation. You can reach BMUG at the following electronic addresses:
Internet: bmuginfo@bmug.org
America Online: BMUG or BMUG1
eWorld: BMUG1
AppleLink: UG0001
The WELL: bmug
Meetings
All of BMUG meetings are open to the public. You do not have to be a member to attend. We welcome new and old Macintosh users alike. Call BMUG at (510) 549-2684 and press 8 for current meeting information and location.
Main Meetings
BMUG holds weekly Macintosh meetings on the UC Berkeley campus. Approximately 100 members and non-members gather to discuss the latest industry gossip, ask technical questions, and watch vendors demonstrate new and soon to be released software and hardware. The meetings are free of charge, open to the public, and there is a raffle at the end of every one.
BMUG West
Each month BMUG holds a Macintosh meeting at the Exploratorium's McBean Theater in San Francisco from 6:00pm to 9:00pm on the last Monday of the month. Though they have the same format as our main meetings, including the raffle, they are smaller and more intimate.
BMUG South
A monthly meeting in San Jose. Every third Monday at the Santa Clara County United Way office at 1922 The Alameda, unless otherwise noted. The meeting starts at 6:30pm.
Special Interest Groups (SIGs)
BMUG has meetings almost week night, and some on weekends as well, on specific fields of interest. All SIGs meet in our offices in Berkeley unless otherwise noted and are free of charge and open to the public. Call the BMUG Announcement line for dates and times.
Technical Assistance
The Helpline
BMUG's Helpline for members is the only place where you can get technical help on virtually any subject pertaining to the Macintosh. If all lines are busy, leave a message, and we'll attempt to return your call within two business days. If you haven't heard from us within that time, please place your call once again. The best time to call the Helpline is on Wednesday from 1:00pm to 5:00pm. We also return calls on Saturdays from 1:00pm to 5:00pm, so please leave a weekend telephone number where you can be reached. BMUG also accepts your technical questions via fax and on Planet BMUG or BMUG Boston!
Emergency Data Recovery
Broken hard drive, crashed floppy?? If you're a member we'll do our best to recover your data, for free. All appointments are usually made on Wednesdays and Saturdays from 1:00pm to 5:00pm.
BMUG Software Library
BMUG has one of the largest collections of Freeware and Shareware software in the world. The library contains over four hundred 800k disks o
