Colleagues

  • Portland Macintosh Users Group, http://www.pmug.org

    I first encountered PMUG when it seemed to consist of eight folks setting up Mac 128's in a classroom at Reed. Now grown to hundreds of members, PMUG offers one of the best training values in the area, with twice-yearly camps, Tuesday-night clinics and Wednesday evening "PMUG College." Join today! You'll be amazed you didn't take part sooner.

    Portland Macintosh Users Group, Post Office Box 8949, Portland OR 97207.

  • AppleVan, http://applevan.org

    Founded in 1981 (before the Macintosh!), AppleVan hosts free monthly meetings and works to help the Mac (and Mac users) along in Clark County. Vancouver's Mac user group.

  • Macintosh Professionals Network, http://macintoshprofessionals.com

    A group of local and established Macintosh consultants, including many members of the Apple Consultants Network, longtime supporters of the Portland Macintosh Users Group and specialists in programs such as FileMaker or Fourth Dimension. When I need help or refer a client to another expert, usually it is a member of MPN. With people in places from Hood River to Manzanita, odds are that someone in MPN can help you.

  • Macintosh Business Association of Portland, http://MacintoshBusinessAssociation.com

    A networking group for businesses which use Apple and Mac technology, focused on education, resource development and mutual support.

  • Free Geek, freegeek.org

    A 501(c)3 charitable organization, Free Geek has a three-pronged mission to (a) keep computers out of the "waste stream," (b) provide low-income people and non-profits access to technology and (c) promote free and open-source software. For a small donation, Free Geek will accept your old computer equipment and reuse or responsibly recycle it. Special props to Lorraine Kerwood of Mac Renewal!

    Free Geek, 1731 SE Tenth Ave, Portland OR 97214, (503) 232-9350.

  • CREAM: Computer Reuse Education and Marketing, UpgradeYourCommunity.org

    A remarkable partnership among local businesses, governments, Clark College and non-profits, CREAM has a retail store within Habitat for Humanity's ReStore and an educational facility just east of that in Suite E101. Similar to Free Geek in that it accepts and repurposes used electronics, CREAM also offers general tech support, runs an "Internet cafe" for free online access and offers a variety of classes to the general community.

    CREAM, 5000 East Fourth Plain Boulevard, Vancouver WA 98661,(360) 735-0888.

  • Portland Mac Store

    For many years "The Computer Store" was the only Apple retail presence in many towns, selling premium computers and supplies. The Portland Mac Store is one of several in the Computer Store Northwest chain from Seattle to Eugene, and is also affiliated with PowerMax in Lake Oswego and has been a strong supporter of the Portland Macintosh Users Group for many years.

    Portland Mac Store, 700 NE Multnomah, Portland OR 97232, (503) 238-1200.
    Beaverton Mac Store, 3205 SW Cedar Hills Blvd, Beaverton OR 97005, (503) 620-3550.
    Clackamas Mac Store, 12000 SE 82nd Ave, suite K215, Happy Valley OR 97086, (800) 689-8191.

  • Mac Force

    In southeast Portland near OMSI, Mac Force often hosts lunchtime seminars or offers meeting space for program-specific user groups.

    Mac Force, 200 SE Salmon, Portland OR 97232, (503) 231-7707.

  • The Apple Stores

    With beautiful layouts and direct supervision from "the mother ship" Apple Stores provide "genius bars" and an upscale mall experience, showcasing the entire Apple product line.

    Pioneer Place in downtown Portland, 700 SW 5th Ave, (503) 222-3002
    Bridgeport Village,I-5 exit 290 west in Tigard, 7293 SW Bridgeport Rd, (503) 670-8400
    Washington Square east of Oregon 217, 530 SW Washington Square Rd in Beaverton, (503) 603-9800

  • Fry's Electronics

    A regional reseller from the bay area, Fry's has a wide selection of merchandise, although you'll have to hunt for the Mac section. An excellent resource when you need commodity parts such as hard drives to install yourself.

    Fry's Electronics, I-5 exit 283 east, Wilsonville OR 97070.

  • Power Mac Pac

    Power Mac Pac frequently has excellent deals on used Macintosh equipment, out near the Portland airport. Their biggest treasure, though, is Patrick Lawrence, the best PowerBook technician in Oregon.

    Power Mac Pac, 12310 NE Whitaker, SE of 122nd and Airport Way, Portland OR 97230, (800) 460-8080.