Quick recap

The MacTechnics annual demo fair featured presentations on various topics including AI, spam filtering, drone photography, and collaborative document editing. Jerry demonstrated SpamC, a powerful spam filtering application, while Keith shared his experiences with drone photography and the necessary regulations for flying drones. Bruce discussed collaboration features in Apple’s Keynote and other applications, and Cassie presented a draft webpage containing links to Mac user groups worldwide. The group discussed the potential for expanding this resource page and making it more interactive. Fred announced a new bundle offer from Bundle Hunt for Mac apps. The conversation ended with reminders about upcoming events and the process for saving meeting transcripts.

Next steps

• Cassie: Add a suggestion box or comment field to the draft resource page on the MacTechnics website for member feedback.
• Cassie: Ensure broken or outdated links on the resource page are resolved within 7 days of being reported, and work to reduce this response time.
• Keith: Share the list of apps used for drone photography (Panorama Stitcher, Spherical viewer, etc.) in the chat after the meeting. (Note: This was mentioned as an in-meeting action but may be relevant for follow-up.)
• Cassie: Consider featuring 1-3 resources from the new resource page(s) prominently on the website and update these regularly to generate interest, as suggested by Keith and Bruce.
• Cassie: Add apps.apple.com to the resource page, as suggested by Bruce.
• Keith: Visit the new Apple repair shop in Ann Arbor, speak with the owner, and consider inviting them to present to the group.
• Cassie: Promote the new resource page(s) to members once it/they are finalized and placed on the website.
• Fredseitz: Monitor Bundle Hunt for a possible return of SpamC in future bundles and notify the group if it appears.

Summary

AI Limitations and Bundle Offers

The group discussed the limitations and reliability of AI, particularly in relation to tax forms and other tasks, with Brian emphasizing that AI is only as current as its last training data. Chris shared an anecdote about an AI-controlled vending machine that was given unrealistic tasks, highlighting the potential for AI hallucinations and misinterpretations. Patrick inquired about the inner workings of AI prompts and system prompts, expressing a desire to understand the process better. Fred introduced a new bundle offer from Bundle Hunt, featuring 36 apps at a discounted price, which he recommended to the group. The conversation ended with Cassie welcoming everyone to MacTechnics’ annual demo fair.

Spamseed Bayesian Filtering Demo

Gerry demonstrated Spamseed, a Bayesian spam filtering application, showcasing its features and settings. He explained that Spamseed is more accurate than Apple’s filter, can be trained, and works with various email clients. The group discussed the application’s settings, including the ability to create allow and block lists, and its compatibility with different mail systems. Gerry also mentioned that Spamseed requires High Sierra 10 or higher and was updated in November 2025.

SpamC: Mac Spam Filtering Demo

Jerry demonstrated SpamC, a spam filtering application for Mac, showing how to train it, create allow/block lists, and integrate with contacts. He explained that SpamC uses Bayesian filtering and has a library of 365,000 words, with the ability to undo training mistakes. Fred mentioned that SpamC was previously available on Bundle Hunt for $5.99. Bruce announced he would save his AI presentation for next month’s meeting, and instead shared his experience with collaborative presentation building in Keynote.

iCloud Collaboration and Drone Photography

Bruce shared his experience using iCloud and Keynote for collaboration, explaining that multiple users can access, edit, and provide feedback on presentations in real-time. Cassie inquired about the immediacy of updates, and Bruce clarified that changes are visible within seconds. Keith discussed his recent interest in drone photography, showcasing 360-degree panoramas and high-resolution images of Ann Arbor, including a moonrise shot. He described the process of editing and sharing these images using various apps, highlighting the versatility and capabilities of modern technology.

Drone Regulations and Flight Tips

Keith shared his experience with drone flying and the necessary regulations. He demonstrated how to use the Air Hub Portal app to get FAA clearance for flying in controlled airspace. Keith also introduced other useful apps like Windy for checking wind conditions. He explained how temperature affects drone flight, including battery life and lift. Bruce inquired about the type of drone Keith purchased, which is a DJI Mini 4K. Chris added that DJI drones are still relatively easy to obtain for non-professional use, despite some regulations.

Drone Regulations and Mac Resources

The meeting focused on discussing drone regulations and a new resource page for Mac users. Keith explained that while new uncertified drones are not being allowed in the U.S., previously certified drones remain available. Cassie presented a draft page of Mac user groups and resources, which the board of directors had reviewed. Members discussed how to improve and utilize this resource, with suggestions to add a suggestion box and promote the page through regular meetings. The group also explored links to Australian Mac user groups and the Apple apps website. The conversation ended with reminders about an upcoming shareholders meeting and a film screening event.