In MacMost episode 27 we report on Half Life 2 for Mac, Bungie’s split from Microsoft, iPod Nano and Classic updates, George Harrison’s addition to iTunes and new iPhone commercials. Gary updates his unlocked iPhone. In our Quick Tip we show you how to enlarge the cursor. In our Podcast Salad segment we feature Squigglebooth and our Must Download is Graphic Converter. For MacMost Loot we ask, “What was the name of the program that caused flying toasters to dance across the screen on early Macs?”
At Bang Salon in Denver, Colorado, they not only follow the latest trends in hair styles, but also in computers. They’ve used Macs since opening up in 1999.
“I always have felt like Mac and Apple is more artsy,” said Lisa Garcia, co-owner of the salon. “To me, there’s a specific type of person that uses Mac. People who tend to be more artsy and trendy and more what our salon is all about.”
“Nobody really walks into a salon or a business, if you’re using a PC, and says ‘Wow, that’s cool you guys use PC’s.’ They do walk in and say, ‘Wow, I love the fact that you guys use a Mac,'” Lisa said.
Bang Salon is co-owned by Lisa and Rodger Garcia, a husband and wife business team. Lisa has a background in public relations and handles business operations and is a part time stylist, while Rodger focuses on providing award winning service to his clients.
Bang, located in the trendy, upscale Washington Park neighborhood, was the recipient of the “Best of CitySearch” award for “Best of Hair Salon” for 2007-08.
When the salon opened in 1999 the brightly colored first generation iMacs had just been released. They purchased a green iMac and a blue iMac to launch with. They also chose to use Macs at their Park Hill location, which opened in 2005.
“I used to work for a PR firm,” Lisa said. “They used Macs and so that’s what I learned on. So that’s what I felt most comfortable with. Even though I tried using a PC, I just never really liked using them.”
Lisa specifically sought out software that would meet her needs on a Mac. She found Salon Transcripts [http://www.salontranscripts.com/], an application designed for use exclusively on Macs that empowers salon owners by streamlining scheduling, payroll, and inventory among other features, all in one application.
“I just feel like they’re way more advanced, as far as being trendy and you know just what we feel our salon is all about,” said Lisa.
The image that Bang Salon and Apple computers represent are synonymous: funky, cool, hip, urban, sleek, modern. That also describes the clients of Bang Salon.
From prominent local businesswomen who pay top dollar for Rodger’s expertise, to college students who get more affordable cuts from Bang’s junior stylists, the clientele is as unique as the salon and the neighborhood.
One thing the Garcia’s considered when designing the look of the salon was the visual appeal of Macs and how that fits in with the salon. Rodger was the primary designer and he incorporated elements to set the salon apart from their competition. Lime and tangerine colored walls flank the seating area which is punctuated by modern black leather couches. Their renowned iMacs sit atop a custom built reception desk and inverted triangular shaped mirrors form dual sided styling stations. All of that to show that if they look good their clients will look good too.
“Our salon is not a stagnant salon. Every time you come in there’s going to be something new, changing to keep up with the industry,” said Lisa. “That’s why we change out our Macs when new ones come out. We try to keep everything fresh and updated, the latest. We just feel like that’s really important in our industry. It’s hard and it’s expensive, but I think that’s one thing that makes us kind of stand out from other salons. We’re constantly keeping updated.”
In addition to new Macs, Bang stays competitive by always broadening the skill set of their stylists.
“With our salon, we’re very focused on education,” said Lisa. “All of our other stylists that are in the salon are continuing their education, and not in Denver. We send them to New York usually, or LA, or we’ve even gone to Europe for education.”
It is that commitment to bringing the freshest, most modern styles to Denver from the world’s fashion leaders that makes Bang Salon unique. That, and their use of Macs. But using Macs for business has other advantages as well, like reducing the expenses associated with employee training. Bang’s Wash Park location has 12 stylists and 18 employees, while their Park Hill location has six stylists and 10 employees, which totals many hours of employee training.
“I mean all of the schools that my kids have gone to, they were using Macs,” said Lisa. “So I think it’s a lot easier for people, the young people who are coming in that work our front desk. There’s very few that have said, ‘I’ve never used a Mac before.'”
But the Garcia’s don’t just use Macs for business. They also have a G5 laptop at home and some of the Salon’s old iMacs.
In addition to surfing the Net and sending email, Lisa said “I use iPhoto and iMovie. I’ve made quite a few movies. My kids love to use it to play video games.”
Gary, Jay, and Eve talk about the iPhone 1.1.1 update, iPhone unlocking, iPhone hacks, opening up the iPhone to 3rd party developers, Leopard release, the Danger SideKick and selling Macs at non-Apple stores.
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This week on MacMost episode 26 we report on the iPhone firmware update, Boot Camp beta upgrade, and iLife Support 8.1. We also report on the lawsuit against Apple regarding the iPhone price cut. For our Quick Tip we show you how to remind yourself of appointments in iCal. We feature the Sesame Street podcast in our Podcast Salad segment. Our Must Bookmark is the Internet Archive at archive.org. For MacMost Loot, our contest segment, we ask, “What do the words: Charcoal, Geneva, Verdana and Papyrus describe in Mac OSX?” For updates and more go to MacMost.com.
In MacMost episode 25 we talk about Starbucks’ free “song of the day”, Leopards iminent release, and we leave Bill Gates alone. In our quick tip segment we show how to hook up your camera without launching iPhoto. Podcast Salad takes a look at the Webb Alert podcast and we recommend Audio Hijack Pro in our “Must Download” section.
Gary, Jay, Will, Eve and Dave talk about the upcoming release of Leopard, Starbucks free music, MacBook rumors.
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This week on MacMost episode 24, we give details of the new Logic software, UK iPhone carrier announcements, and speak to Rotten Johnny for his take on the iPhone coming to the UK. For our Quick Tip we show you how to make a slideshow of email photos. In our Podcast Salad segment we reintroduce you to Cerealized. Our Must Download is the VLC Media Player from videolan.org. For MacMost Loot, our contest segment, we ask, “What does the command key symbol indicate on a European traffic sign?” For Free Ringtones, video tutorials, iPhone games and much more go to MacMost.com.
Gary, Jay and Dave talk about dealing with iTunes, DJing with iTunes, the European iPhone, ringtones, iMovie 08 and the new Mac Keyboard.
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MacMost host Molly Stanberry shows us her new iPod Nano.
MacMost and Geek Girl host Eve Park shows us the new 160GB iPod Classic.
This week on MacMost episode 23, we report on the iTunes 7.4.1 update, one million iPhones sold, and the $100 rebate offered to iPhone owners. Our Quick Tip is about Spotlight, Mac OSX Tiger’s powerful search engine. In our Podcast Salad segment Katie introduces you to Play Value from ON Networks. Our Must Bookmark is Apple’s Dashboard widget directory. The Geek Girl, Eve Park, asks “What is a TAM?” in our MacMost Loot contest segment. For this week’s prize she introduces you to her new line of Geek Wear t-shirts exclusively available at StickerGiant.com. Be sure to go to MacMost.com for tips, tutorials, and much more.
So we’ve been having fun adding ringtones to our iPhones. We’ve created some unique and original ringtones, drawing on our library of game music, and Molly’s voice. We thought we’d share them with you.
What makes these ringtones different than some you may find is that they are completely legal. That’s because we haven’t sampled or stolen or copyrighted music or audio. Instead, we’ve composed these ourselves, or have used sound effects from legal sources to create the ringtones.
You can get them at our Free iPhone Ringtones page. There, you can also subscribe to a podcast through iTunes that allows you to get new ringtones downloaded automatically and added to your iPhone.
Gary, Jay and Dave talk about the iPhone price drop, iPhone ringtones, the iPod Touch and the new iPod Nano.
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On this Special Edition of MacMost we share the announcements from the September 5th Apple Event. We detail the new line of iPods, which includes a new Nano, the iPod Classic, and the introduction of the iPod Touch. We give specs for the lower priced iPhone, and announce the new marriage of iTunes and Starbucks. For more news, tips, tutorials, updates and iPhone games visit MacMost.com.
Gary, Jay and Dave talk about upcoming announcement predictions, NBC and iTunes and iLife problems.
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This week on MacMost episode 21, we inform you that Ringo Starr’s solo work has been added to iTunes. We speculate that there may be iPod announcements on Sept. 5, and report on iPhone unlocking legal issues. Gary shows you how to unlock your iPhone. Our Quick Tip shows you how to set Text Edit as your default Word doc reader. In our Podcast Salad segment we feature iCali.tv. Our Must Bookmark is VersionTracker.com and for MacMost Loot, our contest segment, we ask, “What was the original selling price for the Apple Newton eMate 300?”
