Mike Swope

Staff Writer

mswope at maccompanion.com

Real Occupation: Manager/Marketing Manager for Kansas' Largest Retail Used & New Tire Store

About Me

Mike grew up in St. Joseph, Missouri, and graduated from Missouri Western State College with a B.A. in English Literature. While an undergrad, Mike was introduced to Apple IIe and Mac Plus computers in the CAI Lab. Working toward his B.A., Mike used the Lab's Mac Plus computers to design and produce chapbooks for himself and his like-minded circle of writing friends. He used PageMaker 3.0 and Thunderscan. He also bought a Mac Plus.

Mike went on to Wichita State University and earned an MFA in Creative Writing with an emphasis on short fiction.

While at WSU, Mike bought a Mac Classic to replace his aging Plus, and launched a marginally successful but fun freelance business, Swope Design, to pay for his new Mac habit. He learned QuarkXPress, Adobe Illustrator and Adobe Photoshop. He continues to masquerade as a freelancer under this vague pseudonym, and covers print and web design. He operates several web sites, along with his wife, including -

Some of his web work for his work at Koch Creative Services has received local awards in Wichita. His web site for MacWichita Mac User Group has also received several awards.

In addition to freelance and business activities, Mike and his wife Lynette also enjoy digital photography and offer royalty-free photographs from http://www.istockphoto.com and http://www.sxc.hu. If you need a photo, purchase one and download it. That will make everyone in Mike's home happy. :)

Feel free to send Mike feedback!