appleJAC Macintosh Users

Some Chargers May not Work with iPhone 2

Spent some of today testing the new iPhone 3G  Most things work well.  Exactly the same as the older iPhone.  One notable exception is the Auto adapter I have installed in both my vehicles.  I have the USASpec iPod adapter that pluggs into my auto radio.  Works great and I can control the ipod with the radio controls or the iPod itself.  That part still works but unfortunately, it will no longer charge the iPhone.  That is truly a bummer. 

I did some searching and found this on Macworld.com:

Apple has dropped support for FireWire charging with the iPhone 3G. This means that many accessories won’t charge an iPhone 3G.  Apple gave accessory developers a strong hint that this was going to happen a while ago, but he said that some companies have continued to implement FireWire-based chargers despite the warning.

There’s some hope in sight: At least a couple of third parties will be releasing converters that will pass through the dock connection, but convert the power to a USB standard. That adapter may make many of those charging devices come back to life

Here is hopeing this will be a solution to allow me to again charge the iPhone in the car.

What a Difference a Couple of Years Makes

Years pass and consumer electronics continue to get smaller.  A case in point is shown in this photo.  These items are USB power adapters from Apple.  Two years ago, the one on the bottom was the standard.  It was small enough to travel with and provided enough power to charge anything.  Last year, the iPhone came out and provided the middle one.  Much smaller but performed the same charging function.  Today, Apple provided the top one with the new iPhone 3G.  Smaller yer.  At this rate, next year, the iPhone will likely charge by static in the air and not require a power adaptor. 

You thing??

New eBook Available: Take Control of Easy Backups in Leopard

Your guide to making easy and reliable backups in Leopard!

Every body needs a good backup.  Here is an electronic book in PDF form that will help you get to where you need to be if you are running Leopard.

Backup guru Joe Kissell teaches you the fastest and easiest way to create a complete Leopard backup system from which you can restore your data after an accident or disaster—including archives, an all-important bootable duplicate, and an offsite backup. Joe helps you identify the backup hardware that best matches your needs and budget (including a look at Time Capsule—Apple's backup appliance), and he provides instructions for using Time Machine as well as alternatives for eight cases where Time Machine won't provide the backups you need. Joe walks you through every step of the way, from setting up your backup drive or Time Capsule to explaining clearly how to recover your precious data in case of a deleted or corrupted file, a dead hard drive, or a stolen laptop.

Don't miss the coupon in the members ony area for a discount on the book too.

President’s Corner

by Sue Snell, aJ MUG President

Summer is finally here, and the Fourth of July is just around the corner. But, before that star-spangled day arrives, we will meet on the July 1 to celebrate appleJAC! This is the middle meeting away from our regular meeting place at Lewis and Clark, and a fun one we have in store.

This month we will meet at Trinity Lutheran School cafeteria for the annual MacFixIt program. This is the time of year for you to bring in your needy Macs (is there such a thing?) and let the local experts help you get things straightened out (if possible). On the agenda are several topics of interest besides getting the “medical” attention some of our Macs may need. Please refer to the Agenda for a complete listing of topics to be covered. I think you will find each of these helpful and timely.

August is the annual picnic which will again be held at the North Jefferson City pavilion. We will gather for a meal of burgers, brats, and dogs along with numerous selections of tasty treats provided by those in attendance. Let us hope that Mother Nature smiles on Missouri that evening and provides us with one of the picture-perfect evenings that she can deliver. However, if things run true to form (read “rather hot”), we will still have a fabulous gathering with good food and more importantly, good friends.

Last month’s meeting at Capital Eye Care was indeed a pleasure. Dr. Lewis and Dr. Luetkemeyer, along with their able office manager Michelle, graciously provided a very entertaining and informative presentation regarding the use of Macs in their practice. If you missed it, you missed a good one!

Winners of the door prizes at the meeting were as follows:

- Peggy Landwehr    Photoshop Workflow Setups (book)
- Sara Kopp    Leopard screen cleaner
- Rosalind Moulton    CrossOver software
- Julie Smith    Apple-logoed cup
- Ken Zindle    CDW 1GB flashdrive
- Tom Vaughn    Apple-logoed pen
- Alice Kopp    Cult of Mac (book)

Looking forward to seeing you at Trinity Lutheran School on the first of July. Don’t forget to bring your Mac if you need expert advice and/or “medical” treatment.

 

July 2008 Meeting Agenda

 

June 2008 New Vendor Discount Offers

ScreenCastOnline: 20% Discount

With a brand new HD video tutorial published every week, ScreenCastsOnline is a fantastic resource for Mac video tutorials covering Mac OS X, iLife '08, iWork '08, tutorials for switchers, the latest Apple and third party applications and much more. Sign up as a ScreenCastsOnline Extra! member to get the next 26 weekly shows in HD, plus over 150+ HD tutorials, all available for immediate download via iTunes.

User group members pay $39.20 (US), compared to the usual price of $49 (US) using the coupon code below.

More information: http://www.screencastsonline.com/extra

See your user group Ambassador for Coupon Codes*

This worldwide offer is valid through August 31, 2008.

Parallels: $20 (US) Off

Run Windows, Linux and more side-by-side with Mac OS X. Now with more than 1,000,000 users worldwide, Parallels Desktop for Mac is one of the world's most popular Mac System Utilities. It's a fantastic solution for running Windows on Mac OS X.

Get Parallels Desktop for only $59.99 (US) and save $20 (US) off the regular price of $79.99 (US) or upgrade a previous version for only $29.99 (US), also $20 (US) off the regular upgrade price of $49.99 (US) (Extra items in the purchase cart may be removed by clicking on the “x” to the right of each.)

Run Windows on your Mac today: http://www.parallels.com/

See your user group Ambassador for Coupon Codes

This US only offer is valid through July 31, 2008.

Ecamm CardRaider: 35% Off

The CardRaider is the easiest and most affordable way to recover lost photos from your digital camera, memory card or thumb drive. Just one click and watch your photos and movies clips come back like magic. You can find the ones you're looking for and quickly recover them to your computer, or send directly to iPhoto.

This exclusive user group price is $12.97 (US), compared to the normal price of $19.95 (US), which is 35% off.

Make recovery easy: http://www.ecamm.com/mac/cardraider

See your user group Ambassador for Coupon Codes

This worldwide offer is valid through August 31, 2008.

Your Private Haven for Cool Apple Stuff

At the MUG store, you can check out specials, blowouts, new Macs and special value Macs. Each section contains lists of products with prices set exclusively for user group members. Plus, your group earns points every time one of your members makes a purchase.

Shop the MUG Store: http://www.applemugstore.com

See your user group Ambassador for Coupon Codes

This U.S. only offer is valid through July 31, 2008.

Phone Fully Loaded: Andy’s Colorful Handbook

a review by Tom Piper

Author: Andy Ihnatko
Publisher: Wiley Publishing
First Edition: December 2007
Pages: 246
Series: Paperback
ISBN: 978-0-470-17368-8
Publisher’s Brief Description: iPhone Fully Loaded is a one-of-a-kind reference that teaches you how to fully exploit the power of your Phone or iPod touch. Clear step-by-step instructions teach you how to convert any form of home, office, or online media -- dusty LPs, movies on DVD, spreadsheets, databases, presentations, downloadable books, comic books, as well as music and video to an iPhone or iPod Touch compatible format. Written by wildly popular technology expert and Chicago Sun Times columnist Andy Ihnatko, iPhone Fully Loaded is a full-color guide designed to work for both Mac OS X and Windows users. From uploading Web pages to downloading television shows and a variety of documents, including Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint documents, the iPhone does much more than make phone calls, play music, and send e-mail.

The first thing I always do is to flip through the pages to see what catches my eye, then scan the volume to see how well its organized:

Table of Contents
INTRODUCTION.
PART 1: THE BASICS OF CONTENT.
Chapter 1: Remedial iTunes.
Chapter 2: How To Make 8 Gigabytes Seem Like 80.
PART II: THE REAL WORLD.
Chapter 3: Ripping CDs.
Chapter 4: Ripping DVDs.
Chapter 5: Old Home Video.
Chapter 6: Glorious Television.
Chapter 7: Radio.
Chapter 8: Comics.
PART III: THE INTERNET.
Chapter 9: News, Blogs, and Bookmarks.
Chapter 10: What a Friend We Have in RSS.
Chapter 11: Software, Kind Of (and No, Really).
Chapter 12: Sticking Web Pages in Your Ear.
Chapter 13: Podcasts.
Chapter 14: Audio Streams.
Chapter 15: Internet Videos.
Chapter 16: How to Download Free Music and Get Away with It.
PART IV: THE OFFICE.
Chapter 17: Calendars and Contacts.
Chapter 18: Clippings and Trivial Ephemera.
Chapter 19: Any Damned Information You Want.
Chapter 20: Picture That.
Chapter 21: E-Mail.
Chapter 22: Spreadsheets and Databases.
Chapter 23: Presentations.
INDEX.

Eye-popping attractive color pictures, titling and graphics quickly grab attention and lure the reader into the text of this publication. It has the feel of a handbook, with type style and illustration sizing that is easy to read and quickly informative. Lots of cool tips and new ideas whether you are new to the iPhone, or a seasoned veteran.

This book covers both the first generation iPhone and the iPod Touch. There are sure to be lots of new publications out to describe the second generation iPhone after July 11, but it is important to learn the basics and see some of the possibilities this unit offers. It is a real step beyond the how-to guide, and takes you into a number of adventures that explore the many opportunities, including non-Apple apps. There is a lot of warmth, and the book makes you feel good about the iPhone experience showing how to get the most out of this wonderful device.

This interesting book retails for $19.99, but can be found for $13.59 or less at Amazon and other internet locations. A complete Wiley Publishing description, and purchasing details are also available at: http://www.wiley.com/WileyCDA/WileyTitle/productCd-0470173688,descCd-description.html.

Office 2008 for Macintosh: The Missing Manual

 a review by Tom Piper

Author: Jim Elferdink
Publisher: O’Reilly Media
First Edition: March 2008  
Pages: 911 
Series: The Missing Manuals
ISBN 10: 0-596-51431-X | ISBN 13: 9780596514310
Publisher’s brief description: Though Office 2008 has been improved to take advantage of the latest Mac OS X features, you don't get a single page of printed instructions to guide you through the changes. Office 2008 for Macintosh: The Missing Manual gives you the friendly and thorough introduction you need, whether you're a beginner who can't do more than point and click, or a power user who's ready for a few advanced techniques.
The first thing I always do is to flip through the pages to see what catches my eye, then scan the volume to see how well its organized:
Table of Contents
Chapter 1: Basic Word Processing
Chapter 2: Editing in Word
Chapter 3: Formatting in Word
Chapter 4: Styles, Page Layout, and Tables
Chapter 5: Working Collaboratively
Chapter 6: Working with Notebooks, Outlining, and Master Documents
Chapter 7: Editing Long Documents
Chapter 8: Moving Beyond Text: Publishing Layout View
Chapter 9: Word Meets WebChapter 10: Email, Address Book, and Newsgroups
Chapter 11: Calendar, Tasks, and the Project Center
Chapter 12: Basic Excel
Chapter 13: Formatting and Charts
Chapter 14: Formula and Database Magic
Chapter 15: Planning and Creating Great Presentations
Chapter 16: Building a PowerPoint Presentation
Chapter 17: Polishing and Presenting in PowerPoint
Chapter 18: Saving Time with the Project Gallery and Toolbox
Chapter 19: Making the Most of Graphics
Chapter 20: Customizing Office
Appendix : Installation and Troubleshooting
Appendix : The Office Help System
Appendix : Office 2008, Menu by Menu

For me this is a great quick reference guide for tasks I want to do without having to read the whole book. It is hefty and B&W, which gives it a more serious first impression, yet it is jam-packed with information and tips, obviously thorough in its approach. Graphic illustrations pepper the descriptions, interspersed with Workaround Workshops, interesting Tips, Power Users Clinics, Gem in the Rough pullouts, Notes and Frequently Asked Questions. Considerable attention is given even to describing each individual menu.

Office 2008 for Macintosh is a large and complicated set of programs including Word, Entourage, Excel, and PowerPoint, each with very detailed subparts. This is an ambitious publication which successfully acts as a tutorial and how-to manual. Like its topic, this book requires a focused commitment to learning, which will be very rewarding to the devotee who is willing to spend the time and attention. But, if you’ve made the considerable investment to buy this program, then this is the book that will help you get the most out of its powerful components at a very reasonable price.

This great book retails for $34.99, but can be found for $23.99 or less at Amazon and other internet locations, including PDF versions. A complete O’Reilly Media description, and purchasing details are also available at: http://www.oreilly.com/catalog/9780596514310.

Twain Sane makes old scanners new again

 From Tom Piper, appleJAC Editor

With the advances in Leopard, a number of USB devices became inoperable . . . my portable flatbed bus-powered CanoScan N656U scanner was on of them, and it is a nice simple ease-to-use quality scanner.

I found a great TWAIN SANE Interface for MacOS X (http://www.ellert.se/twain-sane/) that really works well with the new Adobe Photoshop Elements 6 . . . previously, it couldn't even see an attached USB scanner, now it knows it by name. On the other hand, although Image Capture sees the scanner, and activates it, it seems unable to capture the image.

if you didn't already know about this free set of utility drivers, it is very successful in assuring continued use of some older equipment . . .

Macs All-in-One Reference Guide for Dummies: 7 in 1

a review by Tom Piper

Author: Wallace Wang
Publisher: Wiley Publishing
First Edition: February 2008  
Pages: 816
Series: Paperback
ISBN: 978-0-470-16957-5
Publisher’s brief description: Welcome to the wonderful world of the Mac! Whether you’ve just decided to switch from Windows or you’ve been using a Mac for awhile and want to take advantage of all its bells and whistles, Macs All-in-One Desk Reference For Dummies is the perfect guidebook to Mac land.
You probably already know that Macs were made for media. There’s iPhoto for organizing, editing, and sharing your digital photos; iMovie to let you become a moviemaker; iDVD for preserving that movie and playing your favorites; and of course, iTunes for managing your music. But your Mac is just as happy creating documents, browsing the Internet, putting together cool presentations, or even crunching numbers. This guide shows you how to use all those applications and more. Seven minibooks cover Mac basics; working with photos, movies, and music; using the Internet; working with iLife and iWork applications; various other Mac programs; time-saving tips; and networking. You’ll discover how to
    •    Set up and customize a new Mac
    •    Get online, choose a browser, configure an e-mail account, and instant-message with iChat
    •    Handle Mac security and troubleshoot problems
    •    Create a Web site with iWeb and get it online
    •    Back up your files, sync your stuff, and manage your life with your Mac
    •    Network your Mac with other computers, even PCs, and share files, printers, and more
Even if you’re a seasoned Mac veteran, we bet you’ll find some things here you didn’t know! And you’ll refer to this book again and again.

The first thing I always do is to flip through the pages to see what catches my eye, then scan the volume to see how well its organized:

Table of Contents
Introduction.
Book I: Mac Basics.
Chapter 1: Getting to Know Your Mac.
Chapter 2: Starting Up, Sleeping, and Shutting Down.
Chapter 3: Getting Acquainted with the Mac User Interface.
Chapter 4: Running Programs.
Chapter 5: Installing and Uninstalling Software.
Chapter 6: Managing Files and Folders.
Chapter 7: Customizing Your Mac.
Chapter 8: Accessibility Features of the Macintosh.
Chapter 9: Maintenance and Troubleshooting.
Book II: Photos, Music, and Movies.
Chapter 1: Playing with Audio.
Chapter 2: Playing with Pictures.
Chapter 3: Watching Videos on a Mac.
Chapter 4: Using Front Row for Movies, Music, and Photos.
Book III: Browsing the Internet.
Chapter 1: Browsing the Internet.
Chapter 2: Sending and Receiving E-Mail.
Chapter 3: Chatting in Real Time.
Chapter 4: Security for Your Mac.
Chapter 5: Setting Up Your Own Web Site.
Book IV: Working with iLife and iWork.
Chapter 1: Storing Memories with iPhoto.
Chapter 2: Using iMovie.
Chapter 3: Using iDVD.
Chapter 4: Creating Web Sites with iWeb.
Chapter 5: Using GarageBand.
Chapter 6: Writing and Publishing with Pages.
Chapter 7: Making Presentations with Keynote.
Chapter 8: Doing Calculations with Numbers.
Book V: Other Mac Programs.
Chapter 1: Word Processing on the Mac.
Chapter 2: Office Suites on the Mac.
Chapter 3: Painting and Drawing on a Mac.
Chapter 4: Running Windows on a Mac.
Chapter 5: Having Fun with a Mac.
Book VI: Time-Saving Tips with a Mac.
Chapter 1: Protecting Your Data.
Chapter 2: Managing Your Time with iCal.
Chapter 3: Storing Contact Information in the Address Book.
Chapter 4: Using Dashboard.
Chapter 5: Automating Your Mac.
Book VII: Mac Networking.
Chapter 1: Networking Your Macs.
Chapter 2: Sharing Files and Resources on a Network.
Chapter 3: Bluetooth Wireless Networking.
Index.

True to its title and outlined above, this publication is really seven books in one. With descriptive B&W illustrations punctuating many instructions throughout, it is reminiscent of a recipe book that carefully and clearly describes the steps necessary to accomplish a task. The “white space” is well-balanced with uncramped, wide margins articulated by whimsical thoughts and symbols such as Tips, Technical Stuff, Warning, and Remember.

This volume is well-designed for quick reference and how-to directions. It seems very comprehensive and complete in its scope, and written in a manner that communicates well to a non-techie reader. On the other hand, it is not something that would be read from cover-to-cover in one setting, but rather to be digested over time due to the level of detail. It will probably be very helpful to switchers from Windows.

This great book retails for $29.99, but can be found for $22.67 or less at Amazon and other internet locations. A complete Wiley Publishing description, and purchasing details are also available at: http://www.wiley.com/WileyCDA/WileyTitle/productCd-0470169575.html.

Mac OS X Leopard: Teach Yourself Visually

a review by Tom Piper

Author: Lynette Kent
Publisher: Wiley Publishing
First Edition: October 2007  
Pages: 352 
Series: Paperback
ISBN: 978-0-470-10167-4
Publisher’s brief description: Do you prefer instructions that show you how instead of telling you why? This book is packed with easy, visual directions and full-color screen shots that show you how to tackle more than 150 tasks with Mac OS X Leopard, including adding applications to the Dock, color-coding files and folders, viewing windows in Exposé, using the QuickTime player, storing files on your iPod, creating your own Web widgets, and more. Succinct explanations walk you through step by step.
The first thing I always do is to flip through the pages to see what catches my eye, then scan the volume to see how well its organized:
Table of Contents
Chapter 1: Getting Started with Mac OS X Leopard Fundamentals.
Chapter 2: Working with Separate Applications.
Chapter 3: Mastering the Finder.
Chapter 4:Customizing Leopard.
Chapter 5: Using Leopard Applications for Everyday Tasks.
Chapter 6: Harnessing the Power of the Internet.
Chapter 7: Connecting Peripherals to Your Mac.
Chapter 8: Listening to Music, Radio, and Podcasts.
Chapter 9: Working with Images and Video.
Chapter 10: Connecting to Other Machines over a Network.
Chapter 11: Simplifying Tasks and Maintenance.
Chapter 12: Troubleshooting Mac Problems.

For me this is indeed a visually stimulating approach to learning. The extraordinary use of color and graphics makes it visually appealing and quickly understandable. In the “How to Use This Book” introduction, the question is asked: “Do you look at the pictures in a book or newspaper before anything else on a page? Would you rather see an image instead of read about how to do something?” With my architectural background, this book really is an attractive way to absorb knowledge by reading less and learning more about the new Mac OS X 10.5. There is almost a “comicbook” style to the graphics and pictures, but with a high-polished primary color look that communicates easily and quickly.

The information is presented simply, directly and understandably. The graphics are well-annotated with concise sidebar directions that flow logically and with quick comprehension. The liberal use of symbols and keycaps (instead of words) seems very Mac-ish, and the overall presentation has an air of lightness and humor with warmth and creativity. Its hard not to smile as you leaf through the various topics, and the illustrations are so eye-catching that browsing turns into study time after time. Learning is fun again.

This unusual book retails for $29.99, but can be found for $19.79 or less at Amazon and other internet locations. A complete Wiley Publishing description, and purchasing details are also available at: http://www.wiley.com/WileyCDA/WileyTitle/productCd-0470101679,descCd-tableOfContents.html.

.Mac becomes Mobileme

MobileMe is a new Internet service from Apple that pushes email, contacts, and calendars from a secure Internet server, or "cloud," to all the devices you use: your iPhone, iPod touch, as well as Mac and PC computers. This data is accessible anywhere and automatically ensures that you get identical email, contacts, and calendars, no matter which device you use.
MobileMe also provides a suite of ad-free web applications that deliver a desktop-like experience through any modern browser. MobileMe applications at me.com include Mail, Contacts, and Calendar, as well as Gallery for viewing and sharing photos, 20GB of storage, and iDisk for storing and sharing documents online.

Building on the best of .Mac
MobileMe takes the best of .Mac and adds a host of new features. .Mac customers will enjoy new web applications; push email, push contacts, push calendar; and 20GB of online storage. Also, .Mac customers will continue to experience Mac integration they know and love, such as Back to My Mac; access to their iDisk in the Finder; Mac-to-Mac syncing of Dashboard widgets, Dock items, preferences and more; iWeb website publishing; and photo and movie sharing directly from iPhoto '08 and iMovie '08.

.Mac Transition
MobileMe will start service in July. Mac customers can use .Mac now and be automatically upgraded to MobileMe in July 2008. Subscribers purchasing .Mac get a .mac email address and have the option of using a me.com address when MobileMe becomes available.

To help .Mac members better understand how this transition will take place, Apple has published a ".Mac to MobileMe Transition FAQ" at http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1932

Where do .Mac / MobileMe customers get Support?Live Chat Support - US only (8am-8pm CST)

If a .Mac member asks any .Mac / MobileMe Support question, have them enter one of the following URLs:

•http://www.apple.com/support/dotmac/account#form  or
•http://www.apple.com/support/dotmac/mail#form  or
•http://www.apple.com/support/dotmac/sync#form

They will be able to chat in real-time with a live Support specialist.   This is the best way to get immediate resolution to any basic .Mac / MobileMe Support issue.

Email Support - World Wide (24/7)

If live chat support is not available, walk the .Mac / MobileMe member to a demo machine and visit: http://www.apple.com/support/dotmac

From there they can click any one of the nine bricks so customers can read the FAQs and/or submit an email using the web form on the bottom.

End of July Digest

That's the end of the July 2008 appleJAC MUG Digest . . . if you're not at member, please join us TODAY.

Tom Piper, appleJAC Secretary/Editor

That's the end of the July 2008 appleJAC MUG Digest . . . if you're not at member, please join us TODAY.

Tom Piper, appleJAC Secretary/Editor

President’s Corner

 

by Sue Snell, aJ MUG President

Welcome to June. At least I think it’s June — if only the rain would go away! This “April Showers” thing has been going on long enough and is about to drown any “May Flowers” that I did manage to get growing. But enough complaining; it’s Missouri, so why should I expect the normal?

As we begin our summer hiatus away from the regular meeting place of Lewis and Clark Middle School, let’s look at the upcoming events. This month, we will meet at Capitol Eye Care to visit about Macs in Business. Drs. Luetkemeyer and Lewis have been gracious enough to allow us to visit and learn from them some very practical applications using Macs. We will hopefully get a bit of history of Macs in their business and information regarding benefits to patients.

The July meeting will be our annual Fix-It and Maintain-It opportunity held at Trinity Lutheran Cafeteria. This year we will also incorporate some further information on Leopard and using dotMac accounts. Look for further information in next month’s Digest, but be prepared to get some highly-useful information from some highly-qualified individuals.

August is the annual picnic which, like last year, will again be held at the North Jefferson City pavilion. Even though we can count on warm (hot?) weather, we all gather for a meal of burgers, brats, and dogs along with numerous selections of tasty treats provided by those in attendance. (But who knows, Missouri’s weather hasn’t exactly been running true to form. Maybe it will be one of those absolutely perfect summer days that do occasionally occur in our Great State!)

Last month’s meeting was informative for all, but particularly those interested in photography. Peggy Landwehr presented on iPhoto and George Kopp contrasted it with a presentation on Adobe’s Lightroom.

Winners of the door prizes at the meeting were as follows:
 - Geof Payne    Digital Photography Handbook
 - Tom Vaughn    Blending Modes Cookbook
 - Robert Williams    Photoshop Retouching Cookbook
 - Alice Kopp    Adobe Photoshop CS3 book
 - Bill Webb    Photoshop Lightroom Adventure book
 - Sister Josetta Eveler    Ream of Photo paper
 - Terry Larkin    Roxio Toast 9 software

Until June 3, stay dry and look for the silver lining.

June 2008 Meeting Agenda

  

My Marvelous MUG: More Than A Monthly Meeting

 a commentary by Tom Piper

Are we having fun yet??? That was the initial goal stated at the first meeting I called of the appleJAC Macintosh Users Group in December 1984 . . . and it is our first priority today!!! Education, training, new products, food, information, new gadgets, drink, giveaways, reviews, demonstrations, friends, philanthropy, assistance, new users, gurus, specialists, photos, Wi-Fi, iPods, iPhones, PowerBooks/iBooks/MacBooks (and Pros), PowerPC/G3/G4/G5/Intel, AirPorts, Time Capsule . . . these are only a few of random thoughts that come to my mind when I think of aJMUG . . . and mostly friends!

Our numbers grew for a long time, but now have shrunk to less than 50 members. Yet, the number of Apple products in mid-Missouri has virtually exploded into many hands, households, and businesses. Unlike our early days, much of what we want to know about Apple products can now be obtained from the Internet, BUT the warmth and congeniality of face-to-face contact can’t be replaced by iChat, Skype, QuickTime or Google. Our numerous friendships, contagious excitement and personal assistance have become a hallmark of our existence, and a strong motivation for why we need to help others join us.

Your participation is what makes our gatherings work. Even if you don’t want to be an officer or a presenter (we continue to seek both), but regular attendance by you, your friends and Apple product users you may encounter will enhance the experience. Come join us at Capitol Eye Care on June 3 . . . and YES, we are having fun!!!

SpaceNavigator for Notebooks: The Portable 3D Mouse

a review by Tom Piper

In the March 2008 Digest I reviewed the original SpaceNavigator 3D controller that was designed for desktop use. I was very pleased with that unit (even though I wish it were compatible with more Mac software). Yet, it seemed liked too much to take in my computer bag where every ounce stretches the strap (and my shoulder) a little more.

The folks at 3Dconnexion (a Logitech company) were listening, and they have produced a smaller unit designed for notebook use. This new 3D mouse is lighter and more compact at half the weight and a quarter less volume (comparison below).
The knob size is very similar with a very nice “palm fit” and even more comfortable than the earlier edition. With it small footprint, it is easy to use, even on airline trays and lapdesks. The included travel case makes transport effortless. It includes an advanced 6 degrees-of-freedom optical sensor, speed adjustable to preference, two programmable function keys, and a two-year warranty.

System requirements for the Macintosh are a Dual-Core or Core Duo processor based system, 1Ghz G4 or higher, 512MB RAM or more, 10 MB available hard disk space for driver and plug-in installation, USB 1.1 or 2.0, and Mac OS X 10.4.6 or later. Also compatible with most recent Windows and Linux systems.

My endorsement is even more enthusiastic for this 3D controller than its predecessor. This new notebook model has just been released for $129. Visit www.3dconnexion.com for more information about these and other 3Dconnexion products.

Rhinoskin Aluminum Hardcase: My MacBook Pro Vault

a review by Tom Piper

Laptop computers are a wonderful convenience due to their utility and portability. Protection of these valuable assets is also important, which is why having a computer case has been mandatory. Mine have always been canvas, leather or some other flexible material, which quickly becomes heavy and bulky with all the other accessories I tend to stuff into them. The concept of having one streamlined hard case was very attractive.

The Rhinoskin aluminum hardcase was my first choice for hard-shell protection. The first week of use was in my house as a shield against the ravages of my 15-year-old grandson who loves to eat, drink, pound, force-close, and otherwise terrorize my MacBook Pro 17” veteran of many travels. Indeed, it was not only protected from damage, but seemed like a lightweight vault which successfully defended my precious investment. Test #1 worked.

The second test was laptop functionality in my living room chair. I found it to be cool and comfortable across my knees without the need for a laptop desk, including when it was plugged into for recharging, a tradition time of greatly increased heat (the cooling grill across the bottom, and internal airspace around the computer seemed to work well). The case is overall a close fit, with a textured “fabric feel” inside . . . the lid almost grips the screen when upright, but slips away when tipped back (my fix was a plastic clip in the upper corner, but I wish they had included a built-in small lever in the design to would hold the lid in place). The side-sliding locks are very effective in securing the closed unit, while unobtrusive while in use. One surprise was that the front bottom lip of the case was barely the thickness of a CD too high, thus blocking the insert or extraction of a CD or DVD (the workaround was to put a pencil underneath it when slot access was needed).

The third test was the “trip to the office” which would subject my laptop to the rigors of travel, being thrown into the car, bounced around on my shoulder, and occasionally knocked into various objects along the way. It survived all of these things handily without a mark, although the occasional sound of metal against immovable object can be a little disconcerting. Thankfully, the hardcase is lightweight and very durable, not to mention feeling thin and very portable.

Unfortunately, this case apparently had a flawed connection loop on the case (designed to fit snugly against the case when not in use), because it broke when the swivel hook pulled it sideways sharply. I immediately emailed a description of this incident to the company, who said that would ship me another case while I returned theirs (two working days later the replacement arrived, with an assurance that their connectors had been retested). While this problem was initially startling, I have high hopes for the replacement unit, and at no point was my computer injured in any way.

All in all, this hardcase seems very well-suited for travel, particularly with its secure adjustable velcro-flapped strap-bag for power supply, a few cables and accessories. It would work easily into a backpack, a suitcase or larger bag, with removable straps, neoprene lining, easy access to ports, ventilated bottom, rubberized feet and anodized aluminum to be corrosion and abrasion resistant. It is available for 13, 15 and 17 inch MacBook Pros, and would work in many small spaces like on an airplane, desk or shelf (on a hard surface, the lid leans at a nice angle to frame the screen).

In looking at the company who makes these cases, I found that for over 60 years Saunders Manufacturing in Readfield, Maine has made top quality Form Holders and Clipboards for millions of customers worldwide. Now their new portable desktops and RhinoSkin products continue the tradition with brand premium cases for computers, PDAs, smartphones and music players. Their cases utilize top quality materials like aluminum, leather and synthetics to protect your investment.

Depending on your laptop size, the price will range from $130 to $150 for this sturdy hardcase. For a limited time, Saunders has agreed to offer a Mac user group special of 25% off their retail price (see below). I will say that my first hardcase experience was successful as I look forward to its continued use on the road (and at home for domestic protection).

Rhinoskin Aluminum Hardcases: 25% Discount

Rhinoskin's anodized aluminum cases are custom fit for MacBook and MacBook Pro. Durable yet lightweight, the sleek design slips easily into a backpack or carry-on. The neoprene lining cushions and prevents scratching, and each case is ventilated on the bottom with rubberized feet to prevent slipping. Add in the removable strap system with accessory pouch and access to power ports while closed, and Rhinoskin cases are perfect for road warriors.
See the full Rhinoskin product line: http://www.rhinoskin.com

This special user group offer provides a 25% discount and free shipping within the 48 contiguous states:
   - 13" MSRP $129.95 (US) -  User Group price $97.46 (US)
   - 15" MSRP $139.95 (US) -  User Group price $104.96 (US)
   - 17" MSRP $149.95 (US) -  User Group price $112.46 (US)

Enjoy the savings with this link: http://www.mfgdirect.com/static/?s=AD98E2C
This US only offer is valid through August 31, 2008.

Adobe Photoshop Elements 6: Cool Mac Photo Tool

a review by Tom Piper

I’m a great fan of iPhoto for storing and improving my photos, plus all the other great features from slideshows to the creation of photobooks. But, sometimes I need more . . . and more doesn’t always mean the king-of-the-road Adobe Photoshop. A wonderful middle ground that fits many of my needs is Adobe Photoshop Elements, the most recent version of which is Elements 6 for the Mac.

As their website emphasizes, you can go beyond the basics to tell great stories with your photos. Powerful yet easy-to-use Adobe® Photoshop® Elements 6 software for Macintosh helps you make your photos look their best, share them in creative ways in print and on the web, and quickly find and view them. Photoshop Elements also works great with iPhoto.

I’ve been a big fan of Elements for a number of years, and was just blown away by the new features that Terry White previews during Adobe’s breakfast at Macworld last January. For example, when he pointed how a common problem we all often face with group photos (you take a half dozen shots of the same group, but someone isn’t smiling or is looking away in each shot) could be resolved using Photomerge and other tools, I immediately pledged to get this product when it was released.

Indeed, there are many worthy upgrades as summarized in the following comparison to Elements 4:

System requirements include a PowerPC® G4 or G5 or multicore Intel® processor, Mac OS X v10.4.8 through 10.5.2, 512MB of RAM (1GB recommended), 64MB of video RAM, 1GB of available hard-disk space (additional free space required during installation), 1,024 x 768 monitor resolution with 16-bit video card, DVD-ROM drive, QuickTime 7 software required for multimedia features, and an Internet connection required for Internet-based services. It can be downloaded at time of purchase, but its big at 1.27 GB.

If you are on a budget (or just don’t need the high-end Photoshop), I highly recommend Adobe Photoshop Element 6 which functionally will probably do 80% of what you would need from the high-end units. Just take a minute to look at the features available to organize (store, browse, sort, label, hide, reject, more), edit (photomerge, crop, one-click fix, rotate, straighten, sharpen/blur, enhance, add text/graphics, composites), create (scrapbooks, cards, labels, step-by-step instructions, flexible layouts, add effects) and share (albums, online, quality prints/books/calendars/stamps/photos) . . . see how below.

This excellent software package retails for $89.99, but can be found for $79 or less at Amazon and other internet locations. If you have an earlier version, an upgrade is available from Adobe for $69.99. A complete description and free trial version is also available on Adobe's Web Site.

Photoshop Elements 6 for Mac: The Missing Manual

a review by Tom Piper

Author: Barbara Brundage
Publisher: O’Reilly Media
First Edition: March 2008  
Pages: 554 
Series: The Missing Manuals
ISBN 10: 0-596-51936-2 | ISBN 13: 9780596519360
Publisher’s brief description: After more than two years, Adobe has finally released a new version of Photoshop Elements for the Mac that packs a lot more editing firepower than iPhoto. It's perfect for scrapbooking, making fancy photo collages, creating your own Web galleries, and more -- but knowing what to do and when is tricky. Photoshop Elements 6 for Mac: The Missing Manual explains all the new features in a clear, easy-to-understand way, and gives you tips on when to use them.

The first thing I always do is to flip through the pages to see what catches my eye, then scan the volume to see how well its organized:

Table of Contents
Chapter 1: Finding Your Way Around Elements
Chapter 2: Importing, Managing, and Saving Your Photos
Chapter 3: Rotating and Resizing Your Photos
Chapter 4: The Quick Fix
Chapter 5: Making Selections
Chapter 6: Layers: The Heart of Elements
Chapter 7: Basic Image Retouching
Chapter 8: Elements for Digital Photographers
Chapter 9: Retouching: Fine-Tuning Your Images
Chapter 10: Removing and Adding Color
Chapter 11: Photomerge: Creating Panoramas, Group Shots, and More
Chapter 12: Drawing with Brushes, Shapes, and Other Tools
Chapter 13: Filters, Effects, Layer Styles, and Gradients
Chapter 14: Type in Elements
Chapter 15: Creating Projects
Chapter 16: Printing Your Photos
Chapter 17: Elements and the Web
Chapter 18: Beyond the Basics
Appendix: Elements, Menu by Menu
Appendix: Installation and Troubleshooting
Appendix: Bridge CS3, Menu by Menu

For me this is a great quick reference for tasks I want to do without having to read the whole book. The extensive use of color makes it visually appealing and quickly understandable.

The “Missing Manual” tradition of step-by-step how-to detailed instructions has been continued in this publication. What immediately impressed me even further was the author’s ability to put this program in context, both in terms of what is different from earlier versions of Elements, as well as what is different from the PC version (which is substantial). Written in a straight-forward no-nonsense manner, it gently eases in the newcomer, while assisting veterans to get directly to their topic of interest with features like the Power Users’ Clinic.

The format is well-designed, and logical in its sequence, with excellent indexing and helpful notations. Due to the level of detail and complexity of content, it may at first seem daunting to the first-time reader. This book assumes that you want to learn what to do, and how to do it, so it requires a tight focus, after which the results will be very rewarding. Although the content is very meaningful, one distraction was the paper quality which, for a book about photographic manipulation, should have glossy pages, rather than matt finish. To their credit, comparative before and after color photos are displayed which show the effects of many tools, and these would be more distinctive with better paper (admittedly, this would probably also increase the cost to produce this book).

When David Pogue pioneered the Missing Manual series, he established an entertaining, yet informative pattern which is well-illustrated here. Whether you want to sit down for a whole weekend to really get into Photoshop Elements 6, or jump directly to a specific task (or fix), this publication will accommodate the needs of most users. Elements is a very powerful tool and this guide can help make you a real Power User!

This great book which retails for $44.99, but can be found for $29.69 or less at Amazon and other internet locations. A complete O’Reilly Media description, and purchasing details are also available from O'Riley.