August's meeting will be the "Apple Photos" hosted at Kennedy Hall at IC School, Jefferson City, at 7:00pm on Tuesday, August 6, 2019. Please bring your friends who are MacOS or iOS users to our meetings.
Feel free to email your webmaster if you have ideas for improvements or changes to this website. Greg Breuer In order to view this 1:09 minute teaser for this Fall's new show, just click on:
apples-morning-show-teaser-first-look-at-reese-witherspoon-jennifer-aniston-drama
I wanted to provide some links for a couple of the items that I discussed at the August meeting.
First off, the application that can check your Mac for 32bit applications that will no longer function with this falls MacOS update to Catalina is called Go64.
Quickly scan your disk for applications, see which ones are 32-bit, and find upgrade information with the click of a button.
Go64 makes it easy to plan for the future.
And yes, it's FREE! Downloaded it at https://www.stclairsoft.com/Go64/
Second , the application that extends Apple Photos and gives it the ability to automagically fix your images is called Photolemur and can be purchased and downloaded at https://photolemur.com
Finally, the application to find duplicates in your photos library is called Photos Duplicate Cleaner and is available on the Mac Apps Store
--George
by Tom Piper
Macstock V was held July 27-28, 2019, in Woodstock, IL, with over 200 devoted Apple enthusiasts in attendance.
This two-event provided a wide variety of educational presentations, excellent exhibits by Other World Computing (OWC), and fun-filled evenings with many others with this common interest. For more information about the details, click on: macstockconferenceandexpo.com.
For pictures of this fifth annual meeting of Apple devotees, just click on: www.icloud.com/MacstockV.
From Jason Piper
The President's Report-July 2019
a review by Tom Piper
Audio and video files have been playable on the Mac for over 37 years using a variety of programs. During this time, I’ve used Apple’s flagship iTunes and QuickTime Player, as well as DivX, RealPlayer, Elmedia, Plex, VLC and many others. Recently, I started using a great new player that is small and powerful.
JustPlay, from Electronic Team, Inc. is a simple media player that just play all video or audio files that I have. It easily supports MP4, AVI, MOV, SWF, DAT, MKV, MP3, FLAC, M4V, MP4, FLV, Blu-ray, and more. This little player comes packed with all necessary stuff to play everything.
Playback adjustments are flexible so I can set any playback speed, set the subtitle or sound delay, and can resume the playback immediately with the previously subtitles and soundtrack (even choose to start at a pause). If I loop the file, it will play continuously for any time I choose, including going frame-by-frame forward and back, and increasing or decreasing speed, screen size and aspect.
As if that isn’t already enough, JustPlay let’s me adjust brightness, saturation, contrast, gamma, hue, noise reduction and sharpness. The audio equalizer tunes the sound precisely for volume, speed, audio delay, subtitle and 10 separate ranges, plus it will use presets for various types of music and spaces.
JustPlay is available at https://apps.apple.com/us/app/justplay/id1458004180?mt=12 for only $4.99 (USD). This is an amazingly versatile and responsive tool for media playback is easy to use with quality results.
a review by Tom Piper
Since fused disposition modeling (FDM) was first developed in 1988, additive manufacturing using plastic extrusion has come a long way. After the first FDM patent expired in 2009, many companies developed a wide variety of what became known as 3D printers using plastic filament. At the 2019 Consumer Electronic Show (CES), over 50 companies displayed their versions of 3D printers using plastic, metal, ceramic, resin, food and other components. One of the top products shown was from a Chinese company, Shenzhen Yuejiang Technology Co. Ltd., which prints in multiple colors.
The newly-introduced modular color-mixing 3D printer DOBOT MOOZ-3 features a delta structure and high-printing efficiency. Equipped with a three-color print head with three extruders, I can easily create mixed color printing artworks via the controller extruding through one nozzle. By setting different feeding speed and printing time of the three differently-colored raw filaments many different patterns are possible. It is very versatile with two schemes of color-mixing in CMY color mode to 3D print the desirable color patterns.
When the 25-pound box first arrived, I found all the pieces and parts to be well-packed and very well-described. Assembly took me about four hours of careful construction, following the excellent instructions (although I wish they were printed bigger). The initial setup requires a 3-point leveling procedure which is actually very easy to do since it is mostly automated using a single sheet of paper. This is followed by the mandatory Z-axis motion control setting, which was also very easy to do. Once the machine is “leveled”, the three spools of colored filament must be inserted into the extruder motors and PTFE (polytetrafluoroethylene, or teflon) pipes so that they reach the heated nozzles (this was a little challenging because the strong springs on the motor gears, but this is good to make a continuous feed for the print nozzle).
Once activated, the easy-to-use controller and app provided rich printing color patterns making the MOOZ-3 suitable for most beginners, do-it-yourselfers, educators and artists. The two printing modes, including color-switch and color-blending, generate different colors of my creation using CMY (cyan, magenta, yellow) which blend together perfectly through one nozzle into layers of my selection or switch seamlessly for faster and finer results. The filament is deposited onto a removable magnetic glass heated-bed platform that improves the flatness and stickiness of my prints (it also comes with a sticker to protect the glass bed from any potential damages).
Creating specifically for color-mixing 3D printing, the MOOZ-3 shows very high efficiency and incredible fidelity. By using a 0.4mm nozzle, it provides me with detailed and gorgeous results. The 3-in/1-out color mix print head not only gives a rich mixture of color combination of the printing objects, but also brings forth high efficiency and ultra-fast printing speeds. Different colors blend together perfectly so that I can create multi-color objects without encountering any trouble. Click on this link to view the unit in action:
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Since I was new 3D printer, I had many questions for DOBOT representatives, who responded to my emails quickly and effectively. There were some issues with how to connect my 15” MacBook Pro to the MOOZ-3 unit, but they repeatedly helped me register the necessary settings in the Ultimaker Cura 3.1 software. I quickly learned that it was far more effective to download models from a variety of free or low-cost sources in STL, OBJ or AMF formats, which are then “sliced” by the Cura software, then saved as Gcode files onto the flash drive. Using the flash drive relieved my computer from needing to be continuously connected during the print process, which can often take from two to 11 hours, depending on the size and complexity of the print model.
The print models which I’ve downloaded to my computer from DOBOT representatives have produced colorful and delightful vases, figurines and other objects. These were transferred to a flash drive, which is then inserted into the MOOZ-3, which is equipped with a microcomputer touch screen controller that I used to start the creating process. After setting my color mix and layer dimensions, another screen allows me to select which model I want to print, and one touch begins the process.
Over the past two months of experience, I have printed 25 models (see picture below), with only three partial failures due to adhesion detachments from the base during printing. This problem has been fixed by cleaning the base after each print, then using applying Elmer’s purple washable glue stick before each print cycle. This is a simple and inexpensive technique at assures successful prints every time. I am so pleased with resulting prints which have excellent resolution (fine detail) and minimal filament removal when finished.
If the machine crashes or I have a power outage, the state of the current print job (SD card model only) will be saved to a file on the SD card, the firmware will present an option to Resume the interrupted print job. Another interesting feature of the DOBOT MOOZ-3 allows me to wirelessly send files from my iPhone XS Max (its also compatible with other mobile phones) to the 3D printer with no cable needed, sparing me the trouble of wire setting or computer connection.
Below are some of the key specifications for the MOOZ-3 3D printer and attachments:
The DOBOT MOOZ-3 is one of the most innovative and dependable plastic extrusion 3D printers on the market. To learn more, to to https://www.dobot.cc/products/mooz-3-overview.html where it can be purchased for $599.00 (USD). DOBOT also has a variety of other units including the Magician (robotic arm), the Tranformable Metallic 3D Printer (3D printing, laser engraving and CNC carving), the MOOZ-1/2 (single/double arm 3D printers) and other products described at https://www.dobot.cc. This is a great company with a very promising future!!!
On May 7, 2019, the appleJAC meeting featured "Best Practices of iOS and macOS Settings" with the first presentation about iOS (by George Kopp before the break) and the second about macOS (by Tom Piper after the break).
Attached is a PDF version of the macOS slideshow: MacOS Best Practices
George's presentation: Download Best Practices iOS Settings
a review by Tom Piper
Since their introduction in late 2000, I have collected a whole host of flash drives to use for a variety of purposes. The USB-A male connector was the original link to my computer, and it continues to be the anchor for most such devices. Many other changes have been added over the past 19 years, and this is a review of a great new version.
Developed as the ideal pairing for my iPhone or iPad, the iXflash from Piodata, a subsidiary of Vinpower Digital Inc., features one-touch photo and video back-up for iPhones, iPads, and iPod Touchs released over the last 5 years. This allows me to quickly and easily free up space on my iDevices, plus transfer files to and from my 15” MacBook Pro computer or to friends and family (including those with a PC).
Amazingly, the iXflash also allows me to take pictures and videos without using any of my iPhone or iPad’s internal memory. If my device has a Lightning or USB-A connection, I am in business. When I film with this unit, I can pause then resume, so that I don’t have to stitch sequential videos together that when stopped and restarted. This is particularly helpful if I need to restage or change vantage points, but don't want to stop the video continuity.
This connection duality allows this unit to work as a portable media library, storing my collection of music, movies, videos, and even data files like PDF, Word, Excel, and more. These can then be opened or played directly through all my devices (apparently, a USB-C version is also “in the works” so I can soon also use an updated storage unit on my latest 12.9” iPad Pro).
This tiny unit (only a third of an ounce, and 1.8” x 0.5” x 0.3” in size) is fast (USB 3.0) and versatile, with an attractive fold-over cover (including a hole for a lanyard) to protect either end, is exceptionally responsive. When I first plugged it into my iPhone XS Max, it asked for permission to connect to its iXflash app (which automatically downloads the first time of use). Then I am presented with a menu screen of options that allows me to go to Camera mode (photos or videos store on unit, not iPhone), or Backup & Restore (select any or all items in my Camera Roll, to copy from or place on my iPhone), Continue (view items stored on unit), Favorites (previously designated items for quick access), iXflash (view everything stored on the unit), iPhone X (view items the iXflash has stored on the iPhone), or Settings (reports of capacity, format, and protection). The upper left corner allows me to change from Writable to Read Only for unit content, and upper right corner informs me of history and use logs of the unit. This all allows for excellent defaults and a nice range of customizability for unit use.
Performance among devices is very convenient and pleasing. For example, I copied movies to the unit from my computer which played easily on the iPad (and resumed again at the same place when I stopped the movie, removed the unit, then returned everything later), then I was able to move this viewing on my iPhone by clicking on the Sync History feature of the Playback History controller. What’s more, I love the app’s ability to control the video placement using swipe commands for volume, advancement or continuing.
I have a friend who just purchased a iXflash (using offer below) and has used it on three iPads (2 minis and current standard iPad), and the unit worked flawlessly for her. She put music, podcasts, audio books (Game of Thrones and Wolf Hall) and movies (including her ripped copies of the entire The Wire series). She is now thinking of getting a second one because the units are so much smaller than what she usually uses (a square SanDisk media streamer that holds info on the unit but also accepts micro sd cards). The much smaller size makes travel much easier and more convenient.
It also came to my attention about the iXflash app’s ability to open virtually all forms of zip files, which is not usually native to Apple iDevices. If someone were to email or message a zip (or variation of a compressed) file to me, I could save it to the iXflash App, then open the zip file, and view or save the files inside to the app or the iDevice directly. I believe this would be important for business travelers that want to be able to view all their files when on the road, regardless of its format. The same is true for music lovers that listen to the flac lossless music files rather than mp3, for a more authentic sound. Although Apple iDevices cannot utilize those files directly, the iXflash App can open and play them immediately.
There are a few suggestions that I would make to improve the experience even more, such as having the menu screen show in horizontal mode, as well as vertical mode. In addition, when selecting items from the Camera Roll to backup, it would be nice to be able to tap on one item, click a button, then click on a second to have everything in between selected (the tap-hold-slide feature works well for a few photos, but is laborious for a lot). I suspect that these issues will be addressed in a future app version. I’m also looking forward to a new USB-C version, or (better yet) an adaptor to convert from Lightning to USB-C. For more information, an excellent description is available at https://www.piodata.com/products/ixf-064-sg.
All iXflash units are black with silver cover, available in 32GB, 64GB, 128GB and 256GB sizes. Apple user group members will receive a 20% added discount to the lowest price shown on the 32GB, 64GB, and 128GB iXflash (ranging from $34.95 to $149.99) exclusively through RunTechMedia.com. At checkout screen enter promo code: iXflash20. Time is limited since this worldwide offer is valid only through June 30, 2019.
a review by Tom Piper
Maintaining the good health of our computer investments is very important. Considering the substantial monetary initial investment, plus the hundreds (even thousands) of hours of time to create documents and files that are usually irreplaceable, we need to also invest in “tech insurance” to protect these assets. A great utility will fit this need.
TechTool Pro 11.0.2 is the latest version that I’m reviewing (my previous review was nearly 4 years ago at applejac.typepad.com/techtoolpro8), and is simply the best utility I’ve ever used to test and repair my 13” MacBook Air, 15” MacBook Pro and 27” iMac. This version is Mojave compatible, and takes advantage of the latest technologies introduced with the release of macOS 10.14.14 (which I’m using).
As their website illustrates in great detail, this utility is feature-packed with benefits that all Mac users need for comprehensive diagnostics, repair, and maintenance. To ensure that my Mac stays optimized and trouble-free, I make sure that I use TechTool Pro regularly to keep my Macs running at peak performance. Here is a quick overview of the benefits available:
It may seem a little overwhelming when first provided the opportunity to use TechTool Pro 11, but the ability to use each is simple and straight-forward. The techie details are here for those who are interested, but the power is immediately accessible to any user. The interface is logical and easy-to-understand, and the tools can be used immediately, or in the background, depending on the user’s needs.
It is important to mention that, although most of the controls are intuitive, a 135-page manual is also easily accessible in a downloadable PDF file that provides detailed explanations about every tool and report available. If that is not enough, a Techtool Pro 11 Knowledge Base can be reviewed online with answers to commonly-asked questions. And, if you really want to dig deep and/or converse with other Techtool Pro 11 users, the drop-down Help menu item also is a doorway into the Micromat Forum for this product (they have one for each of their products). Obviously, they are very committed to extensive support!
For more details about these benefits and other interesting information, go to micromat.com/techtool-pro where TechTool Pro 11 Full Version is available for $129.99, TechTool Pro 11 Standard Upgrade for $29.99 (Intermediate and Legacy Upgrades add $20 and $30, respectively), TechTool Pro 11 Business Pack for $249.99, and TechTool Pro 11 DVD for $19.99 (will require current TechTool serial number).
If the health of your Mac is important to you, I recommend this utility as the best all-purpose solution available. I’ve tried many utilities over the past 30 years, and TechTool Pro 11 now has ALL of the tools and best performance together in one integrated package!
From the President Jason Piper
May Give-a-way Winners!
From the President
a review by Tom Piper
Flash drive or thumb drive or U disk or pan drive . . . whatever you call portable solid-state storage that we have used for years . . . the newest computers and tablets now go beyond the traditional USB-A connector to embrace the new USB-C standard — faster and more robust, for better data transmission. The latest iPad Pros use this new port to great advantage, but most flash drives don’t work correctly with them, until now!
The UNIREX MicroSD U1 is a 5-in-1 reader and SD adapter that can be successfully used with all of Apple’s MacBooks and iPads released the past two years. It features connections to USB-A, USB-C and USBmicro at USB 3.0 speeds from regular SD and microSD cards from 32GB to 256GB. It has removable cap covers on both ends.
This unit can efficiently transfer data from SDXC, SDHC, SD, MicroSDXC, MicroSDHC and MicroSD cards, which makes it perfect for USB-C and microUSB supported smartphones, tablets, laptops & other devices. As a result, I get smooth full HD or 4K video recording and playback with the latest high-resolution standards at ultra-fast data transfer and retrieval speeds.
Not only that, but it is also waterproof, x-ray proof, temperature proof and shockproof in a small lightweight device (0.4” x 0.8” x 3.2”). It is compliant with SD Card Association specifications and USB backward compatible with earlier USB devices. The package includes an SD adapter that converts a microSD card to traditional-sized SD card.
I acquired my reader at CES 2019, and have used it for several months with impressive results. It works very well and quickly with my new 13” MacBook Air, 15” MacBook Pro, 27” iMac, and other computers, for moving any and all data. But, without any special apps, only photos and videos can be transferred to my new 12.9” iPad Pro (this is an Apple restriction which we hope will be removed soon). My only issue with this unit is that the removable caps are not attached to the reader, so they can be mislaid mistakenly.
This UNIREX Reader can be bought at http://unirex.com/product/microsd-u1-with-5-in-1-reader-sd-adapter/ for $34.99 or $54.99 USD (includes either 64GB or 128GB microSD card). I highly recommend this versatile and fast storage solution.
a review by Tom Piper
The visual quality and clarity of smart phone images has now become so good that they are frequently used more as cameras, than as communication devices. I have used many different iPhone holders, grips, selfie-sticks, and handles over the years, but have now found a battery case that truly improves my photography skills.
The new Shuttercase is a slender black easy-to-mount case with a 3000mAH battery inside a detachable leather-surface Camera Handle articulated with a special shutter button and thumb rest. It almost feels like my Sony DSLR mirrorless camera with this handy grip. It also provides a convenient way to sit my iPhone on my desk for easy viewing, or to take a picture remotely using my Apple Watch as the shutter button.
As the creators of the Shuttercase say, it is “. . . made out of love by photo-hobbyists who are engineers, for photo-hobbyists who shoot smartphones. It takes us 20 months of research and design, 8 versions of making and remaking prototypes, days and nights of discussions and brain-storms, to finally bring a faint sparkle in the mind to a solid tool now in your hand. We care what we create.”
Since they designed it to mimic the shape and feel of classic dedicated cameras, they added a camera handle with a battery inside which doubles the camera’s power while shooting. Thus, taking photos with the iPhone becomes like an old-style camera, but more convenient, more comfortable to control, and free to create. It has a solid feel with durable and reliable design that can be used with any camera app on the last four generations of iPhones. If I were to suggest adding anything, it would be a 1/4” mount for a tripod (but I have brackets with this mount that fit the case just fine).
Installing the iPhone into the case is simple and straight-forward, as is its extraction, when not needed. The battery requires separate insertion of the battery cable (which is securely nested in the handle), but it can be easily replaced with the included flat cover when the battery is not needed. The case has an embedded mechanical button on the top (when in horizontal position) for very convenient shutter use. The unit is designed for right-handed use, so lefties must adapt.
A rubber thumb-rest is quick to install which provides an excellent way to grip the case for one-handed shooting (a second is also thoughtfully included, should the first be damaged or lost). I was pleased that an 8” tether was included that attaches to the case corner below the battery to protect against accidental drops. A detachable mount for add-on lenses (available in black or white) is also included, compatible with the SiRui and Moment V2 lens for the first iPhone lens (Shuttercase plans to release its own lens soon). A video about this lens can be seen at https://vimeo.com/283858341.
The unit ships in a very attractive box and includes one Shuttercase, a 3000mAH battery camera handle, one micro USB-USB charging cable, one grey pouch for camera handle, one black nylon tether rope, one leather-surface effect hand grip to replace the camera handle, and two thumb buttons (no add-on lens or leather strap is included). It measures 3” x 5.8” x 0.2” (0.9” at the camera handle), and weighs in at 2.3 oz for the case plus 2.4 oz for the battery grip, together less than 0.3 lb. This is lighter than the iPhone XS Max (7.4 oz) or the iPhone X (6.2 oz) . . . when the full unit is added, the total weight is still about 2/3 of a pound, which is considerably lighter and more manageable than most cameras I’ve ever had.
Shuttercase for iPhone Xs/X and XS Max (I have tested both) are regularly priced at $79.99 (USD), but has been sale priced at $59.00 (USD) for a limited time (go to https://www.shuttercase.com/collections/iphone). Shipping is free worldwide by USPS, and it includes a one-year warranty and 30-day free return if not satisfied. The iPhone 8Plus/7Plus version is available for $49.00 (USD), an additional camera handle battery grip is available for $28.00 (USD), and a separate lens mount is $1.50 (USD). More information is available at https://www.shuttercase.com/products/shuttercase-xs-for-iphone-xs.
President's News- March 2019
