appleJAC Users Group

Mac OS X: About File Sharing

File Sharing allows you to copy items from one computer to another, or to use files stored on another computer. Instructions and pertinent background information on sharing are provided here to help you.

Summary of File Sharing:

• Mac OS X 10.0 and later allow you to share the contents of your Public folder.
• Others can also copy files to your Drop Box folder located in your Public folder.
• You set up File Sharing using the Sharing and Network panes of the System Preferences application.
• You can further define your Sharing privileges using the Info window.
• Mac OS X offers services that allow you to both share with and connect to other operating systems, such as Microsoft Windows.

To find out all you need to know about how this works, take a look at this Apple Support Article.

iCal 1.5.4: What's an "unsafe" alarm?

iCal 1.5.4 displays an "unsafe" alarm alert when you try to import a calendar that contains existing alarms that open documents or other applications.

If you are concerned about security, either be sure to remove all unsafe alarms during the import process or don't import calendars that contain these kinds of alarms.

The alert allows you to choose whether or not you want to continue importing the calendar and its events, including all alarms. If you choose not to, click "Cancel" to stop the import process.

If you want to import everything, click "Keep All Alarms," and iCal will import all events and their respective alarms, including ones that open other documents and applications. Keep in mind that this is the least secure option.

If you want to import the calendar without the potential security issues, click "Remove Unsafe Alarms." iCal will import all events but won't import any alarms that are set to open documents or applications. It will import all event alarms that play a sound or display a message.

Mac 101: Miracle Maintenance: Part 4

4. Optimize Your Mac Performance

Good maintenance habits will help keep your Mac running smoothly, but if you want more ways to get the best performance out of your computer, here are some ways to optimize your system.

• Get more RAM—Installing additional memory is one of the single best ways to improve your system performance, especially if you use applications that thrive on memory, such as image-editing, video-editing, or audio-editing software.
• Turn off effects—While the Dock Genie effect, iTunes Visualizer, and other Mac OS X 10.4 Tiger visual effects are fun to watch, these effects do take some amount of video processing to display. If performance is crucial, consider turning off these effects in the respective application's preferences.
• Free up disk space—If you're close to maxing out your startup hard drive, your system performance may decrease. Mac OS X relies on free disk space to use as virtual memory when running applications. If you have less than 200 MB of free disk space—even if you have enough RAM—you may get memory error messages.
• Quit unused applications—If you're currently not using certain applications, quit them to allocate system resources to the application (or applications) that you are using.

Mac 101: Miracle Maintenance: Part 3

3. Do Some Housecleaning

Frequency: Once a month or every other month

Even if you have a vast hard drive, it's a good idea to occasionally get rid of files and applications that you no longer use—especially if you've got less than 500 MB of free disk space left, which leaves you close to the brink of running into virtual memory issues.

It's also a good idea to make sure that the files you do keep are organized in some manner (though Spotlight will take care of finding files for those who prefer chaos over control). You can coordinate your backup schedule with a housecleaning ritual to free up space, or do a pruning session when the need arises. Whatever you do, make sure that you do not do any of the following things unless you know exactly what you are doing.

Do not...

• Trash files in the System folder—Many of the items in here are components of the Mac operating system and shouldn't be touched unless you really, really, really know what the file is and what the consequences will be if you toss it. If you don't know what it is, leave it alone.
• Trash files in any Library folder—Again, unless you really, really, really know what the file is and what the consequences will be if you toss it, leave it alone.
• Rename or move certain folders or files—Some files and folders need to remain exactly as they are and where they are, or the system won't know how to access them. These items include:
• In general, any iLife application (iPhoto, iMovie, iTunes, iDVD, and GarageBand) and their respective media folders
• Your Home folder
• The System folder and all included items
• The Library folders and all included items

Mac 101: Miracle Maintenance: Part 2

2. Back Up Files

Frequency: Daily to weekly

The only way to ensure that your files will remain for all eternity is to back them up to another location such as to a server, or onto backup media, such as a CD, DVD, or external drive. Backing up files also allows you to free up extra hard disk space if needed.

You can back up your files manually by simply copying files to a server or removable media, or burning them onto a disc. Or you can use software, such as Backup (available to .Mac members), to help you do the deed.

If you're backing up files that change or get updated often (such as email files and contacts), you can copy your backup file over the preexisting one, or label your file with a date to avoid confusion. If you create a lot of new files on a daily basis, be sure that you back up your files frequently.

What to Back Up

You don't need to back up everything on your hard drive, such as system stuff and applications, but do remember to back up anything that cannot be easily replaced, such as the following:

• Any files you create within an application, such as your resume, movie projects, reports, slideshows, recorded songs, brochures, your prize-winning fruitcake recipe, and whatnot.
• Your email account files, including mailboxes, contacts, and account settings. The file locations will vary, depending on the application you use. If you're using Mail, back up the Mail folder in the Library folder inside your Home folder (~/Library/Mail). For other email clients, check the Documents folder in your Home folder for a folder named after your application, or elsewhere.
• Your web browser bookmarks. If you're using Safari, back up the Bookmarks.plist file in the Safari folder in the Library folder inside your Home folder (~/Library/Safari/Bookmarks.plist).
• Your fonts. You don't need to back up any of the fonts that are installed with Mac OS X—just copy the fonts that you brought into the system. Be sure to look in both of these Fonts folder locations:
• /Library/Fonts
• ~/Library/Fonts
• Your iTunes Music folder in your Home folder (~/Music/iTunes/iTunes Music). If you have the original CDs, you needn't back up those albums or songs (unless you don't want to rip the files again), but you should back up any songs and albums you buy from the iTunes Store.
• Your photos. If you're using iPhoto, back up your iPhoto Library folder (~/Pictures/iPhoto Library). If you've got image files scattered around your hard drive, use Spotlight to search for .jpg, .tif, and other image file formats.
• Software that you purchased from the Internet. Yes, we did say not to back up applications, but in this case, you will need to if the application was not installed from a tangible form of media. If possible, back up the installer instead of the application itself.
• Your contacts. If you use Address Book, back up the AddressBook folder in your Home folder (~/Library/Application Support/AddressBook). If you're using an email client with a built-in contact manager, be sure that you locate and back up the appropriate file.
• Bank records and other financial information.
• Don't forget stuff on your Desktop (this area can easily be overlooked).
• If you share your Mac with other users, don't forget to log in to their accounts (or have them do it) and back up their files (you can't back up files from another user account while logged in to your own account).

What Not to Back Up

You don't need to back up applications or any files that can be reinstalled from your Software Install disc (Mac OS X system stuff and Apple applications included with your computer). If you ever need to restore or reinstall software on your computer, it's better to install them from the original installer—not a backup copy.

Mac 101: Miracle Maintenance: Part 1

The best way to keep your Mac (and ultimately yourself) happy is to do a little maintenance every now and then. Following are three key things you can do to keep your Mac in tip-top shape. We also tell you what you can do to get the best performance from your Mac.

In the next 4 days. I am going to give you the top 4 things Apple Recommends for maintaining your Mac.

1. Update Your Software

Frequency: Weekly to monthly

One of the best ways to maintain your Mac is to make sure that you're using the latest software. Mac OS X features Software Update, which will check for Apple software updates and install them in the background at a scheduled interval, or whenever you so desire.

To use Software Update, do the following:

1. From the Apple menu, choose Software Update.
2. Software Update will check for available updates (you will need to be connected to the Internet) and displays what it finds for your system.
3. Select the updates you want to install, then click the Install button.
4. Type your password in the resulting dialog, then click OK.
5. You will need to agree to the software license agreement that appears. Once you do, your Mac will download and install the software you've chosen.

Happy Holidays from appleJAC

The One-Click Trick to Moving the Dock

Okay, so you’re working in a program like Final Cut Pro or iMovie, which takes up every vertical inch of the screen, and when you go to adjust something near the bottom, the Dock keeps popping up. Oh sure, you could move the Dock to where it’s anchored on the left or right side of the screen, but that just feels weird. But what if you could move it temporarily to the left or right, and then get it back to the bottom when you close Final Cut Pro, in just one click?

Here’s how: Hold the shift key, click directly on the Dock’s divider line (on the far right side of the Dock), and drag the Dock to the left or right side of your screen. Bam! It moves over to the side. Then, once you quit Final Cut Pro, just shift-click on that divider line and slam it back to the bottom (okay, drag it back to the bottom). A draggable Dock — is that cool or what!

TomTom gets even better Mapping

TomTom has updated its mapping data for the U.S. and Canada, and claims to have the "most accurate and detailed maps in the industry for the US and Canada." The update is free for all existing GO x10 and TomTom ONE customers (you have to validate your serial number to qualify).

What's new in the updated mapping data? According to TomTom:

• 410,000 miles of new roads;
• more than six million new household and business addresses;
• 500,000 new Points Of Interest;
• improved road detailing resulting in better visual representation; and
• updated shopping centers, golf courses and more.

This updated map release is based on the Tele Atlas MultiNet(tm) 2006.10 global digital map database. I've made no secret of my strong preference for NAVTEQ's mapping data over Tele Atlas', so it will be interesting to see if the new data can out-perform NAVTEQ's data, which up until now has proven consistently more complete and accurate than Tele Atlas'.

I still believe the TomTom is the better GPS solution on the market and this just makes that even better.

Switch 101: Migrate Your Files

Now that you've got a new Mac, you might be wondering which files you can move from your Windows PC to your Mac. That's what we'll help you with here. Your Mac can open lots of different kinds of files from your PC, as long as you have software installed that can interpret them.

Apple has just the thing to assist.  Check out this article from the Apple Support Site.

Need a Drive Enclosure?

Since 2000, FireWire Depot has been your FireWire 1394a 1394b hardware source. Ther offer a wider selection of FireWire products than any other company and are specialized and focused on FireWire. They carry all the latest FireWire 800 1394b and FireWire 400 1394a and FireWire USB2 combo products.

FireWire products work with Mac OS 9, Mac OS X, Windows98SE-XP, and most modern Linux distributions supporting FireWire and the sbp2 protocol (all products have been tested with Windows and Mac OS and are marked accordingly on the product description pages)

If you are looking for an enclosurer for a drive you have, or want to build your own drive, take a look at them.

How can I make a Podcast show as unplayed?

Q: I downloaded a podcast and accidentally played a few seconds of it. Which made the little blue dot disappear.  The podcast is still in iTunes and on my nano, but I'd like to get the blue dot back and have it show up in the podcast directory. How can I accomplish this?

A: If you go to the podcast and "Right mouse button click" or hold down the control key and click on it, the menu that pops up has an option of "Mark as Unplayed".  That puts the blue dot back in front of it.

Using Firewire Target Disk Mode

Q: Are there more than one type of fire wire cables?  What kind do I need to have to patch my wife's old and new computers together for a transfer, once I start it up?

A:  You need a 6pin to 6pin Firewire cable as shown in the image.

How do I start in Target Disk Mode?

 

How to use FireWire target disk mode

Important: Unplug all other FireWire devices from both computers prior to using FireWire target disk mode. Do not plug in any FireWire devices until after you have disconnected the two computers from each other, or have stopped using target disk mode.

To use FireWire target disk mode

1. Make sure that the target computer is turned off. If you are using a PowerBook or iBook as the target computer, you should also plug in its AC power adapter.
2. Use a FireWire cable (6-pin to 6-pin) to connect the target computer to a host computer. The host computer does not need to be turned off.
3. Start up the target computer and immediately press and hold down the T key until the FireWire icon appears. The hard disk of the target computer should become available to the host computer and will likely appear on desktop. (If the target computer is running Mac OS X 10.4 Tiger, you can also open System Preferences, choose Startup Disk, and click Target Disk Mode. Then restart the computer and it will start up in Target Disk Mode.)
4. When you are finished copying files, drag the target computer's hard disk icon to the Trash or select Put Away from the File menu (Mac OS 9) or Eject from the File menu (Mac OS X).
5. Press the target computer's power button to turn it off.
6. Unplug the FireWire cable.

Griffin announces ExpressCard 34 Card Reader

Transfer files from your digital camera cards at high speeds with the new Griffin 5:1 Card Reader.

This plug-and-play wonder slides right into your computer's ExpressCard slot and lets you read from 5 of the most popular memory cards out there at lightning-fast USB 2.0 speeds.

Features:

• Read and write memory cards
• Supports Memory Stick PRO™, Memory Stick™, SD™ Memory Card,MultiMediaCard™ and xD-Picture Card™
• Supports, with your card adapter, Memory Stick Duo™, Memory StickMicro™, miniSD™, microSD™, RS-MC™, MMCplus™, MMCmobile™
• Plug-and-play, no drivers required
• No batteries required, powered via ExpressCard/34 slot
• USB 2.0 High-Speed (up to 480 Mbps) compared to up to 12 Mbps for USB 1.0 card readers and even slower rates transferring directly from the camera

Mac OS X: Additional features of the Dock

From an Apple Support Document:

The Dock offers useful controls and menus that may not be immediately apparent. You access these additional features with different combinations of modifier keys (such as Option, Control), and with different types of mouse clicks (click versus press and hold). Additionally, learn about Application Switcher, an alternative way to switch between applications without using the Dock or your mouse.

This article applies to Mac OS X 10.1 and later.

About mouse clicks, key combinations

The terms "click" and "press" are used to express nuance in using your mouse--a click is quick and a press is a longer hold. A click is when you activate your mouse button and release it as quickly as possible afterwards. To press the mouse button means that you hold the button down until the desired action happens.

"Drag" means to move your mouse while pressing (holding).

If you press and hold the Control key while clicking your mouse button, that's a Control-click. When the name of a key or keys precedes the word "click," and are connected by hyphens, that means you should press and hold those keys before you click, then release them after clicking. So if you see "Option-Control-press", then you would press and hold both the Option and Control keys, and while still holding them press and hold the mouse button. Some of the combinations below do not use the mouse.

Need a Skin for your New Shuffle?

Protect your 2nd generation iPod Shuffle from scratches while adding style and uniqueness with these PDO Topskins.

FEATURES:
• Skin is precision molded to fit your iPod Shuffle perfectly
• Click-wheel fully functional under the skin
• All iPod Shuffle functionalities are preserved and easily accessible

Available in a 3-pack of blue/black/white or pink/black/white

This is for the 2nd generation iPod Shuffle only.

Get all your Mail with Gmail

Gmail has launched a new feature which allows users to collect email from up to five external accounts says this report from the website Hawk Wings.

This represents a substantial leap forward for the functionality of the service, making it more easy easier to use Gmail as a global email solution.

According to the Gmail announcement , the new “MailFetcher” feature, which is accessible from the Accounts tab of Gmail’s preferences, offers options to leave copies of the retrieved messages on the remote server, to use SSL when retrieving the mail, to apply a label automatically to the collected messages and to archive the incoming email.

Full instructions for using the new feature can be found  on another Gmail web page.

Obviously, this will put an end to the various complicated forwarding work-arounds that have been necessary in the past. It makes Gmail a much more attractive option as a total replacement for the traditional desktop client.

There’s only one hitch:

This feature is currently only enabled for a limited number of users. We’re working on making it more available soon.

It hasn’t appeared in my preferences yet, but it might be there in yours.

TomTom GPS GiveGive Event

As I have blogged before, I really love my TomTom GPS.  TomTom has made getting one of these even easier this holiday.

It's the GiveGive Event. You give a TomTom and we'll give you $100 off any model online or at any retailer. So give the best portable everyday navigation solution: TomTom. Now through Jan. 6, buy any TomTom GPS device and get $100 off. Get more info at the TomTom official site.

Or check out TomTom's YouTube Channel.

The Best and Worst "Get a Mac" Parodies

I have talked before about the great apple Get a Mac commercials.  In fact, Apple has a few new ones out for Christmas.  But Wired has rounded up a sampling of "Get a Mac" parodies.  Some of these could be classics...

Check this site to see some great ones and som not so great ones.....