appleJAC Users Group

President's Place March 2016

by Joe Mertzlufft. appleJAC President

If you missed the February meeting, you missed a lot. Tom shared his Consumer Electronic Show (CES) experiences with the group. He had a couple of slideshows with his narrative and lots of goodies to touch and pass around the room. We were also able to test Kennedy Halls sound system with our new hand and head mics. We figured out the cracking noise issue I was experiencing because I did not have the mic close enough to my mouth, so we turned up the volume, and then when Tom wore the mic properly, there was an echo. Further testing confirms this, and will be adjusted accordingly next time. The ceiling mount of the projector worked great so everyone can now sit closer.

 

Since we are in that time of year, I will remind you that, if Jefferson City Schools is closed on the Meeting Date, our Meeting will also be Canceled. However, the Ground Hog did not see his shadow, and we are due for an early Spring. I sure enjoyed last weekend with temps in the 70’s.

 

The Board has meet a few times to discuss future meeting topics, so with some help from the membership, we have about half of the year covered. We are still looking for a Mac-at-Work tour location for our July Meeting. If you have a suggestion, let a Board Officer know, and we look into it. Hopefully, you are thinking of the Video Presentation contest, I look forward to the entries this group puts together. Again, I strongly encourage you to talk to a Board Member if there is something you would like to share with the group. We would be happy to give you 20-30 minutes to show off how you use your Apple device.

 

The Following people won door prizes at the January Meeting:
Jim Stevenson  - iTunes Card

Margie Stevenson - Water Bottle
Greg Breuer  - Nikon Bag
Shubha Miller  - Bag
Ron Hansen  - Clip
Janet Gallaher  - Key Chain

George Kopp - Ball

Eunice Straub- iPhone Case

Barb Keebler- iPhone Case

Sue Snell- iPhone Case

 

Our upcoming March 1, 2016, meeting titled "A/V Transfer to Digital" (see agenda below),  Greg Breuer will tell you what apps and devices he uses to make the transfers. After the Great Break, Peggy Landwehr will explain the types of files and devices which can be transferred. As always, there will be time for everyone to ask questions and share your tips and tricks to the group. Continue to visit our website for more updates and fresh information.

 

Able2Extract Version 10 User CheckItOut

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Able2Extract PDF Convertor, Version 12

A PDF User’s Tool to Have

by Greg Breuer, appleJAC webmaster

 

The most useful ability one can have is to be able to think outside the box and secondly, to have the tools to do so. Able2Extract gives one exactly that with Version 10. As well as the conversions available in earlier versions it can add, delete and merge pages from PDF documents. It can also modify delete and add text to PDF documents.

 

Perhaps the most useful function it had was to give me the text from a scanned PDF. That seemed too good to be true, So I tried it. The document was scanned to PDF, opened in Able2Extract and converted to text. Oops! Need the PRO version to convert image based PDF to text. What a nice feature!

 

Was easy to use and intuitive to get things done. One thing I have come to appreciate about apps Macintosh is the ease of use. Complex things are behind the scenes-you don’t have to be an expert to get it done.

 

What is new in Version 10?

-Convert to Excel for analysis

-Convert to CSV

-Remove/Add/Edit text in PDFs

-Split/Merge PDFs

This software impressed me in the previous version. It is impressive with the added functionality. A software good to have in your toolbox. It is worth checking out if you work with PDFs.

 

http://www.investintech.com/

 

OWC SATA Drive Docks: Bare Drives’ Best Friends

a review by Tom Piper

Hard drives have been around for 60 years, with the 3.5” version (for desktop computers) emerging in 1983 and the 2.5” version just 4 years later for laptops (by 1998, a 1” version was released, then the 0.85” in 2004, which became the heart of the first iPods). Replacing SCSI and Parallel interfaces, Serial ATA drives started in 2002, and eventually became the standard for most common 2.5” and 3.5” hard drives used today. 

The challenge has been to acquire wiring “harnesses” which could connect power and data from “bare” drives to computers for effective transfer of their contents. Numerous companies accommodated this need, but Other World Computing (OWC, selling through NewerTech) has a couple of “docks” that are advanced and easy-to-use technical solutions.

The NewerTech Voyager Q is now used by pros and enthusiasts alike on an everyday basis. OWC’s latest update to Voyager Q includes a new internal chipset to provide even greater long-term reliability, and support for up to 500MB/s of pure performance -- and, it now comes with an amazing 2-year limited warranty. 

Accessing multiple drives couldn't be simpler as Voyager's unique design which makes hot-swapping drives a breeze. All I have to do is insert any standard 2.5" or 3.5" SATA (spinning hard or SSD) drive (up to 6.0TB in size) into the Voyager, and connect it to my Mac (or someone else’s PC) via USB 3.0, USB 2.0, eSATA, or Firewire 800. 

When I’m done using a drive, a simple press of the eject button lifts the drive off the SATA connector, allowing the drive to be easily removed. There's nothing else to install or configure -- its just that easy and convenient.

I have found that managing libraries of drive data just got easier when my Voyager is integrated into my workflow. I can save myself the time of installing a drive into a computer, or the cost maintaining multiple external enclosures, power supplies, and interface cables. And unlike internal SATA connectors inside a computer or external enclosure, the Voyager's SATA drive connector is made to be reused over-and-over to ensure long-term reliability.

With all supported interface cables included, an auto-switching power supply for worldwide compatibility, and flexible operating system compatibility, the NewerTech Voyager traverses my data universe with ease.

For only $79.99 at NewerTech/VoyagerQ, the Voyager Q can become part of anyone’s collection of fine techie tools. As with all OWC products that I use, this is another excellent and dependable device.

But, if even greater functionality is needed requiring access to two “bare” hard or SSD drives at once (mix or match 2.5” and 3.5” SATA), then the OWC Drive Dock Dual Drive Bay Solution is the dock to use. 

The Drive Dock is the ultimate, high-performance bare drive access tool. For creative workflows, backup, or other tasks requiring constant access to multiple drives, this unit delivers a compact, easy solution with the exceptional performance of Thunderbolt 2 technology (that means superfast).

With this advanced solution, I can hot swap, read multiple drives simultaneously, or boot from bare drives, all at the speed of the Thunderbolt 2 and USB 3.0 interfaces. For video and audio content pros working with multiple bare drives on big projects, Drive Dock delivers extreme transfer speeds with amazing flexibility and convenience, making it an incredible drive tool.

This versatile box features two drive bays each of which can accommodate either 2.5" and/or 3.5" drives (including both spinning hard drives and solid state drives), and can access a drive in each simultaneously. Each bay features its own independent power switch and LED activity monitor. Dual Thunderbolt 2 ports deliver extreme-speed data transfers, and support daisy-chain expansion with up to five additional Thunderbolt devices. Drive Dock also includes a USB 3.0 port for versatile compatibility and the auto-switching internal power supply is compatible with any dual prong cable.

Drive Dock is flexible enough to use on almost any system. It works perfectly as an on-location backup solution, or for industry professionals using multiple bare drives. Featuring rugged aluminum construction, quiet, fanless operation, the OWC Drive Dock is an essential component to any high-demand workflow. It even includes an OWC 3-Year limited warranty.

This powerful and superfast Dual Drive Bay Solution can be acquired for $245.00 at OWC_Dual_Drive. Though pricer than its little brother Voyager Q, this Drive Dock is the heavy-duty workhorse which can handle multiple drives with the speed and efficiency that high-tech professionals need.

 

NuGuard KX + Screen Armor: Premium iPhone Protection

a review by Tom Piper

It as been 8 years since the first iPhone was released. In spite of its beauty and utility, we immediately could see that extra protection would be needed to shield its luster and guard against accidental damage to the screen and electronics. We have seen many attempts to meet this challenge, and I’ve found a company that achieves that goal very nicely.

The NewerTech NuGuard KX KineticEnergy X-Orbing case for iPhone 5/5S uses state-of-the-art X-Orbing gel technology to absorb and evenly distribute kinetic energy, protecting my iPhone from accidental drops and scratches. This Hyper-Advanced gel is engineered into a hard outer shell with a soft interior, bonded together into a stylish one-piece design. 

This protective case has been Mil-Spec drop-test certified by Quanta Laboratories to the MIL-STD-810G U.S. Military standard for elite protection. Yet, the KX measures just over 1/2" thick so it can still fit easily into my pocket. Its Edge Guard over-molding provides enhanced iPhone screen edge protection without interfering with edge-to-edge finger accessibility. Thus, I can enjoy hassle-free touch keyboarding and no interference when I drag and organize app icons from screen to screen. 

With its precision cutouts, the NuGuard KX allows for full access to all of the iPhone's ports and buttons. It features a unique cross-hatch textured design on the backside for added grip that won't make it hard to remove from pockets like other texturized cases. Its also good to see that installation and removal of my iPhone from the KX is easy, taking only seconds (unlike others I’ve tried where I have to pry my iPhone out of the case). 

The NuGuard KX case is available from Other World Computing (OWC) for only $29.00 at NewerTech/nuguard_kx. A variety of colors and styles are available including Midnight, Rose, Trooper, Darkness, Eagle Shield, Buzz, and Nubar Forest, plus Retro Rain, Zen Blossom, and Stars & Stripes only for iPhone 5/5S. Rugged, good-looking, and extremely protective, this is a great buy!

To complete the package, the hammer-resistant NewerTech KX^s Screen Armor enhances the protection capabilities of KX. This screen protector for iPhone 5S/5C/5 leaves a small gap around the edges of the screen to prevent the screen protector from curling or peeling when used with a protective case such as the NuGuard KX.

This versatile protection keeps my iPhone's screen looking like new. Three separate layers combine into one ultra-thin, 0.28mm thick protective shield with advanced energy x-orbing technology to help prevent damage from impacts and scratches while not affecting the screen's touch sensitivity or clarity.

This crystal clear coating is Retina display-friendly while keeping dust and dirt away from the screen with no image distortion, yellowing or hazing over time. This protection layer is hammer-hit tough with a "3H" hardness scale rating, which can self-heal from minor impact dents. The self-adhesive layer requires no water or other liquids to install and provides a bubble-free look with no sticky residue if removed or repositioned.

Also available from OWC, with a price of only $11.99 from NewerTech/screenarmor, this truly provides total protection for my iPhone. I highly recommend this case and screen protector package, which is another fine product from the highly-respected OWC.

Take Control Books: Timely Knowledge from TidBITS

a review by Tom Piper

Since my first Apple ][ computer in 1979, I have acquired my technical knowledge from a wide variety of sources including books, videos, tutorials, classes, Internet and friends. One of my most important sources is well-versed, easy-to-follow, and very responsive.

Take Control actually began in 2003 as a radical rethinking of how books are written, edited, published, and even how they are read. Take Control is run by the husband-and-wife team Adam and Tonya Engst. 

By the time they began Take Control, they had authored or edited more than 25 traditional books and written hundreds of magazine articles for major Mac magazines. In addition, they had spent the last 15 years gaining experience in Internet publishing with TidBITS, their Web site (updated quite often) and weekly email newsletter about Apple and Internet topics. 

These experiences helped them develop the Take Control model, which has resulted in very practical ebooks that cover much more detail than a magazine article, but that are shorter, more focused, and more timely than a typical printed book. Below are current titles over books now available:

Most books are sold in the $10-20 range at https://www.takecontrolbooks.com. For more background, read the TidBITS article that introduced the series, or see the 2010 video wherein Chris Breen from Macworld interviews Adam and Tonya about the series.

Fantastical 2: Awesome Calendar

a review by Tom Piper

Calendars have been around for a long time on our Macs, and more recently on our iPhones and iPads. Apple has allowed us to sync all our calendars effectively through iCloud, but they still need to be more full-featured. A recently upgraded application has demonstrated how many functions can be integrated into a great product.

Fantastical 2 has a beautiful, all-new design exclusively for OS X Yosemite and fully compatible with El Capitan. The original Fantastical was only a menu bar app, but has now been reinvented into a full Mac application, without losing the benefits and convenience of the menu bar window.

Fantastical's natural language engine is expressive and intelligent so I can write in my own style. It automatically recognizes the location of my event and can even invite people from Contacts to my event. They've made multiple parser improvements including improved repeating event and reminder support, the ability to add alerts, full-time zone support, and many other time-saving improvements.

This calendar app lets me quickly toggle multiple calendars on or off with a single click, so I can focus on what's more important in that moment. I can even automatically switch Calendar Sets based on my location (such as Work and Home). The Mini Window that started it all is back, better than ever. It resides in my menu bar and lets me create, edit, and view my events and reminders instantly. I can now drag the Mini Window away from the menu bar, allowing me to position the window anywhere I like. And the new infinite list makes it easy to find all of my events and reminders, no matter when they occur.

As it that’s not enough, Fantastical supports the same reminders as OS X and iOS, giving me the fastest way to create or update my to-do list. Creating a new reminder is as easy as creating a new event by just typing in what I need to get done. It now also features a focused reminders list, as well as support for location-based reminders. 

Fantastical now has its own CalDAV engine, meaning that I can add my calendar accounts directly. It supports iCloud, Google, Yahoo, as well as any other CalDAV account. I can also use local and Exchange calendars, as long as they've been added to my Mac's built-in Calendar. Fantastical's Today Widget gives me convenient access to my schedule. The new Share and Action Extensions make it super easy to get data into my calendar. 

Fantastical is also available for my iPhone and iPad as separate apps which all sync seamlessly when using a service like iCloud, Google Calendar, or Yahoo Calendar. The extraordinary calendar also supports Handoff, allowing me to seamlessly transition between Fantastical on all of my devices. It even works with an Apple Watch app and glance, ensuring that Fantastical is always there for me. This is how such systems should really function!

Fantastical 2 is available for the Mac for $39.99 at flexibits.com/fantastical, for the iPhone for $4.99 at flexibits.com/fantastical-iphone, and for the iPad for $9.99 at flexibits.com/fantastical-ipad. After having used Fantastical for several years, I can attest to it versatility, dependability, and great value. With this latest update, it has become even better, more robust, and very convenient.

 

Apple Video Productions Contest

This is an opportunity to use your imagination, creativity and iPhone, iPad or Mac to make great imagery. Successful winners will get a $15 iTunes card in each category below.

You must use your Apple device to shoot the video and/or still pictures. Use your favorite App such as Photos, iMovie, Quicktime, and others to edit. Then customize the sound using iTunes, Garageband, and others as well.

 

All final videos must be 30 seconds or less in length.

 

Any one of three categories are available for your video (you decide which):

• Best Edit

• Best Motion

• Best Use of Stills

Entries are due by the April 5, 2016, appleJAC meeting; winners will be announced and shown at the May 3, 2016, appleJAC meeting.

 

You may enter by bringing your video to any meeting (on a flash drive, if possible), after which we will move it to appleJAC storage; or you may share a link from iCloud or DropBox to applejac@mac.com. Our expert judge will then anonymously review the results, and pick the winner in each category.

We look forward to your submission . . . this is going to be a lot of fun for everyone.

 

CES Presentation

On February 2, 2016, the appleJAC regular meeting featured presentations about the Consumer Electronic Show 2016 by Tom Piper.

The pictures and videos from the slideshow that were shown can be seen by clicking on this link: CES Pictures & Videos.

Attached is a 12-page PDF file which was shown during the presentation about cool gadgets he brought back. To see it, click on this link: download CES gadgets.