appleJAC Users Group

November 2024 Jefferson City Electronic Recycling Event on November 9th

The City of Jefferson is having an Electronic Waste Recycling Event on November 9, in the Parking lot below City Hall from 9:00 - 12:00. Start boxing up your e-waste and bring it in.

March 2024 Meeting Presentations

    

The March 5, 2024, meeting videos about Getting the Most Use Out of Your iOS Devices  can be viewed by seeing the video of the first half of the meeting (Apple Announcements, Apple Vision Pro presentation, Q&A) is available at https://www.facebook.com/appleJAC.org/videos/1660203728117654; and for the second half (apps), click on https://www.facebook.com/appleJAC.org/videos/252554077922605 (it may be necessary to click on the resulting image in order to hear the sound with picture).

For Tom's slides, just click on AJ slideshow 03-05-24 (the blue links will also go to interesting websites). For Julie's slide, click on View this photo, for Peggy's slide, click on IOS Tips, and for George's information, click on 10 MacOS lesser known features.

The next appleJAC meeting will be April 2, 2024.

February 2024 Meeting Presentations

The February 6, 2024, meeting videos about CES 2024 Report and Demo can be viewed by seeing the video of the first half of the meeting (Tips & Tricks by Joe Mertzlufft, Q&A, CES Report) is available at www.facebook.com/appleJAC.org/1835017753586596; and for the second half (CES Treasures), click on www.facebook.com/appleJAC.org/1070007744266950 (it may be necessary to click on the resulting image in order to hear the sound with picture).

For Tom's slides, just click on Apple announcements 02-06-24, CES2024briefvideo and Download CES 2024 pres (the blue links will also go to interesting websites).

The next appleJAC meeting will be March 5, 2024.

 

October 2023 appleJAC Presentations

 

The October 3, 2023, meeting videos about new Apple Products including hardware and operating systems presented by Tom Piper, George Kopp, Joe Mertzlufft, Alice Kopp and Peggy Landwehr can be viewed by seeing the video of the first half of the meeting (Tips & Tricks by Joe Mertzlufft, Q&A, Apple Hardware and iOS17) is available at facebook.com/appleJAC.org/634497265469542; and for the second half (iPadOS17, WatchOS10, AppleTVOS10), click on facebook.com/appleJAC.org/724183772874553 (it may be necessary to click on the resulting image in order to hear the sound with picture).

PDF versions of the presentations can be downloaded by clicking on Tom's video link (macrumors.com/apple-announced), George's slideshow (Whats New in iOS 17), Joe's video link (youtube.com/iPadOS17), Alice's slideshow (Apple WatchOS 10), and Peggy's slideshow (Apple WatchOS 10).

The next appleJAC meeting will be November 7, 2023, about 15 Gadgets in 60 Minutes at Kennedy Hall in IC Schools.

 

September 2023 appleJAC Presentation

The September 5, 2023, meeting videos about Artificial Intelligence (AI) presented by Tom Piper can be viewed by seeing the video of the first half of the meeting (Tips & Tricks by Joe Mertzlufft, Apple Announcements, Q&A, AI start) is available at facebook.com/appleJAC.org/673644344407889); and for the second half (Q&A continued), click on facebook.com/appleJAC.org/6506564386117261 (it may be necessary to click on the resulting image in order to hear the sound with picture).

PDF version of the Apple Announcements and AI presentations can be downloaded by clicking on Apple & AI pres.

The next appleJAC meeting will be October 3, 2023, about New Apple Products at Kennedy Hall in IC Schools.

 

May 2023 appleJAC Presentations

The PDF of the May 2, 2023, meeting slideshow about Managing Your Photos by Peggy Landwehr and George Kopp can be viewed again by clicking on Managing Photos (best if viewed in Preview so all imbedded Internet links work). The slideshow about Apple Announcements by Tom Piper is available at Apple Announcements.

The video of the first half of the meeting (Tips & Tricks, Apple Announcements, Q&A, start Managing Photos presentation) is available at (facebook.com/appleJAC.org/945563899904733); and for the second half (Managing Photos presentation continued), click on facebook.com/appleJAC.org/1018187439341710 (it may be necessary to click on the resulting image in order to hear the sound with picture).

The next appleJAC meeting will be June 6, 2023, for the Annual appleJAC Picnic at Cole County Park.

 

April 2023 appleJAC Presentations

  

The PDF of the April 4, 2023, meeting slideshow about Managing Apple Folders and Files by George Kopp can be viewed again by clicking on Using Files on iPad and Finder on Mac (best if viewed in Preview so all imbedded Internet links work).

The video of the first half of the meeting (reports, Q&A, and Joe & George presentations) is available at (facebook.com/appleJAC.org/videos/605535017827503); and for the second half (Todd McCluskey's presentation about Messages), click on facebook.com/appleJAC.org/videos/3455720621375065 (it may be necessary to click on the resulting image in order to hear the sound with picture).

The next appleJAC meeting will be May 2, 2023, about Managing Your Photos.

 

Xebec Tri-Screen: Expanding Productivity

a review by Tom Piper

When I got my first Apple ][ 48K computer, it was connected to a black-and-white tube-type television with a cassette recorder for long-term memory, from which I could load programs and save data. Viewing screens have come a long way in the 44 years since then, with great new innovations.

At CES 2023, I visited the Xebec exhibit which was demonstrating their new Tri-Screen 2 and other products. In another location I had already seen a single-screen attachment to a laptop, but here I was excited to find a setup with a 10” screen on both sides. Not only that, but they easily, quickly and securely clamped onto the laptop screen without magnets or adhesion.  

During my review, I tested this unit with my MacBook Air M2 which has a pair of USB-C ports and a 13” screen. The pair of 10” screens seemed small UNTIL I used it with a variety of different apps (more on this later). Because my laptop normally only supports one external monitor, I also acquired the Tri-Screen Adapter which activates the second screen, thus allowing one continuous desktop from left screen across the laptop to the right screen. I was surprised to find included a variety of cables and connectors to fit almost any computer configuration with two USB-C to USB-C, one USB-C extension, two HDMI to MiniHDMI, one USB-C 90° elbow, and two USB-A to USB-C adapters. Plenty of online instructions and videos are available online, as well as Tech Support and FAQ assistance. It seems like they have thought of everything!

The hookup initially seemed a little tedious and bulky with the extra adapter, but with practice and understanding of the two bottom-mounted USB-C ports and mini-HDMI port, all went very well. I really like the retractable screens and elastic strap across the back, which work together for a firm fit, and compact transport afterwards. Thankfully, it only takes a couple of minutes to setup. My only disappointment was that the extra ports could not accommodate a flash drive (the work-around is to use a separate dock, like the OWC Travel Dock which worked fine for me).

Actual use of the twin screens is a joy. Once mounted, a quick trip into the Mac System Settings and Displays mode allows me to Arrange the desktop layout properly, which more than doubles the viewing area of my computer. In order to improve the viewing angle, I also got their Airstand that adheres to the bottom of my MacBook Air, which elevates the keyboard to an angle of about 20 degrees, which eases neck and typing pressure (to match this angle and take pressure off the laptop hinge, the screen frame includes a foldout stand at the back). The designers of this unit were very thoughtful about making this setup comfortable and rewarding to use.

In addition to this great system, Xebex also has provided a very comfortable  compact Bluetooth mouse. It includes an innovative 4-way scroll wheel which allows me to move forward and back and sideways (also programmable in Settings). Other buttons include a Sensitivity Settings button on top (600, 800, 1200 dots per inch), two buttons on the left side (forward and back actions), and two switches on the bottom (on/off and Bluetooth). It is easily rechargeable (500 mAh battery) with an included short USB-C cable to USB-A power supply (not included). It is very small (1.4” x 3.9” x 2.5”) yet pleasingly comfortable in hand. 

Even more, Xebex also has a wonderful lightweight keyboard that is small (0.3” x 11.5”x 6.2”) and very handy (including a nifty cloth sleeve for safe transport). It is rechargeable (300 mAh battery) with an included short USB-C cable to USB-A power supply (not included). The tilt can be adjusted at multiple angles with the full-length kickstand on back. Its size and layout strongly resemble my MacBook Air with a few Mac and PC labeling distinctions, and the key touch is also very similar. In everyday use, this keyboard is comfortable and very portable (it also can be paired with my iPad Pro and iPhone 14 Pro Max (a nice addition would have been buttons or switches to move among up to 4 devices).

All in all, this combination of screens and accessories is a great tribute to quality engineering and functionality the Xebex masterminds instilled into these products. Whether at home, office or travel, they will enhance productivity and enjoyment for any laptop user. I even found that I could attach one of the screens to my 12.9” iPad Pro using the adapter or a dock.

To learn more about the Xebec Tri-Screen system, go to https://www.thexebec.com/ where the The Tri-Screen 2 is available for $499, the Airstand for $29, the Mouse for $79, and the Keyboard for $99. Many thanks to Alex Levine, Samantha Whitford and Catherine Hague for introducing me these fine products, as well as Sam and Sawyer for excellent followup after CES to assure that everything was working as planned. Not only do they have great products, but also exceptional service.

 

Upcoming appleJAC meetings

from Tom Piper, 2022 aJ President

Thank you to our officers this past year for their great service, and great appreciation to all who attended our monthly meetings, both in person and streaming on Facebook. Its been a great year of education and entertainment, plus networking among our members.

Next year promises to be filled with talented presenters and great topics including:

• February 7: CES Report & Demos
• March 7: Apple Mail Management
• April 7: Apple Folders, Messages and AirTags
• May 2: Managing Your Photos
• June 6: Annual Picnic
• July 11: Questions & Answers
• August 1: Apple Device Maintenance
• September 5: Shortcuts & Notes
• October 3: New Apple Operating Systems
• November 7: 15 Gadgets in 60 Minutes
• December 5: Annual Meeting

Due to the closeness of the holidays and probable inclement weather, the appleJAC Board decided to postpone the regular January 3 meeting to February 7 for everyone's recovery and safety. The agenda for this next meeting is attached.

 

December 2022 appleJAC Presentations

The overall PDF of the December meeting slideshow (including the Apple announcements and gadget images) can be viewed again by clicking on aJ slideshow 12-06-22 (best if viewed in Preview so all imbedded Internet links work).

The video of the first half of the meeting (reports, Apple & Me, gadget) is available at appleJAC.org/videos/823731572018525 plus Peggy's video about her scanner at youtu.be/1NmpKhnhWZQ; and for the second half (gadgets and Annual Meeting), click on appleJAC.org/videos/1107871396592475 plus the Joe's slides about his gadgets at Tips & Gadgets (it may be necessary to click on the resulting image in order to hear the sound with picture).

At the Annual Business Meeting, the following people were elected:

• President:            Peggy Landwehr    Members-at-Large:
• Vice-President:   George Kopp          Todd McCluskey
• Secretary:             Joe Mertzlufft         Julie Smith
• Treasurer:            Sue Snell                  Alice Kopp          
• Webmaster:         Tom Piper                Greg Breuer
•                                                                  Ann Lane
•                                                                  Mark Snell

The next appleJAC meeting will be February 7, 2023 (January 3 is postposed since it is so close to the holidays).

 

appleJAC on the Radio

KWOS Open Air Saturday with Hal Dulle at 8:00am on December 3, 2022, hosted an interview with appleJAC President Tom Piper. The topic was technology with lots of discussion about iPhones and Apple-related products, along with electric cars and predictions of future technology.

In order to listen to this 46-minute session (advertisements removed), just click on:

Open Air Saturday 12-03-22

Any observations, reactions or comments may be sent to Tom at [email protected].

 

Mac Security

A wonderful blog post that many Apple users will positively love about Mac Security:

https://www.safetydetectives.com/blog/keep-mac-computer-secure/

 

Suggested by Benjamin Brown <[email protected]>

 

 

OWC Envoy Pro FX: Incredible Speed & Versatility

a review by Tom Piper

Over 40 years ago, as an alternative to tape and spinning hard drives, solid state drives (SSDs) were implemented in semiconductor memory for early supercomputers, until an alterable ROM (EAROM) was produced, which operated somewhat like the later NAND flash memory. Now, there have been incredible advancements in SSD and Thunderbolt technology which have produced devices of incredible speed, capacity and durability.

OWC Envoy Pro FX is a universal Thunderbolt-certified bus-powered small-sized storage solution. Powered by a OWC Aura SSD advanced storage technology with TRIM support, it has extreme speed up to 2800mb/s. At 0.8” x 2.6” x 4.3” and 8.3 ounces in size, with a detachable 27” Thunderbolt 3 cable (plus USB 3.2 Type-A adapter), this unit runs cool and quiet enclosed in a charcoal grey aluminum case (IP67 rated) with deep-grooved fins for a highly effective heat sink that provides great data protection. It is so rugged that my data is protected by MIL-STD810G certified military-level drop toughness, plus being dust and water-proof.

As their website says, this unit provides maximum performance from any interface to which I connect, meaning that I can copy a 1.02GB, 2-hour movie, in less than 2 seconds! The Envoy Pro FX can handle all of my audio, video, photo, graphics, and gaming tasks. It can access and save files from an older machine, backup personal files, or do some in-field large format video editing, this powerful drive is built to deliver.

I can now use my Envoy Pro FX as a fast boot backup drive for my M1 Mac mini, plus a convenient volume for more storage, movies and a variety of other handy uses. It can be used with my past (up to 11 years ago), present and future Macs, iPad Pros, and Chromebooks (plus Windows, Linux PCs, and Surface devices my friends have). Most importantly, when plugged into my 16” MacBook Pro, data transfer runs over 300% faster than USB 3.0 drives and over 50% faster than other Thunderbolt 3 units. 

Obviously, this device is meant to be used for situations where spinning hard drives would quickly fail. Whether its large video files being transferred in extreme conditions, music productions being frequently edited, frequent relay of data from one technology to another, or cloning backups for Apple’s latest M1x computers, the Envoy Pro FX is the best choice for raw speed, functionality and durabliity. This is a wonderful tool to support my technology needs.

To learn more about this enclosure, go to macsales.com/owc-envoy-pro-fx where it can be purchased for $199 - $499 (240GB - 2.0TB) with a 3-Year OWC Limited Warranty. This is a powerful solution for storing and transmitting our precious data, video and power from a company with a history of quality and effective digital products.

 

Dan's Tutorials for FREE

from Tom Piper, appleJAC President

Dan's Tutorials Apple Training video sessions are now offered for FREE to Apple user group members until the end of October, 2021. In order to access a video, just click on one of the links below (the contents are described at the end of each link).

• https://www.danstutorials.com/learn-how-to-send-a-group-email-on-the-iphone/
• https://www.danstutorials.com/learn-how-to-translate-a-website-from-one-language-to-another-in-safari-on-the-mac/
• https://www.danstutorials.com/learn-how-to-reply-to-messages-within-a-group-message-on-the-iphone/
• https://www.danstutorials.com/learn-how-to-set-what-happens-when-you-tap-the-back-of-the-iphone-twice-or-three-times-2/
• https://www.danstutorials.com/learn-how-to-go-back-through-an-apps-history-stack-on-the-iphone-2/
• https://www.danstutorials.com/learn-how-the-fundamentals-of-the-mac-have-not-changed-with-macos-big-sur-2/
• https://www.danstutorials.com/learn-how-to-save-an-entire-webpage-as-a-pdf-in-safari-on-the-iphone-2/
• https://www.danstutorials.com/learn-how-to-easily-easily-navigate-between-your-different-home-screens-on-the-iphone-2/
• https://www.danstutorials.com/hpxxxxx-framework-will-damage-your-computer-message-in-macos-mojave-or-catalina/
• https://www.danstutorials.com/learn-how-to-close-all-your-open-tabs-in-safari-on-the-iphone-2/
• https://www.danstutorials.com/learn-how-to-send-a-group-email-on-the-iphone/
• https://www.danstutorials.com/learn-how-to-translate-a-website-from-one-language-to-another-in-safari-on-the-mac/
• Learn how to view the size of your folders within a Finder window on the Mac
• Register for my AMA Webinar being held on Thursday, March 25 at 3pm EST.
• Learn how to favorite your mailboxes for quick access within the Mail app on the Mac
• Stop Apple Watch Timer Alerts with a Press of the Digital Crown
• The Future of Apple Retail
• It’s Time to Consider Upgrading to macOS 11 Big Sur
• Learn a few tips on troubleshooting your bluetooth connects on your Mac.
• Origin of macOS Poof Animation

A screenshot of the lessons above is provided below for a visual reference (don't click on them, the are not active links) . . . 

appleJAC 02/02/21 meeting information

The February 2, 2021, 7:00pm CT, monthly meeting of appleJAC User Group about Dan's Tutorials had 24 people in attendance. The 84-minute video of this meeting can be viewed by clicking on https://youtu.be/kmJh1vR_KoQ.

C/NET's top products from CES: https://www.cnet.com/pictures/the-hottest-products-we-saw-at-ces-2021/11/.

 

Meeting Agenda-February 2021

C/NET's top products from CES: https://www.cnet.com/pictures/the-hottest-products-we-saw-at-ces-2021/11/

appleJAC 01-05-21 meeting iCloud Services

 

The January 5, 2021, monthly meeting of appleJAC User Group about iCloud Services had 31 people in attendance. The 84-minute video of this meeting can be viewed by clicking on: https://youtu.be/_Ypx64VyQPU.

KeyNote slideshows by Jason Piper about Apple announcements and iCloud Drive can be seen by clicking on: AppleJAC-2021-01-announcements and 2021-01-iCloudDrive.

 

CES 2020 info from 03-03-20 aJ mtg

There was much to see and enjoy at the March 3 appleJAC meeting, all about the 2020 Consumer Electronic Show, presented by Tom Piper.

If you missed it, or want to review the items shown again, just click on this link: download Trinkets & Treasures. If you would like to see pictures and videos from the CES slideshow, click on: https://www.icloud.com/sharedalbum/CES2020. An outline of the narrative from the slideshow can be seen here: download Slideshow outline.

Winners of the door prize drawing after the break included:

• Kathy Mills        "Mac Is Not A Typewriter" book
• Sue Snell          iTunes $10 Gift card
• Linda George     iPad Smart Case
• Ruth Yaeger      "Naked Truth" book
• Jane Creed        Apple Watch band
• Bonnie Culley    appleJAC cleaning cloth

To view a video of the first half of this meeting for Q&A and CES slideshow, go to: https://www.facebook.com/appleJAC.org/videos/906464676470526/. 

To view the video of the second half when gadgets were presented, go to: https://www.facebook.com/appleJAC.org/videos/908243109608638/.

 

PlastiCase Nanuk case: Versatile Durability

a review by Tom Piper

Travel and storage containers have taken a variety of forms for me over the years, from cardboard boxes and crates, to suitcases to trunks. At CES 2020, I once again saw my premier solution to protecting my valuable technology devices. 

The Nanuk 935 from PlastiCase is a three soft-grip-handled wheeled case that is one of the most convenient on the market. It’s polyurethane wheels withstand rough terrains while the one-handed retractable handle offers unparalleled usability. No matter where I go, this provides a safe smooth ride for my valued items. For total equipment protection, the 935 even has a waterproof NK-7 resin shell and patented Powerclaw latches, plus the following features:

• Reinforced metal padlock holes
• Shoulder strap attachment
• 2-Stage retractable handle
• Polyurethane wheels
• Spring-loaded top handle
• Removable lid (extractable pin)
• Top and bottom panel mount

My case is olive in color (also available in black, yellow, red, white, silver or graphite), measuring L22.0" x W14.0" x H9.0”, and weighing in at 11.6 lbs. Whether carrying or rolling, it has a very solid high-quality feel. The interior has a special Lid Organizer with 3 zipped pockets and a full-length storage area attached inside the lid (great for cords, small hardware and accessories). The bottom has an adjustable padded divider and egg-shell foam insert where I can store my 16” MacBook Pro, my 12.9” iPad Pro, a keyboard, various chargers and batteries, as well as other important devices. This will keep all of my items protected, dry and shock-proof.

This unit is a rugged and dependable case that can be used for many purposes (it even floats, if needed). I acquired one of these cases two years ago for my Phantom 3 drone which had endured lots of abuse without showing hardly any wear. The removable lid has been a blessing in many environments, and the interior has protected my pieces and parts very well. It also weathered several airplane trips very well in their baggage compartments. This has been an excellent travel and storage case.

The Nanuk 935 is available for $269.99 (USD) at https://www.plasticase.com/shop/wheeled/nanuk-935/olive/. PlasticCase produces many Nanuk and other cases of a wide variety of sizes and types. I highly recommend their products for many uses.

 

ELEVATE: IT’S ALL IN THE MIND, Y’KNOW

You pay close attention to what and how much you eat and drink. You work out religiously several times per week. How often do you exercise your grey matter? 

Three years ago, I found there's an app for that. I’ve have been dutifully using it ever since and the app keeps getting better and better. I thought it well worth a revisit.

Elevate is a new type of cognitive training tool designed to build communication and analytical skills. Elevate has been selected by Apple as the App of the Year. Since launching in May 2014, Elevate has been downloaded more than 25 million times on the App Store and Google Play.

[Elevate](https://www.elevateapp.com) runs your brain through a range of exercises from grammar to math and all variations in between. There’s dozens of exercises with a game like quality that will keep on challenging you, raising the bar as you improve your skillset.

You can customize your daily training focus, choosing between 3 to 5 games from a stable of 35+ games. If you’d like, you can measure your performance against yourself and others. Immediately, it doesn’t take long to separate your weaknesses from your strengths. 

Elevate collaborated with an independent research company and an independent analyst in four key skill groups:

Elevate users trained using our app during a four-week period, after which the Elevate users and the control group took identical post-tests.

Our analyst found that Elevate users improved 69% more than non-users, and the more they played Elevate, the better their results.

Overtime, I have found that my strength lies in grammar but (although not terrible) I need to work on my mathematical aptitude.

The first thing that you’ll notice is that the exercises are challenges yet simultaneously feel like games. Not in a Mario Bros. sense but sophisticated. This owes in great part to the different and inventive UIs for each exercise. And they challenge you more as you grow more proficient in any particular category.

Example: One of the math challenges has you calculate the average of two numbers, at first. As you become more proficient, the app ups you to three numbers, and then four. Then they toss you a curve. Instead of just whole numbers, they figure decimals into your calculations.

The one math exercise that I felt had the most interesting twist was Subtraction. I struggled at first but the app points out the easiest method to obtain the correct answer after it has detected a pattern to what you’re doing wrong. What was fascinating was that for the first several months, the equations were laid out vertically, like this:

1945

-732

It was easy to concoct methodologies to arrive at your answer speedily. But then came the twist. Once you became proficient with this arrangement, they then presented the equations horizontally:

1945 - 732 = ?

Surprisingly, it tossed me for a loop. I had to ditch all of my previous visual cues and start anew. You wouldn’t think it would be that hard but it was returning to square one.

I have recently discovered another category: punctuation. The first exercise dealing with commas, when they should be removed and where they should be added.

The same can be said for their grammar exercises. They’ll provide you with two sentences with a word or two missing. You’re presented with the choice of two options to complete the sentences. But once you’ve become competent at spotting the correct or incorrect phrase competence at that level, the options are upped to three.

Another grammar exercise requires you to decide whether a phrase is correct or not. In the beginning, they highlight the phrase to make it easier to focus. Once you have proven agile at recognizing a phrase is proper or improper, they then remove the highlighting and you have to focus on the entire paragraph.

At the end of each exercise, Elevate tells you how your performance ranked overall of all the times you trained with that exercise.

After a session of five games, you will receive a brief overview of how you are progressing in those categories, how you compare to all Elevate users in a specific topic such as grammar, and how many consecutive days you have completed.

All-in-all, Elevate is a challenging collection of exercises that will help you achieve your top form mentally. And the developers keep on introducing new ones.

Elevate is available for free on the iOS store. There are in app  [various subscriptions](https://apps.apple.com/US/app/id875063456#?platform=ipad) you can purchase. Unfortunately, you’re told the fees but not which apply to which devices or their duration (one month, one year, lifetime, etc.).

Still, if you are as serious about staying in shape mentally as physically, I still encourage you to give Elevate a bash. You’ll bash it at least twice, if you’re smart or want to be.

© 2020 Frank Petrie