The Mac Expert • Macintosh Support

Video: Every Apple Design Ever(ish)

Russ — Tue, 21 Feb 2012 23:27:17 +0000

Well, this is kinda cool. As reported on ZDNet, here is a video montage of "Every Apple Design Ever(ish) in 30 seconds. Not sure if it covered everything (I don't remember seeing the G4 Cube in there!), but it's an interesting retrospective nonetheless.

Free Online PDF Converter – Great Tool for Mac Users

Russ — Wed, 25 Jan 2012 18:08:02 +0000

Here's a really common problem for graphic designers and printers: A client sends you files to insert into a page layout or print, you attempt to open the file, and horror of horrors… it's a .PUB file!

Microsoft Publisher, a graphics and layout program, is only made for Windows, so unless you have a Windows PC or a way to run Windows on your Mac, like VirtualPC, you can't open these files. You can have your customer export the file as a JPG, TIFF or PDF, but oftentimes end users don't understand these more complex options.

Next time this happens to you, try freepdfconvert.com. This nifty website allows you to upload files in a variety of formats and convert them into PDF format. I use this service to convert the occasional Publisher file and it works great. Simply upload the file, give them an email address, and they will notify you when the conversion is complete. The process usually takes about 15 minutes.

The service is free for occasional use. There are paid plans starting at just $9 a month if you need additional options, like more frequent conversions, conversions of longer documents, and faster processing of your files.

Steve Jobs Tribute Cartoon #1 – iCloud

Russ — Thu, 27 Oct 2011 15:42:49 +0000

Cloud Computing – Frequently Asked Questions

Russ — Wed, 14 Sep 2011 16:55:07 +0000

You've probably been hearing about "The Cloud" as a new way to use computer technology and applications, but you may not be clear what exactly this concept is and why you would want to use it. The following is a short description of the concept and it's benefits over traditional desktop computing.

What is The Cloud? The Cloud is a method of using hosted software and information services delivered over the Internet. If you have a Facebook account, Gmail account, or online access to your bank account, you are already using The Cloud!
Because most people and businesses now have high speed Internet access, it's become feasible to deliver software as a service (SAAS) through The Cloud. As a result of major industry players, such as Google, delivering cloud-based services, there has been an explosion of cloud applications available to businesses and consumers.

Think of The Cloud as the utility grid for computer services. Just like other utilities such as water and electricity, The Cloud provides an affordable public distribution network for information services.
What are The Advantages? Cloud computing has a number of key advantages over traditional desktop computing:
- Scalable. Software services are typically delivered based on the number of users subscribed to the service. This has an enormous advantage to small businesses. A business can purchase a monthly subscription for just the number of users they need. They can add and remove users at any time.
- Affordable. Unlike the traditional software distribution model, cloud-based services are usually cheaper for small businesses than larger ones. Software companies understand that if they provide inexpensive (or even free!) versions of their software to small businesses, as the businesses grow they will add users and become long-time users of their product.
- Lower Cost of Ownership. In traditional desktop computing, companies spend a great deal of money on computer hardware, network servers, and IT support. Cloud computing drastically reduces the cost of business computing by shifting cost of servers to robust, secure internet hosting.
- One Source of Data. Rather than distribute information to computers on a local network or synchronize data between multiple devices, The Cloud allows users to access data in real time from one data source. This improves reliability and consistency.
  In addition, an increasing number of cloud-based applications are able to share common information. For example, a customer management system can share contacts with accounting software. This eliminates duplicate entry of data on multiple systems, improving consistency and reducing labor costs.
- Platform & Computer Independent. Since most cloud-based applications run in a web browser, customers can use any type of computer they like. It no longer matters if you have a Mac, Windows, Linux or other operating system. Many cloud-based applications are also accessible from smart phones and tablets, so iPads, iPhones and Android devices are fully supported.
  In addition, since the software and data are stored online, it is possible to use multiple computers in multiple locations to access the same information. This is a huge plus for business people who use one computer at the office and another at home. Also, if a computer fails, simply plug in a new one, connect to the Internet, and reconnect to the cloud-based services.
- Simple To Maintain. As described above, in most cases, cloud-based applications use a web browser for their interface. The software is actually running on servers in The Cloud. This means there is no software to install, no updates to install, and no backups to perform. The software company providing the service takes care of all of this.
What are The Disadvantages? While many still have reservations about cloud computing, there are really very few disadvantages. However, it is important to be aware of the limitations.
- Reliable Internet Connection Required. If a business has limited access to the Internet or an unreliable internet connection, The Cloud may not yet be a viable solution. For many businesses, however, Internet connections are as reliable as any other public utility.
- Potential for Data Loss. If a software provider went out of business unexpectedly, it would obviously be catastrophic for a business if they could no longer access their data.
  This issue really is no different than with desktop-based software. Most SAAS providers offer a way to back up data to a local computer and also provide the ability to migrate data to other services.
Is it safe? One of the biggest concerns people have about cloud-based applications is data security. While security is certainly a valid concern, data is much safer in The Cloud than on a desktop computer, particularly for small businesses that do not have the resources to invest in elaborate data and network security systems.
If a connection to a cloud-based service is performed through a secure connection (look for the "lock" symbol next to the URL in the website address), data is being transferred through 128-bit encrypted or greater connections. This is the same level of security used by ATM machines.

Most security breaches in cloud computing are due to users not setting secure passwords, or by sharing passwords and accounts with others.

In addition, cloud computing is highly redundant. Data is stored on multiple servers and is backed up in real time, so if a server fails, another immediately takes over with no loss of data or functionality. This is much safer and more reliable than storing information on an in-house computer.

Cloud computing is a boon to both Mac users and Mac developers because of its platform independence. Mac users have access to same cloud-based applications as their Windows-using counterparts. They can even use a Windows computer at work and a Mac at home and have access to the exact same services.

Mac developers, instead of being tied to the Mac OS platform, can develop software that is accessible to the entire computer market, regardless of platform. Of course, there are some apps, like graphics and page layout applications that will work better as platform-specific desktop apps, but the vast majority of business applications, such as customer management, project management, and account systems, do not need to be tied to a platform.

Thanks to high speed Internet access, cloud-based computing is now a viable, affordable solution for small business. This is why I focus exclusively cloud-based solutions for my clients' business applications needs.

The Mac Store Opening in West Olympia

Russ — Sun, 21 Aug 2011 01:58:46 +0000

I never thought I'd live to see the day… There will soon be TWO places here in West Olympia at Capital Mall to buy Mac: Best Buy and now The Mac Store. Have to say I'm surprised to see this regional Mac specialist opening a store here. But it makes sense… Olympia is too small of a market for an Apple Store, so The Mac Store won't have to compete.

Once upon a time (1994), I worked at The Mac Store (then The Computer Store) in Eugene, Oregon for about a year. I was far better as a consultant than a salesperson, so I didn't last long.

Picture courtesy of a friend.

OS X Lion Now Available from the Apple App Store

Russ — Wed, 20 Jul 2011 15:52:18 +0000

250 new features for $29.99.

PLUS, OS X Lion Server is only $49.99. Compare THAT to a Windows server — HAH!

I am going to get Lion Server for my primary computer, and put the standard version on others. Hoping to make the transition this week. It sounds like I won't have any application issues, since nothing I'm running uses Rosetta (old code meant for PowerPC processors). BTW, I checked, and Adobe Creative Suite CS4 is Intel native and does not require Rosetta; however, CS3 DOES require Rosetta and would therefore not be compatibel with Lion.

I welcome your comments and user experiences as you tackle this upgrade.

Google Apps Free User Limit Reduced to 10

Russ — Fri, 29 Apr 2011 17:19:04 +0000

Google has tightened up their maximum number of free users allowed in Google Apps.

In an email sent to current Google Apps users yesterday, Google stated:

We recently announced upcoming changes to the maximum number of users for Google Apps. We want to let you know that, as a current customer, the changes will not affect you.

As of May 10, any organization that signs up for a new account will be required to use the paid Google Apps for Business product in order to create more than 10 users. We honor our commitment to all existing customers and will allow you to add more than 10 users to your account for alman.us at no additional charge, based on the limit in place when you joined us.

This really isn’t a surprise to me. I thought 50 users was very gracious. It also indicates to me that Google recognizes that its target market for Google Apps is not just large business and enterprise, but small to medium businesses as well. Using cloud services for common business functions, such as email, document storage, and communications in many cases can eliminate the need to keep an in-house server, dramatically reducing I.T. costs.

Note that the change begins on May 10. If you have been considering setting up Google Apps for your domain, do it now. You’ll be grandfathered into the 50 free user plan. However, in my opinion, at $50 per user, per year, Google Apps is still a bargain.

If you need help setting up Google Apps for your business, we provide this as a service.

Amazon Phishing Scam Notice

Russ — Tue, 05 Apr 2011 18:37:12 +0000

I received the following email from Amazon last night. Just in case anyone out there reading this did not receive this warning email, you should be on the lookout for this, or similar, phishing scams. They are becoming increasingly common and are one of the most common breaches of internet security.

Dear XXX,

This is an important message from Amazon.com

As a precaution, we’ve reset your Amazon.com password because you may have been subject to a “phishing” scam.

Here’s how phishing works:

A scam artist sends an e-mail, which is designed to look like it came from a reputable company such as a bank, financial institution, or retailer like Amazon.com, but is in fact a forgery. These e-mails direct you to a website that looks remarkably similar to the reputable company’s website, where you are asked to provide account information such as your e-mail address and password. Since that web site is actually controlled by the phisher, they get the information you entered.

Go to amazon.com/phish to read more about ways to protect yourself from phishing.

To regain access to your Amazon customer account:

Go to Amazon.com and click the “Your Account” link at the top of our website.

Click the link that says “Forgot your password?”

Follow the instructions to set a new password for your account.

Please choose a new password and do not use the same password you used with us previously.

Thank you for your interest in Amazon.com

Sincerely,

Amazon.com

A Simple Solution for Macbook Insomnia

Russ — Thu, 17 Mar 2011 05:37:50 +0000

This article contains content available only to Mac Expert Gold Subscribers.

Click Here to find out about my affordable Macintosh support plans.

Starting at only $8.25/month!

I have a Macbook Pro 17" that I bought back in 2007, and I still use it when I'm at home or away from my 27" iMac at the office. It runs just fine (aside from being way too big to use on an airplane). However, it has one annoying problem that's bugged me for most of the time I've owned it: It will wake up whenever it darned well pleases.

Well, not exactly. To be specific, it will often wake up after I've put it in my bag to take it somewhere. Then when I pull it out to use it, it's almost too hot to touch and the battery is almost dead.

Apparently, some of these earlier Macbooks with magnetic latches brielfly lose contact when they are jostled around, resulting in the laptop's sensors getting confused and not knowing whether the computer is asleep or awake. Alas, Laptop Insomnia.

Interestingly, Apple provides a solution built right into the operating system. You can reprogram the computer to ignore the lid being opened and stay asleep.

The problem is, you can't access it from the graphic interface. You need to open the Terminal utility and type in the appropriate command (correctly) in the UNIX shell. Not a big deal for people that enjoy fishing around in the command line, but pretty intimidating for the everyday user.

Rather than have to keep looking up this command, or explain the details of how to enter UNiX commands to my clients, I've created a couple of simple AppleScripts to turn the "lidwake" function off and on.

You can download the scripts here:

This article contains content available only to Mac Expert Gold Subscribers.

Click Here to find out about my affordable Macintosh support plans.

Starting at only $8.25/month!

Simply download the file and double-click on it if it doesn't unzip automatically. You'll see a folder that contains two scripts: one to turn off the Lid Awake setting, and one to turn it back on in case you change your mind. Just double-click on the "Stop Laptop Lid Insomia!" script, enter your administrative password, and you're done!

Once you've disabled the Lid Awake option, you can bring your Macbook out of sleep by pressing any key on your keyboard (just like a desktop Mac).

If you have any questions, feel free to contact me through my contact form.

This is totally safe… however, if your laptop heats up to 900 degrees and explode in a firey mushroom cloud, I am officially not liable. In other words, use at your own risk!

Creating a Local Search Twitter Widget Using Geocodes

Russ — Sat, 15 Jan 2011 06:04:26 +0000

Twitter has a great little widget that you can add to any web page to display a Twitter search. This allows you to creating stream of information about any topic of interest and post it in your website. In a CMS-based site, such as WordPress or Jooma, or a social platform site, such as Spruz, you can add this widget to a global area, so it automatically shows up on every page.

You can find the widget here.

For example, if you'd like a running commentary of the Seattle Sounders, you customize the widget as follows:

However, there is a bug in the widget that has been acknowledged by Twitter: you cannot create a radius search around a location and insert it into the widget. A radius search on Twitter allows you to find all tweets within a zip code or city name, such as "near:Tacoma within:15mi" or "near:98501 within:20km". This is unfortunate because the radius search is a great way to find out what people are talking about in your area.

As it turns out, there is an alternative: Geocodes!

Geocodes include the latitude and longitude of a location. So, for example, let's say I want to do that Tacoma search I listed above, you would enter the search as follows: "geocode:47.252877,-122.444291,15mi".

If you don't happen to know the geocode of the location you'd like to search off the top of your head (smile) try this handy tool at iTouchMap.com. Simply enter the address, city and state of the location (or just the city and state if you want the geographic center of a city), and you'll see the exact geocode.

Here's a custom widget for my home town, Menominee, Michigan:

But here's the really cool part: you can use geocodes with search keywords to create a custom search. For example, here are a pair of actual widgets I've created to follow the twitter streams about the playoff game between the Seattle Seahawks and the Chicago Bears next week:

Trash Talk on Twitter: Bears Vs. Seahawks Playoff Game

Thanks to the following thread for helping me find the answer to this problem: http://code.google.com/p/twitter-api/issues/detail?id=1401