Jim Hamm considers how iOS 5 will affect notebook sales. "Here’s a video with a summary of iOS 5. Lots of new features for mobile devices. The most important, in my opinion, is now the iPad, iPhone and iPod no longer need to have a computer to connect to. They can be free-standing devices. A nice step. On the flip side, possibly this might have a deleterious effect on notebook sales. On the other hand, though, I don’t think I’d just want to have only a mobile device and not have my Mac. I think each has its strong points. Time will tell how this all shakes out."
Here's a thought-provoking article from Jim that speculates about the future of Mac.
The Latest and the Greatest
"Well, the big announcements at WWDC (Worldwide Developers Conference) happened this morning," begins Art Gorski. Here's his take on the latest and greatest. First, here's a summary from Macworld.
"Mac OS X Lion will be out next month for $30 but is available only through the App Store. If you haven't updated to the latest version of Snow Leopard I have no idea how you can get it. There are many changes designed to make Mac OS X look and act much more like iOS: Full screen apps (we've already seen this with the new iPhoto), the Launchpad feature, and support for multi-touch gestures everywhere (if you have an Apple touchpad).
"iOS 5 will be out in the Fall with 200 new features. The most interesting thing is that Apple has decided that syncing data amongst all your devices is a royal pain, so all syncing, including iOS updates, apps, and all data will sync wirelessly over 3G or wireless. Most of this syncing happens automatically without you even noticing. For example, if you take a picture with your iPhone camera, the next time you fire up your iPad or Mac that photo will be on that device. Along with iCloud (below), it will be possible to own an iOS device standalone for the first time, without ever attaching it to a computer at all!
"Remember Apple's Digital Hub idea? Where your Mac was your digital hub for all of your data and media? That's now over. Apple has demoted the Mac to just another device, like the iOS devices. Your digital hub is now in the iCloud. Also available in the Fall, iCloud is a FREE service that replaces MobileMe (well, kinda, see below). It will provide a me.com email account and sync that, along with contacts and calendars. Documents in the Cloud is a new app to facilitate automatically syncing iWork documents (Pages, Numbers, and Keynote) amongst all your devices. iTunes in the Cloud lets you download any iTunes-purchased media to up to 10 different devices. A total of 5GB of space, shared between documents and email is available in addition to however much space is needed to sync your last 1000 photos and your iTunes-purchased media. An optional service called iTunes Match will be available for $25/year that will scan your complete iTunes library, including stuff you ripped yourself, try to figure out what it is, and then make very high quality versions available for download to your devices.
Art concludes, "Interestingly enough, Apple did not mention iCloud replacements for iDisk and web hosting. It's possible these are going away. However, Apple just extended all MobileMe subscriptions to June 6, 2012 to give you a year to figure out what to do."
Also, take a look at the Apple site here and the Apple HotNews site here for more descriptions of the latest and greatest!
Got the Latest Update?
Here's an article describing how you can tell (maybe) if you've got the latest malware definition update from Apple. Jim Hamm comments, "A convoluted method, at best. It would be very helpful if Apple would notify people immediately when an update is available. Maybe if they read this article, they will."
Measure a WiFi Signal
Jim Hamm passes along some helpful info: "If, say, you're traveling with a Mac laptop and it shows it's receiving a WiFi signal, but you're unable to connect to the internet, what to do?
The first thing I do is check to see how strong is the WiFi signal I'm receiving. Hold the option key down and then click the WiFi icon. You will see a variety of data, including RSSI (Received Signal Strength Indication). What does this mean? Take a look at the following meter to get an idea: (Click to enlarge.)
Green is good, yellow is marginal in the above meter. The minuses reflect a loss or reduction in power. If I remember correctly, the meeting room at the Prescott Library, where we hold the PMUG meetings, has an RSSI of about a -70 and we usually can connect okay. As I'm typing this I'm close to the router and my RSSI is a -40. In my experience, if you show an RSSI of around -80 you probably won't be able to connect to the internet.
In addition to strength, another important element of a WiFi signal is the amount of noise (interference from microwave, cell phones, etc) present. If you're showing a good WiFi signal but are having difficulty connecting, or staying connected, to the internet, then possibly you've got noise interference. A spread of 15-20 dBm is desirable. For example, say the strength is -60 and the noise is -80, you're in good shape.
What can you do to improve RSSI? Move closer to the base station or router; walk around and change the location of your computer -- maybe you'll move from behind an obstruction; buy a WiFi booster. I've used several, and they do help.
I've got some friends that recently converted to a Mac and I thought this might be helpful for them. The same concept applies to PC users, but I don't recall (if I ever knew) how to measure RSSI on a PC."
Discussing Dropbox
If you use Dropbox or just want to know more about it, here is an informative article from the Windows Secrets Newsletter forwarded to us from Jim Hamm. It concerns the privacy of data you keep stored on their server. Jim says, "I don't store anything of a sensitive or private nature in Dropbox — which I use frequently and find very helpful — so I'm not concerned about the privacy issue. The article goes on to explain some alternatives to Dropbox as well." Art Gorski responds with an offer to do a demo.
Apple Releases Security Update Today
Alerted first by a PCmagazine article, the official info comes from this Apple Support site. The security update 2011-003 is 2.1 MB and takes less than 2 minutes to download. It was released earlier today, May 31, for OS X v. 10.6.7.
What do you know? David Passell writes to brag that his update took less than a minute!
Amazon Has Opened a Mac Download Store
Jim Hamm sends the news that Amazon has opened a Mac download store. The MacObserver article states, "Amazon is competing with Apple. Oh, the horror. In fact, this is just business as usual, and it's actually very good for Macintosh customers."
On Reading SD Chips with Adapter
David Passell passes along this information: "For a long time I have been copying a friend's SD chips to archive-DVDs and also using iDVD, iPhoto, etc. to make playable DVDs. I went through a time though when I thought I was getting corrupted chips. They wouldn't load, I couldn't copy them, and when I tried to play videos (AVI) from them I would get 'end of file errors,' etc. Even with the SAFE/LOCK key in place I would have problems. The underlying problem was that I was plugging the SD > USB adapter into a hub. When I plugged it directly into a Mini USB connector, the problem went away.
Basic principle:
• To avoid corruption, or changes on photo dates, always put the little key on the SD chip to the SAFE/LOCK position.
• Always plug the adapter directly into a USB port on the computer.
• Don't use a hub, not even a powered one.
• Before removing the chip, EJECT the image of the SD, just like a large Hard Drive or USB thumb drive."
From his MacBook Pro at the Sunnyvale, CA public library we hear from John Carter on the subject: "Pam Wickstrom was told by Apple support that you cannot use a USB hub (powered or not) on an Airbook to connect to an external hard drive - the external hard drive has to be connected directly to the Airbook. David’s experience with an SD chip is similar, but I don’t know if he was using an Airbook. So from this we might conclude that you can’t read any external media through a USB hub on an Airbook. This needs to be confirmed."
Upon receiving this info from John here's David Passell's reply, "I'm not sure what an 'airbook' is, I think it means the MacBook Air. However, I am using a Mac Mini. I have three hub-type devices. A Gigaware four-port (powered), a Targus four-port (unpowered) which is in turn conected to a TrendNet KVM switcher which has two USB ports. I have never had a problem with hard drives or USB thumb drives through a hub. I do have my TimeMachine drive connected directly to a Mini USB port. The problem appears to be when I use my Targus USB to SD adapter. SDs apparently do not read properly when plugged in through a hub."
More About: Keep in Mind About Your Computer Security . . .
A good reminder comes from Allen Laudenslager. He sends this CNN article, declaring that it might help give a little clarity on the MacDefender malware issue. The article, entitled, "New Malware Revives Mac vs. Windows Security Debate" states that Microsoft recently pointed out that 1 in 14 downloads on Windows are malicious. And the fact that there is just one piece of Mac malware being widely discussed illustrates how rare malware still is on the Mac platform. The writer concludes, " . . . the moral of this story is to be wary that Mac malware is in the wild, and be cautious about installing sketchy software from unfamiliar sources."
This evening several news reports discuss the malware. AppleInsider, states that Apple will release an update to Mac OS X to automatically find and remove the malware. The article concludes, "The scam site is also unable to install the malware without the user supplying an administrative password. Even so, hundreds of users have been duped by the scam, although the outbreak appears to be more of a nagware annoyance than a serious security problem."
First thing this morning, (5-25) Allen passes on this Apple Support information which lists the authorized steps to take to remove the malware if you happen to inadvertently download it. Once the Mac OS X software update is here we'll have "no more concern about the only widespread Mac malware that we have to worry about" because it will automatically find and remove the MacDefender malware and its known variants.
Joining in with helpful info now is Art Gorski, recommending this from MacWorld.
This afternoon (5-25) we found this in ComputerWorld: "Mac users running Safari can stop avRunner from automatically opening its installer screen by unchecking the box marked 'Open 'safe' files after downloading' at the bottom of the General tab in the browser's Preferences screen." Read the whole article.
Here's the 5-26 article from Computer World with more details.
What else are PMUG members saying about malware, security, anti-virus issues? On the right side of this newsblog scroll to the Labels list and look up those keywords, and any other keywords you're interested in researching. Our PMUG members do a good job of finding out -- and passing along -- all kinds of Mac information.
What's That Little Thing?
Ever observant, David Passell inquires about this symbol which shows up at the end of each posting made to the PMUG newsblog. Click it to send an email of the post to a friend. You put in your name and email address and your friend's email address. You can include a message of up to 300 characters. (Double click to enlarge the screen shot.)
Screen Shots
Sounds like Hollywood to you? Actually, screen shots are a useful talent of your Mac. On the keyboard hold down Command + shift + 4 all at the same time. Your cursor turns into a target-like object. Touch the upper left of what you want to copy and bring your cursor across to the right side as far as you want to copy and then keep going down over that page or that picture. Takes a little practice. Your screen shot then comes up on your desktop with a name “Screen shot 2011-04…..” and then the time of day. How technical is that! (Double click to enlarge these illustrations.)
For illustrations on my PMUG handouts I do screen shots of charts, illustrations, etc. from the Internet or from any other location on the computer.
When you double click on that screen shot icon on your desktop it will open up with Preview. Here you choose File > Save As. Now take your choice of format. Some of these I have not used, so you’re on your own!
For posting to the PMUG blog or my own blog I want to use JPEG, so that’s my choice. Notice that the little screen shows you the file size and you can choose levels of quality. If you choose PDF you can even choose a Quartz Filter type and also click to encrypt and require a password.
On the main Apple Menu look under Help, type “screen shot” in Search. Here you’ll find more info on how to take a picture of the whole window, and other helpful topics.
Go to Applications > Utilities and choose Grab. Open and see the choices on the menu. Preferences lets you choose Pointer Type and Enable sound. Under System Preferences you can select Keyboard Shortcuts > Services > Pictures, then capture full screen, use timer, and capture selection from screen. Grab is another name for Screen Shot.
To see information about a screen shot you’ve taken, such as the size and depth, when you have Grab open choose Edit > Inspector.
Under Mac Help see the information on Shortcuts for taking pictures of the screen. You can take a picture of a window or the menu bar, or take a picture of the menu without its title.
Some applications, such as DVD Player, may not let you take pictures of the screen.
You can take a screen shot from a YouTube showing. In this example, I’ve shrunken it by moving the dots (little handles) inward.
In Pages go to Inspector > Metrics and you can click to Constrain proportions. You can shrink something equally, or can adjust it to what you need. When I make a booklet using ClickBook from BlueSquirrel.com I have to undo the Constrain and widen the picture out to compensate for the automatic sizing that program does to print full size pages into booklet size pages.
If it’s Mac it can be fun and easy. That’s why we’re always learning new things and in PMUG we’re happy to share what we’ve learned so far. We want to hear from you -- what puzzles you, so far? What new things have you learned to do?
This is the handout at the PMUG meeting this morning. If you weren't there be sure to come next time so we can enjoy conversation and learning and fun!
And the latest just in from Art Gorski, "After you do Cmd-Shft-4, and before you select anything, press the space bar. As you move the mouse around the screen, entire windows and menus will highlight. Click and it will do the selection for you."
Now, an additional pointer from David Passell: "If you press CTRL along with the CMD - SHIFT- 4 the selected item will be placed on the clipboard where you can add it to any document you are writing, including email."
Misbehaving Mouse
So used to a mouse in my hand, I added a small Belkin retractable cord mouse ($10.99) to my exterior keyboard for the MacBook Pro. Good, most of the time. When it misbehaves and forgets to move the cursor I tried various "remedies." What works is to merely unplug the little plug from the little connection cord that comes out of the exterior keyboard, and then plug it right back in.
Keyboard Shortcuts for Mail
Expanding on his earlier tips on Mail John Carter sends this info:
I tried to find something that could
show all the keyboard shortcuts for Mail.
I couldn’t find one place that showed them all.
I found that Command-K was shown in two
different places with different functions. That’s not helpful.
The best place to look for the keyboard
shortcuts for any application is to look at the Menu list:
Here's the list of keyboard symbols. Double click to enlarge.
Lots More: Tips for Mail
Is it way too much information? John Carter smiles when he says this "should send some people over the edge with way too much information," but he adds, "I'm sure someone will find something here to make their email experience a little better."
Skype Security Patch is Needed
A warning from David Passell alerts us that Skype has shipped a security patch for an "extremely wormable and dangerous" vulnerability affecting Skype for Mac OS X users. He refers us to this from ZDNet. A manual update is required; it's not automatically updated for Skype users.
Skype Alternatives for Mac Users
Recommended by Jim Hamm here's a link to David Alison's blog which gives a good summary of various alternatives to Skype: FaceTime, Google GTalk and iChat.
Security Settings for Safari
Thanks to Jim Hamm who writes, "Here are some comments about security in Safari from a member of a Mac forum I belong to. These are the settings he recommends. I’ve not tried or read about the last item in his list: FlashToHTML5. I’ll have to learn more about this, and why/if to use it.
Safari - Block Pop-Up Windows
Safari - Preferences - General - Open "safe" files after downloading (uncheck)
Safari - Preferences - Autofill - Using info from my Address Book card (uncheck)
Safari - Preferences - Autofill - User names and passwords (uncheck)
Safari - Preferences - Security - Fraudulent sites (check)
Safari - Preferences - Security - Location services (uncheck)
Safari - Preferences - Security - Web content (uncheck all for most security, but check as you need capability)
Safari - Preferences - Security - Accept cookies (check only "Only from sites I visit")
Safari - Preferences - Security - Ask before sending a non-secure form from a secure website (check)
Safari - Preferences - Extensions - AdBlock (add this extension to block most ad content)
Safari - Preferences - Extensions - FlashToHTML5 (add this extension to convert Flash to HTML5 when possible)
"The biggest setting to change is the Human Setting. Think about links before you click them. Hover over them to reveal their true destinations before clicking on them. Watch for non-secure (http://) links that ought to be secure (https://)--anything that deals with money, like banks, checkouts, etc. Look for the green secure/trusted indicator in the URL bar.
"Watch for links that include multiple 'http' strings -- these initially look like they go to the first domain listed, but actually go to the last one listed (http://www.trustedbank.com.http://evil-domain.net/blah/blah). DON'T click these. If a bank asks you for your account login information in email, via a link sent in email, it's fraudulent. If clicking a link causes a 'Enter your system administrator password' prompt, think long and hard before typing it in. I think you get the idea."
Conserve Battery Life
It started with a tip about conserving battery life for your iPad, but Jim Hamm goes on to tell about laptop battery life, too.
"Here's a tip for your iPad. I took a workshop on the iPad 2 at the Apple store yesterday. The gentleman presenting the workshop said that a person should close all open apps occasionally to conserve battery life. Every time you open an app that app stays running in the background unless you specifically close it.
"Double tap the home button. All those apps you see along the bottom are open and running. To close them put your finger on one and hold till it starts wiggling. Close all the open apps along that bottom row.
Jim explains, "I took a look at mine and practically every app I have on my iPad 2 was open and running in the background. Take a check on yours and see how many you have running. How often to close open apps? Perhaps at the end of the day might be a good time -- at least that's what I plan to do."
But is that a factor in battery life for our laptop computers, I wanted to know. Jim said, "If the laptop is running on battery, then I think yes, probably each app might draw a bit more juice from the battery. A bigger problem might be using up RAM. Every app uses RAM, and Safari and Mail will continue to grow the longer one keeps them running. Having a few apps open probably wouldn't affect streaming, though."
My final question was about the Apple workshops. Jim furnishes us with this Scottsdale store link.
All-day Batteries May Be Coming
"When?" we gasp. "All day, all right!"
Yes, suggests Allen Laudenslager. He goes on to recommend this article from Fastcompany. It proposes a shift at Apple from the Intel chip to a ARM chip to take advantage of the ARM low power usage. While deep inside the computer, the central processor is the key element in power usage. Apple is already using the ARM processor in the iPad and the shift would help align the operating system between the Apple mobile (iPhone and iPad) and their laptop computer line up." Allen smiles, "There is no way to know how accurate this particular article is, an 18 hour laptop batter life sounds good to me!"
How to Save Your Emails
Is it magic? No, it's just Mac. Allen Laudenslager points out a very handy feature of Mail. "I sometimes need to save my emails in a form that I can use later. Using Apple Mail this is dead simple. I just open the email and go to File > Print. In the bottom left hand corner of the print box is a button called PDF that allows me to save the email as a PDF file that I can send as an attachment to another email or print at a later date. Works exactly the same way in Google mail since both Safari and Firefox end up at the same print box with the same features.
"Where this really comes in handy is paying bills on line. Most sites have a Print Receipt feature (you may have to hunt around a cluttered page to find it, though) that ends up in the same print box. I save the receipt as a PDF file in a special folder called 'Bills paid online' and when/if I need to prove I paid the bill I can just email the receipt.
"If the particular business doesn't have a 'print a receipt' feature, all the businesses I pay on line do have a page that shows the payment, so I just print that web page using the same steps.
"If you've been afraid to pay on line because you need that receipt, here is a way to get the convenience of paying on line and the security of a hard copy receipt."