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Sync Problem With Mobile Devices

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        A workaround solves the problem of sync for mobile devices in iOS5, as described in this article from MacObserver.  Jim Hamm declares that Apple needs to address this complicated process in an update.
        This morning we have a reply from John Carter to shed more light on the situation: "I don’t want to rely on using WiFi for backing up iTunes to the iPhone and vice-versa, so I always connect the iPhone directly to the Mac for that purpose. However, anytime I make a change to my address book or calendar or add a photo to Photo Stream on either the Mac or the iPhone, just being at home with the Mac turned on takes no more than 15 minutes to see the change on the other device. Now that’s real handy! I don’t have to connect the iPhone to the Mac and bring up iTunes just to update my iCal or Address Book or photos that I took on the iPhone to make them available to iPhoto."
        To follow-up:  this article just came (11-1) from SmallDog to clarify the method of wireless sync with iTunes.  See if this helps.

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Where Is It? Now, We Know

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Wonder no longer.  David Passell shares this interesting info:  "Many others --  and I -- have always speculated on what would happen if a sunspot storm, high-altitude nuclear blast, or other event might cut off internet service.  I always thought that internet was carried via satellites.  Well, I was wrong.  It is underwater.  Here's a short, informative video from Kim Komando that will explain it to you."  Like David, we're relieved to hear this!

Found: 

Did everyone else already know this?  Jim Hamm sends us this tip:  "Give this a try:  Shift+Opt+K.  Not a 'biggie' tip, admittedly, but kinda neat.  Be the first in your neighborhood to sport this logo."  And Jim signs off with his trademark (grin).   I tried this on about a dozen different fonts, and every single one comes up the same. How fun is that!

Understanding Computers Made Easier

If you want to understand more about how computers work you'll want to take a look at these links from John Carter.  He writes, "Albert Wenger has a blog called Continuations. Although Albert’s daytime job is working at a Venture Capital firm, he seems to be doing quite well at explaining how computers work in his Tech Tuesday column."Scroll down to "Computer’s Building Blocks" and to "Of Bits and Bytes." John closes with "Anyone new to computers will undoubtedly come away with a better understanding of the innards of a computer."

Beware! This is VERY techie!

How to Check Out eBooks at Library

Following is a brief article on checking ebooks from a library. Jim Hamm explains, "As the http://arstechnica.com/tech-policy/news/2011/10/hands-on-checking-out-library-books-with-kindle.ars article states, the process is a bit clunky, but it works and it's much easier than driving to the library twice — once to borrow and once to return a book. Over time, I feel certain, the process will improve and the selection of available ebooks will increase."

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Making the Transition from MobileMe to iCloud

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        Have you been reading about the transition to Lion, the move from MobileMe to iCloud and how to deal with some issues?  Ward Stanke sends this helpful info.
        "This article from Ars Technica talks specifically about the problems some users are having managing the transition from MobileMe to iCloud, specifically problems with multiple or shared AppleIDs.
        "This article from Apple User Group Resources includes a handy chart which shows the differences between MobileMe and iCloud and what is supported or not under each. It also show what alternate applications could be substituted for the old familiar ones which won't work under Lion (such as AppleWorks and Quicken). It also lists a number of helpful links to help walk you through some of the issues."

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Clearance Sale: Take a Look

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The alert eyes of Jim Hamm caught this special sale info.  Take a look, "The online Apple Store is having a clearance of the original iPad for three select WiFi and WiFi + 3G models, including the flagship 64GB WiFi + 3G iPad. Now available for up to $200-$230 less compared to their original list prices, these products come looking like new and with the same 1-year warranty that other Apple products receive. All refurbished iPad models also include a brand new battery and outershell. Supplies are time-limited, as indicated by the Special Limited Time Price designation. Availability is guaranteed upon receipt of full payment."   Check out this link.

iCloud Info

        Here is a series of helpful articles on iCloud from the "Basics4Mac" newsletter sent to us from Jim Hamm.  He says, "I've set up iCloud and one use of it I'm impressed with is how it syncs to all your devices. For example, a friend notified me of a new email address while I was reading on my iPad. I changed my contacts list on my iPad and made a mental note that I've got to change the new email address on my two Macs and iPhone. This is easy to forget to do—for me, anyway. When I opened contacts on my MacBook Air to do just that, voila, it had already been changed! For anyone subscribing to MobileMe (I don't), this will be old news. But for me, this syncing process is very helpful.
        "Unfortunately, iCloud will only sync certain things—not everything on your Mac. Thus, say, if you've only got one Mac and use Time Machine to backup, then iCloud is probably of limited use to you," Jim concludes.

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iCloud Backup

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        Jim Hamm sends this helpful advice:  "Following is a posting (not mine) from a forum I subscribe to on using iCloud for backup. This may be helpful in determining what—and how much—of something you do want to backup to iCloud. Every app you have installed is listed and how much storage is used for that app. Storage can be turned on/off for each app."
        "For those of you who will be installing iOS and using iCloud tomorrow -something it took me quite awhile to learn - if you have an app with a lot of content (iBooks for example) make sure you turn it OFF in iCloud backup (iCloud > Storage & Backup > Manage Storage > Backups / Devices / Selected Device >; Backup Options > iBooks/other App > Off). I sync a LOT of items to iBooks on both iPhone and iPad (1.9GB > 2.3GB) so I was filling up my 5GB of 'Free' space and was quite annoyed that backups were taking up space but once I realized what was taking up 4.2GB I turned iBooks off on both devices and my backups went down to 400MB & 500MB leaving me 4.1GB free for other storage."

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Possibly, an iPad Mini

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        "Sending this link from PadGadget, Jim Hamm asks, "Could this rumor be true? What do you think: a good move for Apple or not? Zee just received her new 'mini' Kindle, and is it ever small and light, but has the same screen size as a regular Kindle. It is a pleasure to hold and read books on it. It is unbelievably thin and light. She has 363 books stored on it! Digital downloads is a market that will grow, in my opinion, and I think it would be smart for Apple to participate more fully in it by offering a lower-cost iPad.
        "I'm relatively new to the digital download world, but I've taken a liking to it, and enjoy the ease of getting books from the library and reading them on my iPad. I just downloaded a new book from the library this morning, and didn't have to budge from my easy chair to search for and get the book. Nice. An iPad Mini with a lighter weight is an intriguing thought for me."