The Art & Science of Copy/Paste

      How do you copy and paste?  A simple question, but for John Carter it's an opportunity for teaching us more about our computers.
        "One of the basic functions of a computer is to manipulate objects, and to do this with human intervention. We take a picture with a camera, copy that image from the recording media in the camera, and place that copy somewhere in the mass storage device in the computer. Then we print the image, which involves copying that image from the computer to the printer (a process hidden within the Print function). Next, we e-mail the image to a family member, which involves copying that image from the computer, place it in a package (an attachment), and push (send) it out into the Internet targeted to arrive at only one place in a billion possibilities. The receiver then has to copy that image out of the package (save the attachment) and place it somewhere in their mass storage device.
        "Copy and Paste. That’s the terminology for the task of moving an object using a computer. The steps involved are 1) select the target object, 2) copy the object to a clipboard, 3) select the destination, and 4) paste the object at the destination. This process reveals that a simple copy/paste operation is actually a select/copy/select/paste operation. Furthermore, the selection process involves navigation in and around the storage devices involved, and anyone new to computers are oblivious as to how to do that. On a Mac, navigating in and around the storage devices is done with the Finder.
        "So, if the attempt here is to teach how to do a copy/paste operation, what needs to be taken into consideration is the level of detail to include. The reality is that the more detail you fully understand about how a computer works, the simpler the instructions become to teach the process. And since there are basically three learning modalities involved in the transfer of knowledge (hearing, seeing, doing), the instructions should contain as many of those modalities as are possible for the instruction media chosen. Some people just need clues and their intuition fills in the gaps. Some people can read complex instructions and master the technique in minutes. Others need to see a live demonstration that they can then mimic. A fortunate few can listen to an audio recording and translate that into correct motor responses. Some will require a blend of two of those modalities. Still others need all three modalities involved and have to repeat the process many times before it starts to even make sense.
        "If you thought that learning something new was difficult, you should now be aware that teaching can be even more difficult."  (But we have to agree that John LIKES to teach!)
        "Mentors have been called upon as the most effective way to transfer knowledge. In a one-on-one situation, a mentor engages the student in all three learning modalities and tosses in a special ingredient: problem solving. If the student doesn’t learn how to learn, the mentor can be locked into a lifelong process of repeating the same thing over and over until the student becomes an automaton performing tasks with no real understanding and needing assistance with each new twist of the same old task.
        "The 'how' of a copy/paste operation has already been given above. Four simple steps. Select, Copy, Select, Paste. The Internet has many text and video tutorials to draw upon so there’s no need to repeat any of them here. But what can be given here is the hint on how to find those tutorials - with the assumption that the reader has enough experience with a computer to translate the hint into the fine detail needed to make the hint actually work. Hint: ask Google.
        "The question posed in a Google search (it doesn’t have to be Google; there are many reliable search engines) doesn’t have to be precisely structured, but it does have to have enough terms to enable the search engine to construct a query that has a high probability of returning a selection that will precisely answer the question. For example, to find a tutorial on how to do a copy/paste operation, the question should include terms that identify the operating system, the application, and the task. Like this: 'mac mail copy paste.' This returns quite an array of possible answers, including this one: 'How to Copy and Paste Text Styles in Mac OS X Mail - About Email.' If we wanted only video tutorials, we would put it this way: 'mac mail copy paste video tutorial.' The top hit for this was: 'copy paste video tutorial free download.'
        "But, some people don’t stop with just learning how to copy and paste a single object (an object can be an image, a word, a character, or a string of words or characters occurring in a sequence and may also include images associated with the words or characters - in other words, it can be very small, very large, very simple, or very complex, but the operative word here is sequential). They want more. Instead of copying a single object or sequence of objects, they want to copy two or more non-sequential objects. No computer operating system comes with that kind of power. Only one clipboard is provided for the user to copy objects into, and each time a new object is copied, the old object is deleted. So performing multiple, non-sequential copy/paste operations becomes just a series of single, sequential copy/paste operations.
        "However, there are a variety of applications, some free and some not free, that will give the computer special powers - multiple clipboards. What are the application names? Do a Google search. Try: 'mac multiple clipboards.' One hit: 'The Best Free Multi-Item Clipboard Managers for Mac.' The next step is to research each of the possible applications and decide which one to use. If the application provides user feedback or comments, reading those comments can speed up the decision process. The downside of using any multiple clipboard application 'bin' to save an object to or paste an object from. This can be a blessing or a curse, depending on your personal skill level in using a computer."
        John's conclusion, "The purpose of this article has been achieved. No final answer was given, because that’s the task set for the student. The best method of teaching is not to give away the answers, but to encourage the student to do his/her own research. Some people may not think they have the patience or skill to do research. They want someone to give them the answer, to show the way, to make their life simple and easy. But having a simple and easy life is best achieved by self-discovery of the processes learned by others that get transferred through lessons like this one."
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That Helpful Word, "Archive"

        John Carter wrote about the Tech Tuesday column and we posted it here on October 25 and November 8, but complaining about how difficult it was to navigate that column brought up a good suggestion from John.  He sends us to the duckduckgo website for a nice list.
        Further fiddling around I noticed the big word ARCHIVE on the Tech Tuesday home page.  Clicking on that word brought up a huge treasure.  Up comes 1 - 1/4 inch squares that contain the first 25 words, or so,  of that day's posting.  I scrolled down as far as November 2009 and hadn't come to the end yet.  By entering in a key word in the tiny search box at the top the computer will do the work of finding every instance where the word appears in the little squares.  John did send a comment which is posted on the first article after the last post that tells how operating systems work.

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Here's Some Mac Fans

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        "How do you use your Mac?" is always a good question to ask because our PMUG members and friends have unique and interesting info, and they like to share. David Passell innocently mentioned about a choral production coming to Trinity Presbyterian Church on December 4.  After a few questions we found out what good Mac fans he knows at TPC.
        "Joe Place, our facility manager, is a real Mac fan. All the computers at TPC are Macs, except some that had to remain Windows for compatibility with older Church software, and (I think) our telephone system.
        "I operate the video camera and record all the services and special events on DVD. Joe also duplicates the sound on CDs from a digital Edirol recorder. He uses an iMac (now running Lion), and we have a stand-alone CD duplicator.
        "Spike Foley, a professional sound engineer (Sound on Site Arizona), runs the main services. We have a 36 channel board, and orchestral-choir presentations are multi-miked. A MacBook Pro is sometimes connected to the board for mixing editing for audio CDs. I also run the sound board and record Memorial Services."
        And, about that choral production, David?  "Here's the link."

Protect Your Computer in Cold Weather

Looks like winter?  Consider the protection your electronic gear needs.  Do not leave your notebook, iPod, iPhone, other electronic gear in the car overnight.  First thing to do when you find yourself with a moisture-covered device is to turn it off and remove the battery.  iPod and iPhone users can only shut down and wait.  You'll want to read the whole report from today's Small Dog Tech Tails #795.  (They're also having a Garage Sale starting today.)

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Take Control of Lion

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        To PMUG members who want the free books we offered at the November meeting, but didn't have a thumb drive, Bobbie Pastor has the solution you need.  She sends the books on her iDisk, and tells how to access the iDisk.  Click on the screen shots to enlarge them.
1.  Click on an open space on your Desktop.  In the Finder menu > click on GO.  In the drop down menu click on iDisk and over to other users public folder. 

2. My Member name is: bopastor

3. Click on Connect.
4. The next window will ask you for my password: bopeep45

5. After you do that, you should find the .pdf files.

Click and drag to your Desktop or files.  "That's all there is to it," says Bobbie. 

A Great Deal on Parallels -- Act Quickly

        Save money!  Now that we have your attention here's the deal on Parallels.  John Carter writes, "Parallels is having a one day sale on Black Friday: Parallels 7 Desktop for Mac for only $49.99. But this sale is for current users only. For non-users, the sale price is $59.99. If you are a user of Parallels 6, you can get the upgrade for $39.99. See http://www.parallels.com/ for details.
        "So, if you have been interested in purchasing Parallels for your Mac but have been balking at the $79.99 price, now’s your chance to take advantage of me as a current user.
        "How does this work? If you really want a copy, send me an email before 10 PM Friday night and I’ll place an order for you. You pay me back on delivery.   If you have any questions about Parallels, don’t hesitate to ask."  Send John an email at webmaster@pmug.us
        To clarify, John adds, "The offer for Parallels 7 at $49.99 is one only to a customer. So if I get more than one response, it will be first come, first served."

Here's Mickey Mouse!

        Want a Mickey Mouse clock to show up in Dashboard? "Well, of course! That would make my day!" you're probably replying.
        Jim Hamm wants to tell us how.  He sets such a good example for us!  "Here's a tip on how to do it from the Cult of Mac newsletter. Not particularly useful, admittedly, but fun to just try it. I couldn't get the white border to line up square around Mickey, but it looks okay. You'll find you can't move the cursor to click 'add,' as the instructions state—just tap the 'Enter' key and it will appear in Dashboard."
        Click on the illustration to enlarge.  Just think how your kids and grandkids will be impressed when you show off this skill!

Maintain Your Memory Card

"What’s the big deal!" exclaims John Carter.  He goes on to explain, "I have one memory card in my camera and it works just fine - so far. What’s there to know about it? There’s a post in The Digital Photography School titled 8 Tips for Maintaining Your Memory Card, and it’s well worth reading even if you think you know all there is about memory cards for your digital camera. Getting refreshers like this is, well, refreshing!"

Address Labels & Envelopes: How To

You’ve noticed the stores’ decor, your kids’ wish lists, and even your calendar. Yes, the December holidays are on the way! Surprise, surprise!Mac is ready to help. It’s easy, it’s logical, and it’s even fun! Let’s take a look at how to address all those cards you want to send to family and friends. Perhaps you have business connections and will send out some official Holiday Greetings to these people. Here’s a Few Articles & Videos Here’s an article with comments following. Here's several videos about printing labels and envelopes from Address Book. Look here for Avery addressing labels. You’ll note an extensive product list: sizes, colors, labels for various uses and for various types of printers. Also, note that Avery offers a free newsletter and free templates for work, home, school, and play. Take a look at this.  I found Easter Bunny & Father’s Day templates, among others! Set Up A Group in Address Book Your Address Book is your helpful assistant. Click on it to open. You probably already have a nice list of friends and relatives. Click on the + under Group and make a new Group, “Christmas.” Go to one of your groups you’ve already set up and click on someone’s name and drag their V-card to the new group. They can be in different groups at the same time. You most likely already know to click on the + at the bottom of the Name list so you can add a new name to that group. Let’s experiment. Click on the name of the Group to highlight it. Go to the top menu on your screen and get File > Print. On the page that comes up you choose the printer you’ll be using, copies, labels. You can also print out the list on a regular sheet of paper. Under Mailing Labels you can choose to print directly to the envelope, labels, lists, and pocket address book. Under Layout > Page choose Avery or one of the other products there. Choose the Avery label number; for me it’s the 5160. That prints out a page of 30 address labels. You’ll see the measurements of the margins, number of rows and columns on the page, and the gutters. Note: do not run a page of mailing labels through the printer for the second time. Keep that printer happy! At the menu at the top go to Preferences and click General. Choose a font size from the Pop up menu. Do you want these printed out in alphabetical order or by zip codes? Specify. If you want to print the addresses on the envelopes instead of making labels then you can choose a font. By default it’s Lucida Grande -1. Click on Set and up comes your entire font listing, so you can make a choice there. Layout is where you choose the envelope size. Orientation lets you choose which way you’re going to feed the envelopes in to the printer. You’ll set it up for your own printer’s set up. Experiment and have fun.

Here’s an app to Print Envelopes

Here’s a handy-dandy app from Ambrosia called Easy Envelopes. ($9.99) Take a look here.

Want Someone to Do it For You? You can order personalized stamped envelopes from the USPS Postal Store:  Print your own postage stamps on demand. Look here. They give you a postal scale; it calculates and prints the correct postage amount. You can get a 4-week trial offer. If you have an Intel-based Mac and use Windows installed or a PC emulator you can get even more features. It’s a FREE download. Here  you can print postage stamps with your picture on it. Recently, my niece, Alisha, did this for her thank you notes, choosing a photo of her and her hubby, Joe. DYMO printable postage, no monthly fee, no commitment; it’s for PC and Mac. PRACTICAL.  INTERESTING.  MACINTOSH! This was today's handout at the November PMUG meeting.  For handouts from earlier months look down the Labels list to Handout at PMUG.  Click to bring up 22 short, fun handouts. If you have the new Lion OS there may be some variations to these directions.  Try it out and let us know. # # #

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History of Networking, etc.

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"What do you know about networking?" asks John Carter.  "For that matter, what do you care to know about networking? You might be surprised that knowing some fairly basic information about the technology involved could actually bring an ah-ha to your lips. This week’s TechTuesday on 'No Computer is an Island' is about networking which is mostly historical information and then winds up with an eye-opening paragraph about the Ethernet."

House Fire vs iMac

        Maybe you saw this in the latest TechTails, but I couldn't resist emailing the Apple technician who wrote it.  RJ Murphy wrote back and sent these photos.  His article went as follows:
     "A 24-inch iMac was recently dropped off at the service department because it would not power on.  This problem arose after the system sat through a house fire.  At first glance, we figured there was not much hope for it, as it was completely charred from top to bottom.  The plastic housing on the rear of the system had been badly damaged, with melted plastic around the intake and outtake vents.  However, the vents remained unobstructed.

        After a quick SMC reset, the system powered on and started up just fine.  I've since run our suite of diagnostics and stress-tested the iMac with no unfavorable results.  How much more resilient can a computer be?  I can't say, but surviving a house fire definitely tops the list — though the smoke smell can be quite sickening."
       (He took the photos with his iPhone!) Click to enlarge photos.

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Fix Those Photos

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         Got telephone poles, fire hydrants, dogs, trash, etc. in your photos?  John Carter describes a slight miracle -- how to remove them.  Read on:  "Photoshop 9 came out with a very nice feature called Content-Aware Fill."
        "Well, GIMP had that feature a long time ago. It is a plug-in called Resynthesizer. It takes a little more fiddling with than the Photoshop equivalent, but the results are exactly the same. The tutorial on how to use Resynthesizer is here.   Installing the plug-in in the Mac may not seem straightforward, so I’ll go through the steps.
    1. Download the plug-in . . .  found in your Downloads folder with the name resynthesizer.tar or resynthesizer.tar.gz. If the latter, double-click on it to convert it to the former.
    2. Double-click on the file resynthesizer.tar. It will create a new folder in the same location with the name resynthesizer.
    3. Copy the contents of that folder to ~/Library/Application Support/Gimp/plug-ins/ (the ~/Library folder is hidden in Lion, so you will have to make it visible by using Go->Go to folder (Finder hotkey: Shift-Command-G) and selecting ~/Library).
    4. Start up GIMP.
    5. Follow the instructions in the tutorial to use Resynthesizer.
          Is that all, you ask?  No, John Carter wants to add this info: "Just when you think Photoshop has it all, GIMP shows up with yet another feature buried in the works that puts it right up there with Photoshop. Starting with CS4, you get this really neat feature in the Content-Aware Scale tool where you can squeeze two people together in a scene or pull them apart.
        "When you install GIMP for Mac, that feature is also there, but renamed as Liquid Rescale and buried at the bottom of the Layer menu. Get the details on how to use Liquid Rescale at the Digital Photography School here. You will also find a link there to the author’s tip on how to do the same thing in CS4/5."