OK, which is the new, proper way to write antivirus? Is it anti-virus, AntiVirus, or just abbreviated AV? We've seen it each way! A search on Google brings up this site: http://www.computerhope.com It's amazing how many terms have been developed for computer lingo. Take a look at this site for definitions, today in computer history, the latest computer news, a discussion forum.
Comparing Anti-Virus Programs
It's important to have the latest info on anti-virus programs. Here, Jim Hamm discusses what's new.
"The current issue of the 'Ask Bob Rankin' newsletter discusses lab tests of various anti-virus programs by a German company, AV-Test. On the summary page, you can click the three lists of rankings to make them larger and readable. The program I use -- Avast -- comes in about the middle of the rankings.
"It's interesting to note the OS most likely to be attacked by a virus (Windows), Microsoft's own program -- Microsoft Security Essentials (MSE) -- comes in last in average protection. Microsoft doesn't agree (naturally) with the findings of AV-Test. Click here for more details.
"I'm running Avast on my Macs and MSE on my Windows 8 PC. Rankin provides a list of free anti-virus programs here. I don't get too excited by the ratings and rankings, because they can change. I do like to read, though, about the various test results and opinions of the various anti-virus programs. I think it's wise to use an anti-virus program -- at least it is for me -- because someday it might just help.
And Jim closes with, "One program not listed or tested -- Malwarebytes -- I've read and heard good reports about. It's not tested because it's more of a malware detection and removal tool instead of virus protection. There is a free and paid version. I've not used this yet, and I think it may only be for PCs and not Macs."
Wishing You Happy Valentine's Day and . . .
MacMedia in Peoria sends us a notice, "Happy Valentine’s Day." They will have a booth at the P83 Party http://www.p83az.com at the Peoria Sports Complex on February 23, and they also announce sale info on Apple TV, Intel-based Mac trade-ins, and free classes.
You Can Help Us Get Credit
Did you know PMUG gets credit when people click on the MacHighway icon on our website's home page and create an account with MacHighway? See the home page at www.pmug.us/ Check it out yourself, then let your friends know.
(Thanks to John Carter and Mary Ann Clark for their work on that website!)
See What Tim Cook Said
Ever on the lookout for news Jim Hamm passes this along, "If you're interested, here's some of Tim Cook's comments at the recent Goldman Sachs technology conference."
It's a fascinating assortment: Cook talked about iPhone, screen plays, market shares, taking stock (Apple's massive cash stockpile), acquisition decisions, innovation, iPad, cannibalization, and Genius Bars. This is a report from MacWorld dated 2-12-13.
A Tip on Mail
A tip on Mail comes from John Carter who informs us, "If you're using the Mail application to read and write email, and if your email protocol for the account is IMAP, you may have noticed that when you are creating a new message that quite a few copies of your unfinished (and finished) message shows up in the Trash. This is because you have an option set in Mail Preferences for you email account to store Draft messages on the server.
"You can remedy this, and reduce the amount of Trash you get, by unsetting that option in Mail Preferences for that, and any, IMAP account.
"The reason for the multiple copies of the incomplete messages is that Mail performs a save operation quite often (not a programmable feature). For any IMAP account, each save gets sent to the server, and the server then puts it in the Trash, and that Trash then gets sent back to Mail. So even if you just sit on a message before sending it, multiple copies of that draft will get sent to the server and then sent back to you as trash."
Thanks to John we know more than we did before! (You did remember to click on the screen shot to enlarge it? Good!)
New CPR Technique
"You may already be aware of this CPR technique. Even so, it's well worth watching again as a refresher." Jim Hamm passes on this video link. http://medicine.arizona.edu/spotlight/learn-sarver-heart-centers-continuous-chest-compression-cpr The forwarded email says, "This short video illustrates the best demonstration and gives the simplest explanation of exactly what to do if someone near you collapses and is presumably having a heart attack. You could very well save the life of a friend of a loved one. Someone you share this video with might save your life!"
Emergency Flash Update
Here's a warning to heed right now, according to Jim Hamm. "I recommend you read this article and update the Adobe Flash Player in your browser for security reasons. An easy way is to click here. If you're using the Chrome browser it will update Flash automatically."
Bing and Botnets (What?)
"Here's an interesting article on how automated botnets are searching Microsoft's Bing to find a weakness, or something they can harvest for nefarious purposes," begins Jim Hamm.
He explains, "Google, for example, has a 20-person team fighting this type of search all the time. The hackers are always looking for a weakness in a website, a bank's or retail database, or your computer, to try and steal something.
"It's no wonder sites and computers get hacked — the search by hackers is relentless," is Jim's final comment.
So now we've learned about Bing and Botnets. See, we do need to keep up!
Make Your Own Magazine Cover?
On a website that advertises "Thrilling Tales of the Downright Unusual" Art Gorski passes this notice to us, "Make your own custom pulp magazine cover to amaze your friends and confound your enemies!" After designing your own custom pulp magazine cover you could have it placed on a coffee mug, an iPad case, a spiral bound notebook, or on cards or invitations. http://thrilling-tales.webomator.com/derange-o-lab/pulp-o-mizer.html
Click to enlarge the illustration, then click on it again to return to this page.
Too Old for a Computer? No!
Take a look at these men and women who are not too old for a computer. Thanks to David Passell who sent this, "The following is a series of stories about people over 60 who use computers. It is rather long, but interesting."
Jim Hamm found it too, and he goes on to say about the article, it's "by a young lady, describing what it's like to use a computer and the internet for two senior ladies: one 87 and the other 90 years of age —and one of which is her Grandmother. One statement really caught my attention: Without Internet, My Great-Grandson Wouldn’t Even Know Me.
"For these two ladies, computers and the internet enables them to keep in touch with family in a way that wasn't available just a few years ago. Using a program to chat visually, such as Skype, or a program to make free phone calls, such as Google's e-mail, is another way seniors can use to keep in touch with family. Plus, the challenge of learning and using a computer has got to help keep these ladies mentally alert.
"Maybe that's why I like to play around with computers — it keeps me sharp! Well, okay, maybe less dumb...(grin)..." Jim
How to Uninstall Something
Short and to the point, Prez Art Gorski passes this along, "Here's a tutorial on how to delete an application program and all of its associated files from your Mac.
Library's Wireless Internet Speed
Curious about the wireless Internet speed at the Prescott Public Library? John Carter was and he passes along this info. He says the best place to get a speed test without all the ads, is available from CenturyLink here. However, you need Flash installed, and Apple doesn't like Flash, so you'll have to use Google Chrome to do a speedtest - even if you use the Ookla speedtest.
Mixed Reviews on jOBS
"Here is a brief scene from the new Jobs movie, with some comments by Wozniak. The movie is getting mixed reviews. See here and here," Jim Hamm informs us. "Whether you would like the movie or not depends, I suspect, on what you expect from the movie. It apparently isn't about the life of Jobs, but rather a snapshot in time. The actor, Ashton Kutcher, gets good reviews for portraying Jobs in a realistic manner.
"I plan to see the movie when it's available. I have no expectations of it being a great, Oscar-potential, movie, but hopefully it's entertaining."
Take a Look at Google's Insides
Of course, you wonder what makes Google work! Jim Hamm found this. "Here's some pictures of Google. The print on each picture is too small for me to make out, but the first one must be their headquarters. The rest apparently are their servers, except the last one might hold the beverage for Happy Hour, as I understand Google is a relaxed workplace...(grin)...
"If you use Gmail or do a search on Google, somewhere in this complex your enquiry is roaming around.
"Just think of the electricity and cooling required to, ah, service all those servers," Jim concludes.
A suggestion to you and Jim. If you wait a few seconds longer on each photo as it comes up your computer may enhance that tiny print so it's readable. Or, do the Command + Option + Control + 8 to toggle to the opposite colors. Remember, when you're finished the full screen view you do the Escape key to go back to the original site's view.
Explore the Fonts Panel
Which fonts do you like to use? This one, this one, perhaps this one? Well, there’s more to explore, according to Prez Art Gorski.
He informs us, “You've probably seen the Font Panel, which is found under the menus in most modern Mac applications. Here's an article on how to take advantage of its features: http://reviews.cnet.com/8301-13727_7-57565863-263/how-to-use-the-font-panel-in-os-x/?part=rss&tag=feed&subj=MacFixIt
Let Us Know
"In the transition of the website responsibilities two important parts of the site were lost: the For Sale Items and the Member Business Cards," relates Mary Ann Clark, the PMUG webmaster.
"If you have it item you'd like to offer For Sale through the club website, please send me a photo and short (50 word) description of the item. Be sure to include your contact information. I will post your item for 30 days. If your item hasn't sold within 30 days, let me know and I'll extend the listing.
"If you have a product or service you think would be of interest to club members, please send me a scan of your business card or a business-card sized ad (~3.5 x 2 inches)." Send this info to webmaster@pmug.us and we thank you for your participation! Here's the website: www.pmug.us/
What About Adobe?
Hearing several PMUG members talking about Adobe Reader we needed clarification. John Carter stepped up to the bat, writing, "I am very much in agreement that Adobe Reader is not essential for accessing PDF files. Preview does what I need it to do. However, I am keeping my copy of Adobe Reader around because it does have features that are not available in Preview that I sometimes use. That said, I have set the default app for PDF files to Preview. It comes up quicker and displays better. I have the preferences set as follows:
and the view options."
A search on Google brought up this trusted site: http://download.cnet.com/Adobe-Reader/3000-10743_4-10000060.html Their editors in August 2012 rated it as “spectacular," while average user rating was 2 ½ out of 5 stars. Version 11.0.01 was added 1-08-13, and it’s free.
Any other input from PMUG members? Let us know what works for you. . .
Answering iTunes Questions
John Carter sends some important info: "Take Control of iTunes 11: The FAQ" now answers iTunes 11 questions.
"Few upgrades of late have engendered as much press - and hand-wringing among users - as iTunes 11. It's not surprising - millions of people rely on Apple's media management tool for a wide variety of tasks, but the new version revamped the interface and moved controls for many long-standing features.
"If you've upgraded to iTunes 11 and are having trouble navigating its new interface or figuring out how best to use the new Up Next feature or the changed Genius, Shuffle, Search, and MiniPlayer features, help is now available in Kirk McElhearn's freshly published Take Control of iTunes 11: The FAQ. Written in question-and-answer style with a strong focus on audio and video, this 192-page guide will help you take your iTunes know-how to 11 thanks to chapters such as Play, Rip, Buy, Tag, Organize, Search, and Sync that cover the basics and beyond. Start answering your iTunes 11 questions today!
"The book normally costs $15, but the 30% MUG discount drops that to $10.50. Learn more about the book via the coupon-loaded link here: http://tid.bl.it/tco-itunes11-mug-discount "
Today's Genius Bar
Today's PMUG meeting featured the Genius Bar. John Carter, Ward Stanke, and Prez Art Gorski answered 25 questions submitted prior to the meeting. Good news! You can read the Q & A on the PMUG website: http://pmug.us/benefits/tips-n-tricks/genius-bar-11913/ Another Genius Bar program is planned for June.