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Free Webinar

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        Ruth Davis of Mac2School is offering a free webinar.  (Note that word FREE.)  Her email announces that the live seats are filled, but you can sign up for the recording that she'll send so people can watch at their convenience. www.mac2school.com/webinar   Ruth spoke to PMUG a few years ago.  See about her 6 week online class here:  http://www.mac2school.com/biz/   

Happy Birthday, Mac

     Go to www.apple.com  and see the "Happy Birthday, Mac" and a video of celebration.  Maybe you saw ABC World News tonight with David Muir interviewing Tim Cook.  http://abcnews.go.com/blogs/technology/2014/01/exclusive-apples-tim-cook-on-nsa-whats-next-as-mac-turns-30/  And following that there was a look at the Mavericks Invitational in Half Moon Bay, California.  http://abcnews.go.com/US/slideshow/mavericks-invitational-surfs-giant-wave-competition-21659953

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Obsolescence by Smartphone

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        Maybe you grew up with a telephone on the wall?  A party line?  A "dial"phone?  
        Look what Jim Hamm found. " Here's an interesting article about how technology moves along and replaces a variety of devices. In this article the author shows how a smartphone replaces 20 gadgets one could buy at Radio Shack about 20 years ago -- and carry their replacement in a shirt pocket or purse.

        "As another example, the mobile phone has virtually replaced public telephones -- the ones you used to see on street corners around town, but are now practically gone."

        And Jim's pronouncement:  "Technology is wonderful, unless you happen to be on the receiving end of technological obsolescence."

What Do They Know?

        "Here is an article from one blogger explaining what he believes the NSA knows about you," begins Jim Hamm.   "It's interesting to note that on January 17 President Obama apparently gave a green light to the NSA to continue doing exactly what they have been doing -- snooping. 
        "What do you think? Is it proper for the NSA to do and continue doing their snooping? Me? I have mixed emotions about this. I understand they are trying to find and stop terrorist activity -- which is good. 
        "On the other hand, I would hope they would not crack passwords I might have stored in, say, Amazon, Apple or in the 'Cloud.' One can't help but wonder what NSA is doing with all that computing power."

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Apple In-App Purchases

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          Jim Hamm finds some interesting info.  "Here is an article summarizing the recent FTC ruling on children being able to make in-app purchases and perhaps ringing up a big $ cost. And here is an article by Consumer Reports wherein Google's Play Store allows the same thing, but no FTC involvement there. One wonders why?
        "If, say, you log in to Apple or Google to purchase an app or two, and enter your password, you want the password to remain open for a period of time so you can browse and make purchases without having to constantly reentering your password.

         When you're done, log out so your children -- or anyone else -- can't pick up your device and start making purchases. However, it seems the password remained in cache for a period of time after logging out, and would be available to anyone."
        Jim concludes with, "It seems to me Apple should have corrected this cache problem much quicker, and that the FTC should also look into Google Play store as well, and not just Apple."

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How to Find It

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        "The easiest way to find anything on your computer is to use Spotlight," John Carter informs us.  "A better way to find something specific is to first go to the top level folder in Finder where you think the file might be, such as 'Dropbox/PMUG Documents,' and put a keyword in the search box of Finder, then select that folder in the tool bar.  

The path to the file is shown in  the status bar.  You don't need to know anything other than how to find something."   (Click to enlarge the illustration, then click in the black background to go back to this page.) 

Recognition for the Top Four in 2013

Our PMUG members are a talented bunch,
   Each one with some claim to fame,
But there are other determined people
   Who we will soon mention by name. 

These are members who can’t keep still,
   They find out something new to say;
They email Elaine with newsletter info,
   Keeping her busy most every day.

They read, and try something, and learn!
   They can’t keep quiet! They want to share!
We celebrate these determined souls;
   We are glad they are the kind who care!

When you go to the Newsletter Blog 
   These are the names you’ve seen the most;
Because of this they care and share,
   Today it is our turn to boast:

Here are the Top Four: 
Jim Hamm, submitted 175 posts 
John Carter, with 40
Art Gorski, with 28
David Passell, with 25 

Others who submitted posts to the newsblog in 2013 were
Mary Ann Clark, Bobbie Pastor, Ward Stanke, Ginger Carlson.

                Starting in 2008 with 70 entries, here’s how helpful members have been: 

2009 = 307;     2010 = 378   2011 = 339;  
2012 = 390;      2013 there were 326 postings. 

                 The total so far is 1,810.  So, you see we are a group of thinkers and doers! 

Hope you find useful help from the blog:
            With our great appreciation, 
Art Gorski, PMUG President
January 18, 2014