"Sometime in the past you installed software from Adobe. When you did this, it scattered a bazillion files all over the place on your Mac. Now you want to delete the Adobe software. Good luck finding all the cruft!" exclaims Past Prez Art Gorski.
He goes on, "Utility programs that claim to be able to uninstall software for you fail miserably when faced with the Adobe challenge. Here’s a good on-line discussion of the involved procedure needed to absolutely clean this stuff off your computer:" http://www.macintouch.com/readerreports/applications/topic3000-026.html#d12aug2014
Fast and Faster!
"Google is again investing in a fiber-optic cable to connect the Far East with the West Coast. I can't quite grasp a speed of 60 terabytes per second, but it sounds faster than what I get at home...(grin)…." says Jim Hamm. Read here.
Solving Flash Player Problem
Jim Hamm is on the lookout for helpful info, and today he writes, "If you're running an older version of OS X and are having a problem with Adobe's Flash Player, following is a tip from the "Tech Tails" newsletter that may be of help. The article is by Jeremy Holt."
If you’ve purchased a computer in the last four years, this post does not apply to you, but if you’re one of many that haven’t committed to upgrading your system just yet then please continue reading.
If you’ve upgraded to/from either Leopard (OS 10.5.8) or Snow Leopard (OS 10.6.8), you may have discovered that Safari (version 5.1.7) stubbornly refuses to play Flash-based media. This would be web content that involves motion graphics. There are a few reasons for this.
The most simple resolution is simply navigating to Adobe’s website and installing the latest version of Flash Player.
Another issue could have to do with your system’s software updates. Have you run all of your software updates? Mind you, this process may need to be performed a few times as more current updates do not become available until previous ones have been installed. More specifically, you’ll want to be sure to run any and all OS X Security Updates for Leopard/Snow Leopard.
The reason for this is because Safari 5.1.7 for OS X Snow Leopard, and Leopard Security Update 2012-003 disable out-of-date versions of Adobe Flash Player. Out-of-date versions of Adobe Flash Player do not include the latest security updates and will be disabled to help keep your Mac secure. If Safari 5.1.7 or Leopard Security Update 2012-003 detects an out-of-date version of Flash Player on your system, you will see a dialog informing you that Flash Player has been disabled. The dialog provides the option to go directly to Adobe’s website, where you can download and install an updated version of Flash Player.
However, if your software is completely up to date and/or you’ve installed the latest version of Flash Player from Adobe’s site, I suggest following these instructions that might resolve your issue. Quit out of Safari before performing this task.
- Navigate to the /Library/Internet Plug-Ins (Disabled) folder.
- Drag “Flash Player.plugin” into /Library/Internet Plug-Ins.
- If the browser is running, quit and restart it.
Using a Signature & Using Stationery
Maybe you haven't tried this yet; John Carter to the rescue! "There have been times when I was responding to someone’s question when I really wished I had a template with a stock answer.
"Well, it’s really easy to do. There are two ways to do it. One is using a Signature, and the other is using Stationery.
"Using a signature is easier to work with if you need to edit the content. I have discovered that if you are using Stationery, it’s more difficult to edit the content. In fact, it appears to be impossible. It’s just very difficult. I’ll explain how to create both. The amount of detail below is for beginners." And here we quote John in all these directions:
Using a Signature:
Create a new message. It can contain images. Whatever you put in that message, including how it appears, will show up in the new signature.
Select the entire body of the message, including your actual signature - if you put one there. (Cmd-A)
Copy the selection to the clipboard. (Cmd-C)
Open Mail->Preferences. (Cmd-,)
Select the Signatures tab in the toolbar.
Make sure that the left side panel is showing “All Signatures” and click on it to make it active.
Click on the ‘+’ sign under the center panel.
Change the name of that Signature from “Signature #x” (where ‘x’ is a number) to something you will recognize.
The right side panel may or may not contain something.
Click inside the right side panel and paste the content of the clipboard. (Cmd-V) If there was something else there, just do Select All (Cmd-A) followed by Paste (Cmd-V) and it will be replaced.
In the left side panel, leave the “All Signatures” selection active and scroll down to the e-mail account that you want to add the new signature to. Do this without clicking inside that panel. Instead, just hover the mouse pointer in that panel and scroll down. (Using the Magic Mouse, slide your finger up and down the center. Using a mouse with a center wheel, move the wheel back and forth. If you have neither, click and hold the scroll bar on the right side of the panel to move it up/down). The center panel should still be showing the signatures (by name).
With the desired e-mail account in view, click and drag the new signature onto the e-mail account.
Check the bottom part of the Signatures window and note what “Choose Signature:” contains. If it is blank, that means no signature will be added to your e-mail messages. It doesn’t matter in this case - you don’t want it to show the new signature unless you want every message you start contain that signature.
Also note the box for “Place signature above quoted text.” If checked, your signature will appear above any message you may be replying to or forwarding. If not checked, it will always appear below any message you may be replying to or forwarding. If you are not replying to or forwarding a message (you are creating a new message), there will be a blank line above the signature in your new message.
When you start a new e-mail message, you should see “Signature:” on the bottom right side of the message header. Click on it to show all the signatures and select the one you want to show in the message. Whatever signature is selected will automatically appear in the body of the new message (even a message that you are replying to or forwarding).
Using Stationery.
Create a new message. It can contain images. Whatever you put in that message, including how it appears, will show up in the new Signature.
Click File->Save as Stationery.
Give your new Stationery a name and click “Save.”
Stationery is intended to be a background and/or template to a new message. You cannot use Stationery in a reply to, or forwarded message like you can with a Signature.
If you put text in Stationery at the time you create it, it shows up in a text box and you are expected to click anywhere in that text box to change the entire content. To edit the content is not impossible, but requires patience while you move the text cursor around with the arrow keys on the keyboard. For any other prepared Signatures, you can place the text cursor anywhere are start editing. To create a Stationery like that requires more detailed instructions - which are available online.
For Signatures that I have created containing text, as soon as I select any part of the text, the entire text is highlighted, including any images I placed there. It is impossible to place the text cursor anywhere in the text such as to select a word. Once the entire area is highlighted, if I want to edit any part of it, I have to use the arrow keys to move the text cursor around, and it always starts at either the very beginning or the very end.
My choice is to save a template as a Signature. Any part of it can then be edited as you would normal text.
And so, that's John Carter's lesson for today.
Security Flaw in USB Flash Drives
Quoting from the link below: " . . . any USB device (flash drive, external hard drive, smartphone, digital camera, mouse, keyboard, etc.) that has been plugged into an untrusted computer should be treated with suspicion -- much like a used hypodermic needle. Further, erasing, formatting, or using anti-virus tools will not remove malicious code from the firmware of USB devices. And there is no known method at this time to scan USB devices to see if they are clean."
Read about this serious problem here. Thanks to Jim Hamm for his eagle eye, spotting this vital information.
Identity Theft Warnings
A recent notice from LifeLock contains some useful information on identity theft. It states that a Russian cybergang amassed over 4.5 billion records of usernames and passwords. See here. They state that smartphone users are 35% more likely to experience fraud than the average customer. See here. And, did you know that identity thieves may target the mail sitting out in your mailbox when your flag is up. See here.
Apple to Expand in Reno
Thanks to Past Prez Art Gorski's link on passwords just posted we found mentioned on that page an interesting piece on Apple set to expand Reno datacenter. Look here: http://appleinsider.com/articles/14/08/08/apple-set-to-expand-reno-datacenter-with-two-additional-data-clusters
Temporary Price Cut for Password App
"In security presentations at PMUG meetings, we’ve often mentioned 1Password as one of the apps to use for password security," Past Prez Art Gorski reminds us. He then gives the good news. Read on!
"While LastPass is free and does a good job, 1Password has always been pricey. What you get for the money is continuous development and features that you can’t get in free alternatives. For example, the next version for iOS8 will support the TouchID fingerprint sensor and the new extensions that will let it work with many more iOS apps. Currently, 1Password for both Mac and iOS has been reduced in price." Note here that the price cut is temporary, but the upcoming iOS 8 version will be a free update. http://appleinsider.com/articles/14/08/07/1password-for-ios-gets-temporary-price-cut-upcoming-ios-8-version-with-touch-id-support-to-be-free-update
FBI Tracking
"In a recent email I mentioned three browsers which offered more security when browsing the internet. Tor was listed as the most secure browser. Here is an article describing how the FBI got into Tor to track people who were frequenting a child pornography network."
Jim Hamm concludes his remarks with "I'm for keeping government from snooping in our lives, but I fully support the FBI doing something like this. The problem is where does the government draw the line between what is snooping and valid law enforcement? A tough question, and one I don't have a good answer to. What do you think? Does the end justify the means?"
Comparing Three Browsers for Security
"If browsing more safely on the internet is a concern for you, here is an article that compares three browsers that offer additional browsing security. As the article mentions, no browser offers complete protection," Jim Hamm informs us.
He goes on to explain, "After reading the article, I may try the Epic Browser just to see what it's all about. I'm not paranoid about internet security, but I exercise reasonable caution and run a good anti-virus program."
Stay tuned for more info from Jim . . .
Potential Dangers of Photo Posting
"If you post pictures online, say on Facebook, you should take a look at this video of what can be discovered from the picture you just posted. So be careful of what you post. The video also gives you a tip on how to possibly avoid this discovery," says Jim Hamm.
iPhone 6 Launch Will Be Soon
An article from ZDNet dated yesterday, forwarded from David Passell declares that September 6 will be the iPhone 6 launch. Read it here.
A Tip About Chrome
"If you use the Chrome browser, here is a tip to be aware of," Jim Hamm writes.
http://lifehacker.com/stop-chrome-from-running-in-the-background-after-you-c-1610071987
Attack Circumvents All Known Security Measures
Dated July 31, 2014, this article needs our attention. Ward Stanke says, "It looks pretty scary." http://www.macrumors.com/2014/07/31/usb-security-threat/ Read about the flaw that evades all known security measures used by a computer. This matter is to be discussed at a conference next week in Las Vegas. The Black Hat USA 2014 website is here: https://www.blackhat.com/us-14/
Be Aware of More Malware
With his statement, "Here's something just to be aware of . . . " Jim Hamm provides this link, https://www.us-cert.gov/ncas/alerts/TA14-212A dated July 31, 2014 from the United States Computer Emergency Readiness Team.
FileVault: Here's Help
Mary Ann Clark informs us she's posted this piece from John Carter on the PMUG website http://pmug.us/reviews/ "Take Control of FileVault, ebook." Take a look soon; it sounds interesting and helpful.
We Appreciate YOU
Pam Wickstrom, new VP, wants you to know how much PMUG appreciates YOU and she invites you to consider sharing at an upcoming meeting. At our July meeting she announced her idea for scheduling the next meetings. And she got some ideas there.
Now she writes, "It seems there is a strong interest in what apps people are using and would recommend for Apple devices. I am seeking volunteers for presenting your use of apps and why you like a particular application(s). You can speak for a 15 minute segment or more time as you wish. Of course, there will be time for the group to ask questions as well. So please seriously think about offering your experience to the group. It is in sharing that we learn."
Please let Pam Wickstrom know by email (pwickstrom@cableone.net) if you can speak at a meeting.
She continues, "You may also contact John Carter (john@jrcarter.com) if you have questions about technology available to assist you in your presentation. You certainly don’t have to be adept at powerpoint presentations; however, John may have ideas to assist you."
Pam concludes with, "We are considering having a meeting on how to use the PMUG website. Your thoughts? Another idea is seeing the video 'Welcome to Macintosh' produced in 2008. Members could bring older devices for a 'show and tell.' We would appreciate your feedback."
Problems With Email
The headline of 7-2-14 of MacRumors says that Apple discontinues AIM support for many OS X users with legacy Mac.com/Me.com IDs. By legacy they refer to older versions of OS X. http://www.macrumors.com/2014/07/02/aim-mac-me-ids/ Over 100 comments are posted. Any workaround for this?
Keeping Up With the Controversy
"On Monday, several media outlets mistakenly reported that Apple had installed 'backdoors' on millions of iPhones and iOS devices," states David Passell. He sends this link http://www.zdnet.com/the-apple-backdoor-that-wasnt-7000031781/ and comments, "Interesting article on 'hacking the 'backdoor.' Media reports anything that may upset somebody or make them insecure. Then they will make themselves happy again by buying a sponsor's product."
OS X and iOS Application Compatibility Table
Past Prez Art Gorski passes along this info: "If you are waiting to install a new OS (such as the Yosemite Public Beta) because you are worried about compatibility issues, check out the Application Compatibility Table over at RoaringApps. There are compatibility charts from Snow Leopard up to Yosemite, and from iOS 5 up to iOS 8. If you don't see an app listed there and you know its status, you can submit it to the list. It's a great resource that is easily searchable if you need to determine what does and doesn't work." Try this link: http://www.macobserver.com/tmo/cool_stuff_found/post/os-x-and-ios-application-compatibility-table?utm_source=macobserver&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=rss_everything
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