2009 May

Apple makes me wish I was a College Student

On 05.30.09, In iBlog, by npetrik

The back to school promotion is back again at Apple! The promo runs from May 27, 2009 to Sept 8, 2009. College students, faculty or staff members who qualify will receive a free iPod Touch with the purchase of a new Mac.

Apple Back to School Promotion

Every year college students interested in getting a cheap Macbook wait in anticipation for the back to school promotion. Besides the college education discount that can be used all year long they can also expect some sort of gift from Apple. Typically this has been an iPod but some rumor sites where predicting a free iPhone. The latter was highly unlikely seeing how the iPhone would require a commitment from the student to have that monthly bill. The iPod touch really does make more sense.

Psystar Bankruptcy is just what Apple Wanted

On 05.26.09, In iBlog, by npetrik

Psystar Corporation, the infamous Mac clone manufacturer, has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy.
The petition filed last week claims the Florida based business is more than $250,000 in debt owed in majority to shipping companies and creditors.
apple_star

One outcome of the Chapter 11 filing is that the Apple vs Psystar case will be temporarily put on hold as the bankruptcy proceedings require all other legal action to be put on hold.

Psystar is currently selling it's Mac clones online and there was rumor that they had a cheap Macbook in the works. Once the bankruptcy stay of legal actions has been lifted it is most likely that they will fold under the financial pressure.

Apple may not be able to collect monetary damages from them but they don't need the money. The lawsuit was never about money, it was simply a way to make this rogue company go away. It seems Psystar will do all the work for them.

PC to Mac-Making the Switch part 1

On 05.24.09, In iBlog, by npetrik

One of the biggest misconceptions that a PC user has with switching to a Mac is it is hard to learn to use. The transition is actually simpler then believed.
The functions that you are used to going to in the start menu on a windows machine is easily accessed between the Finder, the Dock and the Apple menu. Inserted media such as a CD or DVD automatically appear on the desktop as Icons.

The Finder

The finder acts much like the start menu on a windows machine. When trying to locate anything on a Mac just click on the finder. The finder is used to access all the content on your hard drive, any external drives, discs or attached devices. All your applications ( the Mac equivalent of programs) can also be accessed in the finder menu. The finder menu also has a history so that any recent work can be opened with one click.

The Finder window is where you access everything on your Mac

There are four viewing options in the finder menu.

Icons
List
Column
Cover Flow

The Dock

The Dock is located at the bottom of the desktop by default but can easily be moved to the left or right side of the screen. It is a row of commonly used icons of applications that you use on your Mac and also shows you which applications are currently running.Similar to the windows task bar, the Dock also holds windows in their minimized state.

The Dock gives you easy access to commonly used Applications. Notice the glowing blue dot under the running Applications

To open an application simply click on its icon. When an application is running a blue glowing dot appears below the applications icon. Adding applications to the Dock is as simple as opening your applications folder and dragging it anywhere you want it to be. Deleting an application from the Dock is as simple as dragging it off the Dock. Deleting an applications icon from the Dock does not delete the actual application.

Right click Mouse

A right click mouse can be used with a Mac. It is a popular misconception that the Mac doesn't support the right click function. This is simply not true. The Apple Mighty Mouse supports right clicking and you can use just about any USB mouse on the Mac. If you are using a Macbook, to right click you would press the control key while clicking.

like the control panel on a PC, the System Preferences screen is used for customizing functions on your Mac.

The new Track pad on the Aluminum unibody Macbook, Macbook Pro and Macbook Air can be setup to designate the lower right corner as a right click or by pressing the track pad with two fingers.

Installing Applications

Applications on a Mac are the same as programs on a PC. Installing them is much different though. To install an application on a Mac, simply drag its icon into the application folder. That's it! No more waiting for an installation wizard to open. Removing an application is just as easy. Instead of a un-install menu you just drag the icon to the trash and your done.

Installing Firefox on a Mac

Installing Firefox on a PC. How many times do I have to click next?

We recognize that different people have different needs for their computer. What works for one person may not work for another. We would appreciate any additions you may have of comparable features between OS X and Windows, features that may be missed in the transition from PC to Mac or just your own personal experience in making the switch.

OS X 10.5.7 paves the way for Snow Leopard

On 05.12.09, In iBlog, by npetrik

On Tuesday Apple released Mac OS X 10.5.7 that includes general operating system fixes that improves the security, compatibility and stability of Macs and is recommended for all users running Mac OS X Leopard.

The Mac OS X 10.5.7 software is available for download through the system update utility or as a separate download at the Apple Site. Specific enhancements are as follows.

General

Latest security fixes
Resolves an issue with the Dvorak keyboard layout in Mac S X 0.5.6
Improves the performance of cursor movement and video playback for recent Macs including Macbooks with the NIVIDIA graphics card
The inclusion of extra RAW image support for 3rd party cameras
The accuracy and reliability of Stocks, Weather, Unit Converter and Movies dashboard widgets has been improved
Some issues when logging into Gmail have been addressed
Syncing contacts with Yahoo has been improved
Network performance when connected with particular Ethernet switches that have Flow Control enabled has been improved
The expansion slot utility for Mac Pro can now report the correct PCIe slot
Improvements on Finder search results for network volumes that don't support Spotlight searches such as Mac OS X Server v10.4, 3rd party AFP servers and Time Capsule
Improved reliability of home network directories hosted by Mac OS X Server v10.4
Several improvements to Client Management and Directory Service

iCal

Improved stability and reliability when syncing with Apple Mobile Me
Improved overall reliability with CalDav

Mail

An issue that might cause the BBC field to incorrectly populate while redirecting the message from the sent mailbox has been addressed
Addresses sync and reliability issues with Notes

Parental Controls

Issues with the time limits that might not work right with Fast User Switching and full screen games has been addressed
Consistent with application restrictions and Parental Controls has been improved

Printing

Improved printer reliability and stability
Issues that might cause 3rd party printers to incorrectly print to the wrong paper tray has been resolved
Non-admin users can now have permission to add and remove printers by turning on Parental Controls and checking "Can administer printers"

Ever since 2001, the Mac OS X has brought more then a 1000 innovative and great features. This should be the last OS X update until the release of Snow Leopard which is rumored to be released or at least announced at the upcoming WWDC in June.

3G Macbook the Future of Mobile Computing

On 05.07.09, In iBlog, by npetrik

Evidence is building that Apple is actively looking to recruit engineers to test new Macs with support for the 3G Wireless WAN support. Those familiar with the company's plans have said that Mac OS X 10.6 Snow Leopard will support the native WWAN hardware.

A year ago Apple CEO Steve Jobs was quoted in USA Today that Apple explored the idea of building a 3G chip into the Macbook Air, but decided against it because he didn't want the Macbook to be tied to one specific wireless carrier for using the internet.

Snow Leopard's System Profiler shows support for WWAN at the same level as other technologies offered by Apple, designed directly into the Mac hardware models. This may imply that WWAN services including support for 3G wireless networking may just become a Macbook standard.
3g Macbook
What may be of interest is if Apple does build 3G into future Macbooks it is likely that we will see large subsidies against the popular laptop selling at a substantial discount. Macbooks are the perfect choice for this technology and will bring mobile computing to the next level.

PC, not so easy to use as a Mac

On 05.04.09, In iBlog, by npetrik

Apple's Pc versus Mac ads are already becoming classics.

In the "PC easy as 1-2 3" spot here is the list of 23 steps to using a PC.

Remove unneeded bloatware
Configure security settings
Download and install OS security patches
Restart
Download / install extra security programs
Restart
Download / install drivers for peripherals
Restart
Remove optional Windows components
Update new virus list
Run full system virus scan
Update new malware list
Run full system malware scan
Download / install application updates
Restart
Clean out system registry
Repair corupt system registry
Defragment hard drive
Free up disk space
Scan disk for errors
Run system file checker
Read online instruction manual
Cross fingers

Number 23 pretty much sums up the PC experience. Hopefully for the sake of competition and keeping Apple on their toes, Windows 7 will be a hit. The debacle called Vista brought Microsoft users attention to an alternative and Apple was only willing to step up to the plate and knock it out of the park.

Upgrade the Hard Drive on your Unibody Aluminum Macbook

On 05.01.09, In iBlog, by npetrik

cheap macbook hard drive If you are deciding to buy a new Aluminum Unibody Macbook or perhaps you found a cheap Macbook for sale here, one great way to save money is to install a larger hard drive yourself. It is easier then you think. Apple has detailed directions on pages 38-41 in the Users Guide and is a great read for anyone wanting to replace the hard drive on the Macbook.

The drive itself is located in the compartment on the bottom of the Macbook next to the battery. Replacing it requires removing one anchor screw and is not a concern. The process is easy enough that any mildly experienced user can purchase and upgrade a hard drive without risking the system itself.