Newsletter to Members
November 2006
In this issue:
- NOVEMBER MEETING this Monday
- Saturday Workshop
- Q&A from past Meetings
- AUSOM MacBook Raffle
- News from Apple:
- News from the Net
- Everything you want to know about Mac OS X
- Stay Smart Online
- New Take Control eBooks
- Internet Governance Forum 2006
- Artificial Intelligence software from DEVONtechnologies
- Adobe Releases Soundbooth Beta
- .Mac Webmail Gets a Makeover
- Opt Out
Next Meeting Monday 6 November 6:30 pm
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Where: Back in our normal venue – Room 327 Theatrette, Presentation: Colin will show us how to get more productivity out of your Mac with Automator, |
November Raffle
Raffle prizes for November meeting include this just-published book “Real World Mac Maintenance and Backups” by Joe Kissell, courtesy of Peachpit Press.
Joe Kissell – author of two best-selling TidBITS eBooks “Take Control of Maintaining Your Mac” and “Take Control of Mac OS X Backups”, teamed up with Adam Engst and the crew from TidBITS to sculpt content from both publications into a new print book in Peachpit's Real World series: “Real World Mac Maintenance and Backups.” It's 240 pages long and contains all the text from the two eBooks, massaged to merge together into a single bound title. Valued at RRP $44.95.
Saturday Workshop
One-on-one help with Mac OS X basics in a friendly, informative environment. Presented by AMUG Sydney.
Saturday 11 November 10am-2pm.
Room 136C (Computer Lab), Ground Floor, Webster Building, UNSW Kensington.
- One Mac per person
- No questions too silly
- Use one of the Uni's eMacs or bring your own Notebook
- Get Apple's latest Software Updates on CD, without the big downloads
- Free for AMUG members
To book, phone Rob on 9387 2069 or email sydamug@mac.com
Q&A from past AMUG Meetings
Topics raised in the Q&A session at our monthly meetings are summarised on our web site for members’ easy reference. We have now built up a comprehensive set of Q&A topics, covering every meeting from March through October 2006. Links at the top of each Q&A page jump to other Q&A months.
Remember, you can use the Google Site Search facility on any of these Q&A pages, so you can search by topic or keyword. This functionality also searches the entire site, including PDFs of past issues of ‘Applecations’. So give it a try – search for anything we have talked about at meetings since March this year, or any topic published in 'Applecations' from Sept 2004 to Aug 2005 inclusive.
You can view Q&A pages by clicking the Q&A text link at the top of our home page.
AUSOM MacBook Raffle
A limited number of tickets are still available in the AUSOM (Apple Users Society of Melbourne) MacBook Raffle – only 5,000 tickets are being sold through Mac User Groups Australia-wide, at $5 each. And, AMUG Sydney will earn a small commission from ticket sales, so if you don't already have a ticket, support your club and the wider User Group movement, and be in it!
The prize is a brand new black Apple MacBook with 2 GHz Intel Core Duo processor, 1 Gb of RAM and 80 Gb hard drive. To be drawn in Melbourne on 2 December 2006.
If you are unable to attend the meeting, tickets can be ordered with this order form downloadable from our web site (PDF 150K).
News from Apple
- New iPod shuffle now available worldwide
- MacBook Pro Notebooks now have Intel Core 2 Duo Processors
- Apple Issues Fix for MacBook Shutdowns
New iPod shuffle now available worldwide
Most Wearable iPod Ever
SYDNEY–1 November 2006–Apple’s new iPod® shuffle, the world’s smallest digital music player, will be available in Apple Authorised Reseller stores from this Friday, 3 November. Nearly half the size of the original, the new iPod shuffle is just eight cubic centimetres in volume, weighs just 14 grams and features a minimal aluminium design with a built-in clip, making it the most wearable iPod ever. The new iPod shuffle contains one gigabyte of flash memory which holds up to 240 songs.
The new iPod shuffle features up to 12 hours of battery life and is based on Apple’s pioneering shuffle feature which lets music fans serve up a continuous mix of their favourite songs anywhere they go. Users can enjoy their songs in a random order or simply flip a switch to listen to their songs in order, such as when listening to a new album.
Users connect the new iPod shuffle to their Mac® or PC with the included dock, and iTunes’ innovative AutoFill feature automatically syncs the perfect number of songs from their music library. Seamless integration with iTunes® 7 and the iTunes Store allows customers to choose from a selection of over 3.5 million songs from the world’s most popular digital music store.
RRP A$119 inc GST, includes earbud headphones and an iPod shuffle dock for conecting to your Mac.
iPod shuffle requires a Mac with a USB 2.0 port and Mac OS® X version 10.3.9 or later and iTunes 7.0.2 or later; or a Windows PC with a USB 2.0 port and Windows 2000 (Service Pack 4), Windows XP Home or Professional (Service Pack 2) and iTunes 7.0.2 or later. Internet access is required and a broadband connection is recommended. Images courtesy of Apple.
MacBook Pro Notebooks now have Intel Core 2 Duo Processors
The entire MacBook™ Pro line of notebooks now includes the new Intel Core 2 Duo processor with 4MB of shared L2 cache, which is up to 39 percent faster than the previous 2.16 GHz MacBook Pro and more than seven times faster than the 1.67 GHz PowerBook G4 running industry standard benchmarks. Apple has enhanced Mac OS® X to take advantage of the technology advances from Intel's Core 2 Duo processors, resulting in increased performance in professional applications like Aperture™ 1.5, Final Cut Pro® 5 and Logic Pro 7.
"With an Intel Core 2 Duo processor, greater storage capacity and FireWire 800 connectivity, the new MacBook Pro delivers unprecedented performance and mobility in an incredibly thin and light design," said Philip Schiller, Apple's senior vice president of Worldwide Product Marketing. "We are thrilled that our notebook sales are growing twice as fast as the overall notebook market, and we hope these new MacBook Pro models continue that success."
In addition to Apple's MagSafe™ Power Adapter that magnetically couples the power cord to the MacBook Pro and safely disconnects when there is strain on the power cord, Apple now offers a new optional MagSafe Airline Adapter (RRP $89 inc GST) that makes using the MacBook Pro on an airplane even more convenient by connecting to in-seat power ports for continued productivity throughout the duration of a flight (it does not charge the battery).
Every MacBook Pro comes standard with:
- Intel Core 2 Duo processor;
- Serial ATA hard drive running at 5400 rpm, with Sudden Motion Sensor;
- Slot-load SuperDrive with double-layer support (DVD+R DL/DVD±RW/CD-RW);
- 667 MHz DDR2 SDRAM, expandable to 3GB;
- PCI Express-based ATI Mobility Radeon X1600 video card;
- DVI-out port for external display (VGA-out adapter included, Composite/S-Video out adapter sold separately);
- built-in Dual Link support for driving Apple 30-inch Cinema HD Display;
- built-in iSight video camera;
- Gigabit Ethernet port;
- built-in AirPort Extreme wireless networking and Bluetooth 2.0+EDR;
- ExpressCard/34 expansion card slot;
- two USB 2.0 ports (three with the 17-inch model), one FireWire 800 port, and one FireWire 400 port;
- one audio line in and one headphone out port, each supporting optical digital audio;
- Scrolling TrackPad and illuminated keyboard with ambient light sensor;
- the infrared Apple Remote;
- 85 Watt Apple MagSafe Power Adapter; and
- iLife® '06 featuring iPhoto®, iMovie® HD, iDVD®, GarageBand™ and iWeb™
Three MacBook Pro models available now...
15-inch, 2.16 GHz: |
15-inch, 2.33 GHz: |
17-inch, 2.33 GHz: |
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More info: www.apple.com.au/macbookpro/
Extract from TidBITS#853/30-Oct-06:
Apple Issues Fix for MacBook Shutdowns
by Jeff Carlson, TidBITS
No product is ever perfect, even Apple's wildly successful MacBook line. A number of vocal MacBook owners have been experiencing annoying random shutdowns, and fortunately, according to Apple, a fix is finally at hand. MacBook SMC Firmware Update 1.1 promises to fix the problem by adjusting the MacBook's internal monitoring system. Apple recommends the 417K download for all owners of MacBooks, even those units that have already gone through a repair process. You need to be running at least Mac OS X 10.4.7. And because this is a firmware update, remember to back up your data beforehand in case something goes wrong.
www.apple.com/support/downloads/macbooksmcfirmwareupdate11.html
News from the Net
- Everything you want to know about Mac OS X
- Stay Smart Online
- New Take Control eBooks
- Internet Governance Forum 2006
- Artificial Intelligence software from DEVONtechnologies
- Adobe Releases Soundbooth Beta
- .Mac Webmail Gets a Makeover
Everything you want to know about Mac OS X
Looking for the most recent and comprehensive Mac OS X news and information of the day? The OSXFAQ site – updated daily – offers a host of useful information in various forms, all related to Mac OS X... www.osxfaq.com/
Sub-sections include:
- FAQ – the place for all your questions about Mac OS X. Also includes FAQs from most Hardware and Software vendors.
- Daily Tips – sign up for either or both of the OSXFAQ Mac OS X or Design Tip-of-the-Day mail list. Every day you will get an e-mail with the Tip-of-the-Day sent to you. Or, just read the OSXFAQ recent tips posted on the Daily Tips pages.
- Tutorials – the place for complete OS X learning. Choose from a comprehensive list of free tutorials, covering topics from system software to third party software setup and use.
- Forums – a set of message boards where readers can post questions and comments and then read the replies. There are also a series of special topics forums; all of which pertain to OS X.
- Podcasts and Vodcasts – subscribe through iTunes and tune into regular broadcasts Inside Mac TV; Inside Mac Radio and Inside Print Radio.
- Dr. Mac – the weekly column by Bob LeVitus.
- Reviews – for product reviews, including hardware, software and books for Mac OS X.
- Interviews – with the makers and shakers of the Mac OS X community.
- Reader Reports – reader submitted reports about Mac OS X experiences.
- Glossary – a link to Apple’s complete list of definitions < http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=51908> of all Apple and Mac OS X terminology, organised alphabetically.
Stay Smart Online
Stay Smart Online is an Australian Government Initiative designed to provide all Australian online users with practical tips and advice on e-security. This website contains basic information on how to secure your computer, best practice tips for smart transacting online, and information on keeping young people safe online. The website is hosted by the Department of Communications, Information Technology and the Arts (DCITA) on behalf of the Australian Government and has received input and support from a range of other Australian Government agencies which have related responsibilities.
The Stay Smart Online web site was promoted as part of National Security Awareness Week (23-27 October 2006) to help protect and educate all users on how to stay smart online.
While targeted mostly to Windows users, most of the information is relevant for Mac users as well, in particular their advice about online banking, online shopping and an entertaining, interactive Flash quiz about your awareness of phishing scams.
A similar British government-sponsored site has a page devoted to Mac OS X users:
www.getsafeonline.org/nqcontent.cfm?a_id=1165
ID Theft
The Australian Government National Crime Prevention Program has produced a kit, in the form of a 28-page (2.5 Mb) PDF document containing forms and detailed information about ID Theft. This kit, ‘How to prevent and respond to identity theft’ contains useful information to help you identify where you might be vulnerable, and what to do, to avoid becoming an identity theft victim.
Thanks to Diane Pattinson for contributing the above links.
Two New Take Control Ebooks Help Readers Purchase Macs and Digital Cameras
"Take Control of Buying a Digital Camera" – now in its third edition – helps readers sort out the latest camera trends and marketing jargon in order to find a camera that matches their budget, needs, and style, whether they want an inexpensive snapshot camera or a professional digital SLR camera system. Written by professional photographer and instructor Larry Chen, the book includes a printable, customizable shopping checklist, specific model suggestions for different types of cameras, 25 color photos illustrating important concepts, and tips for taking better photos.
"Take Control of Buying a Digital Camera" by Laurence Chen
PDF format, 107 pages, free 27-page sample available.
Publication date: October 25, 2006. Price: US$10
AMUG members can buy this ebook at the 10% user group discount by clicking here.
Adam C. Engst's "Take Control of Buying a Mac" helps readers decide which Mac is right for their needs and provides carefully researched advice about exactly when to buy, based on historical trends. The book, now in its section edition, has been thoroughly updated to cover Apple's new Intel-based Macs and current product line. Also new is a detailed section that explains how to transfer user data – documents, applications, and settings – from an old Mac to a new Mac.
"Take Control of Buying a Mac" by Adam C.Engst
PDF format, 91 pages, free 23-page sample available.
Publication date: October 25, 2006. Price: US$10
AMUG members can buy this ebook at the 10% user group discount by clicking here.
New Ebook Helps You Create and Manage Passwords on the Mac
It's easy to keep track of a few passwords, but for any Macintosh user feeling overwhelmed by all the passwords asked for by the Mac and by many Web sites, help is now at hand in the form of a new ebook, "Take Control of Passwords in Mac OS X" by Mac expert Joe Kissell.
Readers will learn to assess risk factors and devise a personal plan for generating different types of passwords, using a special system for creating strong passwords that are easy to remember but virtually impossible to crack. Once that's done, the ebook explains how to set appropriate passwords for the Mac (account login, master, root, firmware, email, AirPort, keychains), and how to use Apple's built-in password manager Keychain Access. Kissell also provides pointers for the best ways to use passwords on the Web and offers tips for preventing password-related problems.
For readers who want to go beyond Keychain Access for additional features or cross-platform capabilities, the book suggests useful alternatives and includes coupons for US$10 off Web Confidential and US$5 off 1Passwd.
"Take Control of Passwords in Mac OS X" by Joe Kissell
PDF format, 96 pages, free 22-page sample available.
Publication date: October 30, 2006. Price: US$10
AMUG members can buy this ebook at the 10% user group discount by clicking here.
50% off Take Control-Fonts bundle
Adam and Tonya Engst of TidBITS are continuing their 16 years of user group support with an exclusive, limited-time offer of 50 percent off a special Ebooks bundle: Sharon Zardetto Aker's "Take Control of Fonts in Mac OS X" and "Take Control of Font Problems in Mac OS X." Together, these highly regarded Take Control Ebooks provide 375 pages of definitive Mac OS X information about working with fonts.
With a normal combined cover price of US$30, user group members can purchase this bundle for US$15, a 50 percent discount. This offer is valid to 31 January 2007.
www.takecontrolbooks.com/offers/mug-fonts.html
Internet Governance Forum 2006
Want to shape the future of the Net? Click here.
Adapted from Information provided by auDA, Australia's Domain Name Administrator.
What is IGF 2006?
It is the first meeting of the Internet Governance Forum, held in Athens from 30 October to 2 Novemebr, and it represents an extraordinary experiment in Internet democracy. Democracy in the true sense that all those wish to get involved, can – and they can help form the thinking for how the big decision-makers the world over see the Internet.
UK Journalist Kieren McCarthy is running an IGF community web site with full blog functionality that allows the maximum amount of useful interaction you can currently get over the Net.
Links will provide access to webcasts of the sessions. Visitors can review everything that is happening at the IGF and read other visitors’ blog postings. And participants who register – a simple process – will be able to instantly interact with experts in the Athens conference room and with other participants around the world.
That includes your own instant blog, which you can start typing into straight away, plus the ability to add comments to pages, add your own pages, your own wikis, even your own chatrooms and webcasts!
What is being discussed?
All the pertinent Net issues of the day:
- access to information, the problem of privacy on the Internet;
- security, spam, phishing;
- access to the Net across the world;
- open source software;
- use of different languages online;
- how to get people to work together on the Web.
Artificial Intelligence software from DEVONtechnologies
DEVONtechnologies’ major Artificial Intelligence (AI) products built for Mac OS X are the document and information manager DEVONthink, the Internet (re)search agent DEVONagent, and the notepad application DEVONnote. In addition, they make the web cam viewer PhotoStickies and a number of little but useful freeware applications, namely the file find utility EasyFind, the thumbnail generator ThumbsUp, the menu bar launcher XMenu, as well as the Services menu extensions WordService, CalcService, and HotService.
While AI applications are truly powerful and sometimes have a steep learning curve, they're not just targeted at rocket scientists! – DEVONthink helps everyone drowning in electronic documents, emails, papers, be it in the office or at home, and DEVONagent is used by thousands of Mac users around the world who "just want more" than Google & Co. has to offer.
Discount Offer for AMUG members
Mac User Group members can receive 25% discount in DEVONtechnologies’ online shop! Just enter the special code when asked to do so (near the end of the purchase process) to get the discount deducted from the total.
Discount code: en-promo-mug-2006
This discount code is valid until 31 December 2006.
www.devon-technologies.com/products/ www.devon-technologies.com/shop/
Extracts from TidBITS#853/30-Oct-06:
Adobe Releases Soundbooth Beta
by Jeff Carlson, TidBITS
Adobe has been burning the development oil lately. After garnering attention with its Photoshop Lightroom beta, last week it released a public beta of Adobe Soundbooth, an apparent competitor to Apple's Soundtrack Pro that is "focused on creative professionals without audio expertise, or those who prefer an application focused on making short work of the most common tasks they handle every day. The tools in Soundbooth remove the mystery from editing while preserving superb sound quality."
Due to licensing issues, the application doesn't yet support MP3, MPEG-2, H.264, and FLV formats. Interestingly, Soundbooth works only on Intel-based Macs (and on PCs running Windows XP). The beta, a 59 MB download, expires in February 2007, and Adobe says that the final release version will appear sometime in mid-2007.
http://labs.adobe.com/technologies/soundbooth/
.Mac Webmail Gets a Makeover
by Joe Kissell, TidBITS
Last week Apple rolled out a major overhaul to the email portion of the .Mac Web site. With the changes, the .Mac webmail interface looks and acts strikingly similar to Apple's Mail application. In a dramatic departure from its previous design, .Mac webmail now uses Tiger Mail-style buttons and icons, supports drag-and-drop for moving messages, offers tighter Address Book integration, supports keyboard shortcuts, and features a three-pane interface – with mailboxes on the left, a message list at the top, and a preview pane at the bottom.
www.mac.com/WebObjects/Webmail/
Read Joe’s full review here.
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