Newsletter to Members
November 2008
Next Meeting:
Monday 3 November 6.30pm
November Presentation: Epson Colour Technology by Luke McCormac.
Back in our normal venue – Room 327 Theatrette, Robert Webster Bldng, UNSW, Anzac Parade, Kensington.
Raffle prizes this month include a book published by Peachpit Press; 4GB USB Thumb drives, iTunes Cards, recordable CD/DVD media and more.
New Disc-of-the-Month CD: Alternative Office
Need word processing, spreadsheet or presentation apps but don’t want to pay for Microsoft Office? Here is a shareware and freeware collection of alternative productivity suites and applications. Includes the Mac OS X native version of OpenOffice. Only $5. More info (PDF 184K).
Our Disc-of-the-Month software compilation CDs are on sale at meetings for the specially reduced AMUG member price of just $5 each (plus $2 postage if required). For the full list and order form, log in to the AMUG web site members area. Recent offerings include:
'HobbyMac Vol.1' (4-page PDF 512K).
'MacSecretary' (2-page PDF 365K).
The AUSOM Christmas Raffle is on again!
Just one major prize: a brand new 15-inch MacBook Pro (yes, despite what is printed on the tickets it will be the NEW 2.4GHz MODEL). Tickets are just $5, available at the November meeting.
Prize details are posted on the AUSOM web site here:
www.ausom.net.au/raffle/
This annual raffle, drawn in Melbourne on 6 December 2008, is run by our friends at the Apple Users Society of Melbourne (AUSOM), with 5,000 tickets offered for sale through Apple User Groups around Australia. And our club gets 50% of ticket sales, so you will be helping AMUG Sydney as well. If you missed getting your ticket at the October meeting, there is a limited number available on Monday night from our club Secretary Greg Sclanders; or if you can’t get to the meeting, order yours here – but be quick, because we have to return butts before the end of November to be in the draw.
News from Apple
Above l to r: MacBook, MacBook Air, MacBook Pro. Images courtesy of Apple.
New MacBook Family Redefines Notebook Design
On 15 October Steve Jobs unveiled the new MacBook family that redefines notebook design, with an entry price for MacBook that is dramatically lower than MacBook Pro, yet offers comparable advanced notebook features including all-metal enclosures and pro-performance notebook graphics.
The new MacBook and 15-inch MacBook Pro both have a precision unibody enclosure crafted from a single block of aluminium, resulting in thinner, more durable and ‘sexier’ designs. In addition, every member of the new MacBook family includes state of the art nVidia graphics, brilliant instant-on LED-backlit displays and new large glass Multi-Touch trackpads that offer almost 40 percent more tracking area and support more Multi-Touch gestures.
New Features at a glance – MacBook and MacBook Pro:
- New, thinner, more durable ‘unibody’ aluminium enclosure
- New, faster nVidia GeForce 3D integrated graphics processors across the range (two in MacBook Pro)
- Instant-on LED-backlit widescreen display (gloss only, no matt option)
- Glass-to-edge screen with distinctive black surround like the iMac
- New black keys with illuminated full size keyboard (78 keys)
- New etched glass Multi-Touch trackpad with gesture control, that is "all button"
- Improved performance and bigger capacity hard drives.
Main differences between the MacBook Pro and MacBook are:
- bigger screen (15-inch v 13-inch)
- faster processors – up to 2.8GHz Intel Core 2 Duo
- double the graphics punch – both integrated and discrete nVidia processors
- up to 512MB video memory
- up to 4GB RAM and 320GB hard drive
- one FireWire 800 port (nominally 800 MBps transfer rate) as well as USB2.0 (480 MBps); MacBook has only USB2.0
- ExpressCard/ 34 slot.
BASE MODEL |
Display |
Resolution |
Processor |
RAM |
HD |
SuperDrive |
Ports |
RRP inc GST |
MacBook: |
13.3-inch |
1280 x 800 px |
2.0 GHz |
2GB |
160GB |
8x Dble Layer |
2 x USB2.0 |
$2,099 |
MacBook Pro: |
15.4-inch |
1440 x 900 px |
2.4 GHz |
2GB |
250GB |
8x Dble Layer |
2 x USB2.0, |
$3,199 |
MacBook Air: |
13.3-inch |
1280 x 800 px |
1.6 GHz |
2GB |
120GB |
external option |
1 x USB2.0 |
$2,899 |
Build to order options are also available from The Apple Online Store. A detailed, side-by-side comparison list between MacBook, MacBook Pro and MacBook Air is posted here:
www.apple.com/au/mac/whichmacbook/
Also updated: MacBook Air and 17-inch MacBook Pro
MacBook Air now includes new nVidia GeForce 9400M integrated graphics and a faster architecture to provide robust support for 3D games and enhanced performance. MacBook Air is available with a 120GB 4200 rpm hard drive, a 50 percent increase from the previous generation, or a new 128GB solid state drive.
The updated 17-inch MacBook Pro keeps its original aluminium design, and now comes standard with a high resolution 1920 x 1200 LED-backlit display and a larger 320GB hard drive or an optional 128GB solid state drive.
New 24-inch Cinema Display and Mini DisplayPort
The new MacBook, 15-inch MacBook Pro and MacBook Air include a next generation, industry-standard Mini DisplayPort to connect with the new Apple LED Cinema Display featuring a 24-inch LED-backlit widescreen display with a built-in iSight video camera, mic and speakers in an elegant, thin aluminium and glass enclosure. Part of the next-generation DisplayPort industry standard, the new Mini DisplayPort delivers a pure digital signal that can drive up to a 30-inch widescreen display. The Mini DisplayPort is ultra-compact at just 10 percent the size of a full DVI connector, perfect for the sleek design of the new MacBook family. Adapters are available for using the MacBook's Mini DisplayPort with older generation VGA, DVI/HDMI and Dual-Link DVI displays.
Industry's Greenest Notebooks
The entire new MacBook family meets stringent Energy Star 4.0 and environmental standards, and leads the industry in the elimination of toxic chemicals by containing no brominated flame retardants, using only PVC-free internal cables and components, and using energy efficient LED-backlit displays that are mercury-free and made with arsenic-free glass.
Watch the October Keynote
View the QuickTime streaming video as Apple Chief Operating Officer Tim Cook recaps some of the numbers showing how well the Mac is doing, and Apple CEO Steve Jobs talks through the features of the new lineup:
www.apple.com/quicktime/qtv/specialevent1008/
News from the Net
Take Control ebooks
"Take Control of Your 802.11n AirPort Network" rewritten
TidBITS has announced the release of the significantly rewritten "Take Control of Your 802.11n AirPort Network," the latest in its line of Glenn Fleishman's Take Control titles about AirPort networking. (He removed "Extreme" from the title due to the release of the 802.11n-based AirPort Express and Time Capsule.)
With his usual good-natured enthusiasm, Glenn has created a fully updated ebook about AirPort networking, covering not only the practical details and real-world steps that you need to set up a fast, reliable, and secure AirPort network, but also lots of details of interest for everyone from the beginner (basic terminology and concepts) to the experienced user (tricky IP addressing scenarios, IPv6, and software base stations). The 242-page ebook (perhaps TidBITS’ most comprehensive yet!) is available for US$13.50 with the 10% MUG discount at this link:
Buy "Take Control of Your 802.11n AirPort Network,"ebook.
Topics covered include:
- Real-world advice – and diagrams – that covers setting up the 802.11n models of the AirPort Express, AirPort Extreme, and Time Capsule
- Advice on whether the 2.4 GHz or 5 GHz band is best for your network
- Tricks for including older 802.11b and 802.11g Wi-Fi gear without damaging performance
- Step-by-step instructions on connecting from Macintosh and Windows clients
- Details about handling complex Internet addressing configurations
- The ins and outs of sharing USB disks, including a Time Capsule
- Help with connecting shared printers to Leopard, Tiger, and Windows
- A discussion of networking with and configuring an Apple TV
- How to set up a multi-base-station network to extend the area of wireless coverage
- The scoop on the up-and-coming IPv6 standard for handling IP addresses.
Make the most of MobileMe with new "Take Control of MobileMe" ebook
Now that Apple's MobileMe service has settled down enough that it's possible to write a coherent book about it, TidBITS is pleased to announce the release of "Take Control of MobileMe." Author Joe Kissell and editor Dan Frakes put in long hours over recent months to prepare this 112-page title for you and it's now available to answer your MobileMe questions. The MUG discount brings the price to only US$9, or look in the left margin of the page linked below for bundles that give you a larger discount on multiple-ebook orders.
Buy "Take Control of MobileMe" ebook
Joe starts out by helping you understand MobileMe's features and get set up, and then he dives into the details of real-life projects. In particular, he focuses on syncing – what to expect, what kinds of data besides calendar and contact information can sync, handling problems, and more. Once that's covered, Joe also looks at:
- Various ways to use an iDisk for storing and sharing files
- Accessing and updating calendar and contact data on the MobileMe site
- Using the Gallery feature (alone or via iLife '08) to publish photos and movies
- Publishing a Web site to MobileMe's servers
- Enabling Back to My Mac in order to access one of your Macs from another
- Using MobileMe email, via its Web interface, Apple Mail, and an iPhone or iPod touch.
You'll also learn what Backup, Apple's free backup software that comes with MobileMe, can and can't do, and get advice on whether it's a good choice for you, especially when compared with Leopard's Time Machine.
"Take Control of Back to My Mac" updated
TidBITS has also released a free minor update to Glenn Fleishman's US$10 "Take Control of Back to My Mac" to bring it up to date and account for some changes in Leopard since it was written.
TidBITS Watchlist: Notable Software Updates
Microsoft Office 2008 12.1.3 and 2004 11.5.2 Updates
Extract from TidBITS #950 by TidBITS author Doug McLean, reprinted with permission. Read his full article here.
The recently released Microsoft Office 2008 for Mac 12.1.3 Update tackles a major security risk, improves Office stability within Leopard, and makes some small performance enhancements.
support.microsoft.com/kb/958267
The security risk pertains to important vulnerabilities in Excel that could enable an attacker to take control of a user's machine. If a user were to open a specially crafted file, the attacker could remotely execute code to take complete control of the user's system. Full notes concerning this risk are available via Microsoft's Security Bulletin.
www.microsoft.com/technet/security/bulletin/ms08-057.mspx
The Microsoft Office 2008 for Mac 12.1.3 Update requires Mac OS X 10.4.9 or later, and that you have already installed the Microsoft Office 2008 for Mac 12.1.2 Update on the computer before you install the current one. It's a 154.4 MB download and is available from Microsoft's Web site or via the Microsoft AutoUpdate utility launched by choosing Check for Updates from any Office 2008 application.
Download Microsoft Office 2008 for Mac 12.1.3 Update
The same security risk addressed by the Microsoft Office 2008 for Mac 12.1.3 Update is also dealt with by the Microsoft Office 2004 for Mac 11.5.2 Update. Additionally, this small update fixes two bugs in Excel 2004.
support.microsoft.com/kb/958312
The Microsoft Office 2004 for Mac 11.5.2 Update requires Mac OS X 10.2.8 or later, and that you've previously installed the Microsoft Office 2004 for Mac 11.5.1 Update. It's a 13.3 MB download, and is available either via the Office 2004 version of Microsoft AutoUpdate or as a standalone download.
More TidBITS Notable Software Updates
Extracts from TidBITS #950 and #951 (articles 9815 and 9824) compiled by TidBITS author Doug McLean, reprinted with permission.
The Migration and DVD/CD Sharing Update from Apple addresses data migration to the new MacBook and MacBook Pro. As stated on Apple's Web site, the update provides "enhanced customization capabilities and improved performance for migration over FireWire, Ethernet and wireless networks." Since the new MacBook comes without FireWire capabilities, the Migration Assistant can now use Ethernet or AirPort. For Mac OS X 10.4.11, this update installs Migration Assistant 1.0.6, and for Mac OS X 10.5.5, Migration Assistant 1.2.3 (Free, 40.29 MB)
www.apple.com/support/downloads/migrationanddvdcdsharingupdate.html
Carbon Copy Cloner 3.1.2 from Bombich Software updates the long-standing backup and disk cloning utility with a variety of bug fixes and interface improvements. An issue with failed incremental backups caused by the synchronization engine has been resolved, as has a bug affecting PowerPC-based Macs wherein creation dates for modified files were not preserved. The "Backup everything" method is now 25 percent faster, and can properly handle inherited ACLs. Finally, users can no longer abort backup operations by pressing the spacebar to wake up their monitors – the cloning process Stop button no longer has focus. (Free, 2.3 MB)
www.bombich.com/software/ccc.html
OpenOffice.org 3.0 is a major update to the open-source productivity suite. Major changes include native support for Mac OS X (no more X11!), support for OpenDocument Format 1.2, import filters for Microsoft Office 2007 and 2008 documents, a new Solver feature for spreadsheet calculations, collaborative spreadsheet capabilities, and a multiple page view feature within Writer. Concurrent with the update is the release of a variety of optional extensions and complementary tools. These include an OpenOffice.org Extension Repository, Mozilla-based calendar and email clients, and a Presenter Console extension that enables a speaker to view notes and upcoming slides on a laptop screen while simultaneously projecting a presentation. This update also includes core features introduced by minor releases since OpenOffice.org 2.0. (Free, 163 MB)
www.openoffice.org/dev_docs/features/3.0/
Flash Player 10.0 from Adobe is the latest version of the heavily used browser plug-in, released to coincide with the recent debut of the Adobe Creative Suite 4. Changes include added support for custom filters and effects, new 3D animation tools, advanced audio processing, improved drawing API capabilities, and an enhanced text engine. Senior Product Manager Justin Everett-Church goes into further detail on Adobe's site regarding the changes. Flash Player 10 also works closely with the new Adobe Creative Suite 4 product line, enabling better collaboration between designers and developers. (Free, 5.4 MB)
www.adobe.com/products/flashplayer/
Bento 2.0 from FileMaker, Inc. is a major update to the personal database software, focusing on performance and integration enhancements. New to this version is the capability to link Apple Mail messages and RSS feeds directly to information stored in Bento. Users can view these Mail messages instantly in Bento using the Quick Look feature. Google Maps and iChat are also directly accessible from within Bento 2, enabling users to start chats and check directions with the click of a button. Importing, exporting, and working with Excel, Numbers, and AppleWorks data is now supported. A new fill down feature is designed to make data entry faster and easier, and users can now edit records and modify forms without having to enter Customize Mode. Interface changes include a new split-view mode that simultaneously displays summaries and details, ten new themes, and improved template sharing capabilities. (AUD$71.80 single licence new or upgrade, 76 MB). Bento requires Mac OS X v10.5.4 Leopard and will not work with earlier versions of the Mac OS.
www.filemaker.com.au/products/bento/overview.html
iPhoto 7.1.5 from Apple is a minor update that "improves the printing quality of books, cards and calendars ordered via the iPhoto printing service." It's available via Software Update or as a standalone download. (Free update, 9 MB)
www.apple.com/support/downloads/iphoto715.html
Lightroom 2.1 from Adobe is the latest update to the popular photo management software, adding improved Photoshop integration, enhanced performance under Leopard, keyword migration capabilities, compatibility with several raw file formats (see the update for Adobe Camera Raw 5.1, below), and several bug fixes. (US$299 new, free update, 33.9 MB)
www.adobe.com/downloads/updates/
Adobe Camera Raw 5.1 updates the Photoshop plug-in with raw file support for 15 new digital cameras including the Nikon D90, Nikon D700, Canon EOS 50D and the Canon EOS 1000D. Adobe has also released a new set of Digital Negative (DNG) camera profiles, available on Adobe Labs, that offer improved raw processing and color-rendering emulation. Additionally, Adobe recently released Camera Raw 4.6 with the same raw file support for Photoshop CS3 users. (Free update, 8.4 MB for ACR 5.1; 14.9 MB for ACR 4.6)
Adobe Camera Raw 5.1 Update for Photoshop CS4.
Adobe Labs: About DNG Profiles.
Adobe Camera Raw 4.6 for Photoshop CS3.
DiscLabel 5.3 from SmileOnMyMac is the latest version of the CD and DVD label design software. Changes include added support for Aperture imports, Blu-ray disc packaging design elements, the capability to select from multiple iPhoto libraries when importing, and various unspecified bug fixes. (US$35.95 new, free update, 12.7 MB)
www.smileonmymac.com/DiscLabel/
AirPort Extreme Update 2008-004 from Apple "resolves some issues with AirPort connections when roaming in large Wi-Fi networks." It's only for Intel-based Macs, and currently appears only via Software Update. Apple had previously released AirPort Extreme Update 2008-003 the week before but pulled it soon after, so this version presumably corrects a problem introduced in that phantom update. An Apple support article also describes it as the solution to a problem with being unable to turn AirPort on after turning it off and restarting. (Free, 2.2 MB)
Aperture 2.1.2 from Apple is a minor update to the photo management software that enhances the print quality of books ordered through the Aperture printing service. The update is available via Software Update or as a standalone download and cannot be used for Aperture trial software; you must own the full version of Aperture 2 to update. (US$199 new, free update, 48 MB)
www.apple.com/support/downloads/aperture212.html
InDesign CS3 5.0.4 Update from Adobe addresses compatibility issues in the page layout program with the recently released Creative Suite 4. According to Adobe's Web site, the InDesign CS3 5.0.4 Update contains fixes regarding "CS4 to CS3 Export to INX (Save Back) workflows... File Size, Hyphenation, Performance, Anchored Objects, Character Alignment, Step and Repeat, Indexing and Table of Contents, Text and Fonts, Dictionaries, Color, Scripting, Import/Export Graphics, InDesign Interchange files (INX), XML, Library files, Printing, and others." The installer also includes the fixes from all previous InDesign CS3 5.0.x updates – which are no longer separately available. A list of issues that have been resolved with the update can be downloaded from Adobe's site as a PDF. (Free, 71.7 MB)
Saturday Workshop
One-on-one Mac Help from AMUG Committee members in a friendly, sharing environment.
Saturday November 8, commencing 10am. Room 136C (Computer Lab), Ground Floor, Webster Building, UNSW Kensington.
Bring your own Notebook or use one of the Uni's iMacs.
Enquiries and bookings, phone Rob on 9387 2069 or email sydamug@mac.com
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