Category Archives: Computing

Keeping files safe on the Mac

Computing, Internet

Do you have files on your Mac that you want to keep safe from prying eyes, or from someone who steals your laptop? I keep a spreadsheet file with all my online passwords written in it, and I don’t want that file accessed by someone who steals my laptop, or looks at my computer without my knowledge. There are two ways to keep files safe on your Mac: a simple way, and more secure but complicated way.

The safer but more of a hassle solution is to use the built in application called FileVault, that can encrypt your entire Home folder. It is serious encryption so if you forget your password, you’re files are gone forever. It can be turned on in System Preferences. Sometimes though, this extra secure method can cause problems with other computer applications needing access to files inside your home folder, or if you share files in your home folder with other computers on your network. Maybe you are like me and don’t want the entire home folder protected, just a few files. If so, there is an easier way to keep files safe on the Mac.
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Apple vs. Adobe’s Flash

Computing, Internet

If you’re not a geek, you probably won’t know much about this, but a battle rages between Apple and Adobe, once partners, now pitted against one another in a fight for the future. A lot of the hokey stuff you see on the internet, with things popping up, dancing around, and menus opening when you hover your mouse over a link, is all Flash, an Adobe creation. With moderation, Flash can look good, but it usually gets to be annoying when it’s used too much (you just want to get to the info, and not watch a bunch of stuff fly all over the screen).

The alternative is HTML5. It runs things from within your internet browser without the need of an Adobe plugin for Flash. Especially because Apple has lots of mobile devices that work with fingers instead of using a mouse, they are moving forward with HTML5, not Flash, which tends to work better when using a mouse. Adobe wants in on all the Apple goodness and has criticized Apple for not allowing Flash to run on their mobile devices. Apple’s Steve Jobs just fired back, and boy was it a resounding WHACK. Adobe needs to enter the future and join Apple, not pester Apple about using dated software.

Read the whole smack down by Steve Jobs here.
If that link gets removed, read the smack down here.

TobyLaura.com

Newest Mac owner

Computing, Family, Fun, Internet


Congratulations goes out to my dad, the newest Mac owner in my family and the most recent to see the light about cruddy windows. He already had a monitor, keyboard, and mouse, so he went with the Mac Mini, the most affordable way to get a Mac. It’s just a tiny box that has a lot of USB ports on the back so you can plug in your monitor and accessories, and viola: new Mac.

The new iMac’s are sexier, but the Mac mini is no slouch and allows for more versatility. It’s going to take him a little while to get used to how easy and comfortably a Mac runs, but a steep learning curve can be fun, too, if he looks at it like an adventure, where new computing tricks lay just around the corner.

He was fed up with all the garbage that windows is: “Program not responding”, “Program has performed an illegal operation”, “End this program now?”, “Your virus software is out of date”, “A new software patch is available.” And on and on. He was ready for something that just works. He wanted to find a computer that could run windows and Apple software on the same machine. He found it, in the new Mac mini.

Intrigued? Learn how easy it is to switch from windows to a new Mac and why, here. The Apple store is here.

TobyLaura.com

The new MacBook

Computing, Fun, Internet


The new MacBook laptops from Apple have arrived and they are awesome. Built from a single piece of aluminum, they are seamless, have no screws or drill points, are blazing fast, have great features like backlit keys updated touch pad, and maybe best of all, a new LED screen that is much brighter and sharper than the traditional LCD screens of today.

There is even an option for a solid state hard drive (only 128 gig though). Solid state is lights years ahead of the hard drive in the computer you have as you read this, (2008) because it has no moving parts. It is basically a huge flash drive. What kills hard drives and makes them lose data, is the spinning and spinning. After a while, a spinning hard drive will fail. Solid state will probably out live us all!

When you want to combine computing power and style, Apple is the only way to go. These laptops also run Windows operating systems (who’d want to?) so that if there are any programs that are considered a must have, but only run under Bill Gate’s tyranny, then that issue is solved. Honestly, being able to run both systems together leads me to wonder why everyone doesn’t have a Mac. They are more user friendly, don’t require virus protection, don’t shutdown due to programs running an “illegal operation” and just simply work.

After all the heartache of updating my virus software, losing my work from a program shutting down, and being hassled with endless error messages when trying to add a printer or unplug a flash drive, I made the switch to Mac and haven’t looked back. Actually, because so many people use Windows, and because of Microsoft’s notorious attitude for hostile domination, many hackers and virus authors target Windows. That’s fine with me! Apple viruses hardly exist because people who want to cause large devastation with a virus pick on the software maker with the largest market share. With Apple, that’s less than 10%.

So all you Windows sufferers out there, please continue to buy that terrible junk sold by Microsoft, because it is keeping the viruses aimed elsewhere, instead of at my solid Mac! For everyone else who is tired of the endless troubles and updates that has plagued Windows for decades, come into the light. Afterward, you’ll wonder why it took so long. Just remember, with Mac, it’s “plug and play” but with Windows, it’s “plug and pray.”

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Our new iMac

Computing, Fun


It was time to get a new computer for Laura. The days of fighting over one little laptop are now over, and I must say that I am pretty jealous. When I thought that my laptop screen was big and bright, now seeing the new iMac, I think my screen has dimmed over the last two years.

Setting up a new Mac is quite an amazing experience. It took me less time than it will take you to read this blog entry. It’s such a refreshing experience when everything just works. So much technology today is released before it is ready, but Apple, on the whole, is always ahead of the game.

The screen is 20 inches across — larger than the TV we had growing up. Some of the features we can do with the two computers are amazing enough, I don’t know how we lived without them.

We primarily got the second computer so that Laura could use a computer while I was in training in Hong Kong. Now, it looks as though she will be spending around half the time I’m there with me! But, we’re still glad to have the new computer.

With two Mac’s, we can “share screens.” If I’m on an overnight trip somewhere, and Laura is having trouble getting something to work and changed (impossible with Mac) or she just has a question, we can share screens. I log in to her computer, and then her computer screen shows up as a new window on my screen. I can take control of the mouse and lead her through the issue!

Each Mac has a built-in web camera and microphone (they are built into the top of the screen and would be hidden behind an eraser head) so video chat is a breeze. Even if I’m in Hong Kong and Laura is in Ohio, we can see each other and talk, for free.

Time Machine is the best upgrade yet. We’ve plugged in an external hard drive so that it can be shared by the two computers. But Time Machine is a program that backs everything up to that hard drive, behind the scenes, all the time. When you find that you’ve accidentally deleted a document you needed, just open Time Machine. The desktop disappears and it shows you in outer space, with all your files lined up by date. “Rewind time” until you see your file, click “Restore”, and your missing files is instantly back where it should be! 

I encourage anyone thinking about a new computer, PLEASE at least consider a new Mac. Option for option, my Mac laptop was $300 bucks cheaper than an equivalent Dell. People only think Mac’s are more expensive because they don’t sell cheap versions of their computers. Anyone can by a $500 dollar Windows laptop, but it will be stripped down. Again, apples to apples (no pun intended) Apples are often cheaper, plus they work! With Mac it’s plug-and-play, but with Windows, it’s: plug-and-PRAY! Sharing files between the two Mac’s is simple, and if you are an unfortunate Windows user, there are simple file transfer procedures to move your files over when you buy your new Mac.

You don’t need expensive anti-virus software that slows your computer down, and you have to admit it: iMac’s are sexy! One Mac is great. Two are fantastic as they talk to each other. And two Mac’s, with high speed internet, is second, only to heaven.

To post comments and more, visit TobyLaura.com