tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33514576736589114252024-02-18T18:27:16.349-08:00Up Your Media Apple Web And Tech BlogParksville Qualicum's only Certified Apple Macintosh Technician and Support Professional posts semi-regular tips and blogs about his day to day experience with Macintosh computer technology, social media, web marketing and design and other technology developments.Up Your Media, Your Vancouver Island Apple Support Specialisthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14537169783038517359noreply@blogger.comBlogger33125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3351457673658911425.post-69480010304724193852016-06-07T12:56:00.000-07:002016-06-07T12:56:27.145-07:00<div style="color: #1d2129; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px;">
<b><u>Apple Terms Glossary</u></b></div>
<div style="color: #1d2129; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="color: #1d2129; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px;">
It's often apparent that many people have problems solving their own problems because they don't know the correct question to ask. If you don't know what something is called, how can you search Google for the correct way to fix it. Here are some basic terms you should know about your Mac.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitAQl7fGYa4bkmWnPAma16E8gLgrUibRYggNWpvKXbKXcJztpn8hSdIR86LGDRkcIYdV3lNv7L6QnIXxKlXMpg0MRPtG2VvVleSkEWxInXjVP7O8NEbYdFI8bXdSv2pb78bjo4v2fnPYA/s1600/finderglossary.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitAQl7fGYa4bkmWnPAma16E8gLgrUibRYggNWpvKXbKXcJztpn8hSdIR86LGDRkcIYdV3lNv7L6QnIXxKlXMpg0MRPtG2VvVleSkEWxInXjVP7O8NEbYdFI8bXdSv2pb78bjo4v2fnPYA/s320/finderglossary.png" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="color: #1d2129; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; margin-top: 6px;">
<b>Finder</b> - The basic overall organizational structure of your mac computer. It’s within Finder that you can create folders and su<span class="text_exposed_show" style="display: inline;">bfolders, drag and drop files, change file names</span></div>
<div class="text_exposed_show" style="color: #1d2129; display: inline; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 6px;">
<b>Sidebar</b>: Hidden by default, this is the extremely useful vertical bar in the Finder window. Choose to View Sidebar in the Finder’s View menu, or Command Shift S. Add your most used folders to the Sidebar for easy access to that folder, delete folders by clicking while holding the control key.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 6px; margin-top: 6px;">
<b>Menu Bar</b>: The very top horizontal bar of your screen, holds a multitude of functions.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 6px; margin-top: 6px;">
<b>Toolbar</b>: Each individual application has a toolbar of its own at the top of its screen.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 6px; margin-top: 6px;">
<b>Apple Menu</b>: Extreme top left of your screen, the Apple Menu contains basic functions such as restart, shut down, sleep, links to system preferences, software updates and System Profiler</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 6px; margin-top: 6px;">
<b>Dock</b>: By default lives at the bottom of your screen, but can be adjusted to the left, right, or hidden. Keep your most used applications here, plus any apps currently will be on your dock, highlighted by a little spotlight</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 6px; margin-top: 6px;">
<b>System Profiler</b>: Located by choosing About this Mac in the Apple Menu, here you’ll find your processor, amount of RAM, OS, serial number and more, useful to you and your technician.</div>
</div>
Up Your Media, Your Vancouver Island Apple Support Specialisthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14537169783038517359noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3351457673658911425.post-47033231031713456272014-12-01T13:37:00.001-08:002014-12-02T09:06:44.908-08:00Removing the Trovi 'Virus' and Other Browser Hijackers<h3>
<span style="font-weight: normal;">I've
had multiple calls in the past two weeks about what's become known as
the Trovi Virus, as well as other Browser Hijackers. These aren't
technically viruses, but are considered malware, and, in short, have the
ability to change your browser's homepage to their preferred ad-laden
page, effectively cutting off your regular internet habits and in some
cases, suggesting your computer is infected, and urging you to call a
number and hire them to clean up your machine. I've seen at least 3
cases where people have paid upwards of 3 and even 500 dollars to these
scammers.</span></h3>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDy62q3dEUoF7jAcfPQH3Dq6RHbGHiRauC_hHBvJn_FPVQI_gr8LfroecqGRmQU3HNDBWZzGMf0oEe08cYUNIxZaFJV1-beyoCd76cMraUiEzq0DdyQeaJq85MG_bXTwg7wR-7D9nmlY8/s1600/Trovi.com-browser-hijacker.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDy62q3dEUoF7jAcfPQH3Dq6RHbGHiRauC_hHBvJn_FPVQI_gr8LfroecqGRmQU3HNDBWZzGMf0oEe08cYUNIxZaFJV1-beyoCd76cMraUiEzq0DdyQeaJq85MG_bXTwg7wR-7D9nmlY8/s1600/Trovi.com-browser-hijacker.jpg" height="207" width="320" /></a><br />
Because there have been at least 4 different examples
of these browser hijackers, I don't have a quick one-step solution to be
able to fix these problems. The first thing I would suggest is DO NOT
call a foreign number, DO NOT give them your credit card number or
computer password, and DO NOT give them access to your computer.<br />
<br />
Here are some steps you should take if you suspect you've been infected, and to avoid this situation in the future.<br />
<br />
1. Have a back-up or secondary browser. If your Safari becomes infected, you will be able to at least browse the internet and / or download software to eradicate this malware.<br />
<br />
2. If Safari has been infected, reset Safari in the Safari menu. To reset Safari 8 in Yosemite, quit the application, then relaunch it holding down the shift key.<br />
<br />
3. After resetting Safari, you may also have to reset your homepage. One of the things the Trovi Virus does is change your homepage to its own nefarious search engine. Do this in the Safari general settings.<br />
<br />
4. Delete cookies and turn off javascript. You can do this in your Safari Security and Privacy preferences.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEip_ioloZaH_-JNkVotmWBeF-3UDqYHmEKPqV_yo5bRkaFiaT1z0AkRvIp4_pzGR4J8ASAiHtBg-6Iqdrb1pupNrLoAQcPBWRobhcu7to5-4d9rgNybub-ts10sj3Gp78bLBkgFM2wpifg/s1600/Screen+Shot+2014-12-01+at+1.19.30+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEip_ioloZaH_-JNkVotmWBeF-3UDqYHmEKPqV_yo5bRkaFiaT1z0AkRvIp4_pzGR4J8ASAiHtBg-6Iqdrb1pupNrLoAQcPBWRobhcu7to5-4d9rgNybub-ts10sj3Gp78bLBkgFM2wpifg/s1600/Screen+Shot+2014-12-01+at+1.19.30+PM.png" height="106" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibe9EXfLHLVopPQppOkOMyouiVqjBZ19I2BRJ7hw1OJBgazJZaJQ4YdyhkDxskoFuhY4jmjhN8v1mhxAcvYnk4_opHiZmbC7l6wLxJkAOZLwJgrNPVFfjvQOcQonSzNAhw0z5zcBS_BOI/s1600/Screen+Shot+2014-12-01+at+1.19.41+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibe9EXfLHLVopPQppOkOMyouiVqjBZ19I2BRJ7hw1OJBgazJZaJQ4YdyhkDxskoFuhY4jmjhN8v1mhxAcvYnk4_opHiZmbC7l6wLxJkAOZLwJgrNPVFfjvQOcQonSzNAhw0z5zcBS_BOI/s1600/Screen+Shot+2014-12-01+at+1.19.41+PM.png" height="190" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
5. If you can't get into your Safari preferences because of the malware, you may have to boot in Safe Mode, which will turn off all extensions and allow you to do system maintenance. To do this, restart the machine while holding down the Shift key.<br />
<br />
6. DO NOT download MacKeeper. It has no value, I don't trust it, and I consider it malware too.<br />
<br />
7. Try downloading and running AdWareCleaner. I generally don't trust 3rd party applications, but I had success with it on one occasion. <a href="http://www.adwaremedic.com/AdwareMedic.dmg">ADWAREMEDIC DOWNLOAD LINK</a><br />
<br />
8. You may have to dig a little deeper into your system and user library to remove preference files relating to the Conduit, Only-Search, and Trovi toolbars.<br />
<br />
9. Keep your system software up to date. Generally Apple responds quickly to situations like this and will release a Security Update to deal with it. I haven't seen anything yet, but I'm still hoping.<br />
<br />
10. DO NOT download and install any Anti-Virus for Mac softwares. They don't work and I've seen them interfere with internet connectivity.<br />
<br />
11. <a href="https://extensions.apple.com/details/?id=com.betafish.adblockforsafari-UAMUU4S2D9">Download and enable</a> the Adblock extension from the Apple site. This will remove most ads from most sites.<br />
<br />
As you can see, there are multiple issues and multiple solutions going on. I'll keep updating this post to reflect the solutions I've used.<br />
<br />Up Your Media, Your Vancouver Island Apple Support Specialisthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14537169783038517359noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3351457673658911425.post-11561449117266866982014-04-23T10:05:00.000-07:002014-04-23T10:15:00.347-07:00Get Some Peace, Stay Connected Using Do Not Disturb Mode on Your iPhone<span style="font-family: Helvetica; orphans: 2; text-align: -webkit-auto; widows: 2;"></span><br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwdpyan3iR-gGLVhohKJDR8JvatrzmfA8OV7S9gGOTIHBXliLdE3-F8ogSMHoQajaPXH60sBok_vc_TZw-e2ZPwcTEzwE2cVI_o7sMz-RlLsbFl73trqaFK7bCldTcHQ-EkikgoXh89r0/s1600/IMG_2152.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwdpyan3iR-gGLVhohKJDR8JvatrzmfA8OV7S9gGOTIHBXliLdE3-F8ogSMHoQajaPXH60sBok_vc_TZw-e2ZPwcTEzwE2cVI_o7sMz-RlLsbFl73trqaFK7bCldTcHQ-EkikgoXh89r0/s1600/IMG_2152.PNG" height="320" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Turn On 'Do Not Disturb' in the Control Center</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
I must have inadvertently turned on 'Do Not Disturb' mode on my iPhone 4S a couple months ago, because my phone seemed to randomly stop ringing for most phone calls and text messages. That was OK for the most part, because I had more or less stopped answering my phone anyway, and no text message was ever so important that it couldn't wait a few minutes for me to visually check my screen. Still, it didn't make sense that some calls and messages got through while others did not. And as one who has 50 + custom ring and text tones, I was missing out on my personal symphony.<br />
<div style="font-family: Helvetica; orphans: 2; text-align: -webkit-auto; widows: 2;">
<br />
<div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiE2_qkeYUBnA8Op9b-XeEFG0A8B-B4SDyc0augD36OUJdHZQUPhLHgSQbdEeyx2fGJ0nY9rIYJWig6fweIBprziyuELUCGpgfkVui87aJj-DxW9pZQtSqO-4S93u1iLAGBIvpcxubGtk/s1600/IMG_2153.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiE2_qkeYUBnA8Op9b-XeEFG0A8B-B4SDyc0augD36OUJdHZQUPhLHgSQbdEeyx2fGJ0nY9rIYJWig6fweIBprziyuELUCGpgfkVui87aJj-DxW9pZQtSqO-4S93u1iLAGBIvpcxubGtk/s1600/IMG_2153.PNG" height="320" width="213" /></a></div>
Do Not Disturb mode is available to you through either the Control Center, or with more options through the main Settings page in IOS 7. You can customize which calls and texts will ring through from either your phone favourites, or any group in your address book. Keep in mind the calls and texts are still going to voicemail, and available visually on the screen, your phone just won't alert you through the speaker. You can schedule when it kicks in, say from 5:00 pm till 9:00 am and buy yourself some peace and quiet, while keeping closely, if not constantly connected.</div>
</div>
Up Your Media, Your Vancouver Island Apple Support Specialisthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14537169783038517359noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3351457673658911425.post-89815237553060222722014-02-14T12:56:00.000-08:002014-02-14T12:56:12.828-08:00Back Up Your Hard Drive With Time MachineBacking up your hard drive has never been easier, thanks to the software Apple has been including with your Operating System since Leopard 10.5.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibaGrB6P94AvjoMXtZFb6e20R-2Lxf_3b_FDsLGZ_SjiHS4RUcPAgVsXtn5VUC9uebYqHJb0RGVAuJ6d2K1388xX-xy1HL6YdZXdMhwxX19lpH3w8UTrS28TN49CGddNjQxq3ZroYLURg/s1600/Screen+shot+2014-02-14+at+12.38.11+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibaGrB6P94AvjoMXtZFb6e20R-2Lxf_3b_FDsLGZ_SjiHS4RUcPAgVsXtn5VUC9uebYqHJb0RGVAuJ6d2K1388xX-xy1HL6YdZXdMhwxX19lpH3w8UTrS28TN49CGddNjQxq3ZroYLURg/s1600/Screen+shot+2014-02-14+at+12.38.11+PM.png" height="217" width="320" /></a></div>
I've done it myself, more than once, it's true. I've had hard drives fail on me without having a back-up of any kind. It was devastating, but eventually I learned, and now I keep redundant back-ups of all my data, thanks to the affordability of external hard drives and the native Time Machine software. Still, I see it every week, and my un-scientific study shows a good 40-60% of people still don't keep a good back-up.<br />
<br />
Here's how easy it is to do.<br />
<br />
1.) Plug any external hard drive into the USB port on your Mac.<br />
2.) When the Time Machine software launches and prompts you whether or not you'd like to use said external hard drive as your Time Machine back-up, say yes.<br />
3.) Get some sleep.<br />
<br />
Seriously, it's that easy. In operating systems Mountain Lion 10.8 and previous, you don't even have to partition the disk, just click yes and ignore. In Mavericks you will have to partition the hard drive as Mac OS Extended (journaled) in Disk Utility, but the software will lead you like an ox by the nose through every step.<br />
<br />
The beauty of Time Machine, is that you can access old files that you've changed in the past, and restore the old configuration of that file to the present date. Consider if you've changed your iPhoto library, or deleted an important email, or edited a movie, document or Garageband file. Also, if your hard drive should fail, and the probability of that is 100%, you can restore your entire system, docs, and network settings from that most recent Time Machine back-up.<br />
<br />
<br />Up Your Media, Your Vancouver Island Apple Support Specialisthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14537169783038517359noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3351457673658911425.post-59770174448669699202014-02-07T10:14:00.002-08:002014-02-07T10:14:37.383-08:00How to Install the Adobe Flash Update<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhejZSe2drLaEF508F7_iNHrmB5X7Ybf9wkhG2-Grw-4tLcxylzc0vKAsWjXPfJw63l0MmVmUaWHQOcTGoYOCohlx9M9OVP-ghupRCbxz1pPZZwAemL_FKnY_Uot-hWgYc0PxS2Vp_P7Ww/s1600/flash.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhejZSe2drLaEF508F7_iNHrmB5X7Ybf9wkhG2-Grw-4tLcxylzc0vKAsWjXPfJw63l0MmVmUaWHQOcTGoYOCohlx9M9OVP-ghupRCbxz1pPZZwAemL_FKnY_Uot-hWgYc0PxS2Vp_P7Ww/s1600/flash.png" height="130" width="320" /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Helvetica;">Lots of emails this week about the new Adobe Flash update and how to install it. They seem to update this plugin every 4 to 6 weeks, and it's essential to many online services like YouTube videos and other sites</span><br />
<div style="font-family: Helvetica;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-family: Helvetica;">
First, go directly to the Adobe.com website and navigate to Downloads.</div>
<div style="font-family: Helvetica;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-family: Helvetica;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgE_GeiduJTs_0WNhirwHq21sTM9JDoMd3S-C1nlY2_3hqfhg1MmgPzKrpRg-Ka7yS_A6lKoXrI0PR6m9uh_qYqqRQVeupiriaARmbJLZWL371bzzze9HptS4K_x631tDlVRk7NYBq2WlQ/s1600/Flash+Installer.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgE_GeiduJTs_0WNhirwHq21sTM9JDoMd3S-C1nlY2_3hqfhg1MmgPzKrpRg-Ka7yS_A6lKoXrI0PR6m9uh_qYqqRQVeupiriaARmbJLZWL371bzzze9HptS4K_x631tDlVRk7NYBq2WlQ/s1600/Flash+Installer.png" height="229" width="320" /></a>Select the Adobe Flash update and click to download. </div>
<div style="font-family: Helvetica;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-family: Helvetica;">
Now this is where most people get tripped up. After downloading the software, you still have to go through several steps to complete the install. Locate the update .dmg (disk mounted image) file in your downloads folder. Double click to launch the installer.</div>
<div style="font-family: Helvetica;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-family: Helvetica;">
Choose the volume where you wish to install the software (your Macintosh HD) and follow the prompts the installer presents. It will require that you close any browsers, Safari, Firefox etc., before continuing.</div>
<div style="font-family: Helvetica;">
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwELMd9fedI8zasseiLOku1qu7eYEjkrvu85sh9Rl8-wXauMgS6DETZCqKQjeqJGh1lhGMWyF-hm8mV4OgAQ16vRHW6SH_Em9a-anBnSqzzK7hBIsAqU4bf9VHVHRO6ccIRR2IJRbte0U/s1600/flash+install+2.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwELMd9fedI8zasseiLOku1qu7eYEjkrvu85sh9Rl8-wXauMgS6DETZCqKQjeqJGh1lhGMWyF-hm8mV4OgAQ16vRHW6SH_Em9a-anBnSqzzK7hBIsAqU4bf9VHVHRO6ccIRR2IJRbte0U/s1600/flash+install+2.png" height="181" width="320" /></a> You also have to agree to the software terms and conditions. </div>
<div style="font-family: Helvetica;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-family: Helvetica;">
Once you've completed all of these steps, you should be good to go.</div>
Up Your Media, Your Vancouver Island Apple Support Specialisthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14537169783038517359noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3351457673658911425.post-8069642816250264712013-11-25T18:06:00.003-08:002013-11-25T19:25:16.807-08:00Apple Quick Tips Newsletter Volume VII<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Up Your Media's Apple Quick Tips Newsletter Volume VII</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span>
<b><u>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Email Webpage Link Or Contents</span></u></b><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9QZcIwT8pPKDrOQNxHJL0_mRAXGRfL_9WkwhZG5sxydlYJmgx9hM8SJetyCLQF2IOZughRNEcWF6wcGUQrKee5vGQXInfPIRCjabvjyBZ8azve7j2q-pSxBP4Pg5KhWmStwIEW7ETY2s/s1600/Screen+shot+2013-11-25+at+3.10.41+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="clear: right; float: right; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="292" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9QZcIwT8pPKDrOQNxHJL0_mRAXGRfL_9WkwhZG5sxydlYJmgx9hM8SJetyCLQF2IOZughRNEcWF6wcGUQrKee5vGQXInfPIRCjabvjyBZ8azve7j2q-pSxBP4Pg5KhWmStwIEW7ETY2s/s320/Screen+shot+2013-11-25+at+3.10.41+PM.png" width="320" /></span></a></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<ul>
<li style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 18px;">As with anything Apple, there's always more than one way to skin a cat, or in this case, to email a Safari webpage to a friend. With the webpage open, go to your File menu and choose either the Mail Contents, or Mail Link To This Page. Advanced users might prefer to use the keyboard shortcuts. Alternately, you can customize your Safari Toolbar to show the email toolbar icon</span></li>
</ul>
</div>
<div class="">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br class="" /></span></div>
<div class="">
<b class=""><u class=""><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Add Auto-Responder To Your Emails</span></u></b></div>
<div class="">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br class="" /></span></div>
<div class="">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">You can add an auto-responder to your email, so that all incoming emails are automatically responded to with an instant and consistent message. This can be handy when on holiday, or for many other reasons. Go to your Preferences menu in your Mail program and navigate to the Rules panel. Choose 'Add Rule' and give your new rule a name. Select a parameter from the list (ie., sender in address book, subject includes, etc.) choose to reply to message and type in your chosen reply. Apply rule. </span></div>
<div class="">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br class="" /></span></div>
<div class="">
<b class=""><u class=""><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Delete Previous Recipients</span></u></b></div>
<div class="">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br class="" /></span></div>
<div class="">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Your email program will auto-fill the address of any recipient you may have emailed in the past. To edit or delete a previous recipient, navigate to the 'window' menu in your top menu bar, select 'previous recipients' and clean up any addresses you no longer wish to autofill</span></div>
<div class="">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"></span><br />
<div class="" style="font-family: Times;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b class=""><u class=""><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Change Email Signature on iPad / iPhone</span></u></b></span></div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">
</span>
<div class="" style="font-family: Times;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b class=""><u class=""><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br class="" /></span></u></b></span></div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">
<div class="" style="font-family: Times;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimigkbCy5k9Q8DjroEWb0qwWHNVfrOHP3TuYTCqVqHGcD7dBMU_bhQWbIMqd8-p5BZaIt9JRuE9g-u3T9RAH7DwauD8bxVD_7zaFubfV38rIAybbLIC4u1FFdauRWIc5DwjGjsYDKHhWo/s1600/iforoneamoutraged.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimigkbCy5k9Q8DjroEWb0qwWHNVfrOHP3TuYTCqVqHGcD7dBMU_bhQWbIMqd8-p5BZaIt9JRuE9g-u3T9RAH7DwauD8bxVD_7zaFubfV38rIAybbLIC4u1FFdauRWIc5DwjGjsYDKHhWo/s320/iforoneamoutraged.png" width="213" /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Your emails don't have to go out with the same old default signature 'Sent from my iPhone'. To customize this line, go the settings icon on your IOS device home screen, choose 'mail, contacts and calendars' and navigate to the signatures tab. Swipe the arrow to the right and input the signature of your choice. </span></div>
</span></div>
<div class="">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br class="" /></span></div>
<div class="">
<b class=""><u class=""><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Add Find My iPhone</span></u></b></div>
<div class="">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br class="" /></span></div>
<div class="">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Every iPhone or iPad user should install and deploy this free app from the App store. Launch the app and sign in using your Apple ID. If you should ever misplace your iPhone, or have it stolen, you can login to iCloud from any other computer and find your device on a map. You can also play a sound on the iPhone to help you locate it, you can lock it and you can even erase it. Keep in mind that the power has to be on for this feature to work, a smarter thief may be able to power the device down to avoid detection</span></div>
<div class="">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br class="" /></span></div>
<div class="">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b><u><br /></u></b></span></div>
<div class="">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br class="" /></span></div>
<div class="">
<b class=""><u class=""><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Add Desktop Shortcut From Your Favourite Website And Change Icon</span></u></b></div>
<div class="">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br class="" /></span></div>
<div class="">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">It's easy to add a shortcut to your favourite website to your desktop, simply open the website in Safari, grab the favicon to the left of the website address in the toolbar, and drag it to your desktop. To change the icon, copy an image you'd like to replace it with, click the icon in your desktop, choose Get Info, and paste the new image onto the old one.</span></div>
<div class="">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br class="" /></span></div>
<div class="">
<b class=""><u class=""><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Change Email Profile Picture</span></u></b></div>
<div class="">
<b class=""><u class=""><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"></span></u></b></div>
<div class="">
<b class=""><u class=""><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span></u></b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3Gczt4-VfR04a9JeHix9_51IA_hk22dX8edmC5Jmo8khRKAnBD90V7crIJqF10yjRciPRajGB74AtI2aLx_jsvJYRSjO237L_-kKwce23EWPCzBosOMn1Sp5Q9I6jlE6a9iN5fTStbOI/s1600/changeyouremailprofilepicture.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="203" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3Gczt4-VfR04a9JeHix9_51IA_hk22dX8edmC5Jmo8khRKAnBD90V7crIJqF10yjRciPRajGB74AtI2aLx_jsvJYRSjO237L_-kKwce23EWPCzBosOMn1Sp5Q9I6jlE6a9iN5fTStbOI/s320/changeyouremailprofilepicture.png" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="">
<span class=""><span class=""><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Your email goes out with your account profile picture in the top right corner. To change the picture displayed in your mail, go to your Address Book and find your User Card, indicated by the icon shown. Double click on the photo or image displayed, then click Choose to navigate to your iPhoto library and choose a new photo, or through your folders to find another image. You can also use the camera to take a photo using your iSight camera.</span></span></span></div>
<div class="">
<b class=""><u class=""><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br class="" /></span></u></b></div>
<div class="">
<b class=""><u class=""><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br class="" /></span></u></b></div>
<div class="" style="font-family: Helvetica;">
<b class=""><u class=""><br class="" /></u></b></div>
Up Your Media, Your Vancouver Island Apple Support Specialisthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14537169783038517359noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3351457673658911425.post-19458860071598602442013-04-22T08:20:00.000-07:002013-04-22T08:31:03.583-07:00Up Your Media Quick Mac Tips Newsletter Volume VI<br />
<div style="font-family: Helvetica;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<b><u>Manage iPhoto Duplicates with Duplicate Cleaner for iPhoto</u></b></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<b><u><br /></u></b></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
This 3rd party application, available for free at your App store, actually works to locate and delete exact iPhoto duplicates. Free up a little disk space and trim down those annoying duplicates. </div>
</div>
<div style="font-family: Helvetica;">
</div>
<br />
<div style="font-family: Helvetica;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-family: Helvetica;">
<b><u>Create PDFs with the print function.</u></b></div>
<div style="font-family: Helvetica;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-family: Helvetica;">
The easiest way to create a PDF (portable document format - the best format for sharing documents across multiple platforms), open your document in the application where you created it, (safari, pages, word, mail) click print, in the lower left corner of the dialogue box, open the 'pdf' drop-down box and choose 'save as PDF'</div>
<div style="font-family: Helvetica;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-family: Helvetica;">
<div>
<b><u>Merge multi-page PDFs with Preview.</u></b> </div>
</div>
<div style="font-family: Helvetica;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-family: Helvetica;">
Now that you've created your PDF with either the print function, or with your scanner, you can merge multiple one page documents into single documents with multiple pages. Use preview to open both documents, choose the View menu and select 'show sidebar'. Drag the document's icon from the sidebar directly over top of the second document's icon and save the new multiple page document.</div>
<div style="font-family: Helvetica;">
<br /></div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Helvetica;"><b><u>Email link from Safari</u></b></span><br />
<div style="font-family: Helvetica;">
<b><u><br /></u></b></div>
<div style="font-family: Helvetica;">
This one's easy. When browsing in Safari, you can mail the contents of your page by going to your file menu and choosing 'mail contents of this page.' or 'mail link to this page' </div>
<div style="font-family: Helvetica;">
<br />
<div>
<b><u>Capitalize with Pages</u></b></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
You can transform your Pages documents to All Caps, Small Caps or none, using the Format > Font > Capitalization featur<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', Helvetica, Arial, Verdana, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; font-size: 13px;">e in the Format drop down menu. </span></span></div>
<div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', Helvetica, Arial, Verdana, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; font-size: 13px;"><br /></span></span></div>
</div>
Up Your Media, Your Vancouver Island Apple Support Specialisthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14537169783038517359noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3351457673658911425.post-55082986451704734262012-11-28T15:23:00.000-08:002012-11-28T15:23:19.948-08:00Creating Movie and Screen Recordings Using Quickime.First I learned it, then I used it, then I knew it. How to create movie and screen recordings using Quicktime.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dwdbJ2QFhLG0XDvAThx13jYzTnwoCeX2Kg3Nv8uEfdJvh9SeWucBGMbGuNkQXxvXZqy4HRRYx0m2UUYyT2SLw' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
<br />Up Your Media, Your Vancouver Island Apple Support Specialisthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14537169783038517359noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3351457673658911425.post-22935327397394475862012-09-29T09:36:00.000-07:002012-09-29T09:36:30.880-07:00Fun with iPhone RingtonesI've been having a great time lately playing around with my iPhone ringtones. It's a fun and easy way to customize how your phone talks to you, and allows you to assign specific sounds for individual contacts, particularly the ones you hear from often, so you know who's phoning or texting you without even looking at your phone. In a room full of iPhones, it can help distinguish whether it's actually your phone that's ringing or someone else's. And with some of these tones, it can help you sound super-cool when out in public.<br />
<br />
The process of installing these ringtones is simple. Download the file (it's an .m4a audio file), locate it in your Finder, change the extension to .m4r, double click to open it in iTunes, and sync your phone with its new ringtones.<br />
<br />
To assign a ringtone to a specific contact, call up that contact in your phone's address book, below his or her phone number, you will see 2 tabs that say ringtone and text tone. Open one up at a time, and browse through the default and custom tones until you select the most appropriate one. Tada!<br />
<br />
<br />
<a class="portfolio" href="http://www.upyourmedia.com/ringtones/Idiot.m4a" target="_new">Napoleon Dynamite Text Tone 1</a> m4a file - "Uh..Idiot!" the perfect text tone to alert you to when idiots are trying to get ahold of you - 4 seconds<br />
<br />
<a class="portfolio" href="http://www.upyourmedia.com/ringtones/cagefighter.m4a" target="_new">Napoleon Dynamite Text Tone 2</a> m4a file - "Napoleon, don't be jealous that I've been chatting online with babes all day. Besides, we both know I'm training to be a cagefighter." - 9 seconds<br />
<br />
<a class="portfolio" href="http://www.upyourmedia.com/ringtones/ronburgundy2.m4a" target="_new">Ron Burgundy Text Tone 1</a> m4a file - "Hey everyone! Come and see how good I look" - 5 seconds<br />
<br />
<a class="portfolio" href="http://www.upyourmedia.com/ringtones/ronburgundy2.m4a" target="_new">Ron Burgundy Text Tone 2</a> m4a file - "I'm kind of a big deal. People know me." - 4 seconds<br />
<br />
<a class="portfolio" href="http://www.upyourmedia.com/ringtones/MacStartUp.m4a" target="_new">Mac Boot Chime Text Tone</a> m4a file - That's right, everybody's favourite sound. So gentle, so friendly. For the music dorks out there, it's a rich, wide C Major chord - 3 seconds<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.upyourmedia.com/ringtones/Steve.m4a">Steve!</a> - m4a file - This one's pretty funny, I recorded it myself for a married friend of mine, meant to emulate the sound of his wife hollering at him to take out the garbage. Tongue somewhat in cheek. 8 seconds.<br />
<br />
<a class="portfolio" href="http://www.upyourmedia.com/ringtones/peopleskills.m4a" target="_new">Office Space Text Tone</a> m4a file - "I have people skills! I am good at dealing with people. Can't you understand that? What the hell is wrong with you people!" - 8 seconds<br />
<br />
<a class="portfolio" href="http://www.upyourmedia.com/ringtones/YouSexyThing.m4a" target="_new">You Sexy Thing</a> m4a file - by Hot Chocolate - 18 seconds - Perhaps an appropriate ringtone for your paramour, or maybe a default ringtone to remind yourself of your own sexiness at every call.<br />
<br />
<a class="portfolio" href="http://www.upyourmedia.com/ringtones/Superstitious.m4a" target="_new">Superstitious</a> m4a file - Classic Stevie Wonder riff.<br />
<br />
<a class="portfolio" href="http://www.upyourmedia.com/ringtones/grease.m4a" target="_new">Opening Theme from Grease</a> m4a file - Great attention grabber from one of history's finest movies.<br />
<br />
<a class="portfolio" href="http://www.upyourmedia.com/ringtones/Communication_Breakdown.m4a" target="_new">Communication Breakdown</a> m4a file - Opening riff from Led Zeppelin's debut self-titled album, it set the stage for the future of hard rock and heavy metal. Rock On! 11 seconds<br />
<br />
<a class="portfolio" href="http://www.upyourmedia.com/ringtones/Show_Me_Your_Genitals.m4a" target="_new">Show Me Your Genitals</a> m4a file - Hilarious and probably offensive, it's the chorus of Jon LaJoie comedy song. Obviously a ringtone you want to assign to that special contact(s). Can be embarrassing if it goes off anywhere in public. 12 seconds<br />
<br />
<a class="portfolio" href="http://www.upyourmedia.com/ringtones/http://www.upyourmedia.com/ringtones/Golden_Retriever.m4a" target="_new">Golden Retriever - The Gorillaz</a> m4a file - For your favourite golden retriever or dog lover. Such a dumb and beautiful creature. We all know one. - 28 secs<br />
<br />
<a class="portfolio" href="http://www.upyourmedia.com/ringtones/http://www.upyourmedia.com/ringtones/beachcombers.m4a" target="_new">The Beachcombers Theme - Punk Rock Version</a> m4a file - Who wouldn't want to be able to hearken back on old Nick, Jesse, The Reach and Relic with every ring of your phone. You can use these as alarm tones too. - 17 secs<br />
<br />
<a class="portfolio" href="http://www.upyourmedia.com/ringtones/Giddy%20Up%20Go.m4a" target="_new">Giddy Up Go</a> m4a file - Possibly kinda stupid, opening shots from Red Sovine's CB era trucker song. Useful as an annoyance towards people who hate CB Trucker songs. 27 secs<br />
<br />
<a class="portfolio" href="http://www.upyourmedia.com/ringtones/heyya.m4a" target="_new">Hey Ya, by OutKast</a> m4a file - "Lend me some sugar. I am your neighbour! Shake it, shake it, shake it, shake it, shake it like a poloroid picture. - 30 secs<br />
<br />
<a class="portfolio" href="http://www.upyourmedia.com/ringtones/O_Green_World.m4a" target="_new">O Green World - Gorillaz</a> m4a file - Good songs make for good ringtones.<br />
<br />
<br />Up Your Media, Your Vancouver Island Apple Support Specialisthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14537169783038517359noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3351457673658911425.post-56033614566015575232012-09-02T11:33:00.000-07:002012-09-02T11:33:22.922-07:00Passwords and Security for Macs and for Mail<br />
<div style="font-family: Helvetica;">
<div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;">t’s a common perception that Macintosh computers are immune to viruses and malware, but technically, that’s not quite true. Despite Apple’s more secure UNIX based operating system, any computer is susceptible to attacks from unscrupulous programmers. However, in 20 years of using Macs online on a daily professional basis, I’ve yet to hear first hand of any successful, debilitating mass attack. To this day, the only reason I have an antivirus software on my computer, is because I was asked by a client to test it. I check it every 2 weeks or so, with no reported attacks.</span></div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; min-height: 14px;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"></span><br /></div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;">Email is another issue that can be problematic from a security standpoint, particularly webmail services, such as Hotmail, Yahoo and Gmail. Hotmail is probably one of the most hacked email services out there, and you’ve probably gotten emails in the past year from ‘friends’ whose accounts have been compromised, and who have unwittingly spammed their entire contacts list. Your best defense against such potentially harmful hacking is to change your password to something more secure, and change it again every few months. </span></div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; min-height: 14px;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"></span><br /></div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;">When I say a more ‘secure’ password, that means that it should not be a common word, or string of numbers. According to the New York Times, the most common passwords out there are ‘12345’, followed (logically) by ‘123456’, and then, if you can believe it, ‘password’. And if you’re one of the 70% of people I meet whose password is the name of their pet, or their children, don’t worry, there’s help for you.</span></div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; min-height: 14px;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"></span><br /></div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;">One trick I use when creating a new password is to substitute certain letters for numerals, ie., if the word contains an ‘O’, I’ll use zero. If it has an ‘E’, I’ll use the number three, and if there’s an ‘I’, I’ll substitute a one. Also, any letter in the word that falls on the top row of the qwerty keyboard, I will capitalize, thus making the password far harder to hack by any online robot. Visually it will look similar to the word I find easy to remember, but it’s far more secure against hackers. For instance, if one of my favourite authors is Farley Mowat, I might have a password that looks like faRl3Y. If my pet’s name is Luther, my password mght look like lUTh3r. It might. </span></div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; min-height: 14px;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"></span><br /></div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;">Passwords are probably the most problematic issue for casual users. If I had a nickel for every time I asked a client for their computer, email, Skype, Apple ID or wifi password, only to be greeted with a blank stare, I’d be a wealthy man. As discussed in the last installment, the Keychain access utility on your Mac will remember your lesser passwords for you, and allow you to retrieve them if need be, but you will need to know your computer user password to access them. </span></div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; min-height: 14px;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"></span><br /></div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;">You can get away with not having your Apple computer’s password for a short period of time, but any software updates or installs will require that you remember it eventually. Luckily you can change the user password by booting from your system disk, included in the box at purchase time. To do so, insert the disk, click restart and hold down the ‘C’ key until you see the grey screen and spinning gear. Once it’s up and running, there will be a list of utilities in a drop-down box. Choose ‘reset password’ and input a password that you will remember, according to some of the previous hints. If you’re running Lion or Mountain Lion, hold the Option key on startup and choose the Recovery HD icon. That will bring up a similar set of options.</span></div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; min-height: 14px;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"></span><br /></div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;">When it comes to passwords, my suggestion is to use one or two straightforward passwords for inconsequential websites, like Facebook or Skype, and another one or two more secure passwords for more sensitive uses, such as email or online banking. And it wouldn’t kill you to write them down somewhere and store them somewhere not far away, because your main security threat is not the person who breaks into your home to steal your valuables, but some professional in an office in Russia, or his mom’s basement in Dakron, sniffing around for trouble. Protect yourself with strong passwords.</span></div>
<div>
<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><br /></span></div>
</div>
Up Your Media, Your Vancouver Island Apple Support Specialisthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14537169783038517359noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3351457673658911425.post-68241934724266391012012-06-29T10:51:00.000-07:002012-06-29T10:51:52.464-07:00Bulletproof Email Solutions for iPhone and iPad<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Helvetica;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica;">Now that you've got an
iPhone and / or iPad, your email app is sure to be one of your most important
tools for staying connected with friends and family while out on the road, or
on the beach.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica;">The major cellular
providers on the Island, Rogers and Telus, have some obscure and hard-to-find
email setup instructions for Apple devices. Shaw, the dominant internet
provider, also fails to give a coherent solution for sending and receiving
emails while outside your home’s wireless network area. Even if you manage
to input the correct credentials, the results are often inconsistent and
generally frustrating.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica;">In my experience, your
best and simplest bet for email on your mobile device is to use a Gmail
account, and filter your existing email through that account. You can continue
to send mail using your regular address no matter where you are, whether at
home, in a coffee shop, or lounging poolside. Gmail is secure, free, accessible
anywhere, and backed by Google, one of the largest, most respected companies in
the world.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica;">Navigate to <a href="http://gmail.com/">http://gmail.com</a> and click the sign up button, then
follow the simple steps to create a Google account. Your Google user name will
become your Gmail address, ie., <a href="mailto:yourname@gmail.com">yourname@gmail.com</a>.
<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica;">Adding your new Gmail
address to your mobile device is dirt-simple. Just type the address into your
mail settings along with your password, and the device will add the rest of the
settings automatically.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica;">Once you’ve created the
address, you can navigate to the Gmail settings menu to allow you to send email
from your existing Shaw, Telus, or any other address. That option appears in
the ‘Accounts and Import’ panel of your Gmail settings. Add your existing
address in the ‘Send Mail As’ option in the list. You’ll have to then confirm
your account via an email that Google will send you. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica;">On the same settings
page, you can also choose to use Gmail to check the messages from your other account,
thus allowing you to keep just one email account on your device. Because Gmail
uses the IMAP protocol, this will help sync your messages across all your
applicable devices, ie., if you delete an email from your phone, that message
will also be deleted from your iMac, your iPhone, and your iPad.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica;">There may come a day
when local service providers catch up with the technology their customers are
using, but until then, Gmail will do just nicely, thank you.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>Up Your Media, Your Vancouver Island Apple Support Specialisthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14537169783038517359noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3351457673658911425.post-13793563932231429102012-04-27T11:07:00.002-07:002012-04-27T11:10:24.350-07:00Your Startup Disk Is Almost Full - But not for long!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEUtivTZPf0wiis-CrVDa6CbO_eGZhcN8Arod8m_nMzTLuyLsmABVk0lZS5cDT4nOSAhMkaF7Ev0ckKn7fFgSDMVOdEmObvKiuxDRghQvKPAXT6dK8g8a-3A4hdOYdFwdabYCxR85NfkQ/s1600/Picture_1_lg_lg.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="171" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEUtivTZPf0wiis-CrVDa6CbO_eGZhcN8Arod8m_nMzTLuyLsmABVk0lZS5cDT4nOSAhMkaF7Ev0ckKn7fFgSDMVOdEmObvKiuxDRghQvKPAXT6dK8g8a-3A4hdOYdFwdabYCxR85NfkQ/s400/Picture_1_lg_lg.jpg" width="400" /></a>I've seen the same issue on 3 different MacBooks in the past week, a computer that basically ceases to function due to a completely filled hard drive. Your computer needs free space (aka headspace) to be able to 'think', room to place the data while it's busy computing. The original MacBooks shipped with hard drives as small as 60 GB and up to 120 or 160 GB, which at the time was a fairly decent size considering the proportions of the files it was using. iTunes libraries have expanded, cameras have increased their pixel resolutions and people are downloading movies at a rampant pace, leading to the problem of lack of storage.
<br />
<br />
Luckily there's no reason not to keep that computer on the info super-highway, and the fix is cheap and easy. There are two ways to mitigate this problem, either by upgrading the internal hard drive or by using an external drive to store your files. The former is my preferred method and a 500 GB internal drive can be yours in less than 24 hours and for a cost of around $225.00, complete with a restoration of your old data onto the new drive.<br />
<br />
The latter is just as easy and can be as cheap as $100-$150 for a 500 GB or 1 TB drive. Make sure you format the drive using Disk Utility as Mac OS Extended, since your MacBook can communicate with the drive right out of the box, but you will likely have problems dragging larger files onto the drive if it's formatted as MS DOS FAT. Drag your movie files and other large folders directly onto the drive and erase them off your internal disk to free up headspace. If you have a substantial iTunes library you can use the external drive as the source of your music files, same goes with iPhoto and your iMovie media files. You can continue to use the external drive as your Time Machine backup (also highly recommended).<br />
<br />
Times are tight and most people don't have the budget to buy a brand new computer every time their older machine fills up. This is quick, cheap and easy way to extend the life of your older machine.Up Your Media, Your Vancouver Island Apple Support Specialisthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14537169783038517359noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3351457673658911425.post-87947166499950468792012-04-12T12:24:00.007-07:002012-04-13T11:12:30.685-07:00Apple Quick Tips Newsletter Vol V<p></p><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg40Eoxm9sHBBSjrS6jcgFvvVNmDo3XuhVivEHL9Ua0oyvK5fEtItU3vaH3J2dxHC8ekj9m5RXDehj2JCmaKDer2Vq7mhvpdPXXmy5FHoHYRQ_0u1N7YjyQtLak-T3pvntqN6yDrgE_rcA/s1600/Screen+shot+2012-04-13+at+10.55.04+AM.png"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 229px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg40Eoxm9sHBBSjrS6jcgFvvVNmDo3XuhVivEHL9Ua0oyvK5fEtItU3vaH3J2dxHC8ekj9m5RXDehj2JCmaKDer2Vq7mhvpdPXXmy5FHoHYRQ_0u1N7YjyQtLak-T3pvntqN6yDrgE_rcA/s320/Screen+shot+2012-04-13+at+10.55.04+AM.png" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5730946055045500594" /></a>We have to start this newsletter by touching on the recent reports of an Apple computer targetted Trojan 'virus' called Flashback. Flashback reared its ugly head last week and has caused widespread hyperbole and minor panic. It's the first legitimate virus most Mac users have encountered and has resulted in a flood of "I told you sos" from the PC community. So far it has infected over 650,000 computers. Evidently this piece of malware poses as a Flash installation tool. Upon infection the trojan targets specific webpages, modifying them with the intent of committing pay-per-click fraud. <br /><br />If you're running Lion 10.7.3 or Snow Leopard 10.6.8 you are not in any danger. Apple has already released a patch that fixes the hole in the Java application, and if you do a simple software update you will have no problems with this Trojan. Apple has also announced that it will release a removal tool in the next few days.<br /> <br />For Macs running Mac OS X v10.5 or earlier you can protect yourself by disabling Java in your web browser's preferences.<br /><br />For anyone confident with using the Terminal command line interface, you can check for the existence of the virus (and remove it if it is there) <a href="http://www.f-secure.com/v-descs/trojan-downloader_osx_flashback_i.shtml">F-Secure</a> has posted the instructions here, and recently added a more user-friendly detection tool. Feel free to contact me for more information.<br /><br />Now on to the tips. <br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1YWsVwFg1jOG_DxuKQt6CP_j_ERDQJzl8vBF5a0lUG63R0GNL-C7A-ObVedv9Dl71j4aBYVJp_XhHsX-JsRtl75rVhbbGYLvlzJMVC_eEciZAF6zW1_HOzFH25coOtFfiT9gaeMbTcdk/s1600/Screen+shot+2012-04-13+at+10.11.51+AM.png"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 209px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1YWsVwFg1jOG_DxuKQt6CP_j_ERDQJzl8vBF5a0lUG63R0GNL-C7A-ObVedv9Dl71j4aBYVJp_XhHsX-JsRtl75rVhbbGYLvlzJMVC_eEciZAF6zW1_HOzFH25coOtFfiT9gaeMbTcdk/s320/Screen+shot+2012-04-13+at+10.11.51+AM.png" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5730945328931555394" /></a><span style="font-weight:bold;">iTunes Home Sharing.</span> This is one of my favourite features in iTunes, perfect for a home with multiple computers, mobile devices and iTunes libraries. Simply go to the advanced tab in your iTunes menu bar, turn on Home Sharing using your Apple ID and do the same for all your devices. You can find the control in your Music settings of your iPhone and iPad. Once Home Sharing is on you can access all the music and other files in any of your iTunes libraries from any of your devices. <br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7yZJGVEhNv9YQUSzNhnOAValGrU-YJmp12zfYSlX7GenVRlUu7SOMK38Z4qu5dfrnvsGscwvdR2hwBR8kHuDipEkXe5li-sa4AHYEZ5UoivvZhm0_iZISJ-D0V7f7qXfCJx0-2Acc7Lk/s1600/Screen+shot+2012-04-13+at+10.40.30+AM.png"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 208px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7yZJGVEhNv9YQUSzNhnOAValGrU-YJmp12zfYSlX7GenVRlUu7SOMK38Z4qu5dfrnvsGscwvdR2hwBR8kHuDipEkXe5li-sa4AHYEZ5UoivvZhm0_iZISJ-D0V7f7qXfCJx0-2Acc7Lk/s320/Screen+shot+2012-04-13+at+10.40.30+AM.png" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5730946294214957442" /></a><span style="font-weight:bold;">Creating Multiple iPhoto Databases</span> As our iPhoto libraries continue to grow, thus gobbling up computer space and speed, it can become necessary to run multiple iPhoto libraries, for example a working library, an archived library, or a topic-specific library. You'll probably want to export photos from your main library to add to the new library, then close the iPhoto progra. Now hold down the Option key while re-opening. You're given a dialogue that will allow you to either create a new library or toggle between your existing libraries. Give the new library a name and then import the selected photos into your new library. <br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Four Favourite iPhone Apps</span><br />Everlight Free - A flashlight app right on your phone.<br />Remote - Allows you to control your iTunes library or Apple TV from your phone<br />Shazam - This app is for music lovers, it will help identify untitled songs in your iTunes library or on the radio.<br />Dragon Dictation - Records your voice and transposes it into text. Actually works.Up Your Media, Your Vancouver Island Apple Support Specialisthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14537169783038517359noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3351457673658911425.post-15521251465429652702012-04-02T10:34:00.004-07:002012-04-02T10:41:12.629-07:00Notice of telephone phishing scam directed at Apple users.<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.hoax-slayer.com/images/phishing-scammer.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="http://www.hoax-slayer.com/images/phishing-scammer.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a>Notice of a telephone phishing scam directed at Apple users, a client of mine was just called by someone with an accent claiming to be from Apple, that her emails were being compromised, and directing her to go to her computer, open Safari and start typing. She asked to speak to his manager and the line went dead. <br /><br />More than likely they're trying to sell some kind of bogus security software with the aim of obtaining your credit card number or other personal information.<br /><br />Be aware, Apple would and will never phone you for any reason, especially to discuss sensitive security issues regarding your computer. Either collect the number off your call display and forward it to the RCMP, or simply invite the caller to go pound sand and carry on with your day. DO NOT buy any software from these scammers.Up Your Media, Your Vancouver Island Apple Support Specialisthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14537169783038517359noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3351457673658911425.post-83347857068212362352012-01-11T10:00:00.000-08:002012-01-12T10:15:15.450-08:00Up Your Media's Quick Tips Newsletter Volume IV<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiF8MXGaFoc0gLdbWCW-LUg_-boa1sSZgpsViE_-NoO4pxM3qzlRv6K3ddVtAlfcmfB3izojsyNCCNurDrGAU9TWZXnE-gfuOp6JV3Y3rAf5FoPUiGCnKn6XF66vjJHTyvnNfN0cuyvpJ8/s1600/Screen+shot+2012-01-11+at+8.57.06+AM.png"><img style="float:right; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 171px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiF8MXGaFoc0gLdbWCW-LUg_-boa1sSZgpsViE_-NoO4pxM3qzlRv6K3ddVtAlfcmfB3izojsyNCCNurDrGAU9TWZXnE-gfuOp6JV3Y3rAf5FoPUiGCnKn6XF66vjJHTyvnNfN0cuyvpJ8/s320/Screen+shot+2012-01-11+at+8.57.06+AM.png" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5696436511902720146" /></a><span style="font-weight:bold;">Rebuild iPhoto Library</span>. From time to time, through no fault of your own, your iPhoto database may become corrupt and unable to view some of your images. Your first step in repairing those issues is to rebuild that iPhoto database. Quit the program and then reopen it while holding down the command and option keys until you're prompted to rebuild the library. You'll be offered a list of options, choose the one(s) you want and click rebuild. <a href="http://support.apple.com/kb/ht2638">Go here</a> for more information on the rebuild process. <br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Send bulk email to address book group.</span> It's dead easy to create email groups in your Mac Address Book application, and just as easy to send a bulk email to that group. In your address book app, simply click the + (plus) sign in the bottom left of the window, title the group and drag contacts from the main database into the new group. When creating a new email in your Mac Mail app, click the address icon in the menu bar, then simply drag the group name into the address pane in the message. Your application will send the email to all addresses in that group.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Shortcut to your iPhone camera</span>. Now and again you'll see something you need to shoot quickly. Rather than going from your lock screen to your home screen to your camera app, simply press the home button on your phone twice, click the camera icon and shoot. Tada.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinyajlSK4FqxgX86Pijahg6HtmHEhsvoztzcyN6DHmAmTPb5wqTJxRglbse4vaONqDgbCq7BgWQOHTNZrKw4f-Xk7qK1nsZ-zfTqGz_R2OFd8riNJUxDLxFRJWZtu10BPIXsg-PPw_6bQ/s1600/Screen+shot+2012-01-11+at+10.18.16+AM.png"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 303px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinyajlSK4FqxgX86Pijahg6HtmHEhsvoztzcyN6DHmAmTPb5wqTJxRglbse4vaONqDgbCq7BgWQOHTNZrKw4f-Xk7qK1nsZ-zfTqGz_R2OFd8riNJUxDLxFRJWZtu10BPIXsg-PPw_6bQ/s320/Screen+shot+2012-01-11+at+10.18.16+AM.png" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5696441208161939170" /></a><span style="font-weight:bold;">Shaw Outgoing mail issues</span>. I've had lots of calls lately from clients experiencing problems sending mail through their Shaw accounts. Don't bother waiting on hold for an hour or more, this solution should work for you. Go to your mail program, go to Preferences in the Mail menu, select Accounts and go to your shaw SMTP account dropdown box. Choose 'Edit SMTP server list' and click the Advanced tab. If your 'use default ports' is selected, choose 'use custom port' instead and input one of the custom ports available to you (25, 465 or 587) If that port still doesn't work, select a different one until your mail starts sending as normal. Let's hope Shaw works out this problem soon.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Change your computer's password</span>. Believe it or not, you could someday forget your computer's administrator password. To change your password, boot up the computer from your original system disk, or a retail Leopard or Snow Leopard disk by holding down the C key as the computer starts up. Choose a language and click the arrow to continue. From the Utilities menu, choose password reset then input a password that you will remember. Unfortunately your keychain access utility, which stores the rest of your account's passwords, such as mail, skype, wifi etc, will be deleted, but at least you'll be able to administer your computer and perform software updates.Up Your Media, Your Vancouver Island Apple Support Specialisthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14537169783038517359noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3351457673658911425.post-73822742576649970112011-10-07T10:31:00.000-07:002011-10-07T10:38:59.279-07:00Now's the Time to Create Your Personalized iPhoto Calendars - Here's How<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGqY_jr7iqnO9Gtcq-wP_iDa5e6MvlHrs4Lfc4eCS27cSzlPZZuHtcyshj8fj6StKq3t11QgIFUTGYugSi6qbmOu4LDJaEr3qtRDKV8A_VJkcRJKkrQ1Hpcpma3bTsqFkrOyuM8fvnM3Y/s1600/Screen+shot+2011-10-07+at+10.33.34+AM.png"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 232px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGqY_jr7iqnO9Gtcq-wP_iDa5e6MvlHrs4Lfc4eCS27cSzlPZZuHtcyshj8fj6StKq3t11QgIFUTGYugSi6qbmOu4LDJaEr3qtRDKV8A_VJkcRJKkrQ1Hpcpma3bTsqFkrOyuM8fvnM3Y/s320/Screen+shot+2011-10-07+at+10.33.34+AM.png" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5660805080015932146" /></a>As 2012 approaches, now is the time to create your own personalized calendar using iPhoto. This simple process is a big part of the iPhoto experience and can result in some beautiful, professional-looking calendars that use your own photographs and images to create a unique keepsake or gift that will keep on giving throughout the year. The skills will also apply to creating hardcover books and cards for all occasions.<br /><br />The first step is to choose the photos you will use. Using the Command ⌘ key, click on the individual photos you want to include and then click the create icon on the bottom right of the iPhoto window. From there, choose calendar, and then choose one of the themes or designs available. If you want to use other images (art, cartoons, scans) that are not photos you must first import them into your iPhoto library.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmsIPGcvOU9mXN5MsFVKoxReIbJchf1KXWbY-xI2N_EkST6yUKI-O1tnxh9osTZ28RjU4ZDoEZ9ISTV5hRXKI_mbLw2V_v-5bUUuy5xyRqYzFRn2TcTwkjxt8rNO8AnXW8Fg6neJJodG4/s1600/Screen+shot+2011-10-07+at+10.32.58+AM.png"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 230px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmsIPGcvOU9mXN5MsFVKoxReIbJchf1KXWbY-xI2N_EkST6yUKI-O1tnxh9osTZ28RjU4ZDoEZ9ISTV5hRXKI_mbLw2V_v-5bUUuy5xyRqYzFRn2TcTwkjxt8rNO8AnXW8Fg6neJJodG4/s320/Screen+shot+2011-10-07+at+10.32.58+AM.png" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5660805494645023362" /></a>After choosing the theme, you're greeted with a dialogue where you can specify what month the calendar will start, how many months to create, whether or not you want to include National holidays and even calendar events from your own iCal application, such as birthdays, anniversaries etc.<br /><br />Each individual page gives you the option to include one photo or two, three, or even up to seven, and which photos to include for which month. There are layout, option and photos dialogues available in the lower right corner. You can always include more photos than originally selected in your project by dragging them from your complete photos list onto the calendar icon on your left sidebar. Many of the themes allow you to add a description to the photo. You can continue to edit, crop, or enhance individual photos by double-clicking the photo on the page.<br /><br />Once you've arranged the photos in the order you prefer, click the 'buy' button and log in with your Apple ID. You can have the calendar shipped to yourself or shipped to the recipient. You can even have it gift-wrapped. Note, there is no volume discount, and your calendar will cost $19.99 whether you buy 1, 50, or 1000.Up Your Media, Your Vancouver Island Apple Support Specialisthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14537169783038517359noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3351457673658911425.post-71817788020173498102011-09-08T13:27:00.000-07:002011-09-08T13:29:30.692-07:00Troubleshooting a Troublesome Mac Video TutorialThe following contains a series of troubleshooting steps to resolve boot and performance issues on Apple Mac notebook and desktop computers. Includes chapters on Disk Utility, resetting the SMC, resetting the PRAM, blue and grey screen issues, video and power issues, target disk mode and preventive maintenance.<br /><br /><iframe src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/AgQd9cX8xRE" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="345" width="420"></iframe>Up Your Media, Your Vancouver Island Apple Support Specialisthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14537169783038517359noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3351457673658911425.post-69929839716131375912011-08-09T08:53:00.000-07:002011-08-09T14:07:31.249-07:00How to Change the Iphoto Event KeyFrame<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkrlADNWpv-eA8T6vcoZMprrBHBQKIcth4SFckXN5riiTYOmWnK2sG8rXSncKFawPB3H0fwWDD_3ZG0_qjy-INEbdtvtkwMgFxtkMXS3XYRVIvx5Q6-1AUddytnAh1Lv66kF-g_WK8T-g/s1600/Screen+shot+2011-08-09+at+2.02.32+PM.png"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 209px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkrlADNWpv-eA8T6vcoZMprrBHBQKIcth4SFckXN5riiTYOmWnK2sG8rXSncKFawPB3H0fwWDD_3ZG0_qjy-INEbdtvtkwMgFxtkMXS3XYRVIvx5Q6-1AUddytnAh1Lv66kF-g_WK8T-g/s320/Screen+shot+2011-08-09+at+2.02.32+PM.png" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5638965772503925234" /></a>To customize the keyframe (poster frame) in your iPhoto events, start by choosing an event in the iPhoto Library. Scroll through the pictures using your mouse or trackpad by hovering over the event and slowly moving the cursor from left to right. Stop at the photo you've selected to be the keyframe of the event. Click the control key on your keyboard and choose the 'make key photo' option. Bada BingUp Your Media, Your Vancouver Island Apple Support Specialisthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14537169783038517359noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3351457673658911425.post-82473485118677830602011-08-02T10:33:00.001-07:002011-08-02T11:43:10.500-07:00Changing Your Computer's Name and User NamesNow and again I meet clients who have bought a used computer, pre-installed with an operating system and user accounts that become disconcerting for them because it's somebody else's name.<br /><br />It's simple to personalize your computer by changing the computer's name as well as the user name. <br /><br />To change the computer name, simply navigate to the System Preferences > Sharing > Computer Name.<br /> <br />Changing the user name and password is just as simple, navigate to the System Preferences > Accounts, click the lock and login to make changes and change your name and password there.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJiywIkUXYiM47W2LgI43qRyiKejHA_Nxju5i3mjyk8hZHSGnhvEV_oMGPj2ilarTPgk9RzNVcvOXZvS1gfbX0sRzXtsvRdXUdFeh2-dP11fgFC6b3rvQsQbs-6RDPBncTaOntaWWkaiY/s1600/change_user_name.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 254px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJiywIkUXYiM47W2LgI43qRyiKejHA_Nxju5i3mjyk8hZHSGnhvEV_oMGPj2ilarTPgk9RzNVcvOXZvS1gfbX0sRzXtsvRdXUdFeh2-dP11fgFC6b3rvQsQbs-6RDPBncTaOntaWWkaiY/s320/change_user_name.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5636324919668818482" /></a>That won't change the home folder name, however. To do that, you must hold the Control key and click on the account name who's home folder you'd like to change, that will take you to advanced options where you can change the account name and home folder.Up Your Media, Your Vancouver Island Apple Support Specialisthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14537169783038517359noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3351457673658911425.post-83207349278441309852011-05-10T07:44:00.000-07:002011-05-27T10:53:04.906-07:00Up Your Media's Quick Tips Newsletter Volume IIIHere are some issues I've come across over the past month or so, thanks to inquisitive clients who offered me the chance to answer their questions.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Floating Dictionary</span>. This one is fun and useful, bring up instant definitions right on your screen. To activate the floating dictionary, simultaneously click command, control and the letter 'D' while hovering over any word on your display. <div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGJS2zus64N2tBNBXiD7i5PV-w39Bvdvi2aMKUQL6XebSKu62b6mftZMpf2Tzppu3b3iCu6jrkE6YkovByXcBQ4S_Sb6XkibaphefVegxeTBX8W4YHxCGKXs_TG4ciQzpQJnG1qREWM5c/s1600/burn_cd.png"><img style="float:right; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 264px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGJS2zus64N2tBNBXiD7i5PV-w39Bvdvi2aMKUQL6XebSKu62b6mftZMpf2Tzppu3b3iCu6jrkE6YkovByXcBQ4S_Sb6XkibaphefVegxeTBX8W4YHxCGKXs_TG4ciQzpQJnG1qREWM5c/s320/burn_cd.png" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5611448868610827970" /></a><b>How To Copy A CD</b><br /><br /></div><div>To copy a music or data CD</div><div><br />1.) Insert the CD, open Disk Utility (Go Menu - Utilities)<br />2.) Select the CD and click New Image - for image format choose DVD/CD Master<br />3.) Once that's created, insert Blank CD<br />4.) Select the new image you created and click Burn<br /><br /><b><br /></b></div><div><b>Use Your Portable In Closed Clamshell Mode.</b><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3w92XE_DD0mMKu9IKzKBk7ygjzuc1uifwbfOWjm8gwU0ytc1Nq7pw7jFXPRX8C2VEsitpaZ_VXoLef3OUghWdLM9rfdQSwuC3H5qMGVYe1_WKytxd3L1EkhuCZndpUzGrQaE1ctEhRNo/s1600/macbookpro-cracked-screen.png"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 178px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3w92XE_DD0mMKu9IKzKBk7ygjzuc1uifwbfOWjm8gwU0ytc1Nq7pw7jFXPRX8C2VEsitpaZ_VXoLef3OUghWdLM9rfdQSwuC3H5qMGVYe1_WKytxd3L1EkhuCZndpUzGrQaE1ctEhRNo/s320/macbookpro-cracked-screen.png" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5611452875178722002" /></a>Perhaps you've cracked your screen and need to use your MacBook while you wait for a replacement part, or maybe you just want to use a larger screen than the 13" built-in. <br /><br />First, connect a USB keyboard and mouse to your computer. With the computer turned on, connect the Apple portable (using the appropriate Apple adapter if necessary) to the appropriate port on the external display or projector and turn the display or projector on. Once your computer's Desktop appears on the external display, close the computer's lid. Once the lid is closed, wake the computer up by either clicking your mouse button or by pressing a key on your external keyboard.<br /><br /></div><div><b>Find the Source File in iPhoto</b><br /><br />Where does the jpg go once you've imported it into iPhoto? You can find the root file by holding down the Control Key while you click on the iPhoto application icon, choose "Show Package contents." Browse through the folder until you find your Originals folder.<br /><br /><br /><b>Return To Zero</b><br /><br />To return to zero or go to beginning of your clip in Garage Band or iMovie, you have three choices, click either Return or Z or Home.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMVDsKViZQVj6s_0AqxTySWhE7njtpqoNrz7hP5e-knU7ZHrA6_Zr99YU0xliZsBLEXPGffQbo7_o7Gzmht_76jhKx4vLusZo3OXxFF3Xiqdiv2nQDeYoelRKmT4llFuDibY0mtJEm3-M/s1600/iphone_screenshot.png"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMVDsKViZQVj6s_0AqxTySWhE7njtpqoNrz7hP5e-knU7ZHrA6_Zr99YU0xliZsBLEXPGffQbo7_o7Gzmht_76jhKx4vLusZo3OXxFF3Xiqdiv2nQDeYoelRKmT4llFuDibY0mtJEm3-M/s320/iphone_screenshot.png" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5611449610531266258" /></a><b>To arrange your iPhone or iPad apps</b></div><div><br /></div><div><b></b>You can press and hold on the device's screen until you activate the feature and move your apps by hand OR you can open the apps interface in iTunes when it's plugged in and move them from there.<br /><br /><b>Control Display Resolution</b>. </div><div><br /></div><div>Many of us are better off using a display resolution that makes text and pictures easier to read on our screens. To change your display resolution, open the Display dialogue in your System Preferences and choose from the list until you find one you like. Lower numbers (800 by 600) will result in larger text and icons, higher numbers (1280 by 800) will result in smaller text and icons.<br /><br /><br />And that't it for this month, if you want your specific Apple computer question answered just email it to me and I'll do my best to find out for you. <br /><br /><br /><br /><br /></div>Up Your Media, Your Vancouver Island Apple Support Specialisthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14537169783038517359noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3351457673658911425.post-41809793698268866882011-03-14T18:21:00.000-07:002011-03-15T08:54:27.794-07:00Up Your Media's Quick Tips Newsletter Volume IIHi, and welcome to another edition of our Quick Mac Tips newsletter. These are some issues that have come up with my Apple cpmputer clients around Parksville, Qualicum, Nanaimo and central Vancouver Island in the past weeks.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBKO36ybzhuPjuB3jOgHV0HXv8T8TsShfYjXJU9BZhPxEGLuTmdtn_-SEufqMoxyCvzgJVQbMgQJoMsv5A4hnkW4xt-YBP-5KTRvquJgH_jPFP1hXqM58GfVgDjDi-1vKVcEN1MYAV7o0/s1600/sendmailfromiphoto.png"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 206px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBKO36ybzhuPjuB3jOgHV0HXv8T8TsShfYjXJU9BZhPxEGLuTmdtn_-SEufqMoxyCvzgJVQbMgQJoMsv5A4hnkW4xt-YBP-5KTRvquJgH_jPFP1hXqM58GfVgDjDi-1vKVcEN1MYAV7o0/s320/sendmailfromiphoto.png" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5584114895452521090" /></a>In <span style="font-weight:bold;">iPhoto 9</span> you can now choose to send mail via iphoto or your mac mail application I suggest choosing the Mac Mail program. Choose this option in the iPhoto General Preferences pane.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Hot Corners</span>, is one of my favourite navigation features. If you're like me, you tend to have a lot of windows and applications open at once. In your System Preferences pane, go to Expose and Spaces, and pick Active Screen Corners, I like my top right corner to tile all open windows and my lower right corner to clear all windows and expose the Desktop.<br /><br />You can <span style="font-weight:bold;">add a photo</span> or logo to your email signature by opening up the signature dialogue in your mail program and simply dragging the image directly onto that particular signature from either the finder or the iPhoto application.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjukGJifeMG_O0AHMLicnUXiW7jC4KI9S3z9nIO_uXsLmcKIlwcbtGZbA58WirMM7iZrRNVBWvh1HSDPBaZcfdUkRnOR9ywr5jON9qjmmVnZ5m-lV3v-4-ojDx3ijk-9UWz6KRTaAiBNkI/s1600/changehomepage.png"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 233px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjukGJifeMG_O0AHMLicnUXiW7jC4KI9S3z9nIO_uXsLmcKIlwcbtGZbA58WirMM7iZrRNVBWvh1HSDPBaZcfdUkRnOR9ywr5jON9qjmmVnZ5m-lV3v-4-ojDx3ijk-9UWz6KRTaAiBNkI/s320/changehomepage.png" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5584115034967423410" /></a>Change your <span style="font-weight:bold;">Safari homepage </span>from the default Apple store to a page more suitable to you. In the Safari preferences pane, simply type in the url to your favourite page where it says 'home page'.<br /><br />Need to <span style="font-weight:bold;">translate text</span> or full webpages, use the Google translator at http://translate.google.com/ . This free tool will allow you to translate over 50 languages<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">iTunes Radio</span> contains access to hundreds of radio stations worldwide in every genre.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7t3wKXWnlJ7lDgHV4ARUyXsUe7H7utEmS-gH21DyGOde01CZ99bjKoleMeg6H2s1ej1PxGWAn0oTx_MwnnEem-I-pva7_kHdxO41KZpXAeDU6s-xhMuwqM7QE-d8edrhUFoGwQwIvAdg/s1600/savepdf.png"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 232px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7t3wKXWnlJ7lDgHV4ARUyXsUe7H7utEmS-gH21DyGOde01CZ99bjKoleMeg6H2s1ej1PxGWAn0oTx_MwnnEem-I-pva7_kHdxO41KZpXAeDU6s-xhMuwqM7QE-d8edrhUFoGwQwIvAdg/s320/savepdf.png" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5584115309182279618" /></a>To <span style="font-weight:bold;">save a PDF</span> for the best emailing and sharing compatibility, choose print in your Pages, MS Word, Safari or Mail program, at the bottom left of that window you'll see the PDF tab, from there you can save the PDF or mail it directly<br /><br />To <span style="font-weight:bold;">type fractions</span> go into the keyboard language drop down menu near the top right of your screen (the flag beside the clock) and choose to "show character viewer". From there you choose symbols, then number and number symbols, pick the fraction you want and click insert.Up Your Media, Your Vancouver Island Apple Support Specialisthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14537169783038517359noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3351457673658911425.post-71448566287842745992011-02-11T13:31:00.001-08:002011-02-11T14:08:41.647-08:00Quick Tips For Your Mac Computer from Up Your MediaHere are some quick solutions to problems and issues I've come across in my work over the last 2 weeks, and thank you to those clients who gave me the opportunity to discover the solutions in the first place. If you don't wish to receive these regular informative emails please let me know and I'll remove you from the list immediately.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTKYxH_U1q4297KV0V31gJ6Q7heGWBphCg0-qZkeLtrAW8Yfkw8RG4H0NlyTuylMDxonTHmSCp2_LwvZTaTC55ZCvaX84ELuHI_f7OaPrUDY-rfGkck37keYfvb5ALkJqu-Japv01yvlo/s1600/showtoolbar.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 225px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTKYxH_U1q4297KV0V31gJ6Q7heGWBphCg0-qZkeLtrAW8Yfkw8RG4H0NlyTuylMDxonTHmSCp2_LwvZTaTC55ZCvaX84ELuHI_f7OaPrUDY-rfGkck37keYfvb5ALkJqu-Japv01yvlo/s200/showtoolbar.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5572549663746821298" /></a>Lost your tool bar at the top of your browser or mail window? Look in the View menu of the particular application for the Show Toolbar function.<br /><br />Looking for a specific link on a busy webpage (ie., contact, archives, faq)? Type command (⌘) f to Find that particular word and save your time and eyes.<br /><br />Need info on a file or folder on your computer? Highlight the item, type command (⌘) I to Get Info, which will display many details including kind, size, date modified, sharing and permissions and more, depending on the item.<br /><br />Need to type French Accents? Here are the steps to adding French Accents to your documents, type the option and listed key simultaneously, then the appropriate letter key. <br />Grave (è) – option + ~<br />Aigu (é) – option + e<br />Cédille (ç) – option + c<br />Circonflexe (ê) – option + i<br />Tréma (ö) – option + u<br /><br />Syncing calendars from your Blackberry, PC, iCal and iPhone? It can be tricky, but the best bet is to export your calendars to a Google calendar and sync them to your devices from there.<br /><br />Don't forget my MacBook and iMac upgrade hard drive special, 1 TB for the iMac for $199.00 or 500 Mb for a Macbook or Macbook Pro for $175.00, data transfer not included.Up Your Media, Your Vancouver Island Apple Support Specialisthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14537169783038517359noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3351457673658911425.post-16189873255456464162010-04-30T08:12:00.000-07:002010-04-30T08:39:09.184-07:00Running A Website in a Vacuum SucksI’ve just finished going through the entire database of my Vancouver Island tourism directory at <a href="http://www.Vingo.ca">http://www.Vingo.ca</a>. I made some changes to the ranking criteria and had to ensure everyone’s details were correct to keep things fair and just. The database contains over 650 websites, all based on Vancouver Island, with a tourism, shopping or services theme. Some of the sites have been listed with us as far back as 2007, and strangely enough, some of them look like they haven’t been updated since that time either.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmGbtRJe8nznNJ-FIMHgBJuJFuNeS2fKDeArMJ9kVmJLUzP4YjZLHaFHT8gLHvuOImPvaukeKDP2e1-RCeBpC19yYMJBY-X5iOLB0XlHnQiT7z135KKScoA5uZzhmt6EFJmFh7HmvOs4k/s1600/airmax_oko-thumb-400x504.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 254px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmGbtRJe8nznNJ-FIMHgBJuJFuNeS2fKDeArMJ9kVmJLUzP4YjZLHaFHT8gLHvuOImPvaukeKDP2e1-RCeBpC19yYMJBY-X5iOLB0XlHnQiT7z135KKScoA5uZzhmt6EFJmFh7HmvOs4k/s320/airmax_oko-thumb-400x504.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5465950877396049442" /></a>I shouldn’t say I was horrified, but I was certainly surprised to see how few of these websites are incorporating social media into their sites. Of those <span style="font-weight:bold;">650 sites</span>, only <span style="font-weight:bold;">56</span> of them use Facebook groups or pages and <span style="font-weight:bold;">49</span> have links to their Twitter accounts. And this is in a tourism-based economy struggling with recession and a strong Canadian dollar. Modern marketers all know that social media is a cheap and easy way to connect and create a dialogue with existing and potential customers. <br /><br />Another statistic I found surprising was how few of these websites use and maintain a links page, fewer than 40% of the sites I visited were using the tool and fewer still keep that links page current. I realize that blind link trading is no longer effective in the SEO and SEM worlds, however living and working in an online vacuum is not the way to maximize your return on investment. Maintaining <span style="font-weight:bold;">relevant</span> link trades and providing your site with some placement and perspective within your local business context is key to success on the World Wide WebUp Your Media, Your Vancouver Island Apple Support Specialisthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14537169783038517359noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3351457673658911425.post-32637570554140553632010-04-17T16:08:00.001-07:002010-04-18T09:05:19.528-07:00Guerilla Marketing Your Small Local BusinessThe successful promotion of a small local business takes either a lot of ingenuity or a lot of money, and sometimes both. Getting your brand out, no matter what product or service you’re offering your local community, takes a measured, considered and holistic approach that is not always easy to control.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7YoHwd3TFjXI000Y7emhAJnL0n7gvOkkDQYj6UNToQB_AC6Uzf_8vsXN-8UbP6LlnPD3UxNeDnzHV359jIqtvcc9_SPVcJoGNHP6IILdzwE9_qjOP6dFxwwMdrwQ9RGRo1vW9wYeM1Zk/s1600/IMG_0600.JPG"><img style="float:right; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7YoHwd3TFjXI000Y7emhAJnL0n7gvOkkDQYj6UNToQB_AC6Uzf_8vsXN-8UbP6LlnPD3UxNeDnzHV359jIqtvcc9_SPVcJoGNHP6IILdzwE9_qjOP6dFxwwMdrwQ9RGRo1vW9wYeM1Zk/s200/IMG_0600.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5461247946484662274" /></a>Obviously your website is going to be a vital part of your campaign, but its importance and cost will depend on your product and your market. Will it be a two page online ‘pamphlet’ or a $5000.00 E-Commerce juggernaut? How you promote that website is the subject for another article, however Craigslist is one cheap way to advertise online, as is Kijij and the Used-InsertTownHere.com family of online classified sites. Other local directories and classifieds abound, and you should explore their availability in your area.<br /><br />My particular one-man service business has a vast territory, upwards of 100-150 km in any direction, and as a result, I do a lot of driving. Advertising on my vehicle was a great way to reach a high number of people for a relatively low cost. I paid about $500.00 to get my car emblazoned with my logo and contact info. I spend more than that per month for a small 2 square inch classified ad in our local daily newspaper, (also a crucial spoke in my promotional campaign) however, my vehicle advertising travels with me everywhere I go. <br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisrxdWrrrOJIlxvvBCHuMxKn65Og1DVHyQyHLUlDCCeyjo-EHBrxSM0ZMO-UKS5bFNQGp2ZbzoKOTgSYcGJTaLYNHoMlxv5a-ghBotMWLluWKmS4kvofL425weAkqtrBpVlOFtBU3ixMo/s1600/IMG_0668.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisrxdWrrrOJIlxvvBCHuMxKn65Og1DVHyQyHLUlDCCeyjo-EHBrxSM0ZMO-UKS5bFNQGp2ZbzoKOTgSYcGJTaLYNHoMlxv5a-ghBotMWLluWKmS4kvofL425weAkqtrBpVlOFtBU3ixMo/s200/IMG_0668.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5461247961236875922" /></a>Highway signs are another low cost, high visibility advertising opportunity. I’m not talking about the huge billboards that few of us can afford, but the small, 2 to 4 square foot signs you see on trees and hydro poles up and down the roadways. My rural district attracts signage by local businesses advertising their firewood, well drilling, tree topping and electrolysis services, and often you will find a cluster of signs around a crossroads or other landmark. Get yours printed on weather-resistant core-plast and keep them simple. People can’t read many details while zooming by at 80 km. The cost can be as little as $10.00-$20.00 each, which is a great return on investment.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1zu7MdZ8T2o1_MZ-rgB7DMmGf_98p4fqmiUaNnlFiv2jeca10zOZd19Ac_nx-C4gIbXl7rj_qcOeYWwVlP6oLaF1Ylr7wY5fkGS_gct9b4_2oX8b1f1tJvKt7CXODgv7336DHbVQM0po/s1600/IMG_0594.JPG"><img style="float:right; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1zu7MdZ8T2o1_MZ-rgB7DMmGf_98p4fqmiUaNnlFiv2jeca10zOZd19Ac_nx-C4gIbXl7rj_qcOeYWwVlP6oLaF1Ylr7wY5fkGS_gct9b4_2oX8b1f1tJvKt7CXODgv7336DHbVQM0po/s200/IMG_0594.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5461247896426207458" /></a>You might not get away with nailing a sign to a tree or hydro pole in the middle of the city, but the higher amount of pedestrian traffic lends itself to postering. I learned the art of postering 20 years ago as a young musician when it was the tried and true method of advertising a gig. The downside of posters are their fleeting nature, city crews tend to remove them within days of you putting them up, and there tends to be lots of competition However, you can still manage a big impact in a short time because of the high, street-level visibility and the low low cost.<br /><br />These are challenging times for small business, and you have to be tenacious and creative if you want yours to be successful. Every and any angle that can give you a leg up on your company’s branding and visibility is worth a look.Up Your Media, Your Vancouver Island Apple Support Specialisthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14537169783038517359noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3351457673658911425.post-81636354815647321382010-03-30T19:07:00.001-07:002010-04-19T09:11:38.066-07:00So You Bought a New Mac, Now What?Congratulations, you’re one of the approximately three million lucky so and so’s who got a new Apple computer so far this year. It’s agreed, that sleek aluminum unibody looks gorgeous on your desk, but now that it’s out of the box, are you getting the most out of your new computer?<br /> <br />For those of you ready to dive in but just need a gentle nudge in the right direction, here are the first five things you should know about your Apple computer.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfczvOSE3OgXuWbbDYrWnm4251r4VAR5plJUzjE9DIVTtyxoTEjMgmglZkc4Pv7T9PCOJI_FgHungl1yCVwy5t7NVRbQAQhidpPOXqgIFbCAbrMxNJz7_smx3R75ApkTiqNRRelK83I4A/s1600/Screen+shot+2010-03-30+at+7.14.13+PM.png"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 66px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfczvOSE3OgXuWbbDYrWnm4251r4VAR5plJUzjE9DIVTtyxoTEjMgmglZkc4Pv7T9PCOJI_FgHungl1yCVwy5t7NVRbQAQhidpPOXqgIFbCAbrMxNJz7_smx3R75ApkTiqNRRelK83I4A/s320/Screen+shot+2010-03-30+at+7.14.13+PM.png" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5454616280962773330" /></a><span style="font-weight:bold;">Menu Bar <br /></span><br />Across the top of every screen lies the menu bar. It has consistencies across every application and is the key to the functionality of your system and commands. Ever-present in the top left corner is the Apple Menu, a drop down menu which holds root level commands over your basic system preferences. The Apple Menu contains some handy day to day operations, including force quit, software update, and a shortcut to your 10 most recent documents and applications. <br /><br />To the right of the Apple is the active application preferences menu and next to that is a file menu (open, save, print etc.) edit menu (cut, copy, paste) a number of app-specific menus, (bookmarks, view, share,) and finally the help menu. It’s comforting to know that whatever program you happen to be using, the basic navigation is essentially the same. From the right side you can expect to see your Spotlight icon, active user name, keyboard language, clock, speaker volume, Bluetooth, Time Machine and various other icons.<br /><br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Dock and Dashboard</span><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgg5QnCrC4M-B33Ja9ldFj9Ynfu_zqP6iKowyxDhoxnlB3qiV6TE4dG1D6aAg6LimDrv8Xp577a2umHUJoHgoCorM6HXtOeFXmI4y0pERO2VC5VmVMwvuqSk9tiVS-wzD9xa30BJQEbNbs/s1600/Screen+shot+2010-03-30+at+7.27.12+PM.png"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 24px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgg5QnCrC4M-B33Ja9ldFj9Ynfu_zqP6iKowyxDhoxnlB3qiV6TE4dG1D6aAg6LimDrv8Xp577a2umHUJoHgoCorM6HXtOeFXmI4y0pERO2VC5VmVMwvuqSk9tiVS-wzD9xa30BJQEbNbs/s400/Screen+shot+2010-03-30+at+7.27.12+PM.png" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5454619077087656210" /></a>The Dock is the graphical panel that shows your currently open and chosen favourite applications. You can customize the dock to sit on the left, bottom or right of your screen, or disappear altogether and reappear with the scroll of the mouse. <br /><br />The Dashboard also lives in the dock and contains various handy tools and widgets such as calculators, weather reports, dictionaries and stock-tickers at the click of a button. There are hundreds of fun and/or useful little apps available for download at the Apple site.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Spotlight</span> <br /><br />This is the blazing fast and ultra-thorough search tool that appears at the uppermost right corner of your screen. It indexes every character in your entire home folder and can find not only files, folders and applications that match your search term, but also documents, web pages and emails that contain that term. It’ll also display exactly where in your home folder said document resides.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Time Machine</span><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgS2-Dg-fRNUmC1qUkJqScWuvVZtjFGXxI0ifdOBNMY-1uz2juOM5IhvLK_LcOFHlJH61yFCpozA-ngM1bwMrltwbTudRPLlsw4GEW7txyoTFzP6vryGtI3aLz5Ypd5m9_uZXLk5dzndBY/s1600/Screen+shot+2010-03-30+at+7.33.56+PM.png"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 150px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgS2-Dg-fRNUmC1qUkJqScWuvVZtjFGXxI0ifdOBNMY-1uz2juOM5IhvLK_LcOFHlJH61yFCpozA-ngM1bwMrltwbTudRPLlsw4GEW7txyoTFzP6vryGtI3aLz5Ypd5m9_uZXLk5dzndBY/s200/Screen+shot+2010-03-30+at+7.33.56+PM.png" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5454621770943412322" /></a>It’s true, sometimes bad things happen to good computers, and if something in your computer is going to fail, chances are it’ll be your hard drive. Time Machine is the built in, automatic back-up tool that can prevent that sinking feeling you get when you realize your computer has died, taking with it your family photos, music collection, masters thesis or client database. Simply attach external hard drive and never think of it again.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Viruses</span><br /><br />The actual science on this matter is misunderstood. Apple quite rightly claims that its computers are immune to all viruses that infect PC’s. However that doesn’t mean there aren’t malicious files out there that can affect the Apple OS. True, the Unix platform on which the operating system is based is more robust and secure, but immunity to malware simply does not exist. The short answer is that yes, Mac computers can be susceptible to various non-PC based viruses. Anecdotally speaking, neither I, nor anyone I’ve ever met, has ever (knowingly) suffered from a computer virus.<br /><br />In the future we will explore some more indepth features of your Apple computer. For now, the most important lesson to learn is that, short of physically breaking it, there’s not much you can do to ruin your new computer, As long as you keep your data safe, you can feel free to explore your Mac system, change the settings and layout to your specific needs and comforts without fear. Enjoy.Up Your Media, Your Vancouver Island Apple Support Specialisthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14537169783038517359noreply@blogger.com0