Friday, October 12, 2007
Friday, September 7, 2007
Preorder Leopard
Pre-order leopard here! It's one of the few spots where you can put it on hold. Woo hoo!
Sunday, March 11, 2007
Personal Collaboration on the Mac
I normally do not complain about my Macs because I love them. I do, however; have a complaint about my recent adventure trying to collaborate my machines.
I have an Intel iMac, a G3 iBook, and Palm Treo. I also have a dot mac account. What I want to be able to do flawlessly is to sync all three without issues and without having to get more software. Unfortunately, this is not possible.
I can easily sync the two Macs together using dot mac and iSync. That's pretty easy. When I add the Treo into the picture, the deal gets a little nuts.
First, let me explain how I use my machines:
My iMac is the machine I do most of the graphic design for my websites and publishing company. It does the job well and is happy most of the time. It runs Tiger (OS X 10.4.x) and handles all the latest applications very well.
My iBook which was developed back in the early 2000s only has a 10 Gig drive so I can't do much with it. I use it mostly for writing and web development work. I can run MySQL and PHP on the machine because it's a UNIX box so it's great for working on the T-Mobile network at Starbucks or Borders. I also do my time management work on my iBook.
My Treo is my cell phone, mp3 player, and eBook reader. It also has a to-do task list, a calendar, and address book.
How do I get all of these to work together? It's not easy. Apple's Sync software doesn't import some of the information to the Treo database properly so I use a software package called The Missing Link by Mark Space Software. The Missing Link copies the events, address book, to do list, and other items from my Mac's dot mac software and transfers them to the Treo and back. Usually it works fine; however, I'm doing this using Bluetooth and often times the port is busy or it times out. I have no idea if it's the software, the Treo, or the iMac. I also sync my dot mac info between the two machines to the dot mac server.
Now, this should be a great solution except for the Treo/iMac timeouts. It's also a pain because I might miss something on the dot mac server between transfers and the Treo won't have the latest information.
Now my biggest gripe: I want a simple way for Apple to add information between the dot mac apps. Why haven't they don't this yet? It is the best reason to use dot mac yet no decent application collaboration exists!
For example, I receive an email through Apple Mail. I'd like to be able to add this email to the to do list or as a calendar item. Why can't I do this yet? I would also like to add my URLs or notes to the calendar or highlight a name and phone number and add it to my address book. Why aren't these working yet with dot mac applications and Safari?
My current solution is to use the Mail2iCal, an opensource AppleScript by Kleinware. This is an AppleScript that is run either manually by the user or as a script run by the filter on Apple Mail. The user creates an email account and when a message is sent to this email then it is filtered and then the script is run where the email is automatically added to iCal as either a to do, an event, or both.
Unfortunately this is not support on Panther so I have to run the application on my iMac. Since I use the iBook primarily for email, I keep all of my accounts open on the iBook. When I receive a message on my iBook that I need to add as an event, I simply send it to the two active accounts on the iMac and the script is run. Then eventually it is added to my Palm Treo.
The missing part is adding Safari bookmarks as to do items. This would make my life much easier, but unfortunately this feature is not supported on the Panther (OS X 10.3.9) version of OSX so I cannot run it on my iBook. I am forced to copy and paste the URL into a message and send it on. Ugh.
Call me lazy, call me what you will, but I want everything to be easy. I don't want to use fifty different applications to sync my dot mac account when it should just be as easy as advertised.
I have an Intel iMac, a G3 iBook, and Palm Treo. I also have a dot mac account. What I want to be able to do flawlessly is to sync all three without issues and without having to get more software. Unfortunately, this is not possible.
I can easily sync the two Macs together using dot mac and iSync. That's pretty easy. When I add the Treo into the picture, the deal gets a little nuts.
First, let me explain how I use my machines:
My iMac is the machine I do most of the graphic design for my websites and publishing company. It does the job well and is happy most of the time. It runs Tiger (OS X 10.4.x) and handles all the latest applications very well.
My iBook which was developed back in the early 2000s only has a 10 Gig drive so I can't do much with it. I use it mostly for writing and web development work. I can run MySQL and PHP on the machine because it's a UNIX box so it's great for working on the T-Mobile network at Starbucks or Borders. I also do my time management work on my iBook.
My Treo is my cell phone, mp3 player, and eBook reader. It also has a to-do task list, a calendar, and address book.
How do I get all of these to work together? It's not easy. Apple's Sync software doesn't import some of the information to the Treo database properly so I use a software package called The Missing Link by Mark Space Software. The Missing Link copies the events, address book, to do list, and other items from my Mac's dot mac software and transfers them to the Treo and back. Usually it works fine; however, I'm doing this using Bluetooth and often times the port is busy or it times out. I have no idea if it's the software, the Treo, or the iMac. I also sync my dot mac info between the two machines to the dot mac server.
Now, this should be a great solution except for the Treo/iMac timeouts. It's also a pain because I might miss something on the dot mac server between transfers and the Treo won't have the latest information.
Now my biggest gripe: I want a simple way for Apple to add information between the dot mac apps. Why haven't they don't this yet? It is the best reason to use dot mac yet no decent application collaboration exists!
For example, I receive an email through Apple Mail. I'd like to be able to add this email to the to do list or as a calendar item. Why can't I do this yet? I would also like to add my URLs or notes to the calendar or highlight a name and phone number and add it to my address book. Why aren't these working yet with dot mac applications and Safari?
My current solution is to use the Mail2iCal, an opensource AppleScript by Kleinware. This is an AppleScript that is run either manually by the user or as a script run by the filter on Apple Mail. The user creates an email account and when a message is sent to this email then it is filtered and then the script is run where the email is automatically added to iCal as either a to do, an event, or both.
Unfortunately this is not support on Panther so I have to run the application on my iMac. Since I use the iBook primarily for email, I keep all of my accounts open on the iBook. When I receive a message on my iBook that I need to add as an event, I simply send it to the two active accounts on the iMac and the script is run. Then eventually it is added to my Palm Treo.
The missing part is adding Safari bookmarks as to do items. This would make my life much easier, but unfortunately this feature is not supported on the Panther (OS X 10.3.9) version of OSX so I cannot run it on my iBook. I am forced to copy and paste the URL into a message and send it on. Ugh.
Call me lazy, call me what you will, but I want everything to be easy. I don't want to use fifty different applications to sync my dot mac account when it should just be as easy as advertised.
Saturday, March 10, 2007
Shortcut: Putting Folders in Your Dock
Folders in Your Dock
This should be obvious, but it's taken me 10 years to even think about it. I now have my Applications folder, my Documents folder, and my Desktop folder in my dock. Geesh, what took so long?
When OSX came out I had been working on the previous OS versions for so long that I was used to doing certain things. Even today I have to look at the desktop for a moment to get a clue to what I'm doing. Now I can easily remember by having these alias shortcuts in my dock.
Phew. That's made my life much easier!
To do this simply click on your preferred folder and drag it to the Dock. It will place an icon to the folder similar to the icons for your apps on the right side of the window. Now when you need to immediately access your important folders you no longer need to open a new window.
This should be obvious, but it's taken me 10 years to even think about it. I now have my Applications folder, my Documents folder, and my Desktop folder in my dock. Geesh, what took so long?
When OSX came out I had been working on the previous OS versions for so long that I was used to doing certain things. Even today I have to look at the desktop for a moment to get a clue to what I'm doing. Now I can easily remember by having these alias shortcuts in my dock.
Phew. That's made my life much easier!
To do this simply click on your preferred folder and drag it to the Dock. It will place an icon to the folder similar to the icons for your apps on the right side of the window. Now when you need to immediately access your important folders you no longer need to open a new window.
Product Review: TimeLog
Product: TimeLog
Category: Productivity/Business
Web: www.mediatelier.ch
Price: $25.00
Tested on: iBook 500 Mhz with 10.3.9, iCal
Introduction
TimeLog is an application that uses iCal and the AddressBook on Mac OS X to keep track of how much time you spend on projects.
Usage
The look of TimeLog is very pleasing as it uses the familiar iTunes skin. For those not familiar with iTunes this might make it confusing as there are so many little window panes to deal with.
When I first tried TimeLog I tried to make use of the projects by creating a TimeLog calendar and several different subprojects. Unfortunately this can get very confusing to the first time user because there are tiny icons everywhere and tons of places to do different things. I'll have to print out the help file to figure it all out.
Documentation
There were no documentation files shipped with the product. There is built in help. The help window is helpful if you sit down and take the time to learn the application's features, but it is not helpful in actually running the app. What it needs is a good tutorial that walks someone through creating a few calendars and projects.
Once I figured out that I use the Timer menu instead of any of the little buttons on the project pane then I could make more sense of what I was doing. Finding this out through a little tutorial would be very helpful.
Would I use it?
If I have time to figure it out then yes! I have so much to do between Chippewa Publishing LLC, my family, my house, my blogs, and whatever else I do that I really need something to tell me how much time I'm wasting on what.
What would really be interesting is to create a category of how much time is wasted switching between applications and getting the Spinning Beach Ball of Death. If I calculated how much money it cost me to wait for the applications to resume whatever they're doing, I could have a fortune.
Perhaps when I have more time (there's that word again), I will create a mini tutorial. I will need to sit down and figure it out.
Right now the cost is a little high for my budget so I'll just try the demo for the 30 days. If I haven't figured it out by then I'll just not write the tutorial.
Wish me luck.
Misc. things I would like to know:
How many computers or users does the $25.00 license fee support?
Category: Productivity/Business
Web: www.mediatelier.ch
Price: $25.00
Tested on: iBook 500 Mhz with 10.3.9, iCal
Introduction
TimeLog is an application that uses iCal and the AddressBook on Mac OS X to keep track of how much time you spend on projects.
Usage
The look of TimeLog is very pleasing as it uses the familiar iTunes skin. For those not familiar with iTunes this might make it confusing as there are so many little window panes to deal with.
When I first tried TimeLog I tried to make use of the projects by creating a TimeLog calendar and several different subprojects. Unfortunately this can get very confusing to the first time user because there are tiny icons everywhere and tons of places to do different things. I'll have to print out the help file to figure it all out.
Documentation
There were no documentation files shipped with the product. There is built in help. The help window is helpful if you sit down and take the time to learn the application's features, but it is not helpful in actually running the app. What it needs is a good tutorial that walks someone through creating a few calendars and projects.
Once I figured out that I use the Timer menu instead of any of the little buttons on the project pane then I could make more sense of what I was doing. Finding this out through a little tutorial would be very helpful.
Would I use it?
If I have time to figure it out then yes! I have so much to do between Chippewa Publishing LLC, my family, my house, my blogs, and whatever else I do that I really need something to tell me how much time I'm wasting on what.
What would really be interesting is to create a category of how much time is wasted switching between applications and getting the Spinning Beach Ball of Death. If I calculated how much money it cost me to wait for the applications to resume whatever they're doing, I could have a fortune.
Perhaps when I have more time (there's that word again), I will create a mini tutorial. I will need to sit down and figure it out.
Right now the cost is a little high for my budget so I'll just try the demo for the 30 days. If I haven't figured it out by then I'll just not write the tutorial.
Wish me luck.
Misc. things I would like to know:
How many computers or users does the $25.00 license fee support?
Tuesday, March 6, 2007
Cosmic Debris - The Aurora Viewer
One of the reasons I moved to Wisconsin after living in California all of my life was to see the Aurora again. Sad excuse, right? The first time I watched it I was amazed as it was so beautiful to see. We never had anything like that in Northern California. Hell, we couldn't even see the stars!
Was I bummed when I realized that it was a seldom event! It probably happens low enough to see it in my area probably once or twice a year, maybe a little more. When it does, you'll freeze your buns off because it's probably -10 outside. Yuck.
I was happy to find Cosmic Debris by John Schilling. It's free and sits quietly in your menu bar waiting for something to happen with the Northern Lights. Now, I've only seen it light up to medium because I have it only monitor my area, but hopefully someday it will flash high and alert me to a good show before I high tail it back to my warm sun in California.
Was I bummed when I realized that it was a seldom event! It probably happens low enough to see it in my area probably once or twice a year, maybe a little more. When it does, you'll freeze your buns off because it's probably -10 outside. Yuck.
I was happy to find Cosmic Debris by John Schilling. It's free and sits quietly in your menu bar waiting for something to happen with the Northern Lights. Now, I've only seen it light up to medium because I have it only monitor my area, but hopefully someday it will flash high and alert me to a good show before I high tail it back to my warm sun in California.
Saturday, February 24, 2007
Keep Network Invaders Out!
If you're on the Internet all of the time then you're going to need something like Little Snitch. Even though viruses on the Mac are few and breaking in can be difficult, it's better to have one more layer of protection.
Little Snith is a dynamic firewall where you can set the properties on the fly when you know about them. So if you're protected and say your brother wants to share files with you, Little Snitch will pop up a window asking for permission to allow the transfer.
On the other hand, if Joe Hacker tries to break into your machine through the DNS port or email port then Little Snitch will popup a window asking for permission for Joe Hacker. You can say no and leave it at that.
I've been using Little Snitch for years and I've caught people trying to login with it. I've even caught my kids trying to get to my shared files (grrr). I think everyone should get a copy for their own protection.
Be aware that although the Mac is has very few virus problems and products like Little Snitch help keep hackers and nosy people away, there are times when issues are just unavoidable. Make sure your router is setup to deny incoming traffic unless you absolutely need it for games or whatever. Nothing in the computer world is perfect.
This is just a review and not a paid advertisement.
Little Snith is a dynamic firewall where you can set the properties on the fly when you know about them. So if you're protected and say your brother wants to share files with you, Little Snitch will pop up a window asking for permission to allow the transfer.
On the other hand, if Joe Hacker tries to break into your machine through the DNS port or email port then Little Snitch will popup a window asking for permission for Joe Hacker. You can say no and leave it at that.
I've been using Little Snitch for years and I've caught people trying to login with it. I've even caught my kids trying to get to my shared files (grrr). I think everyone should get a copy for their own protection.
Be aware that although the Mac is has very few virus problems and products like Little Snitch help keep hackers and nosy people away, there are times when issues are just unavoidable. Make sure your router is setup to deny incoming traffic unless you absolutely need it for games or whatever. Nothing in the computer world is perfect.
This is just a review and not a paid advertisement.
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