Yes, Virginia, it's a new Photos App
There's no "i" in Photo... any more
Not only did the OS X 10.10.3 Update move your cheese, it whacked that big wheel of gouda with a selfie-stick. The venerable iPhoto that we have all grown to know and love has morphed into Photos. And although the change may have been jarring at first, I can say that I'm pleased with Photos and am not looking back to the old iteration.
Photos now appears much like the app of the same name that has lived on the iPhone and iPad since the iOS 8 update in the fall. If you have been using it on those devices, then the transition shouldn't be difficult. But there are some key changes to Photos that I think make it a welcome update.
It's Supposedly Faster, Especially with Large Databases
If you have a large iPhoto database, you know how slow it can be. It took a while once I converted to the new app, but now Photos seems to be snappier, at least for me, and I have a 75GB database.
Access Your Entire Database from All Devices
With iCloud Photo Library enabled, you can now upload your entire photo library to iCloud and then have it available across devices like your iPhone and iPad. Changes on one device sync to the others. The "Optimize Storage" option allows you to save space, too.
Videos Now Upload Wirelessly
Before, you had to sync your videos with a cable, but with iCloud Photo Library enabled, your videos will upload, too.
Here are a couple of things to remember with Photos:
- To get the Sidebar back in Photos to mimic that iPhoto look, go to the View drop-down menu and select Show Sidebar.
- Enabling iCloud Photo Library will most likely prompt you to purchase more iCloud storage. You'll need it.
- On your Mac, in Photos -> Preferences -> iCloud, be sure to select "Download Originals to this Mac" so you have them for offline backup.
- Always choose to "Optimize iPhone/iPad Storage" when turning on iCloud Photo Library on your mobile device, or you'll run out of space quickly.
There's so much to go over about the new Photos, but instead of going into detail here, The Vergehas a great article and video that should answer almost all of your burning questions. Check it out here: http://www.theverge.com/2015/2/5/7982517/apple-photos-mac-iphoto-replacement-explainer-faq
Three Tips for Better Passwords
Lock Out the Crooks with These Best Practices
I know that we all hate passwords, and even though my mother told me not to hate, I do admit that I hate passwords. If they filmed Monty Python's The Holy Grail today, I'm sure that the old man at the bridge would ask a password question as one of his three, versus that one about the airspeed velocity of an unladen swallow.
But we have to live with passwords, so follow these three tips to make yours tip top:
- Use at least eight characters with a mix of numbers, letters, and capitals. (If you are 18 or younger, know that you make capital letters by holding the Shift key. #CapitalizationMatters)
- Don't use the same password for everything. Once one is cracked, the bad guys would have access to all of your accounts. Varying passwords is something that helps with overall security.
- Know your passwords: Whether you write them in a book, keep in a spreadsheet, or use a password utility, make sure that you keep them updated. The best method is whatever one you choose to use consistently.
Follow these easy tips for good password karma.
Make Your Messages Pop with Emojis
They're Not Just For Texting Anymore
Apple has a vast array of Emojis, and now you can add them to the subject line of your messages in Mail on your Mac. It really makes your note pop when seen in your recipient's inbox. Here is how to do it:
Using the Keyboard
Put your cursor in the subject line and then hit the key combination Control + Command + Space Bar. The little Emoji window will pop up.
Using the Menu
Put your cursor in the subject line and then choose the Edit drop down menu, then Emoji & Symbols. Then smiley face away!
