Monthly Mini-Bytes - November 2022

 

My Instagram Mug Shot It's not a secret that I don't participate in social media. Twitter is just like two drunk college debate teams duking it out in a Circle K parking lot; Facebook exists so people can overshare personal info so that companies and advertisers can build profiles and sell that data all over the web; and TikTok is dancing nurses at best, but probably more like a psyop from an unfriendly foreign power that just seeks to turn our youth's brains into mush. So then you may be shocked to learn that I broke down and set up an Instagram account. Here is the backstory: Wendy and I were following some trail runners and through hikers attempting to do the whole 817 mile Arizona Trail in record time. The FKT, or Fastest Known Time, has several categories, but the swiftest to complete the course did it just shy of 14 days. Since it was such an epic effort there were no camera crews on the most recent attempts, so the participants updated via Instagram. I created an account and followed the runners, crew, and some other endurance athletes. All was well for a few days, but then I got a notice that my account was suspected of suspicious activity and I needed to verify my information. This struck me as odd since I had two-factor authentication enabled and a password that would have taken two supercomputers and a pre-Capaldi Dr. Who to crack. Still, I went through and verified my email, password, and phone -- no problem. Then it asked for what I can only call a "mug shot." Instagram wanted me to write down this code and my username on a piece of paper. Then I was to take a selfie and send it to them for "verification." Having been on the Internet for almost thirty years and having hundreds of accounts with various providers, I have never once been asked for a mug shot. It made me furious, and of course I did not provide it. As such they deleted my Instagram account, and good riddance to it. This leads me to today's point: You don't have to provide information just because a website or online store asks for it. It's your information. It's personal and you have the power to choose with whom and when you share it. There is no reason that JC Penny needs to know your birthday. You don't have to tell Facebook where you went to high school. Be selfish with your information. It's yours, not theirs, and you have the right to do with it as you wish. It's okay to say "no." And many times these days, saying no will go a long way to protecting your precious personal information.

What's the Deal with macOS Ventura? Upgrade? macOS Venture is out and I have installed it on one of my computers. It's not on my main work machine, but just on the laptop I carry about to clients. The question is if you should upgrade. But as I think about it, the answer is much more nuanced than it has been in the past. A computer or any technology exists to make our lives easier. It allows us to work faster and more efficiently, along with giving us the tools to stay organized. That's all. That's the whole point. So, when choosing to upgrade an operating system it comes down to whether or not we can benefit from its new features to make us better, faster, and more efficient. But these days technology has gotten so good that many of the upgrades whether to iOS or macOS just introduce what I call fluff -- changes that make things look prettier, but don't really help with functionality. I was watching a video from this tech channel about problems their staff were having with Macs and what Apple could do to fix it. I was disappointed to find users complaining about not having the ability to snap windows to the side, two clicks instead of one. or any number of superfluous things that did nothing to fix some of the core problems. There was nothing about the search in Mail being wonky for several years; nothing about the constant pop-ups asking to re-login to iCloud; or problems with Photos down-sampling images. These are things that are important. These are things that come to the core of macOS functionality, but as long as users just ask for "shiny object" we will unfortunately just get "shiny object." So what do you do? Take a look at how your Mac is working today. Are you able to do your work? Are things functioning the way you want them to? As long as you are on Big Sur or Monterey, you are currently supported by Apple. If you'd like to jump in the pool and update to Ventura just make sure that you have a current Time Machine backup. To learn more about the new features in macOS Ventura visit: https://www.apple.com/macos/ventura/

Does "The Cloud" Own Your Data?

Everything is up in "The Cloud" these days, but when storing your stuff on other people's machines what terms and conditions do you really agree to? Is the data still yours? Does the cloud service provider have any rights to your data that you unknowingly agreed to give away? There is a difference between business, paid, and free accounts, but it has been reported in the past that companies like Google and DropBox scan the data that is uploaded to their servers. It's a fair deal, as you are uploading information to their property, but it's important to carefully review the Terms of Service and understand them especially if you plan on putting a whole bunch of data up online. I know it's time consuming, but if you are planning on going in on cloud storage, then take the time to read the Terms of Service, ask questions, and be clear that you are putting your data on someone else's servers. That's the Cloud after all, and knowing how it works, where your stuff is, and what you agreed to is an important step in taking advantage of these services.

Monthly Mini-Bytes - October 2022

 

The November Analog Challenge! So, Wendy and I were driving along and there was a mountain that we didn't know the name or height. We pulled up Google Maps and it could show us the closest Starbucks, but no info about the mountain. We launched Apple Maps and after asking for our Apple ID, shoe size, and locker combination from high school it thought we were in Toledo. Awesome.  Then we did the unthinkable. It's really hard to imagine anyone doing this in 2022, but we did, and we don't feel bad about it. We broke out the paper map, and lo and behold there was the name of the mountain, the height, and detail on roads and trails that encircled it. This then began our renewed love affair with paper maps and atlases. The amount of detail and information about routes, the size of roads, and attractions along the way was astounding after being tied to the electronically served versions for years. There are countless horror stories of mapping programs taking people down 4x4 routes in winter, right through heavy traffic, or even locations miles away from their destination. In one case a group of people were routed off Mount Lemmon in Tucson down the old control road, which is a Jeep only passage at the best of times. Maps have routed me through the 202 between Priest and Rural at 4PM on a Tuesday noting that it is the fastest route. Fastest compared to what? There's always a massive slowdown there in the PM. It is a 100% proven undeniable scientific fact that we have become overly dependent on technology. Trying to break that cycle of dependance is hard, but can be done with some small steps. And one of those steps can begin with maps. This Holiday Season as you travel about the country try bringing along an atlas or good old gas station paper map. Plan your route on the map first, and only then employ one of the Apple or Google Maps to assist with routing. And don't trust the route. Compare it to the map. Don't just drive down some darkened corridor just cuz the Googles told you to. Take back control of your routing and join with us in this November Analog Challenge!

Chrome Destroys Your Privacy Let's talk for a minute about Google's Chrome web browser. A lot of people use it. A lot of people like it, and you know who likes it the most? Yes, Google. And how does Google make their money? Is it by gathering as much information about you and your family as possible then selling it for fat stacks of cash to whoever is buying? You bet. So why use their web browser? You invested in Apple's ecosystem for a reason, and one of those is privacy and security. It's true, Apple isn't perfect in this regard, but it is 1000% better than the Googles. Using Chrome compromises that privacy and security. Apple's Safari browser is the better choice, and even though it is not perfect, because of the integration within your Mac, iPhone, and iPad it goes a long way to helping plug up some of those security and privacy issues.  "But, Mike! Some websites don't work that well with Safari." That's true, and in those cases using an alternative browser like Firefox or Chrome becomes necessary. In fact, some of the features in Firefox leans us more toward it as an alternative to Chrome, but for a Mac user, Safari should be your go-to web browser.

macOS Ventura is Out - Wait to Upgrade

Apple has a new release of macOS developed in that work-from-home incubator that brought us so many great new products and software updates. Was that sarcasm? Oh, yes. Ventura has a lot of new features, but as always it is best to wait until at least the .1 update, which will be in a month or so. The current 12.6.1 version of Monterey is very good, so if you are on that or Big Sur, then please wait until all the bugs get chased out of macOS Ventura before upgrading. For more information about Ventura, or to see pics of the developers working in their pajamas, visit: https://www.apple.com/macos/ventura/

Monthly Mini-Bytes - September 2022

 

Know Where Your Stuff Is Before the cloud, before every device synced with everything else, before your car sent you texts, or your refrigerator notified you that you were low on oat milk, knowing where your information lived was easy. You could point to the computer in the corner and there it all was, on hard disk, floppy disk, tape backups, and stacks of external drives. Your data was with you and within your sphere of control. You knew where your pictures were. You knew where all your documents and files sat. No matter how disorganized you were, it really didn't matter, because it was all there somewhere in your physical control. Then came the cloud. The cloud is hungry. The cloud likes to eat your information and throw it all over the internet with iCloud, Google Drive, Box, DropBox, OneDrive, and any multitude of storage platforms that litter cyberspace.  Looking for a picture? Is it on iCloud, on your phone, copied up to DropBox, or just living in a text thread on an old iPad? Need those financial spreadsheets, and which version? Is your accounting software living online or backing up to the cloud? What happened to that manifesto you've been working on since graduate school? Don't point to the computer. It all may not be there, but sitting in a server in who-knows-where and maintained by strangers with little regard for your precious files. Fine, but how do you fight back? How do you wrangle control of your data, files, and life back from Mr. Cloud and his hungry appetite. Well, it's as easy as knowing where your stuff is. Here is how to start: Check Your Subscriptions - Most cloud services want to charge you, so take a look at ones that you subscribe to. Check iCloud, DropBox, Google Drive, and OneDrive, as they are the biggest. Log on and see what is up there. Take Inventory of Your Computer - How your computer is organized and what applications are installed is a good place to start, as even though all your data may not be there, it most likely was at one point. It was the nexus, so take inventory, see what you are using, and make some decisions on how to organize things and what you may or may not need. Verify Your iCloud Settings - Mr. iCloud will sign you up for all types of storage. Go to your iCloud settings to see exactly what you are pushing up online.

Which Apple Watch is Right for You? Apple just announced three new watches: the Apple Watch Series 8, a new Apple Watch SE, and the big Apple Watch Ultra. Trying to decide between these three can be difficult, but here are some tips to help. First, it's important to note that all three Apple Watches are smart watches. They are not sport watches. They have some sport tracking features, but all are dependent on the iPhone and are not designed to ultimately operate by themselves. They are an extension of the iPhone. They are also packed with "smart" features where you can text, read email, and even talk on the phone.  Sport watches like those from Garmin, Polar, and Coros, are laser focused on battery life, workout data, and the ability to connect to just about every workout sensor imaginable. They also give you the ability to drill down to your workout data and even export it to a coach. These sport watches do not need a phone to operate as they work independently. Many have battery life of up to a month of use, which is far beyond any Apple Watch. So understanding that, it makes it easier to narrow down which Apple Watch would work for your situation. First, the Apple Watch SE is excellent, and if you don't need all the sensors, then it can be a fine option. Most will opt for the Apple Watch Series 8, but if you want a bigger screen and more battery life, the Ultra does really well. With regard to activity, it's important to choose wisely, and gathering workout data with GPS on the Apple Watch really chews through the battery. If you participate in activities of 2 hours or less, then the Apple Watch Series 8 or SE will serve you well. If your activities approach 4 to 6 hours, then the Apple Watch Ultra is a must, as the others will not have the battery life over the long haul. And if your efforts go over 6 hours or multiple days, then you may want to look into a dedicated sport watch from the likes of Garmin, Polar, Coros, or Suunto. To learn more about the new Apple Watches visit: https://www.apple.com/watch/

Apple Introduces Emergency Satellite SOS on iPhone 14

Apple has found a way with the new iPhone 14 to connect to satellites in emergency situations where cellular coverage is not available. This is an emergency-only feature and requires an iPhone 14 (Pro, Max) and only works in the U.S and Canada below 62 degrees latitude.  This is a really neat upgrade, and for those of us who live out West among big swaths of poor phone reception, it's a great idea. Please keep in mind that this is not the same as the SPOT devices or the InReaches from Garmin. They are full-featured satellite communicators, where Apple's Emergency SOS via Satellite is only for specific situations. To learn more visit: https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT213426

Monthly Mini-Bytes - August 2022

 

New iPhones and Apple Watches Expected Well, it's that time of year! Apple is gearing up to announce a whole host of new products on September 7th. You can expect them to announce the iPhone 14s along with the Apple Watch Series 8, if the rumors are correct. Right now no one is expecting major changes to the devices, and since Apple has yet to return to the office, it is almost impossible to develop anything, let alone new and interesting products, over the phone or on a video call.  But! One of the most interesting rumors is of a larger Apple Watch "Pro" that should have better battery life, but may clock in at over $1,000. Ouch! To learn more about the event on the 7th, visit: https://www.apple.com/apple-events/

LastPass has a Data Breach Yes, LastPass was hacked! According to the company no customer data or master passwords were access. And they go on to state that no action is required by their customers with relationship to their password vaults.  If you are a LastPass customer you should have received a communication from them on this and what to do. To read more, check out these articles: https://www.forbes.com/sites/daveywinder/2022/08/25/lastpass-hacked-password-manager-with-25-million-users-confirms-breach/?sh=5be1fa1b7d5a https://www.marketwatch.com/story/lastpass-reports-security-breach-but-says-no-passwords-taken-11661502415

macOS Ventura and iOS 16

Very soon Apple will be releasing major updates to macOS, iOS, watchOS, and iPadOS. Phew! That's a lot of OSess. We have one simple piece of advice: PLEASE WAIT ABOUT 30 DAYS BEFORE UPDATING. These are major updates to all your devices -- updates that were developed over Zoom sessions, phone, and chats, because Apple has yet to return to the office. Seriously. That's not the best development model as we saw last year with Monterey and iOS15. So, just wait 30 days. Early adopters will find all the issues out in the wild, Apple will fix them, and it will be happy days and less stress for you. A wise philosopher once said: "Why rush headlong into the fray, when you can wait, drink wine, and see how many return first." Wise words. Wine is not needed, but we think the waiting is.

Monthly Mini-Bytes - July 2022

 

Hey, is that Apple calling? No, it's not. Apple doesn't call people, and neither do Amazon, Microsoft, Netflix, the Tooth Fairy, or Tito Vellasco (but he will send a card). Scams are as hot and heavy this summer as the weather. Bad analogy? Sure. Hard fact? Yes! And it's not just the fake phone calls. Late bill alerts from software you never purchased and spoofed emails from Cox, Verizon, and the banks are flooding inboxes all over the country. It's bad, and falling for one of these schemes can range from a minor inconvenience to a major impact to your finances. So, how do you protect yourself: Trust No One: Mulder and Scully got it right. We want to be friendly, open people. We want to trust that we are all in this together, and in the end, high ideals will prevail. It makes a great Hallmark card, but the reality is there is a great number of people who only look out for themselves. They want your money, and an easy way to get it. Don't let them in. You are in control. Let the phone roll to voicemail, hang up on the obvious scammer, and delete that fake email. Monitor Your Accounts: The best way to detect a fake purchase is to log in and check your orders, but not from the links in the email. If you get a fake call from Amazon that you spent 3.2 trillion dollars on knock-off Telletubie costumes, hang up, log into your Amazon account and check your purchases. Remember you can cancel an order or open a dispute with your credit card company. Check for yourself. Again, trust no one. These two simple steps can go a long way to alleviate stress, protect you from these scams, and put you back in control. They want your stuff. Don't make it easy for them.

The New M2 MacBook Air is Excellent Apple just started shipping the fully refreshed MacBook Air with the M2 processor. And before you ask: Yes, it is faster than the M1, but doesn't come close to the M1 Pro, M1 Max, or M1 Ultra processors. So, the 14 and 16 inch MacBook Pros are still the kings of speed. That being said, if you need a basic laptop, the new Airs are a huge leap in form-factor and usability. Check them out here: https://www.apple.com/macbook-air-m2/

Ouch! The iPhone is Hot!

It's July, which means it's summer, and here in Phoenix that means it's hot. And did you know that the iPhone is only rated to be used up to 95 degrees? That makes it difficult for them to function outdoors this time of year. The temperature rating is a real thing. The iPhone and iPad do try to protect themselves from overheating, but being aware of their functions and limitations can help you understand how best to take care of your device. To read more from Apple on what to do and how your device handle's high temperatures, visit: https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT201678

Monthly Mini-Bytes - May 2022

 

Has Technology Really Made Things Better? This hit me while watching the fist new episode of Stranger Things. The current season is set in 1986. There is a sequence where a newspaper lands on a doorstep. An older gentleman steps out the front door, and picks it up. It got me thinking. Back before the internet and 24x7 everything, we consumed news in the morning and evening via a newspaper, or through short thirty minute broadcasts on TV. In between that we lived our lives. We went to work, or school, or the gym, or just about anywhere else and we weren't constantly bombarded by news, texts, alerts, emails, pings, pongs, slacks, zooms, and all the rest of the noise. We had the opportunity to remain in the moment -- to focus on work, or family, or whatever we were doing. Back then if you went to your child's baseball game, you could focus on the game. You did not have a phone going off with texts and alerts to distract. You were there -- in the moment. Now, things are very different. On our morning walks I can't count the number of people who are either on the phone, texting, or looking at their screens instead of walking and enjoying the morning. At restaurants I see tables full of diners who are interacting with their devices instead of each other. And it gets more insidious from here. Now that we have these screens at our fingertips to pump information directly into our brains, content providers and news organizations turn up the sensationalism to 11 so that we click, share, comment, and can't look away. But by not looking away we are instead turning away from living, becoming beholden to our devices, and the online distractions that go from life enhancements to a digital ball and chain. Although, it doesn't have to be this way. Technology is a tool created by us humans to make our lives better. It should not be a new form of handcuffs, but a magic screwdriver that helps us build, thrive, and work more efficiently so that we have time to focus on the joy of living. To wrangle back control it takes discipline. It may mean putting the phone in a drawer during dinner, or even having separate work and personal devices to make the dividing line easier to define. You can also use existing technology to help turn down the digital noise. Here are three tips: Employ the Apple Watch The Apple Watch is an extension of your iPhone. If you have the cellular model, you can easily leave your phone somewhere and venture out watch-only. You will still get calls and texts, but you won't be posting to Instagram or Facebook. It can help be that first step. Try it at your kid's next soccer game or at a dinner with friends. You may enjoy the disconnection and opportunity to remain in the moment. Use Focus on Your iPhone Apple improved their Do Not Disturb feature and now calls it Focus. Here you can customize alerts for when you are at home, or work, or asleep. To learn more about Focus and how to set it up, visit: https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT212608 Set Limits for Yourself Bad digital behavior is a real thing. You wouldn't want a co-worker to show up at your home at 10:30 PM at night, so how is it okay that they text you for something that could have waited until work hours. Define what is acceptable to you and stick to it. Again, this takes discipline, but you are in a relationship with technology and setting boundaries lays the groundwork for a healthy relationship. So, I guess the answer to my question is a complicated one. Technology has made a lot of things better, but also made other things much worse. But the good news is that we are in control. We don't have to let it take over our lives, but with some tools and discipline, we can turn it into that magic wand that it should be. And I'd much rather be a wizard than a pawn.

Let's Talk About macOS Monterey I get a lot of questions about why macOS Monterey is so buggy. For over twenty years Mac system updates, whether OS X or macOS, have been excellent. There may have been some issues after each's initial release, but most of those problems were usually resolved in a month or two. Monterey, on the other hand, has presented some lingering issues for many, while others have upgraded without incident. But the question is why. Why is it that Monterey is a blemish on Apple's otherwise excellent track record of system updates? It's simple. The development of macOS Monterey was literally "phoned in." Apple had been in remote work mode and Monterey is the child of work-from-home software development. There are so many enhancements in Monterey that trying to do it all away from co-workers must have been very difficult. In fact, considering the difficulty I am impressed on how well it came out. It's not up to Apple standards, in my opinion, but for an OS that was developed "over the phone" it's kinda okay, and gives a bit of perspective on the limitations of working from home -- especially when building something as critical as a system update. Even so, it's still better than Windows 11. I've said this many times: Computers are about people. They are developed by people to be used by people. And people work best when they are together, working alongside each other, and interacting as humans have been designed. So, if you have a new Mac it will come with Monterey, but if you are running Catalina or Big Sur, you can absolutely wait to update when the new system comes out in the Fall. Those versions of macOS are still supported. Apple is back in the office, so whatever will come out in October should hopefully be back to the standards we expect from Cupertino.

Should You Have a Password Manager?

The answer is... maybe. Everybody hates passwords. It's totally okay to hate them, and in fact it is encouraged. Actually I think they just passed a law in Oregon that requires residents to hate their passwords, and to also create art and poetry about it. But hating your passwords is irrelevant. They are here. You need to interact with them. You have to know them, enter them when prompted, and change them when compromised. Before even considering a password manager, you have to be the password manager. Write them down, put them in a spreadsheet, lock them up in a safe, but have a way that you can record, update, and access your passwords. Then, and only then, should you consider a password manager as a second option.  iCloud Keychain is a built-in password manager that Apple allows you to use across your devices. It is very good, and sits within your iCloud ecosystem. To learn more about iCloud Keychain, visit: https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT204085

Monthly Mini-Bytes - April 2022

 

Not Another Update! If you are constantly bombarded by update requests from Apple, you are not alone. And the aggressive push to get everyone on macOS Monterey has been way beyond heavy-handed. With all the security, supplemental, and app updates for macOS it is hard to determine what to do. Here is a quick decision matrix to help. If you are a business: Apple provides updates and support for the last three operating systems. This means Catalina, Big Sur, and Monterey are still seen by Apple as current. If you are a business, everything is working, and you are on one of these systems, there is no compelling reason to update to Monterey. If it works, don't break it, as all operating system updates come with some new version that may break your current software, or require you to purchase something new. Your Mac is from 2015 or older: Newer versions of macOS are tough on older computers. If you have a machine that is older than six years, you may want to think more about replacing it than updating to Monterey. Your Mac has the Apple Chip: Monterey is optimized for the new Apple chips, so if you have a computer that has one, you may want to update. The one sticking point is if you hang a lot of drives and accessories from the machine. Most of these machines shipped with Big Sur, so if you want to hold off on updating, then that is an option. Big Sur is still supported by Apple.

No More Apple Server Software Apple has slowly been backing out of the server business for a while now, and it is official. As of April 21st, Apple has discontinued macOS Server. With most moving to Cloud options, and with solutions like Synology, it didn't make sense for Apple to stay in this space. To read more about it, visit: https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT208312

It's Heating Up! Be Kind to Your Battery

With 100 degree days on the horizon, it's important to note that your iPhones and iPads don't like the hot temps. Be mindful of their operating ranges, and avoid letting them sit in hot environments like cars, etc. Here is a link to what Apple says about it: https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT201678

Monthly Mini-Bytes - March 2022

 

Don't Count on a New 27-inch iMac If you have been waiting for the revised 27-inch iMac with the Apple chip, then stop waiting. In the last Apple Keynote early in March they highlighted all the Macs with the M Series chips and said that there was just one left to go, and it wasn't the 27-inch iMac, but the Mac Pro. The 24-inch iMac is apparently the only current and future iMac in the near term. So, if you want a Mac with a big screen, then you have two options: The Mac mini M1 or the Mac Studio paired with the Studio Display or another of your choice. Here are some links so you can learn about the different models: Mac mini M1: https://www.apple.com/mac-mini/ Mac Studio: https://www.apple.com/mac-studio/ Studio Display: https://www.apple.com/studio-display/

Google Chrome: Security Update Needed There always seems to be a security issue with Google's Chrome Browser, which is why we usually recommend Safari as it is most often a better choice. But if you are using Chrome it is extremely important that you update your software. Here is a link to an article that explains the issue: https://www.forbes.com/sites/daveywinder/2022/03/26/google-confirms-emergency-security-update-for-32-billion-chrome-users-attacks-underway/?sh=6370408eaaa2 The steps are really simple to update: Open Chrome From the Chrome drop-down menu in the upper left next to the Apple, choose "About Chrome" This will take you to an update window. It will check if one is needed and prompt you to install it if there is one.

Know Where Your Stuff Is

One of the most important non-technical skills with owning a computer is knowing where you save things. Where are your photos and documents? Where are your saved mail messages? If you use Quicken or Quickbooks where is your working file or backup? In the event you lose something, you won't be able to find it if you don't know where it is. Just think about if your car was stolen, but you can't tell the police where it was or where you kept it. They wouldn't be able to help. Familiarizing yourself with your file system is easier than you think. Click on the Finder on the lower left corner of your Dock and this opens the map of your computer where you can search, organize, and open files. If you need to search for a missing file, you can use the spyglass in the upper right of the Finder window or even up by the clock in the Top Bar. Taking some time to know where your most important things are kept will go a long way to not only help preserve that data, but also boost your confidence in knowing where it is.