August 2015 Edition - Monthly Mini-Bytes

Back to School: Breathe New Life Into An Old Mac

A New Machine, You May Not Need

I just bought this, you think to yourself. And yes, as we get older five years doesn't seem like that much time, but with technology it is a century... sort of. Sure, the kids at the Apple Store are more than willing to hook you up with a shiny new Mac with all the trimmings, but do you really need to spend the money right now, or is there another option.

"There is!" he exclaims, as he heads over to the Internet to get what he needs. But what? And where? And will it really help?

It can. If you have a MacBook Pro running an iSeries Intel Processor (Mid-2010 or newer) or an iMac (2009 or newer with the iSeries) than you can simply purchase more RAM and a Solid State Hard Drive. The bottleneck with these older machines is the Hard Drive, and with the Solid State (SSD for the hipsters) your old machine will be almost as snappy as a new one... almost. Keep in mind that the upgrade for the MacBook Pro is easier than the iMac, which is a bear to take apart.

How about you Mac Pro pros? If you have an Early 2009 or better you can pop in some Solid States for a jump on the fast lane of awesomeness. But, you will need to purchase an adapter to make them fit.

To peruse prices and options, check out Crucial.com: http://www.crucial.com

New iPhone Rumors

Here we go again!

Did you just step up and purchase an iPhone 6? Well, Apple is about to push you down to second string with the announcement and release of the newest iPhone which will probably be called the 6s. I recommended calling the new iPhone "Tony," but Apple hasn't returned my calls. Hmmm....

Here are the big facts that everyone seems to agree on:

1. Force Touch - This technology first introduced itself on a display with the Apple Watch. Basically, it is a pressure sensitive screen with a tactile feedback rumble. You can see what CNET says about it here: http://www.cnet.com/news/what-force-touch-could-do-for-the-next-iphones-and-ipads/
2. It Will Be Thicker - Rumors are about 2mm thicker to handle the Force Touch Display.
3. Better Camera, Faster Processor... normal generational improvements.

Apple will be announcing the new phone in September. Me? I'm still rolling with my iPhone 5s and am hoping that they will come out with a smaller phone.

Oh yeah, to read more on the rumors, check out Newsweek: http://www.newsweek.com/iphone-6s-rumors-release-363648

Apple CarPlay

The Power of Your iPhone in the Car

If you are like Wendy and I, our built-in car tech is buggy and frustrating. Sometimes I think it would be faster and simpler to pull off the road, find a pay phone, and make a call that way. Music? I can't keep the turntable from skipping in the Jeeps.

Well now there is Apple CarPlay. It is available from a number of different car companies and can come in aftermarket head units. It gives you seamless access to the content and capabilities of your iOS driven iPhone. Read all about it here: http://www.apple.com/ios/carplay/

July 2015 Edition - Monthly Mini-Bytes

Is it too hot for your iPhone? Your Tech and the Environment As you stand outside talking on your brand new iPhone 6 in a typical 115 degree day in Phoenix, you may not realize that you are pushing your little phone 20 degrees above it's approved operating temperature. Well, you are. The iPhone 6, for example, has an operating ambient temperature range from 32º F to 95º F. This also means that you cannot use your phone in Minnesota, ever -- except in August. All of your tech, whether it be your iPhone, iPad, Mac, Apple Watch, GPS, or digital camera, has a tested and verified environmental operating range. Using the iPhone 6 as an example, here are it's limitations -- I also included Celsius, because my teachers told me in the 70s that the US is totally going metric any day now: (From Apple https://www.apple.com/iphone-6/specs/) Operating ambient temperature: 32° to 95° F (0° to 35° C) Non-operating temperature: -4° to 113° F (-20° to 45° C) Relative humidity: 5% to 95% noncondensing Operating altitude: tested up to 10,000 feet (3000 m) Nice. But what does this mean in a practical sense? It means that if you exceed these tolerances there is a good chance that your device may flake out or shut down.  Should you worry? No, but be mindful not to leave your devices in hot cars in the summer, or in the freezing cold on the opposite end. Keep it out of the sun and treat it like the expensive piece of art that it is. Tech is fragile, and we count on it every day, so being aware of the operating ranges will help you extend the life of your device. You can read what Apple has to say about it here: https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT201678 When Good Inkjet Printers Go Bad To Toss or To Clean It has happened to all of us at one point or another. After a wonderful excursion to Europe, a month in San Diego, an African Safari, or a surprising trip to Pluto, we arrive home only to realize that our inkjet printer now only spits out page after page of nothing. What are we to do? There are many unproven home remedies to deal with dried ink, but many don't work and some are downright dangerous. You can always try: Cleaning the Print Heads - Most printers will allow you to clean the print heads either on the console or through a utility. Change Inks - This may work, but it all depends on the design of the printer and the location of the clog. Having a plan to start is the best course of action, since often times the cost of getting the printer repaired is close to the purchase price of a new one. Here is our advice: Keep it Cheap - For home use, as a general guideline, we don't recommend spending over $150 on an inkjet printer. $125 is the sweet spot. That way if it fails, you don't break the bank trying to replace it. Print, Print, and Print Again - Keep the ink flowing. If someone is watching your house while you're gone, have them use the printer to keep it going. Also, print a couple of things before you hit the road. Consider Laser - If you travel a lot for long periods, then a laser printer may be better for you. They are more expensive to purchase and maintain; they don't have the resolution of inkjet printers; but they also don't clog up.  The bottom line is that if you come home from an extended absence and your inkjet won't print, and the cleaning and ink changing doesn't help, then it's unfortunately time for a new one. Apple watchOS 2.0 The Update that Makes It Awesome If you have seen either Wendy or I since May, you most likely have also seen our Apple Watches and been riveted by our stellar demos. Yeah, it's cool, but coming this Fall, Apple will be updating the watchOS (it's like iOS for the watch...) with all types of neat features. But the big news is that developers will now be able to create apps that run natively on the Apple Watch. If you recall back to 2007 and the original iPhone, the first iteration of iOS did not allow 3rd party developers to create apps for the phone. It was not until later that the App Store and the multitudes of iOS Apps came onto the scene. It's hard to remember the iPhone without them. Well, watchOS 2.0 is that watershed moment for the Apple Watch. This is the point it will really come into it's own by making the full suite of sensors on the watch open to other apps.  To find out more about watchOS 2.0, visit Apple's site here: https://www.apple.com/watchos-2-preview/

June 2015 Edition - Monthly Mini-Bytes

Snow Leopard Folks: The Party is Over OS X Now Goes to 11 If you are still running OS X 10.6 Snow Leopard, the luxury of avoiding a system upgrade has ended. To check your version, go to the Apple in the upper left hand corner of the screen and choose About This Mac. If it comes up and says you have 10.6, then you have some decisions to make. At the World Wide Developer Conference last week, Apple announced a new operating system: OS X 10.11 El Capitan. (http://www.apple.com/osx/elcapitan-preview/) It will be released in the Fall, but what this means for those of you running OS X Snow Leopard is that support for that platform will effectively end. What does it mean exactly? Well, you probably already have had difficulties with mail, accessing websites, and using current software. It's only going to get worse. What do you need to do? If you are on 10.6, the jump to the current version 10.10 is rather huge. Some software like MS Office 2004 and AppleWorks will not run in OS X 10.10 Yosemite. Also, if you only have 1GB of RAM, you will need to upgrade that before installing a new OS. And if you have an older machine, it may not even run Yosemite. Bottom line is that if you had delayed upgrading there is a lot to do, which is why we always beat the drum of staying current. It avoids headaches like these. Still, there are solutions:  To start, go to the App Store on your Mac and take a look at the current operating system. Here is a link: https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/os-x-yosemite/id915041082?mt=12  It should tell you if your Mac is available for an update. You can also learn more about the requirements for OS X Yosemite here: http://www.apple.com/osx/ If you are concerned about running any of your current software in OS X Yosemite, check with the developer's website. When NOT To Upgrade Sometimes You Have to Wait Let me start out by saying that if you are on OS X 10.6 (see above), you have to upgrade. In fact 10.7 folks should start to make some decisions about updating your Mac's operating system. But if you are on 10.8 or 10.9 you may be asking yourself if it makes sense to move.  First off, if you are a heavy user of iCloud and it's features, you MUST be on the highest system possible, which right now is OS X 10.10 Yosemite. It will allow you to sync seamlessly with all your devices. And if you have an iPad, iPhone, and Mac, it does pay to stay current, as it is necessary so that all three (or two) work together. BUT... and this is a big but... if you use your Mac for work or extreme hobbying there are cases where delaying a system upgrade may make sense: Your Business Critical Software Won't Run - If you have an application that you use for business that will not work in a current system, then delaying an update does make sense -- at least in the short term. Keep in contact with your software provider to see when updates will become available. Software No Longer Developed - If you use an older software platform it may no longer be available. It's okay to delay, but you must look for an alternative and see how to move your data to something that is more future proof. Need to Purchase New Equipment - Upgrading may mean swapping out older machines for new Macs. This can get expensive, so holding off a little on upgrading can help when figuring out a holistic strategy for the office. So What About an Anti-Virus? ClamXav at the App Store Thanks to the underlying Unix architecture of the OS X Operating System, Macs are very secure devices. But we get asked often about an anti-virus solution for the Mac. There area a lot of choices out there, but the one that we have used is called ClamXav.  ClamXav is available at the App Store, and it's a freebie, too. You can run the scan when you need to, but otherwise it can sit in your Applications folder for a time when you want to check your machine. It does not actively monitor your machine by default -- just run it when you choose. You can find it here: https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/clamxav/id430207028?mt=12

May 2015 Edition - Monthly Mini-Bytes

Protect Yourself from Malware and Scams Be Proactive and Suspicious Macs, by the very nature of the design of OS X, are very secure systems, unlike Windows computers that pass around infections and viruses faster than a kindergarten class. But still, the bad guys have to figure out a way to, well, be bad guys. The way they do this in the world of Macs is by trickery and tomfoolery. Keeping a watchful eye will go a long way to keep you safe. Your Admin Password Keep in mind that your Administrator Password (the one you need to enter to log in or install software) is the key to your Mac. If it pops up, ask yourself why. It's the front door of your system -- enter the password and you open the door. Just as you do at home, be sure you know who you open the door for. Adware Let's talk about Adware. What is it? Adware is software that tracks your activities on line so that you can be presented with ads either embedded in a web page or via pop-ups. Technically Google is adware, but we're talking about the bad stuff -- the borderline malware that gets installed on your system by piggy-backing on a legitimate install. If you are getting a lot of pop-ups or your home page has been changed to a weird search engine like InstallMac, then chances are you have adware on your system. How to remove it? Adware Medic is donation-ware that does the job. It was developed by The Safe Mac Blog and is available here: http://www.adwaremedic.com/index.php BUT! If you have adware, you may not be able to download it or will be redirected somewhere, else. It can be a vicious circle. How do you prevent adware? Only download content from legitimate websites. Many malware sites will mimic the URLs of actual websites. Again, be wary and check twice. The Scary Pop-Up We know you've seen it. It pops up and says that you are infected with some awful virus and that you need to click here or there, or buy something. Well, phooey! It's a scam. Don't download the software and don't call the phone number. Ever! If you call, they will want access to your machine and then it gets a lot more serious. Close Safari, then reopen and go to History and select Clear History & Website Data. Choose an interval, or all of it -- your choice. The Phone Call The phone rings and it's Microsoft, or the Internet Police, or the Tooth Fairy, or whoever telling you that your machine is throwing errors and causing ships around the world to spontaneously sink. You must grant them access to your computer and pay them $200 or even worse things will happen. What to do? Hang up. It's bogus. How long have you been on hold with your ISP when you can't get online? Exactly.... they don't have time to be calling. It's a scam. And never, ever, allow someone to remotely control your machine, unless you know them. (See the front door reference above.) This is just the tip of the iceberg of best practices, but if you follow the roadmap presented here it will be a significant help to keep you away from the scammers. Is it a little cynical? You bet, but in this case a little cynicism today can keep any future headaches away.

How Much Speed is High Speed Internet The FCC Changes the Benchmark Back in the late 90s I was psyched when we got 256 Kbps DSL internet. It was a huge step up from 56K dial up, but nowadays that speed just doesn't cut it. In fact, the FCC changed the definition of High Speed Internet by setting the minimum to 25 Mbps for download and 3 Mbps for upload. CNET covers it here: http://www.cnet.com/news/sorry-your-broadband-internet-technically-isnt-broadband-anymore/ This means that if you have anything below that, you technically are no longer in the broadband awesomeness club. But what does 25/3 mean in real life? Like most folks, if you surf the internet, read email, use social media, stream music, watch HD movies, or even update your computer's software, you need a reliable connection to pull all that data. An HD Movie can be as large as 5GB and if you have a 4K TV, that content is almost four times larger. And keep in mind that ALL of your software is delivered via the web through purchases and updates. The days of rolling down to Computer City and bringing home a CD are long gone.  The FCC based their 25 Down 3 Up standard taking all of that into account. These days it really is the practical minimum for a decent experience for the average household. Again, more is always better, but 25/3 is a good place to start.

Mom Says: Do Your Updates or No Pudding! Three Reasons to Keep Current If you are sitting in front of a Mac running OS 10.8 or less, or holding an iPhone running iOS 7 or earlier, I am talking to you. We all know that updating is hard. Things change, icons move, beloved tasks need to be altered, and the place where I used to click is now over here when it used to be there. But to keep your machine healthy and happy, updating your software and operating system on a regular basis will keep you current and out of trouble.  Delaying an update for a short time is prudent while the bugs are worked out by the programmers, but making sure that you are on a current system with updated software will make sure that your computer, iPhone, or iPad operates at peak efficiency. Here are three reasons to do updates: 1. Safer and More Reliable Web Browsing Whether you use Safari, Firefox, or Chrome, running the latest version of a browser on a current system will allow you the best surfing experience, along with taking advantage of the latest in security. It will make everything from YouTube to Netflix to banking sites work as they are intended. 2. Better System Security Apple tweaks the already excellent security of OS X with every edition. In OS X 10.10 Yosemite a feature called "Sandboxing" has applications working in their own little silo. It's difficult for one app to hurt your computer, and knock you down. 3. Better Integration with Your Devices If you have an iPhone or an iPad, the iCloud service syncs your information between those devices and your Mac. Having them all on the current system allows them to work together more reliably. Put it this way: If you delay going to the dentist for 15 years, bad things happen. If you delay updating your system and software... I think you get the point. And, if you have any software that will no longer work in an updated system, it's time to shop around for a replacement. Keep Mom Happy: Upgrade, update, and stay current so you can eat your pudding, too!

April 2015 Edition - Monthly Mini-Bytes

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:

1. To get the Sidebar back in Photos to mimic that iPhoto look, go to the View drop-down menu and select Show Sidebar.
2. Enabling iCloud Photo Library will most likely prompt you to purchase more iCloud storage. You'll need it.
3. On your Mac, in Photos -> Preferences -> iCloud, be sure to select "Download Originals to this Mac" so you have them for offline backup.
4. 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:

1. 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)
2. 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.
3. 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!

March 2015 Edition - Monthly Mini-Bytes

The Apple Watch is Coming!
Yes, It's Really Worth It

The much anticipated Apple Watch will be available for pre-order on April 10th. Also, Apple Stores will have floor models available so you can OOO and AHHH and choose the one that best fits your lifestyle. They will be on wrists by April 24th. Wendy and I already have two on our wish list.

So is it that big of a deal? You bet! With the advent of phones with huge screens, you are now going to witness the move toward miniaturization. And what more logical place than the wrist!

Well, what can you do with the Apple Watch? Answer the phone like Dick Tracy? Yes. Unlock your hotel room with your watch? Starwood Hotels is making it happen. Monitor your fitness? Of course. Use Apple Pay? Roger. Contact alien intelligences via sub-space to get time travel equations for cats? Not yet, but...

You will need an iPhone 5 or later to use the Apple Watch. The iPhone works as a conduit to the watch for system updates, App Store purchases, and phone calls. The Apple Watch will come in several different flavors from the $350 base Sport all the way north of $10,000 for the gold Edition. 

To learn more, and see the presentation keynote, visit Apple at: http://www.apple.com/watch

A New MacBook that Comes in Gold

It's So Thin, It Disappears When Turned Sideways

Do you want a gold MacBook? Go ahead... admit it. It's okay. How much more blingy can you get! Apple surprised everyone by announcing a new MacBook that not only comes in the traditional silver, but also space gray, and .... wait for it ... GOLD! Plus, it's only 1.31 centimeters thick when closed and weighs only two pounds. That makes the MacBook Air look almost like a boat anchor.

How did Apple do it? They ditched the fan and implemented new battery technology. All in all it equals a beautiful new option for mobile computing.

But, it is a specialty laptop. If you need the ultimate in mobility, it does the job. It only comes in an 12-inch screen size and has a single USB-C port. USB-C is a new standard, so if you get a new MacBook be prepared to purchase adapters to connect your old peripherals. For someone who just does email and web surfing, it's perfect, but the MacBook Pro is still the benchmark for business use.

You can find out more about the new MacBook at: http://www.apple.com/macbook/

HBO Now is Soon and only on Apple
Cord Cutters now get Game of Thrones

Apple has dropped the price of it's awesome Apple TV to $69 in anticipation of the release of HBO Now. Beginning in April, for $15 per month you can have access to HBO's massive content library all on demand on your Apple TV. In the past you had to have a subscription to HBO on cable or satellite to take advantage of HBO streaming content. This means that shows like True Blood, The Wire, and Game of Thrones are ripe for your binge watching agenda.

Also, Apple is in negotiations with networks to offer a Pay-TV service on the Apple TV. This would make cord cutting more practical for many. You can see what Time has to say about it here: http://time.com/3749020/apple-tv-discovery-viacom/

For more information on the Apple TV: http://www.apple.com/appletv/

To learn about HBO Now: http://www.apple.com/appletv/hbo-now/

February 2015 Edition – Monthly Mini-Bytes

Check Your iCloud Storage No More Running Out of Space iCloud is great and makes the iPhone, iPad, and Mac work together seamlessly. The only problem is that they only give you a scant 5GB of free storage. That was a lot of space a decade ago, but can quickly be taken up if you have multiple devices on the same iCloud account. The best thing to do is to learn how to manage your storage. To check, grab your iPhone or iPad and go into Settings -> iCloud. On the third line down you will see Storage and a representation of how much space you have available. Select this level to drill down further. From this Storage window you can go one level deeper to manage your storage. You can also upgrade or downgrade your plan. The plans are much more affordable for additional storage. The 20GB is only $0.99 a month and other plans go all the way up to 1 TB, which I don't think anyone needs at this point. I have the 20 GB plan and never get the out of space emails from Apple. For $0.99 I think that's a good deal. Wendy manages hers in the 5GB free zone, which takes some doing, but can be done. Despite all your best efforts to effectively manage your storage, keep in mind that if you back up your devices to iCloud, you will need more storage eventually.

iTunes Match: Carry Your Music with You Keep Your Friends Close and Your Bieber Closer For a long time, despite all the advancements with iTunes, iCloud, and the iPhones/iPads, music syncing worked much like it did way back a decade ago. You had to physically sync with your iTunes library to carry your music along, but this is no longer the case with iTunes Match. For around $25 per year (plus tax) iTunes will scan your entire music library and make it all available from the cloud to all your devices. Yes, this means no more syncing. With the service you even get the bonus of listening to iTunes Radio commercial free. To get started, open your iTunes, select your Music and choose Match. Or for more information visit Apple's page at: https://www.apple.com/itunes/itunes-match/

Using Two-Step Verification with Your Apple ID If you like passwords, you can have another one! For the past several years, many of the major banking sites have enabled two-step verification. Using this process you cannot access the bank's secure site without both a password and a code sent to a mobile phone or email address. It's yet another barrier of passwords between a hacker and your account... and you and your account. Apple has implemented the same option with Apple IDs. If enabled, you would have to enter both your password and a four digit PIN code every time you make a purchase, sign into iCloud, or manage your Apple ID.  If you are interested in setting this up, visit Apple's FAQ at: http://support.apple.com/en-us/HT204152