July 2019 - Monthly Mini-Bytes

Do you need a Cloud Backup for your Mac? Every Mac should have a Time Machine Backup. It is the first line of defense against crashes and lost data. You can restore your Mac right back to where it was from the Time Machine Backup or even setup a new Mac with it, too. It is one of the best pieces of insurance that you can have. But, you may also be a candidate for a cloud backup. This is not iCloud. iCloud does not back up your Mac. It does, although, back up your iPhones and iPads if you enable this feature, and you should. The Mac has too much data on it, which is why Time Machine is the backup software created for the computer. It is a local backup, meaning it is local to your computer -- it's in the same space. The problem arises that if something happens to the Mac like it is stolen, it is likely that the "local" nearby backup would also be swiped, too. Having an offsite or cloud backup is a way to safely store your data away from your Mac. If you answer "Yes" to any of the below, then you probably would appreciate having a cloud backup: Do you use your Mac for business? Do you have critical information on your Mac that you don't ever want to lose? Are you a video editor or professional photographer? Do you own a server? If you are in the market for a cloud backup there are several options out there. Just make sure that the cloud backup service was designed for Mac computers and not ported over from a Windows solution. Windows machines have a totally different file structure than Macs and having the wrong solution could jumble your data, and make restores incredibly difficult if not impossible in some cases. We have used CrashPlan for Small Business before, but this is exclusive to small business and you need to have a strong technology aptitude to use their service. We have had experience with BackBlaze and have heard good things about iDrive. But whatever you choose, remember that once everything is set up, you still need to monitor the process to ensure that the backups are being completed. The good news is that most services will send you alerts if there is a problem with your backup.

Apple TV Device vs. Apple TV App Oh boy.... here goes. The Apple TV is not only a device, it is now an app. But an Apple TV is not necessarily the Apple TV. And you may purchase a new TV that has the Apple TV built in, but it is not the Apple TV device, but just the Apple TV App. So, it's really not the full Apple experience, just a tiny taste wrapped in another company's interface and well... Confused? It's understandable. The Apple TV (4K & HD) is a streaming media device that you can attach to any TV that will give you access to services like Netflix, Hulu, Amazon Prime Video, and others. It also runs the Apple TV App, which consolidates all of your viewing into one place... except it doesn't work with Netflix or some other streaming services. Regardless, the Apple TV device will give you the full Apple integrated experience, so we recommend the Apple TV (device) over any other streaming media player. The Apple TV App will be available on a bunch of different third-party devices and TVs as Apple wishes to push its new Apple TV + (plus) streaming service. That means there will be three Apple TVs? We hope that clears everything up. There will be a test later. If you take anything away from this is to remember that if you want the Apple integration, go for the Apple TV device, and don't worry about them naming everything Apple TV. Actually, I think the new iPhone will be called Apple TV Phone Max X or something... [sigh] To learn more about the many Apple TVs: Apple TV (device):https://www.apple.com/apple-tv-4k/ Apple TV (app): https://www.apple.com/apple-tv-app/ Apple TV+ (streaming service): https://www.apple.com/apple-tv-plus/

Neato! Unlock Your Mac with the Apple Watch If you have an Apple Watch using watchOS 3 (or better) and a Mid-2013 or newer Mac using macOS Sierra or later you can actually use your watch to unlock your Mac! It takes some setup, but if you go to the Apple help article linked below, it will give you all the instructions that you need to get started. How to unlock your Mac with your Apple Watch: https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT206995

June 2019 - Monthly Mini-Bytes

Avoid the Adobe Flash Update Spoof If you have been unfortunate enough to have malware on your Mac, then you most likely installed it through a fake Adobe Flash Updater. This spoof is the number one way that Macs can get compromised. The type of malware varies greatly, but the danger is the same, so it's important to know how to avoid it. First, go to System Preferences -> Adobe Flash and choose the Updates tab. It defaults to the choice to let Adobe install updates. You can also check for updates here or move to a manual mode. Either way this is the place where you either want to check for updates or install an update. So, do you need Flash at all? Well, it depends. I do not have Adobe Flash installed on my Mac and I have no problem accessing content from websites. But depending on which ones you frequent, you may need to have it on your machine.

Apple 15-inch MacBook Pro Battery Recall Apple is recalling certain 15-inch MacBook Pros that were sold between September 2015 and February 2017. The model is the mid-2015 MacBook Pro to be specific. The issue is with the battery, which supposedly can overheat and cause a fire risk. To see if your MacBook Pro is part of the recall go to Apple's site and enter in your serial number: https://support.apple.com/15-inch-macbook-pro-battery-recall

Apple's Butterfly Keyboard Service Program The Butterfly Keyboard first introduced by Apple back in 2015 in the MacBook is a revolutionary design. But as with all innovations there are bumps in the road. If you have a MacBook, MacBook Air, or a MacBook Pro from 2015 or later and are experiencing sticky keys, repeating characters, or no response at all, then Apple has a service process to get it looked at and resolved. Here is the link for more information: https://www.apple.com/support/keyboard-service-program-for-mac-notebooks/

May 2019 - Monthly Mini-Bytes

The Mandatory Flexibility Requirement Let's face facts: Technology does not do what we want it to do all the time. It does what it's programmed to do. Tech cannot think on its feet, respond to your needs, and has zero emotional intelligence. It just does what it is created to do in the way it was created to do it. This is a problem for the rest of us as often time we need it to be something else -- do something in a different way, and that's where we get to the whole conversation about flexibility. In order to be a successful user of tech, you must be flexible. This is not something any of us can avoid. Flexibility is the key to effectively wielding technology so that you can be successful. Here are three tips to get you there Begin with the End in Mind You have to start any task with your ultimate goal. The goal and final output is the key. You may want to create a newsletter, or draft an email, or create a photo book. Once you have your goal it is important to adapt to the tools that you are using to get there. The workflow may not be what you want. You may have two clicks instead of three. You may only be able to work on three photos at a time instead of two. Well, get over it. Think about the goal and not focus on the miniutia on the way to the final accomplishment. It wil go a lot faster and smoother. Trust me. Accept that there are No Quick Fixes Since the tech is going to work the way it was programmed, and not necessarily how you want it to, you may need to try different software, change up the way you work, or even employ a workaround. It may take more time than you expected, but if you try to fight against a faceless enemy (the tech) you are only going to delay your progress to your ultimate goal. (See: Begin with the End in Mind) Know When to Ask for Help No one is an island when it comes to technology. We all run into problems where a second set of eyes helps tremendously. If you get stuck it's okay to check the internet, or ask a friend or colleague for assistance. Again, fighting the software will only take up more of your precious time.

Vacation? Your Inkjet Printer will Miss You! Memorial Day weekend is upon us and with it the official kick-off of summer! Whether it means going up North, or a three month stint in California, or, like my Uncle Terry, a long weekend in Ocean City where we lost track of him for 30 years only to find that he now lives in Sri Lanka and works as a coffee merchant. But you don't want to hear about that story. Let's talk about how your vacation will devastate your inkjet printer. Inkjet printers are cheap and effective ways to deplete the Earth's forests with hard copy emails, pictures, and boarding passes. But they have a flaw -- all inkjets will clog if not used regularly. An extended vacation may spell the end of your beloved printer. Here are three ways to keep it alive and ready for your return home: Get Someone to Print on It Each Week If you have someone watching your house, have them print something up at least once a week. Print Before You Leave Run a couple of print jobs before you take off for Antarctica. Clean Upon Return When you get back, try printing. If it all looks good pat yourself on the back. If not, clean the heads. It may take several cleanings to get it working, but if it doesn't, then it's time for a new printer. And one final tip: If you go away a lot, consider investing in a laser printer. They do not clog and tend to last much longer.

Apple's 2019 World Wide Developer Conference WWDC 2019 is right around the corner and it looks like Apple will finally come out with an all new Mac Pro. Other things to expect are the usual iOS and macOS announcements. To learn more, visit Mac Rumors: https://www.macrumors.com/roundup/wwdc/

April 2019 - Monthly Mini-Bytes

Beware of the Profiles We talk of Adware and Malware a lot, and the last invasion that has shown up is the use of rogue Profiles on your Mac or iPhone/iPad. Profiles are a legitimate way that IT departments can deploy certain system, network, and device configurations to your Mac or iPhone/iPad. The problem is that scammers can also deploy a rogue Profile that can do all types of bad things, from slowing down your computer, to stealing your information. Unless you were given a Profile by your IT department at work or school, you probably don't need one. If one is showing up, it's often a bad thing. To check for Profiles on your iPad or iPhone, go to Settings -> General. If you have a Profile installed you will see an option for Profiles & Device Management. On your Mac, go to System Preferences. If you have or had a Profile installed at one point, you will see a Profile preference.. Remember that schools and businesses will deploy Profiles for device management, but if it is your personal device, then its presence is suspect.

Refreshed AirPods Apple's AirPods have been refreshed, but these are not the fabled "AirPods 2" that the world has been waiting for. The update is mild. They are faster when connecting, have voice enabled Siri, and wireless charging. The good news is that the wireless charging case is available for the original AirPods, too. Should you upgrade? If you have a set of AirPods, there is no need to run out and get the new ones. If you like the wireless charging, you can purchase the case for $79. To find out more, click: https://www.apple.com/airpods/

How to Forced Restart Your FaceID Equipped iPhone If your iPhone 8, X, XS, XS Max, or XR is acting up, there are a few things that you can do to get it working again.The easiest is the Forced Restart. This can resolve many issues from connectivity, to not being able to make calls, and unstick a locked phone. Here is what to do: Press and release the Volume Up Button Press and release the Volume Down Button Press and HOLD the Power/Lock button Keep it held until you see the Apple You are done! For more info and how to do a Force Restart on other models, click here: https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT201412

March 2019 - Monthly Mini-Bytes

New Apples Apple has been busy this week announcing a bunch of new refreshed products. These are more incremental updates and tweaks to existing products rather than totally new offerings. AirPods 2 The AirPods have been updated with a new chip and wireless charging. https://www.apple.com/airpods/ iPad Air 10.5 Inch The iPad Air is back, and you can think of it a lot like the old 10.5 Inch iPad Pro. It can take advantage of the Apple Keyboard Case and the 1st Gen Apple Pencil. https://www.apple.com/ipad-air/ iPad Mini It looks the same, but they updated things under the hood. If you are a fan of the Mini it is back with a better processor. https://www.apple.com/ipad-mini/ iMacs All the iMacs have updated processors and internals. https://www.apple.com/imac/

Spring Cleaning Time It's spring and what a better time to clean up your computer! Storage space is precious, so why have it taken up with things that you just don't need? Here are three tips to get you started: Empty the Trash - It's simple, but how often do you do it? You'd be surprised on how big it can get. Clean out your Downloads folder - Downloads can be a dumping ground for all types of old installers, documents, and photos. Go through it and move items that you want to keep and delete stuff that you don't. Purge Old, Unwanted Photos - How many close ups of your left thumb do you really want to keep? Open Photos and find stuff that you just don't want. Photos take a up a lot of space, and there is no use keeping ones that are garbage. Trash 'em!

Make Your Smart TV Smarter with Apple TV Let's speak truth to power: Smart TV software leaves a lot to be desired. Mostly it's there to sell TVs, but if you have spent hours trying to log into Netflix, join your network, or otherwise do anything but watch TV, then how smart are they? Hmmm.... If you are reading this, you are already invested in the Apple Ecosystem, and these days tech is all about the ecosystem. The Apple TV is an appliance that you attach to your TV that allows you to stream from sites like Netflix, HBO Go, Amazon Prime, among others. Because it's from Apple it syncs all your purchases across your devices, and even allows you to share your photos right up on your TV! Wendy and I use our Apple TV almost exclusively to access content, and as a TV and movie junkie since I was teething, it has never disappointed. To learn more about the Apple TV visit: https://www.apple.com/tv/

February 2019 - Monthly Mini-Bytes

Take the Phishing Quiz! Phishing has been and will continue to be a big problem for every single email user. Every day you will see phishing emails in your inbox or junk mail folders. The potential of being a victim of one of these nefarious messages is easier than you may think. And unfortunately there is no one quick answer. The scammers change up their methods, which means you need to constantly be on your toes and aware. Google has put together a little phishing quiz in partership with Jigsaw. It is available here: https://phishingquiz.withgoogle.com/ If you do take the quiz, don't use your real name and email. Just make one up for an example (per their instructions). The quiz can help you learn about phishing and potential ways to avoid it. And in the words of Sergeant Phil Esterhaus, "Let's be careful out there."

Three Tips to Avoid Spoofed Web Pages Web page spoofing has become a huge problem. Tricksters create a webpage and URL that look very close to the real one, fooling you in to entering usernames and passwords, which are immediately compromised. They may also offer downloads that then load up your Mac with malware. Just as with email phishing, you are the one in ultimate control, and like walking through a bad neighborhood at 2AM with multitudes of Benjamins taped to your person, you must learn that just by being on the internet, you are a target. Act appropriately. Here are three tips to get you started: Be Careful of Your Search Results - First, make sure you are using a reputable Search Engine. Search results vary between them, and some are better than others. When you search and get those results, be careful of what you are clicking on. Look at the listing. If it looks funny, then it most likely is spoofed. Bookmark Frequently Used Sites - Do not use a search engine to hit frequently used sites like your bank, credit union, webmail, etc. This is the main way that the spoofers trap you. Bookmark all your most important sites and access them from the bookmarks. Check the URL - The URL is the thing that often starts with www and ends with .com, .net, or .edu, etc. A website like mybank.com can be spoofed as my_bank.com, mybankcom.net, etc. Be sure of the site you are visiting.

Use the Correct Power Adapter I bet you have a drawer in your house packed with old power adapters that go back to the 90s. We all have them. It's okay. What is not okay is using the wrong power adapter with a device. Whether it be your Mac, iPhone, iPad, external hard drive, cable box, XBOX, or Tesla, using the wrong power adapter and cord can be a huge problem. From battery damage to over heating (or worse), the wrong power adapter can get you into trouble. What to do: Make sure you have the correct power adapter for your device. If you are not sure, check with the manufacturer. Label the power adapter, so you know which device it is supposed to be associated with. Check the condition of the power adapter. If the cord is frayed or the unit itself is in any way damaged, get a new one.

January 2019 - Technology Mini-Bytes

New Year! Time for a Mail Cleanup! Large mail databases are not a good thing. The more mail that you have, the harder your computer and devices have to work to sync everything. Having too large of a mail box can mean delays in getting messages, lockups, the dreaded spinning wheel, or even database corruption, which means moving your mail to a new mail host will be very difficult. So how do you do it? Outside of just deleting everything and starting anew, there are some more surgical methods that we prefer: Empty the Trash and Junk Folders - It's amazing how large these can get. Keeping them cleaned out is an easy thing to do. Delete Old Mail - That sale on curtains from 2014 is long over. Archive Old Messages - If the messages are important, come up with an archive strategy. There are different options depending on your mail host. The choices available to you could be as simple as hiding the folders from the sync function, dragging to local storage, or even moving to an archive email account. And one other thing... It's a good idea to keep the unread count down. Having thousands of unread messages isn't good for you or your mail database. Most mail clients have a way that you can sort by unread. And here's a Pro Tip: Apple Mail and other clients give you the ability to create Smart Folders that can make cleaning up your mail much easier.

Be Spoof & SPAM Savvy Spoofing and SPAM have been around for as long as email has been mainstream. These attacks are not letting up and will not go away. The only thing that you can do is to be more email savvy. Keep in mind, too, that Spoofing and SPAM are not technical problems in and of themselves, but more of an opportunity for education. In fact, many big security firms provide training to companies to teach the staff tips and best practices to protect themselves and the business. But what can you do to protect yourself: Use a Decent Email Provider - Email services are not all the same. Some do a better job filtering out the bad guys. Mom & pop webhosts cannot keep pace with the likes of Google or Apple. Check the Email Address, not the Name - Spoofing emails very often have a mismatch between the name and the email. The name is there for your convenience. The email is the real thing that you want to focus on. If it looks funny, it probably is. You can contact the person directly via phone, or through their known and trusted email account to confirm if it is real or not. Don't Click on Links or Attachments - If you do not know who the email is from, do not click on the link or attachment or call the phone number. This is usually how they get you. If you see something from your bank or credit card, be safe -- do not click on the link, but go to their website as you normally would. Tighten Up Your Password - Make sure for your email account that you are using a unique password with numbers, letters, and symbols. Also, if two factor authentication is offered, consider using it. Having a weak email password can turn you into a victim. Don't be one.

Mac Slow? It May Be Your Hard Drive With all the updates that have come out in the past few months, we have noticed that all Mac computers with the old-style SATA Hard Drives have gotten slower and slower. If you use apps like Mail, Photos, or the Adobe Creative Cloud you are probably familiar with this phenomenon. The bad news is that there really isn't anything that you can do to speed up the process. SATA hard drives struggle with the larger files sizes and loads that a system like macOS Mojave puts on them. It is also a factor that our iPhones and iPads operate with Solid State memory, so the experiences we have on our mobile devices make the old SATA driven Macs feel, well, slow. Outside of getting a new Mac with a Solid State Drive, what can you do? Use Webmail vs. Mail - Working in a browser eliminates the database syncing that goes on when using Mail. Only Open One Application at a Time - Multiple apps use resources. Add RAM - If you can, adding memory will allow your applications to run in RAM space, vs. having to pull data on and off your old SATA Drive. Upgrade to a Solid State Drive - For many, this may not be an option, but if the Mac is only a few years old, it is a possibility. But keep in mind, if your Mac has a SATA drive and is from 2014 or before, it may just be time to replace it. The good news is that all new Macs, except the iMacs, come with Solid State Drives standard. If you do want to get an iMac, you will need to custom order one with a Solid State Drive. iMacs that they stock at the Apple Store only have SATA or Fusion drives. You don't want one of those. And just to be totally clear: We do not recommend purchasing a Mac with a SATA or Fusion Drive. With the complexity of systems today, only a Solid State Drive will give you the performance that you are expecting.