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June 24 , 2013 - Hammondsport Mac Users Group ATTENDING: Tom B, Bob S, Dottie E, Jerry L, Janet S and Bill N. TOPIC : SPEED
Do you remember a time when you could order something by mail, but had to allow for the obligatory 6 to 8 weeks for delivery? How could we ever wait that long? Now the delay of a few seconds makes us tap our toe impatiently and wonder what is wrong with the internet. At this meeting, we explored various ways to make our Macs faster without great cost or technical knowlege.
SOME WAYS TO SPEED UP YOUR MAC
1) RAM Max out the Random Access Memory - it is the cheapest investment you can make to get more speed.
OWC (Other World Computing) - reliable source for RAM memory - low prices, ships fast - Tom recently purchased 8 GB of RAM (two 4GB cards) for $79 for his 2010 MBPro - also shared that many MBPros have been tested to run effectively with 16GB (see report from OWC and specs from Everymac (NOTE: it is necessary to run OSX 7.5 or higher along with with update of firmware EFI and SMC). View 'How to install RAM' tutorials and videos from OWC, and iFixit for your specific Mac.
2) RUN LEAN Quit unnecessary Apps and Utilities - note the 'running lights' on active Apps in the Dock - the Finder will always be ON.
Stick to one of each kind of background service such as anti-virus, calendars, newsfeeds, etc. Anti-Virus apps are often a big drag on speed.
What are the differences between the version of ClamXav available from maker and the version in the Mac App Store?
3) SHORTCUTS Get there faster by using Keyboard commands to reduce mousing time
Create SHORTCUTS (aliases) to folders or files - drag & drop a folder, file or app onto the Dock, sidebar of Finder window or top of Finder window.
4) CUT THE CLUTTER Have you ever tried walking briskly through a cluttered room?
Remove most files, folders, apps and dmg installers from the Desktop Folder. Put them into Document Folders. Create Desktop aliases if you need quick access. . Remember, it's the Desktop Folder that needs to be kept cleaned out, not just the Desktop view. It may actually slow down the user's efficiency more than the computer, but it still tends to slow things down. Dmg files are not needed after the installation is completed. They can be trashed or copied to a USB flash drive for later use if needed.
HELPFUL SOFTWARE
HELPFUL WEBSITES
IN THE NEWS
SAFEGUARD YOUR IDENTITY ONLINE Free software available from MacUpdate helps you defend against any form of network surveillance that threatens personal freedom and privacy, confidential business activities and relationships, and state security known as traffic analysis
Hammondsport Mac Users Group - Hammondsport, NY 14840 - www.hportmug.com
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One
great free anti-virus app is ClamXav - 
Speed up SAFARI
by changing some browser preferences (Safari > Preferences
> Security > Uncheck 'Plugins' (read 
< -
- - this is not real but it's still annoying - 
Empty the image
Cache, Cookies, History and Trash once in awhile.
CBS Reporter's Computer
Breached Remotely - 
WiFi in Your
Home Can Track Your Moves - new technology called WiSee - 
3-D Printed Guns - blueprints
banned from internet after 100,000 downloads in two days - 
Yahoo Mail - recently
there has been a rash of strange emails from friends which look genuine
except for the short cryptic web link enclosed in the e-mail, no other
message, and also the fact that they didn't send it. Read 
Tor - 
Anonym - 
JonDo -