PAST MEETINGS


 

August 22, 2011 - Hammondsport Mac Users Group

ATTENDING: Tom B, Jack H, Dotti E, Gene N.


TOPIC: Apps I Can't Live Without

Actually, we could live without any of these applications . . perhaps even better. . . but we had fun talking about favorite Mac programs that we use daily. . . and learned some interesting things about each.


Tom's favorite apps (using a PowerBook G4 with OSX Tiger):

Safari web browser Safari (free) - still the best browser because it loads fast. For even more speed, disable 'Plug-ins' in Safari>Preferences>Security. If site requires Adobe Flashplayer, just re-enable plug-ins. Safari 5 for Leopard - Safari 4 for Tiger

Firefox (free) - secure, dependable web browser with many handy plug-ins - from the slightly weird Mozilla group. For example, type about:mozilla into a Firefox URL window to see a hidden message. Mozilla co-founder Brendan Eich invented JavaScript.

Stickies (free) - great for daily memos or To-Do list - can be set to automatically open at Log-in. (All the people that remembered the MUG meeting use this App. : )

Mail (free) - still the main reason most people even want to touch a computer.

PowerPoint - can be installed from PowerPoint-for-Mac or MS Office for Mac- works cross platform.

1Password (free trial - $39 to buy) - manage all your website passwords with one click. Read a review. (Download 16.3mb)

Audacity (free) - fantastic sound-recording application, with MP3 export capability. (see more)

JAlbum (free) - convert a folder of images into a multi-page website with a single drop and click - in a few seconds, it creates all thumbs, reduced images, and html pages needed. (Tom prefers the older version 6.1)

QuickTime (free) - handy Apple app for viewing downloaded YouTube videos (see how) or capturing live streaming music from internet via audio line-in. (This requires a 2nd computer. Play internet stream on 1st Mac which is connected to 2nd mac via stereo miniplug (sound out to sound in). Open QuickTime Pro on 2nd mac to New Audio Recording, adjust input levels, then record.)

TextEdit (free) - handy word processor found in every Apple Applications folder - uses all fonts, colors, styles, tables, lists, images and hyperlinks - very fast loading. Good for testing a printer connection with a single dot (.)

Dreamweaver - create your own websites with this WYSIWYG app (see a sample tutorial) - Tom uses an older Macromedia MX version ($99) to design and maintain the site your looking at.

Preview (free) - view a folder of images one at a time or as a quick slideshow.

AppDelete ($5) - completely removes any unwanted app (and all its parts) from your Mac with a single drag+drop - older free version 1.1.1 is available here.

AppleWorks - all-in-one word processor, spreadsheet, drawing, painting windows - works in OS8.1 to OS10.6 Snow Leopard - if you don't have an original install disk, order here for $49. Read about some possible alternatives to AW beyond Snow Leopard.

Dictionary (free) - while using any Apple application, right-click on a word to launch Dictionary - or hover over a word while pressing Ctrl+Com+D to pop-up definiton.

Caffeine (free) - keep your Mac awake and running with one click - especially handy when downloading or copying a large file or doing extensive updating (download 240k)

 

Jerry sent his favorite apps with comments:

Path Finder - a more powerful Finder.

Internet related:
1Password - can't live without it. Generates powerful passwords and retrieves them as needed
Dropbox - Off site storage for 1Password data allowing multiple computers to use 1Password always in sync
Adblock Plus - eliminates a lot of the clutter on websites
WOT (Web of Trust) - warns of web sites that have a history of having unwanted presents
Surf Canyon - Search Engine Assistant - improves searching on Google

Photography related:
Lightroom 3 - Fantastic photo database and enhancement
Photoshop Elements - great photo editing program that integrates with Lightroom
Huey - a must if doing serious photography, calibrates the color temperature of the screen (includes measurement hardware)

Misc:
iStat - great info about the operating conditions of the computer
BackupLoupe - great info about Time Machine backups and handling them
Audacity - fantastic free audio editing
Monolingual - Greatly reduce app sizes by eliminating foreign languages not needed (ex. French, German, Spanish, Icelandic, etc)
Parallels - allows running Microsoft Windows for needed PC programs

 

OTHER DISCOVERIES

Chipmunk Mac Serial Decoder - find Mac specs by entering the Serial # in blank space, then 'Show the information' - the following letters indicate where your mac was built.

F: Fremont, California, USA
CK: Cork, Ireland
SG or E: Singapore
UV: Taiwan
QT: Taiwan (Quanta Factory)
W8: Shanghai China
PT: Korea

- secure search here

HARDWARE

RocketFm returns! - search eBay ($29.99 + free shipping) - broadcast internet music to any FM radio in your house or patio. Read PDF manual.


IN THE NEWS

Fake Apple stores in China? - amazing knock-offs

10-year old hacker finds flaw in game

On-line photos security threat?

Paypal founder wants island utopias!

More Mozilla Manifesto - hooks, sheriffs and performance gurus

TIPS

- great tutorials for every Apple app can be found by clicking Help in the Desktop Menu.

- use Command+-DRAG to rearrange icons.

KEYBOARD SHORTCUTS - the group had some robust conversations revolving around iPhoto albums and KB shortcuts such as Com+Shift+4 to capture a portion of any screen. See more KB shortcuts.

TUAW - find more great tips at The Unofficial Apple Website.

- another short discussion revolved around how to add your name and copyright to a photograph. This can be easily done via Graphic Converter by using the Text Tool, typing in your name over the image, then use Option+G to produce the © symbol. View example.

 


Hammondsport Mac Users Group - Hammondsport, NY 14840 - www.hportmug.com