Hello There Macintosh User!
If you are getting this email you have sometime been a client of mine — Thank you for your past custom!
1. The iPad: Finally announced but not here yet, the iPad has to be the most hyped device in history, even outdoing the iPhone. But will it be worth the money? Interestingly, the usual complaints were made by the technical people (nerds?) who had made the same comments about the iPhone and look what happened! Certainly the people who have had a hands-on with it seem more enamoured than the nerds and really, that’s what it’s all about: useability… We shall see what we shall see. Meanwhile here are a few articles: Stephen Fry http://www.stephenfry.com/2010/01/28/ipad-about/ Charlie Brooker http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/2010/feb/01/ipad-therefore-iwant-why-idunno Sydney Morning Herald http://news.smh.com.au/breaking-news-technology/review-apples-ipad-not-just-a-bigger-ipod-touch-20100128-mzoz.html Roughly Drafted re: Business Users http://www.roughlydrafted.com/2010/01/29/apple-to-target-ipad-at-business-users-with-added-features Gary Barker at The Age: http://www.theage.com.au/digital-life/pcs/macman-wiping-the-slate-clean-20100203-nc9m.html
2. 1Password: We all have password problems from time to time and this mob seek to allay them with 1Password. No, don’t just use the dog’s/kid’s/grandma’s name for everything… http://agilewebsolutions.com/products/1Password
3. iPhone Apps: Mapzen lets you update the Open Street map (see below) Free. iMinds Generalist v1 relates to the story below. Free with 12 tracks then other versions are $4.99 each for their 12 tracks. If you have any favourite apps that you would like to share with the list please let me know. 4. iMinds: iMinds is an Australian company who make short 8 minute eBooks and podcasts on a variety of subjects with prices around $1.69 each and collections for $7.99 to $29.99. A fantastic way to learn about a multitude of things quite cheaply while driving around, jogging or just chilling out. There is a range for kids called iMindsJNR too. http://www.iminds.com
5. Open Street Map: You know about Google Maps, well there is an Open Source version too that covers more of the planet and of course with those regions that mainstream commerce doesn’t care about — the 3rd World. It is a Wiki, ie an open, collaborative effort which allows users to change and edit it. If you look at Byron Bay you will see that Sunrise Boulevard where I live is not marked yet! I can register and edit the omission so my house is there. That’s the difference to a corporate site like Google Maps which is controlled by them, this one is ‘ours’! There is also an iPhone app called Mapzen that lets you upload interesting additions while on the move. http://www.openstreetmap.org http://www.guardian.co.uk/technology/2010/feb/04/mapping-open-source-victor-keegan
6. SlideshowMovie: For making groovy slideshows beyond what iPhoto can do and then saving them as a self-contained movie. Lots of effects and things to play with if you are big on making slideshows and sending them to people. US$14 http://www.bitfield.se/slideshowmovie/index.html
7. Movist: An Open Source video player app that is even better than VLC Player! Apparently Movist will play an even more diverse range of movie files. Free. http://code.google.com/p/movist/downloads/list
8. MP3 and iPhone Repairs: It happens… Cracked screen or other broken bits and it’s out of warranty. This mob fix them and don’t charge the earth. http://australianmp3repairs.com.au/
9. VTC Online Education: For US$30 per month you get unlimited access to online video tutorials from VTC Computer Software training. Heaps of tutorials for Macs in the 2nd link…if you like working at your own pace at home online then this is for you! http://www.vtc.com http://www.vtc.com/apple-tutorials.htm
10. Audio Hijack Pro: Any sound source on your Mac, streaming and non-streaming, Skype conversations, DVD soundtracks — any audio can be recorded with Audio Hijack Pro. US$32 is a sensible price for regular people. http://www.rogueamoeba.com/audiohijackpro
11. Show the Date: For some odd reason the date isn’t shown by default in the Toolbar at the top right next to the time. Dunno why, but if you have the latest operating system, Snow Leopard 10.6 it can be switched on easily in System Preferences/Date and Time then click the Clock tab and tick the box Show Date. Voila.
12. A Reminder of My Rates: I charge $88 per hour including GST. No call-out fee or travel charge in the Byron Shire. Half hour minimum. Telephone support costs the same in 15 minute increments. Email support is still free! Please include plenty of detail in your email inquiries. Serving the Byron Macintosh community for over 8 years.
Items for Sale is a free monthly service for my Mailing List. If you want to list something for sale send me the full description/specifications and contact details. Goes out around 14th of the month. Until next time, Thank you Tommi ;>)
Mr Macintosh Tom Hain http://www.mrmacintosh.com.au PO Box 1040 Byron Bay NSW 2481 6685 5504 041 840 8869