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. iPhone 3GS: The iPhone has been updated with video record and edit, cut and paste, larger capacity, faster processor, voice control, auto focus 3 mega-pixel camera and lots more features added. Makes it an even more compelling smart phone. Stephen Fry thinks so too! They will keep selling the existing iPhone for much cheaper so it becomes a ‘bargain basement’ smart phone, a clever ploy to widen it’s reach. http://www.apple.com/au/iphone http://www.guardian.co.uk/technology/2009/jun/19/stephen-fry-iphone-3gs-review
2. Older iPhone?: Make sure you update to the newest software, version 3.0 which is free for any 3G iPhone, download via iTunes. Adds many useful things like cut and paste and a really good search facility. Those of us already with an iPhone will either need to wait until the end of our contracts or most likely pay an upgrade fee if we want a new one. No details until release date at the end of the month.
3. Cheap Extended Warranty for Laptops: If you have a MacBook or MacBook Pro that is less than a year old it is always a good idea to extend the warranty to 3 years from the basic 12 months. You can do this at anytime before the initial 1 year runs out and as the Apple laptops have an international warranty you can do it in any country! And if you do it via a US company online it is almost half price. These guys have been used by a client here in Australia and the warranty was registered without any hassles as it is just a serial number that you register with Apple online. Their price for a MacBook or MacBook Air is (US$ 117) A$145 compared with local prices of $419, MacBook Pro is (US$ 161) A$197 compared with $579!! Big savings and totally legitimate due to the international warranty. http://shop.ebay.com/merchant/coastal_computing
4. Apple Store in Robina: Apple have opened a retail store in Robina town centre about an hour north of the Shire. Lots of goodies to play with if you happen to be passing that way. Open 7 days. http://www.apple.com/au/retail/robina/
5. Label Templates Easily: Avery Labels offer heaps of pre-made labels that you can print onto easily on any printer if you download their free templates for Word and other applications. The packet of labels you get from the stationery shop has a code on it that you enter at the website, get the template you like, type your info in and print envelopes, addresses, labels; anything label-ly really. http://www.averyproducts.com.au/avery/en_au/Templates-%26-Software/Templates/_/Ns=Rank
6. Snow Leopard: The latest operating system to ship in September has what to me seems a welcome premise: hardly any new features, but a much faster more stable computer experience. After ages piling on the ‘new improved features’, many of which we don’t even use, Apple are releasing an operating system update that is all about making the already great interface better. It will only run on Intel-chip computers which is only computers from the last couple of years, so its not for everyone, but I applaud and welcome the approach. And all for a cheap upgrade price if you are already running Leopard 10.5. If you are interested in the details (and you are running an Intel-chip machine!) check out the page below. http://www.apple.com/au/macosx
7. Malware, Spyware and Viruses on the Mac: An update: we are generally not affected by viruses, spyware and malware on the Mac platform. But things are slowly changing as reports of Mac-aware malware begin to circulate. The latest one concerns emails from a porn site that are sent when the user registers and is advised to download a plug-in to view a video. The link is actually to some malware which can take control of the computer and grabs sensitive information. It is not a virus as such that infects and replicates itself, but it does remind us of the need to be vigilant online these days. I constantly get emails asking me to verify my bank account details ‘for a security overhaul’ or similar. These even come from banks where I have no account! Never respond to an email from a bank and be careful on any dodgy sites! If you must install anti-virus software realise that it slows the machine up and can cause problems with some software. Free anti-virus software for the Mac is Clam XAV: http://www.clamxav.com
8. Electric Sheep Update: Electric Sheep is a free Open Source psychedelic screen saver. Or just very pretty. A constantly changing light show. New version just out. http://community.sheepserver.net
9. Social Networking Update: Twitter and Facebook are leading the charge as the early days of Social Networking sites grow into the mainstream. In a year or so they will be as ubiquitous as email, or maybe replace it! Unthinkable? Maybe, maybe not. Facebook has become the biggest site for people to pop online and see what their mates or Friends are doing, uploading photos directly from iPhoto or your iPhone and generally keeping in touch. It is easy to use and includes it’s own mail. Twitter, on the other hand is a simpler messaging system that lets users find out or keep in touch with the entire world as well as their mates, but is harder to get to grips with apart from merely following people who you are interested in. It has vast potential for instant news and updates. These two articles assist the process. Don’t dismiss social networking — you will be using it sooner or later! http://www.guardian.co.uk/technology/2009/jun/21/observer-profile-twitter-internet http://www.guardian.co.uk/technology/2008/may/08/socialnetworking.twitter
10. BSMUG: The Byron Shire Macintosh User Group (BSMUG) holds monthly meetings on the 3rd Tuesday of the month upstairs at the Mullumbimby RSL. Catering for Mac beginners as well as experienced Mac users. Visit the website and the forum for more information: http://bsmug.ozshop.net http://www.ozshop.net/ozforum/index.php
11. 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. Until next time, Thank you Tommi ;>)
Mr Macintosh Tom Hain PO Box 1040 Byron Bay NSW 2481 6685 5504 041 840 8869