Andy's Un-Official Unsolicited Mac Advice Thread

[patch29]

I found a good list of live keynote sites (http://www.applegazette.com/macworld/where-to-find-live-coverage-of-the-macworld-2008-keynote/). :lurk

[jdryan3]

Honest, i've surfed for a while so as not to divert attention from more photography-related stuff here, but this is actually photo-related for me. i understand the general concept of partitioning hard drives, but have never had a reason to do so. Now, with newly-elevated paranoia about backup, I have one external drive that will be dedicated exclusively to Time Machine backups (yes, I'm OSX 10.5). I have another 750 GB hard drive that will be dedicated to SuperDuper! backups, once the new Leopard-compatible release comes out. I have tons of excess capacity on the 750, so would like to keep a redundant^3 backup there just for images, one that I will export to manually as the need arises or the mood strikes me.
So I am pretty sure I know how to make two partitions using Disk Utility (presently, I have one partition that comprises the entire drive in order to enable the GUID protocol that is necessary for an Intel-based Mac). If I were to go in and create 2 instead, is it a straightforward process to (a) name/identify each with reference to its purpose and (b) direct subsequent exports to one or the other partition?

Subsidiary question: can you create folders/subfolders for a photo backup on the external drive within the partition that may not mirror a folder structure on the primary hard drive?

Sorry if I have embarrassed myself here -- at a minimum I'm sure I have garbled the "language". Thanks for any help though.I'm reaching back here (and I'm sure someone will correct me on the actual technical details) but long long ago, around the Win95 days, FAT16 could only address a hard drive volume (partition) that did not exceed 2GB. But hard drives were avaibable in 4-8 GB in size. So you HAD to partition the drive, otherwise anything above 2GB would not be used - wasted space. Disk space was expensive.

Also we used to have 'compressed volumes', where you could shrink (sort of like Zip or jpeg) files to maximize space. It look at the age of the files and last time it was accessed adn compressed the least used ones until needed. Again a wya to maximize limtied disk space. And those compressed volumes had to be on a separate partition from the live data.

There were other performance and data management advantages, such as O/S and application files in one partition and data files in another. But remember it was the same physical drive. So you were still using one head to read both partitions, single disk I/O, etc. And if the drive failed, all the data could be hosed on both.

While you can change the size of a partition, it isn't easy. Once hard drives got cheap enough, people put in multiple drives. Then you have RAID, mulitple point of failure, blah, blah, blah. Frankly, except for our SAN LUNs, I haven't partitioned a drive in years. I hate the phrase, but yeah, disk space is cheap.

As a backup/disaster recovery method, the worst thing to do is to partition the same physical device. Even a separate drive (mirrored) in the same machine would be better, then the next best thing to do is a separate external drive(s) that you physically disconnect and remove. There are all sort fo ways to go from there.

[DavidTO]

I don't understand the advantage of two partitions. If you want two backup copies on the same drive, you could accomplish this easily by placing them in separate parent folders, say, Backup1 and Backup2.The reason for two partitions is that he wants to allow Time Machine to do its thing, and he also wants a SuperDuper backup. If you've got the extra space this could make sense if a) you don't trust Time Machine yet as much as cloning software, or b) you want to be able to boot off of your backup (which Time Machine can't do).

Partitioning the drives is exceedingly easy. Just do it and name them whatever you want. They show up as separate drives, but if you eject one, they both go. Then you can easily assign one as your TM backup and the other as your SD backup. It would be silly for you to have a third, manual backup. TM backs up every hour, and you can schedule SD to back up as often as you'd like, as well.

The other thing to consider is that these two partitions are both on the same drive, so if one goes, the other will most likely go, as well. If you are going to have a third backup, which IS a good idea, you want it to be separate from your system (as in, if your house burns down, you've still got a good backup stashed somewhere. You can do online backups with Amazon S3/Transmit, Jungle Disk, Mozy, etc. You can also back up to another disk periodically and store it elsewhere.

Oh, and I'm moving this to the Mac Advice thread. :thumb

[pathfinder]

Partitioning one large drive to smaller drives used to be necessary for operating systems that could not address really large hard drives, as mentioned above.

Planning on creating separate partitions, one for a boot drive B/U, and one for a data B/U will work, but you do risk losing both partitions if you have a hard drive failure. It might be little safer with two smaller, but physically separate hard drives.

I keep two distinct, separate hard drives for back up of my boot drive. I had not thought of using TIME MACHINE on one, and Super Super for the other. I, currently, use Super Duper for my back ups, and it has saved my butt at least twice for hardware failures. I do not compute without it, needless to say!

For my data drives, I keep two distinct, separate drives, as well as DVDs for important images that I really want to keep. I print a contact sheet for the images on each DVD, and then file them and the DVD in a 3 ring binder in a clear acrylic sheet holder. I sleep better that way.

I had a hard drive failure for my boot drive last year, and, later, had to have my mother board replaced by Apple. Neither of these events required reconstruction of the boot drive programs, I just copied them over from my back up drives. Imagine trying to reconstruct my boot drive from scratch with multiple programs, actions, plug ins, Photoshop, Lightroom, iWORK, etc, etc.

One good reason for partitioning a large drive, would be to create a separate, unique partition for Photoshop to use as a scratch drive for itself alone. 50-100Gb should easily accommodate that I think.

[Richard]

One good reason for partitioning a large drive, would be to create a separate, unique partition for Photoshop to use as a scratch drive for itself alone. 50-100Gb should easily accommodate that I think.

Here, too, you would be better off with a separate physical drive...no seek conflicts with other applications, separate controller. With modern file systems, about the only thing two copies on a single physical drive may protect you against is local media failure in one of the copies. Head crashes, controller or power failures will affect all partitions or copies. And ironically, you stand a better chance of hitting a media failure if you are hammering the drive more often to make your second copy on it. Given the low cost of large drives (external and internal) it seems silly not to go that route.

[Pupator]

Steve Jobs wants you to back up - so he's invented a Time Capsule :deal Seems like a neat device, though the price is (expectedly) high.

Details:

Today we're introducing a companion product to Time Machine -- it's called Time Capsule. It's really clever, it's a backup appliance. What it has in it is an Airport Extreme base station and a hard drive -- 802.11n wireless and a server grade hard drive in it. One with a 500GB drive, one with a 1TB drive inside it -- $299, and $499. Very aggressive prices because we want people backing up! Ships in Feb.

[DavidTO]

Steve Jobs wants you to back up - so he's invented a Time Capsule :deal Seems like a neat device, though the price is (expectedly) high.


? Really? 802.11n wifi and built in 500GB or 1TB drive that magically backs up your data.... I think the price is spot on, myself. :dunno

How much do you reckon that's worth? I'm really excited about it, myself. We have 3 laptops in our house that could all use brainless backup. :thumb

[Pupator]

? Really? 802.11n wifi and built in 500GB or 1TB drive that magically backs up your data.... I think the price is spot on, myself. :dunno

How much do you reckon that's worth? I'm really excited about it, myself. We have 3 laptops in our house that could all use brainless backup. :thumb

You're not wrong about the price point, I don't think - so long as you know you're paying for the "ease" factor. I've got a 500GB FW drive that was about $100. Since all my computers at home are on the same network, and all have (free) Syncback SE - I get the same functionality for far less.

But again, for many folks (and I can certainly understand why) the ease of use will be worth the extra bucks. I think this is a great product and support anything that makes people more concious about backing up their data!

[DavidTO]

You're not wrong about the price point, I don't think - so long as you know you're paying for the "ease" factor. I've got a 500GB FW drive that was about $100. Since all my computers at home are on the same network, and all have (free) Syncback SE - I get the same functionality for far less.

But again, for many folks (and I can certainly understand why) the ease of use will be worth the extra bucks. I think this is a great product and support anything that makes people more concious about backing up their data!


syncback is the same as time machine? I doubt that. They both backup, sure, but TM is unlike any backup I've heard of.

Granted, if you've already got a wifi, then you need to reinvest, and that sucks. But if you were to set up a wireless system from the start, it's really not that much of a premium. $100 for the drive, plus the wifi, put them all in one with the drop dead simplicity and features of TM, and it's well worth it. :thumb

[Pupator]

syncback is the same as time machine? I doubt that. They both backup, sure, but TM is unlike any backup I've heard of.

Granted, if you've already got a wifi, then you need to reinvest, and that sucks. But if you were to set up a wireless system from the start, it's really not that much of a premium. $100 for the drive, plus the wifi, put them all in one with the drop dead simplicity and features of TM, and it's well worth it. :thumb


*Pupator reads and remembers why he doesn't belong in this thread and quickly runs elsewhere* :rofl

*EDIT* Just came back to say that the Macbook Air is one of the most beautiful computers I've ever seen. I'm going back to my (perfectly wonderful yet...) HP now.

[DavidTO]

*Pupator reads and remembers why he doesn't belong in this thread and quickly runs elsewhere* :rofl

*EDIT* Just came back to say that the Macbook Air is one of the most beautiful computers I've ever seen. I'm going back to my (perfectly wonderful yet...) HP now.


Hey, don't leave. :thumb

All are welcome in the reality distortion field! :D

Yes, the MBA is one beauteous piece of gear.

[Van Isle]

No firewire for your card reader.

But it's environmentally sound:

Environmental highlights: fully aluminum case (good for recycling), first fully mercury and lead free display, circuit boards are BFR free, retail packaging are 56% less volume than MacBook.

(from Macrumors.com)

[patch29]

So will they have an air battery replacement program?

Integrated 37-watt-hour lithium-polymer battery

[patch29]

It looks good, but I don't know if it is enough to get me to replace my Macbook. :dunno

[digitalpins]

Not gonna replace my Macbook for that Macbook Air....I dont like it at all lol, no firewire, one usb port now and if you want or need a ethernet port you dont have one..... I am wireless at home & work but not everynow.....and sometimes I will use the ethernet port on big/huge uploads. Plus not everyone is wireless yet......

The not having a firewire port really bothers me plus the ethernet port is gone so now I have to buy an adapter...lol apple wants all my money

now even my MacPro is even old...lol.....seems like its was not long ago I brought. But the new MacPro looks awesome... that computer is a beast

[patch29]

Wow the options push up the price for the MBA.

Image

* Intel Core 2 Duo processor
* 2GB memory
* 64GB solid-state hard drive1
* Built-in 802.11n Wi-Fi2 and Bluetooth 2.1 + EDR

Ships: 2-3 weeks
Free Shipping
$3,098.00

[patch29]

Still no Cinema Display updates. :scratch

[ivar]

Wow the options push up the price for the MBA.Yeah, and you even have to pay $19 for the remote :scratch

[jdryan3]

So will they have an air battery replacement program?

What about an Air guitar to go with Garage Band?

I wonder if it isn't to replace your MacBook, but to be an iTouch (http://www.apple.com/ipodtouch/) on steroids? :wink

(Sorry - bad choice of words today if you are a baseball player)

[digitalpins]

Wow the options push up the price for the MBA.

ouch that price is crazy.... I could imagine if they come out with a MacBook Air Pro whats the price of that gonna be

[patch29]

I wonder if it isn't to replace your MacBook, but to be an iTouch (http://www.apple.com/ipodtouch/) on steroids? :wink


I was hoping to see a Newton sized tablet with everywhere internet (with a low monthly fee).

I think it would be great for someone who travels a lot.

[patch29]

I am reinterested in an itouch with the unlocked features. If only AT&T would give former Bellsouth DSL customers the same access to their Wi-Fi network (most other subscribers have it included for free), then it would make a touch much more useful.

[patch29]

I am still hoping that Garmin's new product for the Mac, codenamed Bobcat, will be a hit. I hope it is something to run their mapping software, so I can stop using windows. It is supposed to be announced at Macworld.

[patch29]

Why have they not come out with a 16GB iphone? They have an 8 and 16 GB itouch. :scratch :dunno It is not like Apple to have only no options for a product.

[DavidTO]

Wow the options push up the price for the MBA.


yeah, it's the solid state hard drive, mostly.

[patch29]

yeah, it's the solid state hard drive, mostly.


He wasn't kidding when he said it would be fast but expensive.

[Hindsight]

I can't help but wish it were SmugMug rather than Flikr (sp?) with the built-in and hyped up photo sharing with ATV. It would seem painfully obvious to everyone who's ever spent any time on DGRIN that SM and Apple should be "officially" aligned in some way.

Apple sure is going for the jungular of the semi/non-technical elite sheik consumers. Time capsule looks appealing to me even though I have a working wireless router and external drives. I really don't "need" an Apple TV either, but I kinda just want one! I mean, I have netflix... I have Comcast onDemand, and I have many computers from which I can surf photos and youTube. My laptop has video output for the TV if ever I wanted to play out to it, as do all of my cameras. The new Airbook is fancy and all but I'd take a MBP any day of the week. Shiny, simple, useful. More power to them as long as thet don't forget about their core base.

I guess I can think about ordering my Mac Pro now. I was waiting until after the keynote 1) just in case pending keynote announcements , 2) because the 8800 video cards delay shipping 5 weeks anyhow, and 3) in case there were major issues with the new units. I think I'll wait anoher week just in case.

[Richard]

You're not wrong about the price point, I don't think - so long as you know you're paying for the "ease" factor. I've got a 500GB FW drive that was about $100. Since all my computers at home are on the same network, and all have (free) Syncback SE - I get the same functionality for far less.

Hey, don't forget about the coolness factor. Windows sees my external drive as a "Generic USB Mass Storage Device." David gets a Time Capsule. Which is cooler? :rofl

Seriously, I like the idea of wireless connectivity to an external drive, but even 802.11n is awfully slow compared to what goes over a wire. I suppose it's OK for middle of the night incremental backup.

[DavidTO]

Hey, don't forget about the coolness factor. Windows sees my external drive as a "Generic USB Mass Storage Device." David gets a Time Capsule. Which is cooler? :rofl

Seriously, I like the idea of wireless connectivity to an external drive, but even 802.11n is awfully slow compared to what goes over a wire. I suppose it's OK for middle of the night incremental backup.


It backs up hourly when you're on it. Can't be that much to do each hour. :dunno

[SloYerRoll]

That's what I was thinking. All transfers would be incrimental anyway. Maybe one "all nighter" when setting up. But after that..:dunno

[ian408]

Snazzy looking machine for sure.

I'm curious to see how the road warrior will fair with it ;)

[DavidTO]

Snazzy looking machine for sure.

I'm curious to see how the road warrior will fair with it ;)


Interesting questions about the MacBook Air (http://www.macfixit.com/article.php?story=20080115120445420)

[Richard]

It backs up hourly when you're on it. Can't be that much to do each hour. :dunno

Well, I think that might vary quite a lot. How much video can you put on your system in an hour? If you upload 200 RAW files from a 20D and do a batch conversion to 16 bit TIFF, you end up with about 11GB of new data. According to the Wiki (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/IEEE_802.11), the real-world average throughput of 802.11n is 74Mbits/sec. If I haven't screwed up the arithmetic, ignoring protocol overhead, your wireless LAN would be 100% saturated for about 20 minutes even if absolutely nothing else is using the LAN. I don't think I would like that at all, and you probably wouldn't either, but I'm guessing there is a way to set it up so that it backs up at night rather than every hour.

[DavidTO]

Well, I think that might vary quite a lot. How much video can you put on your system in an hour? If you upload 200 RAW files from a 20D and do a batch conversion to 16 bit TIFF, you end up with about 11GB of new data. According to the Wiki (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/IEEE_802.11), the real-world average throughput of 802.11n is 74Mbits/sec. If I haven't screwed up the arithmetic, ignoring protocol overhead, your wireless LAN would be 100% saturated for about 20 minutes even if absolutely nothing else is using the LAN. I don't think I would like that at all, and you probably wouldn't either, but I'm guessing there is a way to set it up so that it backs up at night rather than every hour.


Well, I would argue that video and that quantity of photos don't belong on your boot drive, anyway.

Yes, you can customize it, but the default settings are perfect for 99% of the ppl.

[cmason]

Interesting questions about the MacBook Air (http://www.macfixit.com/article.php?story=20080115120445420)


Well I for one am disappointed...still no Mac. Macbooks, Mac mini, iMac, and big honkin Mac pro...but still no Mac...why cant they make just a decent Mac, without the screen..or maybe even a bigger Mac mini? I don't want notebook, and I don't want a server as my desktop....durn.

[DavidTO]

Well I for one am disappointed...still no Mac. Macbooks, Mac mini, iMac, and big honkin Mac pro...but still no Mac...why cant they make just a decent Mac, without the screen..or maybe even a bigger Mac mini? I don't want notebook, and I don't want a server as my desktop....durn.


Yeah, it's not sexy. But it would fill a great need, that's for sure. Stupid, really, not to have it.

[DavidTO]

Well, I would argue that video and that quantity of photos don't belong on your boot drive, anyway.

Yes, you can customize it, but the default settings are perfect for 99% of the ppl.


Plus:

It's intended for laptops.

It's the drop-dead easiness of it that's the great boon. People will actually backup with this because it is so friggin' easy and mindless. Most people simply don't backup at all. :dunno

And, it's a backup, can't say that the speed of 802.11n is really much of an issue to me, at all.

[bigwebguy]

Plus:

It's intended for laptops.

It's the drop-dead easiness of it that's the great boon. People will actually backup with this because it is so friggin' easy and mindless. Most people simply don't backup at all. :dunno

And, it's a backup, can't say that the speed of 802.11n is really much of an issue to me, at all.

Plus:

It will handle backups from multiple computers.

I don't do that much heavy lifting on my laptop, so speed there ain't much of a concern. All the big jobs are done on the Mac Pro, which is plugged in to the Airport Extreme/Time Capsule.

[jdryan3]

Well I for one am disappointed...still no Mac. Macbooks, Mac mini, iMac, and big honkin Mac pro...but still no Mac...why cant they make just a decent Mac, without the screen..or maybe even a bigger Mac mini? I don't want notebook, and I don't want a server as my desktop....durn.

Probably because MacBook / MacBook Pro are what users are buying. Units of iMac class machines were only nominally higher last fiscal year - it was the laptops that gave Apple the giant surge.

In the PC world, last year more laptops were sold than desktops. I'll look for the links.

Edit: For link: http://www.computerworld.com/action/article.do?command=viewArticleBasic&articleId=9057598
Looks like they dropped form 3rd to 4th, but only because Acer bought Gateway. Apple will release their numbers Tuesday.

[cmason]

Probably because MacBook / MacBook Pro are what users are buying. Units of iMac class machines were only nominally higher last fiscal year - it was the laptops that gave Apple the giant surge.

In the PC world, last year more laptops were sold than desktops. I'll look for the links.

Don't doubt it, but I already have a laptop. Heck look at the Macbook Air...its entire design is built around the assumption that you have another PC...why can't they build that other PC that a regular joe wants? sigh

[digitalpins]

Interesting questions about the MacBook Air (http://www.macfixit.com/article.php?story=20080115120445420)

I saw the battery thing on a tech show I watched to night....lol I thought apple would have listened or learned their lesson about the whole iPod battery thing. When all the new iPod models were released a couple of years ago people were complaining left and right about battery problems and not being able to replace them easily themselves.

Now apple once again does it with their new Crapbook Air...lol sorry could not resist... But I am a huge mac guru/junkie

Its gotta suck though for people whom are going to buy that new macbook and the battery is dead... now what do they do. I could imagine trying to open that little thing yourself. lol my old powerbook when I had it, I once opened it to replace the harddrive that thing had a billion little screws in it. I could imagine all the hidden little clamps or screws in the new macbook.

But those are all good questions, the maintenance looks like its going to be a pain on that macbook

[cabbey]

I saw the battery thing on a tech show I watched to night....lol I thought apple would have listened or learned their lesson about the whole iPod battery thing. When all the new iPod models were released a couple of years ago people were complaining left and right about battery problems and not being able to replace them easily themselves.

Most of the complainers back then were pundits and media who saw this as a bad thing. There were very few actual users who were complaining. I expect the same with the air... lots of whiners in the press, the general public will just accept it and go on... same as they have with the iPod.

[Mike Lane]

I saw the battery thing on a tech show I watched to night....lol I thought apple would have listened or learned their lesson about the whole iPod battery thing. When all the new iPod models were released a couple of years ago people were complaining left and right about battery problems and not being able to replace them easily themselves.

Now apple once again does it with their new Crapbook Air...lol sorry could not resist... But I am a huge mac guru/junkie

Its gotta suck though for people whom are going to buy that new macbook and the battery is dead... now what do they do. I could imagine trying to open that little thing yourself. lol my old powerbook when I had it, I once opened it to replace the harddrive that thing had a billion little screws in it. I could imagine all the hidden little clamps or screws in the new macbook.

But those are all good questions, the maintenance looks like its going to be a pain on that macbookMeh... If my battery dies in my macbook pro, I'd have to make a trip to the apple store anyhow. Same with the air, except with it I'd have to make an appointment and leave it there for a bit longer. I dunno, I'm not sure it's a perfect solution, but tbh, if I had the money to change my PC desktop over to a nice ocho mac pro I'd dump my mbp for MacSkinny.

But maybe that's just me. :dunno

[Richard]

Most of the complainers back then were pundits and media who saw this as a bad thing. There were very few actual users who were complaining. I expect the same with the air... lots of whiners in the press, the general public will just accept it and go on... same as they have with the iPod.

The iPod Mini I bought for my wife had battery issues after less than a year of use. Unlike the US--where a class action suit forced Apple to do something for its customers--in Europe Apple's response was "too bad." The iPod died completely after 18 months and the dealer's solution was to buy another one.

Call me a whiner if you want, but I think it's insane to buy anything with a batttery you can't replace yourself. It's like buying a car with a sealed hood.

[gus]

It's like buying a car with a sealed hood.
I totally agree & i suspect the 'sealed hood car' will not be far away either. I havnt opened a car hood for 4-5 years.

[cabbey]

The iPod Mini I bought for my wife had battery issues after less than a year of use. Unlike the US--where a class action suit forced Apple to do something for its customers--in Europe Apple's response was "too bad." The iPod died completely after 18 months and the dealer's solution was to buy another one.

Call me a whiner if you want, but I think it's insane to buy anything with a batttery you can't replace yourself. It's like buying a car with a sealed hood.

At that point you had a legitimate complaint. The folks whining on announcement day, 2 weeks before the product shipped, however... sorry, I just can't take them seriously.

And Gus is probably right... the sealed hood likely isn't too far off at this point.

[SloYerRoll]

My wife drives a 2007 Hybrid. I looked under the hood just since I was curious (used to be a gearhead and raced trucks). It looks like NASA had an R&D team put that engine together!

At a certain point no matter what you level of expertise. You should just leave well enough alone. Get the extended warranty and let the people that created these machines fix their problems.

There will always be cars available w/ the hood option for those ppl that love to tinker. This just won't be a good option for them.

-Jon

[jdryan3]

My wife drives a 2007 Hybrid. I looked under the hood just since I was curious (used to be a gearhead and raced trucks). It looks like NASA had an R&D team put that engine together!

At a certain point no matter what you level of expertise. You should just leave well enough alone. Get the extended warranty and let the people that created these machines fix their problems.

There will always be cars available w/ the hood option for those ppl that love to tinker. This just won't be a good option for them.

-Jon

Well, time to go out and gap the carb, plus I need to file the points ....

:lol

[Andy]

Ordered Office 2008 on Monday, it arrived today. Using it now. I'm not a power user, basic WP and Spreadsheets etc. But it's here now.

[SloYerRoll]

If Mac office 2008 is half as good as PC office 2007. You'll be very satisfied. It's a bit weird at first, just since your used to the older apps and have grown to know where everything is. Once you get used to it though:thumb

Link to Mac Office 2008 (http://www.macoffice2008.com/#ex_fg)

[StevenV]

Meh... If my battery dies in my macbook pro, I'd have to make a trip to the apple store anyhow. Most of the time batteries don't just die overnight, it's a gradual thing. My 2-year old battery doesn't last more than 90 minutes or so now, when a year ago it was good for just over 2 hours and when new it was longer than that. I'm looking around the 'net, I can buy a new PowerBook battery from many different vendors for about $120 and I'll be doing that soon. There's no need for a trip to the Apple store, and there's the power of competition to keep the prices from hitting the roof. A sealed unit messes with all that. I just don't understand why (other than showing their greed*) companies (Apple's not the only one) keep acting as though people want sealed units - just look around at the after-market that exists for batteries (laptops, cell phones, etc) and they should know better.

* a certain level of corporate greed is good - that's why they're in business, to make money. when it crosses over to the point at which customers start feeling screwed, it's time to throttle back and check the roadmap.

[Richard]

There's no need for a trip to the Apple store, and there's the power of competition to keep the prices from hitting the roof. A sealed unit messes with all that.

A sealed unit also means that road warriors cannot use a spare battery on those ever-so-long trips trips to Japan, etc.

I have to say, I am kind of puzzled by who Apple expects to buy this machine. Ultra-lights have been around for years (Sony, Dell, HP, Lenovo, etc.) in the Windows world, but my impression is that they are mostly used as second machines for travel only--or as executive toys. And with good reason, as they are generally not beefy enough to be your only machine. But without a docking station, isn't it going to be a PITA to sync the Air with your real machine? Or can that be done wirelessly? :dunno If your needs are so limited that the Air is enough, wouldn't a plain old MacBook be a better value?

What am I missing here?

[cmason]

I use a PC Laptop for work, and travel over 100k miles a year. So I have my laptop everywhere, all the time (Thinkpad).

I have two batteries, BUT I have never once, ever, swapped batteries. In ten years (3 laptops) I have only had one battery go bad...and yes it is a gradual event, where you notice you are not getting as much life from it.

So, while lots of folks are making a stink about this, I see it as no significant issue. I suspect that the real problem was that the battery is in a very very proprietary form, perhaps even some sort of flexible packaging that was just impractical or dangerous to expose the user to. The battery must be thin, and must be quite large as a result. Imagine carrying around a battery shaped like an oddly folded legal pad....

Batteries in new laptops are smart, are managed for temp and charge, and are built for longevity. I think this is an issue that it fun to talk about, but not really ever an event most laptop owners face.

Sure, it seems like a drawback considering there is a premium price here, thats for sure.

[DavidTO]

The battery life is 5 hours, isn't it? That's pretty good, right? :dunno

[cmason]

The battery life is 5 hours, isn't it? That's pretty good, right? :dunno

I think so. Granted, 5 hrs is best case: reading email with the screen on its lowest power, HD spun down. There is no DVD, so movies, if you have them are from the HD, so that helps the battery last longer (DVD spinning is a battery suck)

In my use, flights to Japan, Europe etc ALL have under seat power. So do trains throughout Europe. Heck the only time in traveling where I have to rely on battery power is flghts of about an hour, since it is too much a hassle to get my power adapter out. One to two hour meetings? Battery power. Day long meetings? Plug in.

[Richard]

The battery life is 5 hours, isn't it? That's pretty good, right? :dunno

Yeah, 5 hours is pretty good. But wouldn't 10 hours be better? :wink I never lugged a second battery around unless I knew I might need it, but there certainly were times when I was glad I had one.

[Pupator]

I think so. Granted, 5 hrs is best case: reading email with the screen on its lowest power, HD spun down. There is no DVD, so movies, if you have them are from the HD, so that helps the battery last longer (DVD spinning is a battery suck)


Actually, Apple is quite honest about battery life. Unlike most companies who use the "best case" number - Apple has always (in the past at least) used a more realistic number. Wifi on, bluetooth on for x amount of time, screen at normal brightness 70% of the time and dimmer 30%, etc. On top of that they usually understate what it can do. People got angry when the iPod touch battery "only" got what they advertised rather than 10-15% more like other products.

[pathfinder]

A sealed unit also means that road warriors cannot use a spare battery on those ever-so-long trips trips to Japan, etc.

I have to say, I am kind of puzzled by who Apple expects to buy this machine. Ultra-lights have been around for years (Sony, Dell, HP, Lenovo, etc.) in the Windows world, but my impression is that they are mostly used as second machines for travel only--or as executive toys. And with good reason, as they are generally not beefy enough to be your only machine. But without a docking station, isn't it going to be a PITA to sync the Air with your real machine? Or can that be done wirelessly? :dunno If your needs are so limited that the Air is enough, wouldn't a plain old MacBook be a better value?

What am I missing here?


Richard,

My understanding of the MacBook Air is that it is WIFi enabled, and thus is able to link and swap data with your Mac at home via WiFi, or via .Mac over the web via WiFi.

The serious limitation that I see is the lack of a 3G connection, the MacBook Air requires a WIFI hotspot to connect to the web, I did not even see a jack for direct RJ45 plug in to the web either.

But the lack of 3G, means that it will ONLY access the web via WiFi, and not via any wireless carriers from the cell phone vendors. Not much use on a train to work there, but if it had 3G, all the rail commuters might be able to use it on the way to work.

It certainly is not meant as a primary computer or even one's main laptop, but a smaller, lighter one for travel - think modern air travel I suspect. It would be nice for that, and it will play those movies rented from iTunes rather well in addition. I would not mind one for travel, my 17in Mac Book Pro is way too big.

Has anyone made any comments about the new dual QUAD core PowerMacs yet. 8 cores, lots of RAM. One of these may get me to give up my dual G5 finally and begin to use Intel processors again.

As for a plain MacBook being a better value, the answer, of course, is Yes. But not as cool, thats for sure. MacBook Air II will be even more interesting I bet, and it will show up sooner than we think I'll bet. Let the solid state hard drives - CF type - fall further in price, and the battery life will get even better. I just want it to have 3G, like an iPhone. How hard is that?

[SloYerRoll]

I have limited exposure to the QUAD core. But from what I've seen. It SCREAMS over the dual G5. I have a home grown banshee of a machine and I dust the G5's across the board. The QUAD core's take the gold even compared to my machine:rolleyes:D. Not by much, but a gold medal is a gold medal...

[gus]

The battery life is 5 hours, isn't it? That's pretty good, right? :dunno
How accurate is this though ? From the little ive had to do with laptops..the specs for battery life appear to have a considerable amount of journalistic licence used.

[Richard]

How accurate is this though ? From the little ive had to do with laptops..the specs for battery life appear to have a considerable amount of journalistic licence used.

The problem is, there is no standard benchmark. Battery life depends on what you are doing, so vendors will naturally base their claims on relatively undemanding tasks. A battery will last a hell of a lot longer if you are writing email or surfing the Web than if you are processing pics in Photoshop. CPU, disk access, optical disk access (if your machine has one), wireless interfaces...it all adds up, but not every task uses all of them. I can't say whether Apple is being more honest than other vendors or not, though as I mentioned in an earlier post, my personal experience with their iPod battery was awful. Once these machines hit the street, word will get around as to what you can realistically expect.

[cmason]

Digging around on apple.com, they do warn that the 5 hrs depends on configuration , but never offer what that configuration is. However, they do say on another page that it provides "5 full hours of WiFi web surfing', so at least there is an indication they are including WiFi being on the entire time. My guess is this also includes screen a lowest brightness, or the Air in powersaving mode. I bet bluetooth isnt on for example.

[gus]

So is there anything i should be checking re viruses/spyware on my mac ? Is there a programme i should be running ?

[DavidTO]

So is there anything i should be checking re viruses/spyware on my mac ? Is there a programme i should be running ?


No.

[gus]

No.
cool.

Also i just hit the space bar by accident when i was reading my local news site...i didnt know that either.

[BradfordBenn]

Snazzy looking machine for sure.

I'm curious to see how the road warrior will fair with it ;)

I volunteer! Someone send me one. This week, from South Bend to Anaheim to Phoenix to Anaheim...:huh

Regarding the Time Capsule, to say I am a little dubious about it is an understatement given the experience I have had with the Airport and networked drives. Also the thing that I have not been able to get a handle on is how does one purge anything or does the backup just keep growing and growing and growing over time until it becomes the backup that ate the hard drive.

[blalor]

Well, I would argue that video and that quantity of photos don't belong on your boot drive, anyway.
If you're on a laptop and not tethered to an external drive, it's your only option. :dunno

[blalor]

Interesting questions about the MacBook Air (http://www.macfixit.com/article.php?story=20080115120445420)
Most of those relate to booting without the optical drive. The remote disk technology can also use netboot to ... well ... boot from the network. :) You'll need to be near another Mac, of course (or a configured netboot master).

[Richard]

If you're on a laptop and not tethered to an external drive, it's your only option. :dunno

True. Even if you are tethered, you will want to back up the newly added data, so I think the possible bandwidth bottleneck still exists.

[Van Isle]

The MBA is a pretty slick but super-niche device. It's better with the $2K SSD option, but that's a little silly.

As for the other Macworld offerings, I really like the idea of Time Capsule (I work from my laptop) and I'm working on figuring out Garmin's Bobcat which will enable use of their GPSs on Macs without lls, bootcamp, XP, etc. It will convert your Garmin map products on your PC for use on your Mac. Cool! (although, since my PC is old and a PC, it's a tedious job to do the conversion in the PC)

VI

[BradfordBenn]

Howdy All-

So this morning when I booted the Mac Book Pro running Leopard the Num Lock and Caps Lock LEDs are lit. However they are not functioning, in other words the keyboard is performing as if they are off:scratch

I restarted and same thing.

Anyone else had the problem?:scratch

[DavidTO]

Howdy All-

So this morning when I booted the Mac Book Pro running Leopard the Num Lock and Caps Lock LEDs are lit. However they are not functioning, in other words the keyboard is performing as if they are off:scratch

I restarted and same thing.

Anyone else had the problem?:scratch


No, I haven't.

Restart, and at the start-up chime hold down this key combination: command-opt-p-r

and hold it down for 4 chimes, then let go and let it restart normally.

:thumb

[SloYerRoll]

I could be way wrong here. But I don't' think ppl understand that this machine is not supposed to be your workhorse.

It's supposed to be ridiculously small so every one stares art you w/ envy and wants to buy one of their own.

It's supposed to be ultra portable so you can be a student or professional that can actually work out of a computer w/o toting around a huge/heavy piece of hardware. Some laptops are small, but not like this:wink

It's supposed to be allot of things. But I never think it was intended to do a download off your loaded 8/16GB camera card and process. And if your ever in the situation when that's your only choice. It just saved the day and let you do your job/project.

In the rare times you do have to do that. Just plop it right by your airport and let it churn away overnight.

[BradfordBenn]

No, I haven't.

Restart, and at the start-up chime hold down this key combination: command-opt-p-r

and hold it down for 4 chimes, then let go and let it restart normally.

:thumb

Fixes, thanks.

[colourbox]

I don't need the MacBook Air, but I understand it.

I have a Pro laptop but when I take it around town (and not shooting photos), 90% of the time the only features used are the wireless and one USB port. The features I don't use daily around town are precisely the features left off of the MacBook Air. For reading discs, connecting peripherals, and doing big jobs? I have a nice desktop computer at home for that. The laptop is a satellite.

Most photographers are better served by the MacBook Pro, simply because of the need for ports and maximum power and storage at any location. For photographers the Air is more of a curiosity that may be useful in personal life but is outside the scope of the profession.

[SloYerRoll]

Safari-Stretch (http://www.safari-stretch.de/).

Drag the bookmarklet onto your toolbar, click and voila - Safari stretches to full screen, regardless of where your Dock is parked.
Click it again and the viewport pops to 800px wide. In other words, if you are running Safari Stand with sidebar it will resize to 800px + sidebar. If the sidebar is off it will resize to 800px only. And yes, you can change the resize to 1024 (or "anything" else) if you want...

[SloYerRoll]

Haven't heard anyone talk about IRIS (http://nolobe.com/iris/) yet either.

You Mac guys n gals under the weather?

[gus]

You Mac guys n gals under the weather?
Nup...the bloody thing finally stopped crashing when surfing the net.

[BradfordBenn]

This one came from Working Daze (http://www.comics.com/comics/workingdaze/) comic...
http://www.comics.com/comics/workingdaze/archive/images/workingdaze20080146683111.jpg

[KED]

Haven't heard anyone talk about IRIS (http://nolobe.com/iris/) yet either.

You Mac guys n gals under the weather?
I had not heard of it and don't quite get it (the website isn't exactly full of info) -- is it a CS3 plug in or a standalone app? The UI certainly resembles CS's.

If it's easier to figure out than CS3 but with a decent amount of CS3-type functionality, and works with LR, I'd be in for $79 down the road . . .

[SloYerRoll]

I had not heard of it and don't quite get it (the website isn't exactly full of info) -- is it a CS3 plug in or a standalone app? The UI certainly resembles CS's.

If it's easier to figure out than CS3 but with a decent amount of CS3-type functionality, and works with LR, I'd be in for $79 down the road . . .It's a stand alone app.

According to the site:
Designed from the ground up specifically for Mac users, Iris provides a powerful, intuitive, and easy-to-use solution for all your photo editing needs. Programmed to perform with a unique and elegant one-window interface, Iris renders confusing multiple palettes obsolete.

I've already tried it out and found a few things that the Adobe tem should pick up on:

There is a neat documents dock on the bottom of the screen that allows for quick switch between open documents. So even if your document is minimized, you can tell which one you need to click on to open the correct doc.
t also features a useful little zoom button that switches between common states and an iPhoto style slider that helps find you the correct magnification easily.
Under the File menu point there is a New from Clipboard option that simplifies this frequent task. I have no idea why Adobe didn't come up w/ this first.I don't think the application is ever going to replace Photoshop. I do think it's going to be a great tool for those who can't justify the cost of a professional image editing application but still want "professional" results.

-Jon

[colourbox]

Under the File menu point there is a New from Clipboard option that simplifies this frequent task. I have no idea why Adobe didn't come up w/ this first.

I don't know if you'd consider this close enough, but if you have an image on the Clipboard, and you hit the New shortcut in Photoshop, the document size defaults to the dimensions of whatever's on the Clipboard. So all you have to do is hit OK and paste. Granted, the Iris command is one less step, but clearly Adobe had thought of that task.

There's another one I read about where if you are in Photoshop's New dialog, and you want to match the size of another doc that's already open, you pick that doc from the Window menu and the New dialog fills in with that doc's dimensions.

[SloYerRoll]

I don't know if you'd consider this close enough, but if you have an image on the Clipboard, and you hit the New shortcut in Photoshop, the document size defaults to the dimensions of whatever's on the Clipboard. So all you have to do is hit OK and paste. Granted, the Iris command is one less step, but clearly Adobe had thought of that task. I use this quite a bit. I guess that's why I was so adamant about the fact that Adobe didn't have that shortcut. But you are correct. They do. Just adding the extra step which is no big deal.

There's another one I read about where if you are in Photoshop's New dialog, and you want to match the size of another doc that's already open, you pick that doc from the Window menu and the New dialog fills in with that doc's dimensions.I'm gonna play w/ that tonight. I wish I knew this a long time ago. Thanks for the tip!

[patch29]

But is it available for Leopard yet? :dunno

read this today.

01/21/2008 - Leopard Compatibility
DiskWarrior 4 version 4.1 is now available for complete compatibility with Mac OS X 10.5 (Leopard).

more here (http://www.alsoft.com/DiskWarrior/support.html).

[W.W. Webster]

Thanks for the update, Patch. :thumb

[patch29]

Is there a shortcut in Safari to load a url with the .com at the end, similar to cmd+return in Firefox? When I do it in Safari, it works, but loads the URL in a new tab.

[Mike Lane]

Is there a shortcut in Safari to load a url with the .com at the end, similar to cmd+return in Firefox? When I do it in Safari, it works, but loads the URL in a new tab.Nope. Safari's supposed to be reasonably smart when it comes to entering url's though. Supposedly you can just put in cnn and hit enter and it'll figure it out. I haven't played around with it too much though.

btw, did you know in firefox you can also use shift-enter for .net and cmd-shift-enter for .org? :wink

[patch29]

Nope. Safari's supposed to be reasonably smart when it comes to entering url's though. Supposedly you can just put in cnn and hit enter and it'll figure it out. I haven't played around with it too much though.

btw, did you know in firefox you can also use shift-enter for .net and cmd-shift-enter for .org? :wink

It usually works, but it is slow.

I have used the other shortcuts with FF, but I FF has not been working well for me lately, so back to Safari I go.

[KED]

Is there a shortcut in Safari to load a url with the .com at the end, similar to cmd+return in Firefox? When I do it in Safari, it works, but loads the URL in a new tab.
Once again, I learned this from my 14 YO daughter: up in the address line (or whatever it's properly called) hit CMD-a ("a" is for "all") then just type in the "body" of the url, such as "dgrin" -- Safari will take care of the rest, and for me, not in a new tab.

[DavidTO]

Once again, I learned this from my 14 YO daughter: up in the address line (or whatever it's properly called) hit CMD-a ("a" is for "all") then just type in the "body" of the url, such as "dgrin" -- Safari will take care of the rest, and for me, not in a new tab.


If you don't want to click in the address thingy, just type cmd-l, for location, and it will highlight the address thingy without any clicky. :thumb

[KED]

If you don't want to click in the address thingy, just type cmd-l, for location, and it will highlight the address thingy without any clicky. :thumb
Wow, you're right -- that saves gobs of nanoseconds! :D

Do you run both Mac and Windows? I saw on the "Mouse for Photoshop" post in Digital Darkroom Gear that you have a Wacom tablet, but it looks to me like that supports Windows only, yet you know so much about Mac. :scratch

Anyway, I'm impressed!

[colourbox]

If you don't want to click in the address thingy, just type cmd-l, for location, and it will highlight the address thingy without any clicky. :thumb
Wow, you're right -- that saves gobs of nanoseconds! :D

Note that is not just a Mac tip. The shortcut appears in the menu of every Web browser I've used on Windows and Mac, although on Windows it's Ctrl-L of course.

Do you run both Mac and Windows? I saw on the "Mouse for Photoshop" post in Digital Darkroom Gear that you have a Wacom tablet, but it looks to me like that supports Windows only, yet you know so much about Mac. :scratch

Been using Wacom tablets on my Macs for over 10 years.
My first one used an ADB (Apple Desktop Bus) cable, since USB had not been invented yet...

[MooreDriven]

If you don't want to click in the address thingy, just type cmd-l, for location, and it will highlight the address thingy without any clicky. :thumb

Thanks for that tip. It's been driving me crazy when typing a new url. This will save a lot of time!!!!

[SloYerRoll]

Thanks for that tip. It's been driving me crazy when typing a new url. This will save a lot of time!!!!:agree
Now I have to do even LESS when surfing! It also helps w/ work too!

[gus]

Hey slo. You know those small driver CD's about 3.5 " across ?

I got one with a new nokia dog & bone that work gave me today. Its got the drivers on it to get the photos etc off the phone.

So im cool at using this tiny CD in my flat PC CD draw (you just pull them out) but im not to keen on dropping it into the vertical iMac slot. Will it go in & work like a normal size CD ?




.

[Van Isle]

Hey slo. You know those small driver CD's about 3.5 " across ?

I got one with a new nokia dog & bone that work gave me today. Its got the drivers on it to get the photos etc off the phone.

So im cool at using this tiny CD in my flat PC CD draw (you just pull them out) but im not to keen on dropping it into the vertical iMac slot. Will it go in & work like a normal size CD ?.

NO NO NO NO NO NO NO!!

Try and get a $100 tag at service for your troubles...:cry

I've heard you can get adaptors for them, but I would try some other method. Apple slot drives DO NOT accept mini-discs. At all. No way. Please don't try...

VI

(did I get the point across? :barb )

[gus]

NO NO NO NO NO NO NO!!

Try and get a $100 tag at service for your troubles...:cry

I've heard you can get adaptors for them, but I would try some other method. Apple slot drives DO NOT accept mini-discs. At all. No way. Please don't try...

VI

(did I get the point across? :barb )
cool...cool...tks. No way would i have done it prior to checking with you guys. ta mate.

[Pupator]

Note that is not just a Mac tip. The shortcut appears in the menu of every Web browser I've used on Windows and Mac, although on Windows it's Ctrl-L of course.

In IE7, on Vista at least, it's Alt+D.

[DoctorIt]

NO NO NO NO NO NO NO!! Well that's lame. I probably wouldn't have thought twice about popping in any disc.

[SloYerRoll]

Hey slo. You know those small driver CD's about 3.5 " across ?

I got one with a new nokia dog & bone that work gave me today. Its got the drivers on it to get the photos etc off the phone.

So im cool at using this tiny CD in my flat PC CD draw (you just pull them out) but im not to keen on dropping it into the vertical iMac slot. Will it go in & work like a normal size CD ?
They make cool adapters that supposed work for needs like this. But I've never used it and I think it would be more hassle thatn it's worth IMO. I'd just dub the disk onto a standard size and drop it in the slot.

[KED]

I'd just dub the disk onto a standard size and drop it in the slot.But to dub it you presumably need an external CD drive anyway, so why bother . . . why not just run it as is off that drive?

[SloYerRoll]

But to dub it you presumably need an external CD drive anyway, so why bother . . . why not just run it as is off that drive?Cuz I have 3 machines. Just giving my take on it:D

[cabbey]

I'd just dub the disk onto a standard size and drop it in the slot.

I had one of those a while back that my desktop pc cdrom drive wouldn't accept a quick email to the company and they sent me a full sized cd for free... it was hand burnt, I suspect by the support person that took my email. I had asked for them to just email me the .iso file, or a url to download it... but apparently they didn't make the software available on the web. (which is why I was emailing them in the first place, my searches were turning up nothing.)

Which brings me to my real point: I've found that an even better solution is usually to look on the web for newer drivers anyway. I think the last dozen things I've got that came with a cd with any kind of drivers or manual or anything... first thing I've done is go online and find the current version... usually newer. I don't know why anyone bothers to include "hard" copy these days.

[SloYerRoll]

That's a really good point. I have a local computer shop w/ guys that really know their stuff. They gave me the same advise. Don't even bother w/ the CD. Who knows when it was pressed and what updates have happened since then. Especially since I run.. Dare I say it in this thread? nah....:D

[Van Isle]

On another-but-related note, I have learned that it is possible (and easy) to make a USB 2.0 bootable drive (http://www.tuaw.com/2008/01/11/mac-101-boot-options/) for intel macs. This means you could disk image your boot CD/DVD onto a USB HDD, flash drive (or, uhm, iPod) and boot from that in an emergency. The goodness comes when you use that boot drive in conjunction with your drive tools like Mac OS Disk Utility, Drive Genius, Disk Warrior, etc...sweet!

VI

[patch29]

Mac OS X 10.5.2 Update (http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=307109)

Detailed info at the above link on Apple's website.

[blalor]

Aperture 2.0 is out! :clap :barb

[gus]

Aperture 2.0 is out! :clap :barb
Where is the 'download now' button :dunno

[blalor]

Where is the 'download now' button :dunno
Right here: http://images.apple.com/aperture/images/productnav_btn_trial20080206.gif (http://www.apple.com/aperture/trial/).

[KED]

Aperture 2.0 is out! :clap :barb
From a quick review of the features, it looks like it has been made to look a lot like LR 1.3. I switched from Aperture to LR, and I'm not going back, not even for $99. I'm sure it's a major improvement and Aperture users will no doubt be thrilled. I know it has been much looked-forward to for a while now.

[blalor]

From a quick review of the features, it looks like it has been made to look a lot like LR 1.3. I switched from Aperture to LR, and I'm not going back, not even for $99. I'm sure it's a major improvement and Aperture users will no doubt be thrilled. I know it has been much looked-forward to for a while now.
I tried Lightroom when it was still in beta and, while fast, it never really attracted me. I've been using Aperture for quite a while now. It's unbearably slow at times (I'm running what is probably the bare minimum system, a 2GHz MacBook with 2GB of RAM), but I like the overall workflow. I'm anxious to see what the speed improvement is like with A2 on that same system. I'm also reading (http://apertureprofessional.com/showthread.php?t=11851) that Aperture 2 now supports plugins for image editing, so hopefully we'll see some new functionality there (I hear good things about plugins for managing noise in Photoshop).

[KED]

I tried Lightroom when it was still in beta and, while fast, it never really attracted me. I've been using Aperture for quite a while now. It's unbearably slow at times (I'm running what is probably the bare minimum system, a 2GHz MacBook with 2GB of RAM), but I like the overall workflow. I'm anxious to see what the speed improvement is like with A2 on that same system. I'm also reading (http://apertureprofessional.com/showthread.php?t=11851) that Aperture 2 now supports plugins for image editing, so hopefully we'll see some new functionality there (I hear good things about plugins for managing noise in Photoshop).
A2 looks like it may throw you a workflow curve as they have now rearranged the editing boxes into the same top-to-bottom order as in LR (1.3 anyway). Of course you needn't be a slave to their arrangement of boxes.

The NN and Noiseware plugins for PS are nifty indeed. But you can almost, if not just, as easily round-trip out of Aperture to either of the standalone versions, or you can roundtrip to Photoshop out of Aperture and use the plugins inside; I gather, though, that you prefer to do all your work inside one app, which is perfectly understandable.

[greendoor imaging]

Hello all
So researching the internet for help I've decided to Put my needs here... :scratch

I have a Mac OSX running 10.4.2 (I think, have disc & update regularly) so ... when working in Imovie I did this
1. test saving (sharing) for slideshow .... and about 2000 png files saved to desktop (ouch)...
2. cant see desktop
3. finder - relaunched and no go.. just spinning
4. tried a trick(s) from internet hoping the files would save in a new folder but no go
5. opened in "Safe mode" no go...
6. can find png files with spotlight.....
7. can use this computer but the finder just spins and spins

I have tried a few "backdoor" key stroke hold your nose and dance on one foot tricks but they did not work for me... "Safe mode" finder laughs at me and still spins... desktop rebuild ... can't get it to open in that mode...

So knowing my "Mackie" saved herself from me can anyone give a few help tips... I'm willing to try anything before I pull out the big guns and nuke her..... ( I'm backed up, always) oh if she will let me.. Thanks so much for your help...

Cheers,
Erin

[Miguel Delinquento]

Your problem sound strange. The current version of Tiger is 10.4.11, so I would advise updating the OS first. If the same problems exist ping the forum and we'll get smarter.

M

[DavidTO]

I've yet to load windows on my mac, but I'm wondering if anyone has heard of or has any input on Virtual Box (http://arstechnica.com/journals/apple.ars/2008/02/14/virtualbox-move-over-parallels-and-fusion-its-sizzlean).

[Richard]

I've yet to load windows on my mac OMG, is hell about to freeze over? I better turn on the telly :D

I'm wondering if anyone has heard of or has any input on Virtual Box (http://arstechnica.com/journals/apple.ars/2008/02/14/virtualbox-move-over-parallels-and-fusion-its-sizzlean).
From the list of known issues cited in the link, I'd say it's clearly not ready for prime time. Might be worth keeping an eye on, though.

Regards,

[DavidTO]

Heh. May never happen. But I like to understand the options. :D

[ian408]

The bits that are missing in VB make it more alpha software. At least IMHO.

Once it's feature complete, I bet it gives Parallels and VMware a run.

[KED]

I've yet to load windows on my mac, but I'm wondering if anyone has heard of or has any input on Virtual Box (http://arstechnica.com/journals/apple.ars/2008/02/14/virtualbox-move-over-parallels-and-fusion-its-sizzlean).
I had Parallels when I was running 10.4; I'm not sure whether they have caught up with 10.5.x, but it was too much hassle for too little actual need. Going forward, I'll do my Windows stuff at work, and won't pollute my Mac with it for my photographic and other needs at home. But my point is, if you need to run Windows, my pre-Leopard research indicated that Parallels was pretty well established and won't break the bank.

[blalor]

I think VMWare's Fusion has pretty much eclipsed Parallels since then. Parallels were the first ones out the door, but VMWare has apparently developed a product that's faster, more reliable, (prettier), and with much better customer support. I bought Parallels when I got my MacBook a couple of years ago (wow...) but haven't bothered to upgrade. It worked well, but I'll probably buy Fusion if I have a need for another VM solution.

[Poseidon]

Now that I have an Apple Laptop, I would like to be able to access my Mac Pro from this laptop. When I had my windows box, it was as easy as clicking "share drive" on the drive properties... I don't find that option here.

I am sure it is very simple, but after searching around on Apple.com I am coming up empty.

Oh... Can I use a drive installed in my Mac Pro as an external drive for Time Machine?

Thanks Apple guru's!!!

[Poseidon]

Figures.... I found it!

Right after I post, looking like a dufos! I have access! YAY! :barb:barb

Thanks Anyway!

[Poseidon]

Ooops....

Still can't get Time Machine to see those drives (the ones in my Mac Pro) though....

[Poseidon]

Found that too!!!

http://www.omarqazi.com/2007/using-time-machine-with-a-network-drive/

How cool is that!

[DavidTO]

Found that too!!!

http://www.omarqazi.com/2007/using-time-machine-with-a-network-drive/

How cool is that!


Use this at your own risk.

[Poseidon]

Ya.... Now I am having issues. It looked like it was going to work, and I was just to greedy/excited to get it running fast I think and didn't really think about what I was doing.

Now, I get an error message:

A unexpected Error occured (Error code -6580) so now I am off to google to find out what that means.

I guess the worst case is I have to wipe the hard drive and start over. With a 1 day old machine that is not to bad....

[Poseidon]

Okay, I did a fresh install of OSX to drop that script.... I am back up and running. When I set up the MBP this time, I had it plugged into a Ethernet cable, and time machine found the network drive that I wanted to use. Well I selected it, but now that I am wireless it won't see it. Any ideas? Is there a trusted way to get Time Machine to see a wireless network drive, other then the one Apple is releasing? Actually that is not a bad price for the 1TB unit is it?

Anyway, until that comes out, is there a way to use TIme Machine for me?

Oh, 1 other question, can I use the software that came with my MBP to upgrade my Mac Pro? I know that is not the intention, but will it work? If I can save the extra $129 I would like to put that towards the 1TB drive.

[DavidTO]

Time Machine does not support what you are trying to do. Apple is coming out with hardware to do it, which is an Airport with a built in drive, but in the meantime, you have no Apple endorsed method of doing that, and I just wouldn't even try, myself. I just plug mine in to the FW drive occasionally.

I suggest you slow down a bit. Having already reinstalled your OS, you are making things much more difficult at this point than they need to be, IMO.

[Poseidon]

Ya, I agree that I got ahead of myself with that script. If there is no "safe" way of doing it, then I will wait. Apple makes some seriously nice hardware, and I don't want to screw it up.

Thanks David.

[BradfordBenn]

I use Fusion and BootCamp. One of the reasons I chose Fusion is the fact that I can use other virtualizations (http://www.vmware.com/products/server_virtualization.html) from a pretty wide selection. It was pretty cool to be able to bring my LAMP server into my friendly neighborhood wizard on a memory stick and he was able to help me tweak it to get it to do what I wanted. (I am just using it as a testing server on occasion).

However with the list of items that Virtual Box says it does not support, I agree and say it would be alpha/developmental more than something to consider at the moment. If they can keep the footprint small I would consider it. However the fact that I can access the BootCamp partition through VMWare fusion is pretty useful for me.

[patch29]

Anyone one else having issues tethering a Canon 5D to their mac via OS EOS Utility via Mac OS 10.5?

I can connect via 10.4 without a problem, with 10.5 it shows a message similar to "LCD busy..."



I don't know what fixed the problem, but my 5D will now tether with 10.5. I don't know if it had anything to do with the EOS Utility update (http://www.robgalbraith.com/bins/content_page.asp?cid=7-9258-9282) or simply good luck. :dunno

I do have to set "Auto Power Off" to Off on the 5D, but it works. :barb

[ShepsMom]

I'm looking to install Windows on my IMac, but i'm getting slightly confused. I have Leopard, which supports Window application via BootCamp. I'm not sure where to start, or how to go about getting windows. Is there a website from where i have to d/l it? Please help.
Thank you!! :help

[Ann McRae]

Just a random thought about how much I love my mac and how much I hate Windows. Have to write a Word doc today, don't have any office like programs on my mac, and the home PC is cleaning up 135 virus' in its weekly clean up. :puke

I may as well go clean the house, it will take that long before the dang windows machine is responsive.....:rolleyes

[Andy]

I think VMWare's Fusion has pretty much eclipsed Parallels since then. Parallels were the first ones out the door, but VMWare has apparently developed a product that's faster, more reliable, (prettier), and with much better customer support. I bought Parallels when I got my MacBook a couple of years ago (wow...) but haven't bothered to upgrade. It worked well, but I'll probably buy Fusion if I have a need for another VM solution.
VMware fusion, ftw. Everyone at Smug is using it now, and we love it. For all the reasons you state :deal

[Andy]

Just a random thought about how much I love my mac and how much I hate Windows. Have to write a Word doc today, don't have any office like programs on my mac, and the home PC is cleaning up 135 virus' in its weekly clean up. :puke

I may as well go clean the house, it will take that long before the dang windows machine is responsive.....:rolleyes

http://store.apple.com/1-800-MY-APPLE/WebObjects/AppleStore.woa/wa/RSLID?nnmm=browse&mco=8006AFCC&node=home/mac/campaigns/ms_office_2008_landing

[DavidTO]

I just merged a couple of Mac-related threads into this one. I apologize if it leads to any confusion. :thumb But it's good to keep all the Mac stuff here.

[DavidTO]

I'm looking to install Windows on my IMac, but i'm getting slightly confused. I have Leopard, which supports Window application via BootCamp. I'm not sure where to start, or how to go about getting windows. Is there a website from where i have to d/l it? Please help.
Thank you!! :help


I've never done this, but I believe you have to buy a boxed copy of it.

[Van Isle]

"Just a random thought about how much I love my mac and how much I hate Windows. Have to write a Word doc today, don't have any office like programs on my mac, and the home PC is cleaning up 135 virus' in its weekly clean up.

I may as well go clean the house, it will take that long before the dang windows machine is responsive....."

Don't wait for windows! Use the Mac's Text Edit and "Save As" .doc or .pdf or even .docx (windows office 2007!)

Unless you "need" to do something other than writing and simple formatting?

VI

[DavidTO]

TextEdit is one fast, lean, writing machine!

Simple, but useful.

[Andy]

WHERE is my new 13 or 15" MacBook ???????

[Ann McRae]

Don't wait for windows! Use the Mac's Text Edit and "Save As" .doc or .pdf or even .docx (windows office 2007!)

Unless you "need" to do something other than writing and simple formatting?

VI

Hmmmm, didn't know this - will certainly try. I have just finished the doc I needed but will keep this in my peabrain - I'll go look for it now! Ultimately needed the doc as a pdf so this will be great!

Thanks!

[Van Isle]

Hmmmm, didn't know this - will certainly try. I have just finished the doc I needed but will keep this in my peabrain - I'll go look for it now! Ultimately needed the doc as a pdf so this will be great!

Thanks!

Oops, IOT "save as" .pdf you "print" then choose the PDF dialogue. Works in text edit, too.

VI

[DavidTO]

Hmmmm, didn't know this - will certainly try. I have just finished the doc I needed but will keep this in my peabrain - I'll go look for it now! Ultimately needed the doc as a pdf so this will be great!

Thanks!


You also most likely have a Pages demo on your Mac, to, in iWork. I use iWork instead of Office, because it's 1/2 the price, gives me all I need, and (compared to the version of Office that I had) was better suited to my needs. I haven't seen the latest version of Office, so I can't compare. But $80 for iWork or $150 for Office---neither is really all that bad, really.

[Van Isle]

WHERE is my new 13 or 15" MacBook ???????

I want new Cinema Displays! I'm really wanting a 23" -ish monitor, and it's too much hassle where I am to try and find a good monitor that is not Apple (all the panel switching, etc), but the Apple CDs are a year or so old...do we get new ones soon?? :dunno

[Ann McRae]

You also most likely have a Pages demo on your Mac, to, in iWork. I use iWork instead of Office, because it's 1/2 the price, gives me all I need, and (compared to the version of Office that I had) was better suited to my needs. I haven't seen the latest version of Office, so I can't compare. But $80 for iWork or $150 for Office---neither is really all that bad, really.


Well, I'll be jing-flyin-janged

I have a MS Office demo and an iWork demo on here. iWork looks really nice. I know my way around office, but every update has a new learning curve. Given my current disposition towards microsoft, I think I'll be exploring iWork more.

Suh-weet - thanks, David.

ann

[ShepsMom]

I don't know what's going on, my IMac has been acting up since last night. It veeeeeeeryyyyyyyyyy ssllllllllllooooooooooooooooooooowwww :cry:cry:cry:cry:cry

I move all my pictures to my external hard drive, ran all the updates, no other apps are running, restarted computer few times with no succcess..... It drives me absolutely NUTS! :rambo:soapbox:gun2

It's not my ISP, i don't think, help!!!!

[DavidTO]

I don't know what's going on, my IMac has been acting up since last night. It veeeeeeeryyyyyyyyyy ssllllllllllooooooooooooooooooooowwww :cry:cry:cry:cry:cry

I move all my pictures to my external hard drive, ran all the updates, no other apps are running, restarted computer few times with no succcess..... It drives me absolutely NUTS! :rambo:soapbox:gun2

It's not my ISP, i don't think, help!!!!


What exactly is slow? Internet access? Everything?

[patch29]

I want new Cinema Displays! I'm really wanting a 23" -ish monitor, and it's too much hassle where I am to try and find a good monitor that is not Apple (all the panel switching, etc), but the Apple CDs are a year or so old...do we get new ones soon?? :dunno


They will probably be out in a week or so, since my friend just bought a 30" Cinema Display. :deal

[ShepsMom]

David, iternet is veeeery slow, pages load forever. :scratch

[Poseidon]

WHERE is my new 13 or 15" MacBook ???????

Well since I bought a Macbook Pro 7 days ago, I would say you have another 9 days or so.... :rofl:rofl

As for the cinema displays, I am waiting for that one myself!

[DavidTO]

David, iternet is veeeery slow, pages load forever. :scratch


Wired, or wireless? Airport, or 3rd party?

New iMac (Intel), or older (PPC)?

WPA or WEP, or what?

:ear

[DavidTO]

From macfixit.com


Wireless connections Meanwhile, some readers are reporting slow operation when using certain wireless security standards, but not others. It appears that the currently shipping Intel-based Macs have issues -- in some cases -- with WPA security. Switching to WEP or WPA-2 may resolve the issue.

One reader writes:

"With my Intel iMac (20" model), internet and network performance via wireless is pathetically slow and unreliable when using WPA security encryption on a router. Downloads slow to 56k modem speeds and connecting to network PowerPC Macs take an eternity and copies rarely complete. A number of users on Apple Discussion lists have reported the same issue.

"Disabling encryption has worked for me - speeds have returned to expected levels. There were reports (also on Apple's Discussion lists) that WEP may work as well as WPA-2 although I haven't tried other encryption techniques yet to confirm this."

[ShepsMom]

No, i'm just using plain old DSL service. It seems to pick up some speed. Whew! I thought i got a bug here somewhere. :nono

[BradfordBenn]

I'm looking to install Windows on my IMac, but i'm getting slightly confused. I have Leopard, which supports Window application via BootCamp. I'm not sure where to start, or how to go about getting windows. Is there a website from where i have to d/l it? Please help.
Thank you!! :help

I did this. The Boot Camp assistant helps through lots of the steps. I bought Windows XP Pro through Amazon as a OEM version (http://www.amazon.com/Microsoft-Windows-Professional-System-Builders/dp/B000GWLTRU/ref=pd_bbs_3?ie=UTF8&s=software&qid=1203835455&sr=8-3). I also use VMWare Fusion which is really powerful. The reason I use both is that VMWare Fusion lets one run the instance of Boot Camp Windows without having to reboot. There are some things that virtualization (VMWare Fusion) does not do at the hardware level which is why I do both.

It took about two hours to do. The hardest part was waiting for the Windows downloads of service packs and then getting a "second" use allowed under VMware which was just a phone call.

[ShepsMom]

Thank you Brad, i'm very skeptical about the whole Windows thing. I'm mostly affraid of pesky securities, viruses, constant updates, etc. How does this work on Mac? Am i at higher risk by running Windows? I know it's on mac platform, but still, it's scary stuff :huh

[Poseidon]

From what I understand if you run Windows on a Mac, you will need to get all the other crap that Windows needs too, anti virus, Firewall, spamware, adware.... all kinds of fun stuff.

I would use windows to run the app that you need, then go back to OSX to keep all your "stuff" that way if a virus or a trojan destroys the Windows OS, you can just re-install Windows, no big deal.

[ian408]

Unless your computer is NOT connected to the network and you run Parallels or
other mechanism to run Windows, you should install all the usual virus scanners,
etc.

There are several very good freeware packages (like AVG) that will do the
trick for you.

[Van Isle]

How does this work on Mac? Am i at higher risk by running Windows? I know it's on mac platform, but still, it's scary stuff :huh

When you run windows on a Mac, it turns your mac in to a Windows machine and opens you to all the virus risks etc. Unless you *NEED* access to the internet for your windows, disable it. Block all programs, ports, firewalls, whatever. And use it only for the minimum required. Manage the risk, is all.

I used Parallels to run Garmin GPS software under windows on my Macbook, but as soon as Garmin came out with a mac version Parallels and Windows were ousted from my machine.

VI

[Mike Lane]

When you run windows on a Mac, it turns your mac in to a Windows machine and opens you to all the virus risks etc. Unless you *NEED* access to the internet for your windows, disable it. Block all programs, ports, firewalls, whatever. And use it only for the minimum required. Manage the risk, is all.

I used Parallels to run Garmin GPS software under windows on my Macbook, but as soon as Garmin came out with a mac version Parallels and Windows were ousted from my machine.

VII should be okay. I only run windows on my mac to surf pr0n and find warez.

[DoctorIt]

When you run windows on a Mac, it turns your mac in to a Windows machine and opens you to all the virus risks etc. Unless you *NEED* access to the internet for your windows, disable it. Block all programs, ports, firewalls, whatever. And use it only for the minimum required. Manage the risk, is all.
Yup, exactly. Best way to manage the risk is to eliminate it...

I only need win on my mac to run some scientific software for my research purposes (Labview, Matlab, Origin). Since windows runs in a virtual machine, I just don't let it have access to my network connection.

It's that easy. If you're a Mac user, why on earth would you be surfing the web in windows anyway?

As for running in Boot Camp, I really don't understand why anyone would bother, the VM's are so good these days, and if you really need that level of hardware access via windows, fer chrissakes, why not just use a PC?

[ian408]

YSince windows runs in a virtual machine, I just don't let it have access to my network connection.
Do you share files between your Mac and VM?

[DoctorIt]

Do you share files between your Mac and VM?sure

[BradfordBenn]

Also something I was surprised by some ISPs are offering free McAfee software to their users. I use Comcast and they do that.

Also remember that the safest way to stay clear of some of the nasties is to turn it off and disconnect it from the network when you are not using it.

[ShepsMom]

After reading all of these comments, i think i will avoid Windows. I hate to install stupid anti-virus software, that was one of the many reasons to leave Windows in the first place.:deal

Thanks everyone!

[tsk1979]

(Labview, Matlab, Origin). Since windows runs in a virtual machine, I just don't let it have access to my network connection.
Have your tried octave and scilab. I used those tools when I was working on DSL tech.

As for your virtual machine and internet connections, don't be paranoid.
The best way is to create a virtual machine, such that your virtual disk is a partition.
do not touch that partition by other programs.
Your windows VM will see just that partition, and nothing else. So it can clobber it with everything which is needed.
You can run your VM in NAT mode as oppsed to bridge mode, this will take care of all security holes.
On my home system(which is a virus and adware free windows system) I do lot of work in virtual machines, which I build myself with the vmware server,
In first I installed gentoo, in the second I am installing opensuse linux.

[Andy]

Little bump in the Macbook Pros, 17" has faster chip and the 1920x1200 LED display. Faster chip on the 15" too. And on the Macbooks, AFAICT.

[Van Isle]

And price drops! More for less. :D

VI

[DavidTO]

A song made up entirely of OSX system sounds (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RAKXTvyYSfc).

[zweiblumen]

A song made up entirely of OSX system sounds (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RAKXTvyYSfc).
Very cool, but I like the music from Win XP/98 better (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dsU3B0W3TMs&feature=related).

Maybe I should have posted that over in the Vista thread....

[SloYerRoll]

http://www.jinx.de/SmartSleep.html

"SmartSleep lets your notebook just sleep while the battery has a high level. If the battery level drops below a certain point ( default is less then 20% or 20 minutes ) it will switch to sleep and hibernate. So you have the best of both worlds."

Seems like a pretty good idea for you book users.

[Marc Muench]

This looks like the place to pose this Q.

I have just installed VMware on my Intel MacPro inorder to run two pc programs in my office. We have a local mac server running DHCP for our workstations. The problem is the VMware does not see the server and therefor cant get a ip address. Is there something I still need to do so it can see the server and internal network?

[Marc Muench]

This looks like the place to pose this Q.

I have just installed VMware on my Intel MacPro inorder to run two pc programs in my office. We have a local mac server running DHCP for our workstations. The problem is the VMware does not see the server and therefor cant get a ip address. Is there something I still need to do so it can see the server and internal network?


I knew the second I asked it would come to me:huh Turns out I needed to change the network setting to Bridged rather than NAT, and the whole schlemiel works:barb

[eoren1]

I've owned my macbook for 3 months now and am starting to wonder if I should buy the Apple Care 3 year warranty. I have always avoided these types of extended plans in the past (even on my dSLR). However, as this is my first laptop and, given the history of Apple products being useable far longer than their PC equivalents, I'm seriously considering this.
Any thoughts/experiences?
E

[DavidTO]

I've owned my macbook for 3 months now and am starting to wonder if I should buy the Apple Care 3 year warranty. I have always avoided these types of extended plans in the past (even on my dSLR). However, as this is my first laptop and, given the history of Apple products being useable far longer than their PC equivalents, I'm seriously considering this.
Any thoughts/experiences?
E


All I can tell you is that I get it on my laptops.

Oh, and go one day over a year and you can't get the AppleCare. If you're going to get it, don't put it off.

[KED]

I've owned my macbook for 3 months now and am starting to wonder if I should buy the Apple Care 3 year warranty. I have always avoided these types of extended plans in the past (even on my dSLR). However, as this is my first laptop and, given the history of Apple products being useable far longer than their PC equivalents, I'm seriously considering this.
Any thoughts/experiences?
E
My experience is "you can't go right". But with big ticket items like my camera bodies or my computer, I'd rather have erred on the side of having bought an extended warranty that I ended up not needing. Cellphones, P&S's, toasters . . . forget it.

[zweiblumen]

I've owned my macbook for 3 months now and am starting to wonder if I should buy the Apple Care 3 year warranty. I have always avoided these types of extended plans in the past (even on my dSLR). However, as this is my first laptop and, given the history of Apple products being useable far longer than their PC equivalents, I'm seriously considering this.
Any thoughts/experiences?
E

Apple repairs are expensive, as in replace rather than repair for anything going wrong.

Normally I'm not an extended warranty type of guy... but I've bought the AppleCare for every Mac I've bought (all 7 of them). I think they price it reasonably, and the service you get is terrific. The 3 repairs I've had done over the years would have cost me more than I think I'll ever spend on apple care, so it's paid for itself for me in the long run.

My 2¢

[Pupator]

In the spirit of our good natured rivaly between the PC/Vista folks and you all, I say: "Laugh with me Mac folks!"

http://paulsclicks.smugmug.com/photos/260180783_5EqXc-L.jpg

[colourbox]

In the spirit of our good natured rivaly between the PC/Vista folks and you all, I say: "Laugh with me Mac folks!"

Heh. You just explained part of the reason why, even though I'm a lifetime Mac user, I have never and will never buy an all-in-one iMac.

[Andy]

In the spirit of our good natured rivaly between the PC/Vista folks and you all,

There's a rivalry?
There are PC/Vista folks?

:hide

[cmason]

Heh. You just explained part of the reason why, even though I'm a lifetime Mac user, I have never and will never buy an all-in-one iMac.

EXACTLY! Where the *&^% is the desktop MAC?

[DavidTO]

Heh. You just explained part of the reason why, even though I'm a lifetime Mac user, I have never and will never buy an all-in-one iMac.


Sure, it's a trade off, but one that's well worth it, IMO. You're making a decision based on what MIGHT happen, I like the iMac for what it gives me from day one through day 1,264. :thumb

[Van Isle]

Rivalry between Vista and Apple? :dunno Win XP SP2 and 10.3.9, maybe. But between Vista and Tiger/Leopard? not really fair match up, I'd say :wink

(my weekly down-time for maintenance on my Sony Vaio XP surpasses my yearly total downtime for my Macbook)

[Van Isle]

we were all pretty quick to come back to that one, eh? It is pretty funny, though! Kinda mocks both "sides." :clap

[W.W. Webster]

Takes me back. :rolleyes

In the 1980s, the critics were saying in defence of MS-DOS that if the Mac's mouse broke, the computer would be useless! :D

[DavidTO]

Takes me back. :rolleyes

In the 1980s, the critics were saying in defence of MS-DOS that if the Mac's mouse broke, the computer would be useless! :D


That.

Is.

Funny.

[Van Isle]

Takes me back. :rolleyes

In the 1980s, the critics were saying in defence of MS-DOS that if the Mac's mouse broke, the computer would be useless! :D

And how could it possibly work if it doesn't have an optical drive/3.5" floppy/5" floppy/tape drive/punch card? :dunno

[Poseidon]

And how could it possibly work if it doesn't have an optical drive/3.5" floppy/5" floppy/tape drive/punch card? :dunno

And then there was the Macbook Air! Not even an optical drive. :clapNow, if only I had a spare $1800 to spend on a "cool" item.

[SloYerRoll]

I'm reading a book caled, "Eniacs" right now. It's about how the first computers were created and it's origins. It's really crazy how we take things for granted.

It wasn't until 1942 that the idea of using electricity in vacuum tubes instead of mechanical wheels that relied on precise positioning for accurate calculations.

I have a machine sitting quietly on my desktop that would literally fill up Qwest filed stadium to match it's computing power 50 years ago. Not to mention it would sound like a harrier taking off on your head..

Crazy.

[gus]

It wasn't until 1942 that the idea of using electricity in vacuum tubes instead of mechanical wheels that relied on precise positioning for accurate calculations.

I spent my first few years learning & repairing valve amplifiers with the military. I think you will find that valves & their use originated way way before 1942. More like the early 1900's.

My job as an 18 year old nobody was to start one of these up (http://www.electricstuff.co.uk/mercarc.html) for the sonar every morning. It used to scare the living bejebus out of me ! It was full of mercury.

[SloYerRoll]

I spent my first few years learning & repairing valve amplifiers with the military. I think you will find that valves & their use originated way way before 1942. More like the early 1900's.

My job as an 18 year old nobody was to start one of these up (http://www.electricstuff.co.uk/mercarc.html) for the sonar every morning. It used to scare the living bejebus out of me ! It was full of mercury.To act as electrical relays or computers? The vacume tube was around a long time before that. But the idea of taking the mechanical calculator and replacing it's functions w/ 100% electricity was in the early 40's. The computers were shortly following that.

Your talking about dedicated electronics that couldn't calculate 2+2. They just did their job (and very well at the time).

Mercury filled transmission receivers were invented around the 1900's but that was designed for Radar first then adopted by Sonar.

I was a Sonar Tech on the Sub in the Navy. It was a cake job, just stunk that I had to be underwater for so long. It was really cool when I got to actually do my job and be all Secret Squirrel though :D..

[W.W. Webster]

IMy job as an 18 year old nobody was to start one of these up (http://www.electricstuff.co.uk/mercarc.html) for the sonar every morning.Give us a break, Gus! Next you'll be telling us you used to have that film stuff in your camera, but that it made you the man you are today! :D

[gus]

Give us a break, Gus! Next you'll be telling us you used to have that film stuff in your camera, but that it made you the man you are today! :D
I even had an Amiga ! Back in the days of the spice harvesters & larry the lounge lizard.

[W.W. Webster]

I even had an Amiga!I was a Timex man, myself! :wink

[SloYerRoll]

Man you ppl are OLD!!:rofl

Guess they were wrong about the old dog new tricks thing..

[gluwater]

Man you ppl are OLD!!:rofl

Guess they were wrong about the old dog new tricks thing..
I wouldn't go that far. Try to teach Gus RAW. :hide

[W.W. Webster]

I wouldn't go that far. Try to teach Gus RAW. :hideDon't be so sure! Absolutely anything (http://www.dgrin.com/showpost.php?p=764232&postcount=7) is possible!

[gus]

I wouldn't go that far. Try to teach Gus RAW. :hide
Hey im even masking with layers these days !!







very very slowly.

[StevenV]

i used to have a digital watch, back when they were called digital watches.

somebody asked where the non-allinone desktop Mac is.
try http://www.apple.com/macpro/ or http://www.apple.com/macmini/

[Van Isle]

Tips to fixing an Apple in South America?

A friend of mine's MBPro went kaput in Cusco, Peru. She didn't pack system install disks with her. From an email I think it's either her HDD is gone, but may be repairable, or she just needs a clean install of the OS. Again, she has not the system disks or anyone else around with a disk image. Apparently any local computer types look at her mac like it's a space ship. She's not super-savvy with the machine.

Fortunately for my amiga she has managed to back up all her shots from 3 or 4 months of traveling, including the Antarctic. So it could be worse!

Any tips/advice for Canon shooter Mac-less in Cusco?

gracias

[DavidTO]

Tips to fixing an Apple in South America?

A friend of mine's MBPro went kaput in Cusco, Peru. She didn't pack system install disks with her. From an email I think it's either her HDD is gone, but may be repairable, or she just needs a clean install of the OS. Again, she has not the system disks or anyone else around with a disk image. Apparently any local computer types look at her mac like it's a space ship. She's not super-savvy with the machine.

Fortunately for my amiga she has managed to back up all her shots from 3 or 4 months of traveling, including the Antarctic. So it could be worse!

Any tips/advice for Canon shooter Mac-less in Cusco?

gracias

What are the symptoms? Kaput is not enough information! :D

[zweiblumen]

Tips to fixing an Apple in South America?

A friend of mine's MBPro went kaput in Cusco, Peru. She didn't pack system install disks with her. From an email I thin