Apple re-launches .Mac Webmail

The new interface closely mimics Apple OS X Mail app.

Features include, drag and drop support, message pane, smart refreshes to minimize reloads, quick reply, integrated Address Book, message previews, one-click message flagging and new keyboard shortcuts (need to enable in preferences).

Work in a modern browser on Mac or PC

Apple updates DVD Studio Pro to 4.1.1

"addresses an issue with disc layout for DDP and CMF images on Intel-based Macintosh computers. This update is recommended for all users of DVD Studio Pro 4.1 and later."

2G Shuffle now shipping

Apple squeaks under the wire to make good on Steve's word?

Online store pre-orders have been shipped from Apple

Think Secret is reporting that Apple has told their retail stores and big box retailers like Best Buy, Circut City and CompUSA have been told not to display or sell them until Friday November 3rd.

Has the old style headphones and you have to turn it on and off to check the remaining battery level. Need the dock to connect via USB, recharge, sync, etc. Old accessories not compatible unless they connect via headphone jack. Clip does not detach.

Thoughtout.biz has announced the "Key" a small 2G Shuffle to USB adapter that should be available in early 2007.

www.thoughtout.biz

For PC owners Apple has already released the 1.0.1 Update for iPod shuffle (2G). All they say is that it "fixes bugs".

Apple releases iTunes 7.0.2

iTunes 7.0.2 adds support for the Second Generation iPod shuffle and addresses a variety of stability and performance issues found in iTunes 7 and 7.0.1.

Reports so far have been very positive with most people noting many annoying bugs from 7.0.1 getting fixed.

Some people have reported to me that the Store appeared in a different language then their default language. It fixed itself after a few hours.

Also added iTunes Latino section to the Store. Features top Latin music, music videos, television shows, audiobooks and podcasts.

Apple releases new Boot Camp BETA

Apple has released Boot Camp Beta 1.1.2

Support for the latest Intel-based Macintosh computers

Easier partitioning using presets for popular sizes

Ability to install Windows XP on any internal disk

Support for built-in iSight cameras

Support for built-in microphones

Support for the Apple USB Modem

Trackpad scrolling and right-click support on Apple Laptops

Improved Apple keyboard support including Delete, PrintScreen, NumLock, and ScrollLock keys

Improved International Apple keyboard support

First Apple Store in Scotland?

A listed building planning application currently under consideration by Glasgow City Council could be Scotland's first Apple Store.

The location is at 147 Buchanan Street and said to be one of the busiest and most exclusive shopping streets in the UK.

Apple will reportedly install an elevator and spiral glass staircase leading up to a new mezzanine with a "Genius Bar". The first floor will get the trademark Apple stone floor and stainless steel treatment.

The location currently contains a home furnishings store.

New macBook Pro loses iSight indicator, sorta

The new indicator is integrated into the bezel and not really visible when not active.

Another example of Apple's attention to design detail.

Apple tech doc typo stirs the iPod video pot

Kevin Railsback reported on InforWorld that there was a PDF Apple iPod notes feature guide (dated 10/20/2006) on Apple's Developer web site that may have leaked that Apple has a touch-screen iPod in the works.

In a section on the Advanced uses of Notes there was a note that read, "All other Notes feature capabilities described in this document are supported for iPod models with display screens, beginning with the touch-screen models."

This created a rumor frenzy, but later in a note Kevin himself pointed out it was likely a typo and should read "touchwheel" which, in the context of the document, makes more sense.

Apple promptly corrected the PDF.

An under utilized feature of Apple notes. Notes can have hyperlinks to other notes, music, videos and pictures. Think of the possibilities for interactive mobile, documents, presentations, etc.

iPod Notes Feature Guide (PDF)

Apple offers a 30-day Aperture 1.5 "test drive"

Apple is letting you download and try Aperture 1.5 for free for 30 days

Aperture Trial

You can download the Aperture Trial in English, French, German, or Japanese.

Get a trial serial number and download of Aperture by filling out a form on Apple's web site.

At the end of the trial you can purchase a serial number for the full version. If you want the manual, sample images and tutorials you need to select the “retail box” option.

Bigger (RED) Nano

In response to outstanding customer demand, Apple today announced a new 8GB model of the iPod nano (PRODUCT) RED Special Edition. Priced at USD$249.00. Of course there is also still the USD$199 4GB version as well.

iPod (RED)

$10 from the sale of each (RED) Nano goes to the Global Fund to help fight HIV/AIDS in Africa.

7th Son Promo

Play promo from J.C. Hutchins

7th Son Podiobook

Additional tools for locating large files on your Mac

Many recommended WhatSize from ID-Design, Inc.

What Size

"WhatSize is a simple tool that allows the user to quickly measure the size in bytes of a given folder and all subfolders and files within it. "

Other also recommended, Disk Inventory X.

Disk Inventory X

Play comment from Kathy

It shows the sizes of files and folders using "tree maps". Very colorful and graphical.

Derrick also mention an open source app called Grand Perspective which also does "tree maps"

Grand Perspective

Discuss the 10% for swap and VM rule. As HDs get larger this is a significant chunk of space, 25GB for a 250GB drive. For the truly brave you can find instructions for moving swap files to a different volume.

Zip compression built into OS X

OS X used to include Stuffit Expander. Now you need to download it from Stuffit.com (SmithMicro/Allume)

Stuffit Expander

Select any file or folder in the Finder.

Control+Click (Right+Click) the folder and choose "Create Archive of ...".

Useful for sending attachments to AOL and other who don't support multiple attachments in email. Also those who block certain files as attachments.

Confirmation from listeners on MacBook cosmetic issues

Many people confirm having small cracks on the edge of their MacBooks under the left hand rest area.

Also reports of batteries that don't quite sit flush after time (warping or swelling?). Separated edges around screens etc.

Black MacBook, paint wear. The AL and Titanium PowerBooks suffered from similar issues.

AppleCare does not generally cover what Apple calls "cosmetic" issues.

More iTunes Store "workarounds"

Play tip from Steve

Be careful on eBay.

Should work for any content. Music, movies, etc.

I would assume you could also do this "trick" in reverse to get music content from other countries.

I assume this would also work in other countries and possibly with iTunes gift cards.

What are permissions and why do we need to repair them?

This info based on a great article by Dan Frakes at MacWorld.

MacWorld Repair Permissions

You will hear people who overuse it or recognize it as a cure all (myself included) and other who say it is dangerous and potentially damaging.

OS X is a multi-user OS and based on UNIX. All files, folders, documents, applications, etc have a set of "permissions". These define which users are allowed to has access to which item and what types of access those users are allowed to have to those items.

For example, if you have permission to open and edit a document.

The OS itself is also governed by permissions and may only have access to certain items and actions. Part of what makes OS X a secure OS.

If permissions are not set correctly the operating system may have trouble performing specific tasks and may start to behave erratically. Trouble logging in, trouble printing or trouble launching an application. If permissions on certain files (common or system level) are incorrect it may block access to a 3rd party app. Permissions also protect critical files from modification or deletion.

Some causes of permissions changing

Bad installers: The most common cause. A badly-written installer can change permissions on directories or files.

User “fiddling”: Command-line hacks, patch applications to work around an issues, etc.

Booting into Mac OS 9: OS 9 doesn’t support OS X-style permissions so copying or moving OS X files in OS 9 can cause problems.

Directory or drive corruption: Permissions data is stored on your hard drive. If you have drive issues or the data becomes corrupt you may have trouble. Power interruptions, system crashes, or heavy directory activity (frequent defragging?) may increase the chances that permissions problems occur. (If you suspect drive problems, you should fix them using Disk Utility or a third-party utility such as Alsoft’s DiskWarrior or Micromat’s TechTool Pro and then repair permissions to fix any related permissions issues.)

Bad backup utilities: If your backup utility doesn’t fully support permissions, or doesn’t itself have the appropriate privileges to write system-level files, restoring files from a backup may result in permissions-related problems.

Running Repair Permissions in Apple Disk Utility examines the files on your system and makes sure they are what OS X expects them to be and if not corrects them.

How does it know? Any application or software update that uses Apple’s Installer utility to install software leaves behind a small Receipt (pkg) file (/Library/Receipts). That file includes information about every file installed, including the permissions each file should have.

Only apps that use Apple's Install utility and leave a proper receipt package are affected by the Repair Disk Permissions function. Not apps installed via drag and drop, documents or other user-level files. Plus, only certain receipts are referenced (see the article for a list).

The only third-party software affected by repairing permissions is software included with Mac OS X and installed by the Mac OS X Installer. This is good for security, since you wouldn't want a 3rd party app to be able open up access to system level files. Again 3-party apps do assume some things about OS X installed files meaning repair permissions is still may be relevant when installing 3rd party apps.

The myths

You SHOULD repair permissions before any install

You SHOULD repair permissions after any install

Repair permissions should be part of your regular maintenance plan. (it can be but not 100% needed)

Repairing permissions is ineffective or can harm your Mac.

Summary, repair permissions is not a "cure all" but can fix things if you are suddenly experiencing "strange" behavior. Especially if it is with a recently installed app or after running a Apple software update.

It is a good first step, because it is easy to do and really can't "hurt" anything.

Formatting an old mac or hard drive for sale

This has come up recently no doubt in part to some users wanting to upgrade their Macs

In OS X Tiger, use Disk Utility to format the drive. Under the Erase tab click the Security Options... button. Then check Zero out data and 7-pass Erase. The 7-Pass Erase option conforms to the DoD 5220.22-M specification. This specification calls for three passes, but Disk Utility performs seven.

If you are uber paranoid you can choose the 35-pass. Keep in mind that even a 30GB drive will take several hours (6hrs. or more) to format.

Make album art stick on 4th Gen iPods

The new 5th Gens if you press the select button and "click through" the views to the album art work. it will stay on the screen until you change it.

Listener Ric found this trick to make older 4th Gen iPods behave the same way.

While on the "Now Playing" screen. Quickly press (with 1-2 sec) Select twice, menu once and select once.

I don't currently have a 4th Gen iPod so I can't confirm the trick, but several people on an Apple discussion thread confirm it.

Advanced subscribing to Podcasts in iTunes

If you simply know the RSS URL for a Podcast you can use it to direct subscribe in iTunes or other "podcatchers".

Look on a site for the podcast RSS link. Usually a orange icon with RSS or XML on it.

Control+Click (Right+Click) and copy the link URL

In iTunes go to Advanced-->Subscribe to Podcast...

Paste the URL and click Subscribe.

Steps are similar for other Podcatchers and RSS news readers. Also works for just RSS feeds.

A new store in the UK for Apple products

Leon Walsh from GBM Digital Technologies Ltd an Apple Centre in Manchester (soon to be Apple Premium Resellers). Basically Apple authorized resellers in the UK and Ireland.

They are opening a new retail location called the Apple Digital Store Manchester at One Piccadilly Gardens on November 11th. He didn't say what time, but that is Saturday and the normal hours on the site say they open at 11:00 AM on Saturdays.

Apple Digital Store

They will be giving away lots of cool stuff including iPods, Cases etc

Speeding up PhotoBooth

For those to impatient to wait for the 1,2,3... countdown listener Scott has this tip....

Hold down the Option key when pressing the red camera button and it will snap the shot right away.

Remotely accessing your Mac

Play question from Gavin

2 basic strategies

1. Make the data available on the web

.Mac (iDisk), FTP, Webmail, etc.

2. Remote Access

Command line Geeks can use SSH, SFTP, etc

Software control.

Apple Remote Desktop (USD$299) and probably overkill.

Apple Remote Desktop

Timbuktu from Netopia (USD$95 or $180 for 2)

Timbuktu

Free and open source, Chicken of the VNC

Chicken of the VNC

1. Open Your “System Preferences”.

2. Click the “Sharing” utility.

3. Place a check mark next to the “Apple Remote Desktop” service. - You will then be shown a list of option to set. Check the "VNC users may control my screen with password:" option and set a password.

4. Now you can open Chicken of the VNC and, if you are running a basic network or on an office network, you should see any local Macs with the Remote Desktop service running. If you are going over the Internet your Mac will need a static IP address or need to configure your router to route the traffic to the right machine.

5. The final step would be to setup your home router to direct remote desktop traffic to your Mac running the remote desktop service. Its TCP port 3283.

Incrementally backing up iTunes using Smart Playlists

Something we covered back in July, but worth revisiting.

Play tip from Ryan.

Also works great for iPhoto.