UGN InfoManager

Maintidget (Widget)

2009-07-04T21:02:50Z

There are a number of applications that run the Unix commands to do maintenance on a regular basis but this is the first one I have seen that works as a Widget. Maintidget (Maintenance Scripts Widget) provides the following functions:

]]> * Display the last time the daily, weekly, and monthly OS X Maintenance Scripts (a.k.a Cron Tasks) were run.
* Run the OS X Maintenance Scripts on demand. Just enter your administrator password and click the Run Scripts button. Maintidget is the first Dashboard Widget to provide this feature!
* Added in version 1.1: Select which scripts you want to run (the daily script must be run at all times).
* Added in version 1.2: Now works with admin accounts that don't have a password assigned.
* Added in version 1.3: Click Daily/Weekly/Monthly labels to open logs in the Console. Check for updates using a link in the widget. Slick redesign by Jason Jacques that includes multiple skins!
* Added in version 1.4: New authentication logic should reduce false-negatives when running scripts and should also help those with blank passwords (blank passwords no longer accepted by Mac OS X for sudo commands).
* Added in version 1.5: Works with case sensitive file systems. Cleaned up the user interface to reduce widget size. Option to not run the Daily script. Further refinements to the authentication logic. Supports MobileMe preference syncing. Now handles cases in which multiple output lines start with dates in a single script run (fixes text overlay and non-updating date issues).
* New in version 1.5.1: Better parsing of log files. Passwords with special characters should be accepted more often.

Mac OS X 10.4 Tiger or 10.5 Leopard is required. After downloading, unzip the file and double click the widget to install. After the widget has been installed in your dashboard, choose to keep it and your can place it wherever you like. To check the latest run times of the maintenance scripts, just activate the dashboard.

To get and see more detailed information go here.

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Macs in Ministry

2009-07-04T09:00:00Z

I couldn't find the name of the minister who is doing this book, but he is asking for help in how you use the Macintosh in your ministry. The book is to be published by Thomas Nelson. From the web site I gather that the author's last name is Lang.

]]> Some suggestions he gives on using the Mac are:

• Preparation: How you can use Bible software and other resources to prepare lessons and sermons

• Presentation: How you can use iLife, iWork, and other applications to enhance the presentation of a message

• Publication: How you can use your Mac to publish your message through print media, CDs and DVDs, iTunes, and the internet

• Promotion: How you can use your Mac to publicize ministry activities, communicate with your congregation or supporters, and reach out to the community

• Participation: How you can get other people involved in the creation of all this content, helping to develop other people’s giftedness and giving them a broader understanding of “ministry”

• Practical Needs: How you can use your Mac to develop innovative fundraisers, service projects, and outreach opportunities

He has a detailed questionnaire on his site that can get you started.

I wonder if he knows about MUGs that could help as well. Such as CMUG.

If you are a minister and want to contribute, you should go here.

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Nisus Writer Pro 1.3 and Sale

2009-07-04T04:45:42Z

Nisus(R) Software Inc. has announced the release of Nisus Writer Pro 1.3, the latest version of our critically acclaimed word processor. Nisus Writer Pro 1.3 adds a completely new document manager. The document manager now can manage any file on your drive, regardless of its location. You can create file groups, or use the predefined smart groups. There is also a style library, and an advanced search that leverages Apple's Spotlight technology.

]]> Also added was selection history (allowing users to jump to prior editing locations), an option to automatically capitalize the first word of each sentence during typing, the ability to attach the active document to a new email message (in Mail.app and Entourage only), and you can now turn any menu into a toolbar item.

Other new features include character/word/paragraph count as an automatic number, menus to invert the selection, select all document areas, expand the selection to full word/sentence/paragraph. A preference allows language switches to affect font size. Triple click selects a sentence and quadruple click selects a paragraph.

There have also been additions to the Nisus Macro Language, and a host of bug fixes and other enhancements. These new features add to an already rich feature set that includes an intuitive interface, multilingual text support, powerful find and replace, easy to use style system, non-contiguous selection, full screen mode, and a native file format (RTF) that almost any word processor can read.

To celebrate this new release, and the Fourth of July holiday in the USA, we are having a release sale. From now until 6 July, Nisus Writer Pro can be purchased for 20 percent off the regular price of $79 (USD) for the full version. This offer is also good with the Nisus Writer Pro upgrade (regular price $45), the Family Pack (regular price $99), and CD versions. Just enter the coupon code "fourthofjuly" and the discount will appear in the shopping cart.

System Requirements:
Nisus Writer Pro 1.3 is a universal binary and requires Mac OS 10.4 (Tiger) or later.

Price and Availability:
Nisus Writer Pro 1.3 is available now at our web store for only $79.00 (USD), and $45.00 for the upgrade version. A three license Family Pack is also available for $99.00. Versions on CD are available for an additional $10.00 plus shipping. A printed manual is also available for $25.00 plus shipping. This release is a free update to current license holders of Nisus Writer Pro.

Nisus Software: http://www.nisus.com
Nisus Writer Pro 1.3: http://nisus.com/pro
Download Nisus Writer Pro: http://nisus.com/free/pro.php
Purchase Nisus Writer Pro: http://www.nisus.com/store

Screenshot:

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Cocktail 4.4 (Leopard Edition)

2009-07-04T04:27:18Z

Maintain has announced Cocktail 4.4 (Leopard Edition). This version adds ability to reset home directory permissions and Access Control Lists (ACLs), adds ability to set Time Machine's backup interval and to modify other Time Machine settings, adds support for more network interfaces, adds support for Safari 4 and ability to disable Safari 4 webpage previews.

]]> Changes in Cocktail 4.4 (Leopard Edition):
* Added ability to reset home directory permissions and ACLs (Disks - Permissions)
* Added "Enable unsupported network volumes" setting (System - Time Machine)
* Added "Disable backup of system files" setting (System - Time Machine)
* Added "Do not backup when disks are mounted" setting (System - Time Machine)
* Added "Do not ask to use newly connected disks" setting (System - Time Machine)
* Added "Animate background" setting (System - Time Machine)
* Added ability to set Time Machine's backup interval (System - Time Machine)
* Added support for more network interfaces (Network - Optimization)
* Added support for Safari 4
* Added "Disable webpage previews" setting (Interface - Safari)
* Other minor bug fixes and improvements
* Updated Automator actions
* Updated help files

The update is highly recommended for all users of Cocktail (Leopard Edition).

Cocktail 4.4 (Leopard Edition) is distributed as a Universal Binary and runs natively on both PowerPC and Intel Macs. Cocktail 4.4 (Leopard Edition) requires Mac OS X / Mac OS X Server 10.5 or later and is tested for compatibility with Mac OS X and Mac OS X Server 10.5.7.

Cocktail 4.3.1 (Tiger Edition) for Mac OS X 10.4.x and Cocktail 3.7 (Panther Edition) for Mac OS X 10.3.x are available for download from our website.

Cocktail is an award winning general purpose utility for Mac OS X. It is a smooth and powerful digital toolset with a variety of practical features that simplifies the use of advanced UNIX functions and helps hundreds of thousands of Mac users around the world to get the most out of their computers.

The application serves up a scrumptious mix of maintenance tools and interface tweaks, all accessible via a comprehensive graphical interface. Most of Cocktail's major features are arranged in five basic categories. In addition, a Pilot lets you clean, repair and optimize your system with one click of the button.

Maintain: http://www.maintain.se
Cocktail 4.4: http://cocktail.maintain.se
Download Cocktail: http://usa.maintain.se/CocktailLE.dmg
Purchase Cocktail: http://www.maintain.se/cocktail/buy.php

Maintain develops tailored applications for Mac users. We work towards creating technical solutions which maintain your computer and make it as efficient and easy to use as possible. In addition, we offer comprehensive consultancy and support services which cover everything from operation of existing systems to purchase and implementation of new technical solutions. Among our clients are: Puma, The New York Times, Sony Pictures Entertainment, Ericsson, Fortum, The City Of Calgary, Peak Performance, Loreal, Harvard University, Los Angeles Times, Tribune Company, Swedish Film Institute, Weber, ESPN, Midway, Business Week, Swedish National Police Board, Pinnacle Systems, Norwegian Broadcasting Corporation, Stockbyte, University of Texas, South Park Studios.

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Jumpcut

2009-07-03T19:18:24Z

Jumpcut will "Make your clipboard dance" according to the description on the web site. The idea is that it provides clipboard buffering. It gives access to text that you have cut or copied, even if you have done other copy & paste afterward.

]]> The current version of Jumpcut, Jumpcut 0.63, is a Universal Binary that requires OS X 10.3.9 or later. Users running earlier versions of OS X should try Jumpcut 0.54, which should work with OS X 10.1 and later.

Source code is also available. Jumpcut is open sourced under the MIT License.
Using Jumpcut

Jumpcut is designed to be simple. Download the application, double-click the .tgz file to open it, and drag the application (the one with the pretty scissors icon) to your Applications directory. Launch Jumpcut. A scissors icon will appear in your menu bar. Now whenever you cut or copy a text item, it'll be added to the "stack" of clippings that Jumpcut has recorded. Clippings can be accessed in one of two ways:

* Under the menu bar - Choose a clipping from the Jumpcut menu.
* Through a pop-up bezel

There have been other multi-clip programs in the past, but this does seem to be a nice version.

Check it out for yourself, the price is right.

http://jumpcut.sourceforge.net/

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Mac to Mac Airport Network

2009-07-03T18:33:18Z

I remember that this was mention a lot when the iMac and Airport was new. But there hasn't been much talk about using a Mac as an Airport Base Station to network computers.

]]> This site has instructions on how to set this up. Of course, if you are going to need a network for long time service you are better off with an Airport Extreme.

This site gives 8 steps to do on each computer that is to be connected to the network. Of course, the one of those 8 is, decide which computer is to be the host, connected to a wired port. So once you get the first one setup, there are really only 7 steps.

See it all here.

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Apple Keynote Bloopers

2009-07-03T18:03:21Z

I am sure that all of us as MUG presenters have had the experience of not having a presentation go exactly as planned. Well Steve Jobs and Phil Schiller have had problems as well.

]]> This video allows you to see examples of when that happened and how the experts handled it. Not any better than most of us would have done. Of course, they really havenl't had that many when you consider how many of these presentations they have done over the past 30+ years.

http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=7173862381181006955

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app4mac releases final versions of Twin 1.1 and Sequence 2.1

2009-06-28T05:01:33Z

Twin 1.1 is a back up program and Sequence 2.1 is an application that provides a simple way to capture and save screen shots and screencasts of your Mac's screen. (We can always use a better way to do backups.)

]]> More Detail:

About Sequence
Sequence is a simple way to capture and save an image or a movie of your screen to your computer's clipboard, or a file (in an image format of your choice). A video or screenshot can be emailed, uploaded on the web, or passed around however you want. Using a multithreaded code and a 64-bit enabled compression system, Sequence can handle capturing DVD, audio, or any other multimedia application. Sequence is powerful enough to simultaneously record from your webcam and your screen. With the voice recording function, you can easily describe what you are doing on your screen. Simply use your Mac's built-in microphone.

With Sequence, its easy to make training videos, product demos, create tutorials, archive streaming video, the possibilities are endless! For instance, you could easily help your friends and family learn more about their computers. No need for boring and complicated documentation! With Sequence you can give clear and precise explainations, including mouse movements and keyboard entries.

What's new with version 2.1:
* Improved preferences
* Better performance
* Better user feedback
* Ready for Mac OS X 10.6 Snow Leopard
* Bugs fixed

About Twin

Twin 1.1, an innovative online backup solution for Mac OS X. Twin is very flexible, and compatible with most Internet servers: FTP, FTPS, SFTP, WebDAV, Amazon S3, MobileMe. It even supports offline backups to external drives.

Twin is a true Mac product that preserves Finder info, resource forks, ACLs, Privileges and comes with an elegant user interface and a powerful assistant. It also provides numerous high-end features like AES-256 encryption, efficient bz2 compression, powerful exclusion rules and scheduler, support for splitting large files during network transfers, network-error recovery, individual digital signature for backed up files, multi-cores machines optimization and much more!

Twin is the best backup solution for Mac OS X users who already have access to online storage (web hosting, work servers, MobileMe, etc.), or who want to buy their own dedicated online storage (Amazon S3, Bingo Disk, Online Storage Solutions), or even users who simply want more control and advanced features than other backup products allow.

What's new with version 1.1:
* Better performance
* Better feedback in the menu bar
* Better FTP support
* Better Amazon S3 support
* Better AFP servers support
* Bookmarks for servers settings
* Ready for Snow Leopard
* New options for the calendar
* Option to browse invisible files/folders
* Ready for Mac OS X 10.6 Snow Leopard
* Bugs fixed

The special introductory price is only available until end of june (4 days left). 29 euros only (around $40).

app4mac: http://www.app4mac.com
Twin 1.1: http://www.app4mac.com/twin.html
Sequence 2.1: http://www.app4mac.com/sequence.html
Download Twin 1.1: http://dl.filekicker.com/send/file/224744-RCMO/Twin.dmg
Download Sequence 2.1: http://dl.filekicker.com/send/file/219704-4YH3/Sequence.dmg

app4mac is a company created in 2001 with the goal of providing innovative applications for Mac OS X. We take great pleasure building Mac products. We are committed to creating quality software that will make the Mac even more user-friendly. Copyright 2001-2009 app4mac. All Rights Reserved. Apple, the Apple logo, are registered trademarks of Apple Computer in the U.S. and/or other countries.

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Macgamestore.com Offer New Clue Game

2009-06-28T04:27:19Z

Macgamestore.com today announced the release of CLUE Accusations and Alibis for the Mac through its web site and digital download service, Mac Games Arcade. The game was created and published by Real Arcade.

]]> Macgamestore.com also announced a special promotion in celebration of the release of CLUE Accusations and Alibis. Starting today until July 3rd, customers who order CLUE Accusations and Alibis can get the original CLUE Classic game, valued at $19.95, absolutely free when they order CLUE Accusations and Alibis. More details below.

Use your powers of perception and ace detective skills to solve a riveting mystery in this original new hidden object game inspired by everyone's favorite board game. When the host of an elegant dinner at a stylish Hollywood mansion is found murdered, a celebratory evening turns into an intriguing whodunit. Now it's up to you to crack the case before the other guests do. Search each room for cleverly hidden clues, interrogate the suspects, and examine each weapon.

Features:
* A whole new way to play CLUE
* Brilliant blend of hidden object gameplay and classic CLUE fun your
* Your favorite CLUE characters: Prof. Plum, Miss Scarlett, Col. Mustard and more
* Over 400 unique cases to crack - nearly endless replayability
* Gorgeous 3D graphics that bring the CLUE mansion to vivid life

System Requirements:
CLUE Accusations and Alibis requires Mac OS X 10.5 or higher

Pricing and Availability:
CLUE Accusations and Alibis is available immediately as a digital download purchase through Macgamestore.com and Mac Games Arcade. A free demo is available for download. The full version costs $19.95.

Buy CLUE Accusations and Alibis, Get CLUE Classic Free
Starting today until July 3rd, customers who order CLUE Accusations and Alibis can get the original CLUE Classic game, valued at $19.95, absolutely free when they order CLUE Accusations and Alibis.

In order to take advantage of this offer, customers must add CLUE Accusations and Alibis to their cart, then add Clue Classic to their cart. During the checkout, customers will then need to enter coupon code: freeclue.

Macgamestore: http://www.macgamestore.com/
CLUE Accusations and Alibis: http://www.macgamestore.com/detail.php?ProductID=1193
Download: http://mgsdl.net/dls/s88j
Purchase: http://www.macgamestore.com/detail.php?ProductID=1193

Launched in 2005, Macgamestore.com, is the most popular Mac gaming store on the Internet with over 600 Mac games available for purchase. Macgamestore.com is also the leader in digital download games and the number one web site for casual Macintosh games. Copyright 2005-2009 Macgamestore.com. All Rights Reserved.

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6 Ways to Correctly Delete Applications

2009-06-28T03:22:09Z

This article lists 6 ways to delete applications. We have talked about some of these applications in the past.

]]> Of course, if you just drag the application to the trash, you will delete the largest part of the application. However certain parts as of the application are left behind, including such files as preferences and other associated contents.

The applications that are listed are: (They are require Mac OS 10.4 or later.)

Amnesia - Uninstalls applications, screen savers, dashboard widgets and preferences panes and their associated system files.
Price: $9.95

AppCleaner - Simple drag and drop interface will take care of applications, widgets, plugins, and preferences along with their associated files with a smooth rotating cube animation.
Price: Free

AppDelete - Deletes applications, widgets, plugins, and preferences and any associated files.
Price: $5

AppTrap - A preference panel that runs in the background. When you throw away an app, you get a simple dialogue asking if you want to delete the associated system files as well.
Price: Free

AppZapper - A drag and drop interface that shows list of associated files.
Price: $12.95

CleanApp 3 - Searchs the Mac for applications, preference panes, and archives. It then organizes these files into searchable, categorized lists.
Price: $13

Extra: CleanMyMac - Is capable of freeing up space through slimming Universal Binaries, removing unnecessary language files, deleting old caches and logs, and various other miscellaneous files.
Price: $29.95 - Developer: MacPaw

For more detail and links to the files see the site at: http://mac.appstorm.net/roundups/utilities-roundups/6-ways-to-correctly-delete-applications/

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Installing Wine on the Mac

2009-06-27T03:50:21Z

Earlier I mentioned the current primary commercial ways to run another operating system on the Mac, within the Mac OS. But Wine is a way to do it with an open source method.

]]> David Baumgold has provided this tutorial on how to install WINE on an Intel Mac. (Sorry, PowerPC won't work.)

He says:

This tutorial is for intermediate users who want to install and use Wine on their computer running Mac OS X. You should already know the basics of how to use the command line. If you don't, read this tutorial first.

The topics below that quote are:

* What is Wine?
* Will My Program Work With Wine?
* Requirements
* Part 1: Install MacPorts
* Part 2: Install Wine Using MacPorts
* Part 3: Install Windows Programs Using Wine
* Part 4: Run Windows Programs Using Wine
* Keeping Wine Up to Date
* Uninstalling Wine and MacPorts

Wine is successful in providing Windows software with the proper hooks so that the software "thinks" it is actually running in an installed copy of Windows.

See and use the tutorial here.

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AutoCad on Mac

2009-06-27T03:28:14Z

I missed this article on the AutoCad blog back on April 1st when it first appeared, but I have always been fascinated by AutoCad.

]]> I even interviewed with a major architect firm back when they were replacing their Macs with PCs because AutoDesk was dropping support for Mac. At least through version 13.x, AutoDesk did support the Mac. When I lived in Virginia I heard from someone there that they would use the Mac version to print overnight because the PC version didn't provide them with the ability to set up multiple prints.

This particular article was posted after a winter article about how it was possible to run AutoCad using BootCamp, VMWare's Fusion or Parallels.

The April 1st article asked for people to respond about whether they wanted to run AudoCad on a Mac. They got over 20,000 responses.

So maybe it will soon run native in the Mac OS.

See the winter article here.

The survey request here.

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Find My Phone Works

2009-06-27T03:07:25Z

This Computer World story on June 23rd shows that the "Find My Phone" feature of the iPhone 3GS worked to catch a thief. (And get the iPhone back.)

]]> The title is "iPhone's new 'phone home' feature helps owner nail thief" with the sub title "Texas man recovers phone in Chicago using Apple's new MobileMe location feature."

The Texan, Kevin Miller of Austin used feature to the thief who made off with his phone.

He was attending a conference called "Brickworld," a conference for adult fans of LEGO. He left iPhone on the table after completing his meal.

But Miller had activated the new Find My iPhone feature of MobileMe, which displayed the device's approximate position on a map.

He and his friends drove to the location depicted on his MacBook Pro. They called the iPhone. The thief answered a call to the iPhone, but immediately hung up. About the same time, Find My iPhone indicated that the iPhone was on the move, and then identified its current location as near a bus stop. Miller and his friends closed in.

The story finished with: "Some have wondered if Miller's story was an elaborate marketing move by Apple. Miller denied it. "It wasn't, but it's as good an advertisement as any commercial," he offered."

Quite a story. See the full story here.

-----

Edited: If you want to see the story from the "horse's mouth" go href="http://happywaffle.livejournal.com/5890.html" target="_blank">Here.

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Jobs: new liver

2009-06-21T16:45:00Z

According a news report published in the Wall Street Journal late Friday, Apple CEO Steve Jobs received a liver transplant about two months ago to treat an undisclosed medical condition,

]]> He is recuperating and still expected to be back at work part-time later this month

Jobs, who is on leave of absence from the company because of health issues, received the transplant in Tennessee, according to the news report. He is recovering well and is expected to return to work later this month on a part-time basis.

By Agam Shah for www.computerworld.com

Flashback:
"Apple's Steve Jobs to take 'leave of absence,' cites health issues -- Tim Cook will fill in while he's out; Jobs plans June return"
reported by Ken Mingis back on January 14

Report: Steve Jobs liver transplant

Steve Jobs, who has been on medical leave from Apple for the past six months, received a liver transplant in Tennessee two months ago, according to a report Friday in the Wall Street Journal.

Earlier this year, Apple's CEO was reported to be relocating from California to Tennessee, which has a shorter waiting list for patients seeking organs, the report noted. In January, after Jobs announced that he would step aside from his day-to-day duties for a six-month medical leave of absence, Bloomberg reported that Apple's CEO was considering a liver transplant. In a telephone interview at the time, Jobs refused to comment on his health status.

Story from news.cnet.com

TechCrunch: Had A Liver Transplant

Not Only Was Steve Jobs Sick. He Had A Liver Transplant...

There really isn’t much to say here beyond what are being reported as the facts. Apparently, Apple CEO Steve Jobs had a liver transplant two months ago, the Wall Street Journal reports tonight. When you read that, it’s pretty shocking — but not that surprising.
Mg Siegler reporting for TechCrunch

Apple hiring ‘work at home’ phone tech support

2009-06-21T15:43:47Z

I haven't seen this any where else, but perhaps it is true. You would think that if it is, MUG leaders would be consulted for possible hires.

]]> According to this article on Blorge.com, quoting the Cult of Mac, "the mothership is advertising for “Apple At Home Experts” on the company’s own website and at various online job sites, including Monster.com, Yahoo HotJobs and MySpace Jobs, with the goal of hiring 150 staffers each month, July through September."

According to the article, Apple is said to be hiring in the Orlando, Florida; Charlotte, North Carolina; Cincinnati, Ohio; and Orem, Utah.

Read the full article here: http://mac.blorge.com/2009/05/18/apple-hiring-work-at-home-phone-tech-support/

The Cult of Mac article is here: http://cultofmac.com/apple-hiring-home-based-support-staff-new-product-or-growing-popularity/10836

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