G4 Conundrum
Having recently written about when to buy a new Mac is very timely. As you know I am using a 5 year old G4 1.4 DP tower. A few weeks ago it started doing something very weird. Read more
OnyX
In the previous article I mentioned a great utility application, OnyX from Titanium Software. I talked about fixing some odd application behavior which occurs after OS updates by using the Cleaning tab. In this installment lets talk about the Maintenance tab.
Tiger Cache
One thing that I have noticed, doing as many OS update installs as I do, is the amount of problems that seem to pop up after the install. There can be many reasons for this, but I have discovered that the various cache files in the Tiger OS are an issue.
A New Mac?
I have been a Mac nerd since 1987. Yes, I am that old. I have purchased several Macs over the years and the buying experience is always the same. When do you buy a new Mac? If you are a millionaire you can buy all the latest stuff. But, if you are a mere mortal like the rest of us you have to consider many things before buying including “when can I afford it”.
Transmit
In my previous article I talked about using FTP to do the heavy lifting when it comes to moving files. I mentioned a FTP program called Transmit. I have been using Transmit for my FTP needs for many years. Yes, some of the web applications I use will do FTP uploading for me. But, I always seem to need a FTP program to tweak a few things.
Moving Files With FTP
Typically people transfer files (photos, documents and so on) by sending them as an attachment on an E-mail. For an occasional photo or file sent to a friend that is more than adequate. However, most ISP’s have size limits on attachments to E-mail which can be rather limiting for large file transfers. For someone who has moved beyond an occasional photo transfer there is a need to move large files across the net. For many years now, this has been accomplished using FTP (File Transfer Protocol) software programs.
Command “T”
The sidebar is the column in the far left side of the Finder window. Usually, what you find there are aliases (or shortcuts, if you are coming from a Windows background) of the Documents Folder, User Folder, Applications Folder and Desktop Folder (yes the Desktop is actually a folder). They are not the actual folders, just aliases. So, if you drag them off of there they will disappear, but the real folders are still in their appointed locations on the hard drive.
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FinderPop
I am a great fan of Shareware. I have used Shareware and Donationware on the Mac since forever. Shareware usually costs a small amount of money and donationware is free, but comes with a suggested donation to the developer if you are so inclinced. Generally, the shareware on the Mac is excellent quality. Most shareware programs are a “one horse band”, they perform one or two tasks really well. Although, some shareware can be very sophisticated. I always pay for my shareware and occasionally I will make donations for donationware if it is well done and I continue to use it.
Hazel
Many years ago there was a popular sitcom called Hazel. It was about the adventures of a wacky maid mothering a family. I want to talk about Hazel revisited. No it’s not a sitcom, it’s software. About a month ago I discovered a shareware program called Hazel from Noodlesoft. This is a very handy program. It is all about keeping your computer cleaned up. The Noodlesoft web site bills Hazel as “your personal housekeeper”. I don’t know about you, but I have as much difficulty as the next person keeping my Desktop area clear and not allowing a bunch of downloaded files to pile up everywhere on my System.
The Right Tool
Here is a very familiar scenario I encounter at least once a week. Someone gets an Microsoft Excel spreadsheet. But, the spreadsheet is not your typical figures and formulas, it is a list of names and addresses. Microsoft built a few list and/or database functions into Excel to assist people who do not have access (Microsoft Access?) to a dedicated database program. So, this person needs to manipulate this “data” into different formats such as mailing labels or list configurations. You really can’t do that very well in Excel so they will send me the file to setup labels and so on. What do I do? I import the file into a database application; in this case FileMaker Pro. The files import very well. Once I get them into FileMaker I then set up the different layouts requested, usually some type of mailing label format and a specially formatted list or two.
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