Mac Memos

You’re not alone, if that’s any comfort. Also, a software fix will probably set things right, so that’s the good news.

What do you do if your computer doesn’t mount or recognize your Touch? Call AppleCare, wait 15 or 20 minutes to get to a human and then let that person walk you through the steps you need to take. It will involve some file-trashing and a fresh installation of iTunes but then you’ll be fine.

[UPDATE}
My friend Brian has done the call to AppleCare and writes:

“FYI, this is what the Apple support person had me do.”
http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1747

Thanks, Brian. You’ve probably saved some waits for tech support.

I predict that I will be a senior citizen before Apple releases Snow Leopard version 10.6.3.

I have my copy, bought and paid for, still shrink-wrapped in its package. It won’t be installed until that .3 updater is available. That could take a while.

Get Open Office. It’s a free download. I haven’t worked with it much, but my first impression is positive. Looks quite polished. In addition to a word processor, you get presentation software, a database program, a spreadsheet app, a drawing program and some templates.

Although you are invited to donate something, no money is required and you don’t even have to register to use it.

[flv]http://macmemos.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/11/labels.flv[/flv]

Label sheets used are Avery Mailing Labels 5161 (20 peel-and-stick labels per sheet). Office supply stores often sell house brands for less and include the Avery equivalent number on the packaging. There may be some savings available that way.

Also, Address Book supports many other Avery labels styles (numbers), so you are not limited to 5161. DYMO brand labels (and number series) are also supported. You can check the full list by opening Address Book, highlighting any contact and Choosing “File > Print”. Open the full print dialogue box and click the “Layouts” tab to see all of your choices.

I have my bought-and-paid-for Snow Leopard box sitting on my desk, ready to go… but not yet. There are still reports of bugs that need squashing. Upgrading to Snow Leopard is not essential, so I will wait until an update to 10.6.3 is available. Even then, I will first read the Mac sites to see how that version fares.

BTW… many, many people report using Snow Leopard without any problem. I just figure that there’s no rush, so why not wait a bit?

Neat and wire-free, but the latest iMac keyboards don’t have numeric keypads, UNLESS…

…unless you really want one, because some applications make extensive use of number pad shortcuts. Adobe After Effects, for example. So Apple DOES let you order a full keyboard. There’s NO EXTRA COST but the full size keyboard isn’t wireless. (Not a big deal, really.) See your online Apple Store and click “Buy Now” to view your options.

BTW. The newest iMacs don’t come with an Apple Remote in the box. I guess your wireless keyboard can be used as a remote, so the little one became redundant. If you order an iMac with a full but wired keyboard and still want a remote to play DVDs, you buy the remote as an accessory for CAD$ 19.00.

You just need the free Flip4Mac plugin to play Windows .wmv files with your Quicktime Player. I will show you how to install it without also installing the SilverLight software that Microsoft tries to slip in at the same time.

First, download the  free Flip4Mac plugin by going to this link and clicking the Download button. It’s a 20MB download, so it will take a few seconds to arrive and turn itself into an installer. Wait while that happens.

When it’s ready, you’ll see a dialog box like this… click its “Continue” button.

Keep clicking the “Continue” buttons as the installer presents them, and agree to the user agreement. That will get you to a window like this, with the important “Customize” button. I have circled it in red.

Click the “Customize” button on your installer and make sure that the SilverLight line is unchecked, as shown.

Then click the “Install” button. You will be asked for your computer password, so enter it and click “OK”.

A little advertising window appears. Ignore it and click “Continue”. You’re done. See?

Now when you receive a  Windows .wmv file from one of your PC friends, your Quicktime Player will handle it, no problem.

Actually both “disc” and “disk” are correct spellings according to Apple. They just mean different things. The things that you stick into the slots of your iMacs and MacBooks are “discs”. CDs and DVDs are discs.

But there is a “disk” inside your hard drive. It stores all of the data inside your computer. That one, Apple spells with a “k”.

This is one of my Note To Self memos, because I want to remember that, when my old G4 PPC Mac eventually dies, I will still be able to run OS 9 apps. How? With the open source SheepShaver emulator.

Hey, maybe I’ll never need it, but if I do, this entry will help me find it.

I want to use keyboard shortcuts in Flash, but Apple makes my F keys do other things. F10 turns off the sound, for example. For me, it’s much more important to be able to use my F keys for Flash, so I have turned off Apple’s shortcuts. You’ll find the switch (actually a checkbox) in System Preferences > Keyboard & Mouse > Keyboard (tab).