Snippets from Previous Meetings
- Sheryl has a HewlettPackard portable serial printer, suitable for an older laptop.
- Tony has a Connectix 'eyeball' b/w camera suitable for connecting to a serial (pre iMac) computer - $30
G4 iMAC
Roger demonstrated the capabilities of the new G4 iMac of which he was the lucky winner at the recent Dunedin Apple Roadshow - certainly an impressive machine! The screen is brilliantly clear, as well as being fully adjustable, and the quality of sound output is similarly admirable - particularly important for Roger, as he makes good use of iTunes!
eMAC NOW FOR FOR ALL
Sheryl gave us some further information on the specifications of the new eMac: "designed for education", yes, but now also available to all Mac-users. Apple have responded to requests from those who asked for a larger screen than the current G3 iMacs - the eMac has a17Ó flat CRT screen. The entry level model doesnŐt have an internal modem, being intended for use with networks in schools. It has a fast G4 700MHz processor and 128Mb of RAM. School price is $2761.
MAC OS X
Barry led a discussion session which included a variety of aspects of MacOS X. Guidebooks 'MacOS X for Dummies' and MacOS X for Idiots' are both available and give very useful assistance if needed.
In MacOS X, to copy an image from a webpage, Control-Click on the image to get a menu, or drag the image to the desktop [instead of just clicking on the image, as in MaxOS 9.
The session also included discussion on MAcOS X web-browsers (Omniweb, Netscape, Opera, iCab, and Internet Explorer are available) and e-mail applications: OS X has its own mailer, oand Eudora has new X version.
MacBASICS
Tony explained the use of the Application menu when switching between open applications, and showed how to make it a 'tear -off' menu displaying either icons or application names) which remained visible on the desktop. Uses of the Keyboard control panel were also discussed.
JETSTART
Barry explained the Jetstart system of on-line connection, which is a high-speed method of connecting to the Internet. It is a cheaper than Jetstream, but is neither as expensive nor as fast. The connection is quite expensive to install, as it needs a special modem as well as an installation fee. However, it is then not too costly to run, as $29.50 month gives both unlimited access time and also the benefit being able to use the phone at the same time. Barry said that in his case it was more economical that the alternative option of installing a second phone line, which would incur additional line rental as well as an on-line access charge.
SOFTWARE
Kim showed us several alternative web browswers, and explained the differences between them:
Opera is browser which is very quick at loading (advertises itself as 'the fastest browser on the web'). It costs $39US, has very comprehensive bookmarks, labels and comments systems. It has the facility for stopping and restarting during downloads, and can be viewed by either whole pages or frame source.
Omniweb Is another alternative browser, but is not as fast to operate as Opera. It also offers stop/restart downloads, but they don't always seem to work.
Edition 2 of NZ MacGuide gives a comparison of browsers.
Sheryl had a variety of software for sale.
REMINDER
Next meeting is on July 26 at 7:30 pm - ALL WELCOME - BRING A FRIEND
[Committee Meeting on Mactropolis: Tuesday August 20 at 9:00pm.]
Happy MacComputing..... Regards to all....
Tony Climo
Secretary, Aoraki MacIntosh Users Group