Aoraki Macintosh User Group Home Page

Snippets from Previous Meetings

January Meeting 2005

NEW G5 iMAC MODELS

The G5 iMac has a thin, flat screen, behind which is the computer itself. The speakers are also incorporated at the bottom of the screen. The G5 comes in various configurations, including:

  • 17" screen model with a Combo drive (CD-ROM Read/Write and DVD Read only drive): $NZ 2340 +GST
  • 20" screen model with a Super drive (CD-ROM Read/Write and DVD Read/Write drive): $NZ 3405 +GST

SOFTWARE & PRODUCTS

Sheryl showed a variety of software that she has for sale, and also mentioned a range of flashkeys (also known as memory-keys or pen-drives) which are very reasonably priced. These USB devices are very handy for both storing backup data or for transferring data between computers. They are available in various capacities (prices include GST):

  • 64MB USB 2.0 DataTraveler I $32.63
  • 128MB USB 2.0 DataTraveler I $38.25
  • 256MB USB 2.0 Datatraveler I $70.88
  • 512MB USB 2.0 DataTraveler I $100.03
QUESTIONS, ANSWERS and HINTS

This discussion session covered a variety of problems, hints and suggestions. Topics discussed included address book entries which duplicate themselves, and DVD controls. Problems with date formats in AppleWorks spreadsheets showing incorrectly, Êdespite the settings in AppleWorks Preferences/Test/Date Format) may be eliminated by checking that the desired date format is also selected in the System Preferences/International/Formats panel Ê[it is preferable to select Australia for the region, as selecting New Zealand is not supported by some applications]:

Some operating and performance problems may be helped by Repairing Disk Permissions, particularly after a system upgrade. Do this by going to Applications/Utilities/Disk Utility/First Aid, select the 2nd HD icon, then click Verify Disk Permissions to see if repair is necessary. If so, select RepairDisk Permissions... this may take some time, depending on the number of files on the HD.

Some Applications appear to have problems when Helvetica is one of the system's default fonts Ð this can be cured by turning Helvetica off in the Font Book.

SESSIONS

G5 iMAC MODELS & OTHER NEW PRODUCTS

Sheryl and Tony had their 17" and 20" G5 iMac computers on display, and Sheryl explained their various features.

Tony demonstrated the G5's suitability for displaying photographic images by sharing a brief slide show of recently-taken photos.

Sheryl also gave some details of new Apple products, including iPod Shuffle, iPod Photo, iPod extras, the Mac Mini computer and the iWork (replacement for AppleWorks) suite of applications. The Mac Mini appears to be aimed at users who switch from PCs, who will probably already have a screen, mouse and keyboard, for if these have to be purchased in addition to the computer, the price is comparable to buying an eMac.

If you have purchased a new Mac computer on or after January 11 2005, you may (depending on the model number) be entitled to purchase an upgrade to the newly-released iLife '05 for $40. Visit www.apple.com.au/ilife/uptodate for further info.

MULTI-FUNCTION MACHINES

Sheryl had on display a Brother Multifunction machine (combination printer/scanner), $199, and gave an explanation of various models and features. Some points:
  • some Canon multifunction machines are not supplied with Mac drivers, even though advertised as Mac compatible.
  • printer cartridges vary widely in price and capacity (the number of pages that can be printed).
  • using refillable cartridges will void a machine's warranty.
  • Hewlett Packard machines have a single combined colour tank, which must be replaced when any single colour runs out.
  • Cartridge World was recommended by some members for their refilling service.
MacBASICS ~ USING THE DOCK

Tony explained how MacOS X's Dock is used for accessing frequently-used applications, documents and folders. The dock can be resized by dragging on the grey vertical line which separates application icons from document/folder icons. Reposition the dock by selecting the desired screen position from the Dock Menu (under the Apple Menu), and also choose options regarding magnification there. Dock icons are aliases for the actual applications, documents or folders. Application icons automatically appear in the dock when the application is opened, and will disappear on quitting, but can be retained in the dock by clicking on the icon and holding the mouse button down until a menu appears above, then selecting Keep in Dock. Reposition icons by dragging. Folder and document icons appear to the right of the vertical dividing line. Remove unwanted icons by dragging them to the desktop, where they will vanish in a cloud of smoke!

FAX SOFTWARE ~ USING THE DOCK

Enter the recipient's phone number in the "To" panel (if you are using the MacOS X Address Book, you can select from this). If you enter a Subject, note that the Cover page box will automatically be checked, and the recipient will be sent an extra page (in addition to the fax message itself) with details about the message - if you donÕt want this to happen, leave the subject panel blank. Click the "Fax" button to send the message.

The above fax software doesn't keep a log of messages sent, or their status when doing so, so you don't know if a message has failed to send. However, the Fax STF application (an earlier version of which was included with MacOS 9) is available as a free download.

Sheryl and Russel W. also told us of a Telecom number to phone to test if your fax machine (or computer) is sending properly: send a message to 0800 108 208. Telecom suggests you ensure the number of your fax is formatted as follows before you send it to the test number (for example) + 64 3 123 4567. ÊJust send a page with a reasonable amount of text on it and a report will come back within 10 minutes. If no report within this time they suggest you check your own settings and the number dialled. [From the Telecom website under products/fax/fax problems.]

Sheryl demonstrated this little freeware application which can brighten up your documents, using any installed font. Simple to operate, and fun to use. Obtainable as a free download on Mactropolis, or as a 68kb compressed file from Tony [Please e-mail me if you want it - T.C.].

BROADBAND

Kim led a discussion the various options that are now available for high-speed interned connection.

WORD RAGE

This is a small MacOS X shareware application in which you try to beat the computer's clock to guess the correct letters to form a five-letter word. The first letter is supplied. It indicates whether the letters of attempted words are correct and properly placed (green), correct but improperly placed (yellow) or incorrect (grey), and gives you 40 seconds to guess the correct word. A copy is available as a 68kb compressed file [Please e-mail me if you want it - T.C.].
USEFUL MAC SITES

Hugh Hunter has supplied the following list of sites that members might find useful in searching for Mac information:

Thanks, Hugh
REMINDERS

Next AMUG Evening meeting will be on Friday February 25, 2005 7.30pm.

Next AMUG Daytime Meeting Monday February 15

Committee Meeting on Mactropolis:  Tuesday February 16 9.00pm

Regards to all....

Secretary: Tony Climo, Aoraki MacIntosh Users Group