November 24, 2006 Meeting

Aoraki Macintosh User Group Home Page

Snippets from Previous Meetings





Web design

DESKTOP FOLDERS

At the September AMUG meeting, Hugh noted that it's not good practice to have too many files on the Desktop, as every file or document sitting on the Desktop takes up some operating power, even if it isn't open.

Robin explained that large numbers of files can be kept on the desktop, providing they are contained within folders, or even nested folders (ie. subfolders within folders), as this arrangement does not slow your computer down. The same applies to folders with most e-mail applications. Make new folders by typing Shift+Apple+N, or by selecting New Folder from the File menu.

NEW APPLE PRODUCTS

Ricky is the proud possessor of a new iPod Shuffle, which was recently purchased duty-free in Australia for $A109. It's 4.1cm long, weighs 15g, has a 1GB capacity, holds up to 240 songs and plays for up to 12 hours! They're now on sale at MagnumMac for $NZ145 inc.GST.
Sheryl described Apple's new MacBooks, which are now powered by Dual Core processors. See Apple's website for details.

SESSIONS

Sheryl outlined a number of aspects of the structures of MacOS 9 and X, comparing and contrasting the two systems, and making particular points regarding their use, including:
  • on the Hard Disk, do not rename the system folders, as the OS often looks for particular folder names to operate correctly.
  • when running MacOS X, the Classic (applications using System 9 or earlier) are contained in the Applications MacOS 9 folder, for convenience.
  • folders on the HD are entitled both System (contains the MacOS X software) and System Folder (contains the MacOS 9 software to operate Classic applications).
  • Finder window views can be altered betweed Icon/List/Column modes.
Barry has a new Intel Mac, and until recently was unable to use it for a task which required a classic (pre MacOS X) application. He can now do so, thanks to Sheepshaver, a freeware application which enables a PowerPC environment to run on a computer which uses a different operating system. Sheepshaver is a small download (261KB), and runs applications in MacOS 7.5.2 through to MacOS 9.0.4.
Arising from a query about using Character Palette raised at the October meeting, Tony gave a brief explanation of several points:

You can use the Character Palette to insert special characters, such as mathematical symbols, letters with accent marks, or arrows and other "dingbats," into your documents, and also characters from other languages. You can access the Character Palette in two ways:
  • From the Input menu: the Input menu looks like a flag in the top-right corner of your menu bar.[If you don't see the Input menu in the menu bar, open System Preferences and click International. Click Input Menu, then click the checkboxes next to Character Palette and "Show Input menu in menu bar."]
  • If an application is specifically designed to work with Mac OS X, you can choose Edit > Special Characters to open the Character Palette.

    Having located the special character that you want, there are several ways you can insert it into your document:
  • Double-click on the character, and it will be placed at the insert point in the document.
  • Select the character, then click the Insert button.
  • Drag the character from the Palette to the document.
Sometimes Character Palette doesn't work, and when you try to use its character or symbols nothing happens. This is because it is designed to work with newer Unicode applications, which unfortunately excludes AppleWorks, (which was last updated some years ago), but includes Pages, Text Edit and Word 2004 (it may work on Word X). Although until recently new Macs came with both Character Palette and AppleWorks installed, this is a case where two Apple applications do not work with each other, due to the newer design of one having overtaken the other! Sheryl gave an explanation of RsyncX, which is a set of file management tools, one of which if the facility to back-up files/folders/volumes to another destination, which may be either on the drive being used, or to another drive.

Some of the specific tasks that RsyncX can perform are:
  • copy/update a single file to another location
  • copy/update a single folder to another location
  • copy/update an entire volume to another location
  • Push a copy/update of the booted volume to another location
  • Push a copy/update of any volume to another location
  • Make any suitable destination volume bootable into OSX or OS9
  • Update another location with the source machine's version of rsync
RsyncX is freeware, and is available as a 516KB download from:http://www.versiontracker.com/dyn/moreinfo/macosx/16814A general discussion on the present state of broadband services was held, covering a number of relevant details, including:
  • Telecom appears to be taking some time in allowing the unbundling of the 'local loop' (NZ's broadband facility), which is delaying the ability of other providers to implement cheaper broadband services.
  • There is no advantage to users in having broadband connections if their local telephone exchange doesn't cope with it, or if their line from the exchange is to long (typically over about 5km) or is not suitable.
  • A variety of plans is available, and in some the user can select a combination of speed and volume. Some rates are combined with toll call rates, which can make for relatively cheap services - however, take care when investigating the requirements, as some plans require $10-worth of toll calls to be made monthly.
  • Members have received good service from Orcon, Maxnet and Ihug.

Greetings to all you Mac enthusiasts.

As we come to the end of another year, I think we can look back on some good times together. The average attendance at our monthly meetings has been 16, with a maximum of 25 at our March meeting . It is fortunate that we named ourselves the ,Aoraki‘ group, as our members now come from Ashburton, Geraldine, Waimate, and Morven, as well as the Timaru district, and we mustn't forget Colin who comes up regularly from Dunedin.

We have had no special events this year, but have covered a good variety of subjects, and our emphasis has remained on helping each other gain more knowledge about our Mac systems and programmes and sorting out our problems. We are especially fortunate that Tony and Sheryl have been so good at taking us through many areas, and also that other members have been willing to share their experiences and favourite programmes.

Mac has provided us with lots of interesting developments this year with the introduction of a complete new range of computers fitted with the Intel chip. Those of us fortunate enough to have been able to use one of these are still coming to grips with some of the changes, but I for one, feel that they have on the whole been beneficial.

One area of our activities which has not prospered despite the great efforts of Neil, is that of our daytime meetings. We did have two or three good meetings, and also arranged to go to Ashburton for one, but generally the attendance has dropped off, and we have to consider the continuation of these.

I would like to thank all the committee for their work in thinking up and providing interesting content for our meetings. This has at times been difficult and we would appreciate more suggestions from you folk next year. Thank you especially Tony for your sterling work as secretary, to Dave for keeping the finances in good order and for looking after our evening refreshment, to Lea for an excellent web page, and to Sheryl for her professional input.

Thank you too, all you members for your support and involvement in our sessions, and I wish you happy festive season and many enjoyable hours of computing.

Looking forward to our continuing fellowship in 2007.
Barry Robinson
(President

Regards to all....

Secretary: Tony Climo, Aoraki MacIntosh Users Group