The Mac Attack

The Mac Attack is back and is now a video podcast. Kicking off the shows return is coverage of the 2012 Macworld|iWorld event. This video is a tease of some of the video that was shot.

Technical note: This video was edited using iMovie. Going forward all editing will be done in Final Cut Pro X.

My new podcast - iSee iShoot iPhone - iPhone Photography podcast

Tue, 16 Aug 2011 12:32:22 +0000

This is the first episode of my new podcast iSee iShoot iPhone. It's posted here as a preview and will only appear here this one time. The Mac Attack will be back. (Yes, I'm working on new episdoes.)

Please see iSeeiShootiPhone.com for more information.

Getting ready for Lion (Mac OS X 10.7)!

Tue, 05 Jul 2011 13:55:00 +0000

On the current episode of the Nosillacast I speak with Allison about getting ready for Lion (Mac OS X 10.7).

You can find the show and show notes here - Nosillacast #319

Insert a period and a space when you double space at the end of a sentence in OSX using TextExpander! (Just like in iOS)

Wed, 27 Apr 2011 00:51:00 +0000

Thanks to @TextExpander and @miraz (via twitter)! Do you like the way iOS inserts a period and a space when you double space at the end of a sentence? Get OSX to do the same using TextExpander!

Create a new TextExpander group > set 'expand after:' Any character > create new snippet [space] [.] (that's a space and a period) > the abbreviation [space][space] (hit the space bar twice). Now when you double space at the end of a sentence you should get a [.][space].

The Mac Attack #115

Mon, 21 Feb 2011 20:04:00 +0000

iOS and iDevice tips, tricks and some troubleshooting on this episode of The Mac Attack. I know you have had an iPhone, iPod Touch, or an iPad for awhile but I bet you will take away at least one tip from this episode that you didn't know about.

If there are iOS tips you have I'd like to hear about them. Tweet me at tmasteve or shoot me an email. I'll share your tips on an upcoming episode.

Please write a review on iTunes - Thank you!

Visit the show web site themacattack.tv for show notes and links.

iPad - English Qwerty keyboard - Press and hold the exclamation point/comma key for apostrophe. Press and hold question mark/period key for quotes. Just swipe up on either of those two keys while typing to get the apostrophe or quotes instead of pressing, holding and waiting for the pop-up.

The quick period - Tap the space bar twice at the end of a sentence, and iOS adds a period and capitalizes the next word.

Taking photos - Touch and hold the shutter button, frame picture the way you want, then release the shutter button. The photo is not taken until you lift your finger from the shutter button. Works this way in all of the photo apps I've tried.

Tap to focus - While shooting video or photos, tap the screen where you want to focus. Also works in most of the photo apps I've tried.

PhotoToMac app ($1.99 US) - Transfers photos and videos to a Mac. This all happens over Wi-Fi using Mac File Sharing. No additional Mac app or usage of a web browser is required. Everything happens from within the app.

PhotoToMac Demo video

PhotoToMac features:

- Photos and videos are transferred in full resolution/full quality

- Photos contain metadata (EXIF, IPTC, ...)

- Supports all photos and videos that are accessible via the standard Photos app

- "Select All" and "Custom Select" feature

- Support for RAW photos (on iPad)

Use a longer, more complicated passcode lock password -

Settings > General >passcode lock > turn off simple passcode (which by default is a 4 digit number), You can now enter in a password that uses a combination of numbers and letters.

Verizon iPhone - talk and surf - You CAN talk and access the Internet at the same time as long as you are signed on to local wifi too. (Yes, I know this isn't the same way it works on AT&T.)

Scroll to the top fast - In the iOS version of Safari tap on the status bar at the top of the screen and scroll to the top on the page fast. Works in Contacts, Mail and other apps too. It's kind of hit and miss when it comes to other 3rd party apps.

Rename an iOS folder - Hold down on the folder icon you wish to rename (or any icon on the home screen). When all of the icons start dancing, tap the folder to reveal its contents. The folder name will appear in a text field. Touch the text field, the keyboard will pop up and you can type in the new name.

Apps or device acting buggy? - Turn your device off and on again.

Mail app 'Unable to Move Message' - cannot Delete Emails -

Settings > Mail, Contacts, Calendar > select Email Account giving you the issue > tap on Advanced (you'll have to scroll dow to see the button) > tap Deleted Mailbox>Then tap on Trash.

You'll probably see that trash is already selected with a check mark. Just tap on it again. IMPORTANT! You need to backtrack by clicking on the arrows at the top of your screen . Do that twice and then you’ll see a “done” button. This should allow you to start deleting emails.

Great, inexpensive iPad stand - Checkout the Arkon Portable Fold-Up Stand for Apple iPad ($17.95 from Arkon, but can be found cheaper - checkout Amazon) - Highly adjustable, lightweight, fold-up stand, works with iPads in cases too.

Glif ($20)- Mount your iPhone 4 to a tripod for taking pictures or making movies.

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The Mac Attack #114

Thu, 03 Feb 2011 19:02:28 +0000

I speak with author David Sparks on this weeks The Mac Attack. Not only do we discuss David's new book - Mac at Work, but also what went in to writing the book and the tools he used to complete it. I also ask David about his visit to Macworld this year at what products "jumped out" at him on the show floor.

Please write a review on iTunes.

Thank you!

Visit the show web site themacattack.tv for show notes and links.

Mac at Work

MacSparky

Mac Power Users podcast

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The Mac Attack #113

Fri, 21 Jan 2011 21:49:00 +0000

"To cut cable or not cut cable on this episode of The Mac Attack. I asked Julie Kuehl and Matt Hillyer to join me on the show to continue a discussion that actually started on twitter about the pros and cons of getting rid of Cable TV. We also discuss how our Macs and other Apple devices come into play providing entertainment that paid TV use to.

Please write a review on iTunes.

Thank you!

Visit the show web site themacattack.tv for show notes and links.

Julie Kuehl - about.me Twitter

Matt Hillyer - Stealth Mac podcast Bytes n Booze podcast matthillyer.com

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The Mac Attack #112

Fri, 07 Jan 2011 03:11:00 +0000

The Mac App Store is open for business on this episode of The Mac Attack. A quick show with a look at the new Mac App Store.

Also a quick "State-of-The-Mac-Attack" at the beginning of the show.

Please write a review on iTunes.

Thank you!

Visit the show web site themacattack.tv for show notes and links to the software, hardware, and products mentioned during the podcast.

(Note/update/correction: Looks like you can install Mac App store purchased apps on as many Macs as you want as long as those Macs are used for non-comercial purposes. A clearer answer as to why previously installed apps don't appear as installed in MAS - The App Store checks for products by their internal application identifier (the “bundle ID”) and the version number. If your apps aren't showing up make sure you are running the most current version of the software in question. (via Bare Bones sowftware MAS FAQ).

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The Mac Attack will be back in January 2011!

Wed, 22 Dec 2010 16:16:00 +0000

I had originally put the show on what I though was going to be a short hiatus but life had other ideas...

So what's new on the show? More tech talk about iOS (for starters). On past shows I had limited coverage of what now is known as iOS and the related Apple "iDevices". The main reason of doing this is that I felt it would only be of interest to a limited number of listeners with iPhones and the iPod Touch. But with the introduction of the iPad and iOS 4 on all devices I feel that there is a larger audience and interest in troubleshooting, utilities, apps, etc.

What else is new? One of the things that I enjoyed about the early days of podcasting was actually playing with and experimenting with the new technology that was coming along to help (or hinder) in the production of The Mac Attack and podcasting in general. Some of these changes you will hear and see. A lot will be "behind the scenes". It seems a lot of you also like when i have guest co-hosts on (so do I) so I will be asking some familiar and not so familiar voices and faces to join me on The Mac Attack. I'll also be taking the show live from time to time.

What's the same? Hmmm, pretty much everything else - No-nonsense tech support (not a lot of idle chatter. Your time is important), the "Care and feeding your Mac" series will continue, Mac tech topics you can use and of course more tips, tricks and hints!

Let the countdown to Mac OS X Lion begin…

In case you missed some of the back episodes here's some of my favorites. It's also a good place to start if you're new to The Mac Attack.

The "Care and feeding your Mac" series:

Mac OS X system maintenance - The Mac Attack #106

Must have applications for your Mac with Tim Verpoorten (part 1) - The Mac Attack #107

Must have applications for your Mac with Tim Verpoorten (part 2) - The Mac Attack #108

Basic troubleshooting - The Mac Attack #109

Internet safety tips - The Mac Attack #110

Photography and the Mac with Victor Cajiao:

Part 1 - The Mac Attack #104

Part 2 - The Mac Attack #105

The Stealth Mac Podcast

Tue, 21 Sep 2010 21:40:13 +0000

I was a guess on the 50th episode of The Stealth Mac Podcast. You can find it here - http://bit.ly/bzmHz5 (iTunes link). I had a great time being interviewed. Thanks Matt!

The Mac Attack #111

Tue, 24 Aug 2010 22:37:00 +0000

On The Mac Attack's 5th Anniversary show I answer questions that were tweeted to me. This show was also recorded in front of a live uStream audience so the format is a little different the usual.

If there is a specific Mac Tech topic you would like me to discuss on a future episode send me a tweet at tmasteve.

Please write a review on iTunes

Visit the show web site at themacattack.tv for show notes and links to the software, hardware, and products mentioned during the podcast.

Thanks for all of the anniversary wishes!

Mac maintenance The Mac Attack episode #106

Recommended steps:

Software - MainMenu or Onxy

General Mac House cleaning
- reboot every couple of days if you keep you Mac on 24/7
- keep your software up-to-date (Mac OS and applications)
- back up before performing any maintenance
- before performing maintenance quit all applications

Recommended monthly maintenance

- repair system/disk file permissions
- manually run daily, weekly & monthly maintenance scripts

Recommended six month preventative maintenance
- zap parameter ram (PRAM) - hold down Command, Option, P, and R
- rebuild LaunchServices
- rebuild or delete System, User, Internet, and font caches

Listen to this episode for more details about each of these steps.

'Time Machine Frequently Asked Questions' list

Back up, back up, back up The Mac Attack #101

Mac Power Users Mail shows (part 1, part 2)

Undoing a "never for this website" accidental selection for auto fill in Safari.

open Keychain Access (in the Utilities folder), then look in the login keychain and find the site you tried to visit. Somewhere in the list, you'll see an entry that reads

www.website.com (Passwords not saved) in this example

Delete that item from the login keychain, restart Safari, and Safari will prompt you to save usernames and passwords when logging in to that site.

Thanks again for listening to the show. Talk to you soon!

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The Mac Attack on Facebook

The Mac Attack #110

Thu, 24 Jun 2010 17:41:15 +0000

Internet safety tips on this episode of The Mac Attack. This is another episode of the "Care and feeding of your Mac" series. If there is a specific Mac Tech topic you would like me to discuss send me a tweet at tmasteve or send an email

Please write a review on iTunes
Thank you!

Visit the show web site at themacattack.tv for show notes and links to the software, hardware, and products mentioned during the podcast.

Cyber security and internet safety tips:

Install all system updates from Apple
Never shop online, unless you are familiar with the retailer you're dealing with
Avoid Phishing scams by simply not trusting any financial advice or warning sent in e-mail form. If your bank needs information from you, they will call you, not ask you to e-mail them or fill out an online form
Don't: create passwords using personal information or information someone could guess
Don't: create a password using words in a dictionary, no matter the language
Never use the default password or a common password
Talk to your children about their use of the computer and discuss any possible dangers they may encounter online
Discuss and set guidelines or rules for computer use with your children. Post these rules by the computer as a reminder
Keep the computer in a common area of your home, so that children’s activities can be easily monitored
Limit time allotted on the computer - watch to see if your child is withdrawing from friends and family
Use the Internet with your children
Know who your children's online friends are and supervise their chat areas
Consider routing your child’s email into your own email account first in order to screen any unwanted email messages
Mac OS X parental controls let you manage your child's use of the computer, the applications and the Internet. - parental controls can be found in system preferences.
Back up important files and store them in a secure place in a different location than your computer

1Password

getnetwise.net

AVGfree (Windows anti-virus)

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