Jacqueline’s Favorite Mac Discoveries of 2012

10. Learn to like Mountain Lion’s auto-save and duplicates features

9. Get a Magic Trackpad. Saves my wrist and 1/3 less batteries than the Magic Mouse.

8. Using Pages on my Mac and iPad with automatic iCloud sync.

It’s like Magic.

7. Using QuickTime to record my voice and send messages via email.

Customers and friends like this.

It’s more personal and easier to understand than a boring typed email.

6. Getting Dolly Drive 500 GB annual plan for comprehensive emergency backup, cloud backup and sharing.

Includes backing up of my attached drives. All my disaster recovery and sharing functions in one place. Its really easy! (for Our Dolly Drive page go HERE)

5. Buying all my applications through the Mac App Store.

Ensures they work fully with OS X and it keeps non Apple software updated. Very Nice.

4. I’ve used my printer about 12 times. I don’t even use the scanner on it anymore.

My iPad and iPhone have great scanning apps. I like Google’s print anywhere application. You can print to your Google drive account. I’ve discovered I can sign documents on my iPad or in my Mac’s Preview application – then email them back. In Google’s Chrome browser you can add on a service called Hello Fax that lets you fax your signed docs.

3. Using the new breed of writing software.

I like IA|Writer for my Mac and iPad. It’s a distraction free interface and has handy simple tools. It doesn’t format, so you just write. Then I copy it to the web page to format or to Pages. All my drafts are in one place.

2. Did I mention the Magic TrackPad?

It’s hard to put into words how much more pleasant it is to work on my iMac with it.

1. Be an adventurer!

Apple has made it quite safe to try new ways of doing things on your Mac. Critical system folders are now hidden. Try dragging different ways, using shortcuts and explore System Preferences settings. It’s quite a thrill to discover something you did not know.

13 things to do this year for your tech life

1. Back up.

It’s no longer an option. At the very least get an external drive (under $100) and use Apples built in Time Machine. My favorite backup strategy is to have the external drive be an exact clone that is bootable by other macs, then my full and incremental backups into my cloud account. I can also use that space for syncing files with my other computers, iPad and iPhone. In addition I can share files with people. Very helpful for sending family movies.
Dolly drive infromation

2. Schedule no computing time.

Breaks are good. No Computer days are even better.

3. Fight email overload.

Any emails regularly sent to a list of people should, by law, allow you to unsubscribe from the mailing list.

Go through your email inbox, find newsletters (not MacJuicy News please) and be ruthless in unsubscribing. You don’t have to do this all at once. As they arrive, you can decide if the information is worth your time and if you can’t live without it.

4. Work efficiently.

Look at where you spend the most time – make a list and look for ways to make your workflow more efficient

5. Decrease Frustration.

Look at what frustrates you. Make a list and find ways to eliminate the source or other ways to lessen the frustration. There are probably other ways to do that task that you did not know about. Become a member of MacJuicy Insider’s Club for support.

6. Change all your passwords.

Really. This is important. Get a password manager. I recommend 1Password. LastPass is very good. 2 years ago on News Years Day, I resolved to get all my passwords in one, easily accessible, secure place. I started slow by adding as I created new passwords and as I used my existing passwords. With dedication I eventually had them all in 1password accessible from my Mac, iPad and iPhone.

The time saved over the past couple of years is incredible. No guessing, searching or requesting new passwords. I love the auto login for websites feature. Never saving a password in my Internet browser again!

7. Start saving things electronically instead of on paper.

Create archive files with online backups of vital paper word saved in PDF format.

Again, don’t do it all at once. Start slow, with new stuff as you go to build it into your workflow.

You will save time by finding stuff faster and you’ll always have the digital copy in a very standard format.

8. Organize your Internet browser bookmarks (only save websites, not specific articles).

Use Reading List, Evernote, Pocket to Instapaper to save web articles you want to read later. Don’t stop what your doing to read them, just put them in a place you will be able to go through, read later and share with friends if you wish.

Next step will be using an RSS Reader and putting the article feeds for your favorite sites in there. I love having that set up. I use Mr. Reader on my iPad to monitor about a thousand news sites. All in one place, organized by topic and importance. Mr. Reader lets me share stories in many ways, such as Facebook, twitter, email, Pocket (to read later) and my favorite, Buffer (to buffer postings to Facebook and twitter).

9. Clear out and organize your contacts.

To remove old email addresses from your apple mail memory (not Address Book) click Window from the top Menu Bar, then choose Previous Recipients. You can delete them all, so that the only addresses Apple Mail will remember are those in your Apple Address Book.
Go into Address Book, and merge duplicate contact records, update contacts and more. Create groups of contacts that you frequently email.

10. Get computer glasses.

Prescription or not; to reduce eye strain. I use Gunnar glasses. They filter out bad spectrums of light and let in the good. Everything on my screen looks beautiful and I can work for longer periods of time. I use them when I’m working or playing on my iPad. Reading books is even better than using a Kindle. Amazon is a good place to get a pair.

11. Start Mac maintenance habits.

Refer to my Secrets to Preventative Maintenance article.

12. Take a class or get personal coaching to set up your Mac and other devices to best work for you.

Jacqueline knows her stuff when it comes to exploring ways to help you do things faster and just making it more enjoyable to use you Mac.

Current classes

Coaching

MacJuicy Insider’s Club and VIPs

13. Get a useful Take Control Book.

They are inexpensive, digital so they can be updated as needed and are organized so you don’t read it from beginning to end. It’s easy to find what your looking for help on.

Here is the link to Take Control of Using Mountain Lion, you can browse around from there.

More info about Dolly Drive on our Page about it.

MacJuicy’s Dolly Drive Page

Click the link for the Free Trial or Purchase and use the coupon code: macjuicy to get 20% off a one year plan before Jan 5, 2013!

click here!

I recently talked to someone who said that one of the bonuses of being a Mac user is that you can run Windows on your Mac.

Hmmm. I later thought about that statement. My opinion is it’s a bad idea to run Windows on your Mac for several reasons which I will explain in brief below.

The statement stuck with me for a couple days. I’ve revealed my insight on this to paying clients, but not here for all to see. So I’ll put it out here. If you don’t agree with me, that’s fine.

This is written for people that have a choice, value my advise, and who want to have a low maintenance computer with as little frustration as possible

1) The price in dollars (or insert your currency here).

The free OS X Bootcamp is out of consideration if you want to use the Windows program while having access to you Mac programs. I recommend VM Ware Fusion or Parallels which will cost money. Then you must buy a copy of MS Windows in the flavor of your choice. You can’t use an Upgrade license or the license from the Dell you replaced with the Mac.

There is at east a couple hundred bucks, not including the Windows programs.

2) Security.

You will have to be vigilant and install antivirus and malware tools. Those may cost you.

3) The time and trouble.

Keeping up a Windows machine takes time and that may be a reason you got a Mac. Well, if you put Windows on your Mac, you are maintaining two operating systems. You need to update and upgrade both. Your Virtual Windows machine requires the same vigilance and care as a stand-alone computer.

4) The resource hit.

Yes, a Mac can run Windows really well. But, if you are running programs in both operating systems, it will be slower. And consider an aging Mac….

That’s it for now. After running windows on my Mac for many years, I removed it completely. The prevalence of web-based business apps makes it easy to use your preference of computer. If a web based app states you need windows Explorer, then it was written many years ago and doesn’t follow current standards.

If you are a MacJuicy Insider, please leave your opinions and experiences with our group in our private area.

January events

January 10, 3-5pm  iPad for Work & Pleasure:

Expand your iPad horizons!
We’ll review the basics of setting up your iPad for productivity, entertainment and real work. Getting stuff done and having fun are the main topics! Learn to do stuff you did not even know was possible. Q&A as time allows. Attendees get a credit for free follow-up coaching and help.

5:30-7:30 your Mac: From The Start.

If you are just starting out or have been using your Mac for a while – this Tour of setting up and using your Mac is for you. New to the recent Mountain Lion Upgrade? No problem, you’ll be comfortable in no time with Jacqueline’s time-tested easy set up and use to keep your Mac tidy and happy!

January 17th 4-6 pm Your Mac: You Savvy User!

A follow-on to From the Start. We’ll graduate to topics of security, networking and maintenance to keep your Mac running great and to keep you from freaking out! Learn basic troubleshooting to quickly figure out what might be wrong.

Phone 719-966-7323 jackie@applejuicetech.net.

Schedule subject to change. Link to register: https://www.eventbrite.com/org/1712049036

Registration OPEN – Your Mac: From the Start – Live in Salida, CO

Special Bonus if you purchase by end of Thanksgiving Weekend Sunday midnight (MST)

Sign up for either or both workshops and get a free-follow up coaching meeting!

Cyber Security Awareness For Mac Users

We are more linked, networked, and wired (wire-less) than ever. Many years ago, some of us had computers when there was no Internet connection and before the evolution of the World Wide Web.

Then, many of us got cellular phones. All they did was make calls – some of the time successfully!

Many of us now have computers and multiple devices that connect to the Internet AND each other.

THE GOOD

All this increased connectivity provides us with benefits such as better communication, convenience and efficiency.

THE BAD

This connectivity also brings an increased risk of theft, fraud, and abuse. No country, industry, community, or individual is immune to cyber risks. This is so rampant that the Department of Homeland Security announced October as National Cyber Security Awareness Month.

Mac users have been lucky in that it was rare for a virus or Trojan horse (malware) infected your computer.

THE UGLY

Did you know that many Macs have files infected with Windows malware? And they get passed to your unlucky friends!

It is expected that malware invented to exploit Mac users will become more prevalent.

Malware is not the only threat to Mac users. Scams abound,including emails that look like official bank communications and others that are intended to trick you are all over the Internet and in email inboxes.

THE SOLUTION

You can take some simple steps to help protect your personal information, home and business computers, smartphones, and tablets from cyber threats. Help others by sharing this information.

• If you haven’t had an account hacked, you will. Create strong unique passwords, and don’t share them with anyone. Don’t put them on sticky notes.
• It’s crazy to have a null (none) password for logging on to your Mac
• Keep your operating system (OS X), browser (Safari, Chrome or Firefox), and other critical software optimized and secure by installing updates.
• Talk with your family, friends, and community about internet safety. Its a big part of our lives now.
• Do you want to be stalked? Do you want you private information to be revealed unintentionally? Limit the amount of personal information you post online, and use privacy settings to avoid sharing information widely. Should you post on Facebook that you will be on vacation?
• Don’t get “phished.” Be skeptical about messages that you receive or read online.
• Cyber security is a shared responsibility so it’s important that we learn how we can help protect ourselves, our families, our communities and our country from cybercrimes. Take it seriously, there are horror stories that include well meaning friends posting information on a social network that was very secret and was damaging when accidentally revealed.

And as a special bonus for you, I’m going to provide you with preview excerpts of the book I’ve been creating. This first preview excerpt from “Mac Security Survival Guide will explain:

• Use of Security software – Don’t pay for what you don’t need
• Keeping your Mac Secure by updating & upgrading OS X Software and Applications
• How to Protect your personal information
• How to recognize a scam
• How to choose good passwords
• How to Protect your passwords
• Back up the Data on Your Mac – If you haven’t experienced a hard drive failure, you will.

Click here to view the book excerpt now.

Next excerpt will be available next week:

How to secure your wireless network and firewall your Mac to prevent intruders

Including step by step instruction for the most popular brands of equipment.
You don’t want to miss it!

It’s important that you share this important information. Here’s how:

From this page, you can click File ->; email this page location. From the top bar you see floating above, you can share via Facebook, Twitter and more.

Share with me you experiences in the comments below. Let me know what you have done to secure your life and Mac so that I can congratulate you!

In this Mac Masters Interview I talk with David Risley about how he started using Macs, how he uses them for his work, and his websites and profession. He helps businesses use blogs to market effectively. His no B.S style is refreshing. You can learn more about him here: blog marketing.

Please add your comments and questions for David below!

Resources mentioned:

ScreenFlow 3 -screen casting and video editing application

Pages – Word Processing and Layout

Keynote – The most fantastic presentation software

Seem like you are being pushed to create and use too many passwords?

It’s only getting worse with advise to enhance your security by using difficult passcode combinations and that they be different for every account you have!

Every Mac user has an account name and password to get on their account on their Mac. Well you might not have to use it daily, because there is a setting on your Mac that allows you to turn it on and automatically log you in. But you need it whenever you or a software application makes changes on your Mac’s system.

If you have an iPhone or iPad, you are most likely familiar with an Apple ID. An Apple ID is usually your email address and a passcode that is used to buy songs, books, movies and TV shows through iTunes on your device or Mac.

Why should you go to the trouble of creating an Apple ID, and attach a credit card to it?

Now, it’s really important for every Mac user to have an Apple ID.

1. All Apple software and most other software for your Mac will now be downloaded from the Mac App Store. That’s right, even upgrades to Mountain Lion are only available online now.
2. Any applications, books, music or videos you purchase or download for free will be associated with your Apple ID. If you need to download them again or put them on another Mac in your household, they are there in your Previous Purchases tab.
3. If you forget the administrative password and can’t log on to your Mac or make changes, you reset your password using your Apple ID and password. You can associate them in System Preferences > Accounts.
4. An Apple ID gets you into iCloud services.

If you don’t have an Apple ID, this short video will show you how to get one!

total time: 7min 30 sec (click on the lower left squar-ish symbol to go full screen)