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In this thread you will find useful information about buying and owning an Apple Mac. Please keep this thread organised and tidy. If you want to ask a question about any of this information, please start a new thread.
Apple Mac Tips, Tricks, and Information
- Thread starter MagSafe
- Start date
Mac Buying Guide
So you want a Mac, huh? I don’t blame you, they are one of the most well built computers on the planet accompanied by Mac OS X, a far superior operating system when compared to Microsoft Windows.
Although Apple offer a rather smaller selection of Mac’s to choose from when compared to the PC market, there is still a fair amount for the average user to try and decide which Mac is for them.
This short article focuses on explaining the advantages and disadvantages of each Mac and advice on when a good time to purchase your Mac is.
Desktops
Mac Mini
Advantages:
Disadvantages:
iMac
Advantages:
Disadvantages:
Mac Pro
Advantages:
Disadvantages:
Laptops
MacBook
Advantages:
Disadvantages:
MacBook Pro
Advantages:
Disadvantages:
Buying Time
So, you’ve figured out what Mac you want – now you need to think if the present time is recommended for buying it. As Apple operates in almost complete secrecy there is unfortunately no way of knowing when a product is due to be released, meaning buyers are always scared that a newer model will be released right after they’ve placed their order.
Fortunately Apple cannot keep everything hidden, and over on the Apple rumour mills there is always new products being predicted for the near future. Before placing your order it is worth checking the following websites for news on the development of new products and if any Apple Expo’s are on the horizon.
So you want a Mac, huh? I don’t blame you, they are one of the most well built computers on the planet accompanied by Mac OS X, a far superior operating system when compared to Microsoft Windows.
Although Apple offer a rather smaller selection of Mac’s to choose from when compared to the PC market, there is still a fair amount for the average user to try and decide which Mac is for them.
This short article focuses on explaining the advantages and disadvantages of each Mac and advice on when a good time to purchase your Mac is.
Desktops
Mac Mini
Advantages:
- Excellent price – by far the cheapest mac available
- Average specs (and provides ability to upgrade when ordering) portability
- Allows the use of existing monitor, keyboard and mouse
- Front Row and Remote included
Disadvantages:
- Price does not include a monitor, keyboard or mouse
- Difficult to upgrade
- Onboard graphics
iMac
Advantages:
- Fair price
- Screen, keyboard and mouse included
- iSight (web camera) built-in
- Compact (but not portable)
- Excellent specification
- Provides easy access to upgrade RAM
- Good choice in screen size
- PhotoBooth, Front Row and Remote included.
Disadvantages:
- If a fault occurs, for example if the monitor was to stop working, the entire unit has to be sent off.
Mac Pro
Advantages:
- Excellent specifcation, ideal for professionals.
- Several models to choose from.
- Apples best performing Mac.
- Easily upgradeable.
- Allows use of existing monitor, keyboard and mouse.
Disadvantages:
- Very expensive
- Price does not include monitor, keyboard or mouse
- No Front Row (that is accessible) or Remote included
Laptops
MacBook
Advantages:
- Best priced Apple laptop
- Average specs
- Perfect for portable usage
- Choice of either black or white
- iSight (web camera) built-in
- Screen, keyboard and trackpad included
- Good screen resolution
- Option to easily upgrade both RAM and Hard Drive
- PhotoBooth, Front Row and Remote included.
Disadvantages:
- Only one choice of screen size available (13”)
- The black model is more expensive than the white model
- Onboard graphics
MacBook Pro
Advantages:
- Great specification
- Fair price
- Option to upgrade RAM
- Choice of either 15” or 17” screen
- iSight (web camera) included
- PhotoBooth, Front Row and Remote included.
Disadvantages:
- Extremely difficult to upgrade hard drive.
Buying Time
So, you’ve figured out what Mac you want – now you need to think if the present time is recommended for buying it. As Apple operates in almost complete secrecy there is unfortunately no way of knowing when a product is due to be released, meaning buyers are always scared that a newer model will be released right after they’ve placed their order.
Fortunately Apple cannot keep everything hidden, and over on the Apple rumour mills there is always new products being predicted for the near future. Before placing your order it is worth checking the following websites for news on the development of new products and if any Apple Expo’s are on the horizon.
Last edited:
Installing applications on Mac OS X
One thing that new switchers from Windows often find confusing when first using the operating system is installing an application. This guide shall explain the simple stages involved in installing the popular instant messaging application, Microsoft Messenger.
1. Download your DMG file and open it. Rather than using Windows executable files Mac OS X uses DMG files to store a directory of files for using when running and installing your applications.
2. Upon opening the DMG file a mountable drive shall appear on your desktop and in your Finder window, and upon opening the mountable drive the program icon will usually appear. Rather than this icon being the installation wizard, this is actually the program itself.
3. Open up a new Finder window and navigate to your Applications folder. Simply drag across the program icon from the mountable drive into your Applications folder, and from there open the program icon.
4. The program has now been installed. If you wish for the icon to appear in your dock, simply drag the program icon from your Application folder into the dock and a shortcut will now appear within the dock, as well as the actual program icon that will still remain within the Application folder.
5. Close the mountable drive window and drag the mountable drive icon on your desktop towards the trash can. As you drag the icon across the desktop the trash can will change to an eject symbol and allow you to drag the mountable drive onto it. After the mountable drive has been successfully ejected proceed to either deleting the DMG file or transferring it to a safe location for future use.
Tip: Rather than opening up a new Finder window to navigate to your Applications folder, simply click the horizontal icon at the top right of the mountable drive window. This will open up the window you are in fully, allowing you to see a full Finder window thus showing your Applications folder.
One thing that new switchers from Windows often find confusing when first using the operating system is installing an application. This guide shall explain the simple stages involved in installing the popular instant messaging application, Microsoft Messenger.
1. Download your DMG file and open it. Rather than using Windows executable files Mac OS X uses DMG files to store a directory of files for using when running and installing your applications.
2. Upon opening the DMG file a mountable drive shall appear on your desktop and in your Finder window, and upon opening the mountable drive the program icon will usually appear. Rather than this icon being the installation wizard, this is actually the program itself.
3. Open up a new Finder window and navigate to your Applications folder. Simply drag across the program icon from the mountable drive into your Applications folder, and from there open the program icon.
4. The program has now been installed. If you wish for the icon to appear in your dock, simply drag the program icon from your Application folder into the dock and a shortcut will now appear within the dock, as well as the actual program icon that will still remain within the Application folder.
5. Close the mountable drive window and drag the mountable drive icon on your desktop towards the trash can. As you drag the icon across the desktop the trash can will change to an eject symbol and allow you to drag the mountable drive onto it. After the mountable drive has been successfully ejected proceed to either deleting the DMG file or transferring it to a safe location for future use.
Tip: Rather than opening up a new Finder window to navigate to your Applications folder, simply click the horizontal icon at the top right of the mountable drive window. This will open up the window you are in fully, allowing you to see a full Finder window thus showing your Applications folder.
Education Discounts
Apple offer discounted prices to students and staff currently in education and higher education.
Current education offer of £100 off an iPod with any new system - Ends October 7th 2006
Am i elligable for the Higher Education discount?
Am i elligable for the Standard Education discount?
What kind of discount can i get?
(Formatted as the different specs available)
MacBook
Normal: £749/£889/£1,029
Standard Education: £704/£845/£967
Higher Education: £644/£773/£884
MacBook Pro
Normal: £1,399/£1,699/£1,899
Standard Education: £1,287/£1,563/£1,747
Higher Education: £1,189/£1,444/£1,614
Mac Mini
Normal: £399/£529
Standard Education: £375/£497
Higher Education: £360/£476
iMac
Normal: £879/£1,129
Standard Education: £826/£1,061
Higher Education: £773/£982
Mac Pro
Normal: £1,699
Standard Education: £1,563
Higher Education: £1,462
Where can i get an education discount?
Higher Education
- NUS Online (http://www.nusonline.co.uk/specialoffers/computers/)
- Through your university network (http://apple.procureweb.ac.uk/)
- Call Apple: 0800 039 1010
Standard Education
- Apple (http://store.apple.com/Apple/WebObjects/ukInd)
- Call Apple : 0880 039 1010
- Apple retail stores
Apple offer discounted prices to students and staff currently in education and higher education.
Current education offer of £100 off an iPod with any new system - Ends October 7th 2006
Am i elligable for the Higher Education discount?
Am i elligable for the Standard Education discount?
What kind of discount can i get?
(Formatted as the different specs available)
MacBook
Normal: £749/£889/£1,029
Standard Education: £704/£845/£967
Higher Education: £644/£773/£884
MacBook Pro
Normal: £1,399/£1,699/£1,899
Standard Education: £1,287/£1,563/£1,747
Higher Education: £1,189/£1,444/£1,614
Mac Mini
Normal: £399/£529
Standard Education: £375/£497
Higher Education: £360/£476
iMac
Normal: £879/£1,129
Standard Education: £826/£1,061
Higher Education: £773/£982
Mac Pro
Normal: £1,699
Standard Education: £1,563
Higher Education: £1,462
Where can i get an education discount?
Higher Education
- NUS Online (http://www.nusonline.co.uk/specialoffers/computers/)
- Through your university network (http://apple.procureweb.ac.uk/)
- Call Apple: 0800 039 1010
Standard Education
- Apple (http://store.apple.com/Apple/WebObjects/ukInd)
- Call Apple : 0880 039 1010
- Apple retail stores
Last edited:
Deleted member 651465
D
Deleted member 651465
Mac Applications
Ok's heres a list of essential apps..
Excuse the incomplete bits.. just graduated!
...will update
VLC Video Player - http://www.videolan.org/vlc/
VLC (initially VideoLAN Client) is a highly portable multimedia player for various audio and video formats as well as DVDs, VCDs, and various streaming protocols. It can also be used as a server to stream in unicast or multicast in IPv4 or IPv6 on a high-bandwidth network.
Metal Adium IM - http://homepage.mac.com/andrewnesbitt/MetalAdiumX/
Metal Adium is a free recompiled version of the popular multi-protocol instant messaging application for Mac OS X, which removes the aqua window style and replaces it with the 'Polished Metal' theme.
Adium IM - http://www.adiumx.com/
Adium is a free instant messaging application for Mac OS X that can connect to AIM, MSN, Jabber, Yahoo, and more
MSN Messenger IM - http://www.microsoft.com/mac/downlo...=/mac/download/misc/messenger511_download.xml
Speaks for itself. MSN on the Mac.
MplayerOSX - http://mplayerosx.sourceforge.net/
MPlayerOSX is binary distribution of MPlayer (The Movie Player for Linux) and comes with native GUI in MacOSX.
Panic Transmit FTP - http://www.panic.com/transmit
Column view FTP program. Features include support for idisk, sidebar, ftp/ssl, search, zooming and tabs.
Toast Titanium - http://www.roxio.com/en/products/toast/
CD, DVD and image burning program. Think of Nero on the mac.
Transmission - http://transmission.m0k.org/
Transmission is a free, lightweight BitTorrent client. It features a simple, intuitive interface on top on an efficient, cross-platform back-end.
Tomato Torrent - http://www.sarwat.net/bittorrent/
Open-source bit torrent client with an easy to use GUI and small memory footprint
Bits on Wheels - http://www.bitsonwheels.com/
Handbrake - http://handbrake.m0k.org/
Powerful DVD ripper and video compression utility
Flip4Mac - http://www.flip4mac.com/
Adds support for WMV files to Quicktime
XviD Codec - http://n.ethz.ch/student/naegelic/download/
Adds XviD support to quicktime.. perfect for those who prefer to use Apple's own media player.
Delicious Library - http://www.delicious-monster.com/
Scan your CDs and DVDs using a webcam and DL will find all information for you. Catalog freaks will love this!
OnyX - http://www.titanium.free.fr/pgs/english.html
Pith Helmet - http://www.culater.net/software/PithHelmet/PithHelmet.php
Disk Inventory X - http://www.derlien.com/
Stuff It Expander - http://www.stuffit.com/mac/index.html
Useful zipper utility, usually free in OS X but the deluxe version includes additional bonus features
TextMate - http://macromates.com/
iSquint - http://www.isquint.org/
Cyberduck - http://cyberduck.ch/
MenuMeters - http://www.ragingmenace.com/software/menumeters/
Meteorologist - http://sourceforge.net/projects/heat-meteo
iStumbler - http://www.istumbler.net
Delocalizer - http://www.bombich.com/software/local.html
Konfabulator - http://www.konfabulator.com - $24.95
Salling Clicker - http://homepage.mac.com/jonassalling/Shareware/Clicker/ - $19.95
iScroll2 - http://www-users.kawo2.rwth-aachen.de/~razzfazz/
Desktop Manager - http://wsmanager.sourceforge.net
Panic Candybar - http://www.panic.com/candybar/ - $12.95
NewsFire - http://www.newsfirerss.com/ - $18.99
Quicksilver - http://quicksilver.blacktree.com/
BBEdit - http://www.barebones.com/products/bbedit/index.shtml - $199.00
SubEthaEdit - http://www.codingmonkeys.de/subethaedit/
Goban - http://www.sente.ch/software/goban/
BluePhoneElite - http://www.reelintelligence.com/BluePhoneElite/
skEdit - http://www.skti.org/skEdit.php - $20
CeePeeYou - http://www.unsanity.com/products/free
Brickhouse - http://personalpages.tds.net/~brian...brickhouse.html - $25
KisMAC - http://www.macupdate.com/info.php/id/10133
Pic2Icon - http://www.sugarcubesoftware.com/sw/index.php?pic2icon
Temperature Monitor - http://www.bresink.de/osx/TemperatureMonitor.html
Synk - http://www.decimus.net/synk/
ElectropaintOSX - http://www.lloydslounge.org/entry.php?id=1104393606
Carbon Copy Cloner - http://www.bombich.com/software/ccc.html
PandoCalendar - http://www.pandacorner.com/PandaSys...doCalendar.html
Alarm Thingy - http://stout.hampshire.edu/~bjk02/software.htm
Windows Media Player - http://www.microsoft.com/windows/wi...sx/default.aspx
Print Selection - http://www.versiontracker.com/dyn/moreinfo/macosx/22665
Shapeshifter - http://www.unsanity.com/haxies/shapeshifter/ - $20
Cleardock - http://www.unsanity.com/haxies/cleardock
SharePoints AutoMounter - http://www.hornware.com/sharepointsautomounter/
Little Snitch - http://www.obdev.at/products/littlesnitch/ - $24.95
Laptop theft recovery - http://www.orbicule.com/products/
You can also find an older list archived [thread=17415780]here[/thread].
Ok's heres a list of essential apps..
Excuse the incomplete bits.. just graduated!
...will updateVLC Video Player - http://www.videolan.org/vlc/
VLC (initially VideoLAN Client) is a highly portable multimedia player for various audio and video formats as well as DVDs, VCDs, and various streaming protocols. It can also be used as a server to stream in unicast or multicast in IPv4 or IPv6 on a high-bandwidth network.
Metal Adium IM - http://homepage.mac.com/andrewnesbitt/MetalAdiumX/
Metal Adium is a free recompiled version of the popular multi-protocol instant messaging application for Mac OS X, which removes the aqua window style and replaces it with the 'Polished Metal' theme.
Adium IM - http://www.adiumx.com/
Adium is a free instant messaging application for Mac OS X that can connect to AIM, MSN, Jabber, Yahoo, and more
MSN Messenger IM - http://www.microsoft.com/mac/downlo...=/mac/download/misc/messenger511_download.xml
Speaks for itself. MSN on the Mac.
MplayerOSX - http://mplayerosx.sourceforge.net/
MPlayerOSX is binary distribution of MPlayer (The Movie Player for Linux) and comes with native GUI in MacOSX.
Panic Transmit FTP - http://www.panic.com/transmit
Column view FTP program. Features include support for idisk, sidebar, ftp/ssl, search, zooming and tabs.
Toast Titanium - http://www.roxio.com/en/products/toast/
CD, DVD and image burning program. Think of Nero on the mac.
Transmission - http://transmission.m0k.org/
Transmission is a free, lightweight BitTorrent client. It features a simple, intuitive interface on top on an efficient, cross-platform back-end.
Tomato Torrent - http://www.sarwat.net/bittorrent/
Open-source bit torrent client with an easy to use GUI and small memory footprint
Bits on Wheels - http://www.bitsonwheels.com/
Handbrake - http://handbrake.m0k.org/
Powerful DVD ripper and video compression utility
Flip4Mac - http://www.flip4mac.com/
Adds support for WMV files to Quicktime
XviD Codec - http://n.ethz.ch/student/naegelic/download/
Adds XviD support to quicktime.. perfect for those who prefer to use Apple's own media player.
Delicious Library - http://www.delicious-monster.com/
Scan your CDs and DVDs using a webcam and DL will find all information for you. Catalog freaks will love this!
OnyX - http://www.titanium.free.fr/pgs/english.html
Pith Helmet - http://www.culater.net/software/PithHelmet/PithHelmet.php
Disk Inventory X - http://www.derlien.com/
Stuff It Expander - http://www.stuffit.com/mac/index.html
Useful zipper utility, usually free in OS X but the deluxe version includes additional bonus features
TextMate - http://macromates.com/
iSquint - http://www.isquint.org/
Cyberduck - http://cyberduck.ch/
MenuMeters - http://www.ragingmenace.com/software/menumeters/
Meteorologist - http://sourceforge.net/projects/heat-meteo
iStumbler - http://www.istumbler.net
Delocalizer - http://www.bombich.com/software/local.html
Konfabulator - http://www.konfabulator.com - $24.95
Salling Clicker - http://homepage.mac.com/jonassalling/Shareware/Clicker/ - $19.95
iScroll2 - http://www-users.kawo2.rwth-aachen.de/~razzfazz/
Desktop Manager - http://wsmanager.sourceforge.net
Panic Candybar - http://www.panic.com/candybar/ - $12.95
NewsFire - http://www.newsfirerss.com/ - $18.99
Quicksilver - http://quicksilver.blacktree.com/
BBEdit - http://www.barebones.com/products/bbedit/index.shtml - $199.00
SubEthaEdit - http://www.codingmonkeys.de/subethaedit/
Goban - http://www.sente.ch/software/goban/
BluePhoneElite - http://www.reelintelligence.com/BluePhoneElite/
skEdit - http://www.skti.org/skEdit.php - $20
CeePeeYou - http://www.unsanity.com/products/free
Brickhouse - http://personalpages.tds.net/~brian...brickhouse.html - $25
KisMAC - http://www.macupdate.com/info.php/id/10133
Pic2Icon - http://www.sugarcubesoftware.com/sw/index.php?pic2icon
Temperature Monitor - http://www.bresink.de/osx/TemperatureMonitor.html
Synk - http://www.decimus.net/synk/
ElectropaintOSX - http://www.lloydslounge.org/entry.php?id=1104393606
Carbon Copy Cloner - http://www.bombich.com/software/ccc.html
PandoCalendar - http://www.pandacorner.com/PandaSys...doCalendar.html
Alarm Thingy - http://stout.hampshire.edu/~bjk02/software.htm
Windows Media Player - http://www.microsoft.com/windows/wi...sx/default.aspx
Print Selection - http://www.versiontracker.com/dyn/moreinfo/macosx/22665
Shapeshifter - http://www.unsanity.com/haxies/shapeshifter/ - $20
Cleardock - http://www.unsanity.com/haxies/cleardock
SharePoints AutoMounter - http://www.hornware.com/sharepointsautomounter/
Little Snitch - http://www.obdev.at/products/littlesnitch/ - $24.95
Laptop theft recovery - http://www.orbicule.com/products/
You can also find an older list archived [thread=17415780]here[/thread].
Deleted member 651465
D
Deleted member 651465
Running Windows on Mac OS X - Intel Hardware
Bootcamp
More and more people are buying and loving Macs. To make this choice simply
irresistible, Apple will include technology in the next major release of Mac
OS X, Leopard, that lets you install and run the Windows XP operating system
on your Mac. Called Boot Camp (for now), you can download a public beta
today.
http://www.apple.com/macosx/bootcamp/
Setup
Guide
Things to note:
You must have an XP disc with Service Pack 2
How
to Slipstream SP2
If you do not have a Windows machine you can install Parallels (more below),
follow the instructions in the above guide and then burn the disc image
using Toast or other Mac OS X utility (such as the built in one)
You need a blank CD-R to burn a Macintosh driver CD using the bootcamp
assistant.
Bootcamp is completely free although you must own a license for Windows XP
Parallels
Parallels Desktop for Mac is an easy to use virtual machine which allows
users to run Windows and other OSes in virtual containers directly on Mac OS
X desktop. Use Windows applications without losing the functionality of your
Mac - no rebooting required.
http://parallels.com/en/products/desktop/
The parallels beta is currently free for 30 days after which it will expire.
The final version will cost $39.99 if you preorder and $79.99 after a period
of time.
Running Windows on Mac OS X - Power PC Hardware
Microsoft Virtual PC
Virtual PC is a powerful software virtualization solution that allows you to
run multiple PC-based operating systems simultaneously on one workstation,
providing a safety net to maintain compatibility with legacy applications
while you migrate to a new operating system.
http://www.microsoft.com/windows/virtualpc/howtobuy/default.mspx
Virtual PC costs £230.99 although can be found for less
Which method is best for running games?
Bootcamp runs natively on Intel Macs and has fairly decent drivers. On iMacs
and Macbook Pros performance is very good largely due to the ATI Radeon
X1600 with 128MB VRAM. The Macbook and Mac Mini do not fare as well but are
capable of running "last gen" games including Half Life 2 at an acceptable
framerate (in my opinion)
Parallels does not support 3d graphics, older 2d games will work if they are
supported in XP
Virtual PC also does not support 3d and may struggle with 2d games on G3 and
G4 hardware.
What is best for my Intel Mac?
If you need full speed and 3d support then Bootcamp is definately the way to
go. Paralells does a very good job in office type applications and even some
more intensive applications such as Photoshop. Paralells is more convenient
as there is no need to reboot, you can install multiple OS's and you do not
have to partition your disk.
Bootcamp
More and more people are buying and loving Macs. To make this choice simply
irresistible, Apple will include technology in the next major release of Mac
OS X, Leopard, that lets you install and run the Windows XP operating system
on your Mac. Called Boot Camp (for now), you can download a public beta
today.
http://www.apple.com/macosx/bootcamp/
Setup
Guide
Things to note:
You must have an XP disc with Service Pack 2
How
to Slipstream SP2
If you do not have a Windows machine you can install Parallels (more below),
follow the instructions in the above guide and then burn the disc image
using Toast or other Mac OS X utility (such as the built in one)
You need a blank CD-R to burn a Macintosh driver CD using the bootcamp
assistant.
Bootcamp is completely free although you must own a license for Windows XP
Parallels
Parallels Desktop for Mac is an easy to use virtual machine which allows
users to run Windows and other OSes in virtual containers directly on Mac OS
X desktop. Use Windows applications without losing the functionality of your
Mac - no rebooting required.
http://parallels.com/en/products/desktop/
The parallels beta is currently free for 30 days after which it will expire.
The final version will cost $39.99 if you preorder and $79.99 after a period
of time.
Running Windows on Mac OS X - Power PC Hardware
Microsoft Virtual PC
Virtual PC is a powerful software virtualization solution that allows you to
run multiple PC-based operating systems simultaneously on one workstation,
providing a safety net to maintain compatibility with legacy applications
while you migrate to a new operating system.
http://www.microsoft.com/windows/virtualpc/howtobuy/default.mspx
Virtual PC costs £230.99 although can be found for less
Which method is best for running games?
Bootcamp runs natively on Intel Macs and has fairly decent drivers. On iMacs
and Macbook Pros performance is very good largely due to the ATI Radeon
X1600 with 128MB VRAM. The Macbook and Mac Mini do not fare as well but are
capable of running "last gen" games including Half Life 2 at an acceptable
framerate (in my opinion)
Parallels does not support 3d graphics, older 2d games will work if they are
supported in XP
Virtual PC also does not support 3d and may struggle with 2d games on G3 and
G4 hardware.
What is best for my Intel Mac?
If you need full speed and 3d support then Bootcamp is definately the way to
go. Paralells does a very good job in office type applications and even some
more intensive applications such as Photoshop. Paralells is more convenient
as there is no need to reboot, you can install multiple OS's and you do not
have to partition your disk.
Soldato
Cheaper AppleCare Support Numbers
If being a new Mac user a big enough step, having your new hardware become faulty is a real pain. Not only that but having to pay for an expensive call to AppleCare which can last upwards of an hour is something you just don't need.
Thanks to SayNoTo0870.com you can call AppleCare for a lot cheaper thanks to their geographical numbers for Apple Stores which you can be redirected to AppleCare.
I hope this helps you out as I have experienced a 90 minute call to AppleCare to get my brand new MacBook replaced. Thanks to the geographical number I saved a couple of quid no doubt.
-Rob
If being a new Mac user a big enough step, having your new hardware become faulty is a real pain. Not only that but having to pay for an expensive call to AppleCare which can last upwards of an hour is something you just don't need.
Thanks to SayNoTo0870.com you can call AppleCare for a lot cheaper thanks to their geographical numbers for Apple Stores which you can be redirected to AppleCare.
I hope this helps you out as I have experienced a 90 minute call to AppleCare to get my brand new MacBook replaced. Thanks to the geographical number I saved a couple of quid no doubt.
-Rob
Last edited:
Soldato
Almost *FREE* AppleCare Support Numbers
Simply call up apple and when you get through ask them to call you back as your on a mobile and don't have much credit left, they will instamatically call you back and its only cost you the price of the call waiting time for which you would use the afore mentioned method of say no to 0870 by calling the store and having them connect you.
Simply call up apple and when you get through ask them to call you back as your on a mobile and don't have much credit left, they will instamatically call you back and its only cost you the price of the call waiting time for which you would use the afore mentioned method of say no to 0870 by calling the store and having them connect you.
Soldato
BootCamp UK Keyboard Fix
This is for people using the United Kingdom keyboard layout on a Macbook. I'm not sure if it affects any other macs. Basically if you use the United Kingdom Apple Keyboard driver in windows XP via bootcamp (v1.1.2 still has the problem too) then you will find that the quotation marks are not the correct character, instead they are '¨' making it almost impossible to do programming. Also the key with '§' and '±' on is switched with the key that has '`' and '~' on.
I have used the Microsoft Keyboard Layout Creator to correct these issues. You can download the installer for the layout from http://renhelp.laeubi-soft.de/Apple-UK.zip Simply run the msi installer and then choose "United Kingdom (Apple) (EN-GB Layout)".
I have not been able to install the keyboard layout sucessfully on Vista RC2.
Hope this helps out anyone who was having this problem.
-Rob
This is for people using the United Kingdom keyboard layout on a Macbook. I'm not sure if it affects any other macs. Basically if you use the United Kingdom Apple Keyboard driver in windows XP via bootcamp (v1.1.2 still has the problem too) then you will find that the quotation marks are not the correct character, instead they are '¨' making it almost impossible to do programming. Also the key with '§' and '±' on is switched with the key that has '`' and '~' on.
I have used the Microsoft Keyboard Layout Creator to correct these issues. You can download the installer for the layout from http://renhelp.laeubi-soft.de/Apple-UK.zip Simply run the msi installer and then choose "United Kingdom (Apple) (EN-GB Layout)".
I have not been able to install the keyboard layout sucessfully on Vista RC2.
Hope this helps out anyone who was having this problem.
-Rob
ACADEMIC & PROGRAMMING FREEWARE:
ITeXMac (Universal)
Another LaTeX editor for Mac (Personally I prefer TeXShop below)
http://itexmac.sourceforge.net/
TeXshop (Universal)
THE LaTeX editor for Mac's and it's oustanding
http://www.uoregon.edu/~koch/texshop/
FreeMat (Universal)
Free MATLAB clone that isn't half bad (universal)
http://freemat.sourceforge.net/
R (Universal)
Free clone of S, extremely powerful statistics platform
http://cran.r-project.org/
Eclipse
Java & C++ IDE (you can add a visual editor too)
http://www.eclipse.org/
ITeXMac (Universal)
Another LaTeX editor for Mac (Personally I prefer TeXShop below)
http://itexmac.sourceforge.net/
TeXshop (Universal)
THE LaTeX editor for Mac's and it's oustanding
http://www.uoregon.edu/~koch/texshop/
FreeMat (Universal)
Free MATLAB clone that isn't half bad (universal)
http://freemat.sourceforge.net/
R (Universal)
Free clone of S, extremely powerful statistics platform
http://cran.r-project.org/
Eclipse
Java & C++ IDE (you can add a visual editor too)
http://www.eclipse.org/
Deleted member 651465
D
Deleted member 651465
HANDY TIPS IN OS X
#1: Get TinkerTool
It has a whole mess of useful tweaks in it and it's free. Just get it, you won't be sorry:
http://www.bresink.com/osx/TinkerTool.html
#2: Use Go -> Go to Folder to jump to Finder folders
Shift-Command-G for quicker access, use Tab for auto-complete of folder names. Works in Open/Save dialogs but is case-sensitive there for some reason.
#3: Remap shortcut keys
Go to System Preferences > Keyboard & Mouse and click the tab called "Keyboard Shortcuts." You have to use the exact name of the menu command you want to change. It's pretty simple, you'll figure it out from there.
You can also add commands that Apple left out (like Secure empty trash in Finder).
#4: App switching tricks
(more after the jump)
Command- ` will cycle backward, scroll wheel, arrow keys, mouse to pick an app. H will hide the highlighted app, Q will quit it. Home/End will jump to start/end of list. Command-Tab works in Expose mode.
#5: Dictionary tricks
Control-Command-D will give a dictionary popup when hovering over words in an app like TextEdit. If you assign the dictionary to a shortcut key like F7, it'll always come up with the popup.
You can nav thru the dictionary with double-clicks on other words. Also, check out the Preferences on the Dictionary app.
#6: Use Preview's powers
Open a whole folder of images by Command-Option drag a folder onto the Preview dock icon. Change the sort order by Control-clicking on a blank section of the drawer. Tools > Annotation will allow you to add annotations to PDF's. Adding a keyword to a pic will allow Spotlight to find it more easily.
#7: Open files in trash
If you drag something from the trash on to a dock icon, it'll open up.
#8: Take the PRO features out of my menus in unregistered Quicktime
On the option menu for Quicktime Player, click on "Show Package Contents," go into Contents > Resources and rename "ProMenuitem.tif" to something else and it'll disappear. You can change any of the images there, but be careful!
#9: Download from the internet without a browser
/System/Library/CoreServices contains "VerifiedDownloadAgent." Add it to your sidebar and you can drag/drop links into it and it'll download the file.
#10: Run widgets one time to see if you want to keep it
When asked "Do you want to install the widget..." , hold down Command-Option and the install button becomes a Run button. To install it, you'll have to run it again.
#11: Set login background
Go to Finder>Library>Desktop Pictures and replace "Aqua Blue.jpg" with your own image keeping the name the same.
#12: Set Login Window Info
Clicking on the login window with your mouse will give you more info. To make it stick to something like the time/date, you must type (case-sensitive) in Terminal:
defaults write /Library/Preferences/com.apple.loginwindow AdminHostInfo Time
and it'll stick.
#13: Spotlight hits in Finder
Command-Space searches bring up a drop-down menu. If you hover over something after a search in Spotlight, you'll see the path to it. To open a Finder window of that location, hold the Command key down and click it, and it'll open to that path.
#14: Advanced Spotlight searching and tips
The pipe characer | acts as an OR. Minus - is NOT, Space is AND. Example = cat|dog(-mouse) is cat or dog but not mouse.
You can remove Applications and System Preferences and Contacts from Spotlight which will also speed it up. Look in System Preferences > Spotlight to uncheck it from your searches.
Anything added to Spotlight's Privacy tab (in Sys Prefs) will not be indexed. If you add your mailboxes to it, Spotlight will speed up since it has less stuff to search.
When searching in Finder, you can add criteria much like an iTunes smart playlist. With it, you can view everything in a folder by using a "Size greater than 0" criteria.
#15: iPhoto selective import
Before importing, click return twice and you can preview all the images on your camera and drag/drop the images you want. Shift-Command and you can click as many as you want. You can not delete this way, it's a read-only thing. Might not work with every camera. Check the date on the photo too.
#16: iPhoto movie books
Create an iBook and then Share>Send to iDVD. It'll be in your Movies folder with all the transitions and stuff.
#17: Change the "Welcome to Darwin!" greeting in Terminal
Do the following in Terminal which will also make a backup:
cd /etc
sudo cp motd motd_ORIG
sudo pico motd
#18: Change iTunes' arrows
To change the behavior of the arrows to be a search within your iTunes instead of searching the iTunes store do the following.
In Terminal with iTunes exited, type the following line:
defaults write com.apple.iTunes invertStoreLinks -bool YES
To reverse, repeat the above with NO at the end.
#19: Force plain text Mail
To display all mail as plain text, do the following in Terminal with Mail not running:
defaults write com.apple.mail PreferPlainText -bool TRUE
To change it back, make it FALSE
#20: Better Save dialogs
Make the expanded triangle the default for every program by typing this in Terminal:
defaults write -g NSNavPanelExpandedStateForSaveMode -bool TRUE
#21: Make your screen saver run 24/7
It'll probably make your machine run slower, but if you want your RSS screensaver to run while you work, type the following in Finder:
/System/Library/Frameworks/Screensaver.framework/Resources/ScreenSaverEngine.app/Contents/MacOS
/ScreenSaverEngine -background &
This will return the job number, like 1411. To end it, type "kill 1411" and it'll stop running.
#22: Easily combine PDFs
Launch Automator. Click on Finder > Get Selected Finder Items and add to the right. Add "Sort Finder Items" too. Click on PDF>Combine PDF Pages and click "Appending". Then add "Open Finder Items". Save it as a Plug-In called "Combine PDFs".
After all that, select your PDFs with Contro-Click, then in your menu, you'll see Automator>Combine PDFs. Click that and you'll see your combined PDFs.
#1: Get TinkerTool
It has a whole mess of useful tweaks in it and it's free. Just get it, you won't be sorry:
http://www.bresink.com/osx/TinkerTool.html
#2: Use Go -> Go to Folder to jump to Finder folders
Shift-Command-G for quicker access, use Tab for auto-complete of folder names. Works in Open/Save dialogs but is case-sensitive there for some reason.
#3: Remap shortcut keys
Go to System Preferences > Keyboard & Mouse and click the tab called "Keyboard Shortcuts." You have to use the exact name of the menu command you want to change. It's pretty simple, you'll figure it out from there.
You can also add commands that Apple left out (like Secure empty trash in Finder).
#4: App switching tricks
(more after the jump)
Command- ` will cycle backward, scroll wheel, arrow keys, mouse to pick an app. H will hide the highlighted app, Q will quit it. Home/End will jump to start/end of list. Command-Tab works in Expose mode.
#5: Dictionary tricks
Control-Command-D will give a dictionary popup when hovering over words in an app like TextEdit. If you assign the dictionary to a shortcut key like F7, it'll always come up with the popup.
You can nav thru the dictionary with double-clicks on other words. Also, check out the Preferences on the Dictionary app.
#6: Use Preview's powers
Open a whole folder of images by Command-Option drag a folder onto the Preview dock icon. Change the sort order by Control-clicking on a blank section of the drawer. Tools > Annotation will allow you to add annotations to PDF's. Adding a keyword to a pic will allow Spotlight to find it more easily.
#7: Open files in trash
If you drag something from the trash on to a dock icon, it'll open up.
#8: Take the PRO features out of my menus in unregistered Quicktime
On the option menu for Quicktime Player, click on "Show Package Contents," go into Contents > Resources and rename "ProMenuitem.tif" to something else and it'll disappear. You can change any of the images there, but be careful!
#9: Download from the internet without a browser
/System/Library/CoreServices contains "VerifiedDownloadAgent." Add it to your sidebar and you can drag/drop links into it and it'll download the file.
#10: Run widgets one time to see if you want to keep it
When asked "Do you want to install the widget..." , hold down Command-Option and the install button becomes a Run button. To install it, you'll have to run it again.
#11: Set login background
Go to Finder>Library>Desktop Pictures and replace "Aqua Blue.jpg" with your own image keeping the name the same.
#12: Set Login Window Info
Clicking on the login window with your mouse will give you more info. To make it stick to something like the time/date, you must type (case-sensitive) in Terminal:
defaults write /Library/Preferences/com.apple.loginwindow AdminHostInfo Time
and it'll stick.
#13: Spotlight hits in Finder
Command-Space searches bring up a drop-down menu. If you hover over something after a search in Spotlight, you'll see the path to it. To open a Finder window of that location, hold the Command key down and click it, and it'll open to that path.
#14: Advanced Spotlight searching and tips
The pipe characer | acts as an OR. Minus - is NOT, Space is AND. Example = cat|dog(-mouse) is cat or dog but not mouse.
You can remove Applications and System Preferences and Contacts from Spotlight which will also speed it up. Look in System Preferences > Spotlight to uncheck it from your searches.
Anything added to Spotlight's Privacy tab (in Sys Prefs) will not be indexed. If you add your mailboxes to it, Spotlight will speed up since it has less stuff to search.
When searching in Finder, you can add criteria much like an iTunes smart playlist. With it, you can view everything in a folder by using a "Size greater than 0" criteria.
#15: iPhoto selective import
Before importing, click return twice and you can preview all the images on your camera and drag/drop the images you want. Shift-Command and you can click as many as you want. You can not delete this way, it's a read-only thing. Might not work with every camera. Check the date on the photo too.
#16: iPhoto movie books
Create an iBook and then Share>Send to iDVD. It'll be in your Movies folder with all the transitions and stuff.
#17: Change the "Welcome to Darwin!" greeting in Terminal
Do the following in Terminal which will also make a backup:
cd /etc
sudo cp motd motd_ORIG
sudo pico motd
#18: Change iTunes' arrows
To change the behavior of the arrows to be a search within your iTunes instead of searching the iTunes store do the following.
In Terminal with iTunes exited, type the following line:
defaults write com.apple.iTunes invertStoreLinks -bool YES
To reverse, repeat the above with NO at the end.
#19: Force plain text Mail
To display all mail as plain text, do the following in Terminal with Mail not running:
defaults write com.apple.mail PreferPlainText -bool TRUE
To change it back, make it FALSE
#20: Better Save dialogs
Make the expanded triangle the default for every program by typing this in Terminal:
defaults write -g NSNavPanelExpandedStateForSaveMode -bool TRUE
#21: Make your screen saver run 24/7
It'll probably make your machine run slower, but if you want your RSS screensaver to run while you work, type the following in Finder:
/System/Library/Frameworks/Screensaver.framework/Resources/ScreenSaverEngine.app/Contents/MacOS
/ScreenSaverEngine -background &
This will return the job number, like 1411. To end it, type "kill 1411" and it'll stop running.
#22: Easily combine PDFs
Launch Automator. Click on Finder > Get Selected Finder Items and add to the right. Add "Sort Finder Items" too. Click on PDF>Combine PDF Pages and click "Appending". Then add "Open Finder Items". Save it as a Plug-In called "Combine PDFs".
After all that, select your PDFs with Contro-Click, then in your menu, you'll see Automator>Combine PDFs. Click that and you'll see your combined PDFs.
Last edited by a moderator:
Soldato
some cool stuff that hasn't been mentioned yet:
VMWare Fusion - Like Parallels but free
Burn - Opensource dvd/vcd/data burner
TextWrangler - Free programming editor - well good.
Gmail Notifier
Perrien - Gets Quicktime to play most video types.
MacSaber - Make Lightsaber sounds with your MB/MBP
VMWare Fusion - Like Parallels but free
Burn - Opensource dvd/vcd/data burner
TextWrangler - Free programming editor - well good.
Gmail Notifier
Perrien - Gets Quicktime to play most video types.
MacSaber - Make Lightsaber sounds with your MB/MBP