Apple Mac OS X


by Michael Paine. Note that many links and tips are quite old and may no longer work. See

• Help and tips
• OSX Mavericks problems. Mountain Lion problems.
  
• Virtual PC - Windows emulation on a Mac - You must update to 7.0.2 to use it with Tiger Update: Jan 06: Virtual PC does not run on the new Intel-based Macs - try Boot Camp (must boot to OS X or Windows) or Parallels Desktop!
  
• News
  
• Printing
• Compressing PDF files
• Screen snapshots
• Scanners
• Keyboard (for those "missing" keys) & Speech recognition
• Text-to-speech for visually impaired users
• iChat
  
• Other ways to emulate DOS & Windows on a Mac
• Quicktime & other video, EyeTV &  Front Row
• Converting video to AppleTV format.
• iPod, iPhone (tethering), iPad
• Roaming internet (Optusnet wireless)
• Changing ISPs - Hostexcellence tips (PDF)
  
• Feedback sent to Apple
• Filemaker database for Mac and Windows
  
• Links - more tips, printing, hardware, software, astronomy software
  
• Virus & Malware - see these Apple user tips.
  
• Macbook doesn't recognise USB devices (e.g. hard disks and HDMI output)? You may need an SMC reset.
  
• Loverly Spam! (iTunes needed)
• Homepod, Apple TV & Homekit
  

April 2003: Check the screen snapshot. Open Access 4 running in a window of Windows 98 running in a window of OS X on an iMac? Yes I have abandoned WINTEL and bought an Apple. All my old DOS and Windows programs are running fine and I have all the advantages of the OS X system (a STABLE unix-based platform).  The iMac will talk to WINTEL PCs on a LAN but I needed to buy a router in order to have both a cable modem and the LAN working (as I would have with a WINTEL LAN and a cable modem linked by Ethernet). The router has cable and wireless support and so now I can wander around the office with my laptop and stay linked to the LAN - including data on the iMac. My advice is that if you are thinking of upgrading to Windows XP then have a serious look at the eMac and iMac instead.  Add Virtual PC (or Parallels for Intel Macs) and install your old (unused) Windows (95-XP) and you  have a system able to run that "legacy" sofware. You have a choice of running Microsoft Office  (again your old unused  version) under the Virtual Windows or upgrading to the superior  MS Office:Mac for  OS X . It will read and write files that are fully compatible with WINTEL Office. Why write this today? Well my  old WINTEL PC crashed again and I had to do a c: drive restore using Norton Ghost. OA also runs well in Dosbox for OS X - drop Windows altogether!





Update May 2015: The image is a snapshot of my Retina Macbook running Windows XP, Windows 8.1 (using Parallels) and good ol' DOS Open Access (using DOSBOX).

News (mostly Apple-related - see here for general PC news)

• 6 Jan 23 Tidbits: A Fix for MobileDeviceUpdater’s “Installation Failed”.
  
• 9 Jul 21 Tidbits: Obscure Bug Could Disable the %p%s%s%s%s%n Wi-Fi on Your iPhone or iPad.
  
• 28 Feb 20: Tidbits: How can I turn off Catalina nagging?Update: Today’s security update for Mojave (10.14.6) has brought back the nagging. I have run the softwareupdate Terminal command again and it doesn’t seems to work any more (I need to check after a restart). Bizarrely (or should that be annoyingly) the Terminal command responds with:
  " Ignoring software updates is deprecated. The ability to ignore individual updates will be removed in a future release of macOS."
• 7 Apr 20 COVID-19 & IT:
• Tidbits: Videoconferencing Options in the Age of Pandemic
• Take Controi Books: Working from Home Temporarily (free for Tidbits subscribers)
• Forbes: Zoom Alternatives: 5 Options For People Who Care About Security And Privacy.
• Tidbits: Every Zoom Security and Privacy Flaw So Far, and What You Can Do to Protect Yourself.
• Zoom.us: The Facts Around Zoom and Encryption for Meetings/Webinars (recent security updates)
  
• 23 Feb 20 Tidbits: How can I turn off Catalina nagging?
  
• 23 Feb 20 Eclecticlight: How to enable the startup chime on recent Macs.
• 25 Jan 20 Filemaker: My tips -  A simple way to add a pie chart to a layout using values from several fields in the layout
• 3 Sep 19 The Guardian: Uighurs in China were target of two-year iOS malware attack – reports.
  
• 8 Feb 19: After updating my iPhone to 12.1.4 (a fix for the group Facetime bug) my phone displayed "No service". Eventually I fixed it (with a little help from Telstra) by removing and reinserting the SIM card then Settings/General/Reset/Reset Network Settings. Note that you will need to log into wifi after the reset.
  
• 29 Nov 18 My experiments with Homepod:
  
• Homepods seem to be very sensitive to advanced wifi systems -  try disabling the 5GHz band on your router if you are having connection problems.
  
• Mac running Mojave on same wifi network as Homepod(s) - use iTunes to play any music in your Macs library to  a pair of Homepods that are set up for stereo. If you have an Apple Music subscription you can also use iTuneson the Mac to play to stereo Homepods from Apple Music. I use this setup most of the time.
  
• Other apps on the Mac are unlikely to be able to play to stereo Homepods - but they can play to one of them. Many of us are all waiting for Apple to fix this "oversight"
• iPhones/iPads on the same wifi network as Homepod(s) - use Airplay2 to play any music on the iPhone/iPad to stereo Homepods. This includes Apple Music if you have a subscription
• Siri on Homepod will play Apple Music (subscription) and do reasonably intelligent searches for songs/artists/albums available from Apple Music. Homepod Siri does  not know about anything in your iTunes library (on Mac) or on iPhone/iPad (i.e. Homesharing does not work with Homepods - grrr!). All it can do is pause/skip tracks and change volume once you have started playing music to the Homepod(s) from a Mac or iPhone/iPad.
  
• So in my experience Homepod Siri is extremely limited without an Apple Music subscription.
  
• There have also been many complaints about iTunes Match - missing or substituted songs and such. And iCloud Music (where supposedly your iTunes library is made available to other devices) has also been a disappointment. For example it messed up all my playlists and has missing or substituted songs - I stupidly clicked OK one time when I wanted to save an album to my local library and found I had activated iCloud Music.
• The Homepod is clearly intended to fulfil Apple's dream of everyone subscribing to Apple Music and not sourcing music from elsewhere. I am happy with my Apple Music subscription and it gives me a huge catalogue for playing on the Homepod but I also like to play music that is not available online. I can only readily do that by playing to stereo Homepods from iTunes on a Mac.
• Having said all this, listening to Let It Be - Naked by The Beatles through stereo Homepods is brilliant - like being in the Abbey Road studio.
  
• 6 Jul 18 My recent bug-reports/suggestions to Apple:
• macOSX needs to support stereo Homepod speakers and Airplay 2! (fixed with Airply2)
  
• iOS Safari - emailing a link for a page that supports Reading view always send the whole page, not just the link and there is no option to prevent this (fixed in iOS12)
  
• Bring back iOS app and ringtone support for iTunes (12.7+). Every time you update iOS you will need to manually copy custom ringtones to your phone: Move custom ringtones from iTunes to your iOS device.
• The revamped Apple Maps needs to provide speed limit advice for drivers
• [Feb18] iOS 11 quick camerfa function does not seem to have a way to exit (fixed in iOS12)
  
• [Nov17] If you have allowed a device to Hotspot to your iPhone/iPad that device is able to turn on Hotspot even if you have it turned off. The only way to disable this is to change the Hotspot password.
• 16 Jan 18 9to5Mac: New macOS DNS hijacking malware discovered, also capable of screenshots, file access, more - "...you can check to make sure you aren’t affected by launching System Preferences, heading into the Network menu, choosing “Advanced” and toggling over to the DNS menu. On that menu, keep an eye out for 82.163.143.135 and 82.163.142.137."
  
• 9 Jan 18 Macrumoursw: Macs Effectively Now Have a Three-Year Warranty in Australia and New Zealand Under Consumer Law + Apple Releases macOS High Sierra 10.13.2 Supplemental Update With Spectre Fix.
  
• 4 Jan 18 MacRumours: Intel Memory Access Design Flaw Already [partly] Addressed by Apple in macOS 10.13.2
  
• 3 Jan 18 Gizmodo: Report: All Intel Processors Made In The Last Decade Might Have A Massive Security Flaw - patches imminent?
• 29 Nov 17 SMH: Apple Mac [High Sierra] software has login flaw that puts private data at risk - you need to address this! (see also Apple:How to enable the root user on your Mac or change your root password  & MacRumours) UPDATE: Fixed overnight - ensure you install the security update
  
• 11 Oct 17 Beware of iTunes 12.7 and ios11!
• iTunes 12.7  lacks the ability to manage apps and custom ringtones on an iPhone or iPad. This stupid decision by Apple has caused a lot  of angst, particularly corporates. This led to Apple releasing a "downgrade" - 12.6.3 that has the old, wanted features. For links and tips see: Apple secretly releases iTunes 12.6.3, which reintroduces the ability to download App Store apps.
• ios11 ceases support for 32-bit apps. There has been plenty of warning but many developers have not upgraded legacy apps (I use Units and Flight+ regularly). See Will iOS 10 continue to be supported?
  
• 19 Jan 17 Macworld: The backdoor that never was, and how to improve your security with WhatsApp.
  
• 19 Jan 17 Sierra 10.12.2:
• Mail sorting bug has returned - grrr!
  
• Mail word-wrapping bug still not fixed
  
• Various local network/wifi bugs
  
• 17 Sep 16 TidBits: Ten Highlights of iOS 10 - great tips: "Siri - where's my car" will show you where the phone last disengaded from the car's bluetooth. Triple click the home button to turn the phone into a magnifying glass (need to turn it on in Settings>Accessibility)
  
• 29 Aug 16 CERT: Symantec and Norton Security Products Contain Critical Vulnerabilities - could allow an unauthenticated remote attacker to gain root privileges on Linux or OSX platforms.
  
• 9 Apr 16 Tidbits: Make Sure You’re Getting OS X Security Data - select the “Install system data files and security updates” checkbox in the App Store pane of System Preferences.
• 9 Apr 16 Macrumours: Adobe Issues 'Emergency' Flash Player Security Update for OS X to Address Ransomware Attacks - Adobe download center.
  
• 12 Mar 16 SMH: How my Apple Watch saved my life - Heart Rate Glance app
  
• 7 Oct 15 El Capitan:
• Do a Time Machine backup first and maybe a separate backup of important data.
  
• For upgrading multiple Macs, after downloading, copy the Install OSX El Capitan.app file from Applications to another drive before continuing with the installation on the main Mac. Copy that file to the desktop of other Macs to install it.
  
• Need to update Little Snitch and Parallels. My other apps seem to work fine. Microsoft Outlook and the latest Office suite have problems. See this Tidbits article and Macrumours: OS X El Capitan: Working & Not Working Apps.
  
• Has fixed Mail sorting and Airplay mirroring problems at last (see below).
• Apple: Use two Mac apps side by side in Split View [the green dot in the top left corner has new functionality! Use it to split and unsplit the screen]
  
• 8 Mar 15 9to5 Mac: Security flaw places Mac, iOS & Android users at risk from hacking on some major websites. Any browser using an unpatched version of OpenSSL is at risk, which includes Safari on both Mac and iOS. Apple will issue a patch next week.
  
• 8 Mar 15 Tidbits: Another Reason to Not Install Java - "Installing Java on your Mac is ill-advised..." + ZDNet: Oracle extends its adware bundling to include Java for Macs
  
• 24 Dec 14 ArsRechnica: Apple automatically patches Macs to fix severe NTP security flaw - It's the first time OS X's auto-patcher has been used. Go to App Store updates to install it if you don't have auto-updating on.
  
• 14 Dec 14 BBC: Syntax era: Sir Clive Sinclair's ZX Spectrum revolution [OK - not Mac but the ZX81 was my first computer with a whopping 1K of RAM!]
  
• 27 Nov 14 Apple discussions: Yosemite broke Apple TV mirroring + Yosemite WiFi Issues Fix - you can fix your Yosemite WiFi issues, at the cost of disabling AWDL and AirDrop, by typing the following command at the OSX terminal:
      sudo ifconfig awdl0 down
  And vice versa to restore AirDrop and AWDL (and the WiFi issues)
      sudo ifconfig awdl0 up
  For clarification: that’s “a w d (lowercase L) (number zero)” This did NOT fix my Airplay mirroring bug but it did fix a problem I had making and receiving mobile phone calls with the Mac.
  
• 30 Sep 14 Macrumours: Apple Releases OS X Bash Update to Fix 'Shellshock' Security Flaw in Mavericks, Mountain Lion, and Lion - an important security update. Apple advice.
  
• 28 Sep 14 Macrumours: Apple: Most OS X Users Safe from 'Bash' Security Flaw, Software Update Coming Soon. "With OS X, systems are safe by default and not exposed to remote exploits of bash unless users configure advanced UNIX services..."
  
• 25 Sep 14 ABC: New Bash software bug may pose bigger threat than Heartbleed, cyber security experts warn - affects Unix systems, including Mac OSX. CERT: Bourne Again Shell (Bash) Remote Code Execution Vulnerability.
  
• 21 Aug 14 Macrumours Forum: List of Broken Apps in Yosemite - Little Snitch, Parallels (fixed?), Skype, Messages, VLC ... + Yosemite: All The Little Things.
  
• 21 Aug 14 About.com: Moving Time Machine to a New Hard Drive + Have Fun With Apple's Swift Programming Language + How to Make a Bootable USB Drive of the OS X Yosemite Installer (but see next item)
  
• 30 Apr 14 Mozilla: Firefox 29 available to download - new user interface (not all good!) and a handy Sync function.
  
• 28 Apr 14: It is possible that Apple has killed off the old @mac.com IDs and that logins no longer work for iTunes, Back to my Mac etc: Time Capsule gives MobileMe/Apple ID password error,
  
• 6 Apr 14 My tips: Booting to Mavericks OSX on an external SSD drive - breath new life into an old Mac.
  
• 27 Mar 14 About.com: Word Subject to New Remote Code Execution Attack (includes Macs)
  
• 21 Mar 14 SMH: When a stranger calls: old telephone scams never die
  
• 21 Mar 14 FlashBlock - Firfefox add-on to block those annoying flash advertisements on many web pages
• 23 Oct 13 Mavericks: Installed Mavericks this morning. If you have multiple Macs you should copy the file [Install OS X Mavericks.app] from the Applications Folder to a local server before continuing with the installation (the file is deleted after installation). Finder tabs are useful - you can move a file by dragging it onto a tab.
  

• Little Snitch is disabled (update here)
  
• Flip4mac is disabled
• DiVX is disabled
• The coloured tags in Finder are less prominent
• Parallels below version 9 will not work!
• The Save (attachments) button in Mail has vanished. You need to hover the mouse over the toolbar below the mail header (see screenshot at right) to access the Save All & Quick Look items.
• Graphic Converter versions below 8 may not save filenames correctly. Update to version 8 here.
•  Mouse scroll wheel not working in Preview (plus no scroll bars - I have to use a trackpad to scroll)
• Using Rebuild Mailbox in Mail is a disaster - it wants to reload all old messages
• Western Digital warns about using its WD Drive Manager, WD Raid Manager, and WD SmartWare software products with Mavericks and suggests customers uninstall those applications before upgrading to Mavericks
• Cocktail maintenance app won't work. There is a free upgrade to the Mavericks version.
• 10.9.2 has killed some external displays including Airplay
• Word-wrapping in Mail is intermittent
  

• 10 Oct 13: I have just lodged this complaint with the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (accc.gov.au) :
  The software update for the iPhone (ios 7) prevents users from charging their iPhone with non-Apple devices. There is no way to disable this "feature" and no way to revert to a previous version of the software (ios 6) due to blocks put in place by Apple. I now have several devices that are useless with the iPhone including a car cradle that is needed for safe hands-free use of the iPhone. There are many compliants about this on the Internet and, so far, no indication from Apple that it recognises there is a problem. For example see: https://discussions.apple.com/thread/5379648
  Apple may claim this is a security feature but they should give users the option to turn it off.
  I encourage other users to make similar complaints
  
• 18 May 13 Macrumours: Newly Discovered Mac Malware Captures and Stores Screenshots - seems unlikely to pose a threat
  
• 3 Feb 13: Battery died on your 2010-11 Macbook, Macbook Pro or Macbook Air? Try a firmware update before replacing it: Apple Issues SMC Firmware Update for MacBook, MacBook Pro, and MacBook Air Models.
  
• 25 Jul 12 Mountain Lion tips:
• Once it has downloaded and before your open it, copy the IMG file to a backup directory. This file can be used to install ML on other authorised Macs instead of using up your internet quota.
• Little Snitch needs to be upgraded ($) to version 3. It is in beta phase but seems to work OK
• Parallels 7 needs to be reinstalled. It will probably install an update while it is at it
• Mail updates the email database - probably irreversible
• BIG PROBLEM with using Mail with MS Exchange - don't upgrade to ML yet if you depend on Exchange
  
• All those programs that did not work with Lion will not work with ML
• Dosbox seems to work fine for running DOS programs
• No sign of a replacement for Front Row - Grrr!
• Software Updates are now performed via the App Store
• RSS feeds are dropped from Mail!
  
• Tidbits: OS X 10.8 Mountain Lion, the Little Details - including Save As is back (need to hold Option key), Autolock is gone (hooray),
  
• 28 Jun 12 New Blood Media: Seagate GoFlex Desk External Hard Drive: Failed to Reformat on Mac (thanks Boboduck)
  
• 19 Jun 12 EuroInvestor: How iOS 6 will hurt Google, Facebook, Skype ... + Cult of Mac: Seven Apps That Apple Just Killed With iOS 6. (well ... not "killed" just made redundant)
  
• 26 Apr 12: My tips for moving from Mobile Me to another web hosting service.
  
• 16 Apr 12 ZDNet: Apple releases Flashback malware removal tool, for OS X Lion only.
  
• 7 Apr 12 BBC: Half a million Mac computers 'infected with malware' - F Secure advice - note that a recent Apple security update addressed this problem. Also the malware will not work if you have Little Snitch, ClamAV or other anti-virus software installed.
  
• 7 Apr 12 SMH: Storm brews over iCloud - address book problems. Use File/Export/Address Book Archive regularly!
  
• 27 Feb 12 MacRunours: Flashback [Mac] Trojan Returns With a Multi-Pronged Infection Strategy - "Do you want content signed by Apple Inc to have access to your computer?" (turn your Mac off if this pops up! - better still ensure your OS X software is up-to-date)
  
• 8 Feb 12 Filemaker 11: Known issues - Pre-Excel 2007 format (.xls) for export. This feature requires Rosetta which is no longer supported in Lion. You need to change the  export format to Excel 2011.
  
• 24 Jan 12: NVU does not work in Lion - Kompozer was a good replacement but see What Happened to KompoZer.net? for replacements. You might need to use a dedicated FTP app like Captain FTP.
• 7 Dec 11 TidBits: BusyCal Brings iCloud Calendars to Snow Leopard " More concerning is that I lose Address Book syncing with any Macs that are not running Lion..."+ How to Lose and Recover iCloud Data + Take Control of iCloud
• 28 Nov 11: Lion is running well on my Macbook. I have Front Row running but have not yet got it to recognise the iTunes library. I also have (DOS) Open Accss 4 running using Boxer. Also you will probably need to recompile any Applescript apps that you have created. Annoyingly Lion put sa banned symbol across their icons so make a copy of the app file and change its suffix to ".txt" to preserve a copy of the icon (Get Info cmd-C on the source file icon and cmd-v on the destination file icon to copy the icon to the new app file).
  
• 25 Nov 11 Tidbits: ZangZing Eases MobileMe Gallery Migration + Subtle Irritations in Lion. 
• 25 Nov 11. I am experimenting with Lion on my Macbook. So far it seems OK but I have yet to get Front Row and DOSBOX working. I also had difficulty buying Lion on a USB stick ("thumb drive") from an Apple Store and eventually bought one from the Online Apple Store.
• 19 Oct 11 Old Toad: Life After MobileMe - Comment: on 30 June 2012 Apple is shutting down MobileMe and trying to force Mac users to move to iCloud. iCloud can only be set up and managed with a Mac running Lion (see comments below about problems with Lion). What is more, iWeb and user web pages will vanish. I have several me.com web pages and it will confuse people when the URL no longer works and there is no facility to re-direction. Grrr! Google is starting to look good for contacts, calendars and web hosting.
• 20 Oct 11 About.com: Setting Up an iCloud Account on Your Mac + Getting iCloud's Mail Working on Your Mac. Note that iCloud will onlhy work if you are running Lion on your Mac and ios5 on your iPhone/iPad. See the cautions below about "upgrading" to Lion.
• 14 Oct 11 CNET: iOS 5 upgraders reporting installation hiccups - try the direct firmware update instead of using iTunes BUT make sure you have backed up your iPhone/iPad to iTunes before doing anything - the iOS update resets your device then you use iTunes to restore all your apps and data.
• 6 Oct 11 About.com: AirDrop With or Without a Wireless Connection - AirDrop (Lion) Isn't Limited to a Wireless Network. DropCopy seems to do a similar job for pre-Lion Macs - it is free in the App Store.
• 17 Aug 11 MacRumours: Apple Releases OS X 10.7.1 with Fixes for Video in Safari, Audio Out, Wi-Fi and More.
• 7 Aug 11SubRosaSoft: Create A Bootable Mac OS X 10.7 Lion Flash Drive - IF you are willing to jump (see below)
• 24 Jul 11 Before upgrading to Lion...
• There is no Front Row in Lion - you will need to copy files from Snow Leopard before upgrading or use this package (see the tip anbout creating an alias).  More tips.
• Problems With Lion (Found So Far).....
• Legacy Power PC applications will not work with Lion since it does not have Rosetta (which runs PPC apps on Intel Macs). Update: How to Check if Applications are Incompatible with Mac OS X Lion + RoaringApps - comprehensive list of apps
• Spotlight has to rebuild it's database when Lion first runs.  Give this a few hours to finish.  Things should speed up then.
• Launchpad Problems!
• Lion Finder does not show hidden files (like your Library folder!). The latest version does not seem to have preferences to change this so you need to open Terminal and type chflags nohidden ~/Library/ (thanks osxdaily)
  
• 23 May 11 SMH: Mac malware alert: Apple devices 'easier to infect than Windows'? [big ?] - A new "scareware" program called Mac Defender - and various other names including Mac Protector - infects users via a web pop-up or bogus Google Images...In many browsers the pop up will download the malicious fake anti-virus program on to the users' machine automatically. CNet: How to remove MacDefender fake antivirus program.
• 9 Apr 11 Apple Discussions: Kernel panic from iPhone USB tethering - The latest iPhone iOS (4.3.2) causes Macbooks to crash (restart error message!) when trying to use internet tethering (hotspot) via USB. You will need to use wi-fi tethering until the problem is fixed by Apple. If you do experinece a crash make sure you do a Repair Permissions (using Disk Utility) as the crash leaves many open files in a mess. Update 20 Apr 11: Apple claims to have fixed the problem with the latest iPhone OS
  
• 6 Apr 11 Tidbits: Firefox 4 Improves, But Not Radically - Firefox 4 disables the great PDF Plugin (vieiwing PDFs within the Browser window). A pre-release version of Firefox PDF Plugin for Mac OS X 1.2 (displays PDFs in the browser) can be made to work by forcing Firefox 4 into 32 bit mode via Get Info in the Finder.  [32 bit is set by selecting Firefox.app from the Application Folder in Finder, clicking Get Info and setting the check box near the top of the Info window- this might slow browser performance. Change to 32 bit setting BEFORE you click on this Plug-in link] 
• 15 Mar 11 Apple is changing Mobile Me Calendars in May and you will be forced to update to the new system. Trouble is it wont work with the older iPhone 3G unless it is "upgraded" to IOS4 - but many people say don't do this. Macworld has the answer - you need to delete the old Mobile Me Calendar "account" on the iPhone and create a new CalDAV account (server cal.me.com).
• 16 Nov 10 Microsoft:  Microsoft Office for Mac 2011 14.0.1 Update - This update fixes critical issues in Office 2011, including issues that might cause Office 2011 applications to stop responding or quit unexpectedly [might explain why Word kept crashing on me!]
• 27 May 10 BBC: Apple passes Microsoft to be biggest tech company.
• 30 Apr 10 Apple: [Steve Jobs] Thoughts on Flash
• 16 Mar 10 Filemaker: Filemaker Pro 11 - finally some database features like charting that I was using in Open Access nearly 25 years ago! The scripting language is still tedious but getting better.
• 31 Jan 10 CNET: Security Update (2010-001) slowing Macs down? (see comments about running routine maitenance - eg Cocktail - first)
• 24 Nov 09 SMH: Malicious copycat iPhone virus unleashed - jailbroken iPhones at risk
• 10 Nov 09 WP: First iPhone worm targets modified handsets - The contagion, dubbed "Ikee," spreads only among iPhones that have been "jailbroken,"...
• 14 Oct 09 BBC: Data losses in Snow Leopard bug - In the meantime, users should delete previous guest accounts [before upgrading to SL] + MaxFixIt: How to restore Lost home folder after logging in as guest in Snow Leopard.
• 5 Sep 09 WP: Apple Updates Java, Backdates Flash - Leopard and Snow Leopard security flaws
• 10 Aug 09 Comment: I was looking for a better way to keep an off-site backup of my Macbook Pro. I noticed that Officeworks have the Lacie 320Gb Pocket Hard Drive on special for $99. The set-up for the Mac is brilliantly easy.
  It uses both USB ports, which is not a problem when I only use it for backup purposes. However I can use my iPhone charger (USB 240V power pack) for the power cable, if need be. When first plugged in it automatically displays the installer icon. Click on it and the process starts. First it asks for confirmation that you wish to format the drive for Mac OS Extended (recommended for Time Machine). Then it takes several seconds to format the drive, which mounts on the desktop. If Time Machine has not yet been set up then you are prompted to use the Lacie drive for Time Machine. Click OK and a couple of hours later (eg 30Gb per hour) you have your backup safely on that drive. I have it set to do manual backups because the drive is normally stored off-site.
• 1 Aug 09 BBC: Apple to fix iPhone security flaw - update now availbale via iTunes (iPhone OS 3.0.1)
• 10 Jun 09 Apple Discussions: The iPhone 3GS will have video recording available. The previous model iPhone (3G) will not have the same capability under iPhone 3.0 operating system. This is crazy as jailbroken iPhones (not recommended) can run the Cycorder video app. But what really irks me is that Apple has removed a thread about this from Apple Discussions.
• 2 Jun 09 O'Reilly: Josh Clark on iWork '09: The Missing Manual - tips (thanks Garry Barker)
• 2 Dec 08 WP: Apple: Mac Users Should Get Antivirus Software - see these tips
• 18 Nov 08 Apple Discussions: A new (continuation) thread has been started on the lack of a Firewire port on the new Macbook (see 22 Oct below and picture of my Firewire peripherals). This seems to be a precedent and hopefully shows that Apple is well aware of the dis-satisfaction. Update 9 Jun 09: The new 13" Macbook Pro has firewire!
• 23 Oct 08 About.com: Security Warning: Beware of MacGuard - a "rogue program that pretends to be a security application..."
• 22 Oct 08 Apple Pro Tips: Boolean Spotlight Searches - example "asteroid NOT 2008 kind:presentations" (AND, OR and NOT need to be uppercase to be recognised)
• 22 Oct 08 Apple Discussion - New Macbooks do not have a firewire port, rendering them useless for many users with firewire peripherals. With 18,000 views and 594 posts as at today, it is evidently a hot topic.
• 25 Sep 08 WAToday: 'I'm a PC' made on a Mac.
• 23 Sep 08 Nullriver:  NetShare, banned from the AppStore - Looks like Apple has decided they will not be allowing any tethering applications in the AppStore. As such, NetShare will not be available in the iTunes AppStore...PDAnet is now available for the iPhone but it requires jailbreaking (not recommended)
• 14 Aug 08 About.com: Phishing Scam Uses MobileMe and iTunes as Bait
• 3 Jul 08 WP: Serious Security Vulnerabilty In Apple OS X Leopard (but check the discussion for problems with the suggested solutions)
• 20 Jun 08 Mac OS X Hints:View PDFs inline in Firefox 3 - BUT be cautious about installing non-Mozilla software.
• 16 Jun 08 ITWire: More info about iPhone coverage in Australia - apparently Optus will have compatible 3G services in major cities.
• 15 Jun 08 Apple (email): Apple removed your post on Apple Discussions titled "Re: iPhone 3G as Bluetooth-Modem? " because it contained the following: Speculation or Rumors/Off-topic or non-technical posts - Judge for yourself: Turns out this discussion could be academic in Australia: "the high-speed 3G services promised by Optus would not be delivered on the iPhone as the device is not compatible with Optus's 900Mhz 3G network..." (from ITNews). The Tech Specs for iPhone state: UMTS/HSDPA (850, 1900, 2100 MHz) & GSM/EDGE (850, 900, 1800, 1900 MHz) so it seems that, if Optus 3G uses 900MHz, the iPhone will only be able to use GSM/EDGE capabilities. More on iPhone.
• 10 Jun 08 Comment: Two key features are holding me back from buying the iPhone 3G for use in Australia:
  1. I would like to use it for tethering my Macbook (accessing internet via the iPhone) instead of using an Optus HSDPA USB modem (Now if only the Optus SIM card could be used in the iPhone...).
  2. Video conferencing does not seem to be supported - at the very least integrating iChat would have been sensible. I guess the camera is on the wrong side! Posted on Apple Discussions on 10 June BUT "Your post "Tethering and/or ichat with iPhone 3G " was removed from Apple Discussions as it contained feedback or feature requests. These areas are intended to address technical issues about Apple products. Although your feedback is appreciated, unfortunately these forums are not designed for it and your thoughts/concerns will not get the attention they deserve." Others agree: iPhone 2.0 - glass half full or half empty? - The iPhone 2.0's biggest disappointment is the lack of tethering... Optus iPhone pre-orders.
• 5 Jun 08 WP: The Review That Never Happened: Microsoft Office 2008 - Office 2008 often buries useful features behind layers of menu options...
• 3 Jun 08 BCS: Microsoft issues caution [over Safari bug] + ITBusinessEdge:  Apple Not Concerned with Safari Bug, but Microsoft Is.
• 4 May 08 MacFixIt: Java update for Mac OS X 10.5.x problems. (eg Safari)
• 22 Apr 08 IT Wire: Microsoft: will you save Windows XP? - Microsoft, Microsoft... why are you transforming yourself into the best advertisement possible for Mac OS X... + WP: Windows Vista Service Pack 1: Not for the Impatient
• 17 Feb 08 Apple: Mac OS X 10.5.2 Combo Update - its 348Mb! Try it if you have difficulty with the automatic update.
• 11 Feb 08 Max Fixit: QuickTime 7.4.1 does not fix playback, downgrade still works.
• 5 Feb 08 Apple: Google maps now integrated with Address Book. There are also Stephen Withers Applescripts for Whereis and Multimap.
• 30 Jan 08 SMH: Office renovations - Microsoft makes modest improvements to its new Macintosh suite but the result is underwhelming + Mac's air to the throne
• 20 Jan 08 AppleInsider: Leopard satisfaction driving "explosive" Mac sales + Yahoo:  IBM to add software for Apple devices (Lotus Office?)
• 2 Jan 08 SMH: The ABC of podcasting - For years we of the Macintosh persuasion have seethed as organisations that ought to have known better ... ignored our platform...
• 1 Dec 07 Mozilla: Firefox 2.0.0.10 fixes a problem with drop-down lists (but Java still not supported?)
• 25 Nov 07 Apple: Compress PDF Workflow - Mac OS X 10.5 (Leopard) does not exhibit the “Compress PDF” workflow on the Print dialog that used to appear in OS X 10.4 (Tiger). This package will restore “Compress PDF” to the Print dialog.
• 23 Nov 07 ITWire: Mac quarantine bug returns in Leopard  - vulnerability with email attachments (thanks Stephen Withers)
• 18 Nov 07 BBC: End of the innocence for Mac fans.
• 18 Nov 07 Apple: Leopard: About the Application Firewall - important tips for the new way in which the firewall operates in Leopard (it is NOT on by default)
• 18 Nov 07 Versiontracker: Toast, Popcorn and Cocktail updates for Leopard.
• 7 Nov 07 CERT: Apple QuickTime Updates for Multiple Vulnerabilities
• 7 Nov 07 Scientific American: Mac Attack Targets Porn Surfers - trojans let in by Leopard? Web surfers can prevent infection simply by not downloading the fake codec software, or by avoiding porn sites altogether—whichever is easier.
• 3 Nov 07 Apple: Mac OS X 10.5: Keychain cannot be found message after upgrade install -
• 27 Oct 07 Possible Leopard problems (note that some of the suggested fixes may be risky!):
• Perian (iTune & iPhoto problems)
• Filemaker (minor bugs - fix for v9 by 19 Nov BUT older versions will not be fixed!)
• Lost User Logins 
• Parallels
• Firefox
• Yahoo Mail
• HP All in One printers
• Quickeys
• Mac Classic
• ShapeShifter (on G5)
• G5 woes
  
• Where is StuffIt Expander?
• iCal - Empty "Home" and "Work" calendars may appear after installing Leopard (before installing choose Backup Database from the File menu in iCal)
• By default, Bluetooth Sharing is turned off in Leopard
• Using Back to My Mac after .Mac account has been renewed + Supported routers.
• Don't use Backup 3.1.1 with Mac OS X 10.5 Leopard
• iWork 08
• Dunestrider's  list of third party apps that work with Leopard (and those that don't)  - others have reported problems with Google Earth, Virtual PC 7 and Tech Tools Pro.
• Unofficial list in Apple Discussions (not very organised!)
• Novamedia's iSync phone plugins need updating
  

And some fixes from Version Tracker: Mac OS X Leopard Software Updates and Downloads + Preparing for Mac OS X 10.5 (Leopard) Installation + Apple: Leopard: Information to collect before an Erase and Install.

• 26 Oct 07 TidBITS: How Leopard Will Improve Your Security (thanks Stephen Withers)
• 26 Oct 07 Macintouch: Reader reports of  pros and cons of Leopard - eg Filemaker may have problems!
• 16 Aug 07 MS Office security update. 
• 16 Aug 07.My favorite keyboard shortcuts (PDF)
• 27 Jul 07 The Firefox RSS reader Newsfox needs to be updated for Firefox 2.
• 21 Apr 07 WP: Apple Issues Patches for 25 Security Holes.
• 29 Mar 07 Apple tip: Dropping Text on the Dock for Fast Results - just drag selected text to Safari (Google search), TextEdit or Mail to paste that selection into the application.
• 13 Mar 07 Chris Pirillo: Windows Vista: I’m Breaking up with You (thanks Garry Barker)
• 26 Feb 07 SMH: Why some users are prevented from upgrading to Vista - "Lurking in that 14-page agreement is a ban on using the least expensive versions of Vista - the $A385 Home Basic edition and the $A455 Home Premium edition - in virtualization engines. Instead, people wanting to put Vista in a virtualized program have to buy the $A565 Business version or the $A751 Ultimate package."
• 26 Feb 07: ClamXav 1.0.7 - update to antivirus software.(thanks Stephen Withers)
• 16 Feb 07 MacInTouch: Review: AirPort Extreme 802.11n - disapponting performance.(thanks Stephen Withers)
• 13 Feb 07 WP: Perils in Parallels?
• 4 Feb 07 M$ to release the Zunephone?
• 31 Jan 07 Washington Post: At Microsoft, a Sad Software Lesson - In my view, we lost our way," Vista's manager, Jim Allchin, wrote in an e-mail (later posted online) to Microsoft founder Bill Gates and chief executive Steve Ballmer. "I would buy a Mac today if I was not working at Microsoft."
• 3 Jan 07 WP: QuickTime Flaw Kicks Off Month of Apple Bugs.
• 24 Dec 06 SMH: Help wanted? - Underneath (Vista) is still Windows with its DLL hell..."  "[Apple] Leopard will create jobs, but not in help desks. Rather it will improve creativity and productivity through its intuitiveness and new features that make using a Mac easier and more fun..."
• 20 Dec 06 Microsoft: Microsoft Office 2004 for Mac 11.3.2 Update - This update contains several improvements for PowerPoint and Entourage. There was an aborted update last week! (thanks Stephen Withers)
• 8 Dec 06 SMH: Apple may be cool but it comes last on green list.
• 30 Nov 06 Financial Times: Zune swoon - Hm. Seems Microsoft hasn't got it quite right with Version 1.0 of its Zune player...
• 28 Nov 06 BBC: Official warning on Mac code bug - So far the DMG bug has only been shown to work under laboratory conditions and has not been seen in the wild. CERT: Apple Mac OS X fails to properly handle corrupted DMG image structures - disable the Open “safe” files after downloading option in Safari...Do not download DMG files from unknown or untrusted sources.
• 2 Nov 06 Apple: Important firmware update for Macbooks.
• 20 Oct 06 Choice: The CHOICE iSHONK for Dual-level Shonkyness...but the justification seems a little dodgy.
• 1 Oct 06 Apple: Tiger 10.4.8 update - read first - 150Mb upload!
• 28 Sep 06 SMH Macman: That's iLife - Apple is outpacing the rest in innovation, design, integration, execution and plain talent and imagination. The stuff just works, seamlessly, without the need for a nerd and a stack of manuals. It's elegantly simple to use and wonderfully capable...but Bugs to bear.
• 23 Sep 06 WP: Apple Issues Patches for Laptop Wireless Flaws.
• 15 Sep 06 SMH: Apple's new iTunes version branded a lemon + Apple forums: Uninstalling iTunes [7] for Windows - some users are reporting bugs in iTunes 7. Get iTunes 6 here. [No problems with my Mac or iPod!]
• 26 Aug 06 SMH: Now I'm a believer - I'm not getting rid of Microsoft entirely. It's Windows I can't stand. I'm a heavy user of Microsoft Word, Excel and PowerPoint, and the fact that they are available on the Mac made my decision much easier. All these applications actually work better on the Mac....what is the Mac like to use?In every department, it beats the PC hands down.
• 25 Aug 06 BBC: Apple recall on laptop batteries - iBooks & Powerbook G4s sold between October 2003 and August 2006.
• 24 Aug 06 Yahoo: Review: Mac Pro beats Dell on price (and performance).
• 12 Aug 06 Synk 6 has many of the backup features of the new Leopard OS X.
• 3 Aug 06 WP: Hijacking a Macbook [or PC]  in 60 Seconds or Less - wireless insecurity.
• 6 Jul 06 BBC: Web perils advise switch to Macs.
• 29 Jun 06 WP: Apple Updates Fix Five Flaws for Mac OS X.
• 3 May 06 WP: A Time to Patch III: Apple.
• 1 May 06 SMH: Macs becoming virus targets.
• 25 Apr 06 WP: More Mac OS X Flaws Identified.
• 8 Apr 06 Parallels: Parallels Workstation 2.1 Delivers First Virtualization Solution for Intel-powered Apple Computers.
  "Enables Users to Run Windows, Linux and Other Operating Systems alongside Mac OS X"
• 7 Apr 06 BBC: Windows on Macs provokes a stir.
• 25 Mar 06 WP: When Macs Attack - PERL vulnerability
• 15 Mar 06 WP: Apple Issues Another Mac Patch Bundle .
• 9 Mar 06 MacFixit: 10 simple steps for securing your Mac (thanks Stephen Withers)
• 3 Mar 06 WP: Apple Update Fixes 13 Security Flaws.
• 28 Feb 06 SMH: Why Apple bet its future on Intel union + Apple core up to speed.
• 23 Feb 06 BBC: More security problems bite Apple + WP: Exploit Published for Unpatched Mac OS X Flaw
• 18 Feb 06 WP: New Mac Worm Spreads [!] Via Bluetooth - No real threat but if you use Mac OS X, make sure you are up to date on security patches.
  
• 17 Feb 06 Washinton Post: Apple "Worm" and More Mac Patches
• 15 Feb 06 Apple: OS 10.4.5 released. A "super" update can be downloaded from here. VPC6 and VPC7 seem to run fine.  It may be advisable to terminate all saved-state virtual machines BEFORE doing the 10.4.5 update. Also make sure your virtual machines are backed up!
  
• 14 Feb 06 WashPost: New Grant System Excludes Mac Users - Electronic Forms Compatible Only With Microsoft
  
• 11 Feb 06 Microsoft: Intel-based Mac FAQs for Virtual PC 7.
  
• 6 Feb 06: Tips for using iWeb to publish to non-.mac servers - by Tom Gewecke. iWeb seems cumbersome to use, compared with Mozilla! Nvu is similar to Mozilla Composer (thanks Brett)
  
• 6 Feb 06 Seamonkey 1.0 released (relaces Mozilla Suite) - FAQ. Mozilla will no longer be improved by Mozilla Foundation (just security fixes). Seamonkey is a volunteer project to keep Mozilla alive and well.
  
• 30 Jan 06 Get the NET: Is it Time to Consider an Apple Macintosh?
  
• 17 Jan 06: Google Earth is now available for Mac OS X as well as Windows (thanks Stephen Withers)
• 15 Jan 06 APC: Intel Macs may boot XP after all + Microsoft: Microsoft's Renewed Commitment to Developing for the Mac.
  
• 15 Jan 06 MacWorld: Can Developers Give Mactel an Enterprise Boost? Apple has previously stated that it would not prevent developers from enabling Windows to run on the new Macs, but Virtual PC for Intel Macs will enable users to run both Mac OS X and Windows at the same time, without rebooting. Microsoft did not announce when it would ship the new Virtual PC, but users of the new Macs will have to wait for the port. Unlike the current version of Office, the current version of Virtual PC won't run under Rosetta, Apple's support environment for PowerPC-native applications on Intel Macs.
  
• 3 Jan 06 SMH: Apple's next byte
  
• 1 Jan 06 BBC: Honour goes to Apple gadget guru - Jonathan Ive, designer of the iPod and iMac, is made a CBE in the New Year Honours list.
  
• 29 Dec 05 Mozilla: Seamonkey - the new name for the Mozilla application suite.(thanks Stephen Withers)
• 20 Dec 05 BBC: End nears for Mac version of IE - web-testing firm SciVisum surveyed 100 UK websites and found that one in 10 of them failed to work properly on the Firefox browser (frustratingly you cannot even contact the webmasters to report the problem).
  
• 15 Dec 05: DivX 6 for Mac now available (thanks Stephen Withers.)
• 6 Nov 05 Apple: Using Disk Utility and fsck to resolve startup issues or perform disk maintenance - "live" disk checking with OS 10.4.3...
• 3 Nov 05 Apple: Airport bug fix - associated with the Tiger upgrade.
  
• 1 Nov 05 Apple: Tiger 10.4.3, with numerous bug fixes, is released. Virtual PC & seems to be stable now.
  
• 27 Oct 05: Australia is now listed on the iTunes Music Store list of countries. BUT many of the songs that are available in the USA are not appearing in the Australian lists. Dont bother looking for Beatles on either!
  
• 21 Oct 05 SMH: Launch of Australian iTunes website 'imminent'.
  
• 18 Oct 05 Mozilla: What Firefox and Mozilla users should know about the IDN buffer overflow security issue - simple patch available.
  
• 18 Oct 05 Some tips for using Filemaker Pro 8.
  
• 24 Sep 05 Apple: .Mac membership now comes with 1 GB of combined .Mac Mail and iDisk storage
• 20 Sep 05 CNet: iTunes 5 is giving problems - wait for a bug fix (thanks Stephen Withers.)
• 28 Jul 05 CERT: Vulnerabilities in Mozilla - upgrade to v1.7.10
  
• 19 Jul 05 SMH: Mozilla patches Firefox flaws - The Mozilla Foundation has patched several flaws in the Firefox browser and  the Mozilla suite of applications, and is advising users to upgrade.
• 29 Jun 05 MS: Microsoft Virtual PC for Mac Version 7.0.2 Update - the long awaited Tiger fix?
  
• 27 Jun 05 Apple: It seems that Virex virus checker for OS X is no longer available with a .mac account and that Virex is not compatible with Tiger. Panther users can get virus updates until May 2006. How to uninstall Virex! You can still buy it from McAfee for US$40. McAfee download of Virex 7.2 uninstaller. Alternative virus software.
  
• 16 Jun 05 Apple: Update Xcode 2.1 requires Mac OS X version 10.4 (Tiger) or higher.
  
• 11 Jun 05 Washington Post: Apple's Bushel of Critical Fixes. Apple: Security Update 2005-006 (Mac OS X 10.3.9) - there is also a Tiger version.
• 2 Jun 05 CERT: Apple Mac OS X is affected by multiple vulnerabilities - fixed by security update 2005-005
• 16 May 05 Mozilla: Mozilla Suite 1.7.8 has some bug fixes.
  
• 11 May 05 Washington Post: Apple Releases iTunes Security Update
• 10 May 05 SMH: Apple upgrade bears fruit - Australian defence department using Tiger.
  
• 2 May: A list of possible Tiger bugs is here - one user reports problems with Graphic Converter and you need to get an update to 5.6.x + Macintouch: Tiger Incompatibilities. If you have them, GeeThree Slick plugins may cause problems with iMovie or Quicktime. They need updating. Watch others like DiVx - eg OS Classic might be disabled!
  
• 2 May 05 VPC Newsgroup: Virtual PC seems to have problems with Tiger (Virtual Switch networking, Start icon in Dock and VPC Disk Image Mounter helper app interferes with Finder?) - VPC patches should be coming out soon. DON'T INSTALL TIGER BEFORE UPDATING VPC.
  
• 28 Apr 05 Washington Post: Apple Issues 8 Security Updates for Mac OS X, Safari + Firefox [+Mozilla] Upgrade Fixes 9 Security Holes
• 3 Apr 05 Tip: I have been using my iDisk public folder successfully for a year or two. Yesterday I was unable to access the file by URL (using a web link). I eventually solved the problem by changing the p in Public to uppercase for example:  http://mpainesyd.com/idisk/Public/paine_young_drivers.pdf
• 24 Mar 05 Washington Post: Macintosh Hacker Attacks Are on the Rise - Symantec + Reply: Mac Threats: Is Symantec Crying Wolf?
• 22 Mar 05 SMH: Firefox explorers - alternatives to MS Internet Explorer
  
• 8 Mar 05 Apple: Overview of Tiger - including a demo of remarkable features of the new iChat.
  
• 15 Feb 05 Seattle Times: iWork Pages is nearly a dream come true.
  
• 12 Feb 05 Apple: Mac OS X 10.3.8 Update -  If you have a third-party FireWire hard drive connected, disconnect it before installing this update. Reconnect it and turn it back on after installation is complete and you've restarted.
  
• 1 Feb 05 CNN: Apple voted most influential brand [due to iPod]
  
• 29 Jan 05 Apple: Developers - Integrate your application with .Mac (web services)
  
• 19 Jan 05 MacnewsWorld: ITunes Users at Risk from Hackers - update to 4.7.1 fixes it
• 19 Jan 05 Apple: iWorks - an update to Keynote (Powerpoint rival) plus Pages - a new document processor that looks similar to the grand old AmiPro for Windows.
  
• 16 Jan 05 Apple.au: iLife05 released - has some useful upgrades for iPhoto and the like but it is a concern that most OS X users will have to pay full price for the update.
  
• 12 Jan 04 BBC: Apple unveils low-cost 'Mac mini'
• 1 Dec 04 CERT: Before You Connect a New Computer to the Internet
• How to Keep Network Computers Secure
  
• Apple Product Security
  
• OSX Security Features Overview
  
• Apple Security Updates
  
• 30 Nov 04 About.com: Mac vs PC - with links to Common Myths About Mac, Mac and PC: A Guide to Peaceful Co-Existence and OS Shootout: OS X vs XP
• 22 Nov 04 MacMerc: iChat info thieving - Did you know that you can pretty much steal the personal individual contact information on any fellow Mac user running iChat on the same network as you? Set iChat preferences to avoid this. Thanks Stephen Withers.
• 16 Nov 04 Consumer Reports Magazine: Computers - Shiny Apple (subs required). Conclusion: Consider a Macintosh. Using one is the surest way to get top-notch reliability and support while minimizing exposure to viruses and spyware. But converting from a Windows PC will cost you: The computer costs more than a similarly featured Windows PC, and you’ll likely need new software and spend time converting your existing data files. Mac users also have fewer choices in software. (extract c2004 Consumer Reports)  [VPC overcomes this problem in most cases]
  
• 12 Nov 04 MS: Virtual PC 7.0.1 update - recommended for users of VPC7 - thanks Stephen Withers.
• 5 Nov 04 NSA's Apple Mac OS Security Configuration Guide - thanks Stephen Withers.
• 28 Oct 04: DIVX video plug-in for iMove and Quicktime has been upgraded.
  
• 22 Oct 04 Yahoo: Java Studio Creator Update Targets Mac Developers - develop Java applications on Mac OS X for deployment on any platform compatible with the Java 2 Standard Edition.        
  
• 19 Oct 04 MS; Microsoft Office v. X for Mac Security Update (10.1.6) - thanks Stephen Withers.
  
• 1 Sep 04 BBC: Apple shows off new [G5] iMac in Paris
• 21 Aug 04: VPC users are reporting problems after installing the XP2 update.
  
• 20 Aug 04 BBC: Apple warns about bad batteries - 15" Powerbooks sold around Jan 04. See also Feb 04 VPC tips below for advice about overheating Powerbooks (not related to the recall).
  
• 4 Aug 04 MS: Virtual PC 7 coming soon!
  
• 30 Jun 04 SMH: Sounds of silence over iTunes - While Apple's iTunes Music Store spreads across Europe, no word yet when, or if, it will launch in Australia.
  
• 25 May 04 BBC: Apple tackles Mac security flaw.(Safari)
  
• 19 Apr 04 SMH: The claws of the jungle - Cyber jungle laws mean Jaguar and Panther must give way to the Tiger (OS 10.4 on the way!).
  
• 29 Apr 04 Computerworld: NSW traffic authority switches (back) to Macs.
  
• 3 Mar 04 Yahoo: File Sharing Vulnerability Discovered in Mac OS X
• 11 Feb 04: .mac subscribers who use McAfee's Virex software should update the software (v7.2) before trying an eUpDate. See also Virex: Nothing Happens When I Try To Update.
  
• 11 Feb 04 MS: Vulnerability in Virtual PC for Mac - security update for Virtual PC
• 18 Aug 03: Microsoft have taken over Virtual PC and the Connectix website has closed down :(. See the MSN newsgroup for helpful support.
• 7 Dec 03 Virtual PC 6.1 is now bundled with MS Office for Mac.
  
• Security problem Apple: Mac OS X 10.3: Firewall Unavailable After (Panther) Upgrade Installation

Help and tips - general OS X tips

• Go out and buy the bulky book  Mac OS X Unleashed. Not cheap but it will save you hours of frustration - particularly if you are setting up an Mac/Windows network. Please note I will not provide advice on the subject of networking - except ...
• The iMac will network with Windows PCs (i.e. be persistent)
• Totally ignore the Network icon in Finder. From the Finder Menu Bar select Go then Connect to Server. After a short while a list of networked PCs/Macs will be displayed. If its logon is the same as an iMac user name (Accounts) then you can double click on the PC to select it as a network volume (if more than one drive is available you will need to select from a list). An icon for the selected PC will appear on the desktop and you can copy files to and from it.
• To share iMac folders over a  LAN try Sharepoints -it has a clever point and click method of finding and sharing folders. Otherwise you might need to learn about the SAMBA setup (from the book) or get Sharity.
• About.com: File Sharing with Windows XP and OS X
  
• Ignore the advice in the above book and set up a free-for-all folder (mine is called ALLDATA) under the root directory of the iMac. From FINDER, right click (oh yes - replace the Apple mouse with a USB two-button/scrolling mouse) on your new folder and choose Get Info. Select Ownership and Permissions and give Group read/write access. Now any account holder (OK - see the book) can use folders under ALLDATA from anywhere on the network. I use ALLDATA as a file server and back it up (to DVD!) regularly. The only limitation is that nasty old Word for Windows cannot do its file tricks with documents on the iMac drive  - if I have to run Word under Virtual Windows then I first copy the documents to the Virtual Windows d: drive. The same applies for Open Access (DOS) data (but then it had problems with some 2Gb hard drives - no wonder 85Gb wont work).
• One annoyance is that the built-in PDF creator (Preview) uses ridiculously high resolutions and so file sizes can be huge. If you can get Acrobat running it is much more efficient. Macworld tip Sep 05 - Tiger now has a Compress PDF option in the Print dialog box. This defaults to maximum compression of images within the PDF. See the link for how to change to better picture quality. The resolution (600dpi?) is unchanged and cannot be altered so files sizes are still quite large.
• The booklet The Ultimate Guide to Mac OS X from PC World is very useful and has plenty of goodies on a CD.
• "HeaderOfDallasPartialInsert." dialog? Believe it or not, this is a symptom of improperly plugging in your Apple Pro Speakers! Oops.


• I have found Burnz a great product for buring CDs. Up to now I have generally created a folder on the desktop and copied items to it to create a compliation CD (ie files from several folders). One irritation is that, by default, OS X moves instead of copies dragged files. I have to copy then paste to get the files there and often forget, so have to recover my moved files. I had the idea of creating a disk image on my desktop since files are copied to images rather than moved. I have just tried it with Burnz and it works perfectly. The only limitation is that the CD volume name becomes 'burnz' (it would handy if Burnz gave the option of typing in a volume label). I create the image using the Disk Utility of Panther. During this process you can set a limit to the size of the image and it is best to select the CD size from the displayed list. In this way you will be warned if the files grow too large. Once the image is created it can be dragged to the desktop for easy use. (Comment from the writers of Burnz) As an alternative, just use a folder instead of a disk image, and use command+option-drag to "copy" items into it. This will create an alias to the original at the drag-destination, and then you can turn on Burnz's alias-resolution feature (1-level-deep) to have the items automagically burned. If you turn on the "save job settings" option in Burnz, Burnz will automatically save the alias-resolution settings and any custom icon with the burn-folder.<> If you have "sets" of items that you often burn together, you can create individual folders for each set. Then you can burn up-to-date copies of the items by just dragging the folder onto Burnz. Because these folder contain aliases to the originals, and because the aliases are resolved on-the-fly at burn-time, the resulting disc will always contain the most current versions of the referenced items. Plus the resulting disc will be titled the same as the folder. This can reduce frequent backups (that will fit onto a single disc) to a single drag-drop operation -- drag the backup-folder onto Burnz, stick in the disc at the right moment, and just walk away. Such a backup can contain aliases to critical folders scattered all over your system, without consuming the space and time required to burn everything on your HD or in your user folder. You can, of course, mix-and-match items in the folder (some aliases, some not) and the originals do not have to even "live" on the same volume.
• Tiger has a Burn Folder feature similar to, but not as versatile as, Burnz - see this Macworld tip ("View size requirements for burn folders")
  
• To use a PowerBook laptop like a FireWire hard disk (say to connect it to an iMac without networking). Connect both machines with a 6 pin/6 pin FireWire cable. While booting hold down the "T" button of the PowerBook. Now the PowerBook will act like a FireWire hard disk. (thanks Jerry)
• Using Excel for Mac to access data in an MS Access database (thanks Jim)
• Networking with Windows and Tiger (this advice is the tip of the iceberg)
1. Run Applications/Utility/Directory Access and make sure SMB sharing it checked. Configure it for your workgroup name
2. System Preferences/Accounts - create an account for each Windows user that is to have access to the Mac (give them minimum privileges)
   
3. System Preferences/Sharing/Services select Windows Sharing and an Account button will appear. Click it and select the Windows users that you wish to share with
   
4. Your Mac volumes should now appear as network volumes on Windows PCs where the user name is in your list

1. Save a desirable printer configuration (such as fast printing) whenever the Print Dialogue (see snapshot at right) appears by clicking on the Preset list. Select Save As from this list and it will appear in the drop down list with the name you provide. Some apps like Netscape even remember the last preset you chose.
2. I bought a Canon i550  inkjet printer after talking to my local ink refiller store. The high-end Canon printers have ink tanks that can be refilled very cheaply (but check your warranty conditions). The cost per page matches that of laser printers (plus I have colour!).  
3. Old parallel port printers are a headache with the Mac - it is probably not worth the effort trying to get them to work directly (see links below). See item 8 below for a way to  use a parallel printer in a network.
   
4. To print from OS X Panther to a printer on a networked Windows PC: Open the Printer List / Click Add / Select Windows Printing from the drop down list / Select the PC with the printer / Log on to that PC / Select the correct Printer Model (don't use Generic!) / Click ADD). I have found that sometimes when the PC goes to sleep it can wreck the link and printing fails until everything is rebooted. Apple tips - upgrade to OS 10.3.7!
   
5. Panther also allows you to make a printer connected to the Mac look like a Postscript printer to a Windows network. I successfully print from within VPC on a Powerbook to a Canon Bubblejet printer attached to an iMac using this method (using a Canon colour postscript printer driver in Windows VPC - NOT the Bubblejet driver).
6. Another way of printing from VPC to to a Mac printer is to install Apple's Bonjour for Windows and have XP find the Mac printer as a network printer (XP needs Bonjour to do this).
   
   The trick is to make XP think it is talking to a postscript printer rather than the actual printer (eg use a Canon postscript laser printer like "Canon PS-IPU Color Laser Copier v52.3�"  rather than a bubblejet driver). XP sends postscript commands to OS X which translates them into the actual printer commands. This can sometimes get around odd printer problems.
   
   See http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=301514
   for Bonjour tips. Bonjour can automate the printer configuration process from withiin XP.  However, to do this with a printer attached to the Mac on which VPC is running you must change the VPC Settings to Virtual Switch networking (Shared Networking does not work since the Mac and VPC are sharing the same IP address).
   See the networking advice at
   http://www.microsoft.com/mac/products/virtualpc/using.aspx?pid=usingvirtualpc
   
   With Tiger you can nominate the Windows users that can access your system (System Preferences / Sharing /Services/ Windows Sharing Accounts ). I think they need an identical account name and password in Tiger as their Windows log-on so make sure the Tiger privileges are very limited.
   
7. The Canon IPX3000 Bubblejet printer works well with OS X but the full manual is in HTML on the installation CD and the Quick Start Guide makes no mention of the error light meanings. Here is an extract from the User Manual to tell you what the flashing orange light means.
8. You can use a D-Link Router/Print Server with OS X and connect two printers (one parallel, the other USB). There are some great tips for IP Printing with the GIMP print package. In short, you set the printer up for IP Printing. Use the IP address 192.168.0.1. For the parallel port on the Router use Printer Queue name "lp". For the USB port use "lpUSB0". Then select the appropriate printer driver (don't use generic). BUT the Canon IP3000 will not work.
9. Printer Setup Repair 5.0.2 (Tiger Edition) - utility software
10. PrintFab - enhanced printer drivers
11. usbtb is a high performance CUPS backend for USB printing in Mac OS X and Darwin. When used in combination with a printer-compatible, CUPS-based printer driver (such as Gimp-Print) usbtb provides easy-to-use, high-performance printing (solves communications problems with some USB printers)
12. 7 Apr 06: Canon printer tanks no longer refillable - I "upgraded" from a Canon IP3000 to an IP4200 inkjet printer a few weeks ago. The ink tank system looked the same as the IP300 but it turns out that slightly different tanks are used. I ran out of ink yesterday and took the tanks to a local business that has been refilling my ink tanks for several years. He gave me the news that the IP4200 ink tanks cannot be refilled. It seems they have built-in chips that prevent this.So much for environmental friendliness...
13. Unofficial Airport Extreme and Airport Express Printer Compatibility List - connect a USB printer to Airport Express and print to it from any Mac on the network.
14. Compressing PDFs is trickier to use with Leopard. It is on the PDF button list under "Backup"! If it does not reduce file size then use the Apple ColorSync utility (Applications/Utilities). Start ColorSync. Choose File/Open and select the PDF file that you want to compress. Now select Filer/Export. For Quartz Filter choose "Reduce File Size" and save the PDF (tip adapted from CreativeBits).  Another way is to add the Colorsync application to your Dock. It should be in Applications/Utilities/Colorsync.app. Just drag the APP file to your dock. Now locate your PDF file(s) in Finder and drag it to  the Colorsync icon in the Dock. The PDF should open, as shown. For Filter choose "Reduce File Size" (the default selection is "None") and then Click Apply. You can now close the PDF (eg red dot at top left) and will be asked whether you wish to save the changes - choose SAVE. That's it! You might want to make backup copies of the original files in case there is a problem. On occasions I have found that some images get corrupted - some strange JPG glitch. My understanding is that the algorithm simply optimises the resolution and quality of all images in the document and does not affect the PDF text. The compressed file should be readable by everyone.
15. If you are not happy with the quality from tip 14, you need to create a new "Filter" in Colorsync. Start Colorsync, select Filters, press the + button to create a new filter. Give it a meaningful name like "Compress PDF Medium Quality".
    Click on the down arrow at the right and select Add Image Effects Components.
    Choose Image Compression from the list - image Compression attributes will appear.
    Change MODE to JPG (it works for me)
    Change the QUALITY to near maximum (you may need to experiment with this)
    Close this new filter by clicking on the arrow at left.
    Now OPEN the PDF with the Colorsync FILE/OPEN  menu selection.
    Select EXPORT from the Colorsync FILE menu
    Your new filter should appear in the drop-down menu for Quartz Filter. Doing this reduced a 1Mb PDF to 450Kb and the image quality was acceptable. The built-in filter reduced it to 280K but image quality was poor.
16. The iFelix unofficial Airport Extreme and Airport Express Printer Compatibility List.
17. You can send a fax via a networked Brother MFC printer. However, the Brother dialog is confusing. The steps are:
    Select PRINT SETTINGS from the LAYOUT list
    Then click on the same list again!
    This time SEND FAX appears in the list so select it!
    A new fax dialog appears.
    Change OUTPUT to FACSIMILE
    Type a fax number in the INPUT FAX NUMBER BOX
    Click PRINT !

Screen Snapshots

1. Use the Apple application GRAB (Applications/Utilities) - Start it, click Capture/Selection, drag over the portion of screen you want and press Enter. A TIFF image is created. However, sometimes the screen changes when you start grab (eg a dialogue box like the above snapshot disappears).
2. Shift-Crtl-Command-4, drag the crosshair over the screen, press Enter (or click). Now you can paste the selection into a graphics program such as Graphic Converter or Preview (latter is pict format only). I have written an Applescript to do a partial screen capture and load it into GraphicConverter. iPhone video demo of using the script. (4MB Quicktime)
3. Buy Snapz Pro X - more professional features and its lets you take a snapshot from a DVD movie (with the latest Macs).
4. Screen Catcher from St Clair Software
5. DVD Capture - addition for built-in DVD Player.
6. Screenshot Helper
   
7. SnapNDrag + EasyCrop
8. You can use Preview to copy-and-paste a portion of an image (image files only - does not work with PDFs).
9. "Capturing screens on an iPhone is even easier: Press the sleep/wake button on top of the phone as you press the home button.
   There will be a click and the image will go into the phone's photo library. And thanks to iMUG stalwart Charmian Gaud for that tip" (thanks Garry Barker)
10. Apple tip: Hold down the Command, Shift, and 4 keys, then press the Spacebar. Instead of a cross-hair cursor, a small camera icon appears. When you move this camera icon over the element you’d like to capture, that element is highlighted. Click your mouse or trackpad, and you’ve captured a screenshot of just that element - it is saved to the desktop in GIF format.
11. Hit cmd-shift-4 to get the coordinates of the mouse at any time (thanks qwimjim )
12. Changing the Format Of Screen Shots - "If you use the screen shot function, you may want to change the format of the images, this is not easily done normally. Where jpg is in the code you can change this to the format your want, png bmp gif etc. You need to log out and back in again, or restart for the changes to take effect."
    defaults write com.apple.screencapture type jpg
13. Tidbits July 2021: The Hidden Trick for Capturing Document-Modal Dialogs in Mac Screenshots (Cmd-Shift-4, Space, Select with mouse, Option-click)
    

Scanners

1. The HP 2400 comes with drivers and useful utility software for Mac OS X (incl Panther). The Memories Disk utility makes it easy to create a Video CD that is a slideshow of pictures. If your DVD player can play V-CD on CD-R or CD+RW then you can play the slideshow on TV. Memories Disk also creates HTML on the CD so that the slideshow can be run from any web browser on any type of PC or Mac.
2. Be warned that the Canon scanning software (CanoScan) only works under Mac Classic. Read the fine print of other scanners and you might find the same problem. Canon do have an OS X plug-in for Adobe Photoshop under OS X, if you are lucky enough to have it.

Keyboard (particularly Powerbook G4 and using VPC)

1. Swap the operation of the FN key so keys F1 to F8 actually work how you want them to, and not volume control etc (works great for VPC). UControl or DoubleCommand  (see http://doublecommand.sourceforge.net/install.html for important installation instructions. You need to change the preference from 1 to 262144)  Update Feb 05: OS 10.3.7+ has an option to invert the Fn key operation under System Preferences / Keyboard & Mouse (only available for laptops with Fn key). Ucontrol no longer has this function.
   
2. Xkeys allows hotkeys to be set  up (can also be used to disable a key in Mac so it can be used in VPC - thanks Sara)
   
3. If you are using a Powerbook Titanium G4 keyboard, type Shift+Fn+M to use the <Insert> key in VPC/Windows.  On Macs without Fn key you can try the <HELP> key.
   
4. For that inevitable blue screen (that locks up Virtual PC Windows but not OS X) go the the Virtual PC Control menu and select "Type Alt-Ctrl-Delete" to try and abort the errant application. Apparently Alt-Ctrl-Delete has another purpose in Unix!
5. In VPC, pressing & holding the Command key (the Apple key) will "unlock" the cursor & switch it to the MacOS cursor (thanks Kon).
6. Open Access users - Ctrl-C works the same as Ctrl-Break for halting a program's execution (Macs don't have a Break key!)
   
7. iScroll2 - Two-Finger-Scrolling with pre-2005 PowerBooks and iBooks (thanks Luca)
8. Sometimes you can get the Ctrl key function of a Windows program by pressing Control & Option together (thanks Iris)
9. Macworld tip -  With Finder, select multiple files (hold the Command key while clicking on file names)  then  Control-Option-Click (or Option right mouse button) to show the alternative menu. Select Get Summary Info (or Show Inspector) to display the combined size of the selected files.
10. In Filemaker  Command-Option-V pastes unformatted text - try it with other apps (thanks Ursus)
11. In Safari, Command-L then Command-C copies the current page's URL (address) to the clipboard (thanks Rachel R)
12. Command-Option-Eject puts the Mac to sleep!
13. Apple: Fixing keys on Powerbook G4.
14. My favorite keyboard shortcuts (PDF)
15. Apple's built-in Keyboard Viewer allows you to see the extra characters (eg å) that are available by pressing the Option key. System Preferences/International, check the Keyboard Viewer box. Now just click the flag icon in the menu bar and select Show Keyboard Viewer.
16. When running a Keynote presentation, just press the H key to hide the presentation and show your desktop, without the Keynote window.

OS X Links

Tips and help - external sites

• AppleTechs.com
  
• Mac OS X Apps - The Source For Mac OS X Software
• X Appeal.org -- You Say You Want a Revolution
• OS X Links
• Mac OS X Tips
• MacNN | The Macintosh News Network
  
• Configuring a Netscape Browser for Mac OS to Display PDF Files - Support Knowledgebase
• Outwit PDF annoyances - Leopard/Safari & Firefox PDF tips - for PowerPC machines use Shubert's PDF Browser Plugin
• Quick Tip: Netscape 7, OS X and Java
• Mac OS X Notes
• VersionTracker: Mac OS X Software
• Address Book vCard Creator
• Mac OS X Unleashed
• Welcome to Apple Macintosh News at MacCentral Online
• TidBITS Electronic Publishing
• Mac Help
• Griffman's OS X Collection
• Image Editing - Download.com
• Linux on the Optus@Home Cable Network
• AppleCare Document: 30985
• Sydney Apple Macintosh Users' Group (AMUG)
• Seattle Times: Life isn't perfect with iLife, but it's still pretty good  + Back on Mac
• The AusMac Archive - hundreds of downloads
• Westwind OS Xtips.
• Yahoo Mac OS X links.
• A Security Primer for Mac OS X.
• Microsoft: Virtual PC for Mac Support Center.
• Steve Jain's VPC page.
• Mactipscafe.com
• Changing desktop icons.
• Unofficial (but excellent) iMovie FAQ.
• MacAttorney tips
  
• MacInTouch bug reports
• MacFixIt
• Scriptbuilders.net - hundreds of free Applescripts, including iMovie-stop_recording, snap2GC. More tips about using Applescript. Apple's examples of Application scripts.
  
• Jeff's Mac Help Articles
• Don't tamper with files in the iPhoto Library folder from the Finder - if you manually create a folder within the iPhoto Library folder you will not be able to "import" any images from that folder into iPhoto! Use iPhoto Library Manager for creating extra libararies and moving photos around.
  
• Scientific Software for Mac OS X.
• About.com: Printing a File List in OS X.
• Macworld: Add more power to 10.5's screen sharing.
• Computerworld: The top 25 overlooked and underrated features in Leopard (great tips)
• iWork Tips and Tricks - thanks Peter
• ACCESSING YOUR iDISK'S PUBLIC FOLDER - thanks Roger Wilmut

iChat and AIM

• AOL AIM screenname can be obtained for free (URL frequently changes - might find a link here - click the "Get a screenname" button))
• Trouble Shooting in iChat. Tips for conferencing with a Windows PC from Ralph: The PC end needs to be on XP. They need either AIM 5.9 (or link here) which then needs to be Tuned. Or they need Trillian Trillian comes in two versions. The Basic can Audio chat and the Pro ($25) can Video. AIM has one size of pic and Trillian can do Full Screen like iChat can. Both applications also need enabling through the XP Firewall do. See here. These instructions are for AIM but will work if Trillian is subsituted for the named App. They will obviously need a camera (and most USB ones are good enough) and a Microphone.
  
• Informit: Using Internet Applications in Mac OS X Tiger - iChat. If you are equipped to host a multiparty conference, select all the participants by Command+Clicking their buddy list entries, and then clicking the camera or phone icon at the bottom of the Buddy List. Buddies Menu one-way audio and one-way video. These are useful if you want to send audio or video to someone without a camera. They can type their responses to you and watch/hear your audio/video stream. To start a group chat:
  
     1. Highlight the buddies you want to invite to chat; then Command-click on any of the names and choose Invite To Chat, or just click the A (text) button at the bottom of the window
     2. Type a message inviting the participants. When the invited buddies receive the chat request, they can choose to accept or decline. If they accept, they can send and receive messages as part of the group.
  
  To add additional buddies to a chat, use the + button at the bottom of the participants drawer to select their name
• Apple Discussion about Multi-person video conferences - "The Internet Connection should be at least 384K UP and Down..." - check your connection speed here (be prepared to be disappointed if your have Optusnet cable in Australia!). Thanks Ralph.
• Macworld: iChat power tips - organizing your buddies into manageable groups. Send Messages to Mobile Phones (good luck!).
  
• Video Conference Tutorial for iChat and AIM - MVL Design. Windows AIM users can contact you by using the screen name yourname@mac.com.
• iChatUSBCam allows a USB webcam to be used with iChat.
• iChat with Your TV - use iChat and an AV to digital convertor to watch TV remotely.
• After installing Leopard, iChat stopped working when I changed the System Preferences Security/Firewall setting (in Leopard) to only allow incoming connections from specific applications (I think this is the "list" this discussion is talking about). iChat was in the list but not iChatgaent.app. I clicked on the + sign and located
  /System/Library/Frameworks/InstantMessage.framework/iChatAgent.app
  Once this was added iChat was fixed.

Printing links

• Strydent Software - PowerPrint USB-to-Parallel
• Keyspan USB Parallel Printer Adapter - Capabilities
• PROVANTAGE.COM : USB Parallel Printer Adapters
• Usb Parallel Printer Index Page
• Hewlett-Packard products for business : Print Servers and Network Software At A Glance
• Accelerate Your Mac! - Tips on using a HP 4M Printer with Apple G3/G4 systems
• AppleCare: Knowledge Base
• Printing a File List in OS X -  While OS 9 allows you to print a Finder window quickly, OS X is a bit different. Follow these easy steps to print a list of files in OS X.
• Print to a text file and use Applescript to automatically send the file to the default OS X printer. (this tip was intended for Mac Classic users but it works for Open Access running under Dosbox). See these tips for using it.
• My tips about using Applescript for printing

Printing tips

Hardware links

• Labjack U12 USB Data Acquisition Module 12 analog inputs, 2 analog outouts, 20 digital (bit) I/O  - Labjack forum - drivers for OS X (have not yet tried these but the forum looks promising)
• Home Automation with Mac OS X, Part 1. X10 tips from Greg Reddick.
• Pocketmac - PDA synchronising
• UControl - keyboard control
• DoubleCommand - keyboard control
• iFire - Griffin Technologies. Run Apple Pro speakers from any computer with a Firwire port and audio jack (eg Powerbook G4). Several other Mac hardware devices as well.
• Jack OS X - audio connection kit
• Chicken of the VNC is a VNC client for Mac OS X. A VNC client allows one to display and interact with a remote computer screen (take care as there are security issues with remote control)
• Ardiem is designed to provide simple methods for the user to manage the CD drives connected to their system (eg open the drawer of an external DVD drive).
• Mira - extend Apple Remote to other applications (thanks Stephen Withers).
• MacResearch.org is an open and independent community for scientists using Mac OS X and related hardware
• USB As A Power Source (survey of sources for portable devices)

Hard disk problems? (Caution: many of these tips refer to earlier versions of oSX)

• Dr. Mac says - "Go FSCK - your hard disk" (hard disk maintenance using Unix command - but read the forum!)

• Macs.about.com: Running File System Check (fsck) on OS X -
  

• 1 Click on Apple menu – Restart
• 2 During bootup, press and hold Command + S to startup in Single User mode
• 3 At the command prompt type the following: /sbin/fsck –fy
• 4 Press the Return key to start the process
• 5 When the checking is finished type REBOOT and Return
  

• Diskwarrior - might be able to recover lost data
• PhotoRescue: the digital photo & picture recovery solution for erased or damaged compact flash, memory stick, xd cards, smart media, sd cards and other media used in digital cameras (thanks Macman)
• Data Rescue II - (thanks Macman)

• Carbon Copy Clone creates a backup of your hard disk, as does Retrospect. - prevention is better than cure! With DV Backup you can even use a video camera and DV tape to backup your hard disk.
  

• Apple: Using Disk Utility and fsck for file system maintenance in Mac OS X.

• Apple: Mac OS X: About file system journaling - Journaling is the default for Panther. It helps protect the file system against power outages or hardware component failures, reducing the need for repairs.

• Apple: About disk optimization with Mac OS X and tips from macnews.net.tc.

• Apple: Using Disk Utility and fsck to resolve startup issues or perform disk maintenance - "live" disk checking with OS 10.4.3...
• TechTools Deluxe comes with Applecare. After updating TechTools Deluxe (to v3.1.1?) use this Apple utility to create a new bootable CD.

• Repair Disk Permissions (& other disk and maintenance issues) - MVP (thanks Fredrik)

• MacJanitor - runs routine Unix clean-up operations
• Yasu - runs various system level Unix shell scripts in order to perform maintenance routines and clear the many cache files used by OS X.

• Applejack - command line repairs. Caution - After installation, DO NOT RUN FROM OS X TERMINAL - you must run it from "Single user mode" (unix) by booting while holding the Command and S keys down.
  

• Prevent Mac Disasters - Macworld tips (thanks Stephen Withers).

• Corrupted files on iDisk?

• Desperate keyboard booting options (press the keys together during start up):

• Command-S - single user mode
• C - boot from CD (eg install CD)
• T - boot into hard disk (firewire) mode - allows you to transfer files to another Mac
• Shift - Safe mode - no networking
  
• Command-Option-O-F - boot to firmware prompt. Type reset-nvram, Enter, set-defaults, Enter, reset-all, Enter. This resets your firmware and should then boot normally.
  
• Command-Option-P-R - reset PRAM (date look-up etc)

                   (but see Top 10 Troubleshooting Tips for Mac Startup Problems before using these)

• Command-Control-Eject - quit all apps and restart (eg your mouse disappears)

• Also try disconnecting all peripherals (printers, scanners etc) if you are having booting problems.
• Might be software - Apple: How to troubleshoot a software issue - trashing the prefs file is usually a good start! Keep an eye  on the active programs with Activity Monitor and target new or unusual programs.
• iStat "is the most powerful system monitoring application for Mac OS X. iStat lets you monitor every aspect of your system..." (thanks Garry Barker)
• Cocktail - unix utilities. If the File Open window is very slow to list files for some applications try the "Rebuild Launch Service" feature of Cocktail.
• How to show hidden files in Finder (Techiecorner)
• How to Fix a Spinning Pinwheel of Death - About.com. See the tip about clearing the dynamic link editor (dyld) cache: sudo update_dyld_shared_cache -force
• Tips for Getting Your Mac Running When Disaster Strikes
• About.com: Top 10 Troubleshooting Tips for Mac Startup Problems (a collection from over the years)
  
• To do a clean install without the original OSX installation disks (thanks Rccharles):

Start with your computer power off.  Hold down command-s. Power on your computer. 

# Type the follow two instructions to access the startup disk in read/write. Press return after each command.
/sbin/fsck -fy
/sbin/mount -uw /
cd /var/db
pwd
ls -a
mv -i  .applesetupdone .applesetupdone.old
reboot

Once you've done that the computer reboots and it's like the first time you used the machine.

Software links - not endorsement but they work for me!

• Burnz - CD burning made simple (drag folders onto the Burnz icon)
  
• Dragon Burn - duplicate CDs/DVDs (using Apple's Disk Utility is tedious)
  
• Sharepoints - networking (older OSX)
  
• Sharity - networking (older OSX)
  
• Graphic Converter - comprehensive graphics package. Here is an Applescript to do a partial screen capture and load it into GraphicConverter. There are more scripts for GC.  MrSID plug-in (view maps). If GC is creating large files sizes you should try unchecking "Add resource fork" in the Advanced Preferences Save panel.
  
• Snapz Pro X - screen snapshots
• Screen Catcher - screen snapshots
  
• OmniGraffle - graphics and charting
• Virtual PC - IBM/Wintel emulation on the Mac - now bundled with Office:Mac - Microsoft's Word, Excel, Powerpoint + for Mac. Files fully interchangeable with Wintel versions.
• OpenOSX, WineHq - possible alternatives to VPC. Or Radnor if you only want to run DOS games/programs (not Windows) - see snapshot of Open Access 4 running in DOSBOX on a Mac. However, I haven't worked out how to print directly from Open Access (have to save to file and print later from TextEdit). Also check the maths - some bugs with calculations in early versions.
  
• RealBasic - competitor for Visual Basic that generates executable files which run on Mac or Wintel (pro version).
• Sound Studio - audio editing
• CaptainFTP - file transfer utility. Tiger-compatibile version 4.0.1 is a free upgrade from version 4.0. Version 3.5 is compatible for Tiger users who do not wish to upgrade from 3.x to 4.x.
• ChronoSync - file synchronisation (even works with Windows servers)
• Link Checker is a valuable tool for you to check the links on your web site.
• Synk - Backup, synchronization and archiving for the Macintosh.
• Default Folder X enhances OS X Open and Save dialogs, sets defaults.
• Mac GPS Pro - works with GPS equipment
  
• Download.com - Mac software
• RAqua - opensource statistical package.
• Emailchemy - manage and convert email data
• Notebook for OS X - information organiser and converter.
• Word Browser Plugin - Preview the text of Word documents right in your browser - avoid the risk of macro viruses.
• PDF Browser Plugin - but does not work with Intel Macs
  
• Firefox 3 PDF Plugin for Mac OS X (and Intel Macs) - very little information available about this plug-in that allows PDFs to be viewed within Firefox 3 - be cautious! The plug-in would not work until I changed the Firefox Preferences: Applications Tab, go down the list until you see Portable Document Format and change the setting to "Use Quartz PDF Plugin". Use FILE, SAVE AS to save the PDF to disk.
• Poster-print2 - print poster sized displays.
• PDF2Office converts PDF files to MS Word or RTF format.
• PDFLab lets you split and join PDF documents as well as insert images and blank pages.
• From Tiger on you should be able to combine PDFs by opening both in Preview with thumbnails in the sidebar and just drag a thumbnail(s) from one document to the other. Then choose Save As from the file menu (or Save to overwrite the source document). Snow Leopard update: you now need to select the page in the target document before dragging the source document into the sidebar. 
• PDF Shrink - efficiently reduce PDF file sizes. Has a brilliant droplet function that simplifies the process. Choose Print quality as the default for best results.
  
• Widget Manager - for Tiger users (thanks Garry Barker) or if you want widgets for Panther or Windows (!) try Konfabulator. Apple's Widgets for Tiger.
• Widget Maker X - thanks Stephen Withers.
• Widgets Preference Pane for Mac OS X
• YellowMug - graphics apps + FileChute - use .Mac account to temporarily store large files and email the link to the recipient.
• DataPilot for Mac - DataPilot Universal Kit for Mac is the leading cell phone data management solution for Mac users.
• MySync allows Mac-to-Mac syncing without a .Mac account.(thanks Stephen Withers)
• Nvu is similar to Mozilla Composer for creating and editing web pages. KompoZer is an unofficial bug-fix for NVU, which seems to be having website problems (Aug07).
• Grapher is an Apple graphing utility that comes with Tiger. Forum tips (no manual!)
• Andreas Amann's Freeware - Mail.app scripts, Eudora Mailbox Cleaner (convert from Netscape/Mozilla to Eudora then frmo Eudora to Mail.app)
• Imagine Photo - automated processing of digital photographs using AppleScript
• Google Importer - merges the top Google links with the results of a Spotlight search (thanks Stephen Withers) 
• Mac Excel Expander - Automation Toolbox for Microsoft Excel 2004 and Excel X for Mac. It adds 78 automation utilities and 113 new worksheet formulas into Mac Excel (thanks About.com)
• XY Chart Labeler - add labels to XY chart data points
• SymbolicLinker - creates Unix aliases to enable you to relocate Garage Band loops and other items to a separate drive/partition.  Unix aliases are more robuts than those created by Finder.
• CoconutBattery - battery status
• iAlertU - for Macbooks. Sounds an alarm (and much more) if someone tries to pick up you Macbook! (thanks Garry Barker)
•  GadgetTrak Verey: Anti-Theft Software for Macs
• OpenOffice.org is both a fully-featured office suite compatible with leading office products, and a virtual community working through OpenOffice.org's numerous projects...a major new component, Base: an easy-to-use database manager with a fully integrated database
• NeoOffice - supports Office 2007 Word documents and Excel macros + OpenOffice documents (but uses the Mac OS X aqua interface) (thanks Stephen Withers)
• SyncTogether is perfect for individuals who move between two or more Macs, such as a notebook and a desktop. It easily keeps your contacts, calendars, notes, Apple Mail account settings and more in sync(thanks Stephen Withers)
• Plain Clip is a small Mac OS X application that removes formatting from text which is on the clipboard.
• AbiWord 2.4.6 is an award winning, small, fast, featureful and crossplatform word processor. Note: equation editing is currently not supported on Mac OSX (thanks Rob Pegoraro)
• iGTD 1.3.4 - Powerful Get Things Done-style organizer for Mac (thanks Stephen Withers)
• HoudahGeo: one-stop photo geocoding for the Mac using Google Earth (thanks Stephen Withers)
• LoadMyTracks - LoadMyTracks is a piece of software that will communicate with GPS devices from many manufacturers to send and receive data. It can also be used to translate data between the popular GPX and KML (Google Earth) formats. 
• Salling Clicker for Mac - turn a Bluetooth PDA in to a Mac remote control.
• Fastscripts - assign scripts to keys
• Evernote - web-based electronic note taking with OCR features for saved images (thanks Garry Barker)
• DropStrip — strip resource forks from Mac files
• TinyURL Creator - adds TinyURL icon to the toolber of Firefox (now works with FF3). Create short aliases to web pages.
• TimeMachineEditor is software for Mac OS X 10.5 Leopard that lets you change the default one-hour backup interval of Time Machine.
• Jiggler is a little freeware app with one purpose: to keep your Mac awake...
• Candelair is a free driver for the Apple Remote, that resolves the problems many users have had with their remote under Mac OS X Snow Leopard...
• Mail Steward - archive emails in a searchable MySQL database so they can be accessed long into the future. Tip: if you are archiving to an external drive make sure it is "attached" before starting Mail Steward.
• Power Utility Pak for the Mac - Add-in Tools for Excel 2011 - bring back features that Microsoft took away!
• FlashBlock - Firfefox add-on to block those annoying flash advertisements on many web pages
• Kindle - to view, copy and paste any notes you have made while reading a Kindle book go to this web page: https://kindle.amazon.com/your_highlights,  log into your Kindle account and the notes should display. They can be copied an pasted. Sumnotes might also work.
• No formatting (app store only) - strips formatting during copy and paste. Can be easily toggled on and off
• Pinpoint (app store only) - replaces mouse cursor with a variety of styles including cross-hairs. Can be easily toggled on and off
  
  

Virus software for OS X

• MacRumours tips- "You DON'T have a virus on your Mac!"
  
• ClamXAV - OS X front-end for ClamAV open source virus checker. From Version 1.0 on you no longer need to also download the Engine updater.
• Little Snitch - monitors internet access. Skype users will need to manually set Little Snitch.
  
• MacWorld review of OS X antivirus software.
• Thomas's Macintosh Viruses

Note that, for OS X,  the main aim is to prevent virus-infected files from being saved to your hard disk or sent to poor Windows users via email.  It could take some research to determine if the package does this well (or at all).

9 Jul 05: ClamXAVnow has a "sentry" function that automatically scans files that are added to  nominated folders. See screen snapshot at right. Add <home>/Library/Mail Downloads to automatically scan all email attachments.

Applescript to filter MacOSX email through Clam AntiVirus (does not work with Tiger!)

Virtual PC users should consider installing a Windows anti-virus package as well:

• Sophos offers a small business package that covers OS X and Windows systems (but it seems quite expensive).
  
• There are Windows frontends for ClamAV. "Please note that ClamWin Free Antivirus does not include an on-access real-time scanner - that is, you need to manually scan a file in order to detect a virus." But see the above note about "senty" mode - if you save attachments/downloads from Virtual PC/Windows to the sentry folder of ClamXAV (on the z: drive for VPC) then they will be automatically scanned. This avoids the need to have a separate anti-virus scanner in Windows - IF you can do without real-time protection.
  

• AVG Anti-Virus has real-time protection and is reported to run well in VPC. There are numerous other Windows anti-virus packages.

• There is a Mac S/W Firewall app that protects VPC Guests from Internet hackers. That is Brian Hills's BrickHouse V 1.3. It works on Panther & Tiger. Thanks Jim B.
• 2 Dec 08 WP: Apple: Mac Users Should Get Antivirus Software

Astronomy software for OS X (thanks Sky & Telescope)

• MacAstronomica - sky charts +
  
• Celestia - space simulation
• Stellarium is free GPL software which renders realistic skies in real time with openGL
• Stargazer's Delight - sky charts
• iCCD - Astrophotography on the Macintosh,  Control a Starlight Express CCD Camera
• MoonMenu draws the current phase of the moon in the menubar
• Starry Night - sky charts, obeserving tips - note you must install and run the Updater
  
• Voyager III - Dynamic Sky Simulator. Now Voyager 4.
• Dan Bruton's Astronomy Software Listing
• Bill Arnett's software listing.
• Porting NASA's World Wind 3D Lunar software to OS X - please help out.  More on World Wind (thanks Paul Floyd)
• Celestia - The free space simulation that lets you explore our universe in three dimensions (thanks About.com)

Disclaimer: These tips are really my record of ways to do things on the Mac and might not be suitable for your system. If they work for you - great. Backup your data regularly, particularly before  trying any major changes to the system.

Go to main Open Access User Group web page