Well, it’s been a month and a half since I upgraded to Leopard and overall, I really like it. However, what I would really like is to be able to print again without having to resort to restarting the computer just to have access to the printer.
Now, understand, the printer is there, my Mac sees it, knows it’s there but when I go to print, it tells me that it’s not. Yet, when I open up the printer/fax panel, there it is listed as the Default, sitting idle, just waiting for me to send it something to print. Yet, when I do, it tells me it’s printing, then says there is a fatal error, but doesn’t provide an error code. Error, yes, I know there’s an error, you’re not printing.
Now I’m using a HP Deskjet 5550 that if I start up on another hard drive running 10.4.10, I can print any time I want. Yes, I’ve checked the USB connection, it’s fine. Yes, I’ve switched the USB cable to another port… still doesn’t work. Yes, I’ve reset my PRAM…I cleared and then reset my printer system following Apple’s instructions… reset the PMU… Hell, I even resorted to trying HP’s online chat with a tech… does not speak MAC… so I sent an email form that I got an auto response quickly back telling me that they would respond back (or forward to the appropriate HP section to assist me) within a very short time period. That was December 8th… HELLO HP… did my email go to the dead email letter box by mistake????
Anyone have any suggestions?
Russ
OtterBox for iPhone
Otter Products
$49.95
http://www.otterbox.com/
I’m happy to find an iPhone case I can recommend. The OtterBox from Otter Products is a stylish, rugged product that looks like it ought to be on the hip of an architect at a work site.
It’s not waterproof, nor is it designed to be; but it is ready to shield against mud splatters and unexpected showers while you run for cover.
The phone is protected first by a hard polycarbonate shell (in black or yellow) that snaps together snugly and easily. A good plastic window covers the screen and I had no trouble typing through it. Over the hard plastic is a silicone jacket with strategically placed tabs keeping a reasonable seal over the data and headphone ports. Flip up the tabs for quick access. Flexible nubs provide access to the volume and power buttons. The silicone jacket also offers some shock protection as well as another layer of resistance to yucky stuff. Finally, a polycarbonate holster gives more protection as well as quick-draw capability. It’s very sturdy and took a considerable hit without a whimper when I caught it on a tile countertop. Worthy of note on the holster is the belt clip which sports click-stop detents and rotates into place with authority. When I raised up under the countertop, I expected the whole thing to shatter. But it didn’t phase the OtterBox.
Gloryosky! A product that works! And, I could still hear my ringtone through the three layers of protection!
All controls are accessible except for the silence switch. No problem . . . I simply turned it off. I wasn’t going to answer the phone during that meeting, anyhow.
I haven’t decided if I like the new Stacks feature in Leopard or not, but what I don’t like is how the icon of the stack is the icon of first alphabetical item in the folder you put in the Dock for a stack. For me it was the Applications folder, and the Address Book icon representing that folder.
I was trying to figure out a way to change the icon, and I remembered an old OS9 trick for reorganizing items in the Apple Menu. If you put a space before the first letter of an item ‘s name in the Apple Menu it always moved straight to the top of the list. For example “Zebra” would be at the bottom of the Apple Menu, but “ Zebra” (notice the space before the Z) would be at the top of the Apple Menu.
I decided to try this with Stacks, and it worked!
Here’s what I did to get the icon of my stack to be the icon of my choice. First, make a new folder in the folder you want to create a stack with. Make the name of that folder Continue reading »
“ “ (that would be one space).
“Maxxum” Computer Backpack
Swiss Gear (by Wenger)
Price: $71.00 (US)
http://www.wengerna.com
I’ve decided to attend my first MacWorld Expo and there is no way I’m going with my old computer bag, lugging it all over Moscone Center, cutting off circulation in my shoulder for a week.
So I went to CompUSA (R.I.P.) to see what kind of backpacks were available.
A lot.
But most were quickly vetoed. My 15″ MacBook Pro doesn’t fit. Not enough pockets. Too much style and not enough utility. No style.
And just about every one dug into some tender part of my anatomy. The straps are too close together on the top. The padding is a lump against my kidneys. And so on. And so on.
Our MyMac.com rankings blend objective quality with subjective personal experience. Your audio signal mileage may vary a lot from mine. If you can try before you buy, or return/exchange if not completely thrilled, you’ll eventually be satisfied by one of these units.
Three FM iPod car adapters:
iTrip Auto SmartScan FM Transmitter and Car Charger for iPod
Company: Griffin Technology
Price: $80
http://www.griffintechnology.com/products/itripautoss
Klix
Company: Joesoft
Price: $29.95
http://www.joesoft.com/
Klix is a utility that recovers photos from digital cameras and memory cards. Klix can’t recover digital image files that have been partially or completely overwritten, but that caveat aside, Klix provides a quick and easy way to bring lost files back.
The basic Klix interface is very simple. When launched, the application scans for attached digital cameras or media cards. Klix can then be used to perform three different functions, the most important of which is to scan for deleted files. Both photographs and movies are located and then presented in an Image Recovery window. Photographs are given thumbnail previews, making it easy to identify the ones of interest. Movies do not have previews, though double clicking the generic QuickTime icon presented opens the movie in the QuickTime Player.
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Download the show here, via iTunes, or listen above
A full show this week with Tim, Chad, Guy, Rich, and Russ to kick it off. We look at some of the rumors and speculation on upcoming Apple products, Think Secret going off-line, and ringtones from GarageBand for your iPhone. John Nemo plays with the Edirol R-09 in a car, along with the Jalapeno Chorus. Finally, Sam Levin joins Tim and Chad for a Cool Mac Picks for the first time in months!
As always, we would love to have some feedback. Send us an email here, or simply call 1-801-938-5559 and leave a message.
Continue reading »
Kensington Expert Mouse Optical USB Trackball
Company: Kensington
Price: $99.99 USD
http://www.kensington.com
Over the years, I’ve used just about every type of mouse out there: Apple’s one-button mouse, trackballs, corded and wireless, small and large, two button up to multi-button. I even used the Kensington Turbo Mouse (version 3) during the mid-90’s and enjoyed its capabilities and ease of use. Fast forward to the present time and here I am using Kensington’s Expert Mouse, the descendent of the Turbo Mouse. How does it hold up?
Out of the box, the Expert Mouse is simple to install and set up. Plug the USB cord into your Mac, go to Kensington’s website and download the latest version of MouseWorks, install it and then set your preferences for what you want each of the four main buttons to do, set your click and scrolling speed and the pointer speed and you’re good to go. Want to open up an application? No problem, set it up in preferences as to what button you want to use and off you go. Launch a particular URL… set it up and away you go.
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Griffin iClear, Reflect, and Elan Form hard cases for iPod nano (3rd Generation)
Company: Griffin Technology
Price: $19.99, $24.99, and $29.99 respectively
http://www.griffintechnology.com/
Newly available from Griffin is their revamped hard case lineup for the iPod nano, ranging in price from $19.99 for the iClear to $29.99 for the all new Elan Form, with the $24.99 Reflect staking out the middle ground.
U-Suit Folio for iPhone
Company: Uniea
Price: 34.95
http://www.uniea.com
Another iPhone case arrived from Uniea review; the U-Suit Folio. Following hard on the heels of the U-Suit iPhone case, which I rated very highly, I expected another great iPhone case.
Wrong. Not even close.
Like the U-Suit, the Folio is a hard carrying case with a belt clip. The iPhone slips into the case rather snugly. Folio, however, uses a fold-over flap that covers the entire iPhone, and closes with a small magnetic latch.
When the iPhone rings, you need to flip up the fold-over flap, and pull the phone out of the case. Otherwise, you need to yank the whole affair, belt clip and all, off your belt. The iPhone is a snug fit in the Folio holster, so you’ll need to pull harder than you’d expect. This may dislodge the belt clip. Or, you may not get the phone out before the call goes to voicemail…
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Mac OS X Leopard Pocket Guide
by Chuck Toporek
O’Reilly Publishing
http://www.oreilly.com
ISBN-10: 059652981-3
ISBN-13: 978059652981-9
211 pages, paper
US: $14.99, CAN: $17.99
Like previous versions of Chuck Toporek’s Pocket OS X guides, Mac OS X Leopard Pocket Guide packs a lot of useful information into a compact format. If you travel a lot you might find yourself thinking of this little book as a handy security blanket.
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The Artist’s Guide to GIMP Effects
Michael J. Hammel
Published: No Starch Press
ISBN 978-1-59327-153-4
Paperback, 360 pages, $44.95
GIMP, or the GNU Image Manipulation Program to give it its proper name, is a graphics-editing program broadly similar to Adobe Photoshop in terms of functionality. The GIMP is an open source program that can be freely downloaded and installed on most computers, including maps. But on the downside it doesn’t come with a manual, so figuring out how to use GIMP can be tricky.
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Have you ever had an icon in your dock stop working? You click the icon for a program (maybe Mail), and the program never launches? The icon never bounces? The odds are that the link to the actual program has been broken. How do you fix it? Read on!
Icons in your dock are simply links to the original program. They are not the actual program. So if the link breaks, the program won’t launch. Don’t panic this is fixable (in most cases).
A way to confirm that the link has been broken is by clicking and holding the “dead” icon. A little menu will appear with an option to “Reveal in Finder.” On a “live” icon this option will reveal the actual program in the Finder. Click this option. If nothing appears the link is broken.
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Download here, via iTunes, or listen above.
With no big Apple or Mac news, Tim, Chad, and Guy look forward to Macworld Expo, and invite any and all listeners for a get together during the event. Also up this week, Nemo interviews educator Sharon Price using the Edirol R-09.
As always, we would love to have some feedback. Send us an email here, or simply call 1-801-938-5559 and leave a message.
Continue reading »
Hewlett-Packard Photosmart 7280 All-In-One Printer
Company: HP
http://www.hp.com
US $299.00
I’ve been a long-time user of HP all-in-one printers. My Photosmart 2710 has a reliable workhorse for me, in spite of a few small irritations.
While there are some drawbacks to having all your printing/scanning/copying/faxing eggs in one mechanical basket, I love the convenience of having only one box to deal with. When I was offered the chance to review the Photosmart 7280, I jumped at the chance.
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ezSkin Classic for Apple iPod Classic (Black, White, Pink, or Blue)
Company: ezGear
Price: $30
http://ezgear.com
ezSkin MAX for iPod Classic (White or Black)
Company: ezGear
Price: $35
http://ezgear.com
Defender Series OtterBox for iPod Classic
Company: OtterBox
Price: $30
http://www.otterbox.com/
Armor Series OtterBox for iPod Classic
Company: OtterBox
Price: $50
http://www.otterbox.com/
* * * * *
iPod case selection is one of the most random, haphazard, subjective purchases made by iPod owners. The four cases being reviewed address most of the concerns an iPodder will have once the case is in active use. An iPod 80GB Classic was used for these evaluations. Both ezGear and OtterBox have comparable cases for all the latest (and many previous) iPods, plus the iPhone.
All four review cases are well-priced for value, quality, and marketplace competition. Note: Each case covers the scroll wheel in a slightly different way, somehow without sacrificing scrolling or clicking.
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Putting it all together
If you have stuck with me so far, I’ve talked a lot about how to use iWeb’s powerful built-in tools, how to make your own navigation bar, and how to set up Master Pages. What have I left out? Oh yeah, some other tools you may find useful and actually using the program.
What ELSE do I need? Continue reading »
In all honesty, you don’t really need any other tools beyond what iWeb and the other programs that make up the iLife suite provide. Apple has been kind enough to include very powerful text and graphic manipulation software to get you started. However, no man is an island and no web site worth it’s weight in pixels is typically made alone. As I said, iWeb includes some very good tools, but they are far from complete. For some other really cool and creative text and graphic manipulation, you may need to go outside the Apple enclosed world.
Mac OS X 10.5 Leopard: Peachpit Learning Series
Publisher: Peachpit Press
ISBN: 13: 978-0-321-50263-6
Price: $24.00
Page Count: 458
http://www.peachpit.com
Whether you are an experienced Mac user, new to the Mac or just switching over from a PC, you won’t go wrong by getting renowned Mac author Robin Williams’ new book, Mac OS X 10.5 Leopard.
Known for her ability to teach others, Ms. Williams does so with this book by not having chapters but lessons. She starts at the beginning by introducing the Desktop and Finder to the reader, running them through the entire capabilities of Leopard until at Lesson 24 Ms. Williams covers securing your Mac. Using great graphics at each step, each section clearly illustrates what Ms. Williams is talking about. Ms. Williams works her magic as she takes one through the basics and the intricacies of Leopard.
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One of my favorite features of Leopard is Quick Look. Quick Look allows you to see the contents of a file without opening that file in its program. For example, a spreadsheet can be viewed through Quick Look without opening Charts or Excel. This article contain a few Quick Look tips that you might not know.
To activate and deactivate Quick Look use the spacebar. Select the icon of what you want to view and press the spacebar. I didn’t know this until I heard it on a podcast.
Add a Quick Look icon to your Finder toolbar. To do this go to the “View” menu from the Finder and click “Customize Toolbar…” Make sure you have a window open and you have clicked in the window before doing this.
Nighttime Digital Photography with Adobe Photoshop CS3
by John Carucci
Peachpit Press
http://www.peachpit.com
ISBN-13: 978032150354-1
ISBN-10: 032150354-6
230 pages, paper, full color
US: $49.99, CAN: $56.99, UK: £35.99
John Carucci’s Nighttime Digital Photography with Adobe Photoshop CS3 covers those aspects of Photoshop CS3 that would be particularly valuable to photographers desiring to make nighttime photos. Examples of the types of nighttime photography addressed include subjects such as city lights, automobile traffic, architecture, concerts, theatrical productions, sporting events, people, and urban street scenes.
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MyMac Podcast #385
MyMac Podcast #384