Apple Hardware

Trouble in Magic Land!

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As noted in a previous post, I am using the new Apple Magic Mouse and have enjoyed the new device. However, all is not joyful in Magic Land.

I also use the Apple Wireless Aluminum keyboard and have for over a year. Prior to the arrival of the Magic Mouse, the keyboard was coupled with the wireless Apple Mighty Mouse.

Upon the arrival of Mr. Magic, I made the necessary Mac OS X software updates required in order to use the full capabilities of the mouse. I have also moved to the latest version of Snow Leopard (10.6.2).

Prior to these changes, the battery life for my keyboard was measured in months. It is now measured in days. I just had to replace the set of batteries again after 8 days of use.  My conjecture at this point is that the keyboard is no longer achieving the automatic low-power setting during periods of idle time.

I note that I am not alone. Many others are reporting the same issue in discussion groups scattered across the internet. I have submitted a “bug report” to Apple, but have no idea  when or if the Apple Team will respond to this dilemma.

In the meantime, I will place the keyboard in manual “low power” mode by turning it OFF when I leave my office. I am also scanning ETrade for opportunities in the AA battery market.

Apple, remember, it is the drip, drip, drip of these seemingly small annoyances that can cause a mighty dam to fail.

Just sayin’

Apple Software

All Those Passwords!

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If your web experience is anything like mine, you are building up quite an inventory of user names and passwords. You don’t want to use the same entries on every site, but there are limits to your ability to remember which one goes where.

For those of the Apple persuasion, here are two software offerings that solve the problem.

Pastor

Off-line Password Database
Off-line Password Database

Pastor is classed as “donation-ware”. Pay whatever you think it’s worth to you. The software provides a basic password-protected off-line database of sites and their associated login information. I describe the tool as “off-line” since it is not integrated into your web browser.  Pastor can also be used to generate password suggestions.

Pastor was the first password management application I used and I’m still using it as a general password database.

1Password by Agile Web Solutions

1Password Main Screen
1Password Main Screen

A few months ago, I decided that I needed a password management system that could be integrated with my web browsers (I use Safari and Firefox). I settled on 1Password.

1Password is commercial software, but  Agile offers a free download to allow user evaluation.

One feature I like is it’s integration support for a number of web browsers.  1Password also helps generate passwords and has a nice visual representation of the relative “strength”  of each password you use.

For those running the new Mac OS X Snow Leopard, 1Password offers 1Password 3 which is the version I am currently running.

What ever your preference, a Password Manager is a valuable addition to your web security toolbox.

Apple Software

Parallels Desktop 5 for Mac Released

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Parallels Desktop 5 for Mac
Parallels Desktop 5 for Mac

Parallels Inc. has announced the release of it’s latest offering in the field of computer virtualization. Parallels Desktop 5 for Mac is now ready for distribution.

I took the bait and ordered the upgrade package. I have been a Parallels customer since Version 2 in 2006 and have dutifully followed the upgrade path through version 3 and 4.

The announcement of the availability of Parallels Desktop 5 comes on the heels of the release of VMWare Fusion 3 by VMWare, Parallels chief competitor in the world of Virtual Operating System software.

My interest in virtualization is due to the need for running multiple types of Operating Systems as part of my work as a Software Application developer. Using my Mac Pro (circa 2006) , I use a variety of virtual PCs representing different versions of MS Windows, as well as various Linux distributions. I run my Virtual PCs both singly and in combination.

The upgrade from Parallels version 4 to 5 went very smoothly. I immediately noticed an improvement in performance in the boot process. One of the improvements featured an advertised performance boost which appears, at first glance, to be there.

Parallels, as does VMWare, focuses their Virtual Desktop support more toward the world of MS Windows (XP is noticeably faster and Windows 7 runs like a dream), but Linux support is more than adequate. In fact, version 5 seems to have corrected a problem I had been having after an upgrade from Ubuntu Linux  9.04 to 9.10.

More updates to follow.

Update: November 9, 2009

The performance is indeed improved. I especially like the new addition of icons to the Mac Dock.  It allows you to lauch Windows apps in “Coherence” Mode much easier. Coherence Mode is the term used by Parallels when referring to running a Windows App intermingled with other Mac apps on your desktop.

Apple Software

Moneydance 2008

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When I first moved to the Mac platform in 2005, one of the applications that provided the impetus for my final move from Windows was Quicken 2005. I had been a long-time Quicken user and, at the time of my purchase of the Mac Mini, I was using Quicken 2005 for Windows.

One of the applications available on that first Mac was Quicken 2005 for Mac. I took the opportunity to import years of financial data into the Mac application. Initially, I maintained my accounts both on the old Windows PC and the new Mac. After a short while, I abandoned the Windows platform.

I dutifully upgraded to Quicken 2006. Then Quicken 2007 arrived, but the features available for the new version weren’t enough to pry the upgrade price out of me.

I waited for Quicken 2008, but time passed with no release from Intuit. I then began searching for a replacement for Quicken.

I tried a number of contenders such as Moneywell and iBank, but all fell short in the area of importing my old Quicken data. I then downloaded a trial version of Moneydance 2008 by Reilly Technologies.

The import of my Quicken data was accomplished without a hitch. The interface was clean and simple. Moneydance didn’t have all  the bells and whistles  of Quicken, but I never used these features. Moneydance provided exactly what I needed, a simple, straight-forward financial program that provided direct download of financial transactions from my bank and easy reconciliation of my accounts. I’m looking forward to the release of the 2010 version of the product.

If you’re looking for financial software for your Mac platform, Quicken is not the only party in town. For me, Moneydance is my choice. Check it out, or try any of the other applications to see which one suits your needs.

Apple Hardware

The Magic Has Arrived!

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Apple announced a refresh of their computer line. I had a chance to view the new iMacs at a local Best Buy and, I must say, the 27″ iMac display is stunning.

But, alas, my wallet won out. I did, however, draw from the new line-up with the purchase of the new Apple Magic Mouse to replace my current Apple Bluetooth Mighty Mouse for my desktop machine. The Mighty Mouse will probably find a new home in my laptop bag although, the multi-touch touchpad on my aluminum MacBook tends to eliminate the need for using a separate mouse.

There were four basic reasons I decided to purchase the Magic Mouse.

  • Let’s face it. I’m a geek at heart and this is a NEW gadget.
  • I was intrigued by the Multi-touch Interface. I suffer from repeated occurrences of Repetitive Strain injury caused by the constant rolling of a mouse scroll wheel or Mighty Mouse scroll-ball. No wheel, no ball, just swipe anywhere on the top surface.
  • Scrolling Debris – Maybe I’m the only one that encountered dust, dirt, cracker crumbs or other foreign substances clogging up the scroll function on my mouse. Again, no wheel, no ball, just a smooth multi-touch surface.
  • Multi-touch – I have used an iPhone since it’s inception (June, 2007) and I am hooked on a multi-touch user interface (Apple Tablet?)

MagicMouseWell,  the Magic Mouse arrived today by FedEx. The packaging was like braking into Ft Knox. I finally freed the mouse from it’s tape prison.

The setup instructions are future-based, referring to a  Mac OS X Leopard 10.5.8 or Snow Leopard 10.6.2 requirement. Snow Leopard 10.6.2 has not been released yet.

Not to fear, the device paired flawlessly with my Mac Pro, but no multi-touch function. A quick trip to Google directed me to the Apple Wireless Mouse Software Update 1.0. Once the update installed and the Mac restarted, the Magic Mouse was fully operational.

First Impressions

  • Definitely a different form factor from the Mighty Mouse.  Slightly lighter, more slim in width, lower profile. The rounded surface of the Mighty Mouse is replaced by a more “table top” look with noticeable edges on the sides of the mouse.
  • Normal mouse functions, tracking, item selection, etc. feel the same. The “click” is still there. Loss of Expose and Dashboard selection capabilities though. Hopefully, a later version of the Magic Mouse software will provide these functions as additional multi-touch gestures.
  • Now scrolling can be activated by moving or flicking your finger on the top surface of the mouse. I’m no longer chained to the scroll-ball. Due to low vision, I use the Mac Screen Zoom feature extensively.  The Magic Mouse has the ability to Zoom with or without Momentum. This is a nice feature.
  • Inadvertent touching – Similar to learning to use a touchpad on a laptop. Sometimes you scroll unintentionally by lightly touching the top surface. I’m getting better.

So far, I am pleased with the purchase.