MAY 2007 www.limac.org

NEWSLETTER OF THE LONG ISLAND MACINTOSH USERS GROUP

LIMac was estab­­- lished in 1984, when April’s Meeting May’s Meeting the Mac was intro- duced. Annual dues This month, James H. Lee, Jr., President LIMac Inc. for member­ship we had a of Tropical Software will P.O. Box 2048 are $36. (The first really great MAY make his second visit to Seaford, NY meeting is free.) presentation LIMac in May, and he’s 11783-0180 For information, by Justin hoping for better weather President contact any of the D’Onofrio, this trip. (If you remember Bill Medlow following: and Steven 11 our 2005 Holiday Party [email protected] Membership Tze, from you’ll remember that the Vice President Donald Hennessy Freeverse software, weather was not exactly hos- George Canellis (516) 541-3186 located in New York City. You may pitable.) This time he’s got even more to show [email protected] [email protected] know Freeverse from the Burning Monkey us. In addition to TopXNotes he’ll show us the Treasurer Technical Advice games. Justin handled the microphone, while new TopXNotes iPod. Donald Hennessy Bradley Dichter veteran illustrator Steven, demonstrated the TopXNotes began as a brand new twist on [email protected] (631) 348-4772 program. This made for a super-smooth that old favorite, the old Apple Notepad, but Secretary [email protected] presentation. TopXNotes has evolved to be much, much more. Bernie Flicker Program Lineform, is a vector-based drawing pro- It has all the basic functionality of your word [email protected] Coordinator gram, made for both the graphic artist, and the processor, including choice of fonts, style, and The LIMac Forum : Rick Matteson average computer user. It sports a simple inter- colors. TopXNotes’ unique features include: Editors/Graphics rgmlimac Mo Lebowitz @optonline.net face and small tool set. This makes it easier for MultiView, the ability to view many notes at Loretta Lebowitz Photoshop SIG those new to drawing programs and those with once; the NoteOrganizer, an advanced table experience using other programs, but are new of contents with categories and groups you [email protected] Brian Revere [email protected] [email protected] to Lineform. In case you are not familiar with define based on your information; and most (516) 997-5370 the term “vector based,” it means that once you popular, QuickNotes, the ability to access your Board of Directors: MacBasic SIG have your project completed, it can be resized key notes instantly from the desktop from a Rick Matteson Geoff Broadhurst with no loss in quality. menu in a floating toolbar or from the same (Program Coordinator) [email protected] Albert Zygier OK, you have just chosen a tool, and are menu in the dock. TopXNotes also features auto- Geoff Broadhurst Multimedia SIG not sure what to do with it, or how to perform matic backups, unlimited Undo, Find, and note George Canellis Al Zygier certain functions with it, there’s no problem encryption to keep sensitive information safe. Al Choy [email protected] –Lineform’s built-in help menus to the rescue! TopXNotes iPod is a modern note organizer Donald Hennessy Produced using: What is a built-in Help Menu? Just click on a with all the useful features of TopXNotes plus Bradley Dichter Tex-Edit Plus, tool, and instructions on how to use the tool, the ability to export selected notes and groups (Technical Director) TextSpresso, and its modifier keys, appear directly under the (March’s Meeting continues on Page 2) Scott Randell Adobe’s InDesign, tool bar. This is the first time I have seen this, Bernie Flicker Photoshop, Illustrator, and it really helps. Want to add text to make General meeting time schedule: Bill Medlow and Acrobat. a flyer? Lineform has robust text editing tools, Meetings are held at The New York Institute of Technology, Harold Silvers Fonts are ITC’s Building 300 (Anna Rubin Hall), Old Westbury, Long Island. Brian Revere Franklin Gothic everything is dynamic (can be modified at any Meetings start promptly at 7:00 p.m. Richard Hickerson Compressed and time) and all of the text tools, (color, size, etc.) Bradley Q&A 7:00–7:30 p.m. Galliard Pro. built into Mac OS X are available. Beginner’s Q&A 7:00–7:30 p.m. The Forum is pub­lished monthly by LlMac. All If you are like me, (not an artist) you can Featured presentation 7:30–8:20 p.m. contents, except where make your drawings look a lot better – easily followed by announcements and raffle drawings. noted, are copyright SIG (Special Interest Group) meetings 8:30–10:00 p.m. ©2007 by LIMac. – with Lineform. Opinions expressed are the Photoshop SIG: Photoshop CS 2 – Layers You really had to be there to see Justin and views of the authors and do Multimedia SIG: “How to tell a story in a home video” from expert Al Zygier. not neces­sarily reflect those Steve demonstrate the program, or go towww. MacBasics SIG: Taking an introductory look at the iLife package, consisting of LIMac. Contents may be reprinted for non-com- freeverse.com, download the demo, and see for of GarageBand, iDVD, iMovie HD, iPhoto, mercial use, with due yourself. and iWeb. What can we use them for? What acknowledgment to LIMac. sort of fun can be found in this versatile The LIMac Forum is an At $79.95, this is a powerful program that independent publication will not overwhelm a new user, but will make a package? and has not been author- | In bad weather, call (516) 686-7789. ized, sponsored or other- savvy graphics user quite happy. | The next LIMac board meeting will be at wise approved by Apple Computer, Inc. Many thanks to Justin and Steve, for a really the Plainedge Library, (516) 735-4133, great presentation. 0 on Wednesday, Mayl 18th, at 8 p.m. –Scott Randell About Meetup and LIMac: Meetup Groups help people: make a difference. By George Canellis | Find others who share their interests Meetup.com earns money from: Meetup.com helps people fnd others | Get involved locally | Meetup Groups who rely on us to help them who share their interest or cause, and | Learn, teach, and share things create great Meetups and great local groups form lasting, infuential, local community | Make friends and have fun | Partner organizations that use Meetup.com groups that regularly meet face-to-face. | Rise up, stand up, unite,& make a difference services to grow and strengthen their com- We believe that the world will be a better | Be a part of something bigger — both locally munities place when everyone has access to a and globally | Sponsors who buy unobtrusive text ads rel- people-powered local Meetup Group. We’re proud to give more power to the people evant to Meetup Group members That’s our goal. and we believe it’s possible to make a profit and (Continues on Page 3) 2 Bradley’s Tech Session President’s Message | What is Flash? Once again, I need to give you a “heads up” on This used to be Macromedia’s technology, our upcoming June 2007 general meeting. now it’s Adobe’s (because Adobe bought It will be on the second Friday in June, – Macromedia) for interactive animated multi- specifcally, June 8th, but we have moved the media content for web sites and cell phones. meeting location to C.W.Post (1/4 mile east) Bradley Dichter There is the now-shipping $700 Flash CS3 for this meeting only. Maps will be on the back Bill Medlow President [email protected] Professional to create flash files and there is the of the monthly poster and on our Web site. We [email protected] free Flash Player 9 Internet plug-in for your will in meet the Humanities Building, just in Web browsers. Both were just updated for the from the Tilles Center. Mac. There is also the companion to Flash Why all the fuss you ask? We will have Dave Remembering the last point size used Pro CS3 the Flash CS3 Video Encoder. Its only Marra, an Apple Senior SystemsE ngineer, to in Adobe InDesign purpose is for converting your movie files, say talk about all the new things coming from CS2 : in QuickTime.mov format into an flv flash video Apple. As we know, Apple has changed its name You just resized the format for use in sites like the very popular from Apple Computer to Apple Inc. and has headline in an ad TIP! YouTube.com Beyond Flash, there is also the increased its product line to include other prod- to 76 points (a size new $499-$7.49 Adobe Flex Builder 2 inte- ucts such as the iPod, the AppleTV and the that’s not listed as Redefine paragraph a Preset in the Point styles in Adobe grated design environment for creating flash- upcoming iPhone. Size popup menu InDesign CS2: based Rich Internet Applications. It is not part I am mostly interested in how these prod- in the Character If you need to of any Adobe Creative Suite 3 bundle. It’s based ucts work and integrate with our Macintosh palette). You open make changes to a on the Open Source Eclipse 3.2 software develop- computers. Dave will offer information and another layout (File Paragraph Style, you ment kit which is itself based on Sun’s Java code. insight in all things Apple. Aside from making > ) and you’d like to could double-click Flash-enhanced Web sites are becoming more so many things possible, the Macintosh also make its 72-point on the style listing in 0 commonplace as Web developers go beyond makes them more fun. headline the exact the Paragraph Styles what is possible with just HTML. As an end- same size as in the palette and then user, the only thing to watch out for is to the (March’s Meeting continues from Page 1) first ad. Now what make the changes proper version of the new 9.0.45.0 version of to iPod. In addition to all of the above features was that size? If you in the multi-tabbed XN XN go to the Point Size dialog that opens. Adobe Flash Player for Intel-based or the older also found in Top otes , Top otes iPod can Preset menu, 76 You can even check PowerPC-based Macs running OS X. This new export a subset of your notes (designated by points is magically a preview box in the release support the new ActionScript 3.0 from you) and the enclosing group hierarchy (also listed at the top of lower left hand corner Adobe Flash CS3. created by you) to your iPod. The result is that the Presets menu. of the window to see | I’m going to have my hard drive replaced your notes are organized the same way on your The last point size you each of the changes and I’ve already backed up my documents. I iPod and your Mac. used (or selected) update. know there is my Applications folder in the Mac OS X 10.3 (Panther) or higher is required that’s not a Preset But there is a sidebar, but what is in there – and should I for TopXNotes iPod. TopXNotes iPod also will always be listed way that seems a lot back up the Apple apps as well as the ones requires a newer (3rd generation or newer) iPod. at the top of the more intuitive. You I’ve added? I’d like to be able to restore my Apple has not used the informal “generations” Presets menu. It simply reformat one will remain in the paragraph that has laptop to the same state as before. terminology and it is not easy to learn about. listing until you use the Paragraph Style You should backup everything to make it easier However, if an iPod has an LCD and Dock con- or select type that’s applied to it. Then, to put everything back. If you do things piece- nector, and theApple Notes Reader is installed, another point size with the text cursor meal, then something always falls through it should work. According to Apple, the Notes not listed in Presets, anywhere in the refor- the cracks and gets lost. A bootable FireWire feature is available on iPod models with a dock or until you Quit the matted text, go under external hard drive with a clone of your entire connector including: iPod mini, iPod with application. the Options menu of hard drive, would allow you to overwrite the color display (iPod photo), iPod (Click Wheel), –Jeff Witchel the Paragraph Styles new hard drive with just the original Apple iPod (with Dock Connector), iPod nano and Certified Adobe palette and select software with everything you had before, iPod with video. Training Provider. Redefine Style. This right down to the dock and desktop and every Of course, there’ll be our usual Q& A, raffle applies your format- ting changes in this update and preference intact. After the restora- and SIGs, so make sure to mark your calendar one paragraph to all tion the external drive becomes your backup for this month’s informative and interesting paragraphs that have drive. Anyway, if you click the Applications meeting. the style applied. icon in the sidebar, it opens the window for –Rick Matteson (Q&A continues on Page 3.)

The LIMac On-Line Forum/MAY 2007 (Continues from Page 2) Toronto Sun of the Save As dialog and all the folders with that have an iChat session started with someone, “A convenient, non-threatening way to connect to Opening? Saving? Spotlight Is There name appear in your Save window, so you can get you can go under the Buddies menu and choose other people who share similar interests and live Okay, it’s time to save a fle, so you choose Save right where you want blindingly fast. Nice. Send File. Navigate your way to the fle you want nearby.” Time As and the typical Save dialog appears. You want Sending Huge Attachments to send, click OK, and the fle will be sent to the “…helps groups of strangers organize monthly to save your document in a particular folder, but Most e-mail servers have a limit to how large an person you’re chatting with (and a link to down- powwows at local watering holes.” Newsweek you can’t remember exactly where that folder attachment they’ll accept. Most limit an attach- load your fle will appear in their iChat window). “…it’s important to stay true to your passions or is. No sweat, because Spotlight lives in the Save ment size to 5MB (some even less), and if you e- No matter how big the fle size is, it’ll get there. interests, whatever they may be… An opportu- (and Open) dialog as well (it’s everywhere!). Just mail somebody a 6MB fle, it’s probably going to Is That Task Done Yet? The Dock Knows nity to reconnect with yourself and others in a type the name of the folder you’re looking for in get “kicked back” to you as undeliverable. Want Let’s say you’re working in a power-crunching app stress-free environment. It’s as simple as that.” the Spotlight feld in the upper right-hand corner to get around that? Use iChat instead. Once you (Continues on Page 4) More of Bradley’s Tech Session 3 the Applications folder on your hard drive tures. Some people can’t see it. Does that where, presumably, all your Apple provided mean I should include a link to download and 3rd-party applications are installed, at least QuickTime to see the movies? TIPS! the bulk of them. Many applications include Depends on what format the videos and music an erroneous Audio parts elsewhere on your hard drive, in your are in. Obviously in the format they are in now Output setting. Here’s Fix embedded the fx: media in Safari: Library folder and your Home folder’s Library – yes. If you converted the movies to .avi format 1. launch Audio MIDI QuickTime: To sub-folder. It would be a daunting task to and the music to .mp3 (iWeb can accommodate Setup (/Applications/ fx a QuickTime- back up a bit here and there on a pile of CDs these formats) that would be better cross-plat- Utilities). related problem or DVDs and try to put everything back cor- form, as both Macs and Windows can use them 2. Click the Audio with Safari, quit rectly. Particularly so as many folders are larger out-of-the-box. When you drag an .mp3 format Devices tab at the top Safari and look in than even a DVD holds, so breaking things up onto the page, it’s treated like a QuickTime of the window. the/Library/Internet becomes a problem. Toast 7 and 8 can backup movie with a placeholder for a picture. Still it 3. In the Properties Plug-ins folder (this large amounts of data that span many discs should work better, I should think, but if it For pull-down menu, is the Library folder select Built-In Audio. at the root level of and includes on the first disc a program that doesn’t, then give up and include a link to www. can put it all back together, but a hard drive of apple.com/quicktime/download/. Windows Vista 4. Change the Audio your hard drive, not Output>Format set- the one inside your adequate size is so much faster and easier. I’ve users don’t have a solution, nor do Windows 98 ting to 44100.0Hz. Users/username/ been suggesting the 3-year limited warranty or Me or NT users, just Windows 2000 and XP 5. Quit Audio MIDI folder). Try removing blessed silvery plastic Western Digital My Book can install QuickTime 7, but Windows 98/Me Setup. the VLC Plugin.plugin Pro Edition drives with FireWire 800, 400 and users can install QuickTime 6.4, so that may 6. Quit and relaunch (if you have it) and USB 2.0 interfaces. Not to be confused with the help. Point them to http://docs.info.apple.com/ Safari. QuickTime Plugin. black 1-year warranty Premium or Essential article.html?artnum=120297 or QuickTime 6.3 for Rosetta: If you have plugin fles from this Editions. $148, $230 or $379 for 250 GB, 500 Windows NT at http://docs.info.apple.com/article. an Intel-based Mac, folder (start with any GB or 1 TB sizes at amazon.com. LaCie’s brand html?artnum=120261 Have you tried the $40 running Safari in third-party plugins Rosetta can also that are present), desktop drives have been getting a lot of bad RapidWeaver from Realmac Software? It’s easy feedback lately about faulty and under powered and similar to iWeb (“themes” based templates) resolve some plug-in and then, relaunch issues. Safari. If the problem power adapters, so I don’t recommend their and works with a .Mac account. | First, quit the app isn’t fxed, a differ- full-size desktop hard drives. Their FireWire I have an external hard drive and I want if it’s open, and then, ent plugin may be bus-powered mobile hard drives (80 to 160GB) iPhoto to use it. Do I have to install OS X on in your Applications to blame, keep are good. Nevertheless, it’s a good idea to also the external drive? folder, select Safari removing fles from backup your critical files onto CD or DVD to be No need to install OS X again. iPhoto itself has and press Command- this folder (start sure. no option for pointing to a non-standard library l. In the General area with any third-party | Scott Randell suggested a Seagate bare folder, but you can use the free iPhoto Librarian of the Safari Info programs that are drive and an external enclosure to take 1.2 from Scruffy Software to help. Get it at www. dialog that appears present) until the (click the disclosure problem disappears. advantage of Seagate’s 5-year warranty on scruffyware.com/products/iPhotoLibrarian. their internal drives. html. You can command-drag (to move not triangle if this Replace the plug-ins area is not already that don’t cause any As much I do like 5-year warranties and Seagate, just copy) your existing “iPhoto Library” in expanded), select problems. most people don’t want to assemble and format your ~/Pictures/ folder to the external drive and Open Using Rosetta, Flash: The most their own external drives. Anyway, back to the then use the iPhoto Librarian Applescript to and then close the common Flash problem at hand, once you have some external Choose…, navigate to the iPhoto Library folder Safari Info Dialog. problem is that the hard drive available, preferably hooked up via and with it selected, click the Choose button Relaunch Safari. audio doesn’t work, FireWire, to make a bootable copy, you need and then start up iPhoto and everything should –Mac|Life Magazine usually caused by some software like the freeware Carbon Copy be fine from then on, at least until you need to Cloner or LaCie’s SilverKeeper or the $28 change the location again. shareware SuperDuper! By the way, LaCie not | I already have images on the external long ago started offering the Universal Binary drive. Can I drag them in the moved iPhoto 1-Click Backup Software version 1.1.1, but this Library folder? application does not make a bootable copy. No. You should drag them into the iPhoto Then, once you get your laptop back, use the window when it’s running in order to properly program to clone back your files. import any files. In order to avoid any future | I’ve been using Apple’s iWeb to create duplications of images you drag in, you can go a Web site with music and video and pic- (Q&A continues onPage 6)

The LIMac On-Line Forum/MAY 2007 (Continued from Page 3) progress bar appears in Photoshop, the Dock you get a little bonus — avable searches. But this is no ordinary folder, my friend. This is like Photoshop, and you go to apply a flter to a automatically adds a tiny little progress bar to So, for example, you search for all the e-mail, a Smart Folder, which means the next time Alan high-res image, and it’s going to take a minute the bottom of the Photoshop icon in the Dock so images, and other junk sent to you by your friend sends you something (or you mention Alan in a or two to process your command. You’re going to you can keep an eye on the progress, even when Alan. When you do this in a Finder window, the document, e-mail, etc.), it will automatically be get a progress bar so you can see how long the you’re doing something else (like checking your Finder window updates to show the results right added to that Smart Folder. It’s live, baby! process is going to take, right? mail, shopping online, or writing a letter). there in your window. Oh, but there’s more. Now Printing from the Desktop Well, thanks to Mac OS X’s way-cool Dock, Saving Spotlight Searches you’ll find a Save button near the top-right side (without a Desktop Printer) you can switch out of Photoshop to work on Spotlight also lives in your Finder windows (right of your window. If you click it, it saves your results Don’t want a printer icon cluttering up your something else and the Dock will let you know where the old Search feld was in previous ver- in a folder in your sidebar, where you can re- desktop, but you still want to print fles from when the filter is applied. How? Well, when a sions of Mac OS X), but when you search here, access those files at any time. How cool is that! (Continues on Page 5) Sore Eyes 4 Well, we’re back from China, after having taken Occasionally, the wireless was provided by T- about 1000 pictures by actual count. Even after Mobile and you had to join (and pay money) to we discard those we’re unhappy with, we’ll still use it. Some hotels, although not all, also added have many hundreds to play with. We traveled an extra charge for Internet service. with the laptop, and the job every evening was The most surprising, however, was the to download the day’s photos and then empty difficulties with e-mail. We have an ISP pro- the camera for the next day. We found this tech- vided by Verizon and usually try to get our e- nique most feasible for our purposes. mail from their Web site when away from home. First order of business was adapting all our Often the Apple Mail program cannot send electrical appliances to Chinese electrical con- e-mail, since the outgoing mail server will not nections. Of course we had the converters for be recognized by the particular hotel network. Helen and this purpose, but it’s hard to use only one con- But China is having a dispute with Verizon, so Sheldon Gross verter when you need to recharge organizers, they don’t even let you traverse the Verizon site. [email protected] batteries, blackberries, computers and other When we entered the site in Firefox, it would go Note: Sore Eyes site assorted incidentals. It was a life saver to find to the home page, but not actually enter the site. referrals are for your out that the nicer hotels had at least one outlet Logging-in was impossible. We could pick up information only. that was a 110-line, in addition to all the 220- our mail with Apple Mail but not send it with Neither the Grosses lines in the room. Verizon. We could only send our mail through nor LIMac endorse The next issue was the Internet. All the Google and/or Yahoo, but they worked fine for any of the sites or hotels and airports claimed to have wireless that purpose. their products. and/or Ethernet connections, but the opera- I really don’t know if other people with tive word is often ‘claimed.’ Sometimes they other ISP companies had a similar problem, had wireless, but you needed a login name since I was not able to converse with any others and a password. Occasionally, the wireless was on this topic. My Cantonese is non-existent and so weak that it didn’t work in the rooms. All my Manderin consists of one phrase – ‘sia sia’ the hotels seemed to have business offices, but which means ‘thank you.’ most were not staffed by anyone who could At any rate, we had a wonderful time and are explain the intricacies of the system inE nglish. still working on the slideshows.0

George Canellis User Group News gwc11713@optonline. net LIMac is a proud member of the Peachpit User quality software designed to be easily used by Group Partner Program and as such all LIMac both novice and expert users. Prosoft adopts members are entitled to a 30% discount off of the role of being data advocates, fighting to pre- the list price of any of Peachpits books. When serve data and prevent data loss. Prosoft offers a ordering at their Web site (www.peachpit.com) 25% discount to all MUGs using the special at checkout, right before you enter your credit MUG discount code. Their products include: card number, you must enter the user group Drive Genius – Maintain, Manage and coupon code UE-23AA-PEUF (case-sensi- Optimize Your Hard Drive; Picture Rescue – tive). This coupon code is an exclusive offer Digital Picture Recovery; Data Backup – that may not be used in conjunction with any Backup Made Easy; Data Rescue – Emergency other coupon codes. Through the generosity File Recovery; and TuneTech for iPod – of Peachpit, LIMac will also be receiving free Maintain, Manage and Optimize your iPod. books as raffle prizes. Look for them on the (www.prosofteng.com) prize table when youre purchasing your raffle | MUG members can now take 30% off a single tickets at the monthly meeting. book or 35% off two or more books from The following vendor offers require a top- O’Reilly, No Starch, Paraglyph, PC Publishing, secret user group offer code. If you are inter- Pragmatic Bookshelf, SitePoint, or Syngress ested in any of the following products, please books you purchase directly from O’Reilly. send an e-mail to me at [email protected]. (www.oreilly.com/store) | Prosoft is dedicated to creating professional (User Group News continues on Page 6)

The LIMac On-Line Forum/MAY 2007 (Continued from Page 4) everything on your Mac, from songs to e-mail, to the bottom of the list of found items choose Now restart your Mac and the application the desktop or a Finder window (kind of greedy, contacts and System preferences. It’s annoyingly Spotlight Preferences. When the dialog appears, will launch automatically. If you want to hide the aren’t you)? Then try this little trick: Control- thorough (if it were human, it would make a great turn off the checkboxes for the areas you don’t application after it automatically launches (so click on the fle you want to print to bring up a book editor). Anyway, if there are certain areas want searched. it stays hidden from view until you click on it in contextual menu. Now just choose Print from you don’t need it to search (for example, if you Super shortcut to having an app load at login the Dock), here’s how: Go under the Apple menu the menu. Once you choose it, it will either don’t want it rummaging through your songs), If you’d like a particular application to open every (or to the Dock) to System Preferences. In the start printing or take you directly to the default you can tell it what to search through and what time you log into (or start up) your Mac, now all System Preferences pane, click on the Accounts application’s Print dialog. to ignore. You do this by frst going to Spotlight’s you have to do is Control-click (or click-and-hold) icon, then in the Accounts pane, click on the Focusing your searches Preferences. Just click on the Spotlight icon on the application’s Dock icon and choose Open Login Items tab. Now click on the Hide checkbox By default, Spotlight pretty much searches in the menu bar, type a search word, and from at Login from the pop-up menu. (Continues on Page 6) E-mail Etiquette: Fonts and Formatting 5 It’s tempting to format outgoing e-mail with like them are not always encoded or trans- different fonts, point sizes and colors, and lated consistently from one e-mail program to to punch up your another. The result? text with the use of Your carefully for- italics and boldface. matted curly quotes, Ilene Strizver Unfortunately, what you ligatures and ellipses [email protected] send is not necessarily can turn into some- Ilene Strizver, founder what your recipient gets. thing unrecognizable of The Type Studio, is a typographic Some e-mail pro- to your recipient’s consultant, designer, grams don’t read special inbox. writer and special- formatting, including fonts that your reader’s The solution is simple: play it safe and stick izing in all aspects computer doesn’t have. And many allow the to the standard keyboard characters (see illus- of typographic com- user to set preferences for plain text instead of tration above). While this means using ‘dumb’ munication, from the rich text, which includes styling. The result: straight quotes and double hyphens instead of aesthetic to the tech- your carefully formatted e-mail is reduced to correct dashes, at least your message will arrive nical. Ilene conducts plain text, or worse, littered with ‘alien’ charac- in a readable form. (But don’t forget: when Gourmet Typography ters (more on that below). copying and pasting text from an e-mail into a Training internation- What’s the solution? First, stick to system designed piece for print, reformat these ‘dumb’ ally. For more infor- mation, visit www. fonts, such as Arial, Times, Verdana, Trebuchet characters to adhere to the principles of good thetypestudio.com. or Geneva, which virtually all users have. And, typography!) unless you’re certain that the recipient can read Signatures and Attachments your formatting, keep it simple and use only Other points of good e-mail etiquette keyboard characters and styling that won’t include using a signature and being savvy about get lost in translation. For emphasis, try sur- attachments. A signature is a short block of copy rounding your important text with *asterisks.* that identifies you and includes your contact LIMac’s Privacy ALL CAPS is another option, but one to be used information. Most e-mail programs allow you Policy: sparingly. Remember that CAPS are considered to set up one or more signatures to choose General Information SHOUTING in the cyberworld! from, or to select a default signature that will Collection: LIMac For most people who have access to personal automatically appear at the bottom of every acquires mailing and computers, e-mail has rapidly overtaken ‘snail e-mail you send. Usually used for business, e-mail addresses mail’ as the preferred means of sending written signatures can be a great time-saver if you use from our members communication, both business and personal. them appropriately. Remember to include your and no other outside sources in order to The near-immediate delivery and low cost of signature in each subsequent e-mail to the same communicate with e-mail are hard to beat, but the technology does recipient so no one has to search for the e-mail our membership. We have limitations when it comes to typographic with your phone number. Another tip: don’t use this information finesse. Here are some dos and don’ts to ensure include images and logos in your signature. to send out the LIMac that your electronic communication is received These are often filtered out by spam filters and Forum and to send with its message intact. could result in your addressees not getting your occasional notices. Safe Characters e-mail at all. Disclosure to Third APRIL One of the most puzzling occurrences in As for attachments, keep them to a min- Parties We do not RAFFLE e-mails is the occasional appearance of strange, imum and small: between 50K and 2MB is best. disclose mailing unfamiliar characters in the text, often foreign In fact, e-mails with attachments that are 50K addresses, e-mail WINNER addresses or any or mathematical in nature. We can usually read or less are often screened out by spam filters as other confdential around them, but even so, what are they and a means of virus control. For attachments over information to third how did they get there? 2MB, check with the intended recipient before parties. This can occasionally happen to non-stan- sending and ask for confirmation afterwards. Questions If you dard keyboard characters when they’re sent Sometimes mailboxes have maximums on the have any questions from one e-mail program to another. These size of acceptable attachments; others are too concerning LIMac’s characters include such typographic niceties full to accept them at all. Privacy Policy, please as ‘smart’ quotes and apostrophes, en and em And, a final tip: proofread your email care- e-mail them to about- 0 dashes, and bullets. These characters and others fully. Once you hit Send, that’s it! 0 [email protected]. Geoff Broadhurst

The LIMac On-Line Forum/MAY 2007 (Continued from Page 5) named “Vertigo” (by the band U2), there’s no and you’ll only get song results. Schweet! Your printer will appear in this dialog. Click next to the application’s name. sense in having Spotlight bring you a list of e-mail Drag-and-Drop Desktop Printing on it, then go up under the Printers menu (in the Close the dialog and your messages from your ear doctor, right? So if you Want the ability to print a document right from menu bar) and choose Create Desktop Printer. A application’s set. give Spotlight a hint as to what you’re looking for, your desktop (without opening the application standard Open/Save dialog will appear asking Narrowing your search: you can get just songs as your Spotlight search frst)? Go under the Apple menu, under System you where you want to save it (I save mine on the give Spotlight a hint results. Here’s how: Type “kind:music” (with no Preferences, and choose Print & Fax. When the desktop). Click Save and an icon for your printer If you want to narrow your search right off the bat, space in between or quotations), then add one preference pane appears, click on the Printer will appear on the desktop. To print a document, you can add a category when you type the term in space and type “Vertigo” (again, you don’t need Setup button, and when the Printer Info dialog just drag-and-drop it on this icon. Some docu- the Search feld. the quotes). So your search will look like this: appears, press Command-L to show the Printer ments, such as TextEdit files and PDFs, will go For example, if you’re looking for a song kind:music Vertigo. Now it will only search songs, List dialog. (Continued on Page 7) APRIL More of Mac User Groups News 6 NANO (User Group News continues from Page 4) group members receive 20% off any Case-mate captures audio, WINNER | Adam and Tonya Engst of TidBITS are product by using the coupon code wizard2. attempts to create continuing their sixteen years of supporting This offer is valid through May 31, 2007. (www. separate song files when it recognizes user groups with a special 10% discount for all case-mate.net) gaps. Or you can orders in their new Take Control electronic Speck has become a dominant market leader in capture everything book series. Take Control e-books provide the iPod, MacBook, smart phone, cell phone in one long file, as highly practical, tightly focused, inexpensive and satellite radio accessory category, selling you’ve done, and help from leading Macintosh authors. Titles are spirited, fun and unique products. Speck’s spe- then use a program delivered in PDF layout with active links, and cial deals for group members include MacBook to automatically are optimized for viewing and printing. The SeeThru 15”, clear or red (Core Duo version chunk it into pieces user group code to take advantage of this gen- only) at $25.00, regularly $49.95; iPod Video after the fact. Stephen Hechler erous offer is CPN31208MUG. (www.takecon- (60gb/80gb) SeeThru (3-pack of clear, black, Rogue Amoeba’s trolbooks.com) red)at $15.00, regularly $29.95; iPod nano 1G $32 Audio Hijack Pro can record Moving to digital | (MYOB)Do you own or work in a Mac-based Canvas Sport (pink, black, white) for $12.00, audio: audio from any small business that has grown out of its com- regularly $14.95; iPod nano 1G ToughSkin source, including By Christopher Breen puterized checkbook? Have you grown tired of (clear, black) at $12.00, regularly $14.95. Go to (mac911@macworld. the Mac’s internal com) creating invoices using InDesign or Word? If www.speckproducts.com/aug-specials.html to sound as well as Q: A reader seeks you think you are ready to move beyond your directly access these special items. User group audio you bring in a tool to help him shoebox, MYOB has the right tool for you at a members also get an additional 15% off online from the outside make the transition great MUG discount. MYOB US, Inc., the leader items whenordering from speckproducts.com via an audio input from analog audio to in Mac small business management, has just by using the code:APPLEUSERS during check source (the Mac’s digital. He writes: “I released MYOB FirstEdge, a new Mac only out. This offer is valid through May 31, 2007. microphone port or a have a large collec- product that will help you run your business (www.speckproducts.com) USB audio interface, tion of reel-to-reel | for example). It quickly and easily. MUG members get $25 off TopXNotes has evolved from a simple replace- includes a Silence tapes that I would the regular price of $99 on First Edge or $100 ment for Apple’s Notepad into a modern note like to transfer to Monitor feature off AccountEdge. (www.myob.com/us/) organizing system. Its unique features include that seeks out gaps my computer. I tried | Griffin Technology’s Actoris Software’s Xpress Schedule is the MultiView, the ability to view many notes at and creates a new Final Vinyl software, Macintosh tool for preparing employee work once, and a sliding toolbar that keeps text con- audio file whenever but found that it schedules. Create better schedules in less time, trols above where you type. NoteOrganizer is it finds one. You didn’t recognize print schedules and even send them to your staff an advanced table-of-contents with user- can customize the blank space, with by e-mail or text message. Food Cost Manager is defined categories/groups. The most popular Silence Monitor so it the result that I got a a complete back office solution for food service benefit is instant desktop access via QuickNotes looks for particular single file of six hours businesses. Manage your inventory, calculate to your critical information. TopXNotes also audio levels (-30dB for example) and gap of music. Editing recipe and menu costs, and prepare nutritional includes automatic backups, unlimited Undo, such a file is too lengths (1.5 seconds, information for your customers. Xpress Schedule, Find and note-encryption to keep sensitive for instance). time-consuming to regularly $99, is available for a special Apple information safe.(User group members receive contemplate. Do you If you have a copy know of any software User Group price of $74, and Food Cost a 25% discount by purchasing TopXNotes for of Roxio’s Toast that will recognize Manager, regularly $249 is available at $185, $22.50, regularly $30.00, or TopXNotes iPod for Titanium, you can use blank space to make that s a 25% discount. Get the user group order $26.25, regularly $35.00 at their Web site by its CD Spin Doctor file separations such form at www.actorissoftware.com/mug and then using the coupon code UGSpecial. This offer is II to do something that separate songs, e-mail your order to [email protected]. valid through May 31, 2007. (https://secure. similar. Like Audio albums, or classical | Protect your MacBook or MacBook Pro by tropic4.com/index.shtml) Hijack it will record audio from an input. music pieces could choosing from any combination of Case-mate | CJRTOOLS ebooks publishes easy-to-use It can’t, however, be easily transferred products. Immediately available items include: guides to Mac OS X 10.4 software, including to new, smaller split it on the fly. innovative Handle that doubles as a passive heat Safari, Mail, System Preferences and TextEdit. Instead, it saves it as folders or music sink, regularly $50; sleek leather Sleeve, regu- The e-book’s features include screenshots to libraries?” a single file and then A: Sure. You can larly $89-$99; luxurious leather Suit, regularly help readers understand important concepts, you ask it to define approach this a $149-$159; Glovez thoroughly modern neo- appendices with additional resources, non- gaps based on where couple of ways. You prene laptop cases, regularly $25-$29. These encrypted PDF downloads and free updates. it detects silence. can use an applica- Case-mate products make your laptop more Usually priced between $7 and $8, Apple user You can adjust split tion that, while it convenient to carry and easier to use, all while group members qualify for a 20% discount on Continues on Page 7) protecting it from dirt, dust and scratches. User (User Group News continues on Page 8) The LIMac On-Line Forum/MAY 2007 (Continued from Page 6) a compressed fle, either Control-click on the is the compressed fle. You can also compress long names will have some letters cut off from straight to the printer. Other files will launch their fle and choose Create Archive (which is Apple- several different fles (like three, for example) view. Here is a tip that will save you from having default application and open the Print dialog. speak for “make a compressed ZIP fle”). Or you into one single archive fle — just Command-click to resize your columns — hold your cursor over Making ZIP files (compressed Files) in a click can click on a fle, then go to the Action menu (or Shift-click contiguous fles) on all the fles you the fle’s truncated name for a few seconds and One of my favorite Mac OS X features is the (the button that looks like a gear up in the Finder want included, then choose Create Archive of X eventually its full name will pop up. Instead, hold ability to create ZIP compressed fles from window’s toolbar), and choose Items from the Action menu. A fle will be created the Option key, then put your cursor over the fle’s within the OS (basically, this shrinks the fle size, Create Archive from there. Either named “Archive.zip” (that’s it!). name, and its full name will appear instantly. 0 ideal for fles you’re going to e-mail — smaller way, it quickly creates a new fle, Speed Tip: When you’re looking for fles in either fle sizes mean faster fle transfers). To create with the fle extension “.zip.” This List view or Column view, some of your fles with

Cont. from Page 6) (Q&A continues from Page 3) platform. From the File menu, select New, and points and add your to iPhoto’s Preferences… select the Advanced then Blank Disk Image… Select a name (I formats. 7 own. From there you category and un-check the option to Copy files used “expand-me-to-500 MB”, avoid spaces Finally, you could can export the tracks to iPhoto Library folder, but of course you can if this going to be on a MS-DOS-formatted opt for a full-blown to iTunes (exporting audio editor that has it as in AAC, MP3, never rename or move and certainly not delete drive. Specify a location, a maximum size (for an option to create or Apple Lossless these files you dragged into iPhoto under these example a sparse volume that can grow to 500 markers based on format) or send them conditions, as iPhoto will not be able to find MB initially takes up 18.1 MB on disk but shows audio gaps. The to Toast for burning them if you do. Also never go mucking around 484.1MB available for files), select AES-120 audio editor I’d sug- to CD. CD Spin Doctor in the iPhoto Library folder’s contents or sub- from the Encryption pop-up and choose sparse gest is HairerSoft’s II isn’t the most accu- folders. If you want to make copies of some disk image from the Format pop-up and then $40 Amadeus rate tool I’ve used for images, it’s probably best to drag them to a new click Create. Then specify a password, twice, Pro. It’s a terrific detecting gaps after folder on the Desktop from the iPhoto window. don’t save the password in a keychain and multitrack editor that, the fact, however. You can also select Export… from the File menu click OK. It will create the .sparseimage file and like its predecessor, A more accurate to make copies of a selection of pictures. mount it on the desktop. Copy your private files Amadeus II, includes tool is Rogue | a Generate Markers Amoeba’s $32 How can I protect an external hard drive so to the mounted volume. When finished for now, command that can Fission. Unlike Audio no one can copy data off of it? eject the mounted volume. When you need it be used to search Hijack Pro and CD You can keep private data within a password- again, double-click on it, enter the password in for silences (you Spin Doctor II, Fission protected disk image stored on the hard the dialog box that pops up (again don’t have can configure the won’t record audio. drive. It requires no special software, it’s free it remember the password), it mounts on the gaps’ minimal length Instead, it’s the and the disk image can be stored on a FAT32 desktop and you can drag more stuff to the as well as maximal tool to use when MS-DOS-formatted drive, so it can work cross mounted volume or delete whatever you need level). Impose this you already have an from it. Empty the trash if you do delete stuff. command and the existing audio file You will find that the .sparseimage file does not program creates – much as you do with really compress if you delete most everything markers where it your six-hour reel- believes gaps lie. LIM to-reel recording. Give to ac by searching the Internet. back to the original file size. You can use the You can adjust Just open the file in LIMac has just been registered on GoodSearch, free FreeDMG 0.54b which has a Compact… the position of these Fission, choose Tools as seen in Oprah magazine, ABC News, The menu choice from it’s Images menu to shrink markers as well as -> Smart Split, and New York Times, Wall Street Journal, it back to a reasonable size. You can also use create your own. Fission will guess USA Today, and Fortune. FreeDMG to resize the maximum permitted Once you’re satis- where the gaps lie There is a search engine called Goodsearch. size for the sparse disk image. It can change the fied with the split (and its first guess com that donates 50% of its revenue to charities password, too. The only problem with this plan points choose Sound is usually pretty and schools designated by its users. LIMac is is the .sparseimage file itself can be deleted out -> Split According to good). If the guess now a member – and Goodsearch will donate to of frustration by someone after your encrypted Markers and the pro- isn’t so good, adjust us about one cent for every search our members data. You can try turning off the Ignore own- gram does as you ask, the Length (length of letting you choose gap) and Sensitivity make via GoodSearch. ership on this volume option in the Get Info… the audio format (volume determined A penny does not sound like a lot, but the window for the drive and thus any other user you’d like to save the to be silence) sliders site is all about numbers. How much money is should not be able to delete the file, as it should files in. 0 and new suggested raised will depend on how well we can spread be read only for guests. Of course they would split points will be the word to our members – the more LIMac not be able to erase any other file on the drive added or subtracted. members use Goodsearch for their Internet besides the .sparseimage file. 0 When you have the searches, the more money we will raise. 200 of split points you want us searching four times a day will raise about (you can add some of $2,433 in a year without anyone spending a your own if you like), dime! I click the Split button Think of all the money that could be raised and Fission creates $36 check to: split points. You can while you and your friends and family are Send your then export the files surfng the Web at www.goodsearch.com! Macintosh Users Group, LI in a variety of audio Come to the April meeting and fnd out P.O. Box 2048 more about GoodSearch. 0 Seaford, NY 11783-0180 Send your $36 check to: Long Island Macintosh Users Group, P.O. Box 2048, Seaford, NY 11783-0180

The LIMac On-Line Forum/MAY 2007 More of Mac User Groups News (User Group News continues from Page 6) 20 07. (www.premiummemory.com) You can freely all purchases placed through CJRTOOLS’ | Need more space for your business files, movies, download count- Kagi store (homepage.mac.com/cjrtools/ebooks/ pictures and music? A Western Digital (WD) less types of icons In Preview, selecting orderebooks.html) using the discount code hard drive is the easiest way to add extra storage. from sites such as Rotate from the The Iconfactory MUGD14A73C. This offer is valid through June WD features the My Book line of external hard Tools menu rotates and InterfaceLift. every page of a PDF 30, 20 07. drives, Passport portable hard drives, and WD | Or you can use an left or right: Cordgo is a one-hand operated cord adjust- internal SATA II and EIDE hard drive kits. Get a icon editor, such as This can be a pain if ment and storage accessory. Its durable, light- 20% discount on all products by logging on Uncommonplace’s 8 (say) you have a weight design fits in the palm of your hand. with an e-mail account and receiving a promo Icon Machine ($25) 7 portrait-format Clip it on your belt or armband, or just slip it in code that can be used for the purchase of or Mscape Software’s brochure which your pocket. Cordgo’s fast, easy storage saves anyWD hard drive. This offer is valid through Iconographer ($15), includes one land- you from ever having to deal with tangled June 30, 2007. (www.wdc.com/en/buy/partner- to create your own. scape-format map. cords again. Cordgo was designed to perform store.asp). The problem An undocumented as an integral component between cord and SeeFile 3.0 is a new Mac OSX application that is that assigning feature, though, is digital device. Regularly priced at $9.95, Apple lets creative pros share their work with clients, custom icons is that you can hold rather tedious. First, Option while selecting user group members can now buy two Cordgos using their own Mac as a Web server. SeeFile you have to click Tools Rotate, and this for $7.96; that’s 60% off regular price by using creates private folders for clients (each with a on the file with the will rotate the current the coupon code augvd2252. This offer is valid private username and password) and creates live icon you want and page only. through June 30, 2007. (www.cordgo.com). thumbnails of photos, PDFs, and videos. It is choose File: Get Info | Is your iPod lacking personality? Nano just ideal for wedding and commercial photogra- (Command-I) in the Shift-Tab Hides not impressing you by size alone? Swank it up phers, design firms, videographers and print Finder. Next, you all Adobe palettes with more than just new music: go ahead and providers. Specially priced at $395, user group click on the small except Toolbox: put some hip into it with a new strap, wrap, members receive 20% off the list price, for the icon in the Get Info Most designers know bone, doggy, star, iLink, skin, iRoll, iMagnet, 5-account entry version; upgrades and eCom- window and copy that tapping the Tab iMemory, miniMac or other accessory. merce options are available as well. Order by it (Command-C). key is the quick way | Then you click on the to temporarily hide HipIpodGear has something for every iPod phone or e-mail with the coupon code provided. destination file, open all open palettes in and then some. Better yet, HipIpodGear ships Order by phone: 617-262-2421; Order by e- its Get Info window, Adobe Photoshop, across the globe.(Want a better deal? With the mail: sam@seefile.com Coupon code: AGXE. and paste the icon InDesign or coupon code tire20 Apple User Group mem- This offer is valid through July 31, 2007. (www. (Command-V) Illustrator. Very handy bers can receive an additional 20% off. This seefile.com) into the right spot. when your design offer is valid through June 30, 2007. (www. | CrossOver Mac allows you to run many pop- That’s a lot of clicks, is obscured by too hipipod gear.com). ular Windows software applications on your especially if you’re many windows. Even | PremiumMemory.com is a leading online Intel Mac. Your applications, documents and changing multiple more handy: Press memory provider with a commitment to supe- email attachments are seamlessly integrated icons. Shift+Tab and you So here’s a time- rior memory products and world-class service into the Mac OS X. You work as you would in can keep your Toolbox saver (for those of and Options bar, and support. All Premium memory is backed Windows, but with the freedom and ease of the you running OS X but hide the other by a lifetime warranty and made from top Mac. You do it all easily and affordably, without 10.3.3 or later): don’t palettes! quality components. Premium maintains a needing a Windows license. CrossOver Mac use the Get Info complete inventory of compatible Mac offers user group members a special price of window when you’re memory upgrades and guarantees 100 percent $47.96, a 20% discount off the regular price of copying the custom compatibility. For all your Mac memory $59.95. Special Code: macuser. This offer is icon. Instead, just upgrades, visit Premium’s Web site and receive valid through July 31, 2007. (https://www.code- select the source a 25% discount on all Mac compatible RAM weavers.com/store/). item in the Finder and press Command-C to Mac OS X Hints: upgrades purchased at PremiumMemory.com | Ovolab Geophoto is a new Mac OS X applica- copy the icon. The insiders’ tips using the coupon code MUG-25OFF. Better tion for browsing and collecting digital pictures you won’t get from Now select the Apple: yet, you will receive free shipping on all orders by location. User group members can purchase destination. Press Assign custom icons over $75.This offer is valid through June 30, Geophoto at the special price of $14.95, a 25% off Command-I to open more quickly. the retail price of $19.95. Coupon code: 2007. the Get Info window, OS X lets you create How to better visually (www.ovolab.com/geophoto/). 0 click on the small custom icons for your enjoy the Forum: icon image, and files and folders, Your Editor prefers you to DAN DANGLO press Command-V to which is not only fun use Preview (with OS X) or paste. but also useful – you PostView (www.metaobject. – Rob Griffiths can, for instance, EXCELLENT!! com/Products.html#PostView) place a custom icon for reading the Forum.pdf on all of a project’s folders to make them – excellent programs that handle.pdf files with easy to identify at a more visual accuracy than Adobe Reader ! (Also glance. read their Help files to discover the many tools and techniques they have available.) You’ll be happily surprised! 0

The LIMac On-Line Forum/MAY 2007