Hi Gang,
I just found this great article on Security Apps for your mac. Worth reading and installing.
I have iAntivirus on my Mac and run the scan from time to time to ensure my Mac is safe and bug free.
The other two are great suggestions and I plan to look at them more closely in the near future.
Here’s the link to the original article.
http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/Makeuseof/~3/1-4SRZc5HuI/
Aloha,
Arlen
Have you ever forgotten a file at home that you wanted right when you got to work? That’s when we all think, “I wish there was an easy way to have access to all my important files…”
I used to setup complicated network and file sharing solutions. But those days are over.
Enter Dropbox.
Dropbox is a simple solution to synchronize your files between multiple computers, backup your files so you never lose them, and have access to your files wherever you go.
Dropbox is really simple to use. Download the application (Windows or Mac) and install it on your computer. As part of the installation you will setup a free account with 2GB of storage.
Dropbox makes a folder on your computer called “dropbox” and whatever you put into that folder is synced between all the computers you install your dropbox to, backed up online, and you can now access the files in that “dropbox” folder from any computer just by going to their website and logging in. There’s even an iPhone/iPad app.
This was such a simple yet powerful solution that I purchased the annual subscription for a full 50GB of space and I keep ALL of my files in my dropbox. But you don’t have to purchase it. Just download it, and get a free 2GB of storage. Here’s my link…
Click here to sign up (and I will get an extra 250MB of space).
Additional features:
Aloha,
Arlen
PS- Special thanks to my FB friends who are the inaugural receivers of my blog via email. Thanks Guys! If you find this stuff helpful, please spread the work. Others can subscribe at http://www.www.arlennagata.dev.
Hi Friends,
Here’s my notes of what makes Gmail different and better than other web based email or the email addresses that come with your internet service.
Gmail is always growing and changing. But I love using it.
Personally, I am using a Macbook Pro with an SSD Hard Drive so space is a premium and I’m glad I can keep my 4 GB of email and attachments online and not cluttering up my computer.
Got a gmail tip of your own, post is and share it with the rest of us.
🙂
arlen
Many of us have a Windows XP computer that we just love. But perhaps it’s gotten a bit sluggish lately or maybe your programs freeze or stop working. It could be time for maintenance.
The easy solution to computer maintenance… hire me and I’ll do it for you.
For all you DIY people, here are some tips I emailed a friend who didn’t want to bother me with actually dealing with the problems.
Make a backup of your photos and important things on an external hard drive. I think you might have done that already or we talked about it before. *Very Important, do this first and don’t do anything else unless you do this. 🙂
Run some 6mo-1yr maintenance on your computer.
Uninstall programs you don’t use anymore. (Some programs came with our computer and we haven’t ever used them. They’re just taking up space. Uninstall! Other programs we probably won’t ever use again… uninstall them, especially if you have CD’s so if you ever do need them you can put the program back. -Archive files you don’t use onto the external hard drive and delete it from your computer hard drive (you’ll still have a copy if you do need it) -Install and run a program like http://www.superantispyware.com to clean out any spyware/Ads/etc. -Install and run a program like Glary Utilities to “tune up” your computer. http://www.glaryutilities.com/gu.html -Defragment your hard drive. this normally helps to speed up your computer once you start to fill up the hard drive.
Manage your startup programs -Download and run a program like “starter” http://codestuff.tripod.com/products_starter.html -Explanation- many of the programs we install on our computers assume we will be using the programs often so they install little helper programs which start when you turn on your computer. The problem is, we rarely use those programs and when 20 programs all install a “little helper program” you can imagine that it will begin to slow your computer down. Our solution is to use this program to go through all the little helper programs which start with your computer and disable the ones you don’t really need. * Note, if you find a piece of software or hardware like a printer or scanner stops working after you do this, re-enable the little helper program that you think goes with the software or hardware (but this almost never happens).
Hope this helps, Aloha!
arlen
If you have a website, you should be using Free Google Apps.
A lot of people these days have a gmail account for thier email. It features…
So why not have all of that and personalize it?
Sign up for Google Apps and use it with your website.
🙂 arlen
Here’s a great website that helps you, “makeuseof” your computer better.
If offers great tips, tricks, hints and reviews.
I just started getting the RSS feed and I’m hooked. Even downloaded some of their PDF files to my Kindle. Check it out. You’ll enjoy it.
🙂
Cool Websites, Software and Internet Tips
This is just a thought I had…
Recently, I purchased Final Cut Express, Apple’s prosumer video editing program. I’ll be using it in about a month to edit some video on a project I have coming up. What I forgot to consider is that Apple tends to upgrade their software on a regular schedule. And in the next month or two, Apple could put out a newer shinier, better version of the product I just paid for. Had I been patient and waited, I might have gotten the newer program. Oh well. Maybe my loss will be your gain…
MacUpdate regularly bundles software together and offers it at huge discounts.
Their bundle right now is $50. and includes 11 programs. For the price, they are offering some great products if you need them and don’t already have comparable programs.
My recommendation is if you’d consider purchasing 2 of the programs below the bundle is worth it. Or if you are considering running windows, Parallels alone retails for $80 and this bundle would be worth it.
Click here to see the website.
http://bit.ly/d3Zjr7
1. Parallels v5
If you want to run windows XP, Vista, or 7 alongside your mac programs this is a great program to use. Note: you must have a windows installation CD to use windows. A comparable program you might have is VMware Fusion.
2. MacScan
MacScan is an excellent anti-virus program for the Mac. Historically Macs have not had many viruses so anti-virus software has been unnecessary. However with the popularity of Macs, iPhones, and the coming iPads, we may see a rise in viruses for Macs.
3. Hyperspaces
If you use “Spaces” to organize your work, hyperspaces adds some nice enhancements. This is a fun program that makes using spaces more useful.
4. Websnapper
If you have ever wanted to save a web page as an image or PDF, this is the program that will do it for you. Note: this is a plug-in for Safari. If you’re using another web browser like Firefox, this won’t be useful for you.
5. Hydra
Is a simple and powerful program to create High Dynamic Range images. High Dynamic Range or HDR is a technique where people using DSLR cameras can take 3-5 pictures at various exposure settings and combine them into one. The result is an image with great vibrant colors. If you have a DSLR camera or your consumer camera has a feature like “Auto Exposure Bracketing AEB) you’ll have fun playing with your pictures and this program.
6. SpellCatcher X
Is Mac OS X’s spell checker, dictionary, thesaurus, etc. on steroids. Great tool for writers and people who write or blog a lot.
7. Timeline 3D
This is another fun program. If you make timelines, chronology, are a history buff this would be a really fun program to play with.
8. Back in Time
Most of us use Time Machine to backup our data. It’s a great backup tool. But it has some limitations when you want to restore data or restore a previous version of a file. “Back in Time” overcomes many of these limitations.
9. ForeverSave
Never lose any work you’ve done because of a program crash or mistakenly deleted file. Enough Said.
10. MacDVDRipper
Backup your DVD Collection to your hard drive.
11. (First 10,000 people get) DVD Remaster Pro
Use this program to make copies of your DVD’s. Movie DVD’s we buy are special size DVDs so they won’t copy nicely to Blank DVDs we buy. A program like DVDRemaster Pro bridges the gap to compress the DVD so it will fit. This is why there is no DVD copying software included with Macs.
Bottom line: If you would use Parallels or any 2+ of these programs, this bundle is worth considering.
🙂
arlen
Yes, my favorite iPhone Bible App has changed.
For a long time, I’ve been using Mantis Bible. It’s a really good Bible. I loved the notes and highlights you could add so easily.
But recently, I went back to an old favorite. When I say old, I used this app on my Palm Pilot Professional… wikipedia that…
My new favorite Bible App is Olive Tree Bible Reader.
Bible Reader is the first handheld App that makes me feel like I wouldn’t prefer a regular Bible.
Now, when I want to read the Bible, I want to pick up my iPhone and start the app.
Now, I’m craving an iPad which would be even better…
Anyway, check out my new favorite Bible App.
🙂
arlen
As many people switch from PC’s to Mac Computers a variety of questions and situations occur.
Apple has some good information and tips on making your “conversion” simpler and easier.
You can find their “Switch 101” webpage here. http://www.apple.com/support/switch101/
Have Fun playing with your new Mac. And relax, experiment… that’s how we all learn about our new technologies.
If worse comes to worse, put in those install DVD’s and make a fresh start.
Perhaps we should talk about backing up data next.
🙂 arlen
Arlen Nagata 