Mac Help

Instructables Update

2009-10-26T12:43:00.000-07:00

Hello again,
I have just published my first instructable as I may now frequently do.
So here it is:

Make a Time Lapse with Photo Booth

Slideshow from disk

2009-10-05T12:30:00.000-07:00

This instructional youtube video, made by me, shows you how to open photo's, and view a slideshow of them, without adding them to your hard drive. Yes indeed, straight from a disk!

Instructional Video!

ITunes account without Credit Card Info

2009-10-01T15:40:00.000-07:00

Many of us have encountered the problem of having bought a CD, exporting it into ITunes, and finding that it has no album art. This can get very frustrating, especially when you need to put your credit card details in to get an ITunes account. Or do you? There is now a working way to get an ITunes account without a credit card!

1. Open the ITunes Store and attempt to download a free app.

2. In the following dialog box click 'Create new Account' or something along these lines.

3. Input your info and click continue.

4. When asked to input credit card information select 'None'

5. Follow the displayed steps to get a free ITunes account without entering credit card details!

Enjoy...

Moving Widgets from the Dashboard

2009-08-05T17:54:00.000-07:00

Instructional Video!

This is a great think to be able to do. It means that you can drag any widget onto your desktop and use it with ease. So lets get down to buisness! First open 'Terminal' which can be found in 'Applications', then 'Utilities'. Into terminal copy and paste the following code:

defaults write com.apple.dashboard devmode YES

and press enter. Then quit terminal and log out (this restarts your dashboard). Log back in again and go onto your dashboard. To put a widget on the desktop click and hold the top of the widget and while doing so click the dashboard key (F4 on a MacBook Pro). Voila!

P.S. to remove the widget just click and hold the top of it and while doing so click the dashboard key.
Hope you have fun!

New Question Box...

2009-07-21T08:53:00.000-07:00

If you have a question for the might master try posting it in the question box on the right!

Unfortunately the mighty master is having some problems with the html code for a question box. For now just click 'View my complete profile' then click 'Email'

I Have Got a New...

2009-07-18T12:57:00.000-07:00

MacBook Pro!

Burning Disks

2009-07-17T05:31:00.000-07:00

What with Memory Cards, External HardDrives & MP3 Players disks have gone out of fashion. But do you know that with nothing apart from your mac you can burn data disks, DVD's and Music CD's. I will now show you how:

1. Make a burn folder
Click: File, New Burn Folder

2. Copy data/music/video into the burn folder
Highlight the data. Click: Edit, Copy
Open Burn Folder and click: Edit, Paste.

3. Click 'Burn' and follow the onscreen instructions!

And there you have it: An easy way to burn disks on your mac!

Protect My Stuff

2009-07-13T11:20:00.001-07:00

Instructional Video!

Snoops, 'Comedic' Friends, and April Fool Jokers have always been a bit of a problem. To day I will answer the question 'Is there any way to protect my files?' and that answer is yes.

1. Attach a folder action
One way to protect your files is to attach folder actions to them. I have written quite a few scripts that you can use to ward off intruders. But before using them you have to know what to do with them. To make a folder action you have to copy your selected script from below, open 'Applescript Editor' or 'Script Editor' and then paste it. Then save it under Library/Scripts/Folder Action Scripts as what ever you like. Then right (ctr) click the selected folder and click 'Attach a Folder action'. When the display comes up click the one that you just saved and viola. When you try to open your folder the script will run. To open the folder yourself just right click it and select 'Disable Folder Actions' before opening. Remeber to enable them again when you have finished! So now for the scripts:

1a. Intruder Alert - five second countdown before folder closes

on opening folder this_folder
>(say "Intruder Alert, auto close in 5")
>delay 0.5
>(say "4")
>delay 0.5
>(say "3")
>delay 0.5
>(say "2")
>delay 0.5
>(say "1")
>delay 0.5
>(say "0")
>tell application "Finder" to close every window
end opening folder

1b. Auto Close Immediately

on opening folder this_folder
>tell application "Finder" to close every window
end opening folder

N.B. were > is written replace with tab

Swidget 1.0 3

2009-07-13T07:29:00.001-07:00

Swidget 1.0great free widgetsWidgetbox

so sign up now

Other Websites/Blogs

2009-07-10T04:37:00.000-07:00

Check out my other cool webstuff!!

Photoshop Diarys
According To Ari
Green Fingered Blog

Connecting to Projector

2009-07-10T02:53:00.000-07:00

One downside of macs is their incompatibility with projectors. There is a way to connect them though:

Step 1. Buy a Mini DVI to VGA Adapter

Step 2. Connect it to the cable that came with your projector!
Simple!

Applications Wont Open

2009-07-09T09:44:00.000-07:00

There are many reasons that applications wont open and I am here to tell you what they are and how they can be fixed.

1. english.lproj cannot be found
After yesterdays 'Space Saving' blog many people may be experiencing this. If you have accidentally deleted English.lproj then your app wont open. Ask a friend to send you it.

2. Not Enough CPU
If you have not got enough space your apps may not run properly. Take a look at Disk Space Almost Full if you need to know any tips about it.

3. Application is Corrupt
The app is crap. Simple as that!

Save/Make Money

2009-07-08T11:20:00.000-07:00

I have recently been asked how one can save money by using their computer and the answer is very simple:

1. Swagbucks
Swagbucks is a useful search engine that when you use it gives you virtual currency called Swag Bucks. These can then be exchanged for vouchers and products at their store! The even better news is that SwagBucks is funded by sponsorship so there is no catch: Your name is the only detail that you will use! Click the link below to go strait to the sign up page, and remember; for free swagbucks type in the code below as you register!

SwagBucks Code = no longer available due to SB rules...

2. Shopping Online
Shopping online can mean that products are much cheaper. Not only do you get special offers but the products are delivered strait to your door so it cuts out fuel costs too!

3. Discounts
Many online stores (Apple included) have special discounts if you are a student/teacher or OAP. This can mean that you can cut costs much more easily. Just what is needed at the heart of the credit crunch!

4. Solicit Tips
Add a button from microfinance site Tipjoy to your facebook page, blog or Web site to let your fans tip you for entertaining/helping them. Or encourage your Twitter followers to text-message you some coin: Tipjoy tracks payment "tweets" (usually a doller or so) and transfers the money via PayPal.

5. Answer Questions
Become an agent for the KGB - the Knowledge Generation Bureau - at the KGB website. Inquiring minds text questions to 542542 (kgbkgb), which are relayed to agents online. You do some digging, send back a quick, acurate response, and pocket a cool dime every time.

6. Adopt a Blog
Instead of trying to gain a following for a brand-new blog, go to Orble to take over one, like Extreme Critic or VegieOrgasm, that's been abandoned by it's writer. That way you can start with a good google ranking and maybe even a dedicated readership. Orble takes a cut of your AdSense haul for the trouble.

7. Master a Domain
Put your dot-com cleverness to use at PickyDomains, where clients who are launching a Web site for a new buisness pay $50 to garner suggestions for a domain name. If they register your idea, you get half the fee.

8. Be a Critic
Rate and review songs on U.K. Site Slice and your opinions will earn you up to 20 cents from the site's managers for each write up. Alternatively you could write software reviews on SoftwareJudge which shells out at least a buck apiece.

9. Coke Zone
Although I have a natural hatred for cokes disgusting commercialised crap, Coke Zone can help you save money. For those among us who buy coke anyway this is a great place to go. You can save on hundreds of products, from music to boots vouchers, and, shockingly, some of its items are eco friendly!!! Brilliant!

Enjoy these tips and make/save a bit of cash online!

Disappearing Dock

2009-07-08T11:13:00.000-07:00

Another problem recently put to me was how the dock has disappeared! This is called 'Hiding' the dock and can easily be done by accident. The way to sort this problem: Click the apple symbol (Top Left) and select "System Preferences..." and click "Dock". There is a tick box reading "Automatically hide and show the Dock". Tick this. The dock will reappear!

Disk Space Almost Full...

2009-07-08T10:42:00.000-07:00

We have all been in the situation when, after hours of working on a complicated movie, there is not enough space to save it. This can be really infuriating so here are some things we could do to improve the situation:

1. Empty The Trash
I know it sounds stupid but the number of times people have asked for advice without emptying the trash is HUGE. Putting files in the trash does not reduce the space they take up on your computer. To empty the trash click and hold on the trash icon (bottom right in the dock) and select "Empty Trash"

2. Buy an External Hard Drive
For most people out there emptying the trash is only a temporary measure and something else will be needed to free up more space. When buying an external hard drive make sure that it is Mac compatible!

3. Delete Other Languages
This is a little bit more technical than the previous two. Allow me to explain: Applications are saved in English but also in every other language. Most people only want their Apps in one language anyway and deleting the others can free large amounts of space. To do this open Finder (Bottom left in the dock) and click "Applications". Right click ('control' + click) the selected application and click "Show package contents". In the package contents open "Contents" and "Resources". Look down this column and find any folders that end in .lproj and delete them, APART from the English one. This should free loads of space without effecting any of your Apps!

Welcome...

2009-07-08T10:40:00.000-07:00

Hello fellow bloggers and welcome to the Mac Help Blog. This blog will contain answers to loads of Mac related problems. So, get looking through the blogs and sort out all your ICT needs!