Patrick Hansen.com

Patent drawings were unveiled recently indicating that Aapple may be heading up a 3D OS, a “Multidimensional Desktop.” The drawings were submitted to the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office in June of 2007, although just now surfacing.

The diagrams depict a 3D version of the current OS, including walls on right and left sides, and ceiling near the menu bar, and the floor where the dock could reside among other objects and filings like stacks.

Is this the “New” direction of common interfaces?

Although it can provide new options and benefits, the obvious is the loss of screen real estate. The metaphors are easy to grasp and I can see the potential for possibly storing your palettes when using an application like Photoshop, on the “walls.” In that case, it does free up some screen space as the items on the walls will be distorted and reduced in width. Nothing that collapsed palettes which currently exist can’t handle more effectively. I would like to see these other dimensions suppressed and brought forth only when needed, such as the “Hide Dock” feature.

It is interesting to see that Apple is stepping up as a pioneer in this realm of 3D, which has been abused and in a few cases, appropriately applied to an application which has a more traditional foundation. To see that this concept may be applied to an OS is further evidence that the exploration of the 3D realm should be increasing not only in the gaming & entertainment realms, but to see how it may improve other veins of software UI/UX design.

If you have an Apple product that you’re not sure is under warranty, you can simply check online at:

https://selfsolve.apple.com/GetWarranty.do

This goes for iPods, Notebooks, iMacs, towers, monitors, anything from Apple.

This will help you gauge if you should schedule an appt. at the Genius Bar or not for warranty issues. If your product is out of warranty, the Genius Bar may still be able to help restore it or fix it, but replacement is probably out of the question. The Genius Team is very helpful and they will do whatever they can within their power to ensure your needs are met.

To schedule an appointment at the Genius Bar (highly recommended over just going to the store and getting in stand by), simply to the Apple.com site, click on “Apple Retail Store” link near the bottom.

Then choose your store location from the drop down menus.

Then click “Reserve” under the Genius section.

Unless you have a membership with their one on one program, you will sign up as a Guest.

The next steps are fairly straight forward, enter your info, choose your type of help, type of device, choose your date and time range, then time slot. It only allows up to 4 days out, so if you do not see any appts. after that, then check back in later.

* This post is not endorsed or supported by Apple Computers Inc.
The Apple logo is a registered trademark of Apple Computers Inc.

The value of Numbers!

If you have iWork ’08, you can open a Microsoft Excel .xlsx file in Numbers. From there, you can even export it to the traditional .xls if you desire, among other formats. Microsoft Office 2004 for Mac will not open it. wtf?

If you use the quick image preview of OS X Leopard (by selecting the file and pressing space bar), you can even see a sneak preview of the .xlsx file without the need to open it.

Another note, Text Edit will open most .docx files, but I’m not sure how well it retains the formatting.

Need to install and manage a local server environment and easy way to manage it?

Try MAMP!

http://www.mamp.info/en

Super easy way to set up and manage Apache, PHP, and mySQL on your Mac!

A coworker of mine just introduced me to it. I had only had a couple of times in the past when I was required to have a local server set up on my system, and even then, I only set up Apache. I hadn’t set one up on my current machine, and it had been awhile since the last time I did. Needless to say, it never seemed easy to get an environment set up and manage everything, but then again, I rarely work with web files that require a local server.

This is a really clean an simple app. They have a Pro version too, which offers some more features and functionality.

Now that I think of it, I could have tested my themes for some of the blogs I re-themed locally, and could have cut down on the testing, big time! I know… why didn’t I get it set up before? Well, I was lazy I guess and didn’t want to take the time to figure out how to get everything installed and set up. It always sounded complicated.

Now with MAMP, things should go a lot smoother and much quicker!

As I have been working in Windows via Parallels lately, I was having a hard time trying o use my number keypad and then accidentally had my cursor toggled to overwrite, which has been frustrating to say the least.

The “Help” key toggles between insert and overwrite.

The “Clear” key toggles Num Lock on and off.

Other default keyboard settings can be adjusted in Parallels preferences under keyboard. The typical change are the alt/control keys for a Mac user.

If you are using a Microsoft keyboard on a Mac, hen you can get the Intellitype software to be able to adjust the settings to match the traditional Mac set up. They also have software for your mouse too.
Click here to get the software from Microsoft

The Axiotron™ Modbook™ has been out for awhile. I just became aware of its existence. It seems like a pretty awesome modification on Apple’s MacBook.

I’m not sure if I would take full advantage of the tablet features yet, and as some fellow coworkers mentioned, the heat generated form the MacBook, could make it difficult for on the go tablet usage. Scenarios such as standing and writing (digital clipboard) could be difficult with the heat issues. Maybe just get a pen and paper for that type of situation.

As for normal usage, the tablet feature seems like it can be beneficial, especially for designers or artists who love to use Wacom tablets. Not only can you use a stylus and tablet, but it is directly on the monitor, so you can see and be positioned exactly where you are drawing! Similar to Wacom’s Cintiq’s which go for around $2000 range.

The Modbooks currently run $2,279.00 and $2,479.00 depending on your model choice. The more expensive is a 2.4GHz Intel Core Duo, 2GB RAM, 160GB Hard Drive and Dual Layer Super Drive vs. the slightly slower 2.1GHz, 1GB RAM, 120GB Hard Drive and Standard Super Drive. Not a bad price for those upgrades.

These prices are about $1100 more than a standard MacBook, but taking into consideration the price of a Cintiq, the Modbook definitely comes out on top.

Here are the tablet related custom features:
- AnyView™ 13.3″ Wide Screen
- ForceGlass™ Screen & Camera Cover
- WACOM Penabled® Digitizer
- 512 Levels of Pressure Sensitivity
- Axiotron Digitizer Pen
- WAAS enabled GPS Built-In

I haven’t had the opportunity to play with one of these yet, but I would love to try it out. It may be the next thing on my wishlist, and could knock the MacBook Pro 15″ off.

Find out more here: http://eshop.macsales.com/shop/ModBook

Upgrading your MacBook Hard Drive.

I could go through the steps to remove the hard drive from a MacBook, which has been done numerous times online already, but here are the steps summarized – this is only a quick <5 minute procedure, the data migration is much longer:

Tools Required (avoid magnetic tools at all cost):

1) Coin or something similar – to unlock the battery

2) you will need a Phippips #0 precision (jewelery Phillips) screw driver

3) a Torx T8 to remove the hard drive from the bracket.

4) System Install or OS disc(s)- this is so you can use the disc utility to initialized, format and install the OS onto the new drive.

If you need to perform a data migration/drive upgrade, then I suggest getting a 2.5" (SATA internal interface) hard drive enclosure with USB 2.0. You can pick a decent one up for around $15 – $20 at most tech stores, online, or specialty shop. Don’t forget the USB cable, most come with them. (you do NOT need Frewire on an Intel Mac for a Data Migration)

1) Power down your machine

2) remove the battery

3) remove the 3 screws (Phillips) that hold the L Plate in the battery compartment. noe: They do not come out all the way, and they can strip easily.

4) Retrieve the small white plastic handle strip of the hard drive bracket. You may use your finger nail to get it, since it is tucked under the drive. Pull it out and there you go. It is removed.

5) Now, if you are switching the hard drive, you will need to remove the 4 T8 Torx screws that hold the hard drive on this bracket. Make note on how it was laid on this bracket. Add your new hard drive and reverse the steps by tightening the Torx screws to hold it back on the bracket.

6) Insert your new hard drive back in. Place the L Plate back on. You may have to try to tuck the padding near the RAM in to get a snug fit.

7) Start your computer up and insert your system or OS X disc. Hold "C" during start up to start form the disc.

Open Disc Utility and and choose the drive from the left column. You will want to format this to Mac Extended (Journaled)

I will get screenshots of this soon, sorry I do not have them for the formatting section.

9) Now you can rn the regular install of the OS X. Follow the prompts of the OS X install, this will take approximately 40 to 60 minutes. Then right after that is installed and you have set up/registered your system, ALWAYS run a software update. If you are doing a data migration, it is a good idea to use a different account and short account name. Go to the small Apple icon in the top left menu bar and choose "software update." This will usually be around 100 to 200MB depending on your version and what is currently out This will take another 20 to 40 minutes depending on your connection and downloads.

You’re DONE!

If you need to migrate your data (account) from the old hard drive, then read on.

Migration

1) Assuming you have installed your old drive into an enclosure with USB 2.0, you cna begin this process. Open up Migration Assistant in Applications/Utilities. It will open with a firewire image explaining to you to connect your computer with a firewire cable. The thing is, you do NOT need a firewire connection on a MAc Intel machine to perform a data migration. Click Continue.

2) Next screen will exmplain how to put your old computer into firewire mode. Bypass this and Click Continue.

3) as long as your external drive containing your old drive is connected, it will proceed and display what drives are available to migrate from. Select the drive in the left column and Click Continue.

4) wait for the transfer to complete. This could take around an hour or so, again depending on the amount of info being transferred.

5) when it is complete, it should notify you. You will be able to disconnect your old drive and log out. You should see your old account as another user account. Everything should be there, including preferences pending your paps are compatible with the current OS.

I recently have been opening up a dead MacBook, although I know it was fully charged when I closed the display. Then I realized that the small white “snoozing” light was not fading in and out like normal. It was constantly on when the display was closed and you could even hear the hard drive doing a little activity.

Possible issues:
1) External peripherals connected still.
FIX - You should disconnect form other devices/hardware such as printers, hard drives, iPods, etc.

2) You or another computer is connected (mounted) to one another.
FIX – you should disconnect from any other computers on the network before closing. This will also help prevent the momentary freeze up that your computer goes through once it recognizes that the other machine has been disconnected from the network or vice versa.

3) Then there is just a buggy issue that your MacBook will not fully sleep unless you choose “sleep mode.” This appears to a random buggy issue on OS X with MacBooks. I’m dealing with Tiger 10.4.11 still, but I have seen people on Leopard still experiencing the same issue. I did a little research and found a decent solution so far. It is a little odd, but it’s just one of those bugs.
FIX - Go to your: hd/library/preferences/systemconfiguration and remove the powermanagement.plist file. You can just set it aside on your desktop for now. It may just duplicate it instead of move it. If that is the case, move and make a copy somewhere safe, and then “delete” the actual file in the sytemconfiguration directory. Then you should reboot. This will make your MacBook’s energy saver settings revert to the default settings however. I adjusted my energy saver settings (in System Preferences), it is still working on my machine.

If everythign is working now, you can get rid of the old plist file.

I’m running a 2.0 GHZ Intel MacBook w/ 1GB (2 x 512Mb RAM) with OS X 10.4.11 Tiger.

If you have Leopard and your are in the finder window looking for a pdf file, you can go to column view, and not only preview the thumbnail of the pdf, but you can paginate through the document without even opening it! It’s a pretty nice feature for quickly viewing a pdf and its content.

Just another that Apple has thrown in with Leopard that make ti one of the best Operating Systems out there.

Okay, had to do the stupid Blog title. Isn’t that what you’re supposed to do?

Well, down to the point. I just recently got a 500GB Timecapsule. I didn’t really need a new router, but I was in need of a backup system. I was looking for a minimum 500GB external. At first, I was thinking about simply getting a USB/Firewire external drive, something like the Western Digital Essential, which has USB 2.0, Firewire 400/800 and SATA. It seemed like ti would do the job.

Then I saw their World edition ethernet drive with a USB port for plugging in a printer or other USB device to extend on. The only thing was, the reviews I saw were not very positive in regard to using it with a Mac.Not only formatting it, but recognizing it on the network. Especially since you were limited to ethernet connection. The price is very reasonable, but it wasn’t looking like a good solution, especially if you intend to use Timecapsule. Many reviewers noted that they couldn’t even recognize the drive, let alone Timemachine being able to find it.

Then I looked at Timecapsule a little more. I didn’t need the router really, but upgrading to a 802.11n network couldn’t hurt. Plus it has the 1 uplink, and 3 ports for connecting up to 3 system wired. It has a 500GB server grade hard drive which was even more tempting. Then best of all, it was designed to work with Timemachine. That and it being made by Apple, I knew it should all work well together and it has been!

The initial set up of the Timecapsule was relatively easy using the Airport Utility app. It recgonized it right away. I did disrupt the set up and it couldn’t recognize the Timecapsule for a minute. I had to hold the reset button, and then I was back on track. It took a few minutes and it was ready. I plugged my printer into it, added it in the printer list from the bonjour network now, and it printed fine. Timecapsule is awesome so far!

The initial backup via Timemachine took a bit. I was plugged in via ethernet, but I forgot that I also had the Airport on, so I’m not 100% sure which route the transfer took. It did take over 4 hours to get the initial timemachine backup of over 67GB. Not too bad, but not the fastest. The way time machine works though, the initial is the longest. From now on, it will only back up the changes made. Plus I can do this wirelessly to the drive since it is part of the router.

I still have quite a bit of room, so I backed up my old G5 and music library to it as well manually, not via timemachine. I plan on getting rid of the G5, so this was more or less a transfer to get my stuff off. It took about 3 hours to get 93.25GB of music transfered to it. Again, not the fastest, but not bad for that amount of data.

Now, once I get my MacBook back from repair, I will hopefully use Timecapsule as my centralized music storage for iTunes. Note: you can hold option upon start up of iTunes, and choose which library you would like to load. So, I plan to have a local library on the MacBook and the large library on my Timecapsule. I will load accordingly based on location. You can do this with iPhoto as well.
(there are 3rd party plugins/scripts that allow library switching, but Apple finally made it built in.)

I’ll keep you updated on that.