LAUG 2.0 News

Big Book of Apple Hacks
by Chris Seibold

If you are an experienced Mac user, you probably start wondering about the way things are. Why did Apple do something this way? Why can’t iTunes play AVI files? What does this ‘Automator’ thing do? In the past, there have not been any decent books for experienced Mac tinkerers; a large gap existed between “Macs for Dummies” one one end and professional programming guides on the other. Luckily, “The Big Book of Apple Hacks” by author Chris Seibold has stepped in to fill this gap very nicely.

Overall, this is an interesting book, with a wide variety of hacks, ranging from relatively simple and harmless (customizing icons) to intermediate (changing the default Safari error page) to downright complex hardware hacks that may require some handiness with a soldering iron (as well as steady nerves). Some of the hacks aren’t really hacks at all, but rather short tutorials on interesting topics, such as how to use BitTorrent or how to simulate a static IP address with a dynamic IP service.

The book is laid out by general topic, rather then difficulty, with topics for Safari, the iPhone, AppleTV, iPods, and so forth. Each topic has a half dozen or more hacks, and the book overall has dozens of hacks. It is a very detailed and long book, and is an excellent value given the enormous breadth of data contained therein.

I made direct use of the book by following the hack to install a web browser on my Apple TV. Unfortunately, the book stumbled a bit here. This involved essentially making a special bootable USB flash drive and booting the AppleTV from this device, called a patchstick. The instructions in the book were a lot longer and more confusing then they had to be, and the first attempt, following the book’s instructions to the latter failed. I then followed the instructions contained in the actual patchstick download itself (not provided by the book) and it worked fine; however, it left my AppleTV with a working web browser — and an extraneous menu item for something called Jamen — an unpleasant surprise not mentioned in the book.

I do not want to ‘ding’ this book too much for my poor experience with their AppleTV hack, as by its nature this kind of thing will not work perfectly every time. You have to be willing to experiment to really enjoy the book, and the other hacks I tried worked flawlessly. Even for the hacks I didn’t need or want to try were enjoyable to read about; if nothing else the book will give you ideas and inspiration for your own computer use.

Note that this book is not for beginning or even intermediate Mac users. While some of the hacks are not difficult, they all have the potential to screw up your system, and while an intermediate user is probably OK, especially with a few of the topic-based tutorials, this book is really meant for an experienced user who is not afraid to get his or her hands dirty…and who always has an up-to-date backup of their system available for the inevitable screw-ups! It is also worth noting that the world of computers changes quickly, and portions of the book have already become out of date with new MacOS and hardware releases. So, check the book’s web site and as always, backup before playing!

Summary: A good overall guide filled with interesting ways to expand and enhance your Apple equipment for experienced users.

Plusses: Good mixture of easy and difficult ‘hacks’, very engaging writing style, lots of very useful ideas

Minuses: Some hacks were incompletely documented, quickly out of date.

Rating 3.5 out of 5 Dogcows

Unfortunately, I’m a member of the eat-at-your-desk club. I know the kitchen is just a few steps away, but until I get an iPhone, the idea of not being able to surf the net or Facebook is just too much to bare. Of course, some of you might actually be doing work during your lunch hour, so your excuse is better than mine. At least eating at my desk makes sure the dog always keeps me company: just hoping for the occasional crumb.

Even if you don’t eat at your desk, the keyboard is a wonderful petri dish of anything and everything that your fingers touch. Yuck. If you want to get really grossed out, think about those shared keyboards on corporate computers, or the IT person that goes from keyboard to keyboard spreading whatever they have along with half the company. Freaked out yet? You really should be. Do Google comparisons of your keyboard and a toilet seat.

Not to fear, AM One Clean Duopack Cleaner is here. While I’ve heard of using Lysol or other cleaners, these aren’t made for computers and could potentially do damage. AM Cleaner was especially designed to disinfect computer keyboards. Not only does the solution disinfect, but the cleaner sponge is specifically designed to get into the nooks and crannies of the keyboards because there is stuff hiding in there. The keyboard cleaner did a great job removing the grime and junk after my extended lack of cleaning.

The kit also includes a screen cleaner which does a great job, though it works horribly on the glossy Macbook (and newer iMac) screens. I have yet to find a good cleaner for those screens! That is the major flaw of the product and makes it unacceptable for users of glossy screens. If you own one of these Macs, buy the keyboard cleaner and wait for a product designed for glossy screens.

What makes these products designed for the Mac? Style of course! Instead of looking like a spray bottle and sponge, the kits match the colors and texture of the current Mac model line: brushed metal for the Pro and newer iMac line and glossy plastic for the Macbook and white iMacs. The sponge and cleaner are integrated into a stylish holder that looks like it was provided by Apple itself. People won’t accuse you of being a germaphobe with this handy device on your desk.

Next time you eat at your desk or IT says “move” and uses their magic fingers on the keyboard, pull out your AM cleaner and do your part to protect your health.

PROS: Cleans icky keyboards with style
Cons: Makes glossy screens look icky

Three out of Five Dogcows

This article used with permission by the Lawrence Apple Users’ Group. The original article written by David Greenbaum aka DoctorDave™ or incorrectly Dr. Dave can be found here. RSS Feed for Dave’s writings

A podcast from the July 2008 meeting of the Lawrence Apple Users Group. This month’s meeting presented tips and tricks on keeping children safe on the Internet.

The meeting opened up with introductions, recent Apple news, and opening questions. This was followed by a presentation from Headquarters Counseling Center and Dave Greenbaum on how to protect and monitor children on the Internet.

The meeting concluded with our monthly door prize, which included a copy of Pzizz from Pzizz Technology as well as Getting StartED with Mac OS X Leopard courtesy of friends of ED.

Check us out on the web and subscribe to the podcast at http://www.laugks.org/news/.

 

 Enhanced Podcast [58:55m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download (149)