Well, it has been a while since we have been regularly updating the site. There has been a lot going on in the world outside of computer and design, but we am pleased to announce that we will be returning to posting every chance we get. So be checking back frequently in the upcoming days. We have a goal of saturating this site with information that you may or may not find helpful. Either way, we will make sure to get new content up on a daily basis!Thanks!Couch Pocket
I get a little OCD when it comes to all my information saved on my hard drives. I have a bootable backup for my iMac and my MacBook Pro. I also have Time Machine setup on both systems. Along with that, I have the entire contents of my iMac saved online through a backup service. So many different options on how to effectively back up your information. So many scenarios to think of too. I wanted to outline a couple suggestions for anyone who might be looking for the perfect solution for them. Continue reading »
I am constantly looking for ways to stay productive. A recent Google search for “Project Management Mac” helped me land on Omni Groups “Omni Focus” program.
Generally I stay away from the Omni Group stuff because, although it is really well built, it is often highly priced, and I must say that this particular program is no exception. However, after looking at all the alternative programs that are out there in the long list of task manager, project manager apps, this one is very comparable to other apps that charge a license fee.
I could go into detail of how well the program works and how it just makes sense, but I think their basic instructional video will give you a great idea of the functionality of the program.
There are many features of Omni Focus that I like… I will highlight just a few.
1) The use of “Context” function - There are tons of different tasks that I have and tons of different places where those tasks need to be completed at. Omni Focus offers a function that is called “Contexts”. The idea of this feature is to give you the ability to associate any of your tasks, no matter what category they are under, the labeling system of where those tasks need to be completed. For example… if I need to schedule a meeting for work through email, but also write my mother a response to her latest family update, when I create individual tasks in Omni Focus, I will title the context “Mac:Email”. This way, when I look at my “Context” view of my tasks, those two items will show up in the same list even though one is in my work folder and the other is in my personal folder.
Another great ability is creating tasks within tasks. It is as simple as it sounds. I’ll take an example of what I recently used this function for. I had an overreaching goal of creating a list of announcements for a meeting I was recently leading. This was just another task in a list of about 20 items that I was responsible for. Within this “announcement” task, I wanted to list each individual announcement so when I was creating graphics associated with each announcement, I could keep a list which slides I needed to create. Since my list was already 20+ items long, adding an additional 6 items would just clutter up my list… so I created a task list within a task item and was able to create a drop down list within my initial one. I loved it! It was so easy to do and provided exactly what I wanted.
So don’t take my word for it. Go to the Omni Group website and download the trial of Omni Focus. It is free for 14 days. Check it out… let me know what you think.
Lastly, if you have any specific questions about the program, let me know. I really am not a great review writer… I just want folks to know what I think of programs… let me know if there is anything else I can help with!
I have a Xbox 360 which was connected to my Linksys wireless G network using the Xbox 360 wireless network adapter. It worked flawlessly and was exactly what I needed for Xbox Live and for streaming content from my iMac using Connect360. Well, my brother returned home from Alaska, took the network adapter which I had been borrowing and left me deciding how to get my internet signal to my 360.
Now introducing the Airport Express Wireless N Router. The AE has recently been update from the former wireless G protocol to the more current wireless N protocol. The Airport Express provides multiple functions in one small plugin unit. One downside is that using an Airport Express unit with any other brand of network accessories is extremely difficult and I found it quite frustrating. Trying to get my Express to work with my Linksys router and third party firmware led to me accidentally “bricking” my router.
After my initial bricking of my Linksys router, I purchased a second Express to accommodate my first Express which I had used to create my wireless network. The second unit I would turn into a bridge and rather than the ethernet connection serving as an input, I reverse it and use it as an output, so I can connect my 360 via ethernet.
Setting up my network was a breeze using the Airport Utility that comes with your mac, or available via software disc that comes with the unit. For networking you have options of creating a new wireless network, joining an existing network, extending an existing network, or participating in a WDS network. Outside of the networking options, you have the ability to use the unit to setup a network printer as well as stream audio content to any set of powered speakers in your home.
I have been able to use the WDS mode to setup a wireless network as well as connect my 360 and it was so easy. I went through each step and was able to identify very easily what my particular settings needed to be and was up and running within about 5 minutes.
Something else that has been great has been the ability to take the unit with me and use it in facilities which only offer hard wire access. Since I don’t always use Xbox Live, I don’t have to have my AE hooked up, so I take my second unit and keep it in my work bag. All I have to do is plug in my unit to the wall and then hookup the ethernet cable and I am good to go.
One thing I did notice was lagging transfer rates in my downloads. My connection through cox allows for up to 19Mbps. When I would test my rate while using the wireless connection, I was receiving around 2Mbps. I did a little searching and found that the latest 7.3.1 firware that Apple released was rendering far less network transfer rates than I was used to. I downgraded to the 7.3 firmware and I was right back to what I had expected, 9-15Mbps transfer rate.
You can buy routers that offer more features and more options, but for functionality, versatility, and ease the Apple Airport Express N does a great job at $99. I would definitely recommend it!
For those who have missed this opportunity in the past, MacHeist is offering the best apps from the past two bundles for $49. This is a great opportunity to get some great apps for a FRACTION of the original cost.
Click HERE to go to their site and make your purchase!
I found this program online. I downloaded it, haven’t used it yet, but plan to. I thought I would pass it along because I know it will be useful for me. I assume it will be for you too!
I’m always looking for a good deal. The beauty of the internet is that you can find the best deal possible on any particular item and given the right geographical placement, avoid sales tax altogether.
One of the greatest sites I have found that offers such a great buyers advantage is slickdeals.net. Slick deals is Price Grabber one level deeper. I have found hard drive as low as $60 for a 320 GB SATA connection. Great deal. So just wanted to share with you some of the greatness I have found!
I have several different external hard drives. Most of them are internals that I bought external enclosures to save some money. Well, I have found the mac daddy of external enclosures… well, actually the MacAlly.
Other World Computing offers MacAlly external enclosures for a good rate and in a variety of connectors and protocols. You can find a firewire enclosure for your IDE Drive, or a eSATA drive for your, SATA.
I am currently transferring 125GB of video footage from my primary video editing drive to my SATA archive drive and I have not heard it one bit. The aluminum casing gets a bit warm, but the drive stays cool on the inside. The internal casing offers soft rubber guides that you screw into the hard drive itself and then place those rubber guides on the fixtures holders.
I love it and I am going to purchase 3 more this week for my other external hard drives… as they stack very nicely together and look sharp.
Here is the latest creation I have made. I created it for a particular series of talks at my church. Hope you like it. You can use it as inspiration or you can use it any other way you wish!
