I'm on vacation!

As I mentioned in the previous post, I'm off on a three-week vacation tomorrow. In case you're worried that you'll need some support while I'm gone, the good news is that I have you covered.

My friend Chris Kennedy of AppleCore Technologies in Montrose will be available to help you out in the event of a computer emergency.

Feel free to contact him at 970 901-3051 or chris@applecoretechnologies.com

I will be traveling with my iPhone, and expect to have at least intermittent email & Internet access, but I won't be able to respond to anything but the simplest of questions. I hope you understand; it is why they call it vacation, right?!?

See you all in three weeks!

Mac Classes - May 2013

As you're all aware by now, I'm headed out tomorrow for a much needed vacation. I did want to remind you that there will still be one class in late May, and let you know about a fun side opportunity coming up in June!

Class list for May 2013:

Wed., May 29th from 5-7 p.m.: FREE Mac iPhone/iPad (iOS) Overview; Ridgway Library

And FYI:

Sat., June 8th from 9-noon: iPhone-ography; Weehawken Ridgway

The details:

 As you're hopefully all aware by now, the Ridgway Library has given me the go-ahead to switch up my regular FREE Library classes, which take place on the last Wednesday of every month.

Since January, I've been alternating monthly between the Mac OS X Overview and an iPad/iPhone Overview! This month, it's the FREE iPhone/iPad (iOS) Overview on Wednesday, May 29th from 5-7 p.m. The Mac overview classes are always held in the computer lab at the Ridgway Library, while the iPad/iPhone ones are held in their small meeting room. There are only eight seats available, so you have to sign up, and the Library has asked that I handle the sign ups, so give me a call at 970-417-8434 (or drop me an email) if you'd like to attend. (Be aware that first-timers take priority over anyone who has taken the class before, but there are often openings for repeaters).

For the iPad/iPhone Overview, you'll need to bring your own device. For the Mac Overview, there are six Macs in the computer lab, so only two of the eight attendees need their own laptops. This class is beginner-oriented, but we cover some different things every month; repeat attendees are encouraged (when there's room)!

Now, a head's up: I'm teaching an iPhone-ography (iPhone photography) class through the Weehawken Creative Arts on June 8th, from 9 to noon! More info here.

Take care everyone, and have a great month!!

Mac Classes - April 2013

Yikes, April already. I'm sure you'll be glad I waited a day to post this, to assure there was no risk of confusing you with April Fools jokes... And don't stop praying for snow just yet, we still need a late spring storm or two to beef up the snowpack! On to the class news!

Class list for April 2013:
 

Sat., April 13th, from 10 a.m. to noon: Social Networking; Ridgway Town Hall

Wed., April 24th from 5-7 p.m.: FREE Mac OS X Overview; Ridgway Library
Sat., April 27th, from 10 a.m. to noon: Intermediate iPad/iPhone; Ridgway Town Hall
 

The details:

 On Saturday, April 13th, from 10 a.m. to noon, I will be revisiting the topic of Social Networking. In this class I will cover Facebook, Google+, Twitter, LinkedIn, Instagram, etc., etc. The emphasis will be on figuring out how to navigate these wild & wacky social fads, especially as the way these services work is constantly being updated and changed! At the same time, you'll learn how to maintain the levels of privacy we all prefer. If there's interest, I will also cover the ways in which these tools can be put to use in marketing a business. Cost for this class is $20, and it's held at the Ridgway Town Hall. No sign-up is necessary, drop-ins are welcome!      

 On Saturday, April 27th, from 10 a.m. to noon, I will be offering another new class, one that's been requested a lot in the last year: an Intermediate iPad/iPhone program. In this class I will take you to the next level with your iOS device: Apps, Books (audio and e-books), Movies, Music, etc. etc. In general, how to use your device to do the really cutting-edge stuff! Cost for this class is also $20, and it's held at the Ridgway Town Hall. As above, no sign-up is necessary, drop-ins are welcome!

 As you're hopefully all aware by now, the Ridgway Library has given me the go-ahead to switch up my regular FREE Library classes, which take place on the last Wednesday of every month.

Since January, I've been alternating monthly between the Mac OS X Overview and an iPad/iPhone Overview! This month, it's the FREE Mac OS X Overview on Wednesday, April 24th from 5-7 p.m. The Mac overview classes are always held in the computer lab at the Ridgway Library, while the iPad/iPhone ones are held in their small meeting room. There are only eight seats available, so you have to sign up, and the Library has asked that I handle the sign ups, so give me a call at 970-417-8434 (or drop me an email) if you'd like to attend. (Be aware that first-timers take priority over anyone who has taken the class before, but there are often openings for repeaters).

For the iPad/iPhone Overview, you'll need to bring your own device. For the Mac Overview, there are six Macs in the computer lab, so only two of the eight attendees need their own laptops. This class is beginner-oriented, but we cover some different things every month; repeat attendees are encouraged (when there's room)!

Take care everyone, and have a great month!!

As always, let me know if there's something else you'd like me to consider covering in the Saturday sessions.

Mac Classes - March 2013

March is here; there's (literally) light at the end of the tunnel!! I've been loving how much snow we've been getting, but I sure am ready for it to warm up a bit, aren't you? On to the class news for this month...

Class list for March 2013:
Sat., March 9th, from 10 a.m. to noon: iPhoto; Ridgway Town Hall
Sat., March 23rd, from 10 a.m. to noon: Pages; Ridgway Town Hall
Wed., March 20th from 5-7 p.m.: FREE iPad/iPhone Overview; Ridgway Library

Read on for the details...

 First off, on Saturday, March 9th, from 10 a.m. to noon, I will once again be offering my in-depth class on iPhoto. Come learn everything there is to know about Apple's powerful digital image organization/editing program. Is it finally time to get your photo library under control, with the added bonus of learning how easy (and fun) the process can be? Well then, this is the class for you! I will primarily cover the latest version (iPhoto '11) but can touch on the previous ('09) version when necessary. Cost for this class is $20, and it will be held at the Ridgway Town Hall. No sign-up necessary, and it's open to drop-ins, so come if you can!

 Then, on Saturday, March 23rd, from 10 a.m. to noon, I'm offering my comprehensive class on Apple's Pages program. In this class you will learn how to master their formidable word-processing/page layout program, which just happens to be a good deal more user-friendly (and fun to use) than Microsoft Word! This class is also $20, also at the Ridgway Town Hall. No sign-up necessary, as above; don't miss it!

Note, this month's Library class (iPad/iPhone version) will NOT be held on the usual last-Wednesday-of-the-month. This month only, it will take place on the third Wednesday (March 20th). Details below...

 I'm continuing to alternate monthly between the Mac OS X Overview and a iPad/iPhone Overview! So, this month we're back to the FREE iPad/iPhone Overview on Wednesday, March 20th from 5-7 p.m. The Mac overview classes are always held in the computer lab at the Ridgway Library, and the iPad/iPhone overview is held in the small meeting room near the library entrance. There are eight seats available for the Mac overview, and 12 for the iPad/iPhone version; the Library has asked that I handle the sign ups, so give me a call at 970-417-8434 (or drop me an email) if you'd like to attend. (Be aware that first-timers take priority over anyone who has taken the class before, but there are often openings for repeaters).

For the iPad/iPhone Overview, you'll need to bring your own device. For the Mac Overview, there are six Macs in the computer lab, so only two of the eight attendees need their own laptops. This class is beginner-oriented, but we cover some different things every month; repeat attendees are encouraged (when there's room)!

Take care everyone, and have a great month!!

Mac Classes - February 2013

Happy February everyone! At least it's finally warmed up a bit, eh? Now it just needs to snow a bunch more! Oh, and it's also going to be a great month for computer classes!

Class list for February 2013:

Sat., February 9th, from 10 a.m. to noon: Password Management; Ridgway Town Hall

Sat., February 23rd, from 10 a.m. to noon: Intermediate iPad/iPhone; Ridgway Town Hall

Wed., February 27th from 5-7 p.m.: FREE Mac OS X Overview; Ridgway Library

The details:

 On Saturday, February 9th, from 10 a.m. to noon, I will be offering a brand new class: Password Management. Come learn everything there is to know about the crux of every good security set up: your password! I'll cover everything from how to create strong passwords, to the biggest question: how to keep track of them all once you have dozens of them! Cost for this class is $20, and it will be held at the Ridgway Town Hall. No sign-up necessary, and it's open to drop-ins, so come if you can!

 On Saturday, February 23rd, from 10 a.m. to noon, I will be offering another new class, one that's been requested a lot in the last year: an Intermediate iPad/iPhone program. In this class I will take you to the next level with your iOS device: Apps, Books (audio and e-books), Movies, Music, etc. etc. In general, how to use your device to do the really cutting-edge stuff! Cost for this class is also $20, and it's held at the Ridgway Town Hall. As above, no sign-up is necessary, drop-ins are welcome!

 As I mentioned last month, the Ridgway Library has given me the go-ahead to switch up my regular FREE Library classes, which take place on the last Wednesday of every month.

Starting last month, I'm now alternating monthly between the Mac OS X Overview and an iPad/iPhone Overview! This month, it's the FREE Mac OS X Overview on Wednesday, February 27th from 5-7 p.m. The Mac overview classes are always held in the computer lab at the Ridgway Library, while the iPad/iPhone ones are held in their small meeting room. There are only eight seats available, so you have to sign up, and the Library has asked that I handle the sign ups, so give me a call at 970-417-8434 (or drop me an email) if you'd like to attend. (Be aware that first-timers take priority over anyone who has taken the class before, but there are often openings for repeaters).

For the iPad/iPhone Overview, you'll need to bring your own device. For the Mac Overview, there are six Macs in the computer lab, so only two of the eight attendees need their own laptops. This class is beginner-oriented, but we cover some different things every month; repeat attendees are encouraged (when there's room)!

Take care everyone, and have a great month!!

As always, let me know if there's something else you'd like me to consider covering in the Saturday sessions.

Should you be running Mac Antivirus software in 2013?

On the heels of last week's post about the latest Java vulnerability, I came across an article over the weekend by Rich Mogull, TidBITS.com's security editor. Here is the first paragraph of his article, followed by a link to the entire story:

"It has been over four years since I wrote “Should Mac Users Run Antivirus Software?” (18 March 2008). Although much has changed since then, my recommendations mostly haven’t. While Macs aren’t immune to malicious software (malware), and we even experienced one reasonably widespread incident in 2012, malware on Macs is still not nearly common enough to recommend antivirus software for everyone. And while antivirus tools are effective against certain known attacks, they often don’t provide the level of protection people expect." [Emphasis mine]

Read the entire article here.

His bottom line opinion (in bold above) is exactly what I've been saying for years. Even though there have been more frequent threats identified as affecting Macs in recent months, I still think they're rare enough (as well as being relatively benign in their threat levels) that the downsides of running A/V software on your Mac full time aren't warranted.

There are a few instances where I might feel differently, one of which was mentioned in the comments appended to the above article. The example given was one where a particular user frequently uses flash drives to share files between Macs and PCs. In that case, running A/V software would be a good way to stop the potential spread of PC viruses via the flash drives.

If you still want to run a Mac A/V package of some sort, Sophos has a decent free option, and Intego's products are also well-regarded.

Happy (and healthy) surfing!

Java trouble, again!

As many of you have read by now, there's a new Java vulnerability making headlines, and I've gotten a lot of emails asking about it. Back in April of last year I wrote a blog post about the Flashback trojan, and one of the security suggestions that resulted from the whole ordeal was to disable Java in your browser (and possibly elsewhere). If you'd like to read more about the current issue that has a lot of folks concerned, check out this link:

http://www.nbcnews.com/technology/technolog/homeland-security-still-says-no-java-1B8000547

And below, excerpted from my post last April, are instructions for disabling Java in Safari, Firefox, or system-wide:

...consider turning off Java altogether in Safari. Go to Preferences in Safari, and click on the Security tab, then uncheck the Enable Java checkbox:

UPDATE: Several folks have asked how to disable Java in Firefox. Here are the instructions:

Open Firefox's preferences, go to the General tab, and then click on the "Manage Add-ons..." button in the lower right corner. That will open another Firefox window, showing a list of plug-ins, one of which is the 'Java Applet Plug-in'. Disable that plug-in, and you should be good to go...

«««»»»

To be even more secure (and aside from your browsers), you could disable Java system-wide. I don't recommend this, however, unless you're positive you don't use any Java-based programs (CrashPlan uses Java, for example). If you want to disable it, you will need to go to your Applications folder, find the Utilities folder within it, then a program called Java Preferences. Open that, and uncheck all the boxes under the General tab, as seen below:

Unfortunately, the online world just seems to get riskier as it gets more powerful. Keep reading your daily news to learn of the latest threats, and check back here for the details...