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What do you do when PC Security Software has taken over your computer?

February 7th, 2010

I have seen several posts regarding PC Security Software and all of these suggestions on how to remove it, BUT what do you do when it has already infected your computer to the point where all of the icons are gone, it blocks access to control panel, and it tells you that you can’t do anything because spy ware has infiltrated the computer? This is on my father’s computer, just trying to help him out! If any of you can help, that would be great!

this is known as a fake or rogue antivirus program, these are very difficult to remve since they deny almost all acess to your computer, I recomend going to www.malwarebytes.org and downloading that, try doing this in safe mode, when you hit the power button start hitting f8 until it shows the boot screen, using the up and down keys select safe mode with networking, go to the website above, download the program, run it, install, scan, remove.

Posted in PC Software | 1 Comment »

What Mac software will take a jpg snapshot of my screen?

February 4th, 2010

I operate a Mac and macbook. I need to locate a download piece of software which works with the Leopard OS and takes a snapshot picture of my screen into a jpg. Any ideas?

Macs come with it built in, you don’t need more software!

Find what you want a screen shot of (press SHIFT COMMAND 3)
This captures the entire desktop.

OR (press SHIFT COMMAND 4) then click and drag to define the area you want to capture. The file will be saved as a PNG by default, but when you open it in Preview (included), you can change the default setting to jpg, tiff, gif or others.

Have fun!

Posted in Mac Software | 3 Comments »

What is the best free software for color correcting video?

January 30th, 2010

I have been doing a lot of photography and have gotten used to editing the look (contrast, color curves, vignette, ect.) of the photos very thoroughly with Photoshop. When I go back to edit video in Sony Vegas, I feel that the options for changing the look of the video itself is quite limited. What is the best free software just for editing the look of video?

avid

Posted in Free Software | 1 Comment »

When Do You Need a Photo Editing Software?

January 30th, 2010

Publishing photographs on Internet has become a trend today and its popularity is ever on the rise.  Hoisting photographs on Internet is not a difficult task. That is why, while surfing the net you will find thousands of photographs floating across your computer screen.  If you desire the same to do with your photographs, a good Photo Editing Software can make the task easy and convenient even if you are a novice.

Quality counts

It may be unfortunate but the users of photo sharing platforms often fail to pay adequate attention to the quality of the pictures that are published.  The reason is mostly the lack of photographing skills on the part of the publisher and not utilizing the photo editing programs.

You should also appreciate that high quality does not always involve high cost or a lot of efforts.  After all it is not only Apple Macintosh that produces pictures of good quality. The misnomer has developed because of the reputation of the Mac as a multimedia machine. It is the quality that counts in the ultimate analysis. That is why even the professional photographers are using photo editing software that is economical to improve the quality of their photos.

Photo editing software utilities

What makes photo editing software “a must have possession” is its ability to give your photos a professional touch. These editors can really make your photographs look much more than the holiday pleasure endeavor. You can find multiple photo editing software in the market.  Some of them are free and others are not.  But the basic purpose of using them remains always the same, getting the top class photographs with them.

You can find various free and paid versions of the photo editing software on the web that includes the Google Picasa that is free, and Photoshop that is not free.  Both are high grade photo editing tools and there are several others who also come close to their class. One that stands out is the GIMP and the best part of it is that it is completely free. But while searching for free software, do pay attention to its features, because free software at times may not be able to deliver the quality that you are looking for.

Reasons for using photo editing software

Whether your photo editing software comes bundled with your computer or digital camera or you buy it from the market separately, you will look for certain elements. One is speed, another is convenience of use, and the third and perhaps the most important is affordability.  You can edit your photographs in a computer laboratory but the cost involved is much more than what you spend using the editing software.  Moreover, with the software, you can customize your photographs as per your needs.

Students use photo editing software at a much cheaper price showing their student ID, subject to the condition that they cannot use the software for commercial purposes. Others use the editing software because of the ease and convenience of use.  They may not get free or high discount on quality software.  But the good news for them is that over the years there has been considerable downward slump in the prices of the photo editing software.

Clearing the mist

Those who still have doubts about the use of the photo editing software should understand that it is never possible for you to achieve the finesse and finish of the photos either manually or through some other automated processes. Even amateur photographs with many flaws can be turned into high class professional product with use of photo editing software.

Just as bright sunshine easily clears the mist, efficient photo editing software can also set right the defects that plague your photographs!

Anderson White
http://www.articlesbase.com/technology-articles/when-do-you-need-a-photo-editing-software-696020.html

Posted in Mac Software | No Comments »

Switching From Pc to Mac

January 28th, 2010

You needn’t worry, however. Apple has listened to its customers and addressed their concerns. Switching from a PC to a Mac computer is not a leap in the dark; it’s a smooth transition to a responsive and powerful computer.

The basics

A Mac is simple to use because Apple Mac has designed its applications to work in a similar way. Once you become familiar with the Mac OS X operating system, everything falls into place.

Moving your files

Perhaps the most crucial aspect of changing to any new computer is the migration of your files from one to the other. These files might include documents, music, and photos, but it doesn’t really matter what they are: your Mac will automatically recognise almost all of them.

You have a number of ways to transfer your files. You can

• copy everything on your PC to a USB or FireWire hard drive, connect the hard drive to the Mac, and download
• use your local network to transfer the files
• burn the files to a CD or DVD on the PC, place this in your Mac and download
• send the files to your Mac via your email account

When you’ve organised everything on the Mac’s hard drive, you can install Windows (see below) and use your files as you would on your PC. If you don’t want to load Windows, you’ll need Mac versions of the appropriate software such as Microsoft Office (see below).

Windows

Having decided to make the move from PC to Mac, you may feel more comfortable if you still have Windows to hand. Fortunately, you’re able to load Windows XP Home Edition or Professional (with at least Service Pack 2), or any version of Windows Vista, using Boot Camp. This is a piece of software that comes as standard with every new Mac. (Please note that you cannot load any Windows software other than those given here.)

Once Windows is on your Mac, use it as though you’re operating a PC. If you want the flexibility of having Windows and Mac OS X available at the same time without restarting the computer, install either Parallels Desktop or VMware Fusion.

Windows networks

If you’re part of a Windows network in an office or at home and everyone else is using a PC, you can still switch to a Mac without upsetting anything. With a Mac, there’s nothing to prevent you sharing files across the network, surfing the Internet, or sending and receiving email.

Microsoft Office

If you want to continue using Microsoft Office 2008, simply install the Mac version. It has all the features of the Windows equivalent including Word, Excel and PowerPoint. You can also work on Office documents that originated on a PC, and transfer your Mac-created Office work to a PC.

PC devices

You don’t have to buy new peripherals when you change from a PC to a Mac. Your Mac has pre-loaded drivers for hundreds of devices, which means that it recognises the vast majority of peripherals such as printers, hard drives, joysticks and cameras. Just install your device using the USB, FireWire, Bluetooth or audio connections and you’re up and running. If you’d rather, you can also continue to use your PC keyboard and mouse with your Mac.

Email

You can use your existing email service and email address on your Mac without any problem at all. Put your email account details into the Mac’s Mail application and that’s it: you’ve successfully switched over. You can also access any web-based email with your Mac’s Safari web browser.

You may, of course, have a stock of email folders that go back for some time. Switching from a PC to a Mac is a good opportunity to do some email housekeeping, but this doesn’t mean you have to lose any of your archived messages. Instead, if you’ve a fairly small amount of email, you can forward it to your Mac. If you’ve a larger quantity of mail on your PC and have a number of accounts, you can transfer everything by using your ISP (Internet service provider) and IMAP (Internet message access protocol).

Instant messaging

If you’re used to instant messaging on your PC, you’ll be delighted with your Mac. It has a built-in feature called iChat for text messaging and video calls.

Wi-Fi

Macs are wireless and compatible with most routers. The available wireless networks in your area automatically register on your screen. You needn’t lose any of the wireless features of your PC, and by choosing a Mac you may in fact discover you’ve upgraded your Wi-Fi capability.

Web browsers

Your Mac has the fastest web browser around: Safari. If you prefer, you can use Mac versions of other browsers, but the speed and easy-to-use features of Safari will soon have you hooked.

Software and games

You won’t lose out on a choice of software and games when you switch to a Mac. Virtually everything has a Mac version, plus you’ll benefit from specific Mac items such as iWorks.

Security

When you switch to a Mac, you’ll want to know your data is secure. The good news is that Macs have built-in security with regular free updates. Apple also constructs each Mac with its own hardware and software. The result is a computer that resists viruses and spyware far better than the average PC.

Reliability

Macs are consistently reliable. They run extremely well and don’t suffer from the problems so often associated with PCs - frozen screens and system crashes. As a result, you’ll have fewer problems caused by delays and lost data.

Any other questions

If you have further questions, you’ll receive answers from Mac professionals if you

• speak to them at 0800 048 0408 • talk to them online • call at an Apple Retail shop

Josh R Evans
http://www.articlesbase.com/computers-articles/switching-from-pc-to-mac-675190.html

Posted in Mac Software | No Comments »

Switching From Pc to Mac

January 26th, 2010

You needn’t worry, however. Apple has listened to its customers and addressed their concerns. Switching from a PC to a Mac computer is not a leap in the dark; it’s a smooth transition to a responsive and powerful computer.

The basics

A Mac is simple to use because Apple Mac has designed its applications to work in a similar way. Once you become familiar with the Mac OS X operating system, everything falls into place.

Moving your files

Perhaps the most crucial aspect of changing to any new computer is the migration of your files from one to the other. These files might include documents, music, and photos, but it doesn’t really matter what they are: your Mac will automatically recognise almost all of them.

You have a number of ways to transfer your files. You can

• copy everything on your PC to a USB or FireWire hard drive, connect the hard drive to the Mac, and download
• use your local network to transfer the files
• burn the files to a CD or DVD on the PC, place this in your Mac and download
• send the files to your Mac via your email account

When you’ve organised everything on the Mac’s hard drive, you can install Windows (see below) and use your files as you would on your PC. If you don’t want to load Windows, you’ll need Mac versions of the appropriate software such as Microsoft Office (see below).

Windows

Having decided to make the move from PC to Mac, you may feel more comfortable if you still have Windows to hand. Fortunately, you’re able to load Windows XP Home Edition or Professional (with at least Service Pack 2), or any version of Windows Vista, using Boot Camp. This is a piece of software that comes as standard with every new Mac. (Please note that you cannot load any Windows software other than those given here.)

Once Windows is on your Mac, use it as though you’re operating a PC. If you want the flexibility of having Windows and Mac OS X available at the same time without restarting the computer, install either Parallels Desktop or VMware Fusion.

Windows networks

If you’re part of a Windows network in an office or at home and everyone else is using a PC, you can still switch to a Mac without upsetting anything. With a Mac, there’s nothing to prevent you sharing files across the network, surfing the Internet, or sending and receiving email.

Microsoft Office

If you want to continue using Microsoft Office 2008, simply install the Mac version. It has all the features of the Windows equivalent including Word, Excel and PowerPoint. You can also work on Office documents that originated on a PC, and transfer your Mac-created Office work to a PC.

PC devices

You don’t have to buy new peripherals when you change from a PC to a Mac. Your Mac has pre-loaded drivers for hundreds of devices, which means that it recognises the vast majority of peripherals such as printers, hard drives, joysticks and cameras. Just install your device using the USB, FireWire, Bluetooth or audio connections and you’re up and running. If you’d rather, you can also continue to use your PC keyboard and mouse with your Mac.

Email

You can use your existing email service and email address on your Mac without any problem at all. Put your email account details into the Mac’s Mail application and that’s it: you’ve successfully switched over. You can also access any web-based email with your Mac’s Safari web browser.

You may, of course, have a stock of email folders that go back for some time. Switching from a PC to a Mac is a good opportunity to do some email housekeeping, but this doesn’t mean you have to lose any of your archived messages. Instead, if you’ve a fairly small amount of email, you can forward it to your Mac. If you’ve a larger quantity of mail on your PC and have a number of accounts, you can transfer everything by using your ISP (Internet service provider) and IMAP (Internet message access protocol).

Instant messaging

If you’re used to instant messaging on your PC, you’ll be delighted with your Mac. It has a built-in feature called iChat for text messaging and video calls.

Wi-Fi

Macs are wireless and compatible with most routers. The available wireless networks in your area automatically register on your screen. You needn’t lose any of the wireless features of your PC, and by choosing a Mac you may in fact discover you’ve upgraded your Wi-Fi capability.

Web browsers

Your Mac has the fastest web browser around: Safari. If you prefer, you can use Mac versions of other browsers, but the speed and easy-to-use features of Safari will soon have you hooked.

Software and games

You won’t lose out on a choice of software and games when you switch to a Mac. Virtually everything has a Mac version, plus you’ll benefit from specific Mac items such as iWorks.

Security

When you switch to a Mac, you’ll want to know your data is secure. The good news is that Macs have built-in security with regular free updates. Apple also constructs each Mac with its own hardware and software. The result is a computer that resists viruses and spyware far better than the average PC.

Reliability

Macs are consistently reliable. They run extremely well and don’t suffer from the problems so often associated with PCs - frozen screens and system crashes. As a result, you’ll have fewer problems caused by delays and lost data.

Any other questions

If you have further questions, you’ll receive answers from Mac professionals if you

• speak to them at 0800 048 0408 • talk to them online • call at an Apple Retail shop

Josh R Evans
http://www.articlesbase.com/computers-articles/switching-from-pc-to-mac-675190.html

Posted in Mac Software | No Comments »

Mac Mini User Guide

January 23rd, 2010

First steps Unpacking

Your box contains

• a Mac mini
• a power adaptor
• a power cord
• an Apple Remote
• a DVI to VGA adaptor

Basic features

On the front of your Mac Mini is a slot-loading optical drive. The built-in infrared (IR) receiver lies to the right of the slot, and the power indicator light is at the bottom right-hand corner.

At the back of the Mac mini, you have two rows of features. Along the top row, from left to right, are

• the power button
• a security slot for a cable and lock
• an audio in/optical digital audio in port
• a headphone out/optical digital audio out port

Along the bottom row, from left to right, are

• a power port
• an Ethernet port (10/100/1000Base-T)
• a FireWire 400 port
• a DVI video out port
• four USB 2.0 ports

AirPort Extreme wireless technology and Bluetooth® wireless technology are inside your Mac mini.

Power adaptor

Strip away the plastic film from your Mac mini and the power adaptor. Place the Mac mini on a firm surface right side up or on its side, and close to an electric socket. Your monitor, keyboard and mouse should also be near at hand.

• Connect the power cord to the power adaptor
• Put the plug on the end of the power adaptor’s lead into the Mac mini’s power port
• Plug the power cord into the electric socket

Please note: never place anything on your Mac mini. Objects on your Mac mini may disrupt the optical drive, the AirPort Extreme wireless signal, and the Bluetooth® wireless signal.

Peripheral set-up

Your Mac mini is BYODKM – bring your own display, keyboard and mouse. Use the ones you already have (almost any are suitable).

Keyboard and mouse

Connect your keyboard to a USB port on the back of the Mac mini. Connect your mouse to a USB port on the keyboard or on the Mac mini.

Windows-based keyboards may not have specific Mac OS X Command and Option keys. The Windows logo key, however, is equivalent to the Mac OS X Command key, and the Alt key is equivalent to the Mac OS X Option key.

To modify the keyboard

• click Apple>System Preferences
• click Keyboard & Mouse
• choose Modifier keys
• follow the screen instructions

Please note: when you use a USB keyboard and mouse made by a company other than Apple, you may need software drivers. If you don’t already have these, visit the manufacturer’s website and download them.

Apple Wireless Keyboard and Mighty Mouse

If you have an Apple Wireless Keyboard and wireless Mighty Mouse, follow the set-up procedures contained in the appropriate manuals.

Monitor

Use your Mac mini’s DVI video out port to connect a monitor. If you have a VGA monitor, connect it to the Mac mini with the supplied DVI to VGA adaptor.

Please note; your Mac mini supports digital resolutions up to 1,920 x 1,200 pixels. This means you can attach a 20 inch Apple Cinema Display or a 23 inch Apple Cinema HD Display.

Internet or network

Connect your Mac mini to the Internet or a network wirelessly or by using a cable.

• Wireless. Your Mac mini has built-in AirPort Extreme wireless technology. For more details, go to Menu Bar; select Help>Mac Help; and click Library>AirPort Help.
• Cable. Simply plug one end of an Ethernet cable into your Mac mini, and the other into a cable modem, DSL modem, or network.

Switching on Power button

To start your Mac mini, press the power button located on the back.

Setup Assistant

When you first use your Mac mini, Setup Assistant appears. This enables you to establish your

• user account
• Internet access
• email details

If you already own a Mac computer, you can use Setup Assistant to transfer software and files to your Mac mini.

If you prefer to wait before you transfer information, use Migration Assistant at a later date.

• Select the Applications folder
• Open Utilities
• Double-click Migration Assistant

Customising

To change the layout of Desktop – the first screen that appears when you’ve finished with Setup Assistant - go to the Menu Bar and select Apple>System Preferences. For more details on what you can do to customise your Mac mini, select Mac Help and search for “System preferences”.

Sleep mode and shutting down Sleep mode

If you intend to be away from your Mac mini for just a short while, you can put it in sleep mode rather than shut it down. Simply choose one of the following actions:

• press and hold your Apple Remote’s Play/Pause button for three seconds
• select Apple>System Preferences; choose Energy Saver; set the timer
• press the power button
• select Apple>Sleep on the Menu Bar

When you’re ready to wake your Mac mini, press any of your Apple Remote’s buttons or any key on your keyboard.

Shut down

Shut down your Mac mini by selecting Apple>Shut Down. To turn it on once more, press the power button.

Please note: do not move your Mac mini before you’ve shut it down. You can damage the hard disc if you move the computer while the disc is spinning.

Basic OS X guide Operating system

Mac OS X v10.5 Leopard is your Mac mini’s operating system. It runs your files, software and peripheral devices, and is similar in principle to Windows.

Controls

Your controls are your mouse, keyboard and Apple Remote. If you’re more used to Windows, you’ll soon discover that Mac OS X is easier to navigate and faster.

Main features

Navigating your Mac mini’s screens is easy. There are self-explanatory windows, menus, and shortcuts, plus the following main features:

• Desktop
• Dock
• Finder
• Menu bar

Desktop

Desktop is the screen where you normally start each time you switch on your Mac mini. The screen displays your HD (hard drive) icons. Select an HD icon to view the files and applications it contains. When you plug a peripheral device into your Mac mini, the appropriate icon appears on Desktop.

Points to note:

• Use Desktop to store your folders, images, files and other documents
• Mac OS X gives each user of your Mac mini a separate Desktop
• Desktop lies behind any of the applications you run

Dock

The icons at the bottom of the screen are the Dock. Use the icons to access your most frequently used applications, folders, files and windows.

When a window appears, note that it has three coloured buttons in the upper left-hand corner.

• Red closes the window
• Yellow minimises the window to the Dock
• Green maximises and minimises the window’s size

Finder

The Dock icon on the far left is the Finder. You can use Finder to manage your folders, drives and applications.

Menu Bar

Mac OS X has just one Menu Bar. It appears on your screen as a line at the top.

Use the Menu Bar to

• work with a programme
• view and change settings and software
• close software
• check your recent work
• log in
• log out
• put your Mac mini into sleep mode
• restart your Mac mini
• switch off

The Menu Bar changes to give you the most suitable options for the software you’re running.

Connectivity

For a list of connection ports, see First steps – Basic features.

The FireWire 400 port is ideal for connecting high-speed devices. These include digital video cameras and hard drives.

The four USB 2.0 ports are for devices such as your keyboard, mouse, iPod, printer, camera, and games controller. Your Mac mini will recognise many of these without the need to run software because Apple pre-installs hundreds of peripheral drivers at its factory to make connections as quick and easy as possible.

Use your audio in/optical digital audio in port for a microphone. Use the headphone out/optical digital audio out port for a pair of headphones or speakers. You can also use either port for your digital audio equipment as appropriate.

Josh R Evans
http://www.articlesbase.com/computers-articles/mac-mini-user-guide-675194.html

Posted in Mac Software | No Comments »

What is the best anti-porn PC software available on the market?

January 22nd, 2010

My kids keep going on porn websites and downloading pictures of naked women - what software can I install to stop this?
I’m happy to purchase - it does not need to be free software.

Hahahahaha…oh come on…let boys be boys… Or girls…maybe they’re turning lesbo. Nothin’ wrong w/ it. My sisters’ gay and she turned out a respectable citizen.

Posted in PC Software | 6 Comments »

Mac Mini User Guide

January 21st, 2010

First steps Unpacking

Your box contains

• a Mac mini
• a power adaptor
• a power cord
• an Apple Remote
• a DVI to VGA adaptor

Basic features

On the front of your Mac Mini is a slot-loading optical drive. The built-in infrared (IR) receiver lies to the right of the slot, and the power indicator light is at the bottom right-hand corner.

At the back of the Mac mini, you have two rows of features. Along the top row, from left to right, are

• the power button
• a security slot for a cable and lock
• an audio in/optical digital audio in port
• a headphone out/optical digital audio out port

Along the bottom row, from left to right, are

• a power port
• an Ethernet port (10/100/1000Base-T)
• a FireWire 400 port
• a DVI video out port
• four USB 2.0 ports

AirPort Extreme wireless technology and Bluetooth® wireless technology are inside your Mac mini.

Power adaptor

Strip away the plastic film from your Mac mini and the power adaptor. Place the Mac mini on a firm surface right side up or on its side, and close to an electric socket. Your monitor, keyboard and mouse should also be near at hand.

• Connect the power cord to the power adaptor
• Put the plug on the end of the power adaptor’s lead into the Mac mini’s power port
• Plug the power cord into the electric socket

Please note: never place anything on your Mac mini. Objects on your Mac mini may disrupt the optical drive, the AirPort Extreme wireless signal, and the Bluetooth® wireless signal.

Peripheral set-up

Your Mac mini is BYODKM – bring your own display, keyboard and mouse. Use the ones you already have (almost any are suitable).

Keyboard and mouse

Connect your keyboard to a USB port on the back of the Mac mini. Connect your mouse to a USB port on the keyboard or on the Mac mini.

Windows-based keyboards may not have specific Mac OS X Command and Option keys. The Windows logo key, however, is equivalent to the Mac OS X Command key, and the Alt key is equivalent to the Mac OS X Option key.

To modify the keyboard

• click Apple>System Preferences
• click Keyboard & Mouse
• choose Modifier keys
• follow the screen instructions

Please note: when you use a USB keyboard and mouse made by a company other than Apple, you may need software drivers. If you don’t already have these, visit the manufacturer’s website and download them.

Apple Wireless Keyboard and Mighty Mouse

If you have an Apple Wireless Keyboard and wireless Mighty Mouse, follow the set-up procedures contained in the appropriate manuals.

Monitor

Use your Mac mini’s DVI video out port to connect a monitor. If you have a VGA monitor, connect it to the Mac mini with the supplied DVI to VGA adaptor.

Please note; your Mac mini supports digital resolutions up to 1,920 x 1,200 pixels. This means you can attach a 20 inch Apple Cinema Display or a 23 inch Apple Cinema HD Display.

Internet or network

Connect your Mac mini to the Internet or a network wirelessly or by using a cable.

• Wireless. Your Mac mini has built-in AirPort Extreme wireless technology. For more details, go to Menu Bar; select Help>Mac Help; and click Library>AirPort Help.
• Cable. Simply plug one end of an Ethernet cable into your Mac mini, and the other into a cable modem, DSL modem, or network.

Switching on Power button

To start your Mac mini, press the power button located on the back.

Setup Assistant

When you first use your Mac mini, Setup Assistant appears. This enables you to establish your

• user account
• Internet access
• email details

If you already own a Mac computer, you can use Setup Assistant to transfer software and files to your Mac mini.

If you prefer to wait before you transfer information, use Migration Assistant at a later date.

• Select the Applications folder
• Open Utilities
• Double-click Migration Assistant

Customising

To change the layout of Desktop – the first screen that appears when you’ve finished with Setup Assistant - go to the Menu Bar and select Apple>System Preferences. For more details on what you can do to customise your Mac mini, select Mac Help and search for “System preferences”.

Sleep mode and shutting down Sleep mode

If you intend to be away from your Mac mini for just a short while, you can put it in sleep mode rather than shut it down. Simply choose one of the following actions:

• press and hold your Apple Remote’s Play/Pause button for three seconds
• select Apple>System Preferences; choose Energy Saver; set the timer
• press the power button
• select Apple>Sleep on the Menu Bar

When you’re ready to wake your Mac mini, press any of your Apple Remote’s buttons or any key on your keyboard.

Shut down

Shut down your Mac mini by selecting Apple>Shut Down. To turn it on once more, press the power button.

Please note: do not move your Mac mini before you’ve shut it down. You can damage the hard disc if you move the computer while the disc is spinning.

Basic OS X guide Operating system

Mac OS X v10.5 Leopard is your Mac mini’s operating system. It runs your files, software and peripheral devices, and is similar in principle to Windows.

Controls

Your controls are your mouse, keyboard and Apple Remote. If you’re more used to Windows, you’ll soon discover that Mac OS X is easier to navigate and faster.

Main features

Navigating your Mac mini’s screens is easy. There are self-explanatory windows, menus, and shortcuts, plus the following main features:

• Desktop
• Dock
• Finder
• Menu bar

Desktop

Desktop is the screen where you normally start each time you switch on your Mac mini. The screen displays your HD (hard drive) icons. Select an HD icon to view the files and applications it contains. When you plug a peripheral device into your Mac mini, the appropriate icon appears on Desktop.

Points to note:

• Use Desktop to store your folders, images, files and other documents
• Mac OS X gives each user of your Mac mini a separate Desktop
• Desktop lies behind any of the applications you run

Dock

The icons at the bottom of the screen are the Dock. Use the icons to access your most frequently used applications, folders, files and windows.

When a window appears, note that it has three coloured buttons in the upper left-hand corner.

• Red closes the window
• Yellow minimises the window to the Dock
• Green maximises and minimises the window’s size

Finder

The Dock icon on the far left is the Finder. You can use Finder to manage your folders, drives and applications.

Menu Bar

Mac OS X has just one Menu Bar. It appears on your screen as a line at the top.

Use the Menu Bar to

• work with a programme
• view and change settings and software
• close software
• check your recent work
• log in
• log out
• put your Mac mini into sleep mode
• restart your Mac mini
• switch off

The Menu Bar changes to give you the most suitable options for the software you’re running.

Connectivity

For a list of connection ports, see First steps – Basic features.

The FireWire 400 port is ideal for connecting high-speed devices. These include digital video cameras and hard drives.

The four USB 2.0 ports are for devices such as your keyboard, mouse, iPod, printer, camera, and games controller. Your Mac mini will recognise many of these without the need to run software because Apple pre-installs hundreds of peripheral drivers at its factory to make connections as quick and easy as possible.

Use your audio in/optical digital audio in port for a microphone. Use the headphone out/optical digital audio out port for a pair of headphones or speakers. You can also use either port for your digital audio equipment as appropriate.

Josh R Evans
http://www.articlesbase.com/computers-articles/mac-mini-user-guide-675194.html

Posted in Mac Software | No Comments »

what is a good mac software for my m-audio keyboard?

January 19th, 2010

I just got a m-audio keyrig 49 keyboard, but since i have a mac, i cant use the included Keyrig software. i know i can use garageband (i tested it last night) but what program could i download for free/buy that would give me a lot more sounds and drum kits, etc? thanks.

Keyrig will work on certain macs, so it is worth stopping by the m-audio website to see if there is an update available for your operating system. That software has been out for quite a while so when it was packaged, it’s likely that your OS wasn’t in existence.

Logic, Pro Tools, Cubase, Ableton Live, and Reason all offer a ton of instruments to play with, but they are not free. The nice thing is that after buying and installing one (not sure about reason, but the others are fine) you can go online and grab any number of legal, free instruments that developers put out there for the public to try out. The programs act like blank slates for these instruments and all of them come with at least a decent collection of built-in sounds.

Programs like hammerhead and audacity are free, but limiting. If you really want to test the waters, try a demo of one of the programs and see if you like it. Don’t get discouraged, as most are going to be a little tough to grasp out of the gate, but with practice and time, you won’t be limited anymore.

Cheers

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