MacTech - By Thomas Kloos

Apple released 10.5.6 OS X update on tuesday, and the support forums are buzzing with reports of failed updates, lockups, and freezes. It’s no doubt the apple support technicians will be busy for quite a few days trying to sort out all the issues. Here is the summary of the update from Apples support site:

The Mac OS X 10.5.6 Update is recommended for Mac OS X 10.5 Leopard versions 10.5, 10.5.1, 10.5.2, 10.5.3, 10.5.4, and 10.5.5. It includes general operating system fixes that enhance the stability, compatibility and security of your Mac.

Several reports of Time machine issues have been reported as well, users claiming that they can no longer access the backups due to permissions errors…

The Unofficial Apple Weblog suggests using the combo update, instead of the software update tool as a possible workaround to the problems. Although I have successfully updated both my iMac and my MacBook using the software update, I suggest using the Combo updater as well, all make sure you repair the permissions in the disk utility program, and make a full backup prior to use the standalone updater.

The update can be found here:

http://support.apple.com/downloads/Mac_OS_X_10_5_6_Combo_Update

Good Luck!

written by admin \\ tags: 10.5.6, os x, update problems

As I look around my computer room/studio I see a bunch of old technology. I have a 500mhz gateway 2000 computer, 800Mhz white label (home built), an older laptop, tons of keyboards, mice, trackballs, the list goes on. I also have 3 Macintosh G3 iMacs. 1 slot loading, and 2 tray loaders.

What do I do with all this “stuff”?

Well really the only think to do with the old PC’s is to put linux on them, and donate them to the senior center, but what about the macs?

Well with a little memory upgrade, a new larger hard drive, and some OS X (tiger) installs, these are still usable computers. Which brings me to why I wanted to even write about this subject.

Old macs are still alive and well, and being used! G3’s, G4’s are still in somewhat demand.

Go take a look or listen to the RetroMacCast. Their social networking site has people buzzing about their mac collection. Oh and while you are there, be sure and take a look at my page.

written by admin \\ tags: g3, g4, old technology, os x tiger, technology

Have you ever tried one of the desktop blogging clients? I am testing Ecto 3 for Mac OS X. So far it has been an easy program to use. I have tried one other program called Bleezer, which is free, but it seems that the last version was over a year ago. It also has a few bugs.

Overall, Ecto 3 is a pretty nice app, though I did not see support for FTP uploads of images.

One of the disadvantages I have found, if you have any plugins that put something like a button or allow you to add a file, you do not have any access to those.

Let me know what you think.

written by admin \\ tags: os x

In the PC world, PortableApps, is probably the best suite of applications you can get to put on a USB stick. Well after a little digging I came across quite a few Mac OS X portable apps.

• Portable Firefox OS X
• Portable Thunderbird OS X
• Portable Adium
• Portable Abi Word OS X
• Portable Nvu OS X
• Portable Sunbird OS X
• Portable Cyberduck

The list goes on, you get the idea… The website, FreeSMUG, doesn’t say what the minimum size USB stick needed for All the applications, but You get links to each program, and you can download and install only the ones you want to use. It’s really a nice collection.

Check it out at FreeSMUG

written by admin \\ tags: OS X portable apps

According to MacWorld magazine, it’s taken 9 years, but Apple finally got the patent on OS X’s application launcher know to all as the Dock. The legaleze reads:

To provide greater access and consolidation to frequently used items in the graphical user interface, a user bar is extablished which includes a plurality of item representations.

As suggested by the article’s writer, Derik Delong, it seems that includes any application lauching utility. Now that I think about it, there are several Dock look alike apps for Linux, does this basically mean that those can no longer be used? Honestly I found that these dock clones didn’t work all that well but still the freedom for programmers to create one should be a given right.

This brings up another case with apple. Apple sued the City of New York for using the Apple Logo, which I don’t think was “identical” to apple’s logo. Well Apple won the suit. How is that even possible? How can anyone patent or trademark the likeness of a piece of fruit? Was new york city called the “Big Apple” before apple was apple?

What are your comments?

written by admin \\ tags: apple, dock, os x

(If you are looking for My Digital Vibes, that blog has moved. Please click here.)

Welcome to MacTech. The blog for mac enthusiasts.

Since becoming a macintosh owner about a year ago, I have a new found interest in learning tips and tricks for the macintosh computer, and OS X specifically.

If you are a new mac owner, and switching from the windows/pc platform, I welcome you to this blog, a place for people like us.

written by admin \\ tags: classic mac, leopard, mac, os x, os9, tiger