OS X comes with a app called BOMArchiveHelper.app, but the unarchiver is an even better choice since it supports several common archive formats. But I found the interface to the Unarchiver a bit clunky and my double clicks usually resulted in archives being extracted where I didn’t intend for them to go.

So in my ongoing quest to find programs for the mac that operate in a way I am more used to, I found a great solution for the unarchiving task. Enter Zipeg…

Zipeg is available for both Mac and Windows, the mac version is a universal binary so it works on both intel and power pc macs. The interface is a lot more like the winzip interface I am used to , and no more misplaced archive extractions.

Give Zipeg a try, Oh did I mention it’s FREE?

http://www.zipeg.com

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!

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.

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.

• 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

You can remap keys, for instance, F3, F4, F5, etc and do some of the things that the mac keyboard does for you.

First Download an app called Proxi by Griffin Technology.

Once you install proxi, Click the gear icon on the bottom left.

Then Click Insert Trigger, and select Hotkey monitor from the list.

Now click the set button in the right pane, and select your key or key combination.

Now click the gear icon to the bottom right, and select insert task, then select Keypress.

Now select your task from the drop down, and you are all set.

I mapped F1 to the eject task, F3 to mute, F4 to volume down, and F5 to volume up. It works really well for those of us who like a windows keyboard, or maybe have a mac mini where you supply your own keyboard.

Enjoy your new keys!

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?

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.