So, I have been noticing this weird issue my Macbook Pro has been having- basically, every once in a while when I am on battery power and I leave my computer idle for a while, when I get back the colors on the screen are messed up. This doesn’t happen every time I leave the computer unplugged and out of use, but it has happened a few times and so I wanted to make you guys aware of how to quickly fix it!
Away from Keyboard.
I realize I have yet again gone missing from the internet. Sorry about that. After the September marathon of posting I was a little worn out, I was busy in my personal life, then things became hectic at work, and before I knew it, days away from the blog turned into more than a week. I just wanted to take some time to come up for air and let you know I haven’t died. I am actually trying to put together some new material that I hope you will enjoy later this month, but for now I have decided to take it at a slow and steady pace as I make it through October.
XoXo
The Pink Mac
Weekly Tech Roundup 10/04/09.
Almost forgot to post my Weekly Tech Roundup from last weekend. This week I talk about organizing your Mac for the hustle and bustle of Fall, the HP Envy 13 aka the Macbook Clone, and the newly released BlackBerry Desktop Manager for Mac!
Do you Unfriend your Exes on Facebook?
The other day I was browsing facebook and discovered that I was blocked from my exes profile. At first I didn’t understand what had happened, but then I realized, he unfriended me. Now, I am not sure of the protocol with something like this, but he and I have been separated for almost a year now, so I guess it took him long enough to do it, but I wanted to get the opinion of my tech saavy readers. I for one do not believe you should really ever unfriend someone unless they have done something bad to you, but in the case of an ex that you mutually separated from, why deny you know each other when everyone of your shared friends know you were once together? So, what do you think? Do you unfriend your exes on facebook after you breakup? If so, what is the appropriate time frame? Right after you break up or months later? I guess it’s something to ponder!
Organize your Mac with these 5 Tips!
Now that fall is in full swing, it is the perfect time to organize your digital life. So, I have put together a list of 5 easy to implement tips to help you clean out your computer and reorganize your files, a must on the To Do list of any student, working adult, parent or retiree this season!
{Note: Before you begin the process outlined within this post please make sure to back up your computer files using Time Machine or whichever method you prefer. The tips here are only suggestions and this blog is not responsible for any files you may mistakenly loose or delete in the process of implementing them!}
Let’s begin, shall we…
1. DELETE, DELETE, DELETE
If you want to clean out and reorganize your Mac, the first and best thing to do is delete all unnecessary files, folders, programs, ect, from your hard drive. This could take time depending on how much you have stored on your hard drive and how much you want to erase.
For applications, I recommend using a program like AppCleaner to get rid of the program and all associated systems files in one action. It is a free download, so you might want to hang on to it for future use.
It might also be a good idea for you to clear your Safari cache as well. To do this, open Safari and from the menu select, Safari > Empty Cache > Empty. If you use another web browser you should still be able to do this, but consult their help menu for proper instructions.
2. File Away
After you have deleted the files you no longer need, you must reorganize the ones you still want to keep. Although OS X does a great job of providing a built in organization system for different types of files like movies, photos or documents, it is still up to you to keep these files straight within their selected locations.
For instance, if you took a trip to France and you have a bunch of photo’s just sitting in your Pictures file, organize them by creating a new file called ‘Trip to France’ within Pictures to keep them together for easy location later. It is easier to store photos in a named file then to put names on each individual photo, as you can always add those later after you have them organized into a group.
3. Put it in Storage
There may be some files you want to keep as a backup, but don’t want taking up space on your hard drive, so to solve this problem I use an external hard drive. I do this for all my iMovie projects once I have uploaded them to the web, because I want to keep copies of them as a backup, but I don’t need hundreds of movie files crowding up my hard drive. By storing them on a separate hard drive, I know I can retrieve the files whenever or if ever I need them.
4. Become an Avid Reader
If you’re like me and like to read a wide variety of websites and blogs, you probably also have a mass of links bookmarked in Safari that you just sift through as you’re surfing. Well, to make this process easier and much quicker, you may want to download an RSS/Atom reader like NewsFire.
With this simple application, you can add a long list of RSS feeds and just click through each article you want to read. This saves you the time of having to load up each page and gives you the benefit of having the title of each article laid out so that you can pick and choose which you would want to read without having to scroll through multiple pages of a blog or site. Using a RSS reader like this also gives you the ability to read your favorite sites while you are offline as well, so long as you refresh your feed before you go offline!
5. Get Things Done
Many of us use our computers to organize not only our work but also our family and personal lives simultaneously. This may result, however, in a chaotic mess of information, to do’s, links, recipes and whatever else you need scattered throughout multiple places on your computer.
So, to get all your tasks done and all your information in one place, use a program like iGTD. With iGTD you can organize your tasks by context or projects, separating work tasks, home tasks, family tasks, etc, with a built in organization system of calendars, places for notes, web links, and whatever other information you will need to complete your tasks.
{Congratulations! If you have followed these 5 tips successfully, you now have an organized Mac fit and trim to see you through all the hard work of fall!}
Searching for a BlackBerry Purse: Knomo’s iPouch
A few days ago I mentioned that I was looking for a BlackBerry Purse that would act as a wallet and cell phone case. Although I haven’t found anything similar to the Violet May BlackBerry Purse I was swooning over, I have found another fashionable option in a slightly different style. This Knomo iPouch Wallet is a great double duty option for when you want to travel light. It is a fully functional wallet with slots for your ID, credit cards, money and change, and it also incorporates a case perfect for a BlackBerry, iPhone or other cell phone or MP3 player. It comes in 2 colors, Lambskin Black or Fusia and is substantially cheaper than the Violet May version, at only $68. I really love Knomo products, as I currently use a Knomo Toyah to tote my laptop, and I love the style and protection their products have to offer. I will have to think more about this BlackBerry Purse idea before I make a decision on which to buy, but I think this is a definite contender. Stay tuned for more options as I continue my search.
Attack of the Clones.
We all know the new aluminum Macbooks have a design that is enviable, but some I suppose are just taking it a little too far. I give you the HP Envy 13, or as I like to call it, the Macbook Clone! This 13″ slim laptop has many of the features we all love out the the 13″ Macbook Pro, namely a bright glass display, chicklet keyboard and a slim physique. Of course, it does leave much to be desired, like OS X! I am not sure which Macbook this 13″ HP is envying, because with it’s price tag of $1,800 it is even more costly then a 15″ Macbook Pro, or even the Macbook Air! Aren’t knock off’s usually cheaper than the real thing? I’d love to see this in a PC Hunters Ad!
Release Date Set for BlackBerry Desktop Manager for Mac!
For all you BlackBerry using Mac people out there, this Friday will be the official release date of RIM’s BlackBerry Desktop Manager for Mac. As you may remember, I already have the beta release that was leaked, but I will be happy to download the full version on Friday. I will keep you updated on how this goes.
You can download the update here after 1:00 pm on October 2nd. Enjoy!
The Perfect BlackBerry Purse.
One of the accessories I am dying for right now is a small BlackBerry purse. A BlackBerry purse is essentially a small to medium sized clutch with a compartment to fit a BlackBerry or other small device like a cell phone or an iPod. It should also include slots for credit cards and ideally a coin purse and a place for money- the traditional aspects of a standard clutch bag. As someone who loves the size and portability of a standard clutch, I would love to be able to carry one day to day, however, most do not incorporate a pocket large enough for my phone as well. This Violet May BlackBerry Clutch in Silver Python, however, has it all! Small and stylish, this little accessory will set you back more than $300 but it certainly has everything you would ever need. I am currently obsessed with this clutch and I am in the process of looking for something similar but in a price range I can afford. Alas, I have had no luck searching for a replacement so far, but I will keep you in the loop if I do!
More Update Rumors: iMac and Mac Mini.
Okay, so more news from the rumor mill: AppleInsider is claiming a new iMac is also eminent along with those new White Macbooks, and Gizmodo is claiming that Apple has announced to it’s retail stores that it will not be restocking iMac’s or Mac Mini’s anytime soon- adding fuel to the rumor that an Apple event is coming up with some great new refreshes to the computing line. According to the rumours, the new iMac will be thinner and will incorporate a new industrial design similar to the New LCD Cinema Display’s as well as possible blu-ray players, but no word has been mentioned on possibilities for the Mac Mini’s update. Perhaps they are planning to kill off the Mac Mini now that they are also lowering prices on the overall Apple computer lineup? Or maybe we will see a smaller, thinner, more Apple TV-sized Mini? Gotta love the gossip!