Dec 2005
MacProductive Blog | Jan 2006 | Nov 2005

My Apple 2006 Wish List

December, 31 2005 07:45 PM Filed in: Apple
I'm a fairly happy and content Mac user. In the past couple of years most of my work seems to be centered on the small home or business office with a network of 2 or more Macs. As a result I'm always thinking about ways that we could be more efficient through collaboration.

1. An updated iWork with a spreadsheet. As it is now Pages and Keynote are fantastic applications that I would not hesitate to recommend to any student or small business user. Add a spreadsheet and I won't ever miss Microsoft Office.

2. Bonjour integration everywhere! Most importantly iCal and Address Book. Let me share and collaborate on my network! I'm truly amazed that Apple has not already integrated Bonjour into more of its own applications.

3. iTunes movie sharing. It's great that i can share songs but now with the iPod video and integration of video into iTunes take it a step further and let me share my iTunes movies along with the music I can already share. In addition, fix playback of movies in iTunes. As it is now it is slow and jumpy. Playback should be as smooth as it is in the QuickTime player.

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SubEthaEdit and TextMate

December, 15 2005 12:30 AM Filed in: Software
Since I seem to spend so much of my time writing text I thought I'd mention my current favorite text editors, SubEthaEdit and TextMate. SubEtha what? Named in honor of Douglas Adams, this funny sounding software title, SubEthaEdit, is perhaps one of the very best text editors for Mac OS X. As a web developer I've used a whole range of text editors over the years: BBEdit, TextWrangler, TextEdit, and most recently TextMate.

I could use Apple's free Text Edit which is included with every Mac and I have. But Text Edit lacks two features that I'd like to have for web development. Color coded display of html and browser preview. SubEthaEdit has both. It's html preview uses Apple's very own WebKit and so with a Command-R I get a new window that displays my page just as Safari would. This preview page updates live as I make changes to the html. Nice!! The program also integrates well with ftp cilents such as Transmit.

Another unique feature is it's collaboratory capabilities. Each SubEthaEdit document can be shared via Apple's Bonjour technology. I can open a document and in a couple of clicks others on my network (or on the internet) can add content to my document in real time. I see what they type as they type it and they see what I'm typing as well. Very cool and useful for creating meeting notes/minutes.

TextMate is my other favorite text editor and is probably my favorite. I don't use many of the features TextMate offers I enjoy the ability to open Projects consisting of a folder of files. Also, the tabs are great! Last, the auto-complete of html tags is a real time saver. Like SubEthaEdit, Transmit also works well with other apps such as Transmit or Ecto.

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Online with Mac OSX, Bluetooth, Cingular and t616

December, 01 2005 12:49 AM Filed in: How-to
While I don't expect to use it often I've finally succeeded in taking my Powerbook online using the built-in Bluetooth via Cingular GSM and my Sony Ericsson t616. I don't pay for Cingular's unlimited Internet service so I won't use this unless I have to because it is quite pricey. Still, it will like come in handy now and then. The following instructions were found here. I've edited this just a little. It may be a little confusing if you are working with 10.3 there are slight variations. Also, I paired my laptop and phone long ago so those steps were unnecessary for me. I just needed the provider information as well as the Bluetooth Modem selection. Also, I set up a new location called "Bluetooth" in my Network Preferences before I started the first step.

System Requirements:Mac OSX: 10.2.8 or higherLatest version of Bluetooth

First step is to setup the bluetooth modem (cell phone)System Prefrences > Network > Show > Network Port ConfigurationsCheck "USB Bluetooth Modem Adaptor"Show > USB Bluetooth Modem Adaptor > Bluetooth Modemnow you need to click "Show Bluetooth modem status in menu bar"Click the PPP tab.

Enter the following:
SERVICE PROVIDER: CINGULARACCOUNT NAME: WAP@CINGULARGPRS.COMPASSWORD: CINGULAR1TELEPHONE NUMBER: *99***2# Then click "Apply Now"

Click the "Bluetooth Modem" tab. In the Modem drop-down select Ericsson Infared Then click "Apply Now" and close the window.

If Bluetooth on your phone is not already on go ahead and turn it on now.More > Turn On Bluetooth

Now go back to System PrefrencesSystem Prefrences > Bluetooth > Pair New DeviceIt will automatically search for your phone, when your phone has been discovered select it and click the "Pair" button. You will get a popup window asking for a passkey, just enter the number 1, click "OK"

Now you will get a popup asking you to choose the services to use with this phone.Check Internet Access, the others are optional!

If you have another provider look here. Another description of setting up the T616 with OSX 10.3 (and 10.2?) is here.

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