:: TCMUG Newsletter Archive ::

Vol 4 Iss 3 March 2005
*March Meeting
*Web Site Links and News of Interest
*Shareware Features - Mailsmith
*The MUG Center Store - Free Freight To Members
*Tip of the Month - 5 ways to head off OS 9 crashes
*OS X Tip of the Month - Finding Forgotten Passwords
*Mac Software Spotlight - Roxio
*TCMUG Membership Structure for 2005 - JOIN TODAY!

========== MARCH MEETING ==========
The March meeting is being held on Saturday the 19th at 2:00PM.
We will be meeting at the Tuscarawas County Center for the Arts http://www.tuscartcenter.org/index.cfm where will be able to use the computer lab full of 12 eMacs! We will be having an Appleworks workshop for this meeting and will be covering Word Processing, Draw, Spreadsheet and the basic set up and overview of the application. The Center for the Arts is located at 461 Robinson Drive SE in New Philadelphia. Directions are here - http://www.tuscartcenter.org/directions.cfm
For those that are planning to attend this meeting and the hands-on Appleworks workshop, please email me back so we can plan accordingly.

========== WEB SITE LINKS AND NEWS OF INTEREST ==========
Top Ten AppleScript Tips - AppleScript lets you control Microsoft Word, Adobe Photoshop, FileMaker Pro, and hundreds of other Mac programs with just a few lines of code. But if you think of AppleScript as just a nerdy workflow-automation tool, you're missing out on a lot of power. Truth is, AppleScript has lots of hidden tricks and timesavers built in--and they all come for free with your Mac. Adam Goldstein, author of "AppleScript: The Missing Manual," has hand selected ten of the most useful tips for making AppleScript work for you.
http://www.macdevcenter.com/pub/a/mac/2005/02/01/applscrpt_mm.html
Order your copy of the Applescript Missing Manual today at Amazon.com:
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/asin/0596008503/theworlofkapn
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Mark Morford, a SF Gate columnist, asks "why isn't everyone on a Mac?" Further, he asks "why does Windows still suck?" Moford is highly critical of Microsoft's user interface, and also points to the ongoing struggle with viruses, spyware, and worms. "Why is there not some massive revolt, some huge insurrection against Microsoft? Why is there not a huge contingent of furious users stomping up to Seattle with torches and scythes and crowbars, demanding the Windows Frankenstein monster be sacrificed at the altar of decent functionality and an elegant user interface?"
http://sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?file=/gate/archive/2005/02/04/notes020405.DTL
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Featuring dozens of refreshed hacks, plus 25 completely new ones, Google Hacks , Second Edition is an updated collection of real-world solutions to practical Google research problems. Thanks to these industrial-strength tips, now you can easily save hours of research time mining Google. Best of all, each of its 100 hacks are easy to read and digest--no confusing terminology or extraneous information to hamper your understanding. You have a chance to get 7 of these hacks to download as PDF's and other excerpts.
http://www.oreilly.com/catalog/googlehks2/index.html
Get the book at Amazon.com now:
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0596008570/theworlofkapn
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iPod shuffle Tips and Tricks - The iPod shuffle is the easiest-to-use iPod to date. But that doesn't mean you can't customize how you listen and upload music. Scott Knaster shows you some very handy tips and tricks for the shuffle and iTunes 4.7.1. A great follow-up from our February meeting!
http://www.macdevcenter.com/pub/a/mac/2005/02/15/shuffle.html
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Welcome to Error10. We like strange Mac errors and would be thrilled to receive your weirdest screenshots to broaden this fine collection.
http://www.error10.net/
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My Workstation OS: Mac OS X - My work involves administering Unix Web servers and a mix of office desktops, along with developing the applications we run on them. I use Mac OS X to do it because it is something like a superset of those other popular OS choices. While much of the software I deploy is free, I'm willing to open my wallet for OS X.
I need to connect to, and develop for, more than one platform, and OS X lets me keep all the tools I need in one (really shiny) toolbox. The Mac helps filter complexity for me as I use it, working with a variety of systems, standards, languages, and networking protocols, but presenting them in uncluttered, simple ways.
http://os.newsforge.com/article.pl?sid=05/02/19/1725248&from=rss

========== SHAREWARE FEATURES - MAILSMITH ==========
Mailsmith is an Internet email client designed by Macintosh users, for Macintosh users.
http://www.barebones.com/products/mailsmith/index.shtml
Mailsmith makes sending, receiving, and managing email as intuitive and efficient as possible. Offering an unprecedented degree of flexibility, Mailsmith can be customized to serve your needs through its powerful editing, filtering, and searching capabilities. Mailsmith also has extensive scripting support, giving you complete control over your email experience.
Mailsmith provides a depth of functionality that makes it an appropriate tool for both casual email users and “power users” who receive and store thousands of messages. New users will appreciate its graceful and flexible interface, and sophisticated users will find its range of powerful features indispensable from the outset.
Check out our own TCMUG review of Mailsmith by Blane Warrene:
http://www.tcmug.org/tcmug_mailsmithreview.pdf
How do I get Mailsmith?
To purchase new or additional copies of Mailsmith 2.1, visit their web store . Mailsmith 2.1 is only available as an electronic download. If you are a TCMUG member you can save $20 off the list price of $99. Contact the TCMUG for the coupon code.
Now, when you purchase Mailsmith 2.1, you will also get a free copy of SpamSieve , a $25 value!
Mailsmith 2.1 System Requirements
Mac OS X 10.2 or later required; Mac OS X 10.2.8 or later strongly recommended
Fully compatible with Mac OS X 10.3 and later; Mac OS X 10.3.5 strongly recommended

========== MUG CENTER STORE ==========
Is there something the MUG store can do to help your group?
Just let us know. Our Tuscarawas County Mac Users Group gets 1 percent back on everything members purchase, so we encourage our members to buy from the MUG store where you can get everything from software to new computers for your club for FREE.
The MUG store has free freight to members, RAM rebates, aggressive pricing on new (and reconditioned) Macs and the largest selection of pre-owned Macs on the planet.
December 1 - March 30, 2005 - User ID: / Password: - See the TCMUG members web site
Place your orders at http://www.applemugstore.com

========== TIP OF THE MONTH - HEAD OFF OS 9 CRASHES==========
Here are 5 ways to head off OS 9 crashes.
1. Back Up! Back Up!
Ideally you should back up your data on a regular basis, but if you're like most people, you probably don't. If you're having problems but your system is still able to boot and you can copy files, now-right now, in fact-would be a good time to back up the files that you just couldn't stand to lose.
2. Rebuild the Desktop.
Hold down the Command and Option keys at startup until you see the dialog box asking if you want to rebuild the desktop. Click OK. This is good to do every few months but it's especially important if you're experiencing problems like strange icon behavior or programs not recognizing certain files.
3. Run a Repair Utility.
A repair utility such as Norton Disk Doctor (part of Symantec's Norton SystemWorks) or Micromat's TechTool Pro will find and fix many of the problems that plague the typical Mac user. TechTool has the added advantage of being able to check for hardware problems, viruses and software conflicts but it's a bit more complicated to use. Micromat's TechTool Lite is a free download (http://www.micromat.com) and offers some of the basic functionality of TechTool Pro.
4. Check for Extension Conflicts.
Is your Mac crashing on startup? Try starting it with extensions disabled (hold down the Shift key at startup). If you can successfully start with extensions turned off there's a good chance that you have a damaged or conflicting extension. Finding out which extension is causing the problem takes a little detective work but the process can be greatly simplified by using Casady & Greene's Conflict Catcher. If you don't have Conflict Catcher you can manually find the problem using the Extension Manager control panel. Start with the base configuration or one that you know works and gradually turn on extensions until you find the culprit. Focus on recently installed extensions first.
5. Look for Damaged Preferences Files.
A damaged preference file can be the problem. If there is a specific program that keeps crashing, open the Preferences folder, find the preferences associated with the crashing application and move them out of the Preferences folder. Put them somewhere where you can use them later if needed. (Some applications store registration information in preference files.) Restart the application to create a new set of preferences. Even if the crashes aren't tied to a specific application they still can be the result of a bad preference file. Track down other crashing problems by remembering when the problem first occurred and viewing files in the Preferences folder by date modified. Often the problem will be time-stamped at the exact moment of the crash. One preference file that is notorious for getting corrupted is Apple Menu Options Prefs. Removing this file and restarting is often all it takes to solve the problem.

========== OS X TIP OF THE MONTH - PASSWORDS ==========
FINDING FORGOTTEN PASSWORDS
Have you ever entered a password, agreed to add it to your keychain, and then just forgotten about it? Most of us have. The danger is that disaster will strike, forcing you to reformat or even replace the hard disk. Once your keychain is wiped out, you'll have to re-enter all your passwords--assuming you can remember them all. I don't think I have to tell you that recovering and/or resetting dozens of passwords can be a real pain. So, it's a good idea to take a look at all the passwords in your keychain and perhaps even write them out and put that piece of paper somewhere safe. First, open Keychain Access. You'll find it at Macintosh HD>Applications >Utilities>Keychain Access. Once it opens, you'll see a list of all passwords that have been saved. Click an item and then check Show Password. You'll be asked to put in your user password, and choose a term for showing the password. Choose Allow Once. You'll then see the password at the bottom of the window. Jot it down and keep it in a safe place! (You might also want to backup your keychain file, which you'll find it at Macintosh HD>Users>YourAccount>Library>Keychain>login.keychain. As long as you know your user name and password, you'll be able to access the keychain file on any other Mac.)

========== MAC SOFTWARE SPOTLIGHT ==========
Roxio: Exclusive Mac User Group Savings at Roxio.com
Save 20 to 30 percent on Roxio downloadable software only at Roxio.com. Download Toast 6 Titanium, Toast with Jam 6, Jam 6 Upgrade and Popcorn, winner of Best of Show Macworld SF 2005.
http://www.roxio.com/en/products/index.jhtml
Download and save. Get the TCMUG discount URL on the members web site.
http://www.roxio.com/

========== TCMUG MEMBERSHIP FOR 2005 - TIME TO JOIN! ==========
We are working very hard to make it another exciting year for all local Mac users. We had a small dues structure for 2004. Membership in the TCMUG will cost $20.00 annually for a regular membership and will include a monthly newsletter, a special "members only" section of the web site, monthly meetings, a lending library, discounts on software, hardware and books and much, much more! You can visit our web site to get all of the features and benefits at http://www.tcmug.org/aboutus.html
We are offering three membership levels for 2005. There will be a regular membership at $20 per year and we will have student membership (K-12 & College) at $15 per year and a senior citizen (60+ years old) at $15 per year. All levels of membership will enjoy the benefits of belonging to the TCMUG.
Please contact any of the officers if you would have any questions regarding membership and the associated dues. http://www.tcmug.org/contactus.html
We have an online membership form that you are able to download. You can download the form at: http://www.tcmug.org/tcmug_memberapp.pdf

========== SUBMITTING INFORMATION ==========
Have a software tidbit to share, a Mac related web site to suggest or a news piece to submit? Email me with all the information at kwarrene@mac.com
To unsubscribe from this newsletter: Reply to this email with the subject line of REMOVE.
Forward this message to all of your family, friends and associates so that they can join the TCMUG and receive the monthly newsletter. Get all of the details at http://www.tcmug.org/aboutus.html
If you have any comments or suggestions please feel free to contact any of the officers at http://www.tcmug.org/contactus.html