Mar

29

Some News Of The Day(s)

Filed Under Apple News, Apple Updates, Tech News, Views | Leave a Comment

Some announcements to bring to your attention:

1. 10.6.3 was released today for both Client and Server. As usual – if you want to be an early adopter BACK UP your machine first. One never knows how the update will affect 3rd-Party applications or things in general. I suggest holding off until we find out about the bugs and fallout.

10.6.3 Client / 10.6.3 Server

2. Even though we won’t see an iPad here in Canada until the end of the month our US brethren will be getting them in their hands this Friday! In anticipation of that Apple has released a slew of How To… iPad videos which are fun to watch:

iPad Guided Tours

3. I received numerous emails from clients and readers of this blog about a new iPhone Application called Line2 that allows users to make long-distance calls over a cellular connection. It was written about by David Pogue in the NY Times as well and has been receiving a lot of buzz. It allocates a second phone number to an iPhone and according to his article:

Line2 also turns the iPhone into a dual-mode phone. That is, it can make and receive calls either using either the AT&T airwaves as usual, or — now this is the best part — over the Internet. Any time you’re in a wireless hot spot, Line2 places its calls over Wi-Fi instead of AT&T’s network…

Turns out Wi-Fi calls don’t use up any AT&T minutes. You can talk all day long, without ever worrying about going over your monthly allotment of minutes. Wi-Fi calls are free forever.

Well, not quite free; Line2 service costs $15 a month (after a 30-day free trial)

From what I can tell as of today – they (Tokumi, the makers of this app) have suspended it’s download due to Denial Of Service attacks on their account creation servers. Also, from the feedback it seems only Ottawa numbers are supported at the moment – not 416 or 647 area codes. It may be the future of telephony, but it’s not quite here yet.

On a completely different front, my wife Dina sent me a link about a site called Wiki Leaks. This fascinating site is:

…run by the non-profit group Sunshine Press, that is devoted to exposing suppressed government and corporate corruption by publicizing many of their most closely guarded secrets….which aptly calls itself “the intelligence agency of the people” — has obtained and then published a wide array of secret, incriminating documents (similar to this CIA Report) that expose the activities of numerous governments and corporations

Salon.com just posted an article about Wiki Leaks called The War On WikiLeaks which is an interesting read and do check out the site itself.

So quite a hodge-podge.

Mar

19

Certifiable…

Filed Under Apple News, Fun, Views, iPad | 1 Comment

Macmedics-Technophile
I’ve spent the last week having my brain filled by some very deep and very smart Apple people at Apple Connect 2010. It’s basically an Apple technical retreat where consultants, those working in education and other related areas get access to some of the best and brightest on topics related to networking, servers, applications, scripting, content creation – so much it’s hard to believe. 6+ hours per day plus connecting with colleagues in-between breaks, during delicious meals and in the relaxing bar at night. I admit there were times I just didn’t know what some presenters were talking about and I decided to let it just wash over me. I was also able to upgrade my certifications from last year to the latest Snow Leopard 10.6 level – yes folks, these entries are being delivered by a certified Apple Technical Coordinator 10.6!

How did this come to be? How did I become such a geek?! Sometimes I’m amazed I am doing what I do. From a background of music and social work somehow I’ve ended up with an amazing and interesting career in Mac IT! I’ve gone from helping a couple purchase and set up a Power Mac 6100 with dialup internet 13 years ago to supporting clients with multiple servers, 50+ user implementations, collaboration solutions – I can even make custom network cables (thanks Ernie) – oy! What I’ve found is that many of my colleagues come from similar diverse starting points and although Apple Computer is now Apple Inc. and it’s not so much the underdog anymore (it’s even seen in the opposite light at times) the people supporting this platform really care about it and have fun doing so. Being around such talent is humbling and reminds me that learning is endless – especially in a field that is constantly changing.

The event is almost over – one more day left with a session being given by the father of Applescript no less! I’m looking forward to a long sleep and feeling the sun on my face over the weekend. It was great to connect with colleagues and friends I’ve made over the years from attending MacWorld and other training sessions like this and to share our ideas and war stories.

P.S. Don’t forget you can read any of my blog entries on the main Blog site:

http://tech-no-phile.com/blog/

P.P.S. What piece would be complete without a cool new iPad link – so for your enjoyment, the Future:

VIV Mag Interactive Feature Spread – iPad Demo from Alexx Henry on Vimeo.