The MacXperts
Tips and Tricks

Smooth Running

The best way to keep your computer systems running smooth, and problem-free is to create a healthy environment for it. A healthy environment begins with clean, filtered AC power. Never use a surge protector with your computer. Only use an Uninterruptible Power Supply, sometimes called a UPS or battery backup. These are power rated in volt-amps. Generally, a laptop or mini will require at least a 350 va unit. An iMac 750 va, and a Mac Pro or server 1500 va. I recommend American Power Conversion (APC), Belkin, and Triplite units

Repair Permissions

The life-blood of any unix system is the directory structure and permissions. Think of the directory as the table of contents to a book, with the hard drive being the book. If the directory becomes corrupted, it is not possible to find the desired data. Permissions specify who can read and write to files and folders. Damage to both is just part of the nature of computing, but can render your data and computer useless. To prevent small problems from snowballing, use Disk Utility weekly to repair permissions and to check your directory. Even better, use Mac HelpMate from The MacXperts to automate this and other routine maintenance jobs.

Crash Plan

It is not a question of if you will ever lose important data, only a matter of when and how often! Backing up your data is an essential part of computer support. It is vital to have at least one on-site and one off-site backup. In the event of catastrophic loss, such as fire or theft, your on-site backup will be lost. This is where your off-site backup becomes a life-saver. For Mac OS X 10.5 and 10.6 users, Time Machine is the ideal on-site backup option. Off-site solutions include Mozy, SpiderOak, Carbonite, JungleDisk with Amazon S3 Services, and CrashPlan.

Malware

Think your Mac is immune from malware? Think again. Sure, we don't get nearly as many infections as Windows users, but it does happen. Perhaps even worse is that your Mac can receive a Windows virus that can then be sent to a Windows user, destroying their system. Not such a good move if you are trying to build a business relationship with that person or organization. Every Mac should have a solid anti-malware utility installed. My personal choice is Intego VirusBarrier.

Office Alternative

Need a full-featured office application suite, but don't want the expense and bugs of Microsoft Office? Sun Microsystems Open Office, available for the Mac as both Open Office and NeoOffice are terrific alternatives for many users - and they are free!

Bootcamp Partitions

Got Boot Camp? Now how are you going to backup your windows partition? WinClone to the rescue. WinClone will create a duplicate of your Boot Camp partition, saving it to your Mac partition. Then when your Mac side is backed up with TimeMachine, your Windows data is doubly safe.

Windows on a Mac

Think you need to go through the expense, hassle, and security concerns to install Windows on your Mac to run your Windows-only applications. Perhaps not. There are may alternatives to running Windows software without windows. Check our our blog "Running Windows on Macintosh".

Remote Access

Ever been out of town and just had to have that important document that was safely stored away on your home computer? There are now many free and easy options to have remote access to all of your Mac and Windows systems.

Doing the Right Thing at the Right Time

2010 | January | 01 | 12:20 PM mountain time

SUMMARY

Doing the right thing at the right time can save you drama in your computing, and in life.

Real-Life Story Time

As some of you know, I'm a bit of a cowboy. This not only means horsemanship, but also firearms expertise along with a concealed carry license.

Following my last client appointment on Friday I had a 90 minute break before the start of my horse club meeting. As it so happens, I was not taking a shower, so I did have my favorite plinker on me - a full sized Glock 10 mm loaded with +P ammo, making it arguably the most powerful semi-auto around (I’ve been told I’m over-compensating, but I believe you just never know when you will be forced to kill an engine block).

Making use of this break I pulled over to the curb and parked, then called my business partner Paul to discuss the goings on of the day. After about 15 minutes three male youths - who appeared to have extensive first-hand knowledge of our judicial system - approached my truck. One came up to the passenger door, one stood front and center placing hands on hood, and the leader (?) came to the drivers side. All-in-all an exciting moment worthy of the Lifetime Channel. I'm giving a play-by-play to Paul, not concerned as I am confident I will win any confrontation either via the foot-pound energy contained in large lead castings, or via 400 hp spinning my truck around.

Then it strikes me: I was wearing my hip holster today. Since it can't be worn comfortably while driving, when I entered the truck I took it off and placed the holster in the drivers side map pocket! This meant no "quick draw" antics on my part, but a bit of fumbling around to first get the holster out of the pocket, then the gun from the holster. AND doing this while the "gentlemen" were trying to get into the truck, and BEFORE they drew their weapons.

Fortunately, my moves proceeded smoothly and quickly, and in perhaps two seconds the Glock was out, the high-power green laser on, and I believe the "gentlemen" lost bladder control as they ran in terror down the street.

I consider myself extremely lucky. It would have been easy for things to have gone differently, all because I did not do the right thing at the right time. Everyone with weapons training is fully aware that a weapon is of no use if it is not immediately accessible. I do have a special holder for my guns in the truck, making them accessible in under 0.5 seconds. But for this one time I was lazy, did not do the right thing at the right time, and it almost cost dearly.

This story could just have easily been about any one of dozens of clients each year that loose all of their corporate financial data, the photos of the birth of their child, or other critical data all because they didn't do the simplest of right things at the right time.

But an attempted car-jacking is more fun to tell.

Spring Cleaning Special Pricing

January is the perfect time to get your computers, servers, and networks serviced to ensure everything is being done right.

The very best way to avoid costly computer failures and data loss is to perform routine system maintenance at least every four months. This will help ensure early detection and rapid treatment for the most common problems impacting your Macintosh. A comprehensive system maintenance package includes:

•Initial directory diagnostics and repair
•Update system and applications
•Install automated directory and system diagnostic utilities
•Install or check anti-virus utility
•Install or check automatic backup software
•Font diagnostics and repair
•Backup Windows Boot Camp
•Follow-up directory diagnostics and repair
•Backup system validation
•Wireless network scan for security holes
•Wireless network scan for competing WiFi channels
•Internet broadband speed validation
•Written recommendations for RAM, hard drive, system, environmental
•Check for proper AC outlet wiring and voltage

A comprehensive system maintenance typically takes two hours to complete. To help keep all of your systems running as fast and problem-free as possible, during the entire month of January The MacXperts is offering this package at 50% discount - only $125 for the first Macintosh, and $75 for each additional Mac*.

To schedule your Spring Cleaning, please call 505.453.0479.

* In order to qualify for the additional Mac discount, each additional Mac must be available for concurrent servicing.

Tags: Spring Cleaning Special