Apple's Announcements Today

        Today was the big day.  Take a look at the latest here:  http://www.apple.com   and see keynote,   and look here for two entries posted today: http://www.apple.com/hotnews/ 
       Prez Art Gorski sends along this link http://arstechnica.com/apple/2013/09/apples-overhauled-ios-7-is-coming-september-18-to-an-idevice-near-you/ , with his comment, "In just over a week, your iPad or iPhone will have a software update to iOS 7.  This will be a total makeover, changing the look of just about everything, and adding some new features.  It will take a little time to get used to it all, and hopefully Apple will provide some tutorials for users."  

Google Defends Sanning Email

"Here is an article discussing how Google defends their scanning every email sent or received through Gmail. Google says this is a 'normal business practice', and uses the info to tailor ads that appear beside your inbox."  Jim Hamm continues,  "I use Gmail, and the adds don't bother me, but I'm not fond of the idea of Google scanning the contents of every email sent through their system. On the other hand, Google is providing a useful service for free, so something or someone has to foot the costs.

        Jim goes on to comment,  "Perhaps Google already states this in their terms of agreement when one sets up a Gmail account, but wording somewhat to the following seems fair to me: as a user of the free Gmail email service the user agrees to having all sent or received emails subject to scanning by Google. If one doesn't like this, then don't sign up for the Gmail service -- use something else for your email service.
        So, this is Jim's question,  "I don't know, but perhaps other free email services such as Yahoo, Outlook Express and others may do the same thing. What do you think about Google's scanning of your emails? Armed with this knowledge, surely you won't send any of your passwords via email anymore, will you...(grin)."

Routine Maintenance on Mac

Jim Hamm keeps finding helpful stuff,  "Here is a helpful website with information for routine maintenance on your Mac. It has been recently updated. 

        "If you leave your Mac shutdown at night, then the routine 'maintenance scripts' from Apple won't run -- but they will if you leave your Mac in a sleep mode. Normally, even if these scripts are not run you probably won't experience a problem with your Mac. I don't leave my Mac on at night, so the scripts have never run on my MacBook Air and I'm not experiencing any problems. Having said that, though, it is probably a good idea to have these run occasionally."

Gmail Bug Fixed?

        Got Gmail?  John Carter has info for you!  "It appears that Google has fixed an annoying bug in Gmail. I recently reported that it was next to impossible to delete a message from the All Mail label if it was visible in Apple Mail. I keep trying from time to time, and today I can report that I think it has actually been fixed.

        "If you have All Mail showing under GMAIL->[Gmail] in the sidebar of Mail (see image below), and there's messages you want to delete from that mailbox, give it a try. The messages should then show up in the GMAIL->[Gmail]->Trash, which you then have to highlight and delete, whereupon they will then show up in MAILBOXES->Trash, that you then have to empty. I know, pain in the ... . But that they best than can be done - for now.Messages deleted from All Mail will show up in the Trash mailbox just below All Mail. Messages deleted from that Trash mailbox will show up in the Trash mailbox at the top."

Microsoft + Skype + What's Next?

         Keeping up with the latest news Jim Hamm fills us in with this,  "Here's an interesting article about Microsoft's Ballmer by Pogue of the New York Times. I happen to agree with Pogue's assessment. I don't think Ballmer has been good for Microsoft. And that's sad because Microsoft has been (and still could be) a great company with the proper visionary leader.

        "A similar fate could befall Apple as well. I think Tim Cook made a great COO. He's good at organizational functions -- production, inventory levels, timely deliveries, etc -- but I don't think he's a visionary. I really don't have a good inside grasp on Apple's management team, but based on what I've read Jony Ive seems to be a visionary at Apple. Others may be as well. Time will tell.
        "As a side note -- talking about Microsoft -- since Microsoft bought Skype the performance of Skype has deteriorated. It is difficult now to maintain a video connection on Skype. I don't know if somehow Microsoft has caused this, but something has happened. I've quit using Skype and now use Google+Hangouts. One can stay connected on a video chat -- much better than Skype. 

        And here's Jim's last comment, delivered with his trademarked grin, "I guess I'll just blame Skype's deterioration on Ballmer too."
       Try this link:  http://pogue.blogs.nytimes.com
      

A Star Party Invitation

        John Carter, the PMUG Web Host Admin, sends you this invitation to Star Party events.  September 7 from 7:30 to 9:30 pm. at Vista Park in Prescott will feature astronomer guides with their binoculars and telescopes showing the public the wonders of the solar system, the Milky Way and deep space.   http://prescottastronomyclub.org
        John almost always does some kind of presentation at the public star parties when the wind doesn't blow the projector screen down. He says, "Otherwise, I'm at my 8" telescope and giving the public mini lectures on stars and deep sky objects (clusters, nebulae, galaxies) and of course answering any question about Astronomy.

        "On Sept 21 I'm doing a presentation at the Highland center on 'A Walk Through The Stars.' The public is invited, and a Star Party follows."

Wi-Fi for Hotel Room Internet

         "If you travel,"  is how Jim Hamm begins.  And he does travel!  He goes on,  "and would like to share a connection to the Internet in your hotel room, here is an article on how to go about setting it up." How to Share a Hotel Room’s Internet Connection Over Wi-Fi http://mac.tutsplus.com/tutorials/networking/how-to-share-a-hotel-rooms-internet-connection-over-wi-fi/

No, Your Data Isn't Secure in the Cloud

          John Carter wants to share his viewpoint on security in the Cloud.  "You do understand that it's the government that is insisting on an open book for all personal information, yet they also insist on not telling us anything they don't want us to know about - like what really happened at Roswell and other places.

        "I really don't care how deep the government is looking into my personal affairs. In fact, I want them to be able to pry into the private life of any citizen planning on running for a public office at every level of government from our local supervisor and councilman to the President. 
        "The ONLY way to have access to my passwords across all devices without using the cloud is to carry a thumb drive —and it won't connect to my iPhone, iPod, or iPad. That makes no sense. 
        "So, using iCloud or Dropbox to store my passwords is my only sure way of being able to access them when I need them from any device. And with 128 bit encryption, that is secure enough to prevent Joe the Plumber (and even my high-tech buddies) from getting at them. I'm safe from the hackers, and that's all that really concerns me.
        "Now, if one of those hackers works for the government and is nefarious enough to steal encrypted data for personal gain, I can't stop that. No one can. It would take an act of Congress to prevent even the government from accessing encrypted files, and then only foreign governments would be able to access my personal files. Right back where I started from."  
        And thanks to John for adding to this discussion.  

FREE and Reduced-price eBooks

        Again Jim Hamm keeps us posted on FREE and inexpensive stuff!  "eReaderIQ is back, and now offers one free eBook and several reduced-price eBooks from Amazon. If interested, you might take a look and perhaps subscribe to their offerings."
http://us1.campaign-archive2.com/?u=ed09bb8384b4b40c482babf93&id=1d37388ea9&e=3e18e2b6bf
Here's this:  http://www.ereaderiq.com