"If you should have an interest in the new iPhone 6, here is a video with a good review. The reviewer says the iPhone Plus is the same as the 6 except it is just larger," writes Jim Hamm.
iOS 8, Thoroughly Reviewed
This from Past Prez Art Gorski, "As usual, Ars Technica does a monster review of an Apple operating system. This time, they tackle iOS8, which was released to the public today."
ios-8-thoroughly-reviewed
See If Your ID Password Has Been Leaked
Check and see if your ID password has been leaked. Jim Hamm says, "Here is a website https://isleaked.com/ that will check it for you. Five million were just released on-line." He checked his Gmail account but changed his password anyway, because more passwords and Gmail accounts may be released later on.
Prepare for Yosemite
John Carter alerts us to a new Take Control offer. There's an early-bird version of Joe Kissell's Take Control of Upgrading to Yosemite, available now at a steep discount. Take a look at http://tid.bl.it/tco-yosemite-upgrading-mug-prerelease-discount describing their 73-page offer. Mary Ann Clark has posted many of John's articles in detail on the PMUG website: www.pmug.us under the heading of Reviews.
Big Changes for Macworld Magazine
Jim Hamm informs us here's the latest on "Macworld laying off some staff and ending print edition." Thanks, Jim for helping us keep up with the news!
Apple Event in 84 Seconds
"If you'd like a quick overview of the entire Apple event look here," says Jim Hamm. It takes 84 seconds to view.
Protest Net Slowdown
Here is information David Passell wants to share with us. He says it's "gathering momentum to prevent large telecom companies from slowing down the Internet for their benefit and our loss. Anyone with a website can do something here." Today's the day: see here.
Beware of Phishing
After hearing from David Passell posted on 9-3, we all are on alert for the bad stuff. A few days later here comes an email to "editor" of this blog, asking for the password to be reset. Avoiding the obvious, it was time to phone directly to Apple for help from a living person. Finally, a person to talk with! The man agreed that since the return address on the email was from "orders@tunes.co.uk" it was BAD. He directed me to forward that email to reportphishing@icloud.com and so that's that.
Is This Phishing?
"Doesn't this look threatening?" questions David Passell. He passes along a copy of an email which says it's from no-reply@icloud.app.com asking for him to update his account records. He wonders if it's legitimate or not. He says he doesn't buy anything on an Apple Account, at least he hasn't for a long time. He emphasizes "I will not click on the update to my account Link. If I were worried I would go straight to my Apple account with my id and PW."
Did anyone else get this kind of an email?
Buy Stuff & Save Money
Jim Hamm is looking for stuff; look what he found: "I just came across this site today, and know nothing about it, except some good deals on what they say are genuine Apple products. Take a look." You can view a 5 minute video for an overview of this Utah company and their stuff. http://www.yugster.com/faqs
Restore Files with Time Machine
"Here is a helpful article if you should ever need to restore files on your Mac using Time Machine," notes Jim Hamm. Thanks again, Jim, for keeping your PMUG friends in mind.
Health Data Privacy Issues
"Health data that will soon be stored on iOS 8-powered devices could be a gold mine for ad networks, but Apple has made it off limits for now," so begins the article recommended by David Passell. He reiterates, "No, developers will not be allowed to sell your health data for targeted advertising. Read about it here. David adds, "ZDnet includes a 'more' link. This takes you to a lot of other sharing sites and email is at the top. You are not limited to Facebook, Twitter, and 'inShare' (whatever that is).
Startup Issues
Responding to a question John Carter gives two ways to handle Mac login issues. You can picture him smiling as he first suggests this: "Do an Internet search like this: 'mac turn off login items.' And then sift through dozens of similar answers.
"But here’s my answers:
Answer #1: Right click on the item in the Dock, select Options, deselect “Open at login.”
Answer #2: Open System Preferences -> Users & Groups -> Login Items. Select the item and then click the ‘-‘ button at the bottom." (Yes, that's the little minus sign.)
Routers, Switches, Network Hardware
What is a router and what does it do? What difference is there in the WiFi speeds? Why are network hubs no longer needed?
Well, Jim Hamm found this article to explain these to the person with a need to know. "Here's an article explaining how a home network functions," he says.
http://www.howtogeek.com/99001/htg-explains-routers-and-switches/
"Net Neutrality" at Round Two
Jim Hamm continues the earlier discussion, "Are you 'fer or agin' the concept of 'Net Neutrality', or quite possibly don't even care? Following is an article from the Windows Secrets Newsletter that might be of interest regarding this issue."
Note: the end of the 120-day public comment period ends September 15.
Apple Sales & Profits
Keeping up with the latest on Apple sales and profits, David Passell sends this with the comment, "Everyone knows the PC market has been in decline for the past few years. But one segment of that market is doing spectacularly well, and one company has managed to carve out enviable sales and profits by dominating that niche. Guess who?"
Internet Controversy
Here's something to look into: the possible merger of Comcast and Time Warner. David Passell passes on this link. Check out this info and see what you think.
Where's Apple's Chromebook?
According to David Passell there's a need for an Apple that isn't so expensive. He suggests we read this. "I think the Chromebook is going to give Apple a bit more competition than first assumed. Consumers, schools, and businesses are buying Chromebooks instead of more expensive devices. This could put new pressure on Apple to create a cheap device.
With his P.S. David reminds us he still has a 2008 Mini running Snow Leopard, and "I probably don't know what (hassles?) I am missing." He signs off by calling himself the "browsing triceratops."
iPhone Rumors
"What do we know about the anticipated iPhone 6?" asks David Passell. He also wonders if you'll buy the iOS handset. See here.
Happy Birthday, PMUG!
Here's an early "Happy Birthday!" to PMUG, Prescott Mac User Group which officially started twenty-five years ago on August 21, 1989.
At today's meeting new Prez Rob Raess presided, VP Pam Wickstrom encouraged those attending to volunteer to speak to us at some later dates.
We also heard from David Passell, treasurer, and we signed a pretty card to send to Bobbie Pastor, PMUG secretary. Our "cookie lady" Ginger Carlson brought cake for the birthday. Jeff Ian from Think4Ink gave a jolly presentation that informed all of us about printers, ink, and the history of PMUG in Prescott.