Commenting, "Folks using the Avast! anti-virus software might be interested in reading this," Jim Hays attaches this, "An article posted on The Safe Mac website states, 'The security community is ablaze with news of Superfish being pre-installed on some Lenovo computers. The primary issue concerning experts is that Superfish replaced SSL certificates, used for ensuring secure connections on the internet, with its own certificates. It turns out that the same behavior is being exhibited by software that many people are inclined to trust: Avast’s anti-virus software!'
Read all about it here: http://www.thesafemac.com/avasts-man-in-the-middle/#more-1829.
Questions About iCloud Photo Library?
Jim Hamm has found some interesting info. "Should you have questions about Apple's iCloud Photo Library, here is an article you may want to read. What with Photos for Mac and iCloud Photo Library, it all can get confusing pretty quickly. This article helps to clear things up."
Keep Informed About Facebook
Facebook can track everywhere you go online. Keep informed, see what Kim Komando says. http://www.komando.com/tips/12299/step-by-step-guide-to-lock-down-your-facebook-profile/2 She gives 5 pages of what and how-to.
(Remember to get a better page view to read go to the link, then see if Reader is in a little blue box at the top right side of the website URL line. Click on Reader to avoid having to see all the ads on the pages. When you're on the nice clear Reader page and want to go back to the original website page just click somewhere on the page you're now looking at, and that takes you back to the page with all those ads all over it. Yes, you probably would like to see who supports her page . . . and what else she's writing about.)
MacBook (2015) Take a Look!
"If you're possibly considering getting a new laptop -- or even if you're not, but would like to find out more about what Apple is doing in laptops -- you might take a read on this review of Apple's new Macbook. This review is one of the best I've ever read. Well done, I'd say -- and the Macbook looks very impressive also," and that's Jim Hamm's introduction to this snazzy new laptop.
Look here http://www.imore.com/macbook-2015-review and find out about how the Butterfly mechanism replaces the Scissors mechanism, and what the Force Touch trackpad can do. Read on: It uses a combination of Force Touch and Taptics, it is "fanless," and it starts at only $1,299. This is 36 ages of delightful description with large photos. And that's followed by a total of 107 reader comments.
Now, if that wasn't enough Jim Hamm follows up with, "OK, so you're gonna buy the new 2015 Macbook laptop. Want to see what it looks like inside? Take a look. https://www.ifixit.com/Teardown/Retina+Macbook+2015+Teardown/39841
"First impressions: the computing 'stuff' is awfully small, the computer is mostly battery, it looks to be difficult to assemble, and very difficult to disassemble.
"But, overall, a very impressive laptop," Jim concludes.
Apple Watch is Almost Here
Available 4.24.15; yes, the Apple Watch is almost here. Pre-order now! Watch the Guided Tours! https://www.apple.com
David Passell sends this link about the Apple Watch with his announcement, "I am not going to buy one." http://www.zdnet.com/article/planned-to-order-apple-watch-reviews-other-watches-galaxy-s6-edge-killed-that-idea/?tag=nl.e539&s_cid=e539&ttag=e539&ftag=TRE17cfd61
Walmart App Saves You Money
Jim Hamm gets our attention with "If you occasionally shop at Wally World, a blogger wrote the the following about an app that is available. It might be worth checking out."
"If you shop at Walmart you might want to check out their Savings Catcher Program. Just download the Walmart app for your phone and then use it to scan your Walmart receipts. There is a QR code at the bottom of every Walmart receipt that looks like this:
"If you shop at Walmart you might want to check out their Savings Catcher Program. Just download the Walmart app for your phone and then use it to scan your Walmart receipts. There is a QR code at the bottom of every Walmart receipt that looks like this:
"Just use the Walmart app to scan the code and then WM will compare what you paid to prices at other stores in the area. If they find a lower price, they credit you with the difference.
"So far in the last several months, we've gotten a little over $17 back. You can collect it by printing out an e-card at home and then use it at the checkout. So, check it out."
Bling or Practicality?
"This article is interesting in its price comparison of bling and practicality," comments David Passell. He continues, "I personally am happy with my old radioactive 'Microtec' watch, though the Tritium is over its half-life:). I wonder if the Watch will be the Newton of the 21st century. (I see links to other articles on Apple at the article.)"
http://www.zdnet.com/article/how-apples-12-inch-macbook-could-steal-apple-watchs-thunder/?tag=nl.e589&s_cid=e589&ttag=e589&ftag=TREc64629f
An Apple Watch in Your Future?
"If there is perhaps an Apple Watch in your future, here is an article with one person's opinion about it," declares Jim Hamm as he sends this from USA TODAY.
http://www.usatoday.com/story/tech/columnist/baig/2015/04/08/baig-buying-the-apple-watch/25436885/
A "Supercookie" is on Your Smartphone
"If you use Verizon on your smartphone you may have read about Verizon placing a 'super cookie' on your phone. Here is an article explaining more about this issue, and how to opt out of the 'super cookie,'" and with that we can envision Jim Hamm with a serious look, followed by his grin.
iPad, Five Years Later
"If you own an iPad, you may recall it was released a little over five years ago by Apple. Here is an interesting -- if somewhat lengthy -- article with comments from various writers on their initial and later perspective of what the iPad was all about," says Jim Hamm.
He concludes, "Although, for me, the iPad won't replace a computer, I find it quite handy to have, and feel like my iPad and computer work quite well together, and I wouldn't want to be without either."
Broadband Controversy
We've been seeing some info and opinions on the broadband controversy. Here's some food for thought from David Passell. "This sounds like a good idea. I just took action to urge Congress to pass the Community Broadband Act and stop cable companies from blocking fast and affordable Internet access. "I think you should too, Click here. "I don't know if AZ has such laws blocking municipal broadband. In any case cities or even neighborhoods should have full access to the bandwidth speed they are paying for. "In this web page, Finland gave its citizens the right to a 1Mb connection. "P.S. 1MB isn't fast, but it is adequate for email and news."
Take a Tour of Apple Watch
Here's the link you'll want to open! See videos from 1 to 4 minutes long that show the features of the Apple Watch. https://www.apple.com/watch/guided-tours/#film-welcome?cid=&
Get Ready for Photos for Mac
Here's the latest from John Carter, "Photos has at long last showed its face in OS X 10.10.3 Yosemite, now in public beta, and we expect it to be released within weeks. But should you trust your irreplaceable photo library to Photos right away? And what capabilities might you lose if you do?
"There are some early answers in the new 'Photos for Mac: A Take Control Crash Course,' penned by Jason Snell, formerly of Macworld and now at Six Colors. The book normally costs $10, but the 30% MUG discount drops that to $7. Learn more about the book and buy it via the coupon-loaded link below."
http://tid.bl.it/photos-crash-course-mug-discount
Beware Apple Scam
Get an email from Apple? A local news channel posted yesterday, 4-2-15 at 4:31 pm their "3 On Your Side" looked into the issue and confirmed it was a phishing scam. Keep informed, take a look: http://www.azfamily.com/story/28710752/3oys-warning-scammers-using-apple-to-dupe-you?autostart=true
Cows on the Moon?
Grabbing our attention Jim Hamm asks, "Can NASA really be working on a spacesuit for cows on the moon? Don't believe? Well, take a look at this picture.
"And remember what day this is -- April Fools Day...(grin)...
What is Keychain Access?
Answering questions that he's been asked about Keychain Access John Carter has written a seven page article. It's what you need to know: What is it? How do you use it? Is it safe?
And, as an added benefit John has included tips on using Spotlight with references to Keychain Access. See it here Working with Keychain Access.
More on Comparing Browsers
Jim Hamm has found more info to pass along here. "If deciding on which browser to use is important to you, here is an article comparing the various browsers.
"I tend to rotate among all the browsers (except Internet Explorer, which I don't use) and find that it doesn't matter much to me which I use. They all do a decent job, and are just different enough to make it interesting just to try a different browser from time to time. Vivaldi is a browser I've been recently trying, and it's fine, though perhaps a bit slower rendering web pages than the other browsers."
Here's something to consider from Jim, "One item the article doesn't mention is Adobe's Flash Player, and which is declining in use on the web, due in part to malware vulnerabilities in past years.
"However, I do occasionally run across a website that requires Flash Player. Pandora Radio is one.
"The Chrome browser comes with Flash pre-installed, and sandboxed, which is good. Sometimes it is difficult to get Flash installed in Safari, so switching to Chrome, for example, solves that problem."
And Jim sums it up with, "If you'd enjoy the author's comments on browsers, then read on. If it doesn't matter, tap delete and get to something interesting...(grin)...Jim "
Compare OS and Browsers
Here's an article from David Passell which compares worldwide use of Mac vs PC. He notes, "Also compares different browsers." http://www.zdnet.com/article/which-operating-systems-and-browsers-are-most-popular-in-the-u-s/?tag=nl.e539&s_cid=e539&ttag=e539&ftag=TRE17cfd61
Two shakes later Jim Hamm sends this same link, heading it with "Six surprising facts abut who's winning the operating system and browser wars in the U.S." His comment is, "Not that it will change what you use, but here are some interesting statistics . . . "
Prediction About Gmail
"I like Gmail and have used it for years. But here is an article that was written a few months ago, and which I just now read, that predicts Google will drop Gmail down the road. The author explains why he thinks this is so, and his premise sounds very realistic to me. It seems Gmail doesn't directly generate income for Google, and I hadn't really thought about this, but I'm sure Google has." And here Jim Hamm grins. "Recently Google offered another email client called 'Inbox.' I took a look at it, and didn't like what I saw. I hope the author is wrong in his prognostication, as I'd sure be disappointed if Gmail disappears."
Trying Out the VPNs
"In a recent posting (3/16/15) Jim Hamm gave us a lot of useful information on using VPNs," says Jim Hays. You'll remember VPN is Virtual Private Networking.
He goes on to say, "Intrigued, I decided to set one up, both to protect my privacy when using public wireless networks and to allow me to access my email accounts in the Prescott Library using an email client (as opposed to a web-based client). Since I will be using the VPN only while traveling or while using public hotspots I opted for Private Tunnel (https://www.privatetunnel.com/) a metered Virtual Private Networking service that provides an extremely easy to use and hassle-free experience.
"Pricing: the first 100 megabytes is free; 50 gigabytes costs $12.00; 100 gigabytes costs $20.00; 500 gigabytes costs $50.00. There is no usage time limit for the bandwidth you purchase. Private Tunnel offers clients for Mac OS, Windows, Linux, iOS and Android.
Jim concludes with, "However you can use any OpenVPN client that will run on your setup. (I used Tunnelblick (http://code.google.com/p/tunnelblick/) on my MacBook.)"