Macs for Dummies, by Edward C. Baig, Reviewed.

Macs for Dummies, by Edward C. Baig, consists of more than four hundred pages of erudition delivered with humour and easy style. In what could so easily have been a dry and dull presentation, we have here a text book which is readable and enjoyable.

I was gifted the book as part of my retirement present from work colleagues, who knew I was considering the idea of swapping my PC for a Mac, once I’d left employment and could devote more time to writing. So, it was a welcome volume. I read it well out of order in my ‘to read’ list, as I was considering making the change on or around my 65^th birthday, which comes up next month.

Reading a computer manual without benefit of the machine may seem a little odd. But, as Baig makes clear in his introduction, the book is designed as much for that eventuality as for those who have already committed to the Mac. The ready humour and light presentation make the book a delight to read. Packed with information, tips, technical bits (that you can skip if you wish), warnings and short asides into the more esoteric aspects of the Mac world, this is definitely the book to read if you’re either about to make the momentous decision I face or have taken the first step and purchased your first Mac.

I learned, with growing wonder, the huge variety of programs and applications provided with this amazing machine. I learned about the ease and user-friendliness of the operating system, which makes Windows look decidedly clunky (though you can run Windows in parallel, should you so desire). The author explains the similarities and the differences, he describes the hows and whys of various aspects of using the machine and its operating system. Inevitably, there are technical terms, but where these need explanation, he provides it in terms that are easily understood.

The book was published in 2011 and is in its 11^th edition. Of course, it was written before this date, so certain things have changed since then. The operating system he describes is the Snow Leopard, but there have been 2 upgrades since then and, as I understand it, we are now on safari with the Mountain Lion OS. So, there are some aspects that are no longer current. But, Baig makes this clear and gives the URLs of several websites to help the reader update, including the specific Mac site that will keep all prospective and current users up to date. It is, of course, inevitable that a book about the fast moving world of computing will be out of date as soon as its writing is complete. But this one makes a serious attempt to compensate for that by both flagging likely changes and providing the means to address them.

So, the questions arise; have I made the decision and did the book in any way influence me?

To the first, the answer is YES, I have and, I’m impatient to buy my first Mac. I will, however, wait until my birthday, as I’m currently learning to touch-type (my 2 fingers and thumb technique restricts me to a maximum speed of 45 wpm, and I need to be able to type at a speed at least close to my thoughts) and I think one new skill is enough for a man of my decrepitude. But I look forward to that change with real enthusiasm.

To the second, the answer is, once again, YES. I had conversed with users and heard their enthusiasm and universal praise, so I was ready to be convinced. But I had not, until I read this book, fully appreciated the sheer wonder of the Mac, its hardware and software and the marriage made in heaven between those two elements. The sheer variety and relevance of the vast array of applications makes the difference in price between the Mac and the PC more or less irrelevant and renders the happy coupling of hard and software a bonus. I look forward to using the new Mac to produce my masterpieces in the very near future.

If you’re unsure whether you should make the change and you consider yourself a serious author, graphic artist or photographer, I seriously suggest you spend the few pounds this book costs and then decide for yourself, armed with the facts.

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My Memories Suite Software Review

In conjunction with this review, there was originally intended to be an opportunity for me to offer a copy of the software as a prize in a contest. However, the associated commitment required on this blog would have involved monthly posts, which would go against my policy of neutrality and would have rendered the site more commercial than I intend. 

So, sorry, I can’t provide that prize. I’ve offered an alternative, which is detailed on the previous post. Why not have a go?

As regular visitors know, I rarely endorse or promote products here. However, a short while ago, as a result of the blog’s growing popularity, I was approached to do a piece on some digital scrapbooking software designed to produce albums and other items of memorabilia. At the time, I was trying to sort out the 5,700 photographs stored on my PC and the idea of turning some of these into albums I could share was very attractive. So, as I was offered the software free, I decided to give the My MemoriesSuite software a trial.

The first thing I should say about this product is that, unlike a lot of graphics applications, it’s very simple to use. Once I’d downloaded the programme, a process that took longer than expected because of the size of the file, I scouted through the various options and quickly understood how the various components worked. Because I was particularly busy at the time, but had committed to reviewing the suite as soon as possible, I decided to see how easy it would be to compile a simple album there and then.

The illustration of the album page, shown here with its photographs, was completed within the single hour that I used to download updates, familiarise myself with the various tools and view the huge collection of items on hand in the software. Now, I think that’s pretty impressive. I could quickly have expanded the album to several pages in very little extra time. The suite is that easy to use.

Out of curiosity, I wondered how it would work in producing some posters I’m intending to create for other purposes. I had an idea in mind, so I returned to the software the following evening and turned out the ‘Write…edit…’ poster in less than 10 minutes. That includes selecting the background, fonts, embellishments and colours, and learning how to place and arrange the various elements that make up the design. Now, I don’t know about you, but this is the sort of simplicity of use I value. My time is precious and I cherish tools that allow me to complete a specific project without fuss in a short time.

For those of you interested in using this application, let me give you a few facts before you decide:

Features:

·         Backgrounds – many and varied – spoilt for choice here. And, if you wish, you can purchase additional backgrounds.

·         Photos – the software automatically imports all your images into its library and makes them available, exactly as you have arranged them in folders. You can also import pictures from outside, if you wish.

·         Photo Layouts – many pre-designed layouts to allow easy displays on each page. Or you can arrange your photos as you wish.

·         Text – all the fonts on your system are automatically included in the range available, with examples of each font shown in the dropdown list.

·         Word Art – looks similar to the familiar Word Art used with Windows programmes, including the different shapes, colours, sizes and formats.

·         Embellishments – a huge catalogue of flourishes to embellish your creative efforts, all easily applied and sized to your requirements.

·         Shapes – a great collection of different shapes that can be used as stand-alone decoration or to frame a particular page or photograph. Place your loved one inside a heart, for example.

·         Calendars – allows you design your own illustrated calendars for months or years.

·         Imprints - hundreds of ready-made designs to title or decorate your album, easily applied.

·         Paint – a drawing screen that allows the artists in you free reign. Great fun.

·         Video & Multimedia – allows you to add video, audio, websites, files and pages to your constructions for online viewing or production of DVDs.

·         Music & Narration – so that you can add background music and tell a story over your series of pictures.

·         Check Album – gives you the chance to make sure everything is as you want it to be, applies a spell-check and points out errors before you commit.

·         Share Album – so you can print at home, export, send for professional printing online, make an interactive album, a DVD or a movie, as desired.

·         Tools – a huge selection of tools to allow you to arrange, size, colour, edit and experiment so that your album becomes truly your own.

The software allows the design of more than just albums and calendars. I’ve used it to produce posters, as you can see. You can also make films, with sound, and interactive multimedia presentations.

The software normally costs just $39.97 (about £25.00 or about €31.00) for download. If you’re in USA or Canada, you can opt for a disc instead. You can purchase the software, and its associated products, which I haven't tried, through the My Memories Suite website.

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Have We Reached Overload on Passwords and Security?

Image via Wikipedia

I don't know how you feel about passwords, security questions and the proliferation of barriers placed before us so we can supposedly safeguard our online activities. But I'm reaching saturation point with it. Those who devise websites and, especially, those who produce the ever-growing range of security products and advice, would have us invent a new password for each of the sites and applications we use where personal information is stored. They also want us to produce security questions and answers for each; all different from the others. I've actually run out of mothers to provide maiden names, towns I was born in and favourite films, books or pasta dishes.

Just to confuse the issue further, we are required, REQUIRED mind you, if we are not to break the primary rule that, 'You MUST NOT write any of this information down'. Now, I accept that I am approaching my dotage and will soon achieve my ambition of becoming a cantankerous old sod (what do you mean, I already have?), but even the young admit to running out of personal memory space (as opposed to the virtual type) to store and retrieve all these different passwords and the accompanying paraphernalia.

And then, just in case we thought we'd managed to jump through all the hoops and commit all this information to memory, they tell you that you should change the lot every three months or so. In fact, at my place of employment, they recently introduced a wonderful new system that must be accessed if you want to find out what you've been paid each month; they no longer produce the printed versions they used to. (Exactly how one is supposed to provide an original pay slip for those organisations that require such evidence in the future, I've no idea and they've failed to explain). But, on this wonderful site, which most of us took at least seven attempts to actually access the first time, due to its idiosyncrasies, the password lasts for, wait for it….40 days. 40 DAYS; that's right. So, every 40 days you have to think of a new password. This means that most payslips will only be accessible after a change of password. Brilliant, eh?

I foresee a future in which all education will revolve around the invention of passwords and security questions and answers, at the expense of actual learning.

Of course, most people will continue to consider that 'password' is adequate security and forget that their date of birth, mother's maiden name and place of birth are all readily accessible to the public from their many profiles on social networks.

So, is there a solution, something that will render this whole farrago redundant? Well, Norton 360 seems to have partially solved the problem by offering to store passwords securely for you and then retrieve them at your request. And I'm sure there must be other such helpful solutions out there. But I'm looking for something a little more radical, something that requires no memory at all, in fact.

If all PC, Mac, Mobile manufacturers (all those who produce any device that require us to install security, in fact), were required, by law, to include a fingerprint or iris reader, none of us could lose or forget our means of access (unless we suffered amputation or blinding, of course). Further, it would be near impossible to steal or otherwise retrieve the necessary entry requirements. Of course, the manufacturers of security software would lose a lucrative market. But who's more important here; the customer or the business that makes money out of the customer?

Sorry, silly question. Of course the business is far more important. Or so they would have us believe.

Some Free Books & 50% Discount off Another

For all those who have been curious about my work but been reluctant to 'risk' their money by making a purchase, here's a chance, for one week only, to obtain two books without cost and the novel at half price. Interested?
Read on.
The offers apply to eBooks. Okay, I know, you don't have an eReader. This is no problem. You can read eBooks on your PC or Mac as PDF documents, or, if you prefer you can visit the Amazon sites and download free software to allow you to download Kindle books and read them on your PC. For UK readers, the link is here.  For US and the rest of the world, try here.
Of course, if you have an eReader, you can read it with ease on that, whatever make it is, as the Smashwords site supports all the eReader formats.
To get a copy of my own speculative fiction anthology, Ten Tales for Tomorrow, free, please follow this link.

For a free copy of the writing group anthology I edited, A Sackful of Shorts, please follow this link.


And to get your hands on a half price copy of my romantic thriller, Breaking Faith, please use this link.

You'll have to be quick to take advantage of this offer, as it lasts only one week, starting today.

Having recently invested in a Kindle for myself, I'm going to post a piece about the different experiences to be had from reading from paper and electronic devices later this week.

On With the Edit, in Spite of the Kindle.

Image via WikipediaFinally, the laptop and PC are in synch and everything appears to be working as it should. But, this morning, my Kindle arrived. This was a surprise, as I ordered it only yesterday afternoon and opted for the free delivery option, which is supposed to take 3 - 5 days. Needless to say, I spent some time having a play and downloading some books to read. Of course, this means that the edit was once more delayed. However, I did manage another couple of chapters, so I'm now on chapter 46, page 439, and all continues to go well.
Even the spreadsheet that shows the timeline has required little alteration. So, I'm pretty pleased with the progress so far.
Now, having just taken up the Kindle after it has had a software update, I discover that it no longer wants to connect to my Wi-Fi, even though it was happy to do so before. I've entered the password about four times and it simply doesn't want to make the connection. It doesn't appear to be the password that's at fault, so I'll leave it until tomorrow and hope it feels more co-operative then. But I am pretty impressed with it as a reading device. How it compares to a paper book I will leave for the moment as I plan to do a post on that very topic in a short while.
Tomorrow, all things being equal, should see me editing a few more chapters. That's certainly my intention.
And now, at a little before 22.00 hours here in UK, I'm going to join my wife on the settee and watch some telly, relax and drink a spot of red wine.

The Edit Continues

Image via WikipediaSo; the last few days have been busy, but in a manner that didn't exactly enhance the edit.
My daughter is studying for A levels and my wife was using her PC. The call on the computer was becoming too difficult, so we bought an Acer Laptop for my wife to use in the sitting room whilst my daughter continues with her studies in her bedroom. Of course, the laptop will also serve me well by being available for my writing on the summer days when I take my wife to her bowls matches; I can write under the sun.
Because the laptop was running Windows 7, and needed MS Office fitting, version 2010 made sense, I also had to upgrade my PC to match. In between the purchase and the finalisation of the set-up, I've had to be at my day job. So, today, I finally completed the process so that the laptop runs my wife's files and she can print wirelessly from my printer.
Those of you who have been following this particular thread on my blog will know I thought I'd reached a point in the adult fantasy where I could end the first book. Reflection has meant that I realise this is not the case. I need to add a few more chapters before I can properly conclude all three story threads.
Today, after all the other jobs, I managed one further chapter. Now on chapter 45, page 429. And still going well. Using the new OS and the updated Word program has made things a little less simple than they were, but I guess I'll soon get used to the new systems.
Tomorrow, given a bit of luck, I'll get a few more chapters done.

Stuart's Daily Word Spot: Mac

Image via Wikipedia

Mac: noun -  also as Mc- the patronymic prefix in many Scottish & Irish names; someone whose name contains the prefix Mac-; a Scotsman, a familiar form of address to an unknown male; the trade name for a specific type of computer.

'There was some unintended irony in the way MacDonald called every man he met, "Mac", without ever realising it was an oblique reference to his own surname.'

Edit, what edit?

Three things have happened since I started this.
First of all, I decided I had come to the end of the first volume. Then, I had this enforced break, described below, and realised that, in fact, I can't end the book at that particular point as it leaves one of the main characters in a situation that readers wouldn't appreciate at the end of a volume. So, I'll have to do a few more chapters.
The break has occurred because I decided to bite the bullet and buy a laptop, mostly for my wife to use (at present she shares our daughter's PC, but Kate is due to go to University later this year and will need to take it with her, of course. Also, as her studies grow more intense in the run-up to the exams in June, she'll need free access to her PC). Of course, the new laptop runs on Windows 7 and I've installed Office 2010. this means, for my PC to be compatible, I had to install Win7 and Office 2010 on that as well!
I'm almost there now. But work is particularly busy at this time of the year as well, so I'm pretty weary when I return home.
With luck, I'll return to the edit on Thursday (my week ends on a Wednesday, as I work part time due to ME/CFS). So, watch this space for the next update. If you can stand the tension!

A Sackful of Shorts Now on Kindle

The anthology of short stories, written by my writing group, Hornsea Writers, and edited by me, is now available direct on Kindle in UK and on Kindle in USA . It contains a lucky 13 stories of various different genres, illustrating the diverse talents of the group members, all of whom are published authors. If you don't have a Kindle, you can read it on your PC or Mac by downloading the free software from Amazon here for PC  and here for Mac, here for iPad, here for iPhone and here for Android.

Of course, if you have a different eReader, or you want to read it on your PC or Mac using a different platform, they are all catered for on the Smashwords site here.