Category Archives: Free Advice

For what it’s worth …

Phishers now targeting iTunes users

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MacWorld is reporting that cybercrooks are now sending iTunes Phishing eMails to potential victims. Long the target of PayPal, eBay, and pretty much every bank on the planet, this newest incarnation involves users receiving a spam eMail (usually several at once, which should be your first clue) saying that they must correct a problem with their iTunes account.

The eMail includes a link that takes the user to a fake “iTunes Billing Update” page which asks for credit card number (with security code), Social Security number, mother’s maiden name, and other sensitive information.

Let it be known (again): NO legitimate company will ever ask for personal information via an eMail. If by any remote chance, you think the eMail might be legitimate (like, eg, maybe you just moved) – still – DO NOT USE THE LINKS IN THE EMAIL. Open your browser, and go to the website directly, using the URL listed on a bill, other known legitimate document, or a bookmark you have previously verified. Or call customer service and verify over the phone.

MacRumors Updates Buyers Guide

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MacRumors Buyers GuideThe Apple-centered gossip site MacRumors has updated its Buyers Guide. This unique list rates the “buyability” of Apple hardware based on how long current versions have been in the pipeline, and what the “word on the street” says about new releases.

While certainly not a guarantee of anything in terms of actual new product releases, it does provide some nice perspective. Bottom line is what it always is, if you can afford to wait, wait.

Mac OS X 10.4.11 Released – includes Safari 3

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Apple, Inc, this evening released more than likely the last Tiger Update – Mac OS X Tiger 10.4.11 for both PowerPC and Intel-based Macintosh computers. The patch incorporates a number of general operating system fixes, but the biggest upgrade is the Safari 3.0 browser. Other changes include:

  • Additional RAW camera support
  • Improved iPhone syncing with Yahoo!
  • Support for Microsoft Presenter Mouse 8000
  • Improves compatibility when using OpenType fonts in QuarkXpress
  • Improves reliability when mounting external USB hard drives
  • Includes updated Daylight Saving Time information for customers in Australia, New Zealand, and the United States state of Indiana
  • Addresses issues with certain Apple Dashboard widgets
  • Corrects several networking issues
  • Includes previous security updates

Free Advice: For Mac OS updates this large, you encounter a lot less problems if you DO NOT use Apple’s Software Update feature and instead manually download and install the stand-alone updater. Always use the “Combo” updater as opposed to the incremental ones. Also, remember to run the Apple Disk Utility and run Repair Permissions afterward.

No Classic in Leopard

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If you are still using any Classic (OS 9) software, you’ll have some extra prep work if you plan on upgrading to Mac OS X 10.5 Leopard. The latest and greatest will no longer offer Classic support.

So .. if you have any Classic apps you still use (why?), you will need to either:

  • boot your Mac directly into OS 9 (if your Mac is old enough to still do this)
  • create a separate hard disk partition (or designate an external hard drive) with OS X 10.4 Tiger and boot and run classic from that
  • if you have an extra older Mac hanging around, just make that your “OS 9″ computer

Thanks to MacFixIt for the reminder.

Update: It’s Official – Oct. 26 is Leopard Day

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Apple officially announced this morning that Mac OS X 10.5 Leopard will go on sale Friday, October 26 at 6pm at all Apple retail stores and authorized retailers. The online Apple Store is now accepting advance orders. Retail price is $129.00 (same as previous releases). Amazon ($109) has been taking advance orders for a little while now.

In addition, anyone who purchased a qualifying new Mac system from Apple or an Apple Authorized Reseller on or after October 1, 2007 will be able to purchase the new OS for only a shipping and handling fee of $9.95.

MacOS 10.5 Leopard - New Finder

To learn more about what the new OS has to offer, checkout Apple’s Leopard section.

You may also want check your computer to see if you have the goods to upgrade. You’ll need:

  • Any Mac with an Intel Processor, or
  • Any Mac with a G5 Processor, or
  • Any Mac with a G4 Processor – rated at 867 MHz or above (note this leaves out many G4 laptops, G4 iMacs, eMacs, and “QuickSilver” towers)
  • At least 1 Gb of RAM (they say 512 Mb should work, but c’mon)
  • At least 9 Gb free hard drive space
  • DVD Drive – ships on DVD only

If you’re good everywhere except RAM (or just want to bump up), memory prices are still at an all-time low – actually even lower than when last reported. So, it’s a great time to add on.

Apple Mac OS X 10.5 Leopard Server will also be available on October 26.

Additional Note: most industry watchers agree that this is the last major OS upgrade for PowerPC-based Macs.