Understanding a Mac Keyboard

At first sight, the Apple keyboard may look extremely perplexing to a ex-windows user. After all, where did the Start button vanish? The alt key? And what’s this new  ‘fn’ button? And there’s no number pad?!

Despite outward appearances, the Mac keyboard is actually almost exactly like a windows keyboard except for a few minor changes (marked above) -

1. The keys marked ‘1’ above represent the Command Key. The command key is very simple to understand. It is the primary key for most purposes. On older Macs, it was the apple key. It’s Mac’s version of the control key. In fact, if you knew any windows shortcuts, like control-p (to print), control-s (to save), etc, most of them can be similarly executed on the Mac by replacing ‘control’ with ‘command’. Example: command-p (to print), command-s (to save).

2. The keys marked ‘2’ above represent the Option Key option key is also known as the alt key and it replaces window’s alt key.

3. The key marked ‘3’ above represents the Control Key. The control key usually functions in combination with the command key (or option key) in shortcuts.

4. The key marked ‘4’ in the above figure represents the fn key.

5. The key marked ‘5’ above represents the Shift Key which serves the same purpose as that in windows computers. (Capitalization, etc)

6. The key marked ‘6’ above represents the Escape Key (Esc)

7. The key marked ‘7’ above represents the Eject Key which (aside from being used in combinations with other modifier keys) can eject a CD from your Super Drive.

8. The key marked ‘8’ above represents the Return Key which serves the same function as the enter key on a windows. The return key may also be called the Enter Key.=

The Function Keys on top of your Mac’s keyboard (F1, F2, F3 and so on) have assigned functions straight out of the box. You can always change what function they perform but their pre-assigned functions are as follows.

Pre-Assigned Functions

F1 - Decrease Screen Brightness

F2 - Increase Screen Brightness

F3 - Mission Control (Lion onwards) / Exposé (Before Lion)

F4 - Launchpad (Lion onwards) / Dashboard  (Before Lion)

F5 - No Pre-Assigned Function

F6 - No Pre-Assigned Function

F7 - Previous Track (Or hold down to rewind within Track)

F8 - Play/Pause Current Track (If no track is open, pressing it once will open iTunes, pressing it a second time will play a track)

F9 - Next Track (Or hold down to forward within Track)

F10 - Mute Volume

F11 - Decrease Volume

F12  - Increase Volume

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Fine-Tooth - Super Search Application (By CYM)

Fine-Tooth Super Searcher

How many times in a week do you need to find a file but don't have the time to sift through hundreds, maybe thousands of similarly named files. How many times in a day ? Sometimes, you may not even remember the name of the file. 

That's when Fine-Tooth comes in hand. It does most of the grunt work for you, searching through the hordes of files on your system and delivering just the handful that you need.

Fine-Tooth is a lightweight application that uses your Mac's inbuilt capabilities to find your files with supreme ease. Since it uses employs methods that your Mac is capable of straight out of the box, it is easy to use with no tedious installation process. Also because of the same, it doesn't eat up your hard drive's space.

What's so great about Fine-Tooth ?

• In practice, both Fine-Tooth and Spotlight use some of the same processes to find your files. However, in contrast to what spotlight does, Fine-Tooth displays your search results in a neat Finder window without displaying any clunky application windows of its own.

• Fine-Tooth combs through your entire hard-drive (and attached volumes) using processes that your Mac is already capable of. However, it simplifies the process to a bare minimum which requires no extensive knowledge.

• It's a simple minimalist and lightweight application: Open, Search and you're done! Fine-Tooth even closes itself on its own for your convenience

• As opposed to other search applications, Fine-Tooth simply uses your Mac's existing processes to find your applications and hence neither requires a complicated set-up nor does it ask you to select what to index.

• Allows you to search by file name, kind, date added / modified and even where it was downloaded from.

Instructions regarding its usage:

• When you open Fine-Tooth, you'll see a window asking you to choose how you would like to search: by file type, date or where from it was downloaded. Simply select one and type in the required.

• Then type in the name or part of the name of the file. Leave blank if you want to see all results which fit the desired criteria.

Download Fine-Tooth here!



Requirement: Mac OS X

File Size: 117 KB

Developer: Shiv Sakhuja (CYM)

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Are Macs Completely Free of Viruses (Virii) and Malware?

Unless you want your Apple to look like this, you might want to start taking better care of it

Most Mac users believe their Mac is a fortress, protected from all harmful computer malware, circulating around the internet. In fact, a number of Mac users don't even have any anti-virus software installed onto their systems. Although it pains me to say it, I am one such number.

Why are Macs Safer than PCs ? 

Although certain people may beg to differ, even a Mac OS X isn't completely impenetrable when it comes to computer Malware. So then why do people believe that Macs are completely free of harmful software ?

• Firstly, Mac OS X is built on Unix thus making it a far safer operating system than Windows.
• Secondly, there is very small number of softwares with detrimental effects for Mac. In comparison with those for windows, the number is almost negligible.
• Thirdly, the majority on computer users function on Windows, hence making it a better target. Also, some software that developers use to make malware are directed towards affecting windows.

So is my Mac completely safe or do I need to run some anti-virus software ?

Once again, Macs aren't completely safe. While they are far safer than PCs, the possibility of malware infecting still exists, however minimal. So although it isn't essential, anti-virus softwares such as Norton Antivirus for Mac or iAntiVirus are always useful. However, backing up your important data is always a vital task, especially for serious users. Worms and Trojans too can be prevented by using preventive software.

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Which Mac Will You Buy Next ?

Which Mac do you plan to buy next ? The Sleek All in one iMac ? A Unibody Macbook ? Or perhaps the pocket-sized Mac Mini ? Vote and find out how other's feel.

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Will Your Mac Run Mountain Lion?

With almost every software release, Apple decides to cut the cord with some of their older hardware. With Snow Leopard, the Power PCs were the unfortunate victims. With iOS 5, it was the older iPhones and iPods. Lion cut the cord with 32-bit Macs and so on. The question on everyone's mind is "Will my Mac run Mountain Lion?"
Although there are rumors that the reason for their stringent requirement are graphics based, the official reason is still unknown.
So which macs will run OS X Mountain Lion (OS 10.8) and which ones will remain fettered to OS X Lion ?

• iMac (Mid-2007 or later)
• Macbook (13-Inch 2008 or later / Aluminium)
• Macbook Pro (13, 15-inch Mid 2009 or later, 2.4 / 2.2 GHz / 17-inch, Late 2007 or later)
• Macbook Air (Late 2008 or later)
• Mac Mini (Early 2009 or later)
• Mac Pro (Early 2008 or later)
• XServe (Early 2009)

(list from Tuaw.com)

If your Mac isn't on the above list, then it probably won't work with Mountain Lion.

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Why Disk Cleaning Can Be A Great Benefit

Just how much free room have you got on your hard drive at this time? While it is great to guess just how much free room you've, why not simply take another to visit your "Computers" application and find out how much room you've for yourself. Now that you have done this, you may be shocked at the amount of your computer's space has been taken up by what you have now on your Mac. What might shock you more, though, is the fact that lots of this space is absorbed by items that either you didn't know that you had in your hard drive, or believed that you had already deleted.

With regards to getting the most speed from your Internet service, and also the applications that you use on a regular basis, you must have a hard drive that has plenty of space on it. While deleting an application might take it off of your main screen, some aspects of it have a tendency to linger in your hard drive without you knowing. This is where knowing how to erase hard drive can help you out tremendously.When you're done with a specific program or application, you need to do just what the instructions tell you to do: you apply the "Erase" feature that comes with the program so that it will no longer appears on your computer. The thing is, although this option may take the program off from your computer, it doesn't always get rid of all the trace elements that it placed on your computer, such as Spyware, documents and other applications through the company. If you do not realize that these programs existed, you don't know you need to delete them yourself.

This is when a program like clean hard drive will help you out tremendously. Using the program you will get rid of all of the odds and end's that you didn't know that you had installed on your computer. Not just that, but it also takes care of all of those documents and important personal information that you thought you got rid of, but may be lingering on the computer ripe for hackers to take a look at.One of the leading pluses to having a clean hard drive is the speed that you get with applications. One of the major reasons that your Internet speed may be lacking is that your computer is congested with items which you didn't even know that it had. Through getting rid of these little leftovers you are able to finally get the speed that you are looking for out of your computer.

Not only will the clean drive program help eliminate leftovers from programs that you thought were gone, but it will also take care of pesky Spyware that can clog up your computer. Spyware isn't just annoying but it can also cause serious harm to the speed of your computer. By gettingrid of it you don't just have a safer computer, but also a much faster one as well.If you're in the market for the clean hard drive program, you can get it at most computer super stores, as well as a wide variety of websites. This program does not cost you a lot of money and it can make a huge difference in the speed of your computer almost immediately.

If you are the kind of person who tends to procrastinate on things, this is one of your times where you should go against your natural tendencies and get the program ASAP. The longer that you leave items on your hard drive the longer you run the risk of the info that you have on them getting out. It takes just a few minutes to download the program, so what is the reason for continuing to ignore it?

White Canyon has been an industry leader in hard drive disk cleaning for years and is known for its quality products. Jeremy Thorne has been involved in this field for a number of years and is very passionate about it. 

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The Pros and Cons of a Mailing Client like Mail

Apple's Mail Application, Microsoft's Outlook, we've all heard of them. But how many of us use them on a daily basis? Considering the convenience of using mailing clients and the eye-watering design of most browser based email services, not enough. So why use a Mailing Client?

What is a Mailing Client / Email Client?

A mailing client is essentially a software or application (for your computer, phone or tablet) to access and store your emails.

What does an Email client provide that a browser-based email service doesn't ?

With an email client (such as Mail), you can do everything that you would be able to do with your normal browser-based email service. But as an application, an email client brings much more to the table.

• First and foremost, email clients store your emails offline. This is, in particular, their most useful aspect and probably, one of their key selling points. (Even though Apple's Mail Application is free) This means that, if ever, you need to access your mail at a time when you are deprived of internet capabilities, your email client is the only thing that can save you.
• Email Clients such as Mail and Microsoft Outlook are capable of logging you in (see point 5) to more than one email ID. This is particularly useful for people who, like me, find it hard to keep track of several email IDs.
• Since they are designed as applications with user interface and appearance being key features to developers, email clients have a far better track record when it comes to appearance. (For me, this point would have been number one)
• Related to the above point, convenience in terms of usage and accessibility is one of the only reasons people actually switch to email clients.
• Email Clients have a one time-setup and login. So, you open your Email Client for the first time, type in your name, email address and password, choose your email provider (gmail, etc) and you never have to login again.
• Email Clients are usually cross platform. Apple's Mail Application, for instance, works on Mac, iPad, iPhone and iPod.
• Email Clients include your usual email capabilities like mail, tasks, notes, etc and also include more tools and features like cloud syncing, flagging and highlighting messages, conversations, previewing web pages, etc.
• Email Clients are the best tool for organizing your mail neatly. Apple's Mail Application, for instance, includes the ability to "flag messages by color", mark VIPs, sort into folders, etc. Apple's Mail also has an interesting ability to create "smart mailboxes". If you're familiar with Mac, you'll already know what this. Smart mailboxes allow you to set conditions for received (or sent) mail items to sort them into folders. For example, you can set a condition like, "All Messages from Facebook after 4th April, 2010", or "All messages with attachments..." The possibilities are endless. This is one feature you have to experience to understand.
• Adding attachments is a breeze. Drag and drop functionality.
• Your emails can look good too. In addition to downloadable templates, Apple's Mail has many options to format your email and make it look good,
• They usually have the ability to schedule email timings.

So what's the downside?

Like everything great, this too has its pitfalls. Surprisingly few of them, however.

• Unlike Gmail, Mail attaches its files while sending the mail which makes it a little more tedious.
• Mail takes time to come into your sent box. So confirming that an email has been sent is a tougher job than usual.
• Mail will only be received when application is opened. (I recommend auto-open at login)

What do they cost ?

I won't get into the details of other mailing clients in this article, but Apple's Mail is pre-included in all Macs and iOS devices. On Mac it is located in the Applications folder / Launchpad.

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How to Erase Your Computer's Hard Drive

A hard disk is the storage device found in a computer. They come in varying sizes and hence allow one to store data and programs until the space is full. When the space available is depleted, holding data and programs we no longer need or has been infected by computer viruses, the hard disk would need to be erased. This can also be done when one wants to sell or give away a hard drive or computer. Erasing a hard drive involves overwriting over existing data. This can be done in two ways; formatting the computer or using a disk wipe program.

Formatting the Hard Drive

Formatting a hard disk means completely erasing anything that was on it. It is like having a brand new computer. Any programs, photos, or videos you had on it previously will be completely erased. It is advisable that before you embark on this, you have backed up all the information you may still need. Besides, do not attempt formatting if you are not computer savvy, since it involves the use of computer commands that may be foreign. If you are a beginner with need to re-format a hard drive but is foreign to you, do not worry.

Erasing the Hard Drive

To erase one's hard drive, acquiring a good program for disk wiping is paramount; a number of these are available in the market. These do an excellent job of removing any data on your hard drive, you no longer need. They include WipeDrive from White Canyon software, Procypher Eraser Pro among others. These software are not hard to find, and available at reasonable prices. To ensure that the price you get is the best deal, do enough research online on the best prices and discounts available.
Once you purchase and install the disk wiping software, the rest is easy. Just follow the instructions provided.

Erasing your hard drive can give your computer a fresh start. It can avoid dangerous files like spam, or confidential information from being hacked into. Erasing your hard drive will also improve your processor by speeding it up. Please note that before you erase your hard drive, it is important to backup all the data you may still require after the hard drive has been erased. You may choose to do this by copying the information onto a DVD or CD or onto another computer. If you have tried avenues to improve your processors speed and nothing has improved, or you need to erase your hard drive for other reasons, making sure you have copied all the files you need to put back on the computer is crucial. Learning how to erase your hard drive is easy.


Guest Post by: Jonathan Rodriguez, WhiteCanyon Software
Formatted by: Shiv Sakhuja

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