What Hardware/Software Should I Get?

So i am new to the mac world. I have always used windows for dell but i am sick of it and i want to switch to a macbook. I haven't purchased it yet but i plan on a macbook pro 15" with 2.66 processor and 320 GB @ 7200 rpm. I am also purchasing a neoprene sleeve with handles, the apple remote, the protection plan, a $99 printer and final cut express b/c i am in college and one of my majors has to do with video editing. i am new to this stuff and i really do not know what i am going to want/need. should i get a rechargeable battery now or should i wait? is it worth it? any other software i should buy or might need for college? I am taking up creative writing/cinema and screen studies/theatre. any other hardware i should get? i already have an external 500 GB drive. any cables i might need? or anything else? i really do not even know what to consider. if someone could help me out that would be great.

cdsport13 wrote:
is Voltaic free? and is there a program out there that makes my video look...smoother? Cuz you know how when you film with a regular camera the film looks kinda fuzzy and grainy a little? Well I know there is a tool to fix the shaking on imovie n such, but is there a way to make my film look clear instead of grainy? Does anybody know what im talking about? Like...you can tell when someone filmed from a professional camera versus their moms camera to tape their sons hockey games, you now? it has that grainy, fuzzy quality to it.
the app is $35.
For graininess, this problem has existed since the invention of film & has translated well - to much dismay - to digital capute devices like DSLRs & CCD / CMOS based camcorders.
Grain is grain, period. There isn't a magic fix. There are some filters in some apps - like Final Cut - to midigate some of it, but not totally & is going to make the footage look wierd in cases.
It's best to get it right in the camera, as they say.

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What security software should I get

I just got my iMac, Comming from the PC world, I was wonding what type of anti-virus and security software should I get for MAC? What recommendations does anyone have for the brand?

No antivirius needed but I would recommend a browser add-in to block JavaScript, Java, Flash and other plugins.
On Firefox or Chrome, NoScript is an excellent choice. Someone else might have a recommendation for Safari.
Regards,
Captfred

What hardware, software, etc. is required to get started developing with iOS?

What hardware, software, etc. is required to get started developing with iOS? Looking to get started...
Thanks!

You need an Intel Mac, at least OS X 10.6.8 (Lion if you intend full capability) and Xcode.
See http://developer.apple.com/

What volt charger should I get for my MacBook? It is a DC to AC inverter?

Hi, I recently purchased a inverter charger that has an outlet to charge a computer and can be used as a typical USB charger for a phone. The charger says that it has a continuous charge of 120V but a maximum of 150V. I don't understand what the problem is though because on the MacBook charger it says that it's intake is 100-240V and all of the other outputs and inputs match the specifications for the charging device. A normal phone charger that you can plug into the wall worked in this charger, so is it the computer or the charger? And also if it is the computer, what voltage amount should I get? Thank you very much!

Your Macbook charger will specify the number of watts it uses (very fine print somewhere on the charger brick). Your inverter MUST be able provide at least that much power, or I'm guessing your Macbook charger would have problems.

MS OFFICE 2010 Upgrade - what client software Should be installed ?

Hello All,
We are soon Upgrading from Windows 2003 to Windows 2010. Can you please let me know what client software should be installed?
Current Setup
Excel 2003 - Essbase excel add in - Release 9.0
Server - Sun solaris 64 bit - Release 11.1.1.3
Target Setup
Excel 2010 - Essbase excel add in - *( ?? what version should be installed here)*
Server - Sun solaris 64 bit - Release 11.1.1.3 ( Will remain same)
also can you please let me know if i have to upgrade any client related software at server side ??
I have seen a latest version of client software 11.1.2. is this backward compatible with 11.1.1.3 version which i currently have at server side.
Thanks in Advance.

Smart View 11.1.1.3.500 and Essbase Spreadsheet Add-In 11.1.1.3.500 are supported on excel 2010, so you just would need to install them on the client machines.
Cheers
John
http://john-goodwin.blogspot.com/

Backwards Question: Purchasing PE7 is a given, but what camera/format should I get?

I've enjoyed PE3 for the past couple of years and it is matted quite well with my little Panasonic GS-320 MiniDV. I'm realatively new to camcorders and I really lucked out finding how great the PE series really is. Therefore, I consider myself pretty loyal to the Adobe line and especially this forum (special thanks to Steve and Paul for awesome advice and comments over the years --you have no idea how much time and frustration you both have saved me).
Anyway. I'm strongly considering entering the high-definition realm and I really want to upgrade to PE7. The only catch is that I will have to make due with my current hardware setup, which is as follows:
Intel Core 2 Quad QX6600 @ 2.4GHz and 2Gigs RAM. I also have SATAII drives and an nVIDIA 7900 (yeah the vid card is kinda old).
I could upgrade to 4Gigs RAM, but would VISTA 32 recognize it?
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I'm struggling between the two HD formats: HDV and AVCHD. So I hear HDV is probably the easiest to edit (I do a LOT of editing; lots of scenes and transitions) and less taxing on the computer. I like the idea of HDV, but I'm a bit weary of the real time capture and time limitations per tape.
Therefore, Question 2 is: Should I go the route of HDV or get an AVCHD camcorder that can record more material without the need of switching tapes? HDV seems the more seemless route, but I'm equally concerned about quality. Would the footage be better if I get the full HD resolution in AVCHD at 1920x1080 and downgrade it to 1440x1080, or just work front to end with HDV at 1440x1080?
I will be using the camcorder mainly for general use, with some interviews here and there, some fast paced action scenes as well. I really like vivid colors (I love the 3CCD concept, but most cameras in the $1,000 range dont have 3CCDs anymore, I'm finding) It seems everyone is going to CMOS or 3MOS these days, which I know little about. Ultimately, I really would like vivid colors and smooth video.
Thanks in advance for any help/advice!
-Jon

In my opinion, if you want to edit with Premiere Elements, you want to get an HDV, tape-based camcorder. Most any will work, although the Canon HV20 and HV40 are very popular and produce excellent results. (The HV30 has some problems.)
You definitely have more than enough power, even with 2 gigs of RAM, to do this. But, with Vista 32-bit, you can use as much as 4. With a quad-core processor, that's up to you. You'll know after you test drive.
The challenge with Premiere Elements is that it edits AVCHD natively -- as opposed to, say, Apple's Final Cut, which uses a proxy (sort of a lower resolution preview clip) for editing, then uses your native files for final output. This means AVCHD in Premiere Elements puts a tremendous strain on present technology.
With your rig, you can probably still handle it. But, in my opinion, you're better with having power to spare than working at the edge of your computer's capacity.
Does that help?

What Super Drive should I get for ILife 06?

Hi, I have a G5 2.5 Power Mac 7.3. I bought ILife 06 and am trying to edit DVD's I copied from tape to make another DVD. iDVD says my Mac does not have a supported superdrive. What should I get to update this new to me computer? Everything says this is sooo easy. I am not finding it easy in the least. Thought this new computer would cover all the bases. How do you plug in video to this computer? I miss my old G3 that finally died by my hand trying to upgrade it....
Sniff..... Janice
PowerPC G5 (3.0), CPU 2.5 GHz, PowerMac 7,3, NVIDIA GeForce 6800 DDL, Tower Mac OS X (10.4.7) 1 GB memory, boot ROM version 5.1.8f7, Two Sony DVD RW DW=U21A (REV. AADB), Firmware AADB

Hi, I have a G5 2.5 Power Mac 7.3. I bought ILife 06
and am trying to edit DVD's I copied from tape to
make another DVD.
Copying home-made DVDs is easy (Disk Utility) but editing is more difficult.
iDVD says my Mac does not have a
supported superdrive.
Your drive shows as supported, so it may be some iDVD problem. Does the drive burn with other applications. e.g. Disk Utility, iTunes, or Finder.
How do you plug in video to this computer?
You need a video input device. It could be a PCI card (depending on your computers bus), a FireWire device, or an USB device. If you have a digital camcorder it can be used to input video via FireWire. If you have to buy something, look here: <http://www.elgato.com>

What virus protector should I get for macbook

what virus protection can I get for a macbook 10.6.8?

You may find this User Tip on Viruses, Trojan Detection and Removal, as well as general Internet Security and Privacy, useful: The User Tip seeks to offer guidance on the main security threats and how to avoid them.
https://discussions.apple.com/docs/DOC-2435
More useful information can also be found here:
www.thesafemac.com/mmg
This article from MacWorld is also useful:
http://www.macworld.co.uk/how-to/mac-software/are-macs-safe-viruses-hackers-3454 926/
but most of us would take serious issue with the advisability of using iAntivirus or Bitdefender, both of which, alongside Norton Antivirus, have given many users serious problems.

What case/sleeve should I get for my macbook air 11"?

I just got a macbook air 11" for Christmas, and don't know what kind of case to get. I carry it around in my backpack everyday for school, so I need a solid case. A lot of my friends have the hard case and a neoprene case/sleeve. I used a neoprene case/sleeve for my macbook (white) but I've noticed that this unibody design makes the computer a lot more prone to denting easily. Any ideas on what cases to get?

Your Macbook charger will specify the number of watts it uses (very fine print somewhere on the charger brick). Your inverter MUST be able provide at least that much power, or I'm guessing your Macbook charger would have problems.

What antiviral software should i use

Recommended antiviral software

Mac users often ask whether they should install "anti-virus" software. The answer usually given on ASC is "no." The answer is right, but it may give the wrong impression that there is no threat from what are loosely called "viruses." There is a threat, and you need to educate yourself about it.
1. This is a comment on what you should—and should not—do to protect yourself from malicious software ("malware") that circulates on the Internet and gets onto a computer as an unintended consequence of the user's actions. It does not apply to software, such as keystroke loggers, that may be installed deliberately by an intruder who has hands-on access to the computer, or who has been able to log in to it remotely. That threat is in a different category, and there's no easy way to defend against it.
The comment is long because the issue is complex. The key points are in sections 5, 6, and 10.
OS X now implements three layers of built-in protection specifically against malware, not counting runtime protections such as execute disable, sandboxing, system library randomization, and address space layout randomization that may also guard against other kinds of exploits.
2. All versions of OS X since 10.6.7 have been able to detect known Mac malware in downloaded files, and to block insecure web plugins. This feature is transparent to the user. Internally Apple calls it "XProtect."
The malware recognition database used by XProtect is automatically updated; however, you shouldn't rely on it, because the attackers are always at least a day ahead of the defenders.
The following caveats apply to XProtect:
☞ It can be bypassed by some third-party networking software, such as BitTorrent clients and Java applets.
☞ It only applies to software downloaded from the network. Software installed from a CD or other media is not checked.
As new versions of OS X are released, it's not clear whether Apple will indefinitely continue to maintain the XProtect database of older versions such as 10.6. The security of obsolete system versions may eventually be degraded. Security updates to the code of obsolete systems will stop being released at some point, and that may leave them open to other kinds of attack besides malware.
3. Starting with OS X 10.7.5, there has been a second layer of built-in malware protection, designated "Gatekeeper" by Apple. By default, applications and Installer packages downloaded from the network will only run if they're digitally signed by a developer with a certificate issued by Apple. Software certified in this way hasn't necessarily been tested by Apple, but you can be reasonably sure that it hasn't been modified by anyone other than the developer. His identity is known to Apple, so he could be held legally responsible if he distributed malware. That may not mean much if the developer lives in a country with a weak legal system (see below.)
Gatekeeper doesn't depend on a database of known malware. It has, however, the same limitations as XProtect, and in addition the following:
☞ It can easily be disabled or overridden by the user.
☞ A malware attacker could get control of a code-signing certificate under false pretenses, or could simply ignore the consequences of distributing codesigned malware.
☞ An App Store developer could find a way to bypass Apple's oversight, or the oversight could fail due to human error.
Apple has so far failed to revoke the codesigning certificates of some known abusers, thereby diluting the value of Gatekeeper and the Developer ID program. These failures don't involve App Store products, however.
For the reasons given, App Store products, and—to a lesser extent—other applications recognized by Gatekeeper as signed, are safer than others, but they can't be considered absolutely safe. "Sandboxed" applications may prompt for access to private data, such as your contacts, or for access to the network. Think before granting that access. Sandbox security is based on user input. Never click through any request for authorization without thinking.
4. Starting with OS X 10.8.3, a third layer of protection has been added: a "Malware Removal Tool" (MRT). MRT runs automatically in the background when you update the OS. It checks for, and removes, malware that may have evaded the other protections via a Java exploit (see below.) MRT also runs when you install or update the Apple-supplied Java runtime (but not the Oracle runtime.) Like XProtect, MRT is effective against known threats, but not against unknown ones. It notifies you if it finds malware, but otherwise there's no user interface to MRT.
5. The built-in security features of OS X reduce the risk of malware attack, but they are not, and never will be, complete protection. Malware is a problem of human behavior, and a technological fix is not going to solve it. Trusting software to protect you will only make you more vulnerable.
The best defense is always going to be your own intelligence. With the possible exception of Java exploits, all known malware circulating on the Internet that affects a fully-updated installation of OS X 10.6 or later takes the form of so-called "Trojan horses," which can only have an effect if the victim is duped into running them. The threat therefore amounts to a battle of wits between you and the scam artists. If you're smarter than they think you are, you'll win. That means, in practice, that you always stay within a safe harbor of computing practices. How do you know when you're leaving the safe harbor? Below are some warning signs of danger.
Software from an untrustworthy source
☞ Software of any kind is distributed via BitTorrent, or Usenet, or on a website that also distributes pirated music or movies.
☞ Software with a corporate brand, such as Adobe Flash Player, doesn't come directly from the developer’s website. Do not trust an alert from any website to update Flash, or your browser, or any other software.
☞ Rogue websites such as Softonic and CNET Download distribute free applications that have been packaged in a superfluous "installer."
☞ The software is advertised by means of spam or intrusive web ads. Any ad, on any site, that includes a direct link to a download should be ignored.
Software that is plainly illegal or does something illegal
☞ High-priced commercial software such as Photoshop is "cracked" or "free."
☞ An application helps you to infringe copyright, for instance by circumventing the copy protection on commercial software, or saving streamed media for reuse without permission.
Conditional or unsolicited offers from strangers
☞ A telephone caller or a web page tells you that you have a “virus” and offers to help you remove it. (Some reputable websites did legitimately warn visitors who were infected with the "DNSChanger" malware. That exception to this rule no longer applies.)
☞ A web site offers free content such as video or music, but to use it you must install a “codec,” “plug-in,” "player," "downloader," "extractor," or “certificate” that comes from that same site, or an unknown one.
☞ You win a prize in a contest you never entered.
☞ Someone on a message board such as this one is eager to help you, but only if you download an application of his choosing.
☞ A "FREE WI-FI !!!" network advertises itself in a public place such as an airport, but is not provided by the management.
☞ Anything online that you would expect to pay for is "free."
Unexpected events
☞ A file is downloaded automatically when you visit a web page, with no other action on your part. Delete any such file without opening it.
☞ You open what you think is a document and get an alert that it's "an application downloaded from the Internet." Click Cancel and delete the file. Even if you don't get the alert, you should still delete any file that isn't what you expected it to be.
☞ An application does something you don't expect, such as asking for permission to access your contacts, your location, or the Internet for no obvious reason.
☞ Software is attached to email that you didn't request, even if it comes (or seems to come) from someone you trust.
I don't say that leaving the safe harbor just once will necessarily result in disaster, but making a habit of it will weaken your defenses against malware attack. Any of the above scenarios should, at the very least, make you uncomfortable.
6. Java on the Web (not to be confused with JavaScript, to which it's not related, despite the similarity of the names) is a weak point in the security of any system. Java is, among other things, a platform for running complex applications in a web page, on the client. That was always a bad idea, and Java's developers have proven themselves incapable of implementing it without also creating a portal for malware to enter. Past Java exploits are the closest thing there has ever been to a Windows-style virus affecting OS X. Merely loading a page with malicious Java content could be harmful.
Fortunately, client-side Java on the Web is obsolete and mostly extinct. Only a few outmoded sites still use it. Try to hasten the process of extinction by avoiding those sites, if you have a choice. Forget about playing games or other non-essential uses of Java.
Java is not included in OS X 10.7 and later. Discrete Java installers are distributed by Apple and by Oracle (the developer of Java.) Don't use either one unless you need it. Most people don't. If Java is installed, disable it—not JavaScript—in your browsers.
Regardless of version, experience has shown that Java on the Web can't be trusted. If you must use a Java applet for a task on a specific site, enable Java only for that site in Safari. Never enable Java for a public website that carries third-party advertising. Use it only on well-known, login-protected, secure websites without ads. In Safari 6 or later, you'll see a lock icon in the address bar with the abbreviation "https" when visiting a secure site.
Stay within the safe harbor, and you’ll be as safe from malware as you can practically be. The rest of this comment concerns what you should not do to protect yourself.
7. Never install any commercial "anti-virus" (AV) or "Internet security" products for the Mac, as they are all worse than useless. If you need to be able to detect Windows malware in your files, use one of the free security apps in the Mac App Store—nothing else.
Why shouldn't you use commercial AV products?
☞ To recognize malware, the software depends on a database of known threats, which is always at least a day out of date. This technique is a proven failure, as a major AV software vendor has admitted. Most attacks are "zero-day"—that is, previously unknown. Recognition-based AV does not defend against such attacks, and the enterprise IT industry is coming to the realization that traditional AV software is worthless.
☞ Its design is predicated on the nonexistent threat that malware may be injected at any time, anywhere in the file system. Malware is downloaded from the network; it doesn't materialize from nowhere. In order to meet that nonexistent threat, commercial AV software modifies or duplicates low-level functions of the operating system, which is a waste of resources and a common cause of instability, bugs, and poor performance.
☞ By modifying the operating system, the software may also create weaknesses that could be exploited by malware attackers.
☞ Most importantly, a false sense of security is dangerous.
8. An AV product from the App Store, such as "ClamXav," has the same drawback as the commercial suites of being always out of date, but it does not inject low-level code into the operating system. That doesn't mean it's entirely harmless. It may report email messages that have "phishing" links in the body, or Windows malware in attachments, as infected files, and offer to delete or move them. Doing so will corrupt the Mail database. The messages should be deleted from within the Mail application.
An AV app is not needed, and cannot be relied upon, for protection against OS X malware. It's useful, if at all, only for detecting Windows malware, and even for that use it's not really effective, because new Windows malware is emerging much faster than OS X malware.
Windows malware can't harm you directly (unless, of course, you use Windows.) Just don't pass it on to anyone else. A malicious attachment in email is usually easy to recognize by the name alone. An actual example:
London Terror Moovie.avi [124 spaces] Checked By Norton Antivirus.exe
You don't need software to tell you that's a Windows trojan. Software may be able to tell you which trojan it is, but who cares? In practice, there's no reason to use recognition software unless an organizational policy requires it. Windows malware is so widespread that you should assume it's in everyemail attachment until proven otherwise. Nevertheless, ClamXav or a similar product from the App Store may serve a purpose if it satisfies an ill-informed network administrator who says you must run some kind of AV application. It's free and it won't handicap the system.
The ClamXav developer won't try to "upsell" you to a paid version of the product. Other developers may do that. Don't be upsold. For one thing, you should not pay to protect Windows users from the consequences of their choice of computing platform. For another, a paid upgrade from a free app will probably have all the disadvantages mentioned in section 7.
9. It seems to be a common belief that the built-in Application Firewall acts as a barrier to infection, or prevents malware from functioning. It does neither. It blocks inbound connections to certain network services you're running, such as file sharing. It's disabled by default and you should leave it that way if you're behind a router on a private home or office network. Activate it only when you're on an untrusted network, for instance a public Wi-Fi hotspot, where you don't want to provide services. Disable any services you don't use in the Sharing preference pane. All are disabled by default.
10. As a Mac user, you don't have to live in fear that your computer may be infected every time you install software, read email, or visit a web page. But neither can you assume that you will always be safe from exploitation, no matter what you do. Navigating the Internet is like walking the streets of a big city. It's as safe or as dangerous as you choose to make it. The greatest harm done by security software is precisely its selling point: it makes people feel safe. They may then feel safe enough to take risks from which the software doesn't protect them. Nothing can lessen the need for safe computing practices.

What apple device should i get

Im not sure on what apple device i should get: iPhone 5, iPhone 4, iPod 4th gen, iPod 5th gen.
Any opinions?

Welcome to the Apple community.
Your son will need to reset the password at My Apple ID
Then he should use iCloud.com to erase the device and remove the ID from it.
This article provides more information about Activation Lock.

Time to upgrade my BB...What Smart Phone Should I get? Or should I wait?

I'm due for new phone now. I use my old pearl blackberry phone for emails, web, and most importantly syncing my Microsoft Outlook contact, tasks, and calendar. I know the BB does it, but do these other Droids or other smartphone do it? The Blackberry Torch looks perfect (I wish Verizon had it)...I want a full keyboard and touch screen (i.e. like torch) What is my second best choice? Something else coming out in the next few months I should wait for? Again, must be able to sync easily with Outlook. Thanks!

I'm due for new phone now. I use my old pearl blackberry phone for emails, web, and most importantly syncing my Microsoft Outlook contact, tasks, and calendar. I know the BB does it, but do these other Droids or other smartphone do it? The Blackberry Torch looks perfect (I wish Verizon had it)...I want a full keyboard and touch screen (i.e. like torch) What is my second best choice? Something else coming out in the next few months I should wait for? Again, must be able to sync easily with Outlook. Thanks!

What audio interface should I get w/ my Macbook Pro?

Hi,
Have a gig where I am covering tons of tunes on keyboard.
In the past, have just used a keyboard and onboard sounds.
I have Mainstage - have never used it... sounds great.
What audio interface is great out there?
Got an older Macbook Pro:
2 Ghz Intel core Duo, Memory: 2 GM 667 Mhz, etc...
Is this fast enough?
Anyhow... what interface should I consider?
Thanks in

I use one of these:
ESI - UGM96
Tiny and made of metal.

What ribbon cable should I get for my 3rd drive?

Hi, I just installed my 3rd hard disk drive in my 933MHZ(was 733) QuickSilver G4.
I recently emailed a vendor asking:
"Hello, I have a Mac 733 Quick Silver computer and I just installed my
third hard disk drive. I need a 40 pin 4(for later) drive scsi ribbon
cable. Can you help me? THANKS!
Darren"
His response:
"Darren, Two drives is the most you can get with standard IDE.
Dave"
Did I ask for the wrong cable. From what I understand the QuickSilver can accomodate up to 4 internal drives. I would prefer to install a cable: 5 connector 4 drive than install a card.
The cable that I am using now for the 2 drives is APPLE P/N 590-2253 REV A
FOXCONN P/N FC80C17-00 K 0115. On the white lable is 080-0003-192 FOXCONN.
TIA

Hi
Unlike SCSI, each IDE/ATA channel can only support a maximum of two devices, hence there isn't such a thing as a 5 connector 4 drive IDE ribbon cable. The options for a third ATA drive are:
1. Mount it in the bay intended for a Zip drive (beneath the optical drive). Apple don't recommend this though due to possible heat issues and the bus is slower, being ATA/33 rather than ATA/66, which may affect performance.
http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=58200
2. Mount it in an external firewire enclosure which can be bought separately (driveless).
3. Buy a Mac compatible PCI card containing another ATA controller. These typically have two channels, each channel supporting two drives, for four drives in total.
4. Replace the ATA drive with a SATA drive and buy a Mac compatible PCI card containing a SATA controller. These typically have two channels, each channel supporting one drive, for two drives in total. They can be used in conjunction with the two ATA drives on the inbuilt ATA controller though, and four channel versions are available supporting four drives.

What replacement SSD should I get for iMac Model A1225

With a failed hard disk in my iMac, What is the best and most suitable replacement available.
Disk space isn't really a factor, >120GB will suffice, my primary concern is getting the right make/model to fit my imac.

geevesr wrote:
Thanks,
I have watched a couple of YouTube clips... How hard can it be, right!! ;o)
Extremely! It's best done by a AASP that does this type of service.

What Hardware/Software Should I Get?

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