Keefer Madness

Sneak Peek of Caffeinated: A Fresh Google Reader App That You’ll Love

// December 10th, 2011 // No Comments » // Apple, Internet / Web, OS X, Software

Saw this on appstorm the other day, and looking forward to trying this out when it’s released. I consume most of my web reading/slurping directly from Google Reader. It’s a part of my daily routine.

I’ve never used anything but the web page for it, and wondering if an application makes sense and is needed. Willing to give it a try. Maybe I can get a review copy and review it here on Keefer Madness.

Sneak Peek of Caffeinated: A Fresh Google Reader App That You’ll Love

How to Get the Best Windows 7 Features in OS X

// June 11th, 2011 // No Comments » // Apple, Computers, Software

Windows 7 has really [finally] caught up to Mac OS X to the point that Windows 7 has some nice features and polish that OS X users might like and appreciate:

How to Get the Best Windows 7 Features in OS X

Proximity Detection on OS X

// June 9th, 2011 // No Comments » // Apple, Software, Tech

At work, I often get up from my computer and forget to pause iTunes. Annoying and a problem I wanted to solve. Initially, I thought I would basically write an AppleScript that would see if Adium (my instant messaging program of choice) was set to away. If it was, check to see if iTunes was playing, and pause. In my research for that though I stumbled upon an even cooler way to solve my issue utilizing bluetooth, a little software and some AppleScript.

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How To Enhance iTunes with AppleScript

// March 8th, 2011 // No Comments » // Apple, Software

I’ve been an iTunes user since its inception, running it starting on one of those old iMac G4′s with the half-dome base, and the movable screen — still my favorite iMac design. Anyway, iTunes has evolved and continued to add new features in all of its ten major software revisions — some good, some bad and some “meh.”

Throughout all of them, AppleScripts have helped enhance iTunes’ functionality. This article does a great job explaining the whole process and recommends a few good scripts that are useful to have. I already use a couple they recommended: “Update Expired Podcasts” and “Change iTunes Hidden Preferences.” I definitely need to get “Super Remove Dead Tracks” as well.

How To Enhance iTunes with AppleScript

Ten Great AppleScripts for iTunes 10

// November 10th, 2010 // No Comments » // Apple, Computers

Seeing as today’s the last night I’ll be working at the Apple Store, it’s only fitting that I have a couple of Apple-related posts. I use iTunes daily. Love it. But iTunes isn’t perfect. I’ve come to love a lot of addons made for Apple’s media player and organizer. At first when I saw this list of 10 AppleScripts for iTunes 10, it didn’t look like anything I could use, but the second half of the list is great and usable stuff.

Ten Great AppleScripts for iTunes 10

Setting Up Profiles for a Single and Dual Display on a Mac Portable

// May 17th, 2010 // No Comments » // Apple, Personal Crap, Software

My current job has me setup with the entry level MacBook. At work, the portable’s display becomes the secondary monitor, next to a widescreen flat panel LCD. Like the geek that I am, I love to customize and tweak every possible setting on my computers, setting them up to exactly how I like them. I love the portability, but every time it’s unplugged from the dual display, I end up with an annoyance. “Undocked,” all the stuff that was on the other display gets jammed onto the real estate of the portable’s built in display. Granted, I get it that this has to happen, or you’d have windows not accessible when it wasn’t hooked up in a dual display configuration. I’ve Googled, but thus far have been unable to find the a solution (or am not searching with the right terms).

Adobe, several versions ago, setup Photoshop so that you could have multiple workspace settings saved — including which palettes were up open, and where they were positioned. I want a setting for this in OS X. I’ve got to think that even if this sort of workspace setting isn’t natively available within the OS X environment, that there’s got to be a piece of software out there to do this. Anyone have a solution or solutions?

iPad? iDon't Get It

// January 28th, 2010 // 2 Comments » // Apple, Computers, Tech

So all the rumors leading up to yesterday’s announcement by Apple of their tablet, the iPad left me wondering why in the world I would want this product as a current owner of both an iPhone 3GS and and Macbook. After reading on its features and all, I still don’t get why I would want this, nor why a lot of others in the same boat.

I thought maybe it’d be good for traveling and watching movies, but that’s debunked and a detraction after reading this article: Watching Movies on an iPad: What You See is What you Get. If you read the articles comments and his later revision of his graphic, it’s not as bad as first reported, but the thing still has a lot of wasted space top and bottom for cinematic viewing, but as the commenters point out, that happens in theaters and your HDTV as well. Regardless, it’s better than watching on a smaller screen iPod/iPhone, but you’d still be better off toting your MacBook for movie watching.

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The Bright Side of Owning a Mac

// April 23rd, 2009 // No Comments » // Apple, Personal Crap

Just a quick entry tonight, after getting home late again tonight. Lately, it’s basically work and bike – not that I’m complaining about either. I’m happy to be able to do both regularly – and I’m pretty decent at both, if I don’t say so myself.

Anyway, here’s a nice little article about how Apple’s increase in market share, and things like the iPod and iPhone contributing to Apple’s becoming mainstream, which is great in terms of more and more compatible software. It also has meant that design has trickled down ever so slightly to other brands.

The Bright Side of Owning a Mac

Next Step in The Mac Pro Progression?

// February 6th, 2009 // No Comments » // Apple, Computers, Tech

So at first look, this case isn’t too different from the PowerMac G5 and Mac Pros currently in homes and offices around the world, but a closer glance, the details are different, smaller perforations on the front, an obvious different setup for the ports on the back and the slot loading drives. While this is just a concept, it all seems feasible for a future revision to the Apple high-end desktop computer line.

For me, I like the looks, but would be most impressed with the horsepower under the hood, rather than some cosmetic touches. We shall see if anything like this ever ends up in your local Apple Store.

Would You Be Happy With This As Your Next Mac Pro?

Steve Jobs Taking Leave from Apple

// January 14th, 2009 // No Comments » // Apple

It’s crazy about Steve Jobs having to take a leave until June due to health issues. All CNN has at the time of this blog post is a breaking news bit with Jobs saying, “health issues ‘more complex than I originally thought.’”

Everyone ready for a stock drop when trading opens tomorrow? In off-hour trading, it’s already down almost 8%. Hmm… now I wonder if the lackluster MacWorld keynote was to reserve some big announcements to help bounce back from the announcement about their CEO.

Expect to see those rumored announcements of new Mac Minis, among other things coming out in the coming weeks. Get better soon Steve!

Steve Jobs taking leave from Apple due to complex health issues