An Apple A Day Gallery – 2007.11.08
Mac OS X: Spotlight and Calculator
Apple has added calculator function into Spotlight. Type in some Algebraic calculations in Spotlight, and the result will appear next to the calculator icon.
Mac OS X Leopard: Terminal
An Apple A Day Gallery – 2007.11.07
Mac OS X Leopard: Terminal
Long before the fancy Graphical User Interface (GUI), everything was displayed as text only. A lot can be done using Terminal. For example, you can take a screenshot of the DVD screen. “Grab” application will not allow screen captures when a DVD is being played.
AirPort Issues in Mac OS X Leopard
Numbers of users reported that they were having problems with AirPort in Mac OS X Leopard. So far I have not personally encountered any problems with AirPort.
I installed Leopard on the following machines:
- 1.25 GHz PowerBook G4 (Aluminum PBG4 1st generation) – Clean Install
- 1.67 GHz PowerBook G4 (DDR) – Clean Install
- 1.67 GHz PoWerBook G4 (DDR2) – Archive and Install
- MacBook Pro Core Duo 2.0 GHz (1st generation) – Clean Install
- iMac Core 2 Duo 2.2 GHz (Aluminum) – Upgrade
None of the machine above has any AirPort issues. I included the installation method to see if there’s any correlations with the said AirPort issues.
I’d certainly recommend Clean Installations of Leopard instead of upgrading. I found some weird issues with the Archive and Install method on the 1.67 GHz PowerBook G4 (DDR).
Mac OS X Leopard: Dictionary
An Apple A Day Gallery – 2007.11.06
Mac OS X Leopard: Dictionary
A few new features are added into Mac OS X Leopard Dictionary. The Dictionary can now search articles from Wikipedia, Internet connection required. The Dictionary as built-in Japanese language support and capable of Japanese-English translations and vice versa (but it’s still a machine-based translation; the translations could be too literal).
One more thing, Mac OS X Leopard Dictionary also includes “Apple Dictionary”. A collection of terms commonly used in Mac OS X.
Apple Releases iTunes 7.5 and QuickTime 7.3
As anticipated, ahead of November 9th, 2007 iPhone European release (France, Germany and UK), Apple releases iTunes 7.5 and QuickTime 7.3 today. It is likely that Apple will release iPhone Software update on the 9th if not earlier. Based on reports from the UK, the iPhone Software will be updated to version 1.1.2 to coincide the European iPhone premiere.
Both iTunes 7.5 and QuickTime 7.3 can be obtained from Apple Support Downloads or Apple Software Update:
11/05/2007
QuickTime 7.3
This release is recommended for all QuickTime 7 users.iTunes 7.5
This update includes numerous enhancements and is recommended for all iTunes 7 users.About iTunes 7.5
iTunes 7.5 features the ability to activate iPhone wherever service is offered and support for Phase, a new interactive music game designed exclusively for iPod nano (third generation), iPod classic, and iPod (fifth generation). This release also includes bug fixes to improve stability and performance.
AVCHD Camcorder: Buying Panasonic HDC-SD5
UPDATE: Check out the clip taken using Panasonic HDC-SD5 here.
Yep, I just ordered Panasonic HDC-SD5.
I have been looking into buying a new Digital Camcorder for a while now. I considered getting an HD Camcorder sometime in Summer (June) 2006. I looked into different models and brands of HD Camcorders, but I never actually got one. That’s due to the price and the media format. The first ones I considered getting were using HD-MiniDV tapes, and cost around $1,300. Price was an issue in addition to the “newness” of prosumer grade HD Camcorder. Late 2006/early 2007 I considered getting Hard-Drive-based HD Camcorders. For many reasons, I couldn’t get myself into getting a Hard-Drive-based HD Camcorders. Personally, I don’t like the idea of having a spinning hard drive built into the camera. I considered the battery life, durability, and noise issues. In addition to that, Hard-Drive-based HD Camcorders tend to be a little bit “bulky”.
One year passed since I first considered getting an HD Camcorder. I was still using my Sony DCR-HD40 MiniDV Camcorder I purchased back in 2004. I was still looking into getting an HD Camcorder. I heard about the Sanyo Xacti VPC-HD2 on Daily Giz Wiz 312 (part of Leo Laporte‘s TWiT Network). Leo Laporte and Dick DeBartolo were speaking highly of Sanyo Xacti VPC-HD2, as they were about Sanyo Xacti VPC-C40 on Daily Giz Wiz 214.
In August 2007, Apple introduced iMovie ’08 (part of iLife ’08 suite), touting many new features including AVCHD support. According to many reports, Apple demos featured numbers of new HD camcorders, including Panasonic HDC-SD5. As always, Leo Laporte and his MacBreak Weekly “co-conspirators” were talking about the said HD Camcorder (MacBreak Weekly 54: HiDef LoTech). Laporte also talked about Panasonic HDC-SD5 on Daily Giz Wiz 407.
I considered getting Panasonic HDC-SD5, and started reading on articles on it. I read the review on CamcorderInfo.com, and was made aware of Sony HDR-CX7.
After reading a lot on both Panasonic HDC-SD5 and Sony HDR-CX7, I was still sitting on the fence. I always like Sony’s NightShot® Infrared System, but I also prefer SD Card than Sony’s Memory Stick Pro Duo. SD Card is generally cheaper than Sony’s Memory Stick Pro Duo.
In September 2007, I posted a question on choosing between Panasonic HDC-SD5 and Sony HDR-CX7. Shortly after, a colleague pointed out another contender to my new HD Camcorder lust; Sanyo Xacti HD1000.
The Plot Thickens! I was even more indecisive than ever on getting the HD Camcorder; three contenders.
I decided to test drive all three camcorders before I made the purchase. Unfortunately, I couldn’t find Sanyo Xacti HD1000 in any stores. So the choices for me went back to between Panasonic HDC-SD5 and Sony HDR-CX7.
After 3 grueling days of “test-drive”, thanks to the local electronic stores, I still couldn’t make up my mind. Considering all the specs and features, including 3CCD vs. CMOS sensors (Panasonic HDC-SD5 and Sony HDR-CX7 respectively), both models seemed to be “equal”. I like Panasonic HDC-SD5 size which is smaller, but I still want NightShot® Infrared System which is only available on Sony’s Cameras.
Thanks to Amazon.com, I made up my mind. Shortly after visiting a local Circuit City, I checked Amazon.com and found out that Panasonic HDC-SD5 was on sale for $849.99 and it’s bundled with Panasonic VW-BN1 DVD Burner (which carries a sticker price of $199.99).
I finally ordered Panasonic HDC-SD5, and it should be delivered within the next 10 days (I hope).
Mac OS X Leopard: Boot Camp
An Apple A Day Gallery – 2007.11.05
Mac OS X Leopard: Boot Camp
Boot Camp enables installation of Windows Operating System on any Intel-based Mac computer, using a Microsoft Windows install disc. Windows is installed on its own partition. After installation, the Mac can run either Windows or Mac OS X.
The Boot Camp Assistant application helps create the Windows partition and restart the Mac using Windows installation disc. Follow the instructions to install Windows and install software drivers that enable Windows to work with the Mac hardware.
Apple provides driver supports the followings:
- Windows XP Home Edition or Professional
- Windows Vista Home Basic, Home Premium, Business, or Ultimate
Windows drivers for Intel-based Mac computer are included in Mac OS X Leopard Install disc.
To install any other Operating Systems such as Linux, create the “Windows Partition” then boot the Mac using the Linux install disc.
Additional informations on Boot Camp (http://37prime.com/bootcamp.html)
Boot Camp is not the only way to run other Operating Systems on a Mac. Parallels and VMware Fusion provide the ways to install different Operating Systems within Mac OS X. It is recommended to have a minimum of 2GB of RAM on a Mac to run the virtual machine.
Get Parallels @ Amazon.com
Get VMware Fusion @ Amazon.com