Archive for the ‘Apple’ Category

This thing called iPad

Apple | Tuesday, April 6th, 2010

Many, many of the apps are far better, more useable and more natural than either their desktop or iPhone counterparts. While that is certainly true of many of the built in ones, it is not exclusive to them. Twitterific for iPad is far better than any other version. The Kindle app is even better than the Kindle itself, let alone on the iPhone or Desktop. Instapaper is an absolute dream. The list could go on. I really believe this is also related to the speed and fluidity of the iPad and how these apps simply behave in ways that are natural and intuitive.

~Minimal Mac

Patrick Rhone is by far not the only one who experienced this. But first about me and the iPad: I am not going to get one (at least not for now). The reasons are:

  • It is simply to expensive to be a 3rd gadget to do the stuff my Mac / iPhones does
  • I have a MacBook
  • I have an iPhone
  • The iPad is not available here in Germany yet (even if I would like to get one I could not)!
  • It has no camera

But all that should not be the topic. What I read over the iPad most was that the device goes away and the apps are gorgeously designed and usable and as far I can tell that is the case — just loo at some sample videos or screenshots. And there the problem goes!

Why is it possible that developers can develop that good looking apps for a device like the iPad? Why is nobody out there to just do the same for the Mac? Is it because Mac OS X feels differently? Or is it cause it is not the ‘right’ computer?

I think developers who develop stunning apps for the iPad (and also have a Mac / iPhone version) should seriously set their asses down and, now after they released those bad ass apps for the iPad, switch the focus to the Mac and iPhone version! Those really are in need for some time to be spend on them! It has to be possible to make those apps as beautiful as the once on the iPad. Even if that means cutting down on functionality (you do this on the iPad all the time why not at the Mac)!

Here is my point. The reason the iPad is awesome is that there are developers out there who make it badass. Now is the time to give those who are not going to get an iPad some bites of what you are capable of regarding UI design!

Updated Desk 1.5

Apple, Design, Technology | Friday, March 26th, 2010

Last year in February, I published a post about my desk. Now I would like to get one update out there.

I added some nice things to the setup: New Music Equipment, one new Screen, an Day-Light lamp and I changed some things, the clutter under the desk is now much less and the two shelfs at the left are now both at the top directly under the ceiling. Now to the different changes.

The New Music Equpment

That one was quiet expensive but the sound is just phenomenal! I use two nEar 08 speakers made by ESI and one Terratec Phase X24FW (firewire sound card) to get the sound to those speakers. All in all I have to say that my music enjoyment increased like crazy! I now hear things I never have heard before the upgrade.

The new Screen

This is the newest addition. I added one more 23″ LCD to my setup. Now I have about 4640×1050 pixel of screen area! And am more than happy about that. To connect the second screen to the MacBook I use a Display Link USB graphic card which works just finde (well I can not few movies at that screen but that was predicted!).

The Day-Light Lamp

Especially great for winter light. The day-light-lamp gives some light which you mind thinks is sun light. But you need to keep in mind to shut the lamp of at night because other wise you will never get tired…

Conclusion

I now have some more digital space to work at and a much nicer music experience. Over all a much nicer desk!

And the last thing: An overall look at my new v1.5 desk:

Counting Characters

Apple | Tuesday, March 9th, 2010

Just recently I opened my RSS-Reader and found a post by Chris Bowler regarding counting characters and using a script to do it system wide. Just some weeks ago I had the same problem and searched a script, found nothing to useful and cobbled something together my self. Since I use Quicksilver to launch apps, I also wanted to use Quicksilver to do the character/word and paragraph counting.

Now I do not want to share my own script — it was not that great — but after reading the post by Chris Bowler, I improved it a bit to work just perfect with Quicksilver and completely without Automator.

activate
tell application "System Events" to keystroke "c" using command down
set theInput to (the clipboard)
set theInput to (theInput as text)
set myCount to count (theInput)
set myWords to count words of (theInput)
set myParas to count paragraphs of (theInput)
tell me
activate
display dialog "Characters: " & myCount & return & "Words: " & myWords & return & "Paragraphs: " & myParas buttons {"Thanks"} default button 1
end tell

Download the Count_Characters_v1.0.scpt

What the script does is: It copies the currently selected text into the clipboard and counts the characters, words and paragraphs which are than output in form of a short text message at the display.

I hope that script helps a some people, I would like to get some feedback.

Finally: iPhone I’m coming

Apple | Friday, June 19th, 2009

Today the 19th of June 2009 I’m going to pick up my first iPhone! I wanted one since Apple announced it on the 9th of January 2007. There were different reasons for not getting an iPhone that time, one was that I already had an contract in place which now ends and some others were written down in an much earlier post — these thoughts, published in that old post, are now over-thought and no more accurate. Now I’m going to hit it! I pre-ordered an 32GB white iPhone 3GS and will pick it up right after school at 12:45AM today.

Over the past two years and now three different iPhone versions I had the chance to play with an iPhone a few times but more less than often — around here not many own one. Now I’m going to test that crazy device and probably will write about my opinion on it later.

Have a nice day everyone, I definitely will!

Why I switched or My Macintosh Workstation

Apple | Tuesday, April 14th, 2009

This post is part six of the series, completing my about page with more than just short paragraphs.

Now it’s about 1 and a half year ago since I switched from PC to Mac and I am completely happy about that decision. But her I want to write down the way I actually went and why I decided the way I did.

In the beginning, I used a Windows machine. Since I started playing with computers. Through my interest in the field, I got interested in Linux and wanted to switch often. The problem with that was that I was not straight enough to really stay consistent at that decision. I switched many times from Windows to Linux, at the time I wanted to use Suse, but every time, I switched back to Windows 2000 or XP really fast so that I could use the programs I was used to and could play my games.

In early 2007 I made the decision — again — to switch to Linux. This time I was about to use Ubuntu and already had searched alternative software which I could use on all three platforms, Linux, Mac OS X and Windows. These programs had been Gimp for picture editing and design work as well as Eclipse / Aptana for web-development, plus some other tools. At that point, I already had in mind that I might switch to a Mac soon which was the reason that I searched applications which I could use on each of the three platform.

The reasons why I chose a MacBook instead of a ‘normal’ laptop are pretty obvious and spread all over the net. The machines run faster, look better, the available applications are much nicer and the OS looks and feels much better than the Windows platform. Linux is not an alternative if you just want a simple life, at least in my eyes and I have tested that for me!

In summer 2007, I finally did it. I bought my white, 13″, MacBook with 2.16GHz Dual Core 2 Duo, 1GB of RAM and 120GB hard-drive — which was replaced by a 320GB hard-drive and the RAM was replaced by two 2GB bricks, which adds up to now 4GB — the operating system is Mac OS X 10.5.6 Leopard. The switch itself was pretty easy for me cause I had planed everything, especially which applications to use.

Now my setup looks like this: My MacBook which is my main machine hooked up to a 23″ LG display, which is also connected to an old Windows XP machine just in case I need one.

Like I already wrote, I’m still happy with my decision to go Mac and plan on buying my second Mac machine in the end of the year caused by the need of more GPU power but for now I’m able to do what I want to and everything works just fine.

Next is ‘My Way to Blogging’. Stay tuned for part six of the series. If you want let me know your feedback or maybe tell your story.

My Desk

Apple, Blogging, Design, Technology | Tuesday, February 10th, 2009

A useless about page is one of the worst things you can have at a blog, right? I’m now — finally — about to change that. The last post was about why I write English — and also the first partly completing the about page —, this one is about my Mac Desk or Workspace — you choose how you call it.

For me its like for many creative or freelancing people — OK, I’m still at school but hey, I do my projects on side. Working at a desk is just impossible if it’s cultured with papers and other crappy stuff. Which means, that I normally have nothing lying around, especially if I want to enter the creative zone. The only things which are allowed to be there, are my MacBook, secondary screen, phone, a folder containing papers belonging to current projects I’m working on and — of course — my Keyboard, Mighty Mouse and Graphic Tablet.

The Whole Desk

The Whole Desk

My Two Chairs

My Two Chairs

Little about my desk. It’s 2.4m (94.49 inch) wide and 90 cm (35.43 inch) deep. It’s white which is one of the colors I like most. There are usually two chairs in front of my desk, one with a back which is chilly and one without which I like best for long sessions cause it doesn’t let me lay back and forces me stick to the work to get done.

Like I already sad, having a clean workspace is key for me to get creative or even just to get some work done. I can’t concentrate if there are many papers — which don’t belong to the project I’m currently working on —, dust or other stuff lying around. If you look at the pictures you’ll probably notice that there are two colors which dominate the room. White and Red. I love the white because it lightens the room and I also love the red because it’s a strong contrast to the white which is supposed to let me think out of the box and makes me fell good.

In the end it comes down to a clean, ordered and uncluttered work-area which makes me happy and helps me to get work done. The best part is I’m happy when I can sit down at my desk to get work done rather than sitting at school at desks which are not that great designed and chairs which are not comfortable.

The MacBook plus Screen, Keyboard and Mouse

The MacBook plus Screen, Keyboard and Mouse

What is your thought about the workspace? Is it worth spending some time and money to design a great work-area and to keep it clean? Or don’t you care about the place you are working in? What do you think? Feel free to leave a comment.

There is an updated post about my desk.

Time Machine and Aperture Vault saved my Live

Apple, Technology | Friday, January 9th, 2009

About 4 month ago the internal hard drive of my MacBook died. The problem is that I don’t own a second Mac or have another Mac in my family which means that I’m not able to get on working like normal and have to move over to my old windows machine for work, which is not really possible cause nearly all applications I use are Mac only. The last time it took about 3 days till my new drive arrived and I was able to restore my files via my Time Machine backup. This time was a little different. My internal hard drive died again some days ago. Here is the story what happened and how I got out of it.

Apple File Vault

Normally I’m not a big fan of Apple’s File Vault and for that reason I haven’t activate it till the 25c3. I thought that would be a security option which I shouldn’t miss. So, I activated it, went to the 25c3 and nothing happened. I came back home and plugged my Time Machine hard drive into my MacBook and still nothing unusual happened. But some days ago – it was the first of January – after that I came back to my MacBook and it wouldn’t start.

Restoring

That was the first moment I thought that, there is something wrong. Future testing and it turned out that the hard drive broke again. I was lucky that a family member of mine was able to give me a 2.5″ hard dive to plug into my MacBook and I was serious that I’m able to restore the system with my Time Machine backup. But that turned out to be wrong. I tried to install the system via the Mac OS X 1.5 Leopard DVD and restoring, everything went well. I tried to log in and an error message popped up saying that something was wrong with the users File Vault image.

Seeing something like this really scares me. All work gone? All pictures taken at the 25c3 gone? But I didn’t gave up. I tried again, this time with the last Time Machine Backup made just before I left without File Vault turned on. And the restore and the following login went smoothly. But there was still the problem with my Aperture Library which was rearranged entirely in this few days I was not at home. There I just had luck, that I backed up the Library via Aperture Vault just after coming home. I restored the Aperture Library via this Vault and had my system back where it’s now. Just some little changes, some text files and apps deleted, some new installed and written down some text and everything works again.

Conclusion

That’s the story how Apple’s Time Machine and Aperture’s Vault saved all my work don mostly in 2008. And I even learned a big something, that I have to be careful with File Vault and should use more than one way to back up my files – on a regular bases.
Have you ever had such a extreme case of backup need?

Answere to: The Not So Immortal iPod?

Apple | Wednesday, July 30th, 2008

Today I’m answering to a post which was originally written at desktopvibes.com-The Not So Immortal iPod?:

First I think the iPod will be around for years and will not stop selling that fast.

iPhone Selling?

Ok the iPhone is selling really well (especially if you compare it to the first selling of the iPod’s) but you must consider that back than apple was not as popular as it’s now (especially in the not professional working scene)!

What will happen to the iPod?

I think the iPod selling will slower or if it comes hard and fast decrees. But also I think that if they are going to hold the iPod up to date (especially the touchy thing:D) than the iPod would be going to sell great, cause the iPhone contracts are  for many people really not affordable (and many people just don’t need internet everywhere!).

More likely an iPod touch than the iPhone? (My Way)

For me I’m looking forward to a iPod touch update and than going to buy that (if it offers new great things like the new 3G iPhone, especially GPS would be really nice) cause I think that everywhere internet wouldn’t be that nice and the monthly fee is just to expensive!

One thing I think they should change is the mayor updating of the iPod touch for money! They just should give it out for free!!! Or much less (something around the 5-10$US)!

Dashboard / Finder slow motion

Apple | Thursday, July 10th, 2008

Some weeks ago – long before I started publishing this blog – I found a little function in Mac OS X (Leopard, so I don’t know if it works in Tiger or lower too(?) tell me if you know). It’s nothing you need, but I found it interesting to see once than it’s enough.

Mac OS X Leopard Dasbhoard

What/How to see?

Did you ever see the dashboard / finder-movements in slow motion?
Well if not, now you can. Simply press “shift” and than make the finder / dashboard move with for example the F-Keys (F9 – F12) or just opening an folder.
Normally you wouldn’t see that much, it flips up fast ad there it is, but if you press “shift” this movements are slower.

Conclusion

Did you new that function(?) and what do you think of it(?), let me know in the comments.

In my opinion this function isn’t something useful, but I’m proud that I found it myself (OK it was random and not planed but I found it myself:D).

And it’s once interesting to know how the movements look in slow motion isn’t it?

the iPhone Germany *UPDATE*

Apple, Personal | Friday, July 4th, 2008

The first post at this blog was about this blog and the iPhone release in Germany. Now it’s much the same.
I’m now going to publish the blog again with the hope that I thought enough about what I’m going to do in the future with it, and that I have enough to say:D

The iPhone

For now I decided not to purchase the iPhone.
Maybe you think that this decision is ugly and bad, cause I could purchase it, and the costs are not the problem, but I have thought about the iPhone quiet some time and came to the end that if I buy the iPhone, than I can go online nearly everywhere I want, and that’s the problem!

I’m on the Internet if I’m at home, and the time outside, at the train to school and so on I’m offline and not connected to the internet what means, that I do other things like reading books, thinking about new ideas and sometimes designing on white paper.

Now if I purchase an iPhone I consider my self not to read books, write down new ideas, or designing new web-designs, rather than surfing the web via the iPhone. Thats why I’m not going to buy the iPhone.

Oh, by the way: if I’m not going to buy the iPhone, I think I’m going to buy something else (not as expensive as a new iPhone but something technically)

What do you think about that desicion? I’m really interessted.

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