How To Restore A Time Machine Backup To A New Mac

Posted on by Tim Hannon in Backup, macOS (formerly OS X), Software, Time Machine

When you buy a new Mac you likely want to transfer all of your data and applications from your current Mac to a new Mac. Here are instructions on how to accomplish this migration using a current Time Machine backup of your current Mac. I’m going to provide instructions for two different scenarios.

If you’re just taking your new Mac out of it’s box and turning it on for the first time follow the instructions in Scenario 1 – Setup Assistant.

Alternatively, if you’ve already turned on your new Mac and created a user account then follow the instructions in Scenario 2 – Migration Assistant.  Read More from “How To Restore A Time Machine Backup To A New Mac”

Using Amazon’s Prime Video App

Posted on by Tim Hannon in Miscellaneous

Are you an Amazon Prime subscriber? One of the benefits is access to Amazon’s video streaming service called Prime Video. You can watch Prime Videos in a web browser on your computer or using the Prime Video app on your iOS device, such as an iPad, iPhone or iPod Touch. This Tech Tip will give you an introduction to using the Prime Video App on your iOS device. Read More from “Using Amazon’s Prime Video App”

How To Change Your AppleID Email Address

Posted on by Tim Hannon in iCloud or AppleID, iOS and iPhone/iPad Apps, macOS (formerly OS X), Services, Software

Is your AppleID tied to an email address that you no longer have access to or no longer use? If so, Apple offers step-by-step instructions on how to change your AppleID to use a new email address. Before we jump to the instructions, let’s start by reviewing some important background information and talk about some caveats.  Read More from “How To Change Your AppleID Email Address”

DriveSavers Provides Excellent Data Recovery Services

Posted on by Tim Hannon in Backup, Data Recovery

Do you need to retrieve data from a sick or dead hard drive? If you do not have a backup of the data on this disk, then you should consider hiring a professional data recovery company like DriveSavers. DriveSavers has been an industry leader for 30 years. They have a stellar reputation and success rate. In the rare cases that I have had a client who needed professional data recovery, I always use DriveSavers. Fortunately they have been able to recover most of the needed data. The downside of professional data recovery companies is the relatively high cost. Read More from “DriveSavers Provides Excellent Data Recovery Services”

Social Engineering Scams Are The Easiest Way to Hack Into Your Mac

Posted on by Tim Hannon in Computer Basics, Security/Privacy

You are the weakest link in your computer’s security! Please keep reading this important Tech Tip. If you’re not already aware of this fact, I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but the easiest way for a hacker to get into your Mac is through you. Tricking you into divulging information, installing software or giving remote access to your Mac is the easiest way to break in to your Mac. Tricking you is often called social engineering. Read More from “Social Engineering Scams Are The Easiest Way to Hack Into Your Mac”

Subscribe And Listen To Podcasts Using Overcast

Posted on by Tim Hannon in Miscellaneous

Here are instructions for subscribing to and listening to podcasts using the Overcast web site and Overcast app on your iPhone or iPad. If you missed it, my previous article provided an overview of podcasts. Here are step-by-step instructions on using Overcast, which is the podcatcher app that I use on both my iPhone and iPad. Read More from “Subscribe And Listen To Podcasts Using Overcast”

Podcasts Are Like On-Demand Radio

Posted on by Tim Hannon in Miscellaneous

Have you heard of podcasts, but don’t really understand what they are or how to listen to them? If so, this article gives you an overview of podcasts. My next article will give you step-by-step instructions on subscribing to and listening to podcasts on your iPhone and Mac. For what it’s worth, the word Podcast is a portmanteau of iPod and broadcast created by a BBC journalist in 2004, when Apple’s iPod was having its heyday. Read More from “Podcasts Are Like On-Demand Radio”

Free Video-Based Training From Lynda.com

Posted on by Tim Hannon in Computer Basics, Seattle

Would you like to access free video training courses on Mac OS, iMovie, Keynote, Photoshop, Lightroom, InDesign, WordPress, GoogleDocs and other topics? For about 20 years, Lynda.com has offered video-based training on thousands of business, software, and creative skills. Typically, a monthly subscription costs $20-$30. I recently learned that the Seattle Public Library offers access to Lynda.com video training. You can access is either a computer at one of the 27 branch locations or from your Mac, at home, as long as you have a library card. To access this from your own Mac, follow these simple instructions:

  1. Visit the database page on the SPL web site
  2. Click on Lynda.com
  3. When prompted to login type in your SPL library card number and associated PIN number then click the Log In button.

This is a great resource and way to add some computer skills.

[Update, June 2019:  Lynda.com has been acquired by LinkedIn and is now named LinkedIn Learning]

Beware Of Bogus Adobe Flash Updates

Posted on by Tim Hannon in Security/Privacy, Virus/Malware

[Update Nov 2023: As of 2021, Adobe has ended support for the Flash Player plugin. Please uninstall it if it’s still on your Mac.]

Please be aware that  some pop-up windows indicating that you need to update the Adobe Flash Player on your Mac could be bogus. Yup, that’s right. We live in a messy complex world and you cannot trust everything you read. So, how do you know which Flash Player update windows you can trust? My answer is, do not trust any of them; just go ahead and close these pop-up windows. Instead, follow these instructions to check if your Flash Player really needs to be updated. Read More from “Beware Of Bogus Adobe Flash Updates”

Use Your iPad As A Second Screen For Your Mac

Posted on by Tim Hannon in iOS and iPhone/iPad Apps, macOS (formerly OS X), Software

Did you know that you can use your iPad as a second screen for your Mac? That’s right. You can buy DuetDisplay, currently $11, and use it to connect your iPad to your Mac so you can use it as an second display. In a sense, this is a way to control your Mac using a touch-interface, if you would like to try this. Apple indicates that they have no plans to make touch-based Macs so if you’d like to have touch-control of your Mac this is the only way I know to make it happen.  Read More from “Use Your iPad As A Second Screen For Your Mac”

Share Any File In Your Dropbox Account With Non-Dropbox Users

Posted on by Tim Hannon in File Sharing, Services

Did you know that Dropbox lets you share any file with anybody, even if they do not have their own Dropbox account? In 2011, I wrote about how to do this using Dropbox’s Public Link feature. The Public Link feature let you share any file with anybody, but it required you to put the file inside your Dropbox Public Folder. Dropbox has been slowly phasing out the Public Folder and Public Links since they have been superseded by a newer, shared link feature, which was added a few years ago.  Read More from “Share Any File In Your Dropbox Account With Non-Dropbox Users”

PhotoSweeper Removes Duplicate Photos from Photos or iPhoto

Posted on by Tim Hannon in Photo

Do you have duplicate photos in your iPhoto or Photos Library? Do you dread the manual process of trying to locate and delete these duplicate photos? If so, use PhotoSweeper. PhotoSweeper will locate all duplicate photos and makes it easy for you to review them and select which ones you want to delete. In addition to identifying exact duplicate files, it also lets you find very similar photos. Using this feature you can find photos taken a few seconds apart or photos taken using Burst Mode on your iPhone. Here’s an overview of how to use PhotoSweeper. Read More from “PhotoSweeper Removes Duplicate Photos from Photos or iPhoto”

Regain Access To Your Airport or Time Capsule

Posted on by Tim Hannon in Hardware, Miscellaneous, Passwords, Security/Privacy

Have you forgotten or misplaced your Airport or Time Capsule passwords? If so, you should consider using the Soft Reset feature that Apple builds into Airports and Time Capsules. You could also review my previous Tech Tip about retrieving your Airport password from your Keychain which could save you from having to perform a Soft Reset. I should also point out that you may have either 1 or 2 Airport passwords. One password is used to connect devices, like Macs and iPhones to the wireless network created by your Airport. This is commonly called your wireless network password. The other password is used to configure the Airport. This is commonly caused your device password, where device refers to the Airport or Time Capsule. Read More from “Regain Access To Your Airport or Time Capsule”

How To Rebuild Your Spotlight Index

Posted on by Tim Hannon in Email, macOS (formerly OS X), Maintenance, Software

Does your Mac fail to find files that you know exist when you search for them? Or, does Apple Mail or Outlook fail to find email messages when you search for them? If so, this problem could be caused by a corrupt Spotlight index. Spotlight is the name of Apple’s search capabilities built into the Mac operating system. Spotlight’s index can get damaged from time to time. Read More from “How To Rebuild Your Spotlight Index”

How To Encrypt PDF Files On A Mac

Posted on by Tim Hannon in Encryption, Security/Privacy

Would you like to encrypt a PDF? Encrypting a PDF can be handy if you want to protect sensitive data contained in a PDF that you store on your Mac, or before you share the PDF via email, Dropbox or via some other means. Encrypting a PDF can be accomplished easily using Apple’s Preview application which comes bundled with every Mac. Read More from “How To Encrypt PDF Files On A Mac”

Add, Remove or Rearrange Items On Your Mac’s Dock

Posted on by Tim Hannon in Computer Basics, macOS (formerly OS X), Software

Would you like to add frequently used applications or documents to your Dock? Would you like to remove rarely used items from the Dock? If so, below are instructions on how to do this. The Dock is the row of icons that’s typically located across the bottom of the screen, though it can be moved. Apple populates the Dock with items that they think, or want, you to use, but you can customize it to suit your own needs. You can add applications, documents or folders to the dock.  Read More from “Add, Remove or Rearrange Items On Your Mac’s Dock”