Learn about the new Expose features in Apple's Snow Leopard.

We're back! Part of the continuing series on traveling with technology - learn how to use the iPod Camera Connector to back up photos while on the road. Was a great option for me during a recent cross country trip.

Traveling with technology can be challenging - especially when it comes to power. Learn options for power supplies, iPhone batteries and other tips.

An old iPod can come in handy, especially when traveling our having to transport large files. This segment of 123 Hints takes an old 15GB iPod and enables disk mode so that a Mac can access it like a portable storage device.

A recent upgrade to Mobile Me makes sharing files on your iDisk a snap.

The last part of our 3 part iMovie '08 series. Learn how to add titles to your movie, transitions and export the final project. Delicious 720P High Definition video.

The second part of our three part series on making an iMovie. Segment focuses on arranging and moving clips in the timeline.

In the first of a 3 part quick-and-dirty iMovie tutorials we cover how to import video from a memory based video camera into iTunes. All in yummy 720P high definition.

Here is a short little episode on some handy keyboard short cuts when working in the finder. Single step keyboard chords to open your home directory, applications folder, documents, etc.

Converting video from one format to another is helpful trick to know. Converted video could be destined for watching on an iPod, iPhone or even share video with a "friend" using Microsoft Windows. (Although let's be honest, how good of a friend is a Windows user.) This segment uses a free tool called Handbrake to convert video and provide an overview of the process.

Hot Corners or Active Screen Corners trigger specific actions for your desktop by simply moving your mouse to a corner of your screen. We are back on track with 4 new episodes in the hopper to start season 2 of 123Hints in early January. Happy Holidays!

In a follow-up to segment #050, this segment digs deeper into iDisk to demonstrate how a user of you public iDisk folder would upload files via a web browser.

The MobileMe service from Apple has a lot of great features. One useful feature is the public folder for your iDisk. In this segment you will learn what the iDisk public folder is, how to access it, how to copy files to it and how to set the permissions on the folder (read or read & write).

Sometimes the text in an email or web site is just too small (or my eyes are just getting too old). Wouldn't it be great if you could make the text larger?! Well today is your lucky day! Enjoy the segment in yummy 720P HD goodness. Looking for ideas for upcoming shows. Please send us an email 123hints at gmail.com

We're back! Use the control key and the scroll wheel to zoom in on anything. Sorry for the two week absence, we're trying to get back into a good habit. Hang in there ;)

At the risk of turning some folks off - there are a couple simple things in the Finder that does and people don't take advantage of - Compression is one of those. "zip" that file is what those segment is all about.

Great looking books are a breeze in iPhoto. Learn more in this segment of 123Hints.com

Spotlight is a powerful search engine built into Mac OSX. Learn the basics and some more advanced techniques in this segment.

There are all sorts of short cuts for selecting text within an application, this tutorial covers popular ones and ways that you didn't know existed. While it doesn't sound like the most exciting topic, you will use it frequently. After all, I managed to talk about it for nearly 8 minutes!!

iCal and a subscription to MobileMe allows easy sharing of your calendar with others. In this segment you will also learn how to subscribe to another persons calendar.

Mailing labels use to be a difficult process, but Address Book make the process simple. Learn how you can use the Address Book to create beautiful mailing labels. General show note - Starting this week 123Hints.com will release segments once a week.

If you have ever wondered "How do I get Excel sheet to always open in Numbers?" then this is the episode for you!

Create Secure Disk Images to ensure that your files are encrypted and protected from prying eyes.

If you have favorite programs that you open every time you start your Mac, then why not have them open automatically when you log-in? In this short tutorial learn how to set an application to automatically open at log-in.

In OS X you have the ability to create PDF documents within any application. This can be very helpful when trying to share documents with people who use non-Macintosh machines (imagine that).

The Address Book can be even more helpful with a little customization. In this segment learn how to add custom fields, and edit the standard template.

Mobile Me is a service from Apple to allow syncing of data across various Internet connected devices. This segment covers how to activate Mobile Me, sync your Address Book data and demonstrates how entering data online can be synced with your desktop data. In yummy 720p High Definition, of course.

Part 2 of our coverage on email filters. Check out episode #34 for the theory on this segment for the actual "how-to". Create filters that automatically delete, forward, flag or file your messages based on rules that you set-up.

This a a different type of segment - a primer for the next episode on email Filters which will make your email experience much more productive and - dare we say it - more enjoyable.

Most frequent question I get is "How do I convert a (blank) video to (blank)?" My favorite tool is Visual Hub.

iTunes is a good tool to organize your digital audio/video and it has podcast capabilities built-in. Learn how to subscribe to podcasts, find podcasts and download previous episodes in this tutorial.

Reading RSS feeds in Apple mail takes advantage of the email user interface that you're use to. Learn how in this tutorial.

Apple's web browser - Safari - has the ability to automatically opens RSS feeds and aggregate feeds.

Reading news on the Internet is much easier with RSS feeds. This segment explains what a RSS feed is, how they work and how you can use a tool like Google Reader to view your selected feeds.

Surfing the web can make for a cluttered desktop - why not merge windows and use tabs. Learn how in this segment.

With a few simple clicks you and sort the files in your Finder window. Learn how in this sort tutorial.

Learn how to create a set of virtual desktops or workspaces with the included OSX application Spaces.

Send cool looking messages to Mac or PC users with the Stationary function.

Sometimes a picture is worth a thousand words and you need a snap shot of something on your computer. This segment address that need with two keyboard shortcuts.

Navigate the clutter of your open windows with Exposé - a feature built right into OSX.

Learn how to quickly switch between active applications with a simple key press.

A convenient function of iChat is the ability to send and receive files with the person that you are chatting with. Sharing a document, photo or other files is quick and easy with a simple drag 'n drop.

Now that you have iChat set up with an account (see segment #19) you need to add your buddies. Learn how to add your buddy who uses the AOL Instant Messenger service AIM, or a fellow .Mac member. In 720p High Definition.

ichat is the handy little instant messaging application that Apple includes on your Mac. It is capable of so much more - video conferencing, file sharing, etc. However, the first step to taking advantage of iChat is getting it set up which is exactly what we will focus on in this segment. High Definition is all the rage - so we're in 720p once again for your viewing pleasure.

While it might seem minor, folks with a windows background need to remember to "Quit" out of Macintosh applications and not simply close the window. Leaving applications open that you intended to quit uses memory on your computer and can make things run slower. Yet another episode in stunning 720p High Definition.

A special place called the "Dashboard" exists on your Macintosh, where you can use mini-applications designed for specific functions (weather, sports, calculator, movie show times). This segment explores several aspects of the Dashboard - how to activate it, adding new widgets, removing widgets, downloading widgets from the web.

If you every needed a copyright symbol, an accent on a letter or some other special symbol in something that you were writing then this segment is for you. Use of a "Special Characters" menu can solve all your needs for special characters, symbols, and accents. This segment is in 1280x720 High Definition.

Customizing your computing experience is a quick way to make the Mac feel more homey. This segment came from a viewer question about inserting different icons for files and folders. It is a simple process for anyone who wants to create their own unique look. This segment is in 1280x720 High Definition.

Create your own collapsable folders in the Dock for quick access to favorite files/folders/applications. Not only are these folders are great short cuts, you can also customize the presentation in a fan, grid or list mode. This segment is in 1280x720 High Definition.

Sharing photos is part of the joy of taking pictures. Using email and sending pictures directly from iPhoto is very simple and you will learn exactly how in this segment. This segment is in 1280x720 High Definition.

iPhoto 2008 introduced the concept of events - groupings of pictures taken around the same time. This segment explores how to combine events and split events to provide for better organizing of your photos. This segment is in 1280x720 High Definition.

To enjoy iPhoto, you need to get your pictures in the library first. This segment discusses how you can import pictures that you have saved on your computer into iPhoto.

Apple includes a fun little freebie - Photo Booth for taking snap shots or wacky pictures. This segment introduces you to Photo Booth, taking pictures, applying effects, emailing from Photo Booth and much more. Come have some fun!

Automatically create sub-groups ing your Address Book with Smart Group. Just like Smart List in iTunes (Show #001) and Smart Folders in the Finder (Show #002) you can quickly and easily create a Smart Group.

Most new users to the Macintosh love to cruise around the Dock - a nifty application launcher that usually hangs out at the bottom of the screen. Did you know that you can change the size, position and even hide the Dock. You can also add and remove items to the Dock. Watch this segment to learn all about it.

Add attachments to a message with a simple drag ‘n drop.

Just a quick post to let you know about a slight change in the release schedule for 123Hints.com We use to do releases on Monday and Wednesday, but that timing only had the Monday release available for two days before the Wednesday release came out. Since most pod catchers only download the most recent release, some folks were missing the Monday download. From now on - Monday and Thursday will be the releases. BTW-Sorry about the 3 segments on Apple Mail attachments, should have be a single post.

Take advantage of the mysterious “Services? menu.

Learn how to add an attachment to an email message.

Learn how to import songs that have already been encoded into MP3/AAC and exist as files on your hard drive or from a CD into your iTunes library.

Learn how to import/rip music from an audio CD into iTunes - a helpful feature that allows you to move your music into your library

In this segment we cover how to create a Smart Folder in the Finder. This is a very helpful tool for organizing and finding files.

This is the first release for our weekly tips and hints on Making technology work for you. In this segment we cover how to create a Smart Playlist in iTunes - a very helpful feature for managing your iTunes library.

Creating a business class phone system is possible and cheap with Asterisk.

I was listening to David Allen's Getting Things Done book again tonight and this quote caught my attention... "There is no reason to have the same thought twice, unless you like having that thought." It's the new year, a time when thoughts turn to the new habits that you would like to establish. One of the habits that I have worked to establish is being more productive through better organization. I've come a long way in the past year getting better organized (a couple listed below), and there is more that I want to do. Tonight the above quote landed with me a new way. I spend a lot of time having the same thought over and over again. For example, I know that I should clean out the trunk of my car. I have that same though a couple times a week. I need to either do it, decide that I'm not going to do it, or get that action into my "trusted system". I can only imagine how much mental energy and mental opportunity cost I have spent in the past few months alone on that thought. Do it, defer it, discard it. So here are just a couple things that I've done in the past 12 months to achieve better productivity through organization. - Establish a trusted system. If your are familiar with the GTD methodology this one is a core process - create that place where you deposit your 'next action' thoughts, and a place that you can depend on to keep those actions in front of you in an organized and relevant way. I'm a computer guy, so my core trusted system is a piece of software called Omni Focus. I have tried a lot of programs over the past year (iGTD, Nozbe, Kinkless GTD) but it looks like Omni Focus is going to be the one that sticks and give me the tool I need. - Get rid of the crap. Another book that I read in 2007 was Tim Ferriss' The 4 Hour Work Week. I realized that I had a bunch of crap that was fighting for my attention that either didn't need to fight for my attention or could be handled more efficiently. Magazines that I never really read but sat on my desk and occupied some thought cycles. Bills that could be put on auto pay. Email distribution lists. - Quicken / Quickbooks. I'm somewhat embarrassed to say that I wasn't consistently using Quicken for my personal finance and Quickbooks for my business finance until the later half of 2007. I knew how helpful these tools could be, but I wasn't consistent in entering and analyzing the data. And here are a couple things that I'm doing now for better productivity. - Thin more crap. A minimalist approach to the stuff I keep and my workspace. Don't take things on just to thin them later. - Daily use of the trusted system. It's not just for work days - it's every day. - Write it down and give myself the permission to not think about it. - Block time for processing. Email isn't an application that is open all day, it is processed at a set time. Same for paper mail, voicemail. - Delegate and follow-up. I don't have to do everything, ask for assistance from others particularly on tasks where I'm not the best person to perform them.

Episode #004 The Apple iPhone - Communications impact.

Before you write off this episode as another love-in for Apple, we're trying to take a different look at the Apple iPhone.  Specifically, what does the Apple iPhone changes about the cell phone market.  How does it change the expectations that consumers have of phones?  How does it change the way people use their phones?  How does it change the relationship between carriers and phone manufacturers?

Visit our web site at www.newcommunications.org or drop us a line at matt@newcommunications.org

It has been too long since my last episode and I'm working on fixing that.  Lots of changes in my personal life have put some episodes on the back burner.  That will all be taken care of soon.

In the meantime, you should check out Apple's new iPhone.  It is an amazing piece of communications technology.  It is easily worthy of an episode of it's own in the future from NewCommunications.  There is actually a whole podcast dedicated to it, and while the podcast is not affiliated with us, you might want to check it out.  The ApplePhoneShow.com at www.applephoneshow.com is hosted by Scott Bourne talking all things iPhone.

Look forward to some new episodes shortly.

Take care,

Matt

Episode #003 Voice Over the Internet - An Introduction.  In this episode we introduce the concept of using the Internet to transmit voice conversations.  After discussion the technology, the benefits are discussed.  Finally, we outline five ways that the typical consumer can use VoIP in their home.

Skype, WiFi phones, USB phones, PC-to-PC calling and PC-to-phone calling are all covered in this netcast.

Posted at the New Communications web site is additional information on VoIP services and equipment.

Visit our web site at www.newcommunications.org or drop us a line at matt@newcommunications.org

As the Internet has grown it has become a tremendous resource but it has also become more difficult to find what you're looking for - this is where search engines come in.  Search engines such as Google, Yahoo and MSN are helpful tools for finding information.  Like any tool, the more you know about how it works the better you can use it.

In episode #002 New Communications explores some helpful tips for using search engines.  Learn how to exclude certain words from your searches, find song lyrics, and use the Internet as your personal dictionary.

Posted at the New Communications web site is a tip sheet which covers the tips in the video as well as many others.

Visit our web site at www.newcommunications.org or drop us a line at matt@newcommunications.org

I'm putting the finishing touches on Epidsode #002 and hope to have it out this weekend to enjoy with some left over turkey.  Recording the content hasn't been the problem, I keep changing post production applications and am in the process of learning FinalCut Express.  Still plan to stay on a twice a month release schedule.

This appendix video netcast which is supporting material to episode #1. When we were researching interest in our first episode, we found that people were interested to see just how quickly a wireless connection could be cracked if they used the wrong encryption. This episode show you how quickly it can happen.

Refer to episode #1 for details on how you can secure your wireless Internet connection.

Visit our web site at www.newcommunications.org

We promise that the foundation won't focus on security, lots of other communications topics are coming. Just wanted to provide a little more detail on this important topic.

Wireless Internet connectivity has caught on in a big way. Consumers have snatched up WiFi enabled routers and laptops and are enjoying being untethered while surfing the net. However, most people haven't properly protected themselves against intruders who can easily crack a home network to steal valuable information.

Securing your wireless Internet connection is simple if you know where to look and what to do. This video netcast will show you:

For you own safety please review this netcast and take the proper steps to secure your network. We have also posted the equivalent of a video netcast appendix - additional supporting material - which shows how quickly a network with the wrong type of encryption can be cracked. Look for episode #1a

Visit our re-designed web site at www.newcommunications.org

We hope that you enjoy our first netcast and ask that you cut us a little slack since we're still learning about this netcast thing.

We're getting ready for our first official video Netcast and a re-launch of the web site.  Lots of last minute work that we need to do, but still on track for release next weekend.

Editing of the first netcast is going well.  The insecurity of WiFi networks is going to be our first episode, and we're covering it more from the perspective of the average user.  Trying to strike that balance for a tech topic that isn't presented in such a techie way.

Either way, there is a lot to learn and that's part of the process that we are hoping to go through.  Feedback from viewers is going to be key.  A couple people have asked about our release schedule.  Since these netcasts go into a bit more depth and need some post productions our initial schedule is looking like the 1st and 3rd Sunday of every month.

Keep your fingers crossed that we launch on schedule and keep those questions coming.

Matt