123Hints

044-Lots of Ways To Select Text (HD)

123Hints@gmail.com — Mon, 25 Aug 2008 07:00:00 GMT

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!!

043-Publish and Subscribe to Calendars (HD)

123Hints@gmail.com — Mon, 18 Aug 2008 07:00:00 GMT

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.

042-Creating Mailing Labels in Address Book (HD)

123Hints@gmail.com — Mon, 11 Aug 2008 07:00:00 GMT

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.

041-Changing the Default Application for Opening Doucments

123Hints@gmail.com — Thu, 7 Aug 2008 07:00:00 GMT

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

040-Secure Disk Images (HD)

123Hints@gmail.com — Mon, 4 Aug 2008 07:00:00 GMT

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

039-Automatically Open Documents at Login (HD)

123Hints@gmail.com — Thu, 31 Jul 2008 07:00:00 GMT

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.

038-Create PDF Documents within Any Application (HD)

123Hints@gmail.com — Mon, 28 Jul 2008 07:00:00 GMT

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).

037-Adding fields to the Address Book (HD)

123Hints@gmail.com — Thu, 24 Jul 2008 07:00:00 GMT

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.

036-Mobile Me Address Book Syncing (HD)

123Hints@gmail.com — Mon, 21 Jul 2008 07:00:00 GMT

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.

035-Apple Mail email Filters (HD)

123Hints@gmail.com — Fri, 18 Jul 2008 07:00:00 GMT

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.

034-email Filters Primer (HD)

123Hints@gmail.com — Wed, 16 Jul 2008 05:48:00 GMT

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.

033-Video Conversion with Visual Hub (HD)

123Hints@gmail.com — Thu, 10 Jul 2008 07:00:00 GMT

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

032-Podcasts via iTunes (HD)

123Hints@gmail.com — Mon, 7 Jul 2008 07:01:00 GMT

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.

031-RSS Feeds in Apple Mail (HD)

123Hints@gmail.com — Thu, 3 Jul 2008 07:00:00 GMT

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

030-RSS Feeds in Safari (HD)

123Hints@gmail.com — Mon, 30 Jun 2008 07:00:00 GMT

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

029-RSS Feeds and Google Reader (HD)

123Hints@gmail.com — Thu, 26 Jun 2008 07:00:00 GMT

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.

028-Safari Window Management (HD)

123Hints@gmail.com — Mon, 23 Jun 2008 07:01:00 GMT

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

027-Sorting Within The Finder (HD)

123Hints@gmail.com — Thu, 19 Jun 2008 07:00:00 GMT

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

026-Spaces Introduction (HD)

123Hints@gmail.com — Thu, 12 Jun 2008 07:00:00 GMT

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

025-Stationary in Apple Mail (HD)

123Hints@gmail.com — Mon, 9 Jun 2008 07:00:00 GMT

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

024-Taking a screen shot (HD)

123Hints@gmail.com — Thu, 5 Jun 2008 07:00:00 GMT

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.

023-ExposÃ© - Access to all your open windows (HD)

123Hints@gmail.com — Mon, 2 Jun 2008 07:00:00 GMT

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

022-Switching Between Applications (HD)

123Hints@gmail.com — Thu, 29 May 2008 07:00:00 GMT

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

021-iChat Sending Documents (HD)

123Hints@gmail.com — Mon, 26 May 2008 07:00:00 GMT

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.

020-Adding a Buddy to iChat (HD)

123Hints@gmail.com — Thu, 22 May 2008 07:00:00 GMT

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.

019-Setting up an iChat Account (HD)

123Hints@gmail.com — Mon, 19 May 2008 07:00:00 GMT

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.

018-Quitting Out of Applications (HD)

123Hints@gmail.com — Sun, 18 May 2008 07:00:00 GMT

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.

017-Dashboard Widgets (HD)

123Hints@gmail.com — Thu, 15 May 2008 07:00:00 GMT

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.

016-Special characters, symbols, and accents (HD)

123Hints@gmail.com — Mon, 12 May 2008 07:00:00 GMT

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.

015-Changing Icons for Folder and Files (HD)

123Hints@gmail.com — Thu, 8 May 2008 07:00:00 GMT

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.

014-Collapsable Dock Items (HD)

123Hints@gmail.com — Mon, 5 May 2008 07:00:00 GMT

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.

013-email Pictures from iPhoto (HD)

123Hints@gmail.com — Thu, 1 May 2008 07:00:00 GMT

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.

012-iPhoto Events, Merge and Split (HD)

123Hints@gmail.com — Mon, 28 Apr 2008 07:00:00 GMT

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.

011-Import Photos to iPhoto

123Hints@gmail.com — Thu, 24 Apr 2008 07:00:00 GMT

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.

010-Photo Booth, Let's have some fun

123Hints@gmail.com — Mon, 21 Apr 2008 07:00:00 GMT

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!

009-Smart Groups in Address Book

123Hints@gmail.com — Thu, 17 Apr 2008 07:00:00 GMT

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.

008-The Dock Changing Settings

123Hints@gmail.com — Mon, 14 Apr 2008 07:00:00 GMT

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.

007-Apple Mail Attachments Part 3

123hints@gmail.com — Thu, 10 Apr 2008 07:00:00 GMT

Add attachments to a message with a simple drag ân drop.

Change in release schedule

Wed, 9 Apr 2008 07:00:00 GMT

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.

006-Apple Mail Attachments Part 2

123hints@gmail.com — Mon, 7 Apr 2008 07:00:00 GMT

Take advantage of the mysterious âServicesâ? menu.

005-Apple Mail Attachments Part 1

123hints@gmail.com — Wed, 2 Apr 2008 07:00:00 GMT

Learn how to add an attachment to an email message.

004-Importing Songs from a Folder to iTunes

123hints@gmail.com — Mon, 31 Mar 2008 07:00:00 GMT

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.

003-Importing/Ripping from Audio CD

123hints@gmail.com — Fri, 28 Mar 2008 07:00:00 GMT

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

002-Smart Folders

123Hints@gmail.com — Wed, 26 Mar 2008 07:00:00 GMT

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.

001-Smart Playlists in iTunes

123Hints@gmail.com — Mon, 24 Mar 2008 07:00:00 GMT

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.

Episode #005 VoIP PBX with Asterisk

123hints@gmail.com — Fri, 21 Mar 2008 04:14:00 GMT

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

No need to have the same thought twice

Wed, 2 Jan 2008 04:44:00 GMT

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.

matt@newcommunications.org — Mon, 22 Oct 2007 05:38:00 GMT

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

Episode 4 in production - iPhone is awesome

matt@newcommunications.org — Sun, 8 Jul 2007 14:00:00 GMT

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

matt@newcommunications.org — Mon, 15 Jan 2007 01:50:00 GMT

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

Episode #002 - Tips for Using Search Engines

matt@newcommunications.org — Sun, 26 Nov 2006 20:07:00 GMT

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

Ariving shortly at a pod catcher near you - Episode #002

Tue, 21 Nov 2006 18:30:00 GMT

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.

Episode #1a - Wireless Security detail WEP Cracked

Mon, 6 Nov 2006 08:00:00 GMT

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.

Episode #1 - Wireless Security

Mon, 30 Oct 2006 16:10:00 GMT

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:

The 3 problems with the default settings on most WiFi routers,
How to secure your wireless network so that intruders can't see your data,
What encryption can stand up against attack, and
How to select the best password.

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.

Gearing up for launch day

Sat, 28 Oct 2006 06:05:00 GMT

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