Category Archives: Make Tech Easier

Make Tech Easier, More

Mac Users: 10 Mac features you should be using

These can really save some time on your Mac OS device.

  1. Use Tab key to move between elements on a form. There is a setting in the Keyboard preference pane that even allows you to tab into pulldowns, radio buttons, etc. This can save time when filling out an online form.
  2. New Folder with Selection – highlight several documents. Right-click or Ctrl-click one of them. Select New Folder with Selection. All docs will be placed into a new folder.
  3. Proxy icon used to create alias or duplicate. The Proxy icon is located at the middle top of the title bar when you have the document open. You can drag  it somewhere [like on your desktop] to create an alias. Option+drag it to create a copy. Command or Ctrl-click to get a popdown menu that shows you where this document is stashed.
  4. Spotlight – search everything without a web browser. Type in weather:Macon, GA to see what the weather is. Enter the airline and flight number to get the latest update on that flight. Enter an equation – Spotlight will do basic math to complex calculations. Spotlight is that text-search box in the title bar of a Finder window.
  5. Text Substitution – automatically replace a shortcut you specify with longer text. This is system-wide, so it works with just about any app that uses text! For example, type Myem, and it is automatically replaced with your email address [after you’ve set this up in the Language & Text preference pane.]
  6. Finder Tags – used to help you find things. You can tag just about anything in the Finder, and then search for the tag.
  7. Printer Pools – even the Mac Guy didn’t know about this one. If you have multiple printers that your Mac can access, you can select the pool, and your Mac will print to the printer that is NOT busy.
  8. Tab through open apps – a REAL timesaver. Command+Tab to scroll through a list of open apps. {Windows users – do the same thing with Ctrl-Tab. Windows+Tab plus arrow keys also allows you to switch apps.]
  9. Show previews in any Finder view – Open a Finder window. From the Finder menu, select View –> Show Preview.
  10. Spring-loaded folders – handy when moving a file to a fodler that’s inside a folder that’s inside a folder. Drag your document to a folder – but hold it there. The folder will spring open – so you continue dragging to the next folder, then the next….until you reach your destination.

Want more details, including screenshots? Read the original article, linked below!

Original article:

https://blog.macsales.com/43439-10-mac-features-you-probably-dont-use-but-should

Faculty/Staff, iPads, Make Tech Easier, Student, Students

Is your iPad data backed up? MAKE SURE before disaster strikes.

We’ve had several students lately who have lost data because they had not correctly setup their backups – and then their iPads were either damaged or “the mysterious someone” reset their passcode.

AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUGGGGGGGGHHHHHHHH!

Right now, while you are thinking about it, check to make sure your data is being backed up:

  1. Settings –> iCloud –> Backups ON. GO ahead and click the button to do a backup RIGHT NOW, since you’re there…….
  2. Drive –> Settings –> Photos.  YES, automatically backup your Pix and Vids to Drive. The other settings involved are your call [ they won’t make much difference since we are a Google school].
  3. Notability –> Gear icon, bottom left –> Autobackups –> Google Drive should have a checkmark. If it doesn’t, select it. You’ll be prompted through the signon process.

 

ONCE MORE OPTIONAL THING YOU CAN DO:

  • Settings –> iTunes. Sign in. The iPad Guy suggests using your personal AppleID [that way any music you buy will always be yours]. If you will never be buying music through iTunes, then it’s OK to use your MDS AppleID. [AND you can switch accounts later if things change].

    There IS an option to NOT have a credit card on the account – but you have to look for it on the screen where Apple asks for your credit card.

This betters the odds of doing a simple restore-from-iCloud if your machine croaks, as opposed to setting up from scratch and having the download all your backups manually.