How to Install Ubuntu 11.10 Using VMware Fusion
Matt Cone December 2, 2011
Everyone is talking about Ubuntu, the popular open-source operating system that’s easy to install and use. Trying out this Linux distribution on your Mac is easy. With an application called VMware Fusion, you can create a “computer within a computer” and run Ubuntu in a virtual machine on your Mac. Here’s how to install Ubuntu 11.10 in OS X using VMware Fusion: Download Ubuntu 11.10 from the Ubuntu website. It’s a free download.
How to Remember Birthdays with Your Mac
Matt Cone December 1, 2011
If you dread remembering birthdays like we do, you’ll be happy to know that you can use Address Book and iCal to store birthdays for all of your contacts and display an alert on the screen when one rolls around. After you follow these instructions and set the whole thing up, the entire process will be automated. All you’ll have to do is enter your contact’s birthdays! The bad news is that you’ll no longer have an excuse for not sending birthday cards.
Steve Wozniak Interview
Matt Cone November 28, 2011
Editor’s Note: This “interview” was actually a series of questions that I emailed to Steve Wozniak, the co-founder of Apple, on December 31, 1999. While the rest of the world was ringing in the New Year or worrying about Y2K, Woz was typing up his responses. He responded about two hours after I emailed him! If the questions seem a little odd, that’s because they are. I was a junior in high school at the time, and I had no idea how to conduct an interview, let alone what to ask one of the greats of the computing era.
How to Burn an ISO Disc Image on Your Mac
Matt Cone November 28, 2011
Many operating systems and software applications - like Ubuntu Linux and the Windows 8 Developer Preview - are available for download as ISO images. You know you’re dealing with one of these archives when you see the .iso file extension. ISO images can be burned to CD or DVD for use on other computers or sharing with others. You can also use ISO images with virtualization applications like VMware Fusion or Parallels Desktop.
Dictionary: The Ultimate Educational Application
Charles Thacker February 7, 2008
As part of Farmington Municipal Schools’ Learning Initiative, we are focusing on providing quick and easy ways to take advantage of some great tools built into Apple’s operating system. One of these tools can help you with language (definitions, pronunciations, synonyms, and antonyms) and is an indispensable tool in any classroom. I’m referring to the built-in Dictionary application, of course. But it’s not just the application you launch and use directly that is so powerful in OS X.
Create Sitemaps with SiteOrbiter
Janet Fouts February 6, 2008
Websites are getting larger and larger, and keeping track of them as they evolve can be a hassle. If you’re a web developer, you’ll want to create what’s called a site map, a special file that lists all of the pages of your website in an hierarchical order. This file can be submitted to search engines to help them index your website. But how the heck are you supposed to create one on your Mac?
How to Run Windows on Your Mac with VMware Fusion
Matt Cone January 22, 2008
It’s an exciting time to be a Mac user. Everyone knows that we get to use Mac OS X Leopard, the world’s most advanced operating system. And now, if you have an Intel-based Mac and an application called VMware Fusion, you also have the option of using the world’s second and third and fourth best operating systems! Yes, we’re talking about Microsoft Windows, the operating system that the rest of the world has the misfortune privilege of using.
Simple Mac Troubleshooting
Stephen Korecky January 7, 2008
Macs have a reputation for being user-friendly and easy-to-use personal computers. And, generally speaking, they live up to that reputation. Most Macs perform flawlessly for years. However, every Mac occasionally misbehaves. You might know what we’re talking about. Sometimes programs on your Mac won’t launch, wireless hotspots won’t appear in the menu bar, or applications keep crashing. Things just act wacky. Macs have come a long way since they were capable of displaying the infamous “Sad Mac” image, but things can still go wrong on your new Mac.
10 Things to Love About Mac OS X Leopard
Arbi Karamians December 17, 2007
It’s been a couple months since Apple released its new operating system Mac OS X Leopard, and that’s more than enough time to give it a nice once over. (See our introduction to Leopard and some of our favorite Leopard features.) The first thing you’ll notice is the new look. Not just the new dock or the new login screen, but also the folders and the crisper, sleeker look of icons and folders.
Block Internet Ads with Safari AdBlock
Matt Cone December 13, 2007
It seems we here at Macinstruct discuss blocking pesky Internet ads at least every couple months. There’s a good reason for our ad-blocking articles: Advertising is more distracting and pervasive than ever before. Flashing banners and animated graphics can prevent you from focusing on what’s really important – the content. Fortunately, there are ways to block the nasties. Several months ago, we talked about how to use Privoxy to block ads.