Audio recording and editing has come a long way from the Ampex tape recorders and aluminum editing blocks. Yes, friends, there once was a way, back in the day, to edit audio recordings and it required audio tape, an aluminum editing guide, and a razor blade.Those days are gone, and, frankly, good... Read More »

As much as I hate to say it, I've been doing video and audio recording and editing longer than I care to admit (suffice it to say that the origins go back to well before the Mac hit the streets). Naturally, my Mac is loaded with video production tools, audio recorder and editor apps, and more plugins... Read More »

Every Mac user loves the Finder, right? Uh, not so fast. All of us use the Finder, but it's missing a few features and functions that would help it become a more loved utility.Add XtraFinder to your Mac and get half a dozen news functions for the price of free.Tops on the list is Finder tabs.... Read More »

Here's a problem that many Skype and FaceTime users run into upon occasion. Background noise. When you're listening on a call, and not talking, background noise can quickly become irritating to your caller. If the noise is disruptive, you can always mute the microphone on your Mac, but there's an easier... Read More »

One of the most used and often loathed Mac apps is the Finder. It's where we go to find files, find apps, manage files and folders. There's probably not a day that goes by that a Mac user does not use the Finder.Apple continually improves the Finder, but it's still missing some modern day functions... Read More »

When it comes to Mac apps, there are bargains, and then there are bargains. Here's a must have bargain app which enhances security on your Mac and it's absolutely free.Think of this scenario. You have files on your Mac that you'd rather not be viewed by anyone. Not family, not friends, not co-workers,... Read More »

Digital cameras have changed the very nature of how I take photographs in the 21st century. Back in the day of 35mm film, each shot was carefully composed. Exposure was an important facet of every photo.In the digital age, photography has become point and shoot, even with expensive DSLRs. Why? Adjustments... Read More »

For more decades than I care to admit, my wife and I have played a game. While driving in the car and listening to the radio, or listening to iPhone or iPod connected to the car's speakers, we try to guess the name of the song, the artists, and the year.Be honest. You've played that game before,... Read More »

There's a good chance that when you were in school you studied about Ivan Pavlov and his dog. Pavlovian Conditioning was once all the rage. It's a form of learning in which one stimulus, the conditioned stimulus, comes to signal the occurrence of a second stimulus, call the unconditioned stimulus.In... Read More »

After surveying the Mac and Mac apps since the original hit the streets in early 1984, I've come to the conclusion that Apple can't do it all. The Mac maker leaves out obvious features so app developers can make a living acting as Apple's unofficial but highly valued research and development arm.Take... Read More »

At last count, the Menubar on my iMac has about 30 apps plugged in and ready to do something or another with a click. That's the nature of the Menubar. Apps wait to be used. Because of Menubar clutter I added Bartender to help organize the apps to match my diminishing screen real estate.To make the... Read More »

One thing most of us don't pay much attention to these days is special font characters, those accented letters and umlauts that have great meaning in many languages beyond English. Many of those special characters can be entered while you're typing. All you have to remember are the proper keystroke combinations... Read More »

While the jury still may be out judging the value of iCloud, most of us Mac, iPhone, iPad users just keep using it. There's not much to configure with iCloud. Set it up and apps take care of the rest. Files and photos get uploaded automatically.What's missing with iCloud? Control.Cloud Mate brings... Read More »

One of the negative effects of condominium life is the lack of space to play indoor games such as ping pong (table tennis) or billiards (pool). Never fear. The Mac is here.Pool! is a free Mac 8-ball game for the Mac. It's not the real thing, of course, but it's decent and priced right.Click to... Read More »