iMovie How To from MacWorld

Chris Breen started a new series of How To's at MacWorld this week - Getting Started with iMovie.  If you are a Mac user, you might want to check out the series of articles at http://www.macworld.com/article/2053681/getting-started-with-imovie.html

He is a great instructor and iMovie is a fantastic app to learn how to master.  Enjoy!

Using the Messages App on the Mac

Chris Breen has a new posting about using Messaging on the Mac at http://www.macworld.com/article/2038838/getting-started-with-messages.html?page=2 

The article made me aware of features like Facetime, sharing files, and Bonjour/Google Talk that I have not used.  I have used messaging only for text messages.  If you have a Mac, consider reading the article.  You may find some new features, too.

EndNote Reference Manager and Apple iWork Pages - Lessons Learned

A student in one of the classes I am teaching is using Pages on the Mac. I encourage all of the students to use a personal reference manager, such as EndNote (our university has a site license for the software).  What I learned is that EndNote has limited menu features in Pages in comparison to those available in Microsoft Word. 

• There is no clear (have not found it yet) way to refresh the citations in a Pages document when changes were made to the citation in EndNote.  
• Even if the citation output style is noted as APA 6th, EndNote names the reference page as Bibliography in bold font face. 
• You cannot use Cite While You Write from within EndNote because it works only with Microsoft Word.  When you insert a citation using the Pages Insert menu, you are able to search multiple EndNote libraries.

When I installed EndNote on my Mac, it installed correctly.  The install did not work on the student's computer.  We did a Google search and found a plug-in to enable the install.  

The bottom line is that it is possible to do Cite While You Write using EndNote and Pages, but the function is within Pages, not EndNote. There are online resources to assist with the use of the install and use of EndNote for Pages.

Video and iBooks Author

I continue to work on my eBook about data analysis using spreadsheet and database software every day.  Last week I finished writing two chapters with short tutorials for Excel.  After I finish the tutorials for FileMaker Pro, I will be creating supporting video for the iBooks Author eBook.  Fortunately, Frank Lowney is a member of our university's ePublishing faculty learning community.  Frank posted a blog on how to easily incorporate external video into iBooks Author at http://frank-lowney.blogspot.com/2013/02/how-to-easily-incorporate-exterbak.html with a HTML (hypertext mark-up language) widget.

He makes the point that if the video is embedded in the eBook, file size is an issue.  External video mitigates the problem; however, the user must have the ability to connect to the Internet.  Frank's blog includes a supporting video as well as screenshots with call-outs. I look forward to creating videos to support the eBook chapters.  Use of external video is certainly an option to explore.

Setting Up Email on the Mac

Chris Breen has a new post, Setting Up Email on the Mac, available from MacWorld.  If you are using an iPad or iPhone the instructions for the Mac should be somewhat intuitive.  The main difference is the you lauch system Preferences on the Mac, whereas, you launch Setting on the iPhone and iPad.  You can read more at http://www.macworld.com/article/2027270/setting-up-email-on-your-mac.html

Evernote 5.0- A Free Remember Everything App for Desktop and Mobile Devices

I read an article, Evernote 5.0 for Mac Improves an Already Indispensable Service, at http://www.macworld.com/article/2019709/review-evernote-5-0-for-mac-improves-an-already-indispensable-service.html this morning.  Afterwards, I opened Evernote on the Mac and iPad.  The focus for the app experience is "Remember Everything."  The look is different (I don't use it as often as I should/could). I did not know that there were software, hardware, and other services that using Evernote as their hub (Trunk in Evernote).  I also did not realize that Evernote had acquired some of the apps.  Examples include:

• Skitch - for screen capturing and annotation
• Hello - an app that helps you remember people (I REALLY need to use this app!)
• Penultimate - a $0.99 handwriting app that allows you to take notes and sketch with the iPad

Evernote Screenshot

•  Web Clipper is a screenshot program that works with different web browsers.  What makes it unique is the way it in integrated with Evernote
• Evernote Food is a free app for your food experiences (recipes, photos, notes, etc.)
• Evernote Clearly an app for the web browser that facilitates reading web pages, blogs, etc.Similar to Reader where the "distractions" are removed, but it allows you to save clips to Evernote
• Evernote Peek an app that allows you to create study materials by opening and closing the iPad cover.  It is similar to creating flash cards with right and wrong answers.

If you need a free app to store notes, pictures, and more, Evernote is an app to explore.  It works with the Windows PC, Mac, iPad, iPhone, and Android devices. There is a Premium version of Evernote available, but the free version is amazing!

Creating a Shortcut to a Dropbox Folder on the Mac

I read Chris Breen's blog on Automatically Adding File to Dropbox @ http://www.macworld.com/article/2020699/automatically-add-files-to-dropbox.html .  The only problem was that I could not get the keyboard shortcut to work.  In the process, I was introduced to Automator and the associated powerful features.  I also learned that I could drag a folder into the Finder Favorites list.  Finally, I learned that there are numerous hidden keyboard shortcuts.  For example:

• Command+D to duplicate
• Command+Shift+D to open the Desktop window which displays the Finder view

If you are using a Mac, take a few minutes to review the MANY keyboard shortcuts at http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1343.  You may find a few that would expedite your work.

If you are interested in learning more about Automator, view the YouTube video below.

Using a Text to Speech Reader

I had a number of conference proposals to review this morning when working on the Mac.  When planning, I reflected on the text to speech app that L.G. discussed for reviewing a paper.  It struck me that the current computers have the ability to read text to be disability compliant without the purchase of a separate app.  Sure enough, the feature is in the Set Preferences > Dictation and Speech window > Text to Speech tab.

The Mac provides the choice between voices, three female and three male. The default voice is "Alex."  His voice was my favorite, as well.  You can adjust the speaking rate from slow -> normal -> fast and play sound bytes to test the settings.  The default to turn on the feature is to click the Option+Esc keys.  To use the feature, first highlight the text and then click the Option+Esc keys.

The text to speech feature would be useful by students who find audio enhances their learning experience.  Students could listen to text, such as typed class or textbook notes, or online learning resources.  Of course, the feature would be very useful to anyone who has a temporary or permanent vision problem.  

Setting Notifications for the Mac Mountain Lion OS, iPhone, and iPod

If you have a Mac computer running Mountain Lion operating system (OS), an Apple mobile device, you probably are familiar with receiving notifications.  However, did you know that you can customize them?

On the Mac, go to the Apple icon in the top left corner of the screen > system preferences > Personal > Notifications.  On a mobile device, click the Settings icon > Notifications.  You can chose a calendar style alert, select which apps you want for notification, whether to show a badge icon (shows number of alerts), and whether to play a sound.  You can also specify the number of notifications that you prefer (1-20).

Kirk McElearn has a very nice article detailing the notification system for Mountain Lion OS at http://www.macworld.com/article/2015473/qanda-mountain-lion-s-notifications.html. 

Smart Searches with a Mac

Chris Breen posted a new blog a couple of days ago on how to conduct "smart searches" with a Mac.  I learned a new search process that will definitely be helpful in the future.  If you are using a Windows PC, you may have searched for file by type and time.  The Mac allows us to do that same thing - but better.  Why?  Because you can keep the "smart searches" and they will continually update as you make changes on your Mac.  To learn how to do "smart searches" be sure to read his blog at http://www.macworld.com/article/2016043/mac-101-smart-searching.html

Search Techniques for a Mac

Today, it is Thanksgiving here in the United States.  I just finished preparing all of the family favorite foods for a turkey and dressing dinner this evening, so have time post a blog.

Chris Been just posted a great article on how to search using a Mac on MacWorld at http://www.macworld.com/article/2014722/mac-101-seek-and-find.html.  If you are new to the Mac you may have overlooked the magnifying glass, called Spotlight, at the top right corner of the home screen.  Chris goes over some search techniques that many of use may have overlooked.

Did you know that you can search by key word, for example, name, author, kind, and/or date? To search by author, you would type author: Sewell. To search by author and kind, you would type author: Sewell  kind:image.  Furthermore, like on the Windows PC, you can specify where you want to search. 

Apple Numbers Spreadsheet Software Tutorials

I am working on writing my eBook for the ePublishing project.  One of the spreadsheet software discussed in the book will be Apple Numbers from iWork.  It is fascinating to see the differences between Numbers and Excel.  The most significant difference is that Numbers allows the user to have a "canvas" where multiple tables (individual spreadsheets) and charts can be displayed.  The second most notable difference is the ease at which the user can change the display of data.  The third big difference is the number of templates for the user to choose from when opening the program. Excel users will be pleasantly surprised.

There are a number of tutorials for learning Numbers.  The Apple iWork website has a number of short tutorials at https://www.apple.com/iwork/tutorials/#numbers

Of course, YouTube is always a great source for tutorials.  Other tutorials can be located at Lynda.com.  I will be posting some of the Lynda.com tutorials that can be shared on this blog, although they are all probably available on YouTube, too.

The Lynda.com Essentials tutorial is online at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0Uq_DYR0Vi8
I have embedded that video below.

Making the Mac Easier to View

A colleague using a 17" MacBook Pro asked for advice on making the screen easier to view.  Believe that the easiest fix is to change the screen resolution (similar to what is done on a Windows computer).  The percentage of viewers for this blog is up significantly to 40%, so thought that the information might be helpful.

Here is how to change the resolution:

• From the homepage click on the Apple icon
• Click System Preferences
• Click Display
• Click Scaled Resolution
• Click on the icon of your preference

Of course, if you are viewing a webpage, you can make it larger or smaller by clicking the Command key plus either the Plus or Minus key to alter the view.  On a windows computer, click the CTRL and Plus or Minus to alter the view.

Understanding the Mac - Menus

Chris Been has written two new columns about the Mac menus.  The first is "Diving into Menus, Part 1" at http://www.macworld.com/article/2013353/mac-101-diving-into-menus-part-1.html

The second is "Diving into Menus, Part 2" at http://www.macworld.com/article/2013626/mac-101-diving-into-menus-part-2.html

Even experienced Mac users can learn something from these two fundamentals articles. In the first article learn about Force Quit (equivalent to CTRL ALT Delete in Windows to force an application to quit). Learn about Smart Folders and Burn Folders. 

The Mac does things that Windows computers still are unable to do. 

Understanding the Mac - Input Devices

The iPad has opened up new doors to users considering a switch to the Mac.  The Mac is discussed in the 4th edition of the Nursing and Informatics textbook, but not with any kind of depth.  Prior to the 4th edition, hospitals and healthcare provider offices were strictly Windows computer users.  That aspect is changing.  The Mac and iPad are being used increasingly more in healthcar

If you are using a Windows Computer, you may have some initial confusion until you realize the differences.  The most important thing is to realize that the Command key on the Mac is used instead of the Control key on Windows devices.  Chris Bean writes a wonderful Mac 101 column for MacWorld.  Last week he wrote an article about Mac input devices and discussed information like the keyboard.

The keyboard on the Mac and iPad do some things that are very helpful.  For example, allowing users to easily type special characters.  One of my hobbies is genealogy and part of my ancestry is Finnish.  When typing the name Soderman, I need it to be spelled correctly as Söderman.  It is easy on the Mac and iPod because you simply hold the "o" key down to get a display of the different options for the letter o.  The same works for other vowels.

To learn more about Mac input devices, read Chris Bean's column at http://www.macworld.com/article/2013002/mac-101-your-input-devices.html 

Microsoft Access 2010 or Apple Filemaker Pro 12?

I have used and taught others to use Microsoft Access for the past 15 years but must consider changing to Apple Filemaker Pro.  Why? -- because Filemaker Pro is available for both the Mac and the PC.  Furthermore, Filemaker Go is a free app for the iPad.  Finally, Filemaker Pro is must easier to use than Access!

The only plus for Microsoft Access is the cost.  Microsoft Access is one of seven apps available from Office University 2010 for $99.99.  The academic version of Filemaker Pro costs $179.

I am teaching an informatics course this summer and discovered that 1/3 of the students are Mac users.  What it means is that I cannot use the lessons I developed on relational databases using Access 2010.  As a result, I spent time over the last couple of weekends working through the Filemaker Pro tutorial to learn how to use the software.

Although Microsoft Access 2010 is a great improvement over earlier versions, it is still clunky and not intuitive for learners.  There are essentially four different views - tables, queries, forms, and reports.  In contrast, Filemaker Pro allows the user to do the same functions using different "Layouts."

Filemaker Pro is available as a 30 day preview, so I can incorporate it into the course without additional fees for the students.

My next step is to import the tables for the Metabolic Syndrome database I created from Access into Filemaker Pro.  That process should help shed new insight on the differences between the two applications.

Mirroring the iPad

With our faculty development ePublishing workshop there is so much to learn!  I saw a video in MacWorld today that demonstrated mirroring the iPad on the Mac. That was a process that I wanted to master.  It would be a very nice feature to include pertinent videos about the iPad in this blog, in a course, or in a workshop.  It turns out that there are several apps that allow that to happen without using Apple TV! 

I decided to try the Reflection app.  It was amazingly easy.  All I did was to download the app (trial) to the Mac.  I double-clicked the Home button on the iPad and did a right fingersweep.  A button appeared that allowed me to select to mirror to the Mac and to turn on mirroring using AirPlay.  That was it!  The image of the iPad appeared on the Mac.  I then started Screenflow video capturing software and did a sample recording.  I am still a novice user of Screenflow but plan to work with it more.  I could do some great recordings for the iBook and also for my online course content.

Apparently, Reflection and AirServer are very similar apps.  The cost is identical - $14.99. 

Kitabur eReader for the Mac

Kitabur is a eReader for the Mac OS.  How many eReaders can you have?  Although it is much easier to read an eBook on the iPad, it does make sense to have at least one or two on the laptop.  Clearly the answer is several. Each eReader has its own distinctions.  Kitabur features are:
- Apple Sandbox support.
- Drag and drop.
- Context popup menus.
- E-books library in two views.
- Table of contents.
- Book pane selection. Book can be displayed in one, two or three panes.
- Font and background selection.
- Plays audio & video.

Lion OS X on the Mac

When reviewing MacWorld this morning, I read an article about a new Mac OS that is expected to be released sometime this summer - Mountain Lion.  That prompted me to think about the fact that my Mac OS was just upgraded to Lion a few weeks ago (so that I can use iBooks Author), but I had not explored the features.

OMG - I had overlooked some of the wonderful features of Lion!  Jason Snell wrote a great article for MacWorld summarizing the features in Lion a few months ago.  I realized that I was not taking full advantage of gesturing on the mouse pad.  Below is a YouTube video on Lion.  YouTube has a few other great videos that show Lion OS X features, such as http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mes132HsjVE

Keyboard Shortcuts for Windows and Mac Computers

Keyboard shortcuts can save lots of time!  Sure you can use the right-click menu or use the application menu, but that entails using the mouse. 

Information about common keyboard shortcuts will be included in the 4th edition of Informatics & Nursing:  Competencies and Applications.

To learn more about keyboard shortcuts for Windows 7, go to
http://windows.microsoft.com/en-US/windows7/Keyboard-shortcuts

To learn more about keyboard shortcuts for the Mac OS X, go to http://support.apple.com/kb/ht1343

The shortcuts in the websites above are very generic to other versions of the operating system.  Many of the shortcuts for Windows and the Mac are virtually the same.  Try it. On the Mac use the Command key instead of the Control key.  For example, to copy text on a Windows computer, use Control C; on the Mac computer, use Command C.