MK5 Golf GTI
General => Random Chat => Topic started by: monte on November 21, 2011, 12:16:24 pm
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Hi everybody!
I thought if I started a thread, that both newbies and Apple Guru's can ask and answer questions about Apple techy stuff, then it could be all in one place! :happy2:
I know that I for one have asked lots of questions already, and probably will have a lot more in the future!
So I will start the ball rolling....
I recently purchased a MacBook Air and I love it so much. I love everything about it, and I have got used to all the basics, except for iTunes! I still struggle in some areas. (i talk more about this another day)
The first question I would like to ask really is...
Do you guys and girls that use iTunes, add all your music files and video files to just iTunes?
I just realised that my music is both in my music folder and in iTunes. Is it worth deleting the files in the Music folder? is there any benefit to having the music in both "my music" and iTunes?
This might not make a big difference to most people with big HDD/SSD's, but on my MacBook Air the SSD is only 256GB.
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All of my music is consolidated into /Users/richwigley/Music/iTunes/iTunes Music. Its best to keep it all in one place then you are less likely to get redundant entries in your iTunes library.
To consolidate your library, goto File>>>Library>>>Organise Library>>> Consolodate Files... click OK. Then once that has done, you can delete all the files that are outside you consolidated library.
I can't seen any benefit to having duplicate files (unless they are of backup nature on a separate HD)
I don't keep my movies linked into iTunes, because of file compatibility issues.
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All my downloads on my Mac go to my Downloads folder, from here I drag them into iTunes, and as sad then just Consolodate your files and delete them from downloads.
I have got used to doing this as I also run a NAS at work and we stored a lot of music on our work servers (naughty naughty :P) but by doing this it means that iTunes doesn't have to access the network share and everything is kept organized.
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All of my music is consolidated into /Users/richwigley/Music/iTunes/iTunes Music. Its best to keep it all in one place then you are less likely to get redundant entries in your iTunes library.
To consolidate your library, goto File>>>Library>>>Organise Library>>> Consolodate Files... click OK. Then once that has done, you can delete all the files that are outside you consolidated library.
I can't seen any benefit to having duplicate files (unless they are of backup nature on a separate HD)
I don't keep my movies linked into iTunes, because of file compatibility issues.
Great Rich, just what I was after :happy2:
I'll have a go now...and I'll put all the Movies onto my external HDD. Don't really need em all on the Macbook.
:smiley:
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Hi Rich, well I've consolidated all my music but there are still lots of albums that haven't transferred to iTunes.
They are all WMA files but I'm am sure iTunes used to convert them to mp3. Am I wrong?
Is it just something in my settings or will they not transfer?
Thanks again :smiley:
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I run my iTunes from an External drive to save space on the SSD. As has been said make sure you consolidate the library then you can delete/remove the original files as they will all be held in the iTunes Media Folder.
iTunes on OS X won't natively import WMA files so you have a couple of options.
1. Use a program like EasyWMA (Paid) or Switch (free version available) to convert the files from .WMA -> .MP3
2. Put the WMA files on a flash pen/external drive and use iTunes on a window based machine to convert to .MP3/AAC (as long as they are DRM Free) and then put them in your own iTunes
One other option is install Flip4Mac and you can then play your WMA through Quicktime but that isn't an ideal solution i know.
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I only keep 'commercial' music (mp3's etc) in my iTunes Library. I keep all my own created music in a series of Logic folders, including a Bounces folder for mp3 versions - I play them in QuickTime. If I want to burn a music CD/DVD I use Toast 10.
The reason I do this is just because my iTunes music collection is huge and it's easier to find my own if elsewhere and also the mp3 bounces are usually stages of unfinished production and not the final songs.
It's easy to find originals in iTunes though: Select+Ctrl > Show in Finder...
If you want to do as I do, set Preferences not to automatically import into iTunes by default. Also, not to automatically open in iTunes.
@ Rich:
As a Logic user you may already know that you can convert mp3/mp4 etc files to WAV or AIFF just by drag n dropping them in Logic's Arrange window. I mate of mine has just given me some Drum n Bass (leaning to Techno) mp4a tracks for me to EWI over (no! not piss on!). If I need to edit his stuff he can give me Logic breakdowns later.
[I've been trying very hard to achieve a realistic trombone sound on my EWI and have at last succeeded. To the extent that Tony Christie wants to talk to me. He says he's utterly fed up with some prima donna tromboner he's been using..... Just joking, Rich] I've now got a SoundCloud persona "RedRobin Music" and will post my first EWI recording there in due course as a work in progress.
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Robin are you trying to put me out of my job??? :fighting:
:wink:
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Robin are you trying to put me out of my job??? :fighting:
:wink:
....Mike Phillips, who plays sax and EWI with Stevie Wonder and Prince (among others) says that the EWI will knock a keyboard player out of a job! He was having a joke about it - A banter.
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I run my iTunes from an External drive to save space on the SSD. As has been said make sure you consolidate the library then you can delete/remove the original files as they will all be held in the iTunes Media Folder.
iTunes on OS X won't natively import WMA files so you have a couple of options.
1. Use a program like EasyWMA (Paid) or Switch (free version available) to convert the files from .WMA -> .MP3
2. Put the WMA files on a flash pen/external drive and use iTunes on a window based machine to convert to .MP3/AAC (as long as they are DRM Free) and then put them in your own iTunes
One other option is install Flip4Mac and you can then play your WMA through Quicktime but that isn't an ideal solution i know.
Thanks Carl, TBH If I didn't have so many WMA files I would just forget about em! I'll probably use your option 1!
Was kinda hoping iTunes would convert em :sad1:
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Ok everyone, I've got another question regarding Mac and Windows!!!
At the moment I've got lots of movies on my MacBook Air that I've downloaded but they need shifting onto my portable hard drive now to free up some space!
If I transfer the movies over from my MacBook and then I take my portable hard drive to a friends house will I be able to transfer files from the drive to his windows laptop?
Thanks :smiley:
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yeah as long as they're .wmv or .mp4 files they will work on either system
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yeah as long as they're .wmv or .mp4 files they will work on either system
They are all Avi files. :ashamed:
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yeah as long as they're .wmv or .mp4 files they will work on either system
Wrong lol.
If your simply copying a .avi to an external hard drive it will stay as a .avi file, if your then copying this to a windows machine it will still be a .avi - Meaning windows machines can play .avi's.
Your not converting the file in any way shape or form your just simply copying it and keeping the original file extension. So the answer is yes it will work PROVIDING the drive is formatted so it can be seen on both Mac and Windows machines ;)
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I have an iPad question:
How low should I let my iPad2's battery go before recharging?
I've heard that batteries last longer if allowed to empty rather than keep being topped up at 60%+.
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I try and completely deplete the battery on iPhone and Macbook pro at least once every 4-6 weeks.
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Can anyone help me with transferring music please?
It would seem that whenever I copy music onto my SD card (for the RNS510) from my Macbook Air, It creates another copy of all the tracks. :confused:
If you open an Album folder on the RNS with say 8 tracks on, and then scroll down through the track list it will show, tracks…...
001,002,003,004,005,006,007,008, and then 1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8.
The first copy of the tracks (001,002,003 etc) don't work.
So you have to scroll down to track 1, and then the rest (2,3,4 etc) will work fine.
You cannot delete the 001,002,003 tracks from the RNS. Also I don't want to copy the files to the RNS. Just gonna keep em on the 32GB card.
When you insert the SD card back in the Macbook, it only shows the 8 tracks.
Any ideas guys?
Have I got some settings wrong somewhere?
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Hi Monte
Here is a copy of a link I've posted a couple of times before... It's for a free Mac utility that removes the bits you don't want! Perhaps it should be made a 'sticky' somewhere?
I guess you're copying the music onto an SD card on a Mac? You need to remove the hidden resource files..
Hidden Cleaner 2.1 (http://www.macupdate.com/app/mac/27416/hidden-cleaner%22)
If you 'eject' the SD card by dropping it on to the Hidden Cleaner icon in your dock rather than the usual method, it will remove all the nasty bits you don't want and leave you with your music.
Hope that helps
Paul.
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Hi Monte
Here is a copy of a link I've posted a couple of times before... It's for a free Mac utility that removes the bits you don't want! Perhaps it should be made a 'sticky' somewhere?
I guess you're copying the music onto an SD card on a Mac? You need to remove the hidden resource files..
Hidden Cleaner 2.1 (http://www.macupdate.com/app/mac/27416/hidden-cleaner%22)
If you 'eject' the SD card by dropping it on to the Hidden Cleaner icon in your dock rather than the usual method, it will remove all the nasty bits you don't want and leave you with your music.
Hope that helps
Paul.
WOW Paul, Thanks Bud :notworthy:
Thats sounds great, and easy to use too. I'll give it a whirl :happy2:
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Those others are spotlight search data.
You can (if you have a VM or windows laptop) plug the SD card in to that and then delete all those files.
Or use the program PND has listed but i have no experience of it
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Hi Paul,
Ive got the Hidden Cleaner in the Dock now :wink:
If I drag the SD card folder into it and it just disappears, does this mean it is all done? (very quick)
Is it now safe to eject?
Thanks again,
Carlo. :smiley:
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Yes, that's all there is to it! It cleans and ejects the card so you can now pull it out and go and load up your RNS! :happy2:
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Top Utility :jumpmove: :jumpmove: :jumpmove:
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Can anyone tell me if my 2012 Macbook Air has USB3.0 or is it still the old 2.0?
How would I find out on the MBA? :ashamed:
Thanks :happy2:
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The system profiler will tell you.
Click the apple symbol at the top left, select about this mac and then select system report.
It will tell you in that what type of USB you have.
I would think it will be USB 2.0 as the Macs use thunderbolt rather than USB3
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Even the current MacbookAir only has USB 2.0 so I agree with Carl! :happy2:
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Can anyone tell me if my 2012 Macbook Air has USB3.0 or is it still the old 2.0?
How would I find out on the MBA? :ashamed:
Thanks :happy2:
Spec is on the website. I've a 2012 MBA and its USB 2.0.
http://store.apple.com/uk/browse/home/shop_mac/family/macbook_air/select
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Thanks guys :happy2:
Im in the process of buying another flash drive. Was hoping it would be 3.0 for speed but 2.0 is ok I suppose :innocent:
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My daughter uses a USB2 external HD for backing up her MacBook Pro and says it's plenty fast.
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USB2 is fine for 90% of stuff. My FW800 drive is crazy fast though, nearly as good as an internal drive.
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Agree, I use USB 2 for my MacBook Air with a portable HD, no problems, however utilise FireWire with my external HD and iMac.
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^^^^
Yep, FireWire for 2 static external HD's: backup and music samples library and I also have a LaCie 100 GB portable which has FireWire 400 and 800 and USB ports.
Best not to buy a secondhand portable HD - You don't know how roughly it has been treated etc.
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More help needed from the computer gurus please :ashamed:
I recently upgraded to the Mountain Lion OS.
Just checking my emails and I noticed on the left hand side under Archive Emails, I had 2 folders called "On my Mac".
In there were all my subfolders with emails I wanted to keep :scared:
All the same sub-folders/emails were in both "On my Mac" folders.
So stupidly I thought it would be ok to delete one of them. :jumping:
Well its deleted both folders with all my archived emails. :sad1:
Anyone know how to retrieve the emails???
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Do you use time machine?
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Do you use time machine?
....Anyone reading this who is unfamiliar with Macs is going to be convinced we have the powers of Dr Who.
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Do you use time machine?
....Anyone reading this who is unfamiliar with Macs is going to be convinced we have the powers of Dr Who.
Who says we don't :laugh:
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Do you use time machine?
....Anyone reading this who is unfamiliar with Macs is going to be convinced we have the powers of Dr Who.
Unfortuantly its not that good :laugh:
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Do you use time machine?
....Anyone reading this who is unfamiliar with Macs is going to be convinced we have the powers of Dr Who.
Who says we don't :laugh:
....Well, we know that you do, Carl! One minute you're down south and the next minute you're up north. :grin:
But to get back on topic, I've heard it can be very difficult to retrieve deleted emails - The Mac OS has far more layers hidden from the user than it used to have. Time Machine is a good first port of call perhaps.
Otherwise, as Mountain Lion is new, don't users get 90 days free TechSupport for it and so it's worth phoning Apple?
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Thanks Robin, I'll give Apple a call tmrw :happy2:
Not been using Time Machine :ashamed:
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With time machine it's very easy to recover a deleted email. I've done it a couple of times. There are plenty of instructions online but you basically recover the mail data folder from before you deleted the mail.
But obviously you need to be using TM in the first place :laugh:
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Mmmm I smell a fail. :laugh:
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Carlo.
Start using time machine. For future reference you recover this file from an earlier time and it restores all your mail again.
library/preferences/com.apple.mail.plist
Their is a full tutorial here which mentions recovering deleted mail as well.
http://www.ehow.com/how_6918979_restore-particular-email-time-machine.html
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You can choose to have Time Machine run every hour automatically or simply backup with it manually everyday or week as you wish. I use it manually because it can interfere with using a highly intensive App like Logic and also the external hard drives make an unwanted sound which a recording can pick up.
I would strongly advise backing up with Time Machine before installing any OS and also backing up immediately after installing and checking for updates.
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:ashamed: :ashamed: :ashamed:
I know guys…… Ive been meaning to buy another External hard drive for Ages now :ashamed:
I always seem to spend my cash on other things. :innocent:
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have you tried...
View >>> Show deleted messages?
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have you tried...
View >>> Show deleted messages?
....I think that only applies to deleted messages before you have quit your Mail App. In other words, they won't be visible when you launch Mail subsequently - The option will be greyed out.
It may depend on how you have selected your Mail Preferences regarding deletions.
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Can anyone tell what the best Word processing App is for the macbook? (thats available from the app store)
I also want it to make flyers, cards, put borders round documents etc.
Thanks. :smiley:
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I use the apple ones, so Pages (word) and Number (excel) They work fine for my needs. :happy2:
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Also look at OpenOffice.org
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Microsoft also have a deal with some employers so you can download and use Office at home depending on your company.
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Just what i needed! didn't expect this sort of help here haha.