MacMania #17 — Seminars

• • • DERRICK STORY • • •

iPad for Digital Photographers

Derrick has organized a myriad of tips and techniques for integrating the iPad into a photography workflow in his book, iPad for Digital Photographers. Based on that research, he will share in this seminar: how to organize and edit images on the iPad, ways to take advantage of cloud services and wireless technology to extend the capacity of the device, plus tips for building movies, capturing time-lapse, and more.

You can prepare for his class by reading iPad for Digital Photographers, available in print on Amazon.com, plus in electronic format for the Kindle and iPad.

Here are the slides (1mb file).

Using Aperture and iPhoto Together

Now with the shared library, you can use these applications interchangeably. Very cool class for iPhoto users thinking about Aperture, and Aperture users who aren’t putting iPhoto to work. Plenty of clever techniques.

Here are the slides (1mb file).

• • • DON McALLISTER • • •

OSX Mavericks — Power Features for Power Users

OSX Mavericks brings with it a lot of new features including some new brand new functionality and some smart new changes “under the hood”. In this session, Don takes you through some power user features to enhance your usage of OSX Mavericks and boost your productivity. Even if your not a power user, you’ll still find plenty of tips and be prepared for some “Aha!” moments.

Here are the slides (23mb file).

Links and Contact Details slides (1mb file).

10 Alfred Workflows That Will Change Your Life!

Alfred is one of the most powerful and capable productivity applications for the Mac. Suitable for all levels of Mac users, from Mac newbies who can take advantage of its simple application launching, to super Mac power users wishing to have complete mastery of their Mac via Alfred Workflows. The good news is that everybody can take advantage of Alfred workflows as many of the top workflows are available to install on your Mac. In this session, we’ll take a look at all the major features of Alfred focussing on the power of Workflows. Starting with simple workflows created using drag and drop, I’ll finish up walking you through the installation, configuration and usage of ten of the most powerful workflows available to allow you to take your Mac productivity to the next level.

Here are the slides (1mb file).

Incredible Apps for iPhones and iPads

With the huge success of the iOS app store, there are now 850,000 iOS apps, with over 350,000 apps designed specifically for the iPad. Goodness knows how many more will be available by the time we set sail! But how do you find the gems within such a huge number. In this session, I’ll be exploring those Apps I deem to be incredible, apps that are so clever or well executed, they take your breath away and make you re-evaluate just what can be accomplished using an iPad or iPhone. Prepare to be impressed as I bring you the best of the best iOS apps.

Here are the slides (30mb file).

Liverpool, My Home Town

Tomorrow we’re in Liverpool and I’d like to offer you my heartfeld “Welcome to my hometown!” I’ll prep you and offer several in-the-know suggestions for the town that made the Beatles, and Don McAllister, famous!

Here are the slides (38mb file).

• • • BOB LeVITUS • • •

Master Your iPad

The iPad does many things quite well — it’s a Web browser, e-mail client, GPS mapping device, stock market watcher, portfolio manager, calendar, text-messager, voice recorder, extraordinary gaming device, and much more. The question is: Are you getting the most out of your iPad? If not, this class will show you how to master all of the aforementioned features as well as all of the basic functions such as setting up settings, purchasing apps on your phone or computer, listening to music, and viewing video.

The class condenses the best and most useful information from the bestselling book iPad for Dummies, which was co-written by the instructor. It’s chock full of tips, hints, and shortcuts that will help you get more out of your iPad every time you use it.

Here are the slides (4mb file).

Master Your iPhone

The iPhone does many things quite well — it’s a phone, a camera, an alarm clock/stopwatch/timer, GPS mapping device, Web browser, e-mail client, stock watcher, calendar, a text-messager, voice recorder, and much more. But are you using all of its capabilities to their fullest? If not, this class will show you how to master the aforementioned features as well as all of the basic functions such as setting up settings, purchasing apps on your phone or computer, listening to music, and viewing video.

The class condenses the best and most useful information from the bestselling book iPhone for Dummies, which was co-written by the instructor. It’s chock full of tips, hints, and shortcuts that will help you get more out of your iPad every time you use it.

Here are the slides (19mb file).

Here is the list of Siri commands (1mb file).

When the Chip Hits the Fan

There are only two kinds of computer users: Those who have lost data in a crash, and those who will ...
      I wrote those words in my first book, Dr. Macintosh: Tips, Techniques and Advice on Mastering the Macintosh, way back in 1989 and they’re still true. In fact, since so many more people are storing so many more files today (digital photos, songs, movies, TV shows, and books, not to mention word processor, spreadsheet, and graphics files), they’re probably truer today than in ’89.
      The bottom line is: If you don’t back up, you’re going to lose all of the files on your hard disk (or SSD), or pay thousands of dollars to recover them with no guarantee of success.
      There’s no right or wrong way to back up. This session aims to help you find the strategy and tactics that are right for you. First we’ll focus on strategic issues, like how many backups do you really need (it’s more than you think), why at least one backup has to be stored offsite; and why “clone” backups are different and why they’re so awesome. Along the way we’ll explore Mac OS X’s built-in Time Machine backup software, backup-to-the-cloud services, and third-party backup and cloning software. Finally, since this is so very important, I’ll answer every backup-related question from every attendee after the session.

Here are the slides (1mb file).

Think Like a Mac Geek

How is it that some Mac geeks know exactly what’s wrong with your Mac before you even finish describing the problem? This session will show you how to think like a Mac geek. Many common Mac problems are easily diagnosed and fixed if you just know what to look for and where to look for it. Learn what power users know: How to determine just what is wrong with a Mac, and how to find a fix quickly. We’ll also look at those oft-recommended fixes like repairing permissions, zapping the PRAM, Disk First Aid, and corrupted preferences (plist) files, with an emphasis on symptoms that help you determine which one(s) are likely to help. And finally, because disasters always occur right before a deadline, we’ll look at how to get back to work quickly when disaster strikes and you just don’t have time to deal with it

Here are the slides (5mb file).

• • • CHRIS MARQUARDT • • •

Photo 101

Learn to use simple composition techniques to take pictures that have more clarity, that tell better stories and have greater impact on the viewer. Learn about the most important basic camera settings to achieve the results you want. What you will learn on this session might boost your photography beyond what any new photo gadget can achieve.

Here are the slides (39mb file).

Photo 201

Learn advanced photo techniques that help you get the best pictures possible. Learn to control exposure, colors, focus and depth of field — and learn advanced ways to compose your pictures that will take your photography to the next level.

Here are the slides (39mb file).

• • • BEBO WHITE • • •

Big Data and Open Data

Every day, 2.5 quintillion bytes of data are created. This data comes from digital pictures, videos, posts to social media sites, intelligent sensors, purchase transaction records, cell phone GPS signals to name a few. This is Big Data. There is great interest both in the commercial and in the research communities around Big Data. It has been predicted that “analyzing Big Data will become a key basis of competition, underpinning new waves of productivity growth, innovation, and consumer surplus.” Open Data is the idea that certain data (e.g., government) should be freely available to everyone to use and republish as they wish, without restrictions from copyright, patents or other mechanisms of control. In this talk we will explore how Big Data and Open Data will certainly affect our lives in the future.

Here are the slides (10mb file).

Are You Ready for Bitcoin

Hardly a day goes by without a news story about Bitcoin, the best-known and strongest cybercurrency technology. Opinions run the spectrum — from those who view it as a unmitigated scam and financial suicide to those who suggest that investors should include Bitcoin in a diversified portfolio. OverStock.com made news when it announced that it would accept Bitcoin thereby providing a major boost to its acceptance in e-commerce. But did you know that you can also use it to buy a Tesla or even in some Las Vegas casinos? Do you know that there may be a Bitcoin ATM near you? In this talk Bebo will discuss the fundamentals behind Bitcoin and other, less well known (e.g., Litecoin), cybercurrency systems and why they should be taken seriously (not just by hackers and criminals). How to establish a Bitcoin account (yes, he has one) and use the currency exchanges will also be covered. Mac and iOS programs, apps, trackers, adopters, etc. related to Bitcoin will be featured examples.

Here are the slides 49mb file).