AAUG Reviews

by Carlene Brown ,AAUG Member

Now there is an easy and stylish way for anyone to get organized. Bento, the new personal database from FileMaker lets you organize data in a simple and effective manner.

Mac users who are familiar with the Apple i apps will recognize a similarity in Bento’s layout. The Bento window is set up in three columns. The left column is the Source List, the middle the Records List, and the right displays the Fields List.

The source list consists of libraries and collections. Bento links to Address Book, iCal Events and iCal Tasks and sets up Libraries for each. If you have groups defined in Address Book they become Collections under the Address Book library in Bento, similar to an iTunes library. If a change or an addition is made in Address Book it immediately appears in Bento and if changes to the data are made in Bento they show up in Address Book. Same for iCal Events and Tasks. Other libraries can be created by selecting a ready-to-use template and importing files in CSV (comma separated values) format or by manually inputting the information.

Collections are subsets of information contained in the library. Creating a Collection is like creating a Playlist in iTunes. Select the items you want to include then click on New Collection (more…)

by Mike Baranowski ,AAUG Member

Installing the application on my Mac Book Pro went smoothly.
* It is already a universal binary so one installation is optimized for either the older PowerPC or new Intel processor. I downloaded the installer from www.omnigroup.com. It is highly recommended to use Leopard for the version I am reviewing. There are known issues of version 1.1.2 and Leopard. So use version 1.5 of OmniPlan with Leopard.
* You can request a full trial version of OmniPlan for a 24 hour period after which you can request it again if you need more time. Omni does this for all their products. You can use a demo version of OmniPlan for as long as you like but as long as your version is unlicensed you are limited to projects with less then 20 activities. I have always been happy with Omni Groups products but it is still very nice that you can work evaluate a full application before you buy.

Omni Group captures the essence of this product in their subtitle for OmniPlan: Project management made painless. Projects are temporary endeavors with a beginning and end that produce a product or service. To be considered Project Management Software, the product needs to be able to cover; task dependency, scheduling, cost controls, resource allocation, collaboration, communication, and produce quality documentation to keep projects on track. (more…)

by Chuck Maas, AAUG Member

Rob Sheppard has become one of the most prolific and well-received in the now crowded field of digital imaging authors and educators. Every writer has a style, and Robís is simple and direct, avoiding hype and always seeking to communicate in the clearest possible manner regardless of the complexity of the topic.

As the art and science of digital imaging has matured, RAW conversion software has become one of the most important tools for photographers aiming for the highest quality and greatest flexibility. The RAW file, which has had minimum in-camera processing, contains the maximum information available at capture and has the potential for extracting the best final image in post processing. Camera manufacturers usually provide their own RAW processing software, but third-party programs often have more and/or different capabilities and greater interoperability with other popular editing programs like Photoshop. At the top of the list is Adobeís Camera Raw. Not only does this incredibly powerful program convert RAW files from almost any digital camera, but it also provides seamless integration with Photoshop CS3 and Bridge. The latest version (4.xx) has extensive new tools that move it into a new regime entirely.

Really learning Adobe Camera Raw is not a simple task. There are many books on the subject varying in style from ponderous and mind-numbingly detailed, to once-over-lightly treatises that are mostly pictures and little substance. This book strikes a fine balance with accurate, colloquial, understandable discussion of the often highly technical details supported by ample illustrations and images to provide a visually appealing lesson (more…)

by Chuck Maas, AAUG Member

Adobe Photoshop has had a long and well-deserved reign at the top of the heap of digital image editors. The broadñranging capability of this behemoth to parse and modify pixels in just about any way imaginable, and the dedication of its parent company Adobe to continue to improve it and make its tools available to as many high-level users as possible has helped it carve a rather niche in the industry.

However, like many complex programs, it can be daunting to learn. This is not a flaw, per se, since complex programs are, well, complexÖthey take a certain amount of real study to learn how to use well. And since each of use learns in different ways ñ some more easily with written text, some with diagrams and pictures, or even video with a sound track so no reading is required at all. [Of course you can sit down at your computer and just try things in the program, creating your own discovery process, though for many this simply leads to frustration and wasted time.] One way or another, if you want to learn Photoshop, you have to pick a method (or a combination of methods) and go to itÖno one can actually do it for you. The good news is that an entire training industry has grown up around Photoshop. There are plenty of teaching tools ñ the trick is to pick the ones that most closely align to your learning style and budget and dive in.

If want to learn more about Photoshop CS3 (the latest version) and you prefer complex issues carved up into small, illustrated packets ñ that is, youíre a visual learner ñ this book would be an excellent choice. One of the ìSimplified Tips & Tricksî series, it is part of Wileyís 5-Star Visual Learning System, (more…)

by Chris Tofteberg ,AAUG Member

I reviewed TurboTax last year and used it to do my 2006 taxes. In general I liked the 2006 edition except for a bad experience with the “It’s Deductible” feature. This year, Intuit fixed that and the program worked flawlessly.

There are basically only two tax software programs specifically for the Mac, TurboTax (five versions) and TaxCut (four versions). There are some online and/or free solutions that tend to be very basic and work fine if you’re using the 1040EZ form or have few investments or deductions. Most free versions require that the user have a limited gross income. Visit the IRS website at www.irs.gov for more details.

TurboTax Premier 2007 features a totally revamped interface and is much easier to navigate than the 2006 version. My 2006 return was automatically imported, saving much time entering information.

TurboTax works with Quicken and Quickbooks, which are both Intuit products as well. Manually entering forms and numbers as I did worked flawlessly and TurboTax clued me in to tax considerations that I might not thought of. Users having more or less complex tax situations can choose which version to use. The Premiere version reviewed here is smack in the middle of the bunch. (more…)

by Chris Tofteberg ,AAUG Member

Movies may be the end-all be-all for capturing moments, but I find that a good photo slideshow does the job just as good if not better. And today we can essentially create movies using nothing but photos. FotoMagico is an application that does just that and does it well.

If you’ve used iMovie to make a slideshow from photos before, FotoMagico will look very familiar. The opening screen has a preview window, media and adjustment pane, and a timeline on the bottom. While in iMovie you’re stuck with just the Ken Burns Effect, FotoMagico one-ups that adding features like rotation and a wider duration range (up to 60 seconds!) than iMovie offers.

You can also adjust exposure and color of your photos on the fly, no need to pop into iPhoto. In fact, once you’re in FotoMagico, there’s no need to go out to any of the apps that you would think you may have to, like iPhoto or iTunes; it’s all available in the media browser.

There are fifteen different transitions available. This is not an overwhelming or generous amount but anything beyond these basic but beautiful transitions is just plain cheesy. My personal favorite is “Zoom” with the factor turned up to 1024X. (more…)

by Gary Miller ,AAUG Member

The new RaodTrip with SmartScan works perfect. I had about given up on using a FM Transmitter plugged into my car’s cigarette lighter/power adapter to pick up clear signals for listening to my Ipods in the car. I wanted a charger for my iPod, and a way of having the iPod be easier to see, versus just sitting it on the passenger seat. And I wanted more than one FM station to switch to in case of poorer signal strength/static. Now the genie heard my requests, and YES, Griffin Technology, just released the RoadTrip with SmartScan, it hit a home run~

Here’s how easy this gadget necessity is to use. It plugs into your cigarette lighter or power adapter on your console, then with it’s flexible neck,that allows infinite ways on bending so you can see your iPod’s face, use the click wheel, and the function screen on it. It’s lit up, for easy viewing, white on black, so I could see it in bright daylight or at night with ease! I aligned it, and then used my Ipod Video, 5th generation with it’s case on, yes, finally, a device that allows you to keep your case on. Next, I was driving, so I pulled over in the worst reception area, and used the Scan feature to find 3 unique blank station frequencies for tuning into. I then synced 3 of the same radio stations on my car’s audio system. Next I decided to use it’s MODE (more…)

by Gary Miller ,AAUG Member

As many shuffle users know, it’s small, has a clip, but we’d like a way of having it on your arm, so we can easily use the click wheel to change selections. Enter the Tempo for iPod Shuffle by Griffin Technology, makers of all things great and wonderful.

The Tempo is made a stretchable fabric, like velcro, that will fit any arm. It has an adjustment if you need it. Think the blood pressure wrap around.. It has reflective accents for high visibility too. Machine washable, and with a soft inner lining to avoid scratches. But because the Shuffle isn’t covered, I found I did bang it. Could use a simple cover over it.

All in all, the Tempo for Shuffle by Griffin Technology works great.

by Diane Petersen ,AAUG Member

Studio Artist is touted by Synthetik Software as a “graphics
synthesizer.” This apt term describes an unusual program that
defies categorization. It is not a photo manipulator, a vector
graphics drawing program, graphics animator, or a video editor. It
happens to be, rather, a hybrid of all of the above and more.

Brand spanking new out of the (somewhat dated) packaging and
inserted into your Mac’s optical drive, the program installs
effortlessly. Using Classic? No problem. The support goes back to
System 8.6, however my old G3 Blueberry iMac’s 32MB of RAM (the
minimum requirement) just can’t stand up next to my MacBook Pro’s
efficiency in running this software. Not only does Studio Artist
run on Classic Macs, it also runs well on Leopard and Intel
machines. It has been suggested that there is an issue with
internal MacBook iSight cameras in Leopard but I have tested this
and have had no issues.

Once installed, you can remove the installation disk and get started
on the 3 CDs worth of tutorials. There are 8 hours of extensive (more…)

by Elaine Robinson ,AAUG Member

We want to protect our expensive computers and the choices of bags in the market are numerous. The problem becomes how to choose the bag that is right for us. It comes down to a matter of personal taste and how you plan to use it. I wanted protection for my laptop, no bulk, and a bag that looked stylish. I found all that I wanted in the Ladies Brown 15.4″ Laptop Case. (I really don’t think a man would mind carrying it too). One feature of the Belkin Laptop Case that I think is really super is the removable laptop sleeve which sits inside the bag and cradles your precious computer. Without much of the bulk, you could carry your computer in the sleeve from office to office or to classrooms without having to carry the entire bag. The sleeve has a stylish velcro enclosure and a pocket inside to hold your mouse or cables.

Some of the other features are:
Quick-access zipper pocket
Back pocket for books and magazines
Side pocket for quick access
6 stationery pockets
Loop for key-chain clip
and also the Removable laptop sleeve (Tan with brown velcro flap)

The comfortable rolled handles can be held or are sufficiently long enough to be worn over the shoulder. You could put your cell phone in the handy (more…)