Do all laptops get this hot? [more inside]
posted on Jun 21, 2008 - 17 answers 
how can i use my apple remote in parallels? [more inside]
posted on May 26, 2008 - 2 answers
My MacBook (mid-2007) just crapped out. I can't afford a pro data extraction fix. Is there any other option? [more inside]
posted on Mar 7, 2008 - 13 answers
What are the options for single user content filtering for Apple computers? [more inside]
posted on Feb 26, 2008 - 7 answers
Help me find a (non-Mighty) mouse for my Mac that can be programmed to function with Exposé and Spaces. [more inside]
posted on Feb 11, 2008 - 8 answers
I have a commercial DVD (the content of which I own the rights to) and I have an mp3 (which I also own the rights to). Two questions: How can I make another "video" using the visuals from the dvd and the audio from the mp3? Then, how can I turn this final file into an .avi? Further, what if I want to run the DVD's audio track at a diminished volume beneath the audio of the mp3, therefore using the mp3 like a commentary track? I'm on a Mac.
posted on Feb 7, 2008 - 9 answers
My laptop crashes about 80% of the time when I pick it up or put it down, even when I'm ultra-ginger. Why? Before you cry "Disable the sudden motion sensor!" as far as I can tell, I don't think it even has one. [more inside]
posted on Nov 19, 2007 - 16 answers
Automator as an antidote to Excel tedium. Can you help me get through repetitive tasks with favorite Automator tricks in Leopard? [more inside]
posted on Nov 18, 2007 - 6 answers
Wondering if there's a Mac OS X program that I could drop an image file on and tell it "Make me a 'best quality' JPEG out of this that winds up being no more than 10 mb in size". [more inside]
posted on Aug 26, 2007 - 13 answers
Is it worthwhile to upgrade the RAM on a six-year-old iBook? [more inside]
posted on Aug 9, 2007 - 16 answers
Please help me get the contents of an Apple 7300/200 Power Macintosh off of it and onto... well, anything else. [more inside]
posted on Jul 29, 2007 - 33 answers
I'm feeling nostalgic after having gotten this to work, and I was wondering if it's possible to make the OS 9 "Classic Environment" run in a separate window within OSX. [more inside]
posted on May 22, 2007 - 7 answers
how did my mac get a virus??? [more inside]
posted on Apr 25, 2007 - 32 answers
Is there a way to reuse an apple powerbook g4 battery to power a macbook pro? I know that it doesn't fit, but I'm hoping there is some kind of external pack that can accept and charge a powerbook battery but which can power a macbook pro. Any ideas? [more inside]
posted on Apr 5, 2007 - 5 answers
I'm trying to clean up my act and bought a legitimate copy of Office for my Mac. Problem is, after deleting my (bootlegged) copy, it's still recognizing that copy over th legimitate one. What's up? [more inside]
posted on Mar 15, 2007 - 2 answers
A fairly simple iPod/iTunes question—when I plug in the iPod, I would like the browser on iTunes to automatically be there (so I don't have to press apple + b), and I'd like it to be arranged by album, by year (so I don't have to click the "year" field every time). Is this possible? Is there a setting that I'm missing?
posted on Jan 14, 2007 - 2 answers
Can I watch and record Cable TV on a Mac? [more inside]
posted on Jan 10, 2007 - 9 answers
I am considering making the switch to the Mac, and I am wondering how you all convert an e-mail to a task or appointment in OSX. In Outlook, I just drag it to the Calendar or Tasks button (or use one of the ClearContext buttons). I understand this does not work in Entourage.
[more inside]
posted on Dec 13, 2006 - 7 answers
I'm looking for a cheap (or better yet, free) software to run a simple file server in my journalism lab. [more inside]
posted on Dec 10, 2006 - 11 answers
I recently purchased a 23" Apple Cinema Display for use with my 12" Powerbook G4. It's great. It's a boon to productivity. However, sometimes when I plug or unplug all of the monitor cords to my laptop, the system becomes unresponsive. This is Immensely Frustrating. The laptop's screen goes black and does not respond. (The keyboard still works — I can get the Caps Lock light to turn on and off.) Why does it do this? What am I doing wrong. What's the correct way to be moving to and from this display? The manual is no help, nor is Apple's web site (surprise, surprise). [more inside]
posted on Nov 18, 2006 - 23 answers
I want to buy a t-shirt for a friend with the Mac spinning circle - the one you see when you're waiting for something to happen - not the one that is the spinning beach ball. I swear I saw one on the internet once, but now I can't find it. Any idea who sells them?
posted on Sep 21, 2006 - 12 answers
In need of "The Complete Idiot's Guide to Enabling/Getting the 'Mail' Unix Command to E-Mail You Stuff, for Complete and Utter Dummies." [more inside]
posted on Sep 20, 2006 - 3 answers
Why won't my Powerbook recognize a wireless network? [more inside]
posted on Sep 8, 2006 - 13 answers
I want to watch cable television using my old G4/500 and new 21-inch flatscreen monitor. How? [more inside]
posted on Sep 7, 2006 - 7 answers
I recently signed up for an Internet based math class. After registering, I discovered that although the class is primarily internet based, you must also download its software in order to complete homework assignments and take tests. The software is not Mac compatible, and I'm on a Mac. Doh!!
[more inside]
posted on Aug 27, 2006 - 15 answers
Re-installing OS9 on an OldWorld G3 with the goal of installing Linux - OS9 install CD wants to initialise the perfectly-working hard drive. Wtf? [more inside]
posted on Aug 25, 2006 - 4 answers
Looking to buy a MacBook. Wanting to make sure it's ready for primetime. [more inside]
posted on Jul 7, 2006 - 42 answers
Tearing my hair out over automator and applescript. [more inside]
posted on Jun 30, 2006 - 8 answers
Buying a new Macintosh to edit video, I could ask Apple, but I'm asking MeFi: [more inside]
posted on May 31, 2006 - 19 answers
Help me solve my iBook/OS X mini-disaster. No desktop after failed software update. [more inside]
posted on Apr 2, 2006 - 4 answers
"New" iMac G5 with a serious case of the freezies. Hardware test shows no problems with any hardware. Wiping and re-installing does no good. How on earth can I fix this? [more inside]
posted on Mar 23, 2006 - 15 answers
My computer is driving me insane. Please help. My 1.8gz Macintosh g5 has developed several annoying quirks, the cumulative effect of which is to make browsing the internet an exercise in frustration. Sometimes I want to pull my hair out. Here are the three things that I believe, individually and/or in combination, are causing the slow-downs. I have no idea how to fix any of them: [more inside]
posted on Mar 22, 2006 - 31 answers
I've managed to screw up Terminal on OS X. I chose File | New Command and checked Run command inside a shell, then with the window active I went to Terminal | Window Settings... and then clicked on Use Settings as Defaults. Ever since then, a File | New Shell will just open a window running the same command as the one that I did the Use Settings as Defaults on. How can I fix this and reset Terminal's configuration? I'm using OS X 10.4.5 on an Intel Mac mini, if it makes a difference.
posted on Mar 15, 2006 - 6 answers
You can never be too rich, too thin or have too much disk space... [more inside]
posted on Mar 12, 2006 - 10 answers
can someone recommend an app for recording video on a mac from dv input, but in a format more compact than dv? [more inside]
posted on Mar 3, 2006 - 2 answers
I need a cheap graphics card for my old Powermac G4 that will drive a high-res LCD. [more inside]
posted on Feb 14, 2006 - 5 answers
My mother has an Acer LCD (model AL1715) hooked up to her Mac Mini. The warranty expired 3 days ago, and last night it woke up after being asleep for about 45 minutes with a black line across it - the image divided in such a way that the image has rolled - that is, the bottom is at the top and the top at the bottom, split not quite equal halves. Disconnecting and reconnecting don't work, powering off and back on don't work, changing the display mode on the mac doesn't work, and we can't find a reset button. Acer doesn't answer tech support phone calls (endless holds) or emails. Any ideas?
posted on Feb 6, 2006 - 6 answers
Will I have any problems with getting Apple to print an iPhoto bound book with nothing but nudie pictures? [more inside]
posted on Jan 28, 2006 - 10 answers
Where can I buy a power supply for a Macintosh Powerbook WallStreet?
posted on Jan 28, 2006 - 7 answers
A question for a friend: How can one improve the display resolution on an iMac beyond the options in the System Preferences? (My friend is a writer, and she needs the on-screen fonts to be sharp and clear and easy on the eyes.) [more inside]
posted on Jan 5, 2006 - 12 answers
Having problems with iSight on a Powerbook. It worked well up until recently. Now I get a spinning beachball anytime I use a program that uses the iSight as a video source. [more inside]
posted on Dec 14, 2005 - 7 answers
The internal hard drive on my G3/600Mhz iBook is not long for this earth. I'm looking for advice from MeFis who have replaced the drive themselves; specifically, if faced with the task again would you say "Hell no!" or rather "Wow, that wasn't nearly as bad as I thought it would be"? [more inside]
posted on Dec 13, 2005 - 17 answers
How can I prevent iPhoto from auto-launching when I plug in a card reader?
When I plug in a card reader, iPhoto assumes that it is being summoned and auto-magically launches itself. I don't want this to happen. I don't want iPhoto to ever launch without my permission, which I might grant once a year or so. Yet, every day I have to cope with it launching multiple times as I attempt to transfer photos to my hard drive. It is a minor annoyance, true, but it is an annoyance.
My question, then, is how can I make iPhoto stop doing this? I've searched its settings high-and-low, but to no avail. I've searched the System Preferences high-and-low, but to no avail. There must be something I'm missing.
posted on Nov 22, 2005 - 8 answers
I need help with my parent's iBook (OS 9.2). They want wireless internet but there's no PC-card slot, nor an "under the keyboard" option. There is a USB port. Anybody know of a $20 USB-adapter that will work with OS 9. I already know about the AeroPad, but that sucker is $70! [more inside]
posted on Jul 15, 2005 - 8 answers
I use a Mac @ home. One of the things I've loved about Windows (gasp) is the Remote Desktop Client: an efficient, elegant, and free way to connect and use your desktop. Is there an equivalent tool for OS X such that I could connect to my home Mac (not w/ SSH, but the desktop) from any number of the Windows boxes I occasionally use?
posted on Jun 4, 2005 - 8 answers
Is there any way to export ratings along with your library in iTunes? Pretty please?
posted on May 13, 2005 - 6 answers
I've got a hard drive out of my old G3 Blue and white that, for unrelated reasons, ain't workin right now. I've also got a G4 Ibook, and recently I've determined that I need some files from that hard drive. Is there any sort of adapter kit or cable set or something that would let me hook up the old G3 drive to my Ibook and access the files stored on it?
posted on May 3, 2005 - 6 answers
Is there an application (for OS X) that shows me who's trying to connect to my mac? Kinda like Little Snitch, but for incoming connections? Netstat just gives me a huge list of everything happening on all ports, which is kinda useless to me.
posted on Apr 5, 2005 - 7 answers
Every once in a while, my iTunes just seems to start playing without any reason (I have it running in the background with no music playing). This seems to happen when I mis-type something, leading me to think there's maybe some weird key-combo set to "Start playing music in iTunes", but there's no such setting possible, afaik. There's nothing in the CD-Drive, either. If it's any help, i'm on a Mac mini.
posted on Mar 28, 2005 - 6 answers
I'm thinking about buying my first Mac, an iBook G4, 12". If I buy it today, with OS X "Panther", will I have to pay to upgrade to "Tiger" next month? [more inside]
posted on Mar 17, 2005 - 23 answers
What's the cheapest iChat-compatible camera available for OS X?
posted on Dec 5, 2004 - 7 answers
My mother has an older iMac running on OS9. I'd like to upgrade her to a new one but can't afford it right now. I need to buy an external firewire or USB CDRW that will work with OS9 so she can easily back up her digital photography; can anyone suggest something decent and cheap?
posted on Dec 1, 2004 - 8 answers
I'm getting the new iMac in the mail on Tuesday, and I want to watch DVDs on it. I'd like to buy a set of 5.1 Surround Sound speakers for it, but as far as I can tell, you can't really just buy a set of speakers and plug them into the headphone jack on your computer. Or can you? My main interest in 5.1 Surround Sound is mostly for using the enhanced "Yoshimi Battles the Pink Robots" DVD, so this isn't really that big a deal, but I haven't found a simple setup for 5.1 speakers online.
If this is indeed not possible, what's a good set of Macintosh-usable speakers that cost around two hundred dollars?
posted on Nov 21, 2004 - 6 answers
AppleFilter: I am now the proud owner of a Macintosh SE from 1987-ish. Now what the hell am I supposed to do with it? Complete details inside.
posted on Nov 18, 2004 - 14 answers
My coworker's Apple Powerbook with Airport Extreme can't use the new D-Link DWL-2100AP. We can see the access point, can see that the access point sees and connects to him, but something about the apple's DHCP or networking config won't pull an IP and also won't work when we set everything manually. Any ideas?
posted on Nov 12, 2004 - 8 answers
I would like to use Skype on OS X with a bluetooth headset. Is this possible? I don't yet have any bluetooth devices and would also like some recommendations.
posted on Oct 3, 2004 - 4 answers
I am about to order an iMac, my first Macintosh. What do you wish someone had told you when you got your first Mac? (mi)
posted on Sep 29, 2004 - 47 answers
Anyone know of another quiet keyboard, like this Macally iceKey, that doesn't suck? [MI]
posted on Sep 19, 2004 - 10 answers
iMacFilter. I'm attempting to connect my slot-loading iMac to a SBC DSL router. I can't get the iMac to recognize the DSL connection or locate the modem.
In my attempts to rectify this, I reorganized the hard drive using Discwarrior. Now the computer somehow boots up with MacOS 9.2, even after an OSX re-install. Help!
posted on Sep 10, 2004 - 4 answers
I have a PC with WinXP Pro. She has an iBook with Mac OS X. Together they fight crime share a router. e:\ is where I shove all my porn music. How can I make this available to her to copy what she wants to her machine or her ipod?
posted on Aug 7, 2004 - 5 answers
What launcher do you use? Quicksilver for Mac OS X seems to cause some kind of conflict so I'm axing it.
posted on Aug 3, 2004 - 17 answers
What's the best software package for dealing with fonts on a OSX Macintosh?
posted on Jun 25, 2004 - 5 answers
Apropos of Matt checking out FCKEditor, and the typical Mac experience of non-functionality, are there any decent WYSIWYG web editors out there that work with Safari? I'm talking about true formatting a CEO can deal with, not a button that subs in the HTML tags for you.
posted on Jun 21, 2004 - 11 answers
Where can I find a cheap reprint or poster of one of the Apple Macintosh screen-print ads done by Andy Warhol?
There are posters of other works, such as the "Marilyn" screen prints, available at the Warhol Store, but none of the Apple ads.
I'd like to have one to put up in my computer room/office, but I don't want to pay the $10K required for the "real thing".
posted on Apr 30, 2004 - 5 answers
The ink is wearing off the keys on my Macintosh "iBook." Are they easy to replace?
posted on Apr 16, 2004 - 6 answers
Let's say I have an Apple OS X computer with a gigantic, 1.5 GB file that I'd like to put onto 3 or 4 CDs, to give someone. What's the best way to spread a file across several discs? Multiple zip files? The UNIX zip command? Some backup program?
posted on Mar 23, 2004 - 9 answers
Digital video: Is there something I can use to open, edit and save MPEG-1 and MPEG-2 files in OSX? Bonus question: What would I need to render said files from After Effects, Final Cut Pro, etc?
posted on Feb 25, 2004 - 9 answers
Metafilter, as a source to journalists for story ideas and also as a reservoir of good writing for plagiarists, has been discussed on a recent Metatalk thread. How could I acquire a script (I don't have much of a clue about this, technically), for my Mac (OS 9.2.2 and OS 10.2.8) to run automated searches looking for matchups on chunks of text from my 500 (or whatever it is) pages of Metafilter commentary ? (more inside)
posted on Feb 3, 2004 - 13 answers
Academics and scholars: anyone familiar with the text processing product on Windows called Nota Bene? A friend is switching to Macintosh and it's an application area I don't have a lot of experience with. In particular, he likes the fact that Nota Bene stores citation information separate from the formatting, so switching from MLA to APA (?) is easy to do... Any suggestions welcomed.
posted on Jan 27, 2004 - 14 answers
AppleFilter: I am trying to upgrade memory for an old Mac [more inside]
posted on Dec 27, 2003 - 9 answers
