My Mac just got very sluggish. Common actions like typing, scrolling, clicking app controls, etc. cause the beachball to appear for 5-10 seconds. This happens across applications. Please help me figure out what's wrong. [more inside]
posted by ottereroticist on Dec 18, 2009 - 14 answers

Does anyone know of any attractive powered speakers? Ones that look like they belong on a bookshelf and not next to a PC? [more inside]
posted by bryanlacksfocus on Dec 16, 2009 - 14 answers

Please help me install a Last.fm scrobbler for iTunes on Mac OSX 10.5.8 without administrator privileges. [more inside]
posted by puritycontrol on Dec 15, 2009 - 4 answers

Upgrading from OS X 10.4 to 10.6: Does it use more CPU? [more inside]
posted by WhackyparseThis on Dec 14, 2009 - 14 answers

What is a good, working surround sound USB adapter for a Mac mini in a home theatre setup, which uses a TOSLINK connector? [more inside]
posted by Blazecock Pileon on Dec 12, 2009 - 5 answers

Are there any free Mac programs to remove PDF encryption? [more inside]
posted by raddevon on Dec 12, 2009 - 6 answers

MacFilter: Help me remove a mystery menu bar item [more inside]
posted by razorfrog on Dec 10, 2009 - 9 answers

I've got an HTC Magic (also known by the execrable name myTouch 3G) running Android 1.6 from T-Mobile. I also have a MacBookPro running OS 10.4.11. Does a tethering program exist that will let me use my phone to supply an internet connection for my computer? It seems that I can't use PdaNet (my computer would need to be a PC, or I would need a phone running Android 2.0). Do any other good programs exist that fit my specifications?
posted by ocherdraco on Dec 7, 2009 - 8 answers

My mom has an iMac G5, 1.8 Ghz w/ superdrive and 2GB of RAM (I think). It's been a problem since they first got it with a logic board replacement and multiple power supply replacements (all free thankfully). Recently it started giving kernel panics on start up with the fans sounding like jet engines. It's a little over 4 years old and even though it's given us hardware problems, it has been a good computer and my mom likes it. What should we do with it now? [more inside]
posted by crios on Dec 6, 2009 - 6 answers

Where does MySQL store actual data in Snow Leopard? How would I retrieve a deleted database from a Time Machine backup? [more inside]
posted by special-k on Dec 4, 2009 - 5 answers

I need a way to keep a browser state with tabs, cookies, passwords, forms all saved but password-protected and inaccessible. I have Mac OS 10.5.7 and I usually use Firefox, kinda hate Safari. [more inside]
posted by kathrineg on Dec 3, 2009 - 7 answers

How can I determine how many unique words and how many repetitions are in a text? [more inside]
posted by OLechat on Dec 3, 2009 - 21 answers

Mac voice-recognition software for a writer with arthritis. [more inside]
posted by grumblebee on Dec 3, 2009 - 9 answers

I really like the idea of text-based programs like WriteRoom (Mac) or DarkRoom (Windows). Are there similar applications for other purposes? [more inside]
posted by jfricke on Dec 1, 2009 - 20 answers

I'm trying to set up an AirPort on my Mac and I'm having some issues. It's asking for OS X 10.4 and I'm running 10.5 but it still doesn't work. Any clue as to why this is happening? [more inside]
posted by Joseppi on Nov 30, 2009 - 6 answers

Is there a very simple, free, standalone OSX application like the HTML Post Opera widget? A dashboard widget would be fine, too; I mostly just want it to run on its own on a PPC computer.
posted by interrobang on Nov 30, 2009 - 7 answers

I have some .pages documents and do not have Apple Pages to open them with. This question was asked back in 2005 but I was wondering if anyone has solved this problem yet. [more inside]
posted by amethysts on Nov 29, 2009 - 6 answers

In Apple's DVD Player app for Mac (or in VLC), how can I scale the footage beyond the screen resolution? (Or specifically, scale the footage to the full width of the screen.) [more inside]
posted by kidbritish on Nov 29, 2009 - 3 answers

What's the best wireless audio bridge / networked digital audio receiver that works on the Mac? [more inside]
posted by nitsuj on Nov 29, 2009 - 1 answer

I've a WinXP Professional OEM install disc that I'd like to (and tried to) install on VMWare Fusion on my 24-inch iMac (running OS X 10.5). But so far, it's a no-go. Is there some kind of restriction on installing OEM versions of Windows in a virtual environment and/or on a Mac? [more inside]
posted by jrchaplin on Nov 29, 2009 - 9 answers

Dual-bay SATA Enclosures! Which ones let me copy from one drive to the other on a Mac? [more inside]
posted by sdis on Nov 28, 2009 - 3 answers

How do I beat the Boot Camp assistant? Mac/Boot Camp problem. [more inside]
posted by wolfr on Nov 28, 2009 - 8 answers

Recently had my mac (V 10.4.11) defragged; by another person. Question- I am (too late) concerned about security. What steps can I now take to go thru and secure everything? Change all passwords, ok. Anything else? Where are the weak points?
posted by ebesan on Nov 28, 2009 - 7 answers

My mom is a graphic designer and uses Quark. She just switched from a PowerPC based Macbook Pro to an Intel based MacBook Pro. Using the new Macbook Pro, she can't seem to open the Quark files she created using the old MacBook pro. It produces an error saying something about the processor. Is there a nice program for converting such files? [more inside]
posted by aburd on Nov 27, 2009 - 8 answers

Why would Excel 2008 cause a lot of network traffic while typing in a cell? [more inside]
posted by lbergstr on Nov 27, 2009 - 10 answers

Why can't my USB TV tuner find channel 11? [more inside]
posted by mhz on Nov 26, 2009 - 4 answers

I've been a happy Pc-er for the last couple years. That is, until a few months ago when my AVG failed me and my pavilion got all virused up... Twice. Ultimately I had to d-ban the poor thing. Since I was only 'mostly sure' I still had the original operating system disks, I have since been using my mom's mac. While I've been slowly getting used to the system (on a casual basis, no work yet, just internet) I still miss the windows format. My old tower is past it's prime, even with a new system. I'm about to become a student in English and am highly discouraged by previous Windows failings. Should I release the ghost and go with the more 'secure' mac? Or stick with my roots? I would like some advice on my next computer purchase. I'm looking for a laptop that can handle a students workload for the next... lets face it, many years, with minimal extras. The only thing it needs, is to be fast. I break things that go slow. I'm not looking to game (much) or download + store music (at all), I just need to research crap at high speed. All suggestions are greatly appreciated. Cheers!
posted by Miss Mitz on Nov 24, 2009 - 39 answers

How to get a Seagate FreeAgent Desk external hard drive to work with my Mac? [more inside]
posted by yegga on Nov 24, 2009 - 8 answers

Which laptop computer for making music? It's PC vs Mac with the usual provisos... [more inside]
posted by Cantdosleepy on Nov 24, 2009 - 13 answers

I intend to make this weekend a gaming weekend. I haven't played video games in a long time. At least not as seriously as I used to. Do you have any suggestions? [more inside]
posted by wolfr on Nov 20, 2009 - 39 answers

Is my external HD enclosure killing drives? Or is it bad luck? [more inside]
posted by Admiral Haddock on Nov 20, 2009 - 11 answers

Download a certain program with Firefox and a key feature is broken. Download it with Safari, and it runs fine. Howzzat? [more inside]
posted by electric_counterpoint on Nov 19, 2009 - 13 answers

For years I've been using Homesite on a PC, which was a great text editor. Now I've switched to Mac and all the text editors I find pale in comparison, despite the fact that Homesite hasn't been updated in years. Help me find one that I'll like. [more inside]
posted by lsemel on Nov 19, 2009 - 21 answers

How consistent is MS Office between Windows and OSX? Will using MS Office on my Mac solve this formatting problem I'm having? [more inside]
posted by spikeleemajortomdickandharryconnickjrmints on Nov 19, 2009 - 13 answers

removing spyware called Doubleclick.net [more inside]
posted by Postroad on Nov 19, 2009 - 7 answers

Once a week or so, all the applications running on my Mac go into "not responding" mode, one after another. The only way I can recover is to turn off the Mac using the power button. Any ideas? [more inside]
posted by mark7570 on Nov 18, 2009 - 9 answers

Is there any way to restore the glossy coating on a Macbook Pro screen? [more inside]
posted by bashos_frog on Nov 15, 2009 - 8 answers

OS X Unix filter: Please help me find and delete an obsolete cron job on an iMac running Leopard. [more inside]
posted by al_fresco on Nov 14, 2009 - 13 answers

I'm here at my aunt and uncle's trying to install an iWork 2009 DVD they just bought. However, after installation, it asks for a serial number! Looking around on the web, I see that iWork 2009 on DVD has no serial number. One possible factor is that they had the iWork 2006 trial on their computer, which I deleted. I suspect that there is some errant file left over from this causing the issue, but I don't know. Any idea?
posted by zachawry on Nov 14, 2009 - 5 answers

I need some help with creating a DVD with subtitles. My computer is a Mac, but also runs Parallels and XP. [more inside]
posted by Silky Slim on Nov 14, 2009 - 4 answers

Why do Youtube (and other flash videos) become unresponsive on my Mac when they are embedded in other sites? [more inside]
posted by Glum on Nov 13, 2009 - 5 answers

What's a good wireless webcam for the Mac (OS 10.5.something) that works, without fuss, with the Orb software (ideally, for under $100)? [more inside]
posted by TochterAusElysium on Nov 13, 2009 - 1 answer

Any Apple Certified Macintosh Technicians in the house? How difficult was it for you to get certified? [more inside]
posted by sammich on Nov 12, 2009 - 10 answers

iPhone not syncing calendars, photos, and triplicated my notes. Help? [more inside]
posted by scazza on Nov 12, 2009 - 3 answers

How do I clean up search results in Mac OS X Spotlight [more inside]
posted by jeffreyclong on Nov 11, 2009 - 2 answers

I have a MacBook Pro running OS 10.6.1, and an Airport Extreme Base Station. Is there a user-friendly way to see if someone is trying to use my internet connection or hack into my network? [more inside]
posted by invisible ink on Nov 10, 2009 - 17 answers

Why does Flash suck so bad on the Mac? [more inside]
posted by mpls2 on Nov 9, 2009 - 13 answers

I'd like to embed video clips in a PowerPoint presentation. It would need to play correctly on both Windows and OS X. What codec is ideal? My first attempt won't play on Macs.
posted by limon on Nov 8, 2009 - 8 answers

What is the name of this obscure Mac text editor that draws ASCII art boxes and lines by dragging them out? [more inside]
posted by Wild_Eep on Nov 8, 2009 - 3 answers

Advice for buying a Mac Pro without paying top price? [more inside]
posted by empath on Nov 6, 2009 - 20 answers