APPLE ADDICTS
Although technology can be great to have, but sometimes it doesn't work how we want it to. This page is designed to help you fix all your problems and issues.
HOW TO USE THIS PAGE
All articles are in chronological order so you can find all your solutions easily. If you have trouble or need help, contact me via the form on the "Contact Me" page.
FURTHER SUPPORT
Although this website should solve a lot of your problems, you may want to use some of the helpful links to solve your problem. Also, feel free to send us a problem you want solved through the "Contact Us" page using the form on the left.. Please note I don't check this website as often as I'd like, so it may take awhile for the solution to be put up on this page.
NEED SOME HELP?
iOS
Mac OS X
Apple Software Programs
Battery life can drain fast from your Mac. Here are some tips to preserve battery life.
1. Use your Mac in only tempatures between 50 and 95 degrees fahrenheit.
2. Update software. The updates includes updates to extend battery life. The current version is 10.9.
3. Don't leave your Mac plugged in all the time. Apple reccomends charging and uncharging at least once a month to keep the battery flowing. Click the link below for a reminder (it might not look like a link but it is):
Remind me to charge and discharge my notebook battery
4. If you plan to not use your Mac for 6 months or more, leave it at 50% battery charge. Too much could make it lose battery capacity, and too little could make it unchargable.
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iPod/iPhone/iPad Battery Life
Battery life can drain fast from your iPod/iPad/iPhone. Here are some tips to preserve battery life.
1. Update software. Apple regularly figures out ways to preserve battery life and includes it in software updates.
2. Use your iPod/iPad/iPhone regularly. This keeps the battery flowing. Be sure to also charge and discharge it it at least once a month. Click on the link below to add it to you Apple Calendar (it might not look like a link but it is):
Remind me to charge and discharge my iPod battery
3. Keep your iPod/iPad/iPhone at tempatures between 32 and 95 degrees fahrenheit.
4. If you will not use your iPod/iPad/iPhone for more than three weeks, charge to 50% and power it off, not sleep it.
Macbook Battery Life
Ever wondered what the difference is between 10.9.1 and 10.9.2 is? And what does beta mean? This Wikipedia article provides all information needed, and has been checked for accuracy. All you have to do is click here. It will open in a seperate window.
Common Mac Fixes
Is your Mac slow or sluggish? Is something just not right? Below are some simple fixes that might solve your issue.
1. Restart your computer! This gives your computer a fresh new start and closes all your apps and gives them a fresh start, too. Restart your Mac by clicking the Apple logo on top, then selecting Restart.
2. Delete unused apps. This takes up space and makes your Mac run slower. Most are located in the Applications tab under Finder, but you can search for apps that don't appear there. Just drag them to the Trash, which is usually on the bottom right in the bottom bar. If you want, you can use applications dedicated to cleaning up your Mac. My favorite is CleanMyMac from MacPaw. Visit http://macpaw.com/cleanmymac to buy this software. It costs $39.95 for one Mac, but you can download a free trial version to get you started.
3. Reset your NVRAM. The NVRAM is performed at startup, and stores things like speaker volume, screen resolution, and startup disk selection. To reset it, power off your Mac. Then, press and hold the Control, Option, P, and R keys at the same time. Now, keep holding this while powering on. It will chime twice. Let go of the keys on the second chime. Your NVRAM will reset. NOTE: This will generally only reset problems with speakers, probes with screens and external displays, and long boot times. It is still worth a try if you have other problems, though, and it doesn't harm your computer.
4. Update Disk Permissions. When your computer downloads software or installs a driver, it only lets certain users view the software or file. You may have to change this. But note that this may not fix all problems. Here is how to fix this problem: 1. Open Disk Utility by going to Finder, then Applications, then Disk Utility. 2. Select your startup disk (if you can't figure out which one, it's typically the first one. 3. Click "Repair Permissions".
5. Update apps and OS X! This is a crucial part of troubleshooting process. Open the Mac App Store, navigate to Updates, and update all your apps. You may also have to update your OS. The current OS X version is 10.9 (OS X Mavericks). If you download software products through a developer's website, check back there regularly to find out about updates and download them.
For more info on these quick fixes, click here. It will open in a new window.
Software Versioning
Preventing Spam
Although you probably can't stop spam altoghether, you can prevent it. Below are instructions for blocking and reporting spam for Gmail, Yahoo! Mail, and Outlook. Information for other email providers coming soon (for now, see "Report Spam" at bottom to help stop spam from any email provider.
Gmail
Most email is filtered automatically. If you find an email in your inbox you believe is spam, open it and click "Report Spam" at the top. You can also forward spam to gmail-abuse@google.com. If you find non-spam in your Spam folder, open it and click "Not spam". BE SURE IT IS NOT SPAM BEFORE DOING THIS!
Yahoo! Mail
Like Gmail, Yahoo! Mail has a strong spam filter. If you find spam in your inbox, though, check the box net to it and select "Spam" at the top. You can forward spam to abuse@yahoo.com.
Outlook
Outlook comes with a Spam filter set to low, and this will not maximize your ability to prevent spam. Click Home, then Junk. Then click Junk Mail Options, then click the Options tab. Move the slider to the detection strength as nessecary.
iCloud
iCloud offers two ways to report spam. If you're using the webmail app at icloud.com, mark it as junk or drag it to junk. When using the Mail app on your Mac desktop (or an iCloud email in Outlook), forward mail to spam@icloud.com. All email sent to this address is reported to Apple. abuse@apple.com works, too.
Report Spam
Before deleting spam, forward it to spam@uce.gov. This is the FTC spam investigation mailbox. All emails sent are investigated. This helps the government stop spam.
Other Ways to Prevent Spam
1. Want to recieve emails but not sure if they are spam? You can use any email address with the domain name mailinator.com. (Ex. appleaddicts@mailinator.com) Then, go to mailinator.com and enter that address to view emails. Note that anyone can use any address. THIS IS NOT A PRIVATE EMAIL. Just look at their Privacy Policy:
Privacy Policy:
Mailinator provides NO privacy. All emails can be read by anyone.
That is their real privacy policy. Don't have things like password resets go here. Also note that they delete emails after a few hours.
2. Search your email on Google (ex. - apple@addicts.com). If you find your email listed on any of those pages, contact the site owner. NOTE: If you own a domain name, your email will be listed on ipaddressden.com. When you buy a domain name, anyone can post your email address legally. You can take it off their website for $10.
3. Use spam-prevention software like SpamCop (spamcop.net) or Barracuda (barracuda.com). Another good one is Mailwasher. It is free for one email, but for $40 you get more features. Visit mailwasher.net/mailwasher-free
4. When signing up for websites, be sure the checkbox saying "Click here to recieve information from third-party companies you might be interested in." (because I LOVE "free iPads") is unchecked. It is usually checked automatically, so look for this often.
Detecting Spam
You typically can detect what's spam and what's not just by looking at it. For example, take a look here:
Isn't it nice of Makayla, Taylor, Olivia, and Madeline to be thinking of me about ordering meds online? Whether you could tell or not, that's an example of spam.
When unsubscribing for innocent email newsletters, DO NOT REPORT THEM AS SPAM! Your spam filter will start to block the newsletters you actually want!
How Spammers Get Your Email
1. Let's say you use a popular email provider. We'll use iCloud mail for this. All they do is type in something short and sweet like jimmy@icloud.com. You'll notice when signing up for emails that all the short, good ones are taken. It's that easy for spammers.
HOW TO STOP IT:
Use long emails to stop spammers from guessing your address. Your email should have: more than one word, and, preferably, word segments as well as numbers and an underscore.
2. They have robots scan pages for a combination of characters with an @ sign in the middle and a .com, .org, .net, or something like that at the end. That's really all they want.
HOW TO STOP IT:
Disguise your email on the web. Instead of using appleaddicts@yahoo.com, I could do appleaddicts@YAdelete_thisHOO.com. The robots will take that fake address, but humans are smart enough to take out the "delete_this" part. Also, try using a public email service (see above). Also, try hiding your email using reCAPTCHA email protection. When you post an email using reCAPTCHA, an email looking like appleaddicts@gmail.com will look like appl...@gmail.com. The "..." will be clickable and you must enter a letter puzzle (you know, the ones where the letters look blurry) to reveal it. Use this link to access reCAPTCHA. It will open in a new window. The problem with reCAPTCHA? It's a pain.
Running Windows on a Mac
Sometimes, we need to run Windows for gaming, applications only compatible with Windows, or other things Windows can do. Below is described how to install Windows on your Mac.
1. Purchase which version of Windows you want on a hard disc via one of the links below. Major retailers (Target, Walmart, Computer Stores) often sell this as well. Remember to select which version of Windows you need (Windows 7, Vista, XP, or 8).
2. Open Finder, navigate to Applications, then open Utilities. You should find an app called Boot Camp Assistant.
3. Once opening Boot Camp Assistant, click continue and click continue again, if another screen shows with checkboxes.
4. Select how much space to dedicate to Windows by partitioning and click "Partition".
5. Insert your disc the click Install.
TO OPEN WINDOWS:
1. Shut your computer down if you haven't already.
2. Power it on and while it is booting up, hold down the Option key (between Control and Command on the bottom left of the keyboard).
3. Select "Windows" by clicking on it.
4. When you're finished, Shut Down and turn on again normally to go back to OS X.
BUYING A DISC
Typically, buying directly from Microsoft is the best source.
WINDOWS XP
Windows XP support/selling from Microsoft ends April 8, 2014. You can still buy from Amazon at this link.
WINDOWS VISTA
Microsoft still supports Vista, but doesn't sell it directly. Buy from Amazon here.
WINDOWS 7
Microsoft still supports Windows 7, but like Vista, doesn't sell it directly. The Amazon link is right here.
WINDOWS 8
Microsoft sells Windows 8 at this link.
RUNNING WINDOWS AND OS X SIDE-BY-SIDE
If you want to have a seperate window within OS X running Windows, you can purchase a seperate software program ALONG WITH a Windows disc. Some of these programs are Parallels Desktop and VMWare Fusion. Once following the Boot Camp instruction above, purchase one of the two programs at the following links:
After that, install using included instructions.
iPad: Basic Troubleshooting
Some iPad problems can be fixed with some basic procedures. Before doing any of these steps, make sure your iPad is up-to-date. Do this by opening Settings, tapping General, then Software Update. Any updates will appear. Once that is done, find the solution that corresponds to your problem.
1. FOR SCREEN RESPONSIVENESS: Turn off your iPad by holding the Sleep/Wake button and slide the red slider that appears. Then turn your iPad on by holding the same button again.
If that doesn't work, try Step 2.
2. FOR EITHER ISSUE: Reset your iPad. Hold down the Sleep/Wake button WHILE holding down the Home button for at least 10 seconds untl the Apple logo appears.
1. Disconnect all USB cables from your Mac and plug your iPad into a different USB outlet.
If that doesn't work, try Step 2.
2. Power off your iPad by holding down Sleep/Wake and sliding the slider and pressing and holding Sleep/Wake again.
If that doesn't work, try Step 3.
3. Unplug your iPad, restart your computer, and plug your iPad back in again.
If that doesn't work, try Step 4.
4. Download and Install/Reinstall the latest version of iTunes here.
1. Try moving closer to the Wifi hotspot/router.
If that doesn't work, try Step 2.
2. Check out this link for more information on Wi-Fi problems.
MORE ON BASIC TROUBLESHOOTING COMING SOON!
iPad Won't Turn On/Screen Stops Responding
iPad Won't Show Up in iTunes on Computer or syncing doesn't work
iPad can't access email or Internet
Creating Screencasts
Creating a screencast is pretty easy, but if you wanna be like the pros, you might want to edit it using one of the programs listed at the bottom.
1. Click Finder. Navigate to Applications, and click QuickTime Player.
2. Once you double-click, hover over File at the top and select New Screen Recording.
3. A black box with a red button will show up. Click the down-facing arrow to select audio sources and other features.
4. Click Record.
5. Click the message to make your recording full screen, or drag your mouse over part of the screen to only record that part. Either one of these will begin the recording process.
6. When you're done, look in the top bar near the date/time/battery level for a stop button (square) in a circle. Click it.
7. Your screencast will appear. You may want to watch it. After that, hover over File and click Save.
8. Name your file and click save.
9. You may want to edit your new video in one of the folowing methods. All of these applications are video editors, so you can use them for other types of videos, too. Just click on them to view.
iMovie - Nice, packed with features but simple. Good for the average user. Price: $14.99.
Creating a Podcast
A podcast is a great way to share your knowledge of a certain topic to the world. This article will show you how to record, pubish, and even send to the iTunes Store! Best of all, this project is completely free!
Materials Needed:
Computer (with Microphone and iTunes)
Apple ID account
Audio-editing Software (Optional)
Step 1: Choose your topic.
What do you want your podcast to be on? You can make a podcast on practically anything! This is also the time to decide whether you want a co-host on your show or not.
Step 2: Record your first episode.
Open Quicktime Player (Finder>Applications>Quicktime Player). Once you open Quicktime, click File>New Audio Recording. Click the record button, and once your done, click the stop button. Your audio file will come up. Select File>Save As and name your episode.
Step 3: Upload your podcast to the web.