Author: Joe

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J.A.R.V.I.S. I.S. H.E.R.E.!

J.A.R.V.I.S: Well the Iron Man version anyways

Using just a Mac-Mini and a few custom scripts, a former Apple Store employee has created his own version of J.A.R.V.I.S, the virtual butler from Iron Man. His version, called Project Jarvis, may not be any use in a flying suit of armor, but it’s still pretty cool. He can remotely control the lights and appliances in his apartment, get the traffic conditions for his location, listen in on his apartment and be up to date on the latest news, facebook notifications and even the weather all through Twitter, Instant messaging, and voice.

If you want to see videos of Project Jarvis in action, go to its official site, www.projectjarvis.com, or check it out on the Boston Globe.

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TSA: Please leave your iPad in the bag

Some of the great joys traveling through US Airports can be founded by passing through heavily crowded lines of the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) security checkpoint lines. Traditionally, electronic devices such as your beloved MacBook Pro had to be pulled from your bag and placed on the conveyor belt to be scanned. Unless you have a Tumi T-Pass Bag that allows you to quickly unzip the bag and go. Luckily, your shiny new iPads are the exception. Usually. Tuesday, the TSA ruled that iPads are allowed to remain in bags for scanning.

TSA agents might ask you to remove your iPad if they are unable to get a clear scan. That means do not cover up your iPad with tons of clothes and socks.

Another advantage of taking an iPad when traveling… but remember your wireless keyboard!

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Average Joe's Tips

Average Joe’s Biweekly Tips and Tricks

This week I have a couple of new tricks. The first reveals extra settings in your toolbar and my second trick is how to change the look of a file or application icon.

In the first trick, you can reveal some extra settings in your tool bar by a few simple steps.

To reveal the extra settings, all you have to do is press “alt” + [one of the icons on the right side of the toolbar]. For example, if you click “alt” + “the airport icon,” up pops info about your airport (left).

The second trick is how to change your file or application icon to your own customized icon.

First, you will need an image to replace the existing one. You can either download app images online off of apple.com or you can get your own personalized photos. Click on the photo or image you want to replace the original, and click “apple” + “c” to copy.

Next, go to the applications folder or click on a file once in finder. Then click “apple” + “i” which will bring up the info. Next, click on the picture of the icon on the top left hand corner. Paste the new photo by hitting “apple” + “v” and you have a new icon! It’s that simple.

Let us know what you think! Post similar Tips and Tricks below!

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Average Joe's Tips

Average Joe’s Biweekly Tips and Tricks

Hello eager readers! Today I have a couple new tips for you.

To start, I have a new tip that sets up notifications to remind you about upcoming iCal events.

Next, a notification application that keeps you apprised of the activity of certain running applications.

First, I would like to talk about the iCal reminder tip. To start, fire up iCal and select the event about which you want to be reminded. Click (Command + I) or double click. Next, select the style of message to notify you. I usually use the message with sound, which will display a window above all running windows. In the window, it alerts you with the sound of your choice. If you pick the Email option, it will send an email to the desired address. Ergo, the “Email option.”

The other tip that I would like to provide is about an application that I currently use on my Mac everyday!

The application is called Growl. Growl assists in a variety of ways: notifying when a file has been downloaded, or when an iChat buddy comes online. After installing Growl, it will install to System Preferences and be added as a pane. From there you can customize away!

Have a tip or trick, leave a comment!

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Make MacBook and MacBook Pro Backlight Keyboard Dance

Here is a neat Monday trick. Have you every wanted to make your MacBook or MacBook Pro keyboard dance? Even thought about it? Neither did I, but after I saw this neat trick I had to write about it!

iSpazz is a plugin that you install by uncompressing the .zip file and moving the plugin to ~/Library/iTunes/iTunes Plug-ins. If you are new to Mac OS X, the ~ stands for your home folder. So, on my computer where I would copy the iTunes Plugin would be Nick/Library/iTunes/iTunes Plug-ins. It is an extremely cool plugin because your keyboard will light up in sync with your currently playing track. Pretty cool!

Once you add iSpazz, in iTunes go to View>Visualizer>iSpazz. Play a track, and prepare to party. If you are a DJ, this would be extremely cool, especially if you are using a Mac to power your media.

Image Source: OSXDaily