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Average Joe's Tips

What is “Automator”?

Most people know that on their Mac there is some weird looking robot application, called “Automator,” but it seems that not many people know how it works or what it does. Automator is essentially an application to help you perform repetitive tasks on your Mac. It doesn’t help you write those repetative essays for school, but if you have, for example, 100 pictures that you want to rename, than Automator can help you. But Automator doesn’t just rename files — it can do much more, such as add content to your keynote presentation or speak highlighted text. It can even open a web browser and bring up the RSS Feed for your favorite website *cough, cough* TheRealMacGenius.com. But don’t worry, I’m not going to throw you out into the world of Automator after only telling you basically what it does — I will show you how to make one application and introduce some of the more important details of Automator.

First, here are some Automator terms to keep in mind. A workflow is a list of actions that the program performs, which can be edited at any time. However, a workflow won’t run as an application, but will only open Automator. So, if you feel like you have completed your workflow, you can save it as an application. Next, an application is an Automator script that has been finished, but cannot be edited in Automator after being saved. In your library, you can see all of your scripts, whose functions range from editing in Finder to working on the Internet. Here is a quick application that I made to bring up TRMG’s RSS Feed:

1. Under the list of Actions, select the “Internet” tab from the Library. Drag the script “Get Specified URLs” it to the workflow station on the right.

2. In this new window, you will see the default bookmark “Apple”.

3. Delete the Apple bookmark by selecting it then clicking “Remove”.  Then, click “Add”.

4. A new, blank entry should appear. Name the bookmark anything you wish — we recommend: TRMG. Then, under “Address,” copy and paste the following url:  feed://therealmacgenius.com/feed/

5. Add a final script from the “Internet” tab, “New Safari Documents”.

6. Finally, save it as an application, name it and your finished! Now, when you want to view our feed quickly, just run your application. If your application doesn’t work properly, view the image after the break to check your workflow against mine.

Also, you can download the finished application here.

If you would like help making more applications, visit this website.

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Average Joe's Tips

Average Joe’s Biweekly Tips and Tricks

Today I have another trick for you that displays cool graphics on the iTunes Visualizer when playing songs in iTunes! This trick only takes one easy step. Open iTunes and start playing your favorite song. Then click command + T (and if you want it full screen just click command + F). The graphics will change with the beat of the song. To access the iTunes Visualizer from the toolbar, go to view then down to show visualizer. You can also customize the Visualizer by choosing different kinds of Visualizers like the Itunes Classic or Jelly. To do this you go back up to view in your toolbar and scroll down to Visualizer not View Visualizer. After that select the kind of Visualizer you would like to view.

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News

Google tells employees:’No more Windows’

Financial Times is reporting that Google will be phasing out of the internal use of Microsoft Windows. According to Google employees that the operating security concerns have lead to the demise of Windows in Google. The policy was created after Google’s Chinese operations were hacked at the begging of January.

Now new hires are given the option of Apple’s Macintosh or to lead the way open source with Linux and its multitude of flavors. Some at Google may be saddened by the news, but others were already headed towards the Mac for security concerns. Other rumors are circulating that Google will run its Chrome OS, but it may not happen soon.

Unlike other large companies, Google has let their employees choose the OS of their choice. Should companies ban Windows because of the security risks they cause? Has Windows proven to be more of a hassle than help? Will other companies begin to eliminate Windows, or are does Windows control critical services unavailable on the Mac?

Let us know, leave a comment!

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Average Joe's Tips

Average Joe’s Biweekly Tips and Tricks

I have had many problems with duplicate songs in my iTunes. My Mac tip this week is going to show you how to get rid of the duplicates in your iTunes. The first thing that you need to do after you open iTunes and navigate and click on File in your toolbar. Then scroll back down to see the list of duplicate songs you have. Review the list and click on the duplicate songs you want to delete (for an easy way to delete multiple items at once, click on one of the songs, then hold shift and then click on another song below the one you previously selected). After you have selected all the duplicates you want to delete, a screen will pop up  confirming that you want to permanently delete the song (press ok because you still have the one copy that you didn’t delete). It’s that easy!

How did this tip help you, leave a comment!

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News

Two Million iPads in Less Than 60 Days

CUPERTINO, California – May 31,2010-Apple reported today that their new hot product, the iPad, has reached over two million sales from the April 3rd launch date. Apple reached the two million figure in 28 days after Apple’s iPad reached its one millionth figure.

Most sales can be accounted for in the U.S. Market, as the iPad was released to certain international countries four days ago. Apple did not report  how many iPads sold internationally accounted for the two million figure.

“Customers around the world are experiencing the magic of iPad, and seem to be loving it as much as we do,” said Steve Jobs, Apple’s CEO. “We appreciate their patience, and are working hard to build enough iPads for everyone.”

Earlier, Apple reported difficulty in producing enough iPads to meet the demand, but Apple appears to be meeting demands.

It appears that people actually want a gigantic iPod Touch!