SnagIT 2020 Released!

 

 

 

Snagit 2020 – Quick, Powerful Screen-Capture, Capture Editing Software

Have you guys ever wondered what software I use to create my quick captures of my screen? The shorter ones, that include arrows, pointers, that capture still images and video of my screen, that allows me to quickly point out what’s important in my capture, and allows me to share it quickly to my YouTube channel, or to the Adobe Community pages?

Well, that software is Techsmith’s Snagit. And the 2020 version has been released!

Snagit is more than just a screenshot tool. It enables better visual content, by providing quick tools and screenshot/capture editing power. Customize and edit every screenshot or video (or convert videos to animated GIF’s) with ease, power and performance.

To check out the power of Snagit, visit here!

Here’s what’s new in Snagit 2020:

  • Snagit 2020 introduces two new creation tools and enterprise outputs to Slack and Box – With over 15 sharing outputs Snagit makes it even easier to share content at work
  • Create from templates: Use pre-made layouts to create visual documentation, tutorials, and training materials.
  • Create video from images: Talk and draw over a series of screenshots to create a quick “how-to” video or GIF
  • TechSmith Assets for Snagit: Create even better-looking instructional content with an annual subscription to TechSmith Assets for Snagit. A paid subscription gets you access to thousands of stamps, photos, and templates.

Get ALL of that functionality for $49.95 USD

Snagit is one app I can’t do without. I hope you find it just as helpful as I do!

WARNING About Apple iOS 13 Release

image courtesy of Pexels.com

So, I was all set to upgrade my iPhone 8 to the newly released iOS13. I’d backed up my phone and cleaned up what I could.

Before any update or upgrade, I usually do a last-minute check to see how others are doing with it (WISH I’d done that with Safari 13, but hadn’t even noticed it’d been released!) And, I’m SO GLAD I checked today!

According to many articles, including Forbes Magazine, this major iOS is a dud, despite the GLOWING pre-release reviews! This article even quotes one developer as describing the iCloud synchronization (KEY for almost every Apple Device User) as a “clusterfuck”!

I had been looking forward to this, but I’m SO grateful I read about it first.

I know some of you don’t know how to turn off the Automatic Update feature. There are a few ways to accomplish this, depending on what you’re updating:

  1. Go to the Settings App, Choose General, Select Software Update, and at the bottom or your screen, turn Automatic Updates to “Off”. If your software is already downloaded, you may (depending on your device) delete the download from that screen, or
  2. In the Settings App, select iPhone Storage. There, you’ll see a list of what’s installed (and how much space it takes). Many devices will show the download there, and if you select it, you can Delete it. AND
  3. From the Settings App. Scroll to find “iTunes & App Stores”, and turn off Automatic downloads for Updates (and anything else you want to control, personally).

I hope this can save you the headache of having to deal with a messed up system, likely messed up Contacts and Calendaring, and awaiting the pushed up update until a few days from now.

 

IMPORTANT Vulnerability for ALL Computers, and how to (partially) remediate the problem!

Two vulnerabilities have been found that attack the Central Processing Units of almost all computers – Windows AND Mac. 

If this vulnerability is exploited, your computer may be subject to ALL of your information being visible to whoever is attacking the machine.

While most individual users are less likely to be targeted, we’re all still open to this problem – and it may never be completely fixable. However, this article from PC World will educate your further, and teach you what you may do to try to partially protect yourself.

On Macs, I’ve been advocating removal of most antiviral software – however now, I’m going to suggest that users on both platforms take advantage of the protection that may be enabled by a good Antivirus/ID Protection package.

In the meantime, please read this article for more information.

Having Problems with SPAM Calendar Entries on MacOS and IOS Calendars?

Lately, many of is with Macs and iDevices are finding unsolicited invitations to random events (usually SPAM sales) in our calendars. Needless to say, people have been feeling less than happy about this garbage, and it seems there’s been no way to remove these without hitting “decline” (which lets spammers know they’ve hit a valid spam location).

Although there currently appears to be no way to stop this spam, CNET has come up with some ways to remove them from your calendar without alerting spammers that you exist – and a method of ensuring these don’t get into your calendar in the future.

Check out this article at:
http://download.cnet.com/blog/download-blog/block-apple-calendar-spam-ios-macos/?ttag=e415&ftag=TREf2961de&tag=nl.e415&s_cid=e415&ttag=e415&ftag=TREf2961de

Adapters you need for the New MacBook Pro – SAVE UP!

Techconnect.com has an article that lists all the various adapters necessary to use your peripherals (wired printers, external hard drives, monitors, iDevice connectors, etc.) with the new Thunderbolt 3 technology. Granted, Thunderbolt 3‘s power is amazing – can push up to 100W of power, the data transfer speed is 40Gbps, it can run two 4K monitors, and power tons of devices at once. But this power comes at a cost. Firstly – the only connective technology with which it’s directly compatible is USB-C. If you have ANY older devices, you’ll need to shell out more money for new adapters to suit your varying peripherals.

So, be ready – if you’re preparing to dish out between $2,400-$3400 on a new MacBook Pro – remember to build a few hundred more into your budget if you want to work with all your previous devices.

MacBook Pro Thunderbold 3 Adapter Guide (techconnect.com)

Will Parallels Prove Themselves Thieves? Answer – They’re Trustworthy!

UPDATE!
You should be informed – I heard back from Parallels today – SAME day I requested their flexibility – and they DID do the right thing! As I’ve been a loyal customer for many years, they honored my purchase, and offered me a new license key for the new version of the software! They ARE trustworthy!

As you all know, I believe in offering both praise an condemnation when appropriate. I praise Parallels today, for doing what’s right!

——————————————

Many of you have seen me teach using Parallels to emulate the Windows environment on my Mac. Overall, I’ve found it to be the most reliable, user friendly emulation software among all the alternatives.

I’d delayed my purchase of their version 11, because I had no need of it until I upgraded my Virtual Machine to Windows 10. That was July 28th. Yesterday, Parallels announced the release of their Version 12. Oddly, their “free upgrade” for recent purchases section only allows free upgrades for software registered between August 1st (25 days prior to the release) and October 30th (when people won’t be able to buy the old version, anyway).

I’ve contacted them about the 2 day discrepancy – almost NO software company declines to offer free upgrades for purchases less than 30 days.

I’ve touted Parallels’ virtues to many of my students and clients over the years. I have my request to extend the free upgrade date on escalation. I’ll keep you updated on the outcome, as I’d never again suggest this software to anybody, if they choose to enforce their unreasonable and draconian rules in this situation.

For Photographers who are also Mac Users

One set of my favorite plugin developers, MacPhun, has released an article on their blog about the expected changes in the upcoming MacOS Sierra. While I’m usually quite hesitant to upgrade my OS (I don’t like buying software upgrades for my existing apps – and what happened with Mavericks and it’s lack of video codecs is inexcusable), some of the revelations about the new Mac native photography apps are intriguing.

I skipped Mountain Lion, I’ve skipped El Capitan – but I might consider Sierra (after a good, long, healthy wait to the .2 update version).

Check out their article at: MacPhun

NY Post Reports That B&H Photo is Unfair to Minority Workers

As a hobbyist photographer, and a professional computer technician and software teacher, I’ve used this company for years. Even did the “pilgrimage” to visit them, last time I was in NY. I was so excited to see the actual PLACE.

This store is very popular online, for computer equipment, photography equipment, video equipment and assorted other, related paraphernalia.

I’m EXTREMELY angered and disappointed to read this about them. I will do my best to find and use good competitor companies to fulfill my needs in the future.

This pains me.
http://nypost.com/2016/02/25/bh-forced-hispanic-workers-to-use-separate-bathroom-feds/

 

BACKUP – automatically to the Cloud

BACKUP!!!

So, you guys know I’m very neurotic about backing up my files, and I found this service that gives you unlimited space for automatic backups – IN THE CLOUD!

I have dual hard drive backups in my home office, PLUS a separate backup for my startup drive. But living in SoCal, with earthquakes, I’ve always been concerned about earthquake damage hurting my backups, leaving me with nothing.

Recently, I discovered BackBlaze.com. for $50/year, they offer unlimited space for backups, allow the backup of external drives, retain backups for 30 days, and will back up almost everything (system files and Applications won’t get backed up). I have 4 internal drives and several externals. All of my media (photos, videos, and even the files created as temporary files for my video editing), all of my office work files, personal files – and it’s safe and encrypted. All offsite, and all for $50! There isn’t a limit on file size, either – so my largest multi-gig files can be uploaded. It’s not exceptionally speedy, but I can even control the speed of the backups.

I highly recommend checking them out at BackBlaze.com.

Net Safety on Public WiFi

CNET has published an excellent article on Web Safety when you’re out and about with your laptop or devices and using a public WiFi station. There are some pretty big risks that people might access and steal your data, your private logins and your identity information (including credit card numbers and passwords).

Check out their article at:
http://www.cnet.com/how-to/tips-to-stay-safe-on-public-wi-fi/