We’ve had almost a week to play with this latest update to OS X. Although there have been reports of various issues pertaining to this update, after having some time to go over it, reviewing feedback on the web and installing the update on several machines, we’ve concluded that it’s safe to install. Make sure you have a good backup of your data and restart your machine prior to installing the update.

MacFixIt has a good roundup of issues, causes and potential fixes.

If you have questions or concerns, please leave a comment.

There have been numerous reports of issues with this update, none of which have been reported to be severe. The reports are still coming in and I would recommend waiting through the weekend before installing this update. Some tech sites have started to give it the green light, but with 10.5.6 being as stable as it is, I’d wait. If you do decide to go ahead and install the update, make sure you have a good backup (not that you shouldn’t have a good backup anyway!).

Look for a summary of issues and install recommendations sometime on Monday. ~Dave

So far we’ve had reports of successful, normal installs and some reports of various minor issues. Although we haven’t heard of any major problems, this update is causing a bit more chatter on install issues than others. I would definitely wait. ~Dave

If you have tried to install it and it seems to be taking a long time to complete the install, be patient.

Apple has released Safari 3.2.3 for Mac OS X Leopard, Mac OS X Tiger, and Microsoft’s Windows XP and Vista. This update is recommended for all Safari users and provides a number of performance and security enhancements. Safari 3.2.3 is available via Software Update and also as a standalone installer.

Notes:

1. If you have installed the Safari 4 beta, you’ll get a notice that you have a newer version of Safari and cannot install this update. (Thanks for the heads up Dee!)

2. The Safari update for Leopard requires OS X 10.5.7.

3. The Safari update for Tiger requires 10.4.11.

Safari 3.2.3 for Leopard (10.5.7) Click here for more information and download link>>

Safari 3.2.3 for Tiger (10.4.11) Click here for more information and download link>>

Not sure what version of OS X you have? Click here for info on how to find out>>

Apple has released Mac OS X 10.5.7. This update is recommended for Mac OS X Leopard versions 10.5, 10.5.1, 10.5.2, 10.5.3, 10.5.4, 10.5.5 and 10.5.6. It includes general operating system improvements that enhance the stability, compatibility, and security of your Mac. This update is now available via Software Update or the standalone installer from Apple. You only need to use one of these methods to update your computer.

As usual, I will be testing this update and will report findings and install recommendations in a few days.

For what’s new in 10.5.7 and tips for installing, please continue reading…..

Continue Reading »

About a year ago, I did a post entitled “Finder Menu Bar and Menulets” which explains what menulets are and how to manage them. I encourage you to take a few minutes to go back over that post. Once you have re-acquainted yourself with what menulets can do for you, head over to MacAttap.com. Our friend Dan has posted an incredible list of third party Mac menulets available to us Mac users. Most of them free, this extensive list contains a slew of menulets ranging from simple, everyday applications like weather and iTunes controllers to more technical functions such as web server monitoring. Have fun exploring!

Click here for the MacAttap Menulet List>>

According to my friend Lori B., menulets are not only functional, they’re cute too!!

Musical Notations and Mathematical Symbols. Currency, Geometrical Shapes, Special Punctuation and Braille Patterns. The list goes on and on. Symbols and Special Characters. We know what they are and we know our computer has the capability to present them, but how??

With the built in Character Palette in OS X, inserting any one of an incredible collection of these special characters is a snap, but you’ve got to know where to get them. Here’s how…..

Continue Reading »

The march of time is unlikely to be heard, until you take a look at the sky! Can you imagine a watch resting high in the clouds? It does exist: take a look at this new screensaver, where soft skylight is pouring in your rooms from the screen!

I’m usually not enthralled by screensavers and desktop images, but this is pretty cool.

Click here for more information and download link>>

I know you’ve heard of it, but what the heck is it? Twitter is a service for friends, family, and co–workers to communicate and stay connected through the exchange of quick, frequent messages. People write short updates, often called “tweets” of 140 characters or fewer. These messages are posted to your profile or your blog, sent to your followers, and are searchable on Twitter search.

Our friends at SEO Trade News have posted this awesome in-depth overview of what Twitter is and how to get started with it.

Check out the full story here>>

And then follow MacNutsAndBolts on Twitter here!>>

A wireless keyboard and mouse is a pretty cool thing, but sometimes these devices can get a little cranky. There’s not too many things worse than having your keyboard or mouse misbehave when trying to meet a deadline on a project. I generally recommend keeping a wired keyboard and mouse on hand just in case.

If you do experience connectivity issues, here are a few things to try/consider:

1. Start here: Apple Support Document on Troubleshooting Wireless Keyboard and Mouse issues

2. Make sure your computer’s software is up to date. Simply run Software Update under the Apple Menu.

3. The expected 10.5.7 update should be out soon. With some of it’s reported fixes being in the area of Bluetooth reliability, hopefully this update will solve any Bluetooth connectivity issues.

4. Some people are experiencing a loss of connectivity after waking their computer from sleep. Try going to Apple Menu > System Preferences > Energy Saver and setting your computer’s sleep option to “Never”. If Bluetooth is having a connectivity issue after waking from sleep, this would help (setting the display to go to sleep is fine). It’s a workaround, not a fix, but would get you by until the release of 10.5.7, if the 10.5.7 update does indeed provide the expected reliability enhancements.

For what it’s worth, I’m not a big fan of Sleep anyway. Although to sleep or not to sleep is a topic of much debate, I like to have my machines respond immediately (among other reasons).

Have any thoughts or tips on Bluetooth connectivity? Leave a comment. You just might help someone out!!