Disqus - Latest Comments for batrico

Re: ElevationLab launches NightPad Wireless iPhone Charger with zero LEDs, 25% off exclusive deal

batrico — Thu, 19 Jul 2018 14:46:15 -0000

This is the third “exclusive” deal on this item I’ve seen today. I do not think that word means what you think it means.

Re: Behind the Screens: Jordan’s dual 38-inch curved widescreen monitor battlestation

batrico — Sun, 08 Apr 2018 01:36:36 -0000

Hi Jordan,

That looks pretty sweet; congrats.

You talk inches, but you don’t mention pixels; at what resolution and refresh are you driving each display? I’ve seen massive screens up to 60”, but often they are incapable of high resolution and acceptable refresh rate; so they just upscale the same pixels as a typical 27” 1440p, so other than making everything larger, they do nothing to display more information or tools. I also see most people driving 5K displays at 1440p, so, yeah, HiDPI is gorgeous, but it’s still the same amount of real estate.

Also, given the curvature, I’m unclear what the actual linear horizontal surface is edge to edge. Is the 70” edge to edge traversing the arc, or tracing it? Does that include bezels? They look pretty narrow, but what is the actual gap between pixels?

And here’s where you and I part on what compromises are worth going multiple and wide; I’ve tried many times, but I simply cannot stand have screen edges directly, or even near center to perpendicular of my facing position. Part of it is pure ergonomics: my neck can’t take extended, continual twisting to one side while typing/pointing/pushing pixels. Nor do I wish to twist my chair and input devices to stare at one or the other. And bezel edge interruptions are hard enough to accept, let alone dead center.

And a huge part is pure OCD madness, in that I also demand symmetry; thus even two large screens, one positioned normally and ergonomically, and one angled to a side, while perfectly useful, triggers a palpable discomfort of balance.

Soooooo, and here’s where I blush while I tell you, I not only have three LG 4K displays side by side, pitched at 22.5° for an arc traverse of exactly 60”, they are topped by three more 25” AOC 1440p, and all six have ultra narrow bezels, making edge disruptions minimal and pretty easily ignored.

Thus, I’m pretty much stuck requiring Mac Pros, as MacBooks are under powered to start with, and the added expense of external GPUs and lack of ports and bandwidth for everything else I need makes it pretty impossible. iMac or iMac Pro, I hear you say; but I hit the same port/bus shortage on a 5K, and even though it’s technically possible by investing just shy of $14K for all the necessary adapters and cables and enclosures along with an iMac Pro just to duplicate what I have now; those gigantic bezels, on three edges, not to mention the insufferably large chin, are unacceptable. Plus, you know, the whole OCD thing making me sing ‘one of these things is not like the others…’

So I’m generally pretty happy and my workflow screams; but as I’m getting older, my eyes are having more trouble quickly adjusting focus to the extended focal distance at the meeting screen edges, forcing me to greatly adjust what I can leave at those points, and reading text that spans from the furthest point to nearer tangents, is very tiresome and disruptive.

So, I’ve been trying to figure out how to convert to curved displays; but the problem is, one, there are no 4K/5K-equivalent pixel density curved displays that I’ve seen, and I just can’t make the math work to create an arc that doesn’t exceed 60”- 62” at the same relative points I have currently; a requirement to keep my eyes effectively equidistant to any point on any display as I merely pivot my head or chair. So many also have fat bezels, horrible stands, lack VESA mounts, are cheaply made, and receive horrible reviews about quality issues, defects and terrible support.

It’s pure fantasy, as it won’t happen for a decade, if ever, but I wish Apple would solve this problem for me; but I waited a decade for them to solve the 27” 4K display, and they couldn’t be bothered.

Feedback and advice is appreciated.

Cheers

Frederico

Re: Wreck-It Ralph and the Mac

batrico — Sat, 03 Mar 2018 09:28:09 -0000

It’s ‘faux’ because it’s not exact; it’s highly suggestive, but as pointed out in other posts, there are many things wrong with the case and shell. Power cord is wrong, base is wrong, ports on the wrong side, bezel too large, front logo incorrect, etc. All of that is very odd, considering they made a perfect replica of Mac OS onscreen.

Re: Wreck-It Ralph and the Mac

batrico — Thu, 01 Mar 2018 16:33:56 -0000

Whoops! Memory flash: that divider was actually a tear-off called the Application Palette. It displayed open apps as tiles and you could use it to switch between apps and had some additional tile arrangements you had to use AppleScript to change.

Re: Wreck-It Ralph and the Mac

batrico — Thu, 01 Mar 2018 16:24:03 -0000

No, that divider was not on 8, but I think it appeared on 8.1; definitely by 8.6

https://www.google.com/sear...

Remember, if you clicked on it, it toggled between app name or icon only. 9.1 introduced Multiuser, and user name appeared to the left, similar to OS X.

Re: Wreck-It Ralph and the Mac

batrico — Thu, 01 Mar 2018 16:14:50 -0000

I stand corrected; yes, third generation candy iMacs were indeed slot loading and had optional AirPort cards. But we know this one is not Blueberry, but Bondi, as the front shows a tray loader and a hockey puck mouse. The logo on the tray door is too blurry to make out, but it’s definitely not an Apple logo, as it has horns. I suspect the rainbow menu logo is not an Apple, either, but it’s too tiny to make out, as well.

Re: Wreck-It Ralph and the Mac

batrico — Thu, 01 Mar 2018 14:11:23 -0000

Dave, that's the Control Strip anchored on the lower left corner; sort of the precursor to System Prefs and Menu bar Items. A lot of us really miss what it could do, and it’s ability to be anchored at any point on any screen edge. As noted by Anthony, it’s most likely Mac OS 8.6 on a faux (Bondi Blue) G3 iMac, with the ports on the wrong side. I thought the USB WiFi adapter was a great touch of accuracy, as AirPort (wifi) didn't appear until the G4 iMac; I still have several of those and a few Bluetooth adapter lying about.

Re: How to upgrade RAM in the (Mid 2017) 5K iMac and save up to ~$900 [Video]

batrico — Wed, 21 Jun 2017 20:07:29 -0000

The PC2400 in this year's model is CL-11; mixing in your Corsair CL-16 is less expensive, yes, but you're also degrading your potential for full performance and in the past, the diagnostic routines have been known to fail with mixed ram, making app issues complex and tedious to diagnose; heavy use with memory loads traversing RAM pairs has *always* carried the risk of timing errors, regardless of automatic down-stepping.

Raw performance measured in all CL-11 vs all CL-16 is very real, and far from neglible. In video/audio/photo production facilities, mixing or even full-replacement down-timing is always verboten.

OWC is selling the correct timing of CL-11 for not that much more than Crucial, Corsair, et al, and will still save a bundle over Apple OEM.

You should at least amend your article to clearly advise your readership of the possible (and past-proven) issues of using mismatched, albeit cheaper aftermarket options; good journalism demands full disclosure and accuracy, especially when advising on investments of several hundred dollars (what if someone goes for a full 64GB kit?) on top of an already $1800-$3600+ investment.

Cheers

Re: How to Use the Menu Bar in macOS Sierra

batrico — Sun, 25 Dec 2016 10:45:27 -0000

I realize this is ostensibly a novice lesson, but if you're going to go so far as to offer up Ctrl-F2, and advise memorizing shortcuts, it might also be a helpful surprise to people to know they they can also press the Option key (and other modifiers, depending on the app) while viewing many menus to reveal hidden options & variations of functions and shortcuts; true for both menus and extras. The article might be better titled a beginners guide, and mention at the bottom that there remains many more tips and tricks not covered here.

Love your writing and always helpful articles. I'm a four decades power user, but I still learn from you. Thanks and Happy Merries. -- F

Re: Hands-on: Glyph’s Atom SSD is a good choice for MacBook and MacBook Pro-owning creatives [Video]

batrico — Sun, 25 Dec 2016 09:26:06 -0000

So, that light would bother me, too. Can't you just reverse the case to block it? If not, I would put a piece of dark Mylar over it (density to taste), then put the case on to hold it in place and reduce its intensity without losing its value. I've spent a bit of money on various shades for the past 15+ years, and taking devices apart to insert filters so as not to lose the asthetics. Or you could just go with gaffers or electrical tape. Your call.

Re: The Loop’s responsive design is live

batrico — Fri, 01 Mar 2013 09:22:58 -0000

So, no Disqus comments on iPhone?

Re: Not so Modern Family: Top sitcoms make for sexist, inaccurate television - CSMonitor.com

batrico — Fri, 27 Jan 2012 11:54:55 -0000

Wow. You want to talk about gender-based bias, you should take a HARD look at yourself. Your analysis of each of these character rosters is so flawed it hardly deserves a response, given that your intent is clearly to provoke. That said, you laid the arrogant, ignorant bait, and I'm biting.

Those two broke girls are just that, broke, but moreover, still just that: girls. One from a disadvantaged, broken background; the other advantaged but now broke and broke down. But, despite being "mere waitresses" (a trade millions of humans undertake nobly everyday to feed their families), these exceptional young women possess talent and more importantly, ambition. One always had it, the other just finding it. Together they are battling the odds and looking to make their mark in a city too big for the average person's simple dreams. Bad female role models? Hardly.

Those icons of success on Two and A Half Men? Right. The unable-to-survive on his own chiropractor is hardly a male role model, even if you do discount his amoral thieving and conning tendencies. The now-dead jingle-writer turns out to have been a mere illusion of success; his trivially won riches squandered in hookers, drugs and booze; his death exposed massive debt and no one who truly, truly loved him. The billionaire maybe your exception, but his success is as much an accident of being in the right place at the right time as it it is his brilliance; he has zero business acumen, and only his massive lucky strike keeps him from living in a duplex with six of his high school buddies.

As for the women, isn't the hottie now dating super-successful and vastly prettier international super lawyer? Isn't the terrifying mother one of the most successful real estate agents in Malibu? Didn’t the dead drunk score on some of the most beautiful and successful women in California, only to blow each chance with his own debauchery? Even the chiropractor’s women, for whatever their flaws, seem to have enough intelligence, security and stability to keep him at arm’s length, if that. Even the housekeeper runs a more successful business than him.

I don’t watch How I Met Your Mother much, but isn’t the billionaire powerbroker a womanizing leach of the nth degree such that no one can admire or take his success seriously? Doesn’t he fall in love with powerful, successful women who refuse to take his crap? Is there really that much shame in being a preschool teacher? Some would consider that a noble calling to express one’s infinite love for children. If she wants to spend her paycheck (along with her husband’s) on useless gewgaws, so what. She earned it. And a “struggling writer” who still manages to feed herself and pay rent in NYC is no slouch, IMO.

You also seem to miss the point on Modern Family, and I think your dance around the roles adopted by the homosexual males is extremely telling of your position as a feminist. BTW, isn’t the lowly housewife now running for city council now that she realizes her children are less reliant on her? Didn’t she bear and raise at least one female university bound scientific genius? And personally, I know an awful lot of younger women who married rich older men that are perfectly content to raise their children and engage in community service. I know a few men who do the same. Welcome to a modern world.

The best for last. BBT boasts an exceptional cast of four men and four women, and three of the form women are extremely successful and gainfully employed. I note you conveniently exclude Pria, who, although not a cast regular, is yet another gorgeous, international super lawyer. You also totally fail to note Bernadette at all, a brilliant microbiologist, equal in stature to any of the men. And, as for Amy, isn’t she vastly more functional (and at least in touch with her blossoming sexuality) than her utterly asexual OCD Asperger’s caricature counterpart in Sheldon? Please don’t tell me you think there are throngs of found men aspiring to be just like Shelly, do you? Admittedly, he’s not crazy, as his mother has him tested for that, but still.

So the top rated shows don't meet your requirement for female role models. Have your tried Parenthood? A marketing and PR genius, a lawyer, an artist, a renowned dancer, and a blossoming playwright await you. How about The Good Wife? Prime Suspect? Glee? Justified? Parks and Rec?

Something tells me you’ll never be happy until all the males are subservient losers and all the women major power brokers supporting them.

Re: Mac OS X Lion: The pros and cons - CSMonitor.com

batrico — Sun, 31 Jul 2011 16:47:06 -0000

Quitting App vs. Close Window: If I have 12 Pages docs open, and 6 numbers docs open, do you really find it superior to hunt and click the little red button 18 times? I don't. A pair of Command-Q's gets it done.

Mission Control indeed feels like a work in progress. I'm finding its power, but at the same time wondering why this is like that, etc. I expect it to evolve.

Save As vs. Duplicate: It's the same thing. Having trained both Mac and Windows users for many, many years, I think it finally has the right name. When teaching, I have always told my students to think of 'Save A's as making a duplicate and starting from there. It's just a different word that does the exact same thing.

Help Menu Always on Top: Agreed. Terrible UI choice. Especially on a single screen setup, for the very reason you describe. Plenty of third party utilities can flip the switch to make it act as a normal application.

iPhoto: One and Two finger scrolling works fine for me on both desktop and laptop; not sure why it doesn't work for you.

Create new Albums with the oversized '+' button in the lower left corner of the app. Easy. Use Option key to create a Smart Album.

Resizing in iPhoto: I agree, there are times when you want to just make a smaller image right in iPhoto, but iPhoto assumes that sizing is best done in the application for which the image is destined; e.g., Pages, Numbers, iWeb, even Mail can easily and quickly resize the image for the document you are trying to produce. To that end, certain finished-photo presentations inside iPhoto itself, e.g., making certain Calendar and Book themes allows for image resizing in some cases. Approach iPhoto as a manger and image cleaner/adjuster, and use your presentation creation apps to decide what size is best (you can also crop and adjust some color settings in most image-capable apps).

Re: ∞ 7 things RIM must do to survive

batrico — Fri, 01 Jul 2011 14:46:29 -0000

Off Topic: If ever a site was made for Safari Reader cum Reading List it's this one.

Re: Geek Desk makes a meal out of height adjustment

batrico — Wed, 23 Mar 2011 01:25:12 -0000

As a user of a similar device, I can assure the purchase is not at all foolish -- if your workflow has you, on occasion, in a need to stand yet still operate your workstation (be it a computer or other electronics or even just a work surface in a cramped or task-defined space).

I am not necessarily endorsing this particular product, but I am stating it strives to fill a legitimate need in vertical use markets.

As to being cheaper than a really good chair, I guess you would also consider the likes of Herman Miller creations to be "foolish."

Without trying to be vulgar, don't knock what you can't afford, let alone perceive legitimate use and need for.

Re: Apple launches new iPhone campaign

batrico — Thu, 17 Mar 2011 17:23:21 -0000

"... but other smartphones are capable of doing the functions mentioned in the advert..."

Sorry, but, no, they are not.

1) Not one non-Apple smartphone can access iBooks. iBooks is not Kindle, Nook, SonyReader, Stanza, etc.. Is iBooks better? Doesn't matter; that's not what the ad is advertising. (though I admit it makes one dubious claim about "...having your favorite books in your pocket.")

2) Not one non-Apple smartphone has the iPod software and superior player experience; nor can it can access iTunes *and* all its features. In fact, I honestly don't know of a single non-Apple smartphone that has any decent music store and music synchronizing experience, let alone features like Genius, which the ad is clearly spotlighting.

3) Not one non-Apple smartphone can access the App Store, has access to the largest selection of apps, nor is any other non-Apple app store as easy to use (one-click purchasing using Apple/iTunes ID; gift cards, etc.); many of the apps displayed are simply not available on any other platform.

You, as a tech-savvy guy may think to yourself, hey, Phone X can do this or that using application Y, but, truly, are you really going to claim that *any* competing smartphone can offer anything resembling the *complete* iPhone or iOS experience? True, Android has more virus and malware offerings, but is that really a plus?

And, guess what: the ad isn't targeted to you; it is targeted at the non-geek who just wants the best *experience*; the simplest, easiest, most-comprehensive, most diverse and trouble-free device they can buy. They don't want to geek out using app monitors, CPU managers, half-assed apps that are hard to find and install after wading through hundreds of bullshit apps to find one that will do what it says and is not a ripoff of another.

Are these ads false or misleading? No more so than any other ad that claims a product is "better than the other leading brand." nearly any ad that makes such claims needs to be qualified by subjective reasoning; but in no way are these Apple ads false at their core intent and messages.

Anecdote: my niece is a rabid Apple hater, as was her Father; she has no real basis for it, just flat out states she will not buy anything with an Apple logo on it, and will always look for an alternative. She's been through four, count 'em, four Android devices in the last 13 months since dumping her Blackberry; she has spent countless *hours* on the phone with Verizon trying to resolve problems caused by installing this app or that app, and had her identity attacked and abused by at least one app from the Android Marketplace, a case which is just now winding its way through the legal system.

If I were a good uncle, I'd send her the links to these ads; but instead I'm a nice uncle, and don't want to rub her nose in it.

She's gone back to her three year old Blackberry until she sees a product and *experience* that is as bulletproof as is iPhone. She hopes the WebOS phones can come through. (and, so am I, because good competition is good for everyone)

Humorously Yours

Re: Avatar

batrico — Thu, 21 Jan 2010 06:04:55 -0000

With due respect, I don't think you should be badmouthing a 3D movie, esp. it's 3D worthiness, without seeing it in 3D. The plot was (likely) intentionally simplified in order to allow people to be immersed in the most realistic, non-gimmicky 3D presentation ever made. It's a game changer. It will be studied in film classes by future generations.

This film, in my opinion, should not even have been presented in other than 3D. And to truly do it justice, 3D IMAX with perfect sound is all but required.

Was it an obvious, predictable, perhaps even "lifted" plot and world? Yes. It was (almost certainly) meant to be. The 3D experience (again, non-gimmicky and like nothing you've ever seen -- trust me, I've seen every 3D out there) was already so overwhelming, to be expected to also follow a complex plot would have been too much. This is just an introduction to 3D and Pandora; the real plots and mind benders are yet to come.

I'm sorry you had a bad experience with the 2D film quality (I would have demanded a refund); but that you chose to see it in 2D, and failed to experience its importance in 3D, is your own fault. Cameron set out more than four years ago to, not make a silly envirogreennativetriumphant feel-good movie, he set out to change what a 3D film means. He succeeded.

Best Regards

Frederico

Re: In the Details: Lefty

batrico — Fri, 23 Oct 2009 04:17:20 -0000

When I train people in productivity on either Mac or Windows, I encourage them to try for not less than a week to mouse with the left hand. It serves two purposes: one, it teaches them to really hate the mouse, and to better learn keyboard shortcuts, and thus become more productive by both becoming faster and by exploring the menus for the keystrokes needed and finding things they've previously overlooked; two, it shows them how much they can learn to *not* use the mouse at all, or at least sparingly, while freeing up their (usually) dominant right hand for better use of the keyboard -- especially the ten-key pad for such apps as Excel, QuickBooks, etc.

The overall goal is to be more productive, but the greatest side effect is less RSI and muscle strain in the lateral and neck muscles.

I further encourage the use of trackballs over mice, as this also decreases unnecessary stressful motion when trying to be precise, or even just for casual surfing, etc. (think about it: observe how much of your upper body is required to operate a mouse; from your fingers and hand all the way into your neck and behind your ear, your muscles are at work; whereas with a stationary trackball, only the muscles in your fingers and motion in the tendons of your forearm can be detected.)

I will usually loan a student/client a trackball for awhile, and usually have to fight to get it back before they buy their own.

Personally, I have a trackball on both left and right sides of my keyboard, as well as a mouse, on the right, and a tablet also on the right; each used for different tasks; but the left-hand trackball (a four-button Kensington Orbit) gets the most use other than drawing with the tablet.

I think trackballs are highly underrated, and if people would just take a few days to get used to them, they would find overall less stress-related fatigue and injury. The same for left-hand mousing when one is right-hand dominant; you will end up reaching for the mouse/trackball less with your left than your right, or you will at least remain more productive by being able to simultaneously operate pointing device and execute keystrokes.

It is regrettable that the most ergonomic and advanced trackball designs are right-hand oriented.

Jack, you seem to think you must be truly ambidextrous to use a pointing device on the left. Unless you are using it constantly for precision drawing, I think you would be surprised to learn how little dexterity is actually required for 90%+ of basic operations in most programs.

Do yourself a favor: drop $30-$50 on a good basic ambidextrous multi-button trackball (Kensington Orbit [scroll ring or optical] or Logitech trackMan Marble); place it on the left of your machine, and program the buttons accordingly; i.e., make the right major button act as "left-click" for your left thumb, and the left major button act as "right-click" for your left middle or ring finger, while your left index finger (and sometimes middle) run the trackball.

If you don't want to risk capital, just grab a spare mouse, reverse the buttons in software, and leave one on each side of the machine. Force yourself to use it for all but precision drawing/targeting, and you may just surprise yourself. And save the need to throw batteries in the landfill.

Re: inessential.com: Don’t offer $50 for your favorite feature

batrico — Sat, 18 Jul 2009 18:54:43 -0000

And again, Brent. what we're telling you is that we believe you are misreading the user's actual intent when offering said bounty. You are taking it literally, and our combined experience (in both receiving and offering similar) is telling you not to.

Maybe every such bounty/compliment you've received is literal; every one of them asked for an outrageously complex feature useful only to the requester; maybe you saw offense and arrogance that was real. If so, on behalf of users everywhere willing to pay for your time and work with you directly to solve our needs not currently met, I humbly apologize.

Best

Frederico

Re: inessential.com: Don’t offer $50 for your favorite feature

batrico — Fri, 17 Jul 2009 16:55:29 -0000

With respect for your perspective, which I had never really considered in this light until you shone it, as a consumer and free-use hacker/provider, I think you are missing the intent, despite your willingness not to see slight where none is meant.

It's my opinion that when someone offers you $50 to add a feature they really, really want or think will make your product perfect, they don't think for a second you'll actually take the $50 bounty. They think that they're telling you that they already find your work valuable, and it would be worth a magnitude or two more, not only to themselves, but to others like them, if you could see the value in the feature you are currently overlooking, ignoring, or feel it's, "not the right time to do it."

Of course, everyone thinks everyone else is just like them -- how many times have you heard the phrases, "Everyone I know would like this...", and, "No one I know uses a product like that..." -- so you are put in the position of being God and judge of every feature request. But, the same paradigm applies to you; i.e., try not to find yourself saying, "As an experienced developer, no one I know would think this way...", or, "None of my customers have ever made this request..."

The last one is probably the most insulting thing you could say to your potential, or gawd forbid, an existing customer. Well, gee, guess what, I am asking you, because I care enough about your product and my needs to make the time to help you help me help you. How many people really take the time out to tell you, in detail, how your product affects them, helps them, or hinders them. Clue: not many. Most of those with whom you fall short just throw your product in the trash and go looking elsewhere. Would that all of them would let you know where you're coming up short, so you could see the trend and respond.

To the contrary, the person offering $50 is not really offering $50; they are offering you THEIR valuable time, and will happily talk to you at length, taking time away from whatever wage they might be earning to do so, in order to benefit the both of you. And, honestly, if you did ask them to ante up, after explaining your costs to develop whatever is being asked for, they would most likely do so.

Is it always going to be a good and valuable idea to more than just the one? Not likely. But it is far from an insult, and far from being a waste for your time to listen even more carefully to that request with which a dollar value is being expressed; that additional symbolic offer of support should be speaking a lot louder than the ones that are requesting, even demanding features, and whose presenters are probably saying in not so subtle ways, "You really need to add all this stuff, but I don't plan to give you a penny more than I already have, not even an upgrade fee, so just hop to it and make my five dollars I already paid you go from here to the end of never."

From my side, I have more than once contacted a developer to make the very same offer, the only difference being, I never suggest an actual amount. I simply say that I have some feature needs, they are worth more money to me, because they will result in real world productivity or income, and I am willing to pay for them to at least listen to me. More than once it has netted special versions for me for a hefty, but worthwhile fee; other times it just netted a valuable interaction which put forth the features I was asking for, anyway. In all cases, I gladly gave up lots and lots of my time doing alpha/beta bug testing, and providing important and valuable feedback the developer required. IOW, I contributed monetarily in more ways than one for both of our benefit.

I suspect you will find similar value from each of those $50 bounties being offered up, if you will take the time to speak to that person directly.

Just my thoughts; take them as you will.

Cheers

Frederico

Re: Praise the Lord! Abilene Christian University gives every kid an iPhone

batrico — Wed, 07 May 2008 18:22:48 -0000

the irony is not lost as the linked video, while QuickTime, will not play on my iPhone.