andPOP » Rick Levine

Account Edge, CANADA, for Mac: Welcomed by CBC’s

Rick Levine — Sun, 04 Oct 2009 02:08:54 +0000

Until now, current Mac Users who wanted to run a pro level accounting software package on the Mac platform in Canada, CBC’s (Canadian Bean Counters), had precious little to choose from. CBC’s could install the US version of AE, however, the effort was, by and large, futile. Not being able to obtain current tax table updates or easily account for and track dual Canadian taxes such as the GST/PST really left MacCanadians, right out in the cold. As of September 2009, Acclivity Software has picked up the ledger, where MYOB/ Account Edge left off in 2001, with the release of a Canadian Edition of Account Edge for Mac. AE for MacCanada, is a number crunching powerhouse with a pretty face, and straightforward enough to grasp. AE verson 13.4.1 is Snow Leopard compatible.

Financial Information at Your Fingertips

If you are installing AE for Mac Canada for the first time, you will find AE to offer a friendly, easy-to-navigate interface. The AE software is ‘Mac like’ and intuitive, affording anyone, with even a little Book Keeping experience and a bit of purserverence, to be ‘in business’ almost immediately. The individual with absolutely no Book Keeping experience will probably have to count on AE’s excellent, knowledgeable support team and the Acclivity’s 30 Days Free Technical Support Service to get up and running. Although it is no simple ‘walk in the park’ for the non Book Keeping types to configure the entire accounting package, once Account Edge for Mac Canada and its selected modules are set up/configured, entering the day to day data is pretty simple and the incredible variety of Reporting features will make the practice worthwhile. Complete up-to-date accounting information, including receivables, quarterly tax remittance amounts (just a fraction of AE’s abilities) will literally be at your fingertips. The practical minded will appreciate AE’s modular approach.

To get started with AE, you would use the AE ‘New Company File Assistant’ to help create an AE data file. To generate this new company data file, you would enter some basic information about your company, such as your Fiscal Year End, Tax Numbers (PST & GST numbers) and Account Lists. Once this Company Data File is created, you can modify the ‘Chart of ACCOUNTS’ that will allow you to keep track of your Assets and Liabilities. For those who aced their way through high school book keeping, it will be a breeze and you will be crunching your company’s financial records in no time at all. If the words ‘Debit and Credit’ used in the same sentence cause you to glaze over, zone out or hyper ventilate, then you will most certainly need to hire the services of a Book Keeper or Accountant (with some computer skills) to get you past any initial barricades. AE provides a link to the a PDF called: Accounting 101 Guide

Massive Power in a Minature Package

The AE online ‘context sensitive’ help system is the next best thing to having a book keeper with Mac computer skills right at your side. Although the Canadian version of AE Mac is packaged in a slender box with a slim ‘Getting Started’ Guide, the Context Sensitive Help system is super impressive. While performing a task, the user can click on the circular, purple ‘Question Mark ICON’ located on the lower left hand corner of the AE home screen to generate Context Sensitive Links leading to answers that were surprisingly well written and more helpful than expected. Flanked by the excellent AE context sensitive help system, the online AE help menu and Acclivity’s telephone/email support, most issues can be resolved effectively. The AE Partner’s Program pledges to provide a list of Certified Book Keeping consultants around the country whose professional level services may be contracted should one be in search this type of assistance. AE provides a number of on-line resources including and ‘Easy Setup Guide’ for users.

There is no Accounting for the Unpredictable – It’s been EIGHT years!

Catching that first glimpse of all of my MYOB/AE data in this newest release of AE was a truly impressive moment – honest! With a little help, I had all my custom designed INVOICE forms printing out as slick as ever from AE v13.4.1. If you are migrating from an earlier version of Account Edge (which is compatible), with the push of a couple of buttons, the upgrade prosess can work seamlessly, but each person’s upgrade experience may vary.

AE is certainly robust enough to be a reliable, full-fledged computer accounting package for small to medium businesses. The program has Eight integrated modules covering Accounts, Banking, Sales, Time Billing, Purchases, Payroll, Inventory and Cards. The BANKING module is where you keep track of your Bank Deposits and Withdrawls. In this MODULE you can accomplish all your banking needs and set the program up, to Print Cheques as well as Reconcile Bank Accounts. The TIME BILLING, PAYROLL, INVENTORY and PURCHASES modules are all pretty much self explanatory and certainly versatile enough to fulfill the requirements of most businesses. You will need to dedicate yourself learning the technical ins and outs of AE and to subscribe to AE’s company updates should you wish to utilize these modules. If you choose to utilize just the SALES module of AE for the purposes of generating INVOICES and keeping track of GST and PST remittances, you will find the REPORTING capabilities of AE to be very helpful. Once properly set up, these handy reporting features are simple to use and quite convenient. Of course you could just stick to using good old EXCEL in order to generate simple numbered invoices, tally the sale totals and tax figures, but AE has style, elegance and provides room to grow in the event you want to take the time to learn integrate and utilize the next module.

The CARD FILE module is certainly the easiest module to understand and to maintain. Most of the other modules rely on the CARD FILE module to function, therefore you would need to make use of and maintain the CARD FILE module even if you only using the SALES MODULE for example. The CARD MODULE is ultimately a real time saver because once you enter the contact information of your Customers and Vendors, repetitious tasks such as creating Invoices and printing cheques can be much less tedious. AE Card File always worked well in the old version and this newest release of AE has been modernized to include email and website information fields so that emailing an invoice is now only a click away. In addition to being able to import customer records from other database programs, the CARD FILE module can also integrate with Apple’s Address Book.

This new release of AE has what is labeled the TASK DRAWER whose usefulness can only be truly appreciated by those who had used a previous version of AE that did not have the TASK DRAWER feature. The TASK DRAWER is a handy sliding module that glides out of the right side of the AE window and is a place to store previous tasks such as a GST Tax report. This is the type of report that has to be generated several times a year and the TASK DRAWER is the place to be able to re generate the report with out having to reconstruct all the technical details. After adding a task to the TASK DRAWER and eventually creating a list of common TASKS, just click on the TASK that you want to generate in the TASK DRAWER, put in the current date parameters and voilà, the report appears. The TASK DRAWER is brilliant and a real time saver.

Crossed Platforms – Will Gates do the Job?

In a perfect world, everyone would be using the same OS (operating system) – preferably Macintosh of course, but it is understandable and certainly of no surprise that WINDOWS is the platform of choice for the Book Keeping/Accounting profession. This compatibility issue is probably not a huge deal in the long run, but the Mac/Windows situation could raise a number of immediate questions: For one, to what extent should this compatibility issue be of concern? Presently, your up-to-day Macintosh AE data file will not be accessible by WUBA’s (Windows Using Book Keepers/Accountants) until a PC version for Canada is released and adopted by the Bean Counting Community.

In the meantime, to bridge the gap, AE has excellent Importing/Exporting features which include the ability to Export/Import directly to EXCEL Spread Sheets. The work around would thus be, to Export any necessary Modular Data Files to EXCEL which is reliably cross platform. You could eMail your exported EXCEL worksheets to your WUBA for inspection and professional analysis, providing your accounting professional with all the numerical information needed to complete your business’ financial records and formal tax submissions.

Attention all CBC’s (Canadian Bean Counters)

For the Canadian Macintosh Business Person in need of a solid, feature rich, modern account program on the Mac, AE and AE Network Edition is a must see program. Time is money, so sharpen your pencil and visit the link below to find out for yourself just how much fun it can be to do your own book keeping, by obtaining the 30 day free trial version of the Account Edge Canada.

Canadian Pride – Aclivity held to account

Why in the world the CANADIAN version of Account Edge Canada is listed on the Account Edge WEBSITE in US funds ($399.00 USD) is something I cannot account for, but it is worth reporting that AE is willing to offer $100 rebate, also in US Funds, to Canadian Mac Users upgrading from any previous version of MYOB or AE.
For further information contact: customer.service@acclivitysoftware.com

BodyGuardz Protect Your Gadgets

Rick Levine — Sat, 05 Sep 2009 02:27:59 +0000

After buying a new digital gadget, a protective case is the next sensible item most people purchase. Bodyguardz offers a product to protect your iPhone, iPod and Laptops in the form of a clear colourless protective film that covers the entire body of the device to protect from scratches and the outside elements. Therefore BodyGuardz will protect your device against scratches without changing the look of your device.

Putting the custom cut film on your gadget involves the use of a spray solution followed by careful application of the clear film, which is custom cut to cover every surface of the particular device. The new ‘skin’ will need to set for 24 hours.

BodyGuardz includes two complete sets of ‘body protectors’ and offer lifetime replacements if needed. One of the cool things about Bodyguardz protectors is how the product is custom fits on the device, allowing the beauty of the actual product to be appreciated. A conventional leather/silcone would naturally ad bulk to your portable device but the BodyGuardz protects the screen and other delicate parts without adding bulk. No additional bulk is one great BodyGuardz benefit, if you want to slip the device into your pocket or hand bag easily. However, if you ever accidently drop the gadget, a bulkier leather case might offer a little more protection to the delicate inside parts upon hitting a concrete floor for example.
The trade off between convenience and protection is an individual decision – the risk of dropping, as opposed to the convenience factor. It is likely that once you try the BodyGuardz on your gadget you will really appreciate the convenience and beauty of the product and get a BodyGuardz for all of your portable devices – With the BodyGuardz it is possible to have the best of both worlds – the BodyGuardz custom fitting will accommodate the good old leather case if you really want the double protection.

Prices for BodyGuardz will vary depending on the particular device but they are relatively cost effective for the protection provided. Fro example, BodyGuardz for the iPhone of Blackberry Tour 9630 phone is $24.95 USD. BodyGuardz for an Apple Mac Book air is $49.00
Visit www.bodyguardz.com for complete pricing and to view a video demonstration of BodyGuardz durability: http://www.bodyguardz.com/

Ultimate Ears ‘Triple Fi 10vi’ Ear Buds for iPhone

Rick Levine — Fri, 03 Jul 2009 22:32:54 +0000

Noise Isolating Earphone Monitors - ‘Don’t leave home without ‘em’

The Triple Fi 10vi noise isolating earphone monitors, with voice capability, from Ultimate Ears (UE) are no ordinary pair of earbuds. These are marvelous headphones that provide a totally satisfying listening experience, without the gimmicks and colored sound. The audio experience from the Triple Fi 10vi is a smooth all around sound, absent of harsh overtones devoid of mushy bass. The Triple Fi 10vi, penetrating well into the ear canal, actually feel good and are comfortable to wear. The silicone material used for the fittings allows these headphones to feel as close to a ‘custom fit’ as possible, contributing greatly to what I discovered to be a quite satisfying listening experience. The fine sound quality, beyond initial expectations, was no doubt, due in part to having been accustomed to listening to music with the standard iPod earbuds. Be that as it may, this fact cannot steal the thunder from the UE Triple Fi 10vi’s excellence, as I immediately appreciated the rich audio quality as well as the custom fit of these pro level, isolating earphone monitors.

Professional musicians will be most likely be familiar with the Ultimate Ears Brand, as this is THE Ultimate Ears company who provides the ‘custom fitted’ monitor ear buds used worldwide by pro recording artists as well as live concert musicians. Next time you are at a live musical concert or watching your favorite live music concert on DVD, notice the tiny earphones each performer, musician is wearing. These ‘tiny hearing aids’ are probably UE Custom Series monitor headsets designed for touring musicians and serious audiophiles. I have seen James Taylor use them, Gwen Stephanie and many more. The UE product line is divided into four series, ‘Metro’,‘Super’, ‘Triple’ and ‘Custom’ providing a headset solution to suit every budget – fortunately there is in fact, a pair of UE’s available ‘for the rest of us’.

The Triple Fi 10vi is in the upper-mid to semi pro range, a worthy member of the UE family that ships with more accessories that one can initially identify. To obtain the most out of the Triple Fi 10vi experience, the first thing to do after unpacking and taking a close look at the headphones is to inspect all the accompanying contents. I highly recommend, even before ever wearing the new buds for the first time, pay a visit the UE website and view the brief online demonstration video which will explain all one needs to know about the product, from how they should be worn, the memory wire, to what all this stuff is that you will find in the box.

Here is a ‘heads up’ as to what you will find in the box:

A pocket sized 3 inch by 2 inch hard shell metal case to store the numerous accessories: silicone and foam ear cushions for the “magic seal” effect, an extender cable, a sound level attenuator, a cleaning tool and last but not least, a 1/4 inch adapter, to connect the Triple Fi 10vi’s 3.5 mm to equipment where necessary.

Here are a few things to consider:

1. The sound quality of the Triple Fi 10vi is strongly related to the fit. If the earphones are properly set into the ears the sound will be rich and full. The earbud cables have what is called ‘memory’ wire, knowledge of which is integral to creating a proper fit.

2. The Triple Fi 10vi with voice capability has built in microphone for use as a headset with the iPhone and as a recording mic on the iPod Touch 2G. Used with an iPhone the audio transmission was clearer than than ever for the usual telephone conversation.

3. The Multifunction button answers a call on the iPhone or pauses/resumes music and video play and works with the entire current iPod family of products.

4. The sound attenuator converter will adapt the FOUR section 3mm end that you would see on earbud/mic headsets that are usually used with the iPhone, to the THREE section end that you would see on the standard stereo iPod headphone jack. Use of the enclosed sound level attenuator converter, might be useful in re-solving unusual mechanical issues in some cases.

Technically, the clear sonic quality of the UE Triple Fi 10vi is primarily facilitated through state of the art audio design. Three drivers, directed to their designated speaker combined with an audio filtration system, shapes the sound of the Triple Fi 10vi. The goal is to provide the listener with an experience that is as close as possible to that of custom personal monitors.

The look and feel of the Triple Fi 10vi with voice capability can confidently be described as solid, and the sound quality is rich an creamy. The biggest dilemma which will arise, is that after using the Triple Fi 10vi, the ‘pleasure’ of listening to an iPod with the ‘standard buds’ will pretty much be lost forever. As one might say, “Once you go blue you can’t go back”, or something like that.

With the ‘Triple Fi 10vi with voice capability’ offering a whole new listening standard, the next time you take your iPod out for a walk, you’ll will likely be finding yourself sharing my headspace, thinking the very same thing: ‘don’t leave home without ‘em’. Visit the Utimate Ears website to experience the complete line up of headphone monitors available for every budget.

MSRP $419.00 USD

For more information visit http://www.ultimateears.com/

Review: Astound Stereo Expander for Macintosh

Rick Levine — Sat, 23 May 2009 22:20:01 +0000

Astound Stereo enhancer for Macintosh is a software program that can change the way the music sounds from your mac. It really does make a difference to any audio file, in a way that I would compare to putting on 3D glasses while watching a 3D enhanced movie. Some listeners will love it, purists won’t. That being said, the great thing about this particular audio software enhancement package is that you can completely control the amount of audio enhancement you want to hear – from OFF to HIGH. It is also worth noting that this audio software enhancement program does not modify or alter the actual audio files, since it works as a system preference that can be enabled, disabled or completely removed altogether with the uninstaller.

How all this musical magic is actually accomplished is not the focus of this review, but suffice it to say, whatever it is, E.Qing, reverb, delay, or whatever, it does change the sound- and once again, the amount of change to the audio file is completely user controllable and completely reversible – very cool!

Here’s what the advertising hype has to say:
‘Hear the Future…AstoundStereo, sounds appear to emanate from all around you…widens the stereo image for a truly immersive listening experience. AstoundStereo Expander produces a richer and more expansive stereo image’

It is a fact that Astound Stereo enhancer for Macintosh can completely change the audio listening experience, and that can be a good thing in some cases. In my view, a great benefit of this audio enhancement program will be, in the case where you are listening to your old vintage music collection. There would be a experience of having heard that great classic tune a thousand times and then hearing it with the enhancements. I enhanced a few favourites from my good old Beatle collection and must admit that it gave a new polish as well as a refreshing listening experience to those great old tunes, ultimately enhancing the re-listening experience. For that alone it is worth the modest $32.00 purchase price.

The package includes an audio demo file that designed to make the audio qualities affected by the Astound Stereo enhancement software very evident. Trying to describe an audio listening enhancement experience is a lot like trying to describe the taste of spamoni ice cream to someone who never tasted spamoni or ice cream. Therefore, ultimately, the best way to find out if this program is for you or not is to download the demo and try it out. No harm in trying – Don’t be surprised it you end up loving Astound Stereo enhancer for macintosh! Visit http://www.astoundstereo.com for more information.

Filemaker Pro 10 Raises ‘The Bar’ on Organizing Your Info

Rick Levine — Fri, 20 Mar 2009 01:16:20 +0000

Talking about Databases can be a real lackluster experience. Talking about Filemaker Pro 10 changes all that. First and foremost, Filemaker’s main strength has always been the ability to provide businesses, organizations and individuals with a powerful customizable database tool that is relatively easy to use. Secondly, Filemaker Pro has always included a handful of professional looking sample templates which I have always found to be helpful and motivating towards taking the first step into the world of personal database creation. Thirdly, Filemaker is cross platform with internet savvy, providing the ability to communicate, access and share database information and templates on Apple Macintosh computers, Windows computers as well as on the World Wide Web. In Filemaker, while there are a few road blocks to perfection, no other database product that I know of will get you up and running as elegantly, as easily and as personally as Filemaker Pro. Here is my report on the most recent release: Filemaker Pro 10

The definition of a database is a collection of ‘like’ information with underlying attributes. We use databases everyday, in the form of address books, spreadsheets, even google, perhaps without even realizing it. A database stores, indentifies and sorts data in ‘Fields’ for easy retrieval at some future time often in the form of what is called ‘Records’. Filemaker has been around for well over a decade and was one of the first database programs to offer an intuitive interface that is simple to use, easily customizable along with powerful reporting capabilities.

Originally exclusively designed for the Macintosh, Filemaker Pro 10 is today available cross platform for Apple Macintosh or Windows computers. Mac and Windows Filemaker Pro users on the same network can open and use the same database files simultaneously. Being able to create a database on one platform, then able to open and use the same database on the other platform is of tremendous convenience particularly in the business world or within organizations that have several departments using both Mac and PCs.

Filemaker Pro is, what is called a ‘relational database’, which basically means that related values can be stored and linked to other files. Additional Filemaker features includes the ability to ad content from the web into your Filemaker layout, such as websites and on-line maps. Information can be worked with and organized in many different ways. Images, video and music can also be incorporated into the body of the layout created in Filemaker Pro. Filemaker’s greatest single attraction is its ability to be able to provide the tools with which to create a fully functional and powerful database application without having to know very much about computer programming. With a little computer experience and relatively little database knowledge, people can design useful Filemaker Pro Databases, and share them with others.

The Filemaker QUICKSTART SCREEN is the first thing you will see upon opening up the program. From this screen you can create and name a new empty database. New to Filemaker Pro 10 is the ability to create a database from an existing file including Excel, Text and Bento. Dragging these other file formats onto the Filemaker Pro 10 application file will also automatically convert the source file to a Filemaker Pro 10 database file. The Quickstart screen also allows you to create a database using what is called a ‘Starter Solution’ or from an existing database. There are several resources available from the Quick Start Screen including videos, hands on tours, tutorials as well as an online Filemaker resource centre to assist with the understanding and learning Filemaker Pro 10.

New FileMaker Pro 10 Status Toolbar

One of the big improvements in Filemaker Pro 10 is the Toolbar. Experienced Filemaker Pro users will immediately notice and appreciate the newly styled ‘Status Toolbar’ along the top instead of on the left side as in the prior versions. The new positioning of the Status Toolbar which includes ‘Show all Records’, ‘Delete Records’, ‘Find’ and ‘Sort’ is much better placed along the top than on the side as it was in those earlier versions. The convenience of accessing commonly used actions on the top edge this Status Bar previously only available from MENUS selections is a very welcome enhancement. This newly styled Status Toolbar itself is customized by going to the ‘View Menu’ and selecting this new option called ‘Customize Status Toolbar’ which will open up a dialogue box that accommodates the ability to drag and drop icons to add or delete many of these most commonly used features in the Browse mode and the Find mode. And of course the Status Tool Bar can be hidden from view when it is not needed. Filemaker Pro 10 looks a little more ‘new age Mac’ than before and even includes the animated ‘poof effect’ Mac users are familiar with as when dragging items off the Apple ‘Dock’.

A key concept towards understanding how to use filemaker, is to realize that there are Four main MODES: Browse Mode, Find Mode, Layout Mode, Preview Mode and that in each one of these modes the Status Toolbar takes on a different look and feel. The buttons on the status bar will change according to the particular mode you are in. In prior versions of Filemaker Pro in which the status area was on the left side, there was only an area of 30 pixels wide for the names of layouts. These layout names would usually be truncated, allowing you only to see the first part of the layout name in the drop down menu. The newly positioned Layout and Formatting Bar Filemaker Pro 10 positioned along the top allows more room to work thus providing the ability to fit a lot more information in a larger space.

My Filemaker Alert report: The use of a template which you may have created prior to using the Leopard OS and in an older version of FileMaker Pro, can cause an error stating that “The Date And Time Formats Associated With FileMaker Applications Are Different Than The Current System Settings”. To eliminate this annoying Alert Dialogue Box from appearing each time you launch that older updated file, here is what you need to do: Once the FILE in question has been launched, go to FILE > MENU > OPTIONS then choose the TEXT Tab and Select – Always Use Systems Settings

As far as roadblocks to perfection, a question I have always had about Filemaker’s ‘Find’ capabilities is how to make the ‘search’ function perform a ‘Phonebook type’ of search such as what is found so commonly in most P.I.M.s (Personal Information Managers). Recalling the old Palm units or imagine for a moment where you are viewing your contacts listed in alphabetical order on the screen and you looking at last names starting with ‘A’s. To view a name starting with ‘S’ for example all you do is type the letter ‘S’ into the search field and the list instantly scrolls down for you to all the last names starting with the letter ‘S’. I have never been able to figure out how to create a template that could perform this simple commonly used sort method. Over the years, my contacts at Filemaker, have consistently told me this ‘Phonebook Style’ sort method is in fact possible to accomplish. But I truly wonder… If that is the case then it is difficult to understand why FileMaker not does include this ‘Phonebook Style’ type of template along with the sample templates provided. In the meantime, if anyone comes across a template that can perform a ‘Phonebook type’ of search I would really like to hear about it. ‘Phonebook Style’ scrolling is one limitation of this database program that you will just have to live without.

Filemaker Pro 10 is the standard level version of a user friendly database system that allows you to easily create and modify your own databases. Filemaker Pro 10 Advanced costs a little bit more as it additional functionality over Filemaker Pro 10, such as additional tools for developers. There is Filemaker Server 10 which is an application which is installed on a server and is used to share all the files you create with many different users all at the same time and offers the ability to publish your databases to the web. Filemaker Server 10 Advanced supports instant web publishing or hosting.

Scripting, defining formulas, setting relationships, and some template design intricacies can sometimes be daunting and there certainly are some limits as to what the regular person can accomplish on their own when designing custom styled databases. The best way to get up and running on Filemaker Pro 10 is to take advantage of available Video Tutorials both on the Filemaker site and from other reliable tutorial makers. For anyone curious yet undecided, feel free to download Free trial versions of the product from the FileMaker Pro 10 website. The ease of making your first working database and seeing it come to life will probably provide enough of a thrill to actually help you go ahead and make that Filemaker Pro 10 purchase decision.

Filemaker is available in numerous retail configurations:

Filemaker Pro 10 $419.95 CAD

Filemaker Pro 10 upgrade $249.95 CAD

Visit Apple.ca for further details

You can also find Filemaker at Apple.com US Store:

Filemaker Pro 10 $299.00 USD

Filemaker Pro 10 Upgrade $179.00 USD

Microsoft’s Wireless Explorer Mini Mouse – Mac

Rick Levine — Fri, 13 Mar 2009 04:50:20 +0000

Mouse technology is an ongoing game of leap frog. Every so often a new mouse product arrives which introduces some kind of new technology – how much better can the ‘mouse’ be improved? Apple’s ‘Mighty Mouse‘ for the Macintosh, was oddly innovative by re-positioning the old ‘mouse ball’ on the TOP of the mouse to allow for additional navigation options. However, after a couple of months of use, the good old little mouse ball on the TOP will stop functioning in the UPward direction and it is next to impossible to clean it to get it working properly again. Until Apple figures out a way to resolve this sticky ball problem with the Mighty Mouse, I am trapped into hunting for a better mouse.

Microsoft markets no less than 30 mouse products (meese? mices?), only several of which are labeled as compatible with Macintosh. The new Microsoft Wireless Explorer Mouse with BlueTrack Technology* is available in two sizes – a big one just called the Microsoft Wireless Explorer Mouse (to which I may refer to in this review as the ‘desktop’ model) and a smaller lighter ‘cousin’ for traveling laptop users labelled as the Microsoft Wireless Explorer MINI Mouse. With its virtual tours, photos and specs, the Microsoft Mouse webpage provides a thorough description of all products, but nothing replaces a ‘hands on’test drive.

After taking the Microsoft Wireless Explorer Mouse out of the plastic bubble packaging, I installed the rechargeable NMHi battery, plugged the little USB receiver into a vacant USB slot in my Macintosh and the wireless Explorer Mouse immediately scurried into operation. Using 2.4 GHz wireless technology, (*NOT Bluetooth technology) the wireless Explorer Mouse is able communicate quite well with the Mac once configured in the Apple Mouse Preferences Panel. With Leopard 10.5.6 there was no need to install the intellimouse drivers, so things were off to a great start. The Wireless Explorer Mouse (s) seems capable of doing whatever Apple’s Mighty Mouse can do - Scroll North and South as well as East and West. The wireless Explorer Mouse can do a lot more too, once you configure your mouse preferences to fulfill your personal needs.

Rodent Alert! - this mouse is primarily designed as A RIGHT HANDED mouse. If you use the wireless Explorer Mouse in the LEFT hand, it will work, but it may take some getting used to as the molded edges feel more naturally oriented for use in the Right hand. I am a left handed person, but I happen to use my mouse with my RIGHT hand so I wasn’t feeling short handed. It is the bulky size and additional weight of the wireless Explorer Mouse desktop model that is something I need to get used to after handling the smaller and lighter styled Apple Mighty mouse for the last couple years.

Microsoft Wireless Explorer Mini Mouse with BlueTrack Technology

When laser technology was introduced, it was a welcome improvement over the old Ball Style Mouse but the Red beamed laser had it limitations and did not track well on all surfaces. So the search for better beam technology has continued. I am pleased to report that this *BlueTrack laser system which Microsoft unabashedly advertises to ‘work on any surface’, tests out pretty good. ‘BlueTrack works more places than ever before, including on granite countertops, carpet—even on a wood table or a rough, unfinished park bench’.Except for mirror or glass surfaces, ‘BlueTrack’ laser technology is a positive advancement and I have found the it to be very solid – Throw away your Mouse Pads – Yaaaaay!

So here is where I am trapped – I almost like these ‘Meeses to pieces’. I like the smaller size and lighter feel of the wireless Explorer MINI Mouse but I like the recharging features of the wireless Explorer Mouse DESKTOP. The wireless Explorer Mouse desktop version includes the NmHi battery and charging base while the wireless Explorer Mini Mouse comes with a handy Neoprene travel case an Alkaline Battery which supposedly provides 4 months or more of service. Each wireless Explorer Mouse model has a slot on the bottom surface to snap in the miniature ‘USB Receiver’ when traveling, keeping all the little components together. Maybe Microsoft should offer a specially priced Wireless Explorer Dual Pack to give us the best of both worlds.

The mighty chase for me has ended for now. Until Apple comes out with a solution for the mighty mouse, faulty ball issue, I will be sticking to the Microsoft Wireless Explorer Mouse to do my Apple Computing.

Microsoft Wireless Explorer Mouse $89.99 CDN

With NmH rechargeable battery, handy recharger, USB receiver

Microsoft Wireless Explore Mini Mouse $69.99 CDN

With Alkaline Battery, Neoprene travel case, USB receiver

Microsoft Mouse Products:

*Note: BlueTrack laser system which tracks the mouses’ movements on the horizontal surface has nothing at all to do with the Bluetooth technology used by some other companies such as Apples wireless Mighty Mouse, to communicate with the computer itself. All this ‘blue’ talk is a little confusing.

Review: Microsoft Office 2008 for Mac

Rick Levine — Sat, 07 Mar 2009 21:32:02 +0000

‘The world Standard in Business Productivity’

Microsoft Office 2008 for Mac, primarily made up of four Core Applications, Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Entourage is available in several versions:

Home and Student Edition ($199.00), Special Media Edition ($649.00) Standard Edition ($549.00) and of course, upgrade editions for current owners of previous versions at reduced prices. Office 2008 can be installed on up to three Macs and arrives with three separate Product Keys. In addition to file compatibility with the rest of the outside world, the 2008 release of MS Office has provided users of Macintosh computers with a universal version of Office that runs natively on the Intel Macs. Anyone familiar with previous versions of MS Office will find the look and feel of MS Office 2008 quite similar and therefore will be quite comfortable migrating to this most recent version.

After opening the retail box, inserting the CD and following the simple installation procedures for MS Office 2008, it is advisable to download and install the most current update available from MS website. As stated on the MS website ” This update contains several improvements to enhance stability, compatibility, and performance.” From my research, it should be noted that some Office 2008 users have reported the need to re-install Office from scratch, in order for the updates to work. Therefore performing all the current updates at the time of original installation will provide the best chances of success in updating Office 2008 without having to deal with frustrating upgrade/installation issues. For the Office update visit Mactopia-MS Office 2008 update

MS Word, the industry standard word processor will probably be the application most used from the Office 2008 suite. You can configure Word through the PREFERENCES MENU for your particular needs. The first thing I would do, is to go to Preferences, AUTO CORRECT MENU and make sure to UNCHECK ‘Show Auto complete tip for Auto Text, Contacts and Dates.’ Leaving this feature ‘checked’, Word will automatically complete your thoughts for you as you type, by inserting information it retrieves from your contacts and dates database. ‘Auto Complete’ will drive any normal person completely crazy, but thankfully it can be disabled and your sanity can be retained. Under the PREFERENCE DIALOGUE BOX, go to the EDIT menu and CHECK ‘Drag and Drop Editing’. Drag and Drop is one of my favourite features and it would be a shame if Drag and Drop was overlooked simply because it wasn’t activated by the user. Something that I need to do almost every time I create a new WORD document is to re-locate the MARGINS, left and right and top and bottom. The ability to ‘Drag and Pull’ Left and Right Margins as well as Bottom and Top Margins is a welcome convenience to MS Word 2008.

If you are searching for the ‘TEXT TO SPEECH’ function in MS Word, you will not find it, but do not despair. Text to Speech is no longer found as a Menu selectable item of MS Word as it is now built into Mac OS Leopard 10.5.6. Therefore, if you wish to have Word read your document to you, first you need to create an initial configuration in the SYSTEM PREFERENCE/ SPEECH panel and then SELECT the text in MS Word and use the ‘KEY COMBINATION’ to have the Apple OS read the selected text. It is easier to actually do, than it is to explain – for instructions visit this ‘Apple Tips’ page.

But MS Word still maintains a zillion other powerful features that are very useful which is why MS Office 2008 Mac can be such a valuable tool – The least of which is to provide compatibility with ‘Windows’ file versions including the new file standard (.docx). Ultimately the product can achieve almost every necessary word processing task, with a little research in the MS Word HELP MENU and on MACTOPIA, any document creation dream can probably come true.

MS Excel, notably the world’s standard in spreadsheet programs, would likely be the next product most business users rely on. Once again, the 2008 version of EXCEL would be quite familiar to anyone who has used previous versions of Excel. DRAG and DROP editing, Automatic Calculations and easy Formatting make it possible for those of us who are not accountants, to configure mathematical formulas and make numeric presentations attractive to look at and easier to understand.

Entourage - MS Office 2008 attractive new splash screens for each Office module

If you have been using ENTOURAGE for eMailing purposes, you won’t lose your way using the 2008 version. With the exception of the addition of ‘My Day’ much of the look and feel of Entourage has remained consistent with earlier releases. ‘My Day’ is a stand alone, related program that will pop up as an independent reminder of appointments that you have listed in your Calendar. It can be somewhat useful but, should the constant pop up reminders become annoying, it can be disabled. Support for Palm has gone the way of the dinosaur, but loading your calendar appointments onto your Apple iPod Touch for example can be accommodated using Apples ‘iSync’. The information you enter in the Entourage Calendar will not only sync to your iPod, it will also be copied to iCal, Mail and Adress Book should you ever need to make the transfer.

PowerPoint presentations are invaluable business and academic presentation tools. Even if you never find yourself in the position to have to create an actual presentation, chances are you will want to view POWERPOINT presentations sent to you by others. Apples’ Keynote will open most PowerPoint presentations, but best compatibility will be provided by using PowerPoint to open these PowerPoint presentations regardless of whether the original was created on Windows or Mac.

When purchasing the Office 2008 Mac with EXPRESSION MEDIA, you are getting a program that offers to manage your digital assets, CDs and media cards. As a Mac user, I am comfortable sticking with the programs provided with the Mac OS such as iTunes and iPhoto as I already know how to use them and they are more than adequate for my needs. I suspect that WINDOWS users would be comfortable with the look and feel of Expression Media which would provide a suitably familiar ‘Windows’ style environment for those users with such needs.

MS Office 2008 is an extremely powerful, very configurable, feature rich collection of business programs, with excellent cross platform compatibility. For someone who is used to working with Word, Excel, Entourage and PowerPoint, there is comfort knowing that these classic business tools are available and still supported for the Macintosh on the Leopard OS and Intel Macs. If the software provided by Apples iWork does not meet your needs, at least you know that you can still get hold of the Microsoft family of business productivity software that once set ‘THE standard’ and are used the world round.

Trivia - In 1985, Excel was released by Microsoft for the MacIntosh, almost two years before releasing Excel for Windows (in Nov. 1987).

Speck Notebook Bags

Rick Levine — Tue, 24 Feb 2009 18:52:14 +0000

The Tuckpack Sleeve Notebook Bag is worthy of the priviledge of carrying your Mac Portable. Not only are these new line of computer notebook bags extremely stylish, they are also very thoughfully designed. Sized to hold up to a 13 inch MacBook, the bag has extra plush micro fleech padding inside to offer excellent protection for delicate requirements. A durable exterior has double stitched bindings with secure Velcro closures. It is hard to justify getting excited over a computer bag, but rest assure, when you see any one of these handsome looking designs in real life, and check out the features, the TuckPack Sleve it will be another must have item from Speck.

Speck has a vast array of cases and bags for all iPods, including the current iPod Touches and the iPhones. See though, Fitted, Pixel Skin, Tough Skin…check out the complete lineup on the speck website and by the one that catched your attention, you wont be disappointed. Every product comes with a complete money back guarantee and one year warranty.

Visit Speck for more information.

Speck Hardshell Protective Cases

Rick Levine — Tue, 24 Feb 2009 18:49:07 +0000

We also got the chance to retrofit a couple of hardshell protective cases for the MacBook lineup. The fact that these covers come in SEVEN gorgeous colours (uncluding CLEAR) is noteworthy, but the way the cases are engineered to fit on the the aluminum notebook body, will give you the feeling that your computer is completely protected from scratching and denting. The rubberized shell has a really great feel to it and is custom vented to allow for safe heat disbursement and access to all ports, battery compartments and DVD drives. Cases for earlier iBooks are available in an acrylic type finish and are good, but this current line of casing for the newest macbook aluminum notebook is truly a knockout. Once you have one on your New Macbook pro, you really will wonder how you got along with out it.

Visit Speck for more information.

Speck Tough Skin iPod Cases

Rick Levine — Tue, 24 Feb 2009 18:46:39 +0000

Speck is a case company out of California that provides great protection for computers, in particular Macintosh products. The company’s Vision is to design, “functionality and personality into everything’, into their products and that ‘delicate stuff protected can be just as stylish as they are protective!’ In the opinion of this reviewer, Speck is a company that fulfills their customers commitments.

At andPOP, we see our share of iPod cases and the Speck ‘Tough Skin’ line is above the crowd for many reasons. The Tough Skin cases are available for the entire iPod line up and will offer maximum protection for any iPod. We closely inspected the Tough skin for the iPod Nano and this case was a great choice! Complimenting a textured ‘rubber grip design’ that fits like a glove, the Tough Skin includes a hard clear shell to protect the shiny screen from scuffs and scratches. There is also a rotating belt clip that can be completely removed should you prefer to carry your iPod without the protruding belt clip connections. The custom fitted design of this case, provides complete access to all the openings and all connections including the dock. The Tough case is an excellent choice for the current iPods for protection, style and convenience.

Visit Speck for more information.