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The CWAUG BLOG
Time Machine Back up Excerpt
February 17, 2010
This excerpt is free. It includes everything you need to know about purchasing and preparing a hard drive to use for Time Machine backups. To learn the ins and outs of setting up and using Time Machine, get the full book at minifestos.com.
DOWNLOAD: TimeMachine1.6Excerpt.pdf
(Mac OS X Time Machine by Sharon Zardetto)
Posted by D.L.Schiller at 1:45 PM
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COOKIE SHEET SUCCESS STORY
January 6, 2009
 Cookies have meaning to the computer-savvy person, but what about cookie sheets? My husband, Don Halloran, watched me maneuver my MacBook Pro computer to eliminate heat build up and to raise the laptop to make it easier to type. I tried placing my computer on contraptions like a flat plastic dish rack with vent holes. I placed a fan between my legs trying to keep the computer cool. I even purchased a computer stand with a built-in fan, but nothing beat my husband's creation.
 Don saw a cookie sheet leaning against the back door ready for the trash bin when a light flashed in his brain. As a result, now I have the perfect computer stand. The only problem is my friends want it. One friend liked it so much, Don gave it to him and said he would make me another stand. However, finding the right cookie sheet wasn't that easy. Fortunately, buried in my cabinets I found one. My new computer stand is mine to keep. If my friends or you want to make one, here is Don's plan.
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 Laptop Computer Stand
A simple but effective computer stand may be constructed from a cookie sheet. The one we used was 16x12 inch Teflon-coated aluminum sheet with half-inch lips partly bent up on all four sides. The corners were open. Unfortunately, we have not been able to find a source locally and there is no brand name on the one we used.
The construction consists of the following:
1 - Fold the bottom lip to 90 degrees. Then cut off the right 6 inches so you will have access to the CD opening.
2 - Fold the back lip to 90 degrees.
3 - Fold the back up 2 to 3 inches (below the lip) to approximately 45 degrees to support the computer. The fold depends on the rise you want when the computer is placed on the stand.
4 - Cut a notch out of each side where the ends of the fold bulge out so that the sides overlap. Now tap the side lips up to 90 degrees and cut or file off overlapping material at the corners of the fold to remove any sharp edges.
5 - Drill 1/8 inch hole through the corner of the bend and secure the corner with an aluminum pop rivet.
Additional Suggestions
If you use a flat baking sheet you will need to fold the edges for stability before following the above directions.
This stand allows heat from the computer to escape quickly. One could also drill a number of half-inch holes along the upper back to facilitate additional heat loss or use a small fan at the side of the stand.
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 When I, Sylvia, showed my cookie sheet stand to CWAUG members, they loved the raised angle. It made typing so much easier than using the laptop flat. They could also see how the heat generated from the computer would be dissipated. The stand was also lightweight and easily portable.
One member, Marty Welter, wondered if the aluminum stand got hot, heat would transfer to the computer. That has not been a problem, but he suggested gluing a felt strip to the aluminum where it comes in contact with the computer.
Now that you have the plan to make your own computer stand, that is a good thing. My husband is not available for hire.
Sylvia Eisenmann
Posted by D.L.Schiller at 7:28 AM
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QUICK TIPS
May 5, 2008
At our last meeting, we viewed Quick Tip Videos on Apple's website. Though the videos are meant for Businesses, we think everyone can benefit from these. Take a look.
LINK: Apple.com/business/theater/
Posted by D.L.Schiller at 1:37 PM
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