Mac-Sys

03/04/2024

https://www.macrumors.com/2024/04/03/ipad-launched-14-years-ago/

Apple launched the original iPad 14 years ago today, starting a product line that has gone on to define the tablet space and entry-level computing,...

21/12/2023

Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to you all!

13/09/2023

Another year, another Mac operating system upgrade.

macOS 14 "Sonoma" will be released really soon!

It's always a good idea to upgrade to the latest version - you get the new features, you get improved compatibility and the latest security updates. With all of the news about exploits in the wild (Pegasus comes to mind), it's super-important to get your security updates.

Yes, there will be changes and not everyone likes change - though that's what we are here for. You don't have to bring your computer in - we provide limited support via chat services which you can upgrade to full support (if you think you need it)

Set time aside!

Don't try and run your upgrade at the start of your work day, or even at the end. Don't fire it up over lunch. Set time aside specifically. Running your upgrade is part of the work day - but it's not as important as your work deadlines. Clients won't be happy if you miss a deadline.

Back up your data!

An upgrade can touch an existing problem so it's important to back up your data. The sick feeling in your stomach when you realise you've lost some data is something we would like to help everyone avoid. Get yourself a USB stick, they're super cheap now. You can maybe even pick up a capacious hard drive in your local supermarket. You can let the system handle it (Time Machine) or you can do it manually. Whatever you choose, choose something.

Check your apps!

If you have some mission critical apps or even if you have some important data that you don't want to risk, make sure you contact your supplier (Adobe? Microsoft?) to check for compatibility. They'll likely have an advisory in their support pages. They should be read to go with some upgrades from day 1 because they'll have been testing the upgrade for months with their software.

Disconnect external devices!

It may not be intuitive, but anything that connects to your Mac can cause an issue during an upgrade. Disconnect printers, webcams, external storage or musical instruments. You can reconnect them after the upgrade is complete. Just leave the mouse and keyboard connected (on a desktop Mac).

Check for more upgrades!

Just because you've done one update, make sure there aren't more. Remember there are apps that need updated too but some security updates are released separately to the big OS upgrade. Make sure you get them all.

And if you're not sure about the backups, the checking, the upgrades - then give us a call or drop us a message. We are already the active IT department for a hundred SMEs - we are always keen to help more.

08/09/2023

Don't put your school network at risk, it only takes a few steps to secure it from the Dark Web.

About ten years ago, we were installing a brand new Mac network in a large school in Bangor. When we came into the "PC tech room", I noticed that half of the students were playing video games during what was meant to be a word processing lesson. I queried my guide but because they weren't in IT, they didn't have any answers. Never one to let an unanswered question lie, I pursued the query. What came back shocked me.

The PCs were involved in an evolving arms race against the Dark Web. Students were able to download software to a pen drive (or even email it to themselves) which would then allow them to take over the PC ignoring the built-in security technology. Tools like Tor Browser gave the students anonymity while they accessed what they wanted and what's more, the students were openly bragging about bypassing the security of the PC network. As we got Raspberry Pi devices onto the secure Mac network, they openly demonstrated their ability to download anything they wanted on the main PC network.

It reminded me of a previous event in a large college in Northern Ireland where the IT team was so rapt with the security features in Windows, they had neglected the security features of the network. Anyone could, with minimal effort, plug in their own device and surf the web for anything they wanted. With security, you have to start with the fundaments. Like in the ISO Model - start at the bottom and work your way up.

As the only Apple Authorised Service Provider in Northern Ireland for the last twenty years, we have seen just about everything that can happen to a Mac or an iPad. Impressive reliability, curated software, and rock solid control across devices.

Don't put your network at risk, we're your outsourced IT department and we work for you.

29/08/2023

PERFORMANCE

When we get a new Mac, it does everything we planned for.

One of the coolest things about a Mac is longevity. It's extremely common for customers to bring old Macs to us for upgrade or a cleanup. A few years after we opened (in 2003), a customer brought in a Mac Classic from 1991 which had been used as his writing workhorse for over a decade. He wanted his data recovered from this venerable old computer and held his breath for the cost of a new Mac. He considered the option of repair as we had the parts for breathing life back into his Classic scavenged from old machines which had met with unkinder ends. In the end, he opted for the repair but we gave him a method of retaining his backups reliably as well as a plan to move to a new iMac within the year. His needs were not much more than the Classic could provide but a new opportunity to embrace new computing was interesting to him.

It's the things we didn't plan for which cause us pain in the future. New versions of software, new apps all put additional demands on our Macs that we didn't plan for. Modern Macs can be limited in upgrade options so it's important to maximise them.

1. Upgrade RAM and/or Storage

Get in touch to find out the options for your Mac. And if you're keen on longevity and buying a new Mac, make sure to get in touch for some advice on what to buy. We've decades of experience of sizing requirements.

2. Quit unused apps

Check your Mac Dock. Due to the document-centric nature of macOS, closing a window doesn't necessarily quit the app, just closes the document. Check your Dock for any dots under app icons. A dot means the app is still running.

3. Check your Free Space

Related to upgrading storage but make sure there's plenty of room in your startup disk. You can get an external disk, some so small you'd barely notice them. Put documents onto the external disk to keep your startup disk clutter free. If you run out of space, your Mac will run slower.

4. Run your Software Updates

Keep your Mac secure and up to date by running your software updates. Make sure you have your documents backed up first, as common sense would suggest. You'll find new software tools, faster productivity and some performance-enhancing improvements. Call if you need help.

5. Reinstall macOS

While your Mac has automatic routines to keep it running, there's nothing like a nice clean install. Make sure to back up your files (and ideally, a full backup of your main storage disk so you can recover if you need to. This is like a free turbocharge. Again, get in touch if you don't have confidence with the reinstall.

10/01/2023

Action mode turns a shaky camera into smooth video. Relax, it’s iPhone 14. Learn more about iPhone 14 at https://apple.com/iphoneGet Out of My Way by Tedashi...

20/05/2021

One of our clients is looking for a Software Developer. Details at the link.

20/05/2021

One of our clients is looking for an in-house software developer - details at the link.

13/04/2021

Following an overnight leak by Siri, Apple today officially announced that it will be holding a special "Spring Loaded" event on Tuesday,...