The Blob

Hot new solutions

Mon, 30 Aug 2010 12:04:13 PDT

August 30, 2010 We are now less than 2 months away from celebrating our 8 yr. anniversary. And we couldn't be more excited. Our already veteran consultants have learned even more, always excited to keep current on new Apple and Apple-related technologies. Some of the hot areas that we are encountering include: - Mac Mini Server (including Mac OS X Server S.W. preinstalled): Even though we've been installing and supporting Mac OS X server for years, Apple's productization of the Mac Mini server in 2009 has created an almost insanely affordable opportunity for businesses - and consumers - to take advantage of the services that Apple's server software offer. For only $1,000, Apple offers an unlimited user server license on a newly-refreshed and streamlined Mac Mini. - Proliferation of Apple iPads: Many clients are buying iPads to supplement their Mac or Windows-based computers. Still others are buying iPads to actually replace their laptop computers. Whatever the reason, it's a fact that Apple has truly changed the game forever with this revolutionary new product. - MacPractice software: According to the MacPractice website, "MacPractice is dedicated to developing, implementing, and supporting premier practice management and clinical software solutions for doctors who prefer to use Macs." This software not only adheres to the typical 'ease of use' that Macintosh users have come to expect, but it also sets itself apart from it's Windows counterparts in terms of its incredible affordability. - Daylite CRM software: As Macintosh-based businesses look more and more for better ways to not only keep track of their client activities - but also to better take care of their clients - Marketcircle's Daylite is enjoying more and more popularity. Billed as more than just CRM (Customer Relationship Manager) software, Marketcircle claims that Daylite will also help you "manage your companyÃ�?Ã�Â¢??s projects, sales, contacts, tasks, appointments, meetings, notes, and email." - Lightspeed POS software: According to maker Xsilva, "Lightspeed is the next generation Point of Sale system that combines Mac innovation with powerful business logic to offer comprehensive and easy to use tools for retail stores. Our technicians have helped clients with over (2) dozen installations of Lightspeed.

Interesting Clients...

Fri, 5 Jun 2009 13:56:13 PDT

Over time we plan to add a separate "clients" tab to our new website to offer in-depth information on some very fascinating people. But in the meantime we'll begin to feature information on some of our clients here in this blog section. In addition to lawyers, designers, doctors, realtors, accountants, real estate agents, builders, etc... You'll also be hearing about your fellow kinsmen in the Apple family who are in the area of... ...animal rescue, NFL coaching, the NBA, TV sitcoms, politics, etc... Please check back soon to find out about these really cool folks. Thanks, Bob

Bob's Tip of the Week...

Fri, 5 Jun 2009 13:55:32 PDT

They say that if you lived in New York City, you could eat a a new restaurant every day, and never have to eat at the same one twice. Well, one of the most fun parts of my job is learning some new technical feature every day. And so here's one I just learned today (6-5-09): Most people want one 'Contacts' or 'Address Book' database. And with Apple's Address Book application, they can then easily create their own 'Groups' and drag the appropriate individual entries into those groups. For example: PTA, Neighborhood Association, Family, etc... But then along comes the client who wants to become more productive by purchasing a new iPhone and easily sync'ing their contacts, but who also has a very special request. They had always kept (2) very distinct contacts databases: the first with phone numbers only, and the second with email addresses only. And they only wanted to only sync the first set to their iPhone. The challenge in Apple's Address Book is that there is only one database (per user account). And so both of the client's previously separate databases had to be combined into one. Yes, you can create a group called "Phone Numbers Only"; but try going through over 1,000 entries and just picking out the ones that only had phone numbers...one by one...and dragging them into that group. There is no "search" capability built into Address Book to facilitate this. Moreover, there is also no "list" view to quickly see and easily highlight only the ones with phone numbers. You must click on each entry one at a time to see it's contents! What's more, even if you took the time to do this one-by-one, imagine having to have the diligence to remember that, every time you added a "phone only" entry to Address Book, you had to create it in - or drag it into - the "Phone Numbers Only" group. Or....you could use this very helpful new discovery: In Address Book, select "File/New Smart Group" from the menu. After naming it, then define it with the following drop-down definitions: "Phone" + "Is set". This will then immediately extract only those Address Book entries that have a telephone number. And, as you add more 'numbers only' contacts into Address Book, this smart folder will keep automatically adding those to this special group. NOTE: Even after doing this, you still have to sync ALL of your contacts in your Address Book to your iPhone. You cannot sync by "group". However, after syncing, on your iPhone you can then easily choose to view only a selected group. Even if you don't have this particular need, I'd suggest taking a look at the various possibilities in "smart groups" under the File menu in the Address Book application. You might just discover some very useful definition for you

Mac OS X Tips...

Tue, 7 Apr 2009 8:49:48 PDT

Over time, we'll be adding what we feel are some useful tips for you to make your OS X experience that much more enjoyable and easier. But, on this our initial rollout of our new website - in case you weren't aware of it - we felt it'd be best to call your attention to a very excellent and informative section of Apple's website. We've posted the link just below. And so here's a tip in viewing it: Be sure to hold the "Command" or "Open Apple" key just to either side of the "Space Bar" on your keyboard when clicking on this link. In this way - if you have "tabs" enabled in your browser - you'll be able to easily click back to the Bob for Apples, Inc. website after viewing some of these tips provided by Apple. Enjoy! Click Me