John Clark

Mac classes – September 2015

Whoosh, where did the summer go?!? Oh well, I’m still hoping for a nice long Indian Summer. And traditionally, that doesn’t start until we get our first frost. Anyone care to wager when that will be? It definitely feels like fall lately. Must be time to start taking Mac classes again!

Class list for September 2015:

Tues., September 15th, from 5:30-7:30 pm: Keep Track of Your Life; Ridgway Library

Tues., September 29th (NOT the usual last-wednesday-of-the-month!), from 5-7 pm: FREE iPhone/iPad Overview; Ridgway Library

The details:

 First up, continuing the new Tuesday evening schedule I started this summer, on September 15th, from 5:30-7:30 pm, I’m presenting a new class: Keep Track of Your Life! When you think about everything there is to keep track of in our lives these days: your grocery list, work schedule, doctor appointments and even your passwords, it can certainly be crazy-making. I realized that everyone could use a class that covers all the amazing tools we have at our fingertips to organize and manage our lives. From the simple built-in ones like Notes and Reminders or Microsoft OneNote on your Mac & iPhone, to the more advanced tools like Evernote & OmniFocus, there are some powerful fools out there to help you hold everything together. Come learn how to keep track of your life! Cost for this class is $20, and will be held at the Ridgway Library. Please let me know if you plan to attend.

 Lastly, due to travel commitments, I’m doing my free Library class a day early this month. For September, it’s the FREE Mac iPad/iPhone Overview, on TUESDAY, September 29th from 5-7 pm. This class is held in the small meeting room at the Library, and space is limited, so you have to sign up. The Library staff has asked that I handle the sign ups, so give me a call at 970-417-8434 (or drop me an email) if you’d like to attend. (Be aware that first-timers take priority over anyone who has taken the class before, but there are often openings for repeaters).

I hope to see you all at a class sometime soon.

ALERT Beware of website scams!

***ALERT***

Beware of website scams!

I’m sorry I haven’t posted about this sooner, as many of you have already talked to me about it, or received assistance dealing with it, but I’m afraid it’s getting so out of control, I feel the need to drop everything and try to warn everyone else about the issue.

If you see something like above on your computer (or iPhone/iPad), DON’T FALL FOR IT! It’s a complete hoax. If you were to call the number listed, you would get someone with a very thick accent, claiming to work for Apple (or Microsoft, or something else), who would then attempt to convince you to let them access your computer remotely (AGAIN, DON’T DO IT!). If you did let them, they would then proceed to show you a normal under-the-hood program on your Mac called Console, which constantly logs the computer’s activity. They use that to trick you into believing that the logs are showing you error messages resulting from the ‘virus’ on your computer, and proceed to ask you to pay them between $250-500 to ‘repair’ your computer for you! Of course, even worse, they could install something themselves that could take over your computer, while they have access to it!!

If you want to read more about how they’re doing this, check out this blog post. [In short, it’s done using a “javascript hook”.]

I’ve had clients reporting these things at a rate of several a week for a month or more, and it seems to be escalating. I’m not sure what can be done to stop it, but here’s what to do if it happens to you:

Force Quit the browser you’re using (Safari or Chrome), by either using the Force Quit command in the Apple menu, or clicking-and-holding on the browser’s icon in your Dock until a little menu pops up. There’s a Quit command at the bottom of that menu, and you can change it to Force Quit by holding down the Option key while the menu is down, then clicking on Force Quit.
Once the browser is off, open it back up again, but make sure you hold down the Shift key while you click on its icon in your Dock! Keep the Shift key down until the browser finishes starting up normally.

If you see this on your iPad/iPhone, then follow these steps:

‘Quit’ Safari by double-clicking the Home button and then swiping up on the little Safari window there.
Delete your browser history in Settings>Safari (otherwise the site will be back up next time you launch Safari).
Relaunch Safari.

To summarize, I need to stess this simple rule:

Don’t believe any warning you get on your computer/smartphone/tablet, via email, in Safari, or otherwise, unless it’s generated by antivirus software YOU installed! If you’re not sure about something, call Apple (or me), but never use a contact number that you haven’t found yourself from Apple’s website. The best number for them is 800-692-7753.

Speaking of antivirus/antimalware programs, there are two good free options for Macs now. First, to rid yourself of the ubiquitous ‘adware’ I see so often these days:

Malwarebytes for Mac

Then, if you want to have a little more (free!) peace of mind, there’s this:

Sophos Antivirus for Mac

I hope I can save a few of you a lot of hassle by letting you know about all this! As always, call or email with questions.

970-417-8434

macdoktor@gmail.com

Hope to see you all at a class sometime soon!

Mac Classes – August 2015

Belated Happy Colorado Day everyone! (In case you didn’t know, “the Centennial State” came to be on Aug. 1st, 1876.) I know I’m always going on about the weather, but seriously, this has got to be one of the wettest summers on record. I have never seen this state so green in early August! Now if only it can clear up and be nice for the Ridgway Arts & Crafts Rendezvous this weekend!

Another thing I like to remind everyone is that changeable weather makes a good excuse to come inside for a Mac class, right? Read on for the class details…

(Oh, and I’d love some feedback on my new schedule of offering the focused classes on Tuesday evenings instead of Saturday mornings.)

Class list for August 2015:

Tues., August 18th, from 5:30-7:30 pm at the Ridgway Library: “Stay Safe on your Mac”; a new class, covering all aspects of security on your Mac.

Wed., August 26th, from 5-7 pm: FREE Mac OS X Overview; Ridgway Library.

Please, let me know if you plan to attend either of these classes; if I get enough commitments ahead of time, I don’t have to send out a nagging reminder!

 First off, on Tuesday, August 18th, from 5:30-7:30 pm, I’m offering a new class called Stay Safe on Your Mac (and really, any device that connects to the internet). These days, it’s hard to do anything without using the internet, and most everything requires a username/password combo to access it. Then there’s the scary stories of sites having all their user’s account information stolen, and the ensuing worries about identity theft. What’s a person to do?!? Well, this class should help you answer that question. From password creation & management, to tips for being safe from internet hoaxes, scams (and yes, even viruses, trojan horses and the like), this class will serve to give you the peace of mind you’re looking for! Please let me know if you plan to attend. Cost, as usual, is $20.

 Then, my regular last-Wednesday-of-the-month class at the Ridgway Library is on Wednesday, August 26th from 5-7 pm. This month, it’s the FREE Mac OS X Overview. This class is held in the Library’s computer lab. Space is limited, so you have to sign up, and the Library has asked that I handle the sign ups, so give me a call at 970-417-8434 (or drop me an email) if you’d like to attend. (Be aware that first-timers take priority over anyone who has taken the class before, but there are often openings for repeaters).

For the Mac Overview, there are six Macs in the computer lab, so only two of the eight attendees need their own laptops. This class is beginner-oriented, but we cover some different things every month; repeat attendees are encouraged (when there’s room)!

Enjoy these dog days of summer everyone, it’s going fast! I hope to see you at a class one day soon!!

Mac Classes – July 2015

Happy 4th of July weekend everyone! Yikes, It’s hot out there, isn’t it? I hope you can find time in your busy summer schedules to come inside for a Mac Doctor class!!

Only one focused class again this month, but it’s one we all can use (again)!

Class list for July 2015:

Tues., July 21st, from 5:30-7:30 pm: iTunes; Ridgway Library
Wed., July 29th, from 5-7 pm: FREE iPhone/iPad Overview; Ridgway Library

The details:

 First up, on my new Tuesday evening schedule, July 21st, from 5:30-7:30 pm, I’m repeating a class I did two months ago: iTunes. It was a packed house then, and what with the recent announcements about Apple Music, not to mention all the different content one can load on their iDevice these days, iTunes has gotten all the more important in managing it all. To top it off, the program has undergone another overhaul (just this week!) If you’ve been wanting to learn all the ins and outs of this wild & crazy music/movies/TV shows/books/podcasts/apps, etc. management tool, this class is for you. We’ll cover everything from understanding where everything lives, to navigating all the stores, as well as importing your own CD’s, audiobooks, movies, etc. It’s especially helpful if you’re struggling to figure out how to manage what all gets loaded on your iPhone/iPad! Cost for this class is $20, and will be held at the Ridgway Library. Please let me know if you plan to attend.

 Lastly, I will be doing my regular last-Wednesday-of-the-month class at the Library. This month, it’s the FREE Mac iPad/iPhone Overview, on Wednesday, July 29th from 5-7 pm. This class is held in the small meeting room at the Library, and space is limited, so you have to sign up. The Library staff has asked that I handle the sign ups, so give me a call at 970-417-8434 (or drop me an email) if you’d like to attend. (Be aware that first-timers take priority over anyone who has taken the class before, but there are often openings for repeaters).

Hope to see some of you at one of our incredible Ridgway Concert Series events, every Thursday night in July!

Mac Classes – June 2015

Well, May was certainly everything I hoped it would be, putting my drought worries to rest (for now anyway). I don’t know that I’ve ever seen this place looking so stunning. I love the brilliantly white peaks looming over the verdant green spring growth below.

Anyone looking for a computer class to attend this month? Due to schedule changes at the Library (not to mention the fact that most of us are doing something outside on Saturdays in June), I’m moving my one focused class to a Tuesday evening this month. Please do give me your thoughts about this change!

On to the class details…

Class list for June 2015:

Tues., June 23rd, from 5:30-7:30 pm at the Ridgway Library: “Photos for Mac”; an in-depth exploration of Apple’s new replacement for iPhoto.

Wed., June 24th, from 5-7 pm: FREE Mac OS X Overview; Ridgway Library.

Please, let me know if you plan to attend either of these classes; if I get enough commitments ahead of time, I don’t have to send out a nagging reminder!

 First off, for a change, on Tuesday, June 23rd, from 5:30-7:30 pm, I’m offering my first in-depth class on Apple’s new Photos program for Yosemite. I’ve had quite a few clients get quite discombobulated by the switch, but it’s actually a quite powerful upgrade from iPhoto. As a version 1.0 app, it also has some missing features and odd functionality. If you’re running Yosemite on your Mac, you need to take this class to learn all the ins & outs of this new program! Please note the unusual day and time for this class, and do, let me know if you plan to attend. Cost, as usual, is $20.

 Then, the very next day, I will be doing my regular last-Wednesday-of-the-month class at the Ridgway Library on Wednesday, June 24th from 5-7 pm. This month, it’s the FREE Mac OS X Overview. This class is held in the Library’s computer lab. Space is limited, so you have to sign up, and the Library has asked that I handle the sign ups, so give me a call at 970-417-8434 (or drop me an email) if you’d like to attend. (Be aware that first-timers take priority over anyone who has taken the class before, but there are often openings for repeaters).

Happy Summer everyone; I hope to see you at a class one day soon!!

Mac Classes – May 2015

Hello again everyone. May is coming in like a lion (as usual), but we can certainly use the moisture. Hope it keeps up, then we’ll all have a reason to come inside for a Mac Doctor class!!

It’s another busy month for me, so only one focused class again, but it’s been requested a lot lately!

Class list for May 2015:

Sat., May 23rd, from 10-noon: iTunes!; Ridgway Library
Wed., May 27th, from 5-7 pm: FREE iPhone/iPad Overview; Ridgway Library

The details:

 First up, on Saturday, May 23rd, from 10 am to noon, I’m offering a class I haven’t in quite some time: iTunes. With all the content one can load on their iDevice these days, iTunes has gotten all the more important in managing it all. To top it off, the program has undergone a major interface overhaul (again!) recently. If you’ve been wanting to learn all the ins and outs of this wild & crazy music/movies/TV shows/books/podcasts/apps, etc. management tool, this class is for you. We’ll cover everything from understanding where everything lives, to navigating all the stores, as well as importing your own CD’s, audiobooks, movies, etc. It’s especially helpful if you’re struggling to figure out how to manage what all gets loaded on your iPhone/iPad! Cost for this class is $20, and will be held at the Ridgway Library. Please let me know if you plan to attend.

 Lastly, I will be doing my regular last-Wednesday-of-the-month class at the Library. This month, it’s the FREE Mac iPad/iPhone Overview, on Wednesday, May 27th from 5-7 pm. This class is held in the small meeting room at the Library, and space is limited, so you have to sign up. The Library staff has asked that I handle the sign ups, so give me a call at 970-417-8434 (or drop me an email) if you’d like to attend. (Be aware that first-timers take priority over anyone who has taken the class before, but there are often openings for repeaters).

Remember, in Ridgway it’s the May showers that bring the June flowers… Hope to see you in a class sometime soon!

Mac Classes – April 2015

Wow, we’ve made it to the cruelest month already? It’s usually one of the windiest too… You’re lucky that I’m running a few days behind getting this out due to a spring break getaway, so you don’t have to deal with some sort of silly April Fools joke too!!

On to the class details…

Class list for April 2015:

Thurs., April 9th, from 6-8 pm: ArtBar at the Sherbino: “iPhones & IPAs”; a fun exploration of ‘iPhotography’ at the Sherbino Theater. $35 (includes first drink!) Call 970.318.0892 to sign up.

Sat., April 18th, from 10-noon: Photo Management on iPad/iPhone; at the Ridgway Library.
Wed., April 29th, from 5-7 pm: FREE Mac OS X Overview; Ridgway Library.

Please, let me know if you plan to attend any of these classes; if I get enough commitments ahead of time, I don’t have to send out a nagging reminder!

 First off, this Thursday, April 9th, from 6-8 pm, I’m doing one of the Sherbino Theater/Weehawken Creative Arts fun ArtBar events, that we’re calling iPhones & IPAs. Join me for a free-wheeling and dynamic exploration of the fascinating world of iPhone photography. Learn tips and tricks for getting the best photos out of your iPhone/smartphone (like the photo above!) $35 dollars per student. First drink is included in the price. (I recommend an ‘iPA’.) Call 970.318.0150 to register today!

 Next, on Saturday, April 18th, from 10-noon, I will be offering a condensed version of a class I did at the Ah Haa School in Telluride in February: Photo Management on iPad/iPhone. If you’re an iPad/iPhone user, chances are you’ve struggled to some extent with figuring out how to manage and organize your photos on your iDevices. It’s complicated, and honestly not nearly as easy and intuitive as Apple would lead you to believe. This class will teach you everything you need to know about managing your photos on your iDevice, and show you all the tips & tricks you need to clean up, organize and share your images with confidence! Cost for this class is $20, and it will be held at the Ridgway Library. Please let me know in advance if you plan to attend!

 Lastly, I will be doing my regular last-Wednesday-of-the-month class at the Ridgway Library on Wednesday, April. 29th from 5-7 pm. This month, it’s the FREE Mac OS X Overview. This class is held in the Library’s computer lab. Space is limited, so you have to sign up, and the Library has asked that I handle the sign ups, so give me a call at 970-417-8434 (or drop me an email) if you’d like to attend. (Be aware that first-timers take priority over anyone who has taken the class before, but there are often openings for repeaters).

Happy Spring everyone; I hope to see you at a class one day soon!!

Mac Classes – March 2015

Somebody pinch me, is it really March 1st? Unbelievable. I hope you all are enjoying the return of winter, and most importantly, SNOW!

It’s a busy month for me, so I’m only doing one focused class, but it’s a good one!

Class list for March 2015:

Sat., March 21st, from 10-noon: Everything You Always Wanted to Know About Backups!; Ridgway Library
Wed., March 25th, from 5-7 pm: FREE iPhone/iPad Overview; Ridgway Library

The details:

 First up, on Saturday, March 21st, from 10 am to noon, I’m reprising a class I haven’t done in awhile, and calling it: Everything You Always Wanted to Know About Backups! This class will cover the gamut, from online tools like Dropbox, Google Drive, iCloud, Carbonite and the like, to the best options for local physical backups. As more and more of our lives are becoming digitized, the importance of having good (and redundant!) backups is becoming more critical. Due to popular demand, I will also cover Time Machine, and how to use it, so you can confirm your backups are working! Come learn all there is to know about how to make sure your precious photos and documents are safe for many years to come! Cost for this class is $20, and will be held at the Ridgway Library. Please let me know if you plan to attend.

 Lastly, I will be doing my regular last-Wednesday-of-the-month class at the Library. This month, it’s the FREE Mac iPad/iPhone Overview, on Wednesday, March 25th from 5-7 pm. This class is held in the small meeting room at the Library, and space is limited, so you have to sign up. The Library staff has asked that I handle the sign ups, so give me a call at 970-417-8434 (or drop me an email) if you’d like to attend. (Be aware that first-timers take priority over anyone who has taken the class before, but there are often openings for repeaters).

Can you believe next weekend is the start of Daylight Savings Time?? Crazy… Hope to see you in a class sometime soon!

Mac Classes – February 2015

Now that June-uary is almost behind us, let’s get back to some real winter, shall we? It will also give you a good excuse to come inside for a computer class! On to the details…

Class list for February 2015:

Sat., Feb. 7th, from noon-4 pm: iDevice Photo Management; a four-hour intensive at the Ah Haa School in Telluride. Sign up here.

Sat., Feb. 21st, from 10-noon: Social Networking; at the Ridgway Library.
Wed., Feb. 25th, from 5-7 pm: FREE Mac OS X Overview; Ridgway Library.

Please, let me know if you plan to attend any of these classes; if I get enough commitments ahead of time, I don’t have to send out a nagging reminder!

 On Saturday, Feb. 7th, from noon to 4 pm, I’m starting off with another 4-hour intensive at the Ah Haa School in Telluride. I’m calling it iDevice Photo Management. With the arrival of their new mobile operating system and the new Photos app, Apple has begun a new approach to photo management on all their devices. iOS 8 does not support iPhoto on iPads and iPhones, and iPhoto is being phased out via the new Yosemite operating system. This class will help you get a grip on all aspects of photo management on your “iDevices,” from the new editing tools available within Photos, to the myriad of new (and old, but updated) storage and cataloging tools. We’ll cover everything from the new Lightroom Mobile app to the incredible storage offerings from services like Flickr and Microsoft OneDrive. Lastly, we’ll cover the best techniques for managing your photos across all your devices, including Macs and Windows-based computers, and take a look at some great camera/photo apps. Cost for this class is $65, and you can sign up here.

 Next, on Saturday, Feb. 21st, from 10-noon, I will be revisiting a topic I haven’t covered in awhile: Social Networking. If you’ve been meaning to finally build yourself (or your business, club, etc.) a Facebook page, or try Twitter or the ever-more-popular Instagram, then this class is for you! I will cover those, plus Google+, LinkedIn, and just about anything else you can think of in the social networking realm. The emphasis will be on figuring out how to navigate these popular social sites, especially as the way they work is constantly being updated and changed! At the same time, you’ll learn how to maintain the levels of privacy we all prefer. Of course, I will also cover the ways in which these tools can be put to use in marketing a business. Cost for this class is $20, and it will be held at the Ridgway Library. Please let me know in advance if you plan to attend!

 Lastly, my regular last-Wednesday-of-the-month class will happen two weeks early this month, due to the holidays. This month, it’s the FREE Mac OS X Overview, and it’s on Wednesday, Feb. 25th from 5-7 pm. This class is held in the Library’s computer lab. Space is limited, so you have to sign up, and the Library has asked that I handle the sign ups, so give me a call at 970-417-8434 (or drop me an email) if you’d like to attend. (Be aware that first-timers take priority over anyone who has taken the class before, but there are often openings for repeaters).

Take care everyone; I hope to see you at a class one day soon!!

Mac Classes – January 2015

Happy belated New Year everyone! Yes, there are going to be Mac classes on tap this month, I’m just scrambling to keep up, as usual. On to the details…

Class list for January 2015:

Sat., Jan. 17th, from noon-4 pm: Mastering your iPad/iPhone; Ah Haa School, Telluride (click HERE to sign up)
Sat., Jan. 24th, from 10-noon: iPhoto; Ridgway Library

Wed., Jan. 28th, from 5-7 pm: FREE iPad/iPhone Overview; Ridgway Library

Please remember to let me know if you plan to attend any of these classes (and the Ah Haa iPad/iPhone class in Telluride on the 17th requires that you sign up in advance at the link above or below); if I get enough commitments ahead of time, I don’t have to send out a nagging reminder!

 First off, I’m offering a 4-hour intensive in Telluride on Saturday, Jan. 17th, from noon to 4 pm called Mastering Your iPad/iPhone. Learn how to make full use of your iPad or iPhone, including tips and tricks to make these devices hum, plus the latest and greatest apps to explore. You’ll even find out how to make an iPad do 99% of what a full computer will do, so you can get real work done! This class will cover all aspects of the iPad/iPhone, from a complete tour of the hardware (as well as useful accessories) to an in-depth tour of the software interface, including how an iPad improves on the iPhone/iPod Touch interface. The class will focus primarily on iOS 8’s new bells and whistles, but devices running older iOS 7 software will still be relevant. For seasoned iPad users and those just considering an “iDevice,” this class has something for everyone. Cost is $65, and click HERE to sign up!

 Then, on Saturday, Jan. 24th, from 10 am to noon in the Ridgway Library meeting room, it’ll be an old favorite class that I haven’t offered in awhile: iPhoto for Mac. Come learn everything there is to know about Apple’s powerful digital image organization/editing program. Chances are you’re feeling overwhelmed with holiday photos, and maybe feeling like it’s finally time to get your photo library under control, with the added bonus of learning how easy (and fun) the process can be! This class will primarily cover the latest version of iPhoto, but will also be relevant for users of older versions. This class is $20, and is open to drop-ins, but please let me know if you plan to attend!

 Lastly, I will be doing my regular last-Wednesday-of-the-month class at the Library. This month, it’s the FREE iPad/iPhone Overview, on Wednesday, Jan. 28th from 5-7 pm. This class is held in the Library’s small conference room. Space is limited, so you have to sign up, and the Library has asked that I handle the sign ups, so give me a call at 970-417-8434 (or drop me an email) if you’d like to attend. (Be aware that first-timers take priority over anyone who has taken the class before, but there are often openings for repeaters).

Take care, and may 2015 hold nothing but the best for everyone!!