Dorchester — Apr 14th 2015

Stephen gave us his take on iTunes commenting that, like much of Apple software, it keeps changing, “being improved”, he referred to the Blue icon and the newer Red icon versions. which differ in some ways. With a collection of well over 1000 albums and many various versions of the same work or track, Stephen showed how to overcome iTunes' default methods of sorting using the “Get Info" function either for single tracks or groups and how to word the information for iTunes to sort as required.  Stephen loves colour and images and admits they are a key element in his choice of music so devotes considerable time to the whole question of cover designs. He showed how there is not to accept default record/disc sleeves or even worse the blank cover and how to collect alternatives from the internet or design one’s own. He also showed how to design and set up master folders into which he groups music playlists of similar genres. Stephen used Keynote to design his cover but Pages for example would be just as good. As with all Apple databases Stephen showed how to make up group “play lists” in iTune parlance including selected tracks/movements from any number of Albums.

David then demonstrated how to use Get iPlayer Automator to download both TV and Radio from BBC and TV from ITV. These can only be downloaded whilst available on the respective sites but once downloaded are permanent.  As downloaded these will play on a Mac but David uses Aimersoft Video Converter Ultimate to burn DVD which can play on a domestic TV DVD player.

Tom demonstrated a splendid little JAM Blue Tooth loudspeaker, currently £22 at Currys/PC World, which he says is great for listening to music or to a radio App on an iPhone while gardening or in the shower, whatever.  With a rechargeable battery it will run for up to 6 hours. We were all surprised when it blasted out orchestral music with remarkable room filling volume and clarity.

We also looked at six of the more interesting of 40 travel tips from Pulptastic including, it claims, how to use Airport WiFi access without paying and a clever trick for those fortunate enough to afford the current Adobe Photoshop to delete tourists from travel photos.    http://pulptastic.com/40-must-see-travel-tips-will-change-life-forever/  

Euan the gave a short introduction to the new Mac App Photos which replaces iPhoto when you upgrade to 10.10.3 and again brings a closer resemblance to IOS Photos App. Euan discussed the new editing features which gather together a variety of image editing settings (for example “Light” while offering (and encouraging) individual settings such as Highlights, Shadows, Black Point, Contrast etc.  Adobe Photoshop Elements or GIMP offer more high level photo editing.

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