Salisbury — May 31st 2022

On a warm and sunny Salisbury evening, 11 members and one guest were treated to a quartet of presentations.

Euan showed the versatility of Text Edit, how it can be used to read documents in almost any original format and convert them to ones suitable for use. Existing styles can be copied and advanced formatting can be employed. The app has built-in Time Machine auto-save. Live URLs may be converted to normal text. A special use of Text Edit is to assist proof-reading; while following the text in a document you can listen while Text Edit speaks the corresponding proof passage, thus enabling rapid and easy identification of errors and omissions.

Mick gave a brief review of the use of uninterruptible power supplies (UPS) to safeguard electrical equipment in a power cut. USP's come in a wide variety of configurations and price, one's selection being made on the basis of the number of units to protect - and the speed with which one can reach them when mains power is lost to shut them down in an orderly manner.

He then showed us how he rigged up equipment to view nocturnal animal activity in his garden and also how he could view in real time what was taking place in a bird-box. We witnessed fighting between hedgehogs, a visit from a badger, how his cats were so protective of their own territory that, most unusually, they were able to make intruding foxes rapidly retreat beyond the perimeter fence.

David then gave a fascinating insight into all the multiple uses of an Apple Watch apart from telling the time. The watch can be used for almost all the activities currently available on other Apple equipment and now even has a keyboard most easily used by the finger-sliding technique. Viewing security video, turning lights on and off, easy use of the Wallet, readily available weather reports, online calendar, data on exercise, messages, fall alarms and a host of other uses are now all available, let alone a monitor for cardiac irregularities and a new mindfulness app. There are enhancements to messages and photos.

Barry presented a listing of some useful websites with information on managing Apple hardware and software that members should look at to see if they could be helpful. Details of these have also been circulated to all attendees and to any Salisbury member not present at the meeting.

Comments

Page 1
Page 1