_____________________ Introduction. Encryption is a vast and complex subject. There are many nuances and gotchas. In this article, we'll keep it short and sweet for beginners so that it's easily understandable for a specific, simple task. For those who want to go further and expand their knowledge, I'll list some resources at the end of…
John Martellaro
John Martellaro was born at an early age and began writing about computers soon after that. With degrees in astrophysics (B.S.) and physics (M.S.), he has worked for NASA, White Sands Missile Range, Lockheed Martin Astronautics, the Oak Ridge National Laboratory and Apple. At Apple he worked as a Senior Marketing Manager, a Federal Account Executive and a High Performance Computing manager. His interests include chess, science fiction and astronomy. John is the host of the TMO podcast Background Mode.
Articles by John Martellaro
Minix Neo C USB-C Multiport Adapter (Dock) Includes VGA or HDMI
The Minix Neo C USB-C “Multiport Adapter” is dock for the Apple MacBook that has two USB-A ports, Gigabit Ethernet, pass through charging, two camera card slots, and either HDMI or VGA depending on the model. It has some design and feature aspects that set it apart from similar products. First, this product should be…
It's Time For a New, Highly Secure OS from Apple That Hosts Both OS X and iOS
Apple's OS X, derived from the legacy BSD UNIX (from late 1970s), was born in the mind of Steve Jobs and engineers at NeXT more than 20 years ago. It came to fruition at Apple in March 2001. It was a product of its time. iOS was launched for the iPhone in 2007 and designed for…
This One Thing Will Make Your iPhone and Mac Passwords More Secure
Times are changing. Those bad guys who would break into your device now have advanced algorithms and so much computing power, they can easily outsmart your most devious passwords. Nevertheless, there is one thing you can do to ensure the quality of your chosen password—one you rely on. The Holy Grail is Still Unreachable for…
The Apple vs. FBI True-False Quiz
Image credit: Shutterstock. 1. If the iPhone is the favored smartphone of criminals and terrorists for security and privacy, then we should be using an Android phone instead for our banking and credit card purchases. • True • False 2. If Apple builds the “govtOS” that the FBI wants Apple to build, and defense attorneys…
OS X: How to Convert a Terminal Command Into a Double-Clickable Desktop File
OS X is based on BSD UNIX Here's the basic outline of this tip. Create a UNIX script with a text editor that contains one or more terminal commands. Make it executable. Double click it in the Finder. It's really quite simple, but there are a few things to be aware of. I'll walk you…
What Would Be the Implications for Android if Apple Creates a Super-Secure iOS?
Every crisis brings new opportunities. When I first read the news that Apple is reportedly already working on new ways to improve iPhone and iCloud security, I started thinking about the implications. For background, see: “FBI Wants into our iPhones, so Apple is Making Them More Secure.” Jeff wrote: Sources speaking with the New York…
Satechi Presenter Combines Laser Pointer With Slide Controller
The just released Satechi Aluminum Wireless Presenter is a beautifully designed red LED laser pointer combined with slide navigation buttons, all wrapped in Bluetooth and a rechargeable Lithium-Ion battery. It's available in the matching Apple colors of Silver, Space Gray or Gold. Satechi Aluminum Wireless Presenter The Laser This is red LED laser with a…
OS X: How to Change Desktop Spaces With Just One Key, Not Two
_________________________ I am right handed. What I discovered in my own case is that my left hand, resting over the left side of the Apple aluminum keyboard, covers all the special function keys. In order to exercise the default operation of CTRL + right arrow or CTRL + left arrow, I have to lift my…
Apple Apologizes For Error 53 and Offers Update to iOS
_______________________ On February 18, Apple issued an update to iOS 9.2.1 (ver 13D20), provided an explanation and also an apology as reported by TechCrunch. Some customers’ devices are showing ‘Connect to iTunes’ after attempting an iOS update or a restore from iTunes on a Mac or PC. This reports as an Error 53 in iTunes…
In 3-2 Vote, FCC Moves Ahead With Proposal to Change the Set-top Box Game
It's been a bit of a war of words so far. Chairman Wheeler has noted that while the cost of computers has gone down dramatically, the cost of these set-top boxes, typically DVRs, has not, and the customers are paying hefty annual rental fees of about $200. And if the customer wants to cancel service…
Why You Can Use Modern SSDs for Apple Time Machine Backups
This is still a very good idea (for me), but in the process of writing the article, I glossed over some technical considerations that come into play. You should know about them. Here they are. 1. Supplier affirmation. I asked Other World Computing, the maker of the Envoy Pro EX that I already use, about…
OS X El Capitan: How to Optimize the Cursor Size and Shakability
________________________ One of the most overlooked System Preferences in OS X is, in my book, Accessibility. It sits out there in the nether regions beyond Time Machine and looks like something only people with certain handicaps would be interested in. Even its icon could be off-putting. Easy to overlook or dismiss. However, the Accessibility preferences…
My Classic Hard Disks Are Spinning Right into the Graveyard
This is happening in two stages. First, I have seen the community of Mac users steadily replacing the boot drives in their Macs with SSDs (or direct Flash memory). This started first on the MacBook Air and is now common on iMacs. I first did this in 2010 when I paid an extra US$400 to…
X-Doria Revel Apple Watch Case is Colorful, Durable
X-Doria has introduced the Revel line of four colorful Apple Watch cases. They simply snap on and leave all ports accessible. The case is flexible yet durable. I've been using one with my Apple Watch for two weeks, and it has grown on me. The first thing to note about this case is that it…
What Happens When Your Autonomous Car Crashes?
Autonomous cars are upon us. Sure, it'll be a few years before they are pervasive, but we're already on the leading edge of the technology. For some interesting and informative background, I refer you to the February 2016 issue of Car & Driver, p. 58, “Going to the Dogs.” From the intro: So while we're…
What To Do When Your Apple Watch Tells You NOT to Eat the Candy Bar
____________________________ One of the modern day technology mantras is that if something can be done, it will be done. A way to earn a profit will be conjured up. We know that wearables, and the Apple Watch in particular, are going to get better and better at monitoring our body chemistry. When it comes to…
Lynktec ReelJuice Portable USB Battery is Unique: Capable, Flexible & Includes a Take Up Reel
There are many ho-hum and many good portable battery chargers for our iDevices. Most are just little boxes with a battery, LED lights and USB ports. However, the new Lynktec (5,300 or 8,000 mAh) charger has a multitude of thoughtful features, expansion options and usage profiles. It sets a new standard. This product has so…
Satechi USB-C Hub is Small & Has Pass Through Power
The owners of the 2015 12-inch MacBook have a small problem. There is only one USB-C port and no USB-A ports. The assumption has been that 3rd party hubs would solve that problem, and now, post CES, new ones are shipping. The Satechi USB-C Hub with pass through power and two USB-A ports is small,…
Tim Cook's Strategy: 'We believe in investing in downturns'
Apple CEO Tim Cook Tim Cook made a series of pointed declarations about Apple's intentions during the current worldwide economic slump. We believe in investing during downturns. Is CEO Cook trying to put a good face on a downturn that could slow the company's growth? The fact is that Apple has dealt with this before,…
Why Apple Developed the Swift Programming Language - Hint - Apple Car
Let me tell you a story…. One of my favorite military aircraft of all time was the Lockheed F-104 Starfighter. Take a great aluminum airframe, insert a powerful (for its time) J-79 turbojet engine, add analog instruments and radios, and include a 20 mm cannon, and you had a Mach 2 beauty of an air…
It's Time for Apple to Convert Dollars to Leadership
________________________ Leadership isn't just financial success with products customers want and enjoy. Leadership is also an outwardly visible commitment, over a long period of time, to products that Apple believes in. It also means using Apple's technical expertise and trustworthiness to influence the industry in areas where Apple is now following the pack, losing its…
ParcSlope Sets MacBook or iPad Pro at Pleasing 18 Degree Angle
When resting an iPad or MacBook/Air/Pro on a desk, having it inclined at a comfortable angle is desirable for many users. The ParcSlope from Twelve South is a beautifully made steel stand that achieves this. It's especially useful for drawing with an iPad Pro. Here's a closer look. The angle from horizontal is 18 degrees.…
Pull Your iPhone From Your Pocket - Now It Won't Charge - Here's Why
Have you ever plugged your iPhone into the charger and found, to your dismay, no reassuring “doink” and lighting bolt indicator in the top right menu bar? A trip to the Apple store may not be necessary if a rather amusing thing has happened. I might have a quick fix. ________________________ Here at The Mac…