Posted by Jeffrey Powers at 1:10 PM on February 21, 2010
I always forget about this website. When I finally go there to check my site amongst OS browsers, I always find one small problem. Quick change in the CSS and everything is all better.
I am talking about Broswershots. They simply take my site and call it up using different browsers on all Operating Systems. Linux, PC, Mac and BSD checking the following browsers:
Avant
Chrome
Dillo
Epiphany
Firefox
Flock
K-Meleon
Galeon
Iceape
Iceweasel
Internet Explorer
Kazehakase
Konqueror
Minefield
Navigator
Opera
Safari
SeaMonkey
Shiretoko
I can also view the many versions of the browsers. Let’s say I am optimizing for Internet Explorer. I can check IE 4.0, 5.0, 7.0 or 8.0 on a Windows format. Check the boxes, enter the URL and away we go.
What Dillo sees of my websites from Browsershots
The process is not instantaneous. The service will set a 30 minute time limit which you can extent, but you have to physically be there to do so. If you checked all boxes, then you will definitely need to extend the process a couple times. It can also really show you how slow your website might load if you have an influx of users. One website I checked came up with all versions in about 10 minutes, yet another website (a little more PHP process driven) took a little more time.
Once your screenshots appear, you can view and download. Of course, this is dependent on the Internet connection at both sides, so you may have to request a new screenshot if you don’t see the proper results. For instance, IE 8.0 came back with a blank screen. I then told Broswershots to retry and the end result was perfect.
This website is pretty useful in detecting problems. Although I do have a PC, Mac and Ubuntu machine, I am really happy I don’t have to load up every browser on those machines. It’s about 80 different browsers and their versions to choose from. I am hoping soon they will also check across phone browsers. That will be a perfect addition to Browsershots.
I’ve been using WebnoteHappy for the Mac for a few weeks and love it. I’m always surfing the Internet researching things and have tried various ways of capturing content on web pages that I visit and want to remember. The common way to do that is with your browser’s bookmark feature. I used that for a while but wasn’t happy with the results. In the Windows world I use a program called Azz Cardfile, that allows me to paste the contents of a web page or a link to the page in what looks like an electronic card file. I can then add notes about the site and click on the link within the card file to go back to the site in my browser. The notes are searchable too.
When I moved over to the Mac world, I missed Azz Cardfile, but I finally found something better from HappyApps.com. WebNoteHappy works with your browser to capture (bookmark) a link to a web page you find interesting. You can then add notes and other information and even search your links and notes and launch the web page in your browser. This program also allows you to create folders to help you organize what you find. You can even create Smart Folders where you set up rules to automatically move items into folders. All the links and notes are stored in a common library and only pointers are stored within the folders so items can reside in multiple folders. As an example, I have a Photographer folder with a Wish List subfolder. I also have Wish List folder under Gadgets and the program allows me to store the same item in both places (if it’s photography related).
When you install the program it places a “bookmarklet” in your browser’s toolbar. When you find a web page that you want to remember, just click the “Webnote It” bookmarklet, and it opens up WebNoteHappy and generates an entry. You can then type any notes you want about the site and even add tags.
The program sells for $24.95 USD and you can try it for 30 days before you buy it. There is also a free WebnoteHappy Lite program that works the same way except it doesn’t have folders to organize your bookmarks. The program works with both Firefox and Safari browsers.
I started out with the Lite version and moved up to the paid version because I found the program was a great time-saver for me. When I installed the paid version it found all the items I had saved in the Lite version and I didn’t loose a thing. After I upgraded to the paid version I had a few questions and received very fast response to my questions.
If you use a Mac and want to get a little more organized, give WebnoteHappy or WebnoteHappy Lite a try.
First off I will say that I love the Mac OS and I love the Windows OS. (How about that for staying neutral?) Listeners to my Fogview Podcast know I switched to the Mac about six months ago when my main Windows XP computer died. I had an iMac that I was using for video editing and my photography work so I started using that for my daily work. I know there are a lot of Mac fan-boys out there but I’m not one of them. A computer is a computer and each type has it’s advantages and disadvantages. I enjoy using and learning about the Mac OS but I still do a lot of my work on my new Windows Vista machine.
I found that the Mac has it share of “spinning beach balls” just like Windows has it hourglass when the CPU is overloaded and can’t do one more thing. I have programs crash on the Mac just like they crash on Windows. I don’t have to worry about viruses and spyware on the Mac like I do on Windows, but I know that could change in the future.
What I would like to mention is the four things that still confuse me as a newbie “Mac switcher.”
Closing a window on the Mac doesn’t close the program. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve clicked the close window icon and realize later that the program is still running. Most Window programs go away when they are closed.
The program menu bar is at the top of the screen instead of at the top of the window. This is related to the first item because if I close a program’s window (i.e. iTunes), I now see another program underneath it but I’m still in the program I thought I closed. If I try to access the menu for the program that I see on the screen, I will be accessing the menu for the program I thought I closed. (See the screen shot on the right for an example of what I’m talking about: iTunes menu and Aperture window)
Control = Alt and Alt = Command keys Yes, the keys are switched, at least for how I normally think of them in Windows. For example, I press Ctrl-C to copy in Windows, and Command-C in Mac. Alt-tab to switch programs in Windows and Command-tab in Mac. (The last two are not switched, which only adds to the confusion.)
Home and End act like Page Up and Page Down instead of begin/end If I’m typing something in Windows, the Home/End keys will move the cursor to the begin/end of the line I’m typing. On the Mac it generally shifts the content of the window up and down on the screen and doesn’t change the cursor location. (I realize that each program can use the Home/End keys as they see fit, but in the Windows world these keys always seem to work the way I expect — or at least the way I’ve come to expect of them.)
Of all the differences I mentioned, #4 is the one thing I have not been able to get use too. I’m always trying to use the Home/End keys on the Mac to move my cursor around when editing text (I admit that I make lots of typing mistakes). I try to use it when entering URLs into the browser, Google search strings, emails I’m composing, and blogs entries (like this one), and I’m always surprised at the results. I would love for a Mac user to tell me what keys will do a similar thing on the Mac.
Learning to use a Mac has been a fun thing and helps to keep my brain engaged. I picked up a great book that helped answer the question of “How do I do that on the Mac.” It’s called “Switching to the Mac, The Missing Manual” by David Pogue. I highly recommend it if you’re thinking about switching too.
I’m not a Mac expert but I will write more in the future about my experience navigating in a Mac world from a Windows map. Stay tuned.
The following video was created showing one of the many possibilities for using Automator. I know Automator has been around for awhile, but if you are switching over to a Mac, it maybe something that is unfamiliar to you. If you want to learn more about Automator I would recommend going to Automator World, which is an excellent reference guide. There are Automator scripts already set up for you to download and use or they can be used as templates. There is also a forum where you can ask questions.
Automator, does take some time to learn, but it is well worth the effort. I am still learning things about it all the time. My recommendation is to keep trying different things to see what works. The one thing that I find helps, is if I write down the steps one at a time and then find a action that matches those steps in Automator. If you learn Apple Script, then you can use it along with Automator to create even more powerful processes to run.
I set up this process because I have two Macs. One is a Mac Mini which is downstairs with Miro installed on it and a Macbook upstairs. My video’s are on an external drive attached to my Apple Express base station. There are times when I am upstairs and I want to play the videos that had been downloaded using Miro. Using Automator, I have set up a process that allows me to do this. The following video is how I did it.
This morning, Apple posted an update to OSX Leopard to 10.5.3. Run the software update to get the newest version. Apple has posted information on this update.
There are a lot of issues fixed for this update. If you use a USB audio or video device, this will fix any stuttering issues. Another big issue it fixes, certain hard drives that didn’t, will show up in Finder.
For those of you who connect up your Mac to Active Directory, this fix will improve binding and logon. It also fixes a delay people were reporting when logging in a .local domain. Most importantly, you should now be able to change your password at the login window if you are using a Mac OSX 10.4 Open Directory Server.
The update will also help those who use AirPort and Time Capsule. Other updates are with iCal, iChat, Mail, Spaces, Parental Controls and VoiceOver.
No word yet on if it will help anyone running Hackintosh. Of course if you do try the upgrade, make sure you have your system properly backed up.
Upon careful consideration and with deep sadness, I regret to inform Stan’s MacMinute readers that we are unable to continue operating the MacMinute website at this time. It is not that we do not have the passion, nor is it because of the emotional pain attached to it. Due to reasons that are completely beyond our control, we are neither able to sell nor operate MacMinute.
This is part of the post found at macminute.com by his sister, Julie. Stan Flack – founder of MacMinute had passed away a month earlier and his family has been taking care of his estate. Since Stan was a major part of his website, the information has remained stagnant since April 11th.
Stan was one of the first online web pioneers in Mac information. He was part owner of MacCentral in 94, which 5 years later he sold to MacWorld. Stan took a small sabbatical, then came back in 2001 with macminute. Stan reported on everything Mac for the last 7 years.
What I take from the post is that they might be looking for someone to take the reins over. It would be a sad day if we were to loose the 7 years of content that site holds. I know I have been to that site about a hundred times or more – It would be devastating if it wasn’t part of any Mac fans’ daily read.
Posted by geeknews at 3:31 AM on December 15, 2006
Lots of great content tonight and some more serious topics that I would love to get some feedback on including what one question would you ask Bill Gates if you had the chance.
Posted by geeknews at 3:19 AM on November 14, 2006
Well we have another winner and he who won will be very surprised. I go after Microsoft and the Zune player in a big way tonight and I think you will agree with me they just don’t get it. Some serious Soap Box time tonight!
A Mac virus detected and reported on last week appears to be pretty weak, and so far has only infected about 50 Intel based Mac’s. The virus writer himself expressed his frustration within the code of the virus, indicating he was having a lot of trouble for such a small amount of code. While Mac users continue to enjoy a computing experience that is virus free, the concern for some experts is that the Mac users will become to compliant.
My thought on this is that while doubtful that a sophisticated virus for the Mac is going to appear anytime soon, that if one did it could really do some major damage. Only time will tell but Mac users will continue to be able to sleep easy knowing there operating system is pretty secure. [ZDNet]
I know a lot of the hard core Mac users have been waiting for the Intel Core 2 Duo to be released and that wait will be well rewarded as the notebook will now be up to 39% faster which is a significant increase.
Released in a 2.16Ghz or a 2.33Ghz you available in both 15 and 17 Inch Models [Apple]
Move over Microsoft. Vista looks like Windows 95 compared to Mac OS X 10.5. After seeing clips from the WWDC keynote I am officially blown away. The new technology that is being put into this new release is something Windows didn’t even think was possible. 10.5 will feature the ability to backup files and data integrated right into the OS. New Core Animation for applications will enhance graphics 100 times better. You will be able to create dashboard widgets on your own through safari using a special feature. The desktop mail application features stationary templates. iChat features major upgrades including backdrops for video conferencing, visibility, multiple logins, animated icons and much more. This release of Mac OS X is sure to please everyone and I believe sell more than Tiger. Developers will be receiving a preview today from the WWDC along with new tools. Expected release date, in Apple terms, is the Spring of 2007. Lets not forget that Apple said the Intel transition would be complete by 2007. It only took them 210 days from the day it was announced. I want to hear what Windows users have to say about the Apple releases. Take care all.
I will be closely following the events at the WWDC 2006 Keynote. I will be posting any information as it comes available. Check back here for updates during the next hour.
In light of all the talk about the MacBook hack, I figured I would help shed some light on security issues in the computer industry. Has anybody heard of the phrase no one’s perfect? A computer is a computer no matter how you put it. Apple has a very stable and secure OS, but that doesn’t mean its perfect. The mac users out there must know this because you do get those software updates that say security update on them. It was interesting to see the additional comments Todd had about the MacBook hack (and on the show), which I can only hope readers know I listened to after my post. Can you hack a Windows machine easier than a Mac. Yes. Can you hack a Mac? Yes. End of story. In the end it doesn’t matter how easy it is or not, a security risk is a security risk. One moment everything is fine and the next is total chaos. That is one of the problems with security. There are no warnings and you do not see it coming.
My opinion on part of the reason Macs don’t have as many threats is because of the sense of loyalty of the mac user. Those of you that hate the mac usually don’t know much about using one. So, where does that leave room for the hackers? Is this entirely the case? No, but it seems interesting enough and has atleast some shred of validity. I work with guys that do not like macs. They could hack Windows in their sleep. Put them in front of a Mac and it takes them a little while to get the feel of the OS. Could they hack it? Not without some prior usage, which if you don’t like them is not something you might do. As with the die-hard Mac users, will they give into using a PC, not likely.
I will touch on this because on the Windows defense I hear this quite often. Apple has 5% of the market using Mac. That is one of the reasons they don’t have many viruses. I agree that has some of the to do about viruses. But then again if the hackers did this stuff to better the technology industry instead of harming it, I think it would save the average consumer quite a bit of money. Think of it this way hackers, you still get to hack, but when you do it won’t be illegal. You’ll get a pat on the back for finding the loophole. That I guess would be a utopia.
Don’t forget to check out the Geek News Dashboard Widget at www.xitechnology.com
What I would like to mention is the four things that still confuse me as a newbie “Mac switcher.” 
I know a lot of the hard core Mac users have been waiting for the Intel Core 2 Duo to be released and that wait will be well rewarded as the notebook will now be up to 39% faster which is a significant increase.
