Tips

While your Mac lets you take full screenshots and partial screenshots, it can be helpful to crop a screenshot after you take it. However, there are several ways to do this. Which one is the best? My name is Tyler, and I am a Mac technician with over 10 years of...

If your Mac is running slow or freezing, a troublesome process could be to blame. Shutting down these processes can speed up your Mac and resolve potential problems. But how can you view and kill processes on Mac? My name is Tyler, and I am a Mac technician with over...

You can resize an image on your Mac using Preview, the Photos app, the Pages app, and various other applications.  I’m Jon, a Mac expert, and owner of a 2019 MacBook Pro. I frequently resize images on my Mac and made this guide to show you how.  Sometimes,...

To AirDrop photos from your iPhone to your Mac, enable Airdrop on both devices, select share on your iPhone, and hit Airdrop. Then select your Mac from the list and accept the Airdrop on your Mac.  I’m Jon, an Apple expert. I own an iPhone and a few Macs; I...

Need to move photos from your Mac to your iPhone after you finish editing? No problem. You can use Apple’s AirDrop feature, iCloud Photo Library, and Finder to quickly transfer photos from your Mac to your iPhone.  I’m Jon, an Apple expert, and owner of an iPhone...

You can transfer photos from your iPhone to your Mac using a USB cable, image capture, AirDrop, iCloud files, iCloud Photos, email, or another cloud storage service.  I’m Jon, an Apple techie and proud owner of an iPhone 11 Pro Max and a 2019 MacBook Pro. I often...

If you’re shopping for a used or refurbished iPhone or iPad on third-party websites, you may have encountered the phrase “iCloud locked” in the product’s description. Just what does “iCloud locked” really mean? iCloud locked means that Apple’s anti-theft mechanism,...

Whether you’re transferring data to a new iPhone or simply want to ensure your messages are safe if you lose your device, Apple’s iCloud service allows you to back up your messages with just a few easy steps. To back up messages to iCloud from your iPhone, open the...

If your Mac starts showing you a “service recommended” message on your battery, it could mean that the battery needs replaced. However, how can you know when replacement is really needed, and how can you extend your battery life? My name is Tyler, and I am a computer...

There are many ways to transfer data between Macs. Target disk mode is one of the less commonly known methods. Even so, it makes file transfer much easier. But how do you get started with it? My name is Tyler, and I am a computer technician with over 10 years of...

Is your name incorrect on your iCloud email account? Perhaps you changed your last name or want to go by a nickname. Is it possible to change the sender name on iCloud email? Yes, it is possible. To change the name on iCloud email, go to Accounts in the preferences...

To access iCloud photos on your Mac, sign into the same Apple ID you use for your iCloud, then sync your library in “System Settings”. Once you since your Mac, your iCloud photos will automatically update as you take and add more photos.  I’m Jon, a Mac expert...

It isn’t safe to email banking information without additional encryption. You should never email any sensitive personal information without additional encryption.  Hi, I’m Aaron, an information security professional with almost two decades of experience keeping...

It’s possible, but difficult to browse the internet with a Roku. However, the Roku is an internet-connected device, so the content it shows is from the internet.  Hi, I’m Aaron. I’ve worked in the legal, technology and security fields for almost two decades. I...

A VPN connection is one of the few ways to prevent your ISP from seeing your internet usage. Your Internet Service Provider (ISP) can see all the devices you connect to the internet and almost everything you do on the internet. There are ways to hide what you do on...

Restoring deleted files from Google Drive is straightforward and can save you a lot of headaches trying to recreate a document from scratch. You can recover anything you delete intentionally or accidentally, but be careful! There are limits. My name’s Aaron and I’ve...

If you know there’s a local wi-fi connection and your laptop cannot connect to it, then you might have network adapter issues. One sentence into the article and you’re probably asking yourself: What does that mean? How can I fix it? I’m Aaron and these days I limit my...

Yes, employers can see your internet traffic while you’re connected to your company’s Virtual Private Network (VPN). They can see this traffic by virtue of how VPN works. However, it’s unlikely that they see your internet traffic while you’re not connected.  I’m...

Battery cycle count is a vital indicator of your MacBook’s health. An old battery will affect your productivity and enjoyment of your laptop. So how can you check your battery cycle count to determine if you need a new one? My name is Tyler, and I am a computer repair...

When an application starts to cause problems on your Mac, you should look for ways to Force Quit it and start again. But how can you bring up the classic “Ctrl Alt Delete” screen similar to a Windows computer? My name is Tyler, and I am a computer technician with over...

When an application causes an issue on your system or malfunctions, the easiest solution is to delete it and start again. But how do you delete apps on Mac that won’t delete? My name is Tyler, and I am a computer technician with over 10 years of experience. I’ve seen...

No, if you forward an email, the sender cannot see that you did so. This is because of how email works. The recipient may see that you forwarded it, however, and might inform the original sender.  I’m Aaron and I love technology. I use email everyday, as do most...

Don’t panic, you’re probably ok.  We’ve probably all fallen for it. We’re mindlessly browsing our email, click on a link in one of them and are redirected to a page where we’re asked to enter our username and password. Or a popup comes up with some junk ads and a...

While nothing in the cybersecurity world is 100%, it’s almost impossible at the time of writing this article for the Xbox to get a virus. To date, there have been no successful reported widespread compromises of Xbox consoles.  I’m Aaron and I’ve worked in...

You can check if a file or link has a virus before you download it and there are great free resources on the internet to do so. Nothing beats safe internet usage practices and smart browsing, though.  I’m Aaron, an information security evangelist and lawyer with...

You can replace a household internet connection with a mobile hotspot. Whether you want to or not really depends on what you’re using the internet for, how many people are using the internet, and why you’d want to avoid household internet connection.  My name’s...

Yes, you can, but there are some features you’ll miss out on. If you care about those features, I’d recommend that you play Minecraft while connected to the internet. But if you want a blissful and relaxing experience of mining and building in your own private world,...

A Virtual Private Network (VPN) Connection can be tracked. There are a number of examples online where that’s happened and most major VPN providers warn against this.  My name’s Aaron and I’ve been doing cybersecurity for more than a decade. I’m also a lawyer! I,...

It is definitely possible to have two different internet providers in one house. You likely do, in a sense, without realizing it.  Hi, I’m Aaron. I’ve been in technology for the better part of 20 years and have been an electronics enthusiast and hobbyist longer...

Fear not! Your parents can’t see your internet history on the internet bill. There are certain things your Internet Service Provider (ISP) may tell them through other avenues, but they can’t get your internet browsing history from the internet bill.  Hi, my...

VPNs, by virtue of the way they work, do not protect you from hackers. That being said, there’s a lot you can do to protect yourself from hackers. But should you even care? Hi, my name’s Aaron. I’m a lawyer and information security expert. I’ve been in the industry...

You can use Command+Click, click & drag, or the “Select All” toggle in the Photos app on your Mac. Selecting multiple photos at once can make things more efficient and saves you time. I’m Jon, a Mac guru, and owner of a 2019 MacBook Pro. I often select multiple...

Whether you’re a photographer or take beautiful pictures in your spare time, there’s a good chance you’ll need to convert RAW images to JPEG images from time to time.  To convert RAW images to JPEG on your Mac, you can use “Covert Image,” Preview, the Sips...

Anytime you install an application on your Mac, files are left over in your system’s cache. These files can build up and take up essential storage space. So how can you clear your application cache on Mac and recover this space? My name is Tyler, and I am a computer...

Video Previews can be used in video editing for a variety of purposes, from previewing complex sequences or shots, to expediting the editing process and ensuring smooth playback and even to rapidly increasing final export times. While their specific usage and codec...

Rendering in video editing is simply the act of transcoding video from the “Raw” camera source format into an intermediate video format. There are three primary functions of Rendering: Previews, Proxies, and Final Output/Deliverables. By the end of this article,...

The time it takes to edit a video is one of the most often debated and queried topics in the post-production world. In short, there really is no easy answer, as the complexity of an edit and most crucially the length of the piece will ultimately dictate how much time...

I’ve had extensive experience through the years as a Post Production Supervisor, as well as working in all of the various editorial roles from Assistant Editor, to Editor, to Online/Finishing Editor, and through all of these roles and responsibilities I’ve carried...

Backing up your files is crucial if you want to be sure that your data is safe, but sometimes Time Machine is not the ideal solution. But what are the best ways to back up your Mac without using Time Machine? My name is Tyler, and I am a computer technician with over...

Running out of RAM can quickly slow down your Mac and cause all sorts of problems. Reducing your ram usage is an effective way to speed up your Mac and be more productive. But how do you free up ram and reduce memory usage? My name is Tyler, and I am a computer...

Learning video editing is much like learning to paint. It doesn’t take much to learn how to use the tools, and it certainly doesn’t take considerable time, effort and years of practice to become a professional, and to master the craft. Learning the basics can be done...

LUT is an abbreviation for Lookup Table. This term is used quite often in today’s digital post and pre/production worlds, but if you were to ask anyone in the field you’d be surprised to find that so few really understand what the term means.  In essence though,...

Color Correction in video editing is relatively self-explanatory, at least with regard to defining the (often complex) process.  Color Correction is simply a term that encapsulates the technical corrective methods and procedures for getting your footage to be...

Spotlight Search is a valuable tool for finding images, documents, and applications on your Mac. But when Spotlight stops working, it’s usually because of system errors, indexing errors, or improper settings. You can generally fix it by restarting spotlight services,...

Sometimes you need to turn off your Mac's built-in firewall, especially if it conflicts with a third-party security application or a VPN. Luckily, turning off the firewall on your Mac is easy. My name is Tyler Von Harz, a laptop and desktop technician with 10+ years...

Ventura is the latest release of Apple's famed macOS. With all of the new features, you may be tempted to upgrade. But can you upgrade if you own an older Mac—and should you? I’m Tyler Von Harz, a Mac technician and owner of a store specializing in Mac repairs. After...

Google Drive is safe to store photos and confidential information. Companies large and small and individuals worldwide rely on Google Drive to store their confidential information and other personal information like photos, documents, and other files.  I’m Aaron,...

VPN, or Virtual Private Networking, is a way to browse the web safely and prevent websites from seeing your general location. But it can be hacked as well, and you are not truly safe when browsing the internet when using a VPN. I’m Aaron, a lawyer and technology...

Wireless internet seems to be ubiquitous today. Businesses provide it as a benefit to employees and customers. People provide their wireless passwords to visitors in their homes. It’s a way to keep us connected when our devices may otherwise be unable to access the...

Viruses, also known as malware or malicious code, are a significant risk in today's computing environment. There are billions of different types of viruses and over 560,000 new viruses are detected each day (source). Cybercriminals use creative methods to deliver...

Yes! But getting a virus from opening an email is very unlikely–so unlikely, in fact, that you’ll have to take active steps to infect your computer with a virus. Don’t do that! I’ll tell you why it’s unlikely and what you have to do (for the purpose of avoiding it) to...

Have you ever wanted to check your CPU temperature while gaming? I’ll show you how and it’s easier than you think. Within 10 minutes, you’ll be up and running and able to monitor all sorts of information while you game. All you need is MSI Afterburner and the ability...

One of the most frequently asked questions in information security is: should I avoid using hotel Wi-Fi or any other public Wi-Fi hotspots? Well, the quick answer is: Hotel Wi-Fi is not safe even though it is okay for general web browsing. But you should consider...

A Jump Cut in video editing is when the editor removes a section of interior time from a shot or clip, and thus creates a “jump” forward, forcing time to pass quicker than real-time without modulating the speed of the shot, and ultimately breaking the otherwise...

Proxies are transcoded approximations of original camera raw files that are typically generated at a much lower resolution than the source material (though not always) and used for a multitude of reasons in post-production workflows.  While there are many...

A Keyframe is simply a user-designated/assigned frame. The definition itself is rather simple, as its meaning is in plain view in its name. However, despite the simple definition, the use of keyframes can be wildly complex and vary from software to software. While...

Whether you have misplaced your MacBook or suspect it might have been stolen, your first inclination might be to panic. Not only are MacBooks valuable in monetary terms, but also the computer contains your precious photos and documents. Is there any hope of recovering...

Non-linear editing (NLE for short) is the standard mode of editing today. It is ubiquitous and ever-present in our modern post-production world. In fact, most have forgotten that there was even a time when editing non-linearly was entirely out of reach, particularly...

We live in a world where screens are everywhere and devices are in everyone’s hands. With the demand for video at an all-time high, there has truly never been a better time to become a video editor. In this article, we are going to break down why now is the best time...

The need to edit a photo can often arise these days, whether for marketing materials, tutorials, or casual photos. Luckily, macOS includes a native app for photo editing called Photos! In addition, there are also many third-party Mac photo editor apps to fit your...

Whether you want to make sure you have the latest version of a web page or clear up some hard drive space, it can be beneficial to clear the cache on your Mac from time to time. Although macOS stores multiple different types of cache, your browser cache is the one you...

The Recents folder in macOS Finder can be convenient when you need to find a file you have worked on lately. But what if your recent files contain embarrassing or confidential files? Is it possible to remove those? The best way to clear the "Recents" folder on your...

Apple's newest version of macOS is Ventura. At the time of writing this article, Ventura is still in its beta launch phase. This means that only a handful of Macs are running the latest version of the OS. And since it's not the final release, sometimes it can be slow....

Mac’s Terminal application is a powerful tool that allows you to run UNIX/LINUX-style commands right from your desktop. Running shell commands from the command prompt may not be for everyone, but once you learn, it can become your go-to tool for many tasks. If you use...