IMPORTANT PROGRAM NOTE - BUSINESS BEFORE PLEASURE!! | |
|
Remember - all work I perform is considered a business expense that you can deduct from your taxes. Tax day is exactly 3.5 months from now (Tuesday April 15, 2025, unless you live abroad, in which case it's Monday June 16, 2025), so if you need a full accounting of any 2024 work performed for your taxes, please email me.
And in the vice-versa column, any tax forms you need to send to me (deadline Friday January 31, 2025) should be sent to my email, or mailed to my business address, which is at the bottom of this newsletter.
Carry on!
| Zen And The Art of Archiving | |
|
Welcome to 2025! With the new year comes a fresh start, time to say goodbye to yesterday. And because your computer’s hard drive has a finite amount of space available, the first of the year is a good time to clean things up when it comes to the data on your computer. And this goes for your email as well.
First thing you’re going to need is an external hard drive, preferably a solid state (SSD) model, although if you have an old school type lurking about, that will do the trick. Once you copy your data to the external drive, plan on putting in a secure place, such as a safe or lockbox.
But what data do you want to back up and what do you want to save? Read here for the answer!
| |
Your Email Provider Has Space Limitations Too! | |
|
Not only does your computer has physical space limitations as far as how much you can keep on your hard drive, your email provider also has drawn the line when it comes to how much you’re allowed to store on its server.
Understand that each service has its own number (Google, aka Gmail; 15 GB, Optimum: 5 GB; AOL and Yahoo both claim “unlimited,” but it’s really capped off at 1 TB*). Note that not only the messages in your inbox count towards to the total, but sent mail, mail that is filed in folders that is stored on the server, and deleted messages that are stored in the trash. And you must realize that it’s the messages that include attachments that are the biggest culprit here, and again, those in your sent folder count towards your total.
Yes, you can buy more storage space on most platforms, but that’s really like putting a storage container in your yard – you’re not really solving the core issue.
* You shouldn’t really be using AOL or Yahoo email in 2025.
| |
January's Quick Tip: Cleaning Out Your Tech Drawer! | |
|
I see it almost every day of my work - a "tech drawer," a place where unused and obsolete wires, devices, and other tech paraphernalia are relegated to.
Yes, I'm guilty of that too - but mine are organized in bins in the basement, and I only save cables that I might need (or more accurately, that clients may need) in the future.
So take a look at what's in there. I see a lot of cables that originally came with camcorders and VCRs, VGA cables that were included with a long-since-dispensed-of display, 30-pin iPhone cables (those old wide ones), and even devices, such as old iPhones, iPods, and more.
If the technology works and can do some good for somebody, it should be erased and either sold or donated, with the associated adapters included. Any other stuff that is no longer valid for any reason should be recycled. There are tech recycling centers in virtually every municipal dump in your area.
May your 2025 be a clutter-free one!
| |
Everybody has a drawer like this. Time to clean house! | |
The iPhone 16 Chronicles Vol. 3: Apple Intelegence | |
|
For the third (and most likely, final) installment of the new iPhone 16 features, I’m going to talk about the vaunted AI – Apple Intelligence – now that iOS 18.2 is available.
To be honest, Apple Intelligence on the iPhone seems pretty underwhelming so far. There are some features that I will probably never use, including:
• Image Playground: Allows you to “create visual expressions.”
• Genmoji: Create emojis for any situation.
• Priority Notifications: Customize notifications in the order of your choice.
As far as the writing tools go, well, I’m pretty good at that aspect of my job, and proud to say I don’t use AI for any of my newsletter content. And I’m not a big Siri guy, unless I’m driving and need to make a phone call. Other than that, not a lot happening right now in Apple Intelligence that changes my life for the better.
Note: Once you've updated to iOS 18.2, you have to manually enable it in Settings>Apple Intelligence & Siri.
| |
|
Happenings in the Apple and tech world that will no doubt impact you!
📱 Are you a fan of the iPhone Plus? This might be your last hurrah - check out what T3 has to say about the future of this model.
👋🏻 Looks like it's time to say So long, farewell, auf wiedersehen, goodnight to Apple's upgrade program - a sort of subscription program which allowed users to trade in their phone every year for. a newer model. Read more about it here.
🕰️ The future of TikTok is still in flux, tangled up in a web of hysteria, political grandstanding, and international intrigue - but what does the crystal ball say? This piece in Vox may provide some clarity.
| |
The mouse that came with the original Macintosh. Party like it's 1984! | |
Nine Helpful and (Hopefully) Fun Links for January 2025! | |
Living in the Past: Links to My Past Six Newsletters! | |
🦃 This month's background picture: 5K race, Bethlehem, CT December 7, 2024 | | |
|
|
Like what you're seeing here? (Or not?) Learning something new, or simply being entertained? Want to see more (or less) things here? Then send me your thoughts - the good, bad, and the ugly.
Also - I'm looking to expand my newsletter to new users - so, if you have any friends, family members, business associates, or anybody who might benefit from this gem delivered in your inbox on the first of every month, let me know.
| |
|
Chris Capelle
Macintosh Computer &
Apple Products Expert
P.O. Box 7512
Wilton, CT 06897
203.451.1377 (cell/text)
| |
Don't forget to follow me on the socials! | | | | |
