Category Archives: Computers

OWC Data Doubler

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I have just installed an OWC Data Doubler kit in my 13″ MacBook Pro (the late 2011 model).  It is a bracket that replaces the optical drive that ships with the MacBook Pro and allows you to install a second 2.5″ hard disk or SSD.  In my case I have installed a 480GB SSD (KINGSTON SV300S37A480G Media) in the location of the original disk and moved the original disk to the Data Doubler.  The boot disk is now the SSD; I intend to use the old disk as an internal backup drive.

The instructions are very good, all of the tools required are included and the kit itself is of a very high quality.  I highly recommend the Data Doubler kit (and the idea of installing an SSD into a 4 year old MacBook Pro to give it a new lease on life).

Useful Mac OS X Software

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Here is some software I use on my MacBook Pro and recommend.  I have no commercial interests in any of them.

BBEdit (or it’s free cousin TextWrangler)

Available from Bare Bones Software or through the App Store.  TextWrangler (a free “lite” version from the makers of BBEdit) probably fulfils my requirements but once I had the funds I purchased the full version.  The best text editor I have used on any platform.  I have been using this product since the days of Mac OS 7.1 on a PowerBook 150 (when BBEdit Lite was available as opposed to TextWrangler).

VLC

A media player available from VideoLAN.  Plays just about any format I need.

PCalc

Simply the best calculator application out there (and available for iOS too).  I used to use the “lite” version of PCalc on the aforementioned PowerBook 150 during my university engineering studies.  Well worth the money.

VirtualBox

A free virtualisation platform (now available through Oracle).  Worth a look if you need to run old software on old operating systems every now and then.

A belated update of sorts

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So, it’s been a while since I posted a blog update.  Here goes:

  • I upgraded the RAM in my 13″ MacBook Pro from 4GB to 16GB (purchased from http://www.macfixit.com.au).  The performance boost is nice.
  • The cubby house I am building for the kids is progressing well.  I am looking forward to the first round of bulk rubbish collections in the area for the year so I can stock up on some supplies (mainly Colorbond offcuts and wood).
  • The computer collection received two new additions – an SE/30 and a PowerMac 7600.  Both are used but came in their boxes including all peripherals, cables and documentation.  Two very nice Macs.
  • The N gauge model train collection and layouts are progressing well.  Recent additions include some old Graham Farish Class 43 HSTs, a new Dapol Class 58 and numerous rolling stock items.  I am in the process of planning a small 400 x 1200 mm layout as space in the Howell residence is becoming a little tight (see below for the planned layout).
400 x 1200 mm Layout Plan
  • I purchased an iPad Mini (16GB, WiFi+3G, White).  I am finding it a very convenient size.  This is my iPad, the children have claimed the other iPad (3rd Gen iPad, 16GB, WiFi, Black) for YouTube, ABC iView etc.

New MacBook Pro

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I now have a new laptop – a brand new 13″ MacBook Pro 2.4GHz Core i5 with 4GB of RAM and a 500GB hard disk drive.  It is just the second computer I have purchased brand new (the previous being a 12″ PowerBook G4 1GHz while studying at Uni).

I was considering an 11″ MacBook Air (for about the same price) but the lack of ability to upgrade RAM, relatively small storage space and general lack of ports pushed me back from style towards substance.  I am very happy with the decision.

My Apple History

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With the passing of Steve Jobs, I thought it would be a good time to reflect on the impact Apple Computers has had on me.  Here is a rundown of my “main computer” Macs.  I haven’t included those acquired for my (rather out-of-control) collection.

  • It all started in the mid-1990s and involves playing the original version of Cyan’s Myst with Simon Wright on his Apple clone (the brand was Umax if my memory serves me correctly).  Simon and I used to prepare all our group assignments on this setup (he had a scanner and a printer as well I think).  This got me hooked on all things Apple.
  • In the mid-1990s my folks bought us a second hand Apple Macintosh IIci (8MB/80MB) from Simon’s Dad’s work.  It was fantastic.  Mum and Dad then splashed out and bought a brand new StyleWriter 1200!  I still have the IIci and StyleWriter.  Years later I discovered the IIci had come with a Nubus ethernet card, making it even cooler.  The IIci remains my favourite Apple product.
  • After a few years of University studies I purchased (for a ridiculously high price) a Performa 5400 (160MHz/32MB/1.6GB).  Not one of my better decisions.  I foolishly chose the higher clocked 603-based Mac over the slower clocked 604-based one.  I bought my first (of many) boxed Mac OS version for the 5400 – Mac OS 8.5 (I updated to 8.6 by downloading all of the disk images over a 33.6 modem).  I did get it to boot MkLinux from a 250MB Zip Disk (once).
  • Early in the piece I purchased (for about $500 I think) my first PowerBook, a PowerBook 150 (4MB/500MB).  I sold it a few years later.  I spent a while trying to find more RAM for it but had no luck at all.  I now have a handful in my collection…
  • My next PowerBook was a PowerBook 1400 (133MHz/Passive Matrix Screen/40MB/1.3GB) and a PowerCD (as the 1400 had no internal CD drive).  I sold the PowerBook a while later but have kept the PowerCD.  I think I paid about $1400 for this.  The 1400 also ran MkLinux briefly…  Needless to say I have kept the reasonably rare and unusual AppleCD in my collection.
  • For the last few years of Uni I had a Lombard G3 PowerBook (400MHz/192MB/6GB) until upgrading to a brand new PowerBook G4 12″ 1GHz (256GB/40GB).  Later I upgraded the RAM to 768MB and the hard disk to 320GB.  This is the only new Macintosh I have ever bought.
  • The latest upgrade (nearly three years ago now) was a second hand MacBook 2.16GHz (2GB/120GB).  I later upgraded the hard disk to 320GB.  I’m currently typing this post on it!  It has been a good work horse.
  • I guess I should also include the iOS devices.  I started with a 2nd Generation iPod Touch (8GB), followed with an iPhone 4 (16GB Black, I was a late adopter) and the latest acquisition has been an iPad 2 (Black/Wifi-only/16GB).  They are incredible pieces of kit.
For the record I think it is perfectly normal to remember the specifications of all computers you have owned.

iPad

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I now have an iPad (iPad 2 16GB/wifi/black to be precise).  I am thoroughly impressed.  A friend of mine has the first generation equivalent (so I knew roughly what I was getting into).  I went with an STM cover as the Apple versions did not protect the back of the iPad (what on earth were they thinking?).  The STM cover functions the same as Apple’s with regards to unlocking/locking the iPad.

The only “additional” apps I have running on it at the moment are:
I’m really enjoying having it with me on the (increasingly frequent) flights I am taking northward.

Study Rearrangement

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I have just finished rearranging the study (again).  The motivation this time around was to make the model train layout more accessible to me (and the kids of course – Declan has been complaining he can’t see trains).  It now sits approximately one metre off the ground and (when I clear out some stuff) is accessible on three of the four sides (including both “long” sides).  The study is quite a high use room: anything of any value that we want to keep the kids from damaging tends to get stored here.  My laptop is in the study, as is Kylie’s G5 iMac, the printer, the ADSL modem and network switch and so on and so forth.  The study is now much easier to access and egress.
The only downside of the movements was that a track section switch on the train layout was destroyed by the door frame.  Thankfully I had a spare and was able to solder (with only minimal burning of flesh) a replacement in situ.

Belated update of sorts

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Well, so much for my plans to update this blog more often…  Life has been busy so here is a quick summary:

  • I am working away regularly again, splitting my time between jobs at the Rio Tinto ports at Dampier and Cape Lambert.
  • The model train layout is progressing, albeit slowly.  I am now starting to consider building an OO gauge layout to run the Wrenn rolling stock I have been acquiring of late.  If I were a betting man I would put money on the era being early British diesel (LMS).
  • I am slowly getting though all of the home maintenance jobs that have accumulating over the last few months.  Still have plenty to keep me busy though.
  • Birding has been good.  Trips north have allowed me to pick up birds like Western Bowerbird, Black-necked Stork, Eastern Curlew and most recently Crimson Chat.  Haven’t had the time to do as much birding as I would like (especially around Perth, I have missed twitching a few “easy” ones like Chestnut Teal and Cattle Egret).  My life list (Australia/WA) is currently at 243.  Only 7 more and I hit 250!
  • My G4 Mac Mini is now hosting a development website (via MAMP) allowing me to develop and test a new Birds WA sightings page.  The project is coming together nicely (but too slowly).
  • For those of you interesting in birding, may a I recommend the following blog published by some friends of mine: Leeuwin Current Birding.
  • I have purchased an Australian reptile field guide and am in the process of working out what reptiles (monitors mainly) I have taken photographs of in the Pilbara.  Stay tuned for some updates on this theme.
  • Oh and the iPad 2 has been announced…. drool….

Return from intermission

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I have come to the realisation that it has been almost two months since I have posted anything on this blog.  Apologies to my dedicated readers for the unscheduled hiatus.

The last two months have unfortunately been dominated by work.  I had hoped to reduce the amount of site time I was doing but have found it steadily increasing.  In an effort to stay in Perth more often I am taking on more managerial roles, something that I am not too comfortable with to be honest.  I am, however, grateful to have a job.
Computer-wise, not a lot has changed.  Kylie has a “new” iMac G5 (replacing her eMac G4 which was becoming decidedly long in the tooth).  I haven’t added much to the computer collection (I think a complete Apple IIC was the last acquisition).  Recent Apple announcements have been a roller-coaster of emotions for me: the new MacBook Air looks awesome (the 11 inch model in particular) but why oh why have they canned the Xserve?
The model train layout I have been building for the last year or so is progressing nicely.  The under-board wiring has been neatened up and more work on the scenery completed.  I have also started to fix the location of buildings.  Still a very long way to go but I’m not sure I ever want this project to end…

The last few months have been fantastic for me with regards to birding.  The highlight was a trip to Neale Junction with Martin Cake and John Graff.  You can read the trip report here.  It was a fantastic adventure into an area that I have never travelled before.  Already there are plans to go back.  In all I got 17 lifers.

BirdSight Australia has been updated to version 1.8

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The iPhone and iPod Touch application BirdSight Australia has just been updated to version 1.8.

The good news is:
  • The upgrade keeps all of your previous sightings (so don’t stress about upgrading and losing all of your precious sightings that you haven’t backed up because the process is too tedious);
  • The location data entry form allows Google maps (if you have Internet access obviously);
  • You can cache Wikipedia articles locally. This sounds like an awesome feature that I must try out.
The bad news is:
  • The App now has a 17+ rating (why?);
  • The main view of lists of sightings show the same information twice (once in a large black font and the again immediately below in a smaller grey font) EDIT – this behaviour is just for existing sightings made with the previous version – new sightings now show site and date/time on the main page (which is actually good news);
  • The apostrophe bug I mentioned earlier is still present;
  • If you click “Share Data” in an observation and then click “Cancel” the App crashes completely.
There is so much that could be done to improve this App. I guess the underlying good news is that someone is working on it again. Hopefully it’ll get better. This is still the only App I have ever paid for.