TECH TALK moves up

Looks like our blog caught the attention of the tech world and just like that Tech Talk posts have been moved permanently over to AboutThisMac.com We hope you come check us out and subscribe to this new site.

Keep your computer awake!

I love showing my friends YouTube videos when they come to my place, but I hate shaking that mouse to keep the screen from dimming. Sometimes in protest I turn the screen/power saving off, but then I forget to turn them back on. Headache!!!
So I finally got sick of this and installed a slick little program called Caffeine. It's a menu bar app that keeps your computer awake. Download it, drag it into your Applications folder, then double click it to run it.

One click fills the cup and keeps your computer awake...
...and one click turns it off and allows your computer to use the screen/power saver.
Super simple, and it works. Awesomeness.

I only wish that I could decaffeinate myself that easily...

If you can think it, it can happen

If you've seen Star Wars, you've no doubt wished that you could move an object just by thinking about it. Well, mankind is a step closer to this reality. 60 minutes recently broadcast a story about Brain Control Interface (BCI), and I'm still reeling from it, just thinking about the impending fallout from this technology. Amazing, inspiring, breath-taking... I challenge you to watch this and not be surprised!


Watch CBS Videos Online

CBS link via Lifehacker.com

Custom Gadget of the Day

"A big red button is, by human nature, an object of compulsion. If you see it, you are overcome with the desire to push it. But what happens when you do?"

I need one of these!!! Here's the story behind the EPB.

Change Default Application

Alright, I've had enough. Whenever I open an .torrent file, Opera automatically opens, and not Transmission. So how do I change a file's default application?

First, find that file (in my case, a .torrent file) and right click (or control + click) it. Select "Get Info" from the menu.

From this menu, click the triange beside the "Open With" pane to reveal the default application switcher.
Select your app from the drop down menu (I want Transmission) and then click "Change All"
Voila! Close the window!
Note: Oh, and if you only want that single file to open in that program, and all the rest to still stay in the other type, don't click "Change All". Just close the window.

Truly Nerdy Gadget of the Day

If you've ever removed & replaced a hard drive from a computer, then wanted to transfer the data from the old HD, chances are you've had to use a spare external USB or FireWire drive enclosure to hook the removed HD to your computer.

No more!

Brando's USB to SATA/IDE cable connects all 2.5" and 3.5" IDE and SATA drives (even optical ones!) to your computer.

I don't have one (yet), but the reviews I've read look upon it quite favourably. Brando sells it for $35, but you can find it at other places for around $15. Hey, my birthday's coming up in November!

Are you stuck?

Kendra asks,"How do I eject a CD or DVD on my Mac when pressing the eject button doesn't work?"

This is a great question that I myself had to search apple support for the answer when I first had this problem on my first mac. Especially when you think that a stuck disc is going to mean sending your machine in for repair. Firstly, remember old CD and DVD drives from those PC computers you used to use and how when I disc wouldn't eject you would grab a paper clip and bend it straight to press on that magic manual eject button? Don't try that on a mac, cause you will search forever and never find such a button. In fact you might damage something. The solution is easier than it might seem.

In general a CD or DVD can be ejected on a Mac (MacBook or MacBook Pro) using the physical eject button or from the finder without any problems, but occasionally this don’t work and the disc icon might disappear from your Desktop and you can’t get the disc out of your computer. However, there is a trick you can try to extract the stuck disc.

• Restart your Mac
• After you hear the startup chime, press and hold your trackpad button
• After a minute or so and you think nothing is gonna happen the disc ejects
• Release the button once the disc ejects

99% of the time this will work. The other 1% has a more advance solution that I won't publish. So if it doesn't work for you. Just contact us and we'll walk you through it.