Mac Software

Boost Your Online Banking Security with Trusteer Rapport

Trusteer Rapport was recommended to me by several major online Banks.  Click on the link below for more information, and notice the list of major international banks and financial institutions using Trusteer Rapport. Easy installation on my MAC, and seems like a very efficient program worth having.

Defends against phishing and malware activity

Helps safeguard your identity

Shows when you’re on an unprotected website
Download Trusteer Rapport1 for free continuous protection
Works with all major web browsers
Secures communication between keyboard and sensitive websites
Protects online banking username, password and other sensitive sign on information
Prevents malware from tampering with your online transaction
Works with your current antivirus software by providing another level of online security
Protects your information on up to 100 participating retail, social networking & email browser websites.

Simple protection indicator: green = protected; gray = unprotected
Removes malicious malware from your computer and notifies you that it has done so
Periodic reports sent to show malware and phishing attempts
Does not require any configuration or maintenance—just install and you’re protected

  • Defends against phishing and malware activity
  • Helps safeguard your identity
  • Shows when you’re on an unprotected website

For more information and to Download software – you can go here.

By dpozin, ago

QR Codes

The question of whether people are using QR codes in their business was raised.

There was debate on what they were and how they are being used.

My personal view (stated on the evening)  is that their current application is gimmicky rather than real – and arguably ahead of being ‘ready for prime time’.

I have seen them used on business cards for easy sharing of contact information. Others have observed them in newspapers like Maui Time – but real returns as yet unknown.

I did share this URL on the evening as a truly CREATIVE application of using QR codes, but this is not to be taken as a business case – but does serve to demonstrate that such technology like this can be used in VERY interesting ways – and like so much is really limited by the imagination of the application of the use – rather than the technology.

For raw technology, this article popped into my sphere of interest just this morning. Enjoy.

Why QR Codes are failing.

To Quote Sean Cummings:

People will not adopt a technical solution that serves to replace a manual task, if that solution is less efficient than the manual task it replaces. How could we think that QR codes for marketing would work any better than CueCat? Did we not learn the first time?

To Quote John Gruber:

QR codes are built for machines, not humans.

By MAUS Administrator, ago

Alternatives to Quicken for Mac

Our thanks to Dave Schlicher for presenting his views on alternatives to Quicken at our last User Group Meeting. The following is my summary of his talk – don’t hesitate to ping me if there are any errors or misunderstandings contained in the following.

Tried Three Products in Parallel

Caveat: Not an accountant – and not a tax expert. Also – does not own stock in any of the companies.

Why not Quicken ?

Quicken 2007 no longer will work under Lion – so the only alternative is Quicken Essentials – which will. BUT

Though it is easy to make the transition, it is not a good solution.

  • Intuit has not treated mac users very well
  • Quicken 1998 and 2002 have both been killed off before
  • The Quicken product on the Mac was always a poor second to windows machine
  • Quicken recommends changing format of data downloads – this ‘cannot’ be a good idea
  • What is the future for Quicken ? Unknown
  • All of this with the CEO sitting on the board of Apple
  • Investment tracking limited
  • Bill paying never imported
  • Data import only under Snow Leopard
  • If you put data into the product – will you be able to get it out ?
  • It is the ‘Roach hotel of data’. YOu can get data in – but to get it out VERY gnarly
  • CSV data files can be used – but complicated
  • Perl being used to clean up data – too hard
  • Proprietary format – but it is your finances we are talking about.
  • For as little it does and need for flexibility in moving data around – not recommended.

iBank and Moneywell

  •  are both well regarded programs
  • both handle budgeting
  • both offer iPhone apps
  • both free input and export

Trial in money dance – written in Java – so started away

iBank – igg software – 4.2.5 is latest version

  • Comprehensive number of account types
  • Auto downloads
  • Multiple currencies

Moneywell – 1.6.8

  • Overall more limited
  • V2 under dev for a year – and still not ready
  • In Moneywell, budgeting idea is integral to design

Importing data – both worked well though Moneywell a little bit better it handled reconciliation

  • IBank can’t change account type on the fly – Moneywell can

Transaction entry

  • Quicken good at entering data
  • Both iBank and Moneywell have failings

Reconciling

  • IBank not as easy

Budgeting

  • Money well makes it as easy as it possibly can be
  • But maybe so tied into budgeting that if you don’t use it, could be problematic

Support

  • Excellent for both
  • How To videos and documents are good

Conclusion

  • Both are a real change
  • Neither an exact fit – but both will work
  • Entered the trial with a bias for Moneywell
  • But with usage gravitated to iBank
  • Moneywell v 2 will be Lion only – WHEN it is available

Another review to compare the two

Moneywell Web Site

iBank Web Site

 

 

By MAUS Administrator, ago

Why we’re betting everything on FCP X

At the last meeting, we had a healthy discussion on Final Cut Pro – and it’s failings. When I saw this article – decided to share it. As I said in the meeting – I am not a video guy, so really have no valuable input to the debate – however I thought this article from someone who ‘is in the biz’ …

I don’t know if 100% of our customers are FCP editors. They range from ambitious freelancers, to ad agencies, to Hollywood post shops, to in-house editors at the BBC. We believe that the vast majority of these editors – and probably you, too – will be using FCP X as their professional editing platform within a year.

and

Conclusion: In a Year, Most Professional Editors will be Using FCP X

Full Article With Comments : CrumplePop Blog.

By MAUS Administrator, ago