uTorrent has finally been officially announced after the leakage of pre-release alpha version of a Mac. The popular Bittorrent client for Windows was being anticipated to embrace Mac for quite some time. 

Compared to the Windows version, however, the newly-released version is missing certain features, including an RSS downloader. Rumors of a Mac uTorrent release first surfaced in June of 2007, with an alpha version leaked back in September.

The beta software for Macs is now available to download for free, though uTorrent warns the it may contain serious bugs.

Download the beta version of Mac uTorrent.

I have to take plenty of screenshots, every now and then capturing a screenshot on a Mac is very easy, so simple that I just love doing it. Here is how you do it.

If you have to capture a screenshot of your entire desktop simply press (Command + Shift + 3) all together. The Command button is the one that has the apple symbol on it.

The screenshot will appear as image file on your desktop, something called Picture 1.png. I would recommend that before you edit the picture you open the captured image in “Preview” and save it as a JPEG, instead of the PNG format that it is captured.

In order to capture a selected portion of your screen press all together (Command + Shift + 4) and use the cursor to highlight what you want captured.

One of the major difference between a man and a computer is that machines have solid memory while ours is not that perfect. So the possibility of losing your passwords is more of a side-effect of being a human rather than anything else.

You can’t do anything about your human existence but help is at hand in case you have lost/forgotten your Mac password. There is an application in Mac OS X called Keychain Access which stores all kinds of passwords such as Wi Fi network, websites, mail, ftp etc.

For example if you have a bookmarked a site in Transmit FTP application with a password stored in the same and you want to retrieve it you can go to Keychain Access search for the name of the server you are interested in.

Now you may select the right key and get info with Apple(Cmd)-I. Now you will need to click the Show password switch which will prompt you for your admin password. Once you typed it in, the password for that specific key will now be visible.

Microsoft has finally released Remote Desktop Connection Client 2 for Mac after an year long public beta. It will allow administrators to quickly and securely connect to Windows-based PCs to access Windows-based files, applications, devices, and networks from Mac. This will definitely turn out to be a boon for Windows admins. Remote Desktop Connection 2 is equipped with an improved UI and it also allows you to change preferences and customize short cuts during active sessions. It will have multiple session support which will make it easier for users to access windows application and network server simultaneously without resorting to any hack.

A new network authentication method called Network Level Authentication offers greater security against hackers and malicious software. You could also print off from your Mac by configuring printer with it. Microsoft Remote Desktop Connection software is free of cost and can be downloaded from windows website.

Unlimited Windows Remotely connected on one MAC
New Multiple Session Support gives Mac users simultaneous access to multiple Windows-based PCs or to a network server that hosts remote applications and files.

Amazing Looks, Just Like MAC.
A redesigned user interface makes this application more customizable. Create your own keyboard shortcuts; and even access and change preferences during active sessions.

Network Level Authentication
Better security by this new authentication method in Windows Vista offers security enhancements that can help to protect the remote computer from hackers and malicious software.

I am sure you have encountered this, my Safari crashes whenever it is running Flash content, mostly when I am browsing on websites which have Flash in banner ads. That really sucks!

While the last Flash update the release was mainly inclined towards fixing many security vulnerabilities. However, the new code makes the browser crash.

The FIX to this problem is: downgrade Flash Version to the version v47. Follow the given steps and trust me this works!

• Go to Adobe Flash Download page and download “Flash Player 9.”
• After the download open the package, then open the “9r47 Folder”. Select flashplayer9r47_ub_mac.dmg.zip (flashplayer9r47_max.zip is for PPC only) for machine. This installs Flash 9.0.47.
• Reset & Restart Safari

But if this doesn’t help you, alternatively you can try removing Flip4Mac, Microsoft WMV components for QuickTime. I hope that helps you.

 Apple released Mac OS X 10.5.3, which is to overcome all issues that existed in Mac OS X 10.5.2. The update is currently only available via Software Update, but will soon be available via standalone delta and combo installers. The latest version includes 31 new bug fixes affecting Airport, Back to My Mac, Spaces, Time Machine and many other features.

Here is a sneak preview on what’s been fixed

General Features

• This version has Fixed a font issue that could result in Helvetica Narrow being used in applications instead of Helvetica.
• Also has Addressed an issue with stuttering video and audio playback in certain USB devices.
• Resolves stability issues with Word of the Day, iTunes Artwork, and Slideshow screen savers.
• Fixed an issue in which certain attached hard drives may not show up in the Finder.

More Fixes

• Improved 802.1X behavior and reliability.
• Improved reliability when using Time Capsule.
• iChat issues fixed.
• Resolved Few Mail issues like, Making it more stable

Improved Parental Controls

• Addresses reliability issues with application logging and time limits.
• Resolved an issue in which Parental Controls may prevent forced sleep.
• Improved performance with web content filters.

Enhanced Spaces with much needed fixes

• This version fixed an issue in which switching to a different space and returning back to the original space may reorder the application windows with a different active window.
• Resolved an issue in which activating an application from the Dock switches to a different space, even if there is a window for that application in the current space.

Time Machine Improved Compatibility

• Includes fixes for Time Machine compatibility with Time Capsule.
• Resolved certain issues when backing up a portable Mac that is on battery power.
• Fixed compatibility issues with Aperture 2.
• Fixed reliability issues when performing a full restore from a Time Machine backup.

Based on Apple’s calibration tips, it looks like the iBook, PowerBook, MacBook or MacBook Pro are smart enough to go to sleep before they battery has hit a dangerous low that is good since the batteries are expensive. Still you must, when you easily can calibrate your laoptop MacBook or MacBook Pro lithium ion battery for best performance.

The battery has an internal microprocessor that provides an estimate of the amount of energy in the battery as it charges and discharges. The battery needs to be recalibrated from time to time to keep the on screen battery time and percent display accurate.

• Plug the power adapter in and fully charge your macbook’s battery until the battery indicator lights turn off and the adapter plug ring goes from amber to green, which indicates that the battery is fully charged.
• Disconnect the power adapter and use your Macbook. When your battery gets low, you will see the first low battery warning dialog on the screen. Continue to use your Macbookuntil it goes to sleep. At that point the battery has been sufficiently drained for calibration.
• Connect the power adapter and leave it connected until the battery is fully charged again.

Read following Article to know more

Some Macbook Air owners have experienced a problem with their keyboard illumination, this issue is with the MacBook Air’s ambient light sensor process that automatically illuminates the keyboard. For many users it is not functioning properly.

Various kinds of issues have been reported, when the computer is put in light the keyboard brightens, and in the dark the keyboard will darken or turn off. Sometimes the light sensor will not work at all, or will only work for either the keyboard or display brightness, but not work together.

As a FIX to this problem, Solution is found and it is likely that this is due to a corrupted .GlobalPreferences.plist preferences file in the user account. Unfortunately, deleting this file to force its recreation and this will not help, but by copying the file from another account (the root account) and then modifying the ownership of the copied file solves the issue.

This has to be done from another account besides the afflicted account, because the .GlobalPreferences.plist file cannot (or should not) be edited from the active account (it’s an invisible file, which Mac OS X is attempting to protect from user modification). Here are the steps he took, using the “root” account.

NOTE: “YOUR_USERNAME” in the commands should be changed to your account’s short name (the name of your home folder).

1. Enable the root user in Directory Utility (located in /Applications/Utilities.
2. Log in as root.
3. Launch the terminal, located in /Applications/Utilities and enter: cp /Library/Preferences/.GlobalPreferences.plist /Users/YOUR_USERNAME/Library/Preferences/ then press return.
4. Correct the permissions on the file by entering the following command: chown YOUR_USERNAME:staff /Users/YOUR_USERNAME/Library/Preferences/.GlobalPreferences.plist then pressing return.
5. Log out of the root user account.
6. Disable the root user in Directory Utility.

WARNING: Running as the root user means that file security is not operating and any file can be modified without confirmation. This means the computer is very vulnerable to user error so be certain to enter the commands properly. An alternative to using root is to create another administrator account and log into that one. Doing this method will ensure other system files are not vulnerable when the computer is running. When you’re logged into the second account, run this set of commands (in this case “YOUR_USERNAME” is the name of the original account, not the new one):

1. Open the Terminal and enter: sudo cp /Library/Preferences/.GlobalPreferences.plist /Users/YOUR_USERNAME/Library/Preferences/
2. Enter your password at the prompt.
3. Then enter: sudo chown YOUR_USERNAME:staff /Users/YOUR_USERNAME/Library/Preferences/.GlobalPreferences.plist
4. Reboot the computer (or logout and log back in to the primary account).

Regardless of the approach, this command sequence copies the “.GlobalPreferences.plist” file from the /Library/Preferences/ folder to your home library folder, and then changes the owner to be yourself instead of the root (system) so your account can modify the document.

For some users it was not the “.GlobalPreferences.plist” file, but instead was the com.apple.BezelServices.plist file that was the problem.

You can delete this file by running the following command in the Terminal:

• rm ~/Library/Preferences/com.apple.BezelServices.plist”

After removing the file, hard rebooting by holding the power button until the computer shut off was how he fixed the problem. While hard rebooting might not be necessary, it was a precaution he took to keep the computer from writing the preferences file back in case it was in memory somewhere.

Testing the Results

Proper keyboard illumination behavior should be as follows: In bright or room lighting the keyboard illumination should be off. As the ambient lighting lessens the keyboard should turn on to its brightest (unless you’ve manually set the brightness). As the lighting gets darker the keyboard should also dim to prevent glaring. To test the ambient light sensor, follow these steps:

1. Set the computer to “Illuminate keyboard in low light conditions” in the Keyboard preferences.
2. Set the computer to “Automatically adjust brightness” in the displays preferences.
3. Set the keyboard and display brightnesses to their maximum.
4. Cover the light sensors (holes next to the iSight camera) or move to a dark room.
5. If everything is working the computer should dim the display and brighten the keyboard.

To begin with I was using just the basic plain text editor like TextEdit, and sometimes I even used Apple’s Xcode IDE, but I wasn’t that comfortable because I needed a core programming editor that is inclined towards Ruby on Rails development.

I am now a days using  TextMate editor. TextMate is highly extensible and useful through a collection of community supplied “bundles”. There are plenty of add-ons that helps in pro development  you can also add language specific short cuts to reduce your typing.TextMate can also be tied up with utilities like Subversion or Rake, which would you to quickly get tasks done without leaving the editor.

There are some opensource free code editing tools available. Although Macosx Leopard comes pre-installed with both vim and emacs. TextWrangler is a free editor from BareBones.  jEdit is another scalable opensource tool made in Java.

Whatever editor you choose, be certain that it provides easy navigation among a large number of open files. Working with Rails applications generally involves dealing with a lot of small files, and that process needs to be efficient. Sometimes I also use Netbeans when I don’t use TextMate.

Finally my new Macbook Pro arrived, opening it and switching it on for the first time vivid thoughts ran through my mind, I kept wondering how it will change my life…is it going to make me more creative, artistic and cool?

New Macbook pro is just great with all features packed into it, this stylish sleek notebook seriously brings out the geek in you. There is so much you can do! It makes you so well equipped.

Macbook pro for me is not my pride or show off factor, it is one machine that I needed for its performance and power. I am hoping that my non stop urge to brag about my new Macbook Pro will go away.

The biggest new addition is the Intel’s new 45nm mobile Penryn chips. While the obvious choice for the MacBook Pros making it the fastest processor built for mobile computing, less heat, smaller size, etc.

As I laid my hands on the smooth Macbook Pro’s sleek finish for the very first time I realized I might lose my mind, what a great start, to me it is a new way of life in fact a new lifestyle.

Owning a Macbook Pro won’t make me cooler, hip or geekier but it certainly makes me happy and more equipped. For most it is just a computer but to me its a treasure.