PHP Web developer, Robert Kern » Mac

New MacBook lineup

Robert Kern — Tue, 14 Oct 2008 17:54:24 +0000

Right now Apple is announcing the new MacBook and MacBook Pro lineups (also a new 24″ Cinema Display). Below is a photo of the new MacBook (MacBook Pro’s look the same except they are larger). More info as it is happening can be found at Engadget.
Update: The MacBook page has been updated now at Apple’s website and all the details are there.

Apple MacBook

Is Backup on Apple’s Back Burner or Simply Abandoned?

Cocoa programming for Mac

Robert Kern — Wed, 18 Jun 2008 08:42:00 +0000

I received my copy of Cocoa Programming for Mac OSX this week. I started reading it and have learnt alot already just from the first few pages. I am looking forward to learning Xcode, Interface Builder and more importantly developing for the iPhone. I figure that when I have learnt programming for OSX, I wont have too much trouble developing for the iPhone. Having developed Windows software in the past, I am not too concerned about learning a new platform, but am very excited!

No related posts.

Beginning with coding for the Mac

Robert Kern — Sun, 13 Apr 2008 09:33:25 +0000

I stumbled across an excellent article today that assists in starting to code for a Mac. It covers some of the very basics of coding with C and is a good introduction.

No related posts.

Connecting a Mac to a Windows-based VPN

Robert Kern — Sat, 12 Apr 2008 09:07:56 +0000

Even though you use a Mac, your work is quite likely using a Windows-based system and has a Windows-based VPN setup. My work does. Sometimes I need to connect to the VPN to access documents. I have no trouble with Entourage because that connects over the Internet without the need for a VPN. I had to search around on the net to find a solution to connecting to a VPN from a Mac because I couldnt find the answer by myself.

Basically the steps are as follows:

Open up System preferences and select Network.
Click the + sign in the lower left to add a new connection.
Select VPN as the interface.
Select PPTP as the VPN type, give it a name and hit create.
Now select your new VPN connection on the left hand side.
Enter the server address and the username.
Click authentication and type in your password and hit ok.
Hit apply, then connect and you are connected.

To make it easier, I ticked the option that says Show VPN status in menu bar. Then, from the menu bar you can easily connect / disconnect from your VPN connections.

I have found that the VPN from the Mac works better that from a Windows machine. I constantly had trouble on the Windows machines trying to connect to my work VPN, but the Mac slides right without a hassle.

Create RESTful Applications Using The Zend Framework

Adventures of a new MacBook

Robert Kern — Sat, 12 Apr 2008 08:59:51 +0000

I have been working on a Mac at the office for quite some time now (although I am the only one who chooses to use a Mac…for now). Just this week I switched to using a Mac at home.

Up until a year ago I was working as a freelance I.T. support guy slash web developer. All of my customers used Windows machines so regardless of what I wanted to use, I needed to keep up-with-the-play in regards to how Windows and Microsoft works. Many times I had wanted to switch over to a Mac but couldnt justify it.

Now I work as a full-time web developer. All day at the office I work on a Mac. I recently begun working from home on a particularly large project that required less interruptions! I hadnt purchased a new computer in at least 3 years. I decided that because I was working full-time from home again, I could consider purchasing a new computer. I’m not one to spend money needlessly. Eventually I realised that using my old Windows XP desktop (or laptop) slowed me down. I could get so much more done using the Mac at work (apart from the interruptions). So I went to the local Apple store (we dont actually have official Apple stores in NZ, just reseller stores) and had a play around on the different MacBooks and MacBook Pros. I wanted to get a MacBook but wasnt sure if the small screen size would be sufficient, but I didnt want to spend the money on a larger MacBook Pro as I didnt think the specs (aside from the screen-size) were necessary for my work. I was pleasantly surprised that the 13″ MacBook felt comfortable for web development for me.

I went home and chose the black MacBook model because of its slightly better CPU and larger hard drive. I ordered it through a local reseller who import from the States (rather than the local Apple distribution centre) and sell at a reasonable price. I also purchased an Apple Remote and a wired Apple Mouse. Little did I know how short the cable was on a standard Apple Mouse. I had the same one at work but assumed that it came with a shorter cord for the iMac (I use a 20″ iMac at work) because the mouse can simply plug into the keyboard. I guess they really do intend for notebook users to buy the wireless mouse. If I was left handed it would be fine but as the USB ports are on the left side of the MacBook I need to use a USB extension cord which just gets in the way. Can you buy a 4 inch USB extension cable? I may end up buying the wireless mouse.

The Remote is awesome for using Front Row (which I use alot). I dont watch TV at home but enjoy watching various Podcasts so Front Row makes the experience much easier. I can sit the MacBook in the kitchen while I’m cooking dinner and flick through todays Podcasts (like Jamie Oliver’s video podcast).

The next post will be about setting up a VPN connection on a Mac to connect to a Windows based VPN.

No related posts.

Accessing Exchange mailboxes from outside the office with Entourage (like RPC over HTTP)

Robert Kern — Wed, 09 Apr 2008 07:29:32 +0000

I recently came across a very helpful article that describes how to setup Entourage to access your Exchange emails from outside the office network. This is the equivalent of RPC over HTTP for Outlook.

Keep reading to see the solution.

Instead of using Outlook Web Access corporate users can configure Microsoft Entourage 2004/2008 to read and send email from home. Home Exchange access is recommended only for broadband connections such as DSL or Cable. Dial-up use is not recommended. A Virtual Private Network (VPN) connection is not required.

The following instructions should work for most basic setups.

Launch Entourage 2004 and close the Entourage Setup Assistant window if it appears.
Select About Entourage from the Entourage menu and verify that Entourage is at least version 11.2.1. Close the About Entourage window.
Select Accounts from the Tools menu and select Exchange… from the New menu.
In the Account Setup Assistant window, click the Configure account manually button.
In the Edit Account window under Account Settings, enter the following information
(Some of this information must be provided by the Exchange Server administrator.):
- Account name: A descriptive name for you to identify your account
- Name: Your first and last name as you prefer others to see it
- E-mail address: Your Exchange Server email address
- Account ID: Your Exchange Server login ID
- Domain: Your Windows NetBios domain name
- Exchange server: Your OWA server address
Most servers will require This DAV service requires a secure connection (SSL) to be selected.
In the Edit Account window under Advanced, enter the following information.
- Public folders server: Your OWA server addressed followed by “/public”
- Select: This DAV service requires a secure connection (SSL)
An LDAP server will most likely be unavailable for corporate Exchange Server accounts, which means Global Address List lookups will be unavailable. For an alternative see Accessing the Global Address List from Home.
Click the OK button. The Exchange Server email account will appear in the folders list in the Entourage Mail window and will begin to synchronize.Initial synchronization from the Exchange Server to Entourage may take several minutes before complete.

Create an alias in Mac OSX

Robert Kern — Thu, 21 Feb 2008 20:39:11 +0000

The easiest and most reliable way I have found to create an Alias (shortcut for Windows users) on a Mac is to open up two finder windows, one with the file/folder that you want to make an alias of, and the other where you want to place the alias. Then click (and hold) on the file/folder that you want to make into an alias and press Command+Option on the keyboard and drag the folder (you will notice that the icon changes to an alias icon while you are dragging it) into the location where you want to place the alias. Let go of the mouse and yay its done.

Create RESTful Applications Using The Zend Framework

iPhone in New Zealand very soon?

Robert Kern — Wed, 16 Jan 2008 00:04:26 +0000

By the end of the Macworld Keynote this morning, I was a little disappointed that we didnt see a 3G version of the iPhone, and that we didnt see the iPhone being rolled out to new countries. I was waiting for One more thing… but it never came.

But just now, while browsing the Apple NZ website, I noticed a reference to the iPhone. The page where the reference is made is talking about the new Time Capsule devices features (http://www.apple.com/nz/timecapsule/wireless.html). I do wonder if Apple will remove this reference soon, but for now it makes me wonder if the iPhone will be here in New Zealand soon.

(See large version)

However, I do wonder if Apple will have a special announcement at the time they make the SDK available in late February that means the iPhone can be sold in different countries like New Zealand.

Of course, it could simply be a reference to the iPhone with no connotations. Maybe they are just talking about the iPhone that we are not legally allowed to own in New Zealand. I hope not.

No related posts.