Joseph Sak

Apple’s iChat Wins for Usability (at least halfway)

Friday, January 11th, 2008 | Apple, Computers, Macbook Pro, OS X, Usability, iChat | No Comments

When trying to send a folder to a buddy who uses the PC AIM client, I got this msg from iChat in the chat window:

Your buddy cannot receive transfers of directories (folders). You could create and send a zip archive of the directory before sharing, or share each file in the directory individually.

This is very nice! Simple easy explanation for what went wrong and how to resolve it. Now go all the way and give a prompt to create and send the zip file for me!

“Would you like us to zip this folder and send it now?” [Yes] [No]

Cheap Web Companies are Ruining the Web

Tuesday, December 4th, 2007 | Clients, Computers, Design, Feedback, Improving Code, Life, Programming, Ranting, Usability, Venting, Web Development, Websites | 1 Comment

This is completely opinion and I didn’t do any research but I’m probably right in most cases. This is really me venting because I’ve been having more than enough run-ins with external companies who under-price our clients for “services” such as consulting or even developing systems that they can’t afford for us to do. › Continue reading

Configure your AEB(n) to join a Windows Domain

Thursday, April 5th, 2007 | Airport, Airport Extreme, Apple, Computers, Hardware, Macbook Pro, Networking, Wireless Networking, Work Stuff | 2 Comments

So after playing with my Apple Airport Extreme Base Sation with 802.11n wireless capability, I figured out how to get it to work on my office domain while still giving me the ability to connect to my office resources and maintain my 802.11n connectivity to my Airdisk.

1. Plug AEB(n) straight into ethernet jack on wall
2. Configure Wireless to “Create Wireless Network”
3. Configure Connection Sharing to “Off (bridge mode)”
4. Configure your “Internet” settings to set your domain and DNS servers properly
5. Hit update.

And that’s it. Simple, I know, but I thought I’d write about it in case anyone else is searching out there on how to do it.

And there you go,

I’m the Proud Owner of an Apple Airport Extreme Base Station

Monday, April 2nd, 2007 | Airport, Airport Extreme, Apple, Artemis Solutions Group, Computers, Hardware, Macbook Pro, Work Stuff | No Comments

I just picked up an Apple Airport Extreme Base Station at CompUSA for $179 retail. I must say I could not be happier with this purchase. Not only was the set up way easier to use than any other router I have ever used (and I’ve used plenty), but the connection is immensely fast.

I’ve set it up at my office to extend the office network, so that I can still have access to the office resources, but I also plugged in my USB hard drive to the back, and am getting speeds similar, at, and even faster than directly connected USB. It’s great! The only problem is if I relocate my Macbook Pro closer to the office 802.11b/g router, I automatically switch to 802.11g, so I have to stay back in my sunless warren in order to be able to work with my hard drive.

That’s fine, but if I can figure out how to make my Airport Card only connect to 802.11n networks at my will, then I will be able to sit anywhere in the office and maintain this speed.

Homemade Photobooth using Photobooth

Saturday, January 27th, 2007 | Apple, Computers, Hardware, Life, Macbook Pro, Photography | 1 Comment

I made a photobooth last night for our party using my Macbook Pro, the built in iSight, a USB mouse, lots of duct tape and a sheet.

It was a huge success, resulting in 512 pictures. It was a lot of fun and I enjoyed making it.
Here’s how I did it

• I prepared my macbook by creating a managed account that could only open Photobooth
• I set my Macbook Pro atop my closet shelf
• I plugged in a USB mouse
• I used a ton of duct tape to put the mouse on the shelf’s hanger rack, and covered up the optical sensor
• I wrote “Press Here” on the left button
• I positioned the cursor on the “Take Picture” button
• I hung up a sheet around the area with tape
• I placed a lamp inside the enclosed area
• I encouraged everyone to use it

And the Results
Here are a couple of my favorites from the night:

Go see the rest of my 512 photobooth pics

FLV Not Working on Live Web Server

Friday, January 19th, 2007 | Computers, Programming, Servers, Websites, Windows | 1 Comment

I’m posting this hoping that if someone else is Googling* this issue, I’ll make it a little easier to find.

While developing a redesign for a client, we started implementing a flash-based slideshow in the top corner of their home page, with the ability to play an FLV file over the slideshow. Eric did a fine job making the SWF, and the transitions worked quite well.

One little problem: as soon as we uploaded our flash to the server and attempted to play it, it would not load the video. We thought it was a permissions problem because it’s a development website and is password protected until it goes live in order to serve the privacy concerns of the client. So I fumbled around with that for a bit with no results.

I finally decided to try Google. After a couple misses, I finally found the solution to my FLV file problem. The steps in this document worked for me. Turns out you need to set the FLV MIME type on your Windows 2003 server, and restart the World Wide Web Publishing Service.

We don’t have the option of just restarting our IIS service willy nilly, so I had one of our techs schedule a task on the server to restart the service at 2:30 this morning. When I came in and loaded the client’s site, it worked like a charm!

* Googling is not in the OS X dictionary! I added it.

The Mighty Mouse is Mighty Hard to Use

Wednesday, January 17th, 2007 | Apple, Computers, Hardware, Macbook Pro, OS X | No Comments

Since purchasing the Mighty Mouse from Apple this past weekend, I’ve had my own mixed reviews. At first I thought the complaints about right clicking were just a bunch of whiny jerks who can’t get used to lifting their left fingers.

Well, less than a week into using my mouse and the “use of the right click” has deteriorated to the point where it’s exceptionally annoying. If I find a fix, I will post it.

edit: So far, turning it off then back on has solved the issue. This does not bode well.