Getting a Logitech G510's Windows key to work as the command key on OSX

So the G510 has a joystick stick on the upper row of the keyboard next to mute and MR button. If this is on the Logitech Gaming software doesn't detect the Command key when you try to detect the button.

Click the plus sign next to the word 'Command', detect it and add it to your keystrokes list. Its also worth saving it to a separate profile if you switch between PC's a fair bit.

I've tidied up my awesome freeware page!

I've tagged the suggestions with their OS specific platforms and actually proof read it so it should make a bit more sense thing time around.

http://blog.alpagot.net/p/awesome-freeware.html

Apple users: Try these five tips for better Mac security

Some good points made in the article. Surprised by the slow Enterprise uptake of Mavericks!

http://nakedsecurity.sophos.com/2014/03/21/apple-users-try-these-five-tips-for-better-mac-security/

OneNote for Mac

Microsoft Office blog:  http://blogs.office.com/2014/03/17/introducing-onenote-for-mac/

OneNote in the Mac App store: https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/microsoft-onenote/id784801555?mt=12

One Note for Mac and standalone for PC.

http://www.neowin.net/news/microsoft-rumored-to-have-plans-for-free-onenote-for-mac-and-desktop-windows

BioShock Infinite + Columbia’s Finest DLC PC - £7.50

BioShock Infinite + Columbia’s Finest DLC PC - £7.50

Apply code 9to5Mac @ checkout. 

Live in the UK and want a Mac Pro, take a free holiday...

I could fly over there, pick one up and still have change to spare! 

I could see a fair few video editors / graphics designers etc taking a trip over to buy one, take it out the packaging and stuff it in their luggage (5kg) to bring home.... 

It really is a rip off considering America  is the home of UPS and FedEx even when you take taxes into consideration.

Dvorak keyboards

Hmmm,

I got talking to a colleague about RSI today. We covered mice first of all. I'm a big fan of the un-ambidextrous Logitech mice where my thumb can easily rest on the side.

Then we moved onto keyboards. I don't think I've found the best keyboard yet. I use a Logitech G510 / Apple MacBook Pro and a standard dell keyboard mainly. None of which are perfect.

The Logitech keys feel a bit soft. The Mac a bit flaky for gaming and the work one is OK for typing but a bit uncomfortable.

We then we got onto different input methods... Swype (Android phone app where you don't need to raise your fingers) would be great on say a tablet sized keyboard.

I've never tried a Dvorak keyboard and that was mentioned. From a quick Google search it doesn't look like there are many good options at all. Are there? I couldn't see any 'gaming' ones or an Apple one.. It does sound like something worth trying though as the logic seems sound. place the most often used keys closer together so you fingers have to travel less.

Let me know in the comments what you use / would recommend!

Mac Pro design!

They really did go to town with the design.

It didn't specifically say the 2 x AMD FirePro cards were running in cross fire which I found interesting....

http://www.macrumors.com/2013/06/10/apple-offers-developers-a-closer-look-at-the-new-mac-pro/

WWDC Preview: iOS 7, iRadio and Mac OS X 10.9

So this is going to be an interesting Apple Word wide developers conference. I'm most looking forward to seeing what they do with OS X. I have a lot of love for Windows 8, but in recent time OS X has become my main OS. Anyone who's become familiar with double tapping the fn key and talking away instead of typing anyone will know what I mean.

If they were to go with a radical change, we might see some merging of iOS or new features / layouts indicating we'll soon be getting touch screen displays on Macs.

I'm not sure Apple will have figured out the strategy on this yet though. They are gaining further market share and gamers are actually getting a good deal these days with the likes of Steamplay on Steam. Unless you count EA and SimCity....

iOS 7 will keep the iDevice users happy for a while but more importantly you'll have quicker access to settings and be able to edit the layouts from the rumours.

iRadio... Not massively fussed. Not really a fan of iTunes but it might be worrying a few other streaming services.

http://www.theinquirer.net/inquirer/news/2273759/wwdc-preview-ios-7-iradio-and-mac-os-x-109

Looks like a new Office for Mac won't be here till 2014

Also Outlook for Windows RT is shockingly late.

http://www.zdnet.com/microsofts-office-for-ios-android-not-until-fall-2014-7000013819/

Usb to serial adapter

If you need a cheap USB to serial adapter then look no further. I went through a few eBay ones but it looks like a lot use knockoff chipsets and I found issues when using OSX and Windows 7 with them. Plugable are recommended by the chipset manufacturer and only use genuine chipsets. They are also cheap and I have tested them working on OSX and Windows 8!

For a full product break down and drivers see:
http://plugable.com/products/pl2303-db9

Please use my affiliate link below if purchasing to help me cover domain renewal costs if you found this helpful. Thanks!

EA's Origin for Mac in Alpha & Sim City

So I got through an e-mail i've wanted for a while now. My Sim City beta key!! Having recently switched to Mac and wanted the best experience for the hardware I thought i'd opt to see if it was available through Origin for Mac. A few minutes in and to my dismay I couldn't find the download a Mac client. A quick google search later and it was revealed to be available for Mac as an alpha release.

Good to know they have a client as Sim City will be out on Mac.
Sadly once I got into the client and entered my key it was only for a Windows US version so i'll be switching over to bootcamped Windows anyway. Worth a try though...

http://store.origin.com/store/eaemea/en_GB/html/originweb/demos/pbPage.demos-en_GB

Windows Phone Mac app updated

Good news, this was getting annoying.

http://www.wpcentral.com/windows-phone-mac-app-updated

Apple Reportedly Strikes Deal with Broadcom to Add 802.11ac Gigabit Wi-Fi to 2013 Macs

Interesting considering 802.11ac is still in draft. I thought apple would be playing it safe so they must be fairly confident in the technologies development so far.


Mac Rumours:
http://www.macrumors.com/2013/01/02/apple-reportedly-strikes-deal-with-broadcom-to-add-802-11ac-gigabit-wi-fi-to-2013-macs/

Steam sale!

Its that time again!

I've picked up some great cheap games as well as some Mac compatible games! I'm not going to list prices as they are constantly changing but be sure to keep an eye out. I don't even think i've spent over £30 yet!

http://store.steampowered.com

Games i've bought for Mac:
FTL: Faster than light
Counter Strike: Global Offensive
Civ 5 (Deluxe)
Avseq
Legend of Grimlock
RollerCoast Tycoon 3: Platinum edition
Limbo

Games for Windows:
Sniper: Ghost Warrior (It was like £1.75, don't judge me..)
Sim city 4 deluxe

If i didn't already own ARMA:CO I would have got that as well as it has an awesome mod call Day Z that i'm yet to try but have read some hilarious articles on.

Windows 8 retail box pictures.

Some pictures of the retail packaging. It's surprising small! 

Macheist.com software bundle (Charity donation included)

Worth it if you see something on this list you like. If it unlocks BioShock 2 then it's definitely worth it if you haven't played that! A lot of the games are steam codes which makes re-downloading in future dead simple too.

Bundle Contents

Scrivener
DiskTools Pro
Bejeweled 3
Radium
Artboard
Jurassic Park
PDF Signer
Sam and Max
Courier
HDRtist
Strong Bad
Evernote
Printopia
MacGourmet Deluxe 3
Firetask
BioShock 2
Corel Painter Lite




http://macheist.com/

Looks like i'll be bootcamping a little less

https://www.guildwars2.com/en/news/announcing-guild-wars-2-for-mac-beta/

Apple Mac, Wheres the hash (#) key!

I can't believe that in the age of Twitter Apple hasn't got round to printing the hash # symbol on the number '3' key. At least for the UK rMBP (retina Macbook Pro) keyboard i'm using anyway! They've done it with the euro € symbol...

It's Alt + 3 for anyone wanting to know what it is!