SQUIB - The Pelarious eNewsletter

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SQUIB – the Pelarious eNewsletter.

The Pelarious Experts provide product reviews, website reviews, tech news, and more to keep your technology sensors sharp.

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Pelarious Newsletter Archive

Adobe Training - Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign, Acrobat, GoLive

Technology News and Information

June 2005: in this issue...

1) Widget Wonders
2) Eliminating the Project Shuffle
3) Eyes Are On Tiger - Mac OS X 10.4
4) Randome Playlists in iTunes

Widget Wonders

f you're using Mac OS X Tiger, you've undoubtedly seen one of the coolest new features in the operating system - Dashboard. Dashboard is similar to Exposé with the application popping up in front of your Desktop at the click of the mouse button or function key. Dashboard gives you quick access to mini-applications called "Widgets." Each widget has a different function, some need Internet access while others don't, but all activate at the click of a mouse button.

As of this writing, there are 608 Dashboard Widgets available for download from the Apple website. Here are a few practical Widgets that are sure to make things a little bit easier on you.

Widget #1: Type Cast
If you're always in need of a new, smart looking font, you should check out Type Cast. This widget displays font previews and font information in a simple editable window. Type your own text, choose the font, change the type size, and in a snap the text is displayed. This widget also allows you to move through font families, styles and sizes quickly; get information such as font type and family; and locate the font files in the Finder.

Widget #2: Gas
For the frugal driver, check out the widget GAS. With a run-down of the cheapest gas prices by location, you never need to overpay. Type in your US zip code and Gas will show the cheapest price for Regular, Premium, Plus and Diesel fuel within a given distance. Wait! There's more! The widget also remembers your zip code and accesses Google Maps for directions to the gas station of your choice.

Widget #3: KeychainHelper
Pelarious has given you some great guidelines for creating your passwords (see sidebar). If you find the task of generating new, strong passwords a bit tedious, you should use KeychainHelper. With this widget you can create simple, random passwords with the click of a button. Stipulate the password length, lowercase or uppercase characters, and if numbers are included. Also, with the auto-copy feature, you can easily paste the password into applications, websites or Keychain.

More tips on helpful widget are coming your way in the next issue of SQUIB.

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Eliminating the Project Shuffle

A copy of your latest project must go out to each member of your department. Each person is responsible for edits, comments, and returning their copy to you through interoffice mail in less than a week.

Stop the Madness!
Get away from this time-consuming, error-filled approval system. Adobe Acrobat 7.0 Professional enables anyone who uses free Adobe Reader 7.0 software to participate in reviews. Imagine all your edits appearing in a PDF by email, clearly visible from your entire team!

This amazing time-saver is only one of the great features in Adobe Acrobat(R) 7.0 Professional. Take advantage of the tool that may already be installed on your computer. Join Digital Workflow With Adobe Acrobat 7.0 on July 13, 2005. This training event is a full-day, hands-on seminar presented in the Pelarious Professional Skills Development, Adobe Authorized Training Center.

Two weeks later, when all the copies have finally resurfaced (the last one miraculously being found behind the copy machine after a three-day-hunt), you begin deciphering and sorting the handwritten changes from each project member for draft two of the project.

With Adobe Acrobat 7.0 Professional you can...
1. Enable anyone with free Adobe Reader(R) 7.0 to use commenting tools
2. Create PDF documents from any application that prints
3. Protect documents with passwords, certificates, and other security controls
4. Combine multiple files into a single Adobe PDF document
5. Organize comments from multiple reviewers with sorting and filtering tools
6. View, print, and search Adobe PDF files

Get a jumpstart into increased productivity in this seminar.

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Google SMS

Everybody's favorite website, Google.com, has introduced a new service this past week - Google SMS. The new Google SMS (Short Message Service) adds even more functionality to your mobile phone.

Looking for a local post office when you're out of town? No problem.
Need driving directions to a new restaurant or movie times for tonight's show? Easy.

With Google SMS you can get local business listings, driving directions, movie showtimes, weather conditions, quick answers to straightforward questions, stock quotes, product prices, and dictionary definitions just by sending a text message straight to Google.

It's FAST!
In our experience, the requests have taken no longer than 30 seconds to return the information. (Individual results will vary.)

BONUS
A big bonus with Google SMS is that the service costs nothing if text messaging is included in your phone plan. Directory Assistance by comparison can cost as much as $1.25 per use depending on your cell phone provider.

We give Google SMS an enthusiastic thumbs-up. Check out Google SMS reference pages for examples and instructions. http://www.google.com/sms/howtouse.html

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Moving to Mac OS X?

Designed specifically for people needing to work efficiently and get up-to-speed on Mac OS X quickly, Mac OS X Essentials (10.4) will take you on a comprehensive, hands-on tour of Tiger. There is a lot to know about this operating system. The Pelarious Experts can help you work faster and become more knowledge about the dos and don't of Mac OS X.

Learn new features and essential skills, such as...
- Computer security essentials
- How to customize your Mac
- Spotlight, Dashboard, Automator
- New features in iChat, Mail, and Safari
- How to handle fonts
- Printing in Mac OS X
- Access the Internet
- Classic
- How to keep your Mac in top form

This seminar is full of helpful insights into Mac OS X to help you work faster, better, and more confidently. Get the details on this hands-on seminar and sign up today.

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