The iPhone 5 (and iPhone 4S) rumors have been circulating for weeks, as has the date of the next major iPhone & iOS announcement. Well, now it’s official.

This morning, Apple invited all major press to their on-campus hall for the next announcement and demonstration. At 10a PST on October 4th, the world of tech will change again.

Are you actually using windex on your iMac? DON’T.
Have you ever ruined a keyboard trying to clean it?
Did you actually spend money on a “cleaning product” because it was sold in an Apple Store?

Then you should read this article, straight from the horse’s mouth. It’s awesomely informative.

How to clean your Apple Products

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“I’d like to use Carbon Copy Cloner to duplicate a drive on my Mac, but I don’t want to keep the external drive mounted all the time. CCC says that it supports “Shell Scripts,” but I don’t know how to write them. Can you help?” – LP

If you’re not familiar with Carbon Copy Cloner (CCC), it’s a remarkable app for you Mac. Available for FREE, this app hosts a number of features, but really shines at making full, bootable, clones of your hard drive. It’s an invaluable tool for protecting your data, particularly if you aren’t backing up your Mac with Apple’s integrated TimeMachine.

CCC not only creates a bootable backup, but supports incremental backups and can be scheduled to your liking. Although it requires a little more setup and maintenance than TimeMachine, it’s a wonderful alternative or companion to your backup agenda.

While cloning your drive will be easy to setup with CCC, having it mount a drive on its own is not (internal or external). As you pointed out, CCC relies on “Shell Scripts” to extend it’s capabilities.

Shell scripts are simple applets that direct your computer at it’s core: the Unix command-line. Most users will never use the command line because it’s amazingly complex and requires a huge breadth of computer syntax to master. And, if you don’t really know what you are doing, using it can severely cripple or damage your operating system. It’s recommended that most users avoid poking around with it.

In this case, and although CCC can only execute shell scripts, I think we can build a better (and safer) solution using an AppleScript, CCC and iCal.

Here’s how to do it:

First, connect the backup drive to your Mac (either externally or internally) and be sure it’s powered ON. It should mount automatically, after a few seconds. Once it has , ensure that it is properly formatted. If you don’t know how to do this, check out my other tutorial, here.

Now, I’m assuming you have a copy of CCC downloaded and installed. If you don’t, grab it here.

CCC’s “scheduled task” feature also allows you to automatically “unmount” a drive once the backup is completed. As this reader has pointed out, mounting the drive for CCC is the trick.

Before we can write our AppleScript, we need to identify the backup drives specific “disk identifier number.” To do this, we’ll need to launch the Mac Disk Utility application: 

Click on the “Spotlight” (the magnifying glass) symbol in the upper left corner of your screen. Then begin to type “Disk Utility.” When you see the applications icon at the top of the listing, selected, press return to launch it.

When the app launches, you will see all the internal and mounted drives available to your computer on the left in the “source list.” Click on the drive you wish to use as your backup clone (making sure to click the “friendly name” of the drive, as opposed to the drive itself).

Next, go to the File Menu and choose “Get Info” (or press COMMAND+i). The next window will list details about this particular drive. Write down, or copy the “Drive Identifier” name (DI#). It’s case sensitive, so pay close attention to the number and letter combinations. In my case, the DI# is “disk6s1”. Once you have your DI#, you can quit the Mac Disk Utility Program.

It’s now time to write our AppleScript. Launch the AppleScript Editor (found in your Applications folder):

Click on the “Spotlight” (magnifying glass) symbol in the upper left corner of your screen. Then begin to type “AppleScript Editor.” When you see the applications icon at the top of the listing, selected, press return to launch it.

In the blank window, type the following:

do shell script "diskutil mount /dev/disk6s1"

You’ll want to substitute the DI# with your own.

Verify that the script doesn’t have typos by clicking the “Compile” icon in the toolbar.
If your syntax is correct, the text should reformat and you shouldn’t see any errors or receive any warnings.

To test the script, unmount your clone/backup drive (right-click and choose eject or drag the drive icon, on the desktop, to the trashcan in the dock. It will change into an “eject” symbol).

Once the drive is unmounted, go back to your AppleScript editor and click the “Run” button in the toolbar. Your clone/backup drive will mount on your desktop.

Now, let’s save.
Go to the File Menu, and Save (or press COMMAND+s).

Name the script appropriately, and save it somewhere safe: in my case, the Applications folder.

You may now Quit the AppleScript Editor.

Now, let’s open iCal (also in your Applications folder, but probably also in your dock). 

While your version of iCal may look slightly different (I’m using OS X.7, Lion), the setup and functionality is the same.

Decide on a time when you won’t actively be using your computer (likely) and the backup can perform without a hitch. In my case, I’m going to use 4am.

In iCal, create a new event by double-clicking on any day visible (I’m in week view, but this will work regardless of your view). Once the event is visible, double click again to edit the details of the event.

Mimic my details, adjusting frequency as you see fit. Under Alert, be sure to choose “Run Script” and navigate to the AppleScript that you previously created. When complete, click done. Now, whether iCal IS or ISN’T running, it will launch your script and mount your backup drive at the scheduled time.

Finally, we need to schedule the actual backup and unmount with CCC. Launch CCC (in your Applications folder):

Click on the “Spotlight” (magnifying glass) symbol in the upper left corner of your screen. Then begin to type “Carbon Copy Cloner.” When you see the applications icon at the top of the listing, selected, press return to launch it.

You will be prompted to select both the “Source” drive (in my case “MacHD”) and the “Destination” drive (in my case “MacHD_clone”).

Now, click the “Schedule this task” button in the lower right of the window. You will be warned that anything on the clone will be erased to make room for the bootable-backup. Since we reformatted this drive earlier, it isn’t a problem.

Clicking the “+” symbol, under the scheduled tasks pane, name your backup and fill out the details similarly to mine, adjusting frequency to match your earlier iCal setup.

Before saving, click the “Before and After” tab at the top. Adjust the “After copying files…”  >> “Destination” drop down to “Unmount the destination volume.” Now, save. You will be required to enter your administrator password.

You may now quit and close CCC.

That’s it! At 3:55a, daily, your connected drive will mount. At 4a, CCC will clone your drive and then unmount it!

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For the longest time, when buying an external (or internal) hard drive to use as a backup, or spare drive, you needed to verify on the box that the drive would be “MacOS Compatible.” Those days are LONG gone, yet people still fall into the trap.

Any drive you buy on the market can be made Mac compatible (there are a few notable exceptions), by simply reformatting it.

These days, drives are sold with all kinds of bells and whistles (backup programs, push button backups, etc), but they will rarely compliment or improve what your Mac already has built-in. In fact when buying your next hard drive, jump-drive or backup drive, I’d recommend worrying about only two things:

1. How big of a drive can you afford (always get the biggest, within reason)?
2. How do you plan to connect the drive to your Mac (USB, FireWire 800, Thunderbolt, SATA or internally)?

Beyond that, simply try to find a reputable manufacturer. Seagate, Kingston, WesternDigital, HP and Iomega are just a few good choices.

This tutorial will apply to any size drive, connected in anyway.
In the example, I’m reformatting (often called initializing) a small Kingston jump drive that I purchased from Amazon.com

Often, when you get a new drive, it contains some installer CD or DVD, which you can discard, or set aside. These normally contain apps for Windows users and their Mac versions are usually terrible.

The tools baked right into your Mac will provide you with all the functionality that you need.

Attach the drive to your computer following the manufacturer’s instructions. When the drive loads and mounts on your desktop, launch the Mac Disk Utility:

Click on the “Spotlight” (magnifying glass) symbol in the upper left corner of your screen. Then begin to type “Disk Utility.” When you see the applications icon at the top of the listing, selected, press return to launch it.

You will see your new hard drive listed on the left in the source list. Click on the drive, there. Now, in the center panel, just below the window’s toolbar, click the “Erase Tab.”

You’ll see that this drive has been preformatted for Windows (MS-DOS FAT). From the “Format” option, select “Mac OS Extended (Journalled)” and then rename the drive as you see fit. I recommend avoiding spaces or symbols.

Below that, click “Erase.”

You will be prompted to verify that the contents of this drive will be wiped, but that’s ok since it’s new. If this isn’t a new drive, ensure that you aren’t erasing anything important.

The process only takes a few minutes, and once complete will re-appear on your desktop ready to use.

You can now quit the Disk Utility app.

If you are setting up this drive as a TimeMachine Backup, check out this tutorial for more help.

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There are plenty of options available for Mac users to record their screen activities (for Tutorials, Podcasts, etc), but most are expensive. I’ve even covered some built-in options here.

Screeny, by Drew Wilson is an excellent app at a normally reasonable price ($20US), but today only (September 7, 2011), it’s available absolutely FREE.

Grab it from the App Store by clicking this link.

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During Apple’s 3rd Quarter earnings report (today), CFO Peter Oppenheimer announced that the company would indeed be releasing the next version of OS X on Wednesday, July 20. Blogs have been rumoring about the release of the new software for weeks, tho Apple had only ever promised that the cat would come out of the bag during the month of July.

Lion (10.7) represents Apple’s next major release of their operating system software, OS X (pronounced O-S  10) and will replace Mac OS X 10.6, or Snow Leopard. The newest OS release promises a host of new features, many that were inspired by the operating system driving the iPad, iPhone and iPod Touch: iOS. Those features coming include: system-wide-multi-touch gestures,  an iOS-like Launchpad for apps, auto-saving files, full screen apps, a redesigned Mail app and more.

As a general rule, we “experts” encourage users of all sorts to update programs and their OS as changes are released. Typically, upgrades include bug fixes, minor enhancements, and overall stability improvements. This OS upgrade, however, is considered a major update and it’s my opinion that not everyone should upgrade immediately. While Apple has an incredible reputation for making things “just work,” upgrading an operating system isn’t always perfectly seamless. For one, a seamless upgrade means that all major app developers have updated their applications to run under the new OS, and that isn’t always the case. Making the upgrade could leave one or more of your apps unusable…even if only temporarily.

I’ve always found that no matter how much prep you do (and backup you have), there are invariably some things that won’t transfer over or will transfer unusually. Backing up your entire system with a variety of apps and hard drives (in addition to your Time Machine backup), as most tech blogs suggest, isn’t always practical for most Mac users.

If you are dying to get your hands on Lion and are confident in your system’s backups, head to the App store tomorrow and download Lion for $30US (Lion is only available thru the Mac App Store. It will not be available on disc). Otherwise, give it a few weeks/months until most of the initial quirks have been discovered and ironed out by the experts.

Rest assured, I’ll be upgrading immediately and providing all the details you need to make the transition smoothly.

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Reprinted via Kelly Hodgkins @ TUAW:

“Apple is reportedly informing third-party resellers that boxed versions of MobileMe are now discontinued. Retailers can continue to sell their existing inventory, but supplies will not be replenished. This latest information falls in line with earlier rumors that suggest Apple may offer MobileMe as a free service with cloud-based digital lockers for music, photos and videos.

In addition to the release of the new MacBooks & FaceTime app, Apple also made a preview the next version of their Operating System (OS X: Lion) available to developers.

News of Lion had gone quiet after the initial announcement back in October. With the promise of a “Summer release,” developers and bloggers were starting to wonder when they’d get their hands on the updated OS to start testing and developing their apps. It looks like that day has arrived.

Not only has the preview OS been released to developers, but Apple has updated their site to offer a grater glimpse of coming features: The Mac AppStore, LaunchPad, Full-Screen apps, Mission Control, more gestures & animations, Autosave, Versions, Resume, Mail 5, AirDrop and Lion Server. Detailed previews can be found there.

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When Apple released the iPhone 4, they also debuted FaceTime: an easy way to video chat phone to phone (assuming both users have iPhone 4s, that is). Shortly after the iPhone’s release, the iPod Touch was updated with “FaceTime cameras” and Apple offered Snow Leopard users the ability to download the beta version of a new “FaceTime app.” With the app, iPhone 4 and iPod Touch users could now video chat with desktop users too.

In the midst of Apple’s new MacBook upgrades, they also added upgraded the FaceTime app from beta status and dropped it into the Mac App Store for $0.99US.

The app requires 10.6.6+ and a broadband connection. iPhone and iPod Touch users also need a broadband connection and iOS 4.1+.

FaceTime is a great concept, especially when chatting with mobile users, but it still strikes me as an odd rival to the already feature-rich iChat app built into every Mac. I’m still struggling to understand why Apple hasn’t combined the two. iChat is a wonderful AIM/Google Talk/etc instant messaging client and it makes video chatting (with other iChat users) impressively simple. Furthermore, the program does a great job of allowing group chats, audio chats, file transferring and screen sharing.

My guess is that when OS X.7 (Lion) debuts this summer, Apple will officially combine the two. After all, if you look to screenshots of the developer release (made available today), you’ll notice that iChat is no longer the default app in the dock, but FaceTime is.

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