Do you have any idea how to redirect the pictures generated from the desktop image capture (Cmd-Shift-4) to a different folder? Having them all go to the desktop becomes a mess. I am sure I could use SnapzProX to get the pictures but haven’t looked there yet.

The native screen capture application on a Mac is called Grab (in Applications/Utilities), which you can access by simply choosing hot keys. It’s extremely simple and easy to use. When you use the hot keys, all images are captured on the desktop as PNG files. If you open Grab and use the menu options to capture an image, then images are saved on the desktop in TIFF format.

Here are the shortcuts you can use with Grab:

Cmd+Shift+3: Captures the entire screen, saves to the desktop
Cmd+Ctrl+Shift+3: Captures the entire screen, saves directly to the Clipboard
Cmd+Shift+4: Allows you to select the capture area, saves to the desktop
Cmd+Ctrl+Shift+4: Allows you to select the capture area, saves directly to the Clipboard
Cmd+Shift+4, then the Spacebar: Allows you to capture a specific window, saves to the desktop
Cmd+Ctrl+Shift+4, then the Spacebar: Allows you to capture a specific window, saves directly to the Clipboard

Since you can’t change the default save to location in Grab, take a look at these free, third party applications to help you get more out of your screen captures.

InstantShot gives you many, many options to customize your experience. It opens on your taskbar. You can choose the location where captured images are saved, set hot keys, lower or raise the image quality, restrict the size, decide on the file type, and more.

If all you want is to change the default file type of your images and you don’t care about the other options, shotChoice is a very simple choice.

Windows Vista has a built in application called Snipping Tool. It works much the same way as Grab in that it only saves to the desktop. Jing Project is a free application (both PC and Mac) that gives you more options. You can change where the images are saved, and even set up sharing options to sites like Flickr.

Note: for video screen captures, see this post.

February 1st, 2008
Categories: mac, pc, screen capture, vista . Author: Cali . Comments: 8 Comments

What does it mean to follow someone on Twitter? When I hear about it, I don’t get how people are keeping constant track of other people.

I’ve talked about Twitter briefly here and here, but let’s talk about it in more detail. You can follow people’s tweets, but how do you get the most out of it and join in on the great conversations that are happening all over the Internet?

Before you start following people, the first thing you want to do is go into Settings, then “Notices”. The “@ Replies” is automatically set to receive only @ replies from people you follow. I suggest changing that to receiving “all @ Replies”. This way, you know if someone talks to you even if you don’t already follow them. @Replying is just the way we all communicate to each other on Twitter. For more information, see this post.While you’re in Settings, click on the “Phone & IM” tab. This is the secret to keeping up to date on all the tweets. If you have an unlimited SMS plan, you can set Twitter to send you all your tweets from the people you’re following and any direct messages sent to you. There’s also an option to receive your tweets via Instant Messenger. This is the choice I make, since I don’t have unlimited SMS and I’m always on the computer, anyway.

UPDATE: I should mention that @Replies will only show up in someone’s “Replies” section of Twitter if you start your message with @calilewis.

Now, you’ll need some people to follow. Click on the “Follow” button on the person’s page you want to follow. Example: at www.twitter.com/calilewis, you’ll click the gray “Follow” button.

You’ll now see a yellow box with an option to receive notifications from this person. Turn notifications to “On”.

Here’s a cool way to get updates on a particular subject or keyword, without following more people than you can handle. Once you’re set up to receive IM or SMS updates, you can track a keyword and you’ll get updates from any tweets that go out with that keyword. For example, if I want to track my name, I’ll type “track cali lewis”. Make sure there’s a space in between “track” and your desired keyword(s). You can do the same with “untrack”. More details on this feature are here.

If you want to get even more out of Twitter, there are some great Twitter apps, which you can find here and here.

February 1st, 2008
Categories: web . Author: Cali . Comments: 3 Comments

I don’t know what to do. I consider myself as technically savvy as the next man. I’m a simple man that loves his plug and play electronics. But buying something as simple as a wireless router has become a major headache. Please help me Cali. I’m at a loss. I’m a PC user, and there are so many things to consider. Like what the heck is the difference between a “G” router and a “N” router. What’s the best company to buy from? What’s a good price for a router? When you buy a router, do you have to buy an adapter too? Awww! This is frustrating.

Wireless routers use a standard called 802.11 to connect to a Wireless LAN (Local Area Network). This standard has different generations, known as 802.11 a, b, g and n. 802.11a is the first generation, and with each move, the connection speeds get faster, so 802.11n is the fastest and the newest.

One thing you should know about the 802.11n is that it’s actually still (at the time of this writing) under review with the committee that approves these standards, called the IEEE. The devices you can buy now that come with “N” standard are certified for 802.11n draft, and they’re using the latest draft provided by the IEEE.

There are two pieces to the router puzzle. One is the router itself. The faster connection the router supports, the better. The second piece is your computer. Between the computer and the router, the earliest standard will win. For example, if your router supports 802.11n and your computer only supports 802.11g, then 802.11g is the fastest speed you’ll get.

The good news is your router will be backwards compatible, meaning that if it supports 802.11n, and your computer is 802.11g, you won’t have a compatibility issue, and the two will work together to give you the “G” standard.

I use and recommend the Airport Extreme. It works with both PCs and Macs, and supports 802.11n. You can connect your USB printer so that you can print wirelessly. It’s $179.

The other router I love is the Belkin N1 Vision. It’s beautiful! It also supports the “N” standard, and even has a readout so you can easily see the download and upload speeds each computer on the network is getting at any given time.

January 31st, 2008
Categories: mac, pc, router, wireless . Author: Cali . Comments: 1 Comment