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It’s Time to Consider Upgrading to macOS 11 Big Sur
- Copyright: Copyright © 2020 TidBits
We’re cautious when it comes to recommending upgrades to new versions of macOS. Apple makes the upgrade process easy—though it can be time-consuming—but upgrading can create workflow interruptions, render favorite apps inoperable, and have other consequences. At the same time, it’s important to stay in sight of the cutting edge for security reasons and to take advantage of advances from Apple and other developers. Upgrading is not an if question; it’s a when question.
Web Ads: Making the Best of a Lose-Lose Scenario
- Copyright: Copyright © 2020 TidBits
Typically, we like to help you solve problems in these articles. But there’s one problem we all face that has no good solution: ads on Web pages. Let us explain the background, after which you can decide how you want to proceed.
PostScript Type 1 Fonts Losing Support This Year—Here’s What to Do
- Copyright: Copyright © 2020 TidBits
For you graphic designers out there, Adobe has announced that it will be ending support for PostScript Type 1 fonts starting with Photoshop in 2021. All Adobe apps will stop allowing users to author content using Type 1 fonts beginning January 2023.
This announcement shouldn’t come as a surprise. Adobe introduced Type 1 fonts at the dawn of the Macintosh age back in 1984, started collaborating with Microsoft on the more versatile OpenType fonts in 1996, and stopped developing Type 1 fonts in 1999. Although some operating systems still support Type 1 fonts, Web browsers and mobile operating systems don’t. Worse, Type 1 fonts don’t support Unicode, limiting their ability to support extended language character sets.
Manage Your Apple Purchases and Subscriptions on the Mac and iPhone
- Copyright: Copyright © 2020 TidBits
Last quarter, Apple’s Services segment generated a whopping $15.8 billion in revenue, 14% of the company’s total—sales of apps, media, and subscriptions are a big deal to Apple. And if you’re like us, you’re probably now paying Apple for services like Apple Music, extra storage for iCloud Photos, various app purchases and subscriptions, and perhaps the new Apple Fitness+.
It’s a lot to keep track of, but particularly with subscriptions, it’s essential to stay on top of the charges and make sure you’re paying only for services you’re still using. Happily, Apple enables you to do that on both the Mac and the iPhone/iPad.
Forget Adobe Acrobat: Preview May Be All You Need to Work with PDFs
- Copyright: Copyright © 2020 TidBits
We regularly hear from people who think they need Adobe Acrobat DC to manipulate PDFs. Don’t misunderstand: Adobe Acrobat is the gold standard, but it’s complicated and expensive—$14.99 per month or as part of Creative Cloud for $52.99 per month. In contrast, Apple’s Preview is easy and free with macOS. Here are six tasks that people may think require Acrobat but can easily be accomplished in Preview.
Want an Early Warning System for COVID-19 Infections? Install NOVID!
- Copyright: Copyright © 2020 TidBits
With vaccinations underway, there’s light at the end of the COVID-19 pandemic tunnel. But given the enormity of the task and the unknowns surrounding coronavirus variants, we’ll still be in this tunnel for some time to come. Happily, there’s a new app called NOVID that, if you and your friends (and their friends, etc.) install it, provides early warning as COVID-19 infections creep closer in your personal network of connections. It’s like weather radar for disease.
Developed by a Carnegie Mellon University math professor, NOVID is a free app for iOS and Android that relies on roughly the same smartphone proximity detecting technique as the Apple/Google exposure notification technology. If your phone can use Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, or ultrasound to detect another nearby phone with NOVID installed, the two phones record that completely anonymous interaction.
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- Having Trouble Finding Files on Your Mac? Here’s How to Reset Spotlight
- Web Ads: Making the Best of a Lose-Lose Scenario
- When Asking about Phishing Email, Make Sure to Write Separately Too
- PostScript Type 1 Fonts Losing Support This Year—Here’s What to Do
- Stop Apple Watch Timer Alerts with a Press of the Digital Crown
- Manage Your Apple Purchases and Subscriptions on the Mac and iPhone
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- Forget Adobe Acrobat: Preview May Be All You Need to Work with PDFs