Wacom Tablets and Parental Controls

So when I install the Wacom Tablets, the prefs files can't be seen in Spotlight. I posted to apple Forums and got this response:

"No Wacom here to test, but did the software leave an Install log you could check for what executable file(s) might be involved?" ~BDAqua

So I started checking on how to find install logs and found the following:
"http://www.devon-technologies.com/products/freeware/index.html

I learned about this from BDAqua - thanks again - who brought up all the shortcomings of Spotlight. I use it all the time as a general search tool and to uninstall applications (you can delete files directly from it); it will find things Spotlight will never see. It's pretty thorough. Toggle it to scan for all files, using the "light switch" at bottom left, and set it to include invisible files. The trick for getting it to display all related application files is to enter every possible name an application might be using with a file, i.e. the name of the application specifically and, perhaps, the company name, anything related you can think of."

However, I think this post by Jeffery Jones2 is more helpful:
"If the software is installed from a package, using the Apple Installer, then you can get that information from the Installer. When the Installer opens, before clicking "Continue", choose File > Show Files. You will get a list of everything the package intends to install.

You can do this after the fact if you still have the package: just don't click Continue since the software is already installed. If the the installation left a receipt, you can use that the same way. The receipt is just the installation package with the payload removed. The Bill Of Materials is still there, and that is where the file list comes from.

There are other ways to get this information from a package, but using the Installer is the easiest."

Inkscape and Gimp quit working after updates

Although Mac's X11 is based on quartz x11 it does not use the latest version so after updating Mac, you must also update Quartz X11. The good news is that it looks like the latest versions of Inkscape and GIMP both no longer require Quartz X11.

WinDVD issue

WinDVD 5.0 was giving us issues at work so I am making a note here as to how to fix it.

Problem: computer was outputting to the projector but the video was not showing up.

Solution: WinDVD only sends video to the Primary Display. On a laptop this is the LCD by default. Use the Fn+F8, on our IBM machines, and select the 3rd option the sends all images to the projector, turning off the LCD and forcing the Video to the Projector.

Found on Yahoo, Answers

A new challenge

A friend had both hers and her husband's computers unable to boot at the same time. I took on the project and this is my notes should this crop up again in future with someone else.

The first was a Compac Presario 2500 that went to the screen to choose safe mode, normal, etc. All options would take you right back there. First I checked that the machine did indeed boot from a Ubuntu live disc and had success there. The next step was to back up all the files and get hold of the restore discs which thankfully were still available. Once the restore discs were loaded, I ran updates, added AVG Free antivirus and replaced all the data files. Job took only 2 hours from start to finish.

The second was an old Apple Pismo laptop (the black clamshell case from the early 2000's) from the PowerPC line. I was told it wasn't working but after leaving it plugged in for 30 minutes, it booted right up. In the mean time the friend had purchased a brand new MacBook, the task was to copy the files to an external drive for transfer to the new computer. The Pismo's issue was a dead PRAM battery. Should one need to be replaced, there is a link to that repair at Apple.


The friend was more than satisfied and they are back online with their computers.

I had been concerned that this would not go well but it worked out very nicely. She has a trustworthy new Mac, and can use the Pismo for her 2.5 year old to play games on. Her husband has his computer back in business.

iBook upgrade

I still had 3 unused licenses of Leopard in my Family Pack (we had used 2, one for Kjersti and the other for me) and since the iBook had a bit better than the minimum requirements, I decided to try it. The main reason for this is that Firefox and some other software I wanted needed better than the Panther the iBook came with. So far so good, Firefox is up to date. I also upgraded to QuartzX11 and put on Inkscape and GIMP. I could not install iLife from the Panther disc with Leopard as the OS, it just couldn't even see the software. However, I was able to do it by taking the machine back to Panther intalling the bundled software and then upgrading to Leopard.

Jan had fun playing with Garageband and seems to prefer the ibook to the Compac which is running Ubuntu.

MacBook upgrade

A year ago I increased the memory in my old MacBook to 2 GB and I've been very happy but I am starting to run out of room so it's time to upgrade the drive. I'm going to a 320GB and I want to try using Virtual Box instead of partitioning to run Windows. I'm a bit concerned about activation but I do know the file I need so hopefully all will go well.

Compaq upgrade

Well, my husband finally got tired of Windows and was willing to try out Ubuntu, he's not 100% happy but he has adjusted pretty well. I considered a dual boot but he only has a 30 GB drive and I wasn't sure if I could fit on both and have room to run anything.

With nearly every computer job I've done with only online support, there is some bit of info that is missing. This one was no different. I had downloaded the latest build and all seemed to be going great until he tried watching YouTube. Didn't work. I searched online and found a ton of suggestions, again none worked. So I got the brilliant idea of checking for updates, after about 113 updates (to the latest build mind you) later YouTube plays perfectly. Now why couldn't anyone just say that online? Why all the rigamarol? It's a simple step and not even hard to do, just time consuming.

The machine still has issues like a bad battery but runs fine on the power cord. It also has the issues with the touch pad (okay the left click button) but the laptop is 7 years old and is on the 3rd owner.

Of course I am going to let him use the iBook too so he will have more computers than anyone else in the family, even if he is the least tech savvy.