A FileMaker alternative
I have been using an older version of
FileMaker, but don’t want to upgrade to the latest version because I cannot
justify the price for what I need to do. Basically, I need a database app that
will let me track monetary giving, and help me send out forms required by the
IRS. Preferably, I’d like something that could import my existing data from
FileMaker, and it is important that the application have good form-printing support.
Bento is a smaller (and cheaper) version of
FileMaker that would provide you with all of the features that you’re looking
for. It will let you easily keep track of contacts (even linking the contacts
with those stored in the Contacts app in OS X), and relate certain data with
those contacts. You can then use the form and mailing features to easily create
the mailing labels and forms that you need to send out.
You should have no problem importing your
existing FileMaker projects as long as the data is in CSV (comma-separated
values) format. To learn more about importing your existing data into Bento,
refer to this handy tips guide on the FileMaker site: bit.ly/ml_bentoimport.
Also, you can give Bento a spin with a free trial by visiting bit.ly/ml_bento.
Bento
provides many FileMaker features, but for smaller projects. It also includes good
label and form-printing capabilities.
Changing of the Cloud
I just gave my iPhone 4S to my son, but my
iCIoud and iMessaqe accounts are still linked to that device. How do we change
the iCIoud account to him instead of me?
First, iCIoud. Navigate to Settings >
iCIoud, and tap on the red "Delete Account" button at the bottom of
the scrolling view. This will remove mail of your iCIoud account information
from the device, including Mail, Contacts, Calendars, Reminders, Safari
preferences, Notes. Passbook items, Photo Stream photos, and Documents and
Data. You will be able to sign into a new account after removing the old one.
Remove
the iCIoud account to sign in with a new one.
Second, you’ll want to change the iMessage
account to reflect the new owner’s Apple ID as well. To do this, navigate to
Settings > Messages. Tap on the "Send & Receive" button, and
then the Apple ID button. You’ll be able to sign out here, and sign in using a
new account.
If the new owner already has an iTunes
Store/App Store account, then they may wish to sign in to make purchases and
download existing iTunes and App Store purchases. To do this, navigate to
Settings > iTunes & App Stores, and tap on "Apple ID" at the
top of the screen. Like the iMessage screen, this will let you sign out of the
existing account and sign in with a new one.
Remove
the iCloud account to sign in with a new one
iTunes
and App Stores may also need to be changed to reflect the new iPhone owner.
Back to square one
I want to start my MacBook Pro over from
scratch because I will be putting It up for sale. However, I want the OS to
remain on the system. What 1s the best way for performing a clean install?
With the advent of Lion and Mountain Lion,
all of the recovery software was put onto your system whenever you installed OS
X from the Mac App Store; if you have an older system that isn’t running Lion
or Mountain Lion, then you’ll need to use the install DVD that came with your
system to perform the following steps. (Alternatively, if you are on Lion or
Mountain Lion and don’t have a speedy Internet connection, then you can
download the OS X Recovery Disk Assistant from Apple’s website to make a
bootable disk that can be used in place of the Internet recovery system. You
can find that information at bit.ly/ml_recoverydisk.)
The
new Internet recovery feature gives you access to the OS X install utilities
without needing any physical media.
To begin, boot your system while holding
down Command + R if you’re on Lion or Mountain Lion to boot into Recovery mode.
If you’re using an install DVD, hold down the C key. Once booted, you’ll select
the Disk Utility from the list of available Utilities, and then click Continue.
In Disk Utility, select your computer’s
hard drive in the media sidebar, and then click on the "Erase" tab.
Ensure that "Mac OS Extended (Journaled)" is selected in the Format
drop-down menu, and then type "Macintosh HD" in the Name field. Click
on the Erase tab to completely remove all content from your Mac’s hard drive.
Disk
Utility will let you format your hard drive anew to prepare it for a fresh
install of OS X.
Once completed, exit Disk Utility (you may
need to restart your computer while holding down Command + R), and in the list
of Utilities that appears, select "Reinstall OS X,” and click Continue.
This part of the installer will walk you through downloading and installing the
latest version of OS X Lion or Mountain Lion on your system. After installation,
your computer will be just like new; on first boot, your Mac will boot into the
initial setup screens, allowing you to create a new account and set up OS X.
The Urge to Merge
Over the years, I have had several Apple
accounts with different email addresses and passwords in iTunes, and I don’t
use any of these now. Is it possible to merge older accounts and passwords into
a single, most-current account?
The
Apple ID portal gives you a way to change your personal information.
Unfortunately, the answer is no. Apple does
not support merging multiple Apple IDs into one. Apple ID was designed to be
like a social security number; the idea is one Apple ID for life. The best way
to handle this is to stick with your most current Apple ID (or the one that is linked
to all of your purchased content) and don’t create a new one. Each Apple ID
gives you access to every Apple service currently offered. Should your personal
information change, you can easily update it by going to appleid.apple.com.
