Re: Reinstalling OS 10.11
Thanks Randy that is the key combo I was looking for. ?Already backed up so I'm ready to give it a go.
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Re: Need multiple wired audio input device suggestions
On Aug 27, 2023, at 6:16 AM, John Hay via groups.io <OceanCity@...> wrote:
I looked over at my home-office phone an saw my Sennheiser OfficeRunner! Some links that you might find useful from my database: USB-C to 3.5 mm Headphone Jack Adapter $9.00 Have a look at this (now unfortunately a bit outdated) site for a review of a number of different microphones all rated as to their efficacy for computer-aided dictation. Some very reasonably priced microphones that folks say are excellent for dictation: Logitech B530 USB Headset $37 or Blue Snowball $40 useful for recording a meeting is that you can switch it into omnidirectional pickup pattern (360 degree) You can use it for dictation if you switch it to cardioid pickup pattern __________________________________________________ Randy B. Singer Co-author of The Macintosh Bible (4th, 5th, and 6th editions) Essential But Hard To Find Macintosh Software and Advice __________________________________________________
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Re: Need multiple wired audio input device suggestions
On Aug 27, 2023, at 6:16 AM, John Hay via groups.io <OceanCity@...> wrote:
Side note, Dragon sales and support has got to be the absolute worst I've ever experienced. The stories of how horrible a company Nuance is are legion. I’m surprised that you were able to get in contact with anyone at all. They are known for screwing their customers and engaging in cutthroat competition. I've heard most folks running the Windows version this way on a Mac actually get pretty good results. Yes…if they have an older Intel-based Mac. I haven’t heard of anyone having success with Dragon on an Apple Silicon-based Mac. That might simply mean that no one has tried it, but I have a user group with close to 10,000 attorneys. Attorneys often like to dictate their stuff. I would have to assume that if it worked, I’d have heard so by now. __________________________________________________ Randy B. Singer Co-author of The Macintosh Bible (4th, 5th, and 6th editions) Essential But Hard To Find Macintosh Software and Advice __________________________________________________
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Re: Odd TextEdit printing behavior
To my understanding, aspect ratio is determined mostly by the creator.?
Orientation is controlled by the one printing, portrait or landscape. Along with paper size, letter, legal, A4, and whatever, like folio or banner.?
I’d say if you’re not in the printing industry, probably not.?
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On Aug 27, 2023, at 15:08, John Hay via groups.io <OceanCity@...> wrote:
?Running Ventura 13.5.1 on a Mac Studio.
I noticed several times when printing a text (I always use rich text, if that matters) that the actual font size when I print a text file is not determined by the size number of points for the fonts, but by the aspect ratio of the text edit window.? Until I understood this I was completely baffled and frustrated when I'd change the size of the fonts to print larger or smaller only to realize in the end that was having no effect!
Is there a setting anywhere that toggles this type of aspect ratio of the text edit window to the ultimate font size on the printed page??
Odd.
TIA,
John
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Odd TextEdit printing behavior
Running Ventura 13.5.1 on a Mac Studio.
I noticed several times when printing a text (I always use rich text, if that matters) that the actual font size when I print a text file is not determined by the size number of points for the fonts, but by the aspect ratio of the text edit window.? Until I understood this I was completely baffled and frustrated when I'd change the size of the fonts to print larger or smaller only to realize in the end that was having no effect!
Is there a setting anywhere that toggles this type of aspect ratio of the text edit window to the ultimate font size on the printed page??
Odd.
TIA,
John
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Re: Need multiple wired audio input device suggestions
On Aug 26, 2023, at 10:38 PM, Randy B. Singer <randy@...> wrote: On Aug 26, 2023, at 10:05 AM, John Hay via??<OceanCity@...> wrote:
Now all I need is a good Voice-To-Text application, as good as the discontinued Dragon software.
I called them and the only way to run Dragon is on a VM, which I really don't want to do.
Any ideas greatly appreciated.
I haven’t heard of anyone using Dragon on an Apple Silicon Mac successfully via Parallels. ?So that seems to be a non-starter to me.I already gave you a list of what is currently available for the Macintosh. ?All of the products on the list are being used by (at least some) folks in my user group with great success. ?You just have to choose one. ?Since there is a free version of MacWisper, I suggest that you try that first.MacWhisper/Pro/Whisper Transcription ?(free/pay)You can book a demo of Talkatoo here:However, in the end, no matter how many times you ask for “suggestions”, there are no more products to recommend. ?You will have to settle on a product that exists and make it work for you. ?That might mean that you don’t get every feature that you want. ?There is no cure for that. ?But at least you CAN dictate to your Mac.Randy B. Singer Hi Randy,?
Funny thing.
After testing several mics on hand, both wired and wireless, with horrific results, I looked over at my home-office phone an saw my Sennheiser OfficeRunner! Been using it, and it's predecessors for decades, with an over-the-ear mic and earpiece for phone calls. It's crystal clear with a good 40' range, auto pickup and hangup, etc.
Then I noticed I'd never even used the wired "PC connection" which is built-in, so I tried it. WOW! ?Immediately the voice recognition factor shot up, and, using Apple's built-in Speech-to-Text I was able to make it type for me into any app! For some reason the other mics would not play with Word for Mac. This one does. So maybe I'll stop wasting all this time and money on searching for the perfect solution and just go with what I've got and be done with it.?
Can't thank you and everyone for your support. ?I couldn't have asked for anything more than the plethora of options and experience you shared.?
Side note, Dragon sales and support has got to be the absolute worst I've ever experienced. Had to make 3 separate calls and could barely understand whomever was practicing english-as-a-second-language, getting cut off each time support realized they probably were not getting the sale when I challenged them on the efficacy of running Dragon Professional via Parallels on my Mac Studio. Way to convoluted and problematic for my needs, albeit, I've heard most folks running the Windows version this way on a Mac actually get pretty good results. If I had to write all day long I'd jump in, but I don't, so KISS.
Again, a million thanks to everyone for all your support and encouragement.?
All the best, John
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Re: Need multiple wired audio input device suggestions
On Aug 26, 2023, at 10:05 AM, John Hay via groups.io <OceanCity@...> wrote:
Now all I need is a good Voice-To-Text application, as good as the discontinued Dragon software.
I called them and the only way to run Dragon is on a VM, which I really don't want to do.
Any ideas greatly appreciated. I haven’t heard of anyone using Dragon on an Apple Silicon Mac successfully via Parallels. So that seems to be a non-starter to me. I already gave you a list of what is currently available for the Macintosh. All of the products on the list are being used by (at least some) folks in my user group with great success. You just have to choose one. Since there is a free version of MacWisper, I suggest that you try that first. MacWhisper/Pro/Whisper Transcription (free/pay) You can book a demo of Talkatoo here: However, in the end, no matter how many times you ask for “suggestions”, there are no more products to recommend. You will have to settle on a product that exists and make it work for you. That might mean that you don’t get every feature that you want. There is no cure for that. But at least you CAN dictate to your Mac. __________________________________________________ Randy B. Singer Co-author of The Macintosh Bible (4th, 5th, and 6th editions) Essential But Hard To Find Macintosh Software and Advice __________________________________________________
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Re: Need multiple wired audio input device suggestions
On Aug 26, 2023, at 12:46 PM, Otto Nikolaus via groups.io <otto.nikolaus@...> wrote: Does size matter? How about this, which is USB-powered and good enough for audio measurements.
Thank you Otto. That might be perfect.
Now all I need is a good Voice-To-Text application, as good as the discontinued Dragon software. I called them and the only way to run Dragon is on a VM, which I really don't want to do. Any ideas greatly appreciated.
All the best, John?
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Re: Need multiple wired audio input device suggestions
Does size matter? How about this, which is USB-powered and good enough for audio measurements. <>
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On Aug 26, 2023, at 9:42 AM, John Hay via < OceanCity@...> wrote: QUESTION:?Can one of you audiophiles out there describe what I would look for, and if my 'hub' approach makes any sense to begin with or is there a better way please? Thank you.? Follow up on trial and error testing: I found in my drawer of USB adapters a ?USB Audio Sound Adapter plug-dongle thing and was able to plug in a known working (albeit not on the 'approved list' of mics for dictation) lav mic which I'd been using for all my videoconferencing very successfully.
The mic was recognized in my Mac Studio Ventura Sound Prefs, I selected it there as well as in the Keyboard Dictation Prefs (per normal), and tried once again dictating, into TextEdit. ?Again the results were laughable. Useless.?
So now I'm thinking I need third-party software.
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Re: Reinstalling OS 10.11
OWC also still carries batteries for late Mac models:?
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On Aug 26, 2023, at 00:30, Randy B. Singer <randy@...> wrote:
? On Aug 25, 2023, at 1:19 AM, Eric Nelson via groups.io <emanmb@...> wrote:
The battery is dead and I was told yesterday by some repair shops they no longer have the battery
My favorite source has what you need:https://www.laptopbatteryexpress.com/search_results_a/271.html?keywords=2009+MacBook+Pro+13&Submit=__________________________________________________Randy B. SingerCo-author of The Macintosh Bible (4th, 5th, and 6th editions)Essential But Hard To Find Macintosh Software and Advicehttp://www.macattorney.com/welcome.html__________________________________________________
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Re: Need multiple wired audio input device suggestions
On Aug 26, 2023, at 9:42 AM, John Hay via groups.io <OceanCity@...> wrote: QUESTION:?Can one of you audiophiles out there describe what I would look for, and if my 'hub' approach makes any sense to begin with or is there a better way please? Thank you.? Follow up on trial and error testing: I found in my drawer of USB adapters a ?USB Audio Sound Adapter plug-dongle thing and was able to plug in a known working (albeit not on the 'approved list' of mics for dictation) lav mic which I'd been using for all my videoconferencing very successfully.
The mic was recognized in my Mac Studio Ventura Sound Prefs, I selected it there as well as in the Keyboard Dictation Prefs (per normal), and tried once again dictating, into TextEdit. ?Again the results were laughable. Useless.?
So now I'm thinking I need third-party software.
Thoughts? TIA, John
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Need multiple wired audio input device suggestions
I have so many BlueTooth devices now (probably several dozen) in my home office between all the mice, trackpads, headphones, earbuds, bookshelf speakers, etc. that I?can't seem to get a stable connection?now that I'm finally getting around to installing the needed hardware (a microphone and dictation software) and software to enable dictation so that I can transcribe directly into any app that accepts this type of audio input.
?
I tried using a BT mic along with Apple's native dictation function with laughable results. Have not pin pointed if this is a hardware of a software problem yet, could be either, or both.
?
Before I buy any third-party software I want to try using one of the "recommended"?wired?mics for dictation, but I'm already using the one and only audio jack built into my Mac Studio. I need a way to plug in?additional?wired devices so I'm thinking I could either buy a USB-C to Audio mini-plug, or maybe a better long-term solution would be some type of an audio hub (I'm sure I'm using the wrong terminology) that would accept more than just one input.
?
QUESTION:?Can one of you audiophiles out there describe what I would look for, and if my 'hub' approach makes any sense to begin with or is there a better way please? Thank you.?
?
TIA,
John
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Re: Reinstalling OS 10.11
On Aug 25, 2023, at 1:19 AM, Eric Nelson via groups.io <emanmb@...> wrote:
Ideally I'd like to reinstall the OS without wiping the data on the machine.
What I'd like to know is if that's not advisable, You can reinstall your OS using Recovery: You can startup holding down Option-Command-R, or, if that won’t work, Shift-Option-Command-R will get you Internet Recovery. It won’t wipe the data on your Mac. However, it is always advisable when you do something like re-install the OS, that you have an up-to-date backup first. __________________________________________________ Randy B. Singer Co-author of The Macintosh Bible (4th, 5th, and 6th editions) Essential But Hard To Find Macintosh Software and Advice __________________________________________________
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Re: Reinstalling OS 10.11
On Aug 25, 2023, at 1:19 AM, Eric Nelson via groups.io <emanmb@...> wrote:
The battery is dead and I was told yesterday by some repair shops they no longer have the battery My favorite source has what you need: __________________________________________________ Randy B. Singer Co-author of The Macintosh Bible (4th, 5th, and 6th editions) Essential But Hard To Find Macintosh Software and Advice __________________________________________________
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Hello all,
I see that this thread has wandered a little off; but the discussion of the efficacy of upgrading/updating the OS as a fix for a singular problem has been good.
Early in the discussion we went over some approaches to the problem. I had already considered most of them. Bob Hasselbrink suggested that the case might be interfering with the proximity sensor. I do not have a screen protector installed; just a case that covers the back and edges (except the camera and microphone).
But, what the heck, removing the case doesn't cost anything. I removed the case. I left the case off for 36 hrs. and did not have a repeat of the problem. It had been happening more and more frequently. The case was surprisingly dirty on the inside. It seems that the grippy texture of the inside of the case causes very fine dirt to stick to it. I thoroughly cleaned the case but left if off for the aforementioned 36 hours. I put the clean case back on and still the problem has not returned.
I can not see an opening for the proximity sensor. Maybe it looks through the speaker opening. But considering that it is "looking" out the front of the screen, I can not figure out how having a case on the back of the machine can interfere with its function. BUT, my machine is working for now so I will let this sleeping dog lie.
Thanks everyone for helping with my problem.
Cheers,
Steve
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Kinda feel dumb w/this question but here goes. ?
I cloned my 2009 MacBook Pro 13" boot drive to a new SSD some years back using CCC and it never seemed very snappy after this, or at least not much, if any snappier than when the boot drive was a the original hybrid drive.
Back then I just wanted to start from the system I had already made and the apps that were installed. ?Running El Capitan/10.11.6. ?This is the last OS the machine can run. ?
So upon startup, MenuMeters shows the 2 cores maxed out for an extended period slowing down the entire system. ?
Activity Monitor shows these things going on. MRT is another culprit that eats up the processor not showing today. ?All of these things cause the fan to run continuously until things settle down which takes 5-10 minutes.
Ideally I'd like to reinstall the OS without wiping the data on the machine. ?
What I'd like to know is if that's not advisable, and save me the grief of doing it all again. ?
This machine is basically for movie playback on our TV's via the mini dv port to HDMI converter to the TV's. ?I will want to keep or put back (depending on advice here) Photoshop and MS Office. The playback software is VLC which seems to need all kinds of tweaks to get playback decent and all the suggested ones have not helped so thinking a reinstall or wipe reinstall is what it needs. ?The battery is dead and I was told yesterday by some repair shops they no longer have the battery for it which is OK. ?
Thanks for any advice!
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Re: Baffling Apple Mail Mess
Sounds like the iCloud account you set up on the iMac may have an error. Check the settings for that iCloud account, and your bikerbob and rfg on the iCloud and the iMac. Check the spelling immaculately.?
If that doesn’t work, call Apple. Give them access to the iMac.?
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On Aug 24, 2023, at 15:00, Bob Gerard via groups.io <rowerbob@...> wrote:
? On Aug 24, 2023, at 17:29, Ben Rosenthal <ben@...> wrote:
Do you have this iCloud email account set up as part of your Apple ID settings or as a separate Mail account?
At the risk of sounding dense, Ben, I am not sure what you mean.
I have three icloud email address to or from which emails may be sent: ?an @me.com, an @icloud.com (my @mac.com stopped working years ago and therefore has been abandoned) and I set up one alias email account ending in @icloud.com.
When I queue up an email to send, I can choose among any of those three and this morning could send an email from any of them.
I come home from the gym, tried to send an email from my rfg1647@icloud account and got that alert and could not send mail…unless I open my 2015 MB Pro and, voila, I can send mail from my iCloud address.
Makes no sense whatsoever.
Bob ——— “The more I practice, the luckier I get.” - Source uncertain
Bob ——— “The more I practice, the luckier I get.” - Source uncertain
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Re: Where did all the Mail Rules files go in Ventura?
Good point, Ben.? Rules on iCloud only work on email to Apple email addresses.?
I hadn’t thought of that one. I had started writing Rules for a POP account, like Roger, before iCloud
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On Aug 24, 2023, at 09:06, Ben Rosenthal <ben@...> wrote:
? The rules at iCloud.com cannot be as complex as those in Mail. Also, they are limited to your iCloud email address. Mail’s rules can act on any email accounts you have set up there.
Apart from that, the main limitation of Mail’s rules is that Mail has to be running on an awake Mac for them to run. Server-based rules always run as long as servers are always on, which we assume to be continuous. On Aug 24, 2023, at 08:49, Bob Gerard via groups.io <rowerbob@...> wrote:
? Since we are on the subject of Mail Rules, would anyone care to comment on the advice - which I have seen offered several times - that your best bet for constructing rules in Apple’s Mail.app is to log into Mail at iCloud.com and create the rules there instead of using the Mail > Settings > Rules???
Bob ------ <Room:Smartest.jpg>
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Re: Where did all the Mail Rules files go in Ventura?
On Aug 24, 2023, at 09:01, Roger Moffat via groups.io <rogerkiwi@...> wrote:
I have 33 eMail accounts between various identities of me at various providers “Who is that masked man?” Did you hear the announcer for the Lone Ranger, too?
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Re: Baffling Apple Mail Mess
Computers are your friend. A friend given to practical jokes.?
Jerry
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On Aug 24, 2023, at 6:48 PM, Bob Gerard via groups.io <rowerbob@...> wrote:
? On Aug 24, 2023, at 18:14, Ben Rosenthal <ben@...> wrote:
What happens if you simply take your iCloud account offline and back online on the offending Mac?
Hi Ben,
Go figure. Gave up trying to solve the problem, had dinner, cleaned up, came back upstairs to try again on the 2020 iMac Mail account, the one giving me trouble, and now it works.
No understanding as to why the problem began in the first place; no understanding of why it suddenly just began allowing me to send emails from my iCloud account.
Sheeesh.
Bob ——— “The more I practice, the luckier I get.” - Source uncertain
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Brent
Ben Rosenthal
