Here at TheAppleBlog, we spend all day working on how-tos and tutorials to help you get the most out of your Apple products. But then we thought: Maybe we should ask you what you need to know.

We’ve come up with a new idea that we’re calling Ask TAB. Once a month, we’re going to run a post asking you for ideas. If there’s something Apple-related you wish you knew how to do, or do more easily — from the basics like rearranging your Mac’s Dock to advanced topics such as setting up file sharing between a Mac and a PC — leave a comment below. We’ll go through all the suggestions, assign a bunch to writers and post the articles throughout August.

The more of you who get involved and ask questions, the better this will work. Since Lion has just been released, why not ask a question about the latest version of OS X? Post anything that comes to mind. If we’ve run an article on it, we’ll point you in the right direction with a link to something from our huge archive of content.

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The clipboard in a modern operating system is one of the most useful and practical tools available. Being able to select some text or images, copy them to the clipboard, and then paste them in other places is indispensable (look at the uproar over the fact that the iPhone OS 1.0 & 2.0 did not support a clipboard to see how valuable it is). You most likely use it without giving it another thought.

The standard clipboard behavior is that when you copy a new item, it replaces the existing item. You can’t go back to the previous item as there is no history of items copied. This is what a Clipboard Manager does, providing a memory and browsing history so you can paste something, and then find it later, even after using the clipboard multiple times.

There are quite a few Clipboard Managers available for OS X, some free, some not. Here’s a quick overview of what is on offer and what they can and can’t do.

Clipper

Clipper is the most simple of the clipboard managers available. It sits in the menu bar and allows no-frills access to text clipboard history. It’s an open sourced tool that provides no keyboard shortcuts, but does the job for a simple text clipboard manager.

Jumpcut

Jumpcut is another open source clipboard manager that focuses on the basic text history. A customizable hotkey will let you cycle through the various items in the history with an on-screen overlay, or you can directly select an item from the menu bar.

Clyppan

Originally also known as Clipper in earlier versions (name changed to avoid confusion with the Clipper mentioned above), Clyppan is an open source solution that sits in the menu bar, popping up with a customizable hotkey to let you see what’s in the history. Clyppan only supports text clippings, but the history is searchable and pressing the spacebar will give you a Quick Look-style preview of the clipping. It also has a rapid paste function, which pastes the current item, and then sets the clipboard to the next item; this lets you copy lots of items in a row to then quickly paste later on.

ClipMenu

ClipMenu is a freeware clipboard manager that offers support for both text and images. It sits in the menu bar and will break the history into browsable menu sections to avoid UI crowding. It has customizable hotkeys and many functional aspects are configurable, including being able to hold control when selecting an item to perform configurable ‘Actions’ before pasting (such as converting to upper case). ClipMenu also lets you configure regular text clippings for quick access to items you use often.

Savvy Clipboard

Savvy Clipboard is the simplest of the paid offerings, costing $12 (a free trial available). It supports both text and images in the clipboard and provides customizable hotkeys for accessing it.

PTHPasteboard

PTHPasteboard is comprehensive clipboard manager that supports multiple text and image clipboards. The normal version is free, while a Pro version is available for $24.95 that allows you to share and synchronize clipboards across multiple Macs, as well as run configurable filters on text (such as converting to upper case). Full configuration of hotkeys and aspects of the UI is present and you can search the clipboard history to find what you’re looking for.

iClip

iClip is a beautifully designed application (perhaps too fancy for a simple tool) that can behave in a Dock-like way, staying attached to a side of the screen and popping out when the mouse goes to the edge. iClip can handle images as well as text, and also allows groupings of permanently availably items, providing quick access to often used resources. It has fully customizable keyboard and UI behavior support. iClip costs $29 and a free trial (which can be run 30 times) can be downloaded to try it out first. Also available is iClip Lite, which is a completely free Dashboard Widget that allows you to view the clipboard history. If you only need basic use and like using dashboard widgets, the lite version may fit your needs.

Clipboard Evolved

Clipboard Evolved offers multiple custom-named clipboards for both text and images for $15 (a free trial is available). It offers full keyboard hotkey customizing and various UI options (such as a Dock-like display) including various quartz graphics transition effects (and thus requires OS X 10.5).

Cute Clips

Cute Clips is another OS X 10.5 only clipboard manager. It costs $15 and a free 15 day trial is available. It supports both text and images and focuses on a rich UI experience and provides features such as ‘stickying’ a clipping (so it will stay in that position and not drop off), naming a clipboard item, or giving a specific clipping a keyboard shortcut.

Stuf

Like PTHPasteboard, Stuf (formally known as Shadow) offers a shared clipboard across multiple Macs. It lets you create multiple clipboards and elect to make them visible to other Macs. It supports text and images, lets you search the clipboards, allows a customizable hotkey and provides Quick Look integration by pressing the spacebar. Stuf costs around $20 and a 30 day trial is available.

Which one?

There’s a great range of choices for clipboard managers on OS X — all which add great utility to the built in clipboard. I personally have been using Clyppan for a while now as I don’t deal with images often — the fact that it handles text only is no problem for me. However all of the options do their job well so it really just comes down to your workflow requirements and personal usability preference. If you’ve never used a clipboard manager before, give one a try.

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Unlike earlier hardware details posted by a Chinese forum-goer, the newest rumored specifications are far from underwhelming. In fact, they basically agree with pretty much every other early report we’ve seen to date, which either supports or takes away from the credibility of the new source. The origin of these latest specs is reported by AppleiPhoneApps.com as being “closely connected to Apple’s hardware development team.”

Here’s a brief overview of what we’re supposedly getting from Apple in June:

• 32GB and 16GB storage (up from the current 16GB and 8GB models)
• $199 and $299 price points to be maintained
• 3.2-megapixel camera (up from the current 2-megapixel camera)
• Video-recording and editing capabilities
• Ability to send a picture and video via MMS
• Discontinuation of the metal band surrounding the edge of the device
• OLED screen
• 1.5 times the battery life of the current models
• Double the RAM and processing power
• Built-in FM transmitter
• Apple logo on back will glow
• Rubber-tread backing
• Sleeker design
• Built-in compass
• The camera, GPS, compass and Google map combined will identify photos and inform about photo locations
• Turn-by-turn directions

A lot of these add up with other reports (OLED screen, 3.2-megapixel camera, video recording/editing), but some seem much more far-fetched (like the glowing Apple logo). I’m really hoping that the 1.5 times battery life estimate is on the conservative side. Personally, I think the stats are completely reasonable and in line with what we’ve heard so far, but that doesn’t necessarily make them accurate, so definitely take them with a grain of salt.

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In the recent past, I’ve covered a couple of the different white-label solutions from third-party developers for carriers that offer the iPhone. These offerings are generally meant to correct some oversight on Apple’s part, or answer a perceived desire for some feature on the part of iPhone owners that Apple seems unwilling to offer itself.

For example, there was Mobispine’s MMS workaround, and more recently, JAJAH, which wanted to turn your iPod touch into an iPhone. In both cases, the companies involved weren’t selling individual apps, but rather the chance for interested corporate clients to license their solution, rebrand it, and offer it for sale to individual customers via the App Store.

So far, their hasn’t exactly been a rush of interest from their target market, which is exclusive carriers who offer the iPhone for Mobispine, and primarily that same or similar service providers for JAJAH. So what gives? People seem to want this, judging by the response to Mobispine’s blog post alone, and the frequency with which less complete and effective third-party MMS solutions pop up in the App Store. And if I could use my iPod touch as a WiFi-connected home phone inexpensively, I’d gladly replace my landline. But these companies aren’t selling to consumers. They’re selling to carriers, and therein lies the problem.

What benefit, from an iPhone carrier’s point of view, does offering any of these white-label services bring with it? Even going beyond the examples mentioned above, imagine if there was a white-label, background push notification service available to carriers. It’s something every iPhone user would love to have, but for a cellular company, it represents an unnecessary, low-return risk at best. It all goes back to the old maxim, “If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.” iPhone sales are strong, so why would a carrier incur extra cost or the risk of having the app rejected to (possibly) boost sales that need no boosting?

Sadly, Mobispine and others are barking up the wrong tree when they try to sell their services to people who can make money with or without them. There is money to be made with white-label and turn-key solutions for the iPhone and iPod touch, but you have to go after those who don’t yet have access to the money that’s swirling around in that new ecosystem, and badly want in. The music, TV, and movie industries, for instance, have shown themselves quite eager to grab a piece of the iPie.

As for us, we’d better stop holding our breath for our carriers to come in and save us from cruel, withholding Apple. And why would they, when we’ll buy the phone regardless? Sure, we grumble a bit as well, but plugging your ears against grumbling is a lot cheaper than doing something to silence it altogether.

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The 1.0 app has a rating of 3 out of 5 stars with most complaints being that it crashed frequently. Other low ratings were mainly complaints of the lack of scrobbling…though that’s really an issue with the limitations Apple put on the SDK.

Last.fm was kind enough to give us a sneak peek of the new Last.fm 2.0 version of their iPhone app.

The new version includes an updated/polished UI, better tagging support, a new calendar view for events, and a cool feature that lets you see common artists when viewing other user’s profiles. Overall the updated UI really makes the experience smoother and more enjoyable.

Last.fm has submitted the app to Apple and is awaiting approval for it to be added to the store. In the meantime, check out these exclusive screenshots.

 

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• The Future of Work Platforms: An Overview
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This Friday Apple will be releasing the 2.1 software update for iPhone users.

This update will be completely free for iPhone users and, according to Jobs, will fix address a lot of issues such as dropped calls, crashes, and painfully slow sync times. Along with the fixes will also be better battery life.

The 2.1 update for iPod touch users is actually available today, though it seems most users have had mixed results actually getting the update to work through iTunes. If you’re feeling antsy, you can try downloading the update package directly here, though your results may vary on actually getting it to work. I downloaded the update via that link and the update installed correctly but throws an “Unknown error occurred” message, though data still seems to sync correctly. So, you’ve been warned. :)

The 2.1 update is free for iPod touch users who purchased the 2.0 update but will cost $10 to those who are upgrading from 1.x.

Let me know if you have any issues with either update.

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AT&T is offering an option that might appeal to old iPhone users. AT&T will allow users to use the old iPhone as a Wi-Fi iPod. You can keep it yourself, hand it over to a family member, friend, or sell it on Ebay. Since you’ll be using the same number as used with your old iPhone the recipient will have to purchase another SIM card which they can purchase at a AT&T retail store. Users can use a new number or transfer an old number to the first generation iPhone.

I’m currently on vacation and there is a WI-Fi hotspot about a mile away from the waterfront condo where I’m residing with AT&T’s plan I would be able surf the internet and access my email thanks to the WI-Fi connection. Even if you aren’t near a Wi-Fi hotspot you can still listen to music, watch movies, and take pictures. That is one of the many things I find appealing about the iPhone is that it allows me to do more than send and receive calls.

It is important to note that AT&T is recommending that users should upgrade their old iPhone to v2.0 before having them deactivated in time for the July 11 release of the iPhone 3G. Apple Insider has listed steps on how to hand down your old iPod. Naturally, if you aren’t planning on purchasing the iPhone 3G this won’t be necessary.

Do you any plans for your old iPhone? Lets us know in the comment section.

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Let’s first start out by downloading the script from here:

Timeout Apple Script (ZIP)

After your download is complete unzip and open the script the script (double click it to launch the OS X script editor). To being using this script you will have to know: the IP Address of the server you are connecting to, the name of the folder you want to connect to, your username, your password, and the amount of time in seconds that you want between connection attempts (idle time). All of the items in purple in the picture below are the ones you are going to need to edit (Make sure to remove all the parenthesis – completely replace everything in purple).

Once you have input all your information, go ahead and click the “Run” button to test it. If everything is working properly the share should mount. After you confirm your script is working, it is time to save it as an application:

1. Go to File > Save As
2. File Format: application

   

3. Check the following Options: Run only, Stay open

   

4. Click save

Ok, now we have an application so go ahead and drop it into your applications folder on your Mac. I have a folder under Applications called “scripts,” to help stay a little more organized. To take this to the next level, I went ahead and put it in my Login Items so that it launches when I start my Mac, and I’m immediately connected to the shares.

To add the application to the Login Items:

1. Go to Applications > System Preferences
2. Go to Accounts

   

3. Go to the Login Items tab

   

4. Finally, drag and drop your application into the Login Items list.
5. Congratulations! Your computer will now auto-mount your share when you start her up, and keep you connected throughout the day.

As a side note, this script is far from perfect. When it’s running it freezes finder for a few seconds, and it must be force quit when restarting, but it’s a great solution if you do not have administrative access to the share. Have fun!

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Welcome To Aqua

The first noticeable item is how quickly OpenOffice 3.0 beta loads, even when compared with Microsoft Office 2008. In less than five seconds you are at the welcome screen ready to create your next masterpiece. Where the X11 interface felt choppy and looked…like an X11 interface, OO 3.0 definitely looks and feels like a fully integrated Aqua application, with menus being very responsive and keyboard shortcuts working (mostly – hey, it’s beta) as expected. How does each behave in this newly integrated world? Let’s take a look.

Writer

Whether it be your latest manuscript, research paper or basic flyer Writer definitely has the tools you need to get the job done. Complex header/footer arrangements, full table of contents manipulation, floating frames and more make this a very sophisticated word & document processor.

I do a great deal of legal document markup and the new notes feature keeps OO 3.0 on track with Pages and Word:

I also especially liked the font preview option for the font menu:

The multi-page layout view mode makes it very easy to see if the visual flow of your document is to your liking:

And, it was refreshing to see a “preview” mode that wasn’t just a export-view to Preview.app:

However, this is also where my first beta bug reared its ugly head with a half-dup of the menubar:

Writer also has basic support for VBA macros, something which neither Pages nor Word 2008 can claim and a feature which came in extremely handy this past weekend for a document I absolutely needed to work with (I could have VMware’d or Boot Camp’d into XP, but OO 3.0 made it so I didn’t have to). That same document also had many form-fields which all worked flawlessly in Writer.

When saving my document, doing so in Microsoft Office compatibility mode produced documents that worked flawlessly on Word 2008 and Word 2003/2007 (on Windows). Importing Microsoft’s new XML-format documents also worked well, though mine aren’t complex by any stretch of the imagination.

Writer is a fine tool, but there are still multi-platform quirks, like the button rendering in some dialogs:

and a less-than Mac-like preferences system:

Calc

I’ll state up-front that I hate spreadsheets. I hate them mostly due to the fact that people use spreadsheet programs as page-layout tools rather then as number crunchers. Numbers understood this and makes no attempt to hide that it is first-and-foremost a way to make pretty, numerical pages. But, getting back to the topic at hand…

Calc is a clear mimic of Excel 2003 for Windows, complete with charting and “solving” capabilities (which the developers are quick to point out do not exist in Excel 2008). Not being a non-work spreadsheet geek (and, I can’t use work examples) I Googled for filetype:xls and pulled a pseudo-random document to work with (the one pictured above). You can see what that Excel document looks like in Excel 2008 just for comparison:

The formatting is pretty much identical and, as a result, I decided to extend my test by checking out Calc’s new charting capabilities:

and then saving in compatibility mode and re-opening in Excel 2008:

I was truly impressed by just how well the two programs worked together, making me a bit more confident if I ever have to use OO 3.0 to edit/share docs with others. I did not have an opportunity to test the new collaboration (i.e. track/merge) feature.

Impress & Draw

With Keynote I have little need for alternate presentation software, but Impress worked as well as previous versions and I did create and preview a quick presentation with no issues:

Similarly, while I have no real need for Draw, it was trivial to create basic line-art documents with this tool:

Database

While it may not have a catchy name like FileMaker (although one could argue that is equally as utilitarian a name) or Bento (I promised myself I would not take this review as an opportunity to trash Bento), OO 3.0′s “Database” application fills a void that exists in Microsoft Office on the Mac and that has been missing in general from the open source world.

The built-in field sets and templates in Database made it trivial to setup a quick recipe database with entry form. And, best of all, I just used the defaults. If I wanted to make it more attractive, I could have spent as much time as necessary crafting primary keys, adjusting field sizes, adding font labels and customizing each feature of the forms. It may be worth it just to keep OpenOffice.org 3.0 around just for the Database program.

The true power of Database comes with full integration into the OO 3.0 suite. I can use the recipe database (if I populate it) to have Writer make a nice recipe file (Database reports could do this as well). Database also allows for data export as well, so you are definitely not locked into the program.

Odds & Ends

Some features spread across the individual components and others were just noteworthy or interesting. For example, when comparing the PDF export feature in Calc, it wound up creating a smaller file than the OS X “print to PDF” option and created table of contents labels based on the spreadsheet tab names.

OO 3.0 also provides a decent number of templates to choose from when starting a new document, some of which aren’t obvious from the flashy “welcome” dialog or just casual interaction with the program (like the full XML document editor).

The help system is very robust and can assist you in pinpointing where to find the functionality you just know is there (like how to mimic Word’s “different first page” feature).

OO 3.0 provides no AppleScript dictionary, so scripters are once again relegated to GUI scripting and the UI – while integrated well with Aqua and with decent Universal Access support – is definitely showing its age. The beta outright crashed on me several times as well, but it confirmed the rock solid document recovery capabilities of the program.

I can say, honestly, that the final version of the software will take its rightful place in my Applications folder, if only to have the ability to deal with the occasional VBA-based document that comes my way and to make use of the Database program.

If you’ve tried OO 3.0 beta or are one of the developers for it, drop a note in the comments with your take on the software and any tips or advice on using the various components. Remember to submit bug reports if you do test the beta and find some quirks. You can also grab a slew of test cases which will cover more of the functionality than I have in this post.

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iTunes Store submission has also been made, and we’ll let you know when you can subscribe via that option as well.

You can now subscribe via iTunes Podcast.

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I was sure I had lost it for good. (See: Today, My iPod Left to a Higher Place) One friend of mine even said I should just take it in to the Apple Store and get $35 from Apple to recycle my dead iPod.

Another guy, laughing, said “Did you slam it on a table? That worked for me.” Right. That’s like checking out a used car by kicking the tires. Yet, yesterday, after I had convinced myself I was ready to upgrade to an 80 GB iPod Video, I tried something just like that. I dropped the iPod.

When I dropped it, the screen flickered to life and went into Diagnostic Mode. A few clicks later, and I had my iPod back to life as if nothing had ever happened. Despite six days of assured fatality, it had come back. I hurriedly connected to my PowerBook to back up any data I didn’t have. While on first connect it said the iPod was potentially corrupt, I unplugged and connected again, and we were back in business. Not because I went to the Genius Bar or ran any kind of software utility, but because I had given it a vertical free-fall.

Relaying my success, I called one unnamed Apple Store Employee, who said, “Of course. Banging it on the table works with the 3rd gen and 4th gen iPods, but not the 5th.” Needless to say, I didn’t see anything about dropping my iPod on Apple’s Support pages, but it did work. Now, I’ll continue backing up my data ever more frequently, but I’ve emotionally moved on past my current iPod. After all, it tried to leave me.

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• The Future of Work Platforms: An Overview