Mac Geek Gab #111: iTunes, Imaging (drives), iPhone tips, and Intriguing New Questions

Key takeaways

Proper surge protection is crucial to safeguard home and office networks from lightning damage, emphasizing the need for protecting both ends of Ethernet lines.
Troubleshooting iTunes password prompts after updates can often be resolved by ensuring all downloads are complete and cleaning associated preference files.
Managing large media libraries on Macs can be optimized by linking external drives directly in iTunes, saving local storage and simplifying media access.
Cloning Mac systems is most reliable when using the newest hardware to create the OS image, reducing compatibility issues when migrating to newer models.
Early iPhone feedback indicates network limitations and features still have room for improvement, especially in non-urban areas and with network services like VPN and ringtone customization.
Listener questions about automating printer preferences and RAID management lead to solutions involving third-party tools and firmware updates, highlighting the importance of careful hardware and software handling.

Summary

Lightning and Power Surge Protection Challenges

The hosts share a detailed personal rant about the frustrations caused by lightning strikes damaging their home and office network infrastructure. They discuss the importance of proper cable burial in conduits and protecting both ends of Ethernet lines with surge protectors. The failure of a switch and VoIP adapters due to lightning-induced power surges highlights the necessity of comprehensive surge protection to avoid service disruptions.

iTunes Management and Troubleshooting

The episode provides advice on handling the common problem of repeated password prompts in iTunes, especially after updates or force quits. Suggestions include checking for complete downloads and deleting specific preference files. Additionally, they address managing large media libraries across multiple drives by linking external storage directly in iTunes, helping save local disk space while maintaining access to videos and music.

Cloning and Imaging Mac Systems

Listeners' questions about cloning Mac drives are discussed, emphasizing that cloning from the newest Macs to older models works better than the reverse. A detailed explanation involves the importance of OS version compatibility, especially with the release of new hardware like the third-generation MacBook Pro, and how building an OS image on the latest hardware reduces issues when restoring or migrating data.

iPhone Tips and Network Limitations

The hosts review the early experiences with the iPhone, including its performance over EDGE networks in less populated areas and limitations like unsupported VPN configurations and difficulties with ringtone customization. Concerns are raised about AT&T’s Wi-Fi connection limit (150 sessions per month), which seems impractical since it applies to connections to individual Wi-Fi networks rather than overall data usage. Comparisons are made with alternative devices like the Trio, which offer features not yet available on the iPhone.

Show notes

Dave and John talk through iTunes password and large file-management issues, share some tips about cloning your old Mac up to your new one, play some very interesting reader comments about the iPhone, and answer new questions about printing, Mail, and more!