We all have them - files on our shared Mac that is, frankly, nobody's business. Maybe it's sensitive financial data, or some proprietary information. Perhaps it's your new novel or screenplay. Or...'fess up, you downloaded some (*ahem*) "erotic" materials...no big deal, right? That is, until a friend, co-worker, boss or significant other runs across it...

"That's what 'permissions' are for," you're saying. Sometimes. The problem is, when your user is compromised and someone else is on your computer - or you just loaned your MacBook to a co-worker to view her webmail - "permissions" would have to lock you out of the folder in order to work properly.

Here are some tips to help keep your private files private:

• Create a New User for the purpose of hiding your private files. This will put a new password in place and a new home directory hierarchy for data storage. Hide the User, and no-one's the wiser...and enabling Fast User Switching allows one to go back and forth as you like. You can also make a "Guest Account" for other users and flip over to that before handing over your Mac.

• Create "Dot" Folders. Files that start with a dot (".") are hidden by default in Unix-based OS X.  There are many ways for someone to discover these, of course, but they would have to go to some lengths to find them. The procedure: in Terminal, create a folder with a name that starts with a dot (like .MySecretStuff). In the finder, select Go>Go to Folder...enter ~/.MySecretStuff, and voilá! Put your secret files in the folder, close the window, and your secrets are safe. CAVEAT: The Finder remembers your last entry in the "Go To Folder..." window, so when you're finished, you'll need to open it again and tell it to go to your home folder by entering "~ Return" (without the quotes).

• Encrypt Your Disk Images: This hides your files from Spotlight searches and prying eyes, and encrypts the data on-disk in such a way that "data recovery monkeys" cannot recover it. Just make sure you have good back-ups. If you're running Panther or later, you can create an alias to reference inside disk images. Put your secret data in an encrypted disk image, make an alias outside of it, then start the associated application with the alias. You'll get the password first.

• Package Files. Put your sensitive data inside a large file package like iDVD.  Make sure its in a Contents folder, then stuff your DMG inside the Resourced folder. Make sure you set the locked flag on the folder/DMG afterwards so updates error out upon removal. When it comes to the Documents folder, you can create an RTFD with false data using TextEdit, then save it in your Documents folder with an innocuous name like "kung-pao chicken recipe," then close it. Open its package, then drop in the files you want to hide. Make sure you lock the file so its not accidentally deleted.

• Use Remote File Share. The best place to hide sensitive data is not on your own computer, but some other place to which only you have access. (Don't use iDisk - too risky.) If you have access to another machine and connect over AFP as "Guest," you can access everyone's Public folder. If you are Authenticated, you have the full home.  Drop in your files; the data is no longer on your machine, and no-one will have access to it unless you forget and leave Sharing on. A variation of this is to stash it on your iPod using "Disk Mode."

If all else fails, remember that humans tend to see what they expect to see. Sometimes the best hiding place is right out in the open, in plain sight. Particularly in most work places, people tend to "zone out" and go on auto-pilot. They log on to your computer, see the usual mundane titles in the Document folders, ignore them and move on. Put your sensitive files inside several nested folders, like AAPL2006Q2/Raw_Data/SecretStash.dmg. Throw in a few dummy Excel and CSV files into the root folder, and most busybodies won't give it a second glance. While it's fun to be less obvious by being less obvious, however, don't get careless. Drop your folder in the System/Library somewhere. Spotlight doesn't index items in the System folder.

Apple is sure getting the ire of hordes of MacBook users because the company hasn't done much to solve the burning issue of the infamous laptop. While the MacBook is being marketed as a laptop, the manual warns of potential burn and discomfort when it makes contact with your lap or any surface of the body. Can you say huge discrepancy?

Well, it seems Apple has been doing its rounds of net scouring and took notice of its own marketing boo-boo and didn't waste any time rectifying the error of its marketing ways. The change is now reflected in the Student Orientation site. Here's what Apple's spin doctors came up with:

From this:

To this:

Clever. If Apple thinks that this will appease MacBook users, the company should think again. MacBook users don't want changes in marketing and sales literature (read: cover-ups), they want their laps burnt-free. Apple should find a real solution and fast if it doesn't want toasted laps to add to its legal woes.

The latest advice to all you college-bound freshmen: if you have any choice in the matter, go with an Apple.  According to a recent article in BusinessWeek magazine, both laptop and desktop models combine the best features while offering exceptional user-friendliness, all at a reasonable cost. The best reason - Apple constantly works to improve their operating system and bundled software, while the Windows OS seems to be spinning its wheels.

Recently, I became frustrated with the Mac because, as I began doing more work on the Web, I discovered - as many did under OS9 and below - that the Internet was not a particularly Mac-friendly place. Crashes and freezes were all-too-frequent,  whereas the Windows OS could take you almost anywhere online.

Apple's latest operating system, OSX, has addressed many of those issues. At worst, if one application crashes, it no longer brings down the entire machine. Additionally, new Intel-based Apple hardware has allowed it to perform on a par with HP and Dell machines, while the new Boot Camp application allows one to boot up their Mac from Windows.

Now, if budget is a serious consideration, it is true that a high-end Windows system can be purchased for less than the cheapest Apple system - and if you're a hard-core gamer, you'll definitely want to go in that direction. However, if you're looking for a quality, high-end computing system that will handle a wide range of academic and artistic applications  for the length for your college career, give the Mac a serious look.

Those of you with iPods may have already tried out the products from Invisible Shield.  They make super scratch-resistant plastic skins for iPods, digital cameras, and more (pretty much any electronic device out there).  Among their offerings, are skins for laptops - those from Apple being among the main models.

Just a day ago they released the new product created specifically for Apple's 13.3" MacBook.  With all the recent hubbub about the discoloration of white MacBooks, this release couldn't have come too soon.  I ordered one, in hopes of having it here in time for my MacBook purchase.

The question remains, as to whether the discoloration (if it's as rampant as the blog posts make it sound) is caused by oils/chemicals on peoples' skin, or an internal heat/light issue.  As I get my white MacBook and use the Invisible Shield from day one, I'll post to let everyone know if any discoloration occurs in my case (which would obviously point to the latter issue of heat/light as the culprit.

California hardware company FirmTek, LLC, has announced the release of their highly-anticipated SeriTek/2SM2-E ExpressCard Adapter for the MacBook Pro. This device will allow MacBook users to stream live video directly to their disks, and make the lives of videographers much easier, enabling them to perform most of their work in the field. The ExpressCard Adapter also features "hot-swap" compatibility, simplifying the chore of moving drives and arrays from the MacBook to any FirmTek equipped desktop system. While designed for the Apple, the new device is also compatible with ExpressCard equipped Windows machines.

The SeriTek eliminates the data "bottleneck" caused by the inherent limitations of the stock machine, such as the internal drive and USB ports. While this is wonderful for those who need to work with video files, they can be useful for almost anyone whose work requires them to deal with huge amounts of data.

The SeriTek/2SM2-E ExpressCard will retail for around $120. Additional drive trays will be available for about $23.00 each.

As wondrous has it has been, MacBook owners are starting to report some minor- but irritating - issues. Four of these are: an odd discoloration on the palm rests, "kernel panics" when transferring large amounts of data via an AirPort connection, corrupted Property List Files, and a laptop that "wakes up" when the lid is closed.

The discoloration seems to be appearing on the white 1.83 GHz and 2.0 GHz models after about three weeks of use. Cleaning solutions have had only limited success. The discoloration may be due to heating, or a chemical reaction between the plastic housing and skin.

The "kernel panics" do not occur when using an Ethernet connection, but is very pronounced when any sort of wireless connection is used. Some of these problems have been attributed to faulty AirPort Extreme cards. before replacing their card, however, one should make sure that the card is seated properly, and may wish to have it tested at an Apple Service Center. This issue may also be due to improper network settings or a bad RAM chip.

Property List (.plist) files are corrupted in many ways, generally due to "buggy" write routines in third-party applications. This is to be expected, but since it is the third-party application modifying the file, tracking down the cause is much easier.

Many users report that the Macbook Pro fails to sleep when the lid is closed. Usually, this is caused by external devices, and can be remedied by disconnecting these devices. One can also modify the Energy Saver settings. If all else fails, look for a file called "com.apple.PowerManagement.plist" (located in /Library/Preferences/SystemConfiguration/), open with your favorite text editor and do a search for the line "Wake On Clamshell Open." Change the "1" in the line of text below this to "0," then save. (Note: an Administrator password will be required to do this.) Afterwards, restart the Mac, and the problem should be solved.

With Steve Jobs being a powerhouse of ideas and inspiration for Apple, it's nice to see their hard work go rewarded with lots of media coverage - and, of course, praise. This cannot go much higher than attention from one of the largest and respected publications, Time Magazine. They've just selected the 13" MacBook as their gadget of the week, and Apple are so proud of this feat that they've listed this award under their hot news section.

Reviewing what the writer Wilson Rothman says about the laptop, I can't even help but smile. He explains that the unit is one of the perfect contenders for students and anyone who pretty much wants a unit that is easy to use, good looking and fairly priced for what it is. He states that it is nice for a lot of the technology which was already in its Pro counterpart to go into the MacBook. As we already know the base unit lacks some features, such as the large screen, lit keyboard, 2.16Ghz Processor and dedicated graphics card. However it makes up for these by including a media remote, iSight, MagSafe connections, Bluetooth and of course a relatively lower price.

Wilson furthers his strong argument for the unit by showing how his wife was pleased with a work obtained one. Her only complaint was of the lag she experienced in Rosetta (Apple's background PowerPC emulator), however even this was justified by explaining that it was a matter of milliseconds. Further arguments for the unit included its overall look and the options available for upgrade. He noted that if you wish to purchase a MacBook with the 'Black' high end specifications, do so by upgrading the white base model, in this instance, the overall price is cheaper for some reason. Again concerning options, he develops his point and advises us to upgrade at purchase and not after, as again it would be cheaper and for the RAM, upgrades mean throwing your old sticks away.

Ending points were based on the OS. The unit is perfect at dual booting, and the problem of right click can be avoided by an external mouse. Otherwise you have a future compatible laptop even capable of running Vista in requirement specification. A winner in anyone's book.

According to an FBI report, about 97% of all stolen laptops are never recovered. For sure, you wouldn't want your shiny new MacBook to be part of the statistics, so get yourself an Undercover. No, not those cops in civilian clothing, I'm talking about Orbicule's theft-recovery software that was designed from the ground up for Mac OS X.

Upon installation, you'll receive an Undercover ID that's unique for the Mac you are installing Undercover on. This ID enables you to start the theft-recovery process. In case of theft, all you need to do is send your ID to Undercover and it will be added to the database of stolen Macs and here's how it will work:

The next time your stolen Mac goes online (using dial-up, WiFi, ethernet, Bluetooth, etc.) it will notice that its Undercover ID is included in our database of stolen Macs. This will initiate the first phase, in which Undercover will send both network information and screenshots of your stolen Mac. The network information enables us to work with the network administrators of the ISP the thief is connected to. Since ISPs consider computer theft as network abuse, they will uncover the thief's identity. Together with law enforcement, we work to recover the Mac. If your Mac has a built-in iSight, or if the thief attached an external iSight, Undercover will send iSight pictures of the thief. Think of it as running Photo Booth in the background.

Undercover is available for $29.99.

The motion-sensors in Apple's latest laptops are there to counter a very real threat - they stop the hard disk in an instant to try and protect your data just in case your laptop takes a nasty fall. Here's a nifty program that lets users take advantage of this novel feature by playing at countering imaginary threats Star Wars style. It senses speed for the lightsaber movement sounds and acceleration for different levels of striking sounds.

This beta obviously doesn't work with older Mac laptops, of course. For those lucky enough to own one of the newer ones, enjoy swinging them around like crazy!

Download [MacSaber 1.0 Beta]

Applehas been getting a lot of heat (no pun intended) for the MacBook's supposed temperature problems. One review of the product even said that, it gives up after 30 minutes of use. Consumers are pointing to too much application of thermal grease as the culprit.

Thermal grease (also called thermal compound or thermal paste) is a substance used to help the conduction of heat between two (usually metal) surfaces. In electronics, it is often used to aid the thermal dissipation of components via a heatsink.

Apple claims that the normal operating temperature ranges from 45 to 60 degree Celsius. But Apple users cited that their MacBooks reached temperatures of up to 85 degrees making it too hot to touch.

There has been a lot of debate whether Apple overdid it on the thermal paste or not. I guess it all boils down to a difference in opinion. So you be the judge.