November 2018 Meeting notes
New product release on October 30th.
If we have time . . . and if you think there is interest among our TMUG group -- I have some questions about the iCloud, as follows:
Question 1. Now that I have upgraded to Mojave I can’t use the Onyx I have. What to do?
Answer 1. The Onyx software is OS specific. As a new operating system comes out, 3rd party companies have to update their software to the new OS. Onyx should be coming out with a new version soon. The beta version is currently out and free to download and test.
https://www.titanium-software.fr/en/onyx.html
Question 2. Conceptually, are iCloud and Dropbox essentially the same? I’m thinking of both of them as a repository for files I want to keep in the cloud. I think Dropbox has a bunch of extra stuff, but I’m interested in “how to think about iCloud.” Is it simply "a hard drive in the sky?”
Answer 2. These are sync drives and match the folder that is on your computer. If you are without internet, you still have access to your local copy. If you change or add files, these will be synced once you get back on the internet. If you are completely in the Apple universe and most or all of your devices are Apple, use the iCloud drive. This solution is more connected when using Apple software and hardware. If you are in a mixed universe of Mac, Windows, ios, Android, etc, a solution like Dropbox or Google drive will work better.
Question 3. At some point, my iCloud was a mirror of files on a former Mac that is no longer in service. The iCloud still shows “Desktop”, “Documents” and all of the other files that were on that old, disabled Mac. Is this going to be a problem at some point? Or, is the iCloud now simply a repository for those files which I can access from my new computers? Should I make one of my computers the “new master” source for iCloud files? If so, I can’t remember how to do this (sorry). One problem with this: none of my new computers has more than 256GB of memory, while I’ve got nearly 400GB of files in the cloud. So, I can’t download them to a new “master” computer (my disabled computer had 1TB of space).
Answer 3. You can leave them on the cloud but this will take up space. Old files can be archived to one computer and leave the cloud for recent files and have these files be accessible by all you cloud connected devices.
Question 4. Everything I read says “Don’t use iCloud as a backup” for your files. The “experts” seem to say, “Make backup copies of iCloud files.” OK, so just how do I do that? Will Super Duper make a mirror clone of iCloud files? If not, how do I “back them up?” Will Time Machine back up files in the iCloud? Many of my files in the cloud do not exist anywhere else — not on any computer, iPad, etc — because the original Mac that had those files — and put them in the cloud — is no longer in service.
Answer 4. Files only stored on the cloud are not backed up locally and must be downloaded to work on them and then upload back to the cloud. Many companies provide online storage for long term backup.
When using antivirus software like Sophos https://www.sophos.com/en-us.aspx do not scan your backup after the initial clean, this will greatly increase the time it takes to scan and clean.
Ken Gassman
Question 6. Battery replace for iPhone.
Answer 6. The battery replacement program is ending the end of the year. If you have a iPhone 6 or newer, have the battery replaced especially if it holds less than 80%. Even a new battery will help with resale or long term use.
Make sure to use Apple cables or high end 3rd party cables for data transfer. Power is fine with cheaper cables but data must use high end cables. One of my favorite cable companies is Anker. Never had a problem.