Are you currently using Archiware P5 or thinking of using it? Make sure that you read this before making any upgrades to Version 5.5. Or better still, make sure to contact us beforehand.
What’s new in Archiware P5 Version 5.5?
The feature set is identical to Version 5.4 for the most part. The biggest change is that it will no longer support 32-Bit. It will now only run off on a 64-Bit processor. This is also in line with High Sierra’s fazing out of 32-Bit by 2018.
Backup to the Cloud
In addition to disk and tape, the P5 Backup module now offers Cloud Storage. Cloud storage is a cost-effective and easily-expandable alternative for businesses, as it saves on hardware and administration costs. This has resulted in quick backup and restore times, plus improved accessibility.
Extended Cloud Support
Version 5.5 now extends cloud support for P5 Archive to Amazon Glacier, Generic S3 and Backblaze. These integrations are additions to the already supported Amazon S3 cloud service. Included in the P5 Archive is the P5 Archive Cloud Enabler. A separate expansion in no longer required.
Archive Using Pool or Object Format
Version 5.5 now provides the choice between two archiving modes: the Pool Format and Object Format. The Pool Format consists of a flexible number of Volumes. Whereas in the Object Format, archived data are stored as individual objects (Files).
Client-To-Client Sync
To speed up data transfer between two P5 client machines, Version 5.5 now offers a Client-to-Client sync option for P5 Synchronize.
Automatic Backup of Archive Indexes
Within the Archive module, the Archive Indexes are backed up automatically and regularly backed up.
CLI Features/P5 Interface/OS Support
A new feature in CLE includes a post-archive preview and clip handling, saving time and simplifying the modification and handling of volumes and assets.
Additionally, the user interface now enables users to grant operating privileges and assign separate passwords to selected individuals.
Finally, macOS X, Windows, FreeBSD, Linux and Synology operating systems fully support Backup and Archive to the cloud.
To learn more about Archiware P5, please click here.
It has now been a week since the release of High Sierra. With many developers working hard to have their apps compatible with High Sierra. To help you, here are a few of the updates since High Sierra’s release.
Microsoft Office 2016 and Genie have not released reports on any improvements or bugs towards High Sierra.
High Sierra compatibility updates as of 2nd October 2017 are:
Adobe Creative Cloud
Adobe has now advised customers using Illustrator and InDesign should hold off updating to High Sierra. This is because both Illustrator and InDesign have not been made compatible with High Sierra’s APFS (Apple File System). For Illustrator, users will see errors when attempting to launch the app, open files and create documents.
In relation to InDesign, users will notice the cursor appear in a pixelated box.
FileMaker
FileMaker Pro 16.0.2, FileMaker Pro 16.0.2 Advanced, FileMaker Pro 15.0.3 and FileMaker Pro 15.0.3 Advanced have been tested and certified to be compatible with High Sierra.
Daylite
Daylite 6 is now compatible with High Sierra, with no issues to report. If you are using Daylite 6 Mail Assistant, it is compatible with DMA 6.2.3.1
MoneyWorks
MoneyWorks 7 is not compatible with High Sierra, as MoneyWorks 7 relies on HFS+ file system and will not work with APFS. Users must upgrade to MoneyWorks 8 in order for full support for APFS. Moneyworks 8 will continue to receive updates to fix any bugs.
Archiware P5
In preparation of macOS stopping support for 32-Bit in early 2018, Archiware’s version 5.5 is only compatible with 64-Bit operating systems. Please upgrade to High Sierra before upgrading Archiware.
For any other high sierra compatibility updates, follow us on Facebook. Let us know if there are any other software you would like us to research for you.
Meet Ricky – A Mac Aid Techie
We continue with our series of getting to know our Engineers and Technicians that provide you with help and support. This month, we get to know more about Ricky.
Ricky working as a Mac Aid techie at the end of November 2016. He is our quietest technician within the Mac Aid crew and some days, a little bit too quiet. There have even been a couple of instances where the lights have been turned off and everything had been locked up only to realise that Ricky was still working away.
Ricky lives in the back half of our office, completing the majority of our in-house jobs. This includes tasks such as software upgrades and transferring data from one mac to another. Like any other job, there are always some interesting moments. He has had to assess the level of damage sustained to a waterlogged MacBook, which seemed fairly straightforward. However, in this case, he also managed to find lots of tiny little bugs that were still alive and living between the hardware.
Majority of Mac Aid’s in-house jobs for home-based Macs are completed by Ricky. With his past experiences in fixing macs, he has one simple tip to share. Regardless of whether the computer is for personal or office use, backing up data is a must. Because dealing with water damaged or old age computers is difficult and retrieving data can be more so. When speaking with clients, not many have had it backed up, which meant years of photos had disappeared.
On a different note, the most interesting thing about Ricky is that when he is not working, he enjoys building model kits. In particular, he enjoys building Gundam and has quite a collection. In case you have no idea what they are, here is a photo of this.
The latest macOS (High Sierra) has just been released in the App Store on Monday 25th September 2017.
There are some interesting changes happening behind the scenes as well as visible changes to some of the most commonly used apps.
Compatibility
Before you can get started on upgrading to High Sierra, you will need to know whether your Mac will be compatible.
What Macs are compatible with macOS High Sierra?
MacBook Pro (2010 and later)
MacBook (Late 2009 and later)
MacBook Air (2010 and later)
Mac Pro (2010 and later)
iMac (late 2009 and later)
Mac mini (2010 and later)
Do you currently run software such as Adobe CS6 (or earlier), Creative Cloud, Microsoft Office 2011 or even Daylite CRM? Make sure to read our previous article on current compatibility issues.
You have now figured out the compatibility between High Sierra and your Mac, here is the next step. Will you be upgrading to High Sierra? To make that decision, here is a quick snapshot of what High Sierra has to offer for your Mac.
Apple File System
The Apple File System (APFS) is one of the biggest changes to the MacOS filing system. It is a 64-bit file system that will make your Mac run faster when completing common tasks such as file duplication. What’s more is that it has built-in encryption, thus keeping your data safe and secure. The only downside is that support for 32-bit processing will gradually fade away. So, you may want to start considering removing any 32-bit apps that aren’t used.
Video
With High Sierra, the video compression format will be upgraded to HEVC (High Efficiency Coding) or H.264. It compresses video files 40% more than in previous generations. This leads to faster video streams with the bonus of taking up less space on your Mac. Allowing you to enjoy 4K videos better than before.
Metal 2
The most talked about feature is Metal2. This brings extra power to the GPU (graphics processor). In short, it better handles Virtual Reality (VR). Perfect for the hard-core gamers and VR developers. Metal 2 also comes with added capabilities such as machine learning and external GPU support for entertainment and professional creative apps.
With all the changes behind the scene, take a look at some commonly used apps that will be improved.
iPhoto
There are plenty of changes made to iPhoto, so here is a quick snapshot of a few. You can organise your library using an expanded sidebar and, perfect your pics with editing tools such as Curves, Selective Colour and Live Photo Effects. For all the creatives out there, there will also be an integrated menu to connect through to third-party apps such as Photoshop.
Safari
Safari’s best features include disabling autoplay on videos and preventing advertisers from tracking your behaviour across websites. It will bring you a better online experience, less the same adverts.
Mail
When searching, the Top Hits will display the most relevant results, not the most recent. Plus, it will reflect read and replied to emails.
Notes
You can now add tables right into your notes. Plus, you can also pin your notes to the top for an easier tracking.
FaceTime
You can capture all those special moments by taking a Live Photo during a FaceTime call.
What Will It Cost?
macOS High Sierra will be a free download. Simply head over to the App Store.
If you would like to read more information about the new macOS, then click on the below links.
We all receive spam and fake emails on a daily basis. We all know how to spot them. Some of the biggest culprits being the bad spelling and the grammatical issues. We also have a bit of a laugh at the scammer’s expense before we press the delete button. On other occasions, we find some fake emails that look to be authentic.
Have You Received This Email Below?
What would you do about it? At a quick glance, it seems fairly legitimate with the colour tones, the low word count and the included Apple logo. This one also has that clean and simple Apple look.
So, before you panic and think that someone has hacked into your Apple ID and locked it from you, take a closer look. To the keen eye, not everything is as it seems. But before you scroll down any further, take a look at this email below and see how many errors you can find.
Find the Mistakes
How did you go? Some errors can take less than a second to spot, whilst others take a bit more time. Have a read through of a few of the errors.
The Apple logo
If you look through Apple’s website and designs, you will notice that they will not place the word ‘Apple’ next to their logo.
Grammar
We all know when to capitalise letters, such as to begin a sentence and to formalise pronouns. There shouldn’t be any spaces directly before a colon symbol.
Sentence structures
When you read through them, you will notice a couple of bad sentences that don’t make sense at all.
Direct links
By hovering your mouse over the links, you will be able to read the web address. If you find this to be a combination of random letters and numbers, it is certain to be a fake. Generally, website addresses are easy to spell and contain the name of the business.
How did you go about finding them?
One easy tip to check for fake emails is to look for the sender’s email address. This one is clearly not going to be from Apple.
How confident are you now in separating these out from the real deal? If you are still in doubt about the legitimacy of the email, look up the contact number online (do not call from the number listed in the email) and speak to them about it.
Taking Out The Trash
However, if your email server is working correctly, it should be receiving these emails directly to the junk mailbox. It may also label these emails in the subject and/or in the main text of the email with ‘SPAM’ or in this case below as ‘Billing Fraud’.
Finally, if you receive an email demanding for funds for an ‘unpaid’ bill or fine, make sure you do the following:
Do not provide details of an iTunes card to anyone;
We continue with our series of getting to know our Engineers and Technicians that provide you with help and support. This month, we get to know more about Ricky.
