timemachine
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A look into Time Machine
Tom Yager, one of my favorite tech writers, has posted a great overview of how Time Machine works in Leopard. Imagine my surprise to find out that Apple's backup solution doesn't involve a Flux Capacitor of any kind! It does, however, involve lots of file copying, and clever disk space saving measures. Tom answers some questions about how much work you'll lose if you need to restore from a Time Machine backup (given the nature of how Time Machine saves files that answer varies depending on how far back you need to go). He also sheds some light on what, exactly, Time Machine is doing.If you love your data, you should read this post.
How to enable Time Machine on unsupported volumes
Although we've been mostly happy with Leopard, one of the features we were most looking forward to was the ability to set Time Machine to use a NAS volume like Airport Disk, thus making laptop backups wireless and sexy (well, sort of sexy) instead of wired and cumbersome. Sadly, Apple cut the feature at the last minute, but as with all things OS X, nirvana is usually just a defaults write command away, and Volker Weber has got it sorted for us. Just pop open a terminal window and enter: defaults write com.apple.systempreferences TMShowUnsupportedNetworkVolumes 1 and you should be able to select NAS volumes in the Time Machine prefs. Of course, you should only re-enable this for giggles -- we don't know why Apple turned it off to begin with, and it could very well be full of bugs and hose your data. Considering some of the other glitches that have cropped up in Time Machine, we'd actually recommend staying well away from this one, but if you're desperate, by all means -- go for it and let us know how it works in comments!
Things that make Time Machine cranky
Hey there, Austin Powers, are you having trouble getting your Time Machine to be-have? Two Apple tech notes spotted by Macfixit.com point up a pair of issues that may prevent your backup mojo from working. First, if Time Machine backs up about 10 gigabytes and then stalls out, you probably need to reformat your target drive with either GUID or APM partitioning (depending on whether you're backing up an Intel or a PPC machine; no word on what to do if you plan to back up a mixed environment to the same drive). Second, if your backup files don't show up in the Space: 1999 interface, chances are you've got non-alphanumeric characters in your computer name, and you'll have to change that before TM will work properly. If you've upgraded your computer, you need to give the new machine the same name as the old one. It's not yet clear why the machine name is crucial to proper TM functionality -- perhaps the path names need to be "UNIX legal" to work with TM's linking scheme? In any case, try these two tips if your Time Machine is trapped in feudal Japan. [via Macfixit]
Leopard Spotlight: Preparing for Time Machine
One of the most visible new features in Leopard is Apple's integrated backup tool, Time Machine. Taking backups -- a chore that few people do and even fewer do correctly -- and making them one-click simple is bound to improve the lives of millions of Mac users who, despite being practically perfect in every way, sometimes delete files they don't mean to delete. (I know, painful but true.) There is a lot of excitement about Time Machine, but also some confusion; reader Matteo wrote in from Switzerland to ask that we cover some basics for setting up Time Machine. Your wish; our command. Most of our answers are gleaned from Apple's feature page for TM, a worthwhile read.
TimeDrawer: document versioning before Leopard
TimeDrawer looks like a very interesting document versioning utility that gives you a preview of Leopard's forthcoming Time Machine functionality. It installs as a system preference and "stores your files everytime you update them." It allows you to go back and visually ascertain the differences in previous versions with an Expose-like modal interface (though obviously a far cry from Time Machine's groovy out-of-this-world thing). You activate the interface with a contextual menu, so you can see changes in files on your desktop or within a given folder, etc.There have been some previous document versioning applications like Versomatic, but TimeDrawer's interface looks very slick. On the other hand, it's hard to imagine TimeDrawer will last long once Leopard is released (except maybe for those who stick with Tiger, which it requires). On the positive side, TimeDrawer does not require an external drive like Time Machine.TimeDrawer is now in beta and is a free download from ONERIVER software[via MacDevCenter]
First WWDC 2007 pictures
RoughlyDrafted has posted the first pictures of posters up at WWDC 2007-- the event of course doesn't start until Monday, but Apple is already starting to plaster the Moscone Center West with tasty morsels of what we might see there next week. As you can see, it looks like Leopard is not surprisingly going to take center stage-- the long banner in the pic above specifically references Time Machine (there's even a little logo just left of the star).Unfortunately, there's no reference to any of the "secret features"-- MacOSXHints rounded up a good poll of what we might see there. Since I wasn't around to make predictions the other day, I'll drop one right now: like Gruber, I think Leopard will be beautifully resolution independent. Yeah, I know, not too far out on the limb, but I just got here, so I'm playing it safe.Update: Commenter iwit helpfully points out a flickr page with even more shots.%Gallery-3780%
Apple doesn't do it first, but they do it well: Time Machine
Time Machine is the one feature in Leopard that I am both most excited about, and dreading. It is a fantastic idea to have the OS take care of backups automatically, and I think it will solve many common problems folks have. However, as Anil Dash points out, Microsoft did this first. Microsoft's feature is called Shadow Copy, and it just isn't as sexy as Time Machine, though it does pretty much the same thing. Anil opines that whilst it is true that Microsoft did this first Apple will get all the credit because Time Machine is so dang cool.Which brings me to why I am dreading Time Machine. I've said this before, but the jarring nature of Time Machine's interface concerns me. There is nothing like it on the Mac, and I am hoping that Time Machine doesn't herald the arrival of all sorts of wacky, non-standard UI treatments. Oh well, at least my files will be safe.
LG's $15k, 71-inch plasma & friends coming to CES
LG is already bringing 1080p content and a hybrid Blu-ray / HD DVD drive to CES, and it just wouldn't make sense not to have brand new displays too, so the company plans to unveil a slew of new plasmas next week. The literally biggest news, however, is that the company's 71-inch 1080p plasma HDTV that started shipping early last year, will drop its MSRP from $70,000 to a mere $14,999.95 (we can assume losing the 24 carat gold paint helped drop prices a little). Since not everyone can take out a wall to fit their new plasma TV, LG is prepping many smaller models for next week's show. Each and every one is capable of "full HD", ready to accept and 24, 30 or 60 frame rate 1080p source you throw at them. The 42- and 52-inch PC5D series represent the "vanilla" HDTVs, including Clear Filter Pro technology to reduce reflection, Extreme Contour Compensation to improve color transitions and LG Simple Link connectivity to control compatible HDMI-CEC devices. The PY3D line comes in 50- and 60-inch sizes, featuring three HDMI inputs and USB Media Host capability to playback music and photos (but not video) from connected devices. The PB4D series builds on those features by adding 160GB HD DVRs integrated into 42-, 50- and 60-inch plasmas with LG's "time machine" time shifting technology, and a newly added ability to record video at 480p from any external source via the component jacks. Last but not least of course is the 71-inch 71PY1M, with the most important feature of being bigger than your neighbor's plasma (unless you live next door to Mark Cuban). Whether you're looking for a simple 1080p plasma, media hub, DVR or just a massive HDTV at a "low" price, it appears LG will have a plasma for everyone at CES 2007.
LG announces 55-inch plasma with "time machine"
LG has announced a 55-inch plasma at KES, but not many details are available about the 55PB2DR model; the one feature that does stand out, however, is the inclusion of a time machine. Well, actually that's just a poorly-translated description of PVR functionality that will "pause, record and reply [sic] TV programs for two hours after the original broadcast." LG had previously announced a product line with PVR built in, but that series will include 1,080p capability. This display sports 768 lines of resolution, 2000:1 contrast, a 9-in-2 card reader, the usual range of connections including component and HDMI, and LG's XCanvas display control technology. No word on what happens when you hit 88 mph.[Via AVING]
Poll results: Will you buy Leopard?
It's safe to say that most TUAW readers are looking forward to picking up Leopard. In our unscientific poll, a full 56% of you selected either "Now! I want it now!" or "As soon as possible." I totally agree-if only to play with Time Machine and learn what those "top secret" features are. It's going to be a long wait for next spring.
Engadget: "Time Machine restores best, not first"
Ross Rubin has posted an interesting Switched On column at Engadget this week analyzing two of the largest enhancements on their way in Leopard: Time Machine and Spaces. Ross points out that, obviously, Apple isn't quite first with a virtual desktop manager or a piece of backup software - not by any stretch of the imagination. He even explains some of these features' counterparts from other platforms, which is an interesting trip through time and other platforms. However, Ross tips his hat to Apple's versions because they do soar above the rest in their presentation, integration and (an Apple trademark) user experience. Time Machine wins a specific merit in its own right because it seems to be the first backup utility to allow users to browse the history of their directory structure just as it existed on their machine - with file previews, folder structure and everything. This is especially useful because of the visual nature of so much of our work; tracking down a deleted roll of images, for example, is much easier by browsing their thumbnails and original folder organization than trying to guess whether IMG_0841.JPG or IMG_0814.JPG was the picture of little Johnny taking his first steps.It's a good article that gives credit where credit is due, and offers some high hopes for the quality of these major new features.
Super Secret Apple Rumors Podcast 083 - 08.08.06
Ah, welcome to another addition of the Super Secret Apple Rumors Podcast, with your host Stevie J. Jobsie didn't have a ton of new gear to announce -- just the Mac Pro -- but it is, in fact, WWDC. Did we ever get a load of information about Leopard, though, the new version of OS X Apple's making us wait until next year to get. Next freaking year! Well, whatever, there's sure to be a lot more to come with 10.5, but in the mean time take it away, Steve. Get the podcast [iTunes] Subscribe to the Podcast directly in iTunes (MP3). [RSS] Add the Engadget Podcast feed to your RSS aggregator and have the show delivered automatically (MP3). [MP3] Download the show (MP3). [AAC] Download the enhanced show (AAC). [OGG] Download the show (OGG). Host: Steve Jobs Producer: Trent Wolbe Format: 01:25:22, 39.1 MB, MP3 Program: 07:46 - Apple unveils dual Xeon-Based Mac Pro 32:06 - Time Machine backup 42:30 - Apple OS X 10.5 "Leopard" features LISTEN (MP3) LISTEN (AAC) LISTEN (OGG) Contact the podcast: 1-888-ENGADGET, Engadget (Gizmo Project) or podcast at engadget dawt com
Steve reveals 10 features of Leopard for Spring 2007 release
If you're waiting for Leopard, you'll have to cool your heels until Spring 2007, when Apple officially promises the release. To wet your appetite, Apple previewed 10 Leopard features at WWDC today: Time Machine - a new built-in backup system that will back up your entire system and allow you to restore the whole thing or just selected files. Enhancements to iChat -- including a tabbed interface, custom still or video backdrops for your video iChat, iChat Theater (which lets you show iPhoto pics or a Keynote presentation during an iChat), and Photo Booth effects to make yourself look silly during a chat. Other iChat enhancements that were mentioned but not demoed include video recording (yes!), invisible mode, and animated buddy icons. The Apple site also shows the ability to share your desktop during an iChat. Now just let me figure out how to use these features to do screen recordings and machinima -- hmmm. Two dashboard additions -- Web Clip, which allows you to build dynamically updating widgets from any Web page (examples -- a cartoon or bestseller list that updates every day); and DashCode for widget development, complete with modifiable widget templates (for RSS, podcasts, and more), and a library of parts to pop into your widget. Additions to Mail.app -- a To-Do list made automatically from emails and that ties into iCal and other apps; Stationery (rich HTML email templates); and Notes (to replace those reminder emails you've been sending yourself). Universal Access features - natural sounding voiceover, closed captioning in QuickTime, and braille support. Core Animation - with features like keyframing and tweening to help developers create animations. Spotlight enhancement - Spotlight will be able to search other machines on your network, do Boolean search, and will launch your applications for you. Virtual desktop Spaces - letting you combine task-based applications into separate logical desktop configurations. That means you can have one group of apps running for Web design, another for print production, and yet another for podcast creation and editing. You'll be able to drag items between Spaces. Complete package - of built-in apps, including Boot Camp, Front Row, and PhotoBooth. 64 bit processing. There's some mouthwatering stuff here. Now I wonder what those other top secret items are that Steve said he's still keeping under wraps?
