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How to keep iTunes from automatically syncing your iPhone or iPad (reader mail)

How to keep iTunes from automatically syncing your iPhone or iPad (reader mail)

by ben patterson | Apr 24, 2013 | desktops, how-tos, laptops, phones, tablets

Libby writes: When I plug my Apple iPad into my PC, iTunes immediately starts an 8-step syncing saga, culminating in starting a download in excess of 5,000 photos. This I do NOT want it to do. Can you help please? Hi Libby! Yep, we can fix this. All you have to do is...
Mac tip: Why can’t I open PDF files in Safari? (reader mail)

Mac tip: Why can’t I open PDF files in Safari? (reader mail)

by ben patterson | Mar 11, 2013 | desktops, how-tos, laptops

Jill writes: Whenever I try to open a PDF in Safari, I just get a blank screen. Isn’t Safari supposed to be able to open PDFs by itself? I could’ve sworn it used to. Hi Jill! Yes, Safari can and should be able to open PDF files directly in the browser...
Mac/Windows tip: Turn any printable document or web page into a PDF (reader mail)

Mac/Windows tip: Turn any printable document or web page into a PDF (reader mail)

by ben patterson | Feb 7, 2013 | desktops, how-tos, laptops

Christine writes: I feel technologically challenged. I have a Word Document. How do I convert it to a PDF file? I downloaded Adobe Reader. Every time I click “Convert,” Adobe wants to be paid. I thought you can do this without paying. Hi Christine! So,...
iPhone tip: Why are my husband’s apps showing up on my iPhone?

iPhone tip: Why are my husband’s apps showing up on my iPhone?

by ben patterson | Feb 5, 2013 | how-tos, phones, the cloud

Beth writes: Hi Ben! Here’s my question. My husband, son and I are all using my iTunes account. It was originally set to my iPhone, but now whenever either one of them gets an app (free or otherwise) on either the iPad or iPod, I end up with a copy of that app on my...
iCloud tip: What’s hogging all your backup space? (reader mail)

iCloud tip: What’s hogging all your backup space? (reader mail)

by ben patterson | Jan 28, 2013 | how-tos, phones, tablets, the cloud

Sarah writes: I keep getting a message that says I don’t have enough available storage to back up my iPhone 4S. I have the free 5 GB account and only 1.5 GB available. I am truly not a geek who saves everything. Any suggestions as to where I might look what is...
Mac tip: Advice on buying a used MacBook? (reader mail)

Mac tip: Advice on buying a used MacBook? (reader mail)

by ben patterson | Dec 3, 2012 | desktops, how-tos, laptops, shopping

Celia writes: My girlfriend’s laptop has nearly breathed its last. As I’m too broke to purchase new, I was thinking of getting her a used Mac laptop as a replacement. Therein lies the dilemma. Where to buy? Who to trust? What should I look for? I would be...
iPhone tip: Can you get separate badges for different email accounts?

iPhone tip: Can you get separate badges for different email accounts?

by ben patterson | Nov 27, 2012 | how-tos, phones

Sheri writes: I now have three Gmail accounts set up on my iPhone: personal, work, and school. It’s convenient to be able to check all of the accounts on my phone, but it’s annoying that the mail app’s badge shows the total number of unread messages...
iPhone camera tip: What are the green and blue boxes for? (reader mail)

iPhone camera tip: What are the green and blue boxes for? (reader mail)

by ben patterson | Nov 1, 2012 | digital cameras, how-tos, phones

Terri writes: Whenever I go to take a photo on my iPhone, little green and blue squares start popping up on the screen. What’s going on? Am I supposed to do anything? Hi Terri! Yep, those pulsing green and blue boxes that appear in the iPhone’s camera...
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