Technology for MBA Dummies

Looking around the classroom, it's obvious that Apple technology rules the MBA scene.  However, few people are using their Macbooks and iPhones to their full potential. Since technology is my background, it makes sense that I shed some light on a few issues:


1. Installing Windows on a Macbook.
2. Receiving "push" (realtime) emails, etc. on the iPhone.
3. iPhone: Internet, custom ringtones and useful apps.
4. Combining emails in GMail.
5. Downloading software via torrents.


1. Installing Windows on a Macbook

Ever since Apple switched to an Intel processor, the ability to run windows on a Macbook has been a few clicks away. Virtual Machines are software which can simulate the hardware necessary to run another operating system in parallel with OS X, and the steps to setting one up are relatively straightforward:
a) Obtain and install VMWare Fusion - There are many VMs for Apple machines, however, I find this one the simplest to use. You can find VMWare for purchase or download online.
b) Install Windows on your VM - You need to have a copy of windows on CD / DVD and follow the steps described by VMWare to complete the installation. This process is relatively straightforward.


2. Receiving "push" (realtime) emails , etc. on your iPhone

If you're a power user like me, there are many things about the iPhone that just don't cut it. Fortunately, there are many ways to cut corners and get this device to perform the way that we want it to. With the release of a recent OS upgrade, push capabilities have been enabled on the iPhone. In layman terms, this means that the device no longer has to ask different services (such as email) whether there is any new data (emails), instead, the external services can update (push) this data (emails) directly to the device. Phew! What does this mean? You don't have to wait 10 minutes to receive an email, but can receive it instantly. This not only makes email exchanges more fluent, but also saves on battery life, a commodity all too scare for the iPhone. So how can we take advantage of push? Well, Apple hasn't made it particularly easy yet and every service requires a custom solution. I will go into two that I think are the most important below:

a) Push Gmail : by downloading GPush from the App Store for $1.99, emails are pushed from your GMail inbox to your iPhone in realtime, and notifications appear on the device even when it is in locked mode. This is the only app I have ever purchased and it is well worth the toonie investment.

b) Instantly sync Google Calendar and Contacts : download the official Google Sync App (free) for iPhone. Available in the App Store, this software enables the two features mentioned above, and works with push data. Unfortunately, the email functionality is flawed and GPush is still required as a compliment to this package.


3. iPhone: Internet, custom ringtones and useful apps

Accessing the Internet from your iPhone is simple: connect to the U Toronto wi-fi network under the settings app and type in the same password required to connect with laptops. Then go to Safari browser and start surfing. The UofT wi-fi login page will appear, where you enter your personal username and password. Easy stuff, however, managing the connection is a different issue. The network is set up to log you after a short period of inactivity, however, your iPhone's wi-fi may still think you are connected. This may mean not receiving your push data (especially emails) on time. I suggest periodically refreshing websites so that connectivity persists, or completely shutting down wi-fi and receiving G3 data instead.

There are many amazing free apps to download from the App Store, and I will describe two below:
a) Skype - when connected to wi-fi, make free local calls and cheap long-distance calls. Imagine talking to a cousin in India from an iPhone while in the Rotman building. What's more, this is a great way to save up those scarce daytime minutes.
b) Palringo - this IM client allows you to connect to MSN, GTalk, AOL, ICQ, etc. simultaneously and send/receive push (instant) IMs from all your contacts.

Apple makes it extremely difficult to set custom ringtones on your iPhone without purchasing them from the iTunes store. If you downloaded a ringtone from another source or want to set an MP3 as a ringtone, not all hope is lost. The following CNET video provides a straightforward method for setting up personalized ringtones:

http://www.labnol.org/software/make-iphone-ringtons-with-free-itunes/4738/


4. Combining emails in GMail

The power of GMail comes from the ability to combine inboxes. This means emails from your UofT email, Rotman email, employer's email, etc. will all arrive to one GMail inbox, and conversely, you will be able to send emails from this one location. There are two steps in adding an email account to your existing GMail:
a) Set up Forwarding for the account you want to add. This is different for each email address and can get rather complicated. Fortunately, it is easy for your UofT email: simply log into your utorid management page and change the email forwarding to point to your gmail. For your Rotman email, RWorld has a forwarding function in the My Space section. Note: Rotman does not delete emails it forwards so you will still have to log into your webmail every few weeks to clean them out.
b) Set up a new account in your existing GMail inbox. This can be found under SETTINGS -> ACCOUNTS -> SEND MAIL AS. Click the "Send Mail From Another Address" button and follow the instructions.

5. Downloading software via torrents

Torrents are files anonymously posted on the Internet. They allow other individuals to quickly and anonymously download files from a decentralized location. The details don't matter. Just follow the two steps below and you should be on your way to quick software downloads:
a) Google "uTorrent" and download the uTorrent client. This software manages your downloads and is very lightweight and safe to use.
b) Visit either http://www.thepiratebay.org or http://www.mininova.org and use the search feature to find the software you are looking for. http://www.mac-torrents.com focuses on software specifically for Apple machines.
Note: I do NOT endorse any unethical downloading of software whatsoever. If you like an artist, support him or her. If you find a piece of software useful and will benefit from it, buy it!


If you have any other technical issues, don't hesitate to ask via email.

PZ