dd Tidbits

Flashing Apple
If your menu bar (or the Apple icon at the top left of the screen) is flashing and you don't know why, chances are it's because someone set your alarm clock. Choose Alarm Clock from under the Apple menu and click on the tiny flag at the far right side of the window. Choose the alarm clock icon (in the far right corner). Look into the middle section of the window - see the small switch on the left? Set it to the up position by clicking on it, and your alarm should stop flashing.

Out of memory?
If you are using a large file and you get an out of memory warning but you suspect you have more than enough here is what happened. Every program is allocated a certain amount of memory. Lets say that you have a 700k word processor. It may have allocated to it 1000k. This means that it has 300k left for the files you  will be working on. 

                     700k for the program + 300k for the files = 1000k total

If your file is over 300k in size you will be going over the allocated memory.  But, you can change it.  Click the icon of the program you are using. Press Command - i and a "get info" box will open.  At the bottom you will see a small box that will allow you to set the minimum and maximum memory allowed. set the maximum to a higher number. (You can't set it to more memory than you have and you can't set it if the application is open.)  Usually 20% higher will be more than enough. Close the window and you shouldn't have any more trouble.

There are other ways to maximize your memory. Try these:
• If you've installed extensions (see Appendix " Extensions") remove some of them by dragging them from the extensions folder or you can hold down the shift key while you start the computer to disable them. Or you can get an extensions manager to make this process easier and more flexible.
• Turn off file sharing: You will find a sharing setup control panel in the control panels folder located in the system folder.
• Make your disk cache smaller (or as small as you can) You will also find this in the control panels folder.
• Remove some of your fonts. Each one takes up memory. Most of us only use a few regularly so if you remove some or get a font manager like the program Suitcase II that lets you turn fonts on and off a will you will save memory.
• Reinstall your system software: With the disks that came with your computer, (or one's you had to buy later if you purchases a Mac after 1992) reinstall the system software. Your Mac probably came installed with System software that also contains a multitude of things you may never use like printer drivers for printers you don't have, etc. Reinstalling with the configuration specific for your computer and with only those items you need for printing take up only the memory necessary for your needs.

Old fashioned phone jack: If you end up in a motel room with an old fashioned phone jack you still can communicate. Ahead of time prepare a wire using a phone connector cable. Cut the plug off one end and solder small alligator clips to the two wires. When you get to the old phone jack in the motel room, take it apart and attach the two clips to the terminals inside the box (usually the green and red). If that doesn't work try different connection combinations.

Northern lights on your monitor?
Do you have nice colors suddenly appearing on your color monitor? It is caused by a stray magnetic field coming close to the screen. There are three ways to get rid of it. 

1.Turn your monitor on and off once or twice. It will degauss automatically as most newer monitors do.
2. If you have a monitor with a degaussing button, press it.
3. If you have a nearby Radio Shack store, pick up a degaussing coil used to degauss color TV's.

And by all means get rid of the unshielded speakers, other monitor next to the problem monito,r or  magnet you are using as a paperweight on your desk.