Clutter-free workflow

A new face for InDesign CS3
One of the biggest potential benefits of InDesign when it was first introduced was that, because it is part of the Adobe family, it could benefit from a high level of integration with Adobe’s other graphic arts and publishing tools such as Illustrator, Photoshop and Acrobat.
With the previous version, InDesign CS2, I felt this integration was quite far advanced. You could, for example, place a layered Photoshop PSD file on the page without having to first flatten the image. That, paired with the ability to edit the original from within InDesign, meant that you needed only one master image for each piece of placed artwork, not a series of variations that could become a nightmare to keep track of.
Thus, at any given time in InDesign, you can look at a graphic, and if you want to change some aspect of it, simply select “edit original.” Photoshop launches (this also works with Illustrator files), you do what you need to do on the original - maybe change the typeface on a text layer - save the file, and when you jump back into InDesign, the revised graphic is now on the page.
PDF workflow has become a central part of the pre-press workflow for many printing houses, and InDesign’s “export to PDF” is a delight to use. The first time I tried this, I was also sending files to a printer that I’d never dealt with before, so I made PDFs of just a couple of pages using InDesign’s presets for offset press and emailed them to the pre-press guy, thinking that I would have to make a lot of fine tuning adjustments before I got it right. A short email back said that the only thing I needed to change was to set the bleed to a quarter inch all around. (I’d set it at an eighth of an inch.) That done, it took just a few minutes to export the 32-page magazine supplement to PDF, and a few minutes more to FTP the PDF to the printer’s computer. Anyone who’s worked in page layout when you had to “package” the file (which meant making sure every little piece of artwork and every font was included in the files you sent to the printing house) will know what a dramatic simplification PDF workflow is, and why print houses have embraced it. And with InDesign, creating a printer-ready PDF is no more difficult than sending a copy of your pages to your laser or inkjet printer for proofing.
One of the features of InDesign that Adobe has been crowing about since the beginning is its typesetting engine. The multiline composer, as the name suggests, works on multiple lines of copy, so that you can make adjustments to create a very even text block, without the unsightly rivers of white space running though the block.
For me, the biggest improvement in InDesign CS3 is the redesigned workspace. With previous versions, your computer screen could become very cluttered with control palettes strewn all over. In this latest version, the toolset palettes are all neatly tucked away to the right of the workspace, but fly out when you need to access one of them. There are also a number of new or improved features in the program. If you work with tables, you’ll be happy to see table and cell styles, which allows you to assign a consistent style to a table or table elements just as you do with paragraph styles. There are a slew of frame and object effects (like what you have with Photoshop), such as feathered gradients that allow you to apply feathering to objects, and bevel and emboss effects. There is also a more flexible transparency control so you can apply different transparency settings to different parts of an object.
For Intel-based Mac users, perhaps the most welcome news is that InDesign CS3 (and the whole CS3 suite) is a universal binary application so it will run full tilt on Intel- as well as PowerPC-based Macs.

The bizhub C550

Konica Minolta’s high-end, multifunction office printer
Konica Minolta debuted its new printer/copier/scanner/fax machine, the bizhub C550, at Toronto ’s Steelback Grand Prix racing event this summer. This high-end office printer is the first in a series of bizhub products scheduled for release this year, which Konica Minolta hopes will help mark the company as Canada’s top business solution provider.
The C550 is designed to perform in the center of your office. The power and network cables are discreetly hidden from sight. Visual cues, such as flashing coloured lights, allow you to determine the printing status from across a room. Other physical markers also simplify the operation of the machine, which is housed in recycled materials that provide a grey colour scheme.
The unit comes with a tilting colour display, which complies with Section 508 wheelchair compatibility and helps avoid glare from overhead lighting. You can preview full colour thumbnails on the screen or zoom in to read text documents before printing. Files can be stored directly on a 60GB hard drive.
Operation is quiet, but robust. The C550 outputs 45 ppm colour and 55 ppm black and white, on paper weights up to 100 lb. cover stock. It will input pages up to 11x17 inches in size, output up to 12x18 inch sheets and also print banners up to 48 inches long. Finishing options include multi-position stapling, saddle-stitched booklets, 2/3-hole punching and tri-folding. (The stapling finisher is an additional $3000.) There are four paper trays, and if you add the optional 3000-sheet large capacity cassette ($2000), the paper capacity totals 6650 sheets.
As a scanner, the C550 supports TWAIN and Scan-to-HDD, and will also scan directly to email, FTP, or your desktop with speeds up to 70 opm.
Several security features are included, but the most interesting is the optional Biometric Authentication ($1500). The authenticator is slightly smaller than a mouse, with a small curved bed for you to rest your finger on. Using three measurements of finger vein patterns, the machine automatically recognizes who you are, records your activity, and enforces any restrictions associated with your user account.
Konica Minolta is placing a lot of emphasis on customer service and support, important aspects to consider when purchasing an MFP in this price range. (The C550 is priced at $33,000.) Luc Filion, VP of sales at Konica Minolta Business Solutions Canada’s Eastern Region, says the company is focused on customer cost savings and will try to reduce your operating costs through strategies like print on demand, device consolidation and print migration.

Accessorize your laptop - in style

Add some clever extras to extend your PC’s functionality, longevity
Some good news for those travelling with aging PCs: rather than laying out the cash for a whole new laptop, you can spice up your existing machine with a few good accessories.
Computer add-ons – including webcams, ergonomic mice, snap-in modems, Bluetooth headsets and wireless printers -- add some longevity and functionality to your laptop. Following are a few recommendations.
Not mousing around
Perfect for laptop users, the Microsoft Wireless Notebook Laser Mouse 6000 ($49.99; http://www.microsoft.ca/) is a small, but comfortable, optical mouse that features a thumb-sized receiver that, when plugged into an available Universal Serial Bus (USB) port on the computer, enables wireless control. This feature isn’t necessarily unique, but its clever power-saving function is – simply snap the USB receiver underneath the mouse to turn off its battery (included). This design should also reduce the odds of losing the receiver. Other features of this wireless notebook mouse include Windows and Mac support, rubber-lined sides for a better grip and a body designed for both right- and left-handed users.
Listen up
It’s no wonder why more and more Canadians are talking with friends, family or clients via the Net – it’s free, sounds great and it doesn’t matter where you (or they) are in the world. So the next time you’re gabbing on Skype, Windows Live Messenger or Yahoo! Messenger, throw on a wireless Bluetooth device, such as Logitech’s Cordless Headset ($139.95; http://www.logitech.com/), so you can keep chatting while continuing to type away on the keyboard from up to 30 feet away. Volume and mute buttons are located on the headset. It’s also perfect for trash-talking during heated multiplayer games and of course, works with your Bluetooth cell phone, too. The crystal clear and comfortable headset can be paired with a PC that has integrated Bluetooth or via the snap-in USB Bluetooth hub that's included.
Look ma, no wires
At just $99, the Lexmark Z1420 wireless six-colour printer is the most affordable Wi-Fi-ready (802.11g) inkjet printer on the market. Simply type in some info on your laptop when prompted, such as your wireless network security key, and you can print from wherever you may be within the wireless network. Any other wireless PC or PDA in the "hotspot" can also beam photos and text to the Z1420. This affordable printer delivers speeds up to 24 pages per minute (ppm) for black and 18 ppm colour, and can print borderless photos up to 8.5 x 11 inches (glossy or matted photo paper recommended). It works with both Macs and Windows PCs.
Smile, you’re online
Why type an email or instant message when you can be seeing and talking to your friends in cyberspace? The Microsoft LifeCam NX-6000 ($89.99; http://www.microsoft.ca/) is a top-of-the-line consumer Webcam (Web camera), designed specifically for laptops or flat-panel LCD screens. Offering high-definition 2.0 megapixel video (1600 x 1190 pixels) and 7.8 megapixel photos (3200 x 2380 pixels), this tiny Webcam – a little bigger than a lipstick – features a built-in, high-quality microphone; pan, zoom and tilt capabilities; and a one-touch call button integrated with the free Windows Live Messenger service. The LifeCam NX-6000 requires a Windows XP or Vista machine.
Stay connected
Wi-Fi is great, but what if you can’t find a wireless hotspot in a café, airport lounge or hotel? The good news is you can log online via your laptop anywhere you can get a cell phone signal – even in the back of a cab or a park bench. And so it’s no surprise wireless modems are growing in popularity – especially among mobile executives. Sierra Wireless (http://www.sierrawireless.com/) offers wireless modems as either PC Cards or USB dongles. Either snaps into the laptop and grants you access to your cell carrier. Prices start at $49.99 after rebate and three-year commitment with Rogers Wireless (Sierra Wireless AirCard 860); Telus Mobility plans start at $99.99 on a 3-year contract (for either the Sierra Wireless Air Card 595 or the 595U USB).

Digital stereo recording in your pocket

Olympus WS-331M
Voice recorders made the transition from analogue tape to solid state digital in the latter 1990s. While those early tapeless models were considered groundbreaking, the recently introduced Olympus WS-331M is an example of just how far this product category has evolved.
Of course, the world that the WS-331M enters is quite a different place as well. We users are more savvy about digital gadgets, but also more demanding of our digital devices. Moreover, digital audio isn’t just about consuming music any more. The global phenomenon of podcasting has turned many into audio producers who want to sound as good as professional radio broadcasters.
The WS-331M does a fine job of recording voice notes to yourself, or making a record of a lecture or business meeting. It’s set up with five folders and you can organize your recordings within them if you want. But if business or classroom note taking is all you want a voice recorder for, you’d be equally well served by a less expensive model. At $300, this flagship in Olympus’s line isn’t cheap, but here are some of the things beyond simple voice note taking you get for your coin.
It’s a USB flash drive
The body is made in two parts, and when you separate the lower "L" shaped module holding the single AAA battery, you expose a standard USB connector on the upper module. Plug it into a PC and it’s immediately recognized as a flash drive - and a biggie with two gigabytes of capacity. Recording at the lowest quality mono setting, that much capacity is good for around 550 hours of voice notes and musings, or more than 35 hours of high-quality stereo recording.
It records in stereo
Olympus says that recording group business meetings in stereo has some advantages in making it easier to distinguish individual speakers, thus helping the listener follow the flow of discussion, while also giving the whole group session a more natural sound. The unit comes with a built-in stereo microphone, but also has a 3.5 mm stereo mic jack so you can use a better mic if you need improved sound quality.
The WS-331M records in Windows Media Audio format, which offers a more efficient compression method than MP3 (e.g., equal sound quality with smaller file size or better sound quality with equal file size). Another big advantage in using this audio format is that no specialized software is needed to read the file. Thanks to Windows’ market penetration, most audio programs understand WMA including the Windows Media Player that comes free with Windows. In fact, the Olympus device does not come with any audio software, although you can download a free DSS Light Player if you are so inclined.
When you connect the recorder to your PC via USB, it shows up as just another USB device, so you can drag and drop the recorded files to your PC hard drive for editing or further processing. And this is yet another benefit. If you’d used an audio cassette recorder, you’d have to play back the file in real time and rerecord it by capturing the signal using your sound card’s line-in jack. Dragging and dropping a few hundred megabytes worth of audio files is nowhere near as arduous.
The Olympus unit offers three levels of stereo recording, all using a 44.1 kHz sampling rate. SP is the standard mode, and has a frequency range of 50 Hz-9 kHz, which is good for voice-only recording. The unit will record 142 hours in SP mode. In HQ mode, you get 71 hours of recording time and a frequency range of 50 Hz to 15 kHz (cassette tape recorder territory), while at the highest XQ mode, you can get 35 hours with a frequency range of 50 Hz - 19 kHz. You also can use one of three mono recording modes.
It’s a music player
While the WS-331M won’t record in MP3 format, it will play music in either MP3 or WMA format. A small sliding switch on the side of the unit lets you select voice record mode or music playback mode. Included with the player is a feature called WOW XT, which is made up of a spatial enhancer (pseudo surround) and a bass enhancer. There are also controls that allow you to select how you want a selection played (e.g., random, repeat) and a built-in equalizer. Playback frequency range is 20 Hz - 20 kHz, which is the full range of sound humans can hear. Music on it sounds very good - this one easily competes with other dedicated MP3 players I’ve used.
The Olympus user manual gives a somewhat convoluted method of loading the unit with music using Windows Music Player, but I found it simpler to just drag a folder of tunes into the Music folder in the voice recorder.
Overall, this is a desirable if somewhat expensive unit. It can be used as a music player, a high-quality stereo recorder or a mono note taker - or a USB flash drive. It runs on a single AAA battery and is about the same size and proportions as an iPod Nano (the WS-331M is 95 x 38 x 11 mm and 47 grams compared to the Nano at 90 x 40 x 6.5 mm and 40 grams).

Multifunction Printers

Why you need one, and why you might not…yet
Every self-respecting student or home-based worker needs a printer. But quite likely a copier too. And a scanner. And maybe a fax machine.
It wasn’t so very long ago that such capabilities would set you back a couple grand. However, all-in-one multifunction printers (MFPs) do it all in one box, and they’ve come a long way in the last few years. Not only can some of today’s dream machines handle all the above—at sub-$500 price points in most cases—but many of them will also print photos directly from your camera, print on both sides of a page and perhaps even fix you a double chocolate latte if you’re so inclined.
But do they do it quickly? Will consumables (ink or toner and associated materials) consume all the money you saved initially? Will they stand the test of time?
Truth is that if you have the bucks and the necessary space—two extremely critical considerations for a dorm or home office—separate components are still a solid option. Ask yourself the following: If a highly regarded mid-level standalone black and white home/home office laser printer such as HP’s LaserJet P2015d costs $400, and a top-notch standalone colour laser like the Lexmark C532dn runs perhaps $200 more, how can a laser-based MFP at that price point deliver the same level of performance? Answer: It can’t. Chances are it won’t be as fast. Its toner cartridges may cost more. And it’ll likely support less sophisticated printing functions.
Back in my day…
But the most important difference may be something you don’t even notice at first—reliability. Sure, the warranties may be equal, but things become much more interesting five or 10 years down the road. I write this gazing lovingly at my HP LaserJet 4, circa 1995. It’s been in for repair just once in a dozen years, and even then the problem lay with the owner, not the printer. Virtually all the moving parts are within the toner cartridge itself, and that cartridge is comparatively inexpensive. I’ve been tempted over the years to "upgrade" to a substantially more complex MFP and send both my printer and Panasonic phone/fax machine to the donation bin, but the old LaserJet 4, serial port connection and all, simply continues to be a faultless workhorse.
Something else to consider—if and when my standalone printer does break, I’ll retain use of my standalone copier and scanner. Yet when an MFP goes on the fritz, all those other functions are lost too until the unit comes home from the repair shop.
Still, most home- or dorm-based users simply don’t put intense demands and strains on their gear. Moreover, most of us need all the extra space an MFP can gain us, if just for the dishes and pop cans and televisions and all the other things that make a home office so…homey. For these reasons, and because MFPs are far less finicky now than they were even a few years back, they may be just the ticket for many.
As is the case with standalone printers, the prices of MFPs have more to do with the method of image transfer than anything else. The most affordable machines are typically based on inkjet technology. Inkjet advantages include near-universal colour capability and generally strong photo reproduction. For a few dollars more, you move into laser technology. Laser generally delivers much faster output and crisper images than inkjet, its toner cartridges usually cost less per page than inkjet cartridges and the machines themselves are less prone to breakdowns. However, the cost of laser jumps substantially if you want colour. And even though laser toner cartridges last a lot longer, replacing them will set you back $400 or more for the four colours.
The inkjet MFP battle
In the inkjet category, there seems to be no escaping the domination of Canon Canada . Currently consisting of no less than eight models, its wide-ranging PIXMA roster of MFPs stretches all the way from the $100 PIXMA MP160 to the $500 PIXMA MP960. But the best part is that virtually every model has been extremely well received by both the press and end users.
The everything-but-the-proverbial-kitchen-sink $400 PIXMA MP830 seems to hit the sweet spot just right, particularly if you also want high-grade photo printing. Features include a memory card reader, a big 2.5-inch LCD, a PictBridge connector so you can print directly from a PictBridge-enabled digicam, an integrated fax modem for standalone fax functionality, double-sided printing and scanning capabilities and 9600 dpi photo printing. It’ll theoretically print and copy black and white pages at the snappy rate of 30 pages per minute, and colour at 24 PPM. It isn’t networkable, but that shouldn’t matter much to the SOHO community.
At just $120, the ultra-affordable PIXMA MP180 has substantially more features than the bare bones $100 PIXMA MP160, and is therefore a good bet for the budget conscious shopper, student or light user who needs to copy, scan and print. Like the far pricier MP830, it has a PictBridge connector and a media card reader for PC-less printing. It can’t be networked, it can’t be used as a fax machine and its page per minute speed is far from the high-end inkjet MFPs, yet the price is right.
Canon’s PIXMA series leads the way, but don’t write off HP’s highly regarded Photosmart All-in-One series. Like PIXMA, the Photosmart lineup is all over the map, with a model in virtually every price range. Arguably the best of the HP bunch and priced right in between the two Canons discussed above is the Photosmart C6180 All-in-One Inkjet Printer. Indeed, it mimics most of the capabilities of the proficient PIXMA MP830, at about $100 less.
The unit offers blazingly fast 32 ppm monochrome printing and 31 ppm colour (under ideal conditions, of course), integrated wireless networking, a memory card reader, PictBridge support and a built-in fax. And its clever six-ink colour system allows you to replace only the colour(s) of ink you’ve used.
Lexmark Canada introduced a slew of inkjet MFPs at a variety of price points this year, with new slick styling and built-in Wi-Fi wireless networking on many models. In fact, Lexmark wants affordable wireless printing to be its big differentiator in this crowded market. Its X9350 ($300) is a four-function (print, copy, scan, fax) unit that offers up to 32 ppm (black) and 27 ppm (colour) print speeds, and along with built-in Wi-Fi and built-in duplexing. Like its competitors, it also supports PictBridge and comes with a multi-format memory card reader. For a bit more than half that price ($160), you can get the Lexmark X4550, no faxing, not auto duplexing and slower printing speeds, but also with Wi-Fi.
Epson Canada’s multifunction line is smaller than other manufacturers, with just four models ranging from $120 to $170. Epson printers have been long-time favourites with the digital photography crowd, largely due to Epson’s pioneering work with pigment-based inkjet inks, which are more durable and fade resistant than dye-based inks. Epson tries to capitalize on its photo printing strengths in its all-in-ones, which it calls More-in-Ones by offering PC-less printing (with built-in colour LCDs to preview images), borderless 4x6 printing and other specialized features on some models like a straight-through media path and CD carrier that allows you to print labels, graphics etc. directly onto CDs.
In the past, Brother Canada has been known for lines of tough workhorse fax machines, which found a home in both small and medium sized businesses. Today, its multi-function line seems to have more of a small business appliance flavour than an inkjet printer flavour. For example, some models sport a telephone handset, like the traditional fax machine. However, it also has the features that home users come to expect such as a built-in colour LCD screen, PictBridge support and a built-in memory card reader. Moreover, Brother’s line is even more extensive than Canon’s, with 13 models ranging from $80 to $270. The top-end MFC-655CW pushes the meaning of all-in-one by adding an answering machine to the usual feature set of print, copy, scan and fax. It supports both standalone fax and PC faxing. This one also comes with built-in Wi-Fi networking.
As you can see, if you want an inkjet-based all-in-one, there are many models to consider. Something to think about: If you’ve decided to go the inkjet route, ask your retailer or check the Internet for a cost per page figure for the printers on your short list. If none exist, determine the prices and projected longevity of the ink cartridges yourself. It’s more or less accepted that some inkjets—and even some lasers—will rob you blind after you’ve bought them, and that’s a situation nobody wants to be in.
Laser MFPs: To colour or not to colour, that is the question
When you talk laser MFP, the current buzzword is colour. But that doesn’t mean a black and white laser doesn’t have its place. In fact, considering lasers are generally more dependable than inkjets, and that black and white lasers are generally more reliable and far less costly than colour models, monochrome MFPs deliver huge bang for the buck for those who don’t print photos or colour brochures/homework.
On the decidedly thrifty side of things is the monochrome Samsung SCX-4200. Priced at little more than the cost of dinner and a movie for two ($150), it’s hard to believe it’s a laser. But it is, and not a bad one at that. It can’t handle faxes and it doesn’t incorporate fancy stuff like card readers, but it does deliver clean 600x600 dpi laser output, scalable copying and scanning capabilities. On top of all that, it’s tiny— with a footprint that’s just a bit bigger than a standard sheet of paper.
Some of the best dollar-to-performance monochrome lasers are found in Canon’s strictly black and white imageCLASS series. Of these, the imageCLASS MF4150, with oodles of upbeat online user reports, a sub-$300 price point and a small footprint, may be the best fit for the home office denizen. The unit prints, scans, faxes and copies; features a 35-sheet automatic document feeder and a 250-sheet front-loading cassette; and sports automatic double-sided operation. For another $100, the Brother MFC-7820N offers all of the above plus the added bonus of ultra-high 2400x600 dpi printing resolution, PC fax functions and a built-in internal network.
At the top of the multifunction totem pole is the full colour laser. Here, we have pricey beasts such as Lexmark’s x500n ($550) and x502n ($750), both of which feature great looking prints, a massive 128MB of internal memory and smoking fast speeds. The difference between the two? The x502n offers fax capabilities, while the x500n does not.
Big buck machines and future shock
You’ll find other equally respected models too, such as Brother’s Multi-Function Center MFC-9420CN, Epson’s AcuLaser CX11NF, Samsung’s Colour Laser MFP CLX-3160FN and Dell’s Multifunction Color Laser Printer 3115cn. Yet only the latter checks in under the $600 mark, and all are physically imposing units apparently designed for office workgroup environments rather than the home office or dorm. Despite traditionally superior reliability and lower usage costs (Dell claims just one and a half pennies per page for the 3115n), it seems most colour laser all-in-ones aren’t quite as ready for stay-at-home situations as their inkjet brethren.
What does the future hold? Down under in Australia, a company by the name of Silverbrook Research has quietly been slaving away on a technology deemed "Memjet." The big claim to fame is output speed—according to Silverbrook, Memjet can realistically print at an astounding 60 PPM. What’s more, the technology will apparently offer a price to performance ratio better than today’s monochrome lasers and photo print quality rivalling that of today’s finest photo-centric inkjets. Needless to say, the big players in the industry are listening. For more info, head to www.memjet.com and check out the video of Memjet at work—it’s quite incredible.

An appointment at The Apple Store

Apple’s computer sales are on the rise. The company shipped over 1.5 million Macintosh computers during the fiscal 2007 second quarter, which marks a 36 percent increase from the same quarter last year. "The Mac is clearly gaining market share…more than three times the industry growth rate," says Steve Jobs in a recent press release.
Whether it’s due to the Get a Mac campaign, the rise of the iPod, the increasing presence of retail stores in shopping malls, or all those movie cameos – the Mac is drifting away from its cult status as an elite system for the non-conformist individual to a machine with mass market appeal. Yet Apple retains its unique identity in the computer manufacturer market by continuing to offer something different to its customers.
In addition to the user-friendly interface so intuitive you can often problem-solve on your own, loads of free software you actually prefer to use, and a secure environment that’s nearly virus-free, Apple accepts appointments at The Apple Store. You can ask questions, receive technical support, or just brainstorm ideas with a real, live person without even having to wait in line.
Many of the services are suited for computer novices and newcomers to Apple, although there are still benefits to be found for the seasoned Mac user and a new program focuses exclusively on providing creative support.
ProCare
Apple’s OS X operating system is known for its security and reliability. In fact, the most common complaint I’ve heard from people who’ve signed up for an extended Apple warranty is that they never had to use it. ProCare is a little different in that it provides access to six services and supports up to three computers (registered in your name). The cost is $99 for one year.
One of these services is a white-glove treatment specially suited for those switching from a PC. Apple will transfer all the files from your old machine (PC or Mac) into your new one, so you don’t lose any of your saved data. This includes photos, music and movies – and also your mail, calendar and address book.
Also included is an annual tune-up. You bring your Mac into the Apple Store and they will run system diagnostics, update your Apple software and clean your monitor and keyboard. (Keyboards are notorious for harbouring bacteria though, so you should really be cleaning it more often than this.)
Anyone who’s ever had to rely on traditional forms of technical support – online, email, or telephone – knows what a nightmare the process can be. With ProCare, you get some new options. Rapid Repairs provides same-day, in-store service on your machine. Or, if you don’t feel like waiting in line for the next available technician, you can just drop off your computer at the store for a QuickDrop repair. You can also pre-book a one-on-one appointment with a Mac Genius (up to 14 days in advance) for guaranteed quality time between you, your machine, and a technician. (My mother recently purchased her first Mac and bought a ProCare membership. Her one-on-one appointments at the Genius Bar in Nashville, TN have been an invaluable source of education.)
One to One
If you don’t require the technical know-how, but are lacking in the creative department, One to One is another $99 annual membership option that allows you to book an unlimited number of one-on-one training sessions with Creatives (as opposed to ProCare’s Mac Geniuses). This new program from Apple teaches you how to get the most out of the applications that came with your machine and start producing creative projects of your own.
"Our Creatives have extensive experience in their field and a passion for teaching," says Simon Atkins of Apple Canada. "Members can choose to focus these sessions on anything from learning more about getting started with a Mac or iPod, to advancing their moviemaking, digital photography and podcasting skills, building a website or presentation, or can even use the sessions to get answers to their specific questions or help with a creative project."
The sessions are personally tailored to your level of expertise, and can be booked up to 14 days in advance. Eleven areas are covered, including a Present and Publish session for business-minded individuals who need help creating dynamic presentations and printing projects. There’s a Music Making session for learning how to create, layer and edit original song recordings. If you have a specific project you want to tackle and just want to brainstorm with someone, you can book a session for an Open Project.
Personal Shopper
Buying a Mac seems like a relatively simple process. You have three desktops (iMac, Mac Pro and Mac mini) and two laptops (MacBook and MacBook Pro) to choose from, with key differences in screen size, storage space, graphics, memory and processor speed. But with pricing ranging anywhere from $679 (Mac mini) to $3099 (17-inch MacBook Pro), getting a second opinion is not a bad idea.
You can avoid long line-ups and frazzled employees by booking your own Personal Shopping Reservation (again, up to 14 days in advance) via Apple’s website. This will give you one hour of dedicated, one-on-one service at a select Apple Store. You’ll get answers to all your questions, and also be able to see and test the products first hand.
In Canada, Apple Store appointments are currently available in three locations in Toronto and one Apple Store in Laval . For more information on Personal Shopping, ProCare and One to One – or to book an appointment – visit www.apple.com/ca.

Paper primer

Do you spend much time shopping for printing paper? This expendable item is often overlooked, but the quality of your paper is incredibly important to the outcome of your print job. That’s not to say that you need to use the most expensive paper for every job. But whatever the price, paper has a number of listed characteristics, and understanding these will help you pick the type that best suits to your project.
Finish
For most people, the easiest characteristic to choose is the paper’s finish. While you may already have run-of-the-mill (pardon the pun), smooth, white paper for everyday printing, there are aisles of options – just go to any well stocked office supply store and you’ll find special occasion papers for invitations, greeting cards, flyers and brochures, and of course photographs. Choosing a finish is a personal preference, but some premium papers are designed to be used specifically with inkjet printers or laser printers, and if you mix them up, the results can be unpredictable. For example, we tried printing some heavy inkjet card on a laser printer and the toner flaked off.
For publications, you can get a range of finishes, including fancy variations that look like linen or parchment. Some are embossed or have other treatments to make them look like a custom job. For publications and brochures, you can buy papers that have a slight sheen and thus mimic the look of paper used in high-end magazines. Photo inkjet papers cover the same kinds of finishes that you might find with traditional photographic papers: glossy, pearl, lustre and matte. However, you can also find photo papers that have the texture of artist’s canvas or watercolour paper. One thing to keep in mind with these special finish papers is that they have a good side (the one you are supposed to print on) but it may not be entirely obvious because the back will be only slightly different.
Weight
Weight is measured as the pounds per 500 sheets of a paper at its basic manufactured dimension, which varies by paper type. (The weight of office paper is based on 500 17 x 22-inch sheets.) Metric weight designation is based on grams per square metre. However calculated, more weight generally means thicker, stiffer and sturdier paper. Most office laser and copier paper is 20 pound, premium office and inkjet papers are 24 pound and paper used for report covers or greeting cards is around 60 pound.
On some photo papers, you may also see a specification in mils (for thousands of an inch). This is a measure of thickness, but often interacts with weight to give an indication of density. (If one 10 mil paper is heavier than another 10 mil paper, it is also more dense.) Traditional photographic paper is around nine mils, and inkjet photo papers range from being slightly thinner to slightly thicker than that. HP Premium Plus paper is nine mils, Lexmark Premium Photo Paper is 9.5 mils, Kodak Ultima Picture Paper is 10 mils, while Epson Premium Glossy is 10.4 mils. Office bond is around four mils.
Opacity
Opacity is pretty self-explanatory; the higher the opacity level, the tougher it is for light (and text) to be visible through the other side. This is usually only a serious problem with double-sided printing, but can still have a negative effect on the visual impact of any print if the paper has a really low opacity level. On the other hand, because blue/violet dyes are used to absorb light (increasing opacity), paper with higher opacity-levels can sometimes have a bluish appearance. Opacity isn’t a big factor with photographic papers, since they tend to be quite thick. However, Epson does list opacity ratings of its papers (94 percent for Heavyweight Matte and 97 percent for Premium Glossy). Inkjet papers often have a special coating layer, and papers designed for two-sided printing will be coated on both sides. This improves the inking process and can also make the paper more opaque.
Brightness (or Brilliance)
Like opacity, brightness can be achieved by using dyes and/or various production techniques. Brightness is somewhat related to whiteness, but brightness ratings are based on the reflective quality of the paper, regardless of its colour. Xerox has published a paper called “Demystifying Three Key Paper Properties,” which explains the differences between whiteness (reflectance of all colours in the visible spectrum), brightness (reflectance of a specific shade of blue light) and shade (what we would call the tint or colour of a paper). Brightness is a good indication of the visibility and contrast with black inks as well as the vividness of coloured inks – the higher the value, the more radiant text and images will appear.
Two common but different brightness rating systems come from the Technical Association of the Pulp and Paper Industry (TAPPI) and the International Standards Association (ISO). Even though different, in both systems a higher number means a brighter paper. Kodak uses TAPPI ratings on some of its papers (Premium Bright White has a TAPPI rating of 97) while Epson uses ISO (Heavyweight Matte has an ISO rating of 97). Interestingly, optical whiteners can be added to papers to give them a brightness rating of greater than 100 percent.
Acid-free
Papers used to print photographs or other special mementoes need to last a long time, and one of the characteristics of paper that relates to that is whether it is acid free or not. Acids can occur naturally in wood pulp and over time they cause the paper to become brittle, turn yellow and generally deteriorate (think of old newspapers). Acid-free paper is paper that has a neutral pH value (6 or 7). Calcium or magnesium salts are often added to pulp during the manufacture of paper to neutralize such acids