Welcome to my official home on the web. Below, you will find a list of the most recent technology articles that I have published and the sites/magazines where they have appeared. You can also subscribe to this list via RSS and be constantly updated of any new features that I write.
You can also use this site to find out more about my professional background and the technology consulting and training services that I offer.
Warmly,
Ryan J. Faas
Published at Computerworld - 12/31/2008
2008 may go down as one of the significant years in Apple’s history since the introduction of the Apple II and the original 128K Mac. As 2008 comes to a close, I count down the five most significant moments for Apple during the year.
Published at Computerworld - 12/17/2008
For Apple fans and longtime Mac users, MacWorld Expo is more than a trade show. It is a chance to see the latest from every Mac/iPod/iPhone vendor, watch Steve Jobs unveil great new products, and meet other passionate Mac users. So, what will happen next year when Apple pulls out of the show altogether? I can’t say for sure, but here are my thoughts based on more than a decade of Apple-watching and MacWorld attendance.
Published at Computerworld - 12/12/2008
The iPhone may be on the way to becoming the most popular smartphone in the world, but there are still some serious improvements that Apple needs to make in order to truly make the device into the “it” mobile platform for business. Find out the top improvements needed from both an IT perspective as well as the perspective of the average business user.
Published at Computerworld - 12/10/2008
Apple’s upcoming Mac OS X Snow Leopard may not have 300+ new features like Leopard, but it does promise to shrink the hard drive space used by Mac OS X and deliver new innovations for performance. However, there are plenty of ways to speed up your Mac and recover hard drive space right now - and here’s my picks for the top ten ways to do both
Published at Datamation - 12/9/2008
Apple introduced 300+ documented new features in Mac OS X Leopard, but the OS also offers a range of hidden features that typically require in-depth exploration of configuration files and Terminal command to uncover. For anyone wanting access to these hidden features and configuration options without the work of poking around Mac OS X, read this article to find out about a handful of tools provide easy access to hundreds of additional ways to customize and get more out of Leopard.
Published at Computerworld - 12/2/2008
Almost every Mac user is familiar with Safari and Firefox, as are most Windows users, who are almost certainly familiar with Internet Explorer (and we all at least know about Google’s Chrome, even if we haven’t tried it much yet). But there are several other browsers on the market, each of them with their own pro, cons, and unique features. In this article, I join two fellow Computerworld writers in examining six alternative to the traditional web browser options.
Published at Computerworld - 11/21/2008
Contrary to typical assumption, it is possible to have direct push email services for iPhone users within your business without deploying Microsoft’s Exchange Server (and without relying on consumer-oriented solutions like Mobile Me and Yahoo Mail). This guide examines alternate mail/groupware servers and solutions that can provide the same direct push but with far less cost and headache.
Published at Datamation - 11/19/2008
Thinking about buying a new or used Mac for a loved one (or for yourself) this holiday season? Get the skinny on Apple’s entire Mac lineup including which types of machines are best for which computing tasks in this guide.
Published at Computerworld - 10/31/2008
Getting the most out of a mobile business device can mean more than just getting your email, contacts, and calendar on it. Having custom solutions that allow users to interact with your in-house systems can turn a iPhone or other mobile device can open up a new world of productivity, but accomplishing that may be easier said than done. Find out the challenges, opportunities, and processes for developing in-house iPhone applications in this final installment of the my three part series on integrating the iPhone in business environments.
Published at Datamation - 10/30/2008
The old adage of “the right tool for the job” applies as much to troubleshooting and maintaining a Mac as it does to changing a car’s tires or fixing leaky faucet. With hundreds of varied Mac utilities, it can be overwhelming to find the right tools. To cut through the confusion, here’s a run down of the top Mac utilities including which ones are the right tools for which jobs.
Published at Computerworld - 10/14/2008
Just like the most well-made car, Mac OS X Leopard requires the occasional maintenance to keep it running smoothly. In this article, find out the top ten maintenance tasks that can help keep your Mac problem-free and also help troubleshoot or reduce the impact of serious problems if they do occur.
Published at Computerworld - 9/17/2008
One of the most intriguing aspects of the iPhone 3G is its ability to connect and sync with Microsoft Exchange servers but getting the iPhone and Exchange to work smoothly isn’t always easy (particularly if you’re new to managing Exchange). Find out how to manage the iPhone via Exchange and how to ensure you’ve got an Exchange environment that’s configured for a smooth iPhone integration process.
Published at Computerworld - 9/10/2008
Recent versions of Mac OS X have made great strides to providing interoperability with Windows, both in terms of the ability to run Windows applications on Intel Macs and being able to share files and printers over a network. But even with these advances, achieving cross-platform harmony can require some effort and some tweaking. In this article, you’ll find a range of tips to help you find that Mac/Windows happiness.
Published at InformIT - 9/1/2008
There’s no doubt that the iPhone is a feature-laden smartphone that is changing the mobile industry across the world. As feature-laden as it may be, there are still some major gaps in Apple’s smartphone when compared to some of its competitors. Find out about the ten biggest missing features and why you should care about them.
Published at InformIT - 8/11/2008
Apple’s server platform is often overshadowed by the company’s consumer products and just as often inaccurate assumptions are made about what Mac OS X Server offers. This article sets the record straight about the top ten myths and misconceptions of users and IT professionals about Mac OS X Server.
Published at Computerworld - 8/5/2008
Work faster by working smarter in Leopard. Whether you’re a new Mac user or a long time Apple fan, this list includes more than twenty tips that will help boost your productivity when working with Apple’s next-generation operating system.
Published at InformIT - 8/4/2008
Once upon a time, the idea of Macs being deployed wide-scale in enterprise environments and workplaces was considered almost laughable. Today, the facts about supporting Macs in the enterprise can be shrouded by outdated facts, prejudices, and other assumptions. This list counts down the top ten assumptions about Macs in the enterprise and separates the myths from the facts.
Published at InformIT - 7/31/2008
Making use of the iPhone in business environments requires more than buying and passing out iPhones to employees. Planning for purchases, understanding how you will manage mass activations, planning for Exchange access, and determining how you will support users are all issues that businesses large and small need to consider when adopting the iPhone as a supported platform. In this article, you’ll find out about the unique options and challenges associated with business and enterprise adoption of the iPhone.
Published at Computerworld - 7/30/2008
Since the announcement of the iPhone 3G and iPhone 2.0 firmware this spring, Apple has touted the device’s ability to integrate into business and enterprise environments. In the first of this three-piece series, I take a look at what IT departments need to know in order to successfully roll out and support the iPhone as a business device. In this installment, find out how to plan iPhone purchases and deployments as well as to create profiles that automatically configure settings and email accounts.
Published at Computerworld - 7/30/2008
Terminal servers aren’t new to the IT world - Citrix and Windows Terminal Services have offered clients the ability to remotely connect and run full GUI desktops and applications remotely for quite some time. AquaConnect now brings that capability to Mac OS X Server, allowing a diverse range of clients to run Mac OS X and Mac-specific applications through a server session. Even though it’s still very much a version one product, AquaConnect shows a lot of promise for many network environments. Get all the details in this review
Published at InformIT - 7/18/2008
Whether you’re an existing iPhone owner considering upgrading to an iPhone 3G, or a new user planning to purchase an iPhone for the first time, these tips will help you be prepared when you go to an Apple or AT&T store to buy your new iPhone.
Published at Computerworld - 7/12/2008
Despite standing in line since just after dawn and hours of frustrating delays in activation, the iPhone 3G proves to be well worth the wait. Get all the details of my iPhone launch day experience along with my first impressions of the the game-changing device in this review.
Published at Computerworld - 7/8/2008
Do you think you know how to get the most of your Mac notebook’s trackpad or about Apple’s history of introducing the first notebook trackpad and it’s subsequent innovations of the trackpad? If you answered yes, don’t be so certain. From accidental “features” of early PowerBook trackpads to multi-touch gestures ways to get add ranges of new tap and drag features to almost any Mac notebook, this article is bound to have tricks for Mac users old and new alike.
Published at InformIT - 6/12/2008
With all the iPhone news coming out of Apple about the iPhone 3G and iPhone 2.0 update, it can be confusing to find simple answers. This quick run down has you covered with this list of need-to-know information about the iPhone 3G and iPhone 2.0 software update features and availability.
Published at Computerworld - 6/10/2008
By now everyone knows that the new iPhone 3G is coming in July, as is the iPhone 2.0 update that enables many new software features on existing iPhones (improved mail, Exchange and enterprise options, support for the new MobileMe, and access to third party applications via the App Store to name a few). If you own a first generation iPhone, is upgrading to a new iPhone G3 your best bet or should you settle for iPhone 2.0? Find out what questions to ask yourself before making the decision.
Published at Computerworld - 5/23/2008
It may not be the notebook for everyone, but Apple’s 17-inch MacBook Pro with high resolution LED backlit screen is an amazing computer. The perfect desktop replacement for anyone in the video or design fields, it sports the best notebook screen I’ve ever seen with a native capable for full 1080p video work. Check out my review for all the details of this oversized portable machine.
Published at Computerworld - 5/14/2008
Whether you liked the way Mac OS X looked before Leopard or you just want to customize your Mac, these nine tweaks make easy and quick work of bending the look and feel of Leopard to your will. From tricking out the Dock with custom 3D backgrounds to new iChat/PhotoBooth special effects and from making Quicklook and Spotlight more useful to setting a custom login window background, find out about my nine ‘must-have’ Leopard tweaks.
Published at Computerworld - 4/3/2008
Time Machine, Spaces, Stacks, and Screen Sharing are all features of Leopard that any Mac user knows about, but with over 300 new features, there are lots that many Mac users have yet to discover. Join me as I count down the top 25 lesser-known features in Leopard.
Published by Computerworld - 3/26/2008
Introduced at Macworld in January, the Apple TV Take 2 updates packs new features like movie rentals from the iTunes Store, a new interface, and the ability to make iTunes purchases right from your couch. All these features (and a few others) combine to fulfill the promise of a device that floundered to find a market for much of its first year as a shipping product - but is it a perfect device for everyone and will replace services like NetFlix? Find out in this review.
Published by Computerworld - 3/24/2008
With Leopard Server, Apple introduced a number of new and innovative technologies, including two new setup modes designed to make installing and managing a server for small businesses and workgroups as easy as using a Mac desktop. Get the low down on these new setup modes, how they operate, what they can mean for your organization, and find out which services still require an advanced server setup.
Published at InformIT - 2/15/2008
Did you just get an iPhone as a gift (or as a gift to yourself)? Are you wondering which accessories are the ones that will be the “can’t-live-without” add-ons? Check out my list of top cases and must-haves, including options for using your favorite headphones instead of those white earbuds that Apple includes with each iPhone.
Published at InformIT - 2/8/2008
Apple may not have yet opened the iPhone and iPod Touch for full application development, but that doesn’t mean that there aren’t plenty of great Web-based applications out there. In fact, there are so many choices that it might be difficult to discover some of the best. Find out about the top ten options for doing everything from social networking to office-style applications to how to find the cheapest gas prices in your area.
Published at Computerworld - 1/18/2008
Apple’s big announcement at MacWorld 2008 was the world’s thinnest laptop. Having gotten some one-on-one time with the MacBook Air, it is an amazing machine that has to be seen to be believed. Get the skinny (no pun intended) on all the innovation the Air offers, as well as the reasons that it won’t be the right machine for everyone.
Published at Computerworld - 1/15/2008
The Steve Jobs keynote as reported live from MacWorld 2008 via my iPhone. For a more full-featured keynote experience, you may also want to check out the Apple’s webcast of the event now that it has been published.
Published at Peachpit Press - 1/18/2008
One of Leopard’s many new features is screen sharing. Screen sharing makes it easy to control a remote Mac on a local network, over the Internet (with or without Apple’s $99/year .Mac service), and even through iChat. Find out how easy it is use screen sharing for personal and professional purposes as well as how to secure your Mac and connection when using screen sharing.
Published at Peachpit Press - 1/11/2008
Finally making the switch to Leopard? Be sure that you know everything about your upgrade options before you start by using these tips in this article.
Published at Peachpit Press - 1/4/2008
Dashboard widgets have been a great feature of Mac OS X since Tiger was released. With Leopard, Apple has introduced Dashcode, an intuitive tool for creating widgets that is both easy and fun to use. Find out how easy it can be to create a news/headline widget, for example, in just a few minutes.
Published at Peachpit Press - 12/28/2007
In Leopard and Leopard Server, Apple has updated Open Directory to allow for more flexible network design options, better integration with Windows networks running Active Directory, new managed preferences options, and a RADIUS server for secure wireless networking. Find out the details and how they affect your Mac network.
Published at Computerworld - 12/24/2007
Among the many new and updated features in Leopard Server is iCal Server, a shared calendaring platform that is powerful, easy to manage, and interoperates with clients available for all major computing platforms. Find out more about the technology behind iCal Server, how to configure and manage shared calendars, how to connect to shared calendars from Macs running Leopard as well as other clients.
Published at Peachpit Press - 12/21/2007
In Mac OS X 10.5 Leopard, one of the biggest and least-visible changes is the complete retirement of NetInfo and some of the related processes to streamline and improve user and group management. Find out how Leopard stores user and group information now that NetInfo has been replaced and what this means for end users and IT staff supporting Macs in part one of this two part series.
Published at Computerworld - 12/17/2007
While solutions for integrating Mac OS X with Windows Server and Active Directory are relatively commonly understood, solutions for integrating with Novell are much less common topics for discussion. That doesn’t mean that there aren’t ways to integrate Macs into Novell networks. Find out about the options from free techniques to third-party solutions in this article.
Published at Computerworld - 12/4/2007
The holiday season is here once again. If you find yourself wandering the mall or Apple Store aimlessly trying to come up with the perfect gift for, check out this list of top Mac/Apple gifts. From iPods and iPhones, to solutions to help build the perfect home media center, to custom Dashboard widgets, there’s something for everyone.
Published at Peachpit Press - 11/21/2007
If you’re the type of person who knows you need to back up your system, but just can’t ever get around to actually doing it, you’re going to love Leopard’s new Time Machine. Find out how easy it is to setup Time Machine, how effortless it makes backups every hour, and how to restore files or even your entire hard drive.
Published at Peachpit Press - 11/9/2007
When Apple released iWork ‘08, it included Numbers, Apple’s unique take on what a spreadsheet application should look like. Offering most of the features of Excel at a much lower price would be news enough for many users, but Numbers goes further by making spreadsheets easy (one might even dare to say fun) to create and edit. Find out all about how Numbers takes spreadsheets beyond a boring grid with easy to to use features as well as design and publishing options to make your information really stand out.
