[Back to Apple Mac Support page]

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News

• Macintouch.com is a reliable source of news and current issues for the Mac and other Apple products.
• Mac Observer is another source for Mac news.

Identifying your Apple product and model specifications

• support.apple.com/specs
• Mactracker database download

Forums

Here is a list of online forums where anyone can log in and ask questions to get help. Chances are you will get an answer within minutes or at most a couple hours.

• discussions.apple.com is Apple corporation's help and discussion forums. Good place for solutions, but tends to have very high volume.
• forums.dealmac.com Long time forum that many people have used to get answers.
• forums.macresource.com is a chatty forum, but many helpful experts hang out there that can field questions.
• macfixit.com is a site that focuses on current issues and problems with the Mac.
• portland.craigslist.org/forums I haven't tried this source, but it may be worth a look.
• And many more: mac-forums.com/forums, forums.macrumors.com, forums.macnn.com, macosx.com/forums, forums.macosxhints.com

Apple Support Pages

• Apple support page
• Tiger support
• Leopard support

Software Downloads

• I use this
• Macupdate
• Versiontracker
• Apple.com/downloads

Local Computer Services, Fax services, and Office Supplies

• neahkahnie.net-computer services and general business directory
• Nehalem Telecommunications
• Oregon Coast Cyber Cafe. Manzanita, OR - 503-368-4411
• Salt and Paper. 411 Laneda Avenue. Manzanita, OR 503-368-7887

Online Computer Stores selling and repairing Apple Gear

• Other World Computing is a good, reliable online store for hard drives and other Apple Mac hardware.
• iResQ Repair for most Apple products.
• irepairsquad For Ipod Repair.
• Camerals - expect the lowest price with legit USA warranty at buydig.com or sister website beachcamera.com. BHphotovideo.com and Adorama.com are more expensive but have a larger selection. Also, try J&R and NewEgg.

Portland Computer Stores specializing in Apple products

• Portland Mac Store, 700 NE Multnomah, Portland OR 97232, 503-238-1200.
• Beaverton Mac Store, 3205 SW Cedar Hills Blvd, Beaverton OR 97005, 503-620-3550.
• Power Mac Pac, 12310 NE Whitaker, SE of 122nd and Airport Way, Portland OR 97230, 800-460-8080.
• Mac Force 200 SE Salmon, Portland OR 97232, 503-231-7707.

Apple, Inc. Retail Stores in Portland

• Pioneer Place in downtown Portland, 700 SW 5th Ave, 503-222-3002
• Bridgeport Village I-5 exit 290 in Tigard, 7293 SW Bridgeport Rd, 503-670-8400
• Washington Square 9530 SW Washington Square Rd in Tigard, 503-603-9800

Computer Security for the Mac

Security issues involve the user, the computer, and a vast social network. An up-to-date Mac is as safe a computer as you can get. And the very latest Microsoft platform has become much safer than the notoriously vulnerable state of affairs just a year or two ago.

Some people think information security is absurdly out of control because of the complexity of the network ecology. Before, the big concern was viruses. Now it's spyware, social engineering (phishing), and the man in the middle (also Washington Post). See Sans top twenty computing vulnerabilities.

Moral of the story - know what is at risk, what your exposure is, and keep up to date where it matters. It all comes back to working with trusted others.

• Apple's security configuration guides PDF downloads.
• Make Your Mac Secure A practical overview of Mac computer security issues and products.
• Apple's technology brief on Leopard OS X security See the downloadable PDF in the left column.
• Macintouch Security Information Provides list of resources and archives of reader comments.
• Mac Security Guide Good list of security links.

Apple Computer Consultants in the Portland area

Here are some other Oregon Mac consultants I have seen advertised, but don't have any more information about them.

• www.mymacfix.com
• www.macrory.com
• www.macexpertsinthegorge.com/