Workers Without Cubicles

Here’s a handy little trick I discovered that allows you to combine multiple PDF files into one single PDF document using the built-in tools in OS X. It’s easy to do, and comes in really handy when you’re preparing reports and other documents. In my case, I use this to combine the output of a single-page scanner into multi-page documents.

Apologies in advance, the screencast is a bit low-res, but I explain each step along the way.

HowTo: Combine PDF files into a single document in OS X from Mike K. on Vimeo.

Software automator, howto, mac, osx, pdf

I’ve moved the site over to the latest version of Wordpress, and I’m really enjoying the new user interface. As a result, keep an eye out for new content appearing in this space shortly.

General

The Vancouver Apple store in the Pacific Centre Mall opened for business this past weekend. I was in Toronto, attending the MESH conference (thanks to commandN) and couldn’t make the opening day, but I was there Sunday morning.

Interesting thing about Vancouver: it’s a very sleepy town. They get started pretty late in the morning here, at least compared to Toronto and Ottawa. So when I showed up at 11 AM on Sunday morning I was a little disappointed to see how few people were in the store. All the better for me though, because I got to browse without having to push my way through a crowd.

Drooled over a MacBook Air, even though it’s completely impractical for my needs. Besides, I already have a completely serviceable MacBook Pro. I also eyed the new version of X-Plane for the Mac, but decided I was probably better off with one less thing on the credit card this month.

We went for lunch, and when we returned at 1 PM the store was packed full of people. I’m sure the other retailers on the upper level of the Pacific Centre love the new store - there normally isn’t a lot of foot traffic up there, but the Apple store (and the nearby H & M) really draws a crowd.

It’s nice to see so many people interested in Apple today. I say that not because I’m an Apple fan, but because Windows has been synonymous with computers for so long, that it’s great to see people realizing that there are alternatives out there. Whether it’s Mac, Linux or something else, the greater the diversity of the computer world, the more innovation, interoperability and open standards we’ll see, and that’s a good thing.

Personally, I’m happy that the store is there because it’s about 3 blocks from where I live, and I need to get a battery replaced under warranty soon. The downside is that there are all kinds of shiny new toys to purchase, all within walking distance!

Gadgetry, General apple, macintosh, vancouver

Take a look at Anxiety, a nifty little to-do tracker for OS X. It uses the new Calendar Store in Leopard so that it keeps your to-dos in sync with iCal and Mail (and therefore also any devices you may sync with iSync). Best of all, it’s free!

Software

Soulver is a funky little calculator application (Mac only) that allows you to type in plain-english statements, and Soulver will figure out the necessary equations and calculate them.

An example from the Soulver website:

book = $12

If I sell 100 copies of my book, how much will I make?

$1200

Personally, I think that everyone needs basic math skills. But I can see a market for this sort of application.

Thanks to the guys at MacResearch for this one.

General

This is great - Jim Benson goes to a restaurant in Beijing and finds a rather unusual item on the menu. Apparently web 2.0 culture has permeated everything and everywhere … including the menus at chinese restaurants. That’s some good branding!

Web Stuff facebook, flickr, web2.0

Small business owners don’t have much choice in the marketplace when it comes to accounting software. Here in Canada, our choices are basically Quicken QuickBooks and Simply Accounting. If only there were a free, cross-platform alternative accounting program that actually worked… well keep reading, because there is!

I’ve never liked Intuit very much - to me their Canadian products always feel as though the Canadian features were tacked-on at the last minute as an afterthought. Also, is it just me or does it seem a tad exploitive to offer umpteen different versions of your product? Simply Accounting is nicer, but doesn’t allow me to track projects the way I’d like to. Another downside (for me anyhow) is that both of these products require that I run Windows. Now it’s not that I hate Windows, but I alternate between Windows, Linux and Macs so often that it would be nice to have a solution that worked on all three.

Enter SQL Ledger. It’s a free, open-source double-entry accounting package that runs Windows, Mac and Linux. In addition to very nice-looking invoices, it can do all kinds of stuff:

• Accounts Receivable
• Accounts Payable
• General Ledger
• Inventory Control
• Billing / Invoicing
• Time Cards
• Point of Sale
• Check Printing
• Multi-User
• International Support

and much more. One of my favourite features is that the software is web-based (you run it on your own computer though). Which means that multiple users can access the program with their web browsers. No additional licenses required!

The downside? The installation isn’t a simple double-click and you’re good to go, although installation instructions for all the supported platforms are available. Additionally, you can obtain professional support from the author and several other consultants.

It’s free, and definitely worth a look if you’re in the market for a new accounting system.

Software

I was browsing Craigslist today and came across this post. It indicates that Apple is hiring staff for their new Apple Store in the Pacific Centre mall, downtown Vancouver. Woohoo! It’s about time (assuming it’s not a fake post) I live only 3 blocks away, which is both a good and a bad thing (mostly bad for my wallet).

Update: I confirmed it on the Apple Jobs site. Choose Mac Genius and then work your way through to Vancouver BC and you’ll see the Pacific Centre posting.

View Larger Map

General

Google Maps just got a big update and now offers traffic and terrain views. Hybrid view is gone - the Satellite view now shows roads & names by default.

Traffic view displays green, yellow or red segmented overlays on top of roads, indicating traffic volume. Not surprisingly, it looks like traffic updates are only available for US cities - according to Google, traffic outside my downtown Vancouver, BC apartment is non-existant.

Web Stuff

One of the things that struck Natasha and I after moving to Vancouver is how little we actually drive these days. Living downtown, we can walk or take public transportation to most of our destinations. We only drive on weekends, and even then, only occasionally. Our car insurance payments have actually decreased from what we used to pay in Kamloops, and we only fill up the car once a month or so. Even better, walking is healthy and good for the environment.

If those aren’t good reasons to think about public transportation and walking, then consider what Simon at the Green Blog posted today regarding the space required to transport a group of people by car, bus and bicycle. Apparently these are old photos, but I somehow missed them. Photo credit: Press Office, City of Münster, Germany.

General transportation, vancouver