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Calendar Syncing and Merging Issues
Dan and Bruce discussed issues with calendar syncing on different devices. Bruce was experiencing inconsistent syncing between his iPhone and Mac, and had multiple calendars that he wanted to merge into one. Dan guided Bruce through the process of merging calendars on a Mac, explaining that calendars must be in iCloud to sync across devices. He also clarified that calendars created by the user can be merged, but subscription calendars cannot. Chrys asked if it was possible to merge all calendars into one, to which Dan responded that each calendar must be merged individually.
Resolving iPhone Message Sync Issues
Dan discussed the issue of messages not syncing with iPhones, particularly with Brenda’s case. He explained that the problem lies in the settings of the Messages app, specifically under the “Send and Receive” section. He guided the participants on how to enable the correct settings to ensure all devices receive messages. George had a similar issue, and Dan suggested he check his settings and possibly sign out and sign back in to sync his devices. Steve also contributed to the discussion, suggesting that George should check if both his cellular number and email address are assigned to all his devices.
Lithium-Ion Battery Charging and iPad Files
Dan discussed the best practices for charging lithium-ion batteries, such as limiting the charge to 80% to prolong battery life. He also mentioned that the iPhone has an optimized battery charging feature that adjusts charging based on usage habits. George raised a question about syncing a Mac with a phone, which Dan clarified.
Apple iCloud Backup System Challenges
The team discussed the complexities of Apple’s iCloud and backup systems. Dan explained that if a file is stored in iCloud, it won’t be backed up, but if it’s on an iPad and not in iCloud, it will be backed up and stored in the cloud. However, accessing individual files from the backup is not straightforward and requires a full restore of the device. The team also discussed the confusion between backups and archives, with Dan emphasizing that backups are for insurance and should only be used when something goes wrong. The team also touched on the differences between running iPhone apps on a Mac and using the Finder for file management.
Managing Download Folders and Pictures
Kevin and Dan discussed the issue of having two download folders on their devices. Dan explained that one folder is for downloads on the iPad, while the other is for downloads on the iCloud. He suggested renaming these folders for easier identification. Kevin understood that he would need to check the iCloud folder for his downloads, and Dan confirmed this. They also discussed the issue of downloaded pictures being placed in the photos app, which sometimes doesn’t happen.
Apple Maps and Spark Mail Preferences
In the meeting, Dan discussed his preference for Apple Maps over Google Maps, highlighting its usefulness for finding information about local businesses. He also shared his use of Spark Mail, a third-party email app, which he finds more efficient than Apple’s built-in mail app due to its features like templates and AI.
AOL Mail Service and Email Management
Kevin expressed concern about the future of AOL mail, as he had been informed by a knowledgeable individual that AOL might shut down their mail service due to lack of incentive. Dan agreed that it could happen, but also pointed out that it could happen with any email service. He suggested that Kevin could import his AOL mail into Gmail, but warned that he would have to inform everyone of the change. George asked if he could turn off the junk mail feature in his iCloud mail, but Dan suggested that it might still show even if turned off.
Website Issues and Database Discussions
Dan also discussed his experience with various database systems, including Filemaker, Bento, and Tabforms 5, expressing his struggles with the latter. He offered to share his tutorials on Tabforms 5 to help others understand its features better. Dan, Perrin, and Steve discussed various database management tools and their functionalities. Dan recommended checking out Airtable and Notion, which he found useful for managing large amounts of data. He also suggested using Apple’s Pages app for mail merges. The team also discussed the use of Apple’s Contacts app for managing contacts and creating groups for specific purposes like Christmas mailing lists. Dan agreed to explore these options further and possibly create a tutorial on using Contacts for more advanced tasks.
