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Apple does offer an ‘Advanced data protection’ feature.  All of your data in iCloud is encrypted on device before being uploaded to iCloud. Apple does not have access nor does law enforcement. They don’t have the encryption key.

I’m tempted but hesitant. If you lose access to your devices or apple account all of your data is gone…  (I do back up my data on my own but it would be far less convenient to restore and set up my devices)

Alternatively, if you use the default setting the iCloud data is end to end encrypted, and resides in an encrypted state on their servers but apple has the encryption key.  So.. they can get your data back if there is a problem. Law enforcement can gain access via a warrant..

Apple goes one step farther and doesn’t associate the data sent to your Apple ID…  when I read Apple’s briefing note it sure sounds like they have made every effort for privacy and that the database of landmarks is too big for on device comparison.

In my mind their only sin was not telling people they are doing this….. it would have been easy to include an explanation and opt in screen on the 18 or 15 install.

I’m leaving it turned on…not concerning to me…

well said…you and the whole team have my sincerest condolences

3 users thanked author for this post.

LongTimer, WSLeighW, AJNorth

rebop2020 wrote:

Thanks.

I have removed Crossover. Quicken, which they claim to support near perfectly, had display and performance glitiches. One other app they say works well did not for me. Crashed. No other Windows app installed or ran that I tested out of 8 small apps. And support was terse and not particulalry helpful. Add insult – their Uninstall App left behind files and folders.

Maybe it works well with games, but I am not a gamer.

Could not recommend to anyone, alas.

It seems pretty good at translating Direct X to Metal, I’m guessing whatever apps you are using  call on packages in windows that are not well translated.

To tell you the truth I’m surprised when anything being translated from x86 to ARM works at all…. when I’m playing a game I feel like I’m watching a monkey play the piano…

I’m guessing the more Windows embraces ARM the less of a problem this will be…..

rebop2020 wrote:

Not what I asked, but thanks. I can check their apps databases myself, and have. I ‘s like to hear from folks using or have used WINE (or Crossover – and yes for MAC) and how it worked, what it broke, do they recommend, etc.

I spent the money and bought Crossover.  It works way better than the free whiskey app. I suspect if you spent some time with whiskey installing the right packages and configuring it you could achieve similar performance.

I installed steam using the crossover install package and installed a few games, Fallout3, Doom3, Dungeon Siege and half-life 2.  They run really well and have no problem firing up with my external monitor, speakers and keyboard.  I also noticed the computer isn’t working as hard.  It’s not eating the battery or getting warm.  Andrew Tsai on youtube does a great job showing games running on Crossover and critiquing performance.  I used his discount code to buy Crossover. https://www.youtube.com/@Andytizer   Discount til March 25 APPLEGAMINGWIKINEW

He runs some pretty demanding games through Crossover.  It works quite well in my mind..

 

rebop2020 wrote:

Not what I asked, but thanks. I can check their apps databases myself, and have. I ‘s like to hear from folks using or have used WINE (or Crossover – and yes for MAC) and how it worked, what it broke, do they recommend, etc.

I use the free whiskey app (it uses wine) to run Steam for Windows on my MacBook.  It works well when I run Half-Life 2.  the performance is great but with a couple of minor issues,  I have to start the game before plugging in the external monitor.  Sound will play through the headphone jack or laptop speakers but not through my bluetooth connected AirPods. Those problems may be solvable, not sure, haven’t really investigated.

I may get crossover at some point. I sounds like its a little more polished. Currently Whiskey does what I need for free.

Paul T wrote:

With yourself? 

cheers, Paul

60% of the time I agree with myself every time

lol

Is anyone at Askwoody was up for doing a VPN service review? I hear things like: ‘VPN services are honey pots’ etc.. it would be great to have a list of VPN services are legitimately providing the privacy and protection people are paying for.

Thanks for all the great work you do!!!

2 users thanked author for this post.

rizzquery, rc primak

SB9K wrote:

Recently I had changed my online banking account’s security settings so that OTP is required for every login, regardless of whether my browser is recognized. And I always use the log out link at the end of each session

I find apple’s private relay service or the anti tracking features in safari seem to stop my bank from remembering the browser so I’ve been needing OTP every time.

I’m thinking two factor for every log in if you’re using a browser or the dedicated banking app with face id… anything less is seems to carry more risk..

The fact they got compromised at two separate banks at the same time is bothering me.

It would require a two phishing attempts hitting them at the same time, and falling for both of them and the phishing attempts happened to match two banks they use….

Its very strange…

Alex5723 wrote:

I use my Bank’s app on my iPhone for banking.
Login use FaceID (no user password required) and no two factor.
I use Apple Pay with my Apple Watch. In case of large transactions I do get a verification code from the credit card issuer.

In the case of the “PC hacking” it could be that they were not hacked but directed to a false bank page where they entered their user and password.

That’s what I do for the most part as well.  Refusing to log into banking in a browser, ever, would help.

“b” That’s a good point, I was believing their information that the computer had been compromised somehow. They are only assuming that.

Thanks folks, all good advice and a phishing email makes way more sense than anything else.

I will explore two factor for my in-laws…

Cheers

Al

1 user thanked author for this post.

b

I was basing the memory bandwidth numbers on what Apple advertised. My purchase will wait until the computer is in stock at the store and I have read enough reviews to know what I am getting.

Re Windows>Mac, I am also recent to the conversion, I was not meaning to dissuade migrating but to expect some learning. I found myself looking up the Mac version of keyboard shortcuts on a daily basis for a time…  or hunting in the context menu for a different term than windows used….   it’s all little things, stuff like when you hold down the option button some of the file menu items change…

I guess it might not be far off of going from Windows 10 to Windows 11.. things in different places sometimes using different words….

Either way, like you say, a base mac mini is a fairly inexpensive way to try it out if you’re not sure.

Your advice to buy a base model Mini to try out the operating system is a very good recommendation. I started with a M1 MacBook Air myself in 2024. The operating system is different enough that you need to relearn how to do many basic tasks. With that said, there is an elegance to the operating system. There is a very high level of fit and finish that is consistent system-wide. The Unix roots and Terminal window will be familiar to Linux users.

One other note: if you’re replacing your main workhorse computer, the memory bandwidth speed difference between the M4 and M4 Pro chip is huge. The M4 Pro chip is my starting point for my daily driver.

 

I spent most of my computing life on Windows, including working in IT for 4 years before I retired. I abandoned that for an iPad Pro in 2018 and have now migrated to a MacBook in 2024. My dislike of trackpads held me back. It took way less time to get used to it than I expected and now I prefer it to a mouse. Apple trackpads are large and very well made.

Thanks for everything you do. I rely on your newsletter to keep up with Windows happenings. Keep up the great work!!!!

1 user thanked author for this post.

Will Fastie

Re: Image resizer

I really like the way the program Image Resizer for Windows works but I don’t believe the re-sized image quaility is as good as the original Microsoft Powertoy. It bothered me enough to look for something better. I ended up installing Light Image Resizer (formerly VSO). http://www.obviousidea.com/windows-software/light-image-resizer/how-to-resize-a-photo/ I found that the resulting image quality was much better. It has the same shell type interface which allows you to right click to resize. When I clicked on the above link it gave a free licence in return for “Liking” it on facebook. Otherwise I think it is nagware….

Cheers
Al