Importance of Backing Up!

Don’t be this guy…

Courtesy of Ahajokes

I cannot begin to tell you how many students I see daily who explain exasperatedly that they wish the importance of backing up along with how easy it is to back up using Middfiles was all part of the Orientation and actively reiterated throughout their years here. This is stated by students who lost data over –

  • issues with their hard drive,
  • or water damage to the computer,
  • or dropping it and causing a delay in using their laptop so it can be fixed.

There is a very easy way to back your important work up which could be your-

  • Midd-term papers
  • Final papers
  • Thesis

You can have access to it any time you need it.  The best part is …it’s free!

Use Middfiles to back up and you can put access to it right on your Dock.  The link below is a portal to instructions and the link to your personal back up space.

http://mediawiki.middlebury.edu/wiki/LIS/Using_File_Servers_-_Macintosh

When you have created this access to Middfiles don’t forget to click the link Create an Alias for Quick Access… this instructs how to put access to Middfiles right on your Dock.

Remember- Back up, Back up, Back up!

Apple Tip- The Kernel Panic

by Doubleknot.com

We have been bombarded with movies that indicate the possibility of computers running themselves and the world around them like the movie Terminator and then there was The Matrix and then AI. There are rare times with your Mac when you may think there is a “ghost in the machine”.  Your Mac may just restart itself, or spontaneously shut down or become unresponsive (of course, this only happens when you haven’t yet saved important data).  This reaction may indicate a Kernel Panic which is your Mac’s way of signifying that a problem is occurring or “I give up”, hence the shutdown.  The Kernel Panic is not software related; it is from a hardware and/or an external related problem.  There are many variables with hardware/external related issues that could result in the Kernel Panic from defective RAM, corrupt drivers,  hard disk corruption or possibly even  a loose Airport Card.

Software Update  Apple is always stressing the point that often times, issues with your Mac can be avoided simply by updating your software when prompted to.  These software updates may not help you avoid the Kernel Panic, but some do help improve how your Mac deals with issues because they are designed to help alleviate problems by improving your Mac’s tolerance for external issues. Steps to take long before you know there is a problem, for instance– when you get that annoying prompt “Updates Available”.  

So yet again, I jump on the Soapbox and reiterate the importance of performing SOFTWARE UPDATES when necessary.

If you have a Mac with OX S Mavericks or an older operating system like Mountain Lion, Lion or an earlier version, you can get a general idea of what kind of symptoms to look for at the link provided below.  But be forewarned that Apple would now like Mac owner’s to follow the protocol to have a certified Mac Technician or Genius Bar at an Apple Store look at your Mac to determine exactly why the Kernel Panic is happening.  The Troubleshooting instructions found on the link below to determine the source of the Kernel Panic on your Mac is now NOT Recommended by Apple. Simply use this link to determine if a Kernel Panic did occur.

Apple Support

In summary,

        I.            first and foremost- UPDATE SOFTWARE, which in the long run, may help you avoid issues from happening with your Mac.

      II.            A Kernel Panic happens as a result of your computer signifying a problem is occurring which would likely be from external sources not from a software related issue.  

    III.            Last but not least, this also signifies that you need to bring your Mac in to see a specialist, a Certified Apple Technician.

Our Certified Apple Technician to handle all customer Mac issues is Ark Lemal , who can be reached at 802/318-4657 or in the College Bookstore- Monday, Wednesday and Friday each week.

Apple-Tech1

Apple Desk Quick Tip!

Holiday Savings

Saving Money!

Did you know that when you purchase a Panther Rewards Bookstore Gift Card for $250, $500, $750 or $1,000, your Gift Card comes with money added on it automatically- FREE?  For instance, if you purchase a $500 Panther Rewards Gift Card, you get $15 added to it.  You can then turn around and use this Gift Card to purchase an iPad Air (example)  for that special someone and use that additional $15 as savings on the iPad!

Two wonderful things are accomplished with buying smart- first, you save money- bonus, then you are appreciated for your thoughtful gift- double bonus!

 Buy smart, get savings with a Panther Rewards Gift Card.

dollars

MacBook Pro With Retina Displays are in!!

MacBook Pro Retina Display

MacBook Pro Retina Display

Wow!

Come in and get your new 13″ or 15″ Mac with Retina display. The new 13″ Mac with Retina Display now comes in three choices.

  • MacBook Pro 13-inch with Retina Display: 2.4GHz Dual-core Intel Core i5, 128GB   $1,199.00
  • MacBook Pro 13-inch with Retina Display: 2.4GHz Dual-core Intel Core i5, 256GB   $1,399.00
  • MacBook Pro 13-inch with Retina Display: 2.6GHz Dual-core Intel Core i5  512GB    $1,699.00

The new 15″ comes in these choices.

  • MacBook Pro 15-inch with Retina Display: 2.0GHz Quad-core Intel Core i7  256GB   $1,899.00
  • MacBook Pro 15-inch with Retina Display: 2.3GHz Quad-core Intel Core i7  512GB   $2,399.00

 

 

Homecoming Deal!

IMG_3456

Quick- come by the bookstore for a homecoming deal! Stop by and check out our selection of baseball caps and winter hats. When you purchase a hat you get 15% off a pair of sweatpants. Now that that temperature is cooling down, you’ll want to stock up on these cozy Middlebury necessities! This is a homecoming special that you won’t want to miss!

!IMG_3455