MacMost: MacMost Now

There are many ways to organize your photos in iPhoto. But the best method involves using keywords to tag each photo so you can search your collection for anything at any time.

You may be familiar with the store, discussion forums and software lists at Apple's site. But did you know you can locate a repair shop, download PDF manuals, view movie trailers and more?

The iPad has many apps that can be used to create and view documents. Getting those documents to and from the iPad can be done using several different methods. You can do it using iTunes and special features built into some apps.

You can use iWork Keynote to make video presentations for many uses. You can simply narrate a slideshow, or present a series of points to form an idea. It is a great way to create video without having to appear on camera.

One interesting feature of Numbers on the iPad is the ability to create forms. You can use forms to fill in the rows of a spreadsheet instead of entering data into the spreadsheet grid.

Learn interface window basics like resizing, closing and opening new windows. Learn how the red, yellow and green buttons at the upper left of most windows work.

You can use the Mail Merge feature in iWork Pages to print envelopes, letters or any document that uses different names and addresses on each page. You can get the data from your Address Book or from a Numbers spreadsheet.

If you use iBooks on your iPad or iPhone, you can only read books in EPUB format. If you have books in text or PDF format you may want to convert them to EPUB so you can read them in iBooks. You can do this with Calibre, a free open-source e-book library application.

You can use Keynote to create animated charts and graphs. Then, you can export them to use in iMovie and other software to make video presentations.

You can use the iPad Camera Connection Kit to import photos directly from your camera or an SD card. You can also connect USB headsets and some keyboards.

iTunes lets you use a variety of file formats for ripping CDs or converting music. Learn about each one: AIFF, WAV, MP3, AAC and Apple Lossless. Decide which format might work best for your music collection.

Learn how to wrap text around images using either a one or two column layout. Find out how to use images with an alpha channel, images with a solid background, or define a shape to wrap the text around. Also, find out how to crop images.

You can use Activity Monitor to see how your Mac is using memory. But what do free, active, inactive and wired mean? How about page ins and page outs? Plus, learn to use them to figure out if you need more memory.

You can use both an Apple Wireless Keyboard and the iPad Keyboard Dock with your iPad. Learn what each has to offer, and what special features you get when using an external keyboard instead of the on-screen keyboard.

Web-based email accounts have been the target of malicious hackers and spammers recently. Find out how they get access to an account, and how to protect yourself. See how to check your Gmail account for unauthorized access. Protect your account with a strong, secure password.

The Photos app is used to view pictures on your iPad that you sync from iPhoto or iTunes. Although the app is very limited, photos do look great on the iPad screen.

Learn about some handy Mac keyboard shortcuts and how you can get a free printable page of common shortcuts at http://macmost.com/j-keyboard.

To play music on your iPad, use the iPod App. It gives you access to all the music, audiobooks and podcasts you have synced from iTunes. The iPad version of the iPod app lets you create playlists as well.

Take a look at the Maps app on the iPad. It provides quick access to Google maps, with the ability to search, get directions, view satellite and street view images and traffic.

Take a look at the Mail app on the iPad. It has a beautiful design and is very easy to use. But it lacks powerful features.