http://www.tech-101.com/index.php/index.html/_/tutorials/misc/ Thu, 23 Feb 2012 13:19:35 +0000 43200 http://www.tech-101.com/index.php/index.html/_/tutorials/misc/task-problems-and-errors-itunes-r34 iTunes part 3
1 - The basics to Installing and Using iTunes
2 - Syncing Apple Devices to iTunes
3 - Common tasks, problems and error's

This post is going to look at some of the common and possibly if we find any uncommon errors that pop up, including other areas of maintenence -

1 - Exclamation makr when playing music.
This error occurs when the music has simply been moved or deleted from the origional location. You may see something similar to the image below:


To find where the music should be:
1 - Right click the track that is missing
2 - Click Get Info
3 - A pop up will then appear to ask if you want to locate the track - Click No for now.
4 - A new track window will open. If you look at the bottom you will notice the location where the track should be.

The most common time this will happen is if you have music on an external device that is either no plugged in or is on a different drive letter than when the music was imported. Check This Tutorial to find out how to change the drive letter.

2 - iTunes needs to be Authorized.
In order to stop sharing of iTunes videos bought from the iTunes store each PC your device is synced to must be authorized. You may get something similar to the error below:


To rectify this simply click the Authorize button. This will allow you to use those videos and device together on this install of iTunes. If this fails then it is likely you have to many iTunes installs synced. In order to change this you must de-authorize another iTunes machine - click Advanced > De-authorize audible account.

3 - I need to backup my iTunes library
Ok so you have imported all your music and tracks and everything is going well. Here's a good point to backup, as loosing all your effort here can be annoying. This is a fairly simply task in that it involves backup the iTunes library.
1 - Firstly with iTunes closed go to Start > My Documents > My Music
2 - In there you will find a folder called iTunes
3 - Right click this and click Copy
4 - Go to your backup drive/location (external harddrive, USB stick) and paste the folder there.

Now if you ever need to reinstall iTunes or you want to import your library to another machine, you can simply paste this folder into the iTunes folder in My Music. If there is allready an iTunes folder and Windows asks if you want to Merge, Copy All or Ignore choose Merge.

4 - No track names
This can be common if you hasn't properly imported music from a single location.
Very simply to fix however:
Right click the track > click Get Info
Click the Info tab
Here you can fill in the track info etc.

If you want to edit multiple tracks i.e Change the artist for a group of tracks:
1 - Hold down the shift key while clicking on the tracks you want to edit
2 - Right click a selected track name and click Get Info
3 - The pop up that appears - Are you sure you want to edit information for multiple tracks? - Click Yes
4 - Now you can edit information for multiple items]]> Tue, 03 May 2011 18:52:46 +0000 02522a2b2726fb0a03bb19f2d8d9524d http://www.tech-101.com/index.php/index.html/_/tutorials/misc/syncing-devices-itunes-r33 iTunes part 2
1 - The basics to Installing and Using iTunes
2 - Syncing Apple Devices to iTunes
3 - Common tasks, problems and error's

Ok now we have music in iTunes we want to get it on our device. So lets get to it!

1 - First of all you need to plug in your device. Connect the small end of the cable to a USB port in your PC and the wider end to the bottom of your Ipod.



2 - Now launch iTunes by either using the desktop shortcut or selecting it from the start menu.

3 - Windows should now recognise the device and install drivers. The following messages should pop up.
If the device isn't recognised make sure there is a good connection to the device and that the cable is working correctly. Also try another USB port on your PC ot determine it is working.
For further help please ask on the forum.



4 - iTunes should now recognise your device. The name of the device will be shown on the left. My device happens to be called...Kenny.2



5 - Ok now click on your ipod in the left hand menu. This will bring up the device info like in the image below:



Notice this gives you information on the name of the device, how much of which format is on the device (amount of music, videos etc).
Keep an eye on updates for the device to. Click the Check for Updates button to check and if they are available and install them is available.

6 - To sync music click the Music tab on the device menu as shown in the image below



Make sure the same options are checked on your machine. This will allow all music in the library to be synced to the device.

7 - iTunes should automatically be syncing your device. If it isn't right click the device in the left hand menu and click Sync.
The following notice will appear at the top of the screen.


Once this is complete iTunes will make a pinging sound. Your music should be on your device and ready to use. If not then check then ask on the forum for help.]]> Tue, 03 May 2011 18:52:02 +0000 9fc3d7152ba9336a670e36d0ed79bc43 http://www.tech-101.com/index.php/index.html/_/tutorials/misc/installing-itunes-r32 This tutorial is going to go over 3 different areas:
1 - The basics to Installing and Using iTunes
2 - Syncing Apple Devices to iTunes
3 - Common tasks, problems and error's

Part 1 - Installing and using iTunes
First to start of you are going to need to grab yourself a copy of iTunes. Click Here! to go to the download page.
Select the appropriate download - either x32 bit or x64 bit. Not sure which to use? Ask!

1 - Once you have downloaded the program launch the file and you will get a screen similar to the one below.



2 - Click Next and then Accept the Terms and Agreements. Click Next again.



3 - The following page will now allow you to alter the location of iTunes installation. Unless there is an real reson to change it you can leave the installation location as default.
It is up to you whether you want desktop short cuts etc. Uncheck the box If you don't want shortcuts.
I would however uncheck the auto update box. Its one less thing to load on start-up. Just keep an eye out for new versions.

4 - Click Next to begin the install. Vista and Windows 7 users much Accept the UAC prompt.

It will now being to show you the install. Once the installation is finalised click Finish

iTunes and Quick time should now be installed. If you left the last checkbox ticked iTunes will now automatically open.
The following screen will appear - additional windows may appear as its your first time.



Notice: My iTunes already has music in the program due to the prior installation - don't worry if yours is blank.
Also your display may look slightly differently depending on the view you have selected. This can be changed by using the display buttons shown below:


Adding Music
Ok this is another very simple task.

1 - First click File > Add Folder to Library.



2 - Navigate to the folder you want to import. Once you find the folder click Select Folder



3 - The music will now be added to your iTunes list. An additional window may pop up if your music is in the wrong format. If this is the case simply click Ok or Accept. iTunes will then convert the tracks to an acceptable format and put them in your iTunes folder.

If you want to add a single music file in step 1 select Add File to Library.]]> Tue, 03 May 2011 18:51:13 +0000 65ded5353c5ee48d0b7d48c591b8f430 http://www.tech-101.com/index.php/index.html/_/tutorials/misc/buying-online-does-and-donts-r12
The final nail in the coffin came the other day when a user complained that he had ordered a new digital camera from a Chinese wholesaler who contacted him through email. After looking on the site he found suprisingly that it was the cheapest price around by far.
So he snapped up the offer entered his card details and waited...and waited....and waited and to no surprise his goods never came and his money was long gone.
So I'm here to write this guide to buying products on-line and how to do it safely and effectively.

A general rule is: Don't go straight for the cheapest!!
What you see on the web is 70% of the time not what your getting.

When you see a product ask yourself...why is this top range PC being sold for �200 under the asking price...well probably because it either doesn't exist or its not what they are selling.

Make sure you know the site and what they are selling. The web is a huge place with a multitude of undesirable people hosting content. Peer reviewing will get you a long way to getting a good price and actually receiving the product. Ask people if they have bought from the site, and then look for positive experiences.
Google product search is a good point of call USA users click here instead.
Enter the product code of the item and then see to your amazement a list of products and websites.



Once you have found the product you want and have found click the name of the product.
This will bring up a list of overviews



This is the store overview and will give you an overview of all of the retailers providing that product.
From here you get a good overall opinion of the retailer. For even more depth click on the number of seller ratings eg 125 seller ratings



This will now give you a list of all of the site reviews that peers have created. From this you can look at the reviews and see what people have thought of the company.
I would especially look at

• Problems with delivery
  
• Speed of delivery
  
• Returns policy
  
• How easy it was to return a product
  
• Product condition
  
• Customer service

Its allot to look at I know but when someone has a bad opinion about something its most likely they are going to provide this in some fashion or another.
Please however actually read the reviews. Don't simply look at how many it has got and then put it off if it seems "low". Some people are inconsiderate towards a company - they will make them down in some respects for things like slow delivery during a postal strike for example and also blaming the company for a broken product when they merely store the product.

Also look at the amount of reviews. A company with more reviews is likely to have a lower score as a large number of 4 star review's are likely to impact more on a company. If the site only has 3 reviews and is already down 3 stars I would stay away unless there is good reason to shop there
If it doesn't feel right then please close the site and move on. The site should capture you not make you wonder if your account will be empty the next day.

The next key rule people get wrong is Not knowing the source. Companies advertising through email are not to be trusted UNLESS you have actually subscribed to the newsletter.
You may for example get an Amazon email but then may also get China wholesale Rippoffs email to.
Straight away we know who to trust because:

• Amazon is a legitimate site that has built a positive reputation over time
  
• You or someone else will have subscribed that email to Amazon, however the other will be Spam!
  
• Amazon will most probably post legitimate prices. Everyone will feel dodgy buying a $2000 TV from China for $250 right?...

I know it sounds like I am being general here. Not all Asian and Chinese companies will rip you off. I know many a company that will give you great if not excellent service but the majority just don't.
Again go back to peer reviewing. Find other people who have shopped there.

Another key note is to not to let the product find you...you must find it.
If it pops up on a advert then ok it may spark your interest but its likely that its false or more than expected.
Remember the cheap price may not have delivery added on top.
For example a UK company tried to sell us some 8GB memory sticks for �1.50 each. All good until you look at delivery...�30...EACH STICK!!. We could have driven to their headquarters and picked up the product and then driven it back for the same price. Be aware.
International price will be even more and remember the more it has to travel the more its handled and so that flat screen TV might not be so flat when you get it after travelling 3000 miles to get you over sea land and air.

Now card transactions are always a big deal. We like having money, everyone does however little.
However to find it missing one day will cause tears.
First off many users don't loose money due to the website. Its their own fault.

Make sure you are using a secure connection when dealing with credit card transactions. NEVER buy products from an Internet cafe or other public place and especially not from a free Wifi hotspot. These connections will never be secure and will always be riddled with small pot holes to trap and steal your data. Wait untill you get home.

Then make sure your not facing the window were someone can look through. However small this point is it is a good point. A single business lost a number of thousand pounds because their sales department was facing a public park in a nice fancy all glass building.
Sure they looked good but when the guy sat on the park bench opposite can watch your sales data flash up on your screen there are opportunists that will take the advantage.

Always Always Always look for the security signs when completing a credit card transaction.
Your browser will give hints and tips along the way.

Remember that annoying message you told your PC not to show again that said your leaving a secure area? Well get it back...now.

As annoying as it is its there for you. If you see this message as any point during a transaction move away and stay away. You are leaving a secure space and could be putting your self at risk. This should only appear when you have finished the transaction and bought the goods and don't need to enter any more credit card details

The address bar also holds a hint. Your normal site would be http://www.Amazon.co.uk. During your credit card transaction this should change to
https://www.Amazon.co.uk. See difference?

That added S means "Secure". You are now running along a secure encrypted connection. Your data is safer, and you should breathe easy. Without this your data could be freely passing along the web.

This guide was never intended for shopping tips. I'm not here to try and help you get the best deal I'm hoping to try and give you a better solid and more secure backbone when you are online and so these points are generalised to sum p the guide and give some more pointers:

• Reputation on the web is everything. Seen a bad review for a site then find a new one. There will be equally good price elsewhere.
  
• Don't always go for the cheapest. If the price is of a huge difference eg a few hundred pounds different then it could present a problem. However if its in a sale then take full advantage if the source can be trusted
  
• Look at the country of origin. Remember a good deal 3000 miles away will impact on the products final delivery quality and also on shipping.
  
• Make sure you are secure before hand. Make sure you have a firewall and a secure connection. Don't order thing's in a public place. Ask in the forum for help!!
  
• If anything feels dodgy about the website then stay away and do a search on the web for reviews for the site.
  
• Don't trust all price comparison sites. Look yourself. Work for your money and make sure the price your paying is the final price.
  
• If the price is slightly more from a larger retailer remember you are paying for better customer service and a more secure transaction and also bettrer support in the future.

Happy surfing

Any corrections or improvements? Please let me know.]]> Wed, 16 Feb 2011 23:07:18 +0000 7f6ffaa6bb0b408017b62254211691b5