siiveldotcom: 2015

Sunday, December 20, 2015

Studio Display Mod - Protective Film for the Display

The Studio Display is heavy. It is about 45.8 lb (21 kg). The whole weight of the display is being sustaied by the stand. To make it worst, as the monitor is already a very old item, there will be some depreciation, degrading or weakening of the structure, including the stand. Therefore, whether it is still fit to hold the CRT is in doubt. In fact, my original Studio Display has been broken at the stand.

After the modification, the display will be much lighter, as the CRT will be removed. However, it is still a good idea to strengthen the structure of the stand to prevent it from damage and extend its lifespan.

DIY Protective Skin for Apple Studio Display

Making a Protective Skin for the Stand

We have initiated a number of proposals, but finally, we found that applying Bestskinsever protective skin on the stand of the Studio Display appears to be the best solution.

Finished! (Front View)

Finished! (Rear View)

The Bestskinsever Skins on the Display Stand is Hardly Noticed

The on scale blueprint will be uploaded in another passage, you may need it if you have this monitor, even if you don't mod it.

Modder | Producer | Blogger | Youtuber

Email: siiveldotcom@gmail.com

Tuesday, December 8, 2015

Studio Display Mod - Polishing the Case

Despite the revolution of LCD technology bring about production of HD monitors with 4K or even 5K resolutions, some people still concern not only the screen quality per se but also the overall design of a monitor (like me XD). This is one of the articles about modifying an obseleted Apple Studio Display 17" (ADC) to meet present use.
Polishing the shell is one of the most important step of our current Studio Display modification project as our goal is to give a junk Mac a new life. "A new life" not only limited to the innards spec but also to the outlook.

There were Many Scratches over the Case of Studio Display

Used Macs always unavoidably have the surface scratched in varying degrees. By rubbing the case with liquid polish, we remove the scratches and creat a smooth and shiny surface.

Dents on the Studio Display

For the Studio Display I am modifying, as it was originally an inoperative junk item, or perhaps a trash-picked item :), there are hundreds of scratches on the shell, some areas even have dents thus even polish is no use (sad). But we still try our best to renovate it.

We first use some Tamiya sand papers to rub the heavy scratch, then by liquid polish 3000 (particle size about 3 micrometres) followed by 9800 (particle size about 1 micrometre). Now most of the scratches has been removed.

Studio Display - After Being Polished

Modder | Producer | Blogger | Youtuber

Email: siiveldotcom@gmail.com

Sunday, December 6, 2015

Studio Display Mod - What is "Apple Studio Display"?

Despite the revolution of LCD technology bring about production of HD monitors with 4K or even 5K resolutions, some people still concern not only the screen quality per se but also the overall design of a monitor (like me XD). This is one of the articles about modifying an obseleted Apple Studio Display 17" (ADC) to meet present use.
From 1998 to 2003, Apple Manufactured a series of displays bearing the name of "Studio Display". Unlike "iMac", "iBook" or "Power Mac" which have more or less similar outlook in their respective generations, the Studio Display however could be a LCD, CRT; could have DB-15, VGA, DVI or ADC connections. It appears that one couldn't establish a standard in the outlook and specs of those Studio Displays.

Various Studio Displays being Manufactured by Apple

Note:

(1) Apple Studio Display 15" (Mar 1998) in Transparent Dark Blue Colour. It had a DB-15, 2 ADB ports, a S-video and Composite video port.

(2) Apple Studio Display 15" (Aug 1999) in Transparent graphite and white. In DVI connection.

(3) Apple Studio Display 15" (Jan 1999) in Transparent blueberry and white. In VGA connection.

(4) Apple Studio Display in Transparent blueberry and white in Jan 1999 (17" & 21" CRT). VGA connection only.

(5) Apple Studio Display in Transparent graphite and white in Aug 1999 (17" & 21" CRT). VGA Connection only.

(6) Apple Studio Display 15" (July 2000), 17" (Mar 2001) and 20" (Jan 2003 designate as "Cinema Display). Only in ADC connection.

(7) Apple Studio 17" CRT Display (ADC) in clear acrylic shell (July 2000). ADC only.

(8) A Studio Display 17" with the Power Mac G4 Tower.

Modder | Producer | Blogger | Youtuber

Email: siiveldotcom@gmail.com

Saturday, December 5, 2015

Studio Display Mod - About ADC Connection

Apple Display Connector

The ADC combines analog and digital video signals, USB, and power all in one cable. Users only need to plug that one and only one cable exert from an ADC monitor to the Mac which has an ADC connection, and it will provide power and signals required for the display connected.

Apple Studio 17 CRT Display (ADC) was the last CRT display issued by Apple, it has also an ADC connection. Unlike other CRT displays of its time, ADC is the only cable out for this monitor.

ADC Cable of Apple Studio 17 CRT Display (ADC)

The ADC Cable will be preserve in my mod work

Some people complain about the lack of compatibility of the ADC connector. When a device which has DVI only, one need to buy an DVI to ADC adapter for his/her ADC-only monitor. The adapter itself was not cheap, about US$149 at that time. Even if one has this adapter, s/he will find it incompatible with Apple Studio 17 CRT Display (ADC).

I personally, however, adore this connector as I dislike too much cables on the table. The idea which combines all proprietaries into one cable is really terrific cos I don't need to care about all complex connections; also, I Don't need to find power cord/VGA/DVI/Display port for my monitor.

For the upcoming modification work, I am planning to preserve this ADC cable for the Studio Display. I don't want to make several holes for a power cord, a Display Port, a VGA/DVI, that is stupid. At the same time, I will made an adapter so that it will be able to connect with the latest Macs like Intel Mac Minis.

Modder | Producer | Blogger | Youtuber

Email: siiveldotcom@gmail.com

Tuesday, December 1, 2015

Siivel Youtube Channel - 500 Subscribers Reached

We are so happy that our channel at Youtube, now have 500 people subscribing. That is really out of our initial expectation.

Originally, we were just to share our iMac G3 i7 Modification Project. Subsequently, watchers keep giving their comments and we modified a Clamshell, an Airport Harddisk, and a iMac G3 Version 2.

In fact, we are still working on our list of different projects. Which includes:

(a) upgrading the screen resolution of iMac G3 and Clamshell;

(b) modifying a Studio CRT Display;

(d) modifying an iBook G4.

Our workshop is in a total mess...-_-;

I understand that I have severe sound crack and my English is not good. I will try my best to improve. We might add sub titles in the videos； or even fire Erik out as a reporter. Anyway, thank you so much for your patient watching.

Thank you so much for your support, we will keep working on those work and bring to you more surprising mods soon!

Erik Siivel (@siivel.com)

Modder | Producer | Blogger | Youtuber

Email: siiveldotcom@gmail.com

Thursday, November 26, 2015

Studio Display Mod - Take Apart the CRT

http://tim.id.au/laptops/apple/displays/studio17adc.pdf

After disassembled the Display, you will have the following stuffs:

(a) the Outer Case - comprising of the front bezel, the rear housing and the stand;

(b) the deflection board; and

Among these, the CRT is our subject matter which needs to be replaced by a LCD.

However, the CRT has leaded glass and poisoning substances inside. So when you take apart of it you need to pay special attention. Remember not to break the glass or you might be exposed to those poisoning substances therein. After take apart the CRT, hand over to e-scarp porofessionals for handling.

After disassemble the display, I applied glue between the front bezel and a 16" LCD.

Modifying Apple Studio CDT Display (ADC)

Mac OSX Yosemite Shown Up in Apple Studio CRT Display (ADC)

Is that a good idea to modify the display this way?

The CRT was being replaced by a 16" LCD Panel

I think it is amazing to see an Apple Studio CRT Display (ADC) works with a Mac Mini.

It is just the beginning. Please stay tuned to this blog:)

Modder | Producer | Blogger | Youtuber

Email: siiveldotcom@gmail.com

Wednesday, November 25, 2015

Studio Display Mod - An Idea

In the early 2000s, Apple manufactured several displays bearing the name as "Studio Display". The Studio Didplay I am referring to, in this article, is the "Apple Studio Display 17 (ADC)", which was introduced by Apple in July 2000 and terminated in May 2001.

Apple Studio Display 17 (ADC)

This Apple display is a "D-shaped" monitor with a Diamondtron CRT installed. It has a viewable area of 16”. Its connection via an ADC connector meant it could be used with a Power Mac G4 and a Power Mac G4 Cube only.

It is a beautiful monitor with a clear acryl-plastic housing. The display adapted the Apple Display Connector (ADC) technology which was a new technology at that time which accepts power and signal simultaneously.

It is one of the Masterpieces of Apple. Yet, due to its limited compatibility with merely Power Mac G4 and the G4 Cube, it became obsolete quickly.

Some people had some creative idea changing it into a hamster home. I however thinking if I could make it compatible with the latest Mac. For example, replace the CRT by an LCD, using the mini display port as the connector. Have you got other ideas in modifying this?

Modder | Producer | Blogger | Youtuber

Email: siiveldotcom@gmail.com

Friday, November 13, 2015

How to Use Split View of Mac OSX El Capitan

One of the most appealing features in the new OS X El Capitan is allowing users to put two apps into one screen together, splitting side-by-side. So that you don't need to switch from one application to another via Mission Control.

(However, please note that not all application in Mac OSX El Capitan support the split screen.)

Follow the steps for splitting the screen:

(1) Go to “System Preferences” -> "Mission Control" -> check the box “Displays have separate Spaces”.

(2) Maximize the screen of an application (in this example, Safari) by clicking the green button at the upper-left-hand corner of the window. The application which support split screen should have 2 arrows in opposite directions within the green button, instead of a "+" sign.

Splitting the Screen of Mac OSX El Capitan

(3) Repeat the procedure of (1) for maximizing another window (e.g. TextEdit) which you want to split the screen.

(4) Now you have 2 applications running full-screen mode. Then launch "Mission Control" and you will see 3 thumbnails at the top of the screen, namely, "Desktop", “Safari" and “TextEdit”.

(5) Drag the thumbnail of "TextEdit" into that of “Safari”, or vice versa, then the windows will be merged into one.

(6) To resize the windows, click and drag the black margin between the 2 screen leftwards or rightwards.

Drag the Black Margins Between 2 Applications to Resize.

Erik Siivel (@siivel.com)

Modder | Producer | Blogger | Youtuber

Email: siiveldotcom@gmail.com

Thursday, November 12, 2015

How to Pin Tab in Safari?

Pinned Tab is a new feature of Safari for Mac OSX El Capitan. For those sites which support Pinned Tab, after one pins the site, a small icon will be shown up at Pinned Tab, otherwise, the first letter will be chosen in lieu of an icon.

Adding a site to Pinned Tab is simple:

(1) Open the site you want to add into the Pin Tab, in my example, Apple.com.

(2) Place the pointer on the site tab and right-click (Control+Click), a box "Pin Tab" will appear.

(3) Choose "Pin Tab" and the Site's pin icon will be added into the Pinned Tab.

Isn't that easy?

Erik Siivel (@siivel.com)

Modder | Producer | Blogger | Youtuber

Email: siiveldotcom@gmail.com

Wednesday, November 11, 2015

"Brightness Slider" for Mac OSX Review

Yesterday I come across an app at Mac App Store which is used to manupulate the screen brightness. It is called "Brightness Slider".

Brightness Slider in Mac App Store

Go to Mac App Store -> Download Brightness Slider -> Double-clicked It -> Install

The Adjustment Bar is Located in the Menu Bar.

After the installation, there will be a "Sun-shaped" icon on the menu bar. Click it and you can adjust the brightness by either slide with your mouse or the press up/down buttons.

Brightness in Maximum Level.

Reduce the Brightness. The screen will become completely dark if one slides the bar to the other extreme.

This application is a powerful. With this app, you can control the brightness in the "software level" and the level of darkness could adjust to completely black screen. It frees up 2 function keys of my iBook i5 for other uses.

This app is free at Mac App Store. Worth downloading before it was charged:)

Erik Siivel (@siivel.com)

Modder | Producer | Blogger | Youtuber

Email: siiveldotcom@gmail.com

How to Add a Safari Pinned Tab Icon for Your Site?

Pinned Tab for Safari

siivel.com is Now Pin Tab Supported

We have update our site by adding a Safari Pinned Tab Icon. It is easy.

(1) Made a monochromatic .gif file. For my site's icon, I merely use a black 100x100 pixel gif icon.

(2) Change the .gif icon into .svg file and save it. I do the conversion here:
http://image.online-convert.com/convert-to-svg

And then I save it as img.svg in my web-site server.

(3) Add the following link into the "header" of the site:

<header><link rel=”mask-icon” href=”img.svg” color=”Black”></header>

Remarks: (1) "img.svg" is the file name of my image. You might change the link's .svg name in line with your own image; (2) In my case, the colour of the icon is default as "Black", you might however decide your icon's colour yourself.

(4) Restart Safari and finished.

Written by: Erik Siivel (@siivel.com)

Modder | Producer | Blogger | Youtuber

Email: siiveldotcom@gmail.com

Tuesday, November 10, 2015

Updating iStat Menus, Pages, Numbers and Keynote

Today, I install some applications for my iBook i5. They are, namely, iStat Menus, Pages, Numbers, and Keynote.

Installing iStat Menus, Pages, Numbers and Keynote

Installing iStat Menus, Pages, Keynote and Numbers in McDonald's.

The iStat Menus is the tool monitoring the hardware of the Mac, including the CPU and RAM usage, network speed, battery life, fan speed and temperature.

One could even use the iStat Menus to manupulate the fan speed.

I bought previous version of iStat Menus months ago to monitor my iBook i5. After upgrading to OSX El Capitan from Yosemite, I noted that there is an upgrade for free so I install it accordingly.

As to Pages, Numbers and Keynote, I used to compose documents with Open Office. Now as those apps become free; declared to be compatible with Microsoft Office; and most importantly, now it appears that they become indispensable components of Mac OS and iCloud; I think they are worth trying and thus install accordingly.

Written by: Erik Siivel (@siivel.com)

Modder | Producer | Blogger | Youtuber

Email: siiveldotcom@gmail.com

Monday, November 9, 2015

iBook i5 with Mac OSX El Capitan Upgraded

Here's my last article in this blog about upgrading the OS of the iMac G3 i7 to OSX El Capitan:

http://siiveldotcom.blogspot.com/2015/11/installing-mac-osx-el-capitan-on-imac.html

After that upgrade, everything were running smoothly.

Now it is the turn for my iBook i5. iBook i5 is not my primary system, hence the upgrade was relatively easier. The procedure was the same with that of iMac G3 i7:

Go to Mac App Store -> Download OSX El Capitan -> Launch it -> Wait

One needs to plug the adapter or the Mac won't allow the installation to begin.

The iBook i5 is installing the OSX El Capitan

The installation took about 60-70 minutes.

Installation Finished!

Now the iBook i5 Comes with a New Operating System.

I haven't made an upgrade video for my iMac G3 i7, but have for this iBook, that is a short video and the URL is:

http://youtu.be/9gd1W8Kkm_4

See you soon!

Written by: Erik Siivel (@siivel.com)

Modder | Producer | Blogger | Youtuber

Email: siiveldotcom@gmail.com

Saturday, November 7, 2015

(Got It!) The Stand for 17" Apple Studio (CRT) Display

This May, I bought a vintage Apple Studio (CRT) display with a damaged stand.

http://siiveldotcom.blogspot.com/2015/03/wanted-stand-for-17-apple-studio-crt.html

This Apple Studio (CRT) Display is a classical fantastic collector item. It is difficult to imagine that one will smash it and give me the stand. Nevertheless, I keep searching at ebay and some auction sites.

The Ad of the Apple Studio Display

Eventually I come across one with a junk one. It has cracks at the front panel. Moreover, there were scratches over the screen. The seller asked for about US$12 for this junk monitor.

The Screen is Full of Scratches.

Cracks Around the Apple Logo.

The Pic is Blurred, I am Not Sure if there were a Crack at its Back.

This monitor is heavy. After considering the possible huge shipping cost, I asked the seller if he could send the stand to me. He agreed and the deal was reached. Shipping cost for this is about US$25.

After some days, the stand arrived in a strong box.

The Stand of Apple Display was being Packed in a Strong Box.

There is only Few Scratches on the Stand.

It is in good condition. I am glad that now I have a complete Studio Display in my collection.

Written by: Erik Siivel (@siivel.com)

Modder | Producer | Blogger | Youtuber

Email: siiveldotcom@gmail.com

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Sunday, December 20, 2015

Tuesday, December 8, 2015

Sunday, December 6, 2015

Saturday, December 5, 2015

Tuesday, December 1, 2015

Thursday, November 26, 2015

Wednesday, November 25, 2015

Friday, November 13, 2015

Thursday, November 12, 2015

Wednesday, November 11, 2015

Tuesday, November 10, 2015

Monday, November 9, 2015

Saturday, November 7, 2015