The Automator application is probably the least used app on most Macs. This is mostly because most people haven’t tried using it or just don’t see its potential and power it holds.

Here are 4 great websites with tons of Automator actions, tasks, scripts and much more to help you rekindle the power of your Automator:
Automator World

Mac Scripter

Automator.us

Apple Downloads – Automator

Enjoy! Let me know if you know of Automator resources you love to use.

4 of the Best Automator Actions and Scripts Sites is a post from: The Custom Mac

Ive been seeing more and more of these concept photoshop jobies popping up lately. So now for your praising and trashing I present to you the Unofficial Apple Netbook Concepts. Be sure to tell us what you think about these in the comments.

#1 Dual Touch Screen NetBook

Beautiful image by Hugo Lala.

#2 Keyboard Size Version

#2 Another Primitive Average Concept

#3 MacBook Mini

By Isamu Sanada

#4 Mac Air

By Isamu Sanada

#5 Tri Book

#6 Apple Tab

#7 MacBook Touch

#8 Apple iPone/Netbook Concept

#9 Another Tablet/Netbook Concept

#10 iNetBook

So there you have it. Know of some that you don’t see here? Be sure to share them.

10 Apple NetBook Concepts is a post from: The Custom Mac

I am starting a new segment of posts title “Creative Macs”. These will be posts on all pertaining to people doing creative things with their Macs. I would love for this to become a community post project so if you find, read or know of a such related topic or story let me know.

This edition is MacBook maestro Ge Wang beds the boundaries of computer a musical instrument.

Stanford Laptop Orchestra (SLOrk), an ensemble of student computer scientists and musicians that uses 20 MacBooks to compose and perform new music. It’s an experimental fusion of portable computing and live performance that harnesses the notebook’s plug-and-play compatibility, state-of-the-art sensors, and raw processing power.

With SLOrk, we’re pushing the boundaries of how people make electronic music. For us, the MacBook is at the center of that goal. It enables everything we do. – Ge Wang composer/researcher/programmer

You can read the more about this group and what they do on Apple’s Creative Pro section of their website. You should also check out the SLOrk site and the video below of the Stanford Laptop Orchestra featured on evening news after the concert in the sculpture garden.

Stanford Laptop Orchestra: SLOrk on ABC 7 News

Mac Creativity: Stanford Laptop Orchestra is a post from: The Custom Mac

Yesterday Apple updated iTunes to 8.1 with a couple new features. The first being the renaming of the Party Shuffle to iTunes DJ. But more interesting than the name change is some new settings that come along with it. After you update iTunes and click on the iTunes DJ you will get the following screen letting you know of these 2 main options:

Once you click Continue and then open up the settings on the lower right of the window, you are given the following options DJ options:

Allow guests to request songs with Remote for iPhone or iPod touch
Add a welcome message
Enable Voting – Guests can vote to control when songs play
Require password

So now when you host a posh gathering your poshy friends with their posh Apple devices can interact with each other and your music.

Here are some other new features you will find in the 8.1 version:

• Supports syncing with iPod shuffle (3rd generation).

• Adds Genius sidebar for your Movies and TV Shows.

• Improves performance when downloading iTunes Plus songs.

• Provides AutoFill for manually managed iPods (anther way cool feature).
• Allows CDs to be imported at the same sound quality as iTunes Plus.
• Includes many accessibility improvements.

• Allows iTunes U and the iTunes Store to be disabled separately using Parental Controls.

iTunes Updated to 8.1 is a post from: The Custom Mac

Apple announced a new iPod Shuffle today with some interesting feature, a major one being the thing now talks to you. Other features include playlists, a new control interface via the ear phones and of course its crazy small. If you thought the shuffle was small you will be amazed at the size of the new one.

Be sure to check out the video at Apple site.

I will be interesting to see how well this new iPod does, and if the voice over and controls work well for people. Can you go to small and simple? We’ll find out.

New iPod Shuffle: Small Talk is a post from: The Custom Mac