Yosemite discussions include Apple Mail problems and alternatives; performance (and RAM); SSD (solid state drives) and new TRIM support problems in Yosemite; Continuity; Okidata printer problems; Dropbox; AppleWorks documents; audio glitches and more. 14:38

Storage discussion has tips for recovering from unexpected Yosemite formatting changes, by using Terminal commands, plus an experience with the Kanex Thunderbolt to USB3/eSATA adapter. 11:10

Additional reader reports include the following discussion topics (among others):

• Apple - Mac App Store problems and troubleshooting 11:27
• Applications - Intuit working to fix download problem with Quicken 2007; envelope/address printing 11:10
• Backup - CrashPlan issues and feedback; Time Capsule backup backup... 11:10
• Displays - 4K with older Mac Pro 12:06
• iPhone/iOS - text message hijacking; iPhoto issues and workflow tips
• iTunes 12 - iBook problems; WiFi sync IPv6 tip
• Office 2011 - why does updater need Safari terminated? 12:04

Little Snitch is a unique, powerful and reliable privacy tool from Objective Development Software GmbH that monitors network activity and gives you control over data leaving your computer over network connections. Features include connection alerts with flexible blocking of outgoing traffic, including on-the-fly control, rules-based configuration (with several aids) and configuration profiles (e.g. for different locations or networks); network monitoring displays and snapshots (with details about traffic, history, hostnames, ports, etc., plus packet capture in PCAP format); an inbound firewall; a "research assistant" database to help identify networks and activities; and more. The latest release brings "greatly improved support for iOS Simulator apps", improvements for Yosemite (SSH connections), and other improvements.
  Little Snitch 3.5 is priced at $34.95 for OS X 10.8 and up. A demo mode functions for three hours at a time, for 30 days. (Little Snitch legacy versions support Mac OS X 10.2 and up.)

Canon Drivers 3.1 is a laser printer and scanner software update for OS X 10.7 and up, with Canon Drivers 2.11 available for Mac OS X 10.6.

FujiXerox Drivers 3.0 is another printing and scanning software update for OS X 10.7 and later.

"OS X: Printer and scanner software available for download" is a big Apple document offering "a comprehensive list of currently supported printer and scanner models and associated software provided by third-party vendors as of 13 November 2014."

Yosemite discussion includes tips about email attachment problems; TRIM issues; SSD, RAM and performance; AppleWorks/ClarisWorks documents; display calibration; Handoff; plus notes on graphics and sound anomalies, Calculator problems, printing issues and more.

iPhone/iOS discussion includes notes about problematic iPhoto syncing; text message hijacking; Microsoft Office; and comparisons with the Android OS, plus notes on topographic maps and loss of "Other" storage space to iOS updates.

Storage discussion looks at problems with Yosemite disk formatting changes, plus questions and notes about Thunderbolt docks.

Additional reader reports include the following discussion topics (among others):

• Apple - Mac App Store problems and troubleshooting tips
• Applications - Quicken and MoneyDance; address and envelope printing, PostCheck plug-in
• Backup - BackupList+ (and rsync); CrashPlan restore issue; Time Capsule cloning
• Displays - NEC 24-inch; AirDisplay; 4K on older Mac Pro
• iTunes 12 - user interface changes, loss of control, various problems and tips...
• Security - "Mascque" attack (CERT Alert); Apple phone-home plist
• Tax Software - Canadian tax software; U.S. tax-prep deduction

Apple's Thunderbolt Display Firmware 1.2 is a patch for OS X 10.9.4 and later to fix a few bugs with the company's aging display, which includes Thunderbolt hub features but does not even support USB 3:

This update improves reliability when connecting devices to the Apple Thunderbolt Display, and addresses a rare issue that may cause the display to go black.

Apple's Digital Camera RAW 6.01 adds support for new digital cameras in OS X 10.10 Yosemite with iPhoto 9.6 and Aperture 3.6: Canon EOS 7D Mark II, Fujifilm X30, Nikon D750 and Panasonic Lumix DMC-LX100. [See "OS X Lion: Supported digital camera RAW formats" for pre-Yosemite support information.]

Office 2011 14.4.6 is an update to patch some bugs in Microsoft Corp.'s flagship office software suite for the Mac, comprising Word, Excel, PowerPoint and Outlook (for word processing, spreadsheets, presentation, Exchange-compatible email, and personal information management features).

* This update fixes an issue that causes a subscription to Microsoft Office 2011 for Mac to change from full retail license mode to trial mode.
* This update fixes an issue that delays Outlook from reconnecting to the network after you resume a MacBook from sleep mode.

Chromium is an open-source web browser from FreeSMUG, based on the Chromium project, similar to Google's Chrome browser. Some major differences between the two include: no restriction over where extensions can be installed from; no Google branding and no Google auto-update system. The latest version updates Adobe Flash to patch critical security flaws in the Adobe code, among other fixes. Chromium 38.0.2125.122 is a free download for Mac OS X 10.6 and up.

Epic Privacy Browser is a free web browser from Alok Bhardwaj that promises extensive privacy protection along with fast performance. It blocks tracking mechanisms; offers a built-in proxy system to hide your IP address (shown as a green or red plug on the side of the address/search bar); and uses its own search engine, while earning commissions on searches. (See Epic FAQ and How Epic Protects You.) A free download, Epic 2459 is built on a Chromium foundation and runs on Mac OS X 10.6 and later. The latest release removes "Local NTP and NTP" and fixes a "crash reload bug."

AdwareMedic is a Mac app from Thomas Reed ("The Safe Mac") for removing sneaky software that modifies your Mac system against your wishes for commercial gain and which is difficult to remove. The utility does a quick scan and cleanup of this nasty garbage, after connecting to the company's website and downloading adware signature definitions. (The utility is not an anti-virus program, per se, only an adware remover.) The latest version adds "verification of the adware signatures file, to ensure it has not been tampered with." AdwareMedic 2.1 is distributed freely as shareware for OS X 10.7 and up.

"Adware is unwanted software that uses sneaky and dishonest methods to get installed on your computer, and then changes the behavior of your web browser. Once installed, it does things like injecting advertisements into web pages, causing pop-up windows or tabs to open to advertising sites, and changing your home page and/or search engine."

Bitdefender Antivirus for Mac is an OS X version of the security software from the Romanian company. Features include automatic updates of malware definitions; alerts via OS X Notifications or Growl; continuous scanning with web anti-phishing protection, on-demand scans and a promise of "blazing fast" performance. Bitdefender Antivirus for OS X 10.7 and up is priced at $49.95 (3 users, 1 year of updates) without "PC protection" or $59.95 with that included. (A trial version is available.) A more limited version, Virus Scanner Plus 3.3 is priced at $29.99 for OS X 10.7 and up on the Mac App Store.