I had to a few times when activating a windows version, well either their taking over Apple or they’ve been training Apple.

I’ve been looking at buying an Apple Macbook Pro for a while and they’ve just released a new model number however spec for spec it seems the same, so I wanted to know from apple why I should buy a new one from them over a new but slightly older model number from Misco. There is a difference of between £300 and £400.

I wanted to know if the battery was better, or the hardware was optimised, or any other improvements, I tried re-wording the question a few time, but ended up banging my head agaist the wall through out this.

• You are chatting with Donna G, an Apple Expert

• Hi, my name is Donna G. Welcome to Apple!
• Donna G: Hello
• Donna G: How may I help you today?
• You: Whats the real difference between the old A1297 and the new MC226B/A?
• Donna G: I’m sorry what are those products please, sometimes the numbers that you have do not work with our system.
• You: Apple Macbook pros
• You: one is a slightly older model, but spec for spec they don’t seem so different
• Donna G: Are you purchasing a MacBook Pro today?
• You: just wonder why spending more on the new model should be warrented
• You: and yes I will be purchasing from some where
• Donna G: You can customize your new Mac including upgrading the memory and the hard drive.
• Donna G: Let me check the refurbished MacBook Pro for you.
• You: Right, I know this.
• You: but some companies still have the lasty model before the new release a couple of months ago
• Donna G: One moment please
• You: they are both new
• Donna G: Apple Certified Refurbished products are pre-owned Apple products that undergo a stringent refurbishment process prior to being offered for sale.
• Donna G: They’re covered by Apple’s standard one-year limited warranty.  You can even purchase AppleCare to extend your coverage.
• Donna G: They perform and look like new Apple products and include all manuals and accessories.
• Donna G: Because the refurbished items are boxed and ready to ship, we are unable to customise them.
• Donna G: So, if you find a current generation MacBook Pro in our refurbished section, it will be at a better price and I would recommend if you want to purchase it, do not delay because they do tend to disappear very quickly.
• Donna G: I can stay online with you while you complete your order in case you have any other questions about products or the order process.
• Donna G: I haven’t heard from you for a few moments.  Would you like to continue chatting?
• You: Right……… That wasn’t my question. I’ve seen a new Apple Macbook pro from Misco. It’s new but is the old model. I’m also looking at the new model released only the other month, again new. the specs are pretty much the same. Is there an advantage to spending more one the new model?
• Donna G: Only here in the Apple Online Store do you get guaranteed on our refurbished items.
• Donna G: You receive the same hardware coverage you do with our new items.
• Donna G: And you can purchase the AppleCare Protection Plan for the refurbished items.
• Donna G: We cannot speak for other websites, only for our own.
• Donna G: May I help with any other product or order questions before you proceed?
• You: Are you reading what I’m asking or giving me an answer to what you think I should be asking. it’s a simple question: Spec for Spec your new model is pretty much the same as the one it replaced just a few months ago. Are there any major differences apart from price?
• Donna G: I am sorry, I thought you stated the other site, was an older refurbished model, did I misunderstand that?
• You: yes
• You: They are both brand new
• You: as I stated
• Donna G: So the other site has a new MacBook Pro and you would like to know why you would purchase from us than them?
• Donna G: That would be up to you.
• Donna G: May I help with any other product or order questions before you proceed?
• You: they are both boxed and sealed
• You: no
• Donna G: Then you can make your decision depending on the pricing.
• Donna G: We would be happy to assist you with your order from the Apple Online Store, and assist you with your perfect solution.
• Donna G: Or, you can order from the other site.
• You: I’m asking is there a major difference between your old model and the one that replaced it
• Donna G: Either way if it is a new product, you can still purchase the AppleCare Protection Plan for it.
• Donna G: The new MacBook Pros come in 3 sizes 13″, 15″, 17″
• Donna G: They can all be upgraded to 8gb of memory.
• Donna G: They have dedicated NVIDIA Graphic Cards.
• Donna G: I cannot compare to your other site, because we do not have access to research the other site for you.
• Donna G: May I help with any other product or order questions before you proceed?
• You: You make these computers right? so I’m simply asking how does your replacement models better the one before it, which it replaces?
• Donna G: We also have the purchase a printer with your new Mac and receive a rebate.
• Donna G: I’m sorry I believe I addressed that above.
• Donna G: The new models come in 3 sizes 13″, 15″. 17″
• Donna G: You can upgrade the memory to 8gb
• Donna G: And they come with the NVIDIA dedicated graphics card.
• Donna G: I apologise if that did not appear on your screen.
• Donna G: Would you like to purchase your Mac from the Apple Online Store today?
• You: ok how, is the new 17″ better than the old one 17″?
• Donna G: I’m sorry I do not have the specs to give you a side by side comparison in this Apple Shopping Chat.
• Donna G: Our purpose is to assist our Customers with their Apple Online Store purchases.
• Donna G: I’d be happy to give you the specs of the new MacBook Pro
• Donna G: Size and weight

  Height:

  0.98 inch (2.50 cm)

  Width:

  15.47 inches (39.3 cm)

  Depth:

  10.51 inches (26.7 cm)

  Weight:

  6.6 pounds (2.99 kg)1

• Donna G: Connections and expansion

  View larger

  MagSafe power port

  Gigabit Ethernet port

  One FireWire 800 port (up to 800 Mbps)

  Three USB 2.0 ports (up to 480 Mbps)

  Mini DisplayPort

  Audio line in

  Audio line out

  ExpressCard/34 slot

  Kensington lock slot

• You: What I’m trying to find out is, is the battery better, is it more reliable, is it quicker spec for spec. This will help me decide wether to buy the new 17″ from you or the slightly older yet still new from another company
• Donna G: Communications

  Built-in AirPort Extreme Wi-Fi wireless networking2 (based on IEEE 802.11n draft specification); IEEE 802.11a/b/g compatible

  Built-in Bluetooth 2.1 + EDR (Enhanced Data Rate)

  Built-in 10/100/1000BASE-T Gigabit Ethernet (RJ-45 connector)

• Donna G: Audio

  Built-in stereo speakers

  Built-in omnidirectional microphone (located under left speaker grille)

  Combined optical digital audio input/audio line in (minijack)

  Combined optical digital audio output/audio line out (minijack)

• Donna G: Input

  View larger

  Built-in full-size backlit keyboard with 78 (U.S.) or 79 (ISO) keys, including 12 function keys and 4 arrow keys (inverted “T” arrangement)

  Multi-Touch trackpad for precise cursor control; supports two-finger scrolling, pinch, rotate, swipe, three-finger swipe, four-finger swipe, tap, double-tap, and drag capabilities

• Donna G: Pure digital video output

  DVI output using Mini DisplayPort to DVI Adapter (optional)

  VGA output using Mini DisplayPort to VGA Adapter (optional)

  Dual-link DVI output using Mini DisplayPort to Dual-Link DVI Adapter supports 30-inch Apple Cinema HD Display (optional)

• Donna G: Graphics and video support

  NVIDIA GeForce 9400M graphics processor with 256MB of DDR3 SDRAM shared with main memory3

  NVIDIA GeForce 9600M GT graphics processor with 512MB of GDDR3 memory

  Dual display and video mirroring: Simultaneously supports full native resolution on the built-in display and up to 2560 by 1600 pixels on an external display, both at millions of colors

  Built-in iSight camera

  Mini DisplayPort

• Donna G: Display

  View larger

  17-inch (diagonal) high-resolution LED-backlit glossy widescreen display with support for millions of colors

  Supported resolutions: 1920 by 1200 (native), 1680 by 1050, 1280 by 800, 1152 by 720, 1024 by 640, and 800 by 500 pixels at 16:10 aspect ratio; 1280 by 1024 pixels at 5:4 aspect ratio; 1280 by 1024 pixels at 5:4 aspect ratio stretched; 1600 by 1200, 1024 by 768, 800 by 600, and 640 by 480 pixels at 4:3 aspect ratio; 1600 by 1200, 1024 by 768, 800 by 600, and 640 by 480 pixels at 4:3 aspect ratio stretched; 720 by 480 pixels at 3:2 aspect ratio; 720 by 480 pixels at 3:2 aspect ratio stretched

• Donna G: Processor and memory

  2.8GHz or 3.06GHz Intel Core 2 Duo processor with 6MB on-chip shared L2 cache running 1:1 with processor speed

  1066MHz frontside bus

  4GB (two 2GB SO-DIMMs) of 1066MHz DDR3 memory; two SO-DIMM slots support up to 8GB

• Donna G: Storage

  500GB 5400-rpm Serial ATA hard drive; optional 500GB 7200-rpm hard drive, or 128GB or 256GB solid-state drive4

  8x slot-loading SuperDrive (DVD±R DL/DVD±RW/CD-RW)

  Maximum write: 8x DVD-R, DVD+R; 4x DVD-R DL (double layer), DVD+R DL (double layer), DVD-RW, DVD+RW; 24x CD-R; 10x CD-RW

  Maximum read: 8x DVD-R, DVD+R, DVD-ROM; 6x DVD-ROM (double layer DVD-9), DVD-R DL (double layer), DVD+R DL (double layer), DVD-RW, DVD+RW; 24x CD

• Donna G: Battery and power: 8 hour charge

  Built-in 95-watt-hour lithium-polymer battery

  85W MagSafe Power Adapter with cable management system

  MagSafe power port

• Donna G: Please click here to take your MacBook Pro 17″ for a “spin”
• Donna G: The above are all of the stats on the new MacBook Pro 17″
• You: What I’m trying to find out is, is the battery better, is it more reliable, is it quicker spec for spec. This will help me decide wether to buy the new version of Macbook pro 17″ from you or the slightly older version yet still new from another company.
• Donna G: I’m sorry, I do not have access to the model of MacBook Pro that you are referring to, to give you a side by side listing.
• Donna G: It is the longest lasting MacBook battery.
• Donna G: The longest-lasting Mac notebook battery ever.
• Donna G: Precision aluminum. The new gold standard.
• Donna G: Graphics in full force.
• Donna G: Display: It offers a 60 percent greater color gamut than previous generations for richer, more vibrant colors.
• Donna G: Even the keyboard is advanced.

  The rigid aluminum keyboard webbing has been cut precisely to hold the keys. And the keys are curved to perfectly fit fingers. The result? Pure typing bliss. The keyboard is also illuminated, so when you’re in low-light settings, such as airplanes or conference rooms, you can always see what you’re typing.

• You: Right, I’d have thought Apple would have been able to tell me how they improved their computer in the new model, I guess you people don’t know how you’ve improved your own hardware.
• Donna G: The first thing you might notice — or not notice — is the button. The entire trackpad is the button, so you can click anywhere.
• You: Thanks any way
• Donna G: Burn DVDs superfast.
• You: I’ll try and find some users to ask, perhaps they will know your hardware better.
• You: bye……..
• Donna G: I just gave you the updated features.
• Donna G: Did you not view them?
• Donna G: Perhaps you will be able to understand our Telesales Agents better.
• Donna G: One moment for that phone number…
• Donna G: The number for the Telesales department is 0800 048 0408.
• Donna G: Thank you for visiting the Apple Store.  We appreciate your business.  If you would like more help, please chat with us again.
• Your chat session has ended, if you require further assistance, please wait a few moments and try chatting with us again.

http://www.magentocommerce.com/blog/comments/magento-version-120-is-now-available/

I did however have some issues which required resolving in order to use the new downloadable products and various options in the system config settings when upgrading from 1.1.8.

If you get an error looking like the following then just complete the instructions below:

Warning: include(Mage/Adminhtml/Model/System/Config/Backend/Catalog/Search/Type.php) [function.include]: failed to open stream: No such file or directory in /htdocs/app/code/core/Mage/Core/functions.php on line 73

For some reason the upgrade in Magento Connect doesn’t create some directories and the new files required hence the ” failed to open stream: No such file or directory” message, because it simply can’t find what it’s looking for.

Simply download the full package from Magento for 1.2 then upload some folders, I found by uploading the following two (the ones missing in the above message) resulted in more errors:

app/code/core/Mage/Adminhtml/Model/System/Config/Backend/Catalog/

app/code/core/Mage/Adminhtml/Model/System/Config/Source/Catalog/

So…….. To save me more headaches I just grabbed all the folders in the root for Magento and uploaded them, when my FTP asked me to confirm overwriting I choose “No To all”, it then proceeded to upload the files that the upgrade for some reason missed. (Just make sure you don’t overwrite your settings and such, choosing no to overwriting will ensure you only upload files not currently on your server).

You might need to set the permissions recursively again! (In the CLI: chmod -R 777 htdocs (Or wherever the your root magento install is))

Transparent Image:

Note that it kinda works in the left of this image but the corners don’t look right, then see the top right how the wording is pixelated with blocky grey around it.

Here is an image with a background:

See how it’s now working as I intended.

So as a temporary fix you could give your product a background or border it right on the edge. It’s not ideal and keep in mind if you run multiple stores or shops with different themes it could look off, also if you change the pages individual designs it could also look odd.

So with your product image and your watermark image being transparent it doesn’t play well together.

If you wish to get messy with some code then take a look at the comments over at PHP.net:

http://uk.php.net/imagecolortransparent

There are some handy tidbits in there to read.

If you don’t then the above information should be enough to at least get your images displaying right but one might then argue, why not add your copyright when creating the image? Unless you plan on changing your copyrights.

Anyway…………………

The whole concept of Themes and Skins can be confusing at first, especially when trying to set them up. Magento recently released a new skin called “Blue Skin“, now the name says it all, but I couldn’t for the life of me figure out how to make it appear in the admin at first, so you could use it. I figured it out after a little while of playing Here’s a quick how to:Blue skin is as it’s aptly named, a skin, it’s a variant of the default theme so you won’t see it in the themes admin, instead you must go to:

System >> Configuration >> General >> Design (Either set this as default or select a specific store).

You will then see the option for “Themes”, in this section are the following fields:

Templates, Skin (Images/CSS), Layout, Default.

Enter the word “blue” in all of these fields and then save, you will then have the blue skin for your fontend.

Note: If you have multiple stores and want this design by default or for all stores you can enter the details in “default config”, however if you only want to use it on one store then use the drop down on the top left to select the store, once loaded enters the details for that store.

I’m currently writing an article about PrestaShop Vs Magento which should be ready soon if anyone cares to sleep, I mean read :-p