From Newsgroup: uk.comp.sys.mac

I have a MacBook which I haven't used for about a year. The battery was swelling up so I took it out - I presumed the laptop would run directly
from the power supply if I needed to use it.

Today I have tried to start it on the power supply but it showns no sign
of life, even after leaving it on for several hours.

The reason I need to start it is that I am giving a talk in a couple of
weeks and have realised that the apparatus I am demonstrating is a bit
small to be easily seen by the audience. Someone suggested that the
camera in the MacBook might be trained on the apparatus and a projector,
which is already in the hall, could be connected so as to display a
large picture.

Before worrying about getting the machine to start, I first need to
check that the proposed use: feeding the camera directly into one of the
output ports and through an adaptor to the projector, actually stands a
chance of working.

Does anyone know?
--
~ Liz Tuddenham ~
(Remove the ".invalid"s and add ".co.uk" to reply)
www.poppyrecords.co.uk
--- Synchronet 3.21a-Linux NewsLink 1.2

From Newsgroup: uk.comp.sys.mac

On 03/09/2025 20:24, Liz Tuddenham wrote:

I have a MacBook which I haven't used for about a year. The battery was swelling up so I took it out - I presumed the laptop would run directly
from the power supply if I needed to use it.

Today I have tried to start it on the power supply but it showns no sign
of life, even after leaving it on for several hours.

The reason I need to start it is that I am giving a talk in a couple of
weeks and have realised that the apparatus I am demonstrating is a bit
small to be easily seen by the audience. Someone suggested that the
camera in the MacBook might be trained on the apparatus and a projector, which is already in the hall, could be connected so as to display a
large picture.

Before worrying about getting the machine to start, I first need to
check that the proposed use: feeding the camera directly into one of the output ports and through an adaptor to the projector, actually stands a chance of working.

Does anyone know?

Hello Liz

I asked ChatGPT. Here's what was said:-

https://chatgpt.com/share/68b89992-1c74-8013-b106-cd2f659b7188

HTH
--
David
--- Synchronet 3.21a-Linux NewsLink 1.2

From Newsgroup: uk.comp.sys.mac

Graham J <nobody@nowhere.co.uk> wrote:

Liz Tuddenham wrote:

I have a MacBook which I haven't used for about a year. The battery was swelling up so I took it out - I presumed the laptop would run directly from the power supply if I needed to use it.

Today I have tried to start it on the power supply but it shows no sign
of life, even after leaving it on for several hours.

Probably it needs a good battery in it. Can you borrow one to try?

[snip]

Before worrying about getting the machine to start, I first need to
check that the proposed use: feeding the camera directly into one of the output ports and through an adaptor to the projector, actually stands a chance of working.

What you've written doesn't make sense to me.

I omitted to say that I want to use the camera which is built into the
MacBook, I don't have a separate external camera.
--
~ Liz Tuddenham ~
(Remove the ".invalid"s and add ".co.uk" to reply)
www.poppyrecords.co.uk
--- Synchronet 3.21a-Linux NewsLink 1.2

From Newsgroup: uk.comp.sys.mac

Liz Tuddenham wrote:

I have a MacBook which I haven't used for about a year. The battery was swelling up so I took it out - I presumed the laptop would run directly
from the power supply if I needed to use it.

Today I have tried to start it on the power supply but it shows no sign
of life, even after leaving it on for several hours.

Probably it needs a good battery in it. Can you borrow one to try?

[snip]

Before worrying about getting the machine to start, I first need to
check that the proposed use: feeding the camera directly into one of the output ports and through an adaptor to the projector, actually stands a chance of working.

What you've written doesn't make sense to me.

I would connect the camera into an INPUT port on the MacBook, and route
the signal through the MacBook to the projector which is connected to
the display output of the MacBook.

Alternatively, can the camera be connected directly to the projector?
--
Graham J
--- Synchronet 3.21a-Linux NewsLink 1.2

From Newsgroup: uk.comp.sys.mac

On 03/09/2025 21:05, Liz Tuddenham wrote:

Graham J <nobody@nowhere.co.uk> wrote:

Liz Tuddenham wrote:

I have a MacBook which I haven't used for about a year. The battery was >>> swelling up so I took it out - I presumed the laptop would run directly
from the power supply if I needed to use it.

Today I have tried to start it on the power supply but it shows no sign
of life, even after leaving it on for several hours.

Probably it needs a good battery in it. Can you borrow one to try?

[snip]

Before worrying about getting the machine to start, I first need to
check that the proposed use: feeding the camera directly into one of the >>> output ports and through an adaptor to the projector, actually stands a
chance of working.

What you've written doesn't make sense to me.

I omitted to say that I want to use the camera which is built into the MacBook, I don't have a separate external camera.

Why didn't you read my response, Liz?
--- Synchronet 3.21a-Linux NewsLink 1.2

From Newsgroup: uk.comp.sys.mac

Liz Tuddenham wrote:

[snip]

I omitted to say that I want to use the camera which is built into the MacBook, I don't have a separate external camera.

OK that makes more sense.

As I understand it, the camera will show what it sees on the MacBook
screen. You then need to connect the projector to the MacBook in such a
way that it duplicates what appears on the MacBook screen.

So it depends what inputs there are on the projector, and what display
outputs there are on your MacBook.

Probably the MacBook has VGA, or HDMI, or Thunderbolt / USB 4 - may
depend on how new it is. I've no idea what the projector will have - it
may only be VGA.

Will you have the opportunity to test this several days in advance?
--
Graham J
--- Synchronet 3.21a-Linux NewsLink 1.2

From Newsgroup: uk.comp.sys.mac

Graham J <nobody@nowhere.co.uk> wrote:

Liz Tuddenham wrote:

[snip]

I omitted to say that I want to use the camera which is built into the MacBook, I don't have a separate external camera.

OK that makes more sense.

As I understand it, the camera will show what it sees on the MacBook
screen. You then need to connect the projector to the MacBook in such a
way that it duplicates what appears on the MacBook screen.

So it depends what inputs there are on the projector, and what display outputs there are on your MacBook.

Probably the MacBook has VGA, or HDMI, or Thunderbolt / USB 4 - may
depend on how new it is. I've no idea what the projector will have - it
may only be VGA.

The MacBook has a rectangular socket (whose name I don't know) and I
have a short adaptor lead to a connector that looks the same as the one
on the projector (15 pins in 3 rows).

The next question is whether the projector lead will reach to where the
camera needs to be. I have noticed that presentations in that hall have
always been given from a small table at the side, well away fron the
screen and the stage, I am now beginning to wonder if that is where the connections are for the roof-mounted projector.

Will you have the opportunity to test this several days in advance?

Next Tuesday is the only chance when I have access to the hall. The
talk is a week after that but in the meantime I have to go away for
several days and might even have to give another talk on a different
subject (which doesn't need a camera). For that I use an even older
PowerBook running OS9 and my own projector which includes 75 Hz frame
rate (which none of the modern projectors can cope with).
--
~ Liz Tuddenham ~
(Remove the ".invalid"s and add ".co.uk" to reply)
www.poppyrecords.co.uk
--- Synchronet 3.21a-Linux NewsLink 1.2

From Newsgroup: uk.comp.sys.mac

Liz Tuddenham wrote:

[snip]

The MacBook has a rectangular socket (whose name I don't know) and I
have a short adaptor lead to a connector that looks the same as the one
on the projector (15 pins in 3 rows).

If you know the model number of the MacBook you can find out (from
Google, or the Apple website) the name of the connector.

[snip]

Will you have the opportunity to test this several days in advance?

Next Tuesday is the only chance when I have access to the hall. The
talk is a week after that but in the meantime I have to go away for
several days and might even have to give another talk on a different
subject (which doesn't need a camera). For that I use an even older PowerBook running OS9 and my own projector which includes 75 Hz frame
rate (which none of the modern projectors can cope with).

So:

== Ask the hall to provide a camera system that will work with their projector;

== Use your own projector and your OS9 machine if it has a built-in camera;
--
Graham J
--- Synchronet 3.21a-Linux NewsLink 1.2

From Newsgroup: uk.comp.sys.mac

Graham J <nobody@nowhere.co.uk> wrote:

[...]

== Ask the hall to provide a camera system that will work with their projector;

I've already asked: not a chance.

== Use your own projector and your OS9 machine if it has a built-in camera;

The PowerBook doesn't have a camera and it will be fully occupied with
the presentation slides, which are intended to be seen at the same time
as the demonstration. Basically, I have a mimic diagram board of a
thermionic valve circuit (with a real valve in the middle of it), I can
wind various voltages up and down and demonstrate how the valve behaves.
The voltages and currents are displayed on meters fixed in the
appropriate positions on the board. The ClarisWorks Slide Show will be displaying pre-drawn curves of the results (let's hope the results on
the night agree with the curves!).

The board is about A4 size and the biggest meters I could get still have
narrow pointers, which are difficult to see from any distance. If I
only get an audience of a dozen, I shall be able to cope by arranging
them in a couple of concentric semicircles but if more turn up, they
won't be able to see properly.
--
~ Liz Tuddenham ~
(Remove the ".invalid"s and add ".co.uk" to reply)
www.poppyrecords.co.uk
--- Synchronet 3.21a-Linux NewsLink 1.2

From Newsgroup: uk.comp.sys.mac

On 04/09/2025 08:43, Liz Tuddenham wrote:

Graham J <nobody@nowhere.co.uk> wrote:

[...]

== Ask the hall to provide a camera system that will work with their
projector;

I've already asked: not a chance.

== Use your own projector and your OS9 machine if it has a built-in camera;

The PowerBook doesn't have a camera and it will be fully occupied with
the presentation slides, which are intended to be seen at the same time
as the demonstration. Basically, I have a mimic diagram board of a thermionic valve circuit (with a real valve in the middle of it), I can
wind various voltages up and down and demonstrate how the valve behaves.
The voltages and currents are displayed on meters fixed in the
appropriate positions on the board. The ClarisWorks Slide Show will be displaying pre-drawn curves of the results (let's hope the results on
the night agree with the curves!).

The board is about A4 size and the biggest meters I could get still have narrow pointers, which are difficult to see from any distance. If I
only get an audience of a dozen, I shall be able to cope by arranging
them in a couple of concentric semicircles but if more turn up, they
won't be able to see properly.

Your earlier description implies that you have a Powerbook G4 or some
such with removable battery and DVI video out, where you still have the
DVI to VGA adaptor, and the projector in question is VGA.

So you will be able to connect the projector to your laptop, either as a second screen or duplicating the main screen. Only possible missing bit
here is whether the VGA cable to connect the two together (what you call
the projector lead) is long enough - it does sound like you might have
to give the demo from the side table.

These leaves two questions, firstly how are you going to arrange the two projectors and screens, then is the built-in camera good enough to
display what you want on the screen.

This last bit you can test this now, if it's OK on the laptop screen it
will be OK in the hall, if it isn't, it won't get any better.

Good luck,

D
--- Synchronet 3.21a-Linux NewsLink 1.2

From Newsgroup: uk.comp.sys.mac

Liz Tuddenham wrote:

Graham J <nobody@nowhere.co.uk> wrote:

[...]

== Ask the hall to provide a camera system that will work with their
projector;

I've already asked: not a chance.

== Use your own projector and your OS9 machine if it has a built-in camera;

The PowerBook doesn't have a camera and it will be fully occupied with
the presentation slides, which are intended to be seen at the same time
as the demonstration. Basically, I have a mimic diagram board of a thermionic valve circuit (with a real valve in the middle of it), I can
wind various voltages up and down and demonstrate how the valve behaves.
The voltages and currents are displayed on meters fixed in the
appropriate positions on the board. The ClarisWorks Slide Show will be displaying pre-drawn curves of the results (let's hope the results on
the night agree with the curves!).

The board is about A4 size and the biggest meters I could get still have narrow pointers, which are difficult to see from any distance. If I
only get an audience of a dozen, I shall be able to cope by arranging
them in a couple of concentric semicircles but if more turn up, they
won't be able to see properly.

Warn the audience to bring opera glasses!

I remember thermionic valves! What are you using in your demo?
Something tiny like the ECC88? Or EL34? Or a transmitter valve such as
the 807?
--
Graham J
--- Synchronet 3.21a-Linux NewsLink 1.2

From Newsgroup: uk.comp.sys.mac

Graham J <nobody@nowhere.co.uk> wrote:

Liz Tuddenham wrote:

Graham J <nobody@nowhere.co.uk> wrote:

[...]

== Ask the hall to provide a camera system that will work with their
projector;

I've already asked: not a chance.

== Use your own projector and your OS9 machine if it has a built-in camera;

The PowerBook doesn't have a camera and it will be fully occupied with
the presentation slides, which are intended to be seen at the same time
as the demonstration. Basically, I have a mimic diagram board of a thermionic valve circuit (with a real valve in the middle of it), I can wind various voltages up and down and demonstrate how the valve behaves. The voltages and currents are displayed on meters fixed in the
appropriate positions on the board. The ClarisWorks Slide Show will be displaying pre-drawn curves of the results (let's hope the results on
the night agree with the curves!).

The board is about A4 size and the biggest meters I could get still have narrow pointers, which are difficult to see from any distance. If I
only get an audience of a dozen, I shall be able to cope by arranging
them in a couple of concentric semicircles but if more turn up, they
won't be able to see properly.

Warn the audience to bring opera glasses!

I remember thermionic valves! What are you using in your demo?
Something tiny like the ECC88? Or EL34? Or a transmitter valve such as
the 807?

I am using an EL34, first wired as a diode, then as a triode. I have
been asked by the organisers not to go beyond a triode at this stage.
An 807 would have been nice, as it is visually more interesting - but I
didn't have one or the special valve base they need.
--
~ Liz Tuddenham ~
(Remove the ".invalid"s and add ".co.uk" to reply)
www.poppyrecords.co.uk
--- Synchronet 3.21a-Linux NewsLink 1.2

From Newsgroup: uk.comp.sys.mac

Liz Tuddenham wrote:

[snip]

I am using an EL34, first wired as a diode, then as a triode. I have
been asked by the organisers not to go beyond a triode at this stage.
An 807 would have been nice, as it is visually more interesting - but I didn't have one or the special valve base they need.

I remember building a power supply with a transformer and (probably) a
GZ34. I mis-wired it so the output was shorted. The valve glowed a
nice cherry red until I switched off. After correcting my error the
valve still worked fine! You can't do that with semiconductor diodes!
--
Graham J
--- Synchronet 3.21a-Linux NewsLink 1.2

From Newsgroup: uk.comp.sys.mac

Liz Tuddenham <liz@poppyrecords.invalid.invalid> wrote:

Graham J <nobody@nowhere.co.uk> wrote:

Liz Tuddenham wrote:

[snip]

I omitted to say that I want to use the camera which is built into the
MacBook, I don't have a separate external camera.

OK that makes more sense.

As I understand it, the camera will show what it sees on the MacBook
screen. You then need to connect the projector to the MacBook in such a
way that it duplicates what appears on the MacBook screen.

Typically you need some software to "stream" the camera's live view to the projector. It could be in macOS already or may need to install something.

So it depends what inputs there are on the projector, and what display
outputs there are on your MacBook.

Probably the MacBook has VGA, or HDMI, or Thunderbolt / USB 4 - may
depend on how new it is. I've no idea what the projector will have - it
may only be VGA.

The MacBook has a rectangular socket (whose name I don't know) and I
have a short adaptor lead to a connector that looks the same as the one
on the projector (15 pins in 3 rows).

What model mac? See under About Mac.

Can you post links to pictures of what the connector looks like? It sounds
like it could be VGA which is rare to find in projectors nowadays.

The next question is whether the projector lead will reach to where the camera needs to be. I have noticed that presentations in that hall have always been given from a small table at the side, well away fron the
screen and the stage, I am now beginning to wonder if that is where the connections are for the roof-mounted projector.

Yes, that's typical these days. As projectors are often ceiling mounted
and/or inaccessible, all the A/V connectors are present at the lecturn and
you choose the one that suits you. HDMI is the ubiquitous one.

How modern is the protector? If it's modern you may be able to use Airplay.


--- Synchronet 3.21a-Linux NewsLink 1.2

From Newsgroup: uk.comp.sys.mac

Chris <ithinkiam@gmail.com> wrote:

Liz Tuddenham <liz@poppyrecords.invalid.invalid> wrote:

Graham J <nobody@nowhere.co.uk> wrote:

Liz Tuddenham wrote:

[snip]

I omitted to say that I want to use the camera which is built into the >>> MacBook, I don't have a separate external camera.

OK that makes more sense.

As I understand it, the camera will show what it sees on the MacBook
screen. You then need to connect the projector to the MacBook in such a >> way that it duplicates what appears on the MacBook screen.

Typically you need some software to "stream" the camera's live view to the projector. It could be in macOS already or may need to install something.

That was what I was asking, does the MacBook have anything like that
built-in?

So it depends what inputs there are on the projector, and what display
outputs there are on your MacBook.

Probably the MacBook has VGA, or HDMI, or Thunderbolt / USB 4 - may
depend on how new it is. I've no idea what the projector will have - it >> may only be VGA.

The MacBook has a rectangular socket (whose name I don't know) and I
have a short adaptor lead to a connector that looks the same as the one
on the projector (15 pins in 3 rows).

What model mac? See under About Mac.

It won't start, so I can't check.

Can you post links to pictures of what the connector looks like? It sounds like it could be VGA which is rare to find in projectors nowadays.

If I take along my adaptor on Tuesday, I'll be able to check if it fits
the connector on the computer; I already know it fits the hole in the
computer.

The next question is whether the projector lead will reach to where the camera needs to be. I have noticed that presentations in that hall have always been given from a small table at the side, well away fron the
screen and the stage, I am now beginning to wonder if that is where the connections are for the roof-mounted projector.

Yes, that's typical these days. As projectors are often ceiling mounted and/or inaccessible, all the A/V connectors are present at the lecturn and you choose the one that suits you. HDMI is the ubiquitous one.

I have a selection of adaptors, so I'll take all of them.

How modern is the protector? If it's modern you may be able to use Airplay.

Will a MacBook with a broken aerial connection support Airplay?
--
~ Liz Tuddenham ~
(Remove the ".invalid"s and add ".co.uk" to reply)
www.poppyrecords.co.uk
--- Synchronet 3.21a-Linux NewsLink 1.2

From Newsgroup: uk.comp.sys.mac

On 05/09/2025 11:08, Liz Tuddenham wrote:

Chris <ithinkiam@gmail.com> wrote:

Liz Tuddenham <liz@poppyrecords.invalid.invalid> wrote:

Graham J <nobody@nowhere.co.uk> wrote:

Liz Tuddenham wrote:

[snip]

I omitted to say that I want to use the camera which is built into the >>>>> MacBook, I don't have a separate external camera.

OK that makes more sense.

As I understand it, the camera will show what it sees on the MacBook
screen. You then need to connect the projector to the MacBook in such a >>>> way that it duplicates what appears on the MacBook screen.

Typically you need some software to "stream" the camera's live view to the >> projector. It could be in macOS already or may need to install something.

That was what I was asking, does the MacBook have anything like that built-in?

So it depends what inputs there are on the projector, and what display >>>> outputs there are on your MacBook.

Probably the MacBook has VGA, or HDMI, or Thunderbolt / USB 4 - may
depend on how new it is. I've no idea what the projector will have - it >>>> may only be VGA.

The MacBook has a rectangular socket (whose name I don't know) and I
have a short adaptor lead to a connector that looks the same as the one
on the projector (15 pins in 3 rows).

What model mac? See under About Mac.

It won't start, so I can't check.

Does it have its serial number written on the back? If so, enter this
in <https://checkcoverage.apple.com/?locale=en_GB> and it will show the
model

Can you post links to pictures of what the connector looks like? It sounds >> like it could be VGA which is rare to find in projectors nowadays.

If I take along my adaptor on Tuesday, I'll be able to check if it fits
the connector on the computer; I already know it fits the hole in the computer.

The next question is whether the projector lead will reach to where the
camera needs to be. I have noticed that presentations in that hall have >>> always been given from a small table at the side, well away fron the
screen and the stage, I am now beginning to wonder if that is where the
connections are for the roof-mounted projector.

Yes, that's typical these days. As projectors are often ceiling mounted
and/or inaccessible, all the A/V connectors are present at the lecturn and >> you choose the one that suits you. HDMI is the ubiquitous one.

I have a selection of adaptors, so I'll take all of them.

How modern is the protector? If it's modern you may be able to use Airplay.

Will a MacBook with a broken aerial connection support Airplay?

I am not sure that anything here is modern!

The MacBook sounds old (how did you remove the battery???)

But it does sound like the projector is VGA and you have the correct
adaptor for the MacBook, the major issue is that the MacBook won't boot.

Were it to boot I think that there should be a way to display the camera onscreen, but I am struggling to remember what we did 10 to 15 years
ago, which is my guess as to the age of the MacBook.

But as you say double problem!
--- Synchronet 3.21a-Linux NewsLink 1.2

From Newsgroup: uk.comp.sys.mac

David Sankey <David.Sankey@stfc.ac.uk> wrote:

[....]

It won't start, so I can't check.

Does it have its serial number written on the back? If so, enter this
in <https://checkcoverage.apple.com/?locale=en_GB> and it will show the
model

Update:

I've managed to start it. I sprayed some switch cleaner into the
Magsafe connector and the next time I connected it, the little green
light came on. I pressed the power button and it burst into life.

It is MacBook 3,1 (2GHz Intel Core2 Duo).


[...]

The MacBook sounds old (how did you remove the battery???)

I turned the coin-slotted button a quarter of a turn, which released the battery compartment lid with the battery attached.

But it does sound like the projector is VGA and you have the correct
adaptor for the MacBook, the major issue is that the MacBook won't boot.

Were it to boot I think that there should be a way to display the camera onscreen, but I am struggling to remember what we did 10 to 15 years
ago, which is my guess as to the age of the MacBook.

I have managed to get a picture filling about half the screen by using
an app. called "Photo Booth", none of the other apps seem to even
recognise the camera.

But as you say double problem!

Now I have to get the screen picture to an external device, there
doesn't appear to be anything related to video in the Preferences (but I
might not have looked in the right place yet).
--
~ Liz Tuddenham ~
(Remove the ".invalid"s and add ".co.uk" to reply)
www.poppyrecords.co.uk
--- Synchronet 3.21a-Linux NewsLink 1.2

From Newsgroup: uk.comp.sys.mac

On 05/09/2025 11:08, Liz Tuddenham wrote:

Chris <ithinkiam@gmail.com> wrote:

Liz Tuddenham <liz@poppyrecords.invalid.invalid> wrote:

Graham J <nobody@nowhere.co.uk> wrote:

Liz Tuddenham wrote:

[snip]

I omitted to say that I want to use the camera which is built into the >>>>> MacBook, I don't have a separate external camera.

OK that makes more sense.

As I understand it, the camera will show what it sees on the MacBook
screen. You then need to connect the projector to the MacBook in such a >>>> way that it duplicates what appears on the MacBook screen.

Typically you need some software to "stream" the camera's live view to the >> projector. It could be in macOS already or may need to install something.

That was what I was asking, does the MacBook have anything like that built-in?

Keynote should do it, I would have thought.
--
Graeme Wall
This account not read.


--- Synchronet 3.21a-Linux NewsLink 1.2

From Newsgroup: uk.comp.sys.mac

On 2025-09-06, Graeme Wall <rail@greywall.demon.co.uk> wrote:

On 05/09/2025 11:08, Liz Tuddenham wrote:

Chris <ithinkiam@gmail.com> wrote:

Liz Tuddenham <liz@poppyrecords.invalid.invalid> wrote:

Graham J <nobody@nowhere.co.uk> wrote:

Liz Tuddenham wrote:

[snip]

I omitted to say that I want to use the camera which is built into the >>>>>> MacBook, I don't have a separate external camera.

OK that makes more sense.

As I understand it, the camera will show what it sees on the MacBook >>>>> screen. You then need to connect the projector to the MacBook in such a >>>>> way that it duplicates what appears on the MacBook screen.

Typically you need some software to "stream" the camera's live view to the >>> projector. It could be in macOS already or may need to install something. >>

That was what I was asking, does the MacBook have anything like that
built-in?

Keynote should do it, I would have thought.

You can also use the Preview app, admittedly for pretty basic presentations.
--
Cheers, Alan
--- Synchronet 3.21a-Linux NewsLink 1.2

From Newsgroup: uk.comp.sys.mac

Liz Tuddenham <liz@poppyrecords.invalid.invalid> wrote:

David Sankey <David.Sankey@stfc.ac.uk> wrote:

[....]

It won't start, so I can't check.

Does it have its serial number written on the back? If so, enter this
in <https://checkcoverage.apple.com/?locale=en_GB> and it will show the
model

Update:

I've managed to start it. I sprayed some switch cleaner into the
Magsafe connector and the next time I connected it, the little green
light came on. I pressed the power button and it burst into life.

It is MacBook 3,1 (2GHz Intel Core2 Duo).

OK. That's really quite old and will require people to remember what OS X
was capable of back then.

[...]

The MacBook sounds old (how did you remove the battery???)

I turned the coin-slotted button a quarter of a turn, which released the battery compartment lid with the battery attached.

But it does sound like the projector is VGA and you have the correct
adaptor for the MacBook, the major issue is that the MacBook won't boot.

Were it to boot I think that there should be a way to display the camera
onscreen, but I am struggling to remember what we did 10 to 15 years
ago, which is my guess as to the age of the MacBook.

I have managed to get a picture filling about half the screen by using
an app. called "Photo Booth", none of the other apps seem to even
recognise the camera.

Does it have Facetime or perhaps something like Skype that you may have downloaded way back when?

But as you say double problem!

Now I have to get the screen picture to an external device, there
doesn't appear to be anything related to video in the Preferences (but I might not have looked in the right place yet).

Having thought about it a bit your best bet is Display Mirroring. Treat the projector as a secondary screen and mirror the laptop's display onto it so
both screens show the same content. You can test it with an external
monitor if you have one to hand.

--- Synchronet 3.21a-Linux NewsLink 1.2

From Newsgroup: uk.comp.sys.mac

Chris <ithinkiam@gmail.com> wrote:

Liz Tuddenham <liz@poppyrecords.invalid.invalid> wrote:

David Sankey <David.Sankey@stfc.ac.uk> wrote:

[....]

It won't start, so I can't check.

Does it have its serial number written on the back? If so, enter this
in <https://checkcoverage.apple.com/?locale=en_GB> and it will show the
model

Update:

I've managed to start it. I sprayed some switch cleaner into the
Magsafe connector and the next time I connected it, the little green light came on. I pressed the power button and it burst into life.

It is MacBook 3,1 (2GHz Intel Core2 Duo).

OK. That's really quite old and will require people to remember what OS X
was capable of back then.

[...]

The MacBook sounds old (how did you remove the battery???)

I turned the coin-slotted button a quarter of a turn, which released the battery compartment lid with the battery attached.

But it does sound like the projector is VGA and you have the correct
adaptor for the MacBook, the major issue is that the MacBook won't boot. >>
Were it to boot I think that there should be a way to display the camera >> onscreen, but I am struggling to remember what we did 10 to 15 years
ago, which is my guess as to the age of the MacBook.

I have managed to get a picture filling about half the screen by using
an app. called "Photo Booth", none of the other apps seem to even
recognise the camera.

Does it have Facetime or perhaps something like Skype that you may have downloaded way back when?

But as you say double problem!

Now I have to get the screen picture to an external device, there
doesn't appear to be anything related to video in the Preferences (but I might not have looked in the right place yet).

Having thought about it a bit your best bet is Display Mirroring. Treat the projector as a secondary screen and mirror the laptop's display onto it so both screens show the same content. You can test it with an external
monitor if you have one to hand.

Where do I find that?
--
~ Liz Tuddenham ~
(Remove the ".invalid"s and add ".co.uk" to reply)
www.poppyrecords.co.uk
--- Synchronet 3.21a-Linux NewsLink 1.2

From Newsgroup: uk.comp.sys.mac

Alan B <alanrichardbarker@gmail.com.invalid> wrote:

On 2025-09-06, Graeme Wall <rail@greywall.demon.co.uk> wrote:

On 05/09/2025 11:08, Liz Tuddenham wrote:

Chris <ithinkiam@gmail.com> wrote:

Liz Tuddenham <liz@poppyrecords.invalid.invalid> wrote:

Graham J <nobody@nowhere.co.uk> wrote:

Liz Tuddenham wrote:

[snip]

I omitted to say that I want to use the camera which is built into the >>>>>> MacBook, I don't have a separate external camera.

OK that makes more sense.

As I understand it, the camera will show what it sees on the MacBook >>>>> screen. You then need to connect the projector to the MacBook in such a
way that it duplicates what appears on the MacBook screen.

Typically you need some software to "stream" the camera's live view to the
projector. It could be in macOS already or may need to install something. >>

That was what I was asking, does the MacBook have anything like that
built-in?

Keynote should do it, I would have thought.

You can also use the Preview app, admittedly for pretty basic presentations.

It doesn't appear to have Preview. (OS 10.6.8)
--
~ Liz Tuddenham ~
(Remove the ".invalid"s and add ".co.uk" to reply)
www.poppyrecords.co.uk
--- Synchronet 3.21a-Linux NewsLink 1.2

From Newsgroup: uk.comp.sys.mac

On 6 Sep 2025 at 09:19:01 BST, "Liz Tuddenham" <Liz Tuddenham> wrote:

Alan B <alanrichardbarker@gmail.com.invalid> wrote:

On 2025-09-06, Graeme Wall <rail@greywall.demon.co.uk> wrote:

On 05/09/2025 11:08, Liz Tuddenham wrote:

Chris <ithinkiam@gmail.com> wrote:

Liz Tuddenham <liz@poppyrecords.invalid.invalid> wrote:

Graham J <nobody@nowhere.co.uk> wrote:

Liz Tuddenham wrote:

[snip]

I omitted to say that I want to use the camera which is built into the >>>>>>>> MacBook, I don't have a separate external camera.

OK that makes more sense.

As I understand it, the camera will show what it sees on the MacBook >>>>>>> screen. You then need to connect the projector to the MacBook in such a
way that it duplicates what appears on the MacBook screen.

Typically you need some software to "stream" the camera's live view to the
projector. It could be in macOS already or may need to install something. >>>>

That was what I was asking, does the MacBook have anything like that
built-in?

Keynote should do it, I would have thought.

You can also use the Preview app, admittedly for pretty basic presentations.

It doesn't appear to have Preview. (OS 10.6.8)

Snow Leopard certainly came with Preview.

You can also use Quicktime Player:
File: New Movie Recording
will show you the picture from the internal camera.
Set it to record and then type Command - F for full screen.
(You will also get a recording, so make sure you have some disk space for that.)

Phil Taylor
--- Synchronet 3.21a-Linux NewsLink 1.2

From Newsgroup: uk.comp.sys.mac

On 06/09/2025 09:19, Liz Tuddenham wrote:

Chris <ithinkiam@gmail.com> wrote:

Liz Tuddenham <liz@poppyrecords.invalid.invalid> wrote:

David Sankey <David.Sankey@stfc.ac.uk> wrote:

[....]

It won't start, so I can't check.

Does it have its serial number written on the back? If so, enter this >>>> in <https://checkcoverage.apple.com/?locale=en_GB> and it will show the >>>> model

Update:

I've managed to start it. I sprayed some switch cleaner into the
Magsafe connector and the next time I connected it, the little green
light came on. I pressed the power button and it burst into life.

It is MacBook 3,1 (2GHz Intel Core2 Duo).

OK. That's really quite old and will require people to remember what OS X
was capable of back then.

[...]

The MacBook sounds old (how did you remove the battery???)

I turned the coin-slotted button a quarter of a turn, which released the >>> battery compartment lid with the battery attached.

But it does sound like the projector is VGA and you have the correct
adaptor for the MacBook, the major issue is that the MacBook won't boot. >>>>
Were it to boot I think that there should be a way to display the camera >>>> onscreen, but I am struggling to remember what we did 10 to 15 years
ago, which is my guess as to the age of the MacBook.

I have managed to get a picture filling about half the screen by using
an app. called "Photo Booth", none of the other apps seem to even
recognise the camera.

Does it have Facetime or perhaps something like Skype that you may have
downloaded way back when?

But as you say double problem!

Now I have to get the screen picture to an external device, there
doesn't appear to be anything related to video in the Preferences (but I >>> might not have looked in the right place yet).

Having thought about it a bit your best bet is Display Mirroring. Treat the >> projector as a secondary screen and mirror the laptop's display onto it so >> both screens show the same content. You can test it with an external
monitor if you have one to hand.

Where do I find that?

I agree Display Mirroring is certainly the way to go.

It'll be in what is now Apple menu->System Settings...->Displays when
you have connected a second display - my recollection is that the name
might have been slightly different back then, but should be findable.

If you don't have a monitor kicking around and your TV has a VGA input
and you have a VGA cable you could try connecting that, otherwise when
you go to the hall.
--- Synchronet 3.21a-Linux NewsLink 1.2

From Newsgroup: uk.comp.sys.mac

Liz Tuddenham <liz@poppyrecords.invalid.invalid> wrote:

Chris <ithinkiam@gmail.com> wrote:

Liz Tuddenham <liz@poppyrecords.invalid.invalid> wrote:

David Sankey <David.Sankey@stfc.ac.uk> wrote:

[....]

It won't start, so I can't check.

Does it have its serial number written on the back? If so, enter this >>>> in <https://checkcoverage.apple.com/?locale=en_GB> and it will show the >>>> model

Update:

I've managed to start it. I sprayed some switch cleaner into the
Magsafe connector and the next time I connected it, the little green
light came on. I pressed the power button and it burst into life.

It is MacBook 3,1 (2GHz Intel Core2 Duo).

OK. That's really quite old and will require people to remember what OS X
was capable of back then.

[...]

The MacBook sounds old (how did you remove the battery???)

I turned the coin-slotted button a quarter of a turn, which released the >>> battery compartment lid with the battery attached.

But it does sound like the projector is VGA and you have the correct
adaptor for the MacBook, the major issue is that the MacBook won't boot. >>>>
Were it to boot I think that there should be a way to display the camera >>>> onscreen, but I am struggling to remember what we did 10 to 15 years
ago, which is my guess as to the age of the MacBook.

I have managed to get a picture filling about half the screen by using
an app. called "Photo Booth", none of the other apps seem to even
recognise the camera.

Does it have Facetime or perhaps something like Skype that you may have
downloaded way back when?

But as you say double problem!

Now I have to get the screen picture to an external device, there
doesn't appear to be anything related to video in the Preferences (but I >>> might not have looked in the right place yet).

Having thought about it a bit your best bet is Display Mirroring. Treat the >> projector as a secondary screen and mirror the laptop's display onto it so >> both screens show the same content. You can test it with an external
monitor if you have one to hand.

Where do I find that?

Spotlight should find it for you. It'll be under display settings, I think.


--- Synchronet 3.21a-Linux NewsLink 1.2

From Newsgroup: uk.comp.sys.mac

David Sankey <David.Sankey@stfc.ac.uk> wrote:

On 06/09/2025 09:19, Liz Tuddenham wrote:

Chris <ithinkiam@gmail.com> wrote:

Liz Tuddenham <liz@poppyrecords.invalid.invalid> wrote:

David Sankey <David.Sankey@stfc.ac.uk> wrote:

[....]

It won't start, so I can't check.

Does it have its serial number written on the back? If so, enter this >>>> in <https://checkcoverage.apple.com/?locale=en_GB> and it will show the >>>> model

Update:

I've managed to start it. I sprayed some switch cleaner into the
Magsafe connector and the next time I connected it, the little green >>> light came on. I pressed the power button and it burst into life.

It is MacBook 3,1 (2GHz Intel Core2 Duo).

OK. That's really quite old and will require people to remember what OS X >> was capable of back then.

[...]

The MacBook sounds old (how did you remove the battery???)

I turned the coin-slotted button a quarter of a turn, which released the >>> battery compartment lid with the battery attached.

[...]

Progress:

I've now connected my own projector to the MacBook with the adaptor,
which adapts the rectangular Mac connector to (I think) VGA. Using
QuickTime I can display a picture from the camera without recording it
and set it to full screen to give higher definition.

System Preferences > Screen gives many options for the video output,
so I ought to be able to find something suitable when I try it on the
hall projector tomorrow evening.

If the hall projector can cope with the 75 Hz frame rate from the
PowerBook, I could put the slide show on the bigger screen and keep the
smaller one for the enlarged view of the apparatus. My experience of
modern projectors is that they offer huge range of pixel definition
formats but hardly any frame rate options.
--
~ Liz Tuddenham ~
(Remove the ".invalid"s and add ".co.uk" to reply)
www.poppyrecords.co.uk
--- Synchronet 3.21a-Linux NewsLink 1.2

From Newsgroup: uk.comp.sys.mac

Liz Tuddenham <liz@poppyrecords.invalid.invalid> wrote:

I have a MacBook which I haven't used for about a year. The battery was swelling up so I took it out - I presumed the laptop would run directly
from the power supply if I needed to use it.

Today I have tried to start it on the power supply but it showns no sign
of life, even after leaving it on for several hours.

The reason I need to start it is that I am giving a talk in a couple of
weeks and have realised that the apparatus I am demonstrating is a bit
small to be easily seen by the audience. Someone suggested that the
camera in the MacBook might be trained on the apparatus and a projector, which is already in the hall, could be connected so as to display a
large picture.

I'm pleased to say the talk went well, picture at: <https://chippenhamradio.club>

I realised that I needed light on the demonstration equipment, so I
brought along a stage lighting bar which you can just see at the top of
the picture (right of centre). By directing the light only where it was
needed and using a small screen for the presentation, I got sufficient
contrast and brightness on the screen.

We arranged the chairs in two concentric horseshoes but several more
people turned up unexpectedly at the last minute, so we had to put in a
third row. I'm not sure if they were able to see all the detail but
nobody complained.


Many Thanks to everyone on this group who tried to help with the camera
problem - I don't think it could have worked without a lot more
equipment and wiring.
--
~ Liz Tuddenham ~
(Remove the ".invalid"s and add ".co.uk" to reply)
www.poppyrecords.co.uk
--- Synchronet 3.21a-Linux NewsLink 1.2

From Newsgroup: uk.comp.sys.mac

On 18/09/2025 21:57, Liz Tuddenham wrote:

Liz Tuddenham <liz@poppyrecords.invalid.invalid> wrote:

I have a MacBook which I haven't used for about a year. The battery was
swelling up so I took it out - I presumed the laptop would run directly
from the power supply if I needed to use it.

Today I have tried to start it on the power supply but it showns no sign
of life, even after leaving it on for several hours.

The reason I need to start it is that I am giving a talk in a couple of
weeks and have realised that the apparatus I am demonstrating is a bit
small to be easily seen by the audience. Someone suggested that the
camera in the MacBook might be trained on the apparatus and a projector,
which is already in the hall, could be connected so as to display a
large picture.

I'm pleased to say the talk went well, picture at: <https://chippenhamradio.club>

Heavens! I haven't seen an AVO for years! ;-)

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Avometer

I realised that I needed light on the demonstration equipment, so I
brought along a stage lighting bar which you can just see at the top of
the picture (right of centre). By directing the light only where it was needed and using a small screen for the presentation, I got sufficient contrast and brightness on the screen.

We arranged the chairs in two concentric horseshoes but several more
people turned up unexpectedly at the last minute, so we had to put in a
third row. I'm not sure if they were able to see all the detail but
nobody complained.

Many Thanks to everyone on this group who tried to help with the camera problem - I don't think it could have worked without a lot more
equipment and wiring.

--- Synchronet 3.21a-Linux NewsLink 1.2

From Newsgroup: uk.comp.sys.mac

On 18 Sep 2025 at 9:57:13rC>PM GMT+1, "Liz Tuddenham" <Liz Tuddenham> wrote:

Liz Tuddenham <liz@poppyrecords.invalid.invalid> wrote:

I have a MacBook which I haven't used for about a year. The battery was
swelling up so I took it out - I presumed the laptop would run directly
from the power supply if I needed to use it.

Today I have tried to start it on the power supply but it showns no sign
of life, even after leaving it on for several hours.

The reason I need to start it is that I am giving a talk in a couple of
weeks and have realised that the apparatus I am demonstrating is a bit
small to be easily seen by the audience. Someone suggested that the
camera in the MacBook might be trained on the apparatus and a projector,
which is already in the hall, could be connected so as to display a
large picture.

I'm pleased to say the talk went well, picture at: <https://chippenhamradio.club>

I realised that I needed light on the demonstration equipment, so I
brought along a stage lighting bar which you can just see at the top of
the picture (right of centre). By directing the light only where it was needed and using a small screen for the presentation, I got sufficient contrast and brightness on the screen.

We arranged the chairs in two concentric horseshoes but several more
people turned up unexpectedly at the last minute, so we had to put in a
third row. I'm not sure if they were able to see all the detail but
nobody complained.

Many Thanks to everyone on this group who tried to help with the camera problem - I don't think it could have worked without a lot more
equipment and wiring.

Well, that was a surprise... I've always thought you were in Australia! And no - I don't even remember what led me to think that!
--- Synchronet 3.21a-Linux NewsLink 1.2

From Newsgroup: uk.comp.sys.mac

On 2025-09-18, Mark <captain.black@gmail.com> wrote:

On 18 Sep 2025 at 9:57:13rC>PM GMT+1, "Liz Tuddenham" <Liz Tuddenham> wrote:

Liz Tuddenham <liz@poppyrecords.invalid.invalid> wrote:

I have a MacBook which I haven't used for about a year. The battery was >>> swelling up so I took it out - I presumed the laptop would run directly
from the power supply if I needed to use it.

Today I have tried to start it on the power supply but it showns no sign >>> of life, even after leaving it on for several hours.

The reason I need to start it is that I am giving a talk in a couple of
weeks and have realised that the apparatus I am demonstrating is a bit
small to be easily seen by the audience. Someone suggested that the
camera in the MacBook might be trained on the apparatus and a projector, >>> which is already in the hall, could be connected so as to display a
large picture.

I'm pleased to say the talk went well, picture at:
<https://chippenhamradio.club>

I realised that I needed light on the demonstration equipment, so I
brought along a stage lighting bar which you can just see at the top of
the picture (right of centre). By directing the light only where it was
needed and using a small screen for the presentation, I got sufficient
contrast and brightness on the screen.

We arranged the chairs in two concentric horseshoes but several more
people turned up unexpectedly at the last minute, so we had to put in a
third row. I'm not sure if they were able to see all the detail but
nobody complained.


Many Thanks to everyone on this group who tried to help with the camera
problem - I don't think it could have worked without a lot more
equipment and wiring.

Well, that was a surprise... I've always thought you were in Australia! And no
- I don't even remember what led me to think that!

I thought you were a Mysteron ;) Anyway pleased to hear Liz's presentation went well. Sadly I haven't dabbled in Ham Radio for many years now.
--
Cheers, Alan
--- Synchronet 3.21a-Linux NewsLink 1.2

From Newsgroup: uk.comp.sys.mac

Alan B <alanrichardbarker@gmail.com.invalid> wrote:

On 2025-09-18, Mark <captain.black@gmail.com> wrote:

On 18 Sep 2025 at 9:57:13rC>PM GMT+1, "Liz Tuddenham" <Liz Tuddenham> wrote: >>

Liz Tuddenham <liz@poppyrecords.invalid.invalid> wrote:

I have a MacBook which I haven't used for about a year. The battery was >>>> swelling up so I took it out - I presumed the laptop would run directly >>>> from the power supply if I needed to use it.

Today I have tried to start it on the power supply but it showns no sign >>>> of life, even after leaving it on for several hours.

The reason I need to start it is that I am giving a talk in a couple of >>>> weeks and have realised that the apparatus I am demonstrating is a bit >>>> small to be easily seen by the audience. Someone suggested that the
camera in the MacBook might be trained on the apparatus and a projector, >>>> which is already in the hall, could be connected so as to display a
large picture.

I'm pleased to say the talk went well, picture at:
<https://chippenhamradio.club>

I realised that I needed light on the demonstration equipment, so I
brought along a stage lighting bar which you can just see at the top of
the picture (right of centre). By directing the light only where it was >>> needed and using a small screen for the presentation, I got sufficient
contrast and brightness on the screen.

We arranged the chairs in two concentric horseshoes but several more
people turned up unexpectedly at the last minute, so we had to put in a
third row. I'm not sure if they were able to see all the detail but
nobody complained.


Many Thanks to everyone on this group who tried to help with the camera
problem - I don't think it could have worked without a lot more
equipment and wiring.

Well, that was a surprise... I've always thought you were in Australia! And no
- I don't even remember what led me to think that!

I thought you were a Mysteron ;) Anyway pleased to hear Liz's presentation went well. Sadly I haven't dabbled in Ham Radio for many years now.

Sorry - that probably came across as quite random! Not a ham radio user,
but I used to spend hours scrolling through SW bands listening to weird
stuff. Great fun!
--
Cheers rCa Mark
--- Synchronet 3.21a-Linux NewsLink 1.2

From Newsgroup: uk.comp.sys.mac

Mark <captain.black@gmail.com> wrote:

On 18 Sep 2025 at 9:57:13rC>PM GMT+1, "Liz Tuddenham" <Liz Tuddenham> wrote:

Liz Tuddenham <liz@poppyrecords.invalid.invalid> wrote:

I have a MacBook which I haven't used for about a year. The battery was >> swelling up so I took it out - I presumed the laptop would run directly
from the power supply if I needed to use it.

Today I have tried to start it on the power supply but it showns no sign >> of life, even after leaving it on for several hours.

The reason I need to start it is that I am giving a talk in a couple of
weeks and have realised that the apparatus I am demonstrating is a bit
small to be easily seen by the audience. Someone suggested that the
camera in the MacBook might be trained on the apparatus and a projector, >> which is already in the hall, could be connected so as to display a
large picture.

I'm pleased to say the talk went well, picture at: <https://chippenhamradio.club>

I realised that I needed light on the demonstration equipment, so I
brought along a stage lighting bar which you can just see at the top of
the picture (right of centre). By directing the light only where it was needed and using a small screen for the presentation, I got sufficient contrast and brightness on the screen.

We arranged the chairs in two concentric horseshoes but several more
people turned up unexpectedly at the last minute, so we had to put in a third row. I'm not sure if they were able to see all the detail but
nobody complained.

Many Thanks to everyone on this group who tried to help with the camera problem - I don't think it could have worked without a lot more
equipment and wiring.

Well, that was a surprise... I've always thought you were in Australia! And no
- I don't even remember what led me to think that!

My mother told me I was a breech birth, which might explain it. That
certainly accounts for why my feet smell and my nose runs.
--
~ Liz Tuddenham ~
(Remove the ".invalid"s and add ".co.uk" to reply)
www.poppyrecords.co.uk
--- Synchronet 3.21a-Linux NewsLink 1.2

From Newsgroup: uk.comp.sys.mac

On 19 Sep 2025 at 12:22:28rC>PM GMT+1, "Liz Tuddenham" <Liz Tuddenham> wrote:

Mark <captain.black@gmail.com> wrote:

On 18 Sep 2025 at 9:57:13|o-C->PM GMT+1, "Liz Tuddenham" <Liz Tuddenham> wrote:

Liz Tuddenham <liz@poppyrecords.invalid.invalid> wrote:

I have a MacBook which I haven't used for about a year. The battery was >>>> swelling up so I took it out - I presumed the laptop would run directly >>>> from the power supply if I needed to use it.

Today I have tried to start it on the power supply but it showns no sign >>>> of life, even after leaving it on for several hours.

The reason I need to start it is that I am giving a talk in a couple of >>>> weeks and have realised that the apparatus I am demonstrating is a bit >>>> small to be easily seen by the audience. Someone suggested that the
camera in the MacBook might be trained on the apparatus and a projector, >>>> which is already in the hall, could be connected so as to display a
large picture.

I'm pleased to say the talk went well, picture at:
<https://chippenhamradio.club>

I realised that I needed light on the demonstration equipment, so I
brought along a stage lighting bar which you can just see at the top of
the picture (right of centre). By directing the light only where it was >>> needed and using a small screen for the presentation, I got sufficient
contrast and brightness on the screen.

We arranged the chairs in two concentric horseshoes but several more
people turned up unexpectedly at the last minute, so we had to put in a
third row. I'm not sure if they were able to see all the detail but
nobody complained.


Many Thanks to everyone on this group who tried to help with the camera
problem - I don't think it could have worked without a lot more
equipment and wiring.

Well, that was a surprise... I've always thought you were in Australia! And no
- I don't even remember what led me to think that!

My mother told me I was a breech birth, which might explain it. That certainly accounts for why my feet smell and my nose runs.

Ah yes, that must be it! ;)
--- Synchronet 3.21a-Linux NewsLink 1.2

From Newsgroup: uk.comp.sys.mac

Mark <captain.black@gmail.com> wrote:

Alan B <alanrichardbarker@gmail.com.invalid> wrote:

On 2025-09-18, Mark <captain.black@gmail.com> wrote:

On 18 Sep 2025 at 9:57:13rC>PM GMT+1, "Liz Tuddenham" <Liz Tuddenham> wrote:

Liz Tuddenham <liz@poppyrecords.invalid.invalid> wrote:

I have a MacBook which I haven't used for about a year. The battery was >>>>> swelling up so I took it out - I presumed the laptop would run directly >>>>> from the power supply if I needed to use it.

Today I have tried to start it on the power supply but it showns no sign >>>>> of life, even after leaving it on for several hours.

The reason I need to start it is that I am giving a talk in a couple of >>>>> weeks and have realised that the apparatus I am demonstrating is a bit >>>>> small to be easily seen by the audience. Someone suggested that the >>>>> camera in the MacBook might be trained on the apparatus and a projector, >>>>> which is already in the hall, could be connected so as to display a
large picture.

I'm pleased to say the talk went well, picture at:
<https://chippenhamradio.club>

I realised that I needed light on the demonstration equipment, so I
brought along a stage lighting bar which you can just see at the top of >>>> the picture (right of centre). By directing the light only where it was >>>> needed and using a small screen for the presentation, I got sufficient >>>> contrast and brightness on the screen.

We arranged the chairs in two concentric horseshoes but several more
people turned up unexpectedly at the last minute, so we had to put in a >>>> third row. I'm not sure if they were able to see all the detail but
nobody complained.


Many Thanks to everyone on this group who tried to help with the camera >>>> problem - I don't think it could have worked without a lot more
equipment and wiring.

Well, that was a surprise... I've always thought you were in Australia! And no
- I don't even remember what led me to think that!

I thought you were a Mysteron ;) Anyway pleased to hear Liz's presentation >> went well. Sadly I haven't dabbled in Ham Radio for many years now.

Sorry - that probably came across as quite random! Not a ham radio user,
but I used to spend hours scrolling through SW bands listening to weird stuff. Great fun!

Nowadays I often use WebSDR for sw listening.

<http://websdr.org>

The Twente site gives reasonable coverage of the sw spectrum.
--
Cheers, Alan
--- Synchronet 3.21a-Linux NewsLink 1.2

From Newsgroup: uk.comp.sys.mac

On 19 Sep 2025 at 12:33:31rC>PM GMT+1, "Alan B" <alanrichardbarker@gmail.com.invalid> wrote:

Mark <captain.black@gmail.com> wrote:

Alan B <alanrichardbarker@gmail.com.invalid> wrote:

On 2025-09-18, Mark <captain.black@gmail.com> wrote:

On 18 Sep 2025 at 9:57:13rC>PM GMT+1, "Liz Tuddenham" <Liz Tuddenham> wrote:

Liz Tuddenham <liz@poppyrecords.invalid.invalid> wrote:

I have a MacBook which I haven't used for about a year. The battery was >>>>>> swelling up so I took it out - I presumed the laptop would run directly >>>>>> from the power supply if I needed to use it.

Today I have tried to start it on the power supply but it showns no sign >>>>>> of life, even after leaving it on for several hours.

The reason I need to start it is that I am giving a talk in a couple of >>>>>> weeks and have realised that the apparatus I am demonstrating is a bit >>>>>> small to be easily seen by the audience. Someone suggested that the >>>>>> camera in the MacBook might be trained on the apparatus and a projector, >>>>>> which is already in the hall, could be connected so as to display a >>>>>> large picture.

I'm pleased to say the talk went well, picture at:
<https://chippenhamradio.club>

I realised that I needed light on the demonstration equipment, so I
brought along a stage lighting bar which you can just see at the top of >>>>> the picture (right of centre). By directing the light only where it was >>>>> needed and using a small screen for the presentation, I got sufficient >>>>> contrast and brightness on the screen.

We arranged the chairs in two concentric horseshoes but several more >>>>> people turned up unexpectedly at the last minute, so we had to put in a >>>>> third row. I'm not sure if they were able to see all the detail but >>>>> nobody complained.


Many Thanks to everyone on this group who tried to help with the camera >>>>> problem - I don't think it could have worked without a lot more
equipment and wiring.

Well, that was a surprise... I've always thought you were in Australia! And no
- I don't even remember what led me to think that!

I thought you were a Mysteron ;) Anyway pleased to hear Liz's presentation >>> went well. Sadly I haven't dabbled in Ham Radio for many years now.

Sorry - that probably came across as quite random! Not a ham radio user,
but I used to spend hours scrolling through SW bands listening to weird
stuff. Great fun!

Nowadays I often use WebSDR for sw listening.

<http://websdr.org>

The Twente site gives reasonable coverage of the sw spectrum.

Muat admit, I've been looking at SW receivers lately... I used to have a Sony ICF-SW55. That was an amazing piece of kit & I do miss it. Bought it in the early 90s & used it when i was in Moscow for a few years. There was very
little else in terms of english language audio/visual entertainment back then, apart from CNN. I'd cruise the airwaves and keep a little notebook of where/when different countries broadcast their english language programs.
--- Synchronet 3.21a-Linux NewsLink 1.2

From Newsgroup: uk.comp.sys.mac

On 19 Sep 2025 at 21:54:07 BST, "Mark" <captain.black@gmail.com> wrote:

On 19 Sep 2025 at 12:33:31rC>PM GMT+1, "Alan B" <alanrichardbarker@gmail.com.invalid> wrote:

Mark <captain.black@gmail.com> wrote:

Alan B <alanrichardbarker@gmail.com.invalid> wrote:

On 2025-09-18, Mark <captain.black@gmail.com> wrote:

On 18 Sep 2025 at 9:57:13rC>PM GMT+1, "Liz Tuddenham" <Liz Tuddenham> wrote:

Liz Tuddenham <liz@poppyrecords.invalid.invalid> wrote:

I have a MacBook which I haven't used for about a year. The battery was
swelling up so I took it out - I presumed the laptop would run directly >>>>>>> from the power supply if I needed to use it.

Today I have tried to start it on the power supply but it showns no sign
of life, even after leaving it on for several hours.

The reason I need to start it is that I am giving a talk in a couple of >>>>>>> weeks and have realised that the apparatus I am demonstrating is a bit >>>>>>> small to be easily seen by the audience. Someone suggested that the >>>>>>> camera in the MacBook might be trained on the apparatus and a projector,
which is already in the hall, could be connected so as to display a >>>>>>> large picture.

I'm pleased to say the talk went well, picture at:
<https://chippenhamradio.club>

I realised that I needed light on the demonstration equipment, so I >>>>>> brought along a stage lighting bar which you can just see at the top of >>>>>> the picture (right of centre). By directing the light only where it was >>>>>> needed and using a small screen for the presentation, I got sufficient >>>>>> contrast and brightness on the screen.

We arranged the chairs in two concentric horseshoes but several more >>>>>> people turned up unexpectedly at the last minute, so we had to put in a >>>>>> third row. I'm not sure if they were able to see all the detail but >>>>>> nobody complained.


Many Thanks to everyone on this group who tried to help with the camera >>>>>> problem - I don't think it could have worked without a lot more
equipment and wiring.

Well, that was a surprise... I've always thought you were in Australia! And no
- I don't even remember what led me to think that!

I thought you were a Mysteron ;) Anyway pleased to hear Liz's presentation >>>> went well. Sadly I haven't dabbled in Ham Radio for many years now.

Sorry - that probably came across as quite random! Not a ham radio user, >>> but I used to spend hours scrolling through SW bands listening to weird
stuff. Great fun!

Nowadays I often use WebSDR for sw listening.

<http://websdr.org>

The Twente site gives reasonable coverage of the sw spectrum.

Muat admit, I've been looking at SW receivers lately... I used to have a Sony ICF-SW55. That was an amazing piece of kit & I do miss it. Bought it in the early 90s & used it when i was in Moscow for a few years. There was very little else in terms of english language audio/visual entertainment back then,
apart from CNN. I'd cruise the airwaves and keep a little notebook of where/when different countries broadcast their english language programs.

You could always get a SDR box to plug into your Mac. I bought one of these
but
of course you need a decent antenna system, so the wedsdr solution may be better.

<https://www.sdrplay.com/rsp1b/>
--
Cheers, Alan
--- Synchronet 3.21a-Linux NewsLink 1.2

From Newsgroup: uk.comp.sys.mac

On 20 Sep 2025 at 8:49:10rC>AM GMT+1, "Alan B" <alanrichardbarker@gmail.com.invalid> wrote:

On 19 Sep 2025 at 21:54:07 BST, "Mark" <captain.black@gmail.com> wrote:

On 19 Sep 2025 at 12:33:31rC>PM GMT+1, "Alan B"
<alanrichardbarker@gmail.com.invalid> wrote:

Mark <captain.black@gmail.com> wrote:

Alan B <alanrichardbarker@gmail.com.invalid> wrote:

On 2025-09-18, Mark <captain.black@gmail.com> wrote:

On 18 Sep 2025 at 9:57:13rC>PM GMT+1, "Liz Tuddenham" <Liz Tuddenham> wrote:

Liz Tuddenham <liz@poppyrecords.invalid.invalid> wrote:

I have a MacBook which I haven't used for about a year. The battery was
swelling up so I took it out - I presumed the laptop would run directly
from the power supply if I needed to use it.

Today I have tried to start it on the power supply but it showns no sign
of life, even after leaving it on for several hours.

The reason I need to start it is that I am giving a talk in a couple of
weeks and have realised that the apparatus I am demonstrating is a bit >>>>>>>> small to be easily seen by the audience. Someone suggested that the >>>>>>>> camera in the MacBook might be trained on the apparatus and a projector,
which is already in the hall, could be connected so as to display a >>>>>>>> large picture.

I'm pleased to say the talk went well, picture at:
<https://chippenhamradio.club>

I realised that I needed light on the demonstration equipment, so I >>>>>>> brought along a stage lighting bar which you can just see at the top of >>>>>>> the picture (right of centre). By directing the light only where it was
needed and using a small screen for the presentation, I got sufficient >>>>>>> contrast and brightness on the screen.

We arranged the chairs in two concentric horseshoes but several more >>>>>>> people turned up unexpectedly at the last minute, so we had to put in a >>>>>>> third row. I'm not sure if they were able to see all the detail but >>>>>>> nobody complained.


Many Thanks to everyone on this group who tried to help with the camera >>>>>>> problem - I don't think it could have worked without a lot more
equipment and wiring.

Well, that was a surprise... I've always thought you were in Australia! And no
- I don't even remember what led me to think that!

I thought you were a Mysteron ;) Anyway pleased to hear Liz's presentation
went well. Sadly I haven't dabbled in Ham Radio for many years now.

Sorry - that probably came across as quite random! Not a ham radio user, >>>> but I used to spend hours scrolling through SW bands listening to weird >>>> stuff. Great fun!

Nowadays I often use WebSDR for sw listening.

<http://websdr.org>

The Twente site gives reasonable coverage of the sw spectrum.

Muat admit, I've been looking at SW receivers lately... I used to have a Sony
ICF-SW55. That was an amazing piece of kit & I do miss it. Bought it in the >> early 90s & used it when i was in Moscow for a few years. There was very
little else in terms of english language audio/visual entertainment back then,
apart from CNN. I'd cruise the airwaves and keep a little notebook of
where/when different countries broadcast their english language programs.

You could always get a SDR box to plug into your Mac. I bought one of these but
of course you need a decent antenna system, so the wedsdr solution may be better.

<https://www.sdrplay.com/rsp1b/>

True, but compared to twiddling an actual knob ;) Just came across this <https://shortwave.live> Would have been very useful back in the day!
--- Synchronet 3.21a-Linux NewsLink 1.2

From Newsgroup: uk.comp.sys.mac

On 20 Sep 2025 at 8:49:10rC>AM GMT+1, "Alan B" <alanrichardbarker@gmail.com.invalid> wrote:

On 19 Sep 2025 at 21:54:07 BST, "Mark" <captain.black@gmail.com> wrote:

On 19 Sep 2025 at 12:33:31rC>PM GMT+1, "Alan B"
<alanrichardbarker@gmail.com.invalid> wrote:

Mark <captain.black@gmail.com> wrote:

Alan B <alanrichardbarker@gmail.com.invalid> wrote:

On 2025-09-18, Mark <captain.black@gmail.com> wrote:

On 18 Sep 2025 at 9:57:13rC>PM GMT+1, "Liz Tuddenham" <Liz Tuddenham> wrote:

Liz Tuddenham <liz@poppyrecords.invalid.invalid> wrote:

I have a MacBook which I haven't used for about a year. The battery was
swelling up so I took it out - I presumed the laptop would run directly
from the power supply if I needed to use it.

Today I have tried to start it on the power supply but it showns no sign
of life, even after leaving it on for several hours.

The reason I need to start it is that I am giving a talk in a couple of
weeks and have realised that the apparatus I am demonstrating is a bit >>>>>>>> small to be easily seen by the audience. Someone suggested that the >>>>>>>> camera in the MacBook might be trained on the apparatus and a projector,
which is already in the hall, could be connected so as to display a >>>>>>>> large picture.

I'm pleased to say the talk went well, picture at:
<https://chippenhamradio.club>

I realised that I needed light on the demonstration equipment, so I >>>>>>> brought along a stage lighting bar which you can just see at the top of >>>>>>> the picture (right of centre). By directing the light only where it was
needed and using a small screen for the presentation, I got sufficient >>>>>>> contrast and brightness on the screen.

We arranged the chairs in two concentric horseshoes but several more >>>>>>> people turned up unexpectedly at the last minute, so we had to put in a >>>>>>> third row. I'm not sure if they were able to see all the detail but >>>>>>> nobody complained.


Many Thanks to everyone on this group who tried to help with the camera >>>>>>> problem - I don't think it could have worked without a lot more
equipment and wiring.

Well, that was a surprise... I've always thought you were in Australia! And no
- I don't even remember what led me to think that!

I thought you were a Mysteron ;) Anyway pleased to hear Liz's presentation
went well. Sadly I haven't dabbled in Ham Radio for many years now.

Sorry - that probably came across as quite random! Not a ham radio user, >>>> but I used to spend hours scrolling through SW bands listening to weird >>>> stuff. Great fun!

Nowadays I often use WebSDR for sw listening.

<http://websdr.org>

The Twente site gives reasonable coverage of the sw spectrum.

Muat admit, I've been looking at SW receivers lately... I used to have a Sony
ICF-SW55. That was an amazing piece of kit & I do miss it. Bought it in the >> early 90s & used it when i was in Moscow for a few years. There was very
little else in terms of english language audio/visual entertainment back then,
apart from CNN. I'd cruise the airwaves and keep a little notebook of
where/when different countries broadcast their english language programs.

You could always get a SDR box to plug into your Mac. I bought one of these but
of course you need a decent antenna system, so the wedsdr solution may be better.

<https://www.sdrplay.com/rsp1b/>

Thought I'd replied to this already but I don't see it...

There's just something about twiddling an actual know though... ;) Saw this tonight <https://shortwave.live> Would have been very useful back in the day! --- Synchronet 3.21a-Linux NewsLink 1.2

From Newsgroup: uk.comp.sys.mac

On 20 Sep 2025 at 20:50:06 BST, "Mark" <captain.black@gmail.com> wrote:

On 20 Sep 2025 at 8:49:10rC>AM GMT+1, "Alan B" <alanrichardbarker@gmail.com.invalid> wrote:

On 19 Sep 2025 at 21:54:07 BST, "Mark" <captain.black@gmail.com> wrote:

On 19 Sep 2025 at 12:33:31rC>PM GMT+1, "Alan B"
<alanrichardbarker@gmail.com.invalid> wrote:

Mark <captain.black@gmail.com> wrote:

Alan B <alanrichardbarker@gmail.com.invalid> wrote:

On 2025-09-18, Mark <captain.black@gmail.com> wrote:

On 18 Sep 2025 at 9:57:13rC>PM GMT+1, "Liz Tuddenham" <Liz Tuddenham> wrote:

Liz Tuddenham <liz@poppyrecords.invalid.invalid> wrote:

I have a MacBook which I haven't used for about a year. The battery was
swelling up so I took it out - I presumed the laptop would run directly
from the power supply if I needed to use it.

Today I have tried to start it on the power supply but it showns no sign
of life, even after leaving it on for several hours.

The reason I need to start it is that I am giving a talk in a couple of
weeks and have realised that the apparatus I am demonstrating is a bit
small to be easily seen by the audience. Someone suggested that the >>>>>>>>> camera in the MacBook might be trained on the apparatus and a projector,
which is already in the hall, could be connected so as to display a >>>>>>>>> large picture.

I'm pleased to say the talk went well, picture at:
<https://chippenhamradio.club>

I realised that I needed light on the demonstration equipment, so I >>>>>>>> brought along a stage lighting bar which you can just see at the top of
the picture (right of centre). By directing the light only where it was
needed and using a small screen for the presentation, I got sufficient >>>>>>>> contrast and brightness on the screen.

We arranged the chairs in two concentric horseshoes but several more >>>>>>>> people turned up unexpectedly at the last minute, so we had to put in a
third row. I'm not sure if they were able to see all the detail but >>>>>>>> nobody complained.


Many Thanks to everyone on this group who tried to help with the camera
problem - I don't think it could have worked without a lot more >>>>>>>> equipment and wiring.

Well, that was a surprise... I've always thought you were in Australia! And no
- I don't even remember what led me to think that!

I thought you were a Mysteron ;) Anyway pleased to hear Liz's presentation
went well. Sadly I haven't dabbled in Ham Radio for many years now. >>>>>>

Sorry - that probably came across as quite random! Not a ham radio user, >>>>> but I used to spend hours scrolling through SW bands listening to weird >>>>> stuff. Great fun!

Nowadays I often use WebSDR for sw listening.

<http://websdr.org>

The Twente site gives reasonable coverage of the sw spectrum.

Muat admit, I've been looking at SW receivers lately... I used to have a Sony
ICF-SW55. That was an amazing piece of kit & I do miss it. Bought it in the >>> early 90s & used it when i was in Moscow for a few years. There was very >>> little else in terms of english language audio/visual entertainment back then,
apart from CNN. I'd cruise the airwaves and keep a little notebook of
where/when different countries broadcast their english language programs. >>

You could always get a SDR box to plug into your Mac. I bought one of these >> but
of course you need a decent antenna system, so the wedsdr solution may be
better.

<https://www.sdrplay.com/rsp1b/>

Thought I'd replied to this already but I don't see it...

There's just something about twiddling an actual know though... ;) Saw this tonight <https://shortwave.live> Would have been very useful back in the day!

I can see it - don't know why you can't.

Very useful link which I've bookmarked - thanks.
--
Cheers, Alan
--- Synchronet 3.21a-Linux NewsLink 1.2