Wednesday, May 31, 2000
Top Stories
Flying The Unfriendly Skies... And Loving It
If you’ve never piloted a plane — let alone a 55 to 85 year-old bomber — iEntertainment Network has made it easy for you to get started on the path to acehood.
Core Changes To The Mac System
OS X, Apple's new operating system, fundamentally transforms the venerable Macintosh.
Apple's 'Core' Shareholders Skewer Analyst
Jobs and the boys have always proved the naysayers wrong, and Apple's faithful have learned to smugly turn the other cheek.
Encouraging News From WWDC
Apple people seem genuinely interested in helping I.S. support the Mac and Mac OS. Maybe it's because they understand that Mac OS X will be a much bigger product for the enterprise, in terms of operations such as rendering farms and server farms.
News
Nisus Email, An Email App That 'Thinks Different'
Soon Nisus Software will unveil the Nisus Email System (NESY), a transparent e-mail application that's designed to go unnoticed and to be a totally new approach to sending and receiving e-mail.
Can WordPerfect For Mac Be Resurrected?
An online campaign is second-guessing Corel's decision to kill the venerable program.
Apple Firms Up Firmware
Apple has released four firmware updates that add FireWire startup disk support to older Power Mac G4s, PowerBooks, and iMacs. They also spruce up USB support (for iBooks, as well) and take care of some potential startup problems on G4s and iMacs.
AppleWorks Upgraded To 6.0.4
With the previous 6.0.3 update and now this one, Apple has addressed two of the worst problems — spotty performance and instability — in AppleWorks 6.0.
Opinion
Will Apple Survive The Test Of Adversity?
This spring and summer, we will see what Apple is really made of. After a couple of almost flawless years of computer business, a few aspects of Apple's situation are darker than before.
Fruit-flavored Slot Of Death?
Slot-loading drives and laptops could be a dangerous combination.
Review
The Browsers Wars In The New Millennium Battle - What's Faster Netscape, Microsoft Or iCab?
On most performance tests Communicator 4.7.3 and iCab won the speed test. Internet Explorer was not that far behind and in the Java test it blew the competition away.
HP DeskJet 1220C Professional Series
If you need to print large-format color or if you've got the extra cash to experiment with roomier projects, the HP 1220C offers outstanding quality at a home-office price.
Spark 1.5
If you are serious about audio editing and mastering, Spark 1.5 is a great investment.
Inside Mac Games
Whatís on the Web site is good; itís whatís not there that frequently disappoints.
Logitech Optical Wheel Mouse
It's better than the IntelliMouse, better than Kensington's line, and the best replacement for the money if you're like me and hate the Apple's standard mouse.
Sony Spressa USB CD-RW
Sony's drive is one solid piece of hardware, and works flawlessly at 4X speeds.
Bingo Bingo Bingo
People buy what they're familiar with, assuming it'll be as much fun on the computer as it is in real life. With Bingo Bingo Bingo, they'll be woefully wrong.
How To Speed Up Your Start Up
Plus, a fast startup speed impresses pretty girls!
HP's DeskJet 1220C
I'm in love with the new DeskJet 1220C Professional printer from Hewlett Packard. Sure, it may be a little on the hefty side, but it's quiet and offers beautiful output.
Choosing A Portable: iBook Or PowerBook?
Decisions, decisions. iBook or PowerBook? An "iMac to go" or a professional laptop? Which do you choose?
Sidetrack
It's Like You've A Faster Mac!
... and when was the last time you saw you system software running on just 16MB of RAM?
It's Like You've Shrink Your Home!
About.com: "The following instructions will increase the range of an Apple airport base station 30 to 100%..."
And the site has big friendly pictures that spells out the step-by-step instruction.
Wintel
Top 10 Other Reasons For A MS Breakup
Government economic advisors' reasoning: More Microsofts, more jobs.
MS Trial: If The Shoe Fits ...
The fate of Microsoft may hang on an obscure case called United Shoe — the feds' 50-year attempt to bust up a shoe-manufacturing equipment company. Both sides point to the case in their arguments. Declan McCullagh reports from Washington.
Analysts: It's A Banner Year For PC Sales
Performance is up, orders are up and prices have stabilized. Corporate buyers are giving PC makers a reason to smile.
MS Leaking Sun Code Three Times Entirely Accidental - Judge
The skirmishes going on do not bear much on the merits of the main case that Sun has brought against Microsoft, but it does tell us that Sun's licence for Java was not very watertight legally.
Is Microsoft The Buy Of The Millenium?
"If Microsoft was an average diversified company, (a breakup) would be good for shareholders. But I'm not convinced. It seems to me to have much more synergy or monopoly profits than most diversified companies."
Does Big Business Want Legacy-free PCs?
The new generation of legacy-free PCs has turned some heads with its sleek styling, but many IT managers have yet to give the machines much more than a passing glance.
MS Should Take Comfort In Ruling
What could be worse news for Bill Gates & Co. than being split into two pieces? How about three chunks?
Breaking Up Microsoft Is Not The Solution
Any "solution" which results in still having only one source of the Windows operating system is — "No solution at all!"
'Resume' Worm Squished Without Much Damage
Any damage caused by the "resume" worm by midday Tuesday, however, was insignificant.
Gateway, AOL Deal Doesn't Mean The End Of Wintel
Net appliance offerings from Gateway and America Online represent another step in the evolution of technology options for consumers.
Intel Cuts Prices For Wide Range Of Chips
Intel has slashed list prices for its desktop and mobile processors, although many of the discounted chips remain in short supply.
Sun's Claim Against Microsoft Dismissed In Pretrial Ruling
A U.S. judge tentatively denied Sun Microsystems' claim for $35 million in damages as part of the company's breach-of-contract dispute with Microsoft.
New Features For Photoshop 6?
Adobe Photoshop 6, the next version of the market-leading image-editing package, will sport a raft of interface improvements along with new layer and type functions, according to an 11-page "Detailed Feature Guide" distributed to beta testers.
Microsoft Prepares Final Arguments
Attorneys for Microsoft were busy today preparing their final legal response to the government's plan to break up the software giant for antitrust violations.
Tuesday, May 30, 2000
Opinion
Let Developers Have OS X
Some of us are keen to be early in the process, but we don't have the budget to go to WWDC or to sign up as developers. Don't cut us out.
Why Macs Are Different
Macs have something PCs don't: style, class, and ease of use.
Review
Sim City 3000
If you have the hardware power to run it, and the benevolency to tolerate a few Mac vs. PC glitches then you should find Sim City 3000 a worthy addition to your game collection.
Sidetrack
Broken Stuff II
The news-feed feature here at AppleSurf have been restarted... So, you will see quite a lot of articles reappearing on our radar.
Relax. Ignore this for a few days while the feeds stabilizes, and all should be well.
Finger-crossed.
More Explanation
Some new feeds were added... Some pre-processing were added to my scripts for an upcoming feature... And somewhere somehow, the script broke. Sorry. I promise more tests before the unleash any new scripts in the future. :-)
Wintel
Plan To Break Up Microsoft's Power Is Best For Long Run
Free markets are not markets without rules; they are markets where everyone follows the same rules.
Microsoft Moves To Challenge Palm
an evaluation of one of the models, the Hewlett-Packard Jornada 545, indicated Palm Inc. might have something to fear.
Monday, May 29, 2000
Top Stories
The Historical Roots Of Mac OS X
Subtitle: What the heck is that "BSD" stuff, anyway?
News
Music Software Firm Debuts Mac Product
MusicMatch Inc., a maker of software for playing and organizing music on a computer... is set to unveil a version for [Macintosh], targeting a group of avid multimedia fans it says have been overlooked in the fast-growing space.
Sidetrack
Broken Stuff
As you may (or, well, may not) notice, the news feed feature of AppleSurf is currently broken. Sorry, but I'll try to fix this as soon as possible.
Half Keyboard
Use your usual QWERT keyboard — with just one hand. Okay, I'm interested.
Wintel
Bullpen: Of Broken Bones And Microsoft
Covering the Microsoft trial is a curse.
The Microsoft-free Office
[C]an you really run a business in today's high-tech, wired world without relying in some way on Microsoft technology?
Challenge To Windows Is In Middleware
One of the most remarkable byproducts of the government's antitrust suit against Microsoft is that a nerdish bit of computer plumbing called middleware has emerged as the star of the case.
Sunday, May 28, 2000
Opinion
Maybe It's Time For Apple To Up The Chips?
Motorola has proven themselves as a great right hand, but times are changing and the demand on computers to be all powerful and embracing open source is upon us.
The New Apple
The company under Gil Amelio and Steve Jobs.
Review
Sabrina, The Teenage Witch: Brat Attack
Although the character of Sabrina the Teenage Witch does not ooze with political correctness, this Sabrina software title does conjure a substantial amount of fun factor.
Sidetrack
New Stuff
Searching for information? Maybe the brand new Mac Toolbox can help.
Advertise!
You have developed a Mac OS X product. Now, it's time to get the word out. Why not spent it on Macworld and MacHome? Apple says it will be cheap...
How about advertising here on AppleSurf? Woud you?
Wintel
For Microsoft Legal Action, Timing Is Key
At the heart of the Microsoft antitrust case is a race with time.
Saturday, May 27, 2000
Wintel
Readers Decry Microsoft Policy Of Withholding Operating System CD
Microsoft was right when it said that "recovery CDs" have been around for a while. But they were wrong when they said nobody had any complaints about them.
MSN Browser Requires A Commitment
Preview of the revamped IE-based interface to MSN leaves you more functions but fewer choices.
Melissa-Like Virus Lurks
The virus is carried in an e-mail with an attachment called either Resume.doc or Explorer.doc.
Friday, May 26, 2000
News
Senate Hears Concerns About Easing Export Controls
Apple Computer began selling its new G4 single-processor personal computer last fall but was unable to market it in more than 50 countries because export control changes did not go into effect until January.
Corel Doesn't Rhyme With Morale
Employee morale is slumping and several senior executives are jumping ship.
Apple Germany Sees 36 Percent Growth
In the first quarter of 2000 Apple Germany has registered a growth in sales of 36 percent in comparison with the same time period from last year even though the overall German market only grew by 5 percent.
Corel Gets Cash Infusion Worth Up To $20M
[H]owever, it still expects to make $40-million worth of cuts to support its current revenue expectations and "is likely to shed up to 400 employees from various departments," according to one report.
Laptops Of Luxury
The Apple E-Mates that students have been using for three years are rapidly becoming outdated and worn out. The company no longer makes the E-Mate, and newer laptops—such as the iBooks—are very expensive.
Opinion
Viva G3!
I'm heartened at evidence that Apple is applying the same philosophy [of using the right tools for the right job] to its choice of processors.
Diverging Paths For PowerPC
While G3s run optimized AltiVec code just fine, G4s run it faster... Apple seems to be hedging its bets and can easily support both.
An Armchair CEO Looks At Apple
Apple's history through the Michael Spindler era.
Will Compatibility Issues Rain On The OS X Parade?
Can Apple achieve a repeat performance with the Mac OS X transition?
Review
Quake III Arena: Familiar Fun, No Surprises
d has done a nice job of making the game playable over the Internet, even with a dial-up connection.
Supporting Your Systems On A Limited Budget
If support is suffering at your company, look at the issues closely to determine if the problem is resource availability or resource management.
Z-Write - A Word Processor For Writers
[I]f you're a journalist or book author, give this one a look.
What System Is More Stable - The Mac Or Windows?
The biggest difference you will notice when moving from the Macintosh to Windows or from Windows to the Macintosh is how easy it is to destabilize each operating system.
Optimize Your Mac's Performance And Stability
[H]ere are a few solutions and tips to get the most out of your machine and to keep it running for days without a single crash.
Mac OS X DP4
Technically, it is as sound and innovative as ever.
Mac Freeware: A Guide Through The Orchard
From word processors to games, you can get it online for free or next to nothing.
Puck-Lovers Come Out! (Mouse Different)
Mac user after Mac user, almost in shame, admitting that they too liked the hockey puck.
Inner Beauty: Looks Can Be Deceiving When It Comes To Apple's Newest Mobile Macs
Ever since Steve Jobs returned to Apple, we've come to expect drama when the company introduces new products, whether they're colorful and cuddly iMacs or shocking-blue Power Macs. But sometimes the most-dramatic changes don't have to do with a flashy appearance—they're all about what's inside.
Games For '030s
Finding a game that will run well on a 68030 can be quite a challenge these days. Although the system requirements will let you know whether the game will run on a 68030, rarely do they say whether it will run well.
Sidetrack
The Other Side
Scott Rosenberg, managing editor/VP Site Developement, Salon.com: Yes, we tested stuff, but anyone who's ever done a site launch can tell you that things that work under test conditions sometimes break on a live site, and there's no way to know that till you go live.
(This is part of a longer comment in Media News.)
New Stuff
Did you know that there is a new site in town? MacEdition? Tag line: Industry-leading news and analysis.
And did you know that there is one convinent place (besides that "Update" button) on the web that you can find out the latest updates from Apple? The Recent Software Downloads page from Apple's Support.
Wintel
Windows Tablet Runs Up The Tab
Aqcess Technologies prices its slick Qbe device at a hard-to-swallow $4,475.
Microsoft Patches Up Bruised Outlook
Critics of Microsoft say that while the patches will prevent viruses like Melissa and the Love Bug, they do little to address underlying weaknesses in the Microsoft platform.
Microsoft Postpones Strategy Forum, Cites Case
The sudden change of plans provides one of the clearest signs yet of how the antitrust case has disrupted business as usual at the company.
Justice Department Still Wants Microsoft Split Into Two Companies
[T]he government team had settled on a two-way split as the least complicated way of restoring completion to the operating system market.
Linux Programmers Get A Taste Of The Future
Linux programmers wanting a glimpse of things to come will be able to try out three machines at VA Linux Systems with Intel's upcoming Itanium chips, the Linux hardware maker will announce tomorrow.
Appeals Court May Be Next Stop For Microsoft
The Justice Department and 19 states may answer Microsoft's motto this afternoon with a revised remedy proposal seeking to break the software giant into two companies.
Microsoft Trial: Users Told To Check Contracts
[U]sers should not bet their businesses on future products that are not yet in beta, especially those that rely on Microsoft's entire portfolio such as next generation Windows services, because they may not be as effective if the company is split in half.
Thursday, May 25, 2000
Top Stories
Apple Scoops Top Design Gongs
The Apple Cinema Display took the Gold Award for Product Design for Work. The PowerMac G4 won a silver in the same category, while the iBook won a Silver Award for Product Design for the Home.
Apple Execs Talk QuickTime
Apple has big plans for extending the reach of its QuickTime multimedia software, but the company could be in for stiffer-than-expected competition from RealNetworks, which on Wednesday introduced a new version of its streaming-media technology that reportedly offers full-motion VCR-quality video, even for users with dial-up connections.
Voodoo 4 And 5 In Depth
Early January 2000, 3dfx announced that they would be releasing fully supported Mac versions of the Voodoo 4 and Voodoo 5 cards, priced similarly to the PC versions and released within a couple of months of them. This was a very exciting development for Mac gamers and could eventually have implications for the entire Macintosh product line. To fully appreciate why weíll consider some history as well as the features of the new video cards themselves.
News
IBM Plots Next PowerPC Chips
The company's late-summer processor releases could make their way into a variety of embedded applications as well as the next wave of Apple PowerBooks.
German Ad Agency Says 'Sorry' To Apple
A German ad agency that found itself earlier this month under the legal wrath of Apple for using the company's logo and trademark without consent, will soon apologize by printing a full page ad in a national industry journal and publicly stating it is "very sorry" for the error.
PageMill Dies With Little Word From Adobe
The death of PageMill and the lack of information on its availability and future has left many of its users scratching their heads and wondering about Adobe's reasoning behind not openly discussing its plans.
Apple Computer CEO Excused From Jury Duty
Running a Fortune 500 company will not get you out of jury duty in Santa Clara County but attending your daughter's graduation ceremony will, as Apple Computer CEO Steve Jobs discovered today.
Mac OS X On A PowerBook
This article will guide you through the process of installing and running Mac OS X DP4 on a PowerBook G3.
Opinion
Curtains For Corel?
The computer graphics pioneer could have owned the Macintosh productivity market.
Microsoft, Others Comment On X's Delay
With the "final, final" (Apple's description) version of Mac OS X pushed back six months to January 2001, many software developers we spoke with feel it's no big deal, perhaps even a good thing. The reasoning is that it gives Apple time to polish and refine the next generation operating system and gives developers more opportunity to have OS X native applications ready to go.
To Understand Apple
I'm not saying not to discuss, debate, and muse. Just give them a break every once in a while huh? They earn it.
Is A Mac Better Than A PC?
We can look at this question from many angles, such as performance, stability, ease of use, price, expansion, and total cost of ownership.
Review
Comfort Is The Key(board)
An uncomfortable keyboard can slow your typing speed, cause fatigue, perhaps even spur wrist pain. A comfortable keyboard can make your computing experience more productive, more enjoyable.
The Castle
Right down to the last moments when the villian's evil plot is revealed, the game builds to a wonderfully overwritten gothic horror finale. In today's gaming market that takes itself way too seriously, I found The Castle to be quite refreshing.
Deer Avenger 2
Deer Avenger 2 can provide a few fawned hours of not-terribly-subtle comic relief.
Nightmare And AppleCare
Moral of the story: Buy AppleCare. Give Apple a chance. Maybe after a nightmare scenario —and Iíve heard far worse than mine— Apple will do right by you.
Sidetrack
A Matter of Viewpoints
The New York Times answers readers' questions on how to close windows quickly, and how to put in a customized start-up picture. But what I really enjoy is iMac NewsPage's introduction to the article.
Wintel
Intel CEO Says Chip Shortages Likely To Last Another Year
Intel expects a tight supply position in the semiconductor industry for another 12 months as components run short, president and CEO Craig Barrett said today.
AMD Chips The Secret Ingredient In New Supercomputer
AMD's 3DNow technology was designed to improve the 3D graphics of games. But the feature can also be used to speed up mathematical calculations, said Hank Dietz, a professor at the University of Kentucky and the architect of a new 64-processor Linux supercomputer built out of 700-MHz AMD Athlon microprocessors.
Gates: Web's 'Rational' Phase On The Way
The "keyboard-centric" days of the Internet are coming to a close, Gates told an annual summit.
Microsoft Ruling Rattles The Street
A breakup would cut the value of the $330.9 billion company by 15 percent, Sherlund said in a research report. If the market agrees with Sherlund, it would mean a $49.64 billion cut in the company's market capitalization.
Microsoft Delays Outlook Security Update
Microsoft said new security features for its Outlook e-mail program will be delayed until next week.
Report: U.S. Sticks With 2-way MS Split
Antitrust enforcers will stick with a proposal to split Microsoft Corp. into a company that makes Windows operating systems and another that makes applications such as Microsoft Office in their final breakup plan, people familiar with the case said.
Intel Fights Chip Shortage With New Capacity
Intel took two big steps to addressing a shortfall in chips on Wednesday, announcing plans to build a 300-mm wafer plant in New Mexico and increase production of flash memory ICs at plants in Oregon, New Mexico, and Colorado to more than 2 billion over the next two years.
Customers Wary Of Windows 2000
The majority of Windows NT users are delaying migration to Windows 2000 by up to 18 months because they fear the platform will be too unreliable or have no immediate effect on their business.
Does Microsoft Need A Makeover?
As Judge Jackson ponders a three-way breakup, experts offer the company some PR advice.
Gateway, iXL Venture Eyes Employee PC Programs
In a push to expand its sales channels, Gateway today said it has taken a $150 million equity stake in Consumer Financial Network, a maker of corporate portals for financial services and employee benefits.
Experts: Microsoft May Have Basis For Appeal
[S]ome antitrust attorneys say [Judge Thomas Jackson's] denial of more deliberation could serve as the basis for an appeal by [Microsoft].
Are Cheap Notebooks Finally Here?
Why Compaq is the only major vendor with laptops starting at $999.
Flaws In Handhelds Crop Up For Palm, HP
Consumers could become wary of buying handheld computers in the wake of quality problems announced by industry leaders Palm Inc. and Hewlett-Packard Co.
Intel To Spend $2 Bln To Boost Chip Capacity
Intel Corp., the world's largest semiconductor manufacturer, said on Wednesday it will spend $2 billion to boost microprocessor production at its New Mexico plant to meet booming demand.
Microsoft Execs, Customer CEOs Mum On DOJ Hearing
Microsoft executives refused to comment Wednesday on a federal judge's interest in breaking the software giant into two or perhaps three separate companies as punishment for its antitrust crimes.
Wednesday, May 24, 2000
Top Stories
If There's No Apple PDA In The Works, What Other "Digital Devices" Might Mr. Jobs Have Been Talking About?
There has been a hole in Apple's lineup ever since the PowerBook 2400c was discontinued in 1998.
Corel Linux And OS 9 Fight For Your Desktop
We know what you're thinking. You think we're crazy. Why on earth would CNET compare Linux to the Mac OS? They're totally different operating systems.
News
Older Macs Can Plug Into The USB Party
The solution to updating is relatively simple and cheap: add a USB card to your Mac.
Nvidia Might Come To Mac
Graphics chipmaker Nvidia, whose GeForce2 GTS 3D graphics processing unit is popular among PC users, told MacWEEK that the company is strongly considering an entry to the Mac market.
Apple Game Developers Sound Off On OS X Change
With OS X, Apple will change the way its computers process sound, input devices and other gaming functions, a move that has drawn praise and anger from game developers.
Opinion
Dual Platform: The 'Myth' Of The Single Platform
"The 'myth' of a single platform = a cheaper total cost of ownership is exactly that — a myth. By forcing a single platform on your instructors, you limit the software that they can run, you make new technology harder to introduce."
Looking Back At WWDC 2000
But before you put WWDC behind you and focus on the next big Apple gathering, let's recap this year's major developer event.
Confusion Over ColorSync 3.0.1
Apple's ColorSync update fixes some notorious problems in version 3.0, but the software still fails to find a middle ground between novices and developers.
The Rainbow Is Back
Being a bit of an old school Mac user, when I got my PowerBook (bronze) in 1999, I had mixed feelings about the cool glowing apple on the top of the 'Book. And to commemorate my bronze's one year anniversary (and expiration of the warranty) I installed a little bit of a hack to bring back the rainbow to the big glowing apple.
Review
Deer Avenger 2: Bambo's Revenge
This sequel is a good effort, but it has a tough time even justifying its existence.
Setting Up A Mac Network: A Frightful Tale
[I]t doesn't matter what OS you have; a computer is a computer, which is a complicated machine, no matter what flavor it is.
Sidetrack
Apple Menu I Like
This seems big (as in, it's being mentioned all over the different Mac publications): "Classic Menu gives OS X an Apple menu just like the old Mac OS." Maybe three versions later, Apple will buy the rights to this freeware and include it in the shrink-wrapped version of Mac OS X.
Or maybe not.
The Deathmatch
If you don't want to click through all the pages of the OS Death Match, here's a summary of the CNET contest between Corel Linux and Mac OS 9:
Installation: Tie. "[W]e appreciate the fact that Apple bypasses the whole [installation]. But we also realize that since you can install Corel Linux... on just about any clunky old Pentium, it's a much cheaper option."
Interface: Mac OS 9. "Since the Mac introduced the first real GUI to PC users more than 15 years ago, it's had plenty of time to perfect the user experience."
Applications: Mac OS 9. "Mac's your best bet for widespread software compatibility."
Hardware Compatibility: Corel Linux. "To run a Mac OS—especially a newer one such as OS 9—you have to shell out a pretty penny for Apple-proprietary hardware."
Internet Support: Mac OS 9. "[T]hanks to its wider array of software titles and easy-as-pie Internet setup tools, OS 9 wins this round."
Overall: Mac OS 9. "We do have one big complaint about the Mac OS: it's expensive."
Wintel
MSN Creates A Warmer, Fuzzier Identity: Revamped Icons, Services A Direct Challenge To AOL
The move reflects Microsoft's attempt to expand its reach in the ``new'' Internet, where more people have high-speed connections and are more comfortable with shopping and communicating online, via personal computer or handheld device.
Microsoft OS Beta Isn't Scaling As Billed
Microsoft said its high-end Datacenter operating system isn't yet scaling as advertised.
Gates E-mails Again Take Center Stage
While arguing Wednesday for their proposal to break up Microsoft Corp., attorneys for the Justice Department revealed two new e-mails by company chairman Bill Gates which, they contend, show Microsoft's continuing efforts to dominate the software market.
Microsoft Judge Mulls 3-way Split, To Rule Soon
The judge in the Microsoft antitrust trial raised the dramatic possibility of splitting the software giant into three pieces on Wednesday and set the stage for a quick decision in the case.
Intel Launches 933-MHz Pentium III, Xeon Processors
The new Xeon processor complements Intel's segmentation strategy within the workstation and server space.
Gates Sells 'Phase 3' Of Internet To CEOs
Not surprisingly, Gates' vision of the future looks suspiciously like the path his software company is trying to take.
Microsoft Embedded OS Free-for-all
Microsoft is thumping the tub for both of its embedded operating systems at the Applied Computing conference in Santa Clara this week. But judging by attendees' confusion, Microsoft might be wise to not to exhibit the two under the same roof again.
Palm V. Windows CE: Beware The Middle Ground
Are both sides of the war heading to a fuzzy middle, with devices far too complex to be PDAs but not powerful enough to be full PCs?
Microsoft Updates Office Developer Tools
Developers will be able to automate business processes, such as expense reporting or document routing, between Office and Exchange or SQL Server by using the tools to lay out and visualize business processes step by step, then streamline the processes by adding business rules and logic, according to the company.
Tuesday, May 23, 2000
Top Stories
Kodak Licenses Apple's QuickTime For Cameras
The photography giant said the software will allow digital camera users to quickly make a video clip that can be played on a personal computer.
News
Corel Mac Development Continues Despite Woes
"We're definitely moving forward with the Mac applications for Bryce, KPT and Painter. There is no direct connection between our decision to stop development of WordPerfect for Mac and continued development of the former MetaCreations titles."
Apple Now Hosts Game Trailers On QuickTime Site
In a short time Apple has amassed a small collection of impressive QuickTime trailers showing off forthcoming Mac games.
Maya Dances To The Mac
Animators were excited by the news because they now have the prospect of running a professional 3-D graphics tool on the same inexpensive hardware they use to run Adobe Photoshop and other popular applications.
Opinion
The Challenge Of Change
The Macintosh Mystique is not the GUI of MacOS 9. The Macintosh Mystique is in all the minds of men and women who are ready to embrace the future and take a journey with a company, once given up for dead, that has reinvented itself and reinvented the future.
Low End Mac Gets iReviewed
Thanks to the Apple iReview, I've already made a couple small changes to the site: one in the department links, the other in restoring the link to our "about" page.
Mac OS X Delayed, That Sounds GREAT To Me!
If we believe everything we hear from Apple, users and developers, Mac OS X has to be a masterpiece. For this to become a reality, the extended beta period will be helpful.
Developers Speak On OS X And Game Technology
"It has been a mistake in the past to have 'game APIs' for graphics and input processing. A game is just an example of a multimedia application with more stringent requirements than most."
Beta Than Nothing
Do not install the beta of OX S as the only OS on your only machine. It's being tested, so you don't want to run it as your only OS.
Review
Apple's Pismo Four Months Later: A Second Look
It packs an amazing amount of power and versatility for the size of the laptop, as well as the price. It further refined each one of its predecessor's problems, including shipping on time. Lastly, and most importantly, no major engineering issues have come up after the PowerBook's widespread use.
Low End Mac
Good news first: Low End Mac has almost everything needed for the care and repair of every permutation of Apple computer and peripheral, from a 20-year-old Apple I to the recent Power Macs ó not to mention all the Apple models, clones and clandestine machines that proliferated in between.
Sidetrack
Salon Redone
Salon's redesign — after a long wait since the weekend — is out. My initial thought: what a mess.
Thankfully, the index pages of the individual sections are still readable. However, I am viewing it from a huge monitor at large heightxwidth at work. My opinion might differ once I get back to my iMac at home.
What's wrong with the previous simplier design? Well, for one thing, it doesn't scale up very much. Put in more articles, and the scrolling and searching becomes a chore.
I guess that's one problem with AppleSurf too.
Wintel
Microsoft Lays Next Gen Cornerstone
Microsoft set to release a beta of its Next Generation MSN — the first building block for its 'software as a service' vision.
Intel Sets Sights On Embedded Computing
Intel has added several Pentium III and Celeron microprocessors to its "applied computing" portfolio of embedded cores.
Microsoft Remedy Day Nears
It's back to U.S. District Court on Wednesday for the various parties involved in the 2-year-old U.S. Department of Justice vs. Microsoft antitrust case.
Consumer, Business Windows Versions Close To Release
Microsoft today neared the completion of two upcoming operating systems spanning the spectrum of PC users, from entry-level home computer users to the most demanding corporate customers.
E-book Business Gets Boost From Microsoft, Time Warner Deals
Several companies are exploring the potential of the online book publishing market, a nascent sector that has caught the attention of companies including Microsoft, Barnes & Noble and German conglomerate Bertelsmann.
Monday, May 22, 2000
Top Stories
Quake 3 Arena For OS X Coming Next Week, Says Developer
OS X is a great platform for games. There's a good deal of thought put into the core OS to take care of game like media, instead of being a layer on top of the OS, it's there right on top of the kernel. This is a good thing.
News
Filling Mac's Software Gaps
[T]he really good news is in the application space: a dramatic price cut to WebObjects ($699 instead of $50,000) and the announcement that Maya (Alias Wavefront's heavyweight 3D software) will reach Mac OS X.
Adobe Ships LiveMotion 1.0
The battle begins. Adobe Systems on Monday announced that it is shipping LiveMotion 1.0, a $299 Web-animation program that's been dubbed the "Flash-killer" because it can produce Flash movies (and animated GIFs) while offering features not available in Macromedia's Flash 4 authoring software, such as the ability to export HTML tables incorporating static and animated graphic elements.
Opinion
The Vision Thing
Combine the Palm's Bondian gadget arsenal with Apple's interface acumen, and the results could be World dominating.
Some Personal Discoveries At WWDC
Apple went from near failure to rebirth; and in the rebirth there was the distraction and excitement of being reborn. Now, a few years later, with routine success and a mature strategy, it's becoming quite clear how Apple did it.
It's The Interface, Stupid
The Pokemon crowd will probably love the new look, but I can see myself sticking with OS9 after the novelty of Aqua has worn off.
The WWDC & Apple Handheld: Discounting The Fear
Perhaps the current Mac line is perfectly suited for Apple to grow revenues and market share on for the rest of 2000.
Save $49,000?
Which is it, a huge loss or an unfair price?
Cheap Power Macs: The $500 G3 And $750 G4
How would you like a Power Mac G3 for less than $500? Or perhaps a G4 Power Mac for less than $750? Both deals are currently available from Web sources with a little mixing and matching.
Review
American Civil War Soldier
The game appears to have been crafted with a half-hearted attitude towards making a quality piece of entertainment software.
Railroad Tycoon II
The overall gameplay is pretty smooth. However, the interface for the game is a bit clunky.
New Quake 3 Mod "Weapons Factory Arena"
If you're a fan of Quake 3 Fortress, you'll at least have some fun with this mod, and at best have a new favorite pastime.
Wintel
Microsoft's Jim Allchin Takes A 'Vacation'
The Windows chief is taking a two-month break. For other company execs, though, that's been a euphemism for 'he's outta here.'
Microsoft Gets In The Last Word Before Penalty Hearing
In today's brief, Microsoft argued that rather than looking at the best interests of consumers, the government is seeking to punish the Redmond, Wash.-based software maker for its actions against competitors. Microsoft contends that based on comments during a legal proceeding five years ago, the government is well aware that breakup would be harmful to consumers and the software company.
Micrsoft Patches Windows Security Hole
Microsoft today released a security patch that it hopes will prevent hackers from targeting Windows computers with the type of attacks that swamped sites such as Yahoo and eBay earlier this year.
Intel To Unveil New Pentium III Xeon Chip
Analysts said the new chips will provide even higher profit margin potential for the world's largest chip maker, than the current Xeon family, because of their cost-saving design.
Sunday, May 21, 2000
Top Stories
How Microsoft Made Virus-writing Accessible
Microsoft snatched programming from the clutches of the professional priesthood and gave it to the common user. When Apple brought out the Macintosh in 1983, it deliberately left these tools out of the operating system, which meant that only geniuses could develop software for the machine. That gave Apple more control over Macintosh software, but severely stunted the number of programs available for a technically superior machine.
News
Service Bureaus Look To The Future
Adapt, or die. That's the cruel truth for prepress firms as technology and economics conspire to evaporate demand for their primary services—drum scanning, proofing and film output.
Apple Making Inroads Into The Science Arena?
Some users want Apple to make a harder push into the scientific arena — it may be happening.
The Changing Face Of Prepress
Prepress service bureaus today face a challenge similar to the desktop publishing revolution that caused the death of typesetting shops about 10 years ago.
Review
Power Macintosh G4/500
The Power Macintosh G4/500 offers only an incremental speed boost over the 450MHz G4 released last year, but it's still Apple's fastest system. Its only problem, besides the nonergonomic mouse, is the wallet-busting price.
In-flat-uation: The Coolest New Computer Screens Are Sleek, Slim — And Costly
The grandest LCD monitor on the market, with a 22-inch diagonal screen — which will display two pages side-by-side at full size — the Apple Cinema Display is also one of the most expensive. However, by all accounts, you get what you pay for.
New Explorer For Apple Looks Good, Works Well And It Isn't Too PC
Visually, it's more appealing than the Windows version. I urge Mac users not to be misled by the anti-Microsoft voices.
Winnie The Pooh Kindergarten
Disney's Winnie the Pooh Kindergarten offers a variety of early learning activities for most kindergarten-aged players, although parents should be warned that advanced students may not find this title to offer an ample enough challenge.
What's The Fastest Large Format Inkjet, The HP DeskJet 1220Cse? Or The Epson Stylus Photo 1270?
Hewlett Packard and Epson have recently released their newest version of these type of printer. Let's see which is the fastest.
Wintel
For Microsoft, Beating Sony Is A Game Of Time
Microsoft Corp.'s determination to head off Sony Corp. in the battle to control digital entertainment faces some substantial risks, analysts say.
Saturday, May 20, 2000
News
Demo Days Set For May, More Planned For June
Demo Days weekends are here, with more to follow in June.
Opinion
Spanish Cows
John H. Farr's latest. (Agricultural treatise? Morality play? A day in the life of an Mac news editor? Hahahaha! Did we say "news"???
Review
USB Web Cams
Overall, if you need a camera to make quick movies from your desktop for sending to friends and family via e-mail, the Kritter USB is a good choice. For still pictures, where full-motion video is not an issue, the Home Connect USB offers superior image quality.
Wintel
'Pissy Emails From Billg' - MS Exec Sinks Teeth Into Gates
An astonishing email from former Microsoft top exec Brad Silverberg suggests that at least elements of the Microsoft High Command wanted the company to split off its OS and apps businesses more formally. And stranger still, the email was written in February 1999, when trial proceedings were already heating up.
AMD Readies Next Generation Processors
Targeting both the high-end and the low-end PC market, AMD is expected to begin shipping several different speeds of its Duron processor, which will compete head-to-head with Intel's value-priced Celeron processor.
Now You Can Install Millennium Edition In Just 16MB Of Space! I Shall Call It Mini-me
A programmer renowned for showing how Internet Explorer (IE) could be removed from Windows 98 has topped himself. Shane Brooks' new product, 98Lite III, lets you remove almost any part of Windows you don't want.
Friday, May 19, 2000
Opinion
The Death Of Sprockets
I think that Apple needs to reformulate their Games API strategy. Right now their strategy seems to be "let's pretend to have a games API, but in reality let's make the developers write their own." They need a solid games API.
Indeed... Are Macs Important?
Every so often, another column gets me thinking about things. A column in Macinstein which asked if Macs are really important did it this time....
Why An Apple PDA Is A Case Of Trying To Top The Pig
So, why isnít Apple making a PDA, well to paraphrase the great Disney ñ you canít top a PDA with a PDA.
Multiprocessing On The Mac
Apple has reportedly shown a multiprocessor Mac system, but what performance benefits can users expect?
Review
David Pogue's 'Mac OS 9: The Missing Manual'
In summary, David Pogue's "Mac OS 9: The Missing Manual" delivers on its promise to be "the book that should have been in the box." Particularly if you are in Mac novice, this book will be well worth the modest $19.95 expenditure.
FileMaker Pro 5 Unlimited
FileMaker Pro 5 Unlimited has little to recommend it over FileMaker Pro 4.X, which cost $250 and didn't place restrictions on Web publishing.
Stylus Photo 870
The Stylus Photo 870 is a true step forward in desktop photo printing.
AppleWorks 6
While Apple has added some useful new features, it can't seem to break its recently acquired habit of making counterproductive interface changes.
2000 PowerBook G3
Just when you thought the PowerBook couln't get any better, it did.
We've Got (e)Mail - Part 2
Last week I began the process of examining some email programs with the aim of switching to one of them from the now defunct Emailer.
Sidetrack
Games Development
No more Game Sprockets on your Mac? Well, it's partially true, reports As The Apple Turns. Quoting from Chris DeSalvo, "the man who... ran the Sprockets engineering team at Apple", the e-zine assured Mac users that DrawSprocket and NetSprocket will be in Mac OS X. Input Sprockets is replaced by the "infinitely better" HID Manager.
As to Sound Sprocket? Yeah, that is being dropped. But hey, there are "fewer than fiv ecommercial games" that uses this little beast, so, well, no big deal.
Yeah, so long this publisher can still play my Ambrosia games...
Wintel
'NewLove' Contained: What Went Right
The containment of the latest outbreak may demonstrate that users are becoming more savvy when handling unknown e-mail and that virus fighters are better prepared to knock down infections quickly.
German Government May Dump Outlook After Vrius Threat
The German government may stop using Microsoft's Outlook program for email because of damaging viruses that could affect its operations, a spokesman for the interior minister said.
Microsoft Losing Millions In Mexico Due To PiracyPriv
Software giant Microsoft loses $300 million a year in sales in Mexico because of rampant software piracy, local newspapers reported today.
Microsoft Outlook Patch Raises Questions
Some observers say that although Microsoft's intention is good, the patch leaves much to be desired.
Intel Sheds More Light On Motherboard Recall
Intel confirmed Friday several more details of the motherboard recall program associated with its flawed memory-translator-hub (MTH) component, including a refund program for third-party vendors.
New Virus More Destructive Than "Love"
Antivirus firms monitoring the new outbreak say only a handful of instances have so far been reported to them. But they caution that the virus has the potential to spread rapidly and cause even more damage than its recent predecessor.
Thursday, May 18, 2000
Top Stories
Winners Named For Apple Design Awards
Was it the pizza, the cookies and the soda pop that inspired the heated debate in the judging room for the Apple Design Awards, or was it just frenzied fever and excitement accompanying the closing of another year of awards for the best new software products designed for the Mac platform?
Learning From The Cult
Here's the biggest lie the Apple cult would have you believe: the iMac is easy to use.
Mac OS X = BeOS PR2
[Jean-Louis Gassee] is looking forward to welcoming Jobs and Mac OS X "to the nineties", when Mac OS X ships sometime in 2001.
Apple Retreats On Gaming Tools At WWDC
Sources say Apple is cutting down on its Game Sprockets APIs and turning most gaming hooks back over to third-party developers — raising compatibility concerns.
News
Religious Wars On The Graphics Front
Both Adobe and Macromedia are back at it again this season, touting their respective new releases of Illustrator 9 and FreeHand 9. And the question arises: Is this new version enough to make you switch from one to the other?
Developers Have Mixed Reaction To OS X Delay
Although Apple says it's a matter of semantics, the general opinion is that Mac OS X is still a bit behind schedule.
ViaVoice Named 'Best New Product'
ViaVioce is IBM's speech recognition software providing Mac users with a way to perform everyday computer tasks, such as creating e-mail and editing documents, by speaking.
New Front In The Copyright Wars: Out-of-print Computer Games
Gamers don't go out and download games for the original Nintendo Entertainment System instead of buying new games for Nintendo 64. Someone who wants to play an older game is looking for an experience that is different from what is available from a modern game.
Analysts: Corel Needs New Plan
After its proposed merger with Inprise/Borland goes up in smoke, the Canadian software maker has to come up big with a new plan, analysts say.
The Microsoft Advantage Now Pops Up In PIMs
Gates & co. is tightly integrating its personal information manager with Office. That could give it a leg up on Mac rivals.
LaCie Shows Off Upcoming DVD-DRAM Drives At WWDC
The FireWire drives offer high performance and greater capacity for Mac users.
Opinion
Help! I Need A Computer For College! What Do I Get?
What exactly does the freshman in college need to get his/her job done?
Service Bureaus, R.I.P.?
Service bureaus are being squeezed from two sides—customers who are now doing their own desktop production, and commercial printers that have installed digital prepress equipment.
Open Letter To Apple: The Medical Industry Offers Significant Opportunity To Apple
I assert that Apple is in a unique position to exploit this market with a complete enterprise solution to all aspects of the medical industry.
Apple's Power Failure
The recent nose-to-nose horse race between Intel and AMD to push the clock rate of x86 processors to 1 GHz stands in striking contrast to the dismal situation Apple Computer finds itself in with the snail-like pace of innovation of the PowerPC processors used in its Macintosh computers.
Gate-crashing Apple's WWDC
Judging from these ringsiders' remarks, WWDC's developer-only sessions have a lot in common with Apple CEO Steve Jobs' Monday morning keynote speech: evolutionary, not revolutionary, with as many mild disappointments as minor revelations.
I Can't Believe It's Not Better: WWDC Brings Letdowns
Those of you sitting in some shaft of light beaming from this year's WWDC may find my attitude gloomy and my outlook bleak, but hey, I call them like I see them.
Tiny Treasures
The ultra-compact notebook market is one of the fastest growing markets out there - I hope Apple has something in mind for it.
What Can You Squeeze Into A Compact Mac?
Sure, the screen's small. They aren't fast, and no, they can't run Mac OS 8.
New Hope For Mac Network Managers?
iServices means Apple will be the point for integrating Mac products in the corporate market. The iServices Web site specifically mentions business, right next to creative and educational markets. For the first time in years, Apple is reaching out to the business market.
Review
System Lets You Make Family Videos That Are Actually Worth Watching
†Given the complexity of the system, I found the iMovie Help instructions and tutorial to be inadequate. That's a common problem with software, however, and the folks at Apple say various books are in the works to help you learn the iMovie craft.
Wintel
Dell Taps Windows Me For Faster PCs
Microsoft's upcoming consumer operating system features software that helps computers boot faster. Dell's upcoming Dimension PCs running Windows Me will include this feature, giving customers quicker access to the Internet and other software, the companies said.
Microsoft Fixes Quintet Of Security Holes
Microsoft has patched several security holes in its Internet Explorer and Office software, closing five potential avenues for online attacks against its customers.
Users Might Eye Linux If Office Were Ported To OS
[I]f a breakup were to lead to development of Office for Linux, a good number of users said they would consider that alternative operating system, according to the survey of 104 information technology professionals working in companies of more than 500 employees.
Microosft's Lobbying Largess Pays Off
"They are going full blast in all dimensions of lobbying—coalition building, grass-roots, top-roots, contributions to charitable organizations," Thurber said. "It doesn't surprise me. It surprises me it took this long."
Can Judge Jackson Find A Middle Ground?
Why the courts bother with this silly step of asking the defendant how it should be punished is beyond me.
Market Not Ready For High-end Linux Systems
Gartner does not consider the Linux technology or the market itself as mature enough for a significant run at the high end.
Red Hat Releases 64-bit Itanium Linux
This first public alpha release of a full 64-bit Linux, complete with kernel, drivers and software, gives software developers the info they need to start serious Itanium development.
Windows Media Heads For TV
Microsoft partners with video designer SeaChange to push Webcasting, broadcasting closer.
Expect More Of The Same After Microsoft Penalty Ruling
The stage is set in the Microsoft antitrust case for nothing more than the continuance of the status quo.
Microsoft Squashes Office 2000 Bug
The Microsoft Office Assistant, the talking paper clip that Microsoft cited as an example of its innovation during its antitrust trial, has a security hole that allows attackers to take over a user's computer.
MSN Update Targets AOL
Microsoft previews a revamped online portal with AOL-like features and integrated services.
Microsoft Breakup Is The Only Remedy, U.S. Says
In its reply to arguments made by the world's largest software maker last week, the Department of Justice said Microsoft "proposed a cosmetic remedy that would have virtually no competitive significance."
And The Loser Is...
Microsoft operating systems, especially NT, has more reported security bugs over the last two years than any other operating system.
Wednesday, May 17, 2000
Top Stories
FireWire A Sure Bet When Speed Reigns Supreme
Few high-technology phenomena generate as much hype as FireWire. The tone of recent headlines ranges from the ecstatic ("Why Firewire is Hot! Hot! Hot!") to the insane ("FireWire Rules The World"). What exactly is FireWire?
News
REALBasic To Support Mac OS X
This technology demonstration runs on Mac OS X and creates native, Carbon compliant Mac OS X applications complete with Aqua interface.
Tools For Toolmakers At WWDC
Call them tools for toolmakers: the programs that programmers use to write other programs. Several vendors at Apple's Worldwide Developers Conference this week unveiled new application-development software, most of it primed for Mac OS X.
Court Dismisses Most Sony Claims Against Connectix
A San Francisco court on Tuesday dismissed Sony's copyright and trademark claims against Connectix, the developer of Virtual Game Station (VGS). The decision should come as no surprise: In February, an appeals court lifted a preliminary injunction that prevented Connectix from shipping VGS. In that ruling, the judges sided with Connectix on the key issues in the dispute and remanded the case to the lower court for a final decision.
Opinion
Slash-Not
It almost seems as if Slashdot created its Apple category to keep Mac fans from whining. Rarely is an Apple submission, or even one remotely related to Apple and its technologies, posted, and they're often anti-Apple.
Review
iMac Problems In The Classroom
Educators who have been using the iMac in their classrooms have been, in general, fairly pleased with the product. Good speed, fairly reliable, easy to use, takes up little room and kids seem to like them. However, there have been reports of various problems with these machines.
Backwards And Forwards USB And FireWire Conectivity For Powerbooks
The Macintosh orbit is in a state of flux connectivity-wise these days, with the old order passing and a new one becoming established.
Sidetrack
Design Thinking
Jim Dawson in Star Tribune: "The appeal of the Apple isn't just the aesthetics, but that it's ergonomically more user-friendly," he said. It is a successful blend of computer science, engineering and design, all summed up by design thinking.
And don't forget the Mac OS too. A lot of people divides companies into hardware companies and software companies — and forgets that Apple is a computer company instead.
More Quotes
Found this on USENET...
Microsoft: Putting the NO in innovation.
Wintel
Gateway Grapples With Web Site Glitches
Gateway says it has largely corrected problems that caused parts of its Web site to malfunction at various times during the past week.
Government To Defend Microsoft Breakup Before Penalty Ruling
The government will defend its proposed breakup of Microsoft in what essentially will be the last official word before a federal judge holds a hearing on what remedies to impose on the company's business practices.
Tuesday, May 16, 2000
Top Stories
Apple Stock Gains On Optimism For New Software
Shares of Apple Computer Inc. gained on Tuesday amid optimism that its next-generation operating system will generate renewed interesting in writing software programs for the Macintosh.
Despite Delay, Apple's New OS Wows Mac Faithful
A final version of Apple Computer's new OS X won't be in consumers' hands until January, but the crowd at Apple's Worldwide Developers Forum seemed plenty impressed with the operating system's new features and the industry players lining up to support the software.
Jobs 'Revival' Draws Macintosh Developers
How long does it take to seat a crowd of 3,500? At Apple Computer's Worldwide Developer's Conference - an annual gathering for die-hard Macintosh developers that kiced off Monday in Silicon Valley - the answer was about two minutes.
News
WWDC Sales, Hardware Keynotes
In a presentation filled with Apple's forward advertising plans, Mitch Madich announced that Apple will be adding the Wiz as one of its national resellers. By adding Apple products to both the Wiz stores and the wide-spreading Wiz brochures. The move, which actually came into fruition more than a month ago, should help to broaden the ability of people who wouldn't otherwise be presented with Apple products buy Apple products.
Corel's Linux Plans In Doubt
Today's announcement that Corel's planned acquisition of Inprise/Borland Corp. is being canceled (see story) puts a big wrench in the Ottawa-based software vendor's strategy for turning itself into a dominant Linux vendor, some analysts said.
Micromat To Ship First OS X Drive Repair Utility
Micromat announced the first Macintosh disk repair and utility recovery product for Mac OS X. Drive10 will purportedly sport an Aqua interface, repair drives, and recover data.
MindVision Announces Big Plans
MindVision will ship Installer VISE (IVISE) 7.0 at this week's Apple Worldwide Developers Conference. VISE 7.0 can build both Classic installers (the kind that users and developers are accustomed to) and a Carbon installer that run natively on Mac OS X.
Mac OS X Goes Online
Until now, Apple has kept Mac OS X close to its chest, offering presentations at trade shows—and previews to developers who have signed nondisclosure agreements—but little information for the general public. That changed on Monday when Apple added a new Mac OS X section to its Web site with links to developer information, screen shots and QuickTime movies that show the new OS in action.
Opinion
Phil Schiller Says No Handheld, No How, No Way
Well well well. Something definitive from an Apple executive about a handheld. This marks a first.
No New Hardware Product Announcements
Today's keynote did include a demonstration of a dual-processor PowerMac G4 billed as a technology demonstration. Dual-processor machines were predicted by the various rumor sites, but while shown, they were not officially announced. Indeed, nothing at all was announced in the way of new products.
OS X Looks Like A Mac
Apple CEO Steve Jobs on Monday demonstrated new features in Developer Preview 4 (DP4) of Mac OS X. Developers attending his WWDC keynote cheered as Jobs showed a more Mac-like OS along with sophisticated graphics capabilities, including tight integration between the Quartz 2-D display environment and the OpenGL API for 3-D applications.
Mac OS X Delayed
Now that Microsoft has "won the OS wars"—Jobs' words, not mine—it doesn't matter when Apple ships. Public beta or shrinkwrap, many Mac users will lap up Mac OS X up just the same, and the rest - all those still running System 7.5, for instance, and there are more of them than you might think—won't. But since none of them are likely to switch over to Windows at any time in the future, so what?
Weasels Ripped My AAPL
Give Steve Jobs and Apple credit for the monumental achievements of the last two years and give 'em a break, too.
Does Size Matter?
One of the criticisms of the iBook is that it is too big, referring to both its size and weight. I have found this to be untrue. I use the iBook every day, and have found it to be the perfect companion on my commute.
Sidetrack
New Sites On The Web
From one of the oldest Macintosh game magazines, Inside Mac Games, comes Macgamefiles.com, where gamers can find "the latest demos, updates for their games, hundreds of shareware games, and useful items such as tools, mods, maps, and skins for popular games."
And from our beloved mothership, a brand new section devoted to Mac OS X. Get all the latest whether you are just a user eager to get your hands on a modern and useful OS, or a developer creating the latest and the greatest for your fellow Mac enthusiasts.
Wintel
Too Little Too Late From Microsoft?
Security experts were sounding the alarm about Outlook and Microsoft's bad habit of confusing data with active code for ages. It's a shame that it took something as disastrous as ILOVEYOU to make Microsoft stand up and pay attention.
Should Microsoft Be Stopped? Part 1
Microsoft has made a big thing of how stopping their predatory, monopolistic practices would stifle innovation. Let's look at the reality.
Microsoft Covers Political Bases To Fight Antitrust Case
Microsoft is intensifying lobbying and will give the Republican and Democratic national conventions about $1 million each in money, software and services as political contributions toward fighting the U.S. government's antitrust case, according to a report.
Who Deserves The ILOVEYOU Blame?
Microsoft isn't taking any blame for ILOVEYOU. Do you want to take it for them?
Monday, May 15, 2000
Top Stories
Released Schedule Postponed For New Mac OS
A final version of Apple Computer's Mac OS X won't come out until early next year, although the effect of an apparent delay to the released schedule will be minimal, according to analysts.
Announced OS X Public Beta Hides The Real Issue
Do not let the "announcement" of a public beta release fool you. This is indeed bad news, and another broken promise. My patience with Apple is wearing thin.
News
Mac OS X Slips Again
Steve Jobs delays the long-anticipated, next-generation Mac OS for some wide-spread beta testing. But the Mac faithful at the company's World Wide Developer Conference don't seem to mind. Leander Kahney reports from San Jose, California.
Apple Delays Final Release Of Operating System
Apple Computer Inc. on Monday delayed the release of the ifnal version of its eagerly awaited next-generation operating system software until nex year to give software developers and customers more time to work with the new system.
Mac OS X DP4 Has Final API Specs
The fourth developer preview of Mac OS X — releasd today... —- includes the final API specifications required by developers to complete upgrades of their applications to take full advantage of Mac OS X's new capabilities.
QuickTime, New Features, And Cheerios
In his Worldwide Developers Conference keynote today, Apple CEO Steve Jobs talked the growing popularity of QuickTime and the next version of the multimedia software that's coming this summer.
Maya Coming To Mac OS X In Early 2001
Maya is the award winning 3D animation and visual effects software for film, broadcast, video and game development.
WebObjects' Price Sliced, New Version
Apple CEO Steve Jobs said the company was slicing the price of WebObjects... to $699 starting today.
Metrowerks Helps Developers Get Carbonized
As Mac programmers headed to San Jose for Apple's Worldwide Deveopers Conference, Metrowerks was preparing to show them a Carbonized version of CodeWarrior that will make it easier to develop applications for Mac OS X.
Apple's Stock Tanks As Jobs Says No Mac OS X Before Its Time
The effect of Steve Jobs' keynote address at the WWDC on Apple's stock was downer.
Apple's WWDC Announcements
Apple released a new developer preview of Mac OS X, dropped WebObjects' license fee to $699 and announced a forthcoming QuickTime upgrade.
Opinion
The Urban Mac: What's The Minimum Macintosh?
What is the "Minimum Macintosh" for the urban family seeking their first computer?
Can Apple Seize The Day?
Apple stands at one of those points in history which only comes very rarely in a company's lifecycle.
WWDC By Way Of Yosemite
Now I'm back to work and eagerly awaiting Steve Jobs' WWDC today. Check back in later. The speech will doubtless be interesting, and we'll bring you all the details.
Why We Need A New Mac Browser
Now that the principal Web browsers are all free, perhaps it's time for Apple to bundle a kick-butt browser with MacOS X. It seems only Apple Computer has the vision and imagination to take its customers to the next generation Web browser.
Will We Lose Control Of Our Computers?
Who knows, perhaps Apple's unintentional leadership in this particular area will lead to a more formal leadership in the future. It could be, in five y