Tuesday, December 31, 2002
Top Stories
Has OS X Joined The Band?
So here we are, more than a year and a half later, and only a handful of audio applications have placed both feet firmly on the good ship OS X. Hardware drivers and plug-ins also remain a crapshoot. While the rest of the Mac world has been moving to OS X with only minor hiccups, most audio-related companies have lagged far behind. What's the holdup? The answer, as you might expect, depends on whom you ask.
What's In The Cards
No one can say with certainty what to expect from Apple in 2003 — no one outside of the immediate vicinity of Steve Jobs's office, anyway. But we've managed to find a dozen people willing to give it their best guess.
News
Macs Making Music: From Twisted Sister To Sesame Street
Screen Supplies 3-D Without Glasses
Three-dimensional viewing has been around for some time now. What makes these screens really stand out is that they require no special glasses to be worn to see the 3-D images.
Opinion
The Ghost Of Predictions Past
Who could have predicted that 2002 would bring Mac users a flat-panel iMac, a dual-1GHz Power Mac G4, and the ubiquity of OS X software? Last year's panelists, actually. Here's a look back at some of last year's more notable hits and misses.
Review
Dr. Mac's Favorite Mac Books
I love them and try to read at least a couple each week. So here's a list of the best I've read.
iPod, Optical Mouse Among Best Products
I canít wait to see what comes up next year.
Battling Spam Not Hopeless Scenario
'Tis The Season To Empty The Warehouses
Thereís hardly a computer retailer on the North American continent that isnít coming up with some sort of deal to clear old inventory out of the warehouses.
... While Visions Of PowerBooks Danced In Their Heads
Apple's latest high-end PowerBook is an excellent machine—one with greater power and a lower price. Many users will be persuaded to ditch their giant desktops for portability when it's time for the next upgrade.
The Tops In Tech, Tweeters To Printers
So shockingly fashionable, it made the cover of Time magazine right out of the box. But more than a style statement, the New iMac is still pound for pound the most alluring personal computer on the shelf.
Understanding Weblogs
In this article, I'll show you how to build a simple weblog using Radio UserLand, then I'll spend some time explaining the fundamentals behind weblogging.
Sidetrack
WHAT MAKES IE SO FAST, or Microsoft's arrogance and confidence.
MUSIC HIGHLIGHT : Andrew Sullivan names Steve Jobs as one of the top ten winners of 2002, "for the iPod alone".
ALWAYS A GOOD RESOLUTION : Windows XP is full of security holes that make life easier for those who would snoop on you. Time to get off the Microsoft bandwagon and switch to Linux, FreeBSD, or Mac OS X.
AND ONE MORE THING... : Remmeber to mop drool off keyboard, desk and flooor, after installing Mac OS X.
Monday, December 30, 2002
Top Stories
Mulling Over Fate Of Macworld
It ain't over until Steve Jobs sings, but some pessimistic Apple fans gearing up for this year's Macworld San Francisco event suspect the end may be near for the popular computer show.
News
Apple Files Color-Changing Device Patent
Your Mac Life Plans Bus Trip To Cupertino At MWSF
The folks at Your Mac Life have teamed up with the Generations Bank of Kansas City, Mo. to sponsor a bus trip to Apple's headquarters at Cupertino, Calif. on Monday, January 6, 2003.
Advertisers, Viewers: It's OK To Be Funny Again
The top-rated Ad Track commercial of the year was a simple spot for iMac.
Mac PC Strategy Targets User-Friendliness, Style
Even as the PC industry is forced to lure customers with the promise of ever-higher processor speeds, Macintosh computers have found a different path to keeping their niche market.
Opinion
A Trend Running Through Tech Stories: Macintosh
Iíve noticed a trend running through my technology articles of late: The ingenious use of Macintosh computers.
Classic Considered Harmful
Put the Mac to sleep with all programs open. Touch the mouse and youíre ready to start working again.
Review
Web Browsers For OS X And The Classic Mac OS
Hands On With The 800MHz iBook
If you don't need the lightning-fast performance of a PowerBook G4, the iBook, at about half the price, is a very attractive alternative.
Hands On With The Dual 1.25GHz Power Mac
The dual 1.25GHz Power Mac is definitely a winner, combining speed and architecture to produce the fastest Macintosh to date.
MacPuyo 2
MacPuyo 2 offers nothing new to Mac gamers, but I don't believe it was trying to. It's a quick download, it's a quick play, and it's priced accordingly.
Snowy-Day Activities For Kids Via The Internet
When the weather turns sour outside, many kids immediately jump in front of the television and turn into vegetables. With a few Internet bookmarks you can change that wasted time into something more "brain-filling."
View By Date Modified Considered Harmful
If there is a way to change the sort order from the useless default, we havenít discovered it yet.
Wintel
So Many Holes, So Few Hacks
Experts who discover and report security holes seem to be far more industrious than the malicious hackers willing or able to exploit those holes.
Glass Panes And Software: Windows Name Is Challenged
At issue is the level of legal protection that should, or should not, be accorded to an ordinary word that Microsoft adopted as its own: windows.
Sunday, December 29, 2002
News
Brauner Phantom C New Team
Legacy Lab, the production suite Levy built for himself in the 1980s, currently houses twelve Macintosh computers, three of which are dedicated ProTools rigs.
Opinion
Can You Learn To Love Mac OS X?
It's easy to dwell on the differences, and ignore the similarities.
Review
PowerBook Titanium Breaks Gigahertz Barrier
While nobody will call a PowerBook inexpensive, the new top-of-the-line model is a much better value than its predecessor.
Sidetrack
FROM HYPERCARD TO PROJECT BUILDER : "Apple is the only company I know of to ship PC that you can actually program out-of-the-box," observed Jonathan Gennick.
HAVE I REMINDED YOU TODAY THAT YOUR WIRELESS RECEPTION IS NOT VERY GOOD? : For some reason which I never bother to find out, my AirPort reception in my living room is not that good. On Mac OS X, the little AirPort icon on my menu bar tell me discreetly the status of my connection. On Windows XP, a little balloon pops up over my system tray, and the task bar (normally hidden) pops into view, whenever my network connection goes away, and comes back, hence blocking my work, demanding me to click the little [x] icon on the ballon to dismiss it so that I can get back to my work.
You tell me which OS has better usability.
MAC PEOPLE : Lyor Cohen, chief executive of Island Def Jam Music Group, simply is in love with his iPod. "I love it because it accesses so much music so conveniently and so easily."
Saturday, December 28, 2002
Top Stories
Not Forbidden Fruit: Try A Mac; You May Find A Taste Is All It Takes
"There is another, and its name is Macintosh."
School District Signs On To New Technology
A recently approved contract between the Chino Valley Unified School District and Apple Computer will change the way some students take standardized tests and turn in homework.
5-Step Recipe For A Well-Done Apple Switch
The experience will differ person to person, but the move from the PC to the Macintosh can be traced in five basic steps.
An Apple In Old Pasadena
Mac users are typically interested in digital photography, making movies, accessing music and other creative activities. "That is a large part of the whole L.A. culture."
News
Talking Tech Trash: The Afterlife Of Computers
Trade it in, upgrade it, recycle it but don't trash it ñ- that could be illegal.
Opinion
Review
My Top Freeware Picks For 2002
Configuring Jaguar's Firewall
Don't let the Unix heritage deter you; instead, let it motivate you.
Sidetrack
FLY GUY : Take flight in this great seasons greetings.
iPOD BAG : It's time to accessorize your iPod!
Friday, December 27, 2002
News
Program Providing Students With Laptops Gains Momentum
Soon it may be no more pencils, no more books for Cherry Hill's public school students.
A Disturbance In Film's Force
Kodak is combating digital's growing appeal, but resistance may be futile.
Review
What About Preventive Maintenance?
If you just take a little care, Jaguar will keep on ticking without protest, and that makes me a happy camper.
Taking Back Control Of Your iPod
I bought my tunes and I want to play them anyway I want, and that includes using the iPod to move them from one computer to another.
Sidetrack
VIRTUAL PET ROCK: It's educational. It is fun!
GINBERBREAD MAC: It's delicious. It is fun!
Thursday, December 26, 2002
News
Military Academy Points The Way
The 1,000-strong freshman class is the first to use a wireless network installed this year in 95 classrooms at West Point.
Parents Log On To Keep Tabs On Kids
Rob Britt, principal at Carpenters Middle School, said all the comments from parents regarding the Power School system have been positive.
Opinion
Flirting With The Dark Side
Although Apple labels itself the "Think Different" company, the Macintosh of 10 years ago was much more different from the computers of the "Dark Side" than the Macintosh of today.
My PC Wish List For 2003
The Mac set a qualitative bar that other computer makers (and Microsoft) have struggled to meet, let alone surpass.
When Simple Is Better
If we're doing something in a roundabout way by computer that's better done by hand, aren't we focusing on the wrong thing? Maybe we should let computers do what they do best — sorting, filing, finding data. And maybe we should emphasize what we do best, which is the human side of communication, the qualities of support and presence.
Review
The Digital Day After: How To Get The Most From Your Digital Camera
If you're new to digital cameras and have a Mac nearby, consider yourself lucky. You have everything you'll need to handle life in the digital photo world. You have iPhoto.
Now Your Cellphone Can Remember Mom's Birthday
Thanks to new cellphones and to software from phone manufacturers and others, saying goodbye to all that thumb-busting key-punching is relatively easy.
No Excuse For Not Backing Up
With the Maxtor Personal Storage 5000LE, adding an extra 80GB of capacity to your computer has never been easier.
Sidetrack
IMPROVEMENTS, PLEASE : Sad to say, but Quicktime Player for Windows really, really sucks.
APPLE'S LEAD : One trend that I would like to see that Apple can lead, is the try-it-out before you buy advantage of the Apple retail store. For example, when I buy a new VCR, I would like to try out how hard or easy it would be to program that box to record programs.
THE HUMANE ENVIRONMENT : Jef Raskin has a new user-interface under development. Could this be the Macintosh?
MAC SCHOOL : Holy Family Lutheran School.
Wintel
Microsoft Switches Strategy On Linux
As businesses increasingly adopt Linux to run their computer servers, Microsoft is shifting the battleground from schoolyard insults or techie-speak to corporate notions of "business value."
Wednesday, December 25, 2002
Top Stories
The Jaguar Report: Can You Believe All Those Problem Reports?
Unfortunately, many of the problem reports you read at various Mac Web sites do are simply published without any attempt to monitor their accuracy or quality. Editors are not editing. They are not taking the time to verify the reports or investigate what might be causing a problem. In that sense, the sites become message boards, not news outlets.
News
Opinion
Steve, A January Expo Is Still A Bad Idea
I hope someday you and the rest of Appleís executives will take a close look at the negative impact of holding an Expo two weeks after Christmas, and the positive impact of holding one 6-8 weeks prior to Christmas.
Review
Whre It Is 'Struggle And Weep' Rather Than 'Plug And Play'
Exploring the wireless on-ramp to the information highway with a Palm PDA, iMac and a Bluetooth-enabled mobile phone.
No Excuse For Not Creating Great Digital Media
Now you can have the same equipment as Hollywood moguls.
Switching To The Mac For The Java Developer
In this series of articles, I will explore porting Java applications to Mac OS X. I assume you already are familiar with Java, Swing, and AWT, so I will concentrate on the Mac OS X aspects only.
Wintel
Microsoft Must Bundle Java
If AOL cared anymore (which I doubt) it could probably get an injunction requiring the bundling of Netscape, which Microsoft also did its best to kill.
Tuesday, December 24, 2002
Top Stories
Cult Brands: Lessons Learned At Apple, ESPN, And PepsiCo
What gives some brands an extra lift? An avid cult following, that's what. At a session of the HBS Marketing Conference, experts debated the pros and cons of managing a brand that customers truly adore.
News
She's A Knockout
Meet Apple employee Kelsey Jeffries, key-punching geek by day, face-punching boxer by night.
New MPEG-4 Based Video System Takes Step Forward
The technical design for a new video compression system based on the MPEG-4 standard that promises better quality digital video was agreed at a meeting in Japan last week, said the International Telecommunication Union (ITU).
Apple Posts Win-To-Mac OS X Porting Guide
Farewell Beloved CDs
Having all your music collection in your pocket - it's an idea thousands of Christmas shoppers will have fallen for. But is it all it's cracked up to be?
Review
Savvy Shopper Can Save Money With 'Refurbs'
You can save money with refurbs, but you've got to be a savvy shopper.
Should You Upgrade Your PowerBook To USB2?
If you would like to be compatible with USB 2 for a particular reason, than upgrading with one of these PC cards is not terribly expensive. Also, even with faster FireWire coming, older machines wonít benefit from that.
Picking The Right MP3 Player
If you know what you're looking for, you'll be able to eliminate many lesser models right off the bat.
Sidetrack
CRASHING LEFT AND RIGHT : You know, I like Internet Explorer on Windows as a library that applications can make use of. I hate it though 'cause when it crashes, it brings down all the applications that is making use of it together.
ARE YOU SERIOUS? : "I resolve to go an entire year without making critical comments about some Apple computer or some Apple strategy." John C. Dvorak finds no good coming out of "bashing".
SHOPPING SEASON : Apple's iPod is a big seller this Christmas, according to folks at J&R Music and Computer World.
On a related note, you can shop at Harlem, and win an iMac.
Wintel
British Mobile Phone Maker Sues Microsoft
British mobile phone manufacturer Sendo Holdings has filed suit against Microsoft in a US federal court, alleging the company stole Sendo's proprietary technology and trade secrets, then used them to launch itself into the mobile phone market.
Microsoft's Top 10 Challenges For 2003
Microsoft Ordered To Carry Java
A U.S. district court judge on Monday ordered Microsoft to include Sun Microsystems' version of Java with the Windows operating system, citing the software giant's history of undermining the platform-neutral programming language.
Monday, December 23, 2002
News
Mac OS' New Year's Prospects
While much of the tech world slows down for the winter holidays, the Mac community is warming up for one of the biggest events of its traditional social calendar: Macworld Expo/San Francisco.
Taking A Bite Out Of Windows
"We're seeing a real revolution in how technology is used in the house."
Apple Store Pasadena Opening On Jan 7th
Apple Nabs 5.2% Of Desktop Market
Year In Review : Apple's Harvest
From iMac to Jaguar.
Three Technologies Vie For DVD Recording Standard
Even though this standards battle isn't as damaging as some, most consumers probably wish — I know I do — that it would just go away and the whole industry would unite around one format.
Opinion
Top 10 Reasons To Give Someone You Love The Gift Of Apple
What's Ahead In 2003? Here's What I Think
If Steve can pull another iMac from his hat, things will be better for the company. But the real issues are erosion of the education market, due to Windows predation, and increasingly soft sales of Power Macs to business customers.
Review
Apple's .Mac Service
If you compare feature by feature, .Mac looks like a good deal, at least for the first year.
Don't Let That New PC Disappoint You On Christmas Day
Don't wait till Christmas Day to set up a new computer. Lock the bedroom door and fire it up now. Make sure it's working while you can still get it fixed or replaced before Christmas.
Understanding Zeroconf And Multicast DNS
Networking was never supposed to be hard — but it is. At best it's an annoyance, at worst it's a show stopper. Granny May's got her new printer and after hooking it up, she just can't get it to print across the network, damnit. But an emerging standard, Zeroconf, just might help networking become what we've always wanted it to be: easy.
Wintel
Microsoft, Adobe In Document Showdown?
Adobe plans to expand the Portable Document Format behind Acrobat Reader into a multipurpose business tool over the coming months. At the same time, however, Microsoft is moving ahead with plans for software that could nibble at the edge of Adobe's market.
Microsoft Plots Macromedia Coup Against Java
Microsoft Corp is believed to have trained its acquisition crosshairs on Macromedia Inc, lining up a deal that would throw enterprise Java into a spin.
Sunday, December 22, 2002
News
Poll: Dock, Bottom 'Best'
Two thirds of Mac OS X users leave their Dock in the default position at the bottom of the screen, a Macworld Online reader poll shows.
Q&A With Lorin Rivers
Longtime Mac developers who've opted to come out with Windows versions of their products can usually count on howls of protest from users who accuse the company of abandoning the Mac platform. That hasn't happened to Real Software after its October announcement that the next version of its RealBasic development software, due out in early 2003, would run on both Mac and Windows platforms.
David Turnley: Documenting The Human Condition
"It was the first time I had edited on an Apple computer in the field. It was seamless and it was amazing to be able to offer an editor an edited set of photographs, with captions — within several hours of my having made the images."
Hans Zimmer: Speaking Through Music
Throughout countless scores, Macs have long been a staple in Zimmerís arsenal of tools.
Jack Dangers: Master Of Dub Electronica
Dangers bought his first Mac when he moved to the U.S. "I never looked back," says the beatsmith. "I use Logic Audio and I use the TDM plugins running off of the ProTools hardware in Logic."
Chimera Web Browser Receives New Update
This release offers improved stability, a global history tab, improved RealPlayer support, Dock bookmarks, support for Rendezvous under Mac OS 10.2.3 and later, and much more.
NetNewsWire Pro 1.0b1 Now Available
The first beta release of NetNewsWire Pro adds a Weblog editor, a notepad, a Find command, AppleScript support, and more to the popular application.
SF Filmmaker Uses Solar Power To Edit Environmental Documentary
The only energy Jack Bibbo had — 345 watts in eight batteries — went to editing 50 hours of documentary film to under two hours on a G4 computer.
Bridging The Education Gap
One thing the students are out to prove is that seventh graders can be responsible iBook users.
Apple Previews Script Editor 2.0 For Mac OS X
Apple has posted a preview release of Script Editor 2.0pr, a Mac OS X application that can read, write, record, and save AppleScript scripts.
Review
Databases For All Reasons
FileMaker Pro 6 proves that a highly capable desktop database needn't be complex and intimidating.
Mac 911: Get With The Program
In this month's Mac 911, I explore several OS and application workarounds, such as finding alternative spelling checkers, moving contacts to and from Address Book, making Ink work, and running two versions of iTunes. I also offer tips for increasing AirPort range.
The Browser Wars Revisited
I no longer regard Internet Explorer as my default browser, although I keep using it, particularly for sites that do not display well in the competition.
OS X Switcher's Guide I
Itís a ritual as old as moss. Youíve unwrapped your new Mac. Youíll spend the next two weeks installing all your applications, utilities, peripheral drivers, accessories, custom Photoshop palettes, and painstakingly hand-crafted email filters. Not to mention restoring your preferences before finally moving all your documents to the new machine.
VPN On Mac OS X
Virtual Private Networking is a valuable tool for system and network administrators. It's an excellent way to reduce the costs of multiple site and remote access networks, while simultaneously increasing the overall security of your network.
Logitech Cordless Navigator Duo And Elite Duo Keyboard/Mouse Combinations
These cordless keyboards and mice are top-notch and I would highly recommend them to anyone looking for a truly useful keyboard and mouse replacement.
Wintel
Outlook To Lotus: Let's Talk
Microsoft announced on Friday free software that lets companies running IBM's Lotus Domino e-mail server—designed for the Lotus Notes e-mail application—give employees access to Microsoft's rival e-mail program.
Friday, December 20, 2002
Top Stories
Is Apple Growing Leaner?
Apple Computer laid off 180 employees in its fourth fiscal quarter and said that it's facing increasing pressure in the education market, according to a Securities and Exchange Commission filing.
Apple Releases Mac OS X 10.2.3
Apple today released an update for Mac OS X 10.2 Jaguar, bringing the current version to 10.2.3.
News
10-K Filing Offers Insight To Apple's Past, Future
Apple noted a seven percent increase in net sales from 2001 to 2002, but said that Mac unit sales were relatively flat from year to year. The company attributes sluggish demand in the European and Japanese markets as one possible explanation for the lack of worldwide growth.
Multiple Vulnerabilities Discovered In CUPS
Security firm iDefense, which released details of the vulnerabilities yesterday, said exploitation of the vulnerabilities could allow local and remote attackers, in the worst of scenarios, to gain root privileges on a victim's computer.
Sidetrack
AND I'M OFF for my mini-vacation for my mind :-) Minimal updates until Saturday night. See you then.
Thursday, December 19, 2002
Top Stories
Microsoft To Bump Apple Into Sync-Hole?
Apple Computer is refining a strategy for connecting cell phones and other portable devices to its Macintosh systems in an effort to boost sales. But a rival endeavor from Microsoft, expected to be unveiled early next year, could dim the company's hopes, analysts said.
Shake Composites Middle Earth
Weta Digital's state of the art stuiod works magic for the Lord of the Rings Trilogy.
News
Where OS X Still Needs Work
Many peripherals, such as scanners and printers, are incompatible with Jaguar because drivers have not yet been written for them. And support for SCSI devices, which is standard in so-called "Classic" versions of Mac OS, has been spotty at best.
Mac OS 9: Never Say 'Never'
Why is Apple causing such headaches for its loyal customers? The answer is simple: the company has bet the farm on the new operating system and needs both its software developers and its customers to switch to OS X as quickly as possible.
A Q&A With Spring Creator Robb Beal
I opened this Q&A interview questioning what led to the development of Spring and where Beal sees the application going. The topics branched out from there to include comments on the state of independent software development on the Mac and much more.
An Interview With David Pogue
After five minutes with David Pogue, it's clear that this is a man who would make any computer class interesting.
Review
Connectix Virtual PC 6.0
While Virtual PC isn't going to replace a high-powered PC box, it is an ideal solution for folks who need to run Windows business and Internet applications from time to time and don't want to invest in a second computer.
Online Chatter Box
Quite why they called this dinky Web camera a UniBrain is a mystery, but the UniBrain Fire-i camera is a serious piece of kit and a notable advance on your average webcam.
Griffin iCurve Laptop Stand
It could stand on its own as a piece of modern sculpture, but itís functional too.
Wintel
Microsoft Delays CRM Release
Microsoft said Wednesday that it plans to delay until next year the release of its new customer relationship management software, which it had slated for release by the end of the year.
Wednesday, December 18, 2002
News
New Microsoft MacBU Manager Named
Roz Ho, an eleven-year Microsoft veteran, has been named general manager of the company's Macintosh Business Unit (MacBU).
Connectix Unveils Virtual PC 6.0
Virtual PC 6.0 continues to blur the lines between Mac OS and Windows.
Cherry Hill Students Might Receive Laptops
The school district could launch a pilot program as early as this spring to provide wireless laptop computers for every student and teacher beginning in fourth grade.
Compromised In A Flash
A flaw found in Macromedia's animation software leaves Web surfers vulnerable to attack when they visit an Internet site or, possibly, open an e-mail, a security firm said Tuesday.
NoteTaker 2003 Released For Mac OS X
NoteTaker 2003 is a Mac OS X product for managing personal notes, Web site URLS, lists, outlines, projects, and information of any type that can be stored on a computer.
Macromedia Releases Director MX For OS X
Macromedia has announced the immediate availability of Director MX for OS X, its professional application for creating interactive content for web, kiosks and optical media.
Opinion
OS 9: Alive Or Dead?
The bottom line is that it will cost Quark in the long run.
So Where Does The Buck Stop?
"In the end, either you stand behind the product or you don't. And I decided that if you want to stay in business, you stand behind the product."
There's No Middle Ground For Apple
What's the outlook for Apple Computer?
DoCoMo And MPEG-4 And QuickTime (Oh My?)
It's gutsy to try and spin the DoCoMo announcement as part of an Apple master plan, since DoCoMo's plans to support 3GPP had nothing to do with Apple or QuickTime.
Where Are All The Good Apples?
I want the Mac those folks on TV are using.
Review
New On DVD: A Slideshow Of Your Family's Vacation
The Mac produced by far the best slideshow discs, not only because they were burned onto DVDs instead of VCDs, but because the iDVD program has the handsomest and most professional-looking options for menus and backgrounds.
Gateway And Apple: Substance Vs. Style?
When it comes to Gateway's Profile 4 series and Apple's iMac, the question as to which quality is most apparent between the two becomes as broad as the audience both are trying to reach.
Sidetrack
MY EYES ARE ON YOU : The FBI has a new way of tracking terrorists... that you will never even notice.
Wintel
The New Electric Company
Microsoft is a 21st-century utility — fat , slow, and vulnerable.
Microsoft 'X#' On Tap?
Could Microsoft be working behind the scenes on another new programming language?
German City Drops Windows For Linux
A community of 36,000 in southern Germany, plans to build its entire IT infrastructure on the open source Linux operating system, replacing Windows from Microsoft Corp.
Tuesday, December 17, 2002
Top Stories
Apple Strikes Major Blow In Streaming Media Market; Lands Quick
The importance of Apple's win cannot be overestimated considering the enormous size of the cell phone market, the desire for compatibility that content providers will want when they develop videos to deliver on both PCs and cell phones, the impact that DoCoMo's backing of an open standard will have on the world's cell phone makers and service providers and the resulting influence the decision will have in the PC streaming market. DoCoMo is not just saying MPEG-4 is good, it's betting its 3G future on it.
FileMaker Key To Beggars Banquet
The UK's biggest independent record company is using FileMaker database technology to keep track of its artists and music, at what it claims is a fraction of the cost of high-end databases.
News
Cut To The Chase
Final Cut Pro breaks into the big leagues with "Cold Mountain" and editor Walter Murch.
New QuickTime Movies Preach Jaguar's Benefits
New movies posted to Apple's Web site help illustrate Jaguar's benefits in whimsical and entertaining ways.
Apple Acknowledges App/Memory Problem On Some G4 Macs
Apple Confirms Plans To Webcast MWSF Keynote
If you can't make it to Macworld Conference & Expo in San Francisco next month, fear not. As is customary, Apple today confirmed plans to Webcast the keynote live from its Web site using QuickTime.
Desktop Video Production Set To Take Off
Desktop digital video production is set to take off, like how desktop publishing did in the mid-1980s.
New Software May Restore Erased Photos
Called Image Rescue, it tries to restore erased JPEG, TIFF and RAW formatted photos from Lexar's USB-Enabled CompactFlash cards.
Review
Tom Clancy's Ghost Recon
Combining stealth, quick reflexes, group leadership, over-average artificial intelligence, great attention to detail, and tactical gameplay that's second to none, the designers over at Red Storm have managed to create a game that is engaging and enticing for gamers of every kind.
Apple Notebooks Get Better And Cheaper
BBEdit 7.0
BBEdit 7.0 is good example of how to make something better without bloating it.
The Wireless Networking Starter Kit
I think Glenn and I did a good job of including all the information anyone short of a wireless network engineer would want. From what I'm seeing, wireless networking is in certain ways where the Internet was back in 1993.
FastTrack Schedule 8.0: Project-Management Program Moves To OS X And Continues To Make Scheduling A Breeze
FastTrack Schedule 8 is a hard-to-find fusion of simplicity and power. Its graphical timelines are perfect for beginning project managers. And its new features, which can automate more-complex scheduling tasks and enable data exchange with Microsoft Project, make it an ideal choice for project-management pros.
Quicken 2003: Financial Powerhouse Rests On Its Laurels
Quicken is fairly priced for new users and remains a very good product, but new versions have too few compelling new features to justify yearly upgrades.
Switching To The Mac Doesn't Have To Be Difficult
One of the biggest problems with Mac OS X has always been the difficulty of moving important settings, email, personal information manager (PIM) data, and certain types of documents from the PC to the Macintosh. I've struggled with this problem for more than a year. But two new software products have addressed these concerns.
Sidetrack
WATCH MY IMOVIE : Has the word "iMovie" become a generic term to mean a souped-up home movie, as suggested in this article? Good news for Apple, bad news for the lawyers.
EARLY WARNING SYSTEM : There will be little updates to this web site this coming Friday, as I'll be off to a mini-vacation.
MICROSOFT WINDOWS XP MEDIA CENTER EDITION PC : Whew! Imagine your Newton running Apple Macintosh OS 7 Personal Digital Assistance Edition Operating System...
Nevertheless, Andy Ihnatko likes the Media Center PC, and love it for what it could become.
On the other hand, he does have this to say: "For all its flash, Media Center is just an app running under Windows, and trying to create a Windows app that never fritzes or freezes is like trying to create a French cheese that doesn't stink."
Maybe there is a market Apple can start to think about.
Wintel
.NET My Services. Gone But Not Forgotten?
.NET My Services, Microsoft Corp's high-profile set of XML web services postponed eight months ago, seems to have dropped off the company's 2003 roadmap.
Microsoft Unveils Entertainment Software
Microsoft will announce on Tuesday availability of new personal entertainment software for Windows XP, featuring fresh tools for handling music, movies and photos on the PC.
'Lintel' Turns Up The Heat
Whether or not Microsoft Corp. ends up porting its software to Linux, as a research company suggested last week, the battle between Windows and Linux on Intel Corp.- compatible hardware could have at least one positive effect: lower prices for Windows software, users said.
Monday, December 16, 2002
Top Stories
Apple Takes Swipe At Partner Microsoft In Mac Ads
Apple's results indicate the ads are achieving their aim.
News
The Real Deal For Mac OS X?
Macintosh users are finally getting a finished version of RealNetworks' streaming media player, but they will have to wait at least another several months to rip a CD or play QuickTime files like their Windows counterparts.
iMac Design Team Nominated For Rave Awards
The Apple Industrial Design Team has been nominated by Wired Magazine for its work on the iMac as part of the magazine's Rave Awards, celebrating innovation and the individuals transforming commerce and culture.
Apple Launches Slew Of Mac OS X "Jaguar" Ads
FileMaker Database Software Honored As Finalist For Two Codie Awards
FileMaker Pro 6 is a finalist for Best Business Productivity Product or Service, and FileMaker Pro 6 Unlimited is a Best Numeric/Database Application finalist.
Apple Announces HomePage Creativity Contest
.Mac members can enter the contest in one of three categories: Creative, Humorous iMovie, and Incredible Pets.
Gold Master RealOne Player Released
RealNetworks today released the final build of its RealOne Player for Mac OS X.
MySQL Open To Attack
Several vulnerabilities have been found in the MySQL database system, a light database package commonly used in Linux environments but which runs also on Microsoft platforms, HP-Unix, Mac OS and more.
Grid Computing From Sun - Open Source And Proud Of It
The point is to make sharing computational resources across a grid not only efficient, but easy.
Opinion
Apple Can't Take Its Own Medicine
We wouldn't really care if it wasn't for the fact that Apple does have a history of accidentally leaking its own information.
Review
What's .Mac Worth? We Put Apple's New Internet Services To The Test
When deciding whether .Mac is worth $100 per year, you must first figure out which of the services you'll actually use. Although you won't find anything that compares with .Mac for integration with Mac OS or other programs from Apple, it is possible to put together a comparable set of services separately. If you need only a small subset of what .Mac provides, you might even be able to do so less expensively.
A Happy Rendezvous
Sometimes we Mac users don't know how easy we have it.
Sidetrack
THERE ARE PICTURES? : MozillaZine offers up a good reason to buy the latest issue of Playboy.
CUSTOMIZED MACINTOSH, OR POOR REPORTING? : It may be sad to see a school migrating backwards from Mac to Windows...
But, my question is: are schools getting iMacs without modems?
Wintel
Microsoft Tightens .Net Tool Security
Microsoft on Monday released software tools that it claims will allow developers to create more secure and reliable Web services.
How Open Is The New MS Office?
Microsoft says it's opening up its Office desktop software by adding support for XML—a move that should help companies free up access to their shared information. But there's a catch: Microsoft has yet to disclose the underlying XML dialect that it's using.
E-Mail Viruses Double
E-mail viruses are now almost twice as prevalent as they were in 2001, with one e-mail in every 200 containing a virus.
High Fidelity XML
There's no mistaking Lucovsky's enthusiasm for these second-generation Office tools.
Saturday, December 14, 2002
Top Stories
Intel Makes Big Develoment Push On Wireless Technology
Intel Corp. is working to develop what it calls a "wireless ecosystem" that's aimed at eventually allowing users with any kind of computing device to tap into any kind of network worldwide.
PC Killer On The Loose
The PowerBook G4 isn't a product to watch; it's the only notebook on the market worth spending $2,500 on, and at that price, it's a steal.
News
Apple Starts India Arm For Video Professionals
Apple Computer International today launched its first authorised training centre in India for video and broadcasting professionals in Chennai.
Hobbits Shop At Apple Store
Real-life hobbits go shopping.
Review
A New Apple iBook Breaks The $1,000 Price Barrier
The $999 Apple iBook is not an extremely high-end system, but it isn't low-end, either; it's a good machine at a bargain price.
New Keyboards Are Changing The Computer Connection
It's been a long time since a keyboard really meant anything.
Apple's iSync Gets It All Together
It's clear iSync and iCal are critical to its vision of a digital hub in which the Mac and a .Mac account help organize one's life.
Homemade Dot Mac: Home Web Radio
If the idea of having your own radio webcast, for fun or profit, intrigues you, then you've come to the right place.
Sidetrack
A SAD DAY HAS ARRIVED : I have to teach my wife how to reset the Power Manager on my Pismo. Sigh.
This was the second time lately the my Pismo, a.k.a. PowerBook G3 (Firewire), went dead. Should I be eyeing for a TiBook?
RUMOR DU JOUR : From the Scobleizer... "If you're looking for an Apple desktop system, start saving your pennies for mid-2003. I can't tell you what I've learned, but there's some hot systems coming."
Friday, December 13, 2002
Top Stories
Bridging The Education Gap
In the week since seventh-graders have had the computers for in-class use, teachers of core subjects have found ways to incorporate the machines in their itineraries on a slow-but-sure basis.
News
Nine Lives For Mac OS 9
Apple said Friday that it will continue to sell schools some Macs capable of booting up into Mac OS 9, and will continue to sell a Power Mac G4 geared toward professionals such as graphic designers until June.
Apple Sees Web Traffic Decline, Ranks No. 41
IP Over FireWire Released Again, For ADC Members Only
UD Students Ready For Antarctica
Heading for the continent at the bottom of the world.
Spaceward Ho! 5 Adds Internet Play, OS X Support, More
IBM Confirms AltiVec To Be In New PowerPC 970, Tightens Up Time Table For Production
IBM has confirmed what most Macintosh fans have been hoping for: The vector processing unit in the PowerPC 970 is indeed AltiVec.
You Won't Find These Videos At Blockbuster
Video is taking over as the medium of choice for artists, reinventing the language of art.
Mac Fraud Bust: The Inside Story
The arrest is the result of extraordinary perseverance and pluck from a 21 year old New Orleans student, aided by the online Mac community.
Opinion
Apple Sues Two People For Posting Trade Secrets: A Closer Look At The Issues
When this stuff gets published, it often blurs the line between "news" and "leaked trade secrets."
Sidetrack
MAC ADDICT TO THE RESCURE, or How I Caught a Counterfeiter with a Little Help from my Friends, a true story by Jason Eric Smith.
(Note: The above link points to a mirrored site.)
Wintel
Windows XP Spills The Beans On Wireless Access Points
XP's Wi-Fi software may tell hackers an access point's hidden SSID. But it doesn't stop there, it's possible to "spoof" the XP machine into believing it has connected to a familiar network.
Borland Shares Rise On Takeover Rumors
Borland Software shares climbed Thursday as analysts considered whether the software company could be a Microsoft acquisition target.
Microsoft Closes Book On Online Map Deal
Microsoft said Thursday that it has completed a $96 million acquisition of Vicinity, the maker of online mapping service Mapblast.com.
Microsoft Pushes .Net Server 2003 App Compatibility
Microsoft Corp. is ratcheting up its efforts to ensure that independent software vendors, partners, system integrators and component vendors address potential application compatibility issues with the upcoming Windows .Net Server 2003 family before it is released next April.
Thursday, December 12, 2002
Top Stories
Pioneer Uni Drops Apple From IT
One of the first Australian universities to adopt Apple in its computer science faculty has dropped the Mac from its teaching programs.
Apple's Mail Tops Online Poll
Mac OS X Mail email program is the most popular among Macworld Online readers, a poll has revealed.
News
Apple Offers 'Clean As A Whistle' Promotion
Bare Bones' Online-Rights Donation
Bare Bones Software is donating $10 from every online sale of BBEdit 7.0 to the online civil-liberties group Electronic Frontier Foundation (EFF).
Bug With AppleScript Fixed In Latest GraphicConverter Release
Opera Releases Opera 6.0 Browser Final
Opera today posted a final version of its Opera 6.0 browser for Mac OS 8/9/X.
Apple, HP Acknowledge 10.2.2 Driver Conflict
Certain Hewlett-Packard printer drivers may cause significant performance reduction if installed under Mac OS X 10.2.2.
Review
Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 3
If the beta is any indication, this is shaping up to be yet another gem in the crown of the Tony Hawk series.
Apple's New PowerBook Makes It Easy To Edit, Burn Video To DVD
Now you can shoot, edit and distribute movies while you're on the go.
Helping Children Learn, But Not Forgetting The Fun
While it may seem like the two goals are mutually exclusive, it is possible for a game to capture a child's attention and still be educational.
Software Helps Anyone Become A Moviemaker
If I were thinking about a new computer, I'd almost choose a Mac just because it has iMovie included as part of the operating system. That's how fun and easy it is to work with.
Dreamweaver MX Will Have You Spinnin' Web Faster Than That McGuire Kid
The performance is seamless in OS X, and any Dreamweaver user who has upgraded to the new OS should move to MX without delay.
Wintel
Microsoft Warns Of Java Flaws
Microsoft late Wednesday issued a "critical" security alert for a series of Java Virtual Machine bugs, one of which could allow a hacker to steal information or reformat the hard drives of compromised computers.
All Bugs Are Created Equal
Security tools vendor ISS has promised to handle security vulnerabilities affecting open source and Windows platforms the same way following criticism of its premature disclosure of open source security problems.
MS Puts The Squeeze On New Win2k PC Preinstalls
PC manufacturers are to be barred from selling dual boot WinXP and Win2k systems from next year.
Xbox May Boost Microsoft Earnings
Microsoft should see its current quarter results lifted by the strong holiday season performance of its Xbox video game console and related game software, an analyst said Wednesday.
Wednesday, December 11, 2002
Top Stories
Apple's QuickTime Phones Japan
Apple's QuickTime is poised to make headway as an audio and video delivery platform for mobile phones in Japan, with new standards-compatible software on its way and a fresh endorsement by leading wireless carrier NTT DoCoMo.
News
Apple To Exhibit At BETT 2003
BETT is the world's leading event for Information and Communications Technology in Education.
FileMaker Pro Update Tweaks XML Operations, More
With version 6.0v4, FileMaker Pro gets tweaked in the way it handles import/export XML operations involving remote XML/XSL data sources or files generated multiple HTTP requests.
Man Arrested For Leaking Apple Documents
Apple on Wednesday filed a civil complaint in the Superior Court of the State of California, County of Santa Clara against a former contract employee for leaking documents.
Fetch 4.0.3 Released
The update offers improved compatibility with Mac OS X 10.2 ("Jaguar"), along with enhancements in AppleScript support, Kerberos security, and the use of SOCKS gateways.
Mac Users Share In Another First
Apple adds Bluetooth technology to its list of pioneering innovations.
Where Technology And Art Collide
As multimedia technologies and computers become almost as accessible to aspiring artists as paint and brushes, these contemporary media and tools are transforming the way many fine arts students view and approach art itself.
Apple Aims To Get iPod "Into The Groove"
Apple has started selling versions of the iPod from its Web site that have Madonna's lasered autograph engraved on the back of the device.
Review
Jaguar On The 800 MHz iBook
Jaguar is an excellent OS that is (mostly) a pleasure to use.
Smarter Than Your Average Keyboard
As standard keyboards go, the Macintosh variety is good: solid, well-designed, cool to view and nice to use. But if you wish for more, there are others, among the better of them those made by Logitech, creators of the first commercially made mouse.
Sidetrack
SUICIDE AT GOOGLE : Cory Doctorow, in Boing Boing, quotes Sergey Brin, co-founder of Google.
"People who are thinking about committing suicide search Google for 'suicide'. Depending on what they find, they may or may not kill themselves. There are businesses that depend on the kind of results that searchers get from Google, but that's very secondary compared to searches like 'suicide.'"
WE'RE HAVING A FEW TECHNICAL PROBLEMS. Until then... please don't watch.
Tuesday, December 10, 2002
Top Stories
Is The Computer Desktop An Antique?
Interface consistency was a wise strategy for the early years of PC adoption, but the Macís new Swiss-army-knife approach makes sense now that using desktop interfaces is as second-nature as reading to a whole generation of computer users.
Top Teacher Trashes MovieMaker 'Hype'
A leading UK educator has attacked Microsoftís claims that its MovieMaker 2 beta is the best consumer video-editing solution on the market.
Tune In iPod
Apple hits the right notes in design and sound quality.
News
Film Gimp Released For Macintosh OS X
Film Gimp, the most popular open source tool in feature motion picture work, has released its first Macintosh version. It is a frame-by-frame retouching tool used by motion picture studios as an alternative tool to Adobe Photoshop.
CEO Of iPod Chipmaker Quits
The chief executive of PortalPlayer, the start-up whose chip powers Apple Computer's iPod digital music player, has resigned.
Netscape Update Adds Features, Improves Security
Changes in Netscape 7.01 include popup window controls; a home page group feature; new AOL Mail features; and COPPA compliance with improved security, which also offers greater control of certificates.
Saint Leo U. Offers Apple's iBooks To Its On-Campus Students
University administrators had initially planned to give the students laptop PC's, but opted for iBooks largely because Apple representatives promised ample technical support for the machines.
Opinion
Rants & Raves: Hey, I'm A Loyal Mac User, Too
Like any persecuted minority, Mac users are sensitive to criticism, even if it is more perceived than real.
Review
iBook, Desktop Prices Show Buyer's Market
Designed with an eye toward the school market, the iBook is sturdy, seriously shock resistant and comes loaded with a wonderful collection of software.
Star Wars Jedi Knight II: Jedi Outcast
With a couple rare exceptions, LucasArts has created some of the best action games available on any platform, and Jedi Outcast is no exception.
Star Wars Jedi Knight II: Jedi Outcast
Yes, there have been a host of games that used this fantastic engine, yet the popularity of the Star Wars universe lends itself to this game and makes it a game worth playing.
Music To Your Ears: 2002
The problem is that most headphones stink.
The Laptop Stands, But Not Alone
You won't go wrong with any of these stands, I'm happy to say, making them an excellent alternative to suffering with poor laptop ergonomics or haphazardly stacking your laptop on a teetering pile of books.
Sharing Memories
Slide-show software lets you share your photos with friends and family at home, via e-mail or on the Web.
Sidetrack
NEWSMAKER OF THE YEAR : BBC News is now running a poll to find out who has left the greatest impression on you. Why should you bother to vote? Maybe because Jonathan Ive, "one of the world's most sought after designers", is among the list.
THE FIVE-MINUTE EXPERIENCE : Mike McCamon, from the Bluetooth SIG, urges a "five-minutes-out-of-the-box" mentality.
That's five minutes too long.
AND SPEAKING ABOUT OUT-OF-THE-BOX... : Andy Ihnatko urged his readers to face up to the reality.
"Don't kid yourself: You'll never get that PC set up in just four hours. Well, OK, you were smart enough to buy an iMac so you're in there with a chance. The rest of you are hosed."
BUSINESS AS USUAL : The next Windows user interface will get "a revamp, copying, as usual Mac OS."
Glad that something is still constant in this world.
Wintel
Microsoft Unveils Guides To Windows
Microsoft on Tuesday released blueprints designed to help technology managers install Windows more efficiently and at a lower cost.
Analysts: Microsoft Feels Tug Of Linux
The growing popularity of Linux will force Microsoft to bring its software to the Unix clone starting in late 2004, a research firm predicted Monday in a study that Microsoft promptly disputed.
Microsoft, PeopleSoft Unveil CRM Tools
PeopleSoft and Microsoft on Monday each introduced new applications designed to help businesses sell to and service customers, the companies said in separate announcements.
AMD Prepares To Pound The "Hammer"
Advanced Micro Devices has big plans for the future: to be the thorn firmly stuck in Intel's side.
Monday, December 9, 2002
News
Microsoft Releases Query X
Microsoft's Macintosh Business Unit today released Query X, software for Mac OS X that uses Open Database Connectivity (ODBC) to allow users to import data from databases into Excel X.
Macworld Expo Tokyo Cancellation Disappoints Users
Many of Japanís ardent Mac users have been online expressing their disappointment with the cancellation of Macworld Expo Tokyo 2003.
Siglap Set To Revive Its Glory Days In Art
The secondary school, known as an art powerhouse in the 1970s and 1980s, will be the art centre for schools in the east zone.
Opinion
Rants & Raves: Worshipping At The Altar Of Mac
I can assure you that the term "cult" is misapplied, both in this article and throughout the tech media.
Mac Or Windows?
On the one hand, I'm very annoyed with Microsoft right now. On the other hand, the Windows/Intel platform is the clear winner when I look at performance-for-the-buck, and also in terms of knowing that I'll be able to buy the software and hardware that I need two and three years down the road.
Review
The 18th Annual Editors' Choice Awards
If 2001 was the year that Mac OS X finally arrived, full blown, on the scene, then 2002 was the year that the people who make Mac hardware and software accepted OS X as their own.
Month With A Mac: Can The Mac Replace My PC?
Doing the job best has to be proportionate to the value, and Mac's hefty price tag along with some of the (admittedly trivial) pet peevish annoyances along with an untraditional layout left me PC hungry.
Firing Up Jaguar On Older Macs
Crisp Apple Displays Not For Faint Of Wallet
As the proud owner of a $999 17-inch Apple Cinema Display, I can tell you that it is, indeed, awesome in delivering full-color digital displays that are crisp, solid, unwavering, unflickering and unusually delightful to behold. It's also almost unbearably expensive.
Sidetrack
I'M SINGIN' IN THE RAIN : Unless Hollywood can get the technology to even encrypt the bits between the speakers and my brain, or embed a broadcast flag in my ears, all these digital rights stuff is not going to defeat priacy one bit.
CANNOT SEND EMAIL MORE THAN 500 MILES : Er.. Eamil really doesn't work that way... or does it?
BROWSER WAR : Connect 4.
WATCH ME GROW MY BEARD is up to Day 52.
Next up: watch me grow my fingernails.
Wintel
Microsoft Brings Visual Studio To Office 11
Microsoft on Monday announced a new set of tools that will allow programmers to use the company's Visual Studio .Net to build customized solutions around Word and Excel documents.
HP, Microsoft Reaffirm .Net Ties
Hewlett-Packard and Microsoft on Monday tightened their partnership to promote the latter's .Net software initiative.
Why You'll Own A Media Center PC Someday
We used to call this convergence. I am not sure what to call it today except the natural process of PC evolution.
Replay It Again, Sam
Personal video recorders already have Hollywood running scared. Now Microsoft is pushing a new computer that will make trading TV shows as easy as using ... Napster.
In Software, Still Testy After All These Years
This time, IBM and Microsoft are the leading rivals in the unfolding era of networked computing.
Sunday, December 8, 2002
Top Stories
Advantage: Macintosh
When you buy a Mac, youíre not just buying a computer that comes with home video-editing software, digital-photo software, MP3 software, etc., youíre buying a computer that comes with the absolute best home video-editing software, digital photo software, MP3 software, and a dozen other applications that have no peer on any platform.
In Declining Market, Apple, Dell Try Retail Offensive
Apple and Dell computer companies are expanding their sales pitch to shopping malls and trying to attract new customers with activities and gadgets.
News
Wireless, For Better Or Worse
A year into campuswide networking at Saint Leo University, the Web brings teaching to new heights but also makes slacking off easier than ever.
Apple In Your I
Despite Apple's leading the "digital lifestyle revolution", most computer users are oblivious to the Mac's very existence.
Opinion
It's All About The OS
With what Iíve seen so far, I can only dream about what itíll be like when it reaches the ripe old age of 4 or 5.
Are Independent Apple Dealers A Dying Breed?
I have very mixed feelings about such a future, but I fear it is inevitable.
Review
What Is Firewire, How Does It Connect
Digital video is still the main reason for opting for Firewire as it has become the de facto standard for all popular digital video cameras connecting to PCs.
Boris Red 2.5: Compositing And Animation App Adds Rotoscoping And Painting To Your Video-Editing Program
For 90 percent of the effects that broadcast professionals create, Boris Red 2.5 delivers the necessary power and puts it where it's most useful: in your video-editing program.
CorelDraw Graphics Suite 11: Low-Priced Collection Proves To Be A Pleasant Surprise
CorelDraw Graphics Suite 11 combines almost every aspect of digital design into a neat, afforadable package of quite good programs and extras.
Let Chaos Regin: Time To Go Down The Foxhole And Into The Orc Burrow
Wintel
Dude, You're Getting A So-So Handheld
Dell has done a fine job of bringing the Pocket PC platform to a consumer-friendly price, but otherwise the Axim isn't that special.
Saturday, December 7, 2002
Top Stories
Hey, I'm A Loyal Mac User, Too
If I were a reader, I'd probably be sending myself apoplectic hate mail.
Apple Online Store Rings Up Millionth Customer
"Reaching our one millionth customer is a major milestone, and is proof positive that our online shopping experience is second to none."
News
Database Supports Mac OS X
This holiday season, InterSystems Corp. plans to give Mac users a gift they've never had: an enterprise-level database.
Opinion
Apple's "BluePod" - Promiscuous Exchanges With Strangers
"Just imagine thousands of people running around with personal radio stations in their pockets!"
Rants & Raves: Baby, Friend, Pet: That's My Mac
Why do we like the iMac? Focus on the Mac credo: Think different(ly).
Review
Learning The Terminal In Jaguar
Regardless of why you've previously avoided [yourhost:~], I'll show you how to take your first steps with the Terminal application in Jaguar.
Sidetrack
THE SNAPPLE THAT NEVER WAS Scott McNealy, CEO, Sun: We could have survived merging with Apple. I don't think we could have survived merging with, or adopting, the Wintel architecture.
DADDY THIS PC IS TOO FAST. It's making my head hurt!
According to CARS, Apple is finally going to take advantage of the slower MHz of PowerPC in its marketing campaign.
Friday, December 6, 2002
Top Stories
Baby, Friend, Pet: That's My Mac
Macintosh users associate human characteristics with their machines — and that's one of the keys to Mac loyalty, psychologists and anthropologists say.
News
QuickTime 6 Used To Deliver Industry's First MPEG-4 Radio Webcast
Radioio, one of the largest Internet-only radio stations in the world, and Limelight Networks, a leader in IP transport services, today announced that they have teamed up with Apple to launch a new Internet radio station based on MPEG-4.
Dark Horse DivX Gains On QuickTime
Apple's QuickTime leads the pack, with a pedigree stretching back to 1991 and the kudos of donating its file format to the latest MPEG standard.
Sweeter At Apple?
Some pros believe Apple will kick higher starting this month.
LaCie To Debut A 500GB Hard Drive
Dubbed the LaCie Big Disk, the drive will be available in two configurations: a 500GB model and a faster 400GB model.
Final Cut Pro Updated
According to Apple, the update addresses performance and reliability issues.
Opinion
Apple In OpenSourceLand... And Free Software
Rants & Raves: Apple: It's All About The Brand
Of course Apple sells an image. So does BMW, Mercedes, Coca Cola, Nike, Campbells, Adidas, Puma, Boss. Does this mean these guys don't have good products?
Review
Is Santa Bringing You A New Edit System?
The good news is that for the first time, you can build an uncompressed serial digital editing suite with a lower system cost than a single VTR needed for playback and mastering.
MicroSizers, iPod Tops In Electronics
Want To Edit Digital Video Like A Pro?
Avid Xpress turned out to be my favorite.
Sidetrack
SOUNDS GOOD TO ME : I could use a Buy an iMac and Shut the Hell Up promotion.
Wintel
Linux, Microsoft Tussle In India
Nearly 2,000 supporters of Linux rounded off a three-day conference in India's technology capital this week, pleased with the operating system's growing corporate use and strong backing by heavyweights like IBM.
Microsoft's Real Problem
Microsoftís real problem is that Mooreís Law demands deflation, and Microsoft has gotten in the way of it.
Microosft's Next Office: More Than Meets The Eye
Outlook redo, enhanced XML support are key improvements.
Microsoft Warns Of IE, Outlook Flaws
Microsoft late Wednesday warned of new security glitches in some of its Internet software that could expose sensitive data.
Microsoft Beefs Up Bookkeeping Push
Microsoft is revamping its bookkeeping software for small businesses with expanded features and a lower price in an effort to better compete with entrenched rivals.
Intel Ups Revenue Expectations
Despite suffering through difficult second and third quarters, Intel on Thursday said that revenue for the fourth quarter will likely fall between $6.8 billion and $7 billion—somewhat higher than its original projection for the quarter—due to strong demand for PC processors and for flash memory, a key component in cell phones.
Thursday, December 5, 2002
Top Stories
Sign Of A Rotted Clime
Like a growing number of people, Bishop — an engineer turned business consultant — is tired of buying software and hardware that doesn't live up to the marketing blurb.
Will Apple Be Expelled From School?
Survey confirms longtime slide among districts; While some remain loyal, price holds greatest sway over budget-conscious administrators and boards.
News
Some Resellers Stop Selling eMacs Due To Display Issue
InDesign Updated
The update addresses issues identified in InDesign 2.0.1. These include an incompatibility which caused InDesign to quit when launching on Mac OS X when AutoProtect is enabled in Norton AntiVirus.
Adobe Celebrates And Contemplates
Dreamer geniuses founded Adobe Systems, but the company runs on reality now.
Worshipping At The Altar Of Mac
The Mac community is like a new-age religion, one expert argues, but is it truly a cult?
Macworld Expo Tokyo Cancelled
The Macworld Conference and Expo planned for Tokyo this coming March has been cancelled after Apple backed out of its plans to exhibit and a number of other major vendors followed suite.
Intuit Talks QuickBooks 5 For Mac
The Mac development team recently gave MacCentral a look at the company's short-term and long-range plans for the software.
Opinion
The Technology Beneath The Brand
Sometimes companies cling too tightly to brand identity, and I think Apple falls prey to this.
Beyond MHz: It's The Whole System That Counts
The truly fast computer has a balance of components, and while they're not necessarily the fastest individual components, they can work faster than a computer designed around a single very fast component.
Review
Quicken 2003
Intuit's annual update adds new features but overlooks some old flaws.
Sidetrack
APPLE'S BRAND is all they've got? "I can't believe people considered 'experts' really think this way," says Evan Williams.
SAY THANKS TO YOUR BUSINESS PARNTERS, give an iPod. Just make sure you don't cross the line between bribes and gifts.
Or, how about 10% off a new iPod, courtesy of Dell?
Wintel
Test Version Of .Net Server On Tap
Microsoft on Thursday is expected to issue the second release candidate for Windows .Net Server 2003, as the product slowly advances toward its scheduled April release date.
Microsoft Judge Renews Support For Sun Plan
The federal judge overseeing private antitrust suits against Microsoft Corp. voiced more support Wednesday for Sun Microsystems Inc.'s request to force the world's largest software maker to include Sun's Java programming language in its Windows operating system software.
Microsoft Holds Monopoly, But Also Vision
I predict it will eventually become some sort of regulated utility—its monopoly accepted as a necessary evil and the price we have to pay for widespread access to inexpensive computing.
Judge Eyes Shortcut In Sun Case Against Microsoft
A federal judge on Wednesday suggested Sun Microsystems Inc. drop some demands and go directly to trial on whether to force software giant Microsoft Corp. to carry Sun's Java program.
Microsoft Vows More Cash For Xbox
Microsoft on Wednesday said it would pour more resources into its efforts to carve out a position in the $10 billion video game market rather than cutting its losses and exiting from the venture.
Microsoft: Linux On Desktops A Threat
Microsoft Chief Financial Officer John Connors said on Wednesday that the software giant's future growth would be hurt if the rival Linux operating system was to establish a foothold on desktop computers.
Wednesday, December 4, 2002
Top Stories
Apple Offers IP Over FireWire Preview Release
Apple's Developer Connection (ADC) Web site is now offering an IP over FireWire Preview Release — technology that enables Macs and other devices to communicate using TCP/IP through FireWire instead of Ethernet or other common networking media.
Apple: It's All About The Brand
Ask marketers and advertising experts why Mac users are so loyal, and they all cite the same reason: Apple's brand.
News
Opera 'Should Be Default Mac Browser'
Opera should be the default browser in all new Macs, Opera Software's chief executive officer Jon von Tetzchner revealed as the company releases Opera 6 for Mac Beta 3.
Out Of The Boutique, Into The Big Time
Where Xserve has gone into operation in Australia, corporate users have been impressed by performance and price but critical of documentation and what some of them call Apple's "retail" approach to corporate buyers.
For Mac Users, It Takes A Village
Consumer behaviorist Tom O'Guinn thinks the key to Apple's loyalty is the Mac community itself. Apple users are not loyal to Apple per se. They are loyal to Apple and to each other.
New S.J. School Gives Every Studnet A Laptop
At San Jose's new Evergreen Valley High School, the idea of a computer lab is virtually obsolete.
Apple's Wireless LAN Problem
Despite its striking industrial design, speed and versatility, the TiBook has an apparent Achilles' heel that has gained increasing attention of late. Its wireless LAN setup has been reported to be very limited in comparison with other notebook computers.
Apple Connects With New Bay Street Store
"We want to grow our market share, pure and simple."
High-Tech Jacket Developed In Vermont
A textile data strip allows buttons on the jacket's sleeve to communicate with a digital music player located in a compartment in the chest.
Usability Is Next To Profitability
Software companies have finally grasped the value of easy-to-fathom programs, and they're pouring resources into the task.
New OS Creating Macintosh Converts
Unix-based Mac OS X 10.2 offers network executives more familiar administrative tools.
Opinion
Macworld Readers Divided Over Digital Hub
Just over half of Macworld Online readers think Apple's focus on the digital hub alienates professional users — 56 per cent replied: "No, it forgets pro users."
An Interview With Tim O'Reilly
We set the tape rolling—yes, we still use tape—and from iPod to Web services to O'Reilly's upcoming Emerging Technology Conference, here's what Tim's thinking about as of late.
Review
Apple Laptops And OS X - How Much Power Do You Need?
iApp Power Play
You probably didn't realize this because Apple's marketing focus to consumers is simplicity, not integrated environments. But there's certainly more to the iApps than initially meets the eye.
Sidetrack
FREE MUSIC : Finnish taxi drivers will have to pay royalties just to switch on the radio. Are things adding up to the creation of an "Open Source" music movement?
Wintel
Judge Explores Sun Challenge Of Microsoft
A federal judge hearing Sun Microsystems' private antitrust suit against Microsoft said today that forcing Microsoft to carry Sun's Java software in the Windows operating system could be an attractive remedy.
Tuesday, December 3, 2002
Opinion
eMac Display "Raster Shift" Problem; Appel Reseller Comments
Where Lies Apple's Future?
Apple's future looks rosy in one area (the consumer market), sorta promising in a second (business/enterprise), and gloomy in a third (education). Let's look at each area in turn.
Sidetrack
SEE YA LATER WINDOZE! Another switcher feeling euphroic.
OH, HE IS SO DEAD : OS 9, OS X Finder proponents decide to fight it out, reports CARS.
WE LOVE YOU, you love us, we're much faster than the bus.
Wintel
Windows Costs Less Than Linux. A Bit. Sometimes - MS Study
Windows 2000 servers are cheaper to run than Linux ones, sometimes, says an IDC study which was by strange coincidence sponsored by Microsoft.
West Virginia To Join Microsoft Appeal
The state of West Virginia said Monday that it would join Massachusetts in an appeal of a federal judge's order imposing modest restrictions on the business conduct of Microsoft Corp.
Monday, December 2, 2002
Top Stories
Mac Loyalists: Don't Tread On Us
There are 25 million people around the world who use Macintosh computers, according to Apple. But unlike ordinary personal computers, people don't simply use Macs, they become fans.
Digital-Interface Use To Spread
As computer displays and televisions become digitally based, the need for the appropriate systems to make the connections will increase.
News
Hollywood, Here We Come
It sounded tempting, to be let loose with an Apple iBook and a digital video camera for half a day. Maybe it was a chance to scope out a career change.
Apple Retail Stores Have Busiest Week Ever
Over 365,000 people visiting its 50 stores in the six-day Thanksgiving week.
eMac 'Raster Shifting' Issue Reported
Raster shifting is a problem that occurs shrinking the eMac screen so that the bottom 1/3 is left black, part of the top screen is clipped and wavy lines appear on the screen.
Sorenson Squeeze 3 For MPEG-4 Coming Soon
The new version of Sorenson Squeeze is ISMA MPEG-4 specification-compliant, according to the developer, and features tools for MPEG-4 Visual Simple Profile and Visual Advanced Simple Profile to make sure that optimum quality is achieved for each application.
InDesign Vs. Quark: The Battle For Domination
2003 will see the real battle of page layout applications.
Schoolwork At Students' Fingertips
Students in Hezekiah Massey's science class turn to pages in their textbooks - not by leafing through — but rather with a click of a computer mouse.
Opinion
Let's Make A Toast To This Recession
Apple is a serious player in the broad IT market now. As did the other success stories of this recession, Apple got there by turning to its customers instead of putting the squeeze on them when times got tough.
Apple's Cure For The Mobile Warrior's Blues
Apple's iSync is a harbinger of the way we road warriors will work in the future.
Review
Star Wars Galactic Battlegrounds: Clone Campaigns
With added units, gameplay enhancements, two full-featured campaigns, graphical improvements and authentic new audio effects, Star Wars Galactic Battlegrounds: Clone Campaigns makes for a great gift this holiday season.
Wintel
Microsoft Amends .Net Server Licensing
Microsoft on Monday announced licensing changes for Windows .Net Server 2003, which moves to a second release candidate sometime this week.
Study: Microsoft Magnified Flaw's Risks
A recently revealed security flaw in Microsoft's Internet Information Server may have been overhyped, according to testing figures from a U.K.-based Internet research firm. The survey also showed big Web hosting companies are losing out to smaller rivals.
Sunday, December 1, 2002
News
Apple Warns Users About iPhoto Filenames
Apple is advising anyone ordering photo prints from its iPhoto printing service that it is unable to print iPhoto files that include a question mark in the filename.
GHS Computer Lab Gives Artists, Musicians A Digital Playground
"The more sophisticated the computers are, the better it is for the kids. This takes them to a whole new level."
Opinion
Can Apple Gain Market Share On Customer Support Alone?
Apple can truthfully state that it offers the most reliable computers, the best technical support, and the most helpful buying experience, at least if you use its own retail channel.
Review
Portable Bargains Cost Less Than $1,200 And Have Many Of The Latest, Greatest Features
There's a major upside to the economic downturn that's devastated the high-tech industry: Laptop and notebook computers have never been cheaper.
Bugdom 2
Bugdom 2 is fun. I don't think there's any denying that. However, that fun will either wear down or simply end too quickly for many gamers.
The Easiest Upgrade
Keyboards and mice have improved a fair amount in the past few years. The latest models provide brisker mouse tracking, clever scrolling and program-switching options, robust keyboard multimedia controls, and hand-cuddling ergonomics.
An Entourage Of Reasons For A New Outlook On E-Mail
There are a few features that need to end up in the next version of Outlook, if Microsoft wants to prevent a mass Mac migration.