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.