Thursday, February 28, 2002
Top Stories
Have iPod, Will Secretly Bootleg
Apple probably didn't imaged people would walk into computer stores, plug their iPod into display computers and use it to copy software off the hard drives.
That P In PC Now Stand For Picture
It says something about the evolution of the PC that both Apple and Microsoft are emphasizing features for managing digital photos, not typical office documents, in their latest OS.
News
Making A Case For Gadgets
Dress up that high-tech stuff before you take it out.
Megahertz Myth
There is more to PC's virility than clock speed.
Opinion
Hey, Desktop Linux Fans: Buy A Mac!
If the proponents of desktop Linux are really honest, they will move to a Unix platform that has all the things Linux lacks.
Why Intel Will Never Inspire An iMac
Not one has the utilitarianism or style of either the old or the new iMac.
Review
Computage A Trois
The new 14-inch iBook has a lot going for it.
Lapvantage Ergo
Durable, reduces eye-strain, and improves posture, but doesn't work well with some keyboards.
Me And My iMac
The new iMac looks good, with a price to match.
Sidetrack
Mark Laubach: [Microsoft requires you] to register personal credit card information just to obtain support on a product that ain't working.
Wintel
Raymond: Cheap PCs Will Doom Microsoft
Microsoft's software monopoly is running out of time, says open-source guru Eric Raymond, and he's got a precise figure for when: $350.
Dell Eyes Takovers But Says Inside Growth Is Key
But "we certainly don't have any acquisitions to announce."
Microsoft, DOJ Tweak Settlement Terms
Microsoft and DOJ made minor modifications, addressing issues the litigating states raised.
Yet Another Jab At Windows
The product name alone has drawn Microsoft's wrath.
Don't Expect A Low-Votage Pentium 4
Intel will not try to fit Pentium 4 into the smallest, thinnest notebooks on the market, which requires chips that consume an average of a watt or less of power.
Wednesday, February 27, 2002
Top Stories
iBook: The Revised Edition
An environment filled with distrust cannot possibly have the capacity to advance education.
Moog And Apple Computer Honored
The academy singled out Apple for computers and software that advanced the way music is "written, mixed, recorded and creatively imagined."
News
Wireless Networking Saw Year-End Surge
The wireless networking market took off at the end of 2001, according to new research, as sagging prices improved shipments but pinched sales growth.
Apple, Adobe Discount Graphics Apps
Save $1,000 for Power Mac and PowerBook buyers.
Apple To The Core
The internecine battle at Hewlett-Packard has echoes of another Silicon Valley dispute — Silicon Valley's last great soap opera at Apple Computer in the mid-1980s.
Review
Sidetrack
Dan Gillmor: Connectix should go back to the drawing board on [Virtual PC].
Wintel
New Pentium 4 To Debut In 2003
The next version of Pentium 4, code-named Prescott, will enhance desktop performance through hyper-threading, among other changes.
Don't Give Me Your Windows Lite
What would happen if Windows became more of just an operating system and less of a feature-rich computing platform?
Tuesday, February 26, 2002
News
Laptops Would Be Leased, Not Owned, Under Deal
The difference between leasing and owning the laptops could besubstantial for the beleaguered laptop program.
No Shortage Of Opinions On Laptops In Schools
Apple Releases Java 1.3.1 Update 1
The update delivers improvements for text, mouse, and printing components, in additional to stability and compatibility.
Opinion
Apple's Sexy New iMac Is Seductive - Up To A Point
As great as the iMac is, I'm staying faithful to my PC. I need Micreosoft's FrontPage Web authoring program.
The Shape Of Things To Come
Apple's new iMac is beautiful to watch, but it's the software that sells it.
To Lawyers Who Love Macs And WordPerfect: Get Over It
So let me say it again. In the legal market, now and forever more, the Mac is dead.
Review
iMac Packs In Power
It is classy, elegant and a great performer.
Wintel
Sun To Charge For Next StarOffice
In a move that could undercut its anti-Microsoft campaign, Sun plans to start charging for the next version of its StarOffice software.
Monday, February 25, 2002
Top Stories
Friends And Foes
Despite squabbles, Apple and Adobe hae benefited from one another.
News
Microsoft Tunes MSN Music Site
Microsoft has redesigned its MSN Music site, adding a feature that allows certain music files to be downloaded and shared.
Passion For PCs
Though the Web has millions of pages devoted to PCs and bookstores have rows of how-to manuals, people are still joining clubs to meet up with others as enchantged with computers as they are.
Opinion
Try A Mac? Why It Won't Hurt As Much As You Think
What does it take to turn a Mac voyeur into a Mac user?
Demystifying The Digital Hub
It is important to consider that the Mac hardware layer makes the Mac not just another TV, VCR, PVR, or "dumb" electronic device.
Review
Pursuing Portable Perfection
It's better to know exactly what you need before you head to the store.
Adobe Photoshop 7
The watchwords for this newest version are Elegance, Integration, and Workflow.
Sidetrack
Rich Lappenbusch, Microsoft: Under no circumstances is any personally identifying information ever transferred to Microsoft as a result of DVD playback in XP.
Wintel
Microsoft Case Files Open To Media
"Microsoft fails to offer any explanation as to why provision of the transcripts and video recordings... would be so troublesome and vexatious."
Microsoft Gets Down To Business
Microsoft is expected to disclose some of its plans for moving into the customer relationship management (CRM) software market.
Microsoft "Ambassador" Calls It Quits
Linda Stone is leaving the campany less than two years after assuming the role of introducing the world to a kinder, gentler software titan.
Sunday, February 24, 2002
Top Stories
Photoshop Upgrade Grooves With OS X
Version 7.0 of Photoshop will go on sale in April, the company said in a statement, with versions tailored for Windows XP and Mac OS X.
News
Interview: David Pogue
Mr Pogue is the technology columnist for the New York Times, and the author of many books, including Mac OS X: The Missing Manual.
Laptop Vision Founders As Endowment Melts Away
Instead of creating a self-supporting endowment, figures show that the purchase program could be broke in a few years.
Technically, Boomers Still Love Gadgets - Just Not As Many
These days, boomers are more likely to buy tech items that can benefit the whole family.
Review
Sidetrack
Doc Searls: When I travel I always pack my Apple Airport.
Saturday, February 23, 2002
Top Stories
Creating Surround Sound On The Macintosh
Multi-channel audio is perfect for home theater, video games and music recording — for anyone who wants to be immersed in a new audio experience.
News
Price Hikes Promised By LCD Drought
The inadequate supply of motherglass — the large panel that LCDs are cut from — will probably lead to shortages and increased prices.
Moving From MPEG-4 On To VP5?
Video-compression provider On2 Technologies is taking aim at MPEG-4.
Apple Boosting iMac Stock At Stores
The Funny Business Of Nina Paley
Unlike the Flash Player, QuickTime play movies in real time and don't skip frames.
Opinion
OS X: Apple's Opportunity
With OS X, Apple can break out of its corporate niches because it offers a cheaper alternative to Wintel/Unix users.
Apple On Target In Theme Controversy
Instead of hosting knock-offs of themes, perhaps ThemeXP should focus on innovation.
Wintel
Microsoft Plays With Wireless Messaging
Microsoft is among the first makers of an instant messaging program to wrestle with MMS, which is either the next big thing in wireless messaging or just a lot of hype.
Software Lets Intel Servers Divide
Intel servers are starting to gain some valuable features of higher-end Unix systems and mainframes, allowing a single machine act like several computers.
Friday, February 22, 2002
Top Stories
Microsoft, Apple Alliance At Key Juncture
Analysts see strains of the old Macintosh-unfriendly Microsoft outside of the 160 employees in the Mac unit.
News
PowerSchool Program Opens Lines Of Communication Between Parents, Teachers
Apple Computer's Maine Education Contract May Be Scaled Back
The fate will be confirmed when legislature passes the budget on March 31.
Opinion
Cult Of The Mac - Why Do People Still Love Their Macs?
The love and devotion lavished by Mac fans on Apple's computers and OS is a phenomenon that still confounds many of the 95 percent of Windows users.
Apple's Core Quality Shows With New iMac
The return of Steve Jobs to the helm has boosted Apple's fortunes but it still must convince the business market that its machines are well worth a try.
Why Now Is A Great Time To Take A Macintosh For A Spin
If you need a personal computer, maybe it's time for you to consider a Mac.
Review
Apple iMac: Bold New Look, Software Bundle Woos Converts
It's an exceptionally well-designed product at a reasonable price.
For A Long Road Trip, The S.U.V. Of Music Players
The Riot looks like a beefy Game Boy with a score to settle.
Sidetrack
Brent Simmons: You don't need a kitchen-sink approach, since your Web site is part of a huge family, it's part of the entire Web. Allow the rest of the Web to do the things that you don't do.
Jim Heid: The Mac may be a major force in TV production, but for desktop couch potatoes, Windows is where the action is.
Click the lock to login as "sjobs" to makes changes.
An Apple A Day: macXcess. Live it. Breathe it.
Thursday, February 21, 2002
News
The Mac Community Mourns The Loss Of Sam Sharp Of MacSoldiers & Brave New Mac
Sam Sharp died earlier this week.
iMac Sales Looking Up, Analysts Say
Apple's iMac appear to be off to a good start, say Wall Street analysts, citing anecdotal evidence.
Apple's Fortunes Hinge On iMac's Success
Consumers have flooded Apple with orders — so many, in fact, that some buyers may have to wait up to a month to get their hands on one.
A Chat With "The Joy Of Tech" Creators
On tech humor, geeks, Macs, Apple legal, and Mac OS X.
Wintel
Wal-Mart's New PCs — Install Your Own OS
Walmart.com is taking a tab at attracting more technology-savvy customers.
Xbox Consoles On Deck For Japan Launch
Bill Gates said Thursday that Microsoft is ready to ship 250,000 units at Friday's crucial debut in the tough Japanese gaming market.
HP To Hewlett: My Ad's Bigger Than Yours
The ad war between HP and shareholder Wlater Hewlett is heating up in major metropolitan newspapers.
Microsoft Extends Shared-Code Effort
Microsoft is opening its Windows source code to system integrators in a move to appease both large customers and a federal judge — a move that analysts say is more symbolic than material.
Wednesday, February 20, 2002
Top Stories
A Great Future In Store For Apple?
The company's retail outlets throng with visitors. Trouble is, too few are buying. A little fine tuning could turn a good idea into a gold mine.
News
Bridging The Divide
Educator helps Hamilton students get computers.
FireWire 120GB External Hard Drive Available
For those who don't care about techno-speak, it's fast.
Opinion
Lessons For Small Business Owners: Why The Mac Web Is Struggling So Much
How many Mac web sites had a fully developed business plan before they started publication?
Review
Rescue Simulation Game Needs 911
The game left me with the nagging impressions that its developers don't even know what a diagnosis is.
Judge Browsers By Compatibilty, Stability
Don't be afraid to try new browsers from time to time.
Apple Power Macintosh G4 Dual 1GHz
This will make any content creator happy, with enough power to shave valuable time off just about every creative tasks.
Wintel
States Renew Attack On Microsoft
Microsoft has already used its proposed settlement to impose harsher terms on computer manufacturers, the states alleged.
Survey: Most HP Workers Oppose Merger
The poll comes as the latest salvo in the battle by Packard and fellow heir Walter Hewlett.
Microsoft Opposes Media Access To Transcripts
Microsoft has mounted a vigorous opposition to media attempts to gain access to pre-trail interviews.
Alternative Strategy Is Offered For Hewlett
Intel Chips Lift New Dell Servers
Dell introduces servers using Intel's Prestonia chip with high-end features for the low-end market.
Danish Local Government Rebels Against MS License Terms
Going StarOffice could save euro 100 per user.
Tuesday, February 19, 2002
Top Stories
Laptop Use Judged A Success In SAD 4
Superintendent reports on the successful laptop program at Piscataquis Community Middle School. "We've having incredible success."
Apple Innovation? Innovation My Eye!
Time for Apple to fix up OS X.
News
Head-Turning iMac Inspires An O'ahu Unveiling
Radical design inspired a public unveiling at Ala Moana Park.
Apple Enhances The Power Mac G4 Software Bundle
But still no Appleworks.
Next Generation DVD Born
The new format will store more than 13 hours of film, or 27 gigabytes of data.
Companies May Concur On DVD Standards
Nine consumer electronic makers are expected to unveil a uniform standard for next-generation DVDs on Tuesday.
iMac Out For Meet-&-greet
"Discovery Days" in UK to showcase iMac's power, elegance, and versatility.
AOL UK For X Stuck In Limbo
"It's not a decision not to develop a Mac OS X client."
Opinion
The Battle Of The Boxes: The PC Vs. The TV
Just when we felt the PC had become boring, Steve Jobs announced the third wave in personal compting.
Been There, Won't Do That
The secret to OS X's success is that, like Linux, it commodifies the base level of the OS.
Apple Innovation? Innovation My Eye!
Time for Apple to fix up OS X.
OS X And The Future Of Linux
Some claim that OS X dooms Linux; I believe it renews Linux.
Mac Voyeurs: All Talk, No Action
Tired of Windows bigots.
Review
Sidetrack
From, well, some of the people who bought you the Newton comes riteMail.
The next time you write a story about virus and loss of data, remember to include this line: I don' tpay much attention... because I have a Macintosh.
An Apple A Day: United Mac.
Rumormonger: Photoshop 7.0 to be released in CeBit in Hannover, March 13 to 20th.
Wintel
Be Sues Microsoft, Alleges 'Destruction'
Intel Explores Ultrawideband Technology
Microsoft Still Ironing Out IM Kinks
A glitch affecting Microsoft's instant messaging system is prevent some from staying connected.
Nokia Offers Design Kit To Rivals, Facing Microsoft
Nokia seeks to starve off push by Microsoft into mobile market.
Microsoft Fourth On Fortune's Most Admired List
Consistent returns to shareholders, customers and employees.
Monday, February 18, 2002
News
MPEG-4 Goes Against Spirit Of Sharing That Built The Net
From now on, everybody pays.
Opinion
Online Ads And The Mac Web
No one has found the magic elixir of life for small independent content-based Web sites yet.
Review
Book Fills The Bill For Befuddled Mac Users
The Missing Manual makes up for the scant documentation from Apple.
OS X Server In The Hands Of A Linux Geek
Definitely an improvement over AppleShareIP, but it's no Linux.
Sidetrack
802.11b Home brew Antenna Shootout.
David Zeiler, Baltimore Sun: The flat-screen iMac is a great value.
An Apple A Day: The Pulpit.
Wintel
New Riddle For Xbox: Will It Play In Japan
American company in Japanese soil.
Windows XP Sells With Surreal Ads
Consumers didn't really connect with the TV ads.
Survey Says Chinese Companies Prefer Windows
Chinese government efforts to promote Linux and open-source software as an alternative to Windows have failed to deter Chinese users from choosing Microsoft software, according to the results of a recent survey.
Just 5 Of 47 Public Comments Released In Microsoft Case Back Deal
Only five of the 47 public comments on the Microsoft antitrust case released Friday by the Justice Department are in support of the government's settlement with the software firm.
Sunday, February 17, 2002
Top Stories
iMac's Radical Redesign Easy On The User As Well As The Eyes
The looks make the iMac an instant conversation piece. But they also make it an easy machine to live with.
News
Palm Upgrades Macintosh Software
Palm is working on new software so its personal digital assistants can better communicate with Apple's new OS X operating system.
Review
Tie-Ins Aside, Apple iPhoto Shines
It promises to bring new organizing powers to amateur picture-takers.
Wintel
Can Xbox Revitalize The Video Game Market?
Some critics in the Japanese video game industry have said the idea of hardware made by U.S. comapnies, or even of utilizing technology from a U.S. company, may not be readily accepted in Japan.
Saturday, February 16, 2002
Top Stories
Novice Techie Revives Aging Macs
People have taken to calling Kerwood the Mac Lady, and it's a name she doesn't mind.
Easy 802.11b Wireless For Small Businesses
For less than $1,600 you have all the equipment you need.
QuickTime Live Lets The Goods Stream In
Fresh on the floor of QuickTime Live, software and hardware developers lured conference attendees with their latest QuickTime-enabled goodies.
News
All Middle Schools Signed On To Laptop Program
Education Commissioner J.Duke Albanese said Friday that all 239 middle schools in Maine will participate in the state's laptop computer program, a level of participation he described as a validation of the program's worth.
PCs Are Incorrect On TV
In Fox's hit TV show, 24, the villians use PCs running Microsoft Windows. The good guys, of course, use Macs.
Faulty PowerBook Hinges Spark Possible Lawsuit
Eco-Challenging Mother Nature And Digital Photographers
"The computer really is the hub of the workflow. That's why, besides the beauty and the graphics and the ease that Macs provide, they have every piece of the puzzle that we need."
Mac OS X Consolidates Three Desktop Systems
"On my desk I used to have an iMac, a PC, and an X terminal. It was pretty crazy until Mac OS X came along."
Beach Talk: Getting The Paper Out
Uisng graphic design software, we can pretty much do anything we want.
Metrowerks Gets New CEO
Jim Welch, chief financial officer, has been promoted to chief executive, replacing David Perkins.
Opinion
The Power Of X
How the best thing for Apple, for users, and even for Microsoft, would be an Intel version of OS X.
PIM Data In Mac OS, Not So Easy
Flaws In Mac OS X And Office V. X: Are Apple And Microsoft Listening?
There are several major flaws in Mac OS X and in Microsoft Office v. X that Apple and Microsoft seem unwilling to address, even though they result in a severe decrease in usability and productivity.
Review
Sidetrack
Latest from rumormonger: IBM buying out Apple.
Tips for setting up your OS X from scratch.
Wintel
McCann-Erickson's Microsoft .NET Ads To Launch In 10 Markets
The Convergence Of .NET And Java
The line between competing development platforms is already starting to blur.
Microsoft: Security Charges 'Unfounded'
Microsoft on Friday said chages that its new Web service development software contained a flaw leaving computers open to hacker attack were "unfounded," but admitted that the intended security feature in question had never been designed as a kind of silver bullet.
Microsoft Denies 'Homestation' Multimedia Hub Talk
Microsoft on Friday denied it is building the "HomeStation", a rumored living room entertainment hub industry watchers have speculated could combine the software giant's Xbox video game console with digital video, music and Internet functions.
Microsoft Must Give States Windows Code, Says Judge
Microsoft will have to supply the computer code for its Windows program to a group of states seeking stiffer antitrust sanctions against the software giant, a federal judge ruled Friday.
Microsoft Cautions Against Quick Move To .Net
Do not upgrade existing applications to .Net unless there's a clear business benefit.
Lindows Asserts Its Individuality
Lindows, a start-up developing software that would let many Windows programs run on Linux computers, this week released legal papers designed to head off Microsoft's efforts to thwart the product.
Friday, February 15, 2002
Top Stories
Apple Final Cut Pro 3.0
Final Cut Pro's combination of robust tools makes version 3.0 the most powerful software-based video-editing program on the planet.
News
Colour PCs Are So Four Years Ago
Colour has nearly disappeared from the PC market.
Holocaust Site Open To Broadband Users
A Steve Spielberg-backed foundation launched a Web site Thursday designed as a high-speed gateway into its vast catalog of testimonies from Holocaust survivors.
Opinion
Apple: Forget "Cool" — Think Servers
Apple: Don't Flub It Again
The problem is a wishful belief that millions of PC users will switch to the Macintosh simply because it's the better platform for hosting digital media and music.
Market Share? That's So 1980s!
Why Apple can't win for winning.
Review
Mac OS X: The Missing Manual
It is a marvel how much useful, well-organized and easy to access information David Pogue has succeeded in packing into this relatively compact volume.
iBook V. Pismo: Ice Over Charcoal
The Pismo still wins in some areas, but its FireWire is last-generation and expansion bay modules are relative expensive.
Sidetrack
New MP3 Player From Apple?
iTunes turns your Newton into a digital jukebox!
Random
Look like Doc is having a really bad week...
Wintel
All Hail .Net!
Microsoft's new software development tools are more than just nifty — they are a great boon to humanity.
Thursday, February 14, 2002
Top Stories
Apple Launches New Marketing Campaign
"Everthing is easier on a Mac" is the centerpiece of a new marketing campaign that Apple has launched.
Apple Bites Back
Apple has become one of only two computer companies expected to march steadily into the future.
News
PowerSchool Wins Alumnus Award
The Golden State Capital Network has announced it has chosen Apple's PowerSchool and Meridian Project Systems as co-winners in the first annual Alumnus of the Year award.
Adobe Plans DVD-authoring Tool
Adobe plans to produce a DVD-authoring tool at "some time" in 2003, Adobe CEO Bruce Chizen has divulged.
Opinion
Macintosh Migration Leads To Total Geek-Out
Manna For Mac Publishers?
Like professional power users of any platforms, customers in the Mac's one true enterprise market — professional publishing — are compelled to explore territory far beyond the confines of Apple shrink wrap.
Review
New iMac Is Not An Earthshaking Change
A pivoting screen and quiet fan are welcome improvements, not earthshaking changes.
Software With The Write Stuff
Power Structure lets aspiring authors organize their ideas, plot, and characters, and build the framework of a novel or screenplay.
Sidetrack
Random
Cameron Barrett: What if a security hole in Microsoft's stuff starts creating national security problems? Wouldn't the appropriate thing be for the NSA to shut Microsoft down until they've minimized the threat?
An Apple A Day: Forwarding Address: OS X. What the hell is a dogcow?
Robert Llewellyn: Now, both operating systems are complex, amazing and liable to drive you crazy - but Macs are much nicer to work on.
mbone on MPEG-4's streaming tax: The speculation is that this is Microsoft trying to squelch competition without leaving any fingerprints.
XP
Just like Derrick Story, I'm playing around with Windows XP too.
Maybe it's just me, who did play around with Windows 9x a lot, but I find the new networking control panels (and error messages) to be extremely confusing. I've managed to get my basic networking needs settled, but please don't ask me to go in and change things. I'm so afraid I'll break things, and have to reinstall, which mean another trip to the Microsoft Activation Center. (Which is a whole story by itself for me.)
Other than that, it's cool. Except that my favorite wallpaper doesn't match the colors of the new taskbar.
Wintel
New Microsoft Bug Problems Blamed On Globalization
Don't blame buffer overflows on Microsoft's disregard for security or on its sloppy software testing. Instead, chalk many of them up to the worldwide popularity of Redmond's software, security researchers said.
Consumer Demand Helps Dell Bottom Line
Dell on Thursday reported fiscal fourth-quarter earnings that met analysts' expectations.
Flaw Spotted In New Microsoft Tool
A flaw in a software tool just released by Microsoft could lead software developers to inadvertently write programs that are vulnerable to attack, according to security specialists who discovered the flaw.
XP Users Angered By Reinstall
The problem appears to be with the Hardware Abstraction Layer of the XP operating system.
Report: MS Security Patch Ineffective
A Microsoft program designed to plug a common security hole is vulnerable to the very attack it was supposed to prevent, the Wall Street Journal alleged in a report on Thursday, citing a prominent security consulting firm.
Which Microsoft Monopoly Really Matters?
Controlling developers — and the tools they use — is just the most insidious way Microsoft stamps out competition.
Keygen Routine Producing Valid WinXP Product Keys?
Sounds like bad news for Microsoft's WPA...
Mega-Hurts In Merger Battle
War within HP over Compaq deal gets nastier.
Intel Goes Server Crazy
Intel is set to focus on its latest server chip technologies almost to the exclusion of PCs.
SEC Probes Microsoft
Microsoft is still being investigated for possibly underestimating its revenue in order to show a sustained earnings growth, according to Wall Street Journal.
Wednesday, February 13, 2002
Top Stories
QuickTime 5.x? No, QT 6 With MPEG-4
QuickTime 6 is finished and ready to go, but Apple is waiting for MPEG-4 video licensing terms to be improved before it officially goes out the door.
News
Learn IT
Armed with digital camcorders and iMacs running Apple's iMovie, year 5 and 6 students are producing educational films to complement their studies into the structure of the human brain.
Apple Accused Of Hobbling Streaming Standards
"We don't need any more standards out there. Apple, Sun and Ericsson should use those currently available."
Huron District Implements Web-Based Program For School
Huron School District is in the process of implementing a Web-based record-keeping program that will ultimately give parents the opprotunity to access information on their children's grades and performance at school through the Internet.
Dale Carnegie Inc. Says No To Macs, OS X
Apple, Ericsson, Sun Announce Partnership
The relationship will enable network operators to deliver standardlized multimedia content to a variety of wireless devices, including mobile phones and PDAs.
Aple Spurns Proposed MPEG-4 Licenses
Apple Computer has rejected proposed licensing terms for the emerging MPEG-4 video standard, leaving the future of its QuickTime multimedia technology in limbo.
QuickTime Family Expands With Broadcaster
QuickTime Broadcaster is a new member of the QuickTime product family that allows live broadcasting of events over the Internet.
Opinion
Review
iPhoto Makes Collating Images A Snap
Thanks to Apple's new iPhoto digital image management program for the Mac, I'm falling in love with my digital camera all over again.
Mozilla 0.9.8: Impressive
Mozilla is now demonstrably the fastest Mac OS browser.
Mac Backup Alternatives To Dantz Retrospect
Nvidia GeForce4: A Must-Have Upgrade
Come Together
Is it worth it? If you'are looking for something that holds lots of music and has great portability, and you've got 400 bucks to spend, then yes.
Apple iBook (14-Inch)
Bigger display headlines fastest iBook ever. But it isn't for everybody.
Sidetrack
Sing a song at the Grammy, and get an iPod free.
An Apple A Day: Ken Bereskin's Radio Weblog. A fun way for me to share info about Mac OS X and some of my hobbies.
Roger Ebert on "Waking Life": Perhaps old-line Hollywood pros resent the upstarts from Austin, Texas, could use desktop Macintoshes to compete with multimillion-dollar CGI workstations.
Wintel
Gates Courts Developers For .Net
Bill Gates wooed software developers with a box filled with new software programming tools.
Windows XP From A Mac Perspective
For the way I use a Windows computer, XP is a huge step forward.
Judge Asked To Press Microsoft On Code
The states said they need to see the source code of Windows so they can verify the company's claim that it is not technically feasible for Microsoft to offer a stripped-down version of Windows.
Ballmer: Proposal Would 'Debilitate' Microsoft
"If that order was entered today, I wouldn't even know how to comply, let alone innovate."
Get Real, Microsoft!
How about checking facts?
Microsoft Security Chief Has Work Cut Out For Him
Hiring of Scott Charney is seen as a critical, and timely, move for the software firm.
Microsoft Putting Its Muscle Behind Web Programming Tools
Microsoft begins a huge campaign today to woo millions of computer programmers to use its new generation of Internet software tools.
Borland Brings .Net Into View
Tool maker Borland Software pledged to add support for Microsoft's .Net development environment in future versions of its products.
Microsoft's Lobbying Efforts Eclipse Enron
Microosft's budget for political lobbying exceeded that of Enron, the judge residing over the antitrust case has heard.
A Microsoft Star Shines Brightly
After what he describes as oneo f the best product launches in the company's history, Jim Allchin's star at Microsoft has never shined more brightly.
Dell Laptops To Hold GPRS Wireless
Laptops provide always-on, wide-area wireless access to the company network or the Internet.
Microsoft's Balnacing Act
Buffeted by criticism of the way it handles privacy and security matters, Microsoft is trying to batten down the hatches on both fronts in simultaneous efforts.
Tuesday, February 12, 2002
Top Stories
Apple Cuts 375 Jobs
Employees were shed from operations, information systems and administration.
News
Like Manna: Games From Ambrosia Software On Mac OS X
Need a little pick-me-up during the middle of the day, when your body rebels against your brain's demands to finish your assignments?
New Mac OS X Beta Of Opera Browser Available
The latest version has such new features as support for QuickTime and scroll wheel mice.
Apple Claims Faster Macs Beat Pentiums
Tapping Into A Wireless World
Experts say the increasingly popular computer networks are vulnerable to being hacked, raising security concerns.
Apple Posts New iMac G4 Commercial
While the new spots show off the cute personality of the new iMac, they continue to follow in Apple's recent ad history in not talking about the specs of the product.
Apple Cuts 375 Jobs
Employees were shed from operations, information systems and administration.
Opinion
Microsoft Plans Outlook Client For Mac OS X
With new OS X-native versions of both Entourage and Outlook on the way, it seems unlikely that Microsoft's development deal with Apple will be allowed to lapse.
Apple: Don't Miss Out! Make Sure .Net Works On OS X
Apple should not lose sight of the bigger picture and pass up an obvious opportunity like this.
Review
Five Ways To Improve The LCD iMac
Make the very bottom of the base, where the ports lie, rotatable.
Formac Gallery 1740 (DVI)
Although Apple's displays continue to surpass all others in our image-quality tests, the Formac Gallery 1740 comes close, and in other ways, it's actually better than the Studio Display.
Wintel
Intel Australia Warns Consumers Over Desktop-Laptop
Intel Australia has warned consumers to be wary of manufacturers of fering laptops containing processos designed for desktop PCs.
Macromedia Products To Support .Net
Microsoft Donates To Educators
Joystick Firm Sues Sony And Microsoft
Immersion is rady to rumble with the consumer tech giants over "haptic feedback".
The Valentine's Day Virus Massacre
MS Issues Monster IE Security Fix
One-stop patching
Monday, February 11, 2002
Top Stories
Computer Program Allows Parents Check Grades, Attendance
Has an electronic leash on area students raised their grades, lowered truancy and increased parental involvement in their children's education?
PowerSchool Gets Mostly Raves From Local Families
"This is a marvelous program. You know, right then and there, how your kids are doing."
News
Geek Cruise To Mac Paradise
They're calling it "MacMania, the ultimate geek cruise" but it's really a plush Macworld-on-sea.
Companies Fear Costly MPEG-4 Licenses
A newly proposed MPEG-4 licensing plan is sending jitters through multimedia circles.
Apple Australia: Changes In The Wind?
Apple Australia continues to hire executives from the direct seller Gateway.
Apple's New iMac "Cool Factor" Stirs Demand In Richmond, Va
The new iMac is undeniably cool, and so far in its young life, undeniably popular.
Let Your Teacher Give You An Apple
Mac certifications can help you diversify your resume.
Pinnacle Announces CineWave 2.1
The new version adds uncompressed real-time power to the new three-way color correction capability of Final Cut Pro 3, as well as real-time Chroma Keying with spill suppression and color correction filters.
Opinion
New G4 Roadmaps Promise Apple Harvest
How Schools Are Tricked Into Using PCs — When Macs Are Better
Two reasons: peer pressure, and false economies.
The Tin Cup Syndrome
It pretty well comes down to the Mac site users voting with their mice and pocketbooks.
Review
iPhoto 1.0
IPhoto provides all the basic functions, is easy to use, and doesn't cost a thing.
Apple Offers Digital Image Resolution
iPhoto is a good first try, but it seems less robust than initial versions of its "i" peers.
Sidetrack
Damien Barrett teaches us how a freezer can help revive an iMac, and possibly save a job.
And from Bob LeVitus: Microsoft Office v.X's lame network-aware anti-piracy mechanism opens your Mac to mayhem. Dr Mac explains how he dealt with the Microsoft "Updater from Hell" and made his Mac safe from the Borg menace once more.
Wintel
Check The Fine Print
Bill Gates says security is Microsoft's top priority, but just whose security does he have in mind?
Old Microsoft Execs Never Die...
In interviews with mor ethan a dozen high-profile Microsoft alums, a common theme emerged: a deep-seated desire to be in charge, whether it be in their professional or personal lives.
Things That Bug Me About MS Outlook
Get a bunch of computer users together and if the topic turns to Outlook, the at least occasional frustration is quickly evident.
Sunday, February 10, 2002
Top Stories
Apple QuickTime Content-Type Remote Buffer Overflow Vulnerability
This vulnerability was reported for Japanese versions of Apple QuickTime Player, running on Japanese versions of the Microsoft Operating System.
Educators Cheer King Laptop Idea
Before King even reached the stage to speak, he garnered loud applause and a standing ovation from educators.
News
Design Currents
"Mood River," as the show is called, overflows with optimism.
Opinion
Review
CD-ROMs For The Rocker In All Of Us
Let me give you a perfect example of why the world needs a CD-ROM like "Guitar Method Volume 1" from eMedia.
A Mac Can Be Made To Do Windows
Virtual PC isn't a new program, but version 5 adds so many new features it might as well be.
Asiva Photo 1.0
New image editor is innovative but slow.
Sidetrack
Oops
Looks like trouble with Apple's QuickTime Player for Windows (Japanese) 5.0.1, with buffer overflow vulnerability.
Daniel Berlinger: Over the last two days I discovered a huge scary limitation in OS X TCP/IP support.
Random
Dan Gillmor: You are risking more than you think if you buy into Microsoft's vision of the future. What I don't understand is why more people don't grasp this.
Matthew Haughey: It seems in the average hour of sports-related coverage, there are only about 20 minutes of actual athletic event content.
Wintel
Microsoft Looking For Big Catch With Its .NET
Microsoft's Top Officials May Testify To Help Fight Sanctions
To make its case against severe sanctions, Microsoft, shifting its previous strategy, has named both Bill gates and Steve Ballmer as witnesses.
Saturday, February 9, 2002
Top Stories
Dist. 101 Considers Wireless Computer Lab
Due to the the success of the piloted program, the board is considering purchasing eight carts for the district.
Apple Creeps Toward MPEG-4
QuickTime may be behind in the streaming race, but in advance of QuickTime Live!, Apple is trumpeting new figures that suggest it could be catching up.
Apple Short-Circuits Circuit City Deal
Although the companies did not comment on the reasons for the change, Apple for some time has been vowing to shake up its retail strategy.
News
Apple Talks Real, Not Nothing Real
Geddit?
Lamp Stand iMac A No Show
Local resellers are yet to glimpse the new machines due to supply and demand issues originating in the US.
DragThing Gets Mainenance Update
Fixed the slowdown and long pauses occasionallys een when switching applications with CarbonLib 1.5 installed.
QuickTime Beat Out RealNetworks In New Users
According to an Apple press release, by year end of 2001, Apple's QuickTime media software for both Mac and Windows had claimed more new users than RealNetworks.
Opinion
If They Come, Will We Bill Them?
Content has value. If not, we wouldn't spend our time writing it, let alone publishing it.
Review
Macromedia Director Shockwave Studio 8.5
Although it does have some rough spots, it truly is in a class of its own.
Wintel
Del - Your Favourite Notebook Supplier (Or Is It Sony?)
Microsoft And 9 States Spar In Filings
The nine states said the pact was riddled with flaws and, if approved, would extinguish competition and lock computer users into "a Microsoft-controlled world."
Merger To Dull HP's Crown Jewel?
Hewlett argues that Compaqs PC business, which suffers from low profit margins on cheaper, mass-produced products, will be a drain on HP's printing and imaging juggernaut.
Judge Consents To Microsoft Hearing
The federal judge overseeing the Microsoft antitrust case agreed Friday to hold a hearing in early March on the U.S. Justice Department's proposed settlement.
Microsoft Works To Fix MSN Privacy Flaw
Microsoft is putting the final touches on a patch to limit an MSN Messenger feature that allowed any Web site to grab a visitor's IM nickname and buddy list.
Microsoft: Oracle Behind Harsh Remedy
Attorneys for Microsoft said on Friday an executive at Oracle helped write the tougher antitrust sanctions being sought by some state attorneys general against the company.
Microsoft Patent Dispute Heats Up
InterTrust Technologies, a digital rights management company, said Thursday that it has filed a second patent infringement lawsuit against Microsoft.
Friday, February 8, 2002
News
Government, Industry Launch Security Campaign
A host of technology industry leaders have teamed up with government security agencies to launch a new online education program designed to teach computer users how to protect their home and small business computers online.
Apple Spams Users With Virus
Swedish screensaver gets users into trouble.
Opinion
Apple's Acquisition Of Nothing Real: Insanely Great Or Just Plain Insane?
Apple is walking a fine line with the acquisition of these software developers, a line that some in the industry believe Apple has already crossed.
Sidetrack
Rumormonger: iPod II.
Dan Gillmor: The fact is there's absolutely no good excuse, and Apple surely knows it.
Your burgers and fries — up close.
Wintel
Microsoft, Justice Dept. May Refine Antitrust Accord
Microsoft and the Justice Department are weighing the possibility of modifying the antitrust settlement they reached last year after the government received more than 30,000 public comments on the deal.
Ten Years As A Willing Microsoftie
A programmer's account of life at the evil empire is surprisingly un-Borg-like.
Intel May Still Not Be Absolved In EC Investigation
A complaint against Intel filed by archrival Advanced Micro Devices is apparently still pending.
Thursday, February 7, 2002
Top Stories
Photo Finish
For speed, simplicity and ease of use, iPhoto hasn't a competitor on any platform.
Eleven Schools To Get Laptops
Each eighth-grader in New Orleans "learning academy" middle schools will have access to an Apple laptop under a $4 million project.
OS Themes Are Only Skin Deep
Some proponents of themes tout them as a way to help people bond with their software, but I have a different proposal for what to do with most themes: Get rid of 'em.
News
Online Mac Users Face BofA Hurdle
Beginning Monday Mac users will find it harder to conduct electronic transactions with Bank of America, one of the largest U.S. consumer banks.
Office V. X Update Posted
Microsoft has posted a security updater for Office v. X.
Opinion
The Un-Vision: What Steve Jobs Won't Do At Apple
Jobs has done many good things at Apple since his triumphal return. But his greatest feat may have been to bring the Mac to Unix (or vice versa).
Review
Toon Boom Studio 1.0
Dynamic, fun application adds fuel to the animation fire.
Podmaster Tiptoes Around Apple's Music Block
You can use this software to break the law. More important, it can be used to lawfully enjoy the music CDs you purchased and want to transfer back forth between the Macintosh computers in your life.
Sidetrack
Crazy Apple Rumors: Will Apple's book-printing service process nude photographs?
Wintel
Microsoft Patent Dispute Heats Up
Microsoft Shuts Down To Secure Windows
Public Frowns On Microsoft Settlement
Roughly half the comments were against the settlement, 7,500 were in favor, and 7,000 expressed no sentiment either way.
Microsoft, U.S. Urge One-Day Hearing On Settlement
The two sides said the hearing should not include arguments by outside parties, some of whom would argue against the settlement.
Dell Hopes New Gear Speaks Volumes
Dell Computer on Wednesday expanded its new line of switches that help computers talk to each other, part of a push to attract small businesses.
Notebook Makers Consider Pentium 4
Looking to soup up their notebooks, but not their prices, some big-name computer makers are eyeing Intel's powerful but relatively inexpensive Pentium 4 desktop chip as an alternative to the company's mobile processors.
Wednesday, February 6, 2002
News
Rotundo Urges Laptop Fund Cut
A Lewiston senator proposed that Gov. Angus King's embattled initiaqtive be reduced by half.
Slipped Shipping Date Pushes iMac Lower In Japan
The new Apple iMac slipped to #3 in Japan's retail desktop sales.
Nvidia Splits PC Market With New Chips
Nvidia's new GeForce4 chip comes in separate versions for the high-end and midlevel PC markets, a first for the company.
Opinion
The Laptop Vs. Desktop Dialectic
Once you begin using a laptop it's highly likely that you will be ruined for desktops forever.
Video Editing: Readers Know
Video professionals were quick to assure me that the pros are moving away from the Mac platform, finding more power and flexibility in PCs.
The New iMac May Be The Ideal Platform For XP
The new iMac is made for pair programming... You can network several together and perhaps purchse a dual 1 GHz machine as your integration machine and you've got a great Extreme Prrogramming (XP) workshop.
Review
Apple's iMac Is Flat-Out Powerful And Pretty
Just a glance at the clutter on the top of my desk and you'll appreciate my affection for the striking new flat-panel iMac.
iPhoto Scripts And Plug-Ins
I hope these goodies will help make iPhoto life just a bit more enjoyable.
DiskOnKey
Portable USB flash drive is no flash in the pan.
New iMac Takes Us Back To The Future
The differences in the Apple architecture and operating system means the new G4 will leave Pentiums in its dust.
Wintel
Q&A: Steve Ballmer — Trust Us
Little in Steve Ballmer's two years as CEO resembles the scope of the challenge Microsoft embarks upon this month, when the compnay will go into lockdown mode to conduct a top-to-bottom review of its software code.
Tuesday, February 5, 2002
Top Stories
The Apple Of My I
iPhoto is a good reasons to consider buying a Macintosh instead of a Windows PC.
News
"Digital Hub" Pushers Need Marketing
Only 6 percent of U.S. homes with PCs have invested in home networking.
FileMaker Launches I-Mode Database Software
FileMaker, Apple's database-software subsidiary, has launched a new software package that will enable users of its database software to access their data via I-mode wireless Internet handsets.
Apple Trains Telstra Staff In OS X Etiquette
Telstra's beleaguered broadband network should be OS X compatible for Apple users by April this year, with support staff soon to be in training to adequately handle customer queries.
Apple iPod: Coming To A PC Near You
The impressive iPod MP3 player will become even more appealing with the help of new third-part Windows software.
Putting The World Firmly In The Picture Frame
Adobe Systems, the creation of two brilliant engineers from the Xerox Palo Alto Research Centre, John Warnock and Charles Geschke, all but owns the creative space, as we have come to call the making and managing of text, images and multimedia.
Sidetrack
Crazy Apple Rumors: Mac Users Stunned To Discover Apple A For-Profit Business.
Monday, February 4, 2002
Top Stories
Why I Just Love The New iMac (And Why You Might, Too)
I have no reservations whatsoever recommending an iMac as a family's new or next home computer. Only really hard-core gamers would have trouble with a Mac, and those people should be looking at the new gaming consoles anyway.
Opinion
Apple Vs Sony: A Digital Smackdown
The two have different strategies and different technologies, but truly reinventing the consumer electronics market may require a combination of their approaches.
Mac Musings: Thinking Different About USB Ports, Dan Knight
Apple's new math claims the G4 iMac has 5 USB ports, the Quicksilver 2002 has 4. Sorry, Apple, but your claims are misguided.
Review
New Edition Of The iBook Doesn't Grow Into A Swan
The new iBook is a mess. Let's hope it grows up fast.
Finally, A No-Hassle, No-Strain Computer
The excellent new iMac cures our greatest ergonomic ill.
Decorator-In-A-Box Programs
After the hours of drudgery and frustration spent just learning how to use these programs, I was no longer much interested in rearranging my living room.
Wintel
The State Of The Mac Web
Webmasters are all complaining about the erosion of advertising revenue.
Wireless Keyboard, Mouse From Microsoft
Microsoft on Monday joined Logitech and other peripherals makers that offer wireless mice and keyboards for use with Windows PCs.
Inside Intel's Monster Chip
McKinley, Intel's upcoming server processor, will be huge, at least in terms of surface area.
Gates Doesn't See Economic Recovery In 2002
Bill Gates said on Sunday that he sees no global economic recovery this year, countering a budding groundswell of optimism tied to economic data pointing to a fast rebound.
Sunday, February 3, 2002
News
Mac Fans Get Organised As ProVue Tweaks The iPod
People are using their iPods as PDAs, with contact names and numbers in place of music titles. How? By fooling the iPod into thinking the contacts were details of very small MP3 files.
Music To Apple's Ears
The iPod is pricier than other MP3 players, but its 1,000-song, 5-gig capacity, convenient size and sleek interface are attracting music lovers and geeks alike.
Mac-Friendly ISP Offers Nationwide Dialup For $14.99
Mac-friendly ISP NineWire Digital Solutions announced its "RetroSpeed" Nationwide 56k dialup service.
Opinion
Avoiding Commodity Status
Industrial design is not the main road ahead for computers. Improved software design is much more important. This does require some thinking, and it's not Steve Jobs' strategy.
Review
Apple Jacks It Up
Sure, it's odd. But with its powerful features, the new iMac is not only a great multimedia computer — it's also a surprisingly good bargain.
AVerTV Box
The AVer TV Box allow users of any VGA-equipped computer to connect to their monitor a variety of different home entertainment products.
Wintel
Europe Is Said To Be On Verge Of Ending Case Against Intel
"After careful analysis of the complaints," a person close to the investigation said, "the commission has decided that the accusations are unfounded."
Saturday, February 2, 2002
Top Stories
Apple Bucked The Trend By Creating 50 Extra Jobs
Apple Computer has added 50 new jobs to its Cork workforce in the past 12 months at a time when the rest of the industry was contracting.
Opinion
Mac Gaming On THe Rebound
In order to remain competitive with PC manufacturers attempting to build the world's fastest gaming systems, Apple has made significant improvements.
The Plain Truth About Piracy
It's a rare day when a shareware programmer gets firm statistics on the extent of software piracy, but just recently, I got that chance.
Review
Corel Graphics Suite 10
Bundle for pros and enthusiasts provides great value.
Move Over iPod! These Three MP3 Players Are Just As Cool
Apple's iPod, the reigning champion, effectively jump-started the competition. Now other companies are trying to entice users with new designs and features, such as more storage, better user experience, faster transfer rates, smaller sizes, and good prices.
AppleScript Primer For Mac OS X
While this powerful scripting system has always had a loyal following of Macintosh aficionados and publishing professionals, the release of Mac OS X 10.1.2 may mean AppleScript is ready to strut its stuff in front of a wider audience.
iPod? iCan Wait
While the iPod's sleek, white face and gleaming chrome base have garnered much attention, the machine's real beauty lies within. Unfortunately, until some minor improvements are made, it's not yet clear that the bang is worth so many bucks.
Mac OS 9 Move To OS X
Hardly trouble-free, but worth it, I think.
Apple's iPhoto: A Snappy Advance
Elegant and easy, this software makes organizing digital pictures a snap. The only negative: A dearth of OS X-ready editing software.
QuicKeys X 1.0
Handy Mac OS X macro utility is less capable than classic version.
Sidetrack
Cory Doctorow: iMacs as dangerous foodstuffs. Inexplicably, the FDA is holding up shipments of the new flat-panel iMacs. What is this, some kind of newfangled sunflowers?
Wintel
Judge Orders That Public Comments On Microsoft Trial Be Released
Public comments submitted on the Microsoft antitrust case soon will be made public, although it remains to be seen how much they will influence its settlement.
Leader Or Lobbyist?
The reputation and experience of Scott Charney, Microsoft's new security chief, could help elevate the importance of security in Microsoft's management culture — if the company is ready to listen to him.
Microsoft Pays States' Legal Bills
Nine states that settled their antitrust lawsuit with Microsoft finally have reaped benefits from the software maker: about $10 million to reimburse taxpayers for their legal expenses.
Senator Urges Judge To Be Wary Of Microsoft Deal
THe chairman of a key Snate subcommittee said in a legal filing that he has "serious concerns" about the proposed settlement of the Microsoft antitrust case.
Friday, February 1, 2002
News
Amidst Losses, Corel Cites 2001 As "Turning Point"
The Road Ahead For Avid
The game is far from over for Avid, but it's the bottom of the seventh in a tie game. Avid must score some runs or face the possibility of an upset by an underdog.
Ramsay School To Get $52,000 Grant
The school will buy a second Apple mobile lab with 11 portable computers that can be wheeled to various classrooms.
Opinion
Apple At The O'Reilly Bioinformatics Conference
Apple's presence, focus, and responsiveness has really impressed me.
Sidetrack
Windows XP: Cannot delete [file]: There is not enough free disk space.
Damien Barrett: I haven't been counting, but have seen at least a dozen more iPods in use on the subway in the last several weeks.
Rob McNair-Huff: One part of the new OS X experience that I haven't seen much written about is the lack of whimsical system sounds and error messages that amused and befuddled me under Mac OS 9.x.