Friday, October 31, 2003
Top Stories
Oxford Semi On FireWire Bug
Oxford Semiconductor advises end users to contact the manufacturer of their particular FireWire drives to get an upgrade to bring their driver software up to the latest version. The company is also warning users of external hard drives that do not employ the Oxford 922 FireWire bridge to be vigilan.
A Special Message For Firewire 800 Disk Drive Users
Apple has identified an issue with external FireWire hard drives using the Oxford 922 bridge chip-set with firmware version 1.02 that can result in the loss of data stored on the disk drive. Apple is working with Oxford Semiconductor and affected drive manufacturers to resolve this issue which resides in the Oxford 922 chip-set. In the interim, Apple recommends that you do not use these drives. To stop using the drive, you should unmount or eject the disk drive before doing anything else. Please check this web page for further updates.
Apple To Address Panther, External FireWire Drive Issues
"Apple has identified an issue with external FireWire hard drives using the Oxford 922 bridge chip-set with firmware version 1.02 that can result in the loss of data stored on the disk drive."
News
PowerBook's White Spots Have Owners Seeing Red
More than 600 users have signed an online petition asking that Apple acknowledge the problem and either fix it permanently or refund their money, even when customers have not requested a refund within 10 days of purchase.
'Social Hardware' Nears With Bluetooth iPod
The next 18 months could be very interesting.
PowerLogix Offers 1.4GHz Cube Upgrade
Based on the new 7457 processor, the new PowerForce 1.4GHz upgrade draws 40 percent less peak power than previous processors.
Double Vision: Multi-Monitor Setups A Plus
When using multi-monitor displays, participants generated 10 percent more production, were 18 percent faster in errorless production and made 33 percent fewer errors than when using a single screen.
O'Reilly Announces OS X Innovators Contest Winners
iStopMotion took first honors in the International category. First place winner in the US category was OmniOutliner.
iRecordNow: iSight As A Camcorder
"The goal of Boinx iRecordNow is to turn your iSight into a digital camcorder that is as easy to use as a real world camcorder."
Could Panther Attract Enterprise Converts?
Judging from the opinions of users gathered at this week O'Reilly Mac OS X Conference here, the recent release of Mac OS X Panther could help Apple gain more Mac converts in the enterprise.
The (Online) Music Man
RealNetworks CEO Rob Glaser on why is the subscription model better? "It's simple economics."
Apple Releases AirPort Software 3.2
Version 3.2 provides support for the Wi-Fi Protected Access (WPA) specification for the AirPort Extreme base station and AirPort Extreme client.
Opinion
On The Meaning Of The Word Shareware
I'm not sure what it means these days.
Review
Panther "Where Is It" Questions
In many cases, the functionality users are looking for has simply been moved or renamed. Below are a few of the most commonly "missed" utilities; this is not an exhaustive list, but it should solve some mysteries for a few users.
Panther Reports Good, But Watch For FireWire
After a week of everyday use, I couldn't be happier with Panther. It boots faster, and the Finder is easier to use and faster, too.
Apple's 'Panther' Stalks New Ground
In Mac OS X Version 10.3, Apple combines its latest ideas with pieces drawn from the open-source world, from Mac OS versions past and from operating system rival Microsoft's Windows. In so doing, Apple delivers what's probably the most polished desktop operating system available today.
Panther At The Low End, And What To Do With Jaguar
We all like it. Panther is definitely more responsive than Jaguar.
Sidetrack
SCROLL HEAVEN : You will have support for marquee tag in (probably) the next release of Safari.
As Dave Hyatt said, "let the flames begin!"
WHILE APPLE DEBUGS : Looks like I have to adopt the following strategy when I upgrade to Panther:
1. Backup my iMac onto FireWire drive.
2. Backup my PowerBook onto iMac.
3. Upgrade PowerBook to Panther.
4. Restore my PowerBook from iMac.
5. Restore my iMac from FireWire drive.
Either that, or I wait...
I thought having a FireWire drive will simplify my backing-up. Silly me.
(Of course, I still have the problem of off-site backup. As more and more of my life goes digital, it's time to think about this issue.)
NEW MAGAZINE : A Mac magazine targetted at developers, Mac Developer Journal, has been launched.
RUMORS DU JOUR : New iMacs, coming early next year.
iChat AV, coming to Windows.
JUST STOP IT : Steve Jobs, as reported by CARS, has warned users who are activating Exposé for no real reason, just to watch the screen effect.
"So just stop it. If you don't, I swear I will turn this operating system right around and take us all back to Jaguar."
HERE'S THE CARROT : The Ministry of Transport here in Singapore has finally dangle a carrot in front of SMRT Corp, one of the two subway operators: take over the in-the-red probably-will-not-see-profits anytime-soon North East Line from SBS Transit (the other subway operator), and we guarantee you a monopoly status.
If this is not a complete reversal of government policy, I don't know what is.
Wintel
Microsoft And Google: Partners Or Rivals?
Google, the highflying Silicon Valley Web search company, recently began holding meetings with bankers in preparation for its highly anticipated initial public offering as it was still engaged in meetings of another kind: exploring a partnership or even a merger with Microsoft.
Developers Get Hands On Microsoft's Upcoming Security Technology
Next-Generation Secure Computing Base (NGSCB) is a combination of hardware and software that creates a second operating environment within a PC that is meant to protect the system from malicious code by providing secure connections between applications, peripheral hardware, memory and storage. NGSCB will make its debut as part of Longhorn, the next version of Windows expected in 2006.
Microsoft Tweaks Pair Of Recent Patches
Microsoft posted revised patches Wednesday to correct a problem some users had in installing fixes for a pair of vulnerabilities disclosed two weeks ago.
Thursday, October 30, 2003
Top Stories
Panther FireWire Data-Loss Scare
The flaw manifests itself in the following ways: users installing Panther while having an external FireWire drive connected to their Mac have seen data loss; similarly, users with FireWire drives connected to their systems have seen data loss once they reboot Panther.
Confessions Of The World's Largest Switcher
It's a shame that Apple no longer runs the "Switch" campaign on television. Dr. Srinidhi Varadarajan would make an excellent spokesperson for moving to the Mac. "I'm Srinidhi Varadarajan and I build Supercomputers at Virginia Tech."
Looking Toward A Networked World
Technology publisher Tim O'Reilly has seen the future of software, and it's the iTunes Music Store.
News
Apple Offers Free iPod Custom Laster Engraving
Microsoft Fires Worker Over Weblog
It all started when Hanscom noticed something interesting on the loading dock on his way into work a week ago — three pallets of shiny new Apple Power Mac G5 computers, clearly destined for somewhere on the company's Redmond campus.
OS X Conference: Apple's Bud Tribble Talks Science
Tribble said that many researchers told him that Mac OS X allowed them to trade in three computers — namely a Mac, a PC and a Unix machine — for one computer, a Mac running OS X.
Mac OS X Refund Suit Gets Preliminary Nod
Apple had already reached a tentative agreement to settle a class-action lawsuit that claimed that the company had failed to fully support Mac OS X on some G3-based Macs. A Los Angeles Superior Court judge gave preliminary approval to the settlement at a hearing last month.
Apple Succeeds In 1:1 Educational Computing Solutions
"We have 1:1 solutions in over 400 schools across the country, and we're excited to see what is happened in learning and teaching."
Apple To Exhibit At Digital Video Expo West
Apple Dumped In Optus Revamp
Optus has started the second phase of overhauling its information technology platforms, and will dump Apple from about 5000 desktops, ending 11 years of loyalty which began in 1992 with the rollout of the user-friendly machines across the company in the world's largest business deployment of the computers.
Opinion
Review
Apple — The OS Of The Anti-Modder?
I'm too busy to fock around with Windows all day, and too stylish to use some generic Wintel crap on the go.
The Panther Report: A Memo To Mac OS 9 Holdouts
I'm not going to say that you have to move to Mac OS X. But consider the move carefully.
One More Cool Cat: With Panther, Apple Delivers Impressive Array Of Enhancments To Mac OS X
Whether Panther is worth the money is ultimately up to each Mac user, but the abundance of cool, desirable features will pry open a lot of pocketbooks.
Paying The Piper, Round 2: The Reportory Grows
The best music store-jukebox is Apple's iTunes, for a list of reasons as long as a Wagner opera.
iTunes For Windows Is Something To Sing About
Apple Unleashes Mac OS Update 'Panther'
For the second time in just over a year, Apple is out with a major upgrade of the Mac OS X operating system, packing it with features Windows users won't see for years and attaching a price tag befitting Apple's reputation as the Porsche of computer makers.
Sidetrack
DOES APPLE'S UPGRADE POLICY MAKE SENSE : There are grumblings that Apple doesn't reward its loyal users by giving cheaper upgrade prices. For example, perhaps Apple should sell Panther for $129, but users who have 10.2 can buy Panther cheaper at, say, $90.
However, I like to look at this situation from another angle. :-)
Apple is telling us, look, the upgrade price is going to be the same, whether you are at 9.0 or 10.2. That's because I want everyone to upgrade, if system requirements meet. However, if you don't want to upgrade, because you find the new feature set unappealing, then don't. You will not lose out when an upgrade eventually arrive with the features you want.
WHAT'S NEXT, iTUNES? : Inspired by Margaret Cho, I want a mood-detector.
And iTunes must be able to differentiate between the different moods of "sad, and need a happy tune to perk me up" and "sad, and need some sad songs to confirm my feelings."
THAT'S HOW WE DEFINE SUCCESS : I am happy to see Apple's great effort in the educational market. Yes, Windows machine is invading the schools, but Apple managed to change the playing field.
QUE SERA SERA : This is my favorite song to sing to my daughter during bedtime. Only that I can remember the first two paras. So I sing it over and over again. She doesn't seem to mind. :-)
Someday, I'll memorise the rest of the verse.
Wintel
Microsoft Preps Voice Command Launch
Microsoft is revving the launch of new voice recognition software for handhelds and smart phones that will allow users to speak commands to access information and launch applications.
Microsoft Looks In The Crystal Ball
Tablet applications that quickly transform math formulas into graphics, and classrooms where professors can field instant-message queries from remote students: Both are leaping from the drawing board to reality in Microsoft Research projects.
Rethoric, Semantics, And Microsoft
So, news flash, Microsoft: you are not the underdog. You are not even the proverbial 800-pound Gorilla. You are the only Gorilla left because all the other Gorillas are dead and you have the steaming machine gun in your hands.
Microsoft's Biggest Problem
To solve the problem of politics, break up the company. Break it up symbolically now, even if you continue to resist breaking it up for real.
MS Moves To Counter Open Source Growth In UK Gov
Faced with the possibility of open source making a damaging breakthrough in UK local government, Microsoft has reacted in the usual way, with strong money. But this time around that money could be being shrewdly spent and — so far so good — there's currently no sign of Steve Ballmer.
MSN Splits In Two
Microsoft said Wednesday that its MSN business will split into two units, an effort to streamline the long-struggling Web property. The business will divide into one unit focusing on information and another focusing on communications.
Wednesday, October 29, 2003
Top Stories
Students Rave Over iTunes Sharing Service
Weeks after Apple launched a Windows version of iTunes, many Stanford students have made the switch from traditional file-sharing programs to Apple's alternative, citing its speed, reliability and the fact that it is legal.
Can Panther Fit Into A Windows-Dominated World?
How does Apple, with Panther, fit into a world that is dominated by Windows and Microsoft? The answer: very quietly, but very, very thoroughly.
Online Music Business, Neither Quick Nor Sure
In the last month the music-downloading landscape online has shifted once more with these five major events, not all of them good.
News
Note To Developers: Apple Is Changing The Rules With Xcode
For Apple to compete with Windows, Mac developers have to have best-in-class developer tools. With Xcode, Apple has assured that this will be case. It may be subtle, but welcome to the revolution.
Apple.com Traffic Surges In Wake Of iTunes For Windows
Users flocked in to download the recently released iTunes for Windows software.
Microsoft Fires Employee Over G5 Photos, Blog
A Microsoft employee has been fired for his blog posting titled, Even Microsoft wants G5s, which includes photos of delivery of Power Mac G5s to Microsoft's Redmond Campus.
Supercomputer Spurs Scientific Computing On Macs
A recent supercomputing coup for Apple Computer Inc. may help the computer maker make larger inroads into high-performance, scientific computing.
Apple Charges US$129 For Security Fix
Apple has not yet released patches for the security issues. Internet security research company @Stake has advised Mac users to upgrade to Panther, which is not vulnerable to the identified flaws.
Sixth Anniversary Discounts At Apple Store
MacNN readers report that the Apple is offering special discounts to some of its Apple Store customers.
Student iTunes Usage Rising After KaZaA's Legal Demise
Many Columbia students seem to think the new iTunes is up to the task, though many Windows users on campus are unaware of the program's availability.
Spam Pitches Are Mutating Faster
Antispammers say spammers are rapidly creating and adapting new strategies to get past the growing numbers and types of filters protecting inboxes. Spam is evolving, they say, in reaction to antispam measures that range from the simple — such as keyword-blocking rules in an e-mail program and domain blacklists — to the technically clever, such as Bayesian filters that are now widely available in programs like AOL 9.0 and Apple Computer's Mail.
Diablo II Patch Improves OpenGL Performance, More
Despite the minor version increment, this is a major update to the perennial favorite action game, and at long last offers performance improvements for Mac users who prefer to use the game's hardware-based graphics acceleration.
Opinion
Ideas For The Post Panther Mac
The difference between local computers and those on the network must be minimized.
Upgrade Could Lead Apple To Bigger Bite Of Market
I think Panther is going to bring about a major increase in the number of people switching to Macs from Windows. Let's face it, Windows is a security nightmare.
The Panther Report: Is It Imitation Or Flattery?
One thing is to accept the inevitable and allow your product to have a short shelf life. Or, as Dan Wood did with Watson, add value to the program in the form of extra features and performance, so it would be still be worth paying for.
Review
Apple iTunes Music Store For Windows
The store contains the same clean, white-themed interface and easy navigation that made iTunes an instant hit when it was introduced. It also delivers very good jukebox capabilities that certainly give MusicMatch and Windows Media Player stiff competition.
NetNewsWire 1.0.6
There are so many good things to say about NetNewsWire that it is hard to find anything wrong with it.
Apple's Panther Makes The Grade
If for some reason you're a Mac user who's still clinging tenaciously to Mac OS 9, the time is right to let it go once and for all.
The Great Product Activation Massacre
One of the worst recent offenders is Macromedia, with a scheme so absurdly irritating that I have to speak up.
Attack Of The iPod Clones
For the first time, Apple has real competition in this market. I expect the Dell, and possibly even the Samsung, to steal sales from the iPod in a way that no previous competitor has been able to do.
Apple's Panther Outruns Jaguar
Panther is sort of like a York Peppermint Patty for your desktop. It's not alienware that turns the whole computing paradigm on its head. Rather, Panther is a familiar, friendly flavor — only better.
Apple Update Has 'Em Standing In Line For Good Reason
Panther delivers considerable and assertive bang for the buck, tempting the sensible wheat side of you that wants new, useful features as well as the sugar-frosted side that wants everything to be fast, easy and cool. It's compelling; it will easily become the Mac's de facto OS by the end of the year.
Missing The Boat On Panther
Minor quibbles aside, the new Finder is a work of art.
Adventures In Broadband Video
If most of your remote workers use Macs, then look no further [than iSight]. However, on a mixed network, the camera will work well for the Mac users, but quality will decline a bit when they use other software to videoconference.
The New G4 iBooks And So Long G3
The introduction of these G4 iBooks narrows the gulf between PowerBooks and iBooks substantially, and Apple may be more than a bit worried that the new iBook will cannibalize PowerBook sales somewhat. They may have something to worry about.
Sidetrack
LEAK OF THE DAY : Apple G6 prototype discovered!
DOUBLE TROUBLE : Singapore may be the only city in the world which have a subway system run by two different operators. (The operators also run bus and taxi services.)
However, this may soon change, according to That this Straits Times report. The regulator, Ministry of Transport, is having second thoughts about forcing competition — when there cannot be competition. After all, there is only one single subway line at each location. I can't, for example, choose one subway operator over another on my daily commute.
The only competition may well be between subway trains and public buses. However, in their "wisdom", bus and subway operation at many locations are awarded to the same operator, citing "integration of services." So far, I've seen no evidence of this so-called "integration of services."
Wintel
MSN Continues Its Move Away From DSL
Microsoft is pulling out of its efforts to sell broadband Internet access to customers in SBC Communications' geographic market, the latest step by the software giant to refocus its broadband strategy.
Microsoft To Shoot Messenger In Next Update
Spam attacks and security vulnerabilities have prompted Microsoft to plan to turn off its troublesome Windows Messenger service in the next Windows XP update, a company representative said Tuesday.
Longhorn: Hurry Up And Wait
Given the company's track record with Longhorn's predecessors, Windows XP and Windows 2000, that means that two to three years is a likely time frame, meaning that Longhorn would debut in late 2005 to early 2006.
Microsoft Chalks Up More Class-Action Settlements
Microsoft said Tuesday that it had reached settlements totaling approximately $200 million in six class-action lawsuits involving antitrust claims and product pricing.
Longhorn Server On Tap
While the server version of Longhorn is part of Microsoft's plan, the company has said little about what it will offer and when it will arrive.
Gates Gambles On Longhorn
In some of the most difficult economic periods in high technology's history, the chairman and chief software architect of Microsoft appears undeterred in doing what he has done best: selling Windows.
Tuesday, October 28, 2003
Top Stories
Command-Tab
Let us count the ways that Caughron's claims are ridiculous.
News
OS X Conference: Pixar Talks OS X Migration
Rather than support both the Mac OS 9 and Mac OS X environments, a conscious decision was made at Pixar to solely use Mac OS X once the majority of the software used at the company was OS X native.
Apple Releases Security Update For Panther
According to the company, the update addresses a potential vulnerability in the implementation of QuickTime Java in Mac OS X 10.3 Panther and Mac OS X Server 10.3 that could allow unauthorized access to a system.
Apple WebObjects 5.2.2 For Xcode, Panther
It fixes incompatibilities with Xcode 1.0, Java 1.4.1 for Mac OS X, and Mac OS X 10.3 as well as problems with Enterprise Object Frameworks runtime and WOFileUpload.
A Look At Apple In China
Apple is doing better in China these days than in the past, though many problems, as well as opportunities, loom, according to Yan Feng, president of the Beijing Macintosh User Group and Apple User Groups Regional Liaison for Asia (except Japan).
GraphicConverter V4.9 Released
New features and enhancements in version 4.9 include optimization of some features for the Power Mac G5.
New Apple Stores Coming To NJ, Calif. This Weekend
Apple's two latest retail stores come to Marlton, New Jersey and Corte Madera, Calif. this weekend — both stores are scheduled to open on November 1, 2003.
Eric Scott: Playing To Win
"The idea has to be big, simple and true. Apple's a great example of that. You know what's behind Apple."
Abra Grupp: Replacing The Sky
"The only thing that made this possible was Mac OS X. Because it's a Unix-based language, we could continue to use all the scripts we had developed for 'Open Range' and other projects."
Apple Releases Final Version Of iChat AV For Jaguar
The software, which has been in beta version since it was announced in June, is now available from Apple for US$29.95.
Opinion
Musical Snares
I should have known better, because now I'm sitting exactly where Microsoft wants me, facing a significant "switching cost" if I want to adopt iTunes as my music-management software of choice. Sometime soon, I will start the laborious process of re-ripping all my CDs into MP3 files so they will play nice with iTunes. But the more I think about it, the more antsy I get about my decision to back the iTunes camp.
Review
Panther Ships With Ant, XDoclet And JBoss
The Panther Roars (In Pain)
Is it worth the money? Yes. On an older machine like the iBook, Panther is a significant improvement.
Interesting Bits Of Panther
Let's take a look at some of these subtle changes in Panther and how they work.
Mac OS X 10.3 Panther Unleashed
Adventurous early adopters should of course upgrade to Panther immediately; it's too much fun to explore and play with the new features. More cautious users might want to hold off a bit, not necessarily for a 10.3.1 release, but just until more of the glitches have been identified and can thus be avoided.
Europa Universalis II
While the gameplay isn't too difficult to pick up, the intricacies of the game mechanics can be daunting.
Wintel
Gates Trots Out Longhorn
Microsoft Chairman Bill Gates tried to win over developers here Monday as he offered the first look at Longhorn, the next version of Windows.
Allchin: From Longhorn To Lonestar
While Microsoft won't say when to expect Longhorn, Microsoft Platforms Group Vice President Jim Allchin did commit to some interim milestones and promised some other Windows releases along the way.
Monday, October 27, 2003
Top Stories
Apple Singing A New Song With iTunes
As a digital-lifestyle provider, Apple no longer considers itself a computer — or even software — company. Where Microsoft fits in the new landscape is less clear, and may not even matter to its long-standing rival.
News
Bare Bones Announces Panther Compatibility
Panther Software Updates Galore
Third-party software updates to assure compatibility with Mac OS X v10.3, "Panther," are coming fast and furious.
UK Punters Pounce On Panther
Excited Mac fans besieged Mac resellers nationwide on Friday night, awaiting the official release of Mac OS X 10.3 Panther.
Mozilla Firebird 0.7.1 Released For Mac OS X
"Version 0.7.1 is a recommended upgrade that fixes several usability issues and significantly improves performance."
School Board Seats Contested
Among the hot-button issues is the question of what to do next with the county's Apple iBook program, which has more and more students using laptop computers.
Apple Resellers Cry Foul Over NCR Deal
Apple resellers are up in arms over the Apple Australia's decision to appoint NCR as a national services provider, claiming they will lose business as a result.
Opinion
Mac.Ars Takes On Apple's Consumer Desktops
What is the root cause of the drop in sales in Apple's consumer desktop segment, and what can they do to rectify the situation?
Review
The Super GameHouse Solitaire Collection
The Super GameHouse Solitaire Collection is an okay collection, but it doesn't really provide many more features over using a real deck of cards and a book of rules.
Jaguar, Meet Panther
You likely don't need Panther if you use Jaguar, but not getting it may prove unbearable. The upgrade is that appealing.
Panther: The Cool, The Good, The Bad, And The Ugly
Panther is certainly interesting and will get better with minor tweaks.
Mac OS X 10.3
The bottom line is that Mac OS X 10.3 looks and works significantly better than before.
Sidetrack
MY DARLING, my daughter, on her first birthday, with some of her loot.
Wintel
Microsoft Sets Answer To iPod
Portable Media Center, Microsoft's answer to Apple Computer Inc.'s iPod digital music player, will be able to play MP3 files as well as audio and video content recorded in Microsoft's own digital format.
Windows Longhorn Build Leak Starts Hype Two Years Early
Lots of enthusiasm, screenshots and fairly direct routes to illicit downloads means Microsoft doesn't care/ maybe likes the publicity, while barrages of take-downs and people skulking in increasingly dark corners mean the other.
Sunday, October 26, 2003
Top Stories
The Lowdown On Downloads
In iTunes, Apple has accomplished what has eluded the entire PC market — it's shipped a free, elegant, easy-to-use program that copies CDs in either AAC or MP3 format, offers numerous, thoughtful ways to organize a music library, lets you buy music conveniently, plays back Web radio and burns CDs and even DVDs — and does it all without turning your desktop into a billboard for other products and services.
Macs Less Susceptible To Problems From Bugs
Not everybody can, or should, jump to Apple. But if you're tired of the virus wars, the Mac can be an island of serenity.
News
Proteron Posts LiteSwitch X Update, Memo To Apple
Proteron today also posted a public memo to Apple Computer regarding the company's "assimilation of third party software into the Mac OS."
Opinion
Review
The Panther Review
I do not get the impression of a release that was rushed to market. Rather, Panther is a highly developed operating system that provides both superior performance and stability, with new, powerful features that will make your Mac user experience more fun and more productive. And that's a hard combination to beat.
Some Additional Panther Notes On Incompatibilities
Apple's New Panther Takes Huge Leap Forward
Although it might seem like just a decimal point, the change in Mac OSX — from 10.2 — is as dramatic as the difference between a jaguar and a panther, the respective versions' code names inside Apple.
Sidetrack
MAC DEVELOPER JOURNAL sounds like an interesting read, especially since O'Reilly's name is on it. I wonder if it is already out, and if I can find it on local magazine shops.
A MIX THAT WORKS IN THE CLUB AND THE IPOD : An album review that requires no explanation on the term "iPod".
THESE POWER-USER FEATURES wishlists for web browsers are interesting, to say the least.
Wintel
Microsoft Ushers In 'Longhorn' Era
Software developers eager to get their first look at Microsoft Corp.'s next-generation operating system will get their wish this week, even though final versions of the products are still at least two years away.
Antitrust Judge Wants Details Of Microsoft Deals
The judge in the Microsoft Corp. antitrust case urged government lawyers Friday to investigate why only nine companies so far have paid Microsoft to license its technology for their own software products, agreements central to the success of a landmark settlement negotiated with the Bush administration.
Office 2003 Power Comes At A Cost
Office 2003's advances will come at what could be a steep cost, as increased reliance on other Microsoft products threatens to hike licensing costs.
Saturday, October 25, 2003
Top Stories
Gadgets We Love: iPod
Like drivers of vintage Corvettes who stop at the same traffic light and give each other a smug thumbs-up, iPod users on the New York subway eye one another approvingly, spotting the distinctive white and tangle-prone earphones that mark another member of the club. Our faces share the same beatific look, as we get lost in sound, gleefully embracing technology that actually delivers.
A Look At Mac OS X 10.3 'Panther'
Panther is by far the best version of Mac OS X ever released. It's solid, it's fast, and it's smart; you'd have to be crazy not to upgrade.
News
County Leaders Seek To Create Laptop Computer Initiative For Area's Schools
At a time when the Berkshires are attracting apple pickers galore, local civic and educational leaders have their sights set on a different kind of Apple: a $1,100 laptop that could help local students reach their full potential.
Panther Events Kick-Off In New York
Palo Alto Apple Store Launches Panther
Dropped iPod Bounces Back
Apple's market-leading iPod MP3 player offers another hidden feature — robustness — but Macworld doesn't advise readers to test this out.
Scientific Computing: Apple's Next Big Leap?
"Really, for the first time in this industry, you have a computer that can do all the scientific applications, and you can run Microsoft Office."
Apple's 'Panther' Set To Prowl
Microsoft's next version of Windows is not expected for a couple years, but Apple Computer's latest operating system arrives Friday night—the company's fourth OS release in less than four years.
Apple To Open New Retail Stores November 1
The stores are located at The Village at Corte Madera in Corte Madera, California, and the Promenade Shopping Center in Marlton, New Jersey.
Apple Releases New iPod Software For Panther
Apple has released iPod Software 1.3.1, which improves compatibility between Mac OS X 10.3 Panther and iPods without dock connectors.
Sun Co-Founder, Bill Joy, Says Apple OS Superior To Microsoft Windows — Derides Windows For Poor Architecture
Opinion
User, Music Universe Expanding For iTunes
Apple Knowledge Navigator Revisited
Apple's vision, in any case, was and is spot on. I wonder how much closer to reality it will be in another fifteen years.
Review
Young On The Nose
Restaurants are ceremoniously pairing drinks (vintage juice, flavored milk) with kids' meals.
Ten Things I Dig About Xcode
In the short amount of time that I've played with Xcode so far, these are the things that I've found myself really digging about it.
Creating Easy-To-Deploy Unix Applications For OS X
With OS X's Unix foundations came the promise of access to thousands of Unix applications for Mac users. But if those applications are hard to install, configure, and use, everyone loses.
Troubleshooting Mac OS X 10.3: Palm Confirms That Desktop Software 4.1 Problem; Default Folder X Workarounds
Sidetrack
INTRODUCING my daughter: Jiayi Stefanie Leong.
She's one today.
TABLETS IN THE CLASSROOM : No Apple laptops for every student here in Singapore, but there is a new initiative with Microsoft supplying tablet PCs.
Wintel
Microsoft Results Could Show Weakness In License Plans
Financial analysts express concern that Microsoft's installed base is rejecting its software subscription plan.
Microsoft, SuSE Linux Unwrap Messaging Servers
With cost pressures at the front of enterprise customers' minds, Microsoft and SuSE Linux have aimed their new messaging servers at aiding the corporate bottom line.
AOL Closes A Windows Service
America Online's gated Internet community may just have gotten a bit more secure.
Hand-Size Windows PCs WIthin Your Grasp
Start-up Antelope Technologies plans to release next month a Windows XP computer that fits into a person's hand.
Microsoft Gets Deeper Into Gizmos
Microsoft's roadmap to the future includes side trips into casino gambling and sewing-machine design.
Flea Bugs Windows Users
A new virus called Flea is on the loose. The Visual Basic Script worm disguises itself as the 'signature file' in HTML-formatted mail.
Friday, October 24, 2003
Top Stories
What's New In Mac OS X 10.3 Panther
Mac OS X 10.3 (Panther) is out. I took a few screenshots and wrote up a few thoughts. OK, I took 100 screenshots and wrote 11 pages.
Apple Panther Aims At Enterprise Compatibility
Although many of these additions are aimed at the end user, a large number of changes in both client and server versions are targeted at enterprise customers, said Brian Croll, a senior director of product marketing for software at Cupertino, Calif.-based Apple.
A Developer's Look At Panther
What we've seen already is a developer's suite that holds its own, running in a dazzling environment that we suspect will soon feel like second nature.
Apple Cracks Open The iPod, Slightly
While stopping short of opening up the iPod's operating system or freely offering a developer's kit, the Mac maker has quietly been working with a number of other companies to boost the number of add-ons that attach to the iconic white player.
News
Apple Releases QuickTime Streaming Server 5
PTO Gives $32,200 For Wallace Computer Lab
When state budget cuts meant the Johnston school district would have to delay plans for a portable computer lab, the Wallace Elementary School PTO donated $32,200 to outfit the lab.
Upgrading To 'Panther' Book Available Tonight
TidBITS Electronic Publishing has announced "Take Control of Upgrading to Panther," an electronic book written by long-time Macintosh expert Joe Kissell.
Apple To Unleash Panther: New OS To Go On Sale Tonight; Fourth Upgrade In 2 Years
Apple has not specified how many customers have converted to Jaguar in the past year, but analyst Roger Kay of the research firm IDC said the newest release raises a question as to whether the company is asking too much of its small but loyal base of customers to buy four upgrades in three years.
Apple Releases iSync 1.3
According to Apple, iSync now offers "calendar, contact, and to-do synchronization for the Sony Ericsson P900 and P800, as well as the Nokia 3650, 7650, and N-Gage smart phones."
Xcode: The Future Of Mac Development Tools
"The key motivation behind the development of Xcode is really developer productivity."
Apple Releases QuickTime For Java V6.4
QuickTime for Java update includes support for using QuickTime 6.4 with either Java 1.4.1 or Java 1.3.1.
Nisus Writer Express 1.0.3 Supports Panther
Mac OS On Intel 'Possible' — Intel Chief
"You'll have to talk to Steve about that."
The Apple Supercomputer
Apple is not the company you normally think of when you hear the word "supercomputer", but nevertheless it can now count itself among the ranks of the supercomputing elite.
Apple Exec On International Retail
Apple is preparing to open its first international retail stores outside the US in Tokyo's trendy Ginza shopping district.
'Big Mac' Supercomputer One Of World's Fastest
A supercomputer built by Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University from 1,100 dual-processor Macintosh G5 PCs looks likely to rank with the five fastest machines in the world, despite costing a relative pittance.
Apple Releases Keynote Update
The new update improves stability and includes several user experience enhancements including a preference to control cube and flip transition clipping individually, according to Apple.
Apple To Hold Annual Analyst Meeting Nov 5
ShoHo Apple Store Wins Architectu
The Apple Store in New York City's trendy SoHo district was among this year's winners of the annual BusinessWeek/Architectural Record Awards.
MacReporter Gets Major Overhaul
Compatible with but not limited to RSS feeds, MacReporter keeps track of what's changed on the Web sites you read using a dock-based menu interface.
iPod, iTunes Heavily Promoted On Stern, Cane Shows
Interview With Mike Bombich, Author Of Carbon Copy Cloner
More Thoughts On Apple's New Operating System
No trees were harmed in the sending of this column, so I thought I'd elaborate on a few additional interesting features.
Apple Readying 'iTunes Producer' For Record Labels
Apple is in the process of launching new applications and marketing tools for its iTunes Music Store that aim to make it easier for record labels and artists to sell and promote music on the service.
Opinion
The Panther Report: What Do Third Parties Have To Fear?
If I were a software developer, I'd consider very carefully what sort of products to create.
Apple's Panther OS: Is This The One?
Panther is an incredible product whose fate is balanced between the compelling advantages and crippling disadvantages of its corporate parent, itself caught between the computer world of the '70s and the future of appliance PCs.
Review
Panther: I've Got Mine
Look what I have! It's a review copy and it came early this morning.
Apple Rocks On With iTunes For Windows
If you're interested in exploring the new world of legal online music, you couldn't find a better place to start.
Sidetrack
APPLE SOHO ADVERTISEMENTS in New York City is simple yet delightful.
HOW TO HATE MICROSOFT : "If you want us to improve," says The Scobleizer, "now we're getting some place."
RUMORS DU JOUR : 10 percent discount during "Night of Panther" party.
Reorganization and layooffs at Apple's education division.
Wintel
The Case Of The Trojan Wookiee
The complex nature of trials involving Trojan horses and flaws in Windows not only puts juries to sleep, it also potentially opens the door to some wacky defense arguments.
Son Of MSBlast On The Way?
A program that exploits a software vulnerability Microsoft recently described could spell trouble for companies that haven't quickly patched their system, security experts said this week.
Security Woes Hit Microsoft Balance Sheet
The Redmond, Wash.-based software giant said late Thursday that companies were reluctant to sign new long-term contracts in the most recent quarter amid concern over the MSBlast worm and other security issues. The result was a sharp drop in unearned revenue—that is, money taken in by Microsoft for software deals that span future quarters.
Acer: Tablet PC Fees Hard To Swallow
Acer President Wang Chen-tang said Microsoft is charging too much for its Windows XP Tablet PC Edition operating system, which has resulted in disappointing tablet PC sales.
PC Sales Bolster Microsoft Profits
Amid stronger-than-expected consumer PC sales, Microsoft on Thursday reported earnings that narrowly topped expectations. Its sales rose 6 percent from a year ago.
Thursday, October 23, 2003
Top Stories
Apple Third Time Lucky
In summary, this is a far-reaching and impressive upgrade to the Mac experience. It justifies its cost far more than the 0.1 version change would suggest.
Apple's Latest 0.1 Adds A Lot
That decimal-point increase (from version 10.2 to 10.3) doesn't give the upgrade's 150 new features enough credit.
News
iTunes For Windows
Given the company's track record thus far and Jobs' firm commitment to music vending, it would be foolish to bet against the Cupertino-based firm. Apple finally may have learned from its past mistakes and could be poised to be a major force in the world of music.
iParty, Do You?
You won't find Andrew Andrew schlepping cartons of heavy vinyl and bulky analog turntables to and from the club. The duo travel far lighter — in fact, their entire setup consists of a pair of iPods and a mixer.
Review
G4 iBook Terrific, But Not Perfect
Not everyone likes metal. And I think those who prefer plastic should have powerful choices too. This latest offering is definitely a step in the right direction.
Wintel
Microsoft Expands 'Shared Source' Effort
The company is now adding a new category to those eligible to view its code: so-called Most Valuable Professionals (MVPs), individuals who have been recognized by the software maker for their contributions to Microsoft's online support community.
Raising The XML Flag
"With Office 2003, and in particular establishing the Office System concept, we're very clearly...signaling a major transformation of what we're doing with Office and our aspiration to really help people in the broad facets of information work."
Wednesday, October 22, 2003
Top Stories
Apple Releases G4 iBooks
On Wednesday the company announced its revamped line of G4 iBooks, featuring the same type of central processing unit (CPU) that's found in its iMac and eMac systems.
Apple Lowers eMac Price
Apple on Wednesday announced they will reduce the price of its eMac line of personal computers.
News
NY School District Purchases 600 PowerBooks
New Office Feature Could Shut Out Macs
A feature in the new version of Microsoft Office for Windows could prevent Mac users from being able to view some Word, Excel and PowerPoint files, as well as Outlook emails and Web content created using the Office suite.
Apple Tweaks iTunes For Windows
"iTunes 4.1.1 addresses an isolated incompatibility with Windows 2000 and older third-party CD burning software, as well as problems caused by corrupt MP3 files on some users' PCs."
Poll: Readers Want iPod Radio Next
37 per cent of Macworld readers who voted in a recent poll believe that radio is the main feature lacked by the iPod.
iTunes In Canada, Not Soon
"Discussions have only just begun and, while we would like to see [Apple] up and running as quickly as possible, it's impossible to say when our negotiations will be successfully concluded."
Low-Cost Supercomputer Put Together From 1,100 PC's
A home-brew supercomputer, assembled from off-the-shelf personal computers in just one month at a cost of slightly more than $5 million, is about to be ranked as one of the fastest machines in the world.
Opinion
iTunes For Windows And The 'Windows' Way Of Thinking
They are used to what they call "control" which is really that they're just used to having to do everything themselves.
Apple's Bridge To Tomorrow
Its iPod music player is truly becoming a whole new platform, independent of Macs or Windows. That's giving Jobs & Co. new life.
Review
Walt Rocks: Rating The New Music Sites
Overall, I believe Apple's iTunes is the best combination of a music store and jukebox program for Windows users. It has an elegant, easy-to-use design, and a large music catalog. It loads and runs crisply on Windows, and is the only Windows downloading service that works with the best, and most popular, portable music player, Apple's own iPod.
Testing Apple's iSight
The iSight is a well-designed webcam with features which will be incorporated into other companies' webcams in the near future, no doubt. Pity then, that Apple didn't pull out all of the stops to make it more than just a very nice looking and expensive webcam; its automatic functions could have been a lot better.
Sidetrack
WHY BUY DESKTOPS? : Steve Jobs' declaration of the "year of the laptop" probably didn't surprise Chad Dickerson. "Almost everyone needs to work at home occasionally and almost everyone has to work while traveling at some point, so anyone with a desktop ends up requesting a 'temporary' laptop eventually."
DIFFERENT CUTS : I didn't even know that, according to Singapore laws, you cannot have the same movie released under different censorship ratings. So you cannot screen a version with the violence censored, and another version with the violence restored.
But now you can. Except that you still cannot screen more than one version at the same time. You must space them out with at least a week in between, so as not to "confuse the public."
Wintel
The Scobleizer Versus Cerberus The Hounds Of Hades
The most powerful piece of software inside Microsoft may be the $40 application from a tiny vendor called Userland that Robert Scoble uses to write his weblog.
First Microsoft Smart Phone Hits U.S. Stores
Ballmer: Raising Microsoft's Security Game
"I know we need to do better, but we are in this challenging position where the hacker only needs to find one vulnerability, and we need to keep them out."
Tuesday, October 21, 2003
Top Stories
PC User Whistles A Happy iTunes
Windows users who take the new iTunes for a spin will find a service that is fairly reliable and easy to use, making it a strong addition to the ever-growing collection of paid music services.
Buck A Song, Or Buccaneer?
Apple Computer's iTunes Music Store for Windows appears to be off to a grand start, but no matter how successful it may be, the online store will never, ever have the slightest impact on the file-sharing networks, experts say.
News
Apple Expands TV, Radio Ads For iPod
New Apple Stores Open In Ohio, San Diego This Friday
Like other Apple Stores participating in the Panther release event scheduled for this Friday, the new Legacy Village and UTC locations will be open until midnight.
Opinion
Facing The Music
Apple Computer's Windows music store leads its rivals in ease of use and distribution. Together with Musicmatch and Napster, it will catapult legitimate music downloads into the mainstream.
Is Apple's 'Book Quality Slipping?
If Apple doesn't proactively and effectively address the quality and reliability problems, they may well have trouble maintaining the sales momentum they've built up in this "year of the laptop."
Everybody Wants A Piece Of The iPod
For those who do need thousands of songs in their pocket, iPod will always be the cream of the crop. For everyone else, any of a slew of new rivals may be just as good — at a fraction of the cost.
Review
Seeking Information Within And Without: Reviews Of iPassepartout V1.0.2 And iSeek V1.0.0
For anyone who uses the web to do searches for information, iSeek is bound to make life more convenient — and isn't that what it's all about?
More Theories On The PowerBook G4 15" (FireWire 800) 'White Spot' Issue
Despite Updates, Exchange Server Support Still Lacking In Entourage
With Exchange support effectively limited to e-mails, I fail to see much advantage to configuring an account as an Exchange account instead of an IMAP account.
Sidetrack
I'M NOT GOING TO DISABLE MY FIREWALL EVEN WHEN HELL FREEZES OVER: According to Shannon O'Connor, Apple advised Windows user to disable their firewall in order to access iTunes Music Store.
So, the question is simple. Are the 99-cents tunes incentive enough for you to worry about incoming viruses and worms?
I'M NOT GOING TO INSTALL PANTHER THIS WEEKEND : Even if I purchase Panther this weekend, I will not have time to backup-install-restore my computer. Two major celebration in my family this weekend. In fact, there will be minimal and/or infrequent updates to MyAppleMenu this weekend too.
RUMORS DU JOUR : iTunes Music Store for Canada? Real soon now. iTunes Music Store for Europe? May 2004.
Wintel
Gates Touts Office Furnishings
Microsoft on Tuesday released what its executives touted as one of the most significant product updates in the company's history: a fresh version of Office with extensive new hooks into corporate computing systems.
$150 Million Marketing Push For Microsoft
Could it be that Microsoft is finally hearing footsteps from competitors in the office suite software market? Analysts say maybe so; Microsoft says of course not.
Source Of Worry For Microsoft
With more than $32 billion in sales last year, Microsoft doesn't usually worry about losing one customer. But this one may be different.
Microsoft Lassos Music Customers
A Windows XP feature forces consumers to use Internet Explorer to purchase music online, even if they specify that they prefer a competitor's browser. The feature also steers users to a Microsoft-owned website. The DOJ and 19 attorneys general are not amused.
Study: Productivity Gains In Office 2003
Microsoft Corp. on Tuesday will not only announce the worldwide availability of Office System 2003, but will also roll out the results of a commissioned study. According to the findings, its latest suite brings big worker productivity improvements and a rapid return on investment.
New Office Relies On Buddy System
Microsoft says the new version of Office, its most profitable product, could also represent a bonanza for its partners.
Microsoft Is All Business With IM
Microsoft is set to begin its most aggressive effort yet to sell instant-messaging services to corporations — and it's pulling out its old playbook to gain traction.
Monday, October 20, 2003
Top Stories
Apple Whistles A Happy 1 Million iTunes
Apple said Monday that 1 million copies of its iTunes software for Windows have been downloaded since its introduction on Thursday. Apple also said it has sold more than 1 million songs in that same time.
News
Atlanta To Get Second Apple Store
It will be located at the Northpoint Mall with the grand opening scheduled for Nov. 22.
Swinburne Linux Supercomputer Tastes Apple RAID
"The Xserve RAID is the cheapest system of its type and none of the other mainstream players have a comparable price."
Laptops Losing Luster Because Of Budget Crunches Nationwide
In just a few years time, state budget surpluses that soared during the dot-com era have vanished, and laptops suddenly seem extravagant for states grappling with tight budgets.
USA Poll Shows Little Interest In Downloading Music
The recording industry's wails about free downloading of songs seem to be falling on deaf ears in Alabama, the results of a new poll suggest.
Jobs Named One Of Entertainment's Most Powerful 'Suits'
Apple and Pixar CEO Steve Jobs placed third in Entertainment Weekly's power list in its "suits" category.
Opinion
We'll Write It For You: Why The Mac Web Is Starting To Suck
All that's left are sites full of press releases masquerading as stories of interest.
Where Apple Education Got It Right... And Wrong
Microsoft Monopoly Says Apple Monopoly Is Too Restrictive
Comparing the two monopolies — one horizontal, one vertical — is an interesting exercise. Under which monopoly are users happier?
Review
Freeway Express
Whether you are a novice working on a personal site or a professional looking for a tool with more on-demand power, Freeway Express is well worth a look.
Power Mac G5 Dual 2-GHz — How Fast Is It?
We use our Power Mac largely for heavy graphics and 3D gaming and for those purposes, the G5 is very fast, maybe even the fastest as Apple claims
Swap, Lua Lua And Energy
Within these three games, there's some encouraging stuff here.
Sidetrack
LONGING FOR A FASTER MACHINE : Probably nothing makes me yearn for a shiny new Power Mac G5 (or even just a PowerBook G4) than spending a day of semi-frustration creating a Ken Burns slide show using iPhoto and iMovie on my trust old PowerBook G3 (FireWire) aka Pismo.
I wonder if KeyNote would have made my life easier.
STOP THE MUSIC : Everytime I lock my computer in Windows XP, iTunes stops playing. I wonder if this is a feature or a bug.
THE WORST WINDOWS APP EVER? : "Apple didn't follow the Windows Look and Feel Guidelines, or their own OS X Guidelines," observed Dylan Greene. "[Apple] instead [went] for their new pseudo steel look which probably looks cool to everybody who's still into chroming every part of their engine."
druhol : "A mistake that a lot of people make when comparing Microsoft and Apple [is to] assume that, like MS, Apple is a software company. They're not."
dswensen : "Microsoft preaching about giving users a choice. That's the funniest thing I've heard all day."
ON INTERNET AND THE TRUTH : The current deputy Prime Minister and the future Prime Minister of Singapore has this to say about gvoernment telling the truth — "If [the government] did not tell the truth, people will start beleiving the Internet uncritically because they can no longer depend on what the government says. So this is not tenable. We have to be quite open and people will have to have faith that what we are saying is in fact the whole truth."
TAKE THE SUBWAY, LAH : Straits Times in Singapore reports that some roads here will be closed tomorrow to accomodate George W. Bush's visit.
The interesting part of the announcement: "Announcements regarding the affected areas, however, will be made only an hour beforehand."
FRIENDS, AGAIN : When the local TV station first screened Friends 9 years ago, it debuted at a 8.30 pm timeslot, and was heavily censored. (Especially on the plot of Ross' lesbian wife.)
The same TV station is rerunning the first season starting tonight at a 11.00 pm timeslot. I wonder if anything has changed, given that homosexual lifestyle is still a pretty-much no-no here in Singapore media.
Wintel
Readers Weigh In On Longhorn Due Date
Some say they don't mind waiting another year for Windows; others say it's the straw that will drive them to Linux or Mac OS.
Windows Not Trustworthy
To earn the trust of computer users and corporate customers everywhere, Microsoft has to do more than declare a strategy. Trustworthy computing? Just ask the millions of people who are downloading the latest Windows security patch.
Microsoft's Integration Strategy Is Costly For Customers
Microsoft's strategy of increasingly integrating its server and client products — as best evidenced by the Office System line-up which officially launches next week — means some enterprises may end up paying 10 to 40 percent more to stay with Redmond's wares, a recent report from Jupiter Research suggests.
Microsoft Faces Open-Source Revolt
Microsoft Unveils Office 2003
With their old standby paid for and humming along, how many people will feel compelled to trade up?
Sunday, October 19, 2003
Top Stories
Apple's Music Man
Steve Jobs explains why it's better to own your tunes.
News
NetNewsWire, NetNewsWire Lite V1.0.6 Released
The new version of both applications fix a performance problem involving HTML description refreshes.
Opinion
The Panther Report: Is It Dangerous To Become An Early Adopter?
Yes, I do hope the Panther upgrade process will be easy, and that most third party applications will just work without modification. But things never seem to work that way in the real world.
Apple's iTunes Music Store: Facing New Challenges
Read on for my take on the challenges Apple faces now that Windows support is out the door.
Wintel
Despite A New Outlook, Office 2003 Offers Little Reason To Upgrade
Word, Excel and PowerPoint, the other core Office tools have barely changed. If it weren't for a new, garish blue theme, few home users could tell the 2003 editions from their predecessors.
Saturday, October 18, 2003
Top Stories
iTunes For Windows May Face New Piracy Threat
The threat comes from the combination of the relatively light copy protection iTunes uses and the big increase of potential hackers that comes with opening up to the world's most common operating system.
News
The 21st-Century Classroom
"Students of today are going to be living in a world where they're going to have constant access to technology and communication. It will be a seamless tool for their professional life and personal life."
Windows iTunes Sparks Mixed Reactions
A large number of Windows users have jumped at the chance to try Apple Computer's iTunes jukebox software — and reactions are ranging from unabashed praise to complaints of bugs
Paula Scher: A Conversation About Design
"Apple made the discussion about technology disappear. I'm no longer aware of limitations. We are back to talking about the possibilities of design, and making what you can imagine."
Jobs Uses Dell System At Apple Music Event
This isn't news per se, but it's something you'll probably never see again.
Ambrosia Releases iSeek Search Utility
Apple/Analysts On The iTunes Music Store, iPod
Hell may have frozen over, as Apple's Web site says, but the battle for supremacy in the digital music distribution market is just heating up.
Opinion
On Consmer Choice
Sometimes, too much choice can be a bad thing.
The Stealth PDA
Jobs seems to understand that the soft-sell approach is sometimes the way to go.
Music Matters
The issues here are more complex than just a straight-out format war between AAC and WMA. In the end, the format to beat isn't AAC or WMA, but MP3.
Who Cares About The New iPod Accessories?
When you talk to the folks at Apple who work on the iPod, you may be a little bit disappointed that they're not taking revolutionary leaps with its development, but in the end you know that they're looking out for the device's best interests. They know what this device is all about and they don't want to mess up the "story" Apple's telling.
Review
Troubleshooting The PowerBook G4 15" (FireWire 800): Seeing Spots (Part 3); Bad RAM
Yesterday's theories about some sort of physical pressure in the screen's housing seem to be gaining credence.
Wintel
Microsoft Responds To European Regulators In Antitrust Case
Microsoft filed a response to European Commission regulators on Friday as the antitrust case against the company entered its final stage. Neither the company nor the commission would disclose the filing's contents.
Is Microsoft Behind SCO's $50 Million Cash Infusion?
Hot on the heels of The SCO Group's announcement that BayStar Capital has invested $50 million in the company, questions are being raised about whether Microsoft Corp. may have had a role in that investment.
Windows Server 2003 And SQL Server 2000 Scale To New Heights
As Microsoft's 64-bit OS and database rise high above the 32-bit platform, pieces are still falling into place.
Microsoft, HP, Dell Bolster Wireless
Companies infuse products with WLAN, Bluetooth.
Microsoft Builds Support For .Net Framework
Visual Studio Tools targets Word, Excel development.
Microsoft Clears Its Own XP SP2 Confusion
Just three days after a Microsoft vice president—who is in charge of Microsoft.com and Windows Update—told thousands of delegates at a conference in Florida that Service Pack 2 for Windows XP would be available by the end of 2003, the company has effectively retracted the comments and said that customers will see only a beta version of SP2 this year.
Friday, October 17, 2003
Top Stories
Will iTunes Make Apple Shine?
Apple Computer launched its iTunes Music Store for Windows amid much fanfare, but the company said it doesn't have any illusions that it can make great profits from selling songs over the Internet.
News
Irony In Deal With Pepsi Is Hard To Miss
Twenty years later, it turns out changing the world occasionally includes selling sugar water.
Apple Music Event Available In QuickTime
iTunes, Now For The Rest Of Us
During a slick presentation in downtown San Francisco Thursday morning, Mick Jagger, Bono and Dr. Dre joined Jobs to endorse a new version of Apple's iTunes software and music store for the Mac and Windows.
Two New Apple Stores Opening Next Week
The stores are located at the University Towne Centre in San Diego, California, and the Legacy Village retail complex in Lyndhurst, Ohio.
Opinion
New Apple iTunes: Digital Hub Or Digital Flub?
Apple's digital hub could very well be in trouble. The road from hub to flub could be a short one if Steve and Apple don't do something soon.
Software Bugs Could Cost Apple Users And Market Share
When it's something critical like a system software update it should just work.
Rendezfoo
Last week, I had the marvelous opportunity to meet Stuart Cheshire, one of the founding fathers of Apple's Rendezvous implementation...
Review
Hell Freezes Over: Macworld's iTunes For Windows Review
With iTunes Windows users get a very special tool that brings a little Apple elegance into their lives — and that can only be a very good thing indeed.
Apple iTunes For Windows
Apple has more music to buy than your typical Wal-Mart sore but not more than a dedicated music store. Once that they surpass a good physical music store than I will get really excited about iTunes for Windows.
First Impressions Of iTunes For Windows
I like iTunes for Windows... However, its overall UI speed needs to be worked out by Apple.
PowerBook G4 15" (FireWire 800): More On White Spots On Screen
The overwhelming majority of users who have contacted us confirm that although they may have anywhere from one to all of the spots shown in the picture, and the spots may vary in size relative to those shown, the locations of the spots match up perfectly.
Sidetrack
FIRST IMPRESSIONS : iTunes for Windows is surprising good, unlike that piece of... er, thing called QuickTime Movie Player for Windows.
Disclaimer: I have never used iTunes Music Store, nor do I have an iPod. Your mileage will differ.
Question: did Apple also ported Safari, or is that Internet Explorer underneath?
I'm glad that my favorite keyboard short-cut, Alt+Space N still works. For those who are not cursed with working on Windows, that's Minimise Window.
Some time soon, when I am free, I'll uninstall all other MP3 players on my Windows XP machine. All these other applications allow me to play MP3 files. Only iTUnes allow me to listen to music.
DO THE TIME WARP : "It's your parents! They're calling from the future!" — kottke.org.
Wintel
Survey: Windows Developers Say Linux More Secure
Is Linux built more securely than Windows? According to a new survey, Windows and Linux developers both say yes — and for the first time, ranked it ahead of Windows XP.
Microsoft Security VP: Security Is Customers' "Top Priority"
Mike Nash has some tall marching orders. As corporate vice president for the security business unit at Microsoft, Nash is charged with executing his bosses' multipronged offensive against security assaults on Microsoft's software products.
Thursday, October 16, 2003
Top Stories
Apple Unveils iTunes, Music Store For Windows
iTunes for Windows is identical to its Macintosh counterpart. And like its Mac counterpart, iTunes for Windows is available for free download from Apple's Web site.
Apple Updates iPod Software, Unveils New Accessories
Now dockable iPod users can use their devices to store hundreds of hours of voice recordings and thousands of digital photos.
Apple UK Confirms iPod Add-Ons Launch
The story is confirmed by Apple's UK online store which has a graphic on its front page advertising "Hot iPod Accessories". The player "now records your voice and stores more than tunes," it burbles.
News
DragThing 5.0 Adds Panther-Only Features
Instant iTMS Registration For AOL Members
America Online will integrate links to iTunes artists, albums and songs throughout its leading music site, AOL Music, which will give members the option to link directly to the specific iTunes Music Store page to preview and buy music as they browse and read music news and reviews.
Apple, Pepsi To Give Away 100 Million Free Songs
Beginning February 1, 2004, 100 million winning codes will be randomly seeded in 20 ounce and 1 liter bottles of Pepsi, Diet Pepsi and Sierra Mist, and the winning codes will be redeemable for a free song from the iTunes Music Store.
'Second Generation' iTunes Music Store Debuts
Audio book support is a new feature of this updated iTunes Music Store.
Apple Offers Up QuickTime 6.4
The new version of QuickTime "integrates extensive support for 3GPP," according to Apple, including video, audio, text and native .3GP file format support.
Apple Posts New 'Rock' iPod Ad
The new spot features different music, but the same basic theme — black silhouettes of people listening to white iPods, set against brightly colored backgrounds.
Margin Concerns Hit Apple Shares
Apple Computer shares fell as much as 8 percent Thursday amid concerns over fourth-quarter education and consumer sales and hints of less-than-inspiring gross margins ahead.
Apple Is Expected To Unveil Pact With Pepsi
Consumers would get free iTunes downloads with soda purchases, sources say.
Apple School Plan 'Sound' Despite Sales Drop
Apple/s education sales declined 15 per cent in its fourth quarter — but Apple chief financial officer Fred Anderson believes the company has a formula for success in the market.
Tangles In The Mac Web
After the dot-com collapse, most Mac sites are struggling to pay their bills.
Lansing Students Get Computers
Fifty-two seventh-graders at Lansing's Magnet Center for Language, Culture, and Communication Arts received free laptop computers Tuesday.
Apple Stores Are In The Black
Apple's US retail stores are finally in the black: the 63 stores open (on average) in the period added $193 million of revenue.
With Update, Mozilla Introduces Fees
In an attempt to pick up where Netscape left off with consumer marketing, and perhaps to raise some cash, Mozilla is offering customer support at $39.95 per incident.
Profiles In Success: Lincoln Public Schools — Making Inquiry Possible
The total number of computer users in the Lincoln Public Schools system is huge: Approximately 50 elementary, middle, and high schools serve some 32,000 students. Another 2500 teachers need computer access each day. Yet, the schools' IT team constantly strives to deliver the best-possible computing services to each and every user. That's why they've chosen the school's technology infrastructure carefully: It's powered by Xserves, and is managed with such tools as Network Install, NetBoot, NetRestore, and Apple Remote Desktop.
Apple Updates Bluetooth Firmware
According to Apple, the update delivers improved connectivity between a Mac and the new Apple Wireless Keyboard and Mouse, enhancements to the update installation process, better performance when waking a Mac from sleep, and support for additional key commands during startup.
Review
Mailsmith 2, A Light, Fast E-Mail Client
Mailsmith is a strong contender and is well worth the price of admission.
Eye TV — TV For Your Mac
There is no doubt about it, the EyeTV is the ultimate solution for Mac users looking for a TV solution.
Finishing Touches For The 'Pod
Apple Computer's technical support for the makers of accessories for its popular iPod music player has led to the creation of dozens of compatible products.
Cracking The Low End
By not having low end machines, Apple keeps shooting themselves in the foot.
PowerBook G4 15" (FireWire 800): White Spots On Screen
The screens on some new PowerBook G4 15" (FireWire 800) models had developed strange "white" spots.
Contribute 2.0: Web-Page Editor Balances Simplicity And Sophisticated Controls
Contribute couldn't be easier to use. If you already have a Web site and are intimidated or overwhelmed by the process of updating it, this program just might be the answer.
Grade-Book Software: Five OS X-Ready Programs For Teachers Get Assorted Marks
Easy Grade Pro is a pleasure to use and offers numerous time-saving features that will help you get excited about school. MicroGrade stands out because of its Web export and e-mail features. However, it costs nearly twice as much and is saddled with a confusing interface that supports only one class per file.
Mailsmith 2.0: Confusing Interface Is A Flaw In An Improved E-Mail Manager
For some users, Mailsmith 2.0 is unquestionably a necessary upgrade. Its lack of support for IMAP mail servers and certain non-English languages will put off some people, and the program won't benefit those whose e-mail needs begin and end at reading, writing, and simple filtering.
Safari 1.0: Faster, Sleeker Web Browser Best For The Mac
Safari entered a fairly crowded field of OS X Web browsers, but it has sprinted past the others in terms of performance and popularity. Although we can't dismiss the possibility that its competitors may catch up in the future, Safari is currently the best browser for the Mac.
Visual Thesaurus 2.0: Reference Program No Match For Paper Counterpart
Visual Thesaurus is an appealing novelty item, and it may be useful in some educational environments. It also gives you a few things a paper thesaurus doesn't — such as the ability to search for unconventional word relationships. But the needs of most thesaurus users will be better met by a comprehensive reference book, which will probably cost (in paperback) around half as much as this program.
MasterWriter: Songwriting Utility Makes It Easy To Create Perfect Lyrics
Although MasterWriter won't write a song for you, it can generate ideas that may rouse your inner muse. If you write lyrics or poetry, MasterWriter is a comprehensive and worthwhile aid.
The Game Room: Reality Is For Losers
Get out the caffeine and say good-bye to the realworld — assuming, of course, that you've ever been well acquainted with it.
Mac GEMS: Helping Hands
I'm a big fan of Mac OS X, but I admit that there are a few things I miss about OS 9.
Pixels 3D 5.0: 3D-Modeling And Rendering App Blends Function And Low Price
Pixels 3D 5.0 doesn't provide the ultimate tool set for creating 3-D animations and still images. But at $399, it's certainly an excellent choice for beginners. And it may be a reasonable option for professional artists who don't need the elaborate features of high-end, and more expensive, 3-D tools.
Sidetrack
I AM EXCITED that, by this time tomorrow morning after I wake up, I'll have iTunes for Windows.
How free (as in beer) and how usable (I'm not a U.S. user, and cannot buy from iTunes Music Store — meaning, I don't generate recurrent incomes for Apple*) remains to be seen.
* Okay, I just bought a wireless mouse from Apple recently. And I'll be buying Panther soon. But these were after a long dry spell where Apple didn't see any money from me.
RUMOR DU JOUR : iTunes 4.1 allows users to share music between Mac and Windows, while iPod Software 2.1 allows users to record voice memos and view digital photos on the iPods. (Update: Rumor confirmed?) Microphone and card readers sold, I presume, separately.
5 YEARS AGO, Apple reports the 1st profitable year since 1995.
Wintel
Bill Gates: 'Longhorn Is Going To Be Late'
Bill Gates yesterday confirmed that there is no official release date yet for the next version of Windows, named Longhorn.
Windows: More Flawed Than Ever
Microsoft warned consumers Wednesday about four critical new flaws in its popular Windows software as the company shifted to monthly alerts for serious problems that could let hackers break into computers.
Microsoft Mum On Third-Party IM Licenses
On the day it set as a cutoff for unauthorized third parties to stop connecting into its instant messaging network, Microsoft Corp. is offering few details about its progress in creating licensing agreements to continue access.
Microsoft Readies Web Services Apps Framework
Microsoft at its Professional Developers Conference 2003 event in Los Angeles in two weeks will shed light on "Indigo," which is the company's upcoming Web services applications framework. The company also will discuss the planned "Yukon" release of SQL Server and the upcoming "Whidbey" releases of ASP.Net and Visual Studio.
Patent Fight Shadows Microsoft Lawsuit
A fight over an obscure content-protection patent could wind up alleviating one of Microsoft's biggest legal headaches, according to digital rights management company Macrovision, a newcomer to the tussle.
Microsoft Patches Hotmail After Security Warning
Responding to a warning from a maker of antivirus software, Microsoft has fixed a security flaw in Hotmail that would have left the widely used Web-based e-mail service vulnerable to collapse at the hands of online vandals.
Microsoft Releases Monthly Security Fixes
Microsoft released its first monthly security update on Wednesday, following a new schedule that attempts to ease the load on overburdened system administrators.
Microsoft Begins Option Trade-In Program
Microsoft has begun signing up employees for a program that lets workers trade in their "underwater" stock options for cash.
Microsoft Adds New Flavors Of Server OS
Microsoft said Wednesday that it has made available a test version of its Windows Server 2003 operating system that runs on 64-bit chips from Advanced Micro Devices.
Wednesday, October 15, 2003
Top Stories
Sales Boost Apple Earnings
Buoyed by a rise in sales from a year ago, Apple Computer posted fourth-quarter earnings that narrowly topped expectations. The Mac maker posted a net income of $44 million, or 12 cents per share, on revenue of $1.7 billion, for the three months ended Sept. 27.
Mac Supercomputer: Fast, Cheap
The brand new "Big Mac" supercomputer at Virginia Tech could be the second most powerful supercomputer on the planet, according to preliminary numbers.
News
iPod Available At New Regional Retailers
MacNN readers note that the iPod is now available at several of The May Department Stores, including Robinsons-May and Hecht's.
Bayshore Goes Digital With Laptops
Manatee County School District officials selected Bayshore to be the first county school to provide every student with a personal laptop computer.
Computer Commitment
Gunderson High's laptops: Educational blessing or expensive distraction?
Greene County Students Get Laptops
Dozens of middle school students, all born in the 1990s, were the first to receive the computers Tuesday, computers that educators hope will give them an edge, both academically and in the workplace.
Mozilla, Firebird, Thunderbird Get Updates
NetNewsWire And NetNewsWire Lite Updated
Apple Store Opening In Cleveland Area Oct 24
A new Apple Store will be among several stores having their grand opening on October 24 at the Legacy Village retail center in Lyndhurst, Ohio, a suburb of Cleveland.
Apple To Webcast Quarterly Results On Wednesday
Apple CFO Fred Anderson and others hold the quarterly financial conference call with Wall Street analysts, to discuss the company's financial results and news of import to the financial and Macintosh communities.
Microsoft Launches Compatibility Center For Mac Users
The new Compatibility Center gives users access to articles, studies and success stories of people using Microsoft products on both Windows and Macintosh.
Two Apple Stores Closed For Panther Release
Two of the company's retail outlets will be closed for the celebration.
Opinion
Will Apple's 'Panther' Make A Meal Of Microsoft's 'Longhorn'?
Panther, with its innovative Expose and Fast User Switching visualizations, might begin the actual movement of real-world user environments in directions that William Gibson first visualized — and that Gibson later developed, when his Hermes 2000 was no longer worth the cost of repair, on an Apple II.
Technology Vs. Legislation: Part Two — iTunes For Windows And The RIAA
We are on a slippery slope each time we make a concession with the RIAA. You can't work with a bully whose idea of working with you is telling you what to do and if you disagree, they'll take you to court.
Top Ten Reasons Why The iTunes Music Store Will Outplay The Competition
Here's why the competition doesn't stand a chance.
A Mac Head's Bow To Dell
Yes, it's true: My Windows PC runs faster than my iMac. You — and Steve Jobs — can blame Motorola and its pokey chip design.
Review
Macworld Lab: First Test Results Of Latest PowerBooks
iSkin eXo: The New iPod Bodyguard
Slick New iPod Even Better
Apple has improved upon an already great product, creating an MP3 player that I'd be happy to own. Nevertheless, the price tag seems artificially high.
Wide-Open Spaces
If you want big and light, and can afford it, go with the PowerBook.
Apple Wireless Mouse And Keyboard Tips And Tricks
The lastest gizmos from Apple are very cool products and a purchase you certainly won't regret. In case you were wondering how they behave, here is a preview.
Finding Nemo: Nemo's Underwater World Of Fun
Parents should find that the difficulty level isn't too daunting for little kids and the activities are interesting enough for older kids (in the 6-10 range). All in all, it's a fun game that'll keep kids obsessed with Nemo until the DVD release.
SimCity 4
The bottom line is that if you like games of this ilk, you'll enjoy this very solid update of a classic.
Nisus Writer Express
Express is still a good solution for the Nisus-faithful looking to move to OS X, and a decent option for reading Word documents without Word's high price tag — unfortunately, it's also lacking classic Nisus' completeness.
Sidetrack
BUILT WITH LEGO, Waterfall and Waterfall.
I admire those who can manipulate little Lego bricks, because, well, I can't.
RUMOR DU JOUR : Apple is once again redesigning the iMac.
Wintel
Why Ballmer Doesn't Get It On Security?
Microsoft has come a long way in its understanding of security over the last five years, but comments made last week by its chief executive Steve Ballmer go to show it needs to change not only its approach, but must recognize that it doesn't operate in a vacuum.
Why Intel Reaped A Profit Payoff
The chip giant's investments during the downturn are now bringing in big returns. For other tech outfits, however, expectations remain mixed.
Intel's 3Q Profit More Than Doubles
The biggest demand for PCs since the tech boom of the 1990s helped the world's largest chipmaker ring up net income of $1.66 billion.
Microsoft Updates Digital Media Package
Microsoft started selling an updated version of its Plus Digital Media Edition entertainment software on Tuesday that now lets people create digital-photo slideshows on the PC and watch them on a DVD player.
Microsoft Unpacks Details Of Longhorn Storage
The Longhorn edition of Microsoft's Windows operating system is at least two years away — but the company is revealing some details on how it intends to create a smooth transition from today's Windows PCs
Tuesday, October 14, 2003
News
Markets Await Apple Results
Apple has not warned the markets of any significant failure to meet expectations in the current quarter.
Mac Job Seekers Disenfranchised
Macintosh users are losing out on a government job-seekers' Web site because "Macs are used by a very small percentage of the UK population".
Apple Music Event To Be Shown At Apple Stores
Several Apple retail stores will be broadcasting a live satellite feed of Apple's music event scheduled to be held Thursday, October 16, at 10:00 a.m. PT in San Francisco.
FileMaker Ships Task Manager App
FileMaker is adding to its line of add-on applications with the release of FileMaker Tasks, a task management program that works with the FileMaker Pro 6 database.
Apple Set To Unveil iTunes For Windows This Week
Some analysts say that while iTunes for Windows may be just the thing for fans, it may be coming too late for the broader market.
Wintel
Israel Slams The Door On Microsoft
The Israeli Ministry of Commerce has suspended all governmental contracts with Microsoft, and indicated that the ban will last throughout 2004. The de facto suspension means no upgrades for the duration, at a time when Microsoft is looking to roll out its Office 2003 upgrade; and the Ministry is said to be examining OpenOffice as an alternative.
Microsoft Toughens Up Outlook
A new version of Microsoft Outlook makes it harder for spammers and scammers to invade users' computers through their e-mail.
Microsoft To Offer Video Service For MSN
Microsoft said on Tuesday it plans to offer online video through its MSN Internet service and portal to deliver exclusive news, sports and entertainment to users for free.
Enterprises Struggle With Windows-Linux Interoperability
While Microsoft works on its competitive positioning, customers are left to wrangle with heterogeneous IT environments.
It's Official: No Longhorn Until 2006
Microsoft execs at last have admitted publicly, at last, that Longhorn will not ship in 2005. Does it matter?
Is MS Wising Up To Smartphones?
Microsoft has been promising U.S. customers a Windows-powered smartphone, or cell phone with computing capabilities, for two years now. Finally, the company appears ready to make good on its word.
Microsoft Sued Over Music Downloads
A small New York company has sued Microsoft, charging that the software giant's new music download service in Europe infringes on a patent it owns nearly 20 years old.
Monday, October 13, 2003
Top Stories
Apple Moves To Support DVD+RW Format
After years of backing only one format in the recordable DVD format war, Apple Computer is adding limited support of a rival format into its operating system.
Apple iPod Portable Music Player
With the iPod, you can have your cake and eat it, too.
News
Mozilla, ICab Web Browsers Get Updated
AOL Offers AOL Communicator For OS X
AOL Communicator is a standalone software application that provides access to AOL e-mail, instant messaging, and address book data, separate from the AOL application itself.
Apple Seeds School With New Notebooks
"The laptops will allow them to do research and homework as homework, and teachers will have more time to teach."
Opinion
Missing The Point On Antipiracy Technology
For years, critics of the industry have rightly argued that the music companies should stop treating their customers as would-be crooks. The industry may finally be listening to us. Perhaps we should try listening to them.
The Panther Report: How About Some Optimism?
Based on a careful reading of the material posted at Apple's Web site, it's clear to me that Panther gives evidence of a lot of careful thought into what Mac users want and what's really needed to make you more productive.
Review
Tropico: Much Macho Edition
Tropico fans will be pleased by the improvements and extra play, but true delight is reserved for those who never sampled the sly humor and tropical charm of the original. This is easily one of the most creative and entertaining management games you'll ever play.
Unreal Tournament 2003
Unbridled, unabashedly violent mayhem (coordinated, unabashedly violent mayhem in the more-organized games) isn't for everyone, but if it's your thing, Unreal Tournament 2003 is your game.
Apple Peripherals Go Wireless
The wireless devices look cool and are sure to become standard Mac issue someday, but I need simplicity and reliability now — even if that means input-device cables running across my desk.
The TiBook Broke Ground But Aluminum Is Nice, Too
The PowerBook is replete with the little design touches that make Macintosh computers such a joy to use.
Sidetrack
RUMOR DU JOUR : XGrid, Apple's solution for "parallel and distributed high performance computing," is coming.
Wintel
Microsoft Plans IP-Based TV Software For Broadband
Continuing its push into the emerging broadband television market, Microsoft Corp. plans to show prototype software this weekend for a new system that will allow cable and telecommunication operators to deliver new and existing TV services over broadband Internet connections.
Sunday, October 12, 2003
Top Stories
Live From Apple And Straight To iTunes
Apple Computer is now hosting artist in-store events at its retail locations. And in a twist to the age-old practice of having an artist appear and play a handful of songs for the crowd, Apple is selling the performances online through its iTunes Music Store.
News
Salling Clicker 2.0.1 Adds 'Panther' Support, More
What Price Music?
As musical recordings have increasingly shed their physical form, the record industry and its customers have been at odds over what it all should cost.
Apple Powers College Supercomputer
Staff and students at Virginia Tech have built one of the world's most powerful supercomputers for just $5m by plugging together hundreds of the latest computers from Apple.
Matador Becomes First Indie Record Label On iTunes
According to Matador, which is home to Interpol, Yo La Tengo, Belle & Sebastian and many others, it is the first indie record company to have its content available on iTunes.
David Pogue: Writing For The Rest Of Us
People who write about computers are generally the pretty mellow group, but there's one author who makes us seethe with envy. It's not only that David Pogue has deservedly become one of the most popular and prolific writers in the industry, but it's a calling that never figured prominently in his initial career goals.
Opinion
Let Teachers Choose The Computers
It is not the teachers' responsibility to "make do" with whatever platform eases the burden of maintenance befalling the information systems department. It is the responsibility of the teachers to evaluate the existing computing platforms and choose what advances their goal of educating the children of Pinellas county.
Why Mozilla Matters
As Web services redefine documents, Mozilla, an open and extensible document-handling engine, looks more strategic than ever.
Review
Dual 2.0GHz Power Mac G5
The Dual 2.0GHz G5 is a winner. In addition to its compelling design, this machine has the horsepower to handle anything you can throw at it.
Better, Late: New PowerBook Worth Waiting For
The new 15-inch PowerBook G4 — named after its 15.2-inch widescreen liquid-crystal display — is a particularly refined expression of Apple's design philosophy.
Wintel
Microsoft: Vertical Efforts Won't Push Partners Out Of Enterprise
Kevin Johnson, Worldwide Vice President of Sales, Marketing and Services, said channel partners won't get cut out of the enterprise pie as the company beefs up its own vertical expertise.
Saturday, October 11, 2003
Top Stories
Ten Things I Dig About Panther
Yes, it's worth the price. I've already got my copy on order. Now, if you'll pardon me, I've got a book to finish up.
News
Homecoming For Notebook PCs
In January, when Apple Computer CEO Steve Jobs declared 2003 the "year of the notebook," it sounded like another bit of his traditional brash salesmanship. But it seems he was right.
Editing "Intolerable Cruelty"
"Looking at the Macs, it looks like two guys with two computers. It doesn't look like something that could cut a whole movie."
Apple To Open Marlton, NJ Store Next Month
iPod Chipmaker Hit By Legal Action
UK iPod chipmaker Wolfson Microelectronics has been hit with legal action as the company prepares to float on London's stock exchange next week.
Opinion
New Apple Stores Bear Fruit For Aficionados
Sure, they could go to other resellers, but there's something shrinelike about the Apple Store, with its simple design and wide open spaces.
A Migration Project Changes Everything
Wholesale Mac migration yields initial disruption, but ultimate productivity payoff.
Review
On Using An iPod Whilst Motoring In AN Automobile
It's not shipping yet but how cool does that sound? Controlling the 'Pod from the steering wheel car stereo controls! Whoo-EEE!
iBlog Irritations
These issues do concern me, and make me reluctant to recommend iBlog at the moment or to be sure that it is a permanent solution for me.
Apple iPod
Apple's new iPod is more of a slight redesign than a complete overhaul but the early signs are that the new model is every bit as good as the last.
Macs Vs PCs
The Mac won primarily because of its design and if it had kept its lead in usability, the margin would have been greater.
Sidetrack
WIRELESS EXPERIENCE : The iMac in my apartment is now enjoying one of the latest Apple innovation: the wireless mouse.
Actually, the idea came from my wife. She wanted a wireless mouse. No, she didn't specify what kind of mouse, but, hey, Apple has just released its version, so naturally I bought that for her.
The first question she asked: how much was it. (And she was a little shocked by the high price tag.)
The second question she asked: does its color match our furniture? :-)
After using the mouse for a few days, i'd say it has been a pretty good experience, except for two points.
Firstly, after all these hype about Apple packaging, I was a little disappointed in its lackluster packaging. Just a mouse in a styrofolm container.
Secondly, the more serious issue, the optical mouse seem to be much more sensitive about the surface it is on than Apple's wired version. After trying to use the mouse on my table, a piece of paper, and an Apple mousepad (from the Quadra 630 era) with varying degree of horrible-ness, I finally settled on a Gateway mousepad. Oh, the horror.
RUMOR DU JOUR : iTunes 5, support for Windows Media Audio, movies and photos on iPod, bluetooth headphone, oh my!
TEN YEARS OF MY LIFE, in the future.
A photo every day, for the next ten years. Cool.
Wintel
Microsoft Readies Database Add-On
Microsoft on Friday announced that it will begin a broad testing program for its SQL Server 2000 database that will enable business reporting.
EU Sets Microsoft Antitrust Hearing
The European Commission will conduct an oral hearing in the Microsoft antitrust case on Nov. 12 that may last two or three days, people familiar with the situation said Friday.
Microsoft Gets CRM Sales Machine Humming
Microsoft has sold its customer relationship management applications to 1,000 businesses, which it considers a "milestone" for the 1.0 version it introduced in January.
Friday, October 10, 2003
Top Stories
Apple Takes A Powerful Leap Forward With New G5
Having Apple Computer's new Power Mac G5 around the office is like having a superhero assistant.
News
Apple's Panther: A Jaguar On Steriods
Analysts say Panther looks great, but they still wonder why the company has not established a clearer marketing strategy.
Apple To Release WebObjects 5.22 For Panther
Apple will soon release WebObjects 5.2.2, an update to its enterprise rapid application development environment, to allow developers to build projects under Panther, according to WebObjects Product Manager Bob Fraser.
Free Web Page Designs, Contribute Discount At .Mac
13 free Web page designs and a $20 discount on Macromedia's Contribute 2 Web publishing software.
Opinion
I Am Not A Mac Fanatic
I am a choice fanatic.
Review
Panther Worth Expense If Given RAM To Run
Regardless of which version of OS X you use, your Mac will run better and faster if it has more than 128 MB of RAM.
No One Lives Forever 2
Personally, I think this is one of those exceptional single player games that will have an adequate — if forgettable — multiplayer experience, but frankly... that' ok.
Sidetrack
WITH PANTHER COMING SOON, and Apple having tons of problems with 10.2.8, I wonder how many Mac users will be, like me, skipping 10.2.8 and going to Panther directly.
Wintel
Microsoft, ECMA Seek C++ And CLI Binding
The Redmond, Wash.-based software giant said it is working through ECMA International, the Geneva-based standards organization, to push the development of a standard set of language extensions that will create a binding between the International Standards Organization (ISO) standard C++ programming language and Microsoft's Common Language Infrastructure (CLI).
Developers Gripe About IE Standards Inaction
Web developers want to light a fire under Microsoft to get better standards support in the company's Internet Explorer browser, but they can't seem to spark a flame.
Microsoft Readies Web Document Software
Microsoft has unveiled a lower-cost edition of its Web document management software for small and medium-size companies.
Microsoft Forges Ahead With IPTV Push
Microsoft said Thursday it is developing an Internet-based TV technology for cable and telecom operators that lets them deliver advanced video services, such as on-demand movies, using its Windows Media compression software.
Thursday, October 9, 2003
Top Stories
Apple To Launch iTunes For Windows
The Mac maker has scheduled an event for next Thursday at San Francisco's Moscone West convention hall. "The year's biggest music story is about to get even bigger," Apple said in an invitation to journalists.
Taking Success In Its Stride
If ever a plan came together for Apple Computer it was in QuickTime, the cross-platform audio and video file format that, perhaps surprisingly, is now 12 years old.
News
Apple Airs New iPod Television Ad
Apple has begun airing a new television commercial that features the concept of the popular print campaign, but brings the medium alive with motion.
Apple Eyes UNIX Market With Panther
"When I look at Panther, I really see a release that's very, very well positioned for large organizations."
Apple Should Have Used Intel Chips, Sculley Says
Not embracing the endless commoditization of Intel-architecture chips meant Apple couldn't compete on price against "the Dells of the world," he said. The die was cast. Apple took another path and ended up a different kind of company, Sculley said.
Opinion
Pulled Panther Feature? "Home On iPod"
Taking The Digital Hub To The Next Level
Does a Mac Media Center make sense for Apple? Going by the Microsoft model, probably not.
Panther Released Oct 24; Mac OS X Con Beings Oct 27
Do the math.
Review
Apple Picking Season
Now that Fall is here, intrepid weekend travelers in the Northeast wander the woods for apple picking time. Ah, the smell of falling leaves and branches of fruit hanging down. So as my wife, the kids, and all our friends go out "fruiting," I'm pretending to be sick at home doing a little "Apple picking" of my own.
Sidetrack
RUMOR DU JOUR : iTunes for Windows, next week.
For all these rumors floating all over the net about iTunes, I've seen none on the features of iTunes. Is it on par with iTunes for Mac OS X? Can it burn CDs? Can I freely import and export between versions of iTunes on both Mac and Windows? Will it support Windows Media format?
DID APPLE SAY ANYTHING about Xcode, whether it will be bundled into Panther for free?
Update: Yeah, it's free with Panther.
Wintel
Eolas Files Motion To Enjoin IE
Eolas Technologies on Monday filed a motion to permanently enjoin Microsoft's distribution of its Internet Explorer browser amid a flurry of court filings by both sides in the pivotal patent infringement case.
InfoPath Makes Office Shine
Office 2003 offers little to individual users, but XML features should wow IT shops.
Microsoft Expects Security Effort To Take Time
Microsoft plans to announce on Thursday a detailed plan to combat a recent wave of security threats, but one executive told CNET News.com things won't change overnight.
Wednesday, October 8, 2003
Top Stories
Apple To Release Mac OS X Panther, Server Oct 24
Both versions will be available on Friday, October 24, beginning at 8:00 p.m.
iCal, iSync Updated, New Features Added
iCal now features an improved interface, while iSync now adds complete calendar synchronization support for users of wireless phones that use the Symbian operating system.
New Season, New Editing System For 'Scrubs'
The advantage of switching to Final Cut Pro? The ability to be mobile.
News
More Upscale Stores
Bebe, L'Occitane and Apple Computers are among the 18 new retailers that just joined the list of tenants at the upscale La Encantada shopping center in the Catalina Foothills.
Southern California MacFair Returns November 14-16
Over 30 exhibitors are participating including Aladdin Systems, Microsoft, MYOB, and Micromat.
In Server OSes, Microsoft Still Rules
Despite growing competition from Linux, Microsoft continues to dominate the market for server operating systems software, according to research from IDC.
Apple Offers 'Panther' Upgrade Special For G5 Owners
School Leaders Not Sure About Laptops
Security, training, and maintenance are just a few points.
Vintage PCs Evoke Sweet Memories
Organizers promise this weekend's Vintage Computer Festival will be the biggest and best yet. Attractions include a Commodore 64 supercomputer and a talk by an archaelogist on the drive to collect dinosaur hardware.
Omni Group On Lack Of Game Ports
Timothy Wood was nice enough to let us know they're in the middle of some large changes to their productivity applications like OmniWeb and OmniGraffle, which means they haven't been able to take on any ports of games.
Aladdin Updates StuffIt Engine 8.01
"The StuffIt Engine 8.0.1. update is designed to address only the problem relating to UNIX permissions."
Mobile FireWire 800/USB 2.0 Hard Drive Released
Designed for portability, its silver chassis is just slightly bigger than a deck of cards.
Opinion
Forget The Mac/PC Debate, Pinellas School Case Is Simple Mismanagement
If the business world they want to model their school system after also makes million dollar purchasing decisions without doing any research, I recommend parents check out some good parochial schools.
Mac OS X: Still Widely Misunderstood
As I said at the outset, I have no arguments with personal taste or with specific needs that Mac OS X simply doesn't satisfy. I just want you readers to look at the situation with an open mind, that's all.
Computers Are Too Much Fun To Turn Into TVs
Apple was on to something. It figured out that people want to make their computers the centre of their fun lives, not just the work life.
Review
15-Inch Aluminum PowerBook G4
The 15" Aluminum PowerBook G4 is a balanced, capable laptop computer that is experiencing some significant first-production-run jitters.
Solac
Solace, while succeeding in spades visually, fumbles in the game play department, lacking overall replay value due to shallow mechanics and design.
The Devil's Advocate: 21 Reasons Why iTunes Sucks
iTunes proved itself to be a pile of crap wholly unsuitable for the simple "digital hub" task of importing music.
Fast Picture Previews
Mac OS X provides you with some handy builtin tools for photo previewing. And there are also a couple of free third-party utilities that enhance this process even more. So let's get to work and see what tools are available and how to use them.
Wintel
Microsoft Dissatisfaction Running High, Users Contemplate Switch
Almost two-thirds of respondents to a recent InternetWeek Reader Question said they are dissatisfied with Microsoft software, and 41 percent of respondents are at least thinking about switching away from Microsoft software.
Questions Dog Microsoft On Linux Studies
Some researchers are questioning whether to tout vendor-commissioned studies. But that's not stopping Microsoft from relying on them in its war against open source.
Microsoft Extends Support For Its Java Machine
Microsoft will continue to support its Java virtual machine through September 2004, a nine-month extension that will make it easier for customers to find substitutes for the software.
Amazon Checks Into Microsoft's Office
Microsoft announced a partnership Tuesday with retail giant Amazon.com under which the software giant will add links to Amazon services within its new Office applications.
Microsoft Granted An IM Patent
Microsoft has won a patent for an instant messaging feature that notifies users when the person they are communicating with is typing a message.
Tuesday, October 7, 2003
News
NetNewsWire Lite Update Released
This release includes the latest applicable fixes and changes from the full version and now uses Web Kit for HTML rendering, gzip compression, and more.
Apple Japan Expanding Direct Sales Efforts
Apple Japan Inc is bolstering its direct sales structure in order to expand sales of personal computers and servers.
Road Paved For Liquid-Cooled Macs
Start-up firm Cooligy yesterday announced a new processor-cooling technology, developed in cooperation with Apple, Intel, AMD and DARPA.
The Apple Store Coming To North Point Mall
Microsoft To Alter Web Browser For Ruling
Microsoft Corp. said on Monday it will make technical adjustments to its Web browsing software as a result of an August ruling that the software giant infringed on a patent licensed by Eolas Technologies Inc.
Opinion
Apple, Linux And BSD: The 'Other' Platforms
The best thing to do is to stop complaining, then determine what is important to you and make a choice. Remaining with a status-quo Windows deployment is equivalent to making a choice.
Review
Spinning Around With The ShuttleXpress
The ShuttleXpress wins out over the PowerMate for usability and flexibility.
Wintel
Microsoft Drops LookSmart Search Tool
Microsoft will not renew a contract to use LookSmart's Web search results on its MSN site, the search technology provider announced on Monday.
Monday, October 6, 2003
Top Stories
Signs Of Improvement: Video Conference Programs Expand Horizons For Deaf
iChat AV software produced video that was clear enough to see another person's fingers and hand movements, a crucial element in communicating in American Sign Language.
Motorola To Spin Off Chip Unit
In an effort to focus on five product categories in the communications and electronics systems markets, the Schaumburg, Ill., company intends to create a separate company out of its Semiconductor Products Sector (SPS), which builds chips such as the PowerPC.
News
Apple To Open Second Georgia Retail Store
Companies Lining Up For State's Huge Laptop Order
Michigan is getting ready to place a technology order that just may be the biggest single purchase of computers ever — 130,000 laptops, enough to give one to every sixth-grade student in the state.
New iTrip Compatible With Third Generation iPods
The iTrip allows the iPod to work with FM radios — in your car, for instance, or through the clock radio of your hotel bedstand when you're on the road.
Districts Line Up In Laptop Opposition
Some of Metro Detroit's largest school districts say they may decline the state's offer to outfit sixth-graders with laptops because of the potential costs.
Laptops Take Command Of The Market
The desktop isn't dead. But for day-to-day computing, notebooks are king.
Opinion
Mac.Ars Takes First-Move Advantage
What does MusicMatch beating iTMS for Windows to market mean for Apple?
Linux Vs. Windows Viruses
Linux and Mac OS X establish a more secure footing than Microsoft Windows, one that makes it far harder for viruses to take hold in the first place,
Review
Burning Monkey Mahjong Soltaire
Apple Wireless Bluetooth Mouse And Keyboard
In summary, we really like both products.
Wintel
Newest Xeon Speeds Past Predecessors
The new chip, at 3.2GHz, eclipses the current fastest Xeon, at 3.06GHz. It also features 1MB of cache and a 533MHz front-side bus.
Product Liability Lawsuits Are New Threat To Microsoft
The modern economy — from office work to financial markets to power grids — depends increasingly on software. And the trial lawyers are not the only ones who think software makers should face stronger incentives to create products that are more reliable and secure.
Microsoft Launches SMB Server
Integrated server products target non-IT savvy.
Sunday, October 5, 2003
News
Apple Case Study: Temasek Life Sciences Laboratory — All In The Little Details
"The Mac platform has always been known for its clean lines and polished finish. Now it can add sheer processing power and intelligence to its list of accolades."
Laptops Put To The Test
The Stillwater school district's decision to provide laptop computers to junior high students for use at school and home plunges it into a debate taking place across the country: Are such efforts worth the money?
District's Move To Drop Apples Leaves Sour Taste
Many criticize the way the superintendent let them know of his decision to switch schools to PCs exclusively.
New Apple Showroom Set To Open
New Apple Computer showroom iMachines in Finteer Centre in Hoora will be opened today with a series of free seminars.
Opinion
It's Time To Think About Your .Mac Account
Think about the value of .Mac to you, then log on and make sure your account is set up accordingly.
Review
Ant And AppleScript
In recent years, the Apache Software Foundation's Ant (an abbreviation for Another Neat Tool) has become the de facto standard for automating the build process of Java projects.
Wintel
Microsoft Moves To Integrate Windows With BIOS
A deal with BIOS maker Phoenix Technologies would allow the operating system to directly control hardware. It also raises concerns over who controls the software in PCs.
Saturday, October 4, 2003
Top Stories
Mac OS X V10.2.8 Update Fixes Ethernet, Battery Status
Apple has released an update to Mac OS X v10.2.8 that fixes previously identified problems with Ethernet on some Power Mac G4s. Also corrected is an issue involving the battery status menu used by Mac laptops.
News
Apple Closes Two Retail Stores For Remodelling
Adobe Changes Everything: An Exclusive Look At The New Versions Of Photoshop, InDesign, Illustrator, And GoLive
Making Next Gen News
"Apple is very strong inside newspapers, particularly at papers like Express."
Opinion
Review
Second Look: Apple's Dual 2-GHz G5 By The Numbers
While you can debate benchmarks until eternity, it certainly appears poised to meet or beat anything now out on the Windows side.
Sidetrack
CHANGES ARE IN THE AIR, as the Apple Store at the Mall of America closes for renovation.
Wintel
Microsoft Security Suit Raises Thorny Questions
A lawsuit faulting Microsoft for security defects in its products has added a new front in the software giant's battle against vulnerabilities in its software.
Geeky Microsoft Wants A TV Makeover
Microsoft is promoting its Windows products on popular TV shows like Fox's "24" and HBO's "The Wire," airing this fall, as part of the software company's push to transform the PC's image from "geek to sleek."
Friday, October 3, 2003
News
University To Upgrade With Mac
Apple Computer Inc. doesn't often get the better of market behemoth Microsoft Corp., but it did so recently when it won a bid to outfit the University of Tokyo with over a thousand computers.
Apple Inks New US School-iBook Deal
Apple has secured another deal to extend its notebook dominance in the US education market, this time in North Carolina's Greene County district.
Poll: Most Gung-Ho On OS X Upgrades
Two thirds of Macworld Online readers rush to install the latest Mac OS X upgrades — despite a history of serious bugs.
Opinion
G5 Wasn't Bluffing About Power Under Hood
I don't need a new computer but now that I've used the G5, I'm spoiled. I'll be getting one soon.
Review
Soundtrack
Soundtrack is an extremely useful application, and it's only a matter of time before its recognisable phrases appear on mainstream recordings.
Wintel
Getting The Most From Microsoft .Net
Windows Forms enabled rapid development of an application for AIDS providers.
Microsoft Patches Exchange Glitch
Microsoft released a patch Thursday for a newly discovered incompatibility between the new version of the company's Outlook e-mail client and an older version of the Exchange mail server program.
Microsoft Faces Class Action On Security
Microsoft faces a proposed class-action lawsuit in California based on the claim that market dominance and vulnerability to viruses in its software could lead to "massive, cascading failures" in global computer networks.
Thursday, October 2, 2003
Top Stories
The Incredible Shrinking Studio
Musicians are no longer tied to the studio when they want to make recordings. Now that laptops are so powerful, music can be made anywhere, freeing musicians and changing the music landscape.
News
Riding The Next Technology Wave
From where he sits, John Sculley enjoys a panoramic view of the IT landscape.
Art Explosion Greeting Card Factory For Mac Ships
Built on Nova's Print Explosion engine, Greeting Card Factory for Macintosh allows you to create store-quality greeting cards for every occasion.
NBC's Scrubs Adopts An All Apple Solution
Late last season the editors decided to give Final Cut Pro a try and are now using all Apple hardware and software for the production of the television show.
The Keys To Success?
At Hixson Middle School in Webster Groves, seventh-graders analyze poetry, research ancient civilizations, do math problems and explain gravity with the help of personal laptop computers.
TIBCO Threatens Developers Over Rendezvous
Australian software developer Andrew Wellington reports that TIBCO has threatened him with legal action over the use of the term "Rendezvous" in marketing for an iChat-compatible plugin.
Parking-Lot Etiquette For The Wireless Keyboard
Some wireless devices are like rude houseguests, always interfering with other gadgets under the same roof. But Apple's new cordless keyboard and mouse are models of decorum, discreetly taking the measure of their environment and bending over backward not to get in the way.
Apple May Jump On Hot Spot Bandwagon
Apple is looking to jump on the UK's Wi-Fi bandwagon as a way of raising the profile of its wireless networking gear, according to information posted on the company's Web site.
Palm's Debt To Newton
Palm employs a major cadre of ex-Apple emigres, with company insiders saying the corporate headcount includes "a third" ex-Apple employees. Macworld UK caught up with two of these.
For The Stylish MP3 Player, A Sleek Protective Sleeve
To protect the player's sleek, scratchable exterior and the miniature hard-drive technology inside, Terforma has released a new case called the iSleeve.
Milwaukie Art Program Gains High-Tech Flavor
"Our kids have that same organic connection to technology — a computer is like a pencil to them. Looking over their shoulders, you can tell these kids are excited, they're engaged."
Into The VoIP: Long-Distrnace Calling Via The Internet Comes To The Mac
Imagine dumping your long-distance telephone provider because now your Mac can make all your long-distance calls.
Opinion
Newtons, Palms, And Pocket PCs: Why Apple Needs A PDA
Apple has the technology to grow beyond their core market of personal computers and their new market in the music realm by introducing a PDA that meets the needs of Macintosh users. Or Apple can leave us where we are, caught between two solutions which don't provide the kind of solutions Mac users expect.
Review
iSight
Is the iSight the same as being there? Heck no! But for people who would like to communicate in sight and sound across great distances it's an extraordinary product.
Sidetrack
I'VE SPENT A LOT OF TIME ripping my CDs into iTunes, adding and correcting information for each individual tune, and populating different playlist.
Apple better make it easy for me to export all these MP3s and meta-information onto my Windows machine by end of the year.
(Somehow, I suspect Apple will tell me to buy an iPod instead of listening to tunes at work on my Windows machine, and blame it all on RIAA.)
Wintel
Internet Explorer Vulnerability Exploited Again
Vulnerabilities in Microsoft's Internet Explorer Web browser have been exploited again, security experts said on Thursday, this time by a Trojan horse that redirected traffic from more than 100 popular Web sites to an IP address designated by the attacker.
Microsoft Gears Up For Small-Business Push
Microsoft Moves Beyond Patches
Conceding that its strategy of patching Windows holes as they emerge has not worked, Microsoft plans next week to outline a new security effort focused on what the company calls "securing the perimeter."
Wednesday, October 1, 2003
Top Stories
Lick Me, I'm A Macintosh: What The Hell Is Wrong With Apple That They Still Give A Damn About Design And Packaging And "Feel"?
These are the things that are nearly dead in our mass-consumer culture, things normally reserved for elitist niche markets and swanky boutiques and upscale yuppie Euro spas and maybe cool insider mags like I-D and Metropolis and dwell. They are most definitely not to be expected of mass-market gadget makers. This is why it matters. This is why it's important.
Finally, An Opening For Apple In IT
Macs as Unix workstations, the rise of laptops, and the dangers of a Microsoft "monoculture" are combining to create a real opportunity.
News
Macs Win 'Small Battles' In Vail, Ariz., Schools
The Vail School District is home to 5,300 students across nine schools. It's also home to 1,100 Macs.
Top 50 Agenda Setters: Steve Jobs
To set the agenda for its evolution requires an equally enigmatic individual - Jobs would seem to fit the bill.
Apple's War For The Windows Mainstream
The key to continued progress is keeping the iPod engine chugging forward at a steady pace. If Apple can accomplish that goal, it may find itself in an insanely great position.
Altec Lansing Unveils InMotion For iPods
The inMotion offers a compact design, extra-low battery power consumption, powerful Class D amplification, patented MaxxBass technology, and a built-in iPod dock.
Give Macs TV Functions, Apple Urged
Apple must make Macs part of a digital entertainment hub if it is to realize the machines' market potential, a survey shows.
Lights, Camera, Action
Four Buena Regional high school students got their first peek into the world of digital video production and editing on Tuesday evening.
Stillwater: School Board, Apple Agree On Laptop Plan
The Stillwater school district has entered into an agreement with Apple Computer to provide laptops to students at Oak-Land Junior High in Lake Elmo and all of the district's junior high teachers by next fall.
Mac Vs. Windows On Campus: Does Platform Matter In Virus Assualts?
The onslaught of Internet-borne viruses and worms could not have come at a worse time for college and university campuses.
What's On Your Dock?
Follow me, ladies and gentlemen, on a journey into the minds of some of your fellow Mac users.
Opinion
Should Apple Make A Two-Button Mouse?
The core Mac user experience has been one of simplicity. Unlike Windows, you aren't forced to use a right mouse button.
Why I Love... Sosumi
Sosumi is the sound of corporate whistling in the dark, a jingle for charmers who believe the right-on-ness of their ventures will erase the obstacles that affect lesser beings.
New Adobe Apps Leave Mac OS 9 Behind
More and more applications aren't compatible either.
Review
Cyborg Evo
The Cyborg Evo certainly performed fine as a casual-use joystick. It looks sleek and does what it advertises, but that may not be enough to sway gamers into buying the $40 joystick.
Microsoft Mouse Is Great For Your Mac
I've found a mouse that puts Apple's efforts to shame. It's made by Microsoft, which does a much better job making hardware than software.
Swift 3D V3
Swift 3D is the most useful Flash companion currently available.
Medal Of Honor: Spearhead
While the content would be lackluster as a standalone game, it is as an addition to the solid core of Allied Assault. If you are looking for something to breathe life back into the rather stagnant Mac multiplayer FPS scene, this is what you have been waiting for.
Bluetooth Does Have Bite — If You Can Set It Up
It is stuff like Salling Clicker that gives true meaning to the usefulness of Bluetooth.
Sidetrack
"MICROSOFT WORD IS A TERRIBLE PROGRAM," writes Louis Menand. "Its terribleness is of a piece with the terribleness of Windows generally, a system so overloaded with icons, menus, buttons, and incomprehensible Help windows that performing almost any function means entering a treacherous wilderness of pop-ups posing alternatives of terrifying starkness: Accept/Decline/Cancel; Logoff/Shut Down/Restart; and the mysterious Do Not Show This Warning Again. You often feel that youíre not ready to make a decision so unalterable; but when you try to make the window go away your machine emits an angry beep. You double-click. You triple-click. Beep beep beep beep beep. You are being held for a fool by a chip."
TABLET PCs IS NOT ABOUT HANDWRITING RECOGNITION, from the Scobleizer. "Tablet PCs are all about letting you compute where you want to."
Seriously folks, it's true. I like a tablet PC — except in my case, it's called a Tungsten W.
I no longer fear waiting in line.
However, there are three things that made me not want to get a Microsoft tablet PC. (Four, if you count my lack of funds.)
Number One: they are still too heavy. Heck, even on my Palm, my hand aches after reading AvantGo for a while.
Number Two: apps. I've played with one when Microsoft first released this product, and the lack of ink-aware apps is a major setback.
Number Three: security. I don't want to worry about viruses and spyware and Trojan horses.
Number One and Two will go away with time. Number Three I am not too confident.
WARNING, Apple is running out of Alumininum, as discovered by CARS.
Wintel
China Looks Into Windows Code
The Chinese government has set up a lab to study Microsoft Windows source code.
Lindows To Microsoft: Buzz Off
Lindows.com defiantly told Microsoft Tuesday it will not remove a website that offers to process claims for Californians entitled to proceeds from a $1.1 billion class-action settlement with the software giant.
Microsoft Pays $10 Million To Settle Suit
Microsoft said on Tuesday that it would pay $10.5 million to settle an antitrust lawsuit brought by customers who claimed the software maker used its monopoly power to overcharge them for direct purchases of software.