Wednesday, March 31, 2004
Top Stories
iPod People
Legions of music lovers turn to little portable jukeboxes.
Mac Word Notes View ANd OneNote
The number one constraint is development resources. Availability of development resources doesn't invovle what you already have in the bank. It involves the return you can expect to receive from committing those resources to a particular project. It's about profitability.
Apple, Adobe Drifting Apart
They share an area code, a customer segment and a history dating back to the early days of personal computing. But Apple Computer and Adobe Systems, like many in long-term relationships, have seen the 20-year-and-counting bond betwen them run hot and cold.
News
Apple's iPod Patent Not Thinking Differently Enough
Designer Noel Rubin was a little perturbed. iPod's interface bears a striking resemblance to his 'scrollJET' project, a Macromedia Shockwave front end that allows visual hierarchical browsing of filesystems.
iTunes 'Is Music-Licence Leader'
Apple's business model "responds to many of the current legal and technological challenges in online media distribution."
Apple In 3D-Audio Move
Apple has announced that it is officially endorsing OpenAL — a cross-platform three-dimensional audio API — and has contributed modifications that result in dramatic performance enhancements for gaming audio on Mac OS X.
WiebeTech Offers Quad BayDock 800
The device is a four-drive FireWire 800 enclosure suitable for RAID applications.
Opinion
Apple Display Dyslexia
Why is Apple losing the resolution race to Dell?
Review
On The Road, Again?
The best ways to listen to MP3s in your car.
Going On Safari
Safari has a few tricks of its own. I'll take you on a tour of some of my favorites.
Mac OS X: Making The Switch
I know this article seems like a long advertisement for Apple, but now I understand why Mac users are such zealots. I am so amazed by the fact that everything just works that I feel the need to convert everyone I know.
Mac OS X 10.3.x: Time Being Incorrectly Set One Hour Ahead
"The time on finder shows one hour ahead although on the preferences the time is correct."
Sidetrack
Tiger: That's probably the name that Apple will use to sell the next major version of Mac OS X. And if past histocial trends continue, expect to see Tiger (a.k.a. Mac OS X 10.4) in stores by end of the year.
Wintel
Microsoft Criticized For Vulnerable Software
As Windows users are being plagued by computer viruses, spam, buggy software and Web pop-up ads, some people are questioning why Microsoft has failed to integrate security and repair features that would make computers less prone to problems.
EC's Microosft Ruling — A Big Mistake
A common complaint I have against antitrust is its tendency to turn what was previously legal illegal, and then penalizing the offending company for actions performed before the shift.
Tuesday, March 30, 2004
Top Stories
Noah Johnson: Folding Proteins At Home
In what is rapidly becoming a new world of democratic computing, Noah Johnson's three Power Macs are humming quietly away, helping Stanford University scientists solve a complex problem that, one day, may help them fight disease.
News
Apple Accpeting WWDC Annual Design Award Entries
The Apple Design Awards recognize excellence throught hree separate contests: Application Software, QuickTime Content, and new for 2004, Performance Demos.
New Vail High School To Use Laptops Instead Of Text Books
A Tucson school district has proposed a plan that woul dhave "clicking" instead of "flipping."
Mass Merchants Pounce On iPod
Apple's iPod has confirmed its mass market appeal with the news that Myer, Megamart, Target and Domayne stores are to stock the top performing music player.
Police Warn iPod Users After Spate Of THefts
Owners of the iPod are being urged by police to use cheaper headphones to prevent muggings.
Virgin Gets Taste For Apple's iPod
Apple's iPod is a big hit "across the pond," in the Virgin Atlantic Airways lounge at London's Heathrow Airport.
Apple Wants Patent On iPod Interface
Apple appears to have learned from its mistake in relying on copyright law and is now turning to patent law to protect its user interfaces.
BBEdit Update Adds Features, Fixes Problems
Tiny Server Powers Big Jobs
There's not a Mac in sight among its 40-odd Windows XP and 2000 desktop computers — but there is a dual-processor Apple Xserve network server at the centre of this hub of industry.
Review
The Majestic Alps And The King Of Keyboards
If you live and die by your keyboard as I do, Matias's Tactile Pro Keyboard is absolutely worth a try.
iChat Status Report
Despite its undeniable utility, I retain a love-hate relationship with iChat, and after much consideration, I've realized that it has nothing to do with actually using the program, but with the limited ways that the program lets me manage my availability with different groups of people.
iClip
Power users who find themselves jugggling a lot of information, or using the same bits over and over again will find this tool one of the must-haves for their Mac.
iChat Pack Rat
What happens when you've got 1,725 iChat transcripts — a full 15 MB of data? Simple answer, questionable name: Spiny Software's excellent Logorrhea.
Sidetrack
Free (As In Lunch) Software In Trouble?
Macromedia: We wanted to offer the updater to our users for free and, to comply with US accounting rules, we couldn't include any additional functionality and not charge for it.
Wintel
Gates Points To 2006 Longhorn Release
Bill Gates stopped short of setting 2006 as the year for the next version of Windows, code-named Longhorn, but said that industry speculation that the operating system will come out in 2006 is "probably valid speculation."
Monday, March 29, 2004
Top Stories
Core Constituency?
Apple is mastering the art of assuming the shape a particular customer prefers to see.
News
iTunes Music Store Brings Music(als) To Your Ears
Now, there is the iTunes Music Store, where you can find hundreds of your favoite musical show albums, all of which can be easily downloaded legally to your computer with lightningg fast speed.
Laps For Class
Pilot program puts laptops in backpacks at Smoky Valley.
Corporate Giants Get Into Music Groove
Overkill marketing may ultimately kill the golden music goose, but in the meantime, some of the biggest names in marketing are steppin up the beat.
France: PowerBook 12" Combo, SuperDrive Price Cuts
Apple Launches 'Brillant Savings' Promo
US$500 back when you purchase a Power Mac G5 and a 23-inch Cinema HD Display at the same time.
Review
Some Undocumented Tricks For Mac OS X
Every operating system has hidden features. Here are some undocumented, hidden or unappreciated tips and tricks for Mac OS X computers.
Sidetrack
Fourth Job In Ten Years: Back To Square One?
This week marks the final week of my career's third job. (If you consider me being having a career, i.e.)
I still have fond memories of my very first job, my very first project. My role is to port an in-house multimedia library onto System 7, so that Mac applications that we wrote can also play the same movie files as on Windows 3.1 and MS-DOS. (This was before QuickTime really worked great on Windows; Microsoft was still working on Video for Windows, Real is nowhere to be found. And Apple had not sued Microsoft.) It's man-verus-machine: how to make Macintosh understand Video for Windows format. (The other direction is relatively easier: after all, Apple has already ported QuickTime to Windows. We didn't try porting QuickTime to MS-DOS, as far as I remember.)
Next week, I'll be returning to a programming job, and I'll be working for someone who was there during my first project, when I was still green. It seems to me I'm back at my first love, after trying various job roles thorughout the past ten years.
But, I haven't been doing any serious programming for the past 2.5 years. (Well, nothing where my next meal is dependent on.) My boss believes in me, although I'm a bit shaky in the confidence department. Let's see next week whether I can still hack it.
Thanks for your support of MyAppleMenu. If the quality here degrade next week, you'd know I might just be struggling a little at my new job.
What Do You Do When One Of Your Bigger Developers On Your Platform Has A Problem?
Dear Microsoft...
One of your bigger developers on your Windows XP platform — you know the one who have ported software to your platform so that your platform can support the world's most popular portable music player — is having some problems with one of the bigger selling point of your latest and great operating system. Can you, like, spare a few headcounts to help Apple solve this problem? Thanks.
Michael Lydon: In this tumultuous city, we cling to whatever doesn't change. Then that changes, and we must start looking again.
Is the Dear Diary column in New York Times an example of a group blog — where the entire city participates?
This is probably circulating around the Blog world right now: My Rides Through Chernobyl Area.
18 years later, Chernobyl is still, naturally, emptied of living souls. This little photo essay invites the readers for a ride into this emptiness.
Sunday, March 28, 2004
Top Stories
Apple's Extended Warranty Smart Buy For Laptop Users
Every laptop I've ever purchased from Apple has had to make at least one trip back, sometimes for manufacutring defects and sometimes well after the original warranty would have run out.
News
HyperCard: 1987 - 2004
Well it finally happened, Apple removed the HyperCard sub-directory from the main Apple site and you can no longer buy HyperCard from the Apple store.
Review
Perosnal Finance Software: Five Programs That Make Sense Of Your Dollars
Quicken 2004 is by far the most comprehensive financial package available for the Mac. However, both PigMoney and Budget are good choices for people with less-complicated financial needs.
The Game Room: To Seek Out New Enemies
Mac GEMS: What's Your Function?
Squeezebox: Digital Music Player Fit For A Home Stereo
The Squeezebox is the perfect device for anyone who wants a seamless stereo-component experience from an iTunes music collection.
Setting Up Apple Remote Desktop
If you work in an environment where you need to manage a large number of Macs (such as in a classroom), you might want to take a look at Apple's Remote Desktop.
Panther Secrets Declassified
We go undercover to reveal 40+ Mac OS X 10.3 tips and tricks.
Sidetrack
The Nation: This is what Microsoft calls a "feature". Everyone else calls it a bug.
Apple's iPod for Windows does not support one of the features on Windows that is so great that Steve Jobs has to steal for Mac OS X: Switch User Feature.
Wintel
Off With Their Ads
Microsoft is the latest software concern taking aim at one of the great banes of online life — those annonying ads for diet plans, credit cards and low mortgage rates that suddenly appear on your computer screen while you are perusing your favorite Web page, forcing you to click on them to turn them off.
Microsoft's Concept Home Too Much Of A Wired Thing
Demonstrations like Microsoft's are fun and thought-provoking, but the entire computer industry needs to do a much better job of makin its products painless to use before it earns the right to spread from one desk to the rest of the home.
Saturday, March 27, 2004
Top Stories
Apple G5 Claims Disputed By Better Business Bureau Group
When Apple debuted its Power Mac G5 last year, the company called it "the world's fastest, most powerful personal computer." Some voices within the PC market responded to Appel's claims with howls of derision and incredulity. Dell felt strongly enough about the claim to complain to the Council of Better Business Bureaus, Inc.
News
Opinion
Portland: Part Of The Mac Renaissance
One of the things that makes Portland such a great city to live in is its vibrant Mac community.
VLC Will Play iTunes Music Store Tracks
Apple tells us that its DRM "keeps honest users honest." I'm a pretty honest user. Apple's DRM hasn't kept me honest, though; it has kept me angry with Apple.
Review
Laptop Lockdown
There are ways to protect your computer and your data.
FileMaker Pro 7
FMP7 is a poewrful and as user-friendly as a relational database could be.
Friday, March 26, 2004
Top Stories
Is Bluetooth Better On The Mac?
A head-to-head comparison of Bluetooth on Windows and the Mac shows that there's something to the Mac mystique.
News
Apple Patents iPod User Interface
Apple filed a patent application for a "Graphical user interface and methods of use thereof in a multimedia player" on October 28, 2002.
Me, Myself & iPod
For people who have one, the iPod is a status badge, a fashion statement and an obsession.
Apple Logo Rihts Charge Lacks Bite
Apple is not likely to win its logo registration dispute against the Trademark Appraisal Committee, according to experts.
Apple Takes Early Lead In Digital Music Wars
The delay in the overseas rollout is less of a setback than it may appear.
Apple's iTunes Vs Roxio's Napster: It's Getting Hot In Here
iTunes is taking the same approach that Amazon took in the early days of market entry: collaborative filtering.
Hitachi Hard Drive Shortage Behind iPod Mini Delay
Tight supplies of the tiny Hitachi hard drive at the core of the iPod mini forced Apple to delay increasing manufacutring until July.
Laptop May Be Deleted For Some
Quaker Valley School District officials are considering scaling back a pgoram that provides about 1,700 Apple iBook computers to third-graders through high school seniors.
Cutting-Edge Chips To Transform Computing
The cutting-edge chips aren't mere upgrades but great leaps forward.
Opinion
And A Voice Said, "Get A Mac"
It's stable, never coughs or crashes, and I'm cruising happily along in my new cyber universe.
OS X For Web Development
In the field of web design it seems the cards are stacked heavily in favor of OS X.
Review
Pop-pop Redefines The World Of Breakout
pop-pop can offer hours of entertainment if you can entice a few of your friends into buying it too.
McNealy: Open-Source Java Unlikely
Sun is unsure what providing an open-source implementation would actually contribute to the community.
Sidetrack
Is this (BuyMusic to join Buy.com) the beginning of the end of one of Apple's first online music competitor?
Wintel
Microsoft Plots EU Counterstrike Over Antitrust Ruling
Microsoft, seeking to block a landmark antitrust ruling against it, is preparing a counterattack that accuses European regulators of unfairly giving away the software company's research and development, Friday's Wall Street Journal reported.
Ballmer: We Fell Down On Search
Microsoft's failure to invest more in Internet search technology was a significant misstep for the company, but it is working to catch up, said CEO Steve Ballmer.
Thursday, March 25, 2004
Top Stories
Apple iPod Mini Available Worldwide In July
Apple today announced that it is moving the worldwide availability of its iPod Mini later to July due to the "much stronger than expected demand in the U.S. far exceeding the total planned supply through the end of June."
Mac.Ars Takes On Three Years Of OS X
It has been a long and winding road for OS X users. After three years, Mac users have a modern, mature, and stable desktop OS.
Apple Server Blossoms With Telcos
Apple is quietly making gains in server rooms and data centers and not just because the art department needs a G5. Improvements to the company's Xserve and Xserve RAID products as well as new networking software is allowing more companies to give Apple the eye.
News
Apple Named Bio-IT World Best Of Show Finalist
Photos From Apple Retail Store In London
REALbasic 6 To Feature New Interface, Multiple Projects
Dozens of REALbasic developers who gathered at Real Software's inaugural Real World conference got a sneak peek at a major update to the REALbasic development environment that features an interface overhaul and numerous productivity-boosting features, as well as enhanced Linux support.
Apple Xserve G5 Challenges Linux Clusters
The Xserve PowerPC G5 server "is not for IT people, it's for users themselves to set up," Apple's server hardware product manager Douglas Brooks says.
Apple Still Rules Paid Music Download Market
Apple still rules the paid music download market. But the company said its iPod audio player is still the real moneymaker in its music strategy.
Dev To Dev: James Duncan Davidson Interviews Panic
"Mac OS X has dramatically shifted the way our development works. Things are so much quicker and faster now."
Opinion
Why Are Mac Users Still Surfing With Internet Explorer?
Do yourself a favor and check out some of the alternatives. I think you'll be happy that you did.
Review
Battle Of The iPod Polishes: iClaeaner Vs. Ice Creme
For the most part, our results were positive. But as with many products, these polishes have interesting strengths and weaknesses that should be understood before you depend upon them for your own perosnal needs.
Mac Tip: Getting In iSync
I'll offer you some tips for making the most of iSync.
iPod Through The Eyes Of A Windows User
iBlog. Do You?
If you're yearning to start your own blog, check out iBlog.
The Real Benefits Of .Mac
It's money well spent.
Sidetrack
Rumor Today: Attacks Hackers Back
"Apple appears to be working with the guys at Symbiot... [on] a 'Killer App' for enterprise customers."
See that Google search box in your Safari? It's going to be Yahoo! search soon, unless Google brings some cold hard cash to the bargaining table.
No, there isn't any "imminent product revisions." Apple is simply warning resllers that there will be a shortage of products for sale simply because of the "beginning of the educational buying season."
Wintel
US Denounces EU Decision On Microsoft, But Rivals Applaud
US antitrust regulators sharply rebuked their EU counterparts for imposing a record fine and other sanctions on Microsoft, but rivals of the software giant hailed the action as a victory for free competition.
Cropped Windows Already Exists
Microsoft may have damaged its own arguments to the European Union to accept its standard platform pledge in the wake of recent programs to offer stripped-down versions of its software in some Asian countries.
Ballmer: All Companies Should Be Allowed To Innovate
Microsoft Chief Executive Steve Ballmer vowed to fight the European Commission's antitrust ruling, arguing that all companies, even ones with a near monopoly, have a right to improve their products.
Gates Gets Updated Windows Mobile Moving
Bill Gates announced an update to the company's mobile device operating system as well as the latest version of its speech software.
Microsoft: We Offered To Install Three Media Players With WIndows
Microsoft offered to install three different media players with all Windows installations worldwide — not just within the EU — during discussions with the EUropean Commission last week.
The Remdy Vanishes?
"Has any part of the settlement loosened Microsoft's grip on their ilegally maintained monopoly? The answer's 'No. Nothing. Zip. Zero.'"
Wednesday, March 24, 2004
Top Stories
For Imagining iTunes And Finding Nemo (Then Ditching Disney)
Steve Jobs has always prided himself on thinking different. Now the rest of the world is coming around.
News
Adobe Turns Its Back On Mac Again
The decision is the latest in a series of snubs against the Apple operating system.
See Also : Adobe Discontinues FrameMaker For Macintosh
by Jim Dalrymple, MacCentral
"We have had some customers request an OS X version of FrameMaker, but it's really hard to justify on a business level."
Apple Mac OS X Server Administration Service Undisclosed Remote Buffer Overflow Vulnerability
Real's Glaser Exhorts Apple To Open iPod
RealNetworks CEO Rob Glaser said that Apple is creating problems for itself by using a file format that forces consumers to buy music from Apple's own iTunes site.
Apple Releases Final Version Of iChat AV 2.1
Apple today released the final version of iChat AV 2.1, the update that adds support for video conferencing with the new AOL Instant Messenger 5.5 for Microsoft Windows.
Apple Updates Wireless Keyboard And Mouse Firmware
The update improves performance and reliability, according to Apple.
Opinion
Digital Music: Apple Shouldn't Sing Solo
If Apple truly beliees it can make the most innovative music players and software, then it has little to worry about from competition. Standards barriers that ghettoize Apple's music efforts pose a far greater long-term risk.
Review
RagTime 5.6: Midlevel Publishing Package Marred By Poor Implementation
Despite its conceptual strengths, more is wrong than is right in RagTime.
Songs In The Key Of iLife
The nice thing about living at the digital hub is that you can flatter yourself that the world revolves around you. Even if it's not true, iLife 04 gives that impression. And every little counts.
Final Cut Express 2
Final Cut Express 2 is a great step in the right direction for DV producers and editors.
Sidetrack
How many wrong spellings of iPod have you discovered? I've seen ipod, IPOD, and today, I-POD.
And you thought people spelling Macintosh as "MAC" is bad...
Wintel
Microsoft Hit By Record EU Fine
Microsoft must pay a fine of 497m euros for abusing its dominant market position. Microsoft must also reveal details of its Windows software codes within 120 days, to make it easier for rivals to design compatible products. Microsoft must offer a stripped-down version of its Windows operating system minus the firm's MediaPlayer audiovisual software within 90 days.
See Also : EU Ruling Could Be Key To Microsoft's Future
by Mike Ricciuti, CNET News.com
The EU's decision to force Microsoft to unbundle its media software from WIndows could constitute a legal precedent that'd affect the company's future products.
See Also : A Tale Of Two Cases
by John Borland, CNET News.com
The decision would appear to indicate a wide gap between American and European legal and business practices. But legal experts say the divergent courses stern largely from politics and entirely different evidence, not any serious disagreement in antitrust philosophy.
See Also : Coming Back To Haunt Them
by Paul Festa, CNET News.com
Every executive knows the risk of having old e-mails surface as trial evidence — but perhaps none so well as Microsoft Chairman Bill Gates.
See Also : Microsoft Ruling Could Affect Marketplace
by Allison Linn, Seattle Post-Intelligencer
European regulators have a rare chance to influence Microsoft's current behavior, rather than trying to make amends for alleged wrongdoing against already sunken competitors.
Tuesday, March 23, 2004
Top Stories
Apple's Retail Strategy Evolves To Community Centers
Apple's retail store strategy continues to evolve away from a store-front sales approach and toward making the stores into the techno-equivalent of the neighborhood bar — a place to visit, meet friends, learn and have an enjoyable time.
News
Workgroup Cluster For Bioinformatics Announced
Apple has introduced the Apple Workgroup Cluster for Bioinformatics, a turnkey, high-performance computing cluster that allows any scientist to configure, operate and maintain the system.
Apple Ships The Single Processor G5 Xserve
The Xserve was originally scheduled to ship in February, but was delayed until today.
Adobe Discontinues FrameMaker For Macintosh
"We have had some customers request an OS X version of FrameMaker, but it's really hard to justify on a business level."
Vail School May Shun Textbooks For Laptops
Laptop computers would replace textbooks under a plan being considered by the Vail School District for its new high school.
No iPods Please, We're Aer Lingus
If you want to de-stress after a tough working trip by listening to your new digital music player, sorry: the Irish national ariline has banned them.
Apple Releases iPhoto 4.0.1
Includes "many organizational and stability enhancements."
Opinion
The Belt Clip: It's Like Duct Tape For Your Mini
They say a resourceful handyman (or woman) can do anything with a roll of duct tape. I'm discovering that the white plastic belt clip that ships with the iPod mini is similarly impressive.
How Secure Is OS X?
Is OS X safe enought to be a viable contender for running public Web sites and general enterprise applications?
Review
Apple's New 20-Inch iMac Is A Beautiful Step Forward
It's a multitasker's delight.
Office 2004 For Mac A Must
I've been working with a Beta version of the entire suite for about a month. There are still some kinks to be worked out, but it's a substantial improvement over previous Mac Office products.
Mounting Servers Becomes Rational In 10.3.3
Part of the charm of the update to Mac OS X 10.3.3 is that Aple listened to the user confusion that the initial Panther release caused by creating two entirely different methods of mounting servers in the Finder.
Sidetrack
Low iMac inventory + current inventory report requested by Apple = new iMac.
Wintel
Passport To Nowhere?
Passport use is limited to Microsoft-owned sites and a handful of close partners, thanks to a combination of customer apathy, high-profile Microsoft glitches and credible competition from Liberty Alliance.
Wrong On Microsoft, Says Scoble
I had hoped Steve Ballmer would genuinely turn the company in a more honorable direction, becuase I think in his heart he knows it's the right thing to do. He hasn't, and that's a shame.
'Microsoft Faces Record EU Fine'
The European competition commissioner will not reveal what penalties he plans to impose on Microsoft till 24 March. But EU member states met to discuss his proposals on Monday, after which leaks swirled round Brussels that it would be nearly 500m euros.
See Also : Microsoft: EU Fine Too Big
by Paul Meller, IDG News Service
"In view of the absence of a clear legal standard under EU law, a fine of this size isn't warranted," said Tom Brookes, the company's spokesman in Brussels.
Monday, March 22, 2004
Top Stories
iPods Beat In Heart Of The City
New York and iPods go together like bagels and cream cheese. Just search for the word "iPod" in New York personal ads, and you get a unique insight into the mentality of the city.
News
Mariner Write Update Adds New Features
The new version adds "major architectural enhancements," according to the developer.
Apple VP Ron Okamoto On Worldwide Developer Conference
At WWDC 2004, more emphasis will be placed on three areas of development that haven't had a strong presense at previous conferences: Enterprise IT, Science, and QuickTime Development.
Review
Apple 17in PowerBook G4
Methink I have seen the light.
Grading PCs, Macs Sure To Hack Off Devotees Of Both
Keep in mind that a computer is just a tool. The quality of the work you do with it will be determined by your skill, not by any magic transferred to you by the brand name.
Apple Gets Juiced Up
Raw processing power hasn't always been Apple's claim to fame, but the company's latest crop of 64-bit desktop computers might prompt an image makeover.
TechTool Pro 4
TechTool 4 is a pgoram that still needs some kinks worked out.
Snapz Pro X 2
Snapz Pro X 2 is an astounding achievement. That it's so powerful, so easy to use and so inexpensive should make other software developers hang their head in shame.
Rainbox Six 3: Raven Shield
You'll have to spend a lot of time with the game to learn its intricacies in order to fully appreciate it. It's the shooter of choice for obsessive compulsives.
Sidetrack
Wintel
EU Remedy Risks Leaving A Dominant Microsoft
Many people see that the solution as having little efect on the audio and video software's availability or on the ability of rivals to challenge Microsoft's dominance in a market that is becoming critical to managing digital media on the Internet and in the home.
Microsoft Change? Don't Hold Your Breath
The evidence continues to mount that the world's biggest software company hasn't changed the methods that got it this far.
See Also : Microsoft's Isn't Changing Its Bad Behavior, Dan Gillmor Says
by Robert Scoble
There are many examples that Microsoft is changing (and note that Gillmor didn't mention even one of these).
Sunday, March 21, 2004
Top Stories
A Hot Stock Works To Prlong Its Rally
For the first time in its history, Apple has what many say is a stable full of best-of-breed products. Apple has what many say is a stable full of best-of-breed products. Apple is also benefiting from a rejuvenated association with its co-founder and chief executive, Steve Jobs.
News
Wintel
Musical Chairs With The Big Boys
Is RealNetworks the next Netscape?
Intel Strips 'Gigahertz' From Computer Chip Names
Intel will now assign model numbers to its chips and eliminate measures of raw speed from its product names. The move comes at a time when Intel is trying to pack into its chips more features, such as security and multi-tasking, that fall outside what has long been the primary measurement of raw speed — the number of megahertz or gigahertz.
Saturday, March 20, 2004
Top Stories
FireWire Is Finally Getting Hot
After running in the middle of the pack with several other transmission schemes for a decade, 1394 is poised to break out this year.
News
Apple Announces iBook Repair Program
The problems with the iBooks have been a sore spot for Apple users, and it is heartening to see Apple admitting that there is actually a widespread problem with the Dual USB iBooks.
Steriogram: The Making Of A Band
"We are the geek band. Wherever we turn up, we're working hard on our Macs. We use them seriously all the time — to keep in touch through email, to edit the video we shoot on DV cams, to keep up our websites. We even made a video about how much we love our Macs!"
Upperman High School: The Science Of Learning
"The iBook laptops really remove the limitations on learning."
Apple Mac OS X Admin Service Buffer Overflow Lets Remote Users Crash The Service
Opinion
I Sync, Therefore...
Quietly, Apple has assembled a very compelling little story about integrating your smaller devices together.
The Video iPod, Apple's Next Logical Step
A small device able to carry movies as well as music is almost ideal for those who want to travel without bringing their laptop computer or portable DVD player.
Don't Get Carried Away With Portable War Games
Make it small and last a day, and it does the job. Make it beautiful, and it'll sell itself. Personal Media Centres will fail on all counts.
Review
Wired For Sound: Which Music Download Site Is The One For You?
Firefox Fills The IE Void
I've abandoned Safari on OS X for the same reason I've abandoned IE on Windows. Firefox does more, it's moving faster, and — here's the kicker — it runs identically on Windows, OS X, and Linux.
Star Wars Jedi Knight: Jedi Academy
If you're looking for something that stands out from the tired crowd of first-person shooters, Jedi Academy will treat you right.
.Mac
The individual components of the .Mac service fit together neatly and into a package that is easy to use and tightly integrated with the Macintosh operating system. But is .Mac good value? Unless having a .Mac e-mail account is worth $99 a year to you, then the short answer is no.
Sidetrack
An Apple A Day, From Bill Gates
Well, hell has frozen in Seattle too, cause Bill Gates is giving away a Power Mac G5 every day in April.
Wintel
Shot Across Microsoft's Bow
Importance of EU sanctions could lie in their long-term effects.
A Look At The Leaked Longhorn
The leaked Longhorn Build 4053 wields a slick interface, powerful features — and a 483MB footprint that's bound to slim down.
Friday, March 19, 2004
News
Adobe CEO: Creative Suite Sales Cycle Still Not At Peak
Customers are taking extra time to decide which version of the product to buy and to debate the merits of the suite compared with individual Adobe products. Other customers are still evaluating the move to Apple's OS X.
New Logitech Mouse Made For Travelling
A compact mouse designed for travellers that features a retractable USB cable.
Apple Releases Xserve RAID Admin Tools 1.3
The updated software and its corresponding firmware update fix a number of issues to help improve overall reliability with Apple's rack-mounted Xserve storage system add-on.
Lawsuit Alleges Apple Retail Impropriety; Product Invoices Raise Accounting Questions
"Apple has engaged in unfair and deceptive accounting practices and... have amassed unlawful profits and/or ill gotten gains that need to be disclosed and thereafter disgorged."
Express Tracks
The Grateful Dead is finalizing a deal with Apple's iTunes to make every live note they've ever recorded available for download.
Complete IT Outsourcing Courtesy Of Mac
From digital audio services, to multimedia projects, to website development, to complete IT outsourcing, the Florida technology consultancy VSM have barely lost any of their 400-plus clients to a competitor. And they have remained remarkably loyal to one technology: Macintosh.
Henrico County Schools Earn National Magna Award
The school system was cited for its Teaching and Learning Technology Initiative, which has placed Apple laptops in the hands of every staff member and student in grades 6 - 12.
Opinion
Favorite Tort Ingredient? Apples (Or So It Seems)
What is it about the apple? Milton called it "The fruit/ Of that forbidden tree whose mortal taste/ Brought death into the world and all our woe." Not to mention lawsuits.
Spoken Interface
Imagine turning off your monitor (or closing your eyes) and using a Macintosh. Are you there yet? Yeah, it's complicated.
Review
E-Mail Servers: Four Software Packages For OS X Help You Deliver Your Message
20-Inch iMac G4: Larger Display Makes For More Fun — And More Work
The 20-inch iMac is a great machine, although the huge display may undermine its graceful design. Don't get us wrong — lots of space to move palettes, toolbars, and data is never bad. Just be sure to weigh your needs carefully before you buy.
InMotion: Portable Speakers Turn Your iPod Into A Miniature Bookshelf Stereo
Altec lansing has created an impressive product that pairs seamlessly with Apple's docking iPod.
I Spy With iSight
Whether you're checking on your pets or protecting your business from criminals, you can set up your own sophisticated surveillance system.
If You Can Locate An iPod Mini, Grab It Quick
After three weeks of intensive use, I've got bad news for my daughter: You can have the iPod mini when you pry it from my cold, dead fingers.
Power Mac In The Middle: Speeding Up A Dual 1.8-GHz G5
Installing a second hard drive in one of Apple's new Power Macs is one of the easiest under-the-hood operations I've done.
Sidetrack
AppleInsider speculates that the iMac will go 1.6GHz G5 processor, together with a redesign.
Wintel
New Bagle Worms Crawl Through Old MS Hole
Because variant doesn't use file attachments, it can easily slip past security products.
MS To Appeal Against EU Ruling
Microsoft's chief lawyer has confirmed that the software company will appeal following the break down of talks with the EU over alleged antitrust abuse.
Microsoft Awaits Punitive EU Judgment
A landmark legal ruling looms next week.
EU's Statement On Microsoft
Microsoft and regulators have failed to reach a settlement ahead of an antitrust deadline next week.
Thursday, March 18, 2004
Top Stories
Microsoft Takes On Apple
Microsoft is expected to announce Thursday a series of partnerships linked to the planned introduction of its new hand-held combination music and video players in Europe, a development that Microsoft hopes will give it an edge against Apple and others in the market for portable media devices.
News
iPod: Core Of A New Apple?
Digital music player has been touted as a saviour. But are the numbers sustainable?
Apple Adds Developer-Support Archive
Apple has launched the Apple Developer Collection (ADC) Reference Library — a comprehensive collection of Aple technical resources, including documentation, technical notes, sample code, technical Q&As, and release notes.
More Than A Bunch Of Dates
iCal, teamed with iSync, is much more than a record of the passing days and greatly enhances the productivity and friendly relationship you have with your Mac.
Apple's Ron Okamoto Previews WWDC 2004
"Year after year, we see more developers with cross-platform experience. Whereas before it was WIndows and Mac, today it is very rich and very diverse. It's some open source, some Java, some Unix, some Windows and some Mac, and that's a really great thing for us."
Opinion
iSight: Is The Novelty Gone? (Or Do I Have A Face For Text?)
After an initial flurry of video use, everyone seemed to slide back toward text-only messaging.
Average Joe Still In The Dark About Macs
There are serious advantages to owning a Mac, and the general public should be made aware of them.
Sony Vs. Apple: Sony Takes It Up A Notch
This wouldn't mean that Wintel won and Apple lost; only that Apple has carved out a uniche of unique users whom it serves extremely well.
Review
Final Cut Pro 4
Final Cut Pro 4 remains one of the most remarkable non-linear edit systems ever created.
Are You Talking To Me? Speech On Mac OS X
Speech really was born again with the introduction of Mac OS X and especially in the two latest releases, Jaguar and Panther.
iPods Less Expensive Alternative In Long Run
iTunes and iPods team up to create new way to get your favorite music.
Sidetrack
Singapore gets its first (?) online music store at StarHub. It does not support the Mac nor the iPod — and I doubt it will ever will.
Apple, can you hurry and bring iTMS to Singapore?
(Oh, by the way, I am still waiting for photo book printing in iPhoto. Pretty please?)
What Is Important, And What Is Not
All news web site publisher should take a look at this article by Steve Outing. You may not agree with all the recommendations or conclusions made, but you should at least understand why the recommendations or conclusions.
"The home pages of most news Web sites are too cluttered and suffer from link and content overload. Nearly all handle photography poorly. Page designs are the same day after day..."
Even though MyAppleMenu is not strictly a news site, I'm also guilty of some of the observerations made in the article by Alan Jacobson and Steve Outing.
But what Steve Outing pointed out is accurate: "Web-publishing reality gets in the way. Content management systems often dictate a more structured approach; they accept a basic home-page template that can be tweaked only modestly from day to day. Rare is the CMS that can support the kind of daily changes that a print-edition front-page designer can make."
Yeah, all CMS developers — the Movable Types, Userlands, and Vignettes — should also read this article.
What do I plan to do? Look out for more evolution of the MyAppleMenu design. Not today, not tomorrow, but someday. :-)
The tagline of this article: Why are Hollywood actors starring on your PlayStation?
The accompanied illustration: Xbox.
Why? Anything to do with where the money's coming from?
Apple is getting ready for the new iPod, featuring bigger storage capacity, color screen for displaying photos (and album art?), and the click wheel.
Also, new Power Mac and Display updates will be unveiled anytime now.
Wintel
Microsoft Embraces Open Source — With Reservations
Microsoft recognizes the benefits of open source but is not prepared to turn over its crown-jewel Windows operating system to the paradigm, according to a Microsoft official speaking at the Open Source Business Conference in San Francisco.
E-Mails Give Peek At Microsoft Strategies
An e-mail message that may become part of a Minnesota antitrust case is providing a rare glimpse into the way a top Microsoft executive tried to persuade an iconic investor to buy into the company's software business.
Windows XP Update Gets Face-Lift
Microsoft released a close-to-final version of the second major update to Windows XP, adding new security tools to the operating system.
Microsoft-EU Antitrust Settlement Hopes Dim
Hopes of a last-minute settlement dimmed after a morning meeting between competition commissioner Mario Monti and Steve Ballmer broke up early without any apparent meeting of minds, said people close to the talks.
Wednesday, March 17, 2004
Top Stories
Finally, Apple Speaks To The Blind
Apple is building innovative screen-reading technology into OS X. That's essential for the visually impaired — and a smart business move.
See Also : Spoken Interface
by Apple
Introducing the spoken interface for Mac OS X. THe Universal Access capabilities of Mac OS X will soon be enhanced with a spoken interface that provides a new way, through speech, audible cues, and keyboard navigation, to access the Macintosh.
Microsoft Unveils Several Office 2004 Features
Microsoft unveiled several features from the upcoming release of Microsoft Office 2004 for Mac. The Flash demo introduces users to several features that have been previously announced and many more that are being shown for the first time.
See Also : Microsoft Office 2004 Demo by Microsoft
News
Apple Releases WebObjects Developer 5.2.3
Guy Kawasaki Talks About Apple, Garage, More
"You can take the evangelist out of Apple, but you can't take the Apple out of the evangelist."
Apple Brand 'Offers State Of Mind'
Apple offers a "state of mind" that embodies "stylish performance and a few moments of enjoyments," claims branding consultants Kline & Company.
HP To Bundle iTunes 'Late March'
HP web engineers have noted: "The [iTunes] icon will start shipping pre-loaded on Pavilion and Presario computers in thee late March."
Jobs: iTunes To Fall Short Of 100 Million Song Mark
Apple isn't "going to make that number," and that at its current rate, the iTunes Music Store will likely "have sold 70 million to 75 million songs" by its first anniversay.
First AppleCentre Opened In Bangalore
Apple Watchers Cast Doubt On Stock
Apple's shares might well have reached the upper limit of their valuation for the time being because of weak sales of G5 Power Macs.
Some Mushers Prefer The Sound Of Silence, But Many Find Music To Be Refreshing, Energizing
Many find solace, inspiration and rejuvenation easing out of their disc players, iPods and Walkmans.
VFXSoup Interviews Compositor, Alex Brodie
"One of the most challenging projects recently was the Apple iPod silhouette campaign. Each different music genre had a different version, in different lengths and different markets. I think I started seeing disembodied white wires dancing around in my sleep."
Opinion
Powerbook Plunge II: Wet Behind The Ears
There were a few suggestions that definitely stand out, as I thought I'd take the time to share them.
Review
You Sexy Thing!
How to look great on iChat AV, in spite of your spiteful sight.
10.3.3 Brings Satisfying Permissions Compromise
The Entry-Level Apple G5
The bottom line: The entry-level G5 may not be blazing enough to satisfy the high-end professional. But as a family or average user machine, it has major pluses.
Star Trek Elite Force II
The designers seem to have done a good job of creating a similar sofrt of game to the original, but with a new story and with most of the previous game's problems removed.
Sidetrack
As mentioned in an earlier post, I'm moving on to a new job, where I will deal with C++, DLLs, and Visual Studio. Yes, I'm taking on a Windows programming job.
So, my (future) team lead asked me to pick up a Dell, and this is my pick: Inspiron 600m, which seems light yet powerful enough for me to bring to and fro between my home and my office to work on my C++ library.
Picking a notebook from Dell doesn't seem as simple as choosing one from Apple. (I want the 12-inch PowerBook — except that I don't have spare cash at the moment.) There are so many confusing choices, and so many tradeoffs and compromise between different notebooks. It is defiitely not as simple as regular/professional and good/better/best.
Before I receive my new notebook, any warnings that I should heed? I am familiar with the Windows operating system, as that's the OS I'm using right now at my current job. (But I mainly live in Microsoft Office and Lotus Notes only.) Some comments out there indicate that I should quickly uinstall bundled Dell software, for no other reason except that they are junk. Others have indicated that the left wrist-rest tends to get warm, but I don't see any recommended solutions. Other than that, the comments generally seems positive.
Well, I'll tell you more about experience with my very first Dell soon.
Valerie Davison: "[The man] returned to the carousel, went to the ticket booth and bought a ticket. Mounting a horse a few lengths ahead of us, he secured his hat, grasped the pole, and with his other hand held firmly onto the attaché case. As we rounded see the apperance of an almost imperceptible smile. on his lips."
Have you found your carousel yet? I have. She's my daughter.
Okay. And don't sit on your iPod, iSight, or iBook either.
... between normal flu and bird flu, you ask?
Wintel
Why Microsoft 'Shared Source' Can Never Be Trusted
"You can't trust code that you did not totally create yourself."
Sources: Microsoft CEO In Talks With EU
Steve Ballmer flew to Brussels for 11th-hour talks with EU officials Tuesday, just a week ahead of a final decision on the long-running antitrust case, sources familiar with the matter said.
Attack Concerns Slow Microsoft's Pace
Security concerns are slowing things down at Microsoft, but the company is still clugging along with its more ambitious projects including Windows Longhorn, a company executive said.
Tuesday, March 16, 2004
Top Stories
News
How The iPod Became An Icon
"It's a society within itself. You've got your biker community, your hip-hop community and now you've got your iPod community. It's all about those wires."
Laptop Program Has Other School Systems Greene With Envy
Studnets like the access to information they have with the computers, and teachers like that students are taking a greater interest in their school work.
G5s Get Fan Control Update
Apple says this update "improves performance and reliability of the Fan Control system of the Power Mac G5."
Cocktail 3.4.5 Adds Mac OS 10.3.3 Compatibility
Jobs Wins Wired Renegade Of The Year Award
The honor goes to "the person who had the most significant cultural impact in the wired world in 2003."
See Also : Rave Awards by Wired
Apple Shares Seen Falling Through First Half
Prudential Equity Group said that valuation of Apple Computer shares "has gotten ahead of itself."
Apple Updates DVD Studio Pro To V2.0.5
The update includes "critical fixes for placement of the dual layer break point on DVD-9 titles."
Apple Releases Mac OS X Server V10.3.3
Laptop Plan Calls For Tapping Fund, Sharing Costs
Education Commissioner Susan Gendron is seeking to sell state lawmakers on her proposal for tapping into a renovation fund to jump-start an expansion of Maine's laptop computer program into the state's 160 high schools and vocational schools.
Virtual 'iPod' For Microsoft Windows Pocket PC OS Pulled From Web
Opinion
Should Apple Revive The Mac Portable?
More a portable true desktop substitute than a road-warrioring machine.
Monday, March 15, 2004
Top Stories
Happy 10th Birthday, Power Mac!
The transition from Motorola's 680x0 chips to PowerPC was a shift nearly as challenging for Apple's engeineers as from OS 9 to OS X.
See Also : Ten Years Old: Apple's Power Mac Line by Tony Smith, The Register
iTunes Music Store Downloads Top 50 Million Songs
Apple today announced that music fans have purchased and downloaded over 50 million songs from the iTunes Music Store, not including songs redeemed from the currently-running Pepsi iTunes promotion.
News
Original Mac Design Team To Kick-Off Macworld Boston
"The Macintosh at 20 — A Celebration of 20 Years of Innovation" will feature a panel of the original Mac designers Jef Raskin, ANdy Hertzfeld, Bill Atkinson and Jerry Mannock.
GraphicConverter 5.0 Released
The new release of GraphicConverter supports lossless cropping of JPEGs, conversion to CMYK, and adds a browser search function, among other features.
Opinion
iPod Ad Sold My Wife On Black Eyed Peas
Who said advertising doesn't work?
Review
Program Allows Users To 'Konfabulate' OS X
iPod Mini: Small Is Beautiful
Competing players stand little chance of unseating the iPod as the top player on the market: None is as cool, as slick, as pleasurable to hold, use or listen to as the iPod mini.
Wintel
European Union Supports Antitrust Ruling Against Microsoft
The EU wants to force Microsoft to offer computer makers a version of Windows without its own Media Player.
Microsoft Effort To Share Code Reaches Milestone
Today, Microsoft is announcing that its shared-source program has one million licensed participants, from lone software developers to large corporations.
Leaked Code Still Could Bear Malicious Fruit
The real danger isn't the vulnerabilities that crackers find and then post for all the world to see; it's the ones that they keep to themselves for personal use that have researchers worried.
Sunday, March 14, 2004
Announcement
Welcome to the "new and improved" MyAppleMenu. After months of planning and weekend programming, here's the end-result. What are the changes, you ask?
Well, three web sites are removed. Wintel news has been merged into MyAppleMenu, while Linux news and Internet news are merged into The Tomorrow Weblog.
All the RSS feeds have been upgraded to RSS 2.0. You can get the URLs of all the feeds in this web page. I am also, finally, dropping feeds in ScriptingNews format. (I don't think they will be missed.)
In addition to the upgrade, the RSS feeds will now include all the content of MyAppleMenu — including random musings and rants from yours truly. Of course, some readers may not consider this an improvement. :-)
The HTML design of this web site has also been changed — just something new for me to play with.
You'll also get permanent links to some of the items. If you have no idea what are permanent links, you can safely ignore them. But for those who want to point to my musings and random rants, here's your chance.
As usual, feedback, comments, and complaints are welcomed. Just send them to webmaster@myapplemenu.com. Thanks, and have a nice day.
News
Spreading Word Of Peace Aided By Latest Tools
iPods Are Lucky Charms For Celtics
Apple's Spring Line: Fans Queue Up At SouthPark
Let the fashionistas enjoy the new Nordstrom. Friday was fantastic for Macintosh and iPod fanatics, as Charlotte's first Apple Store opened in SouthPark.
See Also : Grand Opening Full Of Hype, Hope by Lisa Rayes and Diana Rugg, News 14 Charolina
See Also : Apple Store SouthPark by Apple
Yahoo! Giving Away 30 iPod Minis
Yahoo! has launched a promotion whereby they are giving away an iPod mini a day for 30 days.
MacMac.com is starting a directory of Mac web sites, because "it is getting increasingly more difficult to find links to other Mac related websites."
Actually, with Google nowadays, I thought it will be easier to find other Mac-related websites, especially you can easily zoom down to specific topcis.
Opinion
The Next "Killer App" Will Be Developed On Apple's OS X
There's good reason to suspect that the next's next "killer app" will be developed on Apple's OS X operating system.
Bluetooth Phones And Mac OS X In Perfect Sync
For Mac OS X users, Bluetooth is not only off the ground, it's flying high.
The Mac Software Market: Still Not Good Enough
If you grew up in a Windows household or business, and you came to depend on a particular product that, for better or worse, maintained your business records and performed other cirtical chores, the prospects for switching may seem remote.
Glad To Be (Primarily) A Mac User
My mac isn't a nattering pile of warnings.
Review
At Online Stores, Tills Are Alive With Sound Of Music Downloads
What follows is an admittedly incomplete look at just two players in the amazing new music download industry.
Final Cut Pro 4.0 Shootout
G5 versus G4, Single CPU versus Dual CPU, Power Mac versus PowerBook.
Sidetrack
Wintel
Microsoft Trying To Fix Hotmail Problems
Microsoft said that a "significant portion" of people who use the company's Hotmail e-mail system and other Internet-based products had trouble accessing the services for serveral hours.
Saturday, March 13, 2004
Opinion
It's The Solitaire, Silly!
If Dvorak is right, Micrrosoft is in trouble.
Review
Smile, Bad Guy — You're On EvoCam-Era
It's not the same as a private security guard or an alarm system, but it ca be used effectively to record what's happening while you're away or asleep.
A Ball Worth Tracking
The Kensington Expert Mouse is my input device of choice.
FileMaker Pro Gets Even Better
For rapid development of individual or workgroup database solutions, FileMaker Pro 7 is an outstanding choice.
Friday, March 12, 2004
Top Stories
Apple's 22 Percent Stock Run-Up Follows Push For New Products
Shares of Apple have risen to their highest since September 2000 as investors bet the business-card-sized iPod mini will boost profit.
News
Legislators Hear Greene School Needs
"When you walk in our classrooms, I think you know that you're looking at the future. If that's the future, the funding should be there."
University Insurer Sues Apple
An Apple PowerMac G4 plugged into an electrical receptacle box caused the fire in a Moffit Hall lab.
Amsterdam Braced For Apple Store Invasion
The three stores are owned not by Apple, but by independent Mac dealers.
Kicking Off The Academy Awards
Opening montage cut and comped on set with Macs running Final Cut Pro.
HP Launches iTunes Site
HP launched its HP Music website — a special section of its site in which it promotes its HP iPod and offers a direct download link for customers to download iTunes.
Opinion
Sing A New Song
If change is in the air, why is the indie movement left gasping for it?
Praises For Apple's iPod Warranty Support
What Will The Music Of The Future Sould Like?
Will the way that people access music have an effect on the content of that music?
How I Love Thee, Apple
In the past three years, I have completely converted to the Apple camp.
Review
MP3 Freakout
MPFreaker's got features I haven't seen on the Mac before, and it has done a wonderful job of straightening up my MP3 collection.
Wintel
EU Regulators To Discuss EC's Microsoft Ruling
Competition regulators from the 15 EU member states will gather in Brussels Monday to discuss the EC's negative draft ruling against Microsoft.
Microsoft Mobilizes On Wireless Video
Microsoft is launching a wireless video delivery system for mobile devices in partnership with a pair of digital media content and applications makers.
Thursday, March 11, 2004
Top Stories
Apple CEO Took $1 Salary Again In 2003
Apple did not pay Jobs any new stock options or cash bonus in 2003. No other executive received stock options in 2003, Apple said.
iPod 'Murder-Horor' Hoax
A diverting yet disturbing slice of iPod-related satire appeared online this morning — a seemingly hoax news report describing death by iPod.
News
Consuming Culture On The Net
The popularity of Apple's iPods has placed digital music in a different arena, with gadget fans, rather than just net users, turning to the Internet for music.
Doritos "Download It" Sweepstakes Cound Net You An iPod
Enhancement Pack Adds Features To AppleWorks
The Enhancement Pack for AppleWorks 1.5 adds 40 new capabilities to AppleWorks.
iPod Advertising Takes Over Toronto Subway
A Tale Of Two Laptops
Two different states, two different outcomes. When it comes to state-wide laptop adoption programs, one state did it right, the other is still floundering. Find out why.
Apple To Hold Annual Shareholders Meeting April 22
HP To Sell iPod, Other Electronic Devices In China
Apple Plans Special Event At NAB 2004
Apple announced a special event to be held Sunday, April 1 as part of this year's National Association of Broadcasters (NAB) show.
Opinion
Modernizing The Music Money-Go-Round
It's hard to bring the music business into the 21st century under a legal framework that has its roots in the piano-scroll era.
It's The Games, Stupid!
Let's look at the reasons to switch and try to determine exactly why Windows has such a viselike grip on its user base. If I am correct in my assessment, then everyone has been barking up the wrong tree for decades.
Virgin May Show Apple A Thing Or Two
iPod and iTunes are digital music's top act, but the hip Richard Branson's marketing muscle makes him a challenger to be feared.
Review
Griffin PowerMate
The extensive configurability of the software combined with the high-quality construction of the PowerMate make it a great value.
Northland
I find Northland fascinating — but not much fun. If deep, difficult, and complex micromanagement appeals to you, get this quirky game as soon as you can. Otherwise, check out the demo first.
Mini Scores Maximum Style Points For Mp3 Fans
Small-Foot iMac Has A Lot Of Kick
The iMac might not be the right system for everyone in the office, but it comes up aces in settings that require multimedia.
Sidetrack
HAVE HARD DISK, WILL TAX : A French association wanted to add a levy to Apple's iPod because it has a hard disk, and hence will aid in music priacy.
But, you can pirate music with just an iPod alone. You still need a computer with a hard disk, which already has a levy imposed on it, I presume.
What does that mean? This probably mean that if Apple caved in to the demand, iPod owners are effectively "double-taxed".
Wintel
What Linux Can Learn From Windows
The release of the second major update to Windows XP answers many long-standing design criticisms of its operating system.
Outlook Flaw Riskier Than Thought
Microsoft has raised the severity rating of an Outlook flaw to "critical," the highest level, after its initial analysis was challenged by the researcher who found the security hole.
Wednesday, March 10, 2004
Top Stories
MacHome Magazine Procedure Prevents Repair Disk Permissions From Working
Despite the suggestion made in the MacHome article, users should not remove files from /Library/Receipts unless they have a very specific reason to do so.
News
Writer Of Original Mac Development Doc Talks OS X
"I've already seen much of this same software in action back when I was at NeXT, and I'm pleased with its translation to the Mac."
CodeWarrior 9.2 Update Offers Host Of Bug Fixes
Apple Seminar Reveals Pixar's Switch To OS X, G5s
Pixar is switching to Mac OS X and G5 workstations for its production work.
Apple Store Soon
Local Macintosh and iPod aficionados will soon be able to by from an online Apple store.
France Threatens Apple Over Royalties
A French association representing recorded music rights holders threatened to take Apple to court in a dispute over lost music royalties.
Apple Sues Over China Togs-Trademark
Apple legal is taking on China in a spat over trademark ownershiop for clothes.
Opinion
Can You Believe What You Read In The Mac Press?
Well, like that treatment your physician might suggest for you or a family member, seeking out a second opinion never hurts.
Mac Cognoscenti
It's interesting to note the level of satisfaction felt working on the same computer and operating system being used by other creative folks I admire.
Wintel
Army To Gates: Halt The Free Software
Microsoft has been mailing free copies of its pricy Office productivity software to government employees, but at least two federal agencies are warning recipients to return the gifts or risk violating federal ethics policies.
Tuesday, March 09, 2004
News
Music From iPod Ads Now Available From iTMS
Two songs featured in the latest iPod television commercials are finally available for purchase from the iTMS months after the ads began airing.
Pocket PC iPod Imitator Gets Apple's Attention
The developer changed the layout of the software so the touch pad is now located between the menu and the buttons. Starbrite also changed pPod's name to pBop.
Opinion
Sony + Apple = Disaster
Long-time Apple watchers have been down this road before, and it's still a bad idea — for both companies.
It's Two... Two Companies In One
Is Apple primarily a hardware company that makes software, or a software company that makes hardware?
The Future Is Now At Apple!
Apple is now free to release more innovative products than ever, products that consumers will be willing to try and adopt now that the more "traditional" part is secured.
Review
BlogStudio Publishes To .Mac
If you're interested in blogging with your .Mac account, BlogStudio deserves a look.
iPhoto 4: Change In CD Burning Behavior From iPhoto 3
"When the CD is actually burned, the amount of data actually written to the disc is much less, due to the missing originals."
DEVONthink Thinks, So You Don't Have To
DEVONthink is inexpensive, flexible, easy, intuitive; it features straightforward arranging and fast, powerful searching; it lets you edit snippets; it sotres links to files on disk.
Sharing And Accessing The iDisk Public Folder
Your iDisk contains a Public folder to share and distribute files with other people.
Mariner Write 3.5 And Mariner Calc 5.2: Strong Application Undermined By Inconsistent Compatibility With Microsoft Office
As stand-alone programs, both perform perfectly. But when viewed from the perspective of interoperability with Word and Excel, Write and Calc are overshadowed by the more feature-rich and considerably less expensive AppleWorks.
Wintel
Microsoft Loosening Contracts For PC Makers
Non-assert clause on patents to be removed.
Monday, March 08, 2004
Top Stories
Inside The Apple iPod Design Triumph
Apple's design chain relied on off-the-shelf components integrated in an elegant way. Where the value rapidly accumulates is in the intelligent coordination among the vendors and integration of their products.
News
iTunes Song Swap Helper Vanishes From Net
Bill Zeller simply lost the source code in a catastrophic computer crash.
FileMaker Boosts Workgroup Database
Capacity, relational capabilties, security to be enhanced.
Pocket PCs Masquerade As iPods
StarBrite is selling a pPod, a virtual iPod for Pocket PCs, that — given Apple's past tolerance for knockoffs — may not be available for very long.
'Glorious' OS X Eclipses Linux
Linux experts say the best Linux interfaces "pale besides the glory that is the Mac OS X user interface."
The Macintosh At 20: Interview With Jef Raskin
"I'm very disappointed in the Macintosh interface. It's more complex, harder to use than it was when we started."
Apple Confirms Xserve G5 Delay — Power Mac Revision Affected?
"We're working hard to start shipping the new Xserve systems in March 2004, not by the end of February as originally announced."
Macs At Work — Interview With Kathy Lies
Apple In The Pink
Apple is riding a wave that shows no sign of breaking.
Opinion
More On "Mac-Like"
This is a mistake that we in the software industry make all too often. We assume that casual, or even somewhat savvy, users mean the same thing we do when they use the terminology we use.
Apple's Competitive Advantage
Where Apple really stands out is in marketing.
Why Is Apple MIA From The Living Room
Making a serious living-room play could improve Apple's fortunes.
Apple Mini Rescues The Microdrive
Give Hitachi credit for making viable to the marketplace. Give them credit for convincing Apple this was the drive for them.
Review
Rally Shift
A lot of the elements that make other games in this genre entertaining are absent.
Wintel
Microsoft Facing User Rebellion
Customers review whether software maintenance contracts are worth renewing.
Is EU Looking At Yesterday's Microsoft?
As the EU considers restrictions aimed at preventing Microsoft from unfairly using its domiance in PC operating systems to gain control of the market for multimedia software, some say the war has already moved on.
Sunday, March 07, 2004
Opinion
iMovie For Kids
"The kids are loving them!"
Computer Wars
You know — the Sony and BetaMax analogy.
About Apple Care
While this experience has not been njoyable, the clarification has been somewhat reassuring.
Wintel
Experts Question Microsot's Caller ID Plans
Microsoft's claim that it owns patents around Caller ID and its decision to license the technology to third parties, rather than submit it to an Internet standards body, have riled e-mail experts and domain owners.
Saturday, March 06, 2004
News
Clint Bajakian: He Shoots... He Scores!
"I do all my audio production work on a Mac, as well as editing, sound effects and sound design. In the post-production industry, the Mac is the platform of choice."
Apple Jumps After Rumor Resurfaces
Apple Stock Rallies To Highest Price Since '02
Apple's stock price has rallied to its highest price in two years, on dramatically higher volume than usual.
Opinion
For Classical Fans, Where's The Revolution?
iPod no saviour for Mozart lovers.
Review
iView MediaPro 2.0: Asset Manager Is A Professional Designer's New Best Friend
iView MediaPro lets you get as much of your work done within the program as possible and saves you time in the process.
Scheduling Tasks In Panther
Computers are all about automation of tasks, and Mac OS X gives you several tools to help execute tasks at certain times of day, and even on a regular and repeating basis.
Apple Has Another Hit In Its Pocket
The Good: Incredibly small, nice price, comes in colors, easy to use. The Bad: None at this time.
Wintel
Eolas Patent Invalid
The latest twist in the ongoing patent struggle came Feb 25 with the patent examiner's initial finding rejecting the patent.
Friday, March 05, 2004
News
New, Smaller, Flashier iPod Sells Out Fast
Apple has a smash hit on its hands with the new iPod mini digital music player.
iPod Products Dominate Apple Store 'Top Sellers'
The iPod, iPod mini and iPod accessories currently hold the top 5 spots on the Apple Store "Top Sellers" list.
Apple iTunes Wins AAC Listening Tests
Apple's iTunes has emerged victorious in a series of listening tests.
The Mac's 'Ultimate Remote Control' Leaps Forward
People think of Clicker as a Bluetooth remote control, but it's more accurate to describe it as a wireless scripting engine.
Apple To Open Charlotte Store Next Week
The new Apple Store is located in the SouthPark Mall's new Nordstrom wing.
Apple One Of The 'Coolest Companies Around'
"Thanks to the iPod and the iTunes Music Store."
Opinion
The Great Downloads War
Apple has been here before — it dominated the computer market decades ago but later blew it.
Review
Apple's Juicy Bite
There can be no doubt — DVD Studio Pro 2 is a top-notch app.
AJA IO: Almost Every Type Of Video And Audio I/O Imaginable
The AJA IO is an economical uncompressed and offline capture device that works hand-in-hand with Final Cut Pro 4. With its wealth of I/O options, the IO ensures that you can attach practically any video deck imaginable.
Avid Xpress Pro: Support For 24P Film Projects Improves Solid Editing System
Avid Xpress Pro, with its generous third-party software bundle, has a lot to offer pro video editors.
Readiris Pro 9: OCR Application Offers Improved Accuracy, Has Some Quirks
Readiris' new OCR engine is an admirable improvement.
Over To You: iPod Volume And Sage Solutions
"I like to use my iPod at the gym but I can't turn up the volume loud enough to drown out the piped music."
3D Crazy Eights
It's worth the sticker price if you've grown tired of the usual "video games for the easily amused."
Sidetrack
Wintel
Old Microsoft DNA Still At Work?
Windows XP SP2 Could Break Existing Applications
Microsoft's upcoming service pack focuses on security improvements at the expense of backward compatibility.
Confess About XP Reloaded Quick, Gartner Tells MS
If 'XP Reloaded' is getting the green light, Microsoft should discuss the timeline and feature sets immediately.
SCO Says Microsoft Memo Is Legit
"Microsoft did not invest in SCO, and Microsoft did not orchestrate or participate in any investments in SCO."
Thursday, March 04, 2004
Top Stories
Pepsi Super Bowl Promo Airs Before Caps Available
Steve Jobs predicted last October that he would sell 100 million downloads by the end of April. Based on the digital downloads that have been sold so far this year, Jobs has a long way to go.
Apple Silences Beeps, Hissing
Apple confirmed this week that there was a noise issue with some of its dual-processor Power Mac G5 models and said the issue has been fixed for new machines rolling off the production lines.
News
Apple Stock Has Higest Close Since May 2002
Apple Financial Gurus Talk About The Company's Future
Apple IBM G5 Leads AMD, Intel, Experts Say
Apple's move to G5 processors from IBM is giving the company a clear advantage against manufacturers using chips from Intel or AMD, an industry expert has said.
iPod Mini 'Facing Deathmatch'
"Technological innovations have a nasty habit of being superseded by inferior competitors."
iPods Could Transform Apple Computer
Apple Opens A Store, And It Clicks
For some Apple fanatics, the queue's the thing.
Opinion
iPod Zombies In New Yrok — It's True
The iPod is allowing Apple to reach people that may not have given the company a second look a couple of years ago.
Things I Don't Like About Being A Mac User
Lose Mini, Gain Microdrive
My motto: "I destroy 'em so you don't have to!"
The Sky Is Falling! Again!
The Macintosh community is still active and alive.
Review
Apple Has Plenty Of Tricks And Treats
Every operating system has hidden features. Here are more of my favorite undocumented, hidden or unappreciated tips and tricks for Mac OS X.
Sidetrack
Wintel
Email 'Leak' Suggests SCO Got Up To $100m From MS
An email apparently leaked from SCO suggests that SCO is far more dependent on Microsoft financial backing than previously thought.
Microsoft To Automate Windows Security
Microsoft plans to release a new version of its popular Windows XP software that automatically downloads and installs software patches onto personal computers, one of the company's most aggressive moves to promote Internet safety.
Show And Tell At Microsoft's Annual Research Fest
Office productivity software, sure. Computer operating systems, you bet. But who knew anyone at Microsoft was working on technology to help in the fight against HIV?
What "XP Reloaded" Means For Longhorn
It turns out that the road to Longhorn is not quite as straight a line as expected.
Wednesday, March 03, 2004
Top Stories
Apple's $10 Billion Growth Strategy
"We would like to become a $10 billion company again."
News
The Mighty Lure Of Online Music
Apple Quietly Pulls Nvidia FCode Flasher
Finder Co-Designer Not Keen On Current User Interface
Steve Capps doesn't find much to excite him about either the Mac or Windows user interface these days.
iBlog Adds iLife '04 Support, More
The new edition integrates with iLife '04 by allowing bloggers to seamlessly import photos and music from iPhoto 4 and iTunes 4.
Indies Stay In Tune With Sharing
South by Southwest music festival is providing this year's library of music for free through an iTunes shared music playlist.
Apple Posts Graphics-Card Update
Apple has released a software update for the OEM versions of a variety of NVidia graphics cards it ships inside many Macs.
iPod Poll: Size Isn't Everything
Macworld readers are split over the need for huge iPod capacity.
Security Firm Uncovers QuickTime Vulnerabilities
Particulars of the vulnerabilities have not been released.
Jobs Dominates In Forbes CEO Ratings
iDVD 4.0.1 Update Released
The new release "will provide for improved reliability when authoring and burning DVDs."
Opinion
Whither The Indie Mac Resellers?
I'm hoping that cooperation with local resellers and relations between resellers and Apple stores is an area that Apple is working on to improve.
The Death Of MacNET - As Apple Moves Into The Mainstream The Mac Web Needs To Change
The Mac is a computer, not a religion. It's time more of us stood up and said so.
Apple's New Chapter In The Classroom
Something good is happening for Apple in education. The proof is in the market share and test-score numbers.
Review
Listening To Bluetooth (Or At Least Trying To)
You're a Mac user, so you expect that you can plug things in (or in this case, pair thi8ngs), and they'll just work. Unfortunately, it's not quite that simple.
Wintel
Windows Marketing 101
If Redmond could get 'out-of-band' features out to users in a quicker and easier way, it would go a long way to solving one of its biggest problems.
Inside IIS 6
This article is designed to quickly get you up-to-speed regarding the new architecture of IIS 6.
Microsoft Readies Another Cut-Rate Windows Bundle
Microsoft acknowledged Tuesday that it is offering a low-priced Windows bundle to Malaysian users.
Tuesday, March 02, 2004
Top Stories
The Waiting Is The Funnest Part
"It's the community, the joy of hanging out."
News
Eric Clapton Uses iTunes To Launch New Album
Eric Clapton has released a four track EP today, previwing his forthcoming album dedicated to the legendary bluesman Robert Johnson.
Apple Tops BrandChannel's Global Brand Of Year 2003
Apple was tops in BrandChannel's survey for Brand of the Year 2003 in the US/Canada rankings, but was second to Google in the global survey.
Apple's iPod Could Transform Company
The success of the iPod demonstrates Apple's "tech know-how and strong brand" and could make the company "relevant again."
Apple Updates AirPort Software
The update is recommended for all Mac OS X 10.3 (Panther) users with an AirPort Extreme and AirPort enabled Mac or an AirPort Extreme Base Station.
Perfect Pitch
iPods, like so many of the products produced by Apple, engender remarkable brand loyalty.
Review
How FIleVault Should Work
We've been uniformly negative about FileVault, the new security feature that Apple added to Panther, but that doesn't mean we dislike the idea of protecting sensitive data.
iPod's Mini A Sound Success
For those wanting not only music and portability, but also style and panache, there is no equal to the iPod.
NoteRiser
With its various limitations, I would see its primary market as those pepole who value ergonomics over portability.
Sidetrack
UPDATE OF MY LIFE : I'll be leaving my current job by the end of the month, and return to a job that talks C++ and APIs all day long. :-)
Wintel
Microsoft Defends Monthly Patch Update As Best Way To Beat Hackers
Microsoft has defneded its policy despite growing evidence that hackers use the monthly patches to develop new ways of attacking within days of their release.
Monday, March 01, 2004
Top Stories
Giant Success For iPod Mini
Apple's new iPod Mini was a strong seller in its first full week in circulation, even though Mac faithfuls earlier complained it was overpriced.
News
Belkin's Microphone Adapter Turns iPod Into Recorder
"Scrubs" Production Team: Editing A Network TV Show
"We beat the crap out of our editing system, and so far it's holding up nicely."
Xbox 2 Heading For Macs
The Xbox 2 software developers kit has been seeded to developers on Apple's Power Mac G5.
Ive's iPod Banana Drama
"It takes a real confidence in design to be happy to get design out of the way."
San Francisco Apple Store Lukcy Bags End Up On eBay
It didn't take too long for folks who came to Apple's opening of its first retail store in San Francisco to try to profit from their $249 investment in a "Lucky Bag." They're already showing up on eBay.
Apple's Shake At The Oscars
For the seventh year in a row, a film using Apple's Shake compsoiting software won "Best Visual Effects" at the Oscars.
Opinion
Review
Get Your Files On An iPod
We'll see more software to embrace the iPod that isn't music related in the coming year for sure.
Rayman 3: Hoodlum Havoc
Rayman 3 is an interesting looking game that is sadly let down by a poor camera and lack of originality.
Computing Future Lies In Apple's Little iPod
It's a first-class product and Apple ought to take a bow.
Wintel
Microsoft Enlists Developers In Security Push
Microsoft is readying updates to its programming tools that will be released in tandem with Windows XP Service Pack 2, a security-oriented release of Windows due later this year.