October 2006
- Turn any old Mac into a gameshow
buzzer, Jeff Adkins, Mac Lab Report, 10.07. Want to set up a
game show where players have to buzz in? This Chipmunk Basic app
makes it easy and may work with any Mac running System 6.0 or
later.
- Musings on low-end SATA cards
in PCI Power Macs, Nathan Thompson, Embracing Obsolescence,
11.06. Thoughts on why the inexpensive SATA card might almost work
in a pre-G3 PCI Power Mac.
- FaxCenter for OS X: All the fax
software you may ever need, Charles W Moore, Miscellaneous
Ramblings, 11.06. Anyone running OS X and looking for software that
can replace the classic GlobalFax should take a look at
FaxCenter.
- 10 years on AOL: Feast and
famine, Tommy Thomas, Welcome to Macintosh, 11.03. America
Online offered a sense of community something as big as the
Internet simply can't provide.
- Old Power Macs and SATA not a
marriage made in heaven, Nathan Thompson, Embracing
Obsolescence, 11.03. The PCI SATA card said blue & white G3 or
newer and Mac OS 8.6 or later, but maybe it would work in an older
pre-G3 Power Mac....
- Disco brings unique features
to Mac disc burning, Cortland, 11.03. Still in
beta, Disco has a gorgeous interface and brings features Mac users
haven't had before now.
- MacBook random shutdown cure,
15" MacBook rumored, Core 2 runs cooler, CoolBook heat control, and
more, The 'Book Review, 11.03. Also the MacBook Pro's 3 GB
memory limit explained, Apple's 200 GB hard drive, Hitachi's
forthcoming 250 GB drive, a notebook stand with an integrated
keyboard, bargain 'Books from $199 to $1,599, and more.
- Radeon X1900 for Power Mac G5,
DVD-RAM benefits, Spin Doctor 2 digitizes LPs and tapes, and
more, Mac News Review, 11.03. Also Mac Pro hard drive speed and
expandability, Mac T-shirts, dual digital TV tuner for Macs, WiFi
signal analysis, another Boot Camp update, and a hot-swap RAID
enclosure.
- Gmail and Hotmail are nice, but
isn't it time for Apple to offer free webmail again?, Adam Robert
Guha, Apple Archive, 11.02. Internet users love their free Google,
Microsoft, Yahoo, and other webmail. Maybe it's time for Apple to
rejoin the game with their new dot-mac webmail interface.
- MacExpo 2006 lacking in
excitement, Cortland, 11.01. It's a sad day
when you can see an enitre Mac expo in less than an hour. And Apple
didn't even have the new Core 2 MacBook Pro on display.
- Why a 7-year-old Power Mac G4
replaced a Mac mini, Andrew J Fishkin, The Mobile Mac,
2006.10.31. There's a lot more to productive computing power than
CPU speed. The old Power Mac lets you add a second video card, a
fast hard drive, and lots more that the Mac mini can't.
- 24 hours in cyberspace, 7 days
with dated browsers, Ted Hodges, Vintage Mac Living, 10.31. The
"24 Hours in Cyberspace" project from 1996 inspires a one week
experiment of living with fifth-generation browsers.
- Best OS X for Pismo, mixing RAM
speeds, LP to MP3, SpeedFan cools MacBook running Windows, and
more, Charles W Moore, Miscellaneous Ramblings, 10.30. Also
Lombard still rocks, Powerlogix WallStreet upgrade tip, old Macs
still perform admirably, a 64 GB flash drive, and RadTech's clever
BT600 mouse design.
- System 7 Today's Dan Palka on OS
X, Windows, and Linux, Tommy Thomas, Welcome to Macintosh,
10.27. Microsoft and Linux just don't get the user interface, but
OS X very nicely moves the classic Mac interface into modern
times.
- Apple's growing success,
2002-2006, Cortland, 10.27. By 2002, Apple was
on a solid footing. Since then, the iPod has become even more
popular, and now Mac market share is on the climb.
- MacBook Pro goes Core 2, 3M's
safer lithium battery, MagSafe airline adapter, laptop cleaner, and
more, The 'Book Review, 10.27. Also new 'Books cheaper than
Dell, mobile office for road warriors, fan and CPU control for
MacBooks, bargain 'Books from $215 to $2,199, and more.
- 12 GB flash drive, Power Mac G5
Dual disassembly, Smart Scroll X software, and more, Mac News
Review, 10.27. Also Viewsonic's iPod-ready displays, Logitech's
NuLooq Navigator, PCIe gigabit ethernet cards, and Blinkit for your
iPod.
- Firefox at 2.0: A very good
browser gets even better, Adam Robert Guha, Apple Archive,
10.26. Firefox 2.0 is faster, includes spell checking, and helps
you avoid phishing whether you use Windows, Linux, or a Mac.
- System 7 Today, advocates of
Apple's 'orphan' Mac OS 7.6.1, Tommy Thomas, Welcome to
Macintosh, 10.26. Why Mac OS 7.6.1 is far better for 68040 and
PowerPC Macs than System 7.5.x.
- The MacBook Pro Core 2 value
equation, Dan Knight, Mac Musings, 10.25. More power, more RAM,
bigger hard drives, faster SuperDrive means better value, but Apple
also has some excellent deals on refubished Core Duo models.
- Prep your classic Mac for a
spooktacular Halloween, Tommy Thomas, Welcome to Macintosh,
10.25. Five cool programs and lots of tips for giving your classic
Mac OS computer a Halloween theme.
- iPod birthday articles foster
DRM confusion, Nathan Thompson, Embracing Obsolescence, 10.24.
While complaining about the iPod's FairPlay restrictions, writers
seem content to ignore the digital restrictions imposed by
Microsoft and others.
- Reflections on the iPod revolution
on its 5th birthday, Charles W Moore, Miscellaneous Ramblings,
10.23. Those of us who missed the Walkman revolution never expected
the iPod to be the success it is, but it has helped create a new
Apple Computer.
- MacBook Plus: Adding
flexibility and easy upgrades to Apple's notebook line, Adam
Robert Guha, Apple Archive, 10.20. Apple's current 'Books have
limited expansion options. A MacBook with a device bay that
accepted a second battery could be a big success.
- Red 15" MacBook
Pro, notebook battery shortage, OLPC samples in November, two drive
'Books, and more, The 'Book Review, 10.20. Also MacBook Pro
reported to burn hands, 90% of laptops to have wide screens in
2008, some key combos don't work on 'Books, bargain 'Books from
$199 to $1,588, and more.
- Mac attack begins, Xserve Xeon
impresses, Apple tops in reliability, Core 2 Quad, and more, Mac
News Review, 10.20. Also Intel preparing to refresh desktop CPU
line, Mac Pro a "worthy successor" to G5, $38 Bluetooth adapter for
USB Macs, Danger Phone for VoIP, and more.
- Deodorizing a stinky old iBook
that smells like sweat, Hardy Menagh, Empowered, 10.19.
Different ways to mask and otherwise attack the problem if your G3
iBook suffers from Stinky Keyboard Syndrome.
- Apple's Extended Keyboard II:
Sequel to a legend, Tommy Thomas, Welcome to Macintosh, 10.19.
A look at Apple's slightly smaller Extended II keyboard with
slightly softer key action - but still built like a tank.
- RadTech BT600 rechargeable
Bluetooth mouse, Charles W Moore, Miscellaneous Ramblings, 10.17.
This cleverly designed Bluetooth mouse charges via USB - and can be
used as a USB mouse when the batteries run out of juice.
- Aviator laptop stand, the EVDO
superhighway, reducing MacBook Pro Heat, and more, The 'Book
Review, 10.16. Also list of battery recalls, notebook tips from
CPSC, Foxconn to build MacBooks, paintable canvas MacBook sleeve,
bargain 'Books from $199 to $1,400, and more.
- Driverless USB webcam,
ergonomic Mac keyboard, 2x Application Server for Windows on Macs,
and more, Mac News Review, 10.16. Also Intel's clear CPU road
map (but Apple's is still unclear), 24" iMac shames TV, world's
smallest color laser printer, mobile USB device charger, and
more.
- A stinky old iBook that smells
like sweat, Hardy Menagh, Empowered, 10.13. You just don't
expect an iBook to smell like strong perspiration, but this problem
seems to afflict a number of G3 iBooks.
- The legendary Apple Extended
Keyboard, Tommy Thomas, Welcome to Macintosh, 10.13. Introduced
in 1987, this extended keyboard was well designed and very solidly
built. It remains a favorite of long-time Mac users.
- Apple's climb back to
success, Cortland, 10.13. From a company with
a questionable future in 1997, Apple has become a model of success
with new computers, a new operating system, and the iPod.
- Apple, please bring back
flexible, easy to upgrade 'Books, Adam Robert Guha, Apple
Archive, 10.12. G3 PowerBooks had drive bays, PC Card slots, and
upgradable CPUs in addition to today's RAM and hard drive upgrade
options.
- 30 days of old school computing:
No real hardships, Ted Hodges, Vintage Mac Living, 10.11. These
old black-and-white Macs are just fine for messaging, word
processing, spreadsheets, scheduling, contact management, and
browsing the Web.
- Firefox and Safari continue
chipping away at Microsoft's dominance, Dan Knight, Mac
Musings, 10.11. The latest browser numbers are in, and both Firefox
and Safari are big winners. The big loser? Internet Explorer, of
course.
- Ubuntu on older Macs; Lombard,
Pismo, and WallStreet upgrade questions; installing clamshell RAM;
and more, Charles W Moore, Miscellaneous Ramblings, 10.09. Also
more on why some older Macs can't read modern CR-R discs and
Russell Beattie's 'underhanded' criticism of OS X.
- Better laptop performance:
What's the best upgrade?, Andrew J Fishkin, The Mobile Mac,
10.09. Memory, CPU, bus speed, and hard drives all impact
performance and battery life. Which upgrades will give you the most
up time in the field?
- 68KMLA on Microsoft, Mac OS X,
the Classic Mac OS, and Linux, Tommy Thomas, Welcome to
Macintosh, 10.06. Members of the 68k Mac Liberation Army share
their thoughts on Windows past and present, the classic Mac OS and
OS X, and Linux and the Open Source movement.
- Don't ignore battery recall,
fuel cells to replace lithion?, flash MacBooks, tablet Mac, and
more, The 'Book Review, 10.06. Also how laptops are replacing
pen and paper in the classroom, Core 2 no big deal for notebooks,
black MacBook Apple's best 'Book yet, bargain 'Books from $119 to
$2,399, and more.
- Use any networked computer as
an additional Mac display, fixing AirPort problems with OS X
10.4.8, and more, Mac News Review, 10.06. Also Logitech's new
Edge keyboard, a keyboard cover just for Pro Tools, MondoMouse
gives your mouse super powers, and Mac Pro power consumption.
- Tablet computing can improve
productivity, Andrew J Fishkin, The Mobile Mac, 10.05. By
letting you work where a laptop just doesn't make sense, a Tablet
PC can keep you productive when you might otherwise be unable to
work.
- Alternatives to eBay when buying
low-end Macs, Hardy Menagh, Empowered, 10.05. If you're looking
to save money on older Macs, Craigslist, university surplus, and
used Mac dealers can be great sources.
- Saving old Macs from retirement:
The 68k Macintosh Liberation Army, Tommy Thomas, Welcome to
Macintosh, 10.05. The goal of the 68KMLA is that no working Mac be
stuck in a closet or sent to the landfill. Instead, they work to
help keep vintage Macs running and productive.
- Getting things done: 12 task
management solutions for Mac users, Ed Eubanks Jr, The
Efficient Mac User, 10.04. From simple, lightweight To-Do managers
through full blown GTD systems, Mac users have plenty of options
for managing their tasks and projects.
- Apple's worst business
decisions: Another perspective, Dan Knight, Mac Musings, 10.03.
Apple's poor business decisions predate the Macintosh. Let's hope
they learn from their mistakes.
- eBay no longer your best source
for low-end Macs, Hardy Menagh, Empowered, 10.03. When buying
used Macs below the US$300 mark, eBay has become a seller's market,
so buyers may find the best bargains elsewhere.
- Getting things done: 9 online
task management solutions, Ed Eubanks Jr, The Efficient Mac
User, 10.03. Kinkless GTD wasn't exactly kinkless, so it was time
to research other Getting Things Done (GTD) solutions. Here are
nine that work online.
- Good-bye Woz and Jobs: How the
first Apple era ended in 1985, Tom Hormby, Orchard, 10.02. Less
than 10 years after creating Apple Computer and launching the
personal computing revolution, both Steves had left the company
they founded.
- Lombard, the 'middle child'
PowerBook G3: Good enough for OS X?, Charles W Moore,
Miscellaneous Ramblings, 10.02. The PowerBook G3 (Bronze Keyboard)
was slimmer, lighter, and less expandable than the WallStreets it
replaced. It added USB, gave up ADB, and retained SCSI.
- Facebook and the social
networking controversy, Adam Robert Guha, Apple Archive, 10.02.
Facebook discovered how quickly it could alienate its users - and
how quickly they could address the problem they created. But will
members continue to trust Facebook?
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