Dueling PowerBook G3 CPU Upgrades
From Andrew Main
Go to Accelerate Your Mac
http://forums.xlr8yourmac.com/cpureview.lasso
In "Step 1: Select a Mac Model Category:" select "PowerBook G3
2000 Rage 128 Mobility" and click "Search" for a large collection of
user reports on Pismo upgrades.
- Thanks, Andrew.
Charles
Dealing with Dead Pixels in TFT Displays
From A. S. Eyles
Dear Charles,
I found your article on dead
pixels very useful and am writing to inform you of the new
address from which LCDtest is available.
http://www.ekimsw.com/lcdtest/
Please update your article if possible...
Thank you
Abdullah Eyles
Ankara, Turkey
- Thanks Mr. Eyles,
I've forwarded your note to Dan Knight, who is in charge of
website corrections.
Charles
Re: 'Book Price Comparison?
From Peter da Silva
"Not as cost-effective perhaps (provided the PC alternative holds
up durability-wise - Apple still leads the pack in that department
according to PC Mag's latest survey)"
My own experience over the past 20 years as the system and network
administrator is that the high-volume name brands tend to be junk
(though I still have some Compaq 386 boxes in service as routers,
running FreeBSD), but I've found that well made "white box" PCs are
cheaper and more durable and quite in line with the Macs I've
restored and reconditioned.
Meanwhile, the recurring quality issues in PowerBooks have been
another reason I've wanted to hang on to my ThinkPad.
On average, I suspect Macs are better than most name-brand PCs,
but they're not that outstanding.
"but cost is not the only factor."
Of course not. It's not even the main factor - Mac OS X is. The
OS has always been the reason you buy a Mac rather than a PC: Apple
is a software company that makes their income out of hardware sales,
like Network Appliance or Cisco.
But we're not talking about people running Mac OS X. If you're not
running OS X, then the cost of the hardware you get is really
the only issue. And even if you give Macs points for quality, they
rarely make sense as Linux boxes.
Nothing else is an Apple 'Book, even to run Linux on,
Almost. Yes, nothing else has a single-button trackpad to make
using Xterm a chore, but there are Intel based machines with as
mediocre keyboards, and I'm sure there must be at least one
that has such serious heating problems if you run them closed.
although I agree with David Coursey that OS X is the sensible
"desktop Linux."
OS X is not Linux. OS X and Linux are both Unix.
- Hi Peter,
We may not be too far apart, but I expect we'll have to agree to
disagree somewhat. I put "desktop Linux" in quotes. I'm aware of
the distinction. However, OS X's Unix side does beg the
question of "why desktop Linux?".
Charles
The DVD-ROM M7931 Blues
From J. Helms
Hi Charles and PEA,
As I mentioned about a week ago I have just installed a FastMac
combo drive in my Pismo. While I am very happy with the service I
received from FastMac I would recommend that you search froogle.com
or similar service for the bare drive (Matshita CW-8123). I have seen
them for as little as US$80 + S&H.
I should note that FastMac bundles several software titles (iLife
v.1.0, Jaguar, etc.) with their drive, but none of them were useful
to me so the bare drive would have been acceptable and cheaper.
Alternatively, I now have my original OEM DVD-ROM drive (bare... no
sled) that I would be willing to sell at a reasonable price so that
you don't have to go through the agony of an eBay auction. If you are
interested in the drive just ask Mr. Moore for my email address. IMHO
the OEM drive looks better than the combo, but I love burning CDs
from my Pismo too much to go back.
Good Luck,
John
Rolleiflex TLRs and Digital
From
Darryl
Hi,
I read your article on Rolleiflex cameras and was wondering a few
things. I own a 1954 MX-EVS type 2 TLR which I absolutely love. I am
still not convinced with digital cameras, as the technology is still
improving as we speak, and by the time you buy a camera something
will surpass it.
My issues are mainly not having control of depth of field and high
quality lenses like that on a standard TLR or SLR. The digital SLT's
are still quite expensive and bulky. I wish someone made a digital
back for a TLR - that would be worth investing in. I still love the
quality of medium format though... I own 2 Rolleinars for close up
work, but there isn't a zoom equivalent for their TLT unless you own
the Telerollei. I still love all its eccentricities as a camera and
the fact that it isn't perfect (parallax error anyone?).
Have you had any experience with the minidigi digital TLR that
appears to be only sold in Japan? It seems quite expensive for a 2
megapixel camera (even a very stylish one).
Cheers,
Darryl
- Hi Darryl,
Being a twin lens reflex junkie, I am tickled to hear that a
digital TLR actually exists, but I have no experience or prior
knowledge of it.
I agree with your observations. I have a 3.1 megapixel digital,
and digital photography is seductive, but the quality at that
level is not nearly up to my 35MM rig and falls miles short of
what my TLR Rolleicord can do.
A digital back for the Rollei would be sublime.
Charles
Re: Rolleiflex TLRs and digital
From
Darryl
Hi Charles,
Thanks for the reply. I am investigating the Rollei Magnar at the
moment - the 4x zoom lens produced before the war. I hope it fits my
TLR, at around £300 (in a store) it's pretty expensive but
cheaper than buying a Rollei Tele or the Mutar (which I have heard
isn't that great). The lens looks pretty big, but I'm going to go try
it out. It's a shame about medium format focal lengths being so much
larger compared to 35mm, but that's part of the package I guess.
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=3353&item=3839689699
The mini digital TLR can be found here:
http://www.rollei.jp/e/pd/MiniD.html
The digital backs for the SLR Hasselblads and Rolleis look pretty
bulky, and I'd hate to lug one around with me. I guess they're made
for studio use. Do you know anywhere else in the UK to check out
Rollei accessories besides the main photo stores (the prices are
usually quite high)?
Cheers,
Darryl
- Hi Darryl,
Wow; that Rollei Magnar telephoto is interesting. I had no idea
they existed. I had a Yashica telephoto adapter the fit the filter
bayonet of my Rolleicord Vb's Xenar 75mm lens, but the image
quality was disappointing, so I sold it. A Yashica wide angle
adapter that I have is not too bad though.
Thanks for the mini digital link. It's very cool, although not
really a serious camera with only 2 megapixel support. Too bad.
The virtues of the TLR would really harmonize well with digital
photography.
My knowledge of the photo accessory market in England is virtually
nonexistent,
Charles
"The Message" Translation
From Pastor Bob Chell
I am looking for a software program that has "The Message" Bible
translation for the Mac.
It need not be fancy, I will use it to look up texts.
Any guidance you can give me is appreciated.
Pax,
Pastor Bob Chell
- Hi Pastor Bob,
I don't know of any Mac software program that includes "The
Message" translation (although that doesn't mean there isn't
one).
However, the entire text can be accessed online here:
http://www.biblegateway.com/bible?language=english&version=MSG&passage=all
God Bless,
Charles
Re: "The Message"
From Pastor Bob Chell
Thanks for the great link! Just what I was looking for.
I appreciate your help, have a great weekend.
Pax,
Bob Chell
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