Miscellaneous Ramblings

Miscellaneous Ramblings, 2003 Archive

• Replacing or upgrading a Performa 5320 and connecting an SGI monitor to a Mac, 2003.12.17. Thoughts on upgrading or replacing a Performa 5320, and how to connect a fixed sync SGI display to a Mac.
• Panther on a WallStreet, working inside PowerBooks, USB mouse problems, and more, 2003.12.15. WallStreet advice, value of an upgraded PB 1400, mouse and CD-ROM problems in an iMac, G5 whining, and OS X utilities.
• Another WallStreet tale, free WordPerfect for Mac, dictation software, and more, 2003.12.08. Where to get Wacom tablets, a PowerBook petition, wireless networking, replacing a Performa, and more.
• Pfinder: A Panther-like Finder for legacy Macs, 2003.12.01. Utility for OS 9 and pre-Panther versions of OS X gives Mac users many features of the Panther Finder.
• WallStreet tales, which version of OS 9, another OS X system utility, online petitions, and more, 2003.11.18. More reflections on the WallStreet PowerBook, differences among OS 9 versions, one more OS X utility, Apple Catholic, and two petitions.
• 7 Mac OS X system utilities compared, 2003.11.10. So many free and shareware OS X system utilities - which ones should you try on your Mac?
• Dying FireWire cables, G3/900 vs. G4/533, and low-end cross-platform wireless, 2003.11.06. FireWire cables can wear out, when a slow G4 beats a fast G3 and vice versa, and low-cost wireless networking for Macs and Windows PCs.
• Transferring AppleCare, low cost Pismo G4 upgrade, benefits of G4 on OS X, and memory for NuBus Macs, 2003.10.27. How to transfer AppleCare when buying or selling a used Mac, FastMac upgrades, wireless problems on a TiBook, and RAM for pre-PCI Macs.
• Dueling PowerBook G3 CPU upgrades: Which is better for you, a G4 or a fast G3?, 2003.10.20. Which is the better WallStreet or Pismo upgrade, a faster G3 or a 500-550 MHz G4?
• iBook failures, replacement batteries, USB troubles, Location Manager for OS X, and more, 2003.10.13. Also comments on Hughes Network Systems, questions about VTBook video and wireless on a 6400, and some old stuff that needs to be updated.
• Quest for a replacement PowerBook battery, 2003.10.06. A dead Pismo battery leads to a search for the best value in a replacment PowerBook battery.
• iBook logic board failure, free Internet service, USB for older Power Macs, and more, 2003.09.29. Also gigabyte RAM upgrades for the Aluminum PowerBook, problem with Sony 'combo' drive, Mac Plus value, and recycling older Macs.
• 11 free and low cost alternatives to .mac for email, 2003.09.22. If all you need is email - whether POP3 or webmail - there's no need to spend $100 on .mac.
• OS X restart tip, 1 GB modules for AlBook, DiskWarror vs. Sleep of Death, Mac Plus value, and more, 2003.09.15. Also problems with FireMail, a SuperMac S900, and OS 9; the Mac OS as the key to the Mac; and an odd cable.
• My Mac Plus revisited, 2003.09.08. "In the process of rooting around, I came upon my old Mac Plus, packed away in its original box."
• Gobi, Mojave, and the future of the G3, 2003.09.03. How the PowerPC 750 (G3) processor will evolve past the 1 GHz mark while also improving efficiency.
• The next G3, Emailer vs. spam, Mac OS 9 stability tips, USB voodoo, and more, 2003.08.25. Also Mac vs. Windows changes, Power Mac 7500 advice, an odd cable, and more on the Sleep of Death.
• Best version of OS 9, PowerBook pricing, Power Mac problems, Mac market share, and more, 2003.08.18. Also PB 1400 CD problems, source for free WordPerfect 3.5e, and email and Unix for vintage Macs.
• iCab 2.9.5: Tabbed browsing comes to legacy Macs, 2003.08.11. Latest version of iCab still supports 68K and early Power Macs, adds tabbed browsing, remains small and fast.
• OS upgrade problems, Better Trackpad, GPS for OS X, fighting spam, and more, 2003.08.04. Also PB 1400 CD problems, iBook benchmark comparisons, lack of Mac viruses, and shipping via USPS.
• Laptop Laidback computer stand, 2003.07.28. When you don't have a desk or table to work at, the Laptop Laidback could be your perfect solution.
• Three spam management tools, 2003.07.21. Three programs for the Mac to help you fight the growing spam onslaught.
• External Mac modems, PB G4 speculation, UPS vs. FedEx, virus software, thoughts on the G5, and more, 2003.07.15. Also more on mounting troublesome SCSI drives, flexible USB ports, and processor temperature sensors.
• Review: Macally iceKey slim USB keyboard, 2003.07.07. This inexpensive, white keyboard has short key travel and light keyboard action.
• G5 'Books possible, G3 vs. G4, hosed by UPS feedback, WallStreet troubleshooting, and more, 2003.06.30. Also more MacMail problems, unmountable drives, lower cost G4 hinges, OS 9 problem solving, WallStreet backlight solutions, and beige G3 ROM issues.
• Hosed by UPS - again, 2003.06.23. UPS brokerage fees on US shipments to Canada are "outrageous, excessive, and highway robbery."
• Beige G3 upgrade problems, unsupported OS 9.2, crashing 8600, boot floppies, and more, 2003.06.16. Also APM tuner, Mac PCI modems, WallStreet Sleep of Death, setting the MTU value, XPostFacto, widescreen wallpaper, and problems with MacMail.
• Free POP3 email services, 2003.06.09. Eleven no cost POP3 email services - plus two low cost ones.
• WannaBe 1.0b14, a fast, low-end web browser for almost any Mac, 2003.06.02. As long as your Mac supports Color QuickDraw, you can run this free, small footprint, text-only Web browser.
• Mac OS 9.1 vs. 9.2, PCI modem for Macs, rebuilding the desktop, and more on OS X and beige G3s, 2003.05.27. Best OS for Kanga or 9600, deals on USR PCI Mac modem, lots more tips and thoughts on OS X on beige G3s, and the benefits of rebuilding the desktop in the classic Mac OS.
• Upgraded beige G3 problems, more on OS X on the beige G3, OS 9.2 on pre-G3 Macs, and more, 2003.05.19. Also PB hard drive replacement, a 'fragile' Power Mac, Redux, boot floppy for a SuperMac, USB with OS 8.1, and a PCI modem that works in Macs.
• Quiet computing, unable to install OS 9.2 or X, Pismo sound problems, hard drive issues, and more, 2003.05.12. Also questions about PCI ADB cards, virtual private networks, StarMax modems, and Redux backup software.
• Mac OS 9 compatibility, upgrades, and resources, 2003.05.05. Which Macs can still boot into the classic Mac OS, where to buy OS 9, and how to obtain the available OS updates.
• One user's Mac journey, FireWire issues, PowerBook problems, PC Cards, and more, 2003.04.28. Also ethernet problems, StarMax power supply, OpenOffice, and other thoughts.
• More on the dangers of hot swapping FireWire devices, 2003.04.21. Hot swapping FireWire devices can not only damage your Mac's FireWire ports but also ruin your FireWire hardware.
• PowerBook 1400, CD-ROM drivers, ADB vs. USB, free email, and a WallStreet question, 2003.04.14. Readers weigh in or ask questions about PB 1400, CD-ROM drivers, ADB vs. USB performance, connecting to free POP3 email, burning CDs from a WallStreet, and iBook goes to war.
• Latest developments in free POP3 email, 2003.04.07. Two free mail services fold, two more launched, and seven other free POP3 email services.
• Quill gripless ergonomic mouse, 2003.03.31. Uniquely designed mouse reorients hand, greatly reduces stress on wrist and fingers.
• Griffin iMate lets you use ADB pevices with USB ports, 2003.03.24. Griffin's compact, low-cost iMate lets you use most ADB mice, keyboards, and other peripherals with modern USB-equipped Macs.
• PowerBook 1400 upgrades, expansion bay combo drives, death of a free email provider, and more, 2003.03.19. G3 and other upgrades for a PB 1400, two expansion bay combo drives, demise of subDimension, and an iBook drive upgrade tutorial.
• 9 free POP3 email services and 2 low cost ones, 2003.03.10. Nine no cost email sources that work with your email software - and two low-cost alternatives.
• Pismo G4 upgrade report, PB 1400 G3 upgrade question, FireWire hot swap concerns, and 'Book repair, 2003.03.05. Field report on the NuPower G4 Pismo upgrade, advice on upgrading a PB 1400, dangers of hot swapping during startup, and a couple questions about PowerBook repair.
• Recovering from the FireWire hot swap fiasco, 2003.02.27. It took a little while, but everything is working as it should again. Also, deals on FireWire cards for desktops and PowerBooks.
• FireWire: Hot swapping isn't always a good idea, 2003.02.24. "Unlike cranky old SCSI, you are supposed to be able to plug in or unplug FireWire devices to your heart's content with your Mac powered up - or not?"
• Keyboard and mouse advice, MS Word and signatures, OS X Bible software, USB hub problem, and more, 2003.02.17. Also PowerBook 1400 trouble, System 6 on an '040, difficulties with zapo.net, and words of thanks.
• Review: Wacom Graphire2 graphics tablet, 2003.02.10. A pressure sensitive graphics tablet plus wireless mouse and software for $99.
• PhotoWorks, OS X Bible software, AppleWorks and résumés, System 6 on a G3, and more, 2003.02.03. Also USB modem problems, oldest version of Excel for OS 9, and one drawback of the CoolMac keyboard.
• PhotoWorks: A low end digital image solution for 35mm users, 2003.01.27. Mail order photofinishing service now offers prints, slides, and digital files from your 35mm color print film.
• No USB 2 for iBooks, StarMax questions, System 6 on a G3, PCs faster than Macs, and more, 2003.01.20. Also sources for WordPerfect for Mac, saving Web pages as plain text in OS X, changes with GMX free email, AppleWorks/MS Word compatibility, and more.
• Review: Keyspan 4-Port USB 2.0 Hub, 2003.01.13. How and why you might want to add USB 2.0 support to your G3 or G4 PowerBook or Power Mac.
• WordPerfect advice, AirPort via USB, browser feedback, the TextEdit service in OS X, and more, 2003.01.06. Also more on PC cards, CD-RW in iBooks and Pismos, recycling old computers, and Bible software for the Mac.
• more in the Miscellaneous Ramblings archives: 1999-2000, 2001, 2002, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010