2000 | Issue Archive | Search TidBITS | TidBITS Home Page
Going to Macworld Expo 2001 in San Francisco? Read on for information about must-attend parties, events, and other gatherings. Also this week, Matt Neuburg weighs in with a review of MacSpeech's iListen dictation software, we look at the new Norton SystemWorks and Norton Internet Security bundles from Symantec, and we cover Newer Technology closing up shop and the releases of Interarchy 4.0, BBEdit 6.0.2, ListSTAR 2.1, and Default Folder 3.0.9.
Macworld Expo is upon us, so we'll be slogging through the crowds this week to gawk at the latest from Apple and others. In the meantime, we have money and music on our minds. First, Adam explores the PayPal person-to-person payment service and laments its lack of utility for micropayments. Then Travis Butler sings the praises (and some blues) about the Nomad Jukebox MP3 player. Also, Palmtop Publishing has posted a Macworld show guide for Palm handhelds.
Macworld Expo dominates this issue, with Adam's analysis of Apple's vision for the Mac as a hub for the "digital lifestyle," and its new media software, iTunes and iDVD. Jeff Carlson then looks at the star of the Expo, the fast and sleek PowerBook G4 Titanium. We also round up details of Apple's forthcoming Mac OS X 1.0, note the release of Mac OS 9.1, apologize for our mailing list server dying last week, and welcome our latest sponsor, Bare Bones Software.
Macworld Expo coverage continues in force this week, with Jeff Carlson's look at the new Power Mac G4s and three short articles about trends we noticed. Plus, reader Jim Carr encourages California users participating in SETI@home to sit it out for a while. In the news, we look at Apple's first quarter financial results, report on your opinions of Apple's digital lifestyle thrust, and note the passing of Hewlett-Packard co-founder William Hewlett.
We're finally catching up on sleep we lost at Macworld Expo, and now we're looking at trends and notable products that will make this year interesting. Along with the explosion in wireless networking, Adam samples photo-cataloging software, Jeff Carlson gets the Palm market in hand, and the rest of the TidBITS staff weighs in with our traditional list of superlatives. In this week's news, Proxim reunites separated siblings Netopia and Farallon.
Wondering if the Internet is a positive or negative influence on little kids? Child development specialist Dr. John Laurence Miller weighs in on that topic this week, and Jeff Carlson passes on his good experience having new business cards printed by an online company. In the news, Apple offers discounts on Mac OS X and starts shipping the PowerBook G4 Titanium on schedule, plus Chuck Shotton resurrects his venerable MacHTTP Macintosh Web server.
Computers breed dens of snaking cables, especially when you're networking them together. But before you drill holes to expand your network, read this week's feature article for a look at the wireless world made possible by Apple's AirPort. Adam also looks at how retailers have sacrificed inexpensive overnight shipping to the altar of profitability. In the news, we note REALbasic 3.0, look at Napster's recent legal blow, and welcome a new sponsor.
The Mac interface has been lauded for its accessibility - unless you're disabled, in which case Macs can be completely inaccessible. Joe Clark examines the sad state of adaptive technology for the Macintosh. Also this week, Jeff Carlson shoehorns a second hard drive into his PowerBook; and we cover PowerMail 3.0.8, Conflict Catcher 8.0.8, Storyspace 2, and Google buying the Deja.com Usenet archive, plus, we ask how you want to receive TidBITS.
So how do you back up those gargantuan hard disks that are standard in today's Macs? Read on this week for Adam's detailed look at an attractive new backup device, Ecrix's VXA-1 tape drive. Joe Clark's second installment on accessibility for the disabled concentrates on the products that are available for the Mac. And in the news this week, Apple tweaks the iMac and G4 Cube, releases iTunes 1.1, and quietly consigns iReview to the Trash.
Ever tried to work on a document with someone else via the Internet? It's often more difficult than it seemingly should be, so this week Adam starts a series of articles looking at how TidBITS does it and how you too can build successful document collaboration systems for different situations. Also this week, Louise Bremner returns to TidBITS with another report from Macworld Expo Tokyo, and we note the passing of a long-time Macintosh favorite, MacWEEK.
Adam writes more about document collaboration this week, with case studies and specific recommendations for your next collaboration task. Joe Clark also joins us again to discuss problems with Web accessibility for the disabled. In the news, we pass on a "upgrade" program for PowerBook 190s and 5300s, note the releases of the Handspring Visor Edge, Photoshop 6.0.1 and AirPort 1.3 (with PPPoE support!), look at Napster's reaction to the new injunction, and announce a new sponsor.
True online document collaboration gets its turn in this final part of Adam's series about electronic document collaboration, so read on to learn how to review or edit shared documents via free Web services. Joe Clark also finishes off his four-part accessibility series this week with a look at accessibility problems and solutions related to multimedia. In the news, we cover updates to Default Folder 3.1 and Web Confidential 2.2.1.
Mac OS X is out - when should you make the jump? Adam offers specific advice to different types of users to answer that question. Jack-Daniyel Strong joins us with a comparison of two U.S. federal tax preparation programs: TaxCut and TurboTax. In the news, OnStream files for bankruptcy, Proxim and Netopia terminate their merger, and we cover the releases of StuffIt Deluxe 6.0.1 and ConceptDraw 1.59, plus Palm's announcement of the slim m505 color handheld.
Been waiting to install Mac OS X? Be sure to read Rita Lewis's detailed article on installing Mac OS X first for essential advice. Also this week, Adam looks at using inexpensive FireWire hard disks for backup. In the news, Microsoft releases Office 2001 for Mac Service Release 1, Outpost.com's shipping charges increase, and we encourage caution with Apple's recent firmware updates. Please note we're suffering a partial network outage!
Hate the wait to ask a simple medical question of your doctor in this age of Internet email? This week, Dr. Ron Risley looks at the implications of online medical correspondence from doctors' and patients' viewpoints. We also sort out the facts about Apple's recent firmware upgrades and shift our focus away from Mac OS X with a review of The Mac OS 9 Bible. In the news, check out the releases of Netscape Communicator 4.77 and Toast 5 Titanium.
Eleven years - has it really been that long since we started TidBITS? Adam looks back at what's changed and what's remained the same in the Macintosh industry. Dr. Ron Risley concludes his article on communicating with your doctor via email with thoughts about minimizing the risks of using electronic communications. We also cover the important releases of Mac OS X 10.0.1 and the public beta of Retrospect Client for Mac OS X.
Security holes in Mac OS X? That's right, and the first installment of our new column on Mac OS X explains how to shut them, along with looking at Mac OS X releases of Timbuktu Pro and ConceptDraw, a limitation of Mac OS X's FTP server, and a clever utility that puts a graphical interface on the Unix command line. We also look at Apple's extremely positive quarterly financial results and cover new releases of Eudora 5.1, BBEdit 6.1, and Acrobat 5.0.
Thinking about a wireless AirPort network? You might do better than using Apple's AirPort Base Station these days - read on for Glenn Fleishman's look at competing 802.11 access points. TenBITS offers news about Mac OS X software releases, plus warnings about damage that can be done by Apple's installer. In the news, we cover problems with some Power Mac G4 hard drives, Outpost.com shipping changes, and BBEdit 6.1.1, QuickTime 5.0.1, and Palm Desktop 2.6.3.
Lusting after Apple's new iBooks? Join the crowd, but then read through Matt Deatherage's in-depth look at the new machines to make sure it's precisely what you want. We also continue to distill the most important news about Mac OS X, including a look at the recently released Mac OS X 10.0.2, a sudo security concern, and a few noteworthy Mac OS X-compatible software releases. In the news, we're pleased to note the release of an old friend - Fetch 4.0.
This week we examine two fixtures in the technology landscape: modems and databases. Kevin Savetz contributes a look at V.92, the next modem standard for those who can't get broadband connections, and Jonathan Rentzsch starts a look at relational databases for Mac OS X by explaining what a relational database actually is. In the news, Apple releases Mac OS X 10.0.3, Casady & Greene discontinues SoundJam, Macromedia ships FreeHand 10, and we note the passing of author Douglas Adams.
One benefit of Mac OS X's Unix underpinnings is the capability to run industrial-strength relational databases, and Jonathan Rentzsch examines some database products which may take Mac OS X into the fast lane. Also, Matt Neuburg reviews Copernican Technologies' Boswell text snippet archiver. In the news, Apple starts installing Mac OS X on new machines and we note Apple's first retail stores, the return of OnStream tape drives, and updates to Mac OS X Server, FileMaker Pro 5.5 and BBEdit 6.1.2.
The Web may be based upon hypertext, but this week Matt Neuburg reviews the rejuvenation of Eastgate's Storyspace, a hypertext authoring tool that predates the Web. This issue also brings a shift in the TidBITS universe - the Engsts are moving back to Ithaca, NY. Also, we note PC Connection purchasing Outpost.com, the releases of Frontier 7, Now Up-To-Date & Contact 4.0, and BBEdit Lite 6.1, plus Internet Explorer 5.1.1 and OmniWeb 4.0 for Mac OS X.
Just when you think Apple has cornered the market on cool (with the PowerBook G4 Titanium), they up the ante by releasing the tiny iBook (Dual USB). Which would you choose? In local news, the Washington State Supreme Court upholds the state's anti-spam law, which reminds us: what ever happened to TidBITS's spam suit? Also, we pass on news of an AppleScript worm, a Microsoft Word macro security fix, and a Handspring rebate, plus we welcome Sustainable Softworks as a new TidBITS sponsor.
So what the heck is WebObjects and where did it come from? Read on for the first installment of Jonathan Rentzsch's two-part article explaining just what WebObjects is, where it came from, and how it compares to other ways of creating Web applications. Also this week, Adam gets grumpy about a report about "severe market dominance" on the Internet, and we cover the releases of IPNetSentry 1.1.1, Rewind 1.2, BBEdit Lite 6.1.1 and icWord 1.2.
It's MacHack time again, and Adam reports from Dearborn about Mac OS X's acceptance at the annual developer gathering. Read on to find out which hacks took home the top honors at the MacHax Group's Hack Contest, and then tune in for the second part of Jonathan Rentzsch's look at WebObjects, Apple's industrial strength Web application development kit. In the news, Mac OS X 10.0.4 solves a number of problems, and Extensis releases Suitcase 10.
The Handspring Visor sets itself apart amongst Palm OS organizers for its Springboard slot, an expansion port that accommodates modules such as MP3 music players and even a cellular phone. Jeff Carlson looks at a handful for the handheld in this issue. Also, Microsoft is handed a victory in its antitrust case, Adam relates some offbeat bits about MacHack 2001, and we note the passing of Usenet founder Jim Ellis.
It's time to start planning for next week's Macworld Expo in New York! In this issue, Adam spotlights sources of party and event information, and then uses XNS to update his contact information. Also, Mark Anbinder reviews the RTMac package for speeding Final Cut Pro video editing, Jeff Carlson examines more Visor Springboard modules, and we note Apple's recall of PowerBook G3 AC adapters and the demise of both the G4 Cube and Internet grocer Webvan.
Survival is on our mind this week, as Geoff Duncan relates how his broadband provider abruptly went dark, and how you can live through a similar event in today's world of uncertain ISPs. Plus, Adam looks at why online grocer Webvan failed to spot its own rotted fruit before ceasing operations. In the news, we note the releases of Panorama 4.0 and Mailsmith 1.1.7, and celebrate Adam's third place rank in the 2001 MDJ Power 25.
For the millions of Mac users who missed Macworld Expo in New York City last week, read on for a look at the new iMacs and Power Mac G4s that Apple introduced at the show, along with details on Steve Jobs's keynote and the overall tenor of this surprisingly positive show. In the news, we cover Apple's $61 million Q3 profit and put out the call for new Japanese translators for TidBITS. Finally, we welcome our newest sponsor, easyDNS!
Wondering what the future holds for Mac OS X? Jeff Carlson examines Mac OS X 10.1 as shown during the Macworld Expo keynote. Adam and Mark Anbinder continue the Macworld Expo coverage with looks at the most interesting products at the show, and we report on Mac OS 9.2's quiet appearance. Finally, Jamie McCarthy editorializes about SirCam, the Windows email worm that can annoy even Mac users by bombarding them with futile infection attempts.
Wondering if Microsoft will get behind Mac OS X? Previews of Microsoft Office 10 indicate that Microsoft is going all out on supporting Apple's new operating system. Looking inward, Adam passes on the tallied answers to the questions we ask of people subscribing to and unsubscribing from TidBITS, and in the news, we cover the shutdown of Metricom's wireless Ricochet network and the releases of Conflict Catcher 8.0.9 and Spring Cleaning 4.0.
Want to carry your MP3 collection with you? Travis Butler compares the Archos Jukebox with the previously reviewed Nomad Jukebox. Security is on Glenn Fleishman's mind now that the WEP privacy protocol used by Apple's AirPort and other 802.11b wireless networking devices has been shown to be easily broken. In the news, Microsoft appeals the monopoly ruling to the Supreme Court, Apple discontinues KidSafe, and Maxum releases PageSentry 4.0.
Tired of dealing with a plethora of phone numbers? Read to see how Adam and Tonya have rethought personal voice communications in Ithaca; perhaps you can simplify your telephone life. For those searching for the perfect place to store snippets of text, Matt Neuburg looks at three programs readers have recommended. In the news, Palm buys Be, the SpamCon Foundation launches, and we note the releases of Netscape 6.1 and Interarchy 5.0.
Want to reestablish control of your TV? Try a TiVo personal video recorder, reviewed by Andrew Laurence. In other TV news, Apple receives an Emmy for FireWire, and the MoMA picks up a G4 Cube. Notable releases include Mac OS 9.2.1, Now Up-to-Date & Contact 4.0.3, REALbasic 3.5, IPNetRouter 1.6.1, Nisus Writer 6.0.2, Mailsmith 1.1.8, and Quicken 2002 Deluxe. Finally, Ecrix and Exabyte merge, and early birds can get free tickets to Macworld Expo SF 2002.
Tired of tailoring your life to the TV? Read Andrew Laurence's account of how a TiVo personal video recorder frees you from the tyranny of the TV schedule. With Mac OS X 10.1 coming soon, we look at a number of Mac OS X utilities that improve your user experience. In the news, Intego offers free copies of ContentBarrier to orphaned KidSafe users, and Outpost.com's acquisition by PC Connection fails, only to be replaced with an offer by Fry's Electronics.
Moving to a new house? Forget about where to put the sofa... get that Internet connection set up! In this issue, Adam learns through trial and error how to set up an unusual wireless network configuration. Also, Matt Neuburg organizes his hard disk with the help of DiskSurveyor, Microsoft avoids a breakup in its antitrust trial, and we note the releases of Sync Buddy 1.3, IPNetSentry 1.2 Style Master 2.0, and Retrospect drivers for use with internal CD-RW drives.
Our thoughts remain with those affected by last week's terrorist attacks. Adam writes briefly about the events and Mac companies who are helping out. Elsewhere, Geoff Bronner tests wireless Ethernet on a Palm handheld, and Adam examines how iRemember provides a travelogue of your Web browsing. In the news, Apple cancels Apple Expo Paris, Handspring ships new Visors, and CS Odessa releases ConceptDraw Professional.
Apple loves showing fast CPUs helping Macs win Photoshop duels against PCs. But you'll gain more speed from using Photoshop effectively, aided by this week's collection of tips from Iain Anderson. Also in this issue, Jeff Carlson squints at the Palm m505 handheld, DriveSavers aids victims of the 11-Sep-01 tragedy, and the Interface Mafia comes to town. Important releases include Interarchy 5.0.1, Rumpus 2.0, StuffIt Deluxe 6.5, and the Palm m125 organizer.
Mac OS X 10.1 dominates our issue this week, as Adam looks first at the myriad details surrounding acquiring the upgrade, then focuses on the significant improvements that Apple made, and finally offers some guidance to help you decide when to upgrade. In the news, Microsoft releases a free Word X Test Drive, Apple ships a new entry-level iMac for $800, and Apple postpones the QuickTime Live conference until February of 2002. Next week: our 600th issue!
Mac OS X 10.1's improvements make a world of difference in usability, and this week we look at a slew of changes that give Mac OS X 10.1 a far more rich and polished feel than previous versions. Also this week, we roll out new Web and mailing list services in honor of our 600th issue. In the news, Microsoft releases a patch for PowerPoint and Excel (both 98 and 2001) to block potentially malicious macros from running without warning.
Mac OS X 10.1 is a success, but it's not an unqualified success, and this week Matt Neuburg looks at one area where 10.1's interface is both inconsistent and incomprehensible: Open and Save dialogs. For network geeks, Adam marvels at the PacketShaper, a network device that monitors and improves the performance of Internet connections. In the news, 4D ships WebSTAR V, Macworld returns to IDG, and Handspring announces the hybrid cell phone/PDA Treo Communicator.
Apple kicked off last week with faster and more flexible iBooks and PowerBook G4s before announcing a $66 million profit for the last fiscal quarter of 2001. Also in this issue, Adam investigates a few security concerns in Mac OS X 10.1, Matt Neuburg looks at the rebirth of CE Software's venerable QuicKeys under Mac OS X, Dan Kohn examines the future of digital content in a peer-to-peer world, and we note the release of BBEdit 6.5.
After days of speculation about Apple's new non-Mac device, the mystery was resolved as the iPod, a beautifully small MP3 audio player that sets a new standard in its field. Jeff Carlson contributes a hands-on review, and looks at the one thing that may prevent the iPod from being the hit it deserves to be. Also in this issue, Dan Kohn looks at why encryption won't protect online revenue streams, and we note the release of Windows XP and IPNetSentry 1.3.
Internet grocers may be fighting an uphill battle, but for Alex Hoffman, Netflix proves that an Internet business can best the near-ubiquitous video store. Derek Miller joins us to compare two Palm word processors, WordSmith and Word To Go. Mac OS X-only releases continue apace, with iDVD 2, Snapz Pro X 1.0.1, and Timbuktu Pro 6.0.1. Other important releases include iTunes 2, Netscape 6.2, and GraphicConverter 4.1, which support both operating systems.
What would you like Apple to learn from last week's iTunes installer debacle? Adam looks at some take-home lessons for Apple and passes along some advice for the rest of us. Dan Kohn's series of essays on the future of content in a digital world continues with a look at ways of financing pure public goods. And in the news, we cover updates to Microsoft Outlook Express 5.0.3, Adobe Illustrator 10, ConceptDraw 1.71, DAVE 3.1, and IPNetRouter 1.6.2.
Want a lighting-fast database that Contributing Editor Matt Neuburg says is the best general database he's ever used? Check out his detailed review of ProVue Development's Panorama 4.0. Mark Anbinder chimes in with a look at Apple's AirPort 2.0, which boasts better security and unique compatibility with AOL. In the news we look at releases of Mac OS X 10.1.1, Microsoft Office X, Now Up-to-Date & Contact 4.1, and Suitcase 10.1. Plus, no issue next week!
Remember Brer Rabbit? Microsoft has clearly been reading the Uncle Remus stories, to judge from the proposed settlement in the private class-action lawsuits against the company. Also, Joe Clark returns with an update on accessibility issues - some good news, some bad, and some statistics on the number of disabled computer users. We also report on StuffIt 6.5.1, how TidBITS fared in the Best of the Mac Web survey and call for gift ideas.
Save money and shop smarter this holiday season with Adam's detailed look at researching products online and finding legitimate discount retailers on the Internet. Then turn to Arthur Bleich's overview of accessories that any digital camera owner will find useful. In the news, we cover the releases of Virtual PC 5.0, Mac OS 9.2.2, QuicKeys X 1.0.2, and pass on how you can get a free copy of Power On Software's Action Menus.
Happy Holidays! As has become our end-of-year tradition, we once again present a wide variety of gift suggestions collected from TidBITS readers. Read on if you're still trying to find the perfect gift for your Macintosh-using friends and relatives (or just hoping to add a few items to your own list at the last minute).
Let's send 2001 out with a packed issue! Dan Kohn returns with an essay asking if his discussion of the future of digital content is just an elaborate justification for stealing. Then Mark Anbinder looks at the new features in Virtual PC 5.0, Matt Neuburg provides a sneak peek at Apple's forthcoming AppleScript Studio, and Adam highlights the events you won't want to miss at January's Macworld Expo. We also glance briefly at new releases of the PowerBook G4 Titanium, IPNetRouter 1.6.3, and PowerMail 3.1. See you in 2002!
Special thanks to digital.forest, our Web and mailing list host.
Copyright 2001 TidBITS.
Send comments to our webmaster.
Last updated on Wednesday, January 2, 2002