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What will the new year bring to the Macintosh? Adam looks ahead at what Apple can do to improve the Mac, and also notes upcoming changes to how we create and manage TidBITS using Web Crossing. We also cover Apple's pre-holiday updates to Mac OS X, QuickTime, and iTunes, as well as the release of Tinderbox 2.1. And, sadly, we mourn the loss of Macintosh luminary Phil Goldman. We're at Macworld Expo San Francisco this week; see you there!
We're back from Macworld Expo 2004 San Francisco, with news of software and a bit of hardware. Adam relays his overall impressions of the show, and examines how Apple's musical forays are a Trojan Horse into the rest of the computing world. We also look at iLife '04 and its newest application, GarageBand, plus note the releases of the G5 Xserve and the Xserve RAID, Final Cut Express 2, and news of Microsoft Office 2004 for Mac OS X. Lastly, Tristan turns five!
Macworld Expo news continues to fill this issue, with our look at a number of products and booths that caught our attention. Adam also relates what's going on with his spam, and with the Habeas anti-spam service. And Geoff Duncan looks at Apple's recent Logic-derived audio application announcements. In the news, Apple posts a $63 million first quarter profit, Research Design's Papyrus becomes free, and AppleWorks and iCal receive minor updates. Be sure to enter our DealBITS drawing for a copy of Cocoatech's Path Finder!
To commemorate this week's 20th anniversary of the Macintosh, Adam talks with Bruce Horn, who wrote the Finder, about what he did at Apple, where he's been since, and what Macintosh projects he's working on now. Also, Brady Johnson rejoins us with a look at whether the new U.S. CAN-SPAM Act will have any effect on our increasing spam volumes. In the news, Dantz ships Retrospect 6, and OrangeWare provides Mac OS X drivers for wireless cards using Atheros chipsets, including 802.11a cards.
Do you keep several to-do lists, but still feel disorganized? Perhaps you need a fresh approach: Jeff Porten examines Life Balance and its organizational philosophy. Apple announces a repair program for some faulty iBooks, updates the WPA security in AirPort cards, and releases a new security update. Also, we note the release of BBEdit 7.1.2, clarify a Retrospect 6 detail from last week, and announce a limited time discount on Take Control orders.
Ever been confused by file sharing or worried about its security implications? Our newest ebook, "Take Control of Sharing Files in Panther," tells all, and author Glenn Fleishman provides three of his best tips here. Glenn also looks at Apple's Bluetooth 1.5 update, Adam evaluates our recent revenue experiments, and we note the pending retirement of Apple CFO Fred Anderson as well as Text Wrangler 1.5.1, Mailsmith 2.1.1, and Snapz Pro X 2.0. Plus, user groups discounts on Take Control ebook orders!
It's a grab bag week here at TidBITS, starting with Jeff Carlson passing on iChat AV tips and examining PalmSource's elimination of future Macintosh support. Adam announces our first Japanese Take Control title and reviews Konfabulator, a neat Mac OS X program reminiscent of HyperCard. Then Glenn Fleishman chimes in with a pointer to where you can pick up a refurbished Power Mac G5 from the Virginia Tech supercomputer cluster, and in the news, Apple starts shipping iPod minis and updates GarageBand slightly.
iPhoto 4 features substantial speed improvements, but what else is new in Apple's photo management application? Adam reports on the positives and negatives. Also this week, Apple becomes debt-free, music zips through the air legally in Austin, Texas, and the AppleWorks User Group passes on news of corruption-stopping AppleWorks utilities. We also note the releases of Interarchy 7.0, iSight 1.0.2, Security Update 2004-02-23, and new RSS feeds from Apple.
Security issues reign supreme this week, with Glenn Fleishman outlining security flaws in AppleShare and Adam looking at how Panther's FileVault feature works - and how it should work. Glenn also passes on news of an offline Wi-Fi hotspot locator, and Jeff Carlson reveals more iChat AV tips. In the news, Eminem sues Apple, we give away copies of Interarchy in DealBITS, and Salling Clicker 2.1 and Now Up-to-Date & Contact 4.5.2 are released.
Matt Neuburg returns with a review of DEVONthink, another entry in his ongoing exploration of snippet keeping programs. James Rogers also joins us to pass on instructions for setting up a password-protected public iDisk folder and, for those who aren't .Mac subscribers, how to access the iDisk public folders of other users. In the news, we glance at the releases of Interarchy 7.0.1, iDVD 4.0.1, AirPort 3.3.1, DiskWarrior 3.0.1, and QuicKeys X2 2.1.
FileMaker Pro 7 arrived last week with significant changes to the popular database application. In this super-sized issue, William Porter reviews the new version and explains why it's such a big deal. Then Joe Kissell revisits the FireWire data loss problem that has affected some people upgrading to Panther. Matt Neuburg covers the releases of DEVONthink 1.8.1, Affrus 1.0, StyleMaster 3.5, FaceSpan 4.0, and NoteTaker 1.8; we also spotlight a few of Adam's recent radio interviews and note that the iTunes Music Store has hit 50 million downloads.
We range far and wide this week! Glenn Fleishman contributes two articles, one explaining how soft mounting went away in Mac OS X 10.3.3 and another examining Sender Policy Framework, a new anti-spoofing technology for email. Then, Tony Williams reviews the highly entertaining book Apple Confidential 2.0. We also tell you about the new headline site Macminer.com, Guy Kawasaki's cover contest for his next book, the release of GraphicConverter 5, and Belkin's new iPod voice recorder. Win PDFpen in this week's DealBITS drawing!
Tired of your squishy Apple Pro Keyboard? Adam reviews the Matias Tactile Pro Keyboard, the first keyboard he's found that matches the feel and response of Apple's late, great Extended Keyboard. Adam also looks at iChat AV's confusing states, offering a few suggestions to help prevent unwanted chat intrusions. Elsewhere in this issue, we note the releases of iChat AV 2.1, iPhoto 4.0.1, Timbuktu Pro 7.0.1, and the discontinuation of FrameMaker for the Macintosh.
News abounds this week, with stories ranging from Microsoft's acquisition of AOL to the U.S. Department of Homeland Security standardizing on Macs, with Hormel's anti-spam campaign providing a brief diversion. In the product world, Geoff Duncan reports on CountDown G5, which lets G5s run Mac OS 9 software, Jeff Carlson examines the iChat 2.2 public beta, Glenn Fleishman passes on news of a wire-free laptop charging technology, and Adam looks at a SubEthaEdit-enabled conferencing service. Lastly, Apple announces a GarageBand add-on and we release our first business ebook in the Take Control series.
Is your wireless network secure? The better question is: how can you evaluate the level of security you should implement? Adam weighs in with his Three L's of security. While you're thinking ahead, Jeff Carlson explains things to consider when buying a laptop bag. Also, we announce the winner of last issue's DealBITS drawing for an autographed can of Spam, and note the releases of Security Update 2004-04-05, Retrospect 6.0.193, LaunchBar 3.3 and 4.0b1, and Panorama V 4.9.6.
The first Mac OS X Trojan horse was spotted last week - or was it? Adam looks at Intego's announcement of the MP3Concept Trojan, and how it affects the Mac going forward. Also in this issue, Andrew Laurence reviews the Slim Devices Squeezebox streaming audio player, and we note the releases of Eudora 6.1, DragThing 5.1, and NoteBook 1.2 v180. Lastly, we're taking a short break, so look for your next issue of TidBITS on 26-Apr-04!
We're back with news from NAB and the troubles of TCP. Jeff Carlson looks at Apple's new Motion application for creating motion graphics - is it an After Effects killer? - and covers Apple's other video announcements. In other news, Glenn Fleishman explores the discovery of a critical fault in TCP networking. And we note releases of new PowerBooks, iBooks, and eMacs, Apple's profitable quarter, and updates to AirPort. Also, TidBITS turned 14 last week! Celebrate with us by saving 50 percent on any Take Control ebook order this week!
Apple held a one-year anniversary party for the iTunes Music Store last week, announcing sales of 70 million songs and releasing iTunes 4.5. Adam has his ear to the Apple speaker and reports on new features such as Party Shuffle, iMix, and more. Jeff Carlson looks at the latest Zire handhelds from PalmOne, and we note the releases of Palm Desktop 4.2.1, iMovie 4.0.1, Path Finder 3.2, and Security Update 2004-05-03. Lastly, learn how to get free MacDesign conference exhibit passes from Peachpit.
After spending nine days in Hawaii with his PowerBook, cell phone, digital camera, and iPod, Adam muses on how taking a vacation is affected by technology and how well today's technology meets the needs of vacationers. Celebrating the release of his latest book, Jeff Carlson offers some tips and techniques for iMovie 4. In the news, if you're a Now Up-to-Date & Contact user (or want to be), you can save big through the end of this month.
Our last Mac OS X Trojan horse coverage was only a few weeks ago; now, Adam reports on a malicious new Trojan that's been spotted in the wild. Adam also compiles his wishlist for WriteRight, a hypothetical word processor designed for professional writers. Also in this issue, we note St. Clair Software's new HistoryHound, which helps you revisit Web pages, email support for .Mac, and the releases of disclabel 2.0 and the Japanese translation of "Take Control of Customizing Panther."
This week's security vulnerability is real, and cuts to the core of Mac OS X. Read on for Adam's look at the problem and how to protect yourself, along with Matt Neuburg's explanation of how it happened. Joe Kissell then explains Apple Mail's spam filter with an excerpt from his new "Take Control of Spam with Apple Mail," ebook, and Adam introduces Envision, a program that turns a Mac into an Internet picture frame. In the news, we cover a minor Apple reorg and the releases of Office 2004 and SubEthaEdit 2.0. Lastly, no issue next week!
This week, our minds turn to keeping your data safe. Glenn Fleishman follows up on security-related changes in the recently released Mac OS X 10.3.4, we look at Apple's latest (and most important) security update, and David Shayer reviews Tech Tool Pro 4. If data integrity isn't music to your ears, read Glenn's coverage of Apple's new AirPort Express with AirTunes, which brings music from your Mac to your stereo via Wi-Fi. We also note the releases of Six Degrees 2.0, Eudora 6.1.1, PowerMail 5, and Ergonis's KeyCue.
Now that Office 2004 is out, Tonya takes a look at the new features in Entourage 2004 in conjunction with the release of Tom Negrino's ebook "Take Control of What's New in Entourage 2004." Speaking of email, our poll this week asks which email client you use. Also in this issue, Travis Butler compares two portable speakers for the iPod, Adam and Tonya invite you to the Mediterranean in November, and we note the releases of Apple's new liquid-cooled Power Mac G5, SyncDeK 5.0, the German translation of "Take Control of Upgrading to Panther," and a money-saving update to "Take Control of Spam with Apple Mail."
Continuing our coverage of Microsoft Office 2004, Matt Neuburg has the word on Word 2004, including what's fixed, what's improved, and what still needs work. Also this week, Agen Schmitz writes about the introduction of the iTunes Music Store in the U.K., France, and Germany. We also note Apple's expanded iBook repair program, free Macworld Expo Boston tickets, the publication of Adam's iPhoto 4 Visual QuickStart Guide, and the results of last week's email client poll. Finally, we welcome Atlassian as a TidBITS sponsor!
Apple kicked off WWDC by announcing new Apple Cinema Displays - including a 30-inch monster - and previewing Mac OS X 10.4 Tiger. Adam and Jeff run down the important details. Also this week, Glenn looks at a potentially useful merging of technologies to fight spam, and Tonya relates how she came close to becoming a rock chick thanks to Jeff Tolbert's new "Take Control of Making Music in GarageBand" ebook. And we note the releases of WorkStrip 3.2, Peek-a-Boo for Mac OS X, and Vonage's software phone for the Mac.
We start this week with Apple's surprise revelation that it has no more iMacs to sell and won't announce new models until September. Macworld Expo Boston is on Adam's mind as he prepares for next week's event and develops a rating system for other industry conferences. Apple makes news with iChat AV videoconferencing from an airplane, we start testing Postini to reduce spam, Apple drops its AirPort prices, and we run a DealBITS drawing for disclabel.
Thinking about buying an AirPort Express to connect wired and wireless networks? To coincide with the release of his ebook "Take Control of Your AirPort Network," Glenn Fleishman examines the limitation of the Express's single Ethernet port. Speaking of networking, a lightning strike prompts Adam to share his experience adding an Ethernet card to a Power Mac, and Matt Neuburg wonders how he ever used the Web without Webstractor.
Along with our initial coverage of the new iPods, this issue focuses on last week's Macworld Expo in Boston, complete with Tonya's overview of the show, Adam's rating of how different aspects of the conference stacked up, and our traditional list of the most interesting products and events. In the news, Stairways Software released Interarchy 7.2, and Apple posted a $61 million profit and confirmed that the forthcoming iMacs would use the PowerPC G5.
Adam continues the summer Mac conference circuit, reporting on how he spent several sleep-deprived nights in Dearborn, Michigan at the ADHOC (formerly MacHack) conference. In particular, check out the winners of the ADHOC Showcase programming competition! Also in this issue, Matt Neuburg goes face to (type)face with Insider Software's FontAgent Pro, and we note the releases of Salling Clicker 2.2 and WebSTAR 5.3.3.
RealNetworks may be poking a hornet's nest with its Harmony software, which enables customers to play music from the RealPlayer Music Store on iPods. Needless to say, Apple is not amused. Also in this issue, Joe Kissell shares advice on making attachments stick when using Apple's Mail software (and announces his new "Take Control of Email with Apple Mail" ebook), TidBITS rolls into the blogosphere with a new weblog, and we wish Steve Jobs a thorough and speedy recovery following cancer surgery this past weekend.
It's summer in the United States, and Jonathan Jackel is in a driving mood, cruising with the Route 66 mapping software. Meanwhile, Andrew Laurence is lazing about on the couch with Elgato's EyeHome digital media device. In other news, Apple released Mac OS X 10.3.5 and Security Update 2004-08-09, Intuit has released Quicken 2005, Apple posted iPhoto 4.0.2 then quickly replaced it with iPhoto 4.0.3, and iData Pro has returned as iData 2 under Mac OS X. In DealBITS this week, enter to win free DLexpo VIP passes!
Do you want more from your Web browser? Check out Adam's review of the just-released OmniWeb 5.0, which is overflowing with power user features. Adam also relates lessons learned from testing a soon-to-be-opened wireless network at his local public library, and he looks into why Aladdin Systems has changed its name to Allume Systems. In the news, Apple ships Motion, and we announce a DealBITS drawing for BeLight's label and envelope software Mail Factory.
How many times have you been asked, "Which Mac should I buy?" Adam has been hearing it for 17 years, and has written "Take Control of Buying a Mac" as the answer. Also in this issue, Jeff Carlson reviews The Missing Sync for Palm OS 4.0, which is due to replace PalmSource's HotSync software. In the news, Apple recalls a series of batteries for 15-inch PowerBook G4s, and we note the releases of Spring Cleaning 7.0 and Now Up-to-Date & Contact 4.5.3. Plus, we welcome Glenn's son Benjamin Warner Fleishman into the world!
Bare Bones introduced BBEdit 8.0 today, and we have the scoop on what's new in the venerable text editor. Meanwhile, Jeff Carlson digs his way out of a Palm Desktop installation nightmare, and Adam explains how Take Control updates work technically. In other news, the newest fashion accessory seems to be the action figure: Adam's and Microsoft's duke it out. We also note the releases of SpamSieve 2.2, OmniWeb 5.0.1, and AirPort 4.0.1, plus a FMChecker DealBITS drawing.
Apple announced the iMac G5 this week, introducing a faster machine in a completely new, iPod-like enclosure. The company also unveiled its iTunes Affiliate Program and a volume discount program; Adam examines how these moves are shaking up the online music industry. He also reviews NoteBook from Circus Ponies Software. Also this week, we note the releases of AirPort Driver Update 2004-08-31 and TypeIt4Me 2.0.
People using Safari or Mac OS X's FTP server should take care with last week's Security Update 2004-09-07; read on for the details of problems experienced by early upgraders. Looking for wireless headphones for your iPod? See Adam's review of Bluetake's i-Phono. Need help organizing your thoughts? Matt Neuburg's review of MindCad's Pyramid might offer a solution. Interesting releases this week include Nisus Writer Express 2.0, DragThing 5.3.1, XBit 1.0.1, and Allume's Creative Essentials bundle.
We need to work through some control issues this week: Adam reviews Apple Remote Desktop 2.0, which lets you control other Macs and much more, while we also announce the publication of Take Control of Panther Volume 1, a new print collection of our first four ebooks, along with the Japanese translation of Take Control of Users & Accounts in Panther. Also in this issue, Yahoo gets into the online music business by purchasing MusicMatch, and we cover the releases of Ovolab's Phlink 1.5 and Apple's Security Update 2004-09-16.
Charles Maurer anchors this issue with an in-depth discussion of tools and techniques the perfectionist can use to polish digital photos. Glenn Fleishman radios in from high above Seattle... via iChat AV and the Connexion by Boeing Internet service. In the news, we cover the releases of StuffIt Deluxe 9.0, Tinderbox 2.3, Keyboard Maestro 2.0, and The Missing Sync 4.0.1, along with mentions of two new sponsors and the PowerBook G4 White Spot Repair Program.
Charles Maurer continues his exploration of making better digital images by focusing on how you and your Mac view and work with color. On the music front, Apple releases Logic Pro 7, Logic Express 7, and two new GarageBand Jam Packs. Adam discovers ManOpen, a tool for viewing Unix man pages outside of the Terminal application. In the news, Apple ups the storage of .Mac accounts, registration for Macworld Expo 2005 in San Francisco opens, and look for Matt Neuburg's sessions at the AppleScript Pro conference.
This week's issue is about the ending of quests. Andrew Laurence finally finds an Internet-configured universal remote control - the Logitech Harmony - that takes over from the rest. And has Matt Neuburg, the ultimate outliner connoisseur, discovered a replacement for MORE in the new TAO? Matt does complete his quest to explain what's new in Microsoft Word 2004 with his latest two Take Control ebooks. Interesting releases this week include FileMaker Pro 7.0v3, Webstractor 1.1, and Security Update 2004-09-30.
Apple and Microsoft jostle for position in this week's jumbo issue. Apple reported a record $106 million quarterly profit, has sold 150 million songs through the iTunes Music Store, and just opened six new mini retail Apple Stores. Microsoft is now shipping Virtual PC 7 (with support for the G5) and has a bug-fix update to Microsoft Office 2004. Also in this issue, Charles Maurer zooms in on digital camera sensor technology, Adam and Matt Neuburg share radio air time, and we welcome Rogue Amoeba as a new TidBITS sponsor!
It's Take Control's first anniversary, so we're celebrating with a 50% off sale and a recap of our first year accomplishments. Adam also explains how you can reclaim and start using your personal XNS name (Remember XNS? It's back!), now called an "i-name." Releases from Apple include refreshed iBooks, a single-processor Power Mac G5, and a larger Xserve RAID, along with Apple Remote Desktop 2.1. Lastly, Adam tees off on clueless lawyers, we shed the light of reality on the malicious Opener shell script, and you can enter to win copies of Marketcircle's DayLite in DealBITS this week.
Apple surprised pundits last week with the release of iPod Photo, an iPod with a color screen that also stores and displays photos. At the same event, Apple also unveiled the iPod Special Edition: U2, and announced the European iTunes Music Store. Also in this issue, Adam looks at the Postini spam-filtering service, and we note the releases of Retrospect 6.0.204, Security Update 2004-10-17 (for Apple Remote Desktop Client), and an Office X 10.1.6 security update.
If the Red Sox winning the World Series wasn't strange enough, Geoff Duncan has finally solved his personal Curse of Mac OS X. Thanks to a Sonnet Encore/ST G4 Duet accelerator, he can now run Mac OS X for more than a few hours at a time, and even Mac OS 9 enjoys a speed boost. We also take a quick look at the Mac OS X 10.3.6 upgrade, pass along a new USB printer compatibility list for Apple's wireless base stations, and announce winners of last week's DealBITS drawing.
After writing several articles about digital photography for TidBITS, Charles Maurer concludes by sharing his experience buying a camera to help you make your own decisions. Also in this issue, Adam takes note of a favorable Consumer Reports article that lauds the Mac (but with reservations, of course), and we note a free online presentation from Guy Kawasaki, the freeing of Audion, and the releases of Firefox 1.0 and... iPod Socks? It's true!
Graphical emoticons in Eudora 6.2? Luckily, the latest version of the intrepid email client also features more sensible enhancements. Equally improbable - but true - is news that GarageBand.com is teaming with MSN Music to feature audience-selected artists. Back on solid ground, Glenn Fleishman looks at welcome improvements in the AirPort 4.1 update, and Adam announces a new ebook twist: the Take Control product manual (for the automation utility iKey 2). We also note the release of SubEthaEdit 2.1.1, announce the move of www.tidbits.com to our Web Crossing server, and solicit your suggestions for our holiday gift issue. No issue next week due to Thanksgiving!
We're back from the Thanksgiving break with second helpings of Mac-related content! In this issue, Joe Kissell helps you choose backup software (excerpted from his new "Take Control of Mac OS X Backups" ebook). Matt Neuburg spotlights the Mac OS X-native version of the RAM-based database program Panorama V. Also, Adam takes Steve Ballmer to task for his complaints about spam, and Glenn Fleishman praises Apple's new .Mac affiliate program. We also note the releases of Security Update 2004-12-02, a new line of Squeezebox audio streaming devices, EyeHome 1.5.1, Mac compatibility from the U.S. Postal Service, and the long-awaited arrival of a Canadian iTunes Music Store.
Happy holidays! At this time every year, amid the rush of deadlines and holiday preparations, we turn to the TidBITS community for gift-giving suggestions. If you're looking for something for your favorite Mac-lover, we've accumulated oodles of suggestions in a number of categories: software, games, hardware, miscellaneous, and our favorite, the Macintosh-minded. We hope this special issue inspires you to find unique gifts for your friends and families.
Publishing two more Take Control ebooks on top of last week's gift issue has fried our brains. But this issue still brings you an inside look at the evolution of hardware-based scrolling controls from Joe Kissell, some great tips on recording with GarageBand from Jeff Tolbert, and a brief thought about the most important fact to keep in mind when buying a digital camera from Adam. In the news, the iTMS starts taking PayPal, and Peachpit gives away Macworld Expo passes.
We're wrapping up 2004 with an announcement of changes coming in 2005. Read on for important news about our upcoming mailing list migration, as well as a peek at where you can find some of us at Macworld Expo San Francisco 2005. Also in this issue, Adam harnesses a little-used feature in Eudora to manage his increasing email load, and Apple releases the Mac OS X 10.3.7 update. Our next issue will be 10-Jan-05; happy holidays!
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Last updated on Saturday, January 1, 2005