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Welcome to 2005! As we gear up for Macworld Expo, we're starting the new year off with a rich collection of Mac news and information. Apple releases new Xserves and is shipping Xsan, Boingo finally launches its service for Mac users, and old favorite Graphing Calculator arrives for Mac OS X. 2005 also brings a successful move for our main mailing lists - Adam shares the details. Lastly, Matt Neuburg listens to several random sound utilities, the Omni Group releases OmniWeb 5.1, and we note a few more Macworld Expo events.
We're back from Macworld Expo with a huge issue that feels larger than Apple's diminutive new Mac mini and iPod shuffle, both of which we cover inside. This issue also details iWork '05 and iLife '05; Adam's thoughts about how Apple is finally going on the offensive; and our traditional collection of the best, the brightest, and the coolest products at Macworld Expo. If that's not enough good news, check out Apple's record-setting quarterly profit!
As the hubbub of Macworld Expo recedes, we turn to more reflective topics, with Glenn Fleishman's book review of Revolution in the Valley, Andy Hertzfeld's collection of stories from the early days of Apple and the Macintosh. Matt Neuburg also contributes a look at why Rogue Amoeba's Audio Hijack Pro is even more useful than it might initially seem. News is slow this week, with coverage of Pepsi trying once again to give away tracks in the iTunes Music Store, and an update to Entourage 2004's junk mail filter.
Apple opens the week with a sizzling new lineup of PowerBook G4 models, boosting processor speeds and adding a new Sudden Motion Sensor and a scrolling trackpad. Also in this issue, we note price reductions for Mac mini build-to-order components; a clever service for transferring large files via email; and the releases of Security Update 2005-001, iMovie HD 5.0.1, iStumbler 90, and a Take Control update and German translation. This issue also brings a new approach to DealBITS that could significantly increase your chances of receiving a prize - SmileOnMyMac's photoprinto software this time. Lastly, we wish the Mac a happy 21st birthday!
Practicality reigns this week, as Will Porter explains how to upgrade elderly iMacs to run modern Mac OS X software, Matt Neuburg looks at using DEVONagent to extract relevant content from the list of links delivered by Internet search engines, and Jeff Carlson points at a pair of utilities that help locate your cursor when you're using a big screen or giving a presentation. In the news, iPhoto 5.0.1 fixes bugs and we look at a neat info-graphic that gives a visual overview of Apple's product line.
If you've been wondering just what podcasting is, read on for Andy Affleck's look at this latest of Internet phenomena. Also this week, Glenn Fleishman explains a visual, Unicode-based security exploit that hides deceptive pages behind apparently innocuous URLs. Adam chimes in with a cautionary tale about troubleshooting bad hardware and a tip about how iPhoto users can better work with Ceiva digital picture frames. In the news, Mac OS 10.3.8 is out and our servers are moving late this week.
Glenn Fleishman follows up on last week's article about the homograph security exploit, and Matt Neuburg contributes a pair of articles: a look at QuicKeys X3 and a review of Zengobi's curious Curio. Then Adam explains what happens if your email address rejects a TidBITS issue or bounces it back - and how to recover if you stop receiving issues due to too many bounces. In the news, our server moves are nearly done, and we look at the release of LaunchBar 4.
Apple's release of new iPod models set the stage for an issue that's unintentionally focused on digital music. We note the updates to the iPod mini and iPod photo (and what's missing), and Adam finds a surprising use for his music player: as sleep aid. He also performs some much-needed iTunes library maintenance using the iEatBrainz and MPFreaker utilities. Also in this issue, we point out Apple's Security Update 2005-002 and Firefox 1.0.1, look at the new Site Crossing hosting service, and mourn the passing of Macintosh pioneer Jef Raskin.
It's a potpourri issue this week, with Glenn Fleishman testing the new technologies in Apple's latest PowerBooks, Jeff Carlson realizing how much he misses Mac OS 9 windowing behavior in Mac OS X, and Adam's look at LinkBack, a new open source technology for linking data between applications. Anchoring it all is Adam's analysis of how digital rights management technologies are undermining our societal expectations of how copyright law should be enforced. In the news, we cover Timbuktu Pro 8.0, Rogue Amoeba's new Airfoil, and the Microsoft Office 2004 11.1.1 update.
Databases are all alike, aren't they? Well, no, and this week Adam shares his real-world experiences with Panorama V, an unusual database that makes it easy to add new capabilities as you discover you need them. In other items, Jeff Carlson covers three new ebook initiatives, Glenn Fleishman opens his Mac mini to add RAM on the cheap, we link to several Take Control excerpts, and we note a court decision permitting Apple to subpoena confidential information about trade secret leaks.
Our content goes on the road this week, with Travis Butler rejoining us for a look at a new iPod FM transmitter and Glenn Fleishman laying out all the security options he uses to protect his data traffic while traveling. Matt Neuburg covers worthy updates to the CSS editor Style Master, Eastgate Systems' Tinderbox, and PTHPasteboard, and we note Security Update 2005-003 and Apple's revisions to Pages and Keynote. Be sure to enter our DealBITS drawing for a new HTML authoring tool: GoodPage!
If one of your credit card numbers was stolen, do you know how to deal with it? Adam shares his first-hand experience and offers suggestions for minimizing your risk and annoyance. Also this week, Matt Neuburg paints a favorable picture of Purgatory Design's Intaglio drawing software. In the news, we cover the release of BBEdit 8.1 and an iPod photo software update, note Apple's settlement with a guy who leaked Tiger seeds, and pass on a DealBITS discount for TARI's GoodPage HTML editor.
Who'd have guessed? Apple held a press conference today to discuss future product and marketing plans, including the Mac OS X 10.4 release date, several iPod marketing and sales partnerships, and a look ahead at new Power Macs. Elsewhere, Geoff Duncan covers a ban on Wi-Fi in Seattle coffeehouses, Glenn Fleishman peeks up a Mac mini's skirt, and we relay the news of a laptop bag that uses the Sudden Motion Sensor to protect laptops and the story of a user who accidentally received a free copy of the Mac OS X 10.4 golden master.
Jeff Carlson upped the ante on holiday cards this year with a full-fledged DVD; read on for an article sharing the essential lessons he learned in the process. Adam relates his experience of switching to MaxEmail for incoming fax-to-email service, and Glenn Fleishman covers the announcement of Adobe Creative Suite 2 and notes that Skype users can now receive calls from normal telephones for a small fee. In Take Control news, check out our redesigned Web site!
April 15th is just around the corner, which turns Jeff Carlson's mind to the financial software necessary to finish his taxes: not Quicken, but Moneydance. The topic of Internet faxing continues from last week, with recommendations for other services and software, and a DealBITS drawing for PDFpenPro, which lets you eliminate paper from a back-and-forth fax process. Finally, Geoff Bronner reviews the Monster iCarPlay Wireless FM transmitter. In the news, Adam and Matt Neuburg pass on news of upcoming conferences, and Sync Buddy 2.0.1 now backs up Palm OS handhelds under Mac OS X.
TidBITS turns 15 this week! In lieu of blowing out candles, Adam looks back over 15 years of Mac ownership. This week also brings a flood of Apple news, starting with the 29-Apr-05 release date of Mac OS X 10.4 Tiger (and word that our "Take Control of Tiger" ebooks will be released simultaneously), and continuing with the company's stellar Q2-05 earnings report; the release of Mac OS X 10.3.9 Update; fixes to iMovie HD, iDVD 5, iPhoto 5, and iSight software; and the announcements of Final Cut Pro 5, DVD Studio Pro 4, Motion 2, and Soundtrack Pro.
As the world waits with bated breath for Tiger (4 more days!) and we put the finishing touches on our Take Control ebooks about Tiger, we managed to find the time for another beefy issue of TidBITS. Adam looks at NoteBook 2.0, Jeff Carlson examines a slew of Mac mini-related Web sites, Glenn Fleishman contributes a retrospective of the just-merged Adobe and Macromedia, and Matt Neuburg relates the story of how his iMac G5 went up in smoke.
Mac OS X 10.4 is here, and this extra-large TidBITS issue shines our own spotlight on some of Tiger's new features. First, Adam asks the question, "Should you upgrade?" and Joe Kissell reviews the installation process itself. Then we dig deep with Glenn Fleishman's look at Spotlight and how it may change your relationship to data, while Matt Neuburg reviews Dashboard and Automator. We also note the releases of faster Power Mac G5 models and lower prices on two of Apple's Cinema Displays.
Apple made much of the improvements in iPhoto 5, but how do those features and others fare under Adam's scrutiny? Also in this issue, Jeff Carlson takes a look at the new iMac and eMac models, and examines Tiger's iChat AV 3.0, with its multi-person audio and video chats. In the news, Security Update 2005-005 patches Mac OS X 10.3.9, iTunes 4.8 appears, DragThing turns 10, more Spotlight details appear, Adam makes the radio rounds, and we give away 5 copies of Stock WatchTower, a stock analysis program.
We're still recovering from our Tiger-related efforts, so this week brings you a variety of shorter articles. Adam solves a Tiger-related iPhoto crash, Glenn looks at NetNewsWire 2.0, the trend toward 2 GB webmail accounts, and what's happened to Fontographer in the wake of the Adobe/Macromedia merger. Adam also reviews a GPS-enabled cell phone that provides spoken driving directions. In the news, Yahoo launches a music subscription service, and Apple both releases a new video editing component and settles a lawsuit with rapper Eminem. This week's DealBITS drawing: 3 months of VPN service from PublicVPN.com!
The days of having to stop and ask for directions are coming to an end, as Adam navigates New York City using the Garmin StreetPilot c330. Also in this issue, Glenn Fleishman looks at LightScribe technology, which uses the lasers in compatible CD/DVD burners to etch labels into a disc's surface. Last week saw the release of Mac OS X 10.4.1 and Apple's voluntary safety recall of some iBook and PowerBook G4 batteries. Finally, a bug in Eudora surfaces, and Fetch 5 arrives, just in time for us to take our yearly Memorial Day break. See you in June!
Are you sitting down? Apple is switching to Intel processors, starting next year. Read on for our analysis. Multimedia news takes over the rest of this issue. First, Geoff Duncan covers the resolution of the iPod battery lawsuit and iPod recycling announcement, then Adam looks at the fuss surrounding QuickTime Pro 7, and Andrew Laurence wraps it all up with a look at the Squeezebox2 music player. In the news, QuickTime 7.0.1 fixes a security hole.
Reactions from last week's news that Apple is shifting to Intel-based Macs has dominated the Mac press (and TidBITS Talk), but Adam makes the case that this is the biggest non-news of the year; read on for his explanation. Also this week, Charles Maurer returns with a look at the Panasonic DMC-FX7 and some discussion of point-and-shoot digital cameras. We also note Apple's Security Update 2005-006, Snapz Pro X 2.0.2, "Take Control of Customizing Tiger" 1.0.1, and a new DealBITS drawing for a Matias OS X Keyboard.
This week brings two highly divergent topics, as Charles Maurer returns with a set of instructions for non-experts to fix snapshots using sub-$100 software, and Jeff Carlson tries to hone his poker game against the computer opponents in DD Tournament Poker. In the news, Opera Software ships version 8.0 of their Web browser for the Mac and we announce the winners of last week's DealBITS drawing.
Jeff Carlson continues his exploration of computerized poker players with a look at iPoker this week. Matt Neuburg then takes a quick glance at Typinator, a sleek new utility for expanding typed abbreviations, and Adam examines both the Canary Wireless Digital Hotspotter and Monster Cable's iTV Link. In the news, we cover the releases of Now Up-to-Date & Contact 5.0 and Eudora 6.2.3, explain how to change Tiger's screen capture format, call for more translators, and give away copies of Rogue Amoeba's Audio Hijack Pro.
This week's issue revolves around audio, but in two very different ways. First, Adam examines the recent Supreme Court decision against peer-to-peer file sharing companies Grokster and StreamCast Networks. Then Andy Affleck rejoins us for a look at the new podcasting support in iTunes 4.9. In the news, we cover the releases of QuicKeys X3 3.1 and Virtual PC 7.0.2, note the passing of grayscale iPods, and announce "Take Control of Tiger," our latest Take Control print collection.
Can a wristwatch help you sleep better? Andrew Laurence sleeps on the job to determine if the Sleeptracker device keeps him from waking up feeling kicked in the head. Tonya tackles another tool designed to help at home, the Roomba robot vacuum cleaner. In Mac-specific news, Smith Micro purchases Allume, Apple counts down to the 500 millionth iTunes track sold, WiTopia makes corporate-grade Wi-Fi security free, Adobe fixes Acrobat security vulnerabilities, and Adam shares where he and Tonya will be at Macworld Boston!
Macworld Expo in Boston just wrapped up, so Adam reports on the highlights and mood of the show, and we cover the Best of Show award winners. Geoff Duncan, meanwhile, triumphs over a noisy fan in his Power Mac G4 without breaking the bank. Speaking of the bank, Apple last week turned in a record successful quarter and also released a slew of updates: Mac OS X 10.4.2, AirPort 4.2, iPhoto 5.0.3, Final Cut Pro 5.0.2, DVD Studio Pro 4.0.1, and Soundtrack Pro 1.0.1. Lastly, Apple topped 500 million iTunes Music Store songs sold.
Our look into GPS continues with a review of the Garmin Forerunner 201 from the aptly named runner Paul Lightfoot. Dawn D'Angelillo then joins us to talk about the serious problems surrounding obsolete electronics and the need for better recycling facilities and programs. Glenn Fleishman covers the release of the Mac Desktop Controller for the Sonos wireless speaker system, and we look at Yahoo's purchase of Konfabulator and the releases of OmniWeb 5.1.1 and DoorStop X 1.0, along with the official story of .Mac bandwidth limits.
An era comes to an end, as Adam reports on the proceedings of the final ADHOC/MacHack conference. Jeff Carlson takes a break from reality, for a good cause: reviewing Star Wars Battlefront. Also this week, Geoff Duncan looks at the revised iBook and Mac mini lines, and in the news, we cover HP dropping the iPod, iPhoto 5.0.4, and Dejal Software's Simon 2.0.
Just when you thought it would never happen, Apple quietly breaks with tradition and ships... the multi-button Mighty Mouse. Also in this issue, Adam shares his experience navigating Boston's streets with the Magellan RoadMate 700, a GPS device that got him there and back again with a few surprises. Jeff Carlson finds a great deal on a 20-inch LCD monitor not made by Apple, and finally hops on the multiple-monitor bandwagon. And the Japanese iTunes Music Store opens to a rush of business and expanded offerings.
Is Apple's new Mighty Mouse really a super rodent? Glenn Fleishman grabs one and finds it a bit hairy. Also, Kevin van Haaren sheds light on an often perplexing topic: virtual private network (VPN) technology, and explains why you might want to start using one. We also note the release of Security Update 2005-007, Apple's PowerBook G4 Graphics Update 1.0, the SaveScreenie utility, and announce Joe Kissell's free "Take Control of Now Up-to-Date & Contact" manual.
Jeff Carlson's college days are behind him, but the end of August makes him ponder: what Mac gear should students take to school? Meanwhile, Adam samples Indy, an innovative application that introduces him to new music he actually likes. Also in this issue, Matt Neuburg finds some desirable features in the new DEVONthink Pro, and we note the release of Security Update 2005-007 v1.1, which fixes a 64-bit computing bug introduced by the previous security update, as well as the start of Apple's new Rev-1 iMac G5 repair program.
This week's issue brings a potpourri of Mac news, including Adam's coverage of an iPod infestation of the biological sort (Monomorium destructor, to be precise). Adam also notes how you can add a USB-to-Ethernet adapter to a Mac using new open source drivers. Mark Anbinder looks briefly at Google Talk, and Jeff Carlson follows up last week's Mac to School article with some software suggestions for students. Glenn Fleishman resolves a problem with AirPort preferred network listings in upgraded versions of Tiger and turns to Flashblock to eliminate Flash-based ads. Finally, we note Safari updates, FileMaker Pro 8, the 2nd annual Mac Networkers Retreat, and a Math+Magic DealBITS drawing.
Hurricane Katrina rules the news, with Jeff Carlson providing an overview of how Internet users and sites are helping with the aftermath of the devastation. On a more prosaic front, Adam looks at a free conference call service, Glenn Fleishman covers the main improvements in Timbuktu Pro 8.5, and we present an excerpt on making menus from Kirk McElhearn's just-released "Take Control of Customizing Microsoft Office." In the news, we look the releases of iKey 2.1, Default Folder X 2.0.2, and Now Up-to-Date & Contact 5.0.4; revisit the preferred AirPort network issue; and welcome Maxum Development as a sponsor.
Apple's special music event last week revealed the new iPod nano, iTunes 5, and release of the Motorola ROKR, an iTunes-enabled cellular phone. We have details and insight about the new devices. In non-music news, Jeff Carlson looks at ShowMacster, a utility for adding photos and movies to iChat video chats, Adam revisits how he uses email to get things done, and we note the release of Nisus Express 2.5.
FileMaker, Inc. recently shipped FileMaker Pro 8, and FileMaker developer William Porter offers a full review of what's new and why it's an exciting release. Also in this issue, Adam looks at the new features of StuffIt Deluxe 10, while Glenn proposes a sensible time-based authorization scheme for iTunes playback on multiple machines. We also note the release of "Take Control of Your Wi-Fi Security" by Glenn and Adam, cancellation of Macworld Expo in Boston, XPostFacto 4.0, and a special Coldplay EP to benefit Hurricane Katrina relief efforts.
Do you have piles of old Mac stuff you don't use? Andy Ihnatko explains how to create your own version of his Prize Wonderland Auction to raise money for your favorite charity, cause, or user group. Also in this issue, Matt Neuburg unpacks Insider Software's Smasher to access old font suitcases. In other news, Apple updates its .Mac service and releases Security Update 2005-008, Microsoft releases Office 2004 Service Pack 2, and the Opera Web browser goes free.
It's a soap opera week, with Adam's investigation of how Apple has inexplicably requested that Google disapprove AdWords ads that use Apple trademarks. Then Jeff Carlson turns his attention to the recent announcement that Palm will be producing a Treo that uses Windows Mobile rather than the Palm OS. In the news, EMC Dantz has released Retrospect 6.1 to provide full Tiger compatibility, and Apple responds to complaints about scratched iPod nano screens.
TidBITS is 800! No, we didn't start counting dog years - this week marks our eight-hundredth issue, and Adam commemorates the event by looking at three trends that will govern the future of the Macintosh world. Also this week, Apple appears to loosen up on its Google AdWords restriction, DD Poker Tournament 2.0 is released, and NewsGator acquires NetNewsWire. Finally, enter this week's DealBITS to win BeLight Software's Swift Publisher!
Last week brought an abundance of announcements, including Apple's record financial results and release of a video-enabled iPod, a new iMac with an iSight camera built-in, and iTunes 6 with TV shows for sale in the iTMS. Not entirely overshadowed was Palm's release of a pair of Palm handhelds, the Z22 and TX. Microsoft was also busy, settling a lawsuit with RealNetworks and announcing plans to make its instant messaging network interoperable with Yahoo's. Last, though not least, James Thomson shipped the slick calculator utility PCalc 3, and we published "Take Control of Permissions in Mac OS X."
This week marks the second anniversary of our Take Control project, so we celebrate with a 50 percent-off sale and a look at how we've done. In Apple news, Geoff Duncan covers Apple's new PowerBook and Power Mac G5 models, and Jeff Carlson gives an overview of Aperture. Glenn Fleishman stays wireless with looks at Salling Clicker 3.0 and the back-room battles surrounding the next wireless standard: 802.11n. We also include brief bits on preventing hard drive sleep, encoding video for the iPod, and the slow demise of the eMac.
Just in time for Halloween, Apple surprises you with a ghoulish set of bug fixes in Mac OS X 10.4.3! Travis Butler returns with a look at three third-party AC adapters for Apple's laptop computers, and Geoff Duncan tunes into ICANN's long-running Internet soap opera. Adam passes on news and tips about some new Retrospect 6.1 updates, and we also note the third-generation Squeezebox and SlimServer 6.2 software, OmniWeb 5.1.2, a slew of pro video software updates from Apple, and of course, the iTunes Music Store opening in Australia.
We roll into November with a mix of topics. After playing with Photo Booth on a new iMac G5, Adam points to two utilities that beat Photo Booth at its own game. Travis Butler offers a few more details on AC adapters, and Jeff Carlson notes the release of The Missing Sync 5.0. Glenn Fleishman outdoes himself by writing about external modems (now that the iMac no longer includes one), specifics of driving multiple 30-inch Cinema Displays on the new Power Mac G5, and how Sprint Nextel's new cellular data service can help mobile Mac users.
Glenn Fleishman returns with a pair of articles following up on his previous coverage of AirPort problems in Tiger, the Apple USB Modem, and Mac-compatible EVDO PC Cards. Adam runs afoul of Apple's FairPlay digital rights management while innocently trying to concatenate five audio book files. We also announce the release of "Take Control of Digital TV," look briefly at Mellel 2.0, and call for votes on the many Take Control suggestions we've received.
Adam continues his exploration of voice-navigation GPS devices with a review of the Magellan RoadMate 760 this week. Also, Steve Sande contributes a light-hearted set of suggestions for non-musical uses of the iPod to accompany the update to his "Take Control of Your iPod: Beyond the Music." In the news, we cover the releases of SpamSieve 2.4, a much-awaited firmware update for Power Mac G5 1.8 GHz models, and "Take Control of Switching to the Mac." No issue next week, but send in your suggestions for our holiday gift issue!
We're back with beefy issue anchored by Jeff Carlson's discussion about choosing the Canon PowerShot S2 IS for going on safari. Before that, Tonya shares her experience with the innovative streaming music service Pandora, Adam points developers toward a better way to help users install applications, Matt Neuburg notes the open source Unicode font Gentium, and Glenn Fleishman reports on the demise of TaxCut for the Mac. News this week: the releases of Security Update 2005-009, BBEdit 8.2.4, TextWrangler 2.1.1, EyeTV 1.8.4 with iPod video support, Rhapsody for Web browsers, "Take Control of Apple Mail in Tiger," "Take Control of Podcasting on the Mac," and the second edition of "Take Control of Buying a Digital Camera" (on sale through Christmas).
Happy holidays! We're pleased to present another double-sized installment of our annual holiday gift issue, complete with oodles of gift suggestions from TidBITS readers. If you're still trying to come up with that perfect item for your Mac-using friends and relatives, read on for software and hardware, along with a wide variety of miscellaneous ideas that are appropriate for anyone.
Charles Maurer returns with a detailed discussion, informed by perception and painting, of how digital cameras can produce more naturalistic photos than film cameras. Mark Anbinder looks at the addition of NBC shows to the iTunes Music Store, Glenn Fleishman passes on news of new Wi-Fi driver options for Tiger users, and we examine updates to Firefox, Firefox's Flashblock extension, SETI@home, the Prograph programming language, and "Take Control of Mac OS X Backups."
Happy holidays! We head into our holiday break with an issue packed with enough content to last you through the end of the year. Looking ahead, we share where you can find us at Macworld Expo in January, and Adam announces the retirement of the venerable Info-Mac Network. Charles Maurer returns with a look at printing digital photos and buying a printer. We also note the releases of SmileOnMyMac's browseback, Now Up-to-Date and Contact 5.1, Joe Kissell's "Take Control of .Mac" ebook, and the Japanese translation of "Take Control of Sharing Files in Tiger." Lastly, check out the DealBITS drawing for a retro game, Midnight Mansion. See you next year!
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Last updated on Thursday, January 5, 2006