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2003
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2002
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MNJ Politics RSS Here is a collection of link to sites maintained by people who have mentioned that they read MNJ:
- Dan Hon - An imaginary place in a reactionary time - dws
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Mark Bernstein on weblog archives Mark Bernstein: Archives, Categories, Themes
Synching a Palm with Outlook and my Mac One success in combining my need to use Windows XP at work and my desire to stick with the Mac at home involves integrating a Palm Zire 72 into my workflow. Thanks to the Bluetooth capabilities of the Zire 72 I can sync the PDA with my 12-inch PowerBook G4 and access my contact and planning info in Palm Desktop and at the same time maintain the same information on my PC at work. The only shortcoming in the synching process is that trying to sync media files to my Mac over Bluetooth is painfully slow. Still digging...
Tempest in a teapot My comments about Robert Scoble's reaction to the Longhorn banners at WWDC seem to have touched a nerve last night. Sometimes the folks at Microsoft simply can't take being reminded that their asses would stil be stuck in DOS hell if it wasn't for Apple showing them how to do it all those decades ago. Of course, their sense of humor would be a bit more refined if they weren't constantly being reminded that Windows blows. I was reminded of the shortcomings of Windows again today. I created a press release in Word, printed it, edited it and then sent it through Outlook to the media. Simple, right? Not quite. Due to some odd formating problem that wouldn't even show up when I viewed the formating marks for the document, the release went out to the press list without any paragraph formating. I had to recreate the document in order to fix the problem, and now I've learned the lesson that even something as simple as sending a Word file embedded in an Outlook e-mail is too taxing for Windows XP - not every time, but just often enough to make sure you can't trust either Office or Outlook. And this is the standard?
Konfabulator creators respond to Apple announcement Arlo Rose, one of the creators of Konfabulator, offered the following in response to Apple's announcement of features in next year's Tiger release of Mac OS X that mimic his software:
Safari won't be the first Mac browser with RSS It should be noted that Apple's announcement today that a future version of Safari will integrate RSS newsreader functions is not exactly ground-breaking news. The beta versions of OmniWeb 5.0 support RSS already. This has been a feature of the betas since limited testing began a few months ago...
Brent Simmons on Safari RSS NetNewsWire developer Brent Simmons comments on Safari RSS:
Simmons also notes that this could cause a shakeup in the Mac newsreader market, but that NNW will still be standing when all is said and done. Excellent!
Initial thoughts on today's Apple announcements It's interesting that a number of the new features in the next major release of Mac OS X, codenamed Tiger, are going to infringe on the work done by small independent developers such as those making RSS newsreaders like my favorite NetNewsWire and the makers of Konfabulator. This is nothing new. In just about any market you can see the dominant vendors picking up on the innovative work of smaller players in niches. Microsoft does it. Apple does it. My hope is that neither of these newly integrated features will be done as well as the independent software developers can do in their products. In a perfect world the independents would create products that are so much better than other offerings that the independent products will survive and even thrive. The reality can often be something else. Take, for example, the case of Watson, which Apple ripped off in a revision of its Sherlock software. Watson creator Dan Wood announced today that his program will cease development immediately and he will stop supporting the program in October. The good news in Wood's case is that an undisclosed large software company has finally bought the rights to the program. Hmmm, I wonder what company that could be? Be sure to check MacIntouch and other sites for today's breaking news and impressions of the other features in next year's Tiger release, as well as info about the huge new 30-inch LCD monitors from Apple.
At least one Microsoftie is annoyed It looks like tonight's story on MacMinute about Apple's banners at WWDC that poke fun at the glacial speed of system upgrades from Microsoft may have hit at least one nerve inside the fortress walls at Microsoft. Of course, the banners wouldn't even be slightly funny if there wasn't so much truth behind the fun poking.
RealPlayer 10 for Mac OS X RealNetworks announces RealPlayer 10 for Mac OS X - RealNetworks will this week release RealPlayer 10 for Mac OS X... [MacMinute.com]
A new Mac update of OpenOffice.org OpenOffice.org 1.1.2 is available now for Mac OS X. This version, just as the previous version, requires that users install the free X11 software from Apple.
No live WWDC keynote? MacMinute notes that there are no public feeds known at this time for tomorrow's 1 p.m. Eastern Time keynote address by Apple CEO Steve Jobs from the Worldwide Developers Conference. I will try to post a notice if a publically available feed is announced.
Webmonkey reborn Paul Boutin: Webmonkey returns Excellent!
Firmware quandry with Panther Panther Upgrade Firmware Trap - Too many people are getting caught in a nasty Panther upgrade trap involving firmware changes. [MacInTouch]
An underutilized Word tool An Underutilized Word Tool - Microsoft Word is so stuffed with features that few of us take advantage of even a small portion of them. Here's one you've likely overlooked that can be a real time saver. By Christopher Breen, Macworld (via MyAppleMenu) [myapplemenu]
Word 2004 Writing in his review of Word 2004 on TidBITS, Matt Neuberg sums up the new version this way:
Hmm. Maybe I will finally break down and consider buying Office and the new version of Word here soon, since I have the income to support the purchase...
Apple Remote Desktop 2.0 coming Apple Remote Desktop 2.0 - Apple injected some steroids into Apple Remote Desktop and announced version 2.0 this morning. It likely won't ship for another 5-7 weeks, but we're already planning on using it heavily for maintenance in our labs... [Mr. Barrett]
More time for iBook repair program Apple again expands iBook logic board repair program - Apple has, for the second time, expanded its coverage of its iBook Logic Board Repair Extension Program. The program will correct certain defects on iBooks manufactured between May 2001 and October 2003, and will reimburse iBook owners for expenses incurred to correct eligible repairs out of warranty as well. [MacCentral]
Windows Server 2003 vs. Mac G5 Xserve And the winner is...
Happy Solstice! Aside from being Father's Day, today also marks the longest day of sunlight in the Northern Hemisphere - the Summer Solstice. The days get shorter and hotter from here on out. Hotter doesn't sound too good from my perspective, though. We are in our third day in a row with temperatures in excess of 80 degrees F here in Puget Sound country. Happy Father's Day and Summer Solstice to all!
Hampered by FTP access problems The two notes below should have posted yesterday, but an FTP problem has kept me from being able to access my server over the last 24 hours. With luck this situation will be cleared up later today...
A lack of updates this week The news cycle got the better of me in my job this week, forcing me to focus my time on breaking news for a few days. I'm getting back in the normal swing of things now...
Macintouch on information organizers Macintouch has an interesting reader report underway about applications like Tinderbox that can serve as information organizers. If you are an information junky, you like creating lists, or you simply like to document your life then these kinds of programs have a lot to offer.
Integrating a Palm Zire 72 into my workflow I've added another kink to my workflow at work, where I am using a Palm Zire 72 for calendaring and more. The Zire works great with Outlook on the PC, and since it has Bluetooth built in then I can also sync it with my PowerBook. I am not sure I will keep doing so though, since I could run into problems trying to sync the same Palm to more than one computer. Regardless of that detail, the Zire is a pretty good basic PDA. I am not sure how often I will use the simple camera built into the Zire, but it will be interesting to see if or when it will be useful. |
Apple's case for security Apple Makes Its Case for Security - Stung by criticism of its handling of vulnerabilities in Mac OS X, Apple says it's serious about security and vows to be more attentive. By Leander Kahney. [Wired News] At least it sounds like Apple is learning from the valid criticism of recent weeks.
Drool...Canon's EOS 1D Mark II digital SLR Engadget offers a picture of the new Canon digital SLR and points to a review of the camera on Digital Photography Review. It looks like the cost of the 8 megapixel camera weighs in around $4,500. Pricey, but capable.
Macintouch readers on Word alternatives Macintouch has another interesting reader report underway about alternatives to Microsoft Word.
Bluetooth to Internet utlity Share an Internet connection with up to 7 other Macs or Bluetooth-enabled devices - The Bluetooth To Internet Utility allows you to share an Internet connection from one Mac to up to seven other Macs or Palm devices that have Bluetooth hardware. You can run network programs, play games, or anything you can do with a wired connecton. The utility starts a PPP server over a Bluetooth port. The client Mac or Palm then connects to the Mac using PPP. The server Mac then shares the Internet connection, using Apple's Internet Sharing. This donationware application... [MacDailyNews]
A belated Tinderbox weekend I received my materials from last month's Tinderbox Weekend yesterday, and I love the way that the folks from Eastgate put the package together. It includes everything I would have received if I could have attended, including a TEKKA lanyard that I can now use for holding my City of Tacoma employee badge at work during the week. Since this is my first weekend with time to simply hang out at home this month, I hope to dig into the materials in the Tinderbox Weekend package, creating my own mini-Tinderbox Weekend. Anything that would help me get more from the power of this program would be positive. Even though I have used Tinderbox for two years and I have been using it extensively to manage Mac Net Journal for almost two years, I still feel like I am just scratching the surface of what the program can do. But even this basic blogging functionality I have been using makes the program a truly valuable tool. This is the 2,779th post to Mac Net Journal using Tinderbox. |
Will you buy an AirPort Express? Among the big announcements from Apple this week, the most intriguing to me is the unveiling of the AirPort Express. The reason: It is amazing that such a useful Wi-Fi product can be rolled into such a small and convenient device. And at $130, the price isn't that bad either. Will you be buying an AirPort Express in the future? How would you use it? |
Apple warned about G5 Power Mac speed claim Writing on silicon.com, Jo Best outlines complaints against Apple for its claim that the G5 is the fastest PC ever:
A simple use for Tinderbox in the public sector While I find myself doing a lot of my organizing for work on Outlook on my PC, I am integrating my Mac into the work flow more and more now that I am almost done with my second week in my new job. How? With Tinderbox. I am using a simple daybook to track projects and my workflow. This is especially useful since I am the new guy on the job. I can review my workflow at the end of the week and take a fresh look at ways that things can be improved. After all, that is one of the reasons that I was hired...
It isn't if but whether Apple can build them Analysts Weigh In On Apple's Newest Power Mac G5 - While analysts aren't concerned about the clock speed of the G5s, some are concerned about IBM's ability to keep up with the demand for the machines. By Jm Darlymple, MacCentral (via MyAppleMenu) [myapplemenu]
AirPort Express shortcomings O'Reilly Networks: "The Airport Express is undoubtedly a cool product that fills a need within the Airport line. The ability to extend a wireless network with a small device is great. But as a home audio device it has much to be a desired."
Liquid cooled G5s and a new iTunes This is a tough week to be working every day and trying to keep up with Apple. Just in case you have been busy too, Apple announced new Power Macs today, including a top-of-the-line model with a cool new liquid-cooled heat radiating design. It will be interesting to hear what people's real-world experiences are with these cutting-edge machines. Apple also rolled out iTunes 4.6, which offers the AirTunes features mentioned earlier this week.
Where my city hides its Macs One of the highlights of my morning today was taking a quick tour of the graphics and printing departments at the city. Hanging out with creative people for a while was great, but even more exciting was seeing the plethora of Macs hidden in the dungeon far under city hall. The only reason the city still uses Macs is that they continue to have periodic problems working with graphics files created on Windows machines when they are sent to the printers for off-site reproduction. Simply put, publishers continue to use Macs and to know how to work with colors and graphics produced on Macs.
Update fixes security issues John Gruber praises Apple's latest security update, but he digs up a shortcoming to the latest security fixes from Apple:
Update: A reader pointed out that this post previously mischaracterized John Gruber's article. That was my mistake. Hopefully this clarification fixes the issue...
An interview with Derrick Story An Interview With Derrick Story (Digital Photo Hacker At Large) - "I'm a Photoshop CS, QuickTime Pro, and iPhoto guy most of the time. I can do just about anything imaginable with these three applications." By Kathryn Barret, O'Reilly Network (via MyAppleMenu) [myapplemenu]
On Apple's new AirPort Express Writing about Apple's new AirPort Express wireless router, Glenn Fleishman boils the value of the $130 wireless tool in TidBITS:
Glenn does a great job spelling out the new AirTunes and how it integrates with AirPort Express as well. I'll read more about this and post comments as they come to me... |
Apple Security Update 6-7-2004 Apple has released another security update, available through the Software Update panel in System Preferences. The update weighs in at 1.3 MB and you will be required to restart your Mac after installing it. Here are the release notes:
My days without RSS One of the biggest compromises in my new position with the City of Tacoma is that right now I am unable to run my RSS reader of choice, NetNewsWire, on the city's network. I have been able to get Web access through the work network with my 12-inch PowerBook G4, but I haven't been able to figure out how to get NNW to work from behind the firewall. The result is that I am without RSS feeds for the time being. It's painful. |
Is the G5 about ready for prime time? The G5: Finally Ready For Prime Time - Steve Jobs is expected to announce faster chips at the conference this June. And the bugs and glitches that have plagued G5s are nearly stamped out. The upshot: Expect a G5 bounce in the next several quarters, as the stars align and sales climb. By Alex Salkever, BusinessWeek (via MyAppleMenu) [myapplemenu]
Success, sort of. A Mac on the work network Aha! A valid IP address and access to much of the network at work came through this afternoon, but I still have more hurdles to clear. The biggest one: While I seem to have a valid IP address, I am unable to access anything on the Internet with my current work connection. We'll see if that kind of access is even possible for a non-Windows, non-monitored Mac on the network. While I keep fiddling with my Mac in spare moments on the job, I am getting used to using Windows XP for much of my work. I can't say there are many tools on the Windows machine that surpass what I have used on my PowerBook over the last few years, but I have been surprised how useful Outlook is for scheduling in a group setting where we have 11 people in an office. It is the tool of choice for the office, and so I have little choice. But it works... I should note that getting a Mac on this network is no small task. There are only a few Macs on the city's network, all predictably in the graphics and publishing department. In fact, I may be calling on those Mac users for the magic tips to get a live connection to the outside world. |
A matter of perspective A Matter Of Perspective - Sometimes a perspective shift will only throw the quality of Apple's products into sharper relief; other times it will reveal where Apple has fallen down. Either way, it can be a useful experience. By Jason Snell, Macworld (via MyAppleMenu) [myapplemenu]
A new month, a new job Posting to MNJ from work today was not possible, as I started my new job with the City of Tacoma. I am working to get my PowerBook onto the city network and to be connected to the same level that I was over the last decade as a self-employed worker, but doing so could take a little while. I simply need to bring an Ethernet cable to work and plug in and see if I can see the network. If not, I may find myself a Mac island in a sea of Windows machines. So goes life in the real world. Starting today I will be posting more to MNJ in the evenings, as part of my unwinding from a day at the office routine. More to come later... | |
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Copyright 2003 White Rabbit Publishing. |