Compiled by Charles Moore
and edited by
Dan Knight
- 2002.03.29
Except as noted, prices are in US dollars.
Paint Touchup Kit Arrives for PowerBook G4
It is a problem known by some PowerBook G4 owners - the paint on
the notebook sometimes scratches and chips.
If you have owned your PowerBook for more than a few months, you
may have already noticed this, even if you are very careful with
your laptop.
TiPaint has
developed a touchup kit to cover up the blemishes and restore the
cool factor to the PowerBook G4.
TiPaint is a high-durability enamel paint that has been custom
color-matched to cover up your PowerBook G4's blemishes. TiPaint
also provides an applicator that makes it easy to get the right
amount of paint on the problem area, along with simple instructions
to help you get the best results.
The kit sells for $14.95 and can be purchased from the TiPaint
website.
New Version of Road Tools' Traveler CoolPad
Shipping
Road Tools is now
shipping a new version of the original CoolPad. It's basically the
same, but the new trapezoidal shape makes it more stable with
larger laptops
The Traveler CoolPad was designed to easily fit in any laptop
bag. Nothing to attach or assemble, laptops run cooler, pivots 360
degrees, works with any laptop, and guaranteed for life.
The Podium CoolPad is larger, has adjustable tilt, and weighs
about 15 ounces. The stackable risers let you adjust the keyboard
incline by 1/2" increments.
The Traveler has fixed height and weighs about 9 ounces. Both
CoolPads work fine with the largest laptops, and both pivot 360
degrees.
Increasing the air space under your laptop allows better heat
dissipation. Most laptops dissipate heat through the bottom, and
the more air that's allowed to flow under the bottom, the better
chance that heat will dissipate. As you know, if you place a
running laptop on a bed it will probably overheat, as air will not
flow under the bottom.
The CoolPad increases the airspace as well as elevating the
back. The six small rubber pads on the bottom of the CoolPad really
grip - a great tool for air travelers whose laptops slip off tray
tables.
The CoolPad allows you to easily pivot your laptop so everyone
gets to see your dazzling PowerPoint presentation without
rubbernecking.
You can find your own comfort zone with the rock-solid
adjustable keyboard tilt. If you prefer a negative keyboard tilt,
just turn the CoolPad around and adjust the height.
The base plate's trapezoidal shape and the Lexan risers provide
a rock-solid, stable base for serious typists. Furniture friendly
rubber feet really grab any surface.
The $29.95 adjustable Podium CoolPad is best for full time use
on your desk. The smaller, lighter $19.95 Traveler CoolPad is more
portable. A bundle deal gives you both for $39.95. All Road Tools
products are guaranteed for life. CoolPads are made and assembled
in New Hampshire.
SleeveCase from SF Bags
The sleek, minimalist SleeveCase keeps your laptop out of harm's
way without taking up much space. A plush layer 
of high grade neoprene wrapped in a Ballistic shell
surrounds and protects your computer. The ultra smooth neoprene
skin makes sliding your laptop in and out a snap.
Available in Black Ballistic nylon with Lead Indium trim.
- Small, $35
- Medium, $37
- Large, $39
- X-Large, $42
- Titanium G4, $39
- iBook 14.1", $38
- iBook 12", $38
Custom Features
- D-rings, Shoulder Strap & Shoulder Pad +$25
- Ballistic flap +$15
For more information, visit
SFBags.
PowerBook Hinge Support Group Webpage
The
G3hinge group is for owners of Apple laptops that have
encountered the numerous number of defects in 
these
units: power adapters (brick and yo-yo), sound, modem, display,
hinges, and many others.
The group was formed to see how widespread the defects are and
if there are enough people to move toward a class action suit
against Apple
This suit has not been filed yet but with each additional case
reported in the database, it is a step closer.
BookEndz Docking Station for Lombard on Sale
for $49.95 at MacResQ
BookEndz allows you to connect or disconnect a video monitor;
network; USB printer, hub, keyboard, and/or mouse; audio in and
out; SCSI devices; and power in less than two seconds.
BookEndz enables you to connect and disconnect your desktop
peripherals quickly and efficiently. By doing so, if effectively
converts your PowerBook to a desktop computer and back again. It
allows your PowerBook to use USB, SCSI, and ethernet to connect
with scanners, trackballs, networks, printers, or modems with ease.
There are connectors for Audio In, Audio Out, S-video, Composite
Video, and an external monitor. It even has a reset switch. That
means no more cables falling behind your desk. No more connector
and port matching. No more delays. And no more hassles.
System requirements:
- Apple 1999 PowerBook G3 Series "Lombard" (Bronze Keyboard,
G3/333 or G3/400)
MacResQ price: $49.99
The E.G. Laptop Portable Workstation
The E.G. Laptop brings relief from back strain while
reading, writing, or using a laptop computer when you are in bed,
on the floor, or on a sofa. Place your legs under or around it for
maximum comfort. It is ready to use, made of top quality birch
plywood.
The E.G. Laptop measures 11" x 20", is 9" high, and weighs 4.5
pounds.
Price (US dollars): $60 + shipping
RoadWired Compact @ttaché
When you just need to carry the bare essentials - computer (or
mini projector), media, pens, and paper - 
this
trimmed-down version of RoadWired's Standard
@ttaché is a sharp and efficient way to do it. You might be
surprised to find that there are 16 pockets and compartments inside
this compact and elegant bag.
It can be embroidered, silk-screened, or custom labeled,
depending on quantity.
Colors: Black/Black, Titanium/Black
Features:
- 16 pockets and compartments hold and organize notebook computer
up to 12" x 12" x 2", discs and/or PC cards, pens and paper.
- Top-loading design affords instant access at at airport
security or in tight quarters.
- Main compartment protected by shock-absorbing interlinings and
double-padded floorboard. Adjustable padded divider panels allow
for exact, "customized" fit.
- Removable ticket/passport organizer can be worn as discreet
waist pouch when traveling.
- Elasticized media organizers in separate front zipper pocket
hold CDs, PC cards, etc.
- Exclusive Hide and Go Home "secret pocket" hides emergency
cash, key, etc.
- Contoured, 4-layer shoulder pad with moisture-wicking mesh and
friction strip overlays. Stays put-with incredible comfort-when bag
is heavily loaded.
- Possibly the most comfortable carrying handle you've ever
grabbed-just the right size, just the right rigidity, and just the
right cushioning. A little detail that makes a big difference!
- Full-support webbing connects to shoulder strap and hand grip
in a continuous loop-supports bag securely and evenly, and from the
bottom, rather than the sidesÖ no "bag sag!"
- Smooth nylon panel on back of bag protects your clothing from
wear-and-tear.
- Multiple clip-on points on both exterior sides for cellphone,
accessory pouches, I.D. tags, etc. plus business card holder,
divided see-through organizer pockets, magazine pocket, and
more!
- Heavy-duty RoadWired luggage tag included! Additional tags
available in "Great Gadgets" section.
Specs:
- Primary materials: 1050 Denier Ballistic Nylon with neoprene
accent/protection panel outside. Scratch-free interior lined with
smooth nylon pack cloth. All materials water-repellent.
- Hardware and trim: Seatbelt-grade webbing, composite
quick-release closures, metal no-twist fasteners for shoulder
strap, self-repairing zippers, rubber bottom treads
- Overall Size: 12.5"L x 12.5"H x 2.5"D. Weight: 2.4 lb.
Price: $99.95
The Compact @ttache is also available for US$79.95 from
DevDepot.
Terra Soft Ships Yellow Dog Linux 2.2
Terra
Soft Solutions, Inc. is now shipping Yellow Dog Linux 2.2,
which it claims is the most mature and complete PowerPC Linux
distribution available.
Yellow Dog Linux 2.2 offers an array of improvements over v2.1
with the most advanced, stable release of the 2.4 kernel, improved
support for the Apple ADC monitors, and accelerated video. The
screen brightness and volume control buttons are now supported on
NewWorld ROM Apple PowerBooks and iBook computers. And while the
latest release of KDE is an appreciated improvement, Gnome has
taken a stunning leap forward - giving Mac OS X a run for its
money says Terra Soft - exceptional by all standards.
A few of the features are:
- Red Hat 7.2 based system
- 'ext3' graphical migration program
- XFree86 4.2.0, KDE 2.2.2, and Gnome 1.4 w/Nautilus &
Evolution
- Improved modem & printer support
- Improved support for Nvidia GeForce 2 MX & ATI
Radeon--including ADC digital
With movement into high performance computing supported by the
release of Black Lab 2.0, YDL now offers 'HPC Node' as a package
selection, in addition to 'Base', 'Home/Office', 'Developer
Workstation', 'Server', and 'Everything' options.
"The means by which this latest YDL release came together
clearly demonstrates the cohesion and professional relationships
that have grown within the open source community. While our
in-house experience plays a significant role in the maturation of
YDL, the unified effort of the community continues to make YDL
possible. Many thanks to everyone who worked with us," states Dan
Burcaw, Terra Soft Solutions CTO.
Bargain 'Books
There are two different versions of WallStreet running at 233
MHz, the cacheless MainStreet
version and the later Series II
with a level 2 cache. It's not always possible to determine from
the vendor's listing which is being offered, so we've included
links within this paragraph to the two models.
- iBook 600, 128/15
GB/DVD/12.1", factory refurbished, 1179.99
- iBook 600, 128/15
GB/DVD/12.1", factory refurbished, free 128 MB, 1199.99
- iBook 600, 128/20
GB/Combo/12.1", factory refurbished, 1299.99
- iBook G3/500, 128/15 GB/CD-ROM,
factory refurbished, 1 year factory warranty, $1,089
