The week's Apple and desktop Mac news
PowerBook, iBook, iPod, and other portable computing is covered
in The 'Book Review. iPod
news is covered in iPod News
Review.
Top 10 Apples
NEWS:
MLAgazine's
Tom Hormby writes: "I have compiled a top 10 list of
successful and influential computers and software released by Apple
during the reign of Macintosh."
His list includes the Macintosh Classic, OS X, the iMac, the
Pismo PowerBook, the first Power PC Power Macs, the Quadra 700, the
PowerBook 100, the PowerBook Duo 230, System 7, and ClarisWorks.
The article explains his choices.
Free Disk Space Disappears after Updating to OS
X 10.3.8
NEWS: A new Apple
Knowledge Base Article says:
"After updating to Mac OS X 10.3.8, free disk space may slowly
"disappear" if a certain third-party gaming device driver is
installed.
"This issue can occur when the Macally iShock game controller
device driver (used for devices such as the iShockII) is installed,
but the device isn't connected. The 'missing' disk space is
actually being filled by one or more system.log files that are
recording iShock driver issues.
"To resolve this issue, first check out Macally's
Drivers webpage and read the section, 'Attention:
iShock/iShockII users and Panther OS 10.3.8 update,' which tells
you how to remove iShock drivers that can cause this issue, as well
as how to install newer drivers that avoid this issue."
ClickScroll 1.2 Scrolling Tool
PR: ClickScroll gives
your Mac a highly-addictive feature: scrolling without scrollbars
and scroll wheels.
No need to move your eyes anymore when you need to scroll a web
page or a text document - simply call ClickScroll once and gently
move your mouse around.
With ClickScroll, take advantage of the following features:
- Seamless integration: ClickScroll can be called in
virtually every Mac OS X application (Finder, Mail, Safari,
Internet Explorer, Word, Photoshop, etc).
- Themes support: Do you want to create your own
ClickScroll theme? Use the ClickScroll Interface Builder and let
your creativity work for you !
- Visual feedback: ClickScroll lets you know what it is
doing all the time with a Mac OS X-friendly interface.
- 2D scrolling: ClickScroll now supports both horizontal
and vertical scrolling to provide a richer experience.
ClickScroll supports multi-button mice for a fast access, as
well as single-button ones. It is ideal scrolling software for
laptops users.
New in this version:
- Support for user-defined themes
- Ability to set the ClickScroll interface transparency
Version 1.1 users will be able to use this version for free
(using their existing serial number).
System requirements: Mac OS X 10.3 or better
ClickScroll is US$9 shareware.
Camino Man Moves to Firefox to Boost Mac
Progress
NEWS: PCPro's
Simon Aughton reports:
"The Mozilla Foundation has appointed has appointed a developer
to work on improving the Mac version of Firefox, with
spin-offs for the OS X-only Camino
browser.
"Currently Firefox on a Mac comees a poor second against the
likes of Safari, suffering from a poor interface and is much slower
than either the Windows version or Safari.
"Josh Aas will focus on code that the two browsers share and on
Firefox-specific OS X code. Early projects will include
cleaning up form widgets such as content-area buttons and text
field and improving page loading speed and rendering, probably by
making the Gecko rendering engine use the Quartz API instead of
Quickdraw. This will also reduce load on the CPU by moving
rendering tasks to the graphics card....
"Previously, Aas worked exclusively, though unpaid, on Camino.
Consequently his appointment has raised questions about the
browser's future.
"Camino's chief developer, Mike Pinkerton, insists that there is
nothing to worry about."
Software Developers Cooperate on LinkBack
Content Integration Technology
NEWS: Nisus Software, The Omni Group, and Blacksmith
announced LinkBack, a new
technology that brings embedded objects to the Mac OS X
platform. LinkBack makes it possible to edit text or graphics
pasted from another application by double-clicking on it. The
technology will be included in future releases of Nisus Writer
Express, OmniOutliner, OmniGraffle, and Chartsmith. It is also
available as an open source framework for use by other Mac
developers.
"LinkBack is an open source framework for Mac OS X that
helps developers integrate content from other applications into
their own. A user can paste content from any LinkBack-enabled
application into another and reopen that content later for editing
with just a double-click. Changes will automatically appear in the
original document again when you save.
"If you are an end user, use LinkBack with any of the
LinkBack-enabled applications coming soon from some of your
favorite software companies. If you are a developer, download the
SDK to learn more about how easy it is to use LinkBack in your own
application."
Stone Design have announced plans to support LinkBack in a
future release of their venerable Create drawing, layout, and
publish-to-web application.
RadTech Announces RadPak Case for BT-500 mini
Bluetooth Mouse
PR: RadTech announced the
RadPak - a
compact, semi-rigid clamshell case for the BT-500 mini Bluetooth
Mouse. Specifically designed for the BT-500, the RadPak makes a
perfect mobile solution even better by combining rugged protection
with style and functionality.
RadPak features a cushioned interior, twin rubber-tabbed zipper
pulls and Internal battery bays to accommodate a spare set of AAA
cells. RadPak also makes a great case for cables and/or other small
parts.
Combo FireWire/USB 2.0 Hard Drive
Enclosure
PR: If you have a screwdriver and about five minutes, you
can turn any 3.5" IDE hard drive into a portable, high performance
external combo USB hard drive and FireWire hard drive with this
enclosure from USB-WARE.
High Performance: This 3.5" hard drive enclosure
boasts both USB 2.0 and FireWire 400 (iLink, IEEE 1394) interfaces
for extremely high data transfer rates of up to 480 Mbps (USB 2.0)
and 400 Mbps (FireWire) for blazing fast transfer of large
files.
High Portability: The slim, compact, lightweight design
with shock resistant features makes your USB/FireWire hard drive
extremely portable. Plus, it's USB 2.0, USB 1.1 and FireWire 400
compatibility allows for Easy Plug and Play with virtually any
current PC or Mac.
Features
- USB 2.0 data transfer rates up to 480 Mbps (60 MB/sec)
- FireWire 400 data transfer rates up to 400 Mb/s (50
MB/sec)
- Fully backward compatible with USB 1.1
- Compatible with any capacity 3.5" IDE/ATA hard drive including
ATA-6 drives of 137GB or more
- Built-in shock resistance
- Built-in hard drive cooling fan
- Hard Drive Activity LED
Specifications
- Interfaces Supported: USB 2.0, FireWire 400, USB 1.1
- Port Configuration: USB 2.0/1.1 - (1) Type B port, FireWire 400
- (2) 6 pin ports
- Max Data Transfer Rate: USB 2.0 - 480Mbps (or 60MB/sec),
FireWire 400 - 400Mbps (or 50MB/sec), USB 1.1 - 12Mbps (or
1.5MB/sec)
- Compatible Drives: Supports all brands/capacities of 3.5"
IDE/ATA hard drives, including full support for ATA-6 hard drives
(137GB and larger)
- Power Supply: 110v-240v auto switching; external power
adapter
- External Case Dimensions: 8.4" (L) x 5.3"(W) x 1.4" (H)
- Drive Weight (no accessories): Approximately 1 pound
(0.45kg)
- Warranty: 1 year
Includes
- External USB Hard Drive - FireWire Hard Drive Enclosure Case
Kit
- 4' High Quality Double Shielded USB 2.0/USB 1.1 connecting
cable
- 4' High Quality Double Shielded FireWire 400 connecting
cable
- External Auto Switching 100/240v 50/60Hz Power Adapter
- CD with Windows USB 2.0 drivers
System Requirements
Mac
- FireWire 400: Macintosh with FireWire 400 interface and Mac OS
8.6 or later
- USB 2.0: Macintosh with USB 2.0 interface and Mac OS X 10.1 or
later
- USB 1.1: Macintosh with USB 1.1 interface and Mac OS 8.6 or
later
PC
- FireWire 400: system with FireWire 400 (1394a) interface and
Windows 98SE, ME, 2000 or XP
- USB 2.0: system with USB 2.0 interface and Windows ME, 2000 or
XP
- USB 1.1: system with USB 1.1 interface and Windows 98SE, ME,
2000 or XP
$49.95 (discounts for multiple purchases)
Tiger Will Change
Everything
NEWS: macnet2's Dianna Stewart
says:
"You don't have to be a developer or a pirate to get an idea of
what OS X Tiger will bring Mac users. Apple's newest set of movies
(http://apple.com/macosx/) gives
the world a lot of visual feedback on the new features in this
amazing OS. Even so, I've been lucky enough to play with 8A385 over
the weekend and if I had to bet on the validity of the rumored
March 31st release date I'd have to bet that the rumors are true.
8A385 is pretty much ready for prime time, with only a handful of
bugs left to squash.
"So, is Tiger just another upgrade to OS X or is it something
historic? Bold words to be sure, but I believe Tiger will be an
event that forever changes the landscape in computer operating
systems. So advanced, so rich with 21st century technology, Tiger
will force even the most hardcore Windows users to turn green with
envy. Many, if not most, will want to change platforms and Apple
will be in a position to change the entire industry. This is not
hyperbole; it is what it is; an operating system that makes all
other operating systems look ancient, amateurish, and downright
awful in comparison."
Building the Ultimate Power Mac
NEWS: MacNETv2's Lisa Swanson
says:
"It isn't very often that you get the chance to build a Mac
workstation with everything you want. Sometimes you do though, and
that is exactly where we found ourselves a few weeks ago
"Taking the helm of MacNET Media Group was a scary thing to do.
Especially when the deal did not include a single piece of
hardware. No Power Macs, no PowerBooks, not even the lowly eMac
that sat in the corner and was used for testing software. Our team
took over, and the only hardware we had were the ones we used at
home. The first thing we had to do was put together a new system.
It was a frightening prospect, but it could be fun too. We decided
it would make for an interesting read, so today we start with part
one, weighing the advantages and disadvantages of building a Power
Mac G5 workstation."
How Not to Troubleshoot Computer Problems
NEWS: brainfrieze.net's Kim Cavanaugh
writes:
"I lost 4 or 5 days of work this week to problems on my Mac. To
say that this is highly unusual would be an understatement.
Typically my little iMac hums and burbles along, and has done so
without fail for the last two years. But on Saturday morning things
got ugly. Now that the experience is behind me I can review a
little all the many ways that I made things worse.
"Step 1: Accept all updates for OS X without question. (Hey, it
comes from Apple and therefore it must be necessary and needed.
Install away! That's what I did when OS X 3.8 was
released.)"
CPA Firm Goes All Mac
NEWS: mac360.com's
Tera Patricks reports:
"How often does a non-media, non-graphics business go ALL Mac?
More often than you think. Here's the story of a Washington state
CPA firm that's all Mac, all the time. Mostly.
"Is it possible to run a successful business without using
Windows? Mostly. Get ready to meet Art Nelson of Nelson Accounting
Professionals."
The Ergonomic-Friendly RollerMousePRO
Reviewed
NEWS: ExtremeTech's Jeremy
Atkinson reports:
"Recently, Contour Design announced the release of its
second-generation RollerMouse, aptly titled the RollerMousePRO.
Contour's RollerMouse series is designed to reduce or eliminate the
need for a mouse by offering a "rollerbar" and set of buttons below
the keyboard to navigate and click with a cursor. So the
Rollermouse isn't, technically, a mouse. Makes perfect sense,
right?
"The idea behind the RollerMousePRO is to offer a solution to
the awkward stretch required for using a mouse. This helps reduce
muscular discomfort associated with repetitive use, and potentially
increase productivity by letting you keep your typing position as
you control your cursor. Some people with muscle pain screech at
the notion of reverting back to a normal mouse and would rather use
a more ergonomically friendly alternative. Contour has designed a
product that is the first of its kind.
"Just after its release, we got our hands on a RollerMousePRO
for a review. Upon its arrival, we unhooked our old mouse,
strangled it with its cord, and tucked it away in a drawer. We
spent a solid week with the RollerMouse in order to fully adapt to
the new pointing device. No rodents for a week, at least. During
this immersion with the PRO, we would be doing our day-to-day tasks
at ExtremeTech, which include some web production, email, and
writing. We also did some design work in Photoshop and other
programs, which at times, requires a delicate touch of the
cursor.
Does the Contour's mouse replacement fill the bill? At a hefty
price tag of $199, we wanted to put the PRO under heavy scrutiny.
It better be good, for that price....
For my own review of the Classic RollerMouse, see Contour RollerMouse Station a Great
Alternative to Traditional Mouse.
aFire AirPort Extreme Base Station
Amplifier
PR: RadioLabs offers a new solution for dramatically
increasing the range of the Apple AirPort Extreme Base Station and
G5. This unique design not only boosts the signal of the AirPort to
1/2 watt, but is designed to activate the antenna jack.
The simplest solution to boost the output of the AirPort Extreme
Base Station and the G5 tower.
The newest addition to RadioLabs product line is a dramatic
boost for Apple products, especially the AirPort Extreme Base
Station and G5 Mac! A smokin' 1/2 watt amplifier, combined with a
5.5 dB flexible antenna for instant long range wireless
connections.
Simple plug and play installation - Two easy connections are all
that is required and you can boost the range of your AirPort
Extreme or G5 Mac. You can bust through walls, obtain range you
never had before and get your wireless signal, exactly where you
want it. The AC adapter is a simple plug in to 110 VAC or you can
order the 12 volt mobile adapter separately, please contact us for
details
Most 1/2 watt wireless amplifiers cost over
$300. Due to a very unique design, small amplifier module and
cutting edge wireless amplifier design, RadioLabs is able to sell
this for
RadioLabs
aFire amplifier has a 4 foot cable for remote mounting
on your desktop, or up on a wall to increase line of sight distance
and get the amplfiier/antenna away from other sources of
interference.
The MCX type connector on the 4-foot cable fits the AirPort
Extreme Base Station and the G5 tower. Put this in place of the "T"
antenna on the G5 and you have instant amplification to access
points up to 1 mile away if placed line of sight with the access
point.
RadioLabs 1-Mile Guarantee. - Put this amplifier in a window and
we guarantee the range to be one mile line of sight.
This 1/2 watt amplifier works at B or G speeds and includes a
transmit and receive amplifier with amazing performace.
Of course, the AirPort Extreme is not included.
RP-SMA Connector output on the top of the amplifier allows
connection to any RadioLabs Antenna for long range networking.
Features:
- Bi-directional amplifier for IEEE 802.11B, G and Super G
- The only amplifier / antenna combination to activate the Apple
AirPort Extreme Base Station!
- Automatic gain control to minimize the signal distortion on all
access points.
- High Power transmit level, 500mW (or +27dBm)
- Low noise amplifier with system noise figure 2.5dB
- 110 volt - 6.5VDC power adapter for operation from wall
current.
- Industry standard RP-SMA connector on amplifier.
- Sturdy aluminum chassis with integrated heat-sink
- Power, Receive and transmit diagnostic lights.
Direct plug in with Apple AirPort Extreme Connector for instant
connectivity.
Price: $149.95
MacOSX.com Seeks Volunteers for Free
Tech Support
NEWS: In a effort to provide the best experience to long
time Macintosh users and new users, MacOSX.com are providing free
personalized technical support services staffed by
volunteers.
Personal support differs from group for the forum based support
where one or more volunteers (those who optionally sign-up to help
this program) work with you directly, via email, to help resolve
your issue. The goal is to provide solutions in under 24 hours.
However, due to various reasons, this time may be longer.
Yellow Dog Linux 4.0.1 Linux Operating
System for PPC
PR: Terra Soft's most complete offering to date with
support for the iMac G5s and Mac minis too! Yellow Dog Linux v4.0.1
is a Fedora / RPM-based operating system for PowerPC computers,
offering an intuitive, flexible graphical installer, 1300 packages
on 8 CDs (4 Install, 4 Source), a unified KDE and GNOME desktop
environment featuring shared menus, applications, and user
interface.
Based upon the 'Anaconda' installer engine, the Yellow Dog Linux
Installer leverages automated, advanced hardware detection;
provides on-screen help, flexible package selection, multiple
install methods (CD-ROM, FTP, HTTP, NFS), default to ext3
journaling filesystem, embedded video testing, multiple ethernet
and wireless port configuration, and automated partition
creation.
Mac OSX is a great product, but if you desire complete control
of your computer, prefer a common OS acrosss multiple systems old
and new, Mac and PC, and desire improved performance - then Yellow
Dog Linux is the solution for you.
YDL v4.0.1 Features ...
- 8 CDs (4 Install, 4 source).
- Anaconda installer engine.
- RPM Package Manager 4.3.
- GNU LibC (glibc) 2.3.3.
- GNU Compiler Collection (gcc) 3.3.3.
- kernel 2.6.10.
- KDE 3.3 and GNOME 2.6.0.
- X.org 6.6.
- Mac-on-Linux (non-G5) with auto network config.
- OpenOffice.org 1.1.1, Rhythmbox 0.8.3, and Mozilla 1.7.3. ...
with new support for:
- Thermal (fan) for G5s Power Macs.
- Sleep for most ATI-based portables.
- iMac G5 (sans on-board audio, modem, thermal).
- Mac mini (sans on-board audio, modem).
- Updated ALSA sound driver for all non-G5 hardware.
- Griffin iMic USB audio device support.
- XMMS startup crash fixed.
- Security updates.
- Installer bug fixes.
System requirements: Power Mac G3 (blue & white) or later,
PowerBook G3 (Lombard) or later, all iBooks, iMacs, and eMacs, Mac
mini.
Desktop Mac Deals
Low End Mac updates the following price trackers every two
weeks:
For deals on laptops, see our Week's Best PowerBook G4 Deals,
Week's Best iBook G4 Deals,
and Week's Best iBook G3
Deals. For deals on iPods, see our Week's Best iPod Deals. 
