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News & Opinion
Macworld/CES
Products & Services
Software
News & Opinion
USB 3.0 Will Crush eSATA, FireWire
ZDNet Australia's Alex Serpo
says:
"Intel demonstrated a working version of USB 3.0 at the Consumer
Electronics Show in Las Vegas last week. Here's why it will make eSATA
and FireWire obsolete....
"...USB 3.0 promises a theoretical maximum rate of 5 Gbps, meaning
it's 10 times faster than USB 2.0. USB 3.0 is also full duplex, meaning
it can upload and download simultaneously (it's bi-directional); USB
2.0 is only half duplex.
"Put side by side with eSATA and FireWire 800, USB 3.0 is far
superior. eSATA, an external connection that runs at the same speed as
the internal SATA 1.0 bus, has a maximum theoretical of 3 Gbps. This
makes USB 3.0 faster than eSATA and about six times faster than
FireWire 800 (full duplex at 800 Mbps)...."
Link: USB 3.0 Will Crush
eSATA, FireWire
A Post-Macworld Apple Event?
All Things
Digital's John Paczkowski says:
"Macworld 2009 is over, but the rumors that prefaced it and were
then left unaddressed remain. Two in particular: an updated iMac and a
redesigned Mac mini - both of which failed to make an appearance during
Phil Schiller's Macworld keynote, though it was widely believed that
they would. After all, both are long overdue for a refresh....
"And they may get one, yet. Apple has on many occasions uncrated new
products on the heels of Macworld...."
Link:
A Post-Macworld Apple Event? - History Would Seem to Suggest So
2009 Apple IQ Test Posted
InfoWorld
says:
"You take calls on an iPhone, watch your Apple TV, never leave home
without your MacBook Air, and still grin with satisfaction when you
fire up your Mac Pro with dual 30-inch Apple displays. But how well do
you really know the house that Jobs and Woz built? Answer these 20
questions and find out how you stack up on all things Mac...."
Link: 2009
Apple IQ Test
How Green Is Apple?
Tech Radar
says:
"Macs are built to last but even Apple kit can and does die.
"If it's beyond repair, that means you need to dispose of it. You
wouldn't dump an old computer in landfill, but many people do.
"Every year, mountains of electronic waste are shipped to Asia where
they're broken down to their component parts in shocking conditions,
with heavy metals and hazardous chemicals leaking into the Earth.
"Back in 1997, the average lifespan of a computer was six years. By
2005, that had dropped to two years and the lifespan of a mobile phone
is even shorter, with many people upgrading or replacing their phones
every 18 months....
"Greenpeace estimates that up to 50 million tonnes of electronic
waste is dumped each and every year....
"So how green is Apple and is there anything we can do to make it
greener still?"
Link:
How Green Is Apple?
Former MacUser Editor Switches to
Ubuntu
Cult of Mac's
Giles Turnbull reports:
"Ian Betteridge is a brave man. Not only is he a Mac user who has
switched to Ubuntu running on Dell hardware, he's also decided to say
so in public.
"Some of you may recognize his name: for some years, he was a writer
for, and then editor of, the UK version of MacUser magazine.
"Why did he do it? Partly because of price, partly because he cares
about open software running on open platforms...."
Editor's note: Low End Mac's Dirk Pilat interviewed Ian Betteridge in 2002.
dk
Link:
Former MacUser Editor Switches to Ubuntu, Predicts Mac App
Store
Switching from Mac to Ubuntu
Technovia's
Ian Betteridge says:
"You might have gathered from some of my more recent posts that I've
switched platform. My main machine is now a Dell laptop, running Ubuntu
8.10.
"I've been using Macs since 1986, and have owned one more or less
continuously since 1989. Machines that have been through the mill of my
day-to-day keyboard bashing include the Mac Plus, LC 475, PowerBook Duo, iBook and MacBook
Pro. I've earned a living writing about Macs and attended more Macworld
Expos than I can count.
"But unless Apple has a change of direction and creates some very
different machines, I think that I've probably bought my last one."
Link: Switching from Mac to
Ubuntu
How My Computing Needs Affected Switching to
Linux
Technovia's
Ian Betteridge says:
"In response to my post about switching to Ubuntu Linux, Charles
Arthur tweeted a question asking about my computing needs. It's a good
question, because - obviously - how you use your computer will often
determine your platform of choice."
Link:
How My Computing Needs Affected Switching to Linux
Apple Products on List of 'Stuff White People
Like'
Christian Lander, creator and author of the smash hit blogsite
"Stuff White People Like" (in this context, "white people" are probably
not what you may be thinking and may not even be white) and spinoff
book says:
"It is surprising that it took all the way to #40 to call out Apple
products. Initially, we were planning for an entire week on Apple
products, but that would just be over kill.
"Plain and simple, white people don't just like Apple, they love and
need Apple to operate.... white people NEED to meet people who use
Windows to justify themselves spending an extra $500 for a pretty
looking machine.... and remember you need a Mac to creatively check
email, creatively check websites, and creatively watch DVDs on
planes.... White people also need iPods, iPhones, Apple TV, AirPort
Express stations, and anything else that Apple will produce."
Link: #40
Apple Products
Snow Leopard May Arrive with Unified 'Marble'
Interface
AppleInsider's
Katie Marsal reports:
"With the release of Mac OS X 10.6 Snow Leopard, Apple may be
planning to rid its flagship operating system of the various user
interface inconsistencies that have materialized in recent years,
according to a pair of reports...."
Link:
Apple's Snow Leopard May Arrive with Unified 'Marble' Interface
Macworld/CES
Apple Ditching Macworld in Favor of CES?
Cult of Mac's
Ed Sutherland reports:
"Apple is ditching Macworld to instead exhibit at CES next year
instead, according to one source.
"The source, citing 'friends who work at Apple,' insisted the
company is ditching Macworld because it will 'go large' at CES, which
typically runs concurrently with Macworld in early January.
"The International Consumer Electronics Show, or CES, is the big
annual gathering of the consumer electronics industry. Held in Las
Vegas over several days, it attracts more than 2,700 companies from all
over the world, including technology giants like Microsoft, Sony and
Nintendo...."
Link: Apple
Ditching Macworld in Favor of CES?
CES 2010 Will Have an Apple-related Area, but What
About Apple?
Macworld's Dan
Moren says:
"One of the more persistent rumors on the Expo show floor this past
week - besides the one saying that Jobs would parachute onto the stage
during the keynote in order to prove that he's fit as a fiddle - was
that Apple would be ditching Macworld next year for the Consumer
Electronics Show in Las Vegas, which also took place last week.
"Adding fuel to that fire comes news from the Consumer Electronics
Association, the organization behind CES, that they're planning an area
of the 2010 show focused around 'Apple-related CE [consumer
electronics] manufacturers.'"
Link: CES
2010 Will Have an Apple-related Area, but What About Apple?
Macworld Vows to Carry On
InternetNews'
David Needle reports:
"What's Macworld without Apple?
"That was the question that the long-running tech trade show's
organizers sought to answer this week, which marked the last time the
event could count Apple as a participant and its chief exhibitor.
"Representatives from show producer IDG Word Expo were joined by
several hundred of the Macfaithful, who crowded into a hall here at the
Moscone Center this week to discuss and debate the future of the
event.
"And IDG stressed that the Macworld expo does have a future - at
least as far as next year...."
Link: Macworld
Vows to Carry On
Apple at CES? Unlikely
Cnet's Tom
Krazit says:
"A report that Apple is planning a visit to CES next year had eyes
rolling Friday morning from Las Vegas to Cupertino.
"Cult of Mac reports, citing a source with 'friends at Apple,' says
that Apple is planning to 'go large' at CES 2010, now that Macworld is
out of the way. The source called it a 'done deal,' noting that since
Apple is really more of a consumer electronics company these days, the
Consumer Electronics Show makes more sense.
"Too bad nothing else in this report makes sense...."
Link: Apple at CES?
Unlikely
CEA Confirms Apple-related Exhibits at CES
2010
Cnet's Tom
Krazit reports:
"The Consumer Electronics Association has confirmed plans to host a
Mac-centric area at CES 2010, but Apple has still not commented on
whether it plans to participate.
"Jason Oxman of the CEA confirmed Saturday that the group 'dedicated
a special area at the 2010 CES to Apple-related CE manufacturers.' That
immediately sets up an alternative for companies thinking about
exhibiting at Macworld 2010, which will not have Apple present for the
first time in 12 years...."
Link: CEA Confirms
Apple-related Exhibits at CES 2010
Apple Dropping Macworld Expo Makes Sense
CreativePro's
Gene Gable says:
"This month represents the 25th anniversary of the Macintosh
computer, and with Apple pulling out of the Macworld Expo show, perhaps
the end of an era of how the Mac community gathers and celebrates each
year....
"But first, let me shed a little light on Apple's announcement that
it would no longer participate in Macworld Expo. I was employed by IDG
World Expo, the producers of Macworld Expo, and I worked very closely
with Apple during my years running the Seybold Seminar events....
"I can also attest to the tension that has existed for years between
Apple and IDG World Expo over the Macworld event, which Apple does not
own or control. It should be no surprise that Apple prefers to control
its brand experience completely.... And of course Apple (and all the
exhibitors at Macworld Expo) have always hated the early January dates
of the show. Not only is it a poor time to introduce new products
(right after the Christmas buying season), but the expense of putting
up a booth is often higher because of overtime holiday labor rates and
travel costs....
"...I am actually surprised Apple didn't make this move
sooner...."
Editor's note: If you're a trivia buff (far beyond Macworld Expo
lore), don't miss this article - fascinating. cm
Link:
A Macintosh by Any Other Name Is Still as Sweet
Products & Services
BackJack Raises the Bar for Mac Online Backup with
New Business Version
PR: Synectics Business Solutions, Inc. today announced a new
version of their software to complement their well-established online
backup service. Built upon the same modern infrastructure as their
Enterprise version, BackJack's Business version delivers more
cost-effective, simpler and more secure online backup for business Mac
users. BackJack remains the most trusted name for the online protection
and recovery of critical files.
Synectics Business Solutions, Inc., developer of the BackJack(
Online Backup Service, has announced a new version of their software to
complement their well-established service. For those whose use of the
Mac generates income, or supports key business activities, BackJack
remains the most trusted name for the online protection and recovery of
critical files.
BackJack's new Business version (v5.1) follows their highly
successful flagship Enterprise version (v5.0) which has been in use,
since 2007, by some of the world's largest Mac installations. The
Business version was built from the Enterprise version so that small to
mid-sized businesses and educational institutions can benefit from more
cost-effective pricing, simplified backups, more efficient uploads and
enhanced security. Also included in their Business version is an
improved web-based account manager which gives administrators greater
control over their account information, internal support, storage, and
user management.
The company has long been recognized for its personal client care,
quality software and ongoing focus on Mac-only solutions. "Since 1998,
we have catered exclusively to the Mac online backup market", states
President Chris Brown. "As a result, we offer tremendous advantages for
our clients including mature software, unmatched experience with the
technology and a solid business practice where business clients know
that BackJack will exceed their expectations. We have earned the trust
of the Mac business community through years of service and are proud
that our longevity and Mac-centric solution continue to set us apart",
states Brown.
Their new Business version confirms Synectics' commitment to the
storage needs of Mac business and enterprise users where the highest
standards for backup and recovery must be set and met. Synectics'
upcoming solution, known as Continuum, will complement Leopard's Time
Machine® so that both onsite and offsite backups can be performed
conveniently and cost effectively.
15-day Free Trial Available Now
BackJack's Business Version is available for download immediately
via their 15-day free trial. Mac users need 10.4.10 or greater (Leopard
compatible)
Enterprise
BackJack's Enterprise version is their flagship Version 5 solution
built to satisfy the unique backup needs of Macs in larger
environments. Some of its highlights include client-specific
customization, centralized management of users, world-class support,
high security and high performance, as well as full integration into
the client's environment.
Continuum
Currently in development, BackJack's Continuum version will
complement Leopard's Time Machine® so that both the onsite and
offsite components of an effective backup strategy can be met
conveniently and cost effectively.
Link: BackJack
Software
New Postbox Email Client Announced at
Macworld
PR:
Could this be a worthy successor to Eudora?
The new Postbox email application's developers say:
"Postbox is a new way to manage online communication. It lets you
spend less time managing messages and more time getting things done.
But what makes Postbox really useful is the way it lets you find and
reuse all kinds of content hidden deep within your email. After all,
it's your email. Make the most of it.
Focus
Postbox lets you organize your mail by topic so you can focus on one
thing at a time. Incoming topic-related messages are automatically
displayed. Anything else stays in the background until you need it.
Don't worry, an unobtrusive counter displays incoming messages by topic
so you can still keep an eye on things without losing your focus.
Find
Postbox works behind the scenes to catalog everything in your email.
We mean everything: every bit of text in the body of your messages,
every contact, address or web link. Every picture, document or
attachment. It's all in the catalog and it's all searchable. To make
what you've found easier to use, search results are delivered in
context. Text is displayed in multi-sentence abstracts, messages in
threads, and images and documents as thumbnails with associated
information.
Free Your Mail
Once you've found
it, you can really start doing things. Postbox is designed to break
down barriers. Any mail content can be annotated or combined with
information from the web to create new mail messages. Want to get the
information out of Postbox? No problem. You can post content to online
communities and sharing sites right from the Postbox window. Want to
get web content into Postbox? Just as easy. A handy sidebar lets you
pull in information directly from Internet search engines, reference
sites and photo-sharing or other online communities.
Postbox will support all popular email protocols including IMAP,
POP3, SMTP, Mobile Me, Gmail, RSS and Newsgroups, as well as
integration with web services like Google, Flickr, Facebook, Twitter,
and Delicious.
Postbox is currently in beta build. You can register on their
Website to be notified of developments.
Link: Postbox
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