Low End Mac Editorial Archive

July to December 1999

1999. Year in Review, Dan Knight, Mac Musings, 12.31. The good, the bad, and the downright brilliant.
1999 Low End Mac Awards, Dan Knight, 12.31.
Storage Devices for Older Macs, Manuel Mejia Jr., Mac Daniel, 12.31.
"The Mac Is a Toy," Rodney O. Lain, Things Macintosh, 12.30. "Frustrating with silly games, I get back to work. Games are kids, anyway."
DVD-RAM Gets Affordable, Dan Knight, Mac Musings, 12.30. Is it the right backup or archiving solution?
New Years Rant, Eric DeStefano, Mac Metamorphosis, 12.29. "My relationship with Windows had to end sometime, and . . . I couldn't have picked a better time to bow out."
Owning adigicam: A look at the costs, Dan Knight, Digigraphica, 12.29.
The required New Year's column: Avoiding complacency, Steve Wood, View From the Classroom, 12.28. A Mac lover looks back at 1999 - and all is not rosy.
Short Takes, Charles W Moore, Miscellaneous Ramblings, 12.28. Dangers of ESD, dead and sleeping LCD pixels, and more on backup.
SCSI or IDE hard drive?, Charlie Ruggiero, Mac Daniel, 12.28. Which is the better upgrade option?
Mac OS Linux, Anne Onymus, The Rumor Mill, 12.28. "Apple will be reabsorbing Linux/PPC and using it as the core of the new OS...."
The $600 iMac, Rodney O. Lain, Things Macintosh, 12.24. "I honestly think that the true iMac is yet in the future."
Why Macs Don't Look Generic, Paulo Rodrigues, iMac Musings, 12.24. "Apple . . . insists on making the entire computer look good."
Apple's 1999 Results, Dan Knight, Mac Musings, 12.23. Final results for fiscal 1999 are in - and very impressive.
Pismo & Thin PowerBooks, Charles Moore, Miscellaneous Ramblings, 12.22. Pismo speculation, and another voice in favor of a still thinner PowerBook.
Predictions for Macworld Expo, Dan Knight, 12.22. How might Apple revise their product line at Macworld Expo?
ViaVoice for Macintosh, Evan Kleiman, Mac Happens, 12.22. Finally, good dictation software for the Macintosh.
1/1/2K just another day for Macs, Dan Knight, Online Tech Journal, 12.21. And why some Mac programs are still Y2K problems.
Apple's USB Mouse Is Not an Ergonomic Dud, Paulo Rodrigues, iMac Musings, 12.21.
A Mini-Tour of My Mac, Steve Wood, View From the Classroom, 12.21.
Buying my digicam online, Dan Knight, Digicams, 12.21. "This attempted transaction shows some serious flaws in the way some people do ecommerce...."
iPhone includes video, The Rumor Mill, 12.21.
The Next PowerBooks, Dan Knight, The 'Book Page, 12.17. "For the record, I don't think Apple is going to introduce a new PowerBook at Macworld Expo - I expect to see three new portable Macs."
Apple to Embrace Ecommerce, The Rumor Mill, 12.17. New keyboard only part of the picture.
Sales Tax on the Web, Dan Knight, Mac Musings, 12.16. "...the idea of a tax-free Internet is holding its own, but I don't believe it will last."
The Next iBook, Dan Knight, iBook Page, 12.15.
Macs and Y2K, Evan Kleiman, Mac Happens, 12.14. Advice for all Mac users, especially those with System 7.5.3 and earlier.
Apple to reintroduce Power Mac G3, The Rumor Mill, 12.14. Unwilling to abandon export-restricted markets, Apple will bring back the G3 - with a twist.
A Roll-Your-Own spelling program, Steve Wood, View From the Classroom, 12.13.
Universal internet access, Dan Knight, Mac Musings, 12.13. "I've been taken to task from several fronts for my article 'Internet-Poor With You Always.'"
Why Should I Choose System 6 for the Mac II Family?, Manuel Mejia, Mac Daniel, 12.13. If they can use System 7, why use System 6?
Week in Review, Low End Mac, 12.11. A look back at some of this week's new site content.
DVD and the Mac: Feedback, Mac Musings, 12.11. "Yes, there really are good reasons for watching DVD on your Mac."
Internet-Poor With You Always, Dan Knight, Mac Musings, 12.11. How should the federal government address the digital divide between rich and poor?
New PowerBook in January, The Rumor Mill, 12.10. "Okay, everyone expects it, but Apple's going to do something so radical it will make the iMac look beige."
Cat-lovers, Dog-lovers, and Computer Platforms, Charles W Moore, Miscellaneous Ramblings, 12.10. Cat people, dog people, Mac people, and PC people.
Where Are the Rumor Sites?, Dan Knight, Mac Musings, 12.10. One is missing in action, another hasn't been updated for over a week.
Decisions, Eric DeStefano, Mac Metamorphosis, 12.09. Eric tries to choose the best used Mac for today - and OS X in the future.
DVD and the Mac, Dan Knight, Mac Musings, 12.09. "What is the attraction of running DVDs on the Mac?"
Megahertz really does matter (outside the Mac community), Rodney O. Lain, Things Macintosh, 12.08.
Wireless mouse & keyboard input, Charles W Moore, Miscellaneous Ramblings, 12.07.
Holiday decorations, Evan Kleiman, Mac Happens, 12.07. "You decorate your home for the holidays, so why not decorate your Mac, too?"
Future Computing E-Power page hacked [iMac2Day], 12.06. It's evidently the work of a Macintosh fan unimpressed by the iMac look-alike.
Monday Blues, Steve Wood, View From the Classroom, 12.06. One computer refusing to start can ruin your whole week.
Designing a computer room, Dan Knight, Low End Mac, 12.06. Factors to consider in creating your personal workspace.
Salvaged Compact Macs, "Adam Ant," My First Mac, 12.02. Macs saved from the dumpster used for writing, games, more.
Monitor dot pitch, Dan Knight, Online Tech Journal, 12.01. How does dot pitch compare to horizontal dot pitch?
Old AV Mac Saves PC User, Anthony Lucente, Mac Musings, 11.30. All she wanted to do was convert her analog video for use on her PC.
Teacher Tools: Teachers Love "Free," Steve Wood, View From the Classroom, 11.29.
Should I Wait for OS X Before Upgrading My Macs?, Dan Knight, Mac Daniel, 11.29.
Thanks, many thanks, Rodney O. Lain, Things Macintosh, 11.26.
From Fat Mac to iMac, Wayne Crannell, My First Mac, 11.26. "The 'e' stood for 'enhanced,' which meant it could read both sides of a floppy."
Should I buy a USB card?, Charlie Ruggiero, 11.23. Any PCI Mac can take one, but is it for you?
Teacher Tools: Gradebooks, Steve Wood, View From the Classroom, 11.22.
Screen Size and Resolution, Dan Knight, Online Tech Journal, 11.19. Why is the iMac fuzzy at 1024 x 768? Why does a 17" monitor look unsharp at 1280 x 960?
Reassessment, Eric DeStafano, Mac Metamorphosis, 11.18. "The Windows platform is dead, and Windows 2000 is going to be the final nail in the coffin."
Macs for design, Lynn, My First Mac, 11.18. "The tables have turned, and I think it is time that everyone (including software manufacturers), see the enormous capabilities and adaptability that Macintoshes have!"
Apple will rule the computer world, Rodney O. Lain, Things Macintosh, 11.17. "If you start a business and base it on the goal of continuously striving for quality, you will slowly but surely become the #1 business over time."
Online with a PowerBook Duo, Julie Fugett, Mac Daniel, 11.17. "To do everything you want to accomplish, you're going to need a DuoDock."
Free web access, even for older Macs, Rob Myers, Mac Musings, 11.17. Free web access with a standard PPP connection and no extra ad banners in your brower.
Backup basics, Charles Moore, Miscellaneous Ramblings, 11.16. "I don't back up my files nearly often enough....."
Secure Your Mac, Evan Kleiman, Mac Happens, 11.16. How to secure your Mac for multiple users (without OS 9) and protect your files from snoops.
MyBook: A more portable Mac, Dan Knight, The 'Book Page, 11.16. "How small a computer can you make using a full-size keyboard?"
Teacher Tools: AppleWorks, Steve Wood, View From the Classroom, 11.15. "Two of the most opinionated and product loyal groups of folks I know are teachers and Macintosh users."
Time to buy an iMac?, Dan Knight, Mac Daniel, 11.15. Is there enough performance difference between a Quadra and the iMac to justify the expense?
Mac User for a Month #3: Gaming, Eric DeStefano, Mac Metamorphosis, 11.12. Macs have their place, but hard core gamers are still choosing Windows. Here's why.
Six Year Old Mac to the Rescue, Scott Atkinson, Mac Musings, 11.12. The Quadra 660av has what it takes to capture stills from video for a television web site.
Hotmail fights spam (and so do I), Dan Knight, Mac Musings, 11.11. "Although Cnet finds it controversial, I'd like to welcome Microsoft's Hotmail service to the ranks of those using MAPS RBL."
Listen to the iMac, Paulo Rodrigues, iMac Channel, 11.10. "One of the new iMac's best improvements is the new Harman/Kardon Odyssey sound system...."
Mac OS 9: I think I like it!, Steve Wood, View From the Classroom, 11.08.
Good-bye, Apple dealer, Dan Knight, Mac Musings, 11.08. Between The Apple Store and other mail order sources on one side and CompUSA and Sears on the other, the days of the independent dealer appear numbered.
Short Takes, Charles W Moore, Miscellaneous Ramblings, 11.05. MacsBug correction, PictTrasher, and Battery Reset update for PB G3 Series and iBook.
Mac User for a Month #2, Eric DeStefano, Mac Metamorphosis, 11.04. Despite not receiving his used 7200/120, Eric is going 100% Macintosh on a six-year-old Quadra 605.
Home Page Lives!, Steve Wood, View From the Classroom, 11.04. It does work with OS 9.
"I" in iMac for Inferior?, Evan Kleiman, Mac Happens, 11.04. "...after installing Mac OS 9 on your iMac, you'll feel inferior to your little computer."
Is Steve Fiddling while Apple's Education Marketshare Burns?, Steve Wood, View From the Classroom, 11.01. "Last week's news that Dell Computer had displaced Apple from the lead in educational unit sales for two straight quarters should have shaken the Macintosh world to its knees."
MacsBug 6.6, Charles W Moore, Miscellaneous Ramblings, 11.01. What is MacsBug and how can it help you, the Macintosh user?
Fujitsu's iMac Clone, Dan Knight, Mac Musings, 10.30. Is the Pliché just an iMac rip off, or is it something different?
The New AppleCare, Dan Knight, Mac Musings, 10.27. The new AppleCare Protection Plan looks like a much better value than the old one.
Solving Font Problems on OS 8.6, Charles W Moore, Miscellaneous Ramblings, 10.27. Between a new G4, Mac OS 8.6, Quark XPress, and Type Reunion....
Lab fun!, Steve Wood, View From the Classroom, 10.25. Setting up a Mac lab isn't just a job, it's an adventure.
Macs Work With Me, Tom Gabriel, My First Mac, 10.25. After using both Windows and Mac, this user finds the Mac works with him, not against him.
The Life and Times of MacTimes, Dan Knight, Mac Musings, 10.23. "Over my months at MacTimes, I watched traffic to Low End Mac grow and grow and grow...."
Week in Review, Low End Mac, 10.23. The week's leading editorials and some updates.
Mac User For a Month #1, Eric DeStefano, Mac Metamorphosis, 10.22. Eric prepares for one month PC-free and Mac-only.
What can I do with a Mac Plus or SE?, Manuel Mejia, Mac Daniel, 10.22. "There are still many people who need to do a letter to home or other places, and the older Macs are great for doing this."
Encyclopedia Britannica now free online, Charles W Moore, Miscellaneous Ramblings, 10.22. "...the entire 32-volume Encyclopedia Britannica will now be available on the Internet free of charge."
The 1.7 GHz G4, Rodney O. Lain, Things Macintosh, 10.21. Apple should market the G4 by "Pentium equivalent" MHz.
Free Mac internet access, Evan Kleiman, Mac Happens, 10.20. "Recently, freei.net released a version of their internet access software for the Mac."
Should I Leave My Mac On All the Time or Turn It Off?, Charlie Ruggiero, Mac Daniel, 10.20. Should you always leave your computer running, or should you shut it down when you're not using it?
Itanium or Itanic?, Dan Knight, Mac Musings, 10.20. The strength of titanium or the fate of the Titanic?
Jesux: Sanctified Linux?, Dan Knight, Mac Linux Links, 10.20. Jesux, a "Christian" version of Linux. Is it a hoax? Is it legitimate?
SETI@home, Dan Knight, Mac Musings, 10.19. "SETI@home is a scientific experiment that harnesses the power of hundreds of thousands of Internet-connected computers in the Search for Extraterrestrial Intelligence."
Setting Up a 6100, Dan Knight, Low End Mac, 10.18. Was picking up some Power Mac 6100s for $200 each really such a good deal?
The G4 Debacle, or Decelerate Your Mac, Dan Knight, Mac Musings, 10.15. "I hope you were as shocked as I was at Apple's arrogance on Wednesday."
Time Magazine on Jobs and Apple, Charles W Moore, Miscellaneous Ramblings, 10.15. "...overall a fair and captivating portrait of the man Mac-users tend to regard in complex love-hate terms."
This Week's "Non-Column," Steve Wood, View from the Classroom, 10.15. Even when Steve claims he doesn't have a column, he says it so well....
Mac Connectivity, Julie Fugett, Mac Daniel, 10.14. Advice on configuring your Mac for internet access and choosing a modem.
Simplicity Is Key, Eric DeStefano, Mac Metamorphosis, 10.14. Extensions are an extremely hard concept for a PC user to grasp.
~~Ten~~ 6 Things I Hate About OS 9, Dan Knight, Mac Musings, 10.14. "Apple makes insanely great computers running insanely great operating systems. However, sometimes stepping forward also involves a few steps back."
A Mac Is Like Prozac, Rodney O. Lain, Things Macintosh, 10.13. Is PC pundit Jesse Berst seriously considering a Macintosh? What does it mean?
From home computers to a real computer, Bonaventura Di Bello, My First Mac, 10.13. A game programmer from the 8-bit era finds a new niche with the Macintosh.
iMacs for All, Evan Kleiman, Mac Happens, 10.12. The new iMac line offers something for everyone.
Kihei Revisited, Dan Knight, The iMac Channel, 10.11. The iMac DV Special Edition "is the perfect accessory for anyone who owns a digital camcorder."
Legacy Macs and the Professional Wedding Photographer, Charles W Moore, Miscellaneous Ramblings, 10.08. Why one photographer prefers older Power Macs to Apple's G3 and G4 machines.
Troubleshooting 101, Steve Wood, View from the Classroom, 10.07. "A good utilities program can make you look like a real Mac guru!"
Love at First Sight, Willy Wang, My First Mac, 10.07. "I walked into the classroom and saw the little pizza box shaped computers sitting on the desk. Then when I turned it on, heard the chime, and saw the little computer smiling at me, that's when I knew that I was in love again."
New iMacs Announced, Dan Knight, The iMac Channel, 10.06. The pictures were real. The features are great. And the prices are very attractive.
Accession to Mac OS 8.1, Eric DeStefano, Mac Metamorphosis, 10.05. "Working with the Macintosh has proven harder then I thought it would be."
OS 8.6: Not All It's Cracked Up To Be, Evan Kleiman, Mac Happens, 10.05. "If it's free, it probably is too good to be true."
Topless iMac Revealed!, Anne Onymus, iMac Channel, 10.05. All the other sites have been hoaxed - this is the real thing!
Apple and the Mac Web, Low End Mac, 10.04. "First, let me state that I take no issue with Apple's right to control distribution of trade secrets and copyrighted material."
Apple Is A Company, Rodney O. Lain, Things Macintosh, 10.04. "Warm fuzzies aside, never ever forget that Apple is a company - first, foremost and always."
Letters on Kihei Pics, Mac Musings, 10.04. Reader feedback.
Kihei pictures pulled, Mac Musings, 09.30. "All this seems symptomatic of Apple's attitude toward independent pro-Mac sites. They would rather engage us in court than engage us in conversation.
No FileMaker 5.0 Here, Dan Knight, Mac Musings, 0930:. FileMaker 5 system requirements mean no upgrade for this company.
Mac Happiness, Michael A. Stanhope, My First Mac, 09.29. Michael got hooked on Macs in high school and still loves using them.
A Menagerie of Macs, Steve Wood, MacInSchool, 09.28. Real stories of computers in the classroom.
My Three iMacs, Dan Knight, iMac Channel, 09.28. "Too many models with too many options destroys the simplicity of the iMac."
The Beginning of the End, Eric DeStefano, Mac Metamorphosis, 09.27. What happens when a PC user has to support a Mac? In this case, he gets hooked.
Scents and sensibility, Dan Knight, Mac Musings, 09.20.
PowerBook upgrades, bootleg and otherwise, Charles W Moore, Miscellaneous Ramblings, 09.20. "I think that very often CPU upgrades make dubious economic sense...."
My Almost iMac, Dan Knight, iMac Channel, 09.17. "I still don't own an iMac, but my home computer is getting closer all the time."
AirPort support for older Macs, Charles W Moore, Miscellaneous Ramblings, 09.17. AirPort is only for the iBook and "Sawtooth" G4, but there are other wireless, AirPort-compatible solutions for other Macs.
AirPort: The Era of Easy Networking, The 'Book Page, 09.15. "Networking has never been this easy."
PowerBooks for All, Rodney O. Lain, Mac Musings, 09.15. "I'm here to tell you that the PowerBook empowers you even further."
Apple site block solved, Dan Knight, Low End Mac, 09.14. Yesterday we uncovered an obscure access problem with Apple's web site - today we've found the solution.
Wanted: Custom iMacs, Evan Kleiman, Mac Happens, 09.14. Apple should offer multiple speeds and configurations of iMacs, including build to order.
Can't Get There From Here, Mac Musings, 09.13. Some Mac users can't reach the Apple Store. Is their hardware too old? Is it a browser problem? You can help us sort it out.
iCab 1.7, the best iCab yet, Charles Moore, Miscellaneous Ramblings, 09.11. "...a solid, fast, and small browser for those who want one."
G4 uproar continues, Dan Knight, Mac Musings, 09.10. "One would think, had this been a programming error, that Apple would have corrected it...."
Gilding the iMac lily, Dan Knight, iMac Channel, 09.10. "...gilding the lily changes its nature and increases its price."
Caveat Emptor: PowerBook G3 WallStreet 13.3" display issues, Charles W Moore, Miscellaneous Ramblings, 09.09. "...the 13.3" display issues with the Series I G3 PBs are unacceptably common and often take too long to resolve."
Big sound from the little iMac, Evan Kleiman, Mac Happens, 09.08. How to improve iMac sound with your stereo.
The ethernet alternative to USB drives, MacUSB, 09.08. Is a networked Mac a reasonable alternative to a USB hard drive?
G4 vs. Pentium III, Dan Knight, Mac Musings, 09.06. The Wintel world cries "foul" over claims the G4 is twice as fast.
Target promotes hip hues, iMac Channel, 09.06. Lime, blueberry, watermelon, grape. No tangerine. Possibly iMac inspired?
Why the G4 uproar?, Dan Knight, Low End Mac, 09.05. Apple never promised a G4 upgrade for the Blue G3, so why is everyone complaining?
An iMac G4?, Dan Knight, iMac channel, 09.04. "If Apple can sell a G4/400 for the same price as a G3/350, there seems no obstacle to replacing a G3/333 iMac with G4/350 version at the same price point."
Why internal FireWire on G4?, Dan Knight, Online Tech Journal, 09.03. "Apple obviously feels there will be a demand for FireWire devices inside the box - and within the life span of the Sawtooth motherboard."
More than G4, Dan Knight, Mac Musings, 08.31. The Power Mac G4 is impressive, but the innovations don't stop there.
Windows on Your Mac, Evan Kleiman, Mac Happens, 08.31. Hints on using Virtual PC.
The Truth About USB Speed, USB Page, 08.30. "The promise is 12 Mbps throughput, but does anything actually deliver it?"
The New Compact Macs, Dan Knight, Mac Musings, 08.26. Apple encouraged us to think different, so here are some different thoughts on low end modular and compact Macs.
The Voom Factor, Paulo Rodrigues, Tangerine Fusion, 08.25. "Apple computer has cleaned up the computer industry."
The eOne, Dan Knight, The iMac Channel, 08.24. It looks like an iMac, but the sealed case prevents many kinds of upgrades iMac owners take for granted.
Niches and Mac cloning, Dan Knight, The iMac Channel, 08.23. Apple has met the needs of four markets, but there are more markets to pursue.
Survey says...., Dan Knight, The 'Book Page, 08.21. Recent surveys show Mac users love AirPort, are divided over iBook pricing, and wish it shipped with more memory.
The Open Link Policy, 08.20. Webmasters band together to encourage deep links, protect content.
No Email Tax, Dan Knight, Mac Musings, 08.19. "From the perspective of the taxman, email has got to look like one incredible revenue opportunity."
Why Gaming Matters, The iMac Channel, 08.19. "...a healthy Mac gamer market will help reduce the cost of your next Macintosh."
More Macs, Evan Kleiman, The iMac Channel, 08.18. "...if there were more Macs, there'd be more Mac buyers."
AirPort, Dan Knight, The 'Book Page, 08.17. "While the Wintel world is inventing slower network protocols, AirPort has a bandwidth slightly higher than regular 10 Mbps ethernet."
G.Lite: Mass Market ADSL, Online Tech Journal, 08.17. "...a cost effective DSL technology with good enough performance for most users most of the time."
iClassic: The next SE/30, Dan Knight, The iMac Channel, 08.16. What happens when you merge today's technology with a 15-year-old concept?
Cable or DSL?, Dan Knight, 56k Modem Page, 08.11. Which is the better choice, a cable modem or DSL?
Will the iBook outsell the iMac?, Paulo Rodrigues, Tangerine Fusion, 08.10. "The iBook can be carried and used almost anywhere...."
iMac: The Next Generation, Dan Knight, The iMac Channel, 08.09. "With the first anniversary of the iMac's release just a week away, this would be a perfect time for Apple to announce an improved iMac."
More than an iMac to Go, Paulo Rodrigues, Tangerine Fusion, 08.05. The iBook has unique features, making it far more than a portable iMac.
Macs vs. Y2K, Low End Mac, 08.03. "We switched off the 26 NT machines and fired up our Macintosh equipment."
Easier Computing, Evan Kleiman, Mac Happens, 08.03. "Computers were designed to make our lives easier, right? So why do they make our lives harder?"
Apple's Next Direction, Dan Knight, Low End Mac, 08.02. "The future is OS X, not BeOS, Linux, or Windows."
The BarbiBook, Dan Knight, iBook Page, 08.02. "A hot pink BarbiBook could be just what the doctor ordered...."
iBook as Your First Mac, Dan Knight, The 'Book Page, 07.30. "For those who don't yet own computers and demand portability, the iBook is very price- and feature-competitive with value-priced Windows laptops"
The iBook Market, Dan Knight, The 'Book Page, 07.26. "...the iBook (like the iMac) calls out to be embraced. Buy me. Use me. Show the world your colors."
The Price Is Right, Dan Knight, The 'Book Page, 07.23. "Compared with the best value Windows laptops, the iBook easily holds its own."
Enter the iBook, Evan, 22 1999.07.. "The iBook is a revolutionary computer."
A computer on every desk, Evan Kleiman, Mac Happens, 07.13. "One day we'll see an iMac on every desk, not a boring beige box."
iMitation, 07.07. They say imitation is the sincerest form of flattery....