Miscellaneous Ramblings

Miscellaneous Ramblings, 2005 Archive

• Pismo screen, WallStreet keyboard problems; Amplified Bible and MacSword; sorry state of Mac OCR; and more, 2005.12.19. OS X and the "one laptop per kid program", "should I wait for a 64-bit 'Book?," and more.
• Textpander 1.2: A powerful, free text macro utility, 2005.12.05. Macro utilities can make you more efficient and productive, and the latest version of Textpander brings it head-to-head with TypeIt4Me.
• MacSword 1.2: A solid free Bible program made even better, 2005.12.05. This free, open source Bible research and study program keeps improving. This time around the search function is vastly improved.
• Papyrus' Atari roots, SeaMonkey a workhorse, browser launch times, WallStreet keyboard failure, and more, 2005.11.21. Also is Photoshop Elements 3 worth upgrading to?, MIT laptop project and OS X, and support for multicore CPUs in OS X.
• Papyrus Office: A $99 alternative to Microsoft Office, 2005.11.14. Papyrus Office 11 has been ported to OS X. With word processing, spreadsheet, a relational database, and desktop publishing, can it replace Microsoft Office?
• iCab 3.0 beta: The last new browser for the classic Mac OS?, 2005.11.14. iCab 3.0, developed for Mac OS 8.5 and later (including OS X) is very robust and offers some useful, unique features.
• SeaMonkey Preview Internet Suite, 2005.11.07. SeaMonkey continues the legacy of Netscape Communicator and Mozilla for those who prefer an Internet suite to separate applications.
• Power brick plug-in woes, Pismo chimes, semibootable USB iPods, screen rotation in Tiger, and more, 2005.11.01. Why the proper plug-in sequence matters, dead Pismo suggestions, bootability of USB iPods, screen pivot support in 10.4.2, modem problems with beige G3, and why Apple should postpone going Intel.
• The copy-and-replace vs. copy-and-merge debate continues, 2005.10.31. More readers weigh in on the difference between Apple's Finder copying and what the norm is in the world of Windows.
• FireWire free iPod problem, OS X on clamshell iBook, poor dead Pismo, pivoting displays in Tiger, and more, 2005.10.25. Also the difference between Mac and Windows floppies, taping over the hole so you can use a high density floppy in a double density Mac drive, and upgrading Redux.
• Mac Finder copy not flawed, just different from Windows, 2005.10.24. The Finder's copy behavior has remained unchanged over the years. It's different from the way Windows works, and that is causing problems for switchers.
• OS X copy flaw, thumbnails in OS X, fixing 'generic' file icons, Mac 512K system disks, and more, 2005.10.17. Problems with Mac's copy-and-replace vs. Windows copy-and-merge, both OS X and Windows have pros and cons, remapping files, and making 400K system disks with 1.4M floppies.
• 2 Trash shortcuts, screen orientation, iPod update breaks CD burner, Mac 512K system disks, and more, 2005.10.11. Also joining the Mac side with a 12" PowerBook, looking for a printer that works with OS 9, and a prediction for Apple's October 12 event.
• More responses to Russell Beattie's 33 criticisms of Mac OS X, 2005.10.10. Readers weigh in on Russell Beattie's criticisms of OS X.
• A flameless response to Russell Beattie's 33 criticisms of Mac OS X, 2005.10.04. Russell Beattie finds 33 things wrong with Mac OS X - and much to agree with.
• Speed up your Mac, eliminating sidebars in the Finder, Radeon 9200 and Core Image redux, and more, 2005.09.27. Also high prices on vintage Mac parts, new link for ToyViewer, finding your Mac's serial number, and PowerBook vs. iBook.
• StuffIt Standard 10.0 a must have: Faster, more flexible, and more efficient, 2005.09.19. New version of the established Mac compression program supports more formats and compresses files faster than version 9.
• Captain FTP 4.3 faster, easier, better than ever, 2005.09.13. Updated FTP client gains power, new features, even a widget.
• 3D-Space VFS: A 3-dimensional Dock replacement and more, 2005.08.29. "I'm usually a fan of minimalist unobtrusiveness when it comes to program launchers, but I have to admit that 3D-Space VFS is pretty cool."
• Core Image and Radeon 9200, don't like the Dock, PowerBook vs. iBook, and donating a 5300, 2005.08.22. Prospects of Core Image support on the Mac mini, two who don't like the Dock, comparing 12"ch iBook and PowerBook, and what to do with an old Power Mac 5300.
• Monitor your Mac, the weather, and stocks for free using XRG, 2005.08.15. This very useful free utility monitors CPU load, uptime, temperature, battery, network and drive use, as well as the weather and your favorite stocks.
• WorkStrip: Much more than a Dock replacment, 2005.08.08. Workstrip can replace the Dock, manage workspaces, bookmark files, and a whole lot more.
• 15 free POP3 email services, 2005.08.01. Free email - and some include spam blocking, virus detection, and webmail versions at no charge as well.
• Christian discipleship, cultural warfare, teen suicide, and genocide, 2005.07.28. Readers discuss religion vs. discipleship, dangers of the culture war, the hard road to Christ, the pain of teen suicide, and the powers behind genocide.
• Used iBook value, lemonade vs. iBook, Pismo hinge repair, email and older Macs, and more, 2005.07.26. Also, faster Pismo graphics with 10.4.2, a happy MainStreet user, image browsers for OS X, InteliMac, and more.
• Photoshop Elements 3.0: All you need?, 2005.07.11. For most photographers, Photoshop Elements 3.0 may eliminate the need to purchase Photoshop CS.
• Letters on living, dying, religion, and truth, 2005.07.07. More conversation on Jobs' commencement address and Moore's response.
• No Quartz Extreme support for Pismo, 2005.07.05. Pismo's onboard video just can't support Quartz Extreme - but a CPU upgrade can improve Quartz performance.
• The Steve Jobs on living and dying letters, 06.29. Readers respond to last week's look at Steve Job's Stanford commencement address.
• WallStreet CPU upgrades, Quartz Extreme on Pismo, 64-bit Intel future, bad iTunes track, and a TV/monitor solution, 06.27. Upgrading a WallStreet PowerBook, enabling Quartz Extreme on a Pismo, Intel's existing 64-bit support, update on a bad iTunes track, and a LCD TV/monitor solution.
• Steve Jobs on living and dying, 06.20. In his commencement address as Standford, Steve Jobs broke several cultural taboos while advising graduates how to better live their lives.
• Old Macs worth millions, TV on your Mac, a Spotlight plugin for Word Perfect, and more, 06.15. Also Pismo upgrades, PlainTalk mic with iMic, antennas for iBooks, SMTP problem with Emailer, and more.
• The Macintel letters, pro and con, 06.13. Readers weigh in on Apple's plans to migrate Macs to Intel CPUs.
• Intel inside the Mac: Will the gain be worth the pain?, 06.07. Prepare for an awkward transition as user choose between existing PowerPC hardware and the Intel-based Macs to come.
• XLR8 MAChSpeed Control 3.4 squeezes top performance from G3, G4, and G5 Macs and upgrades, 06.06. Latest version of CPU tweaking software supports G3-G5 Macs, G3 and G4 upgrades, and Mac OS 9 through OS X 10.4.
• NotePad Deluxe: A powerful, friendly information organizer, 05.31. "...this is such a well engineered, thoughtfully conceived, and obviously high quality product that it's worth the extra few bucks."
• Tiger feedback and tips, IRC channel for low end Macs, big problems with SilverKeeper, and more, 05.23. Positive feedback on OS X 10.4.1, a tip for using Spotlight, DiskWarrior updates, getting inside a 9500, and where to get WordPerfect for Mac for free.
• Mac vs. PC metaphors, uControl for trackpad scrolling, less costly G4 for iMac A-D, SilverKeeper feedback, and more, 05.16. Free trackpad scrolling utility, $160 G4 upgrade for Rev. A-D iMacs, WallStreet display repair, and more on the best Mac keyboard.
• SilverKeeper: The quintessential free backup utility?, 05.09. LaCie's SilverKeeper is free, and it might be all the backup software you need.
• The Microsoft/Apple religious wars revisited, 05.02. Umberto Eco's decade-old observations on Macs vs. Windows PCs captures some essential truths, remains relevant.
• G4 upgrades for G3 'Books, lap desks, OS X on early iMacs, emergency boot CD problem, and more, 04.26. Also microphone input with Macs, Digitrex camera driver, cookie overload stops Yahoo Mail, and more on the best Mac keyboard.
• Always a market for excellence, sick WallStreet, ATI VersaVision and new PowerBooks, and more, 04.25. Also ColorIt coming for OS X, Pismo replacement battery, Linus is right, FireWire bridge chips, and more.
• Kinesis Contour Keyboard looks odd but is surprisingly relaxing and comfortable, 04.18. Unconventional design makes for a very comfortable keyboard that's easy to adapt to and very convenient.
• Photo to Movie takes the image presentation far beyond what iMovie, PowerPoint offer, 04.11. Use zooms, pans, rotation, transitions, titles, and more to turn your static images into an attractive, intriguing, seamless presentation.
• Homeopathy on the Mac, 04.04. The leading software used by homeopathic practitioners is a Macintosh application.
• MacMice MicFlex USB, a great microphone for music or dictation, 03.28. This stylish, high quality USB microphone can be used with iChat AV, GarageBand, iListen, and more.
• What happened to the Mac, sick WallStreet, when a Mac is not a Mac, and more, 03.21. Also ColorIt availability, another Note Pad replacement, battery for Pismo, ATI Versavision question, PowerBook Tech, and Elgato EasyWatch.
• Jotz 1.3, an innovative, thoughtful replacement for the old Mac Note Pad, 03.14. Jotz goes well beyond copying Apple's Note Pad, adding a number of helpful, powerful features.
• Mac mini server costs, UPS Canada brokerage fees, iDVD on OS 9, an install CD trick, and more, 03.07. Also OS 9 installation tips, the reliable PowerBook 3400, booting a clamshell iBook from FireWire, the wonderful PowerBook 9500, and more.
• Interarchy a fast, powerful FTP Client for OS X, 02.28. Fast, flexible, feature-laden, and familiar, Interarchy integrates tightly with the Finder and text editors.
• PB 3400 opinions, dual-core G4 beats G5 for 'Books, Mac minis as servers, and more, 02.21. Also external DVD burning with OS 9, Opera 8 features, free POP3 service, thoughts on trackpad scrolling, and more.
• Opera 8.0 for Mac: The promise finally realized?, 02.14. Earlier version of 'the world's fastest browser' weren't so fast, crashed a lot, and weren't very Mac-like. Has Opera 8.0 fixed everything?
• DEVONthink, a powerful information collection, organization, and analysis tool, 02.07. DEVONthink helps you collect and discover connections using text, images, Web pages, bookmarks, and other types of data.
• Jaguar for $28, solid PowerBook 3400, Panther WallStreet video fix, Office 98 on OS X, and more, 02.03. Also adjusting Apple's optical mouse, alternative to BootCD, skeptical about PowerBook G5 info, and more on the iceKey keyboard.
• Is 'The Mouse' from DVForge the multi-button mouse Apple should have built?, 01.31. "Appearance-wise, it pays more than a little homage to Apple's USB optical mouse, but in my estimation it's a nicer mouse to use."
• Make a bootable OS X emergency CD with BootCD, 01.26. Donationware app makes it easy to create a bootable OS X CD with your favorite Mac utility software.
• PowerBook G5 and PPC 970GX, iBook resolder repair, best keyboard opinions, and more, 01.24. Also OS X on a tray-loading iMac, the importance of testing your RAM, and a dead PowerBook battery.
• Cool new stuff from SteelPad: A cure for slippery mice and a really big mousepad, 01.19. Steelgrip keeps your mouse from slipping, and SteelPad QcK+ gives your mouse plenty of room to maneuver.
• Favorite keyboards, keyboard design flaws, memory speed, Classic II mail server, and more, 01.17. Also bluetooth mouse support in Panther, clamshell iBook ruggedness and performance, NewerTech recommendation, and a possible iTunes glitch.
• Lombard/Pismo battery replacement, webmail problems with OS X, OS X on an iBook 300, and more, 01.11. Also adding FireWire to a G4, the recalcitrant blue & white G3, Rodney Lain, Classic II mail server, and more.
• 'The best Mac keyboard'? I beg to differ, 01.10. Praise of the Apple Extended Keyboard and Matias Tactile Pro is far from universal.
• Has 'the best keyboard Apple ever made' been resurrected?, 01.03. Matias claims to have remade Apple's Extended Keyboard II for the USB era, but is it as good as the original?
• more in the Miscellaneous Ramblings archives: 1999-2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010