Low End Mac Archive for January 31

January 31 in Apple and Low End Mac History

First impressions: TiBook, Dan Knight, The 'Book Page. Stop the presses - I got my PowerBook G4 this afternoon.
Yet another reason to get a PowerBook, Dave Beekman, My Turn. If your typing method is "hunt 'n peck," a PowerBook could be the answer to your prayers.
Beware dust, Manuel Mejia Jr, Mac Daniel. Dust can reduce the lifespan of your Mac. Here's how to fight this enemy.

First Mac use a revelation, Steve Wassenich, My First Mac. "The Mac didn't tell me where to put the words; it let me do that, and I didn't have to define where I wanted the words to appear."
iPhoto missing one important feature, Jeff Adkins, Mac Lab Report. iPhoto is marvelous, but it's missing one very useful feature.
Going Ten: Installation, first impressions, Dan Knight, 10 Forward. The weird, wild, wonderful world of OS X - now installed on two older Macs.
Star Trek: A lost episode, author unknown, The Lite Side. Which will defeat the Borg: Windows software or Microsoft's lawyers?

Apple has always been a niche player, Dan Knight, Mac Musings. "Despite the myths, Apple has never been a dominant player in the personal computer industry."
The music industry needs to embrace the digital age, reduce CD prices, and avoid copy cat artists, Adam Robert Guha, Apple Archive. The record companies need to stop blaming file sharing for their woes and offer buyers good music at good prices.
'Books without backup batteries, screen protectors for new PowerBooks, ultraportable USB hub, universal laptop power adapter, and more, Charles W. Moore, The 'Book Review. Also a PowerBook repair service, handles for TiBooks and iceBooks, Celestia planetarium software, and bargain 'Books from $400 to $2,250.

12" PowerBook G4/1.5 GHz. Scrollable trackpad, faster CPU, 512 MB RAM standard, faster hard drive, Bluetooth 2.0, 8x SuperDrive option, lower prices, more.
15" PowerBook G4/1.67 GHz. Scrollable trackpad, motion sensing, backlit keyboard, faster CPU, 512 MB RAM standard, faster hard drive, Bluetooth 2.0, 8x SuperDrive option, more.
17" PowerBook G4/1.67 GHz. Scrollable trackpad, motion sensing, faster CPU, faster hard drive, Bluetooth 2.0, 8x SuperDrive, lower price, more.
Is 'The Mouse' from DVForge the multi-button mouse Apple should have built?, Charles W Moore, Miscellaneous Ramblings. "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."
No, kids aren't born knowing how to use computers, save files, or burn CDs, Jeff Adkins, Mac Lab Report. Sure, some students breathe technology, but a lot of kids need to be taught how to launch programs, where to save files, and how to copy their work to a disc.
How to change copyright law so it once again serves the public interest, Dan Knight, Mac Musings. "Not only would this better serve the public interest, but it might cost Disney and others a lot less than lobbying for ever-increasing copyright terms while still protecting their works from pirates."

Picking the right hardware, software, and strategy for effective backup, Scott K Brown, Random Advice. Do you want a full, incermental, or archival backup? Should you back up to hard drive, CD, DVD, or Zip? What backup programs are available for the Mac?
Preparing yourself and your 'Book for time in the field, Joe Rivera, Mac Fallout Shelter. In addition to your notebook computer, you'll want a good case, lots of wires, cleaning supplies, and more when going into the field.

Wireless Networking 101: Speed and security, Andrew J Fishkin, Best Tools for the Job. The old 802.11b is fine for sharing Internet access, but you'll want faster and more secure options if you're sharing files over your network.
Dreaming up a Mac more expandable than the Mac mini, more affordable than the Mac Pro, Dan Knight, Mac Musings. Apple has a gaping hole in its product line between unexpandable entry-level models and the expensive Mac Pro that offers far more expansion than most will ever need.

iPhone to hit $299 'within months', iPhone car integration guide, iPhone privacy concerns, and more, iNews Review. Also one-in-four iPhones unlocked, iJailBreak released for 1.1.3, Apple TV update delayed, light-up touchpads and clickwheels possible, and more.

Handheld gaming in 2011: Apple vs. Sony and Nintendo, Dan Bashur, Apple, Tech, and Gaming. Apple's iOS platform has become a big player for casual gaming, but new models from Sony and Nintendo should strengthen their markets.
Verizon iPhone 4 or an open Android smartphone?, John Hatchett, Recycled Computing. John Hatchett can finally get an iPhone thanks to Verizon, but he also finds the HTC Desire tempting.
Multicore processors in 45% of smartphones in 2015, Apple's pentalobe screw conspiracy, and more, iNews Review. Also gyroCam ends crooked photos, Photoshop Express 1.5 for iOS, Agile Messenger for iPad, new iPhone and iPad cases, and more.

Tiger or Leopard for PowerPC Macs? Does It Matter Anymore?, Simon Royal, Tech Spectrum. Does it really matter whether you run OS X 10.4 Tiger or 10.5 Leopard on your increasingly left-behind PowerPC Macs?
MacBook Air vs. MacBook Pro, Looking for a Vertical MacBook Stand, and SE/30 Internet Tips, Charles Moore, Charles Moore's Mailbag. Whether a MacBook Air makes as much sense as a MacBook Pro, finding a vertical stand for a MacBook, and tips for getting an SE/30 on the Internet.