Low End Mac Editorial Archive
October 2006
- Turn any old Mac into a gameshow buzzer, Jeff Adkins, Mac Lab Report, 10.07. Want to set up a game show where players have to buzz in? This Chipmunk Basic app makes it easy and may work with any Mac running System 6.0 or later.
- Musings on low-end SATA cards in PCI Power Macs, Nathan Thompson, Embracing Obsolescence, 11.06. Thoughts on why the inexpensive SATA card might almost work in a pre-G3 PCI Power Mac.
- FaxCenter for OS X: All the fax software you may ever need, Charles W Moore, Miscellaneous Ramblings, 11.06. Anyone running OS X and looking for software that can replace the classic GlobalFax should take a look at FaxCenter.
- 10 years on AOL: Feast and famine, Tommy Thomas, Welcome to Macintosh, 11.03. America Online offered a sense of community something as big as the Internet simply can't provide.
- Old Power Macs and SATA not a marriage made in heaven, Nathan Thompson, Embracing Obsolescence, 11.03. The PCI SATA card said blue & white G3 or newer and Mac OS 8.6 or later, but maybe it would work in an older pre-G3 Power Mac....
- Disco brings unique features to Mac disc burning, Cortland, 11.03. Still in beta, Disco has a gorgeous interface and brings features Mac users haven't had before now.
- MacBook random shutdown cure, 15" MacBook rumored, Core 2 runs cooler, CoolBook heat control, and more, The 'Book Review, 11.03. Also the MacBook Pro's 3 GB memory limit explained, Apple's 200 GB hard drive, Hitachi's forthcoming 250 GB drive, a notebook stand with an integrated keyboard, bargain 'Books from $199 to $1,599, and more.
- Radeon X1900 for Power Mac G5, DVD-RAM benefits, Spin Doctor 2 digitizes LPs and tapes, and more, Mac News Review, 11.03. Also Mac Pro hard drive speed and expandability, Mac T-shirts, dual digital TV tuner for Macs, WiFi signal analysis, another Boot Camp update, and a hot-swap RAID enclosure.
- Gmail and Hotmail are nice, but isn't it time for Apple to offer free webmail again?, Adam Robert Guha, Apple Archive, 11.02. Internet users love their free Google, Microsoft, Yahoo, and other webmail. Maybe it's time for Apple to rejoin the game with their new dot-mac webmail interface.
- MacExpo 2006 lacking in excitement, Cortland, 11.01. It's a sad day when you can see an enitre Mac expo in less than an hour. And Apple didn't even have the new Core 2 MacBook Pro on display.
- Why a 7-year-old Power Mac G4 replaced a Mac mini, Andrew J Fishkin, The Mobile Mac, 2006.10.31. There's a lot more to productive computing power than CPU speed. The old Power Mac lets you add a second video card, a fast hard drive, and lots more that the Mac mini can't.
- 24 hours in cyberspace, 7 days with dated browsers, Ted Hodges, Vintage Mac Living, 10.31. The "24 Hours in Cyberspace" project from 1996 inspires a one week experiment of living with fifth-generation browsers.
- Best OS X for Pismo, mixing RAM speeds, LP to MP3, SpeedFan cools MacBook running Windows, and more, Charles W Moore, Miscellaneous Ramblings, 10.30. Also Lombard still rocks, Powerlogix WallStreet upgrade tip, old Macs still perform admirably, a 64 GB flash drive, and RadTech's clever BT600 mouse design.
- System 7 Today's Dan Palka on OS X, Windows, and Linux, Tommy Thomas, Welcome to Macintosh, 10.27. Microsoft and Linux just don't get the user interface, but OS X very nicely moves the classic Mac interface into modern times.
- Apple's growing success, 2002-2006, Cortland, 10.27. By 2002, Apple was on a solid footing. Since then, the iPod has become even more popular, and now Mac market share is on the climb.
- MacBook Pro goes Core 2, 3M's safer lithium battery, MagSafe airline adapter, laptop cleaner, and more, The 'Book Review, 10.27. Also new 'Books cheaper than Dell, mobile office for road warriors, fan and CPU control for MacBooks, bargain 'Books from $215 to $2,199, and more.
- 12 GB flash drive, Power Mac G5 Dual disassembly, Smart Scroll X software, and more, Mac News Review, 10.27. Also Viewsonic's iPod-ready displays, Logitech's NuLooq Navigator, PCIe gigabit ethernet cards, and Blinkit for your iPod.
- Firefox at 2.0: A very good browser gets even better, Adam Robert Guha, Apple Archive, 10.26. Firefox 2.0 is faster, includes spell checking, and helps you avoid phishing whether you use Windows, Linux, or a Mac.
- System 7 Today, advocates of Apple's 'orphan' Mac OS 7.6.1, Tommy Thomas, Welcome to Macintosh, 10.26. Why Mac OS 7.6.1 is far better for 68040 and PowerPC Macs than System 7.5.x.
- The MacBook Pro Core 2 value equation, Dan Knight, Mac Musings, 10.25. More power, more RAM, bigger hard drives, faster SuperDrive means better value, but Apple also has some excellent deals on refubished Core Duo models.
- Prep your classic Mac for a spooktacular Halloween, Tommy Thomas, Welcome to Macintosh, 10.25. Five cool programs and lots of tips for giving your classic Mac OS computer a Halloween theme.
- iPod birthday articles foster DRM confusion, Nathan Thompson, Embracing Obsolescence, 10.24. While complaining about the iPod's FairPlay restrictions, writers seem content to ignore the digital restrictions imposed by Microsoft and others.
- Reflections on the iPod revolution on its 5th birthday, Charles W Moore, Miscellaneous Ramblings, 10.23. Those of us who missed the Walkman revolution never expected the iPod to be the success it is, but it has helped create a new Apple Computer.
- MacBook Plus: Adding flexibility and easy upgrades to Apple's notebook line, Adam Robert Guha, Apple Archive, 10.20. Apple's current 'Books have limited expansion options. A MacBook with a device bay that accepted a second battery could be a big success.
- Red 15" MacBook Pro, notebook battery shortage, OLPC samples in November, two drive 'Books, and more, The 'Book Review, 10.20. Also MacBook Pro reported to burn hands, 90% of laptops to have wide screens in 2008, some key combos don't work on 'Books, bargain 'Books from $199 to $1,588, and more.
- Mac attack begins, Xserve Xeon impresses, Apple tops in reliability, Core 2 Quad, and more, Mac News Review, 10.20. Also Intel preparing to refresh desktop CPU line, Mac Pro a "worthy successor" to G5, $38 Bluetooth adapter for USB Macs, Danger Phone for VoIP, and more.
- Deodorizing a stinky old iBook that smells like sweat, Hardy Menagh, Empowered, 10.19. Different ways to mask and otherwise attack the problem if your G3 iBook suffers from Stinky Keyboard Syndrome.
- Apple's Extended Keyboard II: Sequel to a legend, Tommy Thomas, Welcome to Macintosh, 10.19. A look at Apple's slightly smaller Extended II keyboard with slightly softer key action - but still built like a tank.
- RadTech BT600 rechargeable Bluetooth mouse, Charles W Moore, Miscellaneous Ramblings, 10.17. This cleverly designed Bluetooth mouse charges via USB - and can be used as a USB mouse when the batteries run out of juice.
- Aviator laptop stand, the EVDO superhighway, reducing MacBook Pro Heat, and more, The 'Book Review, 10.16. Also list of battery recalls, notebook tips from CPSC, Foxconn to build MacBooks, paintable canvas MacBook sleeve, bargain 'Books from $199 to $1,400, and more.
- Driverless USB webcam, ergonomic Mac keyboard, 2x Application Server for Windows on Macs, and more, Mac News Review, 10.16. Also Intel's clear CPU road map (but Apple's is still unclear), 24" iMac shames TV, world's smallest color laser printer, mobile USB device charger, and more.
- A stinky old iBook that smells like sweat, Hardy Menagh, Empowered, 10.13. You just don't expect an iBook to smell like strong perspiration, but this problem seems to afflict a number of G3 iBooks.
- The legendary Apple Extended Keyboard, Tommy Thomas, Welcome to Macintosh, 10.13. Introduced in 1987, this extended keyboard was well designed and very solidly built. It remains a favorite of long-time Mac users.
- Apple's climb back to success, Cortland, 10.13. From a company with a questionable future in 1997, Apple has become a model of success with new computers, a new operating system, and the iPod.
- Apple, please bring back flexible, easy to upgrade 'Books, Adam Robert Guha, Apple Archive, 10.12. G3 PowerBooks had drive bays, PC Card slots, and upgradable CPUs in addition to today's RAM and hard drive upgrade options.
- 30 days of old school computing: No real hardships, Ted Hodges, Vintage Mac Living, 10.11. These old black-and-white Macs are just fine for messaging, word processing, spreadsheets, scheduling, contact management, and browsing the Web.
- Firefox and Safari continue chipping away at Microsoft's dominance, Dan Knight, Mac Musings, 10.11. The latest browser numbers are in, and both Firefox and Safari are big winners. The big loser? Internet Explorer, of course.
- Ubuntu on older Macs; Lombard, Pismo, and WallStreet upgrade questions; installing clamshell RAM; and more, Charles W Moore, Miscellaneous Ramblings, 10.09. Also more on why some older Macs can't read modern CR-R discs and Russell Beattie's 'underhanded' criticism of OS X.
- Better laptop performance: What's the best upgrade?, Andrew J Fishkin, The Mobile Mac, 10.09. Memory, CPU, bus speed, and hard drives all impact performance and battery life. Which upgrades will give you the most up time in the field?
- 68KMLA on Microsoft, Mac OS X, the Classic Mac OS, and Linux, Tommy Thomas, Welcome to Macintosh, 10.06. Members of the 68k Mac Liberation Army share their thoughts on Windows past and present, the classic Mac OS and OS X, and Linux and the Open Source movement.
- Don't ignore battery recall, fuel cells to replace lithion?, flash MacBooks, tablet Mac, and more, The 'Book Review, 10.06. Also how laptops are replacing pen and paper in the classroom, Core 2 no big deal for notebooks, black MacBook Apple's best 'Book yet, bargain 'Books from $119 to $2,399, and more.
- Use any networked computer as an additional Mac display, fixing AirPort problems with OS X 10.4.8, and more, Mac News Review, 10.06. Also Logitech's new Edge keyboard, a keyboard cover just for Pro Tools, MondoMouse gives your mouse super powers, and Mac Pro power consumption.
- Tablet computing can improve productivity, Andrew J Fishkin, The Mobile Mac, 10.05. By letting you work where a laptop just doesn't make sense, a Tablet PC can keep you productive when you might otherwise be unable to work.
- Alternatives to eBay when buying low-end Macs, Hardy Menagh, Empowered, 10.05. If you're looking to save money on older Macs, Craigslist, university surplus, and used Mac dealers can be great sources.
- Saving old Macs from retirement: The 68k Macintosh Liberation Army, Tommy Thomas, Welcome to Macintosh, 10.05. The goal of the 68KMLA is that no working Mac be stuck in a closet or sent to the landfill. Instead, they work to help keep vintage Macs running and productive.
- Getting things done: 12 task management solutions for Mac users, Ed Eubanks Jr, The Efficient Mac User, 10.04. From simple, lightweight To-Do managers through full blown GTD systems, Mac users have plenty of options for managing their tasks and projects.
- Apple's worst business decisions: Another perspective, Dan Knight, Mac Musings, 10.03. Apple's poor business decisions predate the Macintosh. Let's hope they learn from their mistakes.
- eBay no longer your best source for low-end Macs, Hardy Menagh, Empowered, 10.03. When buying used Macs below the US$300 mark, eBay has become a seller's market, so buyers may find the best bargains elsewhere.
- Getting things done: 9 online task management solutions, Ed Eubanks Jr, The Efficient Mac User, 10.03. Kinkless GTD wasn't exactly kinkless, so it was time to research other Getting Things Done (GTD) solutions. Here are nine that work online.
- Good-bye Woz and Jobs: How the first Apple era ended in 1985, Tom Hormby, Orchard, 10.02. Less than 10 years after creating Apple Computer and launching the personal computing revolution, both Steves had left the company they founded.
- Lombard, the 'middle child' PowerBook G3: Good enough for OS X?, Charles W Moore, Miscellaneous Ramblings, 10.02. The PowerBook G3 (Bronze Keyboard) was slimmer, lighter, and less expandable than the WallStreets it replaced. It added USB, gave up ADB, and retained SCSI.
- Facebook and the social networking controversy, Adam Robert Guha, Apple Archive, 10.02. Facebook discovered how quickly it could alienate its users - and how quickly they could address the problem they created. But will members continue to trust Facebook?
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