Low End Mac Editorial Archive
August 2008
- Looking for a content management system that's as easy as Mac, Dan Knight, Mac Musings, 08.29. Low End Mac needs to move to a content management system, but the few we've tried just don't cut it for people used to the simple elegance of the Mac.
- iPhone 3G reception 'completely normal', AT&T international data plans for iPhone, and more, iNews Review, 08.29. Also longer life for iPod earbuds, an alternative to MobileMe, new cases and apps for iPhone, AppStoreGems website launched, and more.
- New 'Books likely in September, 17in PowerBook display fault site, SSD security, and more, The 'Book Review, 08.29. Also 6 ways to speed up your MacBook, next generation MacBook Air CPU, MacBook Air Update, LapStrap carrying solution, rise and fall of ultraportables, bargain 'Books from $220 to $2,699, and more.
- First 3 million Mac quarter, skinny on Mac mini pricing, Mac-like gOS, and more, Mac News Review, 08.29. More plan to buy Apple products than ever before, complete reset can fix MobileMac sync problems, Apple boosting computer and smartphone share, and more.
- 10 Mac browsers compared, Simon Royal, Tech Spectrum, 08.28. A look at Internet Explorer, Radon, Opera, Safari, Shiira, iCab, Firefox, Netscape Navigator, Flock, and Camino running in Leopard.
- Clone and boot: Another advantage of the Mac OS, Kev Kitchens, Kitchens Sync, 08.28. Unlike Windows, Apple makes it possible to clone a bootable drive (Classic Mac OS or OS X) and use it with another supported Mac.
- MacDrought: 4 months with no new Macs, Dan Knight, Mac Musings, 08.27. The most recent Mac update was over four months ago, and the Mac mini has been unchanged for over a year.
- CrossOver strikes out, Frank Fox, Stop the Noiz, 08.27. Running Windows apps on a Mac without paying for Windows is great in theory, but actually getting Windows software working is another story.
- Resurrecting a dead Pismo, Spotlight search tip, and EasyFind a good file finder, Charles Moore, Miscellaneous Ramblings, 08.27. Lots of tips on bringing a comatose Pismo back to life, a Spotlight file name search tip, and EasyFind as an alternative to Spotlight.
- Does running OS X system maintenance routines really do any good?, Charles W Moore, Miscellaneous Ramblings, 08.26. Mac OS X is designed to run certain maintenance routines daily, weekly, and monthly - but can't if your Mac is off or asleep.
- Purposeful reincarnation for old Macs, Phil Herlihy, The Usefulness Equation, 08.26. The key is to avoid spending more on upgrades than the final use of the machine can justify.
- 8 free POP3 email options, Charles W Moore, Miscellaneous Ramblings, 2008.08.25. In recent years, a lot of free POP3 email providers have started charging or left the field. Here are 8 choices you may want to consider.
- iPod touch or Cowon A3: What's a Mac user to choose?, John Hatchett, Recycled Computing, 08.25. For Internet access and integration with the Mac, the iPod touch is the way to go. But for media recording and playback, the Cowon has it all over the iPod.
- Upgrading your Lombard PowerBook G3, Simon Royal, Tech Spectrum, 08.25. Step-by-step instructions for getting inside the Lombard PowerBook to upgrade RAM, replace the hard drive, and swap out the CPU card.
- Mac OS X has more problems than Vista, Frank Fox, Stop the Noiz, 08.25. All it takes is a simple Google search to demonstrate that Mac OS X has more problems than Windows - and way more than Vista.
- We've come a long way since 1984: Looking back at Macworld's premier issue, Kev Kitchens, Kitchens Sync, 08.22. In 1984, Apple introduced the first Macintosh computer, and Macworld magazine was soon there to help Mac users explore the new world of computing.
- Apple's record customer satisfaction, consequences of bad RAM, iMac carry case, and more, Mac News Review, 08.22. Also MobileMe users getting another 60 days of free service, Mac vs. PC pricing, Intel releases USB 3.0 specification, SyncMate synchs Pocket PCs and Macs, and more.
- MagSafe out of warranty replacement, Nvidia Flaw Affecting Macs, MacBook Air revision soon, and more, The 'Book Review, 08.22. Also 160 GB microdrive from Intel, MacBooks on grocer's shelves, Intel future CPU plans, a checkpoint friendly notebook case, bargain 'Books from $220 to $2,699, and more.
- iPhone slower after 2.0.2 upgrade, kill the kill switch, the iPig sound system, and more, iNews Review, 08.22. Also BlackBerry plagued by same 3G problems as iPhone, end of the line for current iPods, new Bible softeware for the iPhone, and more.
- An RSS news reader with the power of Google, Keith Winston, Linux to Mac, 08.20. Unlike browser-based RSS readers or dedicated news reader apps, Google Reader lets you access your favorite feeds from any computer and browser.
- Pismo won't start, Spotlight finds too many files, and Panasonic SuperDrive in Pismo, Charles W Moore, Miscellaneous Ramblings, 08.20. Resetting a dead Pismo, an alternative to Spotlight gives better results, and success with the Panasonic UJ-850 drive in Pismo PowerBooks.
- What's the best Mac OS for your iBook, PowerBook, or MacBook?, Charles W Moore, 'Book Value, 08.19. Tips on choosing the best OS for your PowerBook 500 Series or newer Mac notebook.
- Why Linux isn't mainstream, used PowerBooks a poor value, the iMac G3 legacy, and more, Dan Knight, Low End Mac Mailbag, 08.19. Also installing Leopard on a PowerPC Mac from an Intel installer, NeoOffice opens WordPerfect files, emulating old Macs, and where to download an iMac manual.
- Snow Leopard, Windows 7, Midori, and the end of Windows, Frank Fox, Stop the Noiz, 08.18. A look at some of the technologies planned for Mac OS X 10.6, Windows 7, and Midori, Microsoft's future OS that could be the end of Windows.
- Using low end Macs for Internet radio, Gordon R. Brown, My Turn, 08.18. When the local public radio station moved classical music to HD radio, it was time to find another way to listen. An old iMac with iTunes solved the problem.
- Resetting the iPod's display language when you don't know the language it's using, Charles Moore, Miscellaneous Ramblings, 20008.18. If you've ever set your iPod's language to one you can't read, there is a way to reset it.
- iPod 'Missing Manual' grows but drops coverage of older iPods, Charles W Moore, Miscellaneous Ramblings, 08.18. The 6th edition of iPod: The Missing Manual has extensive coverage of all the current iPod models, but at the cost of dropping coverage of all earlier models.
- REALbasic growing to include Cocoa, mobile, and Web development, Rick Lawson, Pioneers in Mac Development, 08.18. REALbasic is a cross platform development tool for Mac, Windows, and Linux. The company is working on expanding that to the Web, mobile devices, and the Mac's Cocoa.
- PCs not like Macs, Claris Home Page fan, iMac G4 upgrade tips, iBook prices, and more, Dan Knight, Low End Mac Mailbag, 08.18. Also using PC3200 RAM in a Mirror Drive Door G4, cloning the classic Mac OS to a new hard drive, and thoughts on a Windows App Store.
- The iMac Legacy: The G3 Era, Dan Knight, Mac Musings, 08.15. 10 years ago today, the original iMac went on sale. One of the most popular lines of computers ever, the G3 iMac would be Apple staples for nearly five years.
- The iMac Legacy: After the G3, Dan Knight, Mac Musings, 08.15. The G3 iMac influenced the whole industry, but Apple continued to move forward with innovative designs using G4, G5, and Intel processors.
- Replacing your Lombard or Pismo optical drive with a SuperDrive, Simon Royal, Tech Spectrum, 08.15. It's not difficult to swap out the CD-ROM or DVD-ROM drive in a Lombard or Pismo PowerBook with a CD- and DVD-burning SuperDrive.
- 'All Nvidia GeForce 8600 chips bad', subcompact MacBook in 2009?, instant on notebooks, and more, The 'Book Review, 08.15. Also MacBooks in high demand in education, first quad-core ThinkPad, new Dell notebook claims 19 hour battery life, new Logitech mouse clips to your notebook, bargain 'Books from $200 to $3,069, and more.
- Mac prices in context, Macs best for Microsoft Office, Macs surge in education, and more, Mac News Review, 08.15. Also Macs becoming standard in the enterprise, Linux on old Macs, Gmail feels your pain, BurnAgain FS software for rewritable discs, and more.
- Old iPhone options, 3G connectivity underperforming, iPhone 'OK for business', and more, iNews Review, 08.15. Also reasons not to upgrade, mobile Internet not always on, 'a decent Bible app' for the iPhone, turn your iPhone into wireless storage, and much more.
- Macs are cool, but marketing can't help Linux, Frank Fox, Stop the Noiz, 08.11. Apple's message is clear and simple: Macs are easy to use. Linux is mostly promoted because it's free.
- TruePower AC adapter for iBooks and PowerBooks is rugged, reliable, and affordable, Charles W Moore, 'Book Value, 08.14. Apple's track record with AC adapters is spotty, but the TruePower adapter is tough enough to survive being run over by a truck.
- Using Word 5.1 files with later versions of Word, keyboard marks on a MacBook screen, and more, Charles Moore, Miscellaneous Ramblings, 08.14. Also the value of Panasonic's UJ-850 for older PowerBooks and shipping concerns about the SteelPad mousepad.
- Simple Mac security in the age of malware, Kev Kitchens, Kitchens Sync, 08.13. Unlike Windows PCs, at this point Macs can't become infected simply from being on the Internet, but you still need to be careful about your downloads.
- The Mac App Store, Dan Knight, Mac Musings, 08.13. Just as Apple now sells iPhone apps through the iTunes Store, it could (and should) do the same with Mac software.
- WiFi cards for PowerBooks with PC Card slots, Simon Royal, Tech Spectrum, 08.12. PC Card and CardBus 802.11b and 802.11g cards known to be compatible with Apple's PowerBooks.
- Unreliable Macs, future Apple CPUs, replacing a Mac Plus mouse, and more, Dan Knight, Low End Mac Mailbag, 08.12. Also Windows Media Player content that doesn't work on Macs, Leopard on a 700 MHz iMac G4, Apple's $99 Pro Care service, and CPU options.
- The Duo Dock Tick of Death Page, Sean Cleary. Duo Docks can fail, refusing to accept or eject a PowerBook Duo. Here's how to fix it.
- Apple after Steve Jobs: What about the vision thing?, Charles W Moore, Miscellaneous Ramblings, 08.11. "Jobs is arguably unique in the extent to which his identity and fate are intertwined with those of his company."
- Calculating the usefulness equation, Phil Herlihy, The Usefulness Equation, 08.11. A big factor in the usefulness equation is how long your computer will be able to do the taskes required of it.
- Mac booty rescued from Davy Jones' locker, John Hatchett, Recycled Computing, 08.11. New iMacs at school means the older PowerPC Macs get redistributed - and the oldest Macs are abandoned.
- Why Paris Hilton could take on IBM-Linux or Apple better than Bob Enderle, Frank Fox, Stop the Noiz, 08.11. "Only the biggest Apple fans or Microsoft haters believe you have to eliminate Microsoft to defeat them."
- New life for old Macs, 4 of 5 businesses using Macs, 5th annual Mac mod challenge, and more, Mac News Review, 08.08. Also tips for switchers, time saving tips for Leopard users, Logitech's new Mac keyboard, NewerTech updated miniStack, Ukelele keyboard layout editor, and more.
- US Customs can seize any laptop, aluminum and ultraportable MacBook rumors, and more, The 'Book Review, 08.08. Also thoughts on the next generation of MacBooks, "I want to marry the Apple MacBook Pro", do it yourself MacBook Pro hard drive replacement, bargain 'Books from $490 to $3,069, and more.
- iPhone could reach Vermont, huge demand for original iPhone, 19 Bible translations for iPhone, and more, iNews Review, 08.08. Also tethering your computer to your iPhone, BlackBerry vs. iPhone for smart phone lead, ColorWare colors the iPhone, $1,000 'I Am Rich' iPhone app, and much more.
- Apple could sell 20 million iPhones in 2008, Frank Fox, Stop the Noiz, 08.07. Apple sold 2.4 million iPhones in the first half of the year. How can it even hope to sell the 10 million it predicted?
- Is Wirecard a real alternative to PayPal?, Carl Nygren, Classic Macs in the Intel Age, 08.07. PayPal has an established worldwide presence, but Wirecard is offered by a real bank and has lower fees. Any drawbacks?
- Creating Classic Mac boot floppies in OS X, Paul Brierley, The 'Book Beat, 08.07. Yes, it is possible to create a boot floppy for the Classic Mac OS using an OS X Mac that doesn't have Classic. Here's how.
- Debunking Mac myths is not the way to get Apple in the enterprise, Jason Packer, Macs in the Enterprise, 08.06. There are other factors at work that keep those with vested interests on the Windows platform. Mythbusting won't change their minds.
- iMac beats Dell XPS One on price and features, Kev Kitchens, Kitchens Sync, 08.06. The Dell costs $100 more with a slower CPU, a worse graphics processor, and no alternative to Vista Home Edition.
- The Mac is a personal computer, not a PC, Dan Knight, Mac Musings, 08.06. "...the simple fact is that while the Macintosh is a personal computer, the world knows that it is not a PC."
- Why choose OS 9 today?, OS 9 WiFi security, mousing with Parkinson's, and more, Charles W Moore, Miscellaneous Ramblings, 08.06. Limitations of using OS 9 today, putting a Panasonic SuperDrive in a Pismo, and the best pointing device for those with Parkinson's.
- Setting up a Mac-centric home theater, Charles Webb, The Webb Chronicles, 08.05. "...turning your Mac mini into a home theater PC is really as simple as plugging it into your HDTV and turning it on."
- 8 hour runtime realisitic with TruePower batteries for Lombard and Pismo, Charles Moore, 'Book Value, 08.05. Apple's original batteries could keep you going for up to 5 hours when they were new; these high capacity replacement batteries improve that by 60%.
- I want a mobile phone, walkie-talkie, and VOIP phone in a single device, John Hatchett, Recycled Computing, 08.05. Some cell phones provide two-way radio, Voice over IP is a reality, but so far nothing seems to offer all three services in one device.
- Dell Studio Hybrid just another mini PC lacking any real innovation, Frank Fox, Stop the Noiz, 08.04. Dell has decided to take on Apple's Mac mini with a bigger, heavier, more colorful model. And the point is?
- How concerned should we be about computers and phones as disease vectors?, Charles W Moore, Miscellaneous Ramblings, 08.04. Your computer's keyboard and mouse may have 30-60 times as many germs as a toilet seat. Time to pull out the antiseptic wipes?
- Andrew Barry on why REALbasic is a great rapid application development tool, Rick Lawson, Pioneers in Mac Development, 08.04. REALbasic started as a way to give the Classic Mac OS something similar to Visual Basic, but it's grown far beyond that.
- Microsoft's Mojave experiment, Frank Fox, Stop the Noiz, 08.01. Microsoft showed Vista to people who had never used it, telling them it was "Mojave", and they loved it on the fast new laptop used for the demo.
- Non-Intel chips in next Macs?, Dell Studio Hybrid takes on Mac mini, Mac buyer's guide, and more, Mac News Review, 08.01. Also another computer that claims OS X compatiblity, the broken Mighty Mouse, IEEE 1394-2008 approved, free prerelease Rescue Kit software, and more.
- Next gen MacBook rumors and speculation, Laptop Laidback 3 released, privacy screen, and more, The 'Book Review, 08.01. Also Apple warns of MacBook drought, mobile chip overkill?, Apple rumored abandoning Intel chipsets, MacBook Air requires SuperDrive to install Windows, bargain 'Books from $325 to $3,069, and more.
- White iPhones cracking, iPhone as modem, 3G vs. EDGE, share your iPhone apps, and more, iNews Review, 08.01. Also the lowdown on battery life, iPhone as a wireless drive, iPhone Missing Manual, learn languages with your iPhone or iPod, and more.
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