Low End Mac Editorial Archive

November 2005

Adding a DIP switch and overclocking Sawtooth's bus speed, Chris Placzek, Mac Daniel, 11.30. How to install a DIP switch and overclock Sawtooth's system bus to 120 MHz.
Switching between OS 9 and OS X definitely beats switching to Windows, Hardy Menagh, Empowered, 11.30. What's a low-end user to do when new apps only run on OS X and some essential older apps don't run well (or at all) in Classic mode?
Is a 1998 'MainStreet' PowerBook good enough for daily use in 2005?, Charles Webb, PowerBook Beat, 11.30. As long as they're running the classic Mac OS, these old, low-end G3 PowerBooks are perfectly servicable machines.
The legendary DayStar Turbo 040 hot rods 68030 Macs, Tyler Sable, Classic Restorations, 11.29. DayStar's vintage upgrade can make an SE/30 and most models in the Mac II series faster than the 'wicked fast' Mac IIfx.
How to set up your own Mac Plus (or later) web server, Joe Rivera, Mac Fallout Shelter, 11.29. All you need is an old Mac Plus with 4 MB of RAM, a hard drive, System 7 or later, some free software, and an Internet connection.
Using regular Mac OS X to set up a low-end server, Leaman Crews, Plays Well with Others, 11.28. Put off by OS X Server at $499 for ten users? The normal 'client' version of Mac OS X can do nearly as well for a lot less money. Here's how.
Bringing a PowerBook 520 back from the dead, Paul Brierley, The 'Book Beat, 11.28. Although the old PowerBook wouldn't even start at first, Apple's software eventually permitted some reconditioning of its ancient batteries.
Papyrus' Atari roots, SeaMonkey a workhorse, browser launch times, WallStreet keyboard failure, and more, Charles W Moore, Miscellaneous Ramblings, 11.21. Also is Photoshop Elements 3 worth upgrading to?, MIT laptop project and OS X, and support for multicore CPUs in OS X.
How Consumer Reports could compare Macs fairly, Ed Eubanks Jr, The Efficient Mac User, 11.23. Using Consumer Reports' own data and chart design, an example of how they could realistically compare Macs and Windows PCs.
Speakers for your Mac: So many choices, Adam Robert Guha, Apple Archive, 11.23. The old Apple Design Speakers are wearing out, but what's the best looking and best sounding way to replace them?
Incredibly smooth: Living with the high resolution 15" PowerBook, Charles Webb, PowerBook Beat, 11.23. The death of an iBook G4 provides the incentive to move up to a brand new 15" PowerBook G4 and a lot of end-user satisfaction.
Birth of the PowerBook: How Apple took over the portable market in 1991, Tom Hormby, Orchard, 11.23. After the Mac Portable disaster, Apple came up with a new laptop design that redefined the industry and beat Toshiba and Compaq at their own game.
iPod unseats Sony in Japan, iPod year's hottest toy, iBelieve converts shuffle, video to iPod solutions, and more, Charles W Moore, iPod News Review, 11.23. Also Apple's long-term flash memory agreements, parents warned about pod-porn, HiFi-Link connects iPod to stereo, jewelled cable winder, and new iPod software.
'Yonah' to ship at 2.16 GHz, diskless Macintel future?, virtualization and switching, and more, Charles W Moore, The Macintel Report, 11.23. Also your future Mac with Intel, Intels' new multi-GPU chipset, and Intel files to trademark 'Intel Core'.
Daystar 1.9 GHz iMac G4 upgrade, iMac with iSight best yet, first bluetooth trackball, and more, Charles W Moore, Mac News Review, 11.23. Also Contour Design celebrates 10 years, Maxtor demos at Apple Stores, iEmulator adds sound support, Maxell intros holographics recording, and more.
Intel iBooks in January with 'big price cut'?, 1.92 GHz PowerBook upgrade, SideTrack trackpad driver, and more, Charles W Moore, The 'Book Review, 11.23. MIT's $100 laptop project to ship in 2006, Daystar makes PowerBooks faster than any Apple ships, and more.
Make your own Mac video surveillance system on the cheap, Joe Rivera, Mac Fallout Shelter, 11.22. All you need to create your own surveillance system is a Mac with OS 8.5 or later, a low-cost security camera, video input, and one piece of software.
Which system software is best for my vintage Mac?, Tyler Sable, Classic Restorations, 11.22. Which system software works best depends to a great extent on just which Mac you have and how much RAM is installed.
There is no 'best browser' for the Mac, Dan Knight, Mac Musings, 11.22. With so many excellent free options, why limit yourself by using only a single browser?
The sorry state of web browsers for classic Macs, Thomas Ahart, The Productive Mac, 11.11. "One thing that's hard to find these days is a good Web browser for old Macs, whether it's for 68k or PowerPC ones."
Why we need modern browsers and email clients for vintage Macs, Ted Hodges, Vintage Mac Living, 11.22. There's a lot of life in those old Macs, especially for those who can't afford newer hardware. But to be useful, we need up-to-date browsers and email clients.
Real world 'Book battery life is inadequate, Adam Robert Guha, Apple Archive, 11.21. In daily use, we're looking at 2-3 hours of battery life. We need room for a second battery.
Papyrus Office: A $99 alternative to Microsoft Office, Charles W Moore, Miscellaneous Ramblings, 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?
3 survivors from the 1970s: Microsoft, Intel, and Apple, Dan Knight, Mac Musings, 11.21. Older companies like IBM and Radio Shack have entered and abandoned the personal computer realm, and many others have failed. How do Microsoft, Intel, and Apple survive?
Windows PC to classic Mac file transfer using Zip disks, Marin Balabanov, My Turn, 11.21. Without ethernet, it's not easy to move big files to an older Mac. Here's one way to use Zip disks for the task.
Six months after hell froze, Apple's Intel transition is roaring along, Kostas Theofilis, Mac Bastion, 11.18. Even before the switch to Intel, Mac sales are up, Apple's market share is growing, profits are at record levels, and Windows users are trying OS X and discovering that they like it.
G5 Quad speed 'immediately noticeable', Power Mac G5 firmware update, white Kensington USB keyboard, and more, Charles W Moore, Mac News Review, 11.18. Also Apple USB modem now available separately, stainless steel look mini drives, world's fastest 19" LCD monitor, bus-powered Dragon Drive, and wireless bundle for Power Macs.
$100 laptop project shuns free OS X, Safe Sleep mode, 12" widescreen laptop foreshadows next iBooks, and more, Charles W Moore, The 'Book Review, 11.18. Also iBook upgrades cheaper from Apple than DIY, a cooler PowerBook with iBreeze, updated Temperature Monitor, bargain 'Books from $185 to $1,995, and more.
Thunderbird, a free, powerful alternative to Mail, Michel Munger, iBasics, 11.17. If you're looking for a flexible, powerful, customizable alternative to Apple's Mail app, take a look at Thunderbird.
Consumer Reports just doesn't get Macs, Ed Eubanks Jr, The Efficient Mac User, 11.17. Consumer Reports seems to be incapable of comparing Macs to Windows PCs, preferring to segregate them to their own ghetto.
Macintels to debut at Macworld?, what to expect from Macintel, and Intel's virtualization technology arrives, Charles W Moore, The Macintel Report, 11.17. Rampant speculation that Apple will unveil Macintel hardware at the Expo in January, OS X on Intel and hardware sales, and virtualization allows multiple operating systems to run concurrently.
Apple includes nano case, iPod finger diagnosed, duct tape iPod cover, human brain on iPod, and more, Charles W Moore, iPod News Review, 11.17. Also SunnComm denies plas to shatter iPod users' eardums, iPod Universal Dock info, new speakers, Tatran cable winder, new covers and cases, and new iPod software.
The Mini vMac Mac Plus emulator, Andrew Conachey, Classic Mac Nostalgia, 11.16. Our newest columnist will be looking at Systems 1-6, ancient software, and emulating older Macs on modern hardware.
The next 'Book I'll buy, Dan Knight, Mac Musings, 11.16. After five years, it's time to start thinking about replacing the 400 MHz PowerBook G4 - but with what?
NeXT, OpenStep, and the triumphant return of Steve Jobs, Tom Hormby, Orchard, 11.15. Steve Jobs left Apple in disgrace in 1985, created NeXT, and regained control of Apple in 1997.
The trials and tribulations of email on vintage Macs, Ted Hodges, Vintage Mac Living, 11.15. Got a vintage Mac? Got a free POP3 email account? Good luck actually getting them to work together.
Welcome to Mac Fallout Shelter, Joe Rivera, Mac Fallout Shelter, 11.14. Macs provide a pleasant, safe, reliable, strong place to protect you from Internet dangers and treat you nice.
iCab 3.0 beta: The last new browser for the classic Mac OS?, Charles W Moore, Miscellaneous Ramblings, 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.
Yes, you can still be productive with classic Macs, Thomas Ahart, The Productive Mac, 11.11. Mac OS X and modern hardware are great, but those old Macs with System 7 through Mac OS 9 pull their weight as well.
The rise and fall of disposable, low-end inkjet printers, Adam Robert Guha, Apple Archive, 11.11. In the crazy world of inkjet printers, it sometimes seems cheaper to buy a new printer than replacement cartridges for the one you already own.
Macintel 'Books earlier than expected?, PC power users picking PowerBooks for personal use, and more, Charles W Moore, The 'Book Review, 11.11. Also more on the MicroAdapter and big 'Books, battery charging, power iBook upgrades, new PowerBooks reviewed, DIY Lombard G4 upgrade, bargain 'Books from $380 to $1,999, and more.
Macintel mini in January?, PC Magazine on new iMac, Apple takes a bite out of Windows, and more, Charles W Moore, Mac News Review, 11.11. Also MacMice products find a new home, Griffin AirClick software, Maxtor's 1 TB external drive, and a 5-drive hot-swap eSATA enclosure.
Handiapped website strives to empower handicapped, Hardy Menagh, Empowered, 11.10. Mac user Frank Petrie has launched a new website to help handicapped find resources, build community, and create a stronger voice.
nano lawsuits go international, Radio Shack sells iPods, growing used iPod market, ShareIPod software, and more, Charles W Moore, iPod News Review, 11.10. Also iPod nano as 'the new fuzzy dice', iSongBook portable music system, tiny tripod speakers, Pod CityGuides, ThinkFree Office Show turns iPod into presenter, and more.
OS X 'to fly' on Intel, Intel OS X catches up to PowerPC version, Dell on Apple, and more, Charles Moore, The Macintel Report, 11.10. Why OS X will be unleashed on Intel hardware, Apple on target to announce new 'Books in first half of 2006, building a $200 OSx86 Mac, and more.
Macs, computers with panache, John Martorana, That Old Mac Magic, 11.09. "Apple makes and markets computers with panache. They don't appeal to everyone, but they appeal to me."
Five Ways to Use Your Old Compact Mac, Ted Hodges, Vintage Mac Living, 11.09. Those ancient black-and-white Macs can be used for email, surfing the Web, keeping a log, managing your schedule, playing games, and as eye candy.
Apple's Copland project: An OS for the common man, Tom Hormby, Orchard, 11.08. Realizing that the existing Mac OS has run its course, Apple started the Copland project in March 1994 - and ended it in late 1996.
A big decision: Fix the old iMac or buy a Mac mini?, Ed Eubanks Jr, The Efficient Mac User, 11.08. The 400 MHz iMac's transplanted hard drive had failed. Does it make more sense to drop in a new hard drive or graduate to a brand new, much faster Mac mini?
SeaMonkey Preview Internet Suite, Charles W Moore, Miscellaneous Ramblings, 11.07. SeaMonkey continues the legacy of Netscape Communicator and Mozilla for those who prefer an Internet suite to separate applications.
Clean keyboard residue from your laptop's screen with ROR, Jim Strickland, My Turn, 11.07. Is fingerprint grease from your keyboard marring your laptop's display. Here's a product that will revitalize your screen.
Aluminum: Fine for Power Macs, but not so hot for PowerBooks, Adam Robert Guha, Apple Archive, 11.03. Plastic iBooks and Windows PCs just don't show wear like Apple's metal-clad PowerBooks.
New 'Books a bit faster, fixing broken a power tip, tiny SimpleDrive Mini, I-Sight illuminator, and more, Charles W Moore, The 'Book Review, 11.04. Also Omni work-in armored laptop sleeve, intelligent battery charger/conditioner, DDR2 RAM for newest PowerBooks, bargain 'Books from $185 to $1,799, and more.
2 GB and ECC RAM for newest Macs, Das Keyboard, one mile wireless for iMac G5, and more, Charles Moore, Mac News Review, 10.28. Also the merits of partitioning your hard drive, Service USB allows control of many real-world devices, and One Finger Snap software.
Bringing new life to vintage Macs, Ted Hodges, Vintage Mac Living, 11.03. Low End Mac's newest columnist talks about his life-long love for computers and abiding passion for vintage Macs.
CarTV for video iPod, solar kit for iPod, iKitty case, Sonnet iPod batteries, new wraps and cases, and more, Charles W Moore, iPod News Review, 11.03. Also rip records straight to your iPod, recommended FireWire and USB cards, HotRecorder for Media lets iPod play Yahoo! Music content, and more.
Blips in Intel's roadmap, dual-core Xeon, PA Semi's dual-core PowerPC for laptops, and more, Charles W Moore, The Macintel Report, 11.03. Blips in Intel's dual-core plans, dual-core Xeon for 4-way and higher systems, Macworld UK readers relaxed about Intel switch, new dual-core PowerPC perfect for laptops, and Apple's switch won't change IBM's PowerPC plans.
Thelma, Louise, Lombard, and Europe's most famous chicken webcam, Koen Bogaert, My Turn, 11.02. How an old Lombard, a freeware webcam driver, and an old wireless card helped two chickens take a stand against the European bird quarantine and massacre.
50 things to do with a broken Dell Optiplex computer, Jeff Adkins, The Lite Side, 11.02. Dell is taking a $300 million charge to fix broken Optiplex computers. 50 suggestions for using a broken Dell.
Low End Living: Expanding the low end philosophy, Dan Knight, Mac Musings, 11.01. The low end philosophy is typified by priorities and frugality. Our newest website will extend this into a whole lifestyle.
The yin and yang of Apple hardware flaws, Jeff Adkins, Mac Lab Report, 11.01. Looking at the ebb and flow of poor Apple product design since 1984.
Power brick plug-in woes, Pismo chimes, semibootable USB iPods, screen rotation in Tiger, and more, Charles W Moore, Miscellaneous Ramblings, 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.