Index by Category
- Teaching and the Mac
- Astronomy and the Mac
- Writing Grants
- Mac How-To and Tutorials
- 75 Mac Advantages Revisited
- Other Mac Advocacy
- Reviews
- Opinion
- Humor
Teaching and the Mac
- Astronomy podcasts and videocasts for the classroom, 03.22. There are several interesting podcasts and some good video material available for free download and use on your iPod or in iTunes.
- Macs a big presence at Computer Using Educator's conference, 2006.03.13. Apple had a booth, more vendors than ever seem to be supporting the Mac, and the author received an Outstanding Educator of the Year award.
- One more sign Henrico doesn't get it, 2005.08.19. "Apparently the people of Henrico County have a different attitude about the value of older low-end iBooks than the officials running the district."
- First Mac minis in classroom a big hit, Jeff Adkins, Mac Lab Report, 2005.05.25. They're tiny, affordable, and much more powerful than anything else in this classroom.
- Mac minis for the classroom despite 'no new Macs' policy, 2005.05.03. The Mac mini is small, affordable, and powerful enough, but it took one more important argument to get them in the classroom.
- No, kids aren't born knowing how to use computers, save files, or burn CDs, 2005.01.31. 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.
- Show me the savings: A request for the Sarasota school board, 2004.12.17. "...I have yet to see a copy of any firm prediction from anyone, anywhere, that actually details the savings such a single platform switch actually engenders."
- No sympathy for pundit bashing Macs in schools, 2004.12.03. Perhaps Rich Brooks can explain how bannning Macs will solve all the problems caused by Windows malware on the school's network.
- Virtual PC, the dock, no-button mice, and other things that freak out my students, 2004.08.30. Extended desktops, no viruses or floppies, paying for music, and other Mac things that confuse the younger generation.
- An Apple (iTunes bottle cap) for the teacher, 2004.04.29. "I've had at least five winning caps dropped on my desk by students who drink Pepsi but don't use iTunes."
- Apple, PC-only policies, and computers in education, 2004.04.09. "The no-Mac rule is being implemented without regard to educational consequences because teachers were not consulted about it...."
- Typing in student names vs. importing them, 2003.10.23. Sometimes there are advantages to doing things the old fashioned way instead of letting your computer do all the work.
- Using iDisk effectively in the classroom, 2003.10.16. iDisk provides a lot of easy-to-use functionality that puts you on the cutting edge of educational technology.
- I am not a Mac fanatic, 2003.10.09. Mac or PC should be a matter of choosing the best solution, not having adminstration dictate a one-platform-fits-all solution.
- iBlog revisited, 2003.10.02. Some tips and reflections on using iBlog.
- Another school system's 'switch by subterfuge' for the convenience of IT, 2003.09.18. With no consideration of teacher's needs and no educational justification, one more school system goes Windows for the benefit of the IT department.
- Slogans to help keep Macs in your school, 2003.07.10. Resistance is not futile. Help them see the silliness of switching to Windows PCs. Make your voice heard.
- Blogs for teachers: Post your lesson plans on the Web, 2003.06.26. Blogging software makes it easy for you to post lesson plans and more on your web space.
- 30 signs your school is abandoning the Mac, 2003.05.29. They may not tell anyone it's happening, but here are some indicators that Macs might be on their way out in your school.
- Update on Antioch school district's Mac vs. Windows platform debate, 2003.04.03. "I never wanted to be in the middle of this debate in my own district. I really don't have the time to do the job properly."
- Answers to student questions about the Mac, 2003.03.13. Where is the Internet? How do I eject my CD? and other questions students ask in the classroom.
- Defending the Mac in three minutes or less, 2003.03.06. "I believe this argument isn't really about Mac vs. PC; in fact, I think it is more about teachers making professional judgments about what are the right tools to get the job done."
- Open letter to the Board of Education on single platform computing, 2003.02.21. Should the school budget, preferences of IT, or needs of the teachers shape educational computing decisions?
- More on Apple Education, disk images, cloning systems for the classroom, a low-cost education Mac, and OS X Server, 2003.01.16. Follow up on Apple education initiatives, working with CD-ROM disk images, cloning Macs with FireWire Disk Mode, the need for a low-cost education Mac, and issues with Mac OS X Server.
- An Xserve for the classroom, part 2, 2002.12.19. Plenty more lessons learned while configuring the Xserve for use in the classroom.
- How a revised Cube could save Apple Education, 2002.12.05. Apple needs a low-cost computer for the education market. Retooling the Cube could be just the way to do it.
- Advice for Apple Education: Let's get to it, 2002.11.21. If Apple wants the education market back, it needs to work with real teachers to solve real problems in real schools. Here are some ideas to make Apple the front runner.
- An Xserve for the classroom, 2002.11.07. A grant puts an Xserve in the classroom to replace an ancient G3 with AppleShare IP.
- Job opening at a nice Mac-infested school, 2002.10.31. Deer Valley HS is looking for a 9th grade physical science teacher - your iMac is waiting for you.
- Sites like Low End Mac more important than ever when OS 9 dies, 2002.10.10. Apple education needs to understand how older Macs are used in real schools, not just focus on showpiece technology sales.
- Apple losing ground in education, 2002.09.26. Why Apple is losing the education market - and how teachers can effectively advocate the Mac.
- A crop of newbies, 2002.09.19. The most frequently asked Mac questions in one teacher's classroom.
- Five free online tools, 2002.06.06. Five free online services useful to teachers, webmasters, and others.
- A 3 millisecond lab report, 2002.04.25. The entire lab experiment is done in 3 milliseconds thanks to computer data collection.
- Five helpful wares for the Mac, 2002.04.11. Some very useful programs suggested by readers of Mac Lab Report.
- Using an iBook cart in the classroom, 2002.04.04. Training teachers and students how to manage the carts and use the iBooks.
- Apples in science class, 2002.04.01. Have we made any real progress by adopting Macs and leaving the Apple IIs behind?
- Configuring an iBook cart, part 2, 2002.03.14. Mechanical, labeling, and AirPort issues.
- Configuring an iBook cart, part 1, 2002.03.07. First steps in setting up a cart full of iMacs for use in your school.
- Four apps for your science class, 2002.02.28. Four freeware programs that can be very useful in the science (or math or music or photography) classroom.
- Hands on: iBook carts in the classroom, 2001.11.15. A teacher looks at the strengths and weaknesses of Apple's 'mobility solution' for iBooks in the classroom.
- LEMMY: The Low End Mac Excursion Module, 2001.06.07. How to build your own radio controlled video probe on the cheap.
- Starting a presentation in AppleWorks, 2001.01.04. Getting started with presentations in AppleWorks.
- Ten uses for a webcam, 2000.12.28 Practical ways to use a webcam in the science classroom.
- Using Logger Pro for experiments, 2000.12.21. Logger Pro makes and records measurements made by electronic probes.
- Using the Internet in the science classroom, 2000.12.07. How to use the Internet in the classroom.
- To Internet and beyond, 2000.11.30. Preparing the school computer lab for Internet access.
- The Next Generation, 2000.11.22. Upgrading the computer lab from 68k Macs to Power Macs.
- One to many: Building a computer lab from scratch, 2000.11.16. Creating a computer lab from donations and castoffs. Also, notes on Macs in the research lab.
- Mac vs. PC in the science lab, 2000.11.09. Most of all, you want a computer. Given a choice, you want it to be a Mac. Includes appendix: Your standard Mac vs. PC flame war.
- Computers in the science classroom, 2000.11.02. Six ideas for using a computer in the science classroom.
Astronomy and the Mac
- Macs in space (er, astronomy), Jeff Adkins, Mac Lab Report, 2005.01.12. More and more astronomers are discovering the Mac. Let's hope that leads to better Mac support from manufacturers.
- The polarized state of astronomical image processing software for the Mac, 2004.11.15. When it comes to astronomical image processing software for the Mac, there's a gaping hole between the low end and high end programs that needs to be filled.
- Putting your own pictures into Stellarium, 2004.09.29. You can add your own photos to Stellarium. Here are step-by-step instructions.
- Shooting Mars with a scope and webcam, 2003.09.04. The hardware and software that made it possible to get a decent photo of the Red Planet last week.
- Building your own planetarium, 2004.02.25. Fiberglass, inflatable, and cardboard domes - and an affordable 180-degree projector.
- Simulating space flight on a Mac, 2003.06.06. A-OK! The Wings of Mercury lets you simulate not only the flight itself, but also ground support in mission control.
- Astronomy, Macs, and Windows PCs, 2002.08.08. "How much is the savings from that cut-rate computer worth if you can't get your work done?"
- Astronomy software review: The Digital Universe, 2001.11.08. An excellent, extremely accurate program for advanced users.
- A teacher explains technology integration, 2001.10.18. If computers aren't helping your students, maybe you shouldn't have them in the classroom.
- Hands on: Mimio for the Macintosh, 2001.10.11. Possible uses for a whiteboard tool for USB Macs - and your chance to win one.
- Astronomy Software Review: TheSky, 2001.09.20. A real workhorse program for serious amateur astronomers that has much to offer beginners.
- Astronomy software review: Starry Night for Mac, 2001.08.30. An excellent choice for beginners, especially the Pro version.
- Astronomy software review: RedShift 3.0 for Mac, 2001.08.23. Why RedShift has fallen from favor among Mac users.
- Astronomy on the World Wide Web, 2001.08.09. The ten best astronomy resources on the Web.
Writing Grants
- Need Macs for your classroom? Write a grant, 2003.03.27. No room in the budget for the equipment you need? Writing a grant could be just the ticket.
- Writing your grant application, 2003.04.10. Three crucial tips for writing a grant that won't be rejected out of hand.
- Getting stakeholders onboard, 2003.04.24. Getting others to support your program - or at least tolerate it.
Mac How-To and Tutorials
- Use your Bluetooth phone to control your Mac? Maybe, 2007.02.27. Salling Clicker software turns many Bluetooth phones into remote controls for Bluetooth-equipped Macs.
- Preparing images for better reproduction on laser printers and photocopiers, Jeff Adkins, 2007.01.26. Simply printing or photocopying a color image can lead to a contrasty image with a lot of lost detail. Here's how to prepare images for better output.
- 2 free programs that give you more space on your Mac's hard drive, 2006.12.13. Is your hard drive filling up? Monolingual and iPhoto Buddy may free up 1-2 GB for you.
- Turn any old Mac into a gameshow buzzer, 2006.10.07. 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.
- Embed a Blogger feed in your web page, 2006.08.24. Instead of linking to external content, here's a way to display it within your page.
- Tiger tip: Save PDF to Web Receipts Folder, 2006.04.24. Tired of printing out online receipts only to misplace them or discover you're out of paper? This new Tiger feature saves them on your computer.
- How to disable Blogger's sometimes problematic 'next blog' button, 2006.03.28. Blogger provides a "next blog" button as a convenience, but sometimes it may send visitors to entirely inappropriate sites. Here's how to disable it.
- Capture stills from DVDs with a simple hack, 03.16. Although Mac OS X doesn't support screen captures from Apple's DVD Player, this hack adds a screenshot menu item, making it easy to create your own stills.
- Replacing your iPod's battery: A bit of work, a big money saver, 03.02. If you iPod's battery isn't holding much of a charge, you can easily replace it yourself for a lot less than Apple charges.
- Palm Desktop won't install? You're not root, 2005.08.17. Having software installation problems? You just might have to have "admin" access to do it.
- How to limit network access for OS X users, 2005.06.16. How to allow access to some network resources while restricting it for others.
- Just because Apple doesn't list it doesn't mean your cell phone won't iSync, 2005.03.22. The new cell phone wasn't listed on Apple's website, but connect the cable, fire up iSync, and voilà!
- Mac OS X and the Blue and White G3 firmware update problem, 2005.03.01. "Catch-22. The firmware update requires that you be running the Classic Mac OS, and the Classic OS won't run until the firmware update is installed."
- Software updates, Murphy's Law, failure to boot, and a MacFixIt Forum rescue, 2004.11.03. After installing a bunch of system updates, the Mac couldn't complete a reboot. Here's how the problem was solved.
- Why do older Macs reset to 1904?, 2004.01.15. The clock on pre-PowerPC Macs runs from 1904 to 2040 - but why did Apple choose those dates?
- Digitizing your LPs and cassettes with your Mac, 2003.08.14. More tips for digitizing you analog music collection - whether you're using OS X or the classic Mac OS.
- How to digitize your old tapes and LPs with your Mac, 2003.07.24. One solution is to use iMovie to record sound coming through the audio in port on your Mac.
- Working around iDisk public folder limitations in OS 9, 2003.01.30. Freeware Goliath give OS 9 users read/write access to iDisk public folders, providing parity with OS X and Windows.
- Choose the Right Marker When Writing on Burned Discs, Mike Webb, 2003.01.14. Using Sharpies and other solvent-based markers to write on your burned CDs puts your data at risk.
- How to make a bootable emergency CD, 2003.01.02. How to create your own custom bootable CD for diagnostics, repair, and software restoration.
- Never misplace another CD-ROM, 2002.12.26. Using Disk Copy to create image files from your software CDs for greater convenience, faster file access, and less disc swapping.
- Cloning iBooks for classroom use, 2002.12.12. FireWire Disk Mode really speeds up the process of duplicating a standard configuration from one Mac to another.
- 21 more uses for a 68K Mac, 2002.05.06. Lots more suggestions for using those old 680x0-based Macs on today's networks.
- Putting your old 68K Macs back to work, 2002.05.02. Some suggestions for keeping your old Mac in use and out of mothballs.
- Tips for outdoor computing, 2002.04.08. Adjusting your 'Book's display so you can better read it in the great outdoors.
- Remote control your Mac, 2002.01.04. The pros and cons of using Timbuktu or Network Assistant to remotely manage Macs.
- 11 things you might not know your Mac can do, 2001.10.04. Helpful tips to make you a more efficient Mac user.
- Working around file sharing's 'wall of 10', 2001.08.16. Getting around the 10 simultaneous user limit of Mac file sharing.
- Transferring files from your old Mac to your new one, 2001.08.06. Options for moving files from your old Mac to your new Mac.
- A Windows user's guide to the Mac OS, 2001.08.02. Tips to help Windows users adjust to the Mac OS.
- Using Equation Editor, 2001.07.26. How to use the Equation Editor in AppleWorks and Microsoft Word.
- PowerSpeak: Forgotten fundamentals of presentation speaking, 2001.07.12. How to plan and give an effective presentation.
- PowerBook 145b, 2001.04.26. An example of just how useful an older PowerBook can be when your newer 'Book's been stolen.
- Adventures in domain registration, 2001.02.08. The trials and tribulations of getting a domain to redirect through Network Solutions.
- Creating a graphics library in AppleWorks, 2001.02.01.
- Downgrading: Newer is not always better, 2001.01.22. Sometimes an older version of the Mac OS is a better solution for your computing needs.
- Create a random number picker in AppleWorks, 2001.01.16. How to create random numbers and macros in ClarisWorks & AppleWorks - and why.
- TV scan converters vs. projectors, 2001.01.04. How to choose the right alternative when you need to use a large display.
- Inserting pictures, graphs, and data tables into AppleWorks, 2000.12.21. How to cut-and-paste graphics and create tables in ClarisWorks and AppleWorks.
- Digital data gathering, 2000.12.14. The difference between analog and digital data, and how the computer gathers information.
- Converting a Quadra 630 into a Power Mac 5200, 2000.11.22. This upgrade is almost too easy.
75 Mac Advantages Revisited
- 75 Mac advantages revisited: Summary. Final tally - 56 of 75 Mac Advantages still apply.
- Origin of the 75 Mac Advantages, 2001.04.19. The original author of the "75 Mac Advantages" tells his story.
- 75 Mac Advantages Revisited, Part 1, 2001.02.15. A look at the "75 Advantages" brochure to see which still apply.
- Feedback on Mac Advantages, 2001.02.21. Windows users discuss networking, multiple monitors, and booting from CD-ROM.
- 75 Mac Advantages Revisited, Part 2, 2001.02.22. The next 17 advantages from Apple's "75 Advantages" brochure brought up to date.
- Feedback on Mac advantages, 2001.03.15. More on Windows DLL libraries, Mac vs. Windows USB, aliases vs. shortcuts.
- 75 Mac Advantages Revisited, Part 3, 2001.03.22. QuickTime, 3D graphics, virtual reality, desktop video, color matching, and speed capabilities.
- 75 Mac Advantages Revisited, Part 4, 2001.04.12. Mac multimedia and Internet advantages over Windows.
- 75 Mac Advantages Revisited, Part 5, 2001.05.24. Performance, scripting, mobile computing, viruses, software, printing, and other Mac advantages.
- 75 Mac Advantages Revisited, Part 6, 2001.07.05. Cross platform, stability, ease of use, and other Mac advantages vs. Windows.
Other Mac Advocacy
- Two more markets the iPhone could conquer, 2007.02.01. How Apple could redefine the ebook and calculator markets with a pair of free apps for the iPhone.
- How to infect a Mac with a virus or other malware, 2007.01.30. Mac malware exists, but you have to jump through some hoops to get it to infect your Mac.
- Education the key to killing spam, 2006.08.09. The only reason spam exists is because it works. If we could only teach people not to respond.....
- 23 reasons Microsoft's Zune is doomed, 2006.07.25. The iPod's mantra is simplify, simplify, simplify. Microsofts seems to be complexify, complexify, complexify. And we all know which consumers prefer.
- Apple should make OS 9 free, 2005.08.31. Apple has little to lose and much good will to gain by making OS 9 a free operating system.
- Two-fingered trackpad scrolling could give Apple an excuse to build a two-button mouse, 2005.02.03. With the scrollable trackpad, the new PowerBooks can now do something Mac users can't do with a one-button mouse. Could two-fingered scrolling be done with a two-button mouse?
- The headless iMac: Once again ahead of my time, 2005.01.04. Calls for a "headless iMac" have a long history with Mac Lab Report.
- Stand for the Mac against mindless conformity, 2004.12.07. It's time to take a stand against those who preach mindless conformity to the dominant Wintel standard and speak up for platform diversity.
- Is Windows killing the Internet?, 2004.08.23. Thanks to Windows viruses, the Internet has become something for most computer users to fear.
- Expanding the digital hub with a video iPod, video iPhone, 2004.06.04. Thinking outside the box about video storage and output on the iPod and an Apple-branded videophone.
- Low-end Macs: Why Apple needs a headless model for education and home users, 2004.04.16. "We know Apple resists marketing to the low end because the profit margins are higher for the stuff they do now."
- 10 things I like best about OS X, 2003.09.25. Sure, OS X has some annoying features - but it has some really great ones, too.
- Marketing the Mac: The myths keep people from switching, 2003.07.31. Apple's biggest problem is the IT guy who convinces people that Macs are not a viable choice.
- No Yang without Yin, 2003.02.13. Like some mysterious Force, the Dark Side surfaces every time the Light Side starts to gain the upper hand at Apple.
- Safari shows off the Apple difference, 2003.01.09. Safari and the other iApps demonstrate that Apple's specialty is clean and simple software.
- Time for Apple to do the right thing, 2002.09.12. "...Apple's in no position to be treating its faithful customers the way they have in the recent past."
- iBook takes a lickin', 2002.08.01. Crunch. Scratch. Crack. This iBook keeps coming back for more.
- Why I use a Mac, 2002.05.30. Ten unabashedly personal reasons for prefering a Macintosh to that other platform.
- More on AppleWorks, 2002.03.28. Another look at ClarisWorks 4 and AppleWorks 5-6.
- Improving AppleWorks, 2002.03.21. AppleWorks 6 is great, but a few improvements could reduce the need to use Microsoft Office.
- Why monopolies are bad, 2002.02.14. Whether we're talking about the board game, Boss Tweed, AT&T, or Microsoft, monopolies always end up taking advantage of consumers.
- Why Microsoft's .NET is .not for me, 2002.01.24. Microsoft is an illegal monopoly and I don't trust them with my data.
- Educational Standards and Benchmarks on the Web and in the Classroom, 2002.01.17. There's a tremendous opportunity for Apple or someone else to help teachers find and implement classroom standards.
- Apple growing a new backbone?, 2002.01.14. Could it be that Apple is undergoing a radical mutation and growing a new backbone?
- Bring back user programming, 2001.11.01. The case for a revived Applesoft BASIC or HyperCard to give users control of the computer.
- Starting a computer loan program, 2001.10.25. Loaning out old Mac systems to those who can't afford them.
- What price rankings?, 2001.07.19. One district's experience with Apple's educational sales - and it's not a pretty picture.
- Mac advocacy sites, 2001.05.31. An overview of Mac advocacy resources on the Web.
- Mac-friendly news sites, 2001.05.17. Where in the Web will you find good news, good science coverage, and good Mac compatibility? (Revised 2001.05:21)
Reviews
- Microsoft Word 2004 vs. iWork Pages 1.0 for writing a book, 2008.01.10. Microsoft Word is great for technical writing, powerful yet slow, while Pages lets you concentrate on just writing, making it great for novels.
- iWeb a great tool for quickly creating an attractive website, 2007.09.11. Apple's iWeb software isn't just easy to use, it also integrates nicely with .mac and other programs in the iLife bundle.
- OmniGraffle a great tool for big presentation graphics, 2006.01.18. If you need to make a big poster presentation, OmniGraffle may be exactly the tool you're looking for.
- iChat with iSight makes for pretty good video conferencing, 2005.12.14. It's not perfect yet, but Apple has given us video chat with high enough quality that it's practical.
- EasyFind a fix for Spotlight's flawed searches, 2005.10.25. Apple's Spotlight search just can't find some things. This free program provides a real alternative.
- Lux: World domination, online or off, 2005.08.29. "If you loved Risk as a board game, you're going to like Lux. Give it a try."
- Hands on: A new PowerBook with Tiger, 2005.05.18. The new 15" PowerBook has some nice improvements over the titanium model, and Tiger is icing on the cake.
- iBlog or Blogger, which is better?, 2004.12.14. Each program has its pros and cons, but one is a lot less flaky than the other.
- Organize and track your book, video, or CD collection with Delicious Library, 2004.11.29. If you have iSight or a bar code reader, Delicious Library can do all of the data entry for you.
- Re-Porter, Marathon's FireWire, USB, and audio port extender, 2004.11.08. Can't reach those FireWire, USB, and audio ports on the back of your Mac? Re-Porter might be just the thing you need.
- Sometimes you feel like a dolt, sometimes you don't, 2004.07.19. Everything was plugged in correctly, but the 4-port USB hub wouldn't power peripherals. It had to be defective hardware, right?
- Apple Remote Desktop "essential" for managing lots of networked Macs, 2004.06.01. "If you manage a lab full of Macs, Remote Desktop is essential - and worth every penny."
- The X-keys Desktop programmable input device, 2004.05.06. Looking for a programmable input device that's easy to configure and use? The X-keys Desktop may be for you.
- The Logo Creator: Useful but quirky design software, 2004.04.02. Program helps the "design challenged" create logos, but the interface is unconventional.
- Using the QuickCam Orbit on a Mac, 2004.03.12. Logitech's latest QuickCam adds face tracking, but how well does it work on a Mac?
- Vert•X Xserve stand reviewed, 2004.02.13. Don't have a rack for your Xserve? Not a problem with this $40 stand.
- Panther improves Classic, 2004.02.04. Mac OS 9 isn't dead. Under Panther the classic envirionment is better than it's ever been under Mac OS X.
- Keynote 1.1: Worth the price?, 2003.11.06. Keynote's presentations look marvelous, but some parts are clumsy and other important features are completely missing.
- A user's comparison of the 12" iBook and 15" TiBook, 2003.02.06. Each model has its advantages and disadvantages in comparison to the other. The question is which best meets your needs.
- StarQuiz review, 2002.10.24. "There are only a few features missing from StarQuiz to make it a truly outstanding package...."
- Graphical Analysis 3 in the classroom, 2002.09.05. "When it comes down to it, GA3 is simply the best tool for the job in a science or math setting."
- Review: PowerKey programmable power manager, 2002.05.23. Sophisticated Circuits' PowerKey can intelligently turn on your Mac and peripherals with a keypress or via software.
- Mozilla gets browsing just right, 2002.05.09. Not only is the latest build of Mozilla nearly perfect, it's fast, too.
- iPhoto missing one important feature, 2002.01.31. iPhoto is marvelous, but it's missing one very useful feature.
- Hands on: iBook carts in the classroom, 2001.11.15. A teacher looks at the strengths and weaknesses of Apple's 'mobility solution' for iBooks in the classroom.
- Hands on: Mimio for the Macintosh, 2001.10.11. Possible uses for a whiteboard tool for USB Macs - and your chance to win one.
- Things they don't tell you about the iBook, 2001.09.27. Some interesting discoveries, pro and con, on the 2001 iBook.
- Hands on: Iomega Value-Line USB Zip drive, 2001.09.06. A look at Iomega's low-cost USB bus-powered Zip drive.
- Review: OrangeLink FireWire USB Card, 2001.01.25. Hands on with the OrangeLink combination FireWire and USB PCI card.
- Review: Wacom Graphire 4x5 USB Tablet, 2001.01.18. Hands on Wacom's inexpensive graphics tablet and mouse.
Opinion
- Macintel stumbling block: Sometimes you need Classic, 2006.01.25. As nice as the new Intel Macs seem to be, the lack of any Classic environment makes it impossible for some people to upgrade.
- Even Apple's user interface has room for improvement, 2006.01.11. There are parts of the Mac and iPod user interface that are anything but intuitive - and that can drive a user bonkers.
- Evolution and Intelligent Design in the classroom, 2006.01.04. Intelligent Design is not science, but that doesn't mean it can't be discussed in science class.
- Negative synergy: Godaddy redirect problematic with Safari, 2005.12.09. Godaddy's redirect service works well with almost any browser, but a lot of Safari users are finding that it doesn't work for them.
- Thoughts on two-fingered scrolling, Mighty Mouse, and optical mice, 2005.12.07. A tip about two-fingered scrolling, pros and cons of Apple's Mighty Mouse, and the end of gunked up mechanical mice.
- The yin and yang of Apple hardware flaws, 2005.11.01. Looking at the ebb and flow of poor Apple product design since 1984.
- A big oversight in Spotlight's searches, 2005.09.02. Believe it or not, Spotlight can't locate file names that begin with a number.
- Lost Classic Mac OS features revived for OS X, 2005.03.10. Regaining tabbed folders, booting in safe mode, adding system sounds, and replacing other features lost under OS X.
- Four classic Mac OS features still missing in OS X, 2005.03.08. "I used to be able to do certain things in OS 9, and I miss those things in OS X."
- 20 suggestions for improving the Mac experience, 2004.07.14. Macs, OS X, iPods, and iApps are pretty great, but here are 20 suggestions for making a good experience even better.
- With Gmail at 1 gig and Yahoo at 100 MB, it's time to increase .mac email space, 2004.06.21. With free services offering so much space for email, Apple really ought to bump the limit beyond 15 MB for their for pay service.
- So long Eudora, hello OS X Mail, 2004.03.19. "I debated paying for Eudora again-- and then realized I'd never really tried out Mail, which is included with OS X."
- Mac user resolutions for 2004, 2004.01.08. Ten things Mac users might want to consider doing sometime in the new year.
- Why file swapping and Jon Lech Johansen are wrong, 2003.12.12. No matter how you look at it, stealing copyrighted material is simply wrong - legally and morally.
- Visiting the Apple Store - worth the trip?, 2003.10.30. "The whole point of shopping in person is to respond to the packaging, pick up a box, decide you want it, and buy it right then and there...."
- Netgear, Comcast, Apple, and Clock Batteries, 2003.09.11. Problems with a Netgear router and iBooks stem from the same issue, lack of an internal clock battery.
- Comcast and Netgear hell, AirPort heaven, 2003.08.21. MAC addresses, cable modems, networking, Windows, and Indian tech support can create a lot of headaches.
- Factor of 3 rule predicts 3 GHz G5 as next computer, 2003.07.17. On average, every new computer the author buys runs at three times the speed of the one it's replacing.
- Clever product idea for TiBooks, 2003.07.03. Here's a simple idea that could make it a lot easier to plug things into the back of the titanium PowerBook G4.
- Other things I'd pay 99¢ for, 2003.05.08. I'd pay 99¢ for a shareware game, a month of ad-free site access, or to send 1000 emails if spammers had to do the same.
- Three domains, two buyouts, one frustrated customer, 2003.05.01. From @home through attbi.com and now on to comcast.net, it's been a year of unwanted changes for a lot of cable Internet users.
- Fighting spam with Bayesian filtering, 2003.02.27. Smarter email filtering could be used to both fight unwanted spam and point out potentially important messages.
- Prioritized email: Up with the good, out with the bad, 2003.02.20. How smarter email software could flag what's important to you while also helping you deal with spam.
- iDisk public folder more accessible with Windows than OS 9, 2003.01.23. Mac OS X users and Windows users have read-write access to .mac public folders, but Mac OS 9 user are only allowed to read files.
- Jaguar faster, smoother, more responsive, 2002.11.14. "I found Jaguar to be faster, smoother with the eye-candy effects, and generally more responsive than any of the other previous incarnations of OS X."
- Problems upgrading from 10.1 to Jaguar, 2002.11.11. Partition too small to use the upgrade, and you can't install the upgrade without OS X already installed.
- Why OS X on X86 is the stupidest thing Apple could do, 2002.10.17. It's simple. You can't compete with a monopoly on their playing field.
- Adventures in ebook reading, 2002.10.03. "I didn't really get 'into' the PDA thing until my wife introduced me to ebooks - books published electronically specifically for use on a PDA or other small device."
- Salute to SatireWire, 2002.08.29. "Let us remember the barbs, the voice of sanity crying out in the dot com hurricane...."
- New iMac, old Mac OS, 2002.08.22. "Little things I really need keep yanking me back to 9. Odd little errors, missing functions, software that won't work and that I can't afford to replace."
- More on the history of Apple's command key, 2002.08.15. More on the Scandinavian and Apple II roots of the "splat" (cloverleaf) marking on the command key.
- The iTools bait and switch, 2002.07.25. How changing iTools to .mac undermines Apple's presence in education.
- Command key truth and fiction, 2002.07.18. A history of the Apple/command/splat key and it's vast assortment of names.
- Remembering Rodney, white folk in "Switch" ads, sticking it to PC users, and more, 2002.07.11. A random collection of Mac-related thoughts on Rodney, race, OS X, Emagic, and several other topics.
- Banned by Macworld, pro and con, 2002.07.08. Is it really a bad thing if Apple is taking notice of your website?
- Macs, PCs, support, and strategy, 2002.06.27. Dells, displaced Macs, pathetic IT support, and a few suggestions on how Apple could address problems Macs face in education.
- Plagiarism vs. research, 2002.06.03. A teacher's thoughts on detecting plagiarism and promoting real research.
- SE/30 catharsis - or not, 2002.05.16. "I decided that I would get an SE/30 on the internal network surfing the Internet as a cathartic treatment."
- Macs for little kids, 2002.04.18. My twin 3 year old sons learned to use a trackball before they could talk.
- Five ways to improve the LCD iMac, 2002.02.12. First, let the bottom rotate for easy access to the ports.
- Throwing a curve at LCDs, 2002.02.07. How thinking different about flatness could improve computing.
- Expo wrapup, 2002.01.11. Cool products, stingy vendors, weird food, and other thoughts about Macworld Expo.
- Digital hub incomplete, 2002.01.10. Gaps in Apple's digital hub and Apple file formats that don't talk to each other.
- Macworld and the new iMac, 2002.01.09. A closer look at the new iMac from the show floor and some comments on the low end.
- Office Politics: 'Rassling with Word 2001, 2001.12.20. Only Microsoft could create a program this convoluted and somehow get it to become the industry standard.
- Time to go with point one, 2001.11.29. If your computer can handle it and your applications are Carbonized or Native, you should switch to 10.1.
- Why Windows is important, 2001.06.21. If I could eliminate Windows from the face of the world, I wouldn't.
- Why the Cube failed, 2001.06.14. The Cube is just too hard to market to novices, while power users want slots.
- Why We Fight, My Turn, 2000.12.05. "The reason the fight continues . . . is that we want to reassure ourselves we made a wise investment."
- The ultimate Mac, 2000.10.27. Ten improvements that could make the iMac a PC-killer.
Humor
- I'll never forget the first time, My First Mac, 2001.06.15. I'll never forget that first time I moved a mouse and made the cursor draw a picture!
- The Apple Digital Hub, 2001.04.01. A history of Apple's digital lifestyle hub, AirPort Plus, AppleSpokes, and more.
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