Tuesday, November 30, 2004
Apple Advantage Night postponed indefinitely
Just a quick note to let you know that Apple Advantage Night, which was supposed to take place this evening, has been postponed indefinitey due to the sudden and bizarre last-minute unavailability of the venue at which the event was to be held. Even more puzzling is the fact that this is the same venue that the user group has been having its meetings at for years now. Amazingly, this move was made not for any actual reasons, just a mere policy shift on their part. Speaking strictly on behalf of myself and not on behalf of the NatMac User Group, I consider this to be the most unprofessional, idiotic, and inexcusable move I've seen a corporation make in a long time. I could go on and on, but I'll spare you the details. Rest assured that the user group is already investigating potential new meeting venues. Hopefully, Apple Advantage Night will be rescheduled at some point in the future, once a new home for the user group is settled upon. Had the event taken place this evening, it would have been a success; perhaps when it finally does take place, it will be an even greater success than it otherwise could have been.
My apologies to any of you who have been inconvenienced by this last-minute postponement. If you've notified any friends or relatives about the event, I'll ask that you pass on word to them.
Just a quick note to let you know that Apple Advantage Night, which was supposed to take place this evening, has been postponed indefinitey due to the sudden and bizarre last-minute unavailability of the venue at which the event was to be held. Even more puzzling is the fact that this is the same venue that the user group has been having its meetings at for years now. Amazingly, this move was made not for any actual reasons, just a mere policy shift on their part. Speaking strictly on behalf of myself and not on behalf of the NatMac User Group, I consider this to be the most unprofessional, idiotic, and inexcusable move I've seen a corporation make in a long time. I could go on and on, but I'll spare you the details. Rest assured that the user group is already investigating potential new meeting venues. Hopefully, Apple Advantage Night will be rescheduled at some point in the future, once a new home for the user group is settled upon. Had the event taken place this evening, it would have been a success; perhaps when it finally does take place, it will be an even greater success than it otherwise could have been.
My apologies to any of you who have been inconvenienced by this last-minute postponement. If you've notified any friends or relatives about the event, I'll ask that you pass on word to them.
Friday, November 26, 2004
NATMAC to host Apple Advantage Night this upcoming Tuesday
Those of you who live in South Florida might be interested in Apple Advantage Night, scheduled to take place this Tuesday, November 30th, in Deerfield Beach. It's being hosted by the local MUG and I'll be one of the featured presenters. The idea behind the event is to bring together as many Windows users as possible, and to give them the full low-down on the current state of the Macintosh platform. Whether it's iTunes and the iPod, or Windows security issues, or just because one of their Mac-using friends dragged them there, we expect a whole slew of (mostly willing) Windows users to show up for the event.
It's not perhaps so much important how many or how few attendees actually race out and buy a Mac as a result of attending; simply making them aware of the facts of the matter would be good enough for me. As we all know, one of the very few downsides of being a Mac user is that, despite having a computing experience that blows away anything that any Windows user is experiencing, you invariably face an undending barrage of ignorant comments of disbelief anytime someone finds out that you're a Mac user, putting you in a position where you're forced to publicly justify your computer choice, while they exhibit nothing but blind worship of the Windows platform. Of course you'd really just rather talk about football, but they continue to force the issue by making one bizarre false statement about the Mac after another -- but then they end up labeling you some kind of fanatic. We all know that such ignorance has subsided quite a bit over the past couple of years, but there's still a long way to go. And education is the key.
Those of you who don't live anywhere near South Florida may also want to stay tuned, because if the event is a success, then my understanding is that NATMAC will be making it easy for other MUGs in other places to put on similar events. Anyway, the full press release is below, and if you live anywhere near the event, then I hope to see you there (and be sure to bring all your Windows-using friends with you!):
South Florida Windows PC users interested in learning more about the Apple platform are invited to attend Apple Advantage Night at the Sun-Sentinel Building in Deerfield Beach on Tuesday, November 30th. Tired of the ongoing security problems surrounding the Windows platform? Like using iTunes or the iPod on your Windows PC? Come learn how iPod, iTunes and a secure operating system are just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to the Apple Advantage.
Apple Advantage Night will allow Windows users to get all the facts about the current state of the Macintosh, so that they can draw their own conclusions as to whether the Apple platform is right for them. Topics will include:
Using an Apple computer in a Windows world: learn just how easy it is to use a Macintosh computer among Windows PCs without missing a beat. Computer consultant Mike Strum will show you how easy it is to use applications such as Microsoft Word and Excel on your Macintosh, and how the documents you create will be fully compatible with the Windows versions of those programs. For that matter, learn how to easily run Windows itself on your Macintosh -- not that you'd ever need to, of course. Mike has nineteen years experience with Apple products and services.
Testimonial from a former PC User who Switched to the Mac Want to hear from someone who has recently bought an Apple computer, after years of using Windows? Come listen to restaurant owner Rogger Castells recount his story as a former "savvy" die-hard Windows user. Once he tried the Mac he did have a few second thoughts but once past that, has never looked back. Rogger says prior to moving to Apple that using Windows had become a real burden and that Apple has allowed him to finally regain his love of computing and increase his productivity. Rogger is the owner of La Spiaggia Ristorante in South Beach.
Apple computers are inexpensive, there's plenty of software, and we get all the good stuff first: learn the truth about the Apple platform as several long-standing myths get shattered before your eyes. Internet entrepreneur Bill Palmer will show you how Apple computers are generally cheaper than equivalent name-brand PCs, how Macintosh users are never at a loss for software, and how nearly all of the technological innovations of the past five years have been in the hands of Apple users long before they filtered down to Windows. Bill is the owner of LoadPod and publisher of the iPod Garage.
Apple computers are easier and more powerful and secure: the Macintosh isn't just easier for your grandmother to learn how to use. It's also far more powerful than Windows, thanks to its UNIX foundation. Computer consultant Dean Hoffman will show you how to tap that UNIX core and turn your Macintosh into a powerhouse. Want to get geeky with a UNIX terminal, or run X11-based applications? Believe it or not, it's all already built into the Macintosh right out of the box. He'll also show you why having UNIX at the core of the operating system makes Apple Computers so much more secure than computers running Windows. Dean, formerly a tech specialist at Motorola, has extensive training and experience with both Macs & Windows.
Using an Apple computer on a Windows network: Learn just what it is that makes the Mac so much easier to use (and be productive with) than Windows. Also, find out how simple it can be to connect a Macintosh to an all-Windows network, to network a Mac and a PC together, or to simply create a network of Apple computers. Computer consultant Don Winsby will show you the ins and outs of Macintosh and cross-platform networking. Want to go wireless? With a Macintosh, it's a snap, and has been for years. Want to take your Apple laptop to work and use it to tap into a Windows 2000 server? Piece of cake. Come learn how. Don is an Apple Certified Technical Coordinator (ACTC) and Apple Certified System Administrator (ACSA).
To take part in Apple Advantage Night, simply arrive at the Sun-Sentinel building at 333 SW 12th Avenue in Deerfield Beach, Florida between 6:30 and 7:00 pm. Free appetizers from La Spiaggia Ristorante will be provided to all attendees beginning at 6:30 pm, and the event will run from 7:00 to 10:00 pm. The Mac Center will also have reps on hand to show off some of the latest Apple computers and products. For more information, to visit a more detailed agenda, or to get directions and a map to the event, visit the NATMAC site at www.NATMAC.com.
Those of you who live in South Florida might be interested in Apple Advantage Night, scheduled to take place this Tuesday, November 30th, in Deerfield Beach. It's being hosted by the local MUG and I'll be one of the featured presenters. The idea behind the event is to bring together as many Windows users as possible, and to give them the full low-down on the current state of the Macintosh platform. Whether it's iTunes and the iPod, or Windows security issues, or just because one of their Mac-using friends dragged them there, we expect a whole slew of (mostly willing) Windows users to show up for the event.
It's not perhaps so much important how many or how few attendees actually race out and buy a Mac as a result of attending; simply making them aware of the facts of the matter would be good enough for me. As we all know, one of the very few downsides of being a Mac user is that, despite having a computing experience that blows away anything that any Windows user is experiencing, you invariably face an undending barrage of ignorant comments of disbelief anytime someone finds out that you're a Mac user, putting you in a position where you're forced to publicly justify your computer choice, while they exhibit nothing but blind worship of the Windows platform. Of course you'd really just rather talk about football, but they continue to force the issue by making one bizarre false statement about the Mac after another -- but then they end up labeling you some kind of fanatic. We all know that such ignorance has subsided quite a bit over the past couple of years, but there's still a long way to go. And education is the key.
Those of you who don't live anywhere near South Florida may also want to stay tuned, because if the event is a success, then my understanding is that NATMAC will be making it easy for other MUGs in other places to put on similar events. Anyway, the full press release is below, and if you live anywhere near the event, then I hope to see you there (and be sure to bring all your Windows-using friends with you!):
South Florida Windows PC users interested in learning more about the Apple platform are invited to attend Apple Advantage Night at the Sun-Sentinel Building in Deerfield Beach on Tuesday, November 30th. Tired of the ongoing security problems surrounding the Windows platform? Like using iTunes or the iPod on your Windows PC? Come learn how iPod, iTunes and a secure operating system are just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to the Apple Advantage.
Apple Advantage Night will allow Windows users to get all the facts about the current state of the Macintosh, so that they can draw their own conclusions as to whether the Apple platform is right for them. Topics will include:
Using an Apple computer in a Windows world: learn just how easy it is to use a Macintosh computer among Windows PCs without missing a beat. Computer consultant Mike Strum will show you how easy it is to use applications such as Microsoft Word and Excel on your Macintosh, and how the documents you create will be fully compatible with the Windows versions of those programs. For that matter, learn how to easily run Windows itself on your Macintosh -- not that you'd ever need to, of course. Mike has nineteen years experience with Apple products and services.
Testimonial from a former PC User who Switched to the Mac Want to hear from someone who has recently bought an Apple computer, after years of using Windows? Come listen to restaurant owner Rogger Castells recount his story as a former "savvy" die-hard Windows user. Once he tried the Mac he did have a few second thoughts but once past that, has never looked back. Rogger says prior to moving to Apple that using Windows had become a real burden and that Apple has allowed him to finally regain his love of computing and increase his productivity. Rogger is the owner of La Spiaggia Ristorante in South Beach.
Apple computers are inexpensive, there's plenty of software, and we get all the good stuff first: learn the truth about the Apple platform as several long-standing myths get shattered before your eyes. Internet entrepreneur Bill Palmer will show you how Apple computers are generally cheaper than equivalent name-brand PCs, how Macintosh users are never at a loss for software, and how nearly all of the technological innovations of the past five years have been in the hands of Apple users long before they filtered down to Windows. Bill is the owner of LoadPod and publisher of the iPod Garage.
Apple computers are easier and more powerful and secure: the Macintosh isn't just easier for your grandmother to learn how to use. It's also far more powerful than Windows, thanks to its UNIX foundation. Computer consultant Dean Hoffman will show you how to tap that UNIX core and turn your Macintosh into a powerhouse. Want to get geeky with a UNIX terminal, or run X11-based applications? Believe it or not, it's all already built into the Macintosh right out of the box. He'll also show you why having UNIX at the core of the operating system makes Apple Computers so much more secure than computers running Windows. Dean, formerly a tech specialist at Motorola, has extensive training and experience with both Macs & Windows.
Using an Apple computer on a Windows network: Learn just what it is that makes the Mac so much easier to use (and be productive with) than Windows. Also, find out how simple it can be to connect a Macintosh to an all-Windows network, to network a Mac and a PC together, or to simply create a network of Apple computers. Computer consultant Don Winsby will show you the ins and outs of Macintosh and cross-platform networking. Want to go wireless? With a Macintosh, it's a snap, and has been for years. Want to take your Apple laptop to work and use it to tap into a Windows 2000 server? Piece of cake. Come learn how. Don is an Apple Certified Technical Coordinator (ACTC) and Apple Certified System Administrator (ACSA).
To take part in Apple Advantage Night, simply arrive at the Sun-Sentinel building at 333 SW 12th Avenue in Deerfield Beach, Florida between 6:30 and 7:00 pm. Free appetizers from La Spiaggia Ristorante will be provided to all attendees beginning at 6:30 pm, and the event will run from 7:00 to 10:00 pm. The Mac Center will also have reps on hand to show off some of the latest Apple computers and products. For more information, to visit a more detailed agenda, or to get directions and a map to the event, visit the NATMAC site at www.NATMAC.com.
Wednesday, November 24, 2004
Burning Monkey Solitaire 2005: more fun than a barrel of...
If you're like most people, you play solitaire because you're bored. But the thing is, at some point the solitaire gets rather boring itself. But somewhere within the twisted collective braintrust at Freeverse, someone presumably asked the question, "What if we added monkeys? Not just any monkeys, but monkeys that sing and tell bad jokes while you're playing, and then make fun of your mistakes? And then when you get tired of them, you can just light them on fire?" And with that, Burning Monkey Solitaire was born.
I've written about it before. But a new version has recently, the 2005 edition, which promises even more jokes, even more monkeys, and even more ways to light them on fire. I've just downloaded it about eight minutes ago, so I can't say much about it yet, other than to suggest that you go try out the trial version at some point during the upcoming extended weekend. Don't worry, the trial version will expire right about the time that you've become fully addicted, so at that point you can just give it to yourself as a holiday gift. Tidy, eh?
If you're like most people, you play solitaire because you're bored. But the thing is, at some point the solitaire gets rather boring itself. But somewhere within the twisted collective braintrust at Freeverse, someone presumably asked the question, "What if we added monkeys? Not just any monkeys, but monkeys that sing and tell bad jokes while you're playing, and then make fun of your mistakes? And then when you get tired of them, you can just light them on fire?" And with that, Burning Monkey Solitaire was born.
I've written about it before. But a new version has recently, the 2005 edition, which promises even more jokes, even more monkeys, and even more ways to light them on fire. I've just downloaded it about eight minutes ago, so I can't say much about it yet, other than to suggest that you go try out the trial version at some point during the upcoming extended weekend. Don't worry, the trial version will expire right about the time that you've become fully addicted, so at that point you can just give it to yourself as a holiday gift. Tidy, eh?
Sunday, November 21, 2004
Influence and the Apple universe
As I sit here watching the end of a great footballl game, trying to figure out just how to balance a laptop on one knee and the head of a sleeping dog on the other (without waking the dog), I can't help but marvel at just how absurd things have gotten over the past year. I'm not so much amazed at the things that are happening, it's more of a disbelief at what I've come to accept as being normal.
Take this month for instance. There's been quite a bit of debate across the internet this week as to whether my column about iPod sales at Virgin Megastore actually caused the company to hastily shift its iPod strategy nationwide, and the truth is that I really don't know if I did or not. But what strikes me as peculiar is that if I did, then I really won't be surprised at all. There was a time not so long ago when the possibility of such a thing might have had me a bit angsty, but now it's just like "Gee whiz, I wrote about something and it probably caused something major to happen, big deal, it must be Thursday again."
There's been an article in Macworld Magazine all month about me and my company and my website, and it only occurred to me today to let anyone know about it. Just didn't think about it, really. You get so locked into doing the interview (which I did over the phone, while I had the flu, if you're wondering), then doing the follow-up, then waiting for it to finally go to print, then grabbing a personal copy, working it into the marketing materials...but you sort of forget that hey, this is something really cool and really sort of scary, all at once. You just sort of don't have the time to take it in.
This past week I was invited to take part in not one but two major Apple-related events within the State of Florida. I can't say much about either one right now, except to say that the first will take place soon, and details will follow very soon, and it should be a lot of fun. The second event, if it happens, will take place next year and could be of epic proportions. Can't say a thing about it right now, but man, it's just a scary thought if it actually happens. Both of the events are what you would refer to as someone else's baby, and I've just been asked to play a part in each. But to be approached about them is cool, humbling, and to repeat a theme, a bit scary.
And a few days ago, I got word that thanks to MacUsingEducators.com, a site I founded, the creator of a twenty-year-old piece of educational software has managed to hook up with a developer who will re-work the software so that it will be around for another twenty years. This is software that actually gets used in classrooms, wasn't going to be able to be used anymore, but now apparently it will. All because I started a site and asked some educators to join me in publishing it.
When did all this happen? When did this become my life?
It's a strange, surreal existence, one in which I can decide that I want to do something like writing a weekly music-related column, and then just do it. No one's going to stop me. The other side of the coin of course is that I could make a raging fool of myself in doing so. What if I'm wrong? What if it turns out that iPod users really don't care about music after all? Nah, see, I know that's not the case. It's almost too easy to figure out. And yet, since no one else is doing it, you have to wonder if it being a good idea is just a matter of my imagination running wild. Once again, a lot cool and a little scary.
When I first began posting blog entries online twenty months ago, I never in a million years could have predicted that it would lead to all this. So if I could go back, would I have done it again? Yeah, no doubt. But like I said, it's still a little scary. Probably best that there isn't a lot of time right now to sit back and reflect (this particular blog entry notwithstanding).
Just a little pontificating on a Sunday evening, with a dog and a laptop on my lap.
As I sit here watching the end of a great footballl game, trying to figure out just how to balance a laptop on one knee and the head of a sleeping dog on the other (without waking the dog), I can't help but marvel at just how absurd things have gotten over the past year. I'm not so much amazed at the things that are happening, it's more of a disbelief at what I've come to accept as being normal.
Take this month for instance. There's been quite a bit of debate across the internet this week as to whether my column about iPod sales at Virgin Megastore actually caused the company to hastily shift its iPod strategy nationwide, and the truth is that I really don't know if I did or not. But what strikes me as peculiar is that if I did, then I really won't be surprised at all. There was a time not so long ago when the possibility of such a thing might have had me a bit angsty, but now it's just like "Gee whiz, I wrote about something and it probably caused something major to happen, big deal, it must be Thursday again."
There's been an article in Macworld Magazine all month about me and my company and my website, and it only occurred to me today to let anyone know about it. Just didn't think about it, really. You get so locked into doing the interview (which I did over the phone, while I had the flu, if you're wondering), then doing the follow-up, then waiting for it to finally go to print, then grabbing a personal copy, working it into the marketing materials...but you sort of forget that hey, this is something really cool and really sort of scary, all at once. You just sort of don't have the time to take it in.
This past week I was invited to take part in not one but two major Apple-related events within the State of Florida. I can't say much about either one right now, except to say that the first will take place soon, and details will follow very soon, and it should be a lot of fun. The second event, if it happens, will take place next year and could be of epic proportions. Can't say a thing about it right now, but man, it's just a scary thought if it actually happens. Both of the events are what you would refer to as someone else's baby, and I've just been asked to play a part in each. But to be approached about them is cool, humbling, and to repeat a theme, a bit scary.
And a few days ago, I got word that thanks to MacUsingEducators.com, a site I founded, the creator of a twenty-year-old piece of educational software has managed to hook up with a developer who will re-work the software so that it will be around for another twenty years. This is software that actually gets used in classrooms, wasn't going to be able to be used anymore, but now apparently it will. All because I started a site and asked some educators to join me in publishing it.
When did all this happen? When did this become my life?
It's a strange, surreal existence, one in which I can decide that I want to do something like writing a weekly music-related column, and then just do it. No one's going to stop me. The other side of the coin of course is that I could make a raging fool of myself in doing so. What if I'm wrong? What if it turns out that iPod users really don't care about music after all? Nah, see, I know that's not the case. It's almost too easy to figure out. And yet, since no one else is doing it, you have to wonder if it being a good idea is just a matter of my imagination running wild. Once again, a lot cool and a little scary.
When I first began posting blog entries online twenty months ago, I never in a million years could have predicted that it would lead to all this. So if I could go back, would I have done it again? Yeah, no doubt. But like I said, it's still a little scary. Probably best that there isn't a lot of time right now to sit back and reflect (this particular blog entry notwithstanding).
Just a little pontificating on a Sunday evening, with a dog and a laptop on my lap.
Tuesday, November 16, 2004
Another month, another Switcher
Back in September I wrote about how, after years of banter between us surrounding the subject, a former colleague of mine finally decided to see things my way and sent me the following message:
"My Gateway finally died. I'm ready to buy a Mac. Let me know which model I should get."
After jointly concluding that the eMac was the way to go for her (never once did she even mention the possibility of keeping her previous monitor, so take that, you headless iMac loons), she said she was off to the Apple Store to make her purchase and would keep me posted. But two months went by and I didn't hear a thing from her, and I was beginning to wonder if maybe things didn't happen after all.
But yesterday the following message from her found its way into my inbox:
"So far, loving my new eMac..."
I swear, as long as I live, I will never get tired of helping people find their way to the Mac platform and then having them come back and thank me for it. That's all for today. Gotta run.
Oh and by the way, here's a subtle hint: it's Tuesday.
Alright, need something less subtle? Here's this week's Garage Music column. Enjoy...
Back in September I wrote about how, after years of banter between us surrounding the subject, a former colleague of mine finally decided to see things my way and sent me the following message:
"My Gateway finally died. I'm ready to buy a Mac. Let me know which model I should get."
After jointly concluding that the eMac was the way to go for her (never once did she even mention the possibility of keeping her previous monitor, so take that, you headless iMac loons), she said she was off to the Apple Store to make her purchase and would keep me posted. But two months went by and I didn't hear a thing from her, and I was beginning to wonder if maybe things didn't happen after all.
But yesterday the following message from her found its way into my inbox:
"So far, loving my new eMac..."
I swear, as long as I live, I will never get tired of helping people find their way to the Mac platform and then having them come back and thank me for it. That's all for today. Gotta run.
Oh and by the way, here's a subtle hint: it's Tuesday.
Alright, need something less subtle? Here's this week's Garage Music column. Enjoy...
Sunday, November 14, 2004
Preaching to someone other than the choir
I've been asked to speak at an upcoming event being put on by a Mac User Group, and the whole thing is a really novel idea: rather than the usual MUG motif of bringing a bunch of Mac users together to discuss the platform, this event will focus on bringing in a bunch of Windows users who have some interest in learning more about the Mac platform. Considering the sheer number of reasons that are causing the Windows-using public to suddenly want to take a look at the Apple universe, there's perhaps never been a better time for such an event. Wish I'd thought of it, and I'm honored to be a part of it.
Attendees will be a combination of Windows users who have been dragged there by their Mac-using friends, and Windows users who hear about the even through the mainstream media and choose to attend without being dragged. More details to follow soon, but for now, if you live in down in the South Florida area, and you can think of some Windows users that you'd like to drag to the event yourself, then you'll want to mark Tuesday, November 30th on your calendar.
I've been asked to speak at an upcoming event being put on by a Mac User Group, and the whole thing is a really novel idea: rather than the usual MUG motif of bringing a bunch of Mac users together to discuss the platform, this event will focus on bringing in a bunch of Windows users who have some interest in learning more about the Mac platform. Considering the sheer number of reasons that are causing the Windows-using public to suddenly want to take a look at the Apple universe, there's perhaps never been a better time for such an event. Wish I'd thought of it, and I'm honored to be a part of it.
Attendees will be a combination of Windows users who have been dragged there by their Mac-using friends, and Windows users who hear about the even through the mainstream media and choose to attend without being dragged. More details to follow soon, but for now, if you live in down in the South Florida area, and you can think of some Windows users that you'd like to drag to the event yourself, then you'll want to mark Tuesday, November 30th on your calendar.
Tuesday, November 09, 2004
No iPod required
a few quick hits:
1) I've begun officially publishing my Garage Music column every Tuesday over on the iPod Garage (and, oh by the way, today is Tuesday). Garage Music will be my first regular column that just about forsakes the technology thing entirely, and instead focusus on the happenings of the popular music scene. Whether it's new music reviews, commentary on what certain artists are up to, what's going on in my own collection, or my take on why a certain popular song is appearing in a certain soda commercial, I'm going to try to cover it all. The only rule is that Garage Music is all about the music. So why mention the Garage Music column here? Well, because it's got nothing to do with anything Apple-related, sites such as MacSurfer have no reason to link to it. Regular iPod Garage readers will no doubt find the Garage Music column linked from the front page every Tuesday, and the search engines will do their thing as well, but if you're the type who would be interested in reading such a column (or know anyone who would be), then feel free to check it out every Tuesday. No iPod required.
2) I got mentioned in an episode of "As The Apple Turns" yesterday! I think it's actually the third or fourth time it's happened over the years, but it's still fun to run into myself while reading one of the most tears-running-down-your-face funny websites on the entire internet (the fact that's it's Apple-related is simply a bonus). If you're not reading it daily, you should be. It's like the Daily Show of the Mac Web.
3) Once again, good stuff has been posted to MacUsingEducators, and sadly, once again, it wasn't from me. But the good news is that the other contributors to the site (all educators) seem to be taking to the new combined-blog format over there. And actually, after having run into a handful of former students of mine at a shopping mall this past weekend, I've got a story to post over there myself. Oh, to find the time to tell it.
a few quick hits:
1) I've begun officially publishing my Garage Music column every Tuesday over on the iPod Garage (and, oh by the way, today is Tuesday). Garage Music will be my first regular column that just about forsakes the technology thing entirely, and instead focusus on the happenings of the popular music scene. Whether it's new music reviews, commentary on what certain artists are up to, what's going on in my own collection, or my take on why a certain popular song is appearing in a certain soda commercial, I'm going to try to cover it all. The only rule is that Garage Music is all about the music. So why mention the Garage Music column here? Well, because it's got nothing to do with anything Apple-related, sites such as MacSurfer have no reason to link to it. Regular iPod Garage readers will no doubt find the Garage Music column linked from the front page every Tuesday, and the search engines will do their thing as well, but if you're the type who would be interested in reading such a column (or know anyone who would be), then feel free to check it out every Tuesday. No iPod required.
2) I got mentioned in an episode of "As The Apple Turns" yesterday! I think it's actually the third or fourth time it's happened over the years, but it's still fun to run into myself while reading one of the most tears-running-down-your-face funny websites on the entire internet (the fact that's it's Apple-related is simply a bonus). If you're not reading it daily, you should be. It's like the Daily Show of the Mac Web.
3) Once again, good stuff has been posted to MacUsingEducators, and sadly, once again, it wasn't from me. But the good news is that the other contributors to the site (all educators) seem to be taking to the new combined-blog format over there. And actually, after having run into a handful of former students of mine at a shopping mall this past weekend, I've got a story to post over there myself. Oh, to find the time to tell it.
Bill Palmer's Firefox review: shrug
After what seems like an infinite beta-testing period, the open source web browser Firefox reached version 1.0 today. As far as the product itself, I can sum up my review in one word: shrug. When the built-in browser kicks this much hind quarters, there's little motivation to waste time shopping for an alternate browser unless one is simply trying to stroke ones own elitist ego. And for that matter, according to a user group review that crossed my inbox today, Firefox 1.0 is nearly as buggy as the previous versions. In other words, it's just about what you'd expect out of a free open source project being developed by geeks for geeks in their spare time as a hobby: more emphasis on pushing forward with development, than on ever cranking out a true finished and complete product.
But that doesn't mean that I'm not rooting for the Firefox geeks (and the Camino geeks and any other browser geeks) to keep pushing their developmental efforts forward. And there are two entirely separate reasons for that, both of which are of great benefit not just to Mac users but to all computer users:
1) Innovations such as tabbed browsing generally tend to originate within the bowels of such open source projects. Even though Safari has what I consider to be the best tabbed browsing implementation of any browser, it's probably fairly safe to assume that Safari wouldn't have tabbed browsing at all if not for the open source community. And for that matter, considering that Safari itself was built on top of the open source Konqueror browser, it's probably fair to say that without the open source community, Safari wouldn't even exist.
2) The more prominently the Firefox geeks can push their browser into the Windows world, the better it is for everyone (except Microsoft). Anything that helps Windows users to break their dependence on Microsoft applications is a good thing both because it'll help open the door for getting Windows users to accept non-Microsoft software such as iTunes, and because it will make them feel more free to eventually consider switching to the Mac altogether.
So congratulations goes to the Firefox team for what they're accomplishing. Even though I just don't have enough hours in the day to be one of their permanent beta-testers, and even though I'm so totally not in the market for an alternate Mac web browser, I'm still rooting for those Firefox geeks to keep doing what they're doing.
That is, whatever it is that they're doing.
PS: a note to all you Firefox devotees out there: please do not write in to me with "you should be using Firefox" comments; I'm simply not interested and I'll delete it without reading it. However, if you feel you must spread your gospel, feel free to do so in the forums.
After what seems like an infinite beta-testing period, the open source web browser Firefox reached version 1.0 today. As far as the product itself, I can sum up my review in one word: shrug. When the built-in browser kicks this much hind quarters, there's little motivation to waste time shopping for an alternate browser unless one is simply trying to stroke ones own elitist ego. And for that matter, according to a user group review that crossed my inbox today, Firefox 1.0 is nearly as buggy as the previous versions. In other words, it's just about what you'd expect out of a free open source project being developed by geeks for geeks in their spare time as a hobby: more emphasis on pushing forward with development, than on ever cranking out a true finished and complete product.
But that doesn't mean that I'm not rooting for the Firefox geeks (and the Camino geeks and any other browser geeks) to keep pushing their developmental efforts forward. And there are two entirely separate reasons for that, both of which are of great benefit not just to Mac users but to all computer users:
1) Innovations such as tabbed browsing generally tend to originate within the bowels of such open source projects. Even though Safari has what I consider to be the best tabbed browsing implementation of any browser, it's probably fairly safe to assume that Safari wouldn't have tabbed browsing at all if not for the open source community. And for that matter, considering that Safari itself was built on top of the open source Konqueror browser, it's probably fair to say that without the open source community, Safari wouldn't even exist.
2) The more prominently the Firefox geeks can push their browser into the Windows world, the better it is for everyone (except Microsoft). Anything that helps Windows users to break their dependence on Microsoft applications is a good thing both because it'll help open the door for getting Windows users to accept non-Microsoft software such as iTunes, and because it will make them feel more free to eventually consider switching to the Mac altogether.
So congratulations goes to the Firefox team for what they're accomplishing. Even though I just don't have enough hours in the day to be one of their permanent beta-testers, and even though I'm so totally not in the market for an alternate Mac web browser, I'm still rooting for those Firefox geeks to keep doing what they're doing.
That is, whatever it is that they're doing.
PS: a note to all you Firefox devotees out there: please do not write in to me with "you should be using Firefox" comments; I'm simply not interested and I'll delete it without reading it. However, if you feel you must spread your gospel, feel free to do so in the forums.
Friday, November 05, 2004
Mac users, you've got some homework to do this weekend
Not that we're usually in the business of public service announcements around here, but I did want to mention that there have been a few updates released by Apple this week. At the risk of sounding like your mother, I recommend that you find a few minutes to install any of the following that apply to you. Most if not all of these will appear in Software Update sooner or later, but I've given you the direct links in case you want to dive on in right away:
MacOS X 10.3.6 update: The seventh official version of Panther was just released Friday afternoon. I've installed it, and in general there's nothing noticeable or special. Just the usual bit of added speed (not that speed is an issue anymore with OS X), a bit of added stability (not that stability has ever been an issue), and a whole laundry list of arcane enhancements (big news: Calculator has been updated to version 3.1 -- you get the idea). If you never bothered to install 10.3.5, there's also a combo updater that will allow you to jump straight to 10.3.6, as is the usual OS X custom.
iTunes 4.7: This update is actually for both Mac and Windows, so be sure to sneak the new version onto all the PCs at your workplace while the IT guy isn't looking. While the headlining feature of version 4.7 is compatibility with iPod Photo, the feature that the rest of us will care about is the new "Artist Alert" feature. I haven't had the chance to test it out yet, but it sounds appealing. Basically, I can now set iTunes to automatically let me know any time one of my favorite bands has made any new content available in the iTunes Music Store. It's not that I need an alert to let me know that U2 has a new single out (all I have to do is watch an Apple commercial on television to know that), but it'll come in handy with some of the less prominent artists among my favorites.
Security updates: Just because security is not an issue on the Mac, doesn't mean you want to put off installing any security updates Apple releases. I mean, if the company is going to work that hard to close potential security holes before they're ever open in the first place, then you might as well take advantage of it. If you've been slacking off, just run Software Update and you'll likely find three or four of them in there. If you've already installed them all yourself, then you might want to go ahead and do the same on behalf of any Mac-using friends or relatives who haven't been keeping up with it. Hey, it can't hurt. Just because no one has tried to steal your car, doesn't mean you should start leaving the keys in the ignition overnight.
MacOS X Server 10.3.6 Update: The odds are probably fairly small that you're running MacOS X Server (unless you're running a business or a school), but here's a link to the latest update for it as well.
Well, there it is. Don't say I never did anything for you. I'm outta here, the weekend awaits. I'm going to go visit some old friends and then go to the Dolphins loss. Uh, I meant game. Go to the Dolphins game. Yeah, that's it, think positive.
Enjoy your weekend. And get cracking on those installs!
Not that we're usually in the business of public service announcements around here, but I did want to mention that there have been a few updates released by Apple this week. At the risk of sounding like your mother, I recommend that you find a few minutes to install any of the following that apply to you. Most if not all of these will appear in Software Update sooner or later, but I've given you the direct links in case you want to dive on in right away:
MacOS X 10.3.6 update: The seventh official version of Panther was just released Friday afternoon. I've installed it, and in general there's nothing noticeable or special. Just the usual bit of added speed (not that speed is an issue anymore with OS X), a bit of added stability (not that stability has ever been an issue), and a whole laundry list of arcane enhancements (big news: Calculator has been updated to version 3.1 -- you get the idea). If you never bothered to install 10.3.5, there's also a combo updater that will allow you to jump straight to 10.3.6, as is the usual OS X custom.
iTunes 4.7: This update is actually for both Mac and Windows, so be sure to sneak the new version onto all the PCs at your workplace while the IT guy isn't looking. While the headlining feature of version 4.7 is compatibility with iPod Photo, the feature that the rest of us will care about is the new "Artist Alert" feature. I haven't had the chance to test it out yet, but it sounds appealing. Basically, I can now set iTunes to automatically let me know any time one of my favorite bands has made any new content available in the iTunes Music Store. It's not that I need an alert to let me know that U2 has a new single out (all I have to do is watch an Apple commercial on television to know that), but it'll come in handy with some of the less prominent artists among my favorites.
Security updates: Just because security is not an issue on the Mac, doesn't mean you want to put off installing any security updates Apple releases. I mean, if the company is going to work that hard to close potential security holes before they're ever open in the first place, then you might as well take advantage of it. If you've been slacking off, just run Software Update and you'll likely find three or four of them in there. If you've already installed them all yourself, then you might want to go ahead and do the same on behalf of any Mac-using friends or relatives who haven't been keeping up with it. Hey, it can't hurt. Just because no one has tried to steal your car, doesn't mean you should start leaving the keys in the ignition overnight.
MacOS X Server 10.3.6 Update: The odds are probably fairly small that you're running MacOS X Server (unless you're running a business or a school), but here's a link to the latest update for it as well.
Well, there it is. Don't say I never did anything for you. I'm outta here, the weekend awaits. I'm going to go visit some old friends and then go to the Dolphins loss. Uh, I meant game. Go to the Dolphins game. Yeah, that's it, think positive.
Enjoy your weekend. And get cracking on those installs!
Wednesday, November 03, 2004
You'd think this wireless internet stuff was something new
Sorry, I just don't have a full column in me this evening. But I did find it rather interesting that any number of companies are currently plugging wireless internet for laptops in their television commercials as if it's the next big thing. Interesting, of course, because wireless internet has been commonplace and almost second-nature on the Mac platform for years and years now (five of them, to be exact). Boring stuff, really. And yet, here in 2004, it's just now beginning to filter its way down to that other platform. Yoy know, you'd almost think that we Mac users get all the good stuff years before anyone else. Perhaps it's because we do.
Just food for thought. If you're looking for some good stuff to read today, check out all the cool new stuff going on over at MacUsingEducators. We're obviously in transition over there right now (temporary template look a little familiar?), but there's lots of new content, and we're excited about where things are headed.
As for me, I'm going to sit down and watch Shaq's debut with the Miami Heat (his hamstring had better not keep him from playing tonight), watch the latest episode of The West Wing (Leo McGarry had better not be dead), and get a full night's sleep (something I haven't done in awhile).
See you tomorrow.
Sorry, I just don't have a full column in me this evening. But I did find it rather interesting that any number of companies are currently plugging wireless internet for laptops in their television commercials as if it's the next big thing. Interesting, of course, because wireless internet has been commonplace and almost second-nature on the Mac platform for years and years now (five of them, to be exact). Boring stuff, really. And yet, here in 2004, it's just now beginning to filter its way down to that other platform. Yoy know, you'd almost think that we Mac users get all the good stuff years before anyone else. Perhaps it's because we do.
Just food for thought. If you're looking for some good stuff to read today, check out all the cool new stuff going on over at MacUsingEducators. We're obviously in transition over there right now (temporary template look a little familiar?), but there's lots of new content, and we're excited about where things are headed.
As for me, I'm going to sit down and watch Shaq's debut with the Miami Heat (his hamstring had better not keep him from playing tonight), watch the latest episode of The West Wing (Leo McGarry had better not be dead), and get a full night's sleep (something I haven't done in awhile).
See you tomorrow.
Tuesday, November 02, 2004
Six companies that Apple should (or maybe shouldn't) acquire right now
Last week I asked what companies, if any, Apple should be looking at buying out, and readers responded by posting a whole slew of ideas in the Forums. Potential acqusition suggestions ranged from the sentimental (Tivo) to the power play (Adobe and/or Macromedia) to the "fill the gaps in the product line" (Softpress/Freeway). Some reader recommendations have been echoing for years (Palm), while others fell into the "come to think of it, why doesn't Apple own that?" category (Maya).
Anyway, it's all a good read, whether you end up agreeing with any of the suggestions or not. You can find the "potential acquisitions" thread here.
What, you didn't know this site had Forums?
Last week I asked what companies, if any, Apple should be looking at buying out, and readers responded by posting a whole slew of ideas in the Forums. Potential acqusition suggestions ranged from the sentimental (Tivo) to the power play (Adobe and/or Macromedia) to the "fill the gaps in the product line" (Softpress/Freeway). Some reader recommendations have been echoing for years (Palm), while others fell into the "come to think of it, why doesn't Apple own that?" category (Maya).
Anyway, it's all a good read, whether you end up agreeing with any of the suggestions or not. You can find the "potential acquisitions" thread here.
What, you didn't know this site had Forums?
A Half-Dozen (or so) Essential Open Source Network Administration Tools for MacOS X Panther
Way back when, Mark Duling used to write stuff now and then for billpalmer.net. He's since branched out on his own, and has recently published a six-pack (actually, now a seven-pack) of extemely detailed how-to guides for getting under the hood of MacOS X's UNIX foundation and making all kinds of neat stuff happen. I'm afraid most of it goes so far over my head I'd need bincoluars, but I have little doubt (as evidenced by the repeated mention of it during last night's Online MUG meeting) that there is a gang of "Mac geeks" who are in fact looking to get under the hood and could therefore put Mark's how-to guides to great use.
You can find Mark Duling's "HOWTO" guides here. My only hope is that one day, when Mark goes on to publish many major, hugely successful books on these kinds of topics, he remembers who helped him get started. ;)
Way back when, Mark Duling used to write stuff now and then for billpalmer.net. He's since branched out on his own, and has recently published a six-pack (actually, now a seven-pack) of extemely detailed how-to guides for getting under the hood of MacOS X's UNIX foundation and making all kinds of neat stuff happen. I'm afraid most of it goes so far over my head I'd need bincoluars, but I have little doubt (as evidenced by the repeated mention of it during last night's Online MUG meeting) that there is a gang of "Mac geeks" who are in fact looking to get under the hood and could therefore put Mark's how-to guides to great use.
You can find Mark Duling's "HOWTO" guides here. My only hope is that one day, when Mark goes on to publish many major, hugely successful books on these kinds of topics, he remembers who helped him get started. ;)
