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For years, my low-tech solution to storing program registration keys, passwords, email account info, etc., has been to dump it all in a single Tex Edit Plus document. That file is now 68k of plain text, which represents a LOT of serial numbers. This system isn't fancy, but it has worked for me. I can usually find what I need with a keyword search. It's also not secure, although I could, I suppose, name the file something less obvious than "Serial Numbers" and stash it among the many thousands of other TE+ files on my hard drive. However, there are more elegant wasy to store serial numbers.... One I checked out this week is Serial Storage, an application designed to let you organize your serial numbers, passwords, credit cards, or any other information into different categories in a secure, categorized database. 
With Serial Storage, you simply create a category and add an entry. All data is encrypted. And as an added bonus, you can set a password for your encrypted database, too. There are even ways to back data up. Use Serial Storage's export feature to save your database in an external location. The export is a single, encrypted file. And with the arrival of Serial Storage 2, you can now password-protect it. I found Serial Storage very easy and intuitive to use. The two-pane interface is a familiar Mac convention and logical, and it was sort of fun entering my info into the provided fields. It will be much easier retreiving information than it is with my gonzo TE+ text file. 
With Serial Storage's easy search feature you can find your passwords and serial numbers quickly. Serial Storage uses military-strength 448-bit encryption so that your data is safe. And to quickly add database entries, Serial Storage fills in default information for you. Save your name and organization in your preferences, and every time you add a new entry, those defaults will be inserted. The Feids preference lets you customize the format for different categories of information. I would have liked to have one specifically for email account information, but I don;t suppose many users "collect" email accounts the way I do. 
Serial Storage Version 2 has addeda whole new look and feel. You can edit entries or even folders straight from the main window. Version 2 also fully conforms with the Aqua Human Interface Guidelines. Serial Storage 2.7 brings a long three new security features for more security. First, if you forget to close Serial Storage when you need to rush out of your house, you can set a preference option for Serial Storage to automatically do it for you when it is idle for a while. Serial Storage can also now clear your clipboard when it quits to wipe away any sensitive data. And now Serial Storage logs all access into the program, even failed password attempts. You can let anyone onto your computer with their own account -- each user can use the same copy of Serial Storage yet view different databases, have a separate password, and their own personal preferences. If you are the only one using the computer, as I am, and feel safe without a password, as I do, you can simply disable password protection. This is a nice little program that does what it's intended to do well. Serial Storage is $20.00, 30-day demoware.
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Software modems From Ken Cavaliere-Klick I ran into a similar situation with my iBook that is nearly completely resolved with the 10.2.5 and10.2.6 updates. Apparently the modem scripts were tinkered with but the modem in an iBook is very sensitive. Much of this sensitivity could be resolved if there was an easy way to modify the modem script/string. There should be a way to add a simple variable or two but there isn't. The iBook modem uses standard AT commands as far as I can see, the modem should respond to simple S register tweaks.
Hi Ken;
That's encouraging. I shied away from the 10.2.4 update for the iBook because of reports about battery damage, and..... the introduction of modem problems, and from 10.2.5 because of the kernel panic issue.
I haven't heard any consistently bad reports about 10.2.6, so as soon as I get the combo updater I'm going to try it on the Pismo. If that works out, I'll take the plunge with the iBook.
Charles
Software modemsThank you for the article about software modems. Is there a way to check whether my modem is a software modem? This information is not usually in the specs.
Thank you.
Not that I know of, other than opening up the computer and knowing what to look for. Thats why I said "I understand to be a so-called software modem. (in my iBook)." I'm pretty certain that it is, based on general discussion of the topic, but I haven't found documentary confirmation. Apple's developer notes for the iBook (or whatever Mac you're referencing) might clear up the ambiguity, but I don't have a copy.
Charles
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