On October 17th, Applelinks' Charles Moore gave a great review of Bento 2. What I'd like to do here is provide a more detailed exploration of FileMaker and Bento, and explain why both are excellent database programs which serve two completely different customers. The fact is, Bento is an amazingly simple, easy to use database that requires no knowledge on how to create a database. FileMaker is an amazingly powerful database that is very simple (when compared to other databases), but requires creating every field, every relation, and every structure of a database. Admittedly, this is much more complicated and more work than many people need. Thus, there is Bento (and to borrow a phrase from the early days of Apple), a database "for the rest of us."

Cool Mac Gear


iTunes_RGB_9mm
image DriveSlim should prove especially popular with MacBook Air Users and those who go with the 128 GB Solid State Drive option on other model MacBooks
Monday, April 12, 2004

MacZambia Project , MSN Baseball Webcast Discrimination, New Books From O’Reilly, more…. in Moore’194

• MacZambia Project Needs Your Help
• Microsoft Roots For The Home Team -- Windows
• Small Is Huge In PCs These Days
• Germans Garotte Google Gmail Over Privacy
• Apple vs. Apple
• Smaller Chips? Just Add Water
• MacZoom 2.2 Directory Of Mac Users Worldwide With Associated Links
• "Network Security Assessment" Released by O'Reilly
• "Excel Hacks" Released by O'Reilly
• Apple Specialists Conference
• Hardware Peripherals Don't Work After Updating To 10.3.3
• Computer Scam Ring Busted
• Computer Industry Veteran Jeff Hyman Joins Aladdin Systems as Vice President, Product


PLUM Ergonomic Keyboard—Another non-QWERTY Solution140

Career Typist Redesigns Keyboard Layout


Shareware Beat - Monday, April 12, 2004172

• Thinkertons Releases Burnz 1.1.8
• iBatt 0.3b Advanced PowerBook Battery Monitor And Graphing Tool [OS X 10.3 up]
• EasyWMA Audio File Converter [OS X 10.3 up]
• Gimp.app 2.0.0.3 GNU Image Manipulation Program App Bundle [OS X 10.3 up]
• ImageMagick 6.0.0 Unix Tools To Read, Write, Manipulate Images
• DragThing 5.1 Launcher Palette For Files, Folders, Disks, Servers, URLs [OS 10.2 up]
• LoginWindow Manager 1.1 Manages Hidden Login Window Features [OS 10.2 up]
• Tablet Magic 1.0 beta 1 OS X Driver For Older Model Wacom Tablets
• TypeRecorder X 2.1 Records Every Keystroke Typed, Computer Activity
• AntiAPPL 1.0 Combats Trojan Horses Checking That A File Is Not An App
• MRJ Adapter 1.0.5 Java API Integrates With Mac OS Specific Functionality
• Asaph 0.5.3 Powerful Song Management For Christian Musicians [OS X 10.3 up]
• PasswordWallet for Macintosh, Version 3.0


Notable New Product News - Monday, April 12, 2004214

• PowerLogix Lowers Prices On CPU Upgrades - Latest 7457 For A 7455 Price
• Apple More Memory For Less Promo Extended Through June 26
• macXware Releases Mac User Specials
• macXware Ships MacBurn CD & DVD Burning Solution for Mac OS X Users
• MacShirt Shutting Down Business
• Polymerge 1.0 Released    
• BeLight Software Announces Mail Factory
• Circus Ponies NoteBook 1.2 (v180) Note-taking & Freeform Database
• MAPublisher 6.0 Released
• Onset Computer Corporation Announces Next Generation Outdoor Data Logger
• Web Crossing Ships New Register Plus plug-in
• SyncDeK 5.0 Beta Expands to FSA Community
• Intuit QuickBooks Pro 6.0 R2 Small Business Accounting



In-Out Board v1.0 employee status tracker released186

Glass Bead Software has announced the release of In-Out Board, its cross-platform employee status tracking tool. "In-Out Board uses our proven peer-to-peer networking engine to provide very simple and user-friendly employee status tracking," said Eric Harris-Braun, co-founder and chief technology officer at Glass Bead Software.


Saturday, April 10, 2004

Got Game’s Alida for Mac OS X goes gold162

Got Game Entertainment this week announced that Alida for Mac OSX has gone gold. The intricate, first-person 3D graphical adventure game begins shipping to retail later this month. The PC version of the game is scheduled for a July release.


Friday, April 09, 2004

Pre-Conference Workshops: Exclusively for WWDC252

At no extra cost, attendees can choose from five pre-conference workshops conducted by Apple engineers and third-party experts on Sunday, June 27. Register for WWDC today, and reserve your spot in one of these exclusive in-depth workshops.
Harness the potential of Mac OS X Tiger at WWDC 2005


FastTrack Schedule 8 now available in Japanese localized version182

AEC Software, Inc. today announced that the newest version of its critically acclaimed project manager, FastTrack Schedule, is now available in a Japanese language version. Fully translated and localized by Tokyo-based A&A Co., Ltd.—the official distribution partner of AEC Software in Japan—FastTrack Schedule 8 delivers one of the most advanced sets of precision planning features in the mid-priced project management software category.



BeLight Software announces Mail Factory163

BeLight Software, author of Business Card Composer, has announced Mail Factory, a new Mac OS X tool to design and print envelopes and shipping and address labels. This application allows the user to save time and money on preparing address labels for mailing pieces. Mail Factory costs $29.95 and is scheduled for release in May, 2004.


Worms 3D goes gold; demo released165

Just in time for spring and rainy sidewalks everywhere, Worms 3D has gone gold, and a demo is now available for download.


Weekend Hot Deals Updates From Apple123

Specials from ClubMac, Publishing Perfection, and O'Reilly


Good Friday And Easter Greetings157

A personal message of peace, love, and goodwill to Christians, those of other religions, or of no religion at all



New Less Tangible On MacOpinion - Retail Woes—Part Two141

Gateway closes stores as Apple fights dealer lawsuits


Thursday, April 08, 2004

Charles Moore Reviews RapidWeaver 2.1.1 Web Page Design Software335

An inexpensive, user-friendly Website authoring program that requires no html knowledge


First Mac Trojan Horse - Intego Releases Updated Virus Definitions188

Intego Announces Protection against the First Mac OS X Trojan Horse: MP3Concept


New Less Tangible on MacOpinion - Retail Woes—Part One150

Gateway closes stores as Apple fights dealer lawsuits



WWDC: Advanced Final Cut Pro 4290

With over 300 new features included in Final Cut Pro 4, this session will focus on topics such as advanced effects and editing techniques, color keying, color correction, media management, and audio finishing. Also learn the tips, tricks, and timesaving secrets from the pros for complete proficiency.
Harness the potential of Mac OS X Tiger at WWDC 2005


Moore’s MailBag - Thursday, April 8, 2004235

• The Mac "Just Works" Letters
• A cool card
• Bochs/Mandrake
• -_ ?


OS X Odyssey 539 - More Memory Management Musings165

Plus: • iLynx a nice alternative • OmniWeb Debate


Apple/Unix Lawsuit, Lightweight Linux?, Higher Priced Songs, RAM Prices Rising, Google’s Gmail under220

• Apple - Mac: Open Group, Tech Attorney Talk of Apple's Unix Trademark Dispute •
Linux 2.6 BSP supports IBM's 970FX (G5) PPC chip
• Consumer Groups Slam Google's New E-Mail Service
• Do We Need a Lightweight Linux?
• Google's Gmail Hits Trademark Problem
• Q2 DRAM Prices To Rise
• Experts Offer Unix Virus Warnings
• The Death of Dollar Downloads?
• Lindows Reveals Name Change Plan
• PowerBook G4: Customer-Installable Parts Procedures
• iBook G4: Customer-Installable Parts Instructions
• PowerBook and iBook: Identifying The Right Power Adapter And Power Cord--US
• How Useful Are 'Proprietary Vs. Open Source' TCO Studies?
• Take Me Out To The Webcast?
• eWeek: U.K. Plans Roadside Wireless Network
• Intel To Cut 95% Of Lead Used In CPUs