Applelinks Tech Web Reader - Monday, March 24, 2008
Karl Rove Slams Lefty Blogosphere, Talks Media, Praises iPhone and MacBook Air
Mac Buyer's Guide: Which Apple Should You Pick?
OpenOffice 3.0 Promises To Bash Office
Mac OS X Tiger Out, Leopard Back In
Apple's Time Machine Now Works As Advertised
Finally: Airport Extreme + USB Disk = Time Machine Backup
Analyst: Macintosh is Recession Proof
Eight Things We Pretend to Care About, But Don't.
PC Pro Reviews MacBook
Unlimited Tunes from Apple? Not So Fast
OpenOffice For Mac Effort Gathers Steam
Mozilla Says Firefox 3 Ready For Prime-time
IT Workers Split Between Obama, McCain
The Simple Guide to Buying a Digital Camera For Your Mac
Ban Mail-In Rebates
MacBook Air: A Thinner Winner
Make a Local Backup Of Your Gmail Account
Apple Stores Host American Idol Songwriting Workshops
Microsoft Watch: Apple's Windows Invasion
The Mac Night Owl: Apple and the Great Time Capsule Conspiracy
The Tech Night Owl: More Joyful Updates
This Week's Tech Night Owl Radio Update
Karl Rove Slams Lefty Blogosphere, Talks Media, Praises iPhone and MacBook Air
NewsBusters's Matthew Sheffield has posted a rambling interview with conservative eminence grise Karl Rove. some snippets:
Are liberal Democrats less likely to have social lives than conservatives?
According to Karl Rove, the answer to that question is yes. The Republican guru all but made that argument explaining why he thought liberals are more likely to be on the web than conservatives....
Still, Rove said that he would like to see more righties on YouTube and elsewhere, counteracting what he said was a greater emphasis on public relations on the part of Democrats....
We also talked a bit of personal tech as Rove waxed rhapsodic about his new Apple iPhone. Looks like Rush Limbaugh is going to have to make room for another famous conservative who likes Apple products.
NB: All right, I've got just one more quick question for you. Last time I saw you, you'd just gotten an iPhone. How's that working out for you?
ROVE: I love it. My life has changed. I have a shred of coolness. I've got my 3,500 people in my addressbook on the phone, I can sync my calendar. I keep track of my modest little stock investments. I can check the weather of my house in Washington, my house in Florida, my boy at school, my hunt-lease in south Texas. I can surf the web, I'm just--I get part of my email there....
NB: All right. Well it sounds like Steve Jobs should call you up as a spokesman.
ROVE: There we go, there we go. And not only that, I also have the Mac Book Air which is really cool. Even my wife is jealous of my MacBook Air.
A full transcript of the interview can be read here or downloaded in MP3 format for your iPod.
Mac Buyer's Guide: Which Apple Should You Pick?
InformationWeek's Richard Hoffman says:
We've tested the Mac Pro, MacBook, MacBook Pro, MacBook Air, the iMac, the Mac Mini, and the XServe. There's not a bad Apple among the bunch, and some are truly superb. We'll help you choose one that's right for you.
Maybe that most recent e-mail virus was the last straw. Maybe you've been longing for a computer that "just works" and that you actually look forward to using. Maybe Microsoft Vista finally just sent you right around the bend. Perhaps it was that "Mac guy" on the commercials. Or maybe you are the "Mac guy."
For whatever reason, you've decided to buy a new computer from Apple and want a little help sorting out the different models. Well, you're in luck, because perhaps more than at any other time, Apple's product lineup is clear, logical, and targeted at distinct types of users and uses. The entire product line is one of the strongest Apple's ever had. Without hyperbole, it may be the best overall line of computers anyone has had, ever - there's not a bad Apple among the bunch, and some are truly superb.
For the full report click here.
OpenOffice 3.0 Promises To Bash Office
Techworld.com's John E. Dunn reports:
Microsoft's Office suite could have plausible challenger on the desktop for the first time since Lotus gave up trying to take on Redmond a decade ago.
With developers struggling to get OpenOffice 2.4 out the door, details are emerging of the features users have to look forward to in the upcoming bullet point release, version 3.0.
For the full report visit here:
Mac OS X Tiger Out, Leopard Back In
The Register's Tony Smith says:
I couldn't resist. I went back to Leopard. I've been running Apple's latest operating system for well over a month now, originally 10.5.1 and now 10.5.2, with no untoward effects.
This wasn't always the case. In a past post, I explained why mysterious Spotlight crashes had forced me to downgrade to Tiger. But I found myself missing Leopard's slicker user interface. And with so many software developers now releasing Leopard-specific versions of their apps, it was clear I was at a turning point: to stay with 'old' Mac OS X and an ever-dwindling array of compatible third-party apps, or to try and make Leopard work for me.
With 10.5.2 on the horizon, I chose the latter.
For the full commentary visit here:
http://www.reghardware.co.uk/2008/03/21/eb_back_to_leopard/
Apple's Time Machine Now Works As Advertised
The Register's Austin Modine
Apple has finally opened OS X Leopard's Time Machine wireless backup capability to disk drives lacking the glossy plastic anointment of Cupertino.
With a Wednesday release of software updates, Time Machine can now recognize a USB hard drive connected to a wireless network as valid backup disk. That is — assuming the drive is hooked up to Apple's latest Airport Extreme 802.11n Base Station.
After installing Time Machine and AirPort updates version 1.0 (and updating the Airport firmware), USB drives will have equal access to Time Machine's wireless backup skills as Apple's own Time Capsule appliance.
For the full report visit here:
http://www.theregister.co.uk/2008/03/20/time_machine_update_1_point_zero/
Finally: Airport Extreme + USB Disk = Time Machine Backup
Ars Technica's Chris Foresman says:
After yesterday's Airport updates, folks starting noticing that USB drives plugged in to Airport Extreme Base Stations were suddenly recognized by Time Machine as valid backup drives. The collective "Huzzah!" was heard 'round the world, mostly via Twitter.
For the full report click here.
Analyst: Macintosh is Recession Proof
MacObserver's Jeff Gamet reports:
The U.S. is either in a recession or on its way, depending on who you talk with, but Apple's Macintosh computer appears ready to hold its own and weather the economic downturn. American Technology Research analyst Shaw Wu expects that Apple's March quarter will prove that with Mac sales up about 40 percent year over year.
"So far, our sense is that the Mac business appears to be recession proof. We were already looking for robust Mac unit growth of 38 percent year over year, but now we think it may be closer to 42 percent," Mr. Wu said....."
For the full report visit here:
http://www.macobserver.com/stockwatch/2008/03/20.1.shtml
Eight Things We Pretend to Care About, But Don't.
Wired's Rob Beschizza reports:
Fictions are comforting, and we live best when we live by them. At least until the batteries run out.
Good Design
Apple is an exception that proves the rule: almost everything we actually buy inhabits a world perpendicular to good taste. It's not the explicitly bad that we're concerned with, here — you at least manage to stay away from Swarovski-studded bling and tasteless trash like Vertu cellphones. No, the problem is the cadre of mediocrity that rules over everyday industrial design with an acrylic fist.
Jonathan Ive's exquisite product architecture gets the plaudits, but we're still buying gray garbage from HP and plastic alien heads from Alienware.
For the full commentary visit here:
http://blog.wired.com/gadgets/2008/03/eight-things-yo.html
PC Pro Reviews MacBook
The Mac versus PC divide used to be so unbridgeable that switching seemed as likely as a lifelong Everton fan deciding Liverpool was the team for them, but no more.
Ever since Intel processors became standard across Apple's range, there's been little architectural difference between a MacBook and any given PC laptop. What's more, Mac OS X and Windows coexist happily; there's no issue with sharing files with PC users and most popular (and non-gaming) software is available in a Mac version.
And this latest MacBook looks set to lure even more Windows users to the other side. Like the MacBooks that have gone before it, it manages to feel slick and polished in a way that only Apple can achieve. By designing the software, hardware and everything in between, it ensures that things look and run just the way that it intends and, it goes without saying, it all works beautifully.
For the full review visit here:
http://www.pcpro.co.uk/reviews/180681/apple-macbook.html
Unlimited Tunes from Apple? Not So Fast
BusinessWeek's Arik Hesseldahl says:
Apple's iTunes Store sells individual songs for download for 99˘ apiece, but a new unlimited-music service is rumored to be in the works.
Reports that Apple is discussing an "all-you-can-eat" subscription music service with major record labels are overblown, say people in a position to know. But giving customers access to the entire iTunes catalog in exchange for a premium on iPod music players isn't a bad idea - and it's one Apple may need to consider.
To read more, click here.
OpenOffice For Mac Effort Gathers Steam
Macworld's Jonny Evans reports:
Work on porting OpenOffice to the Mac as a true native application continues to gather pace.
The OpenOffice.org Mac Porting team last night released the third development snapshot of the Aqua version of OpenOffice.org for Mac OS X.
The new release ushers in a vast range of improvements and fixes for the in-development software, hinting that final release is just a few steps away.
For the full report visit here:
http://www.macworld.co.uk/macsoftware/news/index.cfm?RSS&NewsID=20781
Mozilla Says Firefox 3 Ready For Prime-time
Reuters' Jim Finkle reports:
A new version of Mozilla's popular Firefox Web browser is ready for download with improved security and memory use as the tiny company takes a stab at Microsoft Corp's dominant Internet Explorer.
The program's creators told Reuters on Thursday that the privately-held company's trial version of Firefox 3 browser is ready for the masses to use after months of development.
Until now, the company has discouraged average Internet users from moving on from Firefox 2, which was launched in October 2006.
"In many ways it (Firefox 3) is much more stable than anything else out there," Mozilla Corp Vice President of Engineering Mike Schroepfer said in an interview.
For the full report visit here:
http://www.reuters.com/article/marketsNews/idUKN2041266520080320?rpc=44
IT Workers Split Between Obama, McCain
eWeek's Roy Mark reports:
In a recent CompTIA survey of IT workers, Clinton is a distant third.
IT workers are evenly split between Barack Obama and John McCain as their choice for the next president of the United States, according to a new survey by the Computing Technology Industry Association and Rasmussen Reports.
The survey of IT workers, taken in early March, shows Obama and McCain in a dead heat, with each receiving 39 percent of the vote, and Hillary Clinton trailing at 13 percent.
The survey also shows that while 35 percent of IT workers identify themselves as Republicans and another 26 percent call themselves Democrats, 40 percent chose no party affiliation. An overwhelming majority - 75 percent - put themselves in the conservative-moderate political spectrum.
For the full report click here.
http://www.eweek.com/c/a/Government/IT-Workers-Split-Between-Obama-McCain/
The Simple Guide to Buying a Digital Camera For Your Mac
MyFirstMac's Anthony Carpinelli reports:
Digital camera companies love to put all sorts of numbers on their boxes, or in product descriptions, to wow consumers. What numbers matter though? What do those numbers mean? What do you do with the numbers? I will lead you through the most common selling points, letting you know what to really look for.
One thing to note right off the bat: Digital cameras are now a mature product. That means that most every manufacturer has a good camera at every price point. You probably won't go wrong with any mainstream camera you choose. So in addition to reviewing the specs mentioned below, take the time to decide what subjective things you like, such as color, size, and the brightness and size of the rear LCD screen. How easy is it to use the buttons? Those types of things.
For the full report click here.
Ban Mail-In Rebates
MacObserver's Ted Landau says:
I despise mail-in rebates. On the marketing irritation scale, mail-in rebates rank up there with infomercials for worthless products and telemarketers that consider the "do not call" list merely a suggestion.
I bring this up because I recently had to deal with two rebates for my Fujitsu ScanSnap S510M. To their credit, the Fujitsu rebates turned out to be less of a hassle than most. But they still had their share of problems.
The major problem with all mail-in rebates is that they are designed to have you fail. With an unethical deliberateness, rebate vendors make it both annoying and difficult to obtain the promised reward.
For the full commentary visit here:
http://blogs.macobserver.com/userfriendly/2008/03/19/ban-mail-in-rebates/
MacBook Air: A Thinner Winner
Bostonherald.com's Tom Rose says:
Want the thinnest, best-designed ultra-portable computer money can buy? Plunk down $1,800 and pick up the MacBook Air, but only after making sure it can deliver all that you need.
The new MacBook air is a marvel of design. Without giving up the comfort of a full-sized keyboard or the pleasure of a 13.3-inch widescreen display, Apple has produced a laptop that is absurdly thin.
For the full review visit here:
Make a Local Backup Of Your Gmail Account
Wired says:
Web-based e-mail services like Gmail, Yahoo Mail or Windows Live Mail are great for their access-anywhere capabilities.
The ease and simplicity of checking your mail in a browser have caused many of us to ditch the desktop client in favor of a web-based interface. It's one less application to have running and, in case of Google's Gmail, the search capabilities and conversation threading blow desktop apps out of the water.
However, using a service like Gmail means you don't have a local backup of your e-mail like you would get if you were using a desktop client. Naturally, that doesn't mean you can't store backups of your e-mail on your local machine. It requires a bit of work to set up, but once you do, you'll be able to enjoy the goodness of Gmail's web interface worry-free.
You can check it out at:
http://howto.wired.com/wiki/Make_a_Local_Backup_Of_Your_Gmail_Account
Apple Stores Host American Idol Songwriting Workshops
Macworld's Jim Dalrymple reports:
American Idol has announced the return of its songwriter contest and Apple is stepping up its efforts to help people prepare.
Apple Stores across the US will host 'Idol' on iTunes Songwriting Workshops this Saturday, March 22 at 2:00 p.m. and Monday, March 24 at 6:00 p.m. Participants will get tips on what makes a great song as well as instruction on creating a hit song using Apple's consumer-level GarageBand music creation software.
For the full report visit here:
http://www.macworld.com/article/132619/2008/03/idol.html
Microsoft Watch: Apple's Windows Invasion
News Analysis. Apple Software Update is the Mac maker's back door to the Windows desktop.
To read more, click here.
The Mac Night Owl: Apple and the Great Time Capsule Conspiracy
A lot can happen in a few weeks. It wasn't so long ago that some of you — helped along by a few tech pundits with a conspiratorial bent — were absolutely convinced that the only way you could backup your data wirelessly with Time Machine would be to purchase a Time Capsule. This product, which combines the gigabit AirPort Extreme base station with a 500GB or 1TB "server-grade" hard drive, was introduced at the Macworld Expo in January.
Here's the link to the story:
http://macnightowl.com/2008/03/20/apple-and-the-great-time-capsule-conspiracy/
Notes: You can also access our RSS feed, available at:
http://www.macnightowl.com/rss
Or our Atom feed at:
http://www.macnightowl.com/atom
The Tech Night Owl: More Joyful Updates
I remember that old song with the lyric, “Will you love me tomorrow?” and I have to tell you that a similar feeling arises whenever I set up a new product or service. Fortunately, some of my experiences in recent weeks have been almost uniformly positive. So if you’re sick of hearing me rant regularly about the failings of tech journalists, here’s some favorable information for a change of pace.
Here's the link to the story:
http://macnightowl.com/newsletter/2008/03/23/newsletter-issue-434/#updates
Notes: You can also access our RSS feed, available at:
http://www.macnightowl.com/newsletter/rss
Or our Atom feed at:
http://www.macnightowl.com/newsletter/atom
This Week's Tech Night Owl Radio Update
In my regular commentaries, I think you know I’m frequently amazed by the sheer amount of misinformation you’ll read in articles from those so-called tech pundits. I know I repeat myself when I use the phrase “so-called tech pundits,” but it’s amazing how misinformed some alleged journalists can be.
Here's the URL for this week's update on the show:
http://macnightowl.com/newsletter/2008/03/23/newsletter-issue-434/#update
Notes: You can also access our new RSS newsletter feed, available at:
http://www.macnightowl.com/newsletter/rss
Or our Atom newsletter feed at:
http://www.macnightowl.com/newsletter/atom
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