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When Laptops Are A Pain In The Neck
Visual Ergonomics in the Office - (Guidelines for monitor placement and lighting)
Mighty Mouse - More Pixar than Terrytoons
Turn your old Mac Into A Backup Server
OS X for Intel Cracked, Successfully Running on PC Hardware
Throw Out Microsoft. Replace Office For Free.
PresenterNet Identifies Strong Demand for Macintosh and Firefox Support
Communications Systems, Inc. Announces $2.4M Contract Award to Subsidiary JDL Technologies for Desktop Management Services by the Broward County School District, Ft. Lauderdale, Florida for 100,000 Desktops and Notebooks
Camera Phones to Steal Low-End Digital Camera Market within Two Years, Says ABI Research
The Mac Night Owl: The Apple/Intel Report: A Clue to What Apple is Waiting For?
eWeek: Search Specialists Woo Advertisers
eWeek: Microsoft's Linux Guru Woos Coders With Freebies
eWeek: LinuxWorld Visitors Look for Real-World Apps
When Laptops Are A Pain In The Neck
The Guardian's Jack Schofield reports:
"My problem arose partly because of the perfectly natural tendency to use the fastest machines around, and both my newest computers - an IBM ThinkPad X31 and an Apple iBook - were notebooks. Both have Wi-Fi, too, and if you work at home, you get extra points for staying-home time.
"As a result, I've spent too much of the past 18 months slumped over a notebook rather than sitting upright at a desktop. This helped accustom my upper spine to being in a bad position. Then I woke up one morning with a cricked neck, and the pain didn't go away in a couple of hours, it got worse. And worse. Soon, the only way I could raise my right arm was if I lifted it with my left.
"As someone who has read more than one book on computer ergonomics, I was surprised to find my physiotherapist so hostile to notebook PCs. With the keyboard at the correct height, I felt my typing position was comfortable, and my posture was not particularly different from the one used when reading books.
"However, keen readers can change their posture at frequent intervals, holding the book in a different position. That's much harder to do with a notebook computer....."
fo For the full report visit here:
http://www.guardian.co.uk/Columnists/Column/0,,1546322,00.html
Visual Ergonomics in the Office - (Guidelines for monitor placement and lighting)
Ankrum Associates' Dennis R. Ankrum CIE says:
"How do you set up a computer workstation? Do you buy monitor risers or remove the CPU from beneath the monitor. Will even lower monitor positions cause neck strain? Can you get away with tipping the monitor down to avoid glare or should you invest in indirect lighting? How about viewing distance? 16 inches? 25 inches? Or even farther? Does screen color make a difference? Is there any evidence that ergonomic workstations improve work performance?
This article suggests guidelines for monitor placement and lighting. They are based on the latest scientific research. Demonstrations illustrate the principles behind the recommendations.
• Eye-to-screen distance: at least 25", preferably more.
• Vertical location: viewing area of the monitor between 15° and 50 below horizontal eye level.
• Monitor tilt: top of the monitor slightly farther from the eyes than the bottom of the monitor.
• Lighting: ceiling suspended, indirect lighting. Use blinds and shades to control outside light.
• Screen colors: dark letters on a light background.
[Long, detailed article]
You can check it out at:
http://www.office-ergo.com/setting.htm
Mighty Mouse - More Pixar than Terrytoons
PowerPage's Bob Snow says:
"Apple’s new Mighty Mouse while long overdue, is unique and better in a number of ways than my current favorite, the Logitech MX510. Aesthetically minimalist, it loses the transparent outer shell of the old optical mouse gaining side buttons and a tiny track ball. Functionally it has some unique strengths and quirks.
"The trackball or trackpea, as it has been called, is a tremendous feature and is especially slick when using Apple programs. It seems a bit small, kind of a Dinky Duck, and requires a delicate touch. It takes getting used to and this is usually a sign that it could have been done better. I find the tactile feedback very well done......"
For the full review visit here:
http://www.powerpage.org/cgi-bin/WebObjects/powerpage.woa/wa/story?newsID=14829
Turn your old Mac Into A Backup Server
Dedicated server makes life easier, data safer
Macworld's Joe Kissell says:
"If your home, like mine, has more than a couple of Macs, backing up each one individually can be quite a chore. You can make your life easier—and keep your data safer—by setting up an old Mac or a Mac mini as a dedicated backup server. It’ll do all the heavy lifting of backing up every computer regularly, without requiring your constant assistance.
"....For this project, you’ll need a Mac with FireWire or USB 2.0 ports, at least 256MB of RAM, and OS X 10.1.5 or later. This Mac (and the other machines) will need a network connection. An AirPort network will work, but for faster backups, connect the computers to a wired Ethernet switch or hub."
For the full tutorial visit here.
http://www.macworld.com/2005/08/features/oldmacnewtricks1/index.php?lsrc=mwrss
OS X for Intel Cracked, Successfully Running on PC Hardware
buildyourownmac.com's pualo says:
"The TPM requirement in Rosetta has been cracked, and all of the other problems worked around. Several people have now reported that they are running OS X successfully under both VMWare and real PC hardware.
"Performance is reportedly good, with the machines running stably. HardMac has a couple of good reports, including videos of the system in use. ....."
You can check it out at:
http://buildyourownmac.com/node/59
Throw Out Microsoft. Replace Office For Free.
mac360.com's Alexis Kayhill says:
"As Mister Spock would say, there are always “alternatives.” Does it bother you that Microsoft Office 2004 for the Mac costs almost as much as a Mac mini? Are there alternatives to Office?
"The answers for Mac users: yes, and yes. One alternative is actually free.
Of course, there’s always AppleWorks. This venerable all-in-one application comes bundled on both the Mac mini and eMac. AppleWorks is a great application. ...
"The promise of iWork may not show up until Macworld 2006. For now, iWork consists of Pages (an attractive word processor with layout features), and Keynote (what Microsoft’s PowerPoint should be), the presentation application.
"......What can compete with Microsoft’s Office 2004 for Mac... Bundled into one package, is there a word processor, a spreadsheet, a presentation program with drawing-- that works like Microsoft Office? For less than $399?
"......NeoOffice/J. It’s Open Source. That means free. The surprise? NeoOffice/J works very well."
For the full report visit here.
PresenterNet Identifies Strong Demand for Macintosh and Firefox Support
PresenterNet, provider of online interactive Web presentation services, has unveiled survey evidence identifying Firefox and Macintosh as key enablers to Web Conferencing success.
Through user surveys, analysis of system logs, and interviews of key corporate customers, PresenterNet found that the population of users and audience members not using Windows or Internet Explorer represents a critical success factor. The company has published this data in a report entitled, "Survey of Web Conferencing User Requirements and Preferences," available at http://www.presenternet.com .
PresenterNet CEO Doug Wolfgram explained stating, "The data tells us that virtually all presenters need a system that supports both Macintosh and Windows platforms. It is also very clear that support of Microsoft Internet Explorer is not enough. Firefox support is now mandatory."
The published report also shows that significant number of potential users cannot accept downloaded plug-ins to accommodate multiple platforms or multiple platforms.
Wolfgram added, "Presenting or conferencing online requires nearly perfect seamlessness between platforms and browsers. Our customers typically present to new audience members every day. Though the vast majority may use Windows and Internet Explorer, it is not acceptable to lose the remaining people, particularly Macintosh and Firefox users."
According to Wolfgram, PresenterNet's strategy is to support all three of the major platforms, and nearly all of the commonly used browsers.
Communications Systems, Inc. Announces $2.4M Contract Award to Subsidiary JDL Technologies for Desktop Management Services by the Broward County School District, Ft. Lauderdale, Florida for 100,000 Desktops and Notebooks
Communications Systems, Inc.'s wholly-owned subsidiary, JDL Technologies, today announced it has received a $2.4 million contract award to provide Broward County (Florida) School District (the nation's 6th largest) with management over more than 100,000 Macintosh and PC desktop and notebook computers. The award encompasses a three year software license agreement as well as the first year of implementation and support services for all of the District's fixed and mobile work stations. The value of the first year award is approximately $1.2 million.
With over 100,000 computers attached to the District's Wide-Area-Network (WAN), the award ensures that there is a facility and party responsible for tracking and inventorying these computers and their installed applications -- keeping software versions up-to-date and maintaining compliance with software vendor licensing agreements. Furthermore, with the increasing threat of computer viruses to one of the largest networks in southern Florida, the award establishes critical and consistent security for all desktops in the District's network, keeping each computer up-to-date with the latest virus definitions and software fixes known as "patches".
The project will be managed from a central location in the District's network operations center, which JDL also manages and operates.
JDL's President, Thomas J. Lapping, supports the solution for the District. "We're elated about the District's decision to award JDL the implementation and deployment of the desktop management solution. Today's enterprise environment requires desktop and laptop PC's to be continually secured and updated, which can be accomplished economically through centralized control and management. Our desire is to keep the entire system available and reliable so the investment in technology can support student achievement in the classroom as well as run the Districts substantial business operations." The Broward County School District selected JDL's recommendation for LANDesk Management and Security software and Cisco Wireless Access Points and controllers.
Camera Phones to Steal Low-End Digital Camera Market within Two Years, Says ABI Research
Within two years, low-end camera phones will take much of the market share now held by low-end standalone digital cameras. ABI Research principal analyst of global wireless operator research Kenneth Hyers says, "We believe that within the next two years, the quality of a mobile phone camera will be such that people won't need low-end standalone digital cameras. This will dramatically impact camera sales."
ABI Research's new study "Mobile Phone Imaging: Opportunities for Driving Usage of Camera Phones through Click/Send/Print" identifies the drivers for camera phone growth, explains how mobile imaging will evolve, and discusses why camera phones will eventually displace portions of the standalone digital camera market.
Within a short period, says Hyers, the typical 1.3 megapixel camera phone will be ubiquitous, and 5 megapixel models will not be uncommon. "We are in the midst of a megapixel race," he adds, "and by early 2006, 1.3 megapixel models will outsell VGA camera phones; in the following years, two-, three- and four-megapixel devices will replace the lower specification models." At the higher end of the range, the rest of the camera phone components grow in importance: is the software sufficient to make sense of the data? Is the lens good? Is the zoom accurate?
Hyers believes that the market will organize itself in tiers of quality. "Certain manufacturers, such as Motorola, are targeting the low end of the market, which is fine for getting enough inexpensive devices out there. But you've also got to have some higher-end models with greater resolution and better lenses, such as models being produced by Sony Ericcson, Samsung and Nokia, which establish them in consumers' minds as makers of prestige, high-quality imaging devices."
And the final requirements for success? Adequate storage capabilities; MMS interoperability among carriers (this is now in place throughout Europe and is becoming standardized in North America); and improved imaging and picture-management software.
Founded in 1990 and headquartered in New York, ABI Research maintains global operations supporting annual research programs, intelligence services and market reports in automotive, wireless, semiconductors, broadband, and energy. For information visit:
http://www.abiresearch.com
The Mac Night Owl: The Apple/Intel Report: A Clue to What Apple is Waiting For?
The predictions so far as to what chips will find their way into the first Macs with Intel Inside have been based on what's known about current and future products. But that information appears poised for a huge change, and it's a change that may provide a significant clue as to one of the main reasons Apple is making the switch.
Here's the URL for today's commentary:
http://www.macnightowl.com/index.htm#for
Note: You can also access our RSS feed, available at:
http://www.macnightowl.com/index.xml
eWeek: Search Specialists Woo Advertisers
"SAN JOSE, Calif. -Online ad salespeople and advertisers converged on the San Jose McEnery Convention Center here this week, hoping to get the latest tips on how to get noticed.
Although the name of the event was Search Engines Strategies Conference and Expo, the search engine companies themselves were a small presence. Top companies such as Google and Yahoo were represented, along with second-tier MSN, LookSmart and Ask Jeeves, but the focus was on sales rather than search technology."
Read more at:
http://www.eweek.com/article2/0,,1847149,00.asp
eWeek: Microsoft's Linux Guru Woos Coders With Freebies
"As Microsoft continues to try and convince its enterprise customers and the open-software community that it is committed to interoperability and working with them, Bill Hilf, its director of platform technology, gave a session at the annual LinuxWorld Conference & Expo that provided a look into the Linux/Open Source Software Lab at Microsoft's Redmond campus.
In a session titled "Managing Linux in a mixed environment…at Microsoft? A look inside the Linux/Open Source Software Lab at Microsoft," Hilf told the audience of more than 100 that he had Linux and open-source credentials, having worked with the software at both eToys and IBM before moving to Microsoft Corp."
Read more at:
http://www.eweek.com/article2/0,,1847048,00.asp
eWeek: LinuxWorld Visitors Look for Real-World Apps
Reporter's Notebook: This year's LinuxWorld conference has drawn more IT professionals who say they are convinced that Linux is ready be put to work in real-world business applications. Read more at:
http://www.eweek.com/article2/0,,1847019,00.asp
Charles W. Moore
Tags: News ď Tech-Industry ď
