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Road Apple - Core Solo Mac mini
Gene Simmons Blames College Kids For Ruining Music Biz
Man buys Eee PC, erases Linux, installs Mac OS X Leopard
Apple's Social Media Hell - Why it Needs to Repent
Seven Cool Features Of Leopard That Might Get Stubborn Friends To Upgrade
21 gripes with Apple Mac OS X 10.5 Leopard
Judge Tosses Options Backdating Lawsuit By Apple Shareholders
Steve Jobs May Get a Raise
MacBook Pro Keyboard Issues
Is the VW Space Up! interface developed by Apple?
Apple Joins The Real World
VW Space Up! Looks Eerily Familiar
Is VW Concept Apple's Mystery Car? - Space Up! Blue Could Be Apple iCar
MacBook (Late 2007): iDisk, .Mac Or Remote Home Directory Sync Unsuccessful
MacBook Pro Keyboard Issues
X-RAY Magazine Launches As Online Webzine
Gmail Slowness: a Possible Solution
"No Software"
The Tech Night Owl Newsletter: The Downsides of Mac Tips and Tricks
The Tech Night Owl: Google Apps One Week Later; Flawed, But Compelling
This Week's Tech Night Owl Radio Update
Road Apple - Core Solo Mac mini
Low End Mac's Dan Knight says:
Road Apples are Apple's more compromised hardware designs. For the most part, they're not really bad - simply designs unable to work as well as they should have.
When it was introduced in February 2006, the Core Solo Mac mini was the smallest desktop computer on the market - and the second-least expensive Macintosh Apple had ever built. As with other first-generation Intel Macs, the price was $100 higher than the model it replaced.
The secret to getting the Mac mini so small: Using notebook computer components. That's also a big part of the reason the Core Solo Mac mini is considered a Road Apple. Not that it's a bad little machine: It has a decent amount of power, tolerable graphics, plenty of ports, and supports up to 2 GB of RAM.....
In the end, it's a decent little computer for its intended market, but the decision to use a notebook hard drive and give it only one bank of RAM sockets significantly limits it potential.
For the full report visit here:
http://lowendmac.com/roadapples/core-solo-mini.html
Gene Simmons Blames College Kids For Ruining Music Biz
The Register's Austin Modine reports:
Music pirates have made a powerfully bitter enemy of Gene Simmons, bass guitarist for the 1970s band Kiss.
In a recent interview with Billboard, Simmons curmudgeonly blames "college kids" for the "mess" the record industry is in, and blasted artists like Radiohead and Trent Reznor for seeking a different businesses model to vend their music.
"The record industry doesn't have a f---ing clue how to make money," Simmons told Billboard.
"Every little college kid, every freshly-scrubbed little kid's face should have been sued off the face of the earth. They should have taken their houses and cars and nipped it right there in the beginning."
[Ah, the lucrative college kid housing market. Excellent point, tongue man. - Ed.]
For the full report visit here:
http://www.theregister.co.uk/2007/11/16/gene_simmons_blames_college_kids/
Man buys Eee PC, erases Linux, installs Mac OS X Leopard
The Register's Tony Smith reports:
An enterprising Eee PC user has managed to install Apple's Mac OS X 10.5, aka Leopard, onto his tiny laptop - though he quickly saw the error of his ways and replaced the OS with the previous version, Tiger.
Blogger Dan, posting on Uneasy Silence, notes that anyone attempting the maneouvre needs not only an external DVD drive but also a number of patches to reconfigure the Apple OS to operate on a processor lacking Intel's SSE 3 multimedia extensions.
For the full report visit here:
http://www.reghardware.co.uk/2007/11/16/man_installs_osx_on_eee_pc/
Apple's Social Media Hell - Why it Needs to Repent
marketingpilgrim.com says:
At the recent BlogWorld Expo, I discussed two companies that "get" social media and one that doesn't. The two that get it were Nike and Dell. Nike's excellent community efforts–especially Nike+–and Dell's efforts with forums and blogs are helping both companies join online conversations. Both companies are benefiting from either higher sales–40% of Nike+ users end up buying Nike shoes–and better stakeholder relations–Jeff Jarvis just recently wrote a glowing report on Dell for BusinessWeek.
So which company doesn't get social media? That would be Apple. Apple doesn't have any explicit efforts to engage its online stakeholders, doesn't have a blog, and even tries to sue those bloggers that help build the passion for Apple's products. If the company were Microsoft, it would have died a long time ago.
To read more, click here.
Seven Cool Features Of Leopard That Might Get Stubborn Friends To Upgrade
TUAW's Victor Agreda, Jr. says:
There are dozens of little niceties in Leopard: like how Front Row now lives on my iBook (sans remote) and allows me to operate the thing as a sort of thin-client media jukebox (courtesy a Mac mini server). Or how Font Book now prints books of your fonts (especially nice for those non-techies). With the 300+ new features, I still have yet to fully explore this thing, but I'm certainly starting to believe this is the Mac OS Apple really wanted to deliver a few years back. There's no doubt in my mind this is a big turning point for the platform, and I really believe user adoption in 2008 will be unprecedented as a result.
Following is a list of features and specific "cool things" I think you can point out if you are trying to explain to a friend why they should upgrade....
1. Finally, a Record button for your actions
2. Mail gets GTD fever
3. Web clipping makes Dashboard relevant again
4. Shared drives finally "just work" and Shared Screens work with other OS'es
5. Spaces gets GTD
6. Cover Flow does magic things
7. Search in Safari 3
To read more, click here.
21 gripes with Apple Mac OS X 10.5 Leopard
PC Advisor's Harry McCracken says:
Apple's Mac OS X 10.5 Leopard operating system upgrade is full of good stuff, but there's room for improvement. Lots and lots of it. We asked Harry McCracken - editor of PC Advisor's US sister title PC World, and an avowed Mac fan - to list his gripes, requests and puzzlements.
First, a disclaimer: I like Leopard, aka Mac OS X 10.5 Leopard, the Apple operating-system upgrade. True, Apple's list of 300+ new features includes several dozen I'll never touch. (A Danish dictionary! Analysis templates, whatever those are!)
But even when I filter out everything that doesn't matter to me, I'm left with a long list of stuff that'll make my computing life meaningfully better. Compared to Windows Vista, Leopard is a meatier, more polished, more immediately useful, less annoying OS upgrade.
For the full commentary visit here:
http://www.pcadvisor.co.uk/news/index.cfm?newsid=11342
Judge Tosses Options Backdating Lawsuit By Apple Shareholders
Ars Technica's Justin Berka reports:
Way back in January, Apple shareholders (including the New York City Employees' Retirement System) filed a class action suit against Apple. They alleged that the backdating of stock options violated securities laws, misled shareholders, and caused shares of AAPL to decline in value. Judge Jeremy Fogel issued his ruling yesterday, in which he granted Apple's motion to dismiss the case.
To read more, click here.
Steve Jobs May Get a Raise
Wired's Dylan Tweney reports:
Gadget Lab editor Rob Beschizza writes in:
Steve Jobs might not be the worst-paid CEO in Silicon Valley much longer.
In its annual 10-K report, filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, Apple says that "because Mr. Jobs's continued leadership is critical to Apple, the compensation committee is considering additional compensation arrangements for him."
Jobs has taken only a token annual salary of $1 since returning to Apple in 1996, for which he is recognized as the world's lowest-paid CEO by Guinness World Records. He is well-compensated by other means, however, being the frequent recipient of gifts from Apple's board of directors, such as a Gulfstream Jet and tens of millions of shares in restricted stock, which have contributed to Jobs's estimated net worth of $5.7 billion. (One incentive for this form of compensation: Capital gains tax on stock market profits is less exacting than federal income tax on earnings.)
For the full report visit here:
http://blog.wired.com/business/2007/11/steve-jobs-may.html
MacBook Pro Keyboard Issues
HardMac's Lionel reports:
Apple has identified a bug registered as ID #5365684, and dealing with issues encountered by MacBook Pro owners: keyboard goes randomly in sleep mode, or the first pressed key is systematically ignored (not easy to write a text...). Cupertino is currently working on a fix.
For more information, visit:
http://www.hardmac.com/news/2007-11-16/#7454
Is the VW Space Up! interface developed by Apple?
engagdet's Thomas Ricker reports:
Nice interior huh? And how 'bout that 7-inch touchscreen display slapped onto the center console. Pretty sweet right? You're looking at the inside of VW's third iteration of their Space Up! -- the Space Up! blue -- just revealed at the LA auto show. Now try this on. Reader Joona wonders if this is the result of recent collaborations between Apple and VW. After thinking about it some, we're starting to wonder too.
To read more, click here.
Apple Joins The Real World
WinExtra's Steven Hodson says:
For as long as Apple has been in business it has strived to be exclusive and cultish. It has been happy to have a solid place in a small percentage of the computer world with devoted followers who believed; and still do, that Apple can do no wrong. It didn't want to deal with Grandma, Auntie May and Cousin JoeBob or the rest of the great unwashed masses.
Then with the return of Steve Jobs, the iMac and iPod an interesting thing happened - the world began to discover Apple. Cousin JoeBob was buying iPods for his kids because they had to be cool. Auntie May was learning how to make playlists and enjoy taking her music where ever she went. All of a sudden the great unwashed masses were arriving on the shores of AppleLand and buying into the whole "it just works" marketing....
Throughout all this Apple was slowly making improvements through a series of feline iterations of OS X adding real eye-candy as well as actually improving the user experience without apparently adding the same kind of bloat factor. Along with that they were marketing some of the nicest looking computers seen to date. Put an Apple along side a PC desktop was like putting a high class model alongside an 80 year old spinster. No wonder people in general were questioning their reliance on the PC and Microsoft...
Talk of switching to a Mac was becoming more than just talk. The great unwashed masses were discovering that maybe switching to a Mac wouldn't be as painful as they thought considering things like Parallels and Bootcamp would allow them to still work in Windows if needed. Suddenly Grandma could have a really nice looking computer that just worked and Cousin JoeBob's daughters could show off their cool MacBooks at school.
However there's a problem when the great unwashed masses decide to start joining the party - they bring problems and inexperience which is something the rather closed world of Mac isn't use to and to a very large degree dread.....
For the full commentary visit here:
http://www.winextra.com/2007/11/17/apple-joins-the-real-world/
VW Space Up! Looks Eerily Familiar
MacLife's Roberto Baldwin reports:
In August VW chief Martin Winterkorn and Steve Jobs met to discuss the building of an iCar.
Just revealed at the LA Auto Show is VW's third version of Space Up! in-car interface. Is this a prototype of what's to come from the two companies?
For the full report visit here:
http://www.maclife.com/article/vw_space_up_looks_eerily_familiar
Is VW Concept Apple's Mystery Car? - Space Up! Blue Could Be Apple iCar
Trendhunter says:
A few months ago, we posted an article on a rumored iCar coming into production as a collaborative project between Apple and VW. After seeing the VW Space Up! Blue concept car at the LA Auto Show this week, and after reading speculations from others, I'm starting to think this could be the high-buzz mystery car.
The major contributor sparking the rumor fire was the touch-screen surfaces found in the vehicle.
To read more, click here.
http://www.trendhunter.com/trends/vw-concept-apple-car-space-up-blue-icar
MacBook (Late 2007): iDisk, .Mac Or Remote Home Directory Sync Unsuccessful
Syncing iDisk, a .Mac account, or a remote home directory on a MacBook (Late 2007) may take place with no error messages, but some of the files would not appear to be copied to the target.
Products affected
MacBook (Late 2007)
Solution
To correct this issue, apply the Mac OS X 10.5.1 update via Software Update or download it from http://www.apple.com/support/downloads/ and install it on your MacBook. Restart your computer and try the syncing operation again.
For more information, visit:
http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=307049
MacBook Pro Keyboard Issues
HardMac's Lionel says:
Apple has identified a bug registered as ID #5365684, and dealing with issues encountered by MacBook Pro owners: keyboard goes randomly in sleep mode, or the first pressed key is systematically ignored (not easy to write a text...). Cupertino is currently working on a fix.
For the full report visit here:
http://www.hardmac.com/news/2007-11-16/#7454
X-RAY Magazine Launches As Online Webzine
[ Press Release ]
ThePowerXChange announces all new web e-zine format for X-Ray Magazine For easy searching and researching of articles, stories, and case studies
In response to reader requests, X-Ray Magazine has launched as a web-based e-zine, giving users easy access to the complete content of each issue; both past and present. X-Ray Magazine provides case studies of all types of software implementation and improved workflow techniques, extensible-product reviews, feature-detail articles written by product-manufacturers' staff, detailed step-by-step instructionals, and code-laden AppleScripting lessons. Each issue is rounded out with XPhiles, a technology and product preview, and an XClamation from industry pundits such as Frank Romano, professor emeritus, RIT.
"We're pleased to see X-Ray Magazine transition to an online format, that will further extend its reach to Quark customers with informative how-to's and in-depth stories about our products," said Terry Welty, senior vice president, corporate marketing, Quark.
Beginning with X-Ray Magazine volume 5, number 2, new articles will be added each week as both online and PDF postings. The new online format will complement the PDF library of all previously published articles. Conversion to webzine of the PDF archives in underway and during the process, links to related topics that may be of interest to readers, both within the site and to other resources, are embedded. Linking articles to other sites will expose readers to a wider variety of resources than was possible with the printed or PDF articles; not to mention the benefit to both the reader and advertiser in using relevance for ad placement.
Cyndie Shaffstall, editor and publisher of X-Ray Magazine, explains, "When we resurrected X-Ray Magazine in 2004, we did so in print, in deference to the requests of our readers. Today, just three short years later, our readers have migrated to electronic formats, and we felt it was time for X-Ray Magazine to do the same. I find the entire concept of a webzine particularly exciting because of the immediacy of information and the astounding ability of search engines to be able to deliver our content to match exactly a reader's requirement. You simply can't do that with a mailbox – no matter how well you know your readership."
X-Ray Magazine ( http://www.xraymag.com ) was originally launched in 1996 as a magazine for Quark software users. Today, X-Ray Magazine touches on a wide variety of topics that are of interest to the designer, press, prepress, publishing, and web-publishing professional.
The periodical is published in English and Korean (through partner, InCube Technologies, http://www.incube.co.kr ), and select stories have been translated to Dutch and French. New online stories will be translated to French, German, and Spanish, with other languages being added in 1Q2008.
For more information, visit:
http://www.xraymag.com
Gmail Slowness: a Possible Solution
MacFixIt says:
Gmail! We asked, you answered!! (Is the MacFixIt reader community cool or what?)
First, it appears that while we were sleeping, the Google folks have quietly replaced the Gmail Web interface with a different interface. It is not at all hard to believe that this new interface does things with JavaScript that might be giving WebKit a hard time. A quick survey of Google Groups suggests that lots of people are having trouble with the new interface.
You can check it out at:
http://www.macfixit.com/article.php?story=20071115085534805
"No Software"
The AppleBlog's Matt Radel says:
After my recent painful experience of doing a fresh install of Leopard, I'm going through the paces of reinstalling and reactivating my software. I'd already gotten AppZapper, Quicktime Pro and Final Cut Studio 2 reinstalled with no hitch whatsoever. Now it was time for iWork. After popping in the install DVD and clicking through the first couple of screens, I was presented with this error message:
That's right - "The installer could not install the software because there was no software found to install."
Am I missing something?....
For the full commentary visit here:
http://theappleblog.com/2007/11/15/no-software/
The Tech Night Owl Newsletter: The Downsides of Mac Tips and Tricks
When I was busy churning over the years churning out loads and loads of books about AOL, Mac OS X and other subjects, my publishers and editors always clamored for tips, tricks and more tips.
To read more, click here.
Notes: You can also access our new RSS feed, available at:
http://www.macnightowl.com/rss
Or our new Atom feed at:
http://www.macnightowl.com//atom
The Tech Night Owl: Google Apps One Week Later; Flawed, But Compelling
After switching my company’s email to Google Apps earlier this month, I’ve watched the setup and results carefully, and, while I’m still mighty pleased with its performance and usability, there have been occasional glitches.
For the full commentary visit here:
http://macnightowl.com/newsletter/2007/11/18/newsletter-issue-416/#compelling
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
This Week's Tech Night Owl Radio Update
While new developments in the tech world don’t generally occur on an hourly basis, or even a daily basis, sometimes they can overshadow one’s best laid plans.
You can check it out at:
http://macnightowl.com/newsletter/2007/11/18/newsletter-issue-416/#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
Charles W. Moore
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