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How To Dress Like Apple's Steve Jobs For Halloween
Macs Take Reliability, Support Prize
PCI Power Macs Great for Mac OS X 10.2 and 10.3
Data Recovery Firm Sounds Mac Hard Drive Damage Alert
Apple's Worst Nightmare Or All Part Of The Plan?
Common Confusions for Windows Users on OS X
MacBook & MacBook Pro Updates Soon - Release Dates Analyzed
MacBooks Face Intel Chip Shortage
Why a Mac Does not Need a Second Mouse Button
Samsung Debuts World's Fastest DVD Burner with 16X Dual Layer Recording and LightScribe
OLPC Wins Bid: Uruguay to Purchase 100,000 XO Laptops
PC Mag: 50 Top Computing Tips Part II
PC Mag: Digital Art for Beginners
PC Mag: Yahoo! Beefs Up IM Client with Messenger 9.0
ExtremeTech: Nvidia Holds Lead in Surging Graphics Market
How To Dress Like Apple's Steve Jobs For Halloween
techdigest.tv says:
Halloween is [today], and for those who haven't yet created their geektastic costume, I've hunted 'round the online shops to bring you the perfect attire for dressing like Steve Jobs.
For the full report visit here:
http://techdigest.tv/2007/10/how_to_dress_li.html
Macs Take Reliability, Support Prize
Computerworld's Gregg Keizer reports:
Apple Inc.'s computers are the most reliable and its support the most dependable of the five top vendors, a national chain of computer service shops said today.
Macs beat machines built and sold by Lenovo Group Ltd., Hewlett-Packard Co., Gateway Inc. and Dell Inc., according to Rescuecom Corp.'s second annual reliability report. Apple, which took the second spot last year, blew away the competition this year by posting a score of 51% higher than next-best Lenovo.....
Macs made up only 1.4% of all calls to Rescuecom, even though its estimated market share was 5% for the year.....
For the full report click here.
PCI Power Macs Great for Mac OS X 10.2 and 10.3
Low End Mac says:
The Power Mac 8600 provides a very cheap OS X capable machine. With a Sonnet Tech G3/500 upgrade or larger, the machine can easily run OS X Jaguar (10.2) with the aid of Sonnet's PCI X Installer. From that point, run XPostFacto 4 (which requires 10.2.8 to be running), and then install the Panther CD set.
Although it is possible to get Tiger to install, less of the programs that the OS will allow you to install will work when it comes down to it. It is true that even in Panther certain parts of the iLife suite that are dependent on large graphics operations will not function properly.
Panther, however, provides the 8600 with the speed of a more modern OS, a fully functional iChat AV, and more full FireWire support without the slowness of Jaguar or the incompatibility issue of Tiger's applications.
[Editor's note: My daughter is successfully running OS X 10.4 Tiger on a UMAX S-900 Mac clone with a Sonnet 350 MHz G3 processor upgrade.]
For the full report visit here:
http://lowendmac.com/myturn/my07/1030.html
Data Recovery Firm Sounds Mac Hard Drive Damage Alert
The Register's Tony Smith reports:
Data recovery company Retrodata has challenged Apple to come clean about what it claims is a "critical manufacturing flaw" affecting some hard drives used in MacBook laptops and desktops like the Mac Mini - an issue that could result in data loss.
According to Retrodata, its customers have sent in a much higher number of failed Seagate 2.5in SATA drives made in China and loaded with firmware version 7.01 than of any other current hard drive model.
"We're getting 20-30 times more failed drives of this kind than others," Retrodata chief Duncan Clarke told Register Hardware.
For the full report visit here:
http://www.reghardware.co.uk/2007/10/30/apple_seagate_drive_warning/
Apple's Worst Nightmare Or All Part Of The Plan?
ITWire's Alex Zaharov-Reutt says:
Apple's major new products are all under hack attack with Mac OS X 10.5 Leopard now hacked to run on PCs, while the iPhone and the iPod Touch can be hacked to run third party apps just by visiting a web page – can Apple's secret sauce be put back in the bottle?
Articles all over the web are pointing to the recent spate of hack attacks that are opening up Apple's platforms wide open, in strict contravention of Apple's policies and wishes to keep OS X running only on authorized hardware, and the iPhone and iPod Touch only running existing web based apps and third party authorized apps to come from Feb 2008.....
Apple's policy of keeping things relatively closed, despite the effectively open platform that is OS X running on authorized Mac hardware, came about because of Apple's original success with the Apple ][ computer, which was copied left, right and centre by just about everyone.
It was an attack of the clones, eating into Apple's profit margins while simultaneously causing Apple to become the most popular computer company at the time, with plenty of third party software fuelling the Apple ][ boom.
And what's going to happen with Mac OS X 10.5 running on PCs? Could all of this part of some crazy cool plan from Steve Jobs? Please read on.....
For the full report visit here:
http://www.itwire.com/content/view/15102/1103/
Common Confusions for Windows Users on OS X
PCMech's David Risley says:
Mac OS X is a different paradigm than Windows. Yes, many things act very similar, but there is a lot that is different as well. As a Windows user trying to learn OS X, some of it will be confusing. As I write this, I have not been using OS X very long. I am a long-time Windows user, so I understand the viewpoint of somebody who is confused by OS X. Below, I will lay out several random findings and tips that should clear up some things for Windows users experimenting with OS X.
Quirks of the Switch
Working With Windows
Closing Doesn't Exit The Program
Menu At The Tippy Top
No Drive Letters
Understand the Dock
Resizing Windows
No OK Buttons
No Cut-And-Paste of Files
Installing Applications
I am now on my third full day of using OS X. Things are coming along well and I'm really digging OS X at this point. But, there really are things about Windows that it just does better.....
For the full report visit here:
http://www.pcmech.com/article/common-confusions-for-windows-users-on-os-x/
MacBook & MacBook Pro Updates Soon - Release Dates Analyzed
switchtoamac says:
Apple's MacBook and MacBook Pro portables are fast approaching their historical "days between revisions" averages. We are also approaching the 2007 holiday season so rest assured that Apple will release new models very soon. Many buyers have held out from purchasing a new MacBook or MacBook Pro for two key reasons. The first was to wait for for Mac OS X Leopard to be released; the second for systems with Leopard pre-installed. We expect new MacBooks to be released on November 6, 2007 followed by new MacBook Pros on November 13, 2007. We provide our analysis...
Apple will have a completely revamped portable line of Macs ready for purchase before the start of the 2007 holiday shopping season. Get ready!
To read more, click here.
MacBooks Face Intel Chip Shortage
Macworld UK's Dan Nystedt reports:
Taiwan's Asustek Computer complained on Tuesday of a shortage of Intel central processing units (CPUs) for laptops, but said it didn't expect the problem to affect its sales.
"The biggest shortage in notebook components is in CPUs, Intel CPUs. Intel isn't meeting demand," said Jerry Shen, president of Asustek, answering questions at an investors conference in Beitou, Taiwan.
As well as manufacturing its own brand of computers in the Far East, Asustek also manufactures devices for other brands, including (according to some reports), Apple. An Intel chip shortage is unlikely to only be affecting one vendor.
For the full report visit here:
http://www.macworld.co.uk/business/news/index.cfm?RSS&NewsID=19528
Why a Mac Does not Need a Second Mouse Button
Blogger Chris Pirillo says:
I get so tired of people saying that you cannot right click or scroll with a Mac. That is absolutely false, and I'm going to show you how to enable these functions.
On your Mac, open your System Preferences. This is basically the same thing as the Windows Control Panel. Once in System Preferences, open Keyboard and Mouse area. Click on the "Trackpad" tab.
For the full report visit here:
http://chris.pirillo.com/2007/10/29/why-a-mac-does-not-need-a-second-mouse-button/
Samsung Debuts World's Fastest DVD Burner with 16X Dual Layer Recording and LightScribe
[Press Release]
Samsung Electronics Ltd.announces the world's fastest DVD burner with 16X dual layer recording and LightScribe technology, the Super-WriteMaster SH-S203N. The SH-S203N is a 20X Serial ATA (SATA) DVD burner offering 16X dual layer recording, and support for all CD/DVD discs including DVD-RAM. The SH-S203N can back up 8.4GB of data or video to a disc. The industry recording standard is 10- to 12X and Samsung's new SH-S203N dual layer recording speed offers a 30-40 percent improvement recording time for dual layer drives.
The versatile drive also features powerful LightScribe technology that lets users engrave labels, photos, and designs right onto the CD and DVD discs with no hassle at all. The result is a professional look with no worries about labels falling off or sloppy marker smudges. The drive's label making software is pre-loaded with an array of designs and labels for users who choose not to create their own label.
"Samsung strives to enhance the consumer experience by offering the latest technologies and innovations in one affordable package," states Richard Aguilera, western regional sales manager, Samsung Storage Division. "Samsung's new SH-S203N is an all-in-one powerhouse that provides not only the fastest recording speeds on the market, but also built-in labeling technology that saves time and expense over the life of the drive."
The SH-S203N features: 16X DVD+R Dual Layer recording, 20X DVD±R recording, 12X DVD-RAM recording, 12X DVD-R Dual Layer recording, 8X DVD+RW recording and 6X DVD-RW recording. Samsung's first 20X DVD drive with LightScribe supports the SATA interface, with SATA PCs now dominating the PC market. With its SATA interface, the SH-S203N eliminates the need for Master/Slave jumper settings and provides thinner data cables, improving airflow and cable routing.
The SH-S203N's LightScribe technology is easy and simple to use. After users record their preferred data – music, photos, or text – they just turn the disc over and the SH-S203N imprints the chosen label, design, or photo onto the disc. This one-of-a-kind technology focuses light energy onto a thin dye coating to produce labels. Only LightScribe-ready CDs and DVDs can be inscribed by drives with LightScribe technology.
The SH-S203N, like all Samsung WriteMaster DVD drives, offers multiple high-end technologies providing best-in-breed performance including: Speed Adjustment Technology1, to match the speed to the functionality of the disc; Tilt Actuator Compensation2 (TAC) for preferred writing condition when interacting with the objective lens; and Double Optimum Power Control3 , which balances the laser power on the sides of the disc for a better writing performance. Buffer Under Run Error4 is avoided by the power save attribute. The Automatic Ball Balancing System5 (ABS) further reduces vibration and noise. The drive is also eco-friendly and is RoHS compliant.
1 SAT (Speed Adjustment Technology): Automatically detects the media condition and adjusts to the most optimized speed in order to prevent the disc breakage or read and write error, and also reduces the noise according to the bad quality of the disc.
2 TAC (Tilt Actuator Compensation): For reliable writing in all areas of the disc, the objective lens makes a tilt to compensate if the disc is in a twisted condition.
3 Double OPC (Optimum Power Control): Optimizes the laser power checking the writing performance both in the inner and outer side of the media for the most reliable writing performance.
4 Buffer Under Run Free Technology: Prevents Buffer Under Run error, enabling high-speed.
5 Automatic Ball Balancing System: Mechanically designed to reduce the vibration and noise occurring at high speed performance
The SH-S203N is shipping nationwide with a street price of $79.99.
For more information about Samsung's storage products, visit the web site at http://www.samsung.com
OLPC Wants $200 For Its $100 Laptop, Please
The Register's Lucy Sherriff reports:
The $100 laptop, designed to save the children of developing countries from a world without technology, might have to be rebranded. The machine's price tag has now hit the $200 mark.
Anyone feeling altruistic can purchase the machines in lots of 10,000 and say where they'd like them to be sent. Smaller donations can also be made, but for a higher cost of up to $299 per laptop. The extra cash will fund yet more laptops to be sent to the place OLPC deems neediest.
But according to the One Laptop Per Child organisation, although the initial hope was that the machines could be built for $100 apiece, the build cost is now up to at least $175 or, according to Reuters, $188
For the full report visit here:
http://www.theregister.co.uk/2007/10/30/olpc_sales_prices/
OLPC Wins Bid: Uruguay to Purchase 100,000 XO Laptops
[Press Release]
The One Laptop per Child (OLPC) Association, Inc., a non-profit organization focused on providing educational tools to help children in developing countries "learn learning," announced today that LATU, the Laboratio Tecnológico del Uruguay (Technology Laboratory of Uruguay) has awarded OLPC a contract for the purchase of the first 100,000 XO laptop computers for a project including up to 400,000 units. Brightstar Corp., OLPC's exclusive global sales and distribution partner, was instrumental in helping OLPC win the competitive bid.
LATU, which is responsible of the CEIBAL Project (Conectividad Éducativa de Informática Básica para el Aprendizaje en Línea – Basic Informatics Educative Connectivity for Online Learning) and called for the tender, conducted a thorough technical evaluation of the laptops (the XO laptop from One Laptop per Child and the Intel Classmate) submitted by the two bid responders. The award was based on carefully developed evaluation criteria and not solely given to the lowest bidder or due to OLPC's unique hardware features
The CEIBAL Project will deliver the laptops to all schoolchildren and all teachers in public schools in Uruguay during 2007-2009. The project will also provide connectivity to schools, town buildings, and homes. The project has had a very successful school pilot with XO laptops in Villa Cardal, Uruguay.
"We are very much looking forward to the next phase of the CEIBAL Project and to bringing highly innovative education and an equal access tool to all school children in Uruguay," said Miguel Brechner, President of LATU. "The XO laptop's advanced features and functionality – including the out-of-the box mesh network, integrated camera and dual-mode display – are certain to delight the children of Uruguay and to kindle in them a deep passion for learning, creativity and self-expression."
"We're delighted that Uruguay has fully committed to the OLPC program," said Nicholas Negroponte, founder and chairman of One Laptop per Child. "We commend Uruguay for the being first country to take concrete actions to provide laptops to all its children and teachers and look forward to other countries following this example and using their due diligence to evaluate the opportunity."
About One Laptop per Child
One Laptop per Child (OLPC at http://www.laptop.org ) is a non-profit organization created by Nicholas Negroponte and others from the MIT Media Lab to design, manufacture and distribute laptop computers that are sufficiently inexpensive to provide every child in the world access to knowledge and modern forms of education. These XO laptops will be rugged, open source, and so energy efficient that they can be powered by a child manually. Mesh networking will give many machines Internet access from one connection. The pricing goal is $100.
The XO laptops will be sold to governments and issued to children by schools on a basis of one laptop per child. Starting November 12 and for two weeks only, individuals in the U.S. and Canada will be able to participate in the Give 1 Get 1 program and for US$399 get a laptop while giving one simultaneously to a child in a developing nation. For more information on the Give 1 Get 1 program, go to:
http://www.laptopgiving.org
PC Mag: 50 Top Computing Tips Part II
Part II of our Top Tips story includes Vista secrets, better search methods, hardware tweaks, and ways to speed up your network. Here are 50 more of the most popular tips from the past year.
To read more, go to:
http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,1759,2207244,00.asp
PC Mag: Digital Art for Beginners
Do you aspire to use your computer to create more than spreadsheets and e-mails? We'll give you the scoop on affordable software and hardware that'll let you indulge your creative side without breaking the bank.
To read more, go to:
http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,1759,2209140,00.asp
PC Mag: Yahoo! Beefs Up IM Client with Messenger 9.0
The newest version of Yahoo! Messenger shares videos, pictures, and forwards IMs to phones.
To read more, go to:
http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,1759,2209139,00.asp
ExtremeTech: Nvidia Holds Lead in Surging Graphics Market
"Nvidia maintained control of the PC graphics market during the third quarter, as the overall shipments jumped dramatically.
Overall, the PC graphics chipsets and discrete parts jumped by 20.1 percent, the highest mark in six years, according to Jon Peddie Research. Total shipments for the quarter were 97.85 million units."
To read more, go to:
http://www.extremetech.com/article2/0,1558,2209240,00.asp
Charles W. Moore
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