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Moore’s MailBag - Monday, December 6, 2004

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New security update
NVU
Laptop Stands
Where do can I get SoundJam?
iKey
A Quicktime tribute to a favorite teacher[/url]




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New security update

From Eric Matthieu

Hi Charles,

I didn't hear about the latest update until this morning. Curious about whatever feedback I could find before applying it myself, I thought this comment on MacFixIt hit close to home:

And reader Charlie writes:

"I installed the update today, rebooted, and have not been able to get on-line since. Every time I try the modem connects, but Internet [Connect] tells me that it cannot make a connection. Eudora cannot find the mail server & Netscape says it cannot find the site. I have to switch back to OS 9 to get online."


Can you relate? That's not you going by "Charlie," is it? wink Sounds a lot like the flaky modem behavior we've experienced since applying the 10.3.5 update, doesn't it? Actually it sounds worse. My sole complaint with 10.3.5 (which 10.3.6 failed to address) is how it has degraded performance on what had been—and should be—a perfectly good internal modem. Aside from that, I've had no trouble whatsoever. Not one thing. I thought I might revert to 10.3.4 at some point, but I've compromised and have resigned myself to rebooting my PowerBook once or twice a week to get reliable modem performance.

If this isn't fixed soon (maybe 10.3.7?), I might have to bite the bullet and go DSL or cable modem. I know I'll love the speed, it's the added expense I've been putting off. But at least I have an option or two. What about folks like you who are pretty much limited to dial-up phone connections?

Eric

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Hi Eric;

I saw that item too, but that Charlie isn't me. Still using 10.3.6, and there's no way I'm going to install that security update. As you say, the problem Charlie reported sounds even worse than what we've been putting up with in 10.3.5 and 10.3.6.

I've come to the identical accommodation you have. I reboot a couple of times a week to restore tolerable modem performance, and otherwise 10.3.5 and .6 have been great. But that's a big qualification.

I would get DSL (no hope for cable here ever) in a heartbeat if it comes. For the present, this slow (26,400 bps connections on the best days) dial-up hookup is the only Internet access available here.

Charles






NVU

From BearyandBow

I like NVU's site manager and its class selection for inline stylesheet formatting, but I still think it needs visual stylsheet editing if it is to be both easy to use and on the same level as Contribute. I realize that it will never be as good as Freeway Express, but they can at least compete with Macromedia.

I was finally able to try out NVU with a test page and with some editing on already formed pages after getting a helpful email response from Linspire. I think it is as good as Contribute but the price is definitely better than the Macromedia alternative. If they totally want to beat the comptetition hands down without considering price, all they need to do is make an export to Flash Paper option. See my description of its features at:

http://benjamin-newton.info/steward/soft/budget/design/layout.html

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Thanks for the report, Ben.

Charles








Laptop Stands

From John M. Dennis

Can you please send me the link of where you reviewed the laptop stands. I want to look it over again.

My mother wants me to teach her how to
use the machine and I want to have it on a stand where the monitor is at a higher height for her to see. I also want to use an external mouse and keyboard to make it easier to teach her how to use it. I wish that I still had my iMac working but do not want to pay to fix this as it is not worth it.

Thank You,
John M. Dennis

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Sure thing, John. Here's the link:
http://www.macopinion.com/columns/roadwarrior/04/11/09/index.html

Charles







Where do can I get SoundJam?

From Teresa

Hi,

I am using a Mac computer want an all-in-one converter ie: for wav to mp3 files and cannot locate soundjam. Can you help?

Many Thanks
Teresa

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Hi Teresa;

SoundJam is no longer being developed, and I couldn't find any download archive that works.

You can find a list of possible alternate applications for converting sound files here:
http://www.mp3-converter.com/mac_mp3_converters.htm

Charles







iKey

Peter H. Rosen

I used to use Quickkeys. No more. I've been using iKey since it was Youpi key. I have loads of macros for calling up programs, to opening a journal, going to the end of the last entry, drawing a line of dots, adding date and time, more dots and two paragraph returns, so with one keystroke, I can open the program and start typing away... the date and seperator automatically inserted. I set up a iKey for Quicktime that takes several handfuls of 320 x 240 video snips from my Canon Video Cam and combines them into one movie, closing each clip in turn until the last one has the compilation, and then in names and saves that... with one Keystroke! I love my Mac for sure, but iKey is its marriage partner. What a team!!!! I wanted to pay the shareware fee via Paypal but could not, that was the only downside I could find. I am hesitant to go to iKey2 as what i have works. But I am sure you can import all your old macros, so at some point, I will update. Get this program, you won't be sorry!!!!

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Hi Peter;

Glad you have had success with iKey. I'm sure it can do wonderful things if you have the time and patience to set them up. I don't know what I would do without the suite of AppleScript macros I have in Tex Edit Plus and my TypeIt4Me textmacros. I've found that QuickSilver is a superb keystroke program launcher that requires zero user-configuration.

Charles







A Quicktime tribute to a favorite teacher

From Phil Shapiro

Hi Charles -

In case it might be of interest, i've posted a new item at: http://macusingeducators.com

"a quicktime tribute to a favorite teacher"

It sure was fun making that Quicktime, and even more meaningful when I heard back from this teacher that he viewed it at his home.

Phil Shapiro

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Cool, Phil.

Thanks for the link.

Charles



***



Charles W. Moore


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