TidBITS #145 on 1992-10-05

The Duo debate continues and we present the first 7.1 tip for early birds. Printer mavens will like HP's new dual cartridge color DeskWriter, NEC has a new driver for the CDR-74 that solves some problematic conflicts, we figure out just how Performa users will re-install system software since they don't get bundled system disks, and finally, a review of a rare book on tech support.

TidBITS #144 on 1992-09-28

It seems that PowerBooks are all the rage these days, and we have news on the upcoming PowerBook Duos, along with a report on how Apple handles the PowerBook 100 Rework program and an article about GCC's new WriteMove II portable printer. In other news, Apple prices drop even further, sumex holds a bake sale (not really), and you should stay on the lookout for a new 13" color monitor from Apple that tastes great and is less filling.

TidBITS #143 on 1992-09-21

This week brings news of fixes, upgrades, reworks, and refunds, so pay attention if you use a PowerBook 100, a 8*24 GC Video Card, HyperCard 2.1, a SuperMac hard drive, or a Macintosh Portable. We also quench a rumor about the StyleWriter's demise, analyze Apple's policy of charging for System 7.1, peek at the new Apple Catalog, and just for fun, crack open an HFS Easter Egg.

TidBITS #142 on 1992-09-14

Gobs of great stuff this week, including a report on the just- released Performas! Also (deep breath), a bug in Internet email on CompuServe, news about Apple discontinuing more items, an upgrade for PowerPort/V.32 owners, a report from France about the new 4D, news about who will repair DataFrame hard disks, how to really do customer service, and finally, lower prices on Macs and a package of fonts from Apple!

TidBITS #141 on 1992-09-07

Hot off the phone lines comes Mark Anbinder's report on the MBDF authors pleading guilty! We also have the details on how IBM managed full-screen, 30 frame per second video on the Ultimedia, a report of a net tizzy over utilities removed from Now Utilities 4.0, notes from the bargain-hunting Murph Sewall on the Abaton Scan 300/Color, and finally, the second installment of our Gateways series, focussing this time on CompuServe.

TidBITS #140 on 1992-08-31

First, the mundane but useful, with an important tip for Excel users, a clarification about Conflict Catcher, a new 32-user license for A/UX, and a report of the imminent demise of the Portable battery supply. Following that comes the cool stuff, a neat in-ear speaker and microphone (i.e. telephone) that works via bone conduction, some MacDraw Pro 1.5 speed benchmarks, and Microsoft and Tandy's answer to Commodore's CDTV.

TidBITS #139 on 1992-08-24

A varied catch this issue, starting with quick notes about Morph, Excel 4.0, and European Macintosh distribution, and continuing with an interesting article on gray market mail order vendors. We have a few more notes from Macworld about neat new products from Voyager and new items from Casady & Greene, and an article on how IBM may be close on the heels of QuickTime. Finally, the VRAM conundrum!

TidBITS #138 on 1992-08-17

Check out the hottest hardware and software from Macworld Boston, ShareVision's $1500 video-conferencing system and Gryphon's $149 image morphing program, Morph. Eric Schlegel shares more information on WorldScript, and we look at what's coming to the PowerBook line this fall, along with a quick peek at the best PowerBook gadgets from Macworld and the second part of Mark Anbinder's piece on System 7.1 technologies.

TidBITS #137 on 1992-08-10

What do you think we'd write about? Macworld Boston, of course, and we have so much to say that the Macworld articles will keep coming for another few issues. This first issue brings you Mark Anbinder's superlatives of the show and the first half of his discussion of Apple's new system software technologies. We also managed to sneak in a brief bit about the conclusion of the Apple/Microsoft suit and a review of Connectix PowerBook Utilities.

TidBITS #136 on 1992-08-03

For TidBITS readers, the hottest program of the week is Akif Eyler's Easy View 2.1, a snazzy viewer for TidBITS. Other news this week includes an analysis of the recent Apple/Microsoft love-fest, an anti-virus author for hire, an explanation of what happened to the well-regarded mail order firm Maya, and for some relaxing reading, a review of Robert X. Cringely's "Accidental Empires," a thoroughly enjoyable book about the computer industry.

TidBITS #135 on 1992-07-27

Psst! Wanna buy a PowerBook 100 cheap? Read on. We also have a report on the 1992 MacHack Conference - including notes on the winning hacks, two articles describing how Apple is racing to save the environment and only occasionally tripping over its shoelaces, and finally, the promised review of two excellent trackballs, the CoStar Stingray and Curtis MVP Mouse with Foot Switch.

TidBITS #134 on 1992-07-20

If you or anyone you know has ever felt hand or wrist pain while at the Mac, read on for more information on carpal tunnel syndrome and a number of easy ways of avoiding serious damage. We also have a look at a hot new product coming soon from SuperMac. Called SuperView, it will extend the PowerBooks' video output horizons significantly. Finally, we unveil our corporate sponsorship program, so check out the fileserver for some excellent files.

TidBITS #133 on 1992-07-13

By popular request, this week brings you even more on neat Internet services, and the final word from Howard Hansen on Excel 4.0, along with an important warning about saving from Excel. For those of you with monstrous TIFF files, you might consider the new Pinnacle Micro 650 MB magneto-optical drive, but you also might read about what's wrong with Pinnacle's ads. Check out next week's issue for exciting new stuff!

TidBITS #132 on 1992-07-06

Malevolence continues with a new virus, T4, and a Trojan Horse whose author's head now carries a price. Luckily, all is not lost, with CE and Microsoft releasing good things, updates to Alarming Events and QuicKeys from CE and a free patch for that nasty styles bug from Microsoft. Rounding out this issue, we have the eagerly-awaited second part of Howard Hansen's Excel review, which will conclude next week.

TidBITS #131 on 1992-06-29

Wondering about expanding a PowerBook's hard drive space? Want to do some visual programming? Interested in hearing some great music from your Mac? Curious about how you can go to jail by using your color scanner and DeskJet C? Still wondering whether you should buy Word 5.0 or Nisus 3.06? Answers to these questions, and maybe even a few more, inside. There is, however, no little plastic toy. Sorry.

TidBITS #130 on 1992-06-22

Hot news arrives in the form of the PowerBook 145 and Salient's acquisition. Mike O'Connor contributes some little-known tips for working with QuickTime movie players, and for you network junkies we have a detailed look at the Internet, the first in a series of articles on network connections. Finally, for those of you using PowerBooks, check out our review of Nisus Software's smaller word processor, Nisus Compact.

TidBITS #129 on 1992-06-15

If you're a power user and won't use anything but high-end software tools or ResEdit, don't read this review. If you have more modest needs and you're interested in being able to use a number of different types of software packages, read on for an excellent discussion of ClarisWorks, perhaps the best of the new breed of integrated packages.

TidBITS #128 on 1992-06-15

This is an issue of the small and the large. First come short notes about Super Boomerang, pop-up menus, and three of the most popular word processors, Word, Nisus, and WriteNow. Then comes the meat of the issue with a preview article on FileMaker Pro 2.0 for the Mac and Windows, some in-depth analysis of Apple's Newton announcements, and a look at works programs by Matthew Wall that leads into a special issue on ClarisWorks later this week.

TidBITS #127 on 1992-06-08

In this issue we offer two beginnings: part one of an excellent review of what's new and easy to do in Excel 4.0, and part one of our discussion about Apple's Newton technology. In the on-going department, the estimable Bob LeVitus passes on a better workaround for the Word Styles bug. Endings for the week include Solutions, Inc. going out of business, and CE's discounted email-only upgrade offer for QuicKeys, which ends in a week.

TidBITS #126 on 1992-06-01

This is a must-read issue! First, check out what was way cool at the Worldwide Developers Conference. Second, find out about a serious bug in Word 5.0 that could affect you, accompanied by important workaround and prevention information. Finally, delve into Apple's high speed QuickRing and explore why it is neat despite being ahead of its time. No room for Newton news this issue; for that tune in next week, same bat channel...

TidBITS #125 on 1992-05-25

This issue starts early in the alphabet with Apple and AutoDoubler. Apple's news concerns the fate of the 900 (toast) and upgrades for the popular PowerBooks. For AutoDoubler we've got some hints of what might be in version 2.0 along with important instructions for anyone using AutoDoubler and Retrospect. Finally, for those looking for neat freeware and shareware programs, we have a brief review of DiskStatus and AppSizer.

TidBITS #124 on 1992-05-18

And now, for something completely sticky, read about the forthcoming GUM. Then we move into slimy with some more legal and virus news. Symantec's upgrade policies for Norton Utilities are all wet, but Dantz will clean up after itself with a free upgrade to DiskFit Pro. Of course, Apple has some solid new products, as does CE with QuickMessenger for developers, and finally, stop needlessly harassing the FCC about that old modem surcharge proposal.

TidBITS #123 on 1992-05-11

So much news, so little time. MBDF authors indicted, Microsoft apologizes, ACE crumbles, disk utilities appear from the woodwork, QuicKeys extended, strange behavior from Apple Canada, and a French product that will let a 140 or 170 act like a hard disk. Where will it all end? In a review of Peachpit's "The Little Mac Word Book," that's where. PS: What happens when you hit Cmd-S in Disk First Aid? There will be a quiz.

TidBITS #122 on 1992-05-04

This week's opinions include an article on computer-based racism and a tale of emulator woe. We also have lots of useful information bits including more details about the newest StyleWriter driver, why Apple didn't just patch the System for he disappearing file bug fix, the codes to help Virex correctly identify CODE 252, a note on how Inspiration stacks up to MORE, how to install penguins in your Mac, and updates for several of CE's products.

TidBITS #121 on 1992-04-27

The sagas continue with yet more information on Tune-Up and notes on the latest virus and the latest Macs. For some ecological variety, read about CE Software's new look and Don Rittner's new book, and cheap upgrades to Norton Utilities 2.0 are Symantec's new hook. Finally, for those of you with more thoughts than you know what to do with, check out our review of Inspiration from Ceres Software.