TidBITS #575 on 2001-04-09

Hate the wait to ask a simple medical question of your doctor in this age of Internet email? This week, Dr. Ron Risley looks at the implications of online medical correspondence from doctors' and patients' viewpoints. We also sort out the facts about Apple's recent firmware upgrades and shift our focus away from Mac OS X with a review of The Mac OS 9 Bible. In the news, check out the releases of Netscape Communicator 4.77 and Toast 5 Titanium.

TidBITS #574 on 2001-04-02

Been waiting to install Mac OS X? Be sure to read Rita Lewis's detailed article on installing Mac OS X first for essential advice. Also this week, Adam looks at using inexpensive FireWire hard disks for backup. In the news, Microsoft releases Office 2001 for Mac Service Release 1, Outpost.com's shipping charges increase, and we encourage caution with Apple's recent firmware updates. Please note we're suffering a partial network outage!

TidBITS #573 on 2001-03-26

Mac OS X is out - when should you make the jump? Adam offers specific advice to different types of users to answer that question. Jack-Daniyel Strong joins us with a comparison of two U.S. federal tax preparation programs: TaxCut and TurboTax. In the news, OnStream files for bankruptcy, Proxim and Netopia terminate their merger, and we cover the releases of StuffIt Deluxe 6.0.1 and ConceptDraw 1.59, plus Palm's announcement of the slim m505 color handheld.

TidBITS #572 on 2001-03-19

True online document collaboration gets its turn in this final part of Adam's series about electronic document collaboration, so read on to learn how to review or edit shared documents via free Web services. Joe Clark also finishes off his four-part accessibility series this week with a look at accessibility problems and solutions related to multimedia. In the news, we cover updates to Default Folder 3.1 and Web Confidential 2.2.1.

TidBITS #571 on 2001-03-12

Adam writes more about document collaboration this week, with case studies and specific recommendations for your next collaboration task. Joe Clark also joins us again to discuss problems with Web accessibility for the disabled. In the news, we pass on a "upgrade" program for PowerBook 190s and 5300s, note the releases of the Handspring Visor Edge, Photoshop 6.0.1 and AirPort 1.3 (with PPPoE support!), look at Napster's reaction to the new injunction, and announce a new sponsor.

TidBITS #570 on 2001-03-05

Ever tried to work on a document with someone else via the Internet? It's often more difficult than it seemingly should be, so this week Adam starts a series of articles looking at how TidBITS does it and how you too can build successful document collaboration systems for different situations. Also this week, Louise Bremner returns to TidBITS with another report from Macworld Expo Tokyo, and we note the passing of a long-time Macintosh favorite, MacWEEK.

TidBITS #569 on 2001-02-26

So how do you back up those gargantuan hard disks that are standard in today's Macs? Read on this week for Adam's detailed look at an attractive new backup device, Ecrix's VXA-1 tape drive. Joe Clark's second installment on accessibility for the disabled concentrates on the products that are available for the Mac. And in the news this week, Apple tweaks the iMac and G4 Cube, releases iTunes 1.1, and quietly consigns iReview to the Trash.

TidBITS #568 on 2001-02-19

The Mac interface has been lauded for its accessibility - unless you're disabled, in which case Macs can be completely inaccessible. Joe Clark examines the sad state of adaptive technology for the Macintosh. Also this week, Jeff Carlson shoehorns a second hard drive into his PowerBook; and we cover PowerMail 3.0.8, Conflict Catcher 8.0.8, Storyspace 2, and Google buying the Deja.com Usenet archive, plus, we ask how you want to receive TidBITS.

TidBITS #567 on 2001-02-12

Computers breed dens of snaking cables, especially when you're networking them together. But before you drill holes to expand your network, read this week's feature article for a look at the wireless world made possible by Apple's AirPort. Adam also looks at how retailers have sacrificed inexpensive overnight shipping to the altar of profitability. In the news, we note REALbasic 3.0, look at Napster's recent legal blow, and welcome a new sponsor.

TidBITS #566 on 2001-02-05

Wondering if the Internet is a positive or negative influence on little kids? Child development specialist Dr. John Laurence Miller weighs in on that topic this week, and Jeff Carlson passes on his good experience having new business cards printed by an online company. In the news, Apple offers discounts on Mac OS X and starts shipping the PowerBook G4 Titanium on schedule, plus Chuck Shotton resurrects his venerable MacHTTP Macintosh Web server.

TidBITS #565 on 2001-01-29

We're finally catching up on sleep we lost at Macworld Expo, and now we're looking at trends and notable products that will make this year interesting. Along with the explosion in wireless networking, Adam samples photo-cataloging software, Jeff Carlson gets the Palm market in hand, and the rest of the TidBITS staff weighs in with our traditional list of superlatives. In this week's news, Proxim reunites separated siblings Netopia and Farallon.

TidBITS #564 on 2001-01-22

Macworld Expo coverage continues in force this week, with Jeff Carlson's look at the new Power Mac G4s and three short articles about trends we noticed. Plus, reader Jim Carr encourages California users participating in SETI@home to sit it out for a while. In the news, we look at Apple's first quarter financial results, report on your opinions of Apple's digital lifestyle thrust, and note the passing of Hewlett-Packard co-founder William Hewlett.

TidBITS #563 on 2001-01-15

Macworld Expo dominates this issue, with Adam's analysis of Apple's vision for the Mac as a hub for the "digital lifestyle," and its new media software, iTunes and iDVD. Jeff Carlson then looks at the star of the Expo, the fast and sleek PowerBook G4 Titanium. We also round up details of Apple's forthcoming Mac OS X 1.0, note the release of Mac OS 9.1, apologize for our mailing list server dying last week, and welcome our latest sponsor, Bare Bones Software.

TidBITS #562 on 2001-01-08

Macworld Expo is upon us, so we'll be slogging through the crowds this week to gawk at the latest from Apple and others. In the meantime, we have money and music on our minds. First, Adam explores the PayPal person-to-person payment service and laments its lack of utility for micropayments. Then Travis Butler sings the praises (and some blues) about the Nomad Jukebox MP3 player. Also, Palmtop Publishing has posted a Macworld show guide for Palm handhelds.

TidBITS #561 on 2001-01-01

Going to Macworld Expo 2001 in San Francisco? Read on for information about must-attend parties, events, and other gatherings. Also this week, Matt Neuburg weighs in with a review of MacSpeech's iListen dictation software, we look at the new Norton SystemWorks and Norton Internet Security bundles from Symantec, and we cover Newer Technology closing up shop and the releases of Interarchy 4.0, BBEdit 6.0.2, ListSTAR 2.1, and Default Folder 3.0.9.

TidBITS #560 on 2000-12-13

Happy Holidays! We have once again collected a wide variety of gift suggestions from numerous TidBITS readers, so read on if you're still trying to find the perfect gift for your Macintosh-using friends and relatives (or just hoping to beef up your own list at the last minute). See you in 2001!

TidBITS #559 on 2000-12-11

Mac OS X is built on a Unix foundation - are Mac users ready to adapt to the change? Chris Pepper returns with an analysis of how the new operating system will affect not only Mac users, but the industry at large. And, as we get closer to Christmas, Arthur Bleich returns to name his picks for the year's best digital cameras. We also cover the release of Virtual PC 4.0 and announce our two-week holiday hiatus (our next regular issue will be sent 01-Jan-01).

TidBITS #558 on 2000-12-04

Mac OS X is coming soon, and there's much more to it than the Aqua interface. This week Chris Pepper looks at Mac OS X's Unix foundation. And if a digital camera is on your gift list, Arthur Bleich offers advice about essential accouterments like printers, batteries, and memory cards. In the news, Nisus Software releases Nisus Writer 6.0.1 (including 68K support and the TidBITS AutoCorrect Dictionary), and we ask you to vote in our poll on how TidBITS should cover product announcements.

TidBITS #557 on 2000-11-27

Struggling to put together the right outfit for holiday festivities? Fear not: TidBITS clothing is here, along with mugs and mousepads! Also this week, we look at ICANN, the just-approved new top-level domains, and how they might impact you. Also, Tom Gewecke examines multilingual support in Mac OS 9 - including the language kits you might not know are included - and we note the release of MacSpeech's iListen 1.0, Graphing Calculator 3.0, and NetCloak 3.1.

TidBITS #556 on 2000-11-20

The Internet is great for watching the U.S. election fuss, but how does it fare at 3 AM when trying to lull a newborn to sleep? Tonya Engst returns to TidBITS with an article about not only finding parenting information on the Net, but also using it as a broader resource for raising children. Also, we note the releases of Netscape 6 and Palm OS 3.5, look at the demise of several Internet grocers, and welcome Blue World Communications as a TidBITS sponsor!

TidBITS #555 on 2000-11-13

Irritated at losing unattended mounting of AppleShare servers with the Mac OS 9 Keychain? Read on for the solution and other poorly documented information about working with servers in Mac OS 9. Matt Neuburg returns with a Tools We Use column on Impossible Software's TypeTamer, and Steve Becker weighs in with a review of the Mac P&L accounting package. Releases this week include RAM Doubler 9.0.1 (fixing the Office 2001 conflict) and GraphicConverter 4.0.

TidBITS #554 on 2000-11-06

If you do significant spreadsheet work, chances are you're using Microsoft Excel. This week, Matt Neuburg looks at Excel 2001 with an eye toward how it has changed and if it's worth upgrading. Also, we unveil the TidBITS Handheld Edition for AvantGo and other handheld users who want Mac news on the go, Adam updates the TidBITS AutoCorrect Dictionary, and we note the releases of Keep It Up 2.4, PowerMail 3.0.6, SoundJam 2.5.2, Mailsmith 1.1.6, and BBEdit 6.0.1.

TidBITS #553 on 2000-10-30

Want to make a diagram? Most graphics applications will let you down, but not ConceptDraw, reviewed this issue, thanks to its diagram-specific feature set. We also look at Aladdin's StuffIt Deluxe 6.0, and cover smaller updates to Eudora 5.0.1, SETI@home 3.0, Action Files 1.5.4, and Action Menus 1.0.2. In the news, Quark founder Tim Gill exits the company, Napster releases a Mac client, and Priceline.com bags the concept of bidding on groceries.

TidBITS #552 on 2000-10-23

Microsoft Word is arguably the most dominant business application on the Mac, so Contributing Editor Matt Neuburg examines Word 2001 in depth to see if Word's first major update in years is worthwhile. We also review Apple's forays into Unix operating systems, and note Apple posting a $170 million profit and MCF Software taking over ListSTAR from 4D. Releases this week include Nisus Writer 6.0, icWord 1.1, and new handhelds from Handspring.

TidBITS #551 on 2000-10-16

Confused by the lessened differences between the new iBook models and the aging PowerBook G3 line? Follow along with Contributing Editor Mark Anbinder as he explores the differences for a buying decision. Kirk McElhearn explains how language translation works, when machine translation services are ideal, and why those services won't replace humans any time soon. In the news, Apple releases a preview of QuickTime 5 and offers PowerBook and G4 Cube rebates.