TidBITS #620 on 2002-03-11

Confused by fonts in Mac OS X? Us too, but thanks to Matt Neuburg's review of DiamondSoft's Font Reserve 3.0 for Mac OS X, we now know where to turn to eliminate font duplication and confusion. Matt Slot of Ambrosia Software then joins us with a revealing look at how Ambrosia recently dealt with the problem of casual software piracy. Important new releases this week include Virtual PC 5.0.2, EIMS Server 3.1.1, and Lasso Professional 5.

TidBITS #619 on 2002-03-04

Want to use a FireWire webcam in Mac OS X? Adam scans the topic, focusing on the FireWire WebCam Driver from IOXperts and glancing at the available video camera software. Switching gears, he also looks at managing DNS information with easyDNS, something anyone who wants their own domain can use. Updates this week include Palm m515 and m130 handhelds, Mac OS X's Java implementation, WebSTAR 5.1, Synchronize Pro X, and the PowerMate 1.0 driver.

TidBITS #618 on 2002-02-25

Challenges to the intellectual property establishment are coming fast and furious; read on for Adam's take on the shenanigans. Plus, Chris Pepper closes out his coverage of breeds of programs in Mac OS X with a look at Java. In the news, along with a free ebook offer for TidBITS readers, we cover a slew of releases, including Mac OS X 10.1.3, Adobe GoLive 6, Adobe LiveMotion 2, ConceptDraw 1.7.5, IPNetTuner 1.5, and the announcement of Photoshop 7.

TidBITS #617 on 2002-02-18

Which of the online photo services offers the best quality prints from digital pictures? Read on for the conclusion of Alex Hoffman's comparison of a number of online photo labs. Taking a break from the intensely practical, Adam looks at some cool concepts, including a free license generator, a research project into number associations, and a test of online advertising's efficacy. In the news, we cover the release of Default Folder X and PayPal's IPO.

TidBITS #616 on 2002-02-11

Digital cameras rock, but many of us have always wondered about the best way to get prints. Wonder no more, as Alex Hoffman compares online photo printing services. If you want moving pictures, turn to Jeff Carlson's advice on shooting video and editing it in iMovie. In the news, Microsoft releases a security patch for Office X, Apple both wins a technical Grammy and pulls out of Circuit City, and CS Odessa hosts a ConceptDraw conference in the Ukraine.

TidBITS #615 on 2002-02-04

Thinking about voice recognition in Mac OS X? Tempted by digital video? Confused about how to run Unix programs in Mac OS X? Dip into this issue for Matt Neuburg's review of IBM's ViaVoice for Mac OS X, Jeff Carlson's introduction to digital video, and the second installment of Chris Pepper's look at the different types of programs that can run in Mac OS X. In the news, we cover minor upgrades to Snapz Pro X 1.0.2 and BBEdit 6.5.2.

TidBITS #614 on 2002-01-28

Last week brought some of the weirdest news in a long time from companies like Microsoft, Amazon, and Palm. Read on to get Adam's take on these and other stories, along his look at the utility of keeping old Mac hardware around. Product releases are coming fast and furious as well, with speed-bumped Power Macs, the wireless Palm i705, Opera 5.0, Now Up-to-Date & Contact 4.1.1, iView MediaPro 1.4, QuarkXPress 5.0, and drivers for Griffin's PowerMate controller.

TidBITS #613 on 2002-01-21

Still unclear on the difference between Classic, Carbon, and Cocoa applications? If so, Chris Pepper's look at the different breeds of Mac OS X programs should help. Geoff Duncan covers the recent revival of interest in a pair of venerable Macintosh email servers. In the news, we look at Apple's $38 million profit, the release of Adobe InDesign 2.0, and a slew of updates from Apple for AirPort users and for the multilingual capabilities of Mac OS X.

TidBITS #612 on 2002-01-14

The new iMac and iPhoto dominated last week's Macworld Expo, but those weren't the only interesting things at the show. In this issue we offer an overview of the show, plus our superlatives for products and companies that caught our attention. Also, Adam peers into his crystal ball (well, actually, the liquid crystal display of his iBook) to prognosticate on what 2002 will likely bring. Finally, Judge Motz rejects the proposed Microsoft civil settlement.

TidBITS #611 on 2002-01-07

Today's Macworld Expo keynote arrived on a wave of hype that was high even by Apple's standards, cresting with the introduction of a 15-inch LCD iMac, iPhoto, and an iBook with a 14.1-inch screen. Did reality measure up? Jeff and Adam report from the scene. Also, we note the releases of Mac OS X 10.1.2, BBEdit 6.5.1, Nisus Writer 6.5, a Classic-only Internet Explorer 5.1, plus the availability of Combo drives in PowerBook G4s and the Microsoft Office X Test Drive.

TidBITS #610 on 2001-12-17

Let's send 2001 out with a packed issue! Dan Kohn returns with an essay asking if his discussion of the future of digital content is just an elaborate justification for stealing. Then Mark Anbinder looks at the new features in Virtual PC 5.0, Matt Neuburg provides a sneak peek at Apple's forthcoming AppleScript Studio, and Adam highlights the events you won't want to miss at January's Macworld Expo. We also glance briefly at new releases of the PowerBook G4 Titanium, IPNetRouter 1.6.3, and PowerMail 3.1. See you in 2002!

TidBITS #609 on 2001-12-13

Happy Holidays! As has become our end-of-year tradition, we once again present a wide variety of gift suggestions collected from TidBITS readers. Read on if you're still trying to find the perfect gift for your Macintosh-using friends and relatives (or just hoping to add a few items to your own list at the last minute).

TidBITS #608 on 2001-12-10

Save money and shop smarter this holiday season with Adam's detailed look at researching products online and finding legitimate discount retailers on the Internet. Then turn to Arthur Bleich's overview of accessories that any digital camera owner will find useful. In the news, we cover the releases of Virtual PC 5.0, Mac OS 9.2.2, QuicKeys X 1.0.2, and pass on how you can get a free copy of Power On Software's Action Menus.

TidBITS #607 on 2001-12-03

Remember Brer Rabbit? Microsoft has clearly been reading the Uncle Remus stories, to judge from the proposed settlement in the private class-action lawsuits against the company. Also, Joe Clark returns with an update on accessibility issues - some good news, some bad, and some statistics on the number of disabled computer users. We also report on StuffIt 6.5.1, how TidBITS fared in the Best of the Mac Web survey and call for gift ideas.

TidBITS #606 on 2001-11-19

Want a lighting-fast database that Contributing Editor Matt Neuburg says is the best general database he's ever used? Check out his detailed review of ProVue Development's Panorama 4.0. Mark Anbinder chimes in with a look at Apple's AirPort 2.0, which boasts better security and unique compatibility with AOL. In the news we look at releases of Mac OS X 10.1.1, Microsoft Office X, Now Up-to-Date & Contact 4.1, and Suitcase 10.1. Plus, no issue next week!

TidBITS #605 on 2001-11-12

What would you like Apple to learn from last week's iTunes installer debacle? Adam looks at some take-home lessons for Apple and passes along some advice for the rest of us. Dan Kohn's series of essays on the future of content in a digital world continues with a look at ways of financing pure public goods. And in the news, we cover updates to Microsoft Outlook Express 5.0.3, Adobe Illustrator 10, ConceptDraw 1.71, DAVE 3.1, and IPNetRouter 1.6.2.

TidBITS #604 on 2001-11-05

Internet grocers may be fighting an uphill battle, but for Alex Hoffman, Netflix proves that an Internet business can best the near-ubiquitous video store. Derek Miller joins us to compare two Palm word processors, WordSmith and Word To Go. Mac OS X-only releases continue apace, with iDVD 2, Snapz Pro X 1.0.1, and Timbuktu Pro 6.0.1. Other important releases include iTunes 2, Netscape 6.2, and GraphicConverter 4.1, which support both operating systems.

TidBITS #603 on 2001-10-29

After days of speculation about Apple's new non-Mac device, the mystery was resolved as the iPod, a beautifully small MP3 audio player that sets a new standard in its field. Jeff Carlson contributes a hands-on review, and looks at the one thing that may prevent the iPod from being the hit it deserves to be. Also in this issue, Dan Kohn looks at why encryption won't protect online revenue streams, and we note the release of Windows XP and IPNetSentry 1.3.

TidBITS #602 on 2001-10-22

Apple kicked off last week with faster and more flexible iBooks and PowerBook G4s before announcing a $66 million profit for the last fiscal quarter of 2001. Also in this issue, Adam investigates a few security concerns in Mac OS X 10.1, Matt Neuburg looks at the rebirth of CE Software's venerable QuicKeys under Mac OS X, Dan Kohn examines the future of digital content in a peer-to-peer world, and we note the release of BBEdit 6.5.

TidBITS #601 on 2001-10-15

Mac OS X 10.1 is a success, but it's not an unqualified success, and this week Matt Neuburg looks at one area where 10.1's interface is both inconsistent and incomprehensible: Open and Save dialogs. For network geeks, Adam marvels at the PacketShaper, a network device that monitors and improves the performance of Internet connections. In the news, 4D ships WebSTAR V, Macworld returns to IDG, and Handspring announces the hybrid cell phone/PDA Treo Communicator.

TidBITS #600 on 2001-10-08

Mac OS X 10.1's improvements make a world of difference in usability, and this week we look at a slew of changes that give Mac OS X 10.1 a far more rich and polished feel than previous versions. Also this week, we roll out new Web and mailing list services in honor of our 600th issue. In the news, Microsoft releases a patch for PowerPoint and Excel (both 98 and 2001) to block potentially malicious macros from running without warning.

TidBITS #599 on 2001-10-01

Mac OS X 10.1 dominates our issue this week, as Adam looks first at the myriad details surrounding acquiring the upgrade, then focuses on the significant improvements that Apple made, and finally offers some guidance to help you decide when to upgrade. In the news, Microsoft releases a free Word X Test Drive, Apple ships a new entry-level iMac for $800, and Apple postpones the QuickTime Live conference until February of 2002. Next week: our 600th issue!

TidBITS #598 on 2001-09-24

Apple loves showing fast CPUs helping Macs win Photoshop duels against PCs. But you'll gain more speed from using Photoshop effectively, aided by this week's collection of tips from Iain Anderson. Also in this issue, Jeff Carlson squints at the Palm m505 handheld, DriveSavers aids victims of the 11-Sep-01 tragedy, and the Interface Mafia comes to town. Important releases include Interarchy 5.0.1, Rumpus 2.0, StuffIt Deluxe 6.5, and the Palm m125 organizer.

TidBITS #597 on 2001-09-17

Our thoughts remain with those affected by last week's terrorist attacks. Adam writes briefly about the events and Mac companies who are helping out. Elsewhere, Geoff Bronner tests wireless Ethernet on a Palm handheld, and Adam examines how iRemember provides a travelogue of your Web browsing. In the news, Apple cancels Apple Expo Paris, Handspring ships new Visors, and CS Odessa releases ConceptDraw Professional.

TidBITS #596 on 2001-09-10

Moving to a new house? Forget about where to put the sofa... get that Internet connection set up! In this issue, Adam learns through trial and error how to set up an unusual wireless network configuration. Also, Matt Neuburg organizes his hard disk with the help of DiskSurveyor, Microsoft avoids a breakup in its antitrust trial, and we note the releases of Sync Buddy 1.3, IPNetSentry 1.2 Style Master 2.0, and Retrospect drivers for use with internal CD-RW drives.