TidBITS #670 on 2003-03-10

Mac OS X traded stability for flexibility by removing the system-level hooks that enabled utilities like QuicKeys to automate nearly anything. That flexibility has now returned in Jaguar, and Matt Neuburg explains how you can use it right now with only AppleScript! Also this week, Glenn Fleishman looks at network storage devices that don't require a computer, and we note the releases of Keynote 1.0.1, iMovie 3.0.2, and Security Update 2003-03-03.

TidBITS #669 on 2003-03-03

With a no-show projector, one of Adam's recent user group presentations almost suffered a Keynote-free passing. Fortunately, it's not that easy to thwart a geek: read on for Adam's camera-inspired save! Also in this issue, Kirk McElhearn flexes his organizational and creative muscles with Inspiration 7. In the news, we note the releases of Bare Bones Software's TextWrangler 1.0, REALbasic 5.0, and the important AirPort Extreme 5.0.3 firmware update.

TidBITS #668 on 2003-02-24

We can hold our tongues no longer, and this issue contains Adam's personal statement on the situation in Iraq. Mark Anbinder weighs in with a look at Microsoft's acquisition of Connectix's Virtual PC, and Tonya Engst makes a rare appearance with a review of StickyBrain 2.0. In the news, Apple swaps loud Power Mac G4 power supplies, we look at new goodies for .Mac members, MYOB offers Jaguar to purchasers, and we note BBEdit 7.0.2 and WebSTAR 5.2.4.

TidBITS #667 on 2003-02-17

The utilities you choose radically affect your Mac experience, and this week Adam reviews the Bayesian spam filter SpamSieve and Matt Neuburg offers a comparison of three Mac OS X multiple clipboard utilities - PTHPasteboard, Keyboard Maestro, and CopyPaste X. Also tune in for a Web resource of supporting information for Mac evangelists. The news brings details of Mac OS X 10.2.4, Safari v60, Final Cut Express 1.0.1, and USB Overdrive 10.2.1.

TidBITS #666 on 2003-02-10

Apple seems to be on a weekly hardware release cycle these days, with last week's release of the "Spring Line" of flat-panel iMacs (along with eMac price drops) and this week's release of new Xserves. We examine both, but devote the bulk of the issue to Kirk McElhearn's tutorial on navigating via the command line. In TidBITS news this week, find out how you can get pre-publication chapters of Adam's iPhoto book and see him this week in New York City.

TidBITS #665 on 2003-02-03

Get an iLife! We're here to help with detailed reviews (complete with essential tips and tricks!) at what's new and cool in both iPhoto 2 and iMovie 3, two of the four applications in Apple's iLife suite of digital hub applications. Other Apple news this week includes the release of new Power Mac G4s and a new 20-inch Cinema Display, along with huge price drops on Apple's other LCD displays. Plus, teachers can now get iLife plus Keynote for $15!

TidBITS #664 on 2003-01-27

New PowerBooks may have sparked interest at Macworld Expo San Francisco 2003, but more attention has gone to Apple's new Web browser since, so Adam dons his pith helmet to explore Safari. We also finish off our Macworld Superlatives list, noting the most interesting products at the show, including a bit of sartorial splendor for the wireless networking set. In the news, we note a new 31-Jan-03 release date for iLife and a welcome upgrade to PowerMail 4.1.1.

TidBITS #663 on 2003-01-20

How extreme is Apple's new AirPort Extreme? Sure, it boost throughputs to 54 Mbps, but it's more important that Apple's adoption of 802.11g puts the company back into the pilot's seat for the industry's wireless technology adoption. Adam and Glenn Fleishman take off with all the details. We also pass on some of the best and worst bits from the Macworld Expo show floor, and take a quick look at Apple's $8 million loss for the first quarter of 2003.

TidBITS #662 on 2003-01-13

Steve Jobs kept us busy during his keynote at Macworld Expo, introducing two new PowerBooks; updates to iMovie 3, iPhoto 2, and iDVD 3 (grouped with iTunes 3 into a package called iLife); a presentation application called Keynote; and the new Safari Web browser. We cover them all, including a look at how it affects the Apple-Microsoft relationship. Also this week: X11 for Mac OS X; Rendezvous support from TiVo, Brother, and Aspyr; and Office X 10.1.3.

TidBITS #661 on 2003-01-06

Happy New Year! Most of the staff is en route to Macworld Expo, and we have some updated appearance schedules. Also in this issue, Adam looks at what's ahead in the computer industry for 2003, and also starts employing Habeas headers to thwart spam. Contributing Editor Mark Anbinder looks at Virtual PC 6, and we note the releases (and a few snags) of Mac OS X 10.2.3, iCal 1.0.2, and iSync 1.0. We hope to see you at Macworld!

TidBITS #660 on 2002-12-16

We're wrapping up 2002 with an extra-large issue! If you're still looking for gift ideas, Arthur Bleich offers digital camera-related suggestions, and fans of wireless networking can now buy Adam's new book, The Wireless Networking Starter Kit. We also note the releases of Fetch 4.0.3 and QuicKeys 1.5.4, and look at Apple's backtracking on Macs that can boot Mac OS 9. Lastly, as your thoughts turn to Macworld Expo, take note of TidBITS-related events. See you in 2003!

TidBITS #659 on 2002-12-12

Happy Holidays! We're pleased to continue our tradition of offering end-of-year gift suggestions from the TidBITS community. If you're still on the hunt for that perfect gift for your Macintosh-using friends and relatives, read on for hardware, software, and a host of miscellaneous ideas, some of which are appropriate for anyone, whether or not they use a Mac. (Of course, feel free to tack a few items onto your own list, too!)

TidBITS #658 on 2002-12-09

Want a free pass to Macworld Expo San Francisco? Read on, but you can cross the just-cancelled Macworld Tokyo off your calendar. Recent product releases include PGP 8.0, Default Folder X 1.6.4, and a slew of updates from Apple. But the bulk of this week's issue goes to product comparisons with Dan Frakes's look at 30 different worthwhile headphone models and Adam's review of three elegant laptop stands that improve ergonomics and save valuable desk space.

TidBITS #657 on 2002-11-25

TidBITS turns practical this week, with the first installment in Kirk McElhearn's guide to the Unix command line for Mac users. Adam also explains how to speed up searching on the Internet with simple JavaScript-powered bookmarks in your Web browser. In the news, we report on the resounding success of PayBITS for raising funds for the EFF and call for your holiday gift suggestions. Finally, no issue next week: Happy Thanksgiving!

TidBITS #656 on 2002-11-18

The Digital Millennium Copyright Act (DMCA) is widely regarded as terrible legislation, but how far will its influence extend? Adam weighs in on the DMCA's impending damage to culture and innovation. Also in this issue, Kevin Savetz provides an update on the state of V.92 modems, we note the releases of BBEdit 7.0 and SpamSieve 1.2, and Microsoft surprises us with a familiar face amid its Ms. M.o.X.i.e. contest semifinalists. Lastly, Adam turns 35 today!

TidBITS #655 on 2002-11-11

Looking for a new handheld? Palm's Tungsten T packs a lot of features into a tiny package, as you can read in Jeff Carlson's review. Plus, Adam reports on how our PayBITS experiment has fared so far. In the news, Apple published an important update for Power Macs with SuperDrives, released new PowerBook G4s with a SuperDrive and 1 GHz CPUs, and lowered prices on slightly enhanced iBooks. This week also marks the releases of Eudora 5.2 and ListSTAR 2.3.

TidBITS #654 on 2002-11-04

The Microsoft antitrust case has finally drawn to a close, and Adam explains the settlement. Derek Miller joins us with a look at how a PowerBook and a slew of Mac software helped him single-handedly publish a daily conference newsletter, a task that had taken previously taken three people. In news, TidBITS won the latest Best of the Mac Web survey (yay!), Stairways Software released Interarchy 6.0, and we offer another solution for blacked-out iMacs.

TidBITS #653 on 2002-10-28

Got troubles? We can help, particularly if you're an iMac user, since installing Jaguar is rendering some iMacs unusable. Then there are the problems with SuperDrives and new DVD media, and a security flaw in StuffIt Expander 6.5.2. Along with solutions to these problems, Adam finishes off his Troubleshooting Primer, Kirk McElhearn offers suggestions for using the PowerMate, and we glance at the Palm Tungsten-T and MacTiVo Blesser.

TidBITS #652 on 2002-10-21

Macworld Expo is returning to Boston - but is Apple? We look at the brouhaha so far to see what all the keyboard rattling could mean for future Mac trade shows. Also in this issue, Mark Anbinder examines Palm's new Zire handheld, Adam analyzes the steps required to solve any troubleshooting problem, and we note the release of important Microsoft Office updates, Apple's X for Teachers deal to get Jaguar for free, and Apple's fourth quarter $45 million loss.

TidBITS #651 on 2002-10-14

Longing to trade your Palm and cell phone in for a single svelte device? Jeff Carlson passes on the results of his tests of the Handspring Treo 180, perhaps the most successful of these hybrid devices. Also this week, Matt Neuburg returns to tell us about Tinderbox, an innovative text snippet keeper from hypertext pioneer Eastgate Systems. We also have our reader grade of Mac OS X, and ask that you vote for TidBITS in the 4th Best of the Mac Web survey.

TidBITS #650 on 2002-10-07

What happens when you put a few hundred Mac and Unix users together in the same room? Read on for Adam's report from last week's O'Reilly Mac OS X Conference. Along with his description of the event, Adam also grades Mac OS X in a variety of categories. Do you agree? Take this week's poll to register your own grade! Finally, people who have bought Adam's iPhoto Visual QuickStart Guide can now download the entire book in PDF format for free.

TidBITS #649 on 2002-09-30

QuarkXPress may not yet be Mac OS X-native, but those who rely on it will appreciate guru David Blatner's favorite tips. For people nostalgic for Mac OS 9, Adam examines Jaguar capabilities that simulate tabbed windows. William Porter closes his look at Mailsmith's distributed filtering, and we cover Apple's extension of .Mac trial accounts, plus the iSync public beta, Now Up-to-Date & Contact 4.2.5, and new versions of Internet Explorer.

TidBITS #648 on 2002-09-23

Drowning in email? You need filters, and according to William Porter, you need Mailsmith, thanks to its innovative distributed filtering approach. Matt Neuburg offers a quick look at the new StuffIt Deluxe 7 and its new StuffIt X file format, we announce our sessions at the upcoming O'Reilly Mac OS X Conference, and we glance at a trio of updates from Apple, a new version of the PowerMate software, and an 8-inch Godzilla-shaped FireWire hub.

TidBITS #647 on 2002-09-16

Having trouble marketing software, or frustrated that your favorite developer isn't doing it well? Read the second part of Mike Diegel's look at marketing software for tips on getting the message out and converting prospects into customers. Also, Matt Neuburg reviews WorkStrip X, an interesting application launcher that groups related documents and applications into workspaces. Finally, some advice for anyone owning or using .Mac accounts.

TidBITS #646 on 2002-09-10

Frustrated by task-management tools? Matt Neuburg reviews Sciral's Consistency, which brings a new approach to managing tasks that lack specific schedules or strict deadlines. Also this week, anyone thinking about marketing software should read Mike Diegel's behind-the-scenes look at what's necessary. Jeff Carlson compares four iPod cases, and we note the releases of iCal, Watson 1.5.5, Font Reserve 3.1, BBEdit 6.5.3, and QuicKeys X 1.5.3.