TidBITS #695 on 2003-09-01

Is the Internet susceptible to terrorist attack? We talk to an expert about Internet vulnerabilities and strengths. In lighter news, we're happy to announce the rebirth of DealBITS, starting with a Tom Bihn bag giveaway! Also in this issue, Macworld Expo heads back to Boston (without Apple), Bare Bones releases Mailsmith 2.0.1, Virtual PC 6.1 becomes part of Office X despite not working on the Power Mac G5, and Adam is interviewed on The User Group Report.

TidBITS #694 on 2003-08-25

Do you own a Mac and a Bluetooth-capable cellular phone? Read Joe Kissell's review of Salling Clicker to learn how you can control your Mac from the phone in some ingenious ways. If text is more your style, Matt Neuburg slings praise in his review of Hog Bay Notebook. Also this week we see the releases of Snapz Pro X 1.0.8, Dejal Simon 1.2, a Photoshop plug-in that optimizes Photoshop for the now-shipping Power Mac G5s, and AirPort antennas from MacWireless.

TidBITS #693 on 2003-08-18

Who wields the most power in the Mac world? According to the annual MDJ Power 25, it's Steve Jobs. But Adam retains a spot in the top five for the fourth year, and we think we know why. Also, Kirk McElhearn explains how the command line can simplify certain file manipulation tasks, Adam reports on his current electronic book experiments, and we note the releases of GraphicConverter 4.8, Security Update 2003-08-14, TextWrangler 1.5, and DVD Studio Pro 2.

TidBITS #692 on 2003-08-11

Is Apple's beefy 17-inch PowerBook G4 too big? Michael Shappe thinks not, and he's a happy convert from a PC laptop. Adam passes on a number of tips for using Mac OS X more efficiently through smarter scrolling, and Sander Lam remembers the late Dutch translator Walter Van Lerberghe. In the news, we look at the releases of Default Folder X 1.8, AirPort 3.1.1, and OmniWeb 4.5.

TidBITS #691 on 2003-08-04

We're looking out for you and your data with this issue! First, Derek Miller passes on a warning (and identification tips) about clever spam that purports to be from PayPal in an attempt to get you to reveal your PayPal password. Then Adam reviews Granite Digital's FireVue Hot Swap Drive System; a great option for hard drive-based backups. In the news, we cover the releases of Entourage's new Exchange support, Tinderbox 2.0 and Font Reserve 3.1.2.

TidBITS #690 on 2003-07-28

Switching to a new email program is a harder decision than swapping other software - Matt Neuburg explains why Mailsmith 2.0 is the email client for him. Also, Adam questions IDG's Macworld Expo policy barring children under 13, and Jeff Carlson reveals how to use iDVD 3 on Macs without SuperDrives. We also note the releases of Palm's Tungsten T2, BBEdit 7.0.4, Griffin's iTrip Station Finder, and Steve Wozniak's new wOzNet wireless network.

TidBITS #689 on 2003-07-21

Is this the end of East Coast Macworld Expos? Adam returns from New York with a first-hand account of the show's size and atmosphere, as well as his list of superlative products. We also mourn the loss of TidBITS translator Walter Van Lerberghe. In the news, Apple posts a security update and a $19 million Q3 profit, Dantz provides a firmware update for some PowerBook G4 optical drives, Netscape lays off its developers, and iData Pro X survives Casady & Greene.

TidBITS #688 on 2003-07-14

As we gear up for Macworld Expo in New York, our thoughts turn practical: how can I import Netscape bookmarks into Safari, why use PrintFIX to build ColorSync profiles for printing photos, and what's new in Retrospect 5.1? We also cover Nisus Writer Express 1.0, WorkStrip 3, and Style Master 3, offer additional details about AirPort 3.1 compatibility, and note Jeff Carlson's talk at the Apple Store Bellevue Square on Saturday!

TidBITS #687 on 2003-07-07

Got a long commute? Kirk McElhearn looks at audio books from Audible.com, which can be played on your Mac or iPod without losing your position. Keith Cooper looks at why you might want to consider color management for your digital photos. Also this week, using Broadcom-based 802.11g PC Cards with AirPort 3.1, the demise of Adobe Premiere on the Mac, and upcoming events at Macworld Expo.

TidBITS #686 on 2003-06-30

Before you spend hours optimizing your Mac's hard disk, read David Shayer's article on why it's a waste of time. Also this week, Adam wraps up MacHack coverage with anecdotes about the conference's people, events, and fashions. Lastly, we note the winners of this year's Apple Design Awards, clarify some Mac OS X adoption numbers, pass on Extensis's acquisition of DiamondSoft and the demise of Casady & Greene, and call for German translators.

TidBITS #685 on 2003-06-23

This week's Worldwide Developers Conference spurred a bevy of announcements by Apple, and we have details of the new Power Mac G5, the preview of Mac OS X 10.3 Panther, iChat AV and the iSight video camera. But WWDC isn't the only Mac event in this busy June: Adam reports on the MacHax Best Hack Contest from last week's MacHack. Also, we note the releases of Safari 1.0, AirPort 3.1, iPod Software 2.0.1, and Mailsmith 2.0, plus how to get free Macworld passes!

TidBITS #684 on 2003-06-16

After winning the browser wars, Microsoft is walking away from the battlefield by putting Internet Explorer for Macintosh out to pasture. Also this week, Adam quiets his Power Mac G4 with a new power supply, Mariva Aviram looks at other forms of Internet-guided offline recreation, and we note the releases of Internet Explorer 5.2.3, Final Cut Pro 4, QuarkXPress 6, QuicKeys X2, and NoteTaker 1.5, along with ratification of the 802.11g wireless specification.

TidBITS #683 on 2003-06-09

Is it time to tear yourself away from the computer and get outside? Why not go geocaching? Mariva H. Aviram reports on this growing Net-related recreation where you use a GPS device to track down hidden treasure. We also explore Palm's announcement that it's purchasing rival Handspring, look at QuickTime 6.3, and note the releases of WebSTAR 5.3, Spring Cleaning 6.0, and After Dark for Mac OS X, along with Apple's iMovie 3.0.3, iSync 1.1, and Keynote 1.1.

TidBITS #682 on 2003-06-02

Enjoy solving crossword puzzles? If so, you'll want to read Kirk McElhearn's look at crossword puzzles on the Internet. Also this week, Adam opens a grab bag of wireless networking hardware and software, Apple reduces the prices of 12-inch and 15-inch PowerBooks, AOL and Microsoft settle an antitrust lawsuit, iTunes 4.0.1 drops Internet music sharing, Virtual PC advances to version 6.0.2, and Bare Bones Software celebrates their 10th anniversary!

TidBITS #681 on 2003-05-19

Do you have a road trip coming up? Some would argue that Apple's iPod is the best addition to the road trip since air conditioning. But how to play your music through your car's speakers? Travis Butler looks at the iTrip, and compares it with two other FM transmitters that work with the iPod. Also in this issue, Adam's iPhoto 2 Visual QuickStart Guide is now available, as are Safari 1.0b2 v74 and Interarchy 6.2. And, we're taking next week off!

TidBITS #680 on 2003-05-12

Looking for fast, mobile Internet access without the bulk of a laptop? Geoff Bronner reviews Palm's new Wi-Fi-enabled Tungsten C handheld. Also, if you've spent the past two weeks browsing the iTunes Music Store, Adam offers some tips on making the experience smoother. This week also brings news of new eMac models, a Mac OS X 10.2.6 update that fixes crashing problems with some USB hubs, and our stand on challenge-response anti-spam systems.

TidBITS #679 on 2003-05-05

We continue to focus on the iTunes Music Store this week with a detailed analysis of how it works, who stands to benefit, and its impressive results so far. We also explain why you might have seen old issues of TidBITS appearing in your mail, pass on news of Rick Smolan's latest collaborative photography project, and ask your opinion of listing TidBITS Talk discussions in TidBITS. Interesting releases this week include Watson 1.7 and Palm Desktop 4.1.

TidBITS #678 on 2003-04-28

Apple's big news for the week is the iTunes Music Store, a commercial Internet music service, backed by the new iTunes 4 and redesigned iPods. We have early details of all three in this extra-large issue, along with a look at Palm's Tungsten C and Zire 71 handhelds from Mark Anbinder, and oodles of advice for developers of Mac OS X software from Dan Frakes. Other news items include a second name change for Macworld Expo NY and improved iBooks.

TidBITS #677 on 2003-04-21

Remember how computers were going to make our lives easier? Matt Neuburg takes a look at NoteTaker, an application that's helping to organize and quickly access all sorts of information. Plus, we'd like you to help TidBITS experiment how to integrate TidBITS Talk discussions into our weekly issues. Also, Apple posts a surprising second quarter profit of $14 million, and we note releases of Snapz Pro X 1.0.7 and StuffIt Expander/Deluxe 7.0.3.

TidBITS #676 on 2003-04-14

We're more optimistic about TidBITS turning 13 than when we entered our own awkward teenage years, and Adam reveals why. Plus, Andrew Laurence reviews the SLIMP3, a device for streaming your iTunes music to your hi-fi stereo system (or anywhere else in the house). Also in this issue, The Wireless Networking Starter Kit becomes available electronically, and Apple releases both Mac OS X 10.2.5 and Safari Public Beta 2.

TidBITS #675 on 2003-04-07

Remember Glenn Fleishman's bandwidth nightmare? It's over now - read on for our look at the final bill and what Glenn learned in the process. Adam offers a look into our deliberations about our next generation content management system, and Matt Neuburg reviews his current favorite digital shoebox - Casady & Greene's iData Pro X. In the news, Apple announces a slew of high-end digital video editing tools and SETI@home 3.08 closes a security hole.

TidBITS #674 on 2003-04-01

News abounds in this issue, with Apple again rescheduling WWDC and TidBITS Publisher Adam Engst receiving a fellowship at Cornell University. New products include heat-resistant Handeze gloves, a clever anti-flaming plug-in for iChat, a Keynote-compatible Canon PowerShot camera, the iPodPowerMate, and a kid-sized Segway. Adam also looks at a new add-on product for the Xserve, Tonya breaks some welcome news about Word 5.1, and we interview someone whose voice will be familiar to all Macintosh owners.

TidBITS #673 on 2003-03-31

We're still fielding Macintosh conference news, as MacHack reaffirms its commitment to its 19-Jun-03 start date and IDG World Expo announces that Macworld Expo New York 2003 is now named "Create." Also this week, Adam reveals how to set up a print spooler under Mac OS X and details improvements in the Info-Mac Archive mirror network. In other news, we note the releases of Web Crossing 5.0, LaunchBar 3.2.10, and Apple's Security Update 2003-03-24.

TidBITS #672 on 2003-03-24

Ever try to do something nice and have it come back to bite you? To the tune of $15,000? That's what happened to author Glenn Fleishman - read on for his tale of woe. Adam then keeps things practical with his look at configuring an external hard disk for maximum utility. In the news, Apple reschedules WWDC such that it conflicts with MacHack, Al Gore joins Apple's Board of Directors, the iPod gets an important update, and the CRT-based iMac quietly disappears.

TidBITS #671 on 2003-03-17

Every so often, a utility comes along that is so useful and so well-implemented that it's painful to use Macs that don't have it. For Adam, that utility is LaunchBar, a simple yet powerful application launcher with great potential. Also this week, we offer Mac OS X troubleshooting advice wrapped in a plea for a Conflict Catcher-like utility, discuss the release of BBEdit 7.0.3, note Chimera's renaming, and mourn the demise of Caffeine Software.