TidBITS #795 on 2005-09-05

Hurricane Katrina rules the news, with Jeff Carlson providing an overview of how Internet users and sites are helping with the aftermath of the devastation. On a more prosaic front, Adam looks at a free conference call service, Glenn Fleishman covers the main improvements in Timbuktu Pro 8.5, and we present an excerpt on making menus from Kirk McElhearn's just-released "Take Control of Customizing Microsoft Office." In the news, we look the releases of iKey 2.1, Default Folder X 2.0.2, and Now Up-to-Date & Contact 5.0.4; revisit the preferred AirPort network issue; and welcome Maxum Development as a sponsor.

TidBITS #794 on 2005-08-29

This week's issue brings a potpourri of Mac news, including Adam's coverage of an iPod infestation of the biological sort (Monomorium destructor, to be precise). Adam also notes how you can add a USB-to-Ethernet adapter to a Mac using new open source drivers. Mark Anbinder looks briefly at Google Talk, and Jeff Carlson follows up last week's Mac to School article with some software suggestions for students. Glenn Fleishman resolves a problem with AirPort preferred network listings in upgraded versions of Tiger and turns to Flashblock to eliminate Flash-based ads. Finally, we note Safari updates, FileMaker Pro 8, the 2nd annual Mac Networkers Retreat, and a Math+Magic DealBITS drawing.

TidBITS #793 on 2005-08-22

Jeff Carlson's college days are behind him, but the end of August makes him ponder: what Mac gear should students take to school? Meanwhile, Adam samples Indy, an innovative application that introduces him to new music he actually likes. Also in this issue, Matt Neuburg finds some desirable features in the new DEVONthink Pro, and we note the release of Security Update 2005-007 v1.1, which fixes a 64-bit computing bug introduced by the previous security update, as well as the start of Apple's new Rev-1 iMac G5 repair program.

TidBITS #792 on 2005-08-15

Is Apple's new Mighty Mouse really a super rodent? Glenn Fleishman grabs one and finds it a bit hairy. Also, Kevin van Haaren sheds light on an often perplexing topic: virtual private network (VPN) technology, and explains why you might want to start using one. We also note the release of Security Update 2005-007, Apple's PowerBook G4 Graphics Update 1.0, the SaveScreenie utility, and announce Joe Kissell's free "Take Control of Now Up-to-Date & Contact" manual.

TidBITS #791 on 2005-08-08

Just when you thought it would never happen, Apple quietly breaks with tradition and ships... the multi-button Mighty Mouse. Also in this issue, Adam shares his experience navigating Boston's streets with the Magellan RoadMate 700, a GPS device that got him there and back again with a few surprises. Jeff Carlson finds a great deal on a 20-inch LCD monitor not made by Apple, and finally hops on the multiple-monitor bandwagon. And the Japanese iTunes Music Store opens to a rush of business and expanded offerings.

TidBITS #790 on 2005-08-01

An era comes to an end, as Adam reports on the proceedings of the final ADHOC/MacHack conference. Jeff Carlson takes a break from reality, for a good cause: reviewing Star Wars Battlefront. Also this week, Geoff Duncan looks at the revised iBook and Mac mini lines, and in the news, we cover HP dropping the iPod, iPhoto 5.0.4, and Dejal Software's Simon 2.0.

TidBITS #789 on 2005-07-25

Our look into GPS continues with a review of the Garmin Forerunner 201 from the aptly named runner Paul Lightfoot. Dawn D'Angelillo then joins us to talk about the serious problems surrounding obsolete electronics and the need for better recycling facilities and programs. Glenn Fleishman covers the release of the Mac Desktop Controller for the Sonos wireless speaker system, and we look at Yahoo's purchase of Konfabulator and the releases of OmniWeb 5.1.1 and DoorStop X 1.0, along with the official story of .Mac bandwidth limits.

TidBITS #788 on 2005-07-18

Macworld Expo in Boston just wrapped up, so Adam reports on the highlights and mood of the show, and we cover the Best of Show award winners. Geoff Duncan, meanwhile, triumphs over a noisy fan in his Power Mac G4 without breaking the bank. Speaking of the bank, Apple last week turned in a record successful quarter and also released a slew of updates: Mac OS X 10.4.2, AirPort 4.2, iPhoto 5.0.3, Final Cut Pro 5.0.2, DVD Studio Pro 4.0.1, and Soundtrack Pro 1.0.1. Lastly, Apple topped 500 million iTunes Music Store songs sold.

TidBITS #787 on 2005-07-11

Can a wristwatch help you sleep better? Andrew Laurence sleeps on the job to determine if the Sleeptracker device keeps him from waking up feeling kicked in the head. Tonya tackles another tool designed to help at home, the Roomba robot vacuum cleaner. In Mac-specific news, Smith Micro purchases Allume, Apple counts down to the 500 millionth iTunes track sold, WiTopia makes corporate-grade Wi-Fi security free, Adobe fixes Acrobat security vulnerabilities, and Adam shares where he and Tonya will be at Macworld Boston!

TidBITS #786 on 2005-07-04

This week's issue revolves around audio, but in two very different ways. First, Adam examines the recent Supreme Court decision against peer-to-peer file sharing companies Grokster and StreamCast Networks. Then Andy Affleck rejoins us for a look at the new podcasting support in iTunes 4.9. In the news, we cover the releases of QuicKeys X3 3.1 and Virtual PC 7.0.2, note the passing of grayscale iPods, and announce "Take Control of Tiger," our latest Take Control print collection.

TidBITS #785 on 2005-06-27

Jeff Carlson continues his exploration of computerized poker players with a look at iPoker this week. Matt Neuburg then takes a quick glance at Typinator, a sleek new utility for expanding typed abbreviations, and Adam examines both the Canary Wireless Digital Hotspotter and Monster Cable's iTV Link. In the news, we cover the releases of Now Up-to-Date & Contact 5.0 and Eudora 6.2.3, explain how to change Tiger's screen capture format, call for more translators, and give away copies of Rogue Amoeba's Audio Hijack Pro.



TidBITS #784 on 2005-06-20

This week brings two highly divergent topics, as Charles Maurer returns with a set of instructions for non-experts to fix snapshots using sub-$100 software, and Jeff Carlson tries to hone his poker game against the computer opponents in DD Tournament Poker. In the news, Opera Software ships version 8.0 of their Web browser for the Mac and we announce the winners of last week's DealBITS drawing.

TidBITS #783 on 2005-06-13

Reactions from last week's news that Apple is shifting to Intel-based Macs has dominated the Mac press (and TidBITS Talk), but Adam makes the case that this is the biggest non-news of the year; read on for his explanation. Also this week, Charles Maurer returns with a look at the Panasonic DMC-FX7 and some discussion of point-and-shoot digital cameras. We also note Apple's Security Update 2005-006, Snapz Pro X 2.0.2, "Take Control of Customizing Tiger" 1.0.1, and a new DealBITS drawing for a Matias OS X Keyboard.

TidBITS #782 on 2005-06-06

Are you sitting down? Apple is switching to Intel processors, starting next year. Read on for our analysis. Multimedia news takes over the rest of this issue. First, Geoff Duncan covers the resolution of the iPod battery lawsuit and iPod recycling announcement, then Adam looks at the fuss surrounding QuickTime Pro 7, and Andrew Laurence wraps it all up with a look at the Squeezebox2 music player. In the news, QuickTime 7.0.1 fixes a security hole.

TidBITS #781 on 2005-05-23

The days of having to stop and ask for directions are coming to an end, as Adam navigates New York City using the Garmin StreetPilot c330. Also in this issue, Glenn Fleishman looks at LightScribe technology, which uses the lasers in compatible CD/DVD burners to etch labels into a disc's surface. Last week saw the release of Mac OS X 10.4.1 and Apple's voluntary safety recall of some iBook and PowerBook G4 batteries. Finally, a bug in Eudora surfaces, and Fetch 5 arrives, just in time for us to take our yearly Memorial Day break. See you in June!

TidBITS #780 on 2005-05-16

We're still recovering from our Tiger-related efforts, so this week brings you a variety of shorter articles. Adam solves a Tiger-related iPhoto crash, Glenn looks at NetNewsWire 2.0, the trend toward 2 GB webmail accounts, and what's happened to Fontographer in the wake of the Adobe/Macromedia merger. Adam also reviews a GPS-enabled cell phone that provides spoken driving directions. In the news, Yahoo launches a music subscription service, and Apple both releases a new video editing component and settles a lawsuit with rapper Eminem. This week's DealBITS drawing: 3 months of VPN service from PublicVPN.com!

TidBITS #779 on 2005-05-09

Apple made much of the improvements in iPhoto 5, but how do those features and others fare under Adam's scrutiny? Also in this issue, Jeff Carlson takes a look at the new iMac and eMac models, and examines Tiger's iChat AV 3.0, with its multi-person audio and video chats. In the news, Security Update 2005-005 patches Mac OS X 10.3.9, iTunes 4.8 appears, DragThing turns 10, more Spotlight details appear, Adam makes the radio rounds, and we give away 5 copies of Stock WatchTower, a stock analysis program.

TidBITS #778 on 2005-05-02

Mac OS X 10.4 is here, and this extra-large TidBITS issue shines our own spotlight on some of Tiger's new features. First, Adam asks the question, "Should you upgrade?" and Joe Kissell reviews the installation process itself. Then we dig deep with Glenn Fleishman's look at Spotlight and how it may change your relationship to data, while Matt Neuburg reviews Dashboard and Automator. We also note the releases of faster Power Mac G5 models and lower prices on two of Apple's Cinema Displays.

TidBITS #777 on 2005-04-25

As the world waits with bated breath for Tiger (4 more days!) and we put the finishing touches on our Take Control ebooks about Tiger, we managed to find the time for another beefy issue of TidBITS. Adam looks at NoteBook 2.0, Jeff Carlson examines a slew of Mac mini-related Web sites, Glenn Fleishman contributes a retrospective of the just-merged Adobe and Macromedia, and Matt Neuburg relates the story of how his iMac G5 went up in smoke.

TidBITS #776 on 2005-04-18

TidBITS turns 15 this week! In lieu of blowing out candles, Adam looks back over 15 years of Mac ownership. This week also brings a flood of Apple news, starting with the 29-Apr-05 release date of Mac OS X 10.4 Tiger (and word that our "Take Control of Tiger" ebooks will be released simultaneously), and continuing with the company's stellar Q2-05 earnings report; the release of Mac OS X 10.3.9 Update; fixes to iMovie HD, iDVD 5, iPhoto 5, and iSight software; and the announcements of Final Cut Pro 5, DVD Studio Pro 4, Motion 2, and Soundtrack Pro.

TidBITS #775 on 2005-04-11

April 15th is just around the corner, which turns Jeff Carlson's mind to the financial software necessary to finish his taxes: not Quicken, but Moneydance. The topic of Internet faxing continues from last week, with recommendations for other services and software, and a DealBITS drawing for PDFpenPro, which lets you eliminate paper from a back-and-forth fax process. Finally, Geoff Bronner reviews the Monster iCarPlay Wireless FM transmitter. In the news, Adam and Matt Neuburg pass on news of upcoming conferences, and Sync Buddy 2.0.1 now backs up Palm OS handhelds under Mac OS X.

TidBITS #774 on 2005-04-04

Jeff Carlson upped the ante on holiday cards this year with a full-fledged DVD; read on for an article sharing the essential lessons he learned in the process. Adam relates his experience of switching to MaxEmail for incoming fax-to-email service, and Glenn Fleishman covers the announcement of Adobe Creative Suite 2 and notes that Skype users can now receive calls from normal telephones for a small fee. In Take Control news, check out our redesigned Web site!

TidBITS #773 on 2005-04-01

Who'd have guessed? Apple held a press conference today to discuss future product and marketing plans, including the Mac OS X 10.4 release date, several iPod marketing and sales partnerships, and a look ahead at new Power Macs. Elsewhere, Geoff Duncan covers a ban on Wi-Fi in Seattle coffeehouses, Glenn Fleishman peeks up a Mac mini's skirt, and we relay the news of a laptop bag that uses the Sudden Motion Sensor to protect laptops and the story of a user who accidentally received a free copy of the Mac OS X 10.4 golden master.

TidBITS #772 on 2005-03-28

If one of your credit card numbers was stolen, do you know how to deal with it? Adam shares his first-hand experience and offers suggestions for minimizing your risk and annoyance. Also this week, Matt Neuburg paints a favorable picture of Purgatory Design's Intaglio drawing software. In the news, we cover the release of BBEdit 8.1 and an iPod photo software update, note Apple's settlement with a guy who leaked Tiger seeds, and pass on a DealBITS discount for TARI's GoodPage HTML editor.

TidBITS #771 on 2005-03-21

Our content goes on the road this week, with Travis Butler rejoining us for a look at a new iPod FM transmitter and Glenn Fleishman laying out all the security options he uses to protect his data traffic while traveling. Matt Neuburg covers worthy updates to the CSS editor Style Master, Eastgate Systems' Tinderbox, and PTHPasteboard, and we note Security Update 2005-003 and Apple's revisions to Pages and Keynote. Be sure to enter our DealBITS drawing for a new HTML authoring tool: GoodPage!