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| Name: | TidBITS: Mac News for the Rest of Us |
| Description: | Insightful news, reviews, and analysis of the Macintosh and Internet worlds |
| Site URL: | http://www.tidbits.com/ |
| Category: | /Computers/Systems/Apple/ |
| RSS feed URL: | http://www.tidbits.com/channels/tidbits.rss |
| Syndic8 ID: | 1973 |
| Language: | en |
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25 most recent entries:
Mac OS X Snow Leopard to Focus on Performance, Not Features (Jun 09 2008 23:43 GMT)
At the beginning of the Worldwide Developers Conference keynote, Apple announced it would provide information about the next version of Mac OS X - code-named Snow Leopard - after the keynote. Since all the content at WWDC other than the keynote is covered by non-disclosure agreements, it seemed that Apple didn't plan to talk in public about what we could expect. However, a press release about Snow Leopard appeared late in the day revealing some details. Instead of adding marquee features like Time Machine and Spaces, Snow Leopard will instead focus on enhancing performance and reliability and lay the foundation for future features. In particular, Snow Leopard will be optimized for multi-core processors, be able to tap into the computing power of modern graphic processing units (GPUs), make it possible to address up to 16 TB of RAM, ship with QuickTime X, and provide out-of-the-box support for Microsoft Exchange 2007 in Mail, iCal, and Address Book.
Hot Topics in TidBITS Talk/02-Jun-08 (Jun 02 2008 07:31 GMT)
Reorder photos in iPhoto albums -- Photos can be reordered in iPhoto, but they must be in an album rather than just in the library. (3 messages) Migrating from Now Contact to Address Book -- The way to transfer contact data would seem to be creating a vCard, but one reader can't rely on that approach while retaining custom notes and fields in Now Contact. Any other ideas? (3 messages) Reporting Vulnerabilities -- Based on last week's article by Rich Mogull, when should a security researcher report a software vulnerability? (1 message) Tracking your laptop -- People are still talking about the stolen Mac recovered thanks to Back to My Mac, including how to roll your own solution (3 messages) Back in the Saddle with the TomTom Go 720 GPS -- Readers get snarky after reading Adam's review of this GPS device.
The Evolving World of Mac Backup Software (May 31 2008 13:18 GMT)
Because I write so much about backups, I try to keep on top of all the programs one can use to back up a Mac, and their ever-changing feature sets. Recently while working on an update to "Take Control of Mac OS X Backups" (release date TBD), I realized that the appendix in which I provide feature-comparison checklists is badly out of date, and that trying to update it as I've done in the past is a lost cause - it'll just be obsolete again a day later. So instead, I'm going to be putting that information on a Web page, where I can update it much more quickly and easily than revising an ebook. In the process of researching what will go on that Web page, I further realized that my existing checklists were woefully inadequate, so I compiled a big Excel spreadsheet (just for my own convenience) detailing dozens of features for each of the programs I'm tracking. At the moment, my spreadsheet lists 60 Mac OS X backup programs - and I know for certain that it's still incomplete.
Updated .Mac Book to Require Major Find-and-Replace? (May 30 2008 20:46 GMT)
Whenever we release a new Take Control book, we realize that it will eventually need an update (whether small or large), and that one day it will probably become obsolete. We always hope that we can enjoy at least a few months of sales before Apple sends us back to the drawing board to realign the manuscript with their latest reality - after all, we're already busy working on the next set of titles. Well, the second edition of my "Take Control of .Mac" was published last week - and if recent rumors prove to be true, the book might already be just days away from needing an update! I'd been planning this major overhaul to one of my longest books for quite some time, largely to update it with information on iLife '08 and Leopard.
Take Control News: Maximize Your .Mac Membership (May 30 2008 20:09 GMT)
We've just released the second edition of "Take Control of .Mac," by Joe Kissell. When you think of Apple's .Mac service, what probably comes to mind is having a mac.com email address or storing files on your iDisk.
Back to My Mac Communicates Faults in 10.5.3 (May 29 2008 18:09 GMT)
In Mac OS X 10.5.3, Apple added troubleshooting messages to its Back to My Mac remote access service. Back to My Mac requires one of two kinds of automated port mapping technologies to punch through typical home routers that create private networks typically unreachable from the rest of the Internet. Often, Back to My Mac doesn't work when activated - via the Back to My Mac view in the .
The Broadband Service of My Dreams (May 29 2008 16:14 GMT)
Yesterday when I checked my mail, I found my box full of flyers advertising all sorts of things I don't need. I was planning to toss it all, but one flyer caught my eye. It said (in French): "Fiber arrives in your neighborhood! 100 Mbps Internet, high-definition TV, telephone:
Tip: See Dictionary Definitions in Real Time (May 29 2008 16:12 GMT)
I've just run across a useful little variant in how you can use Mac OS X's built-in dictionary service to see definitions of words in your documents. You undoubtedly know that you can Control-click or right-click any word and choose Look Up in Dictionary to display a little pop-up definition (some applications instead launch the full Dictionary application). And you may know that if you press Command-Control-D, the little dictionary pop-up appears for the word currently under the pointer. But if you press Command-Control-D and keep holding the Command and Control keys down, in either Tiger or Leopard, that little dictionary pop-up stays on screen and changes to define whatever word is under it as you move the pointer around. Try it yourself, or watch my brief screencast demonstrating the feature.
Security Update 2008-003 / Mac OS X 10.5.3 Fix Flaws (May 29 2008 14:52 GMT)
Apple has released Security Update 2008-003 for Mac OS X 10.4.11 to extend the security fixes included in Mac OS X 10.5.3 and Mac OS X Server 10.
TidBITS Watchlist: Notable Software Updates for 02-Jun-08 (May 29 2008 14:38 GMT)
Keyboard Maestro 3.1 from Stairways Software enhances the macro utility with a slew of new capabilities for working with the clipboard, most notably a new Clipboard History Switcher that lets users see and paste previous clipboard contents. Keyboard Maestro 3.1 can also now filter the contents of the clipboard before pasting, run clipboard contents through BBEdit Text Factories, and put specific text (including variables) on the clipboard. Other changes in 3.
Mac OS X 10.5.3 Update Resolves Numerous Issues (May 29 2008 13:46 GMT)
Apple has released Mac OS X 10.5.3 Update to fix a wide variety of problems in key Leopard features and to block numerous security vulnerabilities (see "Security Update 2008-003 / Mac OS X 10.5.3 Fix Flaws," 2008-05-29).
Back in the Saddle with the TomTom Go 720 GPS (May 27 2008 12:32 GMT)
It has been about a year and a half since my last review of a car navigation GPS, a consumer electronics field of which I'm inordinately fond, because the little buggers are so darn useful when driving in unfamiliar environs. See our "Find Yourself with GPS" series for the full set of reviews of different devices. Although I'm sure progress has been made by Garmin and Magellan, I've been wanting to check out devices from TomTom. TomTom's GPSes are generally regarded as being as good as or better than those from the better-known Garmin and Magellan. But perhaps more important, TomTom has long provided Macintosh software for downloading new maps, voices, and other customizations to the device.
TidBITS Watchlist: Notable Software Updates for 26-May-08 (May 26 2008 16:48 GMT)
Logic Pro 8.0.2 from Apple fixes unspecified bugs and compatibility problems in Logic Pro 8.0 and the bundled Waveburner 1.5 and Impulse Response Utility 1.
Hot Topics in TidBITS Talk/26-May-08 (May 26 2008 09:21 GMT)
Folder Encryption -- A reader needs to ensure that work files remain securely encrypted. Will FileVault provide the solution, or are third-party encryption products the answer? (10 messages) Spam on iPhone -- The iPhone's limited memory and storage make it difficult to provide good on-device filtering of unsolicited email. Instead, weed out the junk before it gets to the phone. (2 messages) Griping about Mail -- A former Eudora user runs into limitations in Mail, which spurs a discussion about preserving original messages for litigation.
Nisus Writer Pro 1.1 Adds Comments, Mail Merge, and More (May 24 2008 20:58 GMT)
Continuing on their quest to meet and exceed the standard set by Nisus Writer Classic, Nisus Software has released Nisus Writer Pro 1.1. Most notably, the new version adds what appears to be a nicely considered comment feature, positioning comments off to the left side of the document in a parallel pane. Comments can be collapsed to just a header, responded or added to by clicking a + button, and deleted by clicking a - button. The only negative is that I couldn't see any way to expand a comment with multiple additions to see a back-and-forth discussion all at once.
Help! I'm Being Held Captive, and All I Have Is a Wi-Fi Network! (May 23 2008 22:49 GMT)
Two weeks ago, a remarkable Mac owner - a teenaged Apple Store employee - led police to her stolen Mac laptop through the clever use of a Leopard feature; see "Back to My Mac Leads to Recovery of Stolen Mac," 2008-05-10. The recovery was so clever it was used as a question in the rapid-fire round at the end of NPR/Chicago Public Radio's "Wait Wait... Don't Tell Me!" show on 17-May-08.
Take Control News: Two New Books about GarageBand '08 (May 23 2008 16:22 GMT)
We're pleased to announce the release of a pair of ebooks about GarageBand '08. These books are based on previous editions but have been completely updated to cover all the latest GarageBand features - Visual EQ, Magic GarageBand, tempo automation, the arrange track, and more. Each costs $10 or you can purchase them together for only $17.50. Whether you're just getting started with GarageBand or are an old pro looking to get the most out of the program, these titles have the help you need.
iPhone Survivor: Traveling Without a Laptop (May 22 2008 17:58 GMT)
Something about human nature compels us to challenge ourselves. It's as if evolution itself coalesces into corporeal form to drive us forward; clinging to our backs as it whispers sweet rewards to tempt us into actions to prove we are worthy of our place on this planet. For some, these temptations burst free with creative impulse resulting in works of art, literature, or entrepreneurship. For others, especially young males, these temptations lead to dangerous physical follies involving beer.
Unpatched iCal Security Flaws Present Low Risk (May 22 2008 17:53 GMT)
On 22-May-08, the research unit of Core Security Technologies released the details of three new security vulnerabilities in iCal. Two of the vulnerabilities can crash a vulnerable system, while the third can potentially allow an attacker to take over your computer. Based on the communication notes in the official advisory from Core, it appears that Apple originally intended to release a patch before the vulnerability details were released, but the patch was delayed. In all three cases the vulnerabilities take advantage of the user opening specially crafted .ics calendar files.
Microsoft Fixes Office 2008 Bugs, Announces VBA Return (May 19 2008 14:59 GMT)
Microsoft's Macintosh Business Unit last week released Microsoft Office 2008 Service Pack 1, fixing numerous bugs and improving security and performance in the process of bringing the Office applications to version 12.1.0. Microsoft also announced that Visual Basic for Applications (VBA) would be returning to the next major release of Office for Mac. Microsoft's extensive release notes document over 150 bugs and improvements in Office 2008 SP1, making the update an important one for all Office 2008 users.
Move/Resize Windows from the Keyboard with MercuryMover (May 19 2008 12:11 GMT)
Most technical authors aren't wild about taking screenshots because setting up a good screenshot can take longer than writing about it. You have to make sure fields are appropriately filled in, the pointer is showing appropriately, and the window is the correct size. This last bit is often tricky, since moving and resizing windows with the mouse is inherently a loose operation - pixel-perfect alignment is difficult. However, there's now a utility that can help both authors and anyone who prefers to use the keyboard as much as possible: Helium Foot Software's MercuryMover.
TidBITS Watchlist: Notable Software Updates for 19-May-08 (May 19 2008 12:07 GMT)
Office 2004 for Mac 11.4.2 Update from Microsoft is a security update for Microsoft Office 2004, fixing a vulnerability in Microsoft Word that could allow remote code execution if the user were to open a specially crafted Word file. (Free upgrade, 9 MB) Simon 2.4 from Dejal Systems enhances the server and Internet services monitoring tool with support for Twitter, enabling users to monitor numerous aspects of the Twitter services (such as when someone follows or stops following you), and adding a notifier that can to inform you of server changes via Twitter.
Hot Topics in TidBITS Talk/19-May-08 (May 19 2008 08:23 GMT)
CMYK Conversion with ColorSync -- The capability to output PDF files for modest design needs runs into a snag due to improper handling of how blacks are generated. (1 message) [ANN] Office 2008 SP1 Update (12.1.0) released -- This week's public service announcement: Update Office 2008 from the Help menu in one of the Office applications, not by trying to launch the Microsoft AutoUpdate program manually.
Dealing with Doppelganger Folders in /Volumes (May 15 2008 21:50 GMT)
I've been working with CrashPlan Pro recently, seeding backups from my Macs to a 750 GB hard disk that will eventually live at a friend's house and serve as our offsite backup. It all went well for a while, but all of a sudden, CrashPlan Pro on each of the Macs started complaining that the destination Mac was out of disk space. That made no sense, given that my 750 GB disk had over 580 GB of free space, and everything was still set correctly in the CrashPlan interface. Late in the day, I sent email to the CrashPlan folks asking what might be going on. Before I heard back the next morning, however, Mac OS X warned me that my startup disk was almost out of space, so I fired up GrandPerspective to see where my disk space had gone.
Kensington SaddleBag Ultra: The Same Old Bag, in a Good Way (May 15 2008 21:22 GMT)
I've been using a Kensington SaddleBag to haul my laptop and associated crud around on trips for more years than I can remember. It's a messenger-style bag with a padded pocket for a laptop, another large pocket for gear, and a zippered pocket with lots of small internal pockets for cables, pens, business cards, and coins. There are also two external pockets, one on the big flap that closes the bag, and another on the back that's good for magazines. But what has always set the SaddleBag apart for me is a clever pocket on the outside flap that's sized perfectly for airline boarding passes (which I'm always nervous about dropping otherwise) and the hidden backpack straps in the back pocket. Although I usually rely on a nicely padded shoulder strap, there have been numerous times over the years where converting it to a backpack made for more comfortable carrying.
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