Info Manager

Info Manager for September 22, 2003

[*]   IMHO - Mac Vs. PC

[*]   icWord v. 3.0

[*]   LCD Prices Expected To Fall

[*]   Google Searches Go Local

[*]   Kazaa Turns the Table on RIAA

[*]   Homework Helpers*

[*]   .Mac gets 3 new features

[*]   Computer sales rebound?

[*]   MacWindows

[*]   StuffIt Deluxe 8.0

[*]   Prefs Overload 5.3.1 is Back for OS X

[*]   Virus / Worm Attachments

[*]   Wireless Hacking

[*]   For Photoshop Users

[*]   Got more than one Mac on your desk?

[*]   New concept: Clipboard Sharing

[*]   Quotes: de Montaigne; Clarke; von Goeth; Buscaglia; Ionesco and Disney

 

IMHO - Mac Vs. PC

I recently had a friend who is a long time Mac user tell me that he was tired of the whole Mac vs. PC argument. That is really isn't that important any more and that PCs do the job as well as Mac. While I feel that you can get most of the jobs done on the PC you want to do, it is more difficult and thus take more time and since time is money, that means it also costs more.
      But the issue I really have is that the more people that take his attitude, the more likely we are to wind up with only Microsoft products to deal with. This makes the Mac vs. PC issue a matter of life or death for our favorite fruit company in the near future. Eventually, all these computer companies will have to diversify enough to remove their dependence on one product.
      Apple has done it with the iTunes Music Store, the iPod and of course their stores. Dell has announced that they are following in Apple and Gateway's path, by offering a music store, an MP3 player and a flat panel TV to consumers. Even HP recently announce a bunch of new consumer electronics to complement their printers and image devices. But, in the mean time, we must continue the good fight so that we can continue to do our work on our preferred platform. Got comments?

icWord v. 3.0

Ariel Phorles of Panergy has written to say that Panergy has now released a new version of icWord. This is a neat piece of software that will allow you to open, view convert and print Microsoft Word (.doc) and AppleWorks/ClarisWorks (.cwk) files with all the original formatting preserved. It also opens Microsoft PowerPoint files. And at a price of on $19.95 it is a steal. More information is available at Panergy-software.com

LCD Prices Expected To Fall

Forbes is saying that the prices for LCD screens are going to continue to go down after a spike in early 2003. Manufacturers are building additional plants and demand is expected to level out. However, 15 inch panels may be in short supply as they are ramping up to make 17 inch ones. Read the full story at: Forbes.com

Google Searches Go Local

It is now possible to restrict Google searches to particular locations. This is good for saying finding a tire company or a doctor in a specific city. It should return not only localized results, but a map where appropriate. Try it out at Google.com

Kazaa Turns the Table on RIAA

Kazaa's maker (Sharman Networks), has filed copyright suit against music and movie companies, turning the tables on the RIAA. Kazaaha's suit against the companies claims they illegally copied the Kazaa software and modified it to monitor downloads. One more chapter in a continuing soap opera. Maybe the music and movie companies will eventually realize it is bad business to sue your customers. Full story at: Bayarea.com

Homework Helpers*

Our friend over at the Internet Tourbus newsletter/web site has done it again. In his most recent issue, he talks about educational websites for teachers, students and parents. But I want to mention a few of the Homework Helpers here.

1) HOMEWORK SPOT - A free homework information portal that features the K-12 homework-related sites. This lists resources for English, math, science, history, art, music, technology, foreign language, college prep, health, life skills, extracurricular activities and more.

2) INFOPLEASE HOMEWORK CENTER - Lists useful information by subject area, how to develop better writing, note-taking and study skills, and the ability to search through previous questions and answers from other students.

3) THE KIDS ON THE WEB - Kids on the Web has links for Homework Tools, Educational Sites and more.

.Mac gets 3 new features

I never wanted to pay the subscription fee over at Version Tracker for the Plus version, although I use it and have recommended it to hundreds of MUG members over the years. .Mac providing us with a free account to VersionTracker Plus REALLY adds value to the membership. Or you can get the Pro version for 1Ú2 price. Really a good idea for an administrator.
      The second new feature is an iBlog capability with free software to use for doing blogging. That is not as useful to me, but certainly should be of interest to a lot of people.
      The third item is a Public Beta of Backup 2. This come along with a $30 discount on Firewire external drives. I know I could use a better backup system. Get all the details at:
Mac.com

Computer sales rebound?

Business Week is saying that there appears to be a renewed interest in the corporate computer market. And that Apple along with Dell is well positioned to take advantage of the opportunities. Full story at Businessweek

MacWindows

I haven't visited this sight in a while. I used to go there occasionally when I was supporting clients with PC cards in their Macs. But MacWindows deals with all kinds of issues involved running VirtualPC and other emulators as well as those older cards. It is a very useful for site for those with these issues. Check it out at macwindows

StuffIt Deluxe 8.0

I wonder if Raymond Lau is still involved in his creation. It is hard to believe that StuffIt is now sitting at version 8.0. This version to me is what 7.0 should have been. It would appear to an OS X piece of software instead of just a port. Our friends over at TidBITS has done a really good review of it. And remember that Adam Engst has always give permission to user groups to reprint his articles in their NEWSLETTERS. (If your newsletter is web based, then provide the link to the TidBITS web site. If not be sure to give TidBITS credit.) Visit Aladdin at: Stuffit.com

Prefs Overload 5.3.1 is Back for OS X

This long-favored utility has now returned in version 5.3.1, to help you manage your preference files on Mac OS 9 and Mac OS X. PrefsOverload is a full-featured tool for managing your Preference Files -- those files in which applications store their settings and other information. It Scans for non-standard Preferences folder, so you can scan Preferences folders of all operating systems on your computer (including MacOS X) and of all MacOS X users, logging in as root user. A full PDF help file is included, and it runs on every Mac with a PPC Processor -- Prefs Overload 5.3.1 is just $15 shareware

Virus / Worm Attachments

We mentioned this fantastic free utility from PandaWare in the August InfoManager, but since there have been so many new subscribers, I wanted to get the word out again:
      PandaWare is offering a free AppleScript solution that watches a user's download folder for files whose extension is ".pif" or ".scr", and moves such files to the trash. If your email program automatically downloads email attachments then you should get this.
      Fred pointed out last week via the InfoManager list and the AUGD list that this new outbreak of the modified SoBig has increased dramatically over the past few weeks. The file masquerades as an "official" release from Microsoft, so it's catching many users unaware.
      Now, at least you can move those worm attachments to the trash with this simple and free solution for Mac OS X users at Pandaware.com

Wireless Hacking

O'Reilly has added another "Hacks" book to the growing family, this time it's "Wireless Hacks." Written for the intermediate to advanced wireless user, "Wireless Hacks" is full of direct, practical, ingenious solutions to real-world networking problems. Whether your wireless network needs to extend to the edge of your office or to the other end of town, this collection of non-obvious, "from the field" techniques will show you how to get the job done.
      Several sample wireless hacks, including "Passive Scanning with KisMAC," "'Brought to you by' Rendezvous Ad Redirector," and "Aligning Antennas at Long Distances," are available free online.
You can read a free, online excerpt from author Eric S. Raymond -- "How to Become a Hacker"

For Photoshop Users

Before you waste your money on that next Photoshop tips book, or going to Florida for a Photoshop convention, check out Auto FX Software's fabulous new collection of Photoshop effects. If you're a Photoshop user, and like to add artistic enhancements, but don't want to dig through a book to find one example, how about having thousands at your fingertips?
      This newest release of Photo/Graphic Edges now enables anyone, not just artists, to achieve beautiful works of art with their photographs. There are 14 visual effects in all, each with a control panel that lets you make literally thousands of variations on each effect. You should go to their web site -- get coffee while it loads -- and enjoy some truly amazing eye candy 'rolling over' each image to see the before and after effects. The new effects are: Acid Edge, Ambient Brush, Burned Edge, Distort Edge, Edge Brush, Edges, Frames, Montage, Photo Border, Photo Tabs, Putty Edges, Smudged Edge, Transfer and Vignette. Take a peek at the new Auto FX

Got more than one Mac on your desk?

You need the KMremoteControl -- so you can use only one keyboard/mouse to operate all the Macs and PCs on your desk. It's great for laptops and runs on Windows 2000/XP or Mac OS X 10.2. Visit the KMremoteControl1 web site

New concept: Clipboard Sharing

Derman Enterprises has announced ClipCommControl a program that lets you to share your Mac's clipboard with other Macs on the network. Works on all versions of the Mac OS. Now, that's an interesting concept. Try ClipCommControl1 and see if you agree.

Quotes: de Montaigne; Clarke; von Goeth; Buscaglia; Ionesco and Disney

"Let us permit nature to have her way; she understands her business better than we do."
      - Michel de Montaigne

"The only way of discovering the limits of the possible is to venture a little way past them into the impossible.
      - Arthur C Clarke

"It is the great triumph of genius to make the common appear novel."
      - Johann W. von Goethe

"When you get to the end of your rope, tie a knot and hang on and swing!"
      - Leo Buscaglia

"It isn't what people think that is important, but the reason they think what they think."
      - Eugene Ionesco

"It's kind of fun to do the impossible.
      - Walt Disney

 
      pau

 
* Mentioned above: To subscribe to the Internet TourBus or to see back issues go to:
http://www.TOURBUS.com

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Also see: MUG NEWS bursts from the AACUG Mac User Guide (MUG)

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The InfoManager invites user groups to use his column in full or in pieces in their newsletter. Or add a link to their web site. He would appreciate word that you are doing so however and if you can, please send a pdf version of the newsletter for his perusal. Or provide him with a link. The address is InfoManager@user-groups.net. You can also use that address for feed back.

The Info Manager is a veteran of the UGN (AOL User Groups Forum) and User Group Network. He's been a supporter and volunteer on many, many UGNet and User Group Academy projects. As a long time user group member, he's served as volunteer from Honolulu to Boston and many points in between. Currently working with the Apple Corp of Dallas, the Dallas Mac Pack, Cowtown MUG of Ft. Worth and TUMS (the Tulsa Users of Macintosh Society) doing newsletter articles and the monthly CD-ROM Update. Post a lead Info Manager should follow up on.

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