Info Manager for May 13, 2002

[*]  Double Whammy Hits Macromedia;   [*]  Interesting web sites;   [*]  Then Matt Johnson of NiMUG added: ;   [*]  Think Free Office;   [*]  iChat;   [*]  Jaquar;   [*]  OS 8.1 & 8.5.1 Petition;   [*]  Mac OSX Conference;   [*]  New Quickeys for Windows;   [*]  New submissions;   [*]  Compulsory Windows for Macs, and people without PCs?;   [*]  Scary A Non-Cookie Monitoring System;   [*]  SnapTalk Released;   [*]  Is OS 9 Dead?;   [*]  iPhoto 1.1 is now official;   [*]  Recycle CDs?;   [*]  Speculation!;   [*]  V.90 vs. V.92;   [*]  CD ruins iMac?;   [*]  IMHO: Netiquet;   [*]  NYC UG Events: Don't forget to register;   [*]  MUG Site of the Week: North Florida MUG, Jacksonville, FL.;   [*]  Web sites of the Week: Quotable Heinlein;   [*]  Web sites of the Week: Gov Benefits;   [*]  Quotes of the Week: numerous;  
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Double Whammy Hits Macromedia

According to an article in Intenet.com's Developer News, Macromedia got hit twice on the same day. First, the court ruled in favor of Adobe in a lawsuit case involving some copywrighted code in Flash. Then they were notified that an older version of Flash could make Internet Explorer users vulnerable to a hacker attack.
Full story at: http://www.internetnews.com/dev-news/article/0,,10_1035771,00.html

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Interesting web sites

Samantha in the Infinity Loop mailing list sent these web sites.
Some interesting stuff:
www.freeos.com
www.debian.org
www.winehq.com (free implication of windows for linux) http://www.linux.org/apps/index.html (free add-ons and software)
www.linuxarchives.com (freeware and etc)
Free Operating Systems Arizona State University Archives (AIOS) , OpenBSD Free multiplatform Unix based operating system , Yahoo! Computers and Internet > Software > Operating Systems lots of stuff for Mac and Windows http://www.freeos.com

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Then Matt Johnson of NiMUG added:

"Along the same vein, here's some good stuff....but all Mac OS X related."
Apple's Darwin site - http://www.publicsource.apple.com/projects/darwin/
FreeBSD, where Darwin is going - http://www.freebsd.org/
Fink - free software - http://fink.sourceforge.net/
GNU-Darwin - Free Software - http://gnu-darwin.sourceforge.net
OSX GNU - free software - http://www.osxgnu.org/
Darwin Developer info - http://darwinfo.org/
Darwin Ports - bringing FreeBSD ports to Darwin http://elisa.utopianet.net/~rlucia/devel/darwin_ports/"
and finally, the project that made Jordan Hubbard of FreeBSD fame give up his position on the core team, http://www.opendarwin.org/
Then Kevin Ryan added one more: http://www.linuxiso.org/ http://www.linuxiso.org/

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Think Free Office

An article in the Vancouver Sun touts Think Free Office suite as an alternative for Mac OSX users to MS Office. While it really isn't free, it is much cheaper than either Office X or AppleWorks. It sell for $49.99. You can read the article about this Java based application at: ... http://www.canada.com/vancouver/vancouversun/story.asp?id={1D0F4082-2FCE-4C58-BB69-295C47B08C1A}

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iChat

Insanely Great Mac and many other sources reported on the AIM compatible chat software that Apple is going to offer with its "Jaguar" version of OSX. It is called iChat and will be available with the OS update at "The end of the summer." Which knowing Apple, probably means September 20th. Full story at: ... http://www.insanely-great.com/news.php?id=362

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Jaquar

Speaking of Jaguar, John Cambra's Apple Advocate newsletter* list the main features of Jaquar as:
* iChat, Apple's new AIM-compatible instant messaging software that is built into Mac OS X and integrated with the new Mail and Address Book applications;
* QuickTime(r) 6, the first complete solution for industry standard MPEG-4 video and AAC audio streaming;
* Rendezvous, Apple's proposed new industry standard for automatic discovery of computers, devices, and services on IP networks (i.e., Ethernet, AirPort(r));
* Address Book, Apple's new system-wide database for managing contact information;
* Finder?, now enhanced with spring-loaded folders and new instant searching;
* Sherlock(r) 3, Apple's all-new Internet search and services tool;
* Quartz? Extreme, the hardware accelerated Quartz graphics and compositing engine;
* UNIX Tools, the latest UNIX advancements including FreeBSD 4.4 updates, the new GCC 3 compiler, IPv6 and IPSec; and
* Windows Support, for increased compatibility with Windows networks with SMB browsing and sharing as well as built-in PPTP VPN security. http://www.apple.com/macosx/

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OS 8.1 & 8.5.1 Petition

Nicholas Pyers sent in a message via the InfoManager Input box concerning a petition to get Apple to release the above mentioned Systems on their web site for downloading in the same manner as OS 7.5.3.
__ Unfortunately, that would still keep Mac groups from re-distributing them, but at least they would be available to users of older Macs.
__ You can sign the petition at: http://www.PetitionOnline.com/macos8x/petition.html

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Mac OSX Conference

Meanwhile, O'Reilly & Associates are getting ready for an Mac OSX conference to be held in Santa Clara's Westin from Septmber 30th to October 3rd. If you are interested in producing material at that conference, contact O'Reilly via their web site: http://conferences.oreilly.com/macosxcon/

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New Quickeys for Windows

Sue Nail of CE Software also submitted the report that CE has released version 2.5 of Quickeys for Windows computers.
__ The new version works with XP and as any person who has used QK will tell you is an indispensible utility. I have a copy on my PC at my full time job. (Although not 2.5). One of the great features of version 2.5 is that you can transfer your macros from your Mac and use them in the Windows world.
More details at: http://www.cesoft.com/home/pressrel/020430-qkw25release.html

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New submissions

The above three stories were all submitted to the "INFO" link on the UGN web site. You to can submitting your story or information for us to check out by going to http://www.user-groups.net/InfoManager/INFO.html

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Compulsory Windows: for Macs, and people without PCs?

In an article with the above title, the Register explains that a new license agreement that Microsoft is pushing includes Macs in the mix of counting computers in schools. The second half, about including people that don't even have a PC is in a CURRENT agreement with UK schools. An interesting read.
__ I wonder if the judge in the anti-trust case as seen these?
Full article at: http://www.theregister.co.uk/content/4/25179.html

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Scary: A Non-Cookie Monitoring System

In another story, the Register reports on a "son of cookie" software that monitors Internet users without leaving cookies and as such can be done completely without the users knowledge. The company, Scottish Enterprise has been granted a patent on the technology.
The feature list includes:
* can be individually customised for any web visitor;
* can collect information rather than return pre-downloaded data.
* can be reconfigured remotely;
* are difficult to detect and delete;
* can be used to block access to sites, documents, data, emails, etc., based on content,
* can be preferentially customised for each user.
Really scary!
Read the Register story at: http://www.theregister.co.uk/content/6/25182.html
Or get the complete info from the horse's mouth at: http://www.scottish-enterprise.com/businessstart/academics/pocf/latest/commtech02/?PageId=600083

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SnapTalk Released

One of my favorite companies, Glass Bead Software announced on May 8, that I had released SnapTalk 3 for Mac OS X. This version offers secure encrypted messaging over TCP/IP as well as over AppleTalk. It is backward compatible to OS 8.1 and OS 9. There is a quite reasonable licensing fee of $19 per users. With even better pricing for educational and non-profit groups.
New features include:
* Encryption to keep discussions and files secure when sent over the Internet
* Ability to drag, drop and transfer entire folders as well as files
* Automatic compression for all attachments for faster file transfers
* Quick reply sets that allow unlimited customizable responses
* Two separate lines for simultaneous conversations
* Groups for quick messages to multiple people
* Sophisticated archiving that enables dialogue to be titled, dated, and reopened for continuation at a later date.
* A 'While You Were Out' log to see who called when you were away
* Ability to send hot-linked URLs that open up a web browser when double clicked
* Timestamps for easy referencing of messages
* Intuitive user interface for easy menu navigation
contact Gabrielle King at gaby@glassbead.com or call 978-263-9956
More information at: http://www.glassbead.com/snaptalk/index.html

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Is OS 9 Dead?

Fred Showker posted this to the Talk mail list: "Steve Jobs has announced at the WWDC that 'OS/9 is DEAD'
__ "Now, that's exactly what you would expect him to say,
__ however wouldn't it be interesting if you really knew?
__ "AACUG has posted a survey to see how people stand with their OS and I'd like to see folks here on the TALK list, encourage YOUR members to complete the survey. Then we'll get some numbers we can look at and see.http://www.aacug.org/Feedback/OS9.html

"Pass the links along to other lists too. The more numbers the better the survey. No worry about privacy, including name and email address is optional. (Only leave your email if you want to be party to the ongoing results.)"
__ I have been pushing user groups not to forget their OS9 and earlier members. This is a good chance to see just how much those Systems are still in use. http://www.aacug.org/Feedback/OS9.html

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iPhoto 1.1 is now official

The new version of iPhoto has been re-posted to the Apple web site.
You can read about it at MacWorld UK: http://www.macworld.co.uk/news/main_news.cfm?NewsID=4628
Or just download it at: http://www.apple.com/uk/iphoto/

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Recycle CDs?

David Plotnikoff in a column in the Dallas Morning News (reprinted from Mercury News) reports that
__ "The good folks at the Silicon Valley Toxics Coalition have located two recycling companies that will take junk CDs by the box or the truckload.
BTW - David's columns are well written and are Mac friendly. I would provide a link, except that the Morning News recently threatened legal action against someone who didn't use a link to their home page. You are probably better off searching the Mercurynews.com web site anyway.
[Editor's Note: In a case against About.com, (2000) the California Supreme Court established that "deep linking" is, in fact, legal. I searched and searched for the referenced article but after about 20 querries, and as many web pages we gave up. It's either no longer there, or not indexed. It didn't turn up under "Plotnikoff" either.article reference mentioned above.] http://www.svtc.org/cleancc/recycle/cdrecycle.htm

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Speculation!

The Mercury News has gone overboard on a statement that Steve Jobs made at the World Wide Developers Conference. He said something about Apple's future will have much to do with communication devices. From that they go on to speculate about what devices that could mean. Hand-helds? Phones? Etc.
An interesting read at: http://www.siliconvalley.com/mld/siliconvalley/3225849.htm

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V.90 vs. V.92

Have you been asked about the difference between V.90 and V.92 modems? They really don't vary much, but the difference is speed in connection.
For a full story on the differences look at: http://compnetworking.about.com/library/weekly/aa112100a.htm?terms=v.92

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CD ruins iMac?

Ron Carlson on Insanely Great Mac reports that a new CD by Celine Dion (A New Day Has Come) has a copy protection scheme that affects the ROM on some iMacs and renders it useless. A Mac dealer in the UK has protested this to the Campaing for Digital Rights. There are other CDs that have the same protection or soon will have mentioned in the story. For information on copy protection see CDR's website at: http://uk.eurorights.org/
Ron's story is at: http://www.insanely-great.com/news.php?id=397

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IMHO: Netiquet

I really put my foot in it this week. I forwarded to the Talk mailing list a piece of material from the US Census department that gave some, somewhat interesting statistics concerning Mothers. This was produced for republication to be used to honor Mothers for the Mother's day holiday here in the United States. (May 12th).
__ A person objected to my posting via private mail and I replied to that posting via the mailing list. What I was looking for was to get a discussion going on the differences of opinion on my posting as well as to get a discussion going on spam in general. I should not have placed the person's name in the mailing list and for that I humbly apologize and will take steps not to repeat myself in the future. In the world of Netiquet, I goofed, but in doing so I learned. I hope others do as well.
__ Something else that I found quite surprising was a personal attack made by another member on the person whom I quoted. Personal attacks are never appropriate in any user group forum. This particular forum is meant for constructive discussion about user groups. How to make them better, how to server our members more efficiently, etc. Calling someone "stupid" or "evil" really doesn't do anyone any good. All it does is set off defensive mechanisms including the defense of running away and leaving the discussion. Everyone has constructive ideas.
__ We should keep focused on those ideas, not on namecalling.

Meanwhile, I am planning a column in June dedicated to the issue of spam and would like to hear how you are handling it the growth of that industry. I know that my primary AOL account, (now its 12th year) is 99.9% advertisements now. Not all are spam, as I agree to some advertising to get added to a few mailing lists. Of course, that was before I knew how much was going to be sent my way.
__ So what do you do? Report it to the SPAM COP? To your providers? To the spammer's provider? Thanks

* You can contribute to the User Group Unsolicited Email lobby being developed by the Association of Apple Computer Users & Groups by voicing your "Spam" feedback at AACUG.org's online form. Just use the voting poll at: http://www.aacug.org/SpeakOut.html

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NYC UG Events: Don't forget to register

* User Group University 7/16 7 AM to 8:30 PM *UGU*
* The Adobe UG Leader Breakfast is 7/18 7-10 *Adobe*
* The Apple UG Leader Breakfast is 7/19 7-10*Apple*

All events are at the New Yorker Hotel , 481 Eighth Avenue (at 34th Street), just a few blocks from the Expo.
__ Be sure to print out your confirmation and take it with you. I missed out a couple of years ago because I didn't. http://www.apple.com/usergroups/

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MUG Site of the Week: North Florida MUG, Jacksonville, FL.

This is a very colorful and well done web site. But what I like best is its usefulness. It has an extensive help list with phone numbers. (Brave people) And also has a good Classified section. They also have a copy of their newsletter posted in PDF format with advertising rates. Great idea. An newsletter should be a breakeven project, not an expense.
So check it out at: http://www.nfmug.org/

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Web sites of the Week: Quotable Heinlein

I have mentioned in the past. (A couple of years ago now.) That Robert Heinlein was one of my favorite authors and that he has a number of great quotations. Like: "Sure the game is rigged, but if you don't play you can't win." Here is a web site dedicated to his quotes. http://www.quotableheinlein.com/

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Web sites of the Week: Gov Benefits

The Federal Government seems to take a step back on the web everytime there is a change in administration. We are now starting to see some of the new sites brought together by the Bush group. This one on Benefits seems to be one of the most worthwhile of the bunch. See what you can qualify for at: http://www.govbenefits.gov/

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Quotes of the Week: numerous

"You have not converted a man because you have silenced him."
__ John Morley (via Information Week Daily report)
* "He who establishes his argument by noise and command shows that his reason is weak."
__ Michel de Montaigne (via Information Week Daily report)
* "The moment you commit and quit holding back, all sorts of unforeseen incidents, meetings and material assistance will rise up to help you. The simple act of commitment is a powerful magnet for help."
__ Napoleon Hill, Author of "Think And Grow Rich"
* " Education's purpose is to replace an empty mind with an open one."
__ Malcom Forbes
* "Tell me who admires you and loves you, and I will tell you who you are."
__ Charles-Augustin Sainte-Beuve http://www.user-groups.net/InfoManager/quotes.html

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News and Info you can use...

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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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