Info Manager for July 29, 2002

[*]  Found Money;   [*]  More on .mac;   [*]  .mac alternatives;   [*]  "Switched" Parody;   [*]  Maps on the Web;   [*]  $9.95 Annual e-mail;   [*]  Intel planning portable media device;   [*]  Another Switched to Mac parody;   [*]  And one about "switched" to .mac;   [*]  MacFans adds Job Listings;   [*]  All-in-One PC;   [*]  After Dark is back and for OSX;   [*]  New wireless iPod transmitter;   [*]  CoolMacStuff;   [*]  iPod warranty now 1 year?;   [*]  Corvallis MUG correction;   [*]  The Entire Backfile of New York Times has been digitized;   [*]  Cross platform plug-ins for FileMaker Pro 6.0;   [*]  Keyboard on the screen;   [*]  Let Steve know what you think about .Mac;   [*]  Flower Power for OS X... just ten bucks!;   [*]  Microsoft pledges to spend over $5 Billion on research;   [*]  Mug Web Site of the Week: Syracuse Macintosh Users Group;   [*]  Quote of the Week: Peter Drucker;   [*]  Fifth Monday!
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Found Money

A year ago, I used an Internet web site to find money that I had put into financial institutions decades ago and never claimed. While not a fortune, it was nice to get that money back. Now, the Federal government has made it easy to look for those accounts and much cheaper. Get info at: http://www.firstgov.gov/Citizen/Topics/Money_Owed.shtml

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More on .mac

(Note apparently it is officially both .mac and .Mac as Apple uses both on their web site.)
      Ray Thompson one of the founders of the Apple Corp of Dallas, wrote to say that he had found information on MacInTouch that indicated that one reason Apple backed off from the free service was to make it more difficult for pirates and spammers to use a .mac e-mail and home page to do their nasty deeds. This ia apparently a very expensive proposition. for details . . . http://www.macintouch.com/

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.mac alternatives

Randy Singer, co-author of: The Macintosh Bible (4th, 5th and 6th editions, psted the following to the EvangeList:
      "For folks who are looking for a more economical alternative to Apple's new .Mac services: Free E-Mail Addresses (here is a good-sized list of companys that offer them) http://www.emailaddresses.com/email_pop.htm
* Backup

* LaCie SilverKeeper (FREE!) http://www.silverkeeper.com/...(click for a picture)
* BackupToolkit $10 http://www.fwb.com/cs/btk/main.html
* iMsafe $15 <http://homepage.mac.com/iMsafe/>
* Synk X $15 http://mypage.uniserve.ca/~rvoth/synk4_target.htm
* Revival $25 http://homepage.mac.com/revivalSoftware/
* Tri-BACKUP $49 http://www.tri-edre.com/
* Synchronize! Pro X $100 http://www.qdea.com/
* Retrospect $49(Express)/$149 http://www.dantz.com/
      "There are no free anti-viral software packages for OS X. But then again, at least for now, there are no viruses that infect OS X."
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Fred Showker says:

      "I just spent the last hour investigating the "SilverKeeper" program recommended by Randy -- to my surprise it was included on the LaCie CD which came with my 40gb Pocket Drive purchased at Macworld. The program is really outstanding in its simplicity and efficiency." http://www.silverkeeper.com/

      "... if you're hankering for some portable storage, I can recommend the LaCie Pocket Drive -- it is both FireWire and USB, and comes with everything you need. I got mine at the TEKSERVE booth (the one made out of duct tape and mailing tubes!) : 40gb = $179.00 ... the deal is good through the end of the month. That's 212-929-3645. Tell them Fred Showker, UGN sent you!" http://www.tekserve.com/
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"Switched" Parody

This is a funny parody of the Switched commercials. (Who says Mac people don't have a sense of humor?) (Note: MacSurfer.com provided the link, once I went into its source code to find it.) More info: http://ugo.com/channels/games/features/switch/media/switch.mov

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Maps on the Web

One of the many magazines I subscribe to is Searcher. It is aimed at database professionals. In the June 2002 issue, Irene McDermott recommends a number of web sites for maps.
      First Map Portals -- The USGS National Mapping Information site at: http://mapping.usgs.gov/ and from the US Census Gazetteer at: http://www.census.gov/cgi-bin/gazetteer. Both of these use government data in the maps. The first does resources and the second has demographic information.
      Then comes the directional maps. MapQuest.com has long been my favorite to get traveling directions, but Irene also recommends Maps On Us at http://mapsonus.switchboard.com/index.cgi and MapBlast at http://www.mapblast.com/myblast/index.mb. Maps On Us draws a map and then allows you to put in an address. (Could be useful in showing people where your meeting site is located.) MapBlast gives directions in 200 countries. Meanwhile, Maps.com has more detail than the earlier ones.
      Ms. McDermott goes on to show sites that include educational uses and historical maps, then topographic maps and maps that show hazards. Additionally there are aerial maps and extraterrestrial maps. For the full story, go to: http://www.infotoday.com/searcher/jun02/mcdermott.htm

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$9.95 Annual e-mail

Ron Carlson at Insanely Great Mac is reporting that MacOSX.com is offering mailboxes starting at $9.95 a year. He reports that the service is actually contracted to DigitalCrowd, who has been providing macsrule.com email accounts since 1996. So they do have a track record of sorts. It uses SpamAssassin as an option for filtering. So if you really need a cheaper account than .mac and don't want the ads, this is something to check out. Read the full story at: http://www.insanely-great.com/news.php?id=706

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Intel planning portable media device

News.com ran an article with the above title. It says that Intel is going to introduce software and hardware that will help computer companies to build a device that can store and play digital media.
      It would be the size of a paperback book and use USB2.0 and 802.11b for transferring from a PC. Sounds a lot like an iPod but may be not limited to audio since they keep saying media and not MP3. It should sell for about $400. Full story at: http://news.com.com/2100-1040-945968.html?tag=fd_top

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Another Switched to Mac parody

Is at: - http://www.ubergeek.tv/switchback/

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And one about "switched" to .mac

This one concerns .mac. - http://fury.com/assets/weblog/bait_and_switch.mov

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MacFans adds Job Listings

Thanks to MacMinute.com for pointing out that MacFans now has a Macintosh specific job board. See it at: http://jobs.macfans.com/jobs/?category=jobs&action=main

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All-in-One PC

On the NewsFactor Network, last Thursday there was a story about a new "all-in-one PC" that the manufacturer is claiming really appeals to Mac users, even though it is a Pentium 4 machine. It is from Northgate Innovations and is also "a TV, digital film producer, recording studio, FM radio and DVD home theater."
      While I have long said that Apple should include a video tuner in its iMac, I really find it hard to believe that this would tempt Mac users. Although it may keep some potential switchers from making the change. It sell for the same price as the 17" G4 iMac, but comes with a 15" XGA LCD, a 1.8GHz Celeron, DDR 266 support, built-in speakers, one FireWire port and four USB ports. Personally, I don't think this one will sell any better than the other "iMac clones". Full story at: http://www.newsfactor.com/perl/story/18748.html

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After Dark is back and for OSX

My nephew David told me about this story. Infinisys is brining After Dark to OSX. The cool thing here is that it uses Apple's screen saver, just adds the modules. That way there is no conflict with After Dark. As the old times will tell you that in the old systems every time Apple updated the OS, we had to get an update for After Dark from Berkley Systems because of the conflicts. That is the main reason I quit using it. While the monitors don't require screen savers, they are still fun. (Now if they would just do "Bad Dog".) Full story is on MacObserver at: http://www.macobserver.com/article/2002/07/25.9.shtml

* After Dark for OS X is US$20 from Infinsys' online store at: http://en.infinisys.co.jp/product/adx/

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New wireless iPod transmitter

Griffin Technology has announced the iTrip, a small FM transmitter that attaches to the top of the iPod and receives music that can be passed on to home and car stereo systems. It will even allow you to pick the frequencies to broadcast so you don't have any interference. (Over 100 to choose from domestically).
      It is scheduled to start shipping in September for only $29.95. Full story at: http://www.macminute.com/lib/020717itrip.shtml

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CoolMacStuff

A web site by that uses the above name really does have lots of Mac stuff I have never seen before. You need to check it out. I've sent you here before. . . http://www.coolmacstuff.com

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iPod warranty now 1 year?

Speaking of YourMacLife, Chris Breen of MacWorld magazine was on the show last week promoting his new book, "Secrets of the iPod". Chris stated that Apple has increased the warranty of the iPod from 90 days to a full year. You can find out if your iPod is still under warranty by going to Apple's web site, to the iPod support area. There is a place to enter your serial number and they will tell you if it is still under warranty.
      (I couldn't find it in about a 20 minute search, but I believe Chris when he said it was there. If you find it, please send me the URL.) Try this: http://www.info.apple.com/usen/ipod/

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Corvallis MUG correction

Darn those fingers that can't type what I mean. Got an e-mail from a member of CMUG that reminded me that their URL is: http://www.cmug.com/.
      Also we were reminded that the Applue User Group Regional Liaison for the Northwest is a CMUG member, Steve Welsh. He can be reached at oregonsteve@mac.com for input to the Advisory Board or any other Apple User Group topics. Visit CMUG at: http://www.cmug.com/

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The Entire Backfile of New York Times has been digitized

We got input from an AACUG member that ProQuest Information and Learning has announced that it has completely digitized every backfile issue (1851-1999) of "The New York Times." That includes all stories, editorials, photos, and ads from 1851 up to the time that the Times started putting stories on the Web. Content can be searched by keyword and other parameters, or users can flip through pages just as would be done with a printed version. Unfortunately the almost three million pages of text and makes the content available only to library or education subscribers to ProQuest.
Thanks to: Mark Sanders, list Mom of GCC-L & GRAPHIC COMM CENTRAL Services of Virginia Tech http://teched.vt.edu/gcc/html/Listserv.html) Full story at: http://www.infotoday.com/newsbreaks/wnd020722.htm

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Cross platform plug-ins for FileMaker Pro 6.0

24U company carefully tested a compatibility of all its FileMaker plug-ins with a new version of FileMaker Pro 6.0. All 24U plug-ins are fully cross-platform compatible and they natively run in FileMaker Pro 4.0 to 6.0 versions!
* What are the 24U plug-ins for?
      The 24U plug-ins extend possibilities of your FileMaker by useful functions that you often miss in it. It offers you powerful tools for creating your own solutions based on FileMaker Pro, it saves your valuable time, and at the same time it stays simple to use! (Click for a Picture) Details at: http://www.24uSoftware.com/pr/

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Keyboard on the screen

Also submitted by news@aacug.org is this information about TouchStrokes, a virtual keyboard for touch screens, server management and graphic tablet users.
      TouchStrokes 1.5 now not only natively on Mac OS X but also on Mac OS 9.
      All of this in a single application without the need for any special extensions. A fully-functional virtual keyboard that allows you to type characters into any normal application using a mouse, touch screen, graphic tablet, trackball, head pointer or other mouse emulator. TouchStrokes 1.5 is free for current users, while the full version is available for US$95.00.
      You can download a trial version at: http://www.assistiveware.com/download.html, or see a picture
      Or get more information at: http://www.assistiveware.com/touchstrokes.html

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Let Steve know what you think about .Mac

Fred Showker reminded me that there is an easy way for us to sound off about .Mac. I know there has been a massive discussion I the AUGB mailing list. But Steve doesn't subscribe to it. Who knows, we might even be able to influence a decision. (Doubtful, but possible.) Input feedback at: http://www.apple.com/feedback/mac/gtm.html

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Flower Power for OS X... just ten bucks!

Besides the previously mentioned AfterDark, there is a shareware screen saver for OS X that is pretty interesting. Astral Blossom features a constantly changing colorful display of luminous, geometric, kaleidoscopic, psychedelic, generative art. Multiple sets of mathematically generated 'flower petals' are rendered dynamically with beautiful transparent color combinations generated by Astral Blossom's internal color synthesizer. It's just US$9.95! Click here to download the: Astral Blossom Demo, or... Get more info at: http://www.imaja.com/astralblossom/index.html

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Microsoft pledges to spend over $5 Billion on research

That's right MS has saying that they need to prepare for the future and will spend on research about what Apple receives in sales over the next year. So they will be hiring expanding their workforce by about 10 percent to 55,000 people. No word on how many of those will be in the Macintosh Business Unit. Full story at: http://www.siliconvalley.com/mld/siliconvalley/3737266.htm

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Mug Web Site of the Week: Syracuse Macintosh Users Group

(SMUG) of Syracuse, NY
      There are a number of SMUGs around the country. This is one of the largest hitting about 350 members. The web site has the OSX Aqua look. They post their newsletter on line here in html, but it appears they have taken the additional step of formatting it so that it will print out in 8 ½ x 11 format as well. (Not everyone that uses html realizes that some members still want a hard copy.)
      They report that even though they have a large meeting room with nice displays for their main meeting, their SIGs help to maintain the feel of a small group. Web site at: URL: http://www.dreamscape.com/smug/

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Quote of the Week: Peter Drucker

"Nothing is less productive than to make more efficient what should not be done at all."
      - Peter Drucker

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Fifth Monday

Normally I have been leaving the 5th Monday without any extra input. But I have a couple of minutes and an important topic. As I said earlier, there has been a tremendous amount of discussion on the AUGB Leader mailing list and other places concerning .mac. That discussion has at times been pretty heated and not always rational. Chris and Macbeth pointed out that as UG Leaders, our responsibility is to support our members in deciding how to make a rational decision about whether .mac is worth the extra costs to that particular member. Not to react without thought to how it appears to us.
      Chris said: "I think you've jumped in with a very timely thought among all the controversy flying about. I've been faced with needing to answer to questions from my own group in a way that will build up, encourage and bring enthusiasm to the group. That "full objective perspective from all our members" isn't always easy to do, but I find it very rewarding." That my friends is the challenge we all face. What can we do to server our member, get them involved so that only a few don't do all the work. I see new faces getting involved in the Apple Corp of Dallas and that is very gratifying. Remember, the more you participate, the more you receive. http://www.acd.org/

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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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