Info Manager for August 19, 2002

[*]  Software Choice;   [*]  RIP: XLR8?;   [*]  AOL version for Mac user Netscape technology;   [*]  MS to micro-manage your computer ;   [*]  HyperCard back in the press;   [*]  Arrogance, Thy Name Is Microsoft;   [*]  DEF CON (How safe is your network?);   [*]  PrintChef;   [*]  Junkyard Trademark?;   [*]  August 23rd: Special Night at all Apple Stores;   [*]  Iomega announces the750MB Zip drive;   [*]  "Report: It's the Slump Killing Music Sales, Not CD Burners, Stupid.";   [*]  Netscape Communicator 4.8 released for Classic ;   [*]  Earthlink goes to WiFi;   [*]  Web site of the Week: Peep Research;   [*]  MUG of the Week MacValley User Group;   [*]  Quote of the Week: Gassee, Twain;   [*]  TBA: Fund Raising
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Software Choice

In an article entitled: "MS 'Software Choice' scheme a clever fraud" The Register points out that this is merely a scheme to keep people from using open source software. Do they really believe they can convince people that they are choosing when Microsoft becomes the only choice for web browser?
Full story at: http://www.theregister.co.uk/content/4/26616.html

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RIP: XLR8?

Is it possible for companies to survive making Mac upgrade cards?
     First Newer, now XLR8 has died. I know that Newer is trying to make a comeback, but I get the distinct impression that it is getting harder and harder to produce these things at a profit. Read Ron Carlson's article
     Later on August 12, MacMinute quotes the president of Other World Computing that XLR8 is reevaluating where it wants to go with its business. So it might yet return.
That story is at: http://www.macminute.com

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AOL version for Mac user Netscape technology

Reuters reported on August 12th, that AOL's new version for OSX uses Netscape as its browser instead of the version of Internet Explorer that has been shipped with previous versions. This is quite possibly a step in moving all 35 million subscribers to Netscape.
http://www.aol.com/

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MS to micro-manage your computer

According to a news story done on MacOSRadio.net last Monday night, Microsoft has a big interest in controlling what we do with our PCs and other electronic devices. They have formed an organization called The Trusted Computing Platform Alliance, or TCPA. Other founding members are: Compaq, HP, IBM, and Intel.
     The idea is to design new PCs from the ground up with security in mind. However, it really sounds like BIG BROTHER without government intervention. You should check out the stories at: Newsweek
And for a more independent view at: Internet News,
      One more reason to buy a Mac.
Go to the horse's mounth at: http://www.trustedcomputing.org/tcpaasp4/index.asp

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HyperCard back in the press

Wired has a couple of articles on Apple's HyperCard. "HyperCard Forgotten, but Not Gone" and "HyperCard: What Could Have Been". Both interesting are reads.
     I haven't used HyperCard for a few years and once was pretty good at SuperCard. (Which is still under development.) I do think they got the date of the introduction wrong (They said 1989, I believe it was '86 or '87 as I was in Boston for the Intro.) They do talk about The International HyperCard User Group (http://www.ihug.org/). Also, they talk about what Bill Atkinson is doing today. (Photography)
Read the stories at: Wired News at
http://www.wired.com/news/mac/0,2125,54370,00.html

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Arrogance, Thy Name Is Microsoft

Once again, Charles Haddard in his Byte of the Apple column on BusinessWeek.com has hit the nail on the head with the above titled article. He starts out with
     "Office users are steamed at Gates & Co.'s demand that they register their software. Keep it up, Bill. You make Apple look better every day."
But also mentions that Apple really doesn't need Microsoft as much as they did 5 years ago.
Full story at: http://www.businessweek.com/technology/content/aug2002/tc20020814_0119.htm

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DEF CON (How safe is your network?)

Internet.com has an article about DEFCON 10, an hacker convention that happens annually in LasVegas. It is an interesting read about just how vulnerable wireless LANs are that use 802.11 technology. (A.K.A. Airport and WiFi).
      One quote was: "A real scary one is ad hoc network attacks," said Tanzella."If you look at your wireless card, it can operate in infrastructure mode, which is normal mode, but then there is also ad hoc mode, where you do peer-to-peer networking. Well, now [hackers] can change your card to ad hoc mode, where they are connected directly to your PC and can access all your information, including your access codes."
Full story at: http://www.80211-planet.com/news/article/0,4000,1481_1445701,00.html

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PrintChef

This is an older program that hasn't gotten much press. It downloads printing to a postscript printer in stages to save time. For example, if sending a bunch of invoice, you can have it download the invoice form and then only send the data to the printer for each invoice. That saves a lot of time. The product when I used it was called LaserMerge. Unfortunately, they haven't announced an OS X version, but if you are still on a "classic" machine it is available and there is even an upgrade for us LaserMerge customers.
http://www.mindgate.com/updates.html

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Junkyard Trademark?

Robert on a mailing list that I am on, sent this: "Before I start, I would like to say that I have independently verified this information to be accurate at http://tess.uspto.gov.
      That being said, Apple has applied for the trademark "Junkyard." No kidding. Ummmm.... Wouldn't that be one of the last names one would choose for a computer? Anyone got any ideas for this one?" Good point. Why would Apple trademark such a name? Any ideas?

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August 23rd: Special Night at all Apple Stores

A number of retailers have announced "midnight madness" events that has them open at midnight on August 23rd so that they can sell Jaguar. (OS X 10.2)
      Now Apple is making a similar announcement: "On Friday night, August 23rd at 10:20pm sharp, we're letting the cat out of the bag. 100 minutes of free gifts, great savings, theater demos, and the chance to win a free Mac. This event is being held until midnight at all Apple Stores throughout the US. For the first people who enter the store there will be cool gifts such as Jaguar t-shirts and groovy Jaguar mouse pads...and a whole lot more." So if you are in a city with an Apple Store, you can join the party. More details at:
http://www.apple.com/retail/

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Iomega announces the750MB Zip drive

MacMinute.com reported that Iomega has announced a new 750 MB Zip drive. It is backward compatible to the 250 and 100 MB disks. (Read only on the 100s)
      Iomega really needs a hit, but it is going to be hard to convince people that a 750 MB drive will do them better than a 640 MB CD-RW. Speed may be the way to do it, (equivalent of a 50x50x50 CD-RW), since these drives will come as USB 2.0 ($179.95) and Firewire ($199.95). There will also be an internal ATAPI drive in the Fall. Full story at
http://www.macminute.com/

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"Report: It's the Slump Killing Music Sales, Not CD Burners, Stupid."

IGM is reporting that the Research firm Forrester Techstrategy has released a report examining the future of digital music distribution, examining the pitfalls faced by the industry, and offering a range of solutions for music publishers. The report's main main findings are worth citing:
- 31% of consumers download music and burn CDs often.
- These frequent digital music users buy 36% of all CDs.
- Paid services don't match the "Music Bill Of Rights."
- Paid downloads will restore sales growth in 2004.
- In five years, 39% of digital sales will be downloaded singles.
- Established acts like Springsteen reap download rewards.
- Labels concentrate on promotion and accounting systems.
Full story at:
http://www.insanely-great.com/news.php?id=802

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Netscape Communicator 4.8 released for Classic

MacMinute.com is reporting that VersionTracker.com has links to Netscape Communicator 4.8, even though Netscape hadn't officially released it. Don't know what the changes are, but it is compatible with Mac OS 7.6.1 and later.
http://www.VersionTracker.com/

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Earthlink goes to WiFi

O'Grady's PowerPage is reporting that Earthlink has signed an agreement with Boingo to supply its service over WiFi networks. (A.K.A. 802.11b and Airport). The service is available in 500 locations around the country, including most major airports (Except New York). Full story at:
http://www.powerpage.org/story.lasso?newsID=9781

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Web site of the Week: Peep Research

From Fred Sheffler, ACD BBS System Administrator: "This is one funny site.. and guess what, it is hosted on a FirstClass server up at Emory in Canada.. has been there for at least four years.. good example of what FirstClass can do if one wants to let it.. grin"
http://www.peepresearch.org/

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MUG of the Week MacValley User Group

This group in Sherman Oaks, California is one of the larger user groups in the country with an estimated membership of over 4000.
      They have been supporting Mac users in 1984 when the Mac was introduced. They even have their own scholarship program. They have regular "Hands on Seminars" on specific pieces of software. Sound like an extremely active group. Take a look at their web site. Located at:
- http://www.macvalley.org/index.html

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Quote of the Week: Gassee, Twain

"One of the deep mysteries to me is our logo, the symbol of lust and knowledge, bitten into, all crossed with the colors of the rainbow in the wrong order. You couldn't dream of a more appropriate logo: lust, knowledge, hope, and anarchy." -
     Jean Louis GassŽe then CEO of Apple

"Keep away from people who try to belittle your ambitions.
Small people do that, but the really great make you feel that you, too, can somehow become great"Ê
     - Mark Twain

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TBA: Fund Raising

I recently was offered a membership in a buying service. One of the features of the service was a booklet for retail grocery coupons. The key being that you can actually pick the coupons you want. They provide a book with 20 to 30 certificates. Each certificate brings $10 in coupons. You list your top 35 choices for coupons. They provide you with up to a $1 for each item until you get $10 worth. (They may have to skip some because of availability.) The company said that the producer of the book also provides them for fund raisers.
     So I fired up Sherlock and went exploring. Here are some of the coupon sites I found:
My Site Inc -- With this one, you actually can get more coupons $500 worth, but the suggested sale price is $29.95. They do offer individual sales if you want to try one out first.
Fundraising Ideas - This one is not limited to coupons. Maybe you can find an idea your group would enjoy. Next:
Coupon Connection - GSM is actually a sales representative of Coupon Connection who does not sell to individuals themselves. Their book is exactly as described in the first paragraph. I will contact Couponconnection.com directly to see about doing fund raising for my group. However their e-mail address didn't work. So I will have to call.
     I found several more by using Sherlock to search the net. Search terms were coupon book and fund raising. I am sure your group never needs to raise additional funds, but if you do the best way is to provide something your members can use.
     Has anyone used any of the companies above? I would love to hear about it. - Lynn
http://www.user-groups.net/InfoManager/INFO.html http://www.couponconnection.net/gsm/indusrepb2.htm

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News and Info you can use...

The Info Manager invites user groups to use his column in full or in pieces in their newsletter. 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 just provide him with the link. Use this address: Infomanager@user-groups.net or... our online Information form

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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