Info Manager for December 02, 2002

[*]   eNewsletters

[*]   Why you should buy an Apple this Christmas

[*]   TypeIt4Me Goes X at MacExpo

[*]   H-P Hires Xerox Parc Co-Founder Alan Kay

[*]   RIP: Shreve Systems

[*]   Apple spoofs its own advertisements

[*]   MacSurfer/MacMinute

[*]   Recycling computers

[*]   Dragster solves Drag-N-Drop in OS X

[*]   Stocking stuffer for iMac owners

[*]   A-N-I-M-A-L-S for Mac Kids

[*]   Quote of the week: Twain
 

eNewsletters

PC World magazine has a list of what they consider to be THE quality enewsletters on the Internet. While it is disappointing that they don't list any Mac specific newsletters, like TidBITS, it is nice to know that I subscribe to the great majority of them that aren't Windows specific. Most of them I have mentioned in this space before. The Langa List, The Naked PC, CNet.News.com Daily Dispatch, New York Times Newsletters, SiliconValley.com Dispatches, Wired Newsdrop, ZDNet's AnchorDesk/Tech Update, DealNews (macdeals) and The Internet Tourbus. The only two that aren't Windows specific that I don't subscribe to are: The Computer Privacy Digest and Kuro5hin Email Digest. Both of which look interesting and I will be subscribing.
For the complete article go to: http://www.pcworld.com/features/article/0,aid,105857,pg,2,00.asp

Why you should buy an Apple this Christmas

David Coursey of the AnchorDesk.com has a pretty good article about why a person should buy a Mac for Christmas. Although he says that most 'switchers' aren't, they are actually 'adders', meaning they are adding a new machine for specific tasks.
Read the full story at: http://www.zdnet.com/anchordesk/stories/story/0,10738,2898453,00.html

TypeIt4Me Goes X at MacExpo

Remy Davison at Insanely Great Mac is saying that TypeIt4Me for OS X will be released at MacWorld Expo. (In my mind, this is a must have utility, although Quickeys can do all of its actions and more -- but if you don't need the added functionality of QK, then this is much cheaper.)
Read his story at: http://www.insanely-great.com/news.php?id=1294

H-P Hires Xerox Parc Co-Founder Alan Kay

In a Dow Jones news service story reprinted by the SiliconValley web site, HP has announced that former Apple Fellow, Alan Kay is now working for HP doing research in much the same way he was at Apple. Alan is a great idea man and I am sorry to see him at HP. But we should still all benefit from having him playing an active part in the industry.
Story at: http://www.siliconvalley.com/mld/siliconvalley/4606304.htm

RIP: Shreve Systems

A number of web sites picked up this news, that old time Apple seller of used and refurbished Apple ][ and Mac hardware and software is shutting down. They are going to concentrate on a sister company that handles cameras.
One story is at: http://www.insanely-great.com/news.php?id=1303

Apple spoofs its own advertisements

A switching Santa! See what Mike Ferrell is doing as Santa at:
http://www.apple.com/switch/ads/will/

MacSurfer/MacMinute

I know that most of you already know about MacSurfer and I have mentioned MacMinute in these space in the past. But if you want to keep up with the Mac news, these are the places to go. They aren't 100%, but they do get the majority of the stories. Of course, some of my selections come from neither.
Check them out at: http://www.macsurfer.com/ and http://www.macminute.com

Recycling computers

The San Jose Mercury news ran an article about how difficult and dangerous recycling can be with computers and monitors. They even mention that Apple is not as active in recycling efforts as some of the PC companies. That is probably true. However, I know that Macs stay in service longer and thus don't need to be recycled as badly. I have passed on a couple of 6100s, a 7100, an 8100 and a 9500 in the past 12-18 months. I bet there aren't many 486s still being used, which was what the 6100 and the 7100 originally competed against.
Full story at: http://www.bayarea.com/mld/mercurynews/4605025.htm

Dragster solves Drag-N-Drop in OS X

If-Then Software is a small venture that creates interesting and unique software for Mac OS X -- Dragster 1.5 is a simple utility that helps fix the Jaguar issue of not being able to drag and drop any files in the Finder -- or to and from the dock. It also helps fix the missing icon issue that goes along with the drag and drop issue. Download it at http://www.ifthensoft.com/dragster.hqx
Full story at: http://www.ifthensoft.com/

Stocking stuffer for iMac owners

If you're wondering what would make a great holiday gift for your favorite macheads, iMac Clothes may just be what you're looking for! They have a truly aesthetically compatible screen cover, for the iMac that's unique and inexpensive.
Take a look at: http://www.imacclothes.com/

A-N-I-M-A-L-S for Mac Kids

If you know any Mac owners with young children A-N-I-M-A-L-S would make a superb gift! This new educational game makes letters of the alphabet talk and lets children play with them to build words. Educators and parents will be pleased to know it is based on research by leading scientists and educators encouraging children to play even before they can use the mouse. A significant aspect is the game is available in English, French, German and Spanish -- so it could be instrumental in ESL programs. The starter package is $29 and a free demo is available for each of the languages. Works on any Mac OS! (OS: 7, 8, 9 and Mac OS X's Classic)
Full story at: http://www.marcmoini.com/

Quote of the week: Twain

"We should be careful to get out of an experience only the wisdom that is in it - and stop there, lest we be like the cat that sits down on a hot stove-lid. She will never sit down on a hot stove-lid again - and that is well; but also she will never sit down on a cold one anymore." - Mark Twain

pau

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

Note: Features schedule

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.
Note: Features schedule
1st Monday Vendor of the Month; (VOM)
2nd Monday "InfoManager's Humble Opinion (IMHO);
3rd Monday TBA (What would you like to see?)
4th Monday: User Group Tips. (Send them in)
5th Monday: Nothing extra - my day of rest. ;-)
Of course I could make adjustments to this schedule as I see fit and will take suggestions. Have a great week! Note: In light of the new AACUG MUG tabloid publication, I may be changing the above schedule. Please send me your input.
Pau

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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