UGN Info Manager UGN Info Manager
Rather than following links from unknown sites, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has released the official Hurricane Katrina Resources list of all the voluntary organizations seeking cash donations specifically to assist victims of Hurricane Katrina in Gulf Coast states. Select the organization and make donations directly to that organization with confidence your donation will immediately help the Katrina relief efforts. This web page also has connections for those who wish to volunteer direct help in person, however they caution not to go directly to the disaster areas without assignment from one of the organizations. www.fema.gov
Unless your filters are hiding your spam, you've probably seen the same ugly spams we picked up in our spam traps last Tuesday and Wednesday. Oddly enough none have been seen since then. Capitalizing on the the aftermath of hurricane Katrina is probably one of the lowest spam schemes.
DO NOT reply to any email urging you to donate to Katrina relief through an unrecognized web site. In fact, DO NOT OPEN email asking for donations. Period. Make donations through your preferred organization or these approved organizations: these approved organizations
Apple Computer has contacted reporters to invite them to a "special event" on September 7th at Moscone Center in San Francisco. They have indicated that it will have something to do with a product similar in scope to the iPod. Speculation is that the announcement will have to do with a cell phone that runs a version of iPod, probably distributed by Cingular.
Standby for more info tomorrow, but meanwhile read more from the Mercury News
According to this article, and several others, Apple has signed a contract with Freescale to purchase PowerPC chips until 2008. In my mind, this is not a change in plans from the move to Intel, but rather an insurance of chips for the PowerPC machines to be made over the next two years and chips for repair work for a while after that. Read the full story at: www.eet.com
Creative was issued a patent on software that it says is used in the interface in Apple's iPod. I think that it is something that other companies can find ways to protect their intellectual property while Apple keeps losing theirs. Perhaps Apple should hire a new team of lawyers. Read the full story at: www.techweb.com
I am always amazed at how much effort people will put into artwork that will vanish quickly. This web site has a series of pictures of "sandcastles" that are truly amazing and beautiful and now gone except for the photos. Take a peek at them: www.funnies.com
I have recommended dealmac.com to my readers and members of my user groups for some time. But what about those products for the PC platform or even those that are cross platform. Pricewatch seems to offer a good way to check for bargains. It is at: www.pricewatch.com
Last week, FileMaker Inc. updated to its flagship database that uses PDF to enabling users via e-mail to share their data with the non-FileMaker world. FileMaker is using the Adobe PDF Library licensed from Datalogics. The upgrade also has an Excel Maker that works the same way, enabling users to save data as a Microsoft Corp. Excel file. ... see the full story...
In order to save money and make things less complicated, Seitel Inc. decided to replace the arrays from EMC Corp. with Apple's Xserve RAID storage units.
The rest of the company is still running Windows, including its servers, but the Xserve will be used for storage because of its lower up-front prices and long-term maintenance costs. The fact that its OS is based on Unix also helped. Read the full story at: www.globetechnology.com
The news out of the south concerning the aftermath of hurricane Katrina has been astounding. Some of the media reports are down right scary, but then we stop and think about what we would do to feed and take care of our love ones, and we can see why people "looted" stores for canned good and other supplies. Once those things start though, it is easier for people to justify theft of electronics and beverages.
Deborah Shadovitz, a long time MUG activist from LA tells about Chuck Rogers' web site and his take on things from direct New Orleans in the Apple User Group Bulletin mailing list. He has some interesting before and after graphics on his web site. He is also providing away for people to donate more directly to victims of the storm. Chuck is a long time Mac person and his product is iListen. Chuck's site is macchuck.com
Meanwhile, in another e-mail to that group, Chris Bastian, (formerly of NYMUG), writes the following:
"You may recall that, four years ago, following the WTC attack, I asked that each of us, as User Group leaders, ask our respective members to make a contribution to help with relief in the post 9/11 period. Many UG members came to New York's aid at that time. It is now time to return the favor.
"Yesterday, I donated $x to the Red Cross for Hurricane relief. I have proposed to my Board that, at next week's general meeting, anyone who contributes $20 or more to the RC or other charities be given a year's supporting membership in MetroMac.
"Most of us are, by comparison to the people in the Gulf, extremely well off. If we can afford to by computers and software and printer cartridges and internet access, we can each reach into our pockets for a small amount to help those caught in this disaster."
Certainly all Americans in general and MUG members specifically should do what they can to help out. What can your group do?
Each Saturday morning I gather the incoming email and press releases from UGN forms to begin the compilation of Monday's InfoManager. This week was light, but one thread kept appearing: Katrina relief efforts. One site offered to donate a portion of proceeds from this or that sale. Another had set up a group of Mac companies who donate based on products you buy. IMHO, using a natural disaster as a tag-along for selling product is bad decorum. I'm sure the companies have good intentions, however the devastation in the Gulf states is so overwhelming -- so pressing -- it seems a bit mercenary to piggyback a product name on any plea for help.
On Wednesday, I sent my checks to the RC and Salvation Army. It's up to each of us to do what we can. If you were planning on buying one of those piggy-backed products anyway, then good -- buy it. Then send more.
I have yet to hear from any of the Mac groups in the stricken area. But when I do, we'll pass along the news. Share your opinions and views with InfoManager readers...
At this web site, you can download "orphaned" games for old Macs. One of the oldest is Alice. Which was the first and Apple's only game written for the Macintosh. I don't believe it works on anything past the Fat Mac, but possibly will only run on the original 128K Mac. There are emlators available for some of the older Macs that will run even on OS X machines, but they are probably not all that reliable. There are a number of the "Quest" games there, and there is a link for an engine to run them under OS X. Going try that one out myself. Read more...
An online computer museum with 922 computers in its "exhibit" is currently available. I have reported on other "museums" on line. But this one is interesting because of its "United Kingdom" perspective. ... see the full story...
With four new directional wireless networking Corner Antennas for G5 and G4 desktops, users can easily experience three to five times the wireless range over the stock Power Mac desktop. Read more...
Now, for Tiger, this favorite is updated for printing, shared calendars and contacts and overall reliability. Now Up-to-Date
For nearly twenty years, Timbuktu Pro for Mac OS has been the standard for remote control on the Mac OS. Now, a host of new features come to Tiger. ... see the full story...
Power Manager is a system utility for scheduling automatic power events including start up, log out, and shut down. Read more...
one of the best little utilities you can purchase for your Mac -- CDFinder tells you where the needle is in the haystack!
import, catalog, and tag digital videos for easy searching and organization of movies -- if you edit iMovies or QuickTime, you'll want a digital shoebox
"When I despair, I remember that all through history
the way of truth and love has always won.
There have been tyrants and murderers and
for a time they seem invincible but in the end,
they always fall -- think of it, ALWAYS."
- Mahatma Gandhi, 1869-1948, Indian Political, Spiritual Leader
"If things are not going well with you,
begin your effort at correcting the situation by carefully
examining the service you are rendering, and especially the
spirit in which you are rendering it."
- Roger Babson, 1875-1967, Statistician and Columnist
"To be successful, have your heart in your business and
your business in your heart."
- Thomas Watson, IBM CEO
Have a great week... (See last week)
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