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By now, if you didn't see the skit on SNL showing there version of Steve Jobs introducing a series of iPods, each making the previous one obsolete as each gets constantly smaller, you have probably heard about it. I heard on one of the audio podcasts that it was placed on line for free. Ilene Hoffman, in here Hess Party List e-mail actually gave me the URL for the download. live.watchmactv.com
4Flix.net has announced a new Mac & iPod friendly video download service. Actually it is PC and Playstation Portable friendly as well. Since all of its movies and video are either free or for $1.99. Much of its free stuff are old Shirley Temple or 8 mm films, like Howdy Doody's Christmas. They say that it will be compatible with the "upcoming Mac Mini." So, they may be telling us something that will be announced tomorrow. What do you think? See their store
Nemetschek North America has announced its VectorWorks 12 line of software products will support Apple Intel Macintosh computers. Existing VectorWorks 12 users will receive this new support without additional upgrade fees.
VectorWorks is one of the programs that have taken advantage of the failure of AutoDesk to support the Mac with its AutoCad. It is good to know that they are continuing its Mac support even if it is not unexpected. ... see the full story...
A few weeks ago, Microsoft did a brief press conference on Build 5270 of Windows Vista. It presented a lot of new features, and this view shows that it is getting closer to release, finally. Internetweek has a 6 page article looking at it, complete with screen shots. From this article it looks like Microsoft is taking security really serious. Read more...
Last week, there was a lot of talk on various blogs about a report in the LA Times concerning Google talking to Wal-Mart and other stores to offer a $200 PC that uses a Google developed operating system instead of Windows.
In my mind, both Google and Wal-Mart are to interested in making money to go for anything like this. At $200 they couldn't possibly make enough off it to justify the expense of marketing such a product. There are already cheap PCs available that are almost that cheap. No one would want to buy a computer that doesn't run applications that are commonly used.
Interesting view points:
A Commercial Runs Through It -- Google's Grand Plan to Take Over TV Advertising - By Robert X. Cringely -
Wyse Rumored to Be Hardware Provider for Google PC -- Thin client vendor Wyse Technology Inc. is the latest name to arise among the rumors of a low-cost Google-branded PC. - By Jeffrey Burt, eWEEK; Read more...
That is one of the questions answered by Intel's CEO Paul Otellini when talking to Business Week last year. That is kind of a strange question to put to the CEO of a company that has so dominated the PC business for the last couple of decades. But he is correct, computers are becoming more specific in application and less general computers as we have come to expect over the past years.
We may call these new computers a cell phone or a game console, but make no mistake about it, it is still a computer.
(May require a free registration) ... see the full story...
At the Consumer electronics show in Las Vegas last week, Google CEO Larry page announced that it would offer CBS and other video content for sale on its web site. Google is also offering new software to handle the video content. The vendors using Google's market place will be able set their own prices with Google getting 30% of the revenue. It sounds to me like video via the Internet is truly here. Wonder who else will join in the fray. The more the merrier I say. (Although I wonder how many different DRM schemes will be supported by the market.) Read more...
Once again, Apple has decided not to spend the money necessary to provide the Keynote live via streaming Quicktime. While it is a cool way to demonstrate how well Quicktime can do such events, they are really only going to be watched by the Mac faithful and a few people from the media. While I would like to see it live, I certainly can see that the cash could be better spent. Perhaps on a new marketing campaign for Intel Mac minis. See the Keynote after the fact at: apple.com/quicktime/
Jason O'Grady has made his "top ten" list of predictions for MacWorld Expo with Las Vegas style odds. They include:
10. Mac OS X 10.5. Odds: 100-1.
9. Intel PowerBook. Odds: 50-1.
8. iWork '06. Odds: 25-1.
7. iLife '06. iOdds: 10-1.
4. AirPort Ultra. Odds: 10-1
3. 1GB iPod nano. Odds: 3-2.
2. Intel Mac mini. IOdds: Even money.
1. Widescreen Intel iBook.
He is so sure of the last, he doesn't even give odds. blogs.zdnet.com
Skype has released Skype 1.4 for Mac OS X, which adds numerous enhancements to the free software that allows anyone with an Internet connection to make free calls, stay in touch, and express themselves online. ... see the full story...
The "County of Westmoreland Macintosh Users Group" is a great resource for Mac users in Monroeville, Allegheny and Westmoreland counties, PA. See our salute at
Infomanager Salutes: COWMUG
Just let us know if you'd like your user group recognized in the Infomanager... tell us a little bit about your group, and we'll pay a visit! Sign up here
With the release of Mac OS X Tiger, users have more reason than ever before to begin automating time consuming and repetitive tasks... so you don't want to miss Ben Waldie as he teaches Automator at Macworld...
If you've got ten-grand, the Wurlitzer "bubbler" jukebox with Bose Acoustimass Speakers and an iPod Docking Station will out-do anyone as the all-time, ultimate iPod accessory! ... see the full story...
You may think of Apple's new iMac, or a Windows XP Multimedia Center are the ultimate in multimedia. However using open source software and a few simple tips you can easily turn a Linux box into a multimedia powerhouse. Read more...
Learn everything and anything on FLASH at this year's Flashforward 2006 Conference / Film Festival, February 27 , Seattle, Washington ... see the full story...
"You have to know how to accept rejection
and reject acceptance."
- Ray Bradbury
"We can't all be heroes because somebody has to sit on the curb and clap as they go by."
- Will Rogers
"Common sense is the collection of prejudices acquired by age eighteen."
- Albert Einstein
Have a great week... (See last week)
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