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Editor's Notes
Fred Showker,
Editor/Publisher, User Group Network News
- February, 2002
- 00 This Old Mouse
- 01 InfoManager posts 'Vendor of the Month"
- 03 Adobe in the news: Court Halts InDesign Distribution
- 04 Fonthead Design Releases New Volume 8 Font Collection
- 05 PC users with font problems?
- 06 Typography back from the future
- 07 Under My Thumb
- 08 Designers Do as Designers See
- 09 New TurboCAD hits the streets
- 10 Display your art in Beer Taverns across Europe?
- 11 EVS Smart Card - Secure information transfer
- 12 Find the Cost of (Virus) Freedom
- 13 Worm Poses as Outlook Update
- 14 Donate Your Old Macintosh to a School
- 15 Tax time? Get a free new 1099 Form from MYOB
- 16 Designers give new life to old skis...
- 17 What evils lurk in 2002?
- 18 Instructions For Microsoft's New Tv Dinner Product
- This Old Mouse
- - Amidst lots of news items about the demise of 'older' standards, millions of computer users are asking themselves what to do, and perhaps even feeling a bit toward the back of the technology bus.
__ Now we're seeing Apple and many third-party developers beginning to close the door on pre-G machines -- even the Beige G3s and the Wall Street Powerbook. One member of our group is already feeling the crush, attempting to utilize iTunes on a pre-G, only to have the desktop corrupted, icons removed, and system crashes upon insertion of a music CD.
__ Now we're hearing noise from a number of others closing the door on those old Macs. Symantec has made it official that they'll no longer support the pre-G in Norton Utilities for Macintosh (NUM) version 7.0, further stating that "OS X version 10.0.4 and earlier are not supported". So pre-Gs need to migrate to TechTool Pro, probably the better program anyway.
__ Then you look at such major players as Quark, who virtually owns the high-end printing and pre-press industry, introducing new versions of their software clearly stating "Does NOT support OSX." One large printing firm we chatted with reports "... won't upgrade until Quark has a fully tested and proven version for OSX."
__ Worse yet, even if you did jump on the bus in order to get Firewire and USB, then along comes news like the recent announcement from Intel that they'll no longer be supporting FireWire! It seems the upstart USB 2.0 will quickly move in to dominate the market with 480 Mbps as opposed to Firewire's 400.
__ So you basically have two choices: spend now, or spend later. First however, take stock of what you have. Does it still do what you want it to do? Do you really need iPhoto or iTunes?
__ There are lots and lots of great software solutions for OS/9x that are every bit as cool as any of the few products to run on OSX. If you want iPhoto, try REALmac PhotoAlbum Pro. (www.realmacs.co.uk) If you want iTunes, try Sound Jam or any of the dozens of shareware MP3 players that do exactly the same thing. If you need Firewire and/or USB, Sonnett has excellent cards that provide those on your beige G3, or even pre-G machine.
__ As far as this old mouse is concerned, it's not time to upgrade until there's an essential function required that can't be done in OS/9. So far, there aren't any. -
This Old Mouse will become a regular column at
http://www.User-Groups.net/news/
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- InfoManager posts 'Vendor of the Month"
- - This week's InfoManager with Lynn Wegley looks at Apple's iMac Announcements, LA Final Cut Pro user group heading to New York, the Unreal Tornament, a new Filemaker Pro Advisor CD, Timbuktu recovers stolen iMac, and notes on Vintage software, Mac Songs and others. His Vendor of the Month (VOM ) is MYOB, Inc. with a unique offer for user groups. As always, enjoy Lynn's Web Site of the Week, and Quote of the week. - Now in its 161st week, Lynn Wegley is the UGNN InfoManager
at http://www.User-Groups.net/InfoManager/index.html
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- Adobe in the news: Court Halts InDesign Distribution
- - Lots of desktop publishers, printing operations and grapnhic designers are still wrestling with the question whether or not to jump into InDesign as their primary page assembly software. Adobe was in hopes of putting both Quark XPress and their own PageMaker out of business with the new Swiss Army knife of DTP, but the road has been rocky and uphill.
Those who didn't jump are now watching Adobe's court case with Trio Systems to see if InDesign will make it. According to an Associated Press report, a US District Court has granted an injunction on the the latest release of InDesign. In a patent court infringement action from Trio Systems LLC, Adobe allegedly violated the terms of its licensing agreement with Trio. So, InDesign distribution is halted until the case goes to trial, or until a settlement is reached. - We'll keep an eye on this one in the DTP: Publishing, printing, output Department. See the Yahoo Daily News article at:
http://dailynews.yahoo.com/h/ap/20011219/tc/adobe_copyright_infringement_2html
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- Fonthead Design Releases New Volume 8 Font Collection
- - Fonthead Design has rolled out yet another collection of great fonts, Volume 8. This new set contains 16 original typefaces in a variety of styles. The set is available in four flavors: Mac Postscript, Mac Truetype, Windows Truetype and Windows Postscript. To view a sample of the fonts, visit their Volume 8 web page. Fonthead is in Wilmington, DE, USA. - Always nice to hear from Ethan Dunham with news for our DTP: Publishing, printing, output department. Visit him at:
http://www.fonthead.com/fonts-vol8.html
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- PC users with font problems?
- - Chances are that you have firsthand experience with one or more of these font management problems:
* Separated font families
* Font filenames that make no sense
* Applications that install fonts without notification
* Fonts scattered all over the place
* Identical typefaces from multiple font foundries
* TrueType and PostScript versions of the same font
* Postscript fonts missing PFM or PFB files Errors and System Malfunctions
* Applications that can't see some fonts
* Fonts that don't render or print correctly
* Bizarre font substitutions
* Corrupt fonts that cause errors and crashes
The fact is that almost all PC users have font problems, and these issues can cause poor performance, incorrect application behavior, and even crashes. Put another way, fonts are fundamental components of Windows, and if they are not stable, the OS and applications won't be either.
For years, Insider Software has solved font issues on the Macintosh with a top-rated product called FontAgent. The good news for PC users is that now Font Agent is available for Windows. With a few clicks, PC users can tell FontAgent to automatically find all their fonts, give them sensible filenames, fix corrupt font files, rejoin font families and detect TrueType/PostScript collisions.
After running FontAgent, their PCs will run faster and more reliably. Put simply, repairing and maintaining fonts with FontAgent should be a regular part of PC maintenance, making it a perfect companion to Norton Utilities and other system utilities. - Thanks to Justin Caruso for alerting us on this great addition to the DTP: Publishing, printing, output, font department. Check them out at:
http://www.insidersofware.com/
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- Typography back from the future
- - The Hamilton Wood Type and Printing Museum has commissioned its first, new wood-carved typeface since the early 1900s. To demonstrate the craftsmanship and continued relevancy of wood type to the modern age of design, Hamilton selected BLinc Publishing to expand its vast woodcut type collection and introduce new, digital formats.
Operated by volunteers of the Two Rivers Historical Society, the Hamilton Wood Type and Printing Museum is the only museum dedicated to the preservation, study, production and printing of wood type. With 1.5 million pieces of wood type and more than 1,000 styles and sizes of patterns, Hamilton's collection is one of the premier wood type collections in the world.
You can bet we'll be following up with this as more info is available. - Special thanks to Heather West for sending this tip along for our DTP: typography, Publishing, printing, output department.
For more information, visit http://www.blincpublishing.com/
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- Under My Thumb
- - Internet Wire has an interesting pices on XeNN, inc., a Japanese digital entertainment software developer who has announced the availability of a new, amazingly quick character input system that virtually eliminates the need for keyboards or button-entry systems on all computer products. Eliminating the keyboard is probably the next big hurdle the computer industry has to overcome. - Submitted by Internet Wire Filed under: Editorial: News & Else
for the full story go to: http://www1.internetwire.com/iwire/iwprj?id=37161&cat=te
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- Designers Do as Designers See
- - The art of creative and effective web site design continues to be of major importance in the web site design Industry. It takes visiting 100s of web sites to find One of the best. Now you can browse hundreds of web sites in thumbnail form by visiting only one web site. Watch CD features thumbnails of home pages across a variety of Industry, services or product along with uniform inside pages. No Obligation, No purchase necessary, but you must fill in your Name & Email address in order to start exploring.
This is a super idea, and I tried it extensively -- however, it does seem like one of those "sell your name to spammers" sites, you may want to consider embedding the "NO SPAM" warning in your email address! - This was sent in by Anand from Maharashtra, India for our Web Design and Development department. The site is at:
http://www.watchcd.com
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- New TurboCAD hits the streets
- - TurboCAD Version 8.0 is the new upgrade from IMSI. This upgrade continues IMSI's commitment to take computer-aided-design (CAD) for the professional and home user to increasingly higher levels of power and functionality while maintaining its tradition for ease-of-use and affordable - another lead sent in by Internet Wire service for the Editorial: News & Else department. More info at:
http://www1.internetwire.com/iwire/iwprj?id=36745&cat=te
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- Display your art in Beer Taverns across Europe?
- - You bet... www.Redism.com has been created by Bass Beers Worldwide as a way of showcasing up-and-coming creative talent from many different disciplines including art and design, music, multimedia, film, photography and literature -- its mission is to give creatives the opportunity to have their ideas exhibited in bar galleries across Europe!
Each month, entries on a particular theme are submitted and the relevant guest editor chooses the 10 best works to be rated and discussed by the site users. Each month, the most highly rated piece of work is featured on the site as the themes winner. The best entries overall are then exhibited in Bass' bar galleries (Europe-wide), with previews for leading members of the art community in each country.
The debut exhibition of winning work was held at The Man In The Moon in Stockholm, Sweden for the week of 12th November. It was a resounding success with exhibits from all around the world being shown.
So pour another round! - Thanks to Ruth Brecher for alerting us to this. file it under cool ways to show your work!
check it out at http://www.redism.com
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- EVS Smart Card - Secure information transfer
- - AMAS Interactive has created what they believe to be the next big thing in internet security. Their EVS card (Pat. Pend), is an "Encrypted Verification System," utilizing CD-ROM technology to create individualized online identification. It will be used for purchasing, intranet/internet logon security, contest cards (lottery style), securing online pay-per-view, coupons, and marketing promotions. Certainly technology to keep an eye on. - Thanks to Michael Brown for sending this one in... file it under Computers, systems: utilities, interface, security, networking
for more info check out: http://www.evscard.com/
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- Find the Cost of (Virus) Freedom
- - Nimda, SirCam, Code Red and friends caused more than 50,000 security incidents last year. But experts say the estimates of billions in clean-up costs are pure guesswork. - Wired News article by Michelle Delio reporting on OS: Security, virus and worms -- read the full account at:
http://www.wired.com/news/infostructure/0,1377,49681,00.html?tw=wn20020114
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- Worm Poses as Outlook Update
- - A new computer worm capable of deleting files is slowly making its way across the Internet. The 'Gigger' worm is an attachment included in messages captioned 'Outlook Express Update.' - Just in from Wired Technology News in Online: Security, virus news. Full story at:
http://www.wired.com/news/technology/0,1282,49726,00.html?tw=wn20020115
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- Donate Your Old Macintosh to a School
- - The Macintosh Computer Donation Program will soon enter its second year of matching computer donators to schools and nonprofits. The program began in 1999 when a MacTreasures customer asked for help in donating his old Macintosh. MacTreasures now maintains a database of donors of Macintosh equipment and organizations seeking Macintosh equipment. Since than the program has facilitated approximately 1,000 computer donations. In some areas we have volunteers to help set up equipment. A Gift Certificate program to help schools purchase Macintosh software and hardware is also available. MacTreasures' role in this program is solely to provide donors a listing of schools or non-profits near them that are interested in receiving Macintosh computer donations. If you wish to donate a Macintosh or have a school included in the Macintosh Computer Donation Program, send an email to unusual@mactreasures.com requesting further information on the Program.
The MacTreasures web site also has:
* Academic pricing for schools and teachers on the Education Site.
* Oldies but Goodies listings...some of which are REALLY hard to find!
* A subscriber list to receive listings of new additions to the MacTreasures site.
* An Affiliate Program for other web sites. - This is a great program, sent in by Carole Holcomb , always helping make our Home and School, Education department better. Check them out at:
http://www.mactreasures.com
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- Tax time? Get a free new 1099 Form from MYOB
- - MYOB US, Inc., has alerted its small business customers of a free product update containing the new 1099-MISC form. As with all previous MYOB products, the update integrates 1099 information with the new form, with no other software required. Small business owners can manage their business using one integrated solution rather than piecing together a solution using various other products. - Thanks to Internet Wire service for the Editorial: News & Else department. More info at:
http://www1.internetwire.com/iwire/iwprj?id=36694&cat=te
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- Designers give new life to old skis...
- - As you watch the winter Olympics in UTAH, consider what you might do with thousands of used skis. Once considered junk, heaped into landfills, old used skis now can take on a new life at SkiFurniture.com -- recycled into furniture. Check out the Adirondack chair, cocktail tables, book cases and other weatherproof, practically indestructible furniture at -
http://www.skifurniture.com
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- What evils lurk in 2002?
- - Panda Software has published Viruses In 2002 - The Shape Of Things To Come. In terms of virus creation, 2001 was a turning point. New technology and infection techniques were used by virus writers with the aim of wreaking havoc amongst users. Based on last year's developments, Panda Software has published a forecast of the kind of malicious code users might face in 2002. - Published yesterday inInternet Wire service for the Editorial: News & Else department. More info at:
http://www1.internetwire.com/iwire/iwprj?id=36762&cat=te
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- Instructions For Microsoft's New Tv Dinner Product
- - This piece, from the Macs U.N.I.T.E. newsletter was particularly humourous to me because I usually have a frozen entre for lunch each day. Sometimes the instructions can be a bit perplexing. However, I've never seen anything like this...
Instructions For Microsoft's New Tv Dinner Product
__ First remove the plastic cover. By doing so you agree to accept and honor Microsoft rights to all TV dinners. You may not give anyone else a bite of your dinner (which would constitute an infringement of Microsoft's rights). You may, however, let others smell and look at your dinner and are encouraged to tell them how good it is.
__ If you have a PC microwave oven, insert the dinner into the oven. Set the oven using these keystrokes: mstv.dinn.//08.5min@50%heat
__ Then enter: ms//start.cook_dindin/yummy\|/yum~yum:-)gohot#cookme.
__ If you have a Macintosh microwave oven, insert the dinner and press start. The oven will set itself and cook the dinner.
__ If you have a Unix microwave oven, insert the dinner, enter the ingredients of the dinner found on the package label, the weight of the dinner, and the desired level of cooking and press start. The oven will calculate the time and heat and cook the dinner exactly to your specification.
__ Be forewarned that Microsoft dinners may crash, in which case your oven must be restarted. This is a simple procedure. Remove the dinner from the oven and enter: ms.nodamn.good/tryagain/again/again.crap
__ This process may have to be repeated. Try unplugging the microwave and then doing a cold reboot. If this doesn't work, contact your oven vendor. The oven itself is obviously on the blink.Many users have reported that the dinner tray is far too big, larger than the dinner itself, having many useless compartments, most of which are empty.
__ These are for future menu items. If the tray is too large to fit in your oven, you will need to upgrade your equipment.
__ Dinners are only available from registered outlets, and only the chicken variety is currently produced. If you want another variety, call Microsoft Help and they will explain that you really don't want another variety. Microsoft Chicken is all you really need.
__ Microsoft has disclosed plans to discontinue all smaller versions of their chicken dinners. Future releases will only be in the larger family size. Excess chicken may be stored for future use, but must be saved only in Microsoft approved packaging.Microsoft promises a dessert with every dinner after '98. However, that version has yet to be released. Users have permission to get thrilled in advance.
__ Microsoft dinners may be incompatible with other dinners in the freezer, causing your freezer to self-defrost. This is a feature, not a bug. Your freezer probably should have been defrosted anyway. - Thanks to Macs U.N.I.T.E., and Dr. Eric Flescher for continuing excellence in his newsletter. Macs Users Network for Integrating Technology Into Education check it out at:
http://members.aol.com/kcstarguy/macsunite/unite.htm
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Fred Showker
Editor in Chief: The User Group Network News Service
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From Fred Showker, Editor/Publisher,
User Group Network News: December 15 User Group Network News Service at http://www.user-groups.net/news/index.html.
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