TidBITS #761 on 2005-01-10

Welcome to 2005! As we gear up for Macworld Expo, we're starting the new year off with a rich collection of Mac news and information. Apple releases new Xserves and is shipping Xsan, Boingo finally launches its service for Mac users, and old favorite Graphing Calculator arrives for Mac OS X. 2005 also brings a successful move for our main mailing lists - Adam shares the details. Lastly, Matt Neuburg listens to several random sound utilities, the Omni Group releases OmniWeb 5.1, and we note a few more Macworld Expo events.

TidBITS #760 on 2004-12-20

We're wrapping up 2004 with an announcement of changes coming in 2005. Read on for important news about our upcoming mailing list migration, as well as a peek at where you can find some of us at Macworld Expo San Francisco 2005. Also in this issue, Adam harnesses a little-used feature in Eudora to manage his increasing email load, and Apple releases the Mac OS X 10.3.7 update. Our next issue will be 10-Jan-05; happy holidays!

TidBITS #759 on 2004-12-13

Publishing two more Take Control ebooks on top of last week's gift issue has fried our brains. But this issue still brings you an inside look at the evolution of hardware-based scrolling controls from Joe Kissell, some great tips on recording with GarageBand from Jeff Tolbert, and a brief thought about the most important fact to keep in mind when buying a digital camera from Adam. In the news, the iTMS starts taking PayPal, and Peachpit gives away Macworld Expo passes.

TidBITS #758 on 2004-12-09

Happy holidays! At this time every year, amid the rush of deadlines and holiday preparations, we turn to the TidBITS community for gift-giving suggestions. If you're looking for something for your favorite Mac-lover, we've accumulated oodles of suggestions in a number of categories: software, games, hardware, miscellaneous, and our favorite, the Macintosh-minded. We hope this special issue inspires you to find unique gifts for your friends and families.

TidBITS #757 on 2004-12-06

We're back from the Thanksgiving break with second helpings of Mac-related content! In this issue, Joe Kissell helps you choose backup software (excerpted from his new "Take Control of Mac OS X Backups" ebook). Matt Neuburg spotlights the Mac OS X-native version of the RAM-based database program Panorama V. Also, Adam takes Steve Ballmer to task for his complaints about spam, and Glenn Fleishman praises Apple's new .Mac affiliate program. We also note the releases of Security Update 2004-12-02, a new line of Squeezebox audio streaming devices, EyeHome 1.5.1, Mac compatibility from the U.S. Postal Service, and the long-awaited arrival of a Canadian iTunes Music Store.

TidBITS #756 on 2004-11-22

Graphical emoticons in Eudora 6.2? Luckily, the latest version of the intrepid email client also features more sensible enhancements. Equally improbable - but true - is news that GarageBand.com is teaming with MSN Music to feature audience-selected artists. Back on solid ground, Glenn Fleishman looks at welcome improvements in the AirPort 4.1 update, and Adam announces a new ebook twist: the Take Control product manual (for the automation utility iKey 2). We also note the release of SubEthaEdit 2.1.1, announce the move of www.tidbits.com to our Web Crossing server, and solicit your suggestions for our holiday gift issue. No issue next week due to Thanksgiving!

TidBITS #755 on 2004-11-15

After writing several articles about digital photography for TidBITS, Charles Maurer concludes by sharing his experience buying a camera to help you make your own decisions. Also in this issue, Adam takes note of a favorable Consumer Reports article that lauds the Mac (but with reservations, of course), and we note a free online presentation from Guy Kawasaki, the freeing of Audion, and the releases of Firefox 1.0 and... iPod Socks? It's true!

TidBITS #754 on 2004-11-08

If the Red Sox winning the World Series wasn't strange enough, Geoff Duncan has finally solved his personal Curse of Mac OS X. Thanks to a Sonnet Encore/ST G4 Duet accelerator, he can now run Mac OS X for more than a few hours at a time, and even Mac OS 9 enjoys a speed boost. We also take a quick look at the Mac OS X 10.3.6 upgrade, pass along a new USB printer compatibility list for Apple's wireless base stations, and announce winners of last week's DealBITS drawing.

TidBITS #753 on 2004-11-01

Apple surprised pundits last week with the release of iPod Photo, an iPod with a color screen that also stores and displays photos. At the same event, Apple also unveiled the iPod Special Edition: U2, and announced the European iTunes Music Store. Also in this issue, Adam looks at the Postini spam-filtering service, and we note the releases of Retrospect 6.0.204, Security Update 2004-10-17 (for Apple Remote Desktop Client), and an Office X 10.1.6 security update.

TidBITS #752 on 2004-10-25

It's Take Control's first anniversary, so we're celebrating with a 50% off sale and a recap of our first year accomplishments. Adam also explains how you can reclaim and start using your personal XNS name (Remember XNS? It's back!), now called an "i-name." Releases from Apple include refreshed iBooks, a single-processor Power Mac G5, and a larger Xserve RAID, along with Apple Remote Desktop 2.1. Lastly, Adam tees off on clueless lawyers, we shed the light of reality on the malicious Opener shell script, and you can enter to win copies of Marketcircle's DayLite in DealBITS this week.

TidBITS #751 on 2004-10-18

Apple and Microsoft jostle for position in this week's jumbo issue. Apple reported a record $106 million quarterly profit, has sold 150 million songs through the iTunes Music Store, and just opened six new mini retail Apple Stores. Microsoft is now shipping Virtual PC 7 (with support for the G5) and has a bug-fix update to Microsoft Office 2004. Also in this issue, Charles Maurer zooms in on digital camera sensor technology, Adam and Matt Neuburg share radio air time, and we welcome Rogue Amoeba as a new TidBITS sponsor!

TidBITS #750 on 2004-10-11

This week's issue is about the ending of quests. Andrew Laurence finally finds an Internet-configured universal remote control - the Logitech Harmony - that takes over from the rest. And has Matt Neuburg, the ultimate outliner connoisseur, discovered a replacement for MORE in the new TAO? Matt does complete his quest to explain what's new in Microsoft Word 2004 with his latest two Take Control ebooks. Interesting releases this week include FileMaker Pro 7.0v3, Webstractor 1.1, and Security Update 2004-09-30.

TidBITS #749 on 2004-10-04

Charles Maurer continues his exploration of making better digital images by focusing on how you and your Mac view and work with color. On the music front, Apple releases Logic Pro 7, Logic Express 7, and two new GarageBand Jam Packs. Adam discovers ManOpen, a tool for viewing Unix man pages outside of the Terminal application. In the news, Apple ups the storage of .Mac accounts, registration for Macworld Expo 2005 in San Francisco opens, and look for Matt Neuburg's sessions at the AppleScript Pro conference.

TidBITS #748 on 2004-09-27

Charles Maurer anchors this issue with an in-depth discussion of tools and techniques the perfectionist can use to polish digital photos. Glenn Fleishman radios in from high above Seattle... via iChat AV and the Connexion by Boeing Internet service. In the news, we cover the releases of StuffIt Deluxe 9.0, Tinderbox 2.3, Keyboard Maestro 2.0, and The Missing Sync 4.0.1, along with mentions of two new sponsors and the PowerBook G4 White Spot Repair Program.

TidBITS #747 on 2004-09-20

We need to work through some control issues this week: Adam reviews Apple Remote Desktop 2.0, which lets you control other Macs and much more, while we also announce the publication of Take Control of Panther Volume 1, a new print collection of our first four ebooks, along with the Japanese translation of Take Control of Users & Accounts in Panther. Also in this issue, Yahoo gets into the online music business by purchasing MusicMatch, and we cover the releases of Ovolab's Phlink 1.5 and Apple's Security Update 2004-09-16.

TidBITS #746 on 2004-09-13

People using Safari or Mac OS X's FTP server should take care with last week's Security Update 2004-09-07; read on for the details of problems experienced by early upgraders. Looking for wireless headphones for your iPod? See Adam's review of Bluetake's i-Phono. Need help organizing your thoughts? Matt Neuburg's review of MindCad's Pyramid might offer a solution. Interesting releases this week include Nisus Writer Express 2.0, DragThing 5.3.1, XBit 1.0.1, and Allume's Creative Essentials bundle.

TidBITS #745 on 2004-09-06

Apple announced the iMac G5 this week, introducing a faster machine in a completely new, iPod-like enclosure. The company also unveiled its iTunes Affiliate Program and a volume discount program; Adam examines how these moves are shaking up the online music industry. He also reviews NoteBook from Circus Ponies Software. Also this week, we note the releases of AirPort Driver Update 2004-08-31 and TypeIt4Me 2.0.

TidBITS #744 on 2004-08-30

Bare Bones introduced BBEdit 8.0 today, and we have the scoop on what's new in the venerable text editor. Meanwhile, Jeff Carlson digs his way out of a Palm Desktop installation nightmare, and Adam explains how Take Control updates work technically. In other news, the newest fashion accessory seems to be the action figure: Adam's and Microsoft's duke it out. We also note the releases of SpamSieve 2.2, OmniWeb 5.0.1, and AirPort 4.0.1, plus a FMChecker DealBITS drawing.

TidBITS #743 on 2004-08-23

How many times have you been asked, "Which Mac should I buy?" Adam has been hearing it for 17 years, and has written "Take Control of Buying a Mac" as the answer. Also in this issue, Jeff Carlson reviews The Missing Sync for Palm OS 4.0, which is due to replace PalmSource's HotSync software. In the news, Apple recalls a series of batteries for 15-inch PowerBook G4s, and we note the releases of Spring Cleaning 7.0 and Now Up-to-Date & Contact 4.5.3. Plus, we welcome Glenn's son Benjamin Warner Fleishman into the world!

TidBITS #742 on 2004-08-16

Do you want more from your Web browser? Check out Adam's review of the just-released OmniWeb 5.0, which is overflowing with power user features. Adam also relates lessons learned from testing a soon-to-be-opened wireless network at his local public library, and he looks into why Aladdin Systems has changed its name to Allume Systems. In the news, Apple ships Motion, and we announce a DealBITS drawing for BeLight's label and envelope software Mail Factory.

TidBITS #741 on 2004-08-09

It's summer in the United States, and Jonathan Jackel is in a driving mood, cruising with the Route 66 mapping software. Meanwhile, Andrew Laurence is lazing about on the couch with Elgato's EyeHome digital media device. In other news, Apple released Mac OS X 10.3.5 and Security Update 2004-08-09, Intuit has released Quicken 2005, Apple posted iPhoto 4.0.2 then quickly replaced it with iPhoto 4.0.3, and iData Pro has returned as iData 2 under Mac OS X. In DealBITS this week, enter to win free DLexpo VIP passes!

TidBITS #740 on 2004-08-02

RealNetworks may be poking a hornet's nest with its Harmony software, which enables customers to play music from the RealPlayer Music Store on iPods. Needless to say, Apple is not amused. Also in this issue, Joe Kissell shares advice on making attachments stick when using Apple's Mail software (and announces his new "Take Control of Email with Apple Mail" ebook), TidBITS rolls into the blogosphere with a new weblog, and we wish Steve Jobs a thorough and speedy recovery following cancer surgery this past weekend.

TidBITS #739 on 2004-07-26

Adam continues the summer Mac conference circuit, reporting on how he spent several sleep-deprived nights in Dearborn, Michigan at the ADHOC (formerly MacHack) conference. In particular, check out the winners of the ADHOC Showcase programming competition! Also in this issue, Matt Neuburg goes face to (type)face with Insider Software's FontAgent Pro, and we note the releases of Salling Clicker 2.2 and WebSTAR 5.3.3.

TidBITS #738 on 2004-07-19

Along with our initial coverage of the new iPods, this issue focuses on last week's Macworld Expo in Boston, complete with Tonya's overview of the show, Adam's rating of how different aspects of the conference stacked up, and our traditional list of the most interesting products and events. In the news, Stairways Software released Interarchy 7.2, and Apple posted a $61 million profit and confirmed that the forthcoming iMacs would use the PowerPC G5.

TidBITS #737 on 2004-07-12

Thinking about buying an AirPort Express to connect wired and wireless networks? To coincide with the release of his ebook "Take Control of Your AirPort Network," Glenn Fleishman examines the limitation of the Express's single Ethernet port. Speaking of networking, a lightning strike prompts Adam to share his experience adding an Ethernet card to a Power Mac, and Matt Neuburg wonders how he ever used the Web without Webstractor.