TidBITS #861 on 2007-01-08

Our 2007 coverage begins with the release of the first-ever TidBITS Archive CD, containing the complete archive of our 17 years of Macintosh reporting! Then Glenn Fleishman examines Apple's stock option backdating woes, and Joe Kissell looks at the VMware Fusion beta for those interested in virtualizing Windows on a Mac. We also write up the releases of PreFab UI Browser 2.0, Simon 2.2, and updates to Microsoft Office 2004 and Office X, and pass along some Macworld Expo event updates. Anchoring the issue is the first installment of an occasional column by college freshman Dan Pourhadi aimed at explaining how and why young people interact with technology as they do.

TidBITS #860 on 2006-12-18

Although this is our last issue of 2006, we've packed it with enough information to keep you busy until 2007. Glenn Fleishman notes the unusual release by Adobe of a public beta of Photoshop CS3 and peeks at the MacSanta promotion involving many key Mac software developers. Matt Neuburg examines a new version of Color It! (the mere appearance of which seems to necessitate the exclamation point in the name). Angus Wong interviews Ben Rudolph of Parallels about the company's virtualization software, and Tomoharu Nishino contributes an in-depth review of the Sony PRS ebook reader. We also note the passing of self-professed "color geek" Bruce Fraser and look ahead to events at Macworld Expo in January. See you next year!

TidBITS #859 on 2006-12-11

While most of us were taking a break over the Thanksgiving vacation in the United States, Adam and Tonya caught up on their reading and videos. Adam looks at a DVD of Apple's early days in "In Search of the Valley," while Tonya takes a trip with Suzanne Stefanac's "Dispatches from Blogistan." Also in this issue, Glenn Fleishman muses on the presence of 802.11n wireless networking hardware in some current Macs, Adam both examines a privacy issue with the Nike+iPod Sport Kit and reviews the RollerMouse Pro, and we note the release of DiskWarrior 4.

TidBITS #858 on 2006-12-07

December is well upon us, which means that the season of end-of-year holidays is underway. We're pleased to present you with our traditional collection of holiday gift ideas, as ably suggested by TidBITS readers just like you. So if you're still trying to think of that perfect something for that special someone, read on for a wide variety of ideas that are sure to astonish and delight your recipients as much as they did us. Happy Holidays!

TidBITS #857 on 2006-12-04

We have a cornucopia of content this week, with Joe Kissell giving us the lowdown on the new and potentially drool-worthy beta of Parallels Desktop, Glenn Fleishman explaining Apple's latest Security Update, and Adam looking in detail at the Magellan RoadMate 3000T/6000T car navigation GPS devices. Plus, Adam passes along news of PopChar X 3.1's release and an entertaining MacNotables podcast he did with Andy Ihnatko about Microsoft's Zune music player. We also have a slew of Take Control news this week, including the second edition of "Macworld iPod and iTunes Superguide," an update to "Take Control of Podcasting on the Mac," and the announcement of our holiday sale.

TidBITS #856 on 2006-11-20

There's a lot to cover before our Thanksgiving hiatus. Jeff Carlson marvels at how much less his new MacBook Pro costs compared to his previous Apple laptops, and also runs into a dastardly Retrospect problem while upgrading. Matt Neuburg notes the release of PTHPasteboard 4.0 and looks at MindManager for the Mac. Glenn Fleishman ponders power and iPods on airplanes after a recent Apple announcement, and we also note the release of firmware updates for Intel-based Macs, Apple Remote Desktop 3.1, and an update of "Take Control of Digital TV." Our next issue will be 04-Dec-06, but please send your holiday gift suggestions to TidBITS Talk in the meantime!

TidBITS #855 on 2006-11-13

This week's big Apple news is... the launch of Microsoft's Zune music player? Although the new device doesn't even work with Macs, the Zune is likely to affect Apple's iPod business. Glenn Fleishman looks at the Zune's features and some early reactions from the press, and then editor-at-large Geoff Duncan discusses how Microsoft abandoned its own PlaysForSure model, as well as the significance of the company's deal to pay Universal Music a percentage of each Zune sale (and why artists probably won't see any of that money). In other news, we note the releases of new MacBooks containing the Core 2 Duo processor, an archive CD from MacTech, Yojimbo 1.3, The Missing Sync for Windows Mobile 3.0, and 1Passwd 2.0. Lastly, Adam notes a change in how we use dates in TidBITS, and points out our borderline insane alter egos at Crazy Apple Rumors Site.

TidBITS #854 on 2006-11-06

It's hard to believe that it has been three years since the first Take Control ebook, but our current catalog of 44 titles doesn't lie. Adam looks at how this grand experiment is going (well!) and marks the occasion with a 50 percent-off sale. Also in this issue, Glenn Fleishman details the facts and FUD about a new AirPort Card security vulnerability. On the software front, Charles Maurer returns with a look at some alternatives to Adobe Photoshop, and we note the releases of SpamSieve 2.5, DVD Studio Pro 4.1.1, Final Cut Express HD 3.5.1, iTunes 7.0.2, Aperture 1.5.1, and an 8 GB version of the (PRODUCT RED) iPod nano. Finally, we note Windows Secrets, which Glenn sees as the closest thing to TidBITS for Windows users, and announce a new DealBITS drawing for PDFpen.

TidBITS #853 on 2006-10-30

Most of the news this week revolves around Apple's portable Macs, as the company releases new Core 2 Duo-powered MacBook Pros and a firmware update for the MacBook that fixes sudden shutdowns. Plus, Glenn Fleishman looks at a new Bluetooth-related security exploit that's likely to affect only laptop users (if anyone at all). Also with an eye toward helping you improve your security, Joe Kissell contributes a look at the humble but essential login password; this is an excerpt from his just-released ebook, "Take Control of Passwords in Mac OS X." In other news, Adobe releases a beta audio tool called Soundbooth, we announce a new sponsor, .Mac's webmail interface receives a major makeover, and we release the second and third editions, respectively, of "Take Control of Buying a Mac" and "Take Control of Buying a Digital Camera."

TidBITS #852 on 2006-10-23

This week we cover Apple's announcement of a strong fiscal Q4 for 2006, along with their admission that some iPods shipped with a Windows virus. In the software world, Parallels Desktop receives an official update, the outliner Acta is reborn as Opal, Skype 2.0 is released, and Matt Neuburg reviews the snippet keeper SlipBox. In Take Control News, we announce the release of "Real World Mac Maintenance and Backups" (based on two of our ebooks) and a print version of "Take Control of Thanksgiving Dinner." Plus, Glenn Fleishman looks at the lawsuit against the Spamhaus Project, and Adam is quoted in a New York Times article that also mentions Madonna and Bill Clinton. Really!

TidBITS #851 on 2006-10-16

Just when you thought Eudora might never be updated, we have surprising news: the venerable email client is becoming an open-source project built on Mozilla's Thunderbird. Read on for details, staff commentary, and a MacNotables podcast with Adam Engst and Macworld's Jason Snell. Also in this issue, Apple releases a red iPod nano whose sales will contribute to global AIDS relief, Google buys YouTube for $1.65 billion, and 3D-XplorMath makes scientific fine art. Plus, Glenn Fleishman notes the first set of ExpressCards coming to the Mac, and Charles Maurer returns with a review of Photomatix.

TidBITS #850 on 2006-10-09

An ever-increasing number of people are becoming adherents of the Getting Things Done system of managing to-do items, and this week Matt Neuburg reviews Thinking Rock, a free application that's one of the first to implement the GTD model directly. Also, Glenn Fleishman reports on Apple's stock option woes and passes on a tip to prevent laptop insomnia. Then we're joined by David Strom, who ponders the lessening difference between the real and the virtual worlds. In the news this week, we look at the releases of PocketMac for BlackBerry 4 and "Real World Mac OS X Fonts."

TidBITS #849 on 2006-10-02

Apple turned on the update hose last week, spraying out updates to many of the company's software products. Jeff Carlson reports on Mac OS X 10.4.8, Aperture 1.5, iTunes 7.0.1, Final Cut Pro 5.1.2, Logic Express 7.2.3 and Logic Pro 7.2.3, plus lesser updates to Final Cut Studio and the programs in the iLife '06 and iWork '06 suites. For your reading pleasure while Apple's updates download, Jonathan Sousa provides a primer on getting started with MySQL, Adam looks at the release of StuffIt Deluxe 11 and explains how to keep tabs on your friends with iChat, and Glenn Fleishman notes the release of Microsoft Messenger for Mac 6.0.

TidBITS #848 on 2006-09-25

You may be an inforg and not even know it. In this issue, we welcome back Professor Luciano Floridi for a forward-looking article on how we're adapting to the infosphere and what's in store as humans and technology continue to merge (and no, we're not talking cyborgs). In other news, Apple releases Security Update 2006-005 and AirPort Update 2006-001 to deal with potential AirPort exploits, the iTunes Store sells 125,000 movies during the first week of movie sales, Adobe attempts to clarify the future of GoLive, and Glenn Fleishman reviews Rogue Amoeba's Fission audio editor.

TidBITS #847 on 2006-09-18

Apple and Adobe helped us fill this issue with big announcements. Adobe today announced Adobe Creative Suite 2.3, replacing GoLive CS2 with Dreamweaver 8 and upgrading Acrobat Professional to version 8.0. But the bigger news was that Apple last week introduced a new video-enabled iPod, iPod nano, and a much-smaller iPod shuffle before pulling back the curtain on iTunes 7 and the capability to purchase and download full-length movies from the iTunes Store. And then, in a rare pre-announcement, Steve Jobs demonstrated iTV, a set-top box to stream video content to your television. We have a rundown of all the news, plus a look at the HDMI video connections that may play a key role in the iTV. Lastly, Adam relates a truly wacky importing feature hidden deep within iPhoto 6.

TidBITS #846 on 2006-09-11

Apple widened its consumer offerings last week with updates to the iMac line, adding Intel Core 2 Duo processors and a 24-inch iMac model (and speed-bumping the Mac mini). Also in this issue, Adam details some of the behind-the-curtain changes we've been implementing and looks in detail at the new BBEdit 8.5; Glenn Fleishman praises the elegant coconutWiFi; and we cover the releases of OmniWeb 5.5, Interarchy 8.2, and a Mac Pro-compatible version of Parallels Desktop.

TidBITS #845 on 2006-09-04

As students in the U.S. head back to school, college freshman Dan Pourhadi takes on a challenge: with $2,000 to spend, what computer gear would he recommend a new student buy for college? In other news, Glenn Fleishman looks at Amazon.com's new EC2 on-demand computing service, Google CEO Eric Schmidt joins the Apple Board of Directors, and Jeff Carlson offers a free downloadable chapter from his latest book on iMovie HD 6 and iDVD 6.

TidBITS #844 on 2006-08-28

After nearly 600 issues, Technical Editor Geoff Duncan is ceasing day-to-day work with TidBITS. In a farewell article, he looks back on his years with TidBITS and how computer technology has evolved while still failing to make the need for support and explanation obsolete. Also in this issue, we look at Apple's busy week recalling 1.8 million iBook G4 and PowerBook G4 batteries, paying $100 million to settle a lawsuit with Creative Technologies, and issuing a careful denial of a MacBook Wi-Fi security exploit. Plus, Adam notes Google's displeasure at being verbed, as well as the release of our latest ebook, "Take Control of Booking a Cheap Airline Ticket," and a new program to make Take Control titles extremely affordable for classroom use.

TidBITS #843 on 2006-08-21

Now that we've had a chance to absorb the preview of Mac OS X 10.5 Leopard, we can move on to other topics. Glenn Fleishman examines two secure file-transfer services that cleverly implement peer-to-peer technology. Matt Neuburg reflects on the quality of this year's Worldwide Developer Conference with suggestions on how Apple could improve the experience. Then we note that the IMAP email client Mulberry is now free, that Dell is recalling 4.1 million laptop batteries (and how that may affect Mac users), and that the print-on-demand version of "Take Control of Syncing in Tiger" is now available. On the Apple update front, we cover two that provide important fixes for the MacBook and MacBook Pro, along with updates for Logic Pro 7.2.2, Logic Express 7.2.2, and Boot Camp 1.1 beta.

TidBITS #842 on 2006-08-14

Steve Jobs previewed Mac OS X 10.5 Leopard at last week's Worldwide Developer Conference, but his references to still-secret features piqued our curiosity. This week, we offer a wish list of fixes and features we'd like to see appear from behind the curtain when Leopard ships next year. Also in this issue, Matt Neuburg looks at Microsoft's discontinuation of Visual Basic in the next version of Microsoft Office for Macintosh, and Adam both provides more thoughts on a collaborative editing application and notices that the latest iPod software update causes his iPod nano to sk-sk-skip. Plus, we note the winners of this year's Apple Design Awards and announce a DealBITS drawing for lynda.com's Online Training Library.

TidBITS #841 on 2006-08-07

Apple is hosting its Worldwide Developer Conference (WWDC) this week, and kicked things off by previewing key features of Mac OS X 10.5 Leopard and completing its transition to Intel processors by retiring its PowerPC-based Power Mac and Xserve lines in favor of faster Intel-based Mac Pro and Xserve systems. Also this week, Adam announces new "Take Control of Syncing in Tiger" and "iPhoto 6: Visual QuickStart Guide" ebooks; Matt Neuburg keys into TypeIt4Me 3.0; Jeff Carlson looks at Apple's latest security update; and Glenn Fleishman covers AOL's conversion to a free Internet service, the announcement of VMWare for Mac OS X, and a possible Wi-Fi exploit which could affect Apple's Intel-based Macs.

TidBITS #840 on 2006-07-31

Do you spend more time trying to stay organized than actually accomplishing what's on your list? Jeff Porten returns this week with some concrete steps for implementing the Getting Things Done organizational system. AppleCare owners can download a disk image to make a bootable CD that contains a universal binary of TechTool Deluxe. We also note the releases of a Bluetooth Mighty Mouse and Mark/Space's The Missing Sync for Windows Mobile 5, along with news of a MacBook Pro battery recall and a new version of Audio Hijack Pro that simplifies recording voice over IP phone calls for podcasts.

TidBITS #839 on 2006-07-24

Do you feel like you're always behind on all the tasks you need to accomplish? Jeff Porten examines the Getting Things Done system with an eye toward using your Mac to help organize your life. Also this week, Adam and Jason Snell of Mac Publishing submit an RFP - request for proposal - to spur Macintosh developers to create a collaborative writing environment. Plus, Apple announced another banner quarter with a $472 million profit, Adam and Tonya talk about computer book publishing on the MacNotables podcast, and we announce upcoming changes to our back end systems.

TidBITS #838 on 2006-07-17

Summer weather in the United States makes for good driving weather, and what better way to travel than with your favorite music? Adam takes a set of devices that let you play your iPod's tunes in the car for a test drive. Also in this issue, Matt Neuburg gives a written presentation of Mousepose 2, Adam and Tonya are honored by inclusion in the MacTech 25 list, Adam looks at the release of NoteBook 2.1, and we announce the release of a print-on-demand version of "Take Control of Running Windows on a Mac." Lastly, check out this week's DealBITS offer for BeLight Software's Image Tricks.

TidBITS #837 on 2006-07-10

Our topics span the gamut this week, as Jeff Carlson leads off with news of Adam's #3 ranking in the latest MDJ Power 25 survey. Mark Anbinder looks at the new education-only iMac, Matt Neuburg examines how Dashboard phones home to Apple and covers the release of Style Master 4.5, and Adam looks at how Google has become a verb and lists some recent Take Control author and staff interviews. In the news, we welcome Mark/Space as a sponsor, cover the release of Opera 9 and SOHO Notes 5.5 (replacing StickyBrain), and point you toward a particularly hilarious week of posts at Crazy Apple Rumors.