Ever wonder what a day without Microsoft might be like? Ephraim Schwartz did, and hypothesizes what it would be like. While I agree with most of this points, one point struck me as extremely short sighted and presumptuous:
“We would also find out how bad the Linux and Apple vendors are at providing patches, compared to what [customers] got used to from Microsoft,â€? Pescattore says, adding that Microsoft is much better than Apple and Linux at delivering security patches. “If you keep getting into car accidents, you know how to fix dents.â€?
I just love that last line – “if you keep getting in to car accidents, you know how to fix dents“. That’s just brilliant. It puts the whole security onus on the customer, as if it’s their fault that their software is riddled with holes. Microsoft is re-cast in the role of the auto body shop, not the car manufacturer. A more correct way of restating this would be:
“If your car keeps breaking down because the vehicle wasn’t designed properly in the first place, why would you keep buying from the same manufacturer?”
This article just illustrates the narrow view most in the IT world have. Microsoft is all they have ever known. While it gives them fits of frustration, they would rather stay with the devil they know than dance with a devil they are unsure of. The best one can do in the face of this is to continue to educate the masses on the alternatives, be it commercial (Apple) or free (Linux).
Category: News
Those of you old enough to remember the graphic design application landscape in the early 90′s will remember a Photoshop competitor called ColorIt!. ColorIt! was a serious Photoshop competitor around the time of version 3 and 4 of Photoshop. It was priced much lower, but had a comparable feature-set. It also used plug-ins that were Photoshop compatible. In the late 90′s ColorIt! languished and was never upgraded past version 4.
Well, DigImageArts has purchased ColorIt! from the original company MicroFrontier, carbonized the application, and will release version 4.5 on June 1. While not a Universal Binary, ColorIt! will run in Rosetta and reuires a mere 6MB or RAM to operate.
DigImageArts doesn’t have their website or online ordering completed yet, so if you would like to get ColorIt! when it is first released, call (800) 388-8109 to order. Advanced orders can be placed for $44.95 – 10% off the regular price. If you own ColorIt! 4.0, you can get the upgrade for $39.95
Category: News
If you are a web developer using Mac OS X, you need this application. Headdress simplifies setting up virtual hosts on Mac OS X. With just two clicks, you can add a virtual host to your Mac without ever touching your httpd.conf file. Adding virtual hosts (and removing them) is literally a snap. As you add sites, Headdress assigns them a port number, so you can store a websites files anywhere on your harddrive, and view them at http://localhost:port#.
Headdress is available for download. You can trial the software (2 sites max), and a license will cost you $14.95.
Category: News
Macworld has released the first round of benchmarks on the new Macbooks. Not surprisingly, the Macbooks held their own in CPU intensive tasks against the Macbook Pro. The real achilles heel of the Macbooks is their integrated graphics. On an Unreal Tournament test, the Macbook averaged 17.6 fps, while the Macbook Pro averaged 63.1 fps. Obviously, if you want to play games, the Macbook is not the best choice.
Still, for the money, the Macbook is an incredible value and looks to be a great alternative to the Macbook for business related tasks.
Category: News
Apple has released Final Cut Express HD 3.5, an upgrde to it’s mid level video editing suite. Version 3.5 adds a number of features, including being a Universal Binary so it can run on Intel Macs. Other new features include:
- Full keyframe control over effects and motion parameters
- Dynamic real-time effects
- New versions of LiveType and Soundtrack
Final Cut Express HD 3.5 is now shipping, and retails for $299 or a $99 upgrade form any previous version of Final Cut Express. Amazon.com offers the app for $279.99 or upgrades for $89.99. Support OS X Factor by using this link to buy Final Cut Express HD!
Category: News
Apple has released the Intel Macbook, in three configurations, starting at $1099. The rumors were correct that there is a black and white version, although the black Macbook is only available in the $1499 2.0ghz model. All models include Front Row and the built in iSight camera, 13″ 1280×800 display, 512MB of RAM (expandable to 2GB of RAM). The Macbook includes an integrated graphics system based on the Intel GMA 950 graphics processor, with up to 64MB of memory (shared from main system RAM).
While the pricing seems a bit higher, the Macbook is a definite improvement in quality and features over the iBook. Apple has apparently tried to bridge the gap between the consumer iBook and the professional Powerbook user.
The biggest grips from potential buyers will be that the integrated graphics system is sub par, and the black Macbook, which is sure to be in demand, is $200 higher than the white version, and all you get (apart from a black exterior) is 20GB extra of hard drive space. Is Apple intentionally trying to steer people to the $1299 white Macbook? Time will tell…
Category: News
Nothing irks me more than coming across a website that intentionally blocks Mac users from viewing its content. It’s even more annoying when the reason that is listed is completetly and utterly bogus. It’s even MORE annoying when the same website worked just fine on a Mac a few weeks previous.
The site I’m referring to is Nick Jr., and their Nick Jr. “Play Time” site. It’s a Flash based site that offers music and videos from some of their popular shows. My daughter is currently enamored with the Backyardigans. She loves their music. My wife has been using their website to play their songs and let my daughter sing along to them. They also would watch the videos from some of the Backyardigans episodes.
Last week my wife was having trouble accessing the site. I took a look at the screen, and noticed that it was trying to access contnet in Windows Media format (version 9 or better according to the site). So I made sure I had the latest Flip4Mac Windows Media plugin installed. Check. Still, the page wouldn’t come up. So I went back to Microsoft’s site and downloaded the Microsoft Windows Media player for OS X. Check. Still, the Nick Jr. Play Time site would display it’s blocking message…
“Nick Jr. Video is only available to PC users at this time. When technology becomes available to support Nick Jr. Video on a Macintosh, we will develop a version for Mac users.”
What the? “When technology becomes available…”? Are they serious? First of all, the technology you use exists and is readily available for Mac users. Secondly, you could use a format that is on more computers, like say – Flash or Quicktime, and not have these issues at all. The fact that Nick Jr. is pushing this lie that the reason my daughter can’t watch her Backyardigans clips on their website is that the technology isn’t available is just plain deceitful.
Want to tell Nick Jr. what you think of their deceitful message? Sound off with this form.
Category: News
The Beatles have come up short in their bid to prevent Apple from using their name and logo in association with any music related products. The London court found that because Apple used their logo in advertising their store – not the music contained therein, that they were within their fair use rights.
The Beatles lawsuit was considered by many to be a slam dunk for Apple Corps., the music label created by the Beatles in the late 60′s. Prior agreements between Apple Corps. and Apple Computer have allowed Apple to use the “Apple” name on computer products, but prevented it’s use on any product that was music related.
Category: News
Waterfall Software has released an update to their ultra useful password storage tool Wallet. Version 2.5 adds one of the most requested features – .Mac syncing. In addition, Wallet also features color coded labels, and a new look for the password creation window. Wallet 2.5 is a Universal Binary and is available for $14.95.
I’ve used just about every password creation/storage tool on the Mac, and I have to say that Wallet is definitely the most solid, complete tool available (at this moment). Worth every penny of the $15 shareware fee.
Category: News
Apple today released the 17″ version of the Macbook Pro. Featuring a 17″ 1680×1050 display, 1GB of RAM, 2.16ghz Intel Core Duo CPU, ATI Radeon x1600 256MB GPU, 120GB 5400 RPM HD, 8x Dual Layer DVD Burner, Firewire (1) 400, (1) 800, and (3) USB 2.0 ports.
The Macbook Pro 17″ also includes a built-in iSight camera, Front Row, Apple Remote, and the MagSafe Power Adapter. It is available now for $2799 USD, with shipping listed as 7-10 days at the Apple Store.
Category: News
