TPN::MacHelp from Maui

The Last Machelp from Maui Podcast

Scott — Fri, 04 May 2007 08:11:18 +0000

“Da kine go stay go!”

Carmen and Scott regret to announce that as of this show, the MacHelp from Maui podcast will no longer be heard.

That’s right, we’ve finally given in to the ennui of the islands - this is just too much like work!

Not really - but Apple doesn’t need us anymore - they’re doing just great. Hawaiian music wins Grammy Awards and fans all over the world every day. Even Microsoft, our old foe has become an embarrass to itself. So after a delightful two-year assault on the patience of over a thousand otherwise sensible listeners we’re going to give it a rest.

As a Go-Away-Already bonus and to increase the maudlin self-indulgence of this occasion, we are giving away five (5) of Pekelo’s new CD “Hana By The Sea.”

You’ve heard many of the songs on the show, so this is your last chance to score the whole thing. Just send email to scott@machelpmaui.com or carmen@machelpmaui.com and we’ll choose the winner in some devious manner. Because any promotional benefits are essentially nil, we only ask that you contribute the cost of shipping - probably via our Paypal acct. We’ll contact the winners by email.

Carmen and I both picked the same song as our all-time favorite: Diesel singing “I want to die young…” This last podcast will be in stereo and 128-bit ACC so you can enjoy this wonderful song from a great talent.

“Live Well, Do Good Work and Use Really Great Tools!”

Aloha a hui hou,

Scott Waters
Carmen Gardner

Ulu the Border Collie

Mike the Mixer

Roland the Edirol

Roy the binaural head

Cadbury’s the chocolate

Tetley’s the tea

MacHelp Podcast #91 Rumor Milling

Scott — Wed, 04 Apr 2007 05:36:21 +0000

Should you get a new Mac now or wait until the heat death of the universe?

Why are some many people waiting for Leopard? So what if you don’t have the newest Mac on the block. So what if your friends all think you’re a raw newbie? We attempt to peer past the noise of the rumor mill to see what’s in Apple’s near future so that the stress won’t overcome you.

Then, after a few dozen chocolate chip cookies, Pekelo plays the Hoki Poki Hula all around Hana town before we go out with a whimper.

Apple architecture leaked and Scribd!

Scott — Mon, 02 Apr 2007 18:21:26 +0000

Description: Internal Apple information on the iPhone OSX architecture.

Apple’s iPhone architecture exposed! For those of you who are into such things, here’s a little geek porn - the first known diagram of how the hardware and software of the iPhone work. You can see how they assigned priorities and dependencies to the code and chip bits that underlay the devices features. There’s even a game stack and “touch services” which may be illegal in some states.

And the phone stuff appears to be in the category of “Radio.” Remember radio? Now the word for an entire industry has collapsed into an embedded feature in a thing you will keep in your pocket.

It’s also interesting that the device runs on an updated version of the Newton’s chip, making it even more realistic to call the iPhone Newton II.

Then there is this “Scribd” service where the leaked Apple document is displayed. I like the interface and the concept. Scribd deserves a closer look.

John C. Devorac sticks head up ass, rolls down street

Scott — Fri, 30 Mar 2007 17:33:05 +0000

I know he’s trolling for hits again by pissing off Mac users, but some other twit may then take his demented ravings to heart and decide to wait for the ZunePhone. This could bring an end to civilization as we know it.

“Johnny C” - as he is known in the troll escort business - is an otherwise intelligent curmudgeon and tech-journalist who has most recently unfortunately declared that “Apple should pull the plug on the iPhone.”

Now there’s a really stupid idea, and it’s not the first one he’s secreted, but he’ll get all this attention Mac lovers will spray it all over him until something else such as a troop surge gets our attention. Just a few years ago he suggested that Apple drop OSX and switch to Windows!

I hate to quote him too much - you can go read the rest for yourself.

“The problem here is that while Apple can play the fashion game as well as any company, there is no evidence that it can play it fast enough. These phones go in and out of style so fast that unless Apple has half a dozen variants in the pipeline, its phone, even if immediately successful, will be passé within 3 months.

There is no likelihood that Apple can be successful in a business this competitive. Even in the business where it is a clear pioneer, the personal computer, it had to compete with Microsoft and can only sustain a 5% market share.

And its survival in the computer business relies on good margins. Those margins cannot exist in the mobile handset business for more than 15 minutes.”

In fact, Apple can move faster than any company in the world. They probably DO have a dozen variants in the pipeline. In three months the price may drop and they will sell even more. Microsoft became the market leader through evil business practices and because Apple gave it to them in the 90s.

Ok, now get ready for this one:

Even Microsoft itself has troubles with its attempts to get into a small sub segment of the handset business with its operating system.

OOh Microsoft couldn’t do it so NO ONE CAN!
(I’m going to be sick)

Enough! Someone get this man a clue or better yet - ignore him.

MacHelp from Maui #90 The 10.4.9 Update - Viruses & Jawaiian Reggae

Scott — Wed, 21 Mar 2007 01:47:07 +0000

Viruses & what’s in the Mac OS X.4.9 Update.
Sahra Indio plays Sweet Reggae Music From Hawaii

Awww!

Scott — Fri, 16 Mar 2007 16:40:06 +0000

At YouTube a Mac PowerBook user closes his computer to show the baby squirrel that has cuddled up underneath. Too freakin’ cute.

Go see this! LINK

MacHelp from Maui #89 Charley’s

Scott — Wed, 14 Mar 2007 19:43:12 +0000

Live from Charley’s in Paia - Pekelo!

Get your headphones ready! After we slosh about in the rumor pool, you’ll hear a special binaural recording of Pekelo live at Maui’s best local bar. Almost like being there.

(picture of “Roy” the binaural head and Pekelo pretending this is normal)

MacHelp from Maui #88 Iliili!

Scott — Wed, 07 Mar 2007 07:32:27 +0000

A little history - with no time left for the music of which we speak.
Our guest/victim this time is David Kapralik, a dear friend and inspiration who takes us back in time, then forward into our future.

FYI: LaCie updates firmware

Scott — Mon, 05 Mar 2007 18:12:24 +0000

Since I’m always recommending LaCie drives for backups and production storage here’s an announcement of the software for your drive.

LaCie Update Tool v1.3.3 is now Mac OS X Tiger (10.4) compatible and adds the latest firmware support for d2 and Design by F.A. Porsche drives with FireWire 400 and 800 and/or USB 2.0 interface.

IMPORTANT: Updating drive firmware is a critical task that should be done with attention to the included instructions. While LaCie has taken precautions to prevent data loss, be sure to have a backup copy of any important files or data before attempting to update firmware. Normally, firmware updating will not alter any data on the drive. If there are other unanticipated issues with your more…system, data loss is possible during the update process. Please proceed with caution. Be sure that your operating system is running correctly.

WHAT’S NEW Version 1.4.1: Adds the latest firmware support for d2 and Design by F.A. Porsche drives with FireWire 400 and 800 and/or USB 2.0 interface.

Read all the scary stuff in the info and be sure to back up your important files to a CD or DVD just in case. I’ve seen very few problems with LaCie drives so this would be a least a good reason to back-up your back-ups.

LINKY

iPhone on YouTube

Scott — Mon, 15 Jan 2007 02:30:51 +0000

Great Blog on Kissing Up to Google

Scott — Mon, 08 Jan 2007 18:48:16 +0000

Here’s a nice, concise article about how to make your blog or website show up in the various search engines.

When talking with new website clients, I can always tell that it’s going to go bad if their first two requirements are 1. Flash and 2. Google ranking.

This is because the actual goal of a website is to SELL or TELL. The ultimate and actual target is a warm-blooded carbon unit at a keyboard down the end of a long virtual wire - not Google. Basing the presentation of a website on invasive technologies such as Flash animation or playing music is so off base as to be psychotic.

Once that is handled though, getting ranked in Google is important. You should always consider your media, just don’t put it before your market. So here’s a short and sweet article on doing that.

Search Engine Optimization

First, you got to create good content. Second, you ought to make your content accessible. And third, you should tell others about your content.

You want to rank well in Google, but you need to ask yourself: why should you rank well?

It’s more obvious why you want to rank well; you want more visitors, you want to spread the word on something that is important to you, you want to change the world, or maybe you just want to sell something, facing strong online competition. But why shouldwebmaster – but search engines first and foremost cater to the searcher. So you better make sure you deserve to be ranking well in Google for whatever it is you deliver to the searcher.

You’ve eaten the nest, now read the rest: LINK

Guy Kawasaki Interviews Woz

Scott — Mon, 20 Nov 2006 06:38:42 +0000

I could listen to Woz talk all day long. He’s funny, hyper and he has something to say about growing up smart and doing good work. Woz is America at it’s best. His grandparents were some of those awful immigrants you’ve heard so much about lately.

Guy had a chance to interview Woz and the whole thing is on line.

LINK

I can’t wait to read his new book “iWoz”

iPhone Fantasy Feature Leaks

Scott — Fri, 20 Oct 2006 17:43:14 +0000

Is it just a rumor or my dreams come true?

I hate telephones, especially cell phones. The interface sucks, the buttons don’t work, they cost too much and they are UGLY. When my cell phone rings I have to pop out the ear bugs connected to my iPod, find the damn thing, push just the right tiny button then smack it to the side of my face, all while staying on the road lane, trying to get my glasses back on and keep the dog from licking the phone.

If Apple makes a phone, then I want one. First because it won’t suck, second because it will play music and third - well, it will be very cool - and I need all the help I can get in that regard.

The blog “NoHeat“ leaks some tantalizing details on the next great thing:

Apple iPhone Feature Leaks
The iPhone has been the subject of speculation for quite a while and I thought I would drop what I know. I will try to not drop enough information as to reveal my source.

The iPhone is a black device that is nearly featureless on the front except the dock and a couple of other buttons. On the bottom is what appears to be a standard dock. The most remarkable feature of the iPhone is the display, which I hear is breathtaking as it emerges from behind what appears to be black plastic. The whole front, with exception to a couple of millimeters along the edges of the iPhone, is touch sensitive and allows the customer to select from objects on the screen, such as the phone’s keyboard. This feature was widely described for the nebulous full screen iPod and will instead be found in the iPhone. It was the patents that were acquired for the iPhone that started that speculation.

The iPhones PDA-like capabilities have been leaked already, such as email (via WIFI), calc, ical support, and others, so I won’t go into those. Obviously the games featured for the existing iPods will be playable on the new iPod.

Some of the coolest features mentioned, include the ability to have a hands-free conversation over auto adapters with the new iPhone. Bundled with the new phone is software called iTalk that keeps your voice from being carried over and includes privacy, IM and sync features. Other cool features are the ability to control other Apple devices not yet released with your iPhone like a super remote control…

The most important question is when you will actually be able to get this device in your hand. This is where the bad news starts. Even though the iPhone has been in development internally at Apple for quite awhile, the manufacturing process of selecting partners to create the device has been a slow and painful process that began in March and may need a while longer to spin up. The good news is we will see the iPhone very soon — very, very soon indeed. Just means you may not be able to hold one in your hand before this Christmas season.

This product is the Zune killer that has been held back and will likely leapfrog over cell phones, PDAs, and MP3 and video players that are out there. I have heard that iPod product line will likely take on most of the non-phone features of the iPhone, including the new screen technology.

Wired History of the iPod

Scott — Tue, 17 Oct 2006 19:06:38 +0000

Wired magazine’s on-line variant has a great article on how Apple went about developing the iPod. The story is a shows how product development should happen and why Apple keeps getting better.

Here are some choice bits:

“Most people make the mistake of thinking design is what it looks like,” Jobs told the Times. “That’s not what we think design is. It’s not just what it looks like and feels like. Design is how it works.”

The iPod name came from an earlier Apple project to build an internet kiosk, which never saw the light of day. On July 24, 2000, Apple registered the iPod name for “a public internet kiosk enclosure containing computer equipment,” according to the filing.

Jonathan Ive, Apple’s vice president of industrial design, made prototype after prototype.
‘’Steve made some very interesting observations very early on about how this was about navigating content,'’ Ive told The New York Times. ‘’It was about being very focused and not trying to do too much with the device — which would have been its complication and, therefore, its demise. The enabling features aren’t obvious and evident, because the key was getting rid of stuff.'’

The drive was 1.8 inches in diameter — considerably smaller than the 2.5-inch Fujitsu drive used in competing players — but Toshiba didn’t have any idea what it might be used for.
“They said they didn’t know what to do with it. Maybe put it in a small notebook,” Rubinstein recalled. “I went back to Steve and I said, ‘I know how to do this. I’ve got all the parts.’ He said, ‘Go for it.’”

Read it all here: LINK

MacHelp from Maui #67 CDs iTunes & Music

Scott — Tue, 26 Sep 2006 18:24:07 +0000

Many things to hear and talk about

Carmen encounters multi-session CDs

iWoz and some old Apple tales

New Apple Ads

iTunes problems

The Hawaiian word of the day

More music from Kenneth Makuakane

MacHelp’s Recording Rig

Scott — Mon, 25 Sep 2006 18:40:48 +0000

I began the MacHelp from Maui podcast with a Tascam PocketStudio and an old singer’s mic I had laying about. But when my Carmen joined-up we upgraded to a Behringer 4-track mixer, a Shure SM-59 and an AKG something mic which made it sound 100% better. For a while I recorded straight into GarageBand which is amazing but difficult for tight editing, so I switched over to Sound Studio for the pre-production work. I like Audacity, but it crashes if you don’t save often and Sound Studio allows me to add track marks, compress and normalise.

But my old G4 was always so loud I could hear it in the mix so we’re now recording to a tiny Edirol R-09 recorder patched directly into the mixer. This lets me turn the big Mac off when recording and use my PowerBook to browse as needed. The Edirol is just amazing! I get three hours recording at 330bits, or 45 minutes at 24-bit WAVE and it’s absolutely silent. It’s about the size of an iPod and has great headroom with built-in mics for doing interviews.

The R-09 is then plugged into my big Mac (USB) where the tracks are chopped and compressed with Sound Studio before being dragged into GarageBand for the final mix.

I wish I didn’t have to move the files around so much, but I like a real clear sound and the whole rig, except for the mic stands, fits into a shoulder bag. If GarageBand had better editing I’d do everything there.

We’re going to try some phone interviews soon, Apple’s iChat automatically patches into GarageBand recording both sides of the conversation as well as the mic inputs on separate tracks. It’s a little fussy getting the programs to talk, you have to open everything in the right order but then the tracks just appear and you hit record.

Since all of our listeners are on Macs or listen through iTunes, we mix down to AAC with embeded graphics and links. A 45 minute mono show ends up at about 9-12 megs even with all the pictures attached.

The RSS feed is made with Radio UserLand which, except for it’s perfect RSS rendering sucks rocks. I run the feed through FeedBurner where the header and iTunes tages are added. The podcast shows up at iTunes within 15 minutes of being posted.

Each podcast currently takes about an hour to record then two to three hours to edit. It would be nice to just record, edit, upload then put the kettle on.

Scott & Carmen

Magic spelling key found

Scott — Thu, 21 Sep 2006 19:24:12 +0000

Wow, somoeone’s finger slipped and they stumbled on one of the Mac’s secret keystrokes, the good-old “esc” or Escape key. in some applications, when you press this key after typing a few letters to begin a word, tapping this key will pop-up a scrollable list of words that start with those letters.

“…I’ve obtained the habit of hitting the escape key when I make a typo. Anyway, I was using iChat, and instead of hitting delete, I hit the escape key, and up popped a list of words starting with the letters I’d already entered!

I tried it in textedit as well, and it works there too! I checked the “hotkey” list from an old digg article I bookmarked and it wasn’t there. I haven’t seen it in the “cool things you didn’t know your mac could do” articles either (including holding shift while minimising/bringing up dashboard for slow motion or pressing ctrl+option+apple+8 to invert all colors ^^).

LINK

Apple’s First Web Site 1998

Scott — Mon, 18 Sep 2006 17:31:20 +0000

Apple.com is one of the oldest URLs on the web, their first website appearing in 1996.

Through the magic of the web.archive time machine, here is that first website in all it’s glory. As you could expect there are a few broken links, but it’s still fun to wander down memory lane and see what Steve had to deal with on his resurrection. There were too many products, no consistancy in the product design and wildly divergent components. You couldn’t even swap parts between some versions of the same model. This was a very difficult time.

The good news was that the iMac had been announced, which at last gave them a chance to more than regain their former glory. Eight years later, Apple has become a powerhouse in the industry, the product line is clear simple and selling like hotcakes. And best of all their webs site doesn’t look so dorky.

LINK

New IPods, Same Old ‘Cleats’

Scott — Thu, 14 Sep 2006 17:55:12 +0000

Apple’s big ‘Showtime” event has gone and went, taking with it our expectations and fantasies.

The new iPods are great, their introduction came just in time and the changes announced were all improvements, especially for those who wanted less of a god thing. Fark.com announced the tiny new iPod Shuffle with their usual insight and humor; “New mini iPod Shuffle shown today, subsequently lost”

The new metal-encased iPod Nano now holds more and doesn’t snap in half when you sit on it. The claim of play time per charge is “…up to 24 hours.” even with a few grains of salt this makes it easier to get miles away from your charger before the shutdown beep snaps you back to reality.

I’m waiting for just one more enhancement; a set of eadphones that won’t cleat itself to anything you walk past, ripping the pods from your ears as they wrap around your legs like a thin while bolo. I don’t know how many sets of phones I’ve had to retire because they formed an intimate relationship with a chair, tree limb or gear shift lever. I call this the ‘Cleat Principle’ and hope that someone does research on how to make more reliable restraints and tie-downs based on the behavior of headphone cables.

MacHelp from Maui Podcast #65

Scott — Tue, 12 Sep 2006 22:54:25 +0000

Hear the story of Carmen vs HP via India, Scott’s new Mac and iPod fantasies and how a CD cover got produced over iChat and across the islands.

Scott screws up the recording but it all works out in the end.

Send your questions, checks and suggestions to: scott@machelpmaui.com

From Keola Beamer’s Sweet Maui Moon CD you’ll hear “Mango Tree” love it and want to buy more.

Attn Santa!

Scott — Tue, 12 Sep 2006 22:03:39 +0000

It was just an iPod event

Well, maybe not ‘just’, but Steve’s standup this morning was about movies, iPods and iTunes which are all very cool, and which all support the bottom line. It’s been a while since Apple did anything for the iPod and the webs was starting to get a little testy with comments about the iPod losing it’s sex appeal while other companies took advantage of the delay to introduce their own so-called iPod ‘killers.’ So far, these upstarts have amounted to little more than iPod ‘nudgers.’ Even Microsoft’s yet to be seen ‘Zune’ device was the usual letdown.

Now Apple’s raised the bar by making the Nano into a Mini version 2 and shrinking the Shuffle down to the size of a lapel pin while improving the specs and lowering the price per neatness. This should make for an exciting holiday season.

By differentiating the Nano cosmetically from the larger iPod classic with colors and a Mini like metal case, the line now makes more sense. The new shape of the Shuffle makes the lack of a screen seem less apparent and putting a clip on the back was a very good idea. The Nano is also smaller while the storage and battery life have been improved. The competition will have to rethink their rip-offs and maybe even come up with their own ideas for a change.

The big, but not really that big news was the non-introducution of the Apple iTV, which must not have made it out of the FCC in time to ship. That’s not even the real name, but it’s a wireless Mac Mini like box that sends music and movies from a computer to your TV. The Airport Express only does this for music, which may be better for your health. I’ll wait. The new iTunes7 is cool. The layout makes more sense, you can buy movies from the iTunes store and it has lots of little additions like a feature that automatically gets album cover art - sometimes. You can even clip it on your belt. No wait - that was the Shuffle. ITunes even seems to sound better and connecting to a remote music server appears to be more reliable. I miss some of the secret key strokes and had to search for features that were moved to different places, but this looks like an improvement.

What’s disappointing are some changes at the iTunes store. Podcasts have been moved off the front page to make room for all the movies and the search window is gone. I couldn’t find my Podcast by scrolling through the offerings. Perhaps you’re supposed to use the general search window built into iTunes, but I wish they’d have left a good thing alone.

No iPhone, no video iPod, no MacBook Pro upgrade, but enough to make WalMart and the kids happy.

Time to get back to work Steve.

Ultimate iSight Installation

Administrator — Mon, 30 Jan 2006 16:34:58 +0000

There’s extreme and there’s EXTREME. Backyard security installation of your humble Apple iSight
[LINK]

Widgets on your iPod?

Administrator — Mon, 09 Jan 2006 16:33:52 +0000

Taking a break on the avalanche of Macworld rumors here’s something that actually has some body to it. Apple has filed a patent for Dashboard widget authoring that has some rather interesting information leading to believe that some widgets will run on iPods…. Here’s a little more from MacNN.

“The patent titled “Widget authoring and editing environment,” filed on January 5th, relates to Apple’s Mac OS X Dashboard feature, and suggested that widgets will be able to run on a “handheld computer, mobile device, consumer electronic device or the like.” A second interesting point relating to “Widget Installation” states that “Authentication and payment may be prerequisites for such operations in some embodiments,” which could have far-reaching implications in relation to future wireless over-the-air portables, according to Macsimum News.

Story via MacNN [LINK]
Patent Application [LINK]

Creative’s creative Podcast definition

Administrator — Thu, 05 Jan 2006 17:03:25 +0000

I’m not sure what drugs the folks over at Creative are taking but they’ve come up with this wonderfully whacky definition of “podcast”:

Story via Creative Zen [LINK]

MacWorld Countdown Widget

Administrator — Tue, 03 Jan 2006 16:31:10 +0000

For those of you who have trouble mentally keeping track of how many minutes it is before Steve unleashes what we all hope to be a plethora of new devices and goodies for us all, here’s a widget to do the maths for you ;)

Download it HERE

Meat: New iPod replaced with meat

Administrator — Fri, 30 Dec 2005 03:40:01 +0000

A Mililani, Hawaii woman claims that she purchased a video iPod for her 14-year-old son as a Christmas gift, but when he opened it the device had been replaced by some kind of mystery meat. “He went from joy, really happy joyful,” Rachel Cambra said, “then to discover this, just angry and hurt.”

Cambra said the iPod’s packaging was sealed (as was the meat) and that it didn’t appear to have been tampered with when she brought it home from the Honolulu Wal-Mart where she works. Dan Fogleman, a spokesman for Wal-Mart, said the package was sealed and has contacted Apple about the matter. He said Cambra will be given a new iPod for her son when the next shipment arrives.

Story via iLounge [LINK]

iBoxers, geeks can be sexy too!

Administrator — Wed, 28 Dec 2005 09:46:19 +0000

Now when I get underwear each year for Christmas not once has it ever been a pair of these! For those of you who like to go running in your boxer’s no longer do you have to hold your iPod in your hands or waste countless piles of 20cent pieces for an iPod armband. Now you can tuck your little sailer, oops, I meant “iPod” away where he’s safe and in most cases I’d presume your average bag snatcher isn’t willing to dare reach in to!

Story via freshPair [LINK]

Apple to sell podcasts via iTunes??

Administrator — Wed, 28 Dec 2005 09:43:43 +0000

Don’t worry folks we certainly aren’t about to charge for our little blip on the world’s podcasting radar, however it seems that some of the folks over there in old England land have let it slip that in January they’re going to be charging for “podcasts”. What I Want Podcasting promises to offer podcasts for sale through iTunes “in the very near future”. The company will offer live performance footage from the Air Jamaica Jazz and Blues festival which takes place in late January 2006.

Story via Macworld UK [LINK]

When Apple fans go too far…

Administrator — Sat, 24 Dec 2005 03:32:11 +0000

Remember those Apple logo stickers you used to get (or may still do if you’re lucky!) with a new Mac…. well one fan boy has taken things to the next level decorating his vehicle to somewhat “extreme” measures ;)

Story via Flickr [LINK]

Give your Xbox 360 an iPod dock

Administrator — Tue, 20 Dec 2005 22:49:14 +0000

It may not be available here in Australia until March next year (booooooooo MicroSuck!) but for those of you over in US & Japan lands then Engadget has an interesting article on how to integrate your iPod straight in to the 360’s shell. Now if the engineers over @ Apple can follow this perhaps they’ll get an iPod dock in the Mac Mini next time?? ;)

Story via Engadget [LINK]
Part II via Engadget [LINK]

Dating an Apple Developer

Administrator — Mon, 12 Dec 2005 04:11:20 +0000

An article that any woman attached to a software developer (not necessarily Apple guys only) should read. Here’s a small taste:
“I date a geek and I thought I was the only one that had to face these sort of situations. If you’re a geek and you have a girlfriend let her in on the read. That’s what my bf did and after reading this, I was a lot more understandable about my bf and his need to be with the computer almost all waking hours that he isn’t with me.”

Article via Emily Hambidge’s Blog [LINK]

You stole my ROM!

Administrator — Sat, 10 Dec 2005 01:01:05 +0000

It seems back in the younger days of Apple Steve Jobs had a very interesting add on placed in the ROM of the Macs that could be used to show if a competitor had stolen/copy the Mac’s ROM. A few keystrokes into an unmodified infringing machine and a large “Stolen From Apple” icon (featuring a guy in prison bars!) appear on its screen! Cool hey.

Where was your Mac born?

Administrator — Thu, 08 Dec 2005 22:30:19 +0000

coconutIdentityCard is just a small app that reads out where and when your Mac and your iPod were built by Apple. Just plug in your iPod while the app is running and it will show you the information about your iPod instantly. Because it’s UniversalBinary, it will run also on the upcoming Intel-Based-Macs. It can tell about Apple Macintosh built in or after 1997 and works only with MacOS 10.4 and up. It does not however support iPod Shuffle.

[Download]

Story via Gizmodo [LINK]

Have Mini, will travel!

Administrator — Tue, 06 Dec 2005 22:48:28 +0000

Apple this week informed its channel partners of a new Mac mini accessory that will make it more convenient for users who like to use the miniature computer in more than one location.

“We are very pleased to announce the Mac mini Power Adapter,” Apple said in a brief bulletin. “The Mac mini Power Adapter is perfect when you want to take your Mac mini around the house or to the office.”

“Connect one power adapter in the home office and another in the living room,” the company added. “Or leave one at home and take the other with you when you show off your Mac mini at your next family get-together.”
…

Story via AppleInsider [LINK]

Bye bye Macromedia… RIP.

Administrator — Mon, 05 Dec 2005 23:25:03 +0000

Adobe Systems today announced the completion of its acquisition of Macromedia which was finalized on Saturday, December 3rd. Additionally, as part of the initial integration of product portfolios, Adobe announced three new product bundles that combine Adobe Creative Suite 2 and Adobe video tools with the recently-released Macromedia Flash Professional 8 and Macromedia Studio 8 software.

Story via MacNN [LINK]