ATPM 11.08
The August issue of About This Particular Macintosh is now available.
Kudos to Lee on the cover art. We were in dire need of cover art, and he stepped up big time. We are always looking for cover art, so if you are graphically inclined, and wish to contribute something, please contact us.
Speaking of contributing, we're also looking for another copy editor, a publicity manager, and contributing editors to help us with reviews, opinion columns, how-to pieces, and interviews. We're an all-volunteer publication, but if you'd like to help out in one of these areas, please drop us a line.
Back to the issue at hand, there has been a lot of good news coming out of Apple this past quarter, as Rob reminds us. Wes takes, well, just about everyone involved in the business world to task for underestimating and misunderstanding Apple, as well as sharing bits from all over the Mac blogosphere. Eric, my 3G iPod brother, tells his tale with the little white digital music player in this month's Pod People.
Ted shares part two of Outlining and Styles in the latest ATPO, discussing, among other things, on-screen readability, font choices, and style sheets. Chuck continues his FileMaking series with Fields and Calculations. If you're just getting started with FileMaker, be sure to go read his first column, too.
As Managing Editor, part of my job description is to strong-arm columns out of writers subtly hint at a possible column to staffers when they broach interesting technical subjects. Such was the case when Sylvester was having RAM issues with his new G5, and he shares his experiences with memory testing.
Tom has an interview with John Hart, Mac modder extraordinaire. Sorry, John, but I still have severe reservations about embedding my beloved Cube in the middle of a fish tank, no matter how utterly wicked cool that would be. Maybe when I get a G5 we can sacrifice the Cube to the modding gods.
This month's desktop pictures selection is a melting pot of various submissions from ATPM readers. We thank John, James, Jim, Bill, and William for the privilege of showcasing their work. Frisky Freeware notes App Stop, which is software I'll have to look in to. Cortland wraps up dinner with his parents and friends, Wieser Graphics rises from the ashes, and Matt pays homage to influential Web comics. Yes, that's word-for-word from the blurb on the Welcome page and the RSS feed, but I wrote it when the blurber got stuck, so I'm using it. (Michael, take note. I have just created the official staff position of "blurber".)
Tom and his fiancé, Tiffany, have a review of Backpack, the latest web service from 37signals. I'm really enjoying the free version so far, and my wife and I have used it to track RSVPs for the little phisch's upcoming birthday party, sharing a page online so both of us can access it. Wes looks at Boswell 4.0, sharing how it helps him keep things straight as he writes reviews about software that helps you keep things organized, like reviews about software that help...
Then there are the reviews which make this "The Issue of Apple Portable Computing Computer Bags." (See, this is why Michael doesn't let me declare names for issues.) David hauls around the Brenthaven Pro 12/15, while Lawson bombs about with the MaxSleeve from MaxUpgrades. Frank Wu uses booq's Vyper XL, and yours truly was underwhelmed with Timbuk2's Detour.
Savvy readers may notice that Ellyn's Candy Apple column did not appear this month. Ellyn's taking a break from the writing gig for awhile, but she continues working tirelessly in the trenches, copy editing for the rest of us. Rest assured, when she has something to say, you'll read it in ATPM.
Yet another solid issue from the staff. Thanks, gang!
Positively annoying
I have a new reason to develop a more positive attitude.
"A positive attitude may not solve all your problems, but it will annoy enough people to make it worth the effort." -- Herm Albright, author, quoted in the St. Paul Pioneer Press
Trident tradition
While reading the moving story of SEALs laying to rest one of their own, I learned something new about the Navy's special operations unit. It has become tradition to leave one's Trident on the coffin of a fallen comrade. Be sure to read all of Matthew Heidt's story.
Good advice
Don't mess with Texas. Now you can buy gear and support the anti-litter campaign with the awesome slogan.
Magic Pot of Jobs
Tiffany has a new project. If I could only get a recruiter as good as her here in DFW...
Too many miles
Have more frequent-flyer miles than you know what to do with? Well, transfer some to me! I've got to get back to the islands! Seriously, if you have more miles than you think you're going to use any time soon, here are some web sites that might be able to help: MileDonor.com: up to 80 charities accepting point donations from 17 different airline programs Points.com: trade in your miles, buy yourself an Iced Mocha Frappicino Grande. Or a new jacket. Mileage Plus: 10,000 United miles = 100 downloads from Sony's music service. Someone ping me when it works with iTMS. [Via the 29 July 2005 edition of The Week, which got it from Real Simple.]
He made a guy cry?
Nick Saban, former head coach of the national champion LSU Tigers football team, has a reputation of being a tough coach. He's tough on his players during practice, and especially during a game. This was one reason he was highly sought after by the Miami Dolphins. So what does he do during the first training camp with the team? Why, he makes a rookie defensive tackle cry, of course. I shall refrain from comments regarding the DT being from USC...
Cable modem, anyone?
For sale: Toshiba PCX1100U cable "modem," with one 10BaseT port, one USB port, one 12V DC port, and one co-axial, aka, cable, port. Item is 3.5 years old, still in working condition as of two weeks ago, when it was taken offline. Includes AC adapter, and Ethernet patch cable for connecting to PC or router. Cheap. All offers considered.
We call them like we see them
If you didn't hear Nancy Pelosi's press conference yesterday, you missed the pure sound of a loser who will never be anything but a loser because she cannot get above her own bitterness to ask what it is that allows the president to keep winning hand after hand. (The press conference in question was held on Thursday, 28 July.)
We'll do anonymity, but not transparency
So a journalist from the Washington Post calls Hugh Hewitt, asking for an interview. Sure, replies Hugh. But it has to be on the air, live. Journalist declines. Hugh posits:
Isn't journalism supposed to be in the public interest? If Goldstein wants information from me, and I am willing to give it to her, isn't she putting her own interests in a "scoop" or an "angle" ahead of the public's by refusing to conduct an interview she thought would be useful in the first place? And isn't she going forward with a story she knows may well be unnecessarily incomplete because she doesn't like the fact that her questions and my answers would have been on the record?
I of course want my listeners to get a chance if not to see the sausage that is MSM "news" being made, at least hear it being ground fine. I had hoped to compare whatever I was able to provide Ms. Goldstein with whatever it is that she publishes on the subject. Interesting all around, no?
But she declined to conduct the interview she requested. How interesting to note that the Post is willing to use sources that insist on anonymity, but not sources that demand transparency. [Emphasis added. --R]
Windows backup recommendations
Dear readers, I am seeking a personal backup solution for Windows XP that will allow me to back up a user folder to CD. Preferably cheap, preferably easy, though I would say of the two, easy is the higher preference. Retrospect is not in the running, please do not suggest it. Please leave your recommendations in the comments, for others to enjoy. Thanks!
Are you sleeping?
Tony Blair, British Prime Minister:
"September 11 for me was a wake up call. Do you know what I think the problem is? That a lot of the world woke up for a short time and then turned over and went back to sleep again."
Which diet Coke is which Diet Coke
Merlin’s del.icio.us page points to this explanation by Leslie on the different make-ups of the different diet sodas now available from Coca-Cola.
For the record, I've tried them all, and my own personal taste test results are as follows:
Diet Coke - I knew there was a reason I never liked "New Coke," and having a non-sugar version only made that worse
Diet Coke with Splenda - new "New Coke"; better than the original, but still not something I'd pick up
Coke Zero - nice try, and it would be a toss-up between it and the Diet with Splenda
C2 - as close as you can get to the authentic Coke with a diet version; if I can't have, or would rather not have, the Real Thing™, this is what I drink
Though I have been rather successful at keeping soda of any kind to a minimum in my diet. Which means if I'm going to have one, I may as well have the original, non-diet version.
Technorati Mobile
For those among us who are Technorati fiends, they have announced a mobile verison. I love the succinct URI.
The Long War or the Short Surrender
This is the third and final part of a series on national security run in the pages of The Federalist Patriot. This part can be found in today's issue (PDF file), and is reprinted here with permission.
The new Phischphone
So earlier this week, I decided I had had enough. The Sony Ericsson T616 was obviously having issues with its Bluetooth hardware, as it continued to drop connections with a brand-new Sony Ericsson Akono HBH-602 Bluetooth headset. It is very frustrating to be in the middle of a conversation with someone, then suddenly you can't hear them and they can barely hear you, because the phone dropped the Bluetooth connection with the headset, and picked up the call itself. And the phone is in one of the cargo pockets of your shorts.
I stopped by my local Cingular Wireless store, where I have always gotten excellent customer service, and the sales guys know what they're talking about. I extolled my tale of Bluetooth woe to one of the guys, and informed him I was in the market for a new phone.
First, the bad news:
The way Cingular works its contracts is that you are locked in to that contract. There's no coming in and getting a new phone with a new contract, unless you want to pay the termination fee, which runs between $125-200, if memory serves. Thanks, but no thanks. If I wanted a new phone, I would have to pay full price.
Now, the good news:
I have insurance on my phone. My phone is damaged. The Bluetooth hardware is flawed. I can file a claim, and for $50, receive, within two business days, a new, comparable phone. (Didn't I tell you these guys provide excellent customer service? Pity more wireless shops, including other Cingular stores, aren't this on top of things.)
I was told it was unlikely I would get another T616. The sales rep and I were both hopeful I would get a Sony Ericsson T637, which was the model replacement for the T616.
So Tuesday evening I called up the third-party insurance provider Cingular uses, filed my claim, agreed to the $50 charge to my next monthly statement, and was told they did not have any comparable Sony Ericsson phones available to ship. My heart began to sink. I was getting a Motorola v551, the most popular phone in Cingular's line-up, according to the rep on the phone.
The phone arrived at 3:30 PM CST on Wednesday. Overall, I'm pretty happy with it, though the druthers I do have ensure I will not be getting another Moto phone in February, when I am "eligible to upgrade" with Cingular. (At the 21-month mark of a two-year contract, Cingular is then willing to sign you up for a new contract, and you can get a new phone.) Full impressions, and the aforementioned druthers, on the phone in an upcoming post.
Howard Dean is on drugs
How can anyone, including the Kool-Aid drinkers on the Left, honestly take Howard Dean seriously when he says tripe like this?
"The president and his right-wing Supreme Court think it is 'okay' to have the government take your house if they feel like putting a hotel where your house is," Dean said... First, the President has not, to my knowledge, commented publicly on the Kelo decision. The only thing I found at the White House site referring to Kelo was when someone asked Press Secretary Scott McClellan about the campaign by a California advertising magnate to acquire Justice Souter's home in New Hampshire so he can build a hotel on it. Second, how much dope does one have to grow and smoke in the hills of Vermont to say the current make-up of the Supreme Court is "right-wing"? The dissenters in Kelo were the Court's acknowledged conservatives, Chief Justice Rehnquist, and Justices Scalia and Thomas. The left's favorite swing-vote justice, O'Connor, was the fourth dissenter. The justices voting against property rights were all from the left, the same side of the political spectrum Dr. Dean-mento inhabits. Why is no one in the mainstream media pointing this out? Sorry, sorry, rhetorical question, I realize...
Betting on Thomas
Yes, parents, that Thomas. It went something like this: Mrs. Phisch: "Who are the blue engines? Thomas, Henry, and Edward?" Me: "No, Gordon's blue. Henry's green." Her: "Are you sure?" Me: "Yes." Her: "No he's not! You're thinking of Henry!" Me: "No, I'm thinking of Gordon. He's blue. He pulls the express." Her: "Come back this up!" She refers to the godsend of modern television, TiVo, upon which many an episode of Thomas the Tank Engine and Friends has been preserved for the little phisch. She currently has the little phisch in her lap, together in one of the easy chairs, and the remote is across the room. Me: "I'll back it up, but you're wrong. Gordon's blue." Her: "Want to bet?" Me: "Sure. What's the bet?" Her: "The loser has to drive to get ice cream." She refers to soft-serve sundaes from Carvel. We pinkie-shake to affirm the bet. I back up the episode in question to the spot she ordains as telling us which engine the one I say Gordon is. I await my hot-caramel sundae after the tyke goes to bed. Update, 8:45 PM CST: A sly one, that Mrs. Phisch. To bathe the little phisch, she changes in to pajamas and sweats. She then uses this as an excuse to not go get ice cream. She barters a trade that I make the ice cream run, while she cleans up the tyke's bathroom, traditionally my post-bath duty. I retain full bet-winning gloat authority. And I do want a hot-caramel sundae...
You And Me
The womenfolk certainly have a way of making us insane--in a good way--don't they, fellas?
"You and Me" - Lifehouse
What day is it, and in what month
This clock never seemed so alive
I can't keep up, and I can't back down
I've been losing so much time
Cause it's you and me and all of the people
With nothing to do, nothing to lose
And it's you and me and all of the people
And I don't know why I can't keep my eyes off of you
All of the things that I want to say just aren't coming out right
I'm tripping on words you got my head spinning
I don't know where to go from here
Cause it's you and me and all of the people
With nothing to do, nothing to prove
And it's you and me and all of the people
And I don't know why I can't keep my eyes off of you
Something about you now
I can't quite figure out
Everything she does is beautiful
Everything she does is right
Cause it's you and me and all of the people
With nothing to do, nothing to lose
And it's you and me and all of the people
And I don't know why I can't keep my eyes off of you
You and me and all of the people
With nothing to do, nothing to prove
And it's you and me and all of the people
And I don't know why I can't keep my eyes off of you
--written by Jason Wade and Jude Cole
Published by G-Chills/Songs of DreamWorks (BMI) and Jude Cole Music/Warner Chappell Music (BMI)
© Copyright 2005 Geffen Records