Low End Mac Reader Specials
Memory To Go Special: MacPro 8 Core 8GB kit $232 / 4GB kit $116 / 2GB kit $72. New Macbook 2GB DDR3-$65. HARD DRIVES available -- Free shipping / LIfetime warranty.
Download Typestyler, still the Ultimate Styling Tool for Internet, Print and Video Graphics. Works great in Classic with a Native OS X Version on the way. Free Tryout: www.typestyler.com
LA Computer Company: Specials on AppleCare, iMac's, Apple Batteries and Apple A/C Adapters. Also Great prices on Used Apple Computers. Call 1-800-941-7654 Click Here.
Mac users can finally play Party Poker for Mac. Not only that, they can also learn how to play PokerStars for Mac.
Laptop Hardware Provided by TechRestore - Overnight Mac & iPod Repairs.
Compare products like desktop computers, laptops, and LCD TVs side by side! All the information and reviews to make the best purchasing decision for a new cell phone GPS products or MP3 players. The Ciao network makes searching products easy for you.
|
|
|
|
Power Macs iMac Channel iBook/PowerBook MacInSchool Computer Profiles iMac Power Mac PowerBook/iBook Performas Mac Clones Older Macs Lisa • NeXT Editorial Archive Mac Daniel's Advice Email Lists LEMchat (uses AIM) Online Tech Journal Consumer advice, reviews guides, deals Software Apple History Best of the Web Best of the Mac Web surveys Miscellaneous Links Used Mac Dealers Video Cards Mac OS X Mac Linux Macspeak RAM Upgrades About Low End Mac Site Contacts
Support LEMAffiliates
|
Don't Use Sharpies on CD-R2003.01.14 We received the following email from Mike Webb and present it as a guest column, since this seems to be an issue many computer users are unaware of. dk I have just finished reading your article on how to make a bootable emergency CD for the Mac, OS 9 and below. While I found most of the article to be an invaluable resource (I've already printed it to PDF), there's one thing you mentioned at the end that does concern me. The item which concerns me was your advocacy that we use Sharpie™ markers to label our CD-Rs. There is a modest amount of anecdotal evidence that the use of solvent-based ink markers (Sharpies use an alcohol-based ink), particularly on CD-R/RWs without a protective coating and CD-R/RWs kept in a warm to hot environment can lead to long-term penetration of the ink to the data layer with resulting damage to the data. The primary source of my information is a post to a mailing list made by the director of a National Public Radio station, where he reports that this kind of thing had happened at several NPR affiliates. I have corresponded with this person, and he confirmed the content of the original post. What seems to have triggered the problem was that the CD-Rs were being placed in warm/hot CD players, cued up for broadcast. In further researching the issue, I discovered that the standards organization for CD-R/RW media also advises that people use markers with permanent, water-based inks. They got their information going way back from Taiyo Yuden, one of the early manufacturers (and still a premier manufacturer) of CD-R/RW media. There are a number of markers available for a reasonable price that use permanent, water-based inks. There are at least half a dozen brands of special "CD markers" on the market, and I've also had very good results with the Sanford Vis-a-Vis (permanent version), as well as a marker which has been recommended highly, the Dixon RediSharp Plus! While the incidents seem to be widely scattered and infrequent, I prefer not to take chances with my data/music/etc. and stay with either the Sanford Vis-a-Vis or CD markers (which are easier to find - I recently found two brands in different places in my local Walmart). Unfortunately, to my knowledge no one has done formal testing for this vulnerability; exactly how it happens, what conditions are prime for the damage to occur, etc. Everything is based on anecdotal experiences. However, I would encourage you to consider referring people to water-based permanent markers in the future. They're close to the same price as Sharpies, and the little bit of difference is worth the peace of mind to me. Thank you for your time and consideration. Jeff Adkins is a science teacher who isn't afraid to state his preferences in computing platforms. In his classroom he has everything from a beige All-in-One to a a G4 XServe, and they all work together nicely. He calls himself the "poster child for technology integration" in the classroom. He was the 2006 Outstanding Educator of the Year for the California Computer Using Educators (CUE) organization. He also maintains a site for astronomy teachers at www.AstronomyTeacher.com. Recent Mac Lab Reports
Links for the Day
Recent Content on Low End Mac
Recent Deals
|
