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Miscellaneous Ramblings

Low End Mac is pleased to publish Miscellaneous Ramblings by Charles Moore . Moore has been a freelance journalist since 1987, began writing for Mac websites in May 1998, and has been writing for Low End Mac since September 1999. He oversees our weekly news reviews, and also writes the 'Book Value column. His Road Warrior column is a regular feature on MacOpinion, he writes The 'Book Mystique for PB Central, is a news editor and columnist at Applelinks.com, and also writes for The Apple Blog.

Moore lives and works in Port Hilford, Nova Scotia, on the shore of Indian Harbour Lake and in sight of the Atlantic Ocean, where he accesses the Internet using dial-up. His newspaper columns are syndicated across Canada, and he writes regularly for several magazines, as well as doing Mac website journalism. Moore has also contributed to MacToday magazine.

His current stable of Macs includes a Mac Plus, an LC 520, a PowerBook 1400, a PowerBook 5300, and a 233 MHz PowerBook G3 Series II (a.k.a. WallStreet, currently on loan to his daughter), two PowerBook G3 (Pismo) machines, both with G4 upgrades, a 17" 1.33 GHz PowerBook G4, and a 2.0 GHz Unibody MacBook, as well as a Umax SuperMac S900.

2 wireless alternatives to Apple's Magic Mouse, 2009.10.27. Whether you prefer buttons to buttonless, are still using Mac OS X 10.4, or don't like Bluetooth, Targus has mice to consider.
Jumpcut, a free clipboard manager for OS X, 2009.10.26. PTHPasteboard, once a free clipboard manager, has gone commercial. Jumpcut has stepped into the gap and works very nicely.
A useful Eudora feature, FireWire ports in Apple displays, having enough RAM, and more, 2009.10.21. Also upgrading from Panther to Leopard, Low End Mac's new PC swap list, and reasons to avoid QuickPADs.
Free Mailsmith Is the BBEdit of email clients, 2009.10.20. If you're looking for an efficient, powerful, flexible, scriptable plain text email client for POP3 email, Mailsmith could be for you.
Using Tex-Edit Plus and AppleScript for HTML markup, 2009.10.19. Tex-Edit is a great writing tool in its own right, but thanks to AppleScript support, it can be extended far beyond its initial scope as a word processor.
WallStreet CPU upgrades, Buffalo WiFi problems, long power outages, and more, 2009.10.14. Also wireless broadband, culprit behind MacBook insomnia, EU iPod volume limits, and QuickPAD connectivity.
Free TextWranger 3.0 a steal, Charles Moore, Miscellaneous Ramblings, 2009.10.13. For editing plain text, TextWrangler 3.0 is fast, very powerful, free, and may be all you need in a text editor.
Eudora 8 beta, Bible study software, one reason to choose an Apple display, and more, 2009.10.07. Also questions about the Plantronics Voyager Pro and finding contentment with a cheap USB 2.0 PC Card.
Reflections on my first month with broadband, Charles Moore, Miscellaneous Ramblings, 2009.10.06. Moving from 26.4kbps dialup to 15-60 times faster wireless broadband changes work habits - and turns the Pismo PowerBook into a bottleneck.
'Snow Leopard' MacBook insomnia, webmail vs. desktop email, penny a minute dial-up, and more, 2009.09.30. Also death of a G3 iMac, end of Flash 9 support on the Internet, Pismo Target Disk Mode failure, and sanitizing keyboards.
Free ToyViewer image editor gets major update, 2009.09.28. ToyViewer 5 is the first version designed for Snow Leopard, but the Tiger and Leopard versions seem to suffer in the process.
The welcome to wireless broadband letters, 2009.09.23. Charles received a bunch of "welcome to broadband" emails in response to "Charles Moore Finally Gets Broadband!"
Do you trust your email to the Cloud?, 2009.09.22. Webmail is great if you want to access it from more than one computer, but regular email clients have advantages of their own.
5 sub-$100 apps for when iPhoto isn't quite enough, 2009.09.21. iPhoto is great for downloading, organizing, and simple photo tweaks, but sometimes you need a helper app with more powerful tools. These range from free to $90.
Multiple input bug in OS X 10.5.8, where to buy a cheap USB 2 CardBus card, and more, 2009.09.16. Also input bug exists in 10.6, WallStreet has white and multicolor Apple logos, and printing from an old PowerBook.
Charles Moore finally gets broadband!, 2009.09.15. Moore lives in rural Nova Scotia and has been posting to the Mac Web over slow dialup since 1997. Broadband has finally reached his area.
Cheap USB 2 CardBus solution, OS 9 and Kanga, mobile Mac value, and more, 2009.09.09. Also a look at several options for using an old LocalTalk printer with a Mac running Mac OS X 10.6 'Snow Leopard'.
'Snow Leopard' vs. LocalTalk, new vs. close-out MacBook value, and more, 2009.09.02. Also LC III usability in the 21st Century, Pismo upgrades, and more on Pismo FireWire Disk Mode problems.
The future of up-to-date browsers for PowerPC Macs, 2009.08.31. With Intel-only "Snow Leopard" shipping, software support for PPC Macs will continue its decline. Also, a look at SeaMonkey 2 and Camino 1.6.9.
Tiger on Pismo, LC III just died, installing OS X 10.4 on a DVD free Mac, and more, 2009.08.26. Also problems with Target Disk Mode on Pismo, Mac OS 9 app and extension recommendations, powering your 'Book on the road, and more.
Weathering Hurricane Bill in Atlantic Canada, 2009.08.24. Hurricane Bill hit Atlantic Canada over the weekend, but with minimal damage.
Problems getting 'Tiger' on a DVD-less Mac, more text editor suggestions, future of Smulton, and more, 2009.08.19. Also Pismo doesn't require a PRAM battery, and WallStreet, MainStreet, and Pismo compared.
Plantronics Voyager Pro Bluetooth headset, 2009.08.17. This Plantronics Bluetooth headset is lightweight, comfortable, and has good sound quality.
Pismo resuscitation, a possible NotePad Deluxe replacement, Eudora 8 keyboard shortcuts, and more, 2009.08.12. Also looking at TextWrangler and TextMate as potential replacements for the Smultron text editor.
2 steps forward: Logitech Control Center 3.0 and Unifying Receiver, 2009.08.11. With the Unifying Receiver, several wireless Logitech devices need only one USB dongle, and the LCC 3.0 software is the best version yet.
Hasta la vista, Smultron, 2009.08.06. Smultron, a great text editor and information tracker, will no longer be updated.
Pismo worth a G4 upgrade?, what to do with old Macs, and dangers from texting and talking drivers, 2009.08.05. More feedback from those who love the Pismo PowerBook, whether ancient Macs have much real value, and road risks from texting and talking on cell phones.
My five favorite OS X apps (and several other useful ones), 2009.08.03. Moore's list of most important apps includes a text editor, email client, browser, image editor, and speech-to-text program - none of them from Apple.
Texting kills: Cell phone use impairs drivers more than alcohol, 2009.07.27. Driving while talking on your mobile is more dangerous than driving drunk, and texting is even worse. So why is it socially acceptable?
Medical marijuana: Yes, there's an app for that, 2009.07.23. Medical marijuana laws have been passed in 13 states. These apps are intended to help those with a prescription obtain Cannabis.
DEVONthink power, blocking content in Opera, USB 2.0 to Ultra SCSI adapters, and more, 2009.07.22. Also refurbished Macs are covered by Apple's Hardware Up-To-Date program and Craigslist postings are too easily deleted by others.
Of bamboo bikes, notebooks, and other things, 2009.07.20. Bamboo is strong, light, durable, grows quickly, and making its way into bicycles, laptops, autos, and more.
Optimized builds make Firefox 3.5 and 3.6a faster and more responsive, 2009.07.16. Mac builds of Firefox 3.5 and 3.6 alpha are available for G3, G4, G5, and Intel Macs. Each is optimized for speed.
New 'Books have better displays, digital vs. analog audio I/O, Craigslist restrictions, and more, 2009.07.15. Also three browsers - Opera, Stainless, and Cruz - compared, and installing Mac OS X from DVD on a Mac that can't mount DVDs.
Safari 4: 'I actually like Safari now', 2009.07.13. After fixing the looping dialog bug from Security Update 2009-002, Safari is working over dialup - and it's fast.
2 promising browsers: Opera 10 Turbo and Stainless, 2009.07.09. Opera Turbo really does turbocharge the Web, even over slow dialup, while Stainless is building a multi-process browser using Apple's WebKit browser engine.
New browser for classic Mac OS, Safari 4 and OS X 10.4.11, and more, 2009.07.08. Also Mac apps for searching Craigslist and less known options for controlling iTunes and iPhoto behavior.
Paintbrush: A fast, free, MacPaint-like bitmap editor for OS X, 2009.07.06. Macs no longer ship with a free paint program, but the freeware Paintbrush program replaces MacPaint nicely.
Refurb MacBook Pro deal, fastest Mac browser, 256 MB modules for WallStreet, and more, 2009.07.01. Also more Safari 4 feedback, praise for Camino, MacBook cracks, looking for Craigslist software for Macs, and more.
Bravo to Apple for pulling the plug on porn, 2009.06.29. Last week the developers of 'Hottest Girls' moved from lingerie and bikinis to topless images, so Apple pulled the plug.
Importance of FireWire, replacement battery advice, RAM for WallStreet PowerBooks, and more, 2009.06.24. Also what is IrDA good for? And reflections on Kodachrome, digital photography, and medium format cameras.
An affectionate farewell to Kodachrome, 2009.06.23. After 74 years on the market, Kodak has discontinued its most famous brand of transparency film.
Smultron: A fast, free text editor that's great for organizing information, 2009.06.22. NotePad Deluxe didn't fully survive the switch to an Intel Mac, and Smultron became the replacement of choice.
Death of a Pismo, end of G4 upgrades, 13" MacBook Pro assessment, and more, 2009.06.17. Also ATA100 drives working reliably in Pismos and Eudora 6.2.4 functioning perfectly with Leopard and broadband.
The 'Safe Sleep' mailbag, Charles Moore, Miscellaneous Ramblings, 2009.06.15. Safe Sleep mode is enabled by default on modern MacBooks. How it works, and how to change how it works.
Eudora 8 beta 6 ready for everyday use, 2009.06.11. The Eudora-ized version of Thunderbird finally has the features, familiarity, and reliability users of Classic Eudora expect.
Eudora successors face off: Eudora 8 working well, MailForge almost ready to ship, 2009.05.28. Qualcom abandoned Eudora, Eudora users often have issues with latest versions of OS X, but Mozilla-based Eudora 8 and MailForge have stepped in to replace the beloved app.
Odd MacBook sleep behavior, Pismo resurrection and upgrades, end nigh for Classic Eudora? and more, 2009.05.27. Also the end of the road for Lombard and G4 iMac CPU upgrades.
FireWire sleep issues, Safari 3.2.3 vs. Safari 4 beta, iPhone tips for teachers, and more, 2009.05.20. Also a dead Pismo PowerBook, Orinoco PC Cards in AirPort base stations, iBook backlight repair, and Wegener repair experience.
Zeppelins return to the sky to promote Disney-Pixar's UP, 2009.05.18. Although best remembered for the Hindenburg disaster, Zeppelin airships have a long and safe history, especially after switching to helium.
500 MHz iBook keeps going, iBook video repair, a WiFi card that costs less than AirPort, and more, 2009.05.13. Also Dell's alternative to the 12" PowerBook, WiFi hotspot insecurity, and feedback from a Eudora fan.
Mac-using troubadour launches comeback CD, music industry software, 2009.05.12. Nova Scotian Max MacDonald works for a company that produces software for festival and artist management and has released a new CD of Cape Breton music.
WiFi hotspot insecurity, iBook longevity, and WallStreet value, 2009.05.06. The dangers of WiFi hotspots, reliability of the 500 MHz iceBook, and the value of a used WallStreet PowerBook.
External Western Digital drives not recommended for booting any computer and WiFi range reduction, 2009.04.29. Most external Western Digital hard drives can't boot PowerPC Macs, and WD actually says none of its external drives should be used to boot a computer.
Farewell to Geocities (and some free alternatives), 2009.04.27. Once a popular place to host a personal website for free, Geocities will be closing its doors later this year. However, there are other options.
Acer One replaces PowerBook, unbootable WD FireWire drives, WiFi insecurity, and more, 2009.04.22. Also keeping a MacBook cool, good enough computing, PowerBook Duo vs. Clamshell iBook, and WiFi range reduction as a security tool.
Targus USB 2.0 4-Port Bend-a-Hub with Mini USB Adapter, 2009.04.20. This clever, flexible, inexpensive 4-port unpowered hub is light and includes a switch-hitting mini-USB port.
WiFi security advice, Unibody MacBook or white one?, deleting Mac apps, and more, 2009.04.15. Also getting external Western Digital drives to work with older Macs and a PowerBook Duo prototype found on eBay.
'Mac Migration' an excellent resource for Windows users moving to the Mac, 2009.04.13. "'Mac Migration: The Small Business Guide to Switching to the Mac' manages to a pretty much cover all of relevant bases inside of 350 pages."
The importance of WiFi security, using Internet Sharing to work Around USB modem problems, and more, 2009.04.08. Also more on the Austin Mini, synching an iPhone with a Pismo, and new software from Vertus.
Nano nano: The Tata Motors Nano and Apple's iPod nano, 2009.04.06. Just as the iPod nano is designed to be the least costly "real" iPod, the Tata Nano is designed to be the least costly "real" car.
Obsolescence is relative and sub-56k Internet access, 2009.04.01. Also whether a Blue and White G3 is a viable platform for Leopard, growth in dial-up Internet access, and WiMAX in Canada.
Vertus Fluid Mask 3: A powerful image masking tool for cleaning up image backgrounds, 2009.03.30. If you need to do sophisticated image masking, Fluid Mask provides lots of powerful tools for getting the job done.
PowerPC viability, Migration Assistant rocks, importing Mail to Eudora, and more, 2009.03.25. Also boosting MacBook memory, limiting CPU usage with SETI@home, and running Windows on pre-Intel Macs.
Vertus Bling! It: Affordable image masking software for casual use, 2009.03.24. Bling! It can be a useful tool for removing busy backgrounds from product photos used online or in print.
The World Wide Web at 20: A medium of increasingly trivial pursuits?, 2009.03.19. Invented as a way for researchers to share their findings, the Web has devolved into an entertainment medium increasingly concerned with the unimportant.
Transitioning from PowerPC to Intel Macs, no Atheros WiFi drivers for Classic Mac OS, and more, 2009.03.18. Also why the computer you have may be all the computer you need, advice on choosing a Mac notebook, Safari for Windows problem solved, and thoughts on a 1-control auto.
WiFi adapters for OS 9, Safari 4 on pre-FireWire Macs, and paper vs. plastic bags, 2009.03.11. Also another WiFi PC Card for PowerBooks, a problem with Safari 4 for Windows, and someone who loves paper grocery bags.
Apple Store eliminating plastic bags for customers, 2009.03.09. Apple's ban on plastic bags in its retail stores amounts to more 'green' hype than substance.
Dialup dependability, Safari 4 and G3 Macs, the best Mac keyboard comes from Apple, and more, 2009.03.05. Also a possible solution to dialup problems in OS X 10.5, 17" PowerBook memory slot problems, 333 MHz Lombard outperforms 400 MHz Pismo, and more.
Could Steve Jobs save even one of the Big Three?, 2009.03.02. GM and Chrysler are burning through cash at a prodigious rate, but the Ford team seems to have ideas that could keep Ford off the dole.
Return of the best computer keyboard ever?, 2009.03.02. Unicomp uses IBM's legendary 'buckling spring' technology in its line of keyboards, which work with both PCs and Macs.
Test driving Safari 4 Beta, 2009.02.26. Safari 4 has some clever and useful new features, but it's not the fastest Mac browser for those using dialup.
Dialup Is outdated, Eudora on Macintel, improving Tiger on low-end Macs, and more, 2009.02.25. Ongoing frustrations with Eudora and dialup, ways to tweak Tiger for better performance, and problems with a WD MyBook external hard drive.
Color It 4.5 does work with Intel Macs, 2009.02.23. Color It runs just fine using Rosetta, but you may have to reinstall it or trash your prefs after copying it from another Mac.
MacBook design limits USB ports, Unibody audio prolem solved, G4 upgrades disappearing, and more, 2009.02.18. How to get the headphone jack on Unibody 'Books working again, no more dual 1.8 GHz G4 upgrades, and a letter of appreciation.
Is the Mac the Volkswagen of computers?, 2009.02.16. Apple has been called the BMW, Porsche, and Volvo of computers, but perhaps Volkswagen is a better parallel.
The Unibody MacBook, MacBook Pro sound problems, welcome to Macintel, and more, 2009.02.11. Also the joys of using a small Intel iMac with a big external display and issues with 1 GB of RAM in the Pismo PowerBook.
A few words in appreciation of Steve Jobs, 2009.02.05. "...Jobs has been instrumental in conceiving, popularizing, and enhancing technological innovations that really have changed the world profoundly . . . enriching the lives of millions of users."
Used 'Book value, overheating 12" PowerBook, Target Disk Mode weirdness, and more, Miscellaneous Ramblings, 2009.02.04. Also Leopard breaks wireless printing for some printers supported by Tiger, and Unibody MacBook the right choice over polycarbonate MacBook.
4-way Touch Scroll in Targus mice more than just a cool gimmick, 2009.02.02. Instead of a scrollball or scroll wheel that moves sideways, Targus uses an optical sensor that works like a champ and won't gum up.
Wikipedia: The Missing Manual available as book and wiki, 2009.01.29. If you're at all interested in contributing to Wikipedia, this book should teach you everything you need to know.
Reset an unknown admin password, cheap dialup on the road, $999 MacBook updated, and more, 2009.01.28. Also a Pismo that won't enter Target Disk Mode and connecting a PowerBook 170 to the Internet.
Eudora 8 beta 5 making progress, not quite ready for prime time, 2009.01.27. "Eudora 8 is making gradual progress, and in a pinch I think I could use it, although not happily at this point...."
How should The Italian Job have ended?, 2009.01.22. The original Italian Job had great chase scenes, lots of auto carnage, and featured a computer. How should it have ended?
Camino pros and cons, notebook video reliability, overheating since 10.5.4, and more, 2009.01.21. Also the joy of a 'Big Al' PowerBook, Unibody MacBook Pro a work of art, recycling an iMac for a cat, 64-bit PowerPC support, and password needed to install software.
Camino, Firefox, and Opera reconsidered, 2009.01.19. Camino 1.6.6 seemed promising, but increasing sluggishness and lockups meant going back to Firefox, Netscape Navigator 9, and Opera.
OS robustness, Mac reliability, and the upgrade cycle, 2009.01.15. This user has no compelling reason to upgrade from his 5- to 9-year-old PowerBooks, yet he finds the Intel 'Books alluring.
Overheating PowerBook, 7200 rpm in a G3 iMac, getting online during blackouts, and more, 2009.01.14. PowerPC support in iLife 09 a pleasant surprise, no overheating issues with 7200 rpm drive in an iMac, and dialup access as a good backup plan for power failures.
Is Camino now the best browser for older Macs?, 2009.01.13. Camino 1.6.6 works very will with Mac OS X 10.3 through 10.5 and seems especially well suited for slower PowerPC Macs.
Blackouts and Web access, death of a Kanga, the future of PowerPC Macs, and more, 2009.01.07. Also another email client suggestion and whether a G3 iMac can handle a 7200 rpm hard drive without overheating.
Adventures with an overheating PowerBook, the 10.5.6 update, and other things, 2009.01.06. After three years of reliable service, the PowerBook began to run so hot that the fan was almost always on. What was causing the problem, and what would fix it?
Pixelmator 1.3.2 gains some cool enhancements, 2008.12.22. "Pixelmator works so well now that I've been finding myself using it more and more instead of Photoshop Elements 6."
Love my MacBook Pro, excellent upgrade advice, unexpected Opera 10 Alpha behavior, and more, 2008.12.18. Also Firefox 2 and 3 as processor hogs, almost no chance of Snow Leopard for PowerPC Macs, and Eudora withrawal woes.
Why Macs cost more than Dells, leaving the Mac for Dell and Ubuntu, and using both platforms, 2008.12.17. Readers weigh in on what Apple would have to do to compete with Dell on price, the joys of Ubuntu on an Inspiron, and Dell on the go with a Mac at home.
The 'better safe than sorry' guide to installing Mac OS X updates, C2008.12.16. Most users encounter no problems using Software Update, but some preflight work and using the Combo updater means far less chance of trouble.
New iPods vs. old iTunes, some netbooks more flexible than MacBooks, iCab 4 uses WebKit, and more, 2008.12.10. Also Linux is more resource hungry and less responsive than OS X, the value of a 17" PowerBook, and looking forward to the diNovo Mac Edition.
7 favorite Mac browsers, 2008.12.09. Mac users have a wealth of good browsers to choose from. This is one user's analysis of the best seven.
Logitech diNovo Edge Bluetooth Keyboard complements modern Macs, 2008.12.08. Logitech's diNovo Edge isn't just a well built Bluetooth keyboard. It brings some new features to the Mac and looks great next to glass and aluminum hardware.
OS X more efficient than Linux, Snow Leopard and PowerPC Macs, and Eudora woes, 2008.12.03. A user reports both Panther and Leopard run more smoothly and use memory more efficiently than Linux. Also thoughts on PowerPC abandonment in Snow Leopard and replacing Eudora in Leopard.
Apple could buy Dell, and Linux is no threat to Mac OS X, 2008.12.01. Apple has the cash to buy Dell outright, and the idea has some merit. Also, why Linux still isn't ready to displace the Mac OS.
Another way to run WeatherBug, Aspire One runs OS X, 17" MacBook Pro hi-res display, and more, 2008.11.25. Also finding that 'just right' notebook computer, car, or truck.
3 WeatherBug options for Apple users, 2008.11.19. Have instant access to current local weather conditions with a Dashboard widget, iPhone app, or Firefox plugin.
Love my refurb MacBook Pro, Eudora forever, and the lightest AA batteries, Charles Moore, Miscellaneous Ramblings, 2008.11.18. Also questions about nVidia GeForce 8600 problems in earlier MacBook Pro models and importing Eudora mailboxes into Eudora successors.
Cruz browser introduces useful new features, 2008.11.17. Although only a 0.1 release, this new WebKit-based browser has several clever new features that just might hook you.
Refurb MacBook Pro value, MacBook too big to replace 12" PowerBook, Pismo noise, and more, 2008.11.12. Also installing OS X using FireWire Target Disk Mode, running Virtual PC under Leopard, and how to use filters in iCab.
Checking out the latest Eudora replacement betas, 2008.11.11. The two contenders to replace classic Eudora are improving with each beta release, but both are missing crucial features and still fall short of replacing Eudora 6.2.4.
Targus USB 2.0 High-Speed File Transfer Cable helps offset loss of FireWire, 2008.11.10. Although it can't replace Target Disk Mode, Targus' $40 cable makes it easy to transfer files quickly between two Macs, two PCs, or one of each.
Best refurb MacBook Pro value, AirPort Card thermal issues, Opera vs. iCab, and more, 2008.11.05. Also more thoughts on the lack of FireWire on the Unibody MacBook.
NewerTech 11 Piece Portable Toolkit for servicing and upgrading computers, 2008.11.03. NewerTech's $20 toolkit may have all the tools you'll need to repair and upgrade your computers - and classic iPods.
Attractive and ugly Macs, discontinued MacBook Pro value, and writing with TextEdit, 2008.10.30. Readers weigh in on the good, the bad, and the ugly of Macintosh design over the past 24 years.
No FireWire on MacBook a deal breaker, getting Pismo working with AirPort, and Pismo screen replacement, 2008.10.29. For those with FireWire peripherals, the Unibody MacBook falls short. Also fixing a Pismo that won't recognize AirPort and replacing its display.
3 reasons to use a Mac, and Pismo troubleshooting, 2008.10.15. Why one Windows user is also a Mac user, a Pismo that can't see its AirPort card, and sources of kernel panics.
The good, the bad, and the ugly of Apple design, 2008.10.15. Apple has produced some beautiful computers and iPods over the years, but also a few of the ugliest and most ungainly computers ever seen.
The power of older Macs, why Vista only sees 3 GB of RAM, Wangwriter supplies, and more, 2008.10.08. Also the end of an era as MIT HyperArchive shuts down and another suggestion for profiling Windows computers.
$19,800 Bentley Ego laptop remarkably similar to 1999 clamshell iBook, 2008.10.06. Granted, Apple's iBook didn't have white gold trim, a padded leather exterior, or come in colors to match your Bentley automobile.
The best browsers for older Macs running Tiger, 2008.09.25. A dialup user's overview of browsers for Mac OS X 10.4 puts the emphasis on reliability, downloads, and speed.
Tiger great on old G3 'Books, maximum RAM for 867 MHz PowerBook G4, and more, 2008.10.01. Also why 4 GB of RAM in a 32-bit Vista PC wastes most of the last gigabyte and system profile software for Windows PCs.
What's so great about a Mac? Plenty!, 2008.09.25. Alex Gallegos doesn't understand why anyone would choose a virus-free, just-works Mac instead of the far geekier Windows.
Car seats for computing, ThinkPads vs. Mac 'books, power outages, and more, 2008.09.24. Also Time Machine and hard drive failure, more on early portable PCs, UPS for the Mac mini, IMAP and dialup, and more.
SimpleTech SimpleDrive: Fast and stylish, 2008.09.23. With attractive design by Pininfarina, an illuminated capacity meter, and plenty of 7200 rpm storage space, SimpleDrive is a great backup drive.
Portable Mac as primary vs. secondary computer, looking at ThinkPad design, and more, 2008.09.17. Also learning from the Mac Portable, upgrading a PowerBook 5300, another free app to assure maintenance routines are run, and more.
Does constant Time Machine activity compromise disk longevity?, 2008.09.15. Time Machine is a marquee feature of Mac OS X 10.5, but isn't all of that disk activity likely to wear our your drive prematurely?
In praise of rugged Mac notebooks of the past, POP3 vs. IMAP email, and buying glasses online, 2008.09.11. G3 PowerBooks were the high water mark for ruggedness, expandability, and reliability. Also the benefits of POP3 email for dialup users, and another article praising online eyewear.
Routine maintenance tasks still run inconsistently in Leopard, 2008.09.10. Apple has been trying to get routine maintenance scripts to run consistently since the release of Mac OS X 10.4, but users are still reporting problems under 10.5.4.
Antique Macs are still useful computers, 2008.09.09. Charles Moore's first online article looks at the utility of compact Macs - and foreshadows his longterm affection for PowerBooks.
Seashore: A free, basic image editor for Mac OS X, 2008.09.08. Seashore is an open source image editing program for Mac OS X that uses parts of the GIMP but also integrates will with the Mac OS.
Only Leopard runs routine maintenance tasks after startup or waking from sleep, 2008.09.04. Mac OS X 10.5 runs routine system maintenance scripts as soon as possible after starting up or waking up your Mac. Earlier versions of OS X do not do this.
Another free POP3 provider, recharging a dead PRAM battery, current Kanga value, and more, 2008.09.03. GMX email now available in US, Panasonic UJ-841S drive won't burn discs, restoring a dead PRAM battery in a Pismo, and thoughts on Kanga value today.
Resurrecting a dead Pismo, Spotlight search tip, and EasyFind a good file finder, 2008.08.27. Lots of tips on bringing a comatose Pismo back to life, a Spotlight file name search tip, and EasyFind as an alternative to Spotlight.
Does running OS X system maintenance routines really do any good?, 2008.08.26. Mac OS X is designed to run certain maintenance routines daily, weekly, and monthly - but can't if your Mac is off or asleep.
8 free POP3 email options, Charles Moore, Miscellaneous Ramblings, 2008.08.25. In recent years, a lot of free POP3 email providers have started charging or left the field. Here are 8 choices you may want to consider.
Pismo won't start, Spotlight finds too many files, and Panasonic SuperDrive in Pismo, 2008.08.20. Resetting a dead Pismo, an alternative to Spotlight gives better results, and success with the Panasonic UJ-850 drive in Pismo PowerBooks.
Resetting the iPod's display language when you don't know the language it's using, 2008.08.18. If you've ever set your iPod's language to one you can't read, there is a way to reset it.
iPod 'Missing Manual' grows but drops coverage of older iPods, 2008.08.18. The 6th edition of iPod: The Missing Manual has extensive coverage of all the current iPod models, but at the cost of dropping coverage of all earlier models.
Using Word 5.1 files with later versions of Word, keyboard marks on a MacBook screen, and more, 2008.08.14. Also the value of Panasonic's UJ-850 for older PowerBooks and shipping concerns about the SteelPad mousepad.
Apple after Steve Jobs: What about the vision thing?, 2008.08.11. "Jobs is arguably unique in the extent to which his identity and fate are intertwined with those of his company."
Why choose OS 9 today?, OS 9 WiFi security, mousing with Parkinson's, and more, 2008.08.06. Limitations of using OS 9 today, putting a Panasonic SuperDrive in a Pismo, and the best pointing device for those with Parkinson's.
How concerned should we be about computers and phones as disease vectors?, 2008.08.04. Your computer's keyboard and mouse may have 30-60 times as many germs as a toilet seat. Time to pull out the antiseptic wipes?
A use for bad RAM, WiFi security for OS 9, Steve Jobs' health, and more, 2008.07.30. Also tricking out your notebook, Belkin's portable power hub with USB, and upgrading to Mac OS X 10.2.
Free mEdit text editor excels at handling and combining multiple documents, 2008.07.28. Most word processors are designed for office work and short documents. mEdit is designed to work with multiple documents and multi-part documents.
The compressed air keyboard repair, 2008.07.24. If your keyboard isn't working as well as it once did, blasting under the keys with compressed air may be the cure.
Buying glasses online, iCab on G3 iMacs, USB adapter for WallStreet, long term support, and more, 2008.07.16. Also whether a 1.67 GHz PowerBook is a sensible choice, midrange or top-end the best value, Opera can change the way you work on the Web, and more.
New Iris 1.0 image editor not quite ready for prime time, 2008.07.14. Compared to Photoshop Elements 6, Pixelmator, and even the low-end Acorn, the first release of Iris doesn't seem to offer comparable value.
Leopard best OS for G4 PowerBooks, support expectations from Apple, back to Opera, and more, 2008.07.09. Leopard features worth a little performance compromise, depreciation and the best value Macs, voice dication software for PowerPC Macs, and more.
Depreciation game a gamble, best OS for 12" PowerBook, Opera 9.5 fast with unique features, and more, 2008.07.02. The depreciation game requires educated guesses, Tiger the best OS for a 12" PowerBook, why Opera rocks, and a Mac using sci-fi writer who loves the free market.
Political profiling of Mac users, 2008.06.30. Both liberals and conservatives choose the Mac, so it's not fair to typify it as 'the liberal's computer'.
SteelSeries S&S Pro Gaming: Can a mouse pad really be worth $30?, 2008.06.23. Once you've used a SteelSeries mouse pad for a while, you'll wonder how you ever got along without it.
Praise for Opera, low cost iBook mobo replacement, IrDA and IRtalk, WaMCom recommended, and more, 2008.06.18. Also the use of 'compleat', booting from CD, new Toshiba 1.8" drives too thick for MBA, and PowerPC support and Snow Leopard.
Opera 9.5 good enough to 'ruin you for other browsers', 2008.06.16. The reviewer has long considered Opera the best among a solid collection of Mac browsers, and the latest version makes it even better.
Skip 867 MHz 12" PowerBook, iBook sleeps when touched, Netscape 7.0.2 keeps crashing, and more, 2008.06.11. Also getting a copy of the Mac OS for a Power Mac ONE, and whether it can run Linux.
Kensington Ci70 Wireless Keyboard and Mouse excellent for field and desktop use, 2008.06.09. Slim, light, and small of footprint, Kensington's wireless Ci70 mouse and keyboard are great for desktop Macs and easy to take along for use in the field.
Make your own custom greeting cards with Sophie's Cards, 2008.06.02. Design and mail customized greeting cards using your own words and photos - or ones that come with the software.
Netscape 7 for OS 9, Compact Flash faster than hard drive in PB 1400, MacSpeech Dictate, and more, 2008.05.28. Also using VNC over a network so two Macs can share one monitor and the VTBook graphics upgrade for Pismo.
Pixelmator 1.2 closing the gap with Photoshop Elements 6, 2008.05.27. Photoshop Elements 6 has raised the bar for affordable image editing software, and Pixelmator is coming closer to being able to replace it.
1 display with 2 Macs, flash memory for file transfer, Quicksilver or TigerLaunch?, and more, 2008.05.21. Also running a PowerBook 1400 from Compact Flash, format=flowed for email, and OS 9 nice for browsing without Flash.
Charles Moore's top 10 freeware list for Mac OS X, 2008.05.19. Top choices in free browsers, text editors, image editors, search utilities, system maintenance, and more.
Mac OS 9 still nice, anticipating Odysseus, PowerBook 1400 upgrades, and more, 2008.05.14. Also rebuilding PowerBook batteries, FastMac vs. NuPower replacement batteries, and only one G4 upgrade left for WallStreet PowerBooks.
Low End Mac's Compleat Guide to Mac OS 9, 2008 edition, 2008.05.12. Declared dead by Steve Jobs 6 years ago, Mac OS 9 remains fast and stable, but Classic software hasn't kept up with Web changes. What Macs support OS 9, where to buy it, and how to update to version 9.2.2.
Pismo battery and screen problems, Zip vs. hard drive for backup, and MacBook Air packaging, 2008.05.07. Diagnosing battery problems and a fuzzy screen on a Pismo, backup options for Power Macs, and the small size of the MacBook Air's packaging.
Troubleshooting Eudora, backing up a Beige G3, and why Macs are green, 2008.05.01. Problems getting help with Eudora, backup options for a Power Mac G3, and how the long-term usefulness of Macs makes them environmentally friendly computers.
Opera 9.5 beta add innovative features, better integrates with Mac, 2008.04.28. Already a speedy browers, Opera now launches faster, has a fully searchable history, and looks more like a standard Mac app than earlier versions.
Why Eudora fans are 'doggedly faithful', 2008.04.24. The power and flexibility of the classic Eudora email client - and how to make it more stable in Mac OS X 10.5.
Picking the right 'Book, clamshell iBook memories, and alternatives to SCSI-to-USB, 2008.04.23. Choosing a good used 'Book for Classic, remembering the clamshell iBooks, and alternate options to avoid spending $99 on a SCSI-to-USB adapter.
Odysseus cometh: The real successor to Eudora, 2008.04.21. Eudora was a 'best of class' email client, and Infinity Data Systems hopes to build on that with its forthcoming Odysseus mail client.
18 bits can't display millions of colors, today's magic is different from yesterday's, and more, 2008.04.16. Also more feedback on Mac browsers, slow dialup Internet, and a SCSI-to-USB 2.0 solution.
FaceBook: The Missing Manual a very useful resource, , 2008.04.15. There is so much to Facebook that you almost need a book to take full advantage of it. This is that book.
Social networking on the Mac: net4mac shows promise, 2008.04.14. In contrast to huge social networks such as MySpace and Facebook, net4mac is limited to Mac users with OS X 10.4 and later.
That old Mac magic isn't gone, but it is fading, 2008.04.10. With Apple's adoption of Intel architecture and a growing market share, the Mac is becoming more mainstream, and the mainstream isn't magic.
Frustrated with Opera and Firefox, classic form factors, 18-bit color, and more, 2008.04.09. Problems with Mac browsers, the sufficiency of 18-bit color, design classics, and the magic of Macs and baseball.
At play in the garden of OS X browsers: Safari 3.1, Opera 9.27, and iCab 4.01, 2008.04.07. "In some respects, the browser wars are over in the sense that just about all of the alternatives are now satisfyingly fast and stable...."
At play in the garden of OS X browsers: Firefox 3 Beta 5, 2008.04.07. "I've not traditionally been much of a Firefox fan, but Beta 5 is the slickest, most polished Firefox browser ever, not to mention the fastest and prettiest."
Fading magic at Apple, Major League Baseball's rebound, and an iMac that won't boot from a CD, 2008.04.02. Reflections on Apple's success as a business, CD-ROM problems in a G3 iMac, and Pismo processor problem solved with thermal paste.
Major League Baseball and the Macintosh: Has the magic faded?, 2008.03.31. Good business decisions show MLB and Apple for what they are, and there's no magic to business.
Rolleiflex MiniDigi AF 5.0: A TLR for the digital age?, 2008.03.24. The traditional Rolleiflex TLR design is back, but in a much smaller package with an LCD finder and a 5 megapixel sensor.
Newer iPods not compatible with Panther, iCab great with OS 9, and backing up to Eudora 6.2.4, 2008.03.19. Newer iPods require recent versions of iTunes, QuickTime, and OS X. Also iCab may be the best browser for Mac OS 9, and stepping back from Eudora 8 to 6.2.4.
Interarchy 9: Smooth, fast, and reliable, 2008.03.17. Interarchy was already a powerful program - far more than an FTP client - and the changes in version 9 make it even better.
Maximum MacBook RAM, booting PowerPC Macs from USB, Eudora 8 'different', and more, 2008.03.12. Also possibly replacing a 1.33 GHz PowerBook with an Intel-based 'Book and recent iPod incompatibility with Panther.
Pixelmator 1.1.3: A serious challenger to Photoshop Elements?, 2008.03.10. Visually arresting, Pixlemator keeps improving, but Adobe is raising the bar with Elements 6 for Mac.
Solid State Drive experiences, OS 9 browsers, Tiger install problems, and more, 2008.03.03. A longtime SSD user weighs in, browser options for Mac OS 9, problems installing Tiger using Target Disk Mode, Odysseus to replace Eudora, and Office 2008 questions.
Test driving Eudora 8 beta 3: Better but not ready for prime time, 2008.01.21. The Penelope team has improved some things, but problems with multiple SMTP servers, messages over 50 KB in size, and stalling mean that it's still unusable.
What is a 'reconditioned' laptop?, finding Tiger for an iBook, Pismo burning through CPUs, and more, 2008.02.18. Where to find a copy of OS X 10.4 for an iBook, 'reconditioned' vs. 'refurbished', Pismo problems, and political discussion on the Mac Web.
PowerBook 3400c and Pismo: Two of Apple's best notebooks ever, 2008.02.11. Two PowerBooks celebrate birthdays this week, and each was the fastest laptop on the plant when it was introduced.
MacBook Air upgradable enough?, Lombard cache problem, and more on the liberal-conservative debate, 2008.02.04. Another go around on whether Mac users are liberal or conservative. Also looking for an OS X driver for the Netgear WG511T.
Picking a lapdesk, MacBook Air the new Cube?, Pismo won't start, and Entourage vs. Mail and Eudora, 2008.01.28. Looking at pads for notebook computers, why the MacBook Air is the new Cube, a Pismo that stopped working, and whether Entourage is a good alternative to Mail and Eudora.
Liberals, conservatives, and Mac users, 2008.01.28. Readers weigh in on whether Mac users are liberal, conservative, green, or socialist.
Thinking different about liberal vs. conservative Mac users, 2008.01.21. Yet another study had concluded that Mac users are more liberal. Where do conservative Mac users fit into the picture?
DRM in Mac OS X, Ubuntu and BSD as alternatives to OS X, the power of Eudora, and more, 2008.01.14. More thoughts on Apple's digital rights patent and OS X, free non-DRM alternatives to OS X, Eudora and dialup, and adding AirPort to a white iBook.
Could DRM in Mac OS X drive users to Linux?, 2008.01.07. Apple has applied to patent software similar to Windows Genuine Advantage. Should they implement it, is it feasible to switch to Linux or BSD?
Dialup fix for Leopard, scripting for cooler laptops, the Griffin iMate battery, and more, 2008.01.02. Also Eudora as the 'correct' email client, a fan of the Mozilla version of Eudora, and another text processor for Mac OS X.
More in the Miscellaneous Ramblings Archive: 1999-2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007 Jan. to June 2008
Also see the Best of Miscellaneous Ramblings.
Charles W. Moore, Low End Mac columnist and news editor, Tommy Thomas, Welcome to Macintosh, 2007.08.31. An interview with Charles W. Moore, who has been a Mac user since the early 90s and began writing for Low End Mac in 1999.

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