Michael Jardeen: ...mac, x and me

Wed, 28 Jan 2004 09:32:10 GMT

Gates takes a side-swipe at Apple, Linux security
As the MyDoom virus spread rapidly across the Internet on Monday, Bill Gates extolled the value of such attacks and warned against other operating systems' complacency [...] "A high volume system like [Windows] that has been thoroughly tested will be by far the most secure," Gates told the audience at the Developing Software for the future Microsoft Platform conference at London's Queen Elizabeth II Conference Centre. "To say a system is secure because no one is attacking it is very dangerous," said Gates, referring to operating systems that have a smaller share of the desktop market, such as Apple Mac OS and Linux...more [ZDnet UK] HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA!! My OS is more secure because it's so insecure. Bill you really reached on that one...mj

Sat, 24 Jan 2004 20:00:09 GMT

Apple's core: The Mac turns 20
Despite Microsoft's dominance, Apple fans remain loyal Its dedicated users are so passionate they're often described as religious about their love for the machine. Twenty years ago, on January 24, 1984, Apple Computer launched the Macintosh. It contained virtually unknown features, including simple icons, and an odd little attachment called a mouse...more [CNN] 20 years ago today computers were turned from machines without personality, to machines you could personalize to your hearts content. The future of computers was put on display and nothing has been the same. This is more then just hyperbole, it's true. Whether you are on a Mac, Windows, or Linux, the interface you use all descend from that machine released 20 years ago today...mj

Fri, 16 Jan 2004 09:40:23 GMT

Dancing to oblivion the M$ way...
Last year Microsoft made three decisions that it will come to see as the beginning of it's fall from dominance. The little things are what kill you in the end. Makes me think of the second level manager who said it isn't the last sick day that cost you the job, it's the 1st day you just stay home because you don't feel like going to work. One event was it's decision to expose it's source code to the Chinese government in a failed attempt to stave off Linux. Ask yourself, if Microsoft can show the Chinese government it's source code (a historic enemy of the US), then why can't it show the rest of us? The second event was the decision to pay SCO for a UNIX license. The thinly veiled attempt to sow fear, uncertainty, and doubt in the linux community combined with it's new ad campaign only shows how afraid M$ is of Linux. It's a good thing, because they should be afraid of Linux. The third and most important decision was to sell Office for just $37 in Thailand. It begs several questions: 1. Why are we paying $400-$600 for it?, 2. The only product that can have a 69% margin is a monopoly product, 3. It means that we are all subsidizing Thailand's purchases of Office, 4. Shouldn't we all just refuse to buy it unless we can get the same prices! That's what the government of Israel is doing. ... Soon this blog will go silent. I do not plan on paying up for another year of service. It's been one hell of a ride. I hope you got something out of this, I know I did. Bush still sucks...mj

Sun, 11 Jan 2004 07:38:02 GMT

So what's the big deal?
Are you wondering about the big HP/Apple iPod deal? You should be. It was the big deal that didn't get done in time to spin our heads at the Macworld keynote. It's a huge deal that trumps Dell, and deals a blow to M$'s desire to own the music market with it's pathetic Windows Media Format. For a great insight into the deal go check out bill palmer's commentary. Stay tune...mj

Sun, 23 Nov 2003 15:53:10 GMT

Apple faces the music
The iPod will be on many gift wish lists. But can Apple hold off challenges from Dell and others? Digital music players are likely to be one of the hottest selling tech gadgets this holiday shopping season. And no company should benefit more than Apple. Apple's iPod music player has been a huge success. Apple sold 336,000 iPods in its fiscal fourth quarter (which ended in September), generating $121 million in revenue, or 7 percent of Apple's total sales -- more than twice last year's levels....more [CNN-Money] Apple has caught the market, now the question is how long will the ride last? With Pepsi set to turn on the music with it's Superbowl launch, and McDonalds still rumored to have big plans in store for the music store, we will see how far the rocket flies...mj

Tue, 11 Nov 2003 03:59:58 GMT

Quick Reads...

Plan A for Microsoft: Is Microsoft's new version of Windows a radical innovation or a return to the company's winner-take-all software strategy from a decade ago?
Microsoft Faces Showdown at the EU Corral: Microsoft faces a major showdown in Brussels this week when it gets a last chance to defend itself against European Union regulators' charges it abused its dominance of desktop computer operating systems.
Microsoft: Back to its old ways?: Is Microsoft's new version of Windows a radical innovation or a return to the company's winner-take-all software strategy from a decade ago?
Lindows-Microsoft legal spat builds: Microsoft proffered legal papers seeking to disavow California class-action settlement claims submitted via the Linux distributor's MSfreePC Web site.

More MS BS...mj

Fri, 24 Oct 2003 14:05:24 GMT

What's New Pussy Cat?
Today is the public release of Panther - OS X 10.3. It marks another milestone for Apple. OS X keeps being refined, made more stable, and getting faster...mj

Thu, 16 Oct 2003 08:08:29 GMT

Mac Supercomputer: Fast, Cheap
The brand new "Big Mac" supercomputer at Virginia Tech could be the second most powerful supercomputer on the planet, according to preliminary numbers. Early benchmarks of Virginia Tech's brand new supercomputer -- which is strung together from 1,100 dual-processor Power Mac G5s -- may vault the machine into second place in the rankings of the worlds' fastest supercomputers, second only to Japan's monstrously big and expensive Earth Simulator....more [Wired] Fast I figired, but cheap, a Mac! I am sure that Michael Dell is sitting in his office figuring out how to top this one. I also expect that the Windows whiners will try and say that the test was rigged...mj

Thu, 25 Sep 2003 06:10:21 GMT

Security Report Puts Blame On MS
Viruses, worms and other cyber-attacks that are crippling computers with increasing frequency cannot be stopped as long as the software of one company -- Microsoft Corp. -- dominates computing, according to a paper prepared by corporate technology officers and researchers. "The security situation is deteriorating," says the report, which is to be released today. With Microsoft operating systems used on more than 90 percent of the world's personal computers, the authors write, most computers are vulnerable to attack and networks are easily compromised...more [Washington Post] Monopoly May Pose a Security Risk
Such widespread use puts all users in jeopardy, report suggests. Whatever Microsoft's strengths or failings as a developer of reliable software, the mere existence of an operating system monopoly is a critical security risk, argues a new report released Wednesday at a Computer & Communications Industry Association (CCIA) gathering in Washington, D.C. Written by seven IT security researchers, "CyberInsecurity -- The Cost of Monopoly" calls on governments and businesses to consider in their buying decisions the dangers of homogenous systems, and to diversify the software mix deployed in their organizations. It also urges the U.S. government to counterbalance Microsoft's user lock-in tactics by forcing the company to offer multiplatform support for its dominant applications, including Internet Explorer and Microsoft Office products....more [PC World] Gee, you think someone might start getting the point. Instead we just push forward to an even more limited future, with even more MS 'features' designed to restrict our choices. It was also nice of Bill and Melinda to donate $160+ million the week after it was announced that they will get $180+ million in a dividend check...mj

Sat, 16 Aug 2003 01:00:36 GMT

"IT...Full Employment Act"
...Why are Linux computers gaining in popularity with large organizations while Macs, which are based after all on BSD Unix, aren't?... ...Adopting Linux allows organizations to increase their IT efficiency without requiring the IT department to increase ITS efficiency. It takes just as many nerds to support 100 Linux boxes as 100 Windows boxes, yet Linux boxes are cheaper and can support more users. The organization is better off while the IT department is unscathed and unchallenged...more [I, Cringley The pulpit] The cranky old man of computers is dead on in this equation. He also makes some compelling points about the dangers and misconceptions of outsourcing...mj

Fri, 01 Aug 2003 03:30:57 GMT

The Numbers Didn't Lie...
Read this attack on the PC FUD weenies who attacked Apple for it's numbers when it introduced the G5. So who really should eat crow? The real answer is that for the first time in several years you have a real speed competition between Apple and the Wintel world. Time will tell where this one goes...mj

Mon, 28 Jul 2003 18:06:28 GMT

Michael meets Apple
I made it to the Apple Store in Bellevue yesterday. It was nice to see so many demo displays, showing people all the things you can do with your Mac. The only down sides were the size, it felt small, and the shortage of software. I felt looking at the displayes that Apple needs to make more of an effort to make it look bigger. One idea would be a shareware station that allows users to look up shareware, read reviews, and burn them to disk to take home. Charge a nominal fee of $.99 to burn the disk. Shareware is the huge secret weapon in the Mac market -- there is simply tons of stuff out there that is every bit as good as the commercial stuff. My son had a great time. He went over the eMacs set up with kids games. My brother is leaving for Japan soon, and wants to buy a new 12" PB before he leaves. We are trying to wait for the annoncement of the updated portables. He was sold on the ease of transitioning between English, and Japanese. Me, I just want a G5!!..mj

Fri, 25 Jul 2003 14:19:06 GMT

"...BuyMusic is a Yugo"
Since the day Apple introduced the iTunes Music Store, Windows users have had to live with the fact that while the iPod is available for Windows, iTunes and the iTunes Music Store aren't. So if Windows users want to use the best music-buying experience on the Web today, they have to either buy Macs or wait until Apple ships iTunes for Windows later this year. So it should come as no surprise that an iTunes Music Store imitator for Windows users appeared on the scene this week -- an attempt to grab a piece of the pie before Apple gets its Windows software out the door. The site is called BuyMusic.com. At first glance it looks a lot like Apple's offering and markets itself using TV commercials that are a note-for-note rip-off of the lauded Apple spots. That's where the similarities end. Simply put, while iTunes Music Store is the Rolls-Royce of online music, BuyMusic.com is a Yugo...more [Houston Chronicle] The fighting has begun. It's too bad that Buy.com had to so misrepresent their product. Telling people songs are $.79 and having them find the opposite is not good marketing...mj

Fri, 25 Jul 2003 02:13:24 GMT

Die Epson Die!!
I have had it. The game is over for me and my next printer will NOT be an Epson. The reason is simple, I have now killed my fourth Printer. I have owned an Epson 600, 800, 850, and an 8cubed. I figure I have never gotten my money's worth out of the printers, because at some point I forget to run a print on a regular basis, the heads gum up and the printer is toast. It always happens when there is no warranty support. Of course there are pointers as to how to fix this issue, but they don't always work. The solution is simple, I will no longer buy Epson printers. This problem is a real one that is a product of a fixed print-head design, that while giving Epson superior print performance in most cases, also creates a reliability issue I am no longer willing to live with. I have been told by people in the Industry that Epson knows this is an issue, but they keep it because it creates a market for people to replace their printers. I guess you can sign me out of that marketing plan...mj

Sat, 28 Jun 2003 00:17:43 GMT

Paul Boutin is an idiot...
Read this article on Slate. The best garbage has the stentch of sweet perfume, and this one reeks of it. People using Linux may be doing it because they hate MicroSloth, but they are doing it more often as not over price. This is the same mentality that makes people pick Microsoft over Apple. People use Apple for design, style, performance, reliability, and USABILITY!! The word usability has never been whispered by anyone involved with Linux, except when explaining how to compile a new interface. It is the number one reason why Apple still lives against MS, because MS just can't get it right. Even when they steal a usability elelment, they manage to screw it up. Why will Linux be any better given it's dispersed nature? Answer me that one Paul Boutin! Oh, and one other point, you're a cheap geek, why would you ever use a Mac anyway?...mj

Tue, 24 Jun 2003 07:57:01 GMT

Martin...take that!
Apple rolled out the new G5 machines, and the speed is the toast of the town, so stuff it Martin!..mj

Sat, 21 Jun 2003 06:02:09 GMT

Martin Reynold...DOH!
On Monday Apple will put Steve Jobs on stage and roll out the new G5 processor (also known as the Power PC 970). It appears that someone at Apple goofed and the specs for the new machine got leaked. As usual, we have one of the Gartner Group Mac-Doomsayers speaking up about why this event doesn't mean much. Gartner analyst Martin Reynold says that "Although it's a new processor, I'd expect to see less brandishing around the processor and more around the features and packages that the systems come in. I expect to see more about the Mac than I do about the processors. The challenge that Apple has had is that they've occasionally pulled past Intel on pure speed -- I think those days are behind us now. I don't think we'll see them crowing about raw performance; instead, they're more likely to stick with Apple's core values where they have a real advantage in terms of usability." I have one word for Martin...WRONG!! Apple will talk about the nice new case, we will be awed by the new design, and we'll debate it's merits. What we will not debate is the G5/970. This is all about speed, and this chip will be faster then any Intel processor, in terms of real world speed, not CPU speed. I expect that we will see our first bake-off in more then two years, and the new Macs will bury the Intel systems. They will crow about the speed from the top of the hills to the lowest of valleys. These new machines will ROCK!! If this is not the case, then I expect that this could well be Apple's last dance as a computer company...mj

Mon, 16 Jun 2003 04:32:55 GMT

Maine school gives students own laptops
The end of the school year is near and children are playing baseball outside. But the students in Shawn Favreau's classroom are focused on their laptop computers. For their final social studies project, they're using the computers to create multimedia presentations on ancient Greece. Some of the Freeport Middle School students find it hard to imagine going back to using just pencils and paper. We still do the same things. We just do it differently. The teachers are winging it. They're looking for ways to make it more interesting," said student Kaitlyn Beaule. "I think it's a lot more fun."...more [CNN] The key here is that these are Apple iBooks. This program shows how technology can be such a great aid in bringing back interest into school. Some will say that this could have been done cheaper with Windows machines...WRONG! The cost of software and the cost of maintenance would have backrupted the program. Only Macs could be given out in these numbers and have so few problems. Score a big one for Apple...mj

Thu, 05 Jun 2003 21:55:19 GMT

Anniversary of the Apple II
It was 26 years ago today that the Apple II was released for US $1,298. "Standard configuration included 4K of memory, two game paddles, and a demo cassette with programs. Home televisions [were] usually used for monitors." [Apple2history.org] I still remember going over to "Mythos Manor" to vist the gang; being led upstairs, and shown this cool new thing called a personal computer...mj

Tue, 20 May 2003 04:20:48 GMT

Computer failure on Saturday - I am slowly rebuilding it. No fun at all...mj

Mon, 05 May 2003 06:01:05 GMT

Apple steals music...
Apple released the Apple iTunes Music Store this past week. I downloaded my first song the next day. It's slick, it's simple to use, and the list of artist will expand quickly as independents are signed and artist scramble to catch the next wave in music distribution. Over 200,000 songs in the first day - thats half the total number of songs downloaded on the other commercial music services all last year! The next step is for Apple to get the windows version of iTunes released ASAP! They also need to move aggressively to get AOL to add the store to their services. After all Warner Records sells in the store, so why not have AOL add it. Apple could be poised to sweep the rug out from under Microsoft's dreams of taking control of the music distribution with their proprietary Windows Media Format. Apple's simple DRM model gives so much more control to the user then any other legal distribution model (Please quit your crying people. DRM is going stay, it's just a matter of how painful it is). Once again, APPLE ROCKS!!...mj

Wed, 23 Apr 2003 02:01:17 GMT

How Mosaic triggered a revolution
On April 22, 1993, a group of students at the University of Illinois released a piece of computer code designed to get information from various public networks. Little did they know that their pet project, a humble application named Mosaic, would fundamentally change everyday life. While Web browsers with graphical interfaces had traded hands among academics years earlier, Mosaic was the first to be widely adopted and introduce the masses to the Internet...more [CNET] To think that ten years ago we started on the path to the greatest tulip craze since, well...the original one. What was once a creator of diversity would be come the center of the monopoly wars with Microsoft, make many billions of dollars in wealth and ruin even more lives when the bubble collapsed. It also gave access to information that had never been so easily accessed. The very way that we present, and live our lives has been impacted both directly, and indirectly. I wonder how we will look at it 20 years down the road?...mj

Thu, 20 Mar 2003 01:01:56 GMT

Dvorak talks Mac
John C. Dvorak is at it again, only this time he has good things to say (that's rare). In PC magazine he predicts that Apple will go with Intel rather then the IBM chip. I have my doubts, but it would be an huge shift in the landscape...mj

Mon, 10 Mar 2003 00:27:54 GMT

Going on a Safari
Today is a bell-weather day. Yesterday, I got a copy of Safari v64. This is a recent inside beta of Apple's new web browser. I also downloaded Camino, the new version of what was Chimera. They just keep improving, but today I'm switching to Safari as my default browser. Why the change, well v64 has tabbed browsing, and that has been the one major no-go for me. Load times have improved, and my issue with timeouts was resolved with the last public release. If you're using IE on the Mac, you will soon have a better browser in your hands. Rumor is that the next public beta release of Safari is coming soon. If you have never tried tabbed browsing, you don't know what a joy you are missing. The safari implementation is great. This version can mimic automatically what ever browser you want to be. This should help with the idiot designers who don't spend a spare moment making their sites cross compatible. As an added bonus - spell checking is now available in my entry window for Radio. Perhaps, I will do a better job proofreading my post (maybe) ...mj

Sat, 08 Mar 2003 00:49:32 GMT

Konfabulous!
If you are a Mac user, you must check out Konfabulator, a simply amazing piece of software. I think this will become the hypercard of OS X. To program it requires some programming skills, but it's simplicity is amazing. In the past six years I would describe three shareware programs for the Mac as killer: Watson (so much so that Apple stole from it for Sherlock 3), Kaleidoscope, and now Konfabulator. In the meantime, I am no closer to solving my Memory leak problem. Right now I have four programs open, and i am only showing 23MB free out of 640MB. My friend Bill is having the same issue. It's very frustrating...mj