Of the many mental pictures that remain of the vicious attack on the World Trade Center, one has stood out for me. It was of a young woman, six months pregnant, who was desperately searching for her husband with a wedding photo. His office was located on the upper floors of the South Tower. The personal tragedy that these innocent victims experienced and the strength and moral courage they exhibited will stay with me always.
Don’t Hang Up!
In the New York suburb of Yonkers twelve year old Kevin Strothers was already working on his English assignment for the next day. It was early September and there would be no holiday to celebrate the day off school while his teachers participated in their professional development activities. His mother, Allison, was in her bedroom preparing for her business trip. He glanced out his window at the early morning sun and the yard with the remnants of Sunday’s family reunion. Some of the balloons were still bouncing in the breeze while others had shriveled into a knot of plastic.
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The patient in Room 401A awoke in a semi-stupor. He felt disoriented and confused. He looked about at the room but recognized nothing. The pain was excruciating and some sort of bandage encased his head and partially covered his right eye. At that moment, a male nurse entered.
“Good to see you awake professor. How’s the head?”
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The Apple scene has been particularly interesting in the last few months. OS X has moved up to prime time with the arrival of Jaguar (10.2) The former free iTools has been revised as .Net (oops, sorry – a natural mistake) I mean .Mac and, best of all, now we can pay for the name change. The no show Pro Macs at MWNY have finally appeared with their latest “blistering, Pentium crushing” MHz increase. All things Mac seem to be in place and the world is a wonderful place. Or is it?
To X or not to X? Continue reading »
As a money strapped consumer, I have some issues with Apple. This is part of the normal love/hate relationship of a Mac devotee and the mother ship. At the moment, I am a non-adaptor of OS X preferring to remain with the dead and buried 9.1. I would love to upgrade but my aging beige G3 tower apparently does not play well with X and my peripherals, a serial port printer and SCSI scanner, are left hanging in a kind of no mans land. The solution I have decided is not the upgrade route but a new computer with the latest gizmos. But, in case I need to remind you, that costs money.
Blue Tie Inc. makes small and medium size businesses and institutions able to communicate, schedule and stay connected easy. It does it all through their existing Web browser or Java client software and most important it performs this miracle across platforms. Blue Tie supports Palm and wireless Palm device access as well. The perfect answer to making your work place data mobile.
What is Blue Tie? Continue reading »
Blue Tie is a state-of-the-art data centre, backup system, security and parallel database running on Oracle’s 8i database system. It runs on Blue Tie secure servers and is simple to use and affordable. You buy no software or hardware and it frees your company from maintaining server hardware or specialized software at your place of work.
The hot breath of the late summer “sirocco” swept the piazza dust up into a fountain of swirling air. It soared up into clear blue sky in the form of a mini whirlwind. At 3 p.m. there was not a soul to be seen except for a lone couple who trudged valiantly in the stuffy, hot sun. They stopped in the centre of the oblong piazza gazing hopefully for any sign of life. The relentless heat gave no respite to the unfortunate pair. The woman carried her wide brim hat in her hand, using it as a fan when it would have been much wiser to keep it on her head. The burn on her face would be troublesome tonight if she didn’t take cover soon. Her companion seemed to be faring better in his white shirt and travel shorts. He had tied his white kerchief with knots at each corner and used it as a cap to protect his thinning hair and scalp.
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A short time ago I received an e-mail joke message. The title was “Are you Italian?” I am as fanatical about my heritage as I am about the computer I use. Usually, these joke items are rife with misinformation. Since I believe I have the appropriate knowledge and background on the subject, I have taken it upon myself to correct errors, clear up misconceptions and add commentary as I see fit. Please feel free to substitute American for Canadian where appropriate – except, of course, in cultural / sovereignty matters.
Subject: You are Italian!
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A woman alone. An old house. A dark musty cellar. These three juicy clichés are enough to whet the appetite of any horror freak. But women are different today. Are they not strong, assertive and in control of their destiny? Think again.
The Bogeyman Cometh
I mentally berated myself. How could I have been so stupid to rashly buy this house? Apparently, I had lost all reason. I must have been seduced by the surrounding area or the perceived romanticism of the setting. There was no charm to the house. It was isolated from both neighbours and town. It was, also,not particularly attractive. Its saving grace and the quality that most appealed to me was that it was over a century old. That and the wide plank, pine flooring. The house certainly would require a lot of hard work. It was a small two story and it even had a rudimentary basement. It was certainly large enough for the few pieces of furniture I had accumulated. So why did I have this nagging fear that I had made the wrong decision? I had treated everyone who tried to dissuade me with disdain, from Mother (How can you live anywhere but New York City?), to my best friend Eve (The odds of getting laid are better in the city than in the country. Think about it.) Even when the real estate agent looked at me, his face was full of pity. I could imagine him thinking,”this poor broad needs a man about the house.”
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As memories of goodwill to men and the singing of Christmas carols fade from the hearts of the faithful let us turn our thoughts to a subject that is less sacred. My favourite topic is this realm is, of course, Microsoft – the Evil Empire, the Wicked Monopoly or the pearly Gates down under. But, as loathed as I am to admit it, the house of Bill has much that is holy – not blessed to be sure by definitely holy.
April 2, 2001
Microsoft is issuing a security patch for its Internet Explorer web browser, which could automatically open corrupted e-mail attachments without user intervention.
June 8, 2001 Continue reading »
A computer virus that targets Web systems using Microsoft software packs a double punch. This time the worm is selective, attacking only Microsoft software and sending profane e-mail bombs to founder Bill Gates.
If you have read any of my previous Byte Me! articles you may be aware of my slightly slanted views re: Computers and Operating Systems in particular. With the latest Windows XP and Mac OS X, we have the ongoing push by Microsoft and Apple to collect monies from the faithful. There have been many comparisons on the net about which system is best . My analogy below has to do with the emotional rather than the practical. You may find, however, that practicality may sometimes lead you astray while emotions give a truer sense of reality.
For this impractical but emotional exercise, let us look at the two operating systems above and how they might tackle the art of translation and meaning of a selection of French terms. May the best OS win.
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La Befana vien di notte
con le scarpe tutte rotte
col cappello alla romana
viva viva la Befana!
More years ago than I care to remember, my mother first told me the story of La Befana. It stayed with me through the years and I retold it to my son when he was a child. La Befana is one of Italy’s oldest and most celebrated legends, a marvelous story about a good Christmas witch. Perhaps the term “witch” may be too strong. I think “fairy” would be more correct. However, because the Befana was old and ugly with a pointed chin and hooked nose I suppose that, by necessity, this made her classification as a witch seem appropriate. Still, she is as much a part of the Christmas spirit in Italy as the German Christmas tree, the English mistletoe or the increasingly popular American Santa Claus who the Italians have dubbed Babbo Natale. Even today, in modern Italy, on twelveth night, the evening between January 5 and 6, she makes her rounds, just as the Magi do. The name Befana is thought to be a derivative of the word Epiphany or Epifania in Italian which is a celebration of the manifestation of the Christ child to the gentiles (the three Magi, in particular, and the world in general.)
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As a denizen of modern society I suppose all the information I receive is meant to empower me – however most times I am simply numbed by it. At the office, armed with my wireless head set, I am battered from all sides with time consuming emails, unnecessary phone calls, Post-its, and a generic PC that dies at regular intervals regardless which year OS is loaded. What’s a poor slob to do?
I have long ago given up on the Information Age hype that having the latest electronic gadget is next to godliness or that the new DSL connection will bring me the Nirvana I crave. Did you know that an average daily newspaper carries more information than a contemporary of Shakespeare’s would acquire in a lifetime? Am I better off then he?
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The storm had been raging from early evening and she was still awake listening as midnight chimed. Through the large-paned French windows the lightning flashed and the thunder rumbled. The wind from the sea tore at the ivy on the south wall making it rustle indignantly against the water-soaked quarry stone. She threw on the gauze like dressing gown, so light and delicate that it appeared to be woven by spiders. She reached for the light switch. No power. Never power during a storm. She pulled open the massive oak door to the corridor and made her way with the help of the lightning flashes to the circular staircase leading to the lower level. Someone was playing the piano. She had not dreamed it. As she descended into the utter darkness, the muted notes drifted up to her. She paused at the half-open door of the music room only a moment and then stepped inside. The piano sat empty, the keys covered. Only the sound of pelting rain greeted her. Suddenly a violent crack of thunder and flash of lightning revealed the ethereal creature behind her.
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Rivals for Power: the fight to offer Internet services
It’s time to take off the kid gloves and put on the heavy duty fighting mitts. Software meganopoly Microsoft and media major-domo AOL Time Warner have, of late, dropped all pretense of friendship and are about to duke it out to the death. Both want to reign supreme on Internet service provision. In the past, Microsoft’s goal was to have its operating system on every computer on the planet and, except for mine and a few others, they have succeeded. AOL, on the other hand, was happily distributing millions of floppy disks and later CDs to lure the masses to use their portal to the internet. All was happy in heaven until these two giants began stepping into each other’s turf.
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At the Big Apple: – and the Adobe booth is where?
Yeah,. Yeah. Yeah. I know Adobe is not physically at MacWorld because they want to cut expenses – but it’s like your mother missing your 21st birthday.
Dear Ma,
The party was all set up. This year we are at MacWorld New York again. The Crystal Palace has more glass then that ring I bought you for your 50 th. It is a cool place nevertheless but you would probably add some fresh flowers and a touch of designer wallpaper to help camouflage the acres of steel supports.
Mac people wait for these parties like ants wait for a picnic. We look forward to all the goodies (new introductions) and the pontifications of Saint Steve of Cupertino – bless his black turtleneck and jeans keynote uniform.
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Remember when Apple the perennial beleaguered computer company’s 5300 PowerBook was found with batteries that could burst into flames? Of course, at the time, they were in the distribution phase and not in consumers hands. But the furor and anti-Apple rhetoric about flaming Apple portables was “blistering”
Recently, first in October 2000 (27,000 recalls) and early in May (284,000 recalls), little Mikey Dell, who as we all know likes to put down Apple and the Big Steve, has had two major notebook recalls due to, guess what? – battery fires. In case you were in an Intel time warp let me repeat, that was, battery fires. At least one was actually in the hands of a consumer! Hot stuff Dell – way to get our attention away from those four digit layoffs. Actually, at this point, Michael Dell’s notebooks do not inspire confidence regardless of their moniker tags. Inspiron 5000, 5000(e) indeed! Dare I suggest a more appropriate designation like maybe Inspiron 5000?
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Thanks to mole operative (iDeep Throat) in Apple Computer’s Cupertino Campus comes this startling information on the major revamping of Apple’s consumer products as well as the dramatic shift in their marketing and design philosophy.
Apple has apparently learned some lessons from the many iMac ripoffs. The computer company that revolutionized the industry is set to save millions of megabucks by curtailing both innovative technology and cutting edge industrial design. Sure it will be bland and less colourful but it appears it is the only way to draw large numbers of Wintel customers who fear radical change and creative design.
Currently in the final stages of the design criteria, the following models are being set for prime time. It is not clear if they will be released to the public at July’s MWNY or MWSF 2002. For this exercise we will concentrate our focus on the box design only. Gone is the rounded watermelon look replaced by a sleek more angular case.
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This is the continuing story of what happened to the couple, Rosie and Rolf, who were introduced in my November 11/00 article,”Freckles.” Sometimes truth is stranger than fiction. Follow them in the ups and downs of that most cherished of rites – the honeymoon. It has been said that if you can survive the honeymoon, you can survive anything.
Freckles: The Honeymoon or
(The marriage was a success but the honeymoon flopped)
I knew on that New Year’s eve that Rosie was the girl for me. In fact, I’m sure I knew even before that night, but I guess I just couldn’t believe my luck. I had been a bachelor for 30 years and I had almost given up the thought of finding someone. On that fateful moment after the party, at the home of my best friend Moe and his wife Glorianna, we were together in a quiet moment and I uttered the fateful words, “Rosie, I think I love you.” In retrospect, it was a pretty damn stupid thing to say. Why think? I knew I loved her. It was that old commitment crap. Don’t appear too eager in case she has a laughing fit. Besides, I was pretty sure of her feelings for me even though she had plans to go to Europe that summer with another chum. Yet, clumsy profession of love aside, that was the moment that changed everything.
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Contrary to the Recording Industry Association of America’s (RIAA) view and what they hailed as an end to “electronic shoplifting” on the internet, Napster will not die. Perhaps the Napster as we know it will be gone but the freedom of choice for internet users for free access to shared music will continue. That may be the most important result of the recent court decision. The world’s biggest record labels — including Vivendi Universal, Sony Music, Warner Music, and EMI Group applauded the ruling, their eyes bulging, no doubt, at the prospects of hard cash filtering their way. But the Music Consortium is their own worst enemy. They were slow in seeing the advantages of offering music on the internet that was easy to access.
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The Making of:
The Attack of the Horrible Ugly Monster
Hollywood 1957 – Sam Goldwyn Studios – Exterior Writers Building.
Screenwriter Jeffrey Adams (born: Solomon Dwerkowski) is leaving the building as producer Raymond Crawford (born: Ruben Crapapopolis) drives up.
Adams: I’ve had it. Can’t type another word. That damn script is unworkable. Who came up with that cock-a-mamie idea anyway? You can dock me my pay, but I’m going over to La Brea to get sopping drunk. If I’m lucky, I won’t be back.
Crawford: Jeff, baby. Relax. I drove here straight from Santa Anita as soon as my secretary sent word you phoned. Why do you make yourself miserable? As Hitch says, “It’s only a movie”. The script idea was mine. I think it’s brilliant. I’ll bet you top line on the writer’s credits that it will take in more than last year’s Monster in the Sewer. Now tell me exactly what is bothering you? And, by the way, don’t lean on the fender of the Caddie.
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Now that the dust has settled at MWSF on new product announcements and the final shipping date of OS X has been revealed, what has the Monopoly King been up to OS wise? The next version of Windows now under development is code named Whistler. It will more completely integrate the user desktop with the web browser. Whistler will be based on the Windows NT kernel rather than Windows 9x. It will also address security, reliability and stability problems of the past. This will be the first time, a Windows operating system will no longer run a very large number of programs written for MS-DOS and other earlier operating systems. Whistler will also sport the controversial anti-piracy “product activation” which will require activation by phone or internet. When they tried that avenue with MS Office they ran into a hailstorm of abuse from consumers.
More troubling is the recent post on the internet of the code for Whistler. This could open a cesspool of problems for Microsoft. Unauthorized use of the code, among other problems, could mean incompatibility with other software applications. Whistler is expected to be released sometime in 2001. The original date had been April but if MS’s past record is any indication that date will be extended. Thanks to AppleLinks for the referral link (below) to these Whistler screen shots. There are 8 pages of extensive shots showing most areas of the new system.
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