I consider myself fairly tech-savvy. I own the latest Android Smartphone, a literal cornucopia of iPods, several digital cameras, photo printers, and I pride myself on my Pentagon-level WIFI security settings. I was designing HTML and Perl code around the same age I learned the value of deodorant. In other words, I’m fairly certain I could ace the Certified Techno Nerd test, if there was one. That might be why so many of my friends were shocked when I told them that my wife bought me a brand new Sony turntable for my thirtieth birthday (if you are not sure what a turntable even is, Google it now before reading on). Aside from the initial shock that my birthday gift was actually analog for the first time this century, I was first comforted to see that the machine had a USB port – a bridge to the digital age we now live in, and possibly the only recognizable part of the machine for those twenty-five or younger
A few months ago, I told you about my adventures with a new Windows-based PC that we had bought. At that time, I promised that my article would begin a series. So, here I return with another chapter in the book. Since then, much has happened in the Macintosh world. Before I get started (since it has been a while, indeed), let me recap the situation.
A few months ago, we were forced to buy (for business reasons beyond our control) a Dell 233 MMX with speakers, a 4 GB hard disk drive, 32 megs of RAM, a 3D video card, a 56K modem, some great software, and a plethora of other add-ons. A nice system, even from the outside. It outperformed my Performa 6200CD in all areas but enjoyment, reliability, and ease of use. And for those major reasons, along with others, I came to love my slow-as-molasses machine even more than before. But now, I must admit, I have come to love the Windows PC world over any other…
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TIE Fighter
LucasArts Entertainment
1-888-532-4263
Retail price: $29.95
http://www.lucasarts.com
Have you ever wanted to be evil? Have you ever wondered what would have happened if Darth Vader had defeated the Rebel Alliance? Well, now’s your chance to join The Dark Side! LucasArts’ “TIE Fighter Collectors CD-ROM” is your opportunity to suppress the puny Rebel Alliance… and hey, it’s kinda fun!
The story of TIE Fighter picks up after the Death Star disaster. Vader is teed-off, and he wants revenge for the destruction of his great weapon. Yes, TIE Fighter is not just shooting and explosions (although that’s great), but is also a great story. Even better, the story is accompanied by some great cut scenes, instruction and dialogue, audio, and more. In TIE Fighter, you’re a trainee pilot who gets to fly seven of the Empire’s best fighters. You fly 104 thrilling, fast-paced missions. Do your duty, and you’ll be favorably rewarded. Foul up, though, and you’ll get some harsh discipline from your supervisors.
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ClarisWorks Office
Company: Claris Corporation
Estimated Price: $99.00
http://www.claris.com
Microsoft Office 98 is well on its way to
becoming a hit Macintosh item. But with a hefty
$400+ price tag, it’s not the most affordable
office suite. Claris, on the other hand, has produced an office suite with a very reasonable price tag… But is it worth the cash?
Claris strikes gold with almost every software title they produce. Claris Em@iler is a hit with us Internet users (and contrary to rumor, has not been axed), Claris Home Page 2.0 is an awesome Web publishing tool, and FileMaker Pro has been more than successful in its league. Basically, we’ve come to trust Claris with great software. Once again, Claris has made good on their commitment. ClarisWorks Office is a highly versatile and affordable package.
Many buyers are confused when it comes to the Office package. Basically, it’s ClarisWorks 5.0 souped up with Internet tools, Web tools, enhancements, templates, and other cool features. Claris’s draw and paint tools have also been favorably revised. This combination of tools creates a great product for word processing, spreadsheet work, database, Web design, and presentation.
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Mac OS 8.0 was a smash hit, and I’d bet my last Tic-Tac that everyone is going to flock to download Mac OS 8.1 when it’s officially released (at the time I wrote this, Mac OS 8.1 was just starting to show its Golden Master face on the Web). Mac OS 8.1 is in fact a fabulous upgrade, featuring faster disk performance, tons of bug fixes, great enhancements, and the long-awaited HFS+. I’ve been using Mac OS 8.1 and the HFS+ format for some time now, and know a few of the ins and outs. So, I’ll try my best to help you figure out why, how, and when to upgrade to Mac OS 8.1. I’ll also give you some tips for installation and optimization.
First of all, it’s nearly guaranteed that users of Mac OS 8.0 will be interested in Mac OS 8.1. And they should be. Mac OS 8.1 contains a much revised version of Open Transport (v1.3), a better disk cache system for improved performance, Finder bug fixes, a better PC Exchange, LaserWriter 8.5.1 software, optimum disk storage (HFS+), and other nifty enhancements. All of this makes OS 8.1 very intriguing. I definitely recommend that you upgrade to 8.1. The question, however, is when to upgrade to 8.1. Better yet, how? The decision is solely yours, but there are things to keep in mind before jumping into 8.1. I’ve used the middle and late betas of OS 8.1 with some very interesting results. The mid betas wreaked havoc with my hard drive, mainly due to my own mistakes and faults in the installation process of 8.1 and the HFS+ system. The late betas were extremely stable, and the HFS+ system was flawless (when installed correctly).
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Whether or not you agree with everything that Steve Jobs has done since his return to Apple, you have to admit one thing: Steve is the man for the job. There’s no one I respect more than Jobs because he has shown us that you can start turning an entire company around in a matter of months. He created Apple, and even though much had changed since he left, he still knows what’s best for the company. And with a phenomenal board of directors backing him up, we’re seeing results. Great results.
When Jobs first came back to Apple, I was overjoyed. I knew then that something good would happen soon. Times were dark, and most everything that Apple did was upsetting. It was a broken record. Little was being done and nothing was changed. Then, within a matter of moments, things started changing. And then, in the blink of an eye, everything was becoming clearer. This was an Apple we had not seen in years, and we had no idea what to think. Apple was pushing forward, looking optimistic, and shining bright. The future actually looked sunny, and for the first time in months, maybe years, Apple was thriving.
Real PC 1.0
Company:Insignia Solutions
Estimated Price: $79.00
http://www.insignia.com
The PowerPC is truly a magnificent chip. With the power of the PPC, Macs have the ability to run multiple platforms, emulate multiple video and sound settings, and even run Windows 95, the mother of all bloatware. But unless you’re the owner of a DOS compatible Macinsoh that uses a hardware approach to cross-platform compatibility, you have to use some form of emulation software. Behold, the world of emulation software has just grown with the introduction of Real PC.
Real PC is Insignia’s answer to the emulation problem. It’s an amazingly affordable package aimed at the common Mac user who just wants to explore the PC gaming world. Real PC’s biggest user crowd is that of the gamers. It comes with DOS 6.22 already installed, so you can get going right out of the box. Since much software and many games are still DOS compatible, this is an easy solution. If you want the Windows 95 world to invade your Mac, you’ll have to install your own copy of the operating system.
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One in a series
I now own a PC…
Yes, you heard me right. Your beloved My Mac writer has actually purchased a PC and has it set up in his home, allowing all varieties of “PCism” to invade the area. A copy of Windows 95 and Microsoft Office now lie in my room… beckoning to me in the night. But I do not answer their calls. Instead, I stay here at my faithful, if slightly jealous, Macintosh.
Alas, let me explain. This hunk of pure Windows was practically forced upon us. In order to “keep up with technology,” a member of my family was moved from the office to home. Since the office was Windows-based, they would have nothing to do with Macs. Fortunately, they were fine with the idea of Virtual PC, as long as it was fast and reliable. Unfortunately, our Mac cannot support Virtual PC. Therefore, buying a PC was inevitable. At least we got it for a good price.
Don’t get me wrong, though. For a PC, this is an exceptional unit. It’s a Dell 200Mhz MMX machine complete with groovin’ speakers, a 4GB hard drive, a 56K modem, 32MB RAM, a 4MB 3D video card, and a load of other princely goodies (Dell systems have always impressed me… maybe it’s the 500+ ads they have in “PC World” each month).
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Where were you when you heard the news? I was sitting in the dining room reading a magazine, having just come in from a refreshing dip in the pool. I was content with life, unknowing that soon my life would forever be changed. No, I’m not talking about the JFK assassination… I’m talking about the Apple-Microsoft deal!
I heard the news through ABC-TV, and was immediately frozen with shock. After the initial bewilderment, I must admit I felt some slight anger and betrayal. How can Apple, the heart of the Macintosh universe, make such a deal with Microsoft, the king of all things bloated? How can Apple betray this loyalty? I mean, Microsoft was the center of all our bad jokes…
Face it, friend, the Apple-Microsoft deal is a good thing, in many ways. Let’s take an look at the deal, from both sides…
Microsoft invested $150 million in Apple, and paid an “undisclosed” amount to have the old “Windows is a Mac Rip-off” scandal settled once and for all. While we might not ever know what this “undisclosed” amount adds up to, we know that Apple got money out of this, and that comes in handy when you are losing millions every quarter. Basically, from Apple’s point of view, the old dispute was settled in a very positive way… Lots of cash.
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Starry Night Deluxe
Company: Sienna Software, Inc.
Estimated Price: $89.95
http://www.siennasoft.com
(416) 926-2174
Like most members of this planet, my face was glued to the television during the Mars Pathfinder mission landing. While I was at the tube, my dad was surfing CNN Online and downloading the live pictures. Soon, we had a Zip disk full of JPEGs and a brain full of red. What’s next? Well, take the telescope out and look at it with your own two eyes! But, where is it? Finding Mars (or any other object in the sky) is quite easy for us… My dad wrote a book on astronomy. But not everyone’s dad is “The Light-Hearted Astronomer,” and not everyone can find Mars on their own… And that’s where “Starry Night Deluxe” comes in.
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Command and Conquer
Company: Westwood Studios
Estimated Price: $49.99
http://www.westwood.com
1-800-874-4607
I’ve always been a sucker for the strategic,
time-consuming CD-ROM title. I love to
plan, watch, and move. Don’t get me wrong,
I love a good dose of Marathon energy just
like the next guy. When a good, addictive,
strategic game comes around, however, I am
drooling in the aisles. And that, my Mac-loving friend, is exactly what “Command and Conquer” is.
“Command and Conquer” is a do-or-die, plan-and-watch, explosive, destructive, kill-or-be-killed gaming experience. The game begins with a great QuickTime movie segment that gives you a small background to the game. You’re literally switching through television channels in a high-tech future. Afterwards, you choose a side… The “Global Defense Initiative” or the “Brotherhood of Nod”, with the former being the defined “good” and the latter being the “evil.” The war begins!
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Prodigy Internet Service
$19.95/month unlimited
$9.95/month 10 hours
http://www.prodigy.com
Among the giants of Internet service, Prodigy is one of the oldest. It stands out as one of the Big Three. Recently, though, the major online services and ISPs have pushed Prodigy further down the line. The Classic service was always deemed one of the greatest. Now, with the growing fame of the home-town ISP, Prodigy has stepped into the light and created Prodigy Internet, a service resembling the easy-to-use ISP many of us have come to know.
I have always been an avid AOL fan myself. I stuck with AOL through the tough times of 1996 and 1997. The service was easy to use and had the cool features I wanted. The learning was easy, and the connection was good. Or so I thought… I now find myself ready to drop America Online and use my new found favorite, Prodigy Internet.
Prodigy offers a free month of access when you join, with no obligation. Regular monthly fees are simple. You can have the unlimited plan for $19.95 a month. The lighter users of America can join with the Basic 10 plan ($9.95 for ten hours per month). Free software is given when you join, and free technical support is available 24 hours a day. With all that speaking for it, I gave it a try.
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A-10 Cuba!
Company: Parsoft
http://www.parsoft.com
In the world of Mac games, there’s a
certain type of game that is always
wanted: The flight simulator. And whether
it be war or peace, day or night, Mac users
love to fly. Thankfully for us, there’s a
plethora of flight simulators out there to
choose from. Of all the simulators available,
however, not one has impressed me as much as “A-10 Cuba” from Parsoft Interactive.
“A-10 Cuba” puts you in the cockpit of a mean, green A-10 Warthog. Guerilla forces have taken control of Cuba, and it’s up to the “hogs” to save the day. Bombing buildings, escorting aircraft, destroying tanks, and having brutal dogfights with a large arsenal of weapons is part of the fun in “A-10 Cuba.” Additionally, you can join your buddies over a network and have a grueling battle.
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I consider myself in the minority of computer users, and you likely share the same thought. In the computer industry, Mac is automatically lowered to the bottom level. We feel like we’re fighting a lost cause; that most people think the Macintosh is an inferior system. But is that fact, or just common belief? You may be surprised…
Mac users feel like their computer is a rare gem; that they are one of the select few to actually have one of the best computers on the planet. Take a look around you, though, and you will notice they are wrong. Peek into your child’s classroom. What do you see? Macs. Take a look into your son’s dorm room. Likely, his dorm will sport a desktop Mac or a PowerBook. College and high school students are drawn to Macs because they are so easy to use and maintain. They need that bit of simpleness in their life.
Now, turn on your TV and watch the news. Almost every time you see a news story about a breakthrough in medicine or astronomy, there is a Macintosh in the background of the scene… Sitting there, bettering the world through the sciences.
I’m serious. Take a close look. The prominent scientist, doctor, or graphics artist almost always uses a Mac. What other computer has made such a dent in the universe. They are not sparse. They are everywhere, and making a difference.
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Global Village Teleport Internet Edition
Company: Global Village Communications, Inc.
Estimated Price: $169.98
http://www.globalvillage.com
Back in April of 1996, when I got my current Mac, the speed of the modem greatly influenced my purchase. I knew the Internet would be of major use with my new computer. I wanted fast, fast, fast! Of course, back in 1996, 14.4 was fast. Now, however, my modem can be compared to a turtle.
I recently realized that my current modem status was too much to bear. With everyone else shooting past me at 28.8, 33.6 or faster, I was in need of speed. So, I started looking… and I found exactly what I wanted, a Global Village Internet Edition 33.6. Remembering the loyalty of my former Global Village hardware, I couldn’t pass it up.
The Internet Edition modem was easy to set up. Plug it into your serial port, install the software, and hop online at speeds putting Superman to shame. The modem doesn’t have a huge, bulky power adapter either, because it feeds off of your Mac’s power.
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Welcome to the first annual “Macintosh Babble Special Mac Stuff Awards”, the awards that are given out to certain Mac creations that stick out in special ways… and some that don’t. Anyway, you get the picture. Now, if you will be seated, I would like to start…
How do you win an award? Well, it’s almost impossible to get a “Macintosh Babble Special Mac Stuff” award. The process is excruciating and time-consuming. First, you have to pass our in-depth checklist of “Mac-like Coolness”, which few survive. Here’s an exclusive glance at our recently declassified and very intricate checklist for choosing who gets an award:
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CodeWarrior Gold: $350
CodeWarrior Academic Pro: $99
Company: Metrowerks
http://www.metrowerks.com
I recently made the decision to teach myself programming. I looked around, read reviews, and asked online pals. I had to decide what programming environment would give me the tools I needed as a beginner and keep me happy when I reached the “pro” status.
I decided to go with Metrowerks CodeWarrior. I think I made a good choice…
The version of CodeWarrior I bought (“Academic Pro”) is only made available to students, teachers, and educational institutions. The “Academic Pro” version is the same as the “Gold” version (with the exception of rights to make commercial software), but is specially priced for students.
You find out soon enough that the trip to learning CodeWarrior and the programming language is not going to be short. At first, you are blown away by looking at all you must learn. The great thing is, Metrowerks makes the trip easy. They set aside an entire CD just for reference. This CD is packed with hundreds of megabytes of books, manuals, freeware, shareware, and other great items. Metrowerks is not conservative when it comes to information. Books like “Learn C for the Macintosh” by Dave Mark are presented in their entirety. Other books are also at your disposal. You may print them out for personal use, read them at your leisure (many are in two separate formats to give you a better choice), or save them to your hard drive for reference. After you learn to program, you will move on to learning more about the CodeWarrior environment. There are plenty of manuals and books designed to help you learn the CodeWarrior and PowerPlant applications from the ground up. Everything you need is packed onto one CD. Metrowerks even provides an installer in case you want to install your favorite books.
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What does the number 2,700 mean to you? To Apple, it is the number of employees it recently laid off. Not only are 2,700 steadfast Apple workers going to lose their jobs, but technologies like OpenDoc, CyberDog, and Open Transport are going to be cut back or annihilated. That, my friend, is a large piece of the Apple pie.
So, what does it all mean? If you listen to a sizable percentage of the press, it means that Apple’s ultimate demise is closer than we thought. To the optimistic Mac user, however, it is simple “restructuring.”
Many Mac users are concerned about Apple’s future. Every month, I have a different survey posted on my Web site (http://members.aol.com/radarmen99). Last month, one of the questions involved Apple’s future. Thirty-five percent of the visitors that took the survey said they were apprehensive about the future of Apple. Gee. . . and that was last month.
I recently sat down for an electronic interview with Macworld’s “Desktop Critic” columnist, David Pogue. We discuss, among other things, the future of Apple. . .
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As Mac users, we hardly go a single day without using our Macs. We use them, we know them, we love them, we hold them close to our hearts. When they disobey us, we chastise them. When they act irrationally, we get mad and, in some sad cases, physically abuse our precious machines.
The fact is, we go day after day using our sweet machines without ever sitting back and thinking about them. . . and I mean deep thought. Of course we don’t, that’s a waste of time. So, let’s all sit back for a moment and waste some time as we reflect on some various Macintosh certainties…
“Where’s that darn button?!”
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I just caught up with the rest of the world and made a Web page. Yes, I have finally joined the millions of HTML ‘WebHeads’ and created a page on the World Wide Web! I have plunged head-first into hours of labor to produce 2.5 megabytes of a simple, but meaningful series of characters: http://members.aol.com/radarmen99. Has ever a simple string of letters and numbers meant so much to a man?
Should I cheer? Should I congratulate myself each morning for being so bold as to take the giant leap into the dangerous, tangled Web? Should I think myself special for creating a few pages that lie in the midst of millions? Is it really that hard? No.
Anyone can make a Web page. In fact, all it takes is a little patience and an idea (some dispose of the idea part). It is really that easy! In fact, with a few pointers, the common fruit fly should be able to construct a Web page with frames, tables, and forms.
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Book Review
Book Review
MyMac Podcast #385
MyMac Podcast #384