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his is my first column written on a Mac - ever. Maybe I should have done it a long time ago, but I never said I was smart, just obstinate. I was a PC bigot. But now, I've had it. I'm mad as hell and I'm not going to take it anymore. Is Schwartau right? Add your thoughts in the forum. Shattered Mac illusions Columnist Mark Gibbs: "I have been Macified." In the coming weeks I'm going to keep a diary of an experiment my company began at 6 p.m. April 29, 2005 - an experiment predicated on the hypothesis...

The nifty clips of video games supporting Microsoft's new Xbox 360 console are running on Apple machines, Microsoft confirmed on Friday. "We purchased a number of Apple G5's because very specific hardware components of the G5 allow developers to emulate some of the technology behind future Xbox products and services," a Microsoft spokesperson said in a statement. "This is an interim development tool that will be replaced with a more powerful and comprehensive solution later." The current systems shown at product introductions are prototypes. Final systems are expected to come out in all three major regions--North America, Europe and Asia--by...

On Monday Apple announced an agreement to lease more than 17,000 iBook laptop computers to the Cobb County, Ga. school district. Heralded as the largest ever “one to one” computing initative, Apple’s deal could net as many as 63,000 iBooks if it’s successful. It’s part of Cobb County’s “Power to Learn” program. The iBooks will be distributed to all teachers in Cobb County’s public schools, from pre-K through 12th grade, over the summer. Sometime after the 2005-2006 academic year begins, more than 8,000 Cobb County high school students at four “demonstration site” schools will also get the new systems. Authorities...

Tiger is out, and unless you already made your decision and purchased a copy, the question you are asking yourself is: "Should I upgrade?" This question inevitably comes up with every major Mac OS upgrade. Tiger is no exception. In brief, here's my answer: "Yes. You should upgrade." But not because, as Apple claims, "Mac OS X Tiger will change the way you use a computer." Don't expect anything nearly that dramatic. The most significant change in Tiger, and the one that Apple emphasizes when it makes this claim, is Spotlight. Spotlight is Tiger's entirely new way for searching the...

Apple has announced the release of a security update for OSX.3.9 and lower. This apparently does not impact the users of OSX.4 Tiger. I suggest all Mac OSX users who have not updated to Tiger to use the Software Update option under the Apple menu to immediately update their computer's OS. Below is Apple's descriptions of the patches in this security update: -------------------------------- About Security Update 2005-005 This document describes Security Update 2005-005, which can be downloaded and installed using Software Update, or from Apple Downloads.For the protection of our customers, Apple does not disclose, discuss, or confirm security issues...

INCREASED MAC OS X HACKING ACTIVITY Current Assessment: Hype Current Assessment Date: 04/06/2005 Executive Summary: The attention devoted to the non-existent Mac OS X malicious code "problem" during the past several days is not warranted. However, it is possible to configure or use a system running Mac OS X in such a way as to make it vulnerable to malicious attackers. Proper configuration and use is critical with all Internet-connected devices. Threat: Low Vulnerability Prevalence: Low Cost: Medium Details: The past several days have seen a rash of technology press stories regarding Mac OS X ("ten") malicious code (malcode) and...

Systemax Inc. subsidiary Tiger Direct Inc. has filed suit against Apple to prevent the company from using the word “Tiger” to describe its new Mac OS X v10.4 operating system, which goes on sale worldwide at 6 p.m. local time on Friday, April 29, 2005. The company claims that Apple is creating brand confusion by marketing Mac OS X v10.4 as “Tiger” and has asked the United States District Court for the District of Florida for a temporary restraining order and injunction. Tiger Direct Inc. is claiming trademark infringement, trademark dilution and false designation of origin under separate federal codes,...

Despite all the advances in personal computing, one problem has remained constant: It often is really hard to find a file months or years after it was created. To have any hope of doing so, users have to create a logical, structured system of folders, and take care to give consistent, descriptive names to their files. But few have the patience to do that. Tomorrow, Apple Computer will introduce a new edition of the operating system for its Macintosh computers that finally solves the missing file problem, and introduces other features as well, including a new "Dashboard" that instantly displays...

Apple Computer has been slapped with a lawsuit by Tiger Direct Inc. for allegedly infringing its trademark with the new Mac OS X "Tiger'' operating system scheduled for release on Friday. Tiger Direct, which sells computers and related products on the Internet, said Appke's Tiger OS threatens to dilute its trademarked name, according to Bloomberg, which has obtained a copy of the lawsuit. The online retailer also accused Apple of deceptive and unfair trade practices in the lawsuit, filed today in federal court in Miami, Florida, Bloomberg said. "Apple Computer has created and launched a nationwide media blitz led by...

Bad news I’m not saying there’s an active conspiracy against Apple out there… but perhaps there’s a conspiracy of ignorance at the San Francisco Chronicle? For two days in a row, the Chronicle — the newspaper of record in Macworld’s hometown — has published stories with deeply confused and misleading headlines related to computer topics. Tuesday it was a story about Microsoft’s preview of Longhorn, the laughably late new version of Windows that will be available late next year. Next year. The main headline, Opening new Windows, was okay, I guess, but the headline on the “jump” section of the...

Tired of waiting while your PC slowly scours its hard drive for a document you stashed somewhere six months ago? Sick of having to change how you work to conform with the computer's rigid way of organizing files? Bored with the flat look of the desktop's graphics? Microsoft's next-generation operating system for Windows, code-named Longhorn, is supposed to address such digital woes. It may even be released in time for Christmas 2006. But if you've got a Macintosh computer, or plan to buy one, those issues have been tackled. They're amply addressed in the latest update of Mac OS X,...

Apple noted in a knowledge base article posted to its Support Web site that some users who upgrade to the recently released Mac OS X v10.3.9 may experience issues with Java applications and Java-enabled sites when using Safari. Problems include Safari unexpectedly quitting, or standalone Java applications unexpectedly quitting or not being able to launch. Everything you need to know about multiplayer, network gaming, including etiquette tips and a LAN party gear checklist. Apple indicates that it may be necessary to install or re-install Java 1.4.2 Update 2 and Security Update 2005-002 in order to resolve the issue. Apple also...

Trent Reznor Rules Filed under: Audio, iLife, Multimedia, Software Steve Jobs should forget about all his elbow-rubbing with U2 and John Mayer. Trent Reznor just did one of the coolest things an artist could do, and he did so in a specifically Apple-centric way. He released Nine Inch Nails' new single, The Hand That Feeds, as a 70MB stuffed DMG file containing the entire song in Garageband format with a note from Trent himself. Here's where you can find the download link. In the included note, Reznor writes, "For quite some time I've been interested in the idea of allowing...

Allow me to make a confession that may surprise you. I've been a Mac fan my entire life. Back in 1987, when my house burned down after a Christmas tree mishap I'd rather not detail at the moment, I needed to replace my crispy Commodore 64 set up with a more modern system. I originally wanted an Amiga, but alas, the local Commodore dealer didn't offer financing. The local Apple dealer did, however, and after figuring out how much I wanted to spend (an exorbitant amount even by today's standards), I arrived at two choices: An Apple IIGS with a...

Looks like Mac OS X v10.3 "Panther" is getting one more small tweak before Mac OS X v10.4 "Tiger" hits store shelves on April 29, 2005. On Friday Apple released Mac OS X v10.3.9, an update that "delivers overall improved compatibility and reliability" for all users. It's available for download through the Software Update system preferences pane and is also available for download from Apple's Web site. Chnages to Mac OS X v10.3.9 include improved file sharing and directory services reliability for mixed Mac and PC networks; improved Mail, Safari and Stickies application reliability; better compatibility for third party applications...

Apple on Tuesday announced the ship date for its next generation operating system, Mac OS X Tiger. The operating system, which the company says includes hundreds of enhancements, will be available to customers beginning at 6:00 pm on Friday, April 29, 2005, at special events held at the company's retail locations and authorized retailers. Pre-orders for Tiger are being taken today at the online Apple Store -- Tiger will cost US$129. In addition to the single license available for $129, Apple is also offering a Mac OS X Tiger Family Pack, a single-residence, five-user license that will be available for...

I understand why Apple may be reticent to advertise Mac OS X on television. Thirty seconds is too brief a time to be able to show anything of substance. And, they’ve tried the concept (with the Classic Mac OS) before in the past (even going so far as trying long-form infomercials) and it just didn’t work. But, now, with their network of retail stores, Apple has what they never had before – highly visible places where they can direct people after they’ve whetted their imaginations with TV commercials. Not advertising Mac OS X on television now is nothing short of...

Apple confirmed Tuesday its budget-priced Mac mini computer is being carried by electronics superstore Best Buy. The Mac mini will be sold at all Best Buy in the U.S., and has been on some store shelves since last weekend. "Starting at just $499, Mac mini is the most affordable way ever to get started with Mac OS X and Apple's award-winning iLife suite of digital lifestyle applications. We are pleased to offer Mac mini at Best Buy stores nationwide," said Apple in a statement offered to MacCentral. "We're excited to carry this latest innovation from Apple," said Best Buy spokesman...

Tiger on Track for Mid-April Release Mac OS X 10.4, also known as "Tiger," is proceeding on schedule, as Apple has dropped the prerelease tag from the latest build of the operating system, indicating that it has moved to final candidate stage. It is understood that Build 8A425 was distributed both internally and to selected key developers last Tuesday, and unless major new issues are discovered it will be the last significant milestone before the product goes gold master. The build includes only two significant glitches, concerning Japanese language support in some Carbon-based applications, and issues with some Nvidia GeForce...

Enterprises using Apple's Macintosh shouldn't smirk too much over their perceived immunity to the kind of security problems that plague Windows users, a research analyst said. "It only takes one exploited weakness to cause trouble," said Gartner analyst Martin Reynolds. Reynolds' cautionary comment comes just a week after Symantec released its semi-annual Internet Security Threat Report, in which it noted that vulnerabilities in the Macintosh operating system were increasing. And while Symantec noted 37 vulnerabilities in Mac OS X during 2004, it said that companies and individuals using Apple's hardware and OS should prepare for more to come. "It's clear...