[MyAppleMenu] Jan 12, 2001

[applesurf at myapplemenu.com]

MyAppleMenu Newsletter

== AppleSurf (Top Stories) ==============

 The Digital Hub: An In Depth Look At Apple's Strategy (About.com)
<http://machardware.about.com/compute/machardware/library/users/uc011201a.htm>
Synergy is what Apple is trying to achieve. It is Apple's most powerful asset. Only Apple could execute such a tightly integrated strategy so quickly. Only Apple has quality control over all the various pieces. Only Apple can assure style and usability consistency for the user at every step. Thus, only Apple can provide the consistent and complete Apple Experience for the user.

 Pixar Job Animates Apple's Jobs (San Jose Mercury News)
<http://www0.mercurycenter.com/svtech/columns/front/docs/pd011201.htm>
Since returning to Apple in 1996, Jobs has frequently faced questions about how he (or anyone) can head two major ventures. His supporters and investors may have been willing to let him get away with it when Apple was flying high, but what about when times are tough?

 Geeks Drool Over Mac SuperDrive (Wired News)
<http://www.wired.com/news/technology/0,1282,41142,00.html>
"You can't tell me that there was one gearhead listening to the keynote who didn't say, 'Whoa -– bet I can copy DVD movies with that SuperDrive,' when Jobs announced the new G4," said "Kam," who asked that his real name be withheld.

 Good Apple (Feed)
<http://www.feedmag.com/templates/default.php3?a_id=1563>
Individual Mac users have long fought what they see as the good fight against Windows encroachment. The fact that Jobs might be feeling some of the same heat, that he may be in the same boat as the average user -- and can actually admit it -- can be cause for optimism.

 Apple Sweats Mac OS X Details (ZDNet)
<http://www.zdii.com/industry_list.asp?mode=news&doc_id=ZD2673471>
While Apple Computer's plethora of high-profile hardware announcements hold pride of place at this week's Macworld Expo here, CEO Steve Jobs' keynote update on the status of Mac OS X will prove at least as strategically significant to the future of the platform.

 Titanium PowerBook: A Test Of Apple's Mettle (CNET News.com)
<http://news.cnet.com/news/0-1006-200-4447270.html?tag=st.ne.1006.ttext?tag=st.ne.1006.thed.ni>
Is Titanium tough enough to reverse Apple Computer's sagging fortunes?

== AppleSurf (News) ==============

 Apple Get Personal Best Streaming Record (Thetuckshop.com)
<http://www.thetuckshop.com/mednews.php3?page=1&article=4278>

 At Macworld, Apple's Faithful Gather (Washington Post)
<http://www.washtech.com/news/software/6586-1.html>
Just as there are no atheists in foxholes, there are no doubters at a Macworld Expo trade show.

 PowerBook G4 Special Report (MacNN)
<http://www.macnn.com/feature.php?id=175>

 Fetch Is Back, Bigger, And Better (MacCentral)
<http://www.maccentral.com/news/0101/12.fetch.shtml>

 Mac Returns To 3D Fold (Pfeiffer Report)
<http://www.zdnet.com/zdnn/stories/news/0,4586,2673794,00.html>
The advent of Mac OS X may mean a renaissance for professional-strength 3D tools on the platform.

 Geeks Drool Over Mac SuperDrive (Wired News)
<http://www.wired.com/news/technology/0,1282,41142,00.html>
"You can't tell me that there was one gearhead listening to the keynote who didn't say, 'Whoa -– bet I can copy DVD movies with that SuperDrive,' when Jobs announced the new G4," said "Kam," who asked that his real name be withheld.

 PowerBook G4 Titanium Secrets Revealed (The PowerBook Zone)
<http://www.pbzone.com/mercurysecrets.shtml>

 USB 2.0 'Next For Apple' (Macworld UK)
<http://www.macworld.co.uk/news/main_news.cfm?NewsID=2326>
USB 2.0 was conspicuous by its absence during Apple CEO Steve Jobs's Expo keynote - but a leading figure in bringing the technology to the Mac platform yesterday told Macworld that the company "won't be able to ignore it for long".

 Sources: Mac OS 9.1 Lost Weight (ZDNet)
<http://www.zdii.com/industry_list.asp?mode=news&doc_id=ZD2673831>
Originally conceived of as a "big effort" that would introduce new interface elements, new drivers and better integration with OS X, OS 9.1's scope was scaled back as its delivery date grew closer to that of OS X.

 Apple's New Core (San Francisco Chronicle)
<http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?file=/chronicle/archive/2001/01/10/BU156345.DTL&type=tech_article>
Jobs shifts company toward 'digital lifestyle' products.

 Apple Sweats Mac OS X Details (ZDNet)
<http://www.zdii.com/industry_list.asp?mode=news&doc_id=ZD2673471>
While Apple Computer's plethora of high-profile hardware announcements hold pride of place at this week's Macworld Expo here, CEO Steve Jobs' keynote update on the status of Mac OS X will prove at least as strategically significant to the future of the platform.

 Titanium PowerBook: A Test Of Apple's Mettle (CNET News.com)
<http://news.cnet.com/news/0-1006-200-4447270.html?tag=st.ne.1006.ttext?tag=st.ne.1006.thed.ni>
Is Titanium tough enough to reverse Apple Computer's sagging fortunes?

 Apple Lacks Clout To Become SoHo's Digital Hub (ComptuerWeekly)
<http://www.computerweekly.co.uk/cwarchive/daily/20010111/cwcontainer.asp?name=C6.HTML&SubSection=6&ct=daily>
Neil Ward-Button, Principal Consultant at Ovum, said that Jobs’ proposition had potential, but doubted Apple's ability to deliver: "Apple won't succeed unless they do something clever like partner with Sun. "

 Was Apple Going To Launch iMacs With CD-RW? (The Register)
<http://www.theregister.co.uk/content/39/15991.html>
Most likely Apple wants to clear out more of its inventory of unsold machines before announcing upgrades.

 Customers Optimistic; Analysts Mixed On Apple Products (MacCentral)
<http://www.maccentral.com/news/0101/11.mixed.shtml>
Possibly as no surprise to some, analysts who watch Apple stock and the personal computer industry for a living were pleased with the announcements, but have concerns about Apple's potential for dramatically improving the bottom line in the wake of a softening PC industry and an apparent slowing economy.

 Nvidia: "Apple Fits Our Strategy Perfectly" (MacCentral)
<http://www.maccentral.com/news/0101/11.nvidia.shtml>
Although Nvidia will leave it to Apple to make announcements about future products that use Nvidia's graphics technology, Vivoli said the company is committed to Macintosh support.

 FileMaker Pro For Mac OS X Demoed (MacCentral)
<http://www.maccentral.com/news/0101/11.filemaker.shtml>

 Inside The G4 Desktops (MacWEEK.com)
<http://macweek.zdnet.com/2001/01/07/0111gfour.html>
Apple has thoroughly redesigned the desktop tower's motherboard (photo), updating the memory controller and AGP slot, adding a PCI slot, revising the audio system and changing the location of the new CPUs, which range from 466MHz to 733MHz.

 Macromedia Offers Glimpse Of OS X Products (MacWEEK.com)
<http://macweek.zdnet.com/2001/01/07/0111macromedia.html>
Macromedia CEO Rob Burgess led a team of company executives in presenting OS X versions of FreeHand (photo), Dreamweaver (photo), Fireworks (photo) and the Flash Player, as well as other projects under development, during a conference session Thursday at Macworld Expo. Macromedia announced that the first shipping program to support OS X will be FreeHand, which the company hopes to release shortly after OS X's March 24 debut.

 Artificial Cheese MacWorld Question Line (Artificial Cheese)
<http://www.artificialcheese.com/ubb/Forum7/HTML/000008.html>
We're at the MacWorld expo, in perfect position to gather infomation you might want regarding Apple's new products.  Submit your questions or comments and we'll get the info for you!

== AppleSurf (Opinions) ==============

 The Digital Hub: An In Depth Look At Apple's Strategy (About.com)
<http://machardware.about.com/compute/machardware/library/users/uc011201a.htm>
Synergy is what Apple is trying to achieve. It is Apple's most powerful asset. Only Apple could execute such a tightly integrated strategy so quickly. Only Apple has quality control over all the various pieces. Only Apple can assure style and usability consistency for the user at every step. Thus, only Apple can provide the consistent and complete Apple Experience for the user.

 Pixar Job Animates Apple's Jobs (San Jose Mercury News)
<http://www0.mercurycenter.com/svtech/columns/front/docs/pd011201.htm>
Since returning to Apple in 1996, Jobs has frequently faced questions about how he (or anyone) can head two major ventures. His supporters and investors may have been willing to let him get away with it when Apple was flying high, but what about when times are tough?

 The PC Is Dead! Long Live Apple! (Business 2.0)
<http://www.business2.com/content/insights/dailyinsights/2001/01/12/24455>
Why do I continue to drink Jobs' Kool-Aid? It is his reference to the "digital hub," a device that will connect the growing array of new devices like PDAs and digital cameras that show double-digit market growth.

 Mac OS X Opens Apple To A New Audience (O'Reilly Network)
<http://www.oreillynet.com/pub/a/mac/2001/01/09/macosx_os.html>
So in the end, how will the open source community respond to Apple's proprietary track record and tendencies? Much of that depends on Apple.

 Good Apple (Feed)
<http://www.feedmag.com/templates/default.php3?a_id=1563>
Individual Mac users have long fought what they see as the good fight against Windows encroachment. The fact that Jobs might be feeling some of the same heat, that he may be in the same boat as the average user -- and can actually admit it -- can be cause for optimism.

 What Was Wrong With Steve's Keynote? (Right On Mac!)
<http://rightonmac.com/articles/01/01/11-keynote.html>
Noticeably absent are any upgrades for the iMac.

 Apple Goes Platinum (Macworld)
<http://macworld.zdnet.com/2001/01/11/visionthing.html>
It's great to see that Apple's not just thinking different, but thinking better.

 Morning Lines And Evening Shindigs (MacCentral)
<http://www.maccentral.com/news/0101/11.notebook.shtml>

 Treats For Now, Treats For Later (MacWEEK.com)
<http://macweek.zdnet.com/2001/01/07/0111shalatpb.html>
Earlier speculation about Jobs' "vision" is now more tangible. His vision is to sell more boxes. And to do that, he has once again reinvented the possibilities and power of the personal computer.

 Artificial Cheese MacWorld Question Line (Artificial Cheese)
<http://www.artificialcheese.com/ubb/Forum7/HTML/000008.html>
We're at the MacWorld expo, in perfect position to gather infomation you might want regarding Apple's new products.  Submit your questions or comments and we'll get the info for you!

== AppleSurf (Reviews) ==============

 Mac OS 9.1 (Applelinks.com)
<http://www.applelinks.com/mooresviews/9.1review.shtml>
If there was any doubt that the Classic Mac OS is about to become the poor relation in the Macintosh family, it was erased on Tuesday by Steve Jobs not even mentioning in passing that the latest, and possibly the last version upgrade of Classic was being released that day along with the other cool new stuff.

 Artificial Cheese MacWorld Question Line (Artificial Cheese)
<http://www.artificialcheese.com/ubb/Forum7/HTML/000008.html>
We're at the MacWorld expo, in perfect position to gather infomation you might want regarding Apple's new products.  Submit your questions or comments and we'll get the info for you!

== The Wintel Empire (Top Stories) ==============

 Government Faces Fresh Challenges In Microsoft Appeal (CNET News.com)
<http://news.cnet.com/news/0-1003-200-4453290.html?tag=st.ne.1430735..ni>
Antitrust lawyers and academics agree the government's position is greatly weakened, if for no other reason than out-of-courtroom comments made by the trial judge, U.S. District Court Judge Thomas Penfield Jackson.

 Microsoft's Competitors Hire Starr To Back Breakup (Washington Post)
<http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A49171-2001Jan11.html>
Rivals of Microsoft Corp. have retained Whitewater prosecutor Kenneth Starr to help support the Clinton administration's case that the software giant broke antitrust law and should be split in two to restore competition in the marketplace.

 Microsoft: A House Divided? (ZDNet)
<http://www.zdnet.com/zdnn/stories/comment/0,5859,2673642,00.html>
One of the biggest and least talked-about rivalries at Microsoft has emerged between Bill's boys and Steve's boys.

 Windows NT: A Hacker's Best Friend (CNET News.com)
<http://news.cnet.com/news/0-1007-200-4449902.html?tag=st.ne.1430735..ni>
Microsoft's Web server software wins the title of most vulnerable to hackers.

== The Wintel Empire (News) ==============

 Government Faces Fresh Challenges In Microsoft Appeal (CNET News.com)
<http://news.cnet.com/news/0-1003-200-4453290.html?tag=st.ne.1430735..ni>
Antitrust lawyers and academics agree the government's position is greatly weakened, if for no other reason than out-of-courtroom comments made by the trial judge, U.S. District Court Judge Thomas Penfield Jackson.

 Back To The Fold For A Former Microsoft Employee (New York Times)
<http://www.nytimes.com/2001/01/12/technology/12SOFT.html>
In a twist on the trend of failed Internet start-ups sending workers back to former employers, Microsoft's first official hire is returning to the fold.

 Ballmer: Linux Is Top Threat To Windows (CRN)
<http://www.internetwk.com/story/INW20010110S0004>
Microsoft Corp.'s president and CEO this week named Linux as the company's biggest problem going into 2001.

 Judge's Public Critique Of Microsoft Raises Questions (InfoWorld)
<http://www.infoworld.com/articles/hn/xml/01/01/11/010111hnjackson.xml>
The comments made by Jackson to The New Yorker and other news outlets recently raise the question of whether he could remain unbiased if the case again lands back in his Washington courtroom.

 Microsoft's X-Files (Smartmoney)
<http://www.smartmoney.com/stockwatch/index.cfm?story=200101113>

 Microsoft's Competitors Hire Starr To Back Breakup (Washington Post)
<http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A49171-2001Jan11.html>
Rivals of Microsoft Corp. have retained Whitewater prosecutor Kenneth Starr to help support the Clinton administration's case that the software giant broke antitrust law and should be split in two to restore competition in the marketplace.

 Swing Shift: Microsoft Ranks Told To Spread The Options News (San Jose Mercury News)
<http://www0.mercurycenter.com/svtech/columns/front/docs/ss011201.htm>
On Monday, CEO Steve Ballmer called on the troops to spread good news about Microsoft and specifically boast about an acceleration of the company's options grants. That means the company will be doling out options six months sooner.

 Gateway Earnings Fall Way Short, Announces Layoffs (Interactive Investor)
<http://www.zdii.com/industry_list.asp?mode=news&doc_id=ZE507177&pic=Y>

 Microsoft: A House Divided? (ZDNet)
<http://www.zdnet.com/zdnn/stories/comment/0,5859,2673642,00.html>
One of the biggest and least talked-about rivalries at Microsoft has emerged between Bill's boys and Steve's boys.

 Windows NT: A Hacker's Best Friend (CNET News.com)
<http://news.cnet.com/news/0-1007-200-4449902.html?tag=st.ne.1430735..ni>
Microsoft's Web server software wins the title of most vulnerable to hackers.

 IE's Future Uncertain With New Windows (ZDNet)
<http://news.cnet.com/news/0-1003-201-4448595-0.html?tag=st.ne.1430735..sf>
"MSN Explorer is being positioned as the premier platform for the consumer. Netdocs is being positioned as the business platform with a business browser. So there's no room left for IE," said a source close to Microsoft. "It's being squeezed."

== Breaking Barriers (Top Stories) ==============

 AOL, Time Warner Complete Merger With FCC Blessing (CNET News.com)
<http://news.cnet.com/news/0-1005-200-4427568.html?tag=st.ne.1430735..ni>
America Online and Time Warner completed their historic merger late Thursday, shortly after the Federal Communications Commission approved the deal with conditions that affect instant messaging and Net cable access.

 IE's Future Uncertain With New Windows (ZDNet)
<http://news.cnet.com/news/0-1003-201-4448595-0.html?tag=st.ne.1430735..sf>
"MSN Explorer is being positioned as the premier platform for the consumer. Netdocs is being positioned as the business platform with a business browser. So there's no room left for IE," said a source close to Microsoft. "It's being squeezed."

== Breaking Barriers (News) ==============

 Back To The Fold For A Former Microsoft Employee (New York Times)
<http://www.nytimes.com/2001/01/12/technology/12SOFT.html>
In a twist on the trend of failed Internet start-ups sending workers back to former employers, Microsoft's first official hire is returning to the fold.

 Is The Wireless Web Ready For Handhelds? (CNET News.com)
<http://news.cnet.com/news/0-1006-201-4449106-0.html?tag=st.ne.1430735..sf>
Handheld-computer owners may crave wireless access to the Web, but analysts say at least one significant issue is holding them back: price.

 DoubleClick Tops Estimates (CNET News.com)
<http://news.cnet.com/news/0-1005-201-4450533-0.html?tag=st.ne.1430735..sf>
DoubleClick on Thursday beat lowered estimates in the quarter and made only slight modifications to its 2001 expectations.

 AOL Time Warner: A Media Titan Or A Net Giant? (CNET News.com)
<http://news.cnet.com/news/0-1005-200-4448781.html?tag=st.ne.1430735..ni>
Though the combined America Online and Time Warner needed the government's approval to be created, the newly combined entity needs Wall Street's support to thrive.

 AOL, Time Warner Complete Merger With FCC Blessing (CNET News.com)
<http://news.cnet.com/news/0-1005-200-4427568.html?tag=st.ne.1430735..ni>
America Online and Time Warner completed their historic merger late Thursday, shortly after the Federal Communications Commission approved the deal with conditions that affect instant messaging and Net cable access.

 Windows NT: A Hacker's Best Friend (CNET News.com)
<http://news.cnet.com/news/0-1007-200-4449902.html?tag=st.ne.1430735..ni>
Microsoft's Web server software wins the title of most vulnerable to hackers.

 IE's Future Uncertain With New Windows (ZDNet)
<http://news.cnet.com/news/0-1003-201-4448595-0.html?tag=st.ne.1430735..sf>
"MSN Explorer is being positioned as the premier platform for the consumer. Netdocs is being positioned as the business platform with a business browser. So there's no room left for IE," said a source close to Microsoft. "It's being squeezed."

== PenguinSurf (News) ==============

 Ballmer: Linux Is Top Threat To Windows (CRN)
<http://www.internetwk.com/story/INW20010110S0004>
Microsoft Corp.'s president and CEO this week named Linux as the company's biggest problem going into 2001.

 First Linux PDA Gets Speech Interface (Embedded Technology.com)
<http://www.embeddedtechnology.com/content/news/article.asp?DocID={8FCB835C-E760-11D4-A76F-00D0B7694F32}&Bucket=HomeLatestHeadlines&VNETCOOKIE=NO>

== SingaporeSurf (Top Stories) ==============

 Many Channels, But Is There Anything On? (Project Eyeball)
<http://eyeball.asia1.com.sg/Eyeball/Story/1,1381,11736,00.html?>
Censorship rules have been eased, but racy drama Sex And The City and gay sitcom Will & Grace are still banned from our screens by the SBA.

== SingaporeSurf (News) ==============

 Singapore Government Defends Arrest Of 15 Falun Gong Members (Associated Press)
<http://asia.biz.yahoo.com/news/asian_markets/article.html?s=asiafinance/news/010112/asian_markets/dowjones/Singapore_Govt_Defends_Arrest_Of_15_Falun_Gong_Members.html>
"If any group wants to meet and assemble, they can apply for an assembly permit," said Singapore Minister of State for Home Affairs Ho Peng Kee.

 CPF Top-Ups: Co-Payment Explained (Straits Times)
<http://straitstimes.asia1.com.sg/forum/story/0,1870,16835,00.html?>
Pek Beng Choon, Director (Budget), Ministry of Finance: The principle of co-payment was maintained to underline the importance of individual responsibility in saving and planning for one's future and retirement.

 'Let Fourth Varsity Cater To Adults Of All Ages' (Straits Times)
<http://straitstimes.asia1.com.sg/primenews/story/0,1870,16804,00.html?>
Panel of international experts advising Singapore also suggests that the university should have a practical bent.

== SingaporeSurf (Technology) ==============

 Cashcards Going Places (Project Eyeball)
<http://eyeball.asia1.com.sg/Eyeball/Story/1,1381,11848,00.html?>
Use it to shop online with overseas e-tailers or to ease your parking woes.

== SingaporeSurf (Entertainment) ==============

 Many Channels, But Is There Anything On? (Project Eyeball)
<http://eyeball.asia1.com.sg/Eyeball/Story/1,1381,11736,00.html?>
Censorship rules have been eased, but racy drama Sex And The City and gay sitcom Will & Grace are still banned from our screens by the SBA.

 Crouching Tiger Unleashed (Straits Times)
<http://straitstimes.asia1.com.sg/life/story/0,1870,16708,00.html?>
Due to its overwhelming popularity all over the world, Taiwanese director Lee Ang's fluid swordfighting saga has been re-released on screens.