[MyAppleMenu] Jan 20, 2001

[applesurf at myapplemenu.com]

MyAppleMenu Newsletter

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

 Big Mac Attack (Teacher Magazine)
<http://www.edweek.org/tm/tmstory.cfm?slug=05mac.h12>
Mac evangelists find their crusade is turning into a battle for survival. Increasingly, schools are dumping Macintosh computers in favor of all- PC networks. Faced with the prospect of a Mac-less classroom, teachers like Dribin are waging guerilla war against principals, superintendents, and school boards that dare to mess with their machines.

 Numbers Paint Bleak Picture Of Mac Sales (MacWEEK.com)
<http://macweek.zdnet.com/2001/01/14/0119appledata.html>
Detailed sales figures released by Apple as part of its recent earnings announcement paint a bleak picture of the company's performance during the last three months of 2000, when unit sales fell by 52 percent from the same period a year before, and revenue from Mac sales fell by 57 percent. The numbers show lagging sales across Apple's entire product line, indicating that the sales slump in late 2000 was more serious than many believed.

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

 Apple's Beautiful New titanium PowerBook G4 (Platform.net)
<http://www.platform.net/index/forceframes.php?location=/pflash/news/displaypflashitem.php?keycode=3591&section=pflash&subsection=news>
Is there such a thing as technology that looks beautiful?

 Musical Instruments Firms Tune Out Woes (Reuters)
<http://dailynews.yahoo.com/h/nm/20010119/bs/retail_musicalinstruments_dc_2.html>
Synthesizer and virtual studio programs, backed by Apple's powerful G3 and G4 Macintosh computers, enabling musicians with these computers to set up their own studios costing anywhere from a few hundred to a few thousand dollars.

 XML Powers QuickTime's Media Skins (WebReview)
<http://www.webreview.com/2001/01_19/designers/index02.shtml>
In version five, QuickTime has provided content creators with a new tool: Media Skins. These enable artists to control not only the content of their presentations, but the appearance of the player itself.

 Can Apple Bounce Back? (Smart Money)
<http://www.smartmoney.com/stockwatch/index.cfm?story=200101171>
It's the piece of fruit that's rolled off a mountainous supermarket display. It's been cored, sliced, halved, bruised. Once sweet and juicy, it's now bitter. It's...well, you get the picture.

 Big Mac Attack (Teacher Magazine)
<http://www.edweek.org/tm/tmstory.cfm?slug=05mac.h12>
Mac evangelists find their crusade is turning into a battle for survival. Increasingly, schools are dumping Macintosh computers in favor of all- PC networks. Faced with the prospect of a Mac-less classroom, teachers like Dribin are waging guerilla war against principals, superintendents, and school boards that dare to mess with their machines.

 PowerPC Comes Up Short In Microprocesor Awards (MacWEEK.com)
<http://macweek.zdnet.com/2001/01/14/0119processor.html>
IBM's PowerPC 750CX processor came up short Thursday as Cahners Micro Design Resources announced the winners of its second annual Analyst Choice Awards at a dinner ceremony in San Jose. The awards, presented this year in eight categories, recognize excellence in semiconductor innovation and design. Cahners publishes Microprocessor Report.

 Apple Pushes FireWire At Music Show (MacWEEK.com)
<http://macweek.zdnet.com/2001/01/14/0119namm.html>
Making its first NAMM appearance in recent years, Apple has a small booth off the floor, where it's showing the G4 Cube, a 15-inch Apple Studio Display and a Yamaha mLAN I/O interface, which can convert and carry eight channels of audio via the 1394 protocol.

 Numbers Paint Bleak Picture Of Mac Sales (MacWEEK.com)
<http://macweek.zdnet.com/2001/01/14/0119appledata.html>
Detailed sales figures released by Apple as part of its recent earnings announcement paint a bleak picture of the company's performance during the last three months of 2000, when unit sales fell by 52 percent from the same period a year before, and revenue from Mac sales fell by 57 percent. The numbers show lagging sales across Apple's entire product line, indicating that the sales slump in late 2000 was more serious than many believed.

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

 Biting Into Apple (UK-iNvest.com)
<http://www.uk-invest.com/world/americainc.html>
What Apple lacks, and cannot hope to develop because it lacks an enterprise software offering, is a consulting and service business that would provide revenue and margin growth in times of slow PC sales.

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

 Three Applications Take Your Digital Videos To The Next Level (Macworld)
<http://macworld.zdnet.com/2001/02/features/imovie.html>
If you have editing experience with a program other than iMovie, you should give [EditDV] a try. But if you're looking for the heir apparent to iMovie, Premiere has a slight edge with its intuitive interface and excellent Help options.

 The Sims - Livin' Large (Inside Mac Games)
<http://www.insidemacgames.com/reviews/view.php?ID=114>
All in all, this reviewer thinks that the game is fantastic, and the expansion pack only renews the love you find for it. It's a little on the expensive side for such a thing, but if you have the cash on hand, it is more than worth it.

 Cro-Mag Rally (MacNN)
<http://reviews.macnn.com/reviews/cromag/cromag.phtml>
Mac users of all ages will enjoy this well-crafted game that features an imaginative and colorful feel and that unmistakable Pangea look.

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

 Copy Protection On Whistler Easily Cracked (The Register)
<http://www.theregister.co.uk/content/4/16223.html>
Whistler's copy protection is by no means uncrackable, according to various of The Register's shady sources. The hardware-locked key system currently shipping with the Whistler beta seems to be fairly easy to get around, and the inconvenience of the system - if it ships with the production Whistler - will be likely to encourage the widespread use of cracks, and even of doctored installation disks that are entirely unlocked.

 Visual Studio.Net A Clear Winner (Gartner Viewpoint)
<http://news.cnet.com/news/0-1003-201-4538203-0.html?tag=st.ne.1430735..sf>
One of Microsoft's goals in offering the new Visual Studio.Net is to support the company's .Net framework with developer languages, compilers, debuggers, wizards, components and graphical user interface tools, among other features.

 Microsoft Shares Rise On Optimism For 2001 (Bloomberg News)
<http://news.cnet.com/news/0-1003-200-4537791.html?tag=st.ne.1430735..ni>
Microsoft shares rose almost 10 percent Friday, after the software maker reported fiscal second-quarter earnings that met reduced expectations and reiterated its forecast for this fiscal year.

 Windows Curses Fast Computers (BugNet)
<http://www.msnbc.com/news/517823.asp?cp1=1>
When further supercharged with 800 MHZ Pentium III microprocessors, Windows 98 and Me outran the hardware at times, powering off the computer before the hard drive’s on-board drive cache could finish writing out the buffered data.

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

 Copy Protection On Whistler Easily Cracked (The Register)
<http://www.theregister.co.uk/content/4/16223.html>
Whistler's copy protection is by no means uncrackable, according to various of The Register's shady sources. The hardware-locked key system currently shipping with the Whistler beta seems to be fairly easy to get around, and the inconvenience of the system - if it ships with the production Whistler - will be likely to encourage the widespread use of cracks, and even of doctored installation disks that are entirely unlocked.

 Dell Shows Fastest PC Sales Growth (Reuters)
<http://dailynews.yahoo.com/h/nm/20010119/tc/pcs_quarter_dc_1.html>

 Cutting Microsoft Some Slack (Smart Money)
<http://www.smartmoney.com/stockwatch/index.cfm?story=200101181>
You have to figure investors are scratching for good news when they react positively to a Microsoft earnings report that merely matches reduced expectations. But that's what happened Friday.

 Microsoft Enters A Tricky Game (UK-iNvest.com)
<http://www.uk-invest.com/we/internet.html>
Cynics of the US group’s venture say it is being naïve to enter such an entrenched and crowded market alone. Better, they believe, for Microsoft to have partnered with an existing games company in order to gain logistic support and experience.

 What Does the Future Hold For Microosft? (IDEAadvisor)
<http://www.ideaadvisor.com/article/article.asp?aid=8216>
In short, Microsoft’s future guidance has left us with no choice but to say that management is leaving the fast lane for now.  Therefore, why would we expect to see any spectacular performance out of Microsoft’s shares over the next six months? 

 Bill Gates For President? (Enterprise)
<Mafiaboy's behind bars but that doesn't mean companies are safe from similar attacks. Experts say the weak link is more human than technological.>
Let's look at the record. Gates has proved he's both persistent and capable. He started Microsoft more than 25 years ago and has grown it into a huge monop -- uh, software behemoth. He's demonstrated ruthless competitiveness when dealing with adversaries -- something you look for in a leader. Yet at the same time he's shown the ability to be diplomatic when it serves his company's aims, as his support of software for Apple's platforms demonstrates.

 Microsoft Auditions Small-Business Push (CNET News.com)
<http://news.cnet.com/news/0-1007-201-4536126-0.html?tag=st.ne.1430735..sf>
On the heels of its purchase of Great Plains Software at the end of last year, Microsoft is continuing to beef up its hosted service portfolio.

 Visual Studio.Net A Clear Winner (Gartner Viewpoint)
<http://news.cnet.com/news/0-1003-201-4538203-0.html?tag=st.ne.1430735..sf>
One of Microsoft's goals in offering the new Visual Studio.Net is to support the company's .Net framework with developer languages, compilers, debuggers, wizards, components and graphical user interface tools, among other features.

 Microsoft Shares Rise On Optimism For 2001 (Bloomberg News)
<http://news.cnet.com/news/0-1003-200-4537791.html?tag=st.ne.1430735..ni>
Microsoft shares rose almost 10 percent Friday, after the software maker reported fiscal second-quarter earnings that met reduced expectations and reiterated its forecast for this fiscal year.

 Windows Curses Fast Computers (BugNet)
<http://www.msnbc.com/news/517823.asp?cp1=1>
When further supercharged with 800 MHZ Pentium III microprocessors, Windows 98 and Me outran the hardware at times, powering off the computer before the hard drive’s on-board drive cache could finish writing out the buffered data.

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

 Survivor! Coping With The Web Design Crisis (A List Apart)
<http://www.alistapart.com/stories/survivor/>
We asked some of our peers how they were coping with the crisis in the web industry. Below, they tell their stories in their own words.

 Publishing Your Pages (BBC)
<http://www.bbc.co.uk/webwise/guides/easyweb/easyweb1.shtml>
Why bother with HTML coding when some websites can do it for you? WebWise's Guide to making a stress-free webpage.

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

 Online News Outlets Catch Their Breath (Boston Globe)
<http://www.boston.com/dailyglobe2/019/living/Online_news_outlets_catch_their_breath-.shtml>
While politicians may debate the wisdom of using the dreaded ''R'' (recession) word in the current economic climate, there are no such doubts in the dot-com world.

 Why It's Worth Saving Web Pages For Posterity (San Jose Mercury News)
<http://www0.mercurycenter.com/svtech/news/indepth/docs/dg011901.htm>
The National Archives is doing us all a favor, no matter what our political leanings. Even if you loathe the Clinton administration and its actions, you should agree that historians need as complete a record as possible when they tell future generations what happened in this one.

 Survivor! Coping With The Web Design Crisis (A List Apart)
<http://www.alistapart.com/stories/survivor/>
We asked some of our peers how they were coping with the crisis in the web industry. Below, they tell their stories in their own words.

 Publishing Your Pages (BBC)
<http://www.bbc.co.uk/webwise/guides/easyweb/easyweb1.shtml>
Why bother with HTML coding when some websites can do it for you? WebWise's Guide to making a stress-free webpage.

 Defenses Still Weak Against DDoS Atacks (eWEEK)
<http://www.zdnet.com/zdnn/stories/news/0,4586,2676260,00.html>
Mafiaboy's behind bars but that doesn't mean companies are safe from similar attacks. Experts say the weak link is more human than technological.

 Bush Inauguration: Hail To The Web? (ZDNet)
<http://www.zdnet.com/zdnn/stories/news/0,4586,2676700,00.html>
The Internet will both cover Saturday's grand proceedings in Washington and pan them, and proponents, protesters and political junkies of all stripes get ready to click away during George Dubya's big day.

 Job Sites Flush With Resumes Amid Dot-Com Downturn (CNET News.com)
<http://news.cnet.com/news/0-1005-200-4536900.html?tag=st.ne.1430735..ni>
While the Internet industry continues to downsize, job-search Web sites are reaping some rewards.

== PenguinSurf (Top Stories) ==============

 IBM Is Taking Linux -- And Running (Upside)
<http://www.upside.com/HardwareSoftware/3a6899318.html>
"They're approaching the market at every level, everything from mainframes down to appliances," says Weiss. "They could by default become the vendor of choice on all fronts."

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

 IBM Is Taking Linux -- And Running (Upside)
<http://www.upside.com/HardwareSoftware/3a6899318.html>
"They're approaching the market at every level, everything from mainframes down to appliances," says Weiss. "They could by default become the vendor of choice on all fronts."

== The AppleSurf Reader ==============

 Ad Nauseam (Phoenix New Times)
<http://www.phoenixnewtimes.com/issues/2001-01-18/voas.html>
Everything has its price. Even the Republic's front page.

 Online News Outlets Catch Their Breath (Boston Globe)
<http://www.boston.com/dailyglobe2/019/living/Online_news_outlets_catch_their_breath-.shtml>
While politicians may debate the wisdom of using the dreaded ''R'' (recession) word in the current economic climate, there are no such doubts in the dot-com world.

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

 OCBC Charging For Bulk Cash Deposits (Business Times)
<http://business-times.asia1.com.sg/6/news/nsing03.html>
Will the day come when customers have to pay for just standing in a bank queue? It has yet to happen, but OCBC Bank has implemented what could be the next worst thing -- charging customers for depositing large amounts of cash over the counter.

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

 Singaporeans Head To JB For New Year Goodies (Channel NewsAsia)
<http://sg.dailynews.yahoo.com/headlines/singapore/cna/article.html?s=singapore/headlines/010120/singapore/cna/Singaporeans_head_to_JB_for_New_Year_goodies.html>

 Singapore's Opposition Leader Declared Bankrupt (Associated Press)
<http://www.nandotimes.com/global/story/0,1024,500301423-500481849-503310935-0,00.html>
"The bankruptcy proceedings have always been held up as one way to get rid of political opponents and this, of course, confirms it," said James Gomez, an author and outspoken critic of the government.

 OCBC Charging For Bulk Cash Deposits (Business Times)
<http://business-times.asia1.com.sg/6/news/nsing03.html>
Will the day come when customers have to pay for just standing in a bank queue? It has yet to happen, but OCBC Bank has implemented what could be the next worst thing -- charging customers for depositing large amounts of cash over the counter.

 Get Basis For Tariff Hike Right (Straits Times)
<http://straitstimes.asia1.com.sg/forum/story/0,1870,18613,00.html?>
Denis Distant: Singaporeans must have doubts as to whether they should be charged higher tariffs at a time when they cannot even get accurate monthly bills on time due to computer glitches.

 Power Supply Flexing Monopoly Muscle (Straits Times)
<http://straitstimes.asia1.com.sg/forum/story/0,1870,18615,00.html?>
Daniel Ong Boon Wah: As every household needs electricity and it is the sole vendor, it can raise its prices any time.

 'New' National Anthem Is Easier To Sing (Straits Times)
<http://straitstimes.asia1.com.sg/singapore/story/0,1870,18554,00.html?>
'The new arrangements have been transposed down a tone from the key of G to F for easier singing, and are more spirited in nature.'

 Junior Colleges Preparing Students For SAT (Straits Times)
<http://straitstimes.asia1.com.sg/singapore/story/0,1870,18546,00.html?>
Students are getting their first taste of the test in special classes designed to familiarise them with its format.

 JBJ Declared Bankrupt; He Appeals (Straits Times)
<http://straitstimes.asia1.com.sg/primenews/story/0,1870,18645,00.html?>

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

 Singapore Hospital Gives Birth To Internet Baby-Viewing (Reuters)
<http://www.cnn.com/2001/TECH/computing/01/19/singapore.baby.reut/index.html>
Anxious new parents can now view over the Internet live images of their babies slumbering in a Singapore hospital cot.

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

 Face Of CNA To Join CNN (Straits Times)
<http://straitstimes.asia1.com.sg/life/story/0,1870,18495,00.html?>
'It is a natural progression, a time for new opportunities in the international arena. Besides, I have had all the opportunities that I have asked for and was given more that I didn't even ask for,' she said.