[MyAppleMenu] May 31, 2001

[applesurf at myapplemenu.com]

MyAppleMenu Newsletter

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

Ready (Or Not), Apple Taking OS X Plunge (Los Angeles Times)
<http://www.latimes.com/business/cutting/20010531/t000045567.html>
Apple needs to continue working to remove OS X's rough edges and improve its performance. And developers need to think twice about releasing native versions that aren't identical or superior to their 9.x counterparts.

Gong-Ho Apple Is Design Winner (Macworld UK)
<http://www.macworld.co.uk/news/top_news_item.cfm?NewsID=2971>
Apple cleaned-up at the D&AD (British Design and Art Direction) awards again this year, taking three top awards in the Products for Work category.

Crank Up The Audio (Apple)
<http://www.apple.com/hotnews/articles/2001/05/soundblaster/>
Have you been waiting to bring quality audio in or out of your Mac—but haven't had the extra change to toss at an expensive audio card? Well, your wait for a reasonably-priced audio card is over.

Cocoa: The Mac's Greatest Asset (MacOpz)
<http://www.macopz.com/columns/mikes/cocoa.html>
Carbon only serves to hold the Macintosh back and everyone should be asking the "big names" for Cocoa version of their applications.

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

Fizzilla Gets Carbon Update (MacCentral)
<http://maccentral.macworld.com/news/0105/31.fizzilla.shtml>

Mac OS 9.2 Ready Real Soon Now (The Register)
<http://www.theregister.co.uk/content/39/19326.html>
The release of Apple's next upgrade to the classic Mac OS is imminent, insiders cited by both Think Secret and MacOS Rumors have claimed.

Graphical Traceroute Utility Now Available For Mac OS X (MacCentral)
<http://maccentral.macworld.com/news/0105/31.traceroute.shtml>
If you're involved in keeping tabs on Internet traffic, you'll be pleased to know that Visualware has brought VisualRoute, graphical tool that determines precisely where and how the traffic is flowing between two points on the Internet, to Mac OS X.

Gong-Ho Apple Is Design Winner (Macworld UK)
<http://www.macworld.co.uk/news/top_news_item.cfm?NewsID=2971>
Apple cleaned-up at the D&AD (British Design and Art Direction) awards again this year, taking three top awards in the Products for Work category.

Crank Up The Audio (Apple)
<http://www.apple.com/hotnews/articles/2001/05/soundblaster/>
Have you been waiting to bring quality audio in or out of your Mac—but haven't had the extra change to toss at an expensive audio card? Well, your wait for a reasonably-priced audio card is over.

Panasonic's DVD Video Recorder To Offer Mac Compatibility (MacCentral)
<http://maccentral.macworld.com/news/0105/30.panasonic.shtml>
Due in October, the DMR-E20 is expected to have a manufacturer's suggested retail price of US$1499.95.

Apple Posts Mac OS X Server Migration Guide (The Mac Observer)
<http://www.macobserver.com/article/2001/05/30.8.shtml>

This Year's Hot Wedding Accessory: A Macintosh? (The Mac Observer)
<http://www.macobserver.com/article/2001/05/30.6.shtml>
The dress, and the model, are not bad either.

Two New PowerBook G4 Cases (MacNN)
<http://www.macnn.com/news.php?id=6738>

Apple Unveils New 'Pre-Release' Version Of CarbonLib SDK (MacCentral)
<http://maccentral.macworld.com/news/0105/30.carbonlib.shtml>

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

Difference Engine: Cocoa Dreams (MacOPINION)
<http://www.macopinion.com/columns/engine/01/05/31/index.html>
Steve Jobs' Plan for World Domination

Microsoft-Free Re-Affirmation (Applelinks.com)
<http://www.applelinks.com/articles/2001/05/20010530152020.shtml>
In our involuntary dive into the depths of Word's unspeakably complicated and humongously over-capable options, we were continuously amazed at the less-than-elegant organization, the illogical hierarchy of tools and functions, and the utter impossibility of obtaining any assistance from the ironically-named Help application.

Ready (Or Not), Apple Taking OS X Plunge (Los Angeles Times)
<http://www.latimes.com/business/cutting/20010531/t000045567.html>
Apple needs to continue working to remove OS X's rough edges and improve its performance. And developers need to think twice about releasing native versions that aren't identical or superior to their 9.x counterparts.

Retail Stores: Nick Of Time Or Killing Machine (Macinstein)
<http://www.macinstein.com/pressrelease.cfm?ID=955>

Cocoa: The Mac's Greatest Asset (MacOpz)
<http://www.macopz.com/columns/mikes/cocoa.html>
Carbon only serves to hold the Macintosh back and everyone should be asking the "big names" for Cocoa version of their applications.

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

A Good Apple With Plenty To Love (Boston Globe)
<http://www.boston.com/dailyglobe2/151/business/A_good_Apple_with_plenty_to_love+.shtml>
There isn't much not to love about the new iBook - except for that damnable delete key.

Titanium PowerBook (MacCentral)
<http://maccentral.macworld.com/news/0105/31.powerbook.shtml>
I've had several Apple portables over the years, but the Titanium PowerBook G4 -- or TiPB, for brevity's sake -- is Apple's crowning achievement (so far) in the laptop market.

Mac Advocacy Sites (Low End Mac)
<http://lowendmac.com/lab/010531.html>
Sites range from the well researched and documented sites to the more opinion-oriented pieces about freedom of choice.

G4/733 With GeForce 3 (Accelerate Your Mac!)
<http://www.xlr8yourmac.com/Graphics/geforce3/G4_733_GeForce3_tests.html>

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

Office XP: We Have Lift Off (The Register)
<http://www.theregister.co.uk/content/4/19331.html>
Fresh features include: Smart tags, task panes, and SharePoint - a Website where workers can share messages and contacts.

Why Microsoft May Buy AT&T Broadband: Fear, Greed & Envy (Inside)
<http://www.inside.com/jcs/Story?article_id=31901&pod_id=13>
AOL Time Warner's increasing power and software giant's hunger to break into cable and television are powerful incentives fueling the latest rumors.

Itanium Wins Some, Loses Some (ZDNet)
<http://www.zdnet.com/zdnn/stories/news/0,4586,5089932,00.html>
Even though Intel's new Itanium chip arrived years late, some of its performance numbers have drawn qualified praise from industry analysts.

Two Groups Back Microsoft's Online Strategy (CNET News.com)
<http://news.cnet.com/news/0-1003-200-6119362.html?tag=owv>
Microsoft competitors "would twist antitrust laws to stop Microsoft from developing integrated software," the groups said in the report.

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

Microsoft-Free Re-Affirmation (Applelinks.com)
<http://www.applelinks.com/articles/2001/05/20010530152020.shtml>
In our involuntary dive into the depths of Word's unspeakably complicated and humongously over-capable options, we were continuously amazed at the less-than-elegant organization, the illogical hierarchy of tools and functions, and the utter impossibility of obtaining any assistance from the ironically-named Help application.

Microsoft, Corporate Friends Push New Office (CNET News.com)
<http://news.cnet.com/news/0-1003-200-6119819.html?tag=owv>
Microsoft will tap some some large corporate customers on Thursday to help launch Office XP, the first of three major products the company is releasing this year.

Microsoft Could Be Headed For More Days In Court (Los Angeles Times)
<http://www.latimes.com/business/cutting/20010531/t000045555.html>
The fate of Microsoft Corp. is still in the hands of an appellate court and then, perhaps, the Supreme Court. Many people seem to have forgotten this, including, apparently, the top executives of the company.

Office XP: We Have Lift Off (The Register)
<http://www.theregister.co.uk/content/4/19331.html>
Fresh features include: Smart tags, task panes, and SharePoint - a Website where workers can share messages and contacts.

Windows XP Will Make Internet Unstable - Top Security Expert (The Register)
<http://www.theregister.co.uk/content/4/19332.html>
According to top security expert Steve Gibson, Windows XP threatens to make the Internet unstable as it will allow large numbers of people to launch uncontrollable denial-of-service attacks to whichever IP address they see fit.

A Disconnect Between AOL And Windows Me (Los Angeles Times)
<http://www.latimes.com/business/cutting/20010531/t000045569.html>

Why Microsoft May Buy AT&T Broadband: Fear, Greed & Envy (Inside)
<http://www.inside.com/jcs/Story?article_id=31901&pod_id=13>
AOL Time Warner's increasing power and software giant's hunger to break into cable and television are powerful incentives fueling the latest rumors.

Why Office XP Could Be Your Last Big MS Upgrade (ZDNet AnchorDesk)
<http://www.zdnet.com/anchordesk/stories/story/0,10738,2766529,00.html?chkpt=zdhpnews02>
And as we wave goodbye to big upgrades, we'll welcome its replacement: Smaller upgrades and software by subscription.

Gates Strip Joint Secret Out? (The Register)
<http://www.theregister.co.uk/content/28/19314.html>
A Microsoft representative today said they were unable to comment on what Gates did in his spare time.

Itanium Wins Some, Loses Some (ZDNet)
<http://www.zdnet.com/zdnn/stories/news/0,4586,5089932,00.html>
Even though Intel's new Itanium chip arrived years late, some of its performance numbers have drawn qualified praise from industry analysts.

Why Office XP Is A Real (Fill In The Blank) (ZDNet)
<http://www.zdnet.com/zdnn/stories/comment/0,5859,2766690,00.html>
Microsoft has added [RIDICULOUSLY LARGE NUMBER],000 new features, though we expect to use only about [REALLY SMALL NUMBER] of them.

Microsoft Seizes ASP Chance To Spread .Net (ZDNet)
<http://www.zdnet.com/zdnn/stories/news/0,4586,2766729,00.html>
Microsoft is stepping up its efforts to push its .Net strategy through ASPs and is starting to negotiate licensing deals that allow service providers to charge for software on a pay-as-you-go basis, as opposed to a monthly fee.

Two Groups Back Microsoft's Online Strategy (CNET News.com)
<http://news.cnet.com/news/0-1003-200-6119362.html?tag=owv>
Microsoft competitors "would twist antitrust laws to stop Microsoft from developing integrated software," the groups said in the report.

Gateway Launches Full Assault In Price War (CNET News.com)
<http://news.cnet.com/news/0-1006-200-6107634.html?tag=owv>
Starting Thursday, the San Diego-based PC maker will beat the advertised price of competitors Compaq Computer, Dell Computer, Hewlett-Packard, IBM, Sony or Toshiba.

Microsoft's New Strategies Aren't Hot, But Will Burn (osOpinion)
<http://www.osopinion.com/perl/story/10116.html>
In time, Microsoft's online division will face the hard realities of a revenue stream that has been engulfed in flames.

What's Next For Microsoft? (CNBC)
<http://www.cnbc.com/cd/gx.cgi/cs?pagename=FutureTense/Apps/Xcelerate/Render&c=cnbcarticle&cid=cc19IQYWCNC>
The recent uptick in price, however, has at least some analysts warning that Microsoft's stock now appears to be near the top of its trading range. For longer-term investors, though, the bigger issue is whether Microsoft's best days are ahead or behind the world's leading software firm.

Hoax Virus Says Trash Windows File (CNET News.com)
<http://news.cnet.com/news/0-1003-200-6110509.html?tag=owv>
A hoax e-mail warning people that their PCs may contain a virus called sulfnbk.exe tricks its victims into trashing a harmless, and potentially helpful, Windows utility.

RealNetworks Snags Intel Distribution Deal (CNET News.com)
<http://news.cnet.com/news/0-1005-200-6104186.html?tag=lh>
Looking to strengthen its position in the streaming media market, RealNetworks on Wednesday said it has signed an agreement with Intel to ship its technology with the main circuit boards that power PCs.

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

Windows XP Will Make Internet Unstable - Top Security Expert (The Register)
<http://www.theregister.co.uk/content/4/19332.html>
According to top security expert Steve Gibson, Windows XP threatens to make the Internet unstable as it will allow large numbers of people to launch uncontrollable denial-of-service attacks to whichever IP address they see fit.

Laid Off -- Got Mail? (Wired News)
<http://www.wired.com/news/infostructure/0,1377,43873,00.html>
The recent exodus of dot-com workers has left a barrage of daily e-mail, faxes, snail mail and phone calls behind for systems administrators and human resources execs to sort through and redirect.

Expect One Billion Net Users By 2005 (ZDNet UK)
<http://www.zdnet.com/zdnn/stories/news/0,4586,2766694,00.html>
One billion people around the world will be using the Internet by 2005, with Europe taking pole position, according to IDC predictions.

Dot-coms Set Sights On Bigger Customers (Reuters)
<http://news.cnet.com/news/0-1007-200-6110508.html?tag=owv>
More than two in five Internet companies are targeting larger customers as they try to contend with slower-than-expected market growth and a dearth in capital, according to new research that looks at 125 Internet companies.

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

Fizzilla Gets Carbon Update (MacCentral)
<http://maccentral.macworld.com/news/0105/31.fizzilla.shtml>

Napster Hit With New Copyright Charges (Reuters)
<http://www.zdnet.com/zdnn/stories/news/0,4586,5091905,00.html>
MediaBay, a seller of old-time radio shows over the Internet and in retail stores, on Thursday said it filed a complaint against Napster, the popular song-swap service, charging copyright infringement and unfair competition.

Graphical Traceroute Utility Now Available For Mac OS X (MacCentral)
<http://maccentral.macworld.com/news/0105/31.traceroute.shtml>
If you're involved in keeping tabs on Internet traffic, you'll be pleased to know that Visualware has brought VisualRoute, graphical tool that determines precisely where and how the traffic is flowing between two points on the Internet, to Mac OS X.

Windows XP Will Make Internet Unstable - Top Security Expert (The Register)
<http://www.theregister.co.uk/content/4/19332.html>
According to top security expert Steve Gibson, Windows XP threatens to make the Internet unstable as it will allow large numbers of people to launch uncontrollable denial-of-service attacks to whichever IP address they see fit.

A Disconnect Between AOL And Windows Me (Los Angeles Times)
<http://www.latimes.com/business/cutting/20010531/t000045569.html>

Disabled Web Access Made Easier (Wired News)
<http://www.wired.com/news/politics/0,1283,44062,00.html>
A federal law taking effect June 21 promises to make major commercial hardware and software products, as well as federal government websites, more accessible to users with disabilities.

Laid Off -- Got Mail? (Wired News)
<http://www.wired.com/news/infostructure/0,1377,43873,00.html>
The recent exodus of dot-com workers has left a barrage of daily e-mail, faxes, snail mail and phone calls behind for systems administrators and human resources execs to sort through and redirect.

Expect One Billion Net Users By 2005 (ZDNet UK)
<http://www.zdnet.com/zdnn/stories/news/0,4586,2766694,00.html>
One billion people around the world will be using the Internet by 2005, with Europe taking pole position, according to IDC predictions.

Dot-coms Set Sights On Bigger Customers (Reuters)
<http://news.cnet.com/news/0-1007-200-6110508.html?tag=owv>
More than two in five Internet companies are targeting larger customers as they try to contend with slower-than-expected market growth and a dearth in capital, according to new research that looks at 125 Internet companies.

Amazon Sellers Fuming Over Auction Glitch (CNET News.com)
<http://news.cnet.com/news/0-1007-200-6110679.html?tag=lh>
Several Amazon.com auction sellers say the e-commerce giant is not delivering a service they say they have bid on and paid for.

Why Click? (MacOPINION)
<http://www.macopinion.com/columns/tangible/01/05/31/index.html>
The Internet is approaching a level of maturity: it is time advertising is handled in a fashion appropriate to the medium.

RealNetworks Snags Intel Distribution Deal (CNET News.com)
<http://news.cnet.com/news/0-1005-200-6104186.html?tag=lh>
Looking to strengthen its position in the streaming media market, RealNetworks on Wednesday said it has signed an agreement with Intel to ship its technology with the main circuit boards that power PCs.

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

Can A GPL PlayStation2 Linux Port Replace Low-Cost PCs? (The Register)
<http://www.theregister.co.uk/content/2/19320.html>
Linux hackers seeking to run the OS on Sony Playstation 2 consoles will soon have a new option. A Czeck company has created a clean-room implementation of the hardware platform, which it promises to release under the GNU GPL.

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

NTUC, Case Question Hikes (Straits Times)
<http://straitstimes.asia1.com.sg/primenews/story/0,1870,47801,00.html?>
Both Case and NTUC yesterday urged public-transport operators to exercise restraint in seeking fare increases, given the uncertain economic outlook, stable fuel prices and healthy public-transport profits.

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

PCCW Says Funding For M1 Bid Not A Problem (Reuters)
<http://sg.news.yahoo.com/010531/3/qn0i.html>
Hong Kong-based Pacific Century Cyberworks, which already has a heavy debt load, does not face problems funding its bid for Singapore's second largest mobile operator MobileOne (M1), PCCW deputy chairman Alex Arena said on Thursday.

NTUC, Case Question Hikes (Straits Times)
<http://straitstimes.asia1.com.sg/primenews/story/0,1870,47801,00.html?>
Both Case and NTUC yesterday urged public-transport operators to exercise restraint in seeking fare increases, given the uncertain economic outlook, stable fuel prices and healthy public-transport profits.

SIA's Ansett Plan Faces Kiwi Barriers (Straits Times)
<http://straitstimes.asia1.com.sg/money/story/0,1870,47874,00.html?>
New Zealand's deputy PM opposes Qantas' bid for Air NZ, saying the carrier should not be in foreign hands.

Low Faces Challenge To WP Leadership (Straits Times)
<http://straitstimes.asia1.com.sg/singapore/story/0,1870,47936,00.html?>
A smooth party election? That is what the Workers' Party claimed about its AGM on Sunday. But, already, there is a challenge to Mr Low Thia Khiang's election as secretary-general.

SBS Going Back On Promise Not To Raise Fares (Straits Times)
<http://straitstimes.asia1.com.sg/forum/story/0,1870,47848,00.html?>
When it introduced TVMobile in its buses, didn't it say that the advertising revenue would help it resist pressure to increase bus fares? So how does SBS explain the current move?

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

Singapore Of Sixpence (CHUD)
<http://www.chud.com/news/may01/may30avatar.php3>
Since the United States can't quite seem to get it right lately, Singapore has decided to forge it's first ever sci-fi movie, "Avatar".