[MyAppleMenu] Thursday, Dec 18, 2003

[applesurf at myapplemenu.com]

MyAppleMenu Newsletter
Thursday, Dec 18, 2003

MyAppleMenu : Top Stories
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iTunes v4.2 Now Available For Download (Peter Cohen, MacCentral)
<http://maccentral.macworld.com/news/2003/12/18/itunes/index.php?redirect=1071758541000>
The new version of iTunes now allows users to sign in and buy music using either their Apple or AOL accounts, view the iTunes Music Store in a separate window, and includes a number of performance improvements.

MyAppleMenu : News
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Apple Updates Final Cut Pro, LiveType (MacMinute)
<http://www.macminute.com/2003/12/18/fcp>
FCP 4.1.1 addresses issues that may be encountered with the editing software if you are using the Simplified Chinese Input Method. LiveType 1.1.1 addresses compatibility issues with third-party LiveFonts, textures, and objects.

Apple Releases DVD Studio Pro Update (MacMinute)
<http://www.macminute.com/2003/12/18/dvdstudiopro>
The update adds support for Cropped D-1 and 1/2 D-1 MPEG-2 video resolutions in addition to a number of enhancements and improved overall stability.

That Gift Mac Might Include A Lump Of Coal (Sacramento Bee)
<http://www.sacbee.com/content/business/story/7972604p-8909463c.html>
Some models of the computer purchased this holiday season are not coming loaded with the company's newest operating system, the highly touted OS X Panther.

Hidden Costs Of Mac Ownership (James Maguire, NewsFactor)
<http://www.newsfactor.com/perl/story/22886.html>
Minority status carries burdens, even in the computing world.

Apple Tunes Up QuickTime For Wireless (Evan Hansen, CNET News.com)
<http://news.com.com/2100-1032_3-5129293.html>
Although video-ready wireless networks are still a work in progress in much of the world, multimedia software vendors like Apple, RealNetworks and Microsoft are racing to stake out mobile beachheads for their competing formats.

Apple Releases Xcode 1.1 Update (MacDailyNews)
<http://www.macdailynews.com/comments.php?id=P2376_0_1_0_C>
Apple has released Xcode 1.1 Update which provides overall stability and performance enhancements to Xcode IDE, as well as improvements to debugging, workflow, the Xcode build system and CodeSense.

Apple Launches 'iTunes Essentials' Compilations (MacMinute)
<http://www.macminute.com/2003/12/18/essentials>
The collections are categorized by genre, artist, mood, or season.

Apple Releases QuickTime 6.5 (Peter Cohen, MacCentral)
<http://maccentral.macworld.com/news/2003/12/18/quicktime/index.php?redirect=1071758547000>
The new version incorporates new features and updates, including expanded support for mobile multimedia, improved DV playback options and more.

AOL Members Get Access To iTunes Music Store (Brad Cook, MacCentral)
<http://maccentral.macworld.com/news/2003/12/18/aol/index.php?redirect=1071758542000>
AOL members who visit AOL Music can now click an iTunes button next to featured songs and launch the iTunes Music Store, where they can preview, purchase and download the tracks to listen to on their computer or iPod.

Apple Releases Java 3D, Java Advanced Imaging Update (MacMinute)
<http://www.macminute.com/2003/12/18/java>

Steve Jobs Macworld Expo Keynote Confirmed (Macworld UK)
<http://www.macworld.co.uk/news/top_news_item.cfm?NewsID=7535>
Apple CEO Steve Jobs will deliver his customary keynote speech at Macworld Conference and Expo, San Francisco, 2004.

Trustees Impressed With PowerSchool (Mark Waite, Pahrump Valley Times)
<http://www.pahrumpvalleytimes.com/2003/12/17/news/sb-computer.html>
A new PowerSchool computer program was touted as so comprehensive, Nye County School District trustee Tracie Ward exclaimed Dec. 10, "Is there anything it can't do?"

Stillwater: School Board, Apple Agree On Laptop Plan (Megan Boldt, Pioneer Press)
<http://www.twincities.com/mld/pioneerpress/living/education/6901792.htm>
The Stillwater school district has entered into an agreement with Apple Computer to provide laptops to students at Oak-Land Junior High in Lake Elmo and all of the district's junior high teachers by next fall.

Apple Working 5th Ave. Lease (Lois Weiss, New York Post)
<http://www.nypost.com/realestate/13664.htm>
The computer business that started in a garage may be landing in a basement -- one of the most expensive basements in the universe.

Mac OS X 10.3.2 Released (MacMinute)
<http://www.macminute.com/2003/12/17/macosx1032>
According to the release notes, the new update delivers enhanced functionality and improved reliability for Mac OS X 10.3 Panther and is recommended for all users.

MyAppleMenu : Opinions
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The Ultimate Nightmare: Is Good Customer Service An Illusion? (Gene Steinberg, Mac Night Owl)
<http://www.macnightowl.com/#illusion>

MyAppleMenu : Reviews
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Halo: Combat Evolved (Corey Tamas, MacGamer)
<http://macgamer.com/features/?id=1732>
Halo sets a high standard for quality entertainment and is not likely to be entirely trumped by another game for a very long time. If you have the means to run Halo and enjoy first person shooters then you really must do yourself a favor and treat yourself to one of the best games ever made.

Do Not Install Mac OS X 10.3.2 (Rob McNair-Huff, Mac Net Journal)
<http://www.whiterabbits.com/MacNetJournal/#note_2124>
The update causes the PowerBook's fan to run non-stop while on AC power, and so far no workaround has been found to address the problem.

Easy Listening For The Long Haul (Michelle Slatalla, New York Times)
<http://www.nytimes.com/2003/12/18/technology/circuits/18shopp.html>
Need to keep the kids busy on long road trips? Check out audible.com, a repository for audio programming of all kinds.

MyAppleMenu : Wintel News
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RealNetworks Files Antitrust Suit Against Microsoft (Evan Hansen and David Becker, CNET News.com)
<http://rss.com.com/2100-1025_3-5129316.html?part=rss&tag=feed&subj=news>
Streaming media provider RealNetworks on Thursday sued Microsoft on antitrust charges, accusing the software giant of illegally using its Windows monopoly to limit consumer choice in digital media.

More Wintel news at <http://www.myapplemenu.com/wintel/>

MyAppleMenu Tomorrow: News & Opinions
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Google Tests Book Search (Stefanie Olsen, CNET News.com)
<http://rss.com.com/2100-1038_3-5128515.html>
Google has started letting people search text within books, following similar strides from retail behemoth Amazon.com.

The RIAA Succeeds Where The Cypherpunks Failed (Clay Shirky)
<http://www.shirky.com/writings/riaa_encryption.html>
The RIAA is succeeding where the Cypherpunks failed, convincing users to trade a broad but penetrable privacy for unbreakable anonymity under their personal control.

Japan Working On Appliances-Internet Link (Associated Press)
<http://www.eweek.com/article2/0,3959,1416412,00.asp?kc=EWRSS03119TX1K0000594>
Four Japanese electronics makers have agreed to work together in developing a common standard to link refrigerators and other home appliances to the Internet.

MyAppleMenu Reader: Science & Tech
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Strange Lights Imaged, Astronauts Not Crazy (Robert Roy Britt, Space.com)
<http://www.space.com/scienceastronomy/solar_aurora_031210.html>
The study shows that auroras reach far higher into the atmosphere than expected, though scientists are still puzzled over how it is possible.

MyAppleMenu Reader: Life
------------------------
This Buyer Of Fiction Has Real Clout (Joanne Kaufman, Wall Street Journal)
<http://www.opinionjournal.com/la/?id=110004445>
Meet the woman who decides what Barnes & Noble stocks. 

The Blogs Of Freedom (Matt Rosenberg, Seattle Times)
<http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/opinion/2001816642_mattr17.html>
Now more than ever, the fresh voices of Iraqi bloggers will be an invaluable counterweight to traditional media coverage.

MyAppleMenu SingaporeSurf : Top Stories
---------------------------------------
A Move Towards Kongsi (Tor Ching Li, Today)
<http://www.todayonline.com/articles/11852.asp>
Early signals from new Malaysian PM look promising for bilateral ties.

MyAppleMenu SingaporeSurf : News & Opinions
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Singapore Arrests 'Future' Terror Leaders (Fox News)
<http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,106081,00.html>
Singapore has arrested two men who were being trained to be leaders in an Al Qaeda-linked terror network, the Home Affairs Ministry said Thursday.

No-Frills Terminal Could Be On The Way (David Boey, Straits Times)
<http://straitstimes.asia1.com.sg/topstories/story/0,4386,225837,00.html?>
It is likely to look more like a bus interchange, and have an austere design because low-cost airlines want to keep their operating costs low.

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MyAppleMenu is edited by Heng-Cheong Leong. This site is not affiliated with Apple Computer, Inc., or any other companies in any manner. Apple, the Apple logo, Macintosh, Power Macintosh, PowerBook, iMac, iBook, iPod, and eMac are registered trademarks of Apple Computer, Inc. All other brands or product names are trademarks of their registered holders. Copyright (C) 1996-2003 Heng-Cheong Leong. All rights reserved.