News

The Mozilla group has released an alpha of its Thunderbird e-mail program for Linux, Windows and Mac OS X. New in this version for Mac is the long-awaited integration with the Mac OS X Address Book. The early release is for testing only. “This release does not represent the final product. Some of the features…

Some of the interface changes in Leopard were controversial, so it didnit take long for developers to create apps that can tweak the Leopard look-and-feel, either back to Tiger or just something new, according to Computerworld on Wednesday. While some changes have traditionally required command-line trickery that can cause concern for some users, a new…

Apple has tackled a lot of consumer products that just havenit been friendly enough for the everyday consumer and made them gems of design, excellence and ease of use. Appleis next move might be the wireless remote control, according to C|Net on Tuesday. For example, Appleis iPod click wheel married two different sets of controls…

While Microsoft enhanced AppleScript and Automator support in Office 2008, many VBA macro users found that their documents simply failed to function properly and required rewritten scripts. The limitation also meant that documents that rely on VBA macros were no longer cross-platform compatible. Company spokespeople commented “Although the Mac BU increased support in Office 2008…

RIM knows itis in a battle, a two horse race, with Appleis iPhone. The new BlackBerry Bold is RIMis latest weapon in the war, according to the Wall Street Journal on Monday. [Subscription required.] RIMis new smartphone, designed to fend off the iPhone assault, runs on the higher speed 3G network, adds processing punch and…

Estimates put the number of potentially qualifying Mac owners in the neighborhood of 2.3 million. The agreement earned preliminary approval in the San Jose U.S. District Court on March 24, but is awaiting final approval on September 8. The class action suit claimed that the laptop power adapter “dangerously frays, sparks and prematurely fails to…

The Redmond-based company had culled a list of potential proxy board members in preparation for a hostile takeover move if it could not reach a buyout agreement with the Internet search and advertising company Yahoo. When the two companies failed to reach an agreement, Microsoft chose to walk away from the table instead of pursuing…

Consumer Reports finally gets it right! Consumer Reports may not be the most influential voice in determining which computers are most preferred by the buying public. But it matters. Each year, for the past who knows how many years, the magazine has dutifully provided its assessment of the best and worst in computers. And almost…

Microsoft announced on Tuesday that they have resumed the availability of Windows XP SP3 at the Microsoft Download Center. Distribution was halted last week when a last minute incompatibility with Vista SP1 and the Dynamics Retail Management System (RMS) software was discovered. Microsoft has published a hotfix for the RMS issue and advised that it…

Prior to Appleis positive quarterly earnings report, Mr. Wu voiced concerns over how much investors were expecting from the Mac, iPod and iPhone maker. He also expressed concerns over the companyis high valuation and stock volatility. “We overestimated the potential negative reaction on the quarter and in hindsight should have moderated our near-term posture rather…

MacPractice announced the immediate availability on Monday of their all Mac interface to PLANMECA Panoramic and Cephalometric digital X-ray equipment and PLANMECA digital sensors via Ethernet. “MacPractice DR is the first fully integrated, digital radiography solution for Mac users, and now it works directly with some of the finest products available to dentists from PLANMECA”…

Of the 174 job cuts, 99 were Internet sales representatives, and 41 were online customer chat positions. Apple said the positions were eliminated because it is moving some of its sales and support functions to its Texas offices. Colliers International research director Garrick Brown called the move “just more bad news for Elk Grove,” and…

Since Steve Jobs returned to Apple, Apple has catered to the individual purchaser, people who appreciate what they get for their money. Big business has been a distant second priority. These days, however, several factors have come together to make Macs acceptable in the enterprise: the iPhone, the coolness of Macs, and Microsoftis misstep with…

A recent ruling by a U.S. Court allows border patrol agents to inspect and search a notebook computer or other digital device without limitation, according to the Electronic Frontier Foundation (EFF). Travelers cannot be forced to divulge the password for encrypted disks, but the computer can still be seized. Travelers and their employers are increasingly…

A substantial portion of Mr. Jobsis 2007 earnings came in the form of company stock, which was worth far more than his $1 salary. Mr. Jobs wasnit the only tech name to drop off the top ten list in 2007. Former Yahoo CEO Terry Semel lost his ranking along with his job, and Dell CEO…

Mr. Ballmer presented Yahoo with an ultimatum warning the Internet search company that it must reach a buyout agreement by April 26 or potentially face a hostile take over attempt. Yahoo refused to make a deal with Microsoft claiming that the Redmond-based companyis offer was undervalued. Both companies have been relatively quiet about the buyout…

Gabtastik 1.0

As i s evident by what you are now viewing, I write blog entries. I also occasionally post reader comments to articles on other sites. Every so often, I wonder how many people actually read this stuff. Not my blog in particular (actually, I can get stats on this from the TMO staff). But blogs…