Macworld articles from December 2005

Macworld archives from December 2005

Moving pictures.(new product video-playin' iPod from Apple Computer Inc.)(Column)
December 1, 2005... About a week before Apple announced its fifth-generation, wide but thin, video-playin' iPod, I wrote my column for this very issue of Macworld. In that column, I complained about Apple's failure to enter the market for portable and downloadable...

Hidden gems.(Letter to the Editor)
December 1, 2005... Every month, grassroots software developers release dozens of new apps for the Mac. And every month, Senior Writer Dan Frakes reviews as many of them as he can in Mac Gems. But a monthly column just can't include all the worthy ones--hence our...

You forgot.
December 1, 2005... SCOTT BRENNER # I enjoyed September's "50 Mac Gems" article but was surprised that the fabulous open-source FTP client Cyberduck (cyberduck.ch/) was overlooked. You mentioned a few FTP clients but passed over the mature, feature-rich, and...

Repurposed Macs.(Letter to the Editor)
December 1, 2005... STEVEN MINKLER # Thanks for the great tips about converting an old Mac into a jukebox ("Old Mac, New Tricks," September 2005). I work in a college media-production department with four other highly creative people. We've always enjoyed...

Who's the Thief?(Letter to the Editor)
December 1, 2005... KEN ALAN # With regard to your story about software activation ("Stop, Thief!" Mac Beat, September 2005): yes, there are software pirates out there--the monopoly software publishers. Thanks to dwindling competition (for instance, the...

Mobile surgery.(Letter to the Editor)
December 1, 2005... CHRIS CLUCK # I thought the article "Laptop ER" (Mobile Mac, September 2005) was well done, but it should have included a link to Safeware (www.safeware.com). This company specializes in insuring laptops. For as little as around $200 a...

Feedback on feedback.(Letter to the Editor)
December 1, 2005... BRAD MITCHELL # In September's Feedback, a reader commented on the fan noise of the 12-inch PowerBook. I had the same problem, especially after switching to Tiger. Looking at my SysStat widget, I found that Virex was eating up 60 to 85...

Corrections.(Correction Notice)
December 1, 2005... September 2005's Mobile Mac misidentified the car owner who installed a Mac mini in his VW Golf GTI. The correct name is Matt Turner.

Productivity booster rocket: FileMaker Pro 8 accelerates work and drives business benefits all the way to the bottom line.(new product from True North Inc.)(Advertisement)
December 1, 2005... THE CUSTOMERS OF TRUE NORTH PRINTED PLASTICS ARE AMONG THE most sophisticated manufacturers in the world, and they often demand virtually real-time updates on the status of orders from True North and other suppliers. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED]...

Video iPod arrives: fifth-generation model adds video to its repertoire.
December 1, 2005... The iPod has been a hit since Apple released the original, 5GB model four years ago. But for almost as long, people have predicted and anticipated an iPod that could play more than music. With the iPod photo, Apple added a color screen and the...

All-in-one desktop adds video camera, remote control: the new iMac.(Apple iMac G5)(Product/Service Evaluation)
December 1, 2005... The release of the first generation of the iMac is widely credited--along with Steve Jobs's return to the company--with helping to save a financially troubled Apple in 1998. So it's fitting that the latest iMac, announced in October, brings new...

Creative beat.(Brief Article)
December 1, 2005... Boujou bullet 2, from 2d3 (www.2d3.com): Software for automatic tracking and match-moving adds support for 16-bit images, a new Target Tracker with zoom capabilities, and more-accurate target-shape definition ($2,500; upgrade, $999). Maya...

Productivity beat.(Brief Article)(Buyers Guide)
December 1, 2005... BBEdit 8.2.3, from Bare Bones Software (www.barebones.com): Update to the HTML- and text-editing application runs natively as a "universal binary" on PowerPC-based Mac hardware and Intel-based Apple machines ($199; upgrade, free). ...

Now tiger compatible ... the complete Macintosh problem solving utility.(TechTool Pro)(Brief Article)(Product/Service Evaluation)
December 1, 2005... Diagnostics and Repair TechTool[R] Pro includes options to thoroughly check various hardware components, drives, and other aspects of your computer system. One of the most important tests is the S.M.A.R.T. test, which checks for impending...

Updated music store adds TV shows, music videos, and more: iTunes 6 makes waves.(enhanced product iTunes 6.0 from Apple Computer Inc.)
December 1, 2005... Just five weeks after releasing iTunes 5, Apple updated its free music-jukebox software to version 6. The latest version adds several dramatic new features for the iTunes Music Store (iTMS)--including downloadable TV shows and music videos, and...

Input-device beat.(Brief Article)
December 1, 2005... LX7 Cordless Optical Mouse, from Logitech (www.logitech.com): Desktop mouse features a tilt scroll wheel, forward and back buttons, and "smart power management" for extended battery life ($40). USB Overdrive 10.4, from Alessandro Levi...

Storage beat.(Brief Article)
December 1, 2005... Backup 3.0, from Apple (www.apple.com): Update to personal backup software adds preset backup plans for iLife content, automatic scheduling, and incremental backups (free with .Mac account). Biggest S1S, from LaCie (www.lacie.com): Four-bay...

More storage, better backup, and groups feature included: Apple updates .Mac.(Apple Computer Inc.)
December 1, 2005... When large Web sites such as Yahoo and Google started offering free e-mail accounts with huge amounts of storage, as well as online community features, Apple's .Mac (www.mac.com) began showing its age. But now Apple has updated its suite of...

The readers speak: OS usage.(use of new versions of Apple Mac OS from Apple Computer Inc.)(Brief Article)
December 1, 2005... Although Apple would love it if everyone ran out and bought the latest version of OS X the day it hit the shelves, many users are still running older versions, according to a survey of 294 people on the Macworld Reader Panel. Because each...

Apple secretly bumps up Mac mini.(Apple Computer Inc. confirms the specifications of its product)(Brief Article)
December 1, 2005... In response to reports on the Internet that some users who purchased a 1.42GHz Mac mini received a 1.5GHz system instead, Apple confirmed that "some Mac mini systems may contain components that slightly exceed the published specifications....

iPhone on the way?(views of Ed Zander from Motorola Inc.)(Brief Article)
December 1, 2005... A few days after making disparaging comments about the iPod nano ("Screw the nano. What the hell does the nano do? Who listens to 1,000 songs?"), Motorola CEO Ed Zander told CNet News.com that "we know that they are going to build a smart...

Photoshop Elements not dead.(enhaced product from Adobe Systems Inc.)(Brief Article)
December 1, 2005... Although Adobe released Photoshop Elements 4, the latest version of its consumer-level image-editing application, only for Windows, the company says it has not killed the Mac version. An Adobe representative explained that unlike with Photoshop...

IDG World Expo ends East Coast Macworld trade show: farewell, Boston.(location management)(Brief Article)
December 1, 2005... You didn't need psychic powers or a Magic 8 Ball widget to see that the end of Macworld Conference & Expo on the East Coast was coming sooner rather than later. IDG World Expo (www.idgworldexpo.com), which produces the Macworld Expo trade show,...

Utilities beat.(Brief Article)(Buyers Guide)
December 1, 2005... KeyCue 1.1, from Ergonis Software (www.macility.com): Updated menu-shortcut utility adds Tiger compatibility ($15). Stufflt Deluxe 10, from Allume Systems (www.stuffit.com): Updated data-compression tool adds JPEG compression technology, as...

Multimedia beat.(Brief Article)(Buyers Guide)
December 1, 2005... Cubase SE3, from Steinberg Media Technologies (www.steinberg.de): Entry-level music-production software adds a new audio engine, drag-and-drop capabilities for MIDI files, improved Hitpoint detection, and a redesigned Track Inspector ($160)....

Apple responds to complaints about scratched and broken screens: nano problems.(Apple Computer Inc., iPod nano)
December 1, 2005... Replacing the iPod mini--the most successful iPod model to date--with the nano was a bold move on Apple's part, but one that began paying off as soon as it was announced. The nano has earned accolades from reviewers, industry analysts, and...

iPod Nano: Apple's thinnest, and quite possibly coolest, iPod yet.(Product/Service Evaluation)
December 1, 2005... iPods have been around long enough for people to take them for granted. Yes, they're small. Yes, they hold a lot of music. And yes, they're cool. So it takes some-thing special to break through our jaded iPod sensibilities. The iPod nano--with...

FireWire hard drives: find the right drive for your needs.(Apple FireWire 800)(Product/Service Evaluation)
December 1, 2005... Years ago, when Apple shipped its first Macs with 1GB hard drives, I remember asking myself, "Who would ever need that much storage?" It didn't take me long to figure out who, especially now that the 80GB drive in my PowerBook is bursting at...

More reviews.(DoorStop X 1.0, FileMaker Pro 8.0, iCorrect Portrait 1.0)(Brief Article)
December 1, 2005... For complete reviews of the products listed here, visit www.macworld.com/reviews. GOOD 1/2 DoorStop X 1.0 ($49), from Open Door Networks (www.opendoor.com); DoorStop X 1.0 is an easy-to-use replacement for the software firewall built into...

Find these reviews and more at playlistmag.com: cool iPod stuff.(DLO HomeDock, Griffin Technology iTrip, Logitech mm50)(Product/Service Evaluation)
December 1, 2005... VERY GOOD HomeDock ($100), by Digital Lifestyle Outfitters (www.dlodirect.com): iPod owners now have two ways to connect their beloved devices to their home stereos while retaining high-quality sound. Like Kensington's Stereo Dock...

Zoo Tycoon returns.(enhanced product from MacSoft Games)(Brief Article)
December 1, 2005... Fans of the first Zoo Tycoon should keep their eyes peeled for Zoo Tycoon 2, which should be out soon, from MacSoft Games (not Aspyr Media, which produced the first Mac version of the game). [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED]

The Sims go to school.(enhanced product The Sims 2 University from Aspyr Media Inc.)(Brief Article)
December 1, 2005... Aspyr plans to have the first expansion pack for The Sims 2 out in November. The Sims 2 University takes your sims to college, where they can waste four sim years drinking too much and spending lots of simoleons on a degree they'll never use in...

Radeon and on.(enhanced product Radeon 9800 Pro Mac Edition from ATI Technologies Inc.)(Brief Article)
December 1, 2005... ATI used to have two Mac Radeon 9800 cards--one for G5s and one for G4s. Now the company is down to one card that works in both systems. The Radeon 9800 Pro Mac Edition costs $299 and has 256MB of VRAM, just like the G5 card it replaces. ...

Simulation; X2: the threat.(Game Room)(Product/Service Evaluation)
December 1, 2005... Space simulations--open-ended adventures that let you make (or lose) your fortune out on the final frontier--have been in a state of steep decline over the past couple of decades. And the latest entry, Virtual Programming's X2: The Threat,...

Puzzle: Atlantis.(Game Room)(Brief Article)(Product/Service Evaluation)
December 1, 2005... If you want to know how I feel about FunPause's Atlantis, just read my review of MacPlay's Luxor, because they're fundamentally the same game (VERY GOOD; mac world.com/0833). While Luxor's backdrop is ancient Egypt, Atlantis takes you to...

Action: Gold Miner Joe.(Game Room)(Brief Article)(Product/Service Evaluation)
December 1, 2005... Gold Miner Joe is a fun new platform action game by Mac Joy. In it, you command Joe, a bearded miner who must make his way through 50 levels of mines as he collects treasure and avoids foes--including the pesky Kentucky brothers, who hide in...

Puzzle: Word Craft.(Game Room)(Product/Service Evaluation)
December 1, 2005... Do you consider yourself a wordsmith? Put your skills to the test in Word Craft, a spelling game in which thinking on your feet is the key to success. If you're familiar with the tabletop game Boggle, you have the basic idea of what to...

Recently reviewed.(Myst V: End of Ages)(Brief Article)(Product/Service Evaluation)
December 1, 2005... Myst V: End of Ages VERY GOOD 1/2; Ubisoft, www.mystvgame.com; $60 Myst V: End of Ages marks the end of the road for one of the most beloved adventure games of the modern era. The Myst series, created by Cyan, started life on the Mac,...

Gunroar.(Top downloads)(Product/Service Evaluation)
December 1, 2005... Longtime readers know that I absolutely adore anything produced by Kenta Cho, a Japanese developer of offbeat and psychedelic shoot-'emups. His latest effort, Gunroar, hasn't changed my opinion at all. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Like...

Web-page-screenshot utility: Paparazzi 0.2.3.(Mac Gems)(Product/Service Evaluation)
December 1, 2005... Taking screenshots of what you see on your screen is easy--but grabbing a picture of an entire Web page, including what's currently scrolled out of view, isn't so simple. Or at least it wasn't--the free Paparazzi 0.2.3 (VERY GOOD;...

Rewritable-disc eraser: QuickErase 1.5.(Mac Gems)(Brief Article)(Product/Service Evaluation)
December 1, 2005... Mac OS X's disc-burning functionality has improved with every release, but one task remains a hassle: erasing rewritable (CD-RW and DVD-RW) discs, which you can reuse as many times as you want. However, to reuse a rewritable disc, you must...

Mighty Mouse driver: SteerMouse 3.0.(Mac Gems)(Product/Service Evaluation)
December 1, 2005... There has been a lot of debate about Apple's new multibutton Mighty Mouse, and one of the most common complaints is that its software doesn't give advanced users as much control as they would like over the mouse's functions. Specifically,...

GarageBand installation helper: GarageBand Anywhere 5.0.1.(Mac Gems)(Product/Service Evaluation)
December 1, 2005... Apple's GarageBand is a killer app, but it's also a huge one--including all of its support files (loops, instruments, and so on), it takes up nearly 2.5GB of hard-drive space. (And that's not counting any additional loops or Jam Packs you...

Promising prospect: Rawr-jour 0.6b5.(Mac Gems)(Product/Service Evaluation)
December 1, 2005... Thanks to OS X's Bonjour technology (formerly called Rendezvous), it's easy (at least in theory) to find Bonjour-enabled devices and services on your local network. For example, if two computers are running OS X with Personal File Sharing...

Notification utility: Growl 0.7.2.(Mac Gems)(Brief Article)(Product/Service Evaluation)
December 1, 2005... OS X has made multitasking an everyday occurrence for Mac users. But this capability has introduced a new problem: knowing the status of background tasks. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Some software developers have altered their application's...

d2 DVD[+ or -]RW 16 X Fire-Wire with Double Layer.(DUAL-LAYER DVD BURNER)(Brief Article)(Product/Service Evaluation)
December 1, 2005... VERY GOOD d2 DVD [+ or -] RW 16X Fire-Wire with Double Layer ($189), from LaCie (www.lacie.com): This DVD burner can burn 8.5GB of data to dual-layer DVDs (which offer twice the capacity of single-layer discs). Although it has a relatively...

Midrange scanner.(Canon CanoScan 9950F)(Brief Article)(Product/Service Evaluation)
December 1, 2005... VERY GOOD 1/2 CanoScan 9950F ($400), from Canon (www.canon.com): This CanoScan offers improved scan quality and more-intuitive software controls. The 9950F tops its predecessor, the 9900F, in almost every way (macworld.com/0188).

Low-end scanner.(Canon CanoScan 8400F)(Brief Article)(Product/Service Evaluation)
December 1, 2005... VERY GOOD CanoScan 8400F ($150), from Canon (www.canon.com): The 8400F has limited transparency support but is a great all-around scanner (macworld.com/0187). [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED]

Macs.(macintosh computers)(Illustration)(Buyers Guide)
December 1, 2005... DESKTOP Product Processor Display Rating iMac G5/1.8GHz 17 inches VERY GOOD G5/2GHz 17 inches VERY GOOD G5/2GHz 20 inches VERY GOOD 1/2 eMac ...

23-inch display.(HP L2335)(Brief Article)(Product/Service Evaluation)
December 1, 2005... VERY GOOD 1/2 L2335 ($1,599), from Hewlett-Packard (www.hp.com): [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Along with its outstanding value and ability to pivot to portrait mode, the L2335 also provides excellent video-in options and very good color...

20-inch display.(NEC Display MultiSync LCD2070NX)(Brief Article)(Product/Service Evaluation)
December 1, 2005... VERY GOOD 1/2 MultiSync LCD2070NX ($799), from NEC Display Solutions (www.necdisplay.com): The MultiSync LCD2070NX is great for people who want a moderately priced 20-inch monitor that can display bright, accurate colors...

19-inch display.(Sony SDM-HS95P)(Brief Article)(Product/Service Evaluation)
December 1, 2005... VERY GOOD SDM-HS95P ($699), from Sony (www.sony.com): This display lacks some of the features found on other displays (such as a USB hub, speakers, or the ability to pivot), but the SDM-HS95P is a bright and nicely designed LCD that...

17-inch display.(Sony SDM-HS75P)(Brief Article)(Product/Service Evaluation)
December 1, 2005... VERY GOOD SDM-HS75P ($450), from Sony (www.sony.com): It's short on bells and whistles--no built-in USB support, speakers, or ability to pivot--but the SDM-HS75P is a good choice for people who have limited desk space and who want a bright...

Photosmart 8450.(COLOR INK-JET PRINTER)(Brief Article)(Product/Service Evaluation)
December 1, 2005... VERY GOOD 1/2 Photosmart 8450 ($250), from Hewlett-Packard (www.hp.com): This networkable ink-jet printer uses as many as eight dye-based inks to produce great-looking photos with or without your computer. Its LCD makes direct-from-camera...

LaserJet 2550Ln.(COLOR LASER PRINTER)(Brief Article)(Product/Service Evaluation)
December 1, 2005... VERY GOOD LaserJet 2550Ln ($600), from Hewlett-Packard (www.hp.com): This networkable printer offers crisp text and good color fidelity. It also supports Apple's Bonjour. But its paper capacity is only 125 sheets (macworld.com/0083). ...

Optura 60.(MINIDV CAMCORDER)(Brief Article)(Product/Service Evaluation)
December 1, 2005... VERY GOOD Optura 60 ($899), from Canon (www.canon.com): The Optura 60 shoots excellent video (as long as you have enough light) with true-to-life, vibrant color. It also offers optical image stabilization, a true 16:9 wide-screen mode, and...

Desktop drives.(Iomega Black Series Triple Interface, OWC Mercury Elite-AL Pro)(Brief Article)(Product/Service Evaluation)
December 1, 2005... VERY GOOD 1/2 Black Series Triple Interface, 250GB ($240), from Iomega (www.iomega.com): Fast; many connection options; low price per GB; can boot OS X via FireWire (macworld.com/0580). [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] ALSO RECOMMENDED: ...

Portable drives.(LaCie Mobile Hard Drive, OWC Mercury On-the-Go OWC Mercury On-the-Go 7,200 rpm 8MB)(Brief Article)(Product/Service Evaluation)
December 1, 2005... VERY GOOD Mobile Hard Drive, Design by F.A. Porsche, 7,200 rpm USB and FireWire, 60GB ($240), by LaCie (www.lacie.com): Very fast; various connection options; can boot OS X via FireWire (macworld.com/0314). [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] ...

Digital cameras.(Top Products)(Brief Article)(Illustration)
December 1, 2005... Product Rating Price Contact Mega-pixels Canon EOS VERY GOOD 1/2 $899 www.canon.com 8 Digital Rebel XT Canon VERY GOOD $399 www.canon.com 5 PowerShot SD400 Hewlett- ...

Midrange scanner.(Epson Perfection 4490 Photo)(Brief Article)(Product/Service Evaluation)
December 1, 2005... GOOD 1/2 Perfection 4490 Photo ($250), from Epson (www.epson.com): Here's a fast, easy-to-use scanner that can create high-resolution scans of both reflective and transparent media. Although its colors tend toward green on reflective scans...

Color laser printer.(Xerox Phaser 8500/DN)(Brief Article)(Product/Service Evaluation)
December 1, 2005... VERY GOOD Phaser 8500/DN ($1,099), from Xerox (www.xerox.com): The Phaser 8500/DN is a very good general-use color laser printer. But if you're willing to sacrifice speed, there are comparably priced color lasers available that produce...

Color ink-jet printer.(Canon Pixma iP4200)(Brief Article)(Product/Service Evaluation)
December 1, 2005... VERY GOOD Pixma iP4200 ($130), from Canon (www.canon.com): Though a little poky at high resolutions, the Pixma iP4200 is a great all-around ink-jet printer that excels in printing both office documents on plain paper and high-quality,...

Low-end scanner.(Epson Perfection 3590 Photo)(Brief Article)(Product/Service Evaluation)
December 1, 2005... GOOD 1/2 Perfection 3590 Photo ($149), from Epson (www.epson.com): This easy-to-use flatbed scanner is capable of scanning reflective media, as well as limited transparent media. The colors are a bit off at the default settings, but the...

17-inch monitor.(Westinghouse LCM-17w7)(Brief Article)(Product/Service Evaluation)
December 1, 2005... FLAWED 1/2 LCM-17w7 ($249), from Westinghouse Digital Electronics (www.westinghousedigital.com): Despite its appealing design, this display has a slightly washed-out appearance that's hard to correct. Its wide-angle aspect ratio and...

Macworld's gear guide: in the market for a Mac-compatible gadget--for yourself or as a gift? Here are more than 40 of our favorites.(Buyers Guide)
December 1, 2005... IT'S THAT TIME OF YEAR when a Mac fan's mind turns to thoughts of gadgets. So we're here to help, with more than 40 of our favorite gizmos--from the coolest new office gear to the latest laptop bags, from geek-chic T-shirts to a...

Make Automator work for you: learn how you can save time with Tiger's cool automation tools.(Apple Computer Inc.)
December 1, 2005... Sure, you've probably heard of macros, Apple-Scripts, and other timesavers for Mac users. But who has the time to learn how to save time? You do, now that you have Tiger's Automator application. Using Automator is as easy as breaking a task...

Photoshop Fling 3 & MacMania[TM] IV: escape to the good life. Allow yourself to be pampered. Unwind. Have fun. Enrich your mind. And do it all aboard a luxurious cruise ship.
December 1, 2005... Mexican Riviera February 4th-11th, 2006 [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Photoshop Fling 3/MacMania 4 During our cruise-conference, there will be four (4) three-day "tracks" offered at the same time: **...

iChat power tips.(enhanced product iChat AV 3.0 from Apple Computer Inc.)
December 1, 2005... Whether the holidays have renewed your commitment to keep in touch with distant family or kept you busy finalizing plans for the office party, 'tis the season for using iChat AV. And with version 3.0, Apple greatly enhanced iChat AV, adding new...

Make the most of Podcasts.(services of Apple Computer Inc. iTunes Music Store)
December 1, 2005... The latest versions of iTunes have helped Apple bring Podcasts--downloadable audio broadcasts that can be created by anyone with a microphone and something to say--to the masses. Only two days after Apple added a Podcast directory to its iTunes...

Automate Photoshop chores.(new product Automator from Apple Computer Inc.)
December 1, 2005... As a photographer, you tend to run through the same mind-numbing tasks over and over again: editing, resizing, saving, and so on--it's a glamorous life. Adobe Photoshop does offer some automation controls, but their powers are relatively...

Web apps work anywhere.(use of internet software)
December 1, 2005... Most of us have used a Web-based e-mail service to check our inboxes. But such services aren't the only Web-based applications out there--others offer credible alternatives to iPhoto, iSync, and even (for reading RSS feeds and maintaining lists...

5 workflows for geeks.(new product Automator from Apple Computer Inc.)
December 1, 2005... A robot programmed to do your bidding--who would pass that up? But many people think of Automator, Apple's newest Mac-automation tool, as a tool for beginners who are too scared to learn how to use AppleScript. In fact, Automator can be quite...

Mac OS X Hints.(HELP DESK)(Column)
December 1, 2005... The Insiders' Tips You Won't Get from Apple Assign Custom Icons More Quickly OS X lets you create custom icons for your files and folders, which is not only fun but also useful--you can, for instance, place a custom icon on all of a...

Mac 911.(HELP DESK)(use of different products of Apple Computers Inc.)
December 1, 2005... Solutions to Your Most Vexing Mac Problems Media Meltdowns I have converted many old VHS tapes to DVD-R, using namebrand media. When I tried to view one of my DVDs 18 months later, it stalled, skipped, and stopped dead in its tracks. I...

iBall.(Our Favorite New Stuff)
December 1, 2005... Many speakers are designed for use with the iPod, but they all require that you dock your iPod with the speakers (or, even worse, connect it via the headphone port). Oregon Scientific's $300 iBall, a transmitting iPod dock and charger paired...

OneLook.(Our Favorite New Stuff)
December 1, 2005... I've met plenty of digital dictionaries and thesauruses. But none of them has wooed me away from my trusty stack of reference books--until now. When I enter a term in OneLook, this elegantly simple (and free to use) Web site returns a brief...

Graphire4.(Our Favorite New Stuff)
December 1, 2005... For aspiring digital artists, Wacom's latest entry-level tablet bundle means there's no excuse not to get in the game. The Graphire4 tablet has two programmable keys and a scroll wheel, the pen has 512 levels of pressure sensitivity, and the...

What's hot.(Ed Zander of Motorola Inc. talks about the iPod nano)(report on MacWorld Exposition)(Microsoft Corp. introduced the desktop gadgets)(Brief Article)(Interview)
December 1, 2005... 1 During an interview, Motorola CEO Ed Zander says, "Screw the nano." Zander's comments followed on the heels of his "To hell with printers" tirade and his "Damn toaster burned my bagel" keynote address. 2 IDG World Expo cancels Boston's...

MacSudoku 2.1.(Our Favorite New Stuff)
December 1, 2005... Sudoku, the fiendishly addictive number puzzle, became a hit In Japan 20 years ago, And now it's available on the Mac. Using Rosborough Technology's $10 MacSudoku, I can do all the "what-if" work without all the scribbling and erasing. It lets...

Disc Stakka.
December 1, 2005... Do you hate those stacks of CD and DVD jewel cases piling up everywhere? Meet Imation's Disc Stakka, an automated carousel that stores your discs and retrieves them when you need them. You can store as many as 100 discs in a Stakka and stack as...