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About this siteFor six years, the Internet Nexus served as my technology blog, but I've since started blogging at the SuperSite Blog instead. If you're looking for the blog, please head there. --Paul Friday, September 03, 2004MSFT Offers Real "Freedom of Music Choice"EEF: "Tech support for Microsoft's new MSN Music service is responding to the incompatibility between its downloads and the iPod by advising its customers to burn the downloads to CD, then rip the CD to a compatible format ... Now that's what I call freedom of music choice, in contrast to Real Network's misleading campaign of the same name. Of course, this does underscore what we've been saying for some time: the DRM used by authorized music services doesn't protect copyright owners (especially with MSN's own tech support telling you how to defeat it). It obviously hurts the legitimate customers who have paid for their downloads. So conscripting customers into the Apple v. Real v. Microsoft platform wars appears to be the only function for the DRM on authorized music services. And they want you to pay for this?" [ Posted at 10:22 AM | Permalink ]
We’ve Never Even Heard of This ‘John Gruber’ of Which You SpeakWell, he's done it again, except for once, he's done it with a startlingly low number of words. John Gruber, again, has proven that he's the most overrated "Mac analyst" on the Web with an inane comment following an otherwise correct assessment of quote by a Microsoft executive. "Why, I’m sure [Microsoft] even decided on the name of their weekly email newsletter years ago: [Sign up for New Music Tuesdays, just like the Apple newsletter]," Gruber writes. "I mean, what's Microsoft supposed to do? Release their new music on Wednesdays?" Uh, John. The music industry (and video/DVD industry) releases new cotent on Tuesday. Microsoft isn't copying Apple, it's doing what all music retailers are doing: Releasing new tracks on Tuesday. That's why Apple does it. That's why Best Buy does it. That's why Microsoft does it.Obviously. UPDATE: Gruber accepts adds from RealNetworks' Rhapsody service, which doesn't run on the Mac. Does that qualify as ironic? I think it might. 
Thursday, September 02, 2004How can I get MSN Music downloads to play on my iPod?MSN Music: "Although Apple computers and Apple iPods do not support the PC standard WindowsMedia format for music, it is still possible to transfer MSN Music downloads to an iPod, but it will require some extra effort. To transfer MSN-downloaded music to an iPod, you need to first create a CD with the music, and then you need to import that CD into iTunes. This process will convert the music into a format that can play on the iPod. We're sorry that this isn't easier - unfortunately Apple refuses to allow other companies to integrate with the iPod's proprietary music format. If you are an iPod owner already and unhappy about this policy, you are welcome to send feedback to Apple requesting that they change their interoperability policy."LOL. [ Posted at 12:46 PM | Permalink ]
Linux Doesn't Make Sense for DesktopseWeak: "Longhorn's woes may open a door for Linux—a very tiny door—but Linux just isn't a good choice for desktops. Instead, desktop Linux proponents should wake up and switch to the Mac OS ... People who use Mac OS X and think about such things consider it to be 'Linux done right.' Of course, it's Unix, not Linux, but that's a minor point. As Linux fragments, as it must, the distinction will become even more academic that it is already. Mac OS X has a better user interface than Windows, better security and is more stable. It's all the operating system most users need. It doesn't have the application support Windows enjoys, but there are many more excellent commercial OS X apps than there are Linux apps. If the desktop Linux people really cared about using a great operating system, they would stop trying to reinvent the wheel and rally around Mac OS X. It would be great if the contest were between two worthy operating systems, like Mac and XP/Longhorn. But Linux vs. Longhorn? You've got to be kidding." [ Posted at 12:14 PM | Permalink ]
First Look: Rio's Hot New Carbon MP3 PlayerPC World: "Rio's new 5GB Carbon is the sleekest MP3 player I've laid eyes on. Happily, the device, which hits stores this week, isn't just about looks: A simple interface and amazing battery life make it the new mini to beat. The Carbon targets music lovers who want something more pocketable than today's larger, higher-capacity 20GB hard-drive players, but who are unwilling to settle for lower-capacity, flash-based devices. At $249, it's not inexpensive, but it is comparable in both size and price to Apple's much-adored IPod Mini--and it offers a full 1GB more storage space." [ Posted at 12:11 PM | Permalink ]
Rio music player outpowers iPod miniVnunet: "Apple's iPod mini will face another rival on Friday when Rio launches a smaller and more powerful player at the same price ... the new Rio Carbon is significantly smaller than its iPod mini rival. It also has a claimed battery life of 20 hours compared to the iPod's eight, and comes with an extra gigabyte of memory. The first 500 Rio Carbons sold will come with a specially engraved casing and three months' subscription to Napster, as well as 20 free downloads."I saw one of these at a Microsoft reviewers workshop last month, and it's really sweet looking. You can order it here. [ Posted at 12:01 PM | Permalink ]
Gates: "We're Early on the Video Thing"Business Week: " Microsoft wants to steal some of Apple's thunder in the digital music business. On Sept. 2, it opens the doors to MSN Music, its online music store. At the same time, it will roll out a new version of its Windows Media Player, used to listen to music and watch video on a PC. And three partners, Samsung, Creative, and iRiver, are launching portable media devices that play video as well as music ... Microsoft Chairman and Chief Software Architect Bill Gates recently talked about Microsoft's revamped digital media strategy with BusinessWeek."Best quote: Q: Steve Jobs has said consumers aren't going to watch video on tiny screens. Is he wrong? A: Yes. Ask kids in the back of a car on a two-hour trip, "Hey, would you like to have your videos there?" My kids would. I guess Steve's kids just listen to Bach and Mozart. But mine, they want to watch Finding Nemo. I don't know who made that, but it's really a neat movie. So, yeah, we're early on the video thing. A video device costs somewhat more than just a pure music device -- up in the $500 range. But there's no problem with the screen. The experience for the kids sitting there watching that color LCD screen is fantastic. Getting the content providers to open up their broad libraries and making those things really easy to get at, we've put a lot into that. But [video is] not where the music scenario is. So I'm very proud of what we're doing there, but the explosion of video will be based on the work we do this year. [ Posted at 11:53 AM | Permalink ]
Innovative iMac no longer core of Apple Computer's revenuesReading Eagle: "Once its flagship product, the desktop model made up just 11 percent of the company's profits in the last quarter ... Tuesday, when Apple revealed its first new iMac in more than two years, there were no splashy magazine covers. Jobs, who is recovering from cancer surgery, wasn't there to promote the new flat-panel desktop. While Apple heralded the machine as a breakthrough, the company didn't bother to have a live Webcast of the event, which took place in Paris at an Apple Expo conference. The low-key unveiling highlights how much Apple has moved beyond what once was its flagship product ... At the height of the iMac's popularity in 1999, more than 700,000 units of the computer were sold a quarter, but sales have leveled off at around 250,000 units a quarter. In the last quarter, the iMac was just 11 percent of Apple's revenues. Indeed, in a sign of how little Apple relies on the iMac, the company barely was affected after it botched the computer's latest introduction." [ Posted at 11:48 AM | Permalink ]
Production problems delay Apple's new iMacTaipei Times: "Consumers will have to wait two more weeks before they can lay their hands on the new minimalist, all-in-one system ... Whatever consumers' response to the radically new design, the company's challenge may be one of market timing. Apple had hoped to bring the new iMac out during the summer, in time for the back-to-school home computer buying season. But the product has been delayed by production problems at IBM, Apple's manufacturing partner, which provides the computer's G5 microprocessor chip. The new computers will not be available in stores until the middle of this month. Apple executives on Tuesday acknowledged the possibility that the delay would cost them some sales, but sought to play down the impact ... The continuing shortage of G5 chips has not only delayed the introduction of the new consumer iMac, but has also limited Apple's sales of powerful dual-G5 desktop computers that are its most profitable products, priced at US$2,999 and up. Although dual-G5 machines are available, some customers are waiting for the new model." [ Posted at 11:41 AM | Permalink ]
Browse HappyBrowse Happy: "Internet Explorer can make your computer unsafe. Why not switch to a browser that's more secure? Brought to you by The Web Standards Project, a grassroots coalition fighting for standards that ensure simple, affordable access to web technologies for all." [ Posted at 11:41 AM | Permalink ]
Microsoft security chief uses Firefoxgemal.dk: "Microsoft's head of security, Stephen Toulouse, has accidentally revealed that he uses Firefox. In an interview with Wired here, Toulouse was chatting about how security was an industry wide problem and not Internet Explorer specific. Then he mentioned that only that morning he had to download an upgrade to Firefox to block a flaw that would've allowed an attacker to run a program on his system. While he meant to point out how other browsers have the same problems as IE, he just happened to reveal that he surfs using the rival browser. Of course it is unlikely that he does not find IE a particularly secure proposition and there must be a really good reason he has Firefox on his computer." [ Posted at 11:40 AM | Permalink ]
Wednesday, September 01, 2004New Mozilla Web Site LaunchesMozilla.org: "The new Mozilla.org web site launched today, thanks to the good folks at silverorange and the generous support from MozSource." [ Posted at 9:22 AM | Permalink ]
Apple Expo 2004 keynote videoApple: "Apple Expo is Europe’s largest Mac-dedicated event, and this year’s show — which takes place at Porte de Versailles in Paris from August 31st to September 4th — is bigger and better than ever. This year’s Apple Expo keynote is delivered by Philip Schiller, Apple’s senior vice president of Worldwide Product Marketing, at the Palais des Congrès in Paris. See the video-on-demand presentation right here."Related: The iMac G5 introduction video, where I find it odd how Apple is pushing the design similarities with the iPod. Clearly, the company has turned a corner where its consumer electronics products, and not its computers, are what's really cool. But the reason this is odd is that the current design for the iMac is what people expected when the 2G iMac showed up. In fact, didn't Jobs showed a mock-up of a chopped off flat panel iMac when he introduced the 2G iMac and basically make fun of that design? Can anyone dredge up that clip? Are the inmates running the asylum? [ Posted at 9:13 AM | Permalink ]
How to determine if you have a Hewlett-Packard iPodApple: "Learn how to determine if you have an iPod sold by Hewlett-Packard (HP). HP began selling a version of iPod in September, 2004. Note: HP, not Apple, provides support and service for Hewlett-Packard iPods. Your iPod was sold by Hewlett-Packard if: It has an HP logo on the back."Ah. I thought you could tell by the big "L" tatooed on your forehead. :) [ Posted at 9:07 AM | Permalink ]
Tuesday, August 31, 2004A second trip through DOOM 3...So I just completed DOOM 3 for the second time. The first time, I plowed through the game in four days and completed it on Veteran mode, though I cheated to beat the End Boss, thinking that it would be impossible. On my second trip through DOOM 3, also on Veteran mode, but this time played at 1024 x 768 with the effects all bumped up to maximum, it took a longer by design--about two weeks--because I wanted to make sure I didn't miss any secrets, tips, or hidden features. And I actually beat the End Boss (and, for what it's worth, the entire game) without cheating: Turns out it's pretty easy, too (just kill each monster as it comes out of the pit, and then use the Soul Cube on the big guy 4-5 times and he goes down). And sure enough, I did run into a few things I had missed the first time around, but much fewer than I had hoped for. My favorite was the "id" secret right at the end, which I've documented below. It includes a PDA with a bunch of thank you emails from the id folks. Good stuff.
iMac G5 VESA Mount Adapter KitApple: "Allows iMac G5 to be used with VESA compliant mounting solutions such as wall mounts and articulating arms. The iMac G5 VESA Mount Adapter allows your iMac G5 computer to be used with a variety of alternate mounting solutions such as wall mounts and zero footprint articulating arms based on the VESA flat panel mounting interface (FPMI). The new iMac G5 family features a removable desktopfoot. iMac G5 VESA Mount Adapter Kit contains a tool that allows you to remove the system foot and to attach the VESA Mount Adapter to the computer ... Available for order in October."Thanks Cliff. [ Posted at 5:40 PM | Permalink ]
Apple says sold 5 mln songs on Euro iTunes storesReuters: "Apple Computer said on Tuesday it had sold five million songs in the first 10 weeks after opening three European iTunes Music Stores on the Internet in Germany, France and Britain. It made the announcement in a presentation on the fringes of the annual Apple Expo here. Worldwide, Apple has sold more than four million of its market leading iPod digital music players and sold more than 100 million tracks on its iTunes online music store in the United States since it was launched in April last year." [ Posted at 1:51 PM | Permalink ]
The New iMac: One Thing Too ManyApple Matters: "The new iMac has it all. A G5 Processor and a stunning design. It is fascinating to look back at the evolution of the iMac design. The first, now famous, Bondi Blue iMac with its futuristic all-in-one design. Next the cube-like-base with a unique swivel arm holding a beautiful flat screen display. Now the display has become the computer, held by an elegant stand that also functions as an arm. Notice a trend? Everything revolves around the display."Not everything. For example, the display itself does not revolve. In the previous generation iMac, the most-oft-touted feature was its elegant display arm, which let the user easily move the display up, down, left, and right. What's available on the new iMac? Up and down. Just like virtually every other display on earth. It's a shame. [ Posted at 10:15 AM | Permalink ]
'Buggy' Virex 7.5 withdrawnMacworld: " Apple has withdrawn Virex 7.5 from .Mac, citing 'technical issues'. The software was made available to .Mac subscribers last week, through the Members Software folder. A note on the company's site recommends users who have installed the updated virus protection software to uninstall it. Apple says: 'Due to customer feedback and technical issues currently under investigation we have temporarily discontinued distribution of Virex 7.5 from McAfee until further notice.' The company promises to make previous version of the software, Virex 7.2.1 available to members, and is offering a script with which to uninstall the software."Lovely. And I had just installed it, too. [ Posted at 10:09 AM | Permalink ]
Initial iMac Availability To Be Limited, Sources SayTMO: "Apple dealers are being told that flat-panel iMac G5s will be in very limited supply until late-November, early-December. Apple introduced the new iMac today to cheering crowds during the Apple Expo keynote in Paris, France. Independent dealers say that the flow of new iMacs will be a 'trickle' when they initially become available in mid-September. TMO was also told that the 17" model will be most readily available unit in the beginning, and that 20" models will be virtually non-existent when the iMac G5 first ships in mid-September. Supply constraints should ease across the product line in late-November or early-December."Here we go again. [ Posted at 10:07 AM | Permalink ]
The new iMac G5: Nothing to hide... including the fact that it's derivative and boring. My God, is this really the best they can do? The previous generation--expensive as it was for what you got--was at least gorgeous looking, head-turningly-gorgeous looking. The new iMac is ... My God, guys.I can just see the marketing for this one: It's like a big iPod! Get it? Anyone? That's just a shame, it really is. 
Monday, August 30, 2004Loving the Linspire DesktopLinux Planet: "Linspire, one of the easiest version to use, comes in both desktop and laptop versions. You can download it from the Linspire Web site for $49.95 or order a disk for $59.95. Formerly known as Lindows, the company was forced to change its name due to legal pressure from hyper-vigilant Microsoft over its 'Windows' trademark. Designed for the masses, the Linspire software loads itself. It automatically deals with almost all the configuration details that can be so frustrating for small business owners. It also comes pre-loaded with a series of commonly used applications so you can just perform one install and then get to work. One of the great things about Linspire is that it doesn't just simplify the technology; it avoids confusing jargon, too. A person fluent in geek-speak would describe Linspire thusly: an implementation of Debian Linux with the KDE desktop (Debian is just a common version of Linux; KDE is short for 'K Desktop Environment,' a user interface often used with Linux). Linspire totally avoids such jargon. The basic desktop icons come with descriptive, functional names rather than techie terms. Instead of 'Mozilla 1.7,' the desktop icon reads 'e-mail.'" [ Posted at 6:16 PM | Permalink ]
Corel: WordPerfect for Linux shall returnNewsForge: " Shortly after the release of the WordPerfect for Linux proof-of-concept product, Corel took it down from its Web site and put up a note saying that 'This product is temporarily unavailable for purchase.' Did it fail? Did WordPerfect for Linux fail to garner enough customer support and subsequently go quietly into the night? Corel says no. 'We're looking at reviewing some aspects of WordPerfect for Linux and making some alterations to it,' Corel spokesman Greg Wood said on Friday. When asked if there were plans to port WordPerfect 12 to Linux, or to produce a parallel release to the Windows product on GNU/Linux, Wood said that it would be pure conjecture at this point, and that Corel was still in the process of evaluating its potential in the Linux market. 'Our investigation into the Linux market is serious and ongoing,' he added." [ Posted at 6:15 PM | Permalink ]
'No more years!' chant Bush foesSo I won't bore you with my political views, but this MSNBC article has both restored my faith in this country and my belief in God. "Bearing flag-draped boxes resembling coffins and fly-swatters with President Bush’s image, more than 100,000 protesters peacefully swarmed Manhattan’s streets on the eve of the Republican National Convention to demand that the president be turned out of office. Flanked by police in riot gear, the protesters moved through the fortified city, loudly and exuberantly chanting slogans such as 'No more years.' They accused the White House of waging an unjust war in Iraq, making the country poorer and undermining abortion rights." [ Posted at 10:23 AM | Permalink ]
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