It’s hard to tell whether Chris Seibold is serious or very bad at comedy but he has managed to post a Dvorak-esque article entitled “Five Reasons Why There Will Be No Macs in 2010”. Well I am here to present a nice counter argument to that. The era of the all-in-one hardware and software solution is here and alive now and this is why Apple is smart enough to stick with it:

1. Leopard

We don’t yet know the details of this mysterious release but it is safe to say that Apple is taking notice of Vista and planning accordingly. We can guess at three key features/improvements: resolution independent UI, improved Spotlight searching and an improved Finder. The first two are are fairly easy to guess at. The basis for resolution independent UIs is already in Tiger (granted it isn’t enabled) and looking at the way Apple is going with its hardware (higher resolution screens) it’s easy to see why they would want to look at implementing this. Spotlight is obviously a starting point and it would be a HUGE surprise if we didn’t see an improvement in meta data handling in Leopard. The improved Finder is based just on the job opening for a Finder developer but seeing as Leopard is still almost year away we could see it feature.

These show that Apple is looking at how it can match Vista and outperform it. Apple isn’t prepared to drop the ball. And don’t expect Apple to have taken these…
(Continue)

“I’m Elmer FUD. Be vewy quiet, we’re hunting vulnerabiwities!”

DT staff member and server administrator Sogni has written up a piece on his (Mostly) CyberLife Blog calling for people to “shut the FUD up” when it comes to Mac security.

All of this is FUD and people wanting their 15 seconds of fame, and it is making me lose my temper!

Either show me an outbreak or SHUT THE FUD UP!!!

All these people screaming “the sky is falling” simply want to instill fear, uncertainty and doubt into would-be and newbie Mac owners. But the fact of the matter is that Mac OS X is one of the safest operating systems out there, and thousands of times safer than Microsoft’s Windows OSs.

He also offers up a number of ridiculously easy ways to secure your computer; you know, like not giving out your password and stuff like that.

If I hear about one more OS X “Virus”, “Trojan”, “Worm” or “Hack” I swear I’m going to SCREAM!!!

From exploiting ancient vulnerabilities that had been resolved ages before it became an issue, to writing a shell script and tricking people to run it, and my all time favorite - “hacking” into a Mac OS X box (by getting the owner to give you SSH access, opening ports and disabling the firewall)…

All of this is FUD and people wanting their 15 seconds of fame, and it is making me lose my temper!

Either show me an outbreak or SHUT THE FUD UP!!!

All these people screaming “the sky is falling” simply want to instill fear, uncertainty and doubt into would-be and newbie Mac owners. But the fact of the matter is that Mac OS X is one of the safest operating systems out there, and thousands of times safer than Microsoft’s Windows OSs.

Any computer can be secure or vulnerable depending on the actions of the owner.

Here are some tips to be safe - no mater what operating system you use.

Don’ts

x Do NOT use a “root” or “administrator” account for normal use!
When configuring your computer, setup an admin account 1st with a good password, then add your user account(s) as regular users.

x Do NOT give strangers an account on your computer.

x Do NOT open ports unless you know exactly what you are doing!

x Do NOT give out your password!

x Do NOT use…
(Continue)

Inspired by a recent conversation with Pilky, who is buying a new Intel iMac 17”, let’s debate the Intel Mac mini, the (non-Intel ) iPod Hi-Fi, and the Intel iMac.

Prices for baseline w/out discount or tax or warranty:
iPod Hi-Fi = $349
Mac mini = $599
iMac 17” = $1299

Assuming you already have some iPod, hopefully not a tiny nano or mini, but rather one with the biggest available screen the iPod Hi-Fi will provide you at least average sound---better if you use AIFF---and it will be completely impossible to see what song is playing.  That’s where I’m lost.  You need to sit close to an iPod to operate it because it is normally hand held. 

I’ve used the iPod connected to a dock and speakers for two years and it’s always been inconvenient, although less so now with a remote.  You’re always blind even on a playlist you are familiar with. 

The iPod Hi-Fi has the same exact flaws.

Now when we use an iMac, and I have one, with Front Row you have the best experience.  You have like eight times the screen size and its vivid.  You could do the same with a Mac mini hooked up to a [HD]TV.

Remember the Mac mini’s slogan BYOKVM (Bring Your Own Keyboard, Video, and Mouse) has not changed.  You pay extra for all the peripherals that normally come standard with the iMac.  I’m not going to price out the difference because you can use many brands and quality…
(Continue)

I can’t remember the last time I’ve seen such a reaction of disappointment resulting from an Apple announcement. Was it the $99 leather case? The iPod HiFi, which looks like a toaster oven? the Intel Mac mini with a higher price and integrated graphics? Or maybe overinflated expactations thanks to rumors (and fairly convincing fakes) of a touch-screen iPod, iPhone, Apple tablet, Intel-based iBooks, etc..?

As much as I like following the rumor mill, it’s gotten to the point where the rumors are getting out of hand. Rumors are at the point where, instead of generating positive buzz for Apple, they’re causing increased expectations that Apple simple does not match. “Apple didn’t release a 2 Terahertz Mac mini with Quad Core processor and holographic storage? They’re losing their edge!” The result of these rumors ends up being a negative buzz. Not good. In the case of the last media even, it’s not so much that the new products suck as it is that people--yes, myself included--get sucked into the rumor hype of a movie store or new iPod or DVR. So it’s given that we’ll be disappointed when Apple releases smaller-scale new products instead of launching an all-out assult on the living room. Maybe a press release would have been a better approach for Apple, so we didn’t get overly excited over the last media event?

For what it’s worth, the one thing that disappoints me most is the pricing of the new products, not necesarrily the new products themselves. An…
(Continue)