Happy Birthday Opera!
Opera is celebrating its 10th birthday.
...and they're giving away free registrations only until the party lasts.
Technorati Tags: opera
« July 2005 | Main | September 2005 »
August 31, 2005
August 30, 2005
Esquivalience
Henry Alford has a terrific little piece in this week’s New Yorker about the apparently-longstanding practice at dictionaries and encyclopedias of putting small fake entries into their books; the idea being that if the fake entries are spotted in other dictionaries / encyclopedias, they’ll know they were plagiarized.
Word spread that the New Oxford American Dictionary had a fake word that started with ‘e’, and lexicographers narrowed it down to esquivalience, a made-up word that supposedly means “the willful avoidance of one’s official responsibilities”, and the word was later spotted on Dictionary.com.
The New Oxford American Dictionary, of course, is the dictionary behind Mac OS X 10.4’s new Dictionary application, and, indeed, there’s an entry for esquivalience, complete with usage examples and fake etymology. (Go ahead and look it up with a Command-Control-D.)
(Via Kottke.)
I enjoyed reading this because I never knew this "practice" is happening. Well, I checked OS X's Dictionary and the entry's indeed there however, it's now gone at dictionary.com. Since the word's all over the net now (do a search), will the word be considered "real?"
Technorati Tags: dictionary
August 27, 2005
Google rant
The net's abuzz about the Google stuff being introduced. However, I'm asking myself, what's there to be excited about? I think that as a Tiger user, I have been pampered with OS X applications that make Google apps well, boring.
Spotlight allows me to search my hard drive and all connected hard drives with it. iChat is the simplest IM client I've used while Adium lets me configure it to be as cluttered or as simple as I want it to be. Meanwhile, the Dashboard is there as an alternative desktop layer (for RSS, news, weather, pictures, email checker, ... basically anything I could find useful). UPDATE: Of course, there's this other application that offers convenience in basic photo editing, emailing, and storage -- iPhoto!
If there's something I'm happy about, it's seeing PC users getting a nibble of what comes native in OS X.
Technorati Tags: google
August 24, 2005
Google Talk
One Finger Snap
Old Jewel Software got my attention late yesterday. They have updated One Finger Snap.
One Finger Snap is a Preference Pane that brings up the contextual menu whenever you click and hold down the mouse button. This means that you can do everything with a single-button mouse that you can do with a 2-button mouse.
This is actually one of the features I miss from OS 9. If there's a free alternative to access this option on OS X, then I've not seen it. At least, I've registered and have shown my support to yet another developer. (The registration process is fun too, try it out.)
Use Quicksilver to look up words
[TUAW]
Tim explains to us how to use Quicksilver to find definitions in Tiger's Dictionary.app (another favorite application of mine, but I wouldn't want to marry it. We're just friends). If you don't have Quicksilver you should download it and give this tutorial a whirl, it'll hook you.
Great tip! I use this now if I'm not using the "mw <word>" search I do with Camino.
Technorati Tags: quicksilver
August 20, 2005
Opera mini on a Sony Clie TH55/E
Thanks to Kran, I was able to make Opera mini run on a TH55/E.
Frankly, I'm a bit disappointed. The progress indicator animation area blinks and does not always show the blue progress indicator. Another cause for concern is the blinking (!!) TH55/E power light -- it blinks red and green as a page loads!
Pages sometimes do load fast but there's no way to change how the page renders. There's no hires+ support.
Overall, the browser is slow and is obviously not optimized for the TH55's processor.
Verdict: not worth the effort to install on a Clie.
I'm staying with Netfront. (and the Sony PSP browser, but that's another story )
August 16, 2005
OS X Updates
I haven't run Software Update for quite a while. So here's a list of the updates I haven't installed yet:
- GarageBand 2.0.2 addresses issues with time signature handling, Apple Loops authoring, locking tracks, and improves compatibility with Mac OS X Tiger.
- AirPort 4.2 fixes connection problems and resolves security issues with WPA2 wireless networks.
- iPhoto 5.0.4 addresses an issue with browsing photos that have been auto-rotated by a camera.
- Security Update 2005-007 delivers a number of security enhancements and is recommended for all Macintosh users. This update includes the following components:
AppKit
BlueTooth
CoreFoundation
cups
Directory Services
HIToolBox
Kerberos
loginwindow
OpenSSL
QuartzComposerScreenSaver
Security Interface
Safari
X11
zlib
For detailed information on this Update, please visit this website: http://www.info.apple.com/kbnum/n61798
August 15, 2005
Sync the Address Book with your Treo
I haven't figured out why this is so... so here goes...
1. In Address Book, make a new group (I called it ForTreo).
2. Select all of your address book entries and drag them into the ForTreo group.
3. Fire up iSync.
4. Click your PDA's icon (they don't have the Treo icon yet ;))
5. Select Force slow synchronization.
6. In Contacts, Synchronize: ForTreo.
7. Hotsync.
If a group is not selected, the Treo's Contacts list will attempt to overwrite the Address Book entries in the Mac. There's a warning message from The Missing Sync though, so we're safe in this area.
The new group in Address Book can now be deleted. From here on, you can set iSync to NOT force slow sync. You can also set contacts syncronization back to All Contacts.
Of Mac minis and iBooks
Our six (?) year old Bondi iMacs are starting to act up. I recommended that the school get Mac minis to lower costs because I was thinking that if we do need to have things repaired, they'd go out separately (mini, display, keyboard, mouse).
However, the cost of a Mac mini setup will be hovering near a low-end iBook's price. In my experience, iBooks have been more reliable than the eMacs. I'm also thinking that it's probably time to expose students to iBooks... or the use of laptops because I see laptops as the next desktop.
So it's going to be an interesting choice ... but the students win in either scenario. I just hope that the students realize how extremely fortunate they are in having access to these sorts of equipment.
August 12, 2005
Treo rumors
I've just come out tired after going through 1src posts about the rumored Treo. I came out tired and a bit depressed because basically the conversations have this pattern: "The Treo <xxx> <does/doesn't> exist. Those <pictures/videos> are <real/fake>. You guys <rock/suck>. And Jeff, I <love/hate/would want to kill> you." The conversations attempt to sound calm when in fact all I feel are feelings of fear that their favorite smartphone will die.
I'm looking around and I see my Clie NX70V, UX50, and TH55... they're supposed to have died when Sony pulled out of the Palm world. You know what? Even if they're a bit scuffed, they ALL still work. Even if the WM Treo exists, then I don't care anymore. It's clear to me that the Palm OS will continue to be my OS of choice. Crystal.
Hmmm... I guess it's time for a shot of espresso to clear my mind... (it's like deleting Saved Preferences in my Palm).
Technorati Tags: treo
Powerbook Graphics Update 1.0
If you have a 1.67GHz 15"/17" Powerbook, then this is for you. This update improves graphics stability.
Check it out at Apple Support.
August 10, 2005
Google News RSS
PSP web browsing
I do most of my browsing with my Powerbook and with my PC. Sometimes, I use the TH55 (the UX50 drained batteries like crazy) when I'm mobile. It was only this weekend that I got to play with my newly updated PSP (Japan). I went straight to the browser and absolutely loved seeing my favorite websites rendered in the PSP screen. I came to appreciate sites like http://www.pdaportal.com and the various mobile editions of other sites. Text input was a bit tedious (ok, it's hell) but after having created my bookmarks, going to different sites was problem-free.
I see so much potential in mobile web browsing. I'm not talking about what we have now in our phones, or small screen PDAs but on new devices that will offer better screens and hopefully better text input alternatives. I'm excited on what I'll get to see and try next!
One button mouse
Since I have a one-button Apple Bluetooth mouse, I decided to use it exclusively since last weekend. This came after the release of the Mighty Mouse and the many reviews about this new Apple mouse. I was thinking how far I can "survive" without multi-buttons so I dusted my Bluetooth mouse and began my normal work.
I found out that using the CTRL key to do a right click came naturally. I don't know what trained me to do this in the past but there it was. I also realized that I seldom needed to use a right click at all. What I missed was the scroll wheel but the space bar (and shift space bar) was more than enough to do page ups and downs in my browser.
After several days, I still love using this Bluetooth mouse. It's simple, elegant... and most things are nicely a one button mouse click away.
August 09, 2005
First Podcast from Space
One day before landing, STS-114 Mission Specialist Steve Robinson transmitted the first podcast from space.
Technorati Tags: nasa
August 08, 2005
Mars Flag
http://www.marsflag.com has really nothing to do with the planet Mars (as what I first thought)... but rather it's a new search engine. Going to this Japanese site results into a search site-like place. You don't need to figure out what everything means, yet. Just type in your search query and prepare to be amazed.
Technorati Tags: search
August 06, 2005
Clear the Desktop
That's what I did yesterday morning after reading the Expert Tip feature at .mac.
What I found helpful was making an "In Box" folder that would be placed in the sidebar. This folder now houses my files for later organization. Downloaded files are also pointed to this location.
So if you're a .mac subscriber, check out the Expert Tips! I devoured it word for word and I'm glad I did.
August 04, 2005
QuickSync
One of the first things I noticed about the palmOne LifeDrive is its folder sync feature. palmOne describes it as "Designated folders—and the individual files and other folders within them—synchronize automatically whenever you use the LifeDrive Manager window to synchronize." This is one of the factors that makes the LifeDrive a great device. However, this feature is for Windows users. What about if you're a Mac user? Here's where QuickSync comes in. In fact, here's where QuickSync shines.
Read my review of QuickSync. Only at 1src.com.
August 03, 2005
How To Make a Paper CD Case
Paper CD Case is an online service that allows you to create a printable PDF that will print out a neat little CD case.
Perfect for those times when I can't seem to find the paper/plastic reusable cases I've saved for these occasions.
Mighty Mouse
Apple has announced Mighty Mouse, a multi-button mouse. It features designs that could only come out from Apple: four touch sensitive buttons, a scroll ball, and audible feedback clicks. The design is seamless and should make single and multiple mouse button users ecstatic.
I have several mouses, my favorite being the Logitech MX1000. But if there's a Bluetooth Might Mouse, I'll surely get one.
Technorati Tags: mouse
August 02, 2005
Breezkit For Harcover Photo Books
Breezkit allows you to create your own hard-bound, coffee table quality book of photos.
Everything you need is contained in the kit, all you need is a printer and to be able to follow what look to be very simple instructions. And the quality? Well they feel it's better than some online services offer.
I'll probably consider getting one of these after getting one of the Canon Pixma series printers. However, I still want to check out the Kodak books that iPhoto helps create for you.
Technorati Tags: photobook
August 01, 2005
Akihabara News for the PSP
Akihabara News is now PSP-ready. This is actually a collection of articles formatted as 480 x 272 jpg's. Download and put the unzipped folder in your PSP memory stick (PSP / PHOTO / AKIBA) and you're good to go.
Technorati Tags: psp
MacJournal adds Spotlight support
I'm back to using MacJournal for its updated Spotlight support. Any Spotlight search hit will now point to the specific MacJournal entry.
Technorati Tags: macjournal, spotlight
Opera to Stop Spoofing User Agent as IE
[Slashdot]
Anonymous reader writes "The Opera browser will stop spoofing its User Agent (UA) as Internet Explorer. Currently Opera, by default, spoofs its UA to identify itself as Internet Explorer. This is seen, by some, as a move that will bring up Opera's usage stats a bit higher, and will hopefully make webmasters, who develop IE centric sites, more aware of Opera."
Finally! I've always set Opera to identify itself as Opera. At least for the sites I visit regularly, there have been no problems.
To quickly choose Opera's User Agent, just go to Opera>Quick Preferences.
Technorati Tags: opera