Are you concerned about the safety and security of your data? We are, and this week’s issue proves it. First, defense: Rich Mogull tells you how to protect yourself from new Mac OS X Trojan horses that have recently appeared. Next, offense: Joe Kissell, having just released major updates to his best-selling “Take Control of Mac OS X Backups” and “Take Control of Easy Backups in Leopard” ebooks, looks at the surprisingly robust state of backup software – 90-plus programs! – and discovers first-hand how that preparation is useful after his MacBook Pro dies. In other news, we cover the appearance of Mac OS X 10.5.4, critical updates for Microsoft Office 2008 and Office 2004, and the release of Mac configuration software for Linksys gateways. In the TidBITS Watchlist, we note the releases of Apple’s Pro Applications Update 2008-02 and Final Cut Server Update 1.1, Mars Edit 2.1.4, Keyboard Maestro 3.2, Dejal Simon 2.4.1, and Adobe Acrobat 9 Pro. Lastly, Adam and Tonya decide to try this “vacation” thing their friends have been raving about, so our next issue will be 14-Jul-08, though we’ll keep publishing on our Web site.
Although articles will continue to be published on the TidBITS Web site, there will be no email issue for 07-Jul-08, as we take a break to try out this newfangled concept of the "summer vacation."
Mac OS X 10.5.4 is out, with fixes for a variety of bugs, many of which are in iCal, though the recent ARDAgent security vulnerability remains open. We suspect that the update was prompted by the fix that resolves problems with saving and reopening Adobe CS3 files on remote servers.
If you're using Microsoft Office 2008, run, don't walk, to download and install the 12.1.1 update, which fixes the problem with downloaded or attached Word and Excel documents not opening when double-clicked, along with other troublesome bugs in Word, Excel, and Entourage. Office 2004 also receives some important fixes for crashing bugs and interoperability with Office 2008 applications.
Mac users with popular Linksys Wi-Fi gateways can now use real Mac configuration software from the company instead of the awkward Web-based configuration interface.
In conjunction with the third edition of Joe Kissell's best-selling "Take Control of Mac OS X Backups," we've released the biggest feature comparison of Mac backup apps ever, along with an update to "Take Control of Easy Backups in Leopard."
Joe Kissell has good backups of his data, but his backup plan had one crucial missing element: an adequately powerful second Mac to use when his main computer is on the fritz.
Take a few simple steps to understand and protect yourself from the latest malicious software targeting Macs.
The release of Time Machine hasn't slowed down development of third-party Mac backup programs. Not only are there more choices now than ever, backup features are evolving in new and surprising ways.
Notable software releases this week include Simon 2.4.1, Keyboard Maestro 3.2, MarsEdit 2.1.4, Final Cut Server Update 1.1, and Pro Applications Update 2008-002.
Our issue is full up, but we have plenty of other great stories for you, including Glenn's look at new top-level domain names and a call for Microsoft to throw Windows out and start over like Apple did, Joe's explanation of sparse bundle disk images, Ted Landau's coverage of text messaging on the iPhone, and how to print a picture on an M&M.
In this week's TidBITS Talk discussions, readers share their experiences with Firefox 3, debate the merits of AppleCare, examine the latest Mac OS X Trojan vulnerability, solicit suggestions for hands-free Bluetooth speaker systems for cars, and query about an unresolved PowerPoint 2008 bug.