Apple today released Mac OS X 10.2.3, a hefty update that rolls in a number of improvements and bug fixes to Jaguar. Some of these include compatibility fixes between the Mac and certain digital cameras or external CD burners, as well as enhancements to applications such as iPhoto, iChat, Mail, Disk Utility, and Disk Copy

Connectix Corporation today released a new version of Virtual PC, the company's PC emulation software. Virtual PC 6 focuses on improving integration and boosting performance, especially under Mac OS X 10.2 Jaguar

easyDNS Gift Certificate Clarification -- Our apologies to easyDNS for misrepresenting the utility of their gift certificates in last week's gift issue

TidBITS 2002 Holiday Hiatus -- This marks our last issue of 2002, and we're all looking forward to a few weeks off with friends and family during the holiday season

QuicKeys X 1.5.4 Improves Menu Selections -- CE Software has released QuicKeys X 1.5.4, which reportedly improves the macro utility's capability to select menu items as part of your shortcuts (though it unfortunately still can't select menus in Eudora)

Some Macs to Boot Mac OS 9 Through Mid-2003? Although Apple has not yet made a public statement, it seems some Macs that can boot into Mac OS 9 may remain available until mid-2003, contrary to Apple's announcement in September that new Macs would stop being able to boot Mac OS 9 in January of 2003. According to News.com and MacCentral, Apple claims the move is for education users, who ostensibly are taking longer to move to Mac OS X than "the rest of us." Thus, Mac OS 9-capable Macs will reportedly include CRT-based iMacs, the eMac, and the iBook

The future of the East Coast Macworld Expo trade shows was called into question by the recent dispute between Apple and IDG World Expo, and the cancelling of Macworld Expo Tokyo in 2003 added to the uncertainty

Digital cameras remain one of the hottest pieces of hardware in the technology world, with ever-higher resolutions and ever-lower prices. However, the vast number and variety of digital camera models means you're best off reading reviews and comparing models at one of the digital photography Web sites listed below

At the beginning of 2002 in TidBITS-612, I wrote "Peering Into 2002's Tea Leaves," an article that made some general predictions about which topics would garner the most attention this year

Fetch 4.0.3 Chomps Bugs -- Jim Matthews of Fetch Softworks has released Fetch 4.0.3, a free update to his popular FTP client that fixes numerous bugs and provides improved compatibility with Mac OS X 10.2 Jaguar

We doubt anyone would object to receiving a snazzy new iMac, PowerBook, iBook, or Power Mac as a gift this season (certainly not your humble editors). But this year's hardware gift suggestions focused on peripherals ranging from essential additions (better mice, more storage) to clever spins on mundane devices (a FireWire-breathing thunder lizard). For a few more ideas, be sure to check out past hardware gift suggestions; everything on last year's list would still be welcome to most Mac users

This portion of our annual gift issue is one of our favorites, since it's where readers suggest neat little accoutrements that may be inexpensive or even obvious, but which can make a real difference in everyday computer use

We rarely find time to delve into the fantasy world of computer games, but our readers came through with a number of suggestions for their favorite games

In an industry where everything changes constantly, it's good to have a few traditions, and one of ours is this annual double-size gift issue. Filled with numerous gift suggestions from TidBITS readers, it's safe to say that there's something for everyone here, even if they're not a Mac user

It doesn't matter type of Mac you own, old or new, you're running a wide variety of software. This year's suggestions ranged from software that makes you more productive to enhancements that tailor your Mac experience to your own tastes. Don't assume that software gift ideas from previous years are irrelevant just because almost all new development is being done for Mac OS X