We launch into 2010 with not one, but two new ways to read TidBITS while on the go. We’re especially pleased to announce the free TidBITS News app for the iPhone and iPod touch, and those who prefer the Kindle can now subscribe to TidBITS on that platform as well. And what to read? Jeff Carlson works around a bandwidth limitation to install a specific printer driver from the Gutenprint collection, Glenn Fleishman offers helpful tips on improving Wi-Fi performance in the 5 GHz band, and Joe Kissell delves into the past and present of right-clicking on the Mac (or is that Control-clicking?). Notable software releases since our last issue in December include Things 1.2.8, WireTap Anywhere 1.0.6, 27-inch iMac Graphics Firmware Update 1.0, Keyboard Maestro 4.0.1, Mail Services Update 1.0, Firefox 3.5.6, Pro Tools 8.0.3, Hazel 2.3.5, Epson Printer Drivers 2.2 for Mac OS X 10.6.1, and Lexmark Printer Drivers 2.2 for Mac OS X 10.6.
For all our readers who use an iPhone or iPod touch, check out our new TidBITS News app! It provides access to the full text of all recent TidBITS articles, complete with graphics, embedded movies, and, when available, audio versions.
If you're a Kindle addict, rejoice! Now you can read TidBITS on your Kindle alongside other books and newspapers downloaded from Amazon.
After installing Mac OS X 10.6 Snow Leopard on his mother's computer, Jeff Carlson discovered that a sizable printer driver upload threatened to surpass the bandwidth cap imposed by her satellite Internet service provider. Fortunately, a smaller solution was available.
As the 5 GHz band becomes increasingly used for Wi-Fi and cordless phones, some readers are finding interference in previously wide-open spectrum spaces. A few tips may help you reclaim space in that spectrum.
The Mac may have resisted multi-button mice for years, but now every Mac user should know how to give their mouse the middle finger (so to speak).
Notable software releases since our last issue in December include Things 1.2.8, WireTap Anywhere 1.0.6, 27-inch iMac Graphics Firmware Update 1.0, Keyboard Maestro 4.0.1, Mail Services Update 1.0, Firefox 3.5.6, Pro Tools 8.0.3, Hazel 2.3.5, Epson Printer Drivers 2.2 for Mac OS X 10.6.1, and Lexmark Printer Drivers 2.2 for Mac OS X 10.6.
Though we weren't writing much during our end-of-year vacation, we were keeping up with what was going on in the Apple industry. Steve Jobs was named the top CEO in the world, Microsoft was banned from selling Microsoft Word (at least in theory), and Apple tablet rumors continued to build. Also, MacTech is soliciting fun Mac stories, David Pogue continued to browbeat cell carriers for usurious business practices, Google donated millions to charity, and Apple both apologized for iMac shipping delays and made it possible to buy iTunes gift cards via Facebook. We also did a few podcast guest appearances, and Glenn wrote a great article comparing nine GPS navigation apps for the iPhone.
This week's discussions cover a broad range: getting Mail and Gmail to talk; pondering whether it's possible to use an iPhone as one's sole computer; replacing an aging Power Mac; using OpenType fonts between Mac and Windows environments; converting Eudora mailbox archives; distributing the multimedia project If Monks had Macs; keeping printer ink fresh when not in use; recording streaming audio; and buying a scanner.