The big news this week came from Google, not with something new, but with the cancellation of something old: Google Reader. Josh Centers offers some suggestions for alternatives, if you’re accustomed to reading RSS news feeds via Google Reader or syncing them between devices with other RSS apps. And Adam Engst takes advantage of the opportunity to look more deeply into what the shuttering of Google Reader means in terms of tools versus platforms, publishers versus distributors, and the infinitude of Internet information. Bringing things back down to earth, Adam also looks at the OS X 10.8.3 update, and Joe Kissell introduces FlippedBITS, a new column aimed at correcting technology misconceptions, with the first installment aimed at explaining what to watch out for when booting from a duplicate of your hard disk. Notable software releases this week include Security Update 2013-001 for Snow Leopard and Lion, MacBook Pro Retina SMC Update 1.1, Pear Note 3.1, LaunchBar 5.4.2, Microsoft Office 2011 14.3.2 and 2008 12.3.6, Default Folder X 4.5.8, and Dropbox 2.0.
Apple has released OS X Mountain Lion 10.8.3 Update to address a wide variety of specific bugs and security vulnerabilities. Also included is Safari 6.0.3, with performance improvements and bug fixes, plus plugs for various security holes.
Joe’s new ongoing column, FlippedBITS, promises to set readers straight on a wide variety of confusing technical topics.
Bootable duplicates are an important part of a complete backup strategy. But when you have to boot a Mac from such a disk — even if only temporarily — things may not always behave as you expect. Joe Kissell sheds light on some of the common points of pain and confusion when starting a Mac from a duplicate.
Google Reader is shutting down 1 July 2013, and developers are scrambling to make alternatives available. Josh Centers shows you some current entries that might make the switch less painful.
Google’s announcement that it will be shuttering Google Reader in a few months causes Adam Engst to ponder a host of related topics, ranging from the distinction between tools and platforms to the silent war being waged against us by the infinite.
Notable software releases this week include Security Update 2013-001 for Snow Leopard and Lion, MacBook Pro Retina SMC Update 1.1, Pear Note 3.1, LaunchBar 5.4.2, Microsoft Office 2011 14.3.2 and 2008 12.3.6, Default Folder X 4.5.8, and Dropbox 2.0.
On the Web this week, Andy Rubin of Google’s Android team steps aside, Adam Engst talks about the demise of Google Reader and how tools are becoming platforms on MacVoices, Microsoft walks back a strict and unfriendly licensing scheme for Office for Mac 2011, and our brainboxes are puzzling the implications of Dropbox buying Mailbox.