Our 2007 coverage begins with the release of the first-ever TidBITS Archive CD, containing the complete archive of our 17 years of Macintosh reporting! Then Glenn Fleishman examines Apple’s stock option backdating woes, and Joe Kissell looks at the VMware Fusion beta for those interested in virtualizing Windows on a Mac. We also write up the releases of PreFab UI Browser 2.0, Simon 2.2, and updates to Microsoft Office 2004 and Office X, and pass along some Macworld Expo event updates. Anchoring the issue is the first installment of an occasional column by college freshman Dan Pourhadi aimed at explaining how and why young people interact with technology as they do.
A few months back, I wrote a brief bit about how MacTech Magazine had created a CD containing the complete archives of the magazine (see "MacTech Creates Archive CD," 2006-11-13)
Macworld Expo is always a hectic time for us, what with oodles of appearances and signings, and sometimes we can't nail them down entirely before our last issue of the year
Microsoft's Macintosh Business Unit (also known as MacBU) wrapped up 2006 by releasing updates to its core suite of productivity applications. Office 2004 for Mac 11.3.2 Update, a 13.7 MB download, fixes a problem that could cause PowerPoint 2004 to unexpectedly quit
Dejal Systems last week released Simon 2.2, the latest version of the company's Internet service monitoring tool, which can also check for content updates to Web pages
PreFab UI Browser is a scripter's tool. You don't need it unless you need it, but if you need it, it's exactly what you need. As I explained in TidBITS four years ago ("Scripting the Unscriptable in Mac OS X", 2003-03-10), as well as in my AppleScript book, when you need to write a script that clicks buttons, reads scrolling lists, and chooses from menus, the Accessibility API and System Events are the only way to go; and UI Browser is the best way to figure out how to use them
Last week VMware finally made good on its promise at Apple's Worldwide Developer Conference (WWDC), releasing a public beta version (registration required) of its new virtualization software for Mac OS X, code-named Fusion
Steve Jobs did not benefit from the discontinued practice of stock-option backdating at Apple, a company board committee led by board member and former Vice President Al Gore reported at the end of December
[Adam here. I recently turned 39, and as much as I don't feel old physically, there are times when reading about how teenagers use technology - the stuff I've been writing about for 17 years! - make me feel simply ancient
Optimizing DNS settings -- If your Web connection seems to be sporadic, perhaps the issue is with DNS lookups. Readers suggest methods of streamlining DNS, including working with various hardware routers