eXtensions: Macs in Bangkok - Information

Podcast #242

Wed, 10 Mar 2010 17:39:57 +0700

Would you be willing to pay an internet tax? That was one of the solutions put forward by Microsoft last week as a way to deal with all the malware problems. A sort of injustice there, methinks. The problems I had last time with Aperture vanished and I was able to get back to work.

Aperture 3 (2): Light at the end of the Tunnel

Wed, 10 Mar 2010 07:11:44 +0700

A few days after I wrote about the depressing process for upgrading to Aperture 3, Apple released an update (3.0.1) that fixed most of the problems for users. Many people had reported difficulties and these centred on library conversion, especially if images earlier used in Aperture 2 had had multiple adjustments. Installations that were new (for example in my Admin account, which I do not use on a day to day basis) were generally problem-free.

After the 24 hours of processing, Aperture settled down, although there were still some difficulties: my version crashed on occasion while trying out some new tricks; and I was not alone. The 3.0.1 update improved things greatly and I have been able to use this software to do what it was designed for.

Podcast #241

Wed, 03 Mar 2010 16:26:55 +0700

This week I am going through the painful experience of upgrading from Aperture 2 to Aperture 3. The release was expected, and perhaps overdue, but not the pain.

Plus coverage and comments on local and international news and stories that caught my eye.

Aperture 3 (1) - A Dubious First Day

Wed, 03 Mar 2010 08:08:46 +0700

perture 3, a long-awaited update, was released in early February with over 200 additional features. Aperture 2 had begun to creak and this worsened after the Snow Leopard update last year: a 32-bit application for professional photographers on a 64-bit operating system. As soon as the online store for Thailand was back online, I ordered my update which arrived at my office on Monday morning. The update was 3,690 instead of 7,290 baht for the full version ($99 and $199). After lunch I opened the box.

I was taking a risk in updating a major application with a hard disk approaching usable capacity, but this sort of thing does not usually deter me. Testing or reviewing, after all, means finding out what can go wrong as well as what is right. With Aperture 3 I had a fair dose of both.

Zeus - a Trojan Story from Rixstep and the costly fallout for small guys

Thu, 25 Feb 2010 09:48:52 +0700

Read it. Zeus, like other similar malware, does not affect Macs.

Aperture updated (3.0.1)

Thu, 25 Feb 2010 16:26:02 +0700

Not really a surprise here, although this update is a bit sooner than some people expected. We are told it improves overall stability and addresses a number of issues in Aperture 3, including,

Upgrading libraries from earlier versions of Aperture
Importing libraries from iPhoto
Importing photos directly from a camera
Memory usage when processing heavily-retouched photos
Face recognition processing
Adding undetected faces using the Add Missing Face button
Printing pages containing multiple images
Printing photos and contact sheets with borders and metadata
Editing photos using an external editor
Display of images with Definition and Straighten adjustments applied
Zooming photos in the Viewer and in the Loupe using keyboard shortcuts
Accessing Aperture libraries on a network volume Selecting and moving pins on the Places map
Adding and editing custom locations using the Manage My Places window
Switching between masters when working with RAW+JPEG pairs.

Podcast #240

Wed, 24 Feb 2010 15:39:24 +0700

While I have managed to fix many of the Aperture disasters I reported last week, this is still not a perfect product: there is much more to come. This week I am having a brief look at the eBook as this medium along with other types of ePublishing are going to become bigger in months to come, despite those who cannot see past the end of their noses.

The eBook Format: Creating Content for the Smart Phone

Wed, 24 Feb 2010 08:12:17 +0700

Some never listen properly to Apple's announcements, preferring to make cheap points. Several criticisms of Apple's new online book store that commented on probable copy protection, failed to mention that current book readers (like Amazon and Sony) do this, nor that Apple is embracing the ePub format: an open source file type for publishing.

On the iPhone, I use Amazon's Kindle App and the Stanza reader, which I downloaded when the App Store first appeared here. As the iPhone supports the .EPUB format, I examined some software that would help me make my own examples. If, as an ordinary user, I can do it, then others can. . . .

Wired on the iPad - This is what we have been waiting for, for 15 years

Thu, 18 Feb 2010 08:55:05 +0700

An article this week on Huffington Post carries an interview with Wired personnel and video clips of how the iPad version of the magazine will probably work; and as Chris Anderson, editor in chief, says, "This is what we have been waiting for for 15 years."

The article has a useful video and a link to a simiar, but slightly less-dynamic article on the Andy Warhol founded Interview Magazine although the video certainly has some high points.

Podcast #239

Wed, 17 Feb 2010 17:05:06 +0700

Last week Apple updated Aperture to version 3 and my disk arrived Monday morning so I started the process after lunch. I am not a happy man. This week, perhaps connected for some, is the idea of backing up data before major changes or disasters.The main section this week looks at the Wednesday Post article, A Question of Backing Up.

A Question of Backing Up Data

Wed, 17 Feb 2010 08:23:32 +0700

I usually write the eXtensions column on a Sunday. Before starting this week's offering, I restarted my MacBook Pro. Again. . . .

As I am writing these words, the mirror of my website, which I keep on my MacBook Pro, is being copied to my iMac upstairs. For this operation, I use the Finder and login as a specific user (me) on the target machine, then I have access to the files and transfer them over my home network.

When I go to my office tomorrow, the first thing I do is to connect a 500G LaCie hard disk on my desk to the Firewire port (FW800) of the Mac. Time Machine then backs up the hard disk. . . .

Podcast #238

Wed, 10 Feb 2010 18:20:08 +0700

Although I had a look at the iPad in the podcast last week, I tried to be careful to avoid duplicating what was to be the main article this week.

Apple's iPad: Early Impressions and Some Comments

Not surprisingly it is clear that some are missing the point here and it is again no surprise to see some familiar names and publications appear in the corner which dooms the iPad and Apple to an early death. You will note this week that the Zune is on offer at reduced prices in the US.

Apple's iPad: Early Impressions and Some Comments

Wed, 10 Feb 2010 08:13:28 +0700

In some ways I was disappointed by Apple's "latest creation," the iPad, which at first glance looked to me like an iPod touch on steroids, but perhaps because it was just what I was expecting - at least on the outside. But Apple have ambitious technical goals and more features will become available. The pricing looks good, starting just below a psychological $500 in the US. I estimate after VAT this will be under 20,000 baht here. There are three wifi units and three with wifi plus 3G: 16G, 32G and 64G. The 3G units will be unlocked.

Aperture Updated to Version 3

Tue, 09 Feb 2010 21:39:39 +0700

Aperture 3, a long-awaited update that has lots and lots of new features: Apple says 200+. Faces and Places have been added and it is now, as expected a 64-bit application. Also added apparently is my wish: a tool to adjust focus. It is $199 for the full version and, lucky me, $99 for an upgrade.

Podcast #237

Wed, 03 Feb 2010 17:55:16 +0700

As was expected the new creation from Apple was a tablet computer that they are calling the iPad, although a lot are disappointed about the name. A lot are also failing to look past the tablet reader form. This week I am looking forward to my next MacBook Pro which is now on order.

Update to iPhone and iPod touch - 3.1.3

Wed, 03 Feb 2010 07:58:23 +0700

Apple has released an update to the iPhone and iPod touch firmware which is now at version 3.1.3. We can get this when we connect the device to iTunes. The fuxes are reported to be for the battery level indicator on the 3Gs, for fixing a problem when some 3rd party apps fail to start, and to craching apps with the Japanese keyboard (Kana).

Out with the Old: Get Ready for the New

Wed, 03 Feb 2010 07:48:53 +0700

When I was a teenager, I had a series of cheap, used cars. The criteria for changing those that lasted was either that the ashtrays were full or the tyres needed changing.

I do not drive much these days, but similar rules apply with my Macs. Not that I smoke nowadays. I have had my current MacBook Pro for almost three years and it has run almost faultlessly through three different versions of OS X. I have not powered the Mac down in all that time, apart from when updating software and changing the battery, with only two forced shutdowns. In short: a reliable machine.

That has changed recently and the "ashtray principle" applies: my hard disk is reaching capacity.

iTunes update - 9.0.3

Tue, 02 Feb 2010 09:40:51 +0700

There has been a minor update to iTunes released bringing it to version 9.0.3. Among the improvements are:

• iTunes no longer ignores your "Remember password for purchases" setting.
• Addresses problems with syncing some Smart Playlists and Podcasts with iPod.
• Resolves a problem recognizing when iPod is connected.
• Addresses issues that affect stability and performance.
iTunes 9 comes with many new features and improvements, including:

• An improved look and feel, including a new Column Browser for easily browsing your artists or albums, movies, TV shows, and more.

• iTunes Store has a brand new look, with improved navigation for quick and easy exploration.

• iTunes LP and iTunes Extras create unique experiences that feature exclusive interviews, videos, photos, and more — available with select album and movie purchases on the iTunes Store.

• Home Sharing helps you manage your family's iTunes collection between computers in your home. iTunes can automatically transfer new purchases, or you can choose just the items you want.

• Genius Mixes are created for you by iTunes and play songs from your library that go great together.

• iPod and iPhone syncing now allows you to organize your iPhone and iPod touch home screens directly in iTunes. Syncing is now also more flexible, allowing you to sync individual artists, genres, or TV show and Podcast episodes.

• iTunes U items are now organized into their own section in your iTunes library.

• Sync with iPod nano (5th generation), iPod classic (Fall 2009), and iPod touch (Fall 2009).

• iTunes 9 also includes many other improvements, such as HE-AAC encoding and playback, more flexibility with Smart Playlists rules, simpler organization of your media files inside an iTunes Media folder, and more.

Podcast #236

Wed, 27 Jan 2010 18:22:55 +0700

Apple Making More Advances: iPhone and the Future; plus Q1 Financial reports; with rumours and news from Thailand and elsewhere.

We may have one of the most interesting weeks out of Apple for a long time this week. Already we have the quarterly results and after the podcast goes out, there is likely to be -- if rumours are right -- a significant product announcement. There are also expected to be several updates to software and hardware this week. In a sort of anticipation I am looking this week at some apps that might be perfect for a tabet computer. If one were to exist, of course.

Apple Making More Advances: iPhone and the Future

Wed, 27 Jan 2010 06:51:59 +0700

This is a busy week for people following Apple. If you are reading this column on Wednesday (27 Jan), early yesterday Thai time Apple's First Quarter financial results were announced. This was expected to be another good quarter, following high sales over the New Year period: some reports showed a 31% increase over the previous year.
Tomorrow (Thursday 28)- Thai time again - there is an Apple Special Event at San Francisco's Yerba Buena Center. All Apple has to do is make an announcement and the media start a feeding frenzy. I do not know what is coming. Nor does anyone else, despite the authoritative pronouncements of some, apart from a small group at Cupertino. This group are under what one commentator calls a "Cone of Silence": identical to pre-release iPhone conditions.

Apple Financial Report (Q1)

Tue, 26 Jan 2010 09:39:19 +0700

Reporting, best-ever results, Apple just released its Q1 2010 figures with some interesting data. What next for Cupertino?

Podcast #234

Wed, 20 Jan 2010 15:33:12 +0700

Angkor by iPhone; plus Apple rumours galore, as well as some real news and comments.

As we approach the end of January things are getting interesting around Apple: the earnings report, anticipation of product announcements and retaliation for Nokia's actions are all included this week, while the main article has a more peaceful theme. And I have a cold.

Apple releases Security Updates for Leopard and Snow Leopard users

Wed, 20 Jan 2010 23:01:25 +0700

Apple has released Security Update 2010-001, version 1 which is recommended for all users with 10.5.8 and 10.6.2 versions of OS X. There is no other information concerning the content of this download which is available via Software Update or the Apple downloads pages (make sure you select the right one).

Angkor by iPhone

Wed, 20 Jan 2010 08:25:03 +0700

I am always trying to expand my uses of the iPhone, adding to its original design ideas with use of apps: technical evolution, not revolution. The iPhone allows us to use new types of media, for example: the current types like newspapers and books are declining.

Apple releases MobileMe Gallery App

Tue, 19 Jan 2010 12:50:12 +0700

For those who use Mobile Me, the Gallery is an attractive alternative way to show pictures online. Now Apple has released an app for that.

The link is to the App Store

Podcast #234

Wed, 13 Jan 2010 16:44:56 +0700

A fair amount of water under the IT bridge this week, with CES notable for what was not there, and to an extent who was. While many pro Microsoft commentators tried to make much of Ballmer's so-called keynote speech, it was little more than an extended advertisement with only a couple of minutes given over to an HP tablet computer.

The main item this week is on More Apps for iPhone Cameras. We laso have lots of news, rumours and comments on what is and what may be.

More Apps for iPhone Cameras

Wed, 13 Jan 2010 08:18:27 +0700

Although I carry an SLR camera about with me, I find that increasingly I use the iPhone 3G to take pictures, partly because there are now so many apps, allowing special effects to be used easily. I reviewed several last August in Post Database and several more in my Bangkok Diary blog. Recently there was a surge of photo apps.

How accurate is your touchscreen?

Sun, 10 Jan 2010 11:46:36 +0700

A lot of claims are made for the touchscreens of mobile phones and I refer often to the disappointment of a friend who had one of these phones from Korea. he is much happier with his iPhone now.

My input on this was subjective, but Moto Labs have carried out some research on a variety of phones and they conclude, "all touchscreens are not created equal." They test the iPhone, the HTC Droid, Motorola Droid and Gogle Nexus One. The HTC Droid had the best edge performance, while the iPhone traced the best.

Snagit beta for Mac

Thu, 07 Jan 2010 07:46:25 +0700

Snagit, a screen capture program that is already known on the Windows platform is being made available for OS X. Currently in beta, there is a free download of this for users to try.

Unlike the simple screen capture of the Mac, this application allows a certain degree of image manipulation, such as arrows and speech bubbles for customization of the capture.

2D Barcodes and Tags for the iPhone and other platforms (Updated)

Wed, 06 Jan 2010 22:08:12 +0700

Attending conferences, I exchange business cards with others, but back home I have to sift through the amassed pile and enter contact data. This takes an excessive amount of time.

It would be efficient if business cards carried codes so, I have looked at ways to scan data using mobile phones: in my case the iPhone. I focussed on 2D codes: specifically QR code (Quick Response); and Microsoft's "Tag" system which is still in beta. Both work on a variety of phones, including Blackberry and Nokia.

This was updated later with some more information on Lynkee a free scanning app that I can now get to work properly.

Bangkok Diary: Three Video Apps for the iPhone 3G (the 2G can play too) - Updated again

Wed, 06 Jan 2010 21:29:03 +0700

iVideoCamera an apps in the original review has had a significant update and there are several more ways to export files, but the most important part to this update counters my previous criticism and video exported to the desktop is now usable. Now this is really worth downloading.

Podcast #233

Wed, 06 Jan 2010 16:16:37 +0700

2D Barcodes and Tags for the iPhone and other platforms; Apple and Apps; Apple and Microsoft; Nexus One; plus other news and comments.

This week, some praise for Microsoft in the main article on its execution of a 2D barcode system. I do manage to redress the balance on Redmond in the news section later.

2D Barcodes and Tags for the iPhone and other platforms

Wed, 06 Jan 2010 06:53:07 +0700

Bangkok Diary: Three Video Apps for the iPhone 3G (the 2G can play too) - Updated again

Thu, 31 Dec 2009 17:37:31 +0700

Camcorder which was one of the apps in the original review has now been updated and it is now possible to export files either by email or by saving them to the camera roll. In addition,

Podcast #232 - Will there be new year surprises from Apple?

Wed, 30 Dec 2009 17:30:46 +0700

When I write articles for the Bangkok Post, I have to send them in about 10 days before the Wednesday publication and in that time, the world can change. This week is a good example, with lots of news on the tablet computer, which may be the iSlate and even something on upcoming software changes from Apple. C'est la vie. . . .

The answer to the rhetorical question in the title is, Of course. Just what, and when are closely guarded secrets, but this leads to much speculation.

Will There be New Year Surprises from Apple?

Wed, 30 Dec 2009 08:54:31 +0700

For the last couple of years at the end of December, part of me has been preparing for trips to MacWorld. This year, Apple will not be at the Moscone Center (although MacWorld is still running): no Steve Jobs, no Keynote, no new products. Maybe.

The upside is that all those hundreds or more of Apple employees, who had been directly or indirectly involved in the rollout of new products, will have their first new year at home with no early January deadline. Maybe.

Podcast #231

Wed, 23 Dec 2009 16:14:46 +0700

Christmas and New Year Apple Shopping (2): Notebooks, iPods, Gift-wrap and iPhones; with Apple news and rumours; relative dynamism of Microsoft and Apple; poor maintenance on local Macs; plus other local and international news with comments.

Bangkok Diary: Three Video Apps for the iPhone 3G (the 2G can play too) - Updated

Tue, 29 Dec 2009 14:18:12 +0700

With the development continuing to apps, two of those in the original review have now been updated. The update to iVideoCamera that arrived on 29 December has changes to -

Digital zoom up to x10 has been added
There is an option to encode videos later (the option appears just after the recording is stopped and opting for later saves time if we want to record more)
The main interface has been redesigned
Resolution is increased to 320 x 427

Beware the Mozilla caller - Edison

Wed, 23 Dec 2009 11:11:17 +0700

A heads up from a local user on Tweeter this morning took me to a Mozilla blog page which is reporting someone called "Edison" contacting businesses in Thailand and using the Mozilla name. Absolutely not, says Mozilla. Pass any information on to press at mozilla dot com please.

Christmas and New Year Apple Shopping (2): Notebooks, iPods, Gift-wrap and iPhones.

Wed, 23 Dec 2009 08:50:12 +0700

With the advent of large amounts of false snow and polystyrene reindeers in central Bangkok, we are aware that the Christmas and New Year season is in full swing. That means present buying for others and ourselves. Corporate buyers may also be looking for gifts, or for their organisations: budgets open at the stroke of midnight on 31 December.

Since I wrote the first part of this New year review, Rescuecom has published findings that show Apple was equal top with Lenova in computer reliability ratings for the Third Quarter of 2009.

True Move offer reduced costs on iPhones

Wed, 23 Dec 2009 08:49:30 +0700

A quick look in the Bangkok Post, Holiday Time, this morning shows a True advertisement. With the New year season and the fact of 100,000 iPhones sold, True are reducing prices from 24 - 31 Dec (or "until stocks last").

iPhone 3G (8G) - 18,900 baht
iPhone 3Gs (16G) - 22.900 baht
iPhone 3Gs (32G) - 26,400 baht.

Apple issued updated graphics firmware for iMacs

Tue, 22 Dec 2009 08:36:06 +0700

There have been some problems with video on certain iMacs (27") that use Radeon graphics cards and Apple has now released a firmware update for these.

Video Apps review updated

Tue, 22 Dec 2009 08:33:37 +0700

The review I completed yesterday for the video apps on the iPhone 3G has now been amended following receipt of information from Kenditech about future updates.

Bangkok Diary Monday 21 December 2009: Three Video Apps for the iPhone 3G (the 2G can play too)

Mon, 21 Dec 2009 17:18:14 +0700

One of the interesting points about the iPhone has been the number of photography apps that have appeared for it, from special effects to filters and a number of other ways in which the user can squeeze the best out of the feature which, particularly when compared with a digital SLR device, does come up lacking in some areas.

Podcast #230

Wed, 16 Dec 2009 18:33:34 +0700

Christmas and New Year Apple Shopping (1): Sources, Mac minis and iMacs; Apple News and Rumours; iPhone news; plus whatever else came my way; and is there a second iPhone carrier for Thailand?

This week we are thinking of Xmas shopping and I am suggesting both the Apple online store and the iStudio branches as complements to each other's services.

Updates to printer drivers

Wed, 16 Dec 2009 07:12:22 +0700

Apple has released updates for Epson and Lexmark printer drivers. With the Epson release there is also updated scanner software as well. This is available via Software Update or the Apple Downloads pages.

Christmas and New Year Apple Shopping (1): Sources, Mac minis and iMacs

Wed, 16 Dec 2009 07:02:55 +0700

As the new year is approaching with Christmas only a few days away I looked round some Bangkok iStudio outlets and on Apple's online store to see what is available.

Using the Internet to check prices, and even make an order, might suit some people, particularly those with no shop nearby, but there are drawbacks, most notably the aspect of personal service. This has improved greatly, especially since the iStudio franchise was set up. The staff all attend rigorous training sessions and are more knowledgeable about the products than was the norm years ago. In the stores I visited, staff have been polite and helpful.

Adobe Flash Updated

Thu, 10 Dec 2009 23:00:46 +0700

From MacNN, we hear that Adobe has published a new version of Flash Player, updating the software to v10.0.42.34.

They also tell us that a future update will drop PowerPC support.

There is a link to the new download via the MacNN page.

Update on MS Apple ban

Thu, 10 Dec 2009 19:17:32 +0700

I did actually remove this earlier today but such is the nature of the Internet and other data sources (as people keep finding out, even in the last few days - enough to make the news) that the deleted feed item still appears on the list.

We hear from other sources, posted after the original, that the spokesperson may not have been from Microsoft after all, but from Samsung as that company was introducing new hardware.

Bangkok Diary Thursday 10 December 2009: Tyger, Tyger - a Satire

Thu, 10 Dec 2009 18:29:47 +0700

With profound apologies to the poet William Blake (I am surprised no one has done this already). It has all got out of hand

Tyger! Tyger! burning bright. . . .

Podcast #229

Wed, 09 Dec 2009 16:58:47 +0700

The Presentation Secrets of Steve Jobs; Apple News; the Music business; the iPhone and iPod; Thailand's stagnant 3G; plus other news and comments.

As one of those major turning points, at least in use of technology, I like to cite the announcement of the iPhone. For me the invitation to attend MacWorld in 2007 was a nice recognition from Apple that I was on the right track with the eXtensions articles; and it was also great to be on hand to experience a first rate presentation. My students have suffered ever since.

Book Review - The Presentation Secrets of Steve Jobs

Wed, 09 Dec 2009 08:20:36 +0700

In 2007, I attended MacWorld in San Francisco and watched Steve Jobs introduce the iPhone giving a stellar performance. The next weeks saw articles ranging from the wildly enthusiastic to those that tried to convince the world that the iPhone was a dead duck. In July that year, Carmine Gallo wrote in Business Week on the presentation itself and what made Jobs' presentations so powerful.

Gallo followed that in September 2009 with The Presentation Secrets of Steve Jobs in which he analyses the techniques more fully.

Apple releases Java update 1

Fri, 04 Dec 2009 07:04:15 +0700

Apple has reeased a Java update that, we are told, delivers improved compatibility, security, and reliability by updating Java SE 6 to 1.6.0_17.

Podcast #228

Wed, 02 Dec 2009 16:32:28 +0700

We may be approaching Xmas, but after that is the new year, so rumours are beginning to fly about what is coming soon. Or not. This week we look a bit more at changes to System Preferences in Snow Leopard and I also sneak in a look at the Magic Mouse.

OS X Updates, Snow Leopard and System Preferences (2)

Wed, 02 Dec 2009 09:09:27 +0700

Snow Leopard had many changes under the hood. It was expected that a couple of updates (the first to fix immediate problems) would improve things and with 10.6.2 I am now finding it snappy.

There were a number of improvements to the installation, including security, networking, and some graphics issues. I found that Aperture lost the sluggish behaviour it had been showing. Apple's Mail program was also upgraded and password authentication was one of the changes. Users were advised to check in the preferences panel to ensure the correct method of authentication was being used (e.g Password, Kerberos).

With Snow Leopard, while a lot of the changes wrought were under the hood, there are several visible changes to certain parts of the interface, including some of the System Preferences.

Podcast #227

Wed, 25 Nov 2009 16:44:19 +0700

I am starting this podcast several days earlier than usual as this week I am in Kuala Lumpur, flying there on Monday. I will have to keep my fingers crossed concerning Internet Access . . . but as you are seeing this, I was successful. All uploaded, by the wonders of modern sceience, direct from Kuala Lumpur.

A lot of System Preferences as well as other applications are Unix utilities with a graphic interface and they help us make the computer work the way we want. At least, that is the theory. Some of them lack the real fine-tuning needed for some special actions and the smart guys may use Unix commands for that last little bit.

Updates - Final Cut Server and iPhoto (8.1.1)

Wed, 25 Nov 2009 07:54:04 +0700

Apple has released updates for Final Cut Server and for iPhoto '09 (version 8.1.1). These are available via the Apple downloads pages.

OS X Updates, Snow Leopard and System Preferences (1)

Wed, 25 Nov 2009 07:24:46 +0700

The second week of November saw the expected 10.6.2 update to OS X, Snow Leopard; and what a whopper it was. Although the Delta download as shown in Software Update was some 157MB, I went for the Combo update. The Disk Image file is just over 500MB. There was a smaller basic update of 473MB. The Delta update is a simpler version that modifies the current installation and may be all that most users need. I like to keep a copy of the most recent Combo version in case I need it for maintenance. It also makes it easy for updating the two Macs at my house.
Later in the week, Safari was updated as well: to version 4.0.4. Along with other issues, some users had reported problems with the Adobe Flash plugin. The update improved this for many.

Rather than the visible makeover of other upgrades such as Leopard, Snow Leopard itself had only subtle surface changes. This may be seen particularly in System Preferences . . .

Podcast #226

Wed, 18 Nov 2009 18:17:54 +0700

This week we have the last of the articles on panoramas, and this is formed round an interview I did with a local professional.

Panorama Imaging (3) - BluePano and software solutions

Wed, 18 Nov 2009 08:30:36 +0700

With panoramas, there is much that ordinary users can do, but the best results come from professional level hardware and software. In early November, I met with Danai Chutinaton of BluePano in a Sukhumvit coffee shop. I can only aspire to the excellent online examples of his work.

New Printer Drivers - Brother, Canon, HP and Lexmark

Tue, 17 Nov 2009 08:59:22 +0700

Apple has relesed four separate downloads with the latest printing and scanning software for Brother, Canon, HP and Lexmark devices on OS X, 10.6, Snow Leopard.

They were not shown (in my case) in Software Update, but are available via Apple's downloads pages.

Podcast #225 - Weekend Extra

Fri, 13 Nov 2009 18:17:38 +0700

Great Scott. There has been so much news in the last couple of days, that I pretty much have enough for a weekend extra. There is, of course, no main item but lets see how this works out.

Not long after Podcast #224 went out, I did install the 10.6.2 update to Snow Leopard. As some people had reported problems, I was ready. And careful. I moved the package from the download over to the Admin account on my MBP then shut down all applications on the user account -- I always have loads open and there are one or two that need files to be saved, so this catches that problem. Then a restart. I just want everything to be tidy and to make sure no rogue processes get forgotten.

Safari updated

Thu, 12 Nov 2009 06:51:34 +0700

Apple has announced an update, to version 4.0.4, of the browser, Safari. It will require a restart.

Apple tell us that the update is recommended for all Safari users and includes improvements to performance, stability, and security including:

Improved JavaScript performance
Improved Full History Search performance for users with a large number of history items
Stability improvements for 3rd-party plug-ins, the search field and Yahoo! Mail

It is available via Software Update and the Apple Downloads pages.

Podcast #224

Wed, 11 Nov 2009 17:05:59 +0700

As is usual, up to Monday, when I start recording this, it was quiet, except for the weekend report of an iPhone worm. And on Tuesday, I woke to find the 10.6.2 update to Snow Leopard. I am on part 2 this week of my broad look at making panoramas.

Panorama Imaging (2) - Open Source and Shareware on the Mac

Wed, 11 Nov 2009 08:24:51 +0700

I recently looked at a couple of ways to create panoramas, using the special hardware of the Gigapan system and some simple software on the iPhone. These were two extremes and most users who want to try this sort of image manipulation will be working with a combination of hardware and software: camera, computer, and a suitable program. This week I am looking at two examples of panorama software for the Mac: Open Source and shareware.

Snow Leopard updated to 10.6.2 plus Security Update 2009-006

Tue, 10 Nov 2009 08:42:30 +0700

Apple has released the latest update to its Snow Leopard operating system and it is now at version 10.6.2.. The basic update is some 473MB, while the Combo is shown as 479MB. There are also updates for OS X Server. When Software Update is used, the file size is shown as 157.7MB.

Several issues are covered by this update concerning graphics, files, Mail and Address Book; and I also notice an item that deals with Safari plug-ins (Flash?).
Along with this there is a separate Security Update.

These are available via Software Update or the Apple Downloads pages.

Panorama Imaging (1) - The Great and the Small

Wed, 04 Nov 2009 08:09:14 +0700

A panorama is a wide photograph, perhaps of a landscape or group of people. Such images need either a special camera, such as we see at a graduation, other equipment, or software for the purpose to join several images and make a large picture: a process called "stitching". Or we can cheat.

iTunes update

Fri, 30 Oct 2009 08:28:46 +0700

We see that iTunes has had another update - this time to version 9.0.2 and there is a related update to Apple TV which has major interface changes and is now at version 3.0.. For iTunes, Apple tells us,

• An improved look and feel, including a new Column Browser for easily browsing your artists or albums, movies, TV shows, and more.

• iTunes Store has a brand new look, with improved navigation for quick and easy exploration.

• iTunes LP and iTunes Extras create unique experiences that feature exclusive interviews, videos, photos, and more — available with select album and movie purchases on the iTunes Store.

• Home Sharing helps you manage your family's iTunes collection between computers in your home. iTunes can automatically transfer new purchases, or you can choose just the items you want.

• Genius Mixes are created for you by iTunes and play songs from your library that go great together.

• iPod and iPhone syncing now allows you to organize your iPhone and iPod touch home screens directly in iTunes. Syncing is now also more flexible, allowing you to sync individual artists, genres, or TV show and Podcast episodes.

• iTunes U items are now organized into their own section in your iTunes library.

• Sync with iPod nano (5th generation), iPod classic (Fall 2009), and iPod touch (Fall 2009).

• iTunes 9 also includes many other improvements, such as HE-AAC encoding and playback, more flexibility with Smart Playlists rules, simpler organization of your media files inside an iTunes Media folder, and more.

Podcast #223

Wed, 04 Nov 2009 18:27:37 +0700

As I put this together it has been a fairly quiet week so far although Loy Krathong fireworks are getting to me and the dog -- the neighbours do them outside my house as they think it is funnier. This week, the first of a series that will be looking at making panoramas.

There is an underrated utility on the Mac. Not many of us think about Image Capture, although it does more than you would think. Most people use it to select the application that opens when a camera is attached, although with the Mac, of course, when you first connect a device it asks you to make a choice.

Something now to ginger up those watching the 3G debacle in Thailand: we read that Sprint in the US is rolling out more and more test cities for 4G. They added about 10 to the list, many of them the same size as, or larger than the City of Angels. Read and weep.

Podcast #222

Wed, 28 Oct 2009 16:13:27 +0700

Lots of good news from Apple last week, and probably lots more to come. I have one of those, "Clear the Decks" articles in the Post this week.

A Phuket user who prefers Lightroom to Aperture contacted me on Monday morning asking for advice concerning putting the old version in the trash. Apparently, when he downloaded the latest version, instead of replacing the old version as most application installers do, this put the new Lightroom alongside the old one. What do you do?

The 3G saga continues in Thailand, which is apparently vying for last place in Asia with India. There were a couple of articles in the main sections in the Post this week with a headline that made me groan (again) on Monday when I read that the auction was to be put back once again. A cartoon in the Post on Tuesday, with three characters carving up a cake was very apt.

Tuesday evening here was livened up by reports all over that suggested Apple was seeding some product, like a tablet computer in Australia and fishing for content. The Sydney Morning Herald had some information on this as did the Register which also brought in the apparent slip of the tongue by a NYTimes editor that was reported widely the day before. This is so unlike Apple.

Filling in Some Gaps: iPhones, Macs and OS X

Wed, 28 Oct 2009 06:42:13 +0700

I spent some time recently using an iPhone 3Gs on loan from True Move. As I have already been using an iPhone 3G on extended assessment, it was useful to compare these back-to-back. When the iPhone 3G first arrived to wide-eyed lust at my house, I had to make a promise that this would be a Christmas gift. Last week I kept that promise.

Podcast #221

Wed, 21 Oct 2009 15:52:05 +0700

It is an exciting week. With Apple's Q4 figures just out, there is a major anticipation of how Apple is leaving others behind. My article is one of many coming out at this time with a similar theme: the App Store is Apple's Trojan Horse.

Among other things, this week's podcast also has a look at the Q4 figures and then the new Apple products released some 24 hours later.

Whither Goeth the App Store

Wed, 21 Oct 2009 08:45:35 +0700

When Apple's app store finally came online in Thailand, I was pleased not just because I could download firmware updates for my iPod touch, but also because I would be able to try some of the apps available then. I had a few of the web apps that came first, but these needed internet access so were limited.

Last month Apple announced that there had been over 2 billion downloads from the App Store, and that there were 85,000 apps available for download with more than 125,000 members signed up for the Developer Program.

New Apple Products and Updates

Wed, 21 Oct 2009 00:23:01 +0700

Not completely unexpected, especially after the Apple Online Store was offline for over an hour today, Apple has released -

A new iMac with 21.5 and 27" displays, at prices ranging from 43,900 baht for a 3.06Gz version, to 73,900 for a 27" quad-core 2.66Ghz,

An updated MacBook with a 2.66Ghz processor and 250G hard drive for 36,900 baht,

Mac mini in 3 versions, from 2.26Ghz, 160G at 22,900 baht, 2.53Ghz and 320G at 29,900 baht, plus a 2.53GHz version with dual 500G hard disks that comes with OS X Server software.

A Magic Mouse that comes with touch technology at 2,390 baht.

Performance Update

Thu, 15 Oct 2009 09:14:43 +0700

Some users (not me) using Snow Leopard or Leopard may find that there is a Performance Update (of about 300KB) available via Software Update. This is intended to address an issue in which some users experience intermittent stalls related to the hard drive.

Products Affected
MacBook Air (Mid 2009), MacBook Pro (17-inch, Mid 2009), MacBook Pro (13-inch, Mid 2009), MacBook Pro (15-inch, Mid 2009), MacBook Pro (15-inch, 2.53GHz, Mid 2009), iMac (20-inch, Mid 2009), MacBook Pro (17-inch, Early 2009), MacBook (13-inch, Early 2009), MacBook (13-inch, Mid 2009), MacBook (13-inch, Aluminum, Late 2008), MacBook Air (Late 2008), MacBook Pro (15-inch, Late 2008), iMac (24-inch, Early 2009), iMac (20-inch, Early 2009), Mac mini (Early 2009)

I am one using a computer which was not in that list.

Podcast #220

Wed, 14 Oct 2009 18:00:35 +0700

This week's podcast goes with the second article on use of a 3Gs iPhone from True Move here.

In some exasperation at the end of the main article I mentioned the state of number transfers in Thailand and the non-arrival of real 3G. To its credit the Bangkok Post's main editorial on Tuesday was on the sorry state of 3G for which Thailand can claim a true last place. On Tuesday afternoon in the Nation's Breaking News section, we read that the labour unions of the foot-dragging state monopolies are now after a ruling from the Constitution Court because the bidding may be unconstitutional and foreign firms may get a slice of the cake. As there are no Thai telecommunications firms without a foreign shareholding, this may be somewhat moot. Another case of don't hold your breath.

iMovie Updated to 8.0.5

Wed, 14 Oct 2009 18:00:43 +0700

We note that iMovie has been updated:

This update improves compatibility with a number of devices and fixes other minor issues, including:

Improved compatibility with camcorders using the iFrame video format
Improved compatibility with importing video captured on the iPod nano
Fixed problems with resizing the iMovie window during playback

More of a look at an Apple iPhone 3Gs from True Move

Wed, 14 Oct 2009 09:33:25 +0700

At the end of September, thanks to True Move, I had an iPhone 3Gs in my hands for some 10 days. In the first part of this 2-part assessment, I looked at the camera, took several photographs and was able to adjust them with the filtering apps I have on the iPhone.

New Epson Pinter Drivers from Apple

Sun, 11 Oct 2009 09:41:39 +0700

Apple has released an update to the Epson Printer drivers package - v 2.1 for OS X 10.6.1.

The link here goes to the download page and there is a link on that page to a list of all printers and scanners supported.

Obama Wins Nobel Peace Prize

Sun, 11 Oct 2009 10:16:11 +0700

According to the BBC website, Barack Obama has been named this year's Nobel Peace Prize winner. This is something that may be a bit of a surprise to many, and is sure to incence critics in the US.

iPhone and iPod touch upgrade (3.1.2)

Fri, 09 Oct 2009 09:11:46 +0700

We see that Apple has released an update to the iPhone software and this is now at version 3.1.2.

The improvements include waking from sleep, breaks in connections and video problems.

The update will appear when the iPhone or touch is connected to iTunes.

Podcast #219

Wed, 07 Oct 2009 17:48:11 +0700

As well as a look at the iPhone 3Gs that True Move lent me -- I must buy one of my own -- we also have items on the iPhone and its apps as well as other news from Apple, plus international and local news with comments.

A Look at an Apple iPhone 3Gs from True Move (1)

Wed, 07 Oct 2009 07:43:15 +0700

At the end of September, True Move, the carrier for the iPhone in Thailand, gave me one of the new 16G 3Gs models to play with for 10 days. This has gone on my shopping list of things to buy when finances permit.

Externally, the 3Gs model is identical to the 3G that Apple has let me use. In this case it was more evident as both iPhones have the white back. Internally, however, there are several useful differences. Apart from the background image, when on it was easy to tell the two apart as the new model displays battery life as a percentage. Apple's technical specifications show the dimensions are the same, but the 3Gs is 2 grams heavier (at 135gms).

Podcast #218

Wed, 30 Sep 2009 17:52:59 +0700

Services in Snow Leopard: Great Idea - Some Shortcomings; plus the iPhone in Thailand; with other local and international news and comments.

Services in OS X, 10.6, Snow Leopard: Great Idea - Some Shortcomings

Wed, 30 Sep 2009 06:52:09 +0700

I do not like writing negative comments about OS X: not that these do not need making, but because of reactions. I had more email when I moaned about the lateness of Snow Leopard than for most other subjects I have covered.

With Snow Leopard, there was a significant change in the way the menu called Services operates. In earlier versions of OS X, there was a sprawling menu of items, but some would only work with some applications and then only in certain ways. In Snow Leopard, the concept has been rewritten and become what Apple calls, "contextual". Now, only the services that work with, say, selected text, or an image, are made available.

Apple updates iWork

Tue, 29 Sep 2009 09:18:11 +0700

Apple has released an updated (9.0.3) for iWork which covers certain compatibility issues as well as making some other improvements to the suite. Apple's rubric tells us,

This update addresses general compatibility issues, improves overall stability, updates the help, and fixes a number of other minor issues in Keynote, Pages, and Numbers. The issues addressed include:

Reducing file size of images that have Instant Alpha applied
Managing file size when inserting some movies
Working with dates and durations in the Chart Data Editor in Keynote and Pages
Exporting to CSV from Numbers when using table categories
Improvements to comment notification and security in iWork.com Beta are also included in this update.

Bangkok Diary Friday 25 September 2009: Chase Jarvis' Best Camera app - Shoot, Edit, Share

Fri, 25 Sep 2009 22:28:35 +0700

While I was looking at the new CameraBag desktop application on Thursday, the new app from Chase Jarvis, Best Camera, came across my radar and it was in my collection as soon as I could click the Buy button. Part of the reason was the reported comments of Jarvis who has the same philosophy as the song, If you can't be with the one you love, Love the one you're with. No camera? Use the iPhone. I guess I am going to have an iPhone apps page totally dedicated to photo apps before the end of the month.

Green Apple

Fri, 25 Sep 2009 08:39:01 +0700

Apple has added some new pages to its website to highlight ways in which it is reacting to the need for environmental awareness in product use, design and the materials used.

Bangkok Diary Thursday 24 September 2009: CameraBag for the Mac Desktop

Thu, 24 Sep 2009 17:05:31 +0700

following the success of the iPhone version Never Center have released a CameraBag application for the Mac. Like the iPhone app (and they are thinking about one for the Blackberry), this allows a user to apply a filter, or a series of filters to an image and produce pictures with an older feel to them: dare I use the word, organic?

Podcast #217

Wed, 23 Sep 2009 18:46:40 +0700

A bot more on Snow Leopard with its strengths and a couple of weaknesses being addressed. We also look at the new iTunes and its ways of organising playlists and apps.

There is more in the second part of the podcast on Leopard as well as some International and local news; plus greed, stupidity, and some rumours as well as a few suggestions.

iTunes updated (9.0.1)

Wed, 23 Sep 2009 09:04:04 +0700

Just as I send out an article on iTunes so Apple updates it. We are told that the update includes -

• Resolves issues browsing the iTunes Store.
• Addresses a performance issue where iTunes may become unresponsive.
• Fixes a problem where iTunes may unexpectedly quit.
• Fixes a problem syncing Podcasts in playlists to iPod or iPhone.
• Fixes a problem sorting albums with multiple discs.
• Addresses an issue with the Zoom button not switching to Mini Player.
• Improves application syncing for iPod touch and iPhone.
• Genius is now automatically updated to show Genius Mixes.
iTunes 9 comes with many new features and improvements, including:

• An improved look and feel, including a new Column Browser for easily browsing your artists or albums, movies, TV shows, and more.

Up to Speed with Snow Leopard; and iTunes Update

Wed, 23 Sep 2009 08:25:42 +0700

Despite Snow Leopard's late start for Thailand, I have now been running it trouble-free for almost two weeks. Some applications needed updating. With every major update to OS X, some developers do not start upgrading until the release: there is always some catching up. Then, while Snow Leopard was still fresh, Apple announced new iPods and a new version of iTunes.

Podcast #216

Wed, 16 Sep 2009 18:31:00 +0700

This week we look at the Snow Leopard Installation and some Early Impressions. The podcast also includes some other Snow Leopard factoids and hints. We comment on the new iPods, iTunes 9 and the iPhone update; plus other news and comments.

The sound level at the start has a problem, but once the intro is done, all is well.

Snow Leopard: Installation and Some Early Impressions

Wed, 16 Sep 2009 06:56:04 +0700

Snow Leopard finally arrived at my office as I was heading off to teach Computer Engineers about OS X. This year, four of the students have Macs with another about to buy. Near the end of the class, I opened the box and decided to install it to give the students an idea of what it would look like. With the new method of installing which copies files to the computer, then installs with only a blue progress bar, this was as interesting as watching ice melt.

Snow Leopard update - 10.6.1

Fri, 11 Sep 2009 08:25:24 +0700

After a fairly quick development cycle Apple has issued the first update to OS X, 10.6 which we are told

The Delta version (via Software Update) was shown as 75.1 MB for my MBPro, although the downloads page shows it as slightly smaller.

As well as the usual security and compatibility issues, we are told it fixes:
compatibility with some Sierra Wireless 3G modems
an issue that might cause DVD playback to stop unexpectedly
some printer compatibility drivers not appearing properly in the add printer browser
an issue that might make it difficult to remove an item from the Dock
instances where automatic account setup in Mail might not work
an issue where pressing cmd-opt-t in Mail brings up the special characters menu instead of moving a message
Motion 4 becoming unresponsive
There are also updates for HP printer drivers available in Software Update.

iTunes U as well

Thu, 10 Sep 2009 09:28:33 +0700

Did get two wishes come true in one update today? I just saw that app sorting was available in iTunes, but when it was installed I found in the Preferences a check box for iTunes U as well. When active users in Thailand (and I guess other countries where there is no full Tunes store) we now have acces to the rich resource of iTunes U.

Sort your apps in iTunes

Thu, 10 Sep 2009 08:51:51 +0700

One of my long-requested features for iTunes (I mentioned this back in January to some Apple management in San Francisco) was a way to organise the pages and pages of apps I have on the iPhone and iPod touch. This has now arrived.

Not bad - App Store for Thailand and App-organizing. Great minds thihnk alike.

Apple's new iPods and iTunes 9

Thu, 10 Sep 2009 08:21:21 +0700

As expected there were a number of releases from Apple overnight (Thai time) including iTunes 9 with a number of additions.

The iPod nano (6,200 baht) now has a built-in video camera and microphone, plus FM tuner; the iPod touch (starting 7,400) comes in 8G, 32G and 64G versions and arrives with the 3.1 update; the Classic (10,200) has Bluetooth and it may have had a slight design makeover (not clear right now); while the iPod shuffle (2,800 baht) has come down in price and there is an exclusive, Online Store only version in stainless steel.

Podcast #215

Wed, 09 Sep 2009 17:03:38 +0700

This week we look at the non-arrival of Snow Leopard in Bangkok - at least until a few days after the rest of the world. We also look at rumours for this week's Special Event as well as some other items that passed by in the last few days.

As a tech note, despite using the same code as usual, on the podcast page the QT logo may not load the podcast in some pages (it works in Firefox but only sometimes in Safari), so I have added an extra link - open that in another tab. I am working on this.

Snow Leopard, or was that Slow Leopard for users in Thailand? [Full version]

Wed, 09 Sep 2009 08:21:44 +0700

If you were expecting me to be writing about installing Apple's latest OS X update, 10.6, Snow Leopard, my apologies: so was I. I discovered the day before the worldwide release that, among a number of other countries, the Thai release had been pushed back to Tuesday, although the Apple site told us it would "go on sale Friday, August 28 at . . . Apple Authorized Resellers"

Podcast #214

Wed, 02 Sep 2009 17:43:44 +0700

What should have been a weekend filled with installing the new OS X, turned into several days of frustration beginning last Thursday when I found out that Snow Leopard was not being released here on Friday but was delayed until Tuesday . . . .

My Bangkok Post article this week looks at some ways to use the iPhone or iPod touch to control a Mac.

Remote Control of a Mac from the iPhone or iPod touch

Wed, 02 Sep 2009 06:47:13 +0700

One of the earliest apps that Apple released was a remote control for iTunes. There are now several remote apps which add to the usefulness of these devices and assist in increasing productivity. I have infrared remote devices for both my MacBookPro and iMac, but to work these need line-of sight access (although it is possible to bounce the signal off the wall). The remote apps that work on the iPhone and iPod touch connect using WiFi.

Aperture (2.1.4) and Remote Desktop Client updates

Fri, 28 Aug 2009 09:37:47 +0700

While the rest of the world is updating to Snow Leopard, and those of us in Thailand have to wait for the middle of next week, I do find that downloadable updates are available.

Two that appear today -- the day of the Snow Leopard release for the rest of the world -- are

1. Aperture which has some improvements similar to the iPhoto update of last week which

addresses general compatibility and overall stability in the following areas:

Creating books
Ordering books and prints
Slideshows

Snow Leopard or Slow Leopard?

Thu, 27 Aug 2009 16:25:20 +0700

I have been on the prowl myself today in central Bangkok and have been told that despite Apple's release date of Friday 28 August worldwide, that is a shipping date and iStudio shops do not expect the disks to arrive until Tuesday.

This is somewhat of a disappointment, I feel, especially when several writers (print and blog) in the US have already had copies early enough to be able to write reviews (or at least initial expressions). I have been most impressed by Andrew Orlowsky in the Register and David Pogue in the New York Times. Who knows when I will get mine.

Podcast #213

Wed, 26 Aug 2009 19:12:50 +0700

Right on cue, Apple has this week announced the release of Snow Leopard, a little earlier than had previously been expected. In this week's article, I backed both horses by sticking with the September date for the release but included the rumour of the late August roll out.

Imminent arrival of Apple's Snow Leopard

Wed, 26 Aug 2009 08:13:57 +0700

Of course, since I wrote this week's article, Apple has announced that Snow Leopard is to ship on 28 August (Friday) with a Thai price for those upgrading from Leopard of 1,190 baht.

The article outlines some of the expected features and some suggestions on preparation.

Snow Leopard shipping Friday

Mon, 24 Aug 2009 20:00:45 +0700

The Apple store was down for a while earlier and now shows a pre-order panel for Snow Leopard with a shipping date of 28 August -- this coming Friday.

The price in Thailand is 1,190 baht, which is a touch higher than I was expecting (I thought 1100). The link here is for the Thai online store.

Apple's submission to the FCC on apps

Sat, 22 Aug 2009 08:48:54 +0700

A lot of hand-wringing has taken place recently when a Google app was not approved by Apple for the app store and this brought out the conspiracy theorists. It also brought out the FCC who asked some pertinent questions.

Apple has replied to those questions and has released the replies to the public. Among other comments is the one that the Google app was not rejected: it has just not yet been approved; which happens to quite a few as Apple also explains.

Formula 1 Timing App - 2009 Championship Pass: is $16.99 really OK?

Mon, 24 Aug 2009 18:12:26 +0700

Bangkok Diary Monday 24 August 2009: Formula 1 Timing App - 2009 Championship Pass: is $16.99 really OK?

I have been following Grand Prix racing since my childhood in the UK. I can remember watching when the engines were in the front and we had teams like Maserati, Cooper-Climax and Vanwall. . . .

One of the former members of the Honda team has been involved in the development of a Formula One Timing appor the iPhone that allows F1 fans to follow the practices and race with amazing details, linked in part to the sensors in the tracks and the transponders that send back data.

Podcast #212

Wed, 19 Aug 2009 19:09:02 +0700

Working with Key Commands on a Mac; a look at some interesting apps; with other local and international news plus my comments.

There is quite a bit on apps this week as I have found several interesting ones to play with, including one that uses key commands. And as my Bangkok Post article this week is ON Key Commands, that was excellent timing.

iPhoto Updated (8.1)

Fri, 28 Aug 2009 09:37:40 +0700

Apple's iPhoto has been updated to version 8.1. Apple tells us that...

This update adds several new print product options to iPhoto ’09:
Hardcover books can now be ordered in a new extra-large (13ʺx10ʺ) size
Includes three new book themes with travel-oriented designs: Tropical, Asian, Old World
A variety of new holiday greeting cards themes are now available

It is available via Software Update (161MB) or the downloads pages.

Working with Key Commands on a Mac

Wed, 19 Aug 2009 06:41:28 +0700

A couple of weeks ago, before the 13" MacBook Pro came into my hands, I had a look at some of the keystrokes that we can use when starting up a Mac. While we may pick up our knowledge of these gradually, long-time users of Macs use keystrokes in most of their day to day operations because this is a far more efficient way to work: more than adding icons to the toolbar.

Bangkok Diary Friday 14 August 2009: Glimmers of Hope for Development of Apps for and by Thai Users

Fri, 14 Aug 2009 18:44:29 +0700

Glimmers of Hope for Development of Apps for and by Thai Users.

I downloaded a couple of apps recently from the Thai apps store and still got the sense that things could be -- and needed to be -- a lot better as far as Thai-based developers are concerned. Within the world market there are a lot of good apps available, as well as a large body of those that are not really worth the time of downloading.

More updates - Security Update 2009 -004

Thu, 13 Aug 2009 07:30:21 +0700

Briefly, Apple tells us, "Security Update 2009-004 is recommended for all users and improves the security of Mac OS X."

MacFixit adds that this is concerned with "a problem in the way DNS messages are handled, which can allow an attacker to interrupt the DNS service."

Installing this update will require a restart.

Podcast #211

Wed, 12 Aug 2009 16:14:49 +0700

Last week we at last had the 10.5.8 update released and maybe, finally, this was Apple's worst update ever. I am in the realms of the aesthetic this week with a look at photography apps for the iPhone.

We also look at other updates - past, present and future as well as local and international news, including the ban by a judge in the US on Microsoft selling Word.

Microsoft ordered to stop selling Word

Wed, 12 Aug 2009 14:58:20 +0700

Steven Musil on CNET news that tells us a judge in Texas has ordered Microsoft to stop selling Word.

The key is in the comment that it applies to "any Microsoft Word products that have the capability of opening .XML, .DOCX or DOCM files (XML files) containing custom XML". Microsoft was earlier told to pay a Canadian company, i4i, $200 million in a case in Tyler, TX.

This comes as a result of that decision and there is an extra $40 million for wilful infringement, plus $37 million in prejudgement interest. Redmond say they will appeal.

Safari update - 4.0.3

Wed, 12 Aug 2009 09:39:05 +0700

An update to Safari for Macs and Windows has been released. An upograde now to version 4.0.3 arrived on Wednesday morning here with the usual security and compatibility note, plus fixes for html5 video tags; logging into iWork.COM; and something that made some content display in greyscale. This was available via the Software Update panel and needs a computer restart.

15" Matte screen in Online Store, Thailand

Wed, 12 Aug 2009 09:20:44 +0700

As expected, the online store here (based in Singapore actually) takes a few hours to update. The option for the matte screen available now for the 15" MacBook Pro was not shown yesterday although its price of $50 in the US gave an indication of what it might be if available here.

This morning, I see that the Thai pages have now been updated and the matte option is now shown as available for 1,926 baht extra.

Some interesting Apps for the iPhone Camera

Wed, 12 Aug 2009 09:14:34 +0700

The iPhone has been plagued by comments from those with, at best, only a sparse acquaintance with the device. Much criticism was levelled at the camera of 3 Mega Pixels which, pundits claimed, could never produce proper photographs.

Some also criticised the difficulty of taking a self-portrait with the iPhone. Hold the phone (horizontally or vertically) with your nose reflected in the Apple logo then take the shot. What a design coincidence, eh?

It is not just the lens, not just the CCD (the chip), but the software that makes the difference. In good light, images are good enough for some photographers to experiment with. I usually work with SLR cameras and there are huge differences in these devices. I wanted to extend the capabilities, so downloaded some apps that work with the camera.

New Matte screen Option for 15" Mac Book Pro

Tue, 11 Aug 2009 18:47:50 +0700

Like its bigger brother, the 17" MacBook Pro, the 15" version now has the option of a matter screen which should please some people in the graphics and photography industries.

(At this time I cannot get through to the Apple Online Store for Thailand -- perhaps updating -- so will post the cost of this option later.)

. . . and for those still using OS X 10.4 Tiger. . . .

Thu, 06 Aug 2009 06:59:44 +0700

As well as the OS X 10.5.8 update, Apple released a number of security updates for 10.4 Tiger, depending on whether users have the PPC processor or the Intel chip.

Update to OS X - 10.5.8

Thu, 06 Aug 2009 06:47:34 +0700

Apple has released its latest (and probably its last, before the release of Snow Leopard) update to OS X, 10.5. The 10.5.8. update is available using Software Update or via the Apple Downloads pages where it shows as being 165MB for my installation.

On the download pages it is 247MB for the update and a massive 978MB for the Combo (all updates from 10.5.1 on).

We are told that the update will enhance the stability, compatibility and security of your Mac, as well as specific fixes for:
compatibility and reliability issues when joining AirPort networks.
an issue that could cause some monitor resolutions to no longer appear in Displays System Preferences.
issues that may affect Bluetooth reliability.

Podcast #210

Wed, 05 Aug 2009 18:27:05 +0700

At the start of the week was the news that Eric Schmidt of Google had resigned from Apple's board. A lot this week on a perhaps related subject of the App Store; while this week's podcast has the second part of my look at the latest version of the 13" MacBook Pro.

13" MacBook Pro (2): Hands on During the Week

Wed, 05 Aug 2009 07:21:49 +0700

I have had the latest 13" MacBook Pro in my hands for about ten days now. This has to be a serious contender for when I replace my own 15" MacBookPro. The aluminium MacBooks had begun to blur the line between the Pro range and consumer-oriented products. While the white polycarbonate MacBook can still be found, this latest MacBook Pro with its 2.26GHz chip and the rest of its features is a lot of computer. It feels the part too.

Update to GarageBand - 5.1

Tue, 04 Aug 2009 08:08:30 +0700

Apple has released an update to GarageBand. They tell us

This update addresses general compatibility issues, improves overall stability, and fixes a number of other minor issues. The issues addressed include:

GarageBand track effects and Audio Units can now be added to a guitar track
Improved support for Apogee audio interfaces
Faster switching to full screen in Magic GarageBand
Improved access to audio monitoring settings
This update is recommended for all users of GarageBand ’09.

Google's Eric Schmidt resigns from Apple's board

Mon, 03 Aug 2009 20:15:20 +0700

Perhaps a little overdue, but CNET tell us that Schmidt has resigned (all the usual amicable BS) from the board of Apple. Too many conflicts of interest these days?

iPhone Updated

Sat, 01 Aug 2009 08:49:48 +0700

If you read some newspapers this morning, you will find that the iPhone has an insecurity concerning certain SMS messages. What you did not read was that this week at a conference in the US, insecurities have been revealed that affect every mobile phone platform.

Apple has reacted to this and has released a patch for the iPhone which should be revealed in iTunes when you connect the iPhone. You need to be online for this. The iPhone update 3.0.1, a download of about 230MB is for the iPhone, iPhone 3G and iPhone 3Gs. There is no update for the iPod touch.

Time Capsule - Twice the capacity and now with a Thai price

Fri, 31 Jul 2009 18:53:23 +0700

The combination hard disk and Airport Extreme Base Station (wifi) that was updated yesterday and is now available in 1TB and 2TB configurations (512G and 1TB before) has now appeared in the Apple online store for Thailand. The prices are 17,990 baht and 10,990 baht.

Time Capsule - Twice the capacity for the same price

Thu, 30 Jul 2009 20:45:40 +0700

In one of those unannounced updates that Apple slips out from time to time, we find that Time Capsule -- the combination hard disk and Airport Extreme Base Station (wifi) -- is now available in 1TB and 2TB configurations (512G and 1TB before). The prices are $499 and $299. As yet the Thai online store has not been updated.

MobileMe iDisk for the iPhone

Thu, 30 Jul 2009 08:31:29 +0700

It has taken almost two months since its announcement (at the World Wide Developers' Conference) but Apple released the iDisk app for the iPhone and iPod touch. The app requires the iPhone 3.0 software to be installed and will allow a user to access files from the iDisk.

Podcast #209

Wed, 29 Jul 2009 18:52:24 +0700

The main item in this week's podcast is part 1 of my look at the 13" MacBook Pro which has a light weight, without being lightweight. We also look at certain financial results and touch on the economy as well as looking at some rumours, particularly the Apple tablet which will not lie down and may have been willed into existence. There are also some other items of both international and local news, plus my own comments where appropriate.

13" MacBook Pro (1): Getting the Feel

Wed, 29 Jul 2009 08:18:18 +0700

I currently have a 13" MacBook Pro in my hands. Although Apple's PR agents usually deliver test items, I collected this as I was in Bangkok for the whole day and would have the device in my hands for an extra weekend. This meant carrying the neat box around with me on the buses and BTS trains, but with its handle and low weight this was not hard at all. Like the MacBook Air I tested a while back, this is noticeably lighter than my current 15" MacBook Pro at 2.04Kg.

Podcast #208

Wed, 22 Jul 2009 18:37:48 +0700

This week I look at some of the useful key commands that are available in OS X, specifically some of those that can be used for special problems at start-up. We also have a look at some special events this week, like the 40th Anniversary of the Moon Landing and the death of Walter Cronkite, as well as the announcement of Apple's Q3 financial results.

Apple Q3 Financial Reports

Wed, 22 Jul 2009 06:44:47 +0700

Cupertino announced its financial results for for the 3rd quarter 2009 and showed revenue of $8.34 billion with a net quarterly profit of $1.23 billion, compared to revenues of $7.46 billion and profit of $1.07 billion for the same quarter last year. International sales account for 44% of this revenue.

Apple sold 2.6 million Macs during the quarter (4% increase), 10.2 million iPods, a 7% decline, while 5.2 million iPhones sold were, representing 626 percent unit growth over the year-ago quarter.

Helper Keys when Starting up a Mac

Wed, 22 Jul 2009 06:36:31 +0700

For new users of Macs, some differences are evident when the computer comes out of the box. There are the obvious cosmetic differences as part of the design that many find attractive, but on the practical side, the moment we put our fingers on the keyboard, we are aware that the Mac is not the same as a PC.

There are three important keys in addition to those for typing: Command, Option and Control. With notebook computers there is also an extra key marked FN which is used with the limited number of Function keys (on my MacBookPro there are 12) to add to their use.

iMovie updated to 8.0.4

Fri, 17 Jul 2009 09:45:00 +0700

Apple has released an update for iMovie, bringing it to version 8.0.4. The information in Software Update tells us that,

This update improves overall stability and fixes a number of other minor issues. The issues addressed include:

Fixed a problem with incorrect rotation when working with video created by iPhone 3GS
Resolved instability when adding multiple beat markers in some languages
Corrected an issue where iMovie could become unresponsive after using fine-tuning controls beyond the stabilized portions of a clip
The update is recommended for all users of iMovie ’09.

iTunes update (8.2.1)

Thu, 16 Jul 2009 07:46:25 +0700

Apple has released an update to iTunes which is now at version 8.2.1..

The information shown by Software Update tells us that -

iTunes 8.2 now supports iPhone or iPod touch with the iPhone 3.0 Software Update. iTunes 8.2 also includes many accessibility improvements and bug fixes.

iTunes 8.2.1 provides a number of important bug fixes and addresses an issue with verification of Apple devices.

(No restart is required.)

Podcast #207

Wed, 15 Jul 2009 18:00:51 +0700

This looks at today's Post article - OS X on a flash drive -- and also covers some local events and problems as well as looking at local and international news.

OS X on a Flash Drive for Emergency Start-ups

Wed, 15 Jul 2009 06:28:13 +0700

In emergencies or for purposes of maintenance, it may be necessary to start a computer from an external drive. I do not usually carry a hard disk about with me and always leave the install disks safely in my office. If these are needed, I have to fetch them.

It used to be possible to install OS X on an iPod and start via firewire, but later USB iPods did not allow this. With the move to Intel processors, it has become possible to boot from a USB drive, so with the price of USB flash drives considerably lower these days, I bought a 4G drive for 260 baht.

Safari updated to 4.0.2

Thu, 09 Jul 2009 07:54:31 +0700

A second update for Apple's browser which is intended to give stability and also improve security.

Podcast #206

Wed, 08 Jul 2009 18:58:54 +0700

I was expecting a quiet week this week with it being 4 July over in the US and a half week of holiday here: Friday to Thursday. This week I am looking at some information that might help new Mac users here.

A quiet week, it was not. . . .

Advantages for New Users of Macs

Wed, 08 Jul 2009 08:58:58 +0700

Phil Schiller's announcement at the recent Developers' Conference that the number of OS X users had reached 75 million, showed that the huge increase in the last couple of years occurred despite the reason that is usually put forward for not buying Macs: their cost.

How not to market IE8? The Microsoft Puke Ad.

Thu, 02 Jul 2009 22:10:29 +0700

Link to the CNET page but be ready to be offended. What are they thinking of? . . .

Podcast #205

Wed, 01 Jul 2009 19:04:37 +0700

One of the main events in the IT world last week was the death of Michael Jackson. More on that later after this week's article in which I give Apple 4 out of 5 for the 3.0 iPhone update.

Update to iPhoto (8.0.4)

Wed, 01 Jul 2009 06:42:03 +0700

Apple has released an update to iPhoto, bringing it to version 8.0.4. It "addresses a rarely encountered issue involving photos imported into a previous version that could affect overall stability, and corrects references to a few points of interest and location names that were labelled incorrectly."

It is 102.3MB and is available through Software Update.

iPhone 3.0 Update: Four out of Five From me

Wed, 01 Jul 2009 06:35:40 +0700

On Thursday 18 June, Thai time, Apple released its 3.0 update for the iPhone and iPod touch. The advertised 17 June release was for Cupertino: the time difference gave users here an apparent delay. When I connected the iPhone, iTunes showed the update was available. It took about 20 minutes for the 230MB.

Apart from checking file integrity, one task carried out by iTunes when updating the iPhone was to contact the iPhone service -- to make sure it was authorised. This may mean that those with non-authorised phones, will not get this upgrade, until someone else comes up with another method to unlock their phones.

Podcast #204

Wed, 24 Jun 2009 18:17:14 +0700

There are three main news stories this week concerning Apple: the release of the 3.0 update; the iPhone 3Gs going on sale; and the story that Steve jobs had a liver transplant. My main item this week is a follow up to the WWDC report: Reflections in the Bay.

There are of course plenty of other news items and stuff that passed me by during the week.

Some Reflections in the Bay: Comments after Apple's WWDC

Wed, 24 Jun 2009 06:49:19 +0700

An advantage of attending Apple's Worldwide Developers' Conference, apart from the event itself, is feedback from developers, other media people, Apple personnel and even those in the street. Bit by bit too, as information behind the announcements began to appear, we gained a more concrete idea of what some changes would mean.

Worldwide Developers' Conference: A Confident Apple Introduces new Software and Hardware

Wed, 17 Jun 2009 07:14:22 +0700

At the Apple World Wide Developer Conference at the Moscone Center, San Francisco, on Monday 9 June, Phil Schiller, with help from Bertrand Serlet and Scott Forstall, outlined the directions Apple is taking in the next year or so and introduced new notebook computers and a new iPhone, the iPhone 3G S. From the start, this was both a presentation for developers and for users.

Apple Updates - iPhone 3.0, Safari 4.1 and Bluetooth 2.0

Thu, 18 Jun 2009 08:30:13 +0700

Apple has released the expected 3.0 update for the iPhone and iPod touch as well as two other updates - for Safari and for Bluetooth.

The iPhone update is only available via iTunes when the device is connected and there is a fee for iPod touch users. The other two are available using Software Update. The Bluetooth update is shown on the downloads page, but Safari will need to be downloaded from the Safari link on the Apple website.

Podcast #203

Wed, 17 Jun 2009 18:29:45 +0700

This week there is a bit of a difference as it is my report on the keynote speech at Moscone Center last week and, as such, is on the long side. I have no idea how the Database team will cut it; although I do expect it will be cut. Best to use my link and the version on my site.

Java Update Release by Apple

Tue, 16 Jun 2009 08:40:29 +0700

Apple has released a Java for Mac OS X, 10.5 update which addresses a number of issues. This is available via Software Update for those who need it.

Apple advises that is gives improved reliability, security, and compatibility for Java SE 6, J2SE 5.0 and J2SE 1.4.2 on Mac OS X 10.5.7 and later. This release updates Java SE 6 to version 1.6.0_13, J2SE 5.0 to version 1.5.0_19, and J2SE 1.4.2 to 1.4.2_21.

Users are advised to quit all web browsers before installing the update.

New features of iPhone (touch) and MobileMe

Wed, 10 Jun 2009 05:43:14 +0700

As well as the already-announced "Find my phone" feature and the remote wipe facility, Apple has a couple of unannounced, related features like access to the iDisk via the iPhone (or touch) using a new iDisk app (not yet available) by which these files may be viewed, plus sharing files and access to public folders.

Podcast #202

Wed, 10 Jun 2009 04:27:47 +0700

A little early, but I have a plane to catch and I am heading back to Bangkok in a few hours.

This week, we go with the main article which is on some paid apps for the iPhone I have and then we look at some news and events, particularly the WWDC that is taking place a few hundred metres from here. That includes outlines of the new products announced - the MacBook Pro range and the MacBook Air; the iPhone 3.0 OS, Snow Leopard; and the iPhone 3Gs.

Some Useful Paid Apps for the iPhone and iPod touch

Wed, 10 Jun 2009 04:18:59 +0700

I am currently in San Francisco and Apple's World Wide Developers' Conference has just ended. There were expected to be several changes to the iPhone and its operating system.

It is the creativity of the many apps that are available that makes the real difference for me with this and my iPod touch, over and above what the devices can already do with data integration and the computer. I try to keep costs down by installing free apps. If these are all users want, they can register at the App Store online using a no credit card option. However, there are some paid apps that I have been unable to resist.

New iPhone (3Gs), new MacBook Pros, new iPhone 3.0 OS

Tue, 09 Jun 2009 07:38:54 +0700

Phil Schiller and gang announced several new updates to the MacBook Pro range today, including the 13" MacBook now being called MacBook Pro, as well as an update to the MacBook Air. A new iPhone with a better camera and video (among a host of new features) was also announced. This is due in Thailand on 9 August.

Snow Leopard (OS X, 10.6) is coming in September with an upgrade price of $29 (previously $129) and lots of new features. The iPhone 3.0 update to the OS will be released on 17 June and is free for IPhone users, but $9.95 for the iPod touch.

And Safari 4 for Mac and Windows is available now.

More and more Apple Updates

Fri, 05 Jun 2009 08:11:17 +0700

Another list of updates this morning and these (with the others) perhaps contain some clues as to what may be coming next week at the WWDC. Shown this morning are:
iLife Support, 9.0.3 at 54.7MB
iDVD Update 7.0.4 at 29.6MB
iMovie Update 8.0.3 at 35.2MB
iPhoto Update 8.0.3 at 97MB and
Digital Camera Raw Update 2.6 at 4.5MB.

iLife Support and the Digital Camera Raw Support update (which adds some Canon cameras plus the Nikon D5000 and the Olympus E-30) are marked as needing a restart.

These are all available via Software Update or try the Apple Downloads pages.

Bangkok Diary - Sunday 7 June 2009: eXtensions at Apple's World Wide Deveopers' Conference 2009

Mon, 08 Jun 2009 08:32:12 +0700

Welcome to the Coverage on this year's Mac World. This conference comes at a pivotal moment I feel as Apple is not only about to release an updated version of the iPhone firmware (version 3.0), but there are sessions and expected to be annoucements on Snow Leopard, the next version of OS X (10.6). It is, however, the "unknown unknowns" that intrigue Apple followers the most.

Podcast #201

Wed, 03 Jun 2009 19:45:39 +0700

As the rainy season is here with a vengeance, I am looking forward this week to my second trip to San Francisco this year. To get in the mood, this week we have a preview of what we might expect from the World Wide Developers' Conference starting with selection from a quote by someone almost famous.

World Wide Developers' Conference: What we Might Expect

Wed, 03 Jun 2009 07:45:13 +0700

Apple's World Wide Developer Conference (WWDC) is next week in San Francisco. The keynote speech will be given by Phil Schiller with other executives assisting. There are expected to be several announcements concerning the iPhone 3.0 update and Apple's next version of OS X, 10.6, Snow Leopard. There may be other announcements. As ever with Apple, there are countless rumours floating around, some based on what has been released, while other information comes from external sources.

Even more Apple updates

Tue, 02 Jun 2009 08:57:48 +0700

I suggested last time we were in Update Season, and here we have three more: Garage Band (5.0.2), iTunes (the expected 8.2) and QuickTime (7.6.2) which often goes with an iTunes update.

Perhaps to get all these via Software Update and allow lots of time. The iTunes is 78.3MB, GB 108MB and QT, 60.3MB.

More Apple Updates

Fri, 29 May 2009 09:09:47 +0700

It may be part of the run up to WWDC. As well as the VoiceOver Kit update I mentioned in the podcast this week, Apple has released an update for iWork '09 (9.0.2) and for some owners of the MacBookPro, there is also an SMC update that will help regulate fan speeds. That last one will require a restart. If it does not appear in the list via Software Update, it is not needed.

Macs for Education - Special Pricing

Thu, 28 May 2009 15:07:44 +0700

Although the "Back to School" promotions in the US and UK are not running here in Thailand, there are still offers for university students who are right now heading back to the classrooms (my classes start on 1 June).

Savings range from 4,000 baht for certain iMac and MacBook models, to 7,000 baht for a MacBookPro and up to 8,000 baht for a MacBook Air.

Podcast #200 - Error

Wed, 27 May 2009 17:05:02 +0700

If you subscribe via iTunes, you may find a duplicate of last week's podcast. Brain fade on my part. I have resent the RSS feed to iTMS and Feedburner, but if this does not correct itself within a few hours, I will send out a new version. Other than that, try the link below for the text + sound file.

Podcast #200

Wed, 27 May 2009 16:47:57 +0700

I guess it is a sort of milestone this week with the eXtensions podcast reaching 200. That means I have been doing this for almost 4 years. Is it time to stop? The main item this week is the second of those I am doing on the 3G iPhone.

Uses of an iPhone (2): Home and Abroad

Wed, 27 May 2009 06:35:57 +0700

The iPhone 3G I have been using in the last couple of weeks, thanks to Apple, was unlocked and therefore not linked to the True service although it came with a True SIM card. After a few days with the original card, I put in my SIM from DTAC for a couple of days before I left for Britain and with roaming I sent SMS from Hong Kong and on my arrival at Heathrow I was on the T-Mobile network almost instantly: what I would expect from any mobile phone.

Shameful intepretation from The Register

Wed, 20 May 2009 22:22:00 +0700

A bit quicker than I expected, but I wondered on my podcast out today (#199 ) if anyone would take Apple's suggestions about static in a Knowledge Base article, TS2729, in which it tells us, "This condition is not limited to Apple hardware and static can potentially build up on almost any hardware and could be discharged using any brand of earbuds" only The Register conveniently forgot that bit, but does provide a link to the original.

Podcast #199

Wed, 20 May 2009 18:55:02 +0700

The main item this week is the first par of my look at use of an iPhone, both in Thailand and the UK; while also look at some apps and some rumours, along with lots of news and comments.

Using an iPhone (1): Some Observations

Wed, 20 May 2009 09:50:21 +0700

I have had a test 16G iPhone in my hands for a couple of weeks. This is hardly a novelty device now. I first wrote about it when Apple announced it in 2007 as have many others. Many of the articles I have looked at deal with it as a smart-phone and forget that Steve Jobs introduced it as a wide-screen iPod with touch controls, a mobile phone, and a breakthrough internet device. That last part flew over the heads of most people.

Phishing Scam - MobileMe Users

Tue, 19 May 2009 08:15:50 +0700

A heads-up from The Unofficial Apple Weblog this morning (Thai time) on a phishing email that seems to be directed towards users of MobileMe asking them (us) to update information. The link is, of course, to a spurious site, although this now seems to have been shit down.

DO NOT CLICK on the button.

Podcast #198

Wed, 13 May 2009 18:07:54 +0700

I am in the UK this week in a sort of technological dead zone and I have to walk a couple of kilometres to get to the only public Internet access in the town. In the Post this week, we are having a look at some more of the apps that have a connection to Thailand.

10.5.7 update released

Wed, 13 May 2009 05:28:23 +0700

Finally this week, the 10.5.7 update to OS X, has now been released. Using Software Udate, I was offered a download of 286MB while the normal update is 442MB and the Combo version is 729MB.

More iPhone Apps for Thailand: (2) A Better Mix

Wed, 13 May 2009 05:07:50 +0700

It is still early days for iPhone app developers here. While some apps are of a fair standard, and True as iPhone distributor has a few, there is still a long way to go. As there are now more than 35,000 apps, comparisons are there to be made. Having seen good output from Thai programmers, once they get to grips with Apple's Developer Kit, there will be more to come.

Home Trip Images

Fri, 08 May 2009 21:53:09 +0700

Not really Mac-related, but who cares? The link here is for some of the shots of the town I am in taken over the fist two days of being back here for the first time in 12 years.

Podcast #197

Thu, 07 May 2009 12:26:41 +0700

A look at some of the Apps available for the iPhone with special links to Thailand. Not a perfect selection at all and in need of some more development methinks.

We also have some news and, with a trip to the UK for me this week, there are problems with the Internet: there isn't any where I am.

Update - In the confusion yesterday of findng a link and getting online, I inadvertantly numbered the podcast 196. I am sure no one was fooled apart from me.

iPhone Apps for Thailand (1): A Mixed Bag

Wed, 06 May 2009 15:05:53 +0700

At the end of April, in the same week it reported another good financial quarter, Apple hit 1 billion App Store downloads. There are now over 35,000 apps online.

With the advent of the Thai app store and the iPhone's official arrival here, I am looking at some apps aimed at users in (or interested in) Thailand. I have had an iPod touch since January 2008 and it has performed superbly. I also now have a 3G iPhone on extended test, so I can look at some of the apps only for that device.

Podcast #196

Wed, 29 Apr 2009 18:09:31 +0700

This podcast is based on my Post article this week that looks at the new app for the iPhone and iPod touch, Undercover. We also look at my new test iPhone, some app as well as other news and ideas

Undercover for the iPhone: Detection After Loss

Wed, 29 Apr 2009 09:08:44 +0700

I had one of those emails during Songkran that I dread and always feel helpless about: someone in the Northeast had had a Mac stolen and was asking for suggestions. I helped circulate the serial number, but that was all I could do then. I also gave advice for the future. . . .

While I was seeking information for the loser in Esaan, I looked at the website for Undercover: an application that still tracks my stolen PowerBook. I was surprised to see that Orbicule had just released an iPhone app. It also works on the iPod touch.

Apple Quarterly Results (Q2) - Another solid report

Fri, 24 Apr 2009 12:54:54 +0700

The second quarter 2009 financial report from Apple again reports good figures with revenue of $8.16 billion and a profit of $2.1 billion (Q2 last year showed $7.51b and $1.05b respectively).

Interesting facts are that international sales accounted for 46% of the revenue, there were sales of 2.22 million Macs and 11.01 million iPods, plus 3.79 million iPhones.

Podcast #195

Wed, 22 Apr 2009 18:11:26 +0700

This week a look at the iPod shuffle 3, plus some information about personal security of computers and other devices that may be easily taken. We also look at some local and international news and make comments where appropriate. Or not.

iPod shuffle 3: Another Sound Way to Handle Music

Wed, 22 Apr 2009 08:25:32 +0700

My favourite iPod is the iPod touch, but before that arrived I preferred the iPod shuffle. The first was a thin white stick that looked like a pack of chewing gum of 512MB; the second a squat rectangle with twice that capacity. Both had Apple's click-wheel, but with random selection I let the iPod surprise me.

Apple has now updated the iPod shuffle. It is a little taller with a square cross-section. The click wheel has gone and controls are on the cable to the right earbud. The new shuffle has four times the capacity of the previous version at 4G, which Apple claims can carry 1,000 songs.

Undercover for the iPhone and iPod touch

Thu, 16 Apr 2009 23:02:23 +0700

I was looking on the Orbicule website to advise someone who had just had a laptop stolen and found that they now have an Undercover app for the iPhone and iPod touch, which I bought immediately ($4.99 - 175 baht). It works with GPS on the iPhone when it is available (less good indoors) and with the location services of Skyhook. As I registered it it produced my location on a Google map insert on a web page with details of coordinates, IP numbers and a couple of other details (elevation, etc., which is 0m).

I will be looking at this in detail soon in the Bangkok Post and in the meantime trying to persuade True to use Skyhook as none of their antennas (not one) are currently listed.

Podcast #194

Wed, 15 Apr 2009 15:32:42 +0700

A book review of Dr. Smoke's Troubleshooting OS X, which is only available as a PDF for download and is highly recommended. Plus violence in Bangkok prompts me to comment on some of the BBC coverage and we also have some thoughts on music file downloads as well as a look at software, updates and whatever else passed me by this week.

iMovie update

Wed, 15 Apr 2009 09:47:23 +0700

Apple has just released another update to iMovie, taking it to version 8.0.2. This has fixed an issue with projects having a size of 0 KB and another with full-screen mode.

Aperture updated

Wed, 15 Apr 2009 09:45:39 +0700

Aperture has been updated to version 2.1.3. There were a number of tweaks and some improvements to the way it works and full details are in a KB document.

Book Review: Dr Smoke's Troubleshooting Mac OS X, Leopard Edition

Wed, 15 Apr 2009 09:26:15 +0700

The last few years of Mac OS X have seen a respectable production of books that tell users, "How to" focussed on what is within the installation. Some of these also delve a little into the Unix. At the other end of the scale are technical books aimed at those who understand more of this operating system that still relies on its Unix roots, adapted as it has been.

There is a gap: what happens when it goes wrong?

Podcast #193

Wed, 08 Apr 2009 14:57:30 +0700

Have the rains started already? That will put a damper on next week's Songkran festivities, although I will just stay home as usual. This week, the second part of my look at iMovie.

Plus This week part 2 of iMovie 09 and I concentrate on the editing using the inspector and imports of other media such as music and photos. We also have a look at some local problems and solutions and make some comments on new software and new rumours, plus a comment or two on Redmond.

iMovie '09 (2): Editing and Media Tools

Wed, 08 Apr 2009 08:49:39 +0700

When clips have been assembled in the new iMovie (now updated to version 8.0.1), there is an array of tools for adjusting the clips, the video and the sound. The Inspector, a feature in many applications on Macs, reveals a panel similar to the Adjustment and Slideshow panels in iPhoto.

iTunes updated to 8.1.1

Tue, 07 Apr 2009 08:57:57 +0700

Apple tells us that the iTunes update released today, Tunes 8.1 is now faster and more responsive. You will enjoy noticeable improvements when working with large libraries, browsing the iTunes Store, preparing to sync with iPod or iPhone, and optimizing photos for syncing.

In addition, iTunes 8.1 provides many other improvements and bug fixes, including:

• Supports syncing with iPod shuffle (3rd generation).
• Allows friends to request songs for iTunes DJ.
• Adds Genius sidebar for your Movies and TV Shows.
• Improves performance when downloading iTunes Plus songs.
• Provides AutoFill for manually managed iPods.
• Allows CDs to be imported at the same sound quality as iTunes Plus.
• Includes many accessibility improvements.
• Allows iTunes U and the iTunes Store to be disabled separately using Parental Controls.

iTunes 8.1.1 adds support for renting HD movies and provides a number of bug fixes, including addressing issues with VoiceOver and syncing with iPhone or iPod touch.

Podcast #192

Thu, 02 Apr 2009 11:14:25 +0700

I knew I had forgotten something. In all the rush of uploading the latest podcast, I forgot to send the information out on the eXtensions RSS feed, although it went out on others, like iTunes and Feedburner.

For non-subscribers then, the podcast follows the usual format of the week's article that appeared in the Bangkok Post on Wednesday and is also available on the eXtensions site (a link is on the podcast text page). This week is part 1 of a look at the latest version of iMovie which has some new tricks. I focus this time on starting up and importing clips for use.

The second half of the podcast -- half? we extend this week to 25 minutes -- looks at news items concerning Macs and other IT stuff. I always end up talking about Microsoft, particularly when Ballmer demeans Apple; and this time, following his PCs are $500 less than the Apple badge, there was a lot of press on the latest advertising campaign from Redmond (which is why Ballmer probably made the comment in the first place). Microsoft needs a new agency and they need new, "spontaneous" participants.

We also comment on the latest iStudio in Bangkok that opened last Friday and there is a link to the Bangkok Diary article I wrote then that has a number of photographs. Plus comments, ideas and anything else that passed me by.

iMovie '09 (1): Starting Up and Clip Imports

Wed, 01 Apr 2009 08:30:34 +0700

Although iMovie was totally rewritten in mid-2007, not everyone was happy with that version. iMovie 09 now (actually version 8) includes many improvements that had been requested.

Among the changes are several effects that can be added to clips, an inspector that helps with editing (changes can be pasted to all clips). Extraction of sound clips has become easier. Added to the application is a method to control camera shake.

Bangkok Diary Friday 27 March 2009: Second Apple iStudio Store Opens in Siam Discovery Center, Bangkok

Fri, 27 Mar 2009 18:48:11 +0700

I took a trip into central Bangkok today (Friday) to keep the weekend free, particularly with regard to the Australian GP in Melbourne which runs in the middle of the day on Sunday, Thai time, with practice around the same time on Saturday. In Siam Discovery Centre, I was surprised to see a lot of activity in the new iStudio shop. It was being readied for a 3pm opening.

Apple updates -- iLife and iWork

Fri, 27 Mar 2009 08:10:18 +0700

Apple has released a number of updates for the suites. For iWork the only information is that it is recommended for all users. The iWeb update concerns uploading via FTP and "other minor issues." The iMovie update again covers minor issues as well as stability; while the iPhoto update covers stability as well as improvements around faces, Places, photo sharing and slideshows.

Finally, and iLife Support update, which will require a restart, covers stability and other minor issues.

The five downloads are available via Software Update or the Apple Downloads pages.

Cross-border Gifts

Wed, 25 Mar 2009 22:05:14 +0700

The Thai Apple store has a new scheme in which we can buy items online and have them delivered, door-to-door to people living in other parts of S.E.Asia: Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore and Vietnam (if you live in those countries, you can send items to Thailand).

The US store has a more comprehensive scheme, and that allows purchases to be delivered in Mexico, 17 European countries, as well as Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines and Thailand.

I would expect that any exclusions are down to legal difficulties.

Podcast #191

Wed, 25 Mar 2009 18:25:43 +0700

This week we look at the second part of my review of GarageBand and I focus this time on the new feature of lessons - GarageBand (2): Learn to Play

In the same way I did with the iPhoto sections, I have now made a couple of extra files for the GarageBand articles: a full version and a print version, should anyone be so inclined. The links are on the article and the podcast page.

GarageBand (2): Learn to Play

Wed, 25 Mar 2009 08:40:59 +0700

With the most recent updates to iLife, GarageBand had a redesign of the interface; but making music (which I looked at last time) is not the sole function of this application which has evolved considerably since its introduction in January 2004. Apple previously added "Magic GarageBand" for jamming, a movie soundtrack facility and ringtones, as well as updated sound effects and loops.

Garageband now has a new and useful feature of music lessons. This was well received when it was introduced, but there is much more to this feature than was initially demonstrated. There is a series of basic lessons bundled with the iLife installation. The first is pre-installed and the others can be downloaded.

Podcast #190 - Weekend Extra

Sun, 22 Mar 2009 23:13:06 +0700

There has been so much news in the last few days that I succumbed to the temptation and created a weekend supplement. And even that is a bit on the long side. We include information on the iPhone 3.0 beta, some rumours as well as news and new technology and information about a new online book for Leopard users.

Podcast #189

Wed, 18 Mar 2009 18:53:21 +0700

It's a heavy news week this week. In the last couple of weeks, the Macs have been updated a bit, there have been a number of software updates, and a completely new iPod shuffle, while this week there is an event about the next version of software for the iPhone. Any other companies doing as much?

First however, as usual, this week's eXtensions column item which is the first of two on GarageBand -- Creating Music Files on a Home Computer.

iPhone 3.0 beta announced

Wed, 18 Mar 2009 08:05:41 +0700

At 10.00 am on Tuesday in Cupertino, while we were asleep in Thailand, Apple announced details of the upcoming iPhone 3.0 software with a host of new features (including the long-awaited cut and paste and Push notifications). The update is due in June and will be free for iPhone users ($9.95 for iPod touch owners).

GarageBand (1): Creating Music Files on a Home Computer

Wed, 18 Mar 2009 07:49:58 +0700

Garageband, was one of the applications in iLife that had a major overhaul recently. While Phil Schiller's introduction at MacWorld focussed on the teaching aspects, when I bought the update, I found that the interface itself has been completely rewritten with several additions.

Apple Special Event - iPhone 3 Firmware

Fri, 13 Mar 2009 09:38:51 +0700

We have recently had updates to iMacs, Mac minis and the Mac Pro, as well as a tweak to the MacBookPro and this week a totally new iPod shuffle. All of these were just announced and the hardware was released. Done. We are informed that next Tuesday (17 March) there is to be a Special Event at which new Firmware, version 3.0 for the iPhone is to be announced.

Front Row update

Thu, 12 Mar 2009 09:36:40 +0700

These things all work together. There was a new iPod shuffle, so iTunes was updated. There is a new iTunes so Front Row has been updated, to version 2.1.7. This is for iTunes compatibility.

The download is available via Software Update or the Apple pages

iTunes updated to 8.0.1

Thu, 12 Mar 2009 09:34:04 +0700

Apple has updated iTunes and it is now at version 8.0.1 which, we are told, is now faster and more responsive. You will enjoy noticeable improvements when working with large libraries, browsing the iTunes Store, preparing to sync with iPod or iPhone, and optimizing photos for syncing.

In addition, iTunes 8.1 provides many other improvements and bug fixes, including:

• Supports syncing with iPod shuffle (3rd generation).
• Allows friends to request songs for iTunes DJ.
• Adds Genius sidebar for your Movies and TV Shows.
• Improves performance when downloading iTunes Plus songs.
• Provides AutoFill for manually managed iPods.
• Allows CDs to be imported at the same sound quality as iTunes Plus.
• Includes many accessibility improvements.
• Allows iTunes U and the iTunes Store to be disabled separately using Parental Controls.

New iPod shuffle - with Small Talk

Thu, 12 Mar 2009 10:52:48 +0700

As was half-expected with the stores off-line, Apple has released another new iPod. The newest version of the iPod shuffle utilizes what is called "small talk" which they are billing as the first MP3 player that talks to you.

Some of the information on the site tells us that "With the press of a button, it tells you what song is playing and who’s performing it." The new shuffle which comes in silver or black has a 4G capacity and is shown as 3290 baht in the Thai online Store. The US price is $79.

Apple Store offline

Wed, 11 Mar 2009 19:21:13 +0700

Right now, and it is 7.20pm on Wednesday here in Thailand, the Apple stores are off-line which could mean a new product, or just some housekeeping. . . .

Podcast #188

Wed, 11 Mar 2009 16:13:50 +0700

An act of faith this week. I am keeping my fingers crossed for the arrival of my article which I delivered via a new method as email has proved to be so unreliable these days. Another act of faith concerns the battery of my MacBookPro, but more on that later.

Purchase of iLife and a Look at New Features in iPhoto (Full text of Three Bangkok Post articles)

Wed, 11 Mar 2009 12:10:43 +0700

In January Apple announced an update to its consumer suite of media programs called iLife which comes with all new Macs: iPhoto, iMovie, GarageBand iWeb and iDVD. It shipped at the end of January and I ordered my update using the Thai online Apple store. I wanted to check the effectiveness of real product ordering and the delivery process.

The installation on my MacBookPro was fairly quick and the process took just over 15 minutes. Another installation on an iMac took 30 minutes, while on the latest MacBook it only took 5 minutes. On my MacBookPro, I was keen to start with iPhoto as the new features are interesting, not only with the way the application integrates with other parts of iLife, but also with external services. When I started iPhoto, it needed first to update the library which took only a couple of minutes then we were ready to go.

iLife Updated (3): iPhoto - Editing and Places

Wed, 11 Mar 2009 09:07:28 +0700

In the latest version of iPhoto, the Slideshow which I looked at earlier, is one of fourteen icons in the bottom toolbar. Several are new. These now include an icon for Faces, which I examined last time, plus ways to share photographs using MobileMe, Facebook and Flickr direct from iPhoto. Familiar icons include Calendar, Book and Card -- one click access to creation of other media -- and Edit, which has been updated.

Airport Firmware Update

Fri, 06 Mar 2009 18:08:20 +0700

Following a couple of utility updates and the new Airport/Time Capsule hardware refreshes, Apple has released an update to the Firmware of the Airport. To get this, start up the Airport Utility and a button appears for access to the download. It will need a restart of the Airport unit, so wait till all the games are played and the downloads are complete.

This is alleged to add some features to the Airport that make it easier to access a home computer from a remote location among other things.

Podcast #187

Wed, 04 Mar 2009 18:02:14 +0700

This week a bit more on iPhoto with a look at Faces plus the way it exports to Facebook, Flickr and MobileMe. We have also been playing with the Safari beta a bit more, so some comments on that.

We also have a number of hardware and software updates from Apple so there is also some information on those and their availability here, in Thailand, plus the usual wide-rranging comments on local and international news that passed me by.

More Software Updates from Apple

Wed, 04 Mar 2009 08:42:58 +0700

Apple has released a RAW camera update that affects users of iPhoto and Aperture who use Nikon D3X and Epson R-D1x cameras. It also addresses issues related to specific cameras and overall stability.

There is also a battery update, 1.4, for 13" Macbooks.

This week we also saw a Airport Utility Software Update, an update to iLife Support, Airport Client Update and an iPhoto Update to 8.0.1. Some of these require a restart.

These are available via Software Update or the Apple Downloads pages.

iLife 09 (2): iPhoto - Faces, Flickr and Facebook

Wed, 04 Mar 2009 08:16:05 +0700

With the update to iPhoto, (part of iLife) users have some new ways to organise and distribute photographs. The application initially used the idea of "rolls" as an organising method, which later changed to the "Event", while still using Date and Time displays. To these Apple has added Faces and Places: collection and organisation of photographs of people and of locations.

Many of us use our cameras to take pictures of people: family, friends, parties. When we take scores of images over a period of time, it becomes hard to track them all easily. Faces uses some sophisticated tools to help with this: including the technologies of face detection and face recognition.

MacBookPro upgraded too

Tue, 03 Mar 2009 22:40:49 +0700

We almost missed this one, but thanks to MacWorld for the heads-up.

The MacBookPro has had a small boost from its 2.53Ghz configuration to 2.66Ghz. This is also shown in the Thai Apple Store

New Airport and Time Capsule

Tue, 03 Mar 2009 22:31:53 +0700

Apple is having a busy week. Not only do we have new Macs, but the WiFi equipped units have been updated too. As well as the normal 2.4Ghz band, these now operate in the 5Gz band as well, simultaneously.

The Airport Extreme Base Station and the Time Capsule are listed in the Apple Store for Thailand but both are marked, "Pending for Agency Approval". No date is given for shipping.

New Macs - Mac Pro, Mac min and iMac

Tue, 03 Mar 2009 22:19:26 +0700

Recent rumours became concrete with not one, but three new Macs today: the Mac Mini, new MacPro models and new iMacs. Not only that, but they were immediately shown on the Thailand Apple store.
Let me start with the iMac. There is a single 20" version with a 2.66Ghz processor at 45,900 baht; and three 24" iMacs. 2.66GHz for 57,900, 2.93GHz for 68,900 and 3.06Ghz for 84,900 baht. The first two are running the GeForce 9400M graphics processor, while the two dearest have the GT 120 and GT 130 respectively. Hard drives are 320G, 640G and 1TB for the top of the line. There is an estimated shipping time of 7 - 10 days.

There are two Mac minis both with 2Ghz processors. One with 120G disk and the other 320G at 23,900 and 31,900 respectively. These also have the 9400M graphics chip and as per the rumour lst week do inded have 5 USB ports.

The Mac Pro There are two basic computers but, even more than the others, these are highly configurable. we have the 2.66GHz Quad core using the IntelNehalmen processor, 3G RAM and a 640G hard drive for 95,900 baht. While the other is advertised as 8-core with 2, of the 2.66Ghz Quad core processors pluys 6G RAM for 125,900 baht.

Both the iMac and the MacPro look as if they have the same body as before, while the Mac mini, with those new ports has obviously had some changes.

Podcast #186

Wed, 25 Feb 2009 18:06:55 +0700

This starts with my initial look at iPhoto and the slideshow feature, then there is the usual news, plus a look at some new software, some updates, a couple of apps for the iPod touch (including a Thai keyboard) and an initial look at the Safari 4.0 beta that arrived last night.

Update on the Safari 4 update

Wed, 25 Feb 2009 08:33:07 +0700

As I look at the new Safari beta, there are a couple of things that I am less comfortable with, especially the tabs bar at the top of the screen. I am so used to it lower down that this is almost a necessity for the ways I have learned to work. I also do not like the refresh icon inside the address bar.

The cavalry has arrived in the shape of the aptly named Random Genius who has a list of the changes (some of which I had not noticed and some I am happy with) that can be put back to the earlier formats with a bit of work in the Terminal.

iLife '09 (1): Purchase and First Look at iPhoto Slides

Wed, 25 Feb 2009 08:07:46 +0700

Safari 4 available in beta

Tue, 24 Feb 2009 21:22:05 +0700

Apple has today announced that Safari version 4 is available in beta form. There are a number of new features in this version that uses the new Nitro engine, including the way tabs are handled, Coverflow and Top Sites. Windows users also have a native Look and Feel version.

Happy Birthday, Steve

Tue, 24 Feb 2009 12:54:03 +0700

I noticed in an article concerning the annual shareholders' meeting which is tomorrow, a reference to Steve Jobs' birthday - 54 today. Happy Birthday, Steve.

Podcast #185

Wed, 18 Feb 2009 16:21:11 +0700

This week's podcast includes the final part of my look at iWork updated and focuses on Numbers. Owing to some communication problems -- both ways -- this was not received by the Bangkok Post so is only available online at the eXtensions site.

In this podcast we also look at a new app for the iPhone and iPod touch which allows users to monitor the computer remotely (using the wifi router) and view data like temperatures, fan speeds and other useful information.

There is also a run down of some local and international news that caught my eye in the last few days and some comments on those events.

iWork Updated (3) - Numbers

Wed, 18 Feb 2009 16:21:31 +0700

Apple updated its iWork productivity suite in January and I have been working with this since returning from Macworld. I initially used the trial I downloaded from the Apple website, but bought the licence online from the Thai Apple Store.

Of the three parts of iWork, it is Numbers that is the most recent and while some viewed it as a competitor to spreadsheet software like Excel, it is both less than that and more.

Owing to some communication problems -- both ways -- this was not received by the Bangkok Post so is only available online at the eXtensions site.

OS X Updates

Fri, 13 Feb 2009 09:18:45 +0700

Apple has released a couple of updates for OS X. The first is Security Update 209-001, a 44MB download that covers a series of security fixes.

Also available is Java for Mac OS X 10.5 Update 3 which delivers improvements to security and compatibility of Java.

These updates are available via Software Update or the Apple Downloads pages and will require a computer restart.

Podcast #184

Wed, 11 Feb 2009 17:22:43 +0700

The main item is on the second part of my look at iWork, plus local and international news and some comments.

iWork Updated (2): Pages

Wed, 11 Feb 2009 07:54:48 +0700

The recent update to iWork announced at MacWorld, made several improvements to the three components: Keynote, Pages and Numbers. Also added was the online collaboration service, iwork.com, that will help people using the suite to circulate working documents.

Update for the new GarageBand

Thu, 05 Feb 2009 08:15:11 +0700

Apple has released an update for the new version of GarageBand and one of the issues covered concerns problems some users were having with downloading the Learn to Play lessons. This has not changed the availability of the Artist Lessons. These are still not available in Thailand.

The download is available via Software Update or from the Apple downloads pages.

Podcast #183

Wed, 04 Feb 2009 18:11:23 +0700

Apple and Macs During the 22 Years of Post Database; plus rumours surounding the iPhone and other devices; some ideas on iLife and some other comments.

Let's start with a nice rumour on something that is a bit overdue: Flash for the iPhone and iPod touch. There have been some recriminations from both Apple and Adobe over the pace of development in recent months, but Aidan Malley in AppleInsider reports that the two are now working happily together: it is in both their interests after all.

iWork updates for earlier releases

Tue, 03 Feb 2009 07:36:34 +0700

While iWork 09 was released last month, Apple has released updates for the previous versions of Keynote, Pages and Numbers. Major concerns seem to be compatibility issues for Microsoft products.

Again, these updates are for the previous versions with iWork and NOT for the latest iWork09.

Apple and Macs during the 22 Years of Post Database

Wed, 04 Feb 2009 08:14:01 +0700

For the celebration of 22 years of the Post Database, the editor asked me to look at how Macs and Apple have developed in that time, and by a wonderful coincidence, January saw the 25th anniversary of the Macintosh itself.

Although Apple had made some popular computers for enthusiasts in its earliest days, the Mac was a total break with its mouse and the graphic user interface. Even then (as now) commentators made fun of the platform and suggested there was no evidence to support the idea that anyone would want to use a pointing device.

Bangkok Diary Thursday 29 January 2009: Undercover 3 Released - Software for Recovery of Stolen Macs

Thu, 29 Jan 2009 22:50:34 +0700

Orbicule has announced the release of Version 3 of its computer-tracking software and I downloaded this to update my current installation.

New iPhoto recognises pets too

Thu, 29 Jan 2009 18:17:47 +0700

A review (and some comments on Apple forums) suggest that the new iPhoto Faces feature which was designed for identifying photos of people that we have in our libraries, can also be used for cats. Once the face of the cat has been identified, iPhoto then has a shot at finding other images of the same cat. These cat people, eh? Needless to say, I will be testing on images of my dog, Rabbit (yeah, I have a dog called Rabbit).

Podcast #182

Wed, 28 Jan 2009 16:49:48 +0700

Last week, we saw Apple's best ever quarterly results reported by Tim Cook, Apple's interim head. More on that and related stories later; plus a Trojan for those who have been trying to download pirated versions of iWork. And it is a look at iWork that is the main item this week.

iPhone firmware updated to 2.2.1 (also for iPod touch)

Wed, 28 Jan 2009 16:49:17 +0700

Apple has released an update for the firmware on the iPhone and the iPod touch. The download for the touch is just over 248MB. A number of improvements are included, although many are undocumented. Apple tells us that this increases Safari stability and fixes image-saving problems some users had with Mail. There may be more fixes to be found.

Bu still no Thai keyboard. . . .

iWork Updated (1) - Keynote

Wed, 28 Jan 2009 08:26:17 +0700

While some were disappointed with MacWorld, updated software in particular showed how Apple continues to develop and improve the applications. Both iWork and iLife were updated and while iLife is to be released at the end of January, iWork was immediately available. I downloaded the 30-day trial version. It installs in a folder alongside the previous version.

iLife shipping from tomorrow (27th)

Mon, 26 Jan 2009 21:39:35 +0700

Apple announced earlier today that the latest version of iLife will begin shipping as from tomorrow. There is no news as to when the box sets will be in the shops in Thailand, but this can be purchased online via the Thai Apple Store where the price is shown as 3,190 baht.

BitTorrent Nasties for Mac Users

Fri, 23 Jan 2009 10:18:35 +0700

I know a lot of Mac users take advantage of Bit Torrent and other such download services and I wholly disapprove of this. So here is an extra warning if you are tempted to try and download the latest iWork 09: it may well contain a Trojan and your system could becomes seriously compromised.

Downloads from the Apple site are not affected, nor are the boxed versions, which now do not need a password. If you remember a couple of years back, the same trick was done with the downloadable Microsoft Office -- most certainly a pirated version, as MS does not put this online.

$79 is not a lot to pay for this excellent (legal) suite from Apple and far better than the alternative (either the Trojan or Microsoft Office).

QuickTime 7.6 released

Thu, 22 Jan 2009 08:45:24 +0700

Apple has updated QuickTime for both OS X and Windows and this is now at version 7.6. ncludes changes that increase reliability, improve compatibility and enhance security.

Apple reports best Quarterly Results ever

Thu, 22 Jan 2009 08:43:15 +0700

Apple in Cupertino has announced financial results for its fiscal 2009 first quarter ended December 27, 2008. The Company posted record revenue of $10.17 billion and record net quarterly profit of $1.61 billion, or $1.78 per diluted share. These results compare to revenue of $9.6 billion and net quarterly profit of $1.58 billion.

The results were presetned by Apple CFO Peter Oppenheimer and COO Tim Cook

Apple's silent upgrade to the MacBook

Wed, 21 Jan 2009 19:39:52 +0700

News arrives today that the graphics processor in the last polycarbonate Macs -- the bottom of the range Mac Book -- has been updated to the same one as in the unibody aluminium Macs. All of these now sport the NVidia 9400M processor (the MacBook Pro has this plus the 9600 GT). Also in the revision is the upgrading of RAM to 2G as basic and the inclusion of the faster 1066MHz bus (memory uses the earlier 667Mhz type as before).

Check the specs before handing over your cash.

Podcast #181

Wed, 21 Jan 2009 17:03:43 +0700

The last 7 days have seen the release of the iPhone in Thailand and the news that Steve Jobs was taking a 6 months leave of absence, which had much of the press all a-tremble. This week's database article is a second look at MacWorld with the benefit of a bit of hindsight.

After the Show is Over: Thoughts on the last MacWorld

Wed, 21 Jan 2009 07:22:55 +0700

A point about any show like MacWorld or CES (which may have an Apple display next year) is the networking that occurs, plus the news that comes out of such events.

Several points were raised about the competent, yet surprisingly low-key presentation from Phil Schiller revealing much about Apple's confidence for the future. I view this as a contrast to the fortunes of PC makers like Dell or Lenovo, among others who announced job losses while I was in San Francisco. Some optimists view the belt-tightening as relatively short-term. Lenovo, for example, has other irons in the fire and can weather the current storm. There were no such announcements from Apple whose manufacturing is done almost entirely offshore: China, Taiwan and others, including Thailand.

Bangkok Diary Saturday 17 January 2009: First to Move - Rollout of the iPhone in Thailand (at last)

Sat, 17 Jan 2009 14:33:39 +0700

Yesterday (Friday 16 Jan 2009) saw, at long last, the roll out of the iPhone in Thailand, which is being handled solely, and entirely, by True, a subsidiary of the massive CP Corporation. While the first users, who had pre-booked, were scheduled to get their hands on their devices starting from 7pm, there were a number of related events beginning at 5pm, although when I arrived at the Royal Paragon Hall on Floor 5 of the Siam Paragon shopping centre, the place was already packed out.

iPhone in Thailand - Terms and Conditions in English

Thu, 15 Jan 2009 14:02:14 +0700

As was suggested a couple of weeks back, terms and conditions that True is using for those who intend to use the iPhone in Thailand - at least as far as the wifi is concerned - have now been posted in English.

Steve Jobs to take medical leave of absence

Thu, 15 Jan 2009 09:25:29 +0700

A press release dated 14 January contains information from a letter Steve Jobs sent to all Apple employees:

Team,

I am sure all of you saw my letter last week sharing something very personal with the Apple community. Unfortunately, the curiosity over my personal health continues to be a distraction not only for me and my family, but everyone else at Apple as well. In addition, during the past week I have learned that my health-related issues are more complex than I originally thought.

In order to take myself out of the limelight and focus on my health, and to allow everyone at Apple to focus on delivering extraordinary products, I have decided to take a medical leave of absence until the end of June.

I have asked Tim Cook to be responsible for Apple’s day to day operations, and I know he and the rest of the executive management team will do a great job. As CEO, I plan to remain involved in major strategic decisions while I am out. Our board of directors fully supports this plan.

I look forward to seeing all of you this summer.

Steve

Podcast #180 - MacWorld Keynote -The best is yet to come

Wed, 14 Jan 2009 19:12:20 +0700

Back to Bangkok this week with the iPhone release coming this Friday and the keynote and MacWorld behind me. With the amount of news still coming, I have run this longer than my standard 20 minutes and it is just over 27 minutes.

The Best is Yet to Come: Apple Keynote MacWorld 2009

Wed, 14 Jan 2009 09:22:23 +0700

On Tuesday (6 Jan) I was at the Moscone Center, West, for the Apple keynote speech, this time presented by Phil Schiller. There has been much speculation over the previously announced absence of Steve Jobs. The day before a press release from Jobs outlined the reasons for his gaunt appearance over the last months and for missing the keynote.

Schiller had an unenviable task as he has some large shoes to fill. With Apple moving on from MacWorld after this, one blogger tried to drum up support for a no-applause response and there were people handing out "Bring back Steve Jobs" leaflets on the approach to the Moscone Center.

MacWorld 09 - A Final Look Around

Fri, 09 Jan 2009 08:34:00 +0700

The hall on the south side, where I started, was busy when I arrived. I took a further look round later and the Apple theatre there was even busier than yesterday with almost no standing room now, while the Microsoft demo area was even emptier. Apple were demonstrating the new music lesson part of GarageBand and I saw how the presenter was showing how a user could work with an artist's input -- they were using John Fogarty, which I guess will be the standard presentation format worldwide as that was what Phil Schiller used.

Podcast #179

Thu, 08 Jan 2009 22:28:31 +0700

A little late this week and a little short, but here are some ideas I had before the show (deadlines are a problem here) and some initial ideas after the keynote.

Bangkok Diary 7 January 2009 - Getting a feel for MacWorld

Thu, 08 Jan 2009 08:56:41 +0700

When I entered the exhibition hall, I stopped for a moment to get the feel of things and it was pretty apparent that the hall was almost empty of show-goers. I checked the time and put this down to the early hour. As it turned out, that was a good call as within 30 minutes, we could hardly move.

Taking the centre is the Apple booth -- but booth is a word that hardly does justice to the displays, computers, personnel and stage that take up the space. It looked empty early, but when the folks came in, there was not a seat in the house and standing room was a little tight round the stage and hardware displays too.

This page links also to a selection of images from the show.

Bangkok Diary 6 January 2009 - The Keynote

Wed, 07 Jan 2009 10:31:42 +0700

I was at the Moscone Center, West, for the Phil Schiller's keynote speech earlier. Yesterday, a press release from Jobs outlined the reasons for his appearance and for missing the keynote.

What we Should Expect from Apple

Wed, 07 Jan 2009 06:03:12 +0700

Yesterday (6 Jan) at the Moscone Center in San Francisco, the last ever MacWorld keynote was presented by Phil Schiller, Apple's Senior vice president for worldwide product marketing. I am writing this in anticipation of what might be.

Bangkok Diary Monday 5 January 2009 - at MacWorld 2009 Even the Small Talk Will be Big

Tue, 06 Jan 2009 07:11:58 +0700

I arrived earlier today, Monday 5 January 2009, for the MacWorld Conference, to drizzly and damp streets, with overcast skies. The first timem I have seen San Francisco like this and it just added to the feeling I had that it had been Monday forever: 24 hours so far, with a few more to go.

Images of around Bangkok

Sat, 03 Jan 2009 12:56:12 +0700

I don't just teach and write. I also have a camera and some of the images are available on the Mobile Me Gallery. As well as a couple of student projects (posters) that are shown, I also have several of my own images, the latest being from Yaowarat - Bangkok's Chinatown.

Failing Zunes - Y2K9?

Wed, 31 Dec 2008 20:19:37 +0700

A little late for the podcast and this might have made a fitting end to the year, but a lot of unhappy people in the US (lucky for M$ you can't get it anywhere else) are reporting that the 30G version just stops: "totally unresponsive and practically useless."

The cause is of course expected to have been caused by a software glitch. I can just see the "I'm a Mac, I'm a PC" advertisement now. . . .

A Happy new year. To iPod users, anyway.

Podcast #178

Wed, 31 Dec 2008 13:01:35 +0700

For me the biggest news came on Friday with a tiny entry in the bangkok Post Business section with the information that the release party for the iPhone in Thailand was to be at Siam Paragon on 16 Jan. More on that later. This week I am looking at other small stuff we may want to buy for ourselves or our loved ones.

Plus the retirement of Tony Waltham, editor of Post Database for many years, comments on the iPhone in Thailand, rumours, and local and international news.

Smaller Apples for Xmas and New Year

Wed, 31 Dec 2008 08:46:01 +0700

In the next few months, there will be a number of changes to the Apple retail stores in Bangkok, particularly with the iStudio operation in Central World. Instead of one space, this will expand to 550 square metres: an area equivalent to four shops. There will be more space to display products and better facilities there, including a small lecture space as in Apple stores in other countries.

The iStudio store in Siam Discovery Center is slated to move to a location with larger space available as well; and there is a firm plan for a new iStudio in Siam Square in the area that was Centre Point.

With most of the heavy seasonal shopping already completed, today being new year's eve, a lot of people will be shopping for the lighter presents. In some cases this may mean a lightning visit to one of the stores that sells the iPod. These are on sale in a number of outlets including the iStudio stores that are situated in a number of locations in Bangkok and the provinces.

Walmart gets the iPhone on 28 December

Fri, 26 Dec 2008 22:34:27 +0700

According to reports just out, the iPhone 3G is officially going on sale in Wal-mart, starting 28 December - Sunday - which adds another 2,500 outlets in the US where the device may be bought. The 8G is $197 and the 16G is $297. These will be sold with a 2 -year link to AT & T.

Bangkok Diary Friday 26 December 2008: Thailand iPhone Pricing - Some Comparisons

Fri, 26 Dec 2008 15:51:22 +0700

I have been looking at the pricing of the iPhone as advertised by True in Thailand and I have been trying to estimate the costs for the device. As in other countries, the iPhone is linked to a provider -- in this case True -- and everyone has to sign up for a 24-month plan. The figures below are rough and ready but can give an indication of what the device may cost. . . .

Bangkok Diary Friday 26 December 2008: iPhone release in Thailand -- Good Pricing, Poor Pre-Registration

Fri, 26 Dec 2008 11:39:08 +0700

True has announced details of its iPhone release and the pricing that will apply in Thailand. Despite all the negative predictions over the last two years, the cost of the device and the fees are not too bad. However, there are a couple of negatives to the initial offering here.

There was a small item (not online) in the Bangkok Post, Business Section, this morning (26 December) telling readers that the date the iPhone will be available is now 16 January 2009 and the location, as expected, is Siam Paragon. With this location in the center of Bangkok's shopping district, this may well be a big event and I would also expect to see personnel from the local Apple office there too.

iPhone in Thailand 16 January release

Fri, 26 Dec 2008 12:25:05 +0700

We see in the Bangkok Post, Business Section, this morning that True have announced the iPhone release event is to be at Siam Paragon on 16 January. Those who have pre-registered can collect their phones then.

Podcast #177

Wed, 24 Dec 2008 14:55:42 +0700

Great Scott it is Christmas, and here we are this week with a Post article aimed at people thinking of buying Macs.

We also look at rumours, updates, and local and international news

Apples for Xmas and the New Year

Wed, 24 Dec 2008 09:31:37 +0700

It is the time of year when we may be making purchases for loved ones, for ourselves, or for companies. With Apple's online store now available for Thailand, it is easy to find information that will help us make our decisions. I would also urge anyone who is about to buy, to visit one of the iStudio stores, where advice is available, we can try the devices, and look at accessories available.

Is there an iPhone nano?

Mon, 22 Dec 2008 23:52:39 +0700

One of my students sent me a message a short while ago with a simple URL, www.iphonenano.com, which redirects to the main iPhone page. So Apple at least owns the URL. Do they have the device?

Update to Mail

Tue, 23 Dec 2008 22:04:15 +0700

At what seems like an unusual moment to me, Apple has released an update to the Mail application. The information about this tells us it concerns "stability issues" which could cover a host of ills. It should show up in Software Update (it did not in mine run from a user account) and is also available via Apple's downloads pages.

At last, a BBC iPlayer for the Mac (and for Linux)

Fri, 19 Dec 2008 09:31:43 +0700

Forced to move from its somewhat Windows-centric approach by the guardians of the BBC, The BBC Trust, the Corporation has finally produced a player, we are told (currently in beta), that will work on Macs and "Open Source".

Of course, you can only see this stuff if you are in the UK. . . .

Digital Camera RAW Compatibility Update, 2.4

Fri, 19 Dec 2008 09:08:17 +0700

This update is for Mac users of either Aperture or iPhoto and provides extended compatibility for -

Canon EOS 5D Mark II
Canon PowerShot G10
Pentax K2000/K-m
Leaf AFi-II 6
Leaf AFi-II 7
Leaf Aptus-II 6
Leaf Aptus-II 7
Leica M8.2

It also addresses issues related to specific cameras and overall stability. It is available via Software Update and will need a restart.

Apple Business Resources

Thu, 18 Dec 2008 09:40:37 +0700

Apple has online a fairly good resource of PDF files and web pages that are aimed at those looking for business solutions.

A - Z of System Preferences in OS X: PDF downloads (updated)

Wed, 17 Dec 2008 20:32:23 +0700

With the update to OS X (10.5.6), Keyboard & Mouse, and Trackpad preferences have been changed. I have updated the relevant PDF files to take account of this.

Podcast #176

Wed, 17 Dec 2008 18:14:56 +0700

Giving students more insight into OS X, by borrowing a computer and showing them destructive computing, then how to recover. Plus more on the imminent local release of the iPhone, plus rumours, updates and other news

Giving Students some more Insight into OS X

Wed, 17 Dec 2008 08:47:31 +0700

In recent years, I have been asked to introduce Macs and OS X to Computer Engineering students. For a couple of years I also taught a basic introduction to Unix with some Silicon Graphics computers that were under-utilised. Fortunately, the arrival of a new teacher a couple of years ago, meant that the students had a complete introduction to Linux, with hands-on experience.

Usually, I have a three weeks in the first semester: enough to outline OS X and highlight some differences. This year I was asked to teach again in semester two. I decided to show them some of what happens when things go wrong: destructive computing. Some students may work in businesses where there are Macs. They need to have a passing knowledge of other systems.

OS X 10.5.6 update

Tue, 16 Dec 2008 14:32:40 +0700

Apple has released the expected update to OS X, 10.5.6. And it is B i G. The standard version is over 370MB and the combo issue is 688MB. The server combo is 833MB. When using Software Update, the Delta download is shown as 190MB.

There are several major fixes: Airport, Graphics, MobileMe, Time Machine, Safari and Networking are all mentioned.

Firmware Updates for the newest MacBook and MacBook Pro

Thu, 11 Dec 2008 08:59:01 +0700

Apple has released a number of firmware updates that are intended to deal with some of the issues users are experiencing, according to Tom Krazit in CNET News (and several others).

Some of the issues involve Sleeping and Waking, plus USB and device compatibility. There was an earlier firmware update for certain trackpad problems.

Podcast #175

Wed, 10 Dec 2008 18:47:33 +0700

Book Review: Mac OS X for Unix Geeks; plus news of the iPhone in Thailand and other local and international news.

Mac OS X for Unix Geeks

Wed, 10 Dec 2008 08:13:48 +0700

Jepson, Brian, Ernest E. Rothman and Rich Rosen. Mac OS X for Unix Geeks. O'Reilly; Sebastopol, CA. US$34.99 (1240 baht). ISBN 978-0-596-52062-5

Unlike earlier operating systems on Macintosh computers, OS X was built on a Unix foundation. It is the easy access to what lies beneath that makes OS X not only one of the strongest operating systems around, but one that is easy to fine-tune in ways that were never possible before: if we want to.

Most users will be perfectly happy with the Mac's graphic user interface (GUI) and never feel the need to go any further. Nor is this necessary. To draw a parallel, a car owner does not need to know how to check the oil, nor the spark plugs, or even how to change a wheel. Some car users do, and some take it much further and can disassemble an engine if necessary.

Bangkok Diary Thursday 3 December 2008: iPhone to be released in Thailand

Wed, 03 Dec 2008 22:35:53 +0700

I saw earlier today (Wednesday) that the icons page for the iPhone "coming soon" page was updated today (just a couple of hours after I put out my podcast) and that, finally, Thailand is one of those countries that appears. Taiwan was also added to the list this week and the date for its introduction there is said to be 13 December. As yet, there is no date given for the release in Thailand.

Clicking down from the icons finally brings us to a page which reveals that, and this is a bit of a surprise, True Move is the sole company handling this for the moment.

iPhone coming to Thailand

Wed, 03 Dec 2008 21:44:00 +0700

Not more than a couple of hours after I finish this week's podcast and moan about the lack of news, I find that the countries icons page for iPhones has been updated and that THAILAND has finally made an appearance.

There is no date as yet, but True Move will be handling this

Podcast #174

Wed, 03 Dec 2008 18:38:30 +0700

Beginning with this week's Post article on Time Machine preferences, this is a shorter podcast than normal: a slow news week after the US Thanks-Giving holiday. Still a few items of interest, however.

Time Machine Preferences in OS X, 10.5, Leopard

Wed, 03 Dec 2008 07:53:07 +0700

We are at the end of my extended series on System preferences: closing with a look at Time Machine.

A - Z of System Preferences in OS X: PDF downloads (4 files)

Wed, 03 Dec 2008 07:53:59 +0700

I am putting online a series of files in PDF format that are based on the Bangkok Post, Database articles I wrote for the eXtensions column on System Preferences in OS X, 10.5, Leopard. Since they were originally printed in the Bangkok Post, I have modified the texts, fixed a few errors and added some more information.

Feel free to download and use the information. Although they are copyright, they are free for individual and education use.

MacBook Pro 2.53Ghz (Part 2): Hands On

Wed, 26 Nov 2008 09:02:23 +0700

The latest MacBook Pro was in my hands for two weeks and I gave it a reasonable workout. Compared to my own MacBook Pro (2.16GHz) it has a stellar performance and scored higher in every aspect using standard XBench tests. I would not hesitate to change to this model if had the cash. Part of that performance came from the 2.53GHz processor and the standard 4GB RAM (now rated at 1066MHz). It was lighter than my current Mac at 2.49Kg compared to 2.54Kg. However, one or two things do need addressing.

Podcast #173

Wed, 26 Nov 2008 16:05:50 +0700

This week a fair number of updates which have brought forth a few interesting changes, while round here I continue with my second part of the review of the MacBook Pro: hands on.

Safari updated to 3.2.1

Tue, 25 Nov 2008 07:24:54 +0700

Another update to Safari is out. Now at 3.2.1, the update includes stability improvements and is recommended for all Safari users, so Apple tells us. A restart is needed for this one.

This is not available as yet via the downloads pages.

Final Cut Pro 6 update

Fri, 21 Nov 2008 15:45:23 +0700

This must be the update season with several coming from Apple in the last week or so. This time, Final Cut gets an update via Pro Apps 2008-04" with the usual performance and stability improvements.

Update to iPhone firmware - 2.2

Fri, 21 Nov 2008 16:29:00 +0700

As expected after the earlier iTunes update, the predicted update to firmware for the iPhone and for the iPod touch have been released with several improvements, "to maps and mail, as well as several improvements to stability and reliability."

As an additional note, I now see Thai regional settings on my iPod touch, although no keyboard as yet.

Update to iTunes

Fri, 21 Nov 2008 10:38:03 +0700

Apple has released iTunes 8.0.2 which is said to be for improvements in stability with a number of other fixes improves accessibility for users with impaired vision.

Podcast #172

Thu, 20 Nov 2008 09:36:33 +0700

The main item is the Bangkok Post article on the MacBook Pro this week, with some ideas on the growing spread of the iPhone, as well as news on updates and why iPods can be good for your health.

Apple's New 2.53Ghz MacBook Pro: Out of the Box

Wed, 19 Nov 2008 08:21:16 +0700

The latest MacBook Pro with the 2.53GHz processor came from Apple for review in early November. By coincidence, EITS, the education distributor, lent an earlier one with the 2.4GHz chip so that I could demonstrate to students. I was able to make back-to-back comparisons with these and my older 2.16GHz MacBookPro.

QuickTime Update

Tue, 18 Nov 2008 07:39:24 +0700

We are told that Apple has released a QuickTime H.264 compatibility update, version 7.5.5. This is for compatibility with iChat.

Firmware Update for Trackpad Problems

Tue, 18 Nov 2008 07:32:56 +0700

Apple has updated the firmware for the new MacBook Pro and its trackpad, as anticipated and has now released a Trackpad Firmware Update. The 704KB download, via the OS X Software Update feature, is an application that will update the firmware for the user.

Apple online Store - Malaysia

Fri, 14 Nov 2008 22:33:17 +0700

Apple has really begin to expand in the region. We were happy to see the online store in Thailand this week (and get a couple of t-shirts in the mail) which came at the same time as an online store for the Philippines. Friday night we read of another online store: Malaysia

Welcome to the folks down there.

Safari Updates (Leopard, Tiger and Windows)

Fri, 14 Nov 2008 09:01:39 +0700

Apple has released an update, to 3.2, for Safari. It features protection from fraudulent phishing websites and better identification of online businesses. This update also includes the latest security updates.

It is available via Software Update (on Macs) or the Apple downloads pages. A restart (on Macs at least) will be required.

iPod nano update

Thu, 13 Nov 2008 09:51:34 +0700

Apple has released an update to the software for the generation 4 iPod nano. The 1.0.3 update is to accommodate the new in-ear headphones (which have the microphone), so it will allow recording on the nano. There is also change to Cover Flow as well as fixes for certain instabilities.

The update is available via iTunes.

Bangkok Diary Thursday 13 November 2008 - iPhone Speculation for Thailand

Thu, 13 Nov 2008 10:16:05 +0700

A brief report in the Thursday print edition of the Bangkok Post (Business Section) tells us that True Move, one of the three main telephone service suppliers in Thailand, with its customer base almost wholly in Bangkok and the central area, claims to have signed a deal with Apple to handle the iPhone, "within the next few months."

Podcast #171

Wed, 12 Nov 2008 17:47:34 +0700

This week, Systm Preferences in OS X Spotlight and Startup Disk; this week an online Apple shop for Thailand; plus local and international news and comments.

System Preferences in OS X: Spotlight and Startup Disk

Wed, 12 Nov 2008 08:27:52 +0700

Continuing with the extended look at System Preferences in OS X, we are now looking at two useful sections: Spotlight, for searching on a disk; and Startup Disk which, as the name suggests, allows a user to specify the operating system location.

Bangkok Diary Tuesday 11 November 2008: Apple Online Shop opens in Thailand

Tue, 11 Nov 2008 16:47:29 +0700

A little more on the inauguration of a long-overdue Apple online store for the Land of Smiles.

Apple Online Store comes to Thailand

Tue, 11 Nov 2008 16:47:20 +0700

In a bit of a surprise, I had a phone call earlier today from Apple in Singapore, telling me of the inauguration of a long-overdue Apple online store for the Land of Smiles.

Customers can now choose from the complete line of Macs and iPods as well as a wide array of accessories all priced in baht. The Apple Online Store offers the same options for customizing Macs that were available elsewhere, as well as the service for personalized iPod engraving.

Coming up to the New Year period, through the Apple Online Store, (PRODUCT) RED Special Edition iPod models are now available for the first time in Thailand. Shipping is free for online orders over 2,000 baht.

For customers who order a Mac or iPod through the Apple Online Store Limited edition Apple T-Shirt (while stocks last) to commemorate the grand opening.

The number for telesales in Bangkok is 001-800-65-6957

There is more information on services at http://store.apple.com/th/browse/home/campaigns/hello_xborder?mco=MjUzMTA4OQ

iife Support 8.3.1 (OS X 10.4.11)

Tue, 11 Nov 2008 07:17:01 +0700

Apple has released iLife Support, version 8.3.1 for users of Tiger, 10.4.11.

iLife Support provides system software components shared by all iLife 08 applications. This update improves overall stability and addresses a number of other minor issues. It is recommended for all users for iLife 08.

It is available via the Apple downloads pages.

Podcast #170

Wed, 05 Nov 2008 15:51:41 +0700

This week, we look at the generation 4 iPod nano.

There are also comments on the election of Barack Obama, plus information about downloads and rumours, plus comments on news and other ideas.

RAW File Compatibility Update 2.3

Wed, 05 Nov 2008 09:51:12 +0700

Apple has released an update for RAW image file compatibility in OS X. It will need a restart. It improves handling of RAW images on -

Canon EOS 50D
Nikon D90
Sony DSLR-A900
Nikon Coolpix P6000

It also addresses issues related to specific cameras and overall stability and is available via Software Update.

Hardware Review - 8 Gigabyte Generation 4 iPod nano

Wed, 05 Nov 2008 09:22:21 +0700

At the end of October I had a couple of weeks with a second generation iPod touch and the latest iPod nano. The shape of the nano has returned to the slender format of the first and second generation versions, but (among other changes) it has an oval cross-section allowing it to fit nicely in the hand.

Take Control of Your 802.11n AirPort Network

Tue, 04 Nov 2008 07:12:26 +0700

The O'Reilly publication is from the TidBits publishing arm and is available as a PDF for download, costing $10.

Take Control of Mobile Me (O'Reilly)

Sat, 01 Nov 2008 08:51:46 +0700

Joe Kissel has produced a useful handbook to help users master all the ins and outs of Mobile Me - a rich online service that has had its share of teething troubles.

The O'Reilly publication is from the TidBits publishing arm and is available as a PDF for download, costing $10.

O'Reilly releases Web Security Testing Cookbook

Sat, 01 Nov 2008 17:58:22 +0700

O'Reilly have just announced a book on web security by Paco Hope and Ben Walther, in the useful "CookBooks" series.

The book shows web developers (and others) how they may check for web security problems as well as carry out several other recognised forms of testing.

The book is priced at $39.99

Podcast #169

Wed, 05 Nov 2008 15:51:33 +0700

This week, we look at the second generation iPod touch: definitely on my Xmas list.

There is also information about downloads and rumours, plus comments on news.

iPod touch Generation 2

Wed, 29 Oct 2008 06:33:38 +0700

I had two of the latest iPods for review at the end of October: an 8GB iPod nano and a 16GB iPod touch. I use a touch daily and am most familiar with this. It is my favourite iPod, although the screenless shuffle comes a close second. When I first tried a touch last October, I saw it had potential but was short of a few tricks. That was improved last January when Mail and other applications were added, bringing it closer to a PDA. I bought mine then. I have used it daily for the last nine months.

Podcast #168

Sat, 25 Oct 2008 13:54:40 +0700

Yes, I know it is the weekend, but there is so much happening right now, both locally and internationally, that a Weekend Extra podcast seems to be about right.

Yesterday I put online a new app review, number 6 thus far and looked at some updates and some useful new apps.

We are still thinking about the recent financial report from Apple, although I was a bit surprised to see nothing on Apple's excellent results in the Post's Business News last week.

Bangkok Diary Friday 24 October 2008: iPod touch Applications (6)

Fri, 24 Oct 2008 19:49:21 +0700

Over the last couple of weeks, I have not only been playing with some new apps, but Apple's local PR office gave me an iPod nano and a second generation iPod touch to play with.

As well as some updates, I am looking at a new To Do application, Clocks, Pub Search (as in Publications, not pubs), plus the London Tube and a related game.

Podcast #167

Wed, 22 Oct 2008 17:48:27 +0700

Last week we heard about the new notebooks from Apple and a couple of other points. There is rumoured to be some more hardware this week when the Q4 financial results are announced.

In the Bangkok Post this week I am writing about Parental Controls in System Preferences.

System Preferences in OS X: Parental Controls

Wed, 22 Oct 2008 08:31:30 +0700

With my extended look at System Preferences in OS X, I am having to backtrack a little this time. I knew I had delayed discussing Quick Time preferences, but I also omitted the important section dedicated to Parental Controls.

Sadly, these days, while the internet has developed into a fabulous resource of news, research sources and information, it has also become a risk for the same young users who could benefit most from its use. Some parents are rightly concerned about what their offspring are viewing and who they are in contact with. We are reminded of the Peter Steiner cartoon from New Yorker, "On the Internet nobody knows you're a dog."

While parents should work with the very young in their online discoveries, those who are a little older value their independence and privacy. They can feel inhibited and resentful if they feel they are under observation. Parents have to perform a balancing act between that freedom and the protection of their sons and daughters from the malign influences that may exist online.

Podcast #166

Wed, 15 Oct 2008 14:08:51 +0700

When I was looking at the Speech Preferences in OS X, I reminded myself of a utility called, iSpeakIt, which takes text and creates a sound file, with choices of format and the ability to export direclty to iTunes. As well as iSPeakIt we look at the release of the latest Mac notebook computers, plus comments on last week's Pro Day -- Remix 2 -- in Bangkok, as well as news and comments.

New LED Cinema Display

Wed, 15 Oct 2008 08:01:34 +0700

Apple has introduced a new 24" LED Cinema Display with the same surround design as was first seen in the current iMac range and is now also in the latest MacBook and MacBookPro ranges.

The display has a built-in iSight camera and speakers, so should integrate well with the rest of the Macs on sale. It also has a power adapter so allows a user to charge a notebook computer while working.

The price of this display, which is soon to be released, is $899.

New MacBook and MacBookPro - the rumours come true

Wed, 15 Oct 2008 08:08:17 +0700

Apple has announced new MacBooks with several new design features and lower prices.

The new MacBook and 15-inch MacBook Pro both have a precision unibody enclosure crafted from a single block of aluminum, resulting in thinner, more durable and incredibly beautiful designs. In addition, every member of the new MacBook family includes state of the art NVIDIA graphics, brilliant instant-on LED-backlit displays and new large glass Multi-Touch™ trackpads that offer almost 40 percent more tracking area and support more Multi-Touch gestures.

An updated 13-inch white MacBook featuring 2.1 GHz Intel Core 2 Duo processors, a 120GB 5400 rpm hard drive and a slot-load 8X SuperDrive® is now available for $999 The new MacBook line features the powerful new NVIDIA GeForce 9400M, a revolutionary new 3D integrated graphics processor that features 16 parallel processing cores and delivers up to five times the 3D graphics performance as previous MacBook and MacBook Air™ designs.

The 2.0 GHz, 13-inch aluminum MacBook, has a suggested retail price of $1,299

The 2.4 GHz aluminum MacBook, has a suggested retail price of $1,599

The 2.4 GHz, 15-inch aluminum MacBook Pro, has a suggested retail price of $1,999

The 2.53 GHz aluminum MacBook Pro, has a suggested retail price of $2,499

The 1.6 GHz MacBook Air, has a suggested retail price of $1,799

The 1.86 GHz MacBook Air, for a suggested retail price of $2,499

The 2.5GHz 17-inch MacBook Pro, for a suggested retail price of $2,799

iSpeakIt: Exporting Sound to iTunes from Text with the System Voice

Wed, 15 Oct 2008 07:46:36 +0700

I recently covered Speech Preferences for OS X, Leopard. While looking at this, I used a utility I had installed a while back but not used regularly: iSpeakIt. As this has now been updated, with additional features, it is worth re-examining.

Security Update - Information from MacWorld

Fri, 10 Oct 2008 09:09:28 +0700

Apple may not be letting us know, but MacWorld has dissected the latest security update and has an article online with the information.

Among changes are updates to the Apache webserver which may have had vulnerabilities; ColorSync (buffer overflow problem); MySQL; and on OS X Server, the ClamAV engine has been updated.

Security Update 2008-007 1.0 released

Fri, 10 Oct 2008 09:01:16 +0700

Apple has released an update for security on its OS X operating system. There are actually six versions of this, depending on whether it applies to a desktop/laptop or server, or if the processor is Intel or PowerPC.

The description of just what this update does is as vague as any I have seen: improves security. . . .

As always, it incorporates previous security updates and is available via Software Update or the Apple Downloads pages

Apple News Conference for Tuesday 14 October

Fri, 10 Oct 2008 08:52:57 +0700

The announcement is so late some people thought it wasn't going to happen, but with the theme, "The Spotlight Turns to Notebooks" Apple has sent out invitations to a press conference next Tuesday (14 Oct).

The rumours have been rife in the past few days concerning construction (block of aluminium), price ($799 to $3100) and just what it is that the codename, "Brick," might mean.

There was also that announcement by Peter Oppenheimer about new products that were going to affect competitors. Is Apple about to move the goalposts again?

Bangkok Diary Thursday 8 October 2008: Pro Day - Remix2

Thu, 09 Oct 2008 20:05:54 +0700

Today (9 October) I went along to the Intercontinental Hotel in Ploenchit, Bangkok, where the local office of Apple was holding a Pro Day, which is running both Thursday and Friday. A lot of the fairly vibrant and young members of Thai the media production scene were in attendance to learn more about Apple's Pro applications including Final Cut, Logic Pro and Aperture.

Podcast #165

Wed, 08 Oct 2008 17:19:42 +0700

This week, we are looking at another part of System Preferences: specifically Speech and some of what we can, and cannot do.

We also examine international news and make some comments as well as having a look at three problems with local internet connectivity.

System Preferences, Speech: Speech recognition and Text to Speech

Wed, 08 Oct 2008 08:21:04 +0700

System Preferences in OS X, Leopard, includes several ways to use special features like Speech Preferences which works with voice and hearing. As with many such features, there is input and output: Speech Recognition and Text to Speech.

When OS X first appeared it included speech recognition software, called Speakable Items. It wasn't all that good. It is still not perfect, but has improved. It requires training: the more it is used, the better it becomes.

Bangkok Diary 3 October 2008: Updates, Three Less than Stellar Apps and Obama '08

Fri, 03 Oct 2008 17:50:42 +0700

A few comments on the app store reorganisation to start with, plus a look at some of the updates to apps I have already downloaded, then an examination of three apps that I found somewhat disappointing for several different reasons; then finally an app that was issued in the last couple of days by the campaign of Barack Obama.

A comment on the VP debate

Fri, 03 Oct 2008 12:04:28 +0700

I hate to do politics, but I cannot let one comment from Palin pass: "How long have I been at this: five weeks?" is surely enough to disqualify her (and by extension McCain) as the VP position has always been one step away from the top office.

On that reasoning, I would be qualified for the job (except for the reason of nationality).

iTunes updated (8.0.1)

Fri, 03 Oct 2008 10:23:19 +0700

Apple has released an update for iTunes to fix problems associated with HDTV episodes, with Genius playlists and with "accessibility":

• Seamlessly plays the current song when creating a new Genius playlist.
• Improves syncing spoken menus to iPod nano.
• Addresses an issue of deleting HD TV episodes when downloading.
• Improves checking for updates from the App Store
• Improves accessibility with VoiceOver.
• Addresses problems syncing Genius results to iPod.

Obama '08 for the iPhone and iPod touch

Thu, 02 Oct 2008 21:55:19 +0700

The campaign for the election of Democratic candidate for the US Presidency has released an app for the iPhone and iPod touch that helps supporters and those interested stay in touch. Some of the features, such as "Call Friends" will only work on the iPhone of course, but news and the candidate's opinions on subjects can be tracked as well as other related news.

Clicking on the link will take you to the iTunes store. For a link that gives some more information about the app, try the story on CNET by Stephen Shankland.

Apple Q4 results October 21

Thu, 02 Oct 2008 19:32:38 +0700

Apple plans to conduct a conference call to discuss financial results of its fourth fiscal quarter on Tuesday, October 21, 2008 at 2:00 p.m.

With the recent fall in share prices, is this now the time to buy AAPL?

Non-Discolsure Agreement (NDA) for Apps dropped

Wed, 01 Oct 2008 22:55:46 +0700

Apple, citing burdens on developers and (interestingly) authors, has announced the dropping of the NDA for released software.

Perhaps now that long-awaited book by Erica Sadun, can be released.

Podcast #164

Wed, 01 Oct 2008 20:37:55 +0700

A fair bit of news following the rollout of more iPhones worldwide as well as some other Apple changes and some local items. This week's main item looks at the new iPods as they were shown at that recent press briefing here.

Apple Press Briefing: New iPods and iTunes 8

Wed, 01 Oct 2008 08:25:37 +0700

In the middle of September, Tony Li, Apple's product marketing director, Asia-Pacific demonstrated the latest version of iTunes and the new iPods in Bangkok.
He began with a run down of company statistics, including iPods sold and tunes downloaded from the online store (160,000,000), then examined iTunes, now version 8, focussing on the Genius playlist feature, plus the new grid view and the updated visualiser, which he demonstrated using a Thongchai McIntyre song.

Podcast #163 (updated)

Wed, 24 Sep 2008 22:17:45 +0700

After an attempt to reorganise directories, I have had to switch back to the original so the revised URL for this podcast is now available when you click the title.

Comments about last week's Apple Press Briefing in Bangkok, while the main item in this week's podcast looks at iTunes 8 and the new Genius facility. Also, some local and international comments, plus a new Steve Ballmer video.

Java Updates

Thu, 25 Sep 2008 16:29:26 +0700

In case anyone missed it, Apple earlier today updated Java for both OS X Tiger and Leopard. These are available via Software Update or from the Apple Downloads pages.

Podcast #163

Wed, 24 Sep 2008 16:18:39 +0700

Comments about last week's Apple Press Briefing in Bangkok, while the main item in this week's podcast looks at iTunes 8 and the new Genius facility. Also, some local and international comments, plus a new Steve Ballmer video.

A look at Apple's iTunes 8 for OS X

Wed, 24 Sep 2008 09:17:47 +0700

On Wednesday 19 September, as expected, a healthy Steve Jobs announced new iPods and related software. These iPods have already arrived in Bangkok at prices that compare well. I will look more closely at these next week, but as an interesting point, the new iPod nano has speaking menus for the visually impaired.

Software centered on iTunes (including QuickTime and Front Row). The iPod touch software was updated to version 2.1 (iPhone 2.1 followed later) and took advantage of changes to iTunes, now version 8.0, as well as other improvements, like email handling. The Vista version of iTunes was re-released at the weekend after USB drivers were updated.

Political Machine Express

Tue, 23 Sep 2008 18:46:21 +0700

I don't know about anyone else but the upcoming US election has me fascinated: almost as much as the ins and outs of Thai politics. I was interested to see therefore a free version of a game called The Political Machine was available as a free download. Free to Windows users that is. As I clicked on the link, so an EXE file started to download. So much for that.

Bangkok Diary Monday 22 September 2008: Another Six Apps from Apple's App Store

Mon, 22 Sep 2008 18:49:10 +0700

Having downloaded the new iTunes and the latest 2.1 update for the iPod touch, I have been concentrating on the music. The new tricks with the Genius feature have again enlivened my music listening. I am not sure about all of the choices this feature makes, and worry that some tunes have been in all Genius lists. As much as I like Sting, listening to Soul Cages four times in one afternoon, did take the edge off things. But there have been some improvements over the first few days as the algorithm gets used to me and my selections.

After the update, I noticed that backing up was far swifter than before: a complaint that many had. The first time it was really slow, which I guess was when it created a new database: after that, hardly noticeable. Once that was done, I checked for any changes to currently installed apps, then checked out what was new.

Bangkok Diary 18 September 2008: Siam Tower Press Briefing -- iTunes 8, iPod shuffle, iPod nano, iPod Classic and iPod touch

Thu, 18 Sep 2008 18:33:36 +0700

On Thursday 18 October, just a few days after Apple announced its new iPods and the new version of iTunes, there was a press briefing for some Thai media perosnnel at the offices of Apple in Siam Tower, next to the Discovery Centre, way above the Bangkok streets on Floor 25.

Tony Li, Apple's Director of Product Marketing for the Asia Pacific region, a regular visitor to the Land of Smiles, gave a presentation which mirrored much of what we had already seen online, but with one or two additions for Thailand. And one or two omissions.

Podcast #162

Wed, 17 Sep 2008 17:50:47 +0700

As well as the main article that looks at Software Update and Sound preferences in OS X, we also have a closer look at iTunes Genius and comment on some of the events of recent days.

Update - Remote Desktop Client

Wed, 17 Sep 2008 08:11:56 +0700

An update to the Remote Desktop client software (3.2.2) has been released by Apple and it addresses a number of issues concerning reliability and security.

RAW updates for Aperture

Wed, 17 Sep 2008 08:10:20 +0700

Apple has released an update fro RAW file compatibility for Aperture for the following cameras:

Canon EOS Digital Rebel XS/Kiss Digital F/1000D
Kodak DCS Pro SLR/n
Nikon D700
Olympus EVOLT E-420
Olympus EVOLT E-520
Olympus SP-570
Samsung GX-10
Samsung GX-20
Sony DSLR-A300
Sony DSC-R1

System Preferences in OS X, Leopard: Software Update and Sound

Wed, 17 Sep 2008 07:55:53 +0700

Continuing with this extended look at System Preferences in OS X, we are still at S and now examine Software Update and Sound.

Software Update, is a part of OS X that is optional. Without it, I can easily update when Apple releases new versions of software and install manually. With it, the system itself will check at pre-selected intervals. The System Preferences panel for Software Update has two buttons. One is to control the updating operations and the other shows a list of installed updates.

Update to OS X - 10.5.5 released

Tue, 16 Sep 2008 09:28:55 +0700

Apple has released the latest update to OS X. Now at 10.5.5 this is quite a large download, so lots of time will be needed. The standard download is some 316MB, and the Combo is 601MB. There are also updates for OS X Server. The download via Software Update is 136MB.

Information about the many changes in OS X, plus related items like Mail, iCal, Address Book, Time Machine and Mobile Me is available on KB article, number HT2405.

Podcast #161

Wed, 10 Sep 2008 16:38:39 +0700

Apple had a special event and there are changes to the iPod lines as well as new related software, like iTunes, QuickTime and Front Row. You can find out later after this week's main item which is the second part of the articles on Sharing preferences.

Updates for iTunes and QuickTime

Wed, 10 Sep 2008 08:02:47 +0700

Following new releases and changes to the iTMS, there have been updates to both iTunes, which is now at version 8, and to QuickTime. These are available via the Software Downloads utility or from the Apple downloads pages.

OS X Sharing Preferences (Part Two)

Wed, 10 Sep 2008 07:53:11 +0700

The Sharing Preferences panel in System Preferences of OS X has eleven ways in which we can link to other devices to increase the usefulness of our computers. I have split these in two and this week begin with Remote Login.

Flip4Mac

Mon, 08 Sep 2008 17:07:42 +0700

Flip4Mac, the plug in that converts WMV files to QuickTime after Microsoft stopped updating their player was updated to 2.2.1.11 on Monday.

Mobile Me and Phishing

Mon, 08 Sep 2008 16:51:30 +0700

I was going to save this for Podcast 161 but it is nasty enough to warrant some early attention. Some Mobile Me users report having received email asking them to resend credit card details. THIS IS A SCAM. Apple Insider has a good run down of what we might see (and be asked to do) should one of these mails arrive; and there is also an Apple KB article that covers phishing. There is also a Mobile Me news item that covers phishing in part that includes an email address so that details can be reported.

Podcast #160

Wed, 03 Sep 2008 18:41:33 +0700

This Monday saw the US holiday of Labor Day in the US so the week started off a little slowly. That was fine as there was lots of news last week. The Bangkok Post article this week is another look at one of the System Preferences in OS X: Sharing. However, as there are so many -- eleven in my installation -- I have had to splt this into two. Some this week, some next.

New iPods 9 September? Let's Rock

Wed, 03 Sep 2008 07:33:20 +0700

Apple has sent out invitations to a special event next week at the Yerba Buena Center for the Arts

OS X Sharing Preferences (Part One)

Wed, 03 Sep 2008 07:19:37 +0700

I wrote recently about the Security Preferences section of System Preferences in OS X. Security should keep unwanted people out, but computers do not work in isolation. We join networks and link to devices, like printers or Bluetooth phones. Sharing Preferences works with Security (and other) Preferences to enable specific connection methods to be used and to activate the necessary ports when needed. There are eleven different ways to share in the preference panel.

O'Reilly releases "Head First Ajax" by Rebeca M. Riordan

Tue, 02 Sep 2008 20:56:48 +0700

Head First Ajax gives an up-to-date perspective that lets you see exactly what you can do -- and has been done -- with Ajax. Using the unique and highly effective visual format that makes Head First titles popular, this book offers a big picture overview to introduce Ajax, and then explores the use of individual Ajax components -- including the JavaScript event model, DOM, XML, JSON, and more -- as it progresses.

Bangkok Diary 31 August 2008: Seven More from the App Store

Sun, 31 Aug 2008 18:54:12 +0700

As seems to be the norm, a number of apps have been updated including that single-use Vecka I wrote about in a Bangkok Diary article a week or so back. . . .

A simple new app is Newton's Cradle that, like the executive toy on the desk, has a series of five balls that can be set into motion and are then affected by touching one or more.

Podcast #159

Wed, 27 Aug 2008 18:47:19 +0700

Oh, it's an anti-Microsoft week this week. I had so many stories line up that they all came together in one, "Why does this stuff exist", idea with the added, Why is no one shouting at them the same way they shout at Apple. This week I watched someone install a fairly complex program which installed so many files then demanded two more be downloaded. I just shook my head. On a calmer note, I am looking at security preferences this week.

System Preferences in OS X: Security

Wed, 27 Aug 2008 07:26:05 +0700

I am working through the System Preferences in OS X. I am now at the letter S, which means Security, Sharing, Software Update, Sound, Speech, Spotlight and Startup Disk. For now, I will skip Q for Quick Time and will add this later.

Security is a high priority for all users. While Mac users claim that OS X is more secure than alternative operating systems, there is no reason for complacency. The Security Preferences section is there to be used. It works with other parts of System Preferences (like Accounts and Sharing) for a safer environment if used properly. The Security Preference pane has three sections: General, File Vault, and Firewall.

Another new Get a Mac ad

Fri, 22 Aug 2008 09:18:55 +0700

In this week's podcast, I mention three new advertisements in the Get a Mac series. In the last 24 hours it has been reported that Microsoft has recruited well-known Mac user, Jerry Seinfeld, as part of a $300m advertising campaign, while a further ad, "Off the Air" has been released by Apple. Well worth looking at.

Podcast #158

Wed, 20 Aug 2008 18:07:39 +0700

The heat round the iPhone, the Apps and Mobile Me subsided a bit last week, but there was heat of a different kind for Apple when a fire broke out at its Cupertino offices. This week, I have been having another look at Open Source for the Post article.

Opportunities with Open Source: NeoOffice, Star Office and Transport Tycoon

Wed, 20 Aug 2008 07:00:12 +0700

Although much of my computer use centres around the Internet and being online, I still have my feet firmly planted on the ground. Many programs I use are run-of-the mill applications concerned with writing, images and student marks.

Bangkok Diary 17 August 2008: Half a Dozen More from the App Store

Sun, 17 Aug 2008 18:32:42 +0700

While a lot of the apps we are being offered are effective, interesting and valuable, there are some which ay not be perfect on first examination. Of course the user base will find some blemishes and, with adequate feedback, these can be updated by the developers. This is as it should be.

As examples of these, less than 24 hours after I uploaded the first Bangkok Diary page of web app reviews, iMaze was updated and that criticism I had had about the free flow of the ball as it was sent through the maze was covered. Now the ball moves far more smoothly through the corridors of the maze. The icon on the home page has also had a makeover.

Update to Bangkok Diary 13 August 2008: A Score from the App Store for the iPod touch

Thu, 14 Aug 2008 11:28:24 +0700

As seems to be the nature of the new iPhone and iPod touch apps, developers are sending out updates fairly often. Less than a day after uploading this page, the information has been updated concerning iMaze and Shakespeare -- the app, not the playwright.

I am sure these will not be the last.

Podcast #157

Wed, 13 Aug 2008 18:26:35 +0700

While Mobile Me is sort of holding its own now, there have been some other minor problems with Google Maps on the iPod touch. And it is the iPod touch I am concentrating on with the main article, including a discovery.

Plus comments on the news and events surrounding Apple as they passed by me in the last week or so.

Bangkok Diary 13 August 2008: A Score from the App Store for the iPod touch

Wed, 13 Aug 2008 07:17:26 +0700

iPod touch and Applications (2)

Wed, 13 Aug 2008 07:15:39 +0700

A friend arrived with a new 16G iPod touch and an HP computer running XP. He asked me to help make it work. First thing, of course, is to have music in the Library. Once that hurdle was crossed we installed the recent 2.0 update on the iPod and he downloaded a couple of the free apps.

Setting up playlists in iTunes and transferring his music collection, I was surprised to see that on the iPod, as well as on the computer, the information was displayed in Thai. As a test, I put a tune by a Thai artist into iTunes on my Mac. The data there was in Thai and when synchronised, the Thai characters displayed on my iPod touch as well.

Slide:ology from O'Reilly by Nancy Duarte

Tue, 12 Aug 2008 22:15:14 +0700

O'Reilly has just announced the release of a book that is subtitled The Art and Science of Creating Great Presentations.

A lot of presentations are made every day, but few reach the heights of the memorable and are usually considerably less effective than they might be.

Nancy Duarte is the president and CEO of Duarte Design the firm that created Al Gore's presentation that was seen in An Inconvenient Truth.

New countries for the iPhone

Wed, 06 Aug 2008 22:31:10 +0700

According to Apple Insider, there are several more countries listed as being about to roll out the iPhone 3G, including India, the Czech republic, Estonia, Poland, Romania, the Philippines and Hungary.

[As a note, if you look inside the regions on the settings of the iPod touch, as well as the countries one might expect to find, there are also regional settings for Zimbabwe. I would have thought the last thing the population there would have cared about would be the iPhone.]

Podcast #156

Wed, 06 Aug 2008 18:30:40 +0700

It looks finally as if Mobile Me has got its act together. In the meantime, one part of Apple's online enterprise that has been working really well is the App Store.

Looking at some Apps from Apple's App Store

Wed, 06 Aug 2008 07:17:21 +0700

The original iPod touch had basic applications like Safari and YouTube access plus other standard utilities. In January this year, Mail, Notes and Google Maps were added making the iPod touch more flexible. It was possible also to use Web Apps, or create your own. The most recent updates have added more facilities and now allow Apple authorised apps to be downloaded.
When Apple's App Store became available in Thailand, I signed on, bought the 2.0 update for my iPod touch and had a look in the 23 pages of apps that were then online. By the time I wrote this article, these had increased to 41 pages for the iPod touch (43 pages for the iPhone): something over 800 apps.

With the problems of Mobile Me now beginning to recede -- it actually works quite well now, but there must have been a major and unanticipated server meltdown -- it was time to have a deeper look at the App Store. I felt like a kid in a toy shop.

Olympics on YouTube available in Thailand

Tue, 05 Aug 2008 11:04:13 +0700

Here's one for the sports fans, and something I will most certainly not be taking advantage of. The International Olympic Committee has announced that they are launching an international online TV channel that will be available via YouTube in certain countries, and one of these is Thailand.

Security Update 2008-005

Fri, 01 Aug 2008 17:58:32 +0700

The security vulnerability which affects DNS and hence our safe access to the internet, that was discovered a while back has finally been patched by Apple. By all accounts this was a little late.

It is available via Software Update or the Apple downloads pages (make sure you select the right one for your computer/OS combination).

update also fixes a numbers of flaws in Data Detectors, Disk Utility, OpenSSL, and

iTunes updated - 7.7.1

Thu, 31 Jul 2008 10:14:54 +0700

A new update to iTunes has been released, amid rumours that the iPhone DRM had been compromised.

Podcast #155

Wed, 30 Jul 2008 16:16:26 +0700

Well we did not have a happy week as it all began with missing services on the new Mobile me. This week is about Mobile Me and although I wrote this before Mail really let the side down, I could not give it a good scorecard, despite the potential.

Mobile Me: Great Potential; Faltering Implementation

Wed, 30 Jul 2008 09:03:01 +0700

When OS X first appeared, there was a free service included called iTools. It provided email and some other online features. This evolved into .Mac and became a subscription service. With 20G of online storage, it has now morphed into Mobile Me and is for Macs, iPhones, the iPod touch and for PCs. The annual subscription fee is $99 (3300 baht) or Singapore $132 (3400 baht).

Mobile Me was timed to start with the iPhone 3G introduction which included the new App Shops, plus upgrades for first generation iPhones and for the iPod touch. My iPod touch update was a bit sticky, but once downloaded, I could access the App Shop and all worked well.

I took it a stage further and signed up for the 60-day free demo on Mobile Me, which is being touted as "Cloud Computing".

Aperture update

Tue, 29 Jul 2008 17:00:38 +0700

Heaven knows what is up with that last feed item. The first line should read, "Apple has released an update of 49.3MB, bringing it to version 2.1.1. (which later appeared all by itself). I hate computers sometimes.

Aperture updated to 2.1.1

Tue, 29 Jul 2008 16:14:47 +0700

Apple has released an update to Aperture of 49.3MB, bringing it to version 2.1.1..

The information from Apple tells us that "This update supports general compatibility issues, improves overall stability, and addresses a number of other minor issues."

Additional podcast link

Fri, 25 Jul 2008 08:34:09 +0700

As well as the iTunes shop link and the normal subscription URL of www.extensions.in.th/postpod/extensions.xml, I have now added a link to the podcast through the services of a Feedburner RSS feed. That link is feed://feeds.feedburner.com/ExtensionsMacsInBangkok

Mobile Me outages

Thu, 24 Jul 2008 23:51:25 +0700

Apple has posted a KB article on its website concerning the ongoing problems with Mobile Me, particularly with mail services for some of the users. Not much information really except that it is clear that they know and are working on it:

"We understand this is a serious issue and apologize for this service interruption. We are working hard to restore your service."

Podcast #154

Wed, 23 Jul 2008 19:31:57 +0700

pple's App Shop Appears: Thai users Now Welcome; plus comments on the faux start to Mobile Me; with related news and comment.

At home I am still trying to make Mobile Me work as it should, and I am not the only one. Troubles that began last week are still carrying on. This week we look at some of those problems and some good that came out of them.

iLife Support updated to version 8.3

Wed, 23 Jul 2008 08:47:02 +0700

Along with the other updates to components of the suite, iLife Support has now been updated to version 8.3..

update improves overall stability and addresses a number of other minor issues. It is recommended for all users for iLife '08.

iWeb updated

Wed, 23 Jul 2008 08:44:52 +0700

iWeb has now been updated to version 2.0.4..

This update addresses general compatibility issues, improves overall stability, and addresses a number of other minor issues.

iMovie update

Wed, 23 Jul 2008 08:44:03 +0700

iMovie has ben updated to version 7.1.4..

We are told that update addresses general compatibility issues, improves overall stability, and addresses a number of other minor issues.

iPhoto update

Wed, 23 Jul 2008 08:43:03 +0700

iPhoto has been updated to version 7.1.4..

contains new holiday greeting card and postcard themes for use with Apple print products.

This update also addresses general compatibility issues, improves overall stability, and addresses a number of other minor issues.

Apple's App Shop Appears: Thai users Now Welcome

Wed, 23 Jul 2008 08:38:50 +0700

I had been anticipating some software updates around the time that the 3G iPhone was released on 11 July and I knew that the iTunes 7.7 update was one. There were reports that developers of iPhone applications had been using a pre-release copy for testing. When this update appeared, I put it on the iMac first, rather than my everyday machine, the MacBookPro.

When I started iTunes and clicked on the Music Store icon, a page displayed offering me a choice of stores to access. As I scanned the list of map icons -- I use the US store for checking podcasts -- I noticed Malaysia which I had not expected to see; then Thailand.

iPhone for South Korea?

Thu, 17 Jul 2008 20:50:27 +0700

South Korea is not one of the countries listed on the Apple iPhone pages as "coming soon", but Apple is currently advertising for a Korean iPhone Manager.

Mea Culpa - Mobile Me

Wed, 16 Jul 2008 21:58:20 +0700

Apple has 'fessed up to the problems that Mobile Me were having in the first few days, and admitted that "push" may not be push in all circumstances.

As a way to mitigate the disappointment that many were feeling, not to say downright frustration, Apple has added a 30-day extension to users subscriptions. There does not appear to be any addition to the trial service.

Podcast #153

Wed, 16 Jul 2008 21:05:59 +0700

The iPhone release, and software updates for iPhone and iPod touch saw unprecedented demand on Apple's servers and they wilted under the pressure.

All hell broke loose at the end of the week, starting Thursday when I installed the iTunes 7.7 update on my iMac first and found that the iTMS had changed. Instead of the usual panel, I was offered some 62 flag icons to choose from. When I saw Indonesia and Malaysia, I was intrigued, but then I saw Thailand.

System Preferences - Printing

Wed, 16 Jul 2008 08:46:22 +0700

System Preferences as they now appear in OS X, 10.5, Leopard have seen a number of changes over earlier versions of OS X. Printing is an important function that we ask of our computers. Mac users have a fair amount of help here.

Pigs can fly (2) - an iTunes store for Thailand

Thu, 10 Jul 2008 21:04:07 +0700

The update to iTunes brings about several other changes related to the new iPhone and the iPod touch. One of the significant ones is the creation of some 62 new online stores that will allow those in new areas of the world to access some of the new software.

Looks like my idea of a two-tier system did take root.

iTunes update (7.7)

Thu, 10 Jul 2008 18:37:33 +0700

As expected with the imminent arrival of the new iPhone (in some places), the App Shop and MobileMe, iTunes is being updated to version 7.7. If Software Update or iTunes itself doesn't let on, it is available as a standalone installation.

We can expect more downloads in the next day or so.

Podcast #152

Thu, 10 Jul 2008 12:49:56 +0700

Over a good part of the world there is anticipation about the immininent arrival of the new iPhone, while here I am looking at a USB microphone followed by local and international news.

Samson G-Track Condenser Microphone

Wed, 09 Jul 2008 09:07:29 +0700

I was in the Siam Paragon iStudio recently and spoke to Khun Phornthep, who these days is usually found at the J-Avenue, Thonglor, iStudio. His English is good and he is helpful. I asked about USB microphones and he pointed me towards a MacPro there. Connected to it was a quality microphone that was a little more powerful and expensive (5,500 baht) than I had really been thinking about, but after a short, but convincing demonstration, I decided to take it home.

12,000 Macs to go, please. . . .

Sat, 05 Jul 2008 16:13:24 +0700

MacNN is reporting that the huge German publisher, Axel Springer, is to switch to Macs totally over the next five years.

We are told that this is because "cited the user-friendly Mac operating system, ease-of-use, maintenance costs, and Apple's industrial design the main reason for the migration"

Podcast #151

Wed, 02 Jul 2008 19:06:55 +0700

As we approach the arrival of the iPhone 3G and all its related changes with software and data handling on 11 July, I downloaded the software development kit this week and am having a look.

My Post Database article this week is a book review of two works that deal with security aspects of networks, something most of us now rely on daily.

Network Security - Book Reviews

Wed, 02 Jul 2008 08:06:08 +0700

Burns, Brian, et al. Security Power Tools. O'Reilly: Sebastopol, CA. $59.99 (2000 baht); 822 pages. ISBN 0-596-00963-1

McNab, Chris. Network Security Assessment, Second Edition. O'Reilly: Sebastopol, CA. $39.99 (1350 baht); 478 pages. ISBN 0-596-51030-6

Both are wide-ranging and valuable reference works for those charged with security or learning about the tools to make our networks and computers safer.

Safari for Tiger updated

Tue, 01 Jul 2008 08:18:24 +0700

Safari has been updated for users of Tiger to address some specific security concerns, like arbitrary code execution.

Security Update 2008-004

Tue, 01 Jul 2008 08:15:16 +0700

A security update is available (2008-004) in various guises (Intel, PPC, Server)

OS X 10.5.4 released

Tue, 01 Jul 2008 08:12:55 +0700

The latest update to 10.5.4 has been released and on its own is 88MB for the delta release for the Intel processor, while the combo release is some 677MB.

There are several changes relating to Security Updates, Adobe CS3, X11, VPN, Airport, iCal, Safari (this is also updated), and Spaces and Exposé.

This is available via Software Update or the Apple Downloads pages.

Podcast #150

Wed, 25 Jun 2008 19:39:07 +0700

I was trying out a different microphone last week and did not get the settings right which was why the early part of the podcast was quieter. A new microphone entirely this week and this IS better.

The main item this week feeds off the previous report on the Apple World Wide Developers Conference, with a particular slant about what it may mean here. In short, not much.

Apple's Developers Conference: The View from Bangkok

Wed, 25 Jun 2008 09:04:18 +0700

The dust has settled a bit after the Keynote presentations at the recent Apple WorldWide Developers Conference. With the extra information released in the following days, we now have a better idea of what Apple's announcements will mean for users. The outlook for Thai users, I am afraid, is not that rosy.
The most publicised news concerned the new 3G iPhone and its increased capabilities: for example it now has two proximity sensors as well as GPS and a major software update. It will not be coming to Thailand. Indeed the whole of South-east Asia is poorly served as far as this device is concerned.

Safari for WINDOWS updated - fix for "carpet bombing

Fri, 20 Jun 2008 08:57:15 +0700

Apple has updated the Windows version of Safari with a few fixes for security problems, including one for the "carpet bombing" exploit.

Take Control of Screen Sharing; and Take Control of Back to My Mac

Thu, 19 Jun 2008 08:39:52 +0700

Two new downloadable books from a section of the O'Reilly group -- Take Control -- are focussed on Screen Sharing, that facility iuntroduced in Leopard that allows us to operate one Mac remotely from another; and Back to My Mac, the .Mac service (soon to be updated to Mobile Me" which allows a direct connection (like VPN) to the Mac when on the road.

The works are $10 or both for $15 and the two are authored by Glen Fleishman whose Mac resume is lengthy.

Podcast #149

Wed, 18 Jun 2008 20:45:16 +0700

A new twist to the eXtensions podcast this week is that after a long time in the planning, and a couple of interruptions, the radio station at the university which transmits to the community around is open again and are taking the podcast. So for those in the area, it is 99.75 FM: welcome to anyone who is listening.

We had the Apple Worldwide Developers conference last week; and this week I have a report on this as the main article, which is available in the Bangkok Post Database and as always via my website.

Apple WorldWide Developers Conference: Much More to Come

Wed, 18 Jun 2008 08:15:53 +0700

Apple's Worldwide Developers Conference opened last week in San Francisco. Steve Jobs began with his keynote speech and pointed out that during the week there would be 147 sessions: 85 on the Mac and 62 on the iPhone.

Jobs added that in the afternoon Bertrand Serlet would outline the next version of OS X, Snow Leopard. He provided no details, although there has been much speculation. A press release added some information.

He outlined iPhone 2.0 software, the developer program and Software Developer Kit (SDK). With enterprise software, the iPhone links to MS Exchange with push technology. We can view Word, Excel and Power Point files as well as iWork output. The iPhone now has Cisco secure VPN and secure services plus the ability to delete data remotely if the phone is lost: important for business and other security concerns.

Opera 9.5 released

Fri, 13 Jun 2008 09:47:25 +0700

A new version of the respected browser Opera has been released and along with improved features there is a preview version of its "Dragonfly" developers tools. Opera are also claiming better security along with widgets, tabs, customising, content blocking and built-in emal.

Snow Leopard Intel only

Thu, 12 Jun 2008 09:29:17 +0700

It was confirmed this week that, as rumoured, the next version of OS X, 10.6, Snow Leopard, will be Intel only. As Leopard (10.5) was not able to run on the slower PowerPC computers (except with a hack) this move is not surprising.

Other changes to the operating system may allow it to run faster; and it may not run on clone-type systems.

Firefox 3 update

Thu, 12 Jun 2008 09:25:37 +0700

A bug that appeared after the 10.5.3 OS X update which caused some systems to crash or hang has forced an update to Firefox to version 3.0rc3. The problem was related to plugins.

AirPort Utility Update

Thu, 12 Jun 2008 09:21:27 +0700

Looks like we are in update season again as, following other updates (QT, iMovie, iDVD), Apple has now released an update to AirPort Utility for OS X 10.5, 10,4; and for Windows the AirPort Utility Setup.

Updates to iMovie and iDVD

Wed, 11 Jun 2008 23:34:27 +0700

Apple has released updates to both iMovie and to iDVD: compatibility issues and stability are the keywords here.

Podcast #148

Wed, 11 Jun 2008 21:24:05 +0700

I am starting this without the faintest idea of how it will end. While the main article has some thoughts about Apple's sellout Worldwide Developers Conference, by the time I finish this, we will know what is coming.

As it turns out, it was the Apple 3G iPhone and some interesting new software.

Some Current Apple Topics

Wed, 11 Jun 2008 07:24:46 +0700

This was written before the announcement of the new 3G iPhone. . . .

Right at the end of May we had the long-expected upgrade to OS X Leopard, bringing it to version 10.5.3. Updates to Leopard have been less frequent than I remember for earlier versions of OS X, but they have been larger. The 10.5.3 download from the Apple website was massive at 420MB for the basic file and 530MB for the Combo.

Apple Keynote Podcasts

Sat, 07 Jun 2008 10:23:31 +0700

Apple has launched a new service that will download the special presentations made at major Apple conferences. Those listed now include the MacWorld 2007 and 2008 conferences (iPhone and MacBookAir launches).

As there is likely to be another download come Monday (Tues morning Thai time), this would be a good time to subscribe. The link will open iTunes and load the page for users to subscribe.

Mac Maintenance and Troubleshooting

Fri, 06 Jun 2008 09:18:21 +0700

I have recently been running a series of articles in the Bangkok Post covering basic issues aimed at new Mac users. This week we had "Crossing your Fingers is not Recommended. . ."

Space restrictions mean that I cannot put as much in as I would like, so it is useful to find other resources where problems are covered in greater detail, like the MacUser article online this morning by Aayush Arya that examines troubleshooting.

Photos of Moscone West

Fri, 06 Jun 2008 09:14:36 +0700

Gernot Poetsch has some images online at Flickr of the entrance area to the Moscone West conference hall -- the site of Monday's Apple Developer Conference. There are 6 photos online here and show some of the posters, particularly, "OS X Leopard - The World's Most Advanced Operating System" and "OS X iPhone - The World's Most Advanced Mobile Platform."

iPhone shipping, or something else?

Fri, 06 Jun 2008 09:07:14 +0700

Forbes has a series of sly-shots taken outside the premises of Quanta Computers, which is closely related to Apple. The shots show FedEx trucks moving out lots of new products which may (or may not) be iPhones, but as one of the captions notes, these plain, brown boxes are the same size as the iMac boxes alongside.

Buff, bluff or double-bluff?

iPhone and Thai

Fri, 06 Jun 2008 08:43:12 +0700

No news as to whether there will be a legitimate iPhone in Thailand -- doubtful, I am afraid; but if you want one that badly, try Mahboonkrong, of course -- but I hear a rumour that users will be able to read Thai on the iPhone (specifically the browser was mentioned) as one of the updates to the firmware/software package that is expected to be announced next Monday

OS X 10.6

Wed, 04 Jun 2008 21:08:17 +0700

First news about a possible seed to developers of the next upgrade to OS X from Leopard to, what, Lynx, Cougar?. . .

The Unofficial Apple Weblog has a "heads-up" today and suggests that this version will be Intel only and ready for the January MacWorld Expo.

Podcast #147

Wed, 04 Jun 2008 20:24:19 +0700

As often happens, just after the podcast, Apple updates. This time it was that anticipated 10.5.3 update to Leopard and there was a security update too for those not updating. My article this week, which I hope is not coincidental for some people, looks at some ideas if it all goes wrong: not a question of luck.

Crossing your Fingers is not a Recommended Repair Method for OS X

Crossing Your Fingers is not a Recommended Repair Method for OS X

Wed, 04 Jun 2008 08:30:57 +0700

Although Macs tend to be quite stable, sometimes things go wrong.

There may be instabilities caused by new hardware (particularly with a related utility) or memory (RAM) upgrades, if the module is of dubious provenance, have been known to cause problems.

Other causes may be software, such as third-party applications or, if the operating environment is not perfect, when updating the system.

Taking Control of Garage Band

Fri, 30 May 2008 09:18:09 +0700

O'Reilly are releasing two titles on GarageBand by Jeff Tolbert in their online "Take Control" series of downloadable PDFs. These are Take Control of Recording with GarageBand '08 and Take Control of Making Music with GarageBand '08

Hutchison gets the iPhone in HK and Macau

Thu, 29 May 2008 20:34:11 +0700

A bit of a surprise. It was announced today that Hutchison Telecom is to sell Apple's iPhone in Hong Kong and Macau. As Hutch also has an operation in Thailand with the Communications Authority of Thailand, this might move the company up a couple of notches for handling the phone in the Land of Smiles, as long as CAT and Hutch bury the hatchet over CDMA EVDO.

Update to OS X - 10.5.3

Thu, 29 May 2008 09:29:47 +0700

As often happens, just after sending out the eXtensions podcast, Apple sends out an update: this time the long-awaited 10.5.3. There is also a Security Update but this is not required if you update to 10.5.3 as it is incorporated into that.

Leave yourself plenty of time for this update as the basic update is 420 MB while the Combo is 536MB (think yourself lucky, the SERVER Combo is over 600MB).

The correct update for your machine should be available using Software Update and is also on the Apple downloads pages.

Podcast #146

Wed, 28 May 2008 17:31:12 +0700

A mixed bag of news this week, with some of it beginning to look to the Developers Conference and particularly the type of iPhones we might see. I am looking at software to write with in the main item.

Working with Words on Macs

Wed, 28 May 2008 08:30:46 +0700

Versiontracker which is always a great resource for Mac software shows 50 results for "word processor": freeware, shareware and commercial. Search for "Text Editor" and there are almost 80 more.

Macs come with TextEdit, which can do more than just writing words. There are two settings: plain and rich text. In Plain text it is straight-forward enough to write an HTML file. . . .

And then there are some others too. . . .

University of California TV

Thu, 22 May 2008 10:20:19 +0700

A new addition to the iTunesU collection is University of California TV and there are some interesting offerings available, including a tribute to Miles Davis, plus plenty of science, medical, business and arts downloads.

Podcast #145

Wed, 21 May 2008 14:50:54 +0700

This week the final part of my look at some alternative graphics applications for the Mac. There is also some more news on iPhone regions.

There are now even more iPhone countries. Switzerland was announced on Thursday and on Friday there were a bunch more.

Gizmodo claims that a source tells them the release date of the 3G iPhone has been set and it is to be everywhere, next month. We are told June 9.

Even More Graphics Applications for the Mac (part 3)

Wed, 21 May 2008 07:11:59 +0700

There are several applications that Mac users can work with instead of expensive, professional-level software. This is the final section of my look at some alternatives.

Podcast #144

Wed, 14 May 2008 15:50:45 +0700

This week a look at part two of the examination of some alternative graphics applications for Macs, plus news on the iPhone almost everywhere except Thailand; some other international news and some new, lower Bangkok Prices, like 30,000 baht off an iMac.

More Alternative Graphics Utilities for the Mac (Part 2)

Wed, 14 May 2008 09:29:13 +0700

There are many applications available for Mac users without using some of the heavyweight programs that many users claim they cannot live without. I am looking alphabetically at some of those that I have used or that have passed by.

This is part two of a three-part review.

Bangkok Diary 13 May 2008 - Changing with the iPod touch

Thu, 15 May 2008 15:20:01 +0700

I was fascinated by the arrival of the iPod touch and when I first got my hands on one in October of 2007, it struck me as an interesting subsitute for the iPhone in a city where these abound, but officially we may be last on the list, even if recent announcements concerning South America, Europe and Asia bring it just that bit closer.

That first experience with the iPod touch showed me the potential of the device, even if it had limitations. One of these was the capacity: 8G was not enough for me. The browser would allow some email capability -- most people I know here have Hotmail accounts, for example -- and the installed applications, although limited, made this a little more than a wide-screen iPod. To be honest, however, at that time, that was all it was basically.

Update - I have added some observations on a couple of webapps that can be used offline.

iPhone coming closer (but not here yet, officially)

Mon, 12 May 2008 18:23:23 +0700

Optus, SingTel, Bharti Airtel and Globe today announced that they have signed an agreement with Apple to bring the iPhone to Singapore, India, the Philippines and Australia later this year.

The Philippines (sob. . . ).

Even cheaper Macs in Bangkok

Mon, 12 May 2008 18:19:12 +0700

Prices of some Macs have dropped again in Bangkok shops. Biggest reductions are for the consumer-oriented MacBook and iMac ranges. Some of these changes are due to the imminent arrival of newer models.

The Mac mini 1.83GHz and 2.0Ghz are down from 23,590 and 31,590 baht to 20,990 and 26,990 baht respectively, while the 15.4" MacBookPro with 2.4Ghz Intel Core 2 Duo processor is now listed at 71,500 baht down from 75,900 baht.

Other MacBookPro computers are unchanged as are the MacPro and MacBookAir.

The 2.1GHz MacBook with 1G of Ram and 120G hard disk, is down to 38,900 from 40,900 baht; the 2.4GHz MacBook with 2G RAM and 160G hard disk is at 46,500 from 48,900 baht; while the black MacBook with 2.4Ghz processor, 2G RAM and 250G hard disk is now selling for 53,500 baht from 55,500.

The 20", 2.0GHz iMac is no longer listed, while the 20" 2.4Ghz version, with 1G RAM and 250G hard disk has dropped some 14,000 baht to 41,990. The 20", 2.6Ghz iMac with 2G RAM and 320G hard disk is newly listed and is shown as 49,990 baht. The largest reduction of some 30,000 baht is for the 2.8Ghz 24" iMac with 2G RAM and 320G hard disk previously listed at 91,900 baht is now shown at 61,990 baht.

Vidnik - Google video tool for OS X

Mon, 12 May 2008 18:18:14 +0700

Google released a number of utilities for Macs recently, including a video recorder, Vidnik, that uses the iSight camera then uploads the product directly to a YouTube account.

The download is small and it is so easy to use: click and record, then upload once title, tags, category and a description are entered. Of course, you have to HAVE an account and the first upload will require details (or you can enter them using a menu item).

New version of Comic Life - Comic Life Magiq

Fri, 09 May 2008 12:58:54 +0700

While we are discussing alternative graphics apps for OS X, Plasq has released a newer version, Comic Life Magiq (and that is the spelling) that takes advantage of Core Graphics now available in Leopard. It is only for 10.5.2 and above and the interface has that new black look that has been favoured by a number of programs in recent times.

The cost is offered at $39.95 for a short time, or $19.95 if a licensed Comic Life is already installed. It has new templates some of which seem to be a little sugary. Rather than a selectin of comic-style templates, the blank page can have the necessary panels added as needed.

Effects are vastly improved and this has some major additions here although the complexity takes the edge off the delight of how the original allowed some quick and easy pages to be made.

Podcast #143

Wed, 07 May 2008 13:37:15 +0700

As I put this podcast together, the biggest news thus far is the rejection by Yahoo of Microsoft's bid. And, remember, Hell hath no fury. . . .

I am continuing my wander through ideas for new users of Macs and this week have the first of what will be three items on looking at alternative graphics applications.

Alternative Graphics Utilities for the Mac (Part 1)

Wed, 07 May 2008 08:42:45 +0700

One of the strengths of Macs is graphics. A wide range of programs is available for OS X installations over and above what users commonly consider. Many think that they cannot exist without Adobe Photoshop, but (like the full-featured Microsoft Office) this is overkill for most of us.

Photoshop is a Carbon application so does not run on OS X as a native application. The 64-bit version for Windows will be available first, as parts of the code for the Mac version need a complete rewrite. There are several alternatives for users who do not need industrial strength software. The alphabetical suggestions here are not exhaustive.

Bangkok Diary 2 May 2008: iMedia Browser from Karelia

Fri, 02 May 2008 18:47:09 +0700

In some ways, users of Macs and OS X have been spoilt by the ease of interactivity between applications. The components of iLife have always worked together so that in iMovie we can select images from iPhoto and music from iTunes, then send the production to GarageBand for the addition of a soundtrack. There are many more examples from the OS X armoury. . . .

iMedia Browser has an appearance that anyone who uses Mac software like iPhoto or Comic Life will be instantly familiar with, though here it is a standalone and therefore will work with programs that may not have a full set of OS X features.

Science and the Mac

Thu, 01 May 2008 09:46:19 +0700

For those interested in using Macs in science applications -- we have already seen how the processing power of the Xserve and clusters can be used in DNA work -- Apple now has a Science section, with pages on Science, Solutions, Productivity, Profiles and Inside the Image.

There are also lots of links to white papers, case-studies and people.

New iMac 3.06GHz not using overclocked processors

Thu, 01 May 2008 09:42:42 +0700

Despite earlier rumours to the contrary, Beta News is reporting that the processor used in the 3.06GHz iMac is neither the new Montevina nor an overclocked version of the Core 2 Duo, but is actually s a 45 nm Penryn-class Core 2 Duo CPU

More on TextEdit from Apple

Thu, 01 May 2008 09:26:36 +0700

A day after I mentioned TextEdit as an alternative to more hefty word-processing software, Apple has a tip on its "Tip of the Week" pages detailing how to use TextEdit in a situation where Microsoft applications are not installed.

Podcast #142

Wed, 30 Apr 2008 17:46:25 +0700

We are between Apple conferences: with the rumours starting to fly concerning the developers conference in June. This week, I am looking at some of the software that comes with a new Mac.

Apple updates Java for 10.5

Wed, 30 Apr 2008 09:42:32 +0700

The Java for Mac OS X 10.5 Update 1 adds Java SE 6 version 1.6.0_05 to your Mac. This update does not replace the existing installation of J2SE 5.0 or change the default version of Java.

Software included with a New Mac

Wed, 30 Apr 2008 09:30:09 +0700

As well as a full version of OS X, new Macs come with a good selection of software. There are about 30 applications, plus some 25 utilities: enough to start productive work out of the box. Sometimes third party software is bundled, although most of the programs are by Apple ensuring a high level of integration between the operating system and those applications.

iMac firmware update

Tue, 29 Apr 2008 08:36:47 +0700

There is a firmware update available for iMacs with the ATI Radeon HD2600 or 2400XT graphics cards running 10.5.2.. Check Software Update.

New iMac

Mon, 28 Apr 2008 21:52:24 +0700

Apple has just released a new version of its best-selling iMac. The new range (which looks the same as the current ones at first glance) has new Core 2 Duo processors running up to 3.06Ghz. Available in 20" and 24" the displays are powered by the NVIDIA GeForce 8800 GS and 512MB of dedicated video memory

Rumour - Salesforce.Com switching 4,000 employees to Macs

Sat, 26 Apr 2008 08:50:54 +0700

A rumour (and let's emphasise that) has just appeared on the "Under the Bridge" blog suggesting that Salesforce.com is switching its 4,000 workforce to Macs as the lease with Dell is now up. Main reason? Security.

Final Cut Pro - Not coming to a location near you

Sun, 27 Apr 2008 15:42:44 +0700

The dates for Apple's Final Cut Pro world tour have been announced and it manages to slip by Bangkok despite the healthy film industry in The Land of Smiles: xxx, for example is on the Cannes Film Festival committee. It visits the cities of Singapore and Hong Kong, as well as Mumbai and Korea (North or South is not specified), but misses us here.

New iMacs next week?

Fri, 25 Apr 2008 09:10:50 +0700

A new site (to us), Geek Sugar, is suggesting that their sources have let them know that an update to the iMac line is due next week - probably Tuesday.

It is about time. . . .

Boot Camp 2.1 (for SP3)

Fri, 25 Apr 2008 09:05:21 +0700

As the new service pack for Windows XP introduces some extra problems to the original Boot Camp as supplied with a Leopard installation, Apple is providing downloads of a revised Boot Camp to pre-empt any difficulties.

There are three versions: for Windows XP; for Vista 32; and for Vista 64.

Apple Q2 Results

Thu, 24 Apr 2008 08:33:43 +0700

Apple is reporting a net profit of $1.05 billion on sales of $7.51 billion for the quarter (growth of 43%).

2,289,000 Macs were shipped: growth of 51% with 54% revenue growth. iPhones sales were 1,703,000

Podcast #141

Wed, 23 Apr 2008 19:59:18 +0700

While the main article this week looks at some more aspects of starting with a Mac, the news section has a couple of asides this week.

More Suggestions about Using a New Mac

This week, Apple will report the latest quarterly figures. I will have a mention next week as the results actauly come out a few hours after I upload the podcast and as there are plenty of other news-sources, I do not think it worth delaying this.

We are told that "Apple will provide live audio streaming of its . . . Second Quarter Results Conference Call. . . . The live audio webcast will be accessible through Apple’s website. . . ."

Suggestions about Using a new Mac

Wed, 23 Apr 2008 08:44:04 +0700

When a user's account is active, a little house icon is shown in the Finder panel. The name on this should match the user name. Specific folders and files are in here. These include documents, pictures, movies, mail and other information, as well as files that control applications settings that are specific to a user's needs.

A problem will occur if users decide, as may have been possible in Windows, that they do not like the name. As the account may have been created as part of an unfamiliar process (the setting up) where there is some pressure, users may want to change from the original. Another problem is when they think it should be located elsewhere: on earlier Macs and PCs we could choose where we wanted our files to be.

Either, unfortunately, is a recipe for disaster.

Popular Mechanics compares Apples and PCs

Thu, 17 Apr 2008 08:56:07 +0700

Popular Mechanics has done a wide-ranging series of benchmark tests on Macs and PCs and find that those "I's a PC, I'm a Mac" advertisements may be about right.

Sales of Macs keep rising

Thu, 17 Apr 2008 08:54:04 +0700

CNET reports that Apple's sales of Macs grew larger than the rest of the PC industry. At least in the US. They base this on research produced by IDC and Gartner.

While the PC market grew by 14.6% (US market 3.5%), Mac sales grew by 32.5% (IDC claim 25.1%, however).

Note: Apple's quarterly earnings are reported next week (23 April) and should be positive.

Safari updated to 3.1.1

Thu, 17 Apr 2008 08:47:37 +0700

Apple has released an updated for Safari bringing it to version 3.1.1. There are apparently changes to the webkit and the security.

Book Review: David Pogue's Missing Manual on Switching to a Mac

Wed, 16 Apr 2008 08:30:27 +0700

Pogue, David. Switching to the Mac: The Missing Manual, Leopard Edition. O'Reilly; Sebastopol, CA. $29.99 (943 baht). ISBN: 978-0-596-51412-9

As I was preparing columns on how new users might deal with moving to a Mac environment, David Pogue's book on switching turned up in my mailbox.

I recently reviewed his Missing Manual for Leopard and although they share some technical information, this takes a totally different approach and is somewhat shorter at 590 pages compared to the Missing Manual for Leopard at 894 pages. The emphasis is less on the technical, although Pogue's clear writing makes this easy, but more on what to expect. After Contents and a brief Introduction, the book has four main sections plus Appendices.

Australia and the June release of the iPhone

Wed, 09 Apr 2008 20:42:20 +0700

Resellers in Australia have been given information concerning a late June release of the iPhone there, coinciding perhaps with the opening of the Sydney store.

The strategy is somewhat different for Australia when compared with Europe and N. America, including the point that there is to be more than one carrier, which may mean the 3G phone; and there is no contract lock-in.

Security and Macs - an objective look

Wed, 09 Apr 2008 19:20:35 +0700

Bearing in mind comments in some newspapers about recent exploits on Macs that have suggested the sky is about to fall in terms of security weaknesses, Tom Krazit has a good look at the question and comes to the conclusion that "Macs remain a very safe computing option"

Podcast #139

Wed, 09 Apr 2008 18:14:59 +0700

We are coming up to the dreaded Songkran festival when I lock myself away for the entire period and spend the time reading and writing. In a couple of weeks, on April 23, Apple will release the next set of financial results and we can expect some announcements between now and then.

This week, I am continuing with my suggestions for new users on what to expect when they start their first Mac.

Controlling the Input: Input devices and the Finder

Controlling the Mac: Input devices and the Finder

Wed, 09 Apr 2008 08:15:51 +0700

With OS X the Mac's functions are controlled by the Finder, System Preferences, the Dock and by an application's own preferences. Physically, the input is via keyboard and mouse.

When a first-time Mac user has completed the registration details, startup will probably allow instant access to the main administration account. If there is only one account on a Mac with OS X, it will have Adminstrator privileges.

My opinion is that this is less secure. A new user might first disable the automatic login in the Accounts preferences. I also believe that users should have strong passwords. I work in a standard user account and use the Adminstrator password when needed. The slight inconvenience of the extra account and use of strong passwords is a trade-off for better security.

MTV Holocaust Video 2

Thu, 03 Apr 2008 10:57:35 +0700

MTV are putting short videos online on YouTube to remind and educate the younger generation of how the Holocaust affected people just like up. They look remarkably like what one might see on the News. Here is the Home Raid.

MTV Holocaust Video 1

Thu, 03 Apr 2008 10:56:54 +0700

Updates to iTunes, QuickTime and Front Row

Thu, 03 Apr 2008 09:05:13 +0700

Apple has released three updates in the last day: to iTunes (7.6.2); QuickTime (7.4.5) and Front Row (2.1.3).

These updates should be available through Software Update or from the Apple Downloads pages.

The reasons for the updates are based on stability, security and bug fixes. More details will be available with the respective download pages.

Making the Switch Big Time

Wed, 02 Apr 2008 20:18:46 +0700

Wall Street analyst Roger Ehrenberg has switched to Macs at home completely with, "an iMac with a giant screen for family use in the kitchen. MacBooks for my wife and boys. A MacPRO for my office and a MacBook Air for travel. An AppleTV for the family room. An Apple Time Capsule and AirPort Extreme for storage."

Podcast #138

Wed, 02 Apr 2008 16:09:39 +0700

Shock news of the week was a hack of a MacBook Air at a hackers conference that was sponsored in part by Microsoft. On the other hand people are switching to Macs more and more.

This week, I am looking at what a new user may be facing when the Mac comes out of the box.

Lightroom 2.0 public beta

Wed, 02 Apr 2008 14:23:35 +0700

Hot on the heels of the 2.1 release of Apple's Aperture, Adobe has announced the release of Lightroom 2.0 public beta which also has extra editing tools like dodge and burn now added. The Lightroom beta is a native 64-bit application (Aperture is 32-bit)

Starting with a New Mac and OS X

Wed, 02 Apr 2008 08:40:10 +0700

Right in the middle of end of term marking, my MacBookPro failed to start. With the backup disk at home, I thought it would be simple to move to the eMac, but had forgotten that the Firewire ports were broken. While the MacBookPro was an easy fix with the help of Maccenter at Fortune Town, the eMac was a longer-term problem. I took advantage of recent price reductions and ordered a 20" iMac with the 2.4GHz processor.

Shortly after the iMac's arrival a letter from a reader made me look again at some of the information that may be useful for those new to Macs. What should someone switching from a Windows environment expect; and how can they best prevent problems?

Security Update 2008-002, v1.1

Thu, 27 Mar 2008 09:29:35 +0700

A new security update was released today that fixes problems that some users had with the previous version of the same update.

Podcast #137

Wed, 26 Mar 2008 21:25:10 +0700

Lots of updates and plenty of new software this week, including several free applications. And, one more thing, OS X is seven years old.

To begin with, part two of my look at that lovely MacBookAir.

The MacBookAir in Bangkok (2)

It is not only me who likes the MacBookAir. . . .

A Few More Days with the MacBook Air

Wed, 26 Mar 2008 08:04:44 +0700

The one thing that surprised many people when the MacBookAir was announced was the lack of an optical disk drive. It may be a natural progression with the faster WiFi links now. This also indicates the intention of the MacBookAir as a second, or even third computer aimed at those who travel often and attend meetings or make presentations. A friend also pointed out that this would be exactly right for a lady.

Disk Warrior update

Wed, 19 Mar 2008 20:44:15 +0700

For those who have a version of Disk Warrior 4, the 4.1 update that can handle Leopard now has the CD updater released. Connecting to the specific page may be slow, perhaps owing to the numbers being downloaded right now.

Podcast #136

Wed, 19 Mar 2008 17:32:09 +0700

A few problems for me on the home front in the last 7 days which were resolved fairly quickly (and that includes buying a new iMac). As far as the MacBookAir goes, well it has gone back. I had it for a week and loved it.

A Few Days with the MacBook Air

Wed, 19 Mar 2008 08:00:02 +0700

In January I managed to handle the new MacBookAir for a few minutes the day after its announcement. It was for only a few minutes and under the watchful eyes of Apple management. This week I was given a MacBookAir for a few days to look at more closely.

I collected it from Apple's offices in Siam late one afternoon. The last part of the journey home was by taxi with a load of shopping. My own MacBookPro was on my knees in its bag and I could feel the weight. The MacBookAir was in a box beside me.

Fortune Interview with Steve Jobs

Thu, 06 Mar 2008 10:35:56 +0700

Betsy Morris of Fortune has managed to interview Steve Jobs while he was on vacation in Hawaii. Lots of insight.

Podcast #135

Wed, 12 Mar 2008 21:25:07 +0700

This week we have a podcast on podcasts. It may sound a bit self-indulgent to do this but the editor asked me when I explained some of the motivations behind it. The main other news this week is Apple's release of the software developer kit for the iPhone.

Making the Podcast a Resource for Non-Native Speakers of English

Wed, 12 Mar 2008 08:45:43 +0700

At the end of last year I met the editor, Tony Waltham, over a meal. We had a wide-ranging discussion on computers and other aspects of technology in Thailand. While chatting, the eXtensions podcast came up. I explained both the intent and its execution. Tony wanted to know more.

I created the first podcasts simply because I could. While examining the new use of technology combining sound (or video) files with delivery using RSS (really simple syndication), I made my own as an experiment.

Podcast #134

Wed, 05 Mar 2008 18:28:06 +0700

This week some good news about Apple and some bad news. We also get back to True who are usually good for a grumble. The article this week is a book review on David Pogue's Missing Manual for Leopard: a mighty tome indeed.

Book Review: David Pogue's Missing Manual for OS X Leopard

Wed, 05 Mar 2008 07:21:20 +0700

Pogue, David. Mac OS X: The Missing Manual, Leopard Edition. O'Reilly; Sebastopol, CA. $34.99 (1,100 baht). ISBN: 0-596-52952-X

Within days of the OS X Tiger release, O'Reilly released the related Missing Manual. Although Leopard (10.5) was released in October last year, it took two months for David Pogue's Missing Manual, Leopard edition, to appear. This is due to the changes in the operating system. Apple claimed 300 new features, but everywhere you look there are new tricks. It is this that delayed the issue.

The result is a massive volume of some 894 pages that lives up to the cover hype: "The book that should have been in the box".

Updates -- GarageBand and Aperture

Tue, 04 Mar 2008 11:38:00 +0700

Both GarageBand and Aperture were updated in the last few hours. The former to 4.1.2 with some fixes to the instruments and Magic GarageBand; Aperture is now at 2.0.1 again with a few fixes.

Bangkok Diary 3 March 2008 - Weekend Price Changes and Availability

Mon, 03 Mar 2008 09:07:56 +0700

With the end of the semester (that is my day job) looming, I have been heavily involved in work with students and the time for cruising the shops is almost nil. A dash in to Bangkok, grab some sheets, buy some supplies and dash home is my schedule currently.

Although I had the price lists on Saturday, with crowds of students at home all weekend with their last minute panics on papers -- why do these guys leave everything till the last minute -- I did not look at them until late Sunday night; and that was mainly because I am moving towards buying a new iMac for myself: that faithfull, not-miss-a-beat eMac is slow these days. I may retire it to my office as a mail and surfing machine.

My immediate reaction was to access the last Bangkok Diary item and compare. Price drops for Macs are fairly significant. I am not wholly sure why this is but there are two possibilities, especially as far as the iMacs are concerned: end of line. There are rumours that new iMacs are coming and there are now reductions of around 4 - 6,000 baht for the iMacs. . . .

Vista price reductions

Fri, 29 Feb 2008 13:26:42 +0700

I am not sure if the earth has stopped rotating, but a couple of days after the slapped wrists from the EU, amid a lot of continuing bad press about the OS, Microsoft has dropped its prices (or you can substitute any other word you like) in what some people are seeing as an unusual move, for certain versions of the controversial Vista, for users in the US.

Any bets on if the cuts will ever be seen elsewhere or if Asian users will still be asked to pay full US prices, then some?

iPhoto update (7.1.3)

Fri, 29 Feb 2008 08:59:13 +0700

iPhoto has been updated to version 7.1.3 with some fixes to the way it handles certain books and cards.

It is available through Software Update and Apple Downloads.

iPhone for Ireland

Thu, 28 Feb 2008 22:12:36 +0700

It was confirmed by O2 Ireland today that they will be handling the iPhone in the Emerald Isle and its release there will be 14 March.

Microsoft Office (Part 2): Updated

Thu, 28 Feb 2008 21:52:25 +0700

As a result of an email I have added a couple of comments to the end of part 2 of my look at the latest Microsoft Office:

I had email pointing out one or two things that I was misguided about. As the suite does not integrate with Thai fonts properly and adds its own fonts to the installation, I stand by my comments there.
On the question of access to photo libraries, indeed, I missed this: a new feature that is accessed via the Toolbox, then Object Pallet (the tiny icon that looks like a mountain), then the camera icon. The music library is not accessible unlike Apple apps., and nor are movies. Also unavailable is any Aperture library - which a high-level user might need.

Entourage, as I expected (but could not find) does allow for a synchronisation of Address Book and .Mac as well as iCal. This trick is in General Preferences, Sync Services. Whoever would have guessed?

Events next Week (4 and 6 March)

Thu, 28 Feb 2008 10:43:24 +0700

Apple has announced a special event for next Thursday (6 March) that is expected to be the SDK for iPhones and the iPod touch; but there is a rumour that keeping with the Tuesday releases we keep getting, new iMacs may be coming next week and that these use the "Merom" processor.

The LoopRumors rumour (I know, I use English spellings) suggests that early releases of the SDK may have found their way to "selected developers" and that specific software releases may be available also. One wonders if one of those may be an Adobe Flash plug-in for the iPhone/touch.

Microsoft Office (Part 2): Integration Shortcomings

Wed, 27 Feb 2008 08:19:18 +0700

I am currently working with Office Mac 2008: a robust suite of applications that I think still has some shortcomings for Mac users, particularly in Thailand.

Although Microsoft's Word is widely used, there are alternatives. When it comes to spreadsheet work, Excel, which was first developed for the Mac, before it was available for Windows users, is the de facto standard and rightly so. The version of Excel that comes with Office continues the good work.

Podcast #133

Wed, 27 Feb 2008 16:40:03 +0700

A mixed bag of news this week. I am continuing my look at Microsoft's latest version of Office for the Mac and cannot wait to delete it.

Microsoft Office Mac 2008

I was talking to a colleague this week running Macs who also has a Microsoft-free life. We came to the conclusion that the major criticisms I have -- file icons changed, lousy use of fonts, poor use of the media, like photos -- cannot be because Micrisift with all its resources are unABLE to do this (others can) but because they must be unWILLING to integrate. More on Redmond later.

New MacBooks and MacBookPro computers

Tue, 26 Feb 2008 21:33:45 +0700

Apple has introduced updated versions of both the MacBook and the MacBookPro. The MacBookPro has up to 2.6Ghz processors and the trackpad now accepts the same multi gestures as the MacBookAir.

Microsoft about to pounce?

Thu, 21 Feb 2008 21:57:22 +0700

There are rumours of a special announcement to be made by Microsoft imminently and apparently, Styeve Ballmer will be present. Does that mean blood will flow?

With other source suggesting Jerry Yang is ready to face reality and the Beast of Redmond has already won the game, might this be the start of new things for the software giant (personally, I think it is the beginning of a period of decline).

iTunes update (7.6.1)

Fri, 22 Feb 2008 09:09:46 +0700

iTunes has just been updated to version 7.6.1. There are apparently a number of fixes This update is also intended for better compatibility with AppleTV.

Linkin' Park play at Apple store

Thu, 21 Feb 2008 21:54:00 +0700

Despite rumours of a product release that would see the group as headliners, Linkin 'Park played a relatively private set at the Apple Soho store in New York last night. For more information, MacNN has the news. . . .

Office 2008 for Mac (Part 1): One OS X User's Perspective

Wed, 20 Feb 2008 08:49:28 +0700

Anyone reading the eXtensions columns from time to time, would realise that I maintain a Microsoft-free zone in the main. At MacWorld, Steve Jobs mentioned that Microsoft's Ofice 2008 was the last of the major applications that was now running "native" on the Intel processors.

I was offered a look at the new MS Office 2008 for Mac, but was reluctant at first. However, I realise that many users, particularly anyone moving from Windows to OS X, may be happier with the familiarity that such a suite offers.

Bangkok Diary 16 February 2008 - Siam Pricing and Availability

Sat, 16 Feb 2008 16:57:32 +0700

The new year arrived weeks ago and I got tied up with the trip to MacWorld and some fallout from that as well as concentrating on my day job. As that pays the bills and gives me a visa here, that takes priority. Indeed, this week, I missed the press briefing for the MacBookAir precisely because of this. I did make an attempt to tour the iStudio shops when I picked up my iPod touch, but apart from collecting some price lists, nothing came of that. Now I have made a quick tour.

Podcast #131

Wed, 13 Feb 2008 20:49:46 +0700

The main article looks at the iPod touch and how it is a new type of PDA - one with music and videos as well as email and web access.

We also examine news and look at the updates that have come down this week -- including the 10.5.2 update to Leopard.

iLife Support update

Wed, 13 Feb 2008 07:31:37 +0700

Apple has released an update for iLife support.

This update supports system software components shared by all iLife ’08 applications to improve their stability and performance. This update also supports important bug fixes for Aperture 2.0.

The iPod touch: a New Type of PDA

Wed, 13 Feb 2008 07:24:10 +0700

I was in the San Francisco Apple shop last month looking at the iPod touch and wondering whether to buy at that time. I was not sure if it was the newest version.
There was a voice behind me: "Don't buy that now; wait 'till you get back to Bangkok." It wasn't my conscience, or anything mystical. Khun Therdsak Skulyong, the head of Apple's operation here had crept up behind me.

When payday arrived at the end of January I went to the iStudio in Fortune Town where there was a 16G iPod touch waiting for me. I needed to make sure that it was indeed the latest one, so we split open the seal and checked the icons. Mail was there, along with Google Maps. We were in business.

OS X 10.5.2 finally arrives

Tue, 12 Feb 2008 08:48:40 +0700

While I was asleep, Apple released the long-expected update to Leopard and there are a number of changes with this fairly large download -- the Combo is 343MB, with the basic update at 180MB.

Details of the update are available online.

Security update

Tue, 12 Feb 2008 08:46:30 +0700

As well as the 10.5.2 update, Apple has also released a Security Update. Remember, there are different versions depending on the OS version.

Podcast #130 - Joining the Dots after MacWorld

Wed, 06 Feb 2008 19:02:58 +0700

Two big pieces of news this week concern Microsoft sniffing around Yahoo and the Internet problems which have been of three kinds, international, local and domestic. I will explain later.

This week I have been tying up some loose ends from my MacWorld visit.

After MacWorld: Joining Some of the Dots

Wed, 06 Feb 2008 07:16:10 +0700

There were other events surrounding MacWorld 2008 last month, and I need to join some of the dots. In coming weeks and months, I guess we can anticipate negative comments on the MacBookAir (or MBA) although, as with the iPhone, most of those leading the charge have not seen, let alone handled the device: I have.

Apple releases 32G iPod touch

Tue, 05 Feb 2008 21:10:42 +0700

Along with the 16G iPhone, and priced at the same $499, Apple has released a 32G iPod touch.

Apple releases 16G iPhone

Tue, 05 Feb 2008 21:09:40 +0700

Apple has released a 16G iPhone to go with the 8G model. It is priced at $499

Podcast #129 - the MacBookAir; and a new iPod touch

Wed, 30 Jan 2008 21:09:08 +0700

This week we are expecting both hardware and software updates from Apple, while my own main item looks at the MacBookAir. I wrote this based on the product briefing that Apple allows certain groups of journalists -- about 6 at a time -- the day after the Keynote speech.

During that briefing, one of our number asked if the technology, like the trackpad or the videos in preferences, or the processors, might find a home elsewhere in Apple's lineup, but we got the stock "Apple does not comment on future products" response. Only this week, MacRumours is carrying the idea that the MacBookPro is about to be updated.

The MacBookAir: A First Look

Wed, 30 Jan 2008 08:35:06 +0700

The day after the announcement of Apple's new products at the Moscone Center, on 15 January, I was given a closer look at the MacBookAir and at Time Capsule.

The former is a new, light, notebook computer aimed at on-the-go professionals. Time Capsule is a combination wifi router (Airport Extreme) and hard disk, integrating with Leopard's Time Machine backup feature. This was designed with the MacBookAir in mind.

It was clear from the briefing and my short look at the MacBookAir that some will miss the point (perhaps deliberately). There was emphasis on this as a second computer aimed at conference attendees and air travellers.

OS X update imminent?

Fri, 25 Jan 2008 16:48:25 +0700

In a release dated 24 Jan at 0329pm CST, LoopRumors is suggesting that the next update to OS X, 10.5.2 may be coming within the next day or so. When it comes, clear the decks: it is said to be massive.

Podcast #128

Wed, 23 Jan 2008 20:47:06 +0700

I arrived back in Bangkok after a mega journey and got back home around 2am. Needless to say, I did not feel like doing much at all: I am tired and have a cold on top of that. Knowing that I might not be at peak fitness, I started on next week's article while siting in the lounges and on the plane. Apart from a bit of tidying up, it was done by the time I left Hong Kong.

This week, my longer report on the Steve Jobs Keynote presentation and then later, some of the ideas that came from this.

Disk Warrior Updated to 4.1

Fri, 25 Jan 2008 15:57:57 +0700

This has been expected for a while and when I spoke to their representatives at MacWorld I was told, "next week." Well this is the end of that "next week" and the update is here.

Current users of version 4 will soon be able to download the update which will be used to create a new bootable disk as before, but you must use the original disk in this process.

More news as it (and the upgrade download) becomes available.

Macworld Conference Keynote Speech: The MacBookAir

Wed, 23 Jan 2008 07:38:09 +0700

A question that a lot of people were asking in the run up to the MacWorld Keynote presentation by Steve Jobs at San Francisco's Moscone Center last Tuesday morning (15 Jan) was, How will he top the iPhone?

The short answer is, he didn't. A look at the consolidation and expansion that he did display reveals much about Apple's maturity, its future directions and the stability of a company that a few years ago was almost in its death throes.

Steve Jobs entry was greeted by the usual applause, and he launched right into his pitch after brief thanks for the successes of 2007. There were, he said, four items he wanted to cover.

SOX - Save our XP?

Fri, 18 Jan 2008 21:42:21 +0700

Somewhat unprecedented is a move to gather signatures on an online petition asking Microsoft to extend the cut off date for XP sales indefinitely (Cut off currently is 30 June).

Does this reveal,

(A) Power of the Internet
(B) Popularity of Windows XP
(C) New business for OS X
(D) Reluctance to take up Vista
(E) None of the above
(F) All of the above?

Apple quarterly results Tues 22 Jan.

Fri, 18 Jan 2008 21:37:28 +0700

Apple’s conference call webcast discussing Q1 - 2008 financial results will begin at 2:00pm PT/5:00pm ET on Tuesday, January 22, 2008 which should be 11pm for Bangkok users.

Bangkok Diary 17 January 2008 - A Day-trip to Cupertino (plus pics)

Fri, 18 Jan 2008 13:13:27 +0700

My final full day in San Francisco for the MacWorld Conference, 2008, was spent covering other jobs, although I did glean some information that may be useful in the time to come.
I had missed a trip to the Apple store at the Cupertino campus, so it was arranged that this would be on the list for today. Poor sleep patterns had me up and about early, so I was more than ready to hit the road in the rented car that was provided.

Just before we left, however, a cameraman from an Indian TV station asked me for a couple of minutes so that he could have some soundbites. His original interviewee had left the night before -- he would have been better as he had also been to CES in Las Vegas -- so I was drafted in.

What to say? I used the words "consolidation" and "doing what Apple does best" plus "building on what it already has." When several thousand Indian viewers see this, they will be reading my words in Hindi subtitles.

First stop, the Golden gate Bridge, which is a must for any tourist, but is phenomenally photogenic. We dropped the cameraman off in the city center as he was going to film trams and return to the Moscone Center for more footage.

Bangkok Diary 16 January 2008: More of MacWorld and Hands-on with the MacBookAir

Thu, 17 Jan 2008 15:12:09 +0700

This has not been a brilliant MacWorld in terms of my being able to get around the show so much. Last year we arrived before the opening of the event and had time enough to take it all in and do some shopping. This year it has been all tightly scheduled and this has been exacerbated by Internet problems, not only a the hotel I am staying at, but even at the Moscone Center itself.

You would think that, the Internet being invented in this area (so to speak), they would be able to make it work. When it does work, it is so fast in comparison with my home connection in western Bangkok that it makes me want to weep. When I uploaded the podcast this morning, it was online in under a minute (although the first hour of the day there had not even been a link to the hotel's router), while last week using my own reources, it limped online on just about 10 minutes: fast but erratic, or slow and reliable?

I was out of the door into the San Francisco sunshine just before 1pm and strolled down to the Moscone Center, West. In the main here there are smaller vendors with one or two interesting booths at which to stop at.

Podcast #127

Thu, 17 Jan 2008 03:22:16 +0700

Right now, I am in San Francisco, so have to record bits of the podcast earlier. By the time you hear this (and read the notes), Steve Jobs will have made his Keynote speech and we will know what Apple is up to. The later section will have all that news. A new MacPro was released last week and all I know for sure is that for 2008, Something is in the Air.

Bangkok Diary 15 January 2008 - Keynote Speech and some initial observations (plus pics)

Wed, 16 Jan 2008 14:07:02 +0700

Apart from the time difference which has confused me just a bitk, the afternoon after the Keynote Speech by Steve Jobs at the MacWorld Conference at the Moscone Center, San Francisco, was interrupted by a lack of Internet at the hotel the journalists from Apple's Asia-Pacific region have been put in. The hotel is nice itself, and the stuff are excruciatingly polite, but the Internet gods were against me and I had to walk down to the Moscone Center again this afternoon so that I could send my tales to the Bangkok Post.

By necessity, this will be short, but we will be back tomorrow as we expect to get our hands on the new toys.

MacWorld 2008: Speculation and a Wish List

Wed, 16 Jan 2008 13:04:16 +0700

If you are reading this on Wednesday morning (16 January) a few hours ago at the MacWorld Conference at the Moscone Center, San Francisco, Steve Jobs announced Apple's latest. Full information is online and available from several sources.

Last year, of course, he announced the much anticipated iPhone. The lead-up and the hype that followed are unlikely to be repeated, but (as ever) there have been rumours about what might be coming.

Heading the speculation list is a new, thin portable computer which some say is a small-screen notebook computer. Others insist that a tablet computer is in the pipeline. Or both. Coupled with these is the suggestion that the device will have a touch screen -- the iPhone and the iPod touch have demonstrated the viability of the technology in consumer devices, while the iPod touch and iPhone add new dimensions to PDA convergence. I have even heard the Newton name, in reference to the original PDA with the stylus that was killed some years ago. Most of the rumours tend to suggest that there will be no hard drive (or optical drive) and that storage will use flash memory of either 32 or 64G.

Bangkok Diary 14 January 2008: A Long Monday - Bangkok to San Francisco (or "We're off to see the Wizard. . .)

Tue, 15 Jan 2008 10:05:01 +0700

The day started with one of those fast taxi rides that Bangkok specialises in that saw me at Suvnabhummi Airport a couple of hours early. I always over-compensate and, being Monday morning, decided that 6am was a good start time, but the journey took 50 minutes instead of the two and a half hours I was expecting.

Is this the shape of Macs to come?

Tue, 15 Jan 2008 08:21:51 +0700

Wired claim to have images of the now ultra-portable Mac notebook computer that has been rumoured for weeks.

It shows a beautifully thin device with a screen that has a black surround like the iMacs. This device is said to be of aluminium and glass, like the MacBookPro, but images show it labelled as a "MacBook."

I will let you know tomorrow.

Building a MacWorld

Sat, 12 Jan 2008 14:22:00 +0700

CNET has some photos online from around the Moscone center, San Francisco and the theme we all have to guess about this year is, "There's something in the air".

MacWorld notes

Sat, 12 Jan 2008 14:20:14 +0700

Like last year, I will be putting online a lot of notes and pictures as the data comes my way while I am in San Francisco from next Monday (14th).

Again, as before, there will be an index of articles as I produce them and the link to this index is here (although there is only the one entry right now). . . .

Bangkok Diary Saturday 12 January 2008 The Last Lap to MacWorld - Something in the Air?

Sat, 12 Jan 2008 14:17:28 +0700

We all know the romantic scenario: All my bags are packed, I'm ready to go. . ." but the reality is less serene than that. I have the tickets and the hotel reservation is confirmed. I rushed down to the Thai Immigration Office yesterday morning for a re-entry permit (I want to get back in after MacWorld), organised some last-minute laundry, confererred with the maid about feeding the dog and made yet another list of what still had to be done.

On Friday I was also sent the final itinerary of what is planned for us journalists (and I use the term somewhat loosely in my case) from the Asia Pacific region, which interestingly includes an Apple WW Product Briefing for AP Media. There is a note that the venue is to be "advised later", which may be simply that no one knows which of the many rooms beneath the Moscone Center we will be ushered into, or may be something more sinister: perhaps those of us from these foreign parts are to be whisked away in vans with black windows to a secret location.

Apple's secrecy sometimes engenders such speculation.

Adobe Elements 6 for Mac

Thu, 10 Jan 2008 20:34:18 +0700

Adobe has released its Photoshop Elements software version 6 for Mac OS X

Apple to cut iTunes prices in UK

Wed, 09 Jan 2008 18:35:15 +0700

The BBC reports that Apple is to cut the price of downloads from the iTunes Music Store in the UK to be more in line with the rest of Europe.

There is not expected to be any change for users in Thailand.

Podcast #126

Wed, 09 Jan 2008 18:31:09 +0700

have been out of the loop somewhat this week with the arrival of parents, although I did manage to sneak away for some time. I thought I would do a book review as the main article this week as the subject is timely.

iPod: The Missing Manual

iPod: The Missing Manual

Wed, 09 Jan 2008 07:23:22 +0700

I recently bought a new year's present of an iPod nano for someone close to me. Within days, unfamiliarity and lack of confidence had generated two or three telephone calls.

The iPod range, particularly the nano and the now-named "Classic" have certainly changed with their new interfacing, although the basics are similar and they use iTunes integration. I was lucky to have at hand the latest Missing Manual for the iPods, by J. D. Biersdorfer (with David Pogue), which covers the new range, including the iPod touch, and their integration with iTunes, both Mac and Windows versions.

New Xserve

Tue, 08 Jan 2008 21:55:16 +0700

Along with the new MacPro, Apple has also announced a new Xserve which has a range of configurations up to 8-core 3.2GHz, 3TB of internal storage and 32GB (800MHz) RAM.

New MacPro from Apple

Tue, 08 Jan 2008 21:53:17 +0700

Apple has just announced a new MacPro -- top of the range desktop computer -- with 8-core processor and speeds up to 3.2GHz.

DNSChanger Removal Tool for OS X

Fri, 04 Jan 2008 15:08:50 +0700

There is reported to be a trojan horse that can be downloaded from pornographic web sites that insist that the user install a video codec. It will change the user's DND settings and can redirect web page requests, laying someone open to identity theft. From some unconfirmed reports (maybe they did not want to admit where their surfing had taken them), the trojan may also be on other sites. More may be at risk if this is so.

SecureMac has released a free utility called DNSChanger Removal Tool to remove the DNSChanger Trojan Horse, also known as OSX.RSPlug.A and OSX/Puper, which has been found on numerous pornographic websites disguising itself as a video codec. Once downloaded and installed, DNSChanger changes the DNS settings on the computer, redirecting websites entered by the user to malicious sites. If personal information is entered on these malicious websites, it can lead to identity theft.

If the DNSChanger trojan horse is detected, DNSChanger Removal Tool will give you the option to remove it. If the DNSChanger trojan horse is detected and removed, you will need to restart your computer to clear out the bad DNS entries added by the DNSChanger Trojan Horse. Download DNSChanger Removal Tool.

This detection and removal is also available in MacScan.

RIAA Says it is not Suing for Copying to iPods

Fri, 04 Jan 2008 14:55:09 +0700

A CNET story carries a summary of a radio debate between Marc Fisher, a Washington Post columnist, and Cary Sherman, president of the RIAA. Fisher had claimed that in an Arizona case, in which a man is being sued for distributing music files, the Association had changed its earlier stance and was saying that ordinary users were doing wrong by ripping CDs to computers and putting the tunes on their MP3 players.

Many news organisations (understandably) picked up on this and we commented on this in the eXtensions podcast (#125).

Greg Sandoval who writes the CNET commentary Sherman apparently defended the RIAA well and

Podcast #125

Wed, 02 Jan 2008 18:32:52 +0700

Welcome to the new year and as well as greetings from me, an apology. Last week, for the second time, I made a mistake when creating the feed file for the podcast and the previous podcast was made available twice. I did see from statistics, however, that the correct podcast was being downloaded so that was being done directly from the podcast page.

This week, my third look at the new System Preferences in Leopard.

System Preferences in Leopard: Networking

Wed, 02 Jan 2008 09:01:25 +0700

Welcome to 2008. The next weeks will see some news from Apple in Cupertino -- perhaps new products.

The next group of preferences, is for Networking, which is fairly important for any computer, and complex enough to have a column for it alone. Making connections to the outside world has been completely rewritten in the latest version of OS X. While some things appear similar, there are significant changes, most "under the hood".

The preference pane itself has a new look, which is not unusual when Apple updates, but it needs a careful look just the same. At the top is the Location button: with the Mac, the default location is "Automatic", but those who use a computer in a number of places -- home, office, and airports -- may want specific settings for each.

Bangkok Diary 1 January 2008: A Look at 2007 and Beyond (Part Two)

Tue, 01 Jan 2008 21:55:22 +0700

At MacWorld I had my first real look at Leopard, although it was to be longer than initially planned before it hit the streets, and there were some disappointments when it did.

Apple claimed that there were 300 improvements, while some suggest that there are many more. I keep finding new tricks to play with. It was delayed from its initial mid-year date until the end of October, although annoyingly, even with its fairly low-key introduction here (especially compared with the Tiger release), it was delayed some 18 hours -- more for some retailers -- which may be a problem with the distribution system here; or Customs; or both.

Bangkok Diary 1 January 2008: A Look at 2007 and Beyond (Part One)

Tue, 01 Jan 2008 21:54:06 +0700

I guess that in some ways it is healthy to clear the decks by having a look back at the last year and also to look forward, although when dealing with Apple, any speculation is often futile, and sometimes dangerous.

My year began with my first trip to the US for several years; my first visit to San Francisco; and the first time I had attended a MacWorld conference. The rumours about the iPhone had been ebbing and flowing for months before Steve Jobs stepped onto the stage at the Moscone Center and he made much of this.

Bangkok Diary 29 December 2007: RGB MusicLab 12 - updated to v.13

Mon, 31 Dec 2007 16:06:07 +0700

A few days after this review went online, I saw that another update had been released, bringing RGB Music Lab to version 13. The main point of the software -- user experimentation -- and its modes of operation are unchanged.

Bangkok Diary 29 December 2007: RGB MusicLab 12 - Music from Pictures

Sat, 29 Dec 2007 21:08:56 +0700

Synaesthesia: "the production of a sense impression relating to one sense or part of the body by stimulation of another sense or part of the body".

I came across this word earlier when looking at comments for a utility called RGB Music Lab -12. It was the comment, more than the utility (initially) that encouraged me to make the download from VersionTracker.

Podcast #124 correction

Sat, 29 Dec 2007 17:56:41 +0700

It must have been brain-fade again, but anyone subscribing this week would have suffered Podcast #123 again owing to a slip-up on my part. A couple of ways to fix this: download the podcast using the link with this feed

www.extensions.in.th/postpod/extensions.xml

Podcast #124

Wed, 26 Dec 2007 21:01:39 +0700

This week we continue with the festive season summaries. There was an update last week, then an update to the update this week, plus we have plenty of news and rumours. . . .

I put my money where my mouth is last week by actually buying an iPod nano for a friend as a new year gift. I ended up buying the 8G one as I had been told that black was wanted. I did get the special gift boox. Then a couple of days later I was deluged with phone calls as Windows was being used. I bought a book in Thai as a follow-up present.

Apples for your pockets (or Last Minute Shopping for iPods)

Wed, 26 Dec 2007 08:53:12 +0700

In the closing days of the Year some of us are doing the last minute shopping we ought to have done already but never quite got to. The shops are filled with parcel-carrying people, so it makes sense to save the smaller items to last.

Seasons Greetings

Tue, 25 Dec 2007 17:39:11 +0700

Greetings from a warm and sunny Bangkok. I wish anyone and everyone who reads the feeds and the online articles (and the print ones in the Bangkok Post too) the best wishes for the season.

Health and happiness to all,

Graham

Bangkok Diary Saturday 21 December 2007: The Netman Cometh - A True Story

Sat, 22 Dec 2007 16:59:23 +0700

It was on a Monday morning that the gasman came to call,
The gas tap wouldn't turn, I wasn't getting gas at all

At home I have an ADSL connection, now also using the Apple Airport Extreme base station and this setup gives me a satisfactory network connection. It is provided by the company called True and in the main, in the couple of years I have been using this, I have been content.

A couple of weeks ago, I found that email I sent with a local ISP address, via a True server used at my office, was sent back as "unauthorised." As the office networks have a flaky nature, I ignored this and used another account address to send the mail. Later, at home, I sent more mail from that first mail address and within a few minutes received a brief mail telling me that the adress used "is not allowed to be relayed thru this MTA..."

Security Update of Security Update

Sat, 22 Dec 2007 16:27:00 +0700

The Security Update (2007-009) that was released earlier this week, has itself been updated to version 1.1 and is recommended for all users.

If it does not appear in Software Update, use the link here to visit the Apple downloads pages and fetch it from there (but do choose the right one -- the others won't load and you will just have to download again).

Podcast #123

Wed, 19 Dec 2007 19:20:49 +0700

This week we are clearly heading for the Chistmas and New year period, so I put together a couple of items on what is available. This week the heavier stuff, which will take some serious thinking, and next the iPods and their accessories which may turn out to be good last-minute gift selections.

Making New Year Gift Lists

Wed, 19 Dec 2007 07:25:01 +0700

The New Year period creeps up quickly. It is when some of us think of gifts for the ones we love. We (companies as well as individuals) also use this period to look around for replacement hardware.

This week and next I am looking at Apple products in the shops in Bangkok and elsewhere: one of the phenomena around Apple in Thailand this year has been the number of new shops opening in areas which have never had them before: Pinklao, Nakhon Pathom, Hua Hin, Samui, Khon Khaen, Ubon are examples where there are new retail outlets (or will be in the future).

Making ringtones

Sun, 16 Dec 2007 13:31:57 +0700

Apple has outlined how to make ringtones for the iPhone, but for those (like us in Thailand) who are waiting for the iPhone, we can also add ring tones to our mobile phones using GarageBand.

The first part almost lost me: "Use cycle mode to choose which portion of your song to use"; and there is a screen shot so that I would know it if I could find it.

Underneath the GarageBand panel are some arrows to control the track play, or to go back to the beginning. The one on the right, that looks like a loop, is the Cycle Mode control. Press that and an extra line appears above the tracks. Then you can drag the playhead along that and a yellow highlight will appear. About 30 seconds is about it.

In the Advanced preferences, click the Autonormalize box (mine was checked) and change the button below to "Better." Back to the working panel and in the Share menu use the Export Song to Disk item. You will see other items about Ringtones, but that is for when we get our iPhones.

In the panel that comes up next, the Compress box should be checked, MP3 encoder, and in Audio Settings, select Custom and change the bitrate to 64kbps. Mono or stereo depends on your phone. Then export. I put the file, which is in MP3 format, on the desktop and then used Bluetooth File Exchange to send it to the phone.

The phone recognised it as a sound file and allowed me to use it immediately as a ringtone. It works, although what I used -- a section of me talking in last week's podcast -- may not be the best choice, so I copied a song from my iTunes library, dragged that into GarageBand and now I have Miles Davis' All Blue as my ringtone, but I may switch that to The Ride of the Valkyries. . .

Bangkok Diary -14 December 2007 - Airport Extreme base station - Setting up at Home

Fri, 14 Dec 2007 17:12:19 +0700

I was in San Francisco last January when, as well as the iPhone, Steve Jobs told us about the Airport Extreme Base Station with its enhanced speeds: it was designed using the draft IEEE 802.11n standard as well as the usual b and g specifications.

But wouldn't you just know it: first the device was not going to be available for some two months, which put paid to the idea of running the couple of hundred metres to the Apple shop and buying one there; and two countries were specifically excluded from the supply-chain, South Korea and Thailand.

I expect North Korea was also out, but the reason that Thailand was not on the list was because of the nature of telecomms laws here. As the draft standard had not been approved by the IEEE, it was illegal to use 802.11n here. As it was illegal to use it, Apple could not sell it.

As is the nature of things, with Singapore just down the road (relatively speaking) and creative retailers, a few of the devices started appearing, along with the AppleTV that was also supposed to be unavailable for similar reasons.

In March of this year (2007) there was a draft approval and within a short time, the device appeared on the price lists in the local retail outlets. . . .

GarageBand updated

Fri, 14 Dec 2007 12:33:52 +0700

The update to GarageBand addresses some stability issues and makes reference to file exports to the iPhone.

QuickTime update (7.3.1)

Fri, 14 Dec 2007 12:32:34 +0700

Apple has updated QuickTime to version 7.3.1. Remember there are different versions depending on whether you run Leopard, Panther or Tiger.

Podcast #122

Wed, 12 Dec 2007 19:09:17 +0700

A busy week, but come Monday there was nothing in the air that I wanted to use for the news section of the podcast although we do have a couple of local items. The column this week is on the second part of my look at System preferences: E to K.

System Preferences in Leopard (E -K)

Wed, 12 Dec 2007 07:24:33 +0700

This week I continue an overview of the System preferences in OS X Leopard. I am examining these in alphabetical order: we now come to the group, E - K .

The Energy Saver panel is to control sleep, displays and the hard disk. It has two parts: Sleep and Options. "Options" reveals check-boxes for administration purposes: for example "Wake for Ethernet access", or restart on power. This also controls the menubar icon.

Bangkok Diary - 10 December 2007: Catch Up Preview version 1 (Aesthetic Displays of System Information)

Mon, 10 Dec 2007 13:00:19 +0700

One of the features of utilities and the System Preferences in OS X is that they use the advanced facilities available in the Unix installation that runs beneath OS X, but are covered with a pretty graphic ingterface, so that we do not have to get our hands dirty at the command line. As an example, we looked recently at Balthisar Tidy, a cleanup utility for HTML pages that builds on "tidy" which is part of BSD Unix available with the BASH shell (default with OS X).

A few weeks ago I signed up for a look at a new system utility that was "coming soon" with a smart new interface. I am always game for anything like this. I had email notificaton this morning (Thai time - 10 Dec.) and downloaded the software preview, called CheckUP, immediately from App4Mac.

Bangkok Diary 9 December 2007 - Weekend in Siam

Sun, 09 Dec 2007 23:50:55 +0700

The last week or so has seen me really busy with a set of deadlines coming last weekend for the Bangkok Post column . I had to submit the texts for 19 and 26 December and for 2 January, which saw me writing all last weekend. Come Monday morning, when Ithought it was all over, I had an email asking if I had forgotten the item for 12 December. . . .

On Saturday morning I had a quick look in the iStudio in Central World, mainly as I was looking for a new computer bag -- something that would take an SLR camera as well. There was nothing that really appealed to me in there, apart from another backpack, so i grabbed some price lists and wandered to Siam Discovery. I did confirm that the MacBoks now havethe 2.2GHz processor and that Leopard is now standard, so these have arrived in all the shops.

Apple threatens Singapore iPhone sellers

Fri, 07 Dec 2007 10:58:15 +0700

Well, will Mahboonkrong be next. Like Bangkok and other Asian cities, Singapore has (or had) a thriving business in unlocked iPhones.

Last week, Apple put pressure on a Danish retailer, and now is after the guys in Singapore who are removing the iPhones from sale (from open sale, anyway).

We know that Apple knows where to buy iPhones here, so what are the chances of action in the Land of Smiles?

DJ of the Year, LA Music Awards

Thu, 06 Dec 2007 17:00:43 +0700

Sean Ray, aka DJ Ducky won the DJ of the Year category for the LA Music Awards, and posted his thanks on the MacBookPro forum:

"I just won DJ of the Year from the Los Angeles Music Awards and I couldn't have done it without you guys and my MacBook Pro so THANK YOU! "

Podcast #121

Wed, 05 Dec 2007 15:41:14 +0700

I am starting a series of articles this week on System preferences and this is going to be spread over a few weeks, with some interruptions round the new year period. We are looking at some more comments on Leopard this week, plus some ideas about the music industry and stepping outside just a touch on one or two items.

Also: A story here on both the dangers and the importance of sometimes taking the law into your own hands. In a story which is going to rebound and I hope slap WalMart in the face, an old man who had seen information about dangerous products, identified one in the child's department of a Walmart store and was pretty much rebuffed by the manager

System Preferences in Leopard, A - D.

Wed, 05 Dec 2007 09:02:57 +0700

For most ordinary users, System Preferences is the core of the system: where much fine-tuning takes place. With OS X, Leopard (now at 10.5.1), there have been several changes, including a spiffy new icon.

German Court says T-Mobile has the iPhone Exclusively

Wed, 05 Dec 2007 09:26:00 +0700

A couple of weeks ago, Vodaphone put the cat among the pigeons by starting court action and getting a temporary injunctions to prevent Germany's T-Mobile from being the sole service provider of the iPhone. One remembers that Vodaphone did not get this elsewhere either.

As a temporary rememdy, T-Mobile sold unlocked iPhones for a really high price (higher than one would pay in Mahboonkrong currently).

The court now says it is business as usual and the phones can be sold locked in to the T-Mobile service.

Both MacNN and MacDailyNews have links to the story.

I earlier wrongly wrote Verizon instead of Vodaphone (late night, brain-fade) and apologise for that.

Podcast #120

Wed, 28 Nov 2007 19:12:17 +0700

This week we have a further examination at OS X, 10.5, Leopard, looking at some of the problems some users have had and outlining some of the updated software as it arrived: not all of it right away.

This week, Leopard Consolidation or The State of the Art

Leopard Consolidation - The State of the Art

Wed, 28 Nov 2007 07:23:02 +0700

Leopard has been with us for a while now. Overall I am happy with what is happening on my computer, but it has not been totally plain sailing. I have had a couple of minor problems and I know that others have not fared as well as me.
A bug in Parental Controls manifested itself by making the widgets disappear. Apple has a fix in a Knowledge Base article (KB307022). I reinstalled using the Archive and Install method before this document appeared (I was teaching this two days later and needed it all to work). The system has been perfectly stable since.

Bangkok Diary 26 November 2007: SiteSucker - a Utility for Offline Website Work

Mon, 26 Nov 2007 18:17:23 +0700

I have a sort of love-hate relationship with Unix. I grew up with the internet in Thailand when the first connection was a backbone system that connected to Melbourne in Australia several times a day via a dialup link from the Prince of Songkhla University in Hat Yai -- conveniently close to Songkhla where the submarine cable disappears into the sea.

To use the internet in those days, even for simple mail, needed one to use unix commands. As a consequence, having also started my computing life using MSDOS 2, I have a lot more command line experience than my students despite being a Mac user. I even teach this stuff here.

Bangkok Diary 25 November 2007: A Weekend look at Siam and Beyond

Sun, 25 Nov 2007 21:22:06 +0700

The road to Hell is paved with good intentions, they say and I started out this weekend by trying to run around some shops on Friday while I was out paying bills. That didn't work as well as I had hoped, so I tried again on Saturday and was delayed (enjoyably I might add -- coffee and lots of good information), so did not manage to visit all I had intended.

Bangkok Diary Saturday 24 November 2007: Further Tortures of an Early Adopter - 13 Leopard Days, Part II

Sat, 24 Nov 2007 18:21:57 +0700

In the interests of a wider range of opinions, here is CJ Hinke again on his bad Leopard experiences -

One of the biggest reasons I use Macintosh is for its elegant and stylish interface configurable to a compulsively perfectionist user. Making Mac OS X my own has made using Mac a pleasurable experience. So far, Leopard has strangled those small joys.

Bangkok Diary 23 November 2007 - Reactivation of CDMA Modem after a Leopard Hiatus

Fri, 23 Nov 2007 22:19:51 +0700

When I am out and about with the MacBookPro in Bangkok I use the WiFi system that the local company, True, provide in many locations around the city. From experience, I know that if I am in the central shopping areas, for example, Siam, the signals are strong enough to do any work like email or websurfing that I want.

Experience tells me that certain locations, however, have abysmal signals. For example, if I am in the Pinklao area, on the Thonburi side of the river, I might as well just not bother some days.

There are also times when I am out that I am not near a mall. And in the past, when I used to ride motorcycles, it would have been impossible to get online up in the hills or in the forests, although when I was using a Palm C130, I did manage to send my article one week from near the Srinakharin Dam in Kanchanaburi.

That was why I found the idea of the CDMA wireless modem so attractive.

Podcast #119

Wed, 21 Nov 2007 18:32:11 +0700

Part Two of my first few days with OS X, 10.5, Leopard, assessing some more of the features, particularly remote access and Time Machine. We also look at some of the more recent international IT news and include some hints and information about ugrades and other new software.

A Few Days with Leopard (Part Two)

Wed, 21 Nov 2007 07:13:33 +0700

Safari, Apple's browser, has several features I like including the way it handles RSS feeds. It is possible to read the information offline. A new link in the browser allows a user to use RSS bookmarks in Mail. Feeds are listed in the sidebar and items are displayed like mail messages.

Bangkok Diary 20 November 2007: Cleaning up Web Pages with Tidy

Tue, 20 Nov 2007 20:37:46 +0700

I often work in the Unix as there are so many useful little tricks one can try. A fairly simple one is tidy which will "validate, correct, and pretty-print HTML files." That information comes from the manual installed in the Unix (man tidy is the command).

Like many such utilities, there are loads of ways it can be fine-tuned, but not everyone enjoys this stuff, and it is easy enough if you are inexperienced or not careful to make mistakes.

Many of the useful programs we come across are based on unix commands, but have a pretty face: and they are easier to use partly because of that. Another reason is that someone has done all the hard work for us.

Bangkok Diary 17 November 2007: 10.5.1 - Leopard Keeping Pace

Sat, 17 Nov 2007 15:08:27 +0700

On Friday morning, Bangkok time that is, I found that the expected update to Leopard had arrived. It had taken three weeks from the date of the worldwide release (except Thailand -- it came a day late, while Jaguar had been a week late and Tiger was right on time). The update was designed to address some of the problems that will arrive with any major change to an operating system.

Quick notes on 10.5.1

Fri, 16 Nov 2007 09:29:06 +0700

The installation went fairly rapidly with the new method: installer script, then a lot of work behind the scenes after we press Restart.

When the system came back, we began with the Apple intro video, as if this was a new machine, and also had to deal with the setup panels, which had all the information entered anyway.

A quick run of Disk Utility to repair permissions shows that we have indeed got the progress bar now, but that Apple's measurement of time is about the same: "under one minute" for three minutes, then "4 minutes" for 30 seconds, ending with "under 1 minute for about 10 seconds. We also see that the reference to that SUID file has not gone.

Problems? What problems?

10.5.1

Fri, 16 Nov 2007 08:42:57 +0700

The expected arrival of the first update to OS X, 10.5, Leopard is upon us.

It fixes several annoying (and one or two serious) problems and Apple's documentation is quite clear about possible problems that may be encountered if 3rd party system software is used.

The following improvements for both PowerPC and Intel-based Macs are included in this update

AirPort

Allows password-protected accounts on AirPort Disks to show up on in the Finder's Shared Sidebar.
Resolves an issue with saved passwords for wireless networks.
Back to My Mac

Improves the reliability of Back to My Mac-enabled Macs appearing in the Finder's Shared Sidebar.
Improves compatibility with D-Link NAT gateways.
Disk utilities

Restores the functionality of the progress bar during permission repairs in Disk Utility. [Which was one of those expected.]
Addresses an issue that could produce an alert when creating disk images using Disk Utility or Terminal.
Improves disk partitioning when multiple RAID sets are created on the same disk.
iCal

iCal alarms are now more reliably delivered via email.
Resolves an issue when inviting attendees via a CalDAV account.
Mail

Improves stability when resizing columns in the message viewer or switching between Stationery templates in email messages.
Addresses an issue in which attachments enclosed inside an HTML link may not be clickable in email messages.
Fixes an issue with email accounts added using the "Simple Setup" feature in which messages cannot be sent due to an SMTP connection failure.
Improves Smart Mailboxes compatibility with .Mac Sync, and addresses an issue with To Do's disappearing when using Smart Mailboxes.
Resolves an issue with syncing Mail accounts with .Mac in which multiple On My Mac folders appear in the Mailbox pane.
Networking

Addresses an issue in which Microsoft Windows shared folders may be read-only when connected via SMB.
Printing

Resolves an issue in which user-selected values on Paper Feed PDE are reset to default while saving a custom preset.
Security, Firewall

Addresses a code signing issue; third-party applications can now run when included in the Application Firewall or when whitelisted in Parental Controls.
In Security preferences' Firewall tab, the "Block All" option is now called "Allow Only essential services"
Includes recent Apple security updates.
System and Finder

Addresses a potential data loss issue when moving files across partitions in the Finder.
Resolves an issue with login after turning off FileVault for a specific user account.
Improves compatibility with Adobe Flash-based uploaders used by .Mac Web Gallery and certain other websites and applications.
Resolves a potential text drawing issue with certain Adobe Flash-based websites and applications.
Time Machine

Addresses formatting issues with certain drives used with Time Machine (specifically, single-partition MBR drives greater than 512 GB in size as well as NTFS drives of any size and partition scheme).
Resolves an issue in which files restored in Time Machine may be restored to the backup hierarchy rather than the folders to which they belong.

Podcast #118 (error)

Thu, 15 Nov 2007 12:18:56 +0700
Mea culpa. A definite brain-fade problem last night when I uploaded the latest podcast (118) but failed to change the filename, which is why anyone subscribed may be getting a repeat of #117.

I have corrected this, so some may not notice. If this does not adjust itself for the others, re-subcribing will fix it for sure, or by accessing the file via the page itself (link here) . . .

Podcast #118

Wed, 14 Nov 2007 21:23:59 +0700
Despite what I write in the Post column this week, I have had some problems with Leopard and ended up reinstalling, but more about that later as it is not as drastic as all that.

This week, the first part of a look at seven days with Leopard.

While running Leopard, like many I have had some minor problems, but this is sort of expected with a new OS. Last week, however, on Friday, I suddenly found (for the second time in a few days) that I had no widgets and the repairs I tried this time were having no effect. I jumped the gun a bit and did an Archive and Install. I wrote a two-part Bangkok Diary article looking at some of the problems in far greater depth than the Post allows: "Success and Failure"; and "A second install".

A few days with Leopard (part one)

Wed, 14 Nov 2007 07:12:34 +0700
In common with others, I am assessing the first seven days that I have had Leopard installed. On some major online IT news sites, the enthusiasm for this version of OS X is widespread. However, although many users have seen successful installations, there are problems. MacFixit always covers such events. As well as suggestions for some of the perils, it lists software found to be problematic.

Bangkok Diary Monday 12 November 2007: Widgets to Make Thai Computer Engineering Students Alert

Mon, 12 Nov 2007 19:32:51 +0700
I can always tell when Apple has a winner. There are a few things worrying me as a user right now with OS X, Leopard, but I am sure this will all be fixed sooner or later (hopefully sooner). . . .

I pointed out the small icon with the pair of scissors which, when pressed, creates a purple band at the top of a page. The page itself is greyed over and a section is highlighted. There was a pretty good guess by the software when I used a page from the Developer site. . . .

Lots of approving sounds from the students and sage nodding too at this process

Bangkok Diary 11 November 2007 - (2) A second install on the MacBookPro

Thu, 15 Nov 2007 18:34:05 +0700
Initially I had no problems with Time Machine. Both my students and I are impressed with what it does and how it does it.

Others did experience difficulties and there was much space taken up online by this feature which did not work for some people.

Bangkok Diary 11 November 2007: OS X Leopard - Success and Failure in my hands

Sun, 11 Nov 2007 20:30:00 +0700
Although I had success initially with the Leopard upgrade on my MacBookPro, later events gave me a number of problems, mainly of my own making.

With the various situations I found myself in, I was managed to experience all types of update that Apple provides for its Leopard install over a period of two weeks.

Part One of a two-part article.

Bangkok Diary 10 November 2007: A Flit around Pratunam and Siam

Sat, 10 Nov 2007 22:29:56 +0700
A busy couple of weeks with the start of a new semester and taking stock of the new Apple operating system release, have kept me away from the city centre, apart from quick forays to buy food essentials. . . .

I was told in one of the shops I went into, that the sales of MacBooks right now were good, and that also Leopard disks had sold really well too (that was still at 4,790 baht). With the dollar in a gentle slide downwards, the same import taxes, and no specification changes to the MacBooks in the immediate past, I am wondering why there should be this increase at this time, although I was told (and my source is nameless) that these MacBooks now come with a free Wireless Mouse. These are shown as 2,580 baht in one shop.

I think there is a mis-judgement here.

Podcast #117

Wed, 07 Nov 2007 19:16:37 +0700
Some of us are still getting used to the new release of OS X. This week we have had iTunes and Quick Time updates. Just over a week ago, when I wrote this week's Bangkok Post artlicle, Leopard had been in my hands only a few hours.

Leopard Arrives in Bangkok

Wed, 07 Nov 2007 19:15:57 +0700
While Leopard was released at 6pm on Friday round the world, including Singapore, in Thailand we had an 18-hour delay to 12 noon on 27th October. Some shops did not have it and I was told 4pm. I eventually tracked it down in Siam Discovery Center just after lunch.

This week's Bangkok Post article has my first look at Leopard.

Test - please ignore

Tue, 06 Nov 2007 20:43:33 +0700
Just running a test feed item

QuickTime update to 7.3

Tue, 06 Nov 2007 08:21:18 +0700
Along with the iTunes release there is an update to QuickTime which is now version 7.3.. There are different versions for Leopard, for Tiger, for Panther and for Windows.

About QuickTime 7.3 for Leopard
QuickTime 7.3 addresses critical security issues and delivers:
- Support for iTunes 7.5
- Updated support for creating iPhone-compatible web content
- Updated JavaScript support in the QuickTime Web Plug-in
- Numerous bug fixes

iTunes 7.5 released

Tue, 06 Nov 2007 08:17:49 +0700
iTunes version 7.5 has just been released for both Macs and Windows.

It "features the ability to activate iPhone wherever service is offered and support for Phase, a new interactive music game designed exclusively for iPod nano (third generation), iPod classic, and iPod (fifth generation). This release also includes bug fixes to improve stability and performance.
"

Bangkok Diary: 5 November 2007 - . J. Hinke on Press that button and leap into the abyss: the madness of an early adopter

Mon, 05 Nov 2007 19:39:25 +0700
Been using Mac since 1984. (Hmm, still feels like 1984!) Couldn't help but notice the new "Update" button on Leopard's 10.5 install disk. Easy--just press the button...

Possible Mac Trojan

Fri, 02 Nov 2007 09:30:48 +0700
Stories are appearing of a Trojan Horse that comes disguised as a video-decoder that some unsuspecting users download from porn sites. Two lessons there with the clear one being not to download anything you are not sure about.

The Trojan will divert some of "the victim's future web surfing (e.g. PayPal) to sites under the attacker's control" we are told.

As the sources for this are Intego and McAfee -- security companies who would have a vested interest in such attacks existing -- we are cautious but aware.

And it is not the first Trojan.

New MacBooks and MacBookPros

Thu, 01 Nov 2007 19:29:26 +0700
Sort of expected, Apple almost managed to slip this one past us with its mid-week timing, but we now have new notebooks.

The MacBooks have an updated processor and use a 800MHz bus as well as the GMA X3100 graphics (the drivers for which were hidden deep in the Leopard release).

The MacBookPro have some upgrading including an option of a 2.6GHz processor for the 2.4GHz models (an extra $250).

Podcast #116

Wed, 31 Oct 2007 19:18:52 +0700
This week's podcast looks at the preparations for Leopard; and in the news section discusses some of the comments and problems of Leopard's arrival.

From an Ambush of Tigers to a Lepe of Leopards

Wed, 31 Oct 2007 07:20:38 +0700
In 2002, I was riding out near the Kaeng Krachan national park on my R80g/s when a wild leopard trotted across the road in front of me. I don't ride now so never again had the good fortune to see one of these cats in the wild, but right now I am looking forward to Apple's Leopard. . . .

Bangkok Diary 29 October 2007: iSpeakit -- A Text to Sound Utility

Mon, 29 Oct 2007 22:57:33 +0700
I was looking round the web on Sunday evening to see what problems there were for some people and to look at some of the success stories (there were several), when an item on iGadget Blog caught my eye: Six hidden Leopard gems. I am not sure that "gem" is the right word, but the first of the list, Alex, was something that had slipped my memory.

OS X Blue Screen

Sun, 28 Oct 2007 16:16:19 +0700
As we mentioned earlier (09:58) the blue screen that some have seen after restarting from a Leopard install, may be due to third-party enhancers.

Apple has now (Sunday, eh?) released a KB document that examines this problem of such enhancers and suggests that it may be necessary to carry out the Archive & Install. They also provide a command line remedy for the brave.

Nokia website for Thai musicians

Sun, 28 Oct 2007 16:09:32 +0700
It may be a relatively small step, but Nokia are starting a service that allows new acts in the region to upload their music.

"The IAC program will launched in Singapore and Thailand first, before being rolled out over the next six months to selected Asia-Pacific countries including Malaysia, the Philippines, Indonesia, Bangladesh, Vietnam, Australia, and New Zealand."

Leopard updated

Sun, 28 Oct 2007 09:59:56 +0700
Not unexpectedly with a new OS, but this one was pretty fast out of the traps.

Apple has issued Login & Keychain Update 1.0:

It addresses issues you may encounter when:

Logging in with an account originally created in Mac OS X 10.1 or earlier that has a password of 8 or more characters.
Connecting to some 802.11b/g wireless networks.
Changing the password of a FileVault-protected account.

A solution for some Leopard problems

Sun, 28 Oct 2007 09:58:16 +0700
Not me, I hasten to add. Leopard is pretty good apart from one or two idiosyncracies that I am learning.

Rixstep tells us that one major problem for a lot of users has concerned Unsanity's Appication Enhancer Framework.

Those who have dumped this (or in my case never had it) have no problems.

Bangkok Diary 28 October 2007: Leopard Arrives Belatedly in Thailand

Sun, 28 Oct 2007 01:18:04 +0700
A couple of days before the worldwide release of Leopard, I received an email from the local Apple office in Bangkok's Siam area, to tell me that the release was delayed here until Saturday noon. I was not overjoyed about this as I was going to lose a day before my column was due and, if anything were to go wrong, I might not have enough time to reinstall, bring in all the data and start all over again.

Leopard in Thailand

Sat, 27 Oct 2007 17:27:37 +0700
Actually, I saw one once: it ran out in front of my motorbike near Kaeng Krachan. The Leopard I am not using is a different matter.

I went into Central World first, nothing; then Siam Paragon where I was told it was not now arriving until 4pm, which did not please me to imagine sitting round Siam area for over 3 hours. In Siam Discovery, it was there, it was ready and I was first.

It installed without a whimper in just over 40 minutes and the software update problem reported in Australia and elsewhere must have been fixed. Spotlight took a while to reindex once the installation was done and I was working in my user account. OS X declined to start Growl telling me it needed something (I missed what), but a check brought down a new version.

Less lucky was Gimp, an Open Source graphics application that runs in the X11 window. I am going to have to hunt that down.

It looks gorgeous: none of the screenshots give a real impression of what it is like to have it on your own computer. There are one or two things and some new applications to get used to and a couple of behaviours are altered.

Oz Leopard - minor problem

Fri, 26 Oct 2007 15:12:10 +0700
A couple of users in Australia, who (because of the time difference) already have their copies of Leopard report that, despite an otherwise faultless installation, Software Update reports that a specific file cannot be found on the server "swscan.apple.com".

This will probably be fixed by the time the US (and then Thailand) get theirs.

iDVD update

Fri, 26 Oct 2007 09:04:18 +0700
The update available for download from the Apple site this morning (Thai time), version 6.0.4 is an older version. Those running iLife '08 already have iDVD 7.

GarageBand 3.05

Fri, 26 Oct 2007 09:02:52 +0700
The Garage Band update that is available for download is not for Tiger but can only be installed once OS X 10.5 Leopard is the OS.

Apple updates (apart from Leopard)

Fri, 26 Oct 2007 08:51:08 +0700
We know that Leopard will be out in a few hours (although in Thailand we have to wait until Saturday noon) and in anticipation of that, some more updates are being released by Apple, including iLife Support 8.1.1 and an iDVD update. These should be available via Software Update (blue apple, top left of your screen).

Leopard Easier and Faster than Vista

Fri, 26 Oct 2007 08:48:24 +0700
So says Walt Mossberg who gets his copy early, while those of us in Thailand are going to have a delay of some 18 hours.

There is also a Pogue review but the NYTimes is still playing silly buggers with its registration demands.˙

Bangkok Diary 25 October 207: Posterino - a Simple but Effective Poster Application

Thu, 25 Oct 2007 21:34:01 +0700
A couple of months back I produced a series of posters for students, using the A3 templates in Apple's Pages, part of the iWork suite. Although I was quite happy with the results, I felt that, for poster work, this really needed some more flexibility. To change page print sizes might need a fussy export and reworking in another application.

I have been looking at a smallish utility, Posterino, that focuses just on the poster, from Zykloid Software (pronounced Cycloid) a company based in Germany, where there has been a lot of good Mac software written over the years. . . .

Warning re repairs after Leopard install

Thu, 25 Oct 2007 10:01:41 +0700
MacFixit puts out a reminder on TechToolPro and includes Disk Warrior: we should not use these after updating (should there be a problem) as the new version of OS X makes significant directory changes.

"Running TechTool Pro or DiskWarrior on a Mac OS X 10.5 Leopard volume can cause it to become unbootable or exhibit other significant issues."

I would add that running these before might obviate any need for repairs, if you are using the simple update (which I shall).

Podcast #115

Wed, 24 Oct 2007 18:50:19 +0700
The second look at iPhoto; Leopard delayed in Thailand; some comments on news and some updates.

Leopard delayed in Thailand

Wed, 24 Oct 2007 08:38:53 +0700
I just had a heads-up from the company and have been told that the release of OS X 10.5 Leopard in Thailand is to be delayed from 6pm Friday to 12 noon on Saturday.

I am still trying to find out why. . . .

iPhoto (2): Editing and Exporting Images

Wed, 24 Oct 2007 08:22:00 +0700
With the latest iPhoto the editing window now opens via an Edit icon beneath the Events or Photos windows. As before the image opens in a window with a strip-panel above showing other images: we can see what is next.

The second part of my look at the recently updated iPhoto, concentrating on editing and image export methods.

Bangkok Diary 23 October 2007: Tuesday and another dip into Apple retail outlets

Tue, 23 Oct 2007 21:48:50 +0700
Tuesday this week was a religious holiday in Thailand, so not being at the day job and not being Buddhist, that gave me some free time to have a look round some of the other parts of the City of Angels that I do not normally have the inclination to visit.

OS X Leopard - price in Thailand

Tue, 23 Oct 2007 18:24:52 +0700
I had estimated 5,000 - 5,500 baht based on the $129 US price and the exchange rates, but I was told today in one retail outlet that the price of Leopard on its release on Friday here, will be 4,790 baht.

Unlocked iPhones

Tue, 23 Oct 2007 08:50:48 +0700
Tim Cook, Apple's COO, estimated that some 250,000 iPhones had been sold to those intending to unlock them: a significant contribution to Apple's income.

Apple expansion of stores

Tue, 23 Oct 2007 08:47:13 +0700
Also in the Q4 announcements were the points that Apple is intending to open some 40 new stores in the next 12 months, including one in China.

Apple posts Q4 Results

Tue, 23 Oct 2007 08:44:53 +0700
Major points from the Q4 results from Cupertino:

Revenue $6.22 billion, net Q profit $904 million (slightly higher than analysts' estimates);

2,164,000 Macs shipped (34% growth over the same period last year);

iPhone sales 1,119,000 (now a total of 1,389,000 for 2007);

Revenue in 2007 - $24 billion, with $3.5 billion net income ending the year with $15.4 billion cash and zero debt.

OS X Leopard in Thailand (update)

Mon, 22 Oct 2007 18:43:14 +0700
I have it now from the horse's mouth (Apple's top man in Thailand) that for the 6pm release of Leopard on Friday, there will be an in store event at every iStudio.

I am still not sure about the Pinklao iStudio as they told me it will be in Thailand a few days after the US release. They lost a sale for sure.

OS X Leopard in Thailand

Mon, 22 Oct 2007 09:56:32 +0700
The information I have at this time is that there is to be no special event for the release of Leopard at 6pm on Friday (26 Oct), but the new operating system will simply be on sale in the stores from that time.

Bangkok Diary 20 October 2007: Thai Language on an iPhone

Sat, 20 Oct 2007 14:05:39 +0700
Although the iPhone is not due to arrive in Asia until some time in 2008, the enthusiasm for the device means that a number of people in Thailand (and I guess other countries -- India has been mentioned in despatches) are unwilling to wait and have acquired their own already.

Bangkok Diary 19 October 2007: The Evolution of the podcast

Fri, 19 Oct 2007 23:03:53 +0700
Sound files, in one form or another have been saved and distributed ever since Edison first turned his wax cylinder and his scratchy voice recorded "Mary had a little lamb" for posterity.

Apple sacks 800 (greedy?) employees

Thu, 18 Oct 2007 22:53:30 +0700
800 members of Apple's staff are apparently now former members as they not only got free iPhones but cashed in (or tried) the $100 credit for early buyers.

Tom Yager enthuses about Leopard

Wed, 17 Oct 2007 22:45:23 +0700
Tom Yager who is chief technologist at the InfoWorld Test Center.

Leopard is beautiful, not merely in appearance but in design, all the way down to its certified Unix core. My own core is Unix certified, and now that Apple has reworked OS X to jump the many hurdles required to bear the Unix trademark, I feel like I've returned from a lengthy self-imposed exile. Finally, there's a PC Unix that everyone can love.

Third Party Applications on the iPhone

Wed, 17 Oct 2007 22:35:41 +0700
Apple Hot News provides some information on the RSS feed (without any link) this evening and Steve tells us. . . . .

Let me just say it: We want native third party applications on the iPhone, and we plan to have an SDK in developers’ hands in February. We are excited about creating a vibrant third party developer community around the iPhone and enabling hundreds of new applications for our users. With our revolutionary multi-touch interface, powerful hardware and advanced software architecture, we believe we have created the best mobile platform ever for developers. It will take until February to release an SDK because we’re trying to do two diametrically opposed things at once—provide an advanced and open platform to developers while at the same time protect iPhone users from viruses, malware, privacy attacks, etc. This is no easy task. Some claim that viruses and malware are not a problem on mobile phones—this is simply not true. There have been serious viruses on other mobile phones already, including some that silently spread from phone to phone over the cell network. As our phones become more powerful, these malicious programs will become more dangerous. And since the iPhone is the most advanced phone ever, it will be a highly visible target. Some companies are already taking action. Nokia, for example, is not allowing any applications to be loaded onto some of their newest phones unless they have a digital signature that can be traced back to a known developer. While this makes such a phone less than “totally open,” we believe it is a step in the right direction. We are working on an advanced system which will offer developers broad access to natively program the iPhone’s amazing software platform while at the same time protecting users from malicious programs. We think a few months of patience now will be rewarded by many years of great third party applications running on safe and reliable iPhones.

Steve

P.S.: The SDK will also allow developers to create applications for iPod touch.

Unlocked iPhones - the French way

Wed, 17 Oct 2007 19:54:22 +0700
In a development that will be of considerable interest to those anticipating the Apple iPhone in Asia (as opposed to the unlocked specials), owing to the law in France, there has had to be a change to the model that exists in the USA, and in the UK and Germany, where the phone is firmly linked to the telephone company.

That is not allowed in France and so a deal has been reached in which there is something like a 2-tier situation -- locked and unlocked, linked and not linked.

The deal involves money of course. . . .

Braille support in Leopard

Wed, 17 Oct 2007 12:24:17 +0700
A couple of days ago in the eXtensions Bangkok Diary, I reviewed VisioVoice - software to help the blind and those with restricted vision.

Checking through the list of 300 new Leopard features I see that there is considerable support for Braille output:

These additions include -

For the first time ever on a desktop computer, you can use a Braille display while installing or upgrading your operating system.

See a virtual Braille display — a visual representation of VoiceOver Braille output onscreen along with an English text translation.

Spotlight and Thai in Leopard

Wed, 17 Oct 2007 10:18:05 +0700
I have been browsing the 300 new features of Leopard and note that there are now localisations for Russian, Polish and Iberian Portuguese (as opposed to the already included Brazilian version). There is also considerably more Japanese support, including a dictionary. Tucked down deep in all that information is this "Spotlight also has improved support for German and Thai and faster indexing in Japanese."

Leopard's 300 new features

Wed, 17 Oct 2007 10:17:56 +0700
Apple has posted a page which lists the areas in which there are new features for the upcoming Leopard (26 October).

iPhone confirmed for France

Wed, 17 Oct 2007 09:02:15 +0700
Apple has confirmed that the iPhone will be available in France, avec Orange. . . .

Book Review: iPhone - The Missing Manual

Wed, 17 Oct 2007 08:59:40 +0700
Having just looked at the iPod touch, with an almost identical interface to that of the iPhone, this is a perfect time to look at a book that has been sitting in my office for the past few weeks: David Pogue's Missing Manual for the iPhone.

Leopard shipping at 6pm on 26 October

Tue, 16 Oct 2007 20:17:07 +0700

CUPERTINO, California—October 16, 2007—Apple® today announced that Mac OS® X Leopard will go on sale Friday, October 26 at 6:00 p.m. at Apple’s retail stores and Apple Authorized Resellers, and that Apple’s online store is now accepting pre-orders. Leopard is packed with more than 300 new features and introduces a brand new desktop with Stacks, a new way to easily access files from the Dock; a redesigned Finder that lets users quickly browse and share files between multiple Macs; Quick Look, a new way to instantly see files without opening an application; Spaces, an intuitive new feature used to create groups of applications and instantly switch between them; and Time Machine, an effortless way to automatically back up everything on a Mac®.

“Leopard, the sixth major release of Mac OS X, is the best upgrade we’ve ever released,” said Steve Jobs, Apple’s CEO. “And everyone gets the ‘Ultimate’ version, packed with all the new innovative features, for just $129.”

Leopard’s new desktop includes the redesigned 3D Dock with Stacks, a new way to organize files for quick and easy access with just one click. Leopard automatically places web, email and other downloads in a Downloads stack to maintain a clutter-free desktop, and users can instantly fan the contents of this and other Stacks into an elegant arc right from the Dock. Users can also create their own Stacks for quick access to folders, documents or applications. Leopard’s gorgeous new look extends to all applications, with every window on the desktop offering a consistent design theme and active windows outlined by deeper shadows that make them stand out.

The updated Finder includes Cover Flow® and a new sidebar with a dramatically simplified way to search for, browse and copy content from any PC or Mac on a local network. Content on any computer on a local network can now be searched using Spotlight™, browsed using Cover Flow or copied across the network with a simple drag and drop. .Mac members can use the new Back to My Mac feature to browse and access files on their remote Macs over the Internet.

Quick Look is the fastest and easiest way for users to look inside files without launching them or even having the application that created them. With Quick Look, users can instantly view full-screen, high-resolution files of virtually anything, even media files, from any view in the Finder.

Spaces gives users a powerful new way to organize their work by creating customized desktops which can contain only those applications or documents needed for each project, with the ability to quickly switch between Spaces with the mouse or keyboard.

Time Machine lets users easily back up all of the data on their Mac, find lost files and even restore all of the software on their Mac. With just a one-click setup, Time Machine automatically keeps an up-to-date copy of everything on the Mac.* In the event a file is lost, users can search back through time to find deleted files, applications, photos and other digital media and then instantly restore the file. If it’s ever necessary, Leopard can also easily restore an entire system from the Time Machine data on an external drive.

Mail has been updated in Leopard and features more than 30 stationery designs and layouts that look great on a Windows PC or Mac so users can easily send stylish, personalized emails with beautiful graphics and photos. Notes and To Dos help users stay organized by acting just like emails that can be easily created, saved as drafts, synced across multiple Macs and stored in Smart Mailboxes. Data detectors automatically sense phone numbers, addresses and events so they can be added to Address Book or iCal® with just a few clicks, and users can keep up-to-date by getting the latest news and blog feeds delivered directly to the their mailboxes with a built-in RSS reader.

iChat®, the easiest-to-use video conferencing application on any personal computer, offers even richer video chats in Leopard with iChat Theater, which makes it easy to show photos, presentations, videos or files in a video conference; screen sharing which lets users remotely view and operate another Mac; and Photo Booth® effects for fun distortions and video backdrops that can instantly make users appear to be anywhere they choose.

Other new features in Leopard include:

improved Parental Controls, aiding parents in managing their kids’ online activities with automatic identification of unsuitable content before allowing website access, plus time limits and activity logs that can be accessed from any Mac on a home network;
the complete Boot Camp® release, previously available only as a beta, making it possible to run Windows natively on Intel-based Macs;**
Web Clip, bringing anything that a user wants from a web page to Dashboard as a live widget;
new Photo Booth features, helping users create animated iChat buddy icons or fun effects and backdrops with still or video images;
an enhanced Dictionary with Wikipedia built in, allowing users to access up to date information on virtually any subject in a snap;
a newly updated iCal with multi-user calendaring based on the new CalDAV standard; and
an updated version of Front Row, making it even easier to play music or watch movies, TV shows and photos on a Mac using the ultra-simple Apple Remote.
Pricing & Availability
Mac OS X version 10.5 Leopard will be available on October 26 at Apple’s retail stores and through Apple Authorized Resellers for a suggested retail price of $129 (US) for a single user license, and online pre-orders can be made through Apple's online store (www.apple.com) starting today. The Mac OS X Leopard Family Pack is a single-household, five-user license that will be available for a suggested retail price of $199 (US). Volume and maintenance pricing is available from Apple. The standard Mac OS Up-To-Date upgrade package is available to all customers who purchased a qualifying new Mac system from Apple or an Apple Authorized Reseller on or after October 1, 2007 for a shipping and handling fee of $9.95 (US). Leopard requires a minimum of 512MB of RAM and is designed to run on any Macintosh® computer with an Intel, PowerPC G5 or G4 (867 Mhz or faster) processor. Full system requirements can be found at www.apple.com/macosx/techspecs.

Bangkok Diary - Tuesday afternoon and a quick dip into Apple retail outlets

Tue, 16 Oct 2007 21:54:10 +0700
I had some time on my hands today . . . so I did a quick rush round a couple of the central iStudio outlets and a look at the latest one in the western side of the city -- the other side of the Chao Phraya River. Indeed, this is the only Apple shop in Bangkok on the Thonburi side, despite about a third of the city's population living there. By all accounts, they are doing well.

20 October for Leopard?

Mon, 15 Oct 2007 08:43:21 +0700
Don't rush, but according to The Unofficial Apple Weblog, down in Australia, Frequency, a retailer of Macs, etc., produced a mock-up page for the Leopard announcement and instead of leaving the date blank, inserted 20 October.

I am betting on a faux pas here rather than treating this as an accidentally-released date; but what do I know? Friday evening is one thing, but could you imagine a product release on a Saturday night in Bangkok?

Bangkok Diary: VisioVoice

Sun, 14 Oct 2007 22:01:19 +0700
VisioVoice, by Assitive Software is designed to improve access for the blind user of a Mac with OS X and has a number of parts: the voiceover, a text enlarger and an image enlarger.

Bangkok Diary: Manifesto

Sat, 13 Oct 2007 08:44:46 +0700
I am beginning to expand my web presence in a small way to supplement the current Bangkok Post, Database, articles on OS X and to include other contributors.

eXtensions Diary Friday 12 October 2007: Graham K. Rogers on Detractors

Fri, 12 Oct 2007 23:06:26 +0700
As an apt soft start to the eXtensions diary pages, it has just been announced that Al Gore has won the Nobel Peace Prize this year, along with the UN Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change. . . .

So, how does this relate to Apple detractors? . . . .

VisioVoice for enhances access to Mac OS X for blind and vision impaired users

Fri, 12 Oct 2007 09:48:24 +0700
Assistiveware has released version 1.1 of its VisioVoice: software to help those with seeing difficulties to listen to text and also (for the visually impaired) to see enhanced text onscreen.

It works in several languages, including English, Italian, Japanese and Spanish as well as providing several other speech and vision related features to enhance access to Mac OS X.

iPhone web apps

Fri, 12 Oct 2007 09:26:03 +0700
For those with iPhones, there are now 215 listed applications for the device on this link.

Also on the page are links on exactly what these web apps are and how to create your own.

Neither a borrower, nor a lender be - Reviewer buys an iMac

Fri, 12 Oct 2007 09:29:23 +0700
Dwight Silverman of the Houston Chronicle enjoyed the iMac he reviewed so much, he bought one.

3% of teenagers have iPhones

Wed, 10 Oct 2007 22:18:41 +0700
Piper Jaffray research reveal that (in the US I expect) the spread of iPhones is 3% among teenagers. Just wait till it gets to Bangkok

BBC review of the touch, PSP, N800 and Archos

Wed, 10 Oct 2007 22:16:24 +0700
Portable players should be just that - easy to carry, lightweight, with a well designed user interface (UI).

The two most aesthetically pleasing devices are the iPod touch and the Nokia N800. Apple's device deserves special mention - at only 8mm thick and impossibly light, it looks like a vision of the future.

Podcast #113

Wed, 10 Oct 2007 13:49:21 +0700
Getting the feel for the iPod touch, a lovely piece of equipment. Also a look at the beta Joost, some local news, some comments on the iPhone as well as speculation, rumours and some new software.

The iPod touch: Feeling my way round

Wed, 10 Oct 2007 09:19:48 +0700
I borrowed an iPod touch for a week recently with an almost identical interface to the iPhone and several of its functions.

Podcast #112

Wed, 03 Oct 2007 19:02:38 +0700
A look at iPhoto and some of its new tricks some news on updates and some new software; plus some comments on the iPhone, and a fair amount of international news.