fscklog

Systempflege mit X.3

Bei O'Reilly hat François Joseph de Kermadec (was für ein Name!) schöne Maintenance Tips für 10.3 zusammengestellt:

"Aside from the normal glitches that can occur, many performance and stability issues are preventable. Indeed, over weeks and months of use, users often neglect important maintenance tasks, or even worse, perform operations that are likely to marginally damage their computers, such as disconnecting drives without ejecting them, or installing many third-party "hacks" on their machines without fully understanding the impact they may have under the hood.
After all, why not? Computers -- and especially Macs -- are here to be enjoyed, right? The good news is that you can continue to enjoy your Mac and still make sure that everything runs smoothly."

Dabei finden sich:
• Rechte reparieren
• Festplatte reparieren
(seit 10.3 ist in Disk Utility der S.M.A.R.T Status einer Festplatte einzusehen, mehr dazu in Stephen Wither's Weblog)
• nächtliche UNIX Aufräumroutinen
• Prebinding

SamstagsMac0rama

Heute unter anderem:
• Mehr zu 10.3.2 (build 7D15)
• iTMS rettet Musikbranche nicht
• Apples DRM unter Attacke
• Zukunft des G5
• AppleCare für den iPod
• Dells R&D Ausgaben
• TCO Debatte
• Apple Expo in London
• iPod jack sharing
• skurrile eMac Rumors
Die Details wie gewohnt beim Weiterlesen...

MacRumors, MacTechNews und macnews.net.tc schreiben über Build 7D15 (10.3.2):

Key enhancements include:
- improved file sharing and directory services for mixed Mac and PC networks
- more robust printing to PostScript printers
- improved font management
- updated Mail and Address Book applications
- new ATI and NVIDIA graphics drivers
- FileVault, FireWire 800, WebDAV and USB Printing improvements from Update 10.3.1
- previous standalone security updates
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heise zitiert eine Studie, die davon ausgeht, dass iTunes&Co. die Musikbranche nicht retten können (wer hätte das gedacht ?). Schöner Satz darin:

"Dennoch würden Musikdownloads nur knapp sechs Prozent des Marktes ausmachen, obwohl etwa bei Apples iTunes Music Store die herunterladbaren Songs schon jetzt weggingen wie warme Semmeln."
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MacRumors berichtet von ersten Versuchen Apples DRM geschützte iTMS Tracks kleinzubekommen:

"As a result, testing of the files is limited, but we suspect the application likely does work as suggested -- stripping DRM from your protected AAC files (though is not of any practical use in its current form)."

Mehr dazu auch bei den MacGuardians.
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Zukunft des G5 betreffende Gerüchteküche:

"IBM undoubtedly has its eye on multi-processor blades, but the technology will also help Apple speed the arrival of G5-based PowerBooks, helped by the shift to a 90nm process." Bei The Register.

"The 90nm G5 reportedly contains a feature called 'Power Tune' which allows for rapid frequency and power scaling, and features electronic fusing. The Power Mac 8,1 system controller will be called U3 revision II, sources said, and will add support for 533 DDR II RAM, as well as supporting a Front Side Bus of up to 1.5Ghz. The Power Mac 8,1 will also sport an ASIC controller built using the 90nm technology." Bei Apple Insider.

Ebenso bei Apple Insider:
""This week the last milestone was achieved for the 90nm [PowerPC 970] G5," sources told AppleInsider on Thursday afternoon. As of Monday, the 'G5+' (or 90nm PowerPC G5 microprocessor) was officially taped out, and cleared for ramp up. It will be about 3 months before the chips are available to Apple Computer, Inc. in sufficient quantity for revamping its Power Mac G5 line of computers."
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Wie bereits gerüchtet, hat Apple jetzt Apple Care für den iPod ins Programm genommen, bislang allerdings beschränkt auf die USA:

"The US$59 AppleCare plan extends service and support coverage for your iPod, its included accessories, and iTunes for up to two years from the original purchase date."
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Dell gibt ungefähr die selbe Summe für R&D (research and development) aus, wie auch Apple. Wenn man allerdings bedenkt, dass Dell rund den fünffachen Jahresumsatz des Mac-Herstellers macht, kann man ungefähr sehen, welcher Stellenwert diesem Bereich jeweils zukommt:

"Southwick: Are you beefing up R&D to make your consumer products more unique, or is it more the case of using your distribution muscle?
Dell: We have 3,600 folks in our R&D division and spend half a billion dollars a year, similar to the amount Apple spends. We don't think percentage of revenue is a good measure of success in R&D. We look at it as--what do we need to spend to accomplish what we need to accomplish?
Southwick: How do you see your role in terms of design? Would you rather let someone like Apple take the lead?
Dell: We spend about as much as Apple in R&D. Just because we sell a whole lot more doesn't mean we're bad. I thought that was part of the objective.
Southwick: You'd rather be pragmatic than revolutionary?
Dell: Yeah, sure."
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An der Virginia Tech University mag man nicht nur den hauseigenen aus 1100 G5 PowerMacs bestehenden Big Mac, sondern hat desweiteren 550 iMacs im Math Emporium zu bieten, so schreibt zumindest Apple. Seltsamerweise blickt man beim virtuellen Rundgang auf eine riesige Menge G4 PowerMacs...

Weitere 'Schule verwendet Apple-Rechner' Erfolgsmeldung: Die Washington University in St. Louis.
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'iPod As iGod' im Gift Guide bei Seattle Weekly.
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Newsfactor.com setzt sich mit der alten TCO Mac vs. Windows-Rechner Debatte auseinander:

"Clearly, the price tags for PCs are lower -- at least at the low end," says Macworld editor-in-chief Jason Snell.
"However, we recently tested the speed of high-end Macs and PCs, and they're comparable -- for comparable prices -- in many areas. So, it's probably most realistic to say that while the cheapest PCs cost less than the cheapest Macs, the cheapest Macs are probably comparable with PCs that cost a similar amount," he told NewsFactor.
"In other words, as usual, you get what you pay for."
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Performance Vergleich zwischen journaled und non-journaled Festplatten, mit dem erstaunlichen Ergebnissen, dass bei aktiviertem Journaling die Platte sogar eher schneller erscheint (zumindest unter 10.3).
(via xlr8yourmac)
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Mit Smartphone per Bluetooth über den Mac kostenlos ins Netz, heise erklärt wie.
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Altes und Neues 12" iBook nebeneinander abgelichtet zum netten Vergleich.
(via mactechnews)
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Tag 1 Impressionen von der Apple Expo in London bei Apple-X.net, Bilder dazu liefert Apple UK.
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Bei Wired werden weitere soziale iPod Phänomene ausgepackt:

"She walked right up to me and got within my comfort field," Crandall stammered. "I was taken aback. She pulled out the earbuds on her iPod and indicated the jack with her eyes."
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Zweifelhafte eMac Rumors:
"Apple will have multiple eMac II models available in January. At the top is a model with a pair of 1.25 GHz G4 processors, a 512 MB DDR memory module, and one empty memory expansion socket. With the availability of 1 GB modules, the eMac II will be officially supported to 2 GB of RAM."
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Außerdem (Halb-)Wissenswertes aus dem Terminal - heute:
11/22 Kennedy shot in Dallas, Texas by Lee Harvey Oswald, 1963
(So einfach ist das).

Nokia 6600 und iSync (Update)

Bei infoSync World gibt es einen Bericht über das Nokia 6600, welches seit längerem als erstes erstrebenswertes Nokia erscheint (außer natürlich für Freunde des seitlichen Telefonierens):

"The arrival of the Nokia 6600 also marks Nokia's first foray into bundling both trial and full versions of applications with a smartphone. Full versions include among others a Reuters News Reader and the Opera microbrowser, of which the latter is the highlight of the collection, enabling users to browse full-size web sites. Racking up additional points, the Nokia 6600 now also supports Java MIDP 2.0, and as such is compatible with the widest possible range of Java applications for mobile devices."

Auf jeden Fall erheblich preisgünstigere Konkurrenz zum SE P900. Übrigens sind die Series 60 smartphones mit iSync einwandfrei nutzbar, allerdings wird das 6600 (noch) nicht offiziell unterstützt, weshalb ein kleiner Trick momentan weiterhilft.

Update:
Bei MobileBurn findet sich ebenso ein Review des 6600 und bei macnews.de hat Ben Schwan das P900 vor allem auch bezüglich der Mac-Tauglichkeit auf Herz und Nieren geprüft.

Update_2:
Die 6600 Besprechung bei powerpage.org mit einer erheblichen Menge an Screenshots sollte man sich auch nicht entgehen lassen, zumal insbesondere auf das Zusammenspiel mit iSync, Address Book usw. eingegangen wird:

"I really like the 6600. It's a slightly chubby pocket-sized companion that works great with the software on my Mac (though Address Book will not pop-up a window for an incoming call yet -- probably a bug with OS X if you want my opinion) and can double as a PDA for then I need my schedule."
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"The Nokia 6600 isn't supported by Apple's iSync. That doesn't mean it can't be done. It's actually quite easy..." Read more.

Update 3:
Für alle die hier über Goolge reinschneien, der 6600 iSync Hack hat sich mit dem Update auf iSync 1.4 erledigt, damit wird das Nokia endlich offiziell unterstützt.

DonnerstagsMac0rama

Vor kurzem erst gab es das alljährliche OS X Review von John Siracusa bei Ars.technica. Nun folgt die Meta-Besprechung. John Gruber bei Daring Fireball über Siracusas Review:

"It’s gotten to the point where I don’t know what I look forward to more: Apple’s annual Mac OS X update, or Siracusa’s review of it."
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Eine Switcher Geschichte verknüpft mit einer iBook G4 Kurzbesprechung bei OSNews.com:

"My favorite operating system has always been FreeBSD, though. Then came Mac OS X, and I said to myself, "a BSD with the world’s most beautiful GUI, what more could I want?" Despite the urge to get a Mac with OS X, I kept on using my x86 and UltraSPARC hardware..."
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Nett anzusehen, das CubeQuarium, aber auch nichts allzu sensationell Neuartiges.
(via MacNN)
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Laut MacRumors wird ab kommendem Montag Apple Care auch für den iPod angeboten werden.
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Interview mit Richard Kerris, Senior Director of Pro Applications Product Marketing for Apple über die gerade G5 optimierten Pro Apps:

DMN: How is this optimization going to help Final Cut Pro?
Kerris: Users are going to see a big impact. Now, using Final Cut Pro 4.1 they’re going to be able to do things that have never been done on a computer before -- for example, seven simultaneous streams of full-quality, uncompressed SD video, in real time without the use of additional hardware except for a RAID unit to pipe all that data through. But you don’t need external hardware, anything like that. You can deal with seven streams, uncompressed, in real time.
DMN: Without dropping any frames?
Kerris: Without dropping any frames.
DMN: That’s spectacular.
Kerris: That is. Yeah, that’s totally revolutionary.
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HP bietet einen eigene 'Mac-connect' Seite, auf der man unter anderem die Produktkompatibilität mit OS X erforschen kann.
(via macnews)

Phil und Fred plaudern

Die Comdex konnte bis jetzt nur durch den Erheiterungsfaktor des Bill 'Morpheus' Gates und seines per rotem Microsoft Zäpfchen erlösten Steve-o (sic!) Ballmer glänzen, doch inzwischen wurde auch Phil Schiller (Apple senior vice president) dort gesichtet, der auf einer Podiumsdiskussion folgendes zum besten gab:

"However, Schiller rebuffed the notion that the DVD will soon expand beyond its current role.
"I don't think we're going to be able to edit digital movies on our DVDs anytime soon," Schiller said. "Over 95 percent of homes already have toilets, but that doesn't mean you are going to edit videos on them."

Schiller said many devices like digital video cameras can be made more useful by connecting them to a computer, while some devices like an iPod require a computer. As a result, the computer is becoming a necessary intermediary between a large number of digital devices.
"That's already occurring," he said.
Schiller said the next big step is allowing consumers to access digital media from one device that is stored on another device. Apple's answer is Rendezvous, a technology designed to allow networked devices to automatically discover each other and make services and files available. More than 50 companies are incorporating Rendezvous in their products, Schiller said."

Ansonsten war von Apple recht wenig auf der Comdex zu sehen.
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Mr. Anderson (Apples Chief Financial Officer und Matrix lässt schon wieder grüßen) freute sich derweil auf irgendeiner Konferenz über Apples Position im Musikgeschäft:

"Apple is an innovator, and the last thing you want to do when you are an innovator is cut research and development in a downturn," Mr. Anderson said in a presentation that was broadcast over the Internet.
As a result, it has increased its share of the consumer market, introducing such products as the iPod, the market leading MP3 music player, and iTunes, its Internet music site.
"We think we have a really strong position in the whole music niche," Mr. Anderson said.
Leveraging consumer products into sales of other Apple products is the strategy, he said.
"Many who experience buying songs from iTunes will go on and buy an iPod and maybe they will buy a Mac when they think about buying a second or third computer for the home," Mr. Anderson said."

Security Update 2003-11-19

Per Software Update (1,3MB):
Security Update 2003-11-19 includes the following updated components:
OpenSSL
zlib "gzprintf()" function

Realistische Zahlen für iTMS Marktanteil

SoundScan (für Zahlenmaterial über Online Musikdownloads zuständig) hat nun Napster, MusicMatch und Buymusic aufgenommen, die nächsten öffentlichen Zahlen dürften also erheblich spannender werden, als die angeblichen 80% Marktanteil, die der iTMS bis jetzt besitzen soll.

'Sub $1000 device'

MacRumors vermisst neben den gestrigen Neuvorstellungen ein 'sub $1000 device', die Vermutungen gehen hauptsächlich in Richtung überarbeiteter 17inch TFT-Monitor.

Tipps: Tastenkürzel für Sucheingabe und iPhoto Diashow

Zwei kleine aber grandiose Tipps von macosxhints.

1. Für Freunde der Tastatur:
Per Befehl+Wahl+F lässt sich direkt zu der Sucheingabe in der Toolbar eines Finder Fensters springen (funktioniert ebenso für die Google-Suche in Safari, sowie in iTunes), danach hatte ich lange gesucht.

2. Für die iPhoto Diashow:
Wenn man den Play Button zum Abspielen einer Diashow in iPhoto mit gedrückter Control-Taste anklickt, öffnet diese sich in einem eigenen Fenster (sprich nicht bildschirmfüllend).

Noch mehr Lorbeeren (diesmal G5 und iTMS)

Steve Jobs hat ja bekanntlich gerade erst reichlich Lob erhalten, nun folgt noch der PowerMac G5, der vom PC Magazine den 'Award for Technical Excellence' im Bereich PC verliehen bekommt:

"The awards recognize products or technologies that have advanced the state of the art; and will have a significant impact on the future directions of technology.

The G5 performed significantly better than any previous Mac—and equaled or bettered the performance of Intel-platform machines—on our all-important graphics and content creation tests. As a 64-bit operating system and applications emerge, users will enjoy the dual 1-GHz front-side buses and rapid access to up to 8 gigabytes of RAM. The G5 is an important step forward in desktop computer technology and a vital cornerstone of Apple's future."

Genauso preisverdächtig ist der iTunes Music Store, der den Webby Business Award im Bereich Retail abstaubte:

"The industry’s tactics have often seemed self-defeating, which is why Apple iTunes Music Store has become a beacon pointing to the future of digital music. By seamlessly combining elegant ease-of-use, an extensive music library, integration with the world's most popular portable digital music player - iPod, and copyright mechanisms that protect both intellectual property and customers’ rights, Apple has redefined what an online music distribution business should be -- and and become the number one music download service in the world."