TidBITS#859/11-Dec-06
=====================
Issue link: <http://db.tidbits.com/issue/859>
While most of us were taking a break over the Thanksgiving vacation
in the United States, Adam and Tonya caught up on their reading and
videos. Adam looks at a DVD of Apple's early days in "In Search of
the Valley," while Tonya takes a trip with Suzanne Stefanac's
"Dispatches from Blogistan." Also in this issue, Glenn Fleishman
muses on the presence of 802.11n wireless networking hardware in
some current Macs, Adam both examines a privacy issue with the
Nike+iPod Sport Kit and reviews the RollerMouse Pro, and we note the
release of DiskWarrior 4.
Articles
DiskWarrior 4 Adds Intel Compatibility
Nike+iPod Generates Privacy Concerns
Do 802.11n Chips in Macs Signal New Wireless?
"Dispatches from Blogistan" Puts Blogs in Context
Silicon Valley Through the Lens of London
Rolling Faster, Farther with the RollerMouse Pro
Take Control News/11-Dec-06
Hot Topics in TidBITS Talk/11-Dec-06
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DiskWarrior 4 Adds Intel Compatibility
--------------------------------------
by Jeff Carlson <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
article link: <http://db.tidbits.com/article/8779>
Alsoft has released DiskWarrior 4, the long-awaited upgrade to their
essential disk-repair utility. DiskWarrior locates and repairs disk
directory information, which can bring back to life an otherwise
unusable partition which has no physical faults and no other data
corruption. (DiskWarrior scored highly in David Shayer's "Shootout
at the Disk Repair Corral" article, 2003-11-24, which compared major
disk repair applications.) DiskWarrior 4 adds compatibility with
Intel-based Macs, repairs file permissions, identifies corrupted
preference files, and repairs Attribute B-trees and Access Control
Lists under Mac OS X 10.4 Tiger. The utility requires Mac OS X
10.3.9 or later. DiskWarrior 4 costs $100; upgrades from previous
versions cost $50, plus $9 for shipping the installation disc.
(There is no downloadable version available for the upgrade.)
<http://www.alsoft.com/DiskWarrior/>
<http://db.tidbits.com/article/7451>
Nike+iPod Generates Privacy Concerns
------------------------------------
by Adam C. Engst <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
article link: <http://db.tidbits.com/article/8780>
File this one under P for "privacy" or perhaps "paranoia." A
research group at the University of Washington has shown that the
Nike+iPod Sport Kit could be exploited to enable someone to track
the movements and location of a Nike+iPod user surreptitiously.
<http://www.cs.washington.edu/research/systems/privacy.html>
It turns out that the Nike+iPod sensor, either placed inside a Nike
shoe or attached to the top of any other shoe, continuously
transmits messages containing a unique identification code that the
Nike+iPod receiver uses when pairing with a particular sensor. It
doesn't even have to be attached to a shoe, but wherever the device
is placed, it must receive the kind of jolt that indicates a step.
The sensor transmits with enough power that a receiver can pick up
the signal from up to 60 feet (18.2 meters) away, making it possible
for a custom-built receiver to detect the presence and identity of
particular sensors from a distance. Because the sensor is a
transmit-only device and doesn't require an acknowledgment from the
receiver, larger or more sensitive antennas could theoretically pick
up signals even further away.
<http://www.apple.com/ipod/nike/>
Obviously, there's no inherent connection between you and your
Nike+iPod sensor, but once someone had visually identified you, the
unique code in your Nike+iPod sensor would enable later tracking,
even without human intervention.
Apart from leaving the Nike+iPod sensor home, the only workaround is
to turn it off whenever you're not using it, but few people are
likely to do that, and Apple hasn't made it easy. And of course, if
you want to use the Nike+iPod Sport Kit for a workout, there's no
alternative but to leave the sensor on during that time.
The real question revolves around the likelihood that a miscreant
would take advantage of this design flaw in the Nike+iPod Sport Kit
to stalk someone or otherwise compromise that person's safety.
Unfortunately, the technical side of the equation isn't difficult.
The research group built surveillance devices based on a Windows XP
laptop, a commercially available miniature "gumstix" computer (sold
for less than $250), the combination of an Intel Mote and Microsoft
SPOT Watch, and an iPod running Linux (which required no special
hardware at all). They even wrote a Google Maps-based Web
application that displayed surveillance data in real time and could
send tracking data via email or SMS text messaging. (Be sure to
watch their movie showing each of these devices.) Some technical
skill would be required to create any of these devices, and the
research team is not publishing their source code, but clearly, this
exploit isn't limited to government spooks.
<http://www.gumstix.com/>
<http://www.intel.com/research/exploratory/motes.htm>
<http://www.spotstop.com/>
<http://ipodlinux.org/>
<http://www.cs.washington.edu/research/systems/nikeipod/tracker-video.mov>
Apple announced some time ago that over 450,000 Nike+iPod Sport Kits
had been sold, so there is already a large installed base of people
who could potentially be tracked, even were Apple to update the
product to eliminate this possibility. Such an update isn't hard in
theory; it's just a matter of the sensor and the receiver agreeing
on an identification code that changes on a regular basis, but that
may be hard to implement within the constraints of a tiny $30
device.
So, if you're a Nike+iPod user, should you be concerned? Tough
question. I usually come down on the side of common sense, and
common sense says to me that the likelihood of something bad
happening because of carrying a Nike+iPod sensor in your shoe is
low. And yet, compared to most proof-of-concept security exploits,
this one is pretty worrying, both in its ease of implementation and
interaction with real-world safety. The research team's paper offers
some fairly obvious and easily imagined scenarios, including the
jealous boyfriend tracking his girlfriend, the ex-boyfriend using it
to "accidentally" bump into his ex-girlfriend, the stalker, the
professional thief monitoring when someone was home, the unethical
organization tracking members or employees, a store tracking
customer behavior, and even muggers using it to "pre-qualify"
victims.
<http://www.cs.washington.edu/research/systems/nikeipod/tracker-paper.pdf>
In the end, I think it comes down to individual situations. You
probably have a pretty good idea if someone might want to track your
whereabouts, or if you're a potential burglary or mugging target. In
such cases, I'd encourage caution; turn the Nike+iPod sensor off or
remove it when you're not exercising, or consider an alternate
workout device. I'd encourage particular care around geek-intensive
environments like college campuses. For most people, though, the
minimal risk is likely worth the potential privacy invasion - most
miscreants aren't likely to rely on high tech methods of being
creepy when the tried-and-true methods of skulking around corners
remain available.
Perhaps the more overarching lesson from this security exploit is
that we need to pay more attention to the concerns generated from
our ever-increasing physical presence in the infosphere (see Luciano
Floridi's "Peering into the Future of the Infosphere," 2006-09-25,
if you're unfamiliar with the concept). Even setting aside
situations where a manufacturer of some gizmo intends for it to
reduce your personal privacy in ways you may not realize, unexpected
exploits such as this one are going to become all the more common,
whether related to toll-collection transponders (which have been
used to create traffic speed maps), GM's OnStar car monitoring
service, cell phones (which reveal your location within about 300
meters to your cell phone provider), or the next popular piece of
personal electronics.
<http://db.tidbits.com/article/8686>
<http://www.freedom-to-tinker.com/?p=677>
<http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/OnStar>
<http://news.com.com/E-tracking+through+your+cell+phone/2010-1039_3-6038468.html>
Do 802.11n Chips in Macs Signal New Wireless?
---------------------------------------------
by Glenn Fleishman <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
article link: <http://db.tidbits.com/article/8781>
Shortly after the new MacBook Pro with the Intel Core 2 Duo
processor was released, a MacRumors.com forum member took a close
look and found, among other revised specifications, an 802.11n
chipset from Atheros. Earlier, another MacRumors.com forum member
wrote about finding a Broadcom 802.11n adapter in the Core 2 iMacs.
<http://www.apple.com/macbookpro/>
<http://www.macrumors.com/pages/2006/10/20061026001358.shtml>
<http://www.macrumors.com/pages/2006/09/20060924194334.shtml>
802.11n is a wireless-networking standard still in formation at the
IEEE, an engineering standards body. The 802.11n standard will
supersede, but will be backwards compatible with, 802.11b (which
Apple calls AirPort) and 802.11g (AirPort Extreme), both of which
are part of Wi-Fi. (Wi-Fi itself is a mark that indicates a piece of
hardware has been tested for interoperability and for meeting
specific tests.)
Although 802.11b runs at 11 Mbps and the 802.11g specification runs
at 54 Mbps, those are raw network speeds, which include all the
networking overhead that enables chunks of data to be wrapped up
into packets and sent over the air, including the bits used when
radios interact. 802.11b really produces about 5 Mbps of throughput,
and 802.11g, without a host of proprietary extensions that some
manufacturers include, hits about 25 Mbps of real throughput.
By contrast, 802.11n will be available in raw speeds from 150 Mbps
to 600 Mbps; real world throughput will start at 100 Mbps and is
expected to reach 300 to 450 Mbps in the most expensive devices with
all the optional bells and whistles. 802.11n also requires MIMO
(multiple-in, multiple-out) antenna arrays that have been in
products for a couple of years. MIMO antennas dramatically increase
network range and improve throughput at shorter ranges.
The problem with Apple's apparent inclusion of 802.11n at this point
in time is that no standard exists. Several chipmakers decided in
early 2006 to release silicon based on the first working draft,
called Draft 1.0, from 802.11's Task Group N, the group deliberating
on the standard. Draft 1.0 appeared after more than a year of horse
trading and even the near dissolution of the task group, which could
have thrown the wireless networking world into slight disarray. But
Draft 1.0 is just what is sounds like: a draft.
This Draft 1.0 silicon may be rather different from the final
standard. And there's no guarantee that hardware upgrades for any
so-called "Draft N" equipment sold this year will work with the
final, approved standard - or even with future drafts! (Asus is the
only company to offer a guarantee of replacement hardware, but not
until 2008, when a final standard is expected.) That is, Draft N
chips released now might work with each other (that's not
guaranteed, and is considered one of the current big drawbacks), but
they might not interact with future, true 802.11n devices at speeds
faster than the fallback of 802.11g.
Right now, Draft 2.0, incorporating hundreds of technical comments
on the first draft, is expected in January 2007 with approval in
March 2007. This draft would then serve as the basis of a plan by
the Wi-Fi Alliance, the group that tests and certifies Wi-Fi-marked
equipment, to ensure interoperability within a few months of that
point in time - almost certainly before June 2007. This interim
certification program would give some market stability while the
standard moves toward expected full completion by early 2008.
<http://www.wi-fi.com/>
Upping the hype was a recent announcement by Qualcomm on the same
day it acquired MIMO pioneer Airgo. Airgo's MIMO chips incorporated
many principles of 802.11n and helped set the direction of 802.11n.
Qualcomm said that Airgo was announcing the "availability" of Draft
2.0-compliant chips. Through interviews later, the company clarified
that, first, "available" meant "in real quantities for producing
devices after March 2007;" and, second, that "Draft 2.0 compliant"
meant that at this stage in the game, all the parameters that might
be in Draft 2.0 are known, and Qualcomm's new division claimed to
have all those parameters in their chips. This is a more reasonable
statement, because even with many technical comments left to be
resolved by the task group, it's a manageable pile with probable
outcomes.
<http://www.qualcomm.com/press/releases/2006/061203_availability_worlds_first.html>
<http://80211n.wifinetnews.com/archives/2006/12/airgos_draft_20.html>
More interesting, however, is Qualcomm's claim that they also
support Draft 1.0, which could mean that Qualcomm would have Draft N
devices that would prevent even gear made with other companies'
chips from a kind of obsolescence when real Draft 2.0 devices ship.
For Apple to include Draft N silicon now is therefore baffling, with
the only chipmaker pretending to have something that resembles Draft
2.0 not available for manufacturing products until the second
quarter of 2007. I could see them adding MIMO as an overlay on
802.11g, which is rather typical in many products now, and waiting
until at least early 2007 for a certified draft version of 802.11n.
If Apple chooses to enable the Draft N features when the iTV media
adapter ships in early 2007, there's no guarantee that future Draft
N chips would have full backward compatibility with what they ship.
While many people compare the early release of Draft N devices with
802.11g, which appeared in equipment from Apple, Linksys, and others
several months before its ratification, 802.11g was past Draft 5.0
when the first chips shipped, and had only minor changes after that
point. And even those changes prevented interoperability of 802.11g
equipment from different firms using the same wireless chips
initially; Apple released something on the order of six firmware
upgrades between AirPort Extreme's shipping date and 802.11g's final
approval at the IEEE.
Apple often pushes the envelope, but if it proves true that they're
this far out ahead, they might be tearing that envelope.
"Dispatches from Blogistan" Puts Blogs in Context
-------------------------------------------------
by Tonya Engst <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
article link: <http://db.tidbits.com/article/8782>
Out of the many linear feet of books that crossed my doorstep for
possible review recently, one stands out: Suzanne Stefanac's
"Dispatches from Blogistan: A travel guide for the modern blogger."
The book is a great read for anyone wanting to keep up with Internet
trends, read and use blogs more adeptly, start a blog, or run a blog
more professionally.
<http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0321395557/tidbitselectro00/>
In today's world of profit-pumping book publishing, a blog-related
title is easy - the technology is simple enough to explain without
much research or tech-writing talent and the buzz factor should make
the book easy to market. Suzanne, however, pleased and surprised me
by taking the text far beyond a get-rich-quick effort seen in other
blogging titles. She includes historical context and piles of
advice, and dishes it out with an appealing writing style intermixed
with interviews and quotes from Internet denizens such as Cory
Doctorow and Laura Lemay.
<http://www.craphound.com/>
<http://blog.lauralemay.com/>
The $25 ($17 at Amazon.com) book begins with a survey of common
types of blogs - diaries, topics, news, opinion, and so on. In each
case, Suzanne puts the type of blog into historical context.
Notably, the section about diaries looks at Japanese pillow books,
Leonard Da Vinci's notebooks, and the diaries of Samuel Pepys, while
the section about news not only covers the emergence of the modern
concept of freedom of the press but also looks at what separates a
journalist from an advocate and discusses journalistic ethics.
I was a little less impressed with the middle section of the book,
which covers the mechanics of setting up a blog and lists useful
blog-software features and popular blog-making options. It's tough
to write scintillating prose in long lists of this nature, and
though the writing was fine, I started skimming. Perhaps some of the
lists should have been appendixes.
Before I bogged down too much, though, I reached a fascinating
section covering topics like why an RSS newsreader is cool, and what
the deal is with tags, tag clouds, blog search engines, del.icio.us,
trackback links, permalinks, Flickr, and other jargon that savvy
Internet users fling around but rarely explain with any sort of
satisfying depth. I read this section with avid interest, since I
hadn't previously understood how it all fit together.
Suzanne offers piles of tips for enhancing a blog's popularity, both
through making a blog easier to find and through improving the
writing quality. Much of this content is available elsewhere, but
it's still a nice rundown. The book also looks at legal issues that
a blogger might encounter: copyright law, Creative Commons licenses,
fair use, libel, and more.
Naturally, the book has its own blog, and on the blog you can read
longer versions of the interviews in the book, plus some excerpts.
The blog uses the same Courier typeface for headings that the book
uses, which gives the blog/book combo points for consistency, but
which work much better onscreen than they do on paper.
<http://dispatchesfromblogistan.com/>
The book could use some help on Amazon.com, where a few favorable
notes from readers can make a big difference to a book's sales
success. To that end, if you buy and enjoy the book, I hope you'll
join me in reviewing it there.
Suzanne's prose is personal and witty, and I expect to keep
"Dispatches from Blogistan" on my shelf as a reference for a few
years and perhaps as a memento of an era after that.
Silicon Valley Through the Lens of London
-----------------------------------------
by Adam C. Engst <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
article link: <http://db.tidbits.com/article/8783>
Steve Jobs is famous for his impatience with questions about the
past; he prefers to focus on the future. That may be a healthy
attitude for the CEO of Apple, but luckily for those of us who
weren't in the heart of Silicon Valley during the early days of the
computer revolution, there are plenty of people who are happy to
talk about how things used to be, including Steve Wozniak, Guy
Kawasaki, the late Jef Raskin, John Warnock of Adobe, and Tim
O'Reilly.
All of them, and others whose names may be less familiar, appear in
a new 55-minute film about what makes Silicon Valley tick, called
"In Search of the Valley." Subtitled "Three friends' journey into
the psyche of Silicon Valley," and directed by Steve O'Hear, the
documentary is part history, part industry analysis, all wrapped up
in a minivan-enabled road trip. O'Hear and his friends clocked over
3,000 rental car miles during September 2004 while driving around
Silicon Valley to interview numerous luminaries about their
experiences growing up and working in Silicon Valley over the last
30 years.
<http://www.insearchofthevalley.com/>
Overall, the film is technically well done. Perhaps it seems odd to
mention that, but I had somehow acquired the impression the entire
project was the work of relatively low-budget amateurs (i.e., normal
people taking advantage of Apple technology to produce a
high-quality result), so I was somewhat more impressed than I might
have been with something that had already aired on TV. I learned
afterwards that the entire film was indeed edited on a PowerPC
G4-based iMac. The only glitches were some scenes that were likely
shot in too-low light and suffered from graininess when their
brightness levels were brought up.
But realistically, no one's watching "In Search of the Valley" for
the cinematography. It's all about the interviews, and that's where
the producers score. Steve Wozniak and Andy Hertzfeld were their
usual open and insightful selves, Guy Kawasaki exudes his trademark
enthusiasm, John Warnock manages to combine the roles of elder
statesman and engineer gracefully, and Tim O'Reilly is at his
opining best. The people I don't know - Lee Felsenstein, interface
guru Brenda Laurel, Apache developer Brian Behlendorf, Craig Newmark
of craigslist, and others - also offered insight into their parts of
the industry, and Marc Canter, one of the founders of MacroMind,
even contributes a raunchy blues riff at the end.
What's odd is that the film is very much talked about as a "personal
journey," as is the "stranger in a strange land" aspect of a couple
of Brits making a film about the most American of success stories.
And yet apart from a few references to the fact that several of the
filmmakers are from London, there's little musing about how it must
have felt to watch the rise of Silicon Valley from afar, or if it
had to have been a peculiarly American story. Similarly, the
director, Steve O'Hear, is in a wheelchair, and although he appears
in numerous scenes, there's no commentary about how the technology
developed in Silicon Valley impacted his life. Indeed, at one point,
the filmmakers are on the Apple campus, where Steve O'Hear is
mistaken for the British theoretical physicist Stephen Hawking, but
the event is discussed only in the film's accompanying blog.
<http://www.stage4.co.uk/film/wordpress/?p=43>
Another slight oddity is that the film seems as though it should be
current, but since it was filmed in September 2004, there are
topics, such as the rise of Google, that feel glossed over simply
because of when the original footage was shot. Two years is a long
time to go from shooting to final product, even given the 30 hours
of original footage and the busywork of sourcing archive photos and
obtaining all the necessary permissions; perhaps that was the real
mark of the filmmakers' inexperience, even if the end result turned
out to be extremely well edited and produced.
Extras include 30 minutes of additional interviews (with Andy
Hertzfeld, Guy Kawasaki, John Warnock, and Sandy Miranda), a set of
animations that were originally intended to separate segments of the
main film, a photo slideshow, and the original Web trailer. The
photo slideshow is particularly notable, since it gives much more of
a feel of what the filming was actually like; it's rougher and less
formalized. There's also a touching clip of Steve O'Hear playing a
piano duet with Jef Raskin.
The DVD costs $20, but is currently available for $18 for early
adopters. If you're the sort who watches documentaries about the
early days at Apple or reads books about the history of the
industry, you'll find "In Search of the Valley" highly enjoyable.
<http://www.stage4.co.uk/film/dvd_offer.php>
Rolling Faster, Farther with the RollerMouse Pro
------------------------------------------------
by Adam C. Engst <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
article link: <http://db.tidbits.com/article/8784>
Some years ago, I reviewed the RollerMouse Station (now called the
RollerMouse Classic), from Contour Designs (see "Get It Rolling with
the RollerMouse," 2002-08-05). Since then, Contour Designs has
released the $200 RollerMouse Pro, essentially replacing the
RollerMouse Classic, although the older device remains available in
the Contour store for $190. The basics of the RollerMouse remain the
same; it's a USB pointing device built into a wrist rest, attached
to a tray that holds the keyboard; the keyboard is not included. The
pointing device comprises a roller bar, five buttons, and a scroll
wheel, all located between a pair of gel-filled wrist rest pads. You
achieve vertical cursor motion by rolling the bar; horizontal cursor
motion comes when you slide the bar left and right. Combine the
rolling and the sliding, and you can move the cursor as fluidly as
with a mouse or trackball.
<http://db.tidbits.com/article/6895>
<http://www.contourdesign.com/rollermouse/>
<http://www.contourdesign.com/rollermouse/rmpro-sm.jpg>
The RollerMouse Pro isn't wildly different, since it merely
lengthens the roller bar and increases the button count to five. On
the face of things, those changes wouldn't seem all that important,
but in reality, they're huge, particularly the lengthened roller
bar. Whereas I found myself bumping up against the sides with the
RollerMouse Classic's shorter roller bar, it's uncommon to run into
that problem with the RollerMouse Pro. And although I don't use the
extra buttons all that often, they come in handy on occasion.
<http://www.contourdesign.com/rollermouse/rmpro-bar-lg.jpg>
<http://www.contourdesign.com/rollermouse/rmpro-but-lg.jpg>
In revisiting my previous review, I realized that as much as I felt
the RollerMouse Classic was a good pointing device, it was clear
that I hadn't completely adjusted to it, thanks to the fuss of
needing to get USB Overdrive X to control its acceleration and
buttons. I had also tried to train myself to use my thumb to control
the roller bar, with the hope that I would be able to keep my hands
on the keyboard more, but that attempt failed, and I ended up using
the roller bar with my right index finger, and clicking the primary
button with my right thumb.
<http://www.usboverdrive.com/>
But with the added time using the RollerMouse Pro and the acceptance
that I prefer using my index finger for the roller bar, I've become
extremely comfortable with the RollerMouse Pro. It just feels right,
which is the true test of a pointing device, and I have no desire to
use my now-idle Kensington Turbo Mouse Pro trackball, which I could
reach only by cocking my right arm off to the side. In contrast, the
RollerMouse Pro's roller bar is always right below the space bar,
requiring less motion and a more relaxed position when doing a lot
of moving of the pointer.
Some of my criticisms of the RollerMouse Classic apply to the
RollerMouse Pro as well. USB Overdrive X is still required, adding
$20 to the price. The tension in the scroll wheel's button (you can
click it too) is still too high, though I adore the scroll wheel and
use it constantly for scrolling. And even with my increased skill
and comfort, I still occasionally run into situations where I pull
out a mouse because the roller bar doesn't provide the control
necessary for very fine graphic editing or fast gaming (the same is
true of trackballs and trackpads).
Despite these limitations - and perhaps because I've proved to
myself that they aren't show-stoppers - I can now wholeheartedly
recommend the RollerMouse Pro. There's no question that it's a bit
pricey to try if you like the traditional mouse, but if you're
suffering from hand or wrist pain from using a mouse, I think it's
worth spending the money to see if the RollerMouse Pro can help you.
Take Control News/11-Dec-06
---------------------------
by Adam C. Engst <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
article link: <http://db.tidbits.com/article/8785>
**Register and Manage Your Domain Name with Expert Help** -- Custom
domain names are fun for individuals and essential for
organizations, but registering and managing your own domain name
remains a topic that can perplex even long-time computer users.
Never fear, though, because we've just published "Take Control of
Your Domain Names," a 103-page ebook from networking expert Glenn
Fleishman. Glenn draws upon 12 years of experience with domain names
gathered while running numerous Internet sites, including one of the
first Web-hosting companies, to explain just what you need to know,
whether or not you already have your own domain name.
<http://www.takecontrolbooks.com/domain-names.html?14@@!pt=TRK-0045-TB858-TCNEWS>
For those new to domain names, Glenn starts by discussing how domain
names work behind the scenes and the best ways to decide upon and
find an available domain name. He then walks readers through the
necessary steps to register a domain name, configure it with a DNS
host, and connect it with a Web site and email presence.
The ebook also provides essential information for people who already
have their own domain names, covering how to change registrars, DNS
hosts, Web hosts, and email providers; how to use dynamic DNS to run
a Web server from a dynamic IP-enabled broadband connection; and
troubleshooting tips for common DNS-related problems.
Additional sections include advice for buying and selling domain
names, instructions for using DNS lookup tools, and a glossary that
demystifies jargon. The ebook includes a $10-off coupon for
registering or transferring a domain to easyDNS, the registrar and
DNS-hosting company that we use and recommend.
<http://www.easydns.com/>
**Take Control Authors Featured on MacVoices Podcast** -- The
MacVoices podcast has featured several Take Control authors
recently, so be sure to tune in! You can go under the hood of the
domain name system with Glenn Fleishman in MacVoices #691, see the
world through the eyes of professional photographer Larry Chen in
MacVoices #690, and find out what Arnie Keller thinks about
Dreamweaver's place in the Web-weaving world in MacVoices #693.
(Scroll to the bottom of the pages if you don't see the Play links.)
<http://www.macvoices.com/wordpress/macvoices-691-taking-control-of-domain-names-with-glenn-fleishman/>
<http://www.macvoices.com/wordpress/macvoices-690-laurence-chen-takes-control-of-buying-a-digital-camera/>
<http://www.macvoices.com/wordpress/macvoices-693-arnie-keller-on-taking-control-of-web-publishing-with-dreamweaver/>
Hot Topics in TidBITS Talk/11-Dec-06
------------------------------------
by TidBITS Staff <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
article link: <http://db.tidbits.com/article/8786>
**Great deal on a Brother 2070N printer** -- A reader finds a deal on
a Brother networked laser printer, which leads to a discussion of
PostScript emulation. (6 messages)
<http://emperor.tidbits.com/TidBITS/Talk/1039/>
**Recommended camcorders** -- What should you look for when buying a
camcorder for use with a Mac? (2 messages)
<http://emperor.tidbits.com/TidBITS/Talk/1040/>
**Transferring songs as ringtones** -- You can easily convert songs to
formats that are compatible with some cellular phones as ringtones.
Here's how. (6 messages)
<http://emperor.tidbits.com/TidBITS/Talk/1041/>
$$
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