ISSN 1496-3221
April 26, 2000
I hate it when companies have to cave in to this type of pressure. “If we let every company that writes a tiny, trivial piece of software get a patent license from everyone who wants to have a Web site, then the Web becomes impossible.” Agreed. Frankly, the story of the GIF image format using … More
April 25, 2000
PortSniffer is a freshly updated Mac tool for sysadmins (wink, wink. nudge, nudge.) that will scan a series of ports across a definable range of IP addresses. While this type of software is usually meant for serious network administration related to security and the monitoring of servers, it’s fun to play with just out of … More
April 24, 2000
One of my proudest achievements is not ever being sucked into the world of online chat. Well, that and not ever being pierced by anything except a renegade staple gun. Other than a brief stint with the snarky QuickConference back in the early nineties, I’ve pretty much ignored all of the IRC and instant messaging … More
April 24, 2000
Sometimes, I’m simply in love with the headlines over at The Register. Take this fine example: Privacy Loving Space Aliens Put the Smack Down on SETI. Maybe it’s just the use of the phrase “put the smack down”. However, the real story here is not about SETI’s loss, it’s about racial intolerance. A radio telescope … More
April 24, 2000
Microsoft’s buns are smack dab in the middle of the furnace this week, and everybody and their dog wants a turn at cranking up the thermostat. Does anyone believe that something like divesting Office is actually going to happen? As much as I love to see them sweat profusely from every pore, my gut says … More
April 24, 2000
This review of new PocketPC devices written by Larry Garfield, a dedicated PalmOS user, was passed along to me by someone who recognized my fetish for handheld devices. Thanks Bill. There is still not enough on either side of this fence to make me want to give up my Newton, but there are some interesting … More
April 24, 2000
The weirdest thing happened yesterday. As is the custom Easter morning, I indulged in a little bit of the dreaded chocolate from the basket. After about half an hour the back of my mouth started feeling raw. Great, some of the chocolate must of contained a bit of nut residue. I have reasonably serious nut … More
April 22, 2000
This may have made the rounds already, but it’s news to me. Late Night Software has released a scripting addition that lets AppleScript parse and generate XML data. Previously, these guys created a plug-in for Adobe Illustrator that made it scriptable cross platform. Adobe, obviously knowing a good deal when it smacks them upside the … More
April 22, 2000
So, is a new version of Microsoft Office for Mac on its way, or not? Everyone’s favorite bloatware manufacturer backpeddles after prematurely releasing information about the next big thing on its Mactopia site. Scariest potential new feature? “Word-like” editing using a new integrated email client. This is what I have been waiting for, software that … More
April 20, 2000
Jakob Nielsen gets another 1,700 words of fame on adobe.com under the somewhat oxymoronic subhead “Web curmudgeon, voice of the user”. Hopefully it’s not just me, but I really prefer to have someone other than a “curmudgeon” representing my usability fears and online anxieties, thank you very much.