The Macman Debuts the new LWPub Web Site: Asylon Personal Security
source: by MacMan
After months of research, LightWorks Publishing has unveiled their new security site: Asylon.net - Personal Security & Digital Self Defense. The focus on this site is to help readers insure their personal safety, privacy and freedom of expression.
....MacMan was motivated to create this site as a response to increasing threats to our online safety and personal liberties, and the recent revealations of government surveillance of private citizens.
....Once informed and equipped, we can easily protect ourselves from online spies and cyber criminals. This can be accomplished by applying the highly effective security techniques and systems detailed in this web site. Asylon Security created these materials to teach individuals how to defend themselves from an increasingly hostile high-tech world.
....This site promotes digital self-defense in the information age. It shows readers how to protect themselves from identity thieves, internet fraud, credit card theft, online spies, and cyber criminals, and overjealous government employees.
....As personal computers are at the hub of our communication and work environments, it is essential to make our PCs as secure as possible. Asylon focuses almost exclusively on the Macintosh OS X computer platform...(jump to Asylon.net)
The TeaPot Calls the Kettle Black - Microsoft offers Apple security advice
source: Gavin Clarke, The Register 2006-03-24
http://www.securityfocus.com/news/11383?ref=rss
As crazy as it sounds, a member of Microsoft's security team has blasted Apple for failing to coordinate its security efforts and to issue proper security advice.
....Stephen Toulouse, communications manager for Microsoft's security response team, has blogged that Apple needs a "security czar" to batten down the hatches against an growing number of attacks on the company's OS X.
....By contrast, he points to Microsoft as a prime example of how to respond to threats, providing well-documented communications and prescriptive "how-to" guidance with alerts that are delivered through email, RSS and deployment tools...(continued)
Macintosh Home Monitoring
source: by Gordon Meyer, author of Smart Home Hacks
http://www.macdevcenter.com/pub/a/mac/2006/04/04/automation.html
....When I'm away from home but expecting something to happen there--like an important FedEx delivery--my concentration will suffer because of that little voice that occasionally reminds me about what I'm waiting for. In the parlance of Getting Things Done, this is called an "open loop" and it's detrimental to personal productivity. One way to eliminate the distraction is to put a trusted servant in charge of worrying, or at least watching, on your behalf. And that's exactly what this article will describe: a home sentry, made from your Mac and a few home automation pieces, that sends a message to your cell phone the instant your important event occurs.
....This approach is quite flexible, you could use it to learn when your kids come home from school, when your mail carrier opens the mailbox, or even when your dachshund uses the pet door to visit the backyard. Next time you find yourself thinking, "I wonder if that has happened yet..." you just might have the solution to stop wondering, and start knowing, right at hand. (continued)
Intel Macs: Doublethink Different
source: by Leander Kahney /WIRED News / Cult of Mac
http://www.wired.com/news/columns/0,70590-0.html?tw=wn_culture_mac_5
One of the interesting things about Apple Computer's shift to Intel processors currently under way is how wholeheartedly the Mac community is embracing it.
Eighteen months ago, Intel was the enemy, part of an unholy Wintel alliance that represented everything the Apple and Mac community stood against. Now, Intel is the ally.
It's reminiscent of George Orwell's 1984, when during the daily Two Minute Hate it's suddenly revealed the country is at war with Eurasia, and not Eastasia as everyone had believed. All the banners denouncing Eastasia are quickly torn down, and no one can remember any different.
Before Steve Jobs announced the Intel switch, many Mac fans believed IBM, Apple's ally, had a strong lead in desktop chips, and that the enemy, Intel, was in all kinds of trouble. IBM supposedly had an impressive road map for its PowerPC chips, attracting even Apple's great rival, Microsoft, to use a G5-like processor for the Xbox 360. Sony's and Nintendo's next-generation game consoles will use similar IBM chips.
Apple v Apple: Beatles lose
source: by Emma Rodgers / ABC News.au
http://www.abc.net.au/news/arts/articulate/200605/s1634310.htm
Despite their best efforts to protect their record label, The Beatles have been unsuccessful in preventing an Apple Computer using an apple logo on its Ipods and ITunes.
Apple Corps, owned by Paul McCartney, Ringo Starr and the families of George Harrison and John Lennon, had claimed that Apple Computer broke a deal that would ensure there wouldn't be two apples in the music industry, but the judge disagreed.
However, it may not still be over yet, with Apple Corps set to appeal.
McAfee Launches VirusScan For Mactel
source: by Gregg Keizer / TechWeb.com / YAHOO News
http://news.yahoo.com/s/cmp/20060506/tc_cmp/187200637
McAfee Thursday launched an anti-virus product for Intel-based Macs, taking advantage of increased worries about Mac OS X vulnerabilities as Apple Computer migrates machines to Intel's processor. McAfee VirusScan for Mactel 8.0 runs under the Rosetta emulator included with Mac.
....OS X 10.4.4 and later, software that lets programs originally written for the PowerPC processor to execute on the newer Intel-powered iMac, Mac mini, and MacBook Pro models.
VirusScan for Mactel uses McAfee's standard virus scanning engine, and the software can be centrally managed in enterprises by McAfee's ePolicy Orchestrator 3.5 and 3.6.
...."As more companies deploy Mac systems running on the Intel platform in mixed environments, the risk of infection will most likely increase," said Eric Winsborrow, McAfee's vice president of marketing, in a statement. (continued)
Adobe Creative Suite (Intel compatable) won't be released until early 2007
source: appleinsider.com
http://www.appleinsider.com/article.php?id=1620
In an interview with Forbes, Adobe chief executive Bruce Chizen revealed that the software maker does not plan to launch Creative Suite 3 -- which will include the next generation of its applications like Photoshop - until the second quarter of 2007. "Acrobat is coming in the fourth quarter of 2006," Chizen said. "Creative Suite 3 will be introduced in the second quarter of 2007."
....The Adobe chief went on to say that Acrobat will take advantage of the Macromedia assets acquired by the company and that "you'll see a lot of activity in the CS3 launch." (continued)
Apple to Recycle Old Computers for Free
source; by May Wong, AP Technology Writer
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20060427/ap_on_hi_te/apple_recycling_2
Apple Computer Inc. will soon adopt an environmentally friendly twist for buyers of new Macs. The Cupertino-based company said its expanded take-back offer will begin in June. U.S. customers who buy a new Mac through the Apple store online or any Apple retail store will receive free shipping and recycling of their old machines.
....Currently, Apple retail stores accept old iPod music players for free recycling. In addition, Cupertino residents may drop off old Macs at company headquarters, while others pay a $30 recycling fee to drop off or ship their computers. (continued)
Is running Windows XP on your Intel Mac like sleeping with the enemy?
source: by the MacMan / http://www.the-macman.com
Most of you have already heard through the mainstream media that Apple has released a free software patch named "Boot Camp" which allows Intel Macs to run Windows XP. Wasn't it just last year that Steve Jobs adamantly insisted that the new Intel driven Macs would never be allowed to boot-up on Windows XP... even though they did share similar Intel chip technology? Or was that just a bad dream brought on by an undigested bit of beef?
....Listen up! What is that awful sound you are hearing? It is the wailing and gnashing of teeth of diehard Macintosh fans around the world. The apparent betrayal of Mac loyalists has left us bewildered and fearful. This feeling of deja vu is reminiscent of how many Democrats felt following the last two U.S. presidential elections; betrayed!
....Apple assures us, however, that there is reason behind the creation of the OS X/XP hybrid. For one thing this hybrid PC will certainly increase Apple's fractional PC market share. Dell and Gateway should be afraid... very afraid.
....Another plus for the hybrid Mac/PC is that it will benefit millions of office workers slaving on Windows XP networks. The vast majority of these networks are PC oriented and not very Mac friendly. This will allow hardcore Macophiles to keep their beloved Macs while infiltrating the PC world like a cloaked Macintosh fifth column.
....It is perhaps inevitable that many Apple enthusiasts will feel cuckolded by Apple's new strategy. Mac users have stuck with the cherished Mac through thick and thin, and are now shocked to find a geeky stranger sharing our bed. We are also concerned about our new bed mate's personal hygiene. Windows XP viruses, worms and other maleware have tormented PC users for years. Do we Mac loyalists really need to chance being infected with Bill Gates's viral cooties?
Is it time to buy a new Intel Mac?
source: by the MacMan / http://www.the-macman.com
Now that the Intel chip has become available in the iMac, Mac Mini and MacBook product lines. Many of my clients are asking me if it is time to upgrade to the latest and the greatest Macintosh yet? The answer for most of us is "not quite yet... but soon."
....There are several good reasons for delaying the purchase of a new Intel-based Mac. First and foremost Intel Macs are new models, which were rushed into production six months ahead of schedule. I always advise my clientel to wait to purchase new products until several production runs have been sold and debugged. My rational for this is simple; radically new designs always have some initial problems to work out. Remember the Macintosh Cube?
....Another good reason for waiting to jump on the Intel bandwagon is that most software developers have yet to release their Universal Binary versions of their software products. Some of your old programs will not run on the new Intel Macs. OS 9 Classic programs are no longer supported, and some OS X versions cannot run in Rosetta emulation. Othere that can run in Rosetta do so with significant performance losses.
....Adobe and Microsoft have promised Universal Binary versions of software standards such as: MS Office, MS Word, Adobe Photoshop and Creative Suite. Bit these are still in development. To keep track of all of the new Mac Universal Binary releases go to the Version Tracket Universal Application Resource Center.
OS 10.5 Leopard is due out in late 2006/early 2007
source: appleinsider.com
Apple has become very cagey at concealing news leaks concerning new product releases. But they can't conceal filings with the U.S. patent office, and some of these patents give us a good idea about the inner workings of 10.5. AppleInsider.com has done a good job investigating this topic, and can legally share the patent information and diagrams of the revised OS elements.
....During his opening speech this morning at the company's annual World Wide Developers Conference, Jobs announced that the next -- and fifth -- major revision of the Mac OS X operating system will be called "Leopard." "We're not going to be focusing on it at this conference today, but [...] we intend to release Leopard at the end of 2006 or early 2007 -- right around the time Microsoft expects to release Longhorn," he said.
....Jobs promised more information of Leopard (presumably Mac OS X 10.5) during next year's developers conference.
Is the iPod the real world version of the Jerk's Opti-Grab?
Will the Intel Dual Mini save Apple from Ruin?
Source: by the MacMan http://www.the-macman.com
Just when we Mac-o-philes thought that life just couldn't get any better, Steve Jobs pulls another digital rabbit out of his hat by updating the way-too-cool Mac Mini with the new Intel dual processor chips. This bequeathment to loyal Mac maniacs effectively doubles/quadruples the speed of the Mini without increasing the price. To top it off Jobs adds Front Row with a wireless remote, and an optional DVD dual layer SuperDrive. MacAddicts everywhere are overwhelmed!
....Of course Jobs had to do something fast to shore up Apple's leaking digital dike after it was revealed last month that the venerable iPod ear buds may be causing hearing loss. A lawsuit has been filed against Apple by an iPod owner claiming irreparable hearing loss. It will take more than one Jobian finger to plug this widening leak in the dyke.
....We fervently hope that the iPod does not mutate into a real world version of the fictional opti-grab, leading to Apples swan song. Remember the Opti-grab? It was a novel invention in Steve Martins commedy classic "the Jerk." The Opti-grab transformed the Jerk into a millionaire overnight. His success was short lived, however, when it was discovered that the Opti-grab caused permanently crossed eyes.
....Actor/Director Carl Reiner was one of the angry victims in the movie. "When Opti-grab came out, I thought it was the greatest thing ever, and I bought a pair. And this is the result. (Mr. Reiner removes his pair of dark glasses to reveal...) This little handle is like a magnet, your eyes are constantly drawn to it and you end up cock-eyed... That's why I am spearheading the ten million dollar class action suit against Mr. Johnson and his irresponsible selling of a product he didn't even test on prisoners. Thank you." - Carl Reiner in The Jerk - written by Steve Martin, Carl Gottlieb and Michael Elias / http://www.compleatsteve.com/miscellany/jerk_script.htm
....So it with the deepest sincerity that I encourage all loyal Mac users to join in and repeat the Apple version of the Lord's Prayer with me: "Our Father who art in Cupertino radical be thy Intel Mini. If lawsuits come, and they do you wrong we will always watch your back. Give us this day more digital wonders. And forgive us our software piracy, as we forgive those who pirate against us. Lead us not into temptation, and deliver us from Microsoft: for thine is the corporation, the processing power and the glory, forever and ever Apple-man." - Apple Lords Prayer - by MacMan
Red Alert! the Mac force fields are fading! (...Divert all impulse power to the shields Spock.)
Source: by the MacMan
For two decades Macintosh users have relied upon the built-in security features of the Macintosh computer. After all Macs "are immune to viruses" right? The Mac has long been considered by experts to be nearly bulletproof , so much so that it was rated as "the most secure OS on the planet" by the NSA. As a result it became the personal computer of choice by many members of America's intelligence communities.
....It is common knowledge that PC Windows users have been plagued by multiple viruses, worms, trojan Horses and other male ware (malevolent software) for years. Watching the woes of our PC bretheren from the sidelines most Mac users have remained aloof and nonplussed. After all this sort of thing would never happened to mac users.
....NOT! Things have changed dramatically in the past two weeks; two different Mac based Trojan horses have appeared. The first one was transmitted via an iChat attachment, and the second was propagated via an iTunes MP3. Because of this it has become glaringly apparent that our magical Macintosh protective shields have been compromised.
....I strongly urge Mac users to wake up from their insecure slumber, and quickly do the following:
• Upgrade their OS to current versions (10.3.8-10.4.5).
• Make sure that the latest Mac security updates are installed for either OS 10.3-10.4.
• Purchase a copy of Symantec Internet Security for Macintosh, and install it on all home and office Macs. This is an inexpensive anti-viral insurance policy, and is a real no-brainer. Symantec Internet Security will automatically update itself via the internet whenever necessary.
• Enable your firewall in the Network Preference ("Apple" menu to "Preferences" to "Network," select "sharing" tab, and enable the firewall.)
• Use common sense when online: don't open attachments from people you don't know, don't surf web sites where your intuition warns you away, and do flush your accumulated cookies from your web browser's preferences often.
I am presently working on a special feature entitled "Mac security 101" as well as designing a fully featured Macintosh security website called Asylon Macintosh Security. Check back here soon for progress updates.
Finally... alternatives to Century Tel Telephone and DSL services in the San Juan Islands
source: by the MacMan
....For over ten years Century Tel Communications has maintained an iron-fisted monopoly on San Juan County's telecommunication infrastructure. Anyone who needed DSL internet was forced to get it through Century Tel. Even Rock Island Communications resells Century Tel DSL to its customers. Adelphia cable broadband has fiber optic cables running to the island, but like the other DSL providers, it must lease T1 lines from Century Tel.
....It is common knowledge that Century Tel's DSL infrastructure has been woefully inadequate, and has never been expanded to reach the majority of island customers. In the past year their DSL network was further overwhelmed due to a systematic denial of essential upgrades, and increasing marketing campaigns which further overload the system with new subscribers.
....It is a fact that most Century Tel customers, and virtually all of their business users detest the company. It seems that every persun you talk to has Century Tel horror stories. Late one night I was the featured guest on a national talk show, and the phone volume kept dropping off during the interview. Talk about embarrasing!...(CONTINUED)
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