Beginners Guides: Cloning WindowsXP - PCStats.com
I'm going to try this. Sounds risky.
Monday, September 27, 2004
Getting Things Done: integrating the Outlook add-in with Palm synchronization across multiple machines
Getting Things Done Outlook Add-In Support Site
GTD is the latest geek fad. It translates "anxiety into action" and makes productivity very much like a flowchart. Geeks like flowcharts and methodologies -- esp. if they render the world of social interaction more programmatic.
Heck, I'll give it a whirl. Problem is, I sync Outlook with my Palm and I took ten years off my life getting all the outlook/exchange/palm bugs working. I use Chapura's KeySuite for synching my Palm to Outlook/Exchange at work, and PocketMirror for synching to Outlook at home. (I'll skip the part about using iSync to ALSO sync with my iBook -- I haven't dared go there. Yet.)
I also have all kinds of ways to use Categories that aren't compatible with GTD. Also, GTD expects to OWN Outlook -- it doesn't know anything about PST files outside of the core Outlook files. I keep all my data in local PST files.
Then it occurred to me -- the Chapura KeySuite Palm app can sync with multiple Outlook folders. I can use GTD without disrupting its operation.
GTD owns my OST (root folder). KeySuite sync is set so all task/notes/contacts from that folder overwrite my corresponding Palm folders. So no exchange issues. Those items are read-only (for now).
My PST folders (contact, tasks, etc) continue to sync with the Palm. They work the same as ever with their own categories.
And, of course, I continue to use Lookout voraciously, updating its index hourly and rebuilding completely at every opportunity.
The best revenge on Outlook is to crush it mercilessly with programs and techniques that make that abomination useful. Too bad Word is unredeemable.
GTD is the latest geek fad. It translates "anxiety into action" and makes productivity very much like a flowchart. Geeks like flowcharts and methodologies -- esp. if they render the world of social interaction more programmatic.
Heck, I'll give it a whirl. Problem is, I sync Outlook with my Palm and I took ten years off my life getting all the outlook/exchange/palm bugs working. I use Chapura's KeySuite for synching my Palm to Outlook/Exchange at work, and PocketMirror for synching to Outlook at home. (I'll skip the part about using iSync to ALSO sync with my iBook -- I haven't dared go there. Yet.)
I also have all kinds of ways to use Categories that aren't compatible with GTD. Also, GTD expects to OWN Outlook -- it doesn't know anything about PST files outside of the core Outlook files. I keep all my data in local PST files.
Then it occurred to me -- the Chapura KeySuite Palm app can sync with multiple Outlook folders. I can use GTD without disrupting its operation.
GTD owns my OST (root folder). KeySuite sync is set so all task/notes/contacts from that folder overwrite my corresponding Palm folders. So no exchange issues. Those items are read-only (for now).
My PST folders (contact, tasks, etc) continue to sync with the Palm. They work the same as ever with their own categories.
And, of course, I continue to use Lookout voraciously, updating its index hourly and rebuilding completely at every opportunity.
The best revenge on Outlook is to crush it mercilessly with programs and techniques that make that abomination useful. Too bad Word is unredeemable.
iMac can be hacked to support montior spanning
The Cult of Mac Blog
I'm sure this voids the warrantee -- so probably not something to do immediately. A good use for an old CRT?
The new iMac G5 will drive an external monitor (monitor spanning), as long as you're willing to zap the firmware with this Screen Spanning Doctor script, according to the AppleInsider forums.
Of course, the operation is not endorsed by Apple, and there's a risk of frying the machine.
I can say for sure the hack works on the eMac. I zapped my 2003 eMac -- a nerve-racking process -- but it worked well. It also reportedly fixes up iBooks and the G4 iMac.
I'm sure this voids the warrantee -- so probably not something to do immediately. A good use for an old CRT?
iFire adapter for Apple Pro speakers
Griffin Technology: "Adapter and Amplifier for Apple Pro Speakers"
Provides 18 Watts to drive Apple Pro speakers (Harmon Kardon). I need to look at those speakers. I don't think they work with the G5 iMac. This won't work with most PC firewire laptop adapters -- they don't provide enough power. Might work with an iBook. I'd worry about burning the firewire bus.
Provides 18 Watts to drive Apple Pro speakers (Harmon Kardon). I need to look at those speakers. I don't think they work with the G5 iMac. This won't work with most PC firewire laptop adapters -- they don't provide enough power. Might work with an iBook. I'd worry about burning the firewire bus.
Adobe's file format for raw digital camera images: DNG
Digital Negative (DNG)
Be interesting to know how "open" this format really is. Adobe is not known for its charity.
An open raw image format would be valuable.
Update: Slashdot coverage was very positive about Adobe's spec. It's an extension to TIFF, basically it's a spec for metadata that describes the RAW file and a spec for embedding that metadata in TIFF. I think it might even be applicable to compressed files (JPEG2000, JPEG) wrapped up in a TIFF wrapper. It may give TIFF new life. Sounds like a real plus.
Be interesting to know how "open" this format really is. Adobe is not known for its charity.
An open raw image format would be valuable.
Update: Slashdot coverage was very positive about Adobe's spec. It's an extension to TIFF, basically it's a spec for metadata that describes the RAW file and a spec for embedding that metadata in TIFF. I think it might even be applicable to compressed files (JPEG2000, JPEG) wrapped up in a TIFF wrapper. It may give TIFF new life. Sounds like a real plus.
Amazon A9 search engine discount/incentive
MacInTouch Home Page: "I was shopping on Amazon today, and found a link explaining the A9 discount reported earlier. It is exactly 1.57%, chosen because it is pi/2. Amazon's explanation is that it is 'sharing the pi' it gets from ad revenue. It also mentions that you have to keep using the search engine regularly in order to continue receiving the discount (or more likely, simply use it before every Amazon.com purchase)."
Sunday, September 26, 2004
iBook, Temperature Monitor and G3 temperatures
MBS: Temperature Monitor
The most comprehensive sounding temperature monitoring solution yet. This is why it's so hard to find something that works on my iBook:
One interesting possibility is that my iBook fan stopped working because of a change in OS X! Earlier versions of the OS respected the unreliable G3 on-chip temperature readings, later versions disregard this. This may explain why a Classic utility does work on my iBook. Of course that may or may not affect whether the fan works. If the OS controlled the fan response, and it stopped tracking CPU reported temperature, the fan would never start. Of course if fan control is local (as in all PC systems) even if the OS stopped tracking CPU temperature the fan would still work.
It appears that the G3 CPU will tolerate temperatures as 105 degrees Celsius! In other words, boiling hot. Temperatures in that range would likely produce a burning smell from inside an iBook. Some Motorola chips will shut down or go to sleep near that temperature.
The iBreeze cooling stand is $30. It's starting to look better all the time.
The most comprehensive sounding temperature monitoring solution yet. This is why it's so hard to find something that works on my iBook:
The following Macintosh models are definitely supported by Temperature Monitor, because they are equipped with dedicated temperature sensors:The Temperature Monitor FAQ has some interesting information about the history of Mac temperature measurement, and how OS X has changed over time. I wonder if my iBook fan stopped working because some OS X update decided there was no way to know the temperature on this machine!
• Power Macintosh G4 (Mirrored Drive Doors)
• Power Macintosh G4 (FW 800)
• Power Macintosh G5
• PowerBook G4 (12-inch)
• PowerBook G4 (15-inch FW800)
• PowerBook G4 (17-inch)
• XServe
• XServe (Slot loading)
For all other models, there is no easy answer: Analysis of over hundred Macintosh systems shows that there is no one-to-one-relationship between model name and support status possible. Apple appears to have shipped Macintosh product lines with same labels but different hardware inside. For example, in the product series known as "Power Macintosh G4 Cube", some systems are capable of providing temperature values and others are not. The computers known as "iBook (Late 2001)" may have a PowerPC 750 cxe v 2.4, or a PowerPC 755 v3.1 inside, and so forth...
Unfortunately, this means it is impossible to predict if Temperature Monitor will run correctly on your hardware. Your only chance is to let the software analyze your particular computer.
It is very likely that your hardware is capable of providing temperature values even if it has no temperature sensor if your computer uses one of the following processors:
• PowerPC 745 (G3)
• PowerPC 750 (G3)
• PowerPC 750cxe (G3)
• PowerPC 755 (G3)
• PowerPC 7400 (G4)
Your Macintosh system is very likely not capable of providing temperature values if it has no temperature sensor and uses one of the following processors:
• PowerPC 750fx (G3)
• PowerPC 7410 (G4)
• PowerPC 7450 (G4)
• PowerPC 7455 (G4)
• PowerPC 970 (G5)
...Computers built by Apple before 2002 are usually not equipped with sensor technology and therefore cannot be supported. In a few cases, sensors are indeed available, but they are not accessible by Mac OS X. Not the operating system but a self-contained control device monitors the readings in this case. [jf: That external sensor or "control device" was apparently accessible from classic, but since Apple was discontinuing its use they apparently didn't bother to put code into OS X to access it.]It turns out that the iBook series came at a transitional time in Apple's temperature monitoring methodology, as Apple moved between its classic-oriented approach to the G4 world. A combination of sensor type and OS X release may determine support a temperature monitoring utility.
Some older G3 or G4 systems can be equipped with processors containing a so called "Thermal Assist Unit (TAU)". This is a technique to acquire temperature values directly on the chip die and compute it by the processor itself. However, this technology is very inaccurate and only works correctly if each processor is calibrated. Motorola specifies that the readings supplied by such processor types can be off by 12 degrees Celsius (21,6 degrees Fahrenheit) from the actual values. For IBM G3 processors there can even be a difference of 20 degrees Celsius (68 degrees Fahrenheit) between the measured and the true values. Due to this problem, the processor manufacturers have disabled the TA Units for later product generations. Up-to-date versions of the G4 series no longer support temperature measurement on the chip die. Here, real sensors have to be used.
... If your computer contains a processor with TAU but is not displayed by the application as software sensor with the name "Mach Kernel", Mac OS X has detected your processor as being "not capable of providing temperature readings". The application has to respect this information and cannot change this.
After an operating system update the CPU temperature is no longer displayed. Is this an application error?
No, in this case you are using a processor with TAU. Because - as mentioned before - this technology is very inaccurate, Apple has tightened the checks in the latest operating system versions whether the processor is capable of measuring temperatures or not. If you update to such an operating system, Mac OS X might qualify your processor as "not capable of providing temperature readings" although it was accepted in earlier versions. The application has to respect this information and cannot change this...
I have measured a high reading x. Is this normal?
Apple doesn't publish any specifications for the temperature values measured at individual sensor locations. In most cases however, the answer is "yes". All up-to-date Macintosh models automatically shut down or enter sleep mode if one of the readings exceeds a critical limit. For this reason it is impossible that your computer can be damaged in an overheat condition.
Regarding concrete temperature values the following facts are known:
For computers with G5 processors, the design limits for temperature and fan speeds can be read out by using the MPU information panel of the application. The maximum on-chip temperature for the PPC 970 is 85 degrees Celsius (158 degrees Fahrenheit), for the PPC 970FX it is 105 degrees Celsius (221 degrees Fahrenheit).
The cooling system of the "Power Mac G4 (Mirrored Drive-Doors)" is designed to hold the temperature of the processor board in a range of 58 to 60 degrees Celsius. Under full load the values can go up to 70 degrees Celsius (158 degrees Fahrenheit). After that point, the critical limit has been reached.
Most older G3 or G4 processors are designed for a maximum operating temperature of 105 degrees Celsius (221 degrees Fahrenheit).
G4 processors of type 7455 or later (typically used in Macintosh systems with 867 MHz and above) are designed for a maximum operating temperature of 65 degrees Celsius (149 degrees Fahrenheit). This limit applies when directly measuring the on-die temperature. Because the sensors are often mounted in some distance from the processor and measure cache memory temperature at the same time, the displayed value can be higher than the value measured at the actual chip die.
One interesting possibility is that my iBook fan stopped working because of a change in OS X! Earlier versions of the OS respected the unreliable G3 on-chip temperature readings, later versions disregard this. This may explain why a Classic utility does work on my iBook. Of course that may or may not affect whether the fan works. If the OS controlled the fan response, and it stopped tracking CPU reported temperature, the fan would never start. Of course if fan control is local (as in all PC systems) even if the OS stopped tracking CPU temperature the fan would still work.
It appears that the G3 CPU will tolerate temperatures as 105 degrees Celsius! In other words, boiling hot. Temperatures in that range would likely produce a burning smell from inside an iBook. Some Motorola chips will shut down or go to sleep near that temperature.
The iBreeze cooling stand is $30. It's starting to look better all the time.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)