Automator action downloads from Apple

Apple - Mac OS X Downloads - Automator Actions

I haven't figured out what Automator is good for (I'm warming to Spotlight though) -- but this page might have enough actions to make it useful!

Portraits and prints update via Macintouch -- direct access to iPhoto images

MacInTouch: timely news and tips about the Apple Macintosh: "Portraits & Prints 2.1 can import, adjust, catalog, and print digital images, with captions, support for email and online printing, and integrated template downloads. This release adds direct access to iPhoto images, an editable Photo Information panel, support for iPhoto information in templates, a new Collage set of templates, and other changes. Portraits & Prints is $30 ($50 for the Pro Edition) for Mac OS X 10.2.8 and up."

Interesting ebook from 'take control' series on network security

Take Control of Your Wi-Fi Security

I've been interested in this topic lately. I think I'll buy this one. (PDF, $10). From an email:

... The wireless network security audit is, in fact, the last major section of the ebook, ...discussing common ways of restricting wireless network access that are akin to those bathroom door locks that can be picked with a paperclip ... show you how to encrypt your data in transit to protect it from prying eyes anywhere, which is particularly helpful when you're using insecure hot spots while traveling. Glenn also wrote a great section on securing small office wireless networks, complete with details on choosing VPN hardware and software, and on setting up 802.1X for secure Wi-Fi logins.

You can read more about the ebook, download a free 31-page sample, and place an order at:

<http://www.takecontrolbooks.com/wifi-security.html?14@@!pt=TRK-0023-TCANNOUNCE>

We also just released the 1.2 update to "Take Control of Your AirPort Network," Glenn Fleishman's 161-page ebook about setting up, extending the range of, maintaining, and troubleshooting wireless networks with a focus on Apple's AirPort networking gear.... can save $2.50 by buying with "Take Control of Your Wi-Fi Security."

iTunes 5 - don't upgrade

I noted a Gordon's Tech: iTunes 5.0 Windows bug on import? glitch on a test install and decided to stick with 4.9 on my main library. Sounds like that was wise. Hold off on iTunes 5.0 for now.

Jon Udell scores a half-hour technical interview with Gates

I haven't listened to it, but I'll add it to my iPod sometime. Udell is brilliant, and the topics of the interview are not the usual pablum. I'd like here Gates answers.

Jon Udell: An interview with Bill Gates from PDC 2005: "Today's half-hour podcast is an interview with Bill Gates, following a morning of keynotes at the PDC. Topics of discussion include:

* The relationship of Office 12 to Vista and .NET
* How the .NET CLR and runtime will become widespread
* High-level semantics: CLR objects or XML?
* LINQ, or language-integrated query, Anders Hejlsberg's long-term ambition now coming to fruition
* The RSS data web, notification, SOAP/REST synergy, enterprise syndication
* WPF/E, aka Windows Presentation Foundation/Everywhere, aka portable Avalon
* Why, given the downleveling of the original Longhorn 'pillars' to XP, enterprises would still want to upgrade to Vista."

My favorite Nano review -- the register

Apple iPod Nano | The Register

Why it probably makes sense to buy the 2GB model:

The Nano ships in two capacities, 2GB and 4GB. I went for the 2GB because 4GB isn't anywhere near enough for me to store all my music, and besides that's what my 20GB iPod is for - so my rationale is that you might as well save 40 [pounds], since you're going to have to pick and choose your tracks no matter which capacity you go with. Apple reckons that the 2GB Nano will store 500 songs, with the 4GB holding 1000. Of course, how much you actually get onto any device depends on the bit rate at which you encode your music and the codec you use. Like all iPods, the Nano supports two codecs AAC, MP3, AIFF, WAV, Apple Lossless and Audible.

Alas, we're on the zero gadget growth rule at our house. In order to buy the Nano, we have to find something to get rid of. That's not as easy as it sounds -- I don't have any gadgets that I don't rely on. I'm not ready to give up a digital camera in order to add a Nano.

Kitchen and small book case speakers

Monitor Audio USA :: As close as it gets.

Now if only I could find a compact receiver to go with them!