Belkin iPod TuneTie - tears the earbud covers

The TuneTie looks like a great way to carry iPod earbuds. I bought one at the local Apple store. Alas, it only really works with the foam pads removed. If they're on, they tear on insertion. Too bad! I'll return my set for store credit.

Microsoft OneCare will kill Win2K and Win98

Microsoft's Norton AV killer, OneCare is XP only. Makes sense for Microsoft. Once Norton abandons the AV business, as they will, anyone not using Win2K or Win98 will need to switch.

A detail nobody seems to be mentioning.

Microsoft could give this sucker away and still make a vast fortune on the upgrade licenses. They only charge for it because otherwise they'd lose an antitrust battle.

Since OneCare can be installed on 3 machines for $50, and NAV lists as $70/machine, it's much cheaper than NAV. If it inflicts less of a performance hit than NAV it'll be much better too.

Mindjet MindManager goes to the Mac

MindManager a mind mapping tool that's pretty dominant on Windows, now has a Mac version. It's expensive: $230 bucks.

At that price point there are likely better Mac options for most people, but the strength of MM on Windows means it might make sense for some Mac users.

Automator Action Pack: anything useful?

I've yet to find a use for Automator. Maybe this will give me ideas: Photoshop Automator Action Pack 2.2 - The Unofficial Apple Weblog

XP licenses: cheaper as upgrade or OEM

Todd Dailey:How to save over $200 on Parallels for the Mac Windows

I didn't know about the XP upgrade licensing from Win98 ...

Good news for OS X Intel users.

iView Reconsidered

Hmm. Now that iPhoto has changed the way images are organized, could I use iView MediaPro to provide views across my sundered ($#! Apple) Libraries? [1]

Of course actually doing image editing would be very perilous, but it might be safe to browse and export ...

[1] I know about IPLM but I don't fully trust it yet.

Buy a Mac, recycle an old PC - and 10% off iPods

Apple will recycle an old PC if you buy a new Mac. Any PC that can't run XP is worthless and costly to get rid of legally and ethically, so this is a nice benefit. Even good boxes need XP licenses. Thanks to Boot Camp most Mac buyers will want to keep their XP license -- so the PC is only useful to buyers who have their own license (schools, overseas donation, etc). Without an OS the markets for even half-decent boxes are limited -- but do ask at a local donation firm. (via Macintouch)

When a customer chooses to participate in the program, Apple will send an email with instructions and a label for free shipping and recycling. Customers simply package their recyclable equipment and attach the label provided. All equipment received by the program is recycled domestically and no hazardous material is shipped overseas.

Also, if you have a dead iPod Apple will give you a 10% credit on a new one -- that could be as much as $40! for garbage.

Apple continues to offer a free iPod® recycling program through its US retail stores, providing environmentally friendly disposal of any unwanted iPod and a 10 percent discount on the purchase of a new iPod.