One less reason to buy Office for the Mac: Google Spreadsheets

It's hard to build a web 2.0 wordprocessor. On the other hand, a web 2.0 spreadsheet seems far simpler. Now Google is launching one.

Now, not every lab product Google does is good. I still haven't found a use for Google Base, and I was very excited about that one. One problem they have is with privacy -- Google's default is to share, but that's not what I usually want with this stuff. I want ownership. Google's blog reader was bloody awful when I last looked. Their Calendar stuff seemed good, but the Gmail integration is dumb and I need to deal with PDA sync -- which they don't support.

On the other hand, look at the example they provide on their intro page -- a little league schedule. Exactly what I need to fuss with. More of a simple database than a spreadsheet really, but if they do iCal integration...

There's also the Mac implications. The biggest gap in the Mac world is the spreadsheet. FileMaker is a decent personal database (though one with an uncertain future!), and Nisus and Pages are tolerable writing solutions. AppleWorks, the only spreadsheet app, has been sunset. The main alternative to Office's spreadsheet, therefore, might be this one.

If it doesn't work with Safari, this might tip me to a Cocoa version of Firefox (Camino) as a test ... Google tends to support Safari last, if at all.

PC-Cillin and the failed alternatives

My mother's Win98 box throws an 'LUCallbackproxy.exe' error on logout or shutdown. As near as I can tell, it's a Norton Antivirus bug with Windows 98 that they're not interested in fixing.

So that rules out NAV. Next I looked at McAfee. Lord, but those Amazon reviews are nasty. The NAV reviews are almost as bad.

PC-Cillin has decent Amazon reviews, in line with less trustworthy CNET editor and user reviews. Looks like the antivirus marketplace for Windows will be Microsoft Live for XP and Vista, and PC-Cillin for everything else.

(Soon she'll inherit my XP box. I'll replace it with a MacBook laptop and boot XP as needed. That XP will run without antivirus software -- it won't be doing much on the net ...

The Free iPod Book 2.0

iLounge has released the ad supported Free iPod Book 2.0. It's 21st century techno-porn for the iPod fanboy. The advertisers should be happy. The two page view works fine at 1024x768 if you use Acrobat's Cmd-L full screen mode.

Very professionally done. It's a testimony to the power of the iPod ecosystem. SONY must weep to see this ...

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