Tips on Computer Technology

By: Bill Michiling

Welcome back. Last week we talked about making your own DVDs. This week we will discuss some of the announcements by Apple at MacWorld in Tokyo last week.

But first…

If you are looking for some beautiful pictures of Saipan, go to: (http://www.saipanphoto.com) I would also like to remind everyone that all the year 2000 and after articles on the website (http://www.mespn.com/forms/tech_articles ) are now searchable by keyword(s) or article date. This has been requested a number of times from many of my loyal readers, and now it is available, check it out as well as the online version of the Saipan Tribune, which you can access by clicking the banner on that same page.

Before we start our topic this week, I would like to take a poll and find out who is interested in getting a new email account? What type of account are you looking for, Web based, or POP? Web Based means you can access your email from any browser, on any computer. POP, means you need to use an email client like , Netscape, Outlook Express, or other with your account setup.

Just send email to: webmaster@mespn.com

Ok now to the topic for this week.
If you were fortunate enough to go to Tokyo to see the keynote by Steve Jobs, you can understand the excitement! You can also see the keynote via Quicktime streaming via the web at (http://www.apple.com/quicktime/qtv/mwtky01/) I will just quickly mention that a lot of the demonstrations, and new equipment shown were seen at the San Francisco MacWorld. Go to: (http://mespn.com/forms/tech_Articles/default.html) and click on Jan 17th

MacOSX

Shipping worldwide on March 24th, 2001. Includes many languages and especially brand new Japanese fonts.

Price reductions

Price reductions were announced for Apple’s 22″ Cinema Display, -$1000, and the 15″ Studio flat panel, -$200.

The standard G4 Cube configuration has also been reduced by -$200.

New Cube configuration

A new G4 Cube system was announced that includes a CD-RW drive instead of the DVD drive. The graphics has also been upgraded to to a new Radon card.

PowerBook Titanium G4

This hot selling powerBook is now shipping in quantity. If you have not received yours, Steve said “we are making them as fast as we can” so you should be getting yours very soon.

It was also mentioned that the new G4 PowerBook Titanium is certified for Apple’s new MacOSX….

Remember, the PowerBook Titanium G4 is only 1″ thin, this makes it thinner then the Sony Vaio!!! You can see the new PowerBook TI at: (http:// www.mespn.com/me ) click on Titanium.

New iMacs in new colors

Steve also announced three new iMac models. All have FireWire. The new processors are 400Mhz, 500Mhz, & 600Mhz. The top two contain slot loading CD-RW drives.

They are all AirPort wireless ready. This means you can add an Airport card and have a wireless network at home, at your business, or in school.

The entry level iMac, at 400Mhz is available in the color Indigo and comes with a CD-ROM.

The next level at 500Mhz is available in Indigo, FlowerPower, & Blue Dalmatian. The top end at 600Mhz is available in Graphite, FlowerPower, & Blue Dalmatian.

The two new colors, FlowerPower and Blue Dalmatian, have to be seen to be believed. You can see them at: ( http:// www.mespn.com/me ) click on New iMacs.

iTunes

Steve also announced an update to iTunes. It is now at version 1.1 and is downloadable from the Apple website at: (http://www.apple.com/itunes/download/

I recommend you download this new version as it supports 25 new CD-RW drives. So you may be able to use the one you already have to burn those CDs you have been wanting to make.

iTools

If you are a user of iTools, they have been upgraded too. Don’t know what iTools are, if you are using MacOS 9, then jump on over to: (http://itools.mac.com/WebObjects/iTools.woa?aff=consumer&cty=US&lang=en) And check them out. Free 20Mb of online storage space. Most Apple software updates is contained on your very own online iDisk.

Many many, more features for you to explore, all FREE…………

Summary

So there you have it. If you have been waiting for a faster iMac, now is the time… Need to setup up your own music and CDs, then iTunes is the way to go… Looking for free online no hassle store, check out iTools and iDisk.

Have a wonderful week.

See you here and on the web next week.

Bill Michling is a computer professional and welcomes any comments or questions you may have. Just send email to: bill@mespn.com or michling@usa.net.

You may also go to Marianas Electronics and ask help from the friendly staff there, or call them at: 234-5424, Just ask for Annie, Jun or Joseph.

For world access this Wednesday column is also on the Saipan Tribune website at: (http://www.saipantribune.com) or at the mespn.com site at: (http://mespn.com/forms/tech_Articles/ ), now connected to the internet via broadband high speed T1+.