Web developers have enough problems trying to make their websites render and operate in different browsers. Or worse yet… some do not try at all. Only testing and making it work in Microsoft Internet Explorer! This annoys us all who “choose” not to use Windows or IE. Web standards should always be followed so websites work for all in the perfect world.

It always amazes me that a website will work fine with Safari, Opera, Firefox, Netscape, on different platforms. And then you realize that it does not display correctly in Microsoft Internet Explorer. Just because there is a lot of something, does NOT make it a standard. It’s no secret - web developers are unhappy with IE. That no innovation has happened to IE in years. That IE of offers little in advanced features to users.
Continue reading MS IE7: Another Reason to Switch to Firefox…

Apple announced at the 2005 WWDC (World Wide Developers Conference) this past June that the Macintosh will be switching from PowerPC to Intel chips. What does this mean to the average user and the creative professional? These are my opinions on the switch to Intel.

Some History of OS X

OS X was rooted from NeXT Computer’s NeXTStep/OpenStep. This was Apple co-founder Steve Jobs’ second computer company he started after he left Apple in 1985. Apple bought NeXT and brought back Steve Jobs in 1996. After spending years trying to develop their own new modern OS without success. They finally had a modern OS to replace the dated MacOS.
Continue reading Apple+Intel: What Does It Mean To Users…

What do McDonald’s and Apple have in common? Not too much really I guess with Steve Jobs great like for health food. But, Apple announced that they have served 500 million downloads in just over two years. They recently added Podcasting to iTunes (version 4.9) helping it to become mainstream. With the addition of Podcasting Apple has a potential to even give satellite radio a “one up.” All while the rumors persist that video enabled iPods and music video sales are coming. Seems the subscription services from Yahoo, Napster, and Real have still not made a dent in the iTunes Music Store. Apple has been racking up big sales of iPods even ahead of Wall Street analysis.

Let us remember during the iPod/iTunes revolution. OS X has been updated five times in four years, iLife and iWork has been introduced and updated. Apple has introduced several new versions of the iMac. Developed the Mac mini, new iBooks, and PowerBooks. Switched to IBM G5 chips and now are moving to Intel. All while some have said Apple was ignoring the Mac! All this takes hard work and much innovation.
Continue reading Apple iTMS Hits Half Billion Served…

Verizon is rolling out FiOS in markets all over the country. FiOS is the “SM” (service mark) name for a suite of services involving Fiber to the Premises (FTTP) with which Verizon is going head to head with cable companies and other providers. They are bringing a passive fiber optic network to the each and every house in their footprint. This very high speed network provides digital phone service, high speed Internet, and yes, eventually cable TV. The roll out is expected to take five to eight years to complete.

Why should you care? Well for one thing the connections to the Internet are being offered in 5bps (downstream)/2bps (upstream), 15bps/2bps, and 30bps/5bps to start. Faster speeds than most cable and DSL offerings. Especially on the upload speeds. Most cable companies use fiber, but only to the neighborhood, not to the house. Their network is a “shared” bandwidth among their users. Verizon pricing and bundling of services will be compelling to many looking for competition to cable. FiOS will also integrate tighter between telephone, Internet access, and TV. Verizon is making these installs a “high touch” and personal customer experience. Unlike what they did with DSL.
Continue reading Verizon FiOS and the Macintosh…