Linux and Macintosh OS X have actually a lot in common. They are both derived from the UNIX model. OS X is actually based on BSD UNIX (the Berkley derived version of UNIX) and Linux is actually the kernel that allows UNIX to run on standard X86 hardware that Windows also uses. OS X used the Mach kernel to run on PowerPC hardware, but soon Apple is switching to the same type of X86 hardware that is used by Linux and Windows.

How can you own and use a computer to do my daily tasks for free or almost free? Linux is the answer for some. Microsoft spends more time trying to convince the masses that Linux is NOT free, is hard to use, and has a higher cost of ownership, then innovating anything new themselves. Many counties, cities, companies, and individuals have switched and found the opposite to be true. I myself run Red Hat, Yellow Dog (based on Red Hat, but runs on PowerPC), and SuSe Linux regularly. But Mac OS X is my main platform of choice and it too can do daily tasks for almost free (minus the hardware).
Continue reading A Computer Even A Linux-User Would Love…

Continue reading iPod Tip #24: Subway Maps for iPods…

Handbrake Lite has been introduced to help the technically “challenged” among us. Thanks to the guys that gave us iSquint here is your holiday gift. This simplified free OS X ONLY application does ONE thing. It rips a DVD to MPEG-4 for use on the new iPod. This is for those who found the “real” Handbrake to hard to use or do not want its advanced features.
Continue reading Handbrake Lite Makes DVD-to-iPod Simple…

Sirius is still No. 2 to XM Satellite radio, but the lead is getting narrower. With Howard Stern now on board, working with his old boss Mel Karmazin and a renewed business plan, it is getting very interesting. Sirius has amassed over 3 million subscribers, 500K more than they projected, due mostly to the so-called “Stern Effect”.

Howard Stern, the self-proclaimed “King of All Media” debuts on Sirius on Jan. 9, on his own 24 hour station, Howard 100. Now let’s not forget Martha Stewart. The Martha Stewart Living Radio is Howard Stern’s new neighbor on Siruis radio channel 112, a 24 hour station of her own. Apparently, Karmazin knows more than a little about demographics.

Mr Karmazin ran Infinity Broadcasting that included Stern and K-ROCK back in the 1980’s. He later became the President and Chief Operating Officer of Viacom, the media conglomerate that includes CBS, UPN, MTV, BET, Comedy Central, Paramount and Showtime. He has a long track record of success as a radio and TV executive, also serving on the board of directors of Westwood One and Blockbuster. Karmazin left Viacom allegedly due to disagreements with CEO Sumner Redstone and is now the CEO of Sirius Satellite Radio, joining at the end of 2004. He has been busy re-organizing the Sirius lineup of on-air talent and making more deals with automakers.

This new found momentum has helped Sirius eat into XM’s market-leading position. In October, XM said it was on track to break 6 million-subscribers. XM will announce their latest subscriber numbers on January 4, 2006.
Continue reading Let’s Get “Sirius” About Satellite Radio…

Happy Holiday to all of the readers on ReelSmart.com. I hope you have found this site helpful in your computing and Digital LifeStyle.

I am looking forward to a productive year in 2006. I hope to expand this site and further its reach to more readers, make some cosmetic, and technical changes.

I want to especially thank the readers that took the time to comment and send me email in regard to the posts on this site. It is nice to get some feedback to all the work that goes into this site’s content. If you have not already realized, this site was created, maintained, and all the stories and tips are written by one person, me. I am open to any comments, suggestions, tips, or ideas you may want to contribute.

Please enjoy the holidays.

Stephen Antonucci

Continue reading OS X Tip #77: Jog Shuttle For QuickTime Player…

Continue reading FCP Tip #9: Protected AAC Songs from iTunes Music Store…

Continue reading iTunes Tip #20: Create “Smart” Video Playlists…

Continue reading iTunes Tip #19: Using the Links in iTunes…

Continue reading iTunes Tip #18: iTunes Has a Hidden Mini-Player…

Continue reading FCP Tip #8: Settings Can Be Rescued…

Continue reading iPod Tip #23: Software Updater and Software Restore…

Continue reading iPod Tip #22: How to Find Software Version on iPods…

Need to backup your DVD movies? Maybe you are afraid of damaging your DVDs when bringing them on a trip for use on a portable DVD player, or for use in the rear entertainment system of your vehicle. Smaller children can be especially hard on discs. So it is no surprise that you just might want an application to copy the DVDs you own.

Copying commercial DVDs is a bit more involved as compared to “ripping” your audio CDs to iTunes. Many commercial DVD movies are replicated on a dual-layer DVDs that can hold up to 9GB. Standard single-layer DVD-R and DVD+R blanks are only 4.7GB. Newer Superdrives can now “burn” DVD-R DL (dual layer) so you can fit up to 8.5GB. Most commercial DVDs are also copy-protected. Here are a few solutions for OS X users.
Continue reading DVD Copying on the Mac…

Continue reading iTunes Tip #17: Compilations in iTunes…