SDXWorld

Do you have an old PC that you never use? Are you tired of Windows and can’t afford a Mac? Well, nothing beats OS X in stability, ease of use, and design. However, if you’re desperate to flee the Windows world, there is an alternative that will cost you absolutely nothing. Look no further than PCLinuxOS GNOME. Most people will freak when they hear the word “Linux”. Why? Well, Linux in the past has mainly been used for servers and large corporations. Older Linux distros were hard to use, incompatible, and had a small amount of apps that would run on it. These days, Linux has become very user-friendly, and now has support for a wide range of graphics cards, printers, network adapters, etc. I’ve pretty much tried every Linux distro available today, and only one of them suits my needs: PCLinuxOS GNOME. Now, the standard version of PCLinuxOS comes with KDE. Some developers remastered the distro with the GNOME GUI. Several drivers have been added to make it a plug-n-play experience. Today, I’m going to give you a quick review of PCLinuxOS GNOME.

The wonderful thing about Linux is the fact that it’s totally free and open source. This means there’s no activation, serial numbers, etc. You can download the ISO file here: http://www.linuxgator.org/download.html It’s a Live CD, meaning you can run the entire OS from the CD to try it out. If you like it, you can install it. The installer will walk you through everything. You can even keep Windows and have a choice of booting up from Windows or Linux. The install process will take about 10-15 minutes. It will then let you set your user account, password, and some other stuff. Once it’s done, just reboot, and you’ve successfully installed Linux!

The bootup is extremely fast. It only took 15 seconds to boot up on a laptop with 512mb ram and a 1.8GHz processor. Now, the only issue with this distro is the ugly look. It’s really dark and B&W. However, thanks to the highly-customizable GNOME interface, you can make it your own with system themes, wallpapers, and effects. Here’s what my desktop looks like.

The GNOME desktop is very easy to use. It’s sort of a combo between Mac and Windows, so any user will feel right at home. You’ve got your menu bar up top, a taskbar down below, and a Spaces-like virtual desktop feature. All of your files will be compatible with Linux, including movies, music, Word documents, etc. PCLinuxOS GNOME is loaded with apps, like GNOME office, an easy-to-use office suite, and GIMP, a free Photoshop replacement. There’s Firefox, the Evolution email client, Frostwire, XChat, and tons more. You can easily download more software using the Synaptic Package Manager. There’s also the PCLinuxOS control panel, an easy-to-use app that lets you control every aspect of your system. Linux comes loaded with drivers for everything, so it should work out of the box. I didn’t have to configure anything except for the screen resolution, which only takes a click or two. Overall, you’ll find Linux to be an excellent replacement of Windows.

Overall, Macworld 08 was very exciting. Now obviously, it’s hard to top 2007′s keynote, with the introduction of the iPhone. But, Macworld 2008 still was one for the records. Many of the new products were rumored long before their introduction. In this post, I’d like to go over what was introduced, and which rumors were right.

MacBook Air – Rumors of an ultra-thin laptop from Apple can be traced all the way back to February 2007. Less than a week before Macworld, the name “MacBook Air” started popping up on rumor sites everywhere. Overall, the specs were pretty spot-on: 13.3″ screen, multi-touch trackpad, aluminum enclosure, etc.

Time Capsule – A few weeks before Macworld, some rumblings around the web told of a “Home Network Server” by Apple, that included Time Machine integration, a server grade hard drive, and more. Even though the Time Capsule is not really a server, the specs were very accurate.

iTunes Movie Rentals and Apple TV update – A forum member over at MacRumors pointed out that an update to iTunes included some code that had to do with movie rentals. Rumors of movie rentals soon became very common around the rumor community. The specs were then later leaked. Rumors of an Apple TV update were also very prevalent. However, most of these rumors reported that Blu-Ray and a DVR were coming to the Apple TV. Unfortunately, this was not true.

iPhone 1.1.3 Update – A video popped up that showed the update in detail. Though this was met with much disbelief, everything turned out to be true.

iPod Touch Update – This was the only announcement at Macworld that was not rumored at all. iPod touch owners had been complaining of the fact that Mail, Maps, Stocks, Notes, and Weather had been intentionally removed from the iPod touch. This does show that Apple listens to their customers.

Misses:

MacBook/MacBook Pro Updates – Many were expecting updates to the MacBook and MacBook Pro at Macworld. Rumors are now saying that the update will come March 17. (Saint Patrick’s day??? On a MONDAY??? I don’t think so.)

New Cinema Displays – Updates to Apple’s aging Cinema Displays had been rumored. The update would include built-in iSight webcams in the displays.

Mini-Tablet Mac – Many were expecting a multi-touch Mac with a screen a little larger than the iPhone. New rumors say that the product was delayed due to design issues, and will arrive at a later date.

3G iPhone – One of the biggest rumors before Macworld was of a 3G iPhone, coming in 8GB and 16GB, with a price drop. This is still expected to come sometime in the spring.

3 weeks until Christmas! But, that’s not what I’m talking about. What I’m really talking about is, of course, Macworld 08! This year’s Macworld ought to be a good one. There are plenty of products that are due for an update. And, of course, Apple is prone to introduce some entirely new products as well! Here’s a quick synopsis (in order starting with the most likely) of what will most likely be introduced at Macworld: (This will change as more news unravels)

Very likely:

- Official iPhone/iPod touch SDK – This is definetly going to be talked about, as Steve wrote an open letter promising an official SDK in February.

- MacBook Air – This is almost certainly going to be introduced. Here are the specs:

- 13.3″ LED Screen
- 32GB and 64GB NAND Flash instead of HD
- External optical drive
- Brushed aluminum exterior
- Much thinner and 50% lighter than existing MBP’s
- Competitively priced ($1200 – $1500)

These will ship about one week after Macworld.

- iTunes Movie Rentals – Some code was found in iTunes that mentioned movie rentals. Many rumors have been popping up everywhere, and it’s almost certain that this will be introduced. Apple has been reportedly working with Fox and Disney. These digitally rented movies will cost between $2 to $5, and will last 24 hours.

- Apple TV update – The Apple TV will most likely see an update at Macworld, allowing support for movie rentals. Some say it could contain a Blu-Ray player, DVR, and iPod touch/iPhone integration.

- 3G iPhone - Many sources have been pointing towards 3G coming to the iPhone for a while now. Steve even said that 3G would eventually be supported by the iPhone. Some leaked photos and videos reveal a firmware update (1.1.3) in the pipelines, bringing “Locate Me” to Google Maps, mass sending of SMS messages, rearranging of icons on the desktop, and the ability to add websites as icons on the home screen.

- New Cinema Displays – Apple has not updated it’s Cinema displays since 2004. Rumors have said that the new displays will include built-in iSight webcams.

- New Aluminum MacBooks – Some new slim, aluminum MacBooks were sighted around the Apple campus. There is some questionability, as this could simply be mixed up with the ultra-portable. Whatever they are, they are said to be much thinner, and coming in silver and black, similar to the colors of the iPod Classic.

- New MacBook Pros – Apple’s pro line of notebooks hasn’t seen an update since June. It’s about time for one.

Possibly:

- Mini-Tablet Device – Rumors of a 5.5″ multi-touch device with no keyboard/mouse have been cropping up everywhere. Some rumors even say that it’s a “Mac Communicator”, allowing those who already own a Mac to remotely control it from somewhere else. Other rumors say it will be a PDA-like device, a.k.a “Return of the Newton”. However, recent news shows that this device won’t see the light of day at Macworld.

- Mac Mini – I’m guessing it will either be discontinued, significantly updated, or replaced with something better.

- iPhone Nano – Even though this probably won’t happen just yet, there have been many rumors and patents that point to a stripped-down iPhone with a click wheel.

Whatever happens, I know Apple won’t let us down. Macworld 08 occurs on January 15, 2008 in the Moscone West Convention Center in San Francisco. As usual, Steve will be sending out waves of the reality distortion field. I’ll be skipping school on the 15th!

About a week ago, I picked up my 8GB iPod Touch from a local Best Buy. They had about 5 left, so I reserved one over the phone. So far, it’s been incredible. Mine had minor screen issues until the 1.1.1 update came along, which fixed it all. It’s perfect now. The official release is tomorrow, where the Apple stores will have them out on display and ready for purchase. The Apple stores were trying to hide the fact that they had early shipments in due to the fact that they could possibly sell out, and then have none for the final release. I’ve posted several YouTube video demoes of the iTouch.

http://www.youtube.com/destinlecornu

If you have anything you would like me to test or review, please let me know. Please remember that the iPod Touch has not been successfully hacked yet, so I can’t try that in the meantime. When a hack does come out, I’ll try it.

On Septeber 5, Apple introduced the iPod Touch, along with a refresh of the Shuffle, Nano, and the iPod Video, now called the iPod Classic. I had always wanted an iPhone, but didn’t want the exorbitant price and the long-term two year contract. The iPod Touch is basically a phoneless iPhone. It’s missing some features, like Mail, Maps, and Weather, but with some hackery, they can be transferred to the iTouch.

I was sold on the iTouch the minute I saw it. I was slightly dissapointed when I heard it wasn’t shipping until the 28th. However, a few days ago, they started appearing in stores in small numbers. It seems that the stores have received an extremely early shipment, but they are trying their hardest to prevent the Touch from selling out completely before the major shipment is shipped. The iTouch is not on display; you must ask for it by name. They are hidden away in drawers behind the counter. If you call the Apple store, they will give you a different answer every single time. I called them 3 times yesterday. The first time, they said they had plenty of each. Second time, they said they had a few left. Third time, they said they sold out 1 hour ago. You can’t beleive what they say. You have to walk in and see for yourself.

Best Buy has also been getting early shipments. What’s suspicious is that they’re giving the same excuses as the Apple store: Sometimes they have them, sometimes they don’t. (Supposedly). I’m not quite sure which store I’ll buy mine at. The Apple store seems to have a better availability rate than Best Buy. Again, I think they’re still waiting on a major shipment, and they don’t want the small quantity of iTouches they have now to sell out. This hasn’t really happened with Apple before. With the iPhone, they had them in stores directly on the 28th. They did sell out for a few days, but they got them back, and haven’t sold out completely since. With the recent introduction of the aluminum iMac, they arrived by that weekend, and didn’t sell out. As for the rest of the new iPods, they are already in, and in good quantities. Who knows when I’ll be able to get my hands on one. Maybe today, maybe two weeks.

When I do get my hands on the iTouch, I’ll post a full review with pics, and a few demo videos on YouTube. Keep a lookout for those. I’m thinking I’ll get it sometime this week, as I have the money ready, and the Apple store closest to me seems to have them in stock most of the time. When they’re in, you have to go for it, and go as fast as you can. I wonder if this is the same marketing strategy as the PS3: Make availability low to generate maximum hype. That just doesn’t sound like something Apple would do. All I know is I’ll surely get one soon. Maybe today, mabye tomorrow, maybe next week, maybe in a month. No one knows.

Have you ever wanted to try out a vintage Mac but don’t want to buy one? Here’s how to do it. I finally found out how to do it for free. I’ve included a zip file full of everything you need. It includes the emulator, the OS’s, the ROM file, and some fun program. Here’s what to do:

First, download the zip file. When you extract it, you’ll see a bunch of files. Open Mini vMac.exe. You’ll hear a beep and see a flashing disk icon on the screen. Press CTRL-O. Select which OS you want to load. If you are confused, just select System7.hfv. Mac OS 7 will boot, and you’re pretty much done! If you want to go fullscreen, press CTRL-F. If you’re wondering what all of those disk files are, here’s what they are:

appdisk.dsk – Contains a few applications like MacDraw and MacWrite

Disk011.dsk – System Software 1.1

Disk201.dsk – System Software 2.01

Disk330.dsk – System Software 3.30

Disk608.dsk – System 6.08

Filedisk.dsk – File Storage Disk

MacDraw.dsk – Self Explanatory

Mini vMac.exe – The emulator

System6.dsk – System 6 with some extra apps

System7.dsk – Mac OS 7

vMac.rom – The ROM file (Do NOT move or delete this file! This is the equivalent of a Mac Plus!)

Let’s face it. The congress knows nothing about computers or the internet. Harry Waxman feels that “P2P technology could be a national security threat by leaking sensitive information out over the internet”. I can see where they are going, but they are blowing it out of per portion. Now, they want to “Heavily regulate the use of P2P technology”. So, why do they think this is a national security threat? Well, here’s why. You can share entire folders of content in Limewire as well as many other programs. Some lady had her daughter set up a P2P program for her. She “accidentally” shared a folder that had sensitive information in it. So now, the congress wants to “heavily regulate” P2P technology just because of some lady’s stupidity. The government knows nothing about computers. Remember , Sen. Ted Stevens described the internet as a “series of tubes”? These idiots need to check their facts before they start rattling off lies.

It’s about time. The iMac is long overdue for updates, the Mac Mini is underpowered, and iLife/iWork is still the ’06 version. Apple sent out an invitation to a special event held at the town hall in their HQ. Somehow, ThinkSecret was actually right this time! No one knows whether or not Steve will keynote. I think he will. What would an Apple event be without Steve? Here’s what I think is going to be introduced:

• New iMacs
• iLife ’08
• iWork ’08
• Update or discontinuation of the Mini

Even though the iPods desperately need an update, I don’t think that will happen. They described this event as “Strictly Mac”. I love the iPhone, but all the iPhone hype is cannibalizing their Macs. Finally, a Mac-only event.

Hello! Welcome to SDXWorld. I’ve had a few blogs over the years, like AppleSmash, and The Broken Window, but this one is now my “official blog” I guess. The blogs I’ve ran were always run like a website; regulating and proofing everything that came out. I’ve gotten to the point where I could care less of what people think of me and my interests. I don’t care about nasty comments and junk like that. So, ranging from fire alarms to Macs, you’ll find a wide, yet narrow range of stuff on this blog. I guess that makes no sense. Anyway, enjoy the new site!