There has been, all over the Tech web, a meme of sorts regarding “replacement” .Mac services.
Now, some point out that you can use Google Pages, Mail, and Groups to substitute some of the funtionality… That there is a Firefox plugin for browser sync between machines… That Box.net provides webdav capable network file-sharing/hosting. That Flickr or Picasa provide Photo publishing.
What they ignore is that these are not the integrated services that .Mac provides… They are not as easy to use, they do not take advantage of the built-in meshing of the iLife suite, and do not have the sync services API benefits that Apple offers for .Mac.
They also forget to mention that if you don’t use iLife, you have to consider what the other programs you might use will cost. Someone mentioned Rapidweaver as an alternative to iWeb.. That the software is as good as iWeb I won’t argue, it was beautifully designed, but it is not as easy as iWeb, does not tie into iLife as seamlessly, and will cast you an extra $39.95.
The notMac Challenge is more interesting because it acknowledges that the .Mac service is easier, they just desire a free or a la carte version with the same ease.
Now, lets look at what you get for your subscription to .Mac/iLife. This Christmas, we took a bunch of pics of our presents, and wanted to share them and, while we were at it, share a bit of other info for family visitors to those pics.
So… import pics to iPhoto, add names/details. Highlight group, click iWeb. Pick a theme, save. Take 10 minutes to frame the about us pages and a welcome, save. Click Publish and start sharing the link.
Both my wife and I are more than capable with HTML, and I with xhtml+css. We could do our own creations and make them look as good… But we could not do it in less than 30 minutes, there would be more chances for error, and it would be harder to maintain.
.Mac sync that means that 90% of what I see on my home and work desktops are always in tune, I never need worry about my keychains, contacts, anything. More and more programs use the same sync services so more goes with me, and with less work on the developers’ parts. It also means that if I’m not at a mac that I can enroll to sync, or worse an another platform, I have access to my bookmarks, my contacts, my email, and any files on iDisk… None of the above services do that all, or as easily.
If you feel that you are not getting your money worth with .Mac, perhaps you should look at all you get and see of there is more you could be taking advantage of… Because there is more there than meets the eye.
MacDevCenter.com — Xcode for the Rest of Us
February 20, 2006
MacDevCenter.com — Xcode for the Rest of Us:
Why PackageMaker?PackageMaker was designed to simplify the creation of installation packages, and to provide a simple, repeatable installation experience for your end users. But what is a package?
A good walkthrough of how to use PackageMaker to build setup packages, so you can push installs of any given file or application easily, and with the full suite of OS X Server you can build package sets and netboot images which install every program you need, with the updated (or thoroughly tested) versions, with customizations per machine…
Part of being a Mac tech is letting the OS do the work and letting you be lazy… Take the time to learn the tools and you’ll never have to work as hard.
Via
[posted with ecto]
Technorati Tags: apple, computer, make, productivity, software
Self-Reliant Filmmaking
January 9, 2006
I just thought I’d post links to a few and people can explore them (or not). Besides these links, those that are interested should check out Nuts and Bolts Filmmaking by Dan Rahmel, which has a lot of DIY projects, as well as other useful information.
Do it yourself file-making equipment, for a variety of purposes, mostly on the cheap, along with a discussion of the pros-and-cons of using pre-existing equipment vs. making your own.
[posted with ecto]
Technorati Tags: film, make, photography, video
iSquint
December 16, 2005
iSquint is an iPod video conversion app. It’s up to 5 times faster than Apple’s method, works well with AVIs and MPEGs, and it’s infinitely free-er.
It’s also really easy.
I’ve wanted to convert all my video into formats iTunes could read and catalog, so that I can organize everything into there… This looks like it’ll do it.
Minimoog
December 1, 2005
Minimoog:
Minimoog
After playing on many different synths and copying several designs. I decided that I had to have a minimoog…
Unfortunately the cost of a second hand minimoog is anything between £1000-£2000 depending on age and condition. So the only choice I have is to look at doing my own copy with the aim of keeping the circuits and design as original as possible.
Having never played one, or seen one until a few months ago I have managed to amass a reasonable collection of circuits and pictures in order to help me in my quest.
I have to thank the owner of fantasyjackpalance
http://www.fantasyjackpalance.com/fjp/sound/synth/synthdata/16-moog-minimoog.html
For a fantastic site full of minimoog information. The pics in particularly have been invaluable. I have been fortunate enough also to photograph and measure up an early model D.
EXTERMINATE!! (Or, How to build your own Daleks)
October 25, 2005
We were the very first site devoted to the building of the Dalek, and it is still our intent to supply all the information you’ll need to produce an accurate full size working Dalek as seen in the long running BBC TV series Dr Who.
