iMOVIE 2 EXPERT TIPS OS X NEW SECTION MORE NEWS, MORE REVIEWS

Macworldwww.macworld.co.uk Best Macs tested 12-page Buyers’ Guide From £649 iMac to Apple’s cool new Cube

Faster Internet How to speed-up your Net access Dreamweaver 4 QuickTime 5 Preview We put it through its paces read me first Simon Jary Pre-emptive what? New Finder? Aaargh!!! editor-in-chief Why are we so scared of Apple’s nice new Mac operating system?

Scary future is X-rated

ac OS X, Apple’s forthcoming major update The really weird thing about first using Mac OS X, to its operating system, scares the hell out however, is the new Finder. At the moment, the Finder of most current Apple customers. It’s not is everything that isn’t an application. It’s the desktop M the marvellous new features – multipro- with a different name. We dump our files all over the cessing and protected memory, for example – that give desktop, messing up the screen like a playpen in a Mac OS 9 users the shivers. It’s the new ways of doing crèche. This is why it’s called the Finder – because it things that makes their hair stand on end. Think then takes us as long to find where we put a folder or different, yes. Use different, now just hold on, buddy… downloaded a file as it does a schoolboy to seek out We’re confused by new terms such as pre-emptive and destroy his rival’s battleship. “Three icons from the multitasking, multithreading and symmetrical multi- hard disk, ten up from the Trash… you hit my MP3 file.” processing. They don’t sound very useful. In fact, they In OS X, the Finder is a lot more organized. There are sound more like things we wouldn’t want to touch three different ways to view your file nesting, special with an extended keyboard. Although Macworld has buttons to get you straight to key places, a drop-down explained these super Mac OS advances over the past menu that remembers where you go to most often, few issues (see “Mac OS X: the full story”, November and even a Back button just like on your Web browser. “For many 2000), Apple would do itself a favour by thinking up With so many new options, it’s little wonder that snappier ways of describing OS X’s must-have features. people are nervous of making the switch. users, the Dock Instead of “pre-emptive multitasking”, Apple should Apple is to be commended for tightening up our will be about get us all drooling over “NoDelay”: Mac OS X’s ability to ways of working. But it must also realize that its users stop us having to wait for applications to finish their aren’t going to be very happy about it. Mummy Apple as welcome as tasks before starting another. Instead of “multithread- has come in and tidied up our playroom – and we’re that baby alien ing”, we should be offered “LoopWork”: the chance to upset about it, even if it looks a lot nicer and is a much do one thing while we’re doing another. I’m sure the safer place to be. was to John people who dreamed up names such as FireWire and It might make you feel better to know that Hurt’s belly.” QuickTime could do even better. Windows users have it even worse. While we’re getting Once its customers are hooked on the appeal of a bright new system that’s essentially as robust and upgrading to the new Macintosh operating system, powerful as super-computer Unix, most Windows 95 Apple could then reassure them that making the and 98 users are being asked to stump-up £40 for change won’t be as difficult as re-learning how to walk Windows Me – Win 98 plus a collection of multimedia – except this time using your hands instead of your fancies. Windows Me (Millennium Edition) doesn’t feet, and moving in the opposite direction. make PCs any quicker (unlike OS X and multiprocessing Mac OS X is not OS 9+. The old code has been Macs), but it does frustrate its users by changing 98’s trashed. OS X is Unix that looks and behaves like default look-and-feel. Apple makes us more organized; the Macintosh used to – only with all the plus points of Microsoft makes changes for the sake of it. a thoroughly modern system. And, for such a different With the arrival of Me, Microsoft has bottled out of operating system, Mac OS X looks remarkably like Mac swiftly moving all of its consumers to its own robust, OS 9, OS 8 or even System 7. Except that Apple has powerful OS, Windows 2000. While we can expect a tinkered with the old user interface to make it Mac OS 9.5 – code-named Fortissimo – sooner rather even easier for new users to get to grips with their than later, we should be glad that Apple is forcing us to computers. Trouble is, us oldies have to act like novices its superior operating system maybe as early as the end too – and learn how to use their Macs all over again. of next year, when new Macs may no longer ship with Apple has killed off some of the Mac’s favourite old OS 9 as an option. characters. Who doesn’t use the Apple Menu several If you don’t like some of Mummy Apple’s tidy new times a day? Which of us isn’t pleased that the Control ways or fear the dumping of old faves, air your views at Strip offers handy shortcuts to key tools? Who hasn’t www.apple.com/macosx/beta/feedback.html. If everyone (very) occasionally thought that Balloon Help might else feels the same way and demands that Balloon just offer an answer? But Mac OS X doesn’t include one Help be reinflated, then Apple is more than likely to of these regulars. Instead, we get the Dock – as enter- bow to our demands. When Macworld tells you to be taining as it is useful. But, for many users, it will be wary of the Public Beta, we don’t mean you should be about as welcome as that baby alien was to John Hurt’s scared of Mac OS X itself. It’s coming to help, not to belly. In the new Finder, no one can hear you scream. hurt. Don’t panic, get excited. MW

4 Macworld DECEMBER 2000 DECEMBER 2000 Contents COVER STORIES

79 Which Mac? Gone are the days when Macs cost more than Windows PCs. The high-quality, entry-level iMac costs just £649 and is faster and has more features than many cheapo PCs. This guide takes you through your most important choices, offering advice and upgrade tips along the way.

97 Connecting to the Internet We take a look at your Net-connection options.

105 Mac OS X 111 72 22 The first of our regular guides Create: Video QuickTime 5 Web-tool boost to Mac OS X: Further digital- Apple’s Web-stream Macromedia has this month, video editing tips player update is now upgraded its entire we look at and tricks for available in public Web-authoring range new menus. iMovie 2 users. beta form. to version 4.

page 6

Macworld DECEMBER 2000 5 CONTACT Macworld www.macworld.co.uk DECEMBER 2000 Contents Editor-in-Chief Simon Jary [email protected] Deputy Editor David Fanning [email protected] NEWS CREATE REVIEWS News Editor Jonathan Evans [email protected] News Reporter Dominique Fidéle Apple promises cheaper [email protected] 20 Cubes and new software Managing Editor Sean Ashcroft 54 [email protected] Macromedia updates Web tools QuickTime 5 Preview released Chief Sub-Editor Woody Phillips [email protected] ADSL headache Adobe’s digital-video Editorial Co-ordinator Seth Havens vision Quark founder retires Motorola [email protected] showcases 1GHz G4 chip PC games port 54-55 Adobe Photoshop 6.0 Art Editor James Walker [email protected] to Mac Apple makes play for BETT show 56 The Second Coming of Art Director Mandie Johnson Film stars’ iMovie cameo Double Data [email protected] RAM memory boost Corel makes Create: Graphics Create: Graphics Steve Jobs Managing Editor/Online Gillian Thompson New Apple UK boss 119 124 [email protected] products promise We lift the lid on Save time by using 58 Terran Cleaner 5 makes mark Napster’s Mac move Assistant Online Editor Vittoria Momento QuarkWrapture, the Adobe Illustrator’s [email protected] new box-graphics tool. transparency tools CD Editor Vic Lennard 57 US Editor Andrew Gore Contributing editors David Pogue, Deke McClelland, COMPETITION Lon Poole, Michael Prochak, Joseph Schorr, Franklin Tessler, Bruce Fraser, Christopher Breen, David Biedny, Matthew Bath, Jake Sargent, Peter Cohen, PRODUCT NEWS Stephen Beale. Have iBot news for you 57 Palm m100 Handsping colours Visor Group Advertising Manager Mustafa Mustafa The iBot FireWire Desktop 61 Sony UP-DP10 [email protected] 39 Microsoft tracks optical Video Camera (left) is 127 Q&A/tips Deputy Advertising Manager Dean Payn Epson’s laser family among the first FireWire Downgrade to OS 9; Business InkJet 2250tn [email protected] mouse Eizo’s desktop video-cameras NEC’s monitor capture DV stills; shut-down Sales Executive Eamon McHugh touch of class to hit the market. 63 NetStation [email protected] treble Notable mini-studio Hansol debacles; and Classic sounds. 109 Awards 2001 Classified Sales Executive Paul Hodges debuts high-end CRTs Win a digital-photo Pocket Hub [email protected] solution from Hewlett- Beach Head 2000 Production Manager Sharon Bird Packard worth £1,500! [email protected] EVERY MONTH 64 Herald Deputy Production Manager Richard Bailey [email protected] Earth Images Collection Production Assistant Sam French Michael Prochak [email protected] 51 66 HipZip Apple’s stock woes are Marketing Manager Jo Brown BUYER’S GUIDE Baldur’s Gate [email protected] undeserved, but so what? Circulation Manager Jim Birch [email protected] 133 133-135 Buying a Mac Macworld’s advice Reader Offers 67 Marketing Co-ordinator Kelly Crowley for readers buying a G4 Cube, new Power 110 [email protected] Discounts on IDG Books. Mac G4, new, improved iMac, or an iBook or PowerBook. Includes UK’s only Publisher Guy Eaton [email protected] benchmark scores Letters 116 Subscriptions updated every month. 10 Get PhotoFactory free when Macworld is a publication of IDG Readers write on Mac Communications, 99 Gray’s Inn Road, you order Macworld! OS X, Apple in schools, London WC1X 8UT. Telephone: 020 7831 9252. Sales fax: 020 7405 0262 137-149 Star Ratings Mac evangelizing and Macworld (UK) is an independent journal not affiliated with Apple Computer Apple, A full listing of our acclaimed online banking. Internet directory the Apple logo, Mac, and Macintosh are registered trademarks of Apple Computer. 144 67 Stylus Color 680 product-reviews and group Domain-name registration, All contents © IDG 2000, except articles adapted from Macworld US, tests for the previous or from MacWEEK © Mac Publishing LLC. ISSN 1356-9503 CD Pages hosting and support. Stylus Color 880 Colour Origination: Lumis Colour Printed by St Ives (Plymouth). Covers 12 months, with feature index 15 Try the QuarkWrapture Stylus Color 980 printed by Hubbards (Sheffield) on paper produced in sustainable forests. and detailed buying advice. Macworld editorial domestic Internet access courtesy of Direct Connection Career moves demo, as well as heaps 148 68 BBEdit 6 (0800 072 0000, www.dircon.net). of top games, including and Training Stock photography courtesy of Cadmium (www.cadmium.com) 150-151 UK Reseller Guide Parsec LAN-Test. Type & Talk 4 MACWORLD SUBSCRIPTIONS: 01858 435 304 A subscription to Macworld Mac-skill courses and jobs. includes 12 issues, 12 CDs and FREE software (see page 116). Subscribe by Apple UK’s authorized resellers 71 PitStop Pro 4.5 Direct Debit for just £39.66 (UK only – Europe £88.97; RoW, £113.98). To sub- listed. David Fanning scribe, please use one of the following methods: 49 178 David Pogue Studio Artist 1.5 Post: Macworld Subscriptions, FREEPOST (WC4336), Leicester, LE87 4DE. Trouble is brewing for Fear over high-tech Fax: 01858 434 958 Phone: 01858 435 304, Web: www.macworld.co.uk/subs/subs.cfm 153 Shopping the legendary Xerox PARC. 72 QuickTime 5 Public Preview If you have a query about a current subscription, please call 01858 435 304 Advice on buying surveillance is misplaced from mail-order companies. 6 Macworld DECEMBER 2000 And 24 pages of dealer ads. Macworld DECEMBER 2000 7 Macworld Developer’s letter Why Apple is wrong to drop HyperCard

What is HyperCard?

yperCard is a “Software Construction Tool” that lets you easily create Hcustom software solutions for your Macintosh. It features an intuitive method of placing buttons and text containers (objects) onto a blank application window. These objects can then be “scripted” to perform customized tasks. If you do not wish to write scripts, pre-scripted objects come with HyperCard. You can simply cut-&-paste these pre-scripted objects into your applications. To make things even simpler, scripts and other forms of assistance are widely available on the Internet. According to one of its creators, Bill Atkinson, HyperCard is and wandered off in different “programming for the rest of us”. directions wondering what to Apple introduced HyperCard in August 1987. It was developed do next. by a team of individuals including Atkinson (the creator of MacPaint) So, what’s the big deal? It’s and Dan Winkler (the creator of HyperTalk). During its 13 year history, just another piece of software it spent some time in Apple’s Claris software division, but returned and that’s bitten the dust, right? is now on the verge of being discontinued by Apple in spite of a large Wrong. HyperCard happened and surprisingly loyal group of followers. to be the thing that could have HyperCard featured an intuitive and quick method of building given freedom, not to humanity ‘home-grown’ applications. Because of these features, HyperCard became as a whole, but to humanity HyperCard creations wildly accepted in the areas of education and small business. In fact, individually. Freedom to take (Top) The phenomenally successful many small businesses were developed completely around HyperCard your several-thousand-pound graphical puzzle-game Myst was and its ability to easily create custom software solutions. Later, with the plastic and metal box, and turn developed using Apple’s HyperCard; advent of QuickTime, HyperCard became even more powerful, allowing it into a servant that would (bottom) as was the author’s own individuals to create applications that incorporated this QuickTime fulfil each and every need that shareware Book of Decks. technology for use in multimedia presentations. In fact, for a while, Apple you had. considered merging QuickTime and HyperCard so that all QuickTime files HyperCard was designed to could also be used as applications, but this idea was later abandoned. give users the ability to create Technology?” For the first time HyperCard, is still for sale at many locations, but is not being software solutions in a way that in the history of computers, developed any further and has not been slated for Carbonization in OS X. was so amazingly simple that we are witnessing the computer people would laugh at it. They industry actually push back would scoff at it for exactly the progress. HyperCard gave its rom their beginnings in to appear. Instead, we received reason that made it so users unlimited freedom. Maybe Fthe 1950s, computers have version 2.4, and were told powerful. It was simple. It was Apple didn’t want its users to always been about increasing to wait for the next upgrade. fast. It was so versatile that have that. Many of HyperCard’s human capacity. They took us So we waited – for nearly many of its users couldn’t users have said that their to the moon. They gave us three years. As a community, have acceptably explained it HyperCard solutions work just lightning-fast communication. we finally figured out that to you if you offered them fine on older machines with But, about two-and-a-half HyperCard had died when Apple money. If you were in need of older operating systems. years ago, progress stopped. said that HyperCard would not a software solution – no matter It’d be nice to believe that the Apple killed HyperCard. be Carbonized (optimized) for how specific – HyperCard was computer industry is actually We didn’t know it at the time, its next-generation operating right there to fulfil your needs. trying to bring us better because the people responsible system Mac OS X. HyperCard was an unlimited solutions, not just more for its death wouldn’t admit Emotionally, we stood supply of self-designed expensive ones. MW it. HyperCard was missing-in- together for several moments, solutions all for less than £100 Artist and writer Jonathan Scott action. The Macintosh like a bunch of kids who’ve just and a couple of weeks of study. has been developing shareware HyperCard community learned been kicked off the playground Why did HyperCard die? via HyperCard since 1993. of its MIA status in 1998 when by a bunch of bigger kids. We Why did something so http://user.shikoku.ne.jp/songe/ long-awaited version 3.0 failed kicked a few emotional stones necessary turn into “Dead programming/shareware.html

10 Macworld DECEMBER 2000 Join in the live IT debates on Macworld Online Forum (www.macworld.co.uk/forum). cc: Macworld letters

Your Star Letter wins a Palm IIIc, worth £349 We reward the best reader letter with this highly recommended Palm handheld computer – with colour display and Mac desktop organizer software. Its lithium-ion battery lasts more than two weeks with normal use, and recharges in your Mac-compatible HotSync cradle in minutes. Write to Letters, Macworld, 99 Gray’s Inn Road, London WC1X 8UT. Or email [email protected].

to appear in the traditional Star Letter: Back to school places. One of the things I don’t like about OS X is the way it forces you to work in a hen my son was five he took to the Subject: Mac OS X particular way: if people want W Mac, and at eight was fluent enough There seems to be a lot of to have a messy desktop, I say to solve basic running problems. Now aged 12, whingeing about adapting to let them. he can talk Mac speak fluently. The other day he a few nominal changes in the I also think OS X’s Aqua brought home a screenshot of work he’d been doing at school GUI and Finder in Mac OS X. prettiness, bouncing icons on Microsoft Office on a PC. He needed help. Of course he needed Do people really grasp what’s and the groovy Dock wear thin help – for a start, I don’t use Office, and he is so used to the Mac OS on offer? If you think your rapidly. I felt I was lumbered he was tripping up more on the Windows operating system current crop of graphics, editing with windows that look odd procedures than the program itself. or music packages offer serious and don’t work in an intuitive When he showed me this homework, a fury came over me like computing power, think again. way. For all the much-vaunted no other. Why is he being brainwashed with this PC stuff when he Most high-end imaging tools ease of navigation of the knows Macs so well? Why don’t schools give pupils a choice? After are developed for Unix. browser view, it’s still easy all, he uses a Mac at home, so why is he being taught such an A highly evolved OS is bound to get lost in the file system. uncreative program on a PC when there’s such a wealth of creative to be more complex, but to long And without the Apple menu, apps out there? Money men use Windows to do accounts and for the past out of nostalgia or it can take ages to find admin. Well, my son doesn’t want to be an accountant. the fear of learning is sacrilege. anything. Where are those Apple, why aren’t you in my son’s school teaching the teachers We will be richly rewarded QuickTime movies, again? how the Mac can inspire creativity. I feel like donating my Mac so in years to come as developers Robert McMinn my son and his friends can use it at school. Apple must show kids convert an array of high-end the Mac OS at school, and they’ll soon see how clunky, blocky and Unix apps to Mac. To have a Subject: Mac OS X unsmooth Windows is. Unix-based system on your I’ve been using Mac OS X for a Best Jay desk for just over a grand is few weeks and have found it a benediction. to be powerful and fun. That Yannick Lord said, it’s a lot like Windows 98, but without the Start Menu. I Grab.app is also great. older systems may be tempted Subject: Mac OS X know Apple is looking to OS X The only surprise has been to make a different journey: I’ve installed Mac OS X on my Beta users more for bug fixes how much I like Aqua, which is from Mac OS to Windows. Wallstreet PowerBook, and my than wholesale changes, easy on the eye, intuitive, and Pete Boardman apps run problem-free under but I used OS X’s own Sketch “friendly”. The Dock’s bouncing Classic at speeds comparable Program to draft a few icons are the best example of Subject: The last Word to Mac OS 9.0.4. And OmniWeb suggestions on how the OS this. I feel it’s a neat and stylish I joined the Mac community is a fantastic Carbonized Web- can be improved: replacement for both the Apple with my Mac Plus back in the browser. My only criticism is the A new Finder window that Menu and Application switcher. mid-80s, using three killer OS X file structure takes a lot of links the OS 9 Finder and the I find it a chore switching applications on my external getting used to. I’m a great one new Finder in OS X; back to OS 9, because it now 20MB hard-drive: MacWrite, for leaving active folders and A new space-friendly feels like it restricts the way I MacPaint and MacDraw. On the files on the desktop, but the System Preferences window; use my Mac. Its incredible how journey to their demise I bought Unix structure forbids this. Combining the Finder, right Apple have got this beta. Word 3.0. This was a killer app All in all, I’ve had some fun System Preferences and James Relph too – it killed speed, it killed out of my £25, and I can’t wait Sherlock into one powerful my machine, and it damn-near for the final version and loads of program; and Subject: Mac OS X killed me with the frustration. Carbon and Cocoa applications A unique Trash window. Missing from your otherwise What a waste of money it was. at nominal upgrade charges. Matthew Tichenor excellent introduction to Mac After many years, I amazingly Andy Barton OS X was a feature explaining found myself considering Subject: Mac OS X why OS X will be so much better turning to Microsoft once more Subject: Mac OS X I installed Mac OS X on my than Microsoft Windows 2000. – this time, to Microsoft Office I installed Mac OS X Public Beta ageing original (revA) 98MB I suspect that – given all the 2001 for Mac. That was until I on a 500MHz MP G4. One of the iMac and have hardly used disruption, expense, and read a description of the app in first things I did was download OS 9 since. The stability of OS X frustration involved in moving my MacWarehouse catalogue. Classic Menu, which allows for is flawless, the bundled Mail from OS 9 to OS X that you I quote: “The new release takes Apple and Applications menus program is first rate, and the describe – some people with full advantage of key Apple

Letters continue on page 12

Join in the live IT debates on Macworld Online Forum (www.macworld.co.uk/forum). Macworld DECEMBER 2000 11 cc: Macworld letters

continued from page 11 technologies, such as (October Macworld, page 28). Quicklime.” (MacWarehouse, In it, you quoted a Trash Flash issue 60, p30). It seems that spokesperson for First Direct, QuickTime 4’s QuickTime 5’s even after they have killed, MS espousing its commitment to silly volume wheel Aqua volume slider apps remain thirsty for more. customer choice and platform David Glover compatibility. I’m a long-term Apple got some stick For QuickTime 5, First Direct customer, and was for radically changing Apple has kept the Subject: Carbon complaint frustrated by the unavailability QuickTime’s interface controversial metallic Am I the only one to be miffed of its Net banking for from one that interface but dumped that Office 2001 isn’t Carbon- Macintosh users at launch. conformed to its the fiddly wheel. Now compliant? I ran it on the OS X No one at the bank’s own UI guidelines you can change the Beta but, instead of displaying Internet Division could explain to a shiny metallic QuickTime Player’s in Aqua, it started the Classic why it couldn’t accommodate affair. Even those volume by simply environment. One would have the Mac platform. Because who loved the moving the new thought that having a release First Direct offers higher rates futuristic look- volume control date so close to that of Mac OS of interest over the Internet, &-feel hated slider. X would have meant Carbon frustrated Macintosh users its fiddly Thanks for compliance would be a must. Or have been subsidizing volume listening perhaps Microsoft just wants us Windows account-holders control wheel. guys! to fork-out for another upgrade for all this time. next year. Nigel Green Alistair Lentell Subject: Behind the scene Subject: Mac life not so grand Apple managed to turn things Subject: Mac evangelist and a new Cuboid PC. The new A friend of mine recently around in just three years by The business pages of a MS Windows 2001 will now be asked for advice about buying designing appealing machines. national newspaper recently known as MSX with a new MS a computer. He had £1,000 and The new G4, for instance, is a described Macintosh users as search-engine called Dr Watson, needed to burn CDs, download beautiful machine but, unlike “growing older and not being and will claim to be leading the MP3s and record his own music. iMacs, it hasn’t sold because replaced, because their children field in desktop systems. Ever tried telling someone a it appeals only to existing use Windows PCs”. Another Only time will tell. grand can’t buy them a decent Macintosh customers. article described the Mac as a Sheldon Charach Mac? It went against the grain, Apple is getting left behind “declining system with a unique but I ended up suggesting he in the mass-market area. I want operating system that nobody Subject: Top Jobs got himself a 750MHz Wintel it to produce a TV decoder-cum- wants”. With regard to David Pogue’s machine, complete with hard disk, offering broadband Who can we blame for this column in November’s soundcard, 17-inch monitor, access and digital recording decline? Apple? Microsoft? No, Macworld (“Bully for you, Jobs”), 56K modem, 128MB RAM, a functionality. With its XBox, the reality is that we, the Mac I’m sure that Mr Jobs is not an 32MB graphics card and a Microsoft is showing that such consumers, are to blame. Word egomaniacal bully, but just a CD writer. The price? A sideways moves are possible. of mouth is the most potent good leader. princely £700, including VAT! Thomas Sharpe marketing tool but we don’t He’s the kind of leader who This is an attractive – and evangelize the Mac. takes all necessary measures to upgradeable – package and Subject: Missionary position I’ve now decided to do my get the job done. Yes, he gets rid explains Apple’s recent poor I’m a Mac enthusiast – and, bit – but if I’m the only one, of people, but only those who sales. People know all about because I push the Mac as the don’t complain when you are can’t play as part of a team. iMacs and the G4 Cube – but best computer solution – I am forced to use a Windows box Mr Jobs is my kind of boss. tell them you have to pay effectively working for Apple as ten years from now. Does anyone know of any through the nose and are stuck a walking advertisement. I have Pascal Harris openings in either of his with the same graphics card, to say, I’m doing a better job companies? and they laugh in your face. than Apple itself. Apple’s UK Subject: Future crystal clear Larry Wanget Come on, Apple. Make these iMac ads give no indication of What a shame someone has little beauties more versatile, how powerful the £649 iMac hacked into Microsoft’s system. Correction: CanoScan D660U more affordable – and watch is. Apple must tell Mac rookies What made me chuckle was In October Macworld Reviews sales rocket. exactly what they’re getting for that Microsoft was worried its we incorrectly stated that the David Gamble their money, instead of leaving secrets for future projects may CanoScan D660U consumer MW iMac plus USB CD-R costs it to people like me. have been stolen. scanner costs £234 including £859 including VAT It’s not as if I haven’t got You don’t need to be a VAT. It does, in fact, cost £139 enough to do, what with having computer whiz-kid hacker including VAT. Subject: Don’t bank on it to pay for the privilege of being to guess the future look of We apologise for any It was with a mixture of a full-time Mac OS X Public Beta Microsoft systems. inconvenience this (Canon PR) amusement and frustration tester. So, where’s my pay Looking into my crystal error may have caused. For that I read your news piece cheque, Apple? mouse, I predict Bill Gates will further details about this on Mac online banking Neil Flanigan produce translucent machines product call 0121 680 8062. MW

12 Macworld DECEMBER 2000 Join in the live IT debates on Macworld Online Forum (www.macworld.co.uk/forum). Macworld DECEMBER 2000 Cover CD A demo of QuarkWrapture, the full Pixels3D 3.6.3 program – plus six trials and all the latest demos, shareware, updaters and games make this month’s CD an action-packed affair. Vic Lennard leads the way… MAIN ITEMS

Also see tutorial on page 119

QuarkWrapture 1.0 demo With its combination of visualization and design tools, QuarkWrapture accelerates the entire concept-to-market process for packaging professionals who work in two dimensions to create three-dimensional projects. Visualize the design in three dimensions with the click of a button, and distribute these 3D renditions for approval, sharing your ideas more quickly and identifying potentially costly mistakes long before you go to press. See the Read Me file for demo restrictions.

Nisus Writer 6.0 30-day trial Nisus Writer 6.0 has even more power and flexibility than before, offering you a unique, creative experience and complete multilingual writing solution unmatched by any other word processor. New features include a grammar checker, RTF filter, text analyser, zoom, support Parsec LAN-Test for Navigation Services and Contextual Menus, and importing Parsec is a fast-paced graphics via QuickTime. multiplayer 3D Internet Yours to try for 30 days. space combat game. This LAN-Test version is the first playable release. Up to four people can play on the same local area network but not on the Internet.

Starry Night Backyard Pixels3D 3.6.3 Discover the wonders of astronomy for PiXELS3D 3.6.3 is a professional Reckless Drivin’ the first time or enhance your observing 3D modeling and animation Reckless Drivin’ is a new pleasure if you are already a convert to this package. It has faster performance than action game that’s similar wonderful pastime. See how the sky will look v3.2 and even more powerful tools and to its predecessor, Burning tonight, tomorrow or far into the past or future. features. Professionals and new users Rubber, but has been View the stars as they appear from your own alike can easily make eye-popping 3D rewritten from scratch. backyard, from a country on the other side of the models and animation with this intuitive Smooth, dynamically world, or from another planet. Witness a total software package. zoomed, scrolling 16-bit eclipse from the Moon, watch the Sun set from Convert the demo into the full graphics. Play the first the surface of Mars, or even ride a comet. program by following the instructions in three levels. Serial number included for a 15-day trial. our Read Me 1st file. page 16

Macworld DECEMBER 2000 15 Cover CD DECEMBER 2000 Before you start working your way through the software on our CD, INSTALL go to the System Utilities folder and make sure you install the following:

Acrobat Reader+Search 4 StuffIt Expander & DropStuff System tools & ATM Lite QuickTime 4 Install this version to be able to read many Versions 5.5, 5.1.2 and 4.5 are included. The CD also carries the latest version of InternetConfig, Some programs require QuickTime 4. This can be of the on-screen manuals. UnZip 5.32 and ATM Lite 4.6 (required for Suitcase 9). downloaded from www.apple.com/quicktime/download.

INSIDE MACWORLD

Adrenaline Charts Pro 1.5 Boris Continuum 1.0 MacScripter’s Magazine PitStop Pro 4.5 Versatile tool for rapidly Adobe After Effects filters Summer issue of the Adobe Acrobat 4 plug-in creating static and for creating intersecting easy to follow, hands-on for preflighting & editing dynamic professional- layers in 3D space with introduction to PDF documents. looking charts. Lets you soft cast shadows, true 3D AppleScript. Includes Thirty-day trial. create shaded charts spotlights and motion blur. Mac OS classic version you can manipulate in Demo of 23 filters. and the Expanded real-time. AppleScript Dictionary. CD CATALOGUE Hot Door MultiPage BBEdit 6.0 demo A simple, practical plug-in MacVCD Courtesy of Mark Pirri’s superb DiskTracker High-performance HTML for creating multiple pages Video CD player. Supports program, Macworld brings you a searchable and text editor. Designed within Adobe Illustrator 9. large screens, multiple catalogue of all our CDs from 1997 to for editing, searching Demo limited to two pages; video CDs and QuickTime 2000 – over 194,000 files! This will and manipulating of text. multiple page printing and conversion. Five-minute grow month by month to allow you Use for 24 launches. PDF export disabled. save-disabled demo. to find any file you want, without wearing out your CD-ROM drive. The latest version of DiskTracker (2.0.2) is also included – don’t forget to SERIOUS SOFTWARE includes register if you find our library useful.

Chaos Master 1.1 demo ACTION Menus 1.0.1 ProJPEG 5.0.1 demo Chaos Master is a collection of ACTION Menus enhances the ProJPEG is a file-format plug-in utilities that will help you manage look and feel of normal menus by for Adobe Photoshop 3.0 or the files on your hard disk. It will help you giving you the ability to take control of the greater, providing true seamless integration clean out old, duplicate or damaged files, contents and organization of your Apple with Photoshop and open and save update applications to the latest versions and Applications menus. It adds a default simplicity and eliminating the need to with help from VersionTracker.com, uninstall set of custom menus that give you access use multiple applications for Web JPEGs. unwanted applications and related files, to your most recently used and/or favourite Version 5.0 boasts improved memory and much more. It is an invaluable tool to documents and folders. The enhanced handling to allow ProJPEG to work for help you figure out how much clutter and Applications menu allows you to see Web graphics or hi-res JPEG images, and unnecessary files are wasting space and currently open windows as well as recent advanced Photoshop actions support for slowing down your hard disks. documents and folders in an hierarchical batch processing and automated work This demo version is feature limited; it menu off the running applications. flow, plus a new interface with resizable only allows you to run the Wizard to see some ACTION Menus also adds Named and zoomable image previews for better of the files you might want to clean off of Separators so you will never be lost in an compression feedback and ergonomic your hard disk but does not actually allow ACTION Menu. work flow. you to perform any operations on them. Try it fully for 30 days. The demo is save-disabled.

page 18 16 Macworld DECEMBER 2000 FAULTY COVER CD-ROM? •If your cover disc is broken and you want a replacement CD, please contact Kelly Crowley, on 020 7831 9252, or email at [email protected]. •If your cover CD doesn’t seem to work as it should, please check you have read all the instructions on the cover disc pages carefully first. If it still doesn’t work, then please email Cover CD DECEMBER 2000 Woody Phillips at [email protected]. GAMES WORLD DEMOS & GAMES

SkyScraper

Heretic 0.9.3 Tanks of Terror This month’s Top 10 Shareware Games This is a port of id and Raven Tanks of Terror is an OpenGL include the latest versions of some favourites Software’s Heretic, available for kart racing game with tanks, plus some interesting new ones. the first time on the Macintosh. Heretic is big weapons and even bigger bosses. It’s set For those of you who enjoy classic a 3D first-person shooter in the same style in the 50s during a very B-movie-ish alien breakout-style arcade games, there’s Brickles as Doom and Hexen. It uses the same core invasion. It features true 3D environment, Deluxe v1.3.1 and MacBrickout 4.1. The more engine as Doom, with a few modifications, indoor and outdoor maps, dynamic lighting serious gamers among you will dive for the and is the prequel to Hexen: Beyond and weather, changing gravity, animated latest incarnations of David’s BackGammon Heretic, which was made available as a backdrops, advanced transparency effects, (3.9.1) and Hearts (3.1) while the younger commercial release for the Macintosh back six worlds, two race modes, boss battles, audience will enjoy Hang 2000, MacSnake 1.4 in 1995. Unfortunately, the original Heretic ‘deathmatch’ type games, 34 maps, tank and Tic-Mac-Toe 1.0.2. was never made for the Mac. Brad Oliver customization, and network play On the new side, there’s Evolutionary decided to port Heretic to complete the Unregistered version allows you to War 0.9, a chess-style board game, the Puzzle sequence and give Mac users the missing play one world, which consists of three Panic puzzle creator, and SkyScraper, an piece. Current version fixes an old colour regular race maps (in two different modes), excellent arcade-style vertical climbing problem and also adds true ‘mouse look’ one timed gauntlet map and one boss game. Make your way up the side of the ability (you can now look up and down via map. It also includes one special network building but avoid the closing windows and the mouse or an analogue joystick). battle map. falling plantpots and other items! ALSO ON THE CD DON’T MISS…

COMMS & INTERNET ICON UTILITIES SOUND & MUSIC Mac Army Knife 2.2 Cool Extras 18 applications including: Iconographer 2.0 MacPopUp 2.1 Fortune Cookie – all the Cookie Dog 1.01 Metronome 1.4.5 brief wisdom without the Email Effects 1.6.5 INFO PrintToPDF 2.1.1 little crumbly bits! HTML OptimizerPro 1.8 Quick Text 2.9 AutoPurge 2.3.2 – latest PageSpinner 3.0 SwitchRes 2.4.2 version of the essential Nine applications including: TableText 1.0.1 Mac OS 9 Temporary Items EDUCATION BayTex Party! Pro 2.5.2 TextBroom 3.1.0 bug utility. Three programs including: easy beat 1.2 UtilityDog 1.3 Flashcard Wizard 1.0 FreeMIDI 1.45 Mac ISPs TypingPractice 1.1 UPDATERS Internet access offers from Abel gratis, AppleOnline, easyspace, 1984 OnLine issue 28 UTILITIES This month’s dedicated FreeUK and LineOne. FONTS ATPM 6.10 Ten categories comprising updaters folder includes Four items including: plus three other items and over 50 useful tools for 70MB of patches to Netscape FontChecker 1.2.1 six utilities for developers your Mac including: bring many popular Complete packages for Communicator 4.75 and IE 5. LogotypeMaker 1.2.1 applications bang MATHS & SCIENCE up-to-date, including: Plus… GRAPHICS Six programs including: Adaptec Toast/Deluxe 4.1.1 … many thanks to Simon Youngjohns for our CD icons. Adobe After Effects 4.1.1 Bryce 4.1 ABF Rename 3.3 CD-ROM Toolkit 4.0.1b AddressBook 4.2.4 Digital Performer 2.72 SHAREWARE ClipTextEdit 1.0.1 FAXstf 6.0.3 Shareware is a distribution method, not a type of software. It Convert 1.2.5 FlightCheck 3.9r2 makes fitting your needs easier, as you can try before you buy. Nine items including: SlideRule 2.5.1 CoolCam 1.6 IomegaWare 2.7 Shareware has the ultimate money-back guarantee – if you OneApp Slide Show 5.6.3 Doublet Scan 3.1.1 MarkzTools 8.04 don’t use the product, you don’t pay for it. If you try a Shareware RTM JPEGShow SCREENSAVERS Drag’n Back 3.5 Norton AntiVirus 5/6 (10/00) program and continue using it, you are expected to register. Screen Catcher 2.1 FlavorSavers 2.6 Drop Drawers 1.2.6 Virex (10/00) Support shareware authors so that they continue to provide SuperBladePro 1.01 iScreensaver Jeremy’s CSM Bundle 2.1.3 Vistascan 3.7.3 high-quality programs for the Mac.

18 Macworld DECEMBER 2000 Macworld News Cheaper Cubes, new software Macworld News Apple promises ‘exciting’ 2001

pple has promised that faster claim that such problems will soon some consumers that Macs, new computers, and a “We will have a very competitive line of be rectified. “flow lines” in the Cube’s A pair of innovative software desktops and laptops – the best I’ve seen Paul Clark, Motorola's European enclosure represent a products will be released next year. marketing communications manager, manufacturing flaw. Jobs These future products emerged in my career” – Steve Jobs, Apple CEO explained to Macworld that chip yield promised more configura- during Apple’s final-quarter financial is “a kind of a bell curve”. “As you tions and a lower entry-level announcement in October, when manufacture processors, you get a price next year. Fred Anderson, Apple’s chief financial percentage of high, low and medium “The Cube was designed officer, was joined on stage by CEO launched multiprocessing G4 Power AMD’s Athlon speeds coming out. The ones in the to be the ultimate Mac for Steve Jobs. Macs at July’s Macworld Expo in New chip is increas- middle are the most stable, while high-end consumers and The announcements were York. Apple claims that, when running ingly being used those on the extreme of the bell professionals. We think it’s one PowerPC: must try harder designed to galvanize customers Adobe Photoshop, its dual-processor by PC makers as it’s curve are less stable. And we of the finest engineering prod- Apple is confident that its and investors alike – and came as 500MHz Power Mac G4 is as fast as cheaper than Intel’s therefore don’t regard those extreme ucts to date,” he said. PowerPC partners, Motorola and a surprise as Apple rarely discusses a 2GHz Pentium III is expected to be Pentium, and now offers speeds to be definite products.” When asked if he thought the IBM, will next year close the gap future products. The company when it is eventually released. This a range of speeds up to 1.2GHz Other differences, however, thrill of Apple’s innovative designs on Pentium and Athlon PC-chip returned its 12th successive profitable working-speed advantage will be – as well as cooperating with a wide work to Apple’s advantage. PowerPC was wearing off, he replied: “In our iMovie 2 comes bundled with all new megahertz speeds. quarter, despite reduced investor more apparent when Mac OS X is variety of memory types, including chips run significantly cooler than track record of the last several years Macs, except with the £649 iMac. returns (see Business News, page 36). launched, as applications optimized SDRAM and DDR. Outside observers Pentiums, and consume less power. we’ve released only one product that Mac OS X, Apple’s next-generation (“Carbonized”) to work under the contrast its speeds with those of Yet for first-time buyers, high MHz hasn’t met our sales expectations – operating system, will also launch Speed bleed new operating system will have current PowerPC G4 chips, which ratings distract potential shoppers the G4 Cube.” next year, and is key to the company’s Despite the phenomenal success of multiprocessing support built-in. top-out at just 500MHz. from actual application speeds and future, Jobs believes. its consumer-level iMac, Apple has Current Mac speeds depend Motorola and IBM have been true performance comparisons. Think outside the box “No operating system transition been suffering in first-time computer on advances in PowerPC processor developing new technologies to bring Looking to close this gap, Jobs says Jobs noted the success of iMovie can be painless, but things are buyer markets – as consumers believe technology. Motorola and IBM PowerPC-chip speeds forward, but that Apple is “working closely with (currently at version 2), and promised looking very, very good,” he said, that Intel’s higher chip speeds make manufacture the PowerPC chip the central problem has been the Motorola to address the problem”. Apple would deliver two new revealing that Apple has sold PCs faster than Macs. as part of the AIM (Apple, IBM, percentage of high-speed chips “We’ll be introducing systems innovative software products next over 60,000 copies of the Mac OS X Responding to this (incorrect) and Motorola) PowerPC alliance. manufactured. Motorola and IBM with higher processor speeds next year. He said: “We’re really excited Public Beta, and is shifting an extra perceived disadvantage in attracting PowerPC MHz speeds have fallen year”, he said. “We plan to close the about these products, they will allow 500 copies each day. the minds of consumers, Apple behind those of Intel and AMD. perceived speed gap in the first half consumers to do things that they Jobs described the feedback of 2001.” Jobs also promised that cannot do on other platforms,” he said. received from Mac OS X beta testers Apple would make further progress iMovie is Apple’s consumer-level as “overwhelmingly positive”, and during the rest of that year, hinting desktop video-editing solution. It can said that Apple has a team evaluating Cash-back on Cube and screen at additional future enhancements splice together digital-video movies and reacting to the 45,000 messages to the platform (see page 32). – adding titling, music and effects so far received. MW pple is offering a £250 rebate for UK purchased from an authorized Apple through a simple-to-use interface. Jonny Evans News continues page 22 A customers buying a Power Mac G4 dealer or the online AppleStore. Fill the shelves Cube with one of the new Apple displays. The voucher must be filled in “Our engineering department has It means that customers buying a Cube and returned to Apple with proofs of been working overtime on some of Hermstedt takes ISDN to AirPort BaseStation with any current Apple monitor will receive purchase and the serial numbers from the most innovative products ever”, a voucher entitling them to claim £250 back the side of the boxes the products are claimed Jobs. “Apple will have a very ermstedt has taken the wraps off of a new from the company. The purchase must be shipped in. Customers applying for the competitive line of desktop systems H technology designed to give Apple’s AirPort users made between October 23-December 31, rebate must allow eight to ten weeks from and laptops – the best I’ve seen in wireless access to dual-channel ISDN. The company and the G4 Cube and screen must be the date the claim is validated by Apple for my career.” has built WebShuttle into Apple’s AirPort BaseStation, their rebates to arrive. New products are in the pipeline, so that it’s possible to access ISDN data-rates wireless- The 450MHz G4 Cube costs £1,249; too. Jobs discussed possible handheld ly. Using the device – called AirShuttle – you achieve the 500MHz model – only available from devices and Internet appliances – but better bandwidth per user on shared networks. the online AppleStore – costs £1,599 (both would not clarify if Apple planned to The £150 AirShuttle requires that an existing excluding VAT). Eligible displays include the enter these markets. He expects a AirPort BaseStation (£200 ex. VAT) be rebuilt 17-inch CRT Studio Display (£349), September, the sales did not reflect the “collision” between handhelds and (costing an extra £50), but Hermstedt will honour the 15-inch Studio Display (£699) and company’s predictions. This severely dam- mobiles. Hints of such a collision Apple’s guarantee for a year after fitting. It replaces the 22-inch Cinema Display (£2,799). aged Apple’s bottom line (see Business are emerging now – Handspring is to the existing analogue modem without any further News, page 36), and strained its relationship launch its VisorPhone module in the modifications of the host system. Macs must Sales boost with investors. UK next year. The VisorPhone module also be fitted with an AirPort Card (£67). The rebate is Apple’s attempt to boost sales Mark Rogers, Apple’s new regional fits the Handspring’s expansion dock, Apple’s AirPort technology lets Macs wirelessly of the design-conscious product, which director for UK & Ireland, hopes the rebate working as a conventional mobile connect to the Internet, collect email or share files with many analysts and customers will “tip the balance” for those interested in phone, with text messaging, caller other Macs up to 150ft away from networks and modem complain has been introduced at too purchasing the G4 Cube. “There are massive ID and speed-dialling functions. points. At present, AirPort is limited to 56Kbps Internet high a price. opportunities for this product,” he affirmed. The G4 Cube sold poorly in the access. AirShuttle’s ISDN would enable wireless Web Though Apple sold 107,000 Cubes world- To find out more about Apple’s rebate, quarter. Jobs attributed this to its browsing at up to 128Kbps speeds. For more on ISDN, wide between July and the end of call 0870 876 4846. MW price, early problems with the power see page 97. MW

ILLUSTRATION BY DAVIDILLUSTRATION ANGEL button and a “perception” among Hermstedt, 020 7242 4061

20 Macworld DECEMBER 2000 For the information as it happens visit Macworld Online Daily News (www.macworld.co.uk), updated throughout the day For the information as it happens visit Macworld Online Daily News (www.macworld.co.uk), updated throughout the day Macworld DECEMBER 2000 21 Macworld News PREVIEW: Essential Web tools get powerful upgrade Macromedia shows real 4-sight

acromedia has announced Process Wizard takes you through working features, enabling team upgraded versions of its time-consuming tasks more quickly, members to communicate more Upgrades: M popular Web-design product and Firework’s animation tools have easily. Site assets can also now Dreamweaver range. Version 4 of Dreamweaver, also been enhanced. be stored in a library feature, with 3 to 4, £99. Fireworks and Dreamweaver UltraDev Creating animated GIFs is simpler, favourites easily accessible via a Fireworks 3 to 4, £99. will ship in December. The upgrades as is controlling frame-by-frame palette. Site reporting is another new Dreamweaver/Fireworks include new and improved features, animation creation. A new visual feature in Dreamweaver. You can set studio to DW/FW such as layer accessibility and control, frame and movement tool has been custom reports to run for checking studio, £149. and round-trip editing. added to the upgraded products, errors and common problems Dreamweaver 3 to Macromedia’s drive to build a allowing you to drag and position throughout sites. UltraDev 4.0, £199. common interface is evident in this animated objects, and to add or New Flash text features and Dreamweaver UltraDev latest raft of releases. All of its major remove frames in a single click. buttons are also available, allowing to UltraDev 4/Fireworks titles are now on version 4 – even In Fireworks 4, a new pop-up creator-editable vector graphics to be 4 Studio, £179. though Dreamweaver UltraDev 1.0 menu creator increases ease-of-use. created directly in Dreamweaver. In Dreamweaver 3 to shipped in June this year. EPS and FreeHand 9 files can now also Dreamweaver UltraDev 4 there is UltraDev 4/Fireworks 4 Macromedia says the versions leap be imported. Other new features much-improved Mac support for studio, £249. is justified because UltraDev is a full include: an import Xtra for Director; connecting to remote servers. Remote DW UltraDev 1.0 to Dreamweaver product that includes advanced masking and control of Database Connectivity obviates the UltraDev 4, £99. database-application development objects within layers; selective JPEG need to install database-connection tools. compression; drag-&-drop rollovers; drivers on the development machine. Full products: Macromedia says its upgrades and customizable export controls. UltraDev has the same Dreamweaver/Fireworks owe much to user feedback and that Control and navigation is easier improvements as Dreamweaver, studio ESP, £349. its standard-interface bid is meant in Fireworks’ new Layers panel, and plus additional JavaBean support Dreamweaver to serve the needs of the design integration with other Macromedia and LiveObjects support, which allows UltraDev/Fireworks 4 community, by both promoting ease products is more defined. Colour- live data to be previewed and edited. Studio ESP, £499. of workflow across its product range selection panels are also standardized The Live Data mode replaces Dreamweaver 4 ESP, and adhering to industry standards. across the upgrades. server-side scripts with dynamically £229. A number of new and improved All of Dreamweaver 4’s new generated output in the design Fireworks 4 ESP, features are workflow-friendly. Panels features are included in Dreamweaver layout. Common Web-page £229.Dreamweaver now snap to working-area edges, UltraDev 4 – best of which is the new functionality, such as vital navigation UltraDev ESP, £399. while editing elements in a single Layout Table mode. Both titles also links, have been added as pre-set Live application is also easier. A Launcher have an updated Integrated Text Objects to UltraDev 4. Bar has been added to Fireworks at editor – improved by many BBEdit-like Macromedia has also recently the base of the layout area, allowing features, such as Line Numbers, Word announced a new batch of extensions a one-click Panel launch. Wrap, Colour Coding and a JavaScript for Dreamweaver and Fireworks. Other features, such as advanced debugger. They are available as free downloads Layer masking and Batch Processing In Dreamweaver, asset from Macromedia Exchange in Fireworks, are more accessible in management has been improved, to (http://exchange.macromedia.com). MW version 4. The new step-by-step Batch enhance the effectiveness of its team- Gillian Thompson

Tables are turned Layer player Nice assets In Dreamweaver 4’s table-layout mode, designers can draw out tables Control and manipulation of objects in Dreamweaver 4 stores and organizes site assets for and cells; Dreamweaver will automatically fill in the gaps. Fireworks 4 layers is now much simpler. improved workflow and team-based production.

22 Macworld DECEMBER 2000 For the information as it happens visit Macworld Online Daily News (www.macworld.co.uk), updated throughout the day Macworld News Apple releases Preview version of QuickTime 5 QT rival, Windows Media Player, hits 7 he day after Apple announced QuickTime 5, Microsoft T announced its release of a beta version of its media player, Windows Media Player 7 for Mac. The Mac edition of the player is currently at version 6.3. The software competes with QuickTime and RealNetworks’ RealSystem as a streaming- media standard on the Web. Windows Media Player 7 uses a single interface – reminiscent of Apple’s shiny QT Player – for audio and video, and supports the latest Windows Media codecs. The codecs offer “near-DVD-quality video at 700Kbps, Aqua buttons just for show in Mac OS 9 near-VHS-quality video at 300Kbps, and CD-quality Although QuickTime 5 is not a native Mac OS X application, the player sound at half the file size of MP3,” Microsoft claims. conforms in part to Apple's Aqua interface guidelines. In the upper left New digital rights management functions – based on are three standard Aqua window controls that resemble coloured glass the Windows Media Rights Manager – allow developers beads: Close, Minimize and Maximize. The red Close control works as to encrypt downloadable music to prevent piracy. The beta you'd expect, and green Maximize functions such as the current Zoom plays MP3s, supporting the Secure Digital Music Initiative, anti- box. However, the yellow Minimize control serves only a placeholder piracy technology developed by the recording industry. function, because Mac OS 9 does not provide for minimizing windows. Download at www.windowsmedia.com.

‘Multimedia to the next level’ to open and navigate spherical navigation and panoramas in the iPix format. zooming. uickTime 5 Preview was QuickTime Pro users can save iPix Activate (www.acti- released at the QuickTime Live! “QuickTime 5’s new technologies enable a projects as QuickTime movies. vate.com) announced Q Conference in October, 2000. new generation of Web-based audio and iPix also promised QuickTime that its Content Apple’s vice president of worldwide compatibility in its other products: Distribution Network marketing, Phil Schiller, announced video solutions to be delivered with greater iPix Builder, the company’s metered (CDN) now supports the QuickTime “QuickTime is the most open the Preview during his opening reliability than ever before” VR-production software, can produce format. This means QuickTime users standard on the Internet,” claimed keynote speech at the show. QuickTime VR content; Panoscan2iPIX can reliably access the highest-quality Casanova. A Mac version is available – Phil Schiller, Apple vice president is an iPix Builder add-on that converts streaming-media content through Phil Schiller said Apple’s goal for for download now. Get it from images captured with a Panoscan Activate. QuickTime was “to provide tools and www.apple.com/uk/quicktime. A Windows camera into iPix or QuickTime VR “Activate is excited to be working make the personal creation of video version is promised later this year. panoramas; and the iPix Photoshop with one of the most dynamic better, to improve Internet delivery The QuickTime Player interface demonstrated products designed content-rich customers who encode Plug-in lets artists edit iPix images innovators in streaming media and let developers expand QuickTime has been refined, gaining Aqua-like to take advantage of this feature. in VP3.” from within Adobe Photoshop. technology,” said Stew Chapin, senior into new, unexpected areas. interface elements that resemble “QuickTime is being used to Meanwhile SealedMedia iPix also announced that it vice president of marketing, Activate. “I hope that when we get together Mac OS X’s bright interface. deliver the latest in Internet content (www.sealedmedia.com) has stolen a is developing a version of the iPix Apple has also released a Preview in another year, we’ll be showing Additionally, QuickTime 5 Preview to millions of surfers around the world’s first with the launch of the Viewer optimized for AltiVec/Velocity version of QuickTime Streaming things so amazing that we couldn’t offers a host of stability and usability world,” said Schiller. “The new first solution ever available for secure- Engine. The company said this offers Server 3, an upgrade of the software even dream of them this year.” MW enhancements when run under Mac technologies in QuickTime 5 enable ly selling streaming and on-demand better performance and improved that streams QuickTime content. Ben Wilson, Dennis Sellers OS X, and an improved a new generation of Web-based audio audio and video in QuickTime format. video codec. and video solutions delivered with This solution answers the need of Frank Casanova, greater reliability than ever before.” content developers seeking to find Apple’s director of Dynamic Digital Depth (DDD) has a secure way to market QuickTime ADSL: high-speed Internet beset with problems QuickTime marketing, developed OpticBoom, a stereoscopic content. said: “QuickTime 5 post-processing option. This lets “Apple grew to greatness by igh-bandwidth, digital telecoms technology a very poor job. The number of times it has will take multimedia producers convert 2D QuickTime combining powerful innovation H ADSL (Asymmetric Digital Subscriber Line) is installed and made it work first time is small. technology to the next movies into a 3D format viewable with a passion for making technology available now from BT Openworld and third-party Once installed, it can take up to two weeks level. A hallmark of through 3D glasses. The conversion friendly to customers,” said Sealed suppliers, but expect long delays before your Mac to get the service going.” QuickTime has been its is made by defining regions and their Media’s president and CEO, Alan is connected. Fielding agrees: “BT trained its engineering video quality. Sorenson distance from camera or viewpoint. Mutter. “Our work with Apple ensures ADSL transmits information at high bandwidth staff inadequately.” BT is trying to resolve these SealedMedia representatives describe their service Video 3 takes it to the Images are then compressed for that we will remain on the cutting digitally over existing phone lines. Asymmetric issues, Fielding says: “BT is short of crew, as a per-use payment plan. Content resides on next level, and now we transmission over the Internet. edge of media convergence on the means most of the channel transmits downstream but is recruiting all the time.” In the meantime, your server, with an encryption key sent from are letting third parties Net.” to the end-user, and a lesser amount receives data customers are complaining about the delays. Sealed Media’s server upon each authorized extend it even further.” Third parties rally round 5 Pulse Entertainment from them. Equipment must be installed at both BT offers three Mac-friendly ethernet-based request. The key allows the user to access The upgrade has new On2 (www.on2.com) announced (www.pulse3d.com) has readied its telephone exchange and the end-user’s home. ADSL solutions for business users, and a the content package he or she has requested. connection speeds for a plug-in for its VP3 codec. This new real-time streaming 3D technology There’s a waiting list – not all exchanges are (non-Mac) USB service for domestic accounts. The user pays on demand, and the content ADSL and cable modem codec lets QuickTime users decode for QuickTime Media Player, once ready, and British Telecom seems unable to meet A BT spokesman told Macworld: “The delay in server is billed from Sealed Media as well. users, and offers a new On2-encoded content and enables again using QuickTime’s Component demand, although it aims to offer the service releasing our (USB) service for Mac is because It’s a scaleable solution, with a negotiated music synthesizer with QT Pro customers to encode video Download feature. Pulse technology to 70 per cent of the UK by 2001. Rob Fielding, we are waiting for Alcatel and Fujitsu to deliver (512Kbps) domestic service, to £159 for the fastest pricing structure dependent on clients’ needs. an instrument sound-set for broadband distribution within delivers 3D rendering and audio channel sales manager at Zen Internet, told Macintosh software drivers to BT.” Alcatel and (2Mbps) ethernet business option. An installation licensed from Roland. the application. On2’s VP3.2 codec features, supporting playback of Macworld: “A waiting list place has been the best Fujitsu supply BT’s ADSL hardware – and therefore fee is also levied. For more details, see page 97. QuickTime VR has been enhanced, enables full-screen, full-motion, HTTP-streamed audio in sync with most customers can get when they try to order”. software drivers for that hardware. BT has also had administration problems. Flash 4 support is built-in, and TV-quality streaming video at interactive animation files. MacCentral’s Brad Gibson says: “Regardless of BT’s domestic USB service offers downstream Macworld reader Andy Smith says: “The details of – in a major boost for third-party data rates as low as 200Kbps. Internet Pictures (www.ipix.com) carrier, installation takes weeks if not months, even rates of 512Kbps with a 50:1 contention ratio – the many people who signed up with OpenWorld were developers – the Component Douglas McIntyre, president announced that its QuickTime in the US, as third-party companies must use local downstream data-flow can sometimes be shared saved in a file on one of its Web servers (in April Download feature lets end-users and CEO of On2, said: “We are excited component supports the new phone equipment owned by major telcos.” between 50 users, making downloads slower than this year) with no encryption or security. According automatically add codecs and to begin this strategic relationship automatic update feature. The BT promises installation within two weeks, modem speeds. Ethernet-based business services to several journalists who had downloaded this other components from a secure with Apple. We will now be able to component allows users of any but Phil Worms, Iomart’s ADSL product manager, offer faster downstream speeds at up to 2Mbps. file, this was the second time they had made such Apple server. Several companies offer the QuickTime platform to our QuickTime-viewing application reports: “BT handles the installation, but has done BT charges from £39 per month for the a blunder.” MW

24 Macworld DECEMBER 2000 For the information as it happens visit Macworld Online Daily News (www.macworld.co.uk), updated throughout the day Macworld DECEMBER 2000 25 Macworld News Mobile ‘third wave’ follows DTP and Internet Macworld News Adobe’s publishing anywhere and anytime

irst came desktop publishing – its UK Web site (www.adobe.co.uk) devices, the executives said. Adobe and technology that revolutionized with case studies and extra Along with InScope, Adobe plans F the print business and earned community activities, explained to develop new Network Publishing Apple ‘close’ the Mac a loyal following among Liversidge. server products, including one that graphics pros. Then, in the 1990s, the Free content areas – many of dynamically generates Web graphics. Internet created a second publishing which will be available wordwide Asked if Adobe will add Mac OS X revolution as companies rushed to – will include forums, portfolios, support to its servers when the new launch their own Web sites. Now, in articles, online design critiques and OS ships next year, Chizen said that the view of Adobe, we’re poised for a access to paid design-related products the company would base any “third wave”, a new product category and services. platform decisions on user demand. that the company has dubbed Liversidge expects chargeable Warnock said that in general, porting “Network Publishing.” services – such as PDF creation – to Unix server software to OS X should Adobe CEO John Warnock and be available from Adobe in the UK be a “piece of cake” given the new company president Bruce Chizen “at some stage in the future”, when OS’s Unix underpinnings. Industry alliances dobe’s history has presented the initiative at San Jose’s “complex testing and tax issues” are Both Adobe and Macromedia have Adobe and Nokia said they will A long been intertwined Tech Museum of Innovation, sorted out. adopted Macromedia’s Flash and the develop a WML 1.1 authoring with Apple’s, beginning announcing: alliances with Nokia, Meanwhile, more computer users SVG format, but Macromedia clearly environment for GoLive 5. The

“With the adoption ANGEL DAVID ILLUSTRATION: with the its introduction RealNetworks and other vendors; have fast Internet connections, and Sticking with standards favours its own technology, while software will include a graphical of the PostScript a subscription-based online he said that cell phones in Japan of digital cameras Adobe will continue to support Adobe is the primary SVG champion. user interface that emulates a LaserWriter printer in collaboration service; and a will soon be capable of ADSL-speed industry standards, including “Both technologies may ultimately mobile phone. 1984. CEO John Warnock commitment to support standards access. And, “with the adoption and video, more Extensible Markup Language (XML), be important,” said Macromedia’s RealNetworks announced that it is an unabashed Mac that will allow seamless deployment of digital cameras, as well as the digital content is Portable Document Format (PDF), Burgess. “But SVG has a lot of hockey will incorporate Adobe’s SVG Viewer aficionado: His primary of content in print, video, online and adoption of digital video, more digital Scalable Vector Graphics (SVG), to be played yet.” He said that SVG into RealPlayer. In addition, Adobe office machine is a G4 on wireless devices. Adobe defined content is being created today than being created today Synchronized Multimedia Integrated currently has only limited animation plans to offer a SMIL extension for Cube with a 15-inch Network Publishing as “visually ever,” Chizen said. than ever” Language (SMIL), Wireless Markup capabilities and also pointed to the GoLive that will be available for Studio Display. At home, rich, personalized content available Adobe plans to gradually roll out Language (WML) for handheld devices hefty 3.5MB browser plug-in needed download by the end of the year. he uses a Power Mac G4 anytime, anywhere, on any device,” Network Publishing technologies in – Bruce Chizen, that use the Wireless Access Protocol to view SVG online. RealSystem makes extensive use of and Cinema Display, six including Web-enabled mobile new and existing products, foreseeing Adobe president (WAP), and Compact HyperText Macromedia does plan to follow SMIL, a layout standard for streaming printers, two scanners phones. a potential $12 billion market by Markup Language for i-mode devices. Adobe’s lead in supporting the media. Adobe also plans to provide and six digital cameras. In Adobe’s vision, customers will 2004. Including vendors that don’t Eventually, Adobe applications WebDAV protocol for submitting jobs RealVideo and RealAudio export Adobe and Apple “work use its products to cost-effectively compete with Adobe, the total market Jim Stephens, Adobe’s senior will use XML to produce graphics that to production servers. “WebDAV is functions in the next version of its very closely together”, he produce content for print, video, for Network Publishing will be about vice president for e-business, said the incorporate metadata describing their great because it’s a standard,” Burgess Premiere video-editing software – said, adding that Adobe Web browsers and wireless devices. $64 billion in four years, Chizen said. latter is essentially an online version content. This is necessary in order to said. Adobe uses WebDAV as a key which is rumoured for announcement president Chizen “gets “Publishing now is more than Rob Burgess, CEO of Adobe’s bitter of the company’s InScope workgroup enable the flexible exchange and dis- element in its InScope workflow this month. MW along famously with Steve publishing for print, and more than rival Macromedia, says he shares software (code-named Stilton), which play of information on various management software. Stephen Beale Jobs. We’re very frank publishing for the Web,” Warnock Adobe’s vision of Network Publishing. provides facilities for uploading and with one another”. The said. “It’s a content aggregation He noted that Macromedia has downloading files as well as tracking Mac accounts for 35 per and redeployment scheme that already been discussing many of the the status of each element in a cent of Adobe’s business. every organization has to have to same trends, such as the potential publishing project. InScope, Stephens Asked about Mac OS X get a handle on their communication for displaying rich media on Web- said, is targeted at large enterprises, Quark chief technology officer quits and its colourful Aqua problems.” enabled cell phones. whereas Work @ Adobe Studio will interface, he admitted to A video shown during the press “I think they’re extremely be geared toward smaller design im Gill – founder, chairman and chief Quark has a great deal of admiration and respect Quark continues a philosophical difference conference depicted a scenario where consistent with our vision,” Burgess workgroups of 10 to 50 people. T technology officer of Quark – has resigned. for Gill, and wishes him the very best in the future. to dominate the with Apple’s designers. a businessman receives news of a said. “We’ve both got millions of Adobe applications will have the He plans to dedicate his time and money to “Gill expects Quark to move forward with its page-layout software “In Photoshop, we never corporate merger on a cell phone and customers telling us the same thing. ability to directly upload files to the philanthropic pursuits – focusing on the Gill next generation of products.” market. Quark’s put colour icons on the prints the article at a Web-enabled It’s quite clear that this is what the system. Several of the company’s Foundation, which funds gay and lesbian groups, annual revenue is screen,” he said. “We Adobe imaging kiosk. Chizen marketplace wants.” programs can already upload files to the arts, and public broadcasting. Gill has already Desktop brains estimated at $500 don’t want the interface described another scenario where “There’s a whole lot of technology InScope using the WebDAV protocol. contributed $165 million to the fund. Asked about Gill’s departure from arch rival Quark, million. The privately to fight with what you do an ISP, knowing your preference that needs to be built over the next The service is slated to launch in Quark’s European marketing manager, Adobe CEO John Warnock observed that: “Tim held company employs over 700 people in nine in the machine.” Similar for Italian food, delivers information five to six years,” he said. “Very little the first quarter of 2001 – in the US Gavin Drake, said: “Tim Gill is no longer an owner was the technical brains of the place” and admitted countries. criticisms from designers about local Italian restaurants to your of the technology to develop, manage and Canada only – at a cost of $39.95 or chairman of Quark; and is no longer involved that QuarkXPress “blew PageMaker away”. Spokesman Glen Turpin said that Quark will led Apple to add a muted PDA, which includes a GPS receiver and deploy that content exists today.” per month per user, with discounts in running the company.” However, Warnock contended that Quark’s probably not name a direct replacement for Gill. Graphite colour theme. that tracks your location. available for teams. Until now, ownership of the company has been software is “aged, past its time.” Adobe, of course, Kamar Aulakh, vice president of technology, Even with Apple’s Chizen pointed to several trends What’s involved The paid-up services will be split between Gill and Quark’s CEO, Fred Ebrahimi. is promoting its InDesign page-layout software, will take on Gill’s software development Carbon technology, which driving the initiative. “Wireless will be The Network Publishing initiative available worldwide after thorough It is believed that Ebrahimi has purchased Gill’s 50 which uses a new code base, but it has yet to make responsibilities; and Jurgen Kurtz, director of simplifies the process of pervasive,” he said, noting that Nokia has several components: Adobe will testing of the North American model, per cent, becoming outright owner of the company. a serious dent in Quark’s dominant market position. product management, will assume a higher-profile moving Mac apps to OS X, expects to sell about 300 million launch a Web site called Adobe Studio explains Adobe UK marketing director Gill had been gradually stepping back from Armed with a $2,000 loan, Gill launched Quark role as a company spokesman, Turpin said. “native OS X is a lot of Web-enabled cell phones next year. that includes free design-related con- Ricky Liversidge. the day-to-day business of the company, and in 1981. He developed DTP page-layout application Quark is readying version 5 of XPress work”, Warnock said. “That’s more than the number of PCs tent and a subscription-based collab- While the adobe.com Web site his resignation has confirmed months of industry QuarkXPress. Ebrahimi joined in 1986 with (expected early next year), and is preparing to “They’re huge programs.” connected today,” he said. “And Nokia oration service called Work @ Adobe will remain as an information library, speculation. Drake said: “He ceased to act as chief a $100,000 investment to take over business- release QuarkWrapture, a new package design is just one vendor.” Studio. the company will continue to develop technology officer several months ago. Everyone in management responsibilities. program (see page 119). MW

26 Macworld DECEMBER 2000 For the information as it happens visit Macworld Online Daily News (www.macworld.co.uk), updated throughout the day Macworld DECEMBER 2000 27 Macworld News Chip giant unveils final version of its G4 microprocessor Motorola shoots for moon on Apollo

otorola gave the chip its 20 per cent performance increase, 256K L2 cache and a 256K data path industry a sneak peek at thanks to its use of Silicon-On- between the two. It also supports an M Apollo – its fourth and final Insulator (SOI) technology. Bearden off-chip Level 3 cache of up to 2MB, version of the G4 microprocessor – suggested this could push Apollo with a 5.3GB transfer rate. Its power at October’s Microprocessor Forum. beyond the 1GHz mark. consumption will be less than 23W Apollo promises to hit speeds He claimed the SOI performance at 1GHz, and Motorola boasts that of up to 1GHz, but is not yet in boost is possible without pipeline the chip can trade frequency for production. Motorola’s senior changes, or shrinkage of the energy conservation – meaning it technician, David Bearden, guided lithography. Motorola stressed will use less than 10W at 666MHz. Forum-goers through the inner that SOI technology does not require Clark added: “Theoretically, it’s workings of the new design, which new manufacturing equipment. possible to have software-based is based on the same architecture Neither Apollo nor V’Ger have on-board controls that set a as Motorola’s V’Ger – the 700MHz reached full-scale production, computer’s speed to 666MHz for third-generation G4 microprocessor but Motorola European marketing optimum speed versus power announced at last year’s Forum. communications chief Paul Clark said: consumption. The real breakthrough on Apollo is “It’s safe to say that both V’Ger and “We’re trying to deliver a chip that Apollo will ship in 2001.” can meet the needs of a wide number of customers.” Compatibility The company recently announced Like today’s PowerPC G4 chips, Apollo that it is shipping the 7410 processor will support AltiVec/Velocity Engine – its second-generation G4 family. instruction-sets and is compatible This runs at about 5W and returns with G3 and G4 chips. speeds up to 550MHz. Clark said: “Apollo is designed to Clark said: “We expect this chip be flexible; it can run at lower speeds to be used in desktop computers, for lower power consumption. We and for high-end use, such as in wanted the microprocessor to be of radar installations.” use in both the embedded systems Industry watchers believe Apple and computer markets. will take advantage of the new “Our customers need that kind generation of G4. Apple’s PR manager, of flexibility.” David Millar would not comment on Apollo makes use of Motorola’s unreleased products.” now-perfected 0.18-micron copper Motorola’s 7410 chip can return manufacturing process, offers 36-bit speeds up to 550MHz, with an ultra- memory addressing, and supports cool power consumption of only 5W. up to 64GB of physically addressable For Apple’s recent speed-hike memory. Other features include on- promises, see page 20. MW chip 32K instruction and L1 cache, a Jonny Evans

Interplay hit-games make a play for the Mac

n an exciting deal for Starfleet Command is titles like Giants and the iMac being the I Mac gamers, PC gaming Volume II: Empires at Sacrifice. These will be in most compelling home giant Interplay has granted War all of which will high demand among those entertainment appliance, United Developers exclusive be released in 2001. who ‘Think Different’.” everything is primed for worldwide licensing rights Baldur’s Gate II is one Jason Whong, PR MacPlay to become the Game on for Mac to its MacPlay trademark of the top-selling titles for Director of MacPlay said: industry leader.” Top PC titles such as Icewind and MacPlay.com domain the PC platform, the other “Macintosh gamers will Apple’s vice president Dale (above) and Baldur’s Gate name. United Developers titles range from role- have a lot to look forward of worldwide developer (below) will ship to the Mac. will now trade as MacPlay. playing games and space to in 2001.” relations Clent Richardson MacPlay now has the combat simulations to Founded in the early said: “MacPlay’s rights to publish Mac ports magic and mystery dramas. 1990s, MacPlay was the commitment to Mac OS X of Interplay’s PC titles, Ron Dimant, MacPlay’s Mac division of Interplay. will provide our customers including Icewind Dale, leader and CEO of Ritual United Developers have with the best gaming Baldur’s Gate II: Shadows Entertainment, said: “This taken the name to leverage experience any platform of Amn, Giants: Citizen is only the beginning. The the identity built for it at the has to offer.” MW Kabuto, Sacrifice and first part of our 2001 line-up time. Dimant said: “With Dominique Fidele

28 Macworld DECEMBER 2000 For the information as it happens visit Macworld Online Daily News (www.macworld.co.uk), updated throughout the day Macworld News Macs to take centre stage at top UK education show Apple education drive a safe BETT

pple will use the UK centred learning such as iMovie helps Exhibitors will include Sherston technology-in-education show, kids to prepare for the next economy.” software, which will showcase its A BETT, as a springboard for its Apple’s education drive has been range of maths software products new education marketing strategy endorsed by UK teachers. A typical for toddlers. Dialnet will debut for Europe. The event, to be held at view was voiced by London-based learnall.net, which allows teachers London’s Olympia from January 10-14, Web-design teacher Sav Kyriacou, and pupils to develop a personalized will be a showcase for Apple Learning who said: “I’m interested in what online database. Solutions. BETT exhibitors can offer but am Rickitt Educational Media (REM) Designed for teachers, ALS particularly interested in Apple. is launching a line of educational comprises Apple Learning Interchange I think its products are fantastic. software, including chemistry and (ALI), a Web-site resource; the Apple Apple used to be hot on education biology titles for secondary school Learning Series (ALS), an integrated and now is reaching that level again.” students. REM and Edutech are also suite of software applications and BETT is expanding its education and co-launching Literacy Maker and curriculum content; and Apple technology show for 2001. Numeracy Maker for the Department Learning Professional Development For Education and Employment. (ALPD), which offers Internet-based Innovative A yet-to-be-announced staff-development courses. BETT organizer Emap Education government minister will open Apple regional director (UK and promises that the show will be the BETT Seminar Programme on Ireland) Brendan O’Sullivan told more innovative than ever. New January 10. There will be 45 themed Macworld: “Our US colleagues have developments include the Future sessions held over the four days. spent a fortune on Apple Learning Skills area, which is devoted to There’s a 50 per cent discount Solutions, and it’s my vision to bring past, present and future automotive for tickets bought before December 1, that to the UK.” engineering. after which tickets are £23.50 per ALI has over 30,000 members and Another is Learning Futures, seminar and £11.75 for additional hosts QuickTime TV video-content, devoted to robotics, cybernetics and seminars. Tickets bought online are including field trips, technology virtual technologies. The event will £1 cheaper. demonstrations, and presentations also see technology students compete Last year, BETT attracted 360 by education experts. to build, design and race customized exhibitors and 22,120 visitors from ALS consists of four titles, Grand Prix entries in regional heats 65 countries. Attendees can including Secondary Web Publishing across the country. pre-register for tickets on 0870 7511 and Secondary Multimedia. O’Sullivan There will also be a Special Needs 458. Go to www.education-net.co.uk for more revealed that iMovie programmes will Village, showcasing solutions for information. MW also feature at BETT. He said: “Media- those with learning difficulties. Dominique Fidele

UK film giants take starring role in iMovie-making lessons K schoolkids recently worked Uwith world famous film- industry figures to make movies for the AppleMasters programme that was held on October 5. A total of 13 children were chosen from schools in the British Isles to produce their own two-minute movies. Under the guidance of actors Joseph Fiennes and John Hurt, and film director Ken Russell, the children shot footage on London streets using digital video cameras. The footage was then edited at London’s Royal College of Art using iMacs and Apple’s iMovie software. The collaborative efforts of pupils at Bedford High School and AppleMasters can be viewed at www.bedfordhighlife.co.uk/AppleMasters/ iMovie stars applemasters2.html. Actor John Hurt and director Ken Russell lend their filmmaking know-how to youngsters who are using iMovie to craft footage.

30 Macworld DECEMBER 2000 For the information as it happens visit Macworld Online Daily News (www.macworld.co.uk), updated throughout the day Macworld News Macworld News

40 per cent when using DDR RAM Key Lime iBooks now on general sale The Mac’s next memory now as opposed to PC133,” Siebert said. Not dead yet pple is now offering Key Lime iBooks through all Manufacturers are reluctant to A of its authorized resellers. This is a remarkable dismiss Rambus entirely. “We see turnaround from Apple’s stated desire to keep these DDR RAM is the low-hanging fruit and Rambus and DDR RAM co-existing for models away from its resellers and available only would be an inexpensive performance the time being,” said Echo Sarlya, a direct from itself. On the new iBooks’ launch at the Micron spokesperson. “The market is Paris-based Apple Expo Europe in September, Apple boost for Apple’s next systems segmenting, but SDRAM (PC100 and CEO Steve Jobs was booed when he announced that PC133) will still make up the majority the striking Key-Lime-coloured iBooks would be avail- PC100 RAM with the blue-&-white processors, such as the PowerPC, of the RAM market next year. Micron able from the online AppleStore only. G3, and continues implementing it more than a CISC processor, said Mike is working on Rambus products, but Now, Apple has relented and allowed its resellers to in all Power Mac G4s, PowerBooks, Siebert, strategic marketing manager none are currently in production.” offer the greener-than-green iBook. The company’s new and even iMacs, although for DRAM at memory vendor Micron. Samsung and Hyundai are optical Pro Mouse is also now available through the sometimes in different form Code written for RISC processors is also developing Rambus products. normal channels. Apple would not comment factors. With a 64-bit data- generally larger than CISC code, However, the top three RAM makers on dealer-rumours that its 500MHz Cube path running at 100MHz, increasing the possibility of cache privately complain about the difficulty – currently AppleStore-only – would PC100’s memory bandwidth misses. That’s one reason why of getting tolerable yields of RDRAM. soon go on general sale as well. works out to 800MB/second. PowerPC caches tend to be larger. Micron, Samsung and Hyundai are all The 366MHz iBook costs PC133 tops out at a theoretical Complicating the scenario is the working on DDR RAM products. £1,249; the 466MHz iBook max of 1.06GB/second. emerging development of DDR and Intel is supporting Rambus by Special Edition is priced at “DDR RAM is similar to existing Quad-Data Rate SRAM, the memory including it on some of its high-end £1,499 (both including VAT). Both of hen users consider Mac SDRAM,” said one hardware developer type used in high-speed caches. It’s motherboards. Rambus is also these models are available in Key Lime. performance, they tend who requested anonymity. “The unclear if these will be used with included in Sony’s new PlayStation 2. The standard iBook is also available in Indigo Office 2001 MW MW W to focus on the PowerPC chipsets are available and could easily PowerPC, since both Motorola and David Read blue; the SE in Graphite. free extras processor and prospects for be worked into the Mac’s UniNorth IBM have indicated that they are speedier G4 chips. But many other controller.” As for Rambus: “It would moving to on-die caches that run components affect system speed, make little sense to pay for a complex at the same speed as the CPU. IBM’s and one of these – memory – is proprietary memory design that has latest G3, the 750CX – used on the poised for advances that could not tested well and that Apple is new iBooks – has a 256K on-die lead to at least modestly improved unfamiliar with,” he said. “DDR RAM cache, but no support for further Corel promises CorelDraw 10, Bryce 5, Painter 7 performance in future generations is the low-hanging fruit and would cache. Motorola’s Apollo G4 design of Apple hardware. be an inexpensive performance boost features a 256K on-die cache and orel’s vice president of development and “One new filter is based on the Navier-Stokes Macs currently use stock PC100 for Apple’s next systems.” support for an off-chip L3 cache C marketing (creative products), Ian LeGrow, Fluid Dynamic differential equation. This models RAM, but high-end PCs are employing (see “Motorola shoots for moon has announced Corel’s plans and launch dates the flow of liquids, and filters based on the a new memory called PC133 that Modest gains? on Apollo”, page 28). for the development of its Mac products. equation can take an image and reproduce the increases bandwidth from 100MHz to Although faster RAM provides speed LeGrow oversees the development of effect of its being reflected in rippling, disturbed 133MHz. In addition, some high-end benefits, they are not necessarily as DDR benefits CorelDraw, PhotoPaint, Corel Rave, Kai’s Power water. We have several filters based on this models from Dell and other PC makers dramatic as the specs would suggest. DDR RAM, which began development Tools (KPT), Bryce, Painter, and KnockOut. equation that are nearing completion.” icrosoft has use Rambus RAM (RDRAM), a new Because the CPU generally runs much in 1996, works almost exactly like He told Macworld: “We are committed to our Other applications are also under development, Mreleased three proprietary memory from Rambus faster than memory, hardware existing PC100 or PC133 DRAM, the Mac products. We’ve already released a Bryce 4.1 he revealed. “We have already begun working on special downloads for that’s up to 60 per cent faster than designers use an L2 cache, a small difference being that it’s double update, and will be releasing a Painter 6.1 Public Painter 7.0, and the product is scheduled to ship its recently released PC133. Slated to appear at year’s end (256KB to 1MB) block of memory, to clocked. Because it can move twice Beta in November, with the final update available in late spring or early summer 2001. Bryce 5.0 will Mac Office 2001 suite of is Double Data Rate RAM (DDR RAM), store frequently used data. The cache the data per clock cycle on the same by the end of the year.” be released at the same time as part of our push business applications. which will at least double PC100 runs on its own bus at half the speed 64-bit datapath, it effectively doubles On Corel’s acquisition of Mac products, on Mac creative products.” Microsoft Entourage bandwidth. of the CPU, much faster than the bandwidth. Unfortunately, DDR is not he said: “The story begins in August 1999, Bryce to see you Corel is aiming to release the Mac version of Value-Add Scripts, ATI’s Radeon graphics controller, main memory bus. A good caching backward-compatible with existing with Corel’s acquisition of Knockout. We had Corel has already shown Macworld that work is well CorelDraw 10 in March or April 2001, LeGrow said. Microsoft Remove Office available for the Mac, already uses scheme usually results in 90 per cent PC100 or PC133 RAM. decided to make a strong push into the Macintosh underway to ensure its creative products run on Mac OS X. Underlining the importance in which Corel holds Tools, and Microsoft DDR memory. It’s especially suitable of CPU data requests being cache hits Currently, there are two varieties space, so we chose to acquire some best-of-breed Here we see the Bryce landscape generator on the new OS. the Mac platform, LeGrow promised that “after Office QuickView are for use in graphics cards because – data is in the cache and is served of DDR RAM: PC1600 and PC2100, products. In December last year we got a call the release of CorelDraw 10, all our Mac and PC available free at manufacturers can reduce the up quickly – with the remainder the numbers indicating the memory from MetaCreations, and worked with them to versions will be released simultaneously on both www.microsoft.com/mac. number of memory chips and get being misses – the data needs to bandwidth: The PC1600 runs at organize the acquisition of Painter, Bryce, and it is platform-independent. Apple’s developer platforms”. QuickView enhances the same bandwidth, said Mueez be retrieved from main memory. 100MHz while PC2100 runs at KPT. So now we have a line of products widely support has been excellent.” LeGrow gave the biggest hint yet that Corel is speed of use. The Deen, director of DRAM and graphics PowerPC chips usually have larger 133MHz. Siebert said that developers recognized by Macintosh creatives.” LeGrow added that developer support for putting the Microsoft millions to work, but spared Entourage scripts make memory marketing at Samsung. caches than their PC brethren to are trying to get it to 200MHz, Industry observers have cast doubt on the preparing applications for Mac OS X was currently the details: “We do have something really exciting repetitive tasks go faster. “Fewer I/O pins and less board space minimize performance hits, and and that it’s likely go even faster future of Corel’s creative product-range, in the light Apple’s main project. Hinting at a likely release on the imaging side that will be released in spring.” And the Remove Office can be cheaper, and create fewer FCC in both environments, the benefits in the near future. of the company’s dire financial straits over the past date for Mac OS X, LeGrow said: “We’re aiming LeGrow also discussed CorelRave, part of the Tools uninstalls Office 98 interference issues.” of faster RAM are generally small. Currently, DDR carries a 20 per year. Now, with a $135 million cash injection from to release Bryce for Mac OS X in March.” CorelDraw 10 suite. Corel has designed Rave for and 2001 components As Apple doesn’t discuss future Using PC133 to increase memory cent price premium over PC133 Microsoft, its future appears more secure. LeGrow also discussed work in progress on the creating images for the Web, similar to and system preferences. products, it’s unclear which memory performance in a Mac would produce SDRAM. But Siebert believes that Mac OS X is looming, and Corel is engaged essential KPT range. “We are working on several Macromedia Flash. “People use our product Mac Office 2001 system will appear on the upcoming an actual performance gain of only prices will come into parity over time. in prepping applications for it. “We are working new filters, which will be made available for paid to create images, adding behaviours in Flash. costs £410 (ex. VAT), Unified Motherboard Architecture-2 four per cent. But doubling memory In its favour, DDR requires 2.5v as on CorelDraw 10 for Mac OS X,” he told Macworld. download over the Internet. We’re developing a We think it offers a much better set of drawing or £209 to upgrade (UMA-2). However, DDR would appear bandwidth with DDR would lead to compared to regular DRAM’s 3.3v “We already have Bryce working on the OS. new business model built on Internet distribution.” tools than Flash. It does about 50 per cent of from Office 98. MW to be the logical choice. more-significant performance gains. specification. “Manufacturers are We have had very few problems Carbonizing The new filters are promised as packaged what Flash does, but does that 50 per cent better.”

ILLUSTRATION: JAMES WALKER ILLUSTRATION: Apple began using off-the-shelf Faster RAM could help RISC reporting power savings of about applications for Mac OS X, as 80 per cent of products later this year, LeGrow said. Jonny Evans MW

32 Macworld DECEMBER 2000 For the information as it happens visit Macworld Online Daily News (www.macworld.co.uk), updated throughout the day Macworld DECEMBER 2000 33 Macworld News Market-share key target for Apple’s Euro chiefs

New Apple UK chief on sales crusade

teve Jobs remains optimistic situation is about Apple’s future sales. The “disappointing”. S company’s current customer “Where we really base numbers 20-23 million, and fall down is at Apple has sold about 13 million Macs that point where since Jobs’ return as Apple CEO in we touch the September 1997: “That leaves about customer,” nine million Macs out there that are he told Macworld. old and ready to upgrade,” he said. “We do not feel as if we have Friendly saturated the market.” The “old, ugly sales Thomas Lot, general manager environment” will of Apple France, echoed Jobs’ be replaced by “one statements: “Of every 100 iMacs in the sharp, crisp sold, 46 are bought by people who image of Apple”. did not have a computer previously. “It will create “The sharp, If 23 per cent of homes have a a non-threatening crisp Apple computer, there are 77 that don’t. atmosphere We regard ourselves as a start-up. for new users,” image will We have room to grow.” Rogers explained. create a non- In order to boost sales, Apple has The UK boss revealed that the 50 per cent increase in sales reorganized its European distribution new sales environment will feature Apple has now created teams threatening systems. The company is focusing on the top 50-selling Mac software titles. to advise retailers on point-of-sales the consumer and education, while This active push will, for now, be displays, in a bid to deliver an atmosphere continuing its successful work in the focused on outlets that sell Macs. improved customer experience. for new users” creative markets. The strategy means Rogers promised that, once that The company has developed retail a more active high-street presence, has been achieved, Apple will try training courses and is implementing – Mark Rogers, with point-of-sale displays designed the same in software-only stores. a reward scheme. Apple wants Apple regional to emphasize Apple’s focus on Rogers worked recently in Apple’s UK sales forces to be educated usability and design, and with Mac- Asia-Pacific region. His policy of and motivated about its products. director (UK compatible software at the forefront. improving stores in Singapore worked “Reaching a double-digit market and Ireland) Recently appointed Apple regional wonders, he claims. Improved Mac share is obviously an objective for director (UK and Ireland), Mark Rogers hardware stores saw a four-to-five- Apple.” MW confessed that the current sales fold increase in visitors, as well as a Jonny Evans Napster in Mac MP3 music move apster, the controversial MP3 to search for, find, and post MP3s. N file-swapping software that, The software lets users chat online, until now, was only available on view each other’s collections and Windows, is coming to the Mac. share titles, and now boasts over 30 Napster has posted a public beta million users. Napster incurred the (1.01b) of its peer-to-peer music wrath of the five recording industry file-sharing software for free giants – Universal, EMI, Sony, As we went to press, Napster the online world, though the download from www.napster.com. Warners and BMG – and of the announced its new relationship recording industry continues It is based on Macster, a Napster- Recording Industry Association of with one of the big five music to claim that Napster infringes compatible Mac-client that Napster America (RIAA). The RIAA took legal firms, Bertelsmann (BMG). BMG on its copyrights. acquired from Blackhole Media. action on behalf of the five and Napster have developed a The Napster for Mac beta will Shawn Fanning, 19, created companies. An injunction – the membership-based service that also run under the Mac OS X Public Napster last year. Originally he effects of which would close the will provide file-sharing capabilities, Beta, but is unsupported. A note intended the software as a solution company down – is still outstanding. while providing payments to the reads: “You will be running Napster rightsholders. under Mac OS X at your own risk. In addition, BMG is preparing to Support is planned for Mac OS X, withdraw its lawsuit against Napster once we have the development tools. – and has offered the company “We hope this is resolved financial aid. quickly, and look forward to taking In its way, Napster has hastened advantage of this great OS.” MW the music businesses’ entrance into Jonny Evans

34 Macworld DECEMBER 2000 For the information as it happens visit Macworld Online Daily News (www.macworld.co.uk), updated throughout the day Macworld News Business news for the Macintosh world Sales the Holy Grail for Apple

pple’s market capitalization took a hammering when it issued a profit warning prior to announcing A its year-end, fourth-quarter (Q4) results on October 18. Its store price fell from $53.50 to $25.75 in one day’s trading (see Macworld, November, Page 32). Apple stock was worth $22.31 as we went to press. Macworld spoke with outgoing Apple UK MD Brendan IMAGE COURTESY OF DIGITAL IMAGE VISION COURTESY OF DIGITAL O’Sullivan – and his successor, Mark Rogers – about the Apple share-price situation. O’Sullivan said: “We’ve enjoyed 40 per cent growth as a company across the world. We shifted 1.122 million Macs in Q4, and we’re far outperforming the market.” consumer market, is first in education, and seventh in Apple’s European sales have also grown year-on-year. worldwide vendor ratings. Compaq, Hewlett Packard, NEC, O’Sullivan revealed that a total of 4.558 million Apple Gateway and Fujitsu are ahead of Apple in the consumer machines shipped in Y2K; 224,000 of these in Q4, space. The consumer market accounted for 30 per cent Breakdown of compared to the 1999 Q4 figure of 102,000. of Apple’s worldwide revenues in 2000, reflecting the Apple’s Q4 2000 A recent report by International Data Corporation (IDC) increased importance of consumers to Apple two-and-a- into Western Europe marketshare during the Q2 2000 half years after the release of the revolutionary iMac. showed Apple with a 3.5 per cent share. Rogers added: “We’ve been the technological leader for Unit sales by territory “We hold 5 per cent of the western Europe consumer 20 years and now have an increased focus on consumer- Americas: 688,000 market in Q4,” revealed O’Sullivan. “Our strongest area is level machines. For some time we had no product for the Europe, Middle East, France, where we have 7 per cent of the market.” consumer space. We’re currently focused on where we sell Africa (EMEA): 224,000 Mark Rogers, Apple’s new regional director (UK and the hardware, and software visibility is crucial.” Japan: 156,000 Ireland) told Macworld: “We have absolutely the right To regain investor confidence, Apple knows it must Asia Pacific: 54,000 products. We’ve bought technology to market that no one maintain its technological advantage – hence its $380 else has today: iMovie, desktop video, and the affordable, million investment in research and development in 2000 Area revenue ($m) entry-level £649 iMac.” and $314 million in 1999. The company is also aware that Americas: 1,099 IDC’s figures show that Apple is at number six in the sales have to increase in the consumer sector. EMEA: 369 O’Sullivan said: “We must enhance our sales in the Japan: 281 consumer and education sector, and continue to develop Asia Pacific: 86 our lead in the creative markets. We believe that Apple Mandich retires, will do better by focusing its efforts on key areas, rather Product sales (units) than trying to grow sales in all sectors." MW iMac: 571,000 as Vedoe rises Jonny Evans iBook: 89,000 G4 Cube: 107,000 ctober saw two key high-level changes at Apple, Power Mac G4: 269,000 O with senior vice president of worldwide sales, PowerBook: 86,000 Mitch Mandich, resigning and Cheryl Vedoe becoming Business briefs vice president (VP) of education marketing and solutions. Apple hard-drive suppliers Maxtor and Quantum are Product revenue ($m) Previously VP of Apple’s education division, Vedoe merging their hard-drive businesses, creating a new Maxtor iMac: 593 will report directly to Apple CEO Steve Jobs . Jobs said: that will be the world’s largest supplier of hard drives. iBook: 121 “The education market is a top priority for Apple, Lexmark returned $927 million revenues in its third G4 Cube: 165 and we intend to regain market share in 2001. With her financial quarter 2000 – and announced it is to cut 900 jobs in Power Mac G4: 527 extensive experience in education and technology, Kentucky, relocating its laser printer manufacturing operations PowerBook: 198 Cheryl is a strong addition to Apple’s education team.” to Mexico and China, saving $100 million by 2002. Software & peripherals: 266 Mandich (pictured left), MetaCreations’ sole-surviving subsidiary, Metastream, is Total Q4 revenues: 1,870 is to retire at the end of renaming itself Viewpoint. MetaCreations is to be collapsed (Total Q4 revenues for December. Tim Cook, Apple’s and merged into the new company, subject to shareholder 1999 were 1,336) senior vice president of approval. operations, will assume Universal Music is to trial a subscription-based digital- Mandich’s responsibilities music download service. EMI and Sony are trialing similar until a replacement is found. services. Universal’s tracks will be offered in Real Networks Jobs said: “Mitch has proprietary format via third-party online retailers. been a key member of IBM is investing $5 billion in its semiconductor division, Apple’s senior management team during the past three including a $2.5 billion investment in building the world’s years, and has led our sales efforts with vigour and most advanced chip-making factory in New York. integrity. We will miss him.” Motorola announced net earnings in the last nine months Matt Sargent, an analyst with ARS, told MacCentral: of $1,561 million, up from $814 million for year-ago period. “Whoever takes over from Mandich has got to figure Apple subsidiary, FileMaker, returned $111 million profit in out how they’re ever going to get beyond the long-term fiscal year 2000. Revenues climbed 29 per cent over 1999. niche market status that has kept Apple afloat.” MW Seven million UK households – or 28 per cent – are connected to the Internet, says telecoms regulator Oftel.

36 Macworld DECEMBER 2000 For the information as it happens visit Macworld Online Daily News (www.macworld.co.uk), updated throughout the day See ‘Macworld’ – inside ‘Serious Software’ – on this month’s cover CD Product News

Video gap bridged ARC has launched its Mac Video-CD player Handspring application, MacVCD, which will play Video CDs through a conventional CD-ROM drive. It supports large screens and multiple video-CDs. To play movies the application colours Visor must be launched before the VCD is inserted into the CD-ROM andspring has launched the Visor Prism and Visor Platinum drive. Registration costs $10. A handhelds. The Visor Prism is Handspring’s first colour personal limited trial version is included H digital assistant (PDA). It will have a 16-bit – 65,536 colours – on Macworld’s cover CD. colour display on an active matrix LCD. A Motorola 33MHz processor, and ARC Company, www.arccom.bc.ca/MacVCD 8MB RAM come as standard. The Prism will run on a Lithium-ion rechargeable battery, which will Pikachu printing provide two weeks of “normal” use per charge. Handspring claims the Prism Hewlett-Packard is giving away is the fastest Palm OS-based handheld on the market, being at least 50 per a free Pokemon Project Studio CD cent faster than the Visor Deluxe. with every DJ840C ink-jet printer. The Visor Platinum also features the faster Motorola processor, but The Pokemon software contains has an 8-bit greyscale display. The handhelds both boast Handspring’s 250 projects and over Springboard expansion slot. The Prism is available in cobalt blue, and Colour match 600 graphics, the Visor Platinum in metallic silver. Handsping’s latest Visor is the including greetings Both units are available from Handspring’s Web site (www.handspring.com/uk), first by the company to feature cards, invitations and they will be available on the high street this month. The Visor Prism costs £340; a colour screen, so users can calendars. The printer the Visor Platinum £212. take full advantage of the costs £84. Also announced recently from third-party developers are Springboard Eyemodule digital-camera Hewlett-Packard, 0870 606 4747 modules designed to take advantage the Prism’s colour, including a GPS module expansion pack (see from GeoDiscovery, an MP3 player from Good Technology, and a colour game-pack Reviews,October 2000). Cube adapts to PDAs from Pocket Express. Griffin Technologies is shipping Handspring, 020 7309 0134 the CubePort universal serial port- adaptor for the G4 Cube. It uses the modem port to provide board- level compatibility and supports personal digital-assistants (PDAs), Canon’s camera capture modems, digital cameras, MIDI and lab equipment, and serial Canon has launched the £799 PowerShot G1 digital-camera. printers. It costs £49. The 3.34-megapixel camera has 12 shooting modes including Alta Technology, 0207 622 6606 Program, Shutter priority, and Aperture priority. It comes with a full manual. King of the blues The camera is USB-friendly, so images can be downloaded eMedia has released Blues to any USB-equipped Mac. The camera’s functions include auto Guitar Legends CD-ROM. It exposure, adjustable shutter-speed controls and white-balance. guides guitarists through the Its lithium-ion battery will take up to 800 shots. rudiments of blues guitar, Canon has developed a range of accessories for the G1, with lessons drawn from original including a 1.5x tele-converter and 0.8x wide-angle converter to recordings by enhance the lens’ abilities. blues guitar Canon, 01892 837 619 legends, such as BB King. There will be a demo of the software PowerBook joins expansion big league on the January Macworld CD. The full version costs £16. Mobility Electronics is shipping the EasiExpansion T35 PowerBook PCI expansion eMedia is also running a tower. It has five drive-bays – three PCI-expansion slots and two USB ports – competition: buy any of its and doubles-up as a docking station, enabling a PowerBook to connect to a monitor software from Guildsoft, send and keyboard. the registration card back, and The £481 device uses Mobility Electronics’ Split Bridge technology – which is over one user will win a US Fender 100 times faster than USB, according to the company. It claims the product is Stratocaster worth £770. compatible with all FireWire-enabled PowerBooks. Guildsoft, 01752 895 100 Mobility Electronics, 0800 085 0064 continues page 41

For the information as it happens visit Macworld Online Daily News (www.macworld.co.uk), updated throughout the day (All prices exclude VAT) Macworld DECEMBER 2000 39 Product News

Business charts Imagesource’s mega-bite Adrenaline Software Imagesource has released Grande 1, has upgraded its its autumn collection of royalty-free chart-creation images. The CD contains images taken application, Adrenaline from across the Imagesource range, Charts Pro, to version 1.5. letting designers choose the CD The app now offers a QuickTime- collections or images they want. based animation engine, and Individual CD collections, taken from detailed effect and transition Grande 1, cost £299, with individual controls. It outputs to multiple images starting from £29. Imagesource formats, including PICT, TIFF images can also be viewed online and Photoshop EPS. It costs (www.imagesource.com). £276. Upgrades cost £105. Imagesource, 0800 0373 928 Ad Hoc, 00 33 1 47 06 05 05

Pixel perfect Toshiba is launching its megapixel PDR-M60 digital camera. The £399 camera features a Microsoft tracks 2.3x optical and 2x digital zoom, five-mode flash, multi-shot mode optical mouse and USB connectivity. It boots-up in two seconds, and has a USB connection. icrosoft has released the Trackball Optical and WheelMouse Toshiba, 01932 828 828 Optical, both ergonomically designed for comfort, precision M and control, according to the company. LG puts spin on LCDs The WheelMouse Optical (right) and Trackball Optical both use LG Electronics is launching its IntelliEye technology, which replaces traditional gears and pins with an 15.1-inch FL577LH optical sensor that tracks movement at a scan Flatron LCD monitor, rate of 2,000 times per second. Microsoft which has a rotating claims the IntelliEye won’t wear out over time. screen. Users can The £29 Trackball Optical (left) has five customizable- work on documents buttons and a scrolling wheel. Each button can perform without scrolling up common tasks, such as moving forwards or backwards in Wheel improvement and down, or a Web browser. Microsoft's WheelMouse (above) splitting the screen. The £21 WheelMouse Optical is compact, and will suit either means an end to cleaning dirty Software supplied left- or right-handed users. It features two “old style” mouse buttons mouseball sockets. The Trackball with the monitor automatically and a mouse wheel for navigational tasks – such as scrolling and Optical (left) uses the company’s rotates the screen image. The zooming. IntelliEye technology to sense £595 monitor has a contrast ratio Microsoft, 0345 002 000 the ball’s movement. of 200:1 and 16.7 million colours. The monitor offers a 120-degree viewing angle. LG Electronics, 0870 607 5544 Epson’s laser family Sony’s printer to dye for Sony has launched a £2,557 Epson has launched the AcuLaser C8500 family as standard. Four models are available, SCSI A5 printer that boasts a of full-bleed A3 colour laser-printers. They can including the £3,319 Standard 30-second print time. The UP-D50 print at up to 6ppm in colour, or 26ppm in mono. AcuLaser C8500, which comes with dye-sublimation printer delivers The printer family is capable of resolutions up to 64MB RAM and a 400-sheet paper A5 images with over 16.7 million 9,600-x-600dpi. tray. colours. The £107 UPC-540 is a They will also automatically alter line The AcuLaser C8500PS offers all the self-laminating colour-printing screening and colour correction on each page, standard functions, with 256MB RAM pack that ships with the printer. according to the company. The printers can and Adobe PostScript 3. It costs £3,999. It’s available in matt, glossy and handle a variety of paper sizes, from B5 up to The £5,149 AcuLaser C8500DT offers 192MB textured finishes and has a true A3 with full bleed and crop marks. The RAM, two additional 500-sheet paper trays, a Laser targeting 40-second print time. The printer AcuLaser C8500 range can also handle paper duplex unit and a hard-disk drive. Epson’s AcuLaser C8500 family has a resolution of 1,480-x-2,048. thicknesses of up to 220gsm. The networkable The AcuLaser C8500 PSDT has PostScript 3, of laser printers is aimed at Sony, 01932 816 340 (10/100BaseT ethernet) units contain a 266MHz two paper trays, duplex unit, 384MB RAM and a networked businesses. The controller processor, and can carry up to 768MB hard-disk drive. It costs £5,849. printers come with up to on-board memory. A 400-sheet paper tray comes Epson, 0800 220 546 768MB of memory. continues page 43

For the information as it happens visit Macworld Online Daily News (www.macworld.co.uk), updated throughout the day (All prices exclude VAT) Macworld DECEMBER 2000 41 Product News

Eizo’s touch CDs & Books Web-design guide Dreamweaver 3 Studio Factory describes the basic functions of class of Dreamweaver 3, such as izo has released the FlexScan L350P – a 15-inch touch-screen creating Web LCD monitor. The monitor combines Eizo’s display technology pages with text, E with a ClearTek 3000 analogue touch screen from MicroTouch. graphical images, The ClearTek 3000 is resistant to water, grease, dirt, corrosion framesets and and static, and the manufacturers claim the monitor is good for links, to more up to 150,000 touches. advanced The £1,109 FlexScan L350P has a resolution of 1,024-x-768 functions, including cascading pixels with a contrast ratio of 300:1. The scaling function style sheets. It cost £15. expands less-than-maximum resolutions to a full-screen display. Computer Bookshops, 01217 066 000 The picture can then be refined with an image-smoothing function. Softease teaching aid ClearTek 3000 includes CleanScreen, an antibacterial Softease is shipping the latest protectant, which is bonded to the touch-screen surface version of Textease Studio, a offering protection for the screen’s life. The FlexScan L350P has selection of Information and a detachable base and carries its power supply inside the panel. Communication Technology It also has a slot for a security cable. Touchy feely tools designed to simplify The L350P has two power-saving features – PowerManager and an Eizo’s touch-screen LCD comes teaching. Textease Studio off-timer function. PowerManager reduces power consumption during idle periods. with built-in power saving and comprises Textease 2000, Eizo, 01483 719 500 an antibacterial protectant. a word-processing and DTP package; Textease Primary, a desktop-publishing package with colourful icons; Textease spreadsheets, a numeracy Orange fires-up iBot tool; and Textease Database, used to store pictures and Available from Orange Micro, the iBot Designed as a webcam or a security numbers. Textease Studio FireWire Desktop Video Camera (right) camera, it’s suitable for teleconferencing, costs £149 for a single-user is among the first FireWire desktop video- or for making movies on a tight budget. It licence; multi-user licences cameras to hit the market. The FireWire comes in two versions – the MSRP Standard, cost £25 per additional user. connection allows the iBot to transfer pictures which costs £105 and has no microphone, Softease, 01335 343 421 up to 33 times faster than USB alternatives and the £129 MSRP Pro version, which and offers digital-camcorder quality according includes a microphone and additional software. Reading blast to Orange Micro. AM Micro, 01392 426 473 Blaster has released four titles. Reading Blaster Ages 7-9, 8-10, 9-11 and 9-12. All CD ‘photocopier’ set for January launch the CDs incorporate O’Dixion will release the DigiMatic DM50 and CDs in terms of both content and top-surface educational DM100, a series of automated CD photocopiers printing. The £4,131 DM100 adds the ability maths and – or cloners – next January. to clone both the data and the surface graphic reading The DigiMatic series can be accessed by from existing CDs. The DigiMatic is currently programmes. any computer on a local-area network (LAN). capable of 1,440dpi ink-jet printing. Each title costs £17. The £3,165 DM50 will produce customized The DigiMatic range will write at 16x speed, Havas Interactive, 01189 209 100 which means a 650MB CD can be copied in four minutes. Maths Wiz ships It has a 20GB drive, is built on a Pentium Wolfram Research has motherboard, and uses Sanyo’s CD-RW 16-x- released the £50 Calculus 10-x-32x for writing. Wiz, a software product for Computer Connection, 01423 704 700 first-year A-level students. Dynatek, 01256 400 000 Wolfram claims that 90 per cent of calculus homework Making an impression can be solved by the software. An artist mock-up of what the DigiMatic CD cloner will look like. It also comes with an It comes with an in-built Epson printer, two CD drives and has electronic-text book . “one-touch” controls for easy CD burning. It will ship next January. Wolfram 01993 883 400

continues page 44

For the information as it happens visit Macworld Online Daily News (www.macworld.co.uk), updated throughout the day (All prices exclude VAT) Macworld DECEMBER 2000 43 Product News

Modem on the move Digicom has released the Palladio USB GSM, an external modem NEC’s with a USB interface that can send and receive faxes, email and data using the GSM network. The modem is aimed at users who have no PCMCIA slots or serial ports on board – iBook monitor owners, for instance. It supports Behind the screen Mac OS 8.6 or later and selected The Diamond Pro S95F (below) GSM phones from Nokia, “cuts down glare” with an ultra- Ericsson, NEC and Siemens. flat screen. The MultiSync 1800 It costs £99. (right) has built-in colour AM Micro 01392 426 473. calibration. treble

Speaker boon EC-Mitsubishi has released three monitors – the Multi Sync TEAC has designed a set CRT S95F, the Diamond Pro CRT 2045u and the Multisync of speakers to complement N LCD 1800. The Multi Sync S95F is based on an ultra-flat 19- Power Macs and iMacs. The inch dot-mask tube. It has a usable screen area of 366-x-275 mm £35 PowerMax 300/iC and a resolution of 1,280-x-1,024 pixels with an 85Hz image refresh range of see- rate. The model’s dimensions are 442-x-453-x-455mm. It weighs through boxes 22Kg, and costs £249. are available in The Diamond Pro 2045u – a 22-inch CRT monitor – is aimed Blueberry, Graphite at professional designers. It offers a Diamondtron-NF (Natural and Tangerine. Controls are Flat) tube. The 2045u has a maximum resolution of 2,048-x-1536 front panel mounted. The pixels at a refresh rate of 75Hz, and a recommended resolution of speakers overall dimensions 1,600-x-1,200 pixels at a refresh rate of 95Hz. It costs £719. It also are 120-x-175-x-195 mm. offers two up- and three down-stream USB ports, and comes with Microwarehouse, 0800 181 332. a three year on-site warranty. The Multisync LCD 1800 is an 18.1-inch LCD display with a proprietary- Speak and be heard colour algorithm that offers both automatic colour-calibration and six-axes Plantronics has released four colour control. This means red, green, blue, yellow, magenta and cyan digitally-enhanced USB headsets colours may be set individually using an on-screen menu. for Macs, the DSP-100, 300, 400 The LCD 1800 is a wide-angle TFT display – offering both a vertical- and horizontal- and 500. They offer digital- viewing angle of up to 160 degrees and a maximum resolution of 1,280-x-1,024 pixels quality stereo and at 75Hz. It costs £1,699. microphone capabilities NEC-Mitsubishi, 0845 121 9200. to make sound clearer and speech more accurate, according to Vision thing the company. The £95 DSP-100 is designed for speech Toshiba has released the TLP-B2 recognition; the £110 DSP-300 LCD projector. The projector will Notable mini-studio is for audio functions and MP3 handle both XGA (Extendible playback. The £120 DSP-400 Graphics Array) and SXGA Tascam has released the US-428, its offers the same as the 300, but (Super Extended Graphics combination Portastudio and professional folds down for easy storage and Adaptor) display formats. recording device. The US-428 offers transport. The £140 DSP-500 is The projector has a brightness 24-bit digital-audio in and out, with a stereo gaming head-set. of 1,000 lumens. hands-on control of audio software, Plantronics, 0800 410 014 It’s compatible with Macs, using faders and controls for DVD players and VCRs, and mixing, recording and Read the script features digital keystone-correction sequencing. The current issue of MacScripter that compensates for the effect The £382 device links to the magazine reveals how of projecting to a flat surface computer using USB. It offers to select a file or folder at an angle. It also has a manual either two balanced mic/line XLRs, or two Sound studio with a cool dialogue zoom and focus controls, and offers balanced quarter-inch jack inputs. The inputs Tascam’s Portastudio is compatible with all major window. It offers two a 400:1 contrast ratio. The projector can support individual stereo- and mono-signal hard-disk recording and sequencing software, and useful scripts, and will costs £3,148. transfer, at either 16-bit or 24-bit resolution. has 24-bit digital-audio in and out. teach novice AppleScript users Toshiba, 01932 828 828 Two digital input/outputs are housed on the how to alter them. The magazine rear panel of the unit. hard-disk recording and sequencing packages, is free and on our CD. Up to four channels and a stereo bus can and comes with Steinberg’s Cubase VST Audio www.macscripter.net/magazine.html be mixed to the host computer using the USB Recording/Midi Sequencing software and connection. drivers. continues page 46 The US-428 is compatible with all the major Tascam, 01923 438 880

44 Macworld DECEMBER 2000 For the information as it happens visit Macworld Online Daily News (www.macworld.co.uk), updated throughout the day (All prices exclude VAT) Product News

Apple Updates Apple has simultaneously released Hansol debuts both the North-American and International-English versions of its Apple modem updater. The update makes the internal modem in the high-end CRTs PowerBook G3, iMac and Power Macintosh G3 and G4, more stable, as well ansol is increasing its share of the professional-monitor market, with the as accelerating data-throughput. launch of a 19-inch CRT monitor and a 17-inch flat-panel. The 700F is a US customers have also received H flat-panel monitor costing £1,399, is wall mountable, and has a built-in TV a PowerBook firmware update, tuner and integrated stereo-speakers. It offers a resolution of 1,280-x-1,024 pixels and an update to Mac OS Runtime at 75Hz, and has a viewable screen size of 17 inches, with a viewing angle of for Java (MRJ), among others. 160 degrees. It has dual VGA-inputs, and an S-VHS connector as standard. Apple has updated its Game It carries a three-year warranty, and is aimed at the professional design Sprockets to version 1.7.5. These and corporate market and the emerging software libraries drive game broadband home-entertainment sectors. and USB input devices, joysticks The 19-inch, flat-screen CRT 920D game pads and mice. The update costs £259, and uses a Samsung “Dynaflat” provides multiple-monitor cathode ray tube. This has a resolution performance boosts and delivers Pro options of 1,280-x-1,024 pixels at a refresh rate improvements for graphics- The 700F flat-panel monitor (above) of 85Hz. It can achieve a maximum resolution intensive games. Apple is wall-mountable and can be used of 1,600-x-1,200 pixels, also at a refresh rate of recommends its customers don’t as a TV. The 19-inch 920D (left) 85Hz. It has a dot-pitch of 0.25mm, and a install North-American-English OS may need an adaptor to work viewable screen of 18 inches. A £19 Apple system components on with certain Macs. monitor adaptor may be required for some International-English systems. Macs. Hansol is selling this monitor with a Apple has a policy of not three-year on-site warranty. granting third parties, such as Hansol, 01252 360 400 Macworld, the rights to carry Apple updates on cover CDs. For links on emerging updates, visit www.macworld.co.uk/updates. Third-party updates IBM speaks volumes Bryce 4.1 Courtesy of Corel, IBM is shipping a USB Microphone Edition of instead of a colour-coordinated jack-plug the update offers a its ViaVoice for Mac voice-recognition program. microphone, it comes with a colour-coordinated volumetric-shading The software remains the same as the standard USB microphone. This allows iBook owners, mode, which enables ViaVoice program (see Reviews, May 2000), but who do not have a jack-plug socket, to use the creation of ViaVoice. realistic-looking clouds The new USB edition – which requires and various gaseous forms. Mac OS 9.0.4 – costs £76; the standard FWB CD-ROM Mic check jack-plug version costs £59. Owners of the Toolkit 4.0.1b IBM’s USB microphone for standard edition can use a USB microphone, This CD-access enhancer, ViaVoice means road warriors but they must buy one separately and install essential for owners of Apple clone can make the most of speech- Mac OS 9.0.4. machines, adds support for new recognition software. IBM, 01475 555 047 drives, including devices from Hewlett-Packard and LaCie, and offers stability improvements. Digital Performer 2.72 Belkin turns-on to USB Another maintenance update for the digital-audio and MIDI- Belkin has launched its USB keyboard, video keyboard, sequencing production tool. and mouse (KVM) switch. monitor and This one improves stability. The OmniView four-port USB KVM switch mouse signals. Ports can be switched using Toast Standard/ will control four USB computers, whether Mac, a keyboard, or the on-screen display menu. Deluxe 4.1.1 PC or both, from a central control point, using The product has USB time-delay technology This update offers bug fixes, one keyboard, monitor and mouse. built-in, so it’s possible to simulate USB hot- improved updater, “burn proof” It features a built-in four-port USB hub, swapping. Belkin is offering a free three-button support on compatible drives which connects computers to a wide variety USB mouse with each unit. The OmniView four- and digital audio playback of USB peripherals. These can be collectively port USB KVM costs £199. under Mac OS 9. linked to a selected port, together with the Belkin, 01604 678 300

46 Macworld DECEMBER 2000 For the information as it happens visit Macworld Online Daily News (www.macworld.co.uk), updated throughout the day (All prices exclude VAT) David Fanning Xerox’s legendary PARC research body is in trouble – and ripe for an Apple rescue

Things bury PARC

n old friend of Apple is in trouble. The Xerox the future of PARC is hanging in the balance. PARC (Palo Alto Research Centre) is short on cash Xerox doesn’t want to sell it to hungry venture and requires a level of funding that its parent capitalists, who’ll just strip it of saleable technologies, yet A company can ill-afford. It isn’t up for auction, the annual $60 million bill for running it is now making but there’s a need for a large cash injection if it is to a dent in Xerox’s profits. What Xerox would like is help continue its good work. from business partners in contributing to PARC. If no For those not in the know, Xerox PARC is the place partnerships are forthcoming then PARC really could be responsible for inventing and developing ethernet, the up for sale. This would be the end of an era in computing graphical user interface (GUI), and the laser printer, – and is, frankly, unthinkable. among other tech wonders. It started life in 1970, when Xerox gathered together PARC strife a team of world-class researchers and gave them the Which is exactly why Steve Jobs and Apple should chip-in mission of creating “the architecture of information”. to financially assist Xerox and its research facility. Paying “PARC has a The researchers have proved that such long-sighted half of the $60 million yearly bill would ensure PARC’s unique place investment into IT research can pay off. It’s estimated continuation – and would, presumably, give Apple first that as much as 55 per cent of Xerox’s profits are dibs on any commercially viable technology in the PARC in the industry, derived from technologies developed at PARC. pipeline. As well as keeping PARC alive, this could well and all help keep Apple ahead of the competition. Missed opportunities It could even solve the problem that has plagued technology In the 1970s Xerox was a corporate giant that had what PARC since its inception: getting products to market. companies amounted to a monopoly on the lucrative photocopier Since his return to Apple, Steve Jobs has been market. The investment in PARC was to make sure that responsible for making a host of futuristic technology would mourn Xerox would always be at the forefront of technology a reality. Think of the iMac, the Cube and the Cinema its passing” – which it some ways it has achieved. Unfortunately, Display. They all needed somebody with Jobs’ vision to Xerox also missed out on many of the best technologies, make them happen. Just as Jobs once liberated the GUI and failed to take advantage of its unique position. from 10 years’ of sitting around the PARC labs, he could While PARC invented the personal computer – complete now liaise with PARC on projects that are still in their with mouse, GUI and ethernet networking – it neglected infancy. to make a product that it could sell. If you’re thinking that this personal computer sounds Research development familiar, you’re right. If the rumours are to be believed, Xerox may need some convincing that Apple is the Apple stole Xerox’s technology to make the first Mac. ideal partner for PARC. Research is something best This is isn’t true: Apple paid for the technology with done without insane pressure being brought to bear $1,000,000 of its shares. For this, Steve Jobs and his Apple by notorious control freaks like Jobs. But the plus side is entourage got to spend a day gazing at the crown jewels that PARC becomes better at capitalizing on its research. If of PARC – the Dorado computer running the Smalltalk it could make a profit from selling its technologies, then graphic interface. its future would be assured. The Dorado was the big brother of Alto – the first Come on, Steve, give PARC a break. It could be personal computer in history, which was never made something valuable for Apple – and just imagine if the commercially. Steve Jobs was so excited about the mouse competition gets in there first. Nobody wants to see a and GUI that he left PARC without looking at the ethernet Xerox/Microsoft PARC, or, worse still, the whole thing network connecting the computers. Macs didn’t come out dismantled. with ethernet for another few years due to this oversight. PARC has a unique place in the industry and all Whichever way you slice it, Xerox has been technology companies would mourn its passing – instrumental in shaping the way modern computing or cheer its saviour. There’s a chance of a PR coup for works. Unfortunately, now that photocopying isn’t such someone – and Apple’s making enough profit so that a a big deal, Xerox hasn’t the same prestige in the printing little donation to such a worthy cause would not break world, and its fortunes are on the wane. Consequently, the bank. MW

Read more Macworld opinions online (www.macworld.co.uk), and join in the debate. Macworld DECEMBER 2000 49 Michael Prochak Apple’s plummeting share price hints at a collective loss of perspective

Time to take stock

ccording to the American author Kathleen share. That’s four cents less than analysts’ estimates, Norris, life is easier to take than you imagine. compared to Apple’s one cent less. So why isn’t the All you have to do is “accept the impossible, media writing off Compaq? For that matter, why A do without the indispensable and bear the hasn’t the press pack checked out Dell – or the rest intolerable”. And, since complaining – or at least of the Wintel mob – to see whether their profits enlightened questioning – is taboo in most modern are big enough to avoid a major panic. technology-driven businesses, the acquiescence of OK, Apple still isn’t that good at getting its an unimaginative money-trench media culture of message across to the hoi polloi. But its active base low expectations creates the comfy illusion that, consists of about 20 to 23 million users and it’s sold out in the Land of the Yahoos, the living is easy. about 13 million Macs since Jobs returned, leaving Deliberately ‘dumbing down’ the educational about 9 million Macs out there that are old and ready system to prevent any future 1960s-like upsurges for upgrades. It’s recently launched an introductory- of radical utopianism seems to have enabled most level iMac priced £649 including VAT. As has nearly of us to bear the intolerable – because we simply always been the case, every level of business and don’t know any better. Worse than this, many of us industry can and does use Macs to support and “Scramble don’t even want to know. Occasionally, a few of us sustain themselves. the ‘Believer’ experience a vague realization that someone has Despite received wisdom to the contrary, there screwed us out of something. But usually, we never are literally tens of thousands of software packages buttons. muster the zest or bile to find out who did the written for the Mac, and Apple’s machines are faster Silence the screwing and what we were screwed out of. and more capable than competing kit. And lest we I mean, when there’s freak flooding, crumbling forget: who made GUIs cool? Who gave birth to the chickens. We rails and government intransigence over a brain- PDA phenomena? Who opened the road to laptops have more rotting disease does it really matter that Apple’s and actually made home computers something you’d shares for a single quarter came in one cent lower actually like to have in your home? While Apple may important than analysts’ estimates? Should anyone really care have fallen behind the PC market in terms of share things, like that $170 million profit isn’t enough for a pack of price, the company is ahead of many firms in terms greedy stock-market drones playing short-term digital of Web traffic and as a Web-authoring platform. intelligence” monopoly instead of doing something meaningful A recent report found that Apple commanded with their lives? Is their opinion something that ‘the approximately 1.2 per cent of the entire Web audience rest of us’ should believe to be a significant cosmic in terms of unique visits to the company’s home page. indicator of the value or viability of the Macintosh? While that figure may seem small, the rival Intel.com Or is it simply that making connections and site reached only 0.4 per cent of the entire online thinking for ourselves is too disturbing for our audience. That percentage translates into 1,118,000 media-shortened attention span? unique visitors to Apple’s home page in a single As an experiment, let’s Think Different. Apple week – besting IBM.com, Intel.com, and Gateway.com. projected 50 per cent year-on-year growth, but Perhaps, as the utopian polymath Buckminster instead got 40 per cent year-on-year growth. Forty Fuller, suggested, humans have an annoying habit of per cent growth is still ahead of the industry average trying all the stupid approaches before hitting on the – so Apple lost just half of its market cap in one day intelligent ones. But how many do we have to because of greed-hyped news that, while its market swallow before we realise that accepting the share is growing, it’s not growing as fast as expected. impossible, doing without the indispensable, and So why is this big news? Why is the industry always bearing the intolerable is no way to live? Thinking in such a hurry to put the boot in? In the same week different, making connections and understanding that Apple’s $170 million profit was grabbing the belief cannot be a third-party add-on. disaster headlines, shares of the world’s second- Take my advice: forget about Apple’s or anyone largest vendor of PCs fell more than 5 per cent. else’s share price and listen to poets like John Ashbery: Compaq forecast fourth-quarter earnings of 37 cents “Scramble the ‘Believer’ buttons. Silence the chickens. a share – below analysts’ expectations of 41 cents a We have more important things, like intelligence.” MW

Read more Macworld opinions online (www.macworld.co.uk), and join in the debate. Macworld DECEMBER 2000 51 Macworld Rating Macworld reviews /9.0-10.0 = OUTSTANDING /7.0-8.9 = VERY GOOD /5.0-6.9 = GOOD /3.0-4.9 = FLAWED /0-2.9 = UNACCEPTABLE

years. Clicking on the Text tool activates a features of someone’s face. Image-editing giant cursor that allows you to draw a new text If you decide to undo a distortion box onto your image. At the same time, altogether you can use the standard Adobe Photoshop 6.0 the Options bar displays controls for ⌘-Z keyboard shortcut to undo an Manufacturer: Adobe Systems (020 8606 4001) www.adobe.co.uk selecting the font, size, style and anti- action, but there’s also the option of Pros: Streamlined interface; improved text-handling; aliasing method. You can also activate using the “reconstruction” brush to vector graphics; Liquefy tools. two additional palettes that contain slowly reverse distortions. This allows Cons: No zoom option in Liquefy window; uneasy integration more detailed settings for character- you to rewind to just the right degree between Photoshop and ImageReady. and paragraph-level formatting, such of distortion without having to start Min specs: PowerPC; Mac OS 8.5; 128MB RAM. as line spacing, indents and alignment. again from scratch. Price: Full version, £375 excluding VAT; Text boxes can be rotated and resized The Liquefy tools are great fun to Upgrade from version 4.0 and above, £119 excluding VAT. Star Rating: /9.0 simply by using the mouse to grab the play with, but they’re also very powerful handles on the corners and edges of the editing tools. You can create exaggerated box. However, the text within remains effects and caricatures, of course, but editable at all times, so that you don’t can also make more subtle changes to hotoshop 5.5 was a bit of a mess. have to go back and start again if you an image, such as tucking in someone’s It had some good points, certainly, discover a spelling mistake or some double chin or giving them a digital for creating image maps and rollovers. Text tools P but Adobe hadn’t quite figured out other changes that need to made nose-job. One nice feature is the ability to create Adobe has finally improved how to adapt the print-oriented to the text. However, this sort of subtle secondary rollovers, in which a mouse Photoshop’s text tools, with Photoshop to the demands of Web Tooled up Finally, the Options bar includes a retouching would be easier if there was a action on one part of a Web page causes character and paragraph graphics. The result was an untidy Layer styles can be combined with the new vector tools to create complex vector-graphics effects. A Warp button that allows you to apply a magnification control within the Liquefy something to happen somewhere formatting and a Warp option attempt to integrate Photoshop and its context-sensitive options bar at the top of the screen cuts down the number of floating palettes. wide range of distortion effects to text. window. Even so, the Liquefy command else on the page. And you can also for distorting text. Web-graphics stablemate, ImageReady. This button activates the Warp Effects has great potential – as long as you can save rollovers as a style in the same But for Photoshop 6.0, Adobe has dialogue box, which includes a series stop yourself getting carried away and way as layer styles, allowing you to gone back to basics. There are new have your monitor set to a resolution of Illustrator. These combine vector objects of predefined effects, such as bulge, wasting hours fiddling with pictures of quickly create multiple rollovers. Web-graphics features, of course, at least 1024-x-768 pixels to use this in various ways, in order to create more fisheye and twist. However, each effect friends and colleagues. The rather clumsy image-map but this upgrade primarily concentrates feature. complex shapes. Vector shapes can also provides additional slider controls that On a more productive note, controls of ImageReady 2.0 have been on improving ease of use and adding When your monitor is set to this be used as “clipping paths” to cut out allow it to be modified – altering the Photoshop 6.0 finishes off with replaced by a new Image Map palette, Caricature creation powerful image-editing features. resolution – or higher – a small window parts of an existing image, or used as degree of distortion, rotation, or an increased selection of new Web- which allows you to simply draw circular, The Liquefy command provides is displayed, on the far right-hand side of layers, to which you can apply gradients, horizontal and vertical stretching. graphics features, such as improved rectangular or polygonal hot-spots powerful, yet precise, morphing Extra options the toolbar, called the Palette Well. You patterns or other tonal effects. However, you can still edit the text slicing controls and the ability to create straight onto an image. You can also use tools. Any effects that have been The first thing you’ll notice is the can drag any of Photoshop’s tabbed simply by clicking on it with the text tool. and save “layer styles”. Admittedly, layer layers to create more complex image- applied can be gradually undone, small, but effective, improvements palettes into the Well and the palette All-in-one Text isn’t the only thing that can be styles aren’t exclusively Web-oriented, maps, as elements within a layer can be but this window can’t be to the interface. Running along the will automatically shrink down so that These new tools won’t have you throwing warped and distorted in Photoshop 6.0. but they work in a similar fashion to used to define the shape or appearance magnified top of the main workspace is a new only its tab remains visible. When you your copies of Illustrator or FreeHand into One of the program’s most powerful new the styles found in Adobe LiveMotion of hot-spots. Options bar. This is used to display need to use the palette, simply click on the bin just yet, but they will save time by editing features is the Liquefy command. and are ideal for creating Web-graphics, We’re still not entirely happy about Export gallery options and controls relating to the the tab, and the palette springs back to allowing designers to quickly add a wide This is similar to some of the morphing such as buttons and rollovers. the way that images are swapped back Photoshop 6.0’s Web Gallery currently selected tool. It’s context- full size. range of vector graphics to their work effects found in MetaCreations’ Goo, You can create text or vector shapes and forth between Photoshop and feature automatically generates sensitive, so it automatically updates without having to leave Photoshop but provides designers with much on a new layer, and then apply one or ImageReady, as it’s still easy to get HTML pages containing thumbnail itself as you switch from tool to tool. Vector graphics and create the graphics in a separate greater precision and control. more effects, such as a drop-shadow, confused about which version of a file previews of multiple images. For instance, if you select the Paintbrush, One of the other big advances in this program. emboss, or a gradient colour to the layer. is being edited in which program. And the Options bar will display controls for upgrade is the addition of vector-graphics There’s been a problem with Liquid gold Once you’ve achieved the desired effect with both programs now having so many adjusting the size or style of the brush. tools to Photoshop’s traditional bit-map Photoshop’s text tools in the past. Tucked away at the bottom of the Image you can save it as a “style” that can features in common, you can sometimes Photoshop’s vast array of features tool-set. Tucked neatly into the main tool They’ve been so clumsy and limited that menu, the Liquefy command activates instantly be applied to any other graphics grind to a halt while deciding which and tools has caused it to become palette are two new options: a pen tool, users were often forced to prepare text a window that contains a copy of your or text that you create. However, these program to use for a particular task. increasingly cluttered in recent years, for drawing freehand bézier-curves; and in a vector-graphics program and then current image. This window has its styles don’t affect the underlying text or with a confusing array of palettes a Shape tool that allows you to create import it into Photoshop. The other own toolbar, containing a series of graphics, so you can still edit them at any Macworld’s buying advice floating around on screen. The Options a range of standard geometric shapes, alternative was simply to give up on brush options, such as warp, bloat, time and the style that you’ve applied will Adobe needs to decide if ImageReady Mapped out bar instantly does away with many of such as rectangles, ellipses and polygons. Photoshop and do all typographical pucker and twirl. automatically be updated to reflect the is going to continue as a stand-alone ImageReady has also been these, and it also includes one additional When you select the Shapes tool, the work using the more powerful type tools The warp brush simply drags pixels changes made. program, or if it’s going to be swallowed- upgraded, with improved controls feature that helps tidy up your working Options bar displays settings that allow in layout programs such as QuarkXPress. in the direction of the brush strokes, Like LiveMotion, Photoshop includes up by Photoshop. But even as it stands, for creating image maps. environment. However, you’ll need to you to fix the size and proportions of a There are some good, third-party while the other brushes push or pull a selection of ready-made styles, but the Photoshop/ ImageReady bundle shape, or to create more complex shapes plug-ins developed for working with pixels in a variety of other ways. You Adobe has been careful not to make packs an awful lot of graphics power. by using the “custom shape” button. text in Photoshop, but these can’t can alter the size of the brushes in LiveMotion redundant by limiting the Photoshop’s cleaner interface alone Clicking on this button opens up a sub- compensate for the weakness of its order to increase or decrease the number of ready-made styles in ensures this upgrade earns its keep. menu containing an assortment of vector- text-handling features. But at long strength of the liquefying effect, and Photoshop. LiveMotion also provides a The improved text-handling and vector- graphics clip art, such as stars, arrows, last, Adobe has completely rewritten can also superimpose a grid over an greater level of complexity in the styles drawing tools will also save plenty of and simple button-shapes for Web Photoshop’s text-engine, making image to act as a guide during editing. that it can create, as well as having time, while the Liquefy command graphics. You can select any of these it more powerful and easier to use. There’s a special freeze brush animation features that set it apart from provides new creative possibilities. Vector in for use in a document, and can also The first – and most needed – that allows you to fix areas of an both Photoshop and ImageReady. Version 5.5 may have been something New vector tools allow you save vector-graphics files. improvement is the simple ability to type image into place so they’re not affected And, of course, ImageReady is the of a mixed bag, but Photoshop 6.0 is an to quickly create and combine When creating vector shapes you also text straight onto an image, rather than by any of the liquefying brushes. This Web-specialist in this graphics double- all-round success that will appeal to shapes, such as circles and have the ability to use “pathfinder filters” having to enter the text into a clumsy will be useful for creating caricatures, act. Now upgraded to version 3.0, Web- and print-based designers alike. rectangles, or to create complex similar to those found in Adobe dialogue box as we’ve had to do for where you want to distort only specific ImageReady has improved controls Cliff Joseph custom-shapes.

54 Macworld DECEMBER 2000 Search Macworld’s Reviews database online (www.macworld.co.uk), updated throughout the month Search Macworld’s Reviews database online (www.macworld.co.uk), updated throughout the month Macworld DECEMBER 2000 55 Macworld reviews

n 1985 Steve Jobs was fired from Steve’s eventual return to Apple Apple CEO biography Apple, the company he co-founded, was a turning point. But despite his Ibecause he was “a control freak, desire for revenge on the company that egomaniac, and fearsome tyrant”. booted him out – “we’re going to kick The Second In 1997 he returned, and rescued their ass,” he told NeXT Apple from almost certain death. employees – Steve had Coming of He saved Apple by being a control apparently secretly yearned for Steve Jobs freak, egomaniac, and fearsome a return to Apple as far back as Publisher: Broadway Books tyrant. Welcome to the fascinating 1987. Distributor: No UK enigma that is Steve Jobs. It’s well known that publishing plans at time Alan Deutschman’s The Second Jobs has a legendary temper of going to press, but available from Amazon. Coming of Steve Jobs sets out to solve (“his penchant for turning on his www.amazon.co.uk this enigma – “to discover the deep colleagues with a wicked tongue”), Pros: Entertaining read; sources of his character and motivation; and also that he is the most charismatic most interesting on what makes him exceptional as well as man in the whole computer industry beginnings of Pixar; new what makes him real … Where he got (“He is seductive to the nth degree,” insights into mind of Apple his unusual ideas about leadership, says a former employee). Deutschman co-founder and current CEO. management and the creative process… calls these opposing sides of Jobs’ himself alternates suddenly between Cons: At times intrusive and How he had been changed by his years personality “Bad Steve” and “Good being charming about Jobs and being arrogant; no pictures. Price: £15.90 of wealth and celebrity and by his years Steve”. Many people working for Steve – horrible. “Humiliating people isn’t nice” Star Rating: /6.8 of struggle and failure.” whether at Apple, NeXT or Pixar – would is Deutschman’s message. Yet he jokes Deutschman, who talked to ride his “hero-shithead roller coaster”, that, by the age of 44, Steve has “a bit of nearly 100 people who have known where one day Steve would say you’re a tummy… and a small bald spot”. So? and worked for Jobs, believes that his great, and the next you “sucked”. And he tries to show-up Steve for subject “succeeded in becoming the As Deutschman points out, muck quite ordinary wishes: having a nice Jackie Kennedy Onassis of business and sticks longer than honey – and Steve’s home, being vegetarian, desiring success. technology – ubiquitous as a symbol of reputation soon became more enfant In one paragraph, Deutschman seems his times, but little known as a human terrible than admirable wunderkind. to pour scorn on Jobs for “enjoying being”. Steve is “a pop-culture icon, The Second Coming is full of stories hobnobbing with celebrities, media hero, role model, sex symbol, of Steve screaming at those employees and attending glamorous events”. and teen heartthrob” – quite different he thinks aren’t aiming at the same level Is it a crime to enjoy such a lifestyle? to most nerdy computer types, and of perfection as he is. Some are funny, In the final chapter, “Being Steve”, hence the intense interest in the but the overall effect paints a rather Deutschman lists ten theories about Silicon Valley legend. grim picture. what makes up Steve’s “mesmerizing, One great story that I hadn’t heard if frustrating, personality”: Away from Apple before relates to Steve’s persistent phone 1: Steve acts like a child. 2: Steve The Second Coming starts in 1985, when calls to senior Apple figures shortly after changes his mind… a lot. 3: Steve is the Steve was exiled from Apple, and goes his return. Developer relations manager product of a media culture. 4: Steve has through to early this year, when he Heidi Roizen is so unnerved by Steve’s to be an asshole to get things done. 5: officially became Apple’s chief executive. calls that she ignores them. She advises Steve is stubborn. 6: Steve is emotionally According to his “closest friends” – Apple board member – and all-round insecure. 7: Steve rides roughshod over although really close friends don’t spill tough-guy – Bill Campbell to do the same. personal commitments. 8: Only young the beans to unauthorized biographers – Campbell replies: “I tried that. But then people have the resilience to work post-Apple, Steve had thought of asking Steve would come over to my house.” with Steve. 9: When Silicon Valley is NASA if he could fly on a space shuttle. “Don’t answer the door,” says Roizen. hot, so is Steve. 10: Steve is an enigma. He would have ended up on the ill-fated “I tried that,” says Campbell, “but Challenger. He thought about living my dog sees him and goes berserk”. Macworld’s buying advice in Soviet Russia, or maybe running for Deutschman suggests that Jobs could And, after reading The Second Coming, Senate. Clearly, Steve was at an end so have learnt his domineering management Steve Jobs remains an enigma because, loose that he could have drifted as far “skills” from a weird-thinking guru called for all his second-hand anecdotes and from reality as the Newton’s handwriting- Werner Erhard, who locked his pupils in a gossipy research, Deutschman doesn’t recognition. Some of his pals even windowless hotel-ballroom and subjected crack the code. This unauthorized feared that he’d kill himself. Deutschman them to intense verbal abuse, “saying biography is an entertaining read, sums up Jobs’ “lost weekend” thus: they were all ‘assholes’ and making them but don’t expect to understand the “He suffered a midlife crisis at 30, and cry and shake hysterically”. man any better than you did beforehand. “It's not that compressed it into three months – an On the other side of the scale, For all his flaws, Steve Jobs is good over-achiever even at personal trauma”. a Newsweek reporter tells how she news for Apple. His vision made the Steve Jobs The rest of the book looks at Steve’s watched the first Think Different TV Mac a reality, and his input keeps it NeXT venture, his role in the unbridled ad with Steve, who cried at its powerful real today. If he has to shout at people understands success of Pixar – his “hobby” that made imagery. “That’s what I love about him,” who underperform, fine. Good Steve the mass the blockbusters, Toy Story and A Bug’s she says. “Steve was genuinely moved means a lot more than Bad Steve. Life – and his eventual return to Apple. by that stupid ad.” If his personality at times seems crazed, zeitgeist: he is In the chapter ‘Crises’, NeXT, Steve’s USA Today reports that Jobs sees maybe that’s because, to Macintosh users it. He has an forlorn attempt to beat Apple at its own this book as a “hatchet job”. It’s not everywhere, Steve Jobs is as “insanely game, becomes a “horrendous flop”. Even quite that – but, over the 300 pages, great” as the iMac or Toy Story 2. endless supply Pixar – which later became the source of Deutschman commits many of the crimes Simon Jary, control freak, egomaniac, of rebirths” Jobs’ salvation – is a “miserable mess”. that he accuses his subject of. The author and fearsome tyrant.

56 Macworld DECEMBER 2000 Search Macworld’s Reviews database online (www.macworld.co.uk), updated throughout the month Macworld reviews

Budget portable digital assistant

Palm m100 Publisher: Palm (020 7365 9820) www.palm.com Pros: Comfortable design; inexpensive; Mac desktop software is included. Cons: Small screen; Expense and Mail programs omitted. Minimum specs: Mac System 7.5.3 or later. Price: £129 including VAT Star Rating: /8.7

he entry-level, £129 Palm m100 handheld organizer might suggest that Palm has cut corners to be able to match the price of the Handspring T Visor. But the m100 proves to be a better device than even the most ardent techno-elitist would like to admit – especially for users who are new to the world of handheld computing. The m100’s appearance makes it easy to pick this handheld out of the Palm line-up. Slightly taller and wider than the Palm V and with a curved shell, the slate- coloured m100 is lightweight and comfortable. For £22, you can add a removable faceplate in one of five bright colours – including blue, silver, red, green and black. It includes a HotSync cable instead of an upright cradle, reducing desktop clutter and enhancing portability – however, you’ll still need to purchase a USB or serial adaptor to connect it to your Mac. If you’ve ever used a handheld, you’ll notice Palm’s main concession to price: compare the slightly smaller than 2-x-2-inch plastic screen with other Palms’ 1 1 2 ⁄4-x-2 ⁄4-inch glass screens. Even so, the display is crisp – the resolution is the same as in previous models – and also workable. The plastic cover flips up and over the top of the device to rest flat against its back, not perched halfway like a car bonnet. And the built-in speaker is significantly louder than those in previous models, so you can actually hear the alarms you set. The m100 includes only 2MB of memory and can’t be upgraded – meaning it won’t work with systems beyond Palm OS 3.5.1. However, that’s plenty of memory for basic functions, and expandability isn’t an essential consideration for the m100’s target audience. Functionally, the m100 works like every other Palm OS-based device, with a few notable exceptions. The Note Pad application allows you to write or draw on the screen as if it were a Post-it note and then synchronize to a similar, included, Note Pad application on your Mac. The omission of the Expense and Mail programs is vexing, but the Macintosh Palm Desktop software is included – something Palm should have been doing all along.

Macworld’s buying advice The m100 may be a consumer-level device, but it boasts most of the professional features that have made Palm OS the dominant handheld operating system. If you’ve considered purchasing a Palm organizer for your favourite Mac novice, the m100 is the best choice. Jeff Carlson

Budget bargain The entry-level Palm m100 includes most of the features of the company’s more expensive PDAs, but it has a smaller screen and there’s no Email or Expense programs.

Macworld DECEMBER 2000 57 Macworld reviews

Final destination Video-compression stalwart Cleaner 5’s new interface is, er... cleaner. The Project window makes it easy to see the current Terran Cleaner 5 settings and monitor bit-rates. Publisher: Media 100 www.media100.com www.terran.com Distributor: Computers Unlimited (020 8358 5857) Pros: Wide range of compression options; optimized for streaming media; comprehensive EventStream support. Cons: No audio-capture capability. Minimum specs: PowerPC; Mac OS 8.6 or later; QuickTime 4.1.2. Price: £349 excluding VAT Star Rating: /8.4

ormerly known as Media Cleaner Pro, the latest version from Terran F is just called Cleaner 5. Billed as “the camera-to-Web video solution”, it aims to move beyond being an indispensable video-compression utility and becoming a complete video-preparation tool. and related properties can be assigned. the server, but I can’t imagine many Cleaner involves a five-point plan: The Encoding functionality has been users would want to automatically capture, author, encode, publish, and improved from Version 4, with many more upload video without checking it first. workflow – all adding functionality options for outputting as streaming video. The MetaData panel in the setting around the core encoding-feature Formats include QuickTime (now with window embeds details of the creator, from version 4. A number of interface MP3 support), RealSystem 8 – including date, and, crucially, copyright, into the enhancements complete this version. two-pass variable bit-rate (VBR) – video file itself – especially important The Capture facility comes from the Windows Media, MP3, MPEG-1, and when distributing video files online. complete integration of another product MPEG-2. This makes Cleaner a viable While you can apply a watermark to – Digital Origin MotoDV. Media 100, tool for compressing video for DVD. a video clip, there’s no in-built support having bought both Terran and Digital Cleaner 5 not only claims to process in Cleaner for any advanced invisible Origin, has married the two products, faster, but also supports dual-processor video-watermarking software, such so that you can select Capture From DV Macs for increased speed benefits. as Alphatec VideoMark. This needs from the File menu of Cleaner. This allows The beauty of Cleaner 5’s approach to be added afterwards. you to pull-in video files direct from a DV is that, from the same source clip, you Workflow features are meant for camcorder through a FireWire connector. can encode compressed files at different power-users processing many clips, The files are then fed directly to Cleaner’s sizes, bit-rates and formats. You can and Cleaner is also ideal for repetitive Batch window, where clips are queued, choose from a lots pre-defined settings, tasks. Not only can you save settings, ready for processing. Cleaner also and it’s also easy to customize them. but now can also apply modifiers supports the import of both MPEG 1 Cleaner comes with a wide range to a setting without having to change and 2 files, and there’s no longer a 2GB of Codecs – the algorithms for handling the base parameters. For instance, if file limit, meaning Cleaner can work with the compression and decompression of you have a setting for exporting a piece long segments of uncompressed footage. audio and video files – but it will also of video for CD, but want to adjust the Authoring is not the first thing that work with many others that are on the fade-in time for a number of clips, there’s springs to mind when considering video, market for more specialized applications. no need to create new settings for each. but it’s one of the most exciting features Terran’s CodecCentral Web site lists Finally, Cleaner 5 allows In and Out Wizard set-up of Cleaner 5. It allows you to add available codecs (www.codeccentral.com). times for a clip to be specified, so there’s You can use the wizards to EventStreams to video files in order It’s easy to regard Cleaner 5 as no need to crop a movie in Premiere determine automatically the to add interactivity to movie files. purely a video tool, but it’s also a before encoding it. settings for output, or specify These include embedded Web links, capable audio-compression utility, them manually, once you know clickable hot-spots and synchronizing and will work with a number of Macworld’s buying advice what you’re doing. video with an HTML page or a audio formats, and encode MP3 files While Cleaner is a comprehensive video- Flash movie. Cleaner works with the with a variety of compression algorithms. output tool, one thing it isn’t is a video- EventStream implementation within However, it’s a shame that there are editing tool. It can’t sequence multiple- QuickTime, RealSystem, and Windows no features to capture audio directly to video tracks – for this you’ll need a Media, and will automatically adjust the application, or a CD audio-extraction dedicated video-editing and effects for the varying level of functionality capability. tool, such as Adobe Premiere or in all three. Publish is the next step of the Apple’s Final Cut Pro. This is why the Marking EventStreams is simplicity process, and is a major improvement claim that it’s the complete “camera- itself: simply use the Move controller in on Cleaner 4, which lacked control over to-Web” solution is dubious, unless the Project window to the desired point where it saved movies. Now you can you’re in the habit of uploading in the movie, and then click Add in the specify default folders to export files, unedited footage for the world to see. EventStream window. You can also add or specify the location for individual files Still, Cleaner 5 is a welcome upgrade EventStreams in real time as the movie in the batch window. Cleaner also has a – and essential if you specialize in plays. Once the EventStream points rudimentary FTP server built-in, so that streaming media. have been determined, the event type encoded files are uploaded directly to Martin Gittins

58 Macworld DECEMBER 2000 Search Macworld’s Reviews database online (www.macworld.co.uk), updated throughout the month Macworld reviews

printer – can print on special glossy paper Photo-quality printer that’s available in 6-x-4-inch or 5.275-x-4- inch formats. For the metrically minded, that translates to 152-x-100mm, or 134-x- UP-DP10 100mm. These are fairly standard photo Manufacturer: Sony (01932 816 660) sizes. Pros: Prints look just like photographs. Cons: Limited usefulness. A pack of 25 sheets of either size of Min specs: USB paper, plus the dye-sublimation rolls to Price: £249 including VAT print on, costs £10 including VAT. This Star Rating: /7.5 works out at 40p per print – still more expensive than the film option, but not too pricey. Dye-sublimation allows you ony has a new kind of printer to predict the number of prints you’ll that relies on old technology. get from a roll, unlike with ink-jets. S The printer carries the ungainly The software supplied looked dreadful win on simplicity though, and for being Home studio name of the UP-DP10, and it uses at first. The disc isn’t well thought out, predictable on costs. But, the Epson The Sony UP-DP10 is a photo lab dye-sublimation to make photographic- and the good software is easy to miss. Stylus Photo range is more flexible. for your desktop, offering great quality prints. It does this very well, PhotoPrinter 2000 from Arcsoft is, for And the smaller A4 model is £60 image-quality and photo-sized but it is a one-trick pony. example, fantastic, and makes printing cheaper than the Sony printer. prints. We’ve been told for some time that single pictures or sheets of mini pictures digital cameras are going to take over easy. But the Arcsoft PhotoStudio that’s Macworld’s buying advice from analogue film. This is undoubtedly also provided is horrible, with a nasty The UP-DP10’s image quality is excellent. true, though whether it’s this year or interface and flaky performance. If that’s all you want, then this is the in 50 years depends on what kind of The quality of the printer equals the best way of achieving it. If, however, photography you’re talking about. For best ink-jets, but the output is limited to you want more flexible paper sizes then most people, photography is what you snap-size. When compared to an Epson there are cheaper options. Yet with the do on holiday or at parties with a cheap Stylus Photo 1270, which can print the high price of consumables, the initial or, even, throwaway camera. Matching same quality at up to A3 size, this printer price of the printer is not necessarily that kind of quality with a digital camera falls short. The Epson printers also have the most important thing. The Sony is child’s play, but matching the look-and- an optional roll for printing photo-style printer may be a one-trick pony, but feel of those images is less simple. pictures, though you must cut them if you only need one trick, it’s ideal. The UP-DP10 – lets call it the Sony from the roll yourself. The Sony does David Fanning

It also sports a Level-2 PostScript Because ink-jet printers Network ink-jet printer processor that enables printing directly take longer to print from QuarkXPress or Adobe Illustrator, pages with more coverage, something at which most ink-jets fail times per-page vary wildly, Business miserably. Lack of PostScript normally depending on the image. InkJet 2250tn means that vector-graphics applications Laser printers print at Manufacturer: Hewlett-Packard don’t print properly on cheaper ink-jets. engine speed, so once (08705 474 747) The price is definitely ink-jet. Even the image is processed, www.hp.com at £789, it’s at least half the price of a pages will spit out at a Pros: Cheap; network-ready; colour laser, which also requires more predictable rate. PostScript-equipped. maintenance than ink-jets. Toner can HP claims 15 pages per Cons: Network laser printers are faster. Min specs: Ethernet be messy, and other consumables, minute is possible, and indeed, the Bridging the gap Price: £789 excluding VAT such as fuser oil and drums, can make 2250tn is more than capable of this. The Business InkJet 2250tn Star Rating: /8.3 keeping a colour laser-printer working As long, of course, as the image is small. is neither fish nor fowl: it’s a full-time job. The 2250tn has more In its fastest, lowest-quality mode, a halfway-house between consumables than a normal ink-jet, the 2250tn can quickly print clear and ink-jet and laser technologies. ewlett-Packard is one of the but nothing too confusing. useable pages. Ten newsletter-style leaders in both ink-jet and colour- Its ink cartridges are huge. If the colour pages took just under five H laser printing, and each method smaller printers could use this size, it minutes to print – nowhere near the has its merits. The problem is that there would save a lot of money. It would also claimed speed, but reasonable enough. is a gap between the functionality and cut down the panic dashes to Computer price of the two. HP has remedied this World when you run out of ink half-way Macworld’s buying advice with a range of ink-jet printers offering through a big job. In a small office, this printer fits laser-type features. We looked at the The printheads are separate from neatly into the market between standard network-ready version – the Business the ink cartridges, meaning their life ink-jet and colour-laser. It isn’t as fast as InkJet 2250tn. is extended. This, however, doubles a colour laser, but it’s capable of similar The 2250tn looks like an over-sized the number of consumables needed. quality on the right paper. It’s faster ink-jet printer. There’s a reason for this: This isn’t as bad as with colour lasers, than a normal ink-jet, and it has more it houses both ethernet and memory – but is more complicated than a home paper capacity. In the right environment, absent from most ink-jets, which usually ink-jet. the 2250tn offers a cheap colour-solution rely on the Mac’s processor to control the Speed is a big issue when it comes for jobs that traditionally would be printed printer. The 2250tn has 24MB RAM, to office printing. But unfortunately, this on a mono laser-printer. which helps process the images. printer’s speed is not easily measured. David Fanning

Search Macworld’s Reviews database online (www.macworld.co.uk), updated throughout the month Macworld DECEMBER 2000 61 Macworld reviews

Unless you have a higgledy-piggledy pre-set Portable-network solution mess of spaghetti connecting each configuration to Mac to the network, you probably take advantage have nothing at all. Now Xircom has of any network NetStation a solution designed specifically for goodies, such Publisher: Xircom (01256 332 552) the boardroom: the NetStation. as printing or Pros: Looks cool; keeps things tidy. At first glance, the NetStation is Internet access. Cons: Pricey. Min specs: Ethernet. just a regular hub – niftily designed Even if there are PC Price: Four-port version, £328; Eight-port but otherwise normal. However, the notebooks, they can still be plugged Network to go version, £524. connections are spring-loaded cables in without too much hassle. Xircom’s NetStation not only looks Star Rating: /8.3 that can be grabbed and plugged into cool, but its retractable leads your machine. Cool. Macworld’s buying advice allow for neat, cross-platform The NetStation can be installed in If you have an impressive boardroom networking – anywhere. magine you have a crack team of the middle of a boardroom table, with table, the NetStation will only add to the salespeople, all on the road selling discreet power and network connection kudos. It’s as functional as it’s beautiful, Itheir hearts out. At the Monday coming from a single wire. It can sit there especially if you compare it with the morning meeting everybody sits in like a silver turtle, neat and tidy when it alternative – a mini-hub with miles of the boardroom behind their PowerBooks, not being used. Then, at the drop of a hat, cables littering the office. Of course, the strategizing, touching each other’s bases it springs into life as a four- or eight-port price reflects its high-flying profile, but and running things up each other’s hub. This is extremely convenient and you don’t want to look like a cheapskate flagpoles. But wait, with all this impressively implemented. If the laptops in the boardroom, do you? networking, where is your network? are Macs it’s a simple matter to make a David Fanning

the move are likely to have enough the power supply is bigger than the Portable USB-hub devices to overload the two USB hub itself, and to make things worse, connections on a PowerBook or iBook. the wires are tricky to wrap up – making Belkin now has the perfect solution – the power supply an inelegant partner Pocket Hub the Pocket Hub. to a beautifully designed hub. It isn’t Publisher: Belkin (01604 678 300) First of all, the Pocket Hub is actually really the fault of Belkin: the UK Pros: Small and neat. pocket-sized, unlike so many devices that power-plug must be the biggest Cons: No Key-Lime colour. Min specs: USB. have pocket in their names. It is a little and ugliest in Europe. It’s just a Price: £40 including VAT bigger than a mouse, and the design shame that there isn’t a better Star Rating: /8.0 hides the cable until it’s in use. It has solution to the problem. four ports and comes with a choice of three translucent covers – all the Macworld’s buying advice Portable peripherals he advent of USB was supposed colours of the iBooks except Key Lime. If you need a USB hub while travelling, The Pocket Hub is small and to cut down on the number of It works fine with external mice, there’s no better answer – though the portable, but where do you T heavy cables needed to connect keyboards and non-powered devices. ugly, but optional, power supply spoils put the USB peripherals? peripherals. In fact, my desk has become If you use something that takes power it a bit. But if you can get away with more cluttered due to a seven-port USB from the USB bus, you’ll need to use an non-powered hub, it is just the ticket. hub – every port is used. Even people on the provided power supply. Unfortunately, David Fanning

dual-barrel gun, 76mm antitank gun spurting blood as an War-&-no-peace game for taking out troop transports, ground- anti-tank round rakes to-air missiles, artillery barrages and through them. Fire a – if you’re really desperate – a .45 hand missile at a crowd of Beach Head 2000 gun for up-close-and-personal warfare. troops, and watch as Publisher: MacSoft www.wizworks.com/macsoft You sit in a protective bunker, and can their limp bodies are Distributor: Softline (01372 726 333) Pros: Addictive. pan around at the centre of a 360- flung in all directions. Cons: Bloody warfare; lifespan. degree landscape. The audio does Min specs: G3 or higher; Enemy troops pull up to the beach offer satisfying Mac OS 8.1 or higher. in landing barges, then advance over machine-gun clatter Price: £25 including VAT the sand in a bid to introduce you to and the air is filled Star Rating: /5.6 their bayonets. Barges can also land with realistic screams of marines and Life’s a bloody beach tanks and armoured personnel carriers exploding whumps of downed aircraft. As GIs try to sneak up on your onto the beach. Overhead, a swarm bunker, you can rotate your gun lam, blam, blam! Ack-ack-ack- of fighter jets, troop-landing helicopters, Macworld’s buying advice turret through 360 degrees, killing ack-ack – arrgghh! Boom, boom, gunships and heavy bombers fill the This is no in-depth game – later all in your path. B boom – ieee! That, in a nutshell, sky with falling death as you vainly levels just see more troops and material is Beach Head 2000 – a gun-toting, attempt to hold off the onslaught. attacking your position, and more yet plotless-Saving-Private-Ryan affair that Beach Head 2000 is at once the frantic action. It’s oddly addictive, but sees you as a lone turret-gunner fending game to end all games and a muddy longevity – much like the lifespan of off hordes of enemy troops with streams no-man’s game that no one would the troops you get to mow down – is of hot lead and a show-no-mercy attitude. want to cross. The graphics are alarmingly short. Armed to the teeth with a 30mm functional, with soldiers keeling over Colonel Matthew “Order of the” Bath

Search Macworld’s Reviews database online (www.macworld.co.uk), updated throughout the month Macworld DECEMBER 2000 63 Macworld reviews

oss Net has released a new kind Web design tools of Web-design product. Actually, V it’s not a physical product at all, even if it does comes in a box. It’ll Herald be available in high-street shops, such Publisher: Voss Net as Dixons and Comet, and it’s called www.vossnet.com Herald. It claims to be a complete Distributor: Comet; Staples; Rymans and other leading Web-site solution in a box, but when high-street stores. you open it, there’s just a small manual Pros: No scary Web-design and an access code. software. I’m often disappointed by the Cons: Expensive; restrictive. contents of big boxes; once the packaging Site design Min specs: Web access. is gone, there’s often just a CD with no Herald is as easy as painting by numbers, but the results are similar. Putting your business online Price: £38 initial fee, then £15 manuals. But no CD – that’s a new angle. with Herald is similar to getting your business cards printed from a machine at a service station. per month, excluding VAT. To start a Web site with Herald, you must Star Rating: /3.0 log into the easy set-up section of the alternative colour schemes of the same postcode and draws a map of the VossNet Web site. Not too hard for design. The layout varies only slightly; area. Unfortunately Macworld’s anyone with any Web experience, all have five pages called Home Page, postcode was “not valid”, so it but absolute beginners could find this Products, News, Links, and Contact Us. didn’t work for us. daunting. Next, type in the key-code to If you can’t fit your Web site into this gain access. Then, after filling in name format, then forget it. The buttons are Macworld’s buying advice and address details, you can search for preset, and there’s no way to change If I’d bought this from a computer a .co.uk Web address. The cost of the them. superstore, I’d be sorely disappointed. domain name is included in the price The first page is set-out to include a This “password in a box” is little other of £38, though you can register an photograph and a couple of paragraphs than a marketing ploy. It will almost address such as this for £5, or even of text. The second page is for Products, certainly fool most punters into thinking less from other sites. and also allows one image. Page three they’ve bought a Web site, even though Once you’ve chosen the address, is set aside for news pieces; there isn’t the £15 per month fee – which is an you need to select from a template. an obvious limit to the amount of outrage – is written on the box. A search There are 80 templates, with names stories posted, but no pictures are of the Web shows there are many other such as Unified Marshmallow, Out of possible. The fourth page is for links hosting-options at a fraction of the cost. Body Rose and Henge Ellipse Cream. to other Web sites, and nothing else. Use iTools, which is free, and one of This says more about the – altered – The last page is for contacting your the many domain-registration companies. state of mind of the designers than organization, and it includes a form for You may have to have an ad banner, but the designs. I settled on Ethereal Sepia. brochure or sample requests. This does it’s still better than a Herald site. Most of the templates are simply have a nifty map feature that takes your David Fanning

ou don’t have to be involved in satellite systems were combined with US Air Force DMSP (Defense World images and maps astronomy to make use of a set of digital-map and -terrain data to produce Meteorological Satellite Program) Y Earth views. They’re a nice addition this 1km-wide map. With the whole weather satellite. to a Web site or multimedia project, and package being encapsulated in a Aside from the main images, the Earth Images can also be used as the basis for some standard-browser interface, it’s a doddle package offers views showing each Collection creative compositing. to find your way around. This also means continent by day and night, plus nine Publisher: Planetary Visions The Earth Images Collection is a not having to navigate your way through stretched-out world maps. www.planetaryvisions.com single CD-ROM with over 1,200 such lots of folders on the CD – once a To allow for the disparate uses of Distributor: RH Publications images. These are derived from British- particular image is found, the browser’s multimedia and high-resolution image (01840 212 135) based Planetary Vision’s natural “save to disk” function can be used. work, each map is presented in two Pros: Browser-based user colour Satellite Imagemap widths: 600 pixels and 1,920 pixels, interface; fantastic set of – more than 30GB Cloud haze the latter allowing for full-width A4 images; two sizes for multimedia and high- of data from Each of the 144 views has four styles. printing at 240dpi. resolution uses. three The standard cloud-free variety has Cons: Pricey; JPEG been enhanced via a custom ray- Macworld’s buying advice compression causes tracing program to simulate the normal If there’s a criticism, it would be in some artefacts. atmospheric haze, while the cloudy the high-level of JPEG compression – Min specs: Web browser; version shows our natural planet the artefacts can be seen quite clearly image editor. through data derived from on some maps in the division between Price: £300 excluding VAT geostationary weather-satellites. land and sea, leading to a slight lack Star Rating: /7.5 Ocean-depth images have of definition on printing. With 200MB a natural land surface to spare on the CD, a lower compression combined with a colour- ratio should have been possible. coded ocean-depth That said, Earth Images Collection This is Planet Earth map, and there’s is a substantial set of world images, Aside from the standard views, also a set of night- and will satisfy anyone in need of Earth Images Collection includes time images, global views. a set of continent-based pictures. courtesy of the Vic Lennard

64 Macworld DECEMBER 2000 Search Macworld’s Reviews database online (www.macworld.co.uk), updated throughout the month Macworld reviews Macworld reviews

eople across the world £8 per disk. To get the same capacity almost half the price of the 870. Previous MP3s on the move download MP3 files to play on would cost a fortune using a Epson Stylus Color ink-jets Epson models printed text pages in draft P their computers, and, increasingly, CompactFlash card, for example. mode extremely quickly, but the quality on portable players. Iomega has decided However, the Pocket Zip is more akin was almost unusable. Epson’s competitor, HipZip it’s time to get in on the action by to a MiniDisc, which is much cheaper. Stylus Color 680 Hewlett-Packard, designs its printers Publisher: Iomega launching the HipZip – a portable MP3- MiniDisc is capable of recording from Publisher: Epson (0800 220 546) to print high-quality drafts – making www.epson.co.uk (0800 973 194) player that uses tiny floppy discs to hold CD with MP3 compression, or recording for a better all-round printer. Epson www.iomega.com/europe Pros: Fantastic glossy prints; fast and the music. from just about any audio source – has now realized this – as Draft mode Distributor: High Street stores useable draft prints; incredibly cheap. Pros: Small; shockproof. The disks are known as Clik discs, including MP3s copied from a Mac. You Cons: No matter how cheap the printers is now almost as good as Best mode Cons: Expensive; small- but Iomega has relaunched the Clik get 74 minutes of audio per disc, and a get, the ink is still expensive. for text, but without any speed penalties. capacity; expensive media. format as Pocket Zip. The HipZip is disc can cost as little as £1 if you shop Min specs: USB Photographic images have more Min specs: USB a last-ditch attempt to save Clik, but around. Not only does MiniDisc have Price: £119 including VAT noticeable quality problems in Draft Price: £289 including VAT one I fear is doomed to failure. This almost double the capacity, you can get Star Rating: /9.1 mode. This is one area where you can Star Rating: /4.8 is because it fails to meet the minimum players that are smaller than the HipZip. compare the output of all three printers requirements for a useful MP3 player. Also, the players cost from £150-£250, Stylus Color 880 and see a difference. The 680 is grainy, Iomega claims that this is a cheap whereas the HipZip weighs in at £289 Publisher: Epson (0800 220 546) but still good enough to get the message way to listen to music, and that you – although in the US you can buy one www.epson.co.uk across. The 880 and 980 are better at can get 70 minutes of music on one for just $299. Pros: Fantastic glossy prints; fast yet low- and medium-quality photos. disk. The 70-minutes claim is only MP3 players need to fulfil a useable draft prints; reasonable mid- The 680 is quiet compared to that of partially true. An MP3 file can be few basic requirements before being Macworld’s buying advice range prints. older models, but it’s louder than the 680. The Cons: £40 more than the 680. compressed to different levels, rather a good idea. They need to be smaller If the HipZip was £89 instead of £289 the 880 and the 870. Fortunately, you features are improved, Min specs: USB like a JPEG file. If a file isn’t compressed – or at least as small – and cheaper it would be a different story, as the Price: £159 including VAT don’t need to listen to it print for long but not by that much. The too much, a near-CD quality sound is than the competition. They also need little complaints would be acceptable. Star Rating: /8.7 – these printers are extremely quick. main issue is speed. Epson possible, but it needs about 1MB per to be more convenient than the Unfortunately, the HipZip’s price is so Even an image that takes up most of claims it can print as many as minute. However, if you’re happy with competition. The HipZip fails to meet high that problems, however small, are an A4 page can be printed on the 680, 13 pages per minute (ppm) in mono AM-radio quality you can cram 70 the first two requirements, and the extremely annoying. The fact that you Stylus Color 980 in Fast mode, in a little over 30 seconds. and 12.5 ppm colour. Our tests proved Pricing mayhem Publisher: Epson (0800 220 546) Epson’s latest batch of printers, minutes of music on to a Pocket Zip convenience issue is debatable. If can buy the HipZip in the US at two www.epson.co.uk Text is even faster. I don’t know what this, though the more ink coverage disk. But, at a decent sound-quality, you already have a big collection of thirds of the price, will not endear Pros: The fastest ink-jet printer in the Epson has done, but these babies fly. there is on the page, the slower it will the Stylus Color 680 (above), you can store only 40 minutes. MP3-formatted music, it’s convenient Iomega to potential buyers. If you really range; realistic colour on glossy prints. The resolution of ink-jet printers print. 880 (below, left) and 980 (below), The other claim of cheap storage is to transfer the files to the HipZip. If not, want portable music, there are much Cons: More than double the price of 680. is an often-quoted, and increasingly Apart from the speed increase, the all have high-res and high-speed also misleading. If Pocket Zip is compared converting your CDs to MP3 format is a better, cheaper and smaller options. Min specs: USB irrelevant, measure of quality. The 980’s best-quality photo prints on glossy printing. However, the £119 680 to solid-state memory cards it’s cheap, at time-consuming pain in the rump. David “don’t get me started” Fanning Price: £304 including VAT latest Hewlett-Packard printer is paper have a more natural colour than is the pick-of-the-bunch. At over Star Rating: /7.5 capable of 2,400dpi, yet with a default the other two models. The 680 and 880 twice the price of the 680, the setting of just 600dpi – yet the difference look excellent, but the colour saturation is 980 doesn’t have enough extra t must be a weird experience being a between the output is negligible. Epson slightly high. The 980 was more realistic, features to justify the cash. Tolkien-esque game computer character in the role-playing ot long ago, Epson released its has traditionally led the way in high- though that made the image less punchy Igame (RPG) Baldur’s Gate. Not only do premier photo-printers, the Stylus resolution ink-jet technology, with than the others. you have to deal with a dark army of foul NPhoto 870 and 1270. Epson has most printers being capable of 1,440dpi. Baldur’s Gate goblins, but your every movement is now updated its non-photo ink-jets, but The new crop can print at 2,880dpi. This Macworld’s buying advice Publisher: Graphsim achingly slow as your pixellated legs the quality is so good it’s hard to tell ultra-high resolution makes a mockery Epson has inked itself into a corner www.graphsim.com ponderously wade through the landscape. the difference between ranges. of the resolution race. If you were to with this range. The cheapest model Distributor: Softline (01372 726 333) But that, unfortunately, is what The cheapest model in the new print an original image that had this is so close to the most expensive model Pros: Complex rules; Baldur’s Gate is like – and it sadly range, the Stylus Color 680, offers resolution, not only would it take that there’s no great incentive to buy in-depth story; great graphics. detracts from what could well be a real amazing value for money. At £119, it forever, but the quality would be anything more than the 680. While this Cons: Very slow on original romp of an adventure. At first glance, does a great job of printing – even on similar to a lower-res print. Consumer might not be what Epson wants to hear, iMacs; real-time interaction Baldur’s Gate is an RPG enthusiast’s rough photocopier paper. With glossy scanners don’t tend to go much higher it’s great news for Joe Public. The 680 not handled well. Holy Grail. Based on the popular Baldur dash paper, it can print photographs that than 1,200dpi, so original 2,880dpi is without doubt the best-value-for- Min specs: 200MHz Power Forgotten Realms campaign – previously The thought that’s been put into Baldur’s Gate can’t be faulted, but unfortunately, the slowness of are indistinguishable from the real images are rare. money printer the Macintosh market Mac; Mac OS 8.1; 64MB RAM; played around a table using a 100-sided the graphics seriously hinders this role-playing game. thing. In theory it outputs lower The model after the 680 sees a has ever seen. 380MB hard-disk space. die and armoury of pencils – it boasts the quality than the Stylus Photo 870, small jump in price to £159 for the 880. The 880 is capable of better Price: £45 including VAT Star Rating: /7.2 tapestry of a Dungeons-&-Dragons world. but the difference is negligible – and Epson seems to be hitting price targets print quality in the mid-range Not only that, but it comes on a are at stealing. As you wander around another slow-motion battle with equally the 680 is rather than the needs of consumers as than the 680. It’s also whopping five CDs, includes over 10,000 the, admittedly, detailed land, you’ll tired-looking vampires, you can’t help the difference between the 680 and the quieter and slightly sturdier scrolling game-screens, and has dozens gradually build up a party of do-gooders feeling they’d rather be darning socks 880 is minor. Although the 880 looks looking. The price difference of subplots that are woven tighter than eager to go-a-dragon-slaying. than dicing with death. Add in the fact different, and its mid-range print quality of £40 is small enough for a a chainmail jockstrap. Stir in 60 monster The interface is suitably Olde World, that this is essentially a turn-based game is better, in Best and Draft modes persuasive sales person to types, more than 100 spells, equipment and you can drag-&-drop weapons and that has been clumsily mapped into real- the differences are minimal. The convince me it’s worth it. selections that actually change how items into inventory slots, or gain quick time, and you have a game that you’ll 880 is quieter than the 680, but If I had a small office your characters appear on screen, and access to spells. The background graphics need to work at to enjoy. it’s not worth the extra £40. and had to choose hundreds of builds to explore, and this are stunning: crisp buildings, cracking If the minor improvements between one 980 or two should have been a great adventure. lighting effects, transparency and Macworld’s buying advice of the 880 over the 680 are 680s, I’d choose the And to some extent, this is a ripping shadows, realistic movement and That said, there’s a rich, emotive and overpriced, then the 980 makes 680s. The 980 is faster yarn in true Tolkien-esque fashion. You impressively varied scenery make downright massive game lurking inside little sense. The 980 is touted than the others and I start out by creating your own character, for a believable world. Baldur’s Gate – the task you have is to as being the faster office printer. liked the output on glossy such as Paladin, Ranger or Fighter, and Yet sadly, Baldur’s Gate is a little find it. There are differences over the paper, but it isn’t twice as set attributes, such as how proficient they blunted. As the characters amble into yet Matthew Bath other two models, but the price good. is over £300 – more than twice David Fanning

66 Macworld DECEMBER 2000 Search Macworld’s Reviews database online (www.macworld.co.uk), updated throughout the month Search Macworld’s Reviews database online (www.macworld.co.uk), updated throughout the month Macworld DECEMBER 2000 67 Macworld reviews

decent text-editor isn’t the sexiest HTML and text editor piece of software you’ll ever install A on your shimmering G4 Cube, but BBEdit 6 it may well be one of the most useful. Publisher: Barebones Software, Leading the way on the Mac is www.barebones.com BBEdit, a fast, funky and highly functional Distributor: Mygate word cruncher that can satisfy just about (020 8297 9699) any text-entry needs. Pros: Fast; flexible; multi- But what does BBEdit actually do, function text handling; and what the heck have they added to extensive search and replace. Cons: Web editing requires warrant a whole new version? good knowledge of HTML. OK, we know we can edit text Min specs: PowerPC; files with BBEdit. In fact, you can edit System 7.5 or later. a number of text files, and save them Price: £99 including VAT in Mac, DOS or Unix formats. With Code of conduct Star Rating: /8.6 version 6, you can now edit text BBEdit’s flexibility and strong features mean that it appeals to a number of different users in any left-to-right script – assuming – including freelance hackers. Programmers and scripters can make use of the fast searching it’s supported by your Mac – including tools and colour coding to jot JavaScript, punch Perl, or lay down some Lingo. Chinese and Japanese, as well as Unicode. in BBEdit is for those of us creating Web up the process. There are even tools for One of BBEdit’s strongest features pages, with a host of tools and checking syntax, checking that links work is its search and replace function, commands for writing in raw HTML. – both internal and external – and a built- which can operate across a number of An HTML tools-palette contains a in FTP server uploads pages to a Web documents, and use grep – a Unix search full range of common HTML tags and host, or even edit a file remotely. Version program – for more sophisticated pattern features – such as handling fonts and 6 adds support for WML, XHTML and matching. Version 6’s improved multi-file inserting images. It also helps with PHP, and MacPerl – the Mac version of search capability lets you specify more-involved HTML, such as framesets, the ubiquitous Perl scripting language – precisely which files to look through, tables, and forms. is now fully embedded into BBEdit. and save the search parameters as a filter There’s little here that will make for repeated use. Full AppleScript support Macworld’s buying advice version 6 a must-have upgrade for most means just about any repetitive task can It’s not an HTML novices tool – it won’t users, but there are many minor additions be automated. construct pages – but if you know what that to some will be a godsend. However, the most extensive support you’re doing, it’s a great way to speed Martin Gittins

ype & Talk (T&T) 4 is a reading – there and their, for example – and For users who want to use words Dyslexia teaching-aid and writing package for pupils they often trip-up dyslexics. Normal creatively, there is Word Wizard, which T aged 7-12 with learning spellcheckers won’t flag-up homonyms, offers step-by-step guidance towards difficulties – typically, dyslexia. but in T&T they appear in blue type. the word the user needs to type. There Type & Talk 4 Because dyslexics can experience When the user clicks on a blue word, is also a thesaurus, complete with spoken Publisher: Help Systems difficulty with reading, T&T can speak a complete list of alternatives and sample-sentences to give contextual help. www.texthelp.com text when highlighted on screen – and meanings is displayed in a separate Distributor: Sight & Sound all clickable icons can also be spoken. column. (01604 798 070) Macworld’s buying advice Pros: Plenty of intuitive features Words can be spoken letter-by-letter, Because dyslexics tend to spell T&T is Java-based, meaning it’s not Mac- for pupils with learning word-by-word or sentence-by-sentence. phonetically, a phonetic spell-checker specific. It crippled my blue-&-white G3 difficulties; good value. Voice volume, pitch and speed can corrects the most complex of errors. and I had to clean-reinstall Mac OS 9. Cons: Possible Java stability be adjusted to suit the individual, and Fizicks, instead of physics, is an example. T&T publisher, Help Systems, insists that issues. all the Mac OS Voices are available to For students who struggle to form extensive Mac-based testing was carried Min specs: System 7.6.1; T&T. Although word-processing packages words and sentences, T&T’s Prediction out prior to release – and did run 64MB RAM; Mac Runtime have spell-checks, these are no good for feature provides a useful crutch. As the problem-free on another G3 Mac. for Java 2.1.4. those with learning difficulties, because student types in the first letter of a word, Type & Talk has been designed with Price: Single-user licence, £85; they often can’t read or interpret a list of words are suggested in a word- classrooms in mind. A £250 school site- unlimited site-licence, £250 (both prices exclude VAT. suggested corrections. T&T bridges this prediction column. licence allows the software to be installed Star Rating: /7.5 divide using a number of key features. T&T also has a spelling log, on a network for use on an unlimited One is its Homonym Checker. which records the type of mistake number of machines. If a school has Homonyms are words that sound similar, made, so teachers can draft just one machine, a multi-profile function but have different meanings and spellings individualized education plans. allows an unlimited number of users to save individual lessons and preferences. T&T may also appeal to those with a dyslexic child. A simple-to-follow manual is provided with the software Word class and, for those who can’t read, the same Type & Talk 4 flags-up homonyms information can be spoken within T&T. in blue text and offers alternatives, VAT can be claimed-back by schools complete with meanings, given at and individual users if that user has a the foot of the window. Spelling registered learning difficulty. mistakes are highlighted in red. Sean Ashcroft

68 Macworld DECEMBER 2000 Search Macworld’s Reviews database online (www.macworld.co.uk), updated throughout the month Macworld reviews

much higher level of understanding. PDF editing tool A file with mixed CMYK and RGB images and colours is a common problem. Previously, PitStop Pro could PitStop Pro 4.5 handle only global colour changes. Publisher: Enfocus www.enfocus.com Now it can also convert pixel images Distributor: Computers Unlimited (020 8358 5858) from RGB to CMYK, and also supports Pros: Excellent set of production editing- ICC profiling of individual images. tools; comprehensive global edits. With CTP (computer to plate) Cons: Some incompatibilities with from a PDF workflow becoming more Adobe InProduction. fashionable, it’s important to keep Into Action Min specs: Adobe Acrobat 4.05; Power file sizes down. PitStop Pro can now PitStop Pro 4.5’s Action Macintosh running Mac OS 8 or later. resample images using one of three List removes the drudgery Price: Full version, £299; upgrade from techniques: average downsampling, of repetitive tasks and version 4.0, £79; upgrade from other subsampling and bicubic downsampling. includes a couple of versions, £149 (all prices exclude VAT). Star Rating: /8.6 Take the common font problem of automated procedures to an embedded TrueType typeface that help create user macros. simply won’t RIP to an imagesetter. Such he rise of the PDF format has been a font can now be changed globally with interesting, especially with Adobe additional adjustment of character and T InDesign and Illustrator 9 using word spacing. In fact, PitStop Pro 4.5 it as a standard file-format. However, can change numerous objects globally, for those of us who work in pre-press as well as page-related characteristics, function in global changes, make user and/or publishing, there’s still a problem including the various page boxes. Of macros relatively straightforward to – namely, how to edit and correct these, the trim box is probably the most create. PDF files. PitStop Pro 4.5, an Acrobat 4 important, as it dictates the final physical plug-in, may be the answer. size of the document. Objects that fall Macworld’s buying advice To start with, a PDF file’s quirks have outside of this box can be removed. The list of excellent new features in to be analysed. PitStop Pro’s Preflight Of all the new features, the most PitStop Pro 4.5 is long. You can even Panel is brilliant for this, coming with powerful has to be the Action List. replace an object with one from another seven profiles that include Acrobat’s Almost any repetitive task can be carried PDF and then manipulate it into position three standards, plus the likes of out as a sequence with the default list by scaling and rotating – although this CD-ROM publishing and mono-laser of 15 actions – including various isn’t compatible with InProduction. printer. No preflighter is easy to use, conversions, resizing and resampling If editing – in the production sense but this one produces a comprehensible operations. The “grab undo” facility, – is important to you, then PitStop Pro 4.5 report that can be followed up – unlike where a bunch of edits can be reviewed is an essential tool. Adobe InProduction, which requires a as a list, and the “save as action list” Vic Lennard

Studio Artist’s interface uses a music- Excellent painting package synthesizer metaphor. You brush effects onto a canvas using patches, which range from natural-media effects to Studio Artist 1.5 hallucinatory swirls. More than 600 Publisher: Synthetik Systems patches are included – and you can also www.synthetik.com build your own. But the program’s most Distributor: Computer Warehouse impressive feature is its ability to clone (020 8400 1235) Pros: Unmatched effects and image- an image: it can sample the colour in an cloning features. image, and then use that colour to paint a Cons: Complex, un-Mac-like interface. second image using the currently selected Min specs: Power Macintosh; patch. You can easily turn a photo into a Mac OS 8.5 or later. watercolour, for example, by painting over Price: £215 excluding VAT the image using the watercolour patch. and the new animation features, you can Auto sunflowers Star Rating: /7.9 Unlike other programs that offer cloning render everything from complex morphs Studio Artist’s auto-painting features, such as Corel’s Painter, Studio to psychedelic textures and colours. engine does an incredible job of Artist uses complex algorithms that clone Another new feature, a set of 3D-lighting generating strokes that follow the ynthetik Systems’ Studio Artist is intelligently. tools, lets you control how light interacts lines, contours, and forms of an about as different from other paint One of the best features in Studio with a painted surface creating textures underlying image. S programs as it is from a can of Artist 1.0 is its ability to turn QuickTime and complex lighting-effects that would paint. Billed as the world’s first graphics movies into animations. Version 1.5 goes otherwise require years of training. synthesizer, the program offers an a step further, with a sequencer that lets astounding array of tools for creating still you animate the parameters of your Macworld’s buying advice images and animations. And version 1.5 patches over time to create wild, With its complex, un-Mac-like interface, adds the ability to animate the properties ever-changing paint effects. Studio Artist 1.5 may baffle those with of brush strokes over time. But Studio The new Texture Synthesizer offers an a short attention span – but it contains Artist’s unique tools are accompanied by overwhelming assortment of controls for some powerful digital-editing tools. an interface that takes a while to learn. creating textures. Using the synthesizer Ben Long

Search Macworld’s Reviews database online (www.macworld.co.uk), updated throughout the month Macworld DECEMBER 2000 71 Macworld reviews

uickTime 5, the long-awaited Web-stream player upgrade to Apple’s multimedia Q system-software, is finally here – sort of. Apple has announced a preview QuickTime 5 release of QuickTime 5, the full version Public Preview of which is slated to ship early next year. Publisher: Apple We took QuickTime 5 Player (020 8358 5857) for a test drive, paying particular attention www.apple.com/uk to the user interface. It’s important to Pros: Loads of new features. note that QuickTime is both an application Cons: It doesn’t include all the features promised for and a set of developer resources. Some the shipping version. of the new features, such as real-time Min specs: PowerPC processor; video-editing effects and MPEG-1 export, 32MB RAM; System 7.5.5 are not available in the QuickTime Player. or later. Instead, the features are targeted at Price: Free. developers for incorporation into future releases of their applications. One feature originally promised for version 5, MPEG-2 import and export, won’t appear until a future QuickTime update. TV on demand As with QuickTime 3 and 4, version 5 QuickTime 5 Public Preview features a revamped interface – for instance, functions, such as will be available in a free version and a brightness, can be accessed through an on-screen, TV-control-like bar. £20 Pro version. The former offers basic playback capabilities. The latter offers limited editing features, as well as the button on the player itself. The settings Dual ISDN/ADSL; 256Kbps ADSL/Cable; ability to loop movies, save them to disk appear directly within the video window 384Kbps ADSL/Cable; 512Kbps ADSL/ and play them full-screen. If you’ve as a series of thin vertical lines, much like Cable; 768Kbps ADSL/Cable; 1Mbps already upgraded to the pro version of the controls on monitors and TV sets. You cable; 1.5Mbps T1/Intranet/LAN QuickTime 4.x, QuickTime 5 automatically can access sound controls – bass, treble (Local Area Network); and Intranet/LAN. takes on the Pro features. If you haven’t and balance – through a menu selection Perhaps the biggest question about upgraded to Pro, the new QuickTime or by clicking on a graphic-equalizer icon QuickTime 5 is one that might not be Player offers the same limited playback on the right of the player. The equalizer answered for several months. The options as before. You can’t actually appears only in movies that include an upgrade supports Sorenson Video3, purchase the Pro version of QuickTime 5, audio track, but you can display the a new version of QuickTime’s default but you can buy QuickTime 4.x Pro and sound controls at any time using the compression/decompression software. then download the QuickTime 5 preview. menu selection. However, Apple said that Sorenson Although QuickTime 5 is not a native To access Favorites, you click on a TV Video3 support is not expected until Mac OS X application, the player button in the lower right, which replaces the final release of QuickTime 5 early conforms in part to Apple’s Aqua the player interface with a two-tabbed next year. A key issue will be the quality interface guidelines. In the upper panel. One tab, identified by a QuickTime of live streaming-video, an area where left are three standard Aqua window TV logo, accesses QTV channels. The RealNetworks appears to have an controls that resemble coloured glass other, identified by a heart symbol, advantage, with its RealSystem8. beads – Close, Minimize and Maximize. contains your personal favourites. To The Close control works as you’d expect, return to the player interface, you click Macworld’s buying advice while Maximize functions like the current on the same “TV” button, which isn’t A few caveats from the read me file: Zoom box. However, the yellow Minimize very intuitive, because the label should A new version of Sorenson Broadcaster Channel hopping control serves only a placeholder reflect the button’s function. will be required to work with the preview QuickTime 5 supports all the function, because Mac OS 9 does QuickTime 5 includes a new version of release; Apple and Sorenson said they old channels available on not provide for minimizing windows. QuickTime VR that offers cubic-panorama are working on one. Changes in the Apple’s network. The brushed-metal look of the capabilities along with the previous music synthesizer could cause memory QuickTime 4.x player drew heaps of cylindrical panoramas. In addition to allocation problems in some software criticism from interface experts, who letting you look left and right within the titles, particularly games; Apple has asked derided its circular volume control, VR scene, a cubic panorama lets you look developers to monitor their applications Favorites drawer and other un-intuitive all the way up and down. The preview for this issue. Apple said it’s also working elements. The new player makes some supports this capability – once you’ve to fix a problem with TunePlayer and overtures to the critics by removing the installed QuickTime 5, you can visit SetNoteChannel system calls, again an Favorites drawer, and replacing the Apple’s QTVR gallery and view sample issue of primary concern to developers. volume wheel with a slider. However, cubic-panoramas. It works pretty much When you install QuickTime 5, it interface experts will likely take issue as you’d expect: you look up and down replaces previous QuickTime versions on with other features. For example, an by dragging the mouse vertically instead your system. If you want to go back to Apple logo in the lower-left corner of horizontally. You can also move QuickTime 4.1.2, you need to uninstall looks like a button, but serves only as diagonally. version 5 using an option in the installer, Neck strain an ornament. A panel on the bottom of The upgrade adds several new and then install QuickTime 4.1.2. The UK The new version of QuickTime VR the player resembles a drawer, but again, connection speeds, primarily geared version of QuickTime 5 Public Preview is allows stiched pictures to be functions only as a graphic element. toward ADSL and cable-modem users. available from the Apple UK Web site viewed through all angles – You display video controls by making The connection options are: (www.apple.com/uk/quicktime). including vertically. a menu selection, rather than through a 28.8/33.6Kbps; 56Kbps/ISDN; 112Kbps Steven Beale

72 Macworld DECEMBER 2000 Search Macworld’s Reviews database online (www.macworld.co.uk), updated throughout the month Which Mac? Macworld’s guide to choosing your first or new Mac. By Simon Jary

one are the days when Macs cost more than Windows PCs. The high-quality, entry-level iMac costs just £649, is G faster and has more features than many cheapo PCs. Some of the Macs featured here do appear more expensive than their Windows equivalents, but weigh up the extras you get by choosing a Mac: iMovie 2, FireWire, more than one processor, professional networking, and award-winning design. This Macworld guide takes you through your most important choices, offering advice and upgrade tips along the way. page 80

Macworld DECEMBER 2000 79 Connections iMac: from £649 bargain to ot so long ago Macs connected to peripherals such as N scanners, CD recorders and external hard drives via a cable link known as SCSI. SCSI still exists, but you need to add a special card (from about £40) to your new Mac if you want to attach a SCSI device these days. Since 1998, Apple DV Special Edition wonder has replaced its Macs’ SCSI ports with two new connections: USB and FireWire. USB (Universal Serial Bus) lets you connect up to 127 devices to your Mac The iMac is Apple’s most successful Macintosh ever. Its – compared to SCSI’s mere seven. Also, unlike SCSI, USB is hot-pluggable – innovative look shook the design world out of a boxy, plain- meaning you can yank a printer’s cable from the back of your Mac and colour rut. More importantly, it truly re-invented the term replace it with a digital-camera card reader without your computer crashing “personal computer” for the Internet age. Although it or you needing to restart to get your new peripheral working. debuted back in late 1998, the iMac is still the PC for the SCSI is faster than USB – it has a data throughput of between 5MB and 21st century. The iMac’s appeal is spread across the board: 160MB per second (MBps), compared to USB’s 1.5MBps. And that’s why functionality; ease of use; features; looks; and price. No USB is aimed at those computer peripherals that don’t need a lot of other PC can match it on all these key attractions. bandwidth: your mouse and keyboard, for instance. Many ink-jet printers also use USB as a connection, because all the heavy rasterization takes place Functionality Bargain DV iMac on your Mac before the document gets sent to the printer. What is the point of a PC these days? Years ago, a PC was a If you want to make desktop digital movies, the iMac DV represents Those peripherals that do need SCSI-like speeds – external hard drives, glorified word processor that could maybe play a few basic great value. For just £799 (including VAT), you get all the performance scanners, etc – connect to your Mac via the FireWire port. FireWire – games. Nowadays, the first thing people want from a of a fast G3 processor with speedy FireWire connectivity to attach your invented by Apple and licensed by companies such as Sony and other DV personal computer is Internet access. And the iMac is the digital camcorder. You get a CD drive instead of DVD, but most people camcorder manufacturers – has a maximum throughput of 50MBps. Digital fastest way you can get connected from buying the would prefer their DVD as a TV separate anyway. It’s available in Indigo video is the main purpose of FireWire – also more boringly referred to as IEEE machine to opening the box and setting it up on your desk. and Ruby red. 1394 and iLink. All of Apple’s current Macs – except the entry-level £649 Graphite option One of the great things about the Internet is that you iMac – come with at least one FireWire port and the wonderful iMovie 2 don’t need the very fastest computer to use it at full tilt. video-editing software, so movie-making is a real synch on the Mac. The top-end iMac DV SE is The iMac comes with a 56Kbps modem – the fastest Like USB, FireWire is hot-pluggable, and you can daisychain up to 63 available in Snow white (see analogue modem around. So even the entry-level iMac is as All you have to do to get your iMac up and running is additional peripherals with none of the troublesome IDs, DIP switches or page 83) and Graphite (above). fast at browsing the Web or sending/receiving email as the take it out of the box, plug in the power cable, keyboard and terminators required by SCSI. It costs £550 more than the 500MHz Power Mac G4 or a 1GHz Pentium III PC – unless mouse, and press the On button. The iMac set-up manual is Even the planned second-generation, 100MBps FireWire won’t catch top- entry-level model, but you get a those machines include expensive digital Net-access extras. Bargain iMac very brief, because there’s not much else you need to do. I level SCSI for speed, so SCSI cards are available for those who need it. lot of features for the extra cash. The iMac is still proficient at the traditional PC tasks. The entry-level iMac costs just £649 including VAT. With this model would, however, recommend that newcomers buy a book, Every Mac comes with the fastest-available analogue modem, running at When choosing a Mac, decide Word processing and other business applications are and at this price, Apple at last has a product that beats Windows PCs such as iMac for Dummies or Macworld Mac OS 9 Bible (both 56Kbps. If you want faster Internet access, you’ll need a digital connection, exactly what you want it for now included for free with the iMac, as parts of the AppleWorks both on quality and cost. It’s not the machine for digital video, as it IDG Books), to really get the most from your iMac. such as ISDN or ADSL (see our feature this month, page 97). and what you might consider 6.0 program suite. AppleWorks includes simple drawing doesn’t have a FireWire port – but for nearly every other task, this iMac using it for in the future. Macs and painting programs, as well as spreadsheet, database is perfect. Available in Indigo 0only. Features last a lot longer than PCs – an and presentations tools. Microsoft’s Office 2001 for Mac is The iMac has nearly all the high-end features of even the iMac, for instance, would easily a collection of beefier business applications (Word, Excel most expensive Macs – and a lot more than most Windows Pro Mouse and Pro Keyboard last a first-year student through and PowerPoint) that are fully compatible with their PCs. Full-size keyboard and optical mouse are connected via to graduation and beyond. Windows counterparts. Office 2001 (reviewed in Macromedia’s Dreamweaver Web editor or Quark’s XPress the Universal Serial Bus (USB) standard that allows you to very new desktop Mac (Power Macintosh, Cube and iMac) comes with Macworld’s November 2000 issue, and featured in the DTP page-layout program, for instance. All three, however, add most modern peripherals, such as printers, scanners E Apple’s new Pro Mouse and Pro Keyboard. Both are improvements on October issue) costs about £399 (excluding VAT). will require that you add some memory (RAM) to all but the and digital-camera card readers. You can network your iMac their predecessors, and represent genuine benefits of choosing a Mac over AppleWorks is OK for most home users, but the Office suite Special Edition iMac. As RAM isn’t that expensive these to other Macs via fast 10/100BaseT ethernet, or add Apple’s a Windows PC, or upgrading your old Mac to a is recommended for more serious work. days, that’s no big deal (see “Memory matters”, page 90.) AirPort technology to create a wireless network and rid new one. The iMac’s PowerPC G3 processor is easily fast enough All the iMacs except the entry-level model come with yourself of some of those cables. The Pro Mouse is optical – there’s no for nearly every program available for the Mac. It can Apple’s iMovie 2 video-editing software. That’s what the DV All but the entry-level iMac include two ultra-fast ball underneath it telling your cursor handle Adobe’s powerful Photoshop image editor, stands for: digital video. If you have a digital camcorder FireWire ports for connecting digital camcorders or adding where to point. Now, it’s all done with a FireWire connection – this is also known as i.Link by external hard drives. Even this iMac has a 7GB hard drive, so cleverly with light. This means that Sony and IEEE 1394 by real techies – then the world of you won’t need to add an external hard drive in a hurry. there’s no moving parts to gather dirt, Macworld New iMacs speed tested professional-looking video production is at your fingertips. Digital video files do fill up hard drives pretty fast, but the dust and general desk debris. It also LAB TEST iMovie 2 will also benefit from you adding some more RAM. DV iMacs can have massive 30GB drives. has no button, as its whole adjustable And, of course, the iMac is more than capable of Some iMacs (see the feature-table “Apple’s current case becomes your clicker. It’s smooth, Best results in test. impressive gaming performance, with its ATI RAGE 128 Pro desktop Mac range” on page 86) also have DVD drives that slick and sexy – in a slinky red-light graphics accelerator coming with 8MB of SDRAM graphics accept standard CDs and can also play DVD-Video discs. kinda way. It beats the paws off Apple’s Mac model Speedmark 2.1 Quake III memory. Whether you like blasting aliens in Quake, There’s no floppy drive, but this shouldn’t worry you as they old round mouse and waggles its silver iMac DV SE G3/500 127 33.6 planning empires in Civilization, or playing a young Jedi in hold only 1.4MB anyway – you can email that size of file in tail at most of those found with iMac DV+ G3/450 119 25.2 Star Wars: Racer, the iMac is powerful enough for them all. under a minute. Windows PCs. PowerBook and iBook iMac DV SE G3/400 (1999) 109 25.4 owners should also consider buying iMac DV G3/400 105 23.0 With an iMac, there’s no need to go out and buy an one (an extra £45, inc. VAT)… don’t let iMac G3/350 (1999) 100 22.0 Ease of use extra monitor – it’s all built in. The 15-inch built-in screen is iMac G3/350 97 21.0 Apple reckons that even a total novice can be hooked up to sharp and includes a special Theatre Mode for enhanced your finger do all the walking. the Internet just 15 minutes after taking the iMac out of its brightness in full-screen video. There’s a surprising amount The full-size 108-key Pro Keyboard Speedmark 2.1 scores are relative to an iMac 350MHz (1999), which box. In our tests, most computer rookies were connected of screen space in that 15 inches, but some – especially boasts 15 programmable function keys, is assigned a score of 100. Quake results are in frames per second. within half an hour – a record that Windows-PC graphic designers and page-layout artists – will hanker and new keys for Page Up and Down, We tested each system with Mac OS 9.0.4, 64MB of RAM (128MB manufacturers can’t even dream about. Most of the iMac’s after a bigger display. They should look to those Macs that Home and End, Insert and forward Delete, as RAM for the iMac DV SE G3/500), and virtual memory enabled. well as an Eject key for your CDs or DVDs. Like We set displays to 1,024-x-768 pixels, and 24-bit colour. Speedmark software is already ready and waiting for you, but the few come with no screen built in or even a PowerBook, to which the Pro Mouse, the Pro Keyboard also looks great. It’s finished in silvery is a suite of common tasks. Currently available models in bold. installation steps you have to make are hardly head- you can attach a monitor (see “Display” box-out, page 84). scratchers. A bright new multimedia introduction to setting Graphite plastics, and offers a spare USB port for attaching peripherals. up – MacBuddy – now makes things even easier. page 83

80 Macworld DECEMBER 2000 Macworld DECEMBER 2000 81 FireWire and iMovie 2

aking movies used to be expensive, tricky and beyond most people’s M creative abilities. With a FireWire port (Apple’s gift to the digital-video world – and licensed by many camcorder makers, such as Sony), you can connect the latest digital camcorders and transfer your movies straight to your Mac. It’s dead easy – and at 400Mbps, pretty fast, too. Once that movie footage is on your Mac, you’ll want to edit it straight away. Apple’s digital video-editing software, iMovie 2, ships for free on every FireWire-enabled Macintosh. This is no throw-away freebie. iMovie 2 is a very competent software package. Better still, it is incredibly easy to use and simple to master. You won’t believe how easy it is, with iMovie 2, to edit your movies, and add special effects, audio and titles. There’s a slide bar to speed up, slow down, or even reverse your video clips. Music and audio effects can be faded in and out. There are trails and mirror effects, as well as black-&-white and sepia tones. See Macworld’s review, September 2000. The larger your hard disk, the more video clips you can combine to make longer movies. The iMac DV’s 10GB hard disk should suffice for most home movies, but the more ambitious will need to add another FireWire hard disk or buy a Mac with a larger drive. The iMac DV SE and top-end Power Mac G4 are both available with 30GB disks. iMovie’s interface, shown here, is designed to perfectly fit 1,024-x- More powerful DV iMac 768-pixel screens, so Desktop digital movies can take up a lot of hard-disk space, and the it’s ideal for the iMac’s iMac DV+ comes with an enormous 20GB hard drive. This model also built-in display. It’s has a DVD drive, which can play DVD movies and work with standard even fine on the CD-ROMs. The 450MHz G3 processor is certainly an impressive iBook’s 800-x-600- performer. This model has the greatest case-colour choice, as it’s pixel screen. available in Indigo, Ruby, and Sage green. There are many other video-editing programs available, both on Mac and Looks Windows – but none There’s no doubt that the iMac is the best-looking is as powerful and consumer PC around – by a very long way. But the iMac’s simple as Apple’s design is not just pretty plastics. Adding more memory is a iMovie 2. A new breed snip, via the “hidden” door at the rear of the case. While it’s of film-maker is born. certainly not portable, you can pick the iMac up using the large handle on the top. This vented handle area is also where the air heated by the components escapes – thus eliminating the need for a noisy fan. Like the G4 Cube, the iMac is virtually silent – unlike most Windows PCs. Price For such a powerful and versatile PC, the iMac is an absolute bargain. The entry-level iMac costs just £649 – including VAT! You don’t get a FireWire connection or iMovie 2 software, so digital-video editing is out of the question. But if home movies aren’t your thing, this is a remarkable deal – even if it’s available only in Indigo (the best looking colour, anyway). The 7GB hard drive is ample, and the 350Mhz G3 chip speedy enough. Available in Indigo and Ruby red, the next level up is the iMac DV, which costs £799. The extra £150 gets you the digital-video essentials (FireWire and iMovie 2), as well as the extra colour choice. The 10GB hard drive should suffice, as long as you don’t fill it all up with your home movies (a minute of movie takes up about 200MB of hard-disk space). Like the entry-level iMac, the iMac DV comes with a CD drive, and not the DVD that the DV+ and DV SE ship with. The 450MHz iMac DV+ has a 20GB hard drive – which will better suit movie makers – and a DVD drive. It is also available in the pale Sage green as well as Indigo and Ruby. The top-end iMac DV Special Edition is the ultimate, The ultimate iMac boasting 128MB of RAM, a 30GB hard drive, DVD, and The iMac DV Special Edition has the lot. Its 500MHz G3 processor is super fast; its 30GB hard drive capacious. 500MHz G3. If you want an iMac in either cool Graphite or It comes stacked with a generous 128MB of RAM, which should save you having to buy more straight away. Snow colours, then the DV SE is the only way to go. The DVD drive lets you play movies, and the FireWire lets you make and edit your own. To show off these Choosing which iMac to buy depends on whether you special qualities, the DV SE is available in cool Graphite and Snow. want digital-video capabilities or not, and then price. Simon Jary Macworld’s Macintosh Buyers Guide continues on page 84

Macworld DECEMBER 2000 83 Display G4 Cube: ower Mac and Cube owners will need to buy an external monitor. Apple offers three – the flat-panel 15-inch Studio Display and 22-inch Cinema P Display, and the 17-inch Studio Display CRT monitor – that connect via the ADC monitor port. You can connect any compatible third-party screen via the VGA monitor port. The ADC (Apple Display Connector) port is pretty smart. It lets you turn the computer on and off from a single power switch Cool power on the display. It also carries not just the picture signal, but the display’s power from the Mac – thus reducing cable clutter. However, only these three rather expensive displays utilize the ADC. They all look great and are top-notch quality, but less expensive displays do exist. Although the iMac comes with its own built-in 15-inch display, you can add another via a video-mirroring port that displays an image identical to that shown on the built-in screen – invaluable for the education market. The PowerBook has dual-display capability via its VGA out port, meaning you can add an external monitor and use it either as your main screen or with the portable’s built-in 14.1-inch (diagonal) TFT XGA active-matrix display. Alternatively, you can use the S-Video port to connect your PowerBook to your television, letting you watch DVD movies on the big screen. You can’t add a second display to the consumer laptop iBook, but you can plug it into your TV via the AV port.

Apple won a heap of design awards for the iMac – a machines – and they’re as cheap as they’ve ever been. Of personal computer powerful enough to handle most course, it would sell a lot more units if it was cheaper. And applications, but cute enough to show off in the home. The Apple does seem to be realizing this. Rather quietly, Apple company’s most recent new PC is also a delight to look at, has announced plans to introduce lower-cost Cube models and a marvel of modern engineering. next spring (see News). However, the company declines to The Power Mac G4 Cube is exactly that – a Power Mac offer any details about future products. In the meantime, G4 minitower compressed into an eight-inch cube. It might Apple is offering a £250 “rebate” to anyone who buys a lack the minitower’s expansion slots, but otherwise it is Cube with one of the new Apple displays (offer ends essentially the same professional workstation. Buying a G4 December 31). Cube is a design statement and a desire for professional The expensive thing about the Cube is its aesthetic computing power. need for one of Apple’s flat-panel displays. Apple’s 17-inch The Cube is a great example of Apple’s industrial design CRT costs just £349 (excluding VAT) and has a flat screen, and hardware engineering, but it doesn’t come cheap. The but it’s a bit of a hulk compared to the Cube. The 15-inch least expensive model (450MHz) costs £1,249 excluding Studio Display is fantastic – both in terms of quality picture VAT. In comparison the entry-level Power Mac G4 (400MHz) and stunning looks – but £699 is going to hurt. The 22-inch minitower costs £1,149. Sure, you get an extra spurt of G4 Cinema Display costs a whopping £2,799. You get a lot of speed, but you don’t get the slots and it costs £100 more. very tasty screen, but three grand?! These aren’t expensive Cracks or lines? The very fact that you’re considering a Cube probably for LCD displays – in fact, £699 for the 15-inch Studio If you peer very closely at means that you’re unlikely to require those “missing” three Display is an average price for a very decent monitor. It’s the the Cube’s crystal-clear PCI slots. Now that digital-video uses FireWire (the Cube fact that the Cube looks cheated next to anything but one casing, it’s possible to has two such ports), and the best video cards fit in the AGP of these flat-panels that makes it appear expensive. LaCie’s spot a couple of hair 2x slot, there’s a lot less call for PCI slots these days anyway. 22-inch Electron Blue CRT display costs the same as Apple’s lines. Some call these If you want to have a second monitor working off your 15-inch LCD, but it doesn’t fit with the Cube aesthetically. ‘cracks’. Power Mac, you’ll need a PCI slot for an extra graphics card. If you can live with a cheaper display, the Cube is well Apple now claims So if this is on your list of priorities, the Cube isn’t for you. priced. You don’t get the minitower’s PCI slots, but you get that these “small plastic The Cube can’t run one display from the ADC port and everything else. The Cube looks like a novelty, but acts like a flow lines” were in fact a another from the VGA – it’s got to be one or the other. And pro workstation. Unfortunately, the price gap between the side effect of the if you want to run anything with a SCSI connection, a Power top-end iMac DV SE and Cube with flat-panel display is a manufacturing process, Mac (with added SCSI card) is a better bet than a Cube with gulp-inducing £1,090 including VAT (£840 with the rebate). which has now been a SCSI-FireWire adaptor that will limit your SCSI throughput This stops it being a solution for people who crave a larger refined to stop them to FireWire’s maximum. These situations shouldn’t affect screen than the iMac’s. occurring. Whatever, the most people, so the Cube is just as good a workstation as a Choose the Cube if you can afford to splash the cash on lines aren’t easy to see, minitower Power Mac. the flat-panel display or live with a cheaper, less attractive and they won’t affect the In reality, the Cube just looks expensive. If you monitor. The Cube is a tiny G4 powerhouse. And if looks performance of the Cube remember that it is a fully fledged Power Mac (with a could kill, the Cube would be the Hannibal Lecter of the or damage the casing. couple of great-sounding and good-looking Harman- computing world. Kardon speakers), it’s price is in line with Apple’s other pro page 86

84 Macworld DECEMBER 2000 processors. If you spend most of your work time using Storage: size and type programs that don’t support Power Mac G4: Tower talk multiprocessing, you won’t ac hard-disk capacities are generous. Even the entry- see much immediate benefit M level £649 iMac has 7GB of space. Most of this model’s from the second processor in owners won’t get anywhere near filling that with their The Power Mac G4 is a great professional workstation. Like your Mac. AppleWorks files, digital-camera snaps and Web downloads. all of Apple’s computers, it looks like no other machine in its The traffic cop In any All of Apple’s other Macs have powerful digital video-editing class. But looks aren’t everything, and the Power Mac’s computer, the operating capabilities, and so require larger hard drives. Remember that just design is actually a wonder of practical design. system doles out processor one minute of digital video takes up a stonking 200MB of hard-disk space Forget the cool Graphite colouring and clear-plastic power. To that end, the OS (that’s one gig per five minutes). Of course, you won’t keep all your movies elements, the Power Mac is simple to set up and easy to contains a piece of software on your hard disk forever – but having as many gigabytes as possible is upgrade. Much like the iMac, set-up is a breeze with its called a scheduler, which always going to come in handy. Power users should consider the funky video-based MacBuddy installation. Once, it’s up and determines how just much AppleStore’s build-to-order option of faster SCSI hard drives. running, the Power Mac is built for ease of use. To add processor time your software You can add external hard drives to get more gigs – although USB-based memory chips, internal hard or Zip drives, or processor – including apps and many hard drives aren’t recommended, so £649 iMac owners should archive files upgrades, you simply pull open the Mac’s side door – even of the OS’s components – to CD or Zip to free up space. Other Mac owners can add external FireWire if it’s still switched on and running. The Power Mac is can use at any one time. hard drives (much better than USB units). Power Mac owners can also certainly not just a pretty face. In multiprocessor Macs, install extra hard drives (SCSI or ATA) internally. the scheduler determines The best way to gigabyte happiness is to regularly archive your files to a Processor power which processor performs CD. You’ll need a CD burner, costing about £250; blanks CD cost under a The PowerPC G4 processor is more than a match for its specific tasks. pound if bought in bulk. Pentium III rivals – even though its top speed is 500MHz, Critics of the Macintosh Iomega’s Zip disks can carry up to 250MB of data, and are popular not the 1GHz boasted by Intel. System performance isn’t operating system have long enough for most people to have access to a drive – making Zip a handy form down to a straight comparison of chip megahertz. In fact, cited its lack of pre-emptive of removable storage. CDs are still cheaper because you don’t need to ask Apple claims that in a head-to-head fight, the 500MHz G4 multitasking, a system that for them back. Floppy disks? 1.4MB… use email, stupid… is about twice as fast as a 1GHz PIII when tested using gives the operating system Adobe Photoshop. complete control over which However, Apple is still seen to be losing the megahertz tasks get processor priority. (Mac OS X will offer this new multiprocessor Macs). This component holds the key war in the eyes of the public. So, the company has fought feature.) In contrast, since the days of the MultiFinder the to making dual-G4 Macs work with today’s operating back by shipping Power Macs with more than one chip in Mac has used co-operative multitasking, a sort of honour system until Mac OS X becomes available. them. So, the top-end Power Mac now boasts two 500MHz system that allows any program to use the processor until G4 processors. Unfortunately, two 500MHz chips do not it’s ready to let go. That means a misbehaving task can hog Today’s multiprocessing problems equal 1GHz. It’s a lot more complicated than that. And this the processor, causing all the other programs to slow to a Since Apple didn’t design the classic Mac OS to do its work is where deciding which Power Mac to buy gets tricky. halt. Now can you see why OS X’s modern functionality is so on multiple processors, it can’t take advantage of them. The The latest G4 Power Macs boast the same speeds as eagerly anticipated? only beneficiaries of additional processors are pieces of their predecessors – but they now house two G4 chips Although the core of the current Mac OS doesn’t do pre- software that take advantage of the pre-emptive instead of one. This is good news – if you use Photoshop a emptive multitasking, you can find this feature if you know scheduling in Apple’s multiprocessing software. lot or plan to upgrade to the forthcoming Mac OS X, which where to look. It’s tucked away in Apple’s multiprocessing Programs (such as the Finder) not designed to that will use that second processor far better than Mac OS 9. But software, built into the Mac OS since version 8.6 (and specification can’t use the second processor at all, and if your bread-and-butter applications aren’t written seriously updated in Mac OS 9, paving the way for these some types of programs wouldn’t really benefit much from page 88 specifically to take advantage of multiprocessing, you’ll find that these new Power Macs are no faster than their single-chip predecessors. To save these people cash, Apple G4 sharing: how multiprocessing works still offers a single-chip Power Mac – but only at 400MHz. Both the applications and the system software must be Task Task explicitly designed to take advantage of multiple Non-MP App MP App MP App Apple’s current desktop Mac range Non-MP Non-MP App App Model PowerPC Base Max Hard CD-ROM USB FireWire PCI AirPort Ethernet iMovie 2 56Kbps Graphics ADC/ Case Colours processor RAM RAM disk DVD ports ports slots software modem card VGA design

iMac 350MHz G3 64MB 1GB 7GB CD 2 0 0 No 10/100 No Yes 8MB ATI RAGE 128 Pro No All-in-one Indigo Non-MP G4 G4 G4 G4 iMac DV 400MHz G3 64MB 1GB 10GB CD 2 2 0 Yes 10/100 Yes Yes 8MB ATI RAGE 128 Pro VGA VM ** All-in-one Indigo, Ruby App iMac DV+ 450MHz G3 64MB 1GB 20GB DVD 2 2 0 Yes 10/100 Yes Yes 8MB ATI RAGE 128 Pro VGA VM ** All-in-one Indigo, Ruby, Sage iMac DV SE 500MHz G3 128MB 1GB 30GB DVD 2 2 0 Yes 10/100 Yes Yes 8MB ATI RAGE 128 Pro VGA VM ** All-in-one Graphite, Snow Power Mac G4 Cube 450MHz G4 64MB 1.5GB 20GB DVD 2 2 0 Yes 10/100 Yes Yes 16MB ATI RAGE 128 Pro * ADC/VGA Cube Silver Non-MP Non-MP App App Power Mac G4 Cube 500MHz G4 128MB 1.5GB 30GB DVD 2 2 0 Yes 10/100 Yes Yes 16MB ATI RAGE 128 Pro * ADC/VGA Cube Silver Power Mac G4 400MHz G4 64MB 1.5GB 20GB DVD 2 2 3 Yes 10/100/1000 Yes Yes 16MB ATI RAGE 128 Pro * ADC/VGA Tower Graphite Task Task Non-MP Non-MP Power Mac G4 DP 2 x 450MHz G4 128MB 1.5GB 30GB DVD 2 2 3 Yes 10/100/1000 Yes Yes 16MB ATI RAGE 128 Pro * ADC/VGA Tower Graphite App App MP App Power Mac G4 DP 2 x 500MHz G4 256MB 1.5GB 40GB DVD-R 2 2 3 Yes 10/100/1000 Yes Yes 16MB ATI RAGE 128 Pro * ADC/VGA Tower Graphite MP App

All iMacs ship with Mac OS 9.04, AppleWorks 6, QuickTime 4, Microsoft Internet Explorer and Outlook Express, Netscape Communicator, Bugdom, Nanosaur, Palm Desktop, FAXstf Pro, and Adobe Acrobat Reader. All Power Macs ship with Mac OS 9.04, QuickTime 4, Microsoft Internet Explorer and Outlook Express, Netscape Communicator, Palm Desktop, FAXstf Pro, and Adobe Acrobat Reader. In Mac OS 9 (left), most applications run on the primary processor, which bears the bulk of the processing load (signified by the AirPort card and Base Station available for an extra £319 (inc. VAT). AirPort allows you to access the Internet without attaching the modem cable to your Mac, as well as network Macs wirelessly. red indicator bar). Applications that are multiprocessor-savvy can spin off additional tasks to the second G4 chip, providing a bit * 32MB ATI Radeon graphics card available as a £70 option on the online AppleStore. of a speed increase. In Mac OS X (right), non-multiprocessor applications can run on either processor – evening out the work the ** VGA Video Mirroring allows same image on iMac screen and second display, although this is restricted to 1,024-x-768 pixels. two processors must do. Multiprocessor-savvy software runs its various tasks on either processor – the operating system’s scheduling software will give the job to the processor doing less work at any given time.

86 Macworld DECEMBER 2000 Macworld DECEMBER 2000 87 multiprocessing anyway. The speed of your hard drive limits Macworld Lab tests proved that multiprocessor-enabled disk-repair utilities, for example, and network speeds, as applications such as Photoshop, SoundJam, and Cinema 4D well as the drive, limit file transfers. XL are remarkably fast – although not quite twice as fast as But plenty of apps do cry out for sheer number- the same apps running on single-processor Power Macs. crunching, processor-based performance: MPEG encoders, image processors, 3D renderers, and the like. These Factor of ten programs – Casady & Greene’s SoundJam MP, Adobe When Mac OS X arrives, today’s dual-processor G4s will Photoshop, and Maxon’s Cinema 4D XL, to name three – are really come into their own, because Mac OS X supports most likely to benefit from multiprocessing technology (as symmetrical multiprocessing. This means it treats the well as other performance-boosting systems, such as the available processors equally, balancing the load of your Velocity Engine subprocessor on the G4 chip). system over the whole array. The current incarnation of the Mac OS supports By virtue of its internal design, Mac OS X is natively asymmetrical multiprocessing, a system in which the OS multiprocessor-aware, and all of its functions can run on and most apps run on a single processor while a few multiple processors, unlike those of the classic Mac OS. In specific apps take advantage of other available processors. day-to-day use, multiprocessor machines running Mac OS X The term describes the imbalance of the load on various should feel snappier than single-processor machines. processors: in this configuration, the second processor Applications written to Apple’s Carbon specification will often remains idle instead of speeding your Mac up (see appear in the new Aqua theme, and should offer much “G4 sharing: How multiprocessing works”). page 90

Radeon or Rage graphics card: which one for you?

graphics card connects your Mac to a RAM). The DDR RAM used in the Radeon display. One graphics card is included features the same speed and bandwidth, A with every Power Mac G4 and G4 but reads and writes data twice per clock Cube. This card comes installed in your cycle. This allows DDR RAM to transmit computer’s 32-bit, 66MHz AGP 2X slot. twice as much data at the same speed as The standard card is an ATI Rage 128 Pro normal RAM. It thus allows the graphics graphics card, which is a high- processor to work more efficiently, performance, high-resolution graphics waiting less time for the necessary data to accelerator. While it can cope with the get images to the screen. needs of high-end design and publishing With a memory bandwidth of 4.3Gbits applications, Apple now offers an even a second, the Radeon card can generate larger screen better graphics card. Using the build-to- 333 megapixels (Mpixel) per second and a sizes with the same settings, order (BTO) option on the online 1-Gigatexel fill rate. (Texels are the delivering 43.2 fps at 1,024-x-768 AppleStore, you can choose between the repeated textures – groups of pixels in a pixels, and 33.1-fps at 1,600-x- 16MB ATI Rage 128 Pro and a 32MB ATI pre-arranged format – that form the 1,200 pixels. Radeon graphics card (an extra £70). surface on a 3D model.) In a RAVE-based game, such as ATI’s Radeon is also shipping The Radeon includes dedicated Unreal Tournament, the Radeon is no separately. The board (about £200) plugs hardware to help with DVD scaling, slouch either. Again, in a 500MHz G4 with into the Power Mac’s AGP slot, and motion compensation and de-interlacing, 256MB of RAM, the Radeon delivered an features 32MB of Double Data Rate (DDR) among other functions. average of 43.02-fps in Unreal Tournament RAM, Radeon graphics processing unit, Software The Radeon requires System at 640-x-480 pixels in 32-bit colour, with and Apple’s latest OpenGL extensions, v. 9.0 or later, QuickTime 4.0 or higher and all detail options at maximum. At 1,024-x- 1.1.5. A PCI version ships this winter. OpenGL 1.1.5. You manage the board 768, the Radeon racked up 35.94-fps. A We found the Radeon’s 3D gaming through the ATI Displays control panel. In Rage 128 Pro, using the same settings, performance impressive. It boasts fast addition to setting resolution and colour achieved 38.17-fps at 640-x-480 pixels, frame rates at screen sizes that once would depth, you can monitor memory usage, and 21.91 at 1,024-x-768 pixels. have been considered unimaginably large, set keyboard shortcuts, get support The image quality of both games was and superior speed and quality at smaller information and use the Mac2TV Video excellent. We noted no artifacts or screen sizes. The Radeon is ATI’s answer to Out software, which manages the anomalies while running the benchmarks. 3dfx’ Voodoo 5 and Nvidia’s GeForce 2 Radeon’s TV out. In addition to boosting In our observations using Apple’s DVD Ultra products. 2D and 3D graphics performance, the Player 2.2, the Radeon seemed to produce Hardware The retail version of the Radeon includes software to accelerate less skipping and almost no audio/video Radeon board features an S-Video out for the scaling and display of QuickTime sync problems when compared to DVD TV connections, a VGA out, and a DVI movies. playback using the Rage 128 Pro. connector for flat-panel displays. (The Performance The Radeon was However, the playback was not as build-to-order version from Apple forgoes exceptionally fast at rendering OpenGL- responsive as with a dedicated DVD the DVI in favour of Apple’s own ADC based 3D games, such as Quake III Arena. decoder card. Image quality was excellent. connector.) The 32MB of DDR RAM allows With all of Quake’s detail settings at Conclusion The Radeon performed the card to support a wide variety of maximum, the Radeon delivered an reliably, and in many cases exceptionally. screen resolutions, refresh rates and average of 49 frames per second (fps) at Anyone who plays 3D games on the Mac colour bit depths, up to 1,920-x-1,440 640-x-480 pixels in 32-bit colour, in a and is purchasing a Cube or a new G4 pixels at 75Hz and 32-bit colour. 500MHz G4 with 256MB of RAM. A Rage would be well advised to invest £70 in the Previously, ATI graphics cards used 128 Pro, in the same 500MHz G4, and BTO Radeon option – or invest in the high-speed (166MHz now), high- with the same settings, posted only 36- separate card for under £200. bandwidth SDRAM (synchronous data fps. The Radeon shined even brighter at David Read

88 Macworld DECEMBER 2000 better stability (thanks to Mac OS X’s new protected- to the chips. The OS can assign each individual task these memory model, which prevents a crashing app from apps undertake to a different processor, balancing the load bringing down your system). Carbon apps will also take and using processor power as efficiently as possible. advantage of multiprocessing in ways that current Mac OS But even if a Mac OS X program wasn’t written with applications can’t. Those Carbon apps specifically written multiprocessing in mind, it benefits. The OS can still assign to take advantage of multiprocessing have complete access different programs to different processors, meaning that program A can run on one G4 while program B toils away on the other. Also, programs are always working in conjunction with the OS and, since Mac OS X will be multiprocessor- Memory matters savvy, it will balance of its own work (such as moving windows and scrolling) across processors. our base Mac ships with at least 64MB of memory (RAM). The higher-end models do ship with more – for instance, Tower treats Y the iMac DV Special Edition, 500MHz PowerBook and The Power Mac G4/500 comes standard with a DVD-RAM 500MHz G4 Cube each has 128MB installed. The 500MHz Power Mac drive that can record DVDs using the newest 4.7GB DVD- has 256MB of RAM. You might have to add more RAM, so these models RAM media. This drive is also available as an add-on to the save cash. other Power Macs for an additional £220. With software applications ever more demanding, even 64MB of RAM is Even the Power Mac’s back is impressive, sporting two a little light these days. 128MB is a far better amount to start with, so choose USB and two high-speed FireWire ports. Its networking has a Mac with as much memory as possible, or add more straight away. An been improved too, with the addition of Gigabit Ethernet. extra 64MB should cost about £90, another 128MB is around £150, and Apple’s pro machine is the only workstation with this adding 256MB more memory will set you back about £300. 1,000BaseT ethernet pre-installed. It would cost you at Adding memory means installing small cards known as Dual Inline least £600 to add this functionality to a Windows PC. But Memory Modules (DIMMs). Today’s Macs are very easy to take apart to add note that this potential network-speed increase will be of these DIMMs. The iMacs have a neat door at the back; PowerBooks and limited benefit until the price of Gigabit Ethernet hubs falls. iBooks keep theirs under the detachable keyboard; and Power Macs have a See the “Networking” box-out for more details. simple door on one side. Installing RAM is simple, but get your reseller to Also, hidden round the back of the Power Mac is its new add it when you buy the Mac to save you the effort. display connector. The new G4s and the G4 Cube are the Ask your Mac reseller how much adding more RAM will cost, as prices first models to include the Apple Display Connector (ADC), can change by the day. Some will charge you for installing the DIMMs – so Apple’s modified DVI (Digital Visual Interface) connector, if you’re happy doing it yourself, save yourself some cash. You can buy extra which adds power and a USB signal to the monitor cable. RAM as a build-to-order option from the online AppleStore if that’s where But fear not – the G4’s built-in ATI Rage 128 card also has a you buy your machine, but you’ll pay a premium for the privilege. Better to standard VGA connector, so you won’t need to spring for a shop via the Web or mail order, if you’re comfortable installing it yourself, or new monitor. (See “Display” box-out on page 84.) to buy from a local reseller and have them install it. iMac owners can cope with 64MB of RAM, but will appreciate the speed- Finding the answer up offered by 128MB. Mac OS 9 takes up quite a chunk of this memory, and Intel and its competitors are releasing chips with speeds having more RAM means you can open more applications at the same time. measured in GHz not MHz. The clock-speed of the PowerPC Creative professionals will want at least 256MB. Some will say that anything has lagged behind, and though Apple and Motorola are short of 512MB is a girly-man’s machine, but they’re probably over- loath to admit it, these dual-processor Power Macs were compensating for something not computer related. created because faster G4 chips weren’t ready. You can allocate 50MB to Photoshop, 30MB to QuarkXPress, and 30MB Adding second processors to Power Macs is a way for to FreeHand or Illustrator – a good working situation for most days. Apple to boost speeds without cranking up the MHz – and Dreamweaver and Fireworks should get 50MB, and give Flash 70MB. (Make if you’re using a multiprocessor-enabled application, you’ll the default “suggested” memory size my minimum size.) Unless you’re get major speed boosts from this pair of chips. Otherwise, crossing party lines and keeping Photoshop open when you’re working in these new Power Macs won’t run much faster than their Fireworks, or Illustrator open with FreeHand, you should be okay. That still predecessors… until Mac OS X arrives, that is. Then, the leaves you with enough RAM to get on the Net and check your email for power of the dual-processor Power Mac G4 will multiply, more work. and Apple’s multiprocessor maths should finally add up. Andrew Shalet contributed to this article. Simon Jary, Stephan Somogyi and Kristina De Nike page 92

Minitower and Cube: G4 Power Macs speed tested

Best results in test. Cinema 4D XL 6.1 Speedmark 2.1 Photoshop 5.5 (results in seconds) (mins and secs)

Mac model Gaussian Blur 10 Unsharp Mask 2.3 RGB to CMYK Lighting Effects Model Render 640-X-480 Power Mac G4/500 DP 165 4.1 4.9 18.5 4.7 7:04 Power Mac G4/450 DP 158 4.7 5.1 20.5 5.0 7:54 Power Mac G4/500 159 6.5 7.4 18.9 6.8 13:46 Power Mac G4/450 146 7.1 7.7 21.0 7.8 15:43 Power Mac G4/450 Cube 139 7.6 8.4 21.7 7.9 15:50 Power Mac G4/400 133 7.7 8.0 23.1 8.8 17.40 Speedmark scores: longer bars are better. Photoshop and Cinema 4D XL scores: shorter bars are better.

Speedmark 2.1 scores are relative to those of an iMac 350MHz, which is asigned a score of 100 for each test. Photoshop results are in seconds. Cinema 4D XL results are in minutes:seconds. We tested each system with Mac OS 9.0.4, a default system disk cache, and virtual memory disabled for all application tests. We set displays to 1,024-x-768-pixel resolution and 24-bit colour. For Photoshop, we used 256MB RAM for all systems. For Photoshop's tasks, we used a 50MB file. We set Photoshop's memory partition to 150MB and History to Minimum. We allocated 80MB of memory to Cinema 4D XL. We rendered a model at a resolution of 680-x-480 pixels with oversampling set to 4 by 4.

90 Macworld DECEMBER 2000 iBook This consumer Mac laptop now boasts many of the Which Mac laptop: PowerBook’s features, and is way ahead on many case- design attractions. The recent addition of FireWire means you can even make iBook or PowerBook digital movies on it.

A laptop is more than a computer. It’s a loyal companion, an be visually equated to 15 in this case. While the makers of indispensable assistant, a home-entertainment system, some cheap PC notebooks are opting for 13-inch passive- and a gateway to the world. You can use your portable matrix displays, we’re happy to see Apple sticking with 12 computer as easily on the road as you can at the office or at inches and the clarity of active matrix for the iBook. At least home. The only thing holding it back is a single wire leading until Apple can find a way to offer 14-inch displays that from the back of the portable to a phone or ethernet jack – reasonably support higher resolutions for under £1,500, we and even that’s not true any more, with Apple’s AirPort see no point in abandoning the iBook’s 12-inch screen. wireless-networking technology leaving users free to roam Apple’s displays are sharp, so it’s a matter of size rather their homes and offices. than quality – both laptops pack an ATI Rage Mobility 128 If you require a Mac that’s portable – or you just don’t graphics accelerator with 8MB of SDRAM graphics memory fancy a bubble-like iMac or imposing Power Mac taking up and AGP 2X support. The PowerBook also has dual-display PowerBook a large part of your desk – you must choose between capability, as well as video mirroring on an external monitor This professional Mac laptop boasts more features and a larger screen consumer iBook and professional PowerBook. With the or video projector. than the iBook, but has been caught up by the consumer portable. If iBook recently revised (see Macworld, November 2000), Connections While AirPort’s wireless technology offers you’re often on the move, consider a PowerBook as your principal there’s less of a gap between the two portable Macs – but the greatest impact for portable users, it’s not the only computer. there’s still some definite choices to be made. important capability in Apple’s portables. The PowerBook has two FireWire ports on its back panel, and the iBook now Features has one on its side. Portables are the ideal home for top-quality TV pictures, but check that your telly itself has PowerBook is therefore more flexible, although the iBook’s page 94 The terms ‘consumer’ and ‘professional’ are kind of FireWire – who better than mobile users (especially an S-video port. The iBook has composite video-out via a maximum is impressive enough. misleading when comparing iBook and PowerBook, as the professionals) to take advantage of tiny, light, hot- clever cable adaptor that plugs into the headphone jack. CD or DVD The future is definitely DVD and not CD, but iBook ports feature set of each is now pretty close. swappable hard drives that don’t require separate power S-video offers better quality video, but the iBook’s video-out this future is still some way off. You can use your iBook or Even the entry-level iBook (below, No one expects much from a consumer portable; sources? should be fine for most iMovie productions. If your telly or PowerBook to show DVD movies on screen (good for long top) boasts pro-level functionality, mostly, we just want it to run some basic applications, Then there’s the matter of being able to directly VCR doesn’t have S-video, it will more than likely hook up to plane journeys) or through your telly, but a £200 DVD player with modem (1), 10/100BaseT deliver reasonable battery life, and not crash too often. By download video from a FireWire-equipped DV camera to an iBook. is better for the home. For the great majority of computer ethernet (2), USB port (3), these measures, the new iBooks significantly exceed the PowerBook or iBook. Apple includes its marvellous Storage The iBooks have the same hard-disk capacity titles and programs, CD is all you really need. So, go for DVD FireWire port (4), and AV port (5). expectations. The PowerBook, though, still has compelling iMovie 2 video-editing software free with both iBook and as the entry-level PowerBook. 10GB will be plenty for most if you can afford it, but don’t be too despondent if you miss advantages for many users, with an uncompromising PowerBook (as well as its Power Mac, Cube and all-but-one users, as long as they regularly archive their digital movies out right now. PowerBook ports feature set. iMac). See the “FireWire and iMovie 2” box-out on page 83. to CD or FireWire hard drive. The PowerBooks can also be The PowerBook’s back panel Display The PowerBook wins here, with its 14.1-inch The iBook also has one 12-Mbps USB port for adding a equipped with 20GB and 30GB drives. FireWire hard drives Design differences (below, bottom) reveals its (diagonal) built-in TFT XGA active-matrix display printer, scanner, digital-camera card reader or other can be attached to both laptops; and the PowerBook can One big difference between the two Apple laptops is case professional side, with power (1), supporting millions of colours at 1,024-x-768-pixel peripheral. The PowerBook has two, which is handy if you take an extra hard drive in its spare expansion bay. design. The PowerBook is sleek and sexy portable, but looks audio in-port (2), audio-out port resolution. The iBook has a smaller, 12.1-inch (diagonal) TFT want to attach more than one hardware add-on. iBook Expansion This is where the PowerBook seems to win pretty much like every other laptop. The iBook looks like no (3), two USB ports (4), SVGA active-matrix display that supports millions of owners will need to buy a USB hub to catch up – a four-port hands-down over the iBook. The pro laptop has a hot- other laptop, and it’s not all fancy styling. 10/100BaseT ethernet (5), two colours at 800-x-600-pixel resolution. USB hub costs about £35. iBook and PowerBook are equal pluggable expansion bay that can accommodate a CD or The iBook might look like a softie, but its shell is FireWire ports (6), S-Video out (7), Most iMac users set their 15-inch displays to 800-x-600 on networking, with both offering 10/100BaseT ethernet. DVD drive, a Zip removable drive, or a hard drive. The specially hardened, with co-moulded rubber bumpers to VGA out (8), 56Kbps modem (9), pixels, so the iBook’s 12-inch screen shouldn’t be regarded Video-out If you want to get your digital movies onto PowerBook can also support one Type I or Type II PC Card or further protect its innards. The PowerBook is tough, but the 4Mbps IrDA infrared (10). as too small for serious work. The PowerBook’s higher pixel videotape or just showing on the telly, your portable CardBus card. Use this slot for adding ISDN functionality via resolution is also attainable on the iMac, so 14 inches can options do differ. The PowerBook has an S-video port for Hermstedt’s £350 Marco card. But the iBook’s FireWire and USB ports can handle most of these tasks, and most PowerBook owners will want to Apple’s current portable Mac range keep their DVD drives active anyway. So the expansion gap

Model PowerPC Base Max Hard CD-ROM USB FireWire AirPort Ethernet iMovie 2 56Kbps Graphics Screen type Colours has narrowed somewhat. processor RAM RAM disk DVD ports ports software modem card and size Memory The iBook ships with 64MB of RAM, and has a single DIMM slot that supports up to a further 256MB for a total of 320MB of memory. The PowerBook ships with iBook 366MHz G3 64MB 320MB 10GB CD 1 1 Yes 10/100 Yes Yes 8MB ATI Rage Mobility 128 12.1-inch acive-matrix; 800-x-600 ** Indigo, Key Lime *** either 64MB or 128MB of RAM, with two DIMM slots iBook SE 466MHz G3 64MB 320MB 10GB 1 1 Yes 10/100 Yes Yes 8MB ATI Rage Mobility 128 12.1-inch acive-matrix; 800-x-600 ** Graphite, Key Lime *** DVD supporting up to a total of 512MB of memory. The 1 2 3 4 5 PowerBook 400 400MHz G3 64MB 512MB 10GB DVD 2 2 Yes 10/100 Yes Yes 8MB ATI Rage Mobility 128 14.1-inch acive-matrix; 1,024-x-768 ** Black PowerBook 500 500MHz G3 128MB 512MB 20GB * DVD 2 2 Yes 10/100 Yes Yes 8MB ATI Rage Mobility 128 14.1-inch acive-matrix; 1,024-x-768 ** Black

All iBooks ship with Mac OS 9.04, AppleWorks 6, QuickTime 4, Microsoft Internet Explorer and Outlook Express, Netscape Communicator, Bugdom, Nanosaur, Palm Desktop Organizer, FAXstf Pro; Adobe Acrobat Reader. All PowerBooks ship with Mac OS 9.04, QuickTime 4, Microsoft Internet Explorer and Outlook Express, Netscape Communicator, Palm Desktop, FAXstf Pro, and Adobe Acrobat Reader. AirPort card and Base Station available for an extra £319 (inc. VAT). AirPort allows you to access the Internet without attaching the modem cable to your Mac, as well as network Macs wirelessly. * 30GB option available on online AppleStore. ** Screen size measured in pixels. *** Key Lime colour currently available on online AppleStore only. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

92 Macworld DECEMBER 2000 Macworld DECEMBER 2000 93 level model at 400MHz. Better yet, Apple has surrounded Networking options the PowerBook’s speedy G3s with state-of-the-art G4 logic boards, including a 100MHz memory bus. The iBook’s ll Macs – desktop and portable – come with at least memory bus remains at 66MHz. This makes the 10/100BaseT ethernet networking. This is the fastest PowerBook’s RAM slightly faster, but iBook owners won’t A networking standard that is common in all computing notice the difference. environments. Faster still is 1000BaseT ethernet, also known as When Macworld reviewed the first iBook, we had many Gigabit Ethernet, which is available on the two multiprocessing G4 Power complaints, almost all of which Apple has addressed with Macs and as an option on the G4 Cube. this latest generation of iBooks. Chief among those Data transfer rates on a10BaseT network are theoretically 10 million bits complaints was performance. We’re happy to report that per second (10Mbps), 100Mbps on a 100BaseT network, and 1,000Mbps on the new iBooks are much speedier than their predecessors, Gigabit Ethernet. This should mean that 1000BaseT is 100 times as fast as thanks to two key improvements: 256KB of Level 2 cache 10BaseT. In practice, however, Macworld Test Centre trials show that built into the G3 processor, and a state-of-the-art ATI Rage 100BaseT is twice as fast as 10BaseT, with 1000BaseT just three times faster Mobility 128 chipset in place of the pokey 2D and 3D than 10BaseT. These are still impressive boosts for heavily used networks graphics controller earlier versions shipped with. Don’t that frequently handle large 50MB+ files – but remember that you need to underestimate the importance of the new Rage controller: buy the relevant hub, switch and cable for the faster speeds. the iBook is the sweetheart of school-age children All the current Macs – except the entry-level £649 iMac – can also take everywhere, and we all know how much today’s games advantage of Apple’s AirPort wireless-networking technology. With an push the envelope on graphics performance. (We’re sure AirPort Card installed, and Base Station connected to your ethernet network it’ll help out with maths homework, too.) and/or modem port, you can browse the Web and share files with other When we ran the new models through their paces, both Macs on your network up to 150 feet away from the Base Station. iBooks performed much faster than previous generations, and the SE was even faster when running Quake and SoundJam. The entry-level iBook runs a 366MHz G3, the iBook SE a 466MHz G3. Although Macworld Lab tests show iBook is built to withstand a punishing kid’s lifestyle. The the SE iBook to be 11 per cent faster than the 366MHz lack of a latch also protects the iBook’s casing; Apple model, most iBookers won’t notice a great deal of instead uses a simple but firm spring-loaded case top. difference. The entry-level PowerBook is just 6.5 per cent Many PowerBook owners are also jealous of the iBook’s faster than the entry-level iBook – but costs £636 handle, which makes carrying the laptop without a bag a (excluding VAT) more. The iBook SE is 5 per cent faster than hell of a lot easier. Apart from these factors, it comes down the 400MHz PowerBook, and £424 cheaper. to personal taste. You might love the iBook’s handle, but Although Apple won’t comment on future products, it could you walk into a business meeting with a shocking seems reasonable to expect G4-based PowerBooks (initially lime-green portable. The Graphite iBook is certainly easier from 400MHz to 500MHz) next year. on the eye than the Indigo and Key Lime iBooks, but is Battery life Our biggest surprise when testing the new available for the SE model only. The PowerBook’s black PowerBooks wasn’t speed results but battery life. You polycarbonate skin is the more sober option; but the Key would expect battery life to go down as performance goes Lime models’ plastics even glow under a black light. up. Not so with the PowerBooks, which actually offered Both laptops have a full-size keyboard and top-quality improved battery life over their predecessors. And iBooks trackpad. If you use either at your desk for long periods of continue to surpass PowerBooks in battery life: the units we time, you should consider buying a mouse (maybe Apple’s tested delivered about three and a half hours of use with new £45 optical Pro Mouse) to save your finger the effort. moderate power-saving measures, compared with the PowerBook’s average of two hours per battery. Performance Speed Because the G4 is still too power-hungry to make a Weight problem good processor for a portable, the iBook and PowerBook The iBook’s mainly white casing and PowerBook’s svelte both feature a PowerPC G3 processor. The high-end looks hide the fact that both are in need of a diet. At nearly PowerBook configuration clocks in at 500MHz; the entry- seven pounds, the iBook SE is a hefty load. Even the iBook without DVD weighs more than six and a half pounds – about a half-pound heavier than the PowerBook. The Portable Macs speed tested iBook’s handle makes this less of a problem, but we’d love Apple to address this weight problem next time around.

Best results in test. Macworld’s buying advice Apple’s PowerBooks and iBooks – with their speedy G3s, Mac model Speedmark 2.1 Quake III SoundJam 2.5.1 fast ATI graphics controllers, sizable hard drives, FireWire iBook SE G3/466MHz 104 22 3.25 ports, and active-matrix screens – are incredible value. The PowerBook G3/400MHz 99 23 3.18 iBook SE, in fact, may just be the best value of Apple’s iBook G3/366MHz 93 19 4.13 portable line, and perhaps of any notebook, Mac or iBook G3/300MHz (1999) 68 4 4.36 otherwise. And who else but Apple gives you a computer that glows under a black light? iMac G3/350 100 22 4.36 Previously, we’ve always said that PowerBook is best. Speedmark 2.1 scores are relative to an iMac 350MHz (1999), which is assigned a score of 100. Now the pro laptop has been caught by Apple’s own (so- SoundJam scores are in minutes and seconds. Quake results are in frames per second. called) “consumer” iBook. For ultimate performance and We tested each system with Mac OS 9.0.4, 64MB of RAM, and a default system disk cache screen size, the 500MHz PowerBook can’t be beat. But if of 2MB. We set displays to 800-x-600 pixels (1,024-x-768 for the PowerBook), and 24-bit colour. you need a portable and you’re on a budget, the iBook is We tested MP3 encoding with an audio-CD track that was 9 minutes and 25 seconds long, sure tempting – it delivers value not even consumer PC and converted it using a default setting of 128Kbps in SoundJam. Speedmark is a suite of notebooks can match. But the best value in Apple’s portable common tasks. Currently available models in bold. Apple could not supply 500MHz PowerBook line is the 466MHz iBook SE, with performance comparable for testing – we can estimate a Speedmark score of between 110 and 115. to a PowerBook’s for £500 less. MW Andrew Gore and Simon Jary

94 Macworld DECEMBER 2000 test centre: Internet connectivity DECEMBER 2000 97 page 98 Macworld

In 20 from modems years, evolved have

acoustic-coupler modems acoustic-coupler – via which you attached your telephone handset to the modem – capable of from 300 bits per second (bps) to 56Kbps. the Beyond modem, methods, such digital-communications as ISDN and ADSL, rates taken transfer have to new The heights. latest ADSL technology, (Asymmetric Digital Subscriber Line) is in its infancy and its mettle remains untested. Much of telephone the system UK’s is now mostly digital, yet the short hop from your All prices at 17.5 in per this exclude cent feature VAT

odems have always odems been always have the primary of way connecting to the Internet for the home

M user. Ten years ago, however, modem years however, ago, Ten user. owners were at the cutting edge of and communications were probably and freaks considered nerds. Now, though, if you lack access to the Internet to considered be technologically you’re underprivileged; modems become have Here, we take commonplace technology. a look at options. Net-connection today’s By David Fanning Modem, ISDN or ADSL? Internet-access options Your have never been wider.

bandwidths Battle Battle of the PHOTOGRAPHY: MIKE LAYE MIKE PHOTOGRAPHY: design

Billion USB ISDN TA Hermstedt Leonardo USB Hermstedt Marco ISDN PC Card Multitech Multimodem USB Swann USB Modem A terminal adaptor needs certain things Most professional ISDN use involves peer- The Marco is an ISDN card for portable The Multitech is thin on features and is This no-frills modem comes in a soap to work on a Mac – software drivers to-peer file transfers. For that you need computers, and its biggest group of users housed in a translucent Blueberry case. bar-sized translucent case. Its modem being one of them. The Billion TA the Leonardo USB. Previously, the are press photographers. It’s a PC card Doesn’t Mutitech know that, because scripts install and work easily enough. arrived in our offices with the Mac Leonardo was a PCI card, but now there’s that fits into a PowerBook and enables modern Macs have built-in modems, the The Swann has no fax capability, no drivers supplied on a floppy disc, a clue also an external version that uses USB. snappers to get high-res images speedily market for this kind of product has all but caller ID, and no voice that Billion is not the most Mac-savvy The Leonardo USB comes with Leonardo to newspaper photo-desks. Trouble is, disappeared? It’s not as if iMac users will mail – but at least this is reflected in company. On the Billlion Electric Co Web Express software, which is fine for simple apart from high-tech press rooms at want to replace their in-built modem on a the price. As with the Multitech Modem, site the Mac drivers are downloadable file-transfers to other ISDN users. To get sports arenas, you’d be lucky to find colour whim. On the feature front, it has being translucent is, at best, a curious in beta form only. At least the drivers the most from the Leonardo, it’s a good an ISDN-equipped site to use. However, fax software that works well and, being marketing ploy because it’s aimed at that I loaded – presumably the same idea to get Grand Central Pro 2.0. It does at least Marco does what it says, and a USB modem, doesn’t need a power users of Macs with built-in modems. as the betas – did work. cost £269 extra, but this software helps there’s a choice of the basic card for supply. Beyond this, it’s unexciting. Macworld’s buying advice As with breakdown Macworld’s buying advice There’s get the most out of the available features. £350, or a £645 package that includes Macworld’s buying advice Unless Multitech’s modem, consider the Swann no good reason for buying a product Macworld’s buying advice The Grand Central Pro. your Mac lacks an internal modem, or an option only if your internal modem that’s unfinished, except to save money. internal version of the Leonardo remains Macworld’s buying advice The it’s simply died, there’s little reason for packs up. The only other reason to If you’re short of cash and want ISDN, available, but is £100 more expensive. Marco services a specialist market, buying this model. However, it does go for an external modem is for extra this is the model to go for. I’d rather be If you’re a heavy user of ISDN, why not outside of which its use will be limited works well enough and has the basic features and, because this has none, patient and wait for the Hermstedt consider the 30-channel Angelo card, by a lack of ISDN connections in hotels features a modem needs – but is too it further hinders it appeal in the Mac equivalent, though. which is surprisingly affordable. and workplaces. pricey for what it offers. market.

Company Billion Company Hermstedt Company Hermstedt Company Swann Price £99 Price 2/1 channel, £699; 4/1 channel, £799; Price £350, £645 (with Grand Company Multitech Price £99 Telephone Edge Vivicom 4/4 channel, £899 Central Pro) Price £149 Telephone Computer Umlimited

specs 0118 965 7743 Telephone 020 7421 1500 Telephone 020 7421 1500 Telephone 0118 959 7774 020 8358 5857 URL www.billion.tw URL www.hermstedt.co.uk URL www.hermstedt.co.uk URL www.multitech.com URL www.swann-europe.com

Star Rating /6.2 Star Rating /8.5 Star Rating /7.5 Star Rating /6.6 Star Rating /6.9

street’s junction box to your phone wall- the physical limitation of analogue lines. ISDN you also get dual-lines, so as long socket is still analogue. Because your However, most modems now claim a as your ISP supports it, you can use both 56K 56K Means 56Kbps (kilobits per second). The reality is that speed computer’s outgoing signals are digital, speed of 56Kbps. This is possible only when these lines to connect to the Internet sits somewhere between 40Kbps and 50Kbps. the modem has to turn these into analogue. connecting to an ISP, because the signal simultaneously, making a speed of 128Kbps V.90 Protocol used for 56K communication. A V.90 modem is identical.

These remain analogue only as far as the becomes digital only after you get past the possible. But don’t forget, using both lines busting jargon junction box, after which they zip across end of your street. Before the Internet took- means double the telephone charges. BT’s digital network and remain digital to off, modems were used to transfer files ISDN Integrated Services Digital Network. A fast digital telephone-line your ISP (Internet Service Provider). between individuals, meaning there were ADSL that uses multiple channels for channel bundling. So why does the digital network go only analogue connections at each end of the ADSL is touted as the solution to all our to the corner of your street? Well, you can line. A 56Kbps modem cheats, by using the Internet connectivity problems, promising ADSL Asymmetric Digital Subscriber Line. Asymmetric because get BT to make the analogue bit digital, but digital bit of the line for fast downloads, a high-speed, always-on Internet downloading is quicker than uploading. this wholly digital connection is called ISDN but it still can’t get the upload speed beyond connection. It should signal an end to (Integrated Services Digital Network); the 33.6Kbps. And anyway the 56Kbps speed is dialling-up the Internet, because it’s always Channel The use of more than one ISDN line to communicate with the consumer version of this is called Home only a theoretical top speed – in reality, it connected. ADSL may be the ultimate bundling same place. As many as 30 channels can be used simultaneously. Highway, and costs more than a normal depends on the line. I’ve never seen a 56Kbps answer, but, in the short term, it remains on telephone line. modem connect at any faster than 50Kbps. the fringes of mainstream connectivity. The The customer is footing the bill for BT’s This means a 56Kbps modem is the ultimate main thing preventing ADSL reaching its full special equipment at telephone exchanges, completion of the digital network through speed – unless you go digital. potential is BT, which has made its launch meaning access is offered only to those who extra line rental. Forward-looking countries The easiest way to take the digital option so low-key that few people know what live in the right areas. These areas are such as Germany saw the benefit of a is to add an ISDN terminal adaptor, and ADSL is, never mind considering using it. mainly in the centre of large cities; out of completely digital network years ago, and subscribe to BT Highway. Completing the ADSL uses the existing copper cabling town means out of luck. Also, there’s a limit actually gives a discount to those using ISDN. digital circuit means you connect at full that connects your normal telephone line to the distance you can be from any ADSL- Because they relay analogue signals, the speed every time. Full speed for ISDN is to hook-up to the Internet at speeds up to equipped exchange. Living more than two fastest a modem can go is 33.6Kbps – 64Kbps, in both directions. When you get 2Mbps (about 2,000kbps). This requires page 101

98 Macworld DECEMBER 2000 Search Macworld’s Reviews database online (www.macworld.co.uk), updated throughout the month. Macworld DECEMBER 2000 99 2000 101 DECEMBER Macworld

design breakdown specs prices does not countrywide have Cable and coverage, London/Telewest prices for installation for both are BT and Cable London/Telewest on can 0800 contact Cable You subject London/Telewest to survey. speak 953 to 7777. Hermstedt, Alternatively, who can arrange for installation with the purchase of an Angelo card from either BT or Cable London/Telewest. page 102 The /8.6 Xircom £110 01256 332 552 www.xircom.com Macworld’s buyi Macworld’s Mac fans, Mac though, fans, can connect only via Macworld’s buying Macworld’s advice in practice, users may share that bandwidth with up to 49 others. ethernet, because no one has yet written drivers for the USB ADSL modem. By connecting considered via ethernet, you’re to be and, a of business course, user, are to required pay business Nice rates. one, BT. SpringBoard Modem’s functionality SpringBoard far Modem’s outweighs its bulkiness because it keeps you in contact with the world when from your away Mac – not bad for £110. SpringPort Modem SpringPort Modem The SpringPort is designed for the which HandSpring runs Visor, the OS. Palm The modem comes with five pieces of software, three utilities set-up and two commercial packages. The size of the modem does adds considerably bulk, to because the it Visor’s houses three AAA batteries. If you use it without the batteries, this drains the batteries Visor instead. Price Telephone URL Company Star Rating This All prices in (at table 17.5 ex per VAT cent) unless otherwise stated /7.1 Zoom £68 0870 720 0060 www.zoom.com

BTCable London/TelewestBT 16Cable London/TelewestBT 30 8 Free 16 Free 30 £164 £1,000 £307 £1,905 £2,325 £116 £232 £435 Cable London/Telewest 8 Free £82 Home 500 Business 500 Business 500PLUSBusiness 1000PLUSBusiness 2000PLUS 500Kbps 500Kbps 500Kbps 1,000KbpsBT Highway 2,000Kbps *Discounted installation charges are if available a call-inclusive tariff £150 is (inc chosen. VAT) £260 £150 £260 £260 £39.99 (inc VAT) Company 128K £299 £119 £389 £479 £175* Channels Installation fee £27* Monthly rental Product Max speed Installation fee Monthly rental

prices prices prices

ISDN ADSL Macworld’s buying Macworld’s advice Primary-rate PC users can sign-up for the consumer Zoom/FaxModem Zoom/FaxModem 56K USB The Zoom modem may be a grey box, but at a least grey it’s box that does its job well. It has a fax feature and – wait for it – ZoomGuard Lightning Protection. may laugh, but You when lightning strikes, it can send a huge surge power down your telephone line and destroy your modem. because I it know, happened to me in 1995 – and fried my £600 modem. model lacks features exciting such as voicemail but is a good-value replacement for a busted internal modem. Star Rating Company Price Telephone URL or three miles from an means exchange ADSL will be something that only others can enjoy. those Macintosh users lucky However, enough to use ADSL still face problems – using a Mac being the foremost of them. version of ADSL for £40 per month, with a £150 That installation fee. buys download speeds of 500Kbps, at least in theory – but The minimum you’ll pay for ADSL on the Mac 56K modem: Olitec Universal Self Memory Pro is £260 for installation and £100 per month The feature-stuffed Olitec is the only modem on the market that could possibly (both ex. VAT). It’s no wonder that ADSL isn’t tempt you to ditch your internal modem. Not only does it have a fax feature, but exciting Mac consumers. The one good thing it can receive faxes without your Mac being turned on. When it is turned on it can about the ethernet-connected business then receive the fax from the modem. This gets around one of the most annoying option, though, is that you have to share things about fax modems in the past. Sure you get fax-machine capability, but you your connection only with 19 others, not 49. need to leave your Mac turned. The Olitec modem means you will save on The reason lines are shared is because of

editors’ choice electricity by just leaving the modem on. hardware limitations at exchanges. In days Macworld’s buying advice The Olitec has serial and USB connections, of yore, party lines were used to share making it ideal for people using older Macs This means telephone services with neighbours. If a it can be used on an old Mac. Then, when you get a neighbour was on the phone, you had to USB-equipped model, it’s still useful – even if your wait until they were done before dialling – new Mac has a built-in modem. the only perk being listening-in on their conversation. ADSL uses a similar principal Company Olitec to share bandwidth, with the number Price £75 of sharers known as a contention ratio. Telephone 0800 028 4516 Consumer ADSL has a 50:1 contention ratio, URL www.olitec.com and Business Plus ADSL has a 20:1 ratio. Because ADSL is a nascent technology, you Star Rating /8.6 could find yourself being the only person in your exchange-area with ADSL. But as ADSL takes off, it may end up so clogged that ISDN: Hermstedt WebShuttle you’d be better off with a 56K modem. The WebShuttle is a perfect example of how communications should be done. I hope BT will get its act together This is a product that, while working on a PC, is designed for the Mac from the and provide better Mac support. However, ground up. The software goes beyond just drivers, giving a graphic view of file- if reports from the US are anything to go by, transfer speeds from the WebShuttle control panel. The second channel can be ADSL will be suitable only for home use. easily switched on and off, or connected when using a single channel’s available bandwidth. The casing is sleek, at least compared to its grey box-like rivals. Macworld’s buying advice Lights signal when it is connected, and with which channels. This is helpful if One plus with modems is that modern Macs using the bandwidth-on-demand feature. come with one in-built. The internal 56K Macworld’s buying advice If you want to connect to the Internet using ISDN, Mac modems are fine; though they can there’s no better option than the WebShuttle. Even though present a problem if they go wrong after it has been out for a couple of years, it still has little competition, because your warranty has run out. Most of the Hermstedt has concentrated modems we tested are fine as replacements on writing decent software. Other ISDN terminal- for broken internal Mac modems – though adaptor companies take note. only one, the Olitec Universal Self Memory Pro, has features beyond those offered by Company Hermstedt internal Mac-modems. Price £159 Budget is a key consideration with Net Telephone 020 7421 1500 connectivity. If you already have a modem URL www.hermstedt.co.uk and your computing needs are unlikely to change then your best option is likely to Star Rating /9.0 be sticking with it. But if a faster option is needed, you’ll have to spend some money, for ISDN – which will give you quicker dialling and more reliable connectivity. Primary Rate ISDN: Hermstedt Angelo card Remember that connecting with two The Angelo can connect using up to 30 channels of ISDN, for a transfer rate of channels means double the phone bill. 1,920Kbps – and that doesn’t include built-in compression. Using Grand Central, However, if you connect with a single ISDN you can use every channel individually to group-send files to different destinations. channel only, the speed improvement is less At £2,750 Angelo makes sense, even if you start by installing an eight-channel noticeable. ISDN line. BT will install an eight-channel connection for £1,000, though it’s worth ADSL, meanwhile, becomes less attractive checking if Cable London/Telewest are able to connect you. Coverage is patchy but with each day. If you choose to pay the big if you’re in the right area, Cable London will install up to a 30-channel connection premium for Mac connectivity with ADSL, for free. Cable London also undercuts BT on line rental. Check the chart on page you also have to make BT your ISP – an 101 for installation charges and line rental. option I’m none too keen on. Deregulation Macworld’s buying advice For a professional peer-to-peer connection, should mean other companies will with spare channels for Internet access, the Angelo card is a must. It’s the eventually offer ADSL. In the meantime next generation of ISDN communications. it’s best to wait and see. As for professional peer-to-peer Company Hermstedt connectivity, this now benefits from Price £2,750 Hermstedt’s Angelo card, which offers Telephone 020 7421 1500 30-channel ISDN. A few years ago, firms URL www.hermstedt.co.uk were using dual-channel ISDN – and that was high-tech. Now, with an Angelo card, Star Rating /9.0 expect Primary Rate to take over from dual- channel ISDN for high-end file-transfers. MW

102 Macworld DECEMBER 2000 Search Macworld’s Reviews database online (www.macworld.co.uk), updated throughout the month Inside Mac OS X

It’s going to take some solid practice getting used to the new ways of Mac OS X – out now as a public beta, and due in finished form “early next year”. Macworld’s new monthly series is here to help. Menu mission Mac OS X may introduce substantial changes to the Mac OS, but the Desktop menus for the most part follow the same structure as in the current Finder. The exceptions are the new Application, Go and Window menus. In this, the first of an ongoing series about new features in Mac OS X, we’ll take an in-depth look at these additions, as well as other changes to the Desktop menus.

Application menu Combining elements of the Apple menu, File menu and Application Switcher, this menu sits on the far left of the menu bar, in the position currently occupied by the Apple menu. Common to all native Mac OS X applications, it includes functions that apply to the entire program rather than a specific document, the log-out (⌘-Q) command. Mac OS X applications such as About (application), Preferences, and Quit. can make certain functions available to any client- By default, the title of the menu is the name program that wants to take advantage of them. of the current application. However, Desktop These functions appear in a new Services submenu & Dock Preferences (a choice in the Desktop in the Application menu. application menu) includes an option Each application that provides a service to the that displays the application’s icon instead client app is listed in the Services submenu, with (much like the current Application Switcher). its available commands listed in a deeper submenu. The Desktop application menu, which appears When you select data and choose a command from when you are in the Desktop or Finder, provides the Services menu, the OS invokes the second access to System Preferences – Mac OS X’s program, which performs the operation. replacement for control panels (screenshot above) For example, the HTMLEdit application provides – along with Desktop & Dock Preferences. built-in access to Disk Copy’s Mount Image feature The latter, in addition to letting you set such and the Grab utility’s Screen, Selection and Timed features as icon size and dock magnification, Screen capture functions. also provides access to Finder preferences, where The menu also includes the Hide and Show you can determine whether folders open in a new commands that reside in the current Application window, as they do in the current Mac OS, or in the menu: Hide Application (now with a ⌘-H keyboard same window. The Application menu also includes equivalent), Hide Others and Show All. continues page 107

For the information as it happens visit Macworld Online Daily News (www.macworld.co.uk), updated throughout the day Macworld DECEMBER 2000 105 1 2 3 4 5 6

takes this much further, by enforcing use of the main folders. For example, if you drag an application out of the Applications folder, Mac OS X makes a copy or an alias. Some users may chafe at the push for conformity – and it’s possible that future tools will allow greater customization of the interface – but it’s all part of an OS that accounts for the presence of multiple users, and one that seeks to be as accessible as possible to novices. Computer (1) This area provides access to internal and external media, as well as servers you’ve connected to. It’s a quick way to get to the highest accessible level of the system. Home (2) Mac OS X assumes that you are sharing the system with others, so it provides the Home folder as a private area for individual users. Contained within are the Favorites and Documents folders, as well as individual system and application preferences. Go menu Favorites (3) This folder – which resides inside the Sitting in the middle of the menu bar between Home folder – provides quick access to frequently the View and Special menus, the Go menu (above) used applications, documents and other items. is Mac OS X’s closest approximation of the Apple Because you can put any item you want in the folder menu. It provides access to the main folders – (primarily aliases), this would appear to duplicate Computer (⌘-1), Home (⌘-2), Favorites (⌘-3), some of the capability of the Apple menu. Applications (⌘-4), Documents (⌘-5) and Users However, the Go menu does not recognize folder (⌘-6) – as well as other recent folders, and also contents. If you put a folder or folder alias inside the lets you connect to servers (⌘-K). Favorites folder, you can open the folder through the When you choose the command or use Go menu, but you can’t drill down into enclosed files the keyboard equivalent, the associated folder and nested folders. Also, the Go menu is not available opens in the Finder. You can also go to these areas systemwide – you must be in the Desktop to access it. using buttons in top portion of the Finder window Applications (4) The home for applications (see (pictured above, top). screenshot, below left). If you drag an application to The current Mac OS encourages a modest amount the desktop or another folder, Mac OS X either makes of consistency by including dedicated folders for a copy, or, if you hold down the ⌘ and Option keys, Documents, Applications, and Utilities. Mac OS X makes an alias. Documents (5) The home for documents, it resides within the Home folder. Users (6) This folder contains the Home folder for each user in the system. The first command in the Go menu, Go to Folder... (⌘ -~) is among the most un-Maclike in the Desktop. You might expect a file browser, but instead you get a dialogue that invites you to manually enter the directory path. The Go menu’s Recent Folders command, like the Recent Servers, Applications and Documents selections in the Apple menu, lists recently accessed folders – including main folders, which are also listed separately. As with the other commands in the Go menu, Recent Folders does not provide access to folder contents. Finally, the Go menu includes a Connect to command (⌘-K) that lets you connect to servers. The dialogue box lets you enter a URL for the server or select from a pull-down list of AFP (AppleShare) and Web servers. The documentation notes that the public beta release cannot connect to AppleShare servers using AppleTalk – you must use TCP/IP. One of the most controversial aspects of Mac OS X is its elimination of the Apple menu (except in the Classic environment). The Go menu provides many continues page 108

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4 5 6

of the functions previously offered by the Apple menu, Other changes and some readers have suggested that Apple could The other Desktop menus – File (1), Edit (2), View (3) take it further by making it more customizable, Special (4) and Help (6)– are largely carried over from allowing users to drill down into folder contents the current Mac OS. However, there’s a new Window and providing it to all Mac applications. menu (5) that includes Minimize Window and Bring all to Front commands (OS X allows for interleaving windows among different applications; the latter command brings all windows associated with the active application to the front). You can also go to any open windows using this menu. As well as the Desktop Window menu, Mac OS X provides for a Window menu in applications, as does OS 9. The Undo function, accessed through the Edit menu, is much more capable than its predecessor. For example, you can undo file copy and renaming operations, which you cannot undo in the current Finder. The View menu includes a command that turns off the toolbar in the Finder Window. Also noteworthy is the Inspector (File menu), which replaces the Get Info... function. The biggest change is that you can scroll through multiple files with the Inspector open and see their information. If you click on a Carbonized application, the Inspector provides a checkbox option that forces it to open in Classic. Native Mac OS X applications are not allocated specific amounts of memory, so the memory option appears only when you inspect Classic applications. When inspecting native applications, the Inspector provides an option that lets you view, add or remove resources contained in the application bundle. For example, the Music Player application includes localized resources for English, French, German, Italian, Japanese and Spanish, any of which can be removed using the Inspector. The Inspector also provides a Sharing option that displays access privileges for the file – another sign of OS X’s Unix underpinnings. Stephen Beale

MORE MACWORLD FEATURES ON MAC OS X: Macworld, November 2000: Beta Survival Guide Next month: Mac OS X’s new directories

108 Macworld DECEMBER 2000 For the information as it happens visit Macworld Online Daily News (www.macworld.co.uk), updated throughout the day create: video iMovie magic iMovie 2 makes digital-video editing easy. By Jim Heid

Sometimes, the sequel surpasses the basic premise has not changed: Connect a original. That definitely applies to iMovie 2, DV camcorder to a Mac’s FireWire port, the latest version of the Apple software and then use iMovie to bring video into your that has made digital-video editing easy for Mac, clicking on iMovie’s buttons to stop, start, everyone. iMovie 2’s star attractions include and rewind your camcorder. Next, use iMovie’s new editing capabilities, glitzy special effects editing features to organize and polish scenes, and title styles, and a popcorn bucket full of adding text titles and transitions as you go. tweaks and interface enhancements. Finally, transfer your finished epic back to Despite these improvements, iMovie 2’s page 112

Creating cutaway shots A cutaway shot – where solemnly while an interviewee answers a question. iMovie’s the camera angle changes to show, for example, new Paste Over At Playhead command makes these edits easy 1 a close-up of a garden as it’s talked about – is a to create. Begin planning reaction shots when you’re shooting common video-production technique. One variation video footage. While you’re filming the school play, grab a couple on this theme is a reaction shot, where the angle of shots of the audience. Or after you’ve shot an interview, move changes to show, say, an interviewer nodding the camera to catch the interviewer nodding.

Set up for the edit With the footage shot, you’re ready to set up for editing. First, make sure your primary and cutaway footage are separate clips (A). If your footage is just one large clip, split it up. Drag the clip to the timeline, position the playhead where you want to split the clip, and then press ⌘-T or choose Split Video Clip At Playhead from the A Edit menu. For cutaway shots, retain audio from the primary clip and discard audio from the cutaway. Choose Preferences from the Edit menu, click on the Advanced tab, and select the Extract Audio In Paste Over option.

Crop your shot The next step is to crop the cutaway shot. In iMovie’s shelf, select the shot. Next, click beneath the clip’s scrubber bar (A) to display crop markers. Drag the crop markers (B and C) left or right to indicate the bit of the clip you want. For extra precision, use keyboard shortcuts: to move a marker left or right one frame, press the left- or right- arrow keys; to move left or right ten frames, hit the shift key and the arrow key. Finally, choose Crop (⌘-K) from the Edit menu.

B

A C

Insert the cutaway Position iMovie’s playhead at the desired point, and then paste the cutaway shot into position. First, position the primary footage – named “Grandma” in this example – in the timeline (A). Next, select the cropped cutaway shot – named “Cutaway” in this example – in the shelf (B) and choose Copy from the Edit menu. Now position the B playhead (C) at the spot where you want the cutaway to occur. Finally, choose Paste Over At Playhead from the Advanced Menu.

A C

Macworld DECEMBER 2000 111 The curtain rises on iMovie 2 All the right connections iMovie 2’s Video Play You can buy the modulator at Maplin for about £11. iMovie 2 Sports a revamped H Through To Camera option (under the Advanced tab in When iMovie’s Play Through To Camera option is selected, 2 interface and new features 3 the Preferences dialogue box) lets you view your work on your project’s audio will not play back through your Mac’s aplenty. Here’s a guided tour: a TV as you edit – just like the pros. To activate this feature, speakers. You can rely on your camcorder’s tiny, built-in connect your DV camcorder to the Mac with a FireWire speaker for sound playback, but you might want to connect A The scrolling shelf holds more clips, cable (A) as usual. Then connect your camcorder’s video your camcorder’s audio outputs (C) to your TV’s audio inputs making it easier to import video and plan output (B) to the video input of a TV set. – if it provides them – to a stereo system, or to a pair of your project. If your TV and your camcorder each have S-Video external amplified speakers. B A collection of buttons takes the connections, you should use them for the best video- To make VHS dubs of your creative efforts, you can A place of iMovie 1’s animated drawer; quality. If your TV lacks S-Video but has a composite video connect a videocassette recorder (D) between the camcorder when clicked on, these replace the shelf input – an RCA jack – use it. If your TV lacks video inputs, and TV. Connect the camcorder’s outputs to the VCR’s with controls for working with transitions, add an RF modulator between the camcorder and the TV set. inputs, and the VCR’s outputs to the TV’s inputs. effects, titles, and soundtracks. B C The enhanced timeline now shows G thumbnail versions of clips, and information about each clip – including its name and D duration. The red bar below the clip at the C far left edge of the timeline indicates that F a title is currently rendering. iMovie 1’s C timeline lacked this useful feedback. D E D You can zoom the timeline in, for detailed work, or out, to show all of your project. they remain synchronized, even if you right, are: Rewind, Home (go to the E The Clip Speed slider lets you insert additional clips before them. A beginning of the project), Play (or, when create slow- and fast-motion effects. small thumbtack icon denotes a locked it’s playing, Stop), Play Full Screen, and A B F With the new Lock Audio Clip At clip. Fast Forward. Playhead command, you can lock an G The main transport buttons have H The new Advanced menu is the key to audio clip to a specific video clip so changed. The new buttons, from left to iMovie 2’s improved audio-editing features.

videotape via FireWire, or export it as a www.apple.com/ imovie/freestuff to find music prefer a magnified view, such as 5x or 10x. command, iMovie complains that there isn’t a QuickTime movie for the Web. Thanks to clips, sound effects, and graphics to use as From timeline to shelf In iMovie 1, you tape in the camcorder and asks if you want to FireWire and the all-digital DV formats – such backgrounds for titles. could drag a clip from the Timeline Viewer continue anyway. Press your VHS deck’s Record as Digital 8 – video quality remains consistent Most of iMovie 2’s interface and feature area back to the shelf. In iMovie 2, you can’t button and click on Export. Your DV camcorder as you shuttle video from camcorder to Mac enhancements make editing more convenient. – you must first switch from Timeline Viewer acts as an intermediary, passing video and and then back to tape. The scrolling shelf iMovie 2’s shelf – that to Clip Viewer mode. Here’s a workaround: audio to the VHS deck. If you’ve used iMovie 1, iMovie 2 will feel grid of boxes where imported clips lie until In the timeline, select the clip you want to With iMovie 2’s editing features, you familiar – though the differences may trip you you drag them to the Timeline Viewer area – move to the shelf, and then choose Cut can add new layers of visual richness to up at first. If you’re new to iMovie, see Reviews introduces a radical new concept: a scroll bar. from the Edit menu. Then select any clip on your projects – and have fun in the process. in September’s Macworld for an in-depth look No longer is the number of clips you can store the shelf and choose Paste from the Edit menu. Show the reaction In iMovie 1, you couldn’t at iMovie 2. And in either case, keep reading for limited by your Mac’s screen-resolution setting Editing like the pros What a difference switch to a second video clip while playing back a hands-on guide to using iMovie 2’s features (see “The curtain rises on iMovie 2”, above). a check box makes. Activate iMovie’s Play the sound from the first one. This made it and understanding its subtleties. iMovie’s bigger shelf makes it easier to manage Through To Camera option (in the Preferences impossible to do cutaways and reaction shots, all the clips that make up a complex project, dialogue box), and anything you play – a single where the camera angle changes to show, say, iMovie 2 in store and it postpones the need to free-up shelf video clip, a title or transition, or your entire an interviewer nodding while an interviewee Every new Mac with FireWire includes iMovie 2. space by dragging clips into the timeline. project – plays back not only on the Mac’s answers a question. If you have an older FireWire-equipped Mac, A bigger, better timeline iMovie 1’s screen, but also on your camcorder. you can buy iMovie 2 for £35 from the Apple Timeline Viewer depicted every video clip in What’s so hot about that? Simply this: the Paste haste Store (http://store.apple.com/uk). The upgrade is a project as a tiny blue bar; to identify clips, video that iMovie outputs to your camcorder iMovie 2’s new Paste Over At Playhead available only as a download – Apple does not you had to switch from Timeline Viewer to plays at full resolution and motion – it isn’t command makes these kinds of edits possible. offer a CD-ROM version. Clip Viewer mode. thepreview-quality video iMovie displays on See “Creating cutaway shots” for step-by-step Make the upgrade If you buy the iMovie 2 In iMovie 2, each clip in the timeline sports the Mac. Pop out your DV camcorder’s LCD details. download, you may have an afternoon’s worth a small thumbnail image. To make the timeline monitor, and you can use it to get a far But not all the news is good. A flaw in of updating to do before you can reliably run it. even more informative, choose Preferences more accurate assessment of the video. iMovie 2 can create an audible pop, or delete For starters, you’ll need Mac OS 9.0.4 and from the Edit menu, click on the Views tab, and But don’t stop there – connect your part of a word at the cutaway point. Apple says QuickTime 4.1.2 – or later versions. These are then check the Show More Details box. iMovie camcorder’s video output to a TV to view this is because iMovie currently can’t position the most recent as of press time. And, if yours is then displays the clip’s file name and duration, your work on a large screen (see “All the right audio with sub-frame accuracy. To work around an older FireWire-equipped Mac, such as a blue- and even shows where you’ve applied iMovie’s connections”). This is how video professionals this, time your cutaways to occur at brief pause &-white G3, you may have to install firmware new fast- or slow-motion effects. edit, and once you try it, you’ll never settle for points, such as between sentences. and FireWire updates, too. For links to all the The new Timeline zoom pop-up menu lets iMovie’s preview-quality playback. Stay still iMovie 2’s Create Still Clip latest updates, visit www.macworld.co.uk/ you control how much of your project appears Easier VHS dubs There’s one more benefit command (in the Edit menu) creates a PICT file updates. in the timeline. to the Play Through option: you can dub your containing the currently displayed video frame. Get the latest Shortly after releasing To see the entire project, choose the 1x finished projects to VHS or other formats Here’s one scenario where you might use it: iMovie 2, Apple issued an update; you can setting. Similar to the old, non-zoomable without having to make a DV dub first. Connect you’ve made a movie of your boy scoring the download version 2.0.1. Also download the timeline in iMovie 1, this setting is ideal for your camcorder’s outputs to a VHS deck’s game-winning goal, and you’ve got a great free iMovie 2 Plug-in Pack, which adds effects moving clips large distances. When you’re inputs, and then eject the tape from your DV close-up of his smiling face as his team mates and title styles. While you’re online, stop at working with lots of small clips, you might camcorder. When you choose the Export page 114

112 Macworld DECEMBER 2000 Macworld DECEMBER 2000 113 hoist him up on their shoulders. If you create iMovie 2 enables you to split audio clips, a still-image of that shot, you can place the dividing them into two or more separate clips still at the end of your movie and add closing whose position and volume you can adjust credits to it. When played back, the action will independently. You can use this feature to freeze on Junior’s happy mug as the credits roll. adjust a music soundtrack’s volume levels. Make it slow And what would a video of Say you want music to begin at full volume the kid’s sports triumph be worth without during your opening credits, become quieter slow-motion instant replays? iMovie 2 provides when the action starts, and then return to full them. Just select the clip in the timeline, and volume for the closing credits. then adjust the Clip Speed slider. With the music track selected, position Because slowing down or speeding up a iMovie’s playhead at the end of the opening clip alters its audio playback, you’ll want to credits and press ⌘-T. Next, move the playhead mute the audio of a clip when you change its to the start of the closing credits and press playback speed. With the clip selected, drag ⌘-T again. This action splits the music track the Clip Volume slider to its far left position. into three clips – select just the middle one and lower its volume slider. Rendering iMovie 2’s new Effects panel is the gateway When you export a project containing slowed to video effects ranging from subtle to silly. clips, iMovie displays a dialogue box advising You can tweak clips shot under adverse lighting you to render those clips for best quality and conditions using the Brightness/Contrast giving you the option to proceed with or controls. The Adjust Colors tool fine-tunes without rendering. Choose the Render option, colour balance – handy when you shoot under and iMovie performs additional processing that incandescent light and forget to adjust your blends adjacent frames to smooth out the slow camera’s white balance. motion. Restore that clip You’ve cropped a clip, but Colour effects later need those extra seconds you took out. In The Black-&-White effect, which strips away iMovie 2, you can reclaim them, as long as you colour, can add a retro look to a clip, as can haven’t chosen iMovie’s Empty Trash command. Sepia Tone. Select the clip and choose Restore Clip Media Effects over time In iMovie 2, effects aren’t from the Advanced menu. an all-or-nothing proposition – iMovie can Audio was a second-class citizen in apply or remove an effect gradually. Apply iMovie 1, but iMovie 2’s audio enhancements the Black-&-White effect over time to give you more control over soundtracks. make a clip start in black-&-white and turn Extracting audio You may want to into Technicolor. Animate the Soft Focus effect use only the audio portion of a clip – maybe to make a clip start blurry and come into focus. you’re making a documentary about your To animate effects, use the Effects panel’s grandmother’s childhood, and you’d like Effect In and Effect Out sliders. Drag the Effect to show old photographs as she talks. In slider to the right if you want the effect to To do this, first place the video clip in the appear over time. You’ll see a time indicator in timeline, and then select the clip and choose the panel’s preview area, showing how much Extract Audio (⌘-J) from the Advanced menu. time will elapse until the effect is fully visible. iMovie copies the audio, places it in Audio To make an effect go away over time, drag Track 1, and then mutes the audio in the clip. the Effect Out slider to the left. As you drag, the Next, select the video clip in the timeline and preview area’s time indicator shows when the press the delete key. effect will start to fade. Here, you’re measuring The video vanishes, but its audio remains time from the end of the clip. To have an effect behind, and you can now position stills and begin to go away two seconds before the end other clips in the video’s place. of the clip, drag the Effect Out slider to the left The ghost of playheads future Say you’re until the time indicator reads 02:00. working on your kid’s birthday-party movie, Some additional features make their screen and you want the sound of a windstorm to debut in iMovie 2. You can now adjust a title’s play as she blows out the candles. In iMovie 1, type size, and there are several new title styles positioning audio at a precise point was a trial- to choose from. A new set of sliders gives you &-error proposition. iMovie 2’s ghost playhead more control over title timing, allowing you makes it easy. to specify the speed of animated titles. More Info: www.codeccentral.com In the timeline, position iMovie’s playhead Apple also tweaked iMovie 2’s export Operated by Terran Interactive, this site at the spot where your daughter begins to huff. features, but not all the changes are good. To contains excellent primers on shooting, Now import your sound effect. As you drag it to improve performance, Apple changed iMovie’s editing, and compressing Web and the timeline, you’ll see a semi-transparent default Web, email, and CD-ROM export CD-ROM video. version of the playhead at the point where settings to use H.263 compression. This lets puffing commences. That’s the ghost playhead, you see the final results faster, but the image More Info: www.icanstream.com and it’s acting as a bookmark to save your quality is inferior to that of the Sorenson Video Silly name, great site. This joint venture place. Drag the sound effect to that spot. compressor in iMovie 1. between several giants in digital video Fade control In iMovie 1, you could make a If you want the best possible quality, choose contains compression tutorials and free clip’s audio fade in or out, but the duration of the Expert option in the Export dialogue box, downloads of compression and DV- the fade was fixed. In iMovie 2, you can double- and specify Sorenson Video for compression. editing utilities. click on a clip, and then adjust the sliders. Don’t miss next month’s Macworld, where Splitting audio clips Unlike iMovie 1, we’ll continue our look at iMovie. MW

114 Macworld DECEMBER 2000 create: graphics

The Mockup palette As you create the candy box in this tutorial, you’ll use the Mockup palette to preview 1 the document at different angles and view animations Wrapture of how the candy box will be constructed. Select Open Box Structure.eps (left) from Tutorial Files in the QuarkWrapture demo. The red lines are cut lines that form the is boxing boundaries of the package shape. The blue lines are fold lines that show where the package should clever... be folded.

To view a preview of Open Box Structure.eps, go to View We lift the lid on Quark’s new 3D-graphics and choose choose Mockup to display the Mockup palette (A). tool for packaging professionals You can experiment with different options in the Mockup palette using the View pop-up menu (B). In Animated View, the flaps will QuarkWrapture 1.0 allows packaging be folded in accordance with the package’s fold order. professionals to render designs for three- dimensional projects – such as a product box – onscreen in 3D at the click of a button. A QuarkWrapture offers control of all aspects of the packaging design process, from creating a packaging project from scratch to assembling designs and artwork created with other applications. Using the tutorial demo-version on this month’s Macworld cover CD you can create packaging for a candy box. Beginning with an EPS file that contains the candy box’s cut and B fold lines, you’ll modify the package shape, add artwork and text, and export a three- To tilt and pan the 3D-box image select the Movement tool (C). dimensional preview of the final package. Now click anywhere in the area that contains the rendered image. In the process, you’ll learn the fundamentals Hold the mouse button down, and move it right or left to pan of QuarkWrapture’s major features. horizontally. Click-&-drag up or down to tilt vertically. You can rotate Much in QuarkWrapture is based on the package freely in all directions. QuarkXPress 4.1. In this feature, though, we highlight only those features unique to C Wrapture. For those unfamiliar with XPress, our cover-CD tutorial covers QuarkWrapture’s D XPress-like features in depth.

QuarkWrapture provides magnification and zoom controls within the Mockup palette. Zoom in and out by option-clicking while in the Movement tool. Zooming changes perspective. However, when you magnify, the rendered image appears simply larger or smaller, without changing perspective. Select the Magnification tool (D). Each click in image area now magnifies the image by 25 per cent. To reduce magnification, press C and click in the image area. page 120

Macworld DECEMBER 2000 119 Adding a crease line You may have noticed Changing the fold order With the default fold- Creating cutouts If you wish to add a “window” Changing the default front view By default, when you displayed the preview of the package that order, it’s difficult to determine which flaps are on top. to your candy box so that customers can see the Mockup palette renders a design with the 2 the top flap does not close properly. That’s because 3 It would be easier if the vertical creases folded first 4 the candy before they buy it, you can do this 5 centre of the die line positioned in the centre of the box designer forgot to include a fold line for during the animated sequence, followed by the in a number of ways. Here, we’ll show you how the view screen. The other views – Front Oblique, that flap. When you work with a package design horizontal creases – then you could see the way the to create a curved cutout. Back, etc – are relative to this default front-view. in QuarkWrapture, you can add new crease lines. end-flaps fold over one another. QuarkWrapture lets A However, your package may fold-up with the far you adjust the crease order of every crease. Here’s right panel as the front of the package, or it might D C A B how to optimize the crease order of the candy box: be positioned in the store with the top facing up.

A C D B

B

Zoom in around the flap at the upper right of the package (see above) using the Zoom tool (A). Select the Line tool (B) B from the Tool palette and draw a line across the bottom of the C flap (C). The ends of the line will “stick” to the corners. Make sure the line doesn’t overlap the red or blue lines that are Go to View (A) and scroll down to Fit in Window. Choose already there. With the new line selected, go to Item, select Item (B) from the Tool palette and select the leftmost vertical A Convert To (D) and then select Structure Guide. This converts crease (C). Select View Guide Information from View and choose the line from a printable line to a line that’s part of the structure 1 from the Order pop-up menu in the Guide Information palette Select the Oval Picture Box tool from the Tool palette (A) of the package. (D). This tells QuarkWrapture that you want to make the selected and draw an oval picture box in the top panel of the candy Go to Page and select Structure Front View. The Structure crease fold first when you animate the folding sequence. box document (B). To position the oval picture box, enter Front View dialogue box is now displayed (A). The current the coordinates as shown in the Measurements palette (C). Structure Front View settings result in the above Mockup (B). A B C

Click a different panel A B to designate a new default “front” of the assembled 5 11 7 9 package (A). Click a different radio button (B) in the This Side “Up” area, and click OK. This sets a new default “top” for the assembled package. Click Update in Mockup to see the change (C). The new structure guide will first turn red, but now you 1 2 3 4 B need to change it to a fold line. Go to View and select Guide Information to display the Guide Information palette (A). With Select the oval picture box, go to the Shape submenu in Edit, the new cut-line selected, choose Crease (B) from the Type and choose the bézier tool. This turns the oval picture box into pop-up menu. The new crease line should now be blue (C). a bézier picture box. Drag the bottom centre point up slightly to A create a bean shape (A). Go to Item and select Convert To and Structure Guides. Your bézier shape is now a cutout (B). 6 12 8 10 To verify that the fold line has C been added Update the Mockup palette and choose correctly, go to View Animated View from the View pop-up menu and then Mockup. If to preview the candy box with the new cut the Mockup palette (see left). is already open, click Using the above diagram, follow the crease numbers to set the Update button. the crease order for the document. You may want to consult with an Repeat all of the above steps to experiment with different The top flap of the TIP advisor from the packaging industry panels and orientations. Before you do this, restore the front candy box should for tips on how to add cut-out windows view settings as shown in (A) at the very top of this panel. now close properly. Go to View and choose Mockup to display the Mockup without compromising structural integrity. Use these settings for the remainder of the exercises. palette. Choose Animated View from the View pop-up menu in page 122 the lower left corner of the Mockup palette to play an animation of the new fold order.

120 Macworld DECEMBER 2000 Macworld DECEMBER 2000 121 Changing the crease angle In this exercise, you’ll change a crease angle so you can see what A B C 6 the candy box looks like when it’s open.

Select the second crease from the left in the candy box document (A). Go to the Guide Information palette (B) and Enter -15 in the Angle field (C). The angle of the selected crease is adjusted from 90 to -15 degrees.

Go to View and select Mockup. Click Update to preview. See how the flat die-line folds to become a candy box.

Exporting from QuarkWrapture You can export Using HTML Now that you’ve created JPEG and mockups in both JPEG and QuickTime VR format. QuickTime mockups, you need a way to make them 7 This simplifies the sharing of mockups with others 8 available to other people. A good way to do this via email or the Web. Also, you can export your is with an HTML file. You can write an HTML file structures in EPS format. to include both JPEG files and QuickTime VR files. For the purposes of this tutorial, there’s an HTML A B sample-file for you – and you can use it to see what your mockups look like on a browser.

Make sure you save your files CandyBox1.jpg and CandyBox1.mov in the HTML and Mockups folder in the QuarkWrapture Tutorial folder. Also in the folder is a file called Index.html. Double-click this file and your default Web-browser will launch and display your sample files (A). Your .mov file can be examined from any angle (B).

D

C

When you’ve completed the QuarkWrapture tutorials on the placement of images, text and colours (found on the cover CD demo), your final box structure should look like (A). To export a static mockup of this as a JPEG, first click the Export button (B) in the Mockup palette to display the Export Image dialogue box (C). Type CandyBox1.jpg in Export View As. In JPEG Export Options (D), check the Maximum quality-setting and click OK. A

A

B

A QuickTime VR mockup lets customers rotate your package design. To export as a QuickTime VR mockup, click the Export button in the Mockup palette to display the Export Image dialogue box (A) and then Type CandyBox1.mov in the Export View As field. Choose QuickTime VR from the Format pop-up menu. In QuickTime VR Export options (B), check Medium B (for good quality and fast export), and then click OK.

122 Macworld DECEMBER 2000 create: graphics

Rob first scanned a photo of his ‘55 Chevy For the complex shadows and highlights of the To put a vibrant finishing touch on his as a drawing reference. He used the pen tool chrome bumper, Rob layered multiple gradients illustration, Rob put the truck in a background 1 to draw the truck’s initial outline, indicating 3 and transparencies. Using the Gradient Mesh tool, 4 of coloured shapes (A). He gave each shape a areas of highlight and shadow (A). Using the he first created an oblong gradient in the shape of different opacity and used the Multiply blending Illustrator’s Outline view mode to exaggerate the truck’s the bumper (A). mode (B) to make the colours intermingle (C). lines, he then tweaked details and filled in the outline with solid colours (B).

A see-through A

A

Next, he drew a series of shapes to define the bumper’s secrets reflections and filled these with additional colour gradients B (B). Then Rob adjusted the transparency of the individual Save time with Adobe Illustrator’s shapes, and applied a Multiply blend, which intensified and darkened overlapping colours and made the whites completely transparency tools. By Brooke Wheeler transparent.

Creating the illusion of transparency is B something Adobe Photoshop users have taken for granted since the introduction B of the Transparency slider in version 3. But C Adobe left Illustrator users behind, forcing them to rely on laborious and unsatisfying draw-&-fill methods to create transparency effects – that is, until the release of The end result (C) is a combination of subtle colour Illustrator 9.0 (there’s a demo on Macworld’s Before constructing the truck’s windshield, Rob transitions in some areas and dramatic contrast in others. October cover CD). drew the cab’s interior details, such as the rear- Graphic designer Rob Reed is a big fan 2 view mirror, and filled in those areas with solid of Illustrator 9.0’s new Transparency palette. colours (A). Next, he created the glass, drawing Rob designs Web sites at New York’s The lines where he wanted reflections to appear (B). Chopping Block (www.choppingblock.com), C whose clients include Miramax, Nickelodeon, and Time Warner. With the Transparency palette, Rob can apply different opacities to individual objects, entire layers, strokes, B and fills, allowing him to reveal, conceal, A and blend multiple parts of an image using a few simple commands. In this illustration, Rob created complex transparency effects for the windows and body of a truck by building shapes of varying opacities and grouping them together Box text no indent box text no indent box text no indent box text – sometimes applying an additional opacity C no indent box text no indent box text no indent box text no indent setting to the entire group. He also used the box text no indent. Transparency palette’s different blending modes, such as Hard Light and Multiply, to Box text no indent box text no indent box text no indent box text change the way the layered shapes interact. no indent box text no indent. The result is a visual symphony of blended hues that create the illusion of shiny glass, steel, and chrome. MW Using the Pathfinder Divide command in the Effects menu, he split the window into separate pieces that fit together like a puzzle. He then gave each section of glass a different opacity – ranging from 10 to 85 per cent – and used blending modes For more information on Adobe Illustrator 9.0, check out such as Hard Light to control how visible the cab’s interior Macworld’s extensive reviews library www.macworld.co.uk/reviews would be (C).

124 Macworld DECEMBER 2000 Macworld DECEMBER 2000 125 Q&A/tips Q&A/tips

• Revert to Mac OS 9 • DV stills • Shut-down disaster Q&A/tips Handy Mac tips and readers’ questions answered. By Christopher Breen

Mac OS X software FireWire cable from your camcorder to Looking for some applications you your FireWire 2 Go card, can run with the Mac OS X beta? launch iMovie, rewind TIP If so, give Bruno Blondeau’s $15 the camcorder’s tape shareware utility, iOrganize, a try. to the location of the iOrganize includes: a NotePad module picture(s) you want that allows you to group notes by category, to import, and press plus it allows you to import standard NotePad iMovie’s Import button. files; ContactPad, an easy-to-use address book; As new images appear and AliasPad, a place to clump aliases for easy in iMovie’s Viewer application and file launching. window, they will find Bruno offers both the standard iOrganize 3.0 a place on iMovie’s shelf for those running the Classic Mac OS and the – the storage location for carbonized iOrganize 3.1b1 for those exploring movie clips and images. OS X beta. Go to www.brunoblondeau.com/ To convert these frames iorganize/iorgdownload.htm into PICT or JPEG files, simply move your cursor Eudora extension mystery to the shelf, click on the image you want to convert, Picture perfect and select Save Frame As from the File menu. Now With iMovie’s Save Frame As command, you can transfer If you’re having trouble running select either PICT or JPEG in the Format pull-down still images from a digital camcorder to a Mac. Eudora 4.2.1 or later on a G3 menu, name the file, and click on Save (see “Picture TIP PowerBook 400, it may be due to perfect”, right). a seemingly unrelated Extension – only for once There’s also a non-FireWire solution. Although it’s not a conflict. For some reason, the software iMovie won’t work without FireWire, I have a free needs the Network Setup Extension turned on. alternative: Strata’s VideoShop 4.5 demo – a demo that doesn’t let you save video clips, but does let Moving DV stills you save frame captures as PICT files. To use this demo, you need a way to get video into your Mac I have a Sony DCR-TRV320 Digital – through the video-input ports on AV Macs; a Handycam and a PowerBook G3 with video card that features a video-input port, such Q FireWire – via Newer Technology’s FireWire as ATI’s Xclaim VR 128 (www.atitech.com); or a 2 Go FireWire card. How can I move still pictures USB video-capture device, such as XLR8’s InterView from my camcorder to my PowerBook? (www.xlr8.com). Because these video cards and Mike Jones USB devices usually ship with some variety of video-editing software, you may not need to use Although you’d like to capture images that the VideoShop demo. appear to be static, the process entails pulling A those images from a moving videotape – and Cube monitor mayhem you, therefore, require a video-editing application. Fortunately, there’s no need to tender one penny to If you’ve bought a G4 Cube and obtain such an app. Apple supplies a solution for want to attach a VGA monitor or anyone with a FireWire-equipped Mac: iMovie, TIP a projector with a VGA connector Apple’s entry-level digital video-editing program. to the Cube, rummage around in the accessory To begin, ignore Apple’s system requirements box that came with your Cube. It should contain – yes, iMovie will run on a PowerBook – and a VGA-to-VGA connector that will allow you to download a copy of iMovie from Apple’s Web attach the monitor or projector. site (www.apple.com/imovie). Connect the page 128

Macworld DECEMBER 2000 127 Classic sounds click the Update Now button to receive a list of files that need to be updated. Once you have Applications running in the Classic that list, quit Software Update and venture out environment under Mac OS X Beta to Apple’s Software Update site (www.apple.com/ TIP on a Power Mac G4 Cube produce swupdates) and manually download the files you no sound. Native system sounds will play, as will want. sounds that are part of native OS X applications. Moving back to Mac OS 9 Old Mac, no new software You might want to tuck this away I was assured when buying a Sony PC3 in the back of your mind before Digital Camcorder at Dixons that I would TIP you install OS X Beta: To reinstall Q be able to digitally edit films on a Mac. Mac OS 9 on a volume that currently contains I now find that I am unable to do this because OS X Beta, you must erase the OS X volume first. the cable that came with the camera will not That means that if you’ve installed OS X on a connect to the port on my Power Macintosh hard drive with no partitions, you must initialize 5400/180. I have been informed by Sony that I the drive – wiping out all the data on that drive. may need a floppy-disc adaptor. This means that If you’ve partitioned a drive and installed OS X the Memory Stick port and connecting leads that on one of those partitions, you must erase that came with the camera are useless. However, even partition before reinstalling OS 9. with the floppy-disc adaptor, I will only be able This is just one more reason to back up to edit the ‘Still’ pictures, and not the moving all your data before installing OS X Beta. video because my computer needs some upgrading to do this. Is there a workaround? Mac OS mix-up Ian Bull You’ll notice that when you boot This might not be the answer you’re looking from a volume running Mac OS 9 for, but a 5400 is simply not fast enough TIP and hold down the Option key as A for video editing. Unfortunately, it isn’t the Mac starts up, the Startup Manager on your upgradeable either, at least not to the extent iMac (Slot loading), iBook, PowerBook (FireWire), needed to deal with video. A floppy-disc adaptor or Power Mac G4 (AGP Graphics) fails to reveal would, in my opinion, be throwing good money any OS X disks. To start up in Mac OS X from OS 9, after bad. Bite the bullet and buy an iMac – you should instead open the System Disk control otherwise you’ll spend more money propping panel (found on the OS X Public Beta CD), select up an old system. Say goodbye to floppies and the disk you want to use, close the control panel, hello to digital video. and reboot your Mac.

Noise-free modem Video-CD on Mac

A modem will work but make no My PowerBook is incapable of playing noise when connecting to the Web many of the Video-CDs (VCDs) I’ve TIP if you’re running Mac OX Beta with Q purchased, even though these same a beige Power Mac G3, a Blue-&-White Power CDs play back perfectly on a PC. Is there a Mac G3, or a Power Mac G4. wokaround? C J Hinke Keeping the Net alive For those unhip to the concept, VCD is a video If you have an “always on” Internet format found most often in Asia – many films connection that requires a “keep A made in Hong Kong are available on VCD, as TIP alive” application – such connections are US releases such as Star Wars Episode 1 and might include cable and Virtual Private Networks Fight Club. VCDs are MPEG-1-encoded movies (VPN) – to maintain a connection to the Internet, pressed onto standard CDs rather than DVDs. The you’ll be interested advantage of VCD is that the discs are generally less in this expensive – though poorer in picture quality – than workaround. DVDs, and you can play them on standard CD-ROM When Apple’s drives. VCDs aren’t widely available in the UK, but Software Update you can find them online (from www.coolvcd.com, control panel does its job for example) and in the Chinatown areas of large it quits running applications – cities. including these “keep alive” programs. Although VCDs should play properly through When the “keep alive” application dies, so Apple’s QuickTime Player, they often don’t because too does the Internet connection, and Apple’s CD/DVD Driver isn’t fully compatible with Software Update can’t complete all VCDs. To get a better crack at playing VCDs, its mission. The workaround buy a copy of Intech Software’s is to open the (www.IntechUSA.com) $40 CD/DVD SpeedTools 5.1. Software Fans of VCD report that Intech’s driver is a veritable Update miracle worker when it comes to making VCDs control recognizable. panel and page 130

128 Macworld DECEMBER 2000 Mac memory by model it impossible to see which button is which unless you turn the Cube over. Thankfully, Apple provides If you want the low down on a tactile clue to the identity of each button. Should Mac-memory configurations, check the Cube freeze, slip your hand beneath the back TIP out these two resources that reveal of the Cube and feel around for a button that the memory underpinnings of every Mac model: bulges out – that’s the Reset button. Like the Apple’s own Apple Spec Database Blue-&-White G3 and Power Mac G4 before it, (www.info.apple.com/applespec/applespec.taf) the Cube’s Reset button is distended whereas and Newer Technology’s helpful utility Guru the Programmer’s button is indented. If you (www.newertech.com). Don’t waste time end up in the Programmer’s Window type trawling through Apple’s Technical Information “G” (without the quotes) and then press Return Library (http://til.info.apple.com) – the info to out. isn’t there. Improper shut downs Pop-up scripts If you’ve failed to turn off the Here’s a simple AppleScript that “Warn me if computer was shut can quickly put pop-up folders from TIP down improperly” option in the TIP the root level of your hard drive back General Controls control panel and the repair into place after you’ve switched screen resolutions. window appears every time you restart your Just replace “Folder 1” and “Folder 2” with the Mac after it crashes, you can get out of this names of your pop-up folders and insert the repair window by pressing the Escape key on name of the last-added pop-up folder after your Mac’s keyboard. Because it’s hard to tell the close window command. exactly when pressing this key will do the most tell application “Finder” good, try pressing it repeatedly when the repair activate window first appears. set popup of container window of folder “Folder 1” of startup Preference failure disk to false set popup of container window Applications that depend on TCP/IP of folder “Folder 2” of startup running in the Classic environment disk to false TIP of Mac OS X may fail due to set popup of container window a corrupted TCP/IP Preferences file – you’ll of folder “Folder 1” of start know this has occurred if you see messages up disk to true in the Classic environment along the lines of set popup of container window “name servers not responding” or “connection of folder “Folder 2” of startup attempt failed”. If this happens, Apple disk to true recommends the following: Quit open applications close window “last added in the Classic environment, as well as the Classic folder” environment itself. Use Sherlock to locate the end tell TCP/IP Preferences file on the Classic volume, Jordan Dueck and drag this file to the Trash. Now open the System Preferences application and click Network. Hide files from nosy parkers Click the Lock icon and enter the administrator’s name and password. Change the Configure DNS If you’d like to hide your important pop-up menu to Manually and click the Apply files and folders from nosy button. TIP co-workers and family members, download a copy of Logan Murray’s $12 Early Easter Egg shareware utility, Ghost 3.5. Ghost allows you to easily make files and folders invisible, Micromat has a knack for including and keep track of these items through a Favorites inventive Easter Eggs in its products. window. Note that Ghost does not offer encryption TIP TechTool Pro 3 is no exception. While and the items it makes invisible can be found and the fun is in the finding, I’m not sure how anyone made visible with other programs such as ResEdit. would ferret out this without a broad hint. To discover this secret select About TechTool Blind restart Pro from the Apple menu and scroll down the list of credits. As you pan down the list keep an eye The Power Mac G4 Cube carries on the first letter of each name in that list. If you the Reset and Programmer’s buttons string together a collection of these first initials TIP on the bottom of the Cube – making you’ll find your way in.

Macworld’s deputy editor David Fanning and contributing editor Christopher Breen answer readers’ questions and select reader-submitted tips for this column. Send your question or tip (include your address and phone number) to David Fanning, Q&A, Macworld, 99 Gray’s Inn Road, London WC1X 8UT. You can also send email, marked Q&A in the subject line, to [email protected]. We pay £25 for each tip published here. We cannot make personal replies, so please do not include a stamped-addressed envelope.

130 Macworld DECEMBER 2000 The hi-tech world is less a threat to David Pogue privacy and more a liberating force DAVID POGUE is the author of iMac for Dummies (IDG Books Worldwide, 1998) and the Great Macintosh Easter Egg Hunt (Berkely Books 1998). He also wrote Macs for Dummies, fifth edition, updated for Mac OS 8, The Weird Wide Web (IDG Books Worldwide, 1997) and The Microsloth Joke Book (Berkeley, 1997). His most recent books are Mac OS 9: The Missing Manual and iMovie: The Missing Manual (both Pogue Press, 2000). Secrets and lies

ey, want to have an instant best-seller? our every life-event, public officials are open Write a book about the loss of privacy in the to scrutiny by every reporter and opponent. Information Age. Want to sell newspapers? On the other hand, aren’t we better off knowing H Run a headline about how the evil software about Jonathan Aitken’s perjuring and Jeffrey Archer’s conspiracy tracks our every move. Movie? Novel? Party many indiscretions? Whether you’re a supporter or an conversation? With high-tech surveillance, you’ve got opponent, knowing is better than not knowing. yourself a winning theme. It’s plain creepy. It is creepy to think that someone I don’t dispute that some tracking is going on. is watching us. It makes us nervous, fuels dramatic Our phone calls, credit-card transactions and plane opinion columns, and keeps the producers of Big reservations have been recorded on some computer Brother from using the TV camera over the toilet. somewhere, for years. No, what I’d like to know But scary-sounding high-tech paranoia schemes is, what – in practical, non-hysterical terms – is have been foisted upon us before, and they almost wrong with this kind of data collection? Reporters, never pan out. Remember the Y2K bug? There were “IT surveillance moviemakers, and publishers have latched on to people digging bomb shelters in Montana, for isn’t about the invasion-of-privacy thing because it sells, but heaven’s sake, and a lot of publishers got rich on what the thinking never seems to go much further than turned out to be a marketing scam. So far, the theft- losing privacy They’re watching you. of-privacy threat remains mostly in the realm of the – it’s about So what’s the downside? The few possibilities theoretical and the someday. I’ve come across revolve around these arguments: I’m not claiming that there are no downsides to living in a We’ll be targeted by marketers. If you visit living in a database world. Junk email, for example, is society that Amazon.com, you’re greeted by ads for books in a true annoyance. Nor do I need reminders of the real, categories you’ve bought from recently. When you if isolated, tragedies caused by the abuse of personal has laws and do a search for car information on Yahoo, the results information: the credit-report error that haunts a conscience” page may offer a car ad at the top of the screen. someone for years, the wife-beater who tracks down The writing is on the wall: Pretty soon, they’ll send his ex-spouse’s new address, or the AIDS patient who’s us ads targeting our interests! denied a job because of medical records. These stories And the problem is what, exactly? I say, bring it are genuinely upsetting. on! If I have to look at advertising, why not see ads But there are costs to fearmongering, too. I know for products that interest me, for heaven’s sake? people who have turned off their browser’s cookies My interests are Macs, gadgets, Broadway musicals, – preference files for Web sites – out of paranoia, and magic, tennis, books, kids – let the targeting begin! who therefore have to type out convoluted user IDs No, our problem is that not enough ads are aimed and access codes with every visit to a restricted site. at specific audiences. When companies spend millions Thousands of people refuse to buy anything online to show me ads for SUVs and adult diapers, they’re – never mind that their credit card numbers are at wasting their dollars and my time. infinitely greater risk of being stolen at a petrol We’ll be caught. Nobody wants to get caught being station or restaurant. I know a guy who pays for naughty. People hate the thought that their criminal, everything at stores in cash, for fear of giving any extramarital, or pornographic interests might one private information to anyone. But take it from day come to light. In my book, these are pretty flimsy someone whose credit-card firm refunds 2 per cent reasons for championing privacy. If you want only to of his annual buys: that kind of paranoia can cost you. cover-up violations of the law – moral, marital, or Look, I don’t want Big Business to invade every other – your problem isn’t the threat of losing privacy; corner of our lives. I’ll back any law against sending it’s living in a society that has laws and a conscience. spam, sharing medical records, or collecting our Our information will be made public someday. No personal data without telling us. My issue is with doubt about it: life as a political candidate or celebrity the marketing of privacy hysteria. There are different is no picnic. Thanks to massive databases that shadow ways to lose your privacy – and not all are scary. MW

178 Macworld DECEMBER 2000 Read more Macworld opinions online (www.macworld.co.uk), and join in the debate.