Articles by Doug McLean

Staff Writer

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Notable software releases this week include WireTap Studio 1.0.7, Things 1.0, Skype 2.8 Beta for Mac, PDF Shrink 4.5, CheckUp 2.0, and FileMaker Pro 10.0.Read more... 

The popular fake news organization, The Onion, recently posted a hilarious video on its Web site featuring a look at a fake new Apple laptop, the MacBook Wheel. According to The Onion, the MacBook Wheel replaces the keyboard with a giant touch-sensitive click wheel, making everything on your computer, "just a few hundred clicks away."Follow link

Google has released a public beta version of Picasa for Mac at Macworld Expo this week. Previously, Mac users were limited to the Picasa Web Albums uploader and an iPhoto plugin, but now they have access to the full version of the photo editing and organizing software.Follow link

iPhoto '09 now offers face detection and geotagging capabilities, along with integration with Facebook and Flickr, and new slideshow themes that can sync to an iPhone or iPod touch.Read more... 

Interested in learning how to play your favorite songs on guitar or piano? GarageBand '09 has added Learn to Play music lessons to its bag of tricks. Read more... 

Steve Jobs has written an open letter to put an end to speculation that his health was failing and to ask for support from the Apple community.Read more... 

If you'll be in San Francisco for Macworld Expo, you can catch not just the MacHEADS movie, but also a special screening of the new documentary "Welcome to Macintosh."Read more... Listen  

Notable software releases since the last issue of TidBITS include Audio Hijack Pro 2.9, Firefox 3.0.5, Camino 1.6.6, Norton Internet Security for Mac 4.0, Snapz Pro X 2.1.3, Hazel 2.2.4, PDFpen 4.0.3, Typinator 3.3, and Lightroom 2.2.Read more... Listen  

In a recent report comparing U.S. computer makers, Macs were ranked as the most reliable, though the ranking may say more about Apple's support options than the reliabilty of Macs. Read more... 

Notable software releases so far this week include BBEdit 9.1, SOHO Labels 4.0, DiscLabel 5.4.1, Sandvox 1.5.3, Keyboard Maestro 3.5, and PowerMail 6.0.Read more... Listen  

Frequent App Store visitors will notice that Apple has recently reorganized things a bit. The main change is the addition of Top Free App and Top Paid App lists for every available category in the store.Follow link

Looking for an easy way to manage your to-do list? Google has recently released Tasks, a simplified task list manager that works with Gmail.Read more... Listen  

Microsoft has released yet another set of updates to Office 2008 and 2004, this time fixing two important security issues, improving general Office stability, and addressing a number of bugs.Read more... Listen  

User discussion forums have been abuzz about grey lines that muddy the crispness of the displays of the recently updated MacBook Air. Here's a quick look at the issue, and what Apple appears to be doing about it.Read more... Listen  

Are you a fan of Google Earth but bemoan its sluggish launch speed? Mac users can now access Google Earth directly from their Web browser with the Google Earth Browser Plugin.Read more... Listen  

Yet another reason Firefox 2.0 users should update to version 3.0: At Google's request, Mozilla will remove anti-phishing protection from the forthcoming Firefox 2.0.0.19, the final update to that version, due later this month.Follow link

Ever find yourself distracted by your own Mac, with windows from your Web browser or sounds generated by incoming mail preventing you from getting down to your real work? Doug McLean set out to find some programs that can help you focus on what's important.Read more... 

Google has officially announced support for the CalDAV protocol, which enables users to sync events from Apple's iCal with Google Calendar. Google also rolled out Calaboration, a setup program for iCal.Read more... Listen  

Notable software releases this week include BusySync 2.1.9, Bento 2.0v3, and QuickTime 7.5.7.Read more... Listen  

Important breaking news: The Simpsons get an Apple Store.Read more... Listen