Christopher Mackay's Blog » Computers

Lego Antikythera Mechanism

Chris — Fri, 10 Dec 2010 01:20:09 +0000

PictureCode’s Noise Ninja upgraded to 64-bit for Aperture 3

Chris — Sat, 06 Mar 2010 02:28:17 +0000

The folks at PictureCode have released a 64-bit version of their outstanding Noise Ninja plug-in for Aperture 3. They didn’t waste any time getting this into users’ hands.

Even better, when I hadn’t seen any mention of a forth-coming upgrade on PictureCode’s web site after Aperture 3 let me know it would have to run Noise Ninja under 32-bit mode, I emailed them to ask about their plans.

Not only did Bill Smith, their senior programmer, get right back to me, letting me know a release was imminent — he attached a beta version of the plug-in.

How cool is that?

Recover from digital photo disasters | Digital Photo | Macworld

Chris — Tue, 04 Aug 2009 13:45:27 +0000

Excellent article from Derrik Story at Macworld.com:

Recover from digital photo disasters | Digital Photo | Macworld: “”

(Via @macworld.)

Official Google Mac Blog: Google Calendar now supports Apple iCal

Chris — Tue, 02 Dec 2008 12:51:48 +0000

Official Google Mac Blog: Google Calendar now supports Apple iCal: should be worth looking into.

(Via Reddit.)

Schneier on Security: ‘Digital Manners Policies’

Chris — Tue, 01 Jul 2008 21:17:23 +0000

‘Digital Manners Policies’ is a marketing term. Let’s call this what it really is: Selective Device Jamming. It’s not polite, it’s dangerous. It won’t make anyone more secure — or more polite”

Best argument for open-source software; now what about open-source hardware?

Good bye iPod, I’ll miss you

Chris — Sat, 12 Apr 2008 15:51:39 +0000

My 5th generation iPod (30 GB) has given up the ghost. Sad iPod icon and everything. ‘Josiah’ at Apple tech support says it’s probably the hard drive, and that it’s not likely worth fixing; since it’s out of warranty, the repair cost is nearly as much as the replacement cost. Ah, disposable technology… Is there any other kind?

TidBITS Macs & Mac OS X: Leopard Emerges from Beta as 10.5.2 Ships

Chris — Wed, 13 Feb 2008 03:50:49 +0000

TidBITS Macs & Mac OS X: Leopard Emerges from Beta as 10.5.2 Ships.

What is it with everyone’s obsession with Leopard’s transparent menubar?

If you’re using a desktop image that’s in any way useful — as in it’s easy to find icons on the desktop, you know, big blue sky, as opposed to some noisy, distracting pattern that camouflages everything you put on it — then it’s not a big deal.

I agree with Matt’s assessment that iCal’s new behaviour of requiring a double-click to show event details is still an annoying step backwards, though.

Linux creator disses Leopard file system

Chris — Wed, 06 Feb 2008 22:10:06 +0000

The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW) (via the Sydney Morning Herald):

However, [Torvalds] went on to say that both companies are using their operating systems to propel more software and hardware sales.”

Simply shocking. I can’t imagine what they’re thinking…

Grant Hutchinson: Twittering from his Newton

Chris — Sun, 27 Jan 2008 21:22:17 +0000

Twittering From My Newton on Flickr – Photo Sharing!: Grant Hutchinson out-geeks us all…

I really should fire up the old eMate again…

(Via John Moltz.)

Leopard/iCal bugs

Chris — Fri, 25 Jan 2008 21:17:48 +0000

Apple’s calendar software, iCal, has taken unfortunate steps backwards in Leopar, Mac OS X 10.5, which were not remedied by the 10.5.1 update.

When users of iCal under Mac OS X 10.4.x invite users of 10.5.x to an event, the behaviour is quite different than it used to be. Regardless of the calendar the sender had assigned an event to (e.g. Home, Work, etc.), when inviting a Leopard iCal user, the event arrives as part of the Home calendar.

Worse, it’s impossible to edit the event or its notification/reminder. You can’t change the Calendar to which it belongs, it will have a 15 minute alert — even when the sender chose an hour — and there’s no way to confirm or decline the invite.

Here’s hoping 10.5.2 addresses some of these issues.