New MacNify Widget, more bugs solved

Version 1.2 of the MacNify Widget is now officially available for download on Apple's widget directories. Finally, the broken RSS link from the blog to the widget is restored! Enjoy!

Windows, Anyone?

So it hasn't been any real a big announcement from Apple for quite some time. Try this: Apple is officially enabling running of Microsoft Windows XP natively on the new Intel Mac.

Boot Camp does it all

As Windows XP is built for the x86 architecture, it should naturally run well on the Intel Mac --that is if other compatibility issues like hardware drivers are overcome. That's precisely what Boot Camp (Beta) does.
Boot Camp is basically a one-stop-shop tool to help Mac users wishing to run Windows XP on Mac to get things done as easily as possible. It helps you create a new partition on harddisk to house Windows XP without affecting your Mac OS X, and even burns a CD containing the hardware drivers so that you can install them in Windows XP later.

When everything is set up properly, all you need is to hold the option key when starting the machine and the system will prompt you to choose which operating system to launch.

For a complete instruction on using Boot Camp, check out Apple's Boot Camp Guide

Alternatively, you can see a video demo of Boot Camp at You Tube

A real buzz generator

If you happen to scout around the Web for news and comments surrounding this new tool from Apple, you may find equally extreme yet completely opposite opinions, like the death of Mac OS X and the death of Windows. Take your pick.

Personally, I think this isn't really as big a change in the Mac world. First of all, those who enjoy Mac OS X will stick to Mac OS X, while those who have needed Windows for whatever reasons will still install a copy of Windows alongside Mac OS X -- only to bypass the Virtual PC for the first time in history. However, it sure will entice Mac users who happen to be active gamers to try out Boot Camp, as most of the major game titles are still Windows-only.

Security security

Mac is as safe as the Mac OS X can be. When comes to security with Windows, it doesn't matter that you are actually running it in your shiny Mac machine, worms targeting Windows will still creep in. Go ahead and install a copy of Windows if you may, but be sure you know what you are doing.

Yet another Mac tip is on the web!

Safari's Hole Patched

Apple has responded to the security hole in Safari reported a few weeks ago by releasing a security update, formally Security Update 2006-001 Mac OS X 10.4.5 (PPC).

Problem solved

After updating the system, I found that the aforementioned vulnerability in Safari is gone. Now the download manager is able to decipher the altered script files and warn that the package may contain an application. Since you know you are downloading a media file, this warning is enough to raise your alert that something fishy is going on.

The turnaround time of the fix is fast enough, which is a good sign that Apple is taking Mac security seriously. If your system has not been patched, you can download and install the update using the Mac's built-in Software Update, or get it from this link.

What about Panther

Fear not, Panther users, for you are not neglected. Apple has also addressed this problem in Panther by releasing a 10.3.9 security update, which can be downloaded here: http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=303382.

Yet another Mac tips is on the web!

Apple's February Special Event

It's only a couple of hours before Apple's February 2006 special event kick-starts. What will Apple reveal this time?

Rumors ranging from the new Intel Macs to the bigger-screen video iPod have been around recently. MacNify has never participated in any of these guess-works, with an exception this time.

So what is my take? I think it must be something to do with video. The rest will fit in around this theme. My focus is drawn to the recent acquisition of Pixar by Disney, which made Steve Jobs the CEO of Apple the biggest share holder of Disney. Although technically that has nothing to do with Apple, I am sure the collaboration between the Disney and Apple is too sweet a spot to not to be taken seriously by the two company. And having Steve sitting in Disney's board means something must happen.

So what will Apple do? Working around the theme of video, I guess Apple will start selling movies on its iTunes music store. However, that alone is not enough to draw people to buy movies online. To create a positive spiral effect like what iPod does to the selling of music on iTunes and vice versa, Apple has to roll out a new iPod to sell movies. That leads to the so-called 'true' video iPod, which is mentioned on Think Secret, with its argument further strengthen by a touch-screen patent filed by Apple. Apple may also introduce yet another Intel Mac with FrontRow, preferably the Mac Mini, so that people can purchase movies online and watch them directly on their big-screen TV.

Will my guess be accurate? We will find out soon enough.