Computer/Macintosh

Mac OS X Printers Disappearing

I ran into a odd problem setting up Mac OS X printers on Wednesday. The user's printers had suddenly disappeared from their Print Center.

Luckily, this was a known issue and is addressed buy this tech note, "Error 1282 When adding printer in the Print Center.

The fix requires using the Terminal program to rectify it, but the directions are clear and should be within the skills of any Mac OS X user.

Career Column

Career-Op: When your Sixty-Four?
by Douglas E. Welch, ComputorEdge Magazine

Having just celebrated my 39th birthday (really, not like Jack Benny), I find myself looking at the world, and my high-tech career, a little differently every day. Little by little, I have realized that no matter how much I love my work, I probably don't want to be toting computers and climbing under desks when I am in my 50's. From now on, any evaluation of my career will involve thinking of what I need to do in the next 10 years to make sure that I am not trying to have the career of a 30-year-old when I am 60. Maybe you are only in your 20's or 30's today, but you would be wise to consider, even in the smallest way, where you might want to be in 20 years.

(Continued)

Technology

With RFID, TAG!  You're It!
by: Mitch Krayton

My friend, Mitch, has a interesting article on radio frequency identification tags that are being included in more and more products these days.

From the article...

It's been a quarter of a century, but radio frequency identification (RFID) tags, which are inexpensive, portable objects, are making their way into fresh interactive kiosks projects.

What is RFID?

Beginning in the 1980's, tags with an antenna were used for livestock identification and automated vehicle identification. Better than bar code, tags can track moving objects in groups using radio signals. RFID allows for non-contact reading and writing of tags in environments too severe for typical bar code labels. RFID's radio signals can penetrate snow, fog, ice, paint, ink and dirt where optical technologies can't possibly work.

Computers

Laptop Accessories

I have been installing a lot of laptops recently, mainly Apple Powerbook G4 units. Because of this, I have been giving recommendations to the new owners on the care and feeding of their new babies. For most of them, this is the first laptop they have ever owned.

Whether you are the proud owner of a flashy new Powerbook, or toting around a 4-year-old Dell laptop, you are well advised to seek out a few accessories to keep your computer around for a long time.

Security

One of the most important devices you can get for your laptop is decidingly low-tech. If you use your laptop in public areas, Iike cafes and libraries, a security cable, like these from Kensington, are very important. The lock fits into a security connector provided on most laptops. The cable can then be looped around a table leg or other heavy object. While these cables won't stop a determined crook they can prevent your computer from "growing legs" while you pick up your coffee at the counter.

For more agressive protection, you could invest in a laptop alarms. Although, as with any alarm, there is a good chance you will set it off accidently.

Cases and protectors

If you carry your laptop from office to office or just from room to room, you should have a good case to protect it. This might include computer proctectors like these, which are designed to stay on the laptop at all times. These are good choices for laptops that move from table to couch to desk on a regular basis.

Some specialized protectors are designed to address specific problems, such as preventing Apple Powerbook keyboards from making permanant marks on the LCD screen. Another version can be found here.

You should also have a fully-padded carrying case for travelling via plane, train or automobile. Try to get a case that is well-padded and has plenty of space for cables, disks, etc. You might also consider a case designed specifically for your brand of laptop.

Handhelds

PDA's like those from Palm and Sony, need protection from the minute you take them out of the box. Every handheld computer will be dropped, it is only a matter of time. Don't wait for the costy repair of a shattered screen to drive the point home.

Save yourself the headaches of a lost or damaged laptop. Invest a few dollars now to save a few thousand down the road.

Computers/Macintosh

Apple Security Update 03-03-03

Latest Apple Update closes who in UNIX Sendmail application. Most users do not have this service enabled, so this update is not critical, but should be installed when possible.

From Apple.com...

The Security Update addresses a security issue in sendmail where a remote individual could gain access and control of the system. Although sendmail is off by default in Mac OS, it is recommended that all users install this Security Update. This update also includes a newer version of OpenSSL that provides improved data confidentiality by addressing a recently-discovered security issue.