As you (hopefully) know, I’m a web developer by trade. Whenever possible, I try to take time to help other aspiring designers and developers get their feet wet when they make the switch to Macs. There’s a refreshing amount of excellent software for Mac that will allow you to dive headlong into web development with a minimal investment on your part. Here’s a list of what I consider the essential software that you can get for free or inexpensively, as well as a few paid alternatives.
Archive for the ‘Apple’ Category
Unwavering iPad Link Bait
Caught me hook, line, and sinker. I just finished reading Sascha Segan’s PC World article titled “Apple’s iPad Could Kill The Mac” and I felt it was necessary for my own sanity and piece of mind to deconstruct this article and really figure out why Sascha, a professed 24 -year Mac user, could arrive at such a wacky conclusion.
On the iPad
There’s an old saying that goes something like this: “Everyone is entitled to their own opinion… Even if it’s wrong.” That’s kind of been my stance on all the hubbub surround Apple’s latest “magical” device, the iPad. I’m usually pretty good about keeping my comments reserved on such matters because I realize there are a lot of both haters and fanboys when it comes to all things Apple, but I feel like I need to step up to the plate on this one and shout from my little soapbox on the internet because, quite frankly, I need to be the Yin to the Yang of articles titled “17 Things Wrong With the iPad”, “Newton 2.0″, and “ROFL, IPADS VAGINAS ZOMG!”
Will It Work?
I thought I would dive back into blogging after quite a long hiatus because I not only missed it, but I’m also planning on rolling out some wicked updates to this site by the new year. I figured with the recent Apple product explosion, now would be a great time to pose a burning question that I’ve had ever since I read up on the new iMacs:
On the 27″ iMac, you now have the ability to utilize a video input, which has been on everyone’s wish list forever and a day. My question is this: If I bought two 27″ iMacs, could I use the video out from one into the other to extend my desktop AND THEN connect them via Firewire 800, enable Xgrid processing and, in essence, utilize the four cores for intensive tasks like video rendering? The ball is in your court, Apple.
Update 10/22/09 Another question I need answered: Can the iMac still function as a second monitor if OS X isn’t installed or in other situations like when booted into Windows via Boot Camp?
My Thoughts On MobileMe
In July, MobileMe will have been around for exactly one year in it’s current incarnation. It was always one technology that I was hesitant to jump right into because I felt like it was a tad superfluous. I mean, why would I want to pay for over-the-air syncing of my Address Book or phone numbers when it’s just as easy for me to plug my phone in and sync thru iTunes? Throughout the past three months I’ve found that there’s a lot more to MobileMe than just syncing contacts and information wirelessly. Let me tell you a bit about it…
