Looks like the MacCast may have made it into the iTunes 4.9. Take a close look in this screenshot from Steve’s keynote at the WWDC. If you look real hard at the list on the right side of the window it appears the MacCast is listed at #3. Pretty sweet. And I didn’t even have to ask or bribe anyone ;). Hopefully it’s still there in the final release. Thanks to Craig Patchett at Behind the Scenes for catching this and sending it too me. The image is from iPodlounge.com

MacCast listener George just sent me info about his new Podcasting book which is now available at Amazon.com. Here is what he has to say about it:

My co-author, Curt Franklin, and I are working on The Absolute Beginner’s Guide to PodcastingIt will be out in September (or earlier) from Que Publishing. As the title implies, it’s designed for readers who are coming to podcasting with little or no background in podcasting. It will be the perfect solution for your listeners who are barraged with questions from friends and relatives about how to podcast.

You also get more info about the book on the authors web site, http://www.ultimatepodcasting.com.

Editor’s note: I am providing information of books related to Podcasting because I have had many people ask me about it. Since these books are just becoming available and in fairness to all authors I am listing books for anyone who asks. The listing here is purely informational and in no way an endorsement from the MacCast. As I receive review copies and if I have time to read them, I will try to provide formal reviews. Reviews will be clearly distinguishable as they will be categorized in the review section of the web site.

Listen to today’s show here!
MC20050605.mp3 [18.1mb 39:30 64kbps]

A podcast about Macs done by a Mac geek for Mac geeks. Show 65. Apple to dump IBM for Intel? Apple’s settles iPod battery class action, Apple offers iPod recycling program, HP will now sell iPod Mini’s and iPod Linux matures, offers video support. How to de-authorize iTunes after computer is sold, iBook skinz and eBay clients, help with unreliable Expose after Tiger upgrade, don’t forget to uninstall Office Test drive before installing Office, live from Green Hills, TN Apple Store opening, maximizing video on Mac Mini and a followup on Mac Widget Amnesty. New music, Not the Same by Ronnie Day. Remember, you heard it here last folks. Shownotes: HTML or OPML

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Quartz Desktop 1.0 – (Freeware)
One of my favorite new features in OS X Tiger was the new “RSS Visualizer” that is hidden away in the screensaver area of Tiger’s System Preferences. When I stumbled on this gem, I was in awe. Even my die hard PC friends were so amazed that they immediately went online to find something that was comparable on the PC. They failed to find anything near it’s beauty. My only complaint was that I use my Powerbook so much, I never really got the chance to use the RSS Visualizer. While balancing the pros and cons of doing less work just to get a glimpse of my new joy, I happened to find a neat little application that brings the Visualizer to my viewing attention a bit more.
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Listener Rob sent in this link to his photos on Flikr

[ Pics from Apple Store opening, Geen Hills, Nashville, TN ]

A Brief and Warped History of the Mac, part 1(in which the Mac doesn’t appear).

Welcome to the first column in my series. I would at this point like to tell you what the column is going to be about but sadly I can’t really at the moment. I did ask Adam for some guidance on topic, but he said he’d leave it up to me – which was probably a big mistake.

All I can tell you is that this column is not going to be useful. However it may be interesting, informative and occasionally controversial – though if it is please don’t send too much abuse my way.

One thing I have always found incredibly interesting about the Mac is not just how it is now, but also how we got here. Apple have revolutionised the world of computers time and time again in terms of software and hardware. Not ambitious enough for them, they’ve now revolutionised the whole music industry.

The History of the Apple company is probably well documented in scraps around the internet and several other ‘brief history’ guides out there – most of which are better written. But here is my take on the whole sordid affair – serialised over 6 parts.
Continue Reading »

Listen to today’s show here!
MC20050601.mp3 [12.7mb 27:48 64kbps]

A podcast about Macs done by a Mac geek for Mac geeks. Show 64. Apple releases QuickTime 7.0.1, Mac OS 10.4.2 released to developers, new iPod Photo update coming soon, AOpen’s “Pandora’s” box Mac Mini clone, Apple launching “The Studio” in more retail store and Microsoft plays follow the leader, again. Migrating from Adobe Photo Album/Elements to iPhoto, recommendation for a USB KVM Switch. Get an iPed Discount from Thought-out.biz. My decision on advertising in the show and how to support the show without advertising. New music, The Longer Goodbye by Six of One. For whom the bell tolls. Shownotes: HTML or OPML

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It’s that time of month again. Please remember to head over to PodcastAlley and vote for all of your favorite Podcasts. Since we have the NBCs, ABCs and ClearChannels coming to the party and spewing out repurposed content as Podcasts it is even more important we send a message. Step up, be counted and let everyone know what content you prefer to have in your ears. And FYI, it’s ok if you like the repurposed stuff, vote for that too if you want, I won’t tell. ;)

Vote at Podcastallley.com

So remember, Luxpro? Yes, they are the company from Taiwan who ripped off the design of the iPod Shuffle and showed it off at CeBit along with matching iPod advertising, also stolen. Apple’s lawyers were hot on the case and within a day all offending materials and images were removed. Well seems Luxpro has a deathwish, becasue they are back with a slightly (and I mean VERY slightly) modified design. Units are now available and showing up on eBay for about $100 USD. They changed the name to the SuperTangent and it adds some additional features not found on the iPod Shuffle. The SuperTangent has support for MP3, WMA and protected WMA formats. It also has an FM tuner and can do high quality recording. If you are interested, Phillip Torrone over at Make Magazine has posted his review along with a Podcast recorded with the device. I personally hope Apple goes after them with all guns blazing and doesn’t stop until the the SuperTangent is nothing more than a SuperMemory.

Thanks to listener Jakob we may now know how “Beggin’ Strips” dog snacks keep showing up on the grocery list you created in AppleWorks.

I was looking at the AppleWorks software page on Apple’s website, and saw something peculiar, along the lines of not eating the iPod Shuffle. It mentions in the first paragraph you dog using AppleWorks to remind you to feed her and has a “disclaimer” on the bottom.

See [ Screenshot 1] and [Screenshot 2]. from the AppleWorks web site.