Hat tip -MacNN | Apple recalls 1.8m notebook batteries

MacNN | Apple recalls 1.8m notebook batteries
Batteries that shipped with 12-inch iBook G4 laptops eligible for a free replacement under the recall display a model number of A1061, with serial numbers: ZZ338 through ZZ427, 3K429 through 3K611, and 6C510 through 6C626.

12-inch PowerBook G4 notebook owners eligible for a free replacement under the recall must possess a battery with model number A1079, displaying a serial number falling within ZZ411 through ZZ427 or 3K428 through 3K611.

Batteries that shipped with 15-inch PowerBook G4 notebooks eligible for a free replacement under the recall display model numbers of A1078 and A1148, with serial numbers: 3K425 through 3K601, 6N530 through 6N551, and 6N601.

Owners of iBook G3 laptops who recently purchased or received an extra battery for an iBook G3 are also asked to check the battery serial number, as some replacement batteries may be affected by the recall.

If you participated in a previous battery recall for any of these computer models or recently purchased or received from Apple an extra battery for an iBook G3, please check your battery serial number in case you received a replacement battery that is affected by this program.

Apple estimates roughly 1.1 million faulty battery packs were sold in the U.S., with another 700,000 sold outside the country.

Recalled batteries were sold through Apple’s online store, Apple retail stores nationwide, and Apple Authorized Resellers from October 2003 through August 2006 in notebooks priced between $900 and $2,300. Faulty batteries were also sold separately for about $130.

Apple is suggesting users remove the recalled batteries and contact the company to arrange for a free replacement, free of charge. Users requiring the use of their systems are advised to plug their laptops into the AC adapter until a replacement battery arrives.

Sony today announced that it supports Apple’s decision to recall batteries manufactured by the company, and said it anticipates no further recalls of batteries using the particular battery cells currently responsible for Apple’s recall. [updated]

Please people, don’t let your lap melt with these batteries. Get ‘em exchanged.

Key West sojourn brings on Dark and Stormy nights

Key West sojourn brings on Dark and Stormy nights
The makers of Gosling’s rum, we found, lay claim to the mythology around the Dark and Stormy. Their Web site notes that the drink is “hailed as the national drink of Bermuda,” and pronounced it “unlawful” to use any rum besides Gosling’s Black Seal Rum to make it. We proceeded with our unauthorized investigations, nonetheless. Here’s what we discovered.

Dark rums with richly complex notes of molasses and licorice mingle most effectively with the drink’s other ingredients. Gosling’s Black Seal Rum definitely possesses these qualities, but so do other dark rums — British Navy Pusser’s Rum and Ron Anejo Aniversario Pampero were also favorites.

MacNN | NitroAV ships 7-port FW, USB adapter

MacNN | NitroAV ships 7-port FW, USB adapter
NitroAV has begun shipping its FireWire (FW) 800/1394b and USB 2.0/1.1 Combo PCIe host adapter, expanding the company’s ExpressWay series of devices. The host adapter boasts seven ports which include two FireWire 800 external ports, three USB 2.0/1.1 external ports, one FireWire 800 internal port, and one USB internal port. The PCIe (PCI Express) FireWire 800/1394b and USB 2.0/1.1 Combo card is compatible with the latest iteration of Apple’s Pro desktop systems, the Mac Pro, as well as older Power Mac G5 systems featuring PCIe expansion slots. Each card requires only one PCIe lane (X1), freeing up other lanes for future expansion options. The card ships for $100, offering compatibility with Mac OS X, Linux, and Windows.

I wish that one of the ports externally was plain Firewire 400. Great card at a great price, though.

Basecamp HQ – Great Stuff

New Fire Your Tech Guy.14 is out.

This is going to mirror what is uploaded via iWeb.

We use our FJ Cruiser as a podcast vehicle. Treo 650 and SoundRec pitched in.

We talk about www.bdogd.com our new blog site (hey, that’s me!), which should include show notes, and further information. We also talk about how you can be a better computer user, and flog our online store a bit, www.alamedamac.com (see? like that)

Free cookies and gmail accounts are also offered.

Topic suggestions are suggested via the suggestion box at birdDogdigital@gmail.com. Suggest away, creative people.

Fire Your Tech Guy in 15 Minutes – The Podcast

Fire Your Tech Guy in 15 Minutes – The Podcast
The podcast rocks. You must listen.
After thirteen episodes, this description is woefully inadequate.

Fire your Tech Guy is a podcast of easy tips that you can put into practice. I review products, recommend good solutions and put out mild hit pieces on products that don’t cut the mustard.

As a part of birdDog digital, this podcast is happily haphazard, and I do it for the “love of the game” and don’t expect to make a buck from it. If I were to, then great. Best way is buying via the http://www.AlamedaMac.com site or purchasing my services, such as Technology Oil Change, available at www.birdDogdigital.com/toc

I also like to give free touts to people who write in, so if you want a shout, drop a dime or a line.

All comments can go to birdDogdigital@gmail.com

Get DarwinPorts – Now Universal for Mac Intels

Get DarwinPorts
DarwinPorts version 1.3.1 is available in binary form as a dmg disk image for Tiger (Universal) or Panther, both containing a pkg installer, or version 1.3.2 in source form as either a tar.bz2 package or a tar.gz one. Checksums for all these are contained here.

To get a files listing of all our available downloads checkout the downloads section

Please note that in order to install and run DarwinPorts on Mac OS X you must have Apple’s Xcode installed, found at the Apple Developer site or on your Mac OS X installation CDs/DVD.

If you want to use DarwinPorts on a platform other than Mac OS X, please be aware of the following requirements (we assume that you have basics such as gcc):

Slashdot | New Version of OSX Leopard Leaked

Slashdot | New Version of OSX Leopard Leaked
“InfoWorld has an article informing us that an early beta of Mac OS 10.5 has been leaked. This appears to be the same build Steve Jobs previewed at WWDC, and contains most of the new features, including Time Machine and Spaces.” From the article: “Attendees at last week’s Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC) received copies of the beta ware and had to sign legally binding agreements not to let Leopard stray onto file-sharing networks. Perhaps someone didn’t read the not-so-fine print? MacUser reports that this version of Leopard is indeed legit, unlike a fake one that was reportedly making its rounds last week. The version of Leopard available on BitTorrent is 4.3GB, containing 93 files.”

Did you think that this wouldn’t happen? Of course Leopard 10.5 for Mac OS X is going to be available for download on the internet. In our society, it isn’t want you agree to do, or legally bind yourself to do, but how you feel that leads your actions. I bet there will soon be a “Download Mac OS X 10.5 Leopard” link that will show up soon. This is just like looking for 08.2006, 09.2006 and the rest of the serialbox files.

Shutterbug: Best Of Show; Shutterbug’s Picks Of PMA 2006

Shutterbug: Best Of Show; Shutterbug’s Picks Of PMA 2006
Inside this yellow submarine are multiple solutions to many photographers’ problems starting with a terabyte (1000GB) of image storage. This is not just disk space but RAID (Redundant Array of Inexpensive Drives) storage that provides automatic backup for all of those shooters who somehow never get around to it. Don’t worry; the Yellow Machine does it for you using EMC’s Retrospect Professional software that’s bundled with the hardware. At the same time the Yellow Machine uses disc-scrubbing technology that monitors and fixes data, preventing hard disk errors before they occur. Surge protection is built-in to guard against power line spikes and an intelligent UPS system offers “graceful” shutdown in the unexpected case of a power outage. The Yellow Machine contains a wireless VPN (Virtual Private Network) router so it replaces another piece of desktop gear besides your external FireWire drive. Because it’s wireless you can copy and transfer files from anywhere in your office/studio. One small yellow box; lots of functions and protection. If you shoot lots of pictures or just want to protect the ones you have, get a Yellow Machine.
—Joe Farace

Thanks Joe. I couldn’t say it better than that. The YMC on a Mac is great, and photographers should get one to avoid the panic of lost photos.

DittyBot – An Applescript Adventure at Plastic Bugs

DittyBot – An Applescript Adventure at Plastic Bugs
Hey Kids! Just as promised, here’s DittyBot for OS X Tiger (300K). DittyBot is an Apple Automator Workflow mixed with some Applescript. I can’t code Applescript all that well, so I’m certain the Applescript coders will suggest some code fixes so that it isn’t so messy. Please post any suggestions, additions, or fixes in the comments. Thanks!