Apple Cider: Don’t Panic: Bidding Farewell to the Hitchhiker

Tom Iovino honors the recently deceased author and Mac enthusiast Douglas Adams.

“These high-profile Mac enthusiasts have done more than just champion the Macintosh platform: they have all achieved great things in their lives by thinking a little outside the box. And, the creation of the Hitchhiker’s series and his other books and games could only come from the innovative mind of Douglas Adams.”

The Personal Computing Paradigm: Mac OS X Tips

Michael Tsai introduces some simple tips & tricks to get most out of using OS X.

“Holding down Command and Option when dragging a file onto an application icon in the Dock forces the application to open the file, even if it doesn’t seem to recognize the file’s type.”

My Apple Wedge: FileMaker Pro Templates Overview and Tutorial

In his new column, Dierk Seeburg takes a closer look at FileMaker 4’s templates and gives a short tutorial on how to customize and script them. Dierk is also soliciting ideas for future FileMaker tutorials.

“I have used FileMaker for over three and a half years now and haven’t realized the half of what’s possible to implement in FileMaker. Proof of this comes in the plethora of versatile database solutions that can be found as freeware, shareware, or commercial packages all over the Internet. If you think FileMaker is the weakest link, think again—it may be you!”

The Legacy Corner

Ed Goss invites you to share ideas, tricks, resources, and experiences on using older Macs productively in the age of G4s and Cinema Displays.

“I have been using a Mac since the earliest days of System 7 when I purchased a Mac LC. Currently my wife and I have up and running an LC 575, a Twentieth Anniversary Mac, and my workhorse Power Computing PowerCenter Pro 210, so I feel that I’m a little qualified to speak on behalf of those who find that Legacy Macs still suit their needs. If I don’t have an answer to your question, I’m sure one of the other members of the staff can help. What I would like to accomplish is to provide a forum for help with older models, software and hardware upgrades, and a look into the life of those of you who still use older Macs on a daily basis.”

About This Particular Web Site

This month, Paul Fatula introduces several interesting Web sites, including the Macintosh Security Site, Pogo (an online gaming service), the online Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy, Lark in the Morning (obscure instruments and books), and Petition Online (start, find, and sign petitions over the Internet).

Setting up a Hardware Router

Matthew Glidden explains how to set up a hardware router for shared Internet access.

“Many Internet providers record your computer’s Ethernet hardware address (also known as the MAC address, but nothing to do with Macintosh), so that only that computer can use the high-speed service. If this is the case with your provider, do the configuration from the Web browser on the computer you’ve used to connect to the Internet.”

Shareware Roundup: Stickies and Notepads—Part One

Brooke Smith compares Memory Joggers 1.7, NotePad Deluxe 2.2, iOrganize 3.3.2, and MousePad 1.2.1. All these tools are like the classic NotePad on steroids.

“A Macintosh computer comes with its own notepad and stickies programs. However, if you’re a connoisseur of stickies and notepads, then it’s fun to explore other programs that go beyond the basics.”

Book Review: Crossing Platforms

Paul Fatula describes how this book can make your platform transition easier and less frustrating.

“Whether you’re a recent convert to Macintosh from the Windows world, or circumstances have made you abandon your Mac for a Windows machine, using a new operating system can be pretty daunting. You’re already familiar with how one system works, and how to make it do what you want, but suddenly you’re on a new platform and trying to wing it.”

Turbo Mouse Pro

Eric Blair examines the merits of this newest trackball addition to the Kensington family of peripherals.

“Moving from the Classic version of MouseWorks to the OS X version can be a bit of a shock at first. Looking at the interface, you can tell right away that some things are missing.”

Interview: Dan Bailey, Fontosaurus Text

Christopher Turner interviewed Dan Bailey from Fontosaurus Text, an online font foundry, about fonts, Macs, and Windows.

“ATPM: What do you look to for inspiration when developing a new font?

Dan Bailey: Man, I look everywhere. Uhop Deluxe/Uhop Lite was inspired by two different things: (1) the IHOP sign, and (2) the old Dodge Neon lettering. […]”

Desktop Pictures: Flowers and Southern California

Jens Grabenstein is happy to share this spring’s pictures of flowering trees and blossoming flowers with us. The images were shot around his place on Long Island and during a short trip to Boston.

The pictures from Southern California were taken by Lee Bennett while on a trip to southern California in May 2001. Five pictures are from the San Diego Zoo’s Wild Animal Park, one is from Balboa Harbor, and one from the Riverside vicinity.