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Sunday, September 14, 2003

Random thought:

Wanted: Good, basic word processor

Circus freaks need not apply. Ability to read and write Word documents is essential. Cross-platform support (Windows and Mac) helpful. Support for Unix or Linux would be a plus. Preference given to those willing to work cheap.

If there's one thing Microsoft fears more than anything else - far more than the US Department of Justice or any European regulatory agency - it's these three words: Open-source software.

Open-source software is free. Many open source applications run on Windows and on Apple's OS X. The applications are increasingly feature-rich and reliable. If you have any doubt that these applications make Microsoft nervous, think of yourself as the software buyer for an office with 100 employees. Each has a computer and needs a word processor and a spreadsheet. Which of these would appeal to you:

Buy a copy of Microsoft Office for each employee. Even with "site licensing" you'll pay more than $200 per seat. So that's $20,000.
Download a copy of the OpenOffice suite from OpenOffice.org. Because the open-source software is free, your cost will be $0,000.

In today's economy, that's a figure that's difficult to ignore. OpenOffice isn't the perfect solution and it's not for everyone, but home users who can't justify the purchase price of Microsoft Office, small-office users, and even major corporations are finding that there might be something for them at http://porting.openoffice.org.

OpenOffice is the free version of Sun's Star Office suite. Some "freeware" applications are not legal for use in a commercial setting. That is not the case with OpenOffice. Any user - commercial or non-commercial - is free to use it.

Because the code is "open source", in falls under the Gnu public license (GPL) and must always remain free. OpenOffice includes a word processor, a spreadsheet program, a presentation program, a drawing application, a data charting application, and file conversion utilities that allow it to read and write Microsoft Office formats.

The same applications will run under Windows (95 and later), Linux, and Unix. And, yes, that means it will run on Macintosh systems under OS X version 10.2 or later.

For Apple users, there is one (huge) qualification: The current version is beta code on the Mac platform and does not run "natively" under the Mac's GUI. Instead, the installation (a 170MB download compared to the Windows download of 63MB) contains the X-Windows GUI. Because of this, the OpenOffice.org website cautions that users who are not familiar with X11 should wait for a version that will run natively on the Mac's Darwin Unix operating system. Further cautions come in the form of a long (30+ items) list of "known limitations". These limitations (a/k/a "issues" or "opportunities") include crashing, common functions that are not available, printing problems, and numerous "oddities" such as the need to rename AIFF (Mac sound files) with a WAV extension to play them.

Most Apple users will probably want to put off looking at OpenOffice until the native OS X version is released. For Linux users (who are already familiar with the quirky X-Windows system) and Windows users, there is no reason to wait.

It may be that offices will use combinations of applications in the future. The "power users" who need the latest bloatware from Redmond will continue to use Microsoft Office. Some users may switch to Corel's Wordperfect Office Suite, which now comes bundled with computers from several manufacturers. But more and more users might begin to see open-source software on their computers.

And Steve Ballmer's budget for Rolaids will increase again.

Technology corner rating

SIX CATS: This isn't an office suite for everyone. If you have an older, slower computer, the application may be uncomfortably slow because it's written in Java. If you must have all the bells and whistles that are part of the Microsoft Office Suite, this is not the program for you. But home and SOHO users with reasonably fast computers and average needs will find that it does what it needs to do. And at $0.00, the price is certainly right!

How the Technology Corner rating system works.

The latest and greatest -- for 1996

This program will originate at Port Columbus, where I'll be preparing to fly to Islip, Long Island, so that I can take a train to take a subway to get to a room in Harlem from which I can attend the 2003 edition of TechX New York. I'll return with information about the latest hardware and software. But just like Mr. Peabody and his boy, Sherman, we're leaping into the Wayback machine today for a trip back to 1996. This is thanks to the Internet Time Machine project, which captures little bits of Internet history and occasionally coughs one up for us to review. Consider this little hairball from 1996 when Joe and I discussed the latest computer trends and what you should buy if you were in the market for a new computer ...

My 1996 comments

My 2003 comments

If you're thinking about buying a home computer, you've picked a good time to do it. Prices are favorable and appear likely to remain that way for a while. But you've picked a bad time, too; you have more decisions to make than ever before.

What will you use the computer for?
What software should you choose?
Which operating system and what hardware?
What will you use the computer for?

Think of the computer as a motor vehicle. Before you buy a car or a truck, you think about what you want it to do. The person who hauls heavy tools from one job site to another will have different requirements from the person who drives to work at an office.

Favorable!? Did I say "favorable" in 1996? Well, I suppose they were, but they're even more favorable today. You can buy a decent computer for about $1000 and a powerful computer for $1500 to $2000. If you pay more than $3000, you will probably buy more processing power than existed on the planet in 1960.

No change in difficulty, though. In fact, it's harder. AMD is a true contender for Windows machines now. Back in 1996, AMD was the "value" leader, but didn't provide leading-edge performance. Today it does.

And then there's Apple. Back in 1996, Apple's operating system was lame. That's all changed with the introduction of OS X. Software manufacturers tend to favor Windows machines, but the Mac is definitely worth looking at.

Game playing and home entertainment? You need the most powerful system you can buy because games use every resource the system has. Plan to spend close to $3,000. You'll want the best motherboard, the fastest processor, a large high-speed disk drive, at least 32MB of memory, and a 12x CD-ROM. It also probably means you'll want at least a 17-inch monitor -- maybe even a 21-inch monitor -- and the fastest 128-bit graphics card you can find. This is the Ferrari.

The system described at the left isn't even a cheap entry-level computer by today's standards.

You could still spend $3000 if you worked at it, but you'd have a CD and DVD burner instead of a CD player and you'd want 1000MB of memory instead of 32.

Office work, a little entertainment, and on-line activities? Most people are probably in this category. They may use the machine to play games, but they want to be able to bring work home from the office. They want to give the kids some reference tools. They want to be able to use the Internet. To put this system together, don't cut any corners -- but you can avoid paying the price premium for the largest and fastest components. Expect to spend around $2,000. Pick a fast processor, make sure the disk is 2 gigabytes or more, and include at least 16MB of memory. Prices being what they are, make it 32 unless you're really strapped. Save money by choosing a 6x or 8x CD-ROM. Use a 64-bit video card. I still recommend a 17-inch monitor, but you can get by with a 15-inch unit. This is equivalent to a 4x4 multi-purpose vehicle.

You won't even find a 2GB hard disk these days. The smallest found on most machines is 40GB or 60GB. You won't spend more than $1500.

You want to find out what the Internet is all about and track your finances? Choose one of the entry-level machines and you'll pay around $1,000. The disk drive will be 1 gigabyte or maybe less. The video system won't be capable of the resolution of the higher-priced systems. You probably won't recognize the manufacturer's name on the motherboard. The CD-ROM will be a 4x unit -- don't accept anything slower than 4x. Think of this as the Geo.

Even the lowest-end computer with a "low-performance" CPU by today's standard will still be something that runs at 1.1GHz or faster. You'll have at least 128MB or 256MB of RAM. Probably a CD burner. A 40GB hard drive.

Apple or Wintel?

Apple invented the personal computer. Apple borrowed the idea for the graphical user interface from Xerox. Apple did lots of things right. But Apple stopped innovating for nearly a decade and Wintel (that's Windows and Intel) machines caught up. In some ways, Wintel systems are better. The components invariably cost less. You'll have more choices in hardware and software.

Wintel machines are harder to learn than Apple machines, but today the difference is much less than ever before. Unless you have some overwhelming need to use an Apple computer, a machine that runs Windows is undoubtedly a better choice.

Which operating system?

Well, now that you've decided on a Wintel machine, will it run Windows? Windows 95 comes with virtually every new machine. IBM's OS/2 is a better operating system in some regards, but your software choices would be limited. Microsoft's Windows NT is better in many ways than Windows 95, but the hardware requirements are steep for home use and NT is very picky about components. If any component isn't on the Windows NT Compatibility List, tough luck! How about Unix or Linux? If you're a computer geek, you may love the x-languages. Most of us don't have the time or the patience to learn how these systems work.

So the decision is -- in case you thought you had a choice -- Windows 95.

Same choices: Apple or Wintel.

Apple has been innovating again and has both some incredible computers (the Mac G5 systems) and an operating system that's no longer pummeled senseless by Windows. If you're a computer geek or you know anything about Linux or Unix, you'll love OS X.

If you buy a Windows PC, the choices are Windows XP Pro and Windows 2000 Workstation. Stay away from Windows XP Home and Windows Me.

If you buy a Mac, it will come with OS x 10.2.6 (or -- by the end of the year -- OS X 10.3).

So where will you buy your computer? Your choices include mass merchandisers, computer specialty giants, small computer stores, and mail order.

I'm always concerned that the clerk selling computers today in a mass merchandising store is the same person who was selling vacuum cleaners last week and the one who'll be selling sport coats next week. If YOU are familiar with hardware specs, you might occasionally find a good deal at such a store; if you're not familiar with the specs, don't expect much help from the clerk. New buyers should avoid these kinds of stores.

Let's flip to the other end of the spectrum -- mail order. You can get some excellent systems by mail, and the support is decent. But if you're a first-time buyer and you don't have a neighbor who can tear computers apart, tread with caution. You'll be buying based solely on specifications, and that can be tricky even if you and the mail-order clerk both know what you're talking about.

That leaves stores like CompUSA and the MicroCenter -- the computer specialty giants -- and small computer stores. The big stores sell name brand equipment and house brand equipment. You can sometimes get a good deal on name brand gear, and that's the safest choice for somebody who's buying a first computer -- Compaq, IBM, NEC, and the like.

Some of the best buys are found at independent computer stores, but there is risk. These companies usually assemble their own computers from standard parts. You can set your own specifications and the best stores will work with you to put together a computer that precisely fits your needs. The danger exists because some stores use low-quality components that may not work well with other components. Ask for references and have the store specify in writing the components that will be used -- and before you give the final OK, ask a friend who knows computers.

You have the same choices.

There are good values to be had from independent resellers. Choose one that's been around for a while and ask for references.

Component	Power Gamer	General User	Economy
Motherboard	Intel/IBM	Acer/AMD	No-name
CPU	Pentium 200	Pentium 133-166	Pentium 90-133
Memory	32MB	16-32MB	16MB
Disk controller	SCSI-2	EIDE	EIDE
Disk size	3GB	2GB	1GB
Disk access	11ms or faster	16ms or faster	18ms or faster
Video path	128-bit	64-bit	64-bit
Video memory	4MB	2-4MB	2MB
Video refresh	70Hz min	70Hz min	70hz min
Video resolution	1024x768 or more	1024x768	800x600 or more
Color depth	16.8 million	16.8 million	64,000
Monitor size	17- or 21-inch	17-inch	15-inch
Monitor dot pitch	.24 or lower	.28 or lower	.28 or lower
Sound system	Wave table	FM	Optional
CD-ROM	12x	6x or 8x	4x min
Modem	28.8K min	28.8K min	28.8K min
Tape drive	Recommended	Recommended	Recommended
Operating system	Windows 95	Windows 95	Windows 95
Expect to pay	$3,000+	Around $2,000	$1,000 +/-

Component	Power Gamer	General User	Economy
Motherboard	Asus	Asus	Asus
CPU (Win)	P4/AMD 2GHz	P4/AMD 1.5GHz	P4/AMD 1GHz
CPU (Mac)	G5 dual	G5 or dual G4	G4 dual or G4
Memory	2GB	1GB	512MB
Disk controller	Serial ATA	ATA	ATA
Disk size	120GB	80GB	60GB
Disk access	8ms or faster	8ms or faster	8ms or faster
Video path	128-bit	128-bit	128-bit
Video memory	128MB	64MB	64MB
Video refresh	85Hz min	85Hz min	70hz min
Video resolution	1600x1200	1600x1200	1024x768
Color depth	16.8 million	16.8 million	16.8 million
Monitor size	21-inch	17-inch	17-inch
Monitor dot pitch	.24 or lower	.28 or lower	.28 or lower
Sound system	Wave table	FM	Optional
CD-ROM	DVD burner	DVD burner	DVD player/CD burner
Modem	Cable/ISDN	Cable/ISDN	56.6Kbps
Backup device	External HD, DVD	DVD	CD/On0line
Operating system	XP Pro or OS X	XP Pro or OS X	XP Pro or OS X
Expect to pay	$1500-3000	$1000-1500	$500-1200

The $3000 computer from 1996 would be beaten (easily) by any $500 computer you can find today. That's how fast technology moves. The cheapest $500 box you can find will probably run at least 8 times faster than the $3000 system from 1996. It will have a disk drive that's 30 to 60 times larger. All this at one sixth the price. Wow!

Nerdly News

New Dreamweaver series is shipping

A few weeks ago, I talked about Macromedia Studio MX 2004, which includes Dreamweaver MX 2004, Flash MX 2004 or Flash MX Professional 2004, Flash Player 7, and Fireworks MX 2004. At that time, the product wasn't shipping and I was looking an an earlier beta. Now it is shipping and I'm looking at what appears to be either the final beta or one of the release candidates.

Until a couple of days ago, I could see the new features but couldn't do much to test the applications. Whenever I would start Dreamweaver, I would get a "sandbox" violation from Flash and the simple act of closing an HTML file (whether edited or not) generated either a sandbox violation or an application crash. Restarting Dreamweaver after looking at any file makes it somewhat less useful than I had hoped.

After several hours of working with tech support at Macromedia, I had made enough changes that the crashes no longer occurred, but there were sandbox violations on program start and whenever I closed a page. On Tuesday, I received the latest version with a note asking me to see if the new version eliminated the problem. Unfortunately, it did not. But ...

It was obvious that the sandbox problem on startup had something to do with the application's attempt to contact the Macromedia website. This new version has to be "activated" and I concluded that this might be the cause of the problem (although I still don't quite understand why Dreamweaver tries to phone home every time I close a page -- and I'm not sure that I like its attempt to phone home every time I close a page.) Whatever.

Then it occurred to me that maybe Dreamweaver was looking for the latest version of Flash. I hadn't installed Flash (or Fireworks) because I didn't have time for those applications and wanted to look only at Dreamweaver. Dreamweaver is sold as a standalone applications, so surely Macromedia would have tested the activation process with only Dreamweaver installed. Apparently that had not happened.

As soon as I installed Flash, the sandbox violations stopped and I found myself looking at the Macromedia website on startup.

Maybe the full version of Dreamweaver (standalone) automatically installs the latest Flash player. I hope so, because users are going to be unhappy otherwise. As for "activation", I understand the perceived need for it and -- if Macromedia can get it to be as unobtrusive as Microsoft's activation process for its XP products -- I really have nothing to complain about. Except -- activation is just one more piece of code that can go wrong under certain circumstances. When I had a notebook and a desktop computer both die within a month and when I had to reinstall Office on both of them (allowed by terms of the license), the installations failed. The installer provided precise information about what to do and Microsoft's support line was able to solve the problem in about 5 minutes. If Macromedia is willing to provide 24/7 immediate response for activation problems, let them use activation.

As for Dreamweaver -- once I finally got it running -- it looks marvelous. It's also significantly faster in the text edit mode. Nothing beats Dreamweaver when it comes to creating good HTML, but both the WYSIWYG editor and the code editor have been a little sluggish in previous versions. The slowness was something I could put up with the in the WYSIWYG view, but I usually bailed out to Ultra Edit or HomeSite++ whenever I needed to do any extensive HTML coding. The WYSIWYG view in Dreamweaver MX 2004 is fast and the code view really screams. Even the split view (code at the top, WYSIWYG at the bottom) is more than acceptable.

There's no question about this: Despite some minor annoyances, Dreamweaver will be on the buy it list at the office and I'll continue to tell anyone who wants to design, edit, or modify websites that this is the only application worth consideration. In a later show, I'll let you know more about the new versions of Flash and Fireworks -- and there will be a full review of Dreamweaver.

So far, though -- I'm impressed. But that's hardly surprising. For more information, see the Macromedia site.

China fries up some spam

Any message that comes to me from the "cn" top-level domain (China) is automatically trashed. That may seem extreme, but I don't do business with anyone in China. I don't know anyone in China. Probably half of the world's spam comes from China. I'm willing to take the chance that I'll miss some really important news once or twice if it eliminates 100+ spams per day.

This is not an uncommon attitude and even some Internet service providers block all mail from China. This is, in fact, a recommendation I've made for well over a year. When China cleans up its act, I suggested, then we could turn mail back on. Would this be a huge inconvenience? Yes, it would. And that alone would increase the pressure on China's government to shut down the hundreds of "spamhaus" operations.

Maybe enough people are doing that. The Chinese government seems finally to have purchased a clue. According to C|Net, 100 or more of the top spam sources that spew their filth toward US e-mail users are located in or near Beijing. These are locations that the spammers considered to be safe from US laws and safe from a Chinese government that didn't seem to care.

Well, maybe that's changing. The government has blocked traffic originating from 127 servers. The blockade applies only to messages destined for Chinese users, but this marks a major change in thinking. The next step should be to block all outbound traffic from spammers. We can only hope.

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Annoying legal disclaimer
My attorney says I really need to say this: The Technology Corner website is for informational purposes only. Neither Joe nor I assume any responsibility for its accuracy, although we do our best. The information is subject to change without notice. Any actions you take based on information from the radio program or from this website are entirely at your own risk. Products and services are mentioned for informational purposes only and their various trademarks and service marks are the property of their respective owners. Technology Corner cannot provide technical support for products or services mentioned on the air or on the website.

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WTVN Radio • Columbus, Ohio • Sunday morning from 8 until 9