In the continuation of a long-running arms race, both Apple Computer and Microsoft have seen their music protection technologies come under fire in recent days. — News.com

In the past month, separate programs have emerged to strip away the digital rights management (DRM) tools that the two technology giants use to protect music from unauthorized duplication. One of the programs counteracts Microsoft’s Windows Media DRM, while the other targets Apple’s FairPlay.

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From the time Apple first releaed the Mighty Mouse, people have been wondering when a wireless model was going to be introduced. Well, the wait is over.

Upon visiting the Apple web site today, I was delightedly surprised to see the wireless Mighty Mouse ($69.00) on the home page. Sooner than I could pair my Mighty Mouse with my Mac, I ordered one. The total, with FREE shipping, came to $72.45.

The new Mighty Mouse is basically the same as the original Mighty Mouse, except the wireless version uses laser tracking, rather than optical. Unlike the wireless Apple mouse, the wireless Mighty Mouse can use two batteries, or if you are concerned about weight, you can install just one. This is great for those of us used to the lightness of the Mighty Mouse, but want the flexibility of a wireless model.

I literally just ordered the mouse and before I even had time to read all the device information. So, I’ll finish writing this and go read more about the new wireless Mighty Mouse. Go Apple!

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Well, it’s that time again– time to change all my web passwords.

I used a random generator for six characters, with a two character prefix decided on by the name of the web site, and a two character suffix that was random, but constant. I used Steve Gibson’s password generator to get the six character string. Ten case-sensitive, alpha-numeric characters now make up my password. That’s two more than my last password!

The only problem is that I can’t possibly remember all the passwords now. Well, maybe I can eventually, but it would take time. Thankfully, I just use Safari’s password feature, which pulls my web passwords from my Keychain (Mac). I just have to enter them once.

I accidently cancelled my hosting account for three web sites this morning when I removed a credit card from PayPal. I didn’t realize it at the time, but shortly after I received a bunch of messages stating my hosting accounts were closed. After realizing what I did wrong, I did a support chat with a rep and got back online in a hurry. Thanks BelaHost!

I had a problem with my new Intel Mac mini. When I upgraded to the latest firmware, my system sound would reset to 50% after every computer restart. Apparently there is a bug in the firmware, as other’s are having the same problem.

But remember, this is a Mac! And don’t forget about Automator!

Automate Me!

What Automator does, is basically do things you could do on your own if you had all the time in the world. Automator can do those mundane, repetitive tasks only the Mexicans wish to do. At heart, it’s really a simple, drag-and-drop scripting language that anyone can get started with. You can create your own application in a matter of seconds, which can be run from anywhere– from the desktop to startup.

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Got home and found CompUSA had called to notify me my mini was ready for pickup. Yay! That was quick. I dropped it off two days ago and now it’s back home, where it belongs. I’m writing this article with it.

The logic board was dead, so they replaced it. Apple shipped one out and it was installed today. Now that’s what I call service! All my data was there still, no problems. The only thing I had to do was re-activate Photoshop, as Adobe uses some crazy algorithm to decide your activation key, and apparently the logic board has something to do with it…

Long live Mac!

My new Intel Dual Core Duo Mac mini has died. It happened so fast, it didn’t feel a thing. No startup chime. No signs of life, besides a pulsating power light. In short, it’s dead. More to come…

5.24.06 - I just got my Mac back. The logic board needed to be replaced. Apple over-nighted one and CompUSA installed it today. That was super-fast! I wish my DVD drive would have been replaced that quick!

5.22.06 - I dropped the Mac off today at CompUSA. The woman said it’s the logic board, so they are ordering one from Apple. I just hope it’s not on back-order for 3 weeks, like my last repair on another Mac.

I’m sending my LaCie mini Hard Drive & Hub (500 GB) back and exchanging it for a different fanless model. The fan on this things just comes on for no reason, when it’s unmounted and not doing a thing. Also, the heat of the Mac mini above it gets it very hot, which I’m sure helps the fan kick on.

I’m getting a 600GB LaCie Big Disk. That will be my third LaCie drive. Three strikes and I’m done with LaCie. This one better be the one! (Achilles, remember your freezer?)

On a good note, I did rip about 100 CDs into Apple Lossless.

In an effort to to achieve quality and quantity when it comes to my iTunes music library, I have decided to rip all of my CDs using the Apple Lossless format, thus ensuring a much more enjoyable listening experience.

Apple Lossless, as you may have guessed by the name, is a lossless audio format. Simply, this means that when you rip the CD, you are not losing any of the audio quality, like you would when you import songs using a lossy format, like MP3 or AAC.

Bigger Is Better

The upside is that the songs sound great using a lossless format. The downside, maybe, is that the file sizes are BIG, often around 19.5 MB for a 3 minute song. But if you have the HD space, it’s a no brainer; lossless is better. So, having a brain and 1,200 CDs, and a new LaCie mini Hard Drive & Hub (500 GB), my choice was obvious.

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An invention from Royal Philips Electronics prevents TV viewers from switching the channel during commercials or fast-forwarding past commercials when watching DVR content. Viewers would be released from the freeze only after paying a fee to the broadcaster. The freeze would be implemented on a program-by-program basis, giving viewers a choice at the start of each one.

Oh, that’s a super choice, thanks Philips!

Are you @*$!#%^ kidding me? This is one of those stories, if released on April 1st, would have been innocently laughed at, then forgotten about. But truth is scarier than fiction.

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