HappyMac
Apple Macintosh User Group Wien [HpMUG]

I have read the mindset for sometime now that it should be the end user, who simply avoids the problems with the iPhone 4 reception, buy simply spending money on another case. You know, because that $30 case for the previous iPhone is now junk.

I was pleasantly surprised however, to discover this article in which Consumer Reports indicates they simply cannot recommend purchasing the iPhone 4 due to Apple being unwilling or unable, to address the signal issue.

I for one, go back to the old ideal of not being an early adopter. As the iPhone has demonstrated, getting the latest and greatest early on, is not always a good thing.

Portland, Oregon – ActiveTrak(TM) Inc., a leader in advanced tracking and data protection software for consumer and business devices, today made available GadgetTrak 3 for laptops, the latest version of its acclaimed GadgetTrak software. Powered by ActiveTrak’s industry-leading anti-theft technology, GadgetTrak 3 introduces new functionality that allows people to track multiple computing devices at the same time – including laptops, netbooks and desktop computers – through a centralized Web control panel that can be viewed from any Internet accessible device.

“Today’s families typically have multiple computers in their home, many of them mobile devices such as laptops and netbooks that leave the home and are vulnerable to loss and theft,” said ActiveTrak CEO Ken Westin. “ActiveTrak specifically designed our newest software platform with households with multiple devices and small- to medium-sized businesses in mind. By being able track all laptops, netbooks and desktop computers simply, in one location, people are better able to keep tabs on all their computers, regardless of what kind of computers they are.

The FBI estimates 10-percent of all laptops purchased in the United States will be stolen within the first year of ownership with only three-percent recovered. However, GadgetTrak has a successful recovery rate of over 95 percent.

Key features of GadgetTrak 3 include:
* Advanced Positioning
oBy using onboard Wi-Fi radios found in virtually all computers together with advanced Wi-Fi positioning technology, GadgetTrak pinpoints stolen laptops within 10 meters.

* Location Notification
oWhen tracking occurs, a subscriber will get an email with detailed information about a device’s location. This information can also be found on a web control panel at www.trak.me.

* Webcam Support
oUsing a laptop webcam, GadgetTrak can remotely snap a photo of a thief, providing crucial evidence that police can use to get a laptop back.

GadgetTrak 3 provides the most advanced data protection and theft recovery solution for laptops, taking back control of stolen devices from the thief. The GadgetTrak software supports Windows (XP, Vista and 7) and Mac OS X Leopard and higher (10.5 and 10.6), greatly increasing the chances of recovery for nearly every laptop, netbook and desktop computer sold in the last few years.

With GadgetTrak 3 people can protect their computers and their valuable and private data for $34.95 (USD) per device per year. More information can be found at GadgetTrak online.

GadgetTrak 3

Headquartered in Portland, Oregon, ActiveTrak Inc. is a leading provider of innovative and patented theft recovery and loss prevention solutions for laptops, smartphones, and portable media devices. The company’s consumer product, GadgetTrak, delivers the most advanced theft recovery software available for consumers and businesses today. ActiveTrak not only provides the technology to recover and protect data on devices, but also recovery assistance.

My co-worker Nick Harris investigates data encryption on iPhones and iPads ╉ a topic very important to the enterprise, and a topic that should be important to every developer whose app works with private data.

Beyond writing short notes on yellow stickies, filling out forms and addressing snail mail, I rarely write anything long hand anymore. I would probably break down and cry if I had to handwrite an entire article like this one.

So if I…

Our trusted sources tell us that Snow Leopard will be available in stores on Friday, May 29th!

Get Amazon discounts on Adobe CS5 upgrades, and you also save a bunch on MobileMe renewals at Amazon and get AppleCare at a discount, too.

Amazon's new Kindle DX gets a price cut and better features, while the Kindle 2 drops to $189. With free 3G wireless and screens that work great outdoors, they're perfect for summer beach reading.

Apple's unibody Mac Minis get price cuts at Amazon, and you save $69-$112 off new 15" and 17" MacBook Pro models. The iPod Touch is discounted, as well, and don't miss Amazon's great selection of DRM-free MP3 music at very competitive prices (including free downloads!).

Digital cameras and HDTV's get outstanding discounts, plus helpful reviews as well.

*And*, while you're saving yourself money, you're also providing critical MacInTouch support just by clicking through any of our links to purchase!

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This week, host Scott Sheppard speaks with industry experts, Adam Engst, Author/Raconteur, TidBITS & Bob "Dr. Mac" Levitus, Raconteur, wordsmith, consultant and author of 50+ books about Apple’s recent decision to "Announce Its Last Year at Macworld". Hear their insights and commentary on this surprising announcement that this will be their final showing at theMac OS community’s premier trade conference and event. The Macworld event has been Apple’s showcase of new products and announcements since 1985, bringing together Mac OS enthusiasts from around the globe, without Apple’s presence it’s likely this event will fade from the landscape. Is it due to lack of product announcements which is why Steve Jobs relinquished the keynote address to Philip Schiller? Steve Job’s health? Or simply because Apple has built up a perfect platform for launching their latest directly through their expanded network of retail stores. Scott, Adam, & Bob share their thoughts about the impact and overall future direction of the annual gathering of the "Mac Tribe".

For more information about Adam’s latest projects visit: http://www.tidbits.com, or visit Dr. Mac’s site at: http://www.boblevitus.com or read his reviews at http://www.ipodobserver.com

Dr. Catherine Lucey, M.D., Vice Dean for Education, Ohio State University College of Medicine joins Inside Mac to discuss some details about their decision to include Apple iPods in their curriculum for their medical students. Over the next two years, each Ohio State medical student will receive a standard iPod Touch, equipped with specific medical software programs planned by the OSU College of Medicine. Dr. Lucey explains the impact of handheld technologies on patient care and the importance of keeping abreast with technology tools such as the range of applications available on the iPod Touch. Students and Doctors are able to instantly look up patient care notes, medical references, drug reference and interactions, view videos and patients scans. The handheld technology also facilitates a great method for explaining treatment and illness to patients and their families right at the bedside. Dr. Lucey also shares how students are able to listen to the OSU Medical Center lecture podcasts, which they produce to supplement their curriculum. OSU College of Medicine has long been committed to using the latest available online technologies and the addition of the iPod Touch delivers this information and tools directly to the physician’s hands.

For more information about their program and announcement visit: http://medicine.osu.edu/feature03/

Mike Romo, Mac Product Manager, Symantec discusses the changing landscape of security and virus threats for Mac OS users. Mike explains the benefits of using Norton Internet Security for Mac. Just as it’s critical to backup your data, considering security risks for your Mac OS is cause for rising concern and whether you are a beginning user or an expert Symantec’s new suite of tools not only protects against macro and other viruses but also helps you control access through your firewall minimizing any risks. Mike discusses some tips on using a dual-boot environment such as Parallels, reminding us that if we choose to run Windows on our Macs we are subjected to the myriad of threats and security issues inherent to that OS. Norton Internet Security for Mac also helps scan for spam and fraudulent websites, scanning sites before you are able to click into the phishing sites.

For more information on Norton Internet Security for Mac and their other great products visit: http://www.norton.com/mac/ or you can get your questions answered in their forum at: http://community.norton.com

Video Post Production News of the Week with Philip Hodgetts, Founder, Intelligent Assistance and developer of Assistant Editor Software. Find out more at: http://www.intelligentassitance.com/ or his blog at http://www.philiphodgetts.com

Andy Shalat, Design Guru and Author of "Mac Design Out Of The Box" shares his Design Tip of the Week. For more about Andy and his latest works visit: http://www.shalat.com

April has been a tough month for my running, after I suffered from a hamstring pull at the end of March that has forced me to forego running the Tacoma Marathon this coming weekend. While I am back to doing some running now, for the last week or so I have been doing some vicarious living through reading the words of another runner - the book "What I Talk About When I Talk About Running", by Haruki Murakami.

This is a short and approachable translation of the Japanese novelist's memoir about running, and it hits home for this runner who has been suffering from withdrawal symptoms in this month when I have only managed to run about 50 miles...

If you run and you want to get inside the head of a fellow long distance runner, this should be a good read.

We're going to Macworld 2008!

MacZealots editor Justin Williams will be on the expo floor Tuesday - Thursday to see what is new in the Apple universe. If you're a company demoing a product you'd like us to see or just want to meet up for some food and drinks, email justin@maczealots.com to schedule it.

This is our fourth trip to the Expo and hopefully the best. See you there!