Stan's List

Macworld UK reports that Apple has quietly added a new feature to .Mac, making it easier to share files with non-members.

“An announcement on the .Mac blog (which is only accessible to subscribers to the service), reveals that Apple has made it easier for non-members to access a subscriber’s iDisk Public folder using a web browser. ‘We’re pleased to announce a new simpler way to access iDisk Public folders with a browser. Simply entering the URL idisk.mac.com/membername-Public now produces a page that automatically includes download links for whatever’s currently in a member’s Public folder,’” More …

Computerworld is reporting on Microsoft’s increasingly desperate and ham-handed efforts to wring even more money from its long-suffering customer base. It seems the company under Steve Balmer is resorting to what appears to be extortion to drive profits—an effort that’s being led in the field by “engagement managers.

“And someone needs to have the guts to speak out about it.

“Fortunately, someone has. Last week, Dale Frantz, CIO at Auto Warehousing Co., brought to my attention an alarming business practice that shows Microsoft at its shoddy and arrogant worst.”

News.com is reporting that Sony will use the audio format championed by Apple—AAC. Until today, the company had clung to its own proprietary Atrac system, which failed to gain significant traction in the marketplace.

“That’s a big change for Sony,” said Shaw Wu, the only analyst that matters. “But it’s not surprising. Competitors keep trying to stop Apple, but the company’s market share just continues to grow.” More …

Adobe’s latest beta of Flash Player 9 is available. However, not only is it a beta, it is NOT for Intel-based Macs. If you own an Intel-based Mac, we recommend that you do not update the Flash Player version that came with your Mac. Those with PowerPC Macs should note that this is a public beta for testing and not a final version according to Adobe’s Web site.