Stan's List

Macworld UK reports that anti-copy protection activists have released a new solution that breaks Apple’s FairPlay DRM, which secures iTunes-purchased tracks. “The solution, QTFairUse6, comes from the same activists who this week unleashed FairUse4WM, which can strip copy protection from Windows Media files.” More …

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution is reporting that RadioShack has notified 400 workers by e-mail that they are being laid off. The e-mails state, “The work force reduction notification is currently in progress. Unfortunately your position is one that has been eliminated.” Nothing says thank you for your years of service to our company quite like an e-boot out the door.” More …
a most inhuman act.

DATAMATION’s John Welch offers an overview of Mac OS X 10.5 Server (Leopard): “If I had to give an overall ‘feel’ for Leopard Server, I’d say that in many ways, it’s a shot across the bow of Microsoft’s dominance in the small to medium business (SMB) market. The new features, while quite useful in Apple’s traditional market, are even more useful for businesses tired of paying the never-ending chain of CAL taxes that Microsoft vacuums out your pocket.” More …

Macworld UK reports that Microsoft Office alternative, OpenOffice, will ship in a native version for OS X next month. ‘OpenOffice.org is a multiplatform and multilingual office suite and an open-source project. Compatible with all other major office suites, the product is free to download, use, and distribute. Until now the software has required that users install the X11 Window System, a graphical interface that lets Unix-based applications work on Macs. The new version of the software won’t require X11, and will work just like any other OS X-native application.” More ….

BusinessWeek reports that Apple may be cutting prices on some albums, due to competitive pressures. Although the $9.99 album download has long been a staple for iTunes users, some albums, listed at $9.99, come out at $6.99 when you click through.

Only about 40 albums are affected (and who knows how well – or badly – they sell). But is Apple dipping a cautious toe into different pricing models? More …

AppleInsider: Microsoft on Thursday accidently leaked pricing for the company’s much anticipated operating system overhaul, Windows Vista.

ZDNet comments on some Ars Technica performance comparisons between a dual-G5 PowerMac and a Quad Xeon Mac Pro, noting that the performance difference is (currently) not striking. More …

This supports Bare Feats test results.

Apple has a press release announcing Google CEO Eric Schmidt election (PR) to Apple’s board of directors, and already there is thought of a possible alliance between the companies.

“Eric is obviously doing a terrific job as CEO of Google, and we look forward to his contributions as a member of Apples board of directors,” said Steve Jobs.

“Apple is one of the companies in the world that I most admire,” said Eric Schmidt. “I’m really looking forward to working with Steve and Apple’s board to help with all of the amazing things Apple is doing.”

AppleInsider has a short bio on Schmidt

Single of the Week

You could be forgiven for assuming that German songbird Joy Denalane is from Detroit or Memphis. Her earthy yet ethereal, silky voice is clearly inspired by the sweet soul singers of the past and present, from Patti Labelle to Mary J Blige. Better yet, she’s got a message. Don’t believe us? Take a listen to the Single of the Week, Change (Featuring Lupe Fiasco), and be uplifted.

Discovery Download

It’s a slow-burning blues scorcher from Chris Thomas King, whom you might have seen playing bluesman Tommy Johnson in the film O Brother, Where Art Thou? The Louisiana native’s latest LP is an ode to his New Orleans hometown and to the destruction wrought by Hurricane Katrina. In the Discovery Download this week, Baptized in Dirty Water, King sings about the levee that broke and the dirty water that rushed in, forcing many to confront—or re-evaluate—their faith.

Bare Feats tested the new Photoshop Benchmark created by the Retouch Artists on a Mac Pro 3.0 GHz (reported to be the fastest Mac ever), and the results weren’t exactly spectacular. “It was carefully crafted to reflect typical actions of a professional Photoshop user. Checkout our findings so far.” More …