saturday 18 march 2006

Dear All -

Firstly, a big word of thanks to my clients. Around about now I can celebrate three years of being in the business
of Apple Macintosh support full-time! Thanks to all my clients for the work they have given me, all the challenges,
all the cups of tea and coffee, bowls of delicious soup, the friendship, and, of course, the invoices paid!
I am grateful.


Secondly, I confirm my previous announcement that I will be away from my office from 19 march to 02 april inclusive.
I am attending an intensive course and will only be able to answer some questions/calls of the greatest emergency -
and those when I receive them. Assume I am on Mars and will only check my messages (voice & email) twice a week.
However, I do look forward to dealing with any matters on my return on monday 03 april!


Thirdly, some news snippets:

1.	Apple has posted a new Aluminum PowerBook (15-inch) Battery Update v1.1, which it says helps users get the most
of out of their battery: "This battery firmware update is required for PowerBook G4 (15-inch Double-Layer SD)
computers.... This firmware update is required to keep your battery life up to specification, may recover battery
life in some batteries that have developed short run times, and in some cases can recover batteries that are not
recognized by the system." The update is required for users who purchased replacement batteries after September 2005
and also for owners of the 'PowerBook 5,8' models, according to Apple's documentation.

To determine whether your PowerBook needs this update or not, go to the Apple menu, choose About this Mac, then
click "More Info." In the Hardware Overview section, locate the line that starts with "Machine Model," then
consult the following:
	*	PowerBook5,2: Install updater only if you bought a replacement battery after September 2005.
	*	PowerBook5,4: Install updater only if you bought a replacement battery after September 2005.
	*	PowerBook5,6: Install updater only if you bought a replacement battery after September 2005.
	*	PowerBook5,8: Yes, install updater


2.	Microsoft have issued a number of updates to their softwares. There is a new Microsoft Messenger (MSN), a
security update for Excel v.X, and update 11.2.3 has been released for MS Office 2004. Go to
 for more details and download options.

3.	Apparently, someone *has* been able to load the  Microsoft Windows XP operating system onto an Intel-based
Macintosh. Why?

4.	If you haven't done so recently, run the Software Update program (on the Apple menu for OS X users) and check
that you have recent security updates. Give me a call about any of the other updates - some of them are very large
and not to be attempted in you have a dial-up link.


Lastly, Apple has booked time in journalists' diaries around the end of march/beginning of april - which is Apple
Computer, Inc.'s 30th birthday. Rumours abound of what might be released: a 'thirtieth anniversary Macintosh',
Intel-powered iBook replacement, the video iPod? No, I don't know either - something else to look forward to on
my return.



Any questions? Let me know! Anything you'd like me to write a note on? Let me know!

Best wishes to you all, and thanks for being Mac users

hugh