http://www.chaosmanorreviews.comChaos Manor Reviews is the latest phoenix to rise from the ashes of the BYTE columns I have written since 1979. The BYTE column has been prepared monthly for more than twenty years. These Reviews will be done at whim, but generally weekly. I'll also add special reviews, both from me and from guests.cmrfeedhttp://blogs.law.harvard.edu/tech/rsshttp://www.chaosmanorreviews.com//oa/2008/20080311_col_332-b.phpJerry continues to write on Imogene, the iMac 20": this week all about Adventures with the iPhone, from activation and hardware woes to battles with WiFi. Jerry prevails, and likes the iPhone.http://www.chaosmanorreviews.com//oa/2008/20080311_col_332-b.phpFri, 14 Mar 2008 11:53:13 GMThttp://www.chaosmanorreviews.com//oa/2008/20080310_mail.phpThis week's mail starts with a Kindle item, then progresses through Mac software, copyright issues, and wraps up with a message about the newest PS3.http://www.chaosmanorreviews.com//oa/2008/20080310_mail.phpFri, 14 Mar 2008 11:53:13 GMThttp://www.chaosmanorreviews.com//oa/2008/20080303_col_332-a.phpJerry gets some Microsoft bling for Imogene, then starts battling to get Windows activated under both Fusion and Bootcamp. Discussions of WGD and the Iron Law ensue. Text to speech tools make an appearance, and there's an iPhone in the mix, too.http://www.chaosmanorreviews.com//oa/2008/20080303_col_332-a.phpFri, 14 Mar 2008 11:53:13 GMThttp://www.chaosmanorreviews.com//oa/2008/20080303_mail.phpThis week's mail has much on applications and virtualization under OS X, plus items about Blu-ray players, Microsoft pricing, and some good WoW intel.http://www.chaosmanorreviews.com//oa/2008/20080303_mail.phpFri, 14 Mar 2008 11:53:13 GMThttp://www.chaosmanorreviews.com//oa/2008/20080226_col_331-d.phpJerry takes note that Blu-ray "wins", sound drivers vs. WoW annoy, backups are good, old (computer) friends still get the job done, and the month winds down.http://www.chaosmanorreviews.com//oa/2008/20080226_col_331-d.phpFri, 14 Mar 2008 11:53:13 GMThttp://www.chaosmanorreviews.com//oa/2008/20080225_mail.phpThe mailbag has much ado about the Mac, plus data recovery from Kaypro disks, a little Vista, a little Kindle, and a short discussion on business method patents.http://www.chaosmanorreviews.com//oa/2008/20080225_mail.phpFri, 14 Mar 2008 11:53:13 GMThttp://www.chaosmanorreviews.com//oa/2008/20080317_mail.phpThe mail is a cornucopia of mostly Mac, from iPhone and Air to networking with pre-N and draft-N gear. There's an interesting copyright question, and the recurrin request to try Linux, maybe even on a PS3.http://www.chaosmanorreviews.com//oa/2008/20080317_mail.phpMon, 17 Mar 2008 11:03:01 GMThttp://www.chaosmanorreviews.com//oa/2008/20080318_col_332-c.phpFollowing short sections on Office 2008, and iPhone useability, Jerry devotes the bulk of this column segment to a report on his new MacBook Air.http://www.chaosmanorreviews.com//oa/2008/20080318_col_332-c.phpTue, 18 Mar 2008 11:03:01 GMThttp://www.chaosmanorreviews.com//oa/2008/20080317_mail.phpThe mail is a cornucopia of mostly Mac, from iPhone and Air to networking with pre-N and draft-N gear. There's an interesting copyright question, and the recurring request to try Linux, maybe even on a PS3.http://www.chaosmanorreviews.com//oa/2008/20080317_mail.phpFri, 21 Mar 2008 11:03:01 GMThttp://www.chaosmanorreviews.com//oa/2008/20080325_col_332-d.phpAs the month winds down, Jerry continues to live in Mac space, and leads us from the once and future UNIX to an essay on what Microsoft needs to do to turn the tide. After a brief iPhone report and cell-enhancing gadget, there are many books that Jerry recommends.http://www.chaosmanorreviews.com//oa/2008/20080325_col_332-d.phpTue, 25 Mar 2008 11:03:01 GMThttp://www.chaosmanorreviews.com//oa/2008/20080325_mail.phpThe slightly delayed mailbag compares Mac hardware models, and has a couple of other topics: The Sony Reader and Linux.http://www.chaosmanorreviews.com//oa/2008/20080325_mail.phpWed, 26 Mar 2008 02:03:01 GMThttp://www.chaosmanorreviews.com//oa/2008/20080401_mail.phpThe Mailbag unsurprisingly contains much on assorted Mac topics, a couple of bits on Blackberry, iPhone, and other smartphones, one unfortunate experience with Linux, and wraps up with eBooks and the coming revolution.http://www.chaosmanorreviews.com//oa/2008/20080401_mail.phpTue, 01 Apr 2008 22:03:01 GMThttp://www.chaosmanorreviews.com//oa/2008/20080403_col_333-a.phpSpring has sprung, but Jerry's battling recalcitrant networks, hard X-rays, and a to-do list as long as a librarian's arm. His Mac experience deepens while a new small speaker and D-Link gear stand out.http://www.chaosmanorreviews.com//oa/2008/20080403_col_333-a.phpFri, 04 Apr 2008 00:03:01 GMThttp://www.chaosmanorreviews.com//oa/2008/20080409_col_333-b.phpJerry celebrates the birth of his granddaughter, while using Windows in VMware Fusion on the Mac (Imogene, it's rumored). The iPhone contines to grow on him, and iPhoto turns out to be pleasantly easy to learn and use.http://www.chaosmanorreviews.com//oa/2008/20080409_col_333-b.phpWed, 09 Apr 2008 22:03:02 GMThttp://www.chaosmanorreviews.com//oa/2008/20080421_mail.phpThe Maibag returns! And there's plenty to see, from Microsoft and Operating Systems, to mobile computing, to OS X, and Fusion, and Linux, and more.http://www.chaosmanorreviews.com//oa/2008/20080421_mail.phpMon, 21 Apr 2008 11:03:01 GMThttp://www.chaosmanorreviews.com//oa/2008/20080430_col_333-c.phpWhile fitting in a fair amount of recuperation, Jerry finds time to sort out some of his Outlook archiving woes that keep his PST files in the red zone. Also, the month's winding down section sees politics and Missing Manuals prominently featured.http://www.chaosmanorreviews.com//oa/2008/20080430_col_333-c.phpThu, 01 May 2008 00:03:01 GMThttp://www.chaosmanorreviews.com//oa/2008/20080508_col_334-a.phpJerry's first column of May has much about Microsoft vs. Yahoo, and much about the wider implications, both for Microsoft, and in a larger sense, for business in general. There is a gadget review, and several reader reports, as well.http://www.chaosmanorreviews.com//oa/2008/20080508_col_334-a.phpFri, 09 May 2008 02:03:01 GMThttp://www.chaosmanorreviews.com//oa/2008/20080515_mail.phpThree weeks worth of email means that messages about Vista, XP, Outlook, OS X, and the much-mourned Bell Labs all vie for Jerry's attention, and yours.http://www.chaosmanorreviews.com//oa/2008/20080515_mail.phpFri, 16 May 2008 00:03:02 GMThttp://www.chaosmanorreviews.com//oa/2008/20080526_col_334-b.phpJerry's final column for May starts with resolution to the Mac* networking problems - DNS configuration are the magic words. There's an intro to the new Windows system, Bette, and previews of the hardware that's going to be the new blazing fast system. Winding Down wraps up the month.http://www.chaosmanorreviews.com//oa/2008/20080526_col_334-b.phpTue, 27 May 2008 02:03:01 GMThttp://www.chaosmanorreviews.com//oa/2008/20080603_mail.phpJerry's trying to catch up. There's plenty of good mail, from troubles with Office 2008, to cudgels and kudos for Vista, to a polite disagreement on programming languages.http://www.chaosmanorreviews.com//oa/2008/20080603_mail.phpWed, 04 Jun 2008 01:03:01 GMThttp://www.chaosmanorreviews.com//oa/2008/20080609_col_335-a.phpThe column opens with a schedule change announcement, then a dive into the deep end: (pre-Jobs keynote) iPhone 2 speculations, hands-free requirements, the resurrection and reloading of Orlando, and tribulations with HD TV.http://www.chaosmanorreviews.com//oa/2008/20080609_col_335-a.phpTue, 10 Jun 2008 02:03:01 GMThttp://www.chaosmanorreviews.com//oa/2008/20080630_col_335-b.phpComing in just under the wire, June's second segment addresses Vista, the retirement of Bill Gates, and hope for the future, both of computing, and Mankind.http://www.chaosmanorreviews.com//oa/2008/20080630_col_335-b.phpTue, 01 Jul 2008 03:03:01 GMThttp://www.chaosmanorreviews.com//oa/2008/20080711_col_336-a.phpFar better late than never, this month's first column yields continued application of the Macs, ruminations on Internet Whirlwinds, and much on future eBooks. A report from Phillip Pournelle on the Journada, then book and movie reviews round out the piece.http://www.chaosmanorreviews.com//oa/2008/20080711_col_336-a.phpSat, 12 Jul 2008 01:03:01 GMThttp://www.chaosmanorreviews.com//oa/2008/20080714_mail.phpThe mail returns, and with it items on the proliferation of Vista versions, Author's rights, and the growing power of computing.http://www.chaosmanorreviews.com//oa/2008/20080714_mail.phpMon, 14 Jul 2008 23:03:01 GMThttp://www.chaosmanorreviews.com//oa/2008/20080724_mail.phpThere's plenty more mail, with much of it about programming languages, as well as the growth and promise of multi-core systems.http://www.chaosmanorreviews.com//oa/2008/20080724_mail.phpFri, 25 Jul 2008 02:03:01 GMThttp://www.chaosmanorreviews.com//oa/2008/20080810_col_337-a.phpRecovery from radiation is a slow process but Jerry works his way through the latest Vista security announcement, then details his conversion to a new main communications machine ... running Vista. Laptop drive replacement and backup strategies, along with Reviews, wraps up this segment.http://www.chaosmanorreviews.com//oa/2008/20080810_col_337-a.phpMon, 11 Aug 2008 12:03:01 GMThttp://www.chaosmanorreviews.com//oa/2008/20080815_mail.phpThe mail opens with comments and corrections on the column, followed by items regarding Vista sales figures, backup schemes, and the Asus Eee.http://www.chaosmanorreviews.com//oa/2008/20080815_mail.phpFri, 15 Aug 2008 11:03:01 GMThttp://www.chaosmanorreviews.com//oa/2008/20080908_col_338-a.phpAfter announcing good news, Jerry lays plans for Spore, Windows Server 2008 and much more, while tapping the advisors and other friends on a variety of topics.http://www.chaosmanorreviews.com//oa/2008/20080908_col_338-a.phpMon, 08 Sep 2008 12:03:01 GMThttp://www.chaosmanorreviews.com//oa/2008/20080915_mail.phpTrojans and Backups and Pigs, Oh My! The mailbag carries over topics from http://www.chaosmanorreviews.com//oa/2008/20080915_mail.phpTue, 16 Sep 2008 01:03:01 GMThttp://www.chaosmanorreviews.com//oa/2008/20080923_col.phpThe state of the economy and financial sector, and how that relates to high tech and budgets, takes center stage in the second September column segment. Also, the fastest new machine is called Emily, and after a troubled start, Jerry finds applications to like in the App Store.http://www.chaosmanorreviews.com//oa/2008/20080923_col.phpTue, 23 Sep 2008 11:03:01 GMThttp://www.chaosmanorreviews.com//oa/2008/20080930_mail.phpVista and systems — the hardware we use to run the software we need is the main focus of the mailbag this week, along with security commentary and update notifications. And some more on pigs...http://www.chaosmanorreviews.com//oa/2008/20080930_mail.phpTue, 30 Sep 2008 14:03:01 GMThttp://www.chaosmanorreviews.com//oa/2008/20081006_col.phpThe column opens with a section about the so-called "bailout" bill and its potential effects. Back on the tech side of the ledger, programming languages for beginners are discussed, as well as Wikipedia, disk drive storage, and networking tricks. The review segment wraps it all up.http://www.chaosmanorreviews.com//oa/2008/20081006_col.phpTue, 07 Oct 2008 02:03:01 GMThttp://www.chaosmanorreviews.com//oa/2008/20081013_mail.phpFrom film canisters and ftp connection delays, to the merits of quad core systems, with commentary on programming languages, hard drives, Macs, and more in the middle — It's a full bag of Chaos Manor Reviews Mail this week.http://www.chaosmanorreviews.com//oa/2008/20081013_mail.phpTue, 14 Oct 2008 01:03:01 GMThttp://www.chaosmanorreviews.com//oa/2008/20081110_col.phpThis month's edition is filled with the chaos of PDC and WinHEC, the joy of converting from .MAC to MobileMe, pocket computing, memory sticks, and plenty of required reading.http://www.chaosmanorreviews.com//oa/2008/20081110_col.phpMon, 10 Nov 2008 13:03:02 GMThttp://www.chaosmanorreviews.com//oa/2008/20081124_mail.phpThe mailbag starts in the cloud today, primarily in response to the November 10 column. Following that, the topics range from statistics and USB-based malware to Vista boot times.http://www.chaosmanorreviews.com//oa/2008/20081124_mail.phpMon, 24 Nov 2008 16:03:01 GMThttp://www.chaosmanorreviews.com//oa/2008/20081127_mail.phpSome of the good mail that for one reason or another didn't make it into a mailbag in the last few months has been rounded up for your examination and delight. Topics range from languages and Vista to HD video and the iPhone 3G.http://www.chaosmanorreviews.com//oa/2008/20081127_mail.phpThu, 27 Nov 2008 16:03:01 GMThttp://www.chaosmanorreviews.com//oa/2008/20081208_col.phpThe column has some of Jerry's observations on high technology and the economy, and the story of his conversion from an Active Directory domain to a workgroup for his operations at Chaos Manor.http://www.chaosmanorreviews.com//oa/2008/20081208_col.phpTue, 09 Dec 2008 03:03:01 GMThttp://www.chaosmanorreviews.com//oa/2008/20081223_mail.phpThe mailbag stays in the cloud, for starters, then heads into topics about the December column, networking and authentication, and the economy (not necessarily in that order).http://www.chaosmanorreviews.com//oa/2008/20081223_mail.phpWed, 24 Dec 2008 03:03:01 GMThttp://www.chaosmanorreviews.com//oa/2009/20090109_col.phpAfter starting by missing both CES and MacWorld, Jerry discusses Celiac disorder, looks back on 2008 both personally and professionally, presents the Chaos Manor Annual Orchids and Onions Parade, and winds down the January column with books, games, and movies.http://www.chaosmanorreviews.com//oa/2009/20090109_col.phpSat, 10 Jan 2009 02:03:01 GMThttp://www.chaosmanorreviews.com//oa/2009/20090119_mail.phpThe mailbag sees the beginning of the Windows 7 deluge, some issues with Seagate drive firmware, monitors and aspect ratios, WordPerfect, and an assortment of other topics.http://www.chaosmanorreviews.com//oa/2009/20090119_mail.phpMon, 19 Jan 2009 14:03:01 GMThttp://www.chaosmanorreviews.com//oa/2009/20090212_col.phpColumn fodder this month starts with the TED conference and the coming revolution. The middle bits have the new Kindle 2, the HP Smart Media Server, and Filemaker coverage. Book reviews wind up the month.http://www.chaosmanorreviews.com//oa/2009/20090212_col.phpFri, 13 Feb 2009 01:03:01 GMThttp://www.chaosmanorreviews.com//oa/2009/20090222_mail.phpFebruary's mail has much correspondence on the topic of single-user databases, some further thoughts on the Kindle 2 and the capabilities thereof, as well as an iMovie endorsement and some administrative feedback.http://www.chaosmanorreviews.com//oa/2009/20090222_mail.phpMon, 23 Feb 2009 03:03:01 GMThttp://www.chaosmanorreviews.com//oa/2009/20090311_col.phpThe topics start small this month: iPhone 3G and Kindle 2. Things get bigger quick, with the big ruckus that the new Kindle's text-to-speech feature brought out, and larger still, with some details of Larry Alderson's home theater setup.http://www.chaosmanorreviews.com//oa/2009/20090311_col.phpThu, 12 Mar 2009 01:03:01 GMThttp://www.chaosmanorreviews.com//oa/2009/20090322_mail.phpThe mailbag has items on upgrading (or retiring) a T-41p, and on storage, Linux, and the intersection thereof. There's some VoIP, batteries and battery failures, DRM and Kindle 2. And the mail finishes with an interesting economics question, sure to generate mail for next month.http://www.chaosmanorreviews.com//oa/2009/20090322_mail.phpMon, 23 Mar 2009 02:03:01 GMThttp://www.chaosmanorreviews.com//oa/2009/20090407_col.phpJerry heads out of the starting gate with some thoughts and input on the Conficker virus. The big issue this month is the death of Encarta, the long term implications thereof, and assorted topics (from copyright terms to patent trolls) that evolve from that conversation.http://www.chaosmanorreviews.com//oa/2009/20090407_col.phpWed, 08 Apr 2009 00:03:02 GMThttp://www.chaosmanorreviews.com//oa/2009/20090427_mail.phpAfter a late start, the mailbag roars in at the finish with commentary based on the column, from encyclopedias to intellectual property to software KVM solutions to OS X tools. A bit of something for everyone this week.http://www.chaosmanorreviews.com//oa/2009/20090427_mail.phpTue, 28 Apr 2009 02:03:02 GMThttp://www.chaosmanorreviews.com//oa/2009/20090510_col.phpThe column opens with Conficker and swine flu, leading into how to protect yourself when connected to the Internet. Windows 7 gains some traction, and garners a few complaints. The Kindle DX is discussed, as is Journalism. Many books are read, and commented upon, wrapping up the month.http://www.chaosmanorreviews.com//oa/2009/20090510_col.phpMon, 11 May 2009 02:03:01 GMThttp://www.chaosmanorreviews.com//oa/2009/20090519_mail.phpFollowing several comments on prior columns, most of this mailbag is a long and possibly fruitful discussion on Education.http://www.chaosmanorreviews.com//oa/2009/20090519_mail.phpWed, 20 May 2009 02:03:02 GMThttp://www.chaosmanorreviews.com//oa/2009/20090611_col.phpThe column opens with a look at economics, forecasts for recovery, and drivers that may get us there. Then Jerry examines search engines (including Bing), passes along a review of Apple's WWDC with commentary, and revisits the "Google Grab." Wireless networking problems and the ASUS Eee PC make appearances. Books and a movie round out the month.http://www.chaosmanorreviews.com//oa/2009/20090611_col.phpFri, 12 Jun 2009 02:03:01 GMThttp://www.chaosmanorreviews.com//oa/2009/20090629_mail.phpA fecund mailbag this month, the highlights include eBook readers, Eee PC vs. Acer Aspire, tethering the iPhone and other devices, Ubuntu revisited, and a conversation with Dr. David Friedman. Enjoy!http://www.chaosmanorreviews.com//oa/2009/20090629_mail.phpTue, 30 Jun 2009 00:03:01 GMT