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News

Valve’s Steam is Coming to Mac

It’s here. They finally did it. Steam is being natively built for Mac. What is Steam you might ask? Well, it is only the largest direct download service for games today. Valve’s extremely popular games, based on their Source engine, will be readily available for Mac this Spring.

But here’s something a lot of people have been wondering: will the games be ported using Cider (a decrepit software used to cheaply port games), or will it have some love put into it and be natively ported? Well, wonder no more! According to Valve, “We looked at a variety of methods to get our games onto the Mac and in the end decided to go with native versions rather than emulation.” This had me jumping up and down!

Also, all further Valve games will be released on Mac simultaneously. This includes their next game, Portal 2, due for release the same day as the Windows version. Patches will also be released on the same day.

But what does this matter to you non-gamers?

Continue reading “Valve’s Steam is Coming to Mac”
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Reviews

Using Boot Camp

Boot Camp is the mediator between all things Windows and all things Mac.  It is like the parent that solves issues between two bickering children. But at the same time, it is not a compromise.  Apple’s Boot Camp, which comes with all new Macs, lets the user have (at the risk of sounding cliche) the best of both worlds.

At first, I was hesitant about partitioning my hard drive and installing Windows Vista on one side, afraid that my precious Snow Leopard side might be affected in some way.  But since it was essential at the time, I did so anyway.  How did it turn out? Well, as far as I can tell, my Mac OS side remains unaffected, and my Vista side is not great (obviously, since it’s Vista) and is a little slow, but performs just fine overall.  While rebooting my computer to switch sides can be a pain, this can be fixed with software such as Parallels for Mac or VMware Fusion, which let you run each OS side by side.

So, here are the facts:

-You will need the latest version of Boot Camp ( go to System Preferences and click “Software Update”)

-You will need a brand new, untouched copy of Windows XP Home Edition with Service Pack 2 or later, or anything after that (i.e. Vista Home Premium, etc.)

-In “Applications,” open “Utilities,” and click on Boot Camp.

-Be sure to print the instruction manual (although it is long, you WILL NEED IT!)

-Time for total process: about 1 hour (Windows takes awhile to install, again, beacuse it is Windows)

-Questions? email us at [email protected] for help

-Visit http://www.apple.com/macosx/compatibility/ for more information.

What do you think? Leave a comment!

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News

Fortune Names Apple World’s Most Admired Company Again!

In the 2010 edition of Fortune’s “World’s Most Admired Companies”, Apple again placed as the Most Admired Company. The list is compiled from the recommendations of 4,200 executives, directors, and industry analysts across the world. Also, it’s important to note that this is the third year Apple has won and, now, by the highest margin ever! Following Apple are: Google, Berkshire Hathaway, Johnson & Johnson, and Amazon.

The great success of Apple’s products, including the iPod, MacBook, and iPhone, was cited as the foremost reason for their award:

What makes Apple so admired? Product, product, product. This is the company that changed the way we do everything from buy music to design products to engage with the world around us. Its track record for innovation and fierce consumer loyalty translates into tremendous respect across business’ highest ranks.

As BMW CEO Norbert Reithofer puts it, “The whole world held its breath before the iPad was announced. That’s brand management at its very best.”

Congratulations Apple and keep up the good work!

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Uncategorized

Google becoming ISP!

That’s right! Google has helped search the internet, and now they’re trying their hand at pumping it into your computer!

Promising comparatively fast speeds at up to 1 GPS (Gigabit Per Second), Google has begun experimenting with their own fiber optic network, urged on by the curiosity to see what developers and users can do with ultrafast speeds.

The secret to these speeds is in the wires. By using fiber optic cables, Google claims their Internet will be up to 100 times faster than all other Internet providers. They also plan on making it an open Internet so other service providers can allow their users to use Google’s Internet.

If you are a government official or Google fanatical citizen looking to have them run fiber optic cable to your computer, you can nominate your community here.

What are your thoughts of Google becoming an ISP? Leave a comment.

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News

10 Billion iTunes Songs Downloaded. And counting.

I am sure 10 years ago most people thought about downloading songs from an application on your computer called “iTunes”. Also, I am even more sure, most people did not expect putting the songs on a small device called “iPods” and listening to their songs when on the go. But one man, Steve Jobs was making his master plan. On Wednesday, Apple happily announced its 10 billionth song downloaded from iTunes. Interestingly enough it has taken over 6 1/2 years for the iTunes Store to reach this milestone, and the App Store is ahead of the pace. In 2009, Apple reported $10.17 billion in revenue in its fiscal first quarter. Apple makes about 10 cents a song, and those dimes sure have added up. It is evident that the iTunes Music Store is a success! The lucky downloader of the 10 billionth song received a $10,000 iTunes Store gift card, and a call from Steve Jobs and thought the call was a prank. The 10 billionth song was downloaded by Louie Sulcer and the song downloaded was “Guess Things Happen That Way” by Johnny Cash. Congratulations to Louie and another great milestone by Apple in the music industry.