12/29 Intro
Greetings from your friends in Woodstock, IL! All of us at the Macworld Expo had a great time meeting so many of you for the first time and seeing so many of you for yester-expos stop by again. That's what really made the show for us, it's why we love doing what we do! We can't wait to do it again next year and hope hope you'll be there too. It's all good and we can't thank you enough for letting us be your #1 Mac source!

So what'd Apple have for the Macworld Expo? Not any new Macs! Jobs did deliver, as expected, G5 Xserves - wow. There's iLife 4.0 to replace 3.0 and it includes, among other things, Apple's new Garageband music composition application - and this does totally rock, btw! Got a brand new, credit card size, 'mini-iPods' line in multi colors! In fact, the iPod really had the spotlight enough you could almost have called it iPod Expo! The new iPods were definitely a highlight - expensive at $249 - but revolutionary none-the-less. Check out the OWC Macworld 2004 page for the scoop on these products and more + booth pics and check out Apple's updated version of the very famous 1984 Superbowl Mac Ad! It's all good.

No faster new Mac from Apple, but the OWC Booth had new upgrades to make the Mac(s) you already have faster! Still from $199.99, several new offerings are now added to the OWC Mercury Extreme PowerMac G4 AGP upgrade line, including a new model that goes to 1.4GHz for only $429! PowerLogix delivered a sweet surprise too, their new Cube 7457 G4/1.4GHz Upgrade - which is the fastest, coolest, most reliable upgrade for G4 Cubes EVER! So happy and confident in this new Cube upgrade that Jamie did a live install into a customer's machine on stage in front of an audience, flawless. No new faster Macs from Apple at the show, but some new ways to make the Mac you've already got faster. :)

Another super hot category was audio/video capture. Words just can't easily explain how awesome the ADS Pyro AV Link and the ADS Instant DVD USB are! The Pyro AV Link product lets you do Audio/Video import and export from/to any analog source via Firewire, the ADS Instant DVD lets you do Audio/Video in from any analog video source via USB + converts on the fly via hardware that digital video stream to MPEG2 so it's ready for burn + saves significant HD spave vs. the raw DV file. These products both do what their descriptions say they'll do and more - Easy, Fast, done right for Mac - amazing how technology marches on - and at extended show price specials too... The Pyro AV Link is $165 ($24 off) and the Instant DVD is $179.99($20 off) right now for readers. Two great products, two incredible deals, one or the other is probably what you've been looking/waiting for.

About there being no new Macs (the Xserve G5 server doesn't count!), it is the 20th Annivery of the Macintosh Computer's debut. January 24th, 1984 is the day Apple introduced Macintosh to the world. Perhaps there's a special Mac model in the wings for January 24th, 2004. Regardless, it's quite amazing how Apple and the Mac changed the face of computing. What's more, you might be surprised not only that Steve Job's didn't create the Macintosh, but in fact even tried to kill it - a different - this is an interesting Wired Article that touches on just how our Macs came to be! Jobs did become the father of Mac, but just imagine what Apple would be had Jobs killed the Mac project before adopting it as his own some 22 years ago.

So that's how the first Tips n' Deals of 2004 starts off. Keep reading for the first Quick Tip, Reader Exclusive Specials, and Music on the Mac selections of the Year! A health and prosperous year 2004 to you and yours, thanks for being an OWC Tips n' Deals subscriber!

Neat stuff: The 'Spirit' has landed and is moving about on Mars. Learn about it's journey, see the latest photos it's sending back online here! Download Nasa's Mars Java 'Sunclock' which shows where the daylight is on Mars realtime moving. Go beyond this world and Mars, cruise the universe and 'other worlds' with this awesome and free astronomy software.

Recent Most Popular Deals&links:
It's a new year, and your first chance at new clearance goodies JUST PUT ONLINE on the clearance page!

Burn Music, Video, Data & More with a Pioneer DVD-+R/W,CD-R/W' SuperDrive' now at $133.00! Plug & Play, then burn with Apple iDVD, iTunes, Roxio Toast, Dragonburn, Etc.

OWC Neptune Complete 7200RPM FireWire Solution, 80GB Only $115

PowerLogix G3/900MHZ ZIFs your PowerMac G3 Up to Speed for only $225.00

See OWC's hardware and software reviews, Quick Tips archive, & more - online here.
'For Macs Only' Nationwide Internet Access from less than $8.00/Month!
Stuck at Apple OS 9.1? Maybe not - XpostFacto and OS9Helper support OS X and up to 9.2.2 on models Apple doesn't!
Tired of annoying telemarketing calls? The FTC's Do-Not-Call List really works!
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Quick Tip - 'Controlling' the Mouse Click

One(or more) of the nice things that comes with buying a third party mouse for your Mac are the extra buttons and possibly scroll wheel. All Mac models come with a single button mouse while all PCs come with a 2 button mouse standard. What the Apple stock mouse leaves us short is what is often referred to as the 'right click' button. Even though Macs come standard with a 'Right Click' button equipped mouse, doesn't mean the functionallity isn't there in Mac applications for it.

Well... even if you don't buy a third party mouse and/or if you are using your iBook or PowerBook's built in track pad, there is a very simple way to get the right-click functionality. To do a 'right-click', just hold the 'control' key down on the keyboard while you kit the normal mouse/trackpad button. It's that simple!

So simple and so time saving too.... When you do the 'right click' or 'control-left/normal click' on a browser window, the finder desktop, pretty much any application window area - you'll get a menu that pops up with different function options you'd otherwise have to navigate the menu bar for. Also, and especially if you are using Virtual PC emulation or Citrix with PC applications, you will run into software that REQUIRES you to do right clicks - and this works for all of those as well. Essentially, when you get a 2+ button mouse that has the rigth-side button, the click is the same as a normal click+control key combination.

This tip was inspired by a friend of the family. A long time Mac user, he was given the impression that his Mac couldn't do the 'right-clicks' required for a PC application he uses via Citrix on his Mac. For many, this right-click is completely 2nd nature... but if you've only ever used the Apple one-button solutions - you may not know the functionality of the 'other click' you've been missing.

See our past Quick Tip topics online in the Quick Tip Archive
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Great Buys and Featured Exlusive Specials for OWC E-Mail Subscribers:

Feature Deals listed below, visit the Reader's Specials Page for more reader deals!

DVD-R/W and CD-R/RW:
FEATURED - Lacie D2 52x24x52 FireWire CD-R/RW Complete Solution only $89!
Although sold to us as Refurbs with 90 Day LaCie warranty, looking at them you'd think they were brand new! They are in a brand new retail, sealed box + are spotless. Either way, these are a great deal while they last! Complete with all cables and software!

Hot Dog! Pioneer 'SuperDrive' $133! Compatible with Apple iDVD, iTunes, Toast, Etc!
Need iDVD? Get the Apple iLife 3.0 Bundle w/iDVD 3 and more for $42.95. At order checkout, enter coupon code 'DVDLIFE' when you buy iLife with the above Pioneer DVR-106 'SuperDrive' and save an additional $15!

Read & Write CDs FAST with OWC Mercury FireWire/USB 52x32x52 CDRW *$115.00*
Plug & Play - 100% compatible with Apple iTunes, Roxio Toast, Disc Burner, Etc. Includes Dantz Retrospect Express, DragonBurn, 25 Pieces 52X CD-R Media, All Cables & More.

Read & Write CDs & DVDs with OWC Mercury FireWire/USB DVD-&+R/RW,CDRW $219.00
Plug & Play - 100% compatible with Apple iTunes, DVD Studio Pro, Roxio Toast, Disc Burner, etc. - EXCEPT Apple iDVD which only works with internal DVD Burners like the Pioneer listed above. Includes Dantz Retrospect Express, DragonBurn, 5 Pieces DVD-R 4X Media, 25 Pieces 52X CD-R Media, All Cables & More.

Processor Upgrades Make to Make Your Mac Faster:
Upgrade your PowerMac G4 Fast Again-G4 AGP Sawtooth/Graphics, Gigabit Ethernet, Digital Audio, & QuickSilver Models

OWC Mercury Extreme - 2MB L3 Cache, 30 Day Trial, -MacWorld Recommended-
FEATURE DEAL: OWC Mercury Extreme G4/800-900MHZ Upgrade, Only $265.00!
G4/800MHZ $249.99 - G4/1GHz $349.00 - G4/1.33GHz $479.99 - G4/1.467GHz $565.00

http://eshop.macsales.com/link.cfm?id=4744-4982 Single & Dual G4 Upgrades to 1.467GHz in Stock from Giga Designs, Sonnet, & PowerLogix too!

Hit Warp 9 with a FAST ZIF Upgrade for your G3 Beige or G3 Blue&White PowerMac
OWC G4/450Mhz Now $159! Sonnet G4/500Mhz $199.95 PowerLogix G3/900MHz $225.00
Check out Sonnet G4/700MHz & G4/1GHz for PowerMac G3 Biege, from $347

-Upgrade PowerMac 72/73/75/76/85/86/85/95/9600s, Clones up to G4/800MHz from $149!
For Most PCI Macs: Sonnet G3/500MHz 1MB $169.95, G4/700MHz 1MB $267
Upgraded machines can even Run OS X, and Run it WELL - using XpostFacto!

-When you get right down to it, upgrading an existing machine makes sense for a lot of reasons. Getting a Rebate for your Old Processor just makes it better yet.

Don't see your Mac listed or just not sure? The MyOWC Upgrade Selector will show the upgrades right for Your Mac Model!

Memory Specials & Price Trend Report:
01/15/2003 Memory 'Watch': DDR has edged back up a bit, but still pretty low - SDRam PC100/133 memory is showing slow, but steady increases. There is a lot of growth in demand and that along with other factors is likely keep the cost of memory stable if not in an slow up cycle for the forseable future.

OWC Memory Meet/Exceeds Apple Specs+Lifetime Advance Replacement Warranty

1GB PC3200 DDR400 Kit (512MB x 2) for PowerMac G5 1.8GHz, G5 Duals $172.50

2GB PC3200 DDR400 Kit (1GB x 2) for PowerMac G5 1.8GHz, G5 Duals $579.00
That's 2 1GB(1024MB) Modules - 4 Sets of these Max your G5 to 8GB!

512MB DDR PC2700 for ALL PowerMac G4 MDD 867-1.42GHz, G5/1.6GHz 79.00

512MB DDR-SO PC2700 for PowerBook G4 AL 12"/15"/17"; iMac G4/1.0-1.25GHz $117.00

512MB PC100/133 SO-DIMM for all iBooks and PowerBook G4 Titanium 15" Models $119.00

256MB SDRam all PowerMac G3 Models and PowerMac G4 'Yikes PCI $49.00

512MB SDRam PowerMacs G4/350-1GHz; G4 Cube; iMac G3/350-700MHz $109.00

256MB SO-DIMM for all iBooks, all PowerBook G4 Ti's, & iMac G4/700-800MHZ $43.50
This is a BELOW MARKET special - our overstock = your bonus deal!

Not sure about the memory your Mac needs? With our Online Guide you can order with confidence! Getting the Right Memory for Your Mac is made easy with OWC!

Bigger, Quieter, FASTER Drives for PowerBooks/iBooks!
FEATURE: 60GB 7200RPM Hitachi/IBM 2.5" 7K60 8MB Buffer 9.5mm HD $259.00

80GB 4200RPM Hitachi-IBM 2.5" 80GN 8MB Buffer 9.5mm HD $225.00

80GB 5400RPM Hitachi-IBM 2.5" 5K80 8MB Buffer 9.5mm HD $279.00
NoteBook Tip-Today's latest 4200RPM HDs are faster than a year ago's 5400RPM!

Add or replace a drive in your Desktop/Tower Mac for more space & Performance
Maxtor 60GB HD 7200RPM ATA/133 2MB Cache just $57.00!
HOT! 120GB 7200RPM IBM/Hitachi Deskstar 180GXP 3.5" only $99 HOT!
Super Fast, Super Sized WD Caviar 200GB 7200RPM w/8MB Buffer for $179

-Serial ATA and Parallel ATA Mac PCI 3.5" HD Controllers

Use any ATA/IDE Drive up to and beyond 500GBs with SIIG ATA/133 PCI $74
Like the G5, your Mac can use SATA/150 Drives with Firmtek FTST1S2 PCI $63.99

-Deals on SCSI Drives/Controllers too

Apple/ATTO UL3D* Ultra160 DUAL CHANNEL 64 Bit PCI SCSI Controller **$79**
18.3GB WD 7200RPM for Macs with standard Internal 50 Pin SCSI $79.95

USB Feature Deals:
Memorex USB RF Wireless 5-button Optical Scrolling Mouse $25.00!

USB 4 Port Powered HUB, 2Btn USB ScrollMouse, 8-Button Game Pad **$19.00**
This also includes 2 USB Extension Cables. That + the USB Hub alone cost more than $19 separately and then you get a USB ScrollMouse & GamePad too! $50 Value for $19.

Killer deals that keep bad power from killing your Mac!
SpikeMaster 8-Outlet Surge Protector w/RJ11 & $50K Repair/Replace - $19.99
Protect computer, accessories+Modem from Brown Outs, Power Spikes/Surges, etc.
Tripplite 525VA Backup UPS 6-Outlet solution + RJ11 Protection - $55.00
6-Outlet Surge/Spike protection AND keeps your Mac going when Power cuts out!

Audio/Video Goodies:
ADS Instant DVD USB Audio/Video Capture to Mac + DVD/CD Authoring System $195
For any Mac with a USB port, it just doesn't get much easier to bring video in to your Mac from Video Tape, Laser Disc, TV, Video Camera, DAT Video, Etc - and then you can edit and burn video to your own CDs and/or DVDs! Very cool product with its high quality hardware MPEGI/II encoder that saves you processing time too.

FireWire:
OWC Neptune FireWire Solutions are 'Value Done Right!
OWC Neptune 7200RPM 60GB FireWire $99.99
OWC Neptune 7200RPM 80GB FireWire $115
OWC Neptune 7200RPM 120GB FireWire $159.
Cables, Dantz Retrospect, Intech HD Speedtools, 1yr Warranty, More included.

Special Readers Savings on Top Rated OWC Mercury Elite FireWire 800,400+USB2
OWC Mercury Elite FireWire 800+400+USB 200GB 7200RPM w/8MB Buffer $299.00
OWC Mercury Elite FireWire 400+USB 250GB 7200RPM w/8MB Buffer $295.00
All Cables, Dantz Retrospect, Intech Speedtools, 2yr Warranty and more incl.

Build your own 3.5" or 2.5" FireWire/USB Kits
OWC Mercury Elite 3.5" FireWire Kit Special $65.00
Express 2.5" USB 2.0+1.1 Kit $25.00 or Express 2.5" FireWire911 $39.00

Add FireWire & USB ports to ANY Mac with a PCI Slot - Plug & Play!
Orangelink Plus 2-Port FireWire+2-Port USB PCI Card only $45
OWC 3-Pt FireWire PCI $15

Browse our full line of FireWire 400/800/USB, hubs, cables, etc. Solutions by EzQuest, Lacie, SmartDisk, and others also in stock.

Great Deals for Apple OS X & OS 9
Apple OS 9.x Full $39; Apple OS X 10.1.x Full $15; 10.2.x Full Install $57.50
Have OS X 10.1.x? Get the Apple OS X 10.2.x Jaguar Update Set for $39
Ready for 10.3 Panther? Apple OS X 'Panther' 10.3 Retail Box Version - $121.99

USB Feature Deals:
Memorex USB RF Wireless 5-button Optical Scrolling Mouse $25.00!

USB 4 Port Powered HUB, 2Btn USB ScrollMouse, 8-Button Game Pad **$19.00**
This also includes 2 USB Extension Cables. That + the USB Hub alone cost more than $19 separately and then you get a USB ScrollMouse & GamePad too! $50 Value for $19.

-Find more hot buys and exclusives on the Tips 'n Deals exclusive Deals page
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Music on the Mac 01/15/2004 - Placing the Mic

2004 Greetings from macsales.com/music! As we begin another year I want to wish all of our readers a happy and healthy 2004. One of our faithful readers wrote in a few weeks ago with a suggestion for a newsletter piece. He is contemplating a new computer (iBook G4) with which to do some recording of live music. He wants to record in stereo and was looking for an overview of the equipment necessary for the job. The new iBook looks to be a solid value and an excellent platform for this application.

He will need an audio interface and I would suggest the M-Audio Moblie Pre. This is a solid choice in that it has 2 microphone preamps with XLR connectors and phantom power available. (many high end mics need that feature). This is a USB bus powered device and was designed for this type of usage. If the program being recorded is not too long, it could all be accomplished on iBook battery power, which is sometimes necessary when recording a live concert or event. The Mobile Pre can even accommodate the stereo mini plug connectors found on some ÒstereoÓ mics designed for use in the field.

That brings us to the all important topic of microphone choice and placement. There are many great microphones on the market these days. Choosing a microphone is like selecting a fine wine. The type of music being recorded and the volume level and mic placement options all play a part in the decision. Condenser mics are usually used to record stereo audio from a distance or audience perspective. There are typically 2 types of mic placement techniques used when recording in stereo. The description of the XY technique and the MS technique is rather long winded but there are links below to several excellent articles on the subject for your review. From venerable old favorites such as the Audio Technica 40 series, the AKG C414 and right on up to expensive classics such as the Neumann U87 and TLM 104, there are many great mics to choose from. I also mentioned a type of ÒstereoÓ mic designed for use in the field. The Audio Technica AT 822 is an excellent example of that type of mic. Using this type of mic greatly simplifies the process and yields excellent results! It runs on itÕs own battery power and is in the $300 range. For recording software, you could use Bias Deck LE and you typically need to have at least 512mb of RAM. It is also recommended that you record audio to a separate drive and our Mercury Elite Fire Wire drives are the ideal, low cost solution!

Of course, you will also need a high quality stand ( or 2 ) that can be set fairly high up in the room and you will need to ensure that the mic stand will not be bumped into when recording. A small light at your laptop, like the Kensington Flylight, might come in handy and there is even one on the market that runs off of your USB portÉ.quite handy!

I hope this overview is of value to you and I encourage you to send in suggestions for future articles!

Please remember to post your questions and comments at our Mac Audio/Music forum at www.macsales.com/music where you will also find great products at great prices for all your audio needs!

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Mic Placement articles: (3)
Microphone Placement Resource#1
Microphone Placement Resource#2
Microphone Placement Resource#3

About our Music Guru:
Roger Adler is a 4 time EMMY nominated composer/producer/performer. You may have heard his music in his role as Music Director for the A&E TV Series "The BEST of COMIC RELIEF" starring Robin Williams, Billy Crystal and Whoopi Goldberg. He also appeared in and played on the soundtrack for the hit movie "GROUNDHOG DAY" starring Bill Murray and Andi MacDowell. He is the Music Director for the popular TV Series "WILD CHICAGO" now in it' s 15th season on WTTW in Chicago. In 2001, he travelled to Antwerp, Belgium to produce and perform in the annual meeting for Philips Electronics. He recently composed and performed two TV commercials for WRANGLER JEANS, currently airing on ESPN.
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Closing:
I really had intended on getting a this first 2004 newsletter out quite a bit sooner - but that just was not in the cards. First the holiday rush in general... Then Christmas on the 25th - New Years on the Thursday before Macworld Expo - and Macworld Expo then 4 days later on the following Monday - very little time to do anything! Next year we get to breath, thankfully, with the Expo not to start until Janaury 10th - letting us have a full week in 2005 to get organized before the Expo craze begins. We had a great time seeing so many of you at Macworld last week and it feels great looking back at it.... Actually still tough to believe it's now in the past. Time past seems to have gone so fast, even though futures have the perception of 'distance'. No matter what the doings, should always make the best of every moment for those moments pass by so much quicker than it feels at the time. Time is a constant, but our perception of time is anything but.

All the best & thanks for being a Tips & Deals subscriber!

We Support our Troops _________________________________________________________________________
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