Volume Number: 23 (2007)
Issue Number: 09
Column Tag: Editorial

From the Editor

The transition to Intel processors has been nothing short of amazing. Many of us had one or more fears about how smoothly it would go, but those have been largely unfounded. It has opened up many, many new opportunities and allowed software and hardware to run with OS X that wasn't available or even possible prior. Interestingly, this has provided many Mac users their first experience with Windows. So, while the Mac itself gains popularity, it's also helping expose more people to Windows. Parallels and VMWare have been the prime movers in this arena. MacTech has had to keep pace, running articles on virtualization, integration with Windows and learning the ins and outs of multiple operating systems.

This month, author Joe Froelich points out a major difference that currently exists between OS X and Windows: OS activation. Windows requires a product key to run the product past 30 days. Well, this is something you must now manage! This becomes compounded for anyone responsible for other people's Windows deployments, virtualized or otherwise. Follow Joe's advice in, "The Mac Consultant's Guide to Managing Windows Product Keys."

Our cover story this month covers one of the earliest ways that disparate systems have been able to keep communication open: ftp. Despite challengers, it's still alive and well. Sometimes, it's this lowest-common-denominator factor that makes it the right solution, particularly in closed LAN or WAN environments. Mary Norbury rounds up everything you need to know about current FTP Clients for Mac OS X.

Dave Dribin brings aspiring developers another crystal clear introduction to some foundational programmer topics. This month's Road to Code delves into memory topics as an expansion to last month's intro to pointers.

Speaking of programming, Aaron Hillegass runs The Big Nerd Ranch and it's associated courses. If you've ever been tempted to take a course there, particularly "Cocoa Boot Camp," read Kok-Yong Tan's first-hand experience in Atlanta. Sounds very non-nerdy, and like a great place to focus on the topic at hand.

Philip Rinehart from MacEnterprise talks about a topic that can't be talked about enough: proper way to deal with quotes when in a shell. Please, for the children, read, "Quoting in the Shell."

This month, the MacTech Spotlight swings around and shines on independent developer Brian Webster. I met Brian at WWDC this year, and didn't immediately recognize his company, Fat Cat Software, as the developer of the very useful PlistEdit Pro. For more on what got Brian going, and what he has planned next, read the rest of his profile in this month's MacTech Spotlight.

Edward Marczak,

Executive Editor