TweetFollow Us on Twitter

From the Editor, February 2010

Volume Number: 26
Issue Number: 02
Column Tag: Editorial

From the Editor, February 2010

We're still getting over Macworld from earlier this month. It was a great show and we were happy to be a part of it. For us at MacTech Magazine, it has been a particularly thrilling time. When most print media is dying, we're seeing increases in subscriptions. We've launched a new version of the mactech.com website that looks better, performs faster and unifies some of the disparate elements that the previous site had incorporated over time. In all, it has been a great start to the year. This month's issue continues that upward trend.

Speaking of Macworld 2010, we have a summary of what we found at the show. We're happy to say that we'll be writing more of these in the future.

Returning contributor Mihalis Tsoukalos writes, "An Introduction to Gnuplot." If you haven't seen Gnuplot or other plot/graphing packages, you owe this free software package a look. Data visualization is more important than ever. Gnuplot is an excellent way to start to maneuver through the raw data that you have.

At MacTech, there's a common refrain we hear: that of people that want to start learning a topic, but just don't know how or where to get started. This month, The Mac in the Shell column tackles this issue for people. Want to get started working in Terminal.app, learning the shell environment and scripting? (Hint for System Administrators: you do). Here are some ideas for you.

Our cover story this month covers some non-Apple frameworks that allow realistic 2D animation inside the iPhone OS SDK. This means you're covered for iPod Touch, iPhone and iPad. If you've ever wanted to write a game or simulation for this platform, get set to learn how.

In the continuing series on living the Independent Service Vendor life, Michael Göbel and Oliver Pospisil return with tips on how to create the most striking web site for your product. We can all get so deep into creating the thing that we're going to offer, that our website-often someone's first impression of your product-suffers. Check out the tips in "Websites that sell" while going over your own website.

In "The Flat Package," José Cruz dives into the newer package format from Apple. Not everyone is creating flat packages as they want compatibility with older versions of the operating system. One day, though, the bundle-based package format will be gone-or severely deprecated-and the flat package will rule the land. Find out the benefits here.

Greg Neagle continues ways to run a screen saver over the login window in Mac OS X v10.6. This time, rather than just any screen saver, Greg shows you how to create a custom SlideSaver-style screen saver so you can get out announcements or news on idle machines.

We round out this issue with several regular features. Kool Tools is back in force and introduces you to some very cool Mac-based software and hardware. In the MacTech Spotlight, we feature Andy Kim from the Potion Factory. Andy is doing some very cool work with "The Hit List," "Tangerine," "I Love Stars" and more. Check out what he has to say about life as a Mac developer in this month's MacTech Spotlight.

Thank you, dear reader, for being one of the people that is helping MacTech have a great year-so-far and validating what we do. As I always recommend, help influence what you see here each month! Let us know what you'd like to see at letters@mactech.com. See you next month.

Ed Marczak,

Executive Editor

 

Community Search:
MacTech Search:

Software Updates via MacUpdate

Latest Forum Discussions

See All

Combo Quest (Games)
Combo Quest 1.0 Device: iOS Universal Category: Games Price: $.99, Version: 1.0 (iTunes) Description: Combo Quest is an epic, time tap role-playing adventure. In this unique masterpiece, you are a knight on a heroic quest to retrieve... | Read more »
Hero Emblems (Games)
Hero Emblems 1.0 Device: iOS Universal Category: Games Price: $2.99, Version: 1.0 (iTunes) Description: ** 25% OFF for a limited time to celebrate the release ** ** Note for iPhone 6 user: If it doesn't run fullscreen on your device... | Read more »
Puzzle Blitz (Games)
Puzzle Blitz 1.0 Device: iOS Universal Category: Games Price: $1.99, Version: 1.0 (iTunes) Description: Puzzle Blitz is a frantic puzzle solving race against the clock! Solve as many puzzles as you can, before time runs out! You have... | Read more »
Sky Patrol (Games)
Sky Patrol 1.0.1 Device: iOS Universal Category: Games Price: $1.99, Version: 1.0.1 (iTunes) Description: 'Strategic Twist On The Classic Shooter Genre' - Indie Game Mag... | Read more »
The Princess Bride - The Official Game...
The Princess Bride - The Official Game 1.1 Device: iOS Universal Category: Games Price: $3.99, Version: 1.1 (iTunes) Description: An epic game based on the beloved classic movie? Inconceivable! Play the world of The Princess Bride... | Read more »
Frozen Synapse (Games)
Frozen Synapse 1.0 Device: iOS iPhone Category: Games Price: $2.99, Version: 1.0 (iTunes) Description: Frozen Synapse is a multi-award-winning tactical game. (Full cross-play with desktop and tablet versions) 9/10 Edge 9/10 Eurogamer... | Read more »
Space Marshals (Games)
Space Marshals 1.0.1 Device: iOS Universal Category: Games Price: $4.99, Version: 1.0.1 (iTunes) Description: ### IMPORTANT ### Please note that iPhone 4 is not supported. Space Marshals is a Sci-fi Wild West adventure taking place... | Read more »
Battle Slimes (Games)
Battle Slimes 1.0 Device: iOS Universal Category: Games Price: $1.99, Version: 1.0 (iTunes) Description: BATTLE SLIMES is a fun local multiplayer game. Control speedy & bouncy slime blobs as you compete with friends and family.... | Read more »
Spectrum - 3D Avenue (Games)
Spectrum - 3D Avenue 1.0 Device: iOS Universal Category: Games Price: $2.99, Version: 1.0 (iTunes) Description: "Spectrum is a pretty cool take on twitchy/reaction-based gameplay with enough complexity and style to stand out from the... | Read more »
Drop Wizard (Games)
Drop Wizard 1.0 Device: iOS Universal Category: Games Price: $1.99, Version: 1.0 (iTunes) Description: Bring back the joy of arcade games! Drop Wizard is an action arcade game where you play as Teo, a wizard on a quest to save his... | Read more »

Price Scanner via MacPrices.net

13-inch M4 MacBook Airs on sale for $150 off...
Amazon has new 13″ M4 MacBook Airs on sale for $150 off MSRP right now, starting at $849. Sale prices apply to most colors and configurations. Be sure to select Amazon as the seller, rather than a... Read more
15-inch M4 MacBook Airs on sale for $150 off...
Amazon has new 15″ M4 MacBook Airs on sale for $150 off Apple’s MSRP, starting at $1049. Be sure to select Amazon as the seller, rather than a third-party: – 15″ M4 MacBook Air (16GB/256GB): $1049, $... Read more
Amazon is offering a $50 discount on Apple’s...
Amazon has Apple’s 11th-generation A16 iPads in stock on sale for $50 (or a little more) off MSRP this week. Shipping is free: – 11″ 11th-generation 128GB WiFi iPads: $299 $50 off MSRP – 11″ 11th-... Read more
Clearance 13-inch M1 MacBook Airs available f...
Walmart has clearance, but new, Apple 13″ M1 MacBook Airs (8GB RAM, 256GB SSD) available online for $649, $360 off original MSRP, in Space Gray, Silver, and Gold colors. These are new MacBooks for... Read more
iPad minis on sale for $100 off Apple’s MSRP...
Amazon is offering $100 discounts (up to 20% off) on Apple’s newest 2024 WiFi iPad minis, each with free shipping. These are the lowest prices available for new minis among the Apple retailers we... Read more
AirPods Max headphones on sale for $479, $70...
Amazon has AirPods Max with USB-C on sale for $479.99 in all colors. Shipping is free. Their price is $70 off Apple’s MSRP, and it’s the lowest price available today for AirPods Max. Keep an eye on... Read more
14-inch M4 Pro/M4 Max MacBook Pros on sale th...
Don’t pay full price! Get a new 14″ MacBook Pro with an M4 Pro or M4 Max CPU for up to $320 off Apple’s MSRP this weekend at these retailers…they are the lowest prices available for these MacBook... Read more
Get a 15-inch M4 MacBook Air for $150 off App...
A couple of Apple retailers are offering $150 discounts on new 15″ M4 MacBook Airs this weekend. Prices at these retailers start at $1049: (1): Amazon has new 15″ M4 MacBook Airs on sale for $150 off... Read more
Unreal Mobile is offering a $100 discount on...
Unreal Mobile, an MVNO using AT&T and T-Mobile’s networks, is offering a $100 discount on any new iPhone with service. This includes new iPhone 16 models as well as iPhone 15, 13, and SE phones... Read more
16-inch M4 Pro MacBook Pros on sale for $250-...
Don’t pay full price! Amazon has 16-inch M4 Pro MacBook Pros (Silver or Black colors) on sale right now for up to $300 off Apple’s MSRP. Shipping is free. These are the lowest prices currently... Read more

Jobs Board

All contents are Copyright 1984-2011 by Xplain Corporation. All rights reserved. Theme designed by Icreon.