{mosimage}"Ever feel like you're not making good enough use of your feet when you're catching up on your e-mail or sorting through all those digital pictures you took on that last vacation?



Computer scientists in Microsoft Corp.'s research division have developed a color-coded "dance pad" with buttons you can tap with your feet — or jump on — to scroll through electronic files.



It may never make it to store shelves, but that's no concern to Microsoft, which spends billions of dollars a year researching far-out technologies without worrying about whether the gizmos will ever make it to store shelves."



So, there you have it folks. That's the REAL reason that MS want your money, so they can blow it on Windows enabled Dance Revolution ripoffs.

{mosimage}"Apple today unveiled the new Intel-based Mac mini at its special event in Cupertino, which will replace the company's previous low-end PowerPC-based model. The new machines come in two flavors, one that includes a single core processor and another boasting a dual core Intel chip.


The new single core Mac mini is said to be up to three times faster than the previous model, while the dual core model is nearly four times as fast as its predecessor."


Just checking my savings account right now ...

{mosimage}"Windows Vista, the update to the operating system due this year, will add a feature called Sidebar. Sidebar is a small panel at the side of the monitor that can be used to view photo slide shows, RSS (Really Simple Syndication) feeds and other small programs, dubbed gadgets."



"While DVD movies have popularized wide-screen displays", Windows chief Jim Allchin said there are a lot of uses for the extra pixels. "That's why Sidebar is something important,".



Errr ... Sorry Jim, I think you've missed the mark there. People aren't buying wide-screen / bigger displays to watch DVDs on them. They're buying them for more desk space. You can be a lot more productive doing Development work or navigating an Excel spreadsheet, for example.
But, who in the right mind would watch movies in front of their computer. You've just bought the latest blockbuster DVD, you've got your popcorn ready and now, you and the family are going to huddle around your computer monitor ??? Get real.



I really have to wonder about the people at Microsoft. As for Sidebar, well sorry MS. Google have had their Sidebar available for existing copies of Windows, for quite some time. Konfabulator is free too, as is Samurize. It's like MS wants to compete, but can't get things turned around quick enough.

{mosimage}Apple today released minor updates to iDVD 6, iTunes 6, iPhoto 6, iMovie HD 6 and iWeb 1.



All the applications in the iLife package are now at version 6.0.1, with the exception of iTunes (6.0.3), iWeb (1.0.1) and Garageband (which received no update).


As always, use Software Updates and remember to Repair your Permissions after the update.

{mosimage}The 10.4.5 Update is recommended for all users and includes general operating system fixes, as well as specific fixes for the following applications and technologies:

• iChat video conferencing
  
• Safari rendering of web pages
  
• usability of Dashboard and widgets
  
• viewing of QuickTime streaming media behind a firewall
  
• printing to some Epson printer models
  
• iDisk and Portable Home Directory syncing
  
• time zone and daylight savings for 2006 and 2007
  
• VPN connections to Cisco servers when using NAT
  
• compatibility with third party applications and devices
  
• previous standalone security updates