APPLE UNLEASHES A WILD ANIMAL

This past week, Apple Computer unleashed its latest incarnation of the operating system known as OS X 10.2, code named "Jaguar." As it has happened in the past, the code name proved to be so popular that it made its way into the final product name with the large roman numeral X proudly displaying its furry spots. But does this cat have all its teeth? With over 150 new features that include additional speed, better stability, new applications and some desired legacy features brought over from the older OS 9, a lot of Mac owners seem to be purring despite it's hefty $129 upgrade price.

After receiving my copy of Jaguar, I chose to install using the Upgrade feature that copies all configuration data including network address and the like from the earlier version into the new. Depending on the amount of data and Macintosh model, the procedure takes about an hour to complete. There are other installation options such as the "Clean Install" that do not preserve the data and therefore takes far less time to complete.

Once installed, the differences are immediately apparent. The Finder is a lot more responsive and windows visually snap open and close. The sorely missed Spring Loaded Folder ability from OS 9 is back As you drag any icon over a closed folder, it springs open letting you drill down to the desired sub-folder. When you release the mouse button, only the last folder remains open and your icon is placed within it.

Apple's enhanced Mail application comes with a highly effective ability to filter out junk email. The iChat is compatible with America Online and lets you identify participants with whom you are instant messaging via little photographs of their faces that appear next to what they are typing.

Other new abilities include Inkwell that recognizes handwriting and converts it into typewritten text. This works with virtually any application running in OS X that uses text. It's an idea that's on par with speech recognition or in other words, a cool idea but not too practical. I guess the Apple Newton legacy just won't die.

Of far greater importance is Jaguar's ability to act more seamlessly with Microsoft Windows. Sharing files and connecting to a Windows network is easier than ever before. And while the newly built-in firewall protection isn't as sophisticated as some other add-on products, it's free and effective enough for most personal users with a broadband connection to the Internet.

And since one of OS X's biggest selling points is its visual beauty, factor in the new Quartz Extreme that makes text and graphics even sharper and more clear. Viewing a web site on the included version 5.2 Internet Explorer that supports this graphic standard is visually stunning, especially if you're looking at it on one of Apple's digital flat panel displays. Jaguar really takes advantage of the graphic display abilities of the Apple hardware and video screens. It even lets you select the optimal way to display text on flat or traditional screens.

Bottom line is that if you own a later model Macintosh that can run this newest operating system, you should definitely grab this cat by the tail and make it your own. This is one cat that has clawed its way to the top.

How's the weather out there?

Now that you're running Apple's OS X, you may not be able to tear yourself away from all that visual beauty. But even if you find yourself spending way too much time indoors behind the glowing screen, you still don't have to go outside to see how the weather is doing. A cute little software accessory from Glucose Development named "WeatherPop Advance" lets you see the sun on your menu bar. A tiny replica of the sun by itself, partly or totally hidden behind a cloud, a moon, a lightning bolt and other symbols along with the temperature indicate how you should dress if you ever decide to leave your Apple and go outside. Clicking on the icon reveals a pull down menu that offers a five day forecast, humidity, wind direction, barometer, visibility and sunrise and sunset time for your city. The information is updated via your Internet connection every fifteen minutes or at an interval you can set. It will even remember the last five locations you select in case you plan to travel. The initial download lets you display a limited amount of weather information for free. Paying the $8 fee unlocks all of the features as well as displaying everything in color. Works with Jaguar and earlier versions of OS X.