Neatly Sliced

The most common format for OS X application downloads are disk images (.dmg extension) and zipped files (.zip extension), but once upon a time StuffIt files (.sit extension) were quite prevalent. One utilized StuffIt Expander, by Allume Systems, to extract the contents of these .sit files. This application was bundled with the Mac OS, thus allowing users to expand these files out of the box.

Upon the release of Tiger - Mac OS 10.4 - Apple no longer included StuffIt Expander in its application package. Imagine my surprise upon downloading a .sit file, only to discover the inability to expand it. This is a step toward eliminating the .sit format and treading along the path of disk images and zip files. Not that it really matters to me, but these things are interesting.

Come across a .sit file? Download StuffIt Expander for free via StuffIt’s site.

Companies who once used the StuffIt format ought to switch their files for download to disk images or zipped files. I noted that Ambrosia Software’s most recent new applications feature a disk image download, but their middle-aged applications as recent as EV Nova still utilize the StuffIt compression format. Companies, move with the times and please do not force me to download a third-party expander utility just to install your product.

My MacBook Etching
Originally uploaded by ldandersen.

I’m really tempted to etch my own MacBook Pro. However, I’m questioning the cost/benefit ratio. The machine is so beautiful on its own; am I willing to forgo the possession of my computer for such a period of time as it would take to etch the fabulous piece of technology?

Regardless, this particular MacBook had an error in the etching, causing the almost scuffed appearance. Whether it attracts or defames, either way one could argue. In any vein, it is a surefire piece of personality appended to an already lavish laptop.

5th av store

Originally uploaded by neatlysliced.

Cameraphone does not do it justice,but it is really very beautiful! Right near Central Park. I wish we had an Apple Store half this close and with a fraction of the beauty.

Yup, I’m writing from a Mac Mini in the awesome cube Apple Store on 5th and 59th. I’m checking out my awesome quad-core processor tower that I am going to purchase ever so soon. I’ll post a picture in a moment of the photo I took of the exterior with the cameraphone.

See, Josh! I told you I’d blog it. Rock on, having a fabulous time. Everyone needs to see this store. It’s a piece of art.

5th av store

Originally uploaded by neatlysliced.

Another 5th av post

I know that I am one of thousands - no, millions of Apple fans uniting and rejoicing over the splender that is the Quad-Core Mac Pro. It is a such a beautiful machine with customization beyond comprehension. When I saw the marketing ploy, I thought “Oh, cute. Maybe I’ll be able to customize like I could the G5.” Lo and behold!

• Four hard drive bays! I am confounded!
• Two optical drive bays! I had missed that second bay when the G5 gave it the boot.
• DUAL PROCESSORS with DUAL CORES bringing FOUR CORES OF GLORY AND ECSTASY!
• Max out at 16GB RAM!

Did I mention four hard drive bays?

World of rock. Now I cannot decide between a laptop and this. What would you choose?

I really want some new technology. I keep rolling about in my head what to purchase, and keep buying nothing.

The possibilities lie in an iPod, a digital SLR, a powerbook (er, MacBook), or a new desktop.

Since I keep hearing rumors of an April firstish release, I shall refrain from the delineation of my innermost conflagrations of thought. I shall “wait and see” until next week.

This whole Windows running on Intel Macs is so uber-rock, I can barely contain myself.

Honestly, I’m mildly troubled. I do watch American Idol, and Taylor Hicks’ rendition of Ray LaMontagne’s “Trouble” brought me to reflect on how my ever-shrinking hard drive does not have that album ripped to my iTunes. For a quick fix, I check the music store. I note that there are two additional releases by LaMontagne for sale on the site.

This is nice, but I am very much a tangible type person. I like buying CDs, I like buying books. I like having them. I like to print off my reading material from the computer. I prefer a literal datebook versus a PDA. I keep a pen and paper address book. This whole digital conundrum, where I literally cannot purchase a physical disc, troubles me (with no pun intended to Mr. LaMontagne). It feels so much like I don’t actually have it.

But I would rather have this digital means of existence than no existence at all. Thus, I stop complaining.

I’ve finally gathered sufficient data to provide a moderately thorough analysis.

FM transmission isn’t a necessity for me. I have alternative modes of connecting my iPod to my sound systems. I’ve played with my iTrip both in a home audio system and on the road. I’ll compare and contrast the Griffin iTrip and the Belkin FM Transmitter in areas of use that I have deemed important.

Supply of Power
The Belkin Tunecast uses two triple A batteries. This is bad because it adds  unnecessary bulk to the device. Too, if your batteries die, it doesn’t matter if there’s life left of your iPod — you aren’t transmitting anything! The iTrip, on the other hand, feeds off of the iPod’s battery power, thus negating any need for an alternative power source. This is great, because the iTrip stays small, sleek, beautiful. Also, you can transmit for as long as your iPod can play.
    Winner: iTrip

Appearance
The Tunecast, if you can see, is a decent enough looking device. However, it doesn’t quite match the iPod like the rest of Apple’s suite of products. It has a rather unattractive cable, making it more of an awkward dongle than a sleek iPod accessory. The iTrip fits right on top of the iPod, acting as an extension of the hard drive herself, as an arm is an extension of the torso.
Winner: iTrip

FM Frequencies
The Tunecast has four options: 88.1, 88.3, 88.5, 88.7. The iTrip can transmit at all odd frequencies from 87.9 to 107.9. The iTrip clearly beats all there, however, the switching between frequencies does offer a bit of a dilemma. The Tunecast merely has a physical switch to change the frequency, and a physical button to activate and deactivate the transmission (brownie points for simplicity). The iTrip, having no moving parts, does positively the best it can do under such circumstances: you change the frequency through the iPod’s software.

Before you can use the iTrip, you must first add MP3 files to your iTunes library, each MP3 containing the commands for each distinct frequency. Each MP3 is five seconds and 89k in size. There are 103 command MP3s total, which adds to about 9MB (not that much, considering the outrageous size of the iPod). Then, you sync the iPod, thus adding the MP3s to your iPod’s library. To select a frequency, you  must then choose the FM frequency from  your iPod’s library, and then pause the MP3 to show the iPod and iTrip that you intended to change the frequency, not that the frequency was chosen through a shuffle.

So, for simplicity, the Tunecast wins. But, for functionality and simplicity given the circumstances, the iTrip wins. Plus, you get boatloads of frequencies with the iTrip. That can’t be beat.
    Winner: iTrip

Tech Specs
Both have comparable specifications. Click to see iTrip Specs vs. Tunecast info.

Personal Use
I had a miserable time operating the Tunecast. I was disappointed while driving in my car — the stations it could transmit are all used by local radio where I live. I did not even try operating the device in my home. I returned it two days after I bought it. The iTrip is a joy to use. Using the iTrip Station Finder, I was able to select a station that was clear (90.1 was the first that I tried; it worked wonderfully and I still use it).

I tried it first in my home, and have since ceased using my tape adapter to play my iPod on my stereo. This is a great alternative, because it’s extremely clear and now there’s no longer the noise from the cassette adapter playing.

In my car, there is some minor distortion. However, I’m used to having crystal clear sound from my cable input. Plus, I never listen to the radio, so any distortion at all saddens me. However, if I did not have the cable input, I would be extremely enthused over the performance of the iTrip in this instance.
    Winner: iTrip

Summary
The iTrip is sleeker than the Tunecast, provides more frequencies, offered a more pleasant using experience, and (in my personal case) provided a much clearer transmission. The sole downside to the iTrip resides in the slightly more complex user interface (changing of frequency). The Tunecast offers the epitome of simplicity in that regard, and nothing really can beat it. The iTrip is still simple to use, and beats the Tunecast in every other aspect of use, appearance, and operability.

Thus, in my book, the iTrip wallops the Tunecast!