MacPrices.net

PowerBook Mystique Mailbag - April 13, 2006

with Charles W. Moore

re: "How Safe Is Your Wireless-Networked Laptop?"
Wireless Safety
re: fun with BigAl
Newer iBook Batteries
17" PowerBook
Re: Pismo
Pismo USB 2.0 support

re: "How Safe Is Your Wireless-Networked Laptop?"

From Andrew J Bobyn

Charles,

Thank you for taking the time to put together this article. I think that the issue is too significant a potential health risk not to constructively put these questions on the table. The proliferation of school-wide, campus-wide, and increasingly city-wide wireless networks is simply reason enough to ensure that the burden of proof be placed squarely on industry, and public health officials before potentially adverse long term effects become evident. Those of us with children should feel this intuitively.

For those of us who might not have taken the time to follow the links in your article - perhaps your next article might be entitled "Steps you can take to reduce Electromagnetic Emissions in your home", or similar.

Sincerely,
Andrew Bobyn, MAIBC, MArch

Hi Andrew;

Glad you found the article useful.

For some specific tips in reducing EMF exposure in home and office, see this link posted in the article:
http://www.dirtyelectricity.ca/tips.htm

Charles

Wireless Safety

From Daniel A. Shockley

Charles,

[I have read and enjoyed many of your articles over the years]

Re: https://www.macprices.net/columns/hildreth_moore/wifisaf.shtml

I'm not going to debunk everything you reported. I think that if there was any reasonable cause for concern you'd see a lot fewer physicists/doctors/whatever using wireless technology. Have you advocated removing all CRT-based TVs from homes? As you mentioned, they pump a lot more EM radiation at you than your cell phone does.

I have to admit I didn't even read most your background info, since the first example you gave was one that is very obviously flawed, at least as reported by Reuters:

--------------
This month, Reuters reported that a new study by the Swedish National Institute for Working Life (electromagnetic hypersensitivity is a recognized disorder in Sweden) looked at mobile phone use of 2,200 cancer patients and an equal number of healthy control cases, and found that use of mobile phones over a long period of time can raise the risk of brain tumors. Published in the International Archives of Occupational and Environmental Health, the study defines heavy cellphone use as 2,000 plus hours, which "corresponds to 10 years' use in the work place for one hour per day," and tracked a significantly higher risk of tumor on the side of the head where the cellphone was generally used - in heavy users of mobile phones, a 240 percent increased risk of a malignant tumor on the "phone side" of the head. --------------

In the report by Reuters, they basically admit that the situation is that out of 905 brain cancer patients, 85 were heavy cellphone users. So, something around 9% of of their sample were heavy cellphone users. What percentage of the general population are "heavy" cellphone users? Probably around 10%. The "study" doesn't say.

I could do similar research where I find that around 5% of my liver cancer patients are "heavy" users of bicycles, thus bicycles contribute to liver cancer. Obviously flawed? That's because people don't have a semi-mystical view of how bicycles interact with our bodies.

I'm guessing the scientists, engineers, and doctors that use wireless technology "heavily" do so for a good reason - the interactions within the realm of possibility are not much more mysterious to them than using a bicycle is to us.

By the way, heavy bicycle use has been linked to erectile dysfunction. Now _that's_ scary - glad I don't ride a bike often.

Thanks for your articles,

Daniel A. Shockley
http://www.danshockley.com

Hi Daniel,

You're most welcome, and thanks for your comments.

I'm a lot less sanguine than you are about scientists and doctors being on top of these sort of environmental issues, based on nearly 35 years of struggling with Multiple Chemical Sensitivity and other "controversial" health issues.

If you have time, I would encourage you to check out Professor Havas'reports here

and at:
http://www.trentu.ca/academic/ihs/mhavas.html

And the material here:
http://www.dirtyelectricity.ca/

I used to do a lot of bike-riding, and never noticed any "issues."

But of course that's anecdotal.... ;-)

Charles

re: fun with BigAl

From Amy

Just a note from one of your readers on my current upgrade dilemma.

It is somewhat difficult to keep my jealousy in check as I read about your adventures with BigAl, as I try to figure out what my upgrade path should be. Currently, I have a 667 MHz Titanium 'Book, and it's main issue is that the screen has gotten very dim.

Bright sunlight coming through a window can make the thing nearly unusable. It's also getting sluggish, the hard drive is too close to 100% for my liking, and new versions of some software I use require Tiger (which I refuse to buy since the new computer will come with it.)

Since my family is pushing me to investigate video conferencing, I'm thinking a MacBook Pro is probably the way to go, or one of the upcoming iBooks, which hopefully will also have a built-in iSight. I'm not ready to pounce on the MBP, because I really would prefer an 8x DVD burner if I'm paying that much, and also, irritating noises coming from my electronic devices always bother me. So, I'm waiting to see what the new iBook will offer... although I doubt it will have an 8x DVD burner, either.

But I think a 13.3 inch widescreen could be a very ideal size for a laptop screen. I think I'll be less likely to complain about any minor shortcomings of a $1200 laptop than a $2000 one, so I guess I'm pinning my hopes on the iBook at the moment. I hope it turns up soon!

-Amy

Hi Amy;

I think you have the situation pretty well cased, and a clear idea of what you need in your next system.

Cruising through the forums each day lately, I'm more and more convicned that I made the right decision not to buy a first generation MacBook Pro. None of the issues so far seems fatal, but there sure seem to be a lot of them, as was likely with a change of this magnitude. The same may go for the iBook replacement MacBook, although it should benefit from what Apple is learning with the MacBook Pro early going. I expect the 13" widescreen will be nice to work with, although I'm very doubtful that it will have an 8x SuperDrive.

Your TiBook's screen dimness could likely be fixed by replacing the diaplay's backlight tube, but it's a tricky job on that model.

Charles

Newer iBook Batteries

From Researcher

Dear Charles,

Greetings from Manila where we are getting a nice tropical downpour.

I have used OWC batteries in my Pismo and iBook (original white 500 MHz G3). Ê

The Pismo battery works great but the iBook batteries were never a good fit. ÊI originally bought 2 batteries but from the first they felt loose. ÊOften when the computer was asleep and running on battery power it would shut down because the battery lost connection. ÊOWC was very gracious about replacing both batteries but the replacements have the same problems.ÊI haven’t bothered getting these replacements replaced since it is such a hassle shipping things from and to the Philippines.

Blessings,

Researcher Ê:-{)

Hi R.

Sorry to hear ablut the problems with the iBook batteries. Battery fit has been a bugbear with dual-USB iBook batteries for some reason. Even some OEM ones seel ill-fitting.

I can't fault my OWC/NewerTech Pismo battery for fit.

Charles

17" PowerBook

From Oliver Starkey

Congratulations on your new purchase. Please let me (us) know how it works out. You are quite a tempter. I almost ordered one myself but with the extra RAM and extended warranty it is $1800 which is almost the price of a MacBook Pro.

I too have some misgivings about the MBP but I am also worried that quickly future software releases will not be compatible with the old G4s.

Right now I will wait to see what the new "iBooks" will look like. I imagine the same guts as the new IntelMini.

I don't find the new stuff all that compelling to tell the truth.

Cheers,

Oliver Starkey

Hi Oliver;

My 17" PowerBook is an awesome machine, in super condition cosmetically (no evidencde of it ever having been used), and nicely packaged in an Apple Certified Refurbished box and packing, with an OS 10.4 upgrade DVD.

Unfortunately, the 1 GB RAM upgrade stick I had installed turned out to be faulty, causing stability issues, so I was back to 512 MB of RAM until the replacement module arrived from TechRestore, who addressed the issue as soon as I notified them. The replacement stick works great, and it's wonderful to finally have enough RAM!

I really like this computer, my only complaint being that the fan cycles fairly frequently.

The MacBook Pro is a nice machine. A friend of mine just got one and he loves it. A quantum leap from his clamshell iBook. However, I'm happy to have Classic Mode support for a while yet.

Charles

Re: Pismo

From Nancy

Hi, Charles.

Many thanks for the PCMCIA tips. Maybe one or the other the Sewell card will be the right one,

I'll give it a try.

The IOGear card was plug and play (and it worked) but the connected devices didn't show up anywhere, not even in Finder. I wonder if it's a standard issue for 10.2.8: Unixtar had no 10.2.8 drivers either.

I have one more product I'm researching: did you go from the basic 6x -DVD-ROM drive (which is not a burner) to that SuperDrive which does burn, on a Pismo??? Is that really possible? No drivers, just installed in the bay and and it can burn CDs and DVDs with (for example)Toast without any problems?

Sincerely,
Nancy

Hi Nancy;

Support for OS 10.2 is becoming thinner on the ground. Another good reason to upgrade to OS 10.3, although I think 10.4 is a bit too much for the Pismo's mediocre video support. I've downgraded my Pismo to OS 10/3/9 after eight months running 10.4, and find it much more satisfying to use.

And yes, the FastMac SuperDrive is pretty much plug & play, although you do need to install a little software support program called PatchBurn (comes on a CD with the drive and is downloadable from the Web). It has workes nicely with both OS 10.3 and 10.4, and with a variety of disk-burning software, including OS X's own Burn Folder, Burnz, BurnAgain, and others. Toast is supported, although I don't have an OS x version.

I can recommend this drive without reservation. It's been completely trouble-free, and the slot-loading is slick.

Charles

Re: Pismo

From Nancy

Charles:

Thank you again -- appreciate your advice! It's great to be able to bring the "old" laptop a little more up to speed -- why throw out something that seems so well-made.

Best,
Nancy

Pismo USB 2.0 support

From Nancy

Hello, Charles,

I read your article about upgrading your Pismo laptop with great interest since I own a Pismo too.

Thanks for all of the information and good advice.

But I have a question for you. I'd like to upgrade from USB 1.1 to USB 2.0 but have not found a way to do that. I ordered an IOGear PCMCIA card which offers USB 2.0 ports but it didn't show up in my menu bar or profiler, so I can't unmount my x-drive properly when using it. Therefore I returned it. They had no driver for OS 10.2.8 and I'm sure they won't be making one. Do you know of any other card that offers USB 2.0 for Pismo (apres OS 10.2) that will show connected devices? I have a burner and an x-drive that connect by USB and would be nice to have that USB 2.0 power.

Thanks for any info, if you will.

Sincerely,
Nancy

Hello Nancy;

Sorry to hear about the bad luck with the IOGear PC Card adapter.

You might fare better with the Sewell USB 2.0 PCMCIA Card, 2-port. According to the manufacturer:

The Sewell USB 2.0 PCMCIA Card is the quickest, easiest way to add USB 2.0 ports to your Windows or Mac laptop. Just plug the card in and you are ready to go.

This is the perfect solution for using any USB devices with your laptop. It will work with all USB devices, and up to 480 Mbps with USB 2.0 devices.

Simply plug the card into your laptop, install the necessary software (included) and you are ready to go.

Price: $29.95

Specifications

USB Versions
Compliant with USB 2.0 and USB 1.1

PCMCIA
Standard Type II, 32-bit Cardbus

Ports
2 external

System Requirements
Windows 98 SE, ME, 2000, or XP or Mac OS 10.1 and higher Pentium 233MHZ or faster 32 MB RAM or more Available PCMCIA Slot

For more information, visit here.

Another alternative, more expensive, also from Sewell, is the:

Black Box USB 2.0 PCMCIA Card

The Black Box USB 2.0 PCMCIA card lets you add 2 USB 2.0 ports to your existing laptop. The card installs instantly and is fully plug and play compatible. It also offers something that most PCMCIA adapter cards don't: the Black Box seal of quality.

Price: $79.95

Specifications
480 Mbps top transfer speed
USB 1.1 backwards compatible
2 USB 2.0 Ports
Plug and Play capability
Compatible with Windows 98/SE/Me/2000/Xp and Mac OS X

For more information, visit:
http://sewelldirect.com/Black-Box-USB-2-PCMCIA-Card.asp

The Accelerate Your Mac ( http://www.xlr8yourmac.com/archives/feb06/021006.html ) Report on USB 2.0 and Firewire PCMCIA cards w/OS X Tiger</a> says:

"I am using a TiPB G4 400 Mhz, a Pismo G3 500 Mhz. Both running 10.4.x (to be specific, 10.4.3 and 10.4.2 respectively).

In short, I've no problem using the USB 2.0 PCMCIA card (made by unixtar.com.tw).

Here are more details on the Unixtar card:

USB 2.0 & 1394 (FireWire) Combo PCMCIA Carbus

Compliant with USB 2.0 Spec.
Support high- speed(480 Mbps), full-speed(12 Mbps) and low-speed(1.5 Mbps) data Compliant IEEE 1394-1995 Standard and 1394a Supplement V 2.0 Data transfer rate 100/200/400 Mbps
One USB A Type downstream and One IEEE1394 downstream port Standard PCMCIA type II compliance
Plug-n-Play compatible

For more information, visit:
http://www.unixtar.com.tw/3products-3.htm

Driver downloads are here, and there are ones for OS X: http://www.unixtar.com.tw/5support.htm

Hope this helps,
Charles

Re: Pismo

From: Nancy

Hi Charles-- I forgot to say thanks for this tip. Looks great. I haven't bought a superdrive yet but plan to and appreciate the info!

My CD-ROM drive now runs very hot while playing DVDs with my new G4 processor -- by any chance does your superdrive positively affect that problem? That would be another big plus -- the heat worries me, like it might affect the computer.

Nancy

Hi Nancy;

I've never noticed any heat issues with either the OEM DVD-ROM drive or the Fastmac 8x SuperDrive in the Pismo. In general it runs quite cool, especially with OS 10.3.

Have you upgraded the processor heat sink from the original one to the copper one that Daystar can supply? Made quite a difference with my Pismo.

Charles

CM