MacNotables #836 [57:44m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

Tonya Engst discusses some new changes and enhancements that are in store for Take Control ebook owners and customers. The pace of change in the Apple product and software world is increasing, and even the regularly updated Take Control books can’t always keep up. Tonya talks about how they will be delivering online supplements to Take Control titles that go beyond their current update, updating the production process to address their current and future plans to make Take Control books available on many different mobile platforms and more.

Tonya then turns her attention to Apple’s announcement of new MacBook and MacBook Pro laptops, the feature sets of each model, and why she will soon be the owner of a new MacBook.

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 MacNotables #831 [41:04m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

It isn’t often that Andy Ihnatko lets his guard down and talks seriously about his methods, his mindset and his career. This is one of those rare times. Andy discusses “new media” and why it really isn’t that new, how the current political process is being affected by new media (or vice versa), and what being a journalist really means. How “Max Headroom” predicted the current state of journalism, why he feels teaching is part of his mission, and how the many new media options increase his reach are included in Andy’s comments, along with some advice for young people who are contemplating journalism as a career.

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 MacNotables #825 [45:15m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

Want to break into the world of Mac journalism? Tonya Engst and Ted Landau talk about how to get started, and why you might not want to quit your day job right away. As the Mac market grows, so does the competition. Tonya and Ted talk about the benefits (or not) of formal training, visibility, practice, networking and more. Think it is all sounds like a lot of work? Find out about different aspects of Mac coverage and why some simple, common-sense characteristics could be what sets you apart in your quest to become the next high-profile Mac journalist.

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 MacNotables #815 [38:52m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

Tonya Engst is the owner of an Amazon Kindle. Is she a proud owner? Find out as Tonya discusses why she felt this eBook reader was important enough to own, and why her Amazon shopping habit helped make the decision. The Kindle has received mixed reviews, and Tonya shares her perspectives on usability, readability and the superior buying experience awaiting new Kindle owners. She also covers what was left off of this first version of the unit, the ups and downs of putting your own documents on the Kindle, support for audio media, and the evolving mechanics of eBook ownership.

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 MacNotables #807 [27:55m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

In the second of a three-part series, Adam Engst, Andy Ihnatko and Chuck Joiner debate the relationship between the ease of use of today’s creative tools and the amount of time it takes to learn and use them. Are all the choices available to today’s Mac user a dream come true or a source of frustration. The MacNotables don’t agree on the point and discuss their views on the question.

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 MacNotables #804 [33:45m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

Robin Williams stops by the Peachpit booth on the show floor at Macworld Expo to tape a live MacNotables session with Chuck Joiner. Robin provides some thoughts on Leopard and the fact that many vendors are writing programs and features into their products that are only for Leopard users. Robin chats about the different audiences for her two Leopard books, The Little Mac Book, Leopard Edition and Mac OS X 10.5 Leopard: Peachpit Learning Series, both from Peachpit, why her mom should be doing Apple commercials, the challenges of upgrading computer books, and why she considers herself more a teacher than a writer.

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 MacNotables #773 [43:43m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

Bob LeVitus delivers his annual set of gift recommendations. From speakers to cases to accessories, Bob has a recommendation for iPod owners of every stripe, but his t#1 recommendation isn’t iPod related at all. Find out what you should be shopping for this holiday season straight from Dr. Mac, and then learn where you can join Bob at an upcoming user group appearance where he will present his trademark “State of the Mac” address.

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 MacNotables #772 [37:38m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

In the second of a two-part MacNotables session, Adam and Tonya Engst, Andy Ihnatko and Chuck Joiner continue a discussion on the use of social networks and how to use them, veer off into a discussion of comics, online and print, conclude that Andy is perfectly suited as a consultant to that industry, take a trip back to the 80’s with Adam at the helm and finally wrap up the topic of the TidBITS Gift Guide.

Tonya Engst	Adam Engst	Andy Ihnatko	Chuck Joiner

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 MacNotables #771 [43:53m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

After a “deadline-hell” inspired hiatus, the MacNotables are back in action to reveal some true confessions about adopting Mac OS X 10.5 Leopard, discuss the creation of the annual TidBITS holiday gift guide, and veer off into a discussion of Twitter and Facebook. Whether these social networking sites are beneficial or inane depends on how the user approaches them. Panelists Adam and Tonya Engst, Andy Ihnatko and Chuck Joiner talk about the difference in experiences with the two and which they prefer in the first of a two-part discussion.

Tonya Engst	Adam Engst	Andy Ihnatko	Chuck Joiner

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 MacNotables #692 [36:07m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

Tonya Engst stars in this holiday-themed edition by detailing projects and gifts that you can do at home using iPhoto and some of Apple’s professional printing options to deliver gifts that are “professionally home-made.” Tonya talks about some of the things she’ll be doing for family and friends this season, and tells you why delivering presents after the holiday is a perfectly viable option. Then, Tonya takes a page from her role as editor of the Take Control ebooks, and provides some holiday efficiency tips and suggestions for how to look good in your family’s holiday newsletter. Everything from the importance of curly quotes to why some non-standard practices are acceptable as long as they are consistent are included in Tonya’s holiday gift of ideas and tips to you.
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