Ditch DVD Player for VLC!

I encountered an interesting issue last night that has converted me to a user of VideoLAN otherwise known as the VLC media player. I'd borrowed a DVD to watch which did have some light scratching on the surface of the disk and when I put it in my Mac the default media player from Apple DVD Player took over. As the disk started to play the scratches conspired to ruin my fun by causing the video to freeze up and ultimately resulting in DVD Player crashing. After several tries I was about ready to throw in the towel on the idea of watching this DVD until I remembered downloading an open source media player called VLC. I ejected the DVD and launched VLC then selected the disc to be played and success! I'm not sure of the reason that VLC was able to play the disc but I'm guessing that the codecs used by VLC enable finer control of the DVD drive. Regardless this experience has converted me to a VLC user.

• To get your copy of VLC check out their website which offers a free open source product with support for Mac OSX Intel, numerous Linux distributions and Windows.

Great moments in the development of the Mac

I've reading and listening to podcasts relating to stories about the development of the original Mac from a number of the original developers. In particular, Andy Hertzfeld lays out a large number of stories in a folksy style that detail development of the hardware and software from the Lisa to the original Mac to the Mac Plus. I highly recommend a visit to Folklore.org to catch-up on the back-story behind the development of some of your favorite classic Macs. If you like the stories checkout Macintosh Folklore Radio podcasts where Derrick Warren reads a number of these great stories.

Back-up Back-up Back-up

Just a reminder now that we're in 2008 take a couple of minutes and beyond your regular back-up routine. My suggestion is that you should take the time to burn your current iTunes and iPhoto libraries to DVDs and store them in a safe place at home or even better off-site. DVDs are dirt cheap with Boxing Week deals easily had so there is no excuse not to back-up that valuable data.