What Is It With Schools, Anyway?

Funny, we ask ourselves this question all the time! The education market sparked the beginnings of Apple’s success, and for many years Apple Computer was synonymous with computers in schools. Once the undisputed computer champion of the education market, Apple now struggles to maintain or regain the education crown from rival Dell Computer.

A while back Apple made a big strategic mistake. At the beginning of an educational sales season, Apple brought all education sales in-house, disenfranchising educational consultants who had formerly been Apple’s agents for sales to schools. This cost Apple significant education market share and alienated many of the people who work directly with schools and districts in making technology decisions.

Apple has again revamped its educational sales effort and has invited select consultants back into the fold. Apple’s primary education strategy rests on their “one-to-one” program. The program involves one laptop for each student along with technical and curriculum support from Apple. Providing laptops to middle school students throughout the state of Maine is one example of a high-profile Apple one-to-one initiative.

Apple’s iBook has been in the market for a long time without a major refresh or change in design. Following this month’s back-to-school promotions, watch for changes to the iBook line in the months ahead. It’s the foundation of Apple’s education hardware strategy.

I Can See for Miles

Thanks to Apple’s new iSight video camera, the title to a popular 60s rock song is no longer an exaggeration. Designed to work with Apple’s iChat AV software, the iSight provides video capabilities to Mac owners running Mac OS X 10.2.5 or later with broadband service.

We tested the iSight recently, on a 12-hour video chat between two Mac users 2,000 miles apart. The diminutive camera held up well, providing good audio and satisfactory image quality. The camera auto-focuses to present the clearest picture and it sits unobtrusively on one of the three mounts that come with the camera. At $150, the iSight provides a means for Mac users to have audio and video conversations over long distances.

Our west coast-based author of this column and midwest Mac user Clayton Spayer will detail their experiences communicating with one another using iSights and iChat AV. Their story will appear in our October issue.

The G5 (Finally)

The last week of August saw large volume shipments of the new G5 minitowers shipping to customers and Apple resellers. However, the popular dual 2 GHz model has had its ship date moved well into September. Apple’s fiscal quarter closes at the end of September, so hopefully all orders for G5s will be filled before the end of the month.

Apple Gets a New High

We are speaking of course of Apple’s share price hitting new 52-week highs as August came to a close. On the final trading day of August, Apple Computer set another 52-week high of $22.85 in intra-day trading and set a new closing high of $22.61. Apple began the first trading day of calendar year 2003 at $14.36. The company ended the month of August with a market cap of about $8.2 billion.

Before We Leave on Such a High Note

Please read through our September issue. This month’s issue includes:

The Candy Apple: Keeping in Touch

This month, Ellyn Ritterskamp explores the many ways we can stay connected in this day and age, and how these connections affect the way we travel and vacation.

The Legacy Corner: Picking the Optimal OS for Your Mac

Chris Lawson returns to the pages of ATPM with a run-down on how to pick the best version of the classic Mac OS for your pre-G3 Macintosh.

Networks in Action: Whatever happened to…Threemacs.com?

Quick Tips in Design: The Illusion of Depth

Andrew Kator continues his series of graphics tutorials looking at depth, perception, shading, and shadow, and how best to use them for maximum effect in 2D images.

About This Particular Outliner: Outliner History

Ted Goranson joins the ATPM line-up with an introductory column on outlining programs, their history, and place in the Mac community.

The Bottom Line: Laptop vs. Desktop

Another new addition to the ATPM staff, Mary E. Tyler begins her series of articles aimed at SOHO users with the seemingly eternal decision of which system to purchase: laptop or desktop? Mary adds up the desktops, subtracts the laptops, and gives you The Bottom Line.

Segments: Hello Again

Angus Wong contributes a piece on spending six years in the PC wilderness, and proves you can come home again.

Cartoon: Cortland

NeoCort battles Agent PC for desktop dominance!

Cartoon: iTrolls

The iTrolls have to deal with one of those “Niners,” and they offer some nifty iPod Survival Tips!

Desktop Pictures: Sweeping Colors and iTrolls

iTrolls creator Gregory Maddux contributes a desktop based on his cartoon, and Ron Gibbs sends a set of pictures inspired by Andrew Kator’s recent article on colors.

Review: CyberShot DSC-P10 Digital Camera

Johann Campbell dives into the world of digital photography with the Sony CyberShot DSC-P10.

Review: naviPod (iPod Wireless Remote Control)

Looking for a way to wirelessly control your iPod? Chris Lawson reviews the naviPod wireless iPod remote control from TEN Technology & Dr. Bott.

Review: SportSuit Convertible

Speaking of iPods, Eric Blair checks out the latest from Marware in iPod convertible casing.