Rewind v1.0.2

updater is available for download from Power On Software's servers. To get it just run the Rewind Installer again according to MacFixit. MacFixIt also noted that v1.0.2 eliminated excessive hard disk grinding, lowered the minimum volume size to 200 MB and fixed problems with certain JPEG images and the emergency startup disk. Rewind allows one to reverse time after a disaster hits your computer and go back to a complete configuration that was working. It won Best of Show at Macworld Expo NY '00 and made our priority show floor report list. Rewind v1.0 just hit the dealers shelves the week of November 21st.

-- Weekend, December 2-3 --

Follow Up--Montgomery County, MD, Public School System Goes Dark: Macs were put on an extinction curve in the final decision by MCPS' CIO John Porter. Here is the full text of the memo circulated by email and paper by the CIO:

Office of Global Access Technology
MONTGOMERY COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOLS
Rockville, Maryland

November 27, 2000

MEMORANDUM

To: Principals and Directors

From: John Q. Porter, Chief Information Officer

Subject: Technology Modernization for FY 2001

This year schools entering the Technology Modernization Program (Tech Mod), formerly known as the Global Access initiative, will receive PC microcomputers.

MCPS staff currently supports a dual platform system Windows-based PC (Wintel) and Apple (Mac) for over 30,000 microcomputers distributed over 200 locations. The Wintel platform is predominant at the high school level and in central administration, while the Mac platform is used primarily in our elementary and middle schools. Often, both platforms may be found within the same building. Consequently, MCPS must support dual file servers, operating systems, software versions, and communications protocols, as well as provide services to address the needs of both Wintel and Mac users. Supporting two platforms is a costly option for MCPS. Maintaining a dual-platform computing environment impacts both training and support costs.

This decision will not affect the use and purchase of Apple computers when this is the most appropriate choice for a particular use, such as electronic graphics. In addition, MCPS is in discussions with Apple regarding a pilot that will use Apple's wireless network system that Apple executives say creates a "platform independent" environment. I also want to make it clear this action does not mean removing usable Apple computers from our schools.

The Office of Global Access Technology (OGAT) is committed to communicating this change to all stakeholder groups in a timely and comprehensive manner. The attachment, Frequently Asked Questions for Fiscal Year 2001 Technology Modernization Schools, serves as a quick source for answers to anticipated questions. This will be posted in FirstClass conferences and on the MCPS Web site.

This year's Technology Modernization schools will receive an additional memorandum inviting the principal to an information meeting during which they will learn what equipment they can expect to receive, as well as timelines for installation and training. The Division of Field Operations and the Division of Technology Training will conduct this meeting. Information and training meetings for staff are being scheduled.

Information meetings with stakeholder groups are currently being scheduled to share OGAT's vision and strategic plan for the use of technology in schools. These meetings will be used to answer questions, as well as solicit input. Stakeholder groups include student government representative assemblies, employee associations, MCCPTA, and community and business organizations.

Additional questions about the Technology Modernization Program can be directed to OGAT through the Division of Information Services, 301-279- 3995, or the Help Desk, 301-517-5800.

Here is the link to the FAQ mentioned in the memo. It has unsupported assertions and contains some implications that have been disproved by studies on the total cost of computer ownership.

Particularly telling is the unsupported statement in the memo, "Supporting two platforms is a costly option for MCPS." There is no analysis supporting this contention in the memo nor in any other documentation made available on OGAT's web site. Nor is there an analysis showing that the chosen PC platform configuration is less costly than the Mac or even other PC alternatives considering the total cost of ownership even if only one platform were less costly than a mix. Finally, the main issue for any entity is not just cost but how effective the tool is to do the job, i.e. cost effectiveness. The job of a school system is education not IT for the sake of IT. There is no analysis available from OGAT that even addresses this issue. In fact, there is no document posted that even describes the new "Technology Modernization Program" which purportedly has replaced the now discredited "Global Access Initiative" which is still posted.

As frequent readers know, Macs Only! broke this story May 24 and 25 based on a communication from a reader and our and many readers' follow up. The response to the story sparked the review of GAI that was just completed and brought intervention by Apple representatives. The result is not convincing despite the welcome platitudes contained in the email regarding future Apple purchases and the potential consideration of AirPort wireless networking. Macs Only! has requested from MCPS' OGAT and the Montgomery County Board of Education any and all documentation supporting the cost conclusions contained in the email and the FAQ and showing how education effectiveness was factored into the decision. Readers, especially Montgomery County, MD, residents may wish to request the same documentation from the Board and the MCPS CIO.

[8:00p ET 12/2] $100 iBook Rebate at Circuit City Ends Saturday according to this additional email from Market Source: