A Chat on the Wonders of iTools
Pages: 1, 2, 3
raelitybytes: so what else -- perhaps you know more than some -- is in store for iTools?
OReillyMac: like the friend who always comes over at dinner time
OReillyMac: the WebDAV thing is cool too
raelitybytes: sorry... go on
OReillyMac: and we should mention that
OReillyMac: I work only in OS X, so ...
OReillyMac: I know there that my iDisk stays on my desktop
OReillyMac: whether I'm online or not
OReillyMac: and when I am, it opens right up
OReillyMac: WebDAV!
OReillyMac: huge improvement
OReillyMac: Apple has posted instructions to accessing it on Windows to
OReillyMac: modern Windows
OReillyMac: looked at it once, but haven't messed with much
OReillyMac: cause I'm not on Windows that much anymore
raelitybytes: WebDAV is highly overlooked...
raelitybytes: I've been meaning to fiddle with it on OS X's built-in Apache installation
OReillyMac: you know a little about it, right?
OReillyMac: might you explain it a bit?
raelitybytes: mounting directories, etc via HTTP
raelitybytes: basically you use HTTP's GET, POST, PUT, DELETE semantics for editing remote files/directories...
raelitybytes: So I can actually mount and edit a directory's contents as if it were, say, an iDisk, right from my desktop...
raelitybytes: when in fact the directory and files are on a Web server somewhere
OReillyMac: that's nice
raelitybytes: without need of FTP or other transport mechanism
OReillyMac: real nice!
raelitybytes: I'd love to see DAV used more for blogging
OReillyMac: indeed
OReillyMac: it's really made a difference for iTools
OReillyMac: much more convenient
raelitybytes: for instance, if you have a blogging system that just uses files as entries (I'm sure there must be one out there )...
OReillyMac: <g>
raelitybytes: you could blog from any DAV-enabled Mac, PC, *nix box,...
raelitybytes: just by dropping files into that directory
raelitybytes: all without fiddling with FTP and FTP clients...
raelitybytes: just mounting the directory as if it were local
raelitybytes: v. nice
OReillyMac: I couldn't agree more
raelitybytes: I believe I see more DAV hacking in my future (again, the good kind)
raelitybytes: on Mail...
OReillyMac: sure
raelitybytes: I really like the fact that @mac.com's email is simply an IMAP-based mail account...
raelitybytes: that can be used right from the mail client of your choice...
raelitybytes: whether as your only mailbox or alongside another
OReillyMac: yes
raelitybytes: iTools seems to provide all you need on the Net, save connectivity
OReillyMac: on the road it's wonderful
OReillyMac: I've been able to send via my mac.com address
OReillyMac: when others failed
OReillyMac: once again, I see Apple using smart technology for its everyday tools
OReillyMac: imap, WebDAV,
raelitybytes: again, this is quite an extension of the desktop... much more than MS does by simply building in these abilities, but not building it out as much and providing a nice friendly face
raelitybytes: yes, hotmail == @mac.com
raelitybytes: yes, you can mount DAV on Win32
raelitybytes: but what do you mount?
OReillyMac: your iDisk
raelitybytes: indeed... I guess I was talking about Apple's continued focus on providing all the bits you need...
raelitybytes: and, with iTools, for free!
OReillyMac: not to be the pitchman
raelitybytes: certainly not!
OReillyMac: but I've seen Mac OS X for less than $100
OReillyMac: and it includes a bunch of apps
OReillyMac: plus these online tools
OReillyMac: c'mon
OReillyMac: it's a no-brainer
raelitybytes: I have indeed found DAV on Win32 and thought... hey, this'd be nice if I actually had a DAV account
OReillyMac: LOL
raelitybytes: and with the prices of Macs becoming comparable to that of PCs these days...
raelitybytes: heck, my iBook was $1200 and it's the best machine (laptop or otherwise) I've ever owned
raelitybytes: my Thinkpad was almost twice that and XP runs slow as a dog on a hot day
raelitybytes: guess which screen is dustier!
OReillyMac: I hear ya ... Here's how to mount from a PC:
OReillyMac: In each case above, enter the following as the location to add: http://idisk.mac.com/membername (where membername is your iTools member name). Use your iTools member name and password for authentication.
OReillyMac: but beware!
OReillyMac: IMPORTANT: In addition to the standard iDisk folders, some versions of Windows reveal other files that are normally hidden on a Macintosh, with names that start with a period (.). Do not move, delete, rename, or otherwise tamper with these files. If you do, you might lose files on your iDisk.
OReillyMac: You've been warned
raelitybytes: um, not to be rude, but where does one "stick" that? not done it of late
OReillyMac: You mean?
OReillyMac: this? open My Computer, double-click the Web Folders icon, and double-click Add Web Folder.
raelitybytes: heh...forgot what it was called... ta
OReillyMac: If you're using Windows XP, open My Computer, then choose Map Network Drive from the Tools menu.
OReillyMac: I know, I forgot lots of Windows stuff too
raelitybytes: heh.
OReillyMac: anyway
|
Also in Writers' Talk: A Chat with "The Joy of Tech" Creators Writers' Talk With Corey Marion of the Iconfactory |
raelitybytes: I remembered it under Win2k, but I've not spent as much time on WinXP
OReillyMac: shall we go play now?
raelitybytes: so what of iTools's future... anything coming up you're excited about?
OReillyMac: Ummm
OReillyMac: I don't know what's around the bend
OReillyMac: but Apple keeps posting improvements every few months
OReillyMac: Just make sure you have JavaScript turned on
raelitybytes: fair enough... now that you've tuned me into it, I'm sure to notice
OReillyMac: cause homepage uses a bunch of it
raelitybytes: well, thanks for you time, Derrick
raelitybytes: so where's your homepage so that our viewers can surf on over for a spot of inspiration?
OReillyMac: but of course!
OReillyMac: http://homepage.mac.com/dstory
raelitybytes: thanks again, derrick
OReillyMac: don't be a stranger
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Showing messages 1 through 13 of 13.
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Directory of homepages
2002-03-18 07:39:19 iblog [Reply | View]
One thing that I'd love to see Apple do is develop a directory of homepages that they host. This could be opt in rather than automatic, so you can keep your stuff private, but I think it would be a great way to develop the community.
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iTools is slow...from a Mac
2002-03-18 01:21:14 sjakelien [Reply | View]
You are right that iTools is a Good Thing®, but unfortunately, it's too slow to work with (at least from Europe). And there are some suspicious circumstances:
The lack of speed I describe is noticable if you hit Command Option I in OSX. Listing files in the directories is just unbearably slow.
If you access your iDisk from Windows, as described in your article, the iDisk is much more responsive.
The same so, if you use any recent Adobe product, with the built-in WorkGroup commands (Adobe loves WebDAV): instant file listing.
So what's wrong here: Apple' s WebDAV client in OSX? I advise anyone to use Goliath as a WebDAV client, rather than the Finder
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password protect your downloads only
2002-03-17 23:06:52 boobookitty [Reply | View]
you were wondering how to password protect your downloads only?
here's whatcha do.
set up account one "geekPublic"
and make everything on that site fully open
and you'll want to have a "front page"
that lists all the places you can go.
then, make a link on that page that takes you to
the "geekPrivate" site. both of which are free
(apple has no limit on the number of iTools sites you make)
but set up "geekPrivate" as a password protected site
and then when they click on that link,
http://homepage.mac.com/geekPrivate
then they get the login, and the download.
boobookitty
http://homepage.mac.com/leila -
password protect your downloads only
2002-03-17 23:11:48 boobookitty [Reply | View]
bonus* if the "geekPrivate" site is just
the public folder, then when you pop into
system preferences and change your iTools
settings to "geekPrivate" and then click "go"
in the finder, all you have to do is drop
the little bit 'o code into the "public" folder
(a misnomer, considering that it's private)
you don't have to go to no
stinkin iTools website to update anything
it's all dynamic
then you can go and change your system pref back to
geekPublic and arrange your pictures just so.
boobookitty
http://homepage.mac.com/blueherring
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iTools a selling point for Apple
2002-03-14 08:03:08 Daniel H. Steinberg |
[Reply | View]
Derrick and Rael,
I think once again you guys have hit on an important topic. Thanks for sharing your conversation.
It's puzzling that iTools isn't used more to sell the idea of owning a Mac. Apple is selling this digital hub idea now, but as Steve Jobs pointed out a couple of years ago at MacWorld, there are benefits to being both the hardware and software provider.
iTools is a nice example of what can be done. These were web services before there was "Web Services". I hope Apple continues to develop these offerings.
Daniel -
iTools a selling point for Apple -- Web Services
2002-03-14 09:42:28 Derrick Story |
[Reply | View]
You know, this is an interesting point you make about Web Services. I think the tech community is struggling to understand what Web Services are and how they can be used in day to day life. But now that I think about it, iTools is a good example of this type of technology ... cool!
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Names, bloggers and DAVs.
2002-03-13 11:27:23 hotsauce [Reply | View]
Speaking of DAV and bloggers, it would be really nice if Apple provided bloggers under homepage.
Also, I really hate the domain name homepage. I always forget it's that. Wish I could access my website with the www domain. -
Names, bloggers and DAVs. -- Yes!
2002-03-14 09:33:34 Derrick Story |
[Reply | View]
I second the motion for blogging functionality. I'm not sure if Apple has the bandwidth to implement this as a free feature in iTools, but if they did, Wow! Talk about breaking away from the pack ... -
Names, bloggers and DAVs. -- Yes!
2002-03-18 07:37:21 iblog [Reply | View]
I've been blogging on mine for two years now. It can be slow a times, and I have to do all my own coding, so it isn't as convenient as other tools, but it works for me. If they offered such functinality, I'd want to have as much control over it as I do now. It'd be cool if Apple designed some templates, but would also allow users to develop their own. -
Names, bloggers and DAVs. -- Working Example
2002-03-18 11:48:01 Derrick Story |
[Reply | View]
This is interesting. Do you mind sharing your URL so we can take a look at it?
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56k modem
2002-03-13 08:30:48 yvesde [Reply | View]
I'm conected with a 56k modem using X.1 and iDisk is really a pain to use because everything is sooooooooo slooooooow, not counting that I once got disapearing files and folders. long live ftp !
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Extra space and hosting images
2002-03-12 19:25:45 gadgetdon@mac.com [Reply | View]
If 20 Megabytes isn't enough, for $100 per year you can get an extra 100 Megabytes. $1000 gets you a Gigabyte.
Also, one great purpose of iTools homepage is hosting images for other websites. Several websites let you give the address of a picture for your avatar in the message boards. Put the picture in the Sites folder, and it's "http://homepage.mac.com/yourid/mypicture.jpg" This works for bigger pictures, if you are into Photoshopping.
