http://www.macobserver.com/tmo/features/john_martellaros_blog/ en The Mac Observer Copyright 2009 Fri, 17 Jul 2009 09:06:49 -0400 http://mint.macobserver.com/feeder/?FeederAction=clicked&feed=features%2Frss%2Fjohn_martellaros_blog&seed=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.macobserver.com%2Ftmo%2Farticle%2Fpitch_perfect_for_developers_is_a_perfect_pitch%2F&seed_title=Pitch+Perfect+for+Developers+is+a+Perfect+Pitch http://www.macobserver.com/tmo/article/pitch_perfect_for_developers_is_a_perfect_pitch/ Many smaller developers without access to a professional public relations agency, don’t always know how to approach a blogger/reviewer.  For that matter, some PR agencies are also somewhat mystified about how bloggers work. This new e-book by Erica Sadun and Steve Sande lays it all out: How to pitch your product to a publication. Reviews, Blogs, John Martellaro's Blog Wed, 23 May 2012 17:15:56 -0400 http://mint.macobserver.com/feeder/?FeederAction=clicked&feed=features%2Frss%2Fjohn_martellaros_blog&seed=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.macobserver.com%2Ftmo%2Farticle%2Fhow_i_learned_to_love_verizon_-_and_kill_my_land_line%2F&seed_title=How+I+Learned+to+Love+Verizon+-+and+Kill+my+Land+Line http://www.macobserver.com/tmo/article/how_i_learned_to_love_verizon_-_and_kill_my_land_line/ John Martellaro tells the story of his amazing experience with Verizon in his quest to kill his land line with a Verizon Wireless Home Phone Connect Device. It was right out of an Apple dream. Blogs, John Martellaro's Blog Wed, 21 Mar 2012 16:00:20 -0400 http://mint.macobserver.com/feeder/?FeederAction=clicked&feed=features%2Frss%2Fjohn_martellaros_blog&seed=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.macobserver.com%2Ftmo%2Farticle%2Fmy_first_encounter_with_steve_jobs%2F&seed_title=My+First+Encounter+With+Steve+Jobs http://www.macobserver.com/tmo/article/my_first_encounter_with_steve_jobs/ It was Friday, May 16th, 1997, and I was at my 5th WWDC. Steve Jobs had returned to Apple thanks to Apple’s purchase of NeXT, but he was only an adviser to CEO Gil Amelio. In a closing keynote, Mr. Jobs took some questions, and this author, an aerospace engineer at the time, had one ready. Blogs, John Martellaro's Blog Wed, 13 Jul 2011 13:20:09 -0400 http://mint.macobserver.com/feeder/?FeederAction=clicked&feed=features%2Frss%2Fjohn_martellaros_blog&seed=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.macobserver.com%2Ftmo%2Farticle%2Fin_search_of_new_web_site_tools_part_i%2F&seed_title=In+Search+of+New+Web+Site+Tools+to+Replace+iWeb%2C+Part+I http://www.macobserver.com/tmo/article/in_search_of_new_web_site_tools_part_i/ We now know officially that Apple will not be supporting web site hosting after June 2012. Also, the iWeb ‘09 app hasn’t seen a major update in some time, and Steve Jobs in a purported e-mail has confirmed that Apple customers will need to find another web site builder. So, like many others, John has embarked on a quest to both rehost his personal website and select a new web site development app. This is the first installment describing that journey.  Blogs, John Martellaro's Blog Tue, 28 Jun 2011 14:40:46 -0400 http://mint.macobserver.com/feeder/?FeederAction=clicked&feed=features%2Frss%2Fjohn_martellaros_blog&seed=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.macobserver.com%2Ftmo%2Farticle%2Fapples_troubles_arent_over_and_that_could_be_good%2F&seed_title=Apple%26%238217%3Bs+Troubles+Aren%26%238217%3Bt+Over%2C+and+That+Could+be+Good http://www.macobserver.com/tmo/article/apples_troubles_arent_over_and_that_could_be_good/ Antennagate showed that Apple can no longer have its own way with all customers.  The broader product offerings, like the iPad and the iPhone, mean than scrutiny and criticism come from a wider circle of interested parties.That will change the company. Columns and Opinions, Hidden Dimensions, Blogs, John Martellaro's Blog Wed, 28 Jul 2010 12:22:47 -0400 http://mint.macobserver.com/feeder/?FeederAction=clicked&feed=features%2Frss%2Fjohn_martellaros_blog&seed=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.macobserver.com%2Ftmo%2Farticle%2Fmore_hdtv_gotchas_to_know_by_black_friday%2F&seed_title=More+HDTV+Gotchas+to+Know+by+Black+Friday http://www.macobserver.com/tmo/article/more_hdtv_gotchas_to_know_by_black_friday/ On Tuesday, I talked about some of the gotchas regarding LCD HDTVs and how manufacturers fudge or redefine specs to their own advantage. In this installment, I'll discuss the very basics of handling audio in an HDTV system. Blogs, John Martellaro's Blog Wed, 25 Nov 2009 13:52:51 -0500 http://mint.macobserver.com/feeder/?FeederAction=clicked&feed=features%2Frss%2Fjohn_martellaros_blog&seed=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.macobserver.com%2Ftmo%2Farticle%2Fwhat_you_need_to_know_about_hdtv_blu-ray_by_black_friday%2F&seed_title=What+You+Need+to+Know+about+HDTV+%26amp%3B+Blu-ray+by+Black+Friday http://www.macobserver.com/tmo/article/what_you_need_to_know_about_hdtv_blu-ray_by_black_friday/ High Definition TVs and accessories are on the mind of many this holiday season.  Here are some thoughts on what to watch out for, starting on Black Friday. For starters, manufacturers play fast and loose with LCD HDTV specs. Also, things to watch out for in the Blu-ray and HDMI cable world. Blogs, John Martellaro's Blog Tue, 24 Nov 2009 16:47:50 -0500 http://mint.macobserver.com/feeder/?FeederAction=clicked&feed=features%2Frss%2Fjohn_martellaros_blog&seed=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.macobserver.com%2Ftmo%2Farticle%2FQuantum_Oscillations_in_the_Applesphere%2F&seed_title=Quantum+Oscillations+in+the+Applesphere http://www.macobserver.com/tmo/article/Quantum_Oscillations_in_the_Applesphere/ This was a significant week in Apple's history. In the past, Apple's well tuned marketing engine worked just as well, but the Mac faithful just weren't present in sufficient numbers to jar the Applesphere. Blogs, John Martellaro's Blog Fri, 11 Jul 2008 16:14:19 -0400 http://mint.macobserver.com/feeder/?FeederAction=clicked&feed=features%2Frss%2Fjohn_martellaros_blog&seed=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.macobserver.com%2Ftmo%2Farticle%2FExplosions_and_Debris_Week_of_May_12%2F&seed_title=Explosions+and+Debris+%28Week+of+May+12%29 http://www.macobserver.com/tmo/article/Explosions_and_Debris_Week_of_May_12/ From time to time, we all change browsers. It's either to experiment with something new or flee from something distasteful. This week I fled from Safari. It's because I visit hundreds of Websites and their links everyday. Blogs, John Martellaro's Blog Fri, 16 May 2008 15:54:15 -0400 http://mint.macobserver.com/feeder/?FeederAction=clicked&feed=features%2Frss%2Fjohn_martellaros_blog&seed=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.macobserver.com%2Ftmo%2Farticle%2FFewer_Particles_More_Debris_Week_of_May_5%2F&seed_title=Fewer+Particles%2C+More+Debris+%28+Week+of+May+5%29 http://www.macobserver.com/tmo/article/Fewer_Particles_More_Debris_Week_of_May_5/ This week, there was some discussion of what might be Apple's name for the next version of Mac OS X, 10.6. According to one writer who investigated last year, trademark filings show that Apple has only two names left: Lynx and Cougar. Blogs, John Martellaro's Blog Fri, 09 May 2008 16:01:36 -0400 http://mint.macobserver.com/feeder/?FeederAction=clicked&feed=features%2Frss%2Fjohn_martellaros_blog&seed=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.macobserver.com%2Ftmo%2Farticle%2FNo_More_Mystery_Updates_From_Apple%2F&seed_title=No+More+Mystery+Updates+From+Apple http://www.macobserver.com/tmo/article/No_More_Mystery_Updates_From_Apple/ I think it's time for Apple to give up on the idea of mystery updates. By that I mean updates that tell the user nothing or almost nothing about what's changed, what impact it might have, and why the user should install the update. Blogs, John Martellaro's Blog Mon, 31 Mar 2008 17:46:51 -0400 http://mint.macobserver.com/feeder/?FeederAction=clicked&feed=features%2Frss%2Fjohn_martellaros_blog&seed=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.macobserver.com%2Ftmo%2Farticle%2FMr._Jobs_Choices_for_Successor_Say_a_Lot_About_Apples_Future%2F&seed_title=Mr.+Jobs%26%238217%3B+Choices+for+Successor+Say+a+Lot+About+Apple%26%238217%3Bs+Future http://www.macobserver.com/tmo/article/Mr._Jobs_Choices_for_Successor_Say_a_Lot_About_Apples_Future/ [23:15 UTC] On Tuesday, Steve Jobs mentioned some possible candidates to become his successor. Two were Apple COO Tim Cook and CFO Peter Oppenheimer. These recommendations to the board say a lot about Apple's future. Blogs, John Martellaro's Blog Tue, 04 Mar 2008 18:16:30 -0500 http://mint.macobserver.com/feeder/?FeederAction=clicked&feed=features%2Frss%2Fjohn_martellaros_blog&seed=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.macobserver.com%2Ftmo%2Farticle%2FBuilding_a_Custom_PC%2F&seed_title=Building+a+Custom+PC http://www.macobserver.com/tmo/article/Building_a_Custom_PC/ My wife uses Linux, Java, Perl, and C++ at work. Recently, she wanted to get a new PC with Fedora 8 so that she could do work and research at home on a fast system. Her old custom built PC was aging and is really only suitable for interface testing. Blogs, John Martellaro's Blog Mon, 03 Mar 2008 19:22:51 -0500