Author: Owen Rubin

Owen Rubin was one of the first people to program arcade video games for Atari a long time ago, and designed arcade video games for almost 15 years. He later joined Apple where he worked on both hardware and software projects, and was the key player on the MacLC, bootable CD, several pieces of Mac system software, as well as a contributor to many other CPU projects. He later worked for Pacific Bell to lead the design of services for the first commercial broadband system in the US, and then went on to be the lead researcher of broadband for Paul Allen's Interval Research. Since then, he has been an executive at a number of startups in security and semiconductors, and CTO of Edison Labs, a startup focusing on helping commercial clients write and develop mobile apps. Right now, he is looking for the next great thing (hint hint!)

A quick walk of Macworld

January 16, 2006July 31, 2011 Macworld Expo 0

I was impressed as once again as Apple makes a major hardware or software transition and make it happens seamlessly. The new Macs, while not as speedy as I hoped, seemed to run everything just fine without problems. Read more…

From Owen, some Macworld Expo pictures

January 11, 2006August 1, 2011 Macworld Expo 0

Owen Rubin shows us some of the sites from Macworld Expo today.

TaxCut Abandons Macintosh

January 9, 2006August 1, 2011 Opinion 0

For the past few years, H&R Block people have pushed to get coverage for TaxCut, their excellent tax software for both PC and Mac. This year, they simply dropped the Mac without notice or warning.

The 12 Days of Xmas Gets Costlier

December 9, 2005July 31, 2011 Opinion 0

If you are thinking about buying your true love all the items for the 12 days of Christmas song this year, expect to shell out 6.1% more this year than last. The cost of gift giving has gone up.

The Boom Box from Roxio
Review

August 9, 2005July 31, 2011 Review 0

Owen takes a look at the five applications that make up the new Roxio software suite.

Laptop Legs and Mac Feet
Review

June 16, 2005February 27, 2011 Review 0

I own a newer PowerBook. And as anyone who owns a newer PowerBook (or any newer laptop) knows by now, it gets very HOT! Enter Laptop Legs and Mac Feet from LapWorks to solve the problem. When I first saw this product, I said, “No way, I’m not sticking those things to the bottom of my PowerBook.” But once again, after having my PowerBook get so warm I could not longer type on it, I decided to give them a try, and I am happy I did.

Apple and Intel, What Does It Really Mean?

June 8, 2005February 27, 2011 Opinion 0

The fact that Apple is moving to Intel chips has certainly raised a lot of questions and noise. It is an interesting change for Apple to be sure. And who would have guessed that as Apple moves to Intel Inside, Microsoft is moving to PowerPC? The new Xbox will be PPC, and if I read Microsoft’s rumblings correctly, so may some PCs be soon too.

Drag Bag Streetwinder
Review

May 24, 2005July 30, 2011 Bag, Review 0

Owen and Nemo join-up for a review! When they saw these bags at last January’s San Francisco MacWorld Expo, we just knew we each had to try it, so we spent a l-o-n-g time with the company’s representative drooling over these bags, each of us for a different reason. Does Streetwinder meet our expectations and demands? John and I thought we had found the perfect missing bag. But did we? Read on!

How Do You Get a Macintosh User to Buy a Dell?

May 5, 2005July 30, 2011 Opinion 0

Lets look at a few new ways Apple has hurt customers and potential customers in the last month or so.

Brenthaven Pro Computer Briefcases
Review

May 3, 2005July 30, 2011 Bag, Cases, Review 0

The search continues for that perfect 17â€ PowerBook bag with a serious contender for the top spot, the new Pro series from Brenthaven. While this may look like your typical over-the-shoulder bag, the Pro is lot more than that.

Chrome Metropolis Messenger Bag – Review

April 12, 2005January 6, 2011 Review 0

The never-ending search for the perfect 17 portable laptop bag continues with the Chrome Metropolis Messenger Bag.

Steal This Software?

March 25, 2005July 29, 2011 Opinion 0

Short questions: What is the difference between stealing software and buying it? Your good nature, better judgment, and clear conscious aside, what IS the difference between stealing software and buying it to the user?

For me, it really comes down to one simple thing: product support. Obviously, if I steal or copy software, I cannot expect EVER to get support for the product. If I find a bug, the software screws up, or I cannot figure out how to make it work…well, too bad for me. Or is it?

LaCie SilverScreen
Review

March 9, 2005July 29, 2011 Hard Drive, Review 0

While not only for the Macintosh, if your looking for a Media Center you wanted the MacMini to be, this is one device you are going to want to consider adding to your stack of toys.

Laptop Armor Ccomputer BRIEFCASES
Review

March 1, 2005July 29, 2011 Cases, Review 0

This is a strong, sturdy, well-built briefcase with good hardware and a solid feel, and looks amazingly good too. And as I continue my search for the perfect 17â€ PowerBook carrying case, I was eager to try something different from the array of soft cases in the past, and this was it.