MailBITS/19-Jul-93

You probably already noticed our redesign in this issue. Like most publications, we spent months in consultation with graphic designers and information architects in an attempt to create the best possible look for TidBITS. Right, sure, in our spare time. Actually, only the top and bottom of the issue have changed. We felt that the top of the issue was top-heavy, so we moved all the administrative details and the multitude of electronic addresses to the bottom where you can find them if you need them.

For those interested in APS price lists, note that I will mark new ones at the top of the issue, so if it doesn't change, assume that the price list is exactly the same as the week before.

DeskWriter owners who have printers with serial numbers that begin with 2936 or lower should get "Free Upgrade Kit No. 02276-60106," a sheet that describes how to acquire the free upgrade kit mentioned by James Brigman in last week's article about refilling DeskWriter cartridges. James also mentioned that the ink he's found to work best for refills is Scheaffer Brand "Skrip" ink, which costs about $2 at most office supply warehouses.

Hewlett-Packard -- 800/538-8787

PowerBook Prices Drop -- Apple lowered even more prices in a drive to increase sales and profits after the $188 million loss in the company's third quarter. This time all PowerBooks except the Duos received the red tags, with suggested retail prices dropping 7 to 34 percent. That 34 percent price drop was for the PowerBook 160 4/40, which fell from $2,429 to $1,609. If you're in the market for a PowerBook, make sure your dealer has instituted the new prices before you buy. The $188 million loss sounds bad, but we find it interesting to note that Apple's third quarter net revenues were $1.862 billion, a 7 percent increase over last year's third quarter, and Macintosh unit shipments increased 20 percent over last year's third quarter. Laying off employees is expensive, and that's where the loss came from.

RSI Online -- Rik Ahlberg <rik@world.std.com> writes:

Just a note to let you folks know that there's a new mailing list for those looking for information on repetitive stress injuries (including carpal tunnel syndrome, tendonitis, occupational overuse syndrome, and cumulative trauma disorders), how to deal with them, and what resources are available to people living with pain.

The list is open to all those interested in joining and/or supporting a support, referral, and information resource for those suffering from repetitive strain injuries. Even if you are outside of the Boston metro area, please do not hesitate to join the group. To join the discussion, send mail to:

Boston-RSI-request@world.std.com

Boston-RSI meets regularly at the Boston Computer Society's main office in Kendall Square, Cambridge, MA, beginning in August.

BrushStrokes, or What happened to MacPaint? Claris has announced the shipment of BrushStrokes, a $139, 32-bit color, painting and image editing package. Two Swedish programmers, Christian Holmen and Nicklas Ungman, originally developed BrushStrokes for Casady & Greene, from whom Claris acquired marketing rights for the Claris Clear Choice label, which publishes innovative software from independent developers.

Claris -- 800/3CLARIS -- 408/727-8227