Reprinted from TidBITS#957/15-Dec-08 with permission. Copyright (C) 2008, TidBITS. All rights reserved. http://www.tidbits.com/ TidBITS#957/15-Dec-08 ===================== Issue link: This is our last issue of 2008, and we're going out with a full slate of great Mac content, plus a Bonus Stories article that links to even more useful pieces on our site. On the backup front, Joe Kissell notes the Mac beta of Backblaze and changes to the pro versions of CrashPlan and Mozy, while Adam examines CrashPlan's new direct-to-disk backup feature. For the holidays, Jeff Carlson enlists the aid of BeLight Software's Labels & Addresses to send his Christmas cards. We also list out where we'll be at the upcoming Macworld Expo, and track the releases of firmware updates for the latest Mac laptops, Mac OS X 10.5.6 (now with nearly instant MobileMe syncing!), the Google Earth Web browser plug-in, the Microsoft Office 2008 12.1.5 and 2004 11.5.3 updates, and a simple task manager in Google's Gmail. In the TidBITS Watchlist, we note the releases of BBEdit 9.1, SOHO Labels 4.0, DiscLabel 5.4.1, Sandvox 1.5.3, Keyboard Maestro 3.5, and PowerMail 6.0. Your next email issue of TidBITS will arrive on 05-Jan-09, but we'll be posting to the TidBITS Web site between now and then. See you next year! Articles TidBITS 2008 Holiday Hiatus MacBook, Pro, Air EFI and SMC Firmware Updates Google Earth Browser Plugin for Mac OS X Microsoft Office 2008 12.1.5 and 2004 11.5.3 Updates Backblaze Launches Mac Beta of Online Backup Service Google Gmail Introduces Simple Task Manager Apple Adds Nearly Instant MobileMe Sync in 10.5.6 CrashPlan and Mozy Modify Pro Options CrashPlan Adds Direct-to-Disk Backups Labels & Addresses Restores Holiday Card Sanity TidBITS Events at Macworld SF 2009 Take Control News: Font Wrangling and Problem-Solving Made Easy TidBITS Watchlist: Notable Software Updates for 15-Dec-08 Bonus Stories for 15-Dec-08 ExtraBITS for 15-Dec-08 Hot Topics in TidBITS Talk for 15-Dec-08 ------------ This issue of TidBITS sponsored in part by: -------------- * READERS LIKE YOU! Support TidBITS with a contribution today! Special thanks this week to Randolph H. Waterfield, Benis Frank, Sarah B. Worsham, and Michael House for their generous support! * Fetch Softworks: Fetch 5.3 has a new look for Leopard, and new support for Leopard technologies. And you can upload with the oldest technology of all, Copy and Paste! Download your free trial version! * WebCrossing Neighbors Creates Private Social Networks Create a complete social network with your company or group's own look. Scalable, extensible and extremely customizable. Take a guided tour today * Bare Bones Software's BBEdit 9.1 -- A burly upgrade introducing new capabilities like Projects, non-modal Find and Multi-File Search, editing in browsers, text completion, Scratchpad, new Ruby module, better JavaScript, ObjC, Obj-C++, YAML * MARK/SPACE, INC: Take it with you! The Missing Sync makes it easy to synchronize contacts, calendars, notes, photos and more from your Mac to your BlackBerry, Palm OS, or Windows Mobile phone. * VMware Fusion. The most seamless way to run Windows on your Mac. Backed by nearly a decade of proven virtualization technology. Try VMware Fusion today for free, or order online for only $79. Visit: * Microsoft's MacBU: Supporting Mac users with Office 2008. Is your Office up-to-date? Make sure you're running the latest versions of Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Entourage by choosing Check for Updates from the Help menu of any Office application! * ConceptDraw Office adds real business power to Microsoft Office and Apple's iWork. Whether you need project management, business graphics, or mind mapping, it's all easily created on your Mac! Buy today for only $499! * Circus Ponies NoteBook: The easy way to get organized on the Mac. Control your notes. Track your tasks. Manage your projects. Organize your life. Try NoteBook right now, free for 30 days! * MacSpeech Dictate -- unleash the power of your voice with award-winning speech recognition solutions for the Mac. It's so easy to use - just talk! Now with spelling and phrase training. ---------- Help support TidBITS by supporting our sponsors ------------ .