In the Microsoft Windows XP Startup Disk control panel, icons for removable discs such as CDs or DVDs appear even after they are ejected. Why?

In Microsoft Windows XP, removable disc icons remain in the Startup Disk control panel even after they are ejected.

Yes, but why? You’ve just shuffled the sentence around and restated the problem.

They stay there.

I know they do, I’m asking why they stay there.

*points at Startup Disk control panel* They stay THERE.

As noted, the update to SIMBL enables extensions like SafariBlock to continue providing their functionality, provided the plugin developer(s) update their code. However, some extensions may work without updates if the applications they affect are run in 32-bit mode. This isn’t directly stated in John Siracusa’s excellent Snow Leopard review, but this part inspired me to try it.

In this case, provided Safari is run in 32-bit mode, the current version of SafariBlock will function correctly (Quit Safari first):

1. Select Safari in the Finder. (Easy way: hold the Command key and click the Safari icon in the Dock. This will reveal and select Safari in the Finder.)
2. Type Command-i or choose Get Info from the File menu or the right-click menu.
3. Check the box next to “Open in 32-bit mode” and close the Get Info window.

Launch Safari and SafariBlock should be doing its job once again.

If you’re still seeing ads where you normally wouldn’t, make sure to grab the newest (currently a beta) version of SIMBL and install it.

Thanks, Mike!

Thanks for the quick update, Ken!

For something Leopard-compatible (update: Snow Leopard-compatible as well), and free for up to 10 triggers (perfect for most external multi-button mice), I recommend ControllerMate.

I paid for a license¹ since I needed more than 10 triggers, and have found much use for it. Controllermate has a very responsive developer, Ken, who answers questions that are posted in the forum and are a good reference if you’re wondering what devices work with it.

I’ve used it for a number of USB devices, some for emulation or gaming, and configured each at least once to send Logic and Reason shortcuts; a Gravis GamePad Pro, a translucent blue Macally iStick joystick, a no-name finger-mounted mouse, and a whole horde of mice and keyboards whose manufactures don’t provide full-featured (if any) drivers for OS X. Using a gamepad or joystick to control an audio effect is always enjoyable.

ControllerMate delivers missing functionality to many USB devices, and adds more if wanted. Fully recommended.

1. I loathe saying that instead of “I bought a registered version”, it encourages the idea of licensing software as opposed to buying it, where fair ability of use and right of resale are restricted and controlled by anyone other than the user who paid money.

Opera has surpassed Camino as my tertiary browser of choice on OS X. Once I get to test the Google web apps it may even knock Firefox from its number two spot. Safari (with the excellent and free SafariStand & SafariBlock) still performs better under duress than anything else I’ve tried.

Using Opera on Ubuntu and Linux Mint has convinced me of its flexibility, responsiveness, and robustness in the face of many tabs, even on older hardware. It’s my number-one browser on Linux, and works very well on Windows and OS X.

Pilfered from said company's site

[UPDATE] The company has since put up an ‘in-use’ photo, and it’s so absurd I felt I had to share it here.

When a shuffle kisses a mac…

If it came with a USB cap for when the Shuffle is not being used, which the Dexim site makes no mention of, the 3rd-generation Shuffle could have a stick shape. I’m a big fan of the 1st-gen Shuffle. The new one looks perhaps a little too small to feel good held in the hand, which may partly explain Apple’s decision to remove almost every incentive for holding it. The familiar controller from the 1st and second-gen models was shared to the Apple Remote, which doesn’t seem to be in any danger of being replaced, even by those using Apple’s Remote.app for iPhone and iPod Touch.

I learned from MacWorld that it is intended to be sold for something close to $10, which is refreshing to hear, since so many times when perusing iPod accessories nothing seems to be cheaper than $29.99.

Find icons for OS X at these sites:

http://browse.deviantart.com/?catpath=customization/icons/os/mac/&order=9&alltime=yes
http://www.apple.com/downloads/macosx/icons_screensavers/
http://iconfactory.com/freeware/icon
http://www.pixelgirlpresents.com/icons.php
http://www.icons.cx/icons/
http://www.pixelpressicons.com/

The Mac creative community is splintered, divided between all of these sites, and more like InterfaceLIFT, MacThemes, etc.

No thanks to the new owners of ResExcellence for letting it rot. A community-run forum would be better than this years-old blog promising a relaunch and redesign: http://www.resexcellence.com/
(turns out the new owner is Phillip Ryu, who complained about the previous owner on his blog, (http://phillryu.com/2006/08/03/good-riddance-bryan-lund/) saying things like “They [Resex fans] deserve to feel cheated if they can see with their very eyes their beloved community going down the chutes, with you at the helm.” On the other hand, if the site relaunches with all the old content, I will be happy to have been wrong – I just think it’s very unlikely.