2001 was a year to remember. For example, the first Oscar for animated feature was awarded (to "Shrek"). But more importantly, it was the year Freeverse Software released its terrific game, WingNuts. I have spent a lot of time being frustrated by Baron von Schtopwatch's robot planes, and I've hammered on my Mac's keyboard so frantically, I'm afraid it will stop working. So you can see why I am really excited about the recent release of WingNuts 2: Raina's Revenge.

Thomas Fogel, Posted 7/27/2006

I've been a Timbuk2 believer for a long time, since their early days making tough bags that really were used just by bicycle messengers. Like khaki pants with their military heritage, these bags went from specialized service to popular product, with a little re-engineering along the way. The features of the Timbuk2 Commute XL are sensible and functional, and it's clear why this model is still considered a classic.

Benjamin B. Olshin, posted 7/26/2006

When I finally purchased my first Mac in 1992 it was a PowerBook 100, and the first and most important piece of software that I installed was a little shareware application called PopChar, which debuted in 1987. It added a tiny little "P" in the top left corner of your menu bar and allowed you to instantly call up any hidden characters in the font you were using. Fourteen years later, I'm still using it on every Mac I own, and consider it one of those indispensable tools that really make my Macs a lot more useful.

Harris Fogel, Posted 6/29/2006

An interview with Peachpit Press author and NAPP Seminar Leader Ben Willmore on Photoshop for Photographers, and other thoughts on digital photography. Recorded at the National Association for Photoshop Professionals Seminar held in Philadelphia, May 2006 by Harris Fogel. (8:46)

Harris Fogel, Posted 5/27/2006