Mac Geek Gab #170: Recordable CD/DVD Longevity, FireWire iPod Charging, Drive Speeds, and More

The hosts discuss the durability of recordable CDs and DVDs, highlighting recent research indicating that properly stored media can last anywhere from 30 to over 200 years, contrary to the older 'five-year' rule of thumb. They emphasize environmental factors like temperature and humidity for media preservation, advise handling discs carefully to avoid scratches, and recommend verifying data after burning for integrity. The conversation underscores the importance of not relying solely on optical media for long-term backups and advocates using hard drives, which are faster, cheaper, and generally more reliable if stored and treated well.

Listeners inquire about Mac shutdown problems, especially when the system hangs on the spinning wheel or cog, and discuss potential causes such as corrupted swap files or logs. The hosts share troubleshooting steps, including booting in verbose mode to view real-time logs, and suggest resetting syslogd by deleting its database (ASL.db) in terminal commands. They explain that high CPU usage by syslogd often results from log database corruption, especially after the switch to a centralized logging system in Leopard. Clear instructions are provided for fixing this issue, emphasizing the importance of clean logs for system health.

The episode covers questions about FireWire charging compatibility across different iPod and iPhone models, noting that recent Apple devices have shifted away from FireWire for power. They mention third-party adapters that reroute FireWire signals over USB but caution about potential heat and power issues. Additionally, a listener asks if Ethernet is faster than FireWire for transferring media files, and the hosts compare throughput, stating that gigabit Ethernet can handle around 30 MB/s, suitable for RAID arrays or multiple drives. The discussion also touches on RFID technology for secure access and smart tagging, as well as physical security devices like wireless locks controlled via Z-Wave. These topics showcase how various hardware interfaces and emerging standards can enhance connectivity and security.

A listener wants guidance on securely erasing his PowerBook before sale to ensure no personal data remains. The hosts recommend a complete wipe and reinstall of the OS, using secure erase utilities like Drive Genius if reformatting. They advise deleting user accounts and cautious removal of residual files to prevent data leaks. Emphasis is placed on verifying erased free space to prevent recovery of deleted files. This section highlights best practices for preparing a Mac for resale while maintaining data privacy.

Questions from listeners focus on where to find detailed show notes and chapter markers for past episodes. The hosts mention that most shows are available with chapters embedded in AAC files, but sometimes they skip this feature to prioritize quick episode release. They are developing a custom Google search for easier lookup of topics discussed across episodes. Additionally, listener interaction methods are shared, including phone, email, and Skype, with some technical hiccups noted for Skype messaging. The hosts encourage community engagement and clarify how to access and search their content.