New & Noteworthy: Macworld Expo schedule; inside iPod; Script Debugger reviewed; FMP; The MS DOJ deal; more

Macworld Expo schedule online planner released The Macworld Exposition and Conference Web site has posted an interactive schedule planner to help attendees realize that there just are not enough hours in the week to see everything. In our experience, at least.

iPod take-apart A tour of inside the iPod, with photos. Here is one under with a voided warranty.

Script Debugger review Macworld UK has given Script Debugger 4 1/2 mice in its review of the latest version, 3.0.1. We have noted before how much we like Script Debugger.

FileMaker Pro 5.5 Unlimited The same database features found in FileMaker Pro 5.5, including two-way ODBC capabilities, record-level access privileges and more, are now available to publish data on the Web without any limitations on the number of users. This press release has more info.

Questions Remain Over Proposed Microsoft Settlement Deal This article from the New York Times illustrates some of the giant holes in the present settlement agreement, and explains the details of yesterday's last minute manuevering, including the states that are against the present settlement terms. [New York Times]

DaveNet editorial on the MS deal Dave Winer answers the question, "And who did they sell out?". An excerpt: "At a certain level I'm just beginning to understand how powerful Microsoft has become. They own the chokepoint for most of the electronic communication over email and the Web." More.

An Analysis and Opinion of the Microsoft Antitrust Settlement From WinInfo: "The settlement is a travesty of justice that leaves an illegal monopoly in a position of power, enabling Microsoft to continue harming competitors, partners, and even customers." More.

Comdex to allow laptops, subject to restrictions From ZDNet: "The tens of thousands of technophiles who will descend on Las Vegas for next week's Comdex trade show will be allowed to carry laptops into the show, but there is a catch." More. For show visitors, a look at the official security policy.

From Threats to War, Cybersecurity Enters a New Era From Reuters: "The Internet's greatest asset -- its open, ubiquitous nature -- is turning out to be its greatest liability. With 500 million people logged on to the global computer network, it is now clear that a system originally set up to facilitate communication between university professors and defense contractors may not offer much in the way of protection against malicious attacks. Over the past two years, computer worms, viruses and other cyberattacks have become both more frequent and more devastating, wiping out hard drives and Web sites across the globe." More.

Pixar short films on the Web Pixar has posted a collection of its original short films. The set includes recent entires such as "For the Birds," which is running in theatres now with Monsters Inc, and early, groundbreaking work such as Andre and Wally B, and Luxor Jr. (Both of which we remember from Macworld Expo's long ago, as demos for MacRenderman. Just like AOL, Pixar owes much of its early life to the Macintosh.)