NoodleMac FAQs

For three or four years I have wanted to create a site about the latest Mac software updates-- quick reviews, detailed reviews, and links for software downloads.

Question: Why another site about Macs?
There are thousands of software titles available for the Mac. MacUpdate and VersionTracker do a very credible job of providing daily updates and user reviews on Mac software.

Still, it’s difficult for a Mac user to keep track of new and updated Mac software. NoodleMac takes a different perspective, yet provides daily updates, reviews, opinions, and links to ONLY the most popular Mac software.

Queston: How is it ‘Certified Mac Software?’
Kate and I certify that we like the software we review on NoodleMac. In other words, if the software isn’t on NoodleMac, a) we haven’t reviewed it yet, b) we reviewed it but didn’t think it was good enough to certify.

So, NoodleMac presents Certified Mac Software. It’s the software we think is best, free or commercial, for most Mac users.

In some cases we may review a popular Mac software title, but let readers know we didn’t like it and why. The why is important to readers and Mac users, and it’s important to us.

Question: Which is it? Updates or Reviews?
Both. We’ve set up NoodleMac so Mac users have quick access to the latest software updates, including links to download pages.

NoodleMac also contains more in-depth software reviews, commentary on software and the Mac, and a How To section so Mac users can get the most out of popular software.

Readers are encouraged to contribute to NoodleMac via the Contact link and through the Comments link at the bottom of each software review.

Question: How many Macs do you own? Owned?
I have five Macs. Kate has three. Both of us use a Mac mini only for the purpose of trying out Mac software before a review.

Kate and I both use two Macs in our daily work, though one of hers is a Mac notebook. My notebook is an aging PowerBook, now over five years old; circa early 2003.

Question: Why does NoodleMac look like Kate’s site, PixoBebo?
Recently, Kate and I embarked on a project to re-design Mac360, a site I helped launch for friends back in 2004. While Mac360 has grown in popularity, it’s also aged in design.

The site design is too thin. The layout is too busy and cluttered. The site’s code is somewhat like spaghetti, though it now validates proper XHTML and CSS.

So, we embarked on a project to improve and update Mac360, and launch a few other sites for each of us.

Question: What is project ‘Full Circle’?
That’s the re-design of Mac360. First, we started with a basic, updated, more modern and wider web page layout using three columns, with a CSS-based layout.

Kate designed her own site, PixoBebo, using that layout and code. NoodleMac is based on the same code, though with a different color scheme. We plan to build a couple of additional Mac sites the same way; one for me, and one for Mac360 writer, Alexis Kayhill.

Then, we’ll expand and modify the code and design to create a couple of portal sites; Mac and Apple-oriented web sites with much more content, updated throughout the day. That’s the second step.

Along the way we’re learning the intricacies of XHTML, CSS, and our content management system of choice, ExpressionEngine. As our knowledge and experience matures, we’ll take a third step, ‘Full Circle’, and create a new layout and design for Mac360.

That’s Full Circle.

Got a question for NoodleMac? Click on the Contact link at the top of the page.