You know the ones I mean: those Power Macs, PowerBooks, iMacs, iBooks, Mac minis, etc. based on the PowerPC processor that Apple sold a few years ago. Sadly, support for them is dwindling, but the software is still out there that would enable their continued use, if not with an older version of Mac OS X, then perhaps with one of the numerous open source alternatives.

Maybe you still have one of these fine old machines. Resist the urge to throw it in the dumpster and buy a new computer. The addition of more memory, a bigger hard drive, an updated graphics card or processor might be all it needs. You won't have relegated it to the local landfill leaching heavy metals and other bad things into your drinking water. And, you won't be perpetuating the unsustainable practice of producing new computer-related hardware in low-wage sweatshops around the world with its attendant human and environmental degradation.

Lemke Software releases GraphicConverter 8 for Mac OS X Mac Daily News, 5/19/12. This is a great Mac shareware program. I still have my original registration invoice from November of 1997 and plan to update it once again. PowerPC support has been dropped, sadly. At least we still have an up-to-date Gimp in PPC GNU/ Linux.

Those $22,600 W. Virginia routers were "economical" Nate Anderson, Ars Technica, 5/17/12. In a few years those fantabulous routers will be on the used market for $100 or so. Smart people don't waste their money on new kit. They use what they already have... or, what they can buy on eBay for almost nothing.

Leopard users get Flashback removal, Flash disabler tools, too Jacqui Cheng, Ars Technica, 5/14/12. They don't work on PowerPC Macs, but neither does Flashback, thankfully. For PPC users it will continue to be "security through obscurity"... or, GNU/Linux.

Open source suites go beyond Microsoft Office Simon Phipps, InforWorld, 5/11/12. Not only does Microsoft Office for the Mac no longer support PowerPC (as LibreOffice does) but it is falling behind in features compared to the open-source alternatives.

Why Does Everybody Copy Apple? Kate MacKenzie, PixoBebo, 5/10/12. So true, especially when it comes to personal computers and devices. Not so much in the world of IT, though. When it comes to servers, it's Linux running on whatever box is the cheapest. Even Apple uses some variation on this theme in their server farms.

Half of all Macs will lack access to security updates by summer Gregg Keizer, Computer World, 5/7/12. Apple could make a lot of people happy by extending support to Snow Leopard users. But, they do want to sell you a new computer or device, too. Whoo hoo!

Raspberry Pi Review & Initial How-To Setup Guide Lee Kaelin, Tech Spot, 5/4/12. OK, this is not about old Macs. But, a $35 computer that runs free Debian GNU/Linux is certainly interesting... almost as much as the $25 Power Mac G4 Quicksilver that I got a while back at an educational surplus warehouse that does the same thing.