Why all the digging by Apple faithful at Jobs' health?
Andy Ihnatko: As an ecumenical tech columnist who nonetheless has deep tendrils into the Apple soil, it dismays me that Steve Jobs' appearance — both in the "how's he look today?" sense and the "why the bloody hell isn't he showing up for the keynote at Macworld Expo" one — has been the subject of so much rumor and speculation. I mean, Mac users: help me out, here. I always give you guys the benefit of the doubt.

Steve Jobs wasn't the only one who skipped Macworld
Andy Ihnatko: Some might call it prophetic that this was Andy's first Macworld keynote missed since 2000, as Apple is also calling it quits on the annual fan- and media-fest. Traditionally a launching pad for the company's coolest new toys presented by Steve Jobs, this year was more a solemn affair than pep rally.

Move over Oprah, here's Andy's Favorite Things in technology
Andy Ihnatko: With apologies to Oprah, it's time for the sorta annual “Favorite Thing” column covering the gadgetry of 2008. From the ubiquitous iPhone to a hard drive that isn't, to the perfect piece of Ma-only word processing software to the perfect PC-only browser. Check out the best of the best.

Technology gifts for the holiday shopping procrastinator
Andy Ihnatko: Scrambling for last-second gifts is always a hassle, but here's a few suggestions to make the quest as painless as possible. You can use the Web for the the truly desperate search or share some cherished family memories if you have an extra few minutes to go the extra mile.

Apple and Steve Jobs had good reason to dump Macworld
Andy Ihnatko: I wish that I and the rest of the people who do the MacBreak Weekly podcast were this powerful. But its nonetheless true that Apple has an uncanny habit of waiting until just after we've finished recording the week's show before they make a serious move. Sure enough, not 90 minutes after the four of us terminated the Skype chat, Apple announced that they had bad news, good news, and worse news.

Want good Web? Better get wired
Andy Ihnatko: My friends, I declare here and now that the usefulness of WiFi for home networking has run its course. It's time for us all to switch back to copper. Yes: wires. Thick CAT6 Ethernet cables snaking proudly and confidently throughout the house. C'mon. They're available in like six different colors and will match any decor. So long as the decorator's aesthetic was "I live alone and can do whatever I want."

Is Google's tarnished Chrome ready for primetime?
Andy Ihnatko: On April 1, 2004, Google opened the doors to Google Mail. 1,716 days later, it’s still officially in beta, meaning that Google doesn’t consider it to be quite ready for release. This, despite the fact that its worldwide user base has been estimated in the high tens of millions and the free mail service has become as important to modern communication as the personal pronoun.

Dump WiFi and go back to cable
Andy Ihnatko: My friends, I declare here and now that the usefulness of WiFi for home networking has run its course. It’s time for us all to switch back to copper. Yes: wires. Thick CAT6 Ethernet cables snaking proudly and confidently throughout the house.