What a great week for Apple computer.

(Weekend Edition internet specialist Rich Dean)

Apple founder Steve Jobs stunned everyone at the Macworld convention here in Boston by announcing some joint ventures with long time archenemy Microsoft. Bill Gates also promised to buy 150 million dollars of non-voting stock. The initial "boos" from some in the audience were soon replaced by a wonderful sense of calm from the Mac faithful. With very little effort, and without threatening Apple's independence, Microsoft gave Wall Street a reason to believe in the Mac again. Apple's stock was sent soaring back closer to where it really belongs. I, for one, couldn't be happier. :40

Jobs also announced what many in the Mac community have wanted for some time: a new board of directors. Now industry big-wigs and visionaries like Larry Ellison of Oracle will guide Apple. What a revolutionary thought -- a computer company run by people who understand the industry and who love the Mac. 1:00

Almost to a person, the folks I spoke with at the Macworld show were psyched about the news. Sure, the deal with Microsoft is weird and maybe even hard to stomach for those worried about BG taking over the world, but many said they admired Steve Jobs for doing what it takes to save Apple. That includes doing a better job of selling--and supporting -- the Mac. 1:15

Jobs' announcements came at a show where vendors from around the world unveiled their new lines of Macintosh clones -- computers that are much much faster than any PC on the market. Don't believe me? It's a simple fact: these new machines scream. Just ask the Intel-focused PC World magazine. 1:30

The sole shadow over all of this excitement is the possibility that Apple may stop allowing clones. A handful of misguided folks -- including Steve Jobs -- think the clone market is taking away sales from Apple. But the Mac addicts here in Boston and the pundits on Wall Street want Apple to open the market wider not shut it down. I really hope the new Apple board will encourage clones. 1:50

And if you'll permit me to shower one more bit of praise on Apple -- their new operating system software called MacOS 8 is not only selling like crazy, it is a great piece of work, and makes using a Mac even easier than ever. Its fast, doesn't crash, and just looks cool. 2:10

To be sure, there are those who see evil at work in this week's announcements--that Microsoft is just trying to save Apple to avoid trouble with the Justice Department (which might be true) or that Gates wants to subvert the Mac from within (which is very unlikely). That's OK, there will always be those who distrust -- but to those of you who predicted the demise of Apple, I say the same thing I've said since 1985 -- See ya next year.

2:30