SMH.com.au reminds Internet users of an important birthday they forgot: the 20th birthday of the Internet (or at least the TCP/IP Internet). On January 1, 1983, the net switched to the TCP/IP protocol. (Hey, younger readers: anybody out there share that birthday?) Prior the switch, computers connected via the previous NCP (network control protocol) to what was then the ARPANET was below 1,000, says SMH. You can thank TCP/IP’s credited designers, the legendary Vinton Cerf and Robert Kahn. Sounds like the perfect geek New Years’ Eve: no sleep, in machine rooms trying to manage the switch! Now, to check eBay for a “I Survived the TCP/IP Transition” t-shirt.

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This week, Inside Mac on CNET Radio will host Adam C. Engst of TidBITS, Ilene Hoffman of The Hess Memorial Macworld Party List, Ron Margolis of The DV Guys, Chuck Joiner and Lorene Romero of the Apple User Group Advisory Board. You can call in at 1-888-599-CNET (2638). The show airs from 11:00am PST to 1:00pm PST on Saturday. Enjoy the show and I will have the MP3 file up sometime Saturday afternoonso in case you miss it you can listen to it in iTunes or on your iPod.

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We’ve covered insurance and Safeware before, but it’s probably worth repeating. The ultimate conclusion, incidentally, was that you’re probably much better off with personal property insurance from a provider like State Farm. These plans cover all property you travel with, PDAs, cameras, iPods, and laptops (provided you’ve saved your purchase receipts), for only a little more than Safeware. Safeware’s restriction on even warranty repairs seems particularly frustrating. That said, many Powerpagers have been happy with Safeware. Click ‘read more’ for the full story.

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