News Archive for 01/02/13

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ExchangePoint 1.1: interactive community app

02/13, 8:10pm

ExchangePoint 1.1: interactive community app

Channel 8 Software's ExchangePoint 1.1 is an update to its client/server suite that allows two or more users to chat, share files, post news, send and receive private messages, and draw together on a networked digital whiteboard. Version 1.1 now supports hierarchy in shared files, searching shared files on a server, and marquee selection in the whiteboard as well as support for text profiles and invisible/permanent channels. The $35 software is available for $280 for company-wide site licenses.

Dragons in Neverwinter Nights

02/13, 7:25pm

Dragons in Neverwinter Nights

Neverwinter Vault spotted a post from Bioware's Trent Oster, Producer on Neverwinter Nights, with a clarification on the appearance of dragons in the 3D role-playing game and whether module creators will be able to scale models. "...model scaling is not possible in NWN," says Oster. "There will be a few models to choose from and they will be of a fixed size. You are free to modify the stats they have so, you can create an ancient red dragon, but it will use the same model as a young red dragon."

Font menu util updated: ACTION WYSIWIG 1.03

02/13, 7:15pm

Font menu util updated: ACTION WYSIWIG 1.03

Power On Software has posted ACTION WYSIWIG 1.03, which brings better compatibility with Adobe Illustrator to its $40 ($30 for electronic version) system font utilty that enables users to customize the display of the font menu, adding options for customizable font groups, WYSIWIG display, and multi-column font displays.

Quake III: Team Arena FAQ updated

02/13, 5:40pm

Quake III: Team Arena FAQ updated

id Software has updated the official FAQ for Quake III: Team Arena with a question and answer addressing the problem of servers not appearing in the game's server browser.

Westlake drops support for 3dfx

02/13, 5:30pm

Westlake drops support for 3dfx

Westlake Interactive President Mark Adams recently told games.macnn.com that the company is likely not going to officially support owners of 3dfx Interactive graphics cards in their upcoming games including Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 2. "We really liked 3Dfx's cards, but its going to be hard to make the business case to support them now," says Adams. "We don't know what the installed base of Mac 3Dfx cards is, and with no new drivers coming out, we could easily get stuck with a driver bug that keeps a game from working." Other current projects at the company include Escape from Monkey Island and Tomb Raider: Chronicles.

Echo Fire 1.1.4 improves realtime playback

02/13, 5:16pm

Echo Fire 1.1.4 improves realtime playback

Synthetic Aperture has released Echo Fire 1.1.4, a free update for registered users of its video previewing application for use with Adobe After Effects and Photoshop. It brings improved realtime playback when used with Media 100, support for the latest Aurora Fuse drivers, and elimination of a rare crash in the Video Color Picker. A 72-hour demo is available online. [form]

Reason for Mac realMyst deal

02/13, 5:15pm

Reason for Mac realMyst deal

The cause for the delay of realMyst for the Mac is optimization of the game that will help it better perform on G3s, according to IMG. Cyan CTO Brice Tebbs declined to comment on when the real-time 3D version of Myst would ship for the Mac or its current status.

Blizzard's Pardo on Burning Legion removal

02/13, 5:05pm

Blizzard's Pardo on Burning Legion removal

War3.com has posted comments from Blizzard Entertainment's Rob Pardo on recent changes made to the Undead race and the removal of the Burning Legion as a playable race in WarCraft III: Reign of Chaos. "It really boiled down to we felt that we could make a better game with them as a powerful NPC race then if they were a playable multi-player race," says Pardo. "The loss of any part of the design pains me, but sometimes you have to leave features on the cutting room floor."

Toth 1.06: Carbon newsreader gets updated

02/13, 4:55pm

Toth 1.06: Carbon newsreader gets updated

Brian Clark's $25 shareware (Carbonized) newsreader, Thoth 1.06, improves sleep compatibility, adds support for multiple preference files (with OS 9 or OS X), can play WAVE sound files, and has other improvements.

$30 OS X public beta rebate for UK?

02/13, 4:50pm

$30 OS X public beta rebate for UK?

Chris Ridley notes that some UK readers have been able to receive the $30 Mac OS X public beta rebate: "[He] recons that if you call the Apple Store UK and quote your OS X PB order number they'll give you the OS X rebate, this is the first I have heard of a UK Mac user getting the rebate, I'm gonna call them tommorow to order my copy!"

AmEx free ISP for Windows only (for now)

02/13, 4:50pm

AmEx free ISP for Windows only (for now)

American Express is looking for feedback on free ISP for its card holders: "'American Express Online' has not been officially announced, and is currently available only to PC users in the U.S. The service could be made available in Canada and for Apple Computer Inc.'s Macintosh depending on customer response, according to the company's Web site."

MacNN Review: EasiExpansion T35

02/13, 4:00pm

MacNN Review: EasiExpansion T35

We have published a review of the EasiExpansion T35, an expansion chasis for Power Mac G3 (Blue & White) and G4 systems from Mobility Electronics.

Q3F Beta 1H this Friday

02/13, 3:30pm

Q3F Beta 1H this Friday

The official web site for Q3F, a popular teamplay-based mod for Quake III: Arena, has been updated with word that Beta 1H will be released this Friday, February 16. The new version will be completely compatible with the Mac, PC and Linux versions of Quake III: Arena. 1.27. New features includes three new maps, new audio for certain weapons, atmospheric snow, footprints and several anti-cheat server settings.

Games: Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 2 Preview

02/13, 3:00pm

Games: Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 2 Preview

games.macnn.com has published a preview of skateboarding game Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 2 as well as word from Westlake Interactive on support for Voodoo-branded graphics cards in its upcoming games. [updated]

Preview: Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 2

02/13, 3:00pm

Preview: Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 2

We have published a preview of Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 2, the skateboarding game coming to the Mac this spring. The preview includes comments from Mark Adams, president of Mac game porting company Westlake Interactive.

Q3:A Art of War Released

02/13, 2:55pm

Q3:A Art of War Released

Art of War is a new teamplay mod for Quake III: Arena which challenges teams to create buildings to gain access to new, more powerful classes. The game is won when a team destroys the enemy's buildings. The first public test release is now available.

THPS2 Poll Results; Gaming Hours Poll

02/13, 2:15pm

THPS2 Poll Results; Gaming Hours Poll

After tallying the results of our poll last week, we learned that nearly half of the respondents, 48.51%, are not planning to buy Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 2 for the Mac. However, 37.23% are ready to buy it and 14.26% are undecided. This week's poll asks, "How many hours per week do you spend playing games?" Please take the time to vote in the left sidebar of any page.

Roundup: Shareware Gaming 4

02/13, 2:00pm

Roundup: Shareware Gaming 4

Yesterday PopTop Software and Gathering of Developers released information on the structure types available in Tropico, Quicksilver Software's Corey Nelson published the Master of Orion III Developer Diary #5 and Presto Studios updated the official web site for Myst III: Exile with a first look at the game's five ages. We posted the Slacker's Guide to Shareware Gaming Pt. 4 which covers four games that are easy to learn, fun, addictive and available for download.

MHS 1.03: Hotline client clone

02/13, 12:50pm

MHS 1.03: Hotline client clone

Master Hotline Socket 1.03 is a new Hotline client clone that offers picture previews, AppleScript support, TIDE protocol support, file queuing, 1.5+ news support, and other features.

IPNetSentry 1.0c5: intelligent security app

02/13, 12:40pm

IPNetSentry 1.0c5: intelligent security app

IPNetSentry 1.0c5 from Sustainable Softworks is a faceless background application which silently monitors suspicious activity on your Internet connection. It now allows for notifications to be set on per trigger basis.

Streaming multiple formats from single source

02/13, 12:30pm

Streaming multiple formats from single source

The Generic Media Publishing Service, founded by former Senior QuickTime Architect Peter Hoddie, provides the ability to publish digital content once, and immediately deliver it across multiple formats, devices and platforms, on demand of the user: "enables content publishers to reach the established base of media players employed by Internet users, as well as to immediately stream to new devices and formats - all from one streaming master source file, on-the-fly and on-demand."

Passenger 1.2 adds 'Group,' ASIP 6.2 suppor

02/13, 12:30pm

Passenger 1.2 adds 'Group,' ASIP 6.2 suppor

Passenger 1.2 is an update to the server account creation and password generation tool that takes comma or tab-delimited text, ASIP XML, or the names of folders in folders and imports names and other information to prepare for import into a server. Version 1.2 adds export for AppleShare IP 5.0 - 6.2, and Group-level folder creation and import as well as other bug fixes.

Journeyman III DVD Mac Patch

02/13, 12:30pm

Journeyman III DVD Mac Patch

The Riven Unofficial Home Page reports that Presto Studios has released a Mac patch for the Journey Project III: Legacy of Time DVD, which was previously only available for the PC. The DVD boasts over half an hour of cinematic movies with the video playback resolution of the original CD-ROM, specifically remastered VR graphics featuring sharper detail and brighter colors, game play animations with twice the original detail and a broadcast quality version of the Legacy of Time video trailer. To use the patch, unstuff the application to a new folder, then find the "J3DATA" folder on the DVD (in the "INSTALL" folder) and copy it to the same folder with the application.

SW: New Summoner Screenshots

02/13, 12:25pm

SW: New Summoner Screenshots

Summoner Watch has posted a dozen new screenshots from Volition's upcoming 3D role-playing game for the Mac and PC, Summoner. The screenshots feature views of the Tower of Eleh (Upper Level), Wolong at night and Iona.

Stomped: M-rated marketing

02/13, 12:20pm

Stomped: M-rated marketing

Stomped has posted an article in response to the recent document published as Gamecenter's last story which hints at restrictions being made by the International Digital Software Association (IDSA) on how M-rated games can be marketed. In particular, M-rated games could not be marketed in magazines or web sites where 45% or more of the readership was under 17 and on television shows where 35% or more of the viewers are under the age of 17.

Forums: RAM vendors, Cube vs. Tower, more

02/13, 10:40am

Forums: RAM vendors, Cube vs. Tower, more

Interesting threads in our forums include a discussion on RAM vendors, G4/450 Cube vs. G4/400 Tower, PowerBook G4 ship dates in Europe, Macworld Tokyo Predictions, converting AppleWorks 6 files to Word.

Roundup: Apple Form 10-Q, PB G4 delays

02/13, 9:55am

Roundup: Apple Form 10-Q, PB G4 delays

We yesterday posted a note about Apple's SEC Form 10-Q with annotated highlights as well as noted more PowerBook G4 delays, new Demo Days from Apple, DVD-ROM drives as BTO option at the Apple Store, open-source advocate Fred Sanchez's departure from Apple, and Adobe's Photoshop Elements prosumer application. Other updates included MacTella 1.01, Meshwork 1.7, APS PowerTools 6.4, REALbasic 3, and shipment of Digidesign's Pro Tools 5.1.

Maxtor ships new 5400 rpm ATA drive family

02/13, 9:55am

Maxtor ships new 5400 rpm ATA drive family

Maxtor yesterday began shipping its 531DX line of hard drives, which features 70 percent fewer parts than its other drives as well as a device that locks the writing head in place when not in use to reduce the risk of damage. The 5400 RPM drive is also just 17 mm tall and is available in 10 and 15 GB capacities.

Apple sponsors seminar in India

02/13, 9:45am

Apple sponsors seminar in India

Apple was a sponsor of a day-long seminar in India, which "emphasized clearing misconceptions in popular perception about computer education....the seminar stressed on participating educationists and IT professionals, the need for portraying computers as a tool for learning rather than a mere added qualification to their bio-profiles."

AsyncKeys! 1.1: display keyboard reference

02/13, 9:35am

AsyncKeys! 1.1: display keyboard reference

AsyncKeys! 1.1 is a freeware utility that displays the exact keyboard reference number and its ASCII equivalent for any keystroke or key combination.

Sonnet working on OS X drivers

02/13, 9:35am

Sonnet working on OS X drivers

Sonnet is currently working on OS X compatibility for its line of upgrade cards and hopes to have (preliminary) drivers for its cards by the time OS X ships, according to MacUser UK, who notes the the company is working on new multi-processor upgrades, has cut the price of its cards by up to 25%, and has decided to discontinue development, including OS X drivers, for older Macs with NuBus expansion slots.

AutoCat 2.9.1 disk utility updated

02/13, 9:15am

AutoCat 2.9.1 disk utility updated

Olivie Lebra has released a new version of his $15 shareware disk catalog utility, AutoCat 2.91, for Mac OS X. Version 2.9.1 for classic Mac OS fixes some minor bugs. (An AutoCaxX beta is also available for Mac OS X.)

Dr. Bott shipping updated 2001 iBookBags

02/13, 9:15am

Dr. Bott shipping updated 2001 iBookBags

Dr. Bott is now shipping updated 2001 iBookBags, adding a dual-zippered main compartment, larger interior and accessory pockets, thick foam padding protection, and a 100% DuPont Cordura exterior to the popular $60 carry cases. It is available in Graphite, Lime, and Indigo.

MGI 2.0fc: WebSTAR plug-in with new functions

02/13, 9:10am

MGI 2.0fc: WebSTAR plug-in with new functions

PagePlanet has posted MGI 2.0fc, a near-final version of its 4D WebSTAR plug-in that adds a host of functions, including ODBC hooks to connect your web pages to such third-party databases as FileMakerPro, dBase, FoxPro, Oracle 6 and 7 (with Oracle 8 and SQL 7 coming tentatively in March) as well as connectivity to flat-text files. Version 2.0 brings improved memory management, thread handling, dramatic speed increases, and a number of new admin interfaces.

ColorThink 1.1: ICC color profile utility

02/13, 9:05am

ColorThink 1.1: ICC color profile utility

CHROMiX today announced the release of ColorThink 1.1, a free update to its $130 toolset of 9 modules used to manage, evaluate, fix and graph ICC color profiles. Version 1.1 adds a new demo mode, better memory management, faster handling of Color Lists, and easier 3D graphing of profiles.

Surftron watches Websites for keywords

02/13, 12:35am

Surftron watches Websites for keywords

Surftron 1.1 adds a new 'Keyword Watch' feature, which allows Surftron users to watch their favorite websites for specific text to the $40 Internet utility for 'One-Touch Surfing', Smart Marks ("intelligent" bookmarks), and convenient book mark sharing with others on the Web.

Download Deputy 4.2 gets Napster support

02/13, 12:30am

Download Deputy 4.2 gets Napster support

Download Deputy 4.2 from ilesa Software is a $30 utility that manages Internet downloads, offering automatic retries, download scheduling, and other organization features. Version 4.2 offers Napster support through OpenNap (and the free Napster MiniBrowser 1.0d1), the ability to drag partial downloads from the Finder, and contextual menu and AppleScript support. It is available for $24 for a limited time.

Polaroid medium-format digital film scanner

02/13, 12:30am

Polaroid medium-format digital film scanner

Polaroid yesterday unveiled the SprintScan 120 medium-format digital film scanner, which offers a true optical resolution of 4000 dpi and both SCSI and FireWire connections.