News Archive for 01/03/16

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Nisus Email 1.5: adds better search options

03/16, 8:20pm

Nisus Email 1.5: adds better search options

Nisus Email 1.5, a free update to Nisus's Finder-like email client, brings fast email and text searching options, resizable windows, auto-expansion of addressees, better support for attachments, filtering options for both incoming and outgoing mail and performance improvements. A 30-day demo is available online.

REALbasic 3.1b2: cross-platform development

03/16, 8:20pm

REALbasic 3.1b2: cross-platform development

REALbasic 3.1b2 is the latest development version of REAL Software's cross-platform development tool for Mac OS Classic, Mac OS X, and Windows. Version 3.1b2 uses REALbasic 3 registration and will run in "limited" demo mode for other users.

MySQL Monitor 1.6.3: better OS X support

03/16, 8:18pm

MySQL Monitor 1.6.3: better OS X support

MacSQL Monitor 1.6.3 is an update to the application for managing SQL databases from the MacOS, including MySQL, ODBC, PostgreSQL, Oracle, and JDBC database servers. Version 1.6.3 brings several bug fixes and better support under Mac OS X. [full--2.1MB; update--865KB]

Apple covers Majesty, SiN Gold

03/16, 6:20pm

Apple covers Majesty, SiN Gold

Apple has published an article covering MacPlay's two debut releases, Majesty: The Fantasy Kingdom Sim and SiN Gold. The article includes details on the titles as well as comments from MacPlay President Diane Zammit, Cyberlore President Joe Minton and Ritual Entertainment co-founder Mark Dochtermann.

Unreal Fortress Build 489 Released

03/16, 5:45pm

Unreal Fortress Build 489 Released

Unreal Fortress Build 489 is the latest version of the popular team-based mod for Unreal Tournament. The new version adds two new maps, a prematch system for setting up map rotations, voting and other preferences, and various other improvements and tweaks to bots, weapons, equipment and the user interface.

By Design releases Austerlitz 1805

03/16, 5:25pm

By Design releases Austerlitz 1805

By Design, Inc. has released a new Napoleonic wargame for the Mac, Austerlitz 1805. The new game, which is based on the Waterloo Campaign engine, covers the battle between Napolean and the Austrian/Russian alliance. Austerlitz 1805 features...

Improvements made to head-controlled mouse

03/16, 5:15pm

Improvements made to head-controlled mouse

Gyration and Boost Technology have announced a newly-formed partnership to bring more advanced and empowering input devices to disabled computer users. As part of the partnership, Boost Technology's head-controlled mouse called the Tracer will incorporate Gyration's patented GyroPoint technology, "a unique method by which an inertial motion sensor detects natural movement to control a cursor on a remote display." The Tracer will also incorporate Gyration's radio frequency technology to avoid the line of sight difficulties with products that use infrared for communication. The Tracer is compatible with both Macs and PCs.

CNet: Will Wright Interview

03/16, 5:05pm

CNet: Will Wright Interview

C|NET has published an interview with Maxis' Will Wright, creator of The Sims. Wright talks about a number of different issues including the appeal of the game to both men and women, the effect that the bestselling game has had on the industry and the upcoming online version of The Sims. "[The Sims Online] is going to be totally different," says Wright. "It's an entirely different game, because all of a sudden the things that you want to be doing are different. People will have much broader bandwidth to interact with the characters now that they know they're real."

Games: Links LS 2000 1.0.4, Rogue Spear maps

03/16, 4:40pm

Games: Links LS 2000 1.0.4, Rogue Spear maps

games.macnn.com has information on a 1.0.4 patch for Links LS 2000, more from Bungie on Halo's switch to first-person, new maps for the Mac version of Rogue Spear and more.

GameRanger adds Gridz

03/16, 2:50pm

GameRanger adds Gridz

Scott Kevill today announced the addition of Gridz to his multiplayer online gaming service, GameRanger. Green Dragon Creations' Gridz joins 64 other games currently supported by the service for Mac users. Simultaneously with this announcement, Green Dragon Creations has released Gridz 1.4.1 which primarily adds GameRanger support. [updated]

Medical Billing Circle 6.6 has new functions

03/16, 2:45pm

Medical Billing Circle 6.6 has new functions

The cross-platform billing software for medical professionals, Medical Billing Circle 6.6, includes new scheduling functions, cross platform graphics, cross indexing of diagnoses and services, policies, places of service, e-mail options, customization of ouput designs, statements, data caching, imports/exports routines and duplication functions.

Server Sentinal 2.03: better POP,IMAP support

03/16, 2:20pm

Server Sentinal 2.03: better POP,IMAP support

Intelli Innovations' Server Sentinel 2.0.3, an update to its server management and downtime notification software; it now offers nhanced POP3 and IMAP server checking and other minor enhancements.

Default Folder 3.1 edits "Get Info" comment

03/16, 2:20pm

Default Folder 3.1 edits "Get Info" comment

St. Clair Software's Default Folder 3.1 adds convenient editing of "Get Info" comments from within files dialogs using Default Folder's Get Info command, improved arrow-command-key shortcuts in the Nav Services Save dialogs, and the ability to turn of recent files for better performance in creating/accessing recent items menu.

Links LS 2000 1.0.4 fixes bug

03/16, 1:55pm

Links LS 2000 1.0.4 fixes bug

MacSoft and Green Dragon Creations have released version 1.0.4 of Links LS 2000, the golf simulation for the Mac. The new version fixes a bug that caused saved games to be written incorrectly and therefore made some MOPs unable to resume.

DR: Unreal II Interview

03/16, 1:40pm

DR: Unreal II Interview

Daily Radar has published an interview with Legend Entertainment's Mike Verdu, studio head at the company developing the highly anticipated Unreal II. While the game will take place in the same fictional universe as the original Unreal, Unreal II will feature a new main character, new game locations and all-new action and gameplay.

Arena released for Deus Ex MP

03/16, 1:15pm

Arena released for Deus Ex MP

Mac Deus Ex has released a new map—Arena—for the Mac version of the Deus Ex Multiplayer Patch. The map features multiple gladiator-type arenas connected together as well as fires/flames and heavy weapons.

Roundup: Apple, Sears; Connectix, Sony...

03/16, 1:10pm

Roundup: Apple, Sears; Connectix, Sony...

Yesterday we noted Apple and Sears will be terminating their reseller agreement as well as an end to Connectix and Sony's legal disputes over Virtual GameStation. Other updates included Wolfram Research's CalculationCenter, wireless networks with speeds up to 50MB/sec, and Adobe's quarterly results as well as PhotoPage 1.3, Vicomsoft application updates, and VueScan 7.01.

D2Network: Roper Interview

03/16, 1:05pm

D2Network: Roper Interview

German fan site Diablo II Network has published an interview with Blizzard Entertainment's Bill Roper on the company's upcoming expansion set, Diablo II: Lord of Destruction. As Roper notes, the company will be changing the mana cost and power for some of the skills including spells cast by the sorceress. "The sorceress needed five or six meteors to kill a monster," notes Roper, "but now two of them will be enough." (Our interview last Friday with Blizzard Entertainment's Brian 'Doc' Love provides information on the Mac version of the game and additional gameplay details.)

GS: Two new Red Faction movies

03/16, 1:00pm

GS: Two new Red Faction movies

GameSpot has released two more movies featuring in-game footage of Volition's Red Faction, the first-person shooter that will be released first on the Playstation 2 followed by releases on the Mac and PC.

HBO: Soell Interview

03/16, 12:55pm

HBO: Soell Interview

halo.bungie.org has published an interview with Bungie Community Guy Matt Soell to discuss the recent movies and screenshots from Halo released at Gamestock 2001. Soell touches on the new first-person perspective, and the possibility that users may be able to toggle between first and third-person. "We'll probably force perspective during cutscenes," says Soell, "but outside of that I really don't know if the game will allow you to toggle between first and third whenever you like."

Blizzard seeks texture artist

03/16, 12:40pm

Blizzard seeks texture artist

Among other positions that the company is looking to fill, Irvine, California-based Blizzard Entertainment is seeking an experienced 3D Environmental/Structural Texture Artist. "The position would entail creating textures that can be tiled for 3D objects ranging from rocks and trees to the interior of structures such as great space vessels and mystical castles." The company's currently known projects include Diablo II: Lord of Destruction and WarCraft III: Reign of Chaos.

DAMN releases new RS maps

03/16, 12:30pm

DAMN releases new RS maps

*DAMN Gamer has released seven maps and one server side map pack for the Mac version of Rogue Spear. Among the maps is PD Complex, a port of the Goldeneye 007 map Perfect Dark Complex.

Compact keyboard offers USB, Mac support

03/16, 12:15pm

Compact keyboard offers USB, Mac support

PFU America today introduced its Happy Hacking Keyboard Lite 2," which it says is about half the size of a letter-size paper. The $70 compact keyboard is based on SUN Type5 UNIX keyboard and has only 65 keys--all of which "are within reach without moving the wrists." Due in March, it offers a USB interface as well as two built-in USB ports and "true arrow keys".

MonkeyMog at GDC

03/16, 11:50am

MonkeyMog at GDC

Monkeybyte.com has announced that its MonkeyMog, a 1965 Mercedes-Benz Unimog military radio vehicle, will appear at the Game Developers Conference in San Jose this month. "Its 10x6 foot "radio box" has been refurbished with blue velvet padded walls and black shag carpet, which presents a contrast to its camouflage exterior." The office on wheels will provide a meeting place for press and clients.

OS X to ship in India in July

03/16, 11:50am

OS X to ship in India in July

Apple will introduce Mac OS X in India in July, 2001: "Mac Os X, which is currently under beta testing by several companies, will be shipped to Asian markets like Singapore and Hong Kong from March 24. The suggested retail price for Singapore is Singapore $221 while the Hong Kong price would be HK $100. The Indian price has, however, not been decided as the launch is four months away, sources said. "

LogoTypeMaker 2.0: selecting logo typefaces

03/16, 11:50am

LogoTypeMaker 2.0: selecting logo typefaces

Blue Line Studios has released LogotypeMaker 2.0 Pro for assisting "graphics professionals choosing an appropriate typeface in the early stages of creating a logotype. Version 2.0 brings bolean sorting of fonts, typesetting of user-selected fonts, application preference settings, an Undo/Redo command and drag & drop support for native documents. It is a $10 upgrade for registered users of the $25 application.

Console: All-Star Baseball 2002 PS2

03/16, 11:30am

Console: All-Star Baseball 2002 PS2

Morning console news: Acclaim Sports' All-Star Baseball 2002 ships today for the Playstation 2; Nintendo has announced that it has increased the amount of Game Boy Advance handhelds it will ship at launch from 1 million to 1.1 million in the face of strong demand (2.7 million had already pre-ordered in January); and Isao Okawa, the chairman of Sega who offered to spend $730 million of his own money to help the bleeding company after announcing that it would discontinue production of its Dreamcast console, died of heart failure on Friday at the age of 74.

Europe to get OS X on March 26th

03/16, 9:10am

Europe to get OS X on March 26th

After noting that overnight Mac OS X orders in the US had been upgraded to Saturday delivery, European readers report receiving confirmation that their orders would be delivered on Monday, 26th (rather than on Saturday, March 24, the official release date of the OS).

Tech: Adobe stock up, Compaq warns...

03/16, 8:55am

Tech: Adobe stock up, Compaq warns...

Morning tech news: Adobe was up 7% in preopen Island trading after posting better-than-expected first-quarter earnings of 33 cents a share. Compaq warned it would fail to meet earnings expectations for the third quarter by at least 22 percent and would lay off approximately 7 percent of its workforce.

OneApp Clean Text 1.2.2: text cleaning util

03/16, 8:40am

OneApp Clean Text 1.2.2: text cleaning util

OneApp Clean Text 1.2.2 brings a few user interface improvements to the $15 shareware that eliminates all text formatting, removes empty lines, multiple spaces, tab characters, fixes paragraphs and performs other text manipulation functions. It is available in English, Spanish, and Italian.

Optigold ISP 2.6.9: new invoicing, signup

03/16, 8:30am

Optigold ISP 2.6.9: new invoicing, signup

Optigold ISP 2.6.9 an update to the cross-platform business software package that runs all aspects of an internet service provider adds several new feature requests, new invoicing functions, new billing functions, new online signup functions, etc.

Onflow authoring app to soon support Macs

03/16, 8:30am

Onflow authoring app to soon support Macs

Onflow, a developer of technology for creating high-impact graphics, says it will soon support a Mac authoring system that allows companies to deliver TV-quality banners and full-screen advertising in files with sizes between 5 and 50k. Onflow's other services detailed, near real-time reporting with user behavior reports. A Mac version of its browser plug-in is available at its site.

URL Manager for OS X

03/16, 8:20am

URL Manager for OS X

Alco Blom's URL Manager Pro on X, his popular professional bookmark manager for Mac OS. The preview, which has yet to implement Shared Menus and printing, will expire on April 24, 2001.

PrinterSwitch 1.6 has OS 9.1 compatibility

03/16, 3:29am

PrinterSwitch 1.6 has OS 9.1 compatibility

Brookline Software's updated shareware application for choosing printers without using the traditional Mac OS Chooser, Printer Switch 1.6, includes a "completely rewritten" Control Strip Module and a new application, which it says provides better compatiblity when used with Microsoft apps such as Microsoft Word and also brings a one-button installer application as well as Mac OS 9.1 compatibility.

oAzium Events 3.0: script scheduling in FMPro

03/16, 3:15am

oAzium Events 3.0: script scheduling in FMPro

oAzium Events 3.0, based on Waves in Motion's Script Scheduler, is a "reworked" version of the company's $90 FileMaker Pro database plug-in for script scheduling and control, allowing developers to manage multiple schedules via a point-and-click interface, trigger FileMaker Pro scripts on schedules or at user-specified actions, and schedule the opening and closing of databases. A demo is available online.

iPOBox 2.1 provides email notifications

03/16, 3:10am

iPOBox 2.1 provides email notifications

iPObox 2.1 can quickly check email accounts without running your email application to provide visual and audio notification of emails. The $10 shareware supports multiple POP email accounts, Internet Config, encrypted passwords, and "skins."

Mac OS X available to Student ADC Members

03/16, 3:05am

Mac OS X available to Student ADC Members

Apple is seeding a release candidate of Mac OS X to student ADC members, after sending copies last week to its Select and Premier Developers: "a special edition of the monthly ADC Seed mailing is on its way to ADC Student members. This mailing contains Mac OS X Release Candidate Installation and Developer Tools CDs," noting that those with Public Beta Developer Tools need to take special steps when installing the release candidate...

QuickTime 5.01b15 continues development

03/16, 2:50am

QuickTime 5.01b15 continues development

Developers report that Apple's QuickTime team has seeded yet another version of QuickTime 5, which has a minor bug for those upgrading to the latest Windows version: "The software has been updated to Version 5.0.1 Beta 15. This new version is a Developer Seed. I'm not sure if it is available to all using the Update Software function, or only to those on the Kicktam seed. Give it a try!" QT 5 is set to be released with Mac OS X on March 24th.

SMTP services with Mac.com email

03/16, 2:50am

SMTP services with Mac.com email

Josh Rafofsky writes about new SMTP services with Apple's iTools services, noting that it now provides authenticated SMTP services for all registered users.

MacNN UBB forums restored

03/16, 1:20am

MacNN UBB forums restored

Due to some unexpected performance issues with user load and technical issues with our forums upgrade, we have restored our UBB-based forums until we can find a better solution. Your patience over the past few days is much appreciated. We hope to have a better solution and a much smoother upgrade path late next week. We expect that the server will be overwhelmed over the next week or so, and appreciate your patience as we work toward a better solution. Thanks again for your patronage and your support. Feel free to mail us at webmaster@macnn.com with comments and suggestions for upgrades, technologies, platforms, or advice.