News Archive for 02/01/11

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c|net: MS security push lacks oomph

01/11, 8:00pm

c|net: MS security push lacks oomph

Microsoft's security initiatives and the release of the company's "most secure operating system yet" still leave a lot to be desired when it comes to security, according to a c|net. The company has failed to squash several serious security bugs that "put customers in harm's way." Two major security hole discoveries have left security experts questioning Microsoft's ability to fortify it's products against hackers. Microsoft itself characterized a recent flaw as "critical."

Olympus working on SmartMedia driver bugs

01/11, 7:45pm

Olympus working on SmartMedia driver bugs

According to Larry Bickford, he contacted Olympus regarding the new USB SmartMedia Reader drivers for Mac OS X and a representative stared they are working on compatibility issues with OS X version newer than 10.0 but prior to 10.1.2. Olympus is aware of the problem and "they're working on it." Earlier today we noted the availability of the new drivers.

iBook helps, but sales only satisfactory

01/11, 7:20pm

iBook helps, but sales only satisfactory

Bloomberg.com reports that Apple's European sales are "Good, But No More," according to the computer maker. Slightly better sales over the previous holiday season are said to be thanks to strong sales of iBook laptops. Earlier this week, the company unveiled a totally revamped iMac at the MacWorld Expo in a bid to boost sales. Shares of Apple have fallen since the announcement, but analysts attribute this to concern over December sales. "We didn't see the classic spike in sales we usually have for Christmas."

ZDNet: iPod # 3 among shoppers

01/11, 5:45pm

ZDNet: iPod # 3 among shoppers

According to ZDNet Shopper, Apple's new iPod digital music player is the third most popular MP3 player among online buyers. This list represents "the 50 most popular mp3 & audio products ZDNET users are looking for." Many enthusiasts and analysts have been surprised and impressed by the success of the iPod with Apple selling about 125,000 units in the first 60 days of production.

Mac user videos new iMac at Apple Store

01/11, 5:40pm

Mac user videos new iMac at Apple Store

MacNN Reader Tadd Torborg has published a video of his visit to the Apple Store in Rockingham, NH. In the video Mr. Torborg examines Apple's latest computer, the new iMac, introduced only days ago. "I pushed, poked and prodded (and lifted it into the air) to see what it was like." The three-minute video is available on his website in both a small and large format.

CrushFTP 3.0b23: Java-based ftp server

01/11, 2:50pm

CrushFTP 3.0b23: Java-based ftp server

Ben Spink yesterday released CrushFTP 3.0b23, an update to his $25 Java-based ftp server that adds queue manipulation, better implementation of Java skins, better IRC interopability, and improved security for remote management. [Classic, Carbon]

Jugde rejects proposed MS settlement

01/11, 2:42pm

Jugde rejects proposed MS settlement

A federal judge on Friday rejected the proposed multimillion-dollar settlement of the class-action antitrust suits filed against Microsoft.

iBuild 1.1.1 adds Tables to multimedia app

01/11, 1:58pm

iBuild 1.1.1 adds Tables to multimedia app

iBuild v1.1.1 adds a new "Table" object that can be used to display and edit lists of data to its multimedia authoring and presentation tool. Freeware, Pro ($30), Developer, and Site licenses are available.

Wired interviews designers on new iMac

01/11, 1:55pm

Wired interviews designers on new iMac

Wired News interviews a number of designers and their response to the new iMac design: "What we can't miss here is that Apple combines the different look with a different experience, or a configuration that matters to people -- in this case they're saying that this is the perfect 'digital hub.' The looks here signal that difference."

Mac cluster achieves 233 Gigaflops

01/11, 1:55pm

Mac cluster achieves 233 Gigaflops

Researchers and staff at USC and UCLA have achieved a milestone for cluster computing and the Macintosh platform, achieving 233 Gigaflops on a Macintosh cluster. Using AppleSeed software, a project begun by UCLA physics researchers in 1998, researchers found no evidence for an intrinsic limit to the size of a Macintosh cluster, indicating that "Mac clusters have excellent potential scalability." The tested environment included 56 dual-processor G4/533s and 20 dual-processor G4/450s connected via a large 100BaseT switch.

Big Box of Art gets OS X, QuickTime support

01/11, 11:20am

Big Box of Art gets OS X, QuickTime support

Hemera Technologies has released a new version of The Big Box of Art, providing native support for the OS X operating system. A free OS X updater for existing users is available online as well as a QuickTime-updater for Mac OS 9 users. The Big Box of Art is a unique digital image collection with the high quality and a large variety of images, including Photo-Objects, clip art, illustrations, professional stock photos, Web graphics and more. [updates: OS X; QT]

OS X: APC software, Eudora 5.1b8, other utils

01/11, 11:10am

OS X: APC software, Eudora 5.1b8, other utils

osx.macnn.com has notes on APC new PowerChute software, Quake II v1.01, Eudora 5.1b18, Olympus SmartMedia reader drivers, and an updated Usenet utility as well as fax, menu, cursor, terminal, and system-monitoring utilities.

PocketDock 2.3.1: doc, app launcher updated

01/11, 11:00am

PocketDock 2.3.1: doc, app launcher updated

PocketDock 2.31 is a maintenance release that updates the skin system and fixes a number of bugs in the shareware ($20) for organizing and launching applications, documents, web links, and email addresses.

XMonitor 1.0 provies real-time system stats

01/11, 10:55am

XMonitor 1.0 provies real-time system stats

XMonitor 1.0 is a real-time system and email monitoring application that "allows you to easily monitor your disk, cpu, ram and network usage, PPP status, IP address, Email and more. "

Typeset 1.01: shareware font manager

01/11, 10:55am

Typeset 1.01: shareware font manager

Vizspring has released a maintenance update to its font manager application, Typeset v1.01. The $15 shareware is designed to "view a collection of installed fonts searching for a good font for a particular project or logo. Typeset can also be used to view the contents of a font, or to preview text within a particular font." It improves font smoothing under OS X, has faster font displays, and other enhancements.

BBC provides explanation of QuickTime stream

01/11, 10:45am

BBC provides explanation of QuickTime stream

Michael Levenston forwarded a note from BBC explaining the discontinuation of its QuickTime live stram:

"The live streaming of BBC World using Apple's QuickTime TV has ceased. The streaming of the channel began originally as a trial in conjunction with Apple QuickTime TV and was popular with viewers across the world. Nevertheless, the costs associated with streaming a 24/7 channel, have proven to be unsupportable by our Apple partners. As such, Apple has found it necessary to withdraw BBC World from their QuickTime TV offering of channels...BBC World is however still available, on trial, as a 24/7 stream using Microsoft Windows Media Player at www.windowsmedia.com, clicking on 'News' and then select the appropriate feed. BBC World will continue to investigate the viability of streaming the channel in a number of formats."

MouseZoom 2.0 accelerates cursor movements

01/11, 10:40am

MouseZoom 2.0 accelerates cursor movements

MouseZoom 2.0 is a new Cocoa-based system preference pane which speeds up your mouse cursor movement in OS X.

Calendar Builder 1.0 creates calendars

01/11, 10:40am

Calendar Builder 1.0 creates calendars

Scott Johnson's Calendar Builder 1.0 is a $20 application that lets you easily and quickly add activities to a calendar document, which can then be printed for posting on your refrigerator door or school or church bulletin board.

LCedit+ v2.02 for channel lighting controller

01/11, 10:35am

LCedit+ v2.02 for channel lighting controller

CDS has posted LCedit+ v2.02, a software update to the LanBox-LC lighting editor software. It adds support for button panels with up to 255 buttons, position locking of fixtures, a new Vari*Lite V2200 fixture library and the ability to copy/paste DMX values of a fixture or group. (The LanBox-LC is a 250 channel DMX-512 lighting controller, with built in sequencers, faders, patchers, etc.)

ID3X 2.3 adds more batch renaming features

01/11, 10:25am

ID3X 2.3 adds more batch renaming features

three-2-one has updated its $15 shareware ID3 tag editor, ID3X 2.3, which offers speed and compatibility improvements; more batch renaming features; better folder navigation with a Back-Button; and access to the important OSX folders "Computer", "Home" and "Music".

eTrans 1.0: 4th Dimension Credit Card utility

01/11, 10:25am

eTrans 1.0: 4th Dimension Credit Card utility

Deep Sky Technologies has released eTrans 1.0, a 4th Dimension component which provides a simple, consistent interface to online credit card authorization service providers, including AuthorizeNet, E-Xact, FirePay, IonGate, LinkPoint, PlanetPayment, and WorldPay. Licensing is $200 per year with 10 deployements and $1000 for a unlimited license.

Cocoa eFax 0.8: faxing front-end via Unix app

01/11, 10:20am

Cocoa eFax 0.8: faxing front-end via Unix app

Ben Mackin has updated Cocoa eFax 0.8, his freeware Cocoa-based frontend to the UNIX tool efax, which lets you send and receive faxes. This version now receives faxes as long as the application is open and correctly deletes all the temporary files generated.

DCRP reviews iPhoto: "impressive"

01/11, 10:10am

DCRP reviews iPhoto: "impressive"

Jeff Keller has posted an in-depth review of iPhoto, Apple's freeware digital photo management/organization utility: "Apple's iPhoto is a very impressive effort, and a great tool for beginning and intermediate digital photographers. It has a few bugs to work out (it crashed once on me, in addition to the other things I mentioned) and I'd like a few more features, but for version 1.0, it's really nice."

Spector 2.0: survellience app tracks usage

01/11, 10:10am

Spector 2.0: survellience app tracks usage

SpectorSoft has released Spector 2.0, a utility that "secretly records everything that happens on your computer: every website visited, every chat conversation, every program, and much more." The $70 application periodically takes "snapshots" of the screen, allowing authorized users to playback and review computer usage and also records every keystroke typed. [version no. updated]

Olympus releases OS X driver for media reader

01/11, 10:00am

Olympus releases OS X driver for media reader

Emil Hedaya forwarded a note from Olympus Digital Technical Support that noted the release of new OS X drivers for its USB MAUSB-1 SmartMedia reader.

Reader: ordering various AC Plugs for TiPB

01/11, 7:50am

Reader: ordering various AC Plugs for TiPB

Phillip De Leon writes: "After calling Apple (and falling on deaf ears) to inquire how I could order various AC plugs (tips) for the new TiPB power adapter (see attached picture) for overseas electrical connections, I did a bit of investigative work. Looking very closely at the plug (made by Well Shin of China) and a bit of web searching, here is the place where you can order for various countries for a nice clean solution. Finally, the TiPB power adapter will do 100-240V/50-60Hz all you need is the proper plug."

Baker 1.4: Usenet helper utility

01/11, 7:50am

Baker 1.4: Usenet helper utility

Eridanus has released Baker 1.4, adds speed improvemetns, better picture sharing, and an identity preference to the $30 utility designed to simplify the task of downloading files from and uploading files to Usenet newsgroups.

Epson mentions G5 on Swedish site

01/11, 4:25am

Epson mentions G5 on Swedish site

Epson has referenced the Power Mac G5 on its Swedish site, stating that its new series of laser printers are compatible with the "Apple iMac (and the) Apple G3/G4/G5/Cube (O.S 8.1 or later)." The company was not available to comment on whether the posting is an error, or a slip of confidential information. (check here for new link)

Macally developing LCD iMac add-ons

01/11, 4:00am

Macally developing LCD iMac add-ons

ZDNN has posted a piece detailing the development of accessories made to latch on to Apple's new flat-panel iMac. The article states that Macally is already planning keyboards and other accessories, but quotes a Kensington representative as saying "If we try to track Apple's styling too closely, we tend to get burned."

Apple's LCD iMac "lives up to the hype"

01/11, 3:10am

Apple's LCD iMac "lives up to the hype"

An OSOpinion article surmises that Apple's recently introduced flat-panel iMac "lives up to the hype." Author Mike Banks Valentine says "What is stunning is not the adoration at introductory shows, but the fact that sales figures of 6 million iMacs over the last three years fails to impress the press," and compares the new iMac's hyperbole to the automotive industry.

Ruling in MS class action suit could be today

01/11, 3:00am

Ruling in MS class action suit could be today

Reuters reports that a federal judge could rule as early as today on the proposed multi-million dollar settlement of the class action antitrust suits filed against the company. Class action attorneys from California still oppose the settlement, saying that the deal would give Microsoft a "leg up" on Apple in the education market.