News Archive for 02/04/04

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Elmer aids HAM radio license applicants

04/04, 8:55pm

Elmer aids HAM radio license applicants

Black Cat Systems today announced Elmer v4.0, an incremental update to its HAM radio exam preparation tool. This is the first version of Elmer that works with Mac OS X; Elmer will grade a sample test, showing the user which questions were answered incorrectly. [Classic, Carbon]

Report: Apple cuts small number of jobs

04/04, 8:45pm

Report: Apple cuts small number of jobs

Apple may have cut some jobs in recent weeks as a part of a small-scale restructuring effort, according to c|net News.com. Apple has not released any numbers, but indicated in December that it planned to cut at least 50, following a cut at the end of that quarter of 375 jobs.

Deneba releases Canvas update

04/04, 7:40pm

Deneba releases Canvas update

Deneba today issued an update to its popular vector illustration software, Canvas Professional Edition v8.0.3 build 596. The Mac OS 0/X update improves support for multiple monitors, enhances several tools, corrects application conflicts and now supports Mac OS X Twain drivers. Canvas 8 sells for $400; this update is free to all Canvas 8 owners. [Serial number required]

Apple Security Update released for Mac OS X

04/04, 6:55pm

Apple Security Update released for Mac OS X

Apple has released Security Update April 2002 1.0 via the Software Update Control Panel (in OS X) and on the Web. This release includes updated components that address security issues and provide increased security to prevent unauthorized access to applications, servers and the operating system. Included are updates for OpenSSH and PHP. [updated]

PalmSource to attract European Developers

04/04, 6:45pm

PalmSource to attract European Developers

PalmSource announced today that it would host three two-day development conferences Berlin, Paris and London. The PalmSource Europe Forum Series will help some of Europe's 44,000 developers take full advantage of the Palm OS. Conferences begin May 13, May 16 and May 20 in Berlin, Paris and London, respectively.

FILTERiT 4.1.1 fixes 10.1.3 problems

04/04, 5:00pm

FILTERiT 4.1.1 fixes 10.1.3 problems

FILTERiT v4.1.1 is a plug-in suite for Adobe Illustrator 10 that features distortion effects for print, multimedia, web design and video. New features in the update include "Trace", 3D Transform and Fractalize, as well as fixing issues involving Mac OS 10.1.3. Price is estimated at $130.

Pre-orders for NOLF, MacPlay Six-Pack promo

04/04, 5:00pm

Pre-orders for NOLF, MacPlay Six-Pack promo

MacPlay is taking preorders for Fox Interactive's The Operative: No One Lives Forever. The first-person action-adventure is set in the distinct style and locales of the fabulous 60's, allowing gamers to play through a "captivating story of espionage [in the] role of Agent Cate Archer, a beautiful but deadly female operative working for an international anti-terrorist organization called UNITY." The $50 title is scheduled to begin shipping to customers in mid-May and is being offered under MacPlay's customer appreciation program at the introductory price of $35 (with an additional $5 charge for US shipping). MacPlay is also launching its new online store with a "MacPlay Six-Pack" promo, which offers Sacrifice, Giants, Aliens versus Predator Gold Edition, Majesty, Sin Gold and Zork Grand Inquisitor for $100 (nearly a 50% discount). The promo ends April 7th.

IPNetMonitor X1.0b1: network tool suite

04/04, 4:25pm

IPNetMonitor X1.0b1: network tool suite

Sustainable Softworks has released IPNetMonitor 1.0b1, another beta of the popular networking tool for OS X. It adds a monitor tool using the Network Kernel Extension, a custom application icon, and other enhancments.

Muzys 2.0: digital music production tool

04/04, 4:25pm

Muzys 2.0: digital music production tool

A music production tool for the Mac OS, Muzys v2.0, features traditional music studio equipment such as a Sequencer, Rhythm & Sound Modules, Samplers, Effects Processors, and a Mixing Desk in a digital enviroment. The software is available for $125, which includes free lifetime updates; a demo is also available.

Roxio updates Toast Titanium 5.1.3

04/04, 3:30pm

Roxio updates Toast Titanium 5.1.3

Roxio has released Toast Titanium 5.1.3, an update to the popular CD authoring application. It adds update help documents to the French, German, and Japanese versions of Toast and fixes bugs with the "Check Speed" feature and erasing DVD+RW correctly.

starQuiz 1.2: classroom quizing app

04/04, 3:25pm

starQuiz 1.2: classroom quizing app

starQuiz v1.2, cosmicsoft's $20 application for giving quizzes in the classroom, has been released. The update features a redesigned interface, a new help system, support for pictures, and the ability to import and export Quizzler quizzes. [Classic, Carbon]

ActualDepth: consumer 3D monitor

04/04, 3:25pm

ActualDepth: consumer 3D monitor

ActualDepth, a 3D monitor expected to be released next month with support for Mac OS, Windows, and Linux, was developed in part by one of Apple's original Macintosh developers. "The 3-D environment is created by pushing light through two flat-panel LCD screens using a process that doesn't distort the images." The only major technical requirement for the monitor is dual video outputs; the price is said to be "about twice as much as current flat-panel monitors."

Boswell 2.0 manages text information

04/04, 3:20pm

Boswell 2.0 manages text information

Copernican has released Boswell 2.0, a $90 application that archives, organizes, manipulates, and retrieves a user's personal text: e-mail, web clippings, contact info, research, and other writings. It offers a new, stream-lined interface and re-written documentation. Version 2.0 is a free upgrade and purchasers of v2.0 will receive a free upgrade to the OS X version. For a limited, the application is available for $50 ($40 off).

Xproof 1.0b4: color preview, info tool

04/04, 2:40pm

Xproof 1.0b4: color preview, info tool

Colorfield Digital Media has released an updated public beta of Xproof 1.0b4, which adds additional color info items such as CIE XYZ, Gray and CMYK to the real-time color previewing and information tool. XProff enables web designers to quickly and easily visualize color appearance across different devices, including Windows monitors and various broadcast formats. [Classic, Carbon]

Virtuoso 2.7: Webserver for SQL, XML services

04/04, 2:35pm

Virtuoso 2.7: Webserver for SQL, XML services

OpenLink's Virtuoso 2.7 is a cross platform, multi-purpose, and multi-protocol server for SQL, XML, and Web Services. Virtuoso enables the publishing of Persistent Stored Modules -- SQL Stored Procedures, Java Objects, and .NET Objects -- as SOAP, WSDL, and UDDI compliant Web Services; it can also create XML documents from SQL Databases on-the-fly and offers support for all ODBC and JDBC accessible databases.

Znippetizer-X 1.4 helps sort, organize text

04/04, 2:10pm

Znippetizer-X 1.4 helps sort, organize text

Znippetizer-X 1.4, from Code 66, is a $15 shareware tool, to help programmers, writers, scientists, lawyers and other people who need to quickly sort, organize and categorize things. It offers a "small global floating window (with a Z in it), where you can drag any text. Any items dragged here are stored in a database, and grouped. All new items are stored in the currently selected Snippetgroup, and can then later on be moved to any other group." A limited demo is available. [Classic, Carbon]

K-Lendar 1.1 adds iPod export to calendar

04/04, 2:00pm

K-Lendar 1.1 adds iPod export to calendar

K-Lendar 1.1 is a $15 shareware desktop calendar that adds the ability to export meeting schedules to your iPod and also now provides notifications of meetings. It is available in English and French.

10191 updates BHand, Neural Network Kitchen

04/04, 2:00pm

10191 updates BHand, Neural Network Kitchen

10191 Technologies has released BHand 1.4, an update version of its experimental software in electronic security domain analysing the keyboard user typing style and is soliciting feedback fro users. It has also released an update to its $25 shareware artificial neural network builder for OS X: Neural Network Kitchen 3.0, which includes a new GUI and the Kohonen architecture. [BH1.4, NNK3.0]

Apple hoping to triple OSX developers in Asia

04/04, 1:40pm

Apple hoping to triple OSX developers in Asia

Jason Greene notes that Apple is hoping to triple the number of developers using OS X to develop software in the Asian region within the next five years and to increase its current membership of by 50% by the end of the year, according to The Star Online. The article notes that Apple recently held a two-day conference in Kuala Lumpur to spread the word on Apple’s Developer Connection Programme where 50 people signed up and that it is attempting to lure student developers by offering a three-month introductory offer where the membership fee for the first year would be waived and free admission to Apple's up-coming five-day developers conference in San Jose in May. 

ScreenTime for QuickTime v2 adds OS X support

04/04, 1:15pm

ScreenTime for QuickTime v2 adds OS X support

ScreenTime Media today announced ScreenTime for QuickTime v2 screen saver creation software, which creates sreen savers from both QuickTime movies and Flash animations. The $200 application adds the ability to create professional quality screen savers for OS X (as well as Mac OS 8/9), new OS X-compatible WYSIWIG authoring environment, the ability to "bounce" movies around the screen as they play, small previews playing in the control panel and one click installation. Upgrades are free for users who purchased CineMac for QuickTime during 2002 and are $100 for others.

OWC adds new 160GB external FireWire drive

04/04, 1:05pm

OWC adds new 160GB external FireWire drive

OWC today introduced a new 160GB OWC Mercury external FireWire drive that spins at 5400 RPM and utilizes the high-performance Oxford 911 chipset. It also lowered its prices on all OWC Mercury-brand external FireWire storage drives. Pricing for OWC Mercury drives ranges from $150 for a 20GB 5400 RPM drive to $520 for a Mercury On-The-Go 2.5-inch portable drive. The new 160GB FireWire drive is priced at $380.

AppleScript Pro Sessions get new guests, PS7

04/04, 1:00pm

AppleScript Pro Sessions get new guests, PS7

Scripting Matters has announced additional guest speakers and Photoshop 7 coverage for its AppleScript Pro Sessions slated for May 13-17 in Monterey, CA. The five-day training event offers beginning and advanced training for using AppleScript. The new guests will be demonstrating FaceSpan, an application and interface development tool for AppleScript and Script Debugger and other AppleScript-related products from Late Night Software."

Tweak Films uses OS X for film simulations

04/04, 12:45pm

Tweak Films uses OS X for film simulations

Industrial Light + Magic's has spawned another independent boutique facility, Tweak Films, which will focus on the black arts of physical simulation: smoke, fire, rigid body dynamics, cloth, water and waves. The startup is running Maya, Exluna's Entropy, Shake and Adobe Photoshop with their own proprietary physical simulation tools and custom renderers on a dozen Mac OS X workstations: "There are still a few things we are waiting to come to Mac OSX, so we're running Linux a bit now, but we're really impressed with the Unix underpinnings on OS X."

Show Desktop 1.2, Carbon Events Plugin 2.5

04/04, 12:35pm

Show Desktop 1.2, Carbon Events Plugin 2.5

Everyday Software has released Show Desktop 1.2, a freeware utility for OS X designed to hide all applications and show all applications by simply clicking on the icon while in the Dock. Version 1.2 adds a "minimize Finder windows" feature when clicked and fixes various bugs. Carbon Events Plugin 2.5.1 (shareware, $15) offers developers access to various features o OS X including: live scrolling, live window resizing, Dock tile menus, sheets and more. Version 2.5 adds Services menu support to the plugin. [SD, CEP]

Image Info 2.0: AppleScript solution

04/04, 9:55am

Image Info 2.0: AppleScript solution

Kanzu Utilities has released Image Info 2.0, an AppleScript solution for retrieving information about images that can now retrieve more info from images than before, including EXIF and IPTC data, ICC Color profile info, JPEG comments, layer, alpha channel and clipping path info, fonts, colors and much more. A demo of the $35 utility is available online as well as a "Lite" version for $20.

MassTransit 4.1 to get security upgrade

04/04, 9:55am

MassTransit 4.1 to get security upgrade

Group Logic has announced MassTransit Enterprise 4.1, an upgrade to its application for transferring digital assets across LANs and the Web. The application automates and manages the process of transferring graphics, multimedia, and other production files between print media suppliers and their customers. Version 4.1 will include OpenSSL-based 128-bit encryption for secure data transfer and authenticatin using X.509 digital certificates as well as Web clients under OS X. It is expected to be available by the end of the second quarter.

Sony intro new digital camcorders

04/04, 9:35am

Sony intro new digital camcorders

Sony has introduced its smallest Mini DV Handycam camcorder, the DCR-PC101, offering a 10X optical/120X digital zoom, one-megapixel CCD, 520 lines of horizontal video, capture of digital still images (1152 X 864 file size), a touch panel 2.5" SwivelScreen LCD display, and support for streaming live or recorded video via a USB connection. Other features include a FireWire interface, a Carl Zeiss Vario-Sonnar Lens, and Super SteadyShot Picture Stabilization. The 17-ounce device is expected to ship in June for about $1,300. Sony also introduced its "prosumer" DCR-TRV950, which uses a three-CCD system for professional-quality video. It also includes a 12X optical and 150X digital zoom, USB Streaming, support for still capture (1152 X 864), a touch panel 3.5" LCD, a FireWire interface, and a 14-Bit DXP. It is expected in June for $2,500.

eOrdering Complete 1.0: 4-step ecommerce

04/04, 9:30am

eOrdering Complete 1.0: 4-step ecommerce

eOrdering Complete 1.0 is an application for quickly creating an ecommerce website in four steps. It can create web forms specifically to order products online by using shopping cart technology to create a main order page, view cart page, checkout page and individual (customizable) product pages. A 20-day demo version of the $55 application is available. [Classic, Carbon]

Impasse 1.2: firewall utility for OS X update

04/04, 9:20am

Impasse 1.2: firewall utility for OS X update

Glucose Development has released Impasse 1.2, a major upgrade to the firewall utility fo OS X. It offers an improved advanced mode, allowing users to build multiple rule sets and also updates the default rule set for better compatibility in environments where the network type changes frequently. Regsitration is available for $10 for a limited time as well as a 30-day demo.

iGetter 1.8 offers speed limits, Dock control

04/04, 9:20am

iGetter 1.8 offers speed limits, Dock control

The $25 shareware iGetter 1.8 is a download utility, which offers functions such as resuming broken downloads, segmented (accelerated) downloading, Internet browsers integration, queue filtering by various criteria, file mirrors support for additional acceleration, cookies support, processing web page links, and scheduling downloads for low traffic periods. Version 1.8 adds a speed limit function, offers an improved OS X interface, and Dock-based control in OS X. [Classic, Carbon]

Apple acquires Zayante FireWire developer

04/04, 9:05am

Apple acquires Zayante FireWire developer

Apple today announced that it has acquired Zayante, a leader in FireWire technology. Zayante's president and CEO Prashant Kanhere will join Apple to promote the adoption of FireWire technology. "By acquiring Zayante, Apple is extending its commitment to FireWire as the premiere, high-speed digital interface solution," said Jon Rubinstein, Apple's senior vice president of Hardware Engineering. The terms of the acquisition were not disclosed.