News Archive for 02/05/01

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After Effects comparision shows Macs lag

05/01, 9:30pm

After Effects comparision shows Macs lag

Digital Video Editing has posted a comparision between the PowerMac G4 Dual 1GHz and a dual Athlon 1800+ MP while using Adobe After Effects 5.5. The comparision uses six different test, ranging from simple animations to virtual sets, all which give the edge to the dual Athlon 1800+. "After seeing the results of these tests, we can only conclude that Apple's assertions that G4 workstations are faster than all Pentium 4 or Athlon XP-based systems are exaggerated, at least as far as After Effects is concerned."

New FireWire hard drives from FirewireDirect

05/01, 9:20pm

New FireWire hard drives from FirewireDirect

FirewireDirect has released its new series of value-priced FireWire hard drives, the Essential Series, which includes a 2.5" and 3.5" model. The drives do not include USB 2.0 support, like most the other drives from FirewireDirect, but only FireWire support. The 3.5" drive (Ultra ES) uses a 7200 RPM mechanism and ATA-100 FireWire boards; pricing begins at $175 for 40GB. The 2.5" drive (Spark ES) is configuarable up to 60GB and is less than an inch thick; pricing begins at $160.

Macromedia Flash Player 6.0r29 update release

05/01, 9:10pm

Macromedia Flash Player 6.0r29 update release

Macromedia has released Macromedia Flash Player 6.0r29, an update to its Mac OS 9 & X browser plug-in to view flash media. The update increases browser compatbility and performance.

eArtist 1.2 adds the use of logos on invoices

05/01, 7:55pm

eArtist 1.2 adds the use of logos on invoices

eArtist v1.2 is an "easy and intuitive business management software for artists." The new version now adds the ability to use logos on receipts and invoices as well as Mac OS X compatibility. The software is $99 and available immediately.

College students surprised by eMac pricing

05/01, 7:10pm

College students surprised by eMac pricing

A ZDNet article notes that college students were suprised by the eMac pricing when they tried to buy the latest new hardware from Apple this week. "The reason for the shock is twofold. First of all, the less expensive of the two models was not initially available for college students, although Apple says it will be available by the end of the week. Second, the price for college students is $50 more than the pricing announced Monday." Although colleges and universities get the price Apple lists, college students do not receive such a low price on the computer, because schools tend to buy in larger volumes.

OmniOutliner 2.0rc2 fixes numerous bugs

05/01, 5:35pm

OmniOutliner 2.0rc2 fixes numerous bugs

The Omni Group has released OmniOutliner v2.0rc2, a tool that outlines and organizes thoughts, tasks and projects. The update fixes numerous bugs and brings an improved interface as well as stability. The expiring demo license has been extended to May 22; the update is free to anybody that registered v2.0; the full version costs $10.

CodeWarrior 8.0 available for pre-order

05/01, 4:40pm

CodeWarrior 8.0 available for pre-order

Metrowerks CodeWarrior Pro v8.0 is now available for pre-order. The development tool for Mac OS 9 and X allows users to build applications in PowerPlant or Cocoa; features include an advandced project manager, build system, source code editor, and code completion for C, C++, and Java. Pre-order price is $500; the regular price is $600.

24U Appearance OSAX 2.0: AppleScript plug-in

05/01, 4:00pm

24U Appearance OSAX 2.0: AppleScript plug-in

24U Appearance OSAX v2.0 is a scripting addition that brings back interface features in AppleScript. It generates error messages, displays flexible dialog boxes, opens floating message windows and shows progress indicators. The plug-in will be availble next week.

Pepper 4.01: advanced text editor posted

05/01, 3:30pm

Pepper 4.01: advanced text editor posted

Pepper 4.01 is a text editor that offers many features for users, such as full Perl/HTML/C/Pascal syntax, rectangular selections and searches. The $35 shareware now runs in both mac OS 9 & X and features a full UTF8 editor, fontmapping and 19 other encodings.

Architosh: VizSync Date Book for Mac

05/01, 2:45pm

Architosh: VizSync Date Book for Mac

Architosh reports that VizMotion has released a Mac version of VizSync Date Book for FileMaker Pro-to-Palm OS and on AIA's survey on importance of new Apple iMac to design pros.

GNUMail.app 1.01: GPL clone of Mail.app

05/01, 2:15pm

GNUMail.app 1.01: GPL clone of Mail.app

GNUMail.app is a clone of NeXT/Apple's Mail.app application. It is licensed under the GPL, and the full sources of the application are available. Version 1.0.1 brings several new features, and is now more stable under OS X.

ExtremeZ-IP v2.1 improves SLP, LPR

05/01, 2:05pm

ExtremeZ-IP v2.1 improves SLP, LPR

Group Logic is now shipping ExtremeZ-IP v2.1, a free update to its file and print server product that uses the TCP/IP protocol to increase throughput as much as six-fold between Mac clients and Microsoft Windows servers. It offers enhancements to the ExtremeZ-IP Administrator application as well as performance gains from directory index optimizations, improved support for the Service Location Protocol, better support for LPR printers, and an enhanced Windows Explorer plug-in for managing Macintosh file permissions.

XLR8 boosts Sawtooth Power Macs to 550MHz

05/01, 2:00pm

XLR8 boosts Sawtooth Power Macs to 550MHz

XLR8 is now accepting on-line orders for upgrading Power Mac G4 processors to 550MHz, allowing "once blocked" owners of Sawtooth-class systems to receive as much a 55% increase in performance. A standard upgrade options ships a removal kit with return shipping information, while an "advanced upgrade" provides 100% uptime by exchanging the user's processor with a previously upgraded unit (requires an additional $300 deposit). The $300 upgrade is available in the US only.

Watson 1.5.1: Aqua interface for online tools

05/01, 1:40pm

Watson 1.5.1: Aqua interface for online tools

Karelia Software today released Watson 1.5.1, a free update which improves stability using the Meerkat tool; enhances performance in the eBay tool; adds additional countries to the phone lookup functions; and improves compatibility with LaunchBar.

Sputnix 0.8B: unsupported Audiogalaxy client

05/01, 10:55am

Sputnix 0.8B: unsupported Audiogalaxy client

Sputnix 0.8B is an unsupported, unofficial "satellite" client for the music sharing website, Audiogalaxy. It adds iTunes integration, a new playlist drawer, autofiling of downloads in artists' folders, an extensive help system, a new database window, better error reporting, and other enhancements.

ITC intros Keefbats, Photoplay, Tabula fonts

05/01, 10:40am

ITC intros Keefbats, Photoplay, Tabula fonts

International Typeface Corporation has released 11 new fonts, including ITC Keefbats ("a collection of strange and highly likeable characters including animals, insects and a pointy-headed human"), two weights of ITC Photoplay ("bridges the gap between turn-of-the-century decorative type and Art Deco") , and the eight-weight ITC Tabula family. ITC Keefbats is $65, Photoplay is $40 per weight; and ITC Tabula is $30 per weight or $170 for entire family. Purchases include both PostScript and TrueType families.

eOrdering Complete 1.1 improves shopping cart

05/01, 9:30am

eOrdering Complete 1.1 improves shopping cart

eOrdering Complete 1.1 is a $55 application that allows you to create web forms specifically to order products online using shopping cart technology. Version 1.1 has better support for imags, improved email functions, and other bug fixes. [Classic, OSX]

Vicomsoft now an independent software company

05/01, 9:25am

Vicomsoft now an independent software company

Vicomsoft, following a management buy-out from BVRP Software Group, is now an independent software company: "We believe that this will enable us to better understand and address your business needs. We are very excited about the future and the opportunities it offers, but we understand that it won't be without its challenges." It is conducting a short questionnaire for its customers.

Epson intros new wide-format inkjets

05/01, 9:15am

Epson intros new wide-format inkjets

Epson today introduced the Stylus Pro 7600 ($3,000) and the Stylus Pro 9600 ($5,000), new 24-inch-wide and 44-inch-wide photographic printers featuring a new seven-color UltraChrome Ink System and a new interchangeable black ink system (standard Photo Black ink and an optional Matte Black ink). The new printers can be configured at purchase time for use with six-color Epson Photographic Dye rather than the new seven-color pigment-based UltraChrome ink. Both offer 2,880 x 1,440 dpi resolution, BorderFree printing, print speeds 2.5 times faster than their predecessors, an entirely-new Epson photographic driver, and USB 2.0/FireWire/parallel interfaces (and an optional network card). An optional EFI Fiery Spark Professional 2.0 Software RIP is $2,000. Both printers will be available in June 2002.

Kona HD: "film quality" 10-bit QT card

05/01, 9:05am

Kona HD: "film quality" 10-bit QT card

Blackmagic Design has announced the first "film quality" QuickTime editing and design solution. The Kona HD, the first uncompressed HDTV 10-bit QuickTime card for OS X, is compatible with Final Cut Pro, After Effects, Photoshop, Combustion, Cleaner, iDVD and DVD Studio Pro. It features one HD SDI video input, and one HD SDI video output, 6 channels of AES/EBU digital audio, and a HDTV genlock as well as Offline RT support. The company says it will be available shortly after Apple Final Cut Pro certification tests have been completed for $11,000.

Apple Store Lenox Square to open May 11th

05/01, 9:00am

Apple Store Lenox Square to open May 11th

Apple has announced the May 11th grand opening of its Lenox Square retail store in Atlanta, Georgia.

Apple's retail strategy key to marketshare

05/01, 8:55am

Apple's retail strategy key to marketshare

Apple's retail strategy may be the key to expanding its marketshare and thereby increasing the stock's value, according to a CBSMarketWatch.com article: "...no matter how cool its products may be, Apple finds itself spinning its wheels. Even with an incredibly strong brand, hordes of cult-like fans and a charismatic leader who has brought the company back from the brink, the stock has proved to be a long-term dud."

Apple quietly releases iPhoto 1.1

05/01, 4:20am

Apple quietly releases iPhoto 1.1

As noted yesterday, Apple has released iPhoto 1.1, an update to the photo editing, sharing application. Changes include the ability to email your photos using Apple Mail, adjust brightness and contrast to improve the appearance of your photo, retain and display EXIF data, automatically create an album by dragging a folder of photos into the Photo Library list, import directly from a Photo CD or Picture CD, and the ability to set your desktop image/screen saver from within iPhoto. [download no longer available]