Alien Skin releases beta of Image Doctor

Alien Skin has released Image Doctor 1.0b, a set of image-retouching filters for Photoshop, Fireworks, Paint Shop Pro, and other image editors. The filters removes blemishes and defects, quickly repairs over-compressed JPEGs, and replaces unwanted details and objects. Users can tweak their effects in a large preview that includes a before/after toggle, command menus, keyboard shortcuts, and unlimited undo. A public beta is available now, while the full version is due later this summer.

KB document explains SMB/Mac connectivity

An Apple Knowledge Base document outlines steps and strategies necessary to connect a Macintosh to an SMB server. SMB is the native sharing protocol employed in Microsoft Windows environments. Users interested in connecting to such servers should consult the document, which outlines the necessary steps under Mac OS X 10.1.

iPat Randomizer automates play list creation

iPat Randomizer is an AppleScript Studio application that can automatically generate random iTunes play lists. The user can designate a specific size, track count and/or name for the random play list, and can filter tracks used for the random play list based on whether or not the Library track is enabled.

Reader: Ethernet fix for OS X 10.1.5 woes

MacNN reader Norm Phillips writes: \"I\'ve created this package, which installs the older version of Apple\'s Ethernet driver for those people who are suffering from a bug that started when they updated to Mac OS X v10.1.5. This bug, on many machines, would make people unable to connect to the Internet (if broadband is used)/network after they woke their computers from sleep. This corrects the problem. This problem only affects people on some machines, when Ethernet is used.\"

ILM switching to Macs for some tasks

UNIX-oriented firms, including video effects and production giant Industrial Light and Magic, are beginning to accept Mac OS X as a viable market player, according to a Linux Journal article. ILM is reportedly transitioning its rotoscopers to Mac OS X, and the company\'s art department already uses Macintosh machines. \"What attracts us is the BSD-like Darwin core and network compatibility.\"

Apple acquires Silicon Grail technologies

Apple has officially announced it has acquired the technologies from Silicon Grail, including the RAYZ and Chalice product lines, according to the Website. As noted in a report here several days ago, Silicon Grail was founded to produce \"efficient, cost-effective, software-based compositing solutions optimized for feature film and large format resolutions.\"

CorelDRAW Graphics Suite 11 coming to Mac

Corel today announced CorelDRAW Graphics Suite 11 for Macintosh and Windows. The July release will include Mac OS X-compatible versions of CorelDRAW, Photo-Paint and R.A.V.E. CorelDRAW 11 offers live effects, a customizable workspace and an improved workflow. Photo-Paint 11 features automatic image slicing, rollover button creation and a new Red-Eye Removal tool. R.A.V.E, Corel\'s Web animation application, offers several enhancements to the Flash component of the program. Corel indicates that competitive upgrade pricing will be available when Graphics Suite 11 ships. Pricing of the new suite starts at $530; upgrades are $250.

Fire revision brings new buddy list

Fire v0.31.a is an update to the instant messaging client for Mac OS X that adds several key features and bug fixes. The recent update sports a new buddy list; offers the ability to define as many accounts as needed for each service; includes English, German, Spanish and Icelandic localizations. Fire supports the AIM, ICQ, Yahoo!, IRC, MSN and Jabber protocols; this update offers bug fixes for all protocol implementations.

SpamCop 1.1 helps Mail users squash SPAM

SpamCop v1.1 for Apple\'s Mac OS X Mail email application helps Mac users filter-out SPAM (unsolicited junk mail) from their inboxes. For free, or for a yearly premium, users can sign-up for the SpamCop service to receive SPAM filtering and the ability to report malicious \'junk mailers.\' Version 1.1 adds Web reporting support for all account types, works with the non-English version of Mail and includes clearer message flagging.

Alpha8 b3: new Classic release of text editor

The third public beta release of Alpha8 b3, the next generation of the popular Alpha text editor, is now available. AlphaX, an OS X native version of Alpha8, is currently in private alpha testing and a new test version has been released concurrently with 8.0b3. A public release is planned for later this year.

Neverwinter Nights coming to the Mac

MacSoft today signed an agreement with game developer BioWare to bring Neverwinter Nights to the Mac: \"[It] is based on the wildly popular Dungeons & Dragons game published by Wizards of the Coast and is scheduled to ship in the summer of 2002, only two months after the PC version. The \'official campaign,\' which can be played in single or multi-player, will thrust gamers into a deep, enriching fantasy world with 60-100 hours of gameplay across four engrossing chapters. Players will enjoy a fast-paced adventure, revolving around an epic story of faith, war and betrayal.\" It is due in the Fall for $60.

Grand opening for Apple Store Short Hills

Apple has updated its retail Website, noting that Apple Store Short Hills will hold its grand opening on Saturday, June 22. Update: A MacNN reader notes that Apple is set to open yet annother retail store in Wellington Green mall (West Palm Beach, Fla), citing recent job openings in the area as well mall officials. (Apple\'s site is not updated with info on upcoming store locations.)

Kensington intros new FlyFan USB

Kensington today announced the FlyFan, which it calls \"the world\'s first\" plug-and-play USB Fan. The $25 ($20 street price) device requires no switches and no separate batteries to operate, using less than five minutes per every hour of notebook battery charge and has a flexible 15-inch gooseneck which lets you point airflow in any direction.

Application helps test chemistry knowledge

Synergy Creations has released Alchemist\'s Challenge, a collection of chemistry quizzes designed to help users learn about one of the central features of chemistry: the periodic table. It is $15 shareware.[Classic, OSX]

FruitMenu 2.0 offers contextual menu support

Unsanity has released FruitMenu 2.0, an update to the $7 shareware utility that adds the ability to customize and enhance the Apple Menu and the contexual menus in OS X. Users can use a visual editor to rearrange, delete, add, and customize hotkeys for menu items as well as use contextual menu commands to launch applications and shell scripts.

Mozilla 1.1a has many feature improvements

Mozilla.org has released an alpha of the next generation of its Web browser, Mozilla 1.1a. It brings an improved download manager, supports Quartz rendering under OS X 10.1.5, converts HTML mail to plain text, has the ability to quote the original message, has DHTML display enhancements, improves autocomplete sorting, includes redundant backup files, and has better drag & drop support. [Classic, OSX]

DesktopGB pricing falls by as much as $50

WiebeTech has reduced pricing by up to $50 on its DesktopGB, a high-performance, external combo (FireWire/USB 2.0) desktop drives. The drives feature 7200RPM mechanisms (not slower 5400RPM) and the Oxford 911 FireWire interface for transfer rates in excess of 30MB/second. New pricing is $110 (case-only), $200 (60GB), $220 (80GB), $300 (120GB). Each drive includes a vertical stand, USB2 cable, FireWire cable and AC adapter.

Super Get Info 1.0.8: system util for OS X

Bare Bones today released Super Get Info 1.0.8, a $20 file and folder info utility for Mac OS X, that offers a flexible alternative to the \"Show Info\" command in the OS X Finder. It now supports viewing and editing of Finder comments, and also offers the ability to copy and paste file and folder icons, allowing the easy application of custom icons. This update also incorporates various other minor enhancements as well as fixes for reported issues.

SmartDisk intros all-in-one media reader

SmartDisk today announced a new USB flash media reader that reads CompactFlash, SmartMedia, Memory Stick, Secure Digital, MultiMediaCard and IBM Microdrive media cards in a single unit. The driverless device is due in mid-June for $50.

Tech: Palm handhelds, ATI moves, IE flaws

Morning tech news: Palm will introduce three new handhelds this fall, including one designed to sell for $100 and one running Palm OS 5 that is capable of making phone calls as well as future products with built-in keyboards; ATI is looking to bolster its set-top product line with the purchase of NxtWave Communications for $20 million cash; and Microsoft has issued two bulletins, disclosing \"critical\" flaws in Internet Explorer, as well as in MSN Chat, MSN Messenger and Exchange Messenger.

Glucose releases two WeatherPop products

Glucose today released the freeware WeatherPop 1.1 weather application as well as a commercial version ($8) of the application, WeatherPop Advance, which adds beautiful color icons, a full five-day forecast, and http proxy support for users at work. WeatherPop 1.1 has been updated with new Black and White icons and offers support for users who have not installed the Mac OS X BSD Subsystem. [WP, WPA]

Xicons launches new open-source icon site

Xicons.com has launched a new open-source section of its website. The idea is to aid the open source software community by providing high-quality sets of toolbar icons and other user interface graphics for their programs.

Powerlogix announces 1GHz upgrade cards

PowerLogix today announced a new PowerForce G4 Series 100 and Series 133 processor upgrades, which will be available in speeds ranging from 750Mhz to 1GHz. The upgrade cards use Motorola\'s G4/7455 processor (code-named \"Apollo\").

Dr. Bott ships new iBook cases

Dr. Bott today began shipping iCase12 and iCase12 Plus, which \"offers unsurpassed safety in transporting Apple\'s 12\" iBook. It takes all your computing on the go needs into account offering storage for AC power, spare battery, iPod, CDs and more. The iCase12 Plus incorporates a carry strap and black side bag that provides room for important papers and extra hardware. iCase 12\'s Lift-O-matic feet and removable top allow for comfortable use of the iBook without removing it from the case.\"

New freeware icon collection: Tribal Masks

The Iconfactory has released its latest freeware icon collection, Tribal Masks for OS X, which takes \"inspiration from tribal cultures from around the globe to create this new set of colorful, and bold icons for the Macintosh desktop.\" It is available as either standard Mac icons or as an organized icon pack that can be used with IconBrowser on OS X or IconDropper on Mac OS 9.