News Archive for 02/09/25

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Tips: horiz. scroll, swap move, webcal URLs

09/25, 11:30pm

Tips: horiz. scroll, swap move, webcal URLs

Troubleshooting/tips: One reader notes that by leaving the ".ics" extension off of a 'webcal' URL, your Web browser will automatically recognize the file as a valid calendar and display it (examples: incorrect, correct); several readers report success with Swap Cop -- a utility that automates the process of moving memory swap files from one partition to another; many Mac OS X 10.2 users have discovered that Apple's reference to "horizontal scroll wheel support" refers to the ability to scroll horizontally using any third-party mouse -- simply hold down the Shift key while operating the scroll wheel.

db Reports 3.1 gains new features

09/25, 11:20pm

db Reports 3.1 gains new features

db Reports 3.1 is a modest update to the REALbasic database add-on for developers. Version 3.1 fixes several bugs and adds many new features, including multiple columns, multi-level undo, 'PrimeBase' connectivity, report variables and query data exporting. db Reports enables REALbasic developers to add database reporting capabilities to their software. [Classic, OS X]

iListen 1.5.1 updates speech recognition app

09/25, 9:55pm

iListen 1.5.1 updates speech recognition app

MacSpeech has released iListen 1.5.1, a free update to the company's flagship speech recognition software. The software offers direct dictation and correction into virtually any Mac application, transcription support with a digital recorder, upgraded correction ability, voice-driven Finder navigation, dock-based controls, and a vocabulary of more than 330,000. It is available for $100 or $150 including a headset. The company says that version 1.5.1 is "much more than a maintenance update," including full support for Jaguar, although it didn't outline the changes.

Lexar makes announcements at Photokina

09/25, 9:10pm

Lexar makes announcements at Photokina

Lexar today made several announcements at PhotoKina photography trade show in Cologne (Germany), which takes place September 25-30th, including its write accelerated CompactFlash Media, the general availability of its Image Rescue software for OS X, its USB Multi-Card Reader, and its new Digital Photo Player for viewing digital images on a television set. [links to products added at 10:50 pm ET]

Apple warns of Windows QT/IE/ActiveX hole

09/25, 6:05pm

Apple warns of Windows QT/IE/ActiveX hole

Apple has issued a security advisory to all users of QuickTime for Windows 5.0.2 that describes a QuickTime/Internet Explorer vulnerability. Apple recommends that all users and Web site administrators running the Windows operating system upgrade to the new version of the ActiveX control "as soon as possible." QuickTime versions for Mac OS X or Mac OS 9 are not vulnerable.

MS releases Internet Explorer updates

09/25, 5:35pm

MS releases Internet Explorer updates

Microsoft today posted Internet Explorer 5.1.6 for Mac OS 8/9 and Internet Explorer 5.2.2 for OS X. Both updates provides all the latest security and performance enhancements for Internet Explorer 5 for Mac OS X, including the security vulnerability described in this Microsoft Security Bulletin MS02-050 (and noted here earlier this month). [Classic, OSX]

Columnist still mixed on potential x86 switch

09/25, 5:15pm

Columnist still mixed on potential x86 switch

Revisiting the subject of an Intel-based Mac, BusinessWeek's Charles Haddad weighs the the advantages and disadvantages of a switch by the computer maker to x86 microprocessors. "The most compelling reason to abandon Motorola's PowerPC chip: it's falling further behind in the speed race as Intel's chips leave Motorola's in the dust," writes Haddad. Although Apple might be able to retain the 'uniqueness' of the Mac platform, analysts warn that such a switch could trigger a revolt by software developers, who have had to re-write their software applications once already in the last two years.

Learning Imp update adds new chemistry test

09/25, 4:30pm

Learning Imp update adds new chemistry test

Learning Imp 1.1b1 adds a 'Statistics' drawer and a Periodic Table test to the $20 education authoring tool. Learning Imp allows users to create dictionaries, administer tests and build lessons for language learning. Learning Imp is also an effective study tool for K-12 and college students.

altEra/ Apple Italy deliver SC solution

09/25, 4:25pm

altEra/ Apple Italy deliver SC solution

Italian Mac site Macitynet has posted an interview with with altEra, the developer of the first complete Digital Signature/Smart Card hardware and software solution for Mac OS X. altEra completed development ahead of schedule, as a result of extensive collaboration with Apple Italy.

10th Macintosh Business Expo kicks-off soon

09/25, 4:15pm

10th Macintosh Business Expo kicks-off soon

The tenth-annual Macintosh Business Expo opens in ten days at the Washington State Convention & Trade Center. The Macintosh Business Expo, which is presented by The Computer Store and sponsored by Apple, is one of the largest Mac-only exhibitions -- trailing behind the Macworld Expo and Seybold trade shows. The Omni Group and and Detto Technologies are among the exhibitors showcasing products at the event.

My-Pod announces iPod engraving service

09/25, 4:00pm

My-Pod announces iPod engraving service

My-Pod today launched an after-market engraving service for the popular Apple iPod digital music player. Similar to the service that Apple offers for new iPods, My-Pod will laser-engrave any name, phrase or messages on the stainless-steel back of an iPod for $50. “Now every iPod owner can make his or her iPod reflect its owner’s personality.”, says Scott Watson of My-Pod.

Freeware scripts enhance Mail, AddressBook

09/25, 3:30pm

Freeware scripts enhance Mail, AddressBook

Gwenhiver.net yesterday released his Address Book Exporter 2.0, which will let you export your Mac OS X Address Book as a tab-delimited plain text file. Andreas Amann also has a set of freeware Mail Scripts 1.2.1 for Mail and Address Book, which includes AppleScripts to create rules based on selected messages, change the SMTP server, remove duplicate messages, send all Drafts, Create a Mailing List, export addresses, and search the Address Book using any of the included fields. The source code is available separately. [ABE, MS]

Isadora integrates performance, digital media

09/25, 3:20pm

Isadora integrates performance, digital media

Isadora 0.96 is a beta of the graphical programming environment for both Mac OS 9 and OS X that provides interactive control over digital media, with special emphasis on the real-time manipulation of digital video: "For those in the video production arena, an important new feature is Isadora's non-real time rendering function. It allows you to interactively develop your patches, and then to go into non-real time mode to render its output to a QuickTime movie at full resolution and full frame rates."

Adobe posts Adobe Euro fonts, GoLive 6 fix

09/25, 2:50pm

Adobe posts Adobe Euro fonts, GoLive 6 fix

Adobe has posted OpenType and PostScript versions of Adobe Euro Fonts for Macintosh (requires registration) as well as recently posted an Installer Permissions update for GoLive 6.0 (for OS X), which addresses an "access denied" error encountered by some users during installation.

Eskape posts beta MyTV/X 2.0b drivers

09/25, 2:00pm

Eskape posts beta MyTV/X 2.0b drivers

Eskape Labs has posted new beta MyTV/X 2.0b drivers for Mac OS X 10.2 for its MyTV & MyTV/fm, MyCapture II, and MyVideo video products. The company recommends using the uninstaller if users encounter problems, and notes that the drivers are not designed for MyTV2Go: "A Fix for MyTV2GO is in the works and will be online soon."

Captain FTP 1.4: ftp client supports Jaguar

09/25, 1:55pm

Captain FTP 1.4: ftp client supports Jaguar

Captain FTP 1.4 brings Jaguar compatibility, enhanced List management, better stability, an improved contextual menu, and other enhancements to Xnet's FTP client for OS X. Version 1.4 also features full localization in English, German, and French. . It is free for personal/educational use and $25 for commerical use; however, the trial version requires registration beyond the 14-day demo period.

Apple open-sources Rendezvous technology

09/25, 1:05pm

Apple open-sources Rendezvous technology

Apple today announced it is "open sourcing" the code for its Rendezvous networking technology, which is based on open Internet Engineering Task Force (IETF) Standard Protocols such as IP, ARP and DNS, uses industry standard networking protocols and zero configuration technology to automatically discover and connect devices over any IP network.

WiebeTech ships bus-powered desktop drive

09/25, 1:05pm

WiebeTech ships bus-powered desktop drive

WiebeTech is now shipping the Super DesktopGB, its bus-powered desktop drive housed in a 3.5-inch enclosure with dual-FireWire and single-USB 2.0 port. Available in capacities up to 120GB, the drives utilize the Oxford OXFW911 bridge, offering transfer rates greater than 30MB/sec when used in conjunction with 7200RPM drives, according to the company. It is bundled with MediaFour's MacDrive 5 software, which allows Super DesktopGB to mount on Windows computers when the drive is formatted as a Mac volume. Prices are $150 (case-only), $220 (40GB/5400rpm), $250 (80GB/7200rpm), $320 (120GB/7200rpm). All models are shipping now with a vertical stand, USB2 cable, FireWire cable and AC adapter.

Apple releases Darwin 6.01 for PPC, x86

09/25, 1:00pm

Apple releases Darwin 6.01 for PPC, x86

Apple has released Darwin 6.0.1, the Open Source core underlying Mac OS X v10.2 Jaguar. The Darwin kernel features enhancements from FreeBSD 4.4 and the KAME IPv6/IPsec code, and "is one of the first Open Source operating system releases to be built using GCC 3.1." Darwin is available for both the PowerPC and x86 architectures as is the updated Darwin Tools package, which allows you to build Darwin components on top of Mac OS X itself.

DMX lighting controllers support 512 channels

09/25, 1:00pm

DMX lighting controllers support 512 channels

CDS advanced bv has released LanBox-LCX (€550) is the newest addition to the company's DMX controller product line. Designed for any DMX lighting application, it supports up to 512 DMX channels, offers simultaneous communication via all of its ports, and can be used in distributed network as well as in stand-alone applications. The Euro 550 controller features built-in Ethernet (with TCP/IP and AppleTalk support), MIDI in/out, DMX in/out and USB ports as wel as 16 general purpose analog/digital I/O ports for external analog or digital signals. The LanBox-LCM (€300) is a "mini LCX version made to run stand-alone, but can also be controlled via the serial/MIDI connection. It's very small, very low priced and very easy to use, yet it supports 512 lighting channels and has the same command set as the LCX!" Both include LCedit+ 3.0 a graphical lighting editor for both Classic and OS X.

CrystalMaker 6.0 now available for OS X

09/25, 12:45pm

CrystalMaker 6.0 now available for OS X

CrystalMaker 6.0 is a new OS X version of the crystal structures visualization software. It adds new data windows, data editors, print preview and printing improvements, multi-styled text editing, searchable online help, better export functions, integration with CrystalDiffract 4 (simulates and displays powder diffraction patterns), interface enhancements such as window-centric sheets, and a new Symmetry Browser. It is distributed on CD-ROM, bundled with version 5.2 of CrystalMaker for Mac OS Classic (System 7.1 through Mac OS 9.2), which can read binary files generated by CrystalMaker 6. The $500 ($350 academic) program licence entitles you to use both versions: 5.2 and 6.0. Upgrades from v5 are $280.

iCal Shifter imports Address Book birthdays

09/25, 12:35pm

iCal Shifter imports Address Book birthdays

Scotland Software's iCal Birthday Shifter 1.1.1 will automatically import birthdays from the Address Book and create an iCal Birthday calendar (or optionally allow you to import the dates into an existing calendar). The free download includes the source code of the AppleScript as well.

Cisco updates Aironet wireless drivers

09/25, 12:25pm

Cisco updates Aironet wireless drivers

Cisco has updated its Aironet Drivers 2.1.1 for Mac OS 9 and OS X, which includes support for its 350 and 340 Series PCMCIA and PCI 802.11b Client Adapters.

Macintosh Manager 2.2.1 fixes Mac OS 8 bug

09/25, 12:25pm

Macintosh Manager 2.2.1 fixes Mac OS 8 bug

Apple's Macintosh Manager 2.2.1 Update delivers a bug fix where Mac OS 8.x clients would save user's documents in the wrong location, rendering clients unable to access documents from Mac OS 9 client workstations.

Photo to Movie 1.06 creates QT, DV files

09/25, 12:20pm

Photo to Movie 1.06 creates QT, DV files

Photo to Movie 1.06 enables you to create a movie by zooming and panning over a photo and using its simple interface to specify the starting and ending frames. The $10 application for OS X generates full quality QuickTime or DV Stream files (compatible with iMovie). Version 1.06 adds an option to save documents using file references instead of embedding the image, adds hold times to beginning/end of the movie, and correctly saves Windows positions.

Web Proofs 1.5 creates online store

09/25, 10:15am

Web Proofs 1.5 creates online store

LAJ Design has added an improved shopping cart, a PHP processing option, custom logo options, and other enhancements to Web Proofs 1.5, its $75 application that creates online web-based stores allowing photographers or small businesses to put their products online easily. Version 1.5 also offers smaller HTML pages, a view cart page, shipping page and checkout page. [Classic, OSX]

Opera 6.0b1 features tabbed browsing

09/25, 9:55am

Opera 6.0b1 features tabbed browsing

Opera today released Opera 6.0 for Mac Beta 1, an update to the alternative browser which includes interface changes, for OS X, zoom bars for address entry and search fields, desktop presentation features (in full-screen mode), and tabbed browsing. It also includes a personal toolbar, "skinning" to fully customize the look & feel, inline searching, Unicode support, support for bidirectional (BIDI) languages, and other enhancements. It is available in a limited 30-day banner-free trial (after which it will be ad-supported); the $40 registration includes an Opera Power Kit complete with Opera Power CD, Opera Mouse Gestures Pad, and Opera sticker, as well as a free upgrade to Opera 7.

Metaobject updates PDF utils for OS X

09/25, 9:45am

Metaobject updates PDF utils for OS X

Metaobject has released TextLightning 2.01, an update to its $20 Mac OS X native utility for converting PDF files to RTF format and PdfCompress 1.2.4 ($25), which compresses PDF files by applying JPEG photo compression to images contained the document (vs. the line art compression used by Quartz technology). Both updates improve compatibility with certain types of PDF files. [TL, PDFC]

Digidesign Digi 002 FireWire Mini Studio

09/25, 9:40am

Digidesign Digi 002 FireWire Mini Studio

Digidesign earlier this week began shipping Digi 002, its $2,500 FireWire-based Pro Tools product. Digi 002 features FireWire connectivity, a touch-sensitive control surface, 24-bit clarity and up to 96 kHz sample rate support, and Pro Tools LE 5.3.2 software (Mac OS 9-only) as well as over $2,250 in bundled plugins, including IK Multimedia's Amplitube (full version) and SampleTank LE; Digidesign's D-Fi D-fx, and Maxim; Native Instrument's PR0-52; and Waves' Renaissance Collection. The device can be used as a 8x4x2 digital mixer complete with EQ, dynamics, delay, and reverb with snapshots.

M-Systems to release Mac SDK for DiskOnKey

09/25, 9:30am

M-Systems to release Mac SDK for DiskOnKey

M-Systems today announced a software developer's kit (SDK) allowing the developer community to run applications off of its DiskOnKey device while also offering its driverless capabilities with all major operating systems. The DiskOnKey firmware already contains functions such as encryption and authentication that only need to be activated by software developers. It is due for Mac and Linux systems "in the near future," according to the press release.

SanDisk intros USB 2.0 6-in-1 media reader

09/25, 9:20am

SanDisk intros USB 2.0 6-in-1 media reader

SanDisk has introduced a USB 2.0 version of its ImageMate 6-in-1 memory card reader. The backward-compatible device has slots for CompactFlash Type I/II cards, SmartMedia, SD, Memory Stick and the MultiMediaCard. It ships with a docking station, which provides a convenience factor for desktop owners; for travel, the reader can be removed from the docking station and later used with an included short cable. It is expected to ship in October for $50.

TimeSlice 2.5.1: updated time-billing app

09/25, 9:15am

TimeSlice 2.5.1: updated time-billing app

Casady & Greene has released TimeSlice 2.5.1, a maintenance update to its time-tracking and time-billing application for Mac OS 8/9 and OS X. TimeSlice easily tracks the time spent on multiple business projects and client jobs, offers invoicing functions, and includes the ability to export time data. It is a free update to registered users of the $60 utility. [Classic, OSX]

Apple to exhibit at EDUCAUSE 2002

09/25, 1:15am

Apple to exhibit at EDUCAUSE 2002

Apple will be exhibiting at EDUCAUSE 2002, which takes place from October 1-4 in Atlanta, CA. Apple will be providing flat panel iMac systems and eMac as email stations in the public areas outside the exhibit hall. Apple will also focus on "how a number of leading campuses are moving their Mac OS 9 based labs to Mac OS X quickly and easily with a number of widely available transition tools and resources."