News Archive for 02/10/08

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HP offers Photosmart driver v2.0.5

10/08, 8:05pm

HP offers Photosmart driver v2.0.5

Hewlett-Packard has released its Photosmart 2.0.5 driver software for Mac OS X. The printer software supports all Photosmart printer models with USB, except the Photosmart 100 printer.

Avernum 3 1.1.1 fixes game saving

10/08, 7:50pm

Avernum 3 1.1.1 fixes game saving

Avernum 3 v1.1.1 is an updated version of Spiderweb Software's fantasy role-playing game that fixes a serious bug, which kept some players from being able to save games. "Avernum 3 is an epic fantasy role-playing game, featuring a huge world, multitudes of puzzles and quests, hundreds of towns and dungeons, and a fascinating storyline." A demo version is available for Mac OS 9.

Apple KB roundup: 10.2 issues; iSync tip

10/08, 7:00pm

Apple KB roundup: 10.2 issues; iSync tip

Recent Apple advisories and tips: Computers running Mac OS 9 or X can stop responding if put into sleep while an iPod is connected; the Mac OS X 10.2 Finder may become unresponsive for 30 to 90 seconds if the Inspector version of the Info window is used to change a file name; in order to sync with a Palm OS device, users of iSync 1.0 must first configure conduit settings in HotSync Manager; automatic notification of software updates may be turned off after upgrading Mac OS X 10.1 to version 10.2; a kernel panic may occur under OS X 10.2 if a file whose filename ends with "#02" -- or any other hexadecimal number -- is copied via any Apple file service (Finder, etc.).

Apps: WeatherMan, LimeWire, irEdit...

10/08, 5:10pm

Apps: WeatherMan, LimeWire, irEdit...

The evening application and utility roundup includes WeatherMan 1.7, NetMinder Ethernet 5.0's Packet Inference, LimeWire 2.6, irEdit 1.2, WipeOut 1.2.2 and webpeek 1.0.1:

WeatherMan(X) 1.7 downloads current weather conditions, weather forecast and Nexrad radar images from the National Weather Service and displays them in a separate application or in the Mac OS X Dock. The update brings improved icons, sounds, and sorting, and fixes radar animation bugs. [Classic, OSX]
An update to NetMinder Ethernet 5.0's Packet Inference is now available for Mac OS X, with new rules for detecting and eliminating attempted exploits from the Bugbear virus. [32 KB]
LimeWire 2.6 brings better network connectivity, a more informative library, improved documentation and more localizations to the Gnutella-based file sharing application for Mac OS 9 & X. [Classic, OSX]
irEdit 1.2 is a text editor for Mac OS X that now contains new language and general preferences, bug fixes and other performance improvements. [383 KB]
WipeOut 1.2.2 fixes bugs related to Mac OS X 10.2.1 as well as joystick codes for the racing game. Tested joysticks include the Gravis Gamepad, MacAlly IShock II and the Logitech Wingman Attack 2. [509KB]
webpeek 1.0.1 is an application that brings the ability of viewing Mac OS 9 & X screens remotely via any web browser. [Classic, OSX]

Apple releases Mac OS X Modem Update 1.0

10/08, 4:35pm

Apple releases Mac OS X Modem Update 1.0

Apple has released Mac OS X Modem Update 1.0, which fixes a "rare issue in which a built-in modem cannot dial up" after installing Mac OS X 10.2. Symptoms include a message stating "Internet Connect could not open the communications device" and an Internet Connection Log reports that the device is busy.

"If you have not experienced the symptoms, you do not need to download the Mac OS X Modem Update. The steps below require Mac OS 9 for downloading the update. If you do not have Mac OS 9 installed, you should download the update (as in Steps 3 and 4) from another location and then burn it on a CD to take back to your computer. If you live near an Apple Store retail location, you may get assistance there if necessary. "

Apps: Praeco, iDress, PdfCompress...

10/08, 12:30pm

Apps: Praeco, iDress, PdfCompress...

The afternoon application and utility roundup includes a demo of PRO-53 from NI, metaobject's PdfCompress 2.0, Praeco 1.5, iDress 1.1, and Emailchemy 1.1:

NI has posted a demo of PRO-53, its recently updated $200 virtual analog synth with new oscillator technology, high-pass filter mode and an invertible filter envelope as well as a reworked control surface.
metaobject today released PdfCompress 2.0, an update to its $25 PDF compression tool for Mac OS X. It adds performance improvements and bug fixes as well as a second compression method, which compresses bi-level images using the lossless CCITT Group 4 compression method used in Fax transmission. [780KB]
Praeco 1.5 is an update to Desideratum's eBay auction tool for buyers and sellers, adding expanded searching options, more display customization, auction countdowns, encrypted bidding passwords, and workarounds for outstanding issues with the Mac OS X 10.2. [Classic, OSX]
iDress 1.1 updates the company's $15 reporting application built on top of Jaguar's Address Book. The template-based solution can generate envelopes, Avery and Dymo formatted mailing labels, and custom stationery from Address Book records. Version 1.1 includes support for Single Address Selection and International Address Formatting as well as new template options. [4.6MB]
Emailchemy 1.3.1 brings "critical bug" fixes for the QuickMail converter and other GUI improvements to the $25 utility that reads proprietary formats of the most popular email applications and converts them to standard formats. [317KB]

Macworld Expo to return to Boston in 2004

10/08, 11:35am

Macworld Expo to return to Boston in 2004

Macworld Expo is set to return to Boston in 2004 after IDG moved to the show to New York City in 1998, according to Business Today; "Big Apple officials, as they attempted to keep the giant tech show at the Jacob R. Javits convention center, pulled out all the stops - including appearances by Broadway stars. [But Boston's] package included the use of the city-owned Parkman House on Beacon Hill and the courtyard of the Boston Public Library for private receptions for Macworld attendees. [Boston] City Hall also threw in banner advertising touting the show in city lamp posts, while state convention officials offered free rent on the meeting hall under construction in South Boston. But with the decision now made, Greco and IDG are planning an Oct. 17 press conference."

Peer Visual 8.2.5 creates real-time graphics

10/08, 10:25am

Peer Visual 8.2.5 creates real-time graphics

VVI today released Peer Visual 8.2.5, which adds scalability and other improvements its real-time Web application that makes dynamic reports, charts, diagrams and other visuals for print and web distribution. Version 8.2.5 adds launch-on-demand, fall-over, request forwarding, multiprocessing, multithreading, asynchronous request handling, origin-distribution and continuous autonomous monitoring and restarting.

DayLite 1.1: CRM app gets Address Book sync

10/08, 10:10am

DayLite 1.1: CRM app gets Address Book sync

Marketcircle announced the release of DayLite 1.1, an update to its customer and sales management application: "[it] has been designed to equip and empower an entire company. An individual can manage a sale from a cold call to the post-sales support using DayLite Opportunities and Projects. The team leader can overview any Opportunity, make an action plan, delegate tasks to team members and always see what the next pending task is for each Opportunity." Version 1.1 adds an Address Book Sync feature for Mac OS X 10.2 Jaguar owners. DayLite Business Edition is currently being offered at an early adopter price of $135 per seat for a limited time ($115 off the suggested retail price).

Apago releases PDF utilities for OS X

10/08, 10:00am

Apago releases PDF utilities for OS X

Apago's PDFshrink, reduces the size of PDF files by optimizing the resolution and compression method of each image in the PDF file: PDFshrink ($125) offers extensive control over image compression and resolution using different compression and resolution choices for color, grayscale and 1-bit images as well as batch processing through monitored hot folders. PDFshrink Lite ($35) is designed to repurpose high-resolution PDF files for use on the web, in ebooks and for on-screen reading. The drag and drop interface uses JPEG compression and reduces the resolution of images to 72 dpi, while bitmaps images are scaled to 300 dpi and compressed with "Flate compression." Both run under Mac OS X.

TextSpresso 2.0 applies filters to text

10/08, 9:45am

TextSpresso 2.0 applies filters to text

Taylor Design's TextSpresso 2.0, a $20 text editor and "cleaner" that can apply one or filters, sorts, or data extraction to text in any application. It also offers batch conversion functions, custom built filters, PC-Mac file conversion, and other special text conversion functions. A 30-day demo of the is available.

MacBU launches Ms MoXie contest

10/08, 9:40am

MacBU launches Ms MoXie contest

Microsoft's Macintosh Business Unit (MacBU) today launched a national Search for Ms. MoXie (an acronym for Microsoft Office v. X), a contest to find the "most nimble, determined, Mac-wielding businesswoman around and crown her Ms. MoXie....Contestants are required to submit a one-page essay nominating themselves or a businesswoman they admire, explaining how she's creatively staying ahead of the business curve and why she deserves to don the title of Ms. MoXie." The winner will receive $10,000 toward her business and a new iMac loaded with Microsoft Office v. X. All finalists will receive a copy of Microsoft Office v. X.

Adaptec announces Xhub for notebooks

10/08, 9:40am

Adaptec announces Xhub for notebooks

Adaptec today announced its Adaptec XHub for Notebooks, a new 4-port hub for both USB 2.0/USB 1.1 peripherals that does not require an extra power supply for "most peripherals." It provides device indicator lights to identify peripherals currently in use. The $40 device comes with a one-year hardware warranty.

RealNetworks updates RealOne Player for OS X

10/08, 1:45am

RealNetworks updates RealOne Player for OS X

RealNetworks today announced the second beta release of RealOne Player for Mac OS X, which supports RealOne SuperPass subscription services for access to digital programming from prominent media outlets such as ABCNEWS.com, CNN, E! Networks, FOXSports.com, and MLB.com. The company says that that Mac users downloaded over 800,000 copies of the first beta since its mid-July release (including over 55,000 in the first 24 hours).

Maxtor bundles Retrospect Express with drives

10/08, 1:40am

Maxtor bundles Retrospect Express with drives

Dantz today announced that Maxtor will bundle its Retrospect Express backup software with the new Maxtor Personal Storage 5000 Family of external hard drives, which feature Maxtor's OneTouch technology for instantly copying important files to the 5000 series drive via the touch of a button. [Maxtor site not updated]