News Archive for 02/11/01

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SF announces "Fink" as project of month

11/01, 8:10pm

SF announces "Fink" as project of month

SourceForge.net's "project of the month" for November is "Fink," a Mac OS X program that aims to "help people run Open Source *nix based applications on their Mac." "The Fink project wants to bring the full world of Unix Open Source software to Darwin and Mac OS X. We modify Unix software so that it compiles and runs on Mac OS X and make it available for download as a coherent distribution," explains the lead developer's mission statement.

New accessories for CB2 chassis users

11/01, 6:50pm

New accessories for CB2 chassis users

Mobility Electronics has unveiled the two new accessory packages for users of the portable 2-Slot Expansion Chassis (CB2 series): the first ($350)  includes a 7200 rpm 80 GB Seagate Barracuda Ultra ATA/100 disk drive, IDE-Firewire converter with Oxford 911 Firewire Bridge chipset, internal Firewire cables, a 6 foot external Firewire cable, and a custom mounting bracket; the second ($230) includes all the components of the former package, but excludes the disk drive.

Destineer offers free Links Course Converter

11/01, 6:10pm

Destineer offers free Links Course Converter

Destineer today announced that its Links Championship Edition Course Converter would be available as a free download from the Bold-Destineer Web site. The Links Course Converter allows players to use up to 36 of their previously-acquired Links LS courses in Links Championship Edition. Also included in the free download is a software update for Links that is required to use courses converted with the Links Course Converter.

MS releases Movie Maker 2, targets Apple

11/01, 6:00pm

MS releases Movie Maker 2, targets Apple

Microsoft hopes to sway new computer users to its Windows XP operating system with the release of Windows Movie Maker 2. Movie Maker is Microsoft's answer to Apple's iMovie software, which pioneered low-cost, home video editing. In a side-by-side "comparison guide" of the two products, Microsoft compares the number of titles, effects and transitions included with both suites, but also uses arbitrary measures, such as the inclusion of "Industry–leading compression technology"

Apps: PencilTest, eFax Messenger ...

11/01, 2:40pm

Apps: PencilTest, eFax Messenger ...

PencilTest 1.0 is a Mac OS 9 & X application that will load, resize, rotate and compress a series of individual image files into a QuickTime movie. Movies can be prepared in numerous sizes, as well as in 4:3 or 16:9 aspect ratios. A shareware fee of $15 unlocks the program, allowing for final output without a watermark. [1.4MB]
Create 10.7 and Stone Studio have been updated to bring AppleScript support, allowing users to use instant slide shows, newsletters and interactive layouts. [23.3MB]
eFax Messenger 2.1 is an update of the client version of the free eFax service. It allows users to receive faxes as attachments in email, and now features Mac OS X compatibility. [614KB]

iMac, iPod up for Technical Excellence Award

11/01, 1:00pm

iMac, iPod up for Technical Excellence Award

PC Magazine has announced the finalists for their 19th annual Awards for Technical Excellence. "The awards recognize individuals and products that have advanced the state of technology and set new standards for technical innovation in 2002." The iMac is a finalists in the Desktop PC category, and the iPod is a finalist in the Mobile Device category. The publication's editorial staff and lab analysts chose more than 30 products in 11 different categories for the awards. The winners will be announced on Monday, November 18th, at The Venitian Hotel in Las Vegas, Nevada.

Formac reduces DVD-R, CDRW prices

11/01, 12:35pm

Formac reduces DVD-R, CDRW prices

Formac has announced a price drop for its storage product line, including the FireWire DVD-R/CD-RW. Previously $550, the devideon superdrive, which writes DVD-Rs at speeds of 4X, is now $400. The cdrw 40, a CD-RW drive with 40X write, 12X re-write and 48X reading speed is lowered to $160. It comes bundled with Roxio Toast LE and incorporates the BURN-Proof feature to prevent coasters.

Mac OS among least prone to hacker attacks

11/01, 12:30pm

Mac OS among least prone to hacker attacks

The Mac OS was among the least prone to hacker attack and damage from viruses and worms in 2002, while Microsoft Windows and Linux were the most vulnerable, according to a report by technology risk-management company, mi2g. Data from the report is taken from mi2g's SIPS (Security Intelligence Products & Systems) database, which stores information on more than 6,000 hacker groups from as far back as 1995.

Wired: Mac modifications from Japan, more

11/01, 12:15pm

Wired: Mac modifications from Japan, more

Wired News has posted two articles on different modifications for Macs. The first article features customizations from Japan, including painted PowerBook cases, an iBook built inside an aluminum travel case, and a black flat-panel iMac. The second article features a clam-shell iBook being transformed into a touch-screen writing tablet, a PowerMac G4 with a built-in LCD screen, front mounted USB ports and blue neon, and a 1940s Philco radio being used as a case for a Macintosh Quadra 605.

Uncompressed 10-bit video for under $1000

11/01, 11:50am

Uncompressed 10-bit video for under $1000

Blackmagic Design announced the immediate availability of its new QuickTime PCI capture card: Blackmagic DeckLink is "the first" uncompressed 10-bit video PCI card priced under $1000 and is designed specifically for connecting to digital broadcast tape decks. It features SDI video & audio input and output, as well as a Sony compatible RS422 serial deck control port, a 66MHz PCI bus, support for NTSC and PAL video formats, real-time effects, a built-in DV bridge, and a Universal free software codec for Mac OS X, Mac OS 9, and Windws.

Apps: Final Vinyl, Valentina, Speed Download

11/01, 11:45am

Apps: Final Vinyl, Valentina, Speed Download

Griffin's Final Vinyl 0.7, is an update to the free audio recording application that adds cue marking, dynamic leveling and quick save. Final Vinyl is designed to work with the Griffin iMic ($35), a popular and inexpensive USB audio device that adds high quality stereo input and output to any USB based Macintosh and includes a switch to select between microphone or line inputs. [703KB]
Paradigma Software's Valentina Technology Release 1.9.6 improves SQL-based engine support for complex multi-table joins, has better support of International characters, and other improvements. Solutions are available for Microsoft Visual C++, Metrowerks CodeWarrior, Java, COM compatible products (Visual Basic, Delphi, PowerBuilder), REAL Software's REALbasic, Macromedia Director, Purity Software's WebSiphon and all XCMD compatible products.
YazSoft's Speed Download 1.9.2 is described as a "must have update" the download utility, adding both OS X and Classic plugins, better MIME-type handling, improved windowing in OS X 10.2.1 and better proxy support as well as many other features. [757KB]
Redcort has updated its software-based employee time clock software. Virtual TimeClock Standard Edition 2.5 now automatically checks file integrity and backs up data, has an updated interface with larger time clock display, supports Classic and OS X, and has other bug fixes. It is a $25 upgrade to the $130 software. [1.1MB]