News Archive for 02/11/11

Choose an article from the archive listing on this page or refine your selection using the controls in the gray box below.

ePocrates Rx Pro lacks Mac support

11/11, 11:25pm

ePocrates Rx Pro lacks Mac support

The new "Pro" version of ePocrates Rx, a popular pharmaceutical reference for the Palm OS, will not include Macintosh support. Because the Pro edition requires periodic updates, Mac users will soon have to switch to the free version, according to some long-time users. While some are appealing to the developer for Macintosh support, one reader points to a public beta of Tarascon Pocket Pharmacopia, which, however, lacks the regular drug updates and lacks contraindication information.

OnMyCommandCM: more contextual functionality

11/11, 9:00pm

OnMyCommandCM: more contextual functionality

OnMyCommandCM 1.3.1b1 is the latest version of Abracode's "contextual menu command line instruction executor" for Mac OS X. Users can add their favorite commands to a master list, and execute them via a universal contextual menu at any time. Commands can be executed in Terminal.app or "silently."

Journaling feature offered with OS X Server

11/11, 8:10pm

Journaling feature offered with OS X Server

Mac OS X Server 10.2.2 (released earlier today) includes a new "journaling" feature for the Mac OS Extended (HFS+) file system. As noted previously, the journaling system protects the integrity of the file system on any OS X-based server. Apple highlights two key benefits of the new system: rapid recovery of lost files; automatic logging of file system transactions. Designed for rapid implementation, the journaling system does not require a drive reformat to work, and earlier versions of HFS+ can be easily retrofitted with the technology. [Download PDF outline]

Stupendous releases new iMovie plugins

11/11, 8:00pm

Stupendous releases new iMovie plugins

Stupendous Software has released two new iMovie plugin packs, containing a total of 33 effects, including 6 free plugins in the demo download. Levels & Balances includes 13 effects--three of which are free. It brings Photoshop-style image adjustment controls to iMovie, including effects for adjusting the levels of an image, as well as effects for setting the gamma, color balance, and white balance. Smoke & Glass, which has 20 effects (including three free) includes effects for a number of animated smoke effects, as well as frosted glass effects and several wavy glass refraction effects. Each pack is $25 and runs with iMovie 2.1.1 or later under both OS X and Mac OS 9.

Open-source scripting language updated

11/11, 7:35pm

Open-source scripting language updated

A group of SourceForge developers has released several Mac OS X 'binary distributions' of the TclTkAqua 8.4.1 scripting language port. In addition to the OS X releases, the developers have release a Mac OS 9 ('Classic') version.

New 'Movielink' service lacks Mac support

11/11, 6:30pm

New 'Movielink' service lacks Mac support

Several MacNN readers note that Movielink -- billed as Hollywood's answer to requests for fee-based movie downloads -- is only compatible with computers that run Microsoft Windows. Additionally, Movielink is only available to residents of the United States.

Apps: See No Evil, Praevius, MacSpeech UK

11/11, 6:00pm

Apps: See No Evil, Praevius, MacSpeech UK

La Jolla Underground has released See No Evil 1.0 for Mac OS 9/X. See No Evil will hide the current contents of your computer screen to protect confidential information from "prying eyes." See No Evil is accessible from a "floating," system-wide button. [727KB]
MacInvoice 1.5 Beta 2 and MacLedger 0.8.0 are now available from Praevius. MacInvoice 1.5 fixes "payment" and "salesperson" bugs, corrects a several display errors, and includes a more user-friendly registration system. MacLedger 0.8.0 addresses a bug whereby the Remaining Balance (in lower left corner of main screen) would not display accurately when switching between ledgers. The update also prevents ledgers and categories from being created without names. [Form req'd to download]
MacSpeech has announced the release of a UK English version of its iListen 1.5.2 speech recognition/dictation suite. "The software has undergone three years of intensive development and testing specifically for the Mac platform and offers the unique ability to dictate into almost any program." [Download link unavailable]

Apple releases Mac OS X 10.2.2 update

11/11, 4:55pm

Apple releases Mac OS X 10.2.2 update

Apple today released Mac OS X 10.2.2 via the OS X Software Update app. It delivers "enhanced functionality and improved reliability for the following applications and technologies: Address Book, iChat, IP Firewall, Mail, Print Center, Rendezvous, Sherlock and Windows file service discovery. The update also includes the updated services previously delivered in Security Update 2002-09-20." The Knowledge Base article with more details is available online. Update: As anticipated, Mac OS X 10.2.2 includes a new "journaled file system" -- activated by the 'sudo diskutil enableJournal' command -- that provides users with a "historical view" of their data.

Bantam launches mini-USB storage drives

11/11, 12:50pm

Bantam launches mini-USB storage drives

Bantam Interactive today launched its new line of portable USB storage drives. The slim, sleek device allows users to store and transfer files via the USB port. It features an innovative weatherproof casing, making it durable in all types of environments. The 2.8" x 0.9" x 0.4" inch device weighs only 0.4 ounces and comes with a blue LED status indicator. The USB drive is offered in 32MB ($50) and 64MB ($80) models. [site not updated]

Apps: Universe, AutoTagX, Addressix...

11/11, 12:45pm

Apps: Universe, AutoTagX, Addressix...

Mark Malson's $13 shareware AutoTagX 2.5 automatically tags and organizes MP3 files with the simplicity of drag-and-drop and the power of internet music databases. Version 2.5 adds an option to add individual files in addition to album folders, has support for id3v2.4 tags, includes a contextual menu, and has other enhancements. [857KB]
Troi's URL Plug-in v1.01 is a $60 cross platform plug-in lets you post and retrieve information from the Internet from within FileMaker Pro.
A Sharp has released Addressix 1.2, an update to its $12 envelope printing utility for Mac OS X that remembers printer settings, auto-completes addresses, and prints bar codes for automated sorting. It adds custom envelope sizes and integration with the Mac OS X Address Book. [332KB]
Electric Image has posted Universe 5.01, which brings fixes and new features for Animator and Radiosity to the 3D application suite. [2.3MB]

TiHandle for PowerBook G4 Titanium

11/11, 12:20pm

TiHandle for PowerBook G4 Titanium

OWC and Newer Tech today introduced the TiHandle, an ergonomically designed handle plus stand for PowerBook G4 Titanium, which "makes it easy to carry a PowerBook G4, and also doubles as a stand, providing an elevated angle that allows for more natural typing position and better heat dissipation for cooler operation." It attaches to G4 Titaniums using the supplied Torx screwdriver and four supplied Torx screws and also includes clear heavy-duty rubber tape to protect the paint on the underside of a PowerBook when using the TiHandle as a stand. It is available at Other World Computing (OWC) for $40.

Reader: Dazzle drivers work for USB Camermate

11/11, 11:55am

Reader: Dazzle drivers work for USB Camermate

Thomas Schwab notes that Dazzle has posted updated ZiO! SmartMedia Reader and USB SmartMedia reader drivers for Mac OS X 10.2 Jaguar, noting that the drivers also worked for his Microtech USB Cameramate and Zio! Digital Film Readers, although MicroTech has yet to post the driver at its Website.

NI ships Traktor DJ Studio 2.0 for Mac

11/11, 9:15am

NI ships Traktor DJ Studio 2.0 for Mac

Native Instruments is now shipping Traktor DJ Studio 2.0, an update to its $200 professional DJ software that is now available for Mac OS 9 and Mac OS X. It features an updated user interface, advanced interpolation and filters, and professional de-emphasis correction to emulate the characteristics of analog vinyl scratching. Traktor DJ also offers a powerful database with search functions, automatic MP3 tag import, improved cueing and looping, innovative tempo recognition, Wav or AIFF file export, and MIDI control.

Macromedia to ship Contribute for OS X

11/11, 9:10am

Macromedia to ship Contribute for OS X

Macromedia today announced Contribute, a new desktop application that allows users to update, add, and publish web content to existing websites without "requiring technical skills beyond basic word processing." It features integration with Dreamweaver as well as Microsoft Excel. Contribute will ship in December for Windows with a Mac OS X version due next year. Introductory pricing is $100.

Apps: Keyboard Maestro, Collaborate...

11/11, 1:20am

Apps: Keyboard Maestro, Collaborate...

Collaborate 1.0 is described as a "combination chat and whiteboard program through which individuals in disparate locations can interact to work out ideas. Collaborate functions as a distributed network allowing an arbitrary number of individuals to be involved." The $10 shareware is free to students, faculty and staff of educational institutions as well as to staff of non-profit and charitable organizations. It is available for Windows and Mac OS X. [818KB
Keyboard Maestro 1.2.1 updates Michael Kamprath's shareware utility for controlling multiple clipboards, system actions, and other functions via the keyboard. It adds a new "iTunes Control" hot key action that allows you to control iTunes remotely, an improved "Select Menu Item" hot key action editor that enables you to define a menu item target for the action by simply selecting the menu item in the desired application, and French and Japanese localized manuals. [2.0MB]
Black Cat Systems has posted Antenna Master 2.0 ($15), which fixes computational errors with Yagi and inductor designs in the antenna design package for amateur (ham) radio operators. Atomic Mac 5.5.1 ($25) fixes printing bugs in its periodic table of the elements and nuclear database. The company also updated Health Tracker 2.1.2 ($10), its graphing program to track health related measurements. [Antenna, Atomic, HT]
Minutiae Software's Reunion Planner 5.1 is a $60 application for planning and coordinating family, college, high school or company reunions. It features a complete address book, integrated mail merge, budget planner, mailing labels, name badges and other features. It now includes a sales module, a mini calculator, new templates, and improved Microsoft Office compatibility. [Classic, OSX]
DC Portfolio 1.0 can be used to catalog any removable storage device or folder: "The portfolios created can be searched on, and entries can be updated with descriptions and keywords." It is $35. [2.4MB]