News Archive for 02/11/19

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Readers receive 1GHz PowerBook G4

11/19, 11:55pm

Readers receive 1GHz PowerBook G4

Some MacNN readers are reporting receiving shipment notices -- or in some cases delivery -- of new 1GHz PowerBook G4 models. In the case of Mike Rolland, Apple contacted him just short of two weeks following his request for a unit. Although Mr. Rolland did not place an order, he specified that he wanted Apple to "contact" him when a PowerBook became available, using an in-store automated waiting list.

UNIX 'Power Tools' book examines OS details

11/19, 11:45pm

UNIX 'Power Tools' book examines OS details

"Unix Power Tools, Third Edition" is a collection of small articles that offer computer users a guide to many of the add-ons, features and utilities that are a part of the UNIX operating system. The $70 book is "like a magazine," and is intended as a reference, rather than a book to be read cover-to-cover. Just as industrial power tools have changed over the years, so too has UNIX says publisher O'Reilly.

Apps: Stupendous, RB Source Code Printer, ...

11/19, 7:35pm

Apps: Stupendous, RB Source Code Printer, ...

Stupendous Software has updated four of its iMovie plug-ins to version 1.1. Color Effects gains a new "Color Bars" effect, and improved noise distribution for four "Pixel Noise" effects; Crops & Zooms now has three new zoom effects and a "Rotate, Fixed" effect; the Glows & Blurs update adds four new effects to the family of "Streaks" effects; Time Effects now offers new controls for "Motion Trail" and "Time Warp", and three "Frames Per Second" effects. [Download - CE , CZ, GB, TE]
Satori Publishing has released RB Source Code Printer, an easy-to-use development utility that generates printouts of REALbasic projects. It automatically generates a complete Table of Contents, listing every form, window, and class in your project, as well as an alphabetized Index listing every subroutine and function in your project. [Download - 878KB]
PowerProduction Software today released StoryBoard Quick 4.0 ($280), a new version of its "rapid imaging software" for creating storyboards. Version 4 for Mac OS X has been enhanced with new images, new imports and exports and new windows sizes for composing storyboard.
Cisco has released two key updates to its VPN software. Version 3.6.5 of the Cisco VPN 3000-series Concentrator/VPN 3002 Hardware client, and version v3.6.3 of the Cisco VPN Client for all platforms. (As noted late last month, Cisco VPN Client 3.7 is the latest version, offering a GUI for OS X.) [updated]

'Mac vs. PC' site updated, has new domain

11/19, 6:30pm

'Mac vs. PC' site updated, has new domain

John Droz recently completed a significant update to his Mac vs. PC Web site, which urges educators and public institutions to consider Macintosh purchases. The update to the Web site and companion PDF document includes hundreds of "new reports, studies and articles." The popular site is also available under a new domain name, as as such readers should update any related bookmarks. [Download PDF - 1.0MB]

Creo considering Powertone sale

11/19, 6:20pm

Creo considering Powertone sale

Creo is considering selling its Powertone and Silvertone assets to interested developers, MacNN has learned. The two plug-in sets for Adobe Photoshop allow users to print photos using as little ink colors as possible. Creo reportedly does not feel that Powertone and Silvertone -- which it acquired from Intense Software -- "fit" with its latest offerings.

Dovebid auction site to sell new, refurb Macs

11/19, 5:50pm

Dovebid auction site to sell new, refurb Macs

A large single-day auction of new and reconditioned Apple desktops, notebooks, and peripherals will be held December 3rd on DoveBid.com. DoveBid is an online "auction and valuation" service for corporations and large organizations.

AAPL among few techs 'good' 5-year return

11/19, 5:40pm

AAPL among few techs 'good' 5-year return

Technology companies like Apple and Dell have exhibited relatively strong growth over the last half-decade, given the "tech bubble burst," and a weakening economy, says a Wall Street Journal article. AOL Time Warner is 80 percent off its high, but is still worth as much as three times what it was five years ago. Apple, Dell and Microsoft are up 87, 198 and 74 percent, respectively, despite a widespread collapse of tech stocks. These numbers from Birinyi Associates come at a time when investor "havens" such as General Motors and Coca-Cola are in worse shape now than prior to the tech industry inflation, and subsequent burst.

Ellen Feiss interview to be published Friday

11/19, 5:20pm

Ellen Feiss interview to be published Friday

The "first-ever" published interview with Ellen Feiss (of Apple 'Switch' ad fame) will appear in the Friday edition of the Brown Daily Herald. The paper is the official student publication at Brown University in Providence, Rhode Island. The newspaper has advertised its November 22 issue with a series of posters around the campus, says one MacNN reader, nothing that the slogan "The apple of Apple's Eye - Ellen Feiss" accompanies a large photo of Ms. Feiss.

FirewireDirect announces 320GB drives

11/19, 4:10pm

FirewireDirect announces 320GB drives

FirewireDirect has announced larger hard drives--as large as 320GB--as part of its product lines, including its Ultra III desktop 3.5" FireWire hard drive to the Ultra Elite 12 Ultra160 SCSI RAID system, which now support a maximum capacity of 4 Terabytes using the larger drives. The Ultra III will be available in new 180GB ($430), 200GB ($450), 250GB ($500) and 320GB ($550) configurations as well as an 80GB ($210) capacity. [updated]

FileMaker launches K-12 Education Website

11/19, 2:25pm

FileMaker launches K-12 Education Website

FileMaker today announced a new K-12 Education Website that offers profiles on featured educators and developers as well as free education software solutions; lists of conferences and events; and, special offers. FileMaker is also offering a limited-time VLA Intro Pack, a specially-priced bundle ideal that offers a Volume License Agreement (VLA) for 5 new seats of FileMaker Pro 6 as well as a single unit of FileMaker Server for $1000 (a 25% savings off single-user package prices, a discount normally only available with a 10-seat minimum purchase).

FWB ships FC Wavelength PCI card

11/19, 2:20pm

FWB ships FC Wavelength PCI card

FWB today announced it is now shipping Wavelength FC HA1100, the first in a series of FWB Host Bus Adapters targeted for media/entertainment and enterprise markets. The HA1100 offers transfer speeds as high as 200MB/sec when working with HDTV, Standard Definition and audio using the card's Fibre Channel interface. The Wavelength PCI card ships bundled with Hard Disk Toolkit v4.5.2 and is available for $900. FWB also recently announced it was acquired by Hurlow Strathdee Consulting (in late August 2002).

Iomega launches data recovery services

11/19, 2:00pm

Iomega launches data recovery services

Iomega today launched Iomega Data Recovery Services, which offers businesses and consumers a comprehensive solution for recovering lost data due to hardware failure, file corruption or media damage. The service offers guarantees 100% customer satisfaction that recovered data is valid and usable or Iomega will waive the charge. It offers recovery from a hard drive crash, a forgotten password, an unreadable tape, a controller failure, damaged media, or an accidentally deleted or overwritten file and also offers optional on-site service for critical jobs. Pricing starts at $500.

CourseForum 1.1 for e-learning content

11/19, 1:40pm

CourseForum 1.1 for e-learning content

CourseForum 1.1 is an update to the company's flagship software for e-learning content creation, sharing and discussion. It can be used to post and share course materials, class discussions, and student collaboration as well as lecture notes, Q&A, class discussions, research, student portfolios, projects and more. The $100 application features a browser-based interface as well as a new default course structure, hints on making use of pages, and streamlined course creation.

Apps: CreativePage, Secret Folder...

11/19, 12:00pm

Apps: CreativePage, Secret Folder...

PineHill today released CreativePage 3.0, a complete re-write of its (X)HTML editor. The new Mac OS X-only version features an Aqua UI, XHTML 1.1 support, advanced find features, and support for nearly all Mac OS X web browsers. A demo of the $30 application is available online. [1.6MB--option click]
Apimac Secret Folder 2.4 is a maintenance release to the $15 shareware application that lets you hide a folder and its contents. [Classic, OSX]
Intelli Innovations has updated Package Tracker 3.9 with improved support for UPS and FedEx shipping and other enhancements under Mac OS X 10.2.2. The $35 application manges and organizes multiple shipments with support for almost a dozne different carriers. It is available for both Mac OS 9 and Mac OS X. [1.6MB]
Nemesys Software has released a minor update to its $9 shareware file/folder synchronization tool. File Synchronization 1.0.1 fixes a problem with the registration code generator and another problem with the Preview window where File Synchronization would wrongly report the size of certain files. [2.2MB]
Native Instruments introduced its Traktor DJ Studio 2.0 Bundle, which includes the EGO SYSTEMS USB audio card GIGAPort AG with 8 analog outs, an optical output as well as ASIO 2.0 drivers for minimal latency (supporting OS X) and 24-bit D/A converters for improved sound quality. It supports Mac OS 9 and Mac OS X and can be connected to USB 1.1 and USB 2.0 ports. The bundle is $350 (a savings of $50).

Freedom Force coming to Mac OS X

11/19, 11:45am

Freedom Force coming to Mac OS X

MacPlay today announced that it will ship Freedom Force by the holiday season: and that it is now accepting preorders for the comic-inspired tactical RPG: "Flashing back to the Silver Age of comic books, players can form, train and lead Freedom Force, a team of 14 original comic heroes headed to Patriot City to foil Lord Dominion's scheme of having the planet Earth destroy itself. The game consists of 22 unique missions." The $40 title is equipped with LAN multiplayer support and carries a "T" (Teen) rating from the ESRB.

Tech: Internet access, Big Brother, HP screen

11/19, 10:45am

Tech: Internet access, Big Brother, HP screen

Morning tech news: Apple is among a group of companies asking the FCC to preserve Internet users' "unfettered ability to reach lawful content and services and to communicate and interact with each other;" A secretive federal court on Monday granted police broad authority to monitor Internet use, record keystrokes and employ other surveillance methods against terror and espionage suspects; HP's Compaq Presario 3005US sports a 16-inch screen (1280x1024), a 2GHz P4 processor, 512MB of memory, a 40GB hard drive and a combo CD-R/DVD-ROM drive for $1,900 before a $100 mail-in rebate.

EnzymeX designed for molecular biologists

11/19, 9:30am

EnzymeX designed for molecular biologists

Mek & Tosj has released EnzymeX, a scientific program, developed to help molecular biologists determine which restriction enzymes they should use to cut their DNA of interest. In addition, it gives all the specific properties of these enzymes to make sure that every digestion is a success. It contains information on over 580 commercially available enzymes, information on activity in buffers from 14 different manufacturers, references with amino acid properties, codon tables etc, and detailed search functions. [1.1MB]

Macworld Expo SF offers new workshops

11/19, 9:10am

Macworld Expo SF offers new workshops

IDG World Expo today added new Power Tools Conferences, as well as its Hands-on MacLabs to Macworld Expo SF, scheduled for January 6-10, 2003 at San Francisco's Moscone Center. IDG has added six new topics to the popular Power Tools Conferences, which debuted to sold-out audiences at MWSF '02. It will also debut its MacLabs, which provide hands-on computer training for Mac users on topics ranging from PDF production to Flash 5 ActionScript to wireless networks. (Attendees are required to bring laptops to these sessions). The Macworld conference program will also feature one-day Workshops - intensive, full-day sessions that provide training on the products and technologies showcased on the exhibit floor. (Users can still register online with priority code 'D-APED' on or before December 9, 2002 to receive a free exhibit hall pass.)

Apple Store coming to Bellevue, WA

11/19, 8:40am

Apple Store coming to Bellevue, WA

MacNN reader Jason Simmons notes that "Apple has posted job opportunities for an Apple Store in Bellevue, WA, which is just east of Seattle and next to Redmond. There are listings for Mac Specialists, Manager, Asst. Manager, and a Mac Genius." Meanwhile, Gary Allen provided us with a few more details on the Apple Store Bay Street in Emeryville (CA):

Apps: Password Retriever, Mail Forward...

11/19, 8:30am

Apps: Password Retriever, Mail Forward...

Pixel Genius has introduced PhotoKit 1.0, a photographer's toolkit with nearly 130 effects that offer "accurate digital replications of analog photographic effects... You can record an entire series of PhotoKit steps into an extensive Photoshop Action." It is $50. [1.0MB]
Password Retriever 4.0 adds a new toolbar, save confirmations, scroll shweel support, batch edit/delete, and other enhancements to the $12 shareware utility for storing and organizing passwords. [936KB]
Mail Forward is an e-mail forwarding application for Microsoft Hotmail, Yahoo web mail, and standard POP mail accounts: "[It] works by accessing your Hotmail, Yahoo, or POP mailbox and forwarding each piece of mail through your SMTP mail server. Mail that is successfully forwarded can be deleted from the mailbox, or can be left on the server." A built-in scheduling feature allows mail to be forwarded automatically at a specified time interval. A 30-day trial of the $15 shareware is available for Mac OS X. [1.9MB]
El Gato Software's EyeTV 1.04 update adds AppleScript Support, the ability to wake your Mac from sleep (or power up your system) under Mac OS X 10.2, new preferences, and Watson scheduling support. The software helps manage recordings for its $200 Eye TV digital video recorder that offers the ability to watch TV, pause live television, skip commercials, and make recordings of TV shows. [6.3MB]

MediaMover adds file transfer to Websites

11/19, 8:15am

MediaMover adds file transfer to Websites

Digilink has introduced MediaMover, a server-client application to upload or download files from within a browser. The visual appearance of the MediaMover Applet is fully customizable, allowing customers to integrate the up- and download features in virtually any existing website. MediaMover also separates the Mac resource-forks while moving the files to ensure Apple file integrity and allows user-definable Job information to be attached to the files (for Asset Management Systems or specific workflow automation). Pricing is $2,500 ($1000 off) for a limited time.

Carbon Copy Cloner 2.0 offers sync options

11/19, 8:10am

Carbon Copy Cloner 2.0 offers sync options

Mike Bombich has released Carbon Copy Cloner 2.0, an update to his donation-ware utility for making a "simple, complete, bootable backup of your hard drive." It adds the ability to synchronize the source to the target volume, set scheduled backup tasks, create a disk image on the fly, and create a NetBoot set from a fully customized setup. Other changes include improved logging, the ability to bless disks on "OldWorld machines", and optionally repairing disks before cloning.

Apple Nvidia firmware 1.0 for ACD displays

11/19, 1:30am

Apple Nvidia firmware 1.0 for ACD displays

Apple's Nvidia Graphics Firmware 1.0 update is for "customers using Mac OS X version 10.2 (Jaguar) or later with an Apple Cinema HD Display and a Power Mac G4 with one of the following NVIDIA graphics cards: GeForce2 MX, GeForce2 MX TwinView, GeForce3, or GeForce4 MX. These cards require the update to support the high resolution of the Cinema HD Display. The update is required only for customers using Mac OS X 10.2 or later. If you are using Mac OS 9.2.2, or earlier versions of Mac OS X (version 10.1.x), you can use the Apple Display Software on the CD provided with the Cinema HD Display." [0.5MB]

Apple quietly updates AppleCare warranties

11/19, 12:15am

Apple quietly updates AppleCare warranties

A MacNN reader notes a few changes to Apple's AppleCare protection programs, although the company has made no official announcement: "Readers in the forums have noted that AppleCare now includes global warranty protection (expanded from North America-only) for both iBooks and PowerBooks; It also covers an attached display when purchased with a PowerBook. Desktops also offer onsite service [where available], but I'm not sure if it's new."

Columnist: PC choices are hidden from most

11/19, 12:15am

Columnist: PC choices are hidden from most

Al Fasoldt writes about the "Cone of silence over the alternative computer choice: I find this odd. Apple's computers have enough advantages to fill a DVD....We would all think it strange if no one talked about BMWs just because most consumers drove Toyotas and Fords. We'd wonder what was going on if we went to a fancy restaurant and found that steak had been removed from the menu -- had been placed in a cone of silence -- because most of the people who go there prefer hamburgers."