News Archive for 02/12/04

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Apple education share slowly slides

12/04, 11:25pm

Apple education share slowly slides

A recent marketing research survey by Quality Education Data indicates that Apple's once-dominant education presence has shrunk drastically over the last decade. When district officials were asked which computer brand they plan to purchase during the 2002-2003 school year, 35 percent said Dell, while 21 percent said Apple. As recently as 1996, Apple had more than 41 percent of K-12 computer sales. A year later, the company's share dropped to 26.8 percent. Faced with a declining market share, Apple has made a number of moves over the past two years, to help reverse the slide: in 2001, Apple acquired PowerSchool; in response to educators who thought the flat-screen iMac was too pricey and fragile for classrooms Apple debuted the eMac; last month, Apple said it would give a free copy of Mac OS X, 10.2 "Jaguar" to every K-12 teacher in North America; also recently, Apple unveiled its "Curriculum Mobile Labs."

2003 Tokyo trade show cancelled

12/04, 10:55pm

2003 Tokyo trade show cancelled

11:00 pm (12/4): The Macworld Conference and Expo planned for Tokyo this coming March has been cancelled, following a decision by Apple -- and subsequently by other key vendors -- not to exhibit. An unidentified IDG spokeswoman told MacUser that Apple had made the decision not to attend several weeks ago, and IDG had failed to convince the company to reconsider. After it was apparent Apple would not have a presence at the highly-popular event, Adobe, Macromedia and Microsoft decided to pull out. When asked if IDG would offer a public explanation, the spokeswoman said the company had no plans to make an official announcement of the cancellation, and would not be posting a notice on its Web site, because no official show announcement had been made.

Apple nominated for BETT Awards

12/04, 9:35pm

Apple nominated for BETT Awards

Apple has received two nominations for the 2003 BETT Awards, according to Macworld UK. The nominations are in the "Hardware Primary" and "Hardware Secondary" categories, for eMac and iMac products, respectively. Apple has been the recipient of BETT Awards for the past two years.

Apps: Delta Pad, Still Life, BitTorrent ...

12/04, 9:20pm

Apps: Delta Pad, Still Life, BitTorrent ...

Still Life 1.1 is a Mac OS X program that allows you to pan and zoom any number of photos and export the resulting sequence as a QuickTime movie or DV stream. [Download - 325KB]
Delta Pad 1.0 ($10) is an application for Mac OS X that addresses the operating system's need for a notepad utility. Delta Pad automatically saves notes as they are typed, includes all standard text style settings and can hold graphics. It also offers a customizable toolbar, a powerful 'find' feature, and a "notelist" for organization. [Download - 200KB]
BitTorrent is a file-sharing solution that allows file distributors to tap the unused upload capacity of their customers to distribute data to other customers. Mac OS X users can take advantage of the BitTorrent protocol with the BitTorrent client software. [Download - 900KB]
Xample Informatique recently released iNet Stream Archiver 1.6.0, an update to its Internet radio recording application. Version 1.6.0 adds HTTP Proxy support. iNet Stream Archiver allows its users to record Shoutcast and Icecast streams, and generate MP3 files. [Download - 858KB]
iVideo is a multi-track video editing system for Mac OS X that takes advantage of Apple's Cocoa development environment, and QuickTime framework. iVideo includes a number of features found in both QuickTime Pro and iMovie, but is free. [Download - 357KB]

FCP user groups to meet at DV Expo

12/04, 7:10pm

FCP user groups to meet at DV Expo

The Los Angeles Final Cut Pro User Group (lafcpug), along with leaders of the Boston, San Francisco and Chicago FCP groups will gather for a special "meeting" at the upcoming DV Expo. The December 11 meeting will begin at 6:00 pm at the LA Convention Center, and will feature a Q&A session with FCP Product Designer Brian Meaney and Apple's Paul Saccone. Additionally, Cawan Starks of Promax will demo DeckLink, Digital Anarchy's Jim Tierney will premiere two new plug-ins, Noah Kadner will show the side-by-side results of a Panasonic DVX100 24P/Sony PD 150 showdown, and finally Nate Weaver will present a video produced with the Panasonic DVX100.

iWork 1.0: shareware billing/invoicing app

12/04, 6:50pm

iWork 1.0: shareware billing/invoicing app

IGG Software has released iWork 1.0, a new shareware ($20) time-billing and invoicing application. It integrates with Apple's iCal and Address Book software, and offers tax support and custom invoice creation.

My-Pod reduces laser engraving cost

12/04, 5:20pm

My-Pod reduces laser engraving cost

My-Pod has lowered the price of its iPod personalization service to $25. My-Pod will laser-engrave a custom text message on the stainless-steel case of any Apple iPod. This aftermarket service makes laser engraving accessible to iPod owners who purchased their devices prior to Apple offering custom engraving. The recent price reduction coincides with Apple's special holiday engraving pricing ($20).

Apps: IntelliMerge, VectorWorks, ArKaos VJ...

12/04, 3:30pm

Apps: IntelliMerge, VectorWorks, ArKaos VJ...

Intelli Innovations has released IntelliMerge 3.0, its $80 application with an integrated message editor, customer database system, and e-mail functions. The update includes automatic bounce detection and flagging, dynamic custom headers, URL insertion, date tags, and Jaguar support. Upgrade pricing starts at $30. [Classic, OSX]
Nemetschek North America has released VectorWorks 10.0.1, a free update to its CAD suite that includes VectorWorks, RenderWorks, LANDMARK and ARCHITECT. It adds the ability to view VectorWorks 9 files and improves handling of linked text as well as greater stability and performance. [26.4MB]
Baseview today released new InDesign plug-ins to expedite the pagination process, integrating Adobe's layout application with Baseview's writing and editing software, NewsEditPro. The DragIn pagination plug-in automatically draws text boxes for stories and pictures, while the CopyTools plug-in creates simple commands from frequently used tasks, such as adding or deleting a column of text.
ArKaos VJ 2.2.1 is an update to the real-time multimedia application that can edit and manipulate a visual performances. It adds direct access to the recordings, a recently used documents menu, and a new Japanese-localization. Pricing now starts at $230 (for both Mac OS 9/X). [44MB]
Symantec has posted its December Anti-Virus definitions for NAV. [NAV8, NAV7-OSX, NAV7-Classic]
Now Software has reposted its NUDC 4.2.6 updater, which brings the ability to exchange calendar files without data translation to the contact management application. (Yesterday the company pulled the update after problems were reported with the build.) [13.6MB]
El Gato's EyeTV 1.05 updater improves the wake from sleep feature in the Digital Video Recorder that can pause live television, skip commercials, and record (and archive) television shows. [6.2MB]

Apple forces name change in settlement

12/04, 2:45pm

Apple forces name change in settlement

Sydney-based telco company Apple Communications was forced to change its name and pay $100,000 in "compensation" for the use of 'Apple' in its name, according to Australian IT: "Apple Computer Australia says it's simple: The company has owned the global naming rights of the popular fruit since the computer boom of the early 1980s. The only exception is made for fruiterers, although a quick glance through the phone book turns up any number of possible offenders."

MicroGB+: lighter, faster portable FW drives

12/04, 1:10pm

MicroGB+: lighter, faster portable FW drives

WiebeTech today announced its MicroGB+, the next generation of its MicroGB FireWire pocket drive. The dual-FireWire port drive is now smaller, lighter and even faster than the original MicroGB and is also less expensive. The bus-powered device offers burst transfer rates in excess of 35.7MB/sec. The case-only model for any 9.5mm notebook drive is $100, while the 4200 rpm version are $220 (30GB), $240 (40GB), and $350 (60GB) and the 5400 rpm versions are $200 (20GB) and $270 (40GB). Each drive includes an aluminum enclosure (silver color with back bezels), FireWire cable and carrying case as well as a copy of MediaFour's Mac Drive 5 software, which allows Mac-formatted drives to be read on Windows computers.

JR Hill debuts leather sleeve case for iPod

12/04, 1:05pm

JR Hill debuts leather sleeve case for iPod

JR Hill & Co. today introduced 'The Sleeve for Apple iPod' designed to "be a simple yet stylish leather case for Apple's iPod MP3 player. Made of durable full grain leather with extra padding in the front, your iPod will be well protected." The sleeve includes a detachable belt-clip and with its nylon elastic sides will snuggly fit the 5GB, 10GB and 20GB versions of the iPod. It has a small strap on top to prevent the iPod from slipping out while running and it conveniently covers the FireWire port opening on older iPods without the plastic plug. The $40 case has a lIfetime warranty and will ship 5-7 business days.

MGH releases iChalk, updates iStorm Web apps

12/04, 12:55pm

MGH releases iChalk, updates iStorm Web apps

iStorm 1.2 adds a color management toolbar item, word count, and a built-in QuickTime media player to the Web-based collaboration program that uses Rendezvous technology to connect groups of people to coordinate workflows and other activities. Upgrades to v2.0 will be free to "early adopters" of the $20 application. Version 2.0 of the Mac OS X-only application will include "BabyTeX", an integrated TeX interface for mathematical equations. [4.2MB]

The company also released iChalk 1.0, dubbed as the first Rendezvous-enabled chalk board program for Mac OS X. It allows groups to set up a shared doodling-board, can archive the history of an on-line doodling session frame by frame, and offers "Roto-for-dummies," a simplified version of the smooth animation technique called "rotoscoping." The $10 application is available for free to users of iStorm. It also works with pen tablets. [4.6MB]

Apple software supports TCP/IP over FireWire

12/04, 12:25pm

Apple software supports TCP/IP over FireWire

Apple today posted an IP over FireWire Preview Release, which adds support for using TCP/IP over FireWire: "With this software installed, Macintosh computers and other devices can use existing IP protocols and services over FireWire, including AFP, HTTP, FTP, SSH, etc. In all cases, Rendezvous can be used if desired for configuration, name resolution, and discovery....The preview release adds a new Kernel Extension that hooks into the existing network services architecture. Using the existing Network Preferences Pane, users can add FireWire as their IP network node to connect and communicate between two machines."

NASCAR Racing 2002 to ship later this month

12/04, 11:30am

NASCAR Racing 2002 to ship later this month

Aspyr will co-publish NASCAR Racing 2002 Season for the Macintosh. The conversion of NASCAR Racing 2002 Season is being completed by Westlake Interactive and will feature teams, drivers, sponsors and every track of the 2002 NASCAR Cup Series. It will also offer driving lessons and track tours, narrated by three-time NASCAR Cup Series Champion Darrell Waltrip. It is expected to ship later this month for $50.

Avid launches Step Up promo on Avid Xpress DV

12/04, 11:20am

Avid launches Step Up promo on Avid Xpress DV

Avid today launched a new Step Up promotion that allows registered owners of other video editing systems to receive up to $700 off Avid Xpress DV v3.5. Users can receive $500 off the $1,700 Avid Xpress DV base software and $700 off the $2,500 Avid Xpress DV v3.5 PowerPack, which is bundled with additional video editing software (Avid Filmmaker's Toolkit, Image Stabilization, and full versions of Boris FX and GRAFFITI). The promo is offered to owners of Adobe Premiere, Final Cut Pro, Canopus DV Storm, Edit DV, Discreet Edit, and Matrox RTX Series as well as Pinnacle and Media 100 products.

Media 100 Final Effects Complete for OS X

12/04, 11:05am

Media 100 Final Effects Complete for OS X

Media 100 today announced Final Effects Complete for Mac OS X, a dynamic set of over 100 software plug-in filters and transitions that generates "Hollywood-style special effects" for film, video, animation, DVD and CD-ROM content. The special effects toolkit supports Media 100 i, Avid Xpress DV, Final Cut Pro and After Effect nonlinear editing applications and can generate full-featured 2-D and 3-D particle animations, including effects such as rain, snow, fire, smoke, ball action, etc. The $800 suite is due by the end of the year. Upgrades to the Mac OS X version are $250. Media 100 is offering $100 off the full price or $50 off upgrades through February 21, 2003.

EZQuest ships new 52x CD-RW drives

12/04, 11:00am

EZQuest ships new 52x CD-RW drives

EZQuest is now shipping its new Boa 52x24x52 external CD-RW drives. Both the FireWire and USB 2.0 versions can burn a 74-minute CD in 90 seconds, according to the company. The drives have a 2MB buffer size and feature buffer under-run technology to eliminate under-run errors in fast-write modes.  The Boa 52x drives, which are housed in light-gray cases and are fully shielded with 0.6 metal, include a built-in universal 50-watt auto-switching power supply, a cable, Charismac software, and a one-year warranty. Both drives are $190.

Apps: RC5-72 client, WebCalX, eArtist...

12/04, 10:45am

Apps: RC5-72 client, WebCalX, eArtist...

Distributed.net has posted the latest Mac OS X/Darwin client for its RC5-72 project to crack a message encrypted with the 72-bit RC5 cipher. (Team MacNN should soon begin tracking MacNN member stats and providing information on the new challenge.) [234KB]
Bastian-Schneider's WebCalX 3.1 automatically creates links between calendar sites and adds support for events lasting more than one day to the $5 shareware utility that can publish iCal calendars on the Web. The layout and GUI of each calendar can be customized to fit the "look and feel" of the Website. [1.4MB]
eArtist 2.0 is a $100 business management application built specifically for artists; version 2.0 includes the ability to import images from a folder or directory, and direct image capture from digital cameras as well as the ability to print POSTNET barcodes. New educational pricing is available for $50. Upgrades are $25.
Abstracter is a contextual menu plug-in that summarizes text to the clipboard or a text file in both Cocoa and Carbon applications (Mac OS X's system only provides summary service in Cocoa applications). It supports English, French, German, Spanish, Italian, Japanese, Dutch, Danish, and Swedish. It is $7. [form]
HtmlMap Maker 1.1 is a $10 web authoring utility allows you to create image maps without writing code. Users can choose from three different shape methods and can also save image maps as HTML documents. [721KB]

Apple KB: Finder issues, PHP, Apache module

12/04, 10:15am

Apple KB: Finder issues, PHP, Apache module

KB roundup: Apple describes how to start up PHP under Mac OS X Server; Recently updates articles also note that Printer Sharing is unexpectedly turned off after updating to Mac OS X 10.2.2, Software Update does not function with authenticating proxy servers, and that Apple's "mod_hfs_apple" module for Apache ensures that security realms are enforced on any web folders/directories regardless of letter case used in a URL to access the served web content. Finally, Apple warns that deleting a new, untitled folder in Column View (without renaming it) can inadvertently move the parent folder to the Trash.

CyClone intros DVD duplication device

12/04, 10:05am

CyClone intros DVD duplication device

CyClone has introduced its new DVD One-2-One Disc duplication unit. The multi-function CD/DVD duplicator can be utilized as a standalone CD/DVD copier or external combo FireWire/USB 2.0 Ext. DVD-R/RW Drive. It features 16x DVD-ROM and 48x CD-ROM read speeds as well as 2x DVD-R, 1x DVD-RW, 16x CDR, and 10x CDRW speeds. The 2-bay device has a 8MB buffer and supports DVD-Video, DVD-Audio, DVD-RW and CD-R/RW formats. Pricing and ship date were not available.

MS announces Ms. M.o.X.i.e. contest winner

12/04, 10:00am

MS announces Ms. M.o.X.i.e. contest winner

Microsoft's MacBU today declared Alissa Salmore the winner of its Ms. M.o.X.i.e. contest. The research associate for Great Lakes Water Institute in Milwaukee was chosen in a 2-month national search for "the most savvy, accomplished businesswoman who uses a Mac." Salmore will receive $10,000 and a new iMac with Microsoft Office v. X.

Canto ships new Cumulus add-ons

12/04, 9:55am

Canto ships new Cumulus add-ons

Canto has introduced Web Publisher Pro, a new option for its Cumulus asset management system that allows users to publish Cumulus catalogs and to market digital assets on dynamic web pages on the Internet: "It is designed for users who do not merely publish their assets but also intend to use them for marketing and generating business." It is available in English, German and for $1,500. The company is also shipping Cumulus HELIOS Companion, which will automatically synchronize Cumulus catalogs and HELIOS EtherShare and PC Share volumes. Pricing starts at $1000 for up to 20 HELIOS users.

Apps: Opera, Bouncer, iPrint, MacLoggerDX...

12/04, 9:50am

Apps: Opera, Bouncer, iPrint, MacLoggerDX...

Opera today released Opera 6.0b3 with language support for German and Japanese. The browser update also includes improved rendering performance, improved font switching for better support of international Web pages, some UI tweaks and bug fixes. A free ad-supported version is available; users can pay $40 to remove the banner ad and receive email-based tech support. The company is offering an additional $10 savings during the beta period as well as a free upgrade to v7 and free OperaMail Premium for 6 months. [4.9MB]
Austin-Soft.com's Projector-to-CVS is a developer tool to transfer files and data from Projector, a Mac-only source code control system, to CVS, preserving each revision's author, original check-in date, task, and comments. Pricing has yet to be determined. It requires Mac OS X 10.2 or later, Apple SourceServer and Mac OS X Developer tools. requires Mac OS X 10.2 or later, Apple SourceServer and Mac OS X Developer tools. [site not updated]
Bouncer 2.0 is a free script that bounces messages back to the sender to let them know that the email address was invalid. It is currently available for Microsoft Entourage and Outlook Express. [ENT, OE]
Steve Becker's Mac OS X printing utility, iPrint 1.0, adds a new, universal keyboard shortcut to OS X for quickly and easily printing virtually text from any application. It also accelerates printing ("more than double the real-world speed of printers") and can print portions of pages to save ink and time. The $15 utility includes a 30-day money back satisfaction guarantee. [1.0MB]
MacLoggerDX 2.0 updates the $70 application for amateur radio Operators and short wave listeners, adding a new Labels panel, updating the Memories panel, offering hot-plugging of USB/serial adapters, and printing of QSL Cards and envelopes. It is available for Mac OS 9 and Mac OS X. [8.4MB]
Several users pointed out the "the completely free PGP-compatible" GNU Privacy Guard 1.2.1, which can encrypt and sign email and files using a variety of front-end tools such as GPGMail (adds GnuPG support to Apple's Mail), Gpg Tools (replaces PGPTools under OS X), and AppleScripts for applications such as Eudora GPG, EntourageGPG, and Mailsmith-GPG.

SymmetryWorks adds Replicas, Layouts features

12/04, 9:15am

SymmetryWorks adds Replicas, Layouts features

Artlandia has released SymmetryWorks 2, a new version of the company's Illustrator plug-in for creating repeated seamless patterns. Version 2.0 adds a complete computer-aided design (CAD) solution to creating surface patterns, including "Replicas" (live object copies, hot-linked to the original seed objects) and "Layouts" (for storing vital patterin info). The new version also includes streamlined export to web browsers, textile CAD programs, and conversion of SymmetryWorks patterns to regular Illustrator patterns. Upgrades to the $165 plugin are $50.