News Archive for 03/02/18

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AppleScript Pro Sessions aim to build skills

02/18, 11:55pm

AppleScript Pro Sessions aim to build skills

Scripting Matters is holding AppleScript Pro Sessions in Monterey, CA this summer. This "unique opportunity to learn more about AppleScript" will feature guest speaker Shane Stanley of Myriad Communications, in addition to Ray Robertson of Scripting Matters. The five-day seminars -- which will run from June 2-6, 2003 -- are suitable for both beginner and experienced 'scripters,' according to the organizer. "The class emphasis is on practical scripting information you can use across a range of Applications." Early Bird pricing (available until May 1) is $400 per day, with discount packages offered for attending three days or more. The discounted fee is $1500 for all five days.

Digital Voodoo debuts 2 broadcast video cards

02/18, 11:50pm

Digital Voodoo debuts 2 broadcast video cards

Digital Voodoo today announced that it is now shipping its HD|IridiumXP for Mac OS X, a high definition PCI-based output-only broadcast design card featuring two 10-bit broadcast SDI outputs and also introduced its HD | VENGEANCE, a high-definition broadcast design card featuring two 10-bit HD-SDI Outputs and one HD-SDI Input.

Brother introduces new labeling system

02/18, 8:00pm

Brother introduces new labeling system

Brother today released the P-touch Electronic Labeling System, which prints to Brother's P-touch laminated labels for organizing, identifying, color-coding and simplifying. The labeling system can print a single Avery address label, return address label, or file folder label, simply by inserting one of the new cassettes that contain a roll of die-cut Avery labels. The PT-2600 operates as either a portable, stand-alone labeler or it can be connected to a PC or Mac via USB for more label design versatility. When connected to a computer, it can import graphics, logos and information from database files. It has a large, typewriter-style keyboard, and a 2-line, 10-character LCD display for previewing and editing data.

NEC debuts 40-inch LCD display

02/18, 6:40pm

NEC debuts 40-inch LCD display

NEC-Mitsubishi today introduced the NEC LCD4000, its largest LCD display ever, measuring 40 inches. It supports a resolution of 1280 x 768 pixels. The announcements comes just three months after the release of the 30-inch NEC LCD3000 display--both of which are designed for public displays, conference presentations, information kiosks, financial exchanges, trade show exhibits, as well as retail and airport signage. It is priced at $5800 (weighs approximately 57 pounds).

Apps: Biorhythms, GEDitCOM, GLMStat, ...

02/18, 5:50pm

Apps: Biorhythms, GEDitCOM, GLMStat, ...

Biorhythms 9.0.1 is an update to the advanced biorhythm program for Mac OS 9 and OS X. New features include: time zone support, automatic version checking, online Compatibility Analysis support, plus OS X bug-fixes. "Use it to analyze your biorhythms, to determine your good and bad days, and also your compatibility with others." It is available on CD, or for download for $25. [Download - 1.6MB]

GEDitCOM 3.50 is an update to the genealogy software for Mac OS X that adds an unspecified number of enhancements. GEDitCOM is a customizable genealogy suite for viewing and editing GEDCOM files. One-time registration is $50. [Download - 1.3MB]

GLMStat 5.7.3 is a Mac-based statistical program for analyzing generalized linear models. It offers spreadsheet style data entry and supports Normal, Poisson, Binomial and Gamma models. Other features include scatter and residual plots, matrix scatterplots, Box and Whisker plots, frequency distribution histograms, descriptive statistics, and others. Single-user licenses are $25. [Download - 1.3MB]

Samsung has released updated laser printer Print Center drivers for Mac OS X. The update, which supports ML-1250, -1650, -4600, -6060, -1010, -1020M, -1210, -1220M, -6040, -1450, 1440, and -1430 devices, improves overall print quality. (The article notes that the driver may not work correctly when added to the Printcenter for the first time.) [Download - 839KB]

IntelliMerge 3.2 includes a rewritten recipient list export feature with record filtering by status code, column selection/exclusion, new tab- and comma-separated value delimiter options, and options for Mac, Unix, or Windows line breaks. The $80 e-mail merge software features an integrated message editor, recipient database, and e-mail delivery program. [Download - Classic, OS X]

Intelli Innovations has updated Barcode Automator 1.1.1, a bug fix release of its bulk barcode generation software. It adds a new option to include a white box behind the barcode and increases the speed of barcode generation. The $500 suite is specifically designed for bulk generation and AppleScript automation and supports 9 different symbologies, includes vectorized EPS and TIFF export capabilities, and comes bundled with OCR typography. [Download - 1.2MB]

Centromedia has release a new free version of its Address Office application for the Macintosh, which aims to provide a simple method to make client assistance or simple address management "more pleasant and productive." [Download - Classic, OS X]

MindVision Software today released FileStorm 1.5.1, a free update to the developer tool designed to quickly package and deliver Mac OS X software products - making it easier than ever to create disk images, CDs, and installers for electronic distribution. Version 1.5.1 adds a prompt for logout and for restart; can now be set to optionally logout a user or restart the user's computer at the end of an installation; and fixes a few bugs. [Download - 3.8MB]

FingerWorks unveills ZeroForce iGesture Pad

02/18, 5:45pm

FingerWorks unveills ZeroForce iGesture Pad

FingerWorks has announced the ZeroForce iGesture Pad, a $180 gesture-based user interface for Windows, Mac, and Linux computers. The iGesture Pad is an ultra-thin, hand-sized touchpad that functions as both a mouse and a multi-finger gesture input interface. Mouse operations such as point, click, drag, scroll, and zoom are combined seamlessly with multi-finger gesture anywhere on the iGesture Pad's surface. The iGesture Pad gives user's unprecedented control of graphical objects using gestures, and it works equally well with either hand. The company says it plans to release a gesture customization utility to map any gesture to any function in any application.

Mac OS X 10.2.4 Report updated with new notes

02/18, 2:15pm

Mac OS X 10.2.4 Report updated with new notes

We've added new notes and reports to our Mac OS X 10.2.4 Report, including notes about artifacts using an ATI Radeon 8500 GPU, sleep problems with a PowerBook 667 DVI, confirmation of Samsung printer problems, a possible modem connection fix, and a note about optical drive bay problems after installation of the recent system update. We've also added yesterday's notes about the Classic Security Bug patched in Mac OS X 10.2.4 and notes on enabling third-party 802.11g wireless cards using Apple's hidden driver.

Apps: Netscape, BBEdit, Igniter, Cache Out

02/18, 1:05pm

Apps: Netscape, BBEdit, Igniter, Cache Out

Netscape today released Netscape 7.02, an update to its popular browser that offers enhanced security and improved stability (as well other Windows-specific plugin updates). [Classic, OSX]
Bare Bones has released BBEdit 7.02, an update to its HTML and text editor. Version 7.02 incorporates support for automatic sensing and translation of a file's text encoding and also includes the ability to control the number of items remembered on the Open Recent menu, new "Text Encodings" and "Unix Scripting" preferences panels, a "Save a Copy" command, and support for Mac OS 9.1, as well as other interface refinements and fixes. It is a free update to the $180 application. [12.5MB]
Aurora Video Systems has posted Igniter 5.2 drivers for line of video/audio capture & edit cards. The update includes Apple-certified drivers for Final Cut Pro v3.0.4 and new AltiVec optimization for enhanced performance. [2.3MB]
Cache Out X 3.2 is an AppleScript application that removes the cache files, the navigation histories, as well as the virtual memory file from Mac OS X. Version 3.2 now retains the last settings chosen by the user, correctly removes the virtual memory file ("swapfile"), removes the "Desktop" folder (introduced by the update 10.2.4 of Mac OS X) from the user's cache, and fixes other bugs. [637KB]
Inventive's iClip 1.5 is a multiple clipboard/scrapbook utility for Mac OS X. It offers the ability to quickly copy & paste and drag & drop clippings to and from its multiple "clipping bins". The floating palette can be oriented vertically or horizontally, has improved help tags, and can easily view more of the contents of larger text clippings. [1.3MB]
Dynagram today launched a Mac version of INposition Lite software for Quark Xpress: INposition Lite 5.0, which the company says "is by far the fastest and easiest means to impose jobs directly in QuarkXPress. The latest version is compatible with QuarkXPress 4.1+/5.0+. INposition Lite 5.0's advantage resides in its ability to access native QuarkXPress files." Users can impose, preview, edit, proof, color separate and print--all within a single environment. (Pricing is not available.)

Quark offers first glimpse at Quark Xpress 6

02/18, 12:25pm

Quark offers first glimpse at Quark Xpress 6

Quark today posted new information about Quark Xpress 6.0, the industry-standard page layout and desktop publishing application. Version 6 will offer Mac OS X compatibility as well as include enhanced undo functionality, full-resolution previews, and an intriguing way to manage complex projects, which "will be described in a future update [to Quark's Website]."

WD ships external external FW/USB drives

02/18, 12:10pm

WD ships external external FW/USB drives

Western Digital (WD) has begun shipping its new external FireWire/USB 2.0 combo hard drives. The new drives include a high-performance 7,200 RPM WD Caviar hard drive in capacities of 120GB ($300) and 200GB ($400). The drives carry a one-year warranty. [pricing updated]

Pentax announces new digital cameras

02/18, 12:00pm

Pentax announces new digital cameras

Pentax today announced its the new 5.0 megapixel Optio 550 and the 4.0 megapixel Optio 450 digital cameras. Both models host a variety of features including a 5X optical zoom (20X combined), a high-resolution 1.5-inch LCD monitor, a movie mode that captures up to ten minutes of video with sound, voice memo-recording mode, panorama assist, and full manual control. Pentax will debut the digital cameras at the Photo Marketing Association's Show in Booth C140 (which runs March 2-5 in Las Vegas). Both cameras are USB-compatible, feature AV output, and feature rechargeable lithium-ion battery.

Extensis ships Mask Pro 3 for Photoshop

02/18, 12:00pm

Extensis ships Mask Pro 3 for Photoshop

Extensis is now shipping Mask Pro 3, a significant upgrade to its masking and selection tool software for Adobe Photoshop. Version 3 features Color Decontamination for improved edge transparency, Keep/Drop highlighting, enhanced touchup tools and controls, improved color-matching technology, and realtime previews as well as OS X compatibility. Upgrades to the $200 application are $100. In addition, a competitive upgrade is available for $170. Boxed Macintosh versions of Mask Pro 3 will be available in late February; a Windows version of will be available later this year, followed by French, German and Japanese Macintosh versions in Q3 2003.

Arkeia adds OS X support to backup solution

02/18, 11:15am

Arkeia adds OS X support to backup solution

Arkeia Corp. today announced a Mac OS X version of its Arkeia v5 network backup solution as well as a new Mac OS X plug-in to safeguard MySQL databases. The beta client performs backup of all files, including important system files such as the Netinfo database, while preserving file privileges, Mac OS resource forks and Finder attributes. Arkeia is also providing MySQL database protection for both offline and online databases using a special plug-in. Final versions are expected to ship in March as Arkeia 5.1, while beta versions are available now.

MatchLight analyzes image lighting info

02/18, 11:05am

MatchLight analyzes image lighting info

MatchLight today updated its MatchLight v2.0 application, which is designed to "help digital artists and photographers predictably and consistently match the lighting conditions of both foreground and background images in order to create realistic image composites."

Tech: Be sues MS; Intel chips; CC hacks

02/18, 11:00am

Tech: Be sues MS; Intel chips; CC hacks

Tech news: Be, Inc., today announced it has filed suit against Microsoft for the destruction of Be's business resulting from the anticompetitive business practices; Chips in desktops and notebooks will start to go their separate ways in 2003 with the introduction of two new processor families that Intel will tout this week at its Developer Forum; and More than 5 million credit card accounts were accessed earlier this month after the computer system at a third-party processor was hacked.

Apps: Ittec 1.7, Path Finder 2.1, eShox 1.4

02/18, 10:40am

Apps: Ittec 1.7, Path Finder 2.1, eShox 1.4

Balance Software's Ittec 1.7 is a contextual menu plugin that lists the contents of folders and Finder windows. It features control-free contextual menus in the Finder, dragging items from menus to other applications, hierarchical path menus, listing contents of StuffIt (".sit") files, integration of Classic (MacOS 9) Desktop(s) with the MacOS X Desktop, detailed file information display, moving items to the trash, and other. The $15 shareware (ala the Classic FinderPop utility) is for Mac OS X only. [265KB]
CocoaTech and YazSoft have released Path Finder 2.1 ($35 shareware), which they say "has all the default functionality of the standard Mac OS X Finder" with other advanced functions, such as an Aqua user interface on many powerful Unix tools. The company claims up to 50% performance improvements (compared to the system Finder) and new 'Move to', 'Copy to', Compress, and Secure Delete functions as well as a path navigator, file reporting functions, and a preview drawer/window. [2.6MB]
TC|Works today updated its Spark 2.7 line, adding direct CD-Burning to its realtime audio processing application as well as an optimized audio engine for iBooks and Powerbooks, better user administration management on OS X, Wav 64 support for managing file sizes up to 16GB, lower CPU requirements, faster performance, and other changes. The new version of Spark XL only supports Mac OS X and is available for $600 (upgrades are free). Spark LE Plus ($50) also adds CD Burning, MP3 encoding using the Frauenhofer codec, and full QuickTime 6 support.
Secure.CC today released eShox 1.4 ($300) and mShox 1.4 ($300), updates to its simple ecommerce solution for Mac OS X. Version 1.4 adds Tenon iTools compatibility, multi-platform support, support for Authorize.net's AIM secure checkout option, and other bug fixes and optimizations. Tenon is now offering a new $1000 ecommerce bundle, which includes iTools, Post.Office, and eShox.

Blackmagic upgrades Decklink 2 video card

02/18, 10:25am

Blackmagic upgrades Decklink 2 video card

Blackmagic Design has released DeckLink 2, a new version of its uncompressed 10-bit video board with real time effects. The $1000 video PCI card is designed specifically for connecting to digital broadcast tape decks and independent audio and video monitoring. It has SDI video & audio input and output, as well as a Sony compatible RS422 serial deck control port. DeckLink 2 includes enhanced digital audio monitoring in a standard SPDIF output as well as separate connections for monitoring, and the broadcast deck.

Nikon announces 3 new digital cameras

02/18, 10:15am

Nikon announces 3 new digital cameras

Nikon today introduced three new 3x Optical Zoom-Nikkor digital cameras. The Coolpix 2100 and Coolpix 3100 share the smallest Coolpix body design, fast operation and are the first with Nikon's new Scene Assist function as well as Nikon's exclusive new One-Touch Red-Eye Fix, built into the NikonView 6.0 software, which instantly fixes red-eye within most typical red-eye digital photos with a simple click on the computer.