News Archive for 03/02/19

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OpenDarwin.org releases OpenDarwin 6.02

02/19, 6:25pm

OpenDarwin.org releases OpenDarwin 6.02

OpenDarwin.org has released PowerPC and x86 binaries of OpenDarwin-20030212: " This release is intended to fix many of the significant deficiencies in Darwin 6.0.2, as well as provide a more stable platform for future Darwin development." The release is based on the same source as Darwin 6.0.2, and does not include local modifications from OpenDarwin CVS; however, future releases will take advantage of these modifications. The release does not integrate Perl 5.8 (available via DarwinPorts) and is untested on Old World G3 machines.

Apps: DockExtender, netTunes, Data Recycler

02/19, 5:55pm

Apps: DockExtender, netTunes, Data Recycler

netTunes 1.2(729) is an update to the iTunes remote control solution for networked Mac OS X users. The $20 utility allows the user to control iTunes running on one Macintosh from another, using iTunes' native interface. It includes speed improvements, performance optimizations, much less CPU utilization, preference layout modifications, an expanded FAQ, Rendezvous improvements, and other fixes. [Download - 1.9MB]

Photo to Movie 1.12 for Mac OS X is a $20 application that allows you to create a movie by zooming and panning over a photo. Version 1.1.2 adds a resolution optimization option during export; adds new help files; improved performance for large images; and other enhancements. Compared to iMovie 3, it boasts sub-pixel rendering, control over acceleration/deceleration of movement, and precise control of key frames. [Download - 378KB]

Prosoft today updated Data Recycler, its utility that protects against accidental file deletion. Version 1.0.2 of the $50 OS X utillity contains enhancements to the disk scan algorithm to reduce the impact of scanning on other activities. [Download - form]

Password Key 4.1 ($25) is a security program for the Mac that was designed to provide a limited amount of security to a Mac OS9/X system with emphasis on "security without modification." Version 4.1 adds multi-user functionality, a screen saver mode, and a hacker attempt log. [Download - Classic, OS X]

CodeTek has released DockExtender 3.0.2, an maintenance update to its $20 Mac OS X Dock enhancer that allows the user to organize and access applications, documents and Web sites through custom menus. [Download - 1.2MB]

Added: VPN Tracker 1.5.1 is now available. VPN Tracker is a Mac OS X application that sets up secure, encrypted Internet connections. Pricing begins at EUR80. [Download - 3.0MB]

Quark Xpress 6 for OS X only, not Mac OS 9

02/19, 3:40pm

Quark Xpress 6 for OS X only, not Mac OS 9

Quark Xpress 6 will not run on Mac OS 9 and will only run on Mac OS X 10.2 (and Windows XP), according to a Macworld UK report. The article also clarifies circulating rumors of upgrade pricing: "Members of ServicePlus will receive a free upgrade to XPress 6, as will some customers who received a special 'upgrade to 5, receive 6 free' offer, but otherwise QuarkXPress 6 will be a paid upgrade."

MS acquires Connectix Virtual PC, other apps

02/19, 3:25pm

MS acquires Connectix Virtual PC, other apps

Microsoft is acquiring some assets of Connectix, including VirtualPC software that permits Windows to run on a Mac and an unreleased server program, according to c|net. Microsoft, which plans to announce the deal on Thursday, said that some Connectix employees will join Microsoft, that Virtual PC for the Mac will continue to be sold and that it plans to continue developing the software, which has more than 1 million active users.

Switching to OS X in a buisness environment

02/19, 2:40pm

Switching to OS X in a buisness environment

BlueArc's CTO and Executive VP Geoff Barrall has documented his switch from Windows to Mac OS X: "Rethink Before You Reinstall" covers his switch away from Windows in an office environment and documents the challenges facing Mac OS X in enterprise. Meanwhile, OS News Publisher David Adams writes about the difficulties of using a new or alternative OS everyday in a Windows-dominated world, focusing on three areas of difficulty: software availablity, file exchange, and standards.

Apps: MacMP3Gain, NoteTaker, Monitor Tester

02/19, 12:50pm

Apps: MacMP3Gain, NoteTaker, Monitor Tester

MacMP3Gain 1.2 is an update to the AppleScript Studio application which brings an Aqua GUI to the command line version of mp3gain, a utility that performs statistical analysis to determine how loud the file actually sounds to the human ear and performs lossless volume adjustments. Recent changes to the free, open-source utility include an option to process sub-folders, the ability to choose an iTunes playlists for processing. [103KB]
AquaMinds NoteTaker 1.1 is a free update to all registered users of the $70 productivity applications. Users can take notes, manage project plans, create full screen slide presentations, drag or clip info from other apps (or use NoteTaker Services), index/search notebooks, and add voice memos. Version 1.1 adds OPML (XML) export, supports MS word outlines with RTF import/export, has better keyboard controls for outlining, has new template functions, and new local version for German and French users. [requires email registration]
Monitor Tester 1.0 is a $8 shareware utility that can check for bad TFT pixels, test the geometry of a CRT, and adjust monitor settings. Some test patterns are fully functional but others are limited to the preview. [1.1MB]
Nick Zitzmann has released SymbolicLinker 1.01, a contextual menu plugin that allows any user to create symbolic links to files inside the Finder: "The goal of this product is to decrease users' trips to the Terminal in order to use the 'ln -s' command." [93KB]
Dockside 1.1 is described as a "growing collection of helpful system and internet monitors wrapped in a familar, completely-configurable 'dock-like' interface" with multiple skins. Version 1.1 includes applets on system info display (memory, IP address, uptime), system stats/load monitor (cpu, network, battery), an analog clock (w/visual alarm & hourly chime), a calendar (w/month & day views), timer, a netcam for displaying URLs and an iPhoto Frame. The $7 requires Mac OS X 10.2. [360KB]

MacExpo Cologne 2003 details announced

02/19, 12:25pm

MacExpo Cologne 2003 details announced

MacExpo Cologne 2003 will be held in Cologne from 23rd -25th June 2003. Following the recnet MacExpo in the U.K., the show organizers today released details of a new German event in 2003, which they say will be "more comprehensive, more in-depth and more educational than Mac-related events in Germany have been before." it will feature seminars and conference sessions as well as show floor displaying digital hub solutions for Mac users. The MacExpo Cologne 2003 website will take advance visitor registrations from early March 2003. The first 3,000 to pre-register will receive a free ticket. Visitors will be charged €15 per adult and €8 per child (over the age of 12).

Apple pushes MPEG4 with DRM, encryption

02/19, 12:15pm

Apple pushes MPEG4 with DRM, encryption

Apple and other supporters of the MPEG-4 standard for multimedia content have completed the addition of DRM and encryption to the technology in an attempt to encourage content producers to adopt it, according to UK computing magazine PC PRO: "Apple and other MPEG-4 supporters in the Internet Streaming Media Alliance (ISMA), are pushing for the ISMA to set a DRM (digital rights management) standard by June.

Apps: Mariner Write, AFBR, FileWave Booster

02/19, 9:35am

Apps: Mariner Write, AFBR, FileWave Booster

Hemera has released a Mac OS X version of its GraphicsDesk image browser, allowing users to browse and subscribe to thousands of online royalty-free images. The new image collections are targeted at business professionals, offering unlimited access to over 75,000 images. Subscriptions can be purchased for either a one-week ($20) or one-year ($100). Hemera is offering 100 free images to anyone who downloads the client for Mac OS X.
Mariner today announced the availability of Mariner Write 3.1 Public Beta, a preview version of Mariner's flagship word processor, which can now directly read Microsoft Word Files as well as adds OS X Services support and contextual menu spelling suggestions. A demo of the $70 application is available online; upgrades are $25 for pre v3.0 customers. [pricing corrected] [4.7MB]
AFBR 5.3 is an update to Publicspace's contextual menu enhancement utility. The $15 shareware allows users to quickly rename multiple files. Version 5.3 introduces the ability to insert text into the file name according to a number of criteria. Other features include seperate file name and extension criteria, automation via droplets, and other improvements. [Classic, OSX]
TriVectus released betas of four new OpenGL screensaver modules for Mac OS X: TriVectus Clock 1.1b1 (photo-realistic analog clock), TriVectus Gravity 1.1b1 (chaotic, scientifically inspired), TriVectus Planets 1.0b1 (displays and animates various planetary systems), and TriVectus Warp Field 1.0b1 (remake of a classic Warp screen saver). [TC, TG, TP, TW]
FlightMath 2.1, a shareware utility for performing flight calculations, is designed for leisure pilots and flight simulator fans: "Designed to replace the functionality of the archaic and hard-to-use ASA E-6B Flight Computer, it instantly and easily calculates density altitude, wind correction angles, fuel consumption, and temperature conversion calculations." It can now download surface weather conditions for thousands of airports worldwide. Upgrades to the $10 application are $10.
HomeRun 1.1 is a $15 shareware home automation program that works with a any CM11A-compatible X-10 controller, allowing users to send commands to attached appliances and devices. It can create a daily schedule of events, assign scripts to incoming X-10 on/off events, and turn individual modules on/off. [500KB]
SoftCare has updated its K4 Publishing System, a cross-platform collaborative editorial system that integrates Adobe InDesign and Adobe InCopy. Version 4.2 offers support for InDesign 2.0.2 and InCopy 2.0.1 as well as a number of important new features and enhancements, including template management and job assignments for users and user groups. It is available as a free update.
FileWave today began shipping FileWave Booster, a new application that improves distribution speeds of files and applications on a network by reducing the load of the main FileWave Server and eliminating the need for any third-party server software to support the FileWave Server by distributing files." FileWave Booster XClient 2.0, also updated, improves security while the client is being configured from a remote administrator computer and integrates with FileWave Booster for improved transfer rates. [site not updated]

Fuji unveils first consumer 6.2MP camera

02/19, 9:05am

Fuji unveils first consumer 6.2MP camera

Fuji today unveiled the first digital camera to carry its fourth-generation Super CCD HR (High Resolution), the FinePix F410 as well as "the first" consumer 6.2 megapixel digital camera, which carries its proprietary new Super CCD SR (Super Dynamic Range) technology, the Fujifilm FinePix F700.

Apps: Photoshop update, M-Beat, Dantz RDU

02/19, 4:50am

Apps: Photoshop update, M-Beat, Dantz RDU

Adobe has posted a Photoshop 7.0.x File Browser Update, an update to its plug-in that increases the stability under Mac OS X 10.2. This plug-in addresses a specific issue that could occur when browsing a large number of files in a single folder. [11KB]
Dantz has posted Retrospect Driver Update for Retrospect 5.0 v3.4.103, which adds support for several new drives and storage devices, including Dell servers, new Plextor 40x drives, several Sony drives, and others. [501KB]
M-Beat 0.95b is a Mac OS X menu bar remote control for iTunes, featuring play/pause/stop/fast forward/rewind functions, display of album/artist/track info in scroller, playlist support, iPod sync, iTunes volume control, and other iTunes functions. [144KB]

Adobe supports raw digital files, JPEG2000

02/19, 4:30am

Adobe supports raw digital files, JPEG2000

Adobe today released its Photoshop Camera Raw and JPEG 2000 plug-ins. The new Camera raw plugin delivers easy access to "raw" image formats in professional and mid-range digital cameras from Canon, Fujifilm, Minolta, Nikon and Olympus, allowing photographers to directly manipulate the original data captured by a digital camera sensor ("digital negative"). It is bundled with an additional plug-in that adds Photoshop support for the recently released JPEG 2000 format.

LaCie begins distributing DVD authoring app

02/19, 4:20am

LaCie begins distributing DVD authoring app

MacNN reader BJ McLaughlin notes that LaCie is now distrubuting CaptyDVD authoring software with its products. The software can create customized DVD with drag & drop, features 'Chapters' for easy DVD navigation, can create enhanced DVDs with photo slide show and music with playback compatibility with a wide variety of DVD players, and supports both Mac OS 9 and Mac OS X. CaptyDVD supports video and images on a single disc as well as MPEG-1, MPEG-2 and QuickTime movies as video sources. It ships with the LaCie d2 FireWire 4x DVD-Rewritable Drive ($380), and is also sold separately for $150. [updated]

"Capty DVD, the DVD authoring software from Japanese software/hardware manufacturer Pixela, now has an American distributor. LaCie of Hillsboro, Oregon has agreed to market the software in America and overseas. The firm evidentally will offer the software to the public on a standalone basis....Unlike iDVD and DVD Studio Pro, this software will run on G3 Macintoshes and work with any drive ... even those not sold by Apple or LaCie."

Tech: Ericsson uses REAL, MS spam lawsuit

02/19, 1:00am

Tech: Ericsson uses REAL, MS spam lawsuit

Early morning tech news: More than a year after teaming up with Apple and pledging to use QuickTime, Ericsson will integrate RealNetworks' technology for audio and video playback into the equipment it sells to wireless phone companies; Microsoft has filed a lawsuit to go after people it suspects of having harvested e-mail addresses from its Hotmail servers to spam subscribers; IBM predicts that systems with its new Power5 PowerPC processor will have four times the performance than those using the current Power4 and will be designed for both high-end servers and lower-end systems.

OnyxTREE Professional Suite released for OS X

02/19, 12:15am

OnyxTREE Professional Suite released for OS X

Onyx Computing today announced the new release of OnyxTREE Professional Suite for Mac OS X, a suite of four dedicated vegetation creators for procedural modeling of broadleaf trees and bushes (OnyxTREE BROADLEAF), conifer trees and bushes (OnyxTREE CONIFER), palms and related species (OnyxTREE PALM), and bamboos and related species (OnyxTREE BAMBOO). [updated]