News Archive for 03/02/28

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Apple confirms OS X 10.2.4 date bug

02/28, 7:00pm

Apple confirms OS X 10.2.4 date bug

Apple has acknowledged a bug in Mac OS X 10.2.4 that causes some computers' date to be reset to 1969 or 1970. For the time being, Apple suggests using a network time server.

Apps: Phrazer, PreFab, Wingnuts ...

02/28, 6:40pm

Apps: Phrazer, PreFab, Wingnuts ...

BitHeadz has released an update to its $300 loop-based sequencing program, Phrazer. Improvements in version 2.0.1 include: enhanced memory management under Mac OS X 10.2.4, better sequencer support under Mac OS 9.2.2, and improved MP3 file format support. [Download - 5.5MB]

PreFab UI Browser 1.0.1 fixes several minor problems, improves speed and stability, and adds many new features to the utility that helps programmers write user interface scripts using Apple's new "GUI Scripting" technology for AppleScript. New features include more keyboard shortcuts, an option to automatically send generated scripts directly to Script Editor, and the abillity to send non-printing control characters and function keys -- such as tab, return, delete and arrow keys -- to any target application. PreFab is offering an introductory price of $25 through April 19, 2003. [Download - 364KB]

Freeverse Software today updated its action shooter game, Wingnuts: Temporal Navigator, to version 1.2.4. This release fixes a few minor bugs and takes better advantage of OpenGL 1.2.2 for enhanced graphics. The game is rated "E" (Everyone) by ESRB, and is available for $20. It features "dozens of cool aircraft to pursue, including bi-planes, blimps and helicopters gunships." [Download - 807KB]

PodWorks 2.0 is a major update to the Mac OS X application that allows you to copy songs from your iPod to another device. Version 2.0 adds playlist support, additional "metadata" columns, general bug fixes, and a correction to a table redraw error. [Download - 309KB]

Trinfinity Software released Time Track 1.2.2, an update to its popular "time tracking" software. Time Track, put simply, "allows you to keep track of how much time you spend doing something." The update fixes a bug that caused Time Track to crash when printing all logs and a bug that caused Time Track to quit when being sent to the background on launch. The update also fixes the Undo & Redo code so that it does not fill up the application's memory and cause it to quit when editing large files. Time Track 1.2.2 costs $25 for a single user license. Classic, OS X]

BusinessWeek: Apple must continue to innovate

02/28, 5:50pm

BusinessWeek: Apple must continue to innovate

"Going by the numbers, Apple appears headed for trouble again," says Peter Burrows in a BusinessWeek technology column. Burrows applauds Apple's recent product announcements, but warns that "nothing will come easy for Apple," and the company is "rapidly losing its grip on the education market, a former stronghold." Mr. Burrows concludes by suggesting that Apple has spent too much on its retail strategy, and can only hold onto its niche market share if the company keeps "dreaming big when it comes to innovation."

Reader details AirPort Extreme Base Station

02/28, 12:55pm

Reader details AirPort Extreme Base Station

Constantin von Wentzel has put together a guide on the interior of a "Extreme" base station and what antenna options currently exist: "We have determined that Apple still uses a MC-Card plug inside the ABS, while electing to use a MCX-plug on the extrior (when the option is selcted). (His main Web site offers a plethora of information the older AirPort base station models as well).

Apps: Sony Ericsson Clicker, HotApp...

02/28, 10:45am

Apps: Sony Ericsson Clicker, HotApp...

A final version of Sony Ericsson Clicker 1.0 is now available for download. A limited time offer of $10 ($3 off) is available until March 2nd. The software allows users to remotely control a wide range of applications with a Sony Ericsson phone. The application has a built in "proximity sensor", allowing users to trigger actions when you leave or come back to your Mac. [778KB]
Badia Software has released a new $50 XTension for Mac QuarkXPress 4 and 5. OfficialReport XT 1.0 creates professional-looking reports detailing all the characteristics of a single or multiple documents, including listings of document fonts, document colors, style sheets, H&Js, picture fonts, picture colors, document preferences, basic or detailed picture usage, and application print styles. The built-in batch report feature automatically generates a report for up to 100 documents at a time, without having to open any of the documents. [183KB]
Default Folder X 1.6.7 adds German localization and improves support for Path Finder, CocoaTech's Finder replacement as well as corrects a flaw in Default Folder X's rename command and fixes problems with keyboard navigation. It is a free update to the $35 Open/Save dialog enhancement utility. [2.7MB]
M-Audio has posted new Mac OS X drivers for Revolution, its consumer audio card with surroud sound up to 7.1 as well as high-definition 24-bit/192kHz audio output, professional 24-bit/96kHz recording, realt-time stereo conversion, and 107dB SNR. Version 1.2.4 fixes kernel panics with simultaneous-source digital output, avoids a -6 dB level drop when bass management is disabled, and overhauls VU metering to be more responsive, use less memory, and more accurately reflect dB levels.
Trusoft's $15 shareware keyboard-based launcher utility, HotApp 1.7.1, adds support for 3 new languages (Swedish, Greek, and Russian), improves the quick search in the OS X address book, and offers integration with the company's freeware , which creates a single file alias for multiple documents/URLs. [HotApp, HotAlias]

Mobile classroom uses 3G for connectivity

02/28, 9:55am

Mobile classroom uses 3G for connectivity

The Telecomputer Bus showcases the power of the 3G mobile phone network by connecting 21 Macs located in a mobile classroom to the Internet via the O2 phone network's 3G mobile phone network, which in testing at Isle of Man. The next-generation phone network promises fast net services, video clips and picture messaging on mobile phones.

Apple hosting free seminars on managing OS X

02/28, 9:50am

Apple hosting free seminars on managing OS X

Apple is hosting a series of free seminars across the country. Integrating Mac OS X on Campus show users "how easily Mac OS X can be integrated into mixed computing environments. Youíll learn how UNIX-based Mac OS X integrates with Active Directory, LDAP v3, and Kerberos, and discover open source client management tools, including Radmind and RsyncX. Drawing on the successes of major universities and colleges participating in the Mac OS X Lab Deployment Project and the expertise of Apple engineers, the seminar provides real-world solutions for installing, maintaining, and managing Mac OS X systems in any environment."

Apps: Romeo, Virtual TimeClock, DropWaterMark

02/28, 9:45am

Apps: Romeo, Virtual TimeClock, DropWaterMark

Arboreal software today posted the first public version of Romeo 0.5, which offers OS X users with a Sony Ericsson T39m or T68 mobile phone and Bluetooth to use their phone as a remote control, Romeo supports common applications such as iTunes, DVD Player and PowerPoint and also allows you to change global settings, such as System Volume as well as use the phone as a mouse. [715KB]
Redcort Software today released Virtual TimeClock Pro 4.4, bringing enhanced networking and file sharing for Mac and Windows users as well as "completely transparent" licenses and data files for cross-platform compatibility. Pricing for the software-based time clock for both Mac OS 9 and Mac OS X starts at $180. [Classic, OSX]
OpenOSX.com has begun shipping its $30 WinTel 1.0 CD today which brings the open-source Bochs Pentium emulator softawre to Mac OS X, offering both disk image and CD-ROM support. The CD installs WinTel, an Aqua GUI to control the open-source Bochs emulator software and includes separate disk images with RedHat Linux, FreeDos, Linux, DLX Linux, and NetBSD. It features drag & drop compatibility with VirtualPC files as well, AltiVec acceleration, and support for multiple processors.
LAJ Design today released DropWaterMark 1.1.1, a cross-platform application that creates allows you to easily watermark images. The software allows users to create one of two different one line text marks, an image watermark (image on image), or set borders for pictures as well as customize the font, font properties, rotation, position, and transparency (or brightness and color). Itis $13 shareware. [Classic, OSX]
FaxPack for 4th Dimension allows a 4D programmer to fully automate the creation and sending of faxes directly through 4-Sight FAX v5 servers from any 4D application. It offers functions to manage user log-ins, list and pick cover pages, automate print driver selection, establish sending priorities, attach fax enclosures and obtain the status of any previously sent fax. Beta 4 is available is now, while the final release is expected in March 2003. Pricing is $300 per platform (with deployment licensing at $200 per installation). A similar SDK is available for Omnis 7 and Omnis Studio.
Eyeballs 2.4.1 is a new version of the "desktop critter" by Stick Software. The "fun" application gives users a set of "eyeballs in your menu bar or on your desktop. The eyes watch the cursor move around as you work, and you can configure their appearance and behavior in lots of different ways." The $10 shareware is available online as a fully functional demo fo Mac OS X. [328KB]