News Archive for 03/04/22

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ALAP updates InTools, InBooklet for InDesign

04/22, 8:40pm

ALAP updates InTools, InBooklet for InDesign

A Lowly Apprentice Production (ALAP) today released InTools 1.0.1, an update to its tool pack for Adobe InDesign. Additionally, the developer released InBooklet 2.1.2, an updated version of its imposition plug-in for InDesign. Both update are maintenance updates that resolve a number of reported issues. InTools and InBooklet are $100 each. [Download - InTools, InBooklet]

Cocktail: access UNIX functions via GUI

04/22, 7:20pm

Cocktail: access UNIX functions via GUI

Cocktail is a free utility for Mac OS X that simplifies the use of of advanced UNIX functions and gives access to hidden Mac OS X settings. It allows users to access the following operations via a graphical interface: enable or disable journaling, set disk spindown time, update or re-prebind files, repair permissions, run cron scripts, delete cache files, recreate alias to Mac OS 9 desktop, force empty trash, delete locked items, delete DS_Store files, delete archived log files, view log files, create symbolic links, change speed and duplex of network cards, set size of the TCP receive and send window, turn off delayed acks, request new IP from DHCP server, change network ports, and customize look and features of Finder and Dock.

New programming guide to be available soon

04/22, 6:15pm

New programming guide to be available soon

Mac OS X Advanced Development Techniques by Joe Zobkiw is a book published by SAMS Publishing that "provides you with a collection of useful programming projects and techniques." It is available for pre-order online and should be in local bookstores by the end of April, according to the publisher. "Each project chapter contains complete source code and detailed explanations to help developers, like yourself, learn quickly." Examples include document-based applications, Cocoa and Carbon plug-ins, frameworks, system services, preference panes, status items, threads, PHP, XML-RPC, SOAP and more.

MacWireless offers AirPort card trade-in

04/22, 5:25pm

MacWireless offers AirPort card trade-in

MacWireless today announced its AirPort card buy back program, offering a $25 rebate with the return of any Apple-branded AirPort card with the purchase of its MacWireless 802.11b PC Card ($90): "Since MacWireless PC Card with it's 100 milliwatt power output has substantially better range than the Apple AirPort card in a PowerBook Titanium, and there is no reason to have two wireless ports, by offering this buyback program, MacWireless reduces the overall cost of a wireless network connection for a PowerBook Titanium."

Reader details possible MDD fan upgrade bug

04/22, 5:05pm

Reader details possible MDD fan upgrade bug

MacNN reader Michael De Luca writes "after installing the new power supply and fan offered by Apple to reduce the noise level in the G4 MDD computers, all worked fine for a week and the noise level is markedly reduced." However, De Luca today experienced a problem related to the upgrade: "upon pressing the power button, the power button light glowed as normal, but no startup sequence was initiated. The computer appeared dead." He contacted Apple's support center, and was told what he had experienced was a "known issue," but the representative would not elaborate on the possible cause. But "they did tell me how to fix it," he says.

Apps: WallStreetMenu, Ritmo, Surround SCM...

04/22, 4:20pm

Apps: WallStreetMenu, Ritmo, Surround SCM...

Impression 1.1.1 is a $20 backup utility used to back up directories to (and restore them from) multiple optical discs (CD-R, CD-RW, and DVD-R are supported). It includes a utility for erasing rewritable discs. It includes significant performance gains, code optimizations and bug fixes. [469KB]
GNUMail.app 1.1pre2 is a complete and fast mail application for GNUstep and Mac OS X. It uses the GNUstep development framework and is licensed under the GPL. It adds full AppleScript support on OS X, a reworked the Preferences panel, better PGP support, integrated SSL support, and many other new features and UI improvements. [1.1MB]
WallStreetMenu 1.0 is a customizable Mac OS X menu item which enables users to track of Stocks, Mutual Funds and other indices. Data is supplied by Yahoo! Finance and has a 15 minute delay. The unregistered version ($8 shareware) is limited to tracking three symbols at any given time. [66KB]
Manyetas has released Ritmo 1.0b6, another public beta of its drum sample player plug-in for Emagic Logic Audio and other Audio Unit hosts. It offers better stability for ulti-out support, improved auditioning, and improved MIDI support. The public beta will expire on 15 May. [1.0MB]
Seapine Software's Surround SCM 1.5 tracks software source code changes, facilitates remote access to a source code repository, and enforces security and a structured change control process. New in version 1.5 is integration with Guiffy Software's compare and merge utility, advanced searching, shadow folders, and additional speed and usability enhancements.
Ambrosia Software's Bubble Trouble X 1.01 is a maintenance update to the shareware ($15) classic arcade game in which "cutthroat fishies are playing hardball in a squabble over some very wet turf." The free update fixes a few bugs and updates the resolution switching code to make it more compatible with newer systems. [8.6MB]

NPR responds to "No QuickTime" decision

04/22, 3:55pm

NPR responds to "No QuickTime" decision

A MacNN reader forwarded a note from NPR about its decision to drop QuickTime streaming from its Internet services: "For several years, npr.org has been offering some of our audio in QuickTime, but recently the arrangement between Apple and NPR expired. During the last several months, Apple and NPR have tried to work out the terms to renew that arrangement, but were unable to come to an agreement. It doesn't reflect on Apple's technology -- business and legal issues alone have led to this outcome."

MCE releases desktop, portable SuperDrives

04/22, 3:40pm

MCE releases desktop, portable SuperDrives

MCE Technologies today released desktop and portable DVD-recordable (DVD-R/RW) solutions. The desktop model consists of an external DVD-R/RW FireWire and USB 2.0 drive, while the portable model, named the Lucid-SD, is a slim, sleek, bus-powered DVD-R/RW FireWire drive that weighsless than a pound. The MCE desktop DVD-R/RW FireWire and USB 2.0 drive writes 4.7GB DVD-R media at 4X speed and 4.7GB DVD-RW media at 2X speed. In addition, it burns standard CD-R media at 16X speed and CD-RW media at 8X speed. The MCE Lucid-SD, portable, FireWire bus-powered DVD-R/RW drive writes 4.7GB DVD-R media at 1X speed, and to 4.7GB DVD-RW media at 1X speed. The Lucid-SD portable drive burns standard CD-R media at 16X speed and CD-RW media at 10X speed. Both drives are compatible with iTunes and Disc Burner software, and ship with Toast Lite. In addition, both drives ship with ImageMixer DVD, an introductory DVD authoring software for the Mac. The desktop DVD-R/RW drive is $330, while the portable, bus-powered drive carries is $480.

KB: app launch times, Panasonic DVD-Rs...

04/22, 12:35pm

KB: app launch times, Panasonic DVD-Rs...

Apple's Knowledge Base "discusses how to resolve an issue in which applications may sometimes take longer than expected to open (they "bounce" on the Dock for longer than expected) after changing locations or networks (including wireless networks);" Mac OS X 10.2.5 addresses an issue in which DVD-R discs created using Panasonic E-20 and Panasonic E-30 Set-Top DVD recorders appear on the desktop but have no items and zero space available; and Address Book entries that contain commas prevent Mail messages from being delivered to the contact's email address.

DVD2oneX: new DVD processing tool

04/22, 12:20pm

DVD2oneX: new DVD processing tool

DVD2oneX is a DVD processing tool that can make movie-only and full disk copies for personal use on a single DVD-Recordable. It claims to offer the World's fastest video compression engine that can process a movie to "fit on a single recordable in a matter of 15 to 30 minutes (depending on the speed of your computer)." It can make movie-only copies or full disk copies and is "written from scratch, it's not based on any old code, libraries or existing opensource projects." It is 50 Euros. [199KB]

Apps: Mail Magic, Exhibit, ImageBuddy...

04/22, 11:35am

Apps: Mail Magic, Exhibit, ImageBuddy...

The Plugin Galaxy 1.5 is a collection of 21 Photoshop-compatible plugins containing more than 150 different image effects. Version 1.5 includes a Page Curl plugin, which produces page curls of 12 different directions and page rolls in 4 directions. Two plugins from the demo version, PopArt and Zoom, are now freeware and fully usable. It is a free update to the $50 suite.
Tri-BACKUP 3.2 is an update to the backup utility for Mac OS X. The update includes automatic execution of tasks, multiple actions per 'group', a new function to encrypt and protect compressed files with a password, new system-based triggers (at startup at shutdown), and an option to shutdown after completion. Upgrades to the $50 application are $30. [2.5MB]
Infinisys has updated its HTML mail software, Mail Magic 2.3, its template-based application for creating and sending customized text and HTML mails in Mac OS X. It includes 60 ready-to-use templates, 50 clipart objects, 80 backgrounds, import functions, up to 10 custom fields per email, and new error checking functions. A demo of the $18 application is available. [666KB]
Melonsoft's Exhibit 2.5 can now create HTML pages for full view images, as well as more useful navigation elements. It also includes a larger number of Placeholder tags, which can be used to insert dynamic, image-specific text into generated pages as well as new support for QuickTime. The $15 shareware generates Web-based photo galleries. [Classic, OSX]
VVI has released Vvidget User 8.4.3, which includes a drawing tool for laying out 2D graphs, a preconfigured web graphing server, an Interface Builder palette for simple charts, two strip chart applications for plotting CPU and network performance in realtime, and an online user manual. Pricing starts at $50 for students and $90 for others.
InterACTIVE-Technology has released version 2.11 of ActiveDeveloper for Mac OS X: "The ActiveDeveloper IDE cuts your API learning curve and allows incremental Development of any Project. With ActiveDeveloper you get a Runtime Object IDE allowing you to build native apps and servers directly at Runtime while they run." Licensing starts at $50. [1.0MB]
24U SimpleHelp Plug-In 1.0b1 lets developers define help tags for layout objects and controls, such as data fields, buttons, pictures etc. In Addition, 24U SimpleHelp Plug-In allows developers to create FileMaker solutions with an intuitive user interface, including desired help tags. It is now available as a public beta. [1.5MB]
The $17 shareware ImageBuddy 2.8 adds free placement of text in Page Layouts, 4x Print spooling improvement in Contact Sheets and new higher resolution display modes. Imagebuddy is a digital image layout program with integrated support for iPhoto. [Classic, OSX]
Default Folder 3.1.5 for Mac OS 9 adds the ability to erase your list of recently used folders and improves compatibility with Carbon applications. Default Folder will operate on any Macintosh running System 7 or higher, including Mac OS 9.2.2 and the Classic environment of OS X. It is a free upgrade to v3.0 users and $25 for a full license. [1.1MB]
Imaja's font viewing utility ProtoFont 2.2 includes several new features for browsing your font library on Mac OS. The $30 software now supports subfolders and non-system fonts and deletion of font references from the Font List or Font Keyword windows. Upgrades are $20. [576KB]

IDG rebrands summer CREATE expo as Macworld

04/22, 10:45am

IDG rebrands summer CREATE expo as Macworld

IDG World Expo today announced that the summer 2003 event focusing on technology and professional solutions for the creative arts has been re-named Macworld CreativePro Conference & Expo. Originally announced by IDG World Expo and Apple on March 26, 2003 as "CREATE," this event will address the needs of creative professionals in design and publishing, video and music. Macworld CreativePro Conference & Expo will take place July 14-18, 2003 at New York City's Javits Center.

Ulead debuts DVD PictureShow for Mac

04/22, 9:15am

Ulead debuts DVD PictureShow for Mac

Ulead Systems today introduced DVD PictureShow for Mac, digital image slideshow creation software for both CD and DVD media: "[it] lets consumers easily assemble digital images, create sophisticated DVD navigation and polished menus using templates such as holiday, vacation, and romantic. Adding text, background music and importing images for menu backgrounds give slideshows a personal touch...The software is also unique because it works with both CD and DVD burners, giving the majority of consumers who do not have a DVD burner the option of burning their final slideshow to inexpensive CD media that they can still watch on TV using a standard DVD player." It is $30; OEM versions will be available in early May in multiple languages including English, German, French, Italian, Spanish, Japanese and Portuguese.

Tribeworks launches iShell 3 multimedia tool

04/22, 9:10am

Tribeworks launches iShell 3 multimedia tool

Tribeworks today released iShell 3, a fully cross-platform digital media authoring tool for the creation of e-learning solutions, CD and DVD-ROMs, kiosks and internet applications. The multimedia authoring tool that has full QuickTime integration, Mac OS X support, native XML support, Unicode capability and MPEG-4 A/V support. The company also launched a special bundle offer, which runs through May 16th. It includes iShell 3 for Mac OS X, iShell 3 for Windows and an Intelligent Assistant product of the buyer's choice for $700 (a 40% discount).

FileWave ships Asset Trustee 6.5

04/22, 9:00am

FileWave ships Asset Trustee 6.5

FileWave is shipping Asset Trustee 6.5, an automated system that collects and stores hardware and software information from multiple clients running on Mac OS 9, OS X and Windows platforms. Asset Trustee reports detailed hardware, software, and configuration information for desktops, laptops, servers, and network devices throughout their entire lifecycle, as well as changes. Version 6.5 includes a new inventory database based on three modules, improved scanner support for Classic, and new scanner support for Mac OS X. The Inventory Database is available in Small Business, Enterprise and Advanced Enterprise editions. (Pricing is not available.)

Mac OS X quietly adds Smart Card support

04/22, 8:50am

Mac OS X quietly adds Smart Card support

Miles Flinn writes that Mac OS X quietly adds Smart Card support for Military Use to OS X 10.2.3 and higher with a Federal Smart Card package that supports the Department of Defense Common Access Card to enable login authentication, encrypting and signing of email, and login to protected web sites. "If you log in as a government employee (Select Gov. Then middle option) it will provide you with a link on the right hand side. It is a $50 option. ...Basically this shows under the hood improvements to OS X and a growing trend toward making the OS comply with Government Standards." Additionally, The Apple SmartPay Store is designed for federal customers to purchase Apple and third-party products using their federally issued SmartPay credit card.

eShox 2.1 adds USPS integration, help system

04/22, 8:45am

eShox 2.1 adds USPS integration, help system

eShox 2.1 uses Apache and mySQL to offer a Mac OS X-based ecommerce solution with Web-based administration and reporting, real-time payment processing, a theme-based customzable interface, customer tracking/notification, and integration with most shipping companies for real-time quotes. Version 2.1 adds support for United States Postal Service (USPS) shipping carrier, Dreamweaver/GoLive HTML editing of the entire store interface, and for the USA ePay payment gateway. Other changes include a searchable, built-in help system, an mproved/refined eShox Admin user interface, and many bug fixes and optimizations. It is a free upgrade to the $300 application.

Apple Store gets facelift; iBook line updated

04/22, 8:30am

Apple Store gets facelift; iBook line updated

Apple today revamped the Apple Store and upgraded its iBook line of portable notebooks, boosting the speed up to 900MHz: " iBooks are now 800MHz and 900MHz with 30GB or 40GB hard drives (respectively) and a 60GB option. The Combo drive is now 24x10x24x. Another then that, they are the same." Prices are $999 for the 12.1"/CD-ROM/800MHz/30GB/128MB model and $1299 for the 12.1"/Combo/900MHz/40GB/128MB model. The 14.1" model is $1,499 with a 40GB drive, 256MB of RAM, and a Combo drive.

4D Keynote Builder: dynamic presentations

04/22, 1:45am

4D Keynote Builder: dynamic presentations

4D, Inc. today shipped 4D Keynote Builder sample database application, its database-driven Keynote presentation generating application. 4D Keynote Builder creates a Keynote presentation based on information stored in a 4th Dimension 2003 database. 4D Keynote Builder uses real estate data and can be modified to addresses any number of markets. It is available for free as source code for 4th Dimension 2003 on Mac OS X.

DeltaGraph 5 now available for Mac OS X

04/22, 1:45am

DeltaGraph 5 now available for Mac OS X

Red Rock Software today announced the immediate availability of DeltaGraph 5 for Mac OS X. The new version extends the charting, graphing, and data-analysis tools of DeltaGraph to take full advantage of Mac OS X's Quartz Extreme? graphics system and Aqua interface. It has over 80 chart and graph types with over 200 styles and includes a chart advisor and style libraries as well as a Formula Builder with 50 statistical and other mathematical functions. It is available for $300, while upgrades are $200 from previous versions.

AppleWorks 6.2.7: new feature details

04/22, 1:40am

AppleWorks 6.2.7: new feature details

eWeek has a report on the new features in AppleWorks 6.27, which quietly appeared on Apple's site over the weekend (as noted yesterday): "Sources said that the update, Version 6.2.7, will include improvements to AppleWorks' presentation and spreadsheet modules. The new release will also ship with several international spelling dictionaries-English, French, Italian and Spanish-and will boast improved spell-checking with user-added words. AppleWorks 6.2.7 will also make further compatibility inroads for Windows, with better handling of Office 97 and 2000 files."