News Archive for 03/05/15

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Blue World ships FMP2MySQL Kit

05/15, 11:45pm

Blue World ships FMP2MySQL Kit

Blue World today released its FMP2MySQL Kit, a free solution that includes tools and tutorials for converting FileMaker Pro solutions to MySQL. The kit is designed for novice users to migrate Web-based FileMaker Pro solutions to MySQL. The kit includes Admin.LassoApp, example databases, and an 80-page white paper with step-by-step tutorials and in-depth coverage of all aspects of converting solutions from FileMaker Pro to MySQL as well as instructions on installing the updated Admin.LassoApp LassoApp along with an overview of the contents for the FMP2MySQL kit.

Apple publishes Dads & Grads Gift Guide

05/15, 10:55pm

Apple publishes Dads & Grads Gift Guide

Apple has launched the Dads & Grads Gift Guide, a collection of Mac-related products and accessories intended as Father's Day or graduation gifts. Items can be filtered by price or category. Shoppers can filter items by price or category. All Gift Guides are a part of the Apple Store.

Tech: SPAM, Linux, hacker's story

05/15, 6:50pm

Tech: SPAM, Linux, hacker's story

Evening tech news: Federal and state law enforcement agencies pledged to take an aggressive new approach to fighting SPAM, by identifying "open relay" mail servers that serve as conduits for massive quantities of junk e-mail; Microsoft has a strategy to discount its products heavily when the software giant competes for orders against the emerging license-free Linux operating system; Legendary hacker Kevin Mitnick did just about everything during a two-year period in early 1990s when he went on a nationwide computer break-in spree -- all while evading the FBI by hacking the wireless telephone system.

Apple updates Safari v74 via Software Update

05/15, 5:15pm

Apple updates Safari v74 via Software Update

Apple has posted a new version of its Web browser, Safari v74 for Mac OS X, which it says "is recommended for all Safari users and improves how Safari validates the authenticity of websites that use SSL certificates."

Tri-EDRE, FWB in dispute over backup software

05/15, 1:40pm

Tri-EDRE, FWB in dispute over backup software

[Updated] We continue to cover the dispute between Tri-BACKUP and FWB regarding the Backup Toolkit software package.

AOL tests AOL Communicator for Mac OS X

05/15, 1:25pm

AOL tests AOL Communicator for Mac OS X

MacNN reader Christopher Petersen notes that AOL has released its first beta of AOL Communicator for Mac OS X, a stand-alone e-mail client bundled with a new version of AOL Instant Messenger and an address book. It is available to registered AOL users: "Try the first in a series of AOL Communicator Beta releases coming your way for Mac OS X. We want your input! AOL Communicator for Mac OS X offers nearly all the features of the Windows version. You might notice a few Windows-style controls, however, the product will be evolving in upcoming Betas to be even more in tune with the Mac OS."

Macrovision SafeDisc copy-protection for OS X

05/15, 12:45pm

Macrovision SafeDisc copy-protection for OS X

Macrovision today announced the availability of SafeDisc copy protection suite for Mac OS X: "With over 200 million software CDs manufactured using SafeDisc, Macrovision’s copy protection solution has established itself as the market leader." The software-based solution does not require any changes to the publisher’s application code and is compatible with standard PC or Mac environments and CD-ROM hardware. It is comprised of authenticating digital signatures embedded on the optical disc, an encryption wrapper, and various anti-hacking technologies that secure the optical disc executable. The patented SafeDisc digital signatures are added to each original disc during the mastering/replication process and prevent copying by standard CD-R drives.

Apps; MediaDock, iNotify, Installer VISE...

05/15, 12:30pm

Apps; MediaDock, iNotify, Installer VISE...

Bitcartel's RadioLover 1.1 allows users to record your favorite Internet radio streams as separate songs. Version 1.1 is a rewrite of the popular StreamRipperX. Users can schedule recordings, improve radion streams from the Web or iTunes' radio tuner, split/organize recordings by song/time/size, and automatically save/tag MP3s. The $15 software requires Mac OS X 10.2 or later. [1.2MB]
MediaDock, currently in beta, is described as a "simple companion to Apple's Dock, providing a place for mounted media such as CDs, DVDs, Disk Images, and Hard drives to reside." It allows you to enable hiding as well as pinning and offes access to applications scuh as iTunes and iDVD, as well as directory access to files and folders on mounted media. [117KB]
iNotify allows you to customize your computer by creating buttons on your desktop or menu bar, and pop-up notifications that appear in response to system or application events. Buttons have rollover and click states, can be translucent and animated, and execute AppleScripts when clicked. It is $5 and available for Mac OS X only. [289KB]
MindVision's Installer VISE 8.2 is the latest version of the developer tool for cross-platform installations. It offers improved bundle searching, dynamic variables for install locations, new UNIX script actions, an option to ignore hidden items, support for longer folder names, and other improvements. Pricing starts at $275. [pricing updated].
David Ahmed's ExhibitionX 1.4 offers six easy to navigate 3D environments to view picture folders and iPhoto 2 albums. The environments include the walk-around gallery, octagonal carousel, book view, multi-cube, flat and disc view. Version 1.4 adds a snapshot function, disc view and an update to the carousel view which now displays images in proportion. [1.2MB]
Bruno Blondeau has released the second public beta of MacResponder 1.0b2, an automated email responder that scans email accounts periodically and automatically reply to messages based on the sender or the subject. It adds the ability to activate/deactivate email accounts on-the-fly, improves compatibility with more POP3 servers, remembers which emails were answered after quitting, and fixes several bugs. [432KB]
Open Door Networks is now shipping Who's There? Firewall Advisor 1.4 ($50), which helps users analyze, investigate and respond to access attempts to their Macintosh. Version 1.4 can now read and parse the new log format introduced with Symantec Norton Firewall 3.0 and also provides information on access attempts to Apple's new iTunes music sharing service. It is a free update for v1.2 users or later. [Classic, OSX]

eWeek: QuickTime 6.3 development report

05/15, 12:15pm

eWeek: QuickTime 6.3 development report

eWeek has a report on QuickTime 6.3, which is expected to be complete by the end of the month: "QuickTime 6.3 will be the first release to include a 3GPP component, first promised late last year. 3GPP is a new standard from the 3rd Generation Partnership Project that was developed to deliver multimedia wirelessly to cell phones and PDAs....Besides 3GPP, QuickTime 6.3 will boast automatic detection of streaming transport protocols, as well as DV improvements that provide better audio and video synchronization. The update will also include improved support for other Apple software: Keynote, iMovie and iDVD. In addition, QuickTime 6.3 will include a new MIDI instrument sound set licensed from Roland Corporation."

Microsoft launches MSN for Mac OS X

05/15, 9:25am

Microsoft launches MSN for Mac OS X

Microsoft today released MSN for Mac OS X, the first Internet subscription service from the company designed specifically for Mac OS X. It includes powerful junk e-mail filter with multiple layers of filtering; customizable parental controls that help parents protect their children from inappropriate online content and limit communication with strangers; and free, round-the-clock, Mac-specific customer support.

Apps: Darwin, Virex DAT, ClipSaver, Indigo...

05/15, 9:15am

Apps: Darwin, Virex DAT, ClipSaver, Indigo...

Apple's Darwin team has released the Darwin 6.6 source code corresponding to Mac OS X 10.2.6. Darwin and a number of other projects are available via Web DAV (as well as regular HTTP).
Network Associates has posted the latest updated DAT file for Virex 7.x, which includes the latest definitions. [3.5MB]
Pariahware has released ClipSaver 1.1, a Mac OS X utility that gives users the ability to copy text onto the clipboard and automatically save the data to a file or files for later retrieval. A simple hot key combination turns the functionality on or off. A 30-day trial of the $10 shareware is available online. [866KB]
Xupport 1.3.1 provides a clean GUI to configure many Mac OS X options, including several unix command to optimize and secure your Mac, and others to activate hidden system features. Version 1.3.1 extends the 'Man' browser for info on system commands and support for iTunes sharing as well as adding ssh, daap, and http support to its server connection feature. [431KB]
ESP Graphics has released a new game called Roadworks: "The idea is to lay tiles, each with different piece of 'road', on a grid in such a way as to keep your car from crashing. You can lay straight tiles, corner tiles, 3-way stops and intersections." The free demo includes 5 levels of fully-functional play, while registration ($10) offers access to 15 more levels as well as a levle editor. [Classic, OSX]
Perceptive Automation's Indigo 1.1 is an "intelligent home control server that integrates an assortment of popular X10 hardware devices to provide unprecedented control of your home, allowing users to remotely control lights, fans, appliances, sprinkler systems, etc., from a variety of handheld remote controls, including the X10 "Entertainment Anywhere," It includes support for Sailing Clicker and the W800RF32 Interface. [757KB]

Notes from Apple's recent SEC filing

05/15, 8:50am

Notes from Apple's recent SEC filing

c|net yesterday outlined some details based on Apple's quarterly SEC filing: "Al Gore , the former U.S. vice president, picked up the most votes from investors in the election of Apple Computer's board of directors.....Gore received 286.3 million votes, whereas Apple founder and CEO Steve Jobs garnered only 244.4 million votes. The same filing revealed that Jobs, who received a Gulfstream airplane as a salary bonus in 2000, has received reimbursement from Apple for $1.2 million in company-related airplane expenses. The costs were incurred during fiscal 2001 and 2002. In addition, the Mac maker has shelled out $161,000 in expenses in the first six months of fiscal 2003 to keep its CEO in the air for company-related travel."

Meanwhile, Apple will not expense the stock options it grants to its employees and executives until a U.S. accounting standards body announces how it wants companies to value them, following a nonbinding April vote by its shareholders that urged Apple's board to examine the issue and account for options as an expense, according to Reuters. [updated]