News Archive for 03/06/25

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Readers receive NUM 8.0, problems noted

06/25, 10:10pm

Readers receive NUM 8.0, problems noted

MacNN readers have reported receiving Symantec's Norton Utilities 8.0 for the Mac (which began shipping last week). Two readers provided different descriptions of errors, including problems defragmenting drives (confirmed by Symantec) and unexplained kernel panics--although other readers note no problems with the latest NUM 8.0 release.

Apple releases Darwin 7 Preview source code

06/25, 9:10pm

Apple releases Darwin 7 Preview source code

The Darwin team has released the Darwin 7 Preview source code corresponding to select portions of the 2003 WWDC Panther seed. Darwin and a number of other projects are available via Web DAV (as well as regular HTTP). Also, access to the CVS repository has been updated for gcc, gdb, cups, efax, gimp-print, and Rendezvous. (Apple has also quietly updated the look and feel of the Apple Developer Connection website.)

Apple limits 3rd party dev tool vendor access

06/25, 8:45pm

Apple limits 3rd party dev tool vendor access

A MacNN reader says that Apple is not offering 3rd party-tool vendors the same access to developers as in previous WWDC conferences: "Apple's friendliness to 3rd party tools vendors seems to have ended this year. You may recall at previous WWDC's, Metrowerks and other vendors (like Realbasic and Borland) were allowed to show their recent releases of tools, but Apple has decided it no longer wants to share the stage with other compiler makers." Apple introduced its new Xcode developer tools earlier this week and says it will ship the tools in September.

Apple posts Hard Drive Update 1 for Mac OS X

06/25, 8:20pm

Apple posts Hard Drive Update 1 for Mac OS X

Apple has posted Hard Drive Update 1 for Mac OS X, which improves the longevity of some hard drives shipped in certain Power Mac G4 computers, including: Power Mac G4 Cube, Power Mac G4 (AGP Graphics), Power Mac G4 (Digital Audio), Power Mac G4 (Gigabit Ethernet), and Power Mac G4 (Quicksilver). Apple strongly recommends that users back up the data on the hard drive to an external drive or removable media before running this update. [493KB]

Apps: ProjectForum, Stopwatch, ABFS, ...

06/25, 5:20pm

Apps: ProjectForum, Stopwatch, ABFS, ...

ProjectForum 2.3 is an update to the $200 Web-based software for easy coordination of group projects. Version 2.3 offers an RSS feed for every forum, allowing changes to be easily tracked using popular news aggregator applications. It also features an improved appearance and layout for improved navigation and better cross-linking between forums and projects. [Download - 1.0MB]
Stopwatch CSM 2.1 ($8) is a module that puts one or more stopwatches in your Classic Mac OS Control Strip, so that you can time different events or keep track of how long you work on your projects. Version 2.1 custom color preferences and can display running stopwatches and stopped stopwatches in different colors. Additionally you can now manually advance or roll back stopwatches. [Download - 180KB]
PublicSpace.net has released version 3.2 of A Better Finder Select, its contextual menu plug-in for the Mac OS X Finder that allows power users to filter file selections based on a range of criteria. The new version introduces a brand new way of activating the tool -- simply press the hot key combination in the Finder. Registration is $10. [Download - 180KB]
Rick Neil's iPhoto Buddy 1.1.1 is a freewware utility that allows you to use more than one photo Library with Apple's iPhoto 2.0 for improved performance. It can display various details about your Libraries without launching iPhoto. Information like each Library's size, image count, creation date, and modification date. [3.2MB]
NI has released Traktor DJ Studio 2.1, a free update to its software solution ($200) for professional DJ mixing. It offers extended database fields for compatibility with iTunes 3/4, automatic import of the iTunes library and iTunes playlists, CoreAudio multi device support, and storage of cue points, loops and the beat grids in ID3v2 tags as well as new shortcuts. [form]
FaxCenter 1.2.1 (nÈe Cocoa eFax) allows you to send faxes from your computer using your internal or external modem. Users can also receive faxes using FaxCenter, which it saves the fax as a tiff document. The $10 shareware has many bug fixes, an option to disable the fax menu, and other enhancements. [1.3MB]
Shrook+WebKit Technology Preview v1.04b ($20) is a preview version of what can be done with Apple's newly released WebKit HTML rendering engine (as used in Safari). Shrook now supports CSS, Javascript, QuickTime movies and Flash, as well as much improved layout of standard HTML. Shrook lets you keep up to date with your favorite websites via RSS, tracking both read items and when the site was last updated. [576KB]

Tech: 3.2GHz P4; Dell & Sears; MSNBot

06/25, 3:00pm

Tech: 3.2GHz P4; Dell & Sears; MSNBot

Tech News: Intel has launched a 3.2GHz version of its Pentium 4 processor with dual-channel 400-MHz DDR SDRAM and an 800MHz front-side bus; Sears and Dell Computer have quietly ended a four-month experiment to promote Dell products at special small outlets within Sears stores; Mictosoft has launched a new search program called MSNBot, which may eventually pose a significant threat to Google if Microsoft fulfills its promise to make the program a "cornerstone of its overall PC and services strategies."

Hitachi debuts new 250GB ATA/SATA drive

06/25, 2:25pm

Hitachi debuts new 250GB ATA/SATA drive

Hitachi today announced a new ATA/Serial ATA desktop hard drive with a 250GB capacity. The 3.5-inch Hitachi Deskstar 7K250 uses 80+ GB per platter technology to deliver up to one-quarter terabyte (250GB) of storage capacity using a 7200 RPM mechanism. The Deskstar 7K250 will ship with an optional SATA interface that currently delivers a maximum data transfer rate of up to 150MB/sec.

Apple offers details on Panther Server

06/25, 2:20pm

Apple offers details on Panther Server

Apple's Panther Server Sneak Preview offers a glimpse of its upcoming features (beyond those noted earlier in the week), which Apple says "will deliver major enhancements in the following key areas: Performance and scalability; set up, management and monitoring capabilities; network and directory services; Windows integration; as well as workgroup and desktop management services." We have an annotated list of new features.

OpenLink updates Universal Data Access Suite

06/25, 2:00pm

OpenLink updates Universal Data Access Suite

OpenLink Software has released Universal Data Access Suite 5.0, an update to its "collective ODBC ecosystem" for Mac OS X. Version 5.0 adds full Unicode and Rendezvous support to OpenLink's Data Access Suite, while expanding platform and DBMS support to include JDBC 3.0 (JDK 1.4), and the latest shipping versions of OpenLink Virtuoso, Oracle, Microsoft SQL Server, IBM DB/2, Informix, Sybase Adaptive Server, Progress, and others.

OpenLink also announced Virtuoso 3.2 for Mac OS X, the latest edition of its cross platform Virtual Database for SQL, XML, and Web Services. The new release incorporates full client and server support for the Blogger, Moveable Type, and MetaWeblog APIs, providing users with choice over location, format, data storage, development environment, and host operating system, for personal, community, and corporate Weblogs. It also adds support for Python and Perl, in addition to existing support for .NET, ASP, PHP, and Java Server Pages.

Sony: iTunes store was 'wake-up' call

06/25, 1:55pm

Sony: iTunes store was 'wake-up' call

Sony Corp.'s US CEO and Chairman Howard Stringer said that the April launch of Apple's iTunes Music Store was a "sea change" and a "wake-up call," according to Reuters. "Steve Jobs (Apple CEO) has liberated us. We're all doing the same things and providing our own solutions ... In the technology age, everything can be duplicated quickly." Stringer's remarks were made to media executives and press at a breakfast hosted by The New Yorker and Syracuse University's Newhouse School.

Ive discusses Power Mac G5 design

06/25, 1:50pm

Ive discusses Power Mac G5 design

Wired News has published a report from Apple head designer Jonathan Ive's presentation of the Power Mac G5 to media attendees at WWDC 2003. Ive attempted to create an appreciation for the vast detail put into the Power Mac's design. "The care that went into just the door was just extraordinary. Just check out the hardware we used. Look at the finish and the materials." Ive also said to get aluminum at the needed size and cosmetic standard was a "huge, huge challenge."

@Last releases SketchUp 3.0 design tool

06/25, 1:45pm

@Last releases SketchUp 3.0 design tool

@Last Software has released SketchUp 3.0, an update to its 3D design tool that adds a multitude of new features designed to help users create 3D models for later use in 3-D modeling, CAD, image editing, illustration and animation applications. SketchUp can export its models as AVI, MOV or QuickTime (QT) files for use in animation and multimedia presentations. Version 3.0 adds dimensions, annotation; improved arcs, circles, and polygons; smoothed faces and soft edges; material transparency (glass); animation of AVI, MOV, and QT files; and vector output in EPS, PDF and VRML. It is $500 with upgrades priced at $100.

Tribeworks adjusts iShell pricing

06/25, 1:25pm

Tribeworks adjusts iShell pricing

Digital Media tools maker Tribeworks said today that it has lowered the price of its iShell professional rich-media authoring software to $500. Previously, the software cost $1000 for the first year and $750 per year thereafter. Tribeworks also announced a price reduction for its entry level annual service and support package, "Silver Membership," from $1000 per year to $900 per year, and a price increase in its top-tier support package "Gold Membership," from $2,800 to $3,000.

CyClone unveils Music Key device

06/25, 1:10pm

CyClone unveils Music Key device

CyClone Components today introduced Music Key, its new USB Flash Drive with MP3 playback and audio recording. USB Music Key is a convenient and fast storage device for transferring files from one computer to another. Additionally, it is a fully functional digital audio player for listening to MP3 or WAV files. The Music Key is available in 64MB and 128MB models. No special software is needed to transfer audio files. The CyClone Web site has not been updated with pricing information.

Sybase expands distribution of software

06/25, 1:00pm

Sybase expands distribution of software

Sybase announced the expansion of distribution of its Mac solutions to MacMall, MacZone, Ingram Micro and the online Apple Store. Sybase Adaptive Server Enterprise 12.5 for Mac OS X is now available from these resellers.

Pixar measuring interest in Mac Renderman

06/25, 12:20pm

Pixar measuring interest in Mac Renderman

Pixar is currently evaluating a full release of its RenderMan software for Mac OS X on the 64-bit Power Mac G5. Pixar has "found the performance of the G5 to be impressive," and is are considering a full release of the popular renderer, depending on customer demand, among other issues. If RenderMan products are announced for the G5, the earliest such a statement would come is August, 2003, when the G5 is released, according to the company.

Aspyr to publish 007 Nightfire

06/25, 12:05pm

Aspyr to publish 007 Nightfire

Aspyr announced today that it will publish 007 Nightfire for the Mac this fall. The game is currently in 'Early Development,' and will likely be released in September. NightFire features an original single player storyline borrowing from the 007 legacy. As Bond, players operate everywhere from underwater to outer space as to "defeat the evil criminal mastermind Rafael Drake who is secretly bent on world domination." The $40 title (pre-order) is expected to ship in September for Mac OS X 10.2 or later.

KB: Booting from old disk; iChat AV/iSight

06/25, 11:45am

KB: Booting from old disk; iChat AV/iSight

Apple's knowledge base has been recently update with the following issues: later model Macintosh computers that cannot start up from Mac OS 9 may not be able to start up from a hard drive that was used in an earlier model computer; text in email messages you print via Mail.app appears in an unexpectedly large or small font size; use an external microphone with some iMac models for best results using iChat AV; AirPort wireless networking may interfere with the internal microphone on certain iBook computers when you use it with iChat AV; the iSight camera can only be used by one application at a time.

Mozilla 1.4 update to release candidate 3

06/25, 11:30am

Mozilla 1.4 update to release candidate 3

Mozilla 1.4 RC 3 is an update to the open-soruce Web browswer for Mac OS X that adds an overhaulled bookmark system, improvements to Composer, smoother scrolling, junk-mail context menu items, improved pop-up blocking, and thousands of additional bugfixes, including changes to improve performance, stability, Web site compatibility, standards support, and usability.

Apple Store Boca Raton to open July 3rd

06/25, 2:05am

Apple Store Boca Raton to open July 3rd

Apple has announced a July 3rd grand opening for its new Apple Store Boca Raton (Boca Raton, FL). As is customary, Apple is offering the first 1000 people to visit the Apple store receive a free Apple T-shirt and the new retail store will host several (free) unique and educational presentations, demonstrations and workshops. (We first noted the store in February of this year and earlier this month a reader confirmed the location.)

Gefen releases VGA monitor extender solution

06/25, 1:55am

Gefen releases VGA monitor extender solution

Gefen's new monitor extension solution, the VGA Extender, uses a single CAT-5 Ethernet cable to extend any LCD or CRT monitor up to 150 feet from the computer, while maintaining up to 1600x1200 resolutions. The $300 solution includes small, foot-print sender and receiver units, a six-foot VGA cable, and a 5V power supply. Gefen's ex-tend-it line also includes several products for extending devices that use USB, PS/2, VGA and DVI technology among others.

Apps: AOL IM, Active4D, DV Backup, EEA X...

06/25, 1:50am

Apps: AOL IM, Active4D, DV Backup, EEA X...

AOL has posted a new build of AOL Instant Messenger 4.6.1131 for Mac OS 9/X, its popular peer-to-peer messaging application. The update allows users to add ICQ buddies to your AIM Buddy List and send/receive Instant Messages as well as send SMS messages to mobile phones (along with storing the phone number). [3.3MB]
Entourage Email Archive X 1.6 is an utility for archiving emails and attachments from Microsoft Entourage X in Mac OS X. It is updated for Mac OS X 10.2.6, preserves Unicode characters for non-Roman languages, updates the process window, can archive a range of emails based on date, and has performance improvements. The $20 application requires Mac OS X 10.2. [708KB]
Defaults Manager 1.0b2 ($20) is an editor for the User Defaults (Preferences) database on Mac OS X that allows you to easily view, edit, delete, and backup stored preferences. The new beta adds the ability to backup/restore the defaults database, is fully functional during the 25-day trial, and has other changes. A limited time $7 off coupon is available. [576KB]
Ellipsis Productions has released Safari Bookmark Exporter 1.0.3, which exports Safari bookmarks to OmniWeb, Camino/Chimera, Mozilla, Netscape, Internet Explorer, iCab and Opera. The freeware, which only runs on Mac OS X, offers a simple one-click interface to export books to the appropriate location. [147KB]
Active4D 3.0MC1 is a dynamic server-side embedded scripting language for 4th Dimension which adds the functionality of Microsoft's Active Server Pages. It features an integrated HTTP server, 200 new web-focused commands, session support, and both server/client debugging tools. A developer version for Mac OS 9/X is free; deployment starts at $270 for the first year. [1.6MB]
AutoCorrect 1.5 for Mac OS 9/X is a plug-in that can be used with Photoshop and many other compatible applications. It offers advanced sharpening, one-click color correction, and RGB/CYMK support. The $60 plugin update adds additional controls over independent Highlights or Shadows correction.
DV Backup 1.0 (£30) is a shareware app for Mac OS X 10.2 that lets you backup computer files to a domestic DV or Digital8 camcorder. It allows you backup/restore/verify contents, includes a full table-of-contents listing, offers automatic remote control of the camera including tape positioning, incorporates 8 levels of error protection/recovery, and supports PAL and NTSC cameras. [300KB]
Keynote Gallery says it is the first to offer Tinted Windows with eight different tints, in three different sizes in latest Portfolio theme, which contains 34 masters, 5 different custom bullets, 6 custom colored fills for eight flexible chart types, 2 slide frames (35mm and instamatic), and 3 white photo cut-out borders for a "photo album" look. It is $15.

Apple responds to benchmark concerns

06/25, 1:15am

Apple responds to benchmark concerns

Greg Joswiak, vice president of hardware product marketing at Apple, defended Apple's performance claims for its upcoming Power Mac G5, after they came under fire in the wake of yesterday's announcement. (Apple would not return calls from MacNN earlier in the day for a response to the benchmarks claims.)