News Archive for 03/08/25

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Apple to open Richmond, VA store on Sept 4

08/25, 8:40pm

Apple to open Richmond, VA store on Sept 4

Apple has announced the September 4 grand opening of its newest retail store. Scheduled to open at 10 am, the new Apple Store Short Pump Town Center store in Richmond, VA will open in the Short Pump Town Center on West Broad Street. Apple will be offering t-shirt giveaway, a Grand Opening Sweepstakes to win a Digital Lifestyle Collection, and a variety of unique and educational presentations, demonstrations and workshops. MacNN first noted the store in January (and later in June) and also posted a follow-up photo from a reader earlier this month.

Techworks ships RAM modules for G5 Macs

08/25, 8:20pm

Techworks ships RAM modules for G5 Macs

TechWorks today announced new memory modules for Apple's Power Mac G5 computers. The modules, available now, are fully Apple compliant and have been verified to function in all G5 PowerMacs. Prices are $75 (256MB) and $112 (512MB) for the DDR/333 memory and $95 (256MB) and $170 (512MB) for the faster DDR/400 RAM. In addition, the company told MacNN that 1GB modules are "coming soon." The TechWorks modules include a limited lifetime warranty, 30-day money-back guarantee, and lifetime toll-free technical support. Apple's Power Mac G5 Developer Note has notes about the new architecture and memory requirements for the new machines.

Intego NetBarrier v3 10.3 secures Macs

08/25, 5:40pm

Intego NetBarrier v3 10.3 secures Macs

Intego today released NetBarrier X3 10.3, an upgrade to its $60 security tool for Mac OS X. It offers advanced firewall functions, antivandal functions to prevent hack attempts, an internet filter for privacy, and network monitoring. Version 10.3 offers new UI with a new "Overview" screen; an easy-to-use setup assistant; a status icon and menu extra; trojan horse protection; a screen saver; an improved expert log view as well as log filtering functions; improved contextual menus; user-adjusted SYN flood sensitivity; a new browser cookie manager; a new visual traceroute with mapping functions; and an improved firewall with expiration for filters and NIC-based rules.

Apps: MoofMenu, PasswordMenu, America's Army

08/25, 5:20pm

Apps: MoofMenu, PasswordMenu, America's Army

MoofMenu is a $5 shareware menu bar add-on that provides fast access to applications, folders and documents. It offers direct access to any application, folder, document or file; it is fully customizable; it is structured by hierarchy. [Download - 300KB]
PasswordMenu 2.0 ($10) allows you to store all your passwords securely in the menu bar. This way, your most important passwords are always just "one click away." Just select any item from the list, enter the master password, and the password is copied to your clipboard. [Download - 1.3MB]
America's Army 1.9 is an update to the game that "provides civilians with insights on Soldiering from the barracks to the battlefields." The update was recently released for the Mac and Linux. [Download - options]
Rumpus 3.2 is a $250 high-performance FTP server that uses Maxum's RushHour TCP/IP implementation along with built-in user management, web file management, and other features. Version 3.2 improves passive mode connections, adds support for ASCII files with Unix line endings, offers default permissions on uploaded files/folders, and other changes. [Download - 3.1MB]
Acquisition 98 is the latest version of the $15 gnutella client supporting modern gnutella features such as Ultrapeers, swarm (multi-source) downloads, download resumption, and distributed network discovery. The update fixes issues with previous versions and integrates with the artist recommendation program MusicLover. [Download - 1.7MB]
Disco 2.3 is an update to the DJ software for the Mac. Disco features two audio players with pitch control, pitch bend, jogwheel, backward/forward, brake and cue points. It also features a DJ mixer with crossfader, cuening, bass, treble and balance. [Download - Classic, OS X]
ATTO has posted ExpressPCI UL3D 2.0, updated drivers for its Dual Channel Ultra3 SCSI card: "This is a maintenance release of the ExpressPCI 'plus' driver for Mac OS X. Mac OS X release 10.2.4 or later is required. This release includes support for the G5 systems." [Download - option-click]
QuantumSoft today released pro Fit 5.6.5 for Mac OS X. It is a free update to the popular $100 tool for the analysis and presentation of numerical data and mathematical functions. The update provides various bug fixes and is recommended to all users of pro Fit 5.6.x. [Download - 3.9MB]

Macromedia identifies, addresses flaw

08/25, 4:35pm

Macromedia identifies, addresses flaw

Macromedia recently became aware of a security issue with some of the "server behaviors present in Dreamweaver MX," all versions of UltraDev, and two extensions that shipped as part of the Developer’s Resource Kit (DRK). If exploited, it is possible for an attacker to gain access to certain site-specific cookie and session information. Macromedia has issued downloadable patches for Dreamweaver MX and the effected Developers Resource Kit Extensions.

Conversation offers Mac-like approach to IRC

08/25, 4:15pm

Conversation offers Mac-like approach to IRC

Conversation 1.0 is an IRC (Internet Relay Chat) client for Mac OS X. Conversation allows users to join IRC channels via a "simple," "elegant," and "Mac-like" interface. Knowledge of IRC text commands is not needed to operate Conversation. It is provided for free to Mac users. Also be sure to check out MacNN's popular IRC chat network using your favorite IRC client.

Apple color-changing patent involves LED tech

08/25, 2:45pm

Apple color-changing patent involves LED tech

The Boston Globe has published a report on the future of LEDs (light-emitting diodes) and their use in homes to replace standard lighting systems. One company highlighted in the report, Color Kinetics, holds 19 patents related to the control of LED lighting systems, and has filed for more than 100 additional patents. Apple recently filed a patent application for a computer whose exterior would change colors, apparently after Color Kinetics had demonstrated their technology to Apple.

Apps: Jargonary, EZxslt, phptunest, Brushfire

08/25, 1:35pm

Apps: Jargonary, EZxslt, phptunest, Brushfire

Jargonary 1.1 is a dictionary for computer Jargon with explanations for more than 13000 computer Jargons. Version 1.1 of the $20 shareware adds wildcard search support , a text-to-speech feature, clipboard searches, a software update feature, and other improvements. [3.3MB]
Chaparral's EZxslt 1.5 is an upgrade to its application that simplifies the generation of Microsoft Word documents using data stored in FileMaker Pro 6 databases. It adds powerful capabilities that support tables, headers, footers, and finer control over the generated output. Upgades to the $130 application are $30.
Brushfire 2 ($280)is a substantial upgrade to the FileMaker Pro analysis package that adds comprehensive field, layout, relationship, and dependency analysis reports to its suite of script analysis capabilities. It also adds many new error and overview reports. Upgrades are $130 and a $30 discount is available.
phptunest 1.0 is an open-source PHP script that converts any iTunes Music library from XML format to an HTML table for display on the Web. It allows you to customize the resulting HTML page in many ways, including custom CSS styles, the ability to sort your song library with any visible column(s), custom column display, and optional MySQL integration. [10KB]
Secret Missions 1 is new game title based on DemonStar: "[it] is infused with arcade quality graphics, sound FX and backed up with all new levels and music soundtrack. The Xidus have been developing in secret new, more powerful DemonStar ships to destroy Earth. Your job is to battle your way through hordes of new enemies, and destroy their devastating new weapons." The $16 shareware runs on Mac OS 8/9/X. [5.3MB]
Monkeybread Software has released Cl assic Control Menu v1.0, a freeware utility to add a menu to the menubar to control the Mac OS Classic environment of Mac OS X. It is localized in Dutch, Japanese, Italian, French, English, Spanish and German. [864 KB]
mark/space has released Missing Sync 3.08 which adds support for the latest Sony CLIÉ UX40/50 models to the $30 software that offers Mac OS X support for the Sony CLIÉ. It offers HotSync support, the ability to mount your Memory Stick on the Desktop, iPhoto/iTunes integration, and other functions. [4.0MB]

Softmagic updates MLayout page layout app

08/25, 12:35pm

Softmagic updates MLayout page layout app

Softmagic today announced MLayout 1.55, an update to its native Mac OS X page layout application that leverages Quartz-based PDF rendering, Unicode-based multilingual support, and automated pagination based on XML and tagged RTF. The application also offers intuitive tables support, a designer-oriented user interface, and a direct-to-Web publishing feature. The latest version improves speed, adds find/replace of attributes, can merge documents, can work with both previews and original images, adds instant Web publishing, includes PDF/JPEG/TIFF and other export options, and several new functions for tables. In addition, the company has lowered the price from $600 to $300 for a single-user license.

Ensign launches new POS suite for Mac

08/25, 12:30pm

Ensign launches new POS suite for Mac

Ensign Systems recently announced the availability of NowCharge, enabling Macintosh Point of Sale users to process credit cards in seconds over the Internet. NowCharge provides Macintosh credit card processors wit: card-present and card-not-present processing; high-speed processing through Internet connections; preauthorization and post-authorization transactions; online documentation of complete transaction history; settlement reports; automatic settlement at selected times of day; free online support; and "world class" fraud protection. NowCharge is available for less than $200.

AppleScript session to be held at Seybold

08/25, 12:05pm

AppleScript session to be held at Seybold

An "AppleScript Gems in Mac OS X" session will be held at Seybold Seminars San Francisco on Friday, September 12th. This session will be part of the event's "OS/X" intensive. The "AppleScript Gems in Mac OS X" session will be moderated by Benjamin Waldie, President and CEO of Automated Workflows. The developer states that "the Mac has always (since System 7) had AppleScript," and "now, with Unix as the core of Mac OS X, there are additional options."

"Apple good, PC bad" in Hollywood

08/25, 11:50am

"Apple good, PC bad" in Hollywood

In his most recent Chicago Sun-Times article, Roger Ebert addresses a reader's observation that movie watchers can sometimes tell who the "bad guys" are in a movie or TV show by "what computer they use." According to the reader, in "24," all the villains used PCs while the good guys all used Macs. The same holds true for "Austin Powers," "Legally Blonde," and other films. Ebert comments that "Since many Windows machines look alike, Apple is one of the few manufacturers that can gain by product placement, which accounts for some of the Macs."

Report: Some G5 units recalled

08/25, 11:40am

Report: Some G5 units recalled

A number of Power Mac G5 units that left production in Ireland may have been recalled by Apple, according to rumors published by MacTechNews.de and MacBidouille. The exact reason for the alleged recall has yet to be determined.

Apple searches for new Austin office space

08/25, 10:35am

Apple searches for new Austin office space

Apple is looking for new office space in Austin with its current lease will expire in about a year; it is reportedly looking for 250,000 sq feet of office space. Its current Austin office spaces "collectively amount to 241,000 square feet, so the current search for 250,000 square feet simply might be to consolidate the company's existing Austin offices. If the potential move excludes a business unit in an existing space, then the search might suggest an expansion by the groups that do renew their leases or move." Meanwhile, Macromedia recently announced $55 million worth of new San Francisco office space, which will be its new headquarter location.

Forbes speculates on Apple announcements

08/25, 9:00am

Forbes speculates on Apple announcements

Adding to the rumor mill, Forbes speculates on the pending release of 1.25GHz iMacs and updated PowerBooks as well as wireless (Bluetooth) input device support in Mac OS X 10.3 Panther in its latest 'The Week Ahead' column. "Others say updates to the Powerbook line are imminent, particularly to the midrange Powerbook model with the 15-inch screen. Specifics are hard to pin down, but rumors suggest that a slight increase in the screen size of that product may be in the offing."

Power Mac G5 'tours' Brisbane, Australia

08/25, 8:50am

Power Mac G5 'tours' Brisbane, Australia

A single Power Mac G5 was demoed in stores in and around Brisbane, Australia "like a rock star" last week, according to The Courier-Mail: "Eager users thronged to the Brisbane events to see and touch the dual-2GHz prototype model for themselves, as proof that yes, it really does exist. The G5 finally started shipping in the US this week, and Down Under resellers are expecting stock by the end of the month."

Plextor debuts 8-in-one FireWire drive

08/25, 8:45am

Plextor debuts 8-in-one FireWire drive

Plextor today announced the new external PX-708UF DVD+/-R/RW drive for burning DVD+R/RW, DVD-R/RW, and CD-R/RW discs. It offers a dual USB 2.0/FireWire interface and supports 8X DVD+R and 4X DVD-R writing; 4X DVD+RW and 2X DVD-RW rewriting; and 12X max DVD-reading. The DVD/CD burner also boasts high-speed 40X CD-R write, 24X CD-RW rewrite, and 40X CD read speeds. The $360 drive, due next month, includes a 2MB buffer and bundles Roxio Toast 5 Lite. The internal ATAPI version is also available for pre-order for $300.

Apps: MovieEdit, eyeTV RPM, Zephyr, ToyViewer

08/25, 8:40am

Apps: MovieEdit, eyeTV RPM, Zephyr, ToyViewer

Jeff Skrysak has released two open-source utilities: CD-Erase 1.0 (CDE), a freeware utility that offers an easy way to erase a CD-RW disk under Mac OS X and CocoaMySQL 0.4 (CMS), an application designed to managed MySQL databases--both administration and data content. [CDE, CMS]
MovieEdit3D 0.86 ($7) allows you to create a single digital video (DV) file showing one or more imported DV files moving through 3D space. It supports plugins for 3D warping or grid effects, which applied to all or part of an iMovie movie clip. [338KB]
eyetv RPM 0.1 is a small Mac OS X application designed program your remote EyeTV from any OS X based computer in your network. eyetv FTW is a PHP script that shows the list of all recorded programs in a webbrowser on every computer in the house (Mac and PC) and makes it possible to download the MPEGs right form your server. [RPM, FTW]
RadicalBreeze has released Zephyr 2.2, a $10 shareware utiity for menu-based switching of applications. It offers several preferences and now works with both Microsoft and Adobe applications. [137KB]
Event Reminder 1.6 is a "donationware" application designed to remind you of recurring yearly events such as birthdays, anniversaries, holidays, rent due dates, etc. It now supports iCal events as well as data from AddressBook or a text file. [713KB]
Version 4.4 of ToyViewer adds HTML-based help and wallpaper functions (for desktop creation) to the free multipurpose image view and editor. It offers functions for scaling, rotating, flipping, color adjustment, printing, image comments, and many others. [950KB]

SyncDeK 5.0 offers improved FileMaker syncing

08/25, 8:10am

SyncDeK 5.0 offers improved FileMaker syncing

Today at the FileMaker Developer Conference, WorldSync announced SyncDeK 5.0, its replication and synchronization solution for FileMaker Pro. Scheduled to ship in the fourth quarter of this year, it features a robust data replication engine with improved synchronization speeds and functionality through a single FileMaker plug-in (managed by an external admin utility). SyncDeK 5.0 leverages FileMaker Pro's XML capabilities to automatically and transparently manage data exchange with laptops, remote users, multiple sites, and FMPro web servers. Special pricing of $800 ($200 off) includes a free upgrade to SyncDeK 5.0.

RailModeller 2.0 helps build track models

08/25, 8:00am

RailModeller 2.0 helps build track models

MacRailSoft has released RailModeller 2.0 ($25), which brings native Mac OS X support to the application for creating trackplans for model railroads and similar systems. Users can build tracksplans via drag 'n drop technology at common model scales, including support for multiple arbtrary scales within the same track plan. It includes up to 70 supplied libraries as well as additional elements like signals, houses, trees, etc. as well as a Railset-Editor to create custom libraries. It also offers a 3D trackplan view using OpenGL and an option to export trackplans pictures. It will also automatically generate a part list with an overview of parts and their costs.

Xbench 1.1 adds support for G5 machines

08/25, 1:35am

Xbench 1.1 adds support for G5 machines

Xbench 1.1 is an update to the popular benchmarking utility for Mac OS X: "Xbench is useful not only for comparing the relative speeds of two different Macintoshes, but also for optimizing performance on a single machine. Xbench is accompanied by a website that allows graphical side-by-side comparison of any out of thousands of submitted benchmarks." Version 1.1 is now optimized for the Power Mac G5, has changes to the AltiVec test to reduce dependence on memory bandwidth, and other improvements.

Chronos releases F10 Launch Studio 1.5

08/25, 12:30am

Chronos releases F10 Launch Studio 1.5

Chronos today released F10 Launch Studio 1.5, a new version of its launch management utility for Mac OS X. It adds "Auto-Discovery II", which reduces the number of non-essential applications by offering intelligent filtering, category filtering, and user-defined filtering. It also adds a status icon in the menu bar for quick access to the launch pad, preferences, hot keys, and launch applications. It also includes an auto-hide preference in the dock, and a duplicate file detection feature. It is a free update to the $30 application.

Macromedia unveils MX 2004 web product line

08/25, 12:30am

Macromedia unveils MX 2004 web product line

Macromedia today unveiled its Macromedia MX 2004 product family for building web sites and applications. It includes new versions of Dreamweaver, Flash, and Fireworks as well as its new Macromedia Flash MX Professional 2004 (with advanced tools), new building blocks called the MX Elements for Flash and the MX Elements for HTML, and a unique look and feel for Internet applications called Halo. Macromedia also announced Flash Player 7, with performance optimizations and support for new technologies. The new products are expected to ship in September.