News Archive for 03/10/01

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FireWire Depot introduces 1394b host adapter

10/01, 11:05pm

FireWire Depot introduces 1394b host adapter

FireWire Depot today introduced the DO-1394b FireWire 800 PCI host adapter (with internal connector). The new $100 card utilizes the new TI controller including two external and one internal 1394b 9-pin connectors and one external 1394a 6-pin connector. Independent port fuses increase reliability by preventing a bus overload from affecting other ports. FireWire Depot says it will continue to introduce more new products over the next two weeks.

Virtual Programming unveils new games

10/01, 8:05pm

Virtual Programming unveils new games

Virtual Programming today announced the release of three new games for Mac. ' Player Manager 2003' allows you to take on the role of a football manager, and organize teams, select players, and create tactics. 'Hearts Of Iron' a World War II game that spans the entire world and allows players to take the War to any new front of their choosing. It features a scenario editor, domestic and foreign politics, real-time game play, historical generals and political leaders, and multiplayer.

Apps: iSpeak It, Clean Text, ControlPlus...

10/01, 7:15pm

Apps: iSpeak It, Clean Text, ControlPlus...

ZappTek's iSpeak It 1.3.1 updates the $10 utility that loads files and/or URLs and uses the Mac's text-to-speech engine and iTunes to convert the text into an MP3/AAC track. It can define replacement rules for correcting mispronounced phrases and also includes a number of features for automatic document processing. [408KB]
Apimac Clean Text 3.0b2 is an application for removing, converting, encoding and replacing attributes from a text, setting it up for other uses. It sports a renovated interface, more text rules, supports regular expressions, and other enhancements. [Classic, OSX]
SpamSieve 2.02 adds Bayesian spam filtering to many popular e-mail clients and works with any number of mail accounts. Version 2.02 supports IMAP and .Mac accounts in Apple's Mail.app client, improves HTML message scanning, and other enhancements. The $25 trialware requires Mac OS X. [2.1MB]
ControlPlus 1.3 is a freeware utility to view the processor load and CPU usage for each process, stop or continue various system/application processes, quit/kill a process, or change its priority. [65KB]
Maxi Bidder 1.5.6 updates the Colourfull Creations' eBay auction utility. It includes ability to sync prices with eBay, audio alerts, and much more. It is a free update the $10 shareware. [Classic, OSX]

SLI launches slim Digistor DVD Multi Burner

10/01, 7:15pm

SLI launches slim Digistor DVD Multi Burner

SLI today announced the new Digistor UltraSlim DVD Multi Burner, which weighs less than a pound and features a combination USB 2.0/FireWire interface. The sleek, slot-load, bus-powered burner writes to 4.7GB (2-hour) DVD-R/-RW/RAM media as well as 700MB (80-min) CD-R/-RW discs. It features a 2x/1x/12x DVD-RW speeds, 2x DVD-RAM read/write speeds, and 12x/8x/32 CD-RW speeds. Although the drive does not currently bundle any Mac software, Digistor representatives confirmed to MacNN that it is supported by DragonBurn, Retrospect and Toast software. The Digistor UltraSlim DVD Multi Burner is available for $400.

Agfa Monotype Adds Fonts to Fonts.com

10/01, 6:45pm

Agfa Monotype Adds Fonts to Fonts.com

Agfa has added the entire collections from four type foundries to its Fonts.com. The additions from Carter & Cone, Aboutype, Mad Irishman and PampaType add 142 new fonts and font packages to Fonts.com. With last month's debut from Australian Type Foundry, Patricia Lillie, Nerfect Worldwide, Fontsmith, Baseline Fonts, Bannigan Artworks, Chris Costello and Joe VanDerBos, Fonts.com has added collections from 12 foundries. Prices for individual fonts begin at $24 with volumes of two or more fonts starting at $38.

TIBCO threatens developers over Rendezvous

10/01, 6:05pm

TIBCO threatens developers over Rendezvous

Australian software developer Andrew Wellington reports that TIBCO has threatened him with legal action over the use of the term "Rendezvous" in marketing for an iChat-compatible plugin. Mr. Wellington explained to TIBCO that his use of "Rendezvous " is in reference to Apple's technology, in an email sent today.

Columnist comments on Apple packaging, design

10/01, 5:15pm

Columnist comments on Apple packaging, design

Mark Morford has published an editorial that takes a satirical look at Apple's product packaging, design and marketing. Mr. Morford concludes that Apple genuinely cares about the presentation of its products: "This is what Apple does. This is what they are known for and why their design team is so famous and why they win so many awards and why they engender such passionate devotion from their adherents and why Macs are still far, far superior to PCs and always will be. It's true."

Possible fix for Yahoo!/Fire IM problems?

10/01, 2:50pm

Possible fix for Yahoo!/Fire IM problems?

A MacNN reader offers a fix for the Yahoo! IM messaging problems: "After working with developers for the latest release of Fire 0.32f to solve the inconsistent log-in bug with Yahoo's new log-on protocol a solution has been found. If FIRE 32f is 'pretending' to log you on to Yahoo IM network: Log out. Delete your Yahoo account in the FIRE preferences. Re-enter your account. This causes an update to the new default Yahoo server. Also be sure your account name is in all lower case."

Lasso Syntax Module for Adobe GoLive CS

10/01, 2:40pm

Lasso Syntax Module for Adobe GoLive CS

Blue World today announced the Lasso Syntax Module for Adobe GoLive CS, which it says makes it easier for Lasso developers to build and maintain sites based on Lasso Dynamic Markup Language (LDML). The Lasso Syntax Module will be made available at no charge to users of Adobe GoLive CS, the latest version of Adobe's authoring tool for Web professionals announced Monday. The module offers syntax coloring and code completion as well as automatic parentheses balancing and parentheses selection. It will be available freely upon the release of Adobe GoLive CS via download on the Adobe Web site.

Web Crossing Ships Wiki Plug-in

10/01, 12:00pm

Web Crossing Ships Wiki Plug-in

Web Crossing today announced a Wiki plug-in that enables easy Wiki Web page collaboration in a Web Crossing 5.0 environment. Web Crossing 5.0 administrators can download the Wiki plug-in immediately and complete setup with "a few clicks," according to the developer. Web Crossing Wiki pages can be created "on the fly" in a few keystrokes and edited with full quick editor support, yet are locked from changes while being edited. Web Crossing licenses start at $120.

BW: Apple may have opportunity for IT play

10/01, 11:05am

BW: Apple may have opportunity for IT play

BusinessWeek Online says that Apple may have a 'real opportunity' with the use of Macs as Unix workstations, increasing laptop use, and growing discontentment with Microsoft: "the opportunity lies in the corporations that long ago stopped paying attention to Macs. Right now, three key trends are leading IT guys to take a second look at Apple. The first is the lure of the cheap and dirty Unix workstation. The second is the rise of laptops. The third, and most potent, is the growing frustration with the Microsoft monoculture and all too common worm attacks that gum up corporate networks."

Cinematize DVD extraction tool updated

10/01, 11:00am

Cinematize DVD extraction tool updated

Miraizon today announced Cinematize 1.01 for Mac OS X, its $50 commercial DVD extraction tool that handles complex DVD discs with multiple angles and sound tracks. The new version includes some new features and fixes, and is now available in Japanese and French, as well as English: "With Cinematize, users can extract a clip or segment of content from any DVD and save it in a format compatible with standard movie and audio editing applications." Version 1.01 includes a longer preview length which is now adjustable, as well as a new option for saving QuickTime files which the company says significantly speeds up the extraction process.

Miglia ships flight case, reduces pricing

10/01, 10:40am

Miglia ships flight case, reduces pricing

Miglia today started shipping the Director's Cut Flight Case, a custom-made robust aluminium flight case, ideal for users who work on location. The flight case is designed to hold a Director's Cut 'Take 2', a power supply (optional) and all required cables. DCT2 is available in the US and Europe for $150/€150. Miglia also announced a price reduction on its flagship video capture product, Director's Cut 'Take 2' (DCT2) as well as a mail-in rebate for US customers. DCT2 features a high-quality encoder/decoder, Composite/S-Video/Audio inputs, dual analogue outputs, headphone jack for audio monitoring and a 100% aluminium case. DCT2 has been reduced by $60 to $390 before an additional $50 mail-in rebate available to US customers. The DCT2 PCI bundled with FireWire PCI Card is $410 (before $50 rebate).

Apps: iAlarm, BubbleDrum, sshLogin...

10/01, 10:35am

Apps: iAlarm, BubbleDrum, sshLogin...

iAlarm 1.6 offers iCal integration, an improved UI, an iTunes sleep timer, and support for "deep" sleep on some Macs. iAlarm provides alerts to play iTunes and speak either local weather, the headline news, a custom message, your daily events and to do items from iCal, as well as a standard beep. [761KB]
Melonsoft's BubbleDrum 1.2 is an update to its $10 shareware free-form drum machine for Mac OS X/9. The new release offers easier drumming, including more-natural drum resizing and a new "Stage" popup menu with helpful shortcuts for various BubbleDrum Stage functions. [Classic, OSX]
Minutiae Software's Reunion Planner 5.3 is a $60 application for planning and coordinating various reunion events. It features integrated mail merge, budget planner, mailing labels, name badges and other features. It adds a discount ticket category and new envelope print options. [Classic, OSX]
Flash AV Players 2.2 is a skinnable Flash application that broadcasts MP3, SWF (Audio and Video)and JPEG files by loading playlists in XML format. Flash AV Players, beside the new MP3 feature, has also navigation and sound controls (across track and playlists), preloading according to connection speed, crossfade of movies, and custom backgrounds.
sshLogin is "an application and a preferencePane designed to help users manage ssh-agent and ssh-add features in Mac OS X. It is useful for setting the ssh-agent environment variables at login so that the Finder and Dock inherit the ssh-agent environment variables." [337KB]
X-Builder 1.0.1 is a maintenance release to the company's $50 flagship authoring tool for OS X that offers the ability to save projects as standalone (royalty-free) applications. [7.4MB]
Weblet Contacts, the web based contact manager for CDML or Lasso from BrianDunning.com, now includes improved HTML handling across different browsers and platforms. The $45 collection of databases and format files includes everything you need whether you use FileMaker 4/5/6.

Altec debuts iMotion audio system for iPods

10/01, 10:35am

Altec debuts iMotion audio system for iPods

Altec Lansing today announced inMotion, the first portable audio system designed for the Apple iPod. Combining compact design, extra-low battery power consumption, powerful Class D amplification, patented MaxxBass technology, and a unique, built-in iPod dock, inMotion features four full-range, custom-designed neodymium micro drivers for clear audio output and "also delivers incredible, natural-sounding bass at frequencies far below those otherwise possible by small speaker sets." Other features include a headphone jack; an auxiliary input jack (3.5mm stereo cable included); and built-in, flush-mounted power and volume controls. It is available exclusively during October through the Apple Store for $150 and will be available elsewhere in November.

Security Manager available for FileMaker

10/01, 3:00am

Security Manager available for FileMaker

Waves in Motion has released Security Manager 1.0, a secure user-login system that integrates with existing FileMaker Pro databases without scripting. Security Manager provides additional security enhancing features including user IDs, password rules, login control, encryption, and more. It provides a single point of entry for any number of users and databases, and eliminates password sharing, forgotten passwords and time-consuming FileMaker Pro password changes. A 10-user license starts at $200 for a limited time.

Palm unveils Tungsten handhelds, updates Zire

10/01, 2:50am

Palm unveils Tungsten handhelds, updates Zire

Palm today introduced two professional handheld models, the $400 Tungsten T3 handheld ("best-in-class color and wireless handheld") and the value-priced $200 Palm Tungsten E. Both feature significantly improved PIM features and productivity software. The Tungsten T3 supports a high-resolution (320x480) TFT color screen in both landscape and the typical portrait modes; it also offers built-in Bluetooth networking. Palm also introduced its new $100 Zire 21 handheld with more memory, improved software, and a faster processor.

Sonnet reduces Encore/ST G4 pricing

10/01, 12:05am

Sonnet reduces Encore/ST G4 pricing

Sonnet Technologies has lowered prices by as much as $50 on the complete line of Encore/ST G4 processor upgrades. The G4 upgrades are compatible with Power Mac G4 “Sawtooth” machines.