News Archive for 04/05/21

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Another URI exploit in Mac OS X?

05/21, 11:40pm

Another URI exploit?

A MacNN reader points to yet another URI exploit in Mac OS X, not fixed in the recent Apple Security Update, that allows malicious users to embed links that can launch the Terminal application and potentially delete files: "In addition to the 'disk:', 'disks:', and 'help:' URI protocols mentioned yesterday, you should also turn off the 'telnet:' protocol. By default, it’s assigned to Terminal; I recommend using RCDefaultApp to set it to 'disabled'." Update: Unsanity describes yet another exploit method in a new white paper on not-yet-fixed security issues and offers an update to the freeware Paranoid Android 1.1 to protect Mac OS X until an official fix is available from Apple.

VLC 0.7.2 brings OpenGL support, better streaming

05/21, 10:00pm

VLC 0.7.2

The VideoLAN team has released VLC 0.7.2, an update to its media player for Mac OS X. The release adds new OpenGL video output for Quartz Extreme machines, support for H264/Theora Alpha 3/Annodex/CMML, improvements to the stream output system, an improved stream announce system, better Goom audio visualization, faster-than-realtime stream output/transcoding, a new VideoLAN manager, to launch several streams with only one instance of VLC, and other fixes. The multimedia player supports many formats (MPEG-1, MPEG-2, MPEG-4, DivX, mp3, ogg, ...) as well as DVDs, VCDs, and various streaming protocols. The team is searching for developers to fix VLC's issues with audio on the G5 and comment/design on some new VLC artwork.

DrawWell releases WorksWell 2.2, DrawWell 2.2

05/21, 7:05pm

WorksWell 2.2, more...

DrawWell Technologies today released WorksWell 2.2 and DrawWell 2.2 for Mac OS X. These releases feature enhanced compatibility with Mac OS X 10.3 and have many other improvements. Key changes in WorksWell include: support for iLife '04, support for iTunes 4.5, numerous improvements to Charts and Presentations, and more. In both WorkWell and DrawWell: context menus, multiple windows for different views of the same document, new toolbar items, and more. WorksWell costs $100 and DrawWell $50. An upgrade from DrawWell to WorksWell costs $60.'

Apple releases Security Update 2004-05-24

05/21, 6:40pm

Security Update 2004-05-24

Apple today released Security Update 2004-05-24 [Panther, Jaguar], which delivers a number of security enhancements and patches a critical vulnerability in the Mac OS X Help Viewer application (noted earler this week). The free update is recommended for all Macintosh users and is now available via the Mac OS X Software Update.

Adium X 0.57 update released

05/21, 6:30pm

Adium X 0.57

The Adium team has updated Adium 0.57, its free multi-service instant messaging client for Mac OS X. Adium supports all the major instant messaging services, including AIM, MSN, Jabber, Yahoo, ICQ, Groupwise, and Gadu-Gadu. The 0.57 update includes a large number of bug fixes, and improves reliability and performance. It is recommended for all Adium users. Adium is free, but the developer accepts donations.

Forums: 12" PB disassembly; Call of Duty; OS X update

05/21, 5:30pm

Forums: Call of Duty...

Topics of discussion on the MacNN forums today include: photos and documentation for disassembling a 12" PowerBook G4; the feasibility of running Mac OS X 10.3 on an older G3 iMac; Apple's recent statement that it would decrease the frequency of paid Mac OS X updates; digital video camera suggestions and recommendations; the latest themes and interface modifications for Mac OS X; members' impressions of the new Call of Duty game for Mac OS X.

AutoScrubber 1.5 adds interactivity, other features

05/21, 2:50pm

AutoScrubber 1.5

Jiiva today announced AutoScrubber 1.5, a new release of its $60 privacy utility that "brings interactivity to a process normally hidden behind the scenes." Version 1.5 adds many visual feedback when files are being securely erased as well as an on-screen notice when Software Update is launched. Other enhancements to AutoScrubber include an updated list of built-in configurations, improved support for multi-gigabyte files, speed improvements, and better support for Norton Utilities. AutoScrubber catches file fragments left behind by applications and deleted copies of private files made by the operating system. The AutoScrubber DeleteWatch demo offers a quick demo of "deleted" files available on your computer.

Aspyr to ship Shrek 2 for the Mac in July

05/21, 11:30am

Aspyr to ship Shrek 2

Aspyr today announced it will be publish Shrek 2 for the Mac. "Shrek, the loveable green ogre is back and this time he’s bringing friends. Shrek 2™ the video game is based on the new motion picture but it incorporates a few additional bells and whistles. Play as Shrek and 4 of his pals, both familiar and new, as they go adventuring through their twisted fairytale world." It will ship in July for $30.

Cringely looks at Apple's iPod shuffle

05/21, 10:30am

Cringely on iPod shuffle

Robert Cringely tackles Apple's move to create an iPod division in his column for PBS. "Apple is essentially getting out of the business of making its own products... Why would they take someone used to producing products like the G5 workstation and turn his attention to little music players? It's hardly a comparable challenge... I think it comes down to a combination of structural changes in the industry and Apple trying harder to cut costs, which really means raising profit margins."

Macworld UK hands out Editor's Choice awards

05/21, 7:55am

Macworld UK Editors Choice

Macworld UK handed out its annual Editor's Choice awards at a dinner Thursday evening. The winners include: HP's all-in-one PSC 2510 (Productivity Hardware), FileMaker Pro 7 (Productivity Software), Canon EOS 300D (Imaging Hardware), Adobe Creative Suite (Imaging Software), Iogear Boss (Connectivity), Epson Stylus Photo R800 (Print Imaging), LaCie Bigger Disk (Storage), Macromedia Flash MX 2004 (Multimedia/3D Software), Mathematica 5 (Education), El Gato EyeTV (Consumer Hardware), Freeway Express (Consumer Software), Lord of the Rings (Entertainment), Power Mac G5 (Apple Product of the Year), Wacom Graphire3 (Best non-Apple Hardware), Adobe Photoshop CS (Best Software), MacWarehouse (Best Mac Reseller), and Miglia Director's Cut 2 (Creative Choice Award). Macworld UK readers selected the iMac as Best Apple Product of All Time.

Apple Taiwan starts shipping Xserve, Xserve RAID

05/21, 7:30am

Apple Taiwain ships Xserve

Apple Taiwan today announced that it has started shipping Xserve G5 and Xserve RAID units to that country, as noted by DigiTimes. Supply is limited, however, as worldwide demand continues to outstrip supply. In the U.S., new orders for Xserve G5 carry 5-7 week waiting times.