Terra Soft releases Yellow Dog Linux v4.0 RC1

Terra Soft has released Yellow Dog Linux v4.0 RC1 through YDL.net Enhanced paid accounts (only). The "RC1" status denotes v4.0 as "not quite ready for glass-master or use on mission critical systems," according to the company: "However, few issues remain and their level of importance is minor." Yellow Dog Linux v4.0 offers an graphical interface with both KDE 3.2.2 and GNOME 2.6.0 desktops as well as a new presentation for both the Installer and post-install desktop environment. The installation also includes OpenOffice 1.1.1, Rhythmbox 0.8.3, Mozilla 1.6 and development tools glibc 2.3.3 and gcc 3.3.3 built upon the 32-bit kernel 2.6.7.

Griffin ships GarageBand Guitar Cable

Griffin Technology today announced a new cable made exclusively for connecting a guitar directly to the mini jack input of a Mac. The GarageBand Guitar Cable is a high-quality magnetically shielded cable, eliminating the need for additional adapters when plugging a guitar directly into programs such as GarageBand, Amplitube or other guitar recording software. "The problem is electric guitars use 1/4" size instrument cables and the Mac input is mini jack headphone size stereo input. The GarageBand Guitar Cable contains both connection types and splits the mono guitar signal into the stereo mini jack - all in one beautiful sturdy 10' cable." It is available immediately for $25.

Apple releases iPhoto 4.03 update

Apple today released iPhoto 4.03 after pulling the iPhoto 4.02 update earlier this week without any explanation. Apple's description of the update reads: "iPhoto 4.0.3 addresses minor issues with Smart Albums and European books, and provides notification when new versions of iPhoto are available." It is available via the Mac OS X Software Update mechanism. Apple had released iPhoto 4.02 earlier this week, providing the same description of changes. Apple did not return calls seeking comment on the changes in the new version.

Briefly: WinXP SP2 delays, NewTek webcasts, iTunes...

In Brief: Further delays to Windows XP Service Pack 2, now expected at the end of the monsh will continue to affect the ship date of Virtual PC 7...NewTek will be offers live web broadcasts of its SIGGRAPH 2004 presentations next week, including those for professionals in visual effects for film and television, motion graphics, game development, and more...iTunes may requires users to re-select their speakers when trying to stream music after waking from sleep..."GarageBand: The Missing Manual" (O'Reilly, $20) is written by David Pogue, a composer and former Broadway conductor and is available now.

Notes from Apple\'s Q3 SEC form 10-Q

We have compiled a number of notes and highlights from Apple's 86-page SEC form 10-Q filing for its fiscal third quarter, released today, including notes about additional layoffs as part its restructuring, Virgin Mega's complaint over licensing of Apple's FairPlay DRM, its "high-profile" retail store costs, dragging sales in Japan, growth in higher education sales, and increased research & development costs during the quarter.

RadioLover 1.3 offers iTunes integration

Bitcartel today released RadioLover 1.3, an update to its MP3 radio song recorder that brings iTunes playlist integration, user recording styles and other enhancements. RadioLover now allows users to automatically add completed recordings to iTunes playlists, named after the stream, genre, or a custom name. It can also optionally replace stream names with the radio station broadcast name, can use either ID3v1 (1.1) or ID3v2 (2.4) MP3 tags, can modify existing schedules, and offers better sorting. The application can record radio streams as individual MP3 songs and also can schedule recordings of radio shows. It is available for $15 and runs on Mac OS X 10.2 or later.

SpiderMan 2 goes \'Gold\', will ship later this month

Aspyr today announced that Spider-Man 2 has hit 'gold status' and is set to ship Monday, August 16. The Game follows the same storyline as the blockbuster feature film, and "places the gamer into the web-slinging, web-swinging world of the Manhattan metropolis. Gamers will visit locations and relive encounters taken directly from the film, from the Statue of Liberty to the Daily Bugle offices. It was only two years ago that shy Peter Parker discovered his super hero, alter ego Spider-Man. Now he’s in a fight for his life and will have to use his skills and wits to survive a new, formidable foe..the villainous, multi-tentacled Doc Ock." The title, which runs on Mac OS X 10.2.8 or later, will be in stores nationwide by August 20 for $30.

Apps: SecureFM, Passenger, Ticketeer, qXport,...

SecureFM 7.0 ($100) is a FileMaker Pro plug-in that prevents the undesired creation, modification, or deletion of data by selectively disable FileMaker Pro menu items and functions, while keeping other menu items available to the user. Version 7 can now control menus by table occurrence set variable table occurrence names. [form] Passenger 3.0b1 ($30) updates the system adminstration utility that offers functions for database text import, name concatenation, password generation, folder creation, export to other programs, account folder migration, and more. It includes a new interface, user-defined import/export presets, batch processing of permissions, duplicate checking against Open Directory, etc. [2.3MB] Ticketeer is a theatre management database geared "toward small and mid-sized performance theatres (1,000 seats or less). Designed with stability, ease of use and keeping your costs down in mind, Ticketeer keeps track of your patrons and shows with a minimum of fuss." Pricing starts at $2,500 CDN for a site license. [800KB] SampleTank 2 FREE is a special version of IK Multimedia's SampleTank 2 software plug-in that was designed to be able to read a select group of sounds. This combination of sounds and software can be used in your music with no polyphony restrictions. Offered as a "test drive" of the fully expandable SampleTank 2, the company says registered users will be notified every month of new free sounds, tutorials and special promotions. Print Selection Service 1.0 (free) adds a "Print Selection" command to the Services menu that allows you to print the current selection in any Services savvy application. It runs on Mac OS X 10.3 or later. [55KB] qXport 3.02 ($100) is converts Word files into QuarkXPress and InDesign CS files as well as exporting to simple XML or plain text. It attempts to retain the Word structures, while at the same time "cleaning up" the files. It adds faster conversion, Unicode support, integrated font replacement, parameter sets, batch processing, and more. [Classic, OSX] Math Stars 5.0 ($12) offers an entertaining and challenging collection of math games: "Students who answer all questions in a round within the allotted time earn a gold star in the Player Screen. After earning 10 gold stars, a student's name is placed in the Hall of Fame. Time limits from 3 sec. to unlimited are available." [Classic, OSX]

TeraRecon adding OS X support to VolumePRO PCI cards

TeraRecon has announced that it is developing a Mac OS X driver for its line of VolumePRO PCI cards that offer realtime 3D volume rendering with "unsurpassed image quality for integration into medical, seismic, scientific, and other high-performance imaging systems." Volume-rendering helps visualize large datasets generated by CT or MRI scans or seismic data by casting "imaginary rays" through the data set to develop a visual model of interior and exterior of natural objects or phenomena. The cards can re-process the data in rapid succession--fast enough for interactive frame rates and to enable realtime image manipulation. The company is currently soliciting feedback on driver development and has not set a time-frame for its release. Products such as the 3D medical imaging application OsiriX are expected to offer native support for the Mac versions of this card.

Virgin Mega files complaint over Apple\'s FairPlay DRM

Apple's SEC Form 10Q filing reveals that the company Virgin Mega filed a complaint against Apple Computer France with the French Competition Council alleging that the Company has wrongfully refused to license Fairplay DRM technology to competitors. In a lawsuit filed on June 28, 2004, Virgin is said it was seeking "Interim Measures," pending the determination of the merits of the case. The quarterly filing reveals that a hearing on Virgin’s request for such measures will likely be heard in October or November 2004.

BMW-iPod adapter works, but in a \'pretty crude way\'

In his review, technology guru Walter Mossberg says "the BMW iPod adapter works, but in a pretty crude way that will likely leave the iPod cult hungering for more. It's a decent first step, but that's all.... The adapter takes the form of a white iPod cable that protrudes from the inside wall of the glove compartment. You just plug in your iPod (it has to be a newer model that uses the so-called dock connector) and close the glove box door. From then on, you can control the device from the dashboard audio dials and buttons, or the audio control buttons on the steering wheel." The review notes that the system caused a few iPod freezes and other minor anomalies that were solved relatively easily.

NY iBook program in limbo; Kansas delivers iBooks

With some opposition by the community, the Honeoye Falls-Lima school board in New York is trying to figure out what to do about the middle school laptop computer project that was launched in February: "The district is leasing for a four-year period 711 laptops from Apple— 661 for students and 50 for teachers — at a total cost of $859,782. According to the plan, sixth-, seventh- and eighth-graders use them at home and in school." Meanwhile, one-thousand students at Hays High School in western Kansas walked away with a new iBook during school registration thanks to a school board initiative passed earlier this year.

StylusCentral.com offers iPod accessories

StylusCentral.com has launched a complete line of iPod accessories, including cases/holsters, battery chargers, car adapters, FM transmitters, media readers and voice recorders. The line includes a 12 Volt Car Charger ($18 for a limited time) as well as The Metal Deluxe Case (on sale for $18) for the iPod mini, which is made of anodized aircraft grade aluminum and lined with neoprene to cushion the iPod mini from impact shocks. The company also resells several accessories from Belkin, Otter, Arkon, and others.

Briefly: Macromedia license, Playlist club, ADC notes

In Brief: Macromedia today announced a new, affordable Macromedia K-6 Site License for elementary schools that is designed to help introduce multimedia and web tools to teachers and young students; The London-based Playlist club, which opens on August 20th, allows users to bring in a 15-minute playlist on an iPod or other digital music player and have it played on a first-come, first-served basis; The Apple Developer Connection has published an article on adding Universal Access functions to Mac OS X application to make them more usable by those with disabilities...Through August 8th, MacMovieMaker.com is offering "Learning DVD Studio Pro 3" with nearly 6 hours of in-depth training for $30 and "Apple Summer CD-ROM Subscription", which includes training for all three of Apples "Pro Apps", for $70.

WebHome 2 offers Web presence for any Macintosh

Lizeric has released WebHome 2, an all-in-one application for running a personal or small business web site on your broadband-connected computer. WebHome runs on Mac OS X, offering all the "important tools you need to run a dynamic, highly informational, highly configurable website." Features include a group calendar, a news posting system, announcement mailing lists, webservice clients to add dynamic info to the website, user polls, a site calendar, form mail support, RSS feed generation, and more. WebHome 2 is available for $80 until October 15th, a savings of $20 off the full price.

Apple gaining ground in higher education market

Apple is gaining ground in the higher education market as notebook sales to universities soared by 33.8% from 2002 to 2003. The primary lure for students appears to be iTunes and wide-screen PowerBooks: "Indeed, the pricey PowerBook has become the favorite portable workstation of the campus Unix clique, which wants a nifty graphical interface and the ability to crunch serious code...Then there's the music factor. Apple's iTunes software, which comes as a free download for either PCs or Macs, has become the de facto standard for managing digital tunes on the desktop. That, plus the runaway success of Apple's iPod music player, could be fueling a slow but steady increase in Apple customers."

Xfrog 4.2 adds Pruning support

Xfrog 4.2 for Cinema 4D adds a number of objects that tremendously enhance its capabilities regarding organic modeling. With its objects specifically designed to model organic structures Xfrog 4.2 will "allow you not only to create any kind of plant, it also opens up the way to fantastic abstract organic creations - all fully animated." The main new feature introduced with Xfrog 4.2 is support for Pruning. This extremly powerful tool allows you to use abitrary geometric objects as Branch growth limit or cut Branches where they hit that object. This allows users to control exactly what shape the object grows into or define places where it shouldn't grow. Xfrog is $330.

Apps: Screen Share, Interarchy, Tri-Backup...

Bosco's Screen Share ($25) offers an easy way to view another computer's screen remotely. It runs on Mac OS X, Classic, and Windows, allowing users to share desktops regardless of platform. [Download - OS X, Classic] Interarchy 7.2.1 is the latest version of the $40 Internet application to download and upload files via FTP, SFTP, and FTP over SSH. Interarchy 7.2.1 resolves some minor bugs, specifically involving: clicking the Bookmark Bar, and the French translation. [Download - 3.5MB] Tri-Backup 4.0.2 is a simple backup utility for Mac OS X. This version provides new features and enhancements, including: tooltips, a button to temporarily block the launch of programmed actions, and a new Log window. [Download - 1.0MB] Slated 0.8.5 automatically imports all your eVites into iCal. New features in version 0.8.5 include more reliable attendee importing, more reliable event status importing, and better detection of an Internet connection. [Download - 158KB] WebHome 2 ($80) is an all-in-one website server for small business and personal users. Home includes tools for running news, informational, and weblog sites, including news content management, link lists, user commenting and polls, mailing lists, associate sales, and even a simple database. [Download - 14.1MB] Geometry is a calculator that uses many of the formulas found in geometry. The program will calculate surface area and volume of a variety of geometric figures. It can also perform calculations involving the pythagorean theorem, sine, cosine, tangent, special triangles, regular polygons, circles, arcs, triangles, squares, rectangles, distance, slope, midpoint, Trigonometry, and coordinate geometry. [Download - 1.4MB]

Sawmill 7.0 adds major features to log analysis tool

Sawmill 7.0 ($140) is the latest version if the powerful, hierarchical log analysis tool that runs on every major platform. Version 7.0 is the most significant update to Sawmill ever. Major new features include a completely new graphical interface; greatly improved database flexibility including tracking of multiple numerical fields; a powerful programming language used for log filters, statistics filters, GUI templates, and more; many performance improvements in log processing and report generation; arbitrary statistics filtering without the need for cross-references; native Windows service support; improved progress during long operations, and more.

Motorola-iTunes deal: test market for music industry

The Motorola-iTunes deal announced last month has few--if any--downsides, allowing Apple to test a new market for its music downloads without cannibalizing Apple's iPod sales because battery life is likely to be barrier to (extensive) song playback on any cell phone, according to BusinessWeek: "It's clear that Jobs's decision to hook up with Motorola won't threaten the iPod's position in the near term. And the harmonious arrangement could well enhance Apple's position in the digital-music market and cement iTunes as the preferred digital jukebox for handheld devices. What's not to like?"