News Archive for 04/08/17

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Drive Vaccine offers system auto-config, rollback

08/17, 3:15pm

Drive Vaccine available

Horizon DataSys today announced Drive Vaccine, a cross-platform security solution that will automatically rollback any Mac or Window machine to its original configuration upon restart. The company says the software solution "tackles the real world IT challenges faced by organizations offering public computer access including schools, libraries, government agencies, Internet cafes and others. Drive Vaccine is designed for institutions requiring optimal availability and functionality of their public access computers. Regardless of what a user does, including erasing files, installing software, downloading viruses, or tampering with desktop settings..." Pricing starts at $40 per machine with volume discounts available. It supports Mac OS 8/9/X, including Mac OS X 10.3 Panther.

RealNetworks' launches anti-Apple petition

08/17, 3:10pm

Real offers music petition

RealNetworks' Freedom of Choice website, launched this morning as part of its effort to increase music sales and promote its new RealPlayer Harmony technology, took direct aim at Apple with its "Hey Apple, Don't Break My iPod!" online petition that rallied support the company's Harmony technology, which enables customers to playback non-iTunes files on their iPod (and other music players), however, RealNetworks' has modified the original text and replaced it with a revised petition, removing the ability post comments after dozens of pro-Apple supporters offered anti-RealNetworks opinions on the petition.

Allume Systems announces Spring Cleaning 7.0

08/17, 2:50pm

Spring Cleaning 7.0 ships

Allume Systems (formerly Aladdin) today announced Spring Cleaning 7.0, a new version of its Mac "clean-up"system tool that claims to improve computer performance and enables users to take control and protect their privacy. The latest edition graphically displays the size of files that are taking up unnecessary space and enables users to scan their Macs and display a "snapshot" of what has changed on the system since the last scan. Other new features swiftly clean out temporary and log files, while conveniently saving custom searches for use at a later time as well as an improved interface. IT is available for $50.

Forums: Mac pricing, 12" screen, OmniWeb 5.0

08/17, 1:50pm

OmniWeb 5.0 impressions

Topics of discussion on the MacNN forums today include: comparing Mac and PC pricing using spec lists and more; discussion of 12" iBook screen quality; opinions on replacement headphones for iPods and other devices; impressions of OmniWeb 5.0 final for Mac OS X; ongoing discussion of new PowerMac G5 order status.

Apps: Rax, TakeCharge, ViewIt, BackTrackm ...

08/17, 12:45pm

Rax, TakeCharge...

Added: Netscape 7.2 is an update to the alternative Internet suite for Mac that offers a browser, email client, and IM service. The latest version offers improved email filters, security, rendering, and pop-up blocking. [Download - 17.1MB]
Rax 1.1 ($30) turns a Mac into a "virtual rig" for live performance, offloading DSP to a second computer, or "just jamming for fun." Version 1.1 adds MIDI Mixer control, 24 bit recording, and native sample rate recording. [Download - 1.5MB]
TakeCharge 1.0 can handle all forms of transactions from simple credit cards to recurring billing charges and ACH check transactions. It offers strong security features including AVS Address Verification Service, an encrypted database, and CVV2 Fraud Protection.
ViewIt 2.5 ($20) is a shareware image viewer that supports most popular image formats: JPEG, TIFF, PNG, PSD and so on. The latest version adds an 'email images' plug-in, the option to save file lists, and bug fixes. [Download - 479KB]
BackTrack is a background application that silently logs everything the user types. The log file contains the application name, the window name, the date & time, and what was typed. It costs $15. [Download - 646KB]
SimpleHelp Plug-In 3.0 ($48) is a FileMaker plug-in that enables independent and in-house developers to implement interactive help such as tool tips (help tags), coachmarks, or roll-over effects in their own solutions. Version 3.0 adds support for FileMaker 7, a printable PDF user's guide, unicode tool tips, and more. [Download - 3.0MB]
CGIScripter 2.19 is a multi-platform development application that is available for Mac OS X, Windows, Linux and Solaris. Version 2.19 adds support for FrontBase database servers in addition to the seven databases which were already supported with previous CGIScripter versions. [Download - 1.63MB]

Macromedia announces new Flash Video Kit

08/17, 11:00am

Macromedia Flash Video Kit

Macromedia has introduced the Flash Video Kit, which allows Macromedia Studio MX 2004 with Flash Professional users to add streaming or progressive download video to their websites without any special technical knowledge through a Dreamweaver MX 2004 plug-in. For a limited time, the Flash Video Kit is available free with new Studio MX with Flash Professional purchases or upgrades registered by September 30; current Studio MX with Flash Professional users can upgrade for $50. Other upgrade options are listed here.

FileMaker offers free Education Starter Kit

08/17, 9:15am

FileMaker Edu Starter Kit

FileMaker today announced the FileMaker Education Starter Kit, a free bundle of five pre-designed, ready-to-use database solutions for educators and administrators. The Kit comes with a 30-day free trial of FileMaker Pro 7, which the company says is currently used by more than 10,000 schools worldwide. Databases included with the Education Starter Kit include HumanResources, CourseTracker, Math Art, CourseWizard Lite, and Curricula.

MacGourmet 1.0 released with companion site

08/17, 8:30am

MacGourmet 1.0

Advenio has released MacGourmet 1.0, an application for organizing recipes and saving wine and cooking note. The company has also launched the companion MacGourmet.com website, featuring weekly recipes, kitchen gadget reviews, wine suggestions, news, recipes, recipe site reviews from around the web, and more. MacGourmet 1.0 sells for $25; a trial version is available.

Pixo's iPod development deal

08/17, 7:45am

Pixo and the iPod

The story behind Pixo's involvement in developing the iPod, is detailed in a San Francisco Chronicle interview with former Pixo founder Paul Mercer. In late spring of 2001, about six months prior to the iPod's debut, Apple approached Pixo, Inc. for help in designing the iPod's user interface. "We were able to get something running and demonstrate it in a couple of weeks," Mercer says, crediting the quick turn around to his company's experience designing cell phone interfaces. Mercer, as well as many of his employees were previously employed by Apple. Pixo's involvement suggests "that they tried [to design] it inside and failed." Pixo was sold to Sun Microsystems late last year and Mercer now heads Iventor, a company developing operating systems for feature-rich handheld devices and cell phones.

UBS warns of continued G5 shortages

08/17, 7:20am

UBS warns of G5 shortages

One day after Prudential Equity Group warned that the availability of G5 processors could be "worse than anticipated," UBS overnight said the "key risk" on Apple in the near-term "remains IBM's ability to produce enough G5 chips." While UBS believes yields of the G5 have been improving on a weekly basis, problems persist and "Power Mac shipments should face yield issues into fiscal first quarter 2005 and a new iMac to be launched later this month to strong demand, should be met with shortages," notes CBS Marketwatch. UBS adds that "Apple could still deliver significant sequential improvement into calendar fourth quarter 2004, with its own product cycles (iPod, iMac, etc.) that should be able to insulate it somewhat from macro-economic issues."

RealNetworks launches music sale, targets iTunes

08/17, 12:40am

Real launches music sale

RealNetworks today announced its new music sale to kick off the Freedom of Choice campaign. For a limited time only, every song in the RealPlayer Music Store will be available for $0.50 cents--with most albums available for $5. "This limited time sale celebrates the Freedom of Choice made possible by the release of the free RealPlayer 10.5, the first product that integrates Real's revolutionary new Harmony Technology. RealPlayer with Harmony enables consumers to buy and download music that plays on more than 100 portable devices, including the Apple iPod." RealNetworks will also rolling out an extensive US national print, radio, and online advertising campaign and a new web-based community, which it says will "provide a forum where consumers can learn about compatibility issues and discuss the issues with other digital music fans."