Briefly: Adobe contest; Mac OS X mic issues
updated 04:25 pm EDT, Wed June 27, 2007
Adobe contenst, mic issues
In brief: Adobe is holding a contest in the near future titled "Take Creative License" for designers to alter or mash-up images, Apple's latest Mac OS X update appears to disable microphone input for one line of USB adapters, Ambrosia Software has released EasyEnvelopes 1.0.5 as a free update, and Cocoa Bootcamp has returned to the Big Nerd Ranch. Adobe's forthcoming contest aims to reward designers as well as creative pros. Participants must work to create a winning advertisement for the Adobe Stock Photos Service by mashing up, altering, and combining images available from the Adobe Stock Photos library. Adobe plans to reward the winning entrant by publishing the ad in the September issue of Graphic Design: USA Magazine alongside an editorial feature highlighting the designer's creative process.
Mac OS X 10.4.10 cripples mics
Apple's latest Mac OS X update, version 10.4.10, appears to disable microphone input for USB adapters that ship with the Plantronics .Audio 85 and Plantronics DSP-200 microphones. The cause is cited as an issue between the firmware in the Plantronics USB adapter and Mac OS X 10.4.10, with a fix requiring users to launch Audio MIDI Setup and uncheck the "Mute" button in the properties for the Plantronics Headset.
EasyEnvelopes 1.0.5 released
Ambrosia Software has released EasyEnvelopes 1.0.5, an update to the free envelope printing widget for Mac OS X that brings Mac OS X 10.5 Leopard compatibility as well as varioius bug fixes and enhancements. The update also uses a new first-class postage stamp to future-proof artwork.
Cocoa Bootcamp returns
Cocoa Bootcamp is returning to Big Nerd Ranch, offering experienced Cocoa programmers as well as Cocoa beginners a chance to attend the week-long training. Taught by Cocoa instructor Aaron Hillegass, Cocoa Bootcamp aims to provide intensive and challenging instruction over five days.
Junior Member
Joined: Jul 2006
Audio output too
In my case, 10.4.10 silenced the audio OUT of a previously working USB Audio adapter (with a C-Media chip) used on my PPC Mac mini without affecting the audio IN from a headset mike. I managed to kludge a fix using the built-in audio in time to talk with a friend in Tokyo via Skype. I'd have been outta luck if the problem had been with the mike in.
Many thanks for the tip about Audio Midi Setup. I clicked a few features on and off, including Mute and it's working again.
--Mike Perry, Seattle, Untangling Tolkien