Friar Pro Font

In brief: A new iTunes visualizer, TRAKART has been released as a public alpha. The visualizer builds slideshows based on a song's lyrics, analyzing each track to extract keywords which it then uses to search Flickr. Images are then arranged into a slideshow which plays along with the song. Three guides have been released by Peachpit which teach users how to make better use of iLife '09, iWork '09 and GarageBand '09. The guides cover the basics of using each application, along with tips to create more professional products. Meanwhile, Ascender has released a new font style that is based on one of Goudy's original typefaces. The Friar Pro font is based on the original Friar typeface that was lost in a fire at Goudy's studio in 1939.

A new iTunes visualizer, TRAKART, has been released as a public alpha. The visualizer builds custom slideshows based on the lyrics of a song, with keywords selected to meet the user's preferences. Images are then found on Flickr, using the keywords, and turned into a slideshow to accompany the song. Anyone interested in trying the alpha release can sign up for a free invite at the TRAKART website. The software is currently being offered as donationware, allowing customers to give what they want, but the final release will require a formal purchase. The alpha release is currently Mac-only, but Windows, Android and iPhone releases are in the works.

Peachpit has announced that its Apple-certified guides for iLife '09, iWork '09 and Garageband '09 are now available. The books have been built from real-life material, with practical lessons that readers should be able to apply to everyday projects. The interface of each application is outlined so that readers can become more comfortable with the basic tools and functions available in the different programs. Apple Training Series: iLife '09 covers topics such as organizing and sharing photos, creating videos and soundtracks, and building websites. Apple Training Series: iWork '09 shows readers how to use the software suite to create professional presentations and documents such as budgets, newsletters, and reports, while Apple Training Series: GarageBand '09 shows readers how to turn a Mac into a recording studio, how to arrange and edit a song, and how to distribute finished projects. All of the books are available for $36 and come with a DVD which includes lesson and media files.

Ascender has released a new Friar Pro font that is based on Frederic W. Goudy's "Friar" typeface. The original "Friar" typeface was originally completed in 1937 and was original in the aspect that it combined various lettering styles from the 4th to 7th century. The new font was created by Steve Matteson using OpenType typographic enhancements to give the font an authentic appearance. Friar Pro is available for $30 in both TrueType and OpenType formats for Mac and PC platforms. The company has also announced that, in honor of Memorial Day, it will be donating the proceeds for all font sales until June 30th to the Fallen Heroes Fund.

by MacNN Staff