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au - useful Rendezvous network tools

au is a packaging of SMALL BEAUTIFUL tools that allow you to be more autonomous on a network. This version includes a number of Daniel J. Bernstein's utilities including djbdns, qmail, and daemontools. The effect of this combination provides you with a DNS cache and Rendezvous-based email.

With au installed, other people on your local network can email you at your rendezvous name.

More information is available here.

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Free x86 emulator for Mac OS X

Bochs is a free open source x86 emulator which works on many different systems.

A Mac OS X binary, which includes a 10M DLX Linux disk image is available here. This is a native Carbon application which doesn't require X11.

Bochs is a highly portable open source IA-32 (x86) PC emulator written in C++, that runs on most popular platforms. It includes emulation of the Intel x86 CPU, common I/O devices, and a custom BIOS. Currently, bochs can be compiled to emulate a 386, 486 or Pentium CPU. Bochs is capable of running most Operating Systems inside the emulation including Linux, Windows∆ 95, DOS, and recently Windows∆ NT 4. Bochs was written by Kevin Lawton and is currently maintained by this project.

Bochs can be compiled and used in a variety of modes, some which are still in development. The 'typical' use of bochs is to provide complete x86 PC emulation, including the x86 processor, hardware devices, and memory. This allows you to run OS's and software within the emulator on your workstation, much like you have a machine inside of a machine. For instance, let's say your workstation is a Unix/X11 workstation, but you want to run Win'95 applications. Bochs will allow you to run Win 95 and associated software on your Unix/X11 workstation, displaying a window on your workstation, simulating a monitor on a PC.

Source code & additional information is available from the project home page.

If you'd rather pay $30 to get the same thing on a CD, you can buy WinTel 1.0.0 from OpenOSX.

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Another Bluetooth Phone Utility

Romeo 0.5.0 is a freeware application that lets you control your Mac from a compatible Sony Ericsson phone.

Romeo allows you to control programs such as iTunes and DVD Player, as well as presentation applications. Global utilities also allow you to set the volume level and to use the phone joystick as a mouse. Auto-reconnection to the phone as you wander in and out is enabled, as is muting the computer when you receive a 'phone call. Only version 0.5, but development is expected to continue apace, with scriptability and several other cool features heading your way.

Unlike Sony Ericsson Clicker, which is a preference pane, Romeo is a stand-alone application.

I'm still waiting for T-Mobile to unlock my new Sony Ericsson T68i so I can try these utilities.

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Sony Ericsson Clicker 1.0 Released

The final version of Sony Ericsson Clicker has been released.

Sony Ericsson Clicker allows you to use your Bluetooth phone to:

• Control PowerPoint or Keynote when giving presentations.
  
  
• Control DVD Player or iTunes from your sofa or bed.
  
  
• Use AppleScript to control anything you like!
  
  

• Pause iTunes when you leave the room, turn it on when you come back.
  
  
• Use AppleScript to let your presence (or absence) control anything you like!
  
  

For more information visit http://homepage.mac.com/jonassalling/Shareware/Clicker/index.html

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MacMegasite Reader Specials from MacResQ

Here's an easy way to add a CD-RW drive to your Beige G3, G3 Blue & White

or G4 system. These burners are fully compatible with Apple's iTunes and

the CD Burner program for burning data. They also work with third party

programs like Toast.

Read more for additional MacMegasite reader specials at MacResQ.

Panasonic 8x8x32x8x CD-RW/DVD Internal IDE Combo Drive: Only $79.99!

http://www.myaffiliateprogram.com/u/macresq/t.asp?id=1113&p=store/specials.php

You'll need to use Q-Pon code "BURN" when ordering to get this price, $10

off our regular price of $89.99. The combo (CD-RW and DVD) will work as

a normal, fully Apple compatible CD-RW drive in Beige and Blue & White

systems, and work as both a CD-RW and a DVD drive in G4 systems.

PowerMac G4/400 128/20gb/DVD With Apple Studio Display 17" Graphite: Only

$899.99!

http://www.myaffiliateprogram.com/u/macresq/t.asp?id=1113&p=store/specials.php

http://www.myaffiliateprogram.com/u/macresq/t.asp?id=1113&p=store/specials.php

Just mention MacMegasite when you order from them.

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A Better Finder Select 3.0 for Mac OS X released

PUBLICSPACE.NET is pleased to announce version 3.0 of its "A Better Finder

Select" Macintosh Finder enhancement.

This is the first version of the popular Finder file filtering utility for

Mac OS X. The product has been rewritten from scratch to take full

advantage of Mac OS X's powerful Cocoa programming interface. This first

version already includes wildcard and regular expression file name

matching, invocation via Finder contextual menu or drag & drop, persistent

settings, etc.

A Better Finder SELECT is shareware and costs $9.95. Upon popular demand,

we now also offer forever upgrades and licenses.

The new version can be downloaded from:

http://www.publicspace.net/ABetterFinderSelect/

A Better Finder Select is a contextual menu plugin for the Macintosh Finder

that allows power users to filter file selections based on a range of

criteria.

The simplest selection method is via partial file name matches, e.g.

"select all files which end in '.gif'", or "select all files which contain

the word 'web'". Unix-style wildcard matches such as "image*.gif" provide a

more powerful alternative, but it is the regular expression matching ,

familiar to BBEdit , Grep or Perl users that provide the ultimate file

selection mechanism.

If all this sounds a bit complicated to you, don't worry. A Better Finder

Select features a simple and intuitive user interface. Simply download it

and give it a try! You soon won't want to live without it!

A Better Finder Select is the ideal companion for " A Better Finder Rename", which allows users to rename multiple files quickly and effectively. In

the same tool series, " A Better Finder Creators & Types " allows you to

redefine file-to-application associations by setting the file's creator and

type codes.

Together the tools of the A Better Finder series (according to MacGadget)

provide "a lean, mean file handling machine".

FEATURE LIST

Many powerful search features:

• use UNIX-style wild cards to select files, eg. *.doc, image*.gif, etc.
  
  
• use Grep or Perl-style regular expressions ( details )
  
  
• select all files that contain a particular character string
  
  
• select all files that begin with a particular character string
  
  
• select all files that end in a particular character string
  
  

• fully integrated with the Finder via the contextual menu
  
  
• drop the files onto the application icon
  
  

• interactive and automatic modes
  
  
• persistent settings (the tool will automatically remember your last
  
  settings)
  
  
• fully integrated with the Macintosh Finder
  
  

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Apple Security Update 2003-02-25 Mac OS X 10.2.4 Server

Mac OS X 10.2.4 Server Software Update is now available. It contains fixes for

the following potential security issues:

• QuickTime Streaming Server: Fixes CAN-2003-0050 QTSS Arbitrary command
  
  execution. The QuickTime Streaming Administration Server relies on the
  
  parse_xml.cgi application to authenticate and interface with the user. This CGI
  
  can pass unvalidated input which could allow a remote attacker to execute
  
  arbitrary code on the server and to gain root privileges. Credit to Dave G.
  
  from @stake, Inc. for finding this vulnerability.
  
  

  
  
  

• QuickTime Streaming Server: Fixes CAN-2003-0051 QTSS Physical path revelation.
  
  The QuickTime Streaming Administration Server relies on the parse_xml.cgi
  
  application to authenticate and interface with the user. This CGI could be used
  
  to reveal the physical path upon which the Darwin/Quicktime Administration
  
  Servers are installed within. Credit to @stake, Inc. for finding this
  
  vulnerability.
  
  

  
  
  

• QuickTime Streaming Server: Fixes CAN-2003-0052 QTSS Directory listings. The
  
  QuickTime Streaming Administration Server relies on the parse_xml.cgi
  
  application to authenticate and interface with the user. This CGI could be used
  
  to reveal arbitrary directory listings due to the lack of user input validation
  
  within the application. Credit to Ollie Whitehouse from @stake, Inc. for
  
  finding this vulnerability.
  
  

  
  
  

• QuickTime Streaming Server: Fixes CAN-2003-0053 QTSS Login credentials. The
  
  QuickTime Streaming Administration Server relies on the parse_xml.cgi
  
  application to authenticate and interface with the user. A vulnerability in the
  
  handling of error messages from this CGI could be used in a cross-site scripting
  
  attack to gain valid login credentials. Credit to Ollie Whitehouse from @stake,
  
  Inc. for finding this vulnerability.
  
  

  
  
  

• QuickTime Streaming Server: Fixes CAN-2003-0054 Arbitrary command execution
  
  when viewing QTSS logs. If an unauthenticated user of QuickTime Streaming Server
  
  makes a request to the streaming port, the request is then written to the log
  
  file. It is possible to craft the request such that arbitrary code can be
  
  executed when the logs are viewed by the system administrator via a browser.
  
  Credit to Ollie Whitehouse from @stake, Inc. for finding this vulnerability.
  
  

  
  
  

• QuickTime Streaming Server: Fixes CAN-2003-0055 Buffer overflow in MP3
  
  Broadcasting application. There is a buffer overflow in the stand-alone
  
  MP3Broadcaster application. An MP3 file which has a filename of over 256 bytes
  
  will cause a buffer overflow to occur. This could be used by local/ftp users to
  
  obtain elevated privileges. Credit to Ollie Whitehouse from @stake, Inc. for
  
  finding this vulnerability.
  
  

  
  
  

• Sendmail: Fixes CAN-2002-0906 Buffer overflow in Sendmail before 8.12.5, when
  
  configured to use a custom DNS map to query TXT records, could permit a denial
  
  of service attack and possibly allow execution of arbitrary code. Mac OS X
  
  10.2.4 contains Sendmail 8.12.6 with the SMRSH fix applied to also address
  
  CAN-2002-1165 .
  
  

  
  
  

• AFP: Fixes CAN-2003-0049 "AFP login permissions for the system
  
  administrator". Provides an option whereby a system administrator may or may
  
  not be allowed to log in as a user, authenticating via their admin password.
  
  Previously, administrators could always log in as a user, authenticating via
  
  their own admin password.
  
  

  
  
  

• Classic: Fixes CAN-2003-0088 , where an attacker may change an environment
  
  variable to create arbitrary files or overwrite existing files, which could lead
  
  to obtaining elevated privileges. Credit to Dave G. from @stake, Inc. for
  
  discovering this issue.
  
  

  
  
  

• Samba: Previous releases of Mac OS X are not vulnerable to CAN-2002-1318 , an
  
  issue in Samba's length checking for encrypted password changes. Mac OS X
  
  currently uses Directory Services for authentication, and does not call the
  
  vulnerable Samba function. However, to prevent a potential future exploit via
  
  this function, the patch from Samba 2.2.7 was applied although the version of
  
  Samba was not changed for this update release. Further information is available
  
  from: http://samba.org/samba/whatsnew/samba-2.2.7.html
  
  

  
  
  

• Integrated WebDAV Digest Authentication: The mod_digest_apple Apache module
  
  has been added to more easily enable digest authentication for an existing
  
  WebDAV realm. This eliminates the need to maintain a separate digest file
  
  containing the list of authorized users, passwords, and realms.
  
  mod_digest_apple works in coordination with Open Directory for user
  
  authentication. For further details, open the Help Viewer after installing Mac
  
  OS X Server version 10.2.4, select Mac OS X Server Help in the drawer, and
  
  search for "New: Enabling Integrated WebDAV Digest Authentication."
  
  

• Software Update pane in System Preferences
  
  

  
  
  - OR -
  
  

  
  
  

• Apple's Software Downloads web site:
  
  

  
  
  Updating from Mac OS X Server 10.2.3:
  
  
  http://www.info.apple.com/kbnum/n70171
  
  
  The download file is named:
  "MacOSXServerUpdate10.2.4.dmg"
  
  
  Its SHA-1 digest is:
  65d6411dbe5855e894c5406ac35228f568240f26
  
  

  
  
  Updating from Mac OS X Server 10.2, 10.2.1, or 10.2.2:
  
  
  http://www.info.apple.com/kbnum/n70172
  
  
  The download file is named:
  "MacOSXSrvrUpdCombo10.2.4.dmg"
  
  
  Its SHA-1 digest is:
  41e441d737165ed0ed5166691dc39caba5e1dbce
  
  

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PHP-Nuke fix for Safari problem

For anyone who runs a PHP-Nuke based site, here's a patch for the Safari login problem.

Go to the Your_Account module in the Modules folder, open index.php and look for the following line in the function docookie:

setcookie("user","$info",time()+2592000);

setcookie("user","$info",time()+2592000,"/");

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Safari Login work-around

Here's a work-around for the problem Safari has with logging into PHP-Nuke based sites such as MacMegasite & MacMerc.

After you've attempted to log in to MacMegasite at least once, edit the file cookies.plist in ~/Library/WebFoundation and look for the following lines:

<key>Domain</key>



<string>macmegasite.com</string>



<key>Expires</key>



<date>2003-03-26T22:53:47Z</date> (date will vary)



<key>Name</key>



<string>user</string>



<key>Path</key>



<string>/modules.php</string>

Thanks to Jon Gales for this fix.

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Bare Bones introduces TextWrangler 1.0

Bare Bones Software, the developers of BBEdit, have introduced a budget-priced text editor, TextWrangler 1.0.

TextWrangler is a...

• General Purpose Text Editor
  
  
• Programmer's Text Editor
  
  
• Unix And Server Administrator's Tool
  
  
• Powerful Text Transformer And Manipulator
  
  
• Product Developed In The Best Traditions Of Bare Bones Software
  
  

• Flexible 'grep' style pattern-based search and replace based on PCRE (Perl-Compatible Regular Expression)
  
  
• Syntax coloring and function navigation for ANSI C, C++, and Objective-C
  
  
• Sort Lines and Process Duplicate Lines plug-ins offer grep pattern support for sorting, extracting, and handling text
  
  
• Ability to integrate TextWrangler with Unix tools and scripts on Mac OS X, by means of the "edit" command-line tool
  
  
• Extensive FTP support
  
  

For more information visit Bare Bones Software's web site.

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Sony Ericsson Clicker

If you have a Bluetooth capable Mac & a Sony Ericsson phone, you'll want to get Sony Ericsson Clicker.

Sony Ericsson Clicker lets you use your phone as a remote control for Keynote, PowerPoint, iTunes, DVD Player, or any application that supports AppleScript.

It also features a proximity sensor that can pause iTunes when you leave the room and resume when you come back or trigger any AppleScript action.

Supported phones include Sony Ericsson's T39m, R520m, T68, and T68i.

For more information or to download a copy visit http://homepage.mac.com/jonassalling/Shareware/Clicker/index.html. The current preview release expires Mar. 1 but a new version should be ready before then.

I just ordered a T68i a few days ago - I can't wait for it to arrive so I can try this!

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Fluid 2.0 Released

Newest version of popular screensaver offers exceptional enhancements.



February 25, 2003

Concept House released version 2.0 of their Fluid screensaver today. Fluid is a realtime fluid-dynamics model and rendering engine that uses OpenGL to create the effect of flowing liquid on your screen. The original version of Fluid has been one of the most popular screensavers for the platform and the newest version adds incredible new features such as 3D liquid surfaces that have shadows and highlights and even reflections, contour line rendering, streakline rendering, and a killer particle system.

The Fluid engine allows complete freedom to design your own unique Fluid Themes that can be saved, reloaded, traded, and even shared via Rendezvous with a Fluid Theme Server (included in the distribution). When you run a Fluid Theme Server every machine on the local network will have access to your saved Fluid Themes.

Another new feature is support for web-based background images. If you drag an image from your web-browser into Fluid's background imageWell then it will reload that image each time Fluid starts. In this way you can have your favorite webcam in the background while Fluid runs.

Fluid's performance and image quality have been enhanced too. Frame rates have been increased by about 15% over the previous version and a smoothing algorithm has been instituted for the bubbles to increase quality at lower resolutions of the model.

Fluid is "donation-ware." Concept House is not charging for Fluid but would appreciate it if you would donate to the development fund if you use Fluid on a regular basis or find it so mesmerizing that you can't stop staring at it. Months of development time have gone into Fluid so you should support the starving developers if you use it.

Fluid is available via the web at the following address:


http://www.concepthouse.com/products/

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Apple Mac OS X Server updated to 10.2.4

The 10.2.4 Server Update delivers enhanced functionality and improved reliability for the following applications, services and technologies: AFP, SMB and NFS file services, DHCP, NetBoot, Open Directory, QuickTime Streaming Server, Sendmail and Workgroup Manager. It prevents Xserve drives from being unmounted while locked, provides Digest authentication for WebDAV, management of Energy Saver settings, and supports NetBoot images greater than 2 GB in size. The update also provides the latest Security Updates.

More information is available here.

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Painting an iBook

Looks like those crazy kids at TheMacMind have painted an iBook. All you need is some rubbing alcohol and your high-school art class.

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Apple and Web services, part 2

Here's part two of the Apple and Web services article from 'The Web Services Advisor' column on the SearchWebServices.com website. Preston Gralla looks at Apple and Web services, taking a closer look at WebObjects, and what its capabilities say about the direction that Apple may be taking with regard to Web services. See part one of this article on MacMegasite here.

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REALbasic 5 released

REAL Software has released version 5 of REALbasic for Macintosh, their popular software development environment.

New features in REALbasic 5 include:

• Mac OS X 10.2 (Jaguar) features: Native Mac OS X Toolbars, Drawer window type, Brushed Metal appearance, Quartz rendering, modify dock icon appearance.

  
  
  

• Internet support: server sockets, and support for protocols including HTTP, SSL, UDP, SMTP and POP3.

  
  
  

• New runtime support for Mac OS X keychain, unicode, mouse scroll wheels, and multiple menu bars.

  
  
  

• Development environment now supports mouse scroll wheels & unicode. Constant handling is improved and Sassafras KeyServer is supported for licensing control.

  
  
  

• The all new compiler in REALbasic delivers many improvements to the REALbasic language including: more powerful arrays, FOR-NEXT loops, operator overloading, creating variables anywhere (not just at the beginning of the method) and single line IF statements.

  
  
  

• The new debugger launches the test application as a separate application which provides both a safer, more stable development environment (free from memory corruption by an errant application) and a debugging experience that is more consistent with the final compiled application.

  
  
  

• REALbasic now creates smaller applications on Mac OS X in most cases.
  
  

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TCPA: Be Afraid, Be Very Afraid (if you use a PC)

Here's yet another reason to be glad we don't use a Microsoft OS. The Trusted Computing Platform Alliance, headed by Microsoft & Intel, provides both hardware and software standards that will allow only licensed operating systems to run on a machine. This means unlicensed operating systems such as Linx can no longer even be installed on a TCPA-compliant system.

In a not so distant future (2004)

the TCPA hardware will take charge, when you turn on your PC. This onboard chipset checks the integrity

of your boot ROM, executes it and measures the state of the machine. After that, it checks the

booting process of your operating system. If the chipset detects a TCPA-compliant OS it will

load and execute it. Furthermore, the chipset maintains a list of your hardware (means: soundcard, videocard etc.)

and checks them for TCPA-compliance, too. So, let's assume, Fritz (remember? the name of the chipset) detects,

that all the stuff in your PC is on the TCPA-approved list, it will be finally happy and boot your system to the

login screen. Be careful: If there are significant hardware changes, you will have to go online and re-certify

your machine (like XP does).

After the booting process, Fritz hands over the control to the

software part of TCPA: Palladium.

This piece of Operating-System-Integrated software is going to determine what you are allowed to do with "your" PC.

Let's say: What you are not allowed to do with. Before you can start an application or open a document,

it checks wether it thinks you are allowed to or not. No, that's no joke. It really does. Via the Internet, Palladium

keeps an up-to-date list of software (the blacklist), you can't start. One can imagine what's on that list.

e.g: every kind of cracking / hacking software, illegal copies and so on. Sounds like Microsoft installed a DRM

via the backdoor? And that's not even all it is. Every PC with a Fritz chip has an unique ID. Only

the software you bought for THIS ID (means: your PC) would be able to run. There's not even the chance

to sell software you don't use anymore. Palladium / Fritz won't allow it to run on ANY other machine.

There's also a blacklist for documents. Imagine: You're not able to play one of your thousand MP3's anymore,

because they don't have a valid certificate, even though the original CD sits in your rack. Not one of your Movies.

You also gave Microsoft the permission to delete all the files, once it has found them. You don't believe me?

Read the last EULA of your Media Player.

For more information, visit http://www.notcpa.org/.

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Downtime

I apologize for the downtime earlier today. I was having some trouble with my web hosting provider, which I was able to resolve quickly. It seems that they somehow had the wrong billing & contact information for me (even though I'm paid in advance until at least May).

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Power Mac G4 Power Supply Exchange Program Announcement

The Power Mac G4 Power Supply Exchange Program offers owners of Power Mac G4 (Mirrored Drive Doors) computers the option of reducing the operating acoustic level of their computers by exchanging their original power supplies and system fans for new, quieter versions. Participation in the Power Supply Exchange Program is optional.





The Power Supply Exchange Program kit is available at no charge, with a shipping and handling fee of US$19.95 or equivalent local currency. The kit contains the following items:

• Power supply (360 W)
  
  
• System fan
  
  
• Allen key (2.5 mm)
  
  
• Installation instructions:
  
  
  
  
  
  • English
    
    
  • Dutch
    
    
  • French
    
    
  • German
    
    
  • Japanese
    
    
  • Italian
    
    
  • Spanish
    
    
  • Swedish
    
    
  
  
  
• Prepaid return airbill and instructions for returning the original components to Apple
  
  

For details, see https://depot.info.apple.com/generic/index.html.

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Experiences of using Keynote 1.0

I had the Keynote 1.0 application on loan from Apple for a couple of weeks. I have written some notes of my experiences, which perhaps are helpful to other Keynote users. I hope Apple continues to develop Keynote, and corrects the weak points. I haven't used Keynote extensively in my work yet, but I did decide to buy a copy of the application. I wonder if someone has managed to find an easy way to import (and maintain) LaTeX-typeset mathematics into Keynote? Using the same font families both in LaTeX and Keynote would be a bonus.

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Portraits & Prints Updated to Version 1.3

February 21, 2003 -- Portraits & Prints™, the personal photo studio for Mac

OS X, gets updated with several new features and bug fixes. Included in this

update are improved template selection and management, increased

performance, display of EXIF data, renaming of photos in catalogs, exporting

of cropped images, and the ability to link directly to "Web Photos".

Download and try out the demo or buy it for $20. Like all Econ updates, this

release is free to all existing users.



"iPhoto's printing features will only get you so far. Portraits & Prints

gives you far more ways to get your photos on paper -- more formats, more

fun. And it works beautifully with iPhoto," said Jim Heid, author and host

of "The Macintosh iLife" book/DVD.

Portraits & Prints saves links to images in a Catalog so the original image

is never touched. Version 1.3 extends this ability to URLs referencing

photos or graphics. Now you can modify, print, and save internet images from

a catalog without downloading them onto your Mac. Additionally all

enhancements can be exported to replace originals or saved as a new image

file. Enhancements include Contrast, Saturation, Brightness, Sharpness,

Rotation, Red-eye Reduction, and advanced Cropping.

The new “Rename” command lets you change the filename of any photo directly

from a Catalog and the Photo Information Panel gives you all the details

including EXIF data. Broken links can be quickly fixed with the new "Locate"

command. Contextual menu support makes all the new features easy to reach. A

complete list of other features and fixes can be found in the accompanying

release notes, available online at

http://www.econtechnologies.com/site/Pages/pnp_releasenotes.html.

Portraits & Prints and its companion application, Template Maker, are the

complete Mac OS X solution for enhancing and printing digital images. Choose

from the variety of templates that comes with Portraits & Prints or create

and customize layouts of any kind, on any size paper, using Template Maker.

A collection of sophisticated layout templates is available online, for

free, at the Econ Technologies' Template Exchange.

Download the demo, try it out today, to see how software can be both easy

and powerful. To find out more information or to purchase Portraits & Prints

for $20.00 and its companion Portraits & Prints Template Maker for $10.00 go

to http://www.econtechnologies.com today. For more information on Econ

Technologies, please contact Joseph Japes at 407-365-4209 or at

jjapes@econtechnologies.com.

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WWDC 2003: Exhibit Fair Returns

EXHIBIT FAIR SHOWCASE RETURNS TO APPLE'S WWDC 2003

• Exhibit Fair Expands To Include QuickTime & Enterprise Markets!
  
  
• Turnkey Station Packages Now Available For Under $2500!
  
  
• Exhibit space is limited and expected to sell out!
  
  

"The WWDC Exhibit Fair is always the focal point for seeing the latest

technical wares on the Mac," said Neil Ticktin, CEO of Xplain Corporation

and Publisher of MacTech Magazine. "With its expanded focus this year, WWDC

Exhibit Fair will have vendors showing off the best the Mac has to offer to

IT professionals and content authors as well as traditional developers."

"The WWDC Exhibit Fair provides Sybase with an excellent opportunity to

showcase the first enterprise database to port to Mac OS X, Sybase(r)

Adaptive Server(r) Enterprise 12.5," said Kathleen Shepherd, Field

Marketing Manager, Sybase, Inc. "Developers at the event will learn how

they can gain the full benefit of Sybase ASE's advanced capabilities,

including leading Java and XML support, and can take advantage of ASE's

support of applications developed in Apple's WebObjects development

framework. We look forward to sharing with delegates from all over the

world how Sybase, in concert with leading companies like Apple, helps

customers attain maximum value from their data assets by getting the right

information to the right people at the right time."

"WWDC has been a great show for Perforce. The conference attracts a highly

qualified audience of Mac developers who are actively looking for resources

to help them with their jobs." said Sutter Schumacher, Marketing

Coordinator, Perforce Software. "As a software development tool vendor, we

can't recommend it highly enough."

The WWDC 2003 Exhibit Fair provides the perfect venue for companies to

cost-effectively reach the Mac developer community face-to-face. Exhibitors

get to show developers from around the world the very latest products that

support Mac OS X development and Apple's innovative technologies.

Applications are now being accepted for the Exhibit Fair at Apple's WWDC

2003 in San Jose, California. For station package reservations, call Susan

Worley direct at 805-435-1004 or . Don't

delay. As always, the WWDC Exhibit Fair is expected to sell out quickly.

http://www.xplain.com/pavilions/wwdc2003/

In addition, DevDepot is returning to WWDC this year. The DevDepot store

will be set up to sell a variety of developer tools and technical products

throughout the conference. If you want to find out how to get your product

to market through DevDepot, contact Nick or Marcie at 805-494-9797 or send

email to showsales@devdepot.com. If you're in need of a developer

or technical product, or the latest and hottest accessories -- visit

http://www.devdepot.com/.

For more information on registering for Apple's Worldwide Developers

Conference, see http://developer.apple.com/wwdc/ -- register today!

[] permanent link

BLUE WORLD ANNOUNCES AVAILABILITY OF LASSO RESOURCE GUIDE

Blue World Communications, Inc.--pioneers

of the Web Data Engine(tm)--today announced the immediate availability of

the printed and electronic versions of the Lasso Resource Guide. The Lasso

Resource Guide is a free resource containing useful information about

resources available to users of Blue World Lasso products. The guide is

produced in partnership between Blue World and Co-Media Marketing.



"The Lasso Resource Guide lets prospective Lasso users quickly discover the

wealth of quality resources afforded the Lasso community," said Bill

Doerrfeld, CEO of Blue World. "The Lasso Resource Guide is also a useful

marketing tool for current Lasso developers when selling Lasso-related

products and services to their customers."

The guide is available for download via the Lasso Resource Guide Web site

at . The guide is also available in

printed format. Parties interested in receiving one or more copies of the

printed guide are cordially invited to contact Co-Media Marketing at

lasso@co-media.com. The guides will be shipped to you free of charge.

Parties interested in advertising in future editions of the Lasso Resource

Guide may receive information at

http://www.co-media.com/lasso/lassomk.html.

About Blue World

Blue World Communications (www.blueworld.com) delivers cross-platform

software tools allowing Web developers and designers to quickly build and

serve powerful data-driven Web sites. Blue World provides Lasso

Professional, Lasso Studio and ListSearch.com in fulfillment of its mission

to bring business to the Internet(tm).

[] permanent link

Aqua Data Studio 2.0 for OSX released

AquaFold, Inc today announced the latest version of Aqua Data Studio, it's universal database tool for building, managing and maintaining enterprise relational databases. Aqua Data Studio includes support for all major database platforms such as Oracle 8i/9i, IBM DB2, Sybase Adaptive Server, Microsoft SQL Server and the open source databases MySQL and PostgreSQL. Developed with the Java programming language, Aqua Data Studio supports all major operating systems, including Microsoft Windows, Mac OSX, Solaris and the Linux operating system. Providing a universal database tool for all databases on all operating systems allows developers to choose their development platform of choice on a level playing field.

Press Release: http://www.aquafold.com/press_2_24_2003.html





Download: http://www.aquafold.com/downloads.html


Screenshots: http://www.aquafold.com/screenshots.html


Changelog: http://www.aquafold.com/changelog.txt

[] permanent link

Microsoft acquires Virtual PC software from Connectix

Microsoft plans to announce of Thursday that they are acquiring the Virtual PC software (which lets you run Windows on your Mac) from Connectix. They plan to continue to develop the software, which is used by some 1 million users.

[] permanent link

First look at the 12'' PowerBook G4

My 12" PowerBook G4 arrived this morning. Here are some of my first impressions. I'll post a more detailed review & XBench results in the next few days.

I got my PowerBook from Apple's online store with a SuperDrive, 60G hard drive, 640M RAM, and an Airport Extreme card. This is a very nice machine, slightly smaller & lighter than my old iBook (Dual USB).

It feels very fast - a lot faster than my iBook and quite a bit faster than my G4/500 AGP Minitower. I did a build in ProjectBuilder, and it seemed to take about half as long as it did on the minitower.

The left side of the machine does get quite hot, but not uncomfortably so. I've been using it with an external keyboard & monitor and copying my files from an external FireWire drive.

I noticed the problem where the charge indicator light remained amber although it was fully charged. I unplugged it and ran it on batteries until it shut down to recalibrate, and I'm now charging it again. I'll report later whether that fixed the problem.

Here are the XBench results, compared to my other systems:

• 12" PowerBook G4: 60.62
  
  
• G4/500 AGP Minitower: 46.06
  
  
• iBook (Dual USB) 500 MHz: 28.59
  
  

[] permanent link

iClip 1.5 - a multi clipboard/scrapbook utility for Mac OS X

Inventive, Inc. announces the release of iClip 1.5, a multiple clipboard/scrapbook utility for Mac OS X. iClip helps users get past the limitations of having a single Clipboard by allowing them to quickly copy & paste and drag & drop clippings to and from its multiple "clipping bins". The clippings can be of various types such as text, pictures, Internet locations, sounds, and more. iClip can serve as a scrapbook for commonly used text and pictures. It can also be very useful for dealing with multiple clippings between two or more applications. Another handy use for iClip is for temporarily storing a bunch of similar clippings, especially when saving each one to a file would be inconvenient.

iClip features:

• can be oriented either vertically or horizontally
  
  
• adjustable clipping bin sizes
  
  
• clippings can quickly be dragged & dropped from applications onto iClip and back again
  
  
• clippings can also be copied & pasted to and from iClip
  
  
• is always readily accessible because it floats above all windows
  
  
• can easily be collapsed or hidden

• automatic saving of bin contents
  
  
• ability to change the number of clipping bins
  
  
• ability to quickly create a new text clipping by clicking on an empty clipping bin
  
  
• ability to easily view more of the contents of larger text clippings
  
  
• ability to quickly remove all clippings in clipping bins
  
  
• improved help tags

[] permanent link

First look at QuarkXPress 6

Quark Inc. today offered a first look at a few of the features of QuarkXPress 6, the forthcoming release of the world’s most widely used design and layout software. Millions of businesses rely on QuarkXPress software to dramatically boost productivity, save time, and lower costs. Quark will reveal more of the powerful new features of the QuarkXPress 6 software over the coming weeks on its corporate Web site, www.quark.com.

QuarkXPress 6 is designed to run in the native Mac OS X and Windows XP environments and conforms to the new user interfaces of both operating systems. QuarkXPress 6 will run on Mac OS X, Windows 2000, and Windows XP.

Quark has also reorganized some menus for easier use, and included more useful commands in the context menus to facilitate rapid work, all without compromising the product’s familiar and easy-to-use interface.

QuarkXPress 6 lets users work faster and more confidently thanks to its enhanced undo feature, which supports multiple undo/redo capability and an expanded list of undoable actions.

QuarkXPress 6 also provides full-resolution preview of on-screen images, so designers can now scale or magnify images with minimal pixelation and position page elements more precisely.

Quark has not yet announced pricing or an anticipated ship date for QuarkXPress 6.

The availability of QuarkXPress 6 should provide a big boost for MacOS X, since XPress 5 is one of the few remaining major applications that still isn't native and is the main reason why many graphics professionals still haven't moved to X.

[] permanent link

TheMacMind and iTeens MUG Announce Partnership

Today, iTeens Mac User Group (http://iteensmug.com) and TheMacMind (http://www.themacmind.com) are officially announcing a new partnership to benefit both of their target audiences, teenage Mac users.



"It just made sense to team up with the iTeens Mac User Group." notes Steve Salas, Editor-in-Chief of TheMacMind. "They're passionate toward the teenage mac crowd - and we're confident that the collaboration will be a success."



Read more about the announcement here.



Thank you for your support.

[] permanent link

Review: Logitech Cordless Elite Duo

I've posted a review of Logitech's cordless elite duo, giving it a 7/10 rating.

[] permanent link

Logitech Cordless Elite Duo

The Cordless Elite Duo consists of a wireless keyboard and optical mouse with a single receiver that connects to either a single USB port or PS/2 keyboard & mouse ports. Software is provided for Mac OS X as well as Windows.





The keyboard is excellent, with a comfortable palm rest and extra keys for iTunes control, programmable keys which can launch applications or open web pages, and a scroll wheel with back & forward buttons. My only complaint about the keyboard is the lack of a caps lock indicator.





The mouse is OK, but not as nice as Kensington's optical mice. It's bigger & heavier than most mice because of the two AA batteries it requires. The thumb button is also smaller than most.





Logitech's software lets you assign functions to the F-keys and programmable launch buttons, as well as the scroll wheel & additional buttons on the mouse. It also displays battery indicators for mouse & keyboard. Unlike USB Overdrive or Kensington's software, it doesn't allow you to define different settings in each application, which I consider a major disadvantage.





Due to the power requirement, the wireless keyboard & mouse isn't able to wake a sleeping computer, since the receiver loses power when the computer goes to sleep.





Although the keyboard is very nice, I give it a 7/10 overall due to software limitations, average mouse, and lack of caps lock indicator.

[] permanent link

Mac OS X 10.2.4 Security Fixes

The Mac OS X update which was released yesterday contains fixes for several potential security flaws.

• Sendmail: Fixes CAN-2002-0906 Buffer overflow in Sendmail before 8.12.5, when
  
  configured to use a custom DNS map to query TXT records, could permit a denial
  
  of service attack and possibly allow execution of arbitrary code. Mac OS X
  
  10.2.4 contains Sendmail 8.12.6 with the SMRSH fix applied to also address
  
  CAN-2002-1165 .
  
  

  
  
  

• AFP: Fixes CAN-2003-0049 "AFP login permissions for the system
  
  administrator". Provides an option whereby a system administrator may or may
  
  not be allowed to log in as a user, authenticating via their admin password.
  
  Previously, administrators could always log in as a user, authenticating via
  
  their own admin password.
  
  

  
  
  

• Classic: Fixes CAN-2003-0088, where an attacker may change an environment
  
  variable to create arbitrary files or overwrite existing files, which could lead
  
  to obtaining elevated privileges. Credit to Dave G. from @stake, Inc. for
  
  discovering this issue.
  
  

  
  
  

• Samba: Previous releases of Mac OS X are not vulnerable to CAN-2002-1318, an
  
  issue in Samba's length checking for encrypted password changes. Mac OS X
  
  currently uses Directory Services for authentication, and does not call the
  
  vulnerable Samba function. However, to prevent a potential future exploit via
  
  this function, the patch from Samba 2.2.7 was applied although the version of
  
  Samba was not changed for this update release. Further information is available
  
  from: http://samba.org/samba/whatsnew/samba-2.2.7.html
  
  

Mac OS X 10.2.4 client Software Update may be obtained from:

• Software Update pane in System Preferences
  
  

  
  
  - OR -
  
  

  
  
  

• Apple's Software Downloads web site:
  
  

  
  
  Updating from Mac OS X 10.2.3:
  
  
  http://www.info.apple.com/kbnum/n70167
  
  
  The download file is named: "MacOSXUpdate10.2.4.dmg"
  
  
  Its SHA-1 digest is: a54695d21f1162bd453d2f9a3b02176cae8c8777
  
  

  
  
  Updating from Mac OS X 10.2, 10.2.1, or 10.2.2:
  
  
  http://www.info.apple.com/kbnum/n70168
  
  
  The download file is named: "MacOSX10.2.4Combined.dmg"
  
  
  Its SHA-1 digest is: 0b377141c1cd11d303a72ce3fac5170d2e02cf3b
  
  

  
  
  Information is also posted to the Apple Support web site:
  
  http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=61798
  
  

  [] permanent link

  Thu, 13 Feb 2003

  DropStuff & Stuffit Deluxe for .Mac members
  
  Aladdin's DropStuff (normally $30) is now available free to .Mac members, and Stuffit Deluxe (normally $80) is available for $40.
  
  

  
  
  More information is available here.
  

  [] permanent link

  Apple releases Mac OS X 10.2.4
  
  The Mac OS X 10.2.4 update is now available in the Software Update panel.
  
  
  
  The 10.2.4 Update delivers enhanced functionality and improved reliability for the following applications, services and technologies: Address Book, Classic compatibility, Finder, FireWire, Graphics, OpenGL, and Sherlock. It includes AFP and Windows file service improvements, as well as audio, disc recording, graphics, and printing improvements. For detailed information on this Update, please visit http://www.info.apple.com/kbnum/n107362
  

  [] permanent link

  List of Macs that will only boot into Mac OS X
  
  Apple has a knowledge base document which lists all of the current Mac's that will only boot into Mac OS X. The list currently lists the new Spring 2003 iMacs, PowerBook G4 12", PowerBook G4 17", and the new FW800 Power Mac G4s.
  

  [] permanent link

  Wed, 12 Feb 2003

  New Video Card Adds Multiple Monitors For Minimum Cash
  
  MPDD Pro Video Card from Village Tronic Debuts in the US
  Least expensive multiple monitor option for Mac users
  
  WICHITA, KS --02/12/03 -- Harmonic Inversion Technology, the exclusive US distributor for Village Tronic Power Mac video cards, announces the new improved MPDD Pro. MPDD Pro is the latest version of the evolving MPDD line that began with the MPDD+ in late 2001.
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  The driving force behind the success of this video card has been Mac users taking advantage of falling monitor prices. By using a second medium- to large-sized monitor, users can easily double the screen real estate and gain a huge productivity advantage. \"Working with multiple files or applications with windows spread across screens only enhances the Mac experience. MPDD Pro gives users the big screen experience, for far less cost than LCD options,\" Eric Dahlinger of Harmonic Inversion Technology stated.
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  The Village Tronic MPDD Pro video card remains the least expensive means of adding additional Apple RGB or VGA monitors to any Power Mac with PCI slots. MPDD Pro runs under any Mac OS from 7.5.3 through the latest version of Mac OS 10. Unlike 3D video cards that are practically out-dated when released, MPDD Pro offers a rich feature list while avoiding stuffing the System Folder with potential conflict-causing Extensions. The Virtual Desktop feature provides up to four times the usable desktop space as the CRT glass size. And there are no fans to noisily grind to a halt causing the video to evaporate.
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  Who cares about this product?
  
  
  
  
  MPDD Pro fans are Mac users who regularly work with multiple windows or with applications that offer multiple palettes. Applications such as Illustrator and Photoshop from Adobe are powerful and offer users many palettes to provide easy access to tools. Graphics, desktop publishing, office suites, web design, 3D design and animation are common applications among MPDD Pro users.
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  MPDD Pro specs
  
  
  
  
  ? Two video connectors: Apple RGB and VGA (use one at a time)
  
  
  
  
  VGA 15 pins, HD Sub-D
  
  
  
  
  Apple RGB (2 rows, 15 pins Sub-D) with Mac auto monitor sensing
  
  
  
  
  Custom resolutions are implemented on the fly
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  ? PCI interface
  
  
  
  
  33 or 66 MHz
  
  
  
  
  7\" (short) size (full size compatible)
  
  
  
  
  3.3 V or 5 V
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  ? 16MB of VRAM
  
  
  
  
  Millions of colors up to 1600 x 1200
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  ? Mac OS X 10.2 and Mac OS from 7.5.3 to 9.2.2.
  
  
  
  
  Mac OS X Deep Sleep Mode support
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  ? Gamma correction
  
  
  
  
  Adjust the color levels according to both your needs and the color calibration system, ensuring two separate displays match.
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  MPDD Pro supports the following monitors without adapters:
  
  
  
  
  ? Apple RGB
  
  
  
  
  ? Apple Studio Displays with VGA connector
  
  
  
  
  ? Modern VGA monitors with DDC EDID information
  
  
  
  
  ? Old VGA monitors using any VGA cable (the MPDD does not misinterpret wrong VGA cables as Mac legacy monitors)
  
  
  
  
  ? Apple 13-inch B/W and Apple portrait monitors (c-sync is supported)
  
  
  
  
  ? Apple 17XX AV
  
  
  
  
  ? Fixed-frequency Apple monitors
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  Mac users can purchase MPDD Pro at Small Dog Electronics, TechnoWarehouse, MacMall, DMS and other retailers. For more information about MPDD Pro and a complete retailer listing contact Harmonic Inversion Technology, 1803 N. Socora Street, Wichita, Kansas 67212, 316-721-4573 or fax at 316-721-0601, email at info@harmonicinversion.com or visit the web site at http://www.harmonicinversion.com.
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  ***
  

  [] permanent link

  Dual PowerPC G4s Power New Linux PCI Card
  
  FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
  
  45th Parallel Processing, Inc. Announces Dual 1GHz PowerPC G4 PCI card
  
  High Performance Linux Processing in a PCI Desktop or Server Computer
  
  Stayton, Oregon --02/11/2003-- 45th Parallel Processing Inc., \"The G4 Linux Computing company\", announces the availability of a new dual-processor PowerPC G4 PCI card.
  
  This HPC on-a-card enables use of the Open Source Linux OS on standard PCI computer platforms, as well as rack-mount systems.
  
  The high performance offered by the dual 1GHz PowerPC G4 card make it ideal for very high performance applications such as Defense, Medical, Imaging, scientific clusters, embedded systems and commercial OEM applications.
  
  Jim Potter, President of 45th Parallel stated, \"The growth of the open-source support has made the Linux OS attractive for a wide variety of new computing applications.\"
  
  Mr. Potter also stated, \"that through very careful design we were able to \'Get the heat out and put the GFlops in\', allowing high-density clusters of the low-cost and high performance PowerPC G4 processors, producing the highest $/gflop/ft2 in the industry.
  
  Features and Benefits
  
  Two PowerPC G4 745x processors running at 1,000MHz (1GHz) each
  
  
  Full SMP functionality
  
  
  Over 15 GigaFlops per card
  
  
  Two SODIMM sockets support up to 1GB of PC133 SDRAM onboard memory
  
  
  ATA-133 IDE controller for low-cost IDE hard drive integration
  
  
  Runs 2.4.20 Linux SMP kernel
  
  Boot from:
  
  - Up to 64 megabytes of soldered Flash ROM
  
  - Network
  
  - Compact Flash card
  
  - IDE drive
  
  
  Expansion 64-bit / 66MHz PCI edge connector 64-bit / 66MHz PMC mezzanine connector
  
  
  Network
  
  - Two auto-switch 10/100 Ethernet ports on bracket
  
  
  Serial Ports DB-9 connector on bracket, another on internal header
  
  For pricing and availability contact 45th Parallel Processing, Inc. at 10750 Silbernagel Road SE, Stayton, Oregon 97383, corporate phone 503-769-9138, sales 316-691-1585 or fax at 503-767-9148, email info@dualg4.com or visit the web site at http://www.DualG4.com.
  

  [] permanent link

  iScrobbler
  
  iScrobbler is an application that submits your "currently playing" info from iTunes to AudioScrobbler.
  
  AudioScrobbler is a project similar to the CDNow project that suggests music you might like based on what other people are listening to. The difference is that while CDNow makes suggestions based on what people buy, AudioScrobbler makes suggestions based on what people are actually listening to. Also, AudioScrobbler is a non-commercial project. AudioScrobbler is currently available as a plugin for Winamp2 (read this SixDifferentWays post for info on how to get it running with Winamp3), and XMMS.
  
  

  
  
  AudioScrobbler is currently in the data gathering phase, and isn't generating much in the way of suggestions yet, however it is growing very fast, and as the amount of data increases, their algorithms get better, and it all starts to come together. Everyone should check it out!
  
  

  
  
  The site is currently down due to problems with their hosting provider.
  
  

  
  
  iScrobbler will soon be available for beta testing from http://www.flexistentialist.org/projects.shtml.
  

  [] permanent link

  Apple updates Final Cut Express; X11
  
  Apple has updated Final Cut Express to version 1.0.1 today which improves performance and adds two new features (Linked keyframe parameters to the Motion tab and NTSC and PAL noncontrollable device presets in the Easy Setup window). X11 0.2.1 fixes minor bugs.
  

  [] permanent link

  iMac Show : play with the interactive iMac
  
  LeCielEstBleu presents The iMac Show, a new interactive module featuring a shy iMac whose behavior evolves over time as you interact with him.
  
  http://www.lecielestbleu.com/imacshow
  

  [] permanent link

  New Safari Build
  
  Apple has released a new Safari beta. You can download it here.
  
  

  
  
  Unfortunately it still doesn't fix the problem with logging into PHP-Nuke based sites such as MacMegasite and MacMerc. Use the "bug" icon to report this bug to Apple.
  

  [] permanent link

  Apple updates Safari to version 0.8.2
  
  Apple has updated Safari to build v60, or 0.8.2. "Safari Update 2-12-03 improves compatibility with popular web sites, displays web pages and Flash content more quickly, adds XML support, increases standards conformance and improves stability. The update also works with self-signed security certificates."
  

  [] permanent link

  PowerBook Titanium G4 1 GHz Review
  
  I have just posted a review of my PowerBook Titanium G4 1 GHz, giving it a modest 9/10 rating.
  

  [] permanent link

  Switching From Mail.app to GyazMail
  
  For the past two weeks now I have been using GyazMail as my primary e-mail client. GyazMail is a Cocoa based, multiple-account POP3 e-mail client, with a wonderful interface.
  
  For some reason or another, I enjoy the all-in-one interface of GyazMail (comparable to Microsoft Entourage or Outlook) rather than Mail.app with the mailboxes drawer. Importing messages from Mail.app into GyazMail was a breeze, thanks to version 0.9.9's new import feature.
  
  
  
  
  
  GyazMail feels much faster when switching to mailboxes with lots of messages (over 400) than Mail.app. While GyazMail does not have HTML support yet, the developer says its on the list of features for future versions. For now, HTML messages appear as a icon which you can double-click and it will open instantly in Safari (or your default browser), and actually I prefer this rather than waiting for Mail.app to load the HTML message itself in the client.
  
  
  
  
  
  Also, downloading messages is *much* faster for me in GyazMail, and I prefer the Activity Window because of its more simplicity and because it closes when its done being used.
  
  
  
  
  
  The icon is not only beautiful, but also more useful than Mail.apps. When you have a new message, no matter what account it is in, or what folder you have the message go in (using its powerful rules), it will display the number of messages in the icon, and the number seems more readable than Mail.app. (Mail.app will only display the number of new messages thats in the accounts Inbox).
  
  
  
  
  
  GyazMail has full Address Book integration, and powerful (and quick) searching options. So for now, GyazMail is my e-mail client of choice.
  
  
  
  
  
  As of this writing, GyazMail 0.9.9.2 was the latest version.
  

  [] permanent link

  PowerBook Titanium G4 1 GHz
  
  I received my PowerBook G4 1 GHz Build-To-Order (ComboDrive instead of SuperDrive) on January 7th, the day Apple released the new 12" and 17" PowerBooks. Luckily enough they did not update the 15" model. This has given me more than a month to use the PowerBook and get a feel for how it works.
  
  
  
  
  
  The model I purchased was from Mac Zone because of their very cheap overnight delivery costs. I purchased the 1 GHz G4 model, with a 133 MHz system bus speed, 1 MB of L3 cache, 512 MB RAM (one SO-DIMM chip, but most people have reported having two 256 MB chips), 15.2" TFT LCD, 8x8x24x8 CD-RW/DVD-ROM ComboDrive, and two 5 hour batteries.
  
  
  
  
  
  I'll get my main complaints out of the way first. My number one problem is heat. After about 1 1/2 hours of heavy use, I can feel lots of heat raise up from the keyboard, and if you touch the power button its very very warm. This brings up the second problem; fan noise. If I just open iTunes and play MP3's, after about 10 minutes both fans come on. Luckily they are not too loud and do not bother me at all, but still once I stop playing music thats all I hear. But while running on battery, the fan almost never comes on.
  
  
  
  
  
  The third problem is AirPort reception. I knew from other reviews that the AirPort reception was bad, but it was better then I expected. But places in my house where I would get 5/5 on my iBook, I could not even get a signal on the PowerBook. So far those are the only complaints I have about the unit.
  
  
  
  
  
  Now for some good news: speed! The 1 GHz G4 processor with the L3 cache really makes this machine fly. Opening most applications happen in one bounce in the Dock. When comparing the PowerBook to my Power Mac G4 800 MHz (133 MHz bus, 1024 MB RAM) the PowerBook wins hands down on any and all tests, and feels much snappier in all tasks.
  
  
  
  
  
  The keyboard is one of the best I have ever used. The somewhat flimsy iBook keyboard can not even compare. Even though it is compact, it lets you touch type extremely fast... it's as if it knows what you're going to type before you even type it! The reason for it not being flimsy like the iBook keyboard is because of the numerous magnets on the bottom which stick to the heat sink, etc.
  
  
  
  
  
  The slot loading ComboDrive is falling behind speed wise for todays standards (8x CD-R burn speed, 8x CD-RW burn speed, 24x CD-ROM read speed, 8x DVD-ROM read speed), but it still gets the job done. You have to push the media in about 70% of the way for the drive to suck it in, and its pretty noisy doing so. It took about 7 minutes to burn a 13-song CD in iTunes, which was about 400 MB of data.
  
  
  
  
  
  A battery will get you about 3 hours of use per charge (full processor power and AirPort turned on), if you turn the brightness down 4 notches (which is still very bright, and thats what I use even when on AC power). I purchased a second battery and calibrated both when I got them. After calibrating I received about 50 minutes of power more on each. The PowerBook G4 has an internal battery that lets you replace the main battery while the machine is sleeping without loosing RAM contents, etc.
  
  
  
  
  
  Even with the heat/fan/AirPort issues, the speed, beauty, and the wonderful screen all make up for it, giving the PowerBook G4 1 GHz 15.2" a 9/10 rating.
  
  
  
  
  
  As you can tell, I am by no means a reviewer so if you have any questions about the machine please feel free to ask in the comments section and I will respond to them ASAP.
  

  [] permanent link

  Tue, 11 Feb 2003

  Apple and Web services
  
  A recent SearchWebServices.com column called Apple and Web services mentions how Apple has quietly taken some tentative steps towards developing Web services technology. The long-popular FileMaker database, with a strong and loyal following of Mac aficionados, may well be a backdoor way for Apple to make inroads into the Web services market.
  

  [] permanent link

  konfabulator: It does what you want
  
  From the website
  
  
  Konfabulator is a JavaScript runtime engine for Mac OS X that lets you run little files called Widgets that can do pretty much whatever you want them to. Widgets can be alarm clocks, calculators, can tell you your AirPort signal strength, will fetch the latest stock quotes for your preferred symbols, and even give your current local weather.
  

  [] permanent link

  NetNewsWire 1.0 Ships
  
  Ranchero Software has released NetNewsWire 1.0, an easy-to-use RSS news reader.
  
  NetNewsWire uses a familiar three-paned interface similar to Outlook Express and Mailsmith which can display news from thousands of different websites.
  
  

  
  
  The following features are in both the full version of NetNewsWire and in NetNewsWire Lite...
  
  

  
  
  
  • Remembers which items you’ve read, and lets you know when there are new items, so you spend less time surfing.
    
    
    
    
  • Reads RSS news files from thousands of different websites.
    
    
    
    
  • Comes with hundreds of sites you can subscribe to with one click.
    
    
    
    
  • RSS discovery—it can usually find a site’s RSS feed given the home page URL.
    
    
    
    
  • No up-front configuration required: getting started is just a matter of launching the application.
    
    
    
    
  • Familiar interface means there isn’t a bunch to learn.
    
    
    
    
  • Subscriptions can be grouped via drag-and-drop, so you can organize your news your way.
    
    
    
    
  • Customizable appearance, including colors and window transparency.
    
    
    
    
  • Imports and exports subscriptions files compatible with other RSS readers.
    
    
  
  
  The full version of NetNewsWire includes all the features in NetNewsWire Lite, plus...
  
  
  
  
  
  • The Weblog Editor allows one to post to Movable Type, Radio UserLand, Blogger, and other types of weblogs.
    
    
    
    
  • The Notepad—a scrapbook for the Internet—stores news headlines, URLs, subscriptions, and your thoughts and observations for later posting.
    
    
    
    
  • It’s train-friendly—you can check the news, then take your laptop on the train and catch up on the way to work.
    
    
    
    
  • The headlines pane can show dates, subjects, and creators when available.
    
    
    
    
  • The Find command allows you to search through current news.
    
    
    
    
  • It’s scriptable via AppleScript and other OSA languages. There’s a Scripts menu where you can add your own scripts.
    
    
  
  
  The full version of NetNewsWire sells for an introductory price of $29.95 and requires Mac OS X 10.2 or later. NetNewsWire Lite is free and requires Mac OS X 10.1 or later.
  
  

  
  
  For more information or to download a copy, visit http://ranchero.com/netnewswire/.
  
  

  [] permanent link

  WWDC details announced
  
  Join developers from around the world to explore first-hand the next generation of technology innovations from Apple at Worldwide Developers Conference 2003, May 19-23 in San Jose, CA.
  
  Conference features:
  
  

  
  
  
  • 150+ hours of the latest information
    
    Strategic overviews, in-depth technical sessions, hands-on labs, and feedback forums.
    
    
    
    
  • Comprehensive technology tracks
    
    Apple Developer Tools, Application Frameworks, Core OS, Graphics and Imaging, Hardware, and added for 2003 are two NEW tracks: Enterprise IT and QuickTime — Develop, Produce, Deliver.
    
    
    
    
  • Interaction with peers and Apple staff
    
    Apple Campus Bash, Internet Cafe, Birds of a Feather Lunch Groups, and Early Bird Sessions.
    
    
    
    
  • WWDC Exhibitor Fair
    
    Expanded for 2003 to include tools for QuickTime developers
    
    
    
    
  • Apple Design Awards
    
    Recognizing "best of breed" Mac OS X products
    
    
    
    
  • WWDC session videos
    
    Access to all sessions after the conference, both online through ADC TV and on DVD ROM
    
    
  
  
  This year's conference tracks are: Enterprise IT, Apple Developer Tools, Hardware, QuickTime, Application Frameworks, Graphics and Imaging, and Core OS.
  
  

  
  
  Early registration (before April 19) is $1295 or $1695 including ADC select membership. WWDC attendance is included with ADC Premier membership, and scholarships are available for college students (for details see http://developer.apple.com/students/wwdc/).
  
  

  
  
  For more information or to register, visit http://developer.apple.com/wwdc/.
  

  [] permanent link

  Free Ruler updated to version 1.5
  
  Free Ruler 1.5 is a significant new upgrade to the free screen ruler for Mac OS X. Free Ruler allows users to measure objects on screen in pixels, inches, picas, and cm. New in version 1.5 is the number one user request, shadowless rulers, and various other improvements.
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  Free Ruler can be downloaded at http://www.pascal.com/software/freeruler/
  
  
  
  

  [] permanent link

  iCash 1.0 - Personal Finances/Money manager soft.
  
  The very first step in getting your finances under control is keeping records!
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  Maxprog is proud to present iCash, a Personal Finances and Money manager software for macintosh.
  
  iCash is a tool intended to control your personal finances, keeping track of incomes, expenses, credits, debts and Banks transactions for you. As simple as creating the accounts you need and move money between them! You don't even need to know about accounting or even care about it!
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  Your finances depend largely on good organization that lets you know where your money comes from and to where it goes. That is iCash is all about!
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  Overview:
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  iCash is an easy-to-use, full featured and multi-purpose Personal Finance Manager tool for Macintosh intended to help you control all kind of money issues. iCash can serve several small accounting needs for either private users, or clubs, associations, self-employed, small businesses or simply to be used at home, making keeping track of incomes, expenses and Bank transactions a snap. With a few clicks you can begin creating accounts and making transactions in minutes.
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  iCash is versatil and user-friendly. For this reason it doesn't use the principle of double-entry bookkeeping making it much easier to be used by people with very little or no accounting knowledge at all. Simply create accounts for all your expenses, incomes, Banks...and start moving money between them! iCash will then allow you to find out where all your money comes from and where it goes. All accounts are well organized according to user-defined categories and built-in types so reports can be tailored to include all records or only ones meeting specified criteria. iCash also allows you to have as many money manager documents as necessary so you can control almost anything from Clubs, associations, home and so on at the same time.
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  Download:
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  You can get iCash in five different languages, Classic or X at:
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  MacOS X
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  English : http://www.maxprog.com/shareware/iCash_X.sit
  
  
  
  
  German : http://www.maxprog.com/shareware/iCash_X_DE.sit
  
  
  
  
  French : http://www.maxprog.com/shareware/iCash_X_FR.sit
  
  
  
  
  Spanish : http://www.maxprog.com/shareware/iCash_X_ES.sit
  
  
  
  
  Italian : http://www.maxprog.com/shareware/iCash_X_IT.sit
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  MacOS Classic
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  English : http://www.maxprog.com/shareware/iCash.sit
  
  
  
  
  German : http://www.maxprog.com/shareware/iCash_DE.sit
  
  
  
  
  French : http://www.maxprog.com/shareware/iCash_FR.sit
  
  
  
  
  Spanish : http://www.maxprog.com/shareware/iCash_ES.sit
  
  
  
  
  Italian : http://www.maxprog.com/shareware/iCash_IT.sit
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  Features:
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  - No accounting knowledge needed. (No double-entry bookkeeping)
  
  
  
  
  - Unlimited fully customizable account creation.
  
  
  
  
  - Unlimited categories to classify all your accounts.
  
  
  
  
  - Transaction auto balance and reconciliation.
  
  
  
  
  - Custom Reports and queries.
  
  
  
  
  - Queries lets you quickly locate given transactions.
  
  
  
  
  - Fast Import and Export of Categories, Account and transactions.
  
  
  
  
  - Easy-to-use, straightforward and user friendly all-in-one interface.
  
  
  
  
  - Fast SQL database engine.
  
  
  
  
  - Multi-document with password protection.
  
  
  
  
  - Drag and Drop support.
  
  
  
  
  - Native versions for Mac OS X and Mac OS Classic.
  

  [] permanent link

  Mon, 10 Feb 2003

  NetNewsWire Pro reaches final candidate status
  
  Final Release Candidate 1 of NetNewsWire Pro has been released.
  
  Ranchero Software's NetNewsWire is a news aggregator and weblog editing tool. You can scan headlines from many sources and easily post items from the news feed to your weblog.
  
  

  
  
  Pro Features:
  
  

  
  
  
  • The Weblog Editor allows you to post to Radio, Blogger, Movable Type, and other types of weblogs. It works with most of the popular weblog systems.
    
    

    
    
    

  • The Notepad is an outline, a place to take notes and store headlines, subscriptions, URLs, and files.
    
    

    
    
    

  • The Find command looks for specific text in headlines.
    
    

    
    
    

  • AppleScript support allows one to get and set information about headlines and subscriptions.
    
    

    
    
    

  • The Scripts menu runs your AppleScript scripts from within NetNewsWire.
    
    

    
    
    

  • Headlines are now stored between runs, which means you can download the news and then read it on the train or anywhere you don’t have web access.
    
    
  
  
  For more information or to download NetNewsWire Pro, visit http://ranchero.com/netnewswire/probeta/.
  

  [] permanent link

  PC-Mac-Net FileShare v2.2 adds interface enhancements
  
  ADELAIDE, AUSTRALIA -- February 10, 2003 -- Lava Software is now shipping PC-Mac-Net FileShare v2.2, a product which allows users to transfer files easily and securely between Windows, MacOS X and MacOS classic computers over a Local Area Network (LAN) or the Internet. It also provides highly secure 896-bit encrypted Mac-to-Mac and Windows-to-Windows workgroup file sharing.
  
  
  
  New features include enhanced support for MacOS X with a more readable display font, enlarged local and remote file lists, improved connection reliability and network performance, and more robust multi-user operation.
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  Lava Software is currently offering two licenses for the price of one - for every license you buy, you get an extra one free. That means you only need to buy a single copy to transfer files over your LAN, or share files with a friend over the Internet. Schools and offices can set up secure, cross-platform file sharing workgroups for half the price.
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  The free demo software allows users to evaluate PC-Mac-Net FileShare for an unlimited time, though some functions are limited. The full version is priced at USD24.95 per license (one license is required for each computer), with volume and school discounts available. Purchasers get download access to the current version of the software for all platforms, as well as free upgrades for one year.
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  Versions are available for Windows 95/98/NT/2000/ME/XP, MacOS X and MacOS Classic (from System 8.6 with CarbonLib and PPC processor).
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  About the Company
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  Lava Software Pty. Ltd., a company incorporated in the State of South Australia, began developing its range of cross-platform software in 1992. More information, including user manuals and demo software for this product, is available from http://www.lavasoftware.com.
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  Contact:
  
  
  
  
  Michael Wildoer
  
  
  
  
  Lava Software Pty. Ltd.
  
  
  
  
  GPO Box 215, Adelaide, Australia, 5001
  
  
  
  
  Email: service@lavasoftware.com
  
  
  
  
  Web: http://www.lavasoftware.com
  
  
  
  
  URL for this press release: http://www.lavasoftware.com/prfs100203.html
  
  
  
  
  

  [] permanent link

  PC-Mac PasswordVault v1.1 adds new skins and services
  
  ADELAIDE, AUSTRALIA -- February 10, 2003 -- Lava Software is now shipping PC-Mac PasswordVault v1.1, a product which securely stores website access information, Internet banking data and software registration details for convenient and easy access in a central location on your Windows 95/98/NT/ME/2000/XP, MacOS X or MacOS classic computer.
  
  
  
  This new version includes a selection of 6 attractive 'skins' to customize the main window, additional service types, a more readable font size on MacOS X, a complete user manual, and a range of enhancements and fixes.
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  PC-Mac PasswordVault protects user data using very strong 896-bit encryption, yet provides convenient access to it via a simple master password. If a user forgets their master password or prefers not to use one, they can answer a series of customized questions they previously entered to access their data.
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  The free demo software allows users to evaluate PC-Mac PasswordVault for an unlimited time, though some functions are limited. The full version is priced at USD14.95 per license. Purchasers get download access to the current version of the software for all platforms, as well as free upgrades for one year.
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  About the Company
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  Lava Software Pty. Ltd., a company incorporated in the State of South Australia, began developing its range of cross-platform software in 1992. More information is available from http://www.lavasoftware.com or by emailing service@lavasoftware.com.
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  Contact:
  
  
  
  
  Michael Wildoer
  
  
  
  
  Lava Software Pty. Ltd.
  
  
  
  
  GPO Box 215, Adelaide, Australia, 5001
  
  
  
  
  Email: service@lavasoftware.com
  
  
  
  
  Web: http://www.lavasoftware.com
  
  
  
  
  URL for this press release: http://www.lavasoftware.com/prpv100203.html
  

  [] permanent link

  New X11 Public Beta
  
  Apple has released a new public beta of their X Window system, which makes it possible to run X11-based applications such as GIMP and OpenOffice under Mac OS X.
  
  Based on the open source XFree86 project — the most common implementation of X11 — X11 for Mac OS X Public Beta is compatible, fast, and fully integrated with Mac OS X. It includes the full X11R6.6 technology including an X11 window server, Quartz window manager, libraries, and basic utilities such as xterm.
  
  

  
  
  New features in this release:
  
  

  
  
  
  • Support for Gnome, KDE hints
    
    
  • Application windows now cascade instead of piling on top of each if they do not have an explicit placement policy
    
    
  • Added /usr/include/X11 and /usr/lib/X11 symlinks
    
    
  • Menu in the Dock now shows a list of X11 windows.
    
    
  • Support for Copy & Paste working with other window managers.
    
    
  • No-click-to-focus option : “defaults write com.apple.x11 wm_ffm true”
    
    
  • Support for move window events from CodeTek’s VirtualDesktop
    
    
  • Support to respect the Mac OS X’s International keyboard mapping.
    
    
  • Keymappings from /System/Library/Keyboards.
    
    
  • Support for -iconic. E.g. xterm -iconic now puts the xterm into the Dock on launch.
    
    
  • New preference options to control xauth usage
    
    
  • Bug fixes and other feature enhancements
    
    
  
  
  X11 for Mac OS X can be downloaded from http://www.apple.com/downloads/macosx/apple/x11formacosx.html.
  

  [] permanent link

  Konfabulator 1.0 Released
  
  Arlo Rose and Perry Clarke are
  
  proud to announce the release of Konfabulator 1.0, a JavaScript runtime engine for Mac OS X that lets you run
  
  little files called Widgets that can do pretty much whatever you want them
  
  to. Widgets can be alarm clocks, games, can tell you your AirPort signal
  
  strength, will fetch the latest stock quotes for your preferred symbols,
  
  and even give your current local weather.
  
  
  
  What sets Konfabulator apart from other scripting applications is that it
  
  takes full advantage of Apple's Quartz rendering. This allows Widgets to
  
  blend fluidly into your desktop without the constraints of traditional
  
  window borders. Toss in some sliding and fading, and these little guys are
  
  right at home in Mac OS X.
  
  

  
  
  The format for these Widgets is completely open and easy to learn so
  
  creating your own Widgets is an extremely easy task.
  
  

  
  
  For the "skinning" crowd, Konfabulator is a dream come true. You can easily
  
  change the look, feel, layout, even functionality of a Widget so that it
  
  matches your lifestyle, your desktop, or the pants or skirt you have on
  
  that day.
  
  

  
  
  The quickest way to get you hands on Konfabulator is to grab it here.
  
  Then, hop over to www.konfabulator.com and explore!
  
  

  
  
  Arlo Rose introduced themeable interfaces to the world with his work at
  
  Apple on the Appearance Manager and on the popular customization utility
  
  Kaleidoscope. His current day job is as Senior User Experience Architect at
  
  PGP Corporation working on a solution to make secure email and messaging
  
  something everyone has but no one has to understand.
  
  

  
  
  Perry Clarke is a UNIX engineer who has seen the light and embraced Mac OS
  
  X as the best desktop UNIX around. He works for Sun Microsystems and lives
  
  with Juliet and their menagerie of dogs, cats and horses.
  

  [] permanent link

  USB Overdrive 10.2
  
  USB Overdrive 10.2 now supports joysticks, gamepads, and other devices as well as mice under Mac OS X 10.2 or later.
  
  USB Overdrive X is a driver for Mac OS X 10.2 or later that handles any USB mouse, trackball, joystick and gamepad from any manufacturer and lets you configure them either globally or on a per-application basis. It reads all kinds of wheels, buttons, switches and controls and supports scrolling, keyboard emulation, launching and all the usual stuff like clicking, control-clicking and so forth. The USB Overdrive can easily handle several USB devices at once.
  
  

  
  
  The classic USB Overdrive has all the features of the Mac OS X version when used in Mac OS 9, and starting with version 1.4 it also enables scrolling with the mouse wheel when installed in the Classic environment.under Mac OS X 10.2 or later.
  
  

  
  
  For more information or to download a demo, visit www.usboverdrive.com.
  

  [] permanent link

  Apple introduces Xserve RAID, faster Xserve
  
  Xserve RAID is a self-contained storage unit that supports up to 14 hot-swappable drive modules in a 3U rack mountable enclosure.
  
  Each Xserve RAID unit features dual independent RAID controllers for each set of 7 drive units, redundant power supplies and cooling units, and optional battery backup modules that can provide over 72 hours of backup power.
  
  

  
  
  Xserve RAID features Dual 2Gb Fibre Channel ports (HSSDC2), 200MB/s throughput per channel with guaranteed delivery (400MB/s full duplex). An optional 64-bit, 66MHz Fibre Channel PCI card with dual SFP 2Gb Fibre Channel ports is also available.
  
  

  
  
  The Xserve is now available with single or dual 1.33GHz PowerPC G4 processors, 2MB of dedicated L3 cache memory per processor with up to 3.5GB/s throughput, two full-length 64-bit, 66MHz PCI slots for up to 533MB/s throughput, and up to 2GB of 333MHz DDR SDRAM. Four independent ATA/133 drive bays can hold up to 720GB of internal disk space using hot-plug Apple Drive Modules.
  
  

  
  
  The Xserve now features two FireWire 800 ports, as well as one FireWire 400 and two Gigabit Ethernet ports.
  
  

  
  
  Interestingly, while the Xserve features ATA/133 drives and controllers, the Xserve RAID only supports ATA/100.
  

  [] permanent link

  Apple Store down for maintenance again
  
  The Apple Online Store is down again for maintenance. Last week when this happened the new line of iMacs were introduced. Rumors are hinting at new iPods this week.
  

  [] permanent link

  Fri, 07 Feb 2003

  DON'T install Virex 7.2 if you use Fink
  
  The Virex 7.2 package, currently being distributed free to all .Mac members, has a serious conflict with Fink. FINK USERS SHOULD NOT INSTALL THIS SOFTWARE UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES. Installing it after Fink is installed will damage your Fink installation; installing it prior to Fink will make it impossible to install Fink without damaging Virex.
  
  This bug has been reported to Virex's manufacturer. We will keep the Fink community informed about the situation as it develops.
  
  

  
  
  More information is available at Fink News.
  

  [] permanent link

  Thu, 06 Feb 2003

  FTP Suite for REALbasic 1.1.2 Released
  
  Pyramid Designs, a software development firm,
  
  announces a bug fix update to FTP Suite, a set of classes and code modules
  
  that allows FTP operations to be implemented in REALbasic applications.
  
  
  
  Release 1.1.2 of FTP Suite fixes a bug that caused a NIL object exception
  
  when using FTP Suite without User or Detailed Status Fields. Additionally,
  
  most global properties have been eliminated or renamed so as to
  
  dramatically reduce the chance of a conflict with the user's program.
  
  

  
  
  This is a free upgrade to all 1.0 Professional, Hobbyist and Source Code
  
  licensees.
  
  

  
  
  Pyramid Design offers two types of licenses:

  
  
  Professional
  $59.95
  allows use in any commercial product or in-house
  
  tool.

  
  
  Hobbyist
  $29.95
  allows use in free or shareware programs.
  
  

  
  
  A demo which contains a detailed programmer's manual and demo program is
  
  available at:
  
  http://www.pyramiddesign.us/products.html.
  
  
  
  

  [] permanent link

  Absolute Software Launches New Data Security Product
  
  Absolute Software, a provider of services and software for computer security and asset management, announced today it has launched AbsoluteEncrypt, a new security product designed to help corporate, government and education customers overcome the data security risks associated with remote, mobile and desktop computers. The initial version of AbsoluteEncrypt will be delivered as a software service over the Internet and is powered by Absolute's Computrace Technology Platform.
  
  AbsoluteEncrypt is a centrally managed desktop security solution that ensures the intellectual property, employee information and confidential data stored on remote, mobile and desktop computers are secure. A key component of an overall security strategy, AbsoluteEncrypt encrypts sensitive information on employees' desktops and prevents unauthorized access to private files. With AbsoluteEncrypt, organizations can proactively enforce data security policies while enhancing user productivity and avoiding extensive setup and ongoing administrative costs.
  
  

  
  
  Absolute is also unveiling Absolute Console, a new browser-based interface that is used to centrally configure, deploy and manage Absolute's current and future products. Absolute Console's centralized administration capabilities make it easy to implement an organization's security policies for company-wide compliance.
  
  

  
  
  John Livingston, Absolute's President and CEO said, "With the launch of AbsoluteEncrypt, we are enabling customers to proactively deal with the pressing data security issues they face with an increasingly mobile workforce. And with Absolute Console, we are providing an easy-to-use interface that empowers administrators to 'get the job done' in the most cost-effective manner possible."
  
  

  
  
  Livingston continued, "This new product is part of Absolute's business strategy to continuously develop security and asset management solutions based on our Computrace Technology Platform that help organizations overcome the security risks and asset management challenges associated with their remote, mobile and desktop computing devices."
  
  

  
  
  For customers who prefer to manage their security needs within their intranets, an enterprise software version of AbsoluteEncrypt is expected to be available in the second quarter of 2003.
  
  

  
  
  About the Computrace Technology Platform
  
  

  
  
  The Computrace(R) Technology Platform is the client/server architecture that delivers Absolute's computer security and asset management products as software services over the Internet or as enterprise software systems installed at the customer's site. Thanks to the hands-free communication (over IP or PSTN) between the secure, patented Computrace Agent client and Monitoring Center server, Absolute's products are exceptionally easy to manage on all devices across the enterprise. A small, secure, and non-intrusive software client, the Computrace Agent resides on the hard drive of host devices and can enable multiple computer security and asset management products from Absolute as soon as it's installed.
  
  

  
  
  About Absolute
  
  

  
  
  Absolute Software helps organizations overcome the security risks and asset management challenges associated with the remote, mobile and desktop computing environment. Thanks to the company's unique, patented Computrace Technology Platform, Absolute's products can be easily delivered as services over the Internet or as enterprise software installed at the customer's site. Over 2000 customers, including Fortune 1000 companies, small and medium businesses, education institutions and government organizations rely on these solutions every day to secure and manage their computing assets.
  
  

  
  
  For more information, visit www.absolute.com
  
  

  
  
  Disclaimer: I am an employee of Absolute Software, although this web site is in no way associated with the company.
  
  

  [] permanent link

  Wed, 05 Feb 2003

  Enabling IPv6 on Mac OS X
  
  Mac OS X has built-in support for IPv6, the next generation internet protocol. Aaron Swartz has posted a short article telling how to enable it. Unfortunately it won't work with most routers & firewalls, including my Airport base station since they won't pass IPv6 packets.
  

  [] permanent link

  GameMaker 3.4.3
  
  GameMaker is an easy to use card based development system which allows you to create simple adventure games with graphics, buttons, and text.
  
  There is no programming required, but it does have a small programming language which can be used to make better games. Just draw the pictures, type some text, click a few buttons, choose some options... and PRESTO, an adventure game is completed! You can then compile your game into a real stand-alone application that can be uploaded to online services.
  
  

  
  
  For more information or to download a copy, visit http://members.aol.com/AlStaff/GameMakerHelp.html.
  

  [] permanent link

  Tue, 04 Feb 2003

  24U FM Template
  
  Today, 24U Software is releasing brand new template project for building
  
  FileMaker Pro plug-ins. Creating your own custom plug-ins is now nothing
  
  more than just configuring few constants in a single header file and
  
  writing your functions' code.
  
  
  
  What is 24U FM Template?
  
  

  
  
  24U FM Template is a Metrowerks CodeWarrior template project for building
  
  FileMaker Pro plug-ins. It will help you to create your own FileMaker Pro
  
  plug-ins quickly and easily! Thanks to intuitive lucidity and efficiency
  
  this template is appropriate for both beginners and experts.
  
  

  
  
  More info: http://www.24usoftware.com/info.php?ID=96
  
  
  Data sheet: http://www.24usoftware.com/datasheet/24uFMTemplateWPUS.pdf
  
  
  Download: http://www.24usoftware.com/downloadform.php?ID=94
  
  

  
  
  
  
  The main features:
  
  

  
  
  
  • Single point of configuration
    
    
  • Ability to build single-file cross-platform plug-ins (Super FAT Binary)
    
    
  • Pre-configured version function
    
    
  • Detailed comments in all user-editable files
    
    
  • Easily readable compact code
    
    
  • Pre-configured special targets for debugging
    
    
  • Ready-to-use project files for CodeWarrior 6.3 and CodeWarrior 8.3
    
    
  • Detailed description of the template's ineternals
    
    
  
  
  
  
  Other benefits:
  
  
  
  
  
  • Fewer mistakes
    
    
  • Much more powerful and elegant results
    
    
  • Easy to use and time-saving
    
    
  
  
  
  
  24U FM Template as Donationware!
  
  

  
  
  It is our pleasure to introduce this template project as Donationware. This
  
  is our gift to you and we are sure that it makes your life easier and saves
  
  you time. You do not have to pay for it. On the other hand we welcome any
  
  donation to help with our future development plans. You can support us at
  
  http://www.24uSoftware.com/howdonate.php
  
  

  
  
  About 24U Software
  
  

  
  
  Since 2000, 24U company has been committed to software development,
  
  modifications and distribution, creating custom software solutions for Mac
  
  OS, Mac OS X and Windows users.
  
  

  
  
  24U offers solutions for people, not for computers!
  
  

  
  
  http://www.24uSoftware.com
  
  

  [] permanent link

  Apple announces new iMacs
  
  Apple∆ today announced its Spring line of iMac∆ computers, featuring two new models. The new 17-inch widescreen model features a 1 GHz PowerPC G4 processor and 133 MHz system bus; 256MB of Double Data Rate (DDR) memory; a faster 4x SuperDrive™ for playing and burning CDs and DVDs; and internal support for AirPort∆ Extreme and Bluetooth, for just $1,799 (US). The new 15-inch flat panel model features an 800 MHz G4 processor and is now priced at just $1,299 (US)—$200 less than its predecessor. Apple also announced lower pricing on its line of eMac™ consumer and education computers.
  
  “The 17-inch widescreen iMac is Apple’s top selling consumer desktop, and we’ve just made it faster and more affordable,” said Greg Joswiak, Apple’s vice president of Hardware Product Marketing. “Apple’s new iLife applications are bundled with the new iMacs, making them perfect for digital photography, music, moviemaking and DVD creation.”
  
  

  
  
  Designed around an ultra-compact base, the iMac’s flat panel display appears to float in mid-air, allowing users to effortlessly adjust its height or angle with just a touch. The 17-inch widescreen and 15-inch flat panel iMacs also offer two FireWire∆ 400 and five USB ports for fast, simple, plug-and-play connections to digital devices such as digital cameras, DV camcorders and iPods.
  
  

  
  
  The 17-inch widescreen iMac offers the latest in communications with internal support for optional high-speed 54Mbps AirPort Extreme 802.11g wireless networking, offering speeds up to five times faster than previous wireless technologies, and optional internal Bluetooth for wireless connectivity to a range of peripherals such as cell phones and PDAs. Apple’s new iSync software is included, so customers can automatically synchronize address books and calendars between Macs and Bluetooth capable cell phones.
  
  

  
  
  Created for education and consumers, the eMac features a 17-inch flat CRT in a remarkably compact design. Starting at just $999 (US), the eMac is Apple’s most affordable PowerPC G4 system, and the $1,299 (US) model is Apple’s most affordable SuperDrive-equipped computer.
  
  

  
  
  Both flat panel iMac models include Mac OS X “Jaguar,” Apple’s next-generation operating system and Apple’s iLife™ applications, an integrated suite offering iTunes™ 3 for managing digital music, iPhoto™ 2 for organizing and sharing digital photos, iMovie™ 3 for digital movie-making, and iDVD™ 3 for creating and burning Hollywood-style DVDs (SuperDrive models only). Also included is a collection of productivity and entertainment titles such as Quicken 2003 Deluxe, Microsoft Office v.X Test Drive and World Book 2003 Edition.
  
  

  
  
  Pricing & Availability

  
  
  iMac and eMac desktops are available immediately through the Apple Store∆ (www.apple.com), at Apple’s retail stores and Apple Authorized Resellers.
  
  

  
  
  The 17-inch widescreen flat-panel iMac, for a suggested retail price of $1,799 (US), includes:
  
  

  
  
  
  • a 1 GHz PowerPC G4 processor with Velocity Engine;
    
    
  • a 4x SuperDrive DVD-R/CD-RW optical drive;
    
    
  • an NVIDIA GeForce4 MX graphics processor with 64MB video memory;
    
    
  • 256MB of DDR system memory;
    
    
  • internal support for AirPort Extreme wireless networking and Bluetooth;
    
    
  • an 80GB Ultra ATA hard drive; and
    
    
  • Apple Pro Speakers.
    
    
  
  
  The 15-inch flat panel iMac, for a suggested retail price of $1,299 (US), includes:
  
  
  
  
  
  • an 800 MHz PowerPC G4 processor with Velocity Engine;
    
    
  • a 32x Combo DVD-ROM/CD-RW optical drive;
    
    
  • an NVIDIA GeForce2 MX graphics processor with 32MB video memory;
    
    
  • 256MB of system memory;
    
    
  • internal support for AirPort wireless networking;
    
    
  • a 60GB Ultra ATA hard drive; and
    
    
  • Apple Pro Speakers.
    
    
  
  
  The 17-inch flat CRT eMac, for a suggested retail price of $999 (US) includes:
  
  
  
  
  
  • a 700 MHz PowerPC G4 processor;
    
    
  • a Combo DVD-ROM/CD-RW optical drive;
    
    
  • an NVIDIA GeForce2 MX graphics processor with 32MB video memory;
    
    
  • 128MB of system memory;
    
    
  • internal support for AirPort wireless networking; and
    
    
  • a 40GB Ultra ATA hard drive.
    
    
  
  
  The 17-inch flat CRT eMac, for a suggested retail price of $1,299 (US) includes:
  
  
  
  
  
  • an 800 MHz PowerPC G4 processor;
    
    
  • a SuperDrive DVD-R/CD-RW optical drive;
    
    
  • an NVIDIA GeForce2 MX graphics processor with 32MB video memory;
    
    
  • 256MB of system memory;
    
    
  • internal support for AirPort wireless networking; and
    
    
  • a 60GB Ultra ATA hard drive.
    
    
  
  
  Build-to-order options and accessories include additional memory, AirPort or AirPort Extreme Card, AirPort Extreme Base Station, Bluetooth and the AppleCare∆ Protection Plan.
  

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  Mon, 03 Feb 2003

  REALVIZ SHIPS RETIMER SD FOR MAC OS X
  
  REALVIZ, a leader in image
  
  processing software development, is pleased to announce the availability of
  
  REALVIZ ReTimer SD for Mac OS X (A Microsoft Windows version of the
  
  application was also recently announced, and began shipping in December
  
  2002.) ReTimer SD is an 'entry' retiming solution, drawing on the powerful
  
  engine central to the award-winning high-end software application, REALVIZ
  
  ReTimer, and provides a one-stop solution for any type of time warping,
  
  whilst retaining the highest quality output. With an innovative technology
  
  that enables the calculation of each pixel move, ReTimer SD automatically
  
  generates new frames in between existing frames, enabling high quality slow
  
  downs or speed-ups, and all without the need for expensive slow motion
  
  cameras.
  
  
  
  ReTimer SD is based on the innovative, award-winning technology of REALVIZ
  
  ReTimer, enabling the exact calculation of each pixel move, giving the
  
  ultimate flexibility during post-production, and was recently described by
  
  SoftMag as, Norway as "The best program for slow motion we ever tried, very
  
  easy to use. We gave it the best points, 6 out of 6. And the best program
  
  for the year 2002." Each pixel of an image is searched in the previous and
  
  subsequent image in order to build a displacement map. The result of this
  
  computation is a flow of vectors. ReTimer SD uses this flow to create new
  
  pixels to form an 'in between' image.
  
  

  
  
  REALVIZ ReTimer SD is ideally suited to complement compositing packages,
  
  and is a plug-in for Adobe After Effects 5.5, or compatible products, such
  
  as Discreet™ Combustion and Apple Final Cut Pro. Specifically targeted at
  
  artists working with Standard Definition resolution, ReTimer SD, enables
  
  users to process images, which are in Standard Definition Pal, or NTSC
  
  format.
  
  

  
  
  "REALVIZ ReTimer SD for Mac OSX is truly the best product in its field! We
  
  have been eagerly awaiting the Mac version of this application for some
  
  time now. The software is perfectly integrated in After Effects, and its
  
  ease-of-use enables us here at Amazing Sound, to employ its unique
  
  qualities in many of our productions." Frederic Savoir, Technical Director
  
  Post-Production, Amazing Sound.
  
  

  
  
  "There has been great demand by artists within the Macintosh community to
  
  port our video applications, and we are delighted to now be able to launch
  
  the very first of these, REALVIZ ReTimer SD. We have made it very clear,
  
  that we see the Macintosh as the most powerful platform for digital content
  
  creation today, and these users can look forward to further exciting
  
  developments here at REALVIZ over the next 12 months." Patrick Dumas,
  
  REALVIZ COO.
  
  

  
  
  REALVIZ' production-proven applications have been used for incredible
  
  effects in various feature film and television projects, including, the
  
  Steven Spielberg/Tom Cruise movie, 'Minority Report', which was recently
  
  named as one of the 7 films being considered for Achievement in Visual
  
  Effects for the 75th Academy Awards, as well as the lavish Hallmark
  
  Entertainment miniseries, 'Dinotopia', and big-screen blockbusters such as
  
  the latest James Bond outing, 'Die Another Day', 'Hart's War', starring
  
  Bruce Willis, 'Life As A House', 'Swordfish', 'Captain Corelli's Mandolin',
  
  'Enemy At The Gates', 'Driven', 'Monkey Bone', and many others. To see
  
  REALVIZ ReTimer in action, go to:
  
  http://www.realviz.com/gallery/list.php?product=rt
  
  

  
  
  Pricing & Availability

  
  
  ReTimer SD is now available for purchase through REALVIZ resellers
  
  worldwide at a price point of */$ 790.00 (Mac OSX & Windows). For further
  
  information on REALVIZ ReTimer SD, please got to:
  
  http://www.realviz.com/products/rtsd/index.php?langue=en
  
  

  
  
  About REALVIZ

  
  
  REALVIZ is a leading developer of image based creation software based in
  
  Sophia Antipolis, France, with U.S. operations in San Francisco, CA; and a
  
  satellite sales office in London. REALVIZ develops a suite of image-based
  
  content creation solutions for the film, broadcast, gaming, digital
  
  imaging, architecture and Internet communities. Derived from years of
  
  research efforts at the renowned INRIA Lab in France, the company's
  
  applications enable 2D and 3D artists to easily and cost-effectively tackle
  
  complex digital imaging projects. REALVIZ' award-winning products are in
  
  use by leading production and effects houses, web design, game development
  
  and architectural companies worldwide including Cinesite, Framestore, Sony
  
  Imageworks, Warner Brothers Animation, Electronic Arts, Buf Compagnie and
  
  many others. For more information on REALVIZ, please visit www.realviz.com.
  
  

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  DEVONthink Personal Edition 1.5
  
  DEVONthink Personal Edition 1.5 is a major leap towards a complete personal knowledge management solution. The new version further improves reliability and the overall user experience, introduces a german localisation, speeds up the whole application performance, adds simple AppleScript support and fixes some minor and major bugs.
  
  
  
  Due to a revised file format, the critical process of the database initialisation is dramatically faster. Version 1.5 includes improved PDF support using Metaobject's TextLightning or pdftotext, part of xPDF 2.01 and included in the package, and features better parsing and displaying of HTML pages. Column views now feature an additional column to preview selected items like in the Finder's column view, drag-and-drop supports data exchange between DEVONthink and any other Cocoa or Carbon application and replicating or duplicating contents by using modifier keys. Additionally, the user interface is more consistent by supporting drag-and-drop, renaming or the clipboard in all views, displays more details of selected items and improves handling of shortcuts.
  
  

  
  
  In addition this release enhances data security, verifies and repairs more database structures, improves performance of disk IO operations and features a revised memory management. Results of classifications, comparisons, summarisations or keywords retrieval are more reliable and faster.
  
  Finally DEVONthink 1.5 provides the possibility t