To reduce the database size and server load, all articles from 2004 or earlier are archived here.
- December 2004 (52)
- November 2004 (33)
- October 2004 (54)
- September 2004 (43)
- August 2004 (41)
- July 2004 (57)
- June 2004 (82)
- May 2004 (53)
- April 2004 (45)
- March 2004 (49)
- February 2004 (40)
- January 2004 (46)
- December 2003 (44)
- November 2003 (48)
- October 2003 (57)
- September 2003 (45)
- August 2003 (54)
- July 2003 (62)
- June 2003 (46)
- May 2003 (47)
- April 2003 (51)
- March 2003 (63)
- February 2003 (69)
- January 2003 (72)
- December 2002 (63)
- November 2002 (70)
- October 2002 (72)
- September 2002 (73)
- August 2002 (41)
- July 2002 (39)
- June 2002 (19)
- May 2002 (3)
- April 2002 (1)
Mon, 30 Jun 2003
Find files easier with EasyFind 2.8
DEVONtechnologies updates the free find-file utility EasyFind to version 2.8.
The update enables EasyFind to search for file contents in any file, not only plain text files, regardless of the file name extension or HFS type, comes with a new option to only search for folders and is able to sort by file type. The contextual menu now only contains enabled items and so complies to Apple's Human Interface Guidelines. Version 2.8.1 fixes some rare crashes and features minor interface improvements.
EasyFind is an alternative to or supplement of Sherlock and finds files, folders or contents in any file without the need for indexing. Additionally, EasyFind features case sensitive or insensitive search, boolean operators, wildcards and searching for phrases. EasyFind uses multithreading and so is very responsive even with multiple search processes running, provides contextual menus and Mac OS X services and displays the location of each item in a separate column for a better overview. Finally EasyFind uses little memory, supports drag-and-drop and the clipboard and optionally finds invisible items or items within packages. Also, EasyFind is tightly integrated with the information manager DEVONthink.
EasyFind runs on Mac OS X 10.1 or higher and is available as a free download from www.devon-technologies.com.
WWDC Recap
There's a lot more to WWDC than Steve Jobs' announcements. It's first and foremost a technical conference, and here are some items of interest to developers.
There were approximately 170 sessions divided into 7 tracks - Enterprise IT, QuickTime, Apple Developer Tools, Application Frameworks, Core OS, Graphics and Imaging, and Hardware. Unfortunately many times two or more sessions in the same track were scheduled at the same time, and it was sometimes difficult to choose a session to attend. All attendees will receive a DVD with all of the sessions, so we can catch up on any that we missed.
Several sessions covered WebKit and other internet technologies which let you write applications capable of displaying web content or retrieving data from a web or FTP server. WebKit is extremely easy to use - simply drag a WebView to your window in Interface Builder. A few sessions demonstrated a "codeless browser" which did exactly that.
I was pleasantly surprised to find out that WebKit is also available from Carbon.
For anyone doing Carbon development, it's now much more than simply a compatibility bridge for older applications. Carbon now features many new APIs which allow you to write modern applications that use the same features available in Cocoa. The new HIView API lets you design your window layout in Interface Builder and add custom controls by adding CarbonEvent handlers to define their behavior. Note that the new Carbon APIs aren't available in MacOS 9.
Apple's new Xcode development tools maintains compatibility with ProjectBuilder but improves performance and even lets you use other computers for distributed builds. A new "fix & continue" feature lets you make changes to a running application (which I haven't tried yet), and it does some incremental compilation as you type to further speed up your build process.
Apple's developer site has been redesigned and is now a lot easier to use. Apple has also provided a useful list of URLs related to the sessions at WWDC.
Colourfull Creations releases Maxi Bidder update for Macintosh OS X
June 22, 2003; Colourfull Creations releases Maxi Bidder update for Macintosh OS X
Colourfull Creations
36885 Main St.
New Baltmore, MI. 48047-1616
Phone: (586) 716-0807
Web: http://www.colourfull.com
Email: sales@colourfull.com
June 22, 2003; Colourfull Creations releases Maxi Bidder update for Macintosh OS X and Macintosh OS 9. Colourfull Creations updates Maxi Bidder the popular eBay snipe tool for Macintosh eBay Bidders. The update includes a new password security feature, password verification, a redesigned interface, and 6 second bid time. For more information and to download go to: http://www.colourfull.com
Colourfull Creations releases major update for Power ToDo
Colourfull Creations releases major update for Power ToDo. Power ToDo is personal task management software with a twist. Powerful standalone mode or efficient network mode makes Power ToDo great for the home or office user.
Colourfull Creations
36885 Main St
New Baltimore, MI. 48047-1616
Phone: (586) 716-0807
Email: sales@colourfull.com
Colourfull Creations releases major update for Power ToDo
June 20, 2003; Colourfull Creations releases major update for Power ToDo. Power ToDo is personal task management software with a twist. Powerful standalone mode or efficient network mode makes Power ToDo great for the home or office user. Works great for busy PowerBook users on the go. In Standalone Mode you get powerful search and alarm features, while in Network Mode you gain group task assignment. Power ToDo has been completely re-written with a new intuitive customizable user interface and personalized audio alerts.
To get more information about Power ToDo go to: http://www.colourfull.com
Key Features:
Powerful Personal task manager
Networkable from 2 to 100 users
Easy to use
Easy to setup
Inexpensive
Customizable
System Requirements:
OS 8.5 or higher
OS X 10.1 or higher
Panther Screen Shots
Adam Atlas has posted some Panther screen shots.
Apple Campus Bash
Last night, all WWDC attendees were invited to a party at Apple's campus in Cupertino. Here are a few pictures.
There was lots of good food & good music, and we got to meet Apple evangelists in various departments.
 |
 |
 |
Tue, 24 Jun 2003
Impress Your Audience By Using Keynote Gallery's New Portfolio Theme
For those looking to create a consistent presentation that captivates the viewer, keynotegallery.com offers a number of truly innovative and uniquely-designed professional Keynote themes.
In this newest theme, Keynote Gallery is the first to offer Tinted Windows with eight different tints, in three different sizes.
The Portfolio theme is quality designed, containing the following coordinated features:
- 34 masters
- pre-selected fonts with font color and treatment to suit the theme;
- 5 different custom bullets created to match the theme;
- 6 custom colored fills for eight flexible chart types;
- 2 slide frames (35mm and instamatic);
- 3 white photo cut-out borders for that "photo album" look; and
- 3 different sizes of tinted windows (each in 8 different colors).
Pricing and Availability
Portfolio is affordably priced at $14.95 US.
With new themes introduced every week, look to http://www.keynotegallery.com/ as your convenient first choice for affordable Keynote themes. Online downloading is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
First look at iSight
All WWDC attendees got a free iSight, along with a copy of Panther. Here's a first look at it.
The iSight is a compact cylinder which mounts easily on any Mac with several provided mounting clips. For a PowerBook or flat screen iMac, it attaches to the top of the screen. A single FireWire cable provides power & signal.
iChat AV, which is now available as a public beta, will automatically recognize the iSight and display a video icon when it's connected. Unfortunately iMovie doesn't recognize it and will simply display a "No camera connected" message. I haven't tried it with any other software.
I wasn't able to connect to anyone via the internet either from WWDC's network (which was very unreliable) or my hotel's wireless access, most likely due to firewalls blocking it.
A plastic case is provided to easily transport the iSight.
WWDC Keynote
There was no internet access during the keynote, so I wasn't able to post live as I had hoped. Here are my raw notes, which I'll edit and repost later.
EarthDesk 2.0.1 Released
For Immediate Release
Trygve H. Inda
Software Architect, World Time & Mapping Tools
http://www.timepalette.com
support@timepalette.com
P.O. Box 11524
Reno, NV 89510
U.S.A.
EarthDesk 2.0.1 Update Released
-------------------------------
We are pleased to announce the release of EarthDesk 2.0.1, a free update to EarthDesk 2.0, the wildly popular dynamic desktop map application.
EarthDesk replaces your static desktop picture with an animated, real-time rendered image of the Earth, continuously updating in the background while you work. The software supports eleven different map projections, political and satellite views, and renders accurate sun, moon and city lighting. This second generation release offers vastly improved performance and efficiency with preemptive multitasking, higher quality maps and full multi-display support.
Fixes in 2.0.1:
- Fixed a bug that could prevent evaluation under MacOS X 10.1.5.
- Fixed a potential crash in the Robinson map at zoom levels under 100%.
- Desktop pictures which are tiled patterns are now restored properly.
- Correctly restores desktops which change pictures periodically.
- Fixed a bug that could cause the license key to not be saved.
- If the application file is renamed, it will no longer fail to launch.
- Changed the command for "Set Home Location" from Cmd-H to Cmd-L.
EarthDesk requires a Macintosh computer with MacOS 9.1+ or MacOS X 10.1+.
Single user copies of EarthDesk may be purchased online for $19.95 while registered users of any previous 1.x version of EarthDesk are eligible to upgrade to version 2 for $9.95.
For more information and to download an evaluation version of EarthDesk, please visit our newly-redesigned website at: http://www.timepalette.com.
Direct download: http://www.timepalette.com/software/earthdesk.bin
Purchase or upgrade: http://www.timepalette.com/purchase.html
# # #
Editorial Review copies available to qualified persons upon request.
MacHack Changes
Several changes were announced for next year's MacHack. The name is changing to Advanced Developers Hands On Conference (ADHOC) and the date is moving to the last week of July.
The name change reflects a widening focus on open source systems and alternate platforms (but not Windows) and a management change.
MacHack Report
I'm now at MacHack with a usable network connection. The show is a lot smaller than previous years, but still lots of fun.
MacHack usually takes place a month after WWDC, but this year Apple changed the dates so WWDC will take place next week. As a result, there's a lot of speculation & anticipation of Apple's announcements. The crowd is a lot smaller and there were fewer sponsors this year, so there's less food (no midnight Pizza on the first night), and fewer machines in the iCafe.
The sessions are high quality as usual, and everyone is still having lots of fun sharing stories & hacks. Scott Knaster's keynote last night was a gem, with stories about working for Apple, General Magic, and Microsoft.
Unlike previous years, we were plagued with network problems & loss of internet connectivity. The problems were finally resolved this morning & this has been the first time I've been able to get online reliably.
As usual, the "yoots" are the stars of the show. Apple's future success is dependent on attracting enthusiastic young developers, and MacHack plays an important role in doing that.
I'll post more after the hack show tonight.
PremiumSoft MySQL Studio 4.2 for Mac OSX released
PremiumSoft MySQL Studio is a set of graphical database management, data transfer and monitoring tools for MySQL database systems.
Mac OSX and Windows version available!
Please download at below for a 30-days trial version:
http://www.mysqlstudio.com./shareware.php3
PremiumSoft MySQL Studio is a set of graphical database management, reporting and monitoring tools for MySQL database systems. From its fresh, new look to its intuitive, task-based navigation, PremiumSoft MySQL Studio makes it easier than ever to use your databases. For whatever needs you have from basic website updates and database server monitoring to backup/restore files you will find the solution in PremiumSoft's product.
New Power Mac G5 Specifications Leaked
The following link is hosted on an Apple server and now the Apple Store is currently down for updates.
Update: The link above has been fixed by Apple and now shows the current G4 specs. But this link shows a snap shot of what it looked like when it was up.
According to the leaked specs, the new systems feature:
- 1.6GHz, 1.8GHz, or Dual 2 GHz PowerPC G5 processors
- Up to 1 GHz processor bus
- Up to 1 GHz processor bus
- Up to 8GB of DDR SDRAM
- Fast Serial ATA hard drives
- AGP 8X Pro graphics options from NVIDIA or ATI
- Three PCI or PCI-X expansion slots
- Three USB 2.0 ports
- One FireWire 800, two FireWire 400 ports
- Bluetooth & AirPort Extreme ready
- Optical and analog audio in and out
Tue, 17 Jun 2003
MacHack & WWDC
I'm leaving tomorrow morning for MacHack & WWDC, so updates will probably be light for the next 2 weeks.
PowerBook G4/550, FireWire 800 Card
PowerBook G4/550
Gigabit Ethernet anyone? The first update to the G4 PowerBook line since
its introduction is a bit faster than its predecessors (not to mention
the awesome screen) and you can order CD-RW upgrades for them !
P007908 PowerBook G4/550 256/20gb/DVD/56k/15.2"
Normally $1349.99, yours this week for $1249.99 when you use Q-Pon Code:
QTG550 Exp. 6/24
QPro PCI FireWire 800 Card
Need a FireWire 800 card to play with the big boys? Lots of hard drives,
burners and the like are moving to this, and unless you buy a new Mac,
this card is the only way to add this port (and functionality) to your
machine!
P009300 MacResQ QPro PCI FireWire 800 Card
Normally $74.99. This week only $69.99 when you use Q-Pon Code: QT800
iList Studio 1.0 Multipurpose Database Software
Lakewood Studios today released iList
Studio 1.0, a single-user relational database tool that is equally at home
cataloging multimedia assets, crunching student marks, or tracking product
inventories.
Use iList Studio to create a diversity of data management solutions ranging
from simple address books to ambitious multi-table asset management
applications. Gather, browse, and manage data whether it be academic
references, business appointments, sales leads, DVDs, Internet bookmarks,
or a catalog of holiday snapshots.
iList Studio's feature set includes:
- user customizable windows for creating, editing, and finding data
- built-in relational support for searching and displaying data across
tables - on-the-fly calculations and column summaries
- eleven find modes including find on field, find by value, and find
parent - direct SQL editing for experienced users and built-in help by example
support for novices - search history and bookmarks
- four batch editing modes including multi edit and auto number
- in-line editing and pop-up editing of fields via keyword lists
- on-the-fly graphing
- a built in resizable image viewer and full screen slide show mode
- speech synthesis
- Microsoft Office integration: Send record lists to Excel and Word
with one click - and much more...
Pricing & Availability
iList Studio has a suggested retail price of $199.95 U.S. Until June 30th,
the software can be purchased direct from Lakewood Studios for the special
introductory price of $129.95. Educational pricing is also available.
A demo version of iList Studio can be downloaded from
http://www.lakewoodstudios.com.
Apple Airport Base Station Upgrade
QuickerTek Inc. has announced the availability of a new external antenna upgrade for Apple Airport wireless Base Stations. This new product adds significant range and speed to Apple wireless networks ? ideal for those network installations with needs that exceed the standard wireless capability. This antenna upgrades the customer?s existing Airport Base Station.
QuickerTek receives the customer?s Airport Base Station and then adds a 5Dbi omni antenna that increases the effective line-of-sight range to 500 yards. The QuikerTek Omni Antenna upgrade is intended for the Snow and Graphite Base Stations.
QuickerTek modifies the customer?s Base Station, adding the Omni antenna while guaranteeing a 24 hour "receive to ship" turnaround, so the impact to customer productivity is minimized.
Rick Estes, president of QuickerTek, said, " This Base Station Antenna System smokes the competiton and provides Apple?s wireless networking with increased range and speed - the two things our customers want most."
This upgrade works with both Mac OS 9 and Mac OS X and requires no special software upgrades or drivers.
Pricing
The Airport Base Station Antenna has a list price is $250. (There is an advance exchange option that costs $350 and then provides a $100 rebate paid after the customer sends in a working base station, for a net cost of $250).
Where To Buy
All QuickerTek, Inc. products can be found at Technowarehousellc.com (http://www.technowarehousellc.com/quan.html). All the technical specifications, pictures and ordering info can be found at QuickerTek.com.
For more information about high-performance wireless antenna products for Apple PowerBook and Macintosh computers contact QuickerTek at 7777 E. Osie St, Suite 304B, Wichita, KS 67208, phone 316-691-1585 or email sales@QuickerTek.com, or visit the web site at http://www.QuickerTek.com.
Internet Explorer 5.2.3 Released
Microsoft has released Internet Explorer 5.2.3, a minor security and performance upgrade.
This version enhances browser compatibility for users who work on a network with secure authentication or with proxy servers. It also provides all the latest security and performance enhancements for Internet Explorer 5 for Mac OS X.
Note that Microsoft has announced that there will be no future major version upgrades.
iCash 1.4 - Personal Finances and Office / Home accounting software
iCash is an easy-to-use, full featured and multi-purpose software intended to control your personal finances, keeping track of incomes, expenses, credits, debts and Banks transactions for you.
iCash is an easy-to-use, full featured and multi-purpose software 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!
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 Banks transactions a snap. With a few clicks you can begin creating accounts and making transactions in minutes.
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
- Dutch: http://www.maxprog.com/shareware/iCash_X_NL.sit
- Portuguese: http://www.maxprog.com/shareware/iCash_X_BR.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
- Dutch: http://www.maxprog.com/shareware/iCash_NL.sit
- Portuguese: http://www.maxprog.com/shareware/iCash_BR.sit
Fri, 13 Jun 2003
G3 & PowerBook System Specials
PowerMac G3/300 B&W 128/6gb/CD/Zip
Normally $349.99, take $20 off with Q-Pon code "BW300"
PowerBook G4/550 256/20gb/DVD/CD-RW/56k/15.2" LCD
Normally $1399.99, take $20 off your order with Q-Pon code "550C"
Exp. 6/18
IE for the Mac is dead
Roz Ho, the general manager of Microsoft's Mac Business Unit, has confirmed that no future versions of Internet Explorer will be released for the Mac.
Ho says that the decision has been made to make way for Apple's own Safari browser. 'Some of the key customer requests for web browsing on the Mac require close development between the browser and the OS, something to which only Apple has access,' she explained.
I'm not surprised, after Microsoft already announced that IE for windows will no longer be a separate product. Luckily, we now have several excellent browser choices, including Safari, Camino, and Mozilla Firebird.
QPro FireWire & USB Drive Specials
Save $10 this week on MacResQ's 80 Gigabyte external QPro drive! You'll receive
a high-speed drive inside a cool ICE enclosure with both FireWire AND
USB ports for the ultimate in connectivity.
80 Gigabyte QPro ICE 7200 RPM FireWire & USB External Hard Drive
Normally $189.99, take $10 off when you use Q-Pon code "LOCK"
Rather take it with you on the road?
40 Gigabyte QPro ICE 5400 RPM High Speed Portable FireWire & USB Hard Drive
Normally $229.99, take $10 off with Q-Pon code "H2O"
Exp. 6/18
Read more for ink deals.
LW Select 360/4M Toner Special
InkResQ Replacement Toner Cartridge with NEW Print Drum for Apple
LaserWriter Select 360/ Canon Laser Plotter 180, LBP BX, LBP BX II, P380,
StepWriter BX/ HP LaserJet 4V/4MV
Normally $84.99, take $15 off when you order by 6/18 and use Q-Pon code
"360T"
InkResQ Cartridge Specials
3 Black & 3 Color InkResQ Cartridges, Compatible with Epson Stylus Color
740 740i 740TB 760 860 1160, Stylus Scan 2000 2500
Normally $24.99, take $5 off with Q-Pon code "IRQ740"
3 Black & 3 Color InkResQ Cartridges, Compatible with Epson Stylus Color
C40
Normally $34.99, take $10 off with Q-Pon code "IRQC40"
6 Black & 6 Color InkResQ Cartridges, Compatible with Epson Stylus Color
C42UX
Normally $79.99, take $10 off with Q-Pon code "IRQ42"
iClip 2.1, a multi-clipboard/scrapbook utility for Mac OS X
Inventive, Inc. announces the release of iClip 2.1, a multi-clipboard/scrapbook utility for Mac OS X.
iClip is a utility that helps you get past the limitations of having a single Clipboard. It allows you to quickly copy & paste and drag & drop clippings to and from its multiple "clipping bins" so that you can easily access them in the applications you're using. The clippings can be of various types such as text, pictures, Internet locations, sounds, and more. Clippings can be organized into unlimited groups called "clipping sets" to help you keep all of your clippings neatly arranged. Since the Scrapbook application that was in older Mac OS versions isn't a part of Mac OS X, iClip can conveniently serve as a replacement for it.
What's new in version 2.1:
- a dramatic increase in clipping set loading speed
- iClip opens much faster now
- saved clippings now take up much less hard drive space
- improved Unicode support
- ability to change the locations of clipping control buttons (left/right for vertical orientation, top/bottom for horizontal orientation)
- ability to rearrange the clippings sets order
- various minor bug fixes and enhancements
iClip is available now for Mac OS X. It can be tried out for free and can be purchased for $19.95. More information on iClip can be found at http://inventive.us
Tue, 10 Jun 2003
QuarkXPress 6.0 now available from the Apple store
QuarkXPress 6.0 is now available for sale at the Apple Store with a shipping estimate of "7 to 10 days".
Another way to restore iTunes sharing
Mac OS X Hints has published a useful tip for using Rendezvous Beacon to restore sharing in iTunes 4.0.1.
Mac.com email is down
Mac.com email has been down all morning. According to webmail, it's due to "routine maintenance". No word on when it will be back.
Security Update 2003-06-09
Apple's Security Update 2003-06-09 is now available from the Software Update panel.
Security Update 2003-06-09 addresses a potential security issue when the Apple Filing Protocol (AFP) is used to reshare a Network File System (NFS) mount. This update also addresses a situation where LDAP bind authentication requests may be improperly sent when using Kerberos authentication.
This update contains fixes for the following issues:
- AFP: CAN-2003-0379. When Apple File Service (AFP Server) in Mac OS
X Server is serving files on a UFS or re-shared NFS volume, there is a
potential vulnerability that can allow a remote user to overwrite
arbitrary files. - Directory Services: CAN-2003-0378. When logging in via Kerberos on
an LDAPv3 server, the account password may be sent in cleartext format
when Login Window falls back to trying a simple bind on the server.
More information & download links are available at http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=120223.
Information about all security updates is available at http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=61798
Beta testers needed for new iPod game
Mind's Eye Entertainment and Inksword are looking for a handfull of Beta Testers for a new interactive fiction game that is in development for use with Apple's new iPod. The game is a series of notes that are hyperlinked together, giving you the feel of the "Choose Your Own Adventure" books from the 1980's. Beta testers must have a new iPod (10, 15, or 30GB models using iPod Software 2.0). For more information visit http://www.inksword.net/
Update makes ThumbsUp 3.0 an image converter
DEVONtechnologies updates the freeware thumbnail generation utility ThumbsUp 3.0.
ThumbsUp is a simple and fast drag-and-drop based utility to create thumbnails for a bunch of pictures and supports all image formats of Mac OS X and Quicktime (including PDF documents). In addition size, quality and antialiasing are configurable.
Version 3.0 saves thumbnails as TIFF, GIF, JPEG or PNG and let users scale images not only by absolute width and height values but also by percentage. This is extremely useful when set to 100 percent, as this makes ThumbsUp a powerful automatic image converter. Optionally, ThumbsUp sharpens the generated thumbnail, configurable from light over medium to strong.
ThumbsUp run on Mac OS X 10.1 or higher and are available as a free download from www.devon-technologies.com.
CD Baby reports on Apple's indy music meeting
In this article, CD Baby reports on Apple's indy music meeting which took place yesterday.
There were about 150 people at the meeting, representatives from the best independent record labels and music services, in this invitation-only conference room. Steve Jobs gave a two and a half hour presentation/seminar/Q&A about iTunes and the benefits of independent labels making their music available there.
Among the more interesting points:
- Apple is using a DRM called Fairplay to make sure you can't put these songs on the internet and have them play on another player.
- Songs must be 99 cents each. Full albums are recommended to be $9.99 or lower. Album price must be less than or equal to the sum of their tracks. So if you have a 5-song album, it can't be more than $4.95 to buy the full-length album. Apple strongly recommends going even lower than $9.99. They'd like to see that price drop to make the full-album purchase even more desirable. Only exception: if a song is over 7 minutes long, they won't offer it as a separate download. It will be available as part of the album only.
- There is no cost to put your music on iTunes. and there will be no up-front advance from Apple.
- Apple is reporting all iTunes sales to SoundScan! SoundScan measures per-song not per-album, so if someone buys the whole album, each track on the album is reported as a song sale.
- Apple has hired an editorial staff with backgrounds in music to decide what gets featured. Editorial team makes decisions every day as to what goes where. Big labels don't get preferential treatment. "We pick music we like, and we think everyone else is going to like."
- "We've had a lot of people offer money", but Apple refuses money, and has no plan to ever accept money for placement.
How to get the music to Apple
- It's up to the partner/label to submit all the metadata (artist name, release date, song tiles, etc.), do the audio encoding, and upload the materials.
- Every album needs to have a UPC Barcode!
- You have to use their special Music Store Encoder tool for Mac OS X which will be released in 90 days or so.
- Independent artists themselves, not with a label, can't use this. You have to go through an iTunes partner.
EFF Deep Links: Reclaim the Public Domain
~ Reclaim the Public Domain!
The Public Domain Enhancement Act needs your support.
~ Evidence? Copyright Holders Don't Need No Stinkin' Evidence!
A U.S. Court in Hawaii thinks that copyright holders should only need
a "good faith" belief that a site is infringing copyright in order to
shut it down.
~ Digital Remix
Wonderful 3-part look at the intersection of music and technology by
News.com's John Borland.
~ Gripe 2 Ed Foster
A former InfoWorld columnist has a wonderful new blog:
http://www.gripe2ed.com/
Deep Links from the Electronic Frontier Foundation
iCommune author restores sharing in iTunes 4.0.1
James Speth has released 401(ok), a quick and dirty hack to allow iTunes 4.0.1 to share music
beyond your local network.
It works by redirecting incoming requests from port 4689 to iTunes' standard port, so you'll have to enter any URLs as 'daap://your_ip_address:4689'. To share music between systems not on the same local network, both machines need to be running iTunes 4.0.1 and 401(ok).
I wonder how long it will take Apple to shut him down this time.
OmniWeb 4.5b1
The Omni Group has released OmniWeb 4.5b1 the first public beta which uses Apple's WebCore & JavaScriptCore frameworks for improved rendering and standards compliance.
MacHack: Scott Knaster to Egg On Unstoppable Conference
MacHack: The Annual Conference for Leading Edge
Developers today announced that Scott Knaster, famed author and really nice
guy, will deliver the Thursday night keynote address for this year's 18th
annual conference.
Best known for his cult classic Macintosh programming books, Scott started
writing about the Mac the very month it shipped, January 1984. Scott's book
How To Write Macintosh Software was required reading for Mac programmers
for more than a decade, and his groundbreaking Macintosh Programming
Secrets remains a cult classic. Scott's books have been translated into
several languages, including Japanese and Pascal.
Scott's keynote will be presented using an interactive and highly
experimental format, codenamed Vervays(TM), and may contain amusing
anecdotes, snack foods, live quizzes, and other innovative features. (Note:
the Vervays(TM) icon and t-shirts will be available soon.)
Scott was Developer Technical Support manager at Apple, wrote technical
documentation for General Magic and Microsoft, and is now a columnist for
MacTech Magazine and a freelance writer. Scott may be the only person in
the world to have 5-year awards from Apple, General Magic, and Microsoft.
Scott has every issue of Mad Magazine, which explains a lot.
MacHack 18 will take place June 19-21, 2003, in Dearborn, Michigan. For
more information, visit http://www.machack.com/.
White iBook Special
MacResQ has just received a shipment of white G3/500 iBooks and they're able to
offer you the lowest price of the year on these systems. Get one this week
and they'll throw in FREE shipping!
P008072 iBook G3/500 128/10gb/DVD/56k/12": Only $699.99
Use Q-Pon code "PAINT" when ordering online or via phone at 1-888-447-3728
to get FREE ground shipping on your new iBook.
Exp. 6/11
Read more for other specials.
10-Pack of Western Digital 4.5 Gig SCSI Drives
Our Lady of Blessed Excess will surely smile down upon you when you
purchase ten 4.5gb hard drives!
P008367 MegaPak! 10 Western Digital 4.5gb 7200 RPM 68-Pin Ultra2 SCSI
Wide Hard Drives
Regularly $99.99; yours for just $69.99 when you use Q-Pon code
"GALVATRON". Exp. 6/10
InkResQ Specials
We had a great response to our new InkResQ Toner "sneak peak" that we
mentioned in last weeks newsletter. As we continue to roll out this new
product line, here's another special for the LaserWriter 8500 owners in the
house. You'll save $20 as we work to stock our shelves.
127706 InkResQ Replacement Toner Cartridge with NEW Print Drum for Apple
LaserWriter 8500: Normally $179.99, take $20 off with Q-Pon code "L8500"
Here's this weeks ink cartridge specials:
BUN-E150 3 Black & 3 Color InkResQ Cartridges, Compatible with Epson Stylus
Color 680 685 777 777i: Normally $49.99, take $10 off with Q-Pon code "BE15"
Get ready for the Epson price comparison....drum roll.......$156.45. Yikes!
And for the Epson 820 and 925 owners:
BUN-E170 6 Black & 6 Color InkResQ Cartridges, Compatible with Epson Stylus
Photo 820 925: Normally $89.99, take $15 off with Q-Pon code "BE17"
Exp. 6/11
iSync 1.1 breaks palm sync
After upgrading to isync 1.1 my sync from a palm IIIXE to an emac running x.2.6 fails
I sync using a serial-usb convertor
Avantgo works fine using malsync - and documents to go works fine, just Isync fails - times out
It may be my setup - but I doubt it as it did work before.
Apple woos indie labels to iTunes Music Store
Apple has invited hundreds of indie label representatives to a private presentation at their headquarters in Cupertino tomorrow.
Senior iTunes music store staffers will show the label reps how the store runs and they'll perform some hands-on demos. Among those invited is Sub Pop co-founder Jonathan Poneman, who represents groups such as Nirvana, Mudhoney and Soundgarden.
Among the other bands that may be added to the iTunes library is Boca Raton native Dashboard Confessional.
If any deals are signed following the meeting, the Apple spokesperson said there is no timetable yet for when the songs could be added. "It's quality over quantity at this point," the spokesperson said.
Read the full article here.
Hacker Haiku
Here are a few snapshots from a hacker's world captured in that tiniest of literary forms, haiku. Some express great sadness, such as this sample:
"Overclock your boxThe whole article is at Librenix.
it is very fast ... at first
warranty now void"
iSync ''gotcha''
When you sync your calendar with your phone, you may find that not all of your events were sent. Here's how to make sure this doesn't happen.
After entering all of my flight information for MacHack & WWDC into iCal, I ran iSync to upload it to my iPod and T68i, but after I finished syncing, I noticed that none of the information appeared on my phone's calendar.
It turns out that iSync limits the events sent to the phone by date, and it defaults to events only in the next week. To change it, click on the phone icon in iSync's window to display the phone options. You'll see a menu labeled "Get events for next:" which defaults to week. Change it to 8 weeks (the maximum allowed) to send as many events as possible to the phone.
I've only tested this with a Sony-Ericsson T68i. I'm not sure if other phones are affected.
Apple Software Updates: QuickTime 6.3, iSync 1.1
Apple has released several major new software updates, including QuickTime 6.3 and iSync 1.1.
QuickTime 6.3 supports the the 3rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP) standard which provides "a foundation for the creation, delivery and playback of rich multimedia content over wireless networks." Other enhancements include:
- Automatic detection of streaming transport
- Improvements to DV audio and video synchronization
- Enhanced support for Keynote, iMovie, and iDVD
QuickTime 6.3 is available via the Software Update panel.
The long-awaited iSync 1.1 update adds support for over 20 mobile phones from Nokia, Motorola, Sony Ericsson and Siemens, as well as Mac-to-Mac synchronization of Safari bookmarks for .Mac subscribers. Version 1.1 also adds syncing via USB for several Motorola phones. iSync 1.1 can be downloaded from http://www.apple.com/isync/ or via the Software Update panel (although when I checked it wasn't available).
Apple has also released BlueTooth 1.2.1, available from the Software Update panel, which provides enhanced stability and support for Symbian OS based mobile phones including Nokia 3650, Nokia 7650, and Sony Ericsson P800. Bluetooth 1.2.1 is recommended for use with iSync 1.1.
Help Authoring and Deployment Made Easy for Mac OS X
Placitas, NM – Excel Software announced the availability of QuickHelp for Macintosh. QuickHelp is a development tool for creating and deploying application help to Mac OS 9, Mac OS X, Windows 95 through XP and virtually all Linux distributions. QuickHelp is unique in its ability to manage, author and test help topics in a single tabbed window running on your platform of choice, then deploy the help system to virtually any computer. Simplicity and productivity replace complex html tag editing, cumbersome topic management, time-consuming build and test approaches and different authoring and deployment tools for each platform. Help information resides in an XML file distributed with a native viewer executable for each platform.
QuickHelp consists of a QuickHelp Builder for authoring help systems and a QuickHelp Viewer for deploying them to end-users. For the end-user, QuickHelp supports a table of contents, an index with automatic search field, word searches across topics, color highlighted topic text with hypertext links, formatted images and context sensitive help from application menus and dialogs. From the Contents panel, the user can view, expand or collapse topics. Use the Index panel to locate topics based on index words. Forward and backward buttons navigate through recently viewed topics.
For the developer, QuickHelp provides a highly productive authoring environment that combines the Contents and Index panels with the Edit and General panels for editing the help file. The Edit panel is used to add, edit, delete or move topics within the Contents tree. Formatted text, images and links between topics can be quickly added. Each topic has fields for defining index words and context sensitive identifier strings that link topics to application menus and dialogs. Topics or portions of a topic can be conditionally visible based on the current platform or other variables. This makes it easy to customize your help system for different platforms or product builds from a single source. The General panel has buttons to save, open, close, verify, import or export help topics. QuickHelp handles administrative activities like maintaining links between topics, reordering topics and locating bad links, missing indexes or images.
QuickHelp MacOSX at $195 includes the native Builder and Viewer executables for both Mac OS 9 and Mac OS X, a license to freely distribute the QuickHelp Viewer, a printed manual, online help and PDF manual on CD. Site licensing information, product descriptions and online ordering are available at www.excelsoftware.com. Excel Software has over 15 years of experience in providing tools to thousands of Macintosh, Windows and Linux developers in over 40 countries.
Excel Software
Ph: (505) 771-3719
Fax: (505) 771-3718
Web: http://www.excelsoftware.com
Email: info@excelsoftware.com
UML Modeling Made Easy for Mac OS X
Excel Software announced the availability of QuickUML MacOSX, the first Mac OS X addition to its suite of Mac OS 9, Windows and Linux software engineering tools. QuickUML is an object-oriented design tool focused on tight integration and ease-of-use for a core set of UML models. An entire project is quickly accessible through a tabbed window of use cases, class models, object models, dictionary and code. The project is saved as an XML file that is compatible with the Windows and Linux edition of QuickUML. QuickUML works with Excel Software's MacTranslator to generate class models from source code.
Use cases document user-visible functions that the system must perform. Each use case describes a named interaction in terms of external inputs and system responses. Use case entries link to models, code, foreign files or other use case entries to provide a solid foundation for development and two-way traceability.
Class models describe objects in the system and the various kinds of static relationships. They may contain classes, interfaces, components, packages and other objects. Flexible presentation options allow different instances of a class to be presented with its full list of attributes and operations, compressed to show just the class name or selectively showing class members relevant to the context of a specific diagram. Projects may contain hundreds of diagrams accessible through a Contents view that provides easy navigation and flexible diagram management.
Sequence diagrams illustrate object interactions and timing with horizontal operation connections between vertical lifelines under objects, modules and packages. A project dictionary is automatically produced as class and object models are drawn, but designers can also directly access dictionary entries. Changes to an object made on one diagram are instantly reflected throughout the project.
QuickUML has advanced features for projects with multiple programming languages, design namespaces, UML stereotypes, color support, diagram scaling, custom detail fields, context sensitive help, print preview, print to PDF and automated generation of class models from the dictionary. Diagrams can be exported as BMP, JPEG, JPEG 2000, MacPaint, Photoshop, PICT, PNG, QuickTime Image, SGI Image, TGA and TIFF files. An integrated code manager enables navigation through code files linked to use cases and diagram objects.
QuickUML MacOSX runs on Mac OS X 10.1 or later. The Single User License priced at $495 includes both a printed and PDF manual on CD. See www.excelsoftware.com for site license information, product descriptions and online ordering. Excel Software provides tools to thousands of developers in over 40 countries.
Excel Software
Ph: (505) 771-3719
Fax: (505) 771-3718
Web: http://www.excelsoftware.com
Email: info@excelsoftware.com
Apple reduces PowerBook prices
Apple today lowered the price on its 12" Aluminum and 15" Titanium PowerBooks by up to $300. The $12" Combo drive PowerBook is now $1,599 ($200 drop), the 12" SuperDrive PowerBook is now $1,799 ($200 drop), the 15" Combo drive PowerBook is $1,999 ($300 drop), and the 15" SuperDrive is $2,599 ($200 drop).
I'm guessing that Apple is trying to clear out inventory so they can announce a 15" Aluminum PowerBook.
iGetter v1.9.5 for MacOS and MacOS X released
Presenta Ltd. is pleased to announce the new release of iGetter version 1.9.5 for MacOS 7.5.3 - 9.x and MacOS X.
Presenta Ltd. is pleased to announce the new release of iGetter
version 1.9.5 for MacOS 7.5.3 - 9.x and MacOS X.
iGetter is a download utility and accelerator with many useful functions such
as resuming broken downloads, segmented (accelerated) downloading, Internet
browsers integration, queue filtering by various criteria, file mirrors support
for additional acceleration, cookies support, processing web page links, scheduling
downloads for low traffic periods, reconnecting modems, hang up and shut down
when the downloads are done.
New In Version 1.9.5:
- Included new localizations for Traditional Chinese and German
languages. - New contextual menu support for OmniWeb browser.
- Included support for Safari and Camino "cookies".
- Included three new columns in the queue: "Elapsed Time",
"Start Date" and "End Date". - Included ability to customize the queue table columns, change the
column order, and sort the queue by any column (only in MacOS X). - iGetter now shows the average speed of the finished downloads.
- Improved the Internet browser plugin. Now the iGetter function 'Integrate
with Internet browsers' fully supports the Safari browser. - A new "Info" tab pane. It shows detailed information of
the currently selected download in the queue. - Included ability to open the folder containing a finished downloads or the
"Item Settings" window of uncompleted downloads with a double-click. - Included a new option for switching the computer into sleep mode
instead of shutting it down (only in MacOS X). - Now "Process Web Page" properly handles files with equal names
and href tags with CR/LFs in them. - Improved handling of URLs that include colon characters in the file name.
- Improved handling of "416 Requested Range Not Satisfiable" HTTP
error. Now iGetter will download successfully from servers responding with
this error (e.g. macupdate.com). - Fixed a buffer overflow bug.
- Fixed a bug that sometimes crashes iGetter when deleting items from the
queue. - Fixed a bug that causes iGetter to save only parts of the login information.
Main Features of iGetter:
- The main advantage of iGetter is its ability to resume broken downloads
by checking the date and size of download jobs. - iGetter analyzes every server response to prevent damage to your
file downloads. - iGetter supports Segmented (Accelerated) Downloading. This basic
feature of iGetter can greatly improve the speed of your downloads. - iGetter supports searching of file mirrors for additional acceleration
of downloads. - iGetter integrates with Internet browsers by monitoring clicks
of hyperlinks (using the browser plugins technology). - iGetter integrates with Internet Explorer (4+, 5+) and iCab (2+) through
context menu for hyperlinks. - iGetter supports the drag and drop technology and with its Target
Icon you can easily download any dragable link or file with an Internet
location. - iGetter supports monitoring of your clipboard for Internet addresses.
- iGetter can process all web page links for downloading in the queue.
- iGetter lets you organize your downloads with different priorities and automatically
downloads them. - With iGetter you can easily control every download job. You can start,
pause or let iGetter automatically download your files. - iGetter includes three types of queue filters that automatically
show downloads in accordance with various criteria. - Its user-friendly interface offers you convenience and ease-of-use
as you begin to download with iGetter. - iGetter auto detects your connection to the Internet. It can automatically
reconnect a PPP connection until all pending downloads are done. - iGetter can schedule your downloads for low traffic periods (i.e.
4 in the morning). - iGetter can Hang Up the PPP connection and Shut down the computer
when all files in the queue are finished. - iGetter has a Speed Limit function which allows you to download files
and still use your web browser without loss of performance. - iGetter lets you use a virus scanner program that you have on your
computer to auto-scan downloaded files. - iGetter supports cookies. With iGetter you can download from servers
that require cookies from your computer like MP3.com or other services. - iGetter includes a useful Search function. With this function iGetter
users have a fast and convenient way to search for software files or MP3s
in the FileAvenue.net web service. - iGetter has a full multithreaded engine and can simultaneously download
all files. - iGetter supports both standard Apple Remote Access and third party
PPP utilities. - iGetter supports Internet Config. (Internet config allows central
Internet configuration for all applications, including iGetter.) - iGetter supports HTTP and FTP Proxies, and Socks Firewalls (4,
4a, 5). - iGetter supports the standard URL suite for AppleScript and is fully
scriptable. - iGetter is developed using C/C++ with Metrowerks development tools,
which has resulted in an efficient, and responsive program.
System Requirements:
- Apple computer with PowerPC processor
- MacOS 7.5.3 - 9.x OR MacOS X v10.1 to 10.2.x
- OpenTransport 1.1 or later
Pricing and Availability:
iGetter 1.9.5 is shareware. iGetter can be evaluated for as long as it's needed
to decide if it suits the user's needs. All registered users will get free support
by email and free upgrades in the major 1.x versions.
A Single User License for iGetter is $25. A Home & Work (Desktop &
Mobile) two-license pack is $35. Site Licenses are also available at a discount.
For further information on Site License discounts, please contact us at sales@presenta.net
The new version 1.9.5 of iGetter is available immediately for download from:
http://www.iGetter.net/downloads.html.
For more information about iGetter visit its web site at: http://www.iGetter.net/.
Contact Information:
Presenta Ltd.
http://www.presenta.net/
office@presenta.net
Sun, 01 Jun 2003
BlueService, CalService and WordService updated
DEVONtechnologies updates its top-rated freeware tools, BlueService, CalcService and WordService.
The new version 3.1 of CalcService comes with a bunch of new functions, ceil(), floor(), round(), acosh(), asinh(), atanh(), cosh(), sinh() and tanh(), and WordService 2.4.2 features a new "Speak Text/Stop" command. Also, other WordService commands can be used while a text is spoken, "Insert Date/Time/Date & Time" use the system-wide formatting preferences and the German localisation has been updated. Additionally, the keyboard shortcuts Command-"<" and Command-">" have been removed from BlueService and CalcService, because they are used for window switching in some Mac OS X localisations, for example German.
AntiWordService enables all well-behaved Cocoa applications able to read plain text, for example TextEdit or DEVONthink, to open Microsoft Word documents, BlueService send selected text to compliant Bluetooth devices. CalcService and WordService insert new commands into the Services submenu allowing to make simple calculations and reformat text within any Services-aware Cocoa or Carbon application, for example TextEdit, Mail, ProjectBuilder, OmniWeb or DEVONthink. CalcService replaces a selected formula by the result of the calculation sending Calculator.app into retirement, and WordService provides a variety of 33 functions for converting, formatting, sorting or speaking text, inserting the current date, time or folder contents, and showing statistics about selected text.
AntiWordService, BlueService, CalcService and WordService require Mac OS X 10.1.5 or higher and are available as "ServicePack" or as separate files for free download from www.devon-technologies.com. BlueService also requires a BlueTooth adapter and a BlueTooth-enabled PDA or mobile phone to communicate with.