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Wed, 31 Mar 2004
Only hours left in iCompositions' Best GarageBand Song Contest
There are only a few hours left in iCompositions' Best GarageBand Song contest. The contest, which ends at 12:01 A.M. (EST), April 1st, will feature a prize of 250 MB of song upload space (which iCompositions calls "Rock Star" status). You can enter up to three GarageBand songs here.
Free Gimp.app pulled
Gimp.app is a self-contained Mac OS X application bundle of the X11-based GNU Image Manipulation Program (GIMP), a free open source graphics editor. The project is hosted on SourceForge and is based on free open source code, but was commercialized by OpenOSX & MacGimp.org and the free version pulled.
OpenOSX sells their GIMP 2 CD for $30 or $25 to download. MacGIMP.org sells their version for $79. It's still possible to install a free version of GIMP with fink, although it isn't packaged as a double-clickable application. All 3 versions require Apple's X11.
MacThemes Contest
Voting is now open in MacTheme.net's Theme Mockup Contest. See the entries and vote here. Contest prizes are provided by Unsanity.
www.iPodMods.com introduces iPod Repair and customization.
iPodMods has recently gone public and offers a wide variety of repair services and upgrade options. Their competitive pricing puts them above the rest with a staff of professional installers, and technical savvy support specialists. iPodMods.com is not a 24 hour service, but it offers the same professional support at almost half the price of all the iPod repair centers on the internet.
All you need to do is visit: www.ipodmods.com and click on the repair service that fits your needs. So give us a try and call us at 1-888-POD-MODS
iPodMods has been doing repairs of iPods and many other different small electronics for over 3 years. They have opened the doors to the public and would like to help out iPod owners across the globe with their top notch support. They offer a wide variety of parts for most models and do repairs on ALL iPod types.
Check the site next week for premier customizations and modifications pages! Once the new modifications pages are available, we will start taking orders on this top secret project ONLY available at ipodmods.com!
Turn your iPaper weight into a working iPod again! For those of you who can wait more than 24 hours to get your iPod serviced, then this site is for you. We provide top quality service and repair and our technicians are specialists at repairing ALL iPod models. We will perform a detailed diagnostic of the problem and contact you with a repair quote prior to any actual repairs. All iPods that pass through our company go through a detailed 4 point inspection not available anywhere else!
Some competitor sites claim that they will be able to fix loose headphone jacks, and Fire Wire port problems. This is true, but you need to know that in some cases the Main Board will need to be replaced because the solder pads on your broken iPod's Main Board may be unfixable. We will put it under the microscope and find out what can be done, and we will give you the lowest possible quote.
Safari Slowdown
I found that Safari has been slowing down and I would see the spinning cursor for several seconds every time I open a page. Thankfully This tip from Mac OS X Hints solved it.
If you go to ~/Library/Safari you'll see a folder called Icons which caches all of the site favicons. After extensive use, the icon cache can get very large. Simply delete the contents of the Icons folder and the Safari slowdown will be gone.
To prevent it from happening again in the future, make the Icons folder read only. You'll no longer see any Favicons in the bookmark window or menu, but it's a small price to pay for the speedup.
New Theme
As you probably noticed, I just changed the site's theme. Since Panther got rid of pinstrips I think it's time for us to do the same. If you want the old theme, registered users can select the theme MM_Old in account settings.
REALBasic Design Award Winners
REAL Software has announced the winners of their REALBasic Design Awards 2004, honoring the best products developed with REALBasic.
The winner of Best Overall Product is Shared Space from All-Seeing Interactive. Best Business Software is Timelog by Stefan Fürst. The winner of Best Consumer Software is IntelliScanner Collector by Intelli Inovations.
The full list of winners is available here.
The REALbasic Design Awards (formerly known as the "Cubies"), honor excellence in software design. They foster creativity and encourage independent development by rewarding developers that produce quality products.
Each winner will receive a REALbasic Design Award recognition gift, the right to use the REALbasic Design Award logo in marketing materials and a "Select" level membership in the REALbasic Developer Program, a $999.95 value. This will provide them the opportunity to offer input into REALbasic development, on-call access to REAL Software technical staff and access to REAL Software consulting leads.
Announcing a new Garageband community site!
I am pleased to announce a new site to the growing Garageband and Soundtrack community - musiconthemac.com
The site is dedicated to the millions of musicians who don't have a forum or an audience and are looking to create one. The site already contains forums, music sharing, classifieds, and up to date news and information regarding products, services, and events in the music and mac industries. Upcoming events include several contests with both product prizes and cash prizes (in excess of $1000) These contest will be mostly geared towards the participation in the site as well as original compositions using Garageband and Soundtrack (and possibly others). The site is well funded, operates off a big pipe, and can handle tens of thousands of users. A dedicated team of editors and programmers will continually update the site with the latest features. An iTunes RADIO station is also planned to help support our users and get them air time for the hard work spent on their creations. The radio station will be launched when we build up our content.
If you need additional information, feel free to e-mail me at musicmike@musiconthemac.com or visit the site!
Sincerely,
Mike McNeill
musiconthemac.com
Geneffects releases iMeMiner 1.6
iMeMiner, the popular web gallery download tool, has undergone an incremental, but significant upgrade with new version 1.6.
With version Version 1.5, iMeMiner gained the ability to access password protected sites. Version 1.6 adds several features to improve the user experience, namely:
- "Skip & Delete gallery" is a new option when downloading galleries. Often, when downloading a gallery, if a user finds they do not want the images (or movies, sounds, etc.) it contains, they skip downloading that gallery. This feature saves the hassle of having to finding and deleting the folder which contains the undesired gallery.
- Better Folder naming - To avoid duplicate folders due to corrupted preferences, folder naming is now based on the time downloaded.
- "http://" added to the URL field to emphasize that web addresses are to be put there.
More information can be found at the iMeMiner web page.
Java Date Picker v2.3 Released
Stand By Soft, Ltd. just released Java Date Picker 2.3, a suite of Microsoft
like Swing components capable of powerful date selection operations.
The dates available for selection can be restricted according to a
specified pattern. Users can also do single or multiple date selection.
So far, the available components are a one month calendar and an
editable date picker.
The components can be internationalized,
have support for mouse and keyboard and they can be used with any look
and feel (Metal, Motif, Windows, Aqua and custom ones).
This new version features an improved date time editor and better look and feel support.
- Date editor has been extended to also support time editing.
- The components can be used with any look and feel (Metal, Motif, Windows, Aqua and custom ones).
- Dates can be displayed and edited using custom date formats.
For additional information or trial version, please visit http://www.javadatepicker.com.
Thu, 25 Mar 2004
Acoustic Drum and Cymbal Sample CD-ROM
Beta Monkey Music™ Releases Groove
Construction Kits
Beta Monkey Music has announced the latest addition to its already versatile
drum loop library.
Groove Construction Kits: Acoustic Drum and Cymbal Samples features five sampled recording drum kits, with nearly 900 (595 MB) individual
drum and cymbal hits, painstakingly recorded to capture all the beauty, character,
and nuance only acoustic drums possess.
Beta Monkey’s Groove Construction Kits is a comprehensive collection of acoustic drum and cymbal samples created with some of the most-known and sought-after drum sets and cymbal lines. The recorded drum sets include drums from DW™, Pearl™, Tama™, and Yamaha™ with cymbals from Sabian™ and Zildjan™.
The sample CD-ROM is well-suited and designed for groove construction across a wide variety of genres and styles including rock, pop, R&B, drum & bass,
world beat and more. Designed for songwriters and producers alike, Groove Construction
Kits features multiple-velocity hits of all drum, cymbal and percussive elements,
making the samples highly playable, expressive, and authentic.
- 894 (595 MB) multi-velocity .WAV samples
- Five distinct groove construction kits
- Cymbal Samples: HH, rides, crashes, splashes, chinas
- Supplemental acoustic kick and snare samples
16 bit and 24 bit stereo samples
Groove Construction Kits: Acoustic Drum and Cymbal Sample CD is
available now at Beta
Monkey Music.
Phelios Releases a New Shooter Game: Kaijin
Phelios announced the release of their new Shoot ‘em Up game called, Kaijin, another addition to their growing list of games made with their own game engine, PTK.
Phelios wanted to create a new Shoot 'em Up (also known as a Shmup) taking retro inspired qualities of a side scrolling game and adding their own modern twists. Their desire was for Kaijin to have the “feel” of a classic shmup, but improve on its performance and attributes by infusing content never before seen in a game of its kind. For example, the weapon system embraces the concept of having the power-ups tied to the health bar, so in effect, the player really has one life but can extend it or reduce it depending on his weapon power. Additionally, there’s a “squid-like” bug that lays eggs on the board, and if the player does not get rid of these eggs promptly, they’ll hatch into fluttering flies or other mutant bugs. Another feature is a Mega laser, which is a homing laser using Bezier Splines so it looks like a "flexible pipe." This latter attribute exploits a brand new feature just released in the game engine, PTK.
About Kaijin
The Year is 2546 on Planet Terria.
For too long, genetically modified grown food and pollution from the ocean and environment created a harmful impact on the natural food chain of Planet Terria. Over time, the insects and ocean dwellers mutated in wildly unusual ways and became stronger and more intelligent. Some began to develop brain abnormalities, which resulted in an increased aptitude of 5000% in their IQ’s. As their new intellect grew, so did their appetite for planet domination. They now feel that Terrians are their Public Enemy Number One. So, they developed a secret army and are now ready to eradicate theTerrians with all of their mutant force.
You and your ship, the "Kaijin" are the last hope for the Terrian Kind...
Features
• 63 Levels
• 3 Styles of game play action: 1) Way of the Eagle 2) Way of the Tiger 3) Way of the Dragon
• 3 Modes of Difficulty
• 3D rendered graphics and animation
• Original Soundtrack
• Innovative Effects and Sound
System Requirements:
• For Mac: OS X
• For PC: DirectX 5 or higher
• 128 MB or Memory
• OpenGL Accelerator 16 M
A free demo download of Kaijin is available here.
Kaijin is available for online purchase exclusively from Phelios.com for $24.95.
About Phelios, Inc.
Phelios, Inc. is an independent game developer creating entertaining games for the Mac and PC platforms. PC Game Downloads and Mac Game Downloads are made available online at Phelios to allow gamers to try games before buying them. With kids and adults of all ages in mind, Phelios strives to create quality games for engaging game play while also providing excellent customer service and free technical support.
For more information:
Contact Patrice Krysztofiak via email: contact@phelios.com
Phelios Mac OS X Games & PC Game Downloads
Phelios Game Engine PTK
Rexx for Mac OS X
Anyone who's used OS/2 or IBM mainframes may recall Rexx, a simple yet powerful scripting language. You can now have it on Mac OS X.
Regina is an open source Rexx interpreter that has been ported to most Unix platforms. It's very easy to build on Mac OS X.
After downloading the source, unstuff it and go to that directory in the terminal. Type the following to build it:
./configure
make
That's all! Copy the resulting rexx binary to a directory in your search path (I put it in /usr/local/bin) and you're done. The demo directory contains a few demos you can use to test it.
It's very easy to use alternate scripting languages like Rexx. If you write a script in Rexx, just add '#!/usr/local/bin/rexx' (or wherever you installed it) as the first line, and you can run it the same way you run any shell script.
Example:
#!/usr/local/bin/rexx
say "hello from Rexx";
Experimental native Aqua version of AbiWord
AbiWord is a free open source MS Word compatible word procesor. Until now, it required X11 to run under Mac OS X.
An experimental native version is now available for Download. I found that it loads very quickly and was able to load a fairly complex Word document with no loss of formatting.
Colourfull Creations releases Maxi Bidder 1.91
Colourfull Creations releases Maxi Bidder 1.91 with improved Australian Support. Colourfull Creations updates Maxi Bidder the popular eBay snipe tool for Macintosh eBay Bidders. The update includes: Setup Assistant, choose Country of origin, Automatically sets default currency in accordance with country of origin, Resolved a problem with the OSX bidding engine generating a possible error during a snipe, Resolved a problem with Australian snipe adding, and Resolved a problem of error messages not being retained. For more information and to download go to: http://www.colourfull.com
iChat AV 2.1 Released
Apple has released iChat AV v2.1, which adds support for video conferencing with the new AOL Instant Messenger 5.5 for Microsoft Windows. The update is avaliable via the Software Update panel or at http://www.apple.com/ichat/.
iPhoto 4.0.1 Update
iPhoto 4.0.1 is now available via the Software Update panel. It includes many organizational and stability enhancements. Performance has also been increased throughout the application, giving you faster importing, smoother image viewing and easier Rendezvous photo sharing. This version of iPhoto also features improved thumbnail images in your photo library. To take advantage of this, your thumbnails must be upgraded, which may take a while, depending on the number of photos in your library.
Man & Woman of a Thousand Faces: A Review of New Game, Face It
Mac Games and More posted a review of a new game recently ported to Mac called, "Face It" by Uruguay based developer, Mr. Io Software.
Web Dumper 2.0
Maxprog is proud to present another update of its web tool product named 'Web Dumper' a full featured internet tool that allows users to download web sites for offline browsing. Available in English, French, Italian and Spanish.
What's new in this release?
- Mac OS X version now includes a standard toolbar with most used
functions.
- New Pause/Resume function.
- Minimum cookie handling. (not Javascript instantiated)
- Italian localized version.
- Dumped files icons are now set to defaults on Mac OS X, Mac OS
8.x/9.x and Windows.
- Queue list icons are now set to defaults on Mac OS X and Windows.
- Redesigned interface.
- Downloads are now 6x faster.
- Download queue is now x6 faster.
- URL parser is now 3x faster.
If you are viewing a Web site with your browser and you decide that you would like to make a copy of it on your hard drive, you have to manually save each page as you view it along with embedded pictures, sounds and so on. This can be a very long and tedious process, and in many cases it's more trouble than it's worth. It doesn't have to be that way, however, as Web Dumper makes this whole process very fast and easy.
With Web Dumper you can download entire Web sites off of the Internet, and save them on your hard drive for later offline browsing. Downloaded Web sites are saved on your hard drive with their directory structure intact. Web Dumper automatically downloads HTML documents along with their embedded pictures, sounds, movies and so on while it screens them to look for any enclosed links to other documents.
Web Dumper lets you select which kinds of file you want to be dumped between more than 60 available standard types, the folder depth level, how links must be processed and if it must re-link your HTML documents for offline browsing.
Features
- Able to send Text or HTML mails in a way mail client software always
- Multi-thread with user definable time-out.
- High-speed downloading with bandwidth selector.
- Smart definable spider engine including across Web Sites.
- Include/Exclude Filters with more than 60 standard MIME file types.
- Duplicate file database and duplicate rejection.
- Links Explorer with definable depth level.
- Re-Link documents locally for offline browsing.
- Complete HTTP error and link checking and handling.
- Detailed file download monitoring.
- Authentication support for password-protected sites.
- Proxy server support.
- Native versions for Mac OS X and Mac OS Classic.
Download
You can get MaxBulk in five different languages, MacOS or X at:
MacOS X:
- English: http://www.maxprog.com/shareware/WebDumper-X.sit
- French: http://www.maxprog.com/shareware/WebDumper-X_FR.sit
- Italian: http://www.maxprog.com/shareware/WebDumper-X_IT.sit
- Spanish: http://www.maxprog.com/shareware/WebDumper-X_ES.sit
MacOS Classic:
- English: http://www.maxprog.com/shareware/WebDumper.sit
- French: http://www.maxprog.com/shareware/WebDumper_FR.sit
- Italian: http://www.maxprog.com/shareware/WebDumper_IT.sit
- Spanish: http://www.maxprog.com/shareware/WebDumper_ES.sit
Loan Calc 1.5.4
Loan Calc is an easy-to-use tool intended to calculate loans and mortgages repayments in a very simple way.
Loan Calc calculates repayments amount, monthly and total interest, total repayments and generates a full repayment list from a start date. Loan Calc is currency-independent so it can be used with Dollars, Francs, Marks, Pounds,...or whatever you like. Just use a dot or a comma for decimals depending on your system settings.
Loan Calc let you select both period and interest compounding from continuous (compounding only), weekly, biweekly, monthly, quarterly, semiannually and annualy.
Furthermore Loan Calc allows you to save all the repayment list to a text file or an Excel sheet.
Mac OS X: http://www.maxprog.com/shareware/LoanCalc_X.sit
Mac OS Classic: http://www.maxprog.com/shareware/LoanCalc.sit
iCompositions rolls out new features and a contest
iCompositions is proud to announce a slew of new features! Auditorium 2.0 is a huge improvement over their revolutionary Auditorium 1.0.
The new version features an iTunes-feel, easier navigation, and Hover Album Art. From the beginning, the Auditorium has been the premier venue for showcasing your talent. Now, it's better than ever, stocked with more than 1100 compositions, and ready for more! The new homepage for iCompositions is meant to follow in the footsteps of Apple and be more user-centric. It features news, recent articles, Featured Artists, Featured Compositions, and Tips/Downloads of the week.
iCompositions is also proud to offer a new service that allows users to upgrade their free 50 MB of space to 250 MB of space. Despite the fact that iCompositions offers users the most free upload space of any GarageBand Community, they're ready to give out mroe. Allowing you to share 5 times the number of compositions, becoming a Rock Star is the best way to showcase your talents.
The newly revised downloads section features information about every download. The downloads section is now the most complete resource for the GarageBand user.
But if that isn't enough, iCompositions is pleased to announce its 5th contest for Best Song! Upload your GarageBand-created entries to this Genre for a chance to win free Rock Star status for a year with 250 MB of storage space! Contest ends Thursday, April 1st 6:00 P.M. EST.
By continuing to innovate and set the bar high for GarageBand communities, iCompositions has become the leading venue for sharing GarageBand compositions.
Site Updated
I've updated this site to PHP-Nuke 7.1, which adds several new features and improves security.
GarageBand Downloads
iCompositions introduces Downloads 2.0, the ultimate and most complete resource for GarageBand-related downloads.
TaskTime Updated to version 1.3.5
TaskTime provides a straightforward method of tracking time spent on jobs you do for your clients. It can generate invoices which can be emailed, printed, and saved to disk.
Features:
Simple, easy to use interface.
Automatic calculation of total time spent on projects.
Automatic calculation of total amount owing.
Creation of clear and attractive invoices.
Ability to save, print, and copy invoices.
Work with any number of clients.
Track multiple projects for each client.
Log expenses
Print reports
Set currency symbol for your location
Generate cumulative reports by client or for all clients
New in this version:
- added resources drawer (project specific document, application, and folder hotlinks)
- fixed recalculation bug which could occur when editing times
- added project status tracking (In Progress, Invoice Sent, Paid, Overdue)
- custom invoice graphic now displays in the Defaults tab of the Preferences window
- session details logging
- illustrated, searchable online User's Guide added
- automated calculation updating
Product URL: http://www.ttpsoftware.com/TaskTime.html
Download URL: http://www.ttpsoftware.com/TaskTime.sit
Home Page: http://www.ttpsoftware.com
Contact: contact@ttpsoftware.com
Apple Reference Library
Apple has introduced a new reference library, a comprehensive collection of Apple technical resources, including Documentation, Technical Notes, Sample Code, Technical Q&As, and Release Notes. Each of the links below leads to the resources for a specific topic. Key resources also include Getting Started documents, API references, and cross-references for related topics.
Inferiis - KeepAnEye 1.5 Press Release
Hello
I'm happy to announce that KeepAnEye 1.5 has just been released.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
KeepAnEye 1.5
----------------------------------------------------------------------
KeepAnEye is a multipurpose monitoring and notification utility which helps you to stay informed efficiently. It lets you track data sources by providing visual representations which can be freely organized on the screen like stickies. Moreover, it observes them and warns you when something interesting happens using a general notification system. RSS feeds, pictures, eBay auctions, web pages, software updates, disk usage, IP addresses... Taking advantage of a flexible plug-in architecture, various kinds of data sources are supported within a single, homogenous application.
Main features include:
- Multipurpose monitoring.
- Stickies-like visual rendering.
- General notification system upon dedicated events.
- Flexible plug-in architecture.
- Homogenous user interface.
This release introduces a major update of the notification architecture. The actions which are performed during the notifications are now handled by dedicated plug-ins, much like the observers. Moreover, it is now possible to assign any number of actions of any kind to each observer event.
In addition to the original notification actions (displaying text messages, playing sounds and requesting the attention of the user), KeepAnEye is now able to send e-mail messages, open files and executes AppleScripts.
The new "Google" observer plug-in has also been introduced. It surveys search results from the Google™ engine. Furthermore, a few other existing observer plug-ins have been enhanced with new events and new functionalities.
This release includes many other smaller improvements and corrections.
KeepAnEye 1.5 requires any computer running Mac OS X 10.2 (Jaguar) or later with Safari installed, and is fully compatible with Mac OS X 10.3 (Panther).
KeepAnEye 1.5 can be downloaded at http://www.inferiis.com/download/KeepAnEye-1.5.dmg.gz
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More information about our products (full descriptions, version histories, pricing...) is available on our website at http://www.inferiis.com/products/
I'm at your service to answer any question you may have.
Best regards.
Julien Dufour
Inferiis is a development group committed to providing softwares for Mac OS X.
Inferiis - http://www.inferiis.com
MUGnetwork launches MacMarket!
MUGnetwork is proud to announce it's newest site, MacMarket, a Mac-specific auction venue. The site is completely free to use (no signup, selling, or buying fees whatsoever. This site joins iCompositions and MacDesktops.net in MUGnetwork.
Unsanity Releases ShapeShifter 1.2
Unsanity LLC announces the release of ShapeShifter 1.2. ShapeShifter allows users to easily and safely customize their Mac using themes. This update brings many new features, great enhancements, and fixes.
ShapeShifter is a revolutionary new product that lets you change the overall appearance of your Mac using 'themes'. We're not talking about just desktop backgrounds and icons here, we're talking about everything - the look of windows, menus, apps, buttons, absolutely everything. You don't wear the same clothes everyday, your house doesn't look exactly like your neighbor's - why should the computing interface you use everyday be any different. You personalize your physical workspace to suit your tastes and whims, so why not your Mac?
New in version 1.2:
- Added ability for themes to skin individual applications.
- Clicking a hyperlink of the form guiKit://www.someHost.com/myGreatTheme.guiKit launches ShapeShifter, downloads the theme, and loads it into ShapeShifter for you.
- ShapeShifter now manages theme files for you.
- Adding a new theme file to ShapeShifter now copies it into your ShapeShifter guiKits folder. This means that you can now double-click themes from within disk images to load them into ShapeShifter.
- Removing a theme file from ShapeShifter now moves it to the trash. Pressing the delete key can now also be used to remove a theme.
- Dramatically improves load time for the ShapeShifter preference pane.
- ShapeShifter finally uses the Metal Window texture properly.
- Added support for .theme files.
- Safari now implements its metal windows just like every other app in the operating system. This means that themes that user large metal window bevels will look good in Safari.
- Cocoa applications no longer clip patterns to an 8x8 pixel square. This makes themes like Brushed look better in Cocoa.
- Address Book now honors the etched text colors.
- Text color fixes - Finder Show Info Panel, Finder View Options, miscellaneous Carbon dialogs, Safari webpage text boxes, miscellaneous Cocoa list & browser views.
- It's now possible for themes to modify appearance of the Keychain menu extra, the standard Color and Font panels, standard Cocoa toolbar items, toolbar Poofs, Cocoa browser views, Cocoa open/save panel label colors, the Cocoa table view drag indicator, and text rulers.
- Added Spanish localization courtesy of Fernando Alvarez.
- Fixed an issue that could cause inactive titlebars to use the color of a previously installed theme instead of that of the currently installed theme.
- Using DLTA themes that contain multiple localizations on a Jaguar-based operating system no longer results in possibly mis-localized Finder menus.
- Resolved an issue that would cause System Preferences to freeze if the user attempted to quit System Preferences while ShapeShifter was busy.
- Resolved an issue that could cause the status bar at the bottom-right of the preference pane not to update.
- Resolved an issue that could sporadically keep ShapeShifterCacheManager from working properly.
- Misc speed improvements in ShapeShifterCacheManager.
- More speedups when waking from sleep.
- ShapeShifter will no longer try to display a modal notification while the screen is locked.
- The ShapeShifter prefpane no longer tries to read in all themes if an error condition that would keep the prefpane from being used exists.
- Slight optimizations to application launch times.
- When your operating system has been upgraded but the Unsanity servers have not yet been updated with info for the new OS, you are now warned before a theme is installed.
- Fixed a possible Finder crash.
ShapeShifter 1.2 is available at:
http://www.unsanity.net/shapeshifter-12.dmg
More information on ShapeShifter:
http://www.unsanity.com/haxies/shapeshifter/
ShapeShifter is priced at $20. For more information on Unsanity haxies, please visit:
http://www.unsanity.com/haxies/
CreativePage 3.2 1 adds Safari support
PineHill Products has released an update to CreativePage, their popular web site creation software. Version 3.2.1 adds support for preview in Safari.
Econ and ResExcellence Sponsor Contest
Econ Technologies and ResExcellence presents the Camtastic
Caption Contest. Econ and RexExcellence want you to have some fun and a
chance to win some Econ products built exclusively for Mac OS X. To enter,
just grab an image from the Econ Technologies webcam and add a caption.
Prizes go to the five funniest entries. Go to www.resexcellence.com for all
the details.
This is not just another contest; you'll need to use your creative writing
skills to enter this one. Here's how it works. We're looking for the
funniest, cleverest, most irreverent caption you can come up with to go
along with any of Econ Technoligies ImageCaster WebCam Shots! Look for that
unflattering image and then add your caption. Be Creative! Get crazy! Have
some fun! Don't hold anything back! This isn't your mother's caption
contest, so don't worry about insulting us or hurting our feelings. You dish
it out and we'll take it! And even reward it!
"This is a chance to promote Econ's products and ResExcellence's website all
while letting Mac Users have some fun," said Joseph Japes, Marketing
Director of Econ Technologies.
Contest Rules
Contest entry is via email only.
All entries must be sent to contest@econtechnologies.com.
All entries must include a webcam image and caption.
Entries will be accepted from the start date of Monday, March 15th, 2004 at
6:00 a.m. Central Standard Time.
Deadline for contest entries is 6:00 p.m. Central Standard Time on Friday,
March 19th, 2004.
Contest winners will be selected by the judging staff at Econ Technolgies.
Contest is open to all participants unless software export regulations are
in effect for specific countries.
Limit 10 entries per person
Go to http://www.resexcellence.com/software_contest/03-15-04_econ.shtml
to enter
Go to www.econtechnologies.com for information on Econ Technologies'
products. Econ Technologies continues to create Powerful, Affordable, Easy
to Use applications for the Mac OS X operating system. For more information
please contact Joseph Japes at 407-365-4209 or at
jjapes@econtechnologies.com.
Mac OS X 10.3.3 Released
Apple has released a Mac OS X 10.3.3 update, now available in the Software Update panel.
The 10.3.3 Update delivers enhanced functionality and improved reliability for Mac OS X v10.3 "Panther" and is recommended for all users.
Key enhancements include:
- network volumes are now available in the Finder sidebar and Desktop for convenient access
- improved file sharing and directory services for Mac (AFP), UNIX (NFS) and PC (SMB/CIFS) networks
- improved PostScript and USB printing
- updated Disk Utility, DVD Player, Image Capture, Mail and Safari applications
- additional support for FireWire and USB devices
- improved compatibility for third party applications
- previous standalone security updates and Bluetooth Update 1.5
For detailed information on this Update, please visit http://www.info.apple.com/kbnum/n25711
iCash 1.4.4
Maxprog is proud to present a new release of iCash, new version 1.4.4, available now in English, German, French, Italian, Dutch, Spanish and Portuguese on Maxprog website with several interesting improvements, new features and bug fixes.
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.
What's new:
- Balance query returns results whenever they are reconciled or not.
- Account Statement report allows to displayand select any account.
- Transaction debit and credit pull-down menus now sorted by type, category and account.
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.sitPortuguese: http://www.maxprog.com/shareware/iCash_BR.sit
GraphicConverter 5.0 Released
Lemke Software has released Graphic Converter 5.0, a major update to their popular graphic editor.
The changes in 5.0 include:
- browser search feature added (search by file attributes and content IPTC/EXIF)
- support for lossless cropping of JPEGs added
- conversion to CMYK added (as batch, too)
- sepia color change added
- add border function addd
- possible bug during stop/continue of slideshow fixed
- possible redraw bug in the bottom row of the browser fixed
- PS filters can now access the EXIF data (i.e. LensFix)
- save as apple icon exports now the large icons, too
- detection and correction for double EXIF orientation tags added (this bug was introduced by QuickTime 6.5 - if you use iPhoto for downloading images from a digital camera)
- repair tiff feature added to convert&modify; this can replace a corrupt TIFF directory with a good one from a master file (is usefull if TIFFs from digital cameras got corrupted)
- thumbail display for crw files with thm previews much improved
- zoom bugs fixed
- printing copies default is now 1
- scaling bug for images that are larger than 16000x16000 pixel fixed
- ANPA files with incorrect extension and file type can now be opened
- EXIF date can now be changed directly in the browser
- new batch option added to the browser: select destination folder
- next/previous page selection shortcut improved
- toggle button added to prepare for photo service to switch between landscape/portrait
- export slideshow to movie added
- browser will now remember settings correctly for dual monitor environments
- option to set red eye remove level added
- inverse frame ordering function added (GIF animations)
- downloaded of photos supports now deletion
- dcraw import improved
- many spelling bugs fixed (thanks to Sonic)
- default button in license dialog will now accept key commands
- comment filed will display metadata of dpx files
- rename to timecode (dpx) added
- possible bug during zoom selection fixed
- XMP import and export added (JPEG & TIFF)
- info window contains now general info, exif, xmp and comment
- window title shows now the color mode in brackets
- batch scale supports now all algorithms, too
- center option to batch gif creation added
- iptc errors will no longer be displayed in the slideshow (if the error checkbox is off)
- TWAIN aquire & print function added
- option to sort images in folders depending on the date added to download images
- open from url command added
- XPM export is now compatible with Maya
- dock menu added (open, browser, last browser)
- batch action dialog supports now drag and drop in the destination list
- batch action dialog supports now open and append of an existing batch
- drawing bug for wide lines with an arrow fixed
- saving of EPSF with TIFF preview added
- batch adding of TIFF previews to EPSF added
- CMYK saving is now supported into JPEG, TIFF and Photoshop file formats
- context menu items added to copy the current color to the clipboard as HTML
- TIFF-LAB import improved
- GraphicConverter can ask for next scan after end of scan (as an option)
- bug in remembering the browser size fixed
- gif export can save B&W ordered for both platforms
- ppi value for QuickTime import can edited
- possible crash on imporing Photoshop bitmaps fixed
- stamp shows now a cross at the source location
- raw import of sony dsc f828 added
- paste supports now various centered modes
- save as will now set the EXIF resolution correctly (if part of the EXIF data)
- print catalog prints now the file preview if the file can´t be opened directly
- import of NIST PCT added
- download from digital camera works now with canon cameras, too
- selection can now be converted to transparency
- browser refresh issues fixed
- display at window size zoom value added
- bug in rename from exif date fixed
- possible crash after duplicate filename error fixed
- many other small fixes
- Stores plain and rich texts, text clippings, iChat log files and bookmarks
- Supports dynamic Wiki-style links and static cross links
- Easy-to-use interface
- Integrated browser based on Apple's WebKit ("Safari Engine")
- Helps to sort in new stuff ("Classify", "See Also")
- Advanced text editing including rulers, highlighting and realtime word count
- Lightning-fast, intelligent search function
- Provides multiple services and a Dock menu
- Supports services (like CalcService, WordService or BlueService)
- Supports drag-and-drop in both directions
- Imports and exports Finder comments
- Imports MS Word documents using Panther or AntiWordService
- Stores aliases to local files
- Captures contents from the built-in browser and organises webcams
- Groups or ungroups contents, organises them in hierarchies
- Batch imports and exports data extremely fast
- Works flawlessly with huge databases (>100 MB)
- Does not need indexing but searches the data faster than the competition
- Uses all major features of the operating system
- Stores whatever you like, from texts, images, PDF, HTML and XML to links
- Is able to index contents only instead of storing them in the database
- Integrated browser based on Apple's WebKit ("Safari Engine")
- Supports dynamic Wiki-style links and static cross links
- Helps you to sort in new stuff (auto-classify, see-also, keywords etc.)
- Organises your stuff with a built-in, simple outliner
- Easy-to-use Finder-like user interface
- Advanced text editing including rulers, highlighting and realtime word count
- Lightning-fast, intelligent search function
- Built to seamlessly integrate with Mac OS X
- Captures contents from the built-in browser
- Plays Quicktime movies and sound files
- Works with much more file formats than all alternatives
- Imports and exports huge amounts of data extremely fast
- Works flawlessly with huge databases (>300 MB)
- Does not need indexing but searches faster than the competition
- Stays highly performant even with big databases, i.e. double the size of the database does not mean half the performance
- Automatically queries multiple search engines
- Collects, analyses, weights and summarises the search results
- Crawler auto-surfs your favourite web pages
- Scanners look specifically for certain results like webcams or multimedia
- Presents the result as a dynamic digest based on an intelligent topic list
- Automatic filter eliminates junk, similar, archived or error pages
- Integrated web browser based on the Safari engine
- Stores results in a searchable web page archive
- Flexible plug-in and scanner architecture
- Built to seamlessly integrate with Mac OS X and DEVONthink
- Comes with an intuitive user interface and is easy to use
- Generates an intelligent, useful digest of the found information
- Summarizes the text of retrieved pages
- Highlights search words in digests, summarizations, text and HTML views
- Follows multiple levels of promising links on demand
- Searches the web and analyses the results five to ten times faster than the competition
- Is built exclusively for Mac OS X, no Java application
- Import, store and export more types of files including pictures, movies, music, Word documents, Excel spreadsheets, PDF files, and more. Easily create a digital library of documents, music and pictures, store proposals within client records, or link schedule files directly to a student.
- Get faster access to information by opening multiple windows in the same database at the same time. For example, you can access a customer’s record in one window and open another to view information for a different customer at the same time.
- Dramatically increase database capacity with an expanded database size (8 terabytes) that is 4,000 times the old limit. Store virtually unlimited amounts of any type of information, including movies, pictures, and more.
- Produce easier to read, more informative reports with calculation-based formatting, new background options, and new portal options.
- Ensure more accurate data entry and safer updates with the option to confirm record and layout changes before they are saved.
- Learn new database techniques from 30 ready-to-use, customizable Starter Solutions that provide a great resource for new ideas.
- Extend richer solutions to the web so remote users can access your database through their web browser in a more intuitive interface.
- Manage databases faster and easier with the new relational model that allows for the consolidation of multiple tables into one file so they no longer have to be stored in multiple locations—even share scripts and security settings for an entire solution.
- More easily create and modify links between data through the new Relationships Graph for a bird’s eye view of all the relationships within a given file.
- Develop and enhance more powerful databases with new developer features, functions, and calculations with a choice of over 100 new and enhanced developer features.
- Data protection using the new, advanced security system by securing your database with accounts names and passwords and assigning custom privileges to each user or group of users.
Graphic Converter 5.0 is a free upgrade to registered users.
Meteorologist for Mac OS X: A Review of The Weatherman Without the Man
Mac Games and More reviews Meteorologist, a utility for Mac OS X by the community at SourceForge. From the menu bar or dock, Meteorologist allows users total control over their weather viewing, including simultaneous interlaced weather reports from multiple weather servers, multiple weather locations, weather alerts and much more
THE MOST POPULAR EBAY SNIPE TOOL COMES TO MAC OS X
The long awaited Macintosh OS X version of the popular snipe and bid management tool 'PowerSnipe Auction Sniper' has just been released. PowerSnipe offers eBay users greater purchase power by placing their bid in the closing seconds of an auction, a practice also referred to as “snipping”. For greater ease of use, the desktop utility incorporates a custom web browser within the program. Users can browse eBay, and with the click of a button the auction will be transferred to PowerSnipe and queued for sniping.
Developed by CompuPower LLC, a global software development company, PowerSnipe Auction Sniper differs from other snipe software by placing bids in the closing seconds of an eBay auction through a secure bidding server. This allows a user's bid to be placed even when their computer is not turned on. PowerSnipe goes even further by placing the same bid from multiple servers to ensure maximum reliability.
As an introductory discount, Powersnipe is being offered at $45.99 for a year's license.
“If you have bid on a few eBay auctions, you have probably know the feeling of being beaten by someone who bid on the auction during the final minute or used a sniping program. You also know the feeling of setting timers and getting up at odd hours to place your bid. PowerSnipe eliminates problems associated with bidding on eBay" says Peter Duong, Lead Engineer for PowerSnipe.
The practice of “Sniping” refers to a popular eBay bidding strategy in which the user waits until the final moments of the auction to submit a bid. Using this strategy ensures that the user gets the item at the lowest price possible, but there are problems with this method. These problems include having to be online at the end of the auction, competing with others that may have a faster connection, and timing the bid correctly. The process of placing the bid manually takes time, so unless you time your bid just right, there is a good chance you will be outbid or time will run out on the auction. Bidding with Powersnipe eliminates these problems and gives the user flexibility with a variety of options.
Using PowerSnipe allows users to avoid ‘bidding wars’ which can drive the price of an auction up. It also gives users the best possible eBay bidding experience by allowing them to enter, snipe, track auctions and view the results in an easy to use environment. When you bid manually it is more difficult to retract your bid if you make a mistake or find the item at a cheaper price before the auction ends. One of the best things about the software is that users do not have to spend all their time waiting for auctions to end. Canceling an auction before it ends is simple.
The PowerSnipe Auction Sniper makes the bidding process even easier by allowing users to browse auctions through the program’s built in web browser. "I've never seen a web browser so well integrated into a program on the Mac," says Duong. Other features include Bid Groups, which allow you to bid on similar items until you win an auction in a group, and Daily Auto Search which lets you create a search and then remote servers run the search daily and e-mail you the results. Powersnipe supports all international and eBay motors auctions.
New Server
I've moved this site to a new host after it was down all day yesterday due to problems at Geek-Hosting. Any items posted after late Tuesday have been lost.
MacMegasite is now on the same server that hosts ShareYourMusic.com and WorldBeatPlanet, which is a lot more reliable.
DEVONnote released, PhotoStickies and XMenu updated
DEVONtechnologies launches DEVONnote, a simple but powerful notepad application, and updates PhotoStickies and XMenu.
DEVONnote, DEVONthink's little brother, is a brand new notepad application for Mac OS X, based on the same rock-solid foundation as DEVONthink, but less complex and easier to use. DEVONnote is capable of intelligently storing and organising plain or rich texts and file aliases in one single place. Users can also store bookmarks in DEVONnote, browse the Web using the integrated browser based on Apple's WebKit, capture interesting notes via the services menu, organise webcams or create cross and Wiki-style links.
DEVONnote helps with professional but easy-to-use features to organise notes and make structure out of chaos. In addition, the integrated plain and rich text editor makes it possible to only to enter short notes but to write letters, articles, books. Comfortable highlighting functions and character/word counters assist the user, not to forget the split-screen view for navigating and editing even thousands of documents almost instantly.
Key Features:
What's unique:
DEVONnote 1.0 is available for an introductory price of US$ 15 instead of US$ 20 until the end of April 2004.
Version 5.0 Public Beta of the the webcam and picture viewer PhotoStickies adds the possibility to ask a central server for new cams, to post new cams to the server (not implemented yet in the public beta) and to save images in various file formats. PhotoStickies 5.0 is also integrated with DEVONnote, comes with an improved user interface, new filters and namable states. Starting with version 5.0, PhotoStickies will be shareware, the public beta runs until the end of April, 2004.
XMenu 1.1, a freeware goodie which brings back the good old Apple menu, now always displays its menus on the right hand side of the menu bar, comes with revised icons and allows to sort items by kind (e.g. folders before files).
DEVONnote and PhotoStickies require Mac OS X 10.2 with Safari installed or later, XMenu requires Mac OS X 10.3 or later. All three applications are immediately available as a free download from www.devon-technologies.com. DEVONnote must be registered for US$ 20 (introductory price: US$ 15 until the end of April 2004) after the evaluation period. PhotoStickies 5.0 Public Beta is free until the end of April 2004, the final version will be available for US$ 15.
Contact:
E-Mail info@devon-technologies.com, Internet www.devon-technologies.com
DEVONthink and DEVONagent updated
DEVONtechnologies updates the freeform database and information manager DEVONthink Personal Edition and DEVONagent, its intelligent search agent and alternative browser.
DEVONthink 1.8.1 now allows not only to completely import documents into the database, but also to only index them. This makes it possible to access even huge static data collections from within DEVONthink and use most of its unique, "intelligent" functions like "classify" or "see also". Also, it's possible to only link to external contents but still display them in DEVONthink.
Other improvements include new dock and contextual menu commands, new AppleScript verbs for indexing files or creating links to them, and the possibility to search in real time like in the "Panther" Finder. In addition. it's now possible to sort items manually, which makes the integrated outliner much more useable. DEVONthink 1.8.1 uses a background server process to import RTFD and Microsoft Word files more reliably, features many minor interface improvements and is slightly faster. The Personal Edition of DEVONthink now accepts up to 10.000 images (formely 5.000), the search function has been improved as well as the cross links feature and the WebKit integration.
DEVONagent 1.2.2 provides the possibility to easily switch between different settings directly in the query window, displays error messages when loading of a web page fails and comes with the possibility to add archived pages to crawler sets. Additionally, the query field and history popup in crawler and query windows have been combined, many plug-ins and scanners have been improved and the ad and spam filters are more reliable. The RSS-to-HTML and HTML-to-text conversions are faster in version 1.2.2, and the overall performance has been improved.
DEVONthink and DEVONagent require Mac OS X 10.2 with Safari installed or Mac OS X 10.3; a broadband Internet connection is recommended for DEVONagent. Both applications are immediately available as a free download from www.devon-technologies.com and must be registered for US$ 40 (DEVONthink Personal Edition), US$ 35 (DEVONagent) or together for US$ 65 as "Infoworker's Bundle" after the evaluation period.
Contact:
E-Mail info@devon-technologies.com, Internet www.devon-technologies.com
DEVONTHINK BACKGROUND
DEVONthink is an information manager capable of intelligently storing and organising all types of data, text files, PDFs and images. Put in whatever you want, organise it, let DEVONthink search for it. And with its integrated text and RTF editor you can even use it not only to enter short notes but to write letters, articles, books. Comfortable highlighting functions and character/word counters will help you, not to forget the split-screen view for navigating and editing even thousands of documents almost instantly.
Key features:
What's unique:
DEVONAGENT BACKGROUND
DEVONagent is the information finding tool of the next generation. It simulates the behaviour of a human web surfer scanning the Internet for a specific piece of information. Technically, DEVONagent uses a variety of searching techniques and collects the results from major search engines. Then it visits all the found web sites, downloads, analyses and weights them to find the most relevant pages, eliminating information junk (empty pages, HTTP errors, sites that don't contain the search phrase, similar or duplicate pages, or pages with too little information) automatically on-the-fly.
Especially useful for anyone visiting the same pages over and over again to see if there's something published about a specific topic are crawlers. They scans through lists of interesting pages and reports only those dealing with what the user is looking for. Also, so-called scanner post-process the result list and filter out all pages that don't match certain formal criteria such as "Contains a webcam" or "Features web galleries".
The final results are presented by DEVONagent in a plain list, sorted by decreasing relevance, together with a first summary of all paragraphs that DEVONagent thinks are the most relevant to the query. A double-click on any link opens the pages directly in an integrated web browser built upon the fast and rock-solid Safari engine (including Java, JavaScript, Plug-Ins and all the rest).
Key features:
What's unique?
CORPORATE BACKGROUND
DEVONtechnologies Ltd., founded in 2002, incorporated in 2004 and headquartered in London, UK, European Union, researches in the field of semantic and associative data analysis and synthesis, and develops key applications based on the DEVONtechnology. Named after the Devonian Period, the DEVONtechnology marks the departure into a new age of data processing. The main focus of all activities is clearly on using the robust, flexible and versatile architecture intelligently to create rock-solid applications for a variety of purposes, including but not limited to databases, intelligent agents, data-mining, information retrieval and human-computer-interfaces. More information: www.devon-technologies.com.
FileMaker Pro 7 Announced
FileMaker today announced the immediate availability of FileMaker Pro 7, the most significant new version of FileMaker Pro ever, with breakthroughs in ease-of-use, customizability and developer productivity.
The company also unveiled the new FileMaker Pro 7 product line: FileMaker Developer 7 (now shipping); FileMaker Server 7; FileMaker Server 7 Advanced and FileMaker Mobile 7 (all planned to ship in early summer).
FileMaker Pro 7 lets users import, store and export any file or document – PDFs, Microsoft Word, Excel or PowerPoint files, digital images, video, music and more – within new, flexible Container fields. Also new is the ability to open multiple windows in the same database to give users faster and simultaneous access to different views of their information.
FileMaker Pro 7, for Windows and Mac OS X, has been redesigned using a modern, streamlined relational architecture, which enables users to simplify information management by storing multiple tables within a single file. The new Relationships Graph presents a visual “map” of the database and lets users create and modify relationships with a simple click and drag tool. To keep pace with rich-media management and other sophisticated solutions, FileMaker Pro 7 dramatically expands its data capacity to 8 terabytes per file or 4,000 times the old limit.
“For the individual up to large workgroups, the best database software just got better,” said Dominique Goupil, president of FileMaker, Inc. “Our new FileMaker 7 line combines ease-of-use breakthroughs, such as the ability to store and share any file, with powerful new features. No other product line puts such flexibility in the hands of everyday users, letting them dramatically increase the productivity of themselves and their team.”
New advanced Security, web publishing and more
Among its many advances, FileMaker Pro 7 delivers these new features to appeal to everyone:
In addition, FileMaker Pro 7 delivers power and productivity for developers and advanced users:
Early evaluator customers, developers praise FileMaker Pro 7
"The biggest advantage in using FileMaker Pro is its flexibility, and I think FileMaker Pro 7 is a quantum leap forward, says Jim Randall, Database Developer, Industrial Light and Magic, San Rafael, Ca. “I'm especially excited about being able to work with multiple tables in a single file, and the ability to use one script to manipulate multiple tables,” he adds. “And I'm especially happy to see that in FileMaker Pro 7 the 'one table away' problem has been solved -- you can now write to a 'related table' and to 'related table's-related table'. From what I've seen, FileMaker Pro 7 is a whole new ballgame. Speaking as a developer, I think FileMaker Pro 7 will save me uncountable hours of development time.”
“My designs will be more streamlined and therefore the final products will be more elegant and require less overhead,” states Michael Kern, IT Support Specialist, Center for Bioethics, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia. “The Relationships Graph is great,” he enthuses. “I’ve used FileMaker Pro 7’s new relational features to cut down – way down – on all my relationships. Before, I had upwards of 20, 30, or even 50 relationships in some files, and similar ones in other files pointing the other way. Now I have a single file with multiple tables and a much smaller set of relationships. And with tables residing in one file and relationships working in both ways, there’s no more need to open and close and switch and open and close.”
“With version 7, FileMaker is the most effective database tool for desktop and workgroup use and the most significant release in the history of the product. “We expect that many users who have developed systems in other tools like Microsoft Access would be well served to
migrate their solutions to FileMaker," said Rich Coulombre, President and Founder, The Support Group, Inc, a leading FileMaker developer /trainer with offices in Boston, New York, Los Angeles and San Francisco.
Other new FileMaker 7 products
Available now, FileMaker Developer 7 is an enhanced version of FileMaker Pro 7 with integrated developer tools and utilities to help build better databases faster. New custom functions and file maintenance tools, and enhancements to the Database Design Report, script debugger, and customization options, give advanced users and developers the ability to streamline database development and maintenance.
FileMaker Server 7 is high-performance server software that efficiently manages shared database solutions. FileMaker Server 7 will feature a significantly remodeled server architecture that can host millions of data tables and leverage high-performance hard disk storage systems and multi-CPU servers (Mac OS X, Mac OS X Server, Windows 2000, and Windows 2003 Server). FileMaker Server 7 will allow users to protect their data with industry standard security features, such as SSL (Secure Socket Layer), and perform live backups of data without interruption to other users. Administrators can leverage existing user accounts with external authentication based on Active Directory or Open Directory. FileMaker plans to provide a preview of the product this spring.
FileMaker Server 7 Advanced, which will replace FileMaker Pro 6 Unlimited, is an enhanced version of FileMaker Server 7 that includes advanced web publishing and connectivity options to efficiently manage shared solutions from desktop to web. FileMaker Server 7 Advanced will support up to 250 FileMaker Pro connections and 100 Web connections. A standards-based web server application, it will allow FileMaker users to instantly publish fully interactive solutions to the web, or build custom web sites with XML and XSLT. Advanced Server 7 also supports ODBC and JDBC so other applications can share FileMaker data or take advantage of other data reporting tools, such as Crystal Reports.
FileMaker Mobile 7 is a companion version of FileMaker designed specifically for Palm OS and Pocket PC (support for Palm OS 5 and Windows Mobile 2003) handhelds that lets users take their information on the road. New within FileMaker Mobile 7 is support for FileMaker Pro based runtime applications and the ability to synchronize multiple devices to the desktop database. Users may also run scripts within FileMaker Pro before and after synchronization, all of which allows for a wide variety of powerful solutions within both business and education settings.
Pricing and Availability
FileMaker Pro 7 is available now at $299/$149 upgrade (U.S. suggested list price). FileMaker Developer 7 is also available now at $499/$399 after $100 upgrade rebate (U.S., SLP). FileMaker Server 7, priced at $999/$499 upgrade (U.S. SLP) and Server 7 Advanced, priced at $2,499/ $1,499 upgrade (U.S. SLP) are planned to ship in early summer. FileMaker Mobile 7, priced at $69/$35 upgrade (U.S. SLP) is also planned for shipment in early summer. FileMaker plans to ship FileMaker Pro 7-compatible versions of its Applications, with Tasks and Meetings planned by May, and Donations and Recruiter planned for summer.
FileMaker Extends Upgrade Program for 2.1 to 5.x users
FileMaker also announced today it is offering owners of early versions of FileMaker an extended upgrade program. For a limited time – until September 17, 2004 – licensed owners of FileMaker Pro 2.1, 3.0, 4.x and 5.x may upgrade to FileMaker Pro 7 at the same low upgrade price that FileMaker 6 owners are eligible for -- US $149, a 50 percent savings off the regular purchase price. After September 17, 2004, only licensed owners of FileMaker Pro 6 will be eligible for the US $149 upgrade price.
Colourfull Creations releases Maxi Bidder 1.9
March 6, 2004; Colourfull Creations releases Maxi Bidder 1.9 with Canadian and Australian Support. Colourfull Creations updates Maxi Bidder the popular eBay snipe tool for Macintosh eBay Bidders.
The update includes: Support for Canadian Dollar and native Canadian bidding, Support for Australian Dollar and native Australian bidding, Support for Adjusting time offset in 30 minute increments, Enhanced Time Sync that correctly states the date and time, Resolved a problem when clicking on an item from the list to place a manual bid the type was not getting set, Resolved a problem of timed bidding when the auction ended at 00 minutes and 00 seconds, Resolved a problem of eBay auto bids not being correctly placed, and Resolved a problem of incorrectly detecting an outbid message.
For more information and to download go to: http://www.colourfull.com
MUGnetwork launches MacDesktops.net
MUGnetwork has launched the newest member site of it's network, MacDesktops.net. This site is a venue for users to share desktop images and will eventually include a purchase section for professionally created photos.
Apple stock reaches 3 year high
Shares of Apple Computer Inc. rose 6 percent on Friday to their highest price in more than three years on the heaviest volume in nine months, adding to gains already posted this year amid the success of the company's iPod and iPod mini digital music players.
The stock also rose amid persistent takeover speculation, with the purported suitor this time being consumer electronics giant Sony Corp, analysts said. Since at least the mid-1990s, Apple has been posited as a takeover target, with suggested bidders ranging from Sony to Sun Microsystems Inc.
Last month, Apple said it had received 100,000 preorders for the iPod mini, which is about the length and width of a business card, weighs 3.6 ounces (102 grams), holds 1,000 songs and sells for $249. The device went on sale Feb. 20.
The iPod mini, which comes in five different colors, has been particularly popular with women, teenagers and fitness-minded people because of its small size and multihued offerings. It has reportedly been selling out quickly in some retail locations.
"The word of mouth on this product is very strong," said Tim Bajarin, an analyst at Creative Strategies, who noted that he has so far spoken to 10 Apple dealers so far about the reaction to the iPod mini. "Customers are literally coming in (to the store) and they know exactly what color they want."
Shares of Apple rose $1.58, or 6.3 percent, to $26.74 on Nasdaq, in trading of 27.5 million shares, more than five times its three-month daily average. The stock has climbed 25 percent so far this year. Earlier, the shares rose as high as $27.49.
My spin: The Sony takeover rumors keep popping up at various times. It's not going to happen, especially now. Despite the low marketshare, Apple is the healthiest it's ever been, with no debt and a strong product lineup.
Inventive Releases iClip 2.8 Productivity Software for Mac OS X
New Version Improves Picture Clipping Handling, and Features Enhanced Drag & Drop
Inventive, Inc. announces the release of iClip version 2.8 productivity software for Apple Macintosh computers with OS X. iClip is a multiple clipboard/scrapbook application designed to improve user efficiency and productivity for various computing tasks.
iClip works as a small window that floats above all other applications, allowing easy access to multiple bins that store clippings that users place into them. Clippings can be text, pictures, URLs, movies, etc. iClip helps eliminate redundant typing, especially in tasks like filling out online forms. Users can arrange clippings into groups to stay organized.
New in version 2.8 is significantly improved handling of vector and high-resolution picture clippings. This change mainly affects users who store clippings from Adobe Illustrator and Adobe Photoshop and later move them to other applications. This update also features enhanced drag & drop usability.
"For version 2.8, we worked hard to ensure picture clippings stored in iClip from Adobe Photoshop and Illustrator work perfectly when later used in other applications. Anyone doing graphic design work should appreciate the improvements," said John Casasanta, President of Inventive.
iClip is widely used to assist general purpose tasks such as word processing, web browsing and research. Webmasters, graphic designers, and programmers also find iClip to be useful in their more specialized tasks.
Pricing and Availability
iClip is available now for Mac OS X as a "try before you buy" download at http://inventive.us/iClip/. It can be purchased for $19.95 USD and the version 2.8 upgrade is free to registered users of any previous version.
Powerbook Upgrades & More
PowerBookResQ "SuperDrive" DVD-R/CD-RW Burner Self Service Upgrade for G4
PowerBooks with Combo Drive: Only $299.99
Order by 3/10 and get a FREE Rio CD/MP3 Player with purchase! Add the Rio
to your cart via the link below and use Q-Pon code "10HRMP3" to get the
player at no charge.
More deals inside...
Rio Volt SP60 Portable MP3/CD Player: Plays up to 10 Hours of Music
PowerBookResQ 24-Hour Nationwide Upgrade: 60GB Hard Drive Installation &
Data Transfer Priority Service for PowerBooks & iBooks
Normally $299.99, take $20 off with Q-Pon code "60HIGH"
iPodResQ 24 Hour Nationwide Battery Replacement Service for all iPods
Normally $79, take $5 off with Q-Pon code "NEWQ"
Lexmark X75 PrinTrio All-In-One USB Printer, Copier and Scanner
Normally $69.99, take $10 off with Q-Pon code "PSCX75"
Belkin 4-Port Cable/DSL 10/100BT Ethernet Gateway Router
Normally $39.99, take $10 off with Q-Pon code "VALUE"
iCompositions Launches Parent MUGnetwork
iCompositions is proud to announce the lauch of a parent organization, MUGnetwork, a network of Macintosh User Groups.
These communities will include:
iCompositions, the flagship GarageBand community which already features 1000 compositions shared and over 110,000 listens;
iPodFever, an iPod User Group geared towards the iPod Mini;
MacMarket, the ultimate buying, selling, and trading venue for the Mac User;
AppleGarage, the one site you'll need for all Apple History (It all started in a Garage);
MacMusicStore, your one stop shop for all MacMusic-related purchases;
MacDesktops.net, the ultimate forum for sharing Desktop images;
Mac-Movies, a community for users of iMovie, Final Cut Express, Final Cut Pro, Adobe Premier, LiveType, Quicktime, Compressor, Adobe After Effects and more;
Mac-Dictionary, your source for Mac jargon explanations and more sites are being developed!
As outlined in the slogan, “Connecting the Macintosh Community,” MUGnetwork aims to create the best place for specific Mac needs. Each site will have a dedicated team of webmasters to oversee the community building. MUGnetwork most sites will launch in the next month so keep an eye on MUGnetwork.com for new site announcements.
Advanced Web Ranking Released
Release date: March 2, 2004
Caphyon LLC is pleased to announce the release of Advanced Web Ranking 2.5, a tool that helps check your web site position on all major search engines. Advanced Web Ranking runs on Mac OS X, Windows 98/2000/XP, Linux and Solaris.
Checking your web site position is a very time consuming task. For example, if you have 10 keywords that you want to monitor, and you want to check the top 20 positions for 10 search engines, you need to perform about 200 (10 keywords * 10 engines * first 2 pages) individual searches to get the results. Then you need to compare the results one by one to find where your site is positioned. It may take you days to complete this task if you do this manually. That's where Advanced Web Ranking comes to help.
Advanced Web Ranking is able to query over 130 search engines and quickly find out if you're moving up or down in the rankings, or if your site is listed at all. It will track the progress of your rankings over time and display that information in an easy to read and understand graphical and tabular reports. It can help you check not just the position of your website but the position of your competitors' web sites as well.
Advanced Web Ranking has the ability to generate and email reports after an update was finished. Couple that with the Scheduled Updates ability, and you will be able to turn on your computer in the morning and find reports on your websites ranks waiting for you in your Inbox. As a SEO, you can have updates being run and sent to your customers every night without even lifting a hand. Various types of reports (Current Rank, Top Sites, Web Site, etc.) can be created in any of the formats Advanced Web Ranking supports (PDF, HTML, Excel, XML or Text). Then they can be emailed to any of the addresses you pick from the Address Book, or saved to a folder where you can access them over the Internet.
What's new in Advanced Web Ranking 2.5
This new version features a new and improved search engine selection dialog, the ability to suggest a new search engine, and major speed improvements on the Current Rank and Overview reports.
* New and improved search engine selection
* Added ability to suggest a new search engine
* Added choice for showing continuous lines in the Rank Evolution chart
* The Current Rank report now displays all URLs that begin with the URL specified in the project list
* Removed spots column from Current Rank report (no longer relevant)
* Major speed improvements on the Current Rank and Overview reports
Advanced Web Ranking costs USD $49 for the Standard edition and USD $99 for the Professional edition.
The application can be downloaded from:
http://www.advancedwebranking.com/download.html
More details about the application can be found at:
http://www.advancedwebranking.com
Contact Information
Philip Petrescu
Caphyon LLC - Advanced Web Ranking Team
support@advancedwebranking.com
Caphyon LLC
2017 California St, Suite 1b
Mountain View, CA 94040
http://www.caphyon.com/
Colourfull Creations releases Maxi Bidder update
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: Resolved a problem of an incorrect status message when a bid is successfully placed. Added auto-save after adding a new item for bidding and added a in-program tips and help window. For more information and to download go to: http://www.colourfull.com
iCompositions Exclusive Article
In their fourth Exclusive Article, iCompositions shows us how to create the Ultimate Home Studio with GarageBand and Reason. As the article says, "GarageBand has brought forth a entire new population growth of hobbyist musicians. And those who have been bitten by the GB bug may be looking to expand their new "Studio-In-A-Box"...[Reason] has everything a musician/composer could ask for except one thing... it doesn't record audio... "
Herbert Game Hits Ipod’s
Herbert’s Big Adventure catches iPod fever
The little known character called Herbert has taken to the hearts of iPod users.
XO Play the manufacturers of Herbert’s Big Adventure launched today their second Ipod game following the success of ‘The Rise Of The Lost’ last week.
The adventure story game puts you in the role of Herbert, a heart breaker, lady lover - funny guy who has all the right moves. You venture out into the city to seek that one true love to give your heart to. Whether it’ll be at the local bar sipping on a Martini, hanging out at the nightclub, or shopping at the mall.
As Herbert, you have to keep a watchful eye for the girl of your dreams.
As you read through the adventure you will be asked to choose your destiny by selecting from a number of options found at the bottom of the page. Similar to the ‘choose-your-own-adventure’ series.
The game cost $14.99 and is played via the notes section of your Ipod. Exclusively available from http://www.xoplay.com/herbert