Panther
Updates
Apple has
released Mac OS X v. 10.3.2. This is an update to its "Panther" operating
system that you can download using the software Update System Preferences
pane. This update is for all OS 10.3 users. Some of the changes are as
follows:
Networking enhancements: resolves
an issue where the Mac OS X firewall was not available when you upgraded
to OS 10.3; allows users automatic
configuration of proxy servers using "Proxy Auto Configuration" (.pac)
files; resolves an issue with maintaining an IP address via DHCP in some
circumstances and improves results when searching for SMB-based servers
in the Network view.
Finder and other improvements: Improved security of background programs
when the screen saver is active and when typing a screen saver password;
a FireWire-based volume can be ejected without entering an administrator
password; iTunes keeps on importing songs from an audio CD when you switch
to another account; the Character Palette no longer appears after you log
in or when the Mac wakes up from sleep; improves reliability of third-party
FireWire audio hardware devices and more reliably recognizes FireWire devices.
Print and Fax enhancements: Improved reliability of OS X Panther's fax
email delivery feature; fixes quitting applications when sending faxes
to many recipients; size of printouts from Safari and other applications
is fixed and addresses many printing issues with a variety of brands of
printers. Whew! ...and there's more. Info at:
http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=25652.
NEC - Am I Blue?
NEC Corp. has demonstrated a prototype optical disc drive with a
single optical head that reads DVD's (red laser) and discs recorded
in a blue-laser
format that when approved will be the next-generation DVD standard (HD-DVD).
This one is a read only device, but a recordable one won't be too far
behind. A blue laser can read into the layers of a disc, thus
increasing the storage
capacity. The standard will be - a 20 GB rewritable disc and read only
discs in 15 GB single layer and 30 GB double layers. CD's use a different
red laser frequency. A head that has all three standards (CD, DVD and
HD-DVD) is planned to be made by the middle of 2004. Exciting!
Mac's more secure
Apple has released a security update (2003-12-19) you can access
using the Software Update System Preferences pane. Recommended
for all users.
Info: http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=61798.
Aladdin Stuffs-it
Aladdin Systems Inc. updates its Stuffit Standard and Stuffit Deluxe
compression/decompression applications bringing both to version 8.0.2.
This update adds full support
for OS X 10.3. Stuffit: schedules backups to CD and DVD media; integrates
with the Finder menu and supports the Stuffit X archive format. Expands
and sets up Unix and non-Unix files with the proper permissions.
Requires Mac OS X v. 10.1.5 or higher. It's a free update for
8.0.x users, or
costs $79.99 for first time buyers. www.aladdinsys.com/win/index.html.
G5 Firmer
Apple released a firmware update for their PowerMac G5 computers.
It's available for download using (you guessed it) the Software
Update System
Preferences (SUSP) pane. There are some performance improvements
in the PCI-X configurations and a security patch makes us safer.
The fan
behaves
a little better in Open firmware. It's called 5.1.4 firmware update.
Do it!
Apple's batteries fully
charged
Apple has Battery Update version 1.1 software that enhances
iBook and PowerBook battery performance insuring full capacity
will be
available.
If you have
one of the following iBooks: iBook G4 (12"), iBook (32 VRAM), iBook
(Opaque 16 VRAM), iBook (late 2001) or iBook (dual USB) or PowerBook: G4
17" and G4 17" 133 GHz, G4 15" FW 800 or PowerBook G4 12" or
12" DVI - then you should download this Battery Update! Available
through the SUSP pane.
LCD screams higher prices
15" LCD prices are rising. Don't wait any longer. Due to an unusually
high demand, costs are going up. Earlier this year you could get one from
$250 - $350. But since laptops and LCD TV sales are booming, the 15" screens
are in short supply. Look for prices to go up 10 to 20%. Rebates will disappear.
A better buy now would be a 17" screen. Their prices have
been falling to around $400, with some exceptions as low as $300
with rebates. Hurry
- don't wait!
More DVD Studio Pro
Apple has released DVD Studio Pro v. 2.0.4. It integrates with
Apple's Final Cut Pro software. You can author DVD's after
editing the video
on Final Cut Pro. Basic, Extended and advanced configurations
are available on DVD Studio Pro to help you set up your authored
DVD's
as well as
adding drag and drop support. The 2.0.4 upgrade: can subtitle
clips to cross
chapter
markers; supports additional MPEG-2 resolutions and has easier
precise clip trimming. Update through SUSP pane. For more
info:
http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=93500.
QuickTime Quicker
Apple now has QuickTime 6.5, the latest version of their
multimedia software for the Mac and Windows platforms.
New support for:
3GPP and 3GPP2 mobile
multimedia formats; MPEG-4; H.263 video codecs; AAC, AMR
and QCELP audio codecs and Unicode text. There is enhanced
DV playback
and
performance improvements when using iDVD, iMovie and Final
Cut Pro. It's a free
download
(here we go again...) using the SUSP pane. For more details,
go to:
http://www.apple.com/quicktime.
HAPPY NEW YEAR TO EVERYBODY!
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