Macs Only! Apple Macintosh News, Commentary, Reviews & Troubleshooting

August 2007 News Archive

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Copyright 2007 by Bill Fox All rights reserved.
Last Updated: August 31, 2007

Note: Use "Find" under your browser's "Edit" or "Search" Menu to search each month's archive.

[8/31] Macs Only! Reader Poll this Week--Last Day

This week we want to gauge our readers' interest in the kinds items that we post to Macs Only!. Primarily for financial reasons, Macs Only! will be undergoing a significant change in the near future and we want to ensure that our future efforts are focused on what best meets your interests.

Please click on the "News tips" link above and at least give us your top three features from the list below of our principal features. Those who want to be more helpful by ranking all of them (from 1=top) will be greatly appreciated.

Daily news items
Commentary on Mac-related issues
Product reviews--hardware and software
Troubleshooting fixes
Speed tests--hardware and software
Brief bleeding-edge reports on problems or not encountered while installing just-out software updates

We thank you very much for helping us shape our future. [Today is the last day of the poll. Many thanks to those of you who have taken the time to provide your opinion.] [Bill Fox]

[8/31] Brief Hands-On Report--Flip4Mac WMV Player 2.1.3.5 Beta

Telestream released a new version of Flip4Mac WMV Player v2.1.3.5 beta. Flip4Mac allows Microsoft Windows Media Player files to be played by QuickTime. It is available for download via MacUpdate.com. According to the Read Me file, the new version:

Fixed issue with failed exports in Sorenson Squeeze.

We downloaded the new version and installed it. Then, we checked several Web sites with WMV content and they worked fine. [Bill Fox]

[8/31] Software Special of the Day: DOT.iPhone 1.0 (Universal) for 50% Off--$9.99 Today Only

Are you frustrated with the 4 or 8 gig limit on your iPhone? The DOT.iPHONE Plug-in gives you the ability to stream your ENTIRE iTunes library directly to your iPhone wherever you are.

With this plug-in, a custom DOT.TUNES/iPhone interface is displayed on your iPhone. You can view all of your movies and videos, listen to all of your music, it's like having your entire iTunes library in your pocket.

The DOT.iPHONE Plug-in will help you remember why you bought your iPhone in the first place.

To Demo the DOT.iPhone service please direct your iPhone to this URL <http://music.dottunes.net:9998>.

Normally $20, DOT.iPhone 1.0 (Universal) is offered for $9.99 today only--that's 50% off as Today's MacUpdate Software Promo. [Bill Fox]

[8/30] Brief Hands-On Report--Apple released Firmware 7.2.1 for AirPort Extreme "n" Base Stations

Apple released Firmware 7.2.1 for AirPort Extreme "n" Base Stations and it is available for installation via AirPort Utility or as a stand-alone file from this Apple Web page. According to the Read Me file,

The AirPort Extreme Base Station with 802.11n* and Firmware 7.2.1 is Wi-Fi certified for 802.11n draft 2.0. This update also includes bug fixes and security updates.

The details of the security fix are:

CVE-2007-2242--Remote attackers may be able to adversely affect network performance. A design issue exists in the IPv6 protocol's handling of type 0 routing headers. Depending on network topology and capacity, the reception of specially crafted IPv6 packets may lead to a reduction in network bandwidth. This update addresses the issue by disabling the support for type 0 routing headers. This issue does not affect the Gigabit Ethernet version of AirPort Extreme Base Station with 802.11n*.

We installed the firmware update via AirPort Utility. No problems were encountered during installation nor in the performance of our AirPort Extreme "n" Base Station afterward. [Bill Fox & Dana Baggett]

[8/30] Software Special of the Day: TaskTime 4.3.7 (Universal) for 40% Off--$11.95 Today Only

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 include:

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

Normally $20, TaskTime 4.3.7 (Universal) is offered for $11.95 today only--that's 40% off as Today's MacUpdate Software Promo. [Bill Fox]

[8/29] Apple Special Event on September 5--New iPods?

Members of the media have been invited by Apple to a special event at 10 am on September 5 in San Francisco's Moscone West Conference Center.

The invitation, containing the phrase "The beat goes on.," leaves little room for doubt that Apple will announce new iPods at the event. Still, with Apple, you never really know until it happens. Stay tuned. [Bill Fox]

[8/29] Brief Hands-On Report--Apple released iPhoto '08 v7.0.2

Apple released iPhoto '08 v7.0.2 and it is available for download via Software Update or as a stand-alone file via MacUpdate. According to the Read Me file,

This update to iPhoto addresses issues associated with publishing to .Mac Web Gallery, rebuilding thumbnails, and editing books. It also addresses a number of other minor issues.

We downloaded and installed iPhoto 7.0.2 on several Macs with no problem. We opened our iPhoto library of 1,600+ travel snapshots and no conversion occurred. All photos that we tried opened and closed with no problem and the events mode worked fine as well. [Bill Fox & Dana Baggett]

[8/29] Apple Small Business Quick Tip Video--Pictures in Email

Apple's latest Small Business Quick Tip Video is available on this Apple Web page. It shows how to include images in email and how to resize them. [Dana Baggett]

[8/29] Software Special of the Day: FileChute 2.8.2 (Universal) for 40% Off--$8.95 Today Only

FileChute is a simple application that makes it very easy to send small or large files to another person across the Internet.
If you've had problems sending large files via email (which is common), FileChute is an alternative solution.

Normally $14.95, FileChute 2.8.2 (Universal) is offered for $8.95 today only--that's 40% off as Today's MacUpdate Software Promo. [Bill Fox]

[8/28] Brief Hands-On Report--RealNetworks released RealPlayer 10.1 (503)

RealNetworks released a new Build of RealPlayer 10.1 (503). The previous version released in April was Build 412. It is available for download from this MacUpdate Web page.

The changes are:

Several security vulnerabilities fixed
Improvements for Intel autoupdate components

We downloaded Build 503 and tried it on numerous Web sites with RealPlayer media files and encountered no difficulties. [Bill Fox & Dana Baggett]

[8/28] Software Special of the Day: FxFactory Editing Pack 1.0.7 (Universal) for 51% Off--$49 Today Only

FxFactory is a revolutionary visual effects package which powers the largest collection of plug-ins for Final Cut Pro and Motion. The Editing Pack offers 40 GPU-accelerated plug-ins based on the FxPlug architecture for the highest performance inside Final Cut Pro and Motion.

Normally $99, FxFactory Editing Pack 1.0.7 (Universal) is offered for $49 today only--that's 51% off as Today's MacUpdate Software Promo. [Bill Fox]

[8/27] Brief Hands-On Report--Parallels Desktop for Mac 3.0 Build 5120 Beta 2

Parallels released a new build of its Desktop for Mac 3.0 Beta 2 (Build 5120). Note that this build is still a beta and not a final version. The last "final" build remains as 4560. Build 5120 is available for download via MacUpdate or from this Parallels Web page.

The most important fixes and improvements include:

Primary OS support

Leopard (only build 9a499) may become unusable after installing Parallels Desktop - fixed

Stability and resources usage

Kernel Panics on Mac Mini when VT-x is disabled - fixed

Memory allocation errors - fixed

Running 3D applications may freeze iMac with ATI Radeon 2600 graphic card - fixed

Fatal error E064.07.010 on virtual machine startup - fixed

Memory leak in llipd - fixed

Coherence

Transparent windows display incorrectly - fixed

Incorrect Z-order - fixed

Windows moving speed - improved

Double-clicking the Windows application icon in Dock doesn't bring its window to foreground - fixed

Issues during windows moving - fixed

Tooltips slowness - fixed

Cascade and Tile Windows work with artifacts and windows falls - fixed

Parallels Tools Center

CPU usage - optimized

Parallels Tools Center in Windows 95 can't be started due to a missing symbol - fixed

Applications sharing and SmartSelect

Incorrect Shared Web Applications state after build upgrade - fixed

Can't edit SmartSelect options for paused virtual machine - fixed

Other SmartSelect improvements

Video and 3D

OpenGL performance - improved

Parallels Desktop window resizing issues - fixed

Java applications don't work in VM - fixed

Many DirectX and OpenGL fixes

Snapshots

Check for available free disk space on Mac for snapshots reverting/deleting - added

Parallels Image Tool

Problem with converting old virtual disk image file format to new (BSOD on prlfs.sys in Vista) - fixed

Parallels Explorer&Mounter

Drag-and-drop issues due to some Unicode problems - fixed
Other fixes

Parallels Compressor

Compressor doesn't execute compacting stage - fixed

That's a lot but there are still known issues with Build 5120. They are:

Stability and resources usage

In some rare cases, fatal error E054.01.002 may occur on virtual machine startup

Coherence

Windows desktop may show up when transparent windows are used

Transparent windows may be displayed incorrectly

Small artifacts in Expose may appear

In some cases, selected applications may refuse to move to foreground

Automatically bring to front for Windows applications works wrong

Problems with VirtueDesktops

Leopard Spaces are not fully supported

Parallels Tools

Mouse scroll works wrong in Acrobat 8

Parallels Tools Center may use 100% CPU after drag-and-drop operation

Disks and folders sharing

Error may occur during Windows disk mounting to Finder

Snapshots

Segmentation fault may occur while reverting to specific snapshot

Parallels Explorer&Mounter

Some problems during drag-and-drop operations still may occur

Incorrect disk size may be showed

We uninstalled Build 5060 and downloaded and installed Build 5120. Then we updated Parallels Tools in our Windows XP SP2 and Vista Ultimate virtual machines. No problems were encountered in the process. Build 5120 proposes a number of shared folders, a new feature, when the virtual machine is started. From our experience, we recommend unchecking all of the boxes until you know what you want to do. Moving or changing something shared on your virtual machine performs the same operation on your Mac.

We encountered no problems while installing Windows updates on either virtual machine nor during brief use: Web browsing, email and Office 2007. However, remember that Build 5120 is still a beta and there are known issues. [Bill Fox]

[8/27] Cool Mac Software--iPhoney 1.2 is Out for Developers and for Fun

Design capabilities have just gotten better for iPhone developers with the newest version of iPhoney 1.2 released by Marketcircle. iPhoney 1.2's added capabilities include the often requested "view source" and French, German and Norwegian localizations. "View source" enables iPhone web developers, actually anybody, to view the source code of any specialized, iPhone specific web page.

iPhoney is a pixel-accurate, full-featured browser that Web 2.0 developers can use to ensure their designs look great on the iPhone. iPhoney 1.2 will open any Web site that works with Safari, in a shell that simulates the iPhone Web browsing user experience.

Prospective iPhone customers may want to use iPhoney 1.2 to check out the iPhone's Web experience.

Download iPhoney 1.2 and check it out yourself--it's free. [Bill Fox]

[8/27] Software Special of the Day: Toon Boom Storyboard 1.0 (Universal) for 30% Off--$174.99 Today Only

Toon Boom Storyboard is the leading storyboard software solution for creative and professional storytellers. Storyboard’s rich toolset allows users to quickly and easily develop a shot-by-shot plan of an animated or live-action production. Storyboard is an easy to use solution for translating ideas and scripts into a visual story. Users can easily sketch a story in scenes and shots with immediate reference to a script. Storytellers can draw using vector-based drawing and text tools or import artwork to create assets for use and reuse in a project.

Draw, sketch or import artwork into system
Access libraries to use and reuse content
Write notes, dialogues and actions in panels
Add, group and organize panels in scenes
Insert transitions between shots
Import scripts to follow screenplay
Create camera moves with pan, zoom and tilt
Publish user defined storyboards to PDF

Normally $249.99, Toon Boom Storyboard 1.0 (Universal) is offered for $174.99 today only--that's 30% off as Today's MacUpdate Software Promo. [Bill Fox]

[8/24] The Pi August General Meeting is Tomorrow

The August general meeting of the Washington Apple Pi (Pi) is tomorrow, Saturday, August 25. Pi is the metro Washington DC AMUG.

Two great presenters will host the meeting about some other facets of making movies. Robert Rhodes and Grant Peacock, both Pi members, will show us how to use photos in iMovie and various details of getting the right video footage.

This looks to be an interesting and informative event! Pat Fauquet will be Master of Ceremonies.

The meeting will begin at 9:30 and will wrap up between 12 and 12:30. The address is 3020 Gallows Road, Falls Church, VA. Check out the directions on this Pi Web page. [Bill Fox]

[8/24] AssistiveWare introduced new British voice for Infovox iVox (Universal)

Acapela Group and AssistiveWare introduced the brilliant new Peter text-to-speech voice that will be available as part of Infovox iVox's British voice pack. The already available naturally sounding Graham and Lucy voices have been significantly improved as well. With these voices the Mac has never sounded so great and so British! Until the end of October the updated British voice pack is available at a 55% introductory discount.

Infovox iVox provides naturally sounding voices that work with virtually any Speech Manager compliant Mac OS X application, including Preview, TextEdit, AssistiveWare VisioVoice, ConvenienceWare GhostReader, and Adobe Acrobat. The voices also work great with the leading educational software, such as Kurzweil 3000 for Macintosh Version 3.0.4 and 4.0 and TextHelp's Read and Write Gold for Mac version 2.1.0 and later. This means that teachers can now use this best-of-breed software with the industry leading Infovox iVox voices to enhance the learning experience of their students.

Infovox iVox is a Universal Binary and can be used on PowerPC and Intel Macs and requires Mac OS X 10.3.9 or higher. The product include all voices available for a language of choice. Available languages include: American English, British English, French, Canadian French, German, Italian, Dutch, Flemish, Spanish, American Spanish, Portuguese, Brazilian Portuguese, Norwegian, Swedish and Finnish. [Bill Fox]

[8/24] Cool Mac Software--Smart Scroll X 2.7 (Universal) is Out

Smart Scroll has been developed by Marc Moini since Classic Mac OS and now for Mac OS X as Smart Scroll X. It offers smooth and easy iPhone-like scrolling:

Super Wheel makes your scroll wheel smoother, faster and more comfortable. And it lets you reverse scrolling on the Mac to match your iPhone. Try it!
Grab Scroll gives you a Hand tool to easily move (and "throw"!) any window's contents.

Other features include Universal Scroll Keys that let you scroll from the keyboard, FileMaker Pro and AppleWorks enhancements, and more.

New in version 2.7:

Super Wheel and Grab Scroll support for Eudora, Netscape 9, Papyrus, RagTime, and many other Carbon applications. Thanks to Eelco Houwink, Myles Harris, and David Ianni!
Various fixes and improvements (Camino, FileMaker Pro 8.5 & 9, Google Earth, Pages).

Smart Scroll X is shareware ($19 single user license) and runs on Mac OS X 10.3.9 or newer (universal). [Bill Fox]

[8/24] Software Special of the Day: ProStockMaster 1.3.2 (Universal) for 40% Off--$29.50 Today Only

ProStockMaster streamlines your stock photography workflow, allowing you to concentrate on what you really love to do: create your images.

ProStockMaster saves your time and frees your hands for your camera. While you are shooting, the application will upload your images to selected stock photography sites.

Normally $49, ProStockMaster 1.3.2 (Universal) is offered for $29.50 today only--that's 40% off as Today's MacUpdate Software Promo. [Bill Fox]

[8/23] Brief Hands-On Report--Apple released iMovie Update 7.0.1

Apple released iMovie Update 7.0.1 and it is available for download via Software Update or as a stand-alone updater from this Apple Web page.

According to Apple,

This update addresses issues associated with publishing to .Mac Web Gallery. It also improves overall stability and addresses a number of other minor issues.

We downloaded and installed the update via Software Update on a MacBook Pro Core 2 Duo (LED), a white iMac Core 2 Duo and an aluminum iMac Core 2 Duo. We encountered no problems doing so. [Bill Fox & Dana Baggett]

[8/23] AppleWorks Living on Borrowed Time--Get it or the v6.2.9 Updater Now

We noted last Friday that maybe one could still buy AppleWorks from Apple's education online store, although its Web page cites a 2-4 week shipping wait.

Reader Ron Evry pointed out that the education store order page for the hybrid Win/Mac version. He wrote that schools are still buying it in large numbers, at least until supplies of the education-oriented hybrid are exhausted.

Reader Stan Kline let us know that someone he knows actually bought a copy from the Apple education store online and received notice that it has shipped. He also said that Apple employees present at a local AMUG meeting indicated that copies would be sold from the education store until supplies ran out, confirming suspicions. There is no longer any support for AppleWorks.

The v6.2.9 AppleWorks updater (not the whole app) is still available for download from this Apple Web page, so if you need a copy get it soon. [Bill Fox & Dana Baggett]

[8/23] Seiko released High Capacity Label Tray for Its Smart Label Printers

Seiko Instruments makes a really cool line of Smart Label Printers for the Mac. Now, Seiko is the first supplier to offer a high capacity label tray for its compact, desktop label printers. The new label tray allows suppliers, distributors and other business users to quickly print shipping and address labels, inventory tags, business and appointment cards and other kinds of high volume label printing.

"Seiko Instruments' new High Capacity Label Tray gives anyone who needs to print in high volume a convenient tool that will make their lives easier and their day more productive," said Dennis Cox, director of sales and marketing, Business and Home/Office Products Division, Seiko Instruments USA. "It's great for healthcare facilities, government offices, retail stores, factories and schools - and only available from Seiko."

The new Smart Label Printer High Capacity Tray is compatible with all current 400 series printers from Seiko Instruments, including the 420, 440 and 450 models. It works with Mac OS X v10.3 and above and is now available for purchase starting at $24.99 from the Seiko's Web site. [Bill Fox]

[8/23] Tonight on The Tech Night Owl LIVE--iPhone, iMovie '08, Argentinean Tech and Internet Domain Name Registration

Tonight, host Gene Steinberg, the Night Owl, once again explores the nearly two-month-old iPhone with Macworld Senior Editor Christopher Breen, who is in the final stages of preparing a book on the subject. Chris also voices his concerns about the new version of iMovie, which has had a mixed reception.

In another segment, Gene returns to "The David Biedny Zone," where his Special Correspondent holds forth on technology in Argentina, his personal Apple "war story," and his viewpoint about the major changes in iMovie. You'll also get some hints and tips about registering your Internet domain from HostICan's Denis Motova.

You can tune into the audio Web broadcast tonight from 6:00 to 8:00 PM Pacific, 9:00 to 11:00 PM Eastern.

[8/23] Software Special of the Day: Kandalu X 5.05 (Universal) for 40% Off--$14.95 Today Only

Kandalu X A new multifunctional software, this new Kandalu X version includes new functions as:

Creation CD cover.
Conversion DVD source to H.264/MPEG-4
Management your's iTunes on your Home Network
Creation Web Content from iTunes/iPod

The controls are designed to replicate those on your iPod. Functions are easy to find and use.

Normally $25, Kandalu X 5.05 (Universal) is offered for $14.95 today only--that's 40% off as Today's MacUpdate Software Promo. [Bill Fox]

[8/22] Hands On Review--QuickerTek Wireless "n" Upgrades for Mac

The wireless network in our New England office had been equipped with two Apple Airport Express Base Stations that work with Wi-Fi standards "b" and "g" since July of 2004 when we favorably reviewed them.

With the advent of Apple's faster Airport Extreme "n" Base Station which we reviewed last February (also here), our New England staff has waited impatiently for any third party solution that would enable their Macs to be retrofitted to be n-capable. Being thrifty Mainers, they have been "making do" with an early 2006 20" iMac Core Duo and a Dual 2 GHz Power Mac G5, both of which are "b/g" Wi-Fi capable, plus a vintage Titanium 500 MHz PowerBook G4 that shipped in 2001 with an original Airport "b" Wi-Fi card. All have been working flawlessly with the AirPort Express network. But, the new Airport Extreme "n" Base Station offers the prospect of a faster wireless connection to the cable internet modem installed there. Plus the new draft "n" Wi-Fi standard reaches further, as well as being faster, eliminating the need for two Base Stations.

The gear

We spotted the QuickerTek nQuicky 802.11n Wireless USB adapter on line, a one-size fits all solution that QuickerTek notes is "For all Macs with USB. Yes, all." We ordered a couple to ship "soon." But, after discussion with the helpful QuickerTek sales staff about our particular Macs, we learned of other QuickerTek Wireless N adapters that were more specific solutions for our equipment and that are also currently shipping. So, we ordered one each of three different types:

For our Early 2006 20" iMac Intel Core Duo, we ordered the Ncard for iMacs.
For the Dual 2 GHz Power Mac G5 we ordered the nQuicky PCI upgrade kit.
For the Titanium PowerBook G4, we ordered the nQuicky PCMCIA/CardBus Upgrade kit.

We note, incidentally, that at no time did we indicate our interest in reviewing the QuickerTek products nor did we seek a discount from the posted retail prices. Our experience, therefore, should be typical of any consumer.

While waiting for them to ship, we ordered and installed an Apple Extreme "n" Base Station. All Macs are running Mac OS X 10.4.10.

Early 2006 20" iMac Intel Core Duo Installation and Speed

Ncard The Ncard for our Early 2006 20" iMac Intel Core Duo arrived first at a cost of $99.95 plus shipping/handling. The kit included installations tools. Although QuickerTek describes the installation difficulty as a Level 3 and "Not for the tool belt challenged," we decided to give it a try as the alternative involved shipping the iMac to QuickerTek's offices in Wichita, KS, at our expense round trip and paying an added fee for installation there. Plus the loss of the use of the iMac in the meantime was not acceptable to us. We gathered around for the anticipated iMac autopsy necessary to replace the Airport card only to discover that the tiny Torx wrench enclosed with the card was not the right size for the Torx screws on the bottom of our iMac. QuickerTek claims on its Web site that no additional tools are needed other than the ones they provide. Not so in our case. Further, while we have several sets of Torx wrenches, none happen to fit our iMac. The autopsy had to be postponed 24 hours until we obtained the right size, which turned out to be a No. 9.

Back for another try 24 hours later, we opened the iMac case very carefully following the printed QuickerTek directions. We readily found the existing Apple Airport "g" card and noted that the QuickerTek N replacement - not Apple-branded - called for attachment of two antennas. But, there was only one antenna inside the iMac. A quick call to QuickerTek support indicated that we needed an additional $50 external antenna. When we asked why it wasn't shipped with the QuickerTek Ncard in the first place, we were told that some iMacs do have two internal antennas and don't need the external QuickerTek one. Disappointed by the delay, we ordered the $50 external antenna. It shipped quickly, along with the other "n" adapters at $149 each plus shipping/handling.

Back a few days later for a third iMac autopsy, we successfully installed the Ncard and attached the internal and external antennas to it. By this time, we'd had some practice! We discovered in the process that the tiny Torx wrench provided by QuickerTek was needed for card removal and installation. We never did need/use the small Phillips screw driver. Perhaps some other iMacs use Phillips screws where ours used Torx.

One advantage of the Ncard upgrade is that it utilizes Apple's own software. We did not have to install any proprietary drivers. The iMac sees the card as an Airport "n" card. System Profiler identifies it as a Broadcom BCM43xx 1.0 (4.80.79.1).

Using Apple's Network Utility we determined that the iMac's original "b/g" Airport card link speed was 54MB. After installation and with the "n" base station set to "n-only" and 2.4 GHz, the link speed indicated 130MB. When we set the "n" base station at "n-only" and 5 GHz, the iMac link speed jumped to 270! But, we later found out that neither of the two other QuickerTek nQuicky adapters could connect to the "n" network at the 5 GHz setting.

Dual 2 GHz Power Mac G5 Installation and Speed

By comparison with the iMac autopsy, installation of the nQuicky PCI Upgrade card on the Dual 2 GHz Power Mac G5 was a breeze since we had a PCI slot available. Insert the card in the slot, attach the three (!) stub external antennas to it, and we were almost done. Next we turned off the Apple Airport software and installed the QuickerTek software from the provided CD and activated it. With the Power Mac G5 operating on the old "b/g" network, its link speed according to Network Utility was 54MB. With the QuickerTek upgrade card and software, the link speed according to Network Utility measured 300MB! Network Utility identifies the nQuicky PCI card as a Ralink RT2860.

Titanium PowerBook G4 Installation and Speed

nQuicky Cardbus Installation of the nQuicky PCMCIA/CardBus on the Titanium PowerBook proved the simplest yet. Insert the CardBus into its PCMCIA slot = almost done! Turn off the Apple Airport software, install and activate the QuickerTek software. Finished. The vintage PowerBook G4 now indicates a link speed of 300 MB versus the former link speed of 54 MB as measured by Network Utility. Users of the Titanium claim it has new life. Network Utility identifies the nQuicky PCMCIA card as a Ralink RT2860.

In summary

The QuickerTek "n" Wi-Fi adapters were easy to install once we had the right Torx screw driver and right antenna adapter. In the end, each cost $149 plus shipping and handling and they are working as advertised. QuickerTek provides a one-year warranty on parts an labor. [Dana Baggett]

[8/22] Brief Hands-On Report--iPhone Software Version 1.0.2 Update

Apple released iPhone Software version 1.0.2 last night. You can obtain it via iTunes by connecting your iPhone to your Mac. iTunes should launch automatically if set to do so. If not, just launch iTunes and click on the iPhone icon in the left sidebar after all sync'ing has finished.

According to the Read Me file, iPhone Software 1.0.2 provides:

Bug fixs--This version of the software includes bug fixes and supersedes all previous versions.

Pretty arcane.

Anyway, to install the update we had to click the "Check for Update" button since the next automatic check was not for another 5 days. A dialog box popped up asking whether we want to download and install or just download--we chose the former. The updater first verified the existing software, then updated the iPhone's firmware and software and finally verified the updated software all while showing the silver Apple logo and progress bar on our iPhone.

If your iPhone has been hacked, you might have to perform a "Restore" before you can install the new software.

We tried all of the functions on our iPhone, well most anyway, and didn't find anything to be different after the update. [Bill Fox]

[8/22] Brief Hands-On Report--Adobe Flash Player 9 Beta Code-named Moviestar

Adobe released Flash Player 9 beta code-named Moviestar. According to Adobe, Flash Player 9 beta

"...includes H.264 standard video support – the same standard deployed in Blu-Ray and HD-DVD high definition video players – and High Efficiency AAC (HE-AAC) audio support, as well as hardware accelerated, multi-core enhanced full screen video playback. These advancements will extend Adobe’s leadership position in Web video by enabling the delivery of HD television quality and premium audio content through the ubiquitous Adobe Flash Player and pave the way to expand rich media Flash experiences on the desktop and H.264 ready consumer devices."

Of course, QuickTime has had H.264 support for some time.

Adobe Flash Player 9 beta is available for download from this Adobe Web page. You can see what version you have installed by visiting this Adobe Flash Web page.

Note that Adobe recommends that you uninstall any previous version of Flash Player before installing the new beta version. Download the uninstaller from this Adobe Web page.

We had Flash Player 9.0.47.0 installed on our Macs so we uninstalled it on our Mac mini Core Duo and 15" Mac Book Pro Core 2 Duo (LED) as recommended by Adobe. Then, we installed the beta (9.0.60.184) without any problems. And finally, we visited a number of Adobe Flash showcase sites to ensure it works well and it does.

We also installed the beta on our iMac Core Duo but without uninstalling the previous version first. It worked fine, too, but we still suggest that you follow Adobe's recommendation to use the uninstaller first. [Bill Fox & Dana Baggett]

[8/22] Apple Small Business Quick Tip of the Week Video--PowerPoint to Keynote

Apple's latest small business Quick Tip of the Week video is entitled "PowerPoint to Keynote." The video shows how one can easily import a Microsoft PowerPoint presentation into Apple's Keynote and then spice it up with great graphics and transitions. [Dana Baggett]

[8/22] Software Special of the Day: PDF Studio 4.5.2 (Universal) for 33% Off--$39.95 Today Only

PDF Studio is an easy to use yet powerful program to work with PDF documents within your workflow.

View & Print: Open any pdf document and send it to the printer. Documents will be automatically resized to fit the paper size. PDF Studio supports all types of pdf fonts.
PDF Interactive Forms: Fill any pdf form and save it locally. Once the form is filled, you can flatten form fields to obtain a non-editable version of the form.
Sticky Notes: Open any pdf document and add your sticky notes or comments to the document using text and graphic markup tools. You can add free text notes, or draw shapes such as lines, circles, rectangles to work with the existing content of the pdf document.
Audio Comment: Record or import a sound and add it to a pdf document.
Text Selection and Markups: Highlight, cross out or underline text.
Rubber Stamps: Mark your documents as urgent, paid, confidential. You can also create your own Signature Stamp. All stamps can be saved to be reused later.
Headers and Footers: Add titles, page numbers to your pdf documents.
Hyperlinks: Add hyperlinks to your pdf documents.
Modify Pages: Append, merge or split documents. Delete, insert, replace pages in a pdf document. Or extract pages to create a new pdf document.
Passwords and Permissions: Add passwords or change permissions on your pdf documents. You can set /remove permissions to print, to modify, to copy, to annotate and to fill form fields. PDF Studio encrypt pdf documents using the higher security level (128-bit RC4 encryption).
Scan to PDF: Scan documents from any Twain compliant scanner into a new or existing pdf document.
Batch functions: Stamp, Print, or Encrypt multiple documents with a single click as a batch.
PDF To Images: Converts pages of a pdf documents to JPG images or TIFF images (optimized for scanning).
Import/Export: Import and Export comments and form data in FDF or XFDF format.

Any platform, no third party programs required: Works on Macintosh, Linux, Windows, AIX. And because PDF Studio uses Qoppa's proprietary technology to view and modify PDF files, it doesn't require Adobe Reader or any other other software to run.

Normally $60, PDF Studio 4.5.2 (Universal) is offered for $39.95 today only--that's 33% off as Today's MacUpdate Software Promo. [Bill Fox]

[8/21] Hands-On Review--Laptop Desk Futura Futura

Lapworks continues to innovate products for MacBook, MacBook Pro, iBook and PowerBook owners who wish to use their notebooks on their laps or desk. Lapworks' latest product is the Laptop Desk Futura.

The Futura

The Futura is similar to the Laptop Desk 2.0 that we previously favorably reviewed in that it sits on your lap when unfolded, sits on your desk when folded and is made from high impact ABS plastic. But it is distinguished from the other fine products in Lapworks line by being thinner and lighter and having ventilation slots and elevating rubber pads for better cooling. The hinge also has a new rounded design that appears stronger to us although we've never had a problem with the hinge of the Laptop Desk 2.0 in a year's use.

When unfolded, the Futura is a very nice platform for your lap. It's hinge is very strong and the surface is stable. All Apple notebooks from a 12" iBook to a 17" MacBook Pro fit on the Futura. However, because of the Futura's design, if you want to use a mouse with your 'Book while on your lap, check out the Laptop Desk 2.0 and Ultralite models instead. They provide a mousing surface while the Futura does not.

Folded, the Futura forms a desk stand for your 'Book. It has five positions for five different angles to choose from to optimize for a comfortable position. The highest position raises the back of your 'Book by about 3.75" for a much better viewing angle than if your 'Book is flat on your desk. When completely folded, the Futura is about 3/8" thick and weighs a hair over a pound so it's very transportable.

Aside from providing a stable platform for working with your 'Book on your lap or raising the 'Book's rear on your desk for better ergonomics in viewing the screen and typing, the Futura protects your lap from heat and helps cool your 'Book as well. The Futura's rubber pads raise your 'Book an 1/8" off the Futura's base to expose more of the 'Book's bottom surface to air circulation. The Futura's ventilation slots also provide a much better environment for air circulation.

Our use

We tried the Futura with our 12" PowerBook G4, 17" PowerBook G4 and 15" MacBook Pro and found it to be very stable when used as a lap stand. Since we don't use a mouse when working on one of our 'Book's on our lap, we like the smaller and lighter Futura better than the Laptop Desk 2.0 that we've used for a year.

As a desktop stand, the Futura will work in a pinch, like when traveling, or for short periods of time. However, it is less stable for typing than we prefer. In addition, the rubber pads do not grip our 'Books as well as we would like and there is no ledge to keep them from slipping a bit. Really, no portable stand can match the stability and utility of a well-made, specially designed desktop stand for 'Books. Lapworks makes them, too.

The Futura is good for travel because of it is thin and light. If you predominantly use your 'Book on your lap, the Futura is an especially good travel stand. If you predominantly use a 'Book on a desk while traveling, you might check out the ingenious Lapworks Aluminum Desktop Stand that we favorably reviewed in June.

In summary

Lapworks Laptop Desk Futura is a great on-lap platform for using any of Apple's 'Books on your lap. It's very stable and you won't feel excessive heat from your 'Book. Because of its smaller size and improved cooling design, we like it over the Laptop Desk 2.0 because we do not use a mouse while using a 'Book on our lap. The thin and light Futura is an especially good travel stand for those who predominantly use their 'Books on their lap. At $29.95, the Laptop Desk Futura from Lapworks is a very good buy. [Bill Fox]

[8/21] [Updated] iWeb '08 Personal Domain Name Follow Up--Web Forwarding

Yesterday, we posted an article on how to make it easy to set up a personal domain name like MyBog.com using an alias for your .Mac-hosted Web site produced by iWeb '08. Several readers (Ryoichi Morita was first) pointed out that there are registrars, such as EasyDNS.com, that provide a service called "Web forwarding."

Web forwarding is similar to creating an alias in that people type in your personal domain name like MyBlog.com and are sent (forwarded) to your .Mac Web site like web.mac.com/YourDotMacID. The difference is that with plain Web forwarding, once people are at your .Mac Web site they no longer see MyBlog.com in their web browser but instead see the real URL, i.e. web.mac.com/YourDotMacID. With an alias, they always see MyBlog.com.

There is an additional service with web forwarding called "masking" that accomplishes the same thing as an alias. Most registrars charge for web forwarding, but not for the additional masking, while setting up an alias is free. This may be a minor difference to you and, if so, then Web forwarding is easy to set up and can be done with .Mac Web sites created with earlier versions of iWeb. [Update: Added "masking" service pointed out by reader Scott Newman.] [Bill Fox]

[8/21] iWatermark 3.0.11 is Out

iWatermark is one of the leading watermarking packages for Mac OS X. It combines ease of use with speed to secure graphics and photos. Beginner and professional photographers can use iWatermark to protect their work.

Version 3.0.11 has the following changes:

[Mod] Auto Saves the watermark changes.
[Mod] Created a workaround for incorrect meta data (Nikon DX2 & Photoshop CS Mac)
[Mod] updated the help system to reflect changes in the program
[Bug] Fixed a bug when it was accidentally corrupting non-JPEGs when saving
[Bug] Fixed a bug with converting dates
[Bug] Fixed a problem that may occur when unable to create backup location.
[Bug] Fixed a problem when overwriting files from the Watermark Editor.
[fr] Ability to draw the filename without the file extension.
[fr] Insert only the year from EXIF
[fr] Set Correct Orientation for Thumbnails

If you own a digital camera and you email or put your images on the web then anyone can take and use them for whatever they want. iWatermark gives you the protection and recognition for your digital photos and artwork. Like the master painters, you can now sign your art work with iWatermark. iWatermark is easy to use on 1 or 1000 images at a time. Add your signature, url, email address or logo to all your photos.

You can download iWatermark from Script Software and try it out for free. [Bill Fox]

[8/21] Software Special of the Day: PageSender 4.0.3 (Universal) for 38% Off--$24.95 Today Only

PageSender presents a fully-functional email or fax envelope when you print - just fill in the envelope, click "Print", and your document is on its way. Send and receive documents using your fax modem or send via any of the popular fax-by-email services.

Developed by Smile Software, Page Sender takes the hassle out of sending documents. Page Sender emails printouts as Portable Document Files (PDF), viewable with Adobe Acrobat Reader on Windows, Mac OS, and Linux. Email your documents in a format anyone can read using your favorite email client.

Normally $39.95, PageSender 4.0.3 (Universal) is offered for $24.95 today only--that's 38% off as Today's MacUpdate Software Promo. [Bill Fox]

[8/20] iWeb '08--Using a Personal Domain Name can be Easy

One of the best new features of iWeb '08 is the ability to use a personal domain name for a .Mac-hosted Web site produced by iWeb. It seems simple to do but we found out that it's not as simple as it could and should be.

iWeb '08 is, of course, the iLife '08 application that allows you to easily produce simple and very attractive Web pages. If one also has a .Mac account, then iWeb can very easily publish the pages on the Web by clicking a button to create a Web site hosted by .Mac for the world to see.

However, the URL for the Web site in previous versions of iWeb has been limited to the lengthy:

http://web.mac.com/YourDotmacID/

Wouldn't it be cool if you could be creative and choose the Domain Name for your .Mac Web site instead of using web.mac.com with the necessary addition of your .Mac ID? Something like www.MyBlog.com which would look like:

http://www.myblog.com

iWeb '08 allows you to do this. All three steps are easy but the third can be a bit problematic.

The first step is to choose and register a domain name with a so-called registrar. In the beginning of the Web, the only U.S. registrar was Network Solutions and they charge $34.99 for a one-year registration of a .com domain name. Now there are many registrars with some charging less that $10 per year and many other domain names that don't end in .com for less than $5 so you have a lot of choices.

All of our domain names, including macsonly.com, were originally registered by Network Solutions and still are. Some of the domain names have never be used, one being wwfox.com so we decided to use it to test iWeb '08's new personal domain name feature.

The second step is to tell .Mac via iWeb '08 that you will be using a personal domain name for your .Mac-hosted Web site and what that name is.

1. Launch iWeb '08

2. Under the "File" menu select "Setup Personal Domain"

3. Safari opens and you have to login to your .Mac account

4. Click the "Personal Domain" button in the buttons on the right

5. Add the Personal Domain Name and click "Continue"

Step three is the only potentially difficult step, i.e. creating a so-called alias for your registered domain name so that when someone enters www.myblog.com in their Web browser they go to your .Mac Web site which is really web.mac.com/YourDotMacID. We wrote "potentially" difficult because the best way to do this is to not do it yourself. Call your registrar and ask them to do it for you. And don't use Apple's words but simply ask:

"I want it set up so that when someone types www.myblog.com into their Web browser, it actually goes to web.mac.com."

The problem that we initially found is that the tech's at Network Solutions did not know what we were talking about and did it wrong. We even read slowly the exact words Apple uses in the screen after sub-step 5 above. After unsuccessfully trying ourselves with the online Account Manager and calling Network Solutions again, the tech we reached said that an internal bulletin about iWeb and .Mac had been circulated, she knew exactly what I was talking about and she did it right. Two hours later, our .Mac Web site popped up when we typed www.wwfox.com in Safari. Note that it must include the "www."

Apple gives very arcane and general instructions on how to do this in the window appearing after sub-step 5 of step two above. But it is really not completely Apple's fault if you have problems calling your registrar or doing it yourself. First, it seems that every registrar has different jargon on their Web site form (CNAME record) for creating the alias. This stuff is really for the knowledgeable and not for average Mom, Pop, Kid and Grandparent trying to setup a simple Web site. Second (and what tripped us up trying to do it ourselves), the registrar enters their own IP addresses (so-called "A" records) for "www", "@" and "*" when you first register your own domain name. They do this basically to advertise their company at your "expense" until you actually set up a Web site that uses your domain name. So, first you have to delete these IP addresses from the "A" records or you can't alias "www" as "web.mac.com" in the "CNAME" records.

Our .Mac Web site (www.wwfox.com) explains, with images, how to make web.mac.com an alias of your own domain name using Network Solutions' online Account Manager. It is actually quite simple when you know what you are doing. But we recommend that you do yourself a favor and ask your registrar to do it for you. [Bill Fox]

[8/20] Four Top EA Games for Mac finally Shipping--Harry Potter, Need for Speed, Battlefield 2142 and C&C 3

Electronic Arts (EA) co-founder Bing Gordon announced at Apple's Worldwide Developers Conference in June that EA would ship four of its top tier games for the Mac in July: Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix, Need for Speed Carbon, Battlefield 2142 and Command & Conquer 3 Tiberium Wars. The games are a month late but a press release from EA states that the Apple Retail Stores will have two on Tuesday, August 21, (Harry Potter and Need for Speed) and two more on Tuesday, August 28, (Battlefield 2142 and C&C 3). They may be ordered from the online Apple Store now (3-5 days or 7-10 days to ship respectively).

Macs Only! was the first to note that the EA games for the Mac will run on TransGaming's Cider interpreter rather than being completely re-written for the Mac.

Two more EA games announced for summer delivery for the Mac, Madden NFL 08 and Tiger Woods PGA Tour 08, are still under development. EA is now expecting to deliver them in the September/October timeframe. [Bill Fox]

[8/20] Maine High School Teacher Training on MacBooks in Full Swing

Macs Only! broke the story in July, at least among Mac news Web sites, that Apple had won another large notebook contract with the State of Maine this year. This time the Maine Learning Technology Initiative project was for teachers and administrators at all of the state's high schools and career and technical education centers and for MacBooks rather than iBooks. While the Maine Department of Education had budgeted for Dell laptops, Apple got the contract for MacBooks instead.

The full delivery of Macbooks for all high school teachers and administrators will be next month according to The Times Record, but due to the need to be up to speed when school starts, administrators and teachers are going to "summer school" to learn how to best use the MacBooks, software and wireless networks.

Featured are three-way video conferencing and nine-way audio conferencing using the built-in iSight cameras along with the usual burning of optical disks and movie-making using iMovie. The teachers and administrators are also receiving an education in computer sociology involving the changing world that students face, including such facts as that 70 percent of 4-year-olds in the U.S. have in some way used a computer, 12 percent of U.S. couples met on line and the population of visitors of MySpace.com is the size of the world's eighth largest country.

That's the latest from the most Mac-centric state in the Union. [Dana Baggett & Bill Fox]

[8/20] 50 Percent more Range from AirPort Extreme "n" Base Station

QuickerTek has developed an upgrade for the Apple AirPort Extreme 802.11n Base Station that offers even better wireless performance, up to 50 percent greater range.

The QuickerTek N Antenna Array brings the antenna outside the Base Station case, which enables better signal gathering capabilities. The "array" is a set of matched antennas to extend the 802.11n specification requiring multi-input, multi-output (MIMO) to deliver the high speed "n" wireless networking experience.

Using the included 4-foot coax cable, customers can position the AirPort Extreme N Base Station for best wireless performance in their own office or home. Often placing the Base Station up and out of the way of common office clutter at desktop level, provides the highest possible performance.

Once an AirPort Extreme Base Station is upgraded, it retains backward compatibility with previous wireless standards. It works with all IEEE 802.11 b/g/n networks and performs to it's full speed (near 300 mbps) potential with 802.11n rated hardware.

The new QuickerTek N Antenna Array Upgrade can be purchased three different ways: a customer-installed upgrade is available for $129.95 USD; QuickerTek can install it on the customer's Base Station for $179.95 USD and finally an already-upgraded Base Station is available for $349.95 USD for plug-and-play use. [Bill Fox]

[8/20] Software Special of the Day: ZigVersion 1.2b3 (Universal) for 40% Off--$59.00 Today Only

ZigVersion is an easy to use Subversion client. Its features include:

Review and Check In your changes in a single step.
Easily browse repository and working copies in a single view.
Does not require the command line subversion client.
Quick access to the history of a file.
Quick access to frequently used subversion commands.
Instant notification of changes to a files contents or subversion status.
Quick access to recently used repositories.
Browse multiple repositories at once.

Normally $99, ZigVersion 1.2b3 (Universal) is offered for $59 today only--that's 40% off as Today's MacUpdate Software Promo. [Bill Fox]

[8/17] Brief Hands-On Report--Apple released iWeb 2.0.1, Part of iLife '08

iWeb 2.0.1 is available via Software Update if one has iLife '08 installed. As of publication time, it was not (yet?) available for download as a stand-alone updater from Apple's support downloads page.

According to the Read Me file,

This update addresses issues with upgrading and publishing iWeb 1.x websites.

We updated iWeb 2.0 via Software Update with no problems. In brief use, we encountered no issues. [Bill Fox]

[8/17] AppleWorks is Dead but Available on Apple's Education Store--Maybe

A number of Web sites have already proclaimed the death of AppleWorks (formerly ClarisWorks), Apple's nice and easy-to-use business suite (word processing, spreadsheet, database, drawing, painting and presentation). Unfortunately, following the release of iWork, AppleWorks was never updated. While it never made it to a Universal Application, AppleWorks still works fine under Rosetta on our MacBook Pro Core 2 Duo (LED). Now AppleWorks is, indeed, no longer available from Apple's regular retail online store.

However, if one logs into the Apple online Education Store and searches on "AppleWorks," then version 6.2.9 for Mac/Windows pops up for $39 with a 2-4 week shipping date. If one uses the "Software" link on the left sidebar, it's not listed--only if one uses the search box can AppleWorks be found.

Could it be that a supply of AppleWorks is still available to those in the know in education or is it simply a forgotten page that wasn't removed? [Dana Baggett]

[8/17] Cool Mac Software--Mactracker X 4.3.1 is Out

Mactracker X 4.3.1 is available as an update from within the application or as a download from MacUpdate. According to the release notes, Version 4.3.1:

Adds iMac (24-inch Mid 2007) and iMac (20-inch Mid 2007)
Adds Mac mini (Mid 2007)
Adds optical drive interface information for iMac models
Separates graphics card connection from Graphics Card entry for models with integrated graphics cards
Fixes an issue where duplicate entries were created under the warranty coverage categories in "My Mac models"
Fixes an issue where "View Options" settings would not be retained for eMac and iMac categories
Other minor changes and additions

We downloaded v4.3.1 via the update function and from MacUpdate. Both worked fine.

No true macophile should be without this comprehensive electronic Apple history "book." Mactracker is donationware. [Dana Baggett & Bill Fox]

[8/17] Software Special of the Day: MacDust 1.5 (Universal) for 58% Off--$2.50 Today Only

MacDust is a small and lightweight application designed to clean up your computer. MacDust performs many tasks that could easily take you another five seconds if you weren't using MacDust. The application also removes hard to get at files, and even files you forget about. The Caches folder can get rather large, so using MacDust at least once a week can save you hundreds of megabytes.

Normally $5.95, MacDust 1.5 (Universal) is offered for $2.50 today only--that's 58% off as Today's MacUpdate Software Promo. [Bill Fox]

[8/16] Brief Hands-On Report--Nanosaur II v2.0.3 (Universal) Update

Pangea Software released Nanosaur II v2.0.3 Update and it is available for download via MacUpdate.com. According the the Revision History,

v2.0.3 Fixed a jitter issue with certain newer video cards, plus some performance increases on certain video cards.

We downloaded and installed the update. Then, we played a number of Nanosaur II games and it runs very well on our 2.4 GHz 15" MacBook Pro Core 2 Duo (LED) with Nvidia GeForce 8600M GT graphics. No new issues were encountered.

The original Nanosaur (Classic Mac OS) and Nanosaur II (Universal) are two of our all-time favorite Mac games. [Bill Fox]

[8/16] Intel to release New Round of Quad-core CPUs in November--Are the Penryns coming to the Mac

Intel's newest multi-core CPUs based on a smaller 45-nanometer process code-named Penryn are due to ship in November according to a CNet article (here) based on an errant price sheet posted to Intel's Web site. The Penryn's are quad-core CPUs with 12MB of L2 cache memory and will first be released as server CPUs. Apple's Mac Pro is currently using Intel quad-core "Woodcrest" Xeon CPUs, single (5100) or dual (5300), based on the larger 65-nanometer process with 8MB of L2 cache memory and at clock speeds up to 3GHz.

A smaller process allows higher clock speeds (GHz) for the same electrical energy and heat or less energy and heat for the same clock speed. While the first chips will be for servers, as used in the Mac Pro, Penryns for notebooks will follow shortly thereafter.

It is unknown if Apple will take advantage of the newer CPUs but we hope so. [Bill Fox]

[8/16] Cool Mac Software--Billings 2.5.1 is Out

The key feature of Billings 2 is its terrific invoices. Billings 2.5.1 adds two new features:

Added feature so that any running timers will be paused when another timer is started. One timer policy
You can now put Group Bys, Tables and Text Areas directly into print layouts and report Bodies now. You no longer need to put a Strip first. When you use this new technique, the element will stretch to match the Body's width automatically

There are also many fixes listed on this Billings 2 Web page.

We "discovered" Billings 2 by Marketcircle at Macworld 2007 and featured it in our Expo show floor finds. We noted at the time that "If you bill hourly by project, you can't go wrong with this application in our opinion." [Bill Fox]

[8/16] Microsoft updated Virtual PC 6 for Mac to v6.1.2 and Virtual PC 7 for Mac to v7.0.3--Security Fix

Microsoft updated Virtual PC 6 to v6.1.2 and Virtual PC 7 to v7.0.3. The updaters are available for download as stand-alone files from this Microsoft Web page.

According to Microsoft, the issue fixed is the same for both versions of Virtual PC

This update fixes a vulnerability that an attacker can use to overwrite the contents of your computer's memory with malicious code.

We no longer use Virtual PC to run Windows applications but use Parallels Desktop for Mac or Apple Boot Camp instead. [Bill Fox]

[8/16] Apple Pro Tip of the Week--Keep Images as RGB Files

This week's Apple Pro Tip is to keep all of your images as RGB files, with a backup, for as long as possible to preserve the flexibility to use them in multiple situations. Only convert RGB files when they are output from an application as a specific product that requires a certain file type. For example, Adobe InDesign and QuarkXPress do conversions within the applications with Indesign being comparable to Photoshop. More... [Dana Baggett]

[8/16] Tonight on The Tech Night Owl LIVE--Apple's Latest Macs, Mac Speed and Online Blogging

Tonight, host Gene Steinberg as the Night Owl explores the good, bad and ugly aspects of Apple's recent Mac-related announcements with Macworld Senior Editor Rob Griffiths, and author and commentator Kirk McElhearn.

You'll also hear the latest benchmark results of the latest Apple hardware from Rob-ART Morgan, of BareFeats. In addition, HostICan's Denis Motova will be on hand to give you a brief introduction to online blogging.

You can tune into the Web audio broadcast tonight from 6:00 to 8:00 PM Pacific, 9:00 to 11:00 PM Eastern.

[8/16] Software Special of the Day: Keyboard Maestro 2.1 (Universal) for 50% Off--$9.95 Today Only

Keyboard Maestro is your hot key solution that allows you to perform a multitude of tasks simply by pressing a keystroke! Keyboard Maestro also incorporates the wildly popular MacOS Classic utility Program Switcher, which allows you to launch, switch, and quit applications with a simple keystroke. Current hot keys include:

Switch to last application
Open files
Launch URL
Many, many more to come in final release
Public API for 3rd Party hot keys in final release

Normally $20.00, Keyboard Maestro 2.1 (Universal) is offered for $9.95 today only--that's 50% off as Today's MacUpdate Software Promo. [Bill Fox]

[8/15] Brief Hands-On Report--Microsoft Office 2004 Update 11.3.7

Microsoft released Update 11.3.7 for Office 2004 for Mac. It is available via Microsoft AutoUpdate or as a stand-alone file download from this Microsoft Web page. According to Microsoft,

Version 11.3.7 fixes a vulnerability that an attacker can use to overwrite the contents of your computer's memory with malicious code.

The details are on this Microsoft Web page.

We downloaded and installed the update via Microsoft AutoUpdate without any problems. In brief use of all Office 2004 apps, except Entourage, we encountered no difficulties. [Bill Fox]

[8/15] Brief Hands-On Report--Flip4Mac WMV Player 2.1.3.3

Telestream released Flip4Mac WMV Player 2.1.3.3 beta and it is available for download via MacUpdate.com Flip4Mac is necessary to play Windows Media Video (WMV) files with QuickTime.

According to Telestream, version 2.1.3.3,

Fixed issue with failed exports after installing QuickTime 7.2

We downloaded and installed the new version with no problems. We tried several WMV streams and encountered no issues. [Bill Fox]

[8/15] Software Special of the Day: Path Analyzer Pro 2.6 (Universal) for 63% Off--$14.95 Today Only

Path Analyzer Pro integrates advanced route tracing software with performance measurements, DNS, whois, and specialized network resolution to help investigate network issues.

It has several advanced graphical features including beautiful mapping and charting of locations and performance metrics. By incorporating all of these powerful features into one simple graphical interface, Path Analyzer Pro is a must-have tool for any network, systems, or security professional.

Normally $39.95, Path Analyzer Pro 2.6 (Universal) is offered for $14.95 today only--that's 63% off as Today's MacUpdate Software Promo. [Bill Fox]

[8/14] Brief Hands-On Report--AirPort Base Station Update 2007-002

Apple released AirPort Base Station Update 2007-002 and it is available for download within the AirPort Utility application or via Software Update or as a stand-alone file from this Apple Web page.

According to Apple's Read Me file,

The AirPort Base Station Update 2007-002 includes general fixes and compatibility updates for the following applications:

- AirPort Utility
- AirPort Disk Utility
- AirPort Base Station Agent

AirPort Utility v5.2.1 for Mac OS X 10.4.x or later software supports the AirPort Extreme Base Station with 802.11n, AirPort Extreme Base Station and AirPort Express Base Station.

We downloaded and installed it with no problems on an iMac Core Duo and a MacBook Pro Core 2 Duo (LED) with previous version 5.1 installed. After the update and a restart, AirPort Utility showed v5.2.1. [Dana Baggett & Bill Fox]

[8/14] What a Deal! K-12 500-Seat Site License of iLife '08 or iWork '08 for just $249 Each

Tim Holt's blog points out a deal from Apple that's truly incredible. Apple is offering iLife '08 or iWork '08 500-seat licenses to K-12 education for just $249 for each suite (or $498 for both for the math challenged). The licenses also allow 50 additional licenses at no cost for teachers for class preparation. The site licenses have been offered since August 7th.

Check it out on this Apple Education Web page. [Bill Fox]

[8/14] Apple Pro Tip of the Week--Drag and Drop Import from Title Bar

When you have a document open in an application, it shows up as a mini icon on the top bar of its window, i.e. the title bar. You can drag and drop the icon anywhere to make a copy or on a compatible application to open the document in that application. Pretty cool, eh? Check out more details on this Apple Web page.

[8/14] Software Special of the Day: Tangerine! 1.2.2b (Universal) for 40% Off--$14.95 Today Only

Tangerine! lets you easily create playlists of upbeat music, or playlists for relaxing. It works by analyzing the BPM and the beat intensity of your music. Spend your time listening to music, not making playlists.

Normally $24.95, Tangerine! 1.2.2b (Universal) is offered for $14.95 today only--that's 40% off as Today's MacUpdate Software Promo. [Bill Fox]

[8/13] Hands-On Review--iSkin Revo Case for the iPhone

Intro

If you carry your iPhone in a pocket or purse and want a case, check out the revo from iSkin because of its usability, protection and style. Our review unit is black (iSkin calls it Nighthawk) but the revo also comes with a variety of other color accent choices: light blue (Rah--shown), medium blue (Blade), hot pink (Zahra), red (Diablo) and yellow (Mohave).

iSkin claims that the revo provides "Premium Protection" for your iPhone and, indeed, it does. The screen is covered with an adhering protective shield that reduces glare and adds privacy preventing viewing the screen from and angle. The case itself is flexible silicone with an anti-microbial agent built in to reduce harmful bacterial growths. The case is thin generally but thicker at the corners and sides to provide some shock protection. There are covers for the headphone port and data port and thicker areas over the switches to assist in using them with the case on. Finally, there is a clear visor that clips over the iPhone's front screen in protection mode and then clips over the back to use the phone.

iskin revo Our Use

The protective anti-glare film was easy to apply to our iPhone's screen. It doesn't use an adhesive so it was easy to pull up and re-apply to ensure that we did not capture any bubbles beneath it. It was easy to rub a few tiny bubbles to the edge and out to complete the application.

Our iPhone slipped easily into the revo case and the fit is very, very good. The thicker areas fit perfectly over the switches and the headphone, camera lens, ringer, microphone, data and speaker ports aligned perfectly. The data port is covered by a plug and the headphone port by a flap. There's no cover for the camera lens, ringer switch, microphone and speaker ports.

The silicone case feels like a textile material rather than the usual sticky silicone rubber sensation. We think you will like it a lot as we do.

Finally, the clear visor clipped over the front or back easily.

We had no problems using three of the iPhone switches: on/off, volume iskin revo and home through the case. In fact, all were actually easier to use with the case on. The headphone flap worked fine. Our only difficulty was with the ringer switch, needing an adventurous fingernail to flip it between ring and silent modes. The data port plug is snug but it will be easy for some to misplace it since it is an separate part, i.e. not on a flap. The visor does not cling as tightly to the front or back as we would like but it is probably okay.

Our iPhone's touchscreen seemed to be not affected by the protective anti-glare shield. We tried every function, including typing, and each one worked well. In fact, there may be a very slight desensitization caused by the shield that allowed the touchscreen to work even better, in our opinion.

In Summary

If you carry your iPhone in your pocket or purse instead of on a clip at your waist, you will not be disappointed by the iSkin revo. The $39.99 revo is tops in usability, protection and style. It is probably the best protective case of its kind, certainly the best we have seen. [Bill Fox]

[8/13] Glance increased Session Size from 15 to 100 Guests

Glance is a cool one-button-simple desktop sharing service and today its session size was increased to 100 guests, with no change in price. Now any small- or medium-sized business can effortlessly host large-scale online training sessions and webinar events from any Mac or even a PC. Guests connect instantly using their favorite web browser. The session host can easily show slide presentations, websites, software applications – virtually anything the host sees, guests also see.

Previously, Glance subscribers were limited to 15 guests at a time. Now they can use Glance on a much broader scale to support large training classes and webinars. Glance provides an instinctive and effortless way to meet online with just a click. Glance's recent introduction of its StreamShaping technology makes hosting large sessions possible by ensuring that every guest views the host's screen at the fastest speed his or her network allows. Guests on fast connections get the fastest possible updates. Those on slower networks see updates as fast as their connections allow. Everyone enjoys the best web meeting experience possible and no one falls behind. Glance is available for users to sign up for a free trial.

Macs Only! featured Glance during our 2007 Macworld Expo Show Floor Tour. [Bill Fox]

[8/13] Apple posted Quick Tip of the Week Series--Small Business Video Tips

Apple began posting a Quick Tip of the Week series. The tips are for small businesses in the form of short videos. The eleven already posted are:

No More Squinting
Keynote at a Distance
Snapshots of Your Screen
Applications All Together
That Perfect Word
Setting Favorite Fonts
Customizing Finder
View Multiple Inspectors
Easily Create PDF's
Presentations Uninterrupted
Keyboard Shortcuts

[Dana Baggett]

[8/13] Software Special of the Day: Mental Case 1.0.1 (Universal) for 48% Off--$14.95 Today Only

Mental Case is many things - a drop box for your thoughts; RSS for your head; an index of your knowledge - but ultimately, it's just a fun way to remember stuff. And 'stuff' can be anything, from your new mobile phone number to the Presidents of the United States - Mental Case can even help you remember to stick to a diet.

All you do is gather tidbits of information in 'mental notes'. Enter some text, drop in an image, take a screen shot, or even snap a picture with your iSight. Mental Case schedules the note to reappear at future dates. When you have a few minutes to spare, you watch the scheduled notes in a slide show. Mental Case makes learning a pleasure.

Normally $29.00, Mental Case 1.0.1 (Universal) is offered for $14.95 today only--that's 48% off as Today's MacUpdate Software Promo. [Bill Fox]

[8/11] Apple's iMac Support Page updated for New Aluminum iMacs

Apple's iMac Support Page has been updated for the new Aluminum iMacs. It has sections on getting started, troubleshooting, links to discussion topics, software updates and repair and support. [Dana Baggett]

[8/11] Apple released Keyboard Software Update 1.1 for New Aluminum Keyboards

Apple released Keyboard Software Update 1.1 for the new aluminum keyboards, wired and wireless. It is available via Software Update or as a stand-alone file from this Apple Web page.

According to the Read Me file,

Install this software to use your aluminum Apple Keyboard and take advantage of the special features.

Our new CTO 2.8GHz 24" aluminum iMac is due August 20. Look for our review shortly thereafter. [Bill Fox]

[8/11] Freeverse released v1.5 of Heroes of Might and Magic V for Mac

Heroes of Might and Magic V for the Macintosh, under exclusive worldwide license from Ubisoft has been updated to version 1.5. Originally developed by Nival Interactive, Heroes of Might and Magic V brings the popular and long running strategy franchise into a new era with cutting-edge technology and a breathtaking, fully 3D animated world.

The game features a deep, scalable turn-based battle system for challenging tactical combat as well as the option of a brand new Active Battle System for faster play. Players can choose from more than 200 skills, 170 creature abilities and 40 spells to build up heroes and armies. This is a new, darker, heroic fantasy universe that's more mature with six unique factions and more than 80 different creatures.