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Mac OS X 10.5.3 Update released

joelcraig23@mac.com — 2008-05-30T20:43:13-05:00

The Mac OS X 10.5.3 Update is recommended for all users running Mac OS X 10.5 and includes general operating system fixes that enhance the stability, compatibility and security of your Mac.

General

* Includes recent Apple security updates.
* Fixes a font issue that could result in Helvetica Narrow being used in applications instead of Helvetica.
* Addresses an issue with stuttering video and audio playback in certain USB devices.
* Resolves stability issues with Word of the Day, iTunes Artwork, and Slideshow screen savers.
* Fixes an issue in which certain attached hard drives may not show up in the Finder.
* Addresses an issue with .Mac syncing of Dashboard widgets over multiple Macs that use different screen resolutions.
* Includes additional RAW image support for several cameras.
* Improves the accuracy of the Software Update progress bar indicator.
* Addresses an issue in which Finder may not be available if the computer name is blank in Sharing preferences.
* Improves Active Directory binding and login.
* Eliminates a delay when logging in as an Active Directory user in a .local domain.
* Improves Spotlight searches on a AFP file server volumes.
* Clients can now change their password at the login window when bound to a Mac OS X 10.4 Open Directory server.
* Improves Safari reliability when connecting to the Internet through a Microsoft ISA proxy.

Address Book

* Addresses reliability issues when searching for contacts using built-in search.
* Resolves issues with mapping addresses that contain an ampersand character (&).

AirPort

* Improves 802.1X behavior and reliability.
* Improves reliability when using Time Capsule.

Automator

* Addresses an issue in which some actions may not work with the "Show When Run" option enabled.
* Resolves an issue in which the "New iCal Event" action may not work.
* Resolves an issue that prevents workflows from being saved in the Finder's contextual menu.
* Fixes reliability issues for Automator scripts that search for files by date.
* Resolves an issue that prevents workflows from being saved in the Finder's contextual menu.
* Addresses an issue in which Automator workflows as Finder plugins do not work when the workflow begins with the "Get Selected Finder Items" action.
* Fixes an issue in which the "Copy Files" action does not reliably work when added from Automator’s warning dialog.

iCal

* Addresses potential privacy issues by allowing events to be marked as private.
* Resolves an issue in which the inspector does not show capacity and availability info for conference rooms within a building.
* Addresses an issue in which the current day could appear in the left-most column of the weekly view.
* Addresses reliability issues with meeting alarms, invitations and attachments.
* Resolves issues with reliability when restoring from iCal backups.
* Fixes accuracy issues with auto-completion, availability data and location names.
* Resolves an issue in which iCal may send cancellation notices for events in the past after a calendar is deleted.
* Fixes reliability issues with iCal syncing.

iChat

* Addresses reliability issues with screen sharing.
* Resolves an issue in which saved chat transcripts may reported as "still in use" after opening and closing them in iChat.
* Resolves an issue with group chats not being indexed in Spotlight.
* Only the last 250 messages of an active chat are saved. Fixed to save unlimited number of lines.
* Addresses issues with echo cancellation that may occur on portable Macs.

Mail

* Resolves an issue in which Mail may prevent idle sleep when set to automatically check for new messages every minute.
* Addresses stability issues that may be encountered when dragging large attachments into an email message.
* Fixes an issue that could occur if two compose windows are open when dragging a file to the Mail icon in the Dock.
* Addresses reliability issues when changes are made to a mailbox while offline.
* Resolves wrapping issues that may be found with consecutive spaces in plain text.
* Fixes issues with certain web pages appearing garbled when emailed from Safari.
* Fixes an issue in which the Sent, Drafts, and Outbox mailboxes incorrectly list the "cc" recipients in the "To" column.
* Addresses reliability issues with attachments added to plain text notes.
* Fixes reliability issues with authenticated RSS feeds.
* Resolves an issue in which attaching an alias to an email message may not send the actual file.

Parental Controls

* Addresses reliability issues with application logging and time limits.
* Resolves an issue in which Parental Controls may prevent forced sleep.
* Addresses performance issues with web content filters.
* Fixes an issue with managed accounts in which iChat transcripts may not be created.
* Addresses issues with 4-byte files and whitelist.

Spaces

* Resolves an issue in which switching to a different space and returning back to the original space may reorder the application windows with a different active window.
* Resolves an issue in which activating an application from the Dock switches to a different space, even if there is a window for that application in the current space.
* Fixes an issue in which Command-Tab may incorrectly switch to a new space.
* Addresses reliability issues with Spaces when syncing preferences over .Mac.

Time Machine

* Includes fixes for Time Machine compatibility with Time Capsule.
* Resolves certain issues when backing up a portable Mac that is on battery power.
* Addresses compatibility issues with Aperture 2.
* Addresses reliability issues when performing a full restore from a Time Machine backup.
* Fixes an issue in which certain function keys may be disabled after using Time Machine.
* Fixes a possible alert message that incorrectly states a backup volume does not have enough space.
* Updates Time Machine to reliably restore attachments and messages in Mail.

VoiceOver

* Includes Braille Update 1.0 which enables GW Micro, HandyTech, HIMS, Nippon, and Papenmeier Refreshable Braille displays.
* Addresses an issue with Braille dot 7 and 8 underlining.
* Fixes an issue in which HTML page anchors may be ignored by the VoiceOver cursor.
* Fixes an issue that prevented Hot Spots from being used in text areas.
* Resolves an issue with spell checking in which VoiceOver may only announce the first misspelled word if there are multiple words spelled incorrectly.

Climate model on Mac Pro

joelcraig23@mac.com — 2008-05-24T22:31:37-05:00

IMUG member and developer Tom Moore wrote to tell me of his latest project. He recently replaced a 18-CPU Linux cluster with a 3.2 GHz 8-core Mac Pro for the purpose of running climate models. Says Tom:

Currently, I'm running my first T42 simulation. I was guessing I would get 7 years per day for this run. I was using a fairly linear CPU comparison with Gondwana, my older cluster, which uses 16 2 ghz Opteron processors, comes in just under 10 years per day. Well, initial performance results say that my calculations were way too low. The model produces a month of data every 7-8 minutes so far... that translates to a year-per-day range of 15-17. This result was far better than I anticipated!

Tom is keeping track of his progress at his blog. You can follow along at http://lostinthemountains.blogspot.com/

Apple updates iTunes, QuickTime, Front Row

joelcraig23@mac.com — 2008-04-03T18:54:23-05:00

Apple on Wednesday night updated three of its key media applications for Mac OS X to mend their compatibility and apply bug fixes:
This release is recommended for all QuickTime 7 users. QuickTime 7.4.5 includes fixes that enhance reliability, improve compatibility with third-party applications, and address security issues.

iTunes 7.6.2 provides bug fixes to improve stability and performance.

Version 2.1.3: This Front Row update provides improved iTunes 7.6.2 compatibility.

If these updates are applicable to your system, they will be found in Software Update.

Mac OS X 10.5.2 arrives

joelcraig23@mac.com — 2008-02-13T22:37:35-06:00

The 10.5.2 Update is recommended for all users running Mac OS X Leopard and includes general operating system fixes that enhance the stability, compatibility and security of your Mac. Here's a list of what's updated:

Active Directory

* Addresses issues which could hinder or prevent binding Mac OS X 10.5.x clients to Active Directory domains.

AirPort

* Improves connection reliability and stability
* Includes 802.1X improvements
* Resolves certain kernel panics

Back to my Mac

* Adds support for more third-party routers, as detailed in this article

Dashboard

* Improves performance of certain Apple Dashboard widgets (such as Dictionary)
* Addresses an issue in which Dashboard widgets may no longer be accessible after switching to or from an account that has Parental Controls enabled

Dock

* Updates Stacks with a List view option, a Folder view option, and an updated background for Grid view

Desktop

* Addresses legibility issues with the menu bar with an option to turn off transparency in Desktop & Screen Saver preferences
* Adjusts menus to be slightly-less translucent overall

iCal

* Improves iCal so that it accurately reflects responses to recurring meetings
* Addresses an issue in which a meeting may remain on the calendar after being cancelled
* Addresses stability issues related to .Mac syncing of iCal calendars
* Resolves an intermittent issue in which editing an event with attendees would cause the event to shrink and not register that the event was updated

iChat

* Addresses an issue with simultaneously-logged in accounts in which iChat sounds generated from one account might be heard in another account
* Fixes an issue in which iChat idle time is affected by Time Machine backups
* Improves connectivity when running iChat behind a router that doesn’t preserve ports
* Enables logged chats from previous versions of iChat to open faster and more reliably
* Addresses an issue with text chats in which users may be unable to receive messages from the sender
* Addresses an issue that may prevent rejoining an AIM chat room without reopening iChat
* Addresses video chat compatibility issues with AIM 6 and third-party routers
* Fixes an issue with case-sensitivity of AIM handles

iSync

* Adds support for Samsung D600E and D900i phones

Finder

* Addresses an issue in which Finder could unexpectedly quit when displaying folder contents in Column view
* Addresses an issue in which Finder could unexpectedly quit when accessing Users and Groups in a Get Info pane
* Resolves an issue that prevented setting permissions on a folder alias
* Resolves an issue in which the Eject command could write to a disc in the optical drive
* Fixes an issue in which the scroll bar might disappear when deleting a file within a folder that includes files that are out of view
* Fixes an issue in the Sharing & Permissions section of Get Info windows, in which the gear icon appears to be gray/disabled after authentication
* Addresses an issue in which the Show Icon Preview preference might not be not saved when turning it off
* Fixes an issue that could occur when trying to print an image from the Finder

Mail

* Addresses an issue with Message menu's Mark > As Read choice
* Fixes an issue in which duplicate On My Mac folders may appear in the sidebar after upgrading to Leopard
* Improves the accuracy of the Data Detectors feature
* Resolves an issue with scrolling through a Note that is displayed using the split view in the message window
* Fixes an issue with deleting messages located in the Drafts folder
* Fixes an issue in which dragging the icon in the Safari URL field into a Mail message creates an attachment instead of a link
* Addresses an issue found when opening a item in the Notes folder that is not a Note
* Fixes an issue that may prevent RSS feeds from being delivered in Mail
* Resolves an issue in which a selected message could "flash" from blue to gray when in Organize by Thread mode
* Fixes an issue with scrolling between multiple To Dos in an email message
* Fixes an issue in which the body of email messages with certain MIME structures may not be displayed
* Improves performance with America Online (AOL) account-based messages in Mail
* Addresses issues with some ISPs during automatic set-up in Mail
* Addresses an issue in which Mail might not send mail on some networks to some SMTP servers
* Mail now automatically disables the (unsupported) third-party plugin GrowlMail version 1.1.2 or earlier to avoid issues
* Adds an option to view large icons in the Mailbox list

Networking

* Addresses a hanging issue that may occur when connecting to an AFP network volume

Parental Controls

* Improves stability when opening the Parental Controls System Preferences pane
* Fixes an issue that may prevent changes to the email address for permission requests
* Addresses an issue with printer administration for a guest account enabled with Parental Controls
* Addresses an issue with setting printer administration privileges from another Mac on the local network
* Fixes an issue that could prevent certain applications from being allowed
* Addresses accuracy issues with the web content filter

Preview

* Improves stability when scrolling through a PDF document
* Fixes an issue that prevents tabbing within a PDF document after clicking on the PDF
* Improves the Mail Document feature so that email attachments are more reliably created from Print Preview

Printing

* Addresses an issue in which remote printers may be deleted when the computer is put to sleep
* Improves printing performance when using some Microsoft Office applications
* Resolves an issue with some printing options, such as landscape orientation, number of copies, two-sided printing, and so forth that may not have functioned with some printers shared by Microsoft Windows
* Adds support for certain printers connected to the USB port of an AirPort Extreme or AirPort Express base station
* Resolves a stalling issue that could occur when installing certain Canon printing software from a disc

RAW Image

* Adds RAW image support for newer Canon, Hasselblad, Leaf, Nikon, and Sony digital SLR cameras, as detailed in this article

Safari

* Addresses issues with Safari reliably resolving certain domains

Login and Setup Assistant

* Addresses an issue in which Setup Assistant could unexpectedly appear each time Mac OS X 10.5 starts up
* Improves stability and performance during log in

System

* Improves the accuracy of the grammar checker
* The computer will now shut down if an automatic disk repair does not succeed during startup

Time Machine

* Adds a menu bar option for accessing Time Machine features (the menu extra can be enabled in Time Machine preferences)
* Improves backup reliability when computer name contains slash or non-ASCII characters
* Fixes an issue in which the backup disk displayed in the Finder may be out of sync with the disk chosen for Time Machine
* Addresses issues in which some external drives are not recognized by Time Machine
* The status menu now appears by default

Other

* Improves general stability when running third-party applications
* Addresses an issue in which the incorrect search results may be displayed for certain Automator Find/Filter actions
* Addresses an issue with the Latvian and Russian keyboard layouts
* Addresses an issue in which the backlight could turn off before Energy Saver's backlight setting

The Combo update checks in at 343MB and is available at this page.

Curt goes shopping

joelcraig23@mac.com — 2008-02-06T22:53:38-06:00

Curt Hieggelke braved the weather and took a trip to the Apple Store. This image of Curt checking out a MacBook Air was sent to me from his iPhone. Unbelievably, Curt says he left the store empty handed.

Apple releases QuickTime 7.4.1 for Leopard, Tiger and Panther

joelcraig23@mac.com — 2008-02-06T22:45:19-06:00

Apple on Wednesday released QuickTime 7.4.1, a recommended security update for all users of QuickTime 7.0 running Mac OS X 10.5 Leopard, Mac OS X 10.4.9 Tiger, Mac OS X 10.3.9 Panther, Windows XP SP2, and Windows Vista.

Answers to some questions

joelcraig23@mac.com — 2008-01-20T21:41:57-06:00

We had a nice turnout for Kevin Shea's Leopard (I can't believe I wrote "Panther" in the email) demonstration last Monday night. Our thanks to Kevin of MacSpecialist, and our congratulations on the recent grand opening of their new store in the River North area of Chicago. After the meeting, I was approached by a few members with some questions, the answers to which may interest some of you.

The first had to do the presence or absence of a database program in iWork to take the place of Appleworks' database functionality. As you may or may not know, Apple has officially ended the life of Appleworks after letting it stagnate for years. With the release of iWork 08, Apple has yet to replace this database functionality, possibly with good reason. Apple also owns Filemaker, THE professional database app for the Mac. Filemaker has within the past week released version 1.0 of Bento, their new consumer-level database app. While in public beta, this was already being called the missing link of iWork. Find out more about Bento at: http://filemaker.com/products/bento/overview.html

Since the demise of Appleworks, Apple no longer includes a free productivity suite on any of their machines, opting to sell the iWork suite for $79. The included TextEdit app can do some basic word processing, and even open MS Office Word documents. The question was whether or not Appleworks will run on an Intel-powered machine? The answer is Yes, it will run in Rosetta mode as long as you have version 6 upgraded to run on OSX. Since the Intel machines no longer support Classic, older versions of Appleworks or Clarisworks will not run on Intel. NeoOffice, the OSX port of the free open-source OpenOffice suite, is an excellent choice for a productivity suite replacement on Intel machines: http://www.neooffice.org/neojava/en/index.php

The final question had to do with the availability of a "modern" web browser for OS9. Unless you've been living under a rock for the past 7-8 years, you know that the technology that runs the internet has evolved tremendously. Modern, standards-compliant web browsers like Firefox (Mozilla) and Safari have enabled this growth. If you are still using IE or Netscape 4 on OS9 or older, you've seen many web pages that just don't work anymore (especially if you do online banking or bill paying). Short of buying a new computer, what can you do? Here are two options:

1. iCab. iCab was, until about a week ago, the only browser developer that was still actively supporting the classic Mac OS as far back as version 8! iCab 3.x has many of the features you see in X-only browsers like tabbed browsing, pop-up blocking, and the ability to identify itself to a web server as another browser, sometimes enabling a user to get around an IE-only requirement. In my experiences with iCab, it does a decent job on the modern web, it's just that it's v-e-r-y...s-l-o-w. Sadly, with version 4, the one-man development team made a decision to switch to the WebKit engine, the same engine that powers Safari, which means that unless he continues to maintain the version 3 branch, there will be no more updates for Classic OS users. More info can be found at: http://icab.de/

2. WaMCom - Web and Mail Communicator. Mozilla ended official support for OS9 with the release of version 1.3. However, the OSX-only features in Mozilla 1.3 were minimal, and did not prevent one developer from building an OS9-capable browser based on version 1.3 code. This hack of Mozilla 1.3 is called the Web and Mail Communicator, or WaMCom for short. Former Netscape users will find themselves right at home using WaMCom (the final OS9 version of Netscape, version 7.0.2, was based on Mozilla 1.0), as Netscape 6 and 7 were the result of the opening of the source code in 1998 and the resulting Mozilla project. I've actually got this running on a friend's old iMac, and she is very pleased with its performance, both as a web browser and as an Email Client (she's managing her Comcast account with the mail portion of Mozilla). Info on WaMCom is found: http://wamcom.org/

We'll meet again in February and March at the Panera Bread Store in Joliet, Rt. 59 and Caton Farm Rd. First Monday of each month at 6:30pm in the general dining area, probably in the cushy chairs straight inside the main entrance if they are available. Our next general meeting and presentation is tentatively scheduled for the second Monday in April. More info on that as time approaches. In the meantime, stay warm and stay safe.

Kishore does Macworld!

joelcraig23@mac.com — 2008-01-15T20:34:32-06:00

Our very own Kishore Rao was privileged to be in attendance at this year's keynote address by Steve Jobs at Macworld in San Francisco. Kishore uploaded some pictures from the event to a Web Gallery (a feature of .Mac) and has invited everyone to take a peek. Here's the link:

http://gallery.mac.com/kcrao1#100067

The Untold Story: How the iPhone Blew Up the Wireless Industry

joelcraig23@mac.com — 2008-01-11T23:45:13-06:00

Wired.com has an excellent article about the evolution of the iPhone, and the effect is has had on the wireless industry. A bit long (4 pages), but a very interesting read. Time well spent, I promise:

http://www.wired.com/gadgets/wireless/magazine/16-02/ff_iphone

Happy Holidays from IMUG

joelcraig23@mac.com — 2007-12-23T20:45:05-06:00

The Board of Directors of the Illinois Macintosh Users Group would like to extend to all of you our wishes for a happy and blessed holiday season.

Security Updates

joelcraig23@mac.com — 2007-12-23T19:47:25-06:00

In recent weeks, Apple has released two security updates for its OS X Leopard and Tiger operating systems. Security Update 2007-009 1.1 (10.5.1) is recommended for all users and improves the security of the following components:

Core Foundation
CUPS
Flash Player Plug-in
Launch Services
perl
python
Quick Look
ruby
Safari
Samba
Shockwave Plug-in
Spin Tracer

Slagging off again

joelcraig23@mac.com — 2007-11-27T00:49:08-06:00

My apologies for the lack of updates lately. I've been having more issues with my back and last week spent another 4 days at St. Joe's. I think most are aware that Leopard has already seen its "dot-one" release, quashing many early bugs but still leaving issues for some. However, I've found Leopard to be, for the most part, a very enjoyable and problem-free upgrade on all four of our machines here: a 1.25GHz eMac 1GB RAM, 12" PB DVI (1GHz, 1.25GB RAM), 17" PB 1.67GHz 1.5GB RAM, and a 15" 1G MBP 2.0GHz CD 2GB RAM. My machine got the Archive and Install treatment after creating a clone on an external drive of my Tiger install. I was very happy with this one as this is my machine for compiling Camino, and for the most part all I needed to do was install XCode 3 to recreate my build environment, much less messy than the myriad recursive symlink errors I saw after upgrading to Tiger. I believe the other three got the simple Upgrade treatment, and other than some minor printing and Airport issues, we got everything resolved painlessly and are all enjoying the benefits of 21st Century computing!

I've also been updating the iLife/iWork suites on all the machines. My MBP is the only one that meets the steep hardware requirements of iMovie '08. I'd love to find a hack to at least get it on the 17"PB, as we've got a HDD-based JVC Camcorder that's file format is now supported natively in '08, unlike '06 where a messy routine of downloading, exporting, and importing was needed to bring video from the camera into iMovie, at a high lose of quality.

Many 3rd-party apps found that some tweaks were needed to improve Leopard compatibility. Again, nothing too serious. With many of these programs now using the Sparkle framework for software updates, most of the time all it takes is launching the program to find and install the update. Gotta love those 3rd-party Mac developers!

I see tonight that Firefox 2.0.0.10 has been released. This is mainly a security update. If your interested in seeing the future of Firefox, version 3 is not in the Alpha stage (I've been building and testing Intel-optimized versions on about a weekly basis, on top of my nightly Camino builds). FF3 is already seeing some good press, as the devs seem refocused on user experience, with speed and ease of use being front and foremost. Test out a nightly build if you're interested, they're pretty stable at this point. If anyone is interested in testing any of my Intel-only builds, check out http://homepage.mac.com/joelcraig23/FileSharing2.html

Don't forget next Monday is the monthly Coffee at the Joliet Panera. We'll just meet in the general dining area somewhere, maybe in the cushy chairs over by the west windows? Both rooms are reserved, so we're on our own. I'm sure we'll have some Leopold machines should anyone want to play. Until then, Happy Shopping!

J

Mac OS X Leopard to ship October 26

joelcraig23@mac.com — 2007-10-16T21:33:05-05:00

Packed with more than 300 new features, Mac OS X Leopard goes on sale Friday, October 26, at 6:00 p.m. at Apple’s retail stores and Apple Authorized Resellers, Apple announced today. And, beginning today, customers can place pre-orders on Apple’s online store. “Leopard, the sixth major release of Mac OS X, is the best upgrade we’ve ever released,” said Steve Jobs, Apple’s CEO. “And everyone gets the ‘Ultimate’ version, packed with all the new innovative features, for just $129.”

Alternative Browser Alliance

joelcraig23@mac.com — 2007-10-05T16:22:23-05:00

I came across this site today that kind of goes along with the presentations at our last meeting. The Alternative Browser Alliance does a great job of explaining why the Internet Explorer / Microsoft monoculture was bad for the web, and why the emergence of alternative web browsers has done wonders for the recent innovation we've seen over the past few years. Mac users, especially, have many choices in the browser arena since the release of OS X. Unfortunately, if you're still using OS9 or earlier, you've been left out. However, you still have a couple of choices. iCab is an excellent choice as it is the only 9-compatible browser that is still being actively developed. Netscape 7.0.2 is still available from the NS Browser Archive. And, WaMCom, based on Mozilla 1.3.x is still available as well.

Joy Of Tech

joelcraig23@mac.com — 2007-08-28T23:31:18-05:00

NeoOffice 2.2.1 Released

joelcraig23@mac.com — 2007-08-26T22:31:57-05:00

NeoOffice is a full-featured set of office applications (including word processing, spreadsheet, presentation, and drawing programs) for Mac OS X. Based on the OpenOffice.org office suite, NeoOffice has integrated dozens of native Mac features and can import, edit, and exchange files with other popular office programs such as Microsoft Office.

Released as free, open source software under the GNU General Public License (GPL), NeoOffice is fully functional and stable enough for everyday use. The software is actively developed, so improvements and small updates are made available on a regular basis.

It is available for free from the NeoOffice download page.

WHAT'S NEW
Version 2.2.1:

* Based on OpenOffice.org 2.2.1 codebase
* Support for Microsoft Office 2007 Excel and PowerPoint document formats
* Support for Mac OS X 10.5 Beta
* Support for Quick Look under Mac OS X 10.5
* Access to the Mac OS X Address Book as a data source
* Use of the native Mac OS X spell-checker for supported languages
* Enhanced the Akua set of toolbar icons with a more Aqua appearance
* Support for printing high resolution images at their expected DPI

REQUIREMENTS
# For PPC Macs: Mac OS X 10.3.9 or later.

# For Intel Macs: Mac OS X 10.4 or later.

Since Apple no longer includes free productivity software with new Macs, I highly recommend checking out NeoOffice if you're just looking for something that will open the Word, Excel, and Powerpoint documents, as well as has the ability to Save As the same. Early G4 and older systems may not have enough horsepower to run this program smoothly (NeoOffice uses Java to draw its windows), but it runs great (even better than MS Office in Rosetta mode) on Intel machines, and G5's should also handle it very well.

PC Magazine Editor Fed Up With Vista, Quits His Post

joelcraig23@mac.com — 2007-08-18T12:31:57-05:00

PC Magazine editor Jim Lauderback has been one of Vista biggest cheerleaders since its launch, but not anymore. He's so frustrated, in fact, that's he's quit his job as editor and is mulling a move to *gasp* Linux. Jim needs to take a walk through his neighborhood Apple store 

Read all about it here: http://www.pcmag.com/print_article2/0,1217,a=213291,00.asp

R.I.P. Appleworks

joelcraig23@mac.com — 2007-08-15T22:28:21-05:00

The obvious has finally become official: Appleworks is dead. With the addition the other day of Numbers, a new spreadsheet application, to the iWork suite (which also includes Pages and Keynote), Apple has finally laid the venerable old suite to rest. Appleworks had not been updated in years, and was never released as a universal binary. The old Appleworks URL now redirects to the iWork '08 site. Appleworks word processing, presentation, and spreadsheet documents can be imported into iWork.

Site Update

joelcraig23@mac.com — 2007-08-12T00:01:33-05:00

I've been a bit lax in updating this site recently. We've actually had to move the website as we are no longer able to host it at JJC. I'm currently hosting it myself, so if anyone has any issues with it loading, etc. please let me know at the email address posted on the Contacts page. I'll be bringing the blog up to date soon with some of the more exciting news that's been happening recently in the world of Apple.

Joel 

Apple Security Updater 2007-005 released

joelcraig23@mac.com — 2007-05-24T21:53:16-05:00

Security Update 2007-004 is recommended for all users and improves the security of the following components:

AFP Client
AirPort
CarbonCore
diskdev_cmds
fetchmail
ftpd
gnutar
Help Viewer
HID Family
Installer
Kerberos
Libinfo
Login Window
network_cmds
SMB
System Configuration
URLMount
Video Conference
WebDAV

Rapidweaver get an update!

joelcraig23@mac.com — 2007-05-24T21:45:18-05:00

Rapidweaver, our favorite website creation software, got a pretty big update today, regardless of it being only a point-release; so big, in fact, that this one is a paid upgrade: $25 for existing users. Here's a list of the changes in version 3.6:

* Application Updates

o Style support added to themes
o Added support for lists
o Snippets feature added
o 6 completely new themes added
o Publishing now shows more detail while uploading
o Pages can now be dragged and dropped between documents
o Added option to protect e-mail address in footer
o Rel tag now supported when adding a link
o Now supports JS page encoding
o Added "Paste and Match Style" to edit menu
o Added "Visit Published Website" menu item
o Added a feature to enable code to be placed in the header
o Custom page extensions, such as "php" are now carried over to sub pages
o Duplicating a page now also duplicates the page's attributes, including the sidebar
o Missing pages are now displayed with a missing page icon, instead of being removed from the Hierarchy
o Code view now reports PHP syntax errors
o Dock Menu now supports open and new file commands
o Updated preferences window
o Applying shadows and borders to images quality improved
o Images are now much smaller as they no longer have a colour profile embeded
o Non 72dpi images are now scaled correctly
o The site logo is now used only once per site
o Text views with lots of content are now much, much faster
o Publishing and Export no longer use excessive amounts of memory
o Implemented a crash reporter, handy if something bad happens!
o Many, many other minor fixes and enhancements

* Includes localization for the following languages

o English
o French
o German
o Japanese

* Blog Updates

o Added Tag support for posts
o Archive posts by Year option added
o Support for Multiple categories added
o The title of the post is now linked to it's permalink page
o Added support for inline comments on permalink pages using haloscan
o A title can now be set for categories. e.g. "Filed in:"
o Images added in the sidebar of the blog now display correctly in the archives
o Scrollwheel now works in the Main entry field
o Sidebar arrows now work in the Summary field
o Custom iTunes tag fields no longer remain inactive
o Now uses SEO frendly browser titles on permalink pages
o Moved RSS link to the header so the page should now validate strict, even without using Tidy
o Fixed a bug whereby the blog plugin would sometimes crash RapidWeaver when loading a document
o Archived by date pages now use better file names, e.g mar-01-2007.html
o Fixed issue with non localized versions of RW displaying null as the date
o Many other minor fixes

* Contact Form Updates

o Name is now included in the Email header
o Now uses styled text fields for the sent and received messages
o Added a footer text area

* Photo Album Updates

o Now supports EXIF data
o Completely new Flash Slideshow with Audio, Ken Burns Effect and much more
o Added a square thumbnail option for tidier gallery pages
o Images are now much smaller as they no longer have a colour profile embeded
o No longer uses excessive memory
o Fixed a bug whereby white lines were sometimes visible along the top of images

REQUIREMENTS
Mac OS X 10.4 or later.

HandBrake 0.8.5b1 Released

joelcraig23@mac.com — 2007-04-20T22:24:45-05:00

After a 14-month hiatus, a brand new development team, a project forked then unforked, and literally hundreds of revisions…

We are pleased to announce the release of HandBrake 0.8.5b1 !

This new version of HandBrake encompasses everything that was in MediaFork 0.8.0b1 and much, much, much more.

The complete change set is available and well worth a read (PDF), but here’s a summary for the impatient:

• User presets (Mac)
• AppleTV and PS3 support
• Anamorphic, even in QuickTime
• Surround sound (both AAC 5.1 and Dolby Pro Logic II)
• Chapter markers (QuickTime-style)
• Official support for the Windows GUI
• PPC Linux support
• High profile H.264

A number of bugs have been fixed as well, including the restoration of multiple audio tracks. Still, keep in mind that this is a beta, and no particular level of stability or usability is guaranteed; don’t delete your copy of HandBrake 0.7.1 just yet.

Following the release of MediaFork 0.8.0b1, we were overwhelmed by new users. Fortunately, with them came new coders! A year ago, there were 2 developers. Now, there are over a dozen. Thanks to this happy development, HandBrake’s future is full and bright. So stay tuned: a second beta of 0.8.5 will follow this one, with a number of other exciting features.

Download HandBrake 0.8.5b1 for Mac OSX 10.3.9 or later

Mac OSX 10.5 Leopard delayed until October

joelcraig23@mac.com — 2007-04-12T16:21:04-05:00

Apple Statement

iPhone has already passed several of its required certification tests and is on schedule to ship in late June as planned. We can’t wait until customers get their hands (and fingers) on it and experience what a revolutionary and magical product it is. However, iPhone contains the most sophisticated software ever shipped on a mobile device, and finishing it on time has not come without a price — we had to borrow some key software engineering and QA resources from our Mac OS X team, and as a result we will not be able to release Leopard at our Worldwide Developers Conference in early June as planned. While Leopard's features will be complete by then, we cannot deliver the quality release that we and our customers expect from us. We now plan to show our developers a near final version of Leopard at the conference, give them a beta copy to take home so they can do their final testing, and ship Leopard in October. We think it will be well worth the wait. Life often presents tradeoffs, and in this case we're sure we've made the right ones. [Apr 12, 2007]

So what does this mean? If you are in the market for a new Mac, maybe because you've got an aging machine that lacks the oomph and the technology to deal with today's highly complex websites, and your needs are rather basic: web, email, music, pictures, etc., you may as well go ahead and buy now. OSX 10.4 Tiger will continue to be supported by Apple, and will have more than enough capability to keep you a happy Mac user for years to come. Just be sure to get at least 1GB of RAM and AppleCare.

This announcement may have a profound effect on the MacPro market. Many of these users are already waiting for Adobe to release Intel-native versions of their applications, not to mention--but to a lesser extent--Microsoft's Office 2008 being months away as well. Leopard being pushed back to October just might cause many of these users to think "well, we've waited this long, what's a few more months?" However, with the frenzied interest in the iPhone as well as strong iPod and consumer Mac sales, this announcement should have little negative effect on the company. Besides, a delay in Leopard's release has been rumored for some time, so this announcement should surprise few.

MacSpecialist Grand Re-Opening Event

joelcraig23@mac.com — 2007-03-18T22:54:37-05:00

Get ready for MacSpecialist's Grand Reopening taking place Tuesday,
March 27th through Thursday, March 29th. Each day of this three day
event will feature seminars and workshops with some of our most
poplular vendors, including Apple, as well as the absolute best deals
of the year on Macs and Mac related products.

All three days of our reopening will offer something new, with day
one dedicated to Media, day two specializing in Creativity, and day
three focusing on Small Business needs.

Day One will feature vendors that represent some of the most high-
tech media products available in todays market. Vendors will include
Apple Computer, Sling Media, and many more! Learn how the Mac and
media fit perfectly into your home and business.

Day Two will feature representatives from companies such as Quark and
Seefile, who will show you how to manage your creative workflow
professionally as well as efficiently.

Day Three focuses on fitting the Mac into your small business. We
will cover everything from accounting, to time management, to point
of sale on the Mac. Dax Dasilva, CEO of Xsilva Systems and creator of
Lightspeed will be here to lead a workshop and show off the latest in
Macintosh point of sale technology.

Limited seating is available for these events, so we urge you to
register as early as possible. Lunch will be provided each day.

We would also like to extend an invite to everyone who registers and
attends our Grand Reopening to join us at our Vendor Fair and Social
Gathering, taking place on the evening of Wednesday, March 28th at
the Clubhouse in Oak Brook, Illinois.

Register at www.macspecialist.com

There will also be a big sale for Walk-in Customers:

Computers:

$20 off Mac Minis
$50 off iMacs
$100 off Mac Pros

Displays:

$30 off 20" Apple Cinema Displays
$50 off 23" Apple Cinema Displays
$100 off 30" Apple Cinema Displays

iPods:

$5 off 2GB iPod Nanos
$10 off 4GB iPod Nanos
$15 off 8GB iPod Nanos

$15 off 30GB Video iPods
$20 off 80GB Video iPods

Vendor Deals:

$50 off Quark Xpress 7 Upgrade
$25 off Slingbox AV or Slingbox Pro

These deals are for walk in customers only. Registered guests will receive even better prices. Prices so low we can not advertise them!

IMUG Board of Directors to meet Monday

joelcraig23@mac.com — 2007-03-15T13:14:16-05:00

The Board of Directors of the Illinois Macintosh Users Group will be meeting Monday, March 19, 2007. The agenda will include discussion concerning the presentation for the April General Meeting. If any of you have an idea for a presentation topic, of if you yourself are interested in doing a presentation, please contact Curt by Sunday night at the latest. We look forward to seeing all of you at the Library for the April meeting.

Mac OS X 10.4.9 Update

joelcraig23@mac.com — 2007-03-14T22:01:28-05:00

The 10.4.9 Update is recommended for PowerPC and Intel-based Mac computers currently running Mac OS X Tiger versions 10.4.0 through 10.4.7 and includes general operating system fixes, as well as specific fixes or compatibility updates for the following applications and technologies:

- Application launch times
- RAW camera support
- Updated ATI and NVIDIA graphics drivers
- Handling of large or malformed images that could cause crashes
- Image capture performance
- Mouse scrolling and keyboard shortcuts
- Font handling
- Dashboard stability
- Playback quality, and bookmarks in DVD Player
- USB video conferencing cameras for use with iChat
- Bluetooth devices
- Browsing AFP servers
- Apple USB Modem
- Windows-created digital certificates
- Open and Print dialogs in applications that use Rosetta on Intel-based Macs
- Sharing using AFP, SMB/CIFS, NFS and FTP file sharing protocols
- Login and authentication in a variety of network environments
- Connecting to Cisco VPN servers using IP/Sec and NAT
- AirPort including connectivity to EAP-FAST networks
- Searching iWork ‘06 and Microsoft Office documents using Spotlight
- Viewing of QuickTime streaming media behind a firewall
- Audio playback in QuickTime, iTunes, Final Cut Pro, and Soundtrack applications
- Determining the space required to burn folders
- Synchronizing contacts, bookmarks, and calendars to .Mac and mobile phones
- Mounting and unmounting iDisk volumes
- Time zone and daylight saving for 2006 and 2007
- Security updates

Next Coffee Info

joelcraig23@mac.com — 2007-02-17T17:58:29-06:00

The next IMUG Coffee Gathering will happen Monday, March 5 at 6:30pm at the Panera Bread Store. I'll have the February Breen's Bungalow video. Safari and Firefox browser hints are this month's subject. Please bring a flash drive if you'd like a copy of this video. There should be plenty of portables on hand for some hands-on answers to any Mac questions you might have. Any ideas you might have for the April presentation can be discussed, let us know what you'd like to see at our next general meeting.

Never too cold for a hot (i)mug of coffee.

joelcraig23@mac.com — 2007-02-06T00:12:36-06:00

It was great to see such a large turnout at tonight's Coffee Gathering at Panera. If you were like me, I'd been staying in for a few days avoiding the Arctic blast, so a little fresh air was welcome, no matter how much it burned my lungs when inhaling ;-)

Tonight was actually quite informative I believe. Shutts was playing with a new digital camera, so he downloaded his fine work to his MacBook, and in turn emailed them to me. Once I got them, I saved the attachments to my desktop. A panel of judges decided which one they liked best. We took that picture, opened up the IMUG website Project File in Rapidweaver, and slapped that picture right on the front page, but not before some minor size and placement adjustments. The changes were saved and exported, and the resulting files and folders that resulted from Rapidweaver's activity were spat back out at the Desktop. From there, we opened Transmit, an excellent FTP program, and connected to our site server at JJC. We uploaded our changes, closed Transmit, and admired our updated front page in our favorite web browsers; Camino being a popular choice this evening. We also played around a bit with Mail and Address Book, and compared these apps to similar offerings from Thunderbird, Eudora, Outlook Express, and Entourage. When most had left, Kishore began exploring the secret world of the Command Line, really scary stuff :-D

One quick reminder before I go: Valentine's Day is approaching. Apple Store Online is offering free engraving and free shipping for the next few days on iPods. Aren't those new shuffles cute? So surprise your loved one with a customized gift of music, wrapped and engraved, and delivered directly to your home in time for Valentine's Day. Don't let her say you never get her anything!

Oh, and Panera...the Garden Vegetable Tomato soup is fab!

J

February Coffee Gathering

joelcraig23@mac.com — 2007-02-04T22:05:15-06:00

What better way to drown your sorrows after the Bears Super Bowl loss than a hot cup of coffee with fellow Mac aficionados. We'll meet at 6:30pm in the small area to the left just inside the main entrance at Panera Bread Store, Rt. 59 and Caton Farm Rd. in Joliet.

I'll have the January edition of Breen's Bungalow, the monthly video tutorial series from MacWorld editor Chris Breen. This video gives some helpful hints regarding iTunes. I've also got a 1 hour video presentation from lead Camino developer and former Netscape employee Mike Pinkerton. This video is very interesting in that Mike tells the story of the fall of Netscape, its opening of the source code resulting in the Mozilla project, and the emergence of the Firefox and Camino web browsers. Kind of geeky stuff but interesting none the less. If you'd like these video files (both are suitable for viewing on a video iPod), please bring along a flash drive for quick and easy transfer.

So, for those who decide to brave the cold, we'll see you Monday night at Panera.

Happy New Year!

joelcraig23@mac.com — 2007-01-11T20:19:55-06:00

2007 certainly got off to an exciting start for Mac users. The big announcements out of MacWorld were the Apple TV and the iPhone. Conspicuously absent from discussion were iLife '07 and expected updates especially to iWeb; iWork was also expected to be seeing a substantial upgrade with a rumored spreadsheet application; and not a peep about Leopard, the next generation of the Mac OS X operating system; no Beatles on iTunes announcement; no "octocore" Mac Pros. While the tech world and the stock market seems very excited about Apple, Inc.'s new offerings, I find myself sitting here outside of the Reality Distortion Field waiting for Steve to say, "Oh, and just one more thing..."

I finally got around to giving this site a much needed makeover. I really enjoy working with Rapidweaver, it almost makes me feel creative :-)

The Unarchiver v.1.2 released

joelcraig23@mac.com — 2006-11-13T14:22:25-06:00

Recent users of OSX get an unpleasant surprise when they try to download a file from the internet that is not a .dmg or .zip archive. Apple no longer includes Stuffit Expander as part of the operating system, and actually, there is a large segment of the Mac population who have become increasingly more unhappy with the bloat that Stuffit has become. So, how to open these files? Enter The Unarchiver...

The Unarchiver is a much more capable replacement for Stuffit as well as "BOMArchiveHelper.app", the built-in archive unpacker program in Mac OS X. The Unarchiver is designed to handle many more formats than BOMArchiveHelper, and to better fit in with the design of the Finder. It can also handle filenames in foreign character sets, created with non-English versions of other operating systems. It is useful for opening Japanese archives, and should handle many other languages just as well.

It is very simple to use and install - simply copy it into your Applications folder or whereever you prefer (I keep it in /Applications/Utilities), and then set archive filetypes to open using it. This can either be done the usual way, or by double-clicking the icon to show The Unarchiver's preferences.

Supported file formats include Zip, Tar-GZip, Tar-BZip2, Rar, 7-zip, LhA, StuffIt and many other more or less obscure formats. Support for so many formats is achieved by using the libxad unarchiving library.

The Unarchiver requires Mac OS X 10.4 (Tiger).

OmniWeb November Sale

joelcraig23@mac.com — 2006-11-10T16:46:22-06:00

When Mac OSX was introduced in 2001, OmniWeb was the web browser of choice for many early adopters. This program has gone through a number of changes throughout the years, and is now the most full-featured web browser on the Mac platform. It is built on the same WebKit foundation as Safari (actually, a more up-to-date version of WebKit), and is a perfect example of everything OSX software should be; fast, stable, attractive, and intuitive. Normally going for $30, an OmniWeb license can be had for $9.95 during the month of November. So, if you've been intrigued by OmniWeb but couldn't justify spending money for a web browser when many other choices are available for free, the folks at OmniGroup have made it a lot more affordable. For more information: http://www.omnigroup.com/applications/omniweb/

Vintage Software on an Intel Mac

joelcraig23@mac.com — 2006-10-30T17:02:17-06:00

About a month or so ago, Curt forwarded an email to me from a college who was looking to upgrade to Intel-powered Macs. The only problem was that certain members of the Science department make extensive use of a program that was made for System 7, and hasn't been updated since. With no Classic support on the Intel machines, there didn't seem to be any options.

Today, I came across an article at LowEndMac that deals with this exact issue. Options described include accessing the old machine from the new using VNC, or a variety of emulation programs that can run the old software in a window in OSX, kind of like Parallels can run Windows or Linux in a window in OSX (as was demonstrated at a recent meeting).

You can find the article at this link. Hopefully, this will be of use to some of you folks looking to upgrade.

Firefox 2.0 Released!

joelcraig23@mac.com — 2006-10-28T03:19:05-05:00

Get it while it's hot. To see what's new, check out the updated release notes. There's been some unhappiness with the theme. Kevin Gerich has done a fantastic job with a visual refresh of his classic Pinstripe theme, with special attention paid to tabs. It really looks great (I use it here!), and you can get it from his website. If you're into more of a Safari-like look, look no further than Aronnax's Firefox Themes available from Takebacktheweb.org. Lastly, if you're looking for that little extra edge in speed you might get from a build optimized for your processor, Neil Lee's Beatnik Pad is the place to be. But please, be nice to Neil and read his site. He gets a little temperamental when asked the same questions over and over again. Just use and enjoy. Some of these site may offer suggestions for extension; I'll give you 3. Nightly Tester Tool is a must-have. This little guy prevents version upgrades from horking your extensions. Ad-block Plus with Rick's filter (now included as easy-filter), don't surf without it. Fasterfox makes some tweaks to some hidden preferences to optimize Firefox for speed. Does it work? Try it and see.

Try not to use too many extensions. An overabundance of these helpful little tools tends to slow down the browser and sometimes cause conflicts. If you start to see funky behavior from your Fox, start by removing extensions to see if you can nail down the problem. Oh, and one more for those IE only sites, pick up User Agent Switcher, it works (sometimes).

IMUG Success Story

joelcraig23@mac.com — 2006-10-26T22:17:54-05:00

Recently, Dan Counsell of RealMac Software donated some product keys for Rapidweaver, the easy to use site building program, to our group. A recipient of one of these keys, IMUG member and webmaster for suburban radio station WJJG-AM Mike Baker, sent me a note of thanks and wanted me to share his experience with the rest of the group. Here's what Mike had to say:

Again thanks for giving me the opportunity to use RapidWeaver. My website started on AOL using AppleWorks. At the time (1997), it was easy and quick. Later, mac.com offered templates to enhance the non-html user's experience creating a website. Now, RapidWeaver 3.5 offers the user an easy and quick way combined with "themes" and to advance, a little or a lot, to html.

Surf to my website, to check out the theme TIGER POP.
http://homepage.mac.com/mikebaker/

Thanks,
Mike Baker

P.S.
Please share this information with fellow member of IMUG, either on the IMUG website and/or the next meeting. This is a fine example of how the user's group benefitted a member and how others can inquire about education and knowledge to aid in their own creativity.

Office 2004 for Mac Update

joelcraig23@mac.com — 2006-10-10T15:16:28-05:00

Get yours today via Microsoft AutoUpdate.

Open DNS

joelcraig23@mac.com — 2006-10-10T03:14:35-05:00

Here's something that's intrigued me since I came across it recently. Think of it like open source DNS service, and that's kind of what it is.

Your ISP, whoever it may be, has servers set aside somewhere (usually locally, but like we found out with Comcast, maybe nationally). Domain Name Servers, DNS of short, translate URLs into IP addresses so requests can be routed quickly, efficiently, and correctly. AS new web addresses are added, it may take a couple of days for an old site at a certain URL or IP to be cleared from, or added to, the DNS cache. Having this info cached is what makes the process of surfing, especially on broadband, almost instantaneous. But what happens when your ISPs DNS goes down for whatever reason? Surfing either becomes unbelievably slow, or non existant. A solution is to use alternative DNS servers. There are many who will tell you to just use 4.2.2.2 or 4.2.2.3 and so on. The problem is, these are not public access DNS servers, they're owned by a company called Level3. This would be like you having the only working phone in town, so all your neighbors just start using it without your permission. This is where Open DNS comes in.

Kyle Monson of PC World Magazine had this to say about Open DNS: "It's fast, free, and secure. This DNS service offers speedier browsing and protection from phishing sites. The service will even correct typos that you punch into your browser." Using Open DNS is fast and easy, should only take a couple of minutes. If you have a router, you'll enter the info in the router's config page. Otherwise, you'll just go into the Network area of System Preferences.
Replace the current entries or add these to the empty text areas:

* 208.67.222.222
* 208.67.220.220

Be sure you visit the site: http://www.opendns.com/ . Read the information on the site. Make an informed decision. If your current DNS servers are doing their job, there's no need to make the move now, but bookmark this page for future reference should an emergency arise. Geeks and tweakers who are always looking for an edge when it comes to speed will probably want to at least try OpenDNS to see what it's got. But like I said, please read all the info on the site. It's not a big site, but know what DNS is, what name servers do, and why they are so important to the internets functionality. And if you're up for it, give their servers a try, and be sure to give us some feedback on the mailing list.

Feeling Slightly courageous?

joelcraig23@mac.com — 2006-09-16T02:37:08-05:00

OK, I'm at it again, however with less risk. Camino released version 1.0.3 of its browser yesterday to kind of coincide with the release of Firefox 1.5.0.7, both of which contain bug fixes as well as numerous security patches. There are many (me included) who believe Camino to be THE best browser on OSX, hands down. Last month I posted that I've been doing experimental builds from the development trunk on a nightly basis. With this release build, I thought I'd give the standard product the same optimizations given my trunk builds. So here it is, a basic Camino 1.0.3 build for Intel machines only. This is NOT a universal binary, as the 9MB file size should tell you. You can read my .mozconfig file from the site to see what got tweaked. This build, as do my others, have a non-gradient unified look bookmarks toolbar, and a "(jcraig)" identifier in the user agent. Download either build, or the .mozconfig, by clicking on the logo below, and please leave comments on your experiences or thoughts on this project. This is not a secret, pass the word!

Coming soon, my thoughts on this past week's big announcements, and some other news that's been floating around. Have you read about the 8-core Mac Pro? See you next time.

Feeling courageous?

joelcraig23@mac.com — 2006-08-26T01:11:36-05:00

In the early days of Mac OS X, their were very few choices as far as web browsers were concerned, and they all left a lot to be desired. Internet Explorer was the choice of most, as it came pre-installed with the operating system. Netscape had just spun off the Mozilla code, but the Suite was a big, bloated mess. All the cool people were using a browser called OmniWeb, not so much for it's functionality, but rather for its looks. OmniWeb was a cocoa application, built specifically for OS X. It gave us a taste of how nicely applications can blend in with the look and feel of the system, but eventually it had to be rebuilt from scratch, and added a $30 price tag as well.

Realizing that the newly open sourced Mozilla code and Gecko rendering engine had a lot of promise, two guys (and I believe former Netscape employees) named Mike Pinkerton and Dave Hyatt (Hyatt is now the lead Safari developer) decided to build a browser-only application, based on the Mozilla/Gecko rendering engine under the hood, but with a Mac interface. Originally called Chimera, this project has attracted a very passionate group of volunteer hackers and end users over the last few years. Hyatt eventually was recruited by Apple, but Pink and company have remained committed to building the best browser on the Mac platform, releasing version 1.0 earlier this year.

I've been a big fan of Chimera/Camino from the very beginning, testing nightly builds and reporting bugs. I even developed a work-around for a java-related bug that existed on OSX 10.1, not bad for a non-developer. But I always wanted to learn how to compile Camino myself, and thanks to a group of very patience folks from the Camino forum at Mozillazine, I've accomplished this feat.

Ironically, this same group of people were involved in trying to improve the Camino developer documentation, and sometimes it's hard for software developers to think like normal human beings. For every question I had, information on the wiki was added or adjusted based on the questions I was asking, resulting in what I believe to be fairly clear build instructions. As I became confident that my builds were stable for every day use, I decided to post them to my .Mac site so that other members of the Camino community could take part in the testing of these builds.

These builds are compiled on a MacBook Pro, and are for Intel processor machines only. They will not run on a PPC-equipped machine, so don't even try. They use a customized build configuration file with special (experimental) optimizations for the Intel processors. They are compiled every day, so the possibility exists that newly checked-in code can cause instability in the app. I always do some quick testing before uploading to make sure the app launches, renders some sites, and doesn't crash, so you can feel somewhat confident using it. I would recommend backing up your profile (~/Library/Application Support/Camino) though just in case. So, if you've got a new machine and like living on the bleeding edge, feel free to test these experimental nightly builds of Camino, and feel free to leave comments below on your experiences. Just click on the banner above to download, and be sure to choose the most recent build.

BTW, this reminds me of another subject, which is actually related. Camino, like the majority of software for OSX, is packaged in a file called a disk image. Disk image files end with the .dmg extension. When a disk image is downloaded, your browser hands this file off to an application called DiskImageMounter (unless you have turned OFF automatic opening of files in your browser prefs. In this case, you would double-click the .dmg file to mount it), and the image is mounted. An icon appears on the Desktop that looks like a hard drive (it IS a virtual drive), and usually a Finder window will open as well, showing the contents of the image (again, if a window doesn't open, double-click the drive icon). If the contents of the image is the application, installation consists of dragging the application icon from the image to your Applications folder. Do NOT double-click an application icon from inside a disk image. Once you have dragged the app to /Applications and it's finished copying itself, you Eject the image (either by clicking the Eject triangle in the Finder window, right-clicking the drive icon on the Desktop and choosing Eject, or by simply dragging the drive icon to the Trash). You can then trash the .dmg file as well and any other files that may have been associated with the download (i.e. - .zip files, .bin files, etc.).

There is an exception to this rule. If the contents of the image is an Installer (a yellowish package icon, a .pkg extension, or the words Installer), you can double-click and run from the disk image. But if you mount a disk image and you see the icon of the app you just downloaded, then just drag it to /Applications.

Onyx gets an update

joelcraig23@mac.com — 2006-08-23T01:42:42-05:00

It's not often that I write about 3rd party software on this site, but Onyx is one of those programs that should be in every Mac users Applications folder. I've used Onyx since the early days of OSX, and this little utility has continued to grow and evolve, adding new features but always remaining simple to use and easy to understand. The developers have also maintained support for previous versions of X by providing separate versions of Onyx for Tiger, Panther, and Jaguar. Click on the logo above for download information, and be sure to read the reviews by fellow Mac users at both MacUpdate and Versiontracker, and see for yourself why Onyx is the ONE utility Mac users can't live without.

Apple Security Update 2006-004

joelcraig23@mac.com — 2006-08-01T17:45:08-05:00

Security Update 2006-004 is recommended for all users and improves the security of the following components.

* AFP Server
* Bluetooth
* Bom
* DHCP
* dyld
* fetchmail
* gnuzip
* ImageIO
* LaunchServices
* OpenSSH
* telnet
* WebKit

REQUIREMENTS
Mac OS X 10.4.7 (client or server).

Hot Toast!

joelcraig23@mac.com — 2006-07-03T03:18:18-05:00

Many software vendors are using the Intel transition as an excuse to charge for updated or revised software. Roxio has done just the opposite.

Say hello to Roxio Toast 7.1, a FREE upgrade to current registered users. In my opinion, any Mac user who burns, copies, or otherwise creates media on disc should consider this program. Of course, that's my opinion. Here's all the update info:

About Toast Titanium
The best way to save, share, and enjoy a lifetime of digital music, movies, and photos on CD and DVD. Burn large files across multiple discs. Compress and copy DVD movies. Add over 50 hours of music to an audio DV with on-screen TV menus, shuffle play, and rich Dolby Digital sound.

Turn DivX files into DVDs. Create stunning multi-image HD slideshows with collages, motion effects, titles and background soundtracks. Enjoy HD playback in your living room today! Do it all with the fastest and most reliable burning software for the Mac OS - Toast.

What’s New in this Version
- Now a Universal Binary
- Previewing Apple Lossless audio files in Audio CD format no longer causes a -50 error.
- Resolves QuickTime Movie video export issues — related to the QuickTime 7.1 update.
- Resolves menu button highlight issues on Toast authored DVD-Video discs — related to the Mac OS 10.4.6 update.
- Canceling the User Authentication step during the Toast Setup Assistant no longer causes a -60007 error.
- Many more enhancements.

OS X 10.4.7, Quicktime 7.1.2, iTunes 6.0.5, iPod Updater 2006-06-28

joelcraig23@mac.com — 2006-07-03T03:04:17-05:00

Apple's programmers have been busy latey. Here are the fruits of their labors:

Mac OS X 10.4.7

Meet the most advanced operating system. Again. Instantly find what you are looking for. Get information in an instant with a single click. Mac OS X Tiger delivers 200+ new features which make it easier than ever to find, access and enjoy everything on your computer.

Learn more about Mac OS X

What’s New in this Version
- The 10.4.7 Update is recommended for all users and includes general operating system fixes, as well as specific fixes for the following applications and technologies.
It includes fixes for:

- sharing using AFP, SMB/CIFS, NFS and FTP file sharing protocols
- reliable access to Open Directory, LDAP and Active Directory services
- login and authentication in a variety of network environments
- file access and byte range locking with AFP file sharing
- network access when using proxy server automatic configuration files
- connecting to Cisco VPN servers using IP/Sec and NAT
- AirPort and Bluetooth wireless connectivity
- RAW camera support, including updated ATI and NVIDIA graphics drivers
- usability of Dashboard and widgets
- searching iWork '06 and Microsoft Office documents with Spotlight
- saving Word documents automatically when using a network home directory
- viewing of QuickTime streaming media behind a firewall
- audio playback in QuickTime, iTunes, Final Cut Pro, and Soundtrack Pro applications
- ensuring icons are spaced correctly when viewed on desktop
- determining the space required to burn folders
- synchronizing contacts, bookmarks, and calendars to .Mac and mobile phones
- mounting and unmounting iDisk volumes
- time zone and daylight savings for 2006 and 2007
- Address Book, AppleScript, Automator, Dictionary, Font Book, iCal, iChat, DVD Player, Keynote, Mail, Preview, Safari, and Stickies
- Disk Utility, Keychain Access, Migration Assistant, and Software Update
- compatibility with third party applications and devices
- previous Mac OS X updates and standalone security updates

Quicktime 7.1.2

QuickTime 7.1.2 addresses an issue previewing iDVD projects. This update is recommended for all QuickTime 7 users.

iTunes 6.0.5

iTunes is the easiest way to organize, share and listen to music on your computer. Find new favorites. Manage your growing library. Enjoy the best friend an iPod ever had. Download iTunes 6 free for Mac or Windows.

System requirements
iTunes 6 requires Mac OS X version 10.2.8 or later for music, and Mac OS X version 10.3.9 or later plus QuickTime 7.0.3 or later for purchased videos (Mac OS X version 10.4.2 or later is recommended). Support for mobile phones with iTunes requires Mac OS X version 10.3.6 or later.

Nike + iPod requires the Nike + iPod Sensor and Receiver Kit, an iPod nano with software version 1.2 or later, Nike+ compatible shoes, and iTunes 6.0.5 or later. To see your workout data on nikeplus.com, you must have an Internet connection and a free Nike.com account. For more information, visit http://www.apple.com/nikeplus/.

AirPort Express with AirTunes requires an AirPort or AirPort Extreme card, Mac OS X version 10.3 or later, a compatible stereo system or powered speakers, and iTunes 4.6 or later. Playing your music with one or more AirPort Express base stations requires iTunes 6.0.2 or later plus AirPort Express Firmware 6.3 or later. Some ISPs may not be compatible with AirPort Express. For more information, visit http://www.apple.com/airportexpress/.

Make sure you have the latest update of Mac OS X, QuickTime, and iLife. To get the latest updates, choose Apple menu > System Preferences, click Software Update, and then Update Now or Check Now. After you install an update, it's a good idea to click Update Now or Check Now again to make sure you have all the latest versions. To get the latest upgrade to Mac OS X, visit http://www.apple.com/macosx/.

To create audio or MP3 CDs with iTunes, your Mac must have an Apple combo or SuperDrive. To back up your music to a DVD, your Mac must have an Apple SuperDrive. Some third-party CD-RW and DVD-RW drives may also work.

If you plan to listen to music previews or buy music from the iTunes Music Store, a DSL, cable modem, or local area network (LAN) Internet connection is recommended.

What’s New in this Version
- With iTunes 6, you can preview, buy, and download music videos, short films, and hit TV programs on the iTunes Music Store, and sync your music and purchased videos with iPod to enjoy on the go.

iTunes 6.0.5 allows you to sync your Nike + iPod workout data to nikeplus.com, where you can easily track your progress, set training goals, challenge others, and much more. Visit the Nike Sport Music area on the iTunes Music Store to download workout mixes, Athlete Inspiration playlists, Nike podcasts, and more.

Note: After purchasing music from the iTunes Music Store with iTunes 6 or later, you also need to upgrade your other computers that purchase music from the iTunes Music Store to the latest version of iTunes.

iPod Updater 2006-06-28

About iPod Updater 2006-06-28
iPod Updater 2006-06-28 includes:

-New iPod Software 1.1.2 for iPod
-New iPod Software 1.2 for iPod nano
-New iPod Software 1.1.4 for iPod shuffle

iPod Updater 2006-06-28 contains the same software versions as iPod Updater 2006-03-23 for all other iPod models.

To learn how to use your iPod with step-by-step instructions and easy-to-follow movies, see the iPod tutorials at http://www.apple.com/support/ipod/howto/.

Click Learn More in each tutorial to see more great tips and instructions.

And be sure to check out iPod 101, our fun, free series of online courses that'll teach you everything about using iPod, iTunes, and the iTunes Music Store.

For more information, visit http://www.apple.com/support/ipod101/.

Note: If you aren't sure which iPod you have, and you want to find out if your iPod needs updating, follow the directions below to use iPod Updater 2006-06-28. If the software on your iPod can be updated, the Update button in the updater application will be available.

iPod Updater 2006-06-28 delivers the following software:
Features of iPod Software 1.1.2 for iPod:
-Bug fixes

Features of iPod Software 1.2 for iPod nano:
-Nike + iPod support
-Bug fixes

Features of iPod Software 1.1.4 for iPod shuffle:
-Volume limit
-Bug fixes

Note: iTunes 6.0.5 or later required to set a maximum volume limit for iPod shuffle. For information about how to set the maximum volume limit, open iTunes and choose Help > iTunes and Music Store Help.
System Requirements

To install and use iPod Software 1.1.2 for iPod, you need:
- An iPod
- A PC with a USB port or card (USB 2.0 recommended)
- Windows 2000 with Service Pack 4 or later, or Windows XP Home or Professional with Service Pack 2 or later
- iTunes 6 or later
- Adobe Photoshop Album 2.0 or Elements 3.0

iTunes is included on the iPod + iTunes CD. To ensure you have the latest version of iTunes, go to http://www.apple.com/itunes/download/.

Note: iTunes versions earlier than 6 are supported for music, photo, and podcast syncing only and will not sync videos properly with iPod.

To install and use iPod Software 1.2 for iPod nano, you need:

An iPod nano
A PC with a USB port or card (USB 2.0 recommended)
Windows 2000 with Service Pack 4 or later, or Windows XP Home or Professional with Service Pack 2 or later
iTunes 4.9 or later
Adobe Photoshop Album 2.0 or Elements 3.0

To install and use iPod Software 1.2.1 for iPod with color display, you need:
-An iPod with color display
-A PC with a high-power USB 2.0 port or card, or a FireWire port or card
- Windows 2000 with Service Pack 4 or later, or Windows XP Home or Professional with Service Pack 2 or later
- iTunes 4.7 or later
- Adobe Photoshop Album 2.0 or Elements 3.0

Note: iTunes versions earlier than 4.9 are supported for music and photo syncing only and will not sync podcasts properly with iPod.

To install and use iPod Software 1.1.4 for iPod shuffle, you need:
- An iPod shuffle
- A PC with a USB port* or card
- Windows 2000 with Service Pack 4 or later, or Windows XP Home or Professional with Service Pack 2 or later
- iTunes 5.0.1 or later

Note: iTunes versions earlier than 4.7.1 are not supported and will not sync music properly with iPod shuffle.
*Some computers require either the optional iPod shuffle dock or a USB cable extender (sold separately).
To install and use iPod Software 1.4.1 for iPod mini and iPod Software 3.1.1 for iPod with Click Wheel, you need:

- An iPod mini or an iPod with Click Wheel
- A PC with a high-power USB 2.0 port or card, or a FireWire port or card
- Windows 2000 with Service Pack 4 or later, or Windows XP Home or Professional with Service Pack 2 or later
- iTunes 4.7 or later

Note: iTunes versions earlier than 4.9 are supported for music syncing only and will not sync podcasts properly with iPod.

To install and use iPod Software 2.3 for iPod with dock connector, you need:
- An iPod with dock connector
- A PC with a high-power USB 2.0 port or card, or a FireWire port or card
- Windows 2000 with Service Pack 4 or later, or Windows XP Home or Professional with Service Pack 2 or later
- iTunes 4.7 or later

To install and use iPod Software 1.5 for iPod with touch wheel or scroll wheel, you need:
An iPod with touch wheel or scroll wheel
A PC with a FireWire port or card
Windows 2000 with Service Pack 4 or later, or Windows XP Home or Professional with Service Pack 2 or later
iTunes 4.7 or later

Using iPod Updater 2006-06-28

To install and open the iPod Updater:
1. Open iPodsetup.exe on the iPod + iTunes CD or from the web download at www.apple.com/ipod.
2. Connect your iPod to your computer. If you are using USB, make sure iPod is connected to a high-power USB port on your computer. Be aware that USB keyboards and non-powered USB hubs generally do not have high-power USB ports.
3. Run iPod Updater 2006-06-28.exe from Start\All Programs\iPod\iPod Updater 2006-06-28.
4. When iPod Updater opens, click Update or Restore.

Choosing Update or Restore

iPod Updater 2006-06-28 has two functions, Update and Restore.
Update: If you choose Update, the software on your iPod is updated with the new version of software. Songs and other data on iPod are not affected. If your iPod already has up-to-date software, the Update choice is not available. Restore: If you choose Restore, the entire contents of iPod are erased, all iPod settings are reset, and new software is installed.

WARNING: Choosing Restore erases all of the music and other data on iPod.

All descriptions and graphics courtesy of Apple Computer, Inc. ©2006

New Notebooks!

joelcraig23@mac.com — 2006-05-25T19:04:58-05:00

Meet the newest addition to the family: the MacBook, Apple's brand new line of consumer portables. Available in white or black, these babies sport Intel's speedy Core Duo processors in speeds of either 1.83GHz or 2.0GHz, 13.3 inch widescreen displays supporting resolutions up to 1280 X 800, 512MB of RAM, 60GB or 80GB hard drives, and Combo or Super Drives.

That leaves only the pro level desktops to be upgraded. Patent applications in both New Zealand and the US show Apple intends to call the PowerMac replacements "Mac Pro", with Apple placing greater emphasis on the Mac brand.

Mac OS X 10.4.7 is said to be in the pipeline. Developer state that the next update to Tiger will concentrate on Safari and Mail, as well as iChat and synching. Reports from AppleInsider also state that there are to be "over 60" bug fixes since 10.4.6.

We hope to see many of you at the next Coffee gathering on June 5 at the Library. These informal get-togethers are a great way to stay in touch with fellow members during the summer. The Library has free wireless internet access, so bring along your laptops if you wish. I plan on attending (I missed last month due to being out of town), so if you want to see a MacBook Pro running Windows and Ubuntu Linux, be there!

Garageband Info

joelcraig23@mac.com — 2006-04-13T12:39:56-05:00

Thank you to Dean Sayles for his excellent Garageband presentation at Monday's meeting. Here's the website for the Tutorial that was discussed that night: http://comtechlab.iupui.edu/tutorialsfolder/garageband.html. Garageband has really evolved into a nice little editing tool from it's v. 1.0 days.

We now take the summer off, and our next general meeting is in September. Don't forget about the monthly get-togethers in the Coffee shop. They're a great way to stay in contact with the group. The Library now has free WiFi, so bring along your laptops. If you're having a problem, it's usually easier to troubleshoot or answer a question if you have something to look at. So come on out on May 1. Someone usually is there by 6:30 or so.

Intels and Updates and Windows, oh my!

joelcraig23@mac.com — 2006-04-08T10:35:46-05:00

Apple had a busy, historic week. Intel-powered Macs are flying off the shelves (I got one myself), and the reviews have been extremely positive. I think OSX's potential is finally being realized with these speedy new chips.

Earlier this week, Apple released OS X 10.4.6 in both PPC and Universal Binary format. Some of the issues addressed include:

- login and authentication in a variety of network environments
- file access and byte range locking with AFP file sharing
- network access when using proxy server automatic configuration files
- connecting to Cisco VPN servers using IP/Sec
- using Bluetooth wireless devices
- searching iWork and Microsoft Office documents with Spotlight
- saving Word documents automatically when using a network home directory
- creating Automator workflows for iPhoto 6
- synchronizing contacts and calendars to .Mac and mobile phones
- mounting and unmounting iDisk volumes
- compatibility with third party applications and devices
- previous standalone security updates

Simultaneous to the OS Updates, Apple also released firmware updates for their Intel-powered Macs, a precursor to what Apple really had up their sleeve...

Apple Boot Camp allows users with a Microsoft Windows XP installation disc to install Windows XP on an Intel-based Mac, and once installation is complete, users can restart their computer to run either Mac OS X or Windows XP. Boot Camp will be a feature in “Leopard,” Apple’s next major release of Mac OS X, that will be previewed at Apple’s Worldwide Developer Conference in August.

Boot Camp simplifies Windows installation on an Intel-based Mac by providing a simple graphical step-by-step assistant application to dynamically create a second partition on the hard drive for Windows, to burn a CD with all the necessary Windows drivers, and to install Windows from a Windows XP installation CD. After installation is complete, users can choose to run either Mac OS X or Windows when they restart their computer.

Boot Camp lets you install Windows XP without moving your Mac data, though you will need to bring your own copy to the table, as Apple Computer does not sell or support Microsoft Windows.(1) Boot Camp will burn a CD of all the required drivers for Windows so you don't have to scrounge around the Internet looking for them.

Boot Camp burns a CD with all the Mac-specific drivers for Windows:

* Graphics
* Networking
* Audio
* AirPort wireless
* Bluetooth
* The Eject key (on Apple keyboards)
* Brightness control for built-in displays

However, dual-booting into Windows is not the only option.

It’s here! Parallels is proud to launch the Beta program the first virtualization solution specifically designed to work with Intel-powered Apple computers! Parallels Workstation 2.1 Beta2 for Mac OS X is NOT simply a "dual-boot" solution; rather, it empowers users the ability to use Windows, Linux and any other operating system at the same time as Mac OS X, enabling users to enjoy the comfort of their Mac OS X desktop while still being able to use critical applications from other OSes.

And if that wasn't enough:

Darwine allows Darwin and Mac OS X users to run Windows applications. The Darwine project intends to port and develop WINE as well as other supporting tools that will allow Darwin and Mac OS X users to run Windows Applications, and to provide a Win32 API compatibility at application source code level. Wine on Mac OS X/x86 is not yet fully functional. Current work on x86 is being done by CodeWeavers.

In other words, these are very exciting times in the Mac world. Hold on tight, it's going to be quite a ride!

Apple Security Update 2006-002 v1.1

joelcraig23@mac.com — 2006-03-16T12:51:10-06:00

Apple's at it again, releasing another security update today. Security Update 2006-002 is recommended for all users and improves the reliability and security of the following components:

* apache_mod_php
* CoreTypes
* LaunchServices
* Mail
* rsync
* Safari

Additionally, this update incorporates Security Update 2006-001, which improves the security of the following components:

* apache_mod_php
* automount
* Bom
* Directory Services
* iChat
* IPSec
* LaunchServices
* LibSystem
* loginwindow
* Mail
* rsync
* Safari
* Syndication

REQUIREMENTS
Mac OS X 10.4.5 (client or server)

Before installing this or any other OS update, make sure your hard drive is in good shape:

* Boot from the OS X Install CD and run Disk Utility's Repair Disk function (or use a third-party drive utility such as DiskWarrior).
* When booted from the volume containing Mac OS X, run Disk Utility's Repair Disk Permissions function. Install the update.
* After rebooting, again run Repair Disk Permissions.

One more thing; MacWorld Online has an excellent article today entitled "Take Control Of Permissions In OSX". It's a very informative article that explains exactly what permissions are and why they exist. So, next time someone tells you that you need to repair your permissions, you'll know exactly what they're talking about!

Security Update 2006-002 Available

joelcraig23@mac.com — 2006-03-14T15:06:41-06:00

Available via Software Update:

Security Update 2006-002 is recommended for all users and improves the reliability and security of the following components:

apache_mod_php
CoreTypes
LaunchServices
Mail
Safari
rsync

Additionally, this update incorporates Security Update 2006-001, which improves the security of the following components:

apache_mod_php
automount
Bom
Directory Services
iChat
IPSec
LaunchServices
LibSystem
loginwindow
Mail
rsync
Safari
Syndication

For detailed information on this Update, please visit this website: http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=61798

Camino 1.0 Released

joelcraig23@mac.com — 2006-02-16T13:08:46-06:00

Camino (formerly known as Chimera) is a web browser for Mac OS X that has a Cocoa user interface, and embeds the Gecko layout engine (the same rendering engine Firefox uses). It is intended to be a simple, small and fast browser for Mac OS X.

Considered one of the fastest Web browsers on Mac OS X, Camino also integrates tightly with the platform, adopting the refined style, user-focused interface, and cutting-edge technologies that are hallmarks of the Macintosh experience. The project's development philosophy embraces these ideals, so Camino includes built-in technology to block pop-ups and ads, allowing users to view the Web as it was meant to be seen -- annoyance-free.

WHAT'S NEW
Version 1.0:

* Universal Binary - Camino is now a universal binary, allowing it to run natively on both PowerPC- and Intel-based Macs.
* New Tab Bar Appearance - The new tab bar appearance allows for easier usability.
* Download Manager Pause/Resume - The download manager now supports pause and resume and has been highly optimized and revised for better performance.
* Annoyance Blocking - With built-in ad- and pop-up blocking, Camino now allows you to ignore the things you hate most.
* Certificate Support - The addition of certificate support yields better security.
* Java Embedding Plugin - JEP improves Java performance immensely.
* Form Fill from Address Book - Form fill from Address Book makes filling in those pesky web forms much easier.
* History Searching - Finding past web pages is even easier with history searching built-in to the History Manager.
* Support for More Web Standards - Thanks to the Gecko rendering engine, Camino now supports SVG

REQUIREMENTS
Mac OS X 10.2.8 or later.

Apple releases Mac OS X 10.4.5 in PowerPC and Intel versions

joelcraig23@mac.com — 2006-02-14T18:36:56-06:00

Apple has released Mac OS X 10.4.5 to its Software Update servers. This update offers many improvements, including:

Internet, iDisk, and networking

* Safari no longer quits unexpectedly when deleting AOL mail messages via AOL webmail.

* Apple's IPSec VPN client now works with Cisco servers whether or not NAT is used.

* Addresses an issue in which you could not sync with an iDisk larger than 4 GB.

* Files copied across a network via Portable Home Directories are now copied as temporary files until the transfer is complete, in case the network connection is interrupted before the transfer finished.

* Addresses an issue in which some Epson printers could not successfully print via AirPort Extreme.

Other

* Allows the rotating cube effect to appear as expected on both a primary and a mirrored display, when switching users via Fast User switching.

* Addresses an issue for Mac OS X 10.4.4 in which background columns of text within the RSS Visualizer screen saver are sometimes superimposed over one another.

* Dragging a widget out of the widget bar while the desktop picture is changing (automatically, for example) no longer stops the animation on an Intel-based Mac.

* On an Intel-based Mac, Telestream Flip4Mac now installs correctly.

* Prevents the Setup Assistant from unexpectedly quitting if Kotoeri is selected as the keyboard type following an English language installation of Mac OS X.

* Allows applications that run using Rosetta on an Intel-based Mac to successfully open files that are located via an Open window's "search" field.

* Addresses an issue in which Rosetta-translated applications running on Intel-based Macs would not correctly receive Keychain notifications.

* Console no longer reports a series of "Quartz Composer QuickTime Component" messages for iMovie '06 when applying a Ken Burns clip or image.

* Addresses an issue for iMovie HD and Mac OS X 10.4.4 in which iMovie could unexpectedly quit when switching themes.

* Eliminates some potential video redraw issues when using Front Row on Intel-based Macs.

* Updated the rules for time zones and Daylight Savings Time to conform to changes in the law for the United States, Australia, and other locations, for 2006 and later.

* Addresses a potential issue that could cause the system process "configd" to unexpectedly stall.

* Addresses an issue when viewing streaming media behind a firewall on Intel Macs.

We recommend the following procedure when installing Mac OS X 10.4.5:

First, avoid performing any other operations (in Mac OS X or third-party applications) while the update process is occurring. In addition, before installing this update, make sure all Apple-installed applications and utilities are in their original locations. Moving one of these applications to a different location on your hard drive can lead to an incomplete update. Also, disconnect any FireWire/USB devices before applying Mac OS X 10.4.5, then re-connect the devices one by one after the update process is complete and the system has restarted. It is also recommended that you launch Disk Utility and Repair Permissions both before AND after installing the update. As with previous iterative Mac OS X releases, the startup time after first installing Mac OS X 10.4.5 can be inordinately long. Don't panic if you are stuck at the grey progress screen for several minutes after the update. Subsequent restarts should take place at normal speed.

Exciting Times.

joelcraig23@mac.com — 2006-01-21T20:56:58-06:00

Our thanks to Patrick Stinson of MacSpecialist for his predictions on MacWorld. From some of the reports I've read in the past couple of weeks, some of the new product announcements were pulled at the last minute. It sounds like iPod- and Mac Media Center-related announcements will be forthcoming in the not too distant future. I think everybody had updates to iLife in their crystal balls, however, the new Intel-based iMac and MacBook Pro caught many by surprise. While MacWorld 2006 was exciting, I think it left a lot of people hanging. These upcoming months look to be exciting times for our favorite computer maker from Cupertino.

Rapidweaver 3.2.1 and our site

joelcraig23@mac.com — 2005-12-23T11:09:01-06:00

Well, I finally got the time I needed (after a straight-A semester at school :D ) to download and play around with the latest version of Rapidweaver. I discovered at least one bug related to podcasts, but other than that, this seems like a fantastic upgrade. More and easier user control over themes and how they display is probably the most obvious change. Better control over images (resizing and renaming, ALT tags, etc), blog categories and a whole lot more find their way into this version. It also integrates well with a .Mac account and has FTP capabilities built in as well. Anyone looking for a website authoring solution without a steep learning curve and that won't take a giant bite out of your wallet should take a close look at Rapidweaver.