- I just noticed this site is indexed in MacHome's news page! - now if only MacSurfer would do the same.
It seems lately some of the most popular news sites don't post my reviews anymore. I've
literally stopped sending news items to many of them as it
seemed to be a waste of effort. I think these reviews were at least as useful as some of their other news items, but then I'm biased of course ;-)
Thankfully the site traffic continues to grow regardless - about 30,000 hits per day on average now and growing. I'm answering as much as 200 mails a day and doing my best to make this one of the best overall Mac sites on the Net. New features are coming very soon.
Thanks to all those that visit here daily - I appreciate it!
- PowerBook G3 Display Dead Pixels:I just noticed a few new 'dead pixels' have appeared in my PowerBook G3 display. I'm not real happy about that but don't know what Apple's policy is regarding replacement of the active matrix displays. I'm going to contact them and find out, but if you've seen this problem as well please contact me.
- G3 Systems Auction Price Update: Bill Liming wrote saying the G3 systems at Ubid.com are now going for more than the Apple Store price ($2007!). That's the same thing I commented on in yesterday's news when I posted the notice (they were under $800 at that time). Must be auction fever - I cannot understand why someone would bid more than the general sales price elsewhere, but I see it happen all the time.
- MacQuake Performance Page: For performance results and tips on MacQuake, check out : http://www.astro.wisc.edu/~haffner/MQP.html (thanks MacsOnly!). I've added this to my Links Page game section as well.
- Adaptec 2940UW Bios 3.0 Feedback Although I didn't see any big boost in my SCSI Raid Tests in the PowerTower Pro, Mike Fayman reports the v3.0 2940UW bios update did wonders for MacBench scores in his 8600:
"
I installed 3.0 yesterday and my MacBench scores showed an immediate 20%
improvement! I've had no trouble at all. My system is an 8600/300 with 2
Atlas II UW 2.2GB drives in an array formatted with RTK 2.0.6.
"
I've not compared the final release with the v3.0 I was sent by Adatpec prior to the public release they told me that I was sent the final version. More info on the update is available in yesterday's news if you missed it.
- SCSI General Info I get a lot of questions on basic SCSI terms and drive types. Before sending mail you may find that all your questions and more are answered at the many
SCSI info pages from Adaptec, Seagate and Quantum on my Links Page General/SCSI section.
There are links there to many SCSI and Disk sources of information that can answer these questions more fully and better than I can in email. You will learn a lot by reading those resources!
The PowerCC section has a lot of CDrom and Drive jumper information as well for many brands of drives - and for the mother of all Drive Jumper pages visit the Blue-Planet Tech Site (linked in the General/SCSI area as well). The Links Page has many areas of interest including Games, 3Dfx sites, Apple G3 Links, Alternate OS, PowerComputing systems and other general Mac sites. Look there first for answers to your questions.
- Bottom Line's Specials Note: Bottom Line sent a note that the Iomega Buz video capture/scsi combo listed in their Midweek Specials list is currently without any Mac software. They apologize for any confusion this has created. The current product is usable with Windows 95 only, unless someone has found a driver workaround. Iomega says Mac support is coming the 2nd half of the year according to their Buz Page.
- Latest MyVidCap/G3 News: As reported here several times in the last week, CadVision's MyVidCap shareware seems to be a fix for many Apple G3 owners having problems capturing audio with video. James Stanislaw now reports the latest version has solved his problems. He writes:
"
Michael,
Just wanted to let you know that Milton Aupperle has succeeded in fixing
the G3 OS 8 sound problem. Version 2.07 of MyVidCap will now record video
and sound from my Xclaim VR card.
I'd like to thank Milton for his diligence and hard work in finding a
solution to this problem. The latest version of MyVidCap is at:
http://www.cadvision.com/ASC/MVEMVC.htm
Thanks for your help.
"
The author or the program also wrote:
"
Well, after several days of "beta" back and forthing with various G3
owners (who are remarkably patient I might add), I finally fixed the last
few remaining things with the G3's and Audio Capture.
I've posted MyVidCap 2.07 on our web site
(http://www.cadvision.com/ASC/MVEMVC.htm) that works with G3's under OS 8
and 8.1 (big Difference between them).
I also tracked down and Erradicated a "Freeze" bug that would have
affected anyone using MyVidCap 2.04 to 2.07 and did not have OS 8.1
installed (the technotes for sound manager versus OS 8.1 were a bit
"confusing" on audio selection methods).
Anyhow, at least G3 owners can now get some AV use out of their macs.
Regards ..
Milton
"
Glad there is a solution until Apple address the issue with a system software update. My thanks to Milton and all the beta testers for their effort in finding a solution.
- RealPC 1.02 Updater: Insignia has released version 1.02 of RealPC. Get it at:
http://www.insignia.com/corporate/techdocs/realpc102.html
Beta 2 of
the 3Dfx enabler patch has been released and is available at:
http://www.insignia.com/RealPC/realpc_download.cfm (download form).
They've also updated their 3Dfx Game Test Results page.
- Mega Software Update List: For a *long* list of updated software in the last 30 days's
try Version tracker's "Last30" page at: http://www.versiontracker.com/last30date.shtml. There's even a Xmen Quake Update in there.
Updates that my be of interest:
If you have news or comments on any new software or hardware I'd like to possibly post your comments here. Tell me your story!
- Modem Bios Updates:
Updates for Diamond Supra/Express owners are at: http://beta.supra.com/ (read warnings)
Global Village PC Card owners check can get a v1.2 update at: ftp://ftp.globalvillage.com/pub/software/mac/GV_PCCard_1.200_Updater.sit.hqx.
Zoom Firmware updates are here: http://www.zoomtel.com/files.html#mac
Thanks to "Mr. Ed" for sending the URLs.
- ATTO SCSI/PowerCenter Pro Wide SCSI Problems:
Jim Barnes posted a note in my Upgrades Forum about problems with the ATTO SCSI card
working in his PowerCenter Pro with a wide SCSI Cheetah drive.:
"
I have spent the last 24 hours trying to get my ATTO Express Pro to work with a Seagate "Cheetah" ST19101W on my PowerComputing Power Center Pro. Recently upgraded with Power Logix 250 G3 card. The ATTO card works as long as it's got a narrow SCSI drive attached to it. The Seagate works as long as its got a wide to narrow adapter hooked up. The Cheetah never works with the card. When I try to boot with the Cheetah connected directly to the ATTO, the system
freezes just when the Apple menu appears.
BTW, I have elimited the G3 card as the problem by subsituting my old processor.
Help! I want my ultra wide!
[Numerous Replies were given - and he later wrote:]
Thanks to the help received here I found a solution to my problem. The Atto card was not compatible with the system. I
ordered the FWB Ultra Jackhammer from Bottom line and everything works fine.
"
The JazJet I have didn't work in my PowerCenter Pro, but the Initio Miles card did. I've not tested other cards in that system. (I corrected the spelling of Cheetah from the original post).
- Upgrading Older Macs: I saw a post in my Upgrades Forum that may be of interest. Lee Joramo wrote:
"
I have now posted three messages to people interested in upgrading their older Macs. I forgot to tell you one very important
thing.
Look into buying a used Mac. The cost of a used Mac versus the cost of your upgrade is a good indicator of if you are
spending your money wisely.
At the United Computer Exchange www.uce.com, they have a wide variety of used Mac's at auction. For example
APPLE POWERMAC 6100/60 - PPC601 /60 (24/500) -- $550 [this is not a great buy - I've seen 6400's refurbised for $599 at times (check MacMall, MacZone, MacConnection, etc) and at least the 6400s
have PCI slots - Mike]
The price is the asking price. So it may go for a bit less. I have used UCE to both buy and sell machines, and was happy with
the results.
Or check out the following links found in the back of MacWeek that sell used or outdated equipment (but which I have not
used):
www.geremarketing.com
www.mediaguide.com
www.shrevesystems.com [I've heard good and bad]
www.icni.com [huge parts list-Mike]
www.lacc.com"
I have no personal experience with the companies above. I get a lot of mail from older Mac owners looking to upgrade and thought this might info might be useful.
There are also some links of interest to older Mac owners on my Links Page
- More news later in the day.
