"This update addresses issues and improves compatibility with Microsoft Windows XP and Microsoft Windows Vista running on a Mac computer using Boot Camp. It is highly recommended for all Boot Camp users.
Important: Installation of Boot Camp 2.1 is required before installing Windows XP Service Pack 3 (SP3)

For more information, please visit this website: http://www.apple.com/support/bootcamp/"

Here's the download pages (200+MB each) for XP, Vista 32-bit and Vista 64-bit. (Note: the downloads are .exe files for use with Windows)

• Boot Camp Update 2.1 for Windows XP
• Boot Camp Update 2.1 for Windows Vista 32
• Boot Camp Update 2.1 for Windows Vista 64

If you see any other pros or cons from this update, let me know the details.
(FYI - Friday's news had some initial feedback - a 1st gen mac pro/8800GT owner said he had to reinstall the beta Nvidia forceware drivers again after the update. And some have reported problems with the download updaters applying - at least one however hadn't installed bootcamp 2.0 from the OS X Leopard DVD, doing that first and then updating to v2.1 via software update worked he said.)

"NewerTech miniStack v3 - new Pricing up to $60 lower!
The NewerTech miniStack v3 provides up to 1.0TB of Performance Storage + powered FireWire/USB2 Hub functionality all in a compact 'Mac mini' profile 6.5" x 6.5" x 1.5" sized solution. Ideal for any Mac or PC, the miniStack v3 offers fill interoperability for data access via its FireWire 800, FireWire 400, USB 2.0, eSATA 'Quad Interface' options. The quad interfaces offered makes this great for moving between multiple systems or to be future ready for what your next computer too.
Supported by its Oxford924 performance bridge, the miniStack v3 is fully A/V Rated and is great for all of your backup, music, video, audio, and digital media needs in general. Fully bootable via any of its Quad interface options, the miniStack v3 is versatile as a storage solution with the integrated hubs making it all the more useful. And hey - this is the perfect high-performance Time Machine device too.

All NewerTech miniStack v3 solutions include: FireWire 800 Cable, FireWire 400 Cable, USB 2.0 Cable, ProSoft DataBackup III for Apple OS X (full RETAIL Version, $59.95 value), NovaStor NovaBackup for Windows (Full Retail version, $49.95 value), Intech HD Speedtools Utility Suite for Apple OS 9/OS X, and a 2 year NewerTech Solution Warranty.

160GB 7200RPM w/8MB Cache now $147.99 ($12 Drop)

250GB 7200RPM w/8MB Cache now $159.99 ($20 Drop)

320GB 7200RPM w/16MB Cache now $172.99 ($17 Drop)

400GB 7200RPM w/16MB Cache now $189.99 ($10 Drop)

500GB 7200RPM w/16MB Cache now $207.99 ($22 Drop)

750GB 7200RPM w/16MB Cache now $249.99 ($40 Drop)

1.0TB 7200RPM w/32MB Cache now $359.99 ($60 Drop)

The NewerTech miniStack v3 is also available without a hard drive as a 0GB-Add Your Own Drive Enclosure Kit, from $109.99

UPS Ground Delivery only $2.95; Fast 2nd Day Air delivery is available for $7.95 or less!
Best Regards,
Lawrence R. O'Connor
Other World Computing"

"I ordered the Apple (1st gen Mac Pro) Nvidia 8800GT on the 15th. It arrived on the 22nd and is installed. My 1900 was getting veryannoyingso it was replaced with a 2600 after the 2008 Mac Pros were announced with the expectation that a (1st Gen Mac Pro compatible) 8800GT would eventually become available. So I now own a 7300, X1900, 2600 and 8800GT. The 2600 is installed in slot 4, the 8800GT in slot 1, and the 7300 and X1900 are in the closet where they both belong, albeit for different reasons. The 7300 because it is a dog and the X1900 because it kills Aperture and the video artifacts are annoying.

All the upgrades were bought to boost Aperture performance and with the exception of the 2600 regressing somewhat re: the X1900 I am happy with where I am at. On the other hand, Aperture still isn't completely human paced so if something faster comes down the line I'll probably buy one of those as well.

The Mac Pro has 16GB of RAM and a 750GB WD AAKS + three WD 500GB AAKS. The 750GB is partitioned into 250GB and 500GB volumes. The optical drives have been replaced with Samsung SATA drives using the (2 spare) built in SATA ports on the Motherboard. External SATA uses a FirmTek adapter. The 8800GT drives a pair of NEC 2690s at 1920x1200 and the 2600 has been relegated to supply a Dell 2005 at 1650x1080 displaying XP windows under VMWare Focus.

Everything is good except Aperture does not like having the third monitor. It treats the third monitor as a clone of the second monitor which is not at all the desired behavior. Plus with three monitors Aperture fails frequently. Pulling the cable from the monitormakes all that go away.

Any knowledge of software that would "simulate" pulling the cable out or better yet constrain Aperture to just a Primary ad Secondary monitor would be appreciated.
-Joe N."

I don't know of any software to do that but if anyone does let me know. Maybe a KVM switch? (But unless you really needed the extra display I'd just pull the card...)

• Newer Tech G4 2GHz (7748) in (Digital Audio) G4/AGP (rated 7)
  (includes notes on other upgrades - flashed Nvidia 6800 video card, PCI SATA card, etc - and intermittent freezes)
  
  (Full reviews of G4 and G3 upgrades compared to stock CPUs, including real world apps/game tests, install info, etc. are linked at the G4 upgrade reviews and G3 upgrade reviews pages. OC/CPU module articles are on the Systems page.)

If you've upgraded the CPU on your Mac, send a review with your experience (performance/stability/installation, etc.), Mac Model/Upgrade brand info and overall rating (1= worst to 10=best). If you can, please run some tests with the original CPU vs the upgrade (for example time some tests with your favorite app, game, etc. - see full reviews here for example tests with common apps/games/benchmarks.)

• Sign up for the 2008 Final Cut World Tour (Apple)
• Apple's latest chip gamble (commentary on purchase of PA Semi)
• Apple's 2Q results beat Wall Street views, but stock wobbles
• VMware Fusion 1.1.2
• Prosoft Engineering Announces Full Leopard Support for NetWare Client 2.0.1
• CheckUp 1.1 (Monitor the health of your Mac with an innovative user interface)
• Sublime 1.4 (edit, spot, and render subtitles for DVD Studio Pro and Final Cut Studio)
• Peak Pro 6.0.1 (Audio editing, processing, and mastering)
• 33 RPM 1.0 (Pitch and speed modifying utility)
• Hoyle Casino 2008 1.0 (game)
• ViewIt 2.27 (Fast photo viewer with a powerful toolbox)
• FreeWRL VRML/X3D Viewer 1.20.3 (VRML and X3D viewer, w/Safari Plugin)
• ExactScan 2.0.5 (document capture app w/built-in scanner drivers)
• SimpleAuthority 2.3 (Easy to use Certification Authority)
• PlugSuit 1.5.5 (manages and loads plug-ins for apps - freeware)
• iFreeMem 2.5.1 (Maximize free mem for your apps - any readers used this?)
• Guitar Hero 3 Speed Booster 1.2
• Reviews: Gran Turismo 5 Prologue
• Vista SP1 Released to Automatic Update (FYI to bootcamp users)