Site Sponsor Other World Computing sent a note on reduced prices:

"Other World Computing now has Techworks Memory SDRAM PC100 G3 Spec'd High Speed 1.15" [high?] on SALE!

• 64mb - $69
• 128mb - $137

New, Lifetime Techworks Warranty, 30 Day Money Back Guarantee. Orders placed online receive free delivery totalling $100 or more.
Best Regards,
Larry
Other World Computing 800-275-4576"

According to another mail Larry sent for an update to the G3-ZONE ad, the ATTO ExpressPCI OEM Card is now $125 also, a small drop in price.

One reader commented on a small increase in benchmark scores (might be within the variation of Macbench if not booted clean each run) and a faster 'feel' after the B&W G3 ROM update:

"Dear Mike,
Macbench 4 scores show 2 to 3% boost in processor and disk. The computer "feels faster". It is a noticeable difference.
Oleh Sharanevych"

I'll benchmark mine tonight before and after the update with the current Macbench 5. Always run tests immediately after a clean boot to ensure that the memory/cache state is as 'clean' and consistent between runs as possible.

B&W G3 ROM Update Tips: I can see from the mail that is already rolling in I'd have to start a B&W ROM Update page to cover the reported install problems/solutions, and hopefully reports of improved performance that Apple promised from the update. There are important installation tips (in bold) on the ROM Update page that you should read before you attempt to install the update. I suggest you wait for reports from the field before updating a machine that you cannot afford to have down, no matter how rare the possibility. And, as always, consider the benefits an update really adds for your specific configuration before applying anything. Sometimes updates may fix existing bugs with specific hardware/software (that you may not be using) and can sometimes introduce other problems (the so-called 'waterbed effect'). [Update - following the instructions in the readme doc (holding the programmers button down until after the tone ends) - I flashed my B&W G3 tonight with no problems.]

The latest update to the QT 4 Bugs/Fixes/WishList page is a bizarre report of Word97 attachements being affected.

B&W G3 Firmware Update Feedback: This just in from a reader:

"I have tried to use the updater on 6 b&w machines (all 400's) each one fails to restart the machine, so I never see the progress bar and I eventually have to restart the machine myself which then says the update failed. Go figure.
Mike "

I asked if he had used the install tip by Dan Knight posted earlier today. I welcome other feedback on this update. I'm going to try it tonight.

The 3D Gaming News page has a massive update with more items than I can summarize here. Check it out for the latest Mac game news and downloads.

B&W G3 ROM Update: Apple has posted a G3 Firmware Update that is said to improve performance of PCI cards and more. Here is the info listed on the G3 Firmware Update page

"The Power Macintosh G3 Firmware Update version 1.0.2 should be installed on all blue & white Power Macintosh G3 or Macintosh Server G3 systems. Features delivered with this update include improved performance of PCI devices including built-in FireWire ports, improved support of NetBooting, and minor improvements to Open Firmware for Mac OS X Server. "

I welcome feedback on this update.

Install Tip: Dan Knight wrote with a tip on B&W G3 Firmware update install:

"Power Mac G3 Firmware Update 1.0.2. Instructions disagree on procedure. Read Me file indicates you should hold the programmer's button until the tone is finished (step 5). Program's internal instructions say to release the button when you first hear the tone. Waiting until the tone is done did the job for me."

Bob Friede wrote that there is a new release of Quicktime 4 at http://www.apple.com/quicktime/ (Preview Release 1). Is this really a new version? Based on reader feedback so far I wonder..

More Orange Micro 930U Update Feedback: Contrary to a post in yesterday's news, this reader reports the update worked fine:

"Mike,
I also used the latest 930U firmware and everything works fine.I am able to startup from a seagate 9 Gig external,Scan with an Epson 800, write to CD with Toast. No problems, works just fine.
Jeff Lewis
JL consulting "

The 930U firmware update is available at Orange Micro's scsi updates page.

OS 8.6 GM Comments:

"Hi Mike,
Lawrence from Mac Community Computers > >(www.mcsquared.org) here. I just installed 8.6 golden master on an iMac and the first thing I noticed is the start screen says welcome to Mac OS then is followed by 8.6. Haven't noticed many changes except that in the Startup Disk Control Panel, I now get an option for Network Disc in italics. Colorsync is 2.5.1 instead of 2.6. With 8.6, the internet is screaming now! we're on a T1 line here but I swear that web sites are loading up to 50% faster than before, esp. Apple's. Just thought I'd pass this along to your readers."

Ult. Rez Feedback: This mail just in from a reader indicating the fire-sale cards he received lately had some post-artwork revision rework (wires) on them:

"Hi Mike, .. By the way, I'm sending back the second Ultimate Rez card that I've gotten from Mac Mall. Both of them exhibited strange behaviour, and I won't be trying a third. Basically, my screen would be noticeabley dimmer, and then, while surfing my favorites sites on the net like xlr8yourmac, fonts would be garbled, broken up, misplaced, etc. The first tech support guy said it sounded like bad RAM on the Ult Rez. When I described the same problem to the other guy today, he wanted to make it out to be something wrong with Netscape or something, even though things are fine with the original 4MB Twin Turbo.

Interesting to note, both boards had three jumpers from capacitors to pins on chips, etc., indicating a "boo boo" with the card in its original form. That is to say, when I used to design circuit boards, I never pulled out the wire-wrap wire and soldering iron to patch a new board unless I forgot something (like a run), or had some inexplicable phenomenon that seemed to be magically cured by a well placed resistor or capacitor. When I saw this, I was a bit disheartened ... a feeling that appears to have been justified in this case. My account rep at Mac Mall has been understanding about the whole thing though.
Best Regards,
Jeff"

'These are not 'patches' as you referred to them, but components added to ensure it met our high standards of quality.'

Jeff also sent a note that Westlake has announced that they will be developing Madden NFL 2000 Football for the Mac.

$29.99 3DFx Voodoo1: Bob Ficarra posted a note in my 3Dfx Message Boards that Diamond is blowing out the Original Orchid Righteous 3D cards (3dfx Voodoo1 - the first model 3dfx card ever made, I bought one many years ago):

"For those of you looking for an ultra-cheap Voodoo I card, Diamond is dumping it's Righteous 4 meg Voodoo I cards for $29.99 (with free shipping). Quantities are limited. These [were] previously the Orchid Righteous card before Diamond acquired Orchid.
This will run in PCI based Macs. If you have an Apple monitor you will need a monitor adapter (not included). "

After digging around - I saw them on their Diamond OnLine Store clearance area. Here is the page listing the Righteous 3D sale (this link may not be good in the future as they will sell out I'm sure).

In a follow-up to the note in yesterday's news on the halt of shipments on CVGS, News.com has an article titled Judge sides with Sony with more details.

If you don't check the news daily, you're sure to miss something useful/interesting. Check the summary list below. For a blast from the past, read what was on the news page here exactly a year ago.

Other Net News:

• Playing With Fire in this chapter we learn how the author first discovered the concept of responsibility and how Microsoft never has. (MacOpinion)
• Your iMac is NOT going Obsolete! (theiMac.com)
• Miscellaneous Ramblings #12 - New PowerBooks: Still Waiting; Mac Service And Owner's Manuals Available For Free Download; Newer Technology Drops Prices On PowerBook Processor Upgrades; More On Blazing PowerBooks (not 5300s either); A Radical Solution For Scratched G3 Series PowerBooks; Pre-Owned PowerBook Deals. [Note - the links to the actual manual PDF files on the FTP site listed there did not work for me - apparently Apple has moved the source files (typical)]
• Every iMac Owner Should GET QuickTime 4.0! (theiMac.com) [ Hopefully the issues listed on my QT4 Feedback page are addressed]
• Huge quarter for Big Blue (News.com)
• Intel plans ISP-like services (News.com)
• The black art of benchmark testing revealed (ZD/Net)

Below is a recent news summary (details on the past 2 days, and links to the last week).

Thursday's News Summary

• Connectix ordered to halt CVGS Shipments
• 930U Firmware Feedback: reader reports hangs at boot and info on CDR burn issues
• Bottom Line's latest weekly specials
• Reminder on free XLR8 Bonus Package (limited offer)
• Lies, Damn Lies and Benchmarks
• Orange Micro's v1.18 final firmware update
• Comments from Diamond on possible Mac RIO support
• OS 8.6 improved Graphing Calculator (w/pix)
• Quicktime 4 Beta Bugs/Fixes/Wishlist updated
• Apple TIL Updates on QT 4 (FAQ and Issues list)
• XLR8 releases 1.3.1b3 Cache control
• Aurora design Igniter few feature
• Comments on Curved surfaces option for Unreal w/3dfx cards
• More 'minor' Y2K Flaws in Win98
• Iomega QuickSync free but no Mac version
• Tiny USB Modems
• Other Net News

Wednesday's News Summary

• QT 4 Bugs/Fixes/Wish List updated
• Lack of ADB Dongle support in OS X
• Command-Option-Shift-Delete not supported in new G3s
• Reader feedback on ORB drive
• TurboMax/Media100/B&W G3 report
• Wired4DVD Decoder Card report
• incomplete Virtual PC homepage
• QT4/Ramdoubler conflicting reports
• Quicktime 4.0/Jackhammer SCSI Card conflict
• Apple support suit proposed settlement posted
• 3D Game News updated
• G3 CPU Upgrade Ratings database updated
• FAQ back online
• Other Net News

For other recent site news/features links, see the Sidebar to the right and the Recent Site Features page.

If you own a G3/300 or faster Mac, make you get our PPC Checker utility that will report if your CPU is copper or aluminum based.

Considering a G3 Upgrade? Check the CPU Upgrade Owner's Survey results and search for owner reports by Mac model and/or card brand. The database is being updated daily for new reports. Also make sure you ask your dealer about any issues with current builds of some models (ie PF G3) as I have gotten several reports of issues with certain mac models in the last few months (Mach 5, PowerBase, 7300). I urge any owners that have had problems to report this via the Survey Form. Always give the most weight to recent owner reports (dated in the listing).

-Show All Topics-

B&W G3 Related:

-Firmware Update
-MagicScan G3
(912K G3/Scanner Fix)
ATI OpenGL
FireWire 2.0
[File Download]
OEM B&W Ultra2 SCSI
[File Download]
Miles/MilesU2 Updates
ATTO ExpressPCI 1.3.4
(U2 & UW cards)
Rage128 Update 1.0 (485K bin)
or Binhex (660K)
ATTO ExpressPro-Tools [2.1.1]
3940UW v4.1b1 ROM
(Get the 4.0 control below as well)
2940UW v4.1 ROM &
2940UW Control 4.0
Formac PowerRaid Updates
[get hqx version]
Jackammer v1.4 Update
VirtualGameStation 1.1
Plaintalk Enabler
[For B&W/iMac]

Other G3 Models:
-Umax MagicScan v4 (912K)
(G3/Scanner Fix)
OrangeMicro 930U Beta
PPC Checker
Int. Modem Scripts
Apple Modem Update
[File Download]
PB G3 Modem 1.0.2
G3 Modem Update (V.90/56Flex)
See VersionTracker's G3 page for others...

G3 CPU Cards:
Vimage PB1400/2400
Vimage G3/240
(Vimage Update Info)
MacTell G3 Cntl
XLR8 Cache Cntl v1.3 [628KB]
PowerLogix SW
 -Cache Cntl 1.5.1
 -Speedmeter 1.3
 -GuardBit 1.0b2
  (Retrospect fix)
MAXpowr G3 1.3.7
XLR8 Cache Cntl 1.2

Misc/General:
Fuse 1.8.1
Virtual PC 2.1.3
OrangeMicro 930U Beta
MP850 v1.01 update (2.8MB)
ATI OpenGl Drvrs
Office98 GUID Patch
NAV 5.03
April 99 NAV Defs
Java Runtime 2.1.1
Drive Setup 1.7.2
USB Overdrive
Mac Mesa OpenGL
USB Drivers
Blue Label Update 1
Mouseworks 5.20 (1.5M)
Inspire 3D 1.0C (7.2MB)
NavCom Cache Cntl 1.3
Logitech MouseWare USB
Yamaha CRW4416 ROM v1.0f
(See Mac Update Utility page)
Apple Displays Software 1.7.1
GV V.90 Flex Preferred Script
IE 4.5 Plug-in Updater
Farallon NIC Update
Lightwave 5.6D GL Update
(7.9MB Download)
MacTell Vision3D Pro/Lite 5.4.0
(ROM update also)

Formac GA 5.4.0
(Graphics Card Driver)
Stuffit Expander 5.1

Games Related:
Joyport Update
(InputSprocket fix)
Myth Updates
Unreal Updates
MacMame(emulator)
3Dfx Checker Util
Descent 3Dfx
FutureCop 101A
MP850 Glide Drivers
CVGS v1.2
T.Raider2 Update

OS 8.5 Related
Check VersionTracker
for other updates.

See also Apple's Software Updates

Apple TIL Updates

Check here for cool Sherlock Plugins