Mac Technician Jobs: Phil Pawelcyzk of Frontier Vision Technologies asked if I'd post this employment offer. They're looking for a few good Mac technicians:

"New England's Leading Systems Integrator has two openings in central Connecticut for MacOS/Apple Hardware Professionals. Knowledge of hardware upgrades, OS troubleshooting, network and Internet skills required. Macintosh integration with Windows 9x/NT is helpful, but not required. Familiarity with the Design/Imaging/Printing industry would also be helpful. Salary + benefits BOE. E-mail resume to hr@frontex.com. "

Aurora Video Systems announced an uncompressed video option for their impressive Igniter capture card. Aurora is a Mac-only company, a rare thing these days. Here's a clip of their full press release:

"Aurora Video Systems announced today that it's high-end video capture card, Igniter, is fully compatible with Apple's Final Cut Pro video editing software, and will be available soon with an uncompressed option. Igniter's Component-Uncompressed card will be the first uncompressed video capture solution to be approved as compatible with Final Cut Pro.

Igniter and Final Cut Pro are being showcased at Apple's MacWorld conference in San Francisco, where visitors to the Final Cut Pro booth can watch the capture of uncompressed video. Both professional and amateur video editors will appreciate the image quality that the Igniter capture card offers video users. "The Igniter Uncompressed option renders incredible image quality, with absolutely no data loss," said Tim McMahon, Aurora Video Systems' Chief Technology Officer, "so that, with Final Cut Pro, we can offer our customers a complete, affordable uncompressed video editing solution."

If you're at the MWSF Expo - stop by the Aurora booth to see this amazing card and say hello.

If you don't check the news here daily, check the summary of the past days news below for important past news items and links.

Supra 56e USB Modem - No Caller ID/Distinctive Ring: A reader sent a note to other prospective buyers to say the claims on the box of supporting these features is in error:

"Mike
I thought you should let everyone know that the Supra 56e USB modem does NOT support caller ID or Distinctive ring on Mac OR Windows, contrary to what is printed on the box. I recently purchased one for a relative as a gift and was quite dismayed to find that inside the box is a little card saying something to the effect of "sorry...."

So far my angry emails have gone unanswered.
After having both a 14.4 and 28.8 (ROM flashed to 33.6) Supras with flawless performance (one is five years old and still humming....) I am very disappointed.

Please let everyone know about this so they can avoid this item if they need caller ID.
Thanks.
Jeff
PS. Maybe YOU can get an answer out of Diamond. "

Thinner Ckt Card on CPU Upgrade Cards Note: Most CPU upgrade cards have a thinner circuit board than the original OEM cards. (Newer Tech cards however are as thick as the OEM boards from my examinations.) In general the thickness of the circuit card is often related to the number of layers (circuit layers) in the board. I've not seen this as a problem personally but this PowerBase owner reports on his experience.

"I'm the technology coordinator (Computer Person) for a large high school. I decided to upgrade my father's PB200MT. Previous to the upgrade it had been having some trouble starting up with a blank screen or hanging on boot up. I purchased a PowerLogix 150 card for it. No settings worked. When I replaced the PB card the machine fired up. I tried this several times. I sent back the card and got another one with the same results except the video gave out completely. I cleaned all the boards with no luck. Then it would not start with the original 603 card. I found the machine would start with the riser card removed though.

By putting lateral pressure on the PowerLogix card I was able to get the machine to start. It turns out the PowerLogix card was just a bit thinner than the original and one pin in the processor socket was sticking in the card inserted position. By re-cleaning the connector and working the pin back and forth the function of the socket was restored. I replaced the riser and the system works.

I don't know if the upgrade card contributed to the riser card failure, it was on the edge but the timing combined with other reports makes me a bit suspicious

Thanks for the great source of information on upgrades. I'm running an over clocked Vimage in my Starmax 3000 and believe in the value of older machines.

Aloha,
Bryant Schultz "

I've added Bryant's report to the Power Computing Upgrade Failure reports page for future reference.

More on Onstream Mac Drive Pricing: Several readers replied to the post in yesterday's news regarding the higher price of the Mac drive. According to their reports you can buy the PC lower cost version and download the mac drivers, saving about $100. The Retrospect bundle was cited as a reason for the higher Mac model price. Here's the details from a reader mail.

" Not really. The extra $$$ is for the Retrospect bundle and cartridge. You can use the PC version on a Mac. (Following is from the Onstream site:)

If you already have Dantz Retrospect Desktop Backup version 4.2 for the Mac, you don't need to purchase the OnStream Mac bundle. Instead:

1. Purchase and install the OnStream Echo 30GB internal or external SCSI drive for Windows, SC30 or SC30e. (Note that the OnStream Echo software included with the product is for Windows use only.)

2. Check the drive firmware by reading the label on the inside door of the drive. If the level is F1.05 or lower, you will need an update. A flash update utility that runs directly from a Mac will be available soon at www.onstream.com/support.

3. Download and install the latest Retrospect Driver Update, which includes support for your OnStream drive. The driver update is posted at http://www.dantz.com/index.php3?SCREEN=rdu "

Pros/Cons on MacOS Apps under OS X: Another reader who asked to not be named commented on running current MacOS apps under OS X:

"Mike,
I'd like to add a few comments on the current state of MacOS on MacOS X.

In MacOS X Server and DP1 of MacOS X the MacOS, or BlueBox, application allows users to run MacOS programs. The main interface change in DP2 was to make the desktop of the MacOS app transparent, giving the illusion of running both Classic, Cocoa, and Carbon apps all at the same time in the same OS. However this isn't as simple as it seems.

The Classic apps are not running in MacOS X. They are running in a full install of the MacOS. The delay experienced launching a classic app the first time is the time it take the MacOS to boot. It is not emulation, but rather more like SheepShaver for BeOS and LinuxPPC. It is a runtime layer that uses the hardware to run the MacOS natively.

Here are some of the major pro and cons to this:

Pro:
Great software compatibility with Classic apps. Good performance with classic apps. (I have run PowerPoint presentations in the bluebox!). The VM system of the finder is ripped out and replaced with the one from MacOS X.

Cons:
Severe system load! In order to obtain good performance Apple seems to allow the MacOS app to hog the CPU. You can launch the MacOS app, then switch to MacOS X and take a look at the Process Manager. The MacOS app will quickly consume 96-99% of the CPU time, even when idle. This seems to be the price you pay for running two OSes at once on one machine.

Currently in DP2 you have a different set of menu bars for the Classic and Cocoa/Carbon environments. The menu bar changes according to what OS you are in, making for a rather disorienting experience. I'm sure that this will be cleaned up by the launch date.

You need a MacOS partition or disk image to boot the MacOS app from.

All in all I am hoping that everyone will have Carbon releases ready to go by this summer. The MacOS app is really more of a band-aid than a everyday tool. "

Pioneer SCSI DVD Drive & Hacked CD/DVD Extension: A reader replied to my problem post in yesterday's news about using a SCSI Pioneer DVD drive in an older Mac:

"I have the Pioneer 303S in a G3-upgraded 7500 running OS 8.6 and it works fine with a hacked copy of the Apple CD/DVD Extension. At first it would not mount any DVD's but I changed the UDF extension to the one that came with OS 9 (from my iBook) and that worked. Currently I am using the Wired 4DVD card with a Rage Orion. I tried to use a patched copy of Apple's DVD Player, but you need to be running OS 9 because of the hacked ATI Resource extension. When I tried it with OS 8.6, my computer would freeze a few seconds after boot. I hope this helps some, I'm on my way to Macworld.
Jordan Paraso"

Mac Game Artists Wanted: A reader wrote to request help with a new Mac (only) Game development:

[Here's an update sent several hours after the original post below]

"Mike,
The response from the readers of your website has been pretty good, however I'd want to emphasize one thing. This project isn't for those who are looking for a steady source of income. Rather, this project is for those who wish to boost their portfolio and show-off their work through this project. I'm looking for inspired artists :). All inspired 3d graphic or music artists contact me at AnsonTsai@aol.com. Screenshots of the game can be viewed at http://www.ansontsai.com.
Thanks,
Anson Tsai "

Anson's original post follows:

"Hello,
I am a frequent visitor of your informative website and realize that many people must come to your website each day. I currently need your help.

I am creating a mac-only game and I am currently in need of several graphics designers as well as some audio specialists. All graphics must be 3d-rendered so that each object can be viewed in a variety of angles. For audio specialists, good music-composing is important. A working-program (not complete by any means) can be found at my website at http://www.ansontsai.com. The graphics for this program was created an inspired artist a couple years ago, however this artist has left the project because of work load in his company (some playstation company). This program is for those who feel inspired and want to put something great on their portfolio. If I were in this for the money, I would resort to Windows which I have aboslutely no intention of ever doing. This isn't to say that money won't or can't be made.

For those that are interested, please have people contact me at AnsonTsai@aol.com . I hope to hear from a few inspired artists!
Anson Tsai
http://www.ansontsai.com"

Possible iDisk Storage Demands: A reader sent a comment on the potential drive space requirements:

"Hi Mike,
Let's do a little math on the 20 MB [iDisk] announced yesterday by Apple. Apple has sold about 3 million Macs a year the past five years. That's 15 million Macs, more or less.

Assume that 90% of them are still working.
Assume that 50% of these have internet access (dial-up, cable, DSL, LAN, whatever).
Assume that 50% of those with internet access have owners who say, "Gosh, I'd like to set up an iDrive!" [and have an OS version supporting iDrive features - OS 9 is required it seems-Mike]
And they each get 20 MB storage.

The math? 15,000,000 * 90% * 50% * 50% * 20 MB = 67,500,000 MB of space required. Or almost 66,000 Gigabytes. Or almost 65 Terrabytes.

That's one big honkin' hard drive. Apple's REALLY going to create tens of Terrabytes of storage, all for us?
Cheers...
Steve White "

That's a huge potential demand. However I wonder what percentage of Mac owners are running OS 9 (required for iDisk according to the Apple site). And I suspect the storage allocation is dynamic - not a fixed 20MB allocation per user but that's just my guess.

Casady & Greene has released an 8.1 update to Spell Catcher 8.

For a blast from the past see what was on the front page news here one year ago.

Other Net News:

• The Apple of Their Eyes (Wired)
• Steve's Job Is Permanent (Wired)
• Putting More 'i' in iMacs (Wired)
• MS Gets Behind Mac OS X (Wired)
• Gates Gets Goofy at CES (Wired)
• Windows 2000 Ban in China? (Wired)

Thursday's News Summary

• Interesting OS X GUI comments in forums
• OS X and MacOS Apps - faster than OS 9?
• OS X Mac Model Support
• Comments on Creative Labs MW Booth
• More Toshiba DVD Drive Reports
• MWSF 2000 Picture Gallery incl. pix of VST 100GB FireRAID.
• PF Dual G4 page has photo and details on the card
• 3dfx press release on Mac retail VSA-100 cards
• Mac Onstream 30GB SCSI Drive
• CarrierZIF Wins MW Eddy
• OS X GUI Discussion
• Toshiba 6X DVD Drive Report
• Patched DVD Player/Pioneer DVD SCSI Drive Report
• Midiman Audio Card Report
• Rate Your CPU Upgrade, Mac Game Reviews, and Mac Game/Video Card Performance searchable databases updated with new entries.
• Forum Topics in G4 Forum and 3Dfx Forums.

Wednesday's News Summary

• Sonnet PB 1400 G3 Upgrades
• 3Dfx (Retail) Mac Support
• Apple MacOS X Web Site
• XLR8 announces Interview 2.0, Cuts Prices
• OS X's Stunning Interface
• My comments on Keynote
• Keynote Summary
• Webstar 4.2 Adds Altivec Support
• Rainbow 6 Column Issue #3
• PowerForce Dual G4 Upgrades
• After Effects 4.1 Altivec Plugin Reports
• Nintendo 64 Emulator Feedback/3dfx Card Tips
• SoundJam MP 1.6 (still problematic here with G4 upgrades)
• USB 1.3.5 Performance Hit
• OS 9 on older Macs
• iMac DV Audio Delay Report
• RamDoubler 9 (Confirmed):
• HP8110 IDE CDR/ZIP Drive Problem
• Mac QuakeIII CD Key Problems Fixed?
• OWC CPU Upgrade Sale
• More on Lotus CC:Mail Y2K Issues
• Apple OT Update
• Forum Topics in G4 Forum and 3Dfx Forums.

Tuesday's News Summary

• After Effects 4.1 Altivec Plugin released
• Nintendo 64 Emulator
• Powerlogix page on MWSF Expo
• CarrierZIF 2.0 Announced
• Formac Exodus?
• $180 27GB Maxtor Drive
• Toshiba 6X DVD Report
• Quickmail Y2K Bug and Fix
• Lotus cc:Mail Mobile Y2K Bug
• Emailer/AOL Date Fix
• DVD Movies and VR128 TV Out
• New Sonnet L2 G3 Upgrades/PCI Video Card Report
• Mac vs PC Quake 3 TeamDM
• Latest topics in the G4 and 3Dfx Forums

Monday's News Summary

• XLR8 whistle and win Macworld giveaways
• $199.97 Maxtor 27GB DiamondMax Plus HD
• Acer 8X/4X/32X IDE CDRs for $249.95
• Mac Software Y2K Issues Reported (emailer/AOL and nubus mac reports)
• Orange Micro Combo Firewire/USB Card Report
• Sonnet L2 Cache Slot G3/400 Cards - New Revision?
• CharisMac Product News (Audioscribe and MWSF giveways)
• Rainbow 6 Column Issue #2
• Free DSL Service?
• Latest topics in the G4 and 3Dfx Forums
• Macsonly review of PF G4/350 upgrades
• G4 vs Athlon CPU design article

For links to older news pages see the Archives page.

The recent features page has a lists reviews/articles you may have missed.

For a guide to finding answers to questions - see my Site Guide page.

Considering a CPU Upgrade? Check the CPU Upgrade Owner's Survey results and search for owner reports by Mac model and/or card brand. Readers post new entries daily and the database is updated several times a week. The current database has more than 2,800 reports and growing.

-Freq Asked Questions