"Mike,
As further follow up and confirmation, I have successfully installed a boxed and branded Toshiba 6x DVD M1212K in a Beige 266 G3. Installation was a breeze, it was simply a matter of removing the Apple CD Rom, setting the jumper to slave, didn't even bother with trying master, plugging all the cables in and re-booting.

Worked first time. Without any hitch. Took about 8 minutes. Using the software referenced on some of the links, I'm able to play a handful of different DVDs with different levels of success. Some excellent, some not so. I'm still experimenting. It cost me 179CHF about 112US$
tom"

See the FAQ DVD area for more reports - as noted here previously that the $99.95 Memorex 6x DVD retail boxes have this drive inside, as does a Hival 6X kit according to a previous reader report. (Beware however, Hival kits often have Pioneer drives as well - esp. their 10X kits.) The FAQ's DVD area has a link to the DVD utilities/hacks page as well, which includes the hack for the Software DVD player (but it still requires a ATI Rage card to run). In general, I'd highly recommend Mac owners buy DVD (or IDE CDR) drives from a local retailer with a return privilege in case there are problems.

E100 Ethernet/G3 Upgrade Issues?: To offload the main page, I've included the two most recent owner comments on a new Umax E100 Compatibility page. Latest feedback includes an owner running a PCI TurboMax IDE controller, PCI Firewire and PCI USB card OK and also a report of a firmware bug in the E100 that causes problems with G3 CPU upgrades. If any E100 owners can are using the E100 Ethernet port with a G3 upgrade, please contact me with your system and upgrade card specifics.

Still Hope For SpeedDoubler 9? A reader replies to a recent post here lamenting the lack of an OS 9 compatible version of SpeedDoubler.

"Mike,
There is still some hope for a Speed Doubler 9 update.

I was at Macworld SF on the first day last week. I spoke with someone at the Connectix booth (I think it was Mike Loftus, VP of Product Marketing). I asked him if they were going to update Speed Doubler 8 to Speed Doubler 9. He said that they were not planning to update Speed Doubler 8 because they did not think it would add anything to what was already in Mac OS 9. I told him that while I agreed that Speed Doubler was not as useful with Mac OS 9, it was the OTHER parts of Speed Doubler that were still useful and better than what Mac OS 9 had to offer. He told me that I was about the seventieth person that day that had asked him about the Speed Doubler 9 update. He said that maybe they (Connectix) had it all wrong about why they should not update Speed Doubler 8 and they may have to go back and rethink that decision.
Marv Jabola"

Mark Hennon copied me on a mail to Connectix listing the benefits of SD that's missing from OS 9:

"I have held off upgrading to Mac OS9 solely because I need SpeedDoubler for:

1) Copy Verify--I'm a technician and need this for quick, totally reliable backups.
2) Fast Trash--This saves me probably an hour a month.
3) Smart Copy--for swift updating of backups (This feature often sells my clients on buying SpeedDoubler for themselves--in particular, artists who daily backup current projects to Zip).
4) Keyboard Power--the niftiest way of launching programs I know.

You can drop all the other functions of SpeedDoubler8 and I would still buy SpeedDoubler9--and I estimate that more than 98 percent of your current owners would also buy. I also believe that your slumping sales of SD8 are due to fear of owning an orphan program, and that announcing an OS9 support path would prompt increased SD8 sales.

On a more philosophical note, I hope Connectix will not follow the nefarious lead of software houses such as Symantec and drop products willy-nilly solely to go after a new buck. Product loyalty is a two-way street, and computer professionals who recommend products appreciate companies that stand for something--companies that nourish their roots and remember the users who got them where they are today.
Mark "

The Smartcopy feature is my favorite. I'd like to see it as a standard feature in the OS.

FYI: I've updated the HP 4M Tips page with a reader's link to HP's LJ accessory information page which includes part number information for their Jetdirect cards.

How Do I... I often get asked questions on how to upgrade CPUs, install PCI cards, modems, etc. and in many cases the site topic links here have related articles with the answer. Always use the red "Got Questions? Click Here for Answers..." link above to the Frequently Asked Questions database as your first stop for answers. There's nearly 600 questions answered there now, organized by topic. The FAQ's "How-To" section has direct links to articles on specific topics like installing CPU upgrades, adding hard drives, CDRoms, etc. Thanks to all that do check there first for answers.

HP 4M Tips for G3/G4 Macs: I've posted a page with a partial list of the reader tips/solutions to running this printer with B&W G3 or G4 Macs which have no serial ports. The G4 forum also has many reader's suggestions in a thread on this subject there (due to a 1000 message limit, eventually older posts are deleted there automatically). I've also added a link to this HP 4M tips page in the FAQ's 'Printers' and 'How-To...' sections for future reference.

More info on USB Microscopes: A reader sent some background info:

"Mike, I saw the story on the XLR8yourmac.com website [in previous news pages and MWSF photos here-Mike] about the USB Microscopes that were featured at MacWorld SF by Steve Jobs during his keynote address. Here's some more information about them.

The Scalar Microscopes were co-developed and researched at Louisiana State University in the College of Basic Sciences with funding from the Howard Hughes Medical Institute (part of a $1.2 million grant). We have a large outreach program using the scopes.

Here is a URL of the Scope on a Rope program at LSU, if you would be kind enough to put this link on your archive page.

http://www.biology.lsu.edu/scope/2SOAR/

Anyone who wants more information about the program can email the HHMI Program Coordinator at LSU, Mrs. Sheri Wischusen at swischu@lsu.edu or call her at 225-388-0405.
Thanks.
John Grubb
Director of Communications
LSU College of Basic Sciences "

I asked John if he knew how the Scalar model compared to the cheap (looking and price - $89.99) Intel labeled USB microscopes I've seen at Sam's Club.

F/A 18 Korea GL Beta Update: The Game News page has info on the new beta patch that adds OpenGL, Vooodoo3 and USB inputsprockets support. Also there is a note on a new procedure for running framerate tests in Unreal Tournament for entering scores into my Mac Game/Video Card FPS database. If you missed last night's game news update, grab the Myth II 1.3.1 patch that solves the issues with Voodoo3 cards (which readers say works great btw).

AMPradio 1.5 Subband Software has released v1.5 of what they say is the "Most Sophisticated Internet Streaming Audio Receiver for the Power Macintosh Platform". For more information on AMPradio, see http://www.subband.com/ampr/.

Still More Cachedoubler Compatibility Reports: Unlike the previous reports in the last few days, this owner indicates he's seen no problems with PCI cards:

"Mike,
I just noticed the note on your page about the Umax CacheDoubler being incompatible with USB PCI cards, so I thought I'd throw in my two cents on the subject. I have a Umax C600 603e/240 that we upgraded over a year ago to a 603e/280 with CacheDoubler. We are running an SIIG USB PCI card, and have not had any problems with the combo with any version of the USB drivers, from 1.2, to 1.3.5, to the latest 1.4 Betas.

Also, regarding the CacheDoubler and ixTV (TurboTV) card, we ran that combo for awhile, and did not experience any problems there either. Finally, as a related side note, I don't recommend trying to change the jumpers on the CacheDoubler for higher speeds. When I tried my 280 at 320, it worked fine, but for some reason, the 1MB of inline cache became disabled at that speed, which effectively made the computer feel much slower rather than faster.
-Brian "

Use the past news summary/links below to read previous owner comments if you didn't catch the news every day this week.

GV Fax Update Installer Warning: A reader sent a warning note on having your serial number handy before applying their latest update:

"You may or may not have heard. GV has posted the 2.6.9 update to their FTP site. The FTP site is at ftp://208.60.8.151/pub/software/mac/. The software is called GlobalFax Installer Disc.sit. Note that it does not mention 2.6.9, or even upgrade, in the title. I installed it and it works fine---BIG however, you must have the serial number of your prior software/hardware to get thru the registration process WHICH I COULD NOT get out of WITHOUT ACTUALLY PULLING THE PLUG ON MY G4/450 - FIRST TIME I EVER DID THAT IN 15 YEARS, i.e., you are not permitted to quit the registration process, not with software or hardware (e.g., pressing reset button), without inserting the correct serial number.

I called their customer service and they gave me a serial number which worked. I could not find their telephone number except on their website, which I why I pulled the plug to get on the internet.
Best,
Marv Kelner"

If you need Global Village contact information (phone or email), see their Contacts web page.

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

Other Net News:

• Apple soars on analyst support (News.com)
• IBM establishes $500 million Net venture fund (News.com)
• Would Microsoft Breakup Benefit Industry? Market would grow as apps appear on something besides Windows, IDC report suggests. (PCworld)
• Microsoft's New CEO Will Wash Windows (PCworld)
• First Windows 2000 Virus Debuts (PCworld)

Thursday's News Summary

• Fix for my Kodak DC280/iMac DV USB Errors
• G4/HP 4M Solutions (Thanks Readers!):
• Gates Resigns as CEO
• Mac USB Microscope Info (Scalar Scopes Web Site)
• Reader Request: G4/HP 4M Printer Feedback Wanted
• Cries for Speed Doubler 9
• iTools Update
• Kodak DC-280 Firmware Update
• More AIWA USB Tape/USB PCI Card Reports
• FireNet - TCP/IP over Firewire?
• Umax E100 NIC/SCSI Card and Turbomax Issues
• PowerLogic Comments on Dynamic Pwr Mgmt
• 3dfx Glide Still Alive (Developer comments at MWSF)
• OWC Selling Games
• More CacheDoubler Compatibility Issues
• Distant Suns updated for Seti@home
• Today's Forum Topics in G4 Forum and 3Dfx Forums.

Wednesday's News Summary

• Mac Quake3 Point Release (Beta) Patch
• 'Free DSL' May Not Be
• More PF G4/350 Feedback
• Powerlogix MW Expo sale reminder
• Rate Your CPU Upgrade Reviews Exceed 3000 reports!
• PF G4/350 owner reports using Sonnet control software
• PF G4/350 Virtual PC 3.0 problems
• Apple store has $15 G4 Plaintalk Mic kit available
• More AIWA USB Tape Drive/PCI USB Card Reports
• Umax Cache Doubler Compatibility Notes
• More on Beige G3/Toshiba 6X DVD Drive
• PCI Cards and Low Power Mode
• Game News page updated w/Rainbow Six Mod Report/ Free GL Tron Game info and tip for brightness (gamma) settings
• Rate Your CPU Upgrade, Mac Game Reviews, and Mac Game/Video Card Performance searchable databases updated
• RC5 Altivec boost reports
• Forum Topics in G4 Forum and 3Dfx Forums.

Tuesday's News Summary

• More L2G3 Upgrade Feedback
• $49 OEM Matrox Mystique cards/vram upgrades
• AIWA USB Tape Drive/Macally PCI USB Card Report
• Game News page updated w/Mac Rainbow Six mod & Activision Mac Quake3 Arena support info.
• AGP Rage128 Pro Cards available at Apple store
• Lucent 11Mbps Wireless PCMCIA Card Report
• Mac USB microscope and e.light mfr. URLs
• HiVal (Toshiba) 6x DVD Drive Report (CVGS Compatible?)
• MBDF Virus Report
• Maxtor Drive Free Photoshop LE Offer
• iDisk Tips/Issues page created.
• Rate Your CPU Upgrade, Mac Game Reviews, and Mac Game/Video Card Performance searchable databases updated
• Forum Topics in G4 Forum and 3Dfx Forums.

Monday's News Summary

• Mac ATA/66 IDE Controller Card Status (Acard, Prodirect, Blackfire)
• Maxbug Disables DVD
• Virus Notes: MBDF virus reports on rise
• Hard Drive Upgrade Guides (Biege G3/B&W G3, iMac)
• My Q∓A/DVD info added to my Mac 3dfx VSA-100 card page
• OS 9 Performance Tip
• More Maxtor HD Sales (18GB for $140)
• iDisk Tips
• OS 8.1 Hack and iDisk
• Another VR128 Video Extensions Loading Tip
• iCar - Drive Different!
• MW Expo Summary Comments
• External IDE Drives
• L2G3 Upgrade Video Card Tips at www.mac3dfx.com
• Game News page updated for Q3 vs UT review, more.
• What's a Microbook?
• Sonnet PB1400 G3 Upgrades Pre-Orders at OWC
• Rate Your CPU Upgrade, Mac Game Reviews, and Mac Game/Video Card Performance searchable databases updated
• Forum Topics in G4 Forum and 3Dfx Forums.
• Other Net News

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.