News Archive for: Monday January 29th, 2007 (later added items first)
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New/Updated Apple Support Docs on Airport Extreme 802.11n (and other products)

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Lightroom vs Aperture (User comments/preferences)
Earlier today in the post on Adobe Lightroom going on sale, I asked if any readers have used both Lightroom (beta) and Apple's Aperture to let me know which they liked best and why. Here's several replies so far (latest first). (Some include comments on PShop CS3 also.)

" I used the Lightroom beta, and couldn't really see any advantage over the familiar Bridge/Photoshop workflow. When Aperture 1.5 came out, with the option of referencing files, I bought it - but although it looks nice, it's way too slow on my G5, and I always end up tweaking the resulting images in Photoshop anyway. Maybe that's because of familiarity, but it just seems so much simpler. CS3 is the way forward unless Apple can do some serious work for the next Aperture version. I can't see the point of Lightroom except for Photoshop phobics.
-Daryl "

" I own Aperture and have used the Lightroom beta since it was offered. (BTW, I'm a professional photographer shooting over 50,000 frames/year)
I will be using Lightroom instead of Aperture for 1 reason

1 - I have a DNG based workflow which Aperture does not support (all my raw camera files are converted to DNG - this in non-negotiable and the lack of proper DNG support is the deal breaker for me)

Nice Lightroom features that factor in to a lesser extent:

2 - Lightroom's "Recovery", "Fill Light", and "Vibrance" controls

3 - Lightroom's superior integration with Photoshop

Aperture is filled with really nice features but I can't use them with my preferred file format.
-Jim "

" I've been using both Aperture and Lightroom in the last few weeks on my new Macbook Pro Core 2 Duo, 2.16GHz, 2GB RAM.

Aperture has some nice features - better organisation (in particular the vault feature), excellent integration with iLife, metadata, tagging, the loupe tool is wonderful. However, when it comes to image edits, there is one real big flaw - changes via image edit tools (eg. contrast, hue, etc) and the update of the Histogram curve take a perceptible amount of time. In other words it's not a real- time update of the histogram. This to me is really not acceptable - especially on high performance hardware with 2gb of RAM (and I did run Aperture without any other applications running).
I also tried various formats - both DNG and RAW, to see if that was the reason, but it made no difference. I also found the user interface more difficult to use mostly because of smaller size tools than Lightroom; and key commands not as intuitive.

As mentioned, I found Lightroom's interface to be simpler and more intuitive for image editing; and the fluidity of making changes with respect to the Histogram curve is instant as compared to Aperture. Working with the tone curve is also quite a joy to use because you can click and drag to reshape it as necessary, and see the image instantly update. It's not as great a tool for organising projects and folders; but the reason I need a RAW tool is to edit photos, and Lightroom wins there.

So I'm buying Lightroom.
-Ash "

"lightroom vs aperture
neither program is complete. I'm a photographer and work with large volumes of images on a regular basis. I used to use both aperture and lightroom as my workflow.
image adjustments are easier and more complete with lightroom, however image organization is far better with aperture. neither program will let you use photoshop filters or actions.
Since the beta releases of photoshop CS3 and bridge CS3, I haven't used either aperture or lightroom. photoshop cs3 seems to incorporate all of lightrooms adjustment features (i.e. manipulating jpegs as you would raw files) and bridge has gotten a lot faster. I question why adobe moved forward with releasing lightroom as a standalone product.
-Epic"
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Adobe Photoshop Lightroom ($199 Intro price), Lightroom vs Aperture
After being available in beta for some time, Eddie sent a note that Adobe is offering Photoshop Lightroom with an intro price of $199 - $100 off list. (See above for reader comments on Lightroom vs Aperture and Photoshop CS3.)
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Feedback on Airport Exteme Update 2007-001
Initial feedback on the AirPort Extreme Update 2007-001 for intel-based Macs released last Thursday night. (Included a security fix, although the update info mentioned compat. with the new airport extreme base)

" it solved an issue with my wireless network too. my Rev. A iMac Core Duo (2Ghz, 20") never would connect at startup event although the settings were always to do that. It started up after the update and connected immediately. I was overjoyed lol
Will see if it does the same for my Rev. A Macbook Pro and let ya know.
-Stephen "

"Solved an Airport problem on my iMac Core 2 Duo 2.16GHz. Normally I got an internal IP adress assigned xx.254.xx.xx and then Turn Airport Off and On again gave me internet access. Now it seems the old IP adress is given before Airport connects to my router (which is currently not an airport express since it just died).
No problems now with restarting with the full signal strength showing.
(I asked about the current wireless base/router he was using)
A Siemens SX551 VoIP combined Wireles ADSL Router connected to the dutch KPN ADSL network, so no updates on the airport base station.
regards, Dannie "

"Even after this update the wifi reception on my 24in iMac is as miserable as before the update.
PB 12in on the same desk is full speed!
Anyone know how to get to the AP antenna in the 24in. I fear it is loose.
Paolo Z."

I don't know of any 24in iMac take-apart guides, but there's a page here with notes on taking apart other intel-based iMac models. Last fall some Mac Pro owners noted their bluetooth antenna wire was mislabelled (poor bluetooth performance/range, and one user said his wasn't fully seated) - I wonder if this could be an issue with those reporting poor airport range. Another Core2 Duo iMac owner mentioned lower performance with the iMac vs a MacBook:

" I still have very slow WLAN with an iMac 20" C2D (running 10.4.8), even after the update.
On a 10Mbit internet DSL connection I only get 4MBit over Airport (over LAN full speed). A Macbook C2D (also 10.4.8) sitting next to the iMac gets full speed over airport. Both are connected over airport (WPA2 personal) to a Linksys WRT54G router.
(Update: See Tuesday's news for Jonas' notes on the $1.99 802.11n Enabler improving the iMac's performance-Mike)

(After a reader mentioned he had used Migration assistant on his new iMac and later found out non-native Safari plugins (running under rosetta) was the cause of his slow browser performance I asked Jonas if he checked for this, or if his comments were on non-browser related tests-Mike)
I didn't migrate any data to the iMac, it's a clean 10.4.8 install with all available updates. When copying files over the network I also only get about 400 KB/sec with the iMac C2D. The Macbook C2D (also a clean 10.4.8 install) copies the same files the the same computer with 2.7 MB/sec.
(one reader mentioned switching from WPA to WEP seemed to help performance, but that's odd to me as WEP also takes a performance hit and is not as secure as WPA.-Mike)
I didn't try any other encryptions than wpa2 untill now, and I don't want to switch to the unsecure WEP encryption. I hope apple solves this problem soon.
If you have any updates regarding this issue please let me know.
Greetings from Germany,
Jonas "

" I wish I had something good to report. Instead of rehashing it here, I'll link you to my problem report on Apple Discussions:
http://discussions.apple.com/thread.jspa?threadID=834308
And another long thread of problems, seemingly all on MacBook Pro rev A's:
http://discussions.apple.com/thread.jspa?messageID=3980910
-Joshua "
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Mac Drive Compatibility Database Updated
The Drive Compatibility Database had 5 more updates today. Current total - 16,016. (searching by drive type/brand, mac model etc. listed below will show the full reports, most recent first) iApps burn support mentioned in optical drive/burner reports unless otherwise noted.

    DVD+R/RW + DVD-R/RW Drives:
  • IDE LG GSA-H12L in G5 Tower (OS X 10.4.x)
    (although it's not typically needed with OS X 10.4.x, he noted installing a patchburn4 profile. For notes/links on lightscribe drivers/software for OS X, see Jan 23rd news page.)
  • IDE Pioneer DVR-K06L in iMac G5 (OS X 10.4.x)
  • Firewire (cased) Samsung SH-S182M used w/iMac G5 (OS X 10.4.x)

    Hard Drives:
  • IDE Samsung HD501LJ 500GB in iMac G5 (OS X 10.4.x)
  • IDE Seagate Momentus 5400.3 120GB in iBook G4 (OS X 10.4.x)
    (FAQ has links to iBook G4 guides, take aparts, etc.)

You can find full owner reports (latest shown first) by searching the database by drive/brand/interface/mac models (the latest reports are shown first in searches). The database includes reports on DVD +/-R, CDRWs, Combo DVD-CDRW, DVD-ROM, Hard Drives and Removables (tape drive, ORB, ZIP, MO drives, NAS, CF/Smartmedia readers, etc.) in all interface types (IDE, IDE RAID cards, SATA, Firewire, SCSI, USB, adapters).
If you've added a IDE, SATA, Firewire, USB, or SCSI, hard drive, Optical drive/burner, NAS, tape drive, etc., send me the details (drive info/mac model/OS used, etc.) for adding to the database. (*Please take a minute to test for booting from CD with Optical drives*.)

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Rate Your Mac CPU Upgrade Reports Database Updated
The Rate Your CPU Upgrade database has been updated with 1 new report this morning. Total to date: 10,290. Here's a summary of the latest addition (search database by upgrade brand, mac model, etc. for a complete listing of all user reports on matching criteria (latest reports first).

  • Other World Computing G4/1.5GHz in (Sawtooth originally 400MHz) G4/AGP (rated 10)

    (Full reviews of G4 and G3 upgrades compared to stock CPUs, including real world apps/game tests, install info, etc. are linked at the CPU upgrades page. OC/CPU module articles are on the Systems page.)

You can find the full reports by searching the database selecting the indicated Mac model and upgrade card brand/type. 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). Search the database for entries from most every upgradable Mac model *before* you buy. (Searchable by mac model/upgrade brand).

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Other News/Misc. Software Updates
(later added items first)

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Recent Articles and Reviews
Listing/links to recent articles and reviews you may have missed.
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Wireless Adapters


FasterMac.net
Internet Access

OWC SPECIALS!
(see full list)

= MEMORY =
4GB (2x2GB) Mac Pro RAM (800MHz) $175!

4GB (2x2GB) Mac Pro RAM (667MHz) $145!

4GB (2x2GB) PC6400 for 2008 iMacs $109.75

2GB PC2-5300 SODIMM $45.75

2x2GB PC2-5300 SODIMMs $90.05

2x1GB DDR400 DIMMs $79.50!

512MB PC-133 SDRAM $40!

= WIRELESS =
802.11N/g/b PCI, PCMCIA or USB adapters under $50
802.11N/G/B Router $65

= TV TUNERS/DVR =
ElGato Turbo.264 $77.50!

Miglia TVMicro Express $37.50!

= CPU UPGRADES =
G3 1GHz ZIF upgrade $125!

OWC G4/1.2GHz w/2MB L3 $195!

7448 1.8GHz $325!

7447A 1.6GHz $225!

= HARD DRIVES =
FAST Samsung F1 1TB $198.25!

Samsung F1 750GB $125!

400GB Hard Drives from $85!

500GB Drives from $88!

750GB Drives from $125!

1TB SATA HDs from $198.25!

= NOTEBOOK HDs =
160GB 2.5in HDs from $69.50!

250GB 2.5in HDs from $100!

320GB 2.5in SATA HD $122.75!

320GB 7200RPM Firewire Drive $117.50!

= GRAPHICS CARDS =
ATI 9800 Pro AGP $205!

ATI X1900 G5/PCIe $297.50!

ATI 9600 Mac/PC AGP $179!


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