The Software Updates/TILs/Hardware/Other Net News links have been updated (see bottom of page). Included is a large list of Apple TILs on Powerbooks with FAQs on drives, design elements, communications, DVD and graphics/video.

MGL Article on MS/Access Software Deal: This just in from Mike Dixon of Mac Gamer's Ledge:

"MacGamer's Ledge (www.macledge.com) has just published a feature article that contains insight from a recent (now former) employee of Access Software, who was acquired by Microsoft not long ago. Find out how Access Software is being treated, as their deal with Microsoft is likely very similar to what Bungie is walking into. "

Apple has a press release on their 2nd annual Quicktime Live conference.

Photoshop 5.5 Tests - 1GHz PIII vs G4/500 I've posted a page with PSbench 21 filter test results with a 1GHz Pentium III vs G4/500 system. Considering Photoshop supports both the PIII's SSE 128bit extensions as well as Altivec (G4), the G4/500 did pretty well I think, even with a 500MHz clock speed handicap. It was actually faster completing some of the filters tests.

IBM's 1GB Microdrive: If you think the 340MB Microdrive was impressive, today IBM is announcing they are going to produce a 1GB version that will sell for about $500 according to a news.com article. As noted on the IBM Microdrive Compatibility/Tips/Comments page here, the drive works with some models of Powerbooks, digital cameras and other devices with a TypeII Compactflash slot (compatibility varies however). News.com has a story today with more information.

Drive Compatibility Database Updates: This morning's additions to the Drive Compatibility database included:

• Maxtor 60GB in Clubmac Firewire cases (5400 rpm drive)
• Maxtor 30GB in iMac rev B
• Maxtor 20GB in ADS Pyro Firewire case

If you've added a IDE, SCSI, Firewire or USB hard drive, CDRW, tape drive, etc. make sure you add a report to the database.

Rate Your CPU Upgrade Database Updates: Today's updates to the Rate Your CPU Upgrade database included the following reports:

• Sonnet G4 (350Mhz) in PowerTower Pro 250 (problems reported, replaced with Newer Tech G4)

• Sonnet G4 (450MHz) in 9600/350 (system loaded with 5 PCI cards, including Video capture, SCSI,etc. - rated upgrade a 9)

• Sonnet Nubus G3/300 Upgrade in 7100/80 with ATTO SCSI card (problems with SCSI card noted)

• PL Z-force (w/Apple ZIF CPU module) in PowerTower Pro 225 (rated 9)

• XLR8 G3 in Umax S900s (rated 10)

You can find these 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, please post an entry in the database. We're 1 short of 4000 total entries!

The Mac Game/Video Card Performance database was also updated.

Evergreen Firewire/USB Combo Card Owner Tips: Here's the latest feedback on this card that included a note on extensions:

"Hi Mike,
Buy.com finally shipped one to me, so I just installed an Evergreen FireLine Combo Card in my desktop system:

Beige G3/266 DT rev 2, with an OWC G3/366 CPU upgrade
384 MB RAM
Mac OS 8.6
FireWire 2.4 package, easy install
USB Card Support 1.4.1 package, easy install
QuickTime 4.1.2
QuickTime FireWire DV Enabler 2.2
QuickTime FireWire DV Support 2.2

PCI Slot left* ($C1) - Evergreen FireLine PCI Slot mid ($B1) - Mark of the Unicorn 324 (2408 audio interface) PCI Slot right ($A1) - empty

* As seen from the front of the machine

Everything works perfectly so far. I'm using a Keyspan USB hub and an Intellimouse Explorer on USB, and running iMovie with a Sony TRV-900 on FireWire.

That said, with a previous config I did experience a similar startup crash as reported by some others. I couldn't startup at all, even with Shift held because I guess these QT FW extensions are loaded early:

QuickTime FireWire DV Enabler 2.1.2
QuickTime FireWire DV Support 2.1.2

PCI was setup like so:

PCI Slot left ($C1) - Radius/DO MotoDV FireWire card
PCI Slot mid ($B1) - Mark of the Unicorn 324
PCI Slot right ($A1) - Digidesign Audiomedia III

I finally had to disable the QuickTime FireWire DV extensions. At the time, this was ok since the Radius/DO extensions did their job anyway. The Radius/DO MotoDV card also uses a Texas Instruments FireWire chipset.

Since everyone with trouble seems to be focused on the FireWire 2.4 extensions, and not the QuickTime FireWire DV extensions, users might make sure they have the latest 2.2 versions. I had to get them via the custom option of the QuickTime Updater.

Thanks for reviewing this card [I didn't review it - but there are comments on the Firewire/USB combo card feedback page-Mike], and the others. I ended up saving money and grief, avoiding the slow output speed of the NEC FW chipset. I suspect that's why people with OrangeMicro cards can capture DV video just fine, but can't print back to the camera.

Peace,
Glenn Gutierrez"

I've added this report to the Firewire/USB combo card feedback page, which has other Evergreen card owner reports as well as other brands. One other Evergreen card owner that reported problems originally said that a clean install of the Firewire and USB (apple) extensions seemed to have helped.

(OT) More 3 MegaPixel Digital Camera Reviews: PCworld has a review of 3 mega-pixel digital cameras that compares the Canon PowerShot S20, Epson 3000Z, Kodak DC290 and Olympus C3030. They seemed to favor the Epson, too bad it does not have a Type II compactflash slot for using an IBM microdrive. (I'd want that option in a high-res camera. This makes the bundled 340MB Microdrive/Casio 3MP camera attractive.) Speaking of digital cameras and the Microdrive, where's a recent reader comment on the lower cost Canon Powershot S10:

"hi mike
I just wanted to drop a note on the Canon Powershot S10 and IBM 340 meg microdrive/pismo 400. I got the camera today (onsale for $499 at outpost) and it had the latest firmware patch for microdrive compatibility already applied. The camera and drive saw each other fine, and I used the enclosed adapter with the IBM travel kit ($399 at outpost)to toss the drive in my pismo and it worked great as well.

I like this stuff. It all worked great out of the box with no hassles or firmware updates. I really recommend PowerBook owners grab the IBM travel kit in a heartbeat if they have a camera that can take the drive.
rob"

Software Updates/TILs/Other Net News: (Thanks to Barney Buoy)

Software Updates:
• Rearrange Folders Version 1.1.2
• Extension Overload 5.1.1
• netOctopus 3.6.2
• MVP 1.2 (cd to mp3, etc. util)
• A-Dock 2.0.1
• SimpleText Enhancer
• AltaVista Messenger
• Equipper (hardware/software tracker)
• MacPopUp 2.0 (instant messenger)

Apple TILs:
(Too many OS X Server TIL updates today to list)

• AirPort Utility 1.0: What To Do If It Cannot Locate a Base Station
• Apple System Profiler: Reports Slow Memory
• Macintosh: How Often Should I Defragment My Hard Drive?
• Power Macintosh: Display Resolutions in the Monitors & Sound control panel
• Ethernet Update 1.0: Read Me
• FireWire 2.3.3: Read Me
• iMac: Graphics Acceleration Limited By VRAM Configuration
• Power Macintosh G3 All-in-one: Button Disabler Not Compatible
• The Apple Trackpad: Overview of Technology and Use
• PowerBook (FireWire): Viewing DVD-Video on External Monitor or TV
• PowerBook G3 Series: Design Elements FAQ, Part 1
• PowerBook G3 Series: Design Elements FAQ, Part 2
• PowerBook G3 Series: Communications FAQ
• PowerBook G3 Series: DVD, CD-ROM, and Hard Drive FAQ
• PowerBook G3 Series: Video, Graphics, And Sound FAQ, Part 1
• PowerBook G3 Series: Video, Graphics, And Sound FAQ, Part 2
• PowerBook G3 Series: Memory FAQ
• Final Cut Pro: DV Companion Upgrade
• DVD Technology: Overview
• Macintosh: Connecting SCSI Devices
• AppleShare IP 6: Using Windows File Sharing Feature

Mac Related News Links:
• Apple Announces Second Annual QuickTime Live! Conference (apple)
• Mac OS X Q & A (ars technica)
• OS X: One Mac User is Already Weary of An OS She Hasn't Even Used (macworld/zdnet)
• Apple surges $4.62 as stock splits tomorrow (maccentral)
• SimpleText Enhancer adds redesigned tool bar, more (maccentral)
• Channeling the PDF explosion (zdnet)
• Digital jukebox coming to the Visor (maccentral)
• About Modem Scripts and Modem Strings (macntosh.com)
• Flat Panels: The Next Generation (macworld/zdnet)
• Macworld: Virex 6.1 (macworld/zdnet)
• E-Mail Programs in Comparison (macwelt)
• Cloth Simulation for LightWave [6] (Yahoo)
• Boris Gives Away Fire Filter for AE (Creative mac)
• FireWire exciting to use as portable hard drive (Union Tribune)
• Distiller, the Mac, and creating PDF files (maccentral)
• The Classic environment (macweek/zdnet)
• Color Geek: Ozone alert! (macweek/zdnet)

Hardware News:
• Macsense XRouter Pro
• Denon Announces Surround Sound Receiver With FireWire Capability

Gaming News:
• Former Access Software Employee speaks out on Microsoft relationship (Mac Gamer's Ledge)
• Terminus demo released (macworld UK)
• Bungie CEO discusses Microsoft acquisition [Still no promises made of Halo for the Ma] (maccentral)

Mac Gossip/Rumors
• Apple and CompUSA revising SWIAS plans? / Firewire on iBook (macos rumors)

Other Net News
• Overcharging for Windows: how MS may beat the rap (the register)
• Intel's Barrett predicts PC shortages for 18 months (the register)
• Virus shuts email servers but spreads slowly (news.com)
• Digital Island Teams With Compaq, Intel and Microsoft to Build World's Largest Streaming Media Network (yahoo)
• BT invented hyperlinks shock (the register)
• Matsushita, Sony Resume Rivalry in Digital Arena (yahoo)

Monday's News Summary

• B&W G3 to PC ATX Case Converson
• Hotline Chat with Bungie
• Bungie Interviews Discuss Halo Status
• Reader notes Bungie not on MWNY Exhibitors list
• Clubmac Firewire Case/Maxtor 60GB HD
• More Evergreen Firewire/USB Card Feedback
• Firewire/USB combo card feedback page updated
• iMac DV SEs at Costco, Ricoh DVD/CDRW combo drives $249.xx
• Latest Newer Tech G4 Upgrade/9600 Owner Report
• It's Official - Microsoft has Bought Bungie
• Top Ten Unreal Tournament Mods
• Mac Firmware Update for Rio MP3 Player
• Rate Your CPU Upgrade, Drive Compatibility and Mac Game Framerates databases updated
• BTO Petition Status
• Software Updates/Apple TILs/Other Net News Links

Friday's News Summary

• Monday the Day for Microsoft/Bungie Announcement?
• Another Nvidia/Apple Rumor
• Rambus Licensing Fees on SDRAM/DDR?
• Bottom Line weekly specials list.
• OWC weekend RAM special (expired Sunday night)
• Mac DivX 1.0b4 Released
• Firmware Updates for Rio MP3 Player
• Airport 1.2 Increased Range Test
• Airport 1.2 Performance Page updated
• ADS Pyro Firewire Case Mode Selector Info (Updated):
• Evergreen Firewire/USB Card Feedback (combo card page updated)
• More Firewire Case Compatibility Notes
• $235 (stripped) 7600s
• OWC weekly specials list
• Rate Your CPU Upgrade, Drive Compatibility and Mac Game Framerates databases updated
• BTO Petition Status
• Software Updates/Apple TILs/Other Net News Links

Thursday's News Summary

• Apple TILs on Modem Performance
• Woz Makes Inventor's Hall Of Fame
• Re: MacAlly Firewire Case for CDs & HD
• Plextor 12x/10x/32x CDRW Expected Availability
• ZIP USB 250MB Firewire Adapter Performance Tests
• Reminder on Firewire Case Kits and ATAPI Devices
• Wanted: Evergreen Firewire/USB Owner Feedback
• Update on 7500/G4 ZIF Report
• SGI on their New VGA/DVI/DFP Adapter
• SoundJam MP 2.1 Update/New Features
• Diablo v1.08 Patch
• Mozilla M16 Released:
• Airport 1.2 Performance Page updated
• Rate Your CPU Upgrade, Drive Compatibility and Mac Game Framerates databases updated
• BTO Petition Status
• Software Updates/Apple TILs/Other Net News Links

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? Search the CPU Upgrade Owner's Survey results and search for owner reports by Mac model and/or card brand. The current database has more than 3,900 reports and growing daily.