" Mike:
Haven't seen this posted yet, but the 5.0.2 update is available. As expected, the most important feature is the much-anticipated return of the Sorensen 3 codec.
John "

If any Final Cut Pro 2 users can comment if this update helps with some of the previously reported issues like Firewire batch capture, etc. (past reader reports here) please let me know.

" About the Mac OS 9 Authoring Support Plug-in Update v1.1.2
Important: The update requires that Authoring Support Update 1.1 be installed

This document contains important late-breaking information about the Authoring Support Plug-in Update which supports burning CDs when running iTunes and Disc Burner in Mac OS 9.

This update adds compatibility for the Que! Fire 16x10x40x drives which use the Teac or Plextor drive mechanism, the VST 8x Bus Powered FireWire CD-RW drives which use the Teac drive mechanism as well as the Logitec12x10x32 LCW-P1210BF. CD-R drive manufacturers often use several different mechanisms in the same CD-R product. The above drive models and mechanisms are the only new combinations tested by Apple. For more information about identifying the firmware and mechanisms of your CD-R drive, see the Apple Technical Information Library article at: http://til.info.apple.com/techinfo.nsf/artnum/n60849.
For the complete list of supported external FireWire and USB CD-R drives, go to the Apple CD-R Compatibility Web site at http://www.apple.com/itunes/compatibility/. "

" Hey Mike, I haven't seen this on your site, so I thought I'd send a note. [Diablo II] Lord of Destruction actually started showing up on store shelves last night. I picked one up at Fry's Electronics here in California.
I installed it on a B&W G3 550MHz with an ATI Radeon PCI and it works great.. -Dave"

(It's a dual platform CD that works for both Macs and PCs.)

• How to Retrofit Ventilation Holes to your ABS
• Main Airport Mods/Repairs page
  (Includes links to several ABS related tips/guides)

Of course any mods to the Airport base voids the Apple warranty.

" Here is the response from Powerlogix support on the problem a few computers have installing the upgrade:

David,
since we last exchanged email, our engineers and software people have discovered that the problem you (and a very few others ) experienced is due to a quirk of some ( but not all) of the PowerBook G3 computers. Your solution addresses the issue exactly: to install the BlueChip, the HD must be 6GB or smaller, or there must be a 1st partition on the drive smaller than 6 GB, with the startup OS on that first partition.
We are currently devising a new ROM flash application which will eliminate the problem.
As with any new hardware upgrade, there have been unanticipated detours, and reports from our always clever and savvy customers are very valuable to us in resolving such issues.
Thanks for the update, and if we can be of any further assistance, please don't hesitate to contact us.
Regards
John Landis
Tech Support

Now if they could define how much thermal grease is needed, everyone would be happy.
David "

As noted in my Bluechip G3/500 review install page (step 7), don't apply a lot of thermal compound, as it's only for filling in any imperfections in the two mating surfaces (the CPU core and the heatsink). you don't want a thick layer. I applied a small amount and then pressed down on the "disc" heatsink and moved it in a circular motion to make sure there was no excess buildup of compound between the heatsink and CPU chip.
Some Bluechip owner reports in the database here noted that they had no problems with larger/replacement drives, but some did. I can only guess there are different revs of the hardware or firmware that might be a factor. (David later sent an email noting that Powerlogix has updated their Bluechip downloadable PDF file manual to add the above info in the "troubleshooting" section.)

" Hi Mike, Satoru again.
I have great reservations regarding the reader comment on the legality of open source DVD players...

Perhaps the MPAA and DVD CCA want CSS decryption to be completely and unequivocally illegal, the issue is certainly, very equivocal. If I remember correctly, I don't even think the DeCSS trial has been fully resolved (let alone any other CSS decryption schemes).

some great sources to read about the issue:
www.lemuria.org/DeCSS/
www.cs.cmu.edu/~dst/DeCSS/
www.opendvd.org/journalists.php3

And even if it does (God forbid) become completely and unequivocally illegal in the US, will that apply to any and all other countries?? (videolan.org is a French site). "

"Apple Software Updates to Knowledge Base Migration Tips, Helpful Articles, keyword searching

1) Apple ID is required for the knowledge base as it has been for discussions and the new My Info area (access to change profile, products registration, agreements, support cases history and check repair status) Login is only required the first time as a cookie (named Apple ID) is stored in your browser. After that, as long as the cookie remains, no login is required. Discussions and later Knowledge Base have required cookies and Apple ID for nearly a year.

Apple abides by a privacy policy: http://www.apple.com/legal/privacy/ and you can easily control email and postal mail from Apple and third parties.

For browser, JavaScript and Cookie requirements, check our Support Help page at: http://www.info.apple.com/support/support_help.html

2) In terms of searching for software downloads, we provide a couple of general pages and a a few keywords.

- For recent software downloads, go to:
http://www.info.apple.com/kbnum/n75150
(asu.info.apple.com redirects to a static version of this article for now.)

- for a general overview of Apple Software Downloads, check this article:
http://www.info.apple.com/kbnum/n60858

- The keyword for searching for all software downloads is kbdload - Use the Expert search to quickly obtain a list of software downloads or combine the keyword with other text (mac os, imac, firmware, etc.)

The expert search page is at:
http://kbase.info.apple.com/cgi-bin/WebObjects/kbase.woa/wa/expert

- the keyword for searching for Mac OS related updates is ksysupdate

Further information on constructing searches in the Expert Search Page, along with a complete list of all keywords is available at:
http://www.info.apple.com/help/knowledgebase/advanced_help.html or by clicking on the Help button in the Knowledge Base.

3) A list of updated articles by date may be obtained in the knowledge base by searching by a given date on the Expert Search Page. For example, searching by 6/27/01 will present a listing of all articles created or updated on that day."

• Daystar 604e/200 in 7500/100 (rated 8)
• Metabox G3/320 in APS PowerTools Clone (rated 9)
  (listed under "Other Mac Models")
• Newer Tech G3/366 in Beige G3 (rated 2)
  (another report of the L2 cache not working)
• Powerlogix G3/366 in Umax S900 (rated 10)
• Sonnet G3/400 in 9500/180MP (rated 6)
• XLR8 CarrierZIF w/G3 466 ZIF in PowerTower Pro 200 (rated 10)
• XLR8 CarrierZIF w/G3 500 ZIF in PowerTower Pro 225 (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. Search the database for entries from most every upgradable Mac model *before* you buy. (Searchable by mac model/upgrade brand). For detailed reviews with performance tests and install tips, see the CPU Upgrades page.)

Software Updates:

• Napster 1.0b2
• Virex Defs Update July
• Creative Labs Nomad IIc Firmware Update Version 1.04
• AImster Beta 1002
• Tech Tool Pro 3.0.4
• Norton AntiVirus Defs July
• See the main news page above for Quicktime 5.02 update and Authoring support 1.1.2 update comments

Apple TIL Updates: (none today)

Mac News:
(Note: Rehashing of press releases, repeated news, etc. not listed)

• WACOM Tablet Driver Support for Apple's Mac OS X [latest support comments update] (wacon)
• Macromedia sees Q1 loss before charges (yahoo)
• MacHack CDs Available for Purchase (machack)
• Apple OS X - Enemy of My Enemy (os opinion)
• Mac3D market needs new Wildcat II graphics card (architosh)
• Build a Caller ID Application (Part 1) (resexcellence)
• Adaptec cuts jobs 15% (CNNfn)
• Choose iBook or a Windows laptop? (philly.com)
  [I disagree on their comment to avoid the 20GB drive option - the iBook is a bear to upgrade the HD, so the $200 20GB option might be worth it in the long run-Mike]
• Apple to buy PowerPC from Motorola? [rumors] (the register)
• Inside Mesa for OS X - past, present and future (the register)