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News Archive for Wednesday June 2nd, 2004Return to Accelerate Your Mac!

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News stories of June 2nd, 2004: (later posted items first)
America's Army Special Forces 2.1.0, Starcraft/Brood War 1.11b Updates
3Dgamers.com lists the America's Army: Special Forces v2.1.0 update:

" A new update for America's Army: Operations is now available, bringing the popular squad-based tactical shooter by the US Army to version 2.1.0. This is the Special Forces (Downrange) release, containing the new M136 AT4 weapon, Stryker armored vehicle, two new maps (SF Arctic and SF Village), new Tournament and Demo/Kiosk modes, use of the Karma physics engine, bug fixes, and more. As usual, there are patches from the previous v2.0.0, or a humongous full install, for Win32, Linux and MacOS. "

Updaters and full version mirrors are linked at their AA files page.

VT has Starcraft 1.11b and Starcraft Brood War 1.11b updates:

    "What's new in this version:
  • Fixed a bug that allowed SCV's to heal Marines.
  • Fixed a bug that allowed Zerg to build without the need for creep.
  • Fixed a bug that allowed buildings to be stacked on top of each other.
  • Fixed a Mac bug that prevented StarEdit from running.
  • Fixed a Mac bug where background music stopped after the first piece."
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AlchemyTV DVR 2.1.1 Update
MU lists the AlchemyTV DVR 2.1.1 update today:

    What's New/Version 2.1.1:
  • Support for dual language programs
  • New post-processing plug-ins for movie files
  • Better time-stamping for the video frames
  • FM radio controller has slider and edit field for frequency
  • iCal plug-in now receives file notifications instead of polling (for 10.3)
  • Bug fixes for corrupt preferences (showed up with 'no device available' error)
  • Restored full compatibility with 10.2.8
  • Various bug fixes for DVR application, Startup Assistant, iCal plug-in

    Requirements: 400MHz G4+, Mac OS X 10.2.4 or later, QuickTime 6.5 or later."

Previous owner reports on the Alchemy TV/DVR PCI card are listed here.

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MacMedia releases PhoneDirector 1.0 for Nokia 6230
PhoneDirector is a tool for Phonebook, SMS, Gallery, Calendar and Wap management of Nokia 6230 ($29.95 shareware, requires Bluetooth and 10.3.4 they say). You can download it (and other utils for Nokia and Sony Ericsson phones) at http://www.macmedia.sk/.
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Local Apple Retail Store $199 sale on Mac Geforce4Ti cards
(from a reader mail. Not sure if any other Apple store locations would have these on sale. A reader from San Francisco replied to this post saying the local Apple store there still had them at the original price.)

" Just wanted to let you know that I was in the Short Pump, VA Apple Store this past weekend... They have a "fire sale" table of clearance specials, including digital cameras, audio gear, etc. I picked up a GeForce 4 Titanium, unopened, in the original Apple Graphics Card Upgrade box for $199. This is half off the original price of $399.

From what I understand, this is still a very viable card, comparable with all but the very, very latest ATI cards. It would make a great upgrade for a Quicksilver G4 owner stuck with the GeForce 4MX or lower end ATI cards. (It made a huge difference on my 2x1GHz Quicksilver, purchased with the stock 4MX card.)
Other Apple stores may have these available. The Short Pump store had two on the clearance table.
Christopher F. "

The Video topics page, Graphics card section has past articles on the GF4Ti. (The last comparison test I did with it was for the ATI 9700 review however.)

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EyeTV Updater 1.3.6r
MU lists the EyeTV Updater 1.3.6r today.

" EyeTV 1.3.6r fixes a problem with the remote control for EyeTV 200 and includes all changes of version 1.3.6.
Requirements: Mac OS X 10.2 or later."
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Anyone using iDVD2 with 10.3.4?
I don't use iDVD2 anymore (upgraded to v3 and v4) but a reader that updated to 10.3.4 said he's had problems with iDVD2 since the update. (His DVR-104 superdrive tray keeps ejecting for instance.) I asked if he'd tried some of the usual tips for OS X update problems (reinstalling a combo update, RP, etc.) but if anyone else is running 10.3.4 with iDVD2, let me know. Thanks.
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Dr. Bott Announces MoniSwitch Pro ADC
Dr.Bott sent a press release on the MoniSwitch Pro ADC that allows sharing Apple Flat Panels with ADC (Apple Display Connector) between four computers. It lists for for $399.95.
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Rate Your CPU Upgrade Reports Database Updated
The Rate Your CPU Upgrade database has been updated with 2 new reports this morning (entries from Tuesday, entries today are added the next newsday morning). Total to date: 9,399. Here's a summary of the reports added today (search by brand/mac model for full reports - latest reports always shown first):

  • Sonnet G4/400 in Beige G3 (rated 5)
  • Sonnet G4/500 in B&W G3 (rated 3)

    (My reviews of G4 and G3 upgrades w/apps/game tests, install info, etc. are linked on the CPU upgrades page. OC/CPU module articles are on the Systems page.)

(Warning - Overclocking may not be reliable and could lead to hardware failure or corrupted data.) 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, 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.)

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CDRW/CD/DVD/Hard Drive/Cardreader Compatibility Database Update Listing
The Drive Compatibility Database had 4 new reports added (reader entries from Tuesday), entries today are added the next newsday morning. Entries with no comments are not posted). The database includes reports on Combo DVD-CDRW, CDROMs, DVD-ROM, DVD-RAM, DVD-R, DVD+R, CDRW, Hard Drives and Removables (tape drive, ORB, ZIP, MO drives, CF/Smartmedia readers, etc.) in all interface types (IDE, IDE RAID cards, Firewire, SCSI, USB, adapters). Current total 13,121 reports. (searching by drive type/brand, mac model etc. listed below will show the full reports, most recent first - does not include updates to previous reports)

    CDRW Drives:
  • IDE Sony CRX300E (didn't note drive speed rating) in G4/AGP (OS X)
    (problems noted - said even Toast didn't recognize the drive so something is either wrong with the drive or the install.)

    Combo DVD-CDR Drives:
  • Exp. Bay Sony CRX-830E (24x24x24x +8x DVD-ROM) in PowerBook G3 lombard (OS 9.2) (using modified OS 9.x burn support file from FAQ and solder pin master setting tip from the Systems page/PB section Exp. bay combo drive swap article)

    DVD+R/RW + DVD-R/RW Drives:
  • IDE Sony DRU-530A in (Yikes) G4 no AGP (OS X)
    (using Patchburn 1.1 for 10.2.x burn support)
    (Illustrated CD drive install guide here covers G4 towers up to the Digital Audio Model, Beige G3 MT and B&W G3 Macs)

    Removable Media Drives:
  • Expansion Bay VST LSG32 (superdisk) 120MB in PowerBook G3 2000 (OS X 10.3) ( noted not working in 10.3.4)

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). For guides to installing CD/CDRW/DVD drives or Hard drives in many mac models, see the IDE Articles page. The Firewire articles page also has guides on case kits, installing drives, etc.
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. (If you post an updated entry - make sure you use the same name, etc. as you did before so I can find your past entry. Thanks.)
(Incomplete entries are deleted. Do not post questions in the database, it's for drive reports not questions on what drive to buy - for that try searching the database for reports from owners of your mac model on the drive type/brand/interface, etc. you're interested in.)

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