nVidia's 'end of the year' comments likely means they will use their next generation chipset, the NV15 (some say an improved NV10/GeForce) or the NV20. The NV20 is rumored to be scheduled for November 2000 (PC release), but nothing official so far. With 3dfx, Creative Labs and now nVidia entering the Mac market, this looks to be a very interesting year.

Barney Buoy sent a long list of Net News and TIL updates, including an updated TIL on viewing DVDs on a TV with the Pismo.

ORB Firmware Update Feedback: A reader replies the firmware update solved one issue he had:

" Applied latest ORB rom update to an external SCSI drive. The update did fix my one and only problem with the ORB... if a cartridge was left in the ORB after a crash, the system would hang forcing me to turn off the computer, unplug the ORB, plug it back in, then use the eject button to remove the cartridge allowing my system to restart. The update fixed this problem... leaving a cartridge in the drive allows the system to boot up.
Regards,
Alex Lapeyre
P.S. Does seem to mount faster at the desktop, but can't be certain. "

Another ORB owner reported similar improvements after the firmware update.

Pismo/GL Quake 0.51 Fix: I was finally able to get GLQuake 0.51 to run properly on the Pismo. Of course you need to delete the files in the "glquake" folder inside the ID1 folder (noted in the readme) before running the game. The problem I saw with the new Powerbook was that all the game video was compressed into a thin line at the top of the screen. I guessed this was due to some default video mode so I edited the config.cfg file to disable the line doubling. While I was in there I set the default mode to 640x480 as well, not 320x240. Bingo - problem solved. At 640x480, the PB G3/500 ran the demo1 at 40.3 FPS.

Here's the mods I made to the config.cfg file (located inside the ID1 folder):

vid_stretch_by_2 "0" (was 1)
vid_config_y " 480 "
vid_config_x " 640 "

If you don't want to edit the file in simpletext, I've stuffed my revised config.cfg file. Just in case, backup your existing config.cfg file (rename it config.bak for instance before copying the new file).

I'll be writing up the review of the Pismo G3/500 in the next day or so, including applications and game test results.

G4 Onboard IDE Tests: I've posted a page of Joe Dylik's tests results using the onboard G4's ATA/66 controller that compares the OEM IBM drive vs. a Seagate 28GB drive and the results of tests with ATA/66 cables.

$329 60GB Maxtor IDE drive to Ship in April: PCworld is reporting new drives will offer 15GB/platter (50% higher density than the latest models). According to the article, Maxtor will ship a 60GB drive in April with a retail price of $329 and spin at 5400 RPM (vs. 7200). Their drive will feature a temperature sensing design that will throttle down the drive if it gets too hot (see the recent Maxtor Drive Temperature article posted here for results with the current Maxtor drives).

The article comments on Quantum's new 15GB/platter drives, which use lower RPM and fewer components to reduce heat and noise.

If you missed it, I reviewed the 10GB/platter Plus40 Maxtor drive a few weeks back. It was very fast with nearly 30MB/sec sustained read and write performance according to ATTO's benchmark.

Reminder on RAM Handling: In reply to the posts recently on RAM failures, a reader sent a reminder on proper handling to prevent static discharge damage. Here's a summary of the tips I've noted here before when handling electronic devices:

• If possible, always use a anti-static wrist strap (available at Radio Shack and other electronics stores).
• Never touch the contacts on the dimm or the RAM chip pins or traces on the dimm.
• Don't take the dimm out of the antistatic bag until you're ready to insert it.
• Touching the metal chassis of the computer can help discharge any static buildup you have.
• Avoid working on carpeted floors which generate huge amounts of static electricity.
• I use an anti-static mat as an extra precaution since my computer room is carpeted.

As I've noted here before, I read a study years ago that said something like 90% of all electronics failures are due to static discharge at some point in the component's life (mfg, assembly or end use). Often you may not destroy the component, but you can shorten its life from improper handling. Of course the reports where RAM failed in a Mac and then worked in a PC proved the RAM was still working, but always exercise caution when handling/installing upgrades. RAM and Cache is especially sensitive to static discharge.

GameRanger adds SOCKS Firewall Proxy Support: Employer's beware, Mac multiplayer utility GameRanger now allows playing network games through most company firewalls/proxy servers. Productivity may take a nosedive ;-)

"Perth, Western Australia -- March 14, 2000 -- Scott Kevill today announced that GameRanger, the Macintosh multiplayer online gaming service, now offers full SOCKS firewall proxy support, and additionally enables a number of major games to play through these firewalls.

SOCKS firewalls often prevent many Mac users from playing games over the internet from their companies' local networks. Now with the addition of SOCKS support in GameRanger, it is possible for them to join in the game discussions, audio voice chat, and even play internet games of Quake 1, QuakeWorld, Quake 2, Quake 3 Arena, Unreal and Unreal Tournament for the first time.

GameRanger was first introduced for public beta testing in July 1999 with support for 11 game titles, and had already received many rave reviews, including an award of "Best Internet Gaming Achievement" by Macworld Magazine in their 1999 Hall of Fame. GameRanger now has over 20,000 members and support for 33 popular game titles.

GameRanger is available as a free download, at http://www.GameRanger.com. "

ATI Video Card/Audio Comments:

"Sent this into ATI, but I'm getting pretty darn fed up with them. (Thank God I happened to stumble across your page; Video Player's crashing was driving me insane!)

Anywho, this relates to the various sound choppiness issues on older Macs. (Mine's a Mactell (i.e. PM 4400) with a 300 mHz upgrade card.) Messing around programming the other day, I changed the offscreen drawing world that was being created at the same color depth as the current resolution to 8-bit color by default: from

NewGWorld(theWorld,0/*current monitor depth*/,&size,nil,nil,0); to
NewGWorld(theWorld,8/*8-bit depth*/,&size,nil,nil,0);

Lo and behold, my sound got choppy whenever using CopyBits to copy to my main window from the offscreen world.

Dropping from millions to 256 colors, I started up the program again and -- voila! -- no choppiness.

Testing out various other programs, I got most of the problems to disappear by changing the bit depth. The ATI Displays control panel is a good example. Whenever it draws one of its labels when you move the mouse over a section of the picture, the sound chops. Set the resolution to 16-bit (which, I'm guessing, is the depth of the picture), and everything works perfectly.

So what difference does this make? Not a whole lot. Except maybe that if there's some program you use all the time that makes the sound go choppy, but that you really need 2D acceleration for, you may be able to change the depth of your monitor and have the problem go away. Also, someone who knows a bit more about this type of thing might be able to fix/work around it?

Sorry if this doesn't help anything, but I thought it couldn't hurt to send it in...
--Tim "

Reducing color depth also reduces the amount of data sent over the bus. I asked Tim if the ATI Sound Catalyst patch had any affect (made for Catalyst based motherboards, not sure that applies to the Mactell system which has a Motorola motherboard I think). There was an older 'PCI Timing Update' for Powercenters, etc. that also was to help with audio issues with PCI graphics cards in those systems (see my PowerCenter Pro review for info/links).

I've not had time to apply it, but welcome any ORB drive owners that apply the new cw_mac_flash.hqx firmware update noted in yesterday's news. I'm curious if there are any performance gains or other benefits seen with the update. Contact me if you have an comments on the new firmware update.

The Owner's CPU Upgrade Reviews (3,450+ total) and Mac Game Reviews (500+) have been updated again. I've also added Heroes of Might and Magic III to the long list of game selections in the Game Reviews entry page. If there's a popular Mac game not listed, please let me know and I'll add it. These databases are good resources to check before you buy a CPU upgrade or game for the Mac.

Other Net News:

News:
• Apple Predicts Mac Cell-Phone Link
• Motorola denies IBM G4 ban (Link courtesy MacSurfer.com)
• Sony + Firewire = Trouble in Paradise [Note - there is some misinformation I think in this article. First the issue with Spressa iLinks as noted here months ago was the Firewire/IDE bridge used in the external case (it's an IDE drive with a Firewire/IDE adapter inside the case), not the fact sony was not following the 'firewire spec'. And as noted in the past news and the FAQ here, Charismac has a hot-plug update out for some time that may solve the issues with new G4s, etc. and the drives.]
• Future Power considers Apple's Press Release Concerning iMac Litigation Misleading (Yahoo)
• External Hard Drives: FireWire or USB (Techworks)
• Delivering fiber speeds without needing the wires (Mercury News)
• Sculley-backed startup adds new twist to content distribution (Yahoo)

  Software Updates:

• LightWork Design Announces the Release of LightWorks® v5.5
• Action Files v1.5.2

  TIL Updates:

• Mac OS 9: Compatibility With Dr. Solomon's Virex
• PowerBook (FireWire): Viewing DVD-Video on External Monitor or TV
• iMac (Slot Loading): System Freeze at Startup with Multiple USB Devices Connected

The recent features page also lists articles posted (most recent first) as does the sidebar links here. The site topics pages (systems, cpu upgrades, etc. - see top and sidebar links on this page) also are places to check as well as the FAQ.

Monday's News Summary

• ORB Firmware Update
• nVidia Mac Video Card Due By End of the Year?
• More on Pismo TV Out
• Beige G3 in PC ATX Case
• Palm in Apple Case
• Acer 8X IDE CDRW in B&W G3 Report
• Pismo TV Out Comments
• Starmax 6000 CHRP Prototype at Ebay
• Promax/Matrox Real-Time FCP Card
• Owner's CPU Upgrade Reviews and Mac Game/Video card Performance searchable databases updated.
• Other Net News/TILs/Software Updates

Weekend's News Summary

• Pismo PC100 SODIMM Reports
• More Reports on Low-Cost Generic PC100 Dimms
• More Info on PC100 Dimms in Beige G3s
• Airport Performance Tips/Comments
• OS X DP3/Jackhammer SCSI Card Feedback
• 19" Rack Mounts for Mac Systems
• Bottom Line's latest weekly specials
• Reader comments on $5M grant to local school from Intel
• Owner's CPU Upgrade Reviews and Mac Game/Video card Performance searchable databases updated.
• Other Net News/TILs/Software Updates

Friday's News Summary

• Cheap Generic PC100 RAM Fails in Beige G3
• G4/AGP w/EditDV Unplugged Report
• Techworks 256MB Dimm Sale
• Cnet previews OS X, reviews Airport (slow performance)
• $109 Zforce/$105.75 Miles UW SCSI w/Softraid
• OWC weekly specials include $119 128MB SODIMM for Pismo, $379 8X Firewire CDRW
• Pismo vs Sony Vio
• EditDV/MotoDV & Apple G4/AGP Compatibility
• List of OS X DP3 SCSI Card Support
• PPC Checker 2.0
• VGA to DVI Adapters
• Control Strip CPU Usage
• More Pioneer 10x DVD Drive Reports
• Hard Times for Disk Drive Mfrs
• Stella900 review revised for pricing
• Owner's CPU Upgrade Reviews and Mac Game/Video card Performance searchable databases updated.
• Other Net News/TILs/Software Updates

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 3,300+ reports and growing.