"Mike, After updating the Mac Pro 2008 with the EFI Firmware 1.3 my SiI-3132 based PCIe card stopped being recognized in slot 2 by system profiler. Restarting and reinstalling drivers did not help. Moving the card to slot 4 allowed the card to work again. I am not sure how many users will be impacted by this issue but it appears that the EFI 1.3 update may cause some SATA host adapters to no longer work in slot 2.

If the user is not having sleep problems with the Mac Pro, I do not believe I would recommend this update. Apple Mac Pro firmware updates are causing additional unadvertised issues between the video card firmware update and EFI this week. Apple replaced my 2600XT based on firmware update issues (they also did for some other readers noted on the earlier page of Feedback on Mac ATI 2600XT Firmware Update-Mike), now we have to figure out how EFI has been modified :-)
Regards, Michael"

I wrote the other reader that had this problem with a note about the above tip.
(Added the above to the feedback page and have others that will be added on Monday AM, including some saying startup seems slower after the update.)

(The other news/articles listing also updated again.)

" Until 3/31/2008 XLR8YourMac Readers can purchase the Hitachi 200GB 7200RPM Travelstar 7K200 16MB Cache SATA Notebook HD from OWC for $139.50 after a $30 Hitachi Rebate. This is the lowest price out there possible on this drive right now!
Also until 3/31, get a $30 Hitachi Rebate on your choice of OWC Mercury On-The-Go Portable 7200RPM External Solutions which bus power and are complete with all cables, Prosoft DataBackup II, NovaStor NovaBackup, Intech HD Speedtools, and a carrying case:

USB 2.0 Model - $197.99 After Rebate

USB 2.0 + eSATA Model - $209.99 After Rebate

FireWire 800/400+USB 2.0 Model - $239.99 After Rebate

The rebate can be claimed for up to 5 of the internal drives AND mix/match of up to 5 of the External On-the-Go solutions too - allowing for up to $300 in rebate. Purchase must be made by 3/31/2008.

And still - a super hot deal -
XLR8YourMac Reader price for the Seagate Momentus 7200.2 200GB 7200RPM 16MB Cache SATA NoteBook Drive with G-Force Protection (Anti-Shock) - Brand new for $135.00, no rebates ì straight purchase price. This special is backed by a 3yr OWC Fulfilled Replacement warranty."

Other notebook drives up to 320GB and several models of desktop drives up to 1TB are also on the site specials page.

"Introducing Aperture 2.1 (link is to tutorials)
Released today, Aperture 2.1 introduces an open plug-in architecture that lets photographers use specialized third-party imaging software from right within Aperture. In fact, customers downloading the Aperture 2.1 update will receive the new Dodge & Burn plug-in. Developed by Apple, it adds brush-based tools for dodge (lighten), burn (darken), contrast, saturation, sharpen and blur. Aperture 2 customers can download the free Aperture 2.1 Update by visiting the Aperture download site.

The download page lists this clip on v2.1:

"Aperture 2.1 updates various features of the application and addresses issues related to performance and overall stability. It also includes fixes that impact a number of other areas, including import, Quick Preview, All Projects view, image adjustments, books, printing, and export. The update is recommended for all customers using Aperture 2.

The other news listing (below) has a couple articles today with notes on the new version/changes.

"Rebate to 3/31 + new lower prices on OWC Mercury On-The-Go FW800/400+USB2 portable drives Solutions
OWC Mercury On-The-Go FW800/400+USB2 Portable solutions offer extremely convenient, interface flexible, and high-performance data storage in the palm of your hand. Great for Audio/Video, Backup, and fully bootable too - it's no wonder Mercury On-The-Go solutions continue to be recognized with top reviews that include 'Gear of the Year', Editor's Choice, and EMC Backup Certification.
All models are bootable via FireWire and/or USB2 interfaces (system must support such boot option), bus power with no external power required, utilize Oxford custom bridge solutions (FireWire) and the best qualified HD mechanisms for optimum performance and reliability. Shock Absorbing design further protects drive and valuable data from external forces. All connecting cables, Intech HD Speedtools utility suite, Carrying Case, and a 1 Year OWC Warranty included.

ALL OWC Mercury On-The-Go Solutions now include full retail versions of the award winning Prosoft DataBackup III for OS X (a $59.95 retail value) and the award winning NovaStor NovaBACKUP® for Windows (a $49.95 retail value). Great software we're pleased to be bundling with our great solutions!

OWC Mercury 2.5" SATA HD Based FireWire 800(400)+USB2.0 Portable Solution pricing is as follows:

60GB 5400RPM w/8MB cache remains $119.99

80GB 5400RPM w/8MB cache remains $129.99

120GB 5400RPM w/8MB cache now $137.99

160GB 5400RPM w/8MB cache now $149.99

250GB 5400RPM w/8MB cache now $189.99

320GB 5400RPM w/8MB cache now $239.99

80GB 7200RPM w/8MB cache now $159.99

100GB 7200RPM w/8MB cache now $177.99

120GB 7200RPM w/8MB cache now $189.99

160GB 7200RPM w/8MB cache now $219.99

200GB 7200RPM w/16MB cache now $269.99 **$239.99 After $30 Hitachi Rebate**
Rebate valid on purchases through 3/31/2008. Rebate details here:
http://eshop.macsales.com/images/Items/hgst08-11782_Mercury.pdf
View full line
UPS Ground Delivery for only $2.95; 2nd Day Air within the US $7.95 or less.
Also available, OWC On-the-Go 2.5in Enclosure Kits 'add your own drive' from $29.95"

• Toast Titanium X 9.0.2
• Apple Tip of the Week: Taming your tabs
• Apple Opens Aperture to Outside Plug-Ins with Version 2.1 (photo district news)
• Image editing plug-ins the centrepiece of Aperture 2.1
• Hon Hai Precision Industry in talks w/Apple to make the next gen. iPhone (PCworld)
• RocketRAID 3522 controller card Review (Amug)
• Google SketchUp 6.4.245
• MacBook Air hacked in two minutes ($10K contest) (notes "Miller succeeded when the organisers allowed hackers to direct human operators of the 3 machines to visit websites and open emails.")
• Apple's iPhone SDK Second Beta Released (Crn)
• Apple's Time Capsule can save your digital life (freep.com)
• Default Folder X 4.0.3 (bug fix and more)
• ProPresenter 3.3 (Mac-only Dual-Screen Lyric and Media presentation pkg)
• Penguins Arena 1.5 (game)
• Runes of Avalon 2 1.0 (game)
• CuriosityAndVanity 1.0 (Freeware) (Bonjour powered lighttpd and RubyOnRails servers and WebKit web browser for creating public local networks)
• Guitar Hero 3 Speed Booster for Mac v1.0
• Photoshop Express a fine, free tool for teachers and students