" ShareGarageBand.com is an exchange stock of GEMA free music pieces. Registered users have the possibility, in Apples garage volume software composed pieces of uploading in the source format on our server. The uploaded pieces stand for other registered users for free use for order.

Our users can cooperate in such a way in different creative projects world-wide, which refine provided pieces or freely for own projects use and publish. The condition for publication own or changed pieces, is not the denomination of our service with left on our starting side and designation of the author as source proof. "

(FYI - the earlier news items on Excel problems after the Office 2004 SP1 update has been updated with a note on the cause. The post on Homeworld 2 very slow performance w/iMac G5 (FX5200 graphics) was updated to note it's a known issue with the FX5200 and 10.3.5 mentioned in the demo's readme file. I just finished moving another truckload of furniture and am really beat, so the 'son of frankenmac' article will be posted tomorrow.)

"New Elite 400/USB pricing
All OWC Mercury Elite Pro FireWire 400 + USB 2.0/1.1 Combo solutions include Dantz Retrospect Backup for Mac and PC, Intech HD Speedtools for Mac, FireWire Cable, USB Cable, preformatted/pretested with free software loaded, and a 2 Year OWC Warranty.
40GB 7200RPM 2MB was $129.99, now $119.99
80GB 7200RPM 2MB was $139.99, now $129.99
120GB 7200RPM 8MB was $179.99, now $169.99
160GB 7200RPM 8MB was $189.99, now $179.99
200GB 7200RPM 8MB remains $209.99
250GB 7200RPM 8MB was $269.99, now $249.99
400GB 7200RPM 8MB was $549.99, now $529.99
Best Regards,
Lawrence R. O'Connor
Other World Computing

" Hi Mike,
There's an update of the Pioneer DVR-107D firmware dated 30/9/04, v1.20. ... Not sure what it adds - probably just more media as the kernal part hasn't changed since the 1.16 update. (see list before for 1.20 changes) I installed it by downloading and extracted (using Stuffit) the PC .exe update file from the pioneer europe site then downloaded the v1.18 firmware update (and os x flasher/script) from http://www.macetvideo.com/flashpioneerosx/flashpioneerosx.html.
I replaced the R7100701.118 firmware file (in that download) with the R7100701.120 firmware file (renamed.118) and ran the flasher. Alternatively you could edit the Terminal script, replacing all mentions of .118 with .120. After a reboot, Apple System profiler recognises the drive, Revision 1.20. I haven't had the need to test writing yet, but CDs and DVD show up fine.
Ian S. "

If you decide to update your 107D drive, remember to remove any disc in the drive first (and I always quit any other running apps first). I suspect the french site will eventually have a download with 1.20 firmware included in the future.

" Hi Mike,
if someone wants to know what the new firmware adds:
http://wwwbsc.pioneer.co.jp/product-e/ibs/device_e/dev00002r_e.html#f_107d
http://wwwbsc.pioneer.co.jp/product-e/ibs/device_e/dev00003r_e.html
Greetings from Germany
Burkhard B. "

The revison history page shows these changes for 1.20:

• 8X DVD-R Media Writability Improvement
• 8X writing on New BeALL +R Media
• 8X writing on New LEADDATA +R Media
• 8X writing on New MPO +R Media
• 8X writing on New NANYA +R Media
• 8X writing on New TDK +R Media

" Hi Mike,
Just a quick note to let you know that the new game, Homeworld 2 from Aspyr does not work on the new G5 iMacs.
The frame rate is something like 1 frame every 3 seconds or worse.
One person cited a problem with the Nvidia drivers in 10.3.5 but it must be a disappointing purchase for new iMac buyers.
Also the game across all cpus's sets your mouse speed to a very low setting after playing--sort of annoying.
Knights of the Old Republic plays beautifully on the new iMacs--the only known bug has to do with it not remembering widescreen resolutions.
Lance M. "

A powerbook g4 12in owner noted the same slowdown (w/mobile FX5200 grapics). I don't own the game or an iMac G5 but and asked if any readers had a suggestion (and if it was common issue) - about a dozen readers replied today mentioning a note in the game's readme file:

" "KNOWN ISSUES
On some nVidia FX5200 video cards (including mobile chipsets) under Mac OS X 10.3.5, the game will run very slowly. This is a known nVidia driver issue and will be fixed by a future OS X update."

" Hi Mike
I just updated MS Office 2004 Teacher Edition on my Titanium PB G4 867 with the SP1 posted on the xlr8yourmac newssite. I updated from the app not the standalone installer. After the update when I close excel now I get the error:
Compile error in hidden module: AutoExec
Thanks, Allan
(he later wrote)
I'm running 10.2.8 and I am repairing permissions now. "

A reader replied with the cause of the problem:

" Hi Mike, I had the same problem with the Excel quit error after upgrading.
It's a conflict with Acrobat. The solution is to remove the PDFMaker.xla file from the Office/Startup/Excel folder.
Kail B. "

CDRW Drives:
• Firewire Sony CRX1600L/A2 used w/iMac slot-loading (OS X 10.3)
  (confusing report on native burn support)
  
  Hard Drives:
• IDE Seagate Barracuda ATA IV 80GB in B&W G3 using IDE PCI card (OS X 10.3)
  (Illustrated guide to adding a 2nd HD here in B&W G3 rev2 and G4 towers up to the QuickSilver models.
  IDE articles page RAID section has an illustrated guide for adding 2 more drives in the side bays.)

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.)

• Daystar G4/550 in (pismo) Powerbook G3 2000 (rated 9)
• Fastmac G4/550 in (pismo) Powerbook G3 2000 (rated 10)
  (listed under 'other brands')
• PowerLogix BlueChip G3/900 in (pismo) Powerbook G3 2000 (rated 1)
• XLR8 G4/500 (at 600MHz) in B&W G3 (rated 10)
  
  (For full reviews of G4 and G3 upgrades compared to stock CPUs, including real world apps/game tests, install info, etc. - see 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.)