Newsletter to Members
May 2008
Contents
- News from the Net
- Adobe launches CS3 Subscription Edition
- Macquarie Dictionary Aussie Mac Spellchecker?
- TranslateIt! for Mac
- What Resolution would you like?
- Microsoft offers sync through Live Mesh
- QuickTime Security Enhanced
- Safari 3.1.1 Addresses Security Issues
- Skype Offers Unmetered Worldwide Call Plans
Our May Meeting is this MONDAY 5th at 6.30pm.
Presentation topics:
- iPhoto and the Photo Book experience (Serge Tauber)
- Mac OS X hints and tips
- Leopard's Preview app – more than just viewing PDFs.
Some great raffle prizes include:
- a 4-port USB Hub with integrated universal card reader
- 10-packs of DVD recordable media
- 4GB USB Flash Drive.
Disc-of-the-Month:
Two new disc offerings are in the pipeline, both offering tons of useful and fun software that you could spend hours finding and downloading from the Net:
- "Celebrations Galore" is a CD chock full of clipart, animated images, fonts, music & movies, colouring books, greeting cards and envelopes.
- "Toolbox Essentials" is a collection of essential utilities and applications that all Mac OS X users are recommended to have. Exclusive Discount Vouchers are included for many of the Shareware applications on the disc.
Priced at just $5 each to AMUG members for a limited time, Disc-of-the-Month can be purchased or ordered at our Monday or Saturday meetings, or order online ($2 extra for postage) – just log in to our member area at homepage.mac.com/sydamug, go to the Disc-of-the-Month page, and look for the Order Form link. You can pay securely online through PayPal, even if you don't have a PayPal account.
Saturday Workshop
One-on-one Mac Help from AMUG Committee members in a friendly, sharing environment.
Saturday May 10, commencing 10am. Room 136C (Computer Lab), Ground Floor, Webster Building, UNSW Kensington.
Bring your own Notebook or use one of the Uni's iMacs.
To book, phone Rob on 9387 2069 or email sydamug@mac.com
Apple Updates iMac
Now with Faster Processors & Faster Graphics Option
The updated all-in-one iMac – just released on April 29 – offers the latest Intel Core 2 Duo processors and the most powerful graphics ever available in an iMac. The ultimate all-in-one desktop computer includes faster processors with 6MB L2 cache, a faster 1GHz front-side bus across the entire line, and 2GB of memory standard in most models. And the 24-inch iMac now offers a 3.06 GHz Intel processor and the high-performance NVIDIA GeForce 8800 GS graphics as options.
Providing the latest in high-performance connectivity options to quickly and conveniently transfer digital photos, music and video, iMac includes built-in AirPort Extreme 802.11n Wi-Fi networking; Bluetooth 2.1+EDR; Gigabit Ethernet; built-in iSight video camera; a total of five USB 2.0 ports (including two on the Apple Keyboard); and one FireWire 400 and one FireWire 800 port.
The iMac furthers Apple’s commitment to environmental progress with highly recyclable and durable materials including scratch-resistant glass and professional grade aluminium. Every model in the iMac line is rated EPEAT Silver and the power-efficient iMac also meets the stringent Energy Star 4.0 requirements for power consumption.
All iMacs come with iLife '08 and Mac OS X 10.5 Leopard pre-installed. Apple iWork '08 productivity suite (an alternative to Microsoft Office) can be bundled as an optional extra.
Available immediately, the new iMac starts at just A$1,599 RRP inc GST...
20-inch 2.4 GHz iMac – RRP A$1,599 inc GST:
- 20-inch widescreen LCD display;
- 2.4 GHz Intel Core 2 Duo processor with 1066 MHz front-side bus;
- 1GB of 800 MHz DDR2 SDRAM expandable to 4GB;
- 250GB Serial ATA hard drive running at 7200 rpm;
- slot-load 8x SuperDrive with double-layer support (DVD±R DL/DVD±RW/CD-RW);
- ATI Radeon HD 2400 XT with 128MB GDDR3 memory;
- built-in iSight video camera;
- built-in AirPort Extreme 802.11n wireless networking & Bluetooth 2.1+EDR;
- mini-DVI out (adapters for DVI, VGA and Composite/S-Video sold separately);
- built-in stereo speakers and microphone; and
- the Apple Keyboard, Mighty Mouse and infrared Apple Remote.
Build-to-order options:
- up to 4GB RAM
- 500 GB hard drive.
20-inch 2.66 GHz iMac – RRP A$1,999 inc GST:
- 20-inch widescreen LCD display;
- 2.66 GHz Intel Core 2 Duo processor with 1066 MHz front-side bus;
- 2GB of 800 MHz DDR2 SDRAM expandable to 4GB;
- 320GB Serial ATA hard drive running at 7200 rpm;
- slot-load 8x SuperDrive with double-layer support (DVD±R DL/DVD±RW/CD-RW);
- ATI Radeon HD 2600 PRO with 256MB GDDR3 memory;
- built-in iSight video camera;
- built-in AirPort Extreme 802.11n wireless networking & Bluetooth 2.1+EDR;
- mini-DVI out (adapters for DVI, VGA and Composite/S-Video sold separately);
- built-in stereo speakers and microphone; and
- the Apple Keyboard, Mighty Mouse and infrared Apple Remote.
Build-to-order options:
- up to 4GB RAM
- 500 or 750 GB hard drive.
24-inch 2.8 GHz iMac – RRP A$2,399 inc GST:
- 24-inch widescreen LCD display;
- 2.8 GHz Intel Core 2 Duo processor with a 1066 MHz front-side bus;
- 2GB of 800 MHz DDR2 SDRAM expandable to 4GB;
- 320GB Serial ATA hard drive running at 7200 rpm;
- slot-load 8x SuperDrive with double-layer support (DVD±R DL/DVD±RW/CD-RW);
- ATI Radeon HD 2600 PRO with 256MB GDDR3 memory;
- built-in iSight video camera;
- built-in AirPort Extreme 802.11n wireless networking & Bluetooth 2.1+EDR;
- mini-DVI out (adapters for DVI, VGA and Composite/S-Video sold separately);
- built-in stereo speakers and microphone; and
- the Apple Keyboard, Mighty Mouse and infrared Apple Remote.
Build-to-order options:
- 3.06 GHz Intel Core 2 Duo processor
- up to 4GB RAM
- NVIDIA GeForce 8800 GS with 512MB of video memory
- up to 1TB (1,000 GB) hard drive.
Images courtesy of Apple
Rumours are rampant through the Mac community that Apple has been briefing distribution channels and phone carriers on the coming release of iPhone in Australia. Does this mean the Aus release is imminent or is it just rumour? Matthew JC Powell, editor of Australian Macworld, says in the May issue "... My guess? Someone, somewhere, made the whole thing up. and because everyone's so fired up to know when the iPhone's coming, everyone believed it".
Apple Reports Record Second Quarter Results
Revenue Up 43 Percent Year-Over-Year
Apple headquarters in Cupertino recently announced financial results as at March 29, 2008. The Company posted revenue of US$7.51 billion worldwide and net quarterly profit of US$1.05 billion. These results compare to revenue of US$5.26 billion and net quarterly profit of US$770 million, in the same year-ago quarter. International sales accounted for 44 percent of the quarter’s revenue.
Apple shipped 2,289,000 Macintosh® computers worldwide during the quarter, representing 51 percent unit growth over the year-ago quarter. The Company sold 10,644,000 iPods during the quarter. Quarterly iPhone™ sales were 1,703,000.
Taking place in San Francisco, CA, June 9–13, Apple's 2008 World Wide Developers Conference (WWDC) gives software developers insight into development techniques and best-practices for optimising features in the products they build, with over 150 technical sessions and hands-on labs presented by Apple engineers and experts.
Attendees include people who develop new applications for the iPhone OS and Mac OS X features & utilities, as well as Apple i-apps. Who knows what new killer app will come out of this gathering of code warriors!
Macworld reveals “Preview’s hidden powers”
The version of Preview that comes with Mac OS X Leopard is “more than just a fast and efficient program for reading PDFs,” writes Kirk McElhearn (macworld.com). Using the latest version of Preview, you can “enhance your images, annotate and merge PDFs, print multiple images on one page, and more—all without opening a specialized (and often expensive) image editor or PDF tool.” Take a look. [Colin plans to demo Preview at this meeting as well–KD].
News from the Net
Adobe launches CS3 Subscription Edition
Adobe has announced immediate availability in Australia of Creative Suite 3 Design Premium on a subscription plan. Subscription Edition provides an affordable, alternative way to access the Adobe Creative Suite 3 Design Premium suite while providing the same features and functionality.
The suite includes InDesign CS3, Photoshop® CS3 Extended, Illustrator® CS3, Flash® CS3 Professional, Dreamweaver® CS3 and Acrobat® 8 Professional.
Subscription pricing is AUD$129 per month for a 12-month contract. The box price of AUD$129 includes the first month of subscription service. Contract includes automatic free upgrades sent to you by mail, when new versions of Creative Suite Design Premium are released.
An optional plan costs AUD$199 per month on an ad-hoc basis, which can be cancelled after any 30-day period. By comparison, RRP for the full retail boxed product is AUD$3,205. (All amounts quoted include GST).
The software requires online activation, which checks subscription status and will prevent the applications from launching if not paid up. Payments can only be made by credit card (Visa or Mastercard) through a Subscription Manager, which is handled by eSellerate, Adobe's third-party sales fulfilment partner.
Subscription pre-order is available here.
Macquarie Dictionary Aussie Spellchecker for Mac?
The people who publish the Macquarie Dictionary are in the beginning stages of re-establishing contact with both Microsoft and Apple to discuss the possibility of providing the Australian wordlist with their systems.
The publisher is trying to broker a deal whereby Apple would supply them with the proofing tools they need to make a Macquarie Dictionary based Australian language Spellchecker Macintosh compatible, which it currently is not.
Macquarie is now collecting customer feedback and invites Mac users to submit a letter of support via its website.
Microsoft Word for Mac does include English (AUS) as one of its default dictionaries (Tools > Language), however, that is only available within MS Office apps, whereas what is really needed is an Australian Spellchecker built into the Mac OS for access system-wide from any application.
Speaking of dictionaries, a multilingual OS X utility called TranslateIt! for Mac has been updated. New version 9.2 allows looking up words on the fly! Just hover the pointer over an unfamiliar word (in any Cocoa Application), and you will immediately see its translation in a pop-up window.
Published by Russian software company RealSofts (Apple may not be thrilled about the box design rip-off!), the basic version of TranslateIt! includes English, German, French and Russian translations. Additional optional dictionaries include Polish, Japanese, Chinese, Taiwanese, Persian, Arabic, Italian, Greek, Swedish, Dutch, Vietnamese, Thai, Czech, Hindi and Spanish.
As well as the rollover on-the-fly translation option, the program allows translation from text on the clipboard; by drag-and-drop of a selected word onto its main window; by using the Mac OS X Services/TranslateIt! menu; with manual input; or via a Dahboard Widget.
TranslateIt! for Mac is Universal binary, Mac OS X 10.4.3 or later required. Installation includes the Dashboard Widget.
A one-year license costs €15, or choose the lifetime license option for €35. Limited trial period of 20 days is available. More info…
What Resolution would you like?
Image resolution that is. In its April user group newsletter 'Apple Bits', the North East Ohio Apple Corps published an excellent article under their "Betty Byte's Bits" banner, all about image resolution, in particular screen resolution for desktop wallpaper. You can download a PDF extract from that issue from our web site (republished with permission).
In it, Betty talks about a site called InterfaceLIFT, a comprehensive source for graphical user interface enhancements for Mac OS X, Microsoft Windows, and Linux. They specialise in downloadable desktop wallpaper, icons, themes, and news with a focus on community. New content is posted virtually every day. Their unique library allows you to choose graphics suitable for either widescreen or standard format, in 11 different image resolutions – from 320 x 240 pixels (for iPod) right up to full widescreen 2560 x 1600 pixels.
Search options let you browse by Date, Popularity, Downloads, Artist, Category, or Random.
Microsoft Offers Online Storage, Sync through Live Mesh
Extract from TidBITS#926/28-Apr-08 by Glenn Fleishman
Microsoft revealed its first truly new thing in a long while by discussing Live Mesh , a set of tools and services that enables users to synchronize data automatically from their desktop to a cloud service – Internet-based storage – while providing a framework for developers to create software that can offer the same kind of experience no matter where data is stored and no matter what kind of device is used.
Collaboration among multiple people for sharing information and keeping up to date on what others in a group are up to – personal or professional groups alike – is a key part of Live Mesh. And, yes, Mac support is planned and promised, not just loosely discussed, according to this blog entry by Live Mesh's product manager.
Read Glen Fleishman's full TidBITS article.
QuickTime Security Enhanced with Anti-Exploitation Technologies
Extract from TidBITS#926/28-Apr-08 by Rich Mogull
Apple did more than merely patch a few (okay, 11) vulnerabilities with the recent release of QuickTime 7.4.5. According to a report from eWeek this update also included a series of improvements, for both Mac OS X and Windows Vista, designed to improve QuickTime's fundamental security by making vulnerabilities harder for attackers to exploit. To understand why these are so significant we need to take a moment to review a little bit about how bad guys attack computers, and why QuickTime is particularly difficult to secure.
Read Rich Mogull's full TidBITS article.
Safari 3.1.1 Addresses Security Issues
Extract from TidBITS#925/21-Apr-08 by Jeff Carlson
Apple has released Safari 3.1.1 for Mac and Windows, a security update that fixes a JavaScript vulnerability.
A flaw where a colon character in a maliciously crafted URL could lead to a cross-site scripting attack has also been repaired.
Two other fixes are specific to the Windows version of Safari: a timing issue that opened up control of the address bar and a memory corruption issue.
Safari 3.1.1 is available via Software Update or as a 39 MB download. It requires Mac OS X 10.4.11 or Mac OS X 10.5.2, or Windows XP or Vista on the PC.
Skype Offers Unmetered Worldwide Calling Plans
Extract from TidBITS#925/21-Apr-08 by Glenn Fleishman
eBay's Skype service has launched a new set of rates for unmetered regional and worldwide calling through its SkypeOut system that allows you to call "real" telephone numbers. Skype is associated with Internet telephony, but has full support for incoming calls that originate on and outgoing calls that terminate on the traditional public switched telephone network (PSTN).
Read Glenn Fleishman's full TidBITS article.
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