Phunky Monkey writes "The Divx.com codec for Mac, version 5.0a2, has been released. New features include a completely new AVI doctoring app, and the Divx 5.0.2 decoder core (same as the most recent PC version). This version also introduces a new technique of fixing AVI files that allows them to be played as well on Macs as on PCs using the same file. Download it, and read the details about all the new features." I just wish QuickTime 6 came wih DivX and AC3 decoders included. Durnit.

Pahroza writes "Xinet has released their 2002 benchmark configurations, with tests including output generation and AppleShare file serving. Xserve was only bested by machines sporting at least twice as many CPUs as the two it was using. MacCentral is also running a story on the results, and you can download a PDF of the benchmarked configurations."

sapporo writes "Apple has apparently bought Emagic, developers of Audio Logic, music production software used by 200,000 people worldwide. Emagic will operate as a wholly owned division of Apple, and the Windows versions of their software will be discontinued on September 30, 2002. Whoa!"

payote writes "Security Update July 2002 includes the updated components, Apache v1.3.26, mod_ssl v2.8.9 and OpenSSH v3.4p1, which provide increased security to prevent unauthorized access to applications, servers, and the operating system." It's not in my Software Update window, because I'm still on 10.1.4 (having heard rumors that RtCW doesn't work on 10.1.5). But it is indeed out, and any Mac OS X machine whose webserver or ssh server is open to an untrusted network needs to upgrade.

Curious Geek asks: "I'm in the market for a good, cheap laptop. Primarily I'm looking for something that is relatively rugged, has a LONG batter life, and that is *nix friendly. I'd primarily use it for Perl, PHP and Java coding either on client sites, in front of the TV, or on the train. It would also be nice if I could run dummy websites from it and let it take care of customer invoicing (again, this is all going to be Perl/PHP/Apache stuff) At the moment, the best bet looks like an apple iBook, it has a 5 hour battery life, ships with OS X (although I could use mac linux or YDL) and is rugged enough that loads of spotty yoofs have been given them at school. It also has the ability to house an internal wireless LAN card, which is pretty groovy. Can anybody recommend anything better? My price range is limited ~$1400 USD. I know that for that price I could get an X86 laptop - but do any of these have a battery life as good as the iBook?"

foobar104 asks: "Macintouch posed an interesting question: is there any MPEG-2 streaming client software for the Mac, either for OS 9 or OS X? According to Kasenna, maker of the MediaBase streaming video platform, there isn't. You'd think Quicktime 5 would be able to stream MPEG-2 content, but sure enough the data sheet lists MPEG-1 only. Is Kasenna right?"

meanie writes "Mediafour, a company which specializes in cross-platform software introduced the XPlay software to link up your iPod with Windows. Looks like a solid product, but since I didn't buy an iPod due to lack of a Mac, I haven't been able to check out the software. Anyone try this yet? I might just buy an iPod now."

Warlock7 writes "Apple has made the 1.8.3 version of AppleScript available. You can get the update through Software Update." It's available for both Mac OS and Mac OS X, though, as usual, a detailed list of changes is hard to find, though some are in the accompanying About AppleScript file. It appears they've fixed bugs with coercing Unicode text (now I can fetch and use text from iTunes via Apple events), and Apple says it provides increased stability of scripts, and runs applications created with the latest version of AppleScript Studio.

Justen writes "Nielsen is expected to release a new set of ratings for media players on July 1. Apple lobbied the firm to use new methods to form usage statistics. The new methods are expected to dramatically increase the reported market share of QuickTime. Nielsen says it doesn't reflect a dramatic jump in actual installations, just a more accurate picture of what's been there all along. The article also mentions the new beta of QuickTime 6 and its support for MPEG-4, ahead of Real and Microsoft."

AnamanFan writes "Apple has quietly posted updates for CarbonLib 1.6 and Authoring Support 1.1.9 for Mac OS 9. Apple states in the release notes that there is a benifit for Classic users for Mac OS X for the CarbonLib update. The Authoring Support adds more compatability with iTunes. Right now, the update is not (yet) avaiable via Software Update but only via the above links." They are available via Software Update now. And -- bonus! -- there's an AirPort 2.0.4 update which allows dialing into the base station remotely, compatibility with PPTP and IPSec Windows clients, and multiple connections to port-mapped services. I don't see AirPort 2.0.4 in Software Update for Mac OS X, but I do see something there called Networking Update, improving network connections with sleep. Update: 06/22 22:32 GMT by P : AirPort 2.0.4 for Mac OS X is available, but you apparently need to install the Networking Update first.

wka writes "Here's a write up of the keynote that CmdrTaco was apparently giving at the MacHack conference. Armed with a ThinkPad running Linux, Malda revealed to the MacHack crowd Slashdot's secret to success, talked about the site's history, and did some WinXP bashing, among other things."

Mauro Notarianni writes in that the Danish Technical University (DTU) has developed the Scandinavia's largest dedicated Mac cluster. "Velocity-X" is packed with 32 dual G4/800's (200 Gigaflops), and will be turned on Monday. Its primary use will be studying the influence of proteins on cancer, and, more importantly, large film and animation projects. It can be rented for DKK 50,000 (about USD 6,500) per week.

An anonymous user writes "Digit mag reports that Apple bought Prismo Graphics, another company that does video software. Prismo Graphics is known as a 'developer of motion graphics for broadcast and digital video projects, including their DVFonts and India special effects software.' This, just after their purchases of Nothing Real and Silicon Grail."

cpk0 writes "Walt Mossberg is taking a few days to discuss the differences between Mac and PCs, and which is suitable for whom. He begins by saying the tides have definitely turned in regards to Apple's state as a computer which he will recommend. This is the first in a miniature series of articles by Mossberg touching base on the Apple vs. PC situation (but don't worry, it's not at all about bashing one side)."

paradesign writes "In an 'E-Mac, i-Mac, No Mac', John C. Dvorak makes the claim that the Macintosh should be discontinued. He adds, 'I'm not writing this column as a Mac basher to get attention, although plenty of people will accuse me of doing that.' Worth a read, but keep in mind where its published." I am not posting this as a Dvorak basher to make people realize he is clueless, although plenty of people will accuse me of that.

BrotherhoodOfSteel writes " Accelerate your Mac reports that MacPlay is re-releasing Fallout as part of their value series. This is the original (good) version and the new release will be Mac OS X-compatible. MacGamer has a preview. And since it's news, there must be a press release." Those who have played Fallout and Fallout 2 can vouch for the quality of narrative in this single-player RPG. Now if someone would port Fallout 2, life would be complete for Macintosh users. Update: 06/21 16:24 GMT by J : Here's Omnigroup's page on the Mac OS X port.

Jarrett writes "MSIE 5.2 now supports Quartz text smoothing and a slew of other reliability/security [hehe] improvements on Mac OS X. Its performance is noticably better, it seems to end the spinning beach ball problems, and is stable. It's available on Microsoft's Mactopia site" Posted With Mozilla(tm) on Mac OS X.

danamania writes "A Japanese site is the first to publish pics of disassembling an eMac. These pages are all in Japanese, but the photos are easy enough to understand. It's an eMac stripped completely; it shows the fan, curious looking heatsinks, heat pipes... everything!"

ace writes "Apple has released the source to JavaScriptCore, a JavaScript framework based on KDE's kjs JavaScript engine. 'JavaScriptCore is a private API which may be used by future Mac OS X applications such as Sherlock, and is provided as Open Source as part of our partnership with the KDE community. JavaScriptCore will be used by Sherlock in an upcoming OS release, and possibly by other Apple software in the future. Apple chose kjs as the basis of its JavaScript technology for its simple and efficient code.'"

danamania writes "PowerLogix have announced their PowerForce G4 800Mhz and 1Ghz upgrades for existing G4 systems. Versions for the 100Mhz bus G4s (including the Cube) are available now, with 133Mhz bus versions coming later." PowerLogix also recently released a G4 upgrade to the "Pismo" PowerBook G3.