Software & Updates
Mac OS X 10.5.5
16/09/08 22:17
QuickTime & Front Row
11/09/08 12:26
QuickTime
7.5.5 (Tiger, Leopard, Windows) and
Front Row 2.1.6 have both received
updates. The usual security and bug fixes.
They should be popping up in Software Update now.
They should be popping up in Software Update now.
Free alternatives
18/08/08 14:56
There’s
a lot of free alternive Mac software out there, for
things like Photoshop, Quark etc. You may have to put
up with some non Mac standard interfaces. You will
probably also need you to upgrade your X11
using XQuartz, but for the price
it’s worth a try, even with an initial
fiddley setup. So, before you start searching
torrents and hoisting your skull and crossbones,
why not conisder a few of these:
Alternative to Photoshop? Try Gimp. Probably the best place to download is from Wilber Loves Apple
Alternative to Illustrator? How about Inkscape.
Alternative to Quark? Scribus, an open source DTP/Page layout package. Download.
Alternative to Microsoft Office? On the Mac there appears to be a number of distributions of Open Office under various different guises. The most Mac like at the moment appears to be Neo Office. There is also an Aqua version of Open Office on offer here.
Dreamweaver? I obviously use RapidWeaver, which is a great and simple app to use, but isn’t free. So, why not try Quanta Plus. There’s also NVU, but it hasn’t been updated in some time.
How about messenger clients, like Adium which allows you to have all your clients in one, or aMSN a MSN client which adds video support, which even the official version doesn’t have.
There’s probably an alternative for most apps you can think of, osalt.com is a great place to find them.
Experiment, try some out, save yourself some cash and avoid all that law breaking as an added bonus.
Alternative to Photoshop? Try Gimp. Probably the best place to download is from Wilber Loves Apple
Alternative to Illustrator? How about Inkscape.
Alternative to Quark? Scribus, an open source DTP/Page layout package. Download.
Alternative to Microsoft Office? On the Mac there appears to be a number of distributions of Open Office under various different guises. The most Mac like at the moment appears to be Neo Office. There is also an Aqua version of Open Office on offer here.
Dreamweaver? I obviously use RapidWeaver, which is a great and simple app to use, but isn’t free. So, why not try Quanta Plus. There’s also NVU, but it hasn’t been updated in some time.
How about messenger clients, like Adium which allows you to have all your clients in one, or aMSN a MSN client which adds video support, which even the official version doesn’t have.
There’s probably an alternative for most apps you can think of, osalt.com is a great place to find them.
Experiment, try some out, save yourself some cash and avoid all that law breaking as an added bonus.
iTunes 7.7
10/07/08 11:14
Just in time
to support the iPhone launch, iTunes 7.7 has appeared
in Software Update. My brother should be pleased,
I’m on doorbell watch to make sure he gets
his.
“Use iTunes 7.7 to sync music, video, and more with iPhone 3G, and download applications from the iTunes Store exclusively designed for iPhone and iPod touch with software version 2.0 or later. Also use the new Remote application for iPhone or iPod touch to control iTunes playback from anywhere in your home — a free download from the App Store.”
“Use iTunes 7.7 to sync music, video, and more with iPhone 3G, and download applications from the iTunes Store exclusively designed for iPhone and iPod touch with software version 2.0 or later. Also use the new Remote application for iPhone or iPod touch to control iTunes playback from anywhere in your home — a free download from the App Store.”
Check Off
03/07/08 11:52
RapidWeaver 4
03/06/08 13:01
There’s a review at arstechnica.com of what’s new, which is more than just a new icon.
Tasty Apps
03/06/08 12:54
Tasty Apps do though have a number of other good looking pay-for apps. I noticed but haven’t tried. Including:
Tasty Unzip, as you can guess another way to unzip files with an auto-delete option.
ChatCop, a parental monitoring program so you can keep an eye on what your kids are up to, yes, you too can be big brother of your home. I may pass that one on to my brother.
FuzzyClock
03/06/08 12:50
Fuzzyclock is a more human style clock for your menubar, displaying time in more a way people think, so instead of 17:10, you’ll get ten past five (apart from me, I need to see those seconds counting down!).
Photo Booth/iChat Effects
03/06/08 12:40
MoreIchatEffects is a collection of 48 effects for iChat 4 and Leopard (Photo Booth).
Download
via Macworld video on Mac timewasting.
Rating iTunes
20/05/08 13:52
There be updates
12/02/08 00:05
A flurry of
updates today:
Security Update 2008-001 - An update that includes us mortals still on 10.4
Mac OS X 10.5.2 - The one that's probably been most awaited. Yes, you can finally turn off that menubar transparency, what more do you want?
Leopard Graphics Update 1.0
Security Update 2008-001 - An update that includes us mortals still on 10.4
Mac OS X 10.5.2 - The one that's probably been most awaited. Yes, you can finally turn off that menubar transparency, what more do you want?
Leopard Graphics Update 1.0
QuickTime 7.4.1
07/02/08 10:48
Software Updates
05/02/08 22:17
Check that
Software Update and see what appears:
iPhoto Update 7.1.2
This update addresses issues when publishing photos to a .Mac Web Gallery, improves overall stability, and fixes a number of other minor issues.
ProKit 4.5
This update improves reliability for Apple's professional applications and is recommended for all users of Final Cut Studio, Final Cut Express, Aperture, Logic Studio and Logic Express.
Braille Display Update 1.0
Mac OS X v10.5 Leopard includes a powerful screen reading technology for the blind called VoiceOver that supports a variety of refreshable Braille displays. When you have a supported Braille display connected to your computer, VoiceOver automatically detects it and sends it information about what is displayed on the screen.
iPhoto Update 7.1.2
This update addresses issues when publishing photos to a .Mac Web Gallery, improves overall stability, and fixes a number of other minor issues.
ProKit 4.5
This update improves reliability for Apple's professional applications and is recommended for all users of Final Cut Studio, Final Cut Express, Aperture, Logic Studio and Logic Express.
Braille Display Update 1.0
Mac OS X v10.5 Leopard includes a powerful screen reading technology for the blind called VoiceOver that supports a variety of refreshable Braille displays. When you have a supported Braille display connected to your computer, VoiceOver automatically detects it and sends it information about what is displayed on the screen.
iPhone & iPod Touch get bigger
05/02/08 20:27
They get
bigger in the US store at least, there's no
mention of the new sizes on the UK store.
So, in the states for now you can pick up an iPhone in 8GB and now 16GB.
The iPod touch now comes in 16GB and 32GB.
I guess it's wait and see if and when they appear here.
The iPhone size still seems a little small, at least 32GB is more where it should be.
So, in the states for now you can pick up an iPhone in 8GB and now 16GB.
The iPod touch now comes in 16GB and 32GB.
I guess it's wait and see if and when they appear here.
The iPhone size still seems a little small, at least 32GB is more where it should be.
iWeb 2.0.3
30/01/08 23:47
Update to
iWeb just out, check thems Software Updates.
Version 2.0.3 does "... update addresses compatibility with Mac OS X."
Version 2.0.3 does "... update addresses compatibility with Mac OS X."
Little iWork updates
29/01/08 22:35
Popping into
your Software update soon, well, assuming you have
iWork:
Keynote 4.0.2
Pages 3.0.2
Numbers 1.0.2
Mainly compatibility fixes.
Keynote 4.0.2
Pages 3.0.2
Numbers 1.0.2
Mainly compatibility fixes.
MacSpeech Dictate
28/01/08 23:36
Voice
recognition isn't really mentioned that much, but I
do imagine things being like Star Trek one day. I'd
like to say 'lights, lower' or 'play me something
relaxing' and it just happens. Mac OS X does have
some speech recognition built in, but it's for more
simple input, like asking what time it is, or closing
windows etc.
Until now, to get really decent speech recognition you had to look at the PC, mainly products like Dragon's Natural Speech software.
Well finally there appears to be a decent product for the Mac, without having to rely on BootCamp or a virtualizaiton product. It's called MacSpeech Dictate which uses the same technology behind the Dragon software!
This should free up a lot of people that may have wanted a Mac, but had to go down the PC route because they needed this sort of technology. It's not really just for people too lazy to type, but is an important way to input text for those who may have no other means to do so.
It may be still in Beta, but that didn't stop it picking up a Best of Show award at MacWorld 2008 recently. It should ship in February.
Until now, to get really decent speech recognition you had to look at the PC, mainly products like Dragon's Natural Speech software.
Well finally there appears to be a decent product for the Mac, without having to rely on BootCamp or a virtualizaiton product. It's called MacSpeech Dictate which uses the same technology behind the Dragon software!
This should free up a lot of people that may have wanted a Mac, but had to go down the PC route because they needed this sort of technology. It's not really just for people too lazy to type, but is an important way to input text for those who may have no other means to do so.
It may be still in Beta, but that didn't stop it picking up a Best of Show award at MacWorld 2008 recently. It should ship in February.
Check Off
24/01/08 16:38
I'm always
writing To Do notes.
I write notes in TextEdit, Mail, Stickies, Journler etc. It will probably stay like that until I have Leopard with its notes function in mail.
However; a lot of the time I just want to write a tiny To do note and have found the perfect little application, Check Off.
It lives in your menubar, appearing with a click or short cut key and is just so simple to use. Oh, and it's free.
Give it a try!
I write notes in TextEdit, Mail, Stickies, Journler etc. It will probably stay like that until I have Leopard with its notes function in mail.
However; a lot of the time I just want to write a tiny To do note and have found the perfect little application, Check Off.
It lives in your menubar, appearing with a click or short cut key and is just so simple to use. Oh, and it's free.
Give it a try!
Inquisitor 3 & CoverSutra 2
22/01/08 22:17
Inquisitor
3, an update to the what is dubbed the Spotlight for
the web has arrived.
This really is a great add-on to Safari, and well worth downloading.
CoverSutra is my favourite controller and enhancement to iTunes, it's not free, but it just great. Try it, and you'll want to buy it.
This really is a great add-on to Safari, and well worth downloading.
CoverSutra is my favourite controller and enhancement to iTunes, it's not free, but it just great. Try it, and you'll want to buy it.
Quicktime 7.4 & iTunes 7.6
18/01/08 23:03
I hope you've
been checking your software updates...
QuickTime 7.4 addresses security issues and delivers:
- Numerous bug fixes - Support for iTunes
iTunes 7.6 for Mac & Windows
"Rent and download your favourite movies with iTunes on your computer or directly to your living room on Apple TV. Enjoy rented movies in sizes up to 720p HD with surround sound on your Apple TV and sizes up to DVD-quality on your computer. Transfer your rented movies from iTunes to your iPod or iPhone and enjoy them on the go.
Also, purchase and download your favorite TV shows, music, and more directly on your Apple TV. Effortlessly transfer purchases made on Apple TV back to your computer with iTunes."
QuickTime 7.4 addresses security issues and delivers:
- Numerous bug fixes - Support for iTunes
iTunes 7.6 for Mac & Windows
"Rent and download your favourite movies with iTunes on your computer or directly to your living room on Apple TV. Enjoy rented movies in sizes up to 720p HD with surround sound on your Apple TV and sizes up to DVD-quality on your computer. Transfer your rented movies from iTunes to your iPod or iPhone and enjoy them on the go.
Also, purchase and download your favorite TV shows, music, and more directly on your Apple TV. Effortlessly transfer purchases made on Apple TV back to your computer with iTunes."
MacBook, MacBook Pro Software Update 1.1
19/12/07 11:13
If you've had
problems with your keyboard freezing, then things
should be fixed with the MacBook, MacBook Pro Software Update
1.1.
Security Update 2007-009
17/12/07 23:59
Another day,
another update, Security Update 2007-009
for Tiger
& Leopard.
Available via Software Update or Apple's Site.
Available via Software Update or Apple's Site.
Updates: Garageband & Quicktime
13/12/07 23:30
Hit the old
Software Update, or Apple's download page.
Garageband 4.1.1 - This update improves overall stability and addresses issues with file export to iPhone.
Quicktime 7.3.1 - QuickTime 7.3.1 addresses security issues.
Java For Mac OS X 10.4 Release 6 - 1.0: Reliability & compatibility for Java 2 Platform Standard Edition 5.0 and Java 1.4 on Mac OS X 10.4.10 and later. Updates J2SE 5 to version 1.5.0_13 & Java 1.4 to 1.4.2_16.
Garageband 4.1.1 - This update improves overall stability and addresses issues with file export to iPhone.
Quicktime 7.3.1 - QuickTime 7.3.1 addresses security issues.
Java For Mac OS X 10.4 Release 6 - 1.0: Reliability & compatibility for Java 2 Platform Standard Edition 5.0 and Java 1.4 on Mac OS X 10.4.10 and later. Updates J2SE 5 to version 1.5.0_13 & Java 1.4 to 1.4.2_16.
BBC iPlayer on the Mac
13/12/07 18:50
The BBC catch
up TV service, iPlayer which has been in beta for
Windows only, is now available on your Mac! Just
visit the iPlayer beta site
and you
can watch some of the last 7 days shows.
You still won't be able to download anything on the Mac yet, but streaming is working at least. Downloads are meant to be coming to the Mac (and Linux) sometime in 2008. I still don't like that they're using any form of DRM, we pay the license fee, we should be able to keep whatever we download for as long as we like. I'm not the only one to think that. The service is said to have had low take up so far.
Quality is pretty so-so and I've not found a great deal I want to watch, but there is the Sky at Night! I also wish it would stay full screen on one screen whilst I do other things on another (that's for those of us with a Mac & two monitors or a laptop Mac connected to another screen). It's still nice to have though!
The service comes out of beta on Christmas Day.
The BBC, ITV and Channel 4 also recently announced they'll be creating a combined on-demand service, we wait to see what computer support it will have, as at the moment 4oD is not Mac compatible.
You still won't be able to download anything on the Mac yet, but streaming is working at least. Downloads are meant to be coming to the Mac (and Linux) sometime in 2008. I still don't like that they're using any form of DRM, we pay the license fee, we should be able to keep whatever we download for as long as we like. I'm not the only one to think that. The service is said to have had low take up so far.
Quality is pretty so-so and I've not found a great deal I want to watch, but there is the Sky at Night! I also wish it would stay full screen on one screen whilst I do other things on another (that's for those of us with a Mac & two monitors or a laptop Mac connected to another screen). It's still nice to have though!
The service comes out of beta on Christmas Day.
The BBC, ITV and Channel 4 also recently announced they'll be creating a combined on-demand service, we wait to see what computer support it will have, as at the moment 4oD is not Mac compatible.
Flash 9
04/12/07 22:11
Adobe Flash Player has been updated and now sports
support for H.264 and fixes a bunch of the usual
bugs.
Download
iChat Matte
21/11/07 11:56
I like iChat,
but maybe those bubbly bubbles are starting to look a
bit to bubbly?
Fancy going a bit matte?
Try iChatMatte by Joshua Bryant.
Fancy going a bit matte?
Try iChatMatte by Joshua Bryant.
Mac OS X 10.5.1 is here
15/11/07 21:35
The start of
the point
upgrades has
started in Leopard with 10.5.1, the first update to
Leopard and usually the one people wait for before
upgrading (if they're sensible).
As you would expect there's various bug fixes, notably a rather nasty one that could mean a loss of data when moving files.
If you have Leopard you should see it appearing in Software Update, or from Apple.
As you would expect there's various bug fixes, notably a rather nasty one that could mean a loss of data when moving files.
If you have Leopard you should see it appearing in Software Update, or from Apple.
Mac OS X 10.4.11 Update & more
14/11/07 22:22
For those of
us, like me, who have yet to update to 10.5, Apple
have just released Mac OS X 10.4.11.
You should see it in Software Update, it includes Safari 3 (no longer beta) so if you've not updated that yet, you'll get that too.
Also iPhoto '08 was updated to 7.1.1
That's not all:
Security Update 2007-10.3.9 Client
Security Update 2007-10.3.9 Server
Server Admin Tools 10.4.11
Cinema Tools 4.0.1
Color 1.0.2
Compressor 3.0.2
DVD Studio Pro 4.2.1
Final Cut Pro 6.0.2
Motion 3.0.2
Pro Applications Update 2007-02
Soundtrack Pro 2.0.2
So if you've been waiting to update to Leopard due to some bug or other in one of those, it's likely one of these may fix that.
Oh and for you on Windows, Safari 3.0.4 is now out. You can now resize from any side! (I guess this must be big?) You now have an additional font smoothing option and many other things. Go download.
Update: They've been hard at it. One more update, this time for the iMac - iMac Graphics Firmware Update 1.0
You should see it in Software Update, it includes Safari 3 (no longer beta) so if you've not updated that yet, you'll get that too.
Also iPhoto '08 was updated to 7.1.1
That's not all:
Security Update 2007-10.3.9 Client
Security Update 2007-10.3.9 Server
Server Admin Tools 10.4.11
Cinema Tools 4.0.1
Color 1.0.2
Compressor 3.0.2
DVD Studio Pro 4.2.1
Final Cut Pro 6.0.2
Motion 3.0.2
Pro Applications Update 2007-02
Soundtrack Pro 2.0.2
So if you've been waiting to update to Leopard due to some bug or other in one of those, it's likely one of these may fix that.
Oh and for you on Windows, Safari 3.0.4 is now out. You can now resize from any side! (I guess this must be big?) You now have an additional font smoothing option and many other things. Go download.
Update: They've been hard at it. One more update, this time for the iMac - iMac Graphics Firmware Update 1.0
Microsoft Office Update 11.3.9
07/11/07 11:15
Fixes an
issue which caused Word to quit when printing.
Download
Download
iTunes 7.5 & Quicktime 7.3
06/11/07 10:08
It's more
updates for you, so back to Software Update
for iTunes 7.5 and
Quicktime 7.3 you go.
iTunes now can now activate the iPhone anywhere the service is available, a new game for iPods, Phase and various fixes.
Quicktime, create iPhone compatible web content, updated JavaScript support, support for iTunes, and various fixes.
Requires a restart.
iTunes now can now activate the iPhone anywhere the service is available, a new game for iPods, Phase and various fixes.
Quicktime, create iPhone compatible web content, updated JavaScript support, support for iTunes, and various fixes.
Requires a restart.
iMac & MacBook Pro Updates
02/11/07 11:06
Apple have
released a couple of updates which include those
pesky various bug
fixes:
MacBook Pro Software Update 1.2
iMac Software Update 1.2 Tiger
iMac Software Update 1.3 Leopard
So, if you're lucky enough to own one of those, better get updating, they should pop up in Software Update.
MacBook Pro Software Update 1.2
iMac Software Update 1.2 Tiger
iMac Software Update 1.3 Leopard
So, if you're lucky enough to own one of those, better get updating, they should pop up in Software Update.
Screen Savers
26/10/07 16:15
Mac OS X 10.5 is here
26/10/07 16:13
Today is
the day, incase you don't know - so if you
want Leopard, you can now get
it.
It should just be a simple case of installing it, I'd make a back-up first.
It should just be a simple case of installing it, I'd make a back-up first.
Microsoft Office 2004 for Mac 11.3.8 Update
10/10/07 11:33
Updates Updates Updates
27/09/07 11:12
Some
updates from Apple:
iDVD 7.0.1
iPhoto 7.1
iMovie 7.1
Garageband 4.1
iWeb 2.0.2
iLife Support 8.1
All should be popping up in your Software Update, I had some problems with network errors when trying to install the Garageband update, so I used the link (above) which worked fine.
Various bug fixes, but iMovie gains some extra features (see link).
For you MacBook & MacBook Pro people there's also an update for you, it'll only appear if you need it.
iDVD 7.0.1
iPhoto 7.1
iMovie 7.1
Garageband 4.1
iWeb 2.0.2
iLife Support 8.1
All should be popping up in your Software Update, I had some problems with network errors when trying to install the Garageband update, so I used the link (above) which worked fine.
Various bug fixes, but iMovie gains some extra features (see link).
For you MacBook & MacBook Pro people there's also an update for you, it'll only appear if you need it.
iTunes 7.4
06/09/07 17:21
Along with
all those new iPods, to support ringtones etc. Apple
introduced iTunes 7.4. It should be turning up in
your Software Update soon, or you can download it
directly from iTunes.com.
Make that 7.4.1, that was quick.
Make that 7.4.1, that was quick.
MSN Messenger 6.0.3
22/08/07 11:12
Microsoft
has updated MSN Messenger for Mac.
Bug and performance fixes.
Download
Bug and performance fixes.
Download
What time is it?
21/08/07 11:07
Fancy
using your Mac as an Alarm Clock using your own
music? Try Aurora.
and a rather unique time telling screen saver, try PolarClock.
via Tuaw.
and a rather unique time telling screen saver, try PolarClock.
via Tuaw.
Microsoft Office 2004 for Mac 11.3.7 Update
14/08/07 20:53
Microsoft
have updated Office 2004 to fix a critical
vulnerability, so best download it quick.
Link
Link
Apple AirPort Basestation Update 2007-002
14/08/07 11:39
Update to the AirPort
software, for those with more modern AirPort
basestation.
Not me with my old Snow one.
Not me with my old Snow one.
iLife '08
08/08/07 12:33
Apple's
iLife has received what Apple described as it's
biggest jump with iLife '08.
iPhoto '08 includes the ability to organise your photos by event, which seems a great way of dealing with thousands of photos (I've 3000+) which you can skim through, you can now also hide photos you'd rather not have showing and improved editing.
iMovie '08 is not just an update, but a completely new application, along with icon. Creating a video/movie has never been that simple, but from the demo Steve gave it really does look like they've come up with a quick and easy way to make them without sitting for hours. It's all very drag and drop. You can even directly upload to YouTube.
iWeb '08 the simple web creation app, not that I've ever used it, has also been given a make-over. Widgets allow you to more easily integrate content from other sites (YouTube, GoogleMaps etc.). Drag and drop creation of index pages, and finally you can easily upload to your own personal domain and not just .mac.
Garageband '08 now includes magic, a way of adding instruments to your music based on genre. Really it's another application I've never used much, I tend to just create noise, but who knows? Maybe the magic will work for me?
iDVD seems to have mainly gained more themes and improved performance. Really I think Apple thinks the notion of DVD is a bit old hat and why don't you just publish onto the web instead?
It's well worth looking at the tutorials to get an idea of these new features.
The new suite also offer improved .mac integration, .mac itself has been upgraded to 10GB of storage and with all the new gallery features, you'll probably need it. iPhoto's online gallery feature does look very polished, so much so you might think you're in iPhoto.
So, the bad news; support of G4 Macs is coming to an end, as many of these new Applications require a G5 or intel processor. I think that's fair enough; but when will they make a lightweight laptop?
iPhoto '08 includes the ability to organise your photos by event, which seems a great way of dealing with thousands of photos (I've 3000+) which you can skim through, you can now also hide photos you'd rather not have showing and improved editing.
iMovie '08 is not just an update, but a completely new application, along with icon. Creating a video/movie has never been that simple, but from the demo Steve gave it really does look like they've come up with a quick and easy way to make them without sitting for hours. It's all very drag and drop. You can even directly upload to YouTube.
iWeb '08 the simple web creation app, not that I've ever used it, has also been given a make-over. Widgets allow you to more easily integrate content from other sites (YouTube, GoogleMaps etc.). Drag and drop creation of index pages, and finally you can easily upload to your own personal domain and not just .mac.
Garageband '08 now includes magic, a way of adding instruments to your music based on genre. Really it's another application I've never used much, I tend to just create noise, but who knows? Maybe the magic will work for me?
iDVD seems to have mainly gained more themes and improved performance. Really I think Apple thinks the notion of DVD is a bit old hat and why don't you just publish onto the web instead?
It's well worth looking at the tutorials to get an idea of these new features.
The new suite also offer improved .mac integration, .mac itself has been upgraded to 10GB of storage and with all the new gallery features, you'll probably need it. iPhoto's online gallery feature does look very polished, so much so you might think you're in iPhoto.
So, the bad news; support of G4 Macs is coming to an end, as many of these new Applications require a G5 or intel processor. I think that's fair enough; but when will they make a lightweight laptop?
iWork '08
08/08/07 12:33
iWork, Apple's set of
business applications gained the one application
it's been missing, a spreadsheet. Numbers is the
name (and numbers is the game, sorry.)
Pages, the word processor which had been more towards page layout now had two distinct modes, one for page layout and the other for word processing. There are also new templates. I'd like to give Pages a try.
Keynote, the better presentation app, I am always impressed with the richness of Apple's presentation made in Keynote - it makes those old Powerpoint presentations I used to have to sit through look distinctly amateur affairs (ok, it was a long time ago, even so). There are now new animated text effects, transitions (could watch them all day), and a to be animations.
Numbers, a spreadsheet from Apple! They've not made one for quite some time. I was once a bit of a spreadsheet aficionado, which I still find amusing. I spent hours with Excel and a spreadsheet much superior spreadsheet at the time called Wings, which later became Claris Resolve*
I wish I'd had Numbers back then, it does seem on the surface to be a much better way of dealing with data. Using a canvas where you can add elements of spreadsheets and charts, and the printing out of reports looks much easier, I remember messing around with that stuff for hours. There are intelligent tables for building formulas, you can import from Excel into Numbers.
Take a look at the tutorials, there is also a 30 day trial version available.
How Microsoft will take Apple's push into spreadsheets is anyone's guess, Microsoft Office has already been pushed back to next year.
* Claris was a spun out software subsidiary of Apple in the late 80s & early 90s, among others they had FileMaker, which is still going, MacWrite the word processor, MacDraw a drawing app, Claris Resolve for presentations and Resolve and then Claris Works, which went on to become Apple Works when Apple brought Claris back into the fold. It's interesting that Apple are now effectively recreating technologies they once had. I feel a little sentimental for MacDraw & MacWrite. Claris Homepage was also one of the best wysiwyg web html editors I'd used, not that there were many at the time. I do wonder if somehow the code from these pass applications at all live on in their successors.
Pages, the word processor which had been more towards page layout now had two distinct modes, one for page layout and the other for word processing. There are also new templates. I'd like to give Pages a try.
Keynote, the better presentation app, I am always impressed with the richness of Apple's presentation made in Keynote - it makes those old Powerpoint presentations I used to have to sit through look distinctly amateur affairs (ok, it was a long time ago, even so). There are now new animated text effects, transitions (could watch them all day), and a to be animations.
Numbers, a spreadsheet from Apple! They've not made one for quite some time. I was once a bit of a spreadsheet aficionado, which I still find amusing. I spent hours with Excel and a spreadsheet much superior spreadsheet at the time called Wings, which later became Claris Resolve*
I wish I'd had Numbers back then, it does seem on the surface to be a much better way of dealing with data. Using a canvas where you can add elements of spreadsheets and charts, and the printing out of reports looks much easier, I remember messing around with that stuff for hours. There are intelligent tables for building formulas, you can import from Excel into Numbers.
Take a look at the tutorials, there is also a 30 day trial version available.
How Microsoft will take Apple's push into spreadsheets is anyone's guess, Microsoft Office has already been pushed back to next year.
* Claris was a spun out software subsidiary of Apple in the late 80s & early 90s, among others they had FileMaker, which is still going, MacWrite the word processor, MacDraw a drawing app, Claris Resolve for presentations and Resolve and then Claris Works, which went on to become Apple Works when Apple brought Claris back into the fold. It's interesting that Apple are now effectively recreating technologies they once had. I feel a little sentimental for MacDraw & MacWrite. Claris Homepage was also one of the best wysiwyg web html editors I'd used, not that there were many at the time. I do wonder if somehow the code from these pass applications at all live on in their successors.
iTunes 7.3.2
03/08/07 09:29
Apple have
released iTunes 7.3.2, which provides bug fixes to
improve stability and performance.
It's meant to be available via Software Update, but it wasn't appearing for me, you can also download it from their site.
It's meant to be available via Software Update, but it wasn't appearing for me, you can also download it from their site.
Updates
01/08/07 12:01
Couple of
updates:
Security Update 2007-007 and Safari Beta Update 3.0.3
AirPort Extreme Update 2007-004, for those with AirPort Extreme
and for those who aren't in the UK - iPhone Firmware 1.0.1
Also available via Software Update.
Security Update 2007-007 and Safari Beta Update 3.0.3
AirPort Extreme Update 2007-004, for those with AirPort Extreme
and for those who aren't in the UK - iPhone Firmware 1.0.1
Also available via Software Update.
Pro Application Support 4.0.1
31/07/07 11:30
Apple have
released Pro Application Support 4.0.1, available via
Software Update, or from their site.
This update improves general user interface reliability for Apple's professional applications and is recommended for all users of Final Cut Studio, Final Cut Pro, Motion, Soundtrack Pro, DVD Studio Pro, Aperture, Final Cut Express HD, Soundtrack, Logic Pro and Logic Express.
If you don't have any of these Applications, it won't show in Software Update, and there is no need to install it.
This update improves general user interface reliability for Apple's professional applications and is recommended for all users of Final Cut Studio, Final Cut Pro, Motion, Soundtrack Pro, DVD Studio Pro, Aperture, Final Cut Express HD, Soundtrack, Logic Pro and Logic Express.
If you don't have any of these Applications, it won't show in Software Update, and there is no need to install it.
Journler
24/07/07 16:02
Do you
find your write a lot of To Do lists? Take lots of
notes? Write down random ideas and all that daily
sort of stuff, it all ends up in different documents
and you never know where things are? That's been me
at least, and I've tried a lot of solutions,
including: YoJimbo,
Notae,
iNotePad and
KIT.
Now either they've been more than I possibly need, or just not enough, have some quirk I dislike, or; a price tag I'm not willing to pay.
Well, thankfully Journler has come along and seems a great solution plus it does a little more (iLife integration, images etc.) but isn't overly complicated.
It's well worth the download.
Now either they've been more than I possibly need, or just not enough, have some quirk I dislike, or; a price tag I'm not willing to pay.
Well, thankfully Journler has come along and seems a great solution plus it does a little more (iLife integration, images etc.) but isn't overly complicated.
It's well worth the download.
Microsoft Office 2004 for Mac 11.3.6 Update
13/07/07 16:59
A new
update to Office for Mac 2004:
Fixes a vulnerability that an attacker could use to overwrite data in memory and other improvements.
Download
Fixes a vulnerability that an attacker could use to overwrite data in memory and other improvements.
Download
iTunes 7.3.1 & QuickTime 7.2
12/07/07 10:21
Apple have
released an update to both iTunes &
QuickTime, available via
Software Update or their downloads.
iTunes 7.3.1 fixes a problem for some users accessing their music libraries. QuickTime 7.2 fixes bugs, updates the H.264 code, but the most significant thing is full screen viewing in QuickTime. Up until now you've had to pay for QuickTime Pro for that feature, which has seemed increasingly daft considering you can have full screen movies in iTunes or running something like VLC.
iTunes 7.3.1 fixes a problem for some users accessing their music libraries. QuickTime 7.2 fixes bugs, updates the H.264 code, but the most significant thing is full screen viewing in QuickTime. Up until now you've had to pay for QuickTime Pro for that feature, which has seemed increasingly daft considering you can have full screen movies in iTunes or running something like VLC.
iTunes 7.3
03/07/07 10:32
Nearly
forgot, with the release of the iPhone, Apple have
updated iTunes to 7.3, available via Software Update
and downloads.
Software Updates
03/07/07 10:24
Time to
check Software Update if you're on an intel Mac.
Apple have released Mac OS X 10.4.10 Update v1.1 and
Audio Update 2007-001.
Download
Download
Mac OS X 10.4.10
21/06/07 16:42
Yes, 10.4.10?
Well, Apple has made available the new update to Mac
OS X 10.4 via Software Update and their
download page.
Available for PPC, PPC Combo, Intel & Intel Combo and the server versions of course.
You can read exactly what it does here.
Available for PPC, PPC Combo, Intel & Intel Combo and the server versions of course.
You can read exactly what it does here.
WWDC 2007 - Safari 3 beta for Mac and now Windows
12/06/07 15:21
Apple have released a
beta version of Safari 3 for Mac, and now for
Windows in an effort to increase its market share.
Apple showed the browser beating IE 7 on windows in
the speed stakes. New features include; movable tabs
and inline find. I'm not sure if it saves
your tabs, or if you'll still need Forgetmenot (of even if Forgetmenot
is compatible with it).