MacEdition Pro News : February 4, 2002 – Funny names, bad pirates, fancy labels and questions left unanswered

by MacEdition Staff (feedback)

Was it something we said?

Last year we noted the release of a somewhat curiously named program, Unsupported UtilityX, designed to allow horribly underpowered Macs to run a slightly-underoptimised Mac OS X. At the time we said, “With a name like that, how can you go wrong?”

We think we may have given the folks at Other World Computing a bit of a complex or something. They’ve updated the product, but they’ve also given it a name change:

Other World Computing, a leading provider of products and services for the Macintosh marketplace, has changed the name of Unsupported UtilityX™ to XPostFacto.

In addition, OWC today released version 2.11 of XPostFacto, OWC’s software application that allows Mac OS X to operate on select pre-G3 Macintosh computers. The utility can be downloaded free of charge by visiting http://eshop.macsales.com/OSXCenter.

[...]

The key new feature in v2.11 is support for a wider range of SCSI CD-ROM devices, including CD-R and CD-RW devices. There is also support for burning custom Mac OS X install CDs. XpOSfacto helps the following Macintosh computers run Mac OS X:

• 7300, 7500, 7600, 8500, 8600, 9500, 9600, and
• Selected clones (Umax S900 and J700; and Power Computing PowerWave and PowerTowerPro).

“XPostFacto”? As we’ve said before, with a name like that, how can you go wrong?

Food for thought

This arrived in our inbox from the folks at Ambrosia Software. The subject is a little more serious than games, however. Their brief note says it best:

Ambrosia Software’s own Bitwise Operator, Matt Slot, has written an insightful and interesting piece on software piracy from the perspective of a software publisher. It relates Ambrosia’s own experience with software piracy, license codes systems, and shows, unfortunately, how rampant piracy is in the sofware business.

There are numerous web sites, newsgroups and hotline servers devoted to software piracy, and the reality is that this has an impact on people who make a living writing software. Check out the full article here for details.

While there are bound to be many diverse and interesting views on copyright, intellectual property, piracy and what the hell to do with it, most would agree that the status quo is not necessarily the best solution. Read the article and form your own opinion.

While my Dymo gently weeps

Rip. Mix. Burn. Label? That’s a part of the equation many people seem to leave out. Get out the felt tip marker? Juggle a spindle of unlabeled CDs for a more manual “shuffle”? The folks at Stomp, Inc. want you to stop that right away and make labels using their software. It’s easier, they say, but you’re less likely to get a buzz when you open the box.

From the press release:

This new labeling software allows computer users to design and print their own custom labels for CDs, DVDs, CD business cards, mini CDs, zip disks, VHS, cassettes, 3.5" diskettes and jewel case inserts.

Click ’N Design’s impressive features include easy to use 3D text for an impressive look and feel, an intuitive easy start label wizard for instant results, dynamic circular text editing, and multiple options for graphic effects. In addition, users can import multiple file formats or draw from over 5000 background clip art images. Click ’N Design 3D–Macintosh Edition produces flawless professional results on virtually any inkjet or laser printer.

For more info, visit Stomp’s Web site: www.stompinc.com or www.clickndesign3d.com.

When the Apple TIL just isn’t enough

Okay, there are already a slew of Web sites devoted to Mac OS X, and some more comprehensive and comprehendable than others. And more than a few are a little blinded by the glow of the shiny new operating system that they may overlook (or openly deny) the need for comprehensive documentation on avoiding its bugbears and pitfalls.

And while there are tech support sites out there, it’s always good to welcome another – particularly one this promising. OSXFAQ.COM hopes to become a mini-Mac OS X portal with FAQs (duh!), troubleshooting advice, daily tips and forums hosted by Bob Levitus:

OSXFAQ.COM is a brand new Web site, community forum, and much more, designed to serve the needs of Mac OS X users. “We want to be the premier gathering place for Mac OS X enthusiasts and users,” said Scott Sheppard, Editor-in-Chief of the new site. “Plenty of sites can give you news and information about Mac OS X. We want to give Mac OS X fans more. Which is why I’m thrilled to announce that I’ve engaged Bob “Dr. Mac” LeVitus to be our “Head Forum Geek” and manage our online OS X community. He’ll also be serving up a tip-of-the-day and weekly columns, reviewing software, and recommending the best in OS X shareware and freeware. Nobody loves OS X more than Bob so we’re just thrilled about this synergistic combination.”

In addition to hosting the forums, Mr. LeVitus will offer a Mac OS X tip-of-the-day, available at OSXFAQ.COM or by email, and his popular “Dr. Mac” column will be posted bright and early every Friday (and he’ll make five years of exclusive “unedited” Dr. Mac columns available in a searchable archive real soon now).

[...]

But wait: There’s more! In addition to offering the most recent news and information of interest to OS X users, updated daily, OSXFAQ.COM will offer:

• Training: Watch for seminars and hands-on training events produced by the folks at OSXFAQ.COM.
• Surveys: What is the best e-mail program? What’s the worst OS X program you ever bought? And so on We’ll have new surveys each week and all surveys will pertain, one way or another, to Mac OS X.
• News Archives: Yes, we’re new, but we’ll be archiving most of the site regularly in a searchable database, just in case.
• Reviews: Of course, we’ll offer product reviews of the best hardware and software for Mac OS X.
• Interviews: Every so often one of us gets to talk to one of the makers and shakers of the Mac OS X community. You’ll read about it here. And much, much more including Reader Reports, FAQ’s from numerous hardware and software vendors, MAN pages, an OS X glossary, tutorials, tips, links and more.

The site is only in its infancy, but do check it out at OSXFAQ.COM.

Looking for old ProNews segments? Check out our index at http://old.macedition.com/news/. Do you have news releases or tidbits of interest to the Macintosh professional? Send them to pronewsnotes@macedition.com.

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