"About AirPort Extreme Update 2008-002
This update is recommended for all Intel-based Macintosh computers and improves the reliability of AirPort connections.
System Requirements: OS X 10.4.11"

In the past, some AE updates for Intel-based Macs had updated N adapter firmware (file loaded from disk, not flashed into adapter). I'm running Leopard on the only Intel-based Mac here, but if you see any pros or cons from this update let me know.
  

Last spring I posted a page here with Mac Pro owner's notes on using the 2 spare onboard SATA Ports with external drives via the NewerTech cable kit. (It was updated a few times including a tip on a driver change/update for Windows support.)
Although someone had mentioned using a Quad Interface EliteAL pro case OK last year, this morning I had a 2008 Mac Pro owner (running 10.5.4) write about problems he had with his LaCie d2 Quadra 1TB drive (current firmware per Lacie Update tool). He had used it via FW800 port OK, but after booting with the Lacie drive connected via eSATA port, he had a crash after trying to access the drive via SuperDuper! ('smartbackup' attempt) and afterwards attempting to boot with the eSATA connection fails. I sent some suggestions to try (and suggested contacting Lacie support) but since even some ExpressCard SATA users have mentioned problems with some multi-interface bridge board/cases I thought I'd ask for feedback from any reader using the spare Mac Pro SATA ports with an external case. (eSATA cases are cheaper and less likely to have issues, although multi-interface drives are attractive for use with computers that do not have eSATA).
  

"500GB Hard Drive Specials ending soon...
For orders of select 500GB drives & solutions placed with OWC from now and until July 31st, customers can get $10 per drive on up to 5 drives ($50 total) via OWC Exclusive rebates sponsored by Hitachi.

500GB Internal SATA & PATA Drives from $67.99 after rebate

500GB External FireWire/FireWire 800/eSATA/USB2 solutions from $114.99 after rebate

Also on OWC Xlr8YourMac readers page - the SATA Hitachi 500GB (7200rpm/16MB cache) for $65.75 after rebate.

And OWC Mercury Elite-AL Pro FW800/400+USB2+eSATA 500GB Solution (with Utility/BU Software Bundle) $158.00 after rebate.
Lawrence O'Connor
Other World Computing"

• CrossOver Games 7.1 (play some windows games on Intel-based macs w/o installing windows)
• Adobe Media Player 1.1
• Apple's MobileMe Continues To Sputter (informationweek)
• Apple's MobileMe: The Medium is the Mess (Wash. Post)
• iPhone (Mail/Safari) vulnerable to phishing attacks (cnet)
• iPhone 3G network issues frustrating early adopters (cnet)
• Software Allows iPhone Users to Type Without Looking (wired)
• If Microsoft Opens the Xbox Is an App Store for Apple TV Next? (NYTimes)
• Pixelmator 1.2.2 (image editor)
• Quick Tip of the Week: Restricting Spotlight (Apple)
• Battlestations: Midway 1.0 (Demo)
• ResizeMe 1.0.1 (Batch image and photo resizer)
• Screen Mimic 2.4 (Screen recording app w/native Flash export)
• The Jing Project 1.6.8006 (captures and shares images and video from your computer to anywhere. Freeware)
• Standard Sought For Wireless HD
• Ubuntu Founder: Open Source Linux Could Rival Apple (TMCnet)
• Intel Revamps Its System-On-Chip Designs (informationweek)
• Pairing your cell with Bluetooth? Buyer beware (refers to this US-CERT Cyber Security Tip ST05-015 on bluetooth)
• Review: Unique Earphones Vibrate Sounds Into Your Skull (wired)

"Temperatures of Nvidia 8800GT w/Accelero S1 Rev 2 cooler vs. stock cooler
Hi Mike, Today I put the GeForce 8800 GT back in my Mac Pro (replacing the Radeon HD 3870 review sample), booted Windows Vista Business 64-bit, started the Riva Tuner monitoring tool, and then opened the 3D Window of ATITool, which shows a rotating fur cube, which is quite taxing for the video card.

- With the stock cooler, the GPU temperature rose to a steady 83 degrees Celsius in less than 5 minutes. (The fan spun at about 2700 RPM and was clearly audible, with the case closed, standing on the floor beneath my desk).

- With the Accelero S1 Rev 2 and no additional fan the GPU temperature rose to a steady 74 degree celsius in 30 minutes. That's with the case fans at default speeds.

Ambient room temperature was 25 degrees Celsius BTW. I must say that I'm impressed!

I might still get the optional "Turbo Module", as I have only one other PCIe card in the Mac Pro (top slot), so I can afford to block a PCIe slot. And the cooler the equipment the better.
Cheers, Oliver"

I asked he report back if he sees any issues in longer-term use. (I've also updated the Accelero S1/R2 article with Oliver's comments.)
  

"Rebates for external On-the-Go 320GB 7200RPM/16MB Cache (w/retail Prosoft DataBackup III, Intech Speedtools utils and Novabackup software bundle) expiring July 25th
For purchases through July 25th, can still save $30 (on up to 5 units) on 320GB OWC Mercury On-the-Go Pro 7200RPM 16MB Cache Bus Powered Portable Solutions.
Available in USB 2.0, USB 2.0+eSATA, FireWire+USB2, FireWire 800+USB2 configs - these are currently from $219.99 after the available rebate. The most popular model is the FireWire 800/400+USB2 model which is currently $239.99 after rebate.
Lawrence O'Connor
Other World Computing"

• X-Plane 9.2b8 (beta)
• DoubleCommand 1.6.6b4 (beta) (key remapper)
• iStat Pro 4.7 (system status widget, freeware)
• Step away from the hype: 5 ways where iPhone 3G still lags enterprise-wise (computerworld)
• Apple Launching App Store Beta Program (Wash. Post)
• The App Store's buggy update process (zdnet)
• Active iPod Speakers Might Actually (be) Tolerable (wired)
• Crossing the line on Steve Jobs' health (cnet)
• Apple's MobileMe Problems Mount (PCworld)
• Details of DNS Flaw Leaked; Exploit Expected by End of Today (Tuesday) (Last Thursday I linked to an article with a link to a blog with a DNS test function - I set my base at home to use OpenDNS, which seems fixed)
• Mac OS X 10.5: Time Machine backups are not visible (Apple)
• No content shows up in iTunes after updating (Apple)
• MobileMe: Important information regarding email service interruption (Apple - from July 22nd)
• MobileMe: Synchronizing with Microsoft Exchange (Apple, revised again)
• QuicKeys X 3.2.2
• Finale 2009 (powerful music notation software)
• Morph Age 4.0
• StuntMANIA!pro 2.6.9 (game demo)
• TurboCAD Mac Designer 2D 4.0
• Hydra (including Aperture 2 PlugIn) 1.6
• MacScan 2.5.3
• Deeper 1.1.1 (Leopard tweaks/customization utility. Freeware)
• Comcast integrates phone, Web, TV features (CNN/money)

Wednesday July 23, 2008

• Temperatures of Mac Pro 8800GT w/stock cooler vs (Fanless) Accelero S1 Rev 2
• Have you had a MacBook Pro GPU/Video Failure?
• $30 rebate on On-The-Go 320GB (7200rpm/16MB Cache) Drives w/software bundle
• Apple doc w/tips on Broken Blog links after iWeb 2.0.4 update
• X-Plane 9.2b8 (beta)
• DoubleCommand 1.6.6b4 (beta) (key remapper)
• iStat Pro 4.7 (system status widget, freeware)
• 5 ways where iPhone 3G still lags enterprise-wise (computerworld)
• Apple Launching App Store Beta Program
• The App Store's buggy update process (zdnet)
• Active iPod Speakers Might Actually (be) Tolerable (wired)
• Crossing the line on Steve Jobs' health (cnet)
• Apple's MobileMe Problems Mount (PCworld)
• Details of DNS Flaw Leaked; Exploit Expected Soon (w/notes on testing)
• OS X 10.5: Time Machine backups are not visible (Apple)
• No content shows up in iTunes after updating (Apple)
• MobileMe: Important info regarding email service interruption (Apple)
• MobileMe: Synchronizing with Microsoft Exchange (Apple)
• QuicKeys X 3.2.2
• Finale 2009 (powerful music notation software)
• Morph Age 4.0
• StuntMANIA!pro 2.6.9 (game demo)
• TurboCAD Mac Designer 2D 4.0
• Hydra (including Aperture 2 PlugIn) 1.6
• MacScan 2.5.3
• Deeper 1.1.1 (Leopard tweaks/customization util. Freeware)
• Comcast integrates phone, Web, TV features (CNN)

• Apple posts iMovie 7.1.4, iPhoto 7.1.4, iWeb 2,0.4, iLife Support 8.3
• OS X Leopard Scanner Feedback/Tips page updated
• MacBook Pro ExpressCard reports page updated
• Open Tech Computer lineup Announced (lists OS X compatible)
• 5 more must-have freebies for the iPhone and iPod touch
• Apple's Earnings Are Healthy -- But What About Jobs?
• Apple's Rising Costs Won't Slow Future Product Launches
• Apple getting ready for 'product transition'
• The iPhone (3G) finally pwned, but still locked
• Has The Time Arrived For iPhone Anti-Virus Software?
• Mac Sales Boost Apple's Revenue
• Games Are Big Sellers On iPhone App Store
• The iPhone Is The New Gaming Platform
• JetPhoto Studio 3.1 (freeware)
• You Control 1.7
• Turret Wars MP 1.1.3
• MacCleanse 1.2.2
• MacPilot 3.1
• Synchronize! Pro X 6.0.4
• Default Folder X 4.0.7
• Setting up firmware password protection in Mac OS X (Apple)
• Boot Camp 2.0: Cannot install Windows Vista with LSI Logic 4GB Fibre Channel card installed (Apple)
• My Mac Cheat Sheet (Apple)
• Apple TV: TCP and UDP ports and protocols used (Apple)
• MobileMe System Status says that members might experience difficulties with MobileMe Mail (Apple)
• When MobileMe email access is temporarily unavailable (Apple)
• iPhone: Unable to access voicemail (Apple)
• Time Capsule: "Connection Failed" message appears (Apple)
• Mac OS X iTunes installer components are disabled (Apple)
• Mac OS: How to release and renew a DHCP lease (Apple)
• Final Cut Pro 6: 1080p24 workflow for Canon HV20 camcorder (Apple)
• Windows printer troubleshooting for AirPort Extreme and AirPort Express (Apple)
• 8 Killer iPhone 3G Alternatives (informationweek)
• Apple pushes MobileMe surprise to XP, Vista via iTunes update

• Mac NAS user reports page updated (Synology Disk Station DS508)
• Apple reports record third quarter results
• Mac Drive Upgrades/Compatibility Database Updated (7 new reports)
• Pwnage 2.0 Released (for iPhone/iPod Touch): Gadget Lab Jailbreaks iPod Touch
• MobileMe users seethe over four-day e-mail outage
• Apple recaptures third place in US sales
• Site Claims to Sell iPhone Apps at Half Price
• Motorola Sues Ex-Exec; Alleges Trade Secrets Given To Apple
• There's Lots of Money in Those Old iPhones
• Pump Cools Chips with Liquid Metal
• Smallest iPhone/iPod Bluetooth A2DP Stereo Audio Transmitter
• Review: iPhone 3G Trades Battery Life for Interface, Software Awesomeness
• OnyX 1.9.6b4
• TWAIN SANE 2.5 (mentioned last Dec. here on the Scanners w/OS X Leopard tips page)
• X-Plane 9.2b7
• D2X-XL 1.13.48 (OpenGL version of Descent 2)
• Peak Pro 6.0.3
• Ozzy Bubbles 1.0 (game demo)
• Microsoft Outlook 2003/2007 may not display contacts and calendars without refreshing after syncing with MobileMe, iPhone, or iPod touch (Apple)
• Using iPhone with a 3rd-Party Headset or Car Kit (Apple)
• Overview of syncing iPhone or iPod touch with your computer (Apple)
• Mother Does Not Back Down From Prince, Music Execs
• Universal Says DMCA Takedown Notices Can Ignore 'Fair Use'
• Best Star Wars Remakes