" Mike,
As part of our new Roxio/Sonic merger, we're having a special 50% sale for the next 48 hours. Just thought you'd want to know.
www.roxio.com/adban/internal_campaigns/email/sonic_roxio_landing.jhtml
Happy Holidays.
Adam
Roxio "

Mac products listed there are Toast 6, Toast 5 and Toast w/Jam. (Didn't see Popcorn listed on the sale page.) I had gotten an earlier mail today from Sonic/Roxio that mentioned the sale also, but missed it originally as it was flagged as spam (filtered to a deleted items folder).

Version 1.6.7:

• EyeTV 200: Overall stability has been improved.
• EyeTV 610: EyeTV 1.6.7 contains a firmware update that improves compatibility with the QAM-16 and QAM-128 modulation schemes used in DVB-C. When EyeTV 1.6.7 is first launched, EyeTV may offer to update the firmware of your EyeTV unit. Follow the on-screen instructions to proceed with the firmware update. After the firmware update has finished, please unplug your hardware from the Macintosh, then reconnect all cables.
• Plextor ConvertX: A problem with tuning mid-band NTSC cable channels has been eliminated."

There's a previous page here of EyeTV feedback and tips.

" Hi Mike, I thought I'd have a crack at extracting the CoD UO map pack, but I haven't had any luck. After trying several archive extraction programs, I tried running it in Virtual PC in the hope that it would extract the data into some usable form. Unfortunately, the installer won't run without a CoD UO installation, and on top of that it says that it requires version 1.51 of the game, which isn't available for Mac yet.
Cheers, Josh "

" COMING SOON: SLIPSTREAM FROM ROGUE AMOEBA!
...Rogue Amoeba Software is pleased to announce Slipstream, a brand new application coming in early 2005. Certain to be a huge hit with anyone who owns Apple's new AirPort Express device, Slipstream allows any audio from any application to be heard through remote speakers. AirTunes isn't just for iTunes anymore - now users longing to listen to audio from RealPlayer, Windows Media Player, and any other application over their remote speakers will be able to do so, with Slipstream.

Slipstream will be available in early 2005 for an introductory price of just $20 ($5 off the $25 regular price). Use Slipstream to play any audio to your remote speakers - coming soon! For more information and a sneak peek, please visit the Slipstream website: http://www.rogueamoeba.com/slipstream "

" Looks like there's a new patch for World of Warcraft. I tried logging on today, and it had me download a pretty hefty file that seemed to speed up my machine, and enabled a bunch of new video options.
- Chris "

Another Mac WoW user wrote:

" "Hi Mike, ... In my own case (1.25GHz 15" Powerbook G4, Raden 9600 Mobility/64MB) WoW 1.2 "Patch 2" running on 10.3.7, I only get a few more frames-per-second than I did before all of the updates. But the new image quality is STUNNING when I "enable all shaders". The water is especially beautiful! Blizzard and Apple have done a great job with these updates, but they still have a ways to go with performance and there is still no option to turn on Full Screen AntiAliasing....
(He later wrote)
I've been doing some reading on the WoW forums. Apparently the combination of WoW 1.2 and 10.3.7 has the most dramatic performance and quality improvements on the Radeon 9600, Radeon 9800, and GeForce 6800 AGP cards. The differences are less dramatic, but still there, on the Mobility Radeon 9600 and Mobility Radeon 9700.

The software update combination should give at least a slight WoW performance increase on all graphics cards and on all CPUs. But the leastimprovement will be seen on the GeForce 4 Ti and the GeForce FX 5200 / Go5200. I was sad to hear this, as the new iMac G5 and the current 12" PowerBook use the FX5200. These two machines still need some major performance boosts. Maybe we'll see them in future updates...
-Colin "

I don't own the game but checked the WoW community site and there's a Dec. 18th dated patch notes page with a long list of changes/fixes.
I've also updated the previous page of Mac WoW Performance/Tips to include mails from readers in the last week or so. (Trying to catch up on things.)

" iBook Logic Board Repair Extension Program
I own a 700MHz duel USB iBook that is covered under Apple's extended warranty. I've sent the unit in to Apple 4 times not to have the logic board replaced due to video problems under the warranty. I recently expereienced the problem yet again and contacted Apple about a "permanent" solution to the issue and was offered a replacement.
Since Apple no longer makes my model, they are replacing it with a 1.2 GHz G4 iBook free of charge. Just something to keep in mind for anyone who is having issues getting the warranty resolved.
Dan S. "

• Aspyr Utility: Game Agent (not sure when this was released - just spotted it.)
• How to cool rack equipment (part 1) (IT Enquirer)

DVD+R/RW + DVD-R/RW Drives:
• IDE Liteon SOHW-1613S in G4/AGP (OS X 10.3)
  (using Patchburn 3 for iApps burn support. Illustrated CD drive install guide here covers G4 towers up to the Digital Audio Model, Beige G3 MT and B&W G3 Macs)
• IDE Pioneer DVR-108 in G4/AGP (OS X 10.3)
  (using Patchburn 3 for iApps burn support. Noted CDR/DVD-Rs burned w/disk utility would not mount.)

You can find full owner reports (latest shown first) by searching the database by drive/brand/interface/mac models (the latest reports are shown first in searches). For guides to installing CD/CDRW/DVD drives or Hard drives in many mac models, see the IDE Articles page. The Firewire articles page also has guides on case kits, installing drives, etc.
If you've added a IDE, SCSI, Firewire or USB hard drive, CDRW, tape drive, etc. make sure you add a report to the database. (If you post an updated entry - make sure you use the same name, etc. as you did before so I can find your past entry. Thanks.)
(Incomplete entries are deleted. Do not post questions in the database, it's for drive reports not questions on what drive to buy - for that try searching the database for reports from owners of your mac model on the drive type/brand/interface, etc. you're interested in.)

• XLR8 G4/500-600 (at 667MHz) in Beige G3 (rated 10)
  
  (Full reviews of G4 and G3 upgrades compared to stock CPUs, including real world apps/game tests, install info, etc. are linked at the CPU upgrades page. OC/CPU module articles are on the Systems page.)

(Warning - Overclocking may not be reliable and could lead to hardware failure or corrupted data.) You can find the full reports by searching the database selecting the indicated Mac model and upgrade card brand/type. If you've upgraded the CPU on your Mac, please post an entry in the database. Search the database for entries from most every upgradable Mac model *before* you buy. (Searchable by mac model/upgrade brand). For detailed reviews with performance tests and install tips, see the CPU Upgrades page.)