While on the subject of games, last night a reader sent a note that Bioware's Mac support page lists a Neverwinter Nights Updater 1.6.2 (non-beta version apparently). Full details on the patch are at http://nwn.bioware.com/support/patchdetails162.html.

MU lists the Dantz Retrospect 6 driver update 5.1.103:

What's New:
• Fixes a Content Unrecognized error message with AIT tapes
• Adds a number of new drives supported

No specific listing of what new drive models were added however.

"Month End Specials:
ALL PowerLogix 7457 G4 CPU upgrades feature 512K 1:1 L2 Cache and 2MB L3 Cache Per Processor and a 2 Year PowerLogix Warranty.
For PowerMac G4 AGP Graphics/Sawtooth, Gigabit Ethernet:
PowerLogix Dual 7457 G4/1.2GHz was $697.99, now $679.99
PowerLogix Dual 7457 G4/1.3GHz was $899.99, now $859.99
LIMITED: PowerLogix Dual 7457 G4/1.0GHz only $599.99!

For PowerMac G4 Digital Audio & Quicksilver Models:
PowerLogix Dual 7457 G4/1.4GHz was $1099.00, now $1029.99
Prices good while supply lasts.
Best Regards,
Lawrence R. O'Connor
Other World Computing."

" I have been a Mac user for many years & I got a hold of a dead Mac SE, so I decided to turn it into a power-house (PC).
http://www.ajdesign.org/
Attila (AJ Design) "

See the "Assembly" and "Gallery" (bottom of page) links there for info and photos of the "SE 3000" conversion.

" PL G4/800 (256KB L2, no L3) CPU Upgrade for G4/AGP Towers
We got 52 in last week that sold in about 36 hours... Today, we got what should be the final 71 units in and online... Already some of those are gone minutes after listing. For those that missed out last week, here's their chance. These last units are covered by a 1 Year OWC Warranty - not a PowerLogix Warranty, something that will be a comfort to some people. :)
Best Regards,
Lawrence R. O'Connor
Other World Computing "

" Mike, sorry I am working like a madman on this with continual updates. This should be the final version, since I solved the 3120.1 problem as well as coding it all into a GUI Applescript... I feel this version is practically better than the one alternative I saw on your blurb. (The original applescript based UT2004 benchmark) This is why:

I finished coding a GUI botmatch benchmark for UT2004 that controls standard video settings, the "CTF Standard Benchmark". Download it at http://www.santaduck.com .
How good can it get? Just point & click. No mucking around in Terminal Commandline. Also includes automatic installer built into the application, so no mucking around in System Packages either! Uses standard custom INI files for consistent video settings across all users from 640x480 through 1600x1200. A windows command version will be available here soon for comparisons.

Notes: The CTF map was selected because it resulted in the most active action out of any of the maps. Most of the other maps were very large and task-oriented, which means the benchmark would just watch a bot sitting by itself shooting a gun installation, or idly standing still building something, or worse and more frequently just running alone across a large map. I could make other benchmarks, but realistically they would just suck as a measurement of system performance. The CTF map with 14 bots resulted in the most action at different spectator magnifications.

This is why I have chosen NOT to include botmatch benchmarks of the other maps: this is the best map for a benchmark, and 14 botcount resulted in the best action.

I feel that too many options make benchmarks useless for comparisons,so that's why there are only five, one for each resolution: 640x480, 800x600, 1024x768, 1280x960, and 1600x1200. Simple is the best.

Unlike other UT benchmarks, you do not have to worry about your saved game settings because this benchmark uses customized INI files. This means that the results of the benchmark on any computer will be automatically set to the EXACT SAME video settings every single time on all computers. This eliminates the possibility that users will run the benchmarks using different video settings: this is a "Standardized" benchmark, whose results can be compared meaningfully.

(These default settings are: color depth 32bit, texture detail Normal, Character Detail Normal, World Detail High, Physics Detail Normal, Dynamic Mesh LOD Normal, Decal Stay Normal, Character Shadows Full, Decals (X), Dynamic Lighting (X), Cornoas (X), Trilinear Filtering (X), Projectors (X), Foliage (X), Weather Effects (X), Fog Distance Bar all the way to the right, Low Sound Detail ( ).) regards,
--Robert
aka Santaduck from the Frag.Ops Team (http://www.frag-ops.com) "

• Apple Dual G4 DDR (MDD Dual 1.42GHz) OC'ing report
• Giga Designs G4 Dual 1.2GHz in (gigabit ethernet) G4/AGP (rated 8)
• Other Brand (fastmac) G4/550 in Powerbook G3 2000 (rated 10)
• Powerlogix G3/900 in B&W G3 (rated 1)
• XLR8 G4/400 in B&W G3 (rated 2)
  (My reviews of G4 and G3 upgrades w/apps/game tests, install info, etc. are linked here. 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.)

CDRW Drives:
• IDE Hi-Val 52x24x52x used w/G4 Cube (OS X 10.3) (listed under "other" brands, unknown mechanism, using Patchburn II for Panther burn support.)
  
  DVD+R/RW + DVD-R/RW Drives:
• IDE Pioneer DVR-106D in Dual G4 DDR (OS X 10.3)
• IDE Pioneer DVR-106D in G4/AGP (OS X)
  (iMac G4 take-apart here)
• IDE Pioneer DVR-106D in G4/AGP (OS X)
  (disc eject problems - may be drive sleep related)
• IDE Pioneer DVR-106D in Dual G4 (OS X 10.3)
  (dvd problems, may never have had the DVD player installed)
  (Illustrated CD drive install guide here covers G4 towers up to the Digital Audio Model, Beige G3 MT and B&W G3 Macs)
  
  DVD-RAM Drives:
• IDE Panasonic PD-2 LF-D110 in B&W G3 (OS X 10.3)
  (had no DVD-RAM media to test)
  
  Hard Drives:
• IDE Hitachi 7K250 80GB in G4 Cube (OS X)
• IDE Maxtor DiamondMax Plus9 80GB in 5400 (didn't note OS version)
• IDE Toshiba MK2016GAP in Powerbook G3 wallstreet2 (OS 8.6)
  (PB G3 1998/wallstreet illustrated HD install guide here)

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.)