" Hello. Just thought I'd share an email I got from MacSoft after I asked about increasing the resolution of Unreal Tournament 2004 with my 30" Monitor. 6800 Ultra DDL on a dual 2.5 GHz with 1.5 GB RAM.
I now play at full glorious 2560x1600 resolution, somewhere between 40 and 80 FPS!
Wow. -Jeff
Here's the reply:

"You can go under <Username>/Library/Application Support/Unreal Tournament 2004/System and edit the UT2004.ini file using TextEdit.
In the section under [SDLDrv.SDLClient] you can edit resolution settings there and put in custom ones that are not normally available. Now we do not have a 30" LCD here to test this with, so we have no idea whether it will work or not, but you are certainly welcome to try. Let us know if it works. "

If you missed it, the Oct. 21st news page had a mini-review of the 30in Cinema Display.

• Ford Racing 2 (demo) v1.0.1 (Improves performance of NVidia cards and incorporates knowledge about driver bug fixes coming in Mac OS X 10.3.6.)
  
  
• Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic 1.0.3b (fixes problems with screen resolution settings not always being saved and fixes a PC crash that occurs when trying to save and load a game simultaneously)
  
  
• Homeworld 2 1.1.1 (Fixed a crash that could happen on startup, especially while using Shapeshifter, Fixed a problem with multiplayer games over the internet. Added an option in the launcher to disable mouse scaling in the game. Added an option in the launcher to scale mouse movement.)

" ... for owners of 6800's, they may be interested in a tool called Slipy. It allows for the creation of updated Mac OS X installation CD/DVD's from an original copy. This apparently would be a good intern solution for owners of Geforce 6800's that need a OS X 10.3.5 bootable disc. Slipy information can be found here:
http://homepage.mac.com/macmanx/Slipy.htm
(old link no longer works - see http://www.crabbyapplesoftware.com/
a few days later THAT link no longer worked - now it's at: http://home.comcast.net/~crabbyapplesoftware/Slipy.htm-Mike)
-kevin g."

Monday's update to the 6800 feedback page on this issue also included a link to a page with Guides on using BootCD also - see http://www.blargatron-systems.com/?s=blog&a=151547531.
(I've gotten more reports from 6800 owners on the PCI fan speed/noise as well as comments from the author of hardware monitor (utility) and will update the mac 6800 feedback page within the next 24hrs.)

"New DVR-106 Bundle pricing
The Genuine Apple, Apple Rom DVR-106 'SuperDrive' is the easy plug and play fully Apple bootable, software compatible DVD/CD burner solution for any Mac from a PowerMac G3 Blue & White and later. Not requiring any third party utilities to support it, it's the perfect option for those not wanting to worry about such things.

The DVR-106 Apple drive is currently available by itself or in several OWC Value Bundles. The bundle specials now start from $89.99 on up to $189.99 and include various Apple and/or third party software, CD and DVD media, as well as DVD Jewels and/or 'Hollywood' style cases. Odds are, there's a bundle for the needs of just about anyone!
Check them out online here
Also, our full line of Mac Superdrive upgrades/bundles including those for Cubes and PowerBooks and, including the latest Pioneer DVR-108 16X DVD-R w/Dual Layer Support can be viewed here.
Best Regards,
Lawrence R. O'Connor
Other World Computing

" Following the comments on your site regarding problems with (AL) Apple 23in LCD displays, I have just purchased an alternative, the Benq FP231W, (23in/1920x1200 widescreen) that I am very happy with. I have carefully examined the display for the problems described by your correspondent, but my display doesnÌt appear to exhibit any of these symptoms - it seems very uniform across the whole display. I certainly couldn't vouch for the absolute quality of the display in comparison to the Apple one, as I don't have the two here to compare side by side. However I have to say that I am very happy with the quality for my purposes.

The screen is the same size and resolution as the Apple display - presumably it uses the same basic LCD module, even if some of the electronics and other aspects of the product may be different. I believe the HP L2335 may also use the same LCD module. In terms of the appearance and construction of the unit, I am very impressed Ò it is very elegant and solidly constructed, and has a brushed aluminium bezel not unlike the Apple display. In terms of features it is much better than the Apple unit, with DVI, DSUB, S video and Composite inputs. And in terms of price, it is somewhat cheaper than the Apple unit. Well worth a look for anyone in the market for the Apple 23in display.
Best regards,
Nick "

I searched the net and found the Benq FP231W product page (23in display although page title shows 20.1in browser menu bar) and several articles on it including this Extremetech review. Specs note a response time of 16ms (same as apple's IIRC) and 176° viewing angle. The review includes a ttest results page. Although that review listed a $1,999 "street price", some dealers have it for less (saw $1,709.17 for instance).

"...why Apple didn't go "all the way" and give the new color screen iPod the ability to play digital movies as well.... Kelly McNeill acknowledges the question and explains the reasons not only why video content ought not be "podded" but also why photos are the logical alternative for the new color screen."

• Apple (MDD) Single G4 DDR OC report (1.25GHz at 1.5GHz)
  
  (For full reviews of G4 and G3 upgrades compared to stock CPUs, including real world apps/game tests, install info, etc. - see 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.)

DVD+R/RW + DVD-R/RW Drives:
• Firewire Plextor PX-708UF used w/(MDD) Dual G4 DDR (OS 9.2)
  (using toast since no itunes burn support. use Patchburn for OS X iApps burn support.)
  
  Hard Drives:
• IDE Toshiba MK6021GAS 60GB in Powerbook G4 (OS X 10.3)
  (Reader FYI - PowerBook G4 Ti 15in. LCD illustrated Hard Drive install guide here
  PB G4 15in (Aluminum) Disassembly guide.
  Powerbook G4 12in LCD illustrated Hard Drive 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.)