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3/15/10 Monday's News: Last Updated: 3:27 PM ET
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Macs | CPU Upgrades | Video | Storage | Audio | Apps/OS/Network | FAQ | Contact
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See the previous 4 days' news summary or the Archives.
= Recent Articles and Reviews =
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| (Tied up today with some repair work.) |
Aperture 3 SlideShow Support Update 1.1 - "About Aperture SlideShow Support Update 1.1
This update addresses an issue affecting the playback of HD video clips used in Aperture 3 slideshows on Snow Leopard.
Audio and video tracks now remain properly synced in video clips that have been trimmed.
The update is recommended for all users of Aperture 3." |
| Apple related News/Articles/Rumors, Misc Software/App Updates/Freebies -
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| Apple Support/How-To/Troubleshooting Doc Updates -
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| Other News/Articles/Reviews -
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= Friday's News Follows =
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| First reader feedback on Fallen Earth Mac Beta - (updated comments) - I posted a FYI about this Wednesday, but won't be signing up for it personally. (It didn't register as high as other recent news like Valve's Source games/steam for Macs, possible BFBC2, etc. )
"Thought I'd try the Fallen Earth Mac Beta you noted a couple of days ago.
Verdict : Unplayable, crashes every 20 mins....
OSX 10.6.2, MacPro 8 core 2.8GHz 6GB Ram, ATI HD2600
(I asked Pete what he thought of the game while it was running (gameplay, graphics, etc.). Being a first beta problems are expected - hopefully they'll address this with an update. (Asked if they have some method of reporting problems, sending crash logs, etc.))
As to gameplay, very slow jerky graphics 6 - 18 fps depending on area, all graphic settings on min. Unusable character creation screen - Flash based according to one FE forum poster. Crashes often on game area change. Crashes on no apparent trigger. Built in crash reporter crashes. Muddled forum offering no real help - they seem to have separate forums for subscribers [only] and trials...
Might be a great game on PC [seems to have potential], but this beta using Wine - I feel like I've wasted my free 10 day trial.
I will keep any eye on it in case a major update appears, but as it stands it's strictly for masochists I'm afraid.
Cheers, Pete"
And another reply from over the weekend:
"I tried the beta on my Core i7 iMac with 8 gigabytes RAM. I also saw a usual frame rate of 5-20 with all settings on lowest. However, in one part where that was absolutely nothing but a very simple corridor the frame rate was sometimes 30+. I also found the character creation screen virtually unusable, I felt like I had accomplished something when I got the five-o-clock shadow to appear!
Lots of crashing, however if you change the graphics from windowed (default) to fullscreen it will crash after the start-up screen every time no matter what. This is the biggest waste of nearly 5GB I've ever downloaded. I say stay away, unless you have infinite patience.
All the best, Lars"
If any readers had better luck with the Mac Fallen Earth Beta, let me know.
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Looking for Feedback on replacement for Pioneer DVR-K06 drive - The subject of K06 failures/problems first came up a few years ago (from Mac mini, iMac, etc owners) and I have recently gotten a couple more reports looking for a good replacement drive. There were some drive db reports last year on K06 replacements that noted using a Teac DV-W28SLC (Mac mini owner report), a Plextor PX-608AL (mac mini owner) and several older reports on Sony/NEC Optiarc AD-7630A drives, some Matshita models like the UJ-875-S but not sure if they're still available (not done any searches recently).
And IIRC, one reader several months ago noted some problems (disc not ejecting IIRC) with a Sony/Nec Optiarc drive but I can't recall the details now. Some have resorted to using external (USB, FW, etc.) drives but many still want to replace the internal one.
Anyway, if you've replaced a K06 recently with another drive that you're happy with, let me know the details. Thanks.
(BTW - Although it won't help with mechanical or laser failures, several times in the past a good cleaning has solved problems with some drives reading discs. However often the typical cleaning disc didn't help, instead requiring disassembling and manual cleaning of the lens. Several desktop Pioneer drive owners have noted that helped in the past.)
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Apple store taking pre-orders for iPad - The Apple store was down for a short time this AM and as promised is now taking pre-orders for the iPad. (Limit 2 per customer, free shipping.) The store also has several iPad related accessories including a iPad Case ($39 US), iPad Dock ($9 US), iPad Keyboard Dock ($69 US), iPad Dock Connector to VGA Adapter ($29 US) and iPad 10w USB Power Adapter ($29 US). (BTW - the $69 Apple wireless keyboard (Bluetooth) is also an option.)
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| Apple related News/Articles/Rumors, Misc Software/App Updates/Freebies -
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| Apple Support/How-To/Troubleshooting Doc Updates -
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| Other News/Articles/Reviews -
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Recent Articles and Reviews - Listing/links to recent articles and reviews you may have missed.
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| Previous 4 Days News Summaries: |
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| In Case you missed it:
Friday March 12, 2010
Thursday March 11, 2010
Wednesday March 10, 2010
Tuesday March 9, 2010
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