• Made cosmetic improvements to the ruler bar
• Set the default to not show ribbon bar, page guides, or ruler
• Fixed Help>Online Support Forum link
• Set check for updates checks at launch for new updates
Use new Airport Utility version 5.6 instead. It works with BOTH g and n Airport devices. But note that version 6.0 ONLY works with Mac OS X 10.7 Lion.
Pros: If you like minimized iOS style apps, here you go!
Cons: Despite the simplification and minimization of settings and services in v6.0, there is no Setup Assistant and it a lot of users are finding it to be confusing as well as frustrating. I personally have no use for version 6.0 and use version 5.6 instead.
Summary: Apple released Airport Utility versions 5.6 and 6.0 at the same time along side Firmware Update 7.6.1 for n Wi-Fi type Airport devices. They also released accompanying documentation that has confused A LOT of people as to what is what and for what. Several of us up at Apple's discussion boards have worked to sort out the actual situation. Here is a quick summary of what we found:
1) No one requires Airport Utility version 6.0. You can entirely skip it if you don't like it. There is nothing special about it apart from it being based upon the interface for the iOS version of Airport Utility.
2) Airport Utility v5.6 is completely functional with BOTH g AND n Airport devices. This is the version to use if you want to keep full functionality control on BOTH types of Airport devices. It's that simple. You don't require version 6.0 for anything at all, but you can use it if you like it.
3) You can install BOTH versions 6.0 and 5.6 on your Mac. They don't overwrite each other. They work fine together.
4) Despite Apple's odd documentation, you CAN install Firmware Update 7.6.1 from Airport Utility version 5.6 or even earlier.
5) Airport Utility v6.0 brings with it newly updated Apple Help. Sadly, the Help has some errors and does not reconcile the differences between v6.0 and v5.6. The result is user confusion. Not good.
IOW: Just download and install Airport Utility version 5.6 and nothing changes except the added iCloud functionality and bug fix in Firmware Update 7.6.1. I personally have no use for version 6.0 and won't be using it at all.
VERY POOR SHOW APPLE. This is how to update and document things the WRONG WAY. But thank you for Airport Utility version 5.6, the REAL update, as well as Firmware Update v7.6.1 ! ! ! Both get 5 stars from me.
There have been a couple different ERROR messages reported after installing Firmware Update 7.6.1. Don't panic! The first thing to try is to simply turn OFF then ON your Wi-Fi on your Mac. You can do this either from the menubar or from the Wi-Fi settings in the Network Preferences. If that does not help, then reboot BOTH your Airport device AND your Mac. The best approach is to shut them all down, then restart the Airport device first, then your Mac. If all of that fails, perform a 'factory reset' on your Airport device, let it boot again, let Apple Utility find it again, then try the Firmware Update again. You have to set up your Airport device again from scratch.
I have spent the last 24 hours attempting to talk to the developers about repairing their broken URL. I can't download the software. I've extremely clearly described the problem to them and received back only WRONG information. The problem is at their end. It throws those attempting to download the software, via their OWN 'Free Download' link on their website, to an XML error page. This occurs on ALL BROWSERS (meaning the everything except Opera and obscure browsers rarely used by anyone).
I'm FED UP trying to help them and GIVE UP trying to make sense to them. I am deleting this software from my Macs. I don't respond well to talking to a wall. I tried!
I would have given it ZERO stars if I could. As I posted in my review at an alternative site: When you can't download the software AND their tech support provides only WRONG information, isn't that called a "DEAD END"?! Obviously, impossible to download software gets ZERO stars. I can't evaluate it! I can't recommend it! I can't do ANYTHING with it! That's worth a ZERO.
A kind person pointed these similarly unresolved download problem reports at the Songbird site:
http://getsatisfaction.com/songbird/topics/no_download_allowed
http://getsatisfaction.com/songbird/topics/unable_to_download_songbird_for_desktop
http://getsatisfaction.com/songbird/topics/6see4gsit1kfx
http://getsatisfaction.com/songbird/topics/the_songbird_media_player_for_a_pc_will_not_download
http://getsatisfaction.com/songbird/topics/songbird_desktop_download_not_working
http://getsatisfaction.com/songbird/topics/http_403_forbiden_free_download
BTW: I have experienced this problem with the current versions of these Mac web browsers:
OmniWeb
Camino
iCab
Chromium
Safari
Firefox
"Derek pls stop complaining. Reporting a dead link is fine. It looks like it's fixed."
No, it's not fixed. Nor has the Songbird forum offered any help. No thanks for your mean spirited reply. Great idea to turn a legitimate problem into a flame war. :-P
*This review is for version 8 (not 7.2) of the DivX installation*
I no longer recommend installing DivX and its associated files. I won't miss it.
I have uninstalled all of DivX due to the aftermath of installing version 8. I found that:
1) Google Chrome had been installed onto my Mac without any listing in the DivX ReadMe, without any warning and without my permission. I was forced to uninstall Google Chrome, which I refuse to use due to its user surveillance. Instead I use one of the Chromium alternatives that have no surveillance.
2) The DivX Preference Pane remains 32-Bit, resulting in the user having to restart System Preferences in 32-Bit mode. At this point in time that is annoying, archaic and demonstrates lazy programming.
I never liked the DivX Player in any case, never used it, and won't miss it. I also rarely run into DivX video any longer. I see no advantage in the format and no longer care about it, especially after discovering the aftermath items listed above.
It might be useful to hang onto the DivX Decoder QuickTime component if you are concerned that you may run into DivX video files in the future. I have kept it in my /Library/QuickTime/ folder. Don't bother with the DivX Encoder component.
Otherwise, good riddance DivX. I don't deal with customer disrespect and abuse.
v0.5 is DEAD on Mac OS X Lion (oddly enough). PPC only, no Intel functionality. Me = sad. (;_;) The discussion forum is 404. The developer has stalled development of Tamp, a potential replacement for RarMe. I cringe having to face the RAR CLI alone. Therefore, I'm giving the free app Rarify a try.
As has been posted previously, here is the easy and OS friendly way to clear up free RAM and VM space in Mac OS X:
1) Open a Terminal window.
2) Type on the command line:
purge
... where means hit the Return key.
3) When the purge process is finished, close the Terminal app.
You're done.
If you'd like to learn more about purge, at the command line type:
man purge
For my ease-of-use, I created an automator script to run purge for me then close Terminal. I then set up a keystroke to activate it. (Add it in System Preferences:Keyboard:Keyboard Shorcuts).
Sorry. The UI here ate some of the characters in my instructions. Let me try again using [R]:
1) Open a Terminal window.
2) Type on the command line:
purge [R]
... where [R] means hit the Return key.
3) When the purge process is finished, close the Terminal app.
It has been my pleasure to own and use Tex-Edit and its descendants from ages past through today.
While using Mac OS X 10.6, I was a bit displeased with problems in version 4.9.8 and thoroughly dismayed that it no longer worked in Mac OS X 10.7 Lion. But now:
Tom Bender, the developer, has thankfully put hard work into version 4.9.9 such that it is again my favorite and most used text editor. It is actually a relief to be able to use Tex-Edit Plus X after contending with the multitude of alternatives. It is intuitive, powerful and just works, all without clutter and crud getting in the way.
I write just about everything in Tex-Edit Plus X, then toss the text into a more powerful manager or page layout program for my finished product. I wouldn't do it any other way. When I write I just want to write without any distractions from my text editor.
Then consider the terrific raft of features in Tex-Edit Plus X that reside under the hood. It is THE BEST text-to-speech reader available, bar none. It allows integration of audio, graphic and video into your files. It is the boss of UNIX and DOS formatted text, allowing you to do anything you wish with it. It lets you see an manipulate all your text formatting. It is thoroughly scriptable, including working with Automator. It has a WYSIWYG font list. It allows full font styling, text and page coloring, markup, hilite coloring, justification, indenting, GREP, find and replace, sorting, line numbering, character and word counts, auto-save, automatic character smartening, page numbering, margins, ruler control, soft wrap and RTF (rich text formatting). Did I miss anything?
Get it, love it. There are no 'nags' to buy it. But it's only $15. I own multiple licenses just to thank Tom Bender for keeping it alive, well and excellent.
Skype versions 5.0.0 - 5.1.0.922 have been found to contain a DANGEROUS security hole that allows someone with whom you are chatting to send you a message that ZOMBIES/PWNs/TAKES OVER your Mac. DO NOT USE!
Skype version 4 is NOT affected. Use version 4 while waiting for the patch.
Details are here:
Researcher identifies Skype 5 for Mac security flaw
http://www.macworld.com/article/159744/2011/05/skype_mac_security_bug.html
"Use version 4 while waiting for the patch." This applies to Windows users. On Mac, due to version jacking to v5, the equivalent would be version 2.8.0.863, available at the top of this page via the link "Download Older Version".
Until such time as Planamesa relent and remove their illegal required payment for the compiled version of NeoOffice 3.2 (fraudulently called a 'required donation'), I personally suggest abandoning this program and using one of the OpenOffice alternatives. I prefer LibreOffice.
I have written more about this situation below and at my MacSmarticles blog:
http://MacSmarticles.blogspot.com
Note that the version 3.5.2 of Voodoo Pad Lite is too stupid to realize that version 4.0 is NOT compatible with Mac OS X 10.4.11. Sadly the installer is ALSO too stupid to check what version of Mac OS X it is installing into and happily wipes out your good copy so it can replace it with a worthless copy of 4.0, totally screwing over your ability to use the program in 10.4.
I have written the developer about their bugs.
It is great that this excellent program is provided for free. But self-sabotaging programs are not tolerable. :-P
[Version 4.0]
Please login or create a new MacUpdate Member account to use this feature
-1
Mariner Write
Derekcurrie reviewed on 07 Feb 2012
Updates for this release:
• Made cosmetic improvements to the ruler bar
• Set the default to not show ribbon bar, page guides, or ruler
• Fixed Help>Online Support Forum link
• Set check for updates checks at launch for new updates
+3
AirPort Utility
Derekcurrie reviewed on 31 Jan 2012
Pros: If you like minimized iOS style apps, here you go!
Cons: Despite the simplification and minimization of settings and services in v6.0, there is no Setup Assistant and it a lot of users are finding it to be confusing as well as frustrating. I personally have no use for version 6.0 and use version 5.6 instead.
Summary: Apple released Airport Utility versions 5.6 and 6.0 at the same time along side Firmware Update 7.6.1 for n Wi-Fi type Airport devices. They also released accompanying documentation that has confused A LOT of people as to what is what and for what. Several of us up at Apple's discussion boards have worked to sort out the actual situation. Here is a quick summary of what we found:
1) No one requires Airport Utility version 6.0. You can entirely skip it if you don't like it. There is nothing special about it apart from it being based upon the interface for the iOS version of Airport Utility.
2) Airport Utility v5.6 is completely functional with BOTH g AND n Airport devices. This is the version to use if you want to keep full functionality control on BOTH types of Airport devices. It's that simple. You don't require version 6.0 for anything at all, but you can use it if you like it.
3) You can install BOTH versions 6.0 and 5.6 on your Mac. They don't overwrite each other. They work fine together.
4) Despite Apple's odd documentation, you CAN install Firmware Update 7.6.1 from Airport Utility version 5.6 or even earlier.
5) Airport Utility v6.0 brings with it newly updated Apple Help. Sadly, the Help has some errors and does not reconcile the differences between v6.0 and v5.6. The result is user confusion. Not good.
IOW: Just download and install Airport Utility version 5.6 and nothing changes except the added iCloud functionality and bug fix in Firmware Update 7.6.1. I personally have no use for version 6.0 and won't be using it at all.
VERY POOR SHOW APPLE. This is how to update and document things the WRONG WAY. But thank you for Airport Utility version 5.6, the REAL update, as well as Firmware Update v7.6.1 ! ! ! Both get 5 stars from me.
+2
-3
Songbird
Derekcurrie reviewed on 27 Jan 2012
I'm FED UP trying to help them and GIVE UP trying to make sense to them. I am deleting this software from my Macs. I don't respond well to talking to a wall. I tried!
-2
+2
-1
+2
http://getsatisfaction.com/songbird/topics/no_download_allowed
http://getsatisfaction.com/songbird/topics/unable_to_download_songbird_for_desktop
http://getsatisfaction.com/songbird/topics/6see4gsit1kfx
http://getsatisfaction.com/songbird/topics/the_songbird_media_player_for_a_pc_will_not_download
http://getsatisfaction.com/songbird/topics/songbird_desktop_download_not_working
http://getsatisfaction.com/songbird/topics/http_403_forbiden_free_download
BTW: I have experienced this problem with the current versions of these Mac web browsers:
OmniWeb
Camino
iCab
Chromium
Safari
Firefox
+2
No, it's not fixed. Nor has the Songbird forum offered any help. No thanks for your mean spirited reply. Great idea to turn a legitimate problem into a flame war. :-P
DivX
Derekcurrie reviewed on 22 Jan 2012
I no longer recommend installing DivX and its associated files. I won't miss it.
I have uninstalled all of DivX due to the aftermath of installing version 8. I found that:
1) Google Chrome had been installed onto my Mac without any listing in the DivX ReadMe, without any warning and without my permission. I was forced to uninstall Google Chrome, which I refuse to use due to its user surveillance. Instead I use one of the Chromium alternatives that have no surveillance.
2) The DivX Preference Pane remains 32-Bit, resulting in the user having to restart System Preferences in 32-Bit mode. At this point in time that is annoying, archaic and demonstrates lazy programming.
I never liked the DivX Player in any case, never used it, and won't miss it. I also rarely run into DivX video any longer. I see no advantage in the format and no longer care about it, especially after discovering the aftermath items listed above.
It might be useful to hang onto the DivX Decoder QuickTime component if you are concerned that you may run into DivX video files in the future. I have kept it in my /Library/QuickTime/ folder. Don't bother with the DivX Encoder component.
Otherwise, good riddance DivX. I don't deal with customer disrespect and abuse.
+2
RarMe
Derekcurrie reviewed on 29 Nov 2011
+1
FreeMemory
1) Open a Terminal window.
2) Type on the command line:
purge
... where means hit the Return key.
3) When the purge process is finished, close the Terminal app.
You're done.
If you'd like to learn more about purge, at the command line type:
man purge
For my ease-of-use, I created an automator script to run purge for me then close Terminal. I then set up a keystroke to activate it. (Add it in System Preferences:Keyboard:Keyboard Shorcuts).
+1
+2
1) Open a Terminal window.
2) Type on the command line:
purge [R]
... where [R] means hit the Return key.
3) When the purge process is finished, close the Terminal app.
You're done.
+2
Tex-Edit Plus X
Derekcurrie reviewed on 19 Oct 2011
While using Mac OS X 10.6, I was a bit displeased with problems in version 4.9.8 and thoroughly dismayed that it no longer worked in Mac OS X 10.7 Lion. But now:
Tom Bender, the developer, has thankfully put hard work into version 4.9.9 such that it is again my favorite and most used text editor. It is actually a relief to be able to use Tex-Edit Plus X after contending with the multitude of alternatives. It is intuitive, powerful and just works, all without clutter and crud getting in the way.
I write just about everything in Tex-Edit Plus X, then toss the text into a more powerful manager or page layout program for my finished product. I wouldn't do it any other way. When I write I just want to write without any distractions from my text editor.
Then consider the terrific raft of features in Tex-Edit Plus X that reside under the hood. It is THE BEST text-to-speech reader available, bar none. It allows integration of audio, graphic and video into your files. It is the boss of UNIX and DOS formatted text, allowing you to do anything you wish with it. It lets you see an manipulate all your text formatting. It is thoroughly scriptable, including working with Automator. It has a WYSIWYG font list. It allows full font styling, text and page coloring, markup, hilite coloring, justification, indenting, GREP, find and replace, sorting, line numbering, character and word counts, auto-save, automatic character smartening, page numbering, margins, ruler control, soft wrap and RTF (rich text formatting). Did I miss anything?
Get it, love it. There are no 'nags' to buy it. But it's only $15. I own multiple licenses just to thank Tom Bender for keeping it alive, well and excellent.
+5
Skype
Derekcurrie reviewed on 07 May 2011
Skype version 4 is NOT affected. Use version 4 while waiting for the patch.
Details are here:
Researcher identifies Skype 5 for Mac security flaw
http://www.macworld.com/article/159744/2011/05/skype_mac_security_bug.html
+6
+2
+1
NeoOffice
Derekcurrie reviewed on 21 Apr 2011
I have written more about this situation below and at my MacSmarticles blog:
http://MacSmarticles.blogspot.com
Google Chrome
Derekcurrie rated on 08 Jan 2011
[Version 9.0.597.45]
-1
VoodooPad Lite
I have written the developer about their bugs.
It is great that this excellent program is provided for free. But self-sabotaging programs are not tolerable. :-P