
Word Clock | Nov 4 2008 |
MISHA This is super slick. Subtle but elegant, and really quite clever. Works fine for me (MacBook Air, 10.5.5) (Version 1.0) | |
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Snow Patrol Interactive Booklet | Oct 28 2008 |
MISHA This is cool. It's nothing particularly impressive, but hopefully it's a sign of what's to come with more bands and albums. The next-generation of liner notes. (Version 1.1) | |
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Yelp | Oct 27 2008 |
MISHA Yelp is a great, free service and the iPhone app makes it even easier to access. The only feature I wish it had was the ability to add my own reviews on the go, but that's coming in a later release. It's fast and speedy, even over EDGE. I highly recommend it if your city has a big Yelp community. (Version 1.0.4) | |
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Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare | Oct 22 2008 |
MISHA The video card requirements alone basically take the PPC out of the question. So even if the PPC was supported, you still couldn't play it on there. (Version 1.7) | |
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Apple Migration and DVD/CD Sharing | Oct 17 2008 |
MISHA I don't think this will ever be possible because of limitations to USB2. But I agree... it literally took about 20 hours for me to migrate 40GB or so from a MacBook Pro to a MacBook Air over 802.11n (yes, full-speed n). And it didn't even work, in the end the user was not recognized on the Air (although all the files were there and my home folder was in the Users folder, there was no way for me to login). Apps and stuff worked fine, but those are easy to install normally anyway. Suffice to say I didn't wait another 20 hours to try it again and just did things manually in a couple hours. Very frustrating. (Version ) | |
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Cannon Challenge | Oct 8 2008 |
MISHA For free this isn't bad, but it certainly isn't hard. Keep the elevation at 75 and all you need to do is adjust the power. Still, a good time killer for 15 minutes or so when you're waiting in line or something. (Version 1.0) | |
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WeatherDock | Oct 6 2008 |
MISHA I used WeatherPop forever. This is the only replacement that's not only as good as WeatherPop, but actually better. If you want quick access to weather in your menu bar, this is the only way to go. (Version 2.5) | |
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AIM for Mac | Sep 29 2008 |
MISHA I wish I could say the same thing, but from my experience Adium-Adium transfers work ok, but iChat-Adium transfers fail more than 50% of the time. Usually the person on the receiving doesn't even see that I'm sending a file to them. But if they switch to iChat (so it's iChat-iChat) it goes off without a hitch. There was a time when Adium transfers were REALLY poor (years ago) and they have improved since then, but the reliability from my use still isn't at the level it typically is with iChat. I've also been impressed with the reliability of iChat's transfers. I've sent 2GB files over iChat without it failing, when attempts to send smaller files with Adium have choked after a while (my company had multiple VLANs set up so Bonjour wasn't an option). (Version 1.0b1) | |
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AIM for Mac | Sep 29 2008 |
MISHA I really don't see the advantage of this over iChat, except a slightly different interface. It definitely has advantages over Adium for some things (file transfers, mostly, which still are painful with Adium over AIM), but so does iChat. Still, it's good to see AOL continuing to develop this, I suppose. (Version 1.0b1) | |
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AIM for Mac | Sep 29 2008 |
STORMCHILD AIM file transfers work perfectly fine in Adium, and always have. I think maybe you're thinking of MSN file transfers, which are still excruciatingly slow in all third-party MSN clients, including Adium. But AIM file transfers have never been an issue for me. (Version 1.0b1) | |

AIM for Mac | Sep 29 2008 |
MISHA I wish I could say the same thing, but from my experience Adium-Adium transfers work ok, but iChat-Adium transfers fail more than 50% of the time. Usually the person on the receiving doesn't even see that I'm sending a file to them. But if they switch to iChat (so it's iChat-iChat) it goes off without a hitch. There was a time when Adium transfers were REALLY poor (years ago) and they have improved since then, but the reliability from my use still isn't at the level it typically is with iChat. I've also been impressed with the reliability of iChat's transfers. I've sent 2GB files over iChat without it failing, when attempts to send smaller files with Adium have choked after a while (my company had multiple VLANs set up so Bonjour wasn't an option). (Version 1.0b1) | |

AIM for Mac | Oct 15 2008 |
MACLOVIN Interesting. I only have problems with Adium -> Adium, not Adium -> iChat or vice versa. (Version 1.0b2) | |

VLC Media Player | Sep 29 2008 |
MISHA Seeking works fine for me. Does this happen with ALL your MKV files? Are they all from one source (i.e. your own rips) or many? It could be the mkv's you are testing are not properly encoded. (Version 0.9.3) | |
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Apple Java for OS X 10.5 | Sep 24 2008 |
MISHA Nice--only took about 2.5 months to release this after Sun made it available for other platforms. The way Apple is working this whole Java thing is really embarrassing. Java was supposed to be a cornerstone of OS X, it's really a second-class citizen. For those wondering, from what I understand, the reason for the delays between Sun's releases and Apple's OS X release is because Apple's own engineers need to substantially rework and improve the code to make it run at all decently under OS X (and even then the performance isn't up to par with other platforms). (Version Update 2) | |
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Tomato Torrent | Sep 24 2008 |
MISHA The tracker is probably configured to reject Tomato Torrent. A lot of trackers only let approved clients access them. Try Transmission instead. (Version 1.5.1) | |
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Camino | Sep 24 2008 |
MISHA I used this until Safari 3/Leopard. Then I stopped really seeing the benefit, since Safari 3 works about as quickly. The only thing Safari 3 doesn't have (and that no add-on enables) is Favicons in the bookmarks bar. I liked that my Camino bookmarks bar was basically all icons. With the iPhone, Safari's Bookmark syncing (both with iTunes and Mobile Me) gave it another big advantage. I still use Camino as a "second" browser for testing sites and having a browser that's not exploding with cookies, but as a primary browser I just don't really see the advantages overs Safari 3 anymore (for my use, at least). I am looking forward to 2.0. If they can add some of the features that make OmniWeb nice (features no other browser has), that would be great. (Version 1.6.4) | |
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Billiards | Sep 20 2008 |
MISHA Can you even figure out what the differences are between Billiards and MacPool? From their site, I can't (there's hardly any info). Except it looks like MacPool has online play and Billiards only supports local multiplayer? I don't get it. (Version 1.0) | |
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Stuffit Deluxe | Sep 17 2008 |
MISHA How about if you want to chop a 5GB file into 50MB segments? What's the quickest and easier (and free) way to do that on Mac OS X? StuffIt does it well, but that's a lot to pay for that feature. (Version 13.0) | |
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Stuffit Deluxe | Sep 17 2008 |
MISHA Am I really not seeing an upgrade price for version 12 users? In this day and age of built-in compression and cheap hard drives, it's hard to justify paying $80 every 12-18 months for marginal new features. Check out BetterZip (shareware) or BetterZip QuickLook Plug-in (free, let's you quicklook inside .zip files)... both are listed under "Other People Suggest" above. (Version 13.0) | |
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Stuffit Deluxe | Sep 17 2008 |
HOLYPOLY Misha, there *is* an upgrade option for ver. 12 users for $29.99. Whether that sounds reasonable or not, is a different question. (Version 13.0) | |

A Better Finder Rename | Sep 17 2008 |
MISHA Still the best renaming utility by a mile... I've been using this since the days of OS 9 (and maybe even OS 8, it's been so long now!) and ABFR has only been getting better and better. Version 8's unified window and improved performance are the biggest perks of this new version for me. Frank's a terrific developer who fires back quick replies to your queries and is always pumping out new versions of his software to fix bugs and meet user requests. (Version 8.0) | |
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Apple Mac OS X | Sep 17 2008 |
MISHA I don't use ID much so I haven't noticed those problems... I have had issues with PS in the past, but a clean install of CS3 fixed it. Never had the font issue, but I had the problem where PS wouldn't open PNGs because it "wasn't a supported file type" (right). I suppose you've tried clean installing CS3 again? Given that the blog post notes that it's a "relatively small percentage" I'm not sure it's fair to claim that CS3 doesn't work with 10.5, it's obviously the case with just certain configurations. Still, that's a bummer about your problems. (Version 10.5.5) | |
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Transmission | Sep 16 2008 |
MISHA Works fairly well, but is mostly targeted at beginners. I wish there was at the least a more minimalist (yet equally detailed) view as Azureus had, and at the most advanced features that could be configured like Azureus could. Still, for grabbing fresh Linux distros or whatever else suits your fancy, Transmission is fast and easy. (Version 1.34) | |
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Transmission | Oct 7 2008 |
JWERVEL16 "Beginners"? Unless you're a developer, how the heck is downloading a file considered a sport or skill? In the end, Transmission will get your media just like any other app. Sure, it has a few kinks to iron out, but it's totally a treat to use and its GUI is so much less frustrating than Azureus (and the dreadful VUZE). Truly in the spirit of Apple. (Version 1.34) | |

WebSMSLib | Sep 14 2008 |
MISHA This won't work for me with my AT&T USA account. "Sending failed! Unexpected response from server. Try again or update later." (Version 1.0.9a) | |
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Sportacular | Sep 12 2008 |
MISHA This application is a MUST for any sports fan. It's probably the only one you need, too... the only area things could be improved is the interface, it's a bit on the basic side and not very pretty. But the info is all there and best of all it's free! (Version 1.1) | |
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Typinator | Sep 11 2008 |
MISHA Super handy... I don't use this nearly as much as I should, but it definitely saves me time anyway! (Version 3.1) | |
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Dropbox | Sep 11 2008 |
MISHA I'm amazed iDisk/MobileMe can't do this. I'm even more amazed that this free. Nice! (Version 0.6.384) | |
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Apple HP Printer Driver | Sep 11 2008 |
MISHA If you run Software Update you will get a much smaller package just for the printers you use. For my HP 1012 it's a 52.4MB update. This 400MB version has ALL the drivers. Frankly, it makes sense. Would you rather get them AL in one file, or have to poke through a list a mile long to find your driver? Bandwidth's cheap. Storage is cheap. Use Software Update if you want to save some time, though. :-) (Version 1.1.1) | |
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Spore | Sep 9 2008 |
MISHA I think it's important to distinguish between the kinds of pirates. There are the ones who belong to BitTorrent communities and will never pay for anything, then there's the ones who borrow a friend's disc and install it. This DRM solution helps prevent the latter casual piracy. The pirates do not get it DRM-free, either. At least, not completely. They can play the single-player game just fine, but they can't play it online at all, which is where the more compelling (and long-term) gameplay lies. I'm not agreeing with the DRM schema at all, but I think the inconvenience is relatively minor and the backlash is way extreme. You have to enter your serial number (normal practice) and activate automatically online (everyone's on the net, anyway). It only inconveniences the few people who actually own more than 3 computers (and plan to play it on all of them, and if you look at the requirements it means you own more than three VERY new Macs), and I think that's a small minority What I don't get is this: when Apple puts DRM in their music and movies, Apple folks find ways of defending the move. But when a company that's NOT Apple employs DRM, they're the devil. Hey, I drink the same Apple Kool-Aid as everyone else on MacUpdate, but I think it's important to keep things in perspective. (Version 1.0) | |
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Spore | Sep 12 2008 |
BUN BUN The problem is not really they are using DRM or that you can only activate it 3 times. As EA has admitted, they can activate more but will review each case seperatly in that case. The problem is that SecuROM is an invase piece of malware that hacks into your system. As far as I'm concerned, I might as wel post my login and password information on the internet, I just don't trust the damn thing. It runs a daemon, disables CD/DVD copying software etc... IT HACKS MY SYSTEM. I would have prefered EA took a different approach, even validating my copy each time I play. But the SecuROM solution is just PURE EVIL. (Version 1.0) | |

Spore | Sep 9 2008 |
MISHA The DRM mechanism (for those who care to actually know the facts) prevents the game from being installed on more than 3 systems at a time. If you need more than that, you need to call EA and get them to give you another authorization code (hang on to proof of purchase, etc.). Yes, it's a pain... but we're Mac users, we're not some PC geeks who put a new motherboard in their system every month. More than likely, you will not own/play the game on more than 3 different Macs during the course of your interest in it. (Version 1.0) | |
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Spore | Sep 9 2008 |
BRIONYBOB The DRM merely inconveniences paying customers. The pirates get it DRM free. How is that fair? (Version 1.0) | |

Spore | Sep 9 2008 |
MISHA I think it's important to distinguish between the kinds of pirates. There are the ones who belong to BitTorrent communities and will never pay for anything, then there's the ones who borrow a friend's disc and install it. This DRM solution helps prevent the latter casual piracy. The pirates do not get it DRM-free, either. At least, not completely. They can play the single-player game just fine, but they can't play it online at all, which is where the more compelling (and long-term) gameplay lies. I'm not agreeing with the DRM schema at all, but I think the inconvenience is relatively minor and the backlash is way extreme. You have to enter your serial number (normal practice) and activate automatically online (everyone's on the net, anyway). It only inconveniences the few people who actually own more than 3 computers (and plan to play it on all of them, and if you look at the requirements it means you own more than three VERY new Macs), and I think that's a small minority What I don't get is this: when Apple puts DRM in their music and movies, Apple folks find ways of defending the move. But when a company that's NOT Apple employs DRM, they're the devil. Hey, I drink the same Apple Kool-Aid as everyone else on MacUpdate, but I think it's important to keep things in perspective. (Version 1.0) | |

Contactizer Pro | Sep 9 2008 |
MISHA If you bought this through MUPromo contact nate (at) macupdate (dot) com. He'll help you out, he manages things over at MUPromo. 5000+ people have received their licenses, but of course nothing's perfect so something may have gone awry for you. I am sure it will be squared away promptly! (Version 3.6.7) | |
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AirRadar | Sep 8 2008 |
MISHA If it would display the encryption type in the list (like others do), then I'd give this 5 stars... until it does, I will have to keep using another utility alongside this to give me that information when needed. (Version 1.0.6) | |
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AirRadar | Sep 16 2008 |
We are hoping to integrate an encryption feature in there in the near future. -Koingo Soft. (Version 1.0.8) | |

AirRadar | Sep 17 2008 |
KOINGO R Version 1.0.9 now displays encryption type & cipher. (Version 1.0.9) | |

IP Finder | Aug 31 2008 |
MISHA Handy utility to have (when you don't feel like loading whatismyip.com in a browser) but why is it 9MB (unzipped)? This should be a few hundred KB tops... (Version 2.0) | |
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IP Finder | Aug 31 2008 |
EXEBIT It's 9MB because of REALbasic... :( I know, it's too much but RB puts its complete Framework in every App. (Version 2.0) | |

MediaInfo Mac | Aug 31 2008 |
MISHA The best Mac utility for extracting this sort of info from media files. There are still better utilities like this for Windows, but that's really irrelevant to us: we're Mac users! Thanks for making this. (Version 0.7.7.52) | |
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Investoscope | Aug 30 2008 |
MISHA This seems promising. It would be great if it could automatically scrape portfolios from the leading online brokerage houses. (Version 1.0beta1) | |
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Wurdle | Aug 23 2008 |
MISHA There are lots of word games on the iPhone already, it seems to be an obvious and easy idea to develop. But wurdle actually shows a lot of polish, which many of the others are lacking. When you compare this to other $0.99 or $1.99 games, it's clear there are developers who know what they're doing and then there are those who are riding the wave. This company knows what they're doing! (Version 1.0) | |
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MKVtoolnix | Aug 22 2008 |
MISHA MKV plays back pretty well in VLC on a Mac. The advantages of MKV over mp4 are pretty substantial. If you're technically inclined, read about it on Wikipedia. For me, I like the fact that it supports AC3 5.1 audio, something mp4 doesn't really do (and don't get me started on QuickTime playing Dolby Digital 5.1 audio). You only need a newer machine for MKV because they're typically x264 encodes, often high-profile which is quite CPU intensive to decode. (Version 2.0) | |
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Microsoft Office 2008 | Aug 12 2008 |
MISHA "You cannot install Office 2008 12.1.2 Update on this volume. A version of the software required to install this update was not found on this volume". Are you renaming the Microsoft Office folder or any of the apps or other files? Have you moved it outside of the Applications folder? (Version 12.1.2) | |
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