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02-28-07 / 09:40 PM : ANKH demo (cjed)
Macgamefiles provides a demo of ANKH, that adventure 3D game that takes place in ancient Egypt and that brings a lot of humor. The game only requires a Ghz G4 and 32 Mo Vram.
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02-28-07 / 09:32 PM : Frenzic review (cjed)
Macobserver published a review of Frenzic. Performances are good and the game seems very addictive. I hadn't understood all the game rules when i previously made a try (without reading the instructions indeed).
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02-28-07 / 09:26 PM : New Logic at MusikMesse : touchscreen ? (cjed)
On a french blog, related by macrumors.com, the upcoming of a new Logic (8) at MusikMesse surfaces again. The software might be renamed by Apple and would introduce a revamped UI, probably using touchscreen capabilities of Leopard (and would require the new OS then).
 1 comment
02-27-07 / 11:59 PM : Myst Online Uru Live : interview and free trial (cjed)
IGN provides an interview of Rand Miller about Myst Online: Uru Live. He is very angry towards merchant virtual community sites like Second Life, and their introduction of economic :
"No currency, no transactions, no trading, no economy. When those elements are included in a game, they begin to take a central gameplay role"

"Our characters are played by real people who can hold a conversation with you, answer questions, give their opinions and engage players as part of the story. Instead of being just "vending machines" for weapons or quests, our characters are real people with personalities and opinions, and when you meet them, it's an event, not just a side note".

We can also try the game for free by registering here. The player is then limited to one Age (many puzzles) in singleplayer mode, and to one public area (multiplayer), and avatar settings are less complex. The mac version should be available soon.
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02-27-07 / 11:47 PM : Colin McRae Rally for mac (cjed)
IMG provides a preview of Colin McRae Rally for mac. This version corresponds to CMR 2005 for consoles. It should be the best cars game ever on the mac (there weren't too much indeed).
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02-27-07 / 11:36 PM : Faber Electroacoustics Toolbox (cjed)
The Faber Electroacoustics Toolbox (FEaT) is a pro audio analysis and acquisition tool for OSX that is made from modules and can manage multi-channel audio. It can measure these parameters : Frequency response magnitude and phase, Impulse response, Correlation, Time delay, Group delay, Signal-to-noise ratio (SNR), Coherence, and ships with these modules : Dual FFT Analyzer (TF/IR analyzer), FFT Analyzer (RTA), Meter Bridge, Octave Analyzer, Oscilloscope, Signal Generator, Sound Level Meter, Spectrogram (3D), X/Y Plotter. The UI is very mac friendly and it is well priced considering the features (561 euros).
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02-27-07 / 11:25 PM : Fenêtres volantes 1.1 (cjed)
The famous Fenêtres volantes screensaver (that inspired Microsoft Flip 2D) is available in a new version (1.1). It brings bugs fixes and improvements in the windows mirror effects. The next version (2.0) will preserve live playing in windows content (as in Exposé... and Vista).
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02-27-07 / 11:12 PM : Vista UI responsivness / XP / OSX (cjed)
Macworld pointed an article from SVMMac about Windows Vista UI responsivness. Compared with Windows XP, Vista is 20 to 30 percents slower opening menus or folders, and pointing with mouse. MacOSX does far more better than the two. These VISTA problems remind OSX first versions, however OSX had to manage realtime compositing and dynamic shadows without the help of the GPU (before Quartz Extreme).
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02-26-07 / 11:37 PM : KS PROWaves V1 (cjed)
KS PROWaves V1 is a samples collection for Reason 3 (150 Combinator patches, 256 Malström patches, 256 Subtractor patches, 32 Scream4 et 32 RV7000). These categories can be found : Arps, Bass, Bells, Brass, Leads, Guitars, Sequences, Keyboards, Sweeps, Pads, Textures. The collection is sold 45,5 $ (downloadable, 15,8 Mo). A samples demo file (0,5) is available, as an audio demo.
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02-24-07 / 04:31 PM : Col Or : an oriental intro (cjed)
This intro is based on oriental strings from Colossus, a percussions loop and Sundial piano/pad, metal percussions and harp loop from SO Gold XP, and finally SC choirs :
Col_OR.mp3

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02-23-07 / 07:57 PM : Digital Musician Recorder : collaborative work (cjed)
Following eJamming and Midi network features of OSX since Tiger, here is DM recorder. This service is based upon a data server (data exchange, snchronisation, limited space depending on the account) and a client software that allow to share audio streams, participate to tchat, manage projects, and even sell music to clients/producers (low quality pre-listening, switched to max quality after buying. A variable commission, 2 to 5% depending on the account, is to be considered). No Midi there, only audio (16 tracks), shared among musicians in online sessions or offline sessions.

A Free membership is available, that limits streams to 128 kbits/s and global server space for projects to 50 Mo (100 Mo UL and 300 Mo DL a month for projects). Pro membership (9,90 euros a month) and Studio (35 euros a month) provide more server space and total bandwidth, as well as lossless streams or 256 kbits/s streams.s
 2 comment
02-22-07 / 10:59 PM : MC4 Music Cocoon (cjed)
Roth Audio presents the MC4 Music Cocoon, a tubes amplifier fitted with an iPod dock (can also accept any audio input). The power provided is 2*13W and it is highly priced (399 pounds).s
 5 comment
02-22-07 / 10:48 PM : Safari : 5%, OSX : 8%, Linux : 0.35% (cjed)
Safari marketshare continues to grow at a higher rate. Now it represents about 5% of the browsers (a bit more 3 % a year ago). That is more than a third Firefox, that reached its max last december (14 %) and is slowing down. And that without mentioning that among Firefox users are mac users. Then the mac share on the internet (all MacOS versions) is about 8%... when Linux is only 0.35%.s
 3 comment
02-22-07 / 10:35 PM : Cisco and Apple : agreement (cjed)
Macnn reported that Cisco and Apple reached an agreement about the iPhone trademark (that is in fact detented by the two parts), and that they even will work together. Then Apple's stock went up again (about 90$).
We can also look at photos of S. Jobs and B. Gates together, during the All Things Digital conference.
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02-21-07 / 11:53 PM : Frenzic : better than Tetris ? (cjed)
Frenzic is a new game in the Tetris spirit : the goal is to react quickly to colored triangles that comes from a center wheel (in a limited time) and assemble them in peripheral areas (by color) to complete a zone. A demonstration video is available as well as a demo. And finally, a comment grabbed on the game's site : "I should warn you that Frenzic has been shown to induce labor in pregnant women. My wife played it and 18 hours later we had a baby."
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02-21-07 / 10:48 PM : Hollow Body Guitar Collection Vol.1 & 2 (cjed)
Realsamples, indeed very active, presents Hollow Body Guitar Collection Vol.1 & 2, a collection of Gretsch semi-acoustic guitar. Recorded in 24 bits / 96 khz (downsampled to 44,1 Khz), each note is available in 32 velocity levels, with effects (noise, mute) and chords. The package is provided on a DVD or on 4 CDs (Kontakt, EXS24, etc.) at 59,95$. An audio demo is available.
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02-20-07 / 12:34 AM : Power FX : Oriental String Ensemble Sessions (cjed)
Power FX presents Gabi Masso Oriental String Ensemble Sessions, a collection of 125 oriental strings loops (Acid and Wav formats, 49 $).
A convincing audio demo is available.
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02-20-07 / 12:21 AM : Waterstorm : shoot them up (cjed)
Waterstorm is a shoot them up game that takes place under water. We can look at some screenshots here and sign in for a beta (soon available). Graphics seem well done.
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02-20-07 / 12:16 AM : Travelogue 360 Paris (cjed)
The macgamestore presents Travelogue 360 Paris from Big Fish Games (19,95$). This exploration game leads to discover Paris and find out some objects/souvenirs (that reminds a bit Mystery Case Files: Ravenhearst). A demo is available (75 Mo).
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02-19-07 / 11:58 PM : Cartoon at youtube : Bill Gates vs Steve Jobs (cjed)
Through Spymac we linked to a cartoon at youtube presenting Bill Gates and Steve Jobs fighting. That is very well done, funny and very actual. The video is here.
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02-19-07 / 11:06 PM : iPhone : Apple dominates carriers (cjed)
Macnn speaks about the five years exclusive contract conceeded by Apple to Cingular (AT&T) on the iPhone. Steve Jobs did very well by imposing yet never seen so strong conditions, like a full software design by Apple (no ringtones, no marketing nor software from the carrier), and a part on subscriptions. Usual conditions are then the opposite there.
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02-19-07 / 12:18 AM : Roland V-SYNTH GT : UK premiere (cjed)
We learn on the Roland UK site that Jordan Rudess from Dream Theatre will showcase the new Roland V-SYNTH GT at London next april, 2. We are still waiting for audio demos of the instrument.
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02-18-07 / 11:55 PM : Prey : very popular on mac (cjed)
Prey demo reached the first rank among Macgamesfiles downloads. This game using the Doom III engine provides more various graphics, colorful places, a good scenario and some innovative ideas : anti-gravity rails that allow to walk on the ceillar, that is switching orientation seemlessly, the use of an esprit (double) from the cherokee mythology, and a fun ambience.
There is a test availbale at IMG, however they found it just good.
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02-15-07 / 11:20 PM : Audio softwares internet popularity (cjed)
The site Digital music doctor presents a ranking of audio softwares internet popularity, based upon search criterias through search engine (Google, Yahoo, AOL et MSN, that is 94 percents). Pro Tools is at the top, followed by Cubase, some PC softwares and Garage Band ! But no Logic, in fact it is ranking number 11, just behind Ableton Live. We also notice the absence of Digital Performer, and there isn't only sequencers (there is also audio tools, more or less pro level) and no virtual samplers.
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02-13-07 / 11:44 PM : Myst Online URU live preview (cjed)
The site Ten Ton Hammer provides a preview of Myst Online URU live (expected this week, february 15). Graphics seem finally good and the prose (spoken by off voices) well written.
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02-13-07 / 11:37 PM : Flip4Mac v2.1.1.65 Beta (cjed)
A new beta version of Flip4Mac (the extension that allows to watch WMV videos), v2.1.1.65 Beta, is available. It brings better compatibility with WMV9.
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02-13-07 / 11:28 PM : WWDC 2006 Leopard sessions downloadable (cjed)
Apple provides since january videos from the WWDC 2006 (new features of Leopard), through its new content heading on iTunes, ADC on iTunes. An ADC account is required, but the first level (ADC Online) is free. Once registered iTunes launches and lists these 3 sessions : Session 000 - Mac OS X State of the Union, Session 106 - Taking Advantage of Leopard Features in Cocoa and Session 500 - IT State of the Union (from 1h to 1h30 !) Slides are also available, as PDF documents on some technologies.s
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02-13-07 / 12:37 AM : Games revolution on iPhone (cjed)
BusinessWeek reported that Apple has been contacted by the giant Electronic Arts to develop games for the iPhone. This device offers features yet unknown on a mobile, like a true usable 3D videocard, a powerful OSX, a revolutionnary touchscreen that paves ways for new games concepts. Games are also planned for the Apple TV.
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02-13-07 / 12:27 AM : VX-323 : speech virtual instrument (cjed)
VX-323 (funny name) is a virtual instrument aimed at triggering voice phrases. It is based upon Apple's Text to Speech and so provides well known voices :) It is a freeware and it can be downloaded here. Audio demos are available.
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02-13-07 / 12:20 AM : OpenMacGrid : distributed computing (cjed)
We knew the distributed software aimed at the SETI program. Now we can also use on OSX OpenMacGrid, a distributed computing software targeted to science research. It is based upon Apple's XGird technology (available through the Sharing preferences).
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02-12-07 / 01:27 AM : A Far EastWest Choirs (cjed)
This choirs mix (Symphonic Choirs) has in someway a FarWest mood, enhanced by a bass and flautando played violins (Gold XP) :
WestChoirs.mp3

s
 2 comment
02-11-07 / 07:54 PM : Goodbye Canine animation movie complete (cjed)
The final cut of the animation movie Goodbye Canine is now available at Dailymotion (5 mn). The composer is David Chochoi, from soundsonline forums.
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02-10-07 / 04:18 PM : Tubes : brass ensemble (cjed)
This song made with SO Gold XP uses Wagner tubes and french horns for the main theme. They are enhanced by percussions and legato played strings :
Tubes.mp3

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02-09-07 / 11:16 PM : Review of Second Life (cjed)
IMG provides a review of the virtual online community game Second Life. The rating is not great and graphics are poor.
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02-09-07 / 11:06 PM : Pirates of the Caribbean Online (cjed)
Joystiq provides a review of Pirates of the Caribbean Online, edited by Disney. This MMO expected next spring will allow to follow quests online and to participate to battles (12 to 16 players by ship). The monthly fee will be 9,95$, but a free membership is also planned (limited to a third the quests and area).
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02-09-07 / 10:55 PM : Joost : video channels (cjed)
Joost is a new P2P program that will allow to watch video channels, as Free does with VLC playlists. But there the content will be new and provided by the editor (including ads), and it will include a search feature and chat. A beta version is available through sign in.
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02-09-07 / 10:47 PM : VMWare Fusion : 3D support demo (cjed)
The next version of VMWare for mac, named Fusion, will support 3D acceleration (as next version of Parallels). We can yet watch a long video of an early version of VMWare running PC games (in 2D at start to make comparison and then 3D Mark and some recent 3D games).
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02-09-07 / 12:04 AM : NI : MASSIVE 1.1 (cjed)
NI provides an update to MASSIVE (1.1). It brings 140 new patchs, a new Virtual Analog oscillator mode, and new effects and filters.
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02-08-07 / 11:57 PM : Synthé V4 : free emulation of AKS (cjed)
Designed thanks to the famous Max software from IRCAM, Synthé V4 is an emulation of the legendary Synthi AKS from EMS. The plugin (AU) is free and seems very straightforward.
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02-08-07 / 11:49 PM : Rosegarden 1.5 for Linux (cjed)
Rosegarden, the (only ?) audio and Midi sequencer for Linux is available in version 1.5. That is still awful (in an UI manner) but on mac there isn't any freeware of that level. However the problem is still that there isn't anything else on Linux, none commercial pro audio software is available on that platform.s
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02-08-07 / 11:41 PM : Macworld :Vista install on mac (cjed)
Macworld presents the result of their experiences of Vista install on a mac through BootCamp and Parallels. It works at least...
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02-08-07 / 11:28 PM : Microsoft envies MacOSX since Tiger (cjed)
Macnn comes back about emails exchanged between key personnalities of Microsoft (in charge of Windows Vista development), that were impressed by Tiger (Spotlight, Dashboard, l'interface, iChat AV, etc.) in 2004 and thought they were unable to catch up.
They probably watched too much fenêtres volantes OSX screensaver (I saw right indeed :)). As I said last month, Vista Flip Windows isn't 3D...
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02-08-07 / 11:20 PM : DRM : Majors response and UFC help to Apple (cjed)
Macnn speaks about Majors response to S. Jobs letter : they don't agree with supressing the DRMs. However UFC Que Choisir seems to have understood this time (contrary to Norway and DVD John) that it is ridiculous to plague only Apple (what about Microsoft, Sony, La Fnac and Virgin ?), they ask the french minister to make pressure on Majors to remove DRMs...
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02-07-07 / 05:07 PM : Different point of view on P2P (vincent)
It's interesting to compare the letter lately written by Steve Jobs about DRM and the news from Le Monde about the low effect of the condemnations for illegal downloading. The big music producers are themselves responsible for the situation by selling non protected music on CD and by enforcing the use of DRM on legal downloading that nobody wants of course.
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02-06-07 / 09:09 PM : Denon : AH-D5000/2000/1000 headphones (cjed)
Denon presented new pro headpones : the AH-D5000 (700$), AH-D2000 (350$), and AH-D1000 (150$). They use new microfibers and the high end model uses wood housing. We can look at specs at the site avbuzz (the frequency response is huge, ranging from 8Hz to 45 kHz).
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02-06-07 / 08:57 PM : Cider and NVIDIA : Direct3D shaders (cjed)
Tansgaming announced a collaboration with NVIDIA on Cider for mac. The NVIDIA cgFX framework will be used to manage Direct3D high-level shaders. That will allow to convert more recent games.
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02-05-07 / 11:42 PM : Uru Live : interview (cjed)
FiringSquad provides an interview of Rand Miller about Uru Live. We learn more about multiplayer areas and personnal exploration of other ages.
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02-05-07 / 10:03 PM : Quake 4 Community Map Pak (cjed)
id Software provides 34 user maps for Quake 4. This test phase will end up in a voting for the best ones.
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02-05-07 / 09:57 PM : Sample Manager 3.0.4 (cjed)
Sample Manager is an audio batch processor application (convert, rename, transform). Written in Cocoa, it takes benefit from all MacOSX frameworks (CoreAudio, SmartGroup, AppleScript/Automator, Spotlight). It is priced 99$ but we can download a fully operational demo (15 days limitation).
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02-05-07 / 09:44 PM : Steve Jobs : ten years, to infinity and beyond (cjed)
ArsTechnica makes the point on the ten years (this month) of Steve Jobs actions since his return at Apple. As we could read recently, the company is now so strong that it could go on without being too hurt if S. Jobs decided or had to left. That is the same for Microsoft, where the departure from Bill Gates is even planned (2008).
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02-04-07 / 02:08 PM : Visits stats : high in january (cjed)
After a high in visits number in october (close to 8000), january starts a new second high (about 6000 visits), probably due to the high number of news posted (details gif, png). February start is even better, with a per day visits above 200. A year ago there was 600 visits...a month, and 60/month in the first months of the site. Administration (news redaction, etc.) access totalize an average 1% of hits.
We can also look at the geographical repartition, access from France now only represent a third of hits (gif, png).
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02-04-07 / 01:18 PM : SampleSwamp : 4,6 Go of free samples (cjed)
SampleSwamp is an interesting initiative, a free samples library toatlizing 4,6 Go (more than 7000), in techno style, hiphop, trance, including bass&drum loops, hits, effects, instruments, voices and musical loops, etc.
By signing up (free) we can download the samples in 16 bits/44,1 Khz quality (aiff). If not the available sounds are low quality (mp3).
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02-03-07 / 06:01 PM : Adium 1.0 (cjed)
Adium, the famous multiple-client internet chating software for OSX (supported protocols are AIM, ICQ, .Mac, MSN, Yahoo, Bonjour/iChat, and some other) reached 1.0 version. It can be downloaded hre. We can also look at fullscreen screenshots and even watch videos that denote the great user interface. However it doesn't manage video, contrary to Yahoo Messenger and aMSN.
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02-03-07 / 05:44 PM : Mystery Case Files: Ravenhearst (cjed)
Mystery Case Files: Ravenhearst, a detective game standing in a manhole, is now available on mac at macgamestore (19,95$). A demo can also be downloaded (71 Mo). The game features 32 rooms to explore, dozens of puzzles and thousands of hidden objects. It is in fact the third episode of a serie sarted with Mystery Case Files: Huntsville and Mystery Case Files: Prime Suspects.
We can read a review on the site Refexive, the game received max notes or very good ones on most sites (see also the comments).
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02-03-07 / 12:30 AM : Ratatouille : the game (cjed)
Worthplaying provides new infos about the game Ratatouille (work in progress), from the Pixar/Disney animation film of the same name. We can also watch a trailer of the movie here (including HD). We hope the game will be better done that previous games derived from Pixar movies.
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02-03-07 / 12:22 AM : First review of WoW The Burning Crusade (cjed)
AtomicGamer presents the first review of WoW The Burning Crusade. They liked it a lot, crediting it with a max notation (94%).
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02-03-07 / 12:00 AM : Bill Gates : bugged by MacOS X (cjed)
Bill Gates, that is falling under Windows Vista critizisms, is bugged by Apple giving him lessons. So he spoke about MacOSX security, mentioning flaws. However he seems to forget that no "exploit" (malicious remote access) has been yet achieved on OSX, despites the very controversial Month of Apple bugs.
We remember the messages sent by Jim Allchin to B. Gates some times ago: "If I didn't work here, I'd buy a Mac", "Apple did not lose their way. You must watch this new video below. I know this doesn't show anything for businesses, but my point is about the philosophy that Apple uses. They think scenario. They think simple. They think fast" or "If we are to rise to the challenge of Linux and Apple, we need to start taking the lessons of scenario, simple, fast to heart".
Meanwhile, Bryan Lee, in charge of Zune and XBox development at Microsoft, decided to resign... So they would better ask them why so many "switchers" are counted at Microsoft :)
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02-01-07 / 09:18 PM : LucasArts Empire at War : Intel macs only (cjed)
IMG reported that the new awaited LucasArts games, Empire at War, that uses a new graphic engine, will be compatible with Intel macs only. However few PowerPC based macs would have been able to run it.
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02-01-07 / 08:48 PM : Vista : launch failed (cjed)
Macosrumors reported that the launch of VISTA in USA was a deception . Few people came at special events organised by shops, that had to close doors few minutes only later, due to the absence of customers. Worse, performances are very bad, to compare with the first version of OSX (that however had this problem only in display area, and provided far more features).
Meanwhile we can read a detailed review at PC Inpact. We could believe in a Tiger test, in bad... Leopard shouldn't have difficulties to give Apple 5 years ahead again.s
 2 comment
02-01-07 / 12:19 AM : Flyboys Squadron (cjed)
As reported by IMG, Flyboys Squadron (a WWI planes combat simulation) would be ported to mac soon. Meanwhile we can look at some screenshots and even watch a video here.
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02-01-07 / 12:13 AM : SixtyForce 0.9.0b1 (cjed)
A new version of SixtyForce is available at Macgamefiles (0.9.0b1). It enhances compatibility with some games and brings a new high quality audio emulation mode (more precise, more compatible but more resources hungry).
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