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| 09-30-06 / 03:54 PM : Ableton Sampler (cjed) |
 In synchro with the Live update, Ableton unveiled a new product, Sampler, that allows to make sound design around multi-samples (cross-fading effects, etc.), and integrates seamlessly in Live 6. Details can be found here. |
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| 09-30-06 / 03:46 PM : Ableton Live 6 (cjed) |
 Ableton presents Live 6, an update to its live/post-production audio sequencer. Now it manages synchronisation with video, includes an instruments library, effects racks, and is multi-processor aware. There is a video demonstrating the new features here, and a downloadable demo. |
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| 09-29-06 / 09:32 PM : iCalamus : Calamus return... on OSX (cjed) |
 iCalamus... a layout software successor to the legendary Calamus (Atari ST), is out in a 1.0 version (shareware, 99 euros) for OSX. We can watch videos and download a limited demo (universal binary). |
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| 09-29-06 / 08:28 PM : Pangea Arcarde demo (cjed) |
| The demo version of Pangea Arcarde is available at Macgamefile. That is here (40 Mo). |
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| 09-28-06 / 11:58 PM : Halo UB update tested (cjed) |
| IMG speaks about the universal binary update (costs 5$) of Halo (2.0). Known to be a few optimized port originaly, they conclude it could be better to buy the PC version and reboot under Windows to play ! |
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| 09-28-06 / 10:11 PM : Imac 17' Vs Dell : exhaustive comparison (cjed) |
| The site Systemshootouts provides a comprehensive comparative survey between a 17" imac and an equivalent DELL configuration. All aspects are dealed with (hardware and software), in a very precise and objective manner. All you need to know to understand the specific mac software question. |
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| 09-28-06 / 12:05 AM : Pangea Arcade available this week (cjed) |
| Pangea Arcade will finally ship sooner than expected, as it is announced for friday. |
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| 09-27-06 / 11:51 PM : Finale 2007 available (cjed) |
 Finale 2007 (yet announced early august) is available. This new version brings automatic score formatting (linked parts), playing through Kontakt Player 2 (included are sounds from Garritan Personal Orchestra), latin percussions sounds, video synchronisation, humanization of playback, a faster display/refresh, and the universal binary format. |
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| 09-27-06 / 11:34 PM : New .MAC look : Mail recreated with Ajax (cjed) |
| Apple has revamped its .Mac. offer's look. Now the mail part interface is identical to MacOSX Mail. It has been achieved using a lot of Ajax technology, to add drag&drop and other fast interface updates. The result goes farther than GMail. |
| 1 comment |
| 09-26-06 / 11:53 PM : Redline Racing first review (cjed) |
| Macosxhints provides the first review of Ambrosia's Redline Racing game. That is here (i couldn't make it run on the G4 due to switch to incompatible video mode during game launch). |
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| 09-26-06 / 11:42 PM : Wave Arts plugins now universal binary (cjed) |
 Wave Arts announced the avaibility of universal binary updates to their pro audio plugins (Power Suite 5.21 bundle or individual plug-ins : TrackPlug, MasterVerb, MultiDynamics, FinalPlug, Panorama). That is here (AU/MAS/VST/RTAS formats). |
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| 09-25-06 / 11:18 PM : Civilization IV demo (cjed) |
 A demo of Civilization 4 is available at Macgamefile, there is also a bittorrent link (the file weights 450 Mo). |
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| 09-25-06 / 11:01 PM : Aperture 1.5 / demo slideshows (cjed) |
| On the Apple site (just unveiled the new 1.5 version of Aperture, the pro imaging software), there is interesting slideshows made by professionals. That is there. |
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| 09-24-06 / 10:05 PM : MOTU UB audio drivers / DP tutorial Podcasts (cjed) |
| MOTU provides updates to its audio card drivers for Intel macs. That is here. Meanwhile we can look at Podcast tutorials (mp4 files readable on ipod) about Digital Performer, thanks to tutorialdepot. |
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| 09-24-06 / 09:49 PM : Arturia Brass review (cjed) |
 Audiofanzine provides a complete review of Arturia Brass. With strong expectations (physical modelisation co-developped with the IRCAM, 30 Mo space only), it seems the result is far from good (unrealistic sounds, limited playability, huge processor requirements). |
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| 09-23-06 / 02:44 PM : Special event next week ? (cjed) |
| As rumored by Macosrumors, Apple could have sent invitations to select press members for what could be a special event next monday (september, 25). Besides awaited updates to MacBook and MacBook Pro (Core Duo2), a special version could be introduced. |
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| 09-22-06 / 11:49 PM : Ambrosia Redline available (cjed) |
 Ambrosia finally ships Redline, its long awaited racing game. A demo is available at download (200 Mo). |
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| 09-22-06 / 11:46 PM : Imac 24' : best choice for games ? (cjed) |
| Barefeats completed its performance tests of new macs in games, comparing now new iMacs with the Mac Pro. The imac 24' fitted with the G7600 is close to two times faster than the base Mac Pro and its G7300 (despite the fact it has two processors more and that they are faster). |
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| 09-22-06 / 11:32 PM : Microsoft Zune : a year late in France (cjed) |
| Microsoft Zune should wait as long as a year in France... that is huge time for Apple to bring many new generations of iPods. It is however less than VISTA delay.s |
| 4 comment |
| 09-22-06 / 11:28 PM : MOTU UB : MX4, Ethno, Symphonic Instrument (cjed) |
| After the universal binary version of DP 5.1, MOTU provides UB updates for MX4, Ethno and Symphonic Instrument (AU, MAS et RTAS). |
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| 09-22-06 / 11:22 PM : Stuffit Deluxe 11 (cjed) |
 Aladin (well, the company name or owner isn't that anymore) released Stuffit Deluxe 11, universal binary, that could allow to save 30% space on JPEG images. The standard version isn't free now, only Stuffit Expander remains free (manages 256 bits encoded zip archives). |
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| 09-22-06 / 12:32 AM : IMG : participate to the Pangea Arcade beta (cjed) |
| Thanks to InsideMacGames we can participate to the beta test of next game/pack Pangea Arcade. Instructions are there (an account at IMG forums is required). |
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| 09-22-06 / 12:27 AM : Bitword WAVEFRONT : 2222 patchs for Reason (cjed) |
 Bitword unveiled WAVEFRONT, a huge patchs/samples library (4,5 Go, 2222 patchs) for the various sound modules of Reason 3 (Refills format). We can listen to some demos. |
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| 09-21-06 / 11:58 PM : Cubase 4 / Cubase 4 Studio (cjed) |
 The main news today is probably the announce of Cubase 4, and its streamlined one Cubase Studio 4. Expected for october/november, there is therefore no more Cubase LE nor SE, previsously even more affordable. Among the two remaining versions is the pro (879 euros) and the studio version (399 euros). Besides new effect plugins and virtual instruments, a revamped interface and enhanced score editor, is a new database system (SoundFrame) aimed at cataloging samples/patchs from all virtual instruments.The pro version (Cubase 4) adds Control Room, a software external monitoring management system.s |
| 2 comment |
| 09-21-06 / 11:56 PM : AMD praises Apple (cjed) |
| Macnn reported that AMD CEO made proposition to Apple, to provide their CPUs in new Macs. |
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| 09-21-06 / 11:49 PM : Password cracking : easier (cjed) |
| The Inquirer put an interesting link about password cracking. We learn in the pointed article that thanks to now huge hard disk spaces, the search can take just a few seconds. That is here. That's a bit alarming though. |
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| 09-19-06 / 12:29 AM : Saint-Eustache's organ photos (cjed) |
| Some photos of Saint-Eustache's organ are available in the Photos section (journées du patrimoine 2006). |
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| 09-18-06 / 10:00 PM : Mac Pro bench completed with Radeon X1900XT (cjed) |
| Bare Feats updated its bench of the Mac Pro and games, with results using the new Radeon X1900XT they got. The Mac Pro does better than G5 Quad, however the video card seems to be the main factor of performances, and the G5 Quad did better under Quake 4 at max resolution (not at lower). That is here. |
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| 09-18-06 / 09:51 PM : New Ipod nano hard test (cjed) |
| Ars Technica provides a heavy review of the new ipod Nano : drop of the ipod, ipod in the washing machine... That is here. For other considerations they confirm the new model is far more better than the old : huge battery life, increased storage capacity and brightness, price, more resistant to scratchs, great new headphones. |
| 1 comment |
| 09-17-06 / 11:42 PM : NI Complete 4 : 12 instruments, 1/3 of the price (cjed) |
 Following new produts announcements, Native Instruments unveiled an update for its Complete pack. Then Complete 4 includes (among 12 instruments like Reaktor 5, Kontakt 2, Guitar Rig 2, Akoustik Piano, Elektrik Piano, B4 II, Pro 23, Vokator, Spectral Delay) Absynth 4, Battery 3 and FM8. The whole is available for 1499$, that is close to a third the global price. At 1708$ there is also Kore + Complete 4 upgrade, that allows to download for free Massive (the remaining recent product worth 339$). |
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| 09-16-06 / 02:55 PM : Tables : the new spreadsheet for OSX (cjed) |
 Macgeneration reported the availibility of a new spreadsheet application for MacOSX : Tables (shareware, 39 euros) has a nice interface and looks very intuitive. Moreover it allows calculations and even advanced graphics rendering (PDF, etc.). |
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| 09-16-06 / 02:35 PM : Imac 20' : the best choice ? (cjed) |
| As it is widely acknowledged that the Mac Pro is the best PC in terms of performances/price ratio in the high end range, the 20" imac (1499 $) is the best choice in the mid range, even better than the 17" model : besides a larger screen (good compromise between ease and size) it offers a faster dual core processor and a larger hard disk, all that for just 300 $ more. The 24" imac is expensive (+500$ more than the 20") for just a larger screen and a slightly better video card. Compared with the Mac Pro (2500$), the 20" imac is then a good alternative, as it is quiet, thinner (easier to carry on), offers the screen, and that few application can benefit for now from 4 processors. |
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| 09-16-06 / 12:58 AM : Apple Store : now uses a lot Ajax (cjed) |
| The recent work made by Apple on the Apple Store site is very clean.... going back for a tour i discovered the massive use of Ajax (asynchronous javascript via xml request) : summary options and price updated without a complete refresh of the page, also updated remaining options (notably money earned if canceling the new added option). |
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| 09-15-06 / 01:55 AM : NI day : Massive, FM8... (cjed) |
 Today is the NI news day. They presented MASSIVE, an analog like plugin based upon three "Wave Scanning" oscillators. That is here for details (the software will be available October, at 339$ / 299 euros).Next they unveiled FM8, successor to FM7, that is fitted with sound morphing and arpeggiator. There is also Absynth 4 and Battery 3. Audio demos are available (right panel). |
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| 09-13-06 / 09:50 PM : G4 MDD : ultimate upgrade (cjed) |
 IMG announced an upcoming ultimate CPU upgrade for G4 MDD : the Encore/MDX G4 Duet from Sonnet includes G4 Dual for 500$ (2*1,6 Ghz) and 600$ (2*1,8 Ghz). For a bit more there is the imac (flat screen, better videocard) but the Sonnet card is able to operate under MacOS9, that is the faster mac ever on it. |
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| 09-13-06 / 09:40 PM : Apple consolidates its dominance (cjed) |
| Macbidouille gives its analysis (that i agree with) about no large screen video iPod nor iPhone announces yesterday. Indeed Apple shares didn't fall since (it is up then). So Apple consolidates it dominance and takes no risks. |
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| 09-13-06 / 09:27 PM : iTunes 7 / CoverFlow (cjed) |
| CoverFlow, that i presented here has then been buyed by Apple and integrated to iTunes 7 (see the Special event video). |
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| 09-13-06 / 09:14 PM : Guide de la musique : twentieth anniversary (cjed) |
 Audiofanzine reported that the Guide de la musique (that we could buy from Keyboards magazines) is now 20 years old. It contains 1000 pages of contacts, for 55 euros. |
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| 09-13-06 / 12:16 AM : Special Event live / iPod games (cjed) |
 We can look at a full live coverage (photos) of today Special Event on Engadget site. There is also the full video stream at Apple site.We learn that Apple now sells games for iPod through iTunes, including these classical retro games : Bejeweled, Mahjong, PacMan and Tetris. |
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| 09-12-06 / 11:56 PM : Apple announces (cjed) |
| Today's Apple announces were finally modest : iPod 80 Go that manages movies (besides music videoclips), iTunes movie (full movies besides shows and videoclips, better encoding), new iPod nano, new ipod shuffle, and the presentation of iTV, a device aimed at streaming medias from the mac to a TV or videoprojector (HDMI and component outs, audio outs) through Wifi. Great for watching movies from anywhere without dealing with cables (but the problem is still here for audio when using a videoprojector). |
| 1 comment |
| 09-12-06 / 11:26 PM : Gem RP-X (cjed) |
 Audiofanzine reported that Gem unveiled a new expander, the RP-X, derived from the same technology as the Promega (aimed at piano, organs and electric piano). At 500 euros it offers 64 voices polyphony and 64 Mo of samples.s |
| 2 comment |
| 09-12-06 / 11:07 PM : Microsoft : best of them go at Apple (cjed) |
| The Inquirer reported that Microsoft lost one of its best engineers, that left for going at Apple. He says on its blog that MacOSX is great, and that Microsoft (and Vista) is crap... well, that's a good news from them. |
| 1 comment |
| 09-12-06 / 01:40 AM : BagTime : another bagpipe (cjed) |
 BagTime is another song made using bagpipes sound from Colossus, combined with SO strings, guitars (Colossus and K2) and drums (Colossus) :BagTime.mp3 |
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| 09-11-06 / 11:55 PM : Nexuiz 2.1 / RollerCoaster Tycoon 3 UB (cjed) |
| Nexuiz has been updated to version 2.1. Meanwhile RollerCoaster Tycoon 3 is available as an universal binary. |
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| 09-11-06 / 11:49 PM : Freeverse Lineform (cjed) |
 Lineform (edited by Freeverse) is a vector graphics software that is aimed at being more straightforward and faster than Illustrator. A small video allows to see it in action. The price is correct (80$, to compare with the 500$ asked for Illustrator). |
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| 09-11-06 / 12:54 AM : Pangea Software, Arcade : preview (cjed) |
 IMG gives some details about the upcoming next game from Pangea Software, Arcade. It will consist in modern versions of 3 classic games. These retro games are named Firefall (a Centipede like), Warheads (close to Missile Command) and Nucleus (reminds Asteroids). All games will support 3D Anaglyph glasses like Nanosaur 2. The pack will be out this fall. |
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| 09-10-06 / 04:45 PM : Salon de la musique : review (cjed) |
| A little review of the Salon de la musique 2006 : too much noise, due mainly to some guitar showrooms (or drums) that didn't play the game. Other guitars showrooms followed the rules and provided headphones for guitar players. There were also the planned mini-concerts planned half the time, whose sound level exceeded authorized levels (so poor security). The result is we should put the headphones volumes at max, not safe and very boring. Some showcasers had to give headphones to visitors when they spoke/demoed in order for them to hear explanations. Classical pianos showrooms suffered the most. The good point : showrooms were well designed (not well spaced however), there was a lot of instruments to test (without any constraint), headphones were provided.s |
| 2 comment |
| 09-07-06 / 11:09 PM : Jammin' Racer 1.3 UB (cjed) |
 Jammin' Racer is an arcade racing game (shareware) that received good notation in Macgamefiles comments. It is now available as universal binary, that is here |
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| 09-07-06 / 10:06 PM : Digidesign Mbox 2 Pro (cjed) |
 Following the Mbox2, Digidesign presents the Mbox 2 Pro... It adresses main problems with the Mbox 2 (now 96 Khz instead of 48, Firewire instead of USB) and brings additional outputs. Converters specifications remain to be known, to confirm it really has that "professional" announced sound quality. For now the price is high (799 $). |
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| 09-07-06 / 12:57 AM : Sixtyforce : UB version available (cjed) |
| The universal binary update for Sixtyforce is finally available here, that's version 0.8.5b2. |
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| 09-07-06 / 12:40 AM : Apple : new iMac & Mac mini (cjed) |
 Apple finaly unveiled today new imacs (core duo 2, with a new 24" model fitted with a more powerful video card than the Radeon X1600XT, the GeForce 7300GT) and mac minis. The entry imac at 999$ isn't a bargain : at 200$ more (second model) we get faster processors (2*2Ghz instead 2*1,83 Ghz), doubled processors memory cache, doubled ram, a superdrive, a Raedon X1600XT instead GMA950, bluetooth 2, remote control, incredible ! Next models bring few enhancements (despite larger screen), however the price gap is higher !The high end mac mini at 799$ is still using Core Duo 1 and is far behind the imac, that however provides a screen. So the 1200$ imac is the machine to choose, best ever price/performance ratio !s |
| 3 comment |
| 09-06-06 / 02:42 AM : Scottish song (cjed) |
| Here is a song that combines SO strings and bagpipes from Colossus (also choirs and ethnic percussions) : NSOMultiScot.mp3 |
| 1 comment |
| 09-05-06 / 11:57 PM : Precisionsound Owerland Guitar (cjed) |
 Precisionsound presents Owerland Guitar, a 182 samples steel guitar library, provided in 2 programs (4 velocity layers, 24 bits) for Kontakt : Owerland Picked and Owerland FX. Audio demos are available here. |
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| 09-05-06 / 11:46 PM : OSXPlanet : news from planets (cjed) |
 OSXPlanet is a great Cocoa application that displays realtime pictures from Earth and other planets. It also provides various informations : clouds, storms, satellites, volcanos, earthquakes, cities locations. The author, a 17 years old young californian, presents himself as fairly inexperienced with programming (self-taught)... That is here. |
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| 09-05-06 / 11:35 PM : Apple Special event / Leopard and BitTorrent (cjed) |
| After recent speculations about announces that will be made next week (september 12) during an Apple special event (new widescreen ipod, new movies online service, mobile iPhone, new imac and macMini), Macosrumors speaks again about expected integration of BitTorrent technology in Leopard, that should be among not yet unveiled features. |
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| 09-05-06 / 12:19 AM : Trainz on mac soon (cjed) |
 Trainz, the train simulator, will finally come to Mac before year end. Some screenshots and videos can be found here. |
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| 09-04-06 / 10:18 PM : Chord Finder : chords on mobile phone (cjed) |
 Chord Finder is a chords dictionary, displayed as guitar tabs (aimed at guitarists then). The application works on... mobile phones. The full version (all chords) isn't free, however a Lite version is (can be downloaded here), that only includes major, minor and 7th chords. |
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| 09-02-06 / 03:00 PM : Earn money thanks to Apple (cjed) |
| Following Creative, here is the case of the developper of a music application that was able to earn a lot of money thanks to Apple. He filed a lawsuit against Apple for having used in iTunes an idea he had demoed previously. Now he reached an agreement (secret, but probably one million $). Comments at Macnn are wise : "There is willful infringement and then there is accidental infringement or coincidental infringement.... whether it was accidental or on purpose, at least apple did the right thing when they saw they were wrong and paid the dude. People are influenced by other all the time. NO art is completely created in a vacuum. and NO art is entireley original. period". |
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| 09-02-06 / 02:47 PM : Macosrumors : Leopard Preview / Hardware (cjed) |
| Macosrumors provides an exploration of Leopard Preview. There is some news (improved DVD Player with better picture quality and better deinterlacing, zero CPU use for CoreImage effects). All this considering unreleased Leopard features (expected new Finder). An article (now deeper) about MacIntel unused hardware potential is now available. |
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| 09-01-06 / 12:14 AM : Ueberschall The Voice Vol.1&2 (cjed) |
 Audiofanzine reports that Ueberschall has started shipping The Voice Vol.2, a (non verbal) voices library, and announced The Voice Vol.1 (verbal). Each DVD includes 3 Go editable loops (169 euros for Vol.2). |
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| 09-01-06 / 12:00 AM : CodeWeavers free beta / Firefox 2.0b2 (cjed) |
 A beta version of CodeWeavers (60 days) is downloadable here. There is also a beta 2 version of Firefox 2 ( javascript 1.7 support, etc.) |
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