| french | english |
 |
|
| Sign in | |
| 04-30-07 / 11:57 PM : SCUMM creator interview (cjed) |
| IGN provides an interview of Ron Gilbert, creator of SCUMM (Script Creation Utility for Maniac Mansion), the virtual machine used by LucasArts for Maniac Mansion and their following adventure games. It has been programmed in assembly on C64, and an expert in compilers helped to do the job. There has been ScumVM on OSX for some years and on most game platforms. |
| Post a comment |
| 04-30-07 / 11:47 PM : Call Of Duty 4 trailer (cjed) |
 A first trailer of Call Of Duty 4 (announced for consoles and PC in 2008, and probably mac juste thereafter, or through virtualization) is available at xboxyde, in HD version (60 Mo) or streaming. This time it is a Modern Warfare, therfore it plays nowdays. |
| Post a comment |
| 04-28-07 / 01:10 AM : IMG : Star Wars: Empire at War review (cjed) |
| IMG provides the first review of Star Wars: Empire at War on mac. The game is well done but it doesn't lead to particular interest. The reviewer likes better Master of Orion II for its technologic construction management, and Starcraft for tactical concerns. The sound part is however great as it is used to be in Starwars games. |
| Post a comment |
| 04-26-07 / 11:50 PM : Zplane Vielklang : harmonization (cjed) |
 Audio examples showing source audio and arranged ones are available, as an Audio Unit format demo. The software is priced 199$. |
| Post a comment |
| 04-26-07 / 11:32 PM : Apple : historic results (cjed) |
| Apple stock today reached the 100$ high, due to outstanding financial results for the past quarter : net profit doubled (close to 800 millions $) for a 5 billions $ revenue... margin up to 35%, mac sales up to 36%, ipods sales up to 24%. All that without any new products release (all should be out since Leopard secret features are unveiled). |
| 1 comment |
| 04-25-07 / 11:44 PM : Liquid in TV show (cjed) |
| The song Liquid can now be heard in a new local TV show credits, Rive Est, filmed on Annecy lac. The full sized video is now available at wat.tv. We are expecting soon the first episode. |
| Post a comment |
| 04-25-07 / 11:37 PM : A new livable planet discovered (cjed) |
| Yahoo pointed out an interesting discover : a new planet providing similar configuration as Earth has been confirmed around a close red star (Gliese 581, 20,5 lightyear from Earth). It is among yet known 200 planets that feature a similar structure and temperature as Earth, but this one is relatively accessible.s |
| 3 comment |
| 04-24-07 / 11:57 PM : Puremagnetik P-50 Linear (cjed) |
| Puremagnetik presented P-50 Linear, a virtual instrument for Kontakt 2 (also EXS24 and Live 6) that pushes back D-50 LA synthesis principle (short PCM combined with waveforms for sustain). The customized patchs derived from original patchs totalize 350 Mo (24 bits), and patch partials settings are limited. The download operates through various subscription modes. |
| Post a comment |
| 04-24-07 / 12:10 AM : Wacky Mini Golf : demo available (cjed) |
 Wacky Mini Golf is finally available at Macgamefiles (1.0.1). It is a demo version (37 Mo) that, once registered, allows to access to all levels (72). Up to 4 players are allowed. |
| Post a comment |
| 04-24-07 / 12:00 AM : iPod 6G soon and same features as iPhone (cjed) |
| Macosrumors reported very exciting news : iPhone battery length should be impressive (and it will launch on time) : 5 hours at max use (telephone, wi-fi, video) and up to 20 hours for music only, thanks to its two batteries. Moreover the ipod 6G should be out soon and include the same feature set : wifi, touchscreen display, and even OSX (in a smaller ram size than in the iPhone) ! It will be provided in hard disk, flash and hybrid versions, up to 100 Go !s |
| 2 comment |
| 04-23-07 / 11:46 PM : Apple valued 24 billions (cjed) |
| Steve Jobs should be cleared from all doubts in Apple sotck options enquiry, as he played no active role. Then Apple stock is growing up again. Macgeneration even pointed out a study on companies values on marketplace, where Apple stands 16th (24 billions $), behind Microsoft (54 billions, but that is 10 percents less than a year ago) but way ahead Intel, Dell and Sony ! |
| Post a comment |
| 04-23-07 / 11:22 PM : Shiira 2 final (cjed) |
 Shiira, the serious challenger to Firefox on mac, is now out in final 2.0 version. Its stability is far more better, and despite some remaining bugs in appearance it is still the best looking browser for OSX. It manages thumbnails preview, Tab Exposé, page swtich effect using Core Image (book page flip style), session download, full screen navigation, etc.s |
| 2 comment |
| 04-22-07 / 01:31 AM : Heavier metal rock (cjed) |
 This song is based upon a power chord guitar and drums from Colossus, with additional electric guitar, bass and organ from Roland XV :Heavier.mp3 Here is a new mix using Colossus bass (Lakland) and three D50 organs layered with e-piano : Heavier alt mix |
| Post a comment |
| 04-21-07 / 01:12 AM : Octave Shifter 2 : free real-time pitch shifting (cjed) |
| Octave Shifter 2, free for now, is a realtime pitch shifter for MacOSX that offers 4 full octaves, high precision and low latency. We can listen to audio demos of applied transformations. Available in AU format and Intel compatible, it requires MacOS 10.4. |
| Post a comment |
| 04-21-07 / 01:07 AM : VertexDSP (cjed) |
 VertexDSP is a free 31 band spectral analyzer for MacOSX. Provided in AU format and Intel compatible, it can be downloaded here. |
| Post a comment |
| 04-21-07 / 01:01 AM : Defcon demo (cjed) |
 Ambrosia Software teamed up again with Introversion (makers of the famous Darwinia) about a new game, Defcon. That strategy game alla Wargames features outstanding animation and very original ambient. We can watch a video here and download a demo. |
| Post a comment |
| 04-21-07 / 12:54 AM : Plasma Pong (cjed) |
 Plasma Pong is a modern recreation of famous Pong game, that allows to inject plasma fluid in the playing area, or suction it, in order to move the ball. The game is free and can be downloaded here. |
| Post a comment |
| 04-19-07 / 09:49 PM : ATVFiles : plugins for AppleTV (cjed) |
 To extend AppleTV features, we can download ATVFiles. It allows then to install many plugins and to play divX. |
| Post a comment |
| 04-19-07 / 09:33 PM : MacOSX : Active Desktop (cjed) |
| AppleInsider reported that Apple registered a patent about active desktop (targeted to Leopard), that allows for each application to define specific images, videos and animations, depending on user actions and parameters (time, weather, etc.). There is still among My Dream App contest a stunning control panel, Atmosphere, that modifies background image relative to weather conditions and time. And MacOSX 10.4 can still display any animated screensaver as background, for example using the command /System/Library/Frameworks/ScreenSaver.framework/Versions/A/Resources/ScreenSaverEngine.app/ Contents/MacOS/ScreenSaverEngine -module "RSS Visualizer" -background. |
| Post a comment |
| 04-19-07 / 12:25 AM : An Island Ballad theme (cjed) |
| This ballad uses the Complete Piano card for the three piano themes, Symphonic Choirs for backing choirs, Symphonic Orchestra Gold Pro XP for the strings theme (played flautendo), chromatic flute and glockenspiel : RM Isle Balade.mp3 |
| Post a comment |
| 04-18-07 / 11:05 PM : DanLabGames Wacky Mini Golf : 3D Island (cjed) |
| Following the great Islands Mini Golf, DanLabGames announced Wacky Mini Golf, even better, with graphics that reminds Monkey Island... |
| Post a comment |
| 04-18-07 / 10:46 PM : GooBall 1.0.2 : Ageia PhysX (cjed) |
 A new version of GooBall (1.0.2) is available at Macgamefiles. It now uses the Ageia PhysX engine for real-time physics simulation. |
| Post a comment |
| 04-18-07 / 12:20 AM : Studio to go 2 for Linux (cjed) |
 Fervent Software announced the availability of Studio to go 2 ! for Linux. This comprehensive audio and midi environment is plug and play as it launches as a bootable CD. Included softwares are famous open source sequencer (Rosegarden), sampler (Ardour), audio server (Jack), and many vritual plugins. However the whole package is sold 118 euros. |
| Post a comment |
| 04-18-07 / 12:03 AM : Digidesign : RM1 and RM2 monitors (cjed) |
| Digidesign presented during the NAB two new RMS monitors the RM1 (80W LF/50W HF, 1249$ each) and RM2 (100W LF/50W HF, 1749$). They provide digital inputs (up to 96 Khz), a DSP, and use an optimized class D amplifier, that combines the frequency response precision of a class A amplifier with the efficiency of a class D amplifier. |
| Post a comment |
| 04-17-07 / 11:46 PM : iPhone in Europe / first copy hoax (cjed) |
| As expected, Vodaphone should carry the iPhone offers in Europe in early 2008. Meanwhile the first iPhone competitor hoax has been announced (not presented as it is a fake). |
| Post a comment |
| 04-17-07 / 11:32 PM : WWDC keynote planned to last 3 hours (cjed) |
| Macnn reported that Apple announced that the WWDC keynote will exceptionnaly last 3 hours. As all known Leopard features were presented a year ago during the WWDC 2006, there should be indeed a lot of secret features unveiled. |
| Post a comment |
| 04-17-07 / 12:41 AM : Liquid in the musique libre Top50 (cjed) |
| Liquid (that will be used soon in a low budget tv show) entered the musique-libre Top50 (ranked 25th). This is the result of an unique comment, that leads to think it is easy to be on the top by ensuring only two or three comments at the same time... Indeed few people take a moment to give rating, as it requires to be registered (not the case for a comment, but it has very few effect on ranking). |
| Post a comment |
| 04-17-07 / 12:25 AM : MAME OSX 0.114 (cjed) |
| A new version of MAME OSX, based upon the 0.114 core, is available at macgamefiles. This software is a new one (recent) and is a different project than the famous MacMAME. It uses Core Video and Core Image. |
| Post a comment |
| 04-17-07 / 12:09 AM : CME WIDI-X8 midi wireless review (cjed) |
| Audiofanzine provides a full review of the CME WIDI-X8 midi wireless. They conclude it is too much expensive (249 euros) and finally less usefull as expected, as only the wifi connexion between instruments operates well (the USB connexion to a computer at one side leads to problems). |
| Post a comment |
| 04-16-07 / 10:46 PM : Adobe Media Player (cjed) |
| Adobe announced Adobe Media Player, that will manage Flash, PDF and HTML. Flash uses for now VP6 video codec for Flash Player 8, and Sorenson Spark for Flash Player 7. The new platform however isn't a real multi-formats container contrary to QuickTime. The later can embed a full multimedia application in a single mov archive.s |
| 2 comment |
| 04-16-07 / 12:50 AM : Final Cut Server / Final Cut Studio 2 (cjed) |
 Apple presented during the NAB this week-end, Final Cut Server, a medias management solution that provides workflows for repetitive tasks (tracking, approval, etc.). A new version (2.0) of the Final Cut Studio suite has also been unveiled : it includes Final Cut Pro 6, Motion 3, Soundtrack Pro 2, Compressor 3, DVD Studio Pro 4, and Color, the whole at 1299$. It notably brings 3D effects and compatibility with Open timeline format. |
| Post a comment |
| 04-14-07 / 03:34 PM : Five 12 Numerology 2 (cjed) |
 Five 12 announced that its modular sequencer Numerology will be out soon as a 2.0 Public beta. This software environment provides sequencer modules of type used in analog era (Step Sequencing, Matrix Sequencer, LFO) and can even generate MIDI events (besides transform them). Linked modules can trigger software instruments (Audio Units) or external instruments through Midi. It will be sold 99$. |
| Post a comment |
| 04-14-07 / 03:12 PM : Leopard delay finally positive (cjed) |
| All banks analysts come to the conclusion that Leopard slightly delay is finally a good thing, and that the iPhone shipment in June (that is on track as reaffirmed Apple in its statement) is more important. Moreover many think that the work on the iPhone isn't the only reason : Apple now can use these additional months (up to the WWDC 2007) to go further in OSX interface secret features. Then Vista was a good thing for Apple, as it motivated them even more to respond strongly to Microsoft and Linux XGL, not that Tiger can't catch up with these (it is yet some years ahead), but Apple wants probably to ensure again at least five years ahead, as they did with the first version of MacOSX in early 2001. Apple last statment in its announce is indeed smart : "We think it will be well worth the wait. Life often presents tradeoffs, and in this case we're sure we've made the right ones". |
| Post a comment |
| 04-13-07 / 01:01 AM : Macologist : Call Of Duty 2 review (cjed) |
| Macologist provides a review of Call Of Duty 2. They finally liked it a lot, but there are performance concerns, even with recommended configuration. |
| Post a comment |
| 04-13-07 / 12:54 AM : EZplayer Free (cjed) |
| Post a comment |
| 04-13-07 / 12:44 AM : Audioengine 5 : AirTunes monitors (cjed) |
 The Audioengine 5 monitors (fitted with amplifiers so) bring compatibility with AirTunes (music broadcasting from a Mac). In fact the left speaker provides an AC outlet at rear to plug and feed an Airport Express base (sold separately), and the base audio output can be wired to the speaker audio in. An ipod dock is also included on top of the speaker. The pair is sold 349 $ (45 W RMS each). |
| Post a comment |
| 04-13-07 / 12:27 AM : Mackie HR824mk2 and HR624mk2 (cjed) |
| Mackie previsously announced during the MusikMesse new versions of its famous HR824 and HR624 monitors, the HR824mk2 and HR624mk2 (100 W for basses and 40 W for the tweeter). They will be priced respectively 559 euros and 449 euros. |
| Post a comment |
| 04-13-07 / 12:07 AM : Nisus Writer Pro Public beta (cjed) |
 Nisus Software announced the upcoming release of Nisus Writer Pro, a more powerful version of Nisus Writer Express (index and tables, advanced headers and footers, etc.). Meanwhile they provide a Public beta at download here. (40 Mo, requires OSX 10.3.9, and 10.4 for right to left writing). |
| Post a comment |
| 04-12-07 / 11:43 PM : Leopard delayed to october (cjed) |
| Apple just announced that Leopard will not ship until october, 2007, due to key ressources that had to work on the iPhone OSX version. Apple expects a near final beta of Leopard at the WWDC in June. Then the beta will last as long as two months. So recent rumors were true. There is still to know if hidden features will be unveiled at the WWDC, but these informations are required for the final beta testing phase to be successful. |
| Post a comment |
| 04-12-07 / 11:33 PM : OLED displays revolution (cjed) |
 Backlit LED displays market seems to really start, with Samsung and Sony announces (the later also presented a new technology using micro CRT instead of LEDs). These displays offer a far more better color rendering, even a bit better than traditional CRT displays (10% better), and there is no comparison with traditional LCDs (30% less color than CRTs). The contrast ratio is also oustanding.There is still to see if Plasma displays will be able to catch up, and we are expecting soon OLED/LED-backlit video-projectors. There are however problems to fix : the huge size of OLED displays (less than short CRT but higher than traditional LCDs) and the high price entry. |
| Post a comment |
| 04-11-07 / 10:58 PM : Apple : MGM movies on the iTunes Store (cjed) |
| Apple just added MGM to the list of studios that sell movies on the iTunes Store. The catalog is really growing now, with major studios involved. |
| Post a comment |
| 04-11-07 / 12:21 AM : Free games & Quake 3 engine (cjed) |
| Slashdot speaks about free games that use the free Quake III engine (or enhanced versions) : Urban Terror, World of Padman, Tremulous, etc. |
| Post a comment |
| 04-11-07 / 12:11 AM : Beyond the Red Line (cjed) |
 Beyond the Red Line, a totally free stand-alone conversion of the PC game Freespace 2 (Volition & Interplay) alla Battlestar Galactica, is now available for Mac. It can be downloaded at macgamefiles (352 Mo). Screenshots can be found here. |
| Post a comment |
| 04-09-07 / 08:30 PM : Apple : 100 millions ipods sold (cjed) |
| Apple announced having sold 100 millions ipods since its introduction 5 years and a half ago (november, 2001) ! This record, that can't be beat by competitors, could have even been greater if some (french) shops didn't have tried to convince buyers to get other players... simply because they are jaleous or they want to sell devices with poor quality instead, that allow a greater gain and put customers tied with their own online shop (that have poor success) and Windows proprietary formats.s |
| 2 comment |
| 04-07-07 / 01:07 AM : VSL Special Woodwinds (cjed) |
 VSL presented Special Woodwinds, a woodwinds instruments library (Bass flute, Oboe d'Amore, Heckelphone, Basset horn, Contrabass clarinet) totalizing 29Go and sold in two parts : Standard Library (425 euros, 2 DVDs) and Extended Library (395 euros, 2 DVDs).Registered owners of VSL Woodwinds I (Standard and Extended Library) and VSL Woodwinds II (Standard and Extended Library) can receive through May 15, 2007 a coupon for having Special Woodwinds Extended Library for free (requires the standard library). No demos are available yet. |
| Post a comment |
| 04-05-07 / 11:41 PM : OSX vs Linux vs Vista (cjed) |
| The site CIO provides a long comparative review of OSX/Linux/Vista. The conclusion is obvious :" I used to think that the Macintosh was something used by free spirits just to be different. Now I realize the Mac has such superior human factor engineering that it's used by people because they can be more productive". However when he says OSX should operate more seemlessly with Outlook and Exchange, this doesn't make sense. And through Parallels or other virtualizers it can be run natively... and without any virus. |
| Post a comment |
| 04-05-07 / 11:33 PM : 30 Days with Windows Vista (cjed) |
| The site Enthusiast provides a long review of Vista and concludes that it is instable, and that the Flip (2D) effect isn't practical, as windows content text is unreadable due to perspective and most parts are obscured by previous and next windows. He prefers OSX's Exposé and recognizes that Microsoft sole point was to put doubts on OSX. And transparency in Vista windows title doesn't allow to read text underneath either, contrary to OSX (full informations readables under transparent menus, titles, terminal, allowed for all windows choosen with an opacity settings). And not yet real dynamic shadows in Vista... |
| 1 comment |
| 04-05-07 / 01:01 AM : The site now uses urlrewriting (cjed) |
| News urls are now rewritten using urlrewriting principle. So it will help indexing and it provides more readables urls (title, with accents swap, no parameters, news id integrated in the title). Error redirection is the key to make it work as Free deactivated some years ago urlrewriting. Rules are defined using regex, and parsed by a well known php script. Titles in home page and monthly news lead again directly to details page, the ajax drop content is now triggered through the + sign. |
| 1 comment |
| 04-04-07 / 11:44 PM : World of Warcraft update : multithreaded OpenGL (cjed) |
| An update numbered 2.0.12 to World of Warcraft is available at Macgamefiles (672 Mo !). It notably activates multithreaded OpenGL allowed by MacOSX 10.4.9. |
| Post a comment |
| 04-04-07 / 10:34 PM : Unreal Tournament 3 preview (cjed) |
| Computer & Videogames published a preview of Unreal Tournament 3. We learn among other things that a game's weapon uses the same number of polygons as a whole UT 2004 map ! |
| Post a comment |
| 04-04-07 / 12:26 AM : RiffRumble VII contest (cjed) |
| Sonoma Wire Works opened a contest, the RiffRumble VII, that will provide prices to winners after they have sent their composition made using their software RiffWorks (the demo version can also be used). Gains include IK Multimedia and Sonic Reality softwares. |
| Post a comment |
| 04-04-07 / 12:16 AM : JazzMutant Lemur 1.6 (cjed) |
 JazzMutant presented during the Musikmesse a new version (1.6) of its touchscreen digital audio Lemur interface. More informations can be found here and there. The product was originally sold 2500 euros. |
| 1 comment |
| 04-04-07 / 12:06 AM : Age of Empire III demo (cjed) |
| A demo of Age of Empire III is available at Macgamefiles. That is here (419 Mo) and it should work on a G4 fitted with a Radeon 900 Pro (includes hardware Transform & Lightning). |
| Post a comment |
| 04-04-07 / 12:00 AM : World of Padman (cjed) |
 World of Padman is an FPS based upon the Quake 3 engine, in a funny world (a bit like Bugdom or Toy Story, with tiny characters). Great screenshots can be found here. |
| Post a comment |
| 04-03-07 / 12:04 AM : Pirates of the Caribbean Online : interview (cjed) |
| RPG Vault provides an interview from Mike Goslin about the game Pirates of the Caribbean Online. |
| Post a comment |
| 04-03-07 / 12:00 AM : OpenOffice 2.2 (cjed) |
| A new version of OpenOffice, 2.2 (X11 version), is available for OSX. It has been optimized for Mac. |
| Post a comment |
| 04-02-07 / 11:28 PM : Apple and EMI : end of DRMs, double quality (cjed) |
| Apple and EMI then announced that the whole EMI catalog is now available on the ITMS without DRMs, at a double bitrate (AAC 256kbits instead of 128). The price per song is a bit higher but the albums price stays the same, at 9,99$ (or euros). Next time we should have Lossless, and then it will compete with CDs. Other majors should follow soon as they can't stay behind. Even Norway applauses !s |
| 5 comment |
| 04-02-07 / 12:23 AM : Apple and EMI (cjed) |
| Apple and EMI should announce "an exciting new digital offering" tomorrow at London at 1pm. It is yet to be known if it will be a service and/or an iDevice. |
| Post a comment |