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A Father's Day Gift to Protect Dad's Genes from Hot Laptops: The LapWorks Laptop Desk
Data Backup 2.05 Easy To Use Backup Utility For The Mac
Chronos Releases StickyBrain 3.5.0 With Dashboard Widget
ConceptDraw Reporter - Image-Based Documents, Photo Reports And Visual Learning
PhoneValet 2.2.1 Message Center - Your Personal Telephone Assistant
FireNEX800-SX 800 Mbps 1394b Single Mode Repeater
Intaglio 2.3.1 Traditional Drawing & Illustration
VueScan 8.2.13 Scanner Software For Flatbed & Film Scanners
Cell Phones and PDAs; Tomorrow's Navigation Systems
A Father's Day Gift to Protect Dad's Genes from Hot Laptops: The LapWorks Laptop Desk
Designed to take the hassles and hazards out of using laptops, the $29.95 Laptop Desk from LapWorks Inc. could help protect the little swimmers of want-to-be fathers when they're without a desk and must use their laptop on their lap.
The folding portable desk creates a 21" protective workspace across the lap and addresses both culprits cited in the study "Increase in Scrotal Temperature in Laptop Computer Users" ( http://www3.oup.co.uk/eshre/press-release/freepdf/laptop.pdf ), published in the U.K. journal Human Reproduction in December 2004. Researchers said that the combination of 1) the heat generated by the laptop and 2) pressing the thighs together to balance one increases temperatures around men's privates and over time can result in decreased sperm production.
Dr. Yefim Sheynkin of the State University of New York at Stonybrook said, "The body needs to maintain a proper testicular temperature for normal sperm production and development. Portable computers in a laptop position produce scrotal hyperthermia by both the direct heating effect of the computer and the sitting position necessary to balance the computer."
The Laptop Desk cools laptops with heat-conducting polycarbonate plastic and recessed ventilation channels. A thermal study conducted by the California Polytechnic University at Pomona ( http://www.laptopdesk.net/thermal/thermalstudy-introf.html ) proved the Laptop Desk reduces the heat passed through to the lap by 8 - 10%.
Its 21" lap span also allows men to sit in a more natural posture with legs spread apart.
Sally Longyear, a Menlo Park, Calif.-based Certified Industrial Ergonomist and experienced leader in injury prevention, stresses correct laptop-using posture to avoid other computer-related injuries. "Users should choose a work platform that spans their entire lap so they can relax their knees instead of squeezing them together to balance a laptop. This minimizes strain on the shoulders, neck, back and arms." Ms. Longyear's website, http://www.working-well.org , answers ergonomic questions to help computer users live "pain-free."
"I designed the Laptop Desk to address the hazards of using a laptop -- to the user and the computer itself," said Jose Calero, LapWorks' president. "Constant overheating is the laptop's worst enemy, shortening its life and causing sluggish performance. Users may experience hot leg plus neck, back and shoulder strain from the poor ergonomic typing angles."
On a desk, the Laptop Desk folds into a five-position wedge, inclining the keyboard for more ergonomic typing to save men's wrists as well as their little swimmers. LapWorks' thermal study concluded that inclining a laptop cools it by 15% - 20% because more hot air escapes.
LapWorks offers two models -- the 22-ounce Version 2.0 and the 14.6-ounce UltraLite for notebooks of 5 pounds or less. Both fold in half for easy traveling in any computer bag.
"Depending on which analyst you talk to, there are about 100 million laptop users worldwide, with 60 million in the U.S. alone," continued Calero. "Presumably half of them are men. This isn't the first time laptops have been reported as hazardous to men. I donated Laptop Desks to the doctor who treated the Swedish patient who burned his privates on an overheated laptop in 2002. The doctor told me such a protective device would've helped."
For more information, visit:
http://www.laptopdesk.net
Data Backup 2.05 Easy To Use Backup Utility For The Mac
Everyone should be backing up their important data before a hard drive disaster occurs. Data Backup makes it easy to backup to FireWire and USB drives, network drives, CDs and even DVDs. Make schedules so you don't need to 'think' about backing up... It does it for you.
Data Backup is a powerful backup utility that has raw power yet is simple to use, so that even a new computer user won’t be intimidated by its long list of features.
By separating basic functions from advanced features, Data Backup will save your valuable data with just a few mouse clicks, allowing you the luxury to sleep better at night.
Data Backup includes simple backup and restore functions as well as advanced scheduling options.
Basic Operations
• Backup - simply drag your files and folders into Data Backup and select a destination drive and go!
• Restore - select the files and folders you want to restore, just like backup, but reverse the to and from folders.
You can backup to or restore from any mounted drive including CD, DVD, ATA, SCSI, FireWire, USB, or networked volumes.
Advanced Operations
• Bootable Backups - Clone your bootable drive to make a completely bootable backup. Be up and running quickly if your main drive crashes
• Schedules - automatically run any Data Backup task on a specific days, dates or other recurring basis
• File Exceptions - specify files that are to never be backed up (such as system files or applications)
• Mirror Backup - creates an exact copy of a folder or a disk
• Versioned Backup - creates an exact copy of a folder or a disk, and also saves older versions of the data to provide an evolution of the backed-up data
• Incremental Backup - copies all files that have been modified since the last backup.
Options
• Synchronization - makes two folders identical by copying missing files and replacing older files with newer files
• Compression - backup and restore can automatically compress your data, or you can compress data on your computer to save hard drive space.
New in this version:
Support for Tiger
System requirements:
Mac OS X 10.2 or higher
Data Backup sells for $59.00
For more information, visit:
http://prosofteng.com/products/data_backup_info.php
Chronos Releases StickyBrain 3.5.0 With Dashboard Widget
Chronos LC has announced the release of StickyBrain 3.5.0, an important update to its third generation note manager for Mac OS X. This new release adds several new Mac OS X v10.4 "Tiger" features including a Dashboard widget. StickyBrain 3.5.0 is a free update for registered users of StickyBrain 3 and is available immediately.
The new Dashboard widget lets user search, view, and copy content from their notes with great speed and ease. This release also adds other important new Tiger features:
1) Users can now create bulleted lists and outlines in their notes. Lists and outlines support multiple levels of indentation and the bullet character can be customized (bullets, numbers, letters, Roman numbers supported). 2) Users can add sophisticated tables to their notes with options for borders, background colors, alignment, etc. Tables within tables, merging cells, and splitting cells are also supported. 3) Users can now easily add page breaks, line breaks, and paragraph breaks to notes. 4) Notes can have multiple text selections to make editing even easier. 5) The Find dialog can now highlight multiple occurrences of a word or phrase that can then be copied, replaced, deleted, or styled all at once. 6) Styles can now be set up and applied to text. Users can also locate all the text of a particular style in a document.
While StickyBrain 3.5.0 will run under both Mac OS 10.3 and 10.4, these new features will only work if StickyBrain is running under Mac OS 10.4.
StickyBrain 3.5.0 adds a new Trash folder for an extra level of safety when deleting notes. Like the Finder, notes are first moved to the Trash, and then the Trash can be emptied at a later time. Note folder counts in the Folders drawer can now have a customized look and the Palm synchronization conduit has been significantly rewritten for better international character support. Finally, this version includes 20+ improvements and bug fixes.
StickyBrain is like a really big drawer—users can just throw all their notes and other information into it, then use the powerful Note Viewer to retrieve anything with just one click. Users can now manage their digital notes—from reminders and alarms to pictures, URLs and text. Everything is instantly organized and searchable. StickyBrain will help users increase productivity, save time, and gain unprecedented control over their information.
The all-new StickyBrain 3 sports a new interface with Safari-like tabs; has been completely rewritten in Cocoa; syncs to the iPod and Palm handhelds; integrates with .Mac; is built on a rock-solid commercial database; features best-of-class text, graphics, and links grabbing; includes FlashNote searching; links notes to the Address Book; and much more.
System requirements:
StickyBrain requires Mac OS X v10.3 or higher; 60MB of available disk space
StickyBrain is priced at $39.99 and is available directly from Chronos and popular resellers including the Apple Stores, CompUSA, MicroCenter, Fry's Electronics, J & R Computing, etc.
Registered StickyBrain 1.x and 2.x customers can upgrade to version 3 for only $25. Version 3.5.0 is a free update for registered StickyBrain 3.x users. It is available immediately for download as a full installer.
Chronos believes users should have the opportunity to try the software for free before they purchase. A fully functional 30 day trial version can be downloaded from Chronos' web site at
http://www.chronosnet.com
ConceptDraw Reporter - Image-Based Documents, Photo Reports And Visual Learning
Create image-rich text document fast and easy. Make visual learning materials, photo-based business documents, personalized illustrated client proposals or even various research and scientific reports and enjoy the result. The rich choice of page templates helps automatically layout text and images in your document to avoid time-consuming documenting routine. For easy communication with colleagues and clients the software allows sharing documents as Web, print or presentation files.
Features of ConceptDraw Reporter:
A lot of various layout templates to automatically arrange text and photos.
Pre-ready document templates to organize your work on the document by offering the structure.
User-made document templates - you can skip repeatable work by doing it once.
Preparing different reports based on a single document.
Generation of easy-to-view and easy-to-print PDF reports, Web-ready HTML reports or MS PowerPoint presentations.
UseConcepDraw Reporter to:
Create Image-based education materials
Make photo-rich business documents
Prepare illustrated inspection and investigation reports
Create real estate catalogs
Write photo report of your business trip
Present dairy results of your research
Update training data to hand out
Document key records of business meetings
Easily present personalized illustrated proposals for each specific client
System requirements:
Macintosh (Mac OS X 10.2 or later)
Price $79
For more information, visit:
http://www.conceptdraw.com/en/products/reporter/main.php
PhoneValet 2.2.1 Message Center - Your Personal Telephone Assistant
More than an Answering Machine, PhoneValet Message Center brings the telephone into the Macintosh digital hub paradigm. Find out how your telephones can become productive members of your staff.
Your telephone can be a powerful tool, but it takes time to use it effectively. Instead of hiring a personal assistant, let PhoneValet answer and place calls, look up phone numbers, make recordings of calls and keep a call history. With PhoneValet you can focus on the important tasks in life and work.
Winner of multiple awards, including a MacWorld Magazine Best Product award, PhoneValet includes the hardware you'll need to monitor your first line. But PhoneValet isn't a single-line system... Purchase a PhoneValet package for each line and they'll all work together, keeping track of what happened on which line so you can keep track of calls and expenses.
PhoneValet helps you to look your best even when you can't make it to the phone. PhoneValet can handle all your lines at the same time, has multiple mailboxes, and listening to messages couldn't be easier. Plus, our information center feature lets your callers hear answers to common questions, and still leave a message!
Do you prefer to focus on conversation rather than note-taking? Do you ever need an exact record of what you said on the phone? PhoneValet to the rescue! Now you can record both sides of a conversation to an audio file on your hard disk for later reference.
PhoneValet's call log is a permanent, multi-line call history. It's a searchable list of your inbound and outbound calls along with accurate timing and the recordings and messages attached to those calls. PhoneValet even logs hand-dialed calls on extension phones! Records can be exported for easy billings. Fully spotlight aware.
With PhoneValet, you'll know who's calling before you answer the phone – with no more running for the Caller ID box! Caller ID information is clearly displayed in large type on the screen, as the caller's name is announced using Apple's natural-sounding speech synthesis.
Call in and control your Mac from away. You can cause it to perform an action, play you an audio file over the telephone, or speak text to you as it carries out your request. Use it to interface with your Mac-based X-10 home controller, launch administrative tasks... the possibilities are limited only by your imagination.
Smart dialing from any application... PhoneValet provides it! Select virtually any number onscreen and when you're ready to place the call just pick up the phone and PhoneValet dials for you. Powerful dialing rules let you automate the use of calling cards and long-distance access numbers, as well as 10- and 11-digit dialing.
We provide AppleScripts that you can use in popular applications like FileMaker and Entourage to interact with PhoneValet. Also, for those users who wish to go beyond PhoneValet's powerful built-in features, AppleScripts can be run at key times, like when a telephone is picked up, or when a voice mail message has been received. Plus, PhoneValet's Remote Control feature lets you call in to start AppleScripts when you're away from your Mac.
PhoneValet is fax friendly. When an incoming fax call is detected PhoneValet's advanced voice mail system can direct Apple's built-in fax software or the more powerful pagesender fax solution to answer the call. Alternately, PhoneValet can monitor the call until it is answered by a fax machine which supports incoming fax detection. With PhoneValet, you may be able to do away with your dedicated fax line!
PhoneValet is a stable and friendly software package that does not require you to be a Mac OS X wizard. Like Mac OS X itself, PhoneValet just works "right out of the box" without extensive preferences or customizations. Mailbox setup is easily performed using our intuitive program. There are no complex folder hierarchies to create or maintain. PhoneValet is friendly to fast-user switching, and core features continue to work even when no users are logged in and the PhoneValet application is not running. With years of experience in Mac OS X and precursor technologies we know how to produce software that works the way you do.
New in this version:
• adds Address Book dialing support for Mac OS X 10.4 "Tiger" users
• improves the performance of searching operations in the Phonebook and Call Log
• the Quick Search field searches in the notes field for calls, as well as the name and number
System requirements:
• Mac OS X 10.2 or higher
• No modem required!
• Tiger Compatible
PhoneValet sells for:$199.95
For more information, visit:
http://www.parliant.com/?from=vtlisting
FireNEX800-SX 800 Mbps 1394b Single Mode Repeater
The Newnex FireNEX800-SX optical repeater is the world's first 1394b optical repeater. Utilizing an IEEE1394 PHY and optical transceiver, the FireNEX800-SX is capable of sending IEEE1394 signals across a single mode optical fiber cable up to 10,000 meters in length! The FireNEX800-SX is contained within a small box slightly larger than a deck of cards, which makes it unobtrusive and compact, allowing you to place it on a desktop already crowded with other things.
The Newnex FireNEX800-SX can also be used as a standard IEEE1394b repeater, extending your signal an additional 4.5 meters. The real power, however, is in its optical connection. Setting up the FireNEX800-SX is quite simple. Using a LC optical connector, plugging in the optical connection is without confusion or difficulty. It takes only minutes to setup, and there is no configuration necessary, like all IEEE1394 compliant hardware. The FireNEX800-SX will work with 1394b at speeds of 800, 400, 200 and 100 Mbps, and with 1394a at speeds of 400, 200 and 100 Mbps. For optical cables, click on Optical Cables.
A FireNEX800-SX SET is two FireNEX800-SX optical repeaters, and two 120VAC/12VDC DC power adapters (auto switching 110-220V) and a manual. Whenever you purchase 2 FireNEX800-SX repeaters we consider it a set. Optical cable and FireWire cables not included. The Newnex FireNEX800-SX comes with one-year manufacturer warranty.
Specifications:
• Two IEEE 1394b copper bilingual connectors
• One 1394b optical port with LC connector
• Works with both PCs and Macs
• Low power consumpption: 3W (DC12V/0.25A)
• Full Duplex Data Rate at 100/200/400/800 Mbps
• Compact size: 80x68x27 mm
• 9/125mm Single Mode Fiber with LC connector
• Reach up to 10,000 meters
• Backward compatible with 1394a standard
• FCC Class B and CE Mark certifications
• Operation Temperature (-45 °C to 75 °C)
• Item#: FireNEX800-SX
Price $1,695.00USD
Note: 1-3 week lead time to build/ship units
For more information, visit:
http://fwdepot.com/thestore/product_info.php/products_id/1043
Intaglio 2.3.1 Traditional Drawing & Illustration
Intaglio is a traditional Macintosh drawing & illustration application exclusively for Mac OS X.
Patterned after the original Macintosh drawing applications, Intaglio is intuitive to beginners and familiar to traditional Macintosh users. Intaglio builds on the 2D graphics, text, color, and scripting capabilities of Mac OS X to provide unprecedented power and flexibility in an inexpensive drawing program. Intaglio isn't just compatible with with Mac OS X, it was designed from the ground up to fully exploit the capabilites that make this platform ideal for graphics work.
Naturally Intaglio is great for casual users, but it is also an ideal tool for experienced graphics experts who need special features or want a simplier experience than what is provided by the usual multi-platform graphic franchises.
Intaglio takes full advantage of the following technologies built into Mac OS X:
• AppleScript
All graphic operations within Intaglio are fully scriptable and recordable. This provides a huge degree of flexibility to experts and, since anyone can record a working script, allows the novice to take advantage of AppleScript. Scripting makes it easy to automate repetitive tasks and access features that are otherwise cumbersome to use for some tasks. It also means that if a particular Intaglio function doesn't do exactly what you need, you may be able create a custom function taylored to your exact needs. Various included samples show how this can be done.
• Apple Type Services
Intaglio supports the full capabilities of the Apple Type Services to create dramatic text effects and get the most from all of your fonts. This includes access to all variations, such as those provided in multi-master fonts, and complete access to all font features such as ligatures, vertical position, letter case, and all alternate characters, which are frequently not accessible from most applications. Of course you also have full control of leading and baseline and kerning adjustments.
Text can be included in any of the graphics operations provided by Quartz and is edited directly in place regardless of any graphic transformations that have been applied to it. For more complex graphics operations, text can be converted to a graphic path to allow the full range of drawing manipulations.
Intaglio is fully compliant with the international text standard unicode, and supports direct input of characters from complex Asian alphabets.
• ColorSync
Intaglio uses ColorSync to calibrate all colors used within graphics and maintains any color profiles embedded in bitmap graphic image files. Every drawing has a default color space and maintains ColorSync profiles for each color space used.
• Quartz
Intaglio makes complete use of the Quartz 2D graphics environment. This allows Intaglio to provide traditional drawing features plus many advanced features previously found only in expensive high-end graphics tools. For example, complex "paths" made from lines, curves, and arcs can be drawn with various fills, line joins, caps, and optional dash patterns. In a feature unique to Intaglio, arcs retain their geometry (they aren't converted to curves) so their angles and radius can always be easily changed.
Advanced graphics features also include arbitrary 2D transformations like scaling and rotation, clipping, antialiasing, opacity, pattern and gradient fills, and PDF import/export.
• QuickDraw
There is a gap between applications that use the classic Macintosh graphics layer called QuickDraw and the new Quartz graphics layer in Mac OS X that most applications can't cross. Intaglio bridges this gap by providing the ability to convert QuickDraw based pictures (i.e., vector PICT graphics) into its own Quartz based graphics, allowing them to be edited in Intaglio. This means you can continue to use files created by traditional Macintosh drawing programs that don't run natively on Mac OS X.
• QuickTime
Intaglio uses the QuickTime graphics layer for importing and exporting bitmap images. This means Intaglio can import and/or export over a dozen image formats and will automatically support new formats as QuickTime is updated.
New in this version:
• Improve PDF import.
• Miscellaneous bug fixes.
System requirements:
• Mac OS X 10.2 or higher
Intaglio sells for $89.00
For more information, visit:
http://www.purgatorydesign.com/Intaglio/
VueScan 8.2.13 Scanner Software For Flatbed & Film Scanners
VueScan is a powerful scanning program that works with most scanners. Photographers, home users, scanning services and corporations around the world use VueScan for a wide range of scanning needs. VueScan gives you improved color accuracy and color balance, increases your productivity and saves you money: VueScan can make your existing scanner work as well as a brand new scanner.
VueScan supports more than 400 scanners and takes about 5 minutes to download and install.
VueScan changes nothing on your system, installs nothing in your operating system and all other scanner software will continue to function. The VueScan User's Guide is available in PDF or HTML format.
New in this version:
• Added support for Minolta Scan Elite 5400 II
• Added options for "Input|Scan from preview"
• Fixed SCSI problem on Mac OS X 10.4 (Tiger)
• Fixed problem with gray scans on Canon 8400F
• Fixed problem with "Prefs|Refresh fast" option
• Fixed focus problem on Minolta Scan Dual IV
System requirements:
• Mac OS X 10.2.8 or higher
• Supported scanner
VueScan sells for$49.95
For more information, visit:
http://www.hamrick.com/vsm.html
Cell Phones and PDAs; Tomorrow's Navigation Systems
Aside from commercial or marine applications, most global positioning systems (GPS) are installed in cars--helping people get from point A to B while driving. But a new breed of navigation systems is about to change this as millions of consumers will soon get driving directions via their cell phone or PDA.
Navigation systems are most often sold as original equipment by the auto makers. They typically include a color screen in the center console that provides maps and turn-by-turn driving instructions. These systems also provide voice output so the driver can keep their eyes on the road while driving.
But vehicle navigation systems are costly options, and customers that opt for these features are typically buyers of luxury cars or high-end SUVs. According to a TRG/Metafacts Consumer Survey, 61% of navigation systems go into luxury vehicles.
But a new class of systems--called PNDs (for Portable Navigation Devices)--is about to make these features very affordable. "These portable solutions offer almost the same functionality as in-vehicle navigation systems, but at a fraction of the price," said Phil Magney, TRG's principal telematics analyst.
With entry prices starting as low as $300, portable navigation devices come with color displays and removable memory cards. They function much the same as the OEM-fitted solutions--often using the same map database providers. And since PNDs are portable, they can be taken from car to car - a big advantage to consumers who would not want to limit the use of a navigation system to one vehicle.
The PND category actually evolved from Pocket PCs, as they are about the same size and feature similar hardware. In fact, most Pocket PCs or PDAs can be turned into navigation devices when connected to a GPS receiver. Similarly, some cell phones (a.k.a. smartphones) can be converted into navigation devices--obtaining map and traffic data "on-demand" from central servers.
According TRG reports, in-vehicle navigation system sales are projected to top 8.5m units this year, while portable navigation devices (PNDs) will come in close to 8.2m units. By 2011, TRG expects annual sales of in-vehicle navigation systems to exceed 20m units while PNDs should exceed 100m units.
For more information, visit:
http://www.telematicsresearch.com
SmartSound and Artbeats Deliver One-Stop Shopping for Footage and Music
SmartSound has announced a partnership with Artbeats, a leading provider of royalty-free stock footage. This partnership gives customers one place to go to purchase both royalty-free music and stock footage. Artbeats customers will receive a free copy of SmartSound's Sonicfire Pro soundtrack creation software with a qualifying purchase of Artbeats footage and a two-pack of SmartSound music CDs. Additionally, the online store will recommend specific music two-packs based on the footage selected by the customer.
This partnership creates a comprehensive and affordable solution for customers looking for professional visual and audio content. With both companies focusing on their areas of strength, the customer can be assured of getting the best possible solution. You can find out more information about the two-packs of music at
http://www.artbeats.com/prod/smartsound_prods.php
Artbeats customers can get the award winning SmartSound Sonicfire Pro soundtrack creation software for free with qualifying purchases of Artbeats footage and a SmartSound Music two-pack.
"With each company focusing on its own field of expertise, this partnership creates an ideal location for customers looking for royalty-free content throughout the entire creative process," said Kevin Klingler, President and CEO of SmartSound Software. "Customers can feel confident that they are getting the most comprehensive solution possible for royalty-free music and stock footage at an affordable price through the combined power of SmartSound and Artbeats."
When Artbeats customers select certain video footage products to purchase, the online store will recommend a two-pack of SmartSound music that has been tested and recommended for that footage. Customers can add the music two-pack to their Artbeats order for only $199 and new SmartSound users will receive a free copy of SmartSound's Sonicfire Pro.
"Working with SmartSound allows us to provide a high-quality soundtrack solution that is proven and respected," said Phil Bates, President of Artbeats. "This partnership creates a one-stop location for our customers by offering highest quality royalty-free footage and music for their projects. Artbeats customers that are new to SmartSound will benefit by getting the innovative Sonicfire Pro software for free with this exclusive offer."
For more information, visit:
http://www.smartsound.com
or
http://www.artbeats.com
Charles W. Moore
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