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Press Releases Edited By Applelinks Contributing Editor Charles W. Moore
Classic RolleiFlex Camera Goes Small and Digital; New RolleiFlex MiniDigi Has the Look and Feel of the Original Twin Reflex Camera
Verbatim Digital CD Photo Album Kit, All of the Tools Digital Camera Users Need to Save, Share Memories in One Convenient Package
"Spam Kings" Released by O'Reilly
Solutions Etcetera Announces SuperCard 4.5 Public Beta
SilverFast HDR STUDIO 6.4.0r3 48-bit Enhancement Tool
MacSpeech Appoints German Distributor For iListen
PhotoVu Digital Picture Frame
Delicious Library Lets You Import, Browse, And Share All Your Books, Movies, Music And Video Games
.com Solutions Inc. Releases FmPro Migrator 2.35 Enterprise Edition for MacOS X and Windows
Guitar Shed 2.8.1 Software For Musicians/Guitarists
Brightec Makes 8.5 Inch x 11 Inch Format Photo-Quality Glow-in-the-Dark Paper Available in Time for the Holidays
Ampede Updates LayerLink Plugin for Apple Motion
Dell Debuts Consumer Notebook With 17-Inch Screen; Inspiron 9200 Notebook[/url]
Classic RolleiFlex Camera Goes Small and Digital; New RolleiFlex MiniDigi Has the Look and Feel of the Original Twin Reflex Camera
Two lenses, one above the other. The hand crank lever. The shutter release. The hooded viewfinder. The exposure meter. The coal-black casing. And the RolleiFlex logo.
They're all part of a new Rollei camera that will hit the U.S. market in November. What's different from the original, a classic that has attracted the world's top photographers from its introduction in 1929 to this day, is that it's much smaller and digital.
Much as auto manufacturers who have applied modern technologies to classic designs, such as the Jaguar "S"series, Ford's Thunderbird, or the Volkswagen New Beetle, the new RolleiFlex MiniDigi has the look and feel of the original, but easily fits in the palm of your hand or pocket. Most importantly, it's a camera with features that are not only nostalgic, but also unique in the digital world.
Take the hand crank. Like its parent, the hand crank is an integral part of the camera, but instead of advancing film (which it obviously doesn't have), the Rollei MiniDigi's crank prepares the camera for the next shot. Another unique feature is the classic pop-up hood and viewfinder. The hood means no stray light gets in the way. The hood also provides a quick finder function since it can fold down to allow "see through" quick framing.
Still another nostalgic design feature that has modern applications is the square format. The square format means no shutter opportunities or valuable seconds are lost having to choose between horizontal or vertical position. You simply look downward into the viewfinder at waist level, aim, and then shoot from the waist. This results in minimal "camera fright' for portraits or taking pictures of babies or animals because the eyes of the photographer and the person don't meet. In addition, the square format doesn't force the photographer to choose between landscapes or portraits orientation.
Besides the features unique to RolleiFlex, the MiniDigi incorporates digital camera technology -- SD memory cards, white balance, fast shutter speeds, 2-megapixel sensor, LCD monitor, etc. However, it's not intended to be a full-featured digital camera.
"While the MiniDigi, because of its size, doesn't have some features like USB or flash, it does have a unique, retro styling that will likely appeal to camera buffs and consumers who want something classic, original, fun, and extremely portable," stated Dick Dischler, who is in charge of US distribution for Rollei Logistics. "The MiniDigi has really taken off in Japan where the first reaction is often 'this is really cool.'"
That's certainly my reaction. I'm a Rollei twin-lens reflex fan from way back, and used one as my main tool when I made my living as a wedding and portrait photographer 25 years ago. My old, early-'70s Rollei still works great and taked beautiful pictures, and I think the twin-lens reflex format is the best ever devised for general photography.
The new Rollei will begin shipping in early November and be available through specialty retailers. Pricing is expected to be in the $350.00 range.
For more information, contact:
http://www.rollei.jp/e/
or
Rollei Logistics based in Tokyo, is under contract with Rollei Fototechnic GmbH Germany to manufacture the Rollei Mini Digi in Japan and to distribute the camera in the U.S. The original Rollei 6x6cm was first developed in Germany by Rollei Fototechnic, and has been in continuous production since that date. The classic Rollei has established itself as one of the leading cameras for top photographers.
Verbatim Digital CD Photo Album Kit, All of the Tools Digital Camera Users Need to Save, Share Memories in One Convenient Package
In response to the growing number of consumers switching from film to digital photos, Verbatim Corporation announced today that it is shipping Digital CD Photo Album, a new all-in-one digital photo kit. Digital CD Photo Album includes everything consumers need to import digital photos, create entertaining slide shows, burn them to CDs, produce label artwork and safely store the CDs in an attractive album. With the new kit, even inexperienced users can quickly and easily turn their photos into high-resolution slide shows that can be viewed on virtually any TV equipped with a DVD player.
To make it easy for people to show and share their photos, the Verbatim Digital CD Photo Album includes Pinnacle Systems' highly acclaimed Instant PhotoAlbum LE software for organizing and burning slide shows. For added value, the complete package also includes a 10-pack spindle of Verbatim premium-quality 2-4x Rewritable CD-RW discs, Verbatim's unique Touchless Label Kit and 20 labels as well as an attractive CD Photo Album that safely stores up to 40 recorded discs.
The convenient, all-in-one kit will appeal to the growing number of consumers that use digital cameras to capture special memories and want to enjoy them with friends and family as quickly as possible. The kit also makes an excellent gift for new digital photo enthusiasts.
"Verbatim Digital CD Photo Album includes everything you need to produce and share events without having to shop around for all of the components," said Ron Hanafin, Verbatim Product Marketing Manager. "In minutes, you can organize your photos in a sequence that tells a story and can bring them to life by creating a multimedia slide show that you can proudly enjoy with friends and family. Then, instead of having everyone crowd around your computer monitor, you can simply take the disc out of the album case and pop it into your DVD player so they can view the show on your TV set."
With the Instant PhotoAlbum LE software, even novices can quickly turn their digital photos into captivating slide shows. Users have the option of creating their own personal slide show or selecting one of the ready-to-use templates. The software supports importing digital photos from most devices, including digital cameras; flash memory cards, including Verbatim SD and Compact Flash Cards; CDs or a hard drive. Basic editing tools are also included that make it easy to crop, rotate and resize the photos. Then, for a professional look, slide shows can be customized by adding background music or narration. A real-time preview window is included so users can view their results at any time and can try out different enhancements.
After creating the slide show, the same software can be used to burn it to one of the Verbatim premium-quality CD-RW discs included with the kit. The Video CD discs are compatible with most popular DVD players in use today.
Digital CD Photo Album users can then personalize the recorded disc using the Verbatim Label Kit. The Label Kit comes with Verbatim's proprietary Touch-Less application system which enables users to neatly and securely center the label on their CDs without touching the label adhesive. The kit also includes 10 labels, 10 inserts and Label Design Software with more than 1,500 background images and clipart images that make creating and printing personalized disc labels fast and easy.
To complete the package, Verbatim includes an attractive CD Photo Album with a unique, pull-out design for conveniently organizing and storing the discs safely, securely and with style.
Verbatim's Digital CD Photo Album is available at leading retailers, Internet resellers and distributors across the country for a suggested list price of $29.99. The complete digital photo solution includes Instant PhotoAlbum LE, a 10-disc spindle of Verbatim 2-4x CD-RW discs, a Verbatim Touchless Label Kit, 10 labels, 10 inserts and a pullout design CD Photo Album. For more information, visit:
http://www.verbatim.com/photo
"Spam Kings" Released by O'Reilly
At one time, spammer Davis Wolfgang Hawke grossed more than $600,000 per month selling herbal male enhancement products over the Internet. His customers came from all walks of life--CEOs, mutual fund managers, soldiers, housewives, landscapers--in other words, people who should have known better. Most people consider spam to be at least an irritation; many consider it to be more: a scourge, a significant drain on resources and money, a violation of the sanctity of one's personal computer, even an assault against one's moral sensibilities.
With spam making up more than sixty percent of today's email traffic, it is indeed a problem, but is the problem solely the fault of the spammers? Brian McWilliams, author of "Spam Kings: The Real Story Behind the High-Rolling Hucksters Pushing Porn, Pills, and @*#?% Enlargements" (O'Reilly, US $22.95, hardback), explores the shadowy world of the people responsible for today's junk email epidemic. McWilliams reveals the motivations and practices of the people who fill our email in-boxes with spam, but he also points out, "Hawke's customer list just underscores one of the key issues of the book. Spammers are willing to put up with all sorts of wrath and attacks because they honestly believe customers want what they have to offer."
McWilliams, an experienced investigative journalist who gained international attention in 2002 when he wrote about the contents of Saddam Hussein's email in-box for "Wired News," offers a fascinating account of activities of spam entrepreneurs in search of easy money. He chronicles the careers of several spam kings, including Hawke, the notorious Jewish- born neo-Nazi leader. The book traces this twenty-year old neophyte's rise in the trade, which would make him a major player in the penis enlargement pill market--and eventually a millionaire and the target of lawsuits from AOL and others.
"Like a lot of people, I get tons of junk email," McWilliams explains. "But in May, 2003, I was deluged with over one hundred spams for pills from the same company, all in a two-week span. I managed to trace the messages to a firm in nearby Manchester, New Hampshire. I discovered spammers practically in my backyard, and I decided to tell the world about it."
"I set out to write about the dozen or so spammers whom I thought were the best representatives of this strange species," McWilliams continues. "But in the process of researching the book, I was surprised to learn how interconnected many of them were. There's definitely less than seven degrees of separation between the spam kings--and sometimes even between the spammers and their antagonists, the anti-spammers."
In addition to Hawke, McWilliams introduces readers to other bizarre denizens of the spam underworld, including Sanford Wallace, one of the original spam kings, who insists that spam is a First Amendment right; Jason Vale, the champion arm-wrestler and cancer survivor whose spam messages promote Laetrile as a cure for cancer; Alan Moore, known as Dr. Fatburn to his diet-pill customers; Rodona Garst, middle-class, white-collar suburbanite by day, running stock pump-and-dump scams in her spare time; and a fascinating assortment of others.
But "Spam Kings" isn't just about spammers; it also tells the story of anti-spam cyber-activists, like Susan Gunn, a computer novice in California whose outrage led her to join a group of anti-spammers. McWilliams reports that in September 2004, the FTC recommended that Congress consider creating a bounty system for people who help catch spammers. Says McWilliams, "At present, anti-spammers hunt down spammers as unpaid volunteers, but that could change if Congress decides to put a bounty on a spammer's pelt."
In June, 2004, McWilliams notes, "AOL revealed that one of its employees had sold AOL's entire member database to spammers. One of the people who bought that list was Davis Hawke, the central figure of 'Spam Kings.' Hawke's partner, Brad Bournival, was the unidentified source who cooperated with law enforcement and enabled them to arrest two men in June for the theft. The case is still pending, with indictments due any day."
McWilliams acknowledges that there are much bigger problems in the world than spam, "But on the Internet, it's arguably THE biggest problem, since junk email is limiting our ability to communicate, and communication is the whole point of the Internet." McWilliams believes that eventually technology will reduce spam back to a minor nuisance. "But in the meantime," he says, "the root of the spam problem is people; specifically, the folks who buy from spammers. There's a big market out there of what I call 'furtive shoppers'--people who want convenient, anonymous access to shady products like porn, fake Rolex watches, drugs without prescriptions, cable de-scramblers, and 'free' government grants."
"Spam Kings" sheds light on the technical sleight-of-hand--forged headers, open relays, harvesting tools, and bulletproof hosting--and other sleazy business practices that spammers use; the work of top anti-spam attorneys; the surprising new partnership developing between spammers and computer hackers; and the rise of a new breed of computer viruses designed to turn the PCs of innocent bystanders into secret spam factories.
Chapter 1, "Birth of a Spam King," is available online at:
http://www.oreilly.com/catalog/spamkings/chapter/index.html
For more information about the book, including table of contents, index, author bio, and samples, see:
http://www.spamkings.biz
Spam Kings
Brian McWilliams
ISBN 0-596-00732-9,
333 pages, $22.95 US,
$33.95 CA
1-800-998-9938
1-707-827-7000
http://www.oreilly.com
Solutions Etcetera Announces SuperCard 4.5 Public Beta
Solutions Etcetera has announced that SuperCard 4.5, a major upgrade to their award-winning authoring environment, is now available to the public in a Beta release.
"SuperCard 4.5 has already been in testing since early this year so I don't expect this beta period to be a long one" said Scott Simon, Director of Product Development. "So far our extensive testing has shown remarkable performance and stability, but we do want to have a public beta to get feedback on as wide a variety of hardware and OS configurations as possible".
"SuperCard has been around for a long, long time…" added Mark Lucas, SuperCard's Lead Engineer. "But it's never had an upgrade to equal this one before. We didn't just add a few bug fixes and cosmetic touchups and slap on a dot-five version number here, this new release adds eye-popping performance increases plus scores of cool new features that take xtalk to places it's never been before! The virtually unanimous consensus in the SuperCard community is that 4.5 is easily the most exciting and compelling upgrade in SuperCard history".
The Public Beta release of the upcoming 4.5 version is now available at the SuperCard web site at:
http://www.SuperCard.us/
System requirements:
Mac OS 8.6 - OS X 10.2 or higher
SuperCard sells for $149.95
For more information contact Solutions Etcetera:
http://www.SolutionsEtcetera.com
SilverFast HDR STUDIO 6.4.0r3 48-bit Enhancement Tool
SilverFast HDR Studio is an enhanced version of SilverFast HDR with new features, that make the processing of your digital images much more easier and convenient:
Beginners and professionals will appreciate the intelligent automatic functions as well as the possibility to manually adjust the image at any point. Since any operation can instantaneously be undone, the beginner can easily get aquainted with the software's interface. The professional user can adjust any operation via numerical input and can precisely monitor the results using a densitometer. The unique workflow guidance with ScanPilot helps the novice user to follow the optimum workflow to get to a brilliant image right from the start.
AACO - Auto Adaptive Contrast Optimisation
SilverFast’s AACO is an excellent tool for the correction of dark, high-contrast areas of the image while preserving the details in the highlights. It operates automatically when selected, but can also be manually manipulated. The intensity and the complexity of the shadows that are to be lightened can be adjusted without affecting the highlights of the image.
The Clone Tool
A powerful 16-bit Clone Tool which extends the previously implemented SRD function has now been developed. By this, major defects and severe scratches on the image may easily be removed or corrected. Furthermore, entire areas of the image may be removed, retouched, altered, etc. For example, SilverFast may now be used for complex catalog production - without the need for additional imaging programs or tools.
Unsharp mask PLUS
The USM dialog and its preview windows may now freely be resized and enlarged. This can be done by click dragging the lower right corner of the window. Now, a better control of the image is achieved before scanning that allows a much larger preview of the final sharpening effects.
Automatic image import with re-naming function
This new function of the SilverFast Studio versions allows the direct import of images into the Virtual Light Table (VLT). Special tags may be added to the EXIF or IPTC lists. Furthermore, meta tags within the EXIF and IPTC lists are administered at ease. The re-naming of images can be done while unloading them or at another time, via previously saved image files.
Conversion of RAW-Data
SilverFast allows a quick conversion of RAW-Data files in the background. This is done by choosing the images to be converted in the overview of the Virtual Light Table VLT, and dragging them into an Album. The user can decide on his own if and when the conversion of the selected Album should take place.
JPEG 2000 support:
The support of the JPEG 2000 format enables SilverFast‘s strongest compression to process such data 3 to 7 times faster than Photoshop. In combination with SilverFast’s HiRePP function, even 3GB files may be compressed and re-opened very quickly. It is important to note that Photoshop internally calculates with 15 bit, while SilverFast uses true 16 bit
The extended print dialog of the Virtual Light Table VLT
For each image, texts from the meta tags of the IPTC or EXIF lists may be selected and added above, beside or next to the image. If the image is moved, the text is as well. The print menu in the Virtual Light Table (VLT) contains not only the possibility to print contact sheets of Albums or printing an overview, but also includes the “advanced printing dialog” for printing out a selection of images from an Album or from the overview. The images can be scaled, rotated or cropped. The images can be positioned automatically or manually on the print sheet. That allows an optimized positioning to save paper and costs. Additionally, ICC profiles and rendering intents can be individually selected in the extended print dialog. Rendering intents are color conversion methods for a specially defined color conversion of two different gamuts.
Main highlights are:
• Real-Time Correction on large Preview
• Auto-Adjust with Artificial Intelligence
• Selective Colour Correction
• Predictable Colour with CMYK Softproof
• ICC Colour Management with IT8 Calibration
• Unique LAB Unsharp Masking
• RGB to RGB soft proof
• SRD Dust & Scratch Removal
• ACR Adaptive Color Restoration
• SC2G Selective Color to Gray#
• GANE Grain & Noise Elimination
• MidPip4 Remove Multiple Color Casts
• QuickTime Movies
• JobManager included
• Runs under Jaguar
• Virtual Light Table included
• Contact Sheet Printing
• High Resolution Printing
New in this version:
• AACO - Auto Adaptive Contrast Optimisation - SilverFast's AACO is an excellent tool for the correction of dark, high-contrast areas of the image while preserving the details in the highlights.
• The Clone Tool - A powerful 16-bit Clone Tool which extends the previously implemented SRD function has now been developed. By this, major defects and severe scratches on the image may easily be removed or corrected.
• Unsharp Mask Plus - The USM dialog and its preview windows may now freely be resized and enlarged. This can be done by click dragging the lower right corner of the window.
• Automatic image import with re-naming function - This new function of the SilverFast Studio versions allows the direct import of images into the Virtual Light Table (VLT).
• Conversion of Camera RAW-Data - SilverFast allows a quick conversion of RAW-Data files in the background.
• JPEG 2000 support: - The support of the JPEG 2000 format enables SilverFast's strongest compression to process such data 3 to 7 times faster than other applications.
• The extended print dialog of the Virtual Light Table VLT - For each image, texts from the meta tags of the IPTC or EXIF lists may be selected and added above, beside or next to the image. If the image is moved, the text is as well. The print menu in the Virtual Light Table (VLT) contains not only the possibility to print contact sheets of Albums or printing an overview, but also includes the"advanced printing dialog" for printing out a selection of images from an Album or from the overview. The images can be scaled, rotated or cropped.
Other SilverFast types:
• SilverFast Ai
Our flagship product, generally designed for scanners.
• SilverFast DC-VLT
A slightly limited version of HDR. It is designed for 24 bit files, like the ones generated by most digital cameras.
• SilverFast SE
Special low-cost version of SilverFast for low-end digital cameras and scanners.
• SilverFast PhotoCD
Works with Kodak PhotoCD's.
System requirements:
Mac OS X
For more information, visit:
http://www.silverfast.com/show/silverfast-hdr-studio/en.html
MacSpeech Appoints German Distributor For iListen
MacSpeech has announced it has appointed Application Systems Heidelberg as its distributor for Germany.
"In establishing a relationship with a strong sales partner like Application Systems Heidelberg, we are continuing to expand our business in international markets," said Andrew Taylor, CEO and Founder of MacSpeech.
Steffen Ritter of Application Systems Heidelberg adds "We are happy to be bringing this unique solution to Germany", said Steffen Ritter of Application Systems Heidelberg. "iListen will enable more and more German users to enjoy the Mac experience".
The version of iListen currently shipping for German is 1.6.4. Those who purchase and register will receive a free update to the recently announced version 1.6.5 when the German version becomes available.
Application Systems Heidelberg distributes software for Macintosh and Windows. Based in Heidelberg, Application Systems distributes and supports iListen in Germany and Austria. More information about Application Systems can be found at the company's web site:
http://www.application-systems.de
For more information, visit:
http://www.macspeech.com/
PhotoVu Digital Picture Frame
The PhotoVu is the industry's first WiFi, 19" LCD digital picture frame. Recognizing that most digital camera users store, organize, edit, and share their pictures with the computer, the PhotoVu compliments the way you work today by displaying your photos or presentations in their native formats and without creating yet another photo storage location. The new photo "shoebox" isn't in the closet or basement any more, it is on the computer.
PV1910 Product Features
• A 19" LCD panel that is optimized for the enjoyment of digital photos
• A display resolution of 1280x960, 24bit color, and 170°/170° viewing angles
• Plug in a USB flash drive for automatic, stand-alone playing of photos
• No limit to the number of pictures you can display
• Supports both wireless and wired network connections without additional hardware
• Supports Windows, Macintosh, Linux, and Unix
• No moving parts (fans, hard drive, cd-rom, etc.) means no noise!
• Simple "plug and play" configuration
• High quality, light weight aluminum enclosure
• Approximately 20" x 25" x 2.25" and 21 pounds (depending on picture frame width)
• Custom picture frame and matboard options
• Build-to-order, approximately seven days to ship
• Accepts US and international power sources
• Price: $1199 (USD)
PV1940 Product Features
• All the PV1910 features above
• An all new design and streamlined look that captures the picture's full effect
• Ability to mount the PV1940 in a landscape or portrait orientation
• Support for an optional 40gb removable hard drive
• Approximately 19" x 24" x 2.25" and 20 pounds (depending on picture frame width)
• Optional AC to 12v DC power source (external power supply)
• Price: $1299
The Web Administration Program is used to control all aspects of the PhotoVu. You simply start any web browser that is on the same network as the PhotoVu and type in the PhotoVu Name or IP address. Once you enter a username and password, the Main Page is displayed. From here, full online help is available to get you started. Since we do not install software on your personal computer, just about any device that has a web browser and a network connection can be used to administer and control the PhotoVu.
Main Features
• Included at no charge with all PhotoVu models
• Access to comprehensive online help to answer all your questions
• One button, automatic management of software updates
• Control the PhotoVu using just about any web browser and networked device
• No software to install on the personal computer
• Password protected access to the Web Administration Program
• WiFi PDA remote control support using the PhotoVu Console
• Integration with industry leading photo management software
Photo Show Options
• Control the time, in seconds, between photos...up to three days
• Play photos randomly or in-order. When playing in-order, the Photo Show remembers the last photo you showed if you stop and restart the Photo Show
• Use the PhotoVu "Smart Resize" to automatically handle photos that do not use a 4:3 aspect ratio
• Support for 12+ mega pixel cameras
• Using the photo's native format, all optimization is performed in real-time on the PhotoVu. No intermediate files are created
• Automatically find photos located in directory structures
• Your choice of showing JPEG, TIFF, BMP, PNG, and GIF files
• The ability to filter out very small or large photos
• Choose between 29 transitions
• User definable background colors during a Photo Show
• Control which directories, albums, or USB devices supply photos to the Photo Show
• Display the status of the Photo Show including photo location and detailed EXIF information
Integration with Photo Management Software
• Compliment the way you use digital photos on your computer: store, organize, edit, and share
• Leverage the organization and management capabilities of photo management software to display photos
• Support for Apple iPhoto and Adobe Photoshop Album
» Select and play any number of Albums or Categories, Sub-categories, and Tags
» Organization criteria automatically shows up in the Web Administration program
» PhotoVu options to play your entire photo database or calendar years
» Apply filters to quickly find specific photos
Stand-alone Operation
• Support for stand-alone operation without a network or computer
• Use a USB flash memory device, single card reader, or optional 40gb removable hard drive for automatic Photo Show operation. Only devices that do not act as a USB hub are supported
• Defaults are random display of photos every 5 seconds. These default settings can be changed using a computer
• Once a memory device is plugged into the USB port, the Photo Show will start. If another Photo Show is already playing, it will be placed in the background until the memory device is removed from the USB port
Frame Options
• Use a WiFi enabled PDA and the PhotoVu Console to remotely control the PhotoVu. The following functions are supported: Play, Stop, Restart, Power Down, Display On, Display Off, and Current Photo EXIF Data and Location.
• Set a unique Name to each PhotoVu. For Windows users, the ability to use this unique Name in a web browser to control the PhotoVu
• Date and time settings for your local geography
• Use the Schedule feature to automatically turn on and off the PhotoVu display. Set up to three time periods per Weekday and Weekend schedules
• Quickly restart or turn off the PhotoVu
Advanced Settings
• Comprehensive wireless (802.11b) and wired (Ethernet) network support
• Ability to use DHCP or static IP addresses
• Internet configuration includes Gateway and DNS settings
• Worldwide wireless channel (1-14) support
• Supports both managed and ad-hoc wireless mode. Includes 40/64 and 128-bit WEP security using open or shared keys
• WINS support
For more information, visit:
http://www.photovu.com/products.html#photovu
Delicious Library Lets You Import, Browse, And Share All Your Books, Movies, Music And Video Games
Run your very own library from your home or office using our impossibly simple interface. Delicious Library's digital shelves act as a visual card-catalog of your books, movies, music and video games. A scan of a barcode is all Delicious Library needs to add an item to your digital shelves, downloading tons of info from the internet like the author, release date, current value, description, and even a high-resolution picture of the cover. Import your entire library using our exclusive full-speed iSight video barcode scanner, our Flic® Wireless Laser Bar Code Scanner, or (the slow way) entering the titles by hand. Once you have all of your items in your Mac, you can browse though your digital shelves, check stuff out to friends using Apple's built-in Address Book and calendar, and find new items to read, watch, and play using Library's recommendations. Delicious Library is coming very soon, so bear with us. We promise it will be worth the wait.
Features:
Use your Apple iSight web camera to scan in your books, CDs, DVDs, and video games — just hold the items' barcode up to the camera and they are instantly added to your digital shelves. iSight
Scanning
Click the similar tab on your favorite books, CDs, DVDs, and video games to see ton great recommendations based on with the same tastes as you. Buy any recommended item from Amazon.com with just two clicks.
Recommendations
Drag books, CDs, DVDs, or video games from your digital shelves into e-mail messages and instant messages to send links to friends, or use our friendly "e-mail to friend" tool to quickly create a pre-formatted message urging your friends to experience your favorite things. Email
Friends
Take your virtual card catalog with you — just plug in your iPod and automatically sync your library of books, CDs, DVDs, and video games to your iPod's notes category. Now when you go to the store, your shelves go with you.
iPod Sync
Import from a number of competing programs, or from tab-separated text files. Delicious Library stores your library in a standard XML file, so hAxOrZ can export to virtually any other format.
Flexible Import
Speak the title of any book, CD, DVD, or video game and it's instantly highlighted. Voice Search
Assign a one to five-star rating to any book, CD, DVD, or video game in your library, and mark if you've read/listened/viewed/played it yet. Sort your digital shelf by your rating so you can find your most hated stuff you have been meaning to get rid of.
Personal Ratings
Create your own shelf collections with a mix of any books, CDs, DVDs, and video games you want. Make a shelf for each actual shelf in your house, or make shelves for your favorite items, or make one filled all your with references for a research report. Custom Collections
Get our Flic Wireless Laser Barcode Scanner to scan in the barcodes from your books, CDs, DVDs, and video games from all over your house or business — if you wander out of wireless range, the scanner automatically remembers up to 500 barcodes that will be imported the next time you're in range.
Bluetooth Scanning
Designed and developed exclusively for Mac OS X 10.3 "Panther," so everything is fast, sturdy and looks and feels right at home.
For Mac OS X
Drag your books, CDs, DVDs, and video games onto people in the built-in Mac OS X Address Book to check them out to friends and family. An due-date is automatically placed in your built-in Mac OS X Calander, reminding you when to get your stuff back.
Item Checkout
Type author names, titles, stars, directors, or other key words into the search field and instantly only matching books, CDs, DVDs, and video games are displayed. Live Searching
Print your library of books, CDs, DVDs, and video games in a very beautiful and compact format, perfect for folding up and sticking in your pocket when you go to the bookstore (or video store, or music store...).
Printing
There are a ton of web actions you can do based on specific info from any book, CD, DVD, or video game in your library, including viewing other items by the same creator on Amazon, listing your item for sale on Amazon, buying a new or used copy on Amazon (for a friend, perhaps), and, for a movie, looking up its stars in the Internet Movie Database. Web Actions
Instead of only showing your books, CDs, DVDs, and video games in a big, ugly, hard-to-read table, we show them on beautiful photorealistic wooden shelves that look just like the ones you'd see at the library or video store, with DVDs looking like real DVDs and books looking like real books.
Cover Browsing
Seriously, it is. It's just fun. And it helps you get a handle on the stuff you own, so it doesn't own you. Get rid of the things you don't really like, buy more of the things you love, share the best with your friends, and always keep them all organized. Fun to Use
Import all your stuff onto your digital shelves using your Apple iSight, the wireless barcode scanner, or just your keyboard.
Quickly importing your stuff into Delicious Library doesn't require a dedicated barcode scanner - you can use any QuickTime-supported digital video camera, like your Apple iSight. Just hold the barcode on the back of any book, movie, CD, or video game in front of the camera and your item magically shows up on your digital shelf seconds later. Using the same technology found in $800 industrial-strength CCD barcode scanners, Delicious Library reads every single frame of digital video; seeking out, targeting, and instantly decoding any visible barcodes. This results in a seamless process of scanning that lets you import about 750 items an hour (assuming you can move your arms that fast). At that rate the staff of the new downtown Seattle Central Library could import all of their 1.4 million books into Delicious Library in just over 5 hours.
Delicious Monster doesn't sell iSight cameras, but you can buy one from your local Apple Retail Store or at the Apple Online Store. An iSight can also be used for much more than barcode scanning - you can use it to video conference with friends, set up a webcam online, and even play interactive games.
If you have tons of items, or don't want to have to take your items to your computer to scan them in, check out our wireless scanner.
Quickly importing your stuff into Delicious Library doesn't require a dedicated barcode scanner - you can use any QuickTime-supported digital video camera, like your Apple iSight. Just hold the barcode on the back of any book, movie, CD, or video game in front of the camera and your item magically shows up on your digital shelf seconds later. Using the same technology found in $800 industrial-strength CCD barcode scanners, Delicious Library reads every single frame of digital video; seeking out, targeting, and instantly decoding any visible barcodes. This results in a seamless process of scanning that lets you import about 750 items an hour (assuming you can move your arms that fast). At that rate the staff of the new downtown Seattle Central Library could import all of their 1.4 million books into Delicious Library in just over 5 hours.
If you have tons of items, or don't want to have to take your items to your computer to scan them in, check out our wireless scanner.
If you're a serious collector (or seriously love cool gadgets), check out the Flic Wireless Laser Barcode Scanner. This scanner connects wirelessly (via Bluetooth) to Delicious Library to look up barcodes as you scan them off your shelves. You can wander around your house (up to 50 feet away from your computer) scanning everything in your library, instantly importing items into Delicious Library as they are scanned, without being tethered to your machine. If Delicious Library has trouble looking up a barcode you will be notified immediately with a spoken message, letting you go back and figure out what's wrong (and fix it). And, if you wander outside the 50-foot wireless range, no worries: the scanner's on-board memory will automatically kick in and record up to 500 unique barcodes. When you walk back into range (after, say, scanning your collection upstairs) Delicious Library connects to the scanner and imports all the stored barcodes. This gives you a wireless barcode scanner with a virtually unlimited range. You can scan all your stuff no matter where it is located. No cords, no limits.
If you want the absolute best experience importing your library, the Flic Wireless Laser Bar Code Scanner is definitely the way to go. It scans barcodes quickly and accurately, and it works well in low light conditions. You can buy the Flic wireless scanner directly from us when you buy Delicious Library, for about the price other companies sell bulky, low-quality, corded, CCD (non-laser) barcode scanners without decent software.
If you have a small library, or you're just getting started, you don't have to invest in an iSight or a dedicated barcode scanner. To get your stuff into Delicious Library, all you have to do is type in the titles (or the UPCs) from your books, movies, CDs, and video games and Delicious Library will instantly fill in all their details and covers for you.
If you've got hundreds of items to import you should look into buying an Apple iSight or the Flic Wireless Laser Barcode Scanner; it'll save you a ton of typing and it's a heck of a lot more fun.
For more information, visit:
http://www.delicious-monster.com/
.com Solutions Inc. Releases FmPro Migrator 2.35 Enterprise Edition for MacOS X and Windows
.com Solutions Inc. Releases FmPro Migrator 2.35 Enterprise Edition for MacOS X and Windows - New Release Adds Repeating Fields Extraction Feature for FileMaker to MySQL Database Migrations.
.com Solutions Inc., a developer of multi-platform database migration and development tools, has released FmPro Migrator 2.35 for MacOS X and Windows with a new repeating fields extraction feature for FileMaker Pro to MySQL migrations. Another new feature which has been added is the generation of Perl CGI scripts for FileMaker 7 database migrations.
Many FileMaker databases include non-relational data elements called repeating fields. These fields store multiple values within each field and are associated with the main database record by the FileMaker database engine. Manually extracting these repeating fields into a relational database structure can be a time consuming and error-prone process. FmPro Migrator easily extracts FileMaker repeating fields into a separate database table in which the records are related to the main table by the primary key. Each iteration of a FileMaker repeating field is inserted as a new record within the repeating fields table.
FmPro Migrator standardizes and automates FileMaker database migration procedures including data type matching, field to column renaming, table creation, FileMaker field size determination and data transfer for 8 different database servers. Supported databases include MySQL, Oracle (8, 8i-9i, 10g), Access, SQL Server, Sybase, DB2, PostgreSQL and FrontBase.
FmPro Migrator Features include:
-- Repeating Fields Extraction to MySQL - Data from FileMaker repeating fields is now extracted into individual records within a repeating fields table related to the primary database table. Any number of non-container field repeating values are easily extracted to the child table and related to the primary table record by the primary key. Differing numbers of repeating field values are supported for each individual record within the primary database table.
-- Repeating Field Table Creation SQL Code Created Automatically - Table creation SQL code is automatically generated for each repeating field within the FileMaker database. Each repeating field table also includes primary key and foreign key constraint code to insure data integrity.
-- MacOS X and Windows Compatibility - FmPro Migrator runs on MacOS X and Windows, thus enabling developers to use their preferred platform for creating the migration scripts.
FmPro Migrator is available for MacOS X and Windows. A free demo version of FmPro Migrator may be downloaded from http://www.fmpromigrator.com/downloads/index.html For more info see: http://www.fmpromigrator.com/products/fmpro_migrator
Guitar Shed 2.8.1 Software For Musicians/Guitarists
A fully-integrated set of tools for the guitarist (And other musicians). Tools include a 2 tuners (chromatic and tonal), tablature organizer, chord library, metronome, gig manager, web manager, jam machine, and song jam.
Feature Summary:
All-In-One Program Design
Every guitar-related tool you need, in one simple place.
Tone & Chromatic Tuners
Use whichever tuning module you're more comfortable with. Tune by ear, or automatically. Alternate Tunings are available (and completely customizable).
Massive Chord Library
Over 400 chords, with full audio samples for easy lookup and song creation.
Tablature Organizer
Store, edit, and search all of your guitar tablature in one place. Easily find tab for your favorite artists using the fully-integrated tab-search (View tab search results right in Guitar Shed!). It's even integrated with iTunes*.
Music Tools Galore
Just about every music tool you'll ever need is included! Adjustable Metronome, Jam Machine, Song Jammer, Low-Octave Bass Tuning, Gig Manager, Web Manager, and so much more.
Tuners:
• Choose between 2 separate tuning modules. Either the microphone-sensitive Chromatic tuner, or the Tone tuner (by ear)
• Chromatic tuner listens to your guitar, and helps you get in tune quickly, automatically.
• Tone tuner plays reference notes to help you tune your instrument. Included voices even include many guitars, piano, harpsichord, banjo, sitar, and more.
• Special "Loop Note", "Chord Cycler", "Strum", and "Pick" to accommodate your tuning style.
• Alternate tunings are fully supported - easily allows you to store an unlimited number of custom tuning configurations.
Tablature:
• Easily organizes your guitar tablature into a single library - making it an essential tool for any guitarist that regularly refers to tabs on their computer. Add an unlimited number of tabs for easy, quick access.
• Variable-speed automatic scrolling feature makes it easy to play-along with your tab.
• "Easy Read" feature changes the text into a much more readable format.
• With a single click, you can automatically get the tablature for the currently selected song in iTunes (Macintosh only feature), or find new tablature using the integrated search feature.
• Import tablature you have on your computer for easy cataloging. Includes drag/drop support. (Support for text, ascii, and .crd files).
Chord Library:
• Find popular chords using an easy-to-read "virtual" guitar fretboard (Available in 2 styles).
• Hundreds of chords available, with dynamic fret numbering.
• Listen to the chords using any of the 10 built-in instruments.
• Left-handed mode reverses all chords, making it the ultimate tool for lefties.
Tools Tools Tools:
• Many other tools are included in this software package. Including a fully-adjustable metronome, jam machine, song jam, low-octave bass tuner, gig manager, web manager, and much, much more.
New in this version:
• Tab Search feature "Selected Song In iTunes" works again. (Found in the Tablature section). The results are now provided by a (better) source, and offer more accurate results. This feature gets the guitar tablature for the SELECTED song (Not Playing song) in Apple's iTunes.
• Small performance improvements, mainly with the Jam Machine.
• Extra note: We're still working on adding specific support for more external audio devices with the Chromatic Tuner; if your device isn't supported, please let us know.
System requirements:
• Mac OS X 10.0 or higher (10.2 or later recommended)
Guitar Shed sells for $18.00
For more information, visit:
http://www.astoundit.com/products/guitarshed/index.html
Brightec Makes 8.5 Inch x 11 Inch Format Photo-Quality Glow-in-the-Dark Paper Available in Time for the Holidays
Brightec, creator of the world's first photo-quality glow-in-the-dark paper, today announced the online availability of its inkjet photo paper in an additional size of 8.5" x 11". Consumer packs of 8.5" x 11" Brightec photo paper, with five sheets per pack, are now available at http://www.Brightec.com and priced at $19.95 plus shipping, handling and any applicable taxes. Ten-sheet packs of 4" x 6" Brightec photo paper are already available at $9.95 plus shipping, handling and any applicable taxes. In order to ensure that orders are received in time for Halloween, Brightec is shipping all orders placed until October 28, 2004, via U.S. Postal Service Priority Mail at no extra cost.
Brightec made the larger format available to serve the increased demand for unique gifts and innovative craft materials during the holiday season that stretches from Halloween through New Year's celebrations. To further aid consumers in their holiday creativity, Brightec has launched a holiday-themed page on http://www.Brightec.com that showcases great ideas for incorporating Brightec photo-quality glow-in-the-dark paper into holiday festivities. The "Halloween at Brightec" page contains ideas on how to make Halloween "boo-rilliant" with Brightec.
"Over the past several months, consumers using our 4" X 6" offering have discovered Brightec photo paper's versatility as both a photographic and craft medium. With our 8.5" X 11" format, photographers and craft enthusiasts alike will be able to expand their creativity and take their images to the next level," said Patrick Planche, CEO of Brightec. "The holidays are a time for play and imagination, and Brightec's impact is limited only by the inspiration of the person using it. Brightec brings so much to the holidays, from one-of-a-kind decorations and projects, to capturing memorable holiday moments that shine throughout the year."
Brightec's patented photo paper is compatible with most popular inkjet printers and ideal for printing high-quality pictures that appear normal in conventional light but light up with full photographic detail in low light or darkness. Brightec dramatically outshines typical glow-in-the-dark products.
For more information, visit:
http://www.brightec.com
Ampede Updates LayerLink Plugin for Apple Motion
Ampede released LayerLink 1.1 today, a software plugin for Apple Motion that brings native multi-layer Adobe Illustrator support to Motion that is on par with Adobe After Effects, the gold standard for Illustrator integration. With LayerLink, motion graphics professional can now take advantage of Motion's real time tools when using Illustrator artwork.
"Ampede is committed to providing tools professionals need, and LayerLink is a reflection of that" said Eric Ocean, Ampede's founder and president. "Multi-layer Illustrator support has been missing from Motion, and we're thrilled to give Motion users that capability today."
LayerLink provides a new command in Motion's File menu: "Import Illustrator as Project...". LayerLink imports an Illustrator file as a Motion project, keeping layer settings, names, and visibility intact. You can scale, rotate, move, apply filters and animate each layer separately using all of the tools Motion has to offer. As you update the original Illustrator file, LayerLink updates the layers in your Motion project.
Since LayerLink is a native plugin, not a third-party After Effects plugin, you can continue to take advantage of all of the real-time capabilities of Motion.
About LayerLink 1.1
This release adds full support for Illustrator CS and contains numerous usablity enhancements.
LayerLink is available through the end of October for $99 ($119 thereafter) and can be downloaded and purchased at:
http://www.ampede.com/layerlink/
Dell Debuts Consumer Notebook With 17-Inch Screen; Inspiron 9200 Notebook
Dell has launched the Inspiron 9200, the company's first notebook with a 17-inch wide-aspect screen, providing customers a viewing area 26 percent larger than a 15.4-inch typical wide-aspect notebook display despite occupying a smaller footprint and weighing less than most 17-inch models. The 9200 measures only about 1.5 inches thick and weighs a little more than 7.5 pounds
The new notebook system is powered by Intel's Pentium M 7xx series processors. With its mobile optimized architecture and support for lower power technologies, the Inspiron 9200 delivers exceptional battery life of up to 3.4 hours with the standard 53WHr battery.(b)
The product includes an advanced graphics card that delivers an exceptional viewing experience for movie lovers and multimedia enthusiasts. Likewise, the large display aids in productivity applications, allowing users to view and work in two applications simultaneously, such as conducting Web research and authoring documents.
Housed in a silver and white chassis with an integrated subwoofer, the Inspiron 9200 is designed to provide easy access to multimedia content. Front and center multimedia keys allow users to navigate through music content simply.
The Inspiron 9200 is also the first new Inspiron notebook to incorporate +/- optical drives, including an 8X CD/DVD burner (DVD+/-RW+R)(c) with double-layer write capability, providing the fastest burn capability on a slim drive currently available.
Technical Highlights: Inspiron 9200
-- Choice of Intel Pentium M processors: 725 (1.6GHz), 745 (1.8GHz) or 755 (2.0GHz)
-- 256MB to 2GB DDR at 333MHz
-- UltraSharp Wide Aspect Display (17-inch) with choice of resolution: WXGA+ (1440x900), WUXGA (1920x1200)
-- ATI MOBILITY RADEON 9700 128MB graphics card
-- Integrated 56K(f) v.92 capable modem, 10/100 Ethernet, optional integrated Wi-Fi (802.11b/g or 802.11a/b/g) and Bluetooth capability
-- Choice of modular optical drives: DVD, CD-RW/DVD or Double Layer(d) DVD+/-RW/+R(c)
-- Choice of Hard Drives: 40GB(g), 60GB(g), 80GB(g), 100GB(g)
-- Ports include IEEE 1394, USB 2.0, Dolby Digital Audio Out, S-Video Out, S/PDIF, SD Memory Card Reader
-- 6-cell or 9-cell Primary Lithium Ion battery
For more information about Inspiron products, go to:
http://www.dell.com/inspiron
Charles W. Moore
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