Mac Product Watch

iCab Preview 2.3 is the newest release of the compact Web browser that offers a Mac-only alternative to the Big Two. It's free in its present, pre-release version; final pricing has not been set. New to this version is the ability to select which JavaScript code iCab will execute; a revised Hotlist window; a "pre-fetch" option; and more. There's also a version for OS X available at the same page.

The monthly security software updates are out: Symantec has its NAV virus definitions for Norton AntiVirus 5 through 7, while Intego has posted an update to its VirusBarrier virus definitions. Both updates are free.

A renewed reason to contract carpal-tunnel syndrome--Blizzard has released Diablo II 1.04, an update to the popular real-time action/role-playing game. In addition to bug fixes, the update includes refinements to play, which still remains an addictive matter of pointing, clicking and repeating.

MoonBeam Products' Private Eye 1.0 is a new personal security utility. For the low, low price of $15, Private Eye will enable you to make invisible chosen files via one key click, and return them to their previous state the same way, all with a master password further protecting your confidentiality.

Though there are no posted details of what it does, Adobe Systems Inc. has put up an Illustrator 9.0.2 update for the vector-graphics application. Use at your own risk...

Ilesa's Download Deputy 4.0 revises the $29.95 utility for batching and automating http and ftp download, adding unlimited queue windows, a redesigned and Finder-like interface, reduced RAM requirements and more.

SimpleEnvelope 1.5 from Virgilio de Carvalho adds support for three new templates. The $10 utility is for printing envelopes and Avery labels with postnet barcodes.

Fourth World Media Communication has released WebMerge 1.0, a $69 application for generating static Web pages from databases made by FileMaker Pro, Microsoft Access and more.

Lemke Software has updated its FontBook 3.3, adding support for Navigation Services and bug fixes to the $10 utility for printing complete font families. Doublet Scan 3.2.2 is the latest version of Hyperbolic Software's $25 utility. It searches for all duplicate files on disks; Version 3.2.2 fixes bugs and improves search protocols.

Is it that time already? Kiplinger (an H&R Block E-Solutions company) has released its updated Taxcut 2000, a software package designed to make it easy to calculate and file your state and federal taxes, even online. In addition to a new, lower price of $19.95, this version includes free electronic filing and state tax software, on-screen video tax tips, and import capabilities from Intuit's Quicken and TurboTax.

Greenleaf Technologies Corp. has introduced its DigiGuard digital-rights protection software -- sorry, nothing to do with Digimons. The company said that the lock/unlock capabilities of DigiGuard will enable developers and producers to distribute safely their applications and content over CD-ROM, DVD-ROM or the Internet.

Power On Software has posted a major update to its $89.95 data-recovery tool, Rewind 1.0.3. This version activates a "Rewind Disks" feature that lets you revert to a previous saved state of your hard drive and adds Emergency Startup Disk support for Mac OS 8.

TrapWise 3.1.1 adds better compatibility with desktop publishing applications as well as support for PDF 1.3 files and USB dongles to Scenic Soft's trapping utility.

Dantowitz Consulting & Research has introduced its CodeBurst for WebSiphon 1.0, a $199 library for Purity Software's WebSiphon; it adds strong encryption of database records and other data.

Panopticum LLC's Panopticum Rich Typing 1.2 is an update to the $99.99 title effects plug-in for Adobe After Effects. Version 1.2 includes a new set of effects.

PHP Time 1.5 is a free application for adding time functionality to the PHP programming language. This update fixes bugs and adds a "Select All" feature.

It's Hanukkah, and the good folks at Gathering of Developers have gifted us all with a demo of Bungie's long-anticipated "full-contact action" game Oni (link is to a list of download site mirrors, thanks to MacGamer.com). It's been a good holiday season for Mac game demos--recent tastes of action have included the shooter SiN Gold from Ritual and United Developers, the multi-coloned Star Trek: Voyager: Elite Force from Activision, Aspyr's Sim Theme Park, the tactical anti-terrorist sim Rogue Spear from Macsoft, Monkey Byte's Kawasaki Jet Ski and the Viking hack-and-slash Rune from Gathering of Developers. Be warned: not only are some of these files extremely large, but your work may suffer should you try any or all of these demos.

What's more, there's also an unsupported 3dfx Voodoo 4/5 update 1.1.3 drivers available for owners of those now-orphaned 3d accelerator cards.

ACD Systems International Inc. has released the final version of its ACDSee 1.5 image-management application that supports more than 40 multimedia formats. It costs $39.95.

Capste's $15 Entourage Email Archive 1.0 is a small utility for archiving emails and attachments from Microsoft's Entourage application. It can export the archives right in the Finder, as a text file or in a tab-text format.

Max Ribouli has posted his Fast Mail CM Plugin 2.0, an update to his $25 Contextual Menu plug-in for sending files and text as e-mail without needing an e-mail client. New to Version 2.0 is based on rewritten network code.

Mscape Software has updated its Iconographer 2.0.1, adding an "Open Recent" command, bug fixes and improved compatibility to the $15 icon and resource editor.

PCalc 2.2.1 fixes a bug involved when calculating to 14 decimal places in TLA Systems' $10 scientific-calculator utility.

Adobe Systems Inc. has shipped Premiere 6.0, the latest release of the professional video editing tool. Version 6.0 gains digital video capture and other functionality; Web-export plug-ins and markers; an audio mixer; and an interface that dovetails more neatly with other Adobe applications. The price is $549 new; updates are $149.

Also shipping is Stata Corp.'s Stata 7, the latest version of the statistics and data-management application. Version 7 includes new output options, new commands and estimators and more. For corporate and educational pricing, see the company's site.

Finally available is the long-awaited Jaz FireWire adapter from Iomega Corp, enabling the 1GB and 2GB removable media accessory to be used with the high-speed interface. The adapter alone is $99.95, and a bundle of the adapter with a 2GB Jaz drive will be available in January for $349.95.

VSE has released BF Search Engines 7.0. This updates and adds new search engines to VSE Be Found, a tool for submitting your site to various Web spiders and other search engines.

Amar Sagoo's FontManager 1.0 is a free Mac OS X utility that supplies a "standard" font panel for editing font sets and favorites.

Capste has updated its Check Folders 1.5 tool for monitoring up to eight folders for changes. What's new? That it's free.

SpeedSearch 2.0 is an update to the $10 utility for searching files for specific text in a Sherlock-y way. The revision has added an improved user interface and includes bug fixes.

Apple has released AppleShare IP 9.0.4 Update 1.0, which improves compatibility between Apple Share IP 6.3.1 and Macintosh Manager 1.3 running atop Mac OS 9.0.4. If you fit all of those conditions, go for it.

How big is your pipe? Asante Technologies Inc. has announced its new GigaNIX Gigabit Ethernet adapters for those suffering from bandwidth envy. The "third-generation" adapters are currently available for $149, complete with beta drivers for Mac OS X.

Chaotic Software never seems to rest, releasing today QuickMovie 1.3. This update to the $20 application for creating QuickTime movies from a series of images gains support for Windows playback, the ability to select a background color and various bug fixes.

Mac Unicorn Software has updated Press Volume 1.1, its $10 utility for changing volume, screen resolution and depth via the keyboard. Version 1.1 adds new sound shortcut keys, a sound status window, bug fixes and more.

Eudora Archiver 1.4 -- well, it archives Eudora e-mail and attachments. Damn those developers for choosing a clear name. The 1.4 update to this $20 application fixes various bugs.

Only if you are running Mac OS 9.0.4 on a Power Mac G4 system should you install the new Apple CPU Plugin, released today. Earlier models and operating systems as well as Mac OS X will not benefit. The Web site MacFixIt says that the Plugin seems to be only for dual-processor G4 Macs, actually, and may solve a freeze bug when such systems are left idle for a long time.

Adobe Systems Inc. has released the InDesign 1.5.2 update (no mention of whatever happened to Version 1.5.1). This includes support for printing to non-PostScript printers, PostScript printing enhancements, a fix for an error associated with TrueType fonts, a Links palette, and more.

ScenicSoft has introduced Pandora 1.0. This is a prepress production tool for automated package and label layouts, offering a WYSIWYG environment compatible with most DTP applications. Contact the company for pricing.

Norbert M. Doerner's CDFinder 3.0 is a $20 utility for cataloging files on removable media for easy searching. Version 3.0 offers an improved catalog file format, compatible with CDWinder 1.0 for Windows; conversion of catalog formats; improved speed and more. You can also download it here.

Tri-Edre has released Tri-Catalog 4.0, a new version of the $39 application for scanning and cataloging media. New to Version 4.0 is the ability to open multiple browsers as well as support for an unlimited number of volumes and files.

Web Devil 5.1 is an update to the $34.95 off-line Web browser from Chaotic Software. New to this is Carbonization and a revised user interface to work better with OS X's Aqua.

Merzwaren has updated its scriptable, recordable and attachable text editor Style 1.8, adding RTF document support, a new Unicode-based format, a Get Info command and more to the $10 application. You can also download it here.

Maki Enterprise's MailGoGoGo 2.0 is an update to the $45 spam-filtering software.