News for Sunday, 23 April 2006

A beta version of the amusing software, iAlertU, is available for download.
If you recall, it uses the motion sensor built in to the MacBook to detect if the machine is being moved and sets off an alarm like a security system.
The beta is functional, but does not yet take pictures using the iSight in the event of the alarm being triggered.
We recommend downloading this if your computer is compatible. You will be able to use it to prevent your computer from being stolen, or at least to amuse your friends.
http://www.slappingturtle.com/home/

Tom Ferris has discovered 5 security flaws in Mac OS X 10.4.6 (and probably the other versions).
Through these flaws, malformed zip, html, bmp, gif, and tiff files can cause a DoS (Denial of Service) on the targeted machines.
It is advised that you do not visit untrusted websites and download the files in the vulnerable formats.

It is now possible to register for the Apple Expo Paris 2006 at the following site:
http://www.apple-expo.com/
The badge is electronic again this year.
It will be necessary to print it out and bring it with you for entry.

Apple regularly drops support for certain computers, rendering them obsolete. Here is a list of the ones which will be regarded as obsolete as of 12 June 2006:
- iBook (FireWire)
- PowerBook (FireWire)
- iMac 350 MHz
- iMac 400 MHz DV
- iMac 400 MHz DV (Special Edition)
- iMac (Summer 2000)
- iMac (Summer 2000) DV
- iMac (Summer 2000) DV Plus
- iMac (Summer 2000) DV Special Edition
- Macintosh Server G4 (AGP Graphics)
- Macintosh Server G4 (Gigabit Ethernet)
- Power Mac G4 (AGP Graphics)
- Power Mac G4 (Gigabit Ethernet)
We are waiting for more details as to what obsoleting a computer actually is, but it is most likely related to the availability of spare parts, which will not be produced anymore. And of course, it is doubtful that these machines will be supported by the next version of Mac OS X.