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TidBITS Watchlist: Notable Software Updates for 07-Sep-09

BeLight Software Updates bring Snow Leopard compatibility to the company’s entire product line, which includes Live Interior 3D (both Standard and Pro), Art Text, Get Backup, and the Printfolio suite, consisting of Disc Cover, Business Card Composer, Swift Publisher, Labels & Addresses, and Image Tricks Pro. (Free updates)

Java for Mac OS X 10.5 Update 5 from Apple is a security and stability update for Java SE 6, J2SE 5.0, and J2SE 1.4.2 on Mac OS X 10.5.8. The update addresses a serious vulnerability with each version that may enable an untrustworthy Java applet to obtain elevated privileges and execute arbitrary code on a victim’s system. While these latest versions of J2SE 5.0 and J2SE 1.4.2 support both PowerPC- and Intel-based Macs, the new release of Java SE 6 is available only for 64-bit Intel-based Macs. The update can be downloaded via Software Update or from the Apple Support Downloads page. (Free, 161.35 MB)

SOHO Labels 4.1 from Chronos is a maintenance and compatibility upgrade to the envelope and label design software. The latest version is fully compatible with Snow Leopard, and several changes regarding Bezier shapes have been made. Open Bezier shapes can now be closed by double-clicking and adding new control points, recently added segments to Bezier shapes can be removed with the Delete key, and individual control points in Bezier shapes can be deleted or moved after being selected. Finally, the Smart Inspector now repositions itself when the main window is moved, and ZIP codes are now confirmed as valid before PostNet barcodes are drawn. ($39.99 new, $19.99 upgrade, 84
MB)

Teleport 1.0.2 from Abyssoft brings Snow Leopard compatibility to the virtual keyboard and mouse switcher that enables you to control multiple Macs using the same keyboard and mouse (see “Tools We Use: Teleport,” 2007-08-27). (Donationware, 767 KB)

Opera 10 from Opera Software is a significant update to the company’s independent Internet browser. Changes include an interface overhaul featuring improved tabs, a new Opera Turbo compression engine which reportedly speeds surfing over slow connections, and an enlarged and customizable Speed Dial. Also, Web integration for email and RSS has been enhanced, the search field is now resizable, and the Opera Presto engine has been updated to version 2.2, offering greater speeds on resource-heavy sites. A more complete list of new features is available on the Opera Software Web site. (Free, 10.6 MB)

Yojimbo 2.0 from Bare Bones Software is the latest version of the information organizer. Changes are interface-heavy and include a new Tag Explorer feature, an added New Image command, the capability to control which collections appear in the Drop Dock, a refreshed Quick Input panel, and enhanced PDF capabilities. Full release notes are available on the Bare Bones Web site. ($39, $20 upgrade, free update if you purchased Yojimbo 1.x on or after 01-Jan-09, 5.7 MB)

Omni Group Software Updates bring Snow Leopard compatibility to all of the company’s shipping software including OmniFocus, OmniGraffle, OmniOutliner, OmniPlan, OmniWeb, OmniGraphSketcher, OmniDiskSweeper, and OmniDazzle. Both OmniFocus and OmniGraffle have also received additional updates. Changes to OmniFocus 1.7 include the capability to view and delete attachments lists in your OmniFocus documents, enhanced sync performance, and some minor interface changes. OmniGraffle 5.2 now supports multi-touch trackpad gestures, and fixes issues with tables, shared
layers, and overall stability.

Fetch 5.5.2 from Fetch Softworks is a maintenance and compatibility update to the longstanding file transfer software. In addition to bringing compatibility with Snow Leopard, the update also improves the Quick Look feature, adds a new View as Text command, and provides SOCKS support for SFTP connections. ($29 new, free update from 5.5, 17.4 MB)

SuperDrive Firmware 3.0 Update from Apple eliminates noise from optical drives on certain Macs during system startup and wake from sleep. The update works specifically in conjunction with the iMac EFI Firmware Update 1.4 and the Mac mini EFI Firmware Update 1.2. To install the update, follow the instructions in the updater application that launches automatically after the installer has closed (/Application/Utilities/SuperDrive Update.app). The update is available via Software Update or the Apple Support Downloads page. (Free, 18.35 MB)

Mac OS X Server 10.5.8 Update 1.1 from Apple offers unspecified fixes to the previously released Mac OS X Server 10.5.8 Update. In addition to general system fixes, the general Mac OS X Server 10.5.8 Update addresses issues such as the unreliability of AFP for file services and Time Machine backups, propagating file systems permissions, losing previous user password histories, Spotlight indexing errors, excessive memory consumption, and the issuing of false duplicate serial number alerts on servers with multiple network interfaces. The update is available via Software Update or the Apple Support Downloads
page
. (Free, 978 MB)

Mac Mini EFI Firmware Update 1.2 from Apple “improves compatibility with the latest Apple memory kits on Mac mini computers.” To install the update, follow the instructions in the updater application that launches automatically after the installer has closed (/Application/Utilities/Mac mini EFI Firmware Update.app). (Free, 2.4 MB)

HoudahGeo 2.3 from Houdah Software updates the photo geocoding software with a handful of new features. Changes include compatibility with Snow Leopard, a new Viewing Direction feature, the capability to geocode within the iPhoto library and notify iPhoto ’09 of the tags, a new German localization, an updated and enhanced Help Book, improved Coordinate and Altitude Formatters, a refreshed user interface, and a handful of unspecified bug fixes. ($30 new, free update, 5.7 MB)

Server Admin Tools 10.6 from Apple contains “remote administration tools, documentation, and utilities that you can install on a computer other than your server” (since they’re automatically included on Macs running Mac OS X Server). Items included are the Server Preferences application, the Status Widget, Server Admin, Server Monitor, Workgroup Manager, Podcast Composer, System Image Utility, Xgrid Admin, and QuickTime Broadcaster. The update is available via Software Update and the Apple Support Downloads page. (Free, 240.82 MB).

Scrivener 1.52 from Literature & Latte is the latest version of the word processor and project management tool designed for serious fiction writers. The update brings Snow Leopard compatibility and support for one-way syncing with WriteRoom.ws, the Web tool designed to sync notes from the WriteRoom iPhone app. ($39.95 new, free update, 11.4 MB).

Network Registration Update 1.0 from Apple addresses an issue wherein the Server Assistant, Server Admin, or Xsan Admin could issue false duplicate serial number alerts on servers with multiple network interfaces in Snow Leopard. The update is recommended for servers running Mac OS X Server 10.6 and is available via Software Update and the Apple Support Downloads page. (Free, 24.74 MB).

ODBC Administrator Tool for Mac OS X from Apple “enables database administration of ODBC-compliant data sources.” The brief release notes go on to say that the tool includes features such as “collection pooling, trace log creation, and ODBC driver management.” (Free, 5.13 MB).

Aperture 2.1.4 from Apple is a compatibility and stability update to the image editing and organizational software. The update adds compatibility with Snow Leopard, and addresses a number of issues related to importing, Web publishing, and creating and ordering books. The update is recommended for all users of Aperture 2, is required to run Aperture 2 on Mac OS X 10.6, and is available via Software Update or the Apple Support Downloads page. ($199 new, free update, 211.98 MB).

Gutenprint Printer Drivers for Mac OS X 10.6 from Apple is a support update to the massive open source collection of independently created printer drivers (often for old or unusual printers, some which aren’t otherwise supported in Snow Leopard) that shipped with Snow Leopard. The full list of supported printers is available on Apple’s Web site. (Free, 16.1 MB).

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