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TidBITS Watchlist: Notable Software Updates for 27 July 2015

Mellel 3.4.2 — RedleX issued Mellel 3.4.1 with a number of fixes for the word processing app, including a bug that caused the app to fail to launch in 64-bit mode on Mac OS X 10.6 Snow Leopard, an issue that prevented certain older .mell files from being opened, a problem that caused arrow keys to move incorrectly when editing annotations, and a crash caused by some font configurations. Shortly afterwards, RedleX released version 3.4.2 to fix a bug that caused Mellel to save files without their Style set. It also further addressed the problem with failure to open older .mell files (which were also being converted into un-openable .mellel files). Note that as of this writing, the Mac App Store edition of Mellel remains stalled at version 3.4.0. ($39 new from RedleX and the Mac App Store, free update, 93.4 MB, release notes, 10.6+)

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Microsoft Office 2011 14.5.3 — Microsoft has issued version 14.5.3 of its Office 2011 suite to fix critical security issues. According to this Microsoft Security Bulletin, the update patches vulnerabilities that could allow remote code execution if a user opens a specially crafted file by correcting how Office handles files in memory, how Excel handles the loading of certain specially crafted binaries, and how memory information is disclosed. (Free update from the Microsoft
Download Center
or through Microsoft AutoUpdate, 113 MB, 10.5.8+)

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MacBook Pro Flash Storage Firmware Update 1.0 — Apple has issued MacBook Pro Flash Storage Firmware Update 1.0 for the 15-inch MacBook Pro with Retina display released in May 2015 (see “Apple Releases Updated MacBook Pro, iMac, and iPhone Dock,” 19 May 2015). The update fixes a vulnerability with the MacBook Pro’s internal SSD firmware that could cause data corruption in rare cases. As with other firmware updates, it’s best to rely on Software Update to ensure you get the right update for your specific model. Also, take care not to interrupt the update process. (Free,
1.9 MB)

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Default Folder X 4.7.3 — St. Clair Software has released Default Folder X 4.7.3 with fixes for compatibility issues when running the public beta of OS X 10.11 El Capitan (see “Apple Opens Public Betas of OS X 10.11 El Capitan and iOS 9,” 13 July 2015). Note that to run Default Folder X on El Capitan, you must first disable System Integrity Protection (to learn more about SIP, check out Glenn Fleishman’s recent Macworld
article
). The Open and Save dialog enhancement utility also fixes a bug that refused to let Carbon apps specify the starting folder for a file dialog and corrects an issue that mistakenly selected a folder when the previously selected file was no longer there. ($34.95 new, $10 off for TidBITS members, free update, 11.1 MB, release notes, 10.6+)

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TextExpander 5.1 — Smile has released TextExpander 5.1 with refinements to the new snippet suggestions feature that was introduced with recent update to version 5.0 (see “TextExpander 5 for Mac Makes Snippet Suggestions,” 28 May 2015). The text expansion app now excludes most single dictionary words when suggesting snippets, and it adds a new preference for receiving notifications about snippet suggestions (toggle it at Preferences > Suggestions > Notify Me about Snippet Suggestions). The update also fixes secure input notifications that popped up in the Google
Chrome Web browser, ensures that suggestions containing Tab or Return are rejected, opens links in fill-in windows in your default Web browser, improves French and German localizations, and adds Korean language support for Create Snippet from Selection. If you previously purchased a TextExpander license, you can upgrade to TextExpander 5.1 for $19.95. If you purchased TextExpander 4 this year, you are eligible for a free upgrade. ($44.95 new with a 20 percent discount for TidBITS members, free update for version 5.0 licenses, 17.0 MB, release
notes
, 10.10+)

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