Perian: “The swiss-army knife of QuickTime components”

• File formats: AVI, DIVX, FLV, MKV, GVI, VP6, and VFW
• Video types: MS-MPEG4 v1 & v2, DivX, 3ivx, H.264, Sorenson H.263, FLV/Sorenson Spark, FSV1, VP6, H263i, VP3, HuffYUV, FFVHuff, MPEG1 & MPEG2 Video, Fraps, Snow, NuppelVideo, Techsmith Screen Capture, DosBox Capture

The LGPL-licensed QuickTime plugin installs easily on Mac OS X 10.5 and does what it promises. FLV videos (such as those you’d sneakily download from YouTube) open just like any other QuickTime vid, and you can easily export them to other types.

Joerg Moellenkamp’s post explaining CacheFS has me excited:

Long ago, admins didn’t want to manage dozens of operating system installations. Instead of this they wanted to store all this data on a central fileserver (you know, the network is the computer). Thus netbooting Solaris and SunOS was invented. But there was a problem: All the users started to work at 9 o’clock. They switched on their workstations and the load on the fileserver and the network got higher and higher. Thus the idea of CacheFS [as a way of using the speed of local disk and the convenience of central management] was born.

Remove the corporate office and the uncaring sysadmins, and CacheFS might be exactly what I’m looking for to elastically expand the capacity of my laptop’s internal storage. This isn’t some newfangled technology, Sun developed it in the early 90s and it’s been available for Linux since 2003 (try it in Gentoo). And most importantly, it’s “designed to be as transparent as possible to a user of the system. Applications should just be able to use NFS files as normal, without any knowledge of there being a cache.”

The local cache isn’t expected to be a complete mirror of the remote filesystem, just the recently opened files. So the capacity of your local disk is limited only by your willingness to wait for files to be retrieved from the network. The biggest problem is figuring out what happens when the network isn’t available. CacheFS doesn’t appear to solve that and would likely fail if the network dropped.

I know nothing about filesystem development, but this challenge is interesting enough to make me consider jumping in. The availability of a partial solution helps too.

Ups to hindesite for the sweet drive photo. Too bad about what happened to it, though.

Setting aside questions about the usefulness of antivirus software for Macs, it appears VirusBarrier (commercial) and ClamXav (open source) are the best options. There are others, of course.

Added: Avast offers a free version for MacOS X as well.

p0ps Harlow tweeted something about trying to get an AMP environment running on his Mac. Conversation followed, and eventually I sent along an email that look sorta like this:

If you’re running 10.4 (I doubt it, but it’s worth mentioning because I’m most familiar with it), here’s how I’ve setup dozens of machines for web development and WordPress:

Install MySQL
http://dev.mysql.com/downloads/mysql/5.0.html#macosx-dmg

Install Marc Liyanage’s PHP 5 package
http://www.entropy.ch/software/macosx/php/

From there all you have to do is install WordPress.

10.5 changed lots of this (as you probably already know). The good news is that it includes current versions of the AMP suite. The bad news is that the PHP doesn’t include a number of useful components. Still, it will run WordPress and I’ve got it working on my laptop. These directions look like pretty much what I had to do:

http://stringfoo.com/2007/11/05/server_setup_on_leopard/
http://remysharp.com/2007/10/27/lamp-in-leopard-osx-105-php5-and-apache-22

It’s likely none of that will be helpful, in which case you will have discovered why I’m no longer a sysadmin.

Marc Liyanage’s builds of PHP for Mac are probably the easiest to use and they include most all the extensions a person could want, but he hadn’t released a package for Leopard at the time (he’s got a release in beta now). As it turned out, p0ps actually was running 10.4, and he got things going in a jiffy.

Among the missing features I hear the most complaints about regarding iChat is the lack of tabbed chatting. Today I discovered it’s part of Leopard. Simply go to the iChat prefs, click on the messages pane, and selected “Collect chats into a single window” and you’re set.

I’m as annoyed as the next guy about how hard it is to find a decent screencast app for Mac. The forthcoming Mac OS 10.5’s new iChat Theater (and the built-in screen sharing/control features) should create some new opportunities for developers, but right now it’s hard to know what works or is worth trying.

Further, I narrowed the field with the following requirement: I need an app that records to QuickTime-compatible files, not Flash. Here’s what I’ve found so far:

• Snapz Pro X, the $70 oft-cited front runner is now native.
• iShowU, $20.
• ScreenRecord, $20.
• Copernicus, $free.

Extra: this how-to pointed out OmniDazzle and Mouseposé as tools to help draw users’ focus during both live or recorded demos.

screencast, mac, mac os x, apple, demo, screen sharing, screen copy

Old instructions that connect the Mac OS X Address Book app to a phone via Bluetooth from O’Reilly and SillyDog. Once paired, the Address Book can initiate dialing, notify the user of incoming calls, and send SMS texts.

Bluetooth Texter SMS Widget, message2net, and BluePhoneElite all offer further tools to interact with your Bluetooth-connected mobile phone. The list of compatible phones (BPE & m2n) offers some leads for those trying to make the connection.

Finally, Simon Winter offers some tips on interacting with SMS via AppleScript.

bluetooth, mac, mac os x, sms, texting, applescript, cell phone

Those of us hoping for an early release of Mac OS X 10.5 Leopard might be disappointed to learn that Apple will just be getting around to giving out a “feature complete” beta at WWDC in mid-June. If you really must have it, conference badges are $1,295.

The Leopard beta. Available first at WWDC.
At the Apple Worldwide Developers Conference, we’re planning to show you a feature-complete version of Mac OS X Leopard, and you can take home a beta copy. Be the first to get your hands on the Leopard beta and get a huge head start on development. Register now for WWDC 2007–it’s your ticket to the future of Mac OS X.

Nobody knows how long until the full release (or a torrent of the beta) is available.

Leopard, Mac OS Leopard, Mac OS X, Mac OS X 10.5, beta, WWDC, Mac, waiting

It couldn’t be much easier. I’d previously posted command line instructions, but it turns out that there’s a huge number of people who don’t know the easy way: just CTRL-click on the file and select “Create Archive…” You’ll also find the option in the File menu. Either way, you’ll end up with both the original and a zipped copy.

Decompressing that zip — or any other — is as simple as double-clicking it.

Like I said, easy.

mac os x, mac, apple, os x, zip, archive, zip file, how to, instructions

With rumors of a March release of Mac OS X 10.5 Leopard, swirling, Zach asked what was promised that he should be excited about, so I went looking to jog my memory.

The announced features include Time Machine automatic backup of all your stuff (with integration to make finding and restoring stuff in applications easy and sweet, watch the video already), as well as a big leap ahead for iChat. The news isn’t that iChat finally supports multiple logins, visibility, or animated icons, or even the fancy backdrops or other goodies in the video chat. No, the big news for iChat is “iChat Theater,” described here in Apple’s developer announcement:

Instant messaging has become an essential tool for users to communicate and collaborate. In Leopard, the ability to collaborate has been taken to a new level. In an iChat session, users will be able to use iChat Theatre to present data from another application, such as iPhoto or Keynote, as part of a video conference. The applications you create will also be able to integrate with iChat in the same way using the Instant Messaging framework via the Core Video and Core Audio APIs. Once integrated, the Instant Messaging framework will automatically compress the content, using the H.264 codec, and send it across the network to the remote user’s display.

From the looks of it, iChat Theater will be compatible with any IM client and network that supports video chat, including AIM.

Hey, note also that first line where they call IM an “essential tool.”

iChat Theater, IM, Leopard, Mac OS Leopard, Mac OS X, Mac OS X 10.5, iChat, instant messaging

I’m lazy, that’s all I can say to explain why I hadn’t put any serious thought into upgrading from the 1.3.x version of Apache that ships with Mac OS X to the much more feature rich 2.0.x or 2.2.x. But today I found reason enough to switch my development to 2.2.3, and I went looking to the community for information about the switch.

A post in Marc Liyanage’s forums made it clear how easy config/compile was. Minutes later I was up and running and fiddling with the new features.

Mac OS X, apache, apache 2.2.3, mac, web server

Sure it’s old news, but I am pretty happy that Mac OS X 10.4 has a built-in VNC server.

You’ll still need a client, like Chicken of the VNC, but it couldn’t be much simpler to make work. Though, you could run a separate server app (even several instances of it) and work up a hack like this to allow you to have several people all logged in to the same machine (and getting different screens) simultaneously. And it’s also worth mentioning the VNC to Flash screencasting trick.

And…if what you really want to do is use and control a couple (or more) computers side by side, then what you might really want is some virtual KVM software (or, more properly, some keyboard and mouse-sharing software). Zach is super excited about Synergy for these things.

built-in, mac, Mac OS X, Mac OS X 10.4, remote control, screen sharing, virtual network network computer, VNC

Vista delayed

The delay is the latest problem for the software giant’s flagship operating system. Microsoft had originally slated the software for release in late 2005, but pushed back its target date to summer 2006 and dropped several planned features to try to guarantee delivery.

The company attributed the delay to the extra time needed to insure quality and fix remaining security issues.

Macsimum News | Apple & Macintosh Related News Reviews & Opinions

IT service calls to the high school tripled from the year before. The IT office had to hire another full time tech and contract with an outside consultant to keep up with tech calls. After factoring in the cost of software to prevent virus, malware, and adware infection as well security software to prevent students from messing with the systems the Dell computers cost US$19 apiece less than the Macs the school system would have bought. That, of course, doesn’t count the extra personnel.

The money spent to “de-virus” the computers was taken from the software budget so the school system had no software[...]

IT Architect:

With the growing emergence of open source and the Mac as a desktop alternative, IT would be well advised to weigh other choices as it considers Vista. If Vista is in your future, make sure your mantra is “test, test, test” before making any commitments to the company’s new infrastructure. One never knows what might lurk between a fast food bun when the ingredients aren’t posted.

delay, delayed, mac os x, macs, macs vs pcs, pcs, pcs vs macs, vista, vista delayed, windows, windows vista

I’m still excited about that Bluetooth headset I got last week, but I did encounter a little problem with it. Rather, I encountered a problem with Mac OS X and the Bluetooth headset. I don’t remember all the precipitating details, but the obvious threshold event was when Gizmo Project complained that it couldn’t find the headset. I tried deleting the configuration and re-pairing, but aside from some momentary linkages, it was all for nada.

I looked at the Logitech support pages for the device, but those led nowhere, so I checked Apple’s Bluetooth discussions. There I found this entry from Oliver de Peyer, a user with a Jabra BT200 headset. Here’s how he described the problem:

The headset pairs OK in the Bluetooth setup assistant but it is shown as “Connected: No” in BlueTooth preferences. The headset does not display in the Sound preferences, so cannot be used as an input or output device.

Interestingly, if you press and hold the button on the BT200, it fleetingly does connect, but then goes back to “Connected: No”. It never appears in Sound preferences.

Though we were using different headsets, Oliver described the exact same symptoms I was experiencing. Fortunately, he also found the answer. In an October 7th posting, he reported what he’d learned and how to fix it. His post included a lot of detail, but for users like myself whose only Bluetooth device is a headset, it can be sumarized in the following three commands:

• Delete this file:
  /var/root/Library/Preferences/blued.plist (you’ll need to use sudo)
   
• Delete this file too:
  /Users/[username]/Library/Preferences/com.apple.Bluetooth.plist
   
• Reboot, though you might try logging out. One way or another, you’ll need to restart the Bluetooth-related processes.

Oliver’s post is much more detailed, and anybody who depends on Bluetooth mouse or keyboard should probably check it out before trying anything I’ve suggested. Actually, please don’t try anything I’ve suggested, as I don’t want to bear the burden of responsibility.

tags: bluetooth, bluetooth headset, bluetooth headsets, bluetooth pairing, connection problem, logitech, logitech mobile freedom, mac os x, mobile, won’t connect, won’t pair

As I was contemplating making angry calls to my hosting provider last week when they shut down MaisonBisson for a couple days, it occurred to me that I would rather make those calls via SkypeOut or some similar service that didn’t reveal my home phone number. After all, I wouldn’t want an angry sysop to take revenge by having a spare modem call me up every 27 minutes between the hours of midnight and seven AM.

I’m ashamed to admit that it was at that moment that I decided to buy a Bluetooth headset. Trust me, I’d been thinking about it for a while and I had other, good uses in mind, but that was the moment.

My Logitech Mobile Freedom Bluetooth Headset arrived Saturday, but I only tried to pair a few moments ago.

You can probably imagine my shock when the OS X Bluetooth Setup Assistant told me my hardware didn’t support headsets. As it turns out, I hadn’t bothered to install the Bluetooth firmware update, released all the way back in November 2004. The big clue arrived in this MacDevCenter article about Bluetooth headsets and OS X.

But with the Bluetooth update installed, I quickly paired the headset with my 15“ aluminum PowerBook and was able to configure iChat to use it. None of my logged-in buddies were audio chat enabled, though, so I ambled over to Gizmo Project, a VOIP app similar to Skype. I was making calls in no time, and the recorded conversations reveal good sound quality from both ends of the call.

Then, with a change in the OS X System Preferences app, I was routing all audio output to the headset and listening to iTunes. Audio quality with music sounded like 22 KHz, but I didn’t buy this monophonic headset to listen to music.

tags: bluetooth, bluetooth firmware update, bluetooth headset, bluetooth headsets, gizmo project, gizmoproject, ichat, logitech, logitech mobile freedom, mac os x, mobile, skype, wireless

In case you’re looking: Metaphyzx’s Mac OS Wireless Adapter Compatibility List.

tags: apple, card compatibility, compatibility, compatibility list, list, mac, mac os, mac os x, macintosh, network adapter, wifi, wifi adapter, wifi cardbus card, wifi pc card, wifi pci card, wifi pcmcia card, wireless, wireless adapter, wireless adapter compatibility

I actually like the look of a broken panorama, where the borders of each photo are clearly visible — even emphasized. But last night I got the notion of doing a seamless pano and found DoubleTake, a $12 shareware app that makes the process pretty darn easy. The sunrise shot above (larger sizes) was my first crack at it, but I was so sure I’d use it again (and again) that I’ve already registered it.

I’ve got more panoramas at Flickr. I still like the broken panorama effect, but I see a few compositions that I might re-do as seamless.

tags: borders, doubletake, edges, mac os x, pano, panorama, panoramic, panoramic photos, photography, seamless, seamless panorama, seamless stitching, shareware, software, sunrise

I do a lot of web development on my laptop. I’ve got Apache and PHP there, so it’s really convenient, but I usually move projects off to other server before I get around to wanting to mess with mod_rewrite. Not so, recently, but I ran into a big stumbling block when I discovered OS X’s Apache comes pre-configured to ignore .htaccess files.

A couple points. First, Apache’s own mod_rewrite docs include the following quote:

Despite the tons of examples and docs, mod_rewrite is voodoo. Damned cool voodoo, but still voodoo.

So I’m not going to feel too bad about scratching my head for a minute before realizing I should check to make sure the httpd.conf file had support for .htaccess files enabled, but the second point, and I know this thanks to Richard Rutter’s Clagnut, support must also be enabled in the user’s http.conf file (located in /private/etc/httpd/users/). For full details, go read Rutter’s enabling .htaccess in OS X post.

tags: .htaccess, apache, apache http server, apache web server, docs, enabling .htaccess files, httpd.conf, mac, mac os x, mod_rewrite, os x, richard rutter

Everybody else may know this, but MacOS X includes the command-line utility to make Windows-compatible ZIP files. It works a lot like tar, but without needing any switches.

> zip {target file} {source files}

tags: archive, command line, compression, mac, mac os X, tar, zip