MailBITS/27-Apr-98

Eudora Pro 4.0.1 Updater Released -- Qualcomm has released a free updater that takes Eudora Pro 4.0 to version 4.0.1. Although the update adds few new features, it includes many small tweaks, including vastly improved find performance within the Filters window, improved HTML parsing and performance, better nickname completion performance, and the capability to send copies of both styled and plain text in a single message using MIME. In addition, I recently learned of a neat feature that also exists in Eudora Pro 4.0: To see which filters have been applied to a selected message, press Shift and choose Filters from the Windows menu. Eudora responds by opening the Filters window with the applied filters selected. Although there's nothing earth-shattering in Eudora Pro 4.0.1, the improvements are well worth the 2.3 MB download. [ACE]

<http://eudora.qualcomm.com/pro_email/updaters.html>

Apple Releases HyperCard 2.4 -- After a two year lull, Apple has released an incremental upgrade to HyperCard, its venerable authoring and scripting tool. HyperCard 2.4 adds extensive support for QuickTime 3.0 (including real-time scripting of QuickTime effects and playback), support for QuickTime VR scenes, and the capability to script connections to URLs via Internet Config. HyperCard 2.4 also has bug fixes and interface tweaks such as handler pop-ups in the script editor and floating windows that display correctly under Mac OS 8. Owners of HyperCard 2.3.5 can download a free updater (a 5.7 MB download); otherwise HyperCard 2.4 costs $99 through the Apple Store. Although this isn't the long-presaged HyperCard 3.0, rebuilt entirely on top of the QuickTime 3.0 architecture, the HyperCard team felt it was important to show motion and reward HyperCard's long-time supporters for their patience. [GD]

<http://www.apple.com/hypercard/>
<http://www.apple.com/store/>

New Virtual Desktop -- After the mention of Virtual Desktop in "Monitor Shielding and Background" in TidBITS-426, Ross Brown <ab026@freenet.carleton.ca> of AWOL Software Productions advises us that you need Virtual Desktop 1.9.2, not 1.9.1, for compatibility with Mac OS 8.0 and 8.1. The new version, released 24-Apr-98, will be archived at Info-Mac later this week. [ACE]

<http://db.tidbits.com/getbits.acgi?tbart=04835>
<ftp://mirrors.aol.com/pub/info-mac/gui/virtual-desktop-192.hqx>

Dreamweaver 1.2 Update Available -- Macromedia's latest update to the $299 Dreamweaver, Web authoring software that supports modern features such as cascading style sheets and animated buttons, continues to tempt designers. The new version 1.2 adds site-management features, a conversion tool for making 4.x-version browser-specific code compatible with version 3.x browsers, new JavaScript behaviors such as browser detection and image pre-loading, and onscreen editing features. Registered users can download a 5.4 MB updater or order it on CD-ROM for $19.99; a free 30-day trial version (6 MB) is also available. [JLC]

<http://www.macromedia.com/software/dreamweaver/>

CE Sells QuickConference -- CE Software has announced that the Iowa-based Prairie Group will take over development and sales of QuickConference IP, instant messaging software that evolved from CE's long-standing QuickMail email software. QuickConference IP, which Prairie Group plans to ship on 01-May-98, uses TCP/IP to enable users of Mac OS, Windows NT, and Windows 95 to exchange instant messages on local networks or over the Internet. CE veteran and well-known Mac developer Don Brown, now at Prairie Group, will spearhead continued development of the software, which will cost of $119.95 for a five-user license. [MHA]

<http://www.cesoft.com/company/pressreleases/qcip980421.html>
<http://www.prgrsoft.com/>

PageSpinner Extension Spins Sites -- Fans of the HTML editor PageSpinner should note Optima System's new Site Assistant 1.0, a PageSpinner extension that streamlines site-related operations. Features include quick image insertion, uploading multiple pages via Anarchie or Fetch, and page archiving. Site Assistant tracks settings for up to 20 sites and displays the currently active site in a limited Finder list-like view. Site Assistant also offers a rudimentary multi-file Search & Replace command. Although Site Assistant should prove handy for running small sites, it's not fast enough to handle large sites and not up to power user standards in some areas; in particular the Search & Replace feature lacks basic options like searching for only whole words or approving changes individually. Site Assistant is free to registered users of the $25 PageSpinner. For more about PageSpinner, see "Spinning the Web Part I: Trade-Offs and PageSpinner" in TidBITS-384. [TJE]

<http://www.algonet.se/~optima/pagespinner.html>
<http://db.tidbits.com/getbits.acgi?tbart=02195>

AutoShare 2.2 Released -- Mikael Hansen has released AutoShare 2.2, a freeware mailing list manager and autoresponder. Version 2.2 adds compatibility with the just-released Eudora Internet Mail Server 2.1, enhancements to the AppleScript dictionary, and process extenders. Most interesting, AutoShare 2.2 includes a bounce module that handles hard and soft bounces. The download is 1.8 MB. [ACE]

<http://www.dnai.com/~meh/autoshare/>
<http://eudora.qualcomm.com/eims/updaters.html>

Resistance Is Futile... You Will Be Assimilated -- Stairways Software has released the shareware Assimilator 2.0, which helps manage groups of Macs in situations such as student labs, testing labs, and stores that rent Macs to the public. In essence, Assimilator ensures that the disks in a large number of Macs contain almost identical files (preferences files may need to be different), all copied from an AppleShare server over the network. New features in 2.0 include support for multiple partitions, support for AppleShare IP over TCP/IP, and new customization features based on feedback from the MacLabManager mailing list. For a brief discussion of Assimilator, read "InterviewBITS with Peter Lewis" beginning in TidBITS-304. Assimilator 2.0 costs $10 for individuals, with site licenses available for $500 and multiple site organization licenses for $2,000. Upgrades are free to those who registered after 01-Jan-98; otherwise upgrades cost $5 per machine. [ACE]

<http://www.stairways.com/assimilator/>
<http://www.stairways.com/mailinglists/maclabmanager.html>
<http://db.tidbits.com/getbits.acgi?tbser=1037>