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...news that counts, news for
architects and designers.
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- Architosh to update the Architect's page
tomorrow!
- 17 Mar 99. Architosh
staff (info@architosh.com)
-
- Architosh will update the Architect's
page tomorrow, as it has fallen a little behind schedule. We have
many new firms to add to the list and if your firm is not listed please
join up by sending an email to info@architosh.com
with the appropriate firm information. In the future this list will
be converted into an online, interactive database which will serve as
a convenient source of information to all Architosh readers.
Addendum: The Architects page was finally updated this morning.
If you have been expecting to see your firm listed and don't, please contact
us at info@architosh.com. [18th]
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- Mac OS X Server Now Shipping!
- 16 Mar 99. Architosh
staff (info@architosh.com)
-
- Apple announced
in a press release today that Mac OS X Server is now shipping in the
US for $499 -- with an unlimited client license. Customers can order
Mac OS X Server from Apple Authorized Resellers and The Apple Store
(www.apple.com). Apple claims that
when running on a new Macintosh Server G3, the server OS is the fastest
platform for running Apache for under US $5000 -- outperforming Linux,
Solaris, and Windows NT Server.
-
- Apple says the system requirements for Mac OS X Server are any Power
Macintosh G3 or Macintosh Server G3, with 64 MB of RAM, 1 GB hard drive
and a CD-ROM drive. To learn more about Mac OS X Server click
here.
-
- Apple Introduces Darwin, Open Source
Movement for Mac OS X Server!
- 16 Mar 99. Architosh
staff (info@architosh.com)
-
- Apple
announced in a separate press release the introduction of the launch
of Darwin, an open-source release for the Mac OS X Server operating
system foundation. Darwin will be available free to developers in the
next few weeks at (www.apple.com/darwin).
With this announcement, Apple becomes the first mainstream operating
system provider to release its source code to the public and base its
system software strategy on Open Source technologies.
-
- "The Open Source movement is revolutionizing
the way operating systems evolve and Apple is leading the industry by
becoming the first major OS provider to make it's core operating system
available to Open Source developers," said Avie Tevanian, Apple's senior
vice president of Software Engineering. "We look forward to working
with the Open Source community to enhance the feature set, performance
and quality of our Mac OS X products."
- The first release of Darwin consists of the foundation layer of Mac
OS X Server, including enhancements to the Mach 2.5 microkernel and
BSD 4.4 operating system, as well as core Apple technologies like AppleTalk,
HFS+, file system and the NetInfo distributed database. For more info
on Darwin go to (www.apple.com/darwin)
-
- Apple and US Department of Justice in
dispute with New Zealand IRD!
- 15 Mar 99. Architosh
staff (info@architosh.com)
-
- According to a
story on NBR, Apple is fighting an action by the New Zealand IRD
which requires that 12,000 of New Zealand's largest companies file their
monthly tax returns electronically. By default the Inland Revenue requires
a program which is not compatible with Apple's Macintosh computers.
Macintosh companies have been given a one year exemption and told to
switch over to Windows computers to comply with the new tax law. Apple
is claiming that the IRD's position is nothing short of discriminatory
against Macintosh computing. Apple is working with the US Department
of Justice to reverse the decision.
-
- Apple and Lucasfilm release new trailer
exclusively on QuickTime 3!
- 11 Mar 99. Architosh
staff (info@architosh.com)
-
- In news worthy of any type of news site, including Architosh, Apple
announced in a press release today that Lucasfilm and Apple have
collaborated to lauch the new film trailer on the Internet exclusively
in QuickTime 3. The trailer
can be downloaded today, one day before it will be made available in
theaters in the US and Canada. The prior Star Wars Episode 1 trailer
resulted in over 10 million downloads and for weeks the Starwars.com
web site was saturated with visitors.
-
- The Apple press release reads, "George Lucas wanted to create the
highest quality Internet viewing experience for our new trailer, so
we turned to QuickTime because it sets the standard for Internet video
quality," said Lucasfilm's director of marketing, Jim Ward. "Our collaboration
with Apple is enabling us to push Internet video to its limits, capturing
the experience of Episode 1 for Star Wars fans everywhere."
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- Ashlar's Vellum 3D 99 beta testing is
open for Priority 1 Customers!
- 11 Mar 99. Architosh
staff (info@architosh.com)
-
- Ashlar
has announced that for Priority 1 customers with email and Internet
access they can participate in beta testing Vellum 3D 99. If you are
a Priority 1 customer you should automatically receive an invitation
to participate in the beta program.
-
- Also of note. Ashlar has donated over $1 Million worth of software
and services to "exceptional industrial design schools" and universities
in North America. Ashlar says they are "proud to contribute to the designers
who will shape the future of the ID industry." The donation includes
Vellum 3D, Vellum Solids and Priority 1 service contacts. Some of the
schools awarded were the Art Center College of Design, Pasadena, California;
Emily Carr Institute, British Columbia; and the Academy of Arts College,
San Francisco, California, among others.
-
- Apple Store has refurbished PowerBook
G3's and 20 " Apple Displays!
- 11 Mar 99. Architosh
staff (info@architosh.com)
-
- The Apple Store has low prices
on refurbished PowerBook G3's (Wallstreet) starting at $1349 for the
233MHz G3 with 12.1 STN display. The 233MHz G3 with the 14.1 TFT display
is $1799, $200 less than a new one. Better still are the refurbished
displays, particulary their 20 inch Apple ColorSync display, priced
at $899. Although we wont push this too much, our experience with the
refurbished items at the Apple Store has been excellent. So if you're
looking to save a few hundred bucks by buying used, remember the Apple
Store has Apple factory refurbished products with a limited warranty.
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- DiehlGraphsoft Inc. offers MiniCAD VectorWorks
Training!
- 11 Mar 99. Architosh
staff (info@architosh.com)
-
- DiehlGraphsoft will begin VectorWorks training
in certain locations starting on March 19th. Beginning and Intermediate
MiniCAD VectorWorks classes will be taught at the University of New
Mexico School of Architecture on March 19th through the 20th. The cost
is $300 per participant. Hardware and software will be provided for
the limited 12 participants. In April there will be another two-day
training course from the 7th through the 8th at The Computer Workshop
in Dublin, Ohio. Cost is $300.00 per day or $590 for two days, per participant.
-
- To find a MiniCAD VectorWorks trainer near your area go the the trainers
page, at: http://www.diehlgraphsoft.com/support/trainers/trainers.phtml
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- Architosh has updated the CADD page with
new listings!
- 9 Mar 99. Architosh staff
(info@architosh.com)
-
- New listings on the CADD page include
suggestions by our readers (thanks for all who write in). MacDraft,
by Microspot USA, was mentioned numerous times for its ease-of-use and
power, despite its 2D only abilities. In addition, Bentley's listings
now include TriForma and a correction to the Microstation SE listing.
As previously stated, although Bentley's new J-class of products will
not be coming to the Macintosh anytime shortly, they continue to sell
and support Microstation SE and TriForma for the Mac. Architosh will
be following this closely, as Bentley stated that they are watching
the Mac market in a "wait and see what happens" mode.
-
- Also new to the listings are renderer/modeler
applications Art•lantis, Touch-3D, and Sculpt3D. To learn more
go to the CADD page and visit their sites.
If you know of a great (or not so great but ok) application for the
Macintosh that should be on Architosh, please let
us know. We will be adding more applications to the listing soon,
as others have written in.
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- Big News on Mac OS X Server
- 9 Mar 99. Architosh staff
(info@architosh.com)
-
- Yesterday,
AppleInsider published extensive news on Mac OS X Server, based
on a December 98 beta build. There are plenty of excellent screen shots
to look at and the article follows up on our Seybold
Report comments on Apple Theater
presentations of Mac OS X Server, nicely. For those who don't know
what Mac OS X Server is, Apple's page explains it nicely. In a nut shell,
Mac OS X Server is Apple's first truly modern operating system, period!
(some say first modern server operating system). The OS is built on
top of the most advanced UNIX microkernel in the world, Mach 2.5, and
employees the latest UNIX distribution release, BSD 4.4. This UNIX underpinning
not only gives Mac OS X Server an incredible foundation but the code
work itself was optimized for the PowerPC G3 processor. Built around
open UNIX standards and Java, the Server OS is poised to become the
"best of breed" Internet server OS.
-
- Mac OS X will be built on this foundational work, yet the UNIX beneath
it will be cleverly hidden to all but the most advanced users. Mac OS
X will be a fully modern, high performance operating system for standard
desktop Macintosh and portable Macintosh PowerBook computers. It is
expected to be released in late 1999. For our Seybold (page 2) notes
on Mac OS X Server click here.
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- Architosh has New Architosh Forum up!
Test Drive it Now!
- 8 Mar 99. Architosh staff
(info@architosh.com)
-
- As mentioned last month we were working on a Forum
solution for the site and had hoped to get it up last week prior to
Seybold Boston. Having just completed its installation and linking today
we are happy to announce it and invite all you Architosh readers to
join in the discussion.
-
- A Forum "vestibule" page explains the ground rules and the purpose
of the forum. After you visit the starting page of the forum you can
bookmark it to go there quickly in the future. We expect some technical
difficulties and would appreciate your valuable feedback
on any bugs you encounter. So go on over and
start asking questions or opining. It's a bit empty now so fill it up
with some good discussion!
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- Story: Frontline: Enemy of the State
- 7 Mar 99. Architosh staff
(info@architosh.com)
-
- Apple has an inspirational
story on Patrick Ferrin's standoff with the State of Minnesota over
using his Mac to save the citizens of Minnesota over $250,000. Ferrin
is a State Principal Mechanical Engineer with Minnesota's state department
who has single-handedly used a Macintosh computer and PowerCADD to convert
the state's hand drawings to CAD drawings using his Macintosh, with
a productivity far surpassing his UNIX and AutoCAD technicians.
-
- For all you PowerCADD users, this story should give you great pride--as
well as bolster your support for PowerCADD, and hopefully inspire you
to send a message to Ferrin encouraging his fight for the right to use
his Mac.
-
-
- Seybold Seminars Boston Final Report
!
- 4-5 Mar 99. Architosh
staff (info@architosh.com)
-
- Well, Seybold Seminars Expo Boston officially ended today and we will
be rounding out our report on
products from the show floor. Also, we will be posting information and
screen shots on Mac OS X Server, from the Apple Theater presentation.
Apple representatives announced numerous times during the day (during
these presentations) that the server product is due to ship within the
next few weeks, implying a definite March delivery date. As discussed
before on Architosh, it is yet unclear if QuickTime 4.0 will be shipping
at that time as well. QuickTime 4.0 was not demonstrated or featured
anywhere within the Apple areas.
-
- As already mentioned, tomorrow we will post some pictures from the
show floor. These are only of the Apple Pavilion area.
-
- Addendum: [ 5 Mar ] The Seybold Report is
complete, including pictures of the Apple area and screen shots
of Mac OS X Server. Click here now. Page
1, Page 2, Page
3
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-
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- Architosh news from Seybold Seminars
Boston!
- 3 Mar 99. Architosh staff
(info@architosh.com)
-
- Further information from the Seybold Exp floor has been posted. Click
here to read. More news to be added to the report
on Friday.
-
- Announcements from Apple: News from Seybold
- 2 Mar 99. Architosh staff
(info@architosh.com)
-
- As expected today, with the coordination of the commencement of Seybold
Seminars, in Boston, Apple, had a few important announcements:
-
- New Power Macintosh G3's Extend Apple's Publishing Leadership
-
- Apple
announced today that with the introduction of the new blue G3's
they are extending their leadership in design and publishing. According
to a study by Pfeiffer Consulting, Apple's Power Macintosh G3 systems,
coupled with Apple's software technologies and third party Macintosh
publishing software, allow publishers to achieve over 30 percent greater
productivity than those using Microsoft Windows. In addition to the
productivity increase, the report, published today by the independent
firm based in Paris, said that Macintosh systems require significantly
less intervention by technical support staff, reducing maintenance cost
and system down time. From the Apple press
release:
-
- "'According to our Winter '99 issue of TrendWatch
Creative, the Mac is clearly the system of choice for graphic production
in the creative markets,' said Jim Whittington, partner at TrendWatch.
'And in this recent survey, over half of creative businesses we talked
to are planning to buy one or more Macintosh computers this year.'"
-
- New version of ColorSync 2.6 now available for download
-
- Apple also announced
the availability of ColorSync
2.6, the latest version of the color-management work flow software.
The new version includes significant enhancements to AppleScript integration;
support for color management of popular Internet standards like JPEG
and GIF image formats; and updated Photoshop plug-ins. It is available
for free download. For more info read our Seybold Expo report.
-
- Leading Publishers Choose Apple's ColorSync Technology
-
- Apple announced
today that three of the world's leading publishing companies have
selected Apple's ColorSync technology to provide fast, consistent and
accurate desktop color management. Kinko's, known globally as the premier
leader in duplication and business services, has standardized on Apple's
color technology. Earlier in the year they announced plans to purchase
over $2.4 million in Apple ColorSync Studio Displays as part of an ambitious
global color standardization program with ColorSync at its core. The
other two companies are PEOPLE magazine and Corbis. Apple currently
has a feature on the 25th
year anniversary issue which entailed the use of ColorSync technology.
-
- America Online, Disney and AAA, Among Early Adopters of WebOjects
4.0
-
- According to the press
release today, the American Automobile Association (AAA), American
Online, Nation's Bank Corp., Fannie Mae, GTE, Nortel Networks--as well
as Walt Disney Company's ESPN, Disney Store Online, Disney Travel, Disney
Pooh Grams and Family.com websites--are all early adopters of Apple's
compelling WebObjects 4, the industry leading application server for
the Internet. See the note about WebObjects from the Expo Report.
-
- Software Developers Announce Support for Mac OS X Server
-
- Software developers are lining up behind Mac OS X Server, according
to a press
release by Apple. Mac OS X Server is Apple's first modern server
operating system and developers are already making it a platform for
innovative releases. Many companies are using Seybold to showcase new
products for the platform. Notes from the floor on at least one very
relevant product for the architectural industry is in our Expo
report.
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- Architosh on the Expo floor at Seybold
Seminars Boston!
- 2 Mar 99. Architosh staff
(info@architosh.com)
-
- Starting today Architosh will be at Seybold
Seminars and Exposition at the Hynes Convention Center in Boston.
For a full report on news at the show and what was hot on the Expo floor
check out our full report later
today.
-
- Addendum: We are busy compiling our notes on this morning and
afternoon floor events. Continue to check back this evening for more
coverage of Seybold Expo coverage.
-
- AIA survey needs Mac architects to vote
for their CAD platform of choice.
- 1 Mar 99. Architosh staff
(info@architosh.com)
-
- A call to arms good architects of the Mac faithful! We need your vote
at the AIA.
-
- The AIA today has a survey
going on asking the question: "What CAD platform do you use?" The choices
are: PC/Windows only, PC/Windows primarily, Mac OS only, Mac OS primarily,
Both interchangeably, Other, None. So get on over to the "e-Architect"
web site at http://www.e-architect.com/
You know what to do!
-
- Addendum: Thanks to Barry Isakson (Architectronica)
for passing this information on to us.
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- No Sign of Mac OS X Server from Apple!
- 1 Mar 99. Architosh staff
(info@architosh.com)
-
- It's March 1st and there is NO SIGN of Mac
OS X Server from Apple, despite their own web
page. What's going on? Well, as some
readers have noted today and in the past, Mac OS X Server is ready
to rock but apparently QuickTime 4.0 is holding it up. Why you ask?
Well, as you may have witnessed in Steve Jobs' keynote address last
January, one of Mac OS X Server's most compelling features is its ability
to deliver live QuickTime video streaming to many computers simultaneously
over the Internet or an Intranet. The item that blew us all away at
San Francisco was the sight of 50 iMac computers playing the same QuickTime
video feed from a new Blue G3 running Mac OS X Server, all simultaneously
with complete, smooth playback.
-
- Clearly, Apple doesn't want to introduce a brand new product (and
Mac OS X Server is just that) without all the icing on the cake, and
in the right place. After all, the industry
media is going to be all over this thing--looking under the hood,
checking in the glove box, stepping on the gas--and their eyes are probably
going to be very critical, especially on the Wintel side. So it is really
important that Apple take its time to do the job right; and while many
of us may be a bit frustrated with Apple on this one, let's all remember
how big an event this really is: Apple's first ever true modern server
OS.
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- ArchitoshBooks Has New Titles Featured!
- 1 Mar 99. Architosh staff
(info@architosh.com)
-
- Our in-site bookstore, ArchitoshBooks,
has new titles featured in a new section. This month we want to bring
to light two new books for 99 that focus on the intriguing saga of Apple
Computer. With Apple's current "renaissance" in full swing, Infinite
Loop is once again the Florence of Silicon Valley, and the media knows
it! From the cutting edge iMac, the wonder computer of 98', to the new
Blue G3's and video displays, all eyes are once again on the company
that was once called the "Little Kingdom". To check out these two new
titles, with pictures of their covers, click
here. Or you can go directly to Amazon.com.
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- New Instructional Handbook on Electric
Image 2.9!
- 1 Mar 99. Architosh staff
(info@architosh.com)
-
- Electric Image has a new
instructional book out on their recent product, Electric Image 2.9.
The ElectricImage
Handbook by John Sledd was published back in December and is the
first book available on the broadcast-quality Electric Image software.
The 500 plus page book includes a CD-ROM and is available for $59.95.
The book features tips and techniques from several Electric Image pros
with real-world experience and highlights many of the new features in
version 2.9.
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- Seybold Seminars in Boston 99: Architosh
to be there!
- 1 Mar 99. Architosh staff
(info@architosh.com)
-
- Architosh will be covering Seybold Seminars in Boston this year. The
event starts today and runs through the week. We will be on the Expo
show floor starting tomorrow first thing in the morning. Look here
for a full report on what's new and what's cool!
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- Bentley's new IAI support expands interoperability!
- 27 Feb 99. Architosh
staff (info@architosh.com)
-
- Bentley has become the first company to announce its support of the
International Alliance for Interoperability (IAI) new standard IFC 2.0
which will be unveiled in Washington DC at the 2nd Annual IAI International
Conference.
-
- A statement from the press release reads: "Patrick MacLeamy, chairman
of the board, IAI North America and executive vice president for operations
of Hellmuth, Obata + Kassabaum Inc. (HOK), one of the world's leading
architecture, engineering, interiors and planning firms noted, 'Bentley's
decision to support IFC 2.0 places them in the front rank of global
software companies committed to interoperability. This commitment will
give users of Bentley products many advantages, including flexibility
of usage, full data exchange with other systems, and better end products
for clients.'"
-
- Since the introduction of MicroStation TriForma three years ago, Bentley
has been the lead developer of intelligent object software that IFC
interoperability requires. TriForma is the standard for many of the
world's leading architectural and engineering firms, including NBBJ,
KPF (Kohn Pedersen Fox Associates), and Buro Happold Consulting Engineers.
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- Modern Master Frank Stella Makes Art
with G3 and form-Z!
- 26 Feb 99. Architosh
staff (info@architosh.com)
-
- Architosh was delighted to discover a story on modern master Frank
Stella in this month's (March) new issue of WIRED magazine. The article,
on page 132, discusses how Stella captures the spatial formations of
smoke (from smoking a Cuban cigar) using a special constructed Black-Box
and cameras. From this image data Stella uses products like Illustrator,
Photoshop and modeling programs like form-Z and Alias/WaveFront to produce
3D models. All of this on, of course, a rocket fast Power Macintosh
G3!
-
- Stella doesn't actually do the digital work himself (what did you
expect!) but rather orchestrates the process working with his two digital
assistants Earl Childress and Andrew Dunn. The article is interesting
for many reasons and also because WIRED doesn't mention Apple or Macintosh
but simply says the work is done on a G3 (and other mysterious machines).
Could it be a Blue G3?
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- Architosh Updates CADD and Application
Pages: New Stuff!
- 26 Feb 99. Architosh
staff (info@architosh.com)
-
- Architosh has updated the CADD
and Application
pages today. New listings include a product called Aperture which is
a tool for facilities management. The product is fully cross-platform
and Intranet ready! It supports DXF and DWG file formats and works in
conjunction with professional CAD systems.
-
- Also added to the list in two places is CADtools by Hot Door. The
innovative product is a CAD tool plugin for Adobe Illustrator enabling
you to produce very accurate and dimensioned plans and technical illustrations
in Illustrator. It is also a valuable tool for web prep work, producing
and getting CAD-based drawings into shape for web delivery via Illustrator's
built-in tools.
-
- CADintosh and GraphicsConverter, two products new to Architosh's ears,
were added as well. A warm thank you to those readers who turned us--and
all of you--on to these applications!
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- AEC Software updates FastTrack Schedule
to 6.0.1!
- 25 Feb 99. Architosh
staff (info@architosh.com)
-
- According to a press
release, AEC Software updated
FastTrack Schedule yesterday to version 6.0.1. This update to the very
popular scheduling software brings a number of new features that are
valuable to the Mac audience. The program now supports the MPX file
format thus providing seamless data exchange with Microsoft Project.
This is important to those multiplatform organizations where the use
of Microsoft Project as a standard has put pressure on Mac holdouts.
Microsoft Project for the Mac is currently in a holding pattern but
with this new MPX functionality built-in to FastTrack Schedule this
may help those Mac users who cannot keep up with their Windows counterparts.
-
- New scripting enhancements include support for AppleScript in addition
to enhancements to Visual Basic for Applications (VBA). For more info
read the press
release.
-
- MacSciTech web site has books at steep
discount!
- 25 Feb 99. Architosh
staff (info@architosh.com)
-
- A reader informed us that the MacSciTech
organization has technical books at a steep discount for both members
and nonmembers. The more technically inclined architect or Mac engineer
may want to skip on over to their web
site.
-
- The reader also informed us that Apple is no longer supporting the
MacSciTech organization but Architosh has yet to confirm this. What
we do know is that the site seems to be partly abandoned (the news,
for instance list a story on the resignation of Dr. Gil Amelio as the
second item.)
-
- For those of you who may be wondering what ever happened to the Science,
Engineering and Design pages at Apple.com, good question? A quick search
at Apple.com using science, technology and design will not bring up
the old pages. However, Architosh has long had a link to the Science,
Engineering & Technical area within the Apple
Solutions Seminars page. For those with further need of technical
solutions from Apple, call the Apple Technical Solutions Hotline: (888)
462-6221 and ask for Mac OS technical solutions.
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- BAGH updates Architrion and ArchiDesign!
- 24 Feb 99. Architosh
staff (info@architosh.com)
-
- Version 6.43R2 is now available for Architrion
and ArchiDesign. This maintenance release is available free of charge
for users of version 6.xx. A fix
list is available for review prior to downloading the update. Release
notes summarize key new or fixed features.
-
- Autodessys: Update to form-Z 3.0!
- 24 Feb 99. Architosh
staff (info@architosh.com)
-
- An update patch, brings form-Z 3.0
up to 3.0.1. According to the press release, this patch introduces a
new extension to how animations are saved. Animations can now be saved
directly to Apple's QuickTime Movie format (.mov) and AVI format, as
well as the native form-Z animation format (.fan) The patch also fixes
a number of irregularities common in the Windows version only. Symptoms
include icons turning gray, palette font changing to bold, etc..
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