• Intro
• Quick Tip: OS X 'Tiger' Future, Shareware today!
• Great Buys & Special Deals - Just for Readers!
• Music on the Mac 7/3 - Printing the Music you Author
• Closing
• The Fine Print

Intro:

Happy Independence Weekend to you from all of us at Other World Computing! This is a weekend for Parades, Family Barbecues, and FireWorks celebrating the 4th of July. Give thanks and remember during these celebrations the brave men and women of our armed services, many of which won't be home for the holiday. My thanks and praise go without question to the many who've volunteered in the role of protecting the Freedom and Liberty July 4th is all about.

A couple weeks ago Gigadesigns announced their new 7457 Cube upgrade line. They then began shipping about 10 days ago with the first cards hitting our dock the beginning of this past week. The day after arriving, however, we were asked to ship the product back. Although neither Gigadesigns nor Waypoint (Gigadesign's distribution and manufacturing partner) have themselves advised why this recall was done, we have since learned that it seems to be about the software. Software that was incorporated into the Gigadesign's OS X 7457 firmware enabler application that seems to be the property of PowerLogix - even referencing customers to PowerLogix by name in part of the code. This is no laughing matter as Gigadesigns advised their 7457 product is now 'suspended until further notice'. FWIW, PowerLogix Cube 1.2GHz and 1.35GHz 7457 upgrades have new, lower July 1st prices of $399 and $499.

Apple is on the money with saying 'Awesome now comes in three sizes'! The new 'Aluminum' Cinema Displays, available in a 20" for $1299, 23" for $1999, and a huge 30" size for $3299 are just that. Connecting with a standard DVI cable, these new displays require no adapter to connect straight up with current and the last couple years of PowerBook models as well as to any PowerMac with a PCI or AGP video card that offers a DVI port. The same is not true of the 'giganitron' 30" model. The first of that size, the 30" model requires a Dual Link DVI specification capable video card with one of the first and only Mac offering being Apple's Nvidia 6800 which is for the PowerMac G5 only. It's always expensive to be on the bleeding edge, and I think I can wait - especially with analysts predicting flat panel display costs to fall over 50% in the next year. Just a quick footnote, long live ADC, ADC RIP. After going from their own proprietary connector for CRTs to adopting the VGA connection, Apple has repeated history dropping their proprietary ADC 'Apple Display Connector' for the DVI standard. Going with the standard ought to bring Apple great success with these displays in both the Mac and PC markets, something that will only help make them more affordable for everyone!

Something not so awesome is Apple announcing the non-availability of their iMac line. You can still look at the specs and see how Apple touts the 'current' iMac G4 line, but what you'll find missing is the normal Apple 'Buy Now' button. When you enter the online Apple Store and go to the iMac section, there you'll see an apology for 'less than perfect planning' while be advised that no more orders are being accepted for this 'current' iMac line. The 'new' iMacs are expected to be introduced in September, at which point order taking will resume. Maybe it's a big marketing ploy, no doubt going to be a lot of rumors and speculation over what that next iMac will be.

One of the most popular system additions as of late have been DVD-Recording Superdrives. I am pleased to report that MacAddict just gave our own OWC Mercury DVR-107 FireWire/USB External Superdrive a 'Great' rating and their Editor's Choice Award! While and internal option can save good money when it is an option and only one machine needs be considered, OWC Mercury are a great option for sharing with multiple systems or just where an external Plug and Play solution has preference.

Who can honestly say they like their phone company? I am sure that there are a few, but I wasn't one of them. Fortunately, technology is making new options possible and OWC has now joined the fray with 'OWCPhone'. If you have a broadband internet connection, especially a cable service or even a DSL service that does not require you to have a local phone company telephone line, a lot of savings can be had with a Voice Over IP system. Sound expensive? Plans start from as little as $14.99 per month and needed hardware is included FREE with the service. If you're tired of paying $40+ a month for basic phone service, you'll definitely want to check this out. Today, calls with VOIP or virtually indistinguishable with a good internet connection vs. calls from a traditional land line. In addition to big savings on local and long distance calling (including unlimited plans from $25), there are also huge savings on international calls. Technology marches on and the traditional local phone company hold slips away. Next week, will introduce FasterMac.Net DSL nationwide, FasterMac.Net won't be for just dial-up anymore.

That all starts it off and you can read on for this week's Quick Tip time saver, Roger writes this Music on the Mac article looking at printing the music you make, and the Reader Specials get their normal update. Thank's for being a Tips and Deals subscriber and have a GREAT 4th of July Weekend! Oh, you might enjoy this piece on a squirrel named Patriot.

Some Quick Links
Always bargains to be found on the OWC Clearance Page.Lots added in the last couple weeks, even a few new listings today - July 3rd!

See what a Processor Upgrade can do for your Mac and compare new Macs too. Our Benchmark Reporting System lets you compare stock Apple systems versus those systems with different upgrades and against new Mac models too! It's easy and informative to compare with OWC's exclusive BRS! 9 new processors added to the results just in the last two weeks! Use Apple OS 9.2.2 & Apple OS X 10.3.x on Macs Apple doesn't support - OWC Supports you with OS 9 Helper and Xpostfacto!

Something the Government got right, the FTC's Do Not Call List puts a stop to annoying telemarketing calls!

Jamie has shown some nice information on specifics there and there's little doubt the Launchbar application, this week's Quick Tip is all about, will too find a future OS X version building in what this application now can add on. There's always a better, more time efficient way, and Jamie will fill you in on Launchbar for our 7/3 Quick Tip, this article is posted online. See past Quick Tip topics online in the Quick Tip Archive

Featured Deals and then some..

The Best prices for Apple OS X EVER!
Apple OS X 10.1.x Full Install Set $5.99

Apple OS X 10.2.x 'Jaguar' Full, stand alone, Installer Set $29.00

Apple OS X 10.2.x 'Jaguar' with Apple iLife '2003' Bundle $33.00

Have Apple OS X 10.2.x already? Get Apple 10.3.x 'Panther' Update $65.00

Apple OS X 10.3.x 'Panther' Full Install CD Set $79.00

Replace a Bad iPod Battery with a longer lasting new one
NewerTech 1600mAh internal batteries for the Apple iPod 1G and 2G are the longest lasting internal batteries available for the iPod. With 30% more capacity than the battery Apple offers, you'll be jamming all that much longer between charges. Get just the battery for $29.95 or, get the battery bundled with an OWC Pod Protector Leather Case w/swivel belt clip for $35.00, just $5.05 more. We include a non-scratch iPod opening tool so you can do the replacement quick and easy too.

Upgrade to a new 'Superdrive' to burn CDs and DVDs
The new Pioneer DVR-107 'SuperDrive' is compatible with any PowerMac G3 or G4 and will burn DVDs at up to 8X and CDs at up to 24X. Use Apple iDVD, Discburner, iTunes, Roxio Toast, Etc.
Get just the Pioneer DVR-107 'Superdrive' by itself for $99.99 or
that + 10 DVD-Rs & 25 CD-Rs with Jewel cases, Apple iLife '03, and Dantz Retrospect Backup Super Bundle for $125.99 or the same with Apple iLife 2004 $157.50.

-See all the options we offer internal and external for CD/DVD drives, including internal CDRW/DVDRW drive for G4 PowerBooks and Cubes, More Special Superdrive Bundles too - in our dedicated online section-.

The Fastest in FireWire Reader Specials
Our OWC Mercury Elite 800 Pro drives offer the fastest FireWire 800 Performance EVER. Using the fastest hard drives, featuring 8MB data buffers, and our custom tuned bridge solution - these Elites deliver for the most demanding power user! All Elite Drives include Dantz Retrospect Backup, Intech Speed Tools, FireWire 800 and FireWire 400 cables, 2 Year OWC Warranty.
200GB Elite 800 Pro 7200RPM Solution $249.00 250GB Elite 800 Pro 7200RPM Solution $295.00

2-Port FireWire 400 Card for any PowerMac with a PCI Slot - $9.95

2-Port FireWire 800 + 1-Port FireWire 400 PowerMac PCI Card - $47.50

Browse our full line of FireWire 400/800/USB, hubs, cables, etc online. Solutions by EzQuest, Lacie, OWC, SmartDisk, and others in stock and available.

Upgrading the Mac you have can be Better than buying a New Mac!
Featured Processor Upgrade for AGP Graphics/Sawtooth, Gigabit Ethernet, Digital Audio, and QuickSilver PowerMac G4 Models:
OWC Mercury Extreme G4/1.0-1.2GHz, 2MB L3 Cache is $295.00

For G3 Beige, G3 Blue & White, G4 'Yikes' PCI PowerMac Models:
OWC Mercury G4/450-533MHz 1MB L2 - $149.00; G4/500-600MHz 1MB L2 Cache $209.00

Visit our Acceleration Section for our full upgrade offering for Macs new and old. G3s and G4s, Single and Dual Processor, for PowerBooks and PowerMacs - available by Gigadesigns, NewerTech, OWC, PowerLogix, and Sonnet. G3 upgrades start from $99; G4s from $149.

More storage, that's Quieter and Faster too
For PowerBook & iBook G3-G4 models
40.0GB Toshiba MK4025GAS 2.5" with 8MB Data Buffer, now $95.00
80.0GB Hitachi 80GN 4200RPM 2.5" with 8MB Data Buffer, now $195.00

For PowerMac G3/G4, Cubes, eMac, iMac Desktop & Tower models
160GB Hitachi Deskstar 7K250 7200RPM 3.5" with 2MB Buffer $ 99.00
80GB Western Digital Caviar 7200RPM 3.5" with 8MB Buffer $79.99

See our full line as well as high-speed ATA/133 and SATA PCI Controllers online.

Memory Specials & Price Trend Report:
07/3/2004 Memory 'Watch': Not so boring this past week as prices of both PC100/133 SDRam and DDR products saw increased costs. So far, the increases are containable - but if this is more than just a pre-holiday 'get the buying done for a long weekend' aberration, we will see more significant price adjustments to the up side in the next week. Demand has been strong and steady, something suppliers/manufacturers may be poised upon.

Memory Deal Highlights:
256MB SDRam for all PowerMac G3 Models and PowerMac G4 'Yikes PCI $39.50

PowerMac G5 1GB Upgrade Set, 2x512MB Matched PC3200 DDR400 now $189.00

512MB PC133 CL3/PC100 CL2 168 Pin SDRam Module for G4 Cube, eMacs, iMac G3/350-700MHz models, PowerMac G4 AGP Graphics(aka Sawtooth)/Gigabit Ethernet/Digital Audio/QuickSilver now $98.00

Mac 128MB 5V 168 Pin 60NS Dimms for 7300-9600 Models & Clones, $16.99

1GB Module for PowerBook G4 AL 12/15/17"; iMac G4/1.0GHz+, iBook G4s $299.00
Save when you go up to 2GB in your two slot model, or max with slot model!

Visit our Mac Memory Section to browse the full selection of memory we offer and/or use our online memory guide to get the right memory for the Mac(s) you have.

Total Digital Media Control - Video, Music, Etc!
El Gato's new 'EyeHome' lets you control your Mac to play Movies, Music, even Access the Internet via your home entertainment system. You Mac has the content, Eyehome puts it all where you want it. On special for $329, check it out. :)

That's just a small sample of the many deals you'll find on your Tips 'n Deals Reader Specials Page, check it out!

The challenge of getting music to the printed page is daunting. Print Music has all the tools you need to get the job done. The difficulty lies in the fact that there are a lot of things musicians like to see and are used to seeing on their music. All of the variations and conventions are addressed by Print Music. The trade off to getting the music to "look right" is that the application is deep and has a real learning curve. When creating a score for a piece of music, Print Music helps you select what instrumentation or instruments you will be using. It is possible to create a "lead sheet", which is just the melody, lyrics and basic chord changes. It is also possible to create all the individual parts of the arrangement including parts for keyboard, guitar, bass, drums, strings, woodwinds and brass. To do this successfully, you really need to have an understanding of written music, treble and bass clef, how to handle instruments that are "transposing" instruments such as Bflat trumpet, tenor sax and more. This is a tall order indeed and takes some learning and practice to get right.

I find that it is crucial to write out a song arrangement roughly by hand first so you can get a handle on the different sections of the song, where it repeats, intros, endings and so on. Once you have the "big picture" about the song, you can then use Print Music to get it all down and looking completely professional. Typically, you create all of the parts for each section together. The instruments are laid out vertically aligned with each other and the music flows from left to right. It is helpful to work on an arrangement this way because you can see and hear what each instrument is doing during each measure of the song. The easiest method of entering notes is with a mid keyboard/USB interface. You select the measure where you want to record by clicking on it. There is an 8 beat countoff and then it begins recording. You play the part and then listen back. You can see the notes appear on screen as you play them in. Print Music helps you by letting you choose sounds from a basic palette so your trumpet part plays back with a trumpet sound, organ with an organ sound, etc. Another way to get notes on the page is to enter them manually. Simply click on the eighth note tool and click on the musical staff where you want that note and it's done. Of course, keeping track of all those notes on all those parts is a big job. Thankfully, Print Music makes it fairly easy to erase, edit and redo parts. Once you have the score completed and you've listened to it to check it by ear too, there is one more step. You go to "file" and choose "extract parts". Print Music then creates separate parts derived from your master score for each instrument as separate files. You simply print them out and pass them out to the band and you're in business. Yes, there are many more features, such as the ability to play music into the program with an instrument through a microphone. This only works with single note parts or even voice, but not chords. The program can also scan (with your scanner) music in. This might come in handy if you can only play or sing "by ear". This way, you can hear the music to learn it.

The printed output of this program is truly amazing and it is worth the effort to learn how to work with it. It is also only about $60.00, as opposed to Finale which is in the $500 range. Finale would be more appropriate for someone writing music and arrangements for orchestras....real professional projects. Print Music has all the features most people will ever need at a great price indeed.

As always, we encourage you to visit our Mac Music/Audio Forum to share your questions and comments!

Also, visit our website to view Roger's previous music articles online!

About our Music Guru:
Roger Adler is a 4 time EMMY nominated composer/producer/performer. You may have heard his music in his role as Music Director for the A&E TV Series "The BEST of COMIC RELIEF" starring Robin Williams, Billy Crystal and Whoopi Goldberg. He also appeared in and played on the soundtrack for the hit movie "GROUNDHOG DAY" starring Bill Murray and Andi MacDowell. He is the Music Director for the popular TV Series "WILD CHICAGO" now in it' s 15th season on WTTW in Chicago. In 2001, he travelled to Antwerp, Belgium to produce and perform in the annual meeting for Philips Electronics. He recently composed and performed two TV commercials for WRANGLER JEANS, currently airing on ESPN.

Thanks for being a Tips n' Deals subscriber, we'll be keeping it coming! From all of us at Other World Computing - have yourself a great and safe holiday weekend!

We Support our Troops