DOWNLOAD DISPATCH (Mac Edition) The weekly newsletter from CNET Download.com http://www.download.com/?dd.dl.mac..fd Vol. 4, No. 19 May 11, 1999 Greetings from the Internet's software source! ....................................................................... The hits keep on a-comin' from Cupertino. Hot on the heels of QuickTime 4 and a slew of Star Wars-related media, Apple rolled out Mac OS 8.6 yesterday. Already a record-setting Download.com title (having racked up 24,559 downloads on its first day of release), this must-have upgrade brings Mac OS 8.5 users speed improvements, better Sherlock searching, enhanced media integration, and lots more. But I won't ramble on about the particulars--you can get the goods right here and see for yourself: http://www.download.com/DD/dl/0,302,0-0511-2-001,00.html Jim Stanley Associate editor, CNET Download.com (Unsubscribe instructions are at the bottom of this newsletter.) ......................advertisement.................................... Protect your Mac from viruses with Dr. Solomon Virex! Use the Scan-at-Download feature for email/Internet virus protection. http://www.download.com/Dispatch/Ad/beyond_mac.html?dd.dl.m.0511.27 ....................................................................... CONTENTS 1. CNET Exclusives you don't want to miss --Mac OS 8.6 2. Download.com fans: cast your vote 3. The week in reviews --Power Downloader's Weekly Picks, Online Tunes, Productivity Applications 4. The week in wares: the latest and greatest software releases --RealPlayer G2, Hotline Connect Client, SolarCell, Sherlock Menu, Int'l Traveler 5. This week's in-crowd: our most popular downloads 6. Gamecenter's GamerX: Railroad Tycoon II 7. How to subscribe/unsubscribe to our newsletter ...................................................................... 1. CNET Exclusives you don't want to miss MAC OS 8.6 UPDATE. We've got it. You need it. Get the OS upgrade--exclusively at CNET Download.com--and get smoother system performance, improved Sherlock searching, myriad Apple software updates, and more: http://www.download.com/DD/dl/0,302,0-0511-2-002,00.html ....................................................................... 2. Download.com fans: cast your vote Downloaders--we want your input! When you see a listing of programs on our site, what do you think the default order of the list should be?* a) newest programs first b) Download.com Picks first c) most popular programs first d) alphabetically by program name Let us know your vote by sending mail via the link below (or just address your message to [EMAIL PROTECTED]): mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]?subject=sortpoll We'll let you know the results as soon as we tally them. Thanks! (*This does not apply to search results, only to category listings; e.g. Internet: Browsers) ....................................................................... 3. The week in reviews "Power Downloader's Weekly Picks": This week our caped crusader talks back to his Mac with a new PlainTalk plug-in: http://www.download.com/DD/dl/0,302,0-0511-2-003,00.html "Online Tunes": From local radio stations to self-styled DJs transmitting MP3 files, thousands of Net-savvy broadcasters are serving up music, news, and more, and it's all free--that is, if you have the right software: http://www.download.com/DD/dl/0,302,0-0511-2-004,00.html "Productivity Applications": Having a tough time organizing your day? Are all your projects spiraling out of control? Don't despair--our productivity Topic Center is filled to the brim with tips, downloads, and more to help you organize your week and make the most of your time: http://www.download.com/DD/dl/0,302,0-0511-2-005,00.html ......................advertisement.................................... Sign up for free email and receive the world's best email address-- [EMAIL PROTECTED] Just click here: http://www.email.com?sr=?dd.dl.m.0511.28 ....................................................................... 4. The week in wares: the latest and greatest software releases -> In INTERNET: REALPLAYER G2 File size: 4.3MB License: freeware Minimum requirements: PowerPC, Mac OS 8.1, 32MB RAM Being online these days involves more than just reading text on a Web page. Multimedia-rich sites abound, and in most cases, software is needed to enjoy the goods. Enter RealPlayer G2. With this robust app at your side, tuning in to streaming audio and video on the Web is a snap. Features include destination buttons for one-click access to news and entertainment, near CD-quality audio (28.8-kbps and faster connections only), and full-screen video capability (high-bandwidth connections only). Get Real: http://www.download.com/DD/dl/0,302,0-0511-2-006,00.html HOTLINE CONNECT CLIENT File size: 782K License: shareware ($29.95) Minimum requirements: PowerPC Web browsers: who needs 'em? With Hotline Connect, you can hook up to hundreds of cross-platform Hotline servers that allow you to chat, transfer files, and read news posts--all within an enclosed client/server network. The latest version of Hotline offers a bevy of new features, including threaded news postings, improved chat and messaging options, and a redesigned interface. Once you've discovered the power of Hotline Connect, you may never go back to your browser again. Get connected: http://www.download.com/DD/dl/0,302,0-0511-2-007,00.html Internet software updates: Keep Me Online 1.01 http://www.download.com/DD/dl/0,302,0-0511-2-008,00.html Autothenticate 1.1.4 http://www.download.com/DD/dl/0,302,0-0511-2-009,00.html Find all the latest Internet software here: http://www.download.com/DD/dl/0,302,0-0511-2-010,00.html -> In MULTIMEDIA & DESIGN: SOLARCELL File size: 390K License: shareware ($20) Minimum requirements: System 7, Adobe Photoshop 3.x Got Photoshop? SolarCell is a brand new Photoshop filter from Flaming Pear (makers of the ever popular BladePro plug-ins) that can generate fantastic images of suns, stars, and other interstellar phenomena. In addition to its standard controls and presets, SolarCell also includes a "dice button" for random effects and color combinations. And while SolarCell may not be up to par with special effects of Star Wars, the price tag isn't out of this world, either. Solar power: http://www.download.com/DD/dl/0,302,0-0511-2-011,00.html Multimedia & design software updates: GraphicConverter 3.6.2 http://www.download.com/DD/dl/0,302,0-0511-2-012,00.html QuickMP3 1.2 http://www.download.com/DD/dl/0,302,0-0511-2-013,00.html Find the latest multimedia & design software here: http://www.download.com/DD/dl/0,302,0-0511-2-014,00.html -> In UTILITIES: SHERLOCK MENU File size: 92K License: shareware ($5) Minimum requirements: PowerPC, Mac OS 8.5 Scrolling down the long list of items in the Apple Menu just to open the Sherlock search tool is, simply, a drag. Thankfully there's Sherlock Menu, a tool that adds a systemwide menu bar for quick access to the search tool. With it, you can preselect the type of search you want to perform and launch the Sherlock tool all in one step. Search smarter: http://www.download.com/DD/dl/0,302,0-0511-2-015,00.html Utilities software updates: ASCII Converter (fat) 1.3 http://www.download.com/DD/dl/0,302,0-0511-2-016,00.html Conflict Catcher 8 Update 8.0.5 http://www.download.com/DD/dl/0,302,0-0511-2-017,00.html Find the latest utilities here: http://www.download.com/DD/dl/0,302,0-0511-2-018,00.html -> In PALMPILOT: INT'L TRAVELER File size: 11.6K License: demo ($19.95) Minimum requirements: Palm OS 2.0 If international intrigue isn't always what you're looking for, then you'll appreciate Int'l Traveler, an application that supplies cultural and country information for your destinations. Make friends instead of faux pas with these fascinating facts and curious customs for Asia, Europe, the Middle East, North America, and South America. Whether you're juggling gestures or geography, you're bound to boast more cultural sensitivity. When in Rome: http://www.download.com/DD/dl/0,302,0-0511-2-019,00.html PalmPilot updates: StockPilot99 2.0: http://www.download.com/DD/dl/0,302,0-0511-2-020,00.html LodeRunner 4.3: http://www.download.com/DD/dl/0,302,0-0511-2-021,00.html Find all the latest PalmPilot software here: http://www.download.com/DD/dl/0,302,0-0511-2-022,00.html ....................................................................... 5. This week's in-crowd: our most popular downloads 1. Star Wars, Episode I: The Phantom Menace Trailer 25,567 downloads 2. Star Wars: Episode I Music Video 15,828 downloads 3. Queen Amidala One Will 13,498 downloads 4. Anakin Skywalker One Dream 12,290 downloads 5. Shmi Skywalker One Love 10,935 downloads 6. Star Wars, Episode I: The Phantom Menace Trailer(QT4)10,158 downloads 7. Qui-Gon Jinn One Destiny 9,603 downloads 8. Star Wars, Episode I: The Gungan Frontier 8,383 downloads 9. Aladdin StuffIt Expander 6,921 downloads 10. Railroad Tycoon II 5,291 downloads (Sheesh! Looks like CNET fans were downloading from somewhere in a galaxy far, far away last week.) For more details on CNET Download.com's Most Popular files, click here: http://www.download.com/DD/dl/0,302,0-0511-2-023,00.html ....................................................................... 6. Gamecenter's GamerX is down to ride with Railroad Tycoon II RAILROAD TYCOON II File size: 52.7MB License: demo Minimum requirements: PowerPC, System 7.5.3, 16MB RAM No spaceships. No aliens. No foreign planets. Just the sounds of cold hard steel moving through war-torn Europe. Such is the premise of Railroad Tycoon II, a game that puts you in the role of a robber baron trying to make your name in the railroad business. To do so, you must rebuild the British rail system after its destruction in the blitz. All aboard: http://www.download.com/DD/dl/0,302,0-0511-2-024,00.html Games updates: Dirt Bike 3D (OpenGL) 1.6b http://www.download.com/DD/dl/0,302,0-0511-2-025,00.html Find all the latest Mac games here: http://www.download.com/DD/dl/0,302,0-0511-2-026,00.html ....................................................................... 7. How to subscribe/unsubscribe to our newsletter You are receiving this Download Dispatch newsletter because we have received a subscription request for your email address, or because someone you know has sent it to you. To subscribe to this or other CNET newsletters, please visit: http://www.cnet.com/Help/Dispatch/?dd.dl.m.0511.29 If you do not wish to receive the Download Dispatch, please visit this page to unsubscribe: http://www.cnet.com/Support/unsub/1,300,dlm,00.html?dd.dl.m.0511.30 *A technical note for our dispatch readers* If you get an error page when you click links in this newsletter, please try copying the entire link (including the ".html") and then pasting it into your browser's URL field. There are a variety of email clients in use by our subscribers, and because each client handles links differently, broken links sometimes occur. We are working on solving this issue and appreciate your patience. ....................................................................... Special note to our Mac readers: As many Download Dispatch readers noticed, last week's Mac dispatch mistakenly included an advertisement for the Windows-only application MediaRing Talk 99. CNET Download.com apologizes for any inconvenience or confusion this caused our Mac readers. ....................................................................... *A surreal birthday wish to Salvador Dali, born on this day in 1904.*
