New Intel-based Mac mini’s Are Available.

As you have probably heard by now, Apple has released Intel Core Solo and Core Duo-based Mac minis, now making half of their product line Intel-based. Specifications:
* Includes Apple Remote and Front Row
* Reported to be 2.5 – 5.5 times faster than previous Mac minis
* 1.5GHz Core Solo or 1.66GHz Core Duo CPUs
* 667MHz Front Side Bus
* 512MB (Upgradeable to 2GB)
* Same form factor as previous Mac mini
* One FireWire 400, Four USB 2.0 ports
* Gigabit Ethernet, Built-in Airport Extreme wireless, Bluetooth 2.0
* 60GB or 80GB Serial ATA harddrive
* CDRW/DVD or DVD Writer
* iLife ’06

It starts at $100 more than the PowerPC G4 based Mac mini (it now starts at $599), but if you’ve been holding off for this, it’s here. By all accounts, most current Mac genealogy software runs just fine under Core Duo iMacs and MacBook Pros – I’m unsure how well a Core Solo CPU would handle Rosetta.

If you don’t want to make the transition to Intel just yet, I’m sure that some PowerPC G4 Mac minis will be available through the Apple Store’s Special Deals - Apple Certified (As an example, they have 12-inch PowerPC G4 iBooks for $699).

The big event will be April 1st – Apple’s 30th Birthday.

GenealogyJ or GenJ v2.4

After more than a year, GenealogyJ (GenJ) has been updated to version 2.4. GenealogyJ is a cross-platform genealogy application written in Java.

Official Description:

GenealogyJ is a viewer and editor for genealogic data, suitable for hobbyist, family historian and genealogy researcher. GenJ supports the Gedcom standard, is written in Java and offers many views like family tree, table, timeline, geography and more.

Download it from here if you are curious.
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Personal Ancestry Writer II v49 (25 Feb 2006)

Personal Ancestry Writer II (PAWriter II) version 49 was updated to 25 Feb 2006. It’s a MacOS/Mac OS X Genealogy Application designed to have features similar to the original Personal Ancestral File (PAF) for MacOS/Classic. The 25 Feb 2006 release is mainly oriented towards improvements in navigation.

Changes:
* Added typing [ and ] for first and last person.
* Added typing < (or comma) and > (or period) for previous and next person.
* Note: Command-arrows are still available but the new alternatives seem simpler to type.
* Corrected rollover help.
* Added a descent window to complement the pedigree window. This simply allows navigating descendants without changing the current person.
* The reference guide was updated to reflect these changes.

Reunion Planner X 6.4

Reunion Planner X 6.4 is available. It’s exactly what it sounds like – a reunion planning application. It runs on either MacOS or Mac OS X (there is a Windows version available). It’s $59.95 with a demo available for download. They also have a service to translate reunion information from a spreadsheet.

Changes:
* Added a new Comments label for printed Memory Books
* Added MapQuest address search for the Directory

Description:
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Genealogy Pro 2.0 Pre-Release 5

Genealogy Pro 2.0 Pre-Release 5. That’s right, a 10th Mac genealogy application that is being actively developed (and since the Intel transition was first announced, I believe all 10 have seen or will shortly see new releases, and while they may not be Universal Binaries, they still should run just fine under Rosetta).

This pre-release should be the final pre-release version. It requires Mac OS X 10.2.8, and sells for $20 (with a 30-day free trial).

Quick screenshot gallery:
genealogy-pro-2

A bit of history, from the developer’s website:
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