Family 1.2.1

Family 1.2.1 was released this morning. This is Mac OS X genealogy application (Universal Binary). All genealogy information, multimedia, etc., are contained in a single file. You can download a demo from family.halfduplex.net. Version 1.2.1 consists of updates to the user interface, printing, and exporting.

Virtualization for Mac OS X

The hits keep coming: Parallels.com

It’s here! Parallels is proud to launch the Beta program the first virtualization solution specifically designed to work with Intel-powered Apple computers! Parallels Workstation 2.1 Beta for Mac OS X is NOT simply a “dual-boot” solution; rather, it empowers users the ability to use Windows, Linux and any other operating system at the same time as Mac OS X, enabling users to enjoy the comfort of their Mac OS X desktop while still being able to use critical applications from other OSes.

Driven by full support for dual-core processors and Intel Virtualization Technology (included in almost every new Intel-powered Mac), virtual machines created using Parallels Workstation 2.1 Beta offer near-native performance and rock-solid stability.

Their versions for Linux and Windows cost $50.

Keep in mind this allows you to run Windows inside of Mac OS X – it’s not a “dual-boot” solution like Apple’s ‘Boot Camp’ that came out yesterday, and it’s not limited to Windows XP, but everything from MSDOS/Windows 3.1 all the way up through Windows 98 and XP. It won’t be as fast as the dual-boot option, but for most of your applications, you won’t care.

This makes it extremly easy to get people to switch to Mac OS X – if they just have a few applications they can’t let go of, they can just pop open a window running Windows, access the application, and then exit out, without having to reboot.

Apple Boot Camp – Dual-Boot Windows on Intel Macs

I am still shocked. If I didn’t know better, I’d have to check the calendar to make sure it wasn’t April 1st. Apple has released a new beta product, “Boot Camp”, that will allow you to easily install Microsoft Windows XP on Intel-based Macs. It has a drivers CD for Windows XP, plus the partitioning software, and you basically run the CD, partition your Mac, install Windows XP, and then select which OS you want (normally it will default to one, but you can hold down a key right when it boots to select). This software is going to be a part of Mac OS X 10.5 Leopard.

This is huge. If you know somebody that is thinking about switching to Macs, but they still have some Windows software they want to run (perhaps an older or proprietary application or some games or whatever), this is a huge incentive to switch, as they can get all of the benefits of using a Mac, while still having a “safety net” if you will.

MacFamilyTree 4.2.8

MacFamilyTree 4.2.8 was released this morning. This Mac OS X genealogy application is a Universal Binary – it will run well on either Intel and PowerPC computers running Mac OS X 10.3.9 or higher (Mac OS X 10.4.4 for Intel-based computers). This release features some fairly significant changes in the UI in regards to photo/video/document management, as well as some iPhoto enhancements and bug fixes.

NewsLetter 2.6.1

Newsletter 2.6.1 is out. It’s a free batch emailing application geared towards newsletters, using either plain text or HTML. It requires Mac OS X 10.3 or newer.

This fixes an issue with non-Entourage users and is recommended.