The relationship between Sun and Apple hasn’t been this hot since the merger talks were going on in the early 90’s.  With yesterday’s announcement of JavaFX taking on Microsoft’s Silverlight and Adobe Flex Platforms, it can only get hotter.  The three major trends that are gathering momentum:

• ZFS support in Macintosh Leopard
• Open Office port to Macintosh
• Sun (Officially) Supports J2EE Development On OS X

read on..

ZFS is gaining a lot of steam and support in the Macintosh community spurred by Apple’s inclusion of Disk Utility.app support in pre-release versions of Leopard.  The next generation disk file system would allow Apple to take a considerable lead from Microsoft and its next generation WinFS file system which has been delayed time and time again.  Macs might not be booting from it come Leopard but they will be able to read and write to it (unless Apple kills it from the Leopard Betas). For a fantastic presentation on the basics of ZFS from Sun’s Opensolaris group, head here.

Open Office is getting some much needed porting help from Sun. Open Office, or Star Office as Sun calls its proprietary version, currently has an X11 interface for Mac which is foreign to the vast majority of Macintosh Users. Currently a project called NeoOffice exists with a native/non-X11 front end of Open Office but Sun’s forray is likely to be a much bigger and widely supported platform – especially in the coveted Higher Education space. We already know Sun and Google are working together on Open Office and the prospect of Apple and Google working together is not far-fetched.

The growing support for the J2EE development world on Macintosh is always a good thing.  The Macintosh is a natural fit for JAVA development because of its UNIX underpinnings and rapidly expanding userbase.  Additionally, with Sun’s headfirst dive into easy, open source, platform agnostic development environments (read: JavaFX) they’ll need all of the help they can garner. Just ask Eclipse.

Perhaps we can start firing up those merger talks again because Sun and Apple are two very like minded companies and cultures with very complimentary product and service offerings – and don’t forget about the common enemy to the North. Although, in this merger, I don’t think Sun will be the one doing the buying…

The Rumormill is abuzz with news about the LED screens that will be making their way into Apple’s new MacBooks and their power savings. With a technology switch like this, expect Apple to be able to make long awaited design changes to the Pro line of Macbooks. Also, we’ve heard about bottom loading optical media bays (can we finally be done with optical yet?!) Not to mention Apple’s pledge to be greener and concluding statement: “We are also beginning to explore the overall carbon ‘footprint’ of our products, and may have some interesting data and issues to share later this year.” Oh Steve, why must you tease us? read on…

You know what else is green? Solid state drives. Apple will use them, no doubt at some point – afterall they need to play catch up with Samsung, Sony and company. But here’s the kicker: They will also use traditional hard drives for storing media like music, videos and photos. There is no way Apple is going to sell you a product with only 20 Gigs of space for media. The boot drive will be a 16-32GB fast (seek time – not necessarily large data flow), efficient solid state.

On a related note, no one seems to be mentioning the Embedded Mac OS platform that is being used in the MacTV and iPhone – it’s the biggest news of the year and it’s hardly getting any coverage! Perhaps an iTablet device could be released alongside the new iPhone and laptops filling the subcompact niche. It would make sense for this device to run an embedded version of the Mac OS. Windows tablets running full XP and Vista have been notoriously clunky.

Imagine, if you will, a 12″ iTablet that is nothing more than a beefed up (not thicker) iPhone with Cingular HSDPA, Wifi, 32GB of Ram, 12 hour battery, etc. It can be done, so why not?

Edit: also note the Santa Rosa Processors which add more fuel to the 7 alarm fire…

Today’s announcement of Final Cut Pro Server wasn’t a surprise to insiders who followed Apple’s purchase of Sydney-based Proximity Group last year.  Their major product, Artbox, is (was) a cross platform asset management and workflow solution that was used by many news organizations around the world.  We’re very excited to see what apple does with it. 

More info about the purchase last December

From Proximity’s Website:

Artbox enterprise is a media asset management software package designed for broadcast, cable and post production companies to improve sharing of media and to streamline creative production workflow.

artbox enterprise not only includes all the features of artbox workgroup, but also offers powerful additional features such as multiple artbox connectivity, newsroom integration, workflow management & broadcast device integration.

+ screenshots
+ walkthrough (flash)
+ product brochure (pdf)
+ product whitepaper (pdf)
+ tutorial (quicktime)
+ tutorial (windows media)
+ looking for support?

Bundle Components
artbox enterprise server software
Five simultaneous users (PC, Mac or Linux)
Connectivity to five broadcast quality editing, play out or storage systems
artbox to artbox connectivity
Available Add-on Components
Newsroom Integration module
Workflow Management module
Archive Integration module
Additional users
Additional device connectivity

Key Features
A single searchable media catalog with thumbnails, proxies and metadata of video and stills content that can be shared across multiple users and locations.
Extensive format support, including graphics and video file formats like TIFF, TARGA, VPB, Pinnacle, Chyron RGBA, GIF, PNG, DPX, Photoshop, Still Sequences, MPEG-1, MPEG-2, MPEG4, IMX, DV25, DVCPro, DVCPro HD, HDV, H264, AVI, GXF, LXF, MXF, QuickTime, Media100, Avid Meridian, and more.
Workflow tool that allows users to create new projects, take requests from external requesters (producers, journalists etc), add requests for media (video, graphics, script, audio), track progress of requests, deliver finished content and group all related media assets.
Newsroom integration that allows producers and journalists to access the media catalog from within iNews or ENPS.
artbox to artbox connectivity allows sharing of content across an Enterprise or group of stations.
Project level integration with Apple Final Cut Pro & drag and drop of content between artbox and other third party creation, editing and character generation tools.
Cuts only editing & annotation on browse proxies.
Integration with archival systems to move less frequently used media to cheaper storage.
Drag and drop of media between artbox and desktop/panel applications.
Artbox Image option: provides customers all the functionality of artbox enterprise, except for clip support. Especially useful for customers interested in news graphics workflow.
For more information, contact the Proximity Sales Team:

Click Here to contact Proximity sales by Email.

phone: +1 (646) 452 5820

Interested in reselling artbox?
Click Here for reseller information.

Benefits
Save time in creative production with the power to search, locate, transfer and transcode content across multiple graphics creation, editing and playout systems and formats from one application.
Automatic cataloging removes the need to manually import assets and saves time.
Reduce Production costs by reusing and effectively managing media.
Faster collaboration and approval process on projects using the artbox project and notification capabilities.
Ease the project management burden through use of configurable workflow tools to track jobs, requests and media.
Reduce costs by removing the need for tape based transfer and by using reliable but economical platforms.
Streamline newsroom workflow for broadcasters by tight integration with MOS compliant newsroom systems and third party templating/CG systems such as Chyron Lyric, Vizrt and Pinnacle Deko.
Deliver finished content fast and secure via web to customers and end users.
Protect your media using artbox flexible permissions mode.

Here’s an interesting post on the Apple Job boards (below) It looks like the ipod team is hiring a flat panel engineer for ipods? I know that the iphone screen and the current generation of ipod screens are technically “flat panels” but aren’t usually called as such. Also, nothing in the advertisement mentions “micro-screens” which ipods and the iphone currently posses.

As these could be high res screens like Sony’s eReader line, a very interesting development! More likely though, there will be a Mac Tablet-type of machine that will be based of of the Macintosh Embedded platform that is the brains behind the MacTV and iphone.

read on…

I’ll take a 10 inch ipod for the train ride to work please!

MacUpdate has always been, not only a great location to search for Mac software, but also a great community to find software reviews and to pit products against each other. Because of their Mac-only approach, I often put them ahead of Versiontracker in investigating software. That is why I was disheartened when I read that the were looking to sell.. Perhaps they are just looking to get valued for additional funding ..there is a lot of chatter going on in that community with the 200 free MacWorld tickets they are providing…

From the posting:

Online business appraiser (w/possible acquisition background)

Company: MacUpdate
Location: Anywhere

Description
MacUpdate is the most popular Macintosh-only software website on the Internet. It’s been organically growing since 1996. It’s essentially one of two websites that control most of the Macintosh software updates. We’re looking for a qualified organization or person that has experience in appraising online businesses. You should have experience valuing both smaller and multi-million dollar online communities. A track record of previous valuations is very important. Experience working with VC capital funding and business acquisition is important. Having a network of investors and companies looking to make acquisitions is a bonus. Physical location is not important.

To apply
Email: macupdate@macupdate.com with the subject “37sig MU Appraisal”

Hello everyone and welcome to the 9to5Mac Community.  A bunch of my Mac Administrator/Manager friends were talking and wondered why there wasn’t a proper community of Mac Managers out there.  There are the Apple and mac-mgrs.org mailing lists but we wanted something more interactive and 2.0.

There are websites that cover the same categories, like MacEnterprise and AFP548.com  and such but they aren’t updated too often and are frankly in lack of creativity and community.  

So here we are.

The ojective of this site is to be a destination for people like ourselves.  We will have a calendar of Mac Events,  Mac tips, discussion forums, news, reviews, tips, job boards, etc. etc.  We will also have fun stuff that is off topic but will sae that for the engadgets of the world if possible.

While we will allow some relevant advertising to pay for hosting and site upkeep, we will try to keep it at a minimum so that we can focus on our community.

That being said…wander around a bit and enjoy.  We hope you will become a member!

– admin

Save the Date for WWDC07

This June, the center of the Mac universe will be at Moscone West in downtown San Francisco, as developers and IT professionals from around the globe come together for the Apple Worldwide Developers Conference. Don’t miss this opportunity to connect with Apple engineers, get a firsthand look at the latest technology, and spend a week getting the kind of inspiration you won’t find anywhere else.

Turn the next big thing from Apple into the next big thing from you

At WWDC, you’ll work hands-on with the latest developer tools, learn best practices for choosing and using the latest APIs and make the most of the new technologies, cutting-edge graphics capabilities, and enhanced features in Mac OS X Leopard. The session tracks at WWDC are designed to show you how to harness these features to create awesome user interfaces, improve the performance of your application, and create the ultimate customer experience on the road to developing your killer Leopard application.

Tap into the best engineering resources at Apple

Work side-by-side with Apple engineers responsible for the powerful features in Mac OS X. With unparalleled access to Apple engineers you’ll forge new connections, resolve code-level issues, and refine your long term development plans.

http://developer.apple.com/wwdc/

To just roll into a company and think they know what you need better than you do.  Necessary evil.

We are a loosely assorted group of Mac Managers and Macintosh Business enthusiasts throughout the world (San Francisco, New York, Paris, London and Hong Kong) that try to keep each other (and you) apprised of many of the things going on in the Apple Enterprise Community. If you feel you could add anything to the site, we’d love to hear from you!

For many users, it’s not working with a new operating system that’s intimidating, it’s all that needs to be done before, during, and after the upgrade that has them running scared. That’s why best-selling author Tom Negrino has devoted an entire guide to just that topic. Rather than cover every last feature and function of Apple’s newest OS, Tom focuses on just the need-to-know essentials that will ensure a smooth transition to Mac OS X Tiger. In short order, readers will learn how to prepare for the upgrade, how to back up their data, what’s entailed in the actual upgrade, and how to reinstall software. Once Tiger is safely installed, Tom provides a quick overview of what’s changed before showing readers how to customize their systems and use three of Tiger’s key features: Spotlight search, Automator (for streamlining repetitive tasks), and Dashboard (the control panel for Tiger’s nifty new widget mini-apps). And for readers who want to know more about what’s new in this system upgrade, the book provides a handy overview of the top ten new additions to Mac OS X Tiger.

Most books about information technology are very technical and their message dates quickly. Riding the Tiger is the one book that a business manager ought to read to keep up with computers – it presents timeless advice on technology usage.

Riding the Tiger will show you how to make information management more effective in your organization and how to prevent your organization from spending too much money on information technology. It provides a framework for planning your use of information technology that is appropriate for any manager in any organization.

Riding the Tiger is every business manager’s manual for understanding how to harness the power of the tiger. From what you do as a manager, to how to make your business objectives drive your information management strategy, to managing or becoming involved in a project, this book will help business managers make a difference when information technology projects are proposed to them or when they are initiating projects with suppliers.

A computer is a big investment, but the time you spend to learn your way around it shouldn’t be. Mac OS X Tiger In a Snap is designed specifically for you and the millions of other people who don’t have the time to devote to learning the Mac operating system inside and out before you begin using it. The modular format of Mac OS X Tiger In a Snap lets you zero in on the information you need and then get back to work. You will learn how to:

• Work with “home office” applications
• Network your Mac
• Communicate with iChat
• Work with the iLife applications
• Customize Mac OS X
• Update system software
• Perform rescue operations

With expert tips and tricks interspersed throughout the tasks, Mac OS X Tiger In a Snap will help you quickly get up to speed with your Mac.

Just as a car’s dashboard serves as its control center, Mac OS X Tiger’s dashboard puts you in charge of the info you access from your computer and across the Web. Accessible via a click of a button, Dashboard is home to cool, new JavaScript-based mini apps called Widgets, which can grab info from the Web and provide instant access to frequently used apps. While Tiger comes with a bunch of Widgets, one of the coolest things about them is that you can create and customize your own-and you don’t need to be programmers to do so! In this task-based guide, a JavaScript master shows you how to start creating all kinds of Dashboard Widgets-from calculators to stock tickers, contact lists, and more. After providing a quick intro to HTML, CSS, and JavaScript, author Dori Smith shows you how to create your first Widget (a calculator); make that Widget work across the Net (turning it into an international money converter); add QuickTime, Flash, and Java to Widgets; debug Widgets; and more.

If Mac OS X Tiger has you bewildered, it’s time to regain the upper hand with Take Control of Tiger. Rather than have a single overworked author attempt to give you a brief overview of every imaginable topic, explaining none fully, Take Control assembled an all-star team, with each author dedicated to telling you everything you need to know about a particular subject. For each topic, you’ll find a concise introduction, detailed explanations, useful tips, and step-by-step instructions, all amply illustrated. Best of all, you can receive free updates to each of the titles in this collection!Aimed at readers just like yourself, who aren’t afraid to tinker around a bit to get the most out of their OS, this full-color volume shows you how to customize Mac OS X Tiger to fit your very specific needs. In the guide’s four major sections-“Upgrading to Tiger,” “Customizing Tiger,” “Users and Accounts in Tiger,” and Sharing Files in Tiger”-you’ll find all the technical help and troubleshooting tips you need to ensure a smooth and speedy upgrade without any corresponding loss in productivity. In short order you’ll learn how to create user accounts, take advantage of the new Spotlight search system, set up multiway video and audio conferences, and more.

Experience the excitement of Apple’s revolutionary new release with help from this hands-on guide. How to Do Everything with Mac OS X Tiger explains all the features. Learn to use the Finder to easily navigate files, folders, and applications, set up and manage user accounts, access the Internet, and print and fax documents. Digital entertainment features such as iPhoto, iMovie, and iTunes are also covered, as are easy methods for networking and security. A special two-color section called “Writers and Their Macs” profiles famous writers such as Arthur Golden (Memoirs of a Geisha) and screenwriter Mike Rich (Finding Forrester) who discuss how their Macs are integral to their creativity.

You held off on moving to Mac OS X until your bread-and-butter applications made the jump, and now you’re thinking of moving up to Tiger. This book is especially geared toward designers who’ve become comfortable working under Mac OS X and are ready now to make the Tiger transition. Designer and prepress pro Jeff Gamet focuses on the Mac OS X Tiger features that matter most to illustrators, designers, and other graphic professionals. He explains not only how things work in Mac OS X Tiger, but how Tiger enables users to work efficiently and effectively. In chapters devoted to fonts, printing, PDF, color management, networking, the Mac’s built-in design tools, and much more, readers will learn how to:

* Solve the nitty-gritty issues designers confront daily
* Improve production workflow and avoid common problems
* Optimize, maintain, and secure your network, whether you work in a complex office environment or a small graphics studio

With OS X Tiger in easy steps, you’ll be able to unleash this versatile program and have it up and running in no time. In clear, accessible language, this full-color primer introduces you to UNIX and the OS X environment; guides you through its installation; and teaches you the rudiments of security and shutting down. With these basics down, this graphic guide opens the gateway to innovative Tiger elements, including the Dock, the Finder, Safari, and the completely new Mail application. The book’s simple instruction will help you master all the iLife applications, including iPhoto, iTunes, IMovie, IDVD, and even GarageBand!

As Unix spreads its tentacles across users’ desktops, more and more Mac users are starting to pop the hood and learn about the operating system that’s at the root of it all. And there’s no better way to conquer that fear than by consulting this Visual QuickPro Guide. Matisse Enzer, who wrote the first edition of this book, Unix for Mac OS X: Visual QuickPro Guide has completely updated this guide to reflect all that’s new in Tiger’s version of Unix. Readers will learn everything they need to know to make sense of the commands and technical jargon surrounding Unix. In the process they’ll find out about useful utilities, editing and printing files, security, and more–all through simple, step-by-step instructions that break the learning process into manageable chunks. Throughout, users will find plenty of the tips and visual references that have become the hallmark of Peachpit’s popular Visual QuickPro Guides. Unix for Mac OS X 10.4: Visual QuickPro Guide is perfect for any Mac user interested in learning about the Unix operating system.