Compiled by Charles Moore
and edited by
Dan Knight
- 2002.02.15
Except as noted, prices are in US dollars.
Sonnet Crescendo/WS Firmware Updater 1.1 for
WallStreet Upgrade Cards Boosts Supported Memory to 512 MB
This Sonnet
firmware update adjusts specific logic memory timing
parameters on the
Crescendo/WS processor upgrade card. This fixes operational
instability of the Crescendo/WS resulting from installation of
certain combinations of DIMM (RAM) modules. This software does not
alter the Apple firmware on PowerBook G3 Series machines.
This firmware update also boosts the maximum supported memory on
the Crescendo/WS from 192 MB to 512 MB, far exceeding Apple
Computer's stated maximum capacity for these systems.
After expanding the .hqx file, simply double-click the
Crescendo/WS Updater icon to update the firmware on the
Crescendo/WS processor card. Upon completion, a dialog box will
appear stating that the processor upgrade card was updated
successfully; click Restart for the changes to take effect.
System requirements:
- PowerBook G3 Series 233, 250, 266, 292, 300
- Sonnet Crescendo/WS processor upgrade
Required System Software: Mac OS 8.1 through Mac OS 9.x
Supports System Software: Mac OS 8.1 through Mac OS X Version
10.1.2
Dr. Bott gHub White 4-port USB Hub
gHub is the first USB hub to complement the design of
recent G4 Power Macs and the iMac Special Edition.
Looking back, both translucent graphite and metallic silver
turned out to be the colours that were 
consistently
favored by Apple from the time we first shipped gHub to this very
day.
Technically gHub expands a single USB port into 4 equivalent
ports that are available for additional USB devices or USB-Hubs.
The required USB A-B cable is included in the package.
gHub is what you need once the built-in USB connectors and the
free connector on the USB keyboard are filled up and you start
tiring of swapping USB components in and out of your
configuration.
Devices like USB Floppy Drives, SuperDisks, USB ISDN adapters or
USB ZIP drives are another reason to use gHub. These high-power
devices require too much current to reliably operate from a
keyboard USB-port that is not self-powered.
Connecting the powered gHub to your vacant keyboard USB-port
will offer more ports - all of them supporting both high- and
low-power USB devices.
The overcurrent protection feature ensures your computer remains
unaffected by such a condition on the USB bus. If a fault is
detected with any USB device connected to gHub only the affected
port will be shut down, allowing trouble-free operation of the rest
of the system. This is especially valuable in a setup requiring
reliable operation day-in, day-out.
gHub was designed for Power Macintosh G4 and the iMac Special
Edition. This does not prevent it from being the ideal USB hub for
any computer that offers a USB port and is driven by a USB-capable
operating system!
Features
- gHub can be installed without turning your computer off
- gHub is compatible with all USB devices.
- gHub is platform-independent, Mac OS (8.6, 9 and X), Win98/ME,
Win2k/XP and Linux are all supported
- gHub's built-in overcurrent protection will power down
individual ports with defective devices drawing too much current,
leaving other ports fully operational.
- gHub is a piece of art:
- gHub Silver fits G4 Cube, PowerBook G4 Titanium, the iBook 2001
and the G4 Quicksilver Power Mac desktops.
- gHub Graphite is an astounding addition beside just about any
computer we can picture!
Technical Features:
- compatible with USB 1.1 specs
- Plug-and-Play compatible
- bus error recognition and correction
- 12 and 1,5 Mbps transfer rate available on all 4
connectors.
- Operation is possible with and without power supply. LEDs
signal bus-powered or self-powered modes.
- Deactivation of individual ports
- Overcurrent protection with limits between 500 mA (min.) / 750
mA (typ.) / 1250 mA (max.), overcurrent shutdown is indicated by
LEDs
- Automatic shutdown in case of overload or overheating.
- "Soft Start" - slow activation to circumvent too high currents
when activating capacitive loads.
- 4 USB Type A Ports for USB-devices, active devices indicated
via LED.
gHub 4-port USB Hub sells for $44
.
Stylish Computer Bags from Finland
If you like avant-garde European/Scandinavian design, check out
these very stylish computer bags from
Marimekko of Finland.
The pictures speak for themselves.
There are many models, including tote bags, briefcases,
rucksacks, shoulder bags, mobile phone cases, purses and cosmetic
bags, mainly made of cotton canvas, nylon and leather. Most of the
fabric bags are manufactured at Marimekko's own factory in
Finland.
Some have been in production for as long as thirty years.
LaCie Unveils 60 GB PocketDrive
LaCie's 60 GB
PocketDrive is the industry's highest-capacity,
mobile storage solution.
With the announcement of its new 60 GB PocketDrive, LaCie sets a
new milestone for mobile storage - the industry's first portable 60
GB hard disk drive with U&I (both USB 2.0 and FireWire
support). LaCie's PocketDrive line now includes U&I
dual-support drives with 10, 20, 30, 40 and 60 GB capacities.
Features:
- FireWire and/or USB 2.0 connectivity for Mac and Windows
users
- Ultra-portable, shock-absorbent alternative to carrying a
laptop
- Self powered through FireWire for true mobile computing
- DV Ready - transfer rates of up to 35 MB/s
- Hot-pluggable - no rebooting required
Laptop Lockers
Laptop storage for schools made easy. Each user has access to
his/her own compartment with easy-to-install, expandable, and
configurable modules from
American Locker Security Systems.
Laptop Lockers are designed for for securely storing iBooks and
appeared at Apple Computer's tradebooth 
at the
Ohio SchoolNet conference that took place Feb. 4-6 in Columbus, OH.
American Locker will also be in Apple's booth at MACUL in Grand
Rapids, MI (home of Low End Mac) on
March 6-8th.
American Locker's secure laptop lockers are available in a
number of configurations in a Keyed, Keyless (electronic), or even
Padlockable format.
The new LTS-15 product is a 15-door rechargeable product.
Of course, more than just laptops can be secured in these
specially designed storage products - handhelds, software, whatever
is worth storing.
American Locker also has an arrangement with Safeware Insurance to
save schools/school districts 20% on their annual insurance
premiums via their products, the only storage products with this
classification.
Our product concept is space-saving product design, full
accessibility via individual doors (which can be changed to fewer
doors as desired), full security via pickproof locks and 16 million
distinct key combinations, and full management control (e.g.,
control keys) inherent in all of American Locker products in
addition to recharging support. The products are modular and
flexible.
Features:
- Place along or recess into wall(s) and group consoles as
desired.
- Administrators can open all locked compartments with management
key or user code.
- Full accessibility with individual doors saves time and allows
for trouble-free operation.
- Full secure storage with tamper-resistant locks and replaceable
cylinders prevents loss and theft.
- Full management control with management keys, codes and audit
trails facilitates day-to-day operations.
- Adaptable for any laptop program. Vertical stacking design
allows laptops to be stored horizontally, which saves space
compared to other storage products.
- Keyless state-of-the-art electronic system. American Locker
security products are easy-to-use, tamper resistant and fully
accessible for authorized users.
The Compu-Lok was developed in 1986 and has been in use at such
places as the Federal Reserve, Apple Computer, Coca Cola, Ford,
AT&T, US Army and Air Force, The Library of Congress, and
many educational institutions.
For more information, contact:
Jonathan Ruttenberg
Market Development Manager
American Locker Security Systems
614.451.3649
jruttenberg@aol.com
or
American Locker
Security Systems, Inc.
608 Allen Street
Jamestown, NY 14701
Tel: (800) 828-9118
(716) 664-9600
Fax: (716) 664-2949
Bargain 'Books
There are two different versions of WallStreet running at 233
MHz, the cacheless MainStreet
version and the later Series II
with a level 2 cache. It's not always possible to determine from
the vendor's listing which is being offered, so we've included
links within this paragraph to the two models.
- iBook 500, 128/10/CD-RW,
refurbished, $1,199
- iBook 500, 128/10/DVD,
refurbished, $1,049
- iBook 500, 128/10 GB/Combo,
refurbished, $1,239
- iBook 500, 128/15 GB/CD-ROM,
refurbished, $1,149
- PowerBook G3/233 WallStreet, 32/2 GB/CD/12", $649
- PowerBook G3/233 WallStreet, 32/2 GB/CD/14.1", $749
- PowerBook G3/333 Lombard,
512/4 GB/CD/56k/14.1", $1,039
- PowerBook G3/400 Pismo, 64/6
GB/DVD/56k/14.1", $1,269
