Amazon.com Product Description

Final Cut Pro 3.0 is professional, nonlinear editing software that lets you work in a range of professional editing formats--from digital video to Standard Definition and High Definition--within the same application. Final Cut Pro 3.0 also allows you to work in different modes, such as editing, effects, and trimming modes. With its G4 real-time effects, you won't need PCI hardware to preview transitions and effects in real time. And now it's available for Apple's most advanced operating system, Mac OS X.

Final Cut Pro 3.0 features a new voice-over tool that works with the microphone built into your PowerBook G4, so you can capture audio directly to the timeline for quick scratch tracks and voice-over work right in the field. You also get a new set of color-correction tools--including primary and secondary color correctors, range checking, zebra-stripe overlays, and waveform and vectorscope monitors--as well as precise controls to ensure broadcast-legal video levels.

Final Cut Pro 3.0 includes the new Autosave Vault, which saves and time-stamps projects at intervals you specify--allowing you to easily return to previous stages of your project. Plus, Final Cut Pro 3.0 features productive editing tools in a mode-free interface that provides three-point editing, JKL keyboard navigation, match frame, extend and split edit functions, multiple and nested timeline project support, and timecode overlays. ... Read more

Reviews (6)

If you aren't Copalla, you may be in over your head
Although this program has an astounding number of features, it also has an astoundingly high learning curve. Unless you are planning on shooting an actuall short or full length film, it is too much software. It is definitely not for the amature weekend videographer, and is best left for the pros. I use it only because my job requires it (courtroom tech support). Final Cut Express is somewhere between iMovie and FCP, and one fourth of the cost. Check out the reviews for that product. It is far less hassle and has almost as many features and capabilities.

Good for people with unlimited budgets who like Macs
Widely recognized as one of the best professional video editing programs currently available, but at [$$$] for the software and several thousand for the Mac-only hardware required to run it to full potential it's not even an option for most computer users. Meanwhile, there is an increasingly dizzying array of powerful and affordable editing solutions available for Windows-based PCs, so unless you already have a Mac it would make sense to investigate those options before considering FCP. For example, check out the latest offerings from Ulead, Vegas Video, Pinnacle, Matrox, Avid and Canopus before concluding that FCP is the only game in town. Personally I use the Canopus DVStorm2 and have found it to be an amazing tool; I had a chance to play with FCP and didn't see a compelling reason to switch.

Lost for words...
This software, in one word, is AMAZING.
I spent many hours using iMovie, and wanted to do more interesting things with my movies. I decided to buy Final Cut Pro 3, and I fell in love with it. I can layer tracks on top of tracks, slice tracks in to parts, create sophisticated transitions and effects, etc...

With a Mac, Final Cut Pro 3, and a DV camera, you can really make your own movie, literally... All this costs the consumer around three grand, this is a steal.

The possibilities are endless, let's say you want to transform a person's face, maybe blur it out, or highlight it, you can do this with FCP, and it is easy.

Powerhouse in a package
For a grand you get an editing system that works, an effects compositor which is absolutley *great* for DV material and can also hold its own with After effects once you upgrade the hardware. Incredible growth tool. I've used it for three years and I'm *still* learning cool things about it.

This was the tool that inspired the very first Final Cut Pro KeyGuide™ -- now bundled with Tom Wolsky's Final Cut Pro 3 Editing Workshop, available here on Amazon. Get this, get that, and get a going career!

Amazingly Well Done
I use this software in my school for a Video Production class. It is amazingly easy to use, yet creates amazingly complex and well made films. I wouldn't recommend trying to use it on an I-mac though. I would suggest using a G4 to properly use this software. There are a few minor faults in the editing area. For one thing it is almost impossible to input extra footage into an almost finished video. Nevertheless, it is a great program. The effects are amazing. If you don't have a digital camera to use with your computer you will need to get a VCR and a converter. If you have the cash to buy this software and have some fun with it I would definitely suggest getting it. ... Read more

Product Description

The Apple Rechargeable Battery for 15-inch Aluminum PowerBook G4 is a 50 watt-hour lithium ion battery that provides up to 4.5 hours of operation depending on battery saving features used and system configuration. ... Read more

Reviews (5)

Despite the Hype, FCP 4 is a Step Down for Many Power Users
Unfortunately, several time-saving, creativity-enhancing features that I was accoustomed to in FCP 3 were removed for FCP 4. Functional draft renders, my favorite (albeit flawed) feature from FCP 3 no longer exist. This is quite an area of debate, but experienced editors should see why the new (largely useless) rendering system is far inferior to the previous one. The life-saving Shift-F function is also gone, the new "automatic" capturing system makes file management horribly inconvenient, and the online help file has been replaced with a cumbersome .pdf document. Support for Adobe Photoshop files is still poorly implemented. The bundled LiveType program is also much more awkward to use than one might expect from how it's been marketed. (LiveType is not an integrated extension of FCP, but a completely separate--and SLOW--application.) At this point, I feel I am a less efficient editor for having made this upgrade. Why Apple could not build on what they had instead of dropping helpful features is beyond me.

Regardless of what you hear...
I have been editing for 20 years. FCP on a Dual 2.0 Ghz G5 is the best editing solution for the money I have ever seen. It blows away the $75k+ systems that I have used for less than a tenth of the price. FCP at less than $1,000 and a G5 at $$$$$$$ is all you need other than a camera. You can make broadcast quality video with this simple setup. $$$$$$$ for computer and software plus $$$$$$ for a camera that will hold up to a $$$$$$$Betacam... give me a break!!

Don¿t waste your money
Apple is quickly loosing market share to Avid and vegas ,and this is a quickly produced solution. Final cut follows with the standard Apple policy of falling several years behind the competition and then jumping 6 months ahead only to fall behind with no upgrades for years. After spending several weeks using this program I have gone back to Avid

My recommendation is to stay away from final cut and all apple products. For the same price as this you could buy a PC and Vegas 4.0

Sorry but it's got more bugs than FCP 3.04
It's true, it has more new features and is a world beater as
far as other editing apps BUT FCP 3.0 is still the biggest
bang for buck simply because it has fewer bugs. While I
believe FCP 4.0 is probably two to three thousand dollars
worth of software combined in one package....it still needs
work. If you are running anything lower than OS X 10.2.5
you will also need to upgrade the OS and Quicktime as well.
My advice is: if you do not own FCP 3.0 then go ahead and
purchase FCP 4.0 because you'll be able to upgrade as soon
as Apple puts out 4.x etc. If you have FCP 3.0 then you might
want to wait until 4.x hits the shelves (assuming it does as
opposed to being a download). As an active editor I am forced
to wait rather than causing a lot of back-ups to safeguard
client's files. Regardless of all this, FCP is still King of Cuts.
For more information cruise the FCP forums and discussion
lists.

THE BEST OF THE BEST
Final cut pro 4.0 adds a lot of useful features that the version 3 didnt have. This includes soundtrack (create ur own music for royalty free use) and a new title maker that adds animations to your titles. With this a new compression program to make your movies for DVD and a lot of bug fixes from version 3, why would u want any other editing program. I know $1000 sounds a lot, but if you have the cash, this program is better than anything else, that includes those $15,000+ editing workstations as well. Simply put= THE BEST MONEY CAN BUY ... Read more

Features

• Add-on music content package for GarageBand music creation software
• Triples the music content for musicians and aspiring musicians alike
• Over 2,000 additional loops including many for hip-hop and electronica
• Over 100 additional software instruments
• Over 100 additional pro-quality effects presets and 15 additional guitar amps

Reviews (1)

Splendid add on for a splendid program
What can you do with GarageBand? Better question: What can't you do? GarageBand is the answer to the amateur and not-so-amateur musician's prayers. Not only is it the easiest mulitrack recorder I've ever used (and I've used a bunch), it is the best drum machine out there--bar none. That is, provided you have enough drum loops to get you started. And that is reason enough to buy the Jam Pack. It adds a host of new percussion loops. It also adds new instruments (both loops and instruments you can play from any USB or MIDI keyboard).

Can't rave enough. ... Read more

Features

• Uses infra-red remote technology
• Receiver is powered by iPod connection
• Remote is powered by button-cell battery (included)Simple, elegant, and a must-have for all who use the iPod with speakers

Features

• Carry and protect your iPod Mini with style and ease
• Fitted and functional Nappa Leather
• Clear screen protection; suede non-scratch lining
• Belt or strap attachment
• Earphone access

Features

• Apple iPod Digital Music Player - 20GB of Storage Space - Apple Click Wheel
• Plays MP3, AAC, & Apple Lossless Files - Up to 12 hours of playback on a single charge
• JBL On Stage Speaker System - Ring-shaped iPod docking station with 4 built-in speakers
• iTrip FM Transmitter - Transmits music from the iPod to any FM radio
• Etymotic Research ER6i Isolator Earphones - High-end in-ear headphones - 5 Foot Cord

Reviews (2)

Secret Goodness!
WebObjects is a framework for deploying database-driven webpages and services. While it does not have the same exposure as ColdFusion, ASP, PHP, etc etc, it is a very strong competitor. I came to it from a PHP and MySQL background, and while it took a couple of weeks to get to grips with the WebObjects outlook, it is now a total joy to work with.

The main thing about WebObjects that seperates it from the rest is the fact that it is an object-oriented system. Once you have the objects set up, you very rarely have to interact with the database at all, as the framework deals with all of the sql calls. Indeed, because of this fact, the database itself is totally removed from the logic, and so a vast range of databases can be used interchangeably: MySQL, OpenBase, Oracle, and any JDBC database. And relational databases are even easier, suprisingly enough, especially when compared to how difficult relationships are to follow with PHP.

Everyone working with any high-traffic databse-driven website should at the least check this out. I did, and now I'm a total convert. There is a free 30-day trial available at the apple website.

What Apple Doesn't Tell You.
One of WebObjects best kept secrets is the EOModeler. The EOModeler allows you to design a database, create entity relationships [including foreign keys], encapsulate business logic in WO rules and stored procedures, and then generate/update your database from the model. All of this is done from within an Apple quality GUI, and it explicity supports OpenBase, Oracle, MSSQL Server, MySQL and Sybase [but it should work with any JDBC driver or JNDI driver].

Furthermore, you can then automatically generate an entire Java client application from this model. AND, you can reverse engineer a model and application from an existing database.

Outside of that, the Apple review tells you what you need to know [aside from the fact that the WebObjects server supports load balancing and remote application server access]. This is a fantastic product. Believe the hype! ... Read more

Product Description

The featherweight iBook computer defines mobility - don't let your case weigh it down. Manufactured exclusively for Apple by Brenthaven, the Mobility 1 is designed around the 12"/14" iBook and features the same care and exquisite craftsmanship that has earned Brenthaven the reputation as the industry leader in carrying case technology. The main case compartment houses the 12"/14" iBook neoprene sleeve and two hardware accessory pockets conveniently sized to fit the iBook power cord, AC adaptor, as well as a spare iBook battery. The case is topped off with Brenthaven's easy-grip handle and adjustable shoulder strap that is designed to ride comfortably on a shoulder. Crafted with a combination of high performance Cordura and Ballistic nylon fabrics, the Mobility 1's front flap-over design is extremely rugged and lightweight (only 1.7 lbs). The case features a compact organizer section for stationary items, a zippered organizer pocket, a PDA pocket and side quick-access pockets to provide storage for cell phones, sunglasses, etc. Also featured is a handy key holder and a convenient bungee cord carry-strap for universal carrying needs. ... Read more

Features

• 2 Computer Hardware Pockets
• 1 PDA Pocket
• 2 Quick Access Pockets
• 1 Zippered Mini-Pocket
• 1 Magazine Slip Pocket

Reviews (1)

Brenthaven Mobility 1 Laptop Bag - Underwhelmed Me!
I got this bag for my 14" iBook. I'm a fan of quality and love well made products. I looked at Brenthaven's website and decided they were all about quality and that the $80 price for the Mobility 1 was well justified.

I was wrong. First I will concede that this bag is made with good materials, built to hold up to heavy use, and does in fact shield a laptop very well. HOWEVER, at $80 there are some serious design flaws that keep this bag from being really cool.
1. Bag is perpetually lopsided. When loaded with a laptop this thing will never stand up on a table top (flat surface) etc.
2. With this lopsided-ness the carrying handle becomes twisted in your hand whenever you use it. It's too thin and flimsy.
3. Now put the bag on your shoulder and it's still lopsided, but if you're talented you can make it work.
4. You can't remove the shoulder strap, and it doesn't have "swivel" hardware to keep it from getting all twisted up.
5. The front strap that holds the clasp for closing the front flap of the bag is not adjustable. This means if the bag isn't stuffed full the front flap can't be cinched tight. This adds even more to the bag's lopsidedness.

It appears Brenthaven rushed this bag to market in response to Apple's request for a small laptop bag. While it will protect your machine, you'll soon be pestered by its many design flaws. ... Read more

Amazon.com Product Description

HyperCard 2.4 is a powerful development tool created by Apple for theMacintosh. Notable for its versatility, HyperCard is a dynamic tool for creating custom software solutions for users at all levels of skill and experience. HyperCard features like navigation, hypertext, media integration, and scripting have greatly influenced the evolution of the World Wide Web. HyperCard organizes information into easy-to-use "stacks" of cards through which users can navigate and search for the information they need. By simply clicking on a button, they can view related text, see a graphic, hear a sound, watch a QuickTime movie, or listen to text out loud.

HyperCard 2.4's new features include a suite of new commands and properties allowing users that write HyperTalk scripts to have unprecedented access to QuickTime functionality. HyperCard 2.4 has the ability, via a HyperTalk script, to loop a movie providing continuous play for unattended applications like multimedia kiosks. With QuickTime's ability to synchronize a text version of a movie's script with the movie, HyperCard 2.4 now allows the user to immediately navigate to any point in the QuickTime movie text using a simple find command. In addition, HyperCard users can also resize, flip, mirror, rotate, or skew a QuickTime movie. HyperCard allows developers to create new interactive applications for the classroom, for entertainment, or wherever the need for multimedia presentations exists. ... Read more

Reviews (4)

The MOST intuitive of all creative solutions!
I started with Hypercard 1.0 when it was bundled free with the first mac computers. I kept updating it until I felt that I had to move on and learn some of the new programs like LiveMotion. Still I kept going back to Hypercard to work on various ideas. I had written some of my own scripts -- some of them amazingly complex and nothing else could suit my needs. Other people have not been able to explain why Hypercard is so wonderful and I can't either -- all I know is that it is the MOST intuitive of all creative solutions! There is nothing like it! I wish the original Hypercard designers would read some of these reviews and begin updating it again by popular demand. But never mind, Hypercard 2.4 is exceedingly powerful.

HyperCard: The "Swiss Army Knife" Nobody Knows
   HyperCard is an application unlike most others. What it does is, it lets you build your own tools. For your own purposes. The way you want them to work. It wouldn't be inappropriate to compare HyperCard to MS Visual Basic, because both of them *do* pretty much the same thing; the difference is *how* they do it.
   Visual Basic veils its power behind cryptic dialog boxes and unforgiving syntax; HyperCard goes out of its way to make its power *accessible* to the user, with a minimum of fuss and bother. With Visual Basic, you're pretty much *required* to muck around with a semi-arcane programming language if you want to get *anything* done; with HyperCard, the English-like language (HyperTalk) is something you can *choose* to delve into when you decide you want to do *more* than you were already doing.
   Here's a concrete example of the HyperTalk languge; a "handler" (mini-program) which lets you move something around by clicking and dragging.

  on mouseDown
    repeat until the mouse is up
      set the location of me to the mouseLoc
    end repeat
  end mouseDown

   As I said, HyperTalk is rather English-like. If you can figure out how and why this handler does its thing, congratulations -- you're ready to start "rolling your own" with HyperCard! Bad news: Sadly, Apple Computer has never really known what to do with HyperCard, and has never made any serious attempts to publicize nor sell (nor even support) the program. Good news: Feed the keyword "hypercard" into google.com (or whatever other search engine you prefer), and you'll find any number of links to the community of HyperCard users.
   Q: So after all that, what can you do with HyperCard?
   A: What do you *want* to do with HyperCard? People have used it to build games (most notably Myst), educational software, personal information managers, utilities, multimedia presentations, productivity applications, and God only knows what else.
   HyperCard. It might just have a place on *your* hard drive.

Software Erector set - easy to use, powerful results
This is a great piece of software for many uses:

- learning fundamentals of programming

- creating your own custom software

- developing applications for profit

Very easy to learn:

- You can create simple software without writing any code

- The scripting language built-in is very powerful and also very intuitive (the syntax is very english-like)

- All of the objects and code are re-usable so you can repurpose works you have made and share (or borrow) from others

Polished, and powerful features:

- Integrate color graphics, sound, and quicktime movies (Myst was created with HyperCard)

- Control other software and share data

- Extend the language with a wide range of external commands and functions

Oh, HyperCard!
Oh, HyperCard! Alas, HyperCard! Poor, misunderstood, underappreciated HyperCard. It's a floor polish. It's a salad dressing. It's...(SNAP!) oops, sorry. Got a bit carried away there.

How to describe HyperCard is a problem which has perplexed better minds than mine. Suffice to say that if you're looking for a better way to create specialized applications for your Macintosh, you could do worse than to try HyperCard, Apple's amazing "Software Construction Kit". At first glance, HyperCard is a remarkably flexible database manager built on the "index card" metaphor. But with the judicious use of HyperTalk, HyperCard's built in scripting language, it's much more. Using myself as an example, with little prior programming experience I put together a simple but elegant application which I use to track and sort qualifying results and starting lineups for my local Speedway, and I'm currently working on an animated game to help teach my five year old son how to draw his letters. Others have done much more, and plenty of examples can be found all over the Internet. Most of these "stacks" you can use for free; such is the HyperCard developers' ethic.

Yes, HyperCard does have its limitations. Its color tools are somewhat lacking, and its last significant update was quite some time ago. Reports would have it officially "dead" as far as Apple is concerned, which for all intents and purposes means no further development. And while HyperTalk is rather intuitive, it is still a programming language with at least a slight learning curve. And programming can be WORK. Intellectually challenging, yes, but work nonetheless.

But so what? If you use only the stacks that come with it, you'll get your money's worth from HyperCard. And I suspect you'll do more, lots more. Its capabilities as a multimedia presentation tool should be more than obvious, and consider that the fabulous "Myst" was created using HyperCard. You'll likely find a use for it in most every portion of your computer life. And when you do, you'll question as so many already have how such a far-sighted company such as Apple could ever neglect such a useful, powerful, and--let's face it--inexpensive tool such as HyperCard. ... Read more

Features

• J&R Special - This iPod has been professionally finished Lamborghini Yellow by ColorWare
• Special coating renders it stronger & more scratch-resistant than the original case, according to ColorWare
• This custom painted iPod has a 1 Year Colorware warranty
• Please Note -This custom painted iPod Mini will not fit into the iPod Mini Dock
• iPod Mini Click Wheel offers the same durability and sensitivity as the iPod Touch Wheel, with buttons underneath -- so you can scroll one-handed through 1,000 or more songs in your iTunes music collection

Reviews (1)

Chinese Language Kit 2.0
The Chinese Language Kit allows your Mac to display Chinese files and web sites in Chinese characters and it allows you to type Chinese too. It does not translate text from English to Chinese or vice-versa so knowledge of Chinese is very helpful. This language kit is now included in MacOS 9. ... Read more

Amazon.com Review

Why clutter your hard drive with applications, when a single suite can fulfill all your daily productivity needs? AppleWorks 5 offers a comprehensive palette of flexible tools that let you write, draw, paint, juggle figures, organize data, and create presentations with ease.

The word processor's typical button bar gives you access to the most common formatting options, and although there's no grammar check or auto-correct feature, AppleWorks makes creating columns and wrapping text around images easy. The drawing application is best suited for flowcharts or maps, while the paint application better handles scanned images or original art. In any case, the tools are easy to find, and you'll appreciate being able to store clip-art libraries and textures in accessible floating palettes.

The spreadsheet includes a comprehensive array of formulas as well as an equation editor, and the database is a solid-list management tool with some nifty quick-sorting options. The weakest link is the communications package--barely more than a simple terminal program--and the very basic HTML creation.

Taken separately, each program has some nice features, but none qualifies as a powerhouse. Where AppleWorks shines is in its ease of use and in the way the applications are integrated. A single button will add a spreadsheet to your word processing document, and creating a mail merge from database records simply involves pointing and clicking. As you switch between applications (or data types), the button bar will automatically change to reflect the tools available.

The button bar itself can be customized to reflect your own work habits by adding predefined functions, macros, and even AppleScripts. Included "Stationary" files offer everything from business plans to more than a dozen classroom aides, and "Assistants" create family budgets as easily as newsletters. With its low system requirements and trim size, AppleWorks shows how sweet all-in-one packages can be. --Jack Gardiner ... Read more

Reviews (2)

Very Good Product
Much better then ClarisWorks 4.0! Hint: If you have ClarisWorks 5.0, you don't need to buy AppleWorks. If you have Internet access, go to VersionTracker and type in 'ClarisWorks 5.0.3'. This will change the overall appearance and name of ClarisWorks to AppleWorks.

A very well done peice of productivity software.
Well done. This is a very good office program that doesn't have all of the bells and whistles of some office suites. Just Great! ... Read more

Reviews (51)

The best OS out there. Period.
I used to hate Macs especially because of their OS. It was old, unstable and Mac users had to wait ages for updates which they had to pay to get.

Well, MacOS X, is by far the most complete and beautifully engineered OS out there (at least on a commercial basis). It is based on NeXT (using the Mach ker.nel) and BSD -- a feature which offers a lot to someone coming from a UNIX platform -- and clearly the best GUI out there.

Some may argue that it is not as polished as it could, but, hey, what is? Windows or Linux? Besides, Apple is releasing free *until now* revisions for download every couple of months and it has improved a lot since 10.0. (the current version at the time of writing is 10.1.2). Release 10.2 is rumoured to have great new features old Mac users requested as well as more language packs and a speedier Quartz. (the graphics engine)

I recommend this to anyone open-minded enough to leave windows behind him/her.

Mac Keeps Getting Better
I just bought a new iBook with OS X 10.1. At the same time my brother bought a new desktop with Windows XP. First I have to say that I've always had a Mac so I'm a little baised. I also haven't spent a lot of time on my brother's computer. I have spent enough time though to compare the two. The Mac operating system is an elegant work of art compared to the Windows system. Where the XP is busy and confusing the Mac is elegant and understated. I like the way the icons on the dock are magnified when the cursor is rolled over them. I also like the classic feature which allows you to continue using the old noncompatible programs. It seems to be pretty stable but I have had some crashes.

OS X retains the ease of use of the previous systems and improves on them. With the growing support for the Apple and more cross platform compatibility I can't see any appeal in a computer with menu bars and pull down menus everywhere. I don't play a lot of computer games and at this time that's the only thing I see that Windows has over Mac.

Excellent OS
I just recently bought a new Power Mac G4 desktop (466 Mhz, 384 MB RAM) that came with Mac OS X 10.1, and I have to say it's a wonderful operating system. All of the drawbacks that the earlier Mac OS had have pretty much been taken care of. The pre-emptive multitasking ensures that if one application crashes, it won't bring down the whole system. I haven't used Windows XP, but in my opinion this is more stable than any previous Windows OS. In fact, in the last 6 weeks (which is when I installed OS X), my machine hasn't crashed once (and I've tried, just to see if I could). The Aqua interface looks really cool too, very colorful and makes it fun to use. Highly recommended if you already own a Mac, and if you're on the fence about buying a Mac (like I was before taking the plunge), rest assured that the problems and drawbacks of previous Mac OS's have been taken care of.

Watch out for USB driver problems and kernel panics
Six months into using OS -X started having Kernel panics (Apple's blue secreen of death). Not running non-Apple programs, multi-tasking, or running peculiar non-standard hardware (Logitech tracball, HP printer/scanner). 5 trips to the repair shop - new hard drive, new RAM, new system board, upgrade to 10.2.8; 4 phone calls to Apple "Support." Kernel panics returned. Lots of web searches - found lots of boards where people have the same experience, and found the only permanent solution was downgrading to OS9 or upgrading to OS 10.3. "Support" denies it's poor USB software.

I love OS X, but be wary of the server version
my advice is to make sure you need it before you buy it, but if you know you need it, then buy it. How will you know? If you need it, you would already know that you do. If you don't know that you need server version, then you probably don't need it. Most day to day tasks are done by the normal version of the os in ways that are much simpler than the server tools. Now you do get a variety of nice things with the unlimited client, such as server managment systems, monitoring systems, etc., but if you are just doing a basic install without a complex networking or users/groups system, then you probably should try to do what you need to do with a 10.1 or 10.2 and see if you actually have to own the server. I would say the ideal application of a server install is for a medium to large lab install using netboot, where the actual cost of doing it via server will lower the TCO significantly. ... Read more