CDSDAudioCaptureSupport.kext file was installed improperly and cannot be used.

Benjamin SchollnickNo Comments

Have you ever noticed this error message?

CDSDAudioCaptureSupport.kext “file was installed improperly and cannot be used.

This error message is there because you have a copy of Spin Doctor loaded on your computer.  No, this doesn\’t mean that you have a gentlemen in a brown coat, breakdancing in your computer…  I mean the Roxio software, that is suppose to assist with capturing digital audio.
This message will appear at various times, whether or not Spin Doctor is running. To put an end to it, update to the latest version of Spin Doctor. Then launch Spin Doctor and select “Install Audio Capture Support” from the CD Spin Doctor menu. This updates the kext file (located in the /System/Library/Extensions folder) to a version that is compatible with Snow Leopard.
The kext file itself is required if you want to use CD Spin Doctor’s “Audio Music Capture” option. This allows you to “instantly” start recording whatever audio is currently playing on your Mac.
This article discusses uninstall CD Spin Doctor, which is a very manual process, but these other articles discuss:

Mirror\’s Edge 2?

Benjamin SchollnickNo Comments

According to Destructoid, EA is considering a sequel to Mirror\’s Edge:

Mirror\’s Edge looks all set for a sequel, despite the less-than-stellar performance of the first game. After all, Electronic Arts CEO John Riccitiello wants the game to get another chance, and he\’s the man with the power to let it happen. He also said that innovative gaming and new IP is like a \”religion\” to him.

That\’s good.

On Mirror\’s Edge, John has this to say: \”There are some things we learned about that game. It was, I think, a massively innovative product. To be honest with you, I think it\’s a game that deserves to come back.\”

True, I just started playing it, after purchasing at 75% off during Steam\’s 5 day sale…  And it\’s pretty…  But it\’s also difficult, the timing of the parkour moves is difficult, and several times I have spent 5-10 minutes just attempting the same moves over and over again trying to clear a level…
But overall, it\’s a good game…
So far, it\’s a 7 out of 10…. Mostly due to the number of deaths I have suffered… |-)

Wireless Ready, the new deception?

Benjamin SchollnickNo Comments

When did the word \”Ready\” get redefined?
Definitions of ready on the Web:

  • completely prepared or in condition for immediate action or use or progress; \”get ready\”; \”she is ready to resign\”; \”the bridge is ready to …
  • mentally disposed; \”he was ready to believe her\”
  • cook: prepare for eating by applying heat; \”Cook me dinner, please\”; \”can you make me an omelette?\”; \”fix breakfast for the guests, please\”
  • made suitable and available for immediate use; \”dinner is ready\”
  • fix: make ready or suitable or equip in advance for a particular purpose or for some use, event, etc; \”Get the children ready for school!\”; \”prepare for war\”; \”I was fixing to leave town after I paid the hotel bill\”
  • poised for action; \”their guns were at the ready\”

What do I mean?  Well, I just purchased a Epson Workforce 310 printer, and look…\"icon_ethernet-wireless_80x80.gif\" It\’s Wireless ready…  I should just be able to use it on a wireless network…
Nope.  Evidently, if you plug the ethernet into a wireless router, or wireless bridge, or some form of wireless based network, then the printer is now considered wireless ready…
Is it just me, or is this a new low for trick advertising?  Oh don\’t get me wrong, I\’ll be keeping the printer, but I dislike this \”clever\” bit of advertising.  It just means that next time, I\’ll think twice before purchasing an Epson.

Can I use Access on my Mac?

Benjamin Schollnick1 Comment

I\’m about to buy a Macbook as my main computer. But I also use Access a lot, especially the mail-merge function (Word/Access). I\’ve read your comments in MacRumors about the likelihood of Microsoft creating Access for Macintosh. What do you recommend instead?

Can you run Microsoft Access natively on the Macintosh?  No.  Microsoft does not make a version of Access for the Macintosh.
Can you preserve or use your Access data on the Macintosh?  It depends on what you\’re doing with Access. If mail merge is your most important task, then you can likely accomplish the same thing with Word and Excel. Excel 2008 can handle workbooks of up to 1 million rows and 16,000 columns.
Or you could also move your address data into Entourage, and do a mail merge from there.
For other database needs, take a look at Bento or FileMaker.  Both will be able to import from Access (mostly after exporting the Access data into a CSV).  Please keep in mind that Bento is aimed at consumer needs, where FileMaker Pro is designed with more expandability, and business or enterprise needs.
A virtual Machine (VMWare, Parallels, VirtualBox, etc) could be used to run Access….Then you can run Access on your Mac for the times when you need it. This makes the most sense if you have a lot of big databases and you use Access frequently.

oscex-en.url.trendmicro.com?? What\’s this?

Benjamin SchollnickNo Comments

If you notice your computer connecting to OSCEX-en.url.trendmicro.com, presumably from installing a firewall, or other security component…  Don\’t worry.
That is, assuming your using a security / antivirus suite from Trend Micro.  That server, is part of their new clound initiaitive, and used for virus pattern detection.  So don\’t block this server, or your antivirus package will be partially crippled.