Mac OS X 10.6.5 Beta Build (10H525) – World of Apple

Benjamin SchollnickNo Comments

Apple has released to developers the first build of Mac OS X 10.6.5. The previous update to Mac OS X, 10.6.4 was released in mid-June, not long after Apple’s Worldwide Developers Conference.

Mac OS X 10.6.5 build 10H525 weighs in at 517MB for the delta update and contains just five focus areas, two known issues and no listed fixes.

Additional Information

If you are testing the Snow Leopard Graphics Update, please note that Mac OS X v10.6.5 builds include the latest graphics drivers. When writing feedback, please make sure to note which seeded build you have installed.

Known Issues

  • UI elements in Web Views (e.g. iTunes Store) may require double clicks to respond
  • Connecting to Exchange may fail with HTTP Error 400

Focus Areas

  • iCal
  • Mail
  • Printing
  • 3D graphics
  • QuickTime
  • X11

DC Adventures, play report #1

Benjamin SchollnickNo Comments

Overall, a successful migration from Mutants & Masterminds v2, to DC Adventures.  Many of the players decided to switch their character concepts, so it took slightly longer than expected to retool their characters to DCA, for 6 players, it was roughly 2 hours to completely redesign or migrate their characters (Roughly 20-25 minutes per player).  Considering the fact that we had 1 hard cover book, and 1 copy of Hero Press, that seems pretty solid.
The DCA book seems to be very well designed, the layout worked well, and we had very little problems finding material when needed.  While there are differences between DCA & M&M 2nd, they were minor enough that my players didn\’t run into any significant issues.
Combat seems to be more streamlined, but I can\’t point to anything in particular, other than the simplification of lethal vs. non-lethal damaged, down to just \”damage\”.
Overall, DCA is highly recommended at this point, even if you don\’t plan to use the DC setting.

DC Adventures… Character Builds

Benjamin Schollnick1 Comment

Well, Mutants and Masterminds 3rd Edition…. Excuse me, DC Adventures is effectively out…

It was on sale for Gen Con, and Green Ronin has a pre-order sale that allows you to purchase the Dead Tree edition, and receive the PDF for $5.

So, here\’s some pointers:

SpiderMan (PL 10)
WonderWoman (PL 14)
Martian Manhunter (PL 14)
Captain America (PL 13)
Wolverine (PL 12)
Cyclops (PL 12)
Colossus (PL 11)
Iron Man (Extremis Variant) (PL 14)
Magneto (PL 15)
Iron Fist (PL 10)

Apocalypse
Captain America
Cyclops
Daredevil
Deadpool
Doctor Doom
Doctor Strange
Emma Frost
Gambit
Hawkeye
Hulk, the
Human Torch
Iron Fist
Iron Man
Jean Grey
Juggernaut
Loki
Magneto
Mister Fantastic
Nightcrawler
Professor X
Quicksilver
Rogue
Sabretooth
Scarlet Witch
Shadowcat
Silver Surfer
Spider-Man
Taskmaster
Thor
Vision
Wolverine

Atomic Think Tank Roll Call

Hannah Montana is the first real 21st century superhero

Benjamin SchollnickNo Comments

While I am not sure that I would even consider Hannah Montana a super hero, the points made here are quite interesting.  The major aspect that io9 is looking at is the Super-hero identity, the secret identity, that Hannah / Miley needs to preserve to keep her sanity….

Pop culture has gone superhero-crazy, but almost all superheroes date from the middle of the last century. Where\’s the new, fresh costumed adventurer who speaks to the ringtone generation? How about Hannah Montana, the Disney Channel\’s superstar?

Read more at Hannah Montana is the first real 21st century superhero.

Try answering the question, or you\’ve failed…

Benjamin SchollnickNo Comments

I just did something that I never have done in the past…. And I shouldn\’t be surprised at the results…
I just read the \”What\’s the risk\” help screen for the ActiveX installer prompt.  You know the annoying prompt, where it asks \”do you want to install this ActiveX control\” or \”What\’s the risk?\”.
You know what I learned?  Nothing.  Sure, there are some sweeping statements, like:

  • You should always be cautious about allowing Web sites to run ActiveX controls on your computer. If an ActiveX control is not essential to your computer activity, try to avoid installing it.
  • You should be certain that you trust the publisher of the ActiveX control before you decide to install the control on your computer.
  • Because ActiveX controls are potentially hazardous to your computer, you should be certain that you trust the publisher of the ActiveX control before you decide to install the control on your computer.
  • The Web site should tell you what this ActiveX control is for and any special details you need to know before you install it. If this information is not available, you should not install the control.
  • Don\’t install an ActiveX control unless you absolutely trust the Web site that is giving you the control.

Oh, but so clever, at least my copy of the Microsoft Help, has \”What are ActiveX controls\” shrunk down, it\’s not expanded by default. And here is some meat and potatoes….

    These programs can, however, malfunction or give you content you don’t want. In some cases, these programs might be used to collect information from your computer in ways you might not approve of, possibly damage data on your computer, install software on your computer without your consent, or allow someone else to control your computer remotely. Given these risks, you should only install these programs if you completely trust the publisher.

Right…  The section on risks appears to be hidden by default, and everything else basically says \”Do you trust the provider\”.  First, the documentation appears to be trying to hide the risk factors, and presenting us with very little useful information.  At least no useful information from a security prespective.
Is this truly useful to the customer?  I\’ll leave that for you to decide….