"....It took me two days to figure out why the AJA Kona Control Panel always crashed, even when I removed the Kona Card! It turns out to be an issue with the Control Panel and AppleScript, triggered by Default Folder. I am including part of an email from St. Clair Software that explains it in more detail.

From: "St. Clair Software" (support@stclairsoft.com)
Subject: Re: Default Folder X 4.0.5 Crashes the AJA Kona LS/LSe Control Panel

At 5:16 PM -0700 5/6/08, Mitch wrote:
I just spent two days figuring out why the AJA Kona Control Panel (for the KONA LSe / LS) was crashing with a fresh install of Leopard on a new Mac Pro. I installed Default Folder before testing the control panel and it never occurred to me that this would cause a problem. I was running DF 4.0.5. I don't think I tried this with the previous version (new Mac, new card, new version of FC Studio) so I don't have any reason to think its an issue only with 4.0.5.

It would be really great to get a fix. If that doesn't happen it would be nice to notify users so that nobody else goes through what I did.

This appears to be a plain old bug in the AJA ControlPanel's handling of AppleScript. One of the things Default Folder X does in order to load its own scripting addition is to send an AppleEvent to each application after it launches. This is the same event that's sent by Script Editor, so there's nothing special about it, but AppleScript support isn't something that's well-tested in many applications. To see that it's not really an issue with Default Folder X, do the following:

1. Turn off Default Folder X (you can even uninstall it if you want, but that's not necessary - turning it off is enough to disable all its effects).

2. Run the AJA ControlPanel

3. Run Script Editor (it's in /Applications/AppleScript/).

4. In Script Editor, paste this script into the window and click the "Run" button:

tell application "AJA ControlPanel"
   beep
end tell

AJA Control Panel will promptly crash, just as it did when Default Folder X was running. The reason for this is that Script Editor does the same thing Default Folder X does - it tells AJA ControlPanel to load its scripting additions. This triggers a bug in it that causes it to crash.

Best Wishes, Mitch"

Hard Drives:
• SATA Maxtor 250GB in G5 Tower (OS X 10.5.x)
  (Noted original drive failed after 2+ years, replaced w/refub that failed after 5 months)
• SATA Seagate Momentus 7200.2 in MacBook (OS X 10.5.x)
  (includes notes/tips on install, performance tests, temperatures, etc.)
• IDE Western Digital 250GB in eMac (OS X 10.3.9)
  (includes notes on odd Energy Saver/sleep issue w/multiple users)

You can read full reports (latest shown first) by searching the database by drive/brand/interface/mac models (the latest reports are shown first in searches). The database includes reports on Optical Drives (Blu-Ray, DVD, CD/CDR, etc.), Hard Drives, Tape drives, Removable media (ORB, ZIP, MO drives), NAS (Network Attached Storage), in all interface types (IDE, SATA, Firewire, SCSI, USB, adapters).
If you've added/upgraded a drive in your Mac send me the details (drive info/speed rating/mac model/OS used, etc.). Note: Please use the drive for at least a week before reporting on it and test for booting from Disc with Optical Drives (as well as burning discs). Thanks.
  

• Apple Signs More Nonexclusive iPhone Deals
• Apple picks up pace on nonexclusive iPhone deals
• Swap Pixel Bender Filters (for Flash v10 beta) on New Adobe Exchange Site
• Apple dismisses Safari vulnerability (cnet - ref: this blog from earlier this week)
• Apple's iPhone May Face Uphill Battle in Some Regions
• djay 2.1 (Turntable-style music mixing software that integrates with your iTunes library)
• CoverFlux 1.0 (Freeware iTunes style scrolling still image generator FxPlug plugin for Final Cut Pro, Motion and Final Cut Express4)
• Droid Assault 1.0 (game demo)
• Jammin' Racer 1.4 (arcade racing game)
• Virtual Villagers: The Secret City 1.0 (game demo)
• Xpresso24 C4D QuickLook 0.9 (QuickLook plugin for Cinema 4D files)
• MacPilot 3.0.5
• Adobe Unveils Flash Player 10, 3-D Features (beta released yesterday)
• Creative Unleashes Sound Blaster X-Fi Hardware Audio Processing for PCI Express
• World of Warcraft: Wrath of the Lich King Q&A
• CBS to Buy CNET Networks for $1.8 Billion
• Cox Caught Throttling BitTorrent Traffic, Report Claims
• Study Exposes Comcast, Cox, StarHub For Constant P2P Interference
• Bill Gates Demonstrates 'TouchWall' Multi-Touch Screen

"Noise-free HDR method: expand dynamic range and get rid of the noise
Special method of dynamic range expansion automatically and almost completely removes the noise from the shadow areas of the images. Dynamic range expansion by blending several images taken at different exposures is well known, adopted by photographers and implemented in a number of software tools. However, while the exposure blending works well for creating HDR images, further tone mapping often produces the images with a lot of noise, especially in dark areas of the scene. The amplification of underexposed pixels fills the shadow areas with noise, which lead to the loss of details and textures.

New advanced weighting technique, implemented in PhotoAcute Studio application, solves this problem. The algorithm weights each pixel in each image determining how properly is it exposed, and never places underexposed pixels into the output image when better exposed pixels are available from other images. Properly exposed pixels are then blended to reduce the noise even more. Additional processing is applied then to analyze the picture and prevent any artifacts.

As a result, the noise is almost completely removed from the image with no loss of details. Fine details and textures, formerly lost in the noise, become visible.

The same functionality can be used in usual photography to eliminate the noise even from the deep shadows of the images, by blending normally exposed and overexposed photos of the same object.

PhotoAcute Studio performs precise image registration, so it can be used for the images taken without a tripod.

This technique will be interesting and useful for all photographers who take high dynamic range images. Undoubtedly, it is indispensable for professionals, for whom high quality of the images is essential.

Detailed description (w/example photos) of Noise-free HDR method is available at: http://photoacute.com/noise-free-hdr.html

Besides the expansion of dynamic range, PhotoAcute Studio increases spatial resolution, extends the depth of field and corrects chromatic aberrations. It supports variety of image formats, including RAW, DNG and TIFF. The application can save the results in DNG format, providing RAW-in-RAW-out processing and can be added to any image processing workflow.

PhotoAcute Studio runs under Mac OS X, Windows, and Linux. Its user interface is quite simple and allows performing image processing in a couple of clicks. Detailed description of PhotoAcute Studio features, online help and examples gallery are available at http://photoacute.com. PhotoAcute Studio can be downloaded from: http://photoacute.com/studio/download.html"

Here's a reader reply:

" The Photoacute software is a minor miracle for the superresolution technique alone. The HDR is also exclelent and does get rid of the majority of noise - PLUS more importantly you can take the shots without a tripod (steady hands will do) and it really can work it all out! I can send a few samples if you want.
kind regards, Brian"

• OWC G4 1.467-1.5GHz (set to 1.467GHz) in (Digital Audio) G4/AGP tower (rated 9)
  
  (Full reviews of G4 and G3 upgrades compared to stock CPUs, including real world apps/game tests, install info, etc. are linked at the G4 upgrade reviews and G3 upgrade reviews pages. OC/CPU module articles are on the Systems page.)

If you've upgraded the CPU on your Mac, send a review with your experience (performance/stability/installation, etc.), Mac Model/Upgrade brand info and overall rating (1= worst to 10=best). If you can, please run some tests with the original CPU vs the upgrade (for example time some tests with your favorite app, game, etc. - see full reviews here for example tests with common apps/games/benchmarks.)
  

• Adobe Flash Player 10.0.1b218 (Beta)
• World of Warcraft Client Patch 2.4.2 (there's also a site with WoW Patch 2.4.2 undocumented changes)
• Mumble 1.1.4 (open source, low-latency, high quality voice chat application primarily intended for use while gaming. Freeware)
• Skype 2.7.0.330
• VisualHub 1.33a
• AudioLobe 2.7 (Audio speed and pitch processing)
• AOL Radio 1.2.1 (freeware)
• impromptu 1.2 (freeware audio/video dev. environment)
• Larva Mortus 1.0 (game)
• The Amazing Brain Train 1.03
• Big Kahuna Reef 2 2.0 (game demo)
• PulpMotion Advanced 1.0
• ImageBuddy 3.5.7 (multi-page photo printing program w/drag-and-drop support from iPhoto)
• Cheetah3D 4.6 (3D modeling, rendering, animation)
• Hydra (including Aperture 2 PlugIn) 1.5.2
• Aliph's New Jawbone (BT) Headset: Smaller and More Stylish
• Windows XP SP3 Reboot Hell (and How to Get out of It)

Thursday May 15, 2008

• CPU Upgraded Macs running OS X Leopard page updated
• PR on PhotoAcute Studio Noise-free HDR
• Mac CPU Upgrade Reports Database Updated
• Adobe Flash Player 10.0.1b218 (beta)
• World of Warcraft Client Patch 2.4.2 (and undocumented change notes)
• Mumble 1.1.4 (open source, low-latency, HQ voice chat app intended for gaming)
• Skype 2.7.0.330
• VisualHub 1.33a
• AudioLobe 2.7 (Audio speed and pitch processing)
• AOL Radio 1.2.1 (freeware)
• impromptu 1.2 (freeware audio/video dev. environment)
• Larva Mortus 1.0 (game)
• The Amazing Brain Train 1.03
• Big Kahuna Reef 2 2.0 (game demo)
• PulpMotion Advanced 1.0
• ImageBuddy 3.5.7 (multi-page photo printing program w/drag-and-drop support from iPhoto)
• Cheetah3D 4.6 (3D modeling, rendering, animation)
• Hydra (including Aperture 2 PlugIn) 1.5.2
• Aliph's New Jawbone (BT) Headset: Smaller and More Stylish
• Windows XP SP3 Reboot Hell (and How to Get out of It)

• More feedback on CPU Upgraded Macs running OS X Leopard
• Price cuts on FW400 Neptune Hard Drives w/Software Bundle
• Tip for Mac Office 2008 SP1 users locked in a loop
• Cocktail 4.1 (Leopard Edition) released
• New Captain FTP 5.3 with CrowzNest 2.0
• iGet Mobile 2.0 (Securely access your Mac remotely from your iPhone, iPod Touch, PC, or other mobile device)
• Skysoft iPod Movie Converter for Mac
• ScreenFlow 1.1.1 (screencasting studio app for Leopard)
• Data Backup 3.0.5
• TitleExchange 1.9 (for FCP)
• Solo Performer Show Controller 3.6
• MySpace Granted $230M In Anti-Spam Lawsuit
• Two Top AMD Execs Resign
• VBA's Coming Back. Is it Right for You?
• Microsoft says VBA support to be in next version of Mac Office 2008
• Creative Announces $99 Vado Pocket Video Cam
• Xbox 360 Spring Update 2008 Feature list leaked
• After Attacks, Microsoft Fixes Jet Database Flaw
• Microsoft Security Bulletin MS08-026 - Critical Vulnerabilities in Word
• Microsoft Security Bulletin MS08-027 - Critical Vulnerability in Publisher

• Mac MS Office 2008 Service Pack 1 and Office 2004 11.4.2 updates
• Price Cuts on Mercury Portable Hard Drives w/software bundle
• Express34 Card Reports page updated
• HBO Shows now available on iTunes
• Mac Guitar Hero III v1.3 Update
• SubRosaSoft announces FileDefense 1.5
• Mac Office sales soar on Apple's gains
• Full release of Penumbra: Black Plague + Unbirth (Game)
• Apple Executives to Showcase OS X Development Platforms at WWDC
• Nexuiz 2.4.2 (Freeware 3D deathmatch game project)
• Supernova 2: Spacewar 1.0
• StarPlayr2 2.0.4 (Sirius Internet Radio)
• VectorDesigner 1.2 (vector drawing app)
• Picturesque 2.0 (Apple Design Awards 2007 Winner)
• Composer FX Image 1.6
• Pixelmator 1.2 (image editor)
• Slideshow Magic 4.0.9
• Shimo 2.0 (advanced VPN client - shareware)
• VPN-X Client 2.2.1.26 (P2P/SSL/TLS IP VPN - Freeware)
• DMG Architect 1.0.5
• SimplyDisk 1.1 (create customized disc images)
• MacCleanse 1.1.9
• AMD and HP reportedly responsible for XP SP3 glitches