MacMegasite

Hamrick Software, the developer of VueScan, the world’s most widely used scanning software, has released it’s latest version 8.5 - with more than 600 improvements since the release of VueScan 8.4 two years ago.

“We’ve been working on VueScan for 10 years and have made thousands of improvements in this time. We’d like to thank everyone who has purchased VueScan in the past by giving them a free upgrade to VueScan 8.5″ says Ed Hamrick, President of Hamrick Software.

VueScan 0.1 was first released in 1998 with support for a single scanner on Windows only. Within 5 years VueScan supported more than 400 scanners, and had acquired a good reputation through word of mouth. After a further 10 years of development, VueScan now supports over 1200 scanners on 3 operating systems, has been downloaded more than 5 million times, and is the scanning program of choice for more than 170,000 customers worldwide.

“For the past ten years we have continued to add support for more scanners, and we’ve added hundreds of features that customers have asked for. Since we first released VueScan 8.4 two years ago, we’ve made more than 600 improvements and it’s really changed a lot in this time.” says Ed Hamrick.

“We have many small but clearly defined features that make a world of difference for many of our customers. Some features are for photographers, some for people working with thousands of scans, some are for beginners who have never used a scanner. We’ve also worked hard to support scanners that manufacturers don’t support any more, especially on Windows Vista and Mac OS X 10.5 (Leopard).”

Some major improvements since VueScan 8.4 include support for multi-core processors, skew correction and multi-page documents. Support for multi-core processors means that many scans are up to 50% faster when using a dual-core processor. No other scanning software has multi-core support, and for users working with very large files this results in a significant time saving. The largest performance improvements are with infrared cleaning, grain reduction and descreening. Skew correction means that any document or photo that has been placed in the scanner slightly askew (rotated) can now be straightened from within VueScan, without the need to physically rotate the document or image and then rescanning.

Multi-page document support for inexpensive flatbed scanners allows users to scan both single-sided and two-sided documents in any page order, using scanners with or without document feeders. Many options are available, including scanning two sided documents with a single-side document feeder, scanning from last page to first page (or the reverse), and re-ordering and deleting pages. Multi-page documents can be saved to either PDF files or TIFF files.

“Our goal is to make VueScan the universal scanning application. We now support over 1200 scanners on Windows, 750 on Mac OS X and 580 scanners on Linux. A single 5 Mbyte download supports all these scanners, in 35 different languages.” says Ed Hamrick.

“Our next goal is to add more advanced scanning features, such as scanning multiple photos placed randomly on a scanner (auto image segmentation) and integrating Google’s Optical Character Recognition (OCR) code. All of these advanced scanning features will work with all of the 1200 supported scanners, in all 35 languages, on all three operating systems - a truly universal scanning application.”

VueScan is available for Mac OS X, Windows and Linux. VueScan offers a full range of advanced features; including options for scanning faded slides and prints and automatically adjusting images to optimum color balance that reduces the need to manually do it in Photoshop. It includes built-in IT8 color calibration of scanners, producing colors that look true to life, batch scanning and other advanced and powerful scanning and productivity features, including PDF output.

For a detailed listing of VueScan features, see:
http://www.hamrick.com/abo.html.

VueScan is available in two editions, Standard Edition ($39.95 USD) and Professional Edition ($79.95). The Professional Edition adds unlimited free upgrades, advanced IT8 color calibration and support for raw scan files. Multi-user licenses are available.

A fully functional, trial copy of VueScan can be downloaded from http://www.hamrick.com/.

Based in Phoenix, AZ, Hamrick Software was founded in 1991. Its first product was VuePrint, an easy to use JPEG viewer for Windows that for many years was the recommended image viewer for AOL, with more than 100,000 users. In 1998, the company first released VueScan, a program for scanning with flatbed and film scanners, there are now more than 170,000 users all over the world.

MacUpdate has joined with 10 developers to bring you a cheerful holiday bundle. For $49.99 you get 10 applications worth $526. That’s 91% off.
(more…)

Join the forum discussion on this post - (1) Posts

Software developers are joining most retailers in offering their lowest prices for the Thanksgiving weekend. Here are some of the best ones I’ve found.
(more…)

SAINT PAUL, Minn. (October 27, 2008) – The catastrophic cratering of the global economy, falling gas prices and President George W. Bush’s recent executive activities have indirectly prompted Saint Paul gadfly software developers CodeWeavers, Inc., to provide free software for every American on Oct. 28, company officials reluctantly announced today.

In July, CodeWeavers – whose software lets Mac OS X and Linux users run Windows programs without having to Microsoft for a Windows OS license – launched the Great American Lame Duck Presidential Challenge (lameduck.codeweavers.com) to encourage President Bush to make the most of his remaining days in office by accomplishing a major economic or political goal by January 20, 2009.

The goals focused on President Bush making specific positive accomplishments in areas such as the economy, home values, the stock market, the war on terror and other key issues. Specifically, one goal called for President Bush to help down bring average gasoline prices in the Twin Cities to $2.79 a gallon.

On Monday, Oct. 14, gas prices in Minneapolis and St. Paul did just that.

“That morning, I was filling my tank at Big Steve’s Gas Palace in St. Paul,” said Jeremy White, president and CEO of CodeWeavers. “I had just finished my morning corn dog and 64-ounce Dr. Pepper when I looked at the pump and noticed gas was at $2.79. I screamed ‘Woohoo,’ then I yelled ‘Oh, crap!’ as I realized every American can now have my software for free. Kind of upsets my fourth quarter revenue projections…”

White admits this is not how he foresaw the Challenge unfolding.

“I launched the campaign to inspire President Bush to make the most of his final days in office. Who knew that our Challenge would have this kind of impact on the country?” White said. “On the other hand, who knew that the economy would implode, causing oil demand to drop into the abyss and gas prices to plummet as well. Clearly, investigating Bear Stearns, AIG and those guys is misplaced – CodeWeavers is responsible for this mess. So it’s free software for all!”

How to Get the Free Software

On Tuesday, Oct. 28, 2008, any one visiting the CodeWeavers’ Web site (www.codeweavers.com) will be given a deal code that will entitle them to one free copy of CodeWeavers’ award-winning CrossOver software. Each copy comes complete with support.

“I realize that by giving away all my software, I’ve caused horrific damage to my company’s bottom line,” White said. “In fact, our vice president of sales wretched Starbucks all over his shirt when he learned the news. But, I figure, the way the economy is going, in a few months everyone might be out on the streets, wearing potato sacks and standing in line for squirrel soup, so why not?”

White also noted that if other Great American Lame Duck Presidential Challenge goals are met, CodeWeavers will once again provide free software. Goals include:

Return the stock market to it’s 2008 high
Reduce the average price of a gallon of milk to $3.50
Create at least one net job in the U.S. this calendar year
Return the median home price to its Jan. 1, 2008 level
Bring Osama Bin-Laden to justice

About CodeWeavers

Founded in 1996 as a general software consultancy, CodeWeavers today focuses on the development of Wine: the core technology found in all of its CrossOver products. The company’s goal is to bring expanded market opportunities for Windows software developers by making it easier, faster and more painless to port Windows software to Mac OS X and Linux. CodeWeavers is recognized as a leader in open-source Windows porting technology, and maintains development offices in Minnesota, the UK and elsewhere around the world. The company is privately held. For more information about CodeWeavers, log on to www.codeweavers.com.

To celebrate the lifting of the iPhone NDA, Red Rome Logic is having a sale on its Wikipedia app Kiwi. Kiwi is available for $0.99, down from its normal $2.99. The End of NDA sale goes through 10/05/2008.

You can download it from the App Store.

Traverse City, Michigan - MacUpdate today launched a new software bundle promotion, delivering up to 10 first-rate applications valued at more than $600 for just $49.99. The Back-to-School-themed bundle runs through September 10 and is as equally well suited for students and educators as it is for home users and professionals.


The bundle includes:
* Bookends ($100) - Full-featured reference and bibliography management.
* Periscope ($40) - Security software that leverages the Mac’s iSight Camera.
* Mellel ($50) - Highly-acclaimed multilingual word processor.
* DEVONagent ($50) - Extremely efficient Internet search tool.
* Norrkross Movie ($60) - Multi-layered video editing and compositing software.
* Alarm Clock Pro ($20) - Alarm and timing software with extensive features.
* HookUp ($10) - Share and access iTunes libraries beyond your local network.

In addition, three “locked” applications will be made available to all bundle purchasers as certain sales targets are met:
* MacJournal ($35) - The most popular journaling software for the Mac.
* Contactizer Pro ($120) - Comprehensive contact and project management.
* LightZone ($130) - Professional photo-editing software.

“We’re thrilled to be delivering our fourth value-packed bundle of applications,” said Nate Houle, coordinator of MacUpdate Promo. “Not only are Mac users getting a tremendous value, they’re also getting a great number of tools for improving their workflow and managing their life.”

Pricing and Availability:
The MacUpdate Promo Back-to-School bundle is available through September 10 for $49.00 USD exclusively from their website.

MacUpdate
MacUpdate Promo

MacUpdate was founded in 1997 by Joel Mueller and has since become the leading Mac software site on the Web. The site remains independently owned and operated and represents one of the largest Apple communities online. MacUpdate Promo was launched in 2006 and delivers 24-hour daily software deals and periodic bundles. Copyright 1997-2008 MacUpdate. All Rights Reserved. Apple, the Apple logo, are registered trademarks of Apple Computer in the U.S. and/or other countries.

Portland, Oregon - Azure Talon, Lucerne Systems, M Cubed Software, Wonder Warp Software, and You Software are teaming up to offer a summer sale to the Mac community. For the week of July 7 - 15, users can get a 20% discount on all software from this great set of independent Mac software companies.

To take advantage of the offer, simply enter DF2008 in the coupon code field when purchasing the products. For a full run-down of the available products, please visit Indie Mac Software.

Below are the products that are included in the sale:

[B][U]Azure Talon:[/U][/B]

[B]Exces[/B] - Simple, pretty, secure. Exces allows you to protect your precious files with the click of a button. Just pick a password, lock, and you’re good to go. Exces uses the strong, uncracked AES encryption standard.

Dedicated to creating high quality Mac software that is easy to use, Azure Talon Software is a small software company based in Switzerland and founded in 2004.

[B][U]Lucerne Systems:[/U][/B]

[B]Horizon[/B] - Horizon is the only personal financial management system with the unique, calendar-based interface. Featuring quick data entry, fully-customizable categories and sub-categories, and an simple summary view, Horizon is the easiest way to manage your finances. Download the free thirty-day trial today.

Incorporated in September 1994, Lucerne Systems is a software development and consulting company based in Oakville, Ontario, Canada.

[B][U]M Cubed Software:[/U][/B]

[B]Code Collector Pro[/B] - Code Collector Pro allows you to easily organise and share code snippets. With a familiar, easy to use interface organising snippets is a breeze and with integration with codecollector.net you can share your snippets with the world just by clicking a checkbox.

[B]Minim[/B] - Minim is a management application for musicians and podcasters. Minim keeps track of all your metadata, files and collaborators for each song or podcast in an easy to use, clean interface.

Founded in 2005, M Cubed Software is a small software company based in sunny England, and dedicated to providing high quality software at an affordable price.

[B][U]Wonder Warp Software:[/U][/B]

[B]ShoveBox[/B] - ShoveBox catches all those little scraps of information that you can’t act on now but would rather not forget. It sits up in your menubar, waiting for you to drag in text, images, URLs, and more.

[B]SimpleChord[/B] - SimpleChord lets you look up chords and create progressions. Part tool and part toy, it has many uses from teaching music, to providing accompaniment during practice, to quickly sketching songs for work in notation or composition programs.

Founded in 2004 and based in Cambridge, Massachusetts, Wonder Warp Software SP is a small independent Macintosh software vendor also known for its popular music software SimpleChord and block puzzle game Otis.

[B][U]You Software:[/U][/B]

[B]You Control[/B] - You Control is a powerful utility for creating custom menus that extend the functionality and usability of your Mac. With You Control, all of your most important information is within easy reach.

[B]You Control: Desktops[/B] - You Control: Desktops allows you to create virtual desktops that allow you to extend the functionality of your Mac. Set up custom backgrounds, unique sets of files on each desktop, and more to help you organize your personal workflow.

[B]You Control: Fonts[/B] - You Control: Fonts lets you create a custom WYSIWYG font menu that makes it easy to see all of your fonts in their own typeface and group them by font family for better organization.

Established in 2003, You Software is a developer and publisher of Mac productivity software designed to make the software you use everyday work better.

[B]Links:[/B]
[list]
[*] Indie Mac Software
[*] Azure Talon Software
[*] Lucerne Systems
[*] M Cubed Software
[*] Wonder Warp Software
[*] You Software
[/list]

Indie Mac Software is a consortium of independent Mac software companies, with the goal of providing great deals to the Mac community. Apple, the Apple logo, and Macintosh are registered trademarks of Apple Computer in the U.S. and/or other countries.

Customers have less than 24 hours to take part in a massive sale of Parallel’s flagship Windows virtualization software for Mac users. The sale, hosted at MacHeist, ends today at midnight, EDT.

MacHeist has been offering Parallels Desktop, the popular software that enables users to run Windows software on their Mac without having to reboot, for $49 over the past few days, raking in over $100,000 in sales in just two days.

All customers of this offer receive the $19.95 MacPilot, a handy tool that enables access to hundreds of hidden features of OS X, as a bonus for free. As added incentive, the first 3,000 who purchase will also receive the popular Freeverse game, Kill Monty, a $19.95 value.

Previous MacHeist customers can also save an additional $10, bringing the price down to an even lower price tag of just $39.

Quality Windows virtualization for Mac users has never been this affordable.

Dare to be Creative today announced the release of its software bundle for Mac OSX targeted at photographers, designers and creative professionals. The software bundle consists of Dragoman, a batch image converter, and Renamer4Mac, a batch file renamer, tools designed to save hours of work by automating manual tasks. The bundle is available for $40 at Macsnack and offers savings of $25 off retail prices.

[B]Dragoman - batch file conversion made easy:[/B]

Dragoman batch converts images and photos between widespread file formats. With Dragoman, photographers can convert photos from raw digital camera formats to JPEG and other formats; Dragoman supports all popular digital camera formats including those of Canon, Kodak, Sony, Nikon, Olympus and Fuji cameras, as well as Adobe’s Digital Negative format. Designers and creative professionals benefit from Dragoman’s support for popular image formats, allowing them for example to batch convert TIFF images to PNG, or Postscript images to PDF.

[B]Renamer4Mac - batch file renaming made easy:[/B]

Renamer4Mac is a batch file renamer that supports search and replace renaming, numbering files, and converting between lower, upper and mixed case. With Renamer4Mac, photographers and creative professionals can save hours of work renaming thousands of images at once, such as renaming photos downloaded from digital cameras into something meaningful.

[B]The software bundle in a nutshell:[/B]
[list]
[*] The software bundle benefits photographers, designers, creative professionals and anybody who works a lot with image and photo files
[*] The bundle is available at Macsnack for $40 USD and offers savings of $25 off retail prices
[*] Sold separately Dragoman is $39 USD and Renamer4Mac $26 USD
[*] Dragoman batch converts images and photos. It handles the popular image formats PDF, TIFF, PNG, JPEG, PostScript, EPS, JPEG-2000 (JP2), GIF, PSD, Windows Bitmap (BMP), and many more. It also handles raw digital camera formats: Adobe Digital Negative (dng), Photo CD (pcd), Canon Digital Camera Raw Image Format (crw, cr2), Kodak Digital Camera Raw Image File (dcr), Sony (Minolta) Raw Image File (mrw), Nikon Digital SLR Camera Raw Image File (nef), Olympus Digital Camera Raw Image File (orf), and Fuji CCD-RAW Graphic File (raf). Dragoman supports multi-page PDF and TIFF documents
[*] Renamer4Mac is a batch file renamer that supports search and replace renaming, numbering files, and converting between lower, upper and mixed case
[/list]

[B]Minimum Requirements:[/B]
[list]
[*] Mac OS X Version 10.4 or higher
[*] Universal Binary for PowerPC and Intel
[/list]
[B]Pricing and Availability:[/B]

The software bundle is $40 USD and available at Macsnack. Sold separately Dragoman is $39 USD and available as a free download from the Dragoman website, and Renamer4Mac is $26 USD and available as a free download from the Renamer4Mac website. Both applications run initially in a 10-day trial mode with all features active.

Macsnack: Software Bundle for photographers, designers and creative professionals
Dragoman: A batch file converter for images, photos, music and archive files
Renamer4Mac: A batch file renamer

Screencast of renaming photos downloaded from a digital camera: [URL]http://renamer4mac.com/screencasts/batch-rename-photos-video-tutorial.html[/URL]

Located in Vienna, Austria, Dare to be Creative Ltd. is a software forgery founded in 2006 by a group of Mac enthusiasts. The Dare to be Creative team focuses exclusively on developing utility applications for Mac OS X designed to save valuable time while being enjoyable and easy to use. The current portfolio includes a) iArchiver, an archiving and file compression utility, b) iCombiner, a tool to combine images and PDF files into single PDF documents, c) Renamer4Mac, a batch file renamer, and d) Dragoman, a batch file converter for image, music and archive files. All Material and Software (C) 2006-2008 Dare to be Creative Ltd. / All Rights Reserved. Apple, the Apple logo, iPod, the iPod logo, are registered trademarks of Apple Computer in the U.S. and/or other countries.

Boston, Massachusetts - This summer, Mac users worldwide have raised nearly $50,000 for several charitable organizations through the MacHeist bundle sale and charity drive ([URL=https://www.macheist.com/buy/trackfp/macmegasite]macheist.com[/URL]).

The popular Mac software distribution company has made it a tradition of donating 25% of all bundle sales to philanthropic organizations including Direct Relief International, Save Darfur and Alliance for Climate Protection.

Customers of the popular MacHeist bundles are given an opportunity to choose a charity of their choices to have part of their purchase donated to. Over the years, the Mac community has raised over $700,000.

Various Mac companies are offering their support as well. Customers will now receive a coupon for money off Insanely Great Tees ([URL]www.insanelygreattees.com[/URL]) as well as a new addition to the bundle: the popular sound-editing application, SoundStudio (normally $79.99, by Freeverse). So far, the bundle is valued at nearly $500 of software, with savings of close to 90% off at a price of $49.

The sale and charity drive ends Tuesday at midnight, EDT.