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Mac OS X 10.5.6
Mac OS X 10.5.6 is the update of the operating system that became available a couple of days ago, with “graphics improvements for iChat, Cover Flow, APERTURE, and iTunes”.
Though details were not specific, speculation is that improvements have been made in the core graphics engine for global improvements with the applications above, most notably Aperture. There is chatter that some users are noticing an increase in speed with the update, and improved color printing rendition, not only from CS3 which is listed, but from Aperture itself.
If you guys notice any performance differences, please chime in. Still waiting on RAW support for some notable and popular pro cameras which are sure to come (Panasonic LX3, Canon 5DMKII, Nikon D3X)
(Update-Digital Camera Raw Compatibility Update 2.4
About Digital Camera Raw Compatibility Update 2.4--Get it here.
This update extends RAW file compatibility for Aperture 2 and iPhoto 08 for the following cameras:
Canon EOS 5D Mark II
Canon PowerShot G10
Pentax K2000/K-m
Leaf AFi-II 6
Leaf AFi-II 7
Leaf Aptus-II 6
Leaf Aptus-II 7
Leica M8.2
It also addresses issues related to specific cameras and overall stability.)
Some users have reported problems with the OSX update, which you can read here and here. But for me it has been smooth sailing.
Choose Software Update from the Apple menu to automatically check for the latest Apple software, or go here.
From Rwanda, Copyright: Steve Simon
What's new in this 372mg update? From Apple:
“Address Book
▪ Improves reliability of Address Book syncing with iPhone and other devices and applications.
AirPort
▪ Improves the reliability of AirPort connections, including improvements when roaming in large wireless networks with an Intel-based Mac.
Client management
▪ Improves reliability of synchronizing files on a portable home directory.
▪ Fixes an issue in Mac OS X 10.5.4 and 10.5.5 in which managed users may not see printers that use the Generic PPD.
▪ Client computers that use UUID-based ByHost preferences now respect managed Screen Saver settings.
iChat
▪ Addresses an issue that could cause an encryption alert to appear in the chat window.
▪ Setting your iChat status to "invisible" via AppleScript no longer logs you out of iChat.
▪ Resolves an issue in which pasting text from a Microsoft Office document could insert an image rather than text.
Graphics
▪ Includes general improvements to gaming performance.
▪ Includes graphics improvements for iChat, Cover Flow, Aperture, and iTunes.
▪ Includes fixes for possible graphics distortion issues with certain ATI graphics cards.
Mail
▪ Includes overall performance and reliability fixes.
▪ Improves Connection Doctor accuracy.
▪ Fixes an issue that could cause messages identified as junk to remain in the inbox.
▪ Fixes an issue that could cause Mail to append a character to the file extension of an attachment.
▪ Addresses an issue that could prevent Mail from quitting.
▪ Improves reliability when printing PDF attachments.
MobileMe
▪ Contacts, calendars, and bookmarks on a Mac automatically sync within a minute of the change being made on the computer, another device, or the web at me.com.
Networking
▪ Improves Apple File Service performance, especially when using a home directory hosted on an AFP server. Important: If you are using Mac OS X 10.5.6 (client) to connect to a Mac OS X Server 10.4-based server, it is strongly recommended that you update the server to Mac OS X Server version 10.4.11.
▪ Improves the performance and reliability of TCP connections.
▪ Improves reliability and performance for AT&T 3G cards.
▪ Updates the ssh Terminal command for compatibility with more ssh servers.
Printing
▪ Improves printing for the Adobe CS3 application suite.
▪ Improves printing for USB-based Brother and Canon printers.
Parental Controls
▪ Addresses an issue in which a parentally-controlled account could be unable to access the iTunes Store.
▪ Includes general fixes for time limits.
▪ Resolves an issue that prevented adding allowed websites from Safari via drag and drop.
Time Machine
▪ Fixes issues that could cause Time Machine to state the backup volume could not be found.
▪ Improves Time Machine reliability with Time Capsule.
Safari
▪ Improves compatibility with web proxy servers.
General
▪ Includes Mac OS X security improvements. See this website for more information.
▪ Addresses inaccuracies with Calculator when the Mac OS X language is set to German or Swiss German.
▪ Improves the performance and reliability of Chess.
▪ Improves DVD Player performance and reliability.
▪ Performance improvements for iCal are included.
▪ Fixes an issue when running the New iCal Events Automator action as an applet.
▪ Adds a Trackpad System Preference pane for portable Macs.
▪ Improves compatibility with smart cards such as the U.S. Department of Defense Common Access Card.
▪ Updates time zone data and Daylight Saving Time rules for several countries."
RAW updates are now out for the "Canon EOS 5D Mark II, Canon PowerShot G10, Pentax K2000/K-m, Leaf AFi-II 6, Leaf AFi-II 7, Leaf Aptus-II 6, Leaf Aptus-II 7, and the Leica M8.2"
Wonder what's taking long with the LX3. Well so far I'm liking my JPEGs. (I shot JPEG for so long and I'm only getting started playing more with RAW).
I'm going to really get to testing any improvements tomorrow and over the break as I've got lots of work to do-but that's what plane rides are right? Until then I've got an essay to write and some French to study...oh and some batteries to charge.
Yeah I just got my LX-3 yesterday so was hoping that the update would include support for it. Disappointed that it didn't make it in. I've sent feedback to apple on the aparture page. Anyone who wants LX3 support please do so too.
I got my DP1 eight months ago, and the SD-14 was released almost three years ago. Still no support in Aperture for either of them. What this means is that I've got every photo I shot between August 2003 and May 2008 in Aperture, and everything I've shot since May 2008, when I picked up my first Sigma camera, in Lightroom. In other words, I am no longer an active Aperture user. And the longer this goes on, the less likely it is, for practical reasons, that I'll be able to switch back even if Aperture does finally support my cameras.
Honestly, all I need from Apple is a "yes" or a "no" at this point. Is Sigma/Foveon support coming? It's fine if the answer is "no" because at least it will free me from limbo. But zero communication is BS.
Apple hasn't really supported any Panasonic Raw cameras to date. No L-10 or L-1. Also no G1 support yet either.
I just converted some G1 Raw files to DNG, and even those didn't work.
I really like Aperture, but feel that many times Apple isn't serious about it. Aperture reminds me of the Apple TV one week its the future of TV the next its just a hobby machine.
The issue might be the requirement from Panasonic to apply automatic lens corrections to the raw files of the LX3 and G1 (judging by what Adobe had to do).
I'll wait and see what happens before getting an LX3.
I understand the frustration of not having your camera supported. What I do know is that the Aperture Team is a passionate and dedicated team working very hard on the program. They read your comments and know the popular cameras among pros. The Canon 5DMKII support is here a week after Adobe and Apple has been first to the line with some cameras. I agree, it would be nice to know which cameras were coming specifically, which might even impact a purchase in the first place, but unfortunately Apple and other software companies don't work that way.
"Apple hasn't really supported any Panasonic Raw cameras to date."
That is not true. According to the RAW support list the following Panasonic RAW formats are supported:
* DMC-LC1
* Lumix DMC-FZ50
* Lumix DMC-L1
* Lumix DMC-LX1
* Lumix DMC-LX2
The newest OSX-update seems to have boosted life in my old late 2006 Imac :-)
After just a few trials, i think its definately quicker/speedier, more responsive in adjustments.
Even runs ok when EyeTV is playing beside Aperture.
Looking forward to do more testing.
Unfortunately 10.5.6 does not work with my new HP PhotoSmart B8550 printer. Had to do an Archive and Install back to 10.5.5 with help from Apple Support. Apple blamed HP and HP blamed Apple.