This section of the site is no longer being formally maintained, although new items may be added periodically.
Archive 2003 Q4
Apple Release Update 10.3.2 for OS X
(17 December 2003)
This is a 'combo' update, incorporating the changes made in 10.3.1. Breaking with normal practice, Apple have chosen not to release a smaller version for users who have already got 10.3.1. It delivers enhanced functionality and improved reliability for Mac OS X v10.3 "Panther" and is recommended for all users. Key enhancements include:
- improved file sharing and directory services for mixed Mac and PC networks
- more robust printing to PostScript printers
- improved font management
- updated Mail and Address Book applications
- new ATI and NVIDIA graphics drivers
- FileVault, FireWire 800, WebDAV and USB Printing improvements from Update 10.3.1
- previous standalone security updates
This update does not resolve the issue with external FireWire hard drives using the Oxford 922 bridge chip-set with firmware version 1.02 that can result in the loss of data stored on the disk drive, and Apple recommends the firmware on the FireWire drive should be updated.
http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=120288
Opera 7.23 Includes Important Security Update
(24 November 2003)
Two major security vulnerabilities have been fixed in this version but there are no other significant changes.
iCab 2.9.7 Browser Released
(17 November 2003)
iCab 2.9.7 fixes a number of faults and contains some adaptations for Mac OSX 10.3 but no new features. It includes a new version of the OpenSSL library, which fixes some security issues of previous versions of this library. It also resolves a security issue with certain (self-signed unknown) certificates where iCab didn't show a warning.
W3C Release Version 8.2 of Amaya Browser
(13 November 2003)
The W3C have released version 8.2 of the Amaya browser/editor. This version supports HTML 4.01, XHTML 1.0, XHTML Basic, XHTML 1.1, HTTP 1.1, MathML 2.0, many CSS 2 features, and includes SVG support (transformation, transparency, and SMIL animation on OpenGL platforms). A large part of the intended features of Amaya are implemented in this release, but some of them are not complete yet.
The Amaya binary distribution is available for PC Linux (GTK/OpenGL), Windows (NT, XP, 2000, 98). Users having other architectures are expected to compile the Amaya source code.
Opera 7.22 for Windows gets new Sun Java
(12 November 2003)
This is a minor update, notable mainly for incorporating a new version of Sun Java (1.4.2_01).
Apple Release OS X 10.3.1 Update
(10 November 2003)
By releasing the OS X 10.3.1 Update less than 3 weeks after the launch of 10.3, Apple have maintained their record of issuing an update every month for more than 2 years. This is a comparatively small update that delivers enhanced functionality and improved reliability for FileVault, Printing, WebDav, and FireWire 800 drives, and includes the latest Security Updates.
http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=120271
Apple Release OS X 10.3 (Panther)
(24 October 2003)
This long-awaited major new release of OS X was finally released today, and is the fourth new release in its two and a half year life. The Aqua user interface has been substantially changed, Unicode 4 is fully supported and networking with Windows is much improved. Virtually every feature has been improved including the Safari browser, which is now version 1.1 (note this is not available as a standalone version).
Mozilla 1.5 Released
(15 October 2003)
This version does not add many new features, although there are several improvements to the tabbed browsing and about 1000 bug fixes.
Note - version 1.5.1 was released on 26 November 2003. This is for Mac OS X only to correct a downloading crash experienced by users of Mac OS X 10.1.
www.mozilla.org/products/mozilla1.x/download/
Kiosk Mode Reintroduced in Opera 7.21
(14 October 2003)
This is a major update containing a large number of bug fixes. Kiosk mode is reintroduced, as was previously implemented in version 6. This is a customisable browser setting to limit functionality, block menus, prevent downloads and prevent adjustment of system preferences.
New features include the "Closed Window History" list which allows the user to re-open a window that had been closed by mistake. This can be done via a menu or by using the keyboard shortcut Ctrl+Alt+Z.
Microsoft Alters IE6 to Workaround Eolas Patent
(07 October 2003)
Microsoft have announced their initial plans for modifications to Internet Explorer to avoid the continued use of plug-in technology patented by Eolas Inc. The modifications will be incorporated into versions of Internet Explorer 6 shipped with Windows XP from early 2004.
The modifications affect how the browser handles Web pages that use Microsoft's ActiveX Controls including Macromedia Flash, Apple QuickTime, Real Networks RealOne, Adobe Acrobat Reader, Sun Java Virtual Machine and Windows Media Player.
The change will mean that Web developers must update methods used in Web pages with ActiveX Controls or users will be presented with a dialog box asking them to click "OK" for the Web browser to load the control.
Microsoft has provided a test version of the altered Internet Explorer 6 to allow developers to test their modified applications.
http://msdn.microsoft.com/ieupdate/
Microsoft to End Java Support in September 2004
(07 October 2003)
Having already stopped shipping their version of Java Virtual Machine with new versions of Windows and Internet Explorer, Microsoft had intended to end support for it by the end of 2003. However, it has now been announced that support will be maintained until September 2004, although it is likely that only security issues will be addressed during this time.
Although users can install the Sun JVM, Microsoft have recently been encouraging developers to use ActiveX rather than Java for new projects.
Mac OS X 10.2.8 Update Re-released
(03 October 2003)
This is a chunky 40MB update (97MB for the Combo version if you don't already have version 10.2.6). It provides enhanced functionality and improved reliability for Audio, Address Book, AppleScript, Bluetooth, Classic compatibility, Disk Copy, Disk Utility, Finder, Graphics, Help Viewer, iChat, Image Capture, IP Firewall, Kerberos, Mail, OpenGL, Print Center, Rendezvous, Safari, and Sherlock.
The update includes improvements to AFP, LDAP, Web services, dial up connections over PPP, and Windows file services, as well as audio, disc recording, and printing improvements and FireWire, PC Card, SCSI and USB device compatibility enhancements. It also includes an updated Ethernet driver for 450MHz and 500MHz dual processor Power Mac G4 desktop systems and an update to the battery status menu.
http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=120245
There is also a 248MB version for users who installed the original version of 10.2.8 and could not repair it.