Microsoft this week released a patch for its Office for Mac 2008 suite. Version 12.2.1 fixes a problem that was created by Service Pack 2, released last month.

After installing Service Pack 2, some users had difficult opening XML-based documents. The error message read: "Microsoft Excel cannot open the file. You may have to download the latest updates for Office for Mac. Do you want to visit the Microsoft Web site for more information?" Microsoft says this 24MB update addresses that problem.

Released in July, Microsoft said SP2 for Office increased the software's speed and stability.



( Read more )

Apple this week released new drivers for HP printers in its latest operating system, Mac OS X 10.6 Snow Leopard. The file, labeled version 2.2., is a 383MB download available from Apple.

A number of HP printers, including Photosmart, OfficeJet, DeskJet and LaserJet models, are affected by the driver update. A complete list with numerous HP printers is listed on Apple's Web site. The update requires Mac OS X 10.6.1 or later.

Since the release of Snow Leopard, Apple has advertised new printer-related features in the operating system upgrade. Apple's Software Update will automatically provide you with third-party printer software and updates, "Nearby Printers" is a list of available printers that will appear right inside your printer dialog box, and you can simply connect a USB printer and the print queue will be automatically created.


( Read more )

Apple this week released a number of updates for its Xsan clustered file system for Mac OS X. Version 2.2 addresses a screen sharing security issue, in which an error dialogue would display the username and password. Xsan Admin 2.2 is available for Mac OS X 10.6 and Mac OS X 10.5. It also includes fixes for using SAN Setup Assistant to configure volumes, LUNs and affinities, changing a computer between client and metadata controller roles, listing computers connected to the SAN, and visually displaying when LUNs have been truncated

The Xsan FileSystem is not affected by the username and password issue, though it has also been updated to version 2.2 for Mac OS X 10.6 and Mac OS X 10.5. Fixes include using native extended attributes, file system performance and reliability, and volume reliability during metadata controller failover scenarios.

Also available are the Xsan 2.2 installer, and the Xsan uninstaller.

( Read more )

Apple this week released updates for its desktop Macs in the form of SuperDrive Firmware Update 3.0, which eliminates the noise made by optical disk drives during startup and wake from sleep, and Mac mini EFI Firmware Update 1.2, which improves compatibility with the latest memory kits on Mac mini computers.

For Mac mini machines, the latest EFI update (2.4MB) is needed for the SuperDrive upgrade, while other Mac desktops will require the EFI Firmware Update 1.4, released in May. The SuperDrive firmware update (18.5MB) can be downloaded from Apple or via Software Update.

Also this week, Apple released updates for Mac OS X Server 10.5.8. The 978MB download is available for users of Mac OS X 10.5.7 and as a combo update. According to Apple, the update improves reliability of AFP for file services and Time Machine backups, propagates file system permissions, maintains history of users' previous passwords, ensures consistent VPN throughput regardless of load, improves Spotlight indexing and memory consumption, and resolves duplicate serial number alert for servers with multiple network interfaces.

( Read more )