Appletell

At the office or in school and you need your files? Too lazy to deal with actual working file serving protocols? Then be sure to check out FarFinder. The app transforms your Mac into a file server, using a fake web-based Finder as the UI. The pages can be accessed by almost any device and/or browser, as well. The first thing I thought when I saw this was regarding my dynamic IP problem, but Flying Mac already covered that issue and offers an optional static/stable address which routes your IP through their server/domains. If you’re too lazy to use VNC or Back to My Mac, but just want some sim then FarFinder is right up your alley.

[FarFinder] via [TUAW]

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Parallels, the makers of the most popular virtualization software for Mac, have just announced Parallels Server Beta 2 available for public download, due to positive results from the private beta testing beforehand. Parallels Server enables efficient and easy-to-use server virtualization. They managed to bring virtualization to the consumer world, their server alternative looks promising too. One of the biggest concerns with server virtualization is the fact that a lot of resources are used, Parallels have done a good job on trying to reduce the amount of resources used by their software. It also offers virtual support for four-way symmetric multi-processing, which allows users to assign up to four virtual cores to a virtual machine; providing enhanced performance under heavy workloads. Parallels Server beta 2 is available for download from their website.

Via [MacNN]

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In the midst of all the Mac Pro frenzy, the other update that Apple released today, an update to their XServe was largely overlooked. The new XServes were updated with the same architecture as the new Mac Pros. The standard configuration is as follows [from Apple.com].

• One 2.8GHz Quad-Core Intel Xeon 5400 series processor
• 2GB (2x1GB) 800MHz DDR2 ECC fully buffered DIMMs
• 80GB 7200-rpm SATA Apple Drive Module with 8MB cache
• Dual Gigabit Ethernet
• Internal Graphics
• Two FireWire(R) 800 and three USB 2.0 ports
• Unlimited Client License for Mac OS X 10.5 Leopard Server

There are some huge expandability options here, most notably up to two 3.0 GHz Quad-Core Xeons, 32 GB of RAM, and up to a 300 GB, 15,000 RPM Hard Drive.

Read [Apple.com]

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Just this week I posted about an Apple patent that could mean an iPod remote is in the works. If you were intrigued by that patent, than this next one is definitely for you.

What if you could take the remote patent a step further? Instead of using the iPod to control your media from across the room, why not have your media streamed directly to your iPod? Apple has got that angle covered with this other patent that would enable an iPod to “wirelessly control and access a media server.” This could mean that you would be able to access music and other media right from your computer.

Like all patents that Apple has filed, these ideas may never be implemented in any Apple device. If you ask me though, all these patents that are surfacing from Apple are making an iPod with wireless capabilities seem all that much more plausible.

Via [TUAW]

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Although Steve jokingly mentioned numerous editions of Leopard at this morning’s keynote (just to poke fun at Microsoft), there is in fact a second edition that we don’t often hear about: Mac OS X Server. Even though it didn’t receive the limelight today, the new features reflected on Apple.com look very promising.

Setting up an OS X Server has been simplified thanks to a new setup interface that includes server status widgets. A new application called Podcast Producer has also been introduced, which automates the encoding, publishing and distribution of high-quality podcasts.

Other significant features include iCal Server, Xgrid 2 and Spotlight Server. It’s currently on track to debut in October for $499.

Read [Apple.com]

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