Official OSX VirtualBox coming soon

In a few weeks, according to the Linux.com article, you'll be able to get the GPL'd virtualizer from Innotek. Today, you can get the source code to compile yourself , or you you can get an unofficial binary that you can try on your own Intel Mac. Either way, the VM market is going to look great for us consumers :)

VBox binary and LaunchPad, brought to you by Mr. K. Seki.

Plethora of digital logic apps for OSX

If you are starting your CpE, EE or CS degree, there's a big chance that you'll go through a course called Digital Logic Design (or some variant of the name). If so, the course may or may not contemplate the use of computer aided design, and you don't need to be at a disadvantage, just 'cause you use a Mac.

Sure, you can always use the Virtualizer (*poke* the answer to everything) to use the teach's recommended logic design application, but you can use a pretty Aqua interface app like the following:

LogicSim
This is a Java app with a simple interface. Because it supports module creation, it's more powerful than my favorite MSWin logic simulator: Multimedia Logic.

LogicSim in evil non-ISO logic notation mode

Logisim
My favorite logic simulator thus far. As powerful as LogicSim, in my experience, and a Java App as well, but it has a better Aqua feel. Supports module creation and a kickass feature: expression optimizer (Karnaugh Map analysis): great to beat the competition!

Instant optimized Sum of Products. Try it at home!

LogicWorks
This is the one true OSX application in these three, however it is pay-ware. If my memory serves me right, it's been in the simulation scene since the OS 8 years. Its unique feature is the Timing Analyzer. You can try the free demo and if you like it, order directly from Capilano Computing.

LogicWorks, the fastest of them all

What's going to be your favorite?

VMWare Beta 3: now available

Parallels arch-nemesis VMWare Fusion is out for another stab. Computer news outlets are reporting that VMWare is offering the latest and greatest Fusion ever: Beta 3. Among the improvements is the removal of the much hated Debug Mode (YES!), and support for Bootcamp partitions (a humble imitation of the other VM), among others.

Just when you thought that the VM war had cooled down, it starts heating up again.

eWeek
MacDaily News
O'Grady's Powerpage
MacWorld

And if you are scratching your head about what direction this blog is taking, it is about electronics and technical creation with your Mac. Virtualization of Windows-capable hardware is an important issue, IMO.

Virtualization and Notebooks: Not all roses

Personally, I've had nothing but great results with all virtualization solutions out there: VMWare, Parallels and VirtualBox. It feels like showing off the zen of computing would make any bystander Switch like *that*, but I am not an evangelist.

However, some people have sent comments at the MacWindows.com staff, complaining about a misterious problem with Parallels and MacBooks. Apparently, Build 3188 can cause some Mac lappies to grow amnesia about their battery and effectively render itself battery-less.

This is much, much more serious than the blog-whine on how Parallels can decrease your use time by over 50%. The blogger in question should rethink its choice of guest OS: it's been documented that Vista is a power hog. DUH!