"About Time Capsule and AirPort Base Station (802.11n) Firmware 7.3.1
The Time Capsule, AirPort Extreme and AirPort Express Base Station with 802.11n* Firmware 7.3.1 updates include bug fixes. AirPort Extreme Base Station with 802.11n* Firmware 7.3.1 also includes security fixes.

This update requires AirPort Utility 5.3.1 or later. AirPort Utility 5.3.1 or later can be obtained via an automatic software update or as a manual download...

Apple also has a doc About the security content of AirPort Extreme Base Station Firmware 7.3.1.
A reader using an Airdisk (USB drive connected to AE N base) said Time Machine now shows/supports it for backup after the firmware update:

" I just installed the Time Machine and Airport Update v1.0. Installation was uneventful and after a few minutes my Gigabit Airport Extreme offered a firmware update. Upon applying the firmware update, time machine could see the attached usb drive and is currently backing-up over a wireless connection.
(he later wrote
Time Machine appears to be working as advertised. I'm up to 12GB of a 67GB backup. Thruoughput is relatively slow with the Airdisk... 2-4 MB/s. I think after the first backup is done the speed won't be too much of an issue (for incremental updates) and the wireless connecting is a big plus. -George"

Two other reader also said TM finally works with their Airdisks now. (Previously Time Machine would not support Airdisk's without the hack/mod listed here last month.) I welcome other reader feedback on this firmware update.

"About Time Machine and AirPort Updates v1.0
This update is recommended for all users and includes compatibility improvements for using Time Machine with Time Capsule, as well as AirPort driver fixes.
Requirements: OS X 10.5.2 Client Only"

Downloading this now (I use TM with a FW800 ext. drive and have an Airport N base network). I welcome feedback on this update from readers - let me know if you see any Pros or Cons. (FYI - see later post above for notes on a new firmware update for Time Capsule and Airport 802.11N bases.)

"We are running a special on 750GB Western Digital Caviar SE16 7200RPM 16MB Cache SATA I/II drives at $139.99, but your readers can get them for $137.50 now (link has all the XLR8yourMac WD Specials - and shows additional savings over our already low regular site pricing):

Also available is the popular Samsung Spinpoint F1 750GB 7200RPM SATA I/II 32MB Cache drive now for $140
And all the XLR8yourMac Deals are of course found on the full specials listing here ...Including the Hitachi 1.0TB 7K1000 7200RPM SATA I/II 32MB Cache HD that is $235.00 after a $30 Hitachi Rebate that expires today - must order by 6PM to ensure can ship for rebate qualification!"

(earlier post follows) FYI on recent price cuts on the site specials page.

• 4GB (2x2GB) Mac Pro RAM (667MHz) $150
  (4GB (2x2GB) 800MHz Mac Pro kit remains $197.50)
• 2GB PC2-5300 SODIMM $45 (a pair for $90)
• Samsung F1 750GB SATA - $140
• WD 1TB GP SATA HD - $235

Last month Oliver sent his review of 3 1TB drives (Samsung F1, WD GP, Hitachi 7K1000) that showed some surprisingly good performance from the (cool running) WD 1TB GP drive.

"Behringer U-CONTROL UCA202 (USB Audio Interface) with Mac mini
Mac Mini G4/1.42GHz running OS X 10.4.11.
These are the sound card specs from the company:
http://www.behringer.com/UCA202/index.cfm?lang=ENG

(from vendor's product page)
"U-CONTROL UCA202 ("Audio Bridge in a Pocket")
Ultra low-latency 2 In/2 Out USB/Audio Interface with Digital Output
With this ultra-compact, bus-powered interface, you can link your Windows® and Mac® computer with any audio gear. There is no setup or special drivers needed - simply plug the interface in a free USB port on your computer and get into the groove.

The UCA202 provides 2 analog inputs and outputs, as well as an additional S/PDIF optical output for direct digital conversion. The stereo headphone output with dedicated level control lets you monitor both input and output. And the cherry on top is that the U-CONTROL download area offers a huge software package for recording and editing.

All in all, this interface is a complete audio solution which provides a connection between the analog and digital domain."

I installed the sound card and it worked immediately, no drivers needed. I only use the SPDIF output and the headphones which are working absolutely fine. I didn't try the analog RCA output and input. The only problem is that the volume bar is not responding if it is loud or low.
-PS"

Going back to OS X 10.3.x (Core Audio intro) many readers had used (PC) USB audio devices (soundblaster and other brands/models) with limited functions working (no native mac software/controls for them, so some features were not usable).

• MacBook Air: "The original item cannot be found" when trying to access DVD movies or audio CDs with Remote Disc (Apple)
• How to swap the MacBook or MacBook Pro battery without using a power adapter (Apple)
• Laptop Flash Drives Hit by High Failure Rates (PCworld)
• Charlie Rose Face Plants To Save His MacBook Air
• Apple could split device sales with music labels
• Apple mulls unlimited music bundle (refers to financial times story)
• Switching to a Mac: Is It a Trend? (PCworld)
• Apple Mac Store Sales Strong In February (informationweek)
• Adobe CEO says Flash apps coming to iPhone (cnet)
• About LCD display pixel anomalies (Apple - old doc revised yesterday)
• FruitMenu 3.7b2
• AirFoil 3.1.2 (adds new Airport Express 802.11N support)
• MainMenu 1.7.3 (Menubar item for running system maintenance routines)
• Opacity 1.0.3 (image editor designed for creating resolution independent screen graphics)
• HoudahGeo 1.4.4 (one-stop geocoding app)
• 1Password Password Manager and Form Filler 2.5.12
• FolderBrander 2.2.2
• iBackup 6.4 (freeware)
• Media Catalog 3.8.4
• GrandPerspective 0.9.11 (graphically shows the disk usage)
• Composer FX Movie 1.5
• The MacBook Air gets a leather jacket
• Ex-Apple trio's startup fails to shine
• Vista SP1 Available Now--Do You Need It? (FYI to bootcamp/vista users)
• Nvidia Partners Launch Pricey New 9800 GX2 Cards
• Beatles Edition of Guitar Hero on its way?
• Intel future graphics target ATI, Nvidia
• VideoLAN VLC media player multiple security vulnerabilities