Macintouch on color profiles (ColorSync)

iPhoto (Part 14)

This Macintouch discussion has a superb thread on Color Profiles. Alas, iPhoto does not hold up well.

Chris Murphy, co-author of "Real World Color Management, 2nd Edition"
The iPhoto 5.0-5.02 color problem, previously reported, is caused when iPhoto converts images from the embedded source profile to the display profile, then incorrectly embedding the Generic RGB profile. iPhoto 5.03 resolves the bogus tagging that was the main problem, but concerns remain. Here are the three behaviors to expect from iPhoto 5.03:

1. Untagged images. iPhoto assumes the currently set display profile for images that do not contain an embedded ICC profile (including images containing only EXIF data indicating the image color space is RGB). It then converts from that space to Generic RGB and saves the edited image with that profile embedded.

2. Images tagged with "table-based" profiles. iPhoto uses the embedded profile as source, converts the image into some as yet undetermined intermediate space for performing the requested edits (red eye, crop, enhance) and then converts again to the original source space. The closest thing to this intermediate space I've found is sRGB. Thus the image data is altered, but the original profile remains embedded. Color appearance of the original is preserved only insofar as colors exist in this "sRGB" like intermediate space, and if they don't color appearance is not fully preserved. Subsequent edits result in additional conversions.

Needless to say neither of these are high quality options. In the first case, anyone working with untagged images isn't particularly quality conscious in the first place, so they're unlikely to be hurt by the first behavior. The second behavior, on the other hand, will occur when any kind of table based ICC profile is embedded in the image, including matrix based profiles using table-based tone reproduction curves. Examples include some display profiles, and essentially all digital camera, scanner and printer profiles. Apple should perform conversions through a wider gamut color space than they are currently using, and it should be a one time "normalizing" event to avoid additional and unnecessary conversions.

3. Images tagged with simple matrix and gamma based profiles are not converted. Thus, iPhoto is now a good citizen when it comes to normalized workflows. Examples of such RGB spaces are Adobe RGB (1998), ECI RGB, and ProPhoto RGB. I don't include sRGB in this list because there is a simplified sRGB which causes behavior 3, and the more common, correct, and accurate one with flare which uses a table based tone response tag which causes behavior 2.

In most cases, the conversions aren't a problem, but if you're working with color-critical images either ensure they are tagged with one of the aforementioned profiles or avoid editing images in iPhoto 5.0-5.0.3. The clincher for quality conscious users is that iPhoto 5 doesn't do normalizing, so the conversion into one of these well behaved editing spaces, e.g. ProPhoto RGB, must be done in another application anyway.

The plus for professionals who already use Adobe RGB (1998), ECI RGB, or ProPhoto RGB will not need to be concerned about iPhoto 5 doing something senseless like performing ill advised color conversions on such images when doing something as simple as cropping.

Yech!! I've used sRGB in my workflow, it worked well with iPhoto 4. I wonder if I should switch to AdobeRGB for a while?

Firefox is getting buggier?

Mozilla - Home of the Firefox web browser and Thunderbird e-mail client

I'm having problems with recent point releases of Firefox. PDF integration is problematic at times, and lately the "save link as" context menu option doesn't work in some web sites. I suspect some of the security fixes are causing things to break, even as most developer resources focus on 1.1. At this rate I'll be keen to switch to the first beta of 1.1!

Rebuilding batteries: good for discontinued models

We Rebuild most hard-to-find laptop batteries

This company rebuilds LiOn and other batteries. It's not cost-effective for batteries that are still being sold, but it makes sense when a battery is off the market.

Nice feature of 10.4 Preview: See effect of different color profiles on an image

Macintouch iPhoto (Part 13): "This behavior can be confirmed by dragging the image to Preview and choosing Tools > Assign Profile before and after making an edit. In fact this feature of the Preview app is a great way to see what happens when a different ColorSync profile is selected."

Apple acknowledges some Mac Minis have defective analog VGA out

Troubleshooting: Reduced brightness with some VGA displays and Mac mini

...If you tried all of the steps above and the computer still won't display video as expected, contact Apple technical support (1-800-APL-CARE in the U.S.) or take your computer to your local retail Apple Store or Apple Authorized Service Provider (AASP) for diagnosis.

So they've finally acknowledged this defect. Overall, however, the Mac Minis have an exceptional reputation for reliability.

Smelly iBooks: a problem with the keyboard glue

MacInTouch: timely news and tips about the Apple Macintosh

I'd heard of this. I'll have to check it out though I think I'm out of AppleCare coverage. Good reason to buy a new machine!

[MacInTouch Reader] I've had my G3 iBook for about four years now and as a result I've got an embarrassing problem with it - it smells...


[Kirk McElhearn] Quite a few people have had this problem - there's a thread somewhere on Apple's discussion boards about it. I had it on a G3 800 iBook. After researching the problem, it turned out to be the glue that holds the sticker on under the keyboard that smells - it seems to degrade over time, and from the heat. I had to fight with Apple, but they eventually replaced the keyboard (the iBook was under AppleCare). Others have had their's replaced as well. There seems to be no other solution, since this sticker is very big, and there's a heck of a lot of glue.

Dell 1600n multifunction printer for OS X?

Dell Printers

It's time to replace my Apple LaserWriter Select 360. I can still find compatible cartridges, but when I bought a low end personal HP LaserJet for my mother I realized how big and loud that old tank is. For my current purposes the HP would make more sense.

Or I could get an integrated fax, document scan and print solution. Something like the Dell 1600n, which is said to be a "rebadged Xerox WorkCentre PE120i". The latter has some OS X drivers. At least one person reports a Tiger machine recognized this device. Here's the manual.

I'm going to check this out. It's intended to be a stanalone fax/copier, so lack of fax software may not be so important as long as the network printing works. For scanning and document management I can attach it to my PC if need be.

Update: web reviews are sparse and often unhappy. Smells kind of fishy.