Expo: REAL Server 2009 due in February

The cross-platform, multi-user database server offers new features and increased performance and scalability, according to REAL Software.

Expo: ModelBaker rapid app development software debutsModelBaker is a new rapid application prototyping tool for creating Web applications, iPhone apps and Google Android apps.
Soghoian's AppleScript 1-2-3 book now availableSal Soghoian's long-awaited AppleScript training guide has finally gone on sale.

Geek Factor: 8 great Automator downloads You don't have to stick with the Automator actions that came with OS X. Ben Waldie lists his favorite third-party Automator downloads.
AppleScript versus Alameda County Jason Snell battles a wonky Java applet to get a readable version of a court case.
Geek Factor: Automating Word with AppleScript Unfortunately, Word 2008 doesn’t support VBA. The good news is that, with a little tinkering, almost anything you could do with a VBA macro in previous versions of Word, you can now do with AppleScript in Word 2008.
Geek Factor: Leopard’s Unix tricks Mac OS X 10.5 includes a number of changes to its Unix core, perhaps more than in any prior OS X release. Here are my picks for the five most interesting and useful ones.
Geek Factor: Automating Word 2008 We didn’t have for all of Joe Kissell’s AppleScripts for Word 2008 in the magazine. Here are three more. These scripts are all in the enclosed download file.

Opinion: The cost of bad installers John C. Welch finds custom installers annoying. But they care even greater consequences for Mac IT admins than just being a nuisance.
Why developers prefer Macs Developers are taking advantage of virtualization on Intel-based Macs to test on multiple operating systems.
Why go to WWDC when you can go to C4? The third annual C4 independent Mac developer conference has come to a close and Dan Moren tells you what you missed.
Basic lesson: Microsoft listens to its users Visual Basic for Applications is headed back to Office for the Mac in a future release. So what does that mean for the VBA-using Office user of today?
Opinion: What Microsoft’s Yahoo bid means for Mac IT John C. Welch looks at two Yahoo products used by Mac IT administrators that face an uncertain future if Microsoft is successful in its bid to buy Yahoo.