MiniMax on Mac OS – Beta Driver! February 12
Firstly, I’d like to apologize profusely for the delay. We honestly believed (each time we posted information saying it was only x amount of days away) that it really was almost there. Unfortunately, not having written drivers from scratch before, there were more complications than we expected.
Secondly, I’d like to apologize for the lack of communication. There are staff other than me who have access to our communication channels, but they will only use them in case of an emergency.
Thirdly, the beta drivers are here! YAY!
PLEASE NOTE: These drivers will only work if you have a Telstra branded modem, this is DIFFERENT to a BigPond branded modem. (The Telstra ones are orange, the BigPond ones are blue). This is because the two systems use different authentication methods. BigPond themselves will be releasing the software to be used with their modems. (I know the installation currently mentions the BigPond modems, but trust me, they will not work).
There is also one important step that is not currently in the installation instructions (I’ll get that amended ASAP). YOU MUST DO THIS BEFORE IT WILL WORK. The USIM cards by default come with PIN request activated. The driver does not currently provide the functionality to change this. So, you will either need to install the modem onto a Windows computer, and disable the PIN request through the windows software, OR you will need to put the USIM card into a mobile phone, then disable PIN request through your phone (how to do this will depend on your phone model).
You can download the driver from here:
http://www.maxon.com.au/udrivers/Mac_Drivers_Beta_090207.zip
The usual disclaimer applies, as this is BETA software. Use at your own risk.
A GUI is on the way, not sure of the timeframe for that yet.
Finally, we are very keen to hear any feedback / issues / feature requests for these drivers. Please use our forums for this (rather than posting comments here). Official Mac OS thread: http://www.maxon.com.au/forum/viewtopic.php?t=13
Thanks David. Do you have any information regarding when Bigpond might release the drivers for the blue modem?
Cheers.
Troy,
We are currently in consultation with them as they work to develop their frontend GUI. Unfortunately I am unable to give you an ETA, as it is entirely up to them (I don’t actually know!). I do know they are VERY keen to get this out as soon as possible.
Oh B….. I have the BigPond one !!! When I ordered it I didn’t even know there was a Telstra one ….. let alone that they were different !
David … do you know who at BigPond to nag on this ?? (It’s been sitting on my desk for several weeks now.)
Must admit I have more faith in your good self coming up with the goods for us discerning Mac users than Big Blue Corp !!
Can I also say that the old green EVDO/CDMA MiniMax (which I at one stage lost but have now found) does NOT now operate like it used to!!!
When I first took delivery I waxed lyrical about it’s successful operation during a cyclone on Cape York.
Last week in Weipa it struggled to stay connected for long enough to send a resonable size file ……. and even if it did stay connected DIAL UP would have been quicker!!! Much quicker.
What’s happened to the network!!???
Brian,
Sorry to hear about the CDMA demise… We haven’t heard anything official about decreased network capacity, but I am hearing similar stories to yours elsewhere.
Regarding the connection:
http://www.maxon.com.au/forum/viewtopic.php?t=8&start=20
Sorry to leave this comment here on the blog – still waiting for my forum account to be registered… I’ve tried to install the Minimax driver on two of my PowerBook G4s running OS X (10.3.9) and both computers had errors installing the software (Message: “There were errors instaling the software. Please try again.”). Is there a known issue with OS 10.3.9? Anyone else??
David — why do some of us have orange and others blue modems
Can you change blue for orange
what is the difference between the blue and orange
Peter,
The orange modems are Telstra branded, and go onto Telstra plans. The blue modems are BigPond branded and go onto BigPond plans. I know it sounds like the same thing, but they are actually different!
BigPond usually targets the end user / consumer market, whereas the Telstra market is more the business / government sectors. There are slight differences in plans and in the features they provide with each account.
From our point of view, we actually develop the software for the Telstra branded products, but BigPond develop their own (with our driver sets).
Hi David,
Well obviously you are the PR man at Maxon – or the only one with a password to the forum. Thanks for the updates on the Forum and I hope your holiday was enjoyable.
Unfortunately I have a Bigpond Minimax (Blue) – do you have any idea with whom I would contact for News about the driver situation for Mac OSX with the “Blue Minimax”.
Your advice on this would be a huge help and I am sure I would not be alone inb being very grateful if you could establish a clear line of communication for us Bigpond Minimax users.
Best regards.
Peter,
I don’t know a public line that would give you access to BigPond’s development on this. We are working on providing an interim connection solution while BigPond complete their connection manager, and are expecting that at any moment (we’ve been expecting it for the last 2 days!).
If you need further info on this, feel free to drop me an email (projects AT maxon DOT com DOT au)
Hi,
Just a quick comment to say that I now have the orange modem working fine on my G4 powerbook.
Read your comment about disabling the PIN number – for anyone else who is interested – if you look on the card that the sim was attached too there is a scratch off surface containing the number so you can disable on your phone. Whilst obvious to some this did put me into a mild spin as I really didn’t want not to have access to the net using the device I purchase.
Obviously not great being on a per Kb basis but I’ll take it for the time being
Thanks
Hi,
Is there any eta yet on the bigpond wireless cards for Macs? Its been ages now and we are still waiting. We have the drivers but for some reason its still not picking up the card. Can anyone help with this?
Thanks
Hi Amy,
Do you have a USB modem? If so, please give our tech support team a call on (02) 9707 2000. They should be able to help you further.