INFO-MAC-REQUEST@SUMEX-AIM.ARPA (Moderator David Gelphman...) (12/08/86)
INFO-MAC Digest Sunday, 7 Dec 1986 Volume 5 : Issue 22
Today's Topics:
Journalling on the mac
DASampler File Format?
New Version of McFace available for hard core Fortran types...
PICT-format
SimpleTools2 update
JEFF-INTERPRETER.HQX
UTILITY-MIND.HQX
VEGGIE.HQX
RE: Group Viewing of Mac Screen
re: large screen monitors for the mac
RE: High Hard Disk Prices
Warning: recent DataFrame-20 drives have high failure-rate.
Tools to Recover 'Damaged' Diskettes?
MS-Word update
Uploading binhexes
Dark Castle (a lengthy review)
Query: running a Mac on 12 Volts - how?
Historical simulation software wanted
64K Mac OS ROMS
Usenet Mac Digest V2 #100
Delphi Mac Digest V2 #65
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Date: Thu, 4 Dec 86 13:31:55 EST
From: Thomas Coradeschi (FSA-E) <tcora@ARDEC>
Subject: Journalling on the mac
Help!!
Some time ago, i read a message, most likely in this digest, about the use
of the 'journal' DA. According to the message, the method is to use resedit
to go into the system file on the 'Guided tour of macintosh' disk. Then the
driver '.journal' is changed into a DA by removing the prepended period. So
far, so good. The problem is that this DA doesn't DO anything. It sits up
there under the apple, but when invoked gives no response. The original post-
ing claimed that a new menu would be created, but i don't see one. Not being
really familiar with this sort of hack, i am appealing to all your macgeniuses
(macgenii?) for some support. The file i hacked came from the guided tour for
a mac+, but it doesn't work on either the plus or the old 512k. Replies can be
sent to me, and i'll post them, or just send them to the net.
Regards,
tom c
ARPANET tcora@ARDEC.arpa
------------------------------
Date: Fri, 5 Dec 86 11:45:15 PST
From: gunther.pa@Xerox.COM
Subject: DASampler File Format?
I would like to know how to generate the correct file format that is
required by the DASampler. It indicates that it wants the DA code in the
format understood by DAMover v3.2, I think. Most DA's that are in the
public domain seem to be stored in this way and are recognizable by the
'travelling suitcase' icon. I'm assuming this must be a straightforward
process.
I'm using the Megamax C development system. Any help would be
appreciated.
Neil.
[note from moderator: generating DAs in the appropriate format depends on
the development system you are using. For MegaMax C version 2.1 had an
option in their linker to produce a DA. Of course the proper working
of this depended on your coding your source in the appropriate way for
a DA. I believe they have a section in the documentation on how to handle
Desk Accessories. DAVEG ]
------------------------------
Date: Thu, 4 Dec 86 12:10:45 CST
From: wmartin@ngp.utexas.edu (Wiley Sanders)
Subject: New Version of McFace available for hard core Fortran
Subject: types...
Sender:
Reply-to: ngp!wmartin@ngp.utexas.edu (Wiley Sanders)
In case the reader is not aware of its existence, McFace, by Dan
Kampmeier, is an external subroutine available for Microsoft Fortran that
makes use of the Mac user interface very easy. I am having great luck taking
existing Fortran applications, most of which have the usual non-existent
user interface, i.e. read unit 5 & write unit 6, and simply sticking calls
to McFace's editor windows onto the front end and the back end of the
application. To Dan's credit, the subroutine (which itself is written in
Fortran!) has worked every time, and it's trivial to use, even though it's
sometimes rather slow.
Now Dan has gotten together with Rob Richards of Tensor Laboratories in
Stanford and has combined his product with theirs into a new version of McFace
containing Tensor's "McFace 2.0 Tools" as well as the McFace subroutine. McFace
Tools seems to consist of source code for about 50 subroutines for text editing,
menus, alerts, windows, cut & paste, desk accessories, printing, etc.
Listed enhancements and fixes to the McFace subroutine itself include:
- The McFace subroutine now has "toolbx.sub", "spool.sub", and
"flags.sub" linked to it, and McFace can now be linked to your program, or
used dynamically and marked permanent in memory the first time it's called.
- Complete control of the "spool" subroutine via a dialog box which
appears when the "Print" menu item is chosen. Users can now print any text
file with this command without having to load the file into the McFace
editor.
- Improved documentation to reflect the increased functionality of
ResEdit version 1.0.1.
------------------------------
Date: Fri, 05 Dec 86 11:48:06 SA
From: Tero Siili <FYS-TS%FINHUT.BITNET@WISCVM.WISC.EDU>
Subject: PICT-format
I'd like to ask just one, simple question: When one uses MacDraw for
instance, one can save the picture in PICT format. Does this mean, that
the picture is saved as picture, NOT as bitmap like MacPaint does?
Thanks for info,
Tero Siili
[ note from moderator: PICT format means that files are in the form of
quickdraw pictures which are drawing commands. If you save your MacDraw
format in PICT format you still retain the object nature of your drawing
and can still get good quality on the LaserWriter. What ever happened to
trying something to see what happens? DAVEG ]
------------------------------
From: hpcea!hpsrla!hpsadla!erik@hplabs.HP.COM
Date: Fri, 5 Dec 86 08:56:18 pst
Subject: SimpleTools2 update
SimpleTools is a collection of C routines to aid programming simple
Macintosh style programs. SimpleTools initializes the toolbox, monitors
& acts upon events, and provides generic i/o routines for your
application. You initialize your program by letting SimpleTools know
what windows and menus you want along with what functions SimpleTools
should call when they are selected.
The purpose of SimpleTools is to encourage you to program those simple
programs or to pilot larger programs which you may not do due to the
enormous effort required to use the Macintosh toolbox. My goal was to
study Inside Macintosh once to create SimpleTools and then be able to
forget most of the usages of the Toolbox routines. Instead of thumbing
through hundreds of pages of Inside Macintosh just to get something up
and running, one need only remember a dozen generic SimpleTools calls.
SimpleTools2 is an update to the original and is supplied as shareware
is the form of a complete C source file. This file is heavily commented
and includes (as a comment) the file simple.h. As currently
distributed, SimpleTools2.c will compile on both the LightSpeed 1.02 and
Megamax 3.0 beta C compilers by adjusting a single definition statement.
It should be easily portable to other compilers.
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------------------------------
Date: 6 Dec 86 09:42:10 EST
From: Jeffrey Shulman <SHULMAN@RED.RUTGERS.EDU>
Subject: JEFF-INTERPRETER.HQX
Date: 4-DEC-1986 12:42 by NICKDREXEL
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------------------------------
Date: 6 Dec 86 09:42:35 EST
From: Jeffrey Shulman <SHULMAN@RED.RUTGERS.EDU>
Subject: UTILITY-MIND.HQX
[ Uploaded from Delphi by Jeff Shulman ]
Name: MIND: REMINDER PROGRAM
Date: 5-DEC-1986 02:16 by GDUDEK
MIND allows you display reminders between program executions. It also
supports some miniFinder-like operations and allows a whole series of programs
to be launched in an arbitrary sequence on start. Specific programs may also be
lauched according to the day or date.
MIND is almost unusable without its documentation since it normally runs more
or less invisibly.
MIND is shareware.
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Date: 6 Dec 86 09:43:01 EST
From: Jeffrey Shulman <SHULMAN@RED.RUTGERS.EDU>
Subject: VEGGIE.HQX
Date: 5-DEC-1986 20:08 by ESROG
[ archived as
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------------------------------
Date: 5 DEC 86 12:42-EDT
From: KURAS%BCVAX3.BITNET@WISCVM.WISC.EDU
Subject: RE: Group Viewing of Mac Screen
I am a student at Boston College, and also am employed at the Computer
Center here. We use Mac Pluses with video outs quite a lot and have no
trouble with them. A Mac Plus (or any flavor, really) can be modified so
that it can be plugged into a Conrac or Electrohome monitor or projector,
or a Barco Data or Sony projector. I've used all of these and have been
very impressed. The monitors are generally better than the projectors in
a bright-ish room, so I would reccommend them if there aren't too many people
who need to see the screen.
The Cadillac of video projectors is made by Hughes aircraft and is really
incredibly bright and sharp, even an a well-lighted room. It is the only
one which presents a truly easy-to-read image (the monitors are fine, though).
The Hughes uses an LCD representation of the video signal which is projected
by a very bright lamp. The only catch is that it costs about $27,000.
Another pretty neat product is capable of enlarging a small portion of
the Macintosh's screen and displaying it at three or four different levels of
magnification on a 25 inch screen. There are two button which mount on your
mouse which are used by the operator to control the thing. It can also freeze
the video image. I forget who makes it and what it's called, but I've seen
it and used it and it's pretty neat.
Have fun.
Pat Kuras
<KURAS@BCVAX3.BITNET>
Boston College
------------------------------
Date: Sat 6 Dec 86 09:53:39-PST
From: Bill Berner <BERNER@Sushi.Stanford.EDU>
Subject: re: large screen monitors for the mac
>(2) Has anyone had any experience modifyving the Mac Plus and hooking it
>up to a large monitor? How successful pedagogically is this approach?
I have bought two large screens for the Mac, and have upgraded about 6
so they have a composite video adaptor on the back.
The monitors I've bought are the Electrohome EV2319. They are very
nice. They ran me about $1000 each.
As for the composite video adaptors, the place to get them is
Mentauris corp (well, that's one place to get them). They are in San
Marcos, TX, but I don't have the number with me.
They are actually quite easy to install, although you'll need a torx
screwdriver and something to pry the back case of the mac off with.
The adaptors are (approx) $120 each. And the people at mentauris are
always friendly.
Bill Berner
------------------------------
Date: 5 DEC 86 12:57-EDT
From: KURAS%BCVAX3.BITNET@WISCVM.WISC.EDU
Subject: RE: High Hard Disk Prices
I sympathize with your frustration over Macintosh Hard Disk prices, but
whining about it is pointless. If you understood anything about Marketing
you would know that prices are not necessarily computed in direct relation
to the cost of producing the product. Prices imply many things about product
image, and choice of price points (especailly by a sophisticated, marketing
oriented company like Apple) usually considers product cost long after factors
like desired product image and market prices. The market for Macintosh
compatible hard disk drives still tolerates high prices.
Let me add that you are not powerless to change the price situation. As
a consumer you wield tremendous power. Rather than complain about the price
situation, hoping that others will console you in your depression, simply
buy a less expensive drive, or don't buy one at all. If enough people feel
as you do and refuse to pay, the prices will come down. Believe me, it will
happen very shortly.
------------------------------
Date: Sun 7 Dec 86 16:19:23-CST
From: Werner Uhrig <CMP.WERNER@R20.UTEXAS.EDU>
Subject: Warning: recent DataFrame-20 drives have high failure-rate.
In the process of ramping up production, it seems that SuperMac succumbed to
the eternal problem of keeping up quality control in a fast expanding business.
The result is that, here in Austin, recently delivered DF-20s have experienced a
failure rate between 15% and 50% (in different stores) and a lot of bad
vibes for everyone. SuperMac is aware of the problem (a power-supply problem
seems to be confirmed) and is trying it's best (I hope and believe) to replace
drives that go bad. However, they are far from being able to deliver on the
advertised immediate exchange policy in dealer stores nor even on replacing
them by mail with immediate turn-around. Their backlog for new orders seems
to be hovering around 6 weeks in result.
While I hope and expect that SuperMac will get problems under control, for
the time being, I decided not to buy any further DataFrames especially after
reevaluating the latest versions of some drives that are manufactured here
in Austin, the Peak-line and the WhisperDrives, both advertised in the Mac-mags.
The products of both companies have matured to a point that I have decided
to buy several and recommend them to friends and customers.
If anyone else has seen similar problems and found other drives that they
decided to test and/or recommend, I'd appreciate a note.
------------------------------
Date: Fri, 5 Dec 86 16:54:28 PST
From: gunther.pa@Xerox.COM
Subject: Tools to Recover 'Damaged' Diskettes?
I have a SD disk formatted on both sides (I live dangerously) with a
pile of MacPaint images on it and the inevitable happened viz. "This
disk is damaged .... nyah, nyah, nyah"
Naturally, I'm now looking for recommendations for good hacks or product
software to recover 'damaged' disks. I've seen 'MacZap' advertized but
don't know anything about it.
Any help would be appreciated.
Neil.
------------------------------
Date: Sun, 7 Dec 86 11:20:24 pst
From: gould9!joel@nosc.ARPA (Joel West @ Western Software Technology)
Subject: MS-Word update
I was premature in my comments on the 3.0 upgrade. They will not
be selling it through stores (according to their rep, who may or
may not know the big picture.) And the fine print says no checks
cashed until shipping.
The demo by the rep (@ SD Mac User Group) convinced me I need it, even
if MS-Word doesn't become my primary word processor. It has a
spelling checker, the easy/hard menus, customizable menus (Command-
to delete items, Command+ to add them). It has a page preview
code, complete with magnifying glass (stolen from Excel) to give
you WYSIWYG displays. And the pagination is faster and more visible
on the page, if still manual.
Of course, they've finally removed copy protection (although 1.05 was
very easy to defeat and install on a hard disk.) I'm not still utterly
thrilled with MS-Word, but am willing to give it a chance.
Joel West
joel%gould9.UUCP@NOSC.MIL ihnp4!gould9!joel
------------------------------
Date: Sun, 7 Dec 86 11:25:47 pst
From: gould9!joel@nosc.ARPA (Joel West @ Western Software Technology)
Subject: Uploading binhexes
I've been meaning to send this along for a while, but I wasn't sure
anyone was interested.
It is a UNIX csh script (mackerm) that I use to upload binhexes using
kermit. If for a file foo.hqx, it first sends the header (before the
binhex) as 'About foo', then sends foo.hqx. I use the header to
later note the origin on the final unhexed file.
To make this work, you need to take the first file (usually a short
About... file) manually, selecting the target directory. Then place
your MAC in server mode, since each 'kermit' command at the UNIX side
is a separate session, and the Mac would otherwise quit file transfer mode.
Oh yeah, it also works on ordinary files, preserves actual names
('FooBar' instead of 'FOOBAR') and NEVER transfers a directory.
So it's real useful to type
mackerm *
place the Mac in server mode, and walk away.
Joel West
joel%gould9.UUCP@NOSC.MIL ihnp4!gould9!joel
#!/bin/csh
# by Joel West, ihnp4!gould9!joel, 11/14/86
# Script to send binhexes and other files
# Also preserves exact upper/lower case name
set noglob
foreach f ($*)
if (-d $f) continue
set typ=$f:e
switch ($typ)
case hqx:
case hex:
set r=$f:r
set T1=/tmp/kermdat_$$
set T2=/tmp/kermhqx_$$
rm -f $T1 $T2
cat $f | cutat '(This' $T1 $T2
kermit -s $T1 -a "About $r"
kermit -s $T2 -a $f
rm -f $T1 $T2
breaksw
default:
kermit -s $f -a $f
endsw
end
------------------------------
Date: Wed, 3 Dec 86 22:38 PST
From: PUGH%CCX.MFENET@LLL-MFE.ARPA
Subject: Dark Castle (a lengthy review)
I must say that I really love the game Dark Castle and I insist that all of you
out there rush right out and buy this thing for your Christmas present to your
self. This game is a work of art in addition to being a joy to play.
Dark Castle is made by Silicon Beach software and is programmed by the same guy
that did Airborne! for them. The programming is nice, but the thing that makes
this game work so well is the artwork. It is stunning.
Warning: explicit game description and clues ahead!
The game starts out with a very nice startup screen with shimmering water and
a Dark Castle overlooked by a vulture. Organ music plays as lightning flashes
as the game sits on the Mac at the Dealer's (or for as long as you sit there
watching and listening to it). A c{ick of the mouse puts you to the screen
with buttons to choose your level and see the previous high scores. When you
start the castle drawbridge opens with a creak and a crash.
The nexus of the Castle is a room with four doors. One leads to the dungeon,
and is aptly named Trouble. The only thing to do is to get to the fourth
room, past the plague-ridden rats and bats and the robot guards, and snag the
key after knocking out the torturer that is whipping those poor men chained
to the wall. This is beautiful. All you are armed with is a bag of rocks.
They kill bats and rats and knock the robot guards down (with a nice clank),
but the torturer just grunts when you hit him with a rock. The guys chained
to the wall tell you which of the two keys to get. If you stand near the wrong
key, they will shake their heads no so you can avoid the 16 ton weight. Once
you have the key, you can escape from the Trouble rooms back into the nexus.
You will undoubtedly see the torturer since death in the two higher rooms will
drop you back there.
The Fireball series is random with Trouble. Their doors interchange, which is
signified by the ? over the doors. Inside this set of four rooms is my favorite
room. The wizard's chambers. All you have to do is, avoid the flying flaming
eye, as he tends to throw fireballs at you, destroy the Fantasia magic broom
that breaks into thirds every time you hit it, jump from platform to platform
up the wall and figure out the combination of the door behind which the Wizard
can be seen reading his book next to a burning brazier. No sweat. The eye is
wonderful. If you throw rocks at it, it will watch them go past before looking
for you again. The way it looks around is great! If you hit it with a rock it
makes a wonderful plink noise and shuts for a few moments. It is gorgeous!
The Wizard will turn your rocks into fireballs if you make it in to see him.
With those you will be able to defeat the Black Knight.
But first you need the Shield. Another series of four rooms where you elude
death by dragon-fire (pour the boiling oil on him!) and sneak to the top of an
outside tower where lightning is crashing on the roof. There lies the shield,
grab it quick before you get zapped and use it to keep the lightning away and
viola!
If you have done all this, then you can take on the Black Knight.
If you wonder how I have the time to do this, I must confess, I didn't. My
roomate has an Amiga and LOVES video games, but this beats most of the games
he has for the Amiga. I couldn't get him off my Mac until he had finished it.
I left for Thanksgiving on Thursday and he had done the whole thing by
Sunday. Some people!
Well, I seem to have run amuck a bit. Sorry. Go buy the game! It's worth it.
Jon
------------------------------
Date: Sun 7 Dec 86 14:49:20-CST
From: Werner Uhrig <CMP.WERNER@R20.UTEXAS.EDU>
Subject: Query: running a Mac on 12 Volts - how?
a friend of a friend (an old Salt) came to visit - and we infected him with
our Mac-mania. Now he wants replace his ][ with a Mac on his ocean-going
49-footer.
Can anyone contribute any leads, hints, advice to running a Mac and printer
off a 12 volt battery on the high-seas (and in port, of course (-) ??!!
thanks - and I'd promise any helpers a postcard from my installation-trip
to the Mediterranean ....
------------------------------
Date: Sat, 6 Dec 86 17:09 EDT
From: <GEOFFRIL%UNION.BITNET@WISCVM.WISC.EDU>
Subject: Historical simulation software wanted
Faculty in our history department are starting to get interested
in moving beyond word processing.
In particular, they are looking for some historically-accurate
simulations (no war games please) that can be used to educate
students about the problems, lifestyles, and mores of various
periods.
I'd like to communicate with users at other Colleges and universities
who have developed such software or are interested in doing such.
Leo Geoffrion,
Coordinator of Academic computing
Skidmore College
Saratoga Springs, NY 12866
(518) 584-5000
Geoffril@union.bitnet
------------------------------
Date: Sun 7 Dec 86 01:07:55-EST
From: Chien Li Chung <UI.CHUNG@CU20B.COLUMBIA.EDU>
Subject: 64K Mac OS ROMS
I need to get my hands on a couple of the old 64K Mac OS ROMS.
If anyone has any or knows where to get some please contact me at
UI.CHUNG@CU20B.COLUMBIA.EDU (on Bitnet). Thanks.
------------------------------
Date: 6 Dec 86 10:42:59 EST
From: Jeffrey Shulman <SHULMAN@RED.RUTGERS.EDU>
Subject: Usenet Mac Digest V2 #100
Usenet Mac Digest Saturday, 6 December 1986 Volume 2 : Issue 100
Today's Topics:
MacApp Technical Seminar
FKEY's from Aztec C
Re: Where's the help button on this thing
Re: Macintosh programming. Help!
Offscreen bitmaps/Copybits and maskrgns
Re: Icon Review Winter Vaporware?
Macintosh Programmer's Workbench
A couple DA questions
Bizzare Bug
Re: FKEY's from Aztec C
WillWriter
modems on the Mac + (2 messages)
Re: Should we support 64K ROMs anymore?
Re: Macintosh Programmer's Workbench
Re: Icon Review Winter Vaporware?
Is is safe to veto disk re-insertion prompts?
Omnis 3 Users group
Laserwriter, line width, Fortran
Re: Offscreen bitmaps/Copybits and maskrgns
Re: Macintosh Programmer's Workshop
Re: Should we support 64K ROMs anymore?
Re: Macintosh Programmer's Workshop (2 messages)
FTL MacTeX question
floating point librarys
Floating point speed and MacForth Plus
Re: Macintosh programming. Help!
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Date: 6 Dec 86 12:24:46 EST
From: Jeffrey Shulman <SHULMAN@RED.RUTGERS.EDU>
Subject: Delphi Mac Digest V2 #65
Delphi Mac Digest Saturday, 6 December 1986 Volume 2 : Issue 65
Today's Topics:
RE: User Interface (3 messages)
RE: Usenet Mac Digest V2 #99
Clickin On
RE: Opening the HD20SC (2 messages)
RE: MPW & Lisa Pascal
Tags footnote: Seagate 225N
IBM PC vs. Mac (12 messages)
RE: Winter, Electrons, and Sealing Wax
Frustrated?
RE: Startup
San Francisco Expo info
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End of INFO-MAC Digest
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