INFO-MAC-REQUEST@SUMEX-AIM.ARPA (Moderator David Gelphman...) (10/28/86)
INFO-MAC Digest Monday, 27 Oct 1986 Volume 5 : Issue 2
Today's Topics:
Serial Port and Timer Interrupts?
Re: Apple numerics manual
Re: Beware! Finder doesn't report disk errors
re: Mactran 77 vs. MS Fortran
MacDraw font problems between System files.
Lisa Workshop backup/recovery help
Diet Helper
Grep: A tool to use a search string with multiple files
KERMIT-34.HQX
kermit keyboard editor
Macintosh Serial Port Connections
Problem with MS Word ...
Jasmine Hard Drive
TK!Solver
Re: Megamax in trouble...
I'm afraid, another company bit the dust (HUMAN TOUCH)
Cooperative Effort to keep track of software versions, etc., anyone?
2400 bps modem for $300
Drive cleaners
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Date: Thu, 1 Jan 87 23:23:53 PST
From: Bernard Aboba <aboba@portia.stanford.edu>
Subject: Serial Port and Timer Interrupts?
I have been using ZBASIC V3.01 to do a little experimentation with the
serial (specifically, modem) ports, and timer interrupts. What I am
trying to determine is whether the Mac can read from the port at 9600
baud or greater, with the timer interrupt on, so that, for example,
you could take data from an A/D converter for a specified time. So
far, the results are very discouraging: with the interrupts off, it
looks like I can keep up (at least if I don't write the stuff to the
screen, which is ok for this application), but when ANY of the interrupts
are on (menu, timer, dialog, mouse, etc.) things slow down dramatically,
to what looks like around 300 baud!
I wondered if anyone out there knew how to do the kind of timed input
I'm interested in, and if these results are generally correct.
The ZBASIC code to do this is very simple; it could easily be posted if
anyone is interested.
------------------------------
Date: Sat, 25 Oct 86 09:08:55 pdt
From: gould9!joel@nosc.ARPA (Joel West @ Western Software Technology)
Subject: Re: Apple numerics manual
I just got mine from APDA yesterday (Page 19 of their August catalog,
$24). If you're doing anything at all with floating point on
the Mac, I HIGHLY recommend it. (The new MPW Pascal manual includes
a one-appendix summary, but I found that more confusing than it
was worth.)
Joel West MCI Mail: 282-8879
Western Software Technology, POB 2733, Vista, CA 92083
{cbosgd, ihnp4, pyramid, sdcsvax, ucla-cs} !gould9!joel
joel%gould9.uucp@NOSC.ARPA
------------------------------
From: stew%lhasa.UUCP@harvard.HARVARD.EDU
Date: 27 Oct 86 08:16 EST
Subject: Re: Beware! Finder doesn't report disk errors
Should have mentioned that my file copy problems were with System 3.2,
Finder 5.3, on a Mac Plus.
------------------------------
Date: 27 Oct 86 12:17:00 EDT
From: <bouldin@ceee-sed.ARPA>
Subject: re: Mactran 77 vs. MS Fortran
Reply-to: <bouldin@ceee-sed.ARPA>
I have tried several times to get a review copy of Mactran 77 for an article
for Mactutor. This has gone on for several _months_ and I am always told that
I will get it "soon". The compiler does not yet generate standalone applications
and that is all I know about it at this point.
I really hope that this product comes out soon since there is a desparate need
of some competition in the Mac-Fortran world. Something has to be done to
light a fire under MS and get them to support Fortran the way they should.
I intend to forward the flames posted here about MS-fortran to Greg Lobdell,
MS Mac Languages Program Manager. So make a little noise! If they here enough
complaints from users I think they will respond.
------------------------------
Date: Mon, 27 Oct 86 12:45 CDT
From: <MAX%TAMLSR.BITNET@WISCVM.WISC.EDU>
Subject: MacDraw font problems between System files.
I've been transporting my MacDraw documents across Systems without
losing font information for a long time. It occured to me that
QuickDraw pictures retain font information by font ID number, not by
their position in the font menu. Since MacDraw has an option to save
a document as 'MacDraw format' or as 'PICT format', I tried saving my
documents as PICTs. Works like a charm. As long as the fonts are present
in both systems, everything is fine. If a font isn't present in the target
system, MacDraw picks one for you. The fonts don't even have to be in
the first 11 (or more if you have the patch for the font menu).
I haven't encountered any problems with using this method. (yet...)
Greg Marriott
------------------------------
Date: Mon, 27 Oct 86 00:26:02 EST
From: "Leigh L. Klotz" <KLOTZ%MX.LCS.MIT.EDU@MC.LCS.MIT.EDU>
Subject: Lisa Workshop backup/recovery help
A while back I heard about a program for reading Lisa workshop
disks on a macintosh. I have committed the grievious error of
making a Lisa Workshop backup of my Lisa and then converting it
to MacWorks. As you have probably guess, I cannot read my backup.
Does anyone know of such a program?
------------------------------
Date: 27 Oct 86 08:15:43 EST
From: Jeffrey Shulman <SHULMAN@RED.RUTGERS.EDU>
Subject: Diet Helper
[ Uploaded from Delphi by Jeff Shulman ]
Name: DIET HELPER
Date: 25-OCT-1986 20:50 by ESROG
In diet planning, it is often necessary to set goals for calories and for
protein, fat and carbohydrate in terms of grams and/or in terms of the % of
energy derived from each. This program allows the user to enter the information
at hand. The program then evaluates whether the data is sufficient and
consistent. If so the proprogram then fills in the missing data. It was
written as part of a class project at the Biomedical Engineering and Science
Institute of Drexel University, Philadelphia, PA, 19104. Permission is granted
to copy and distribute this program for non-commercial educational or personal
use.
[ archived as
[SUMEX-AIM.Stanford.EDU]<INFO-MAC>DIETHELPER.HQX
daveg
]
------------------------------
Date: Mon, 27 Oct 86 12:37:21 PST
From: <DAVEG@slacvm.bitnet>
Reply-to: DAVEG%SLACVM.BITNET@forsythe.stanford.edu
Subject: Grep: A tool to use a search string with multiple files
This is a DA that implements GREP which is a great UNIX tool for searching
files for a given string. This works with TEXT only files so if you are
using MacWrite you need to save the files as text only. Included in this
packit files is the documentation and the DA. I believe this originates
from a usenet posting by Paul DuBois.
David Gelphman BITNET address: DAVEG@SLACVM
Bin #88 SLAC ARPANET address: DAVEG@SLACVM.BITNET
Stanford, Calif. 94305 UUCP address: ...psuvax1!daveg%slacvm.bitnet
415-854-3300 x2538
usual disclaimer #432 applies: my employer apologies for the fact
that I have access to this net.
[ archived as
[SUMEX-AIM.Stanford.EDU]<INFO-MAC>DA-GREP.HQX
DAVEG
]
------------------------------
Date: Mon, 27 Oct 86 12:17:28 PST
From: <DAVEG@slacvm.bitnet>
Reply-to: DAVEG%SLACVM.BITNET@forsythe.stanford.edu
Subject: KERMIT-34.HQX
It was pointed out to me that we don't have the current copy of MacKERMIT
available in the archives. Here it is, version .8 (34).
David Gelphman
[ archived as
[SUMEX-AIM.Stanford.EDU]<INFO-MAC>KERMIT-34.HQX
DAVEG
]
------------------------------
Date: Mon, 27 Oct 86 12:13:31 PST
From: <DAVEG@slacvm.bitnet>
Reply-to: DAVEG%SLACVM.BITNET@forsythe.stanford.edu
Subject: kermit keyboard editor
This is an application which edits KERMIT documents to modify the
keyboard layout. I don't know of any documentation for it. Once you
save Kermit settings into a document, run this application and open
the document from within it and EDIT away.
David Gelphman
[ archived as
[SUMEX-AIM.Stanford.EDU]<INFO-MAC>KERMIT-KEYEDIT.HQX
DAVEG
]
------------------------------
Date: Fri 24 Oct 86 13:18:14-EDT
From: Frank da Cruz <SY.FDC@CU20B.COLUMBIA.EDU>
Subject: Macintosh Serial Port Connections
We, the Kermit folks at Columbia, have been getting increasing numbers of
questions about how to connect Macintoshes and Mac-Pluses to modems and
directly to other computers. I hope the following material will help. I
won't go into any detail explaining terms -- you can look them up in a data
communications book (or the Kermit book!). Any corrections or further
insights will be appreciated.
The Macintosh serial port is not RS-232, it's RS-422 and uses different
signalling. The Mac RS-422 port lacks the modem signals CD, DTR, DSR, RI,
and RTS, and any modems that expect to handshake with the Mac using these
signals will not work unless the handshaking can be overriden (e.g. by
setting configuration switches in the modem) or by fakeout wiring in the
modem end of the cable.
The Macintosh serial port connector has 9 pins rather than the customary 25
pins that RS-232 requires. The Mac-Plus has an 8-pin "Din-8" connector,
which needs a special converter from Din-8 to 9-pin to make it "plug
compatible" with the original Mac.
Here are the Macintosh 9-pin connector assignments, and the corresponding
Din-8 assignments:
9-pin Din-8 Signal
1 4 FG (frame ground)
2 +5V (not connected in DB9/Din-8 converter)
3 4 SG (signal ground)
4 8 TD+ (transmit positive)
5 5 TD- (transmit negative)
6 2 +12V
7 1 CTS (clear to send, or "handshake")
8 6 RD+ (receive positive)
9 3 RD- (receive negative)
The cable that you need to connect the Mac to a modem or to another Mac may
not be readily available in a store, so you might have to alter or build one
yourself. The parts (DB-9 and DB-25 connectors, pins, cables, tools, etc)
should be available from computer stores or in computer supply catalogs like
Inmac, Black Box, Misco, etc.
To connect a Macintosh to a modem, you need a male 9-pin (called DB-9, DE-9,
or D-9) on the Mac end. Only pins 3, 5, 8, and 9 need to be connected. On
the modem end, a 25-pin male DB-25 connector. Four wires in the cable
should connect the pins in the two ends as follows:
Mac DB-25
3 7 Signal ground
5 2 Transmitted data
8 1 Frame ground
9 3 Received data
Before testing this cable with your modem, be sure it's plugged into to
desired port (the present version of Kermit on the Macintosh, 0.8(34), works
only on the communication port, not on the printer, SCSI, or any other port;
this restriction may be lifted in future releases), and the baud rate is set
appropriately, usually 1200.
You should be able to dial the modem (if it's Hayes compatible) by typing
ATD and the phone number. If this doesn't work, check the configuration
switches of your modem. In particular, it must be in originate mode (ATD
puts Hayes-like modems in originate mode automatically), and it may need to
be instructed to ignore DTR (many modems require DTR signals from the PC,
but the Mac doesn't provide one). For further details, read your modem
manual. Also see the hint below.
To connect your Mac to another PC, use a "null modem" cable. Here is how
to set up a null modem cable with a Mac 9-pin (male) connector on one end
and a male DB-25 on the other:
Mac 9-pin DB-25 The DB-25 end of this cable can be plugged into
any computer that has a female RS-232 DB-25 serial
3 SG ---+ port connector. To connect a Mac with a PC/AT
| (which has a DB-9 connector, but with RS-232
+---- 7 SG rather than RS-422, signalling), use a regular Mac
| modem cable, described above, on the Mac, a regular
8 RD+ --+ PC/AT modem cable on the AT (available in stores
+-- 6 DSR and catalogs), and a female-female null modem
| (also available in stores and catalogs) to connect
7 CTS <---+-- 20 DTR the DB-25 ends of each cable.
|
+-- 8 CD To connect two Macs back-to-back, use a similar
trick: two Mac modem cables, plus a null modem.
5 TD- ------> 3 RD
Building, adapting, and testing connectors is
9 RD- <------ 2 TD not everyone's dish of tea. If it's not yours,
then take a copy of this message to a computer
+--- 4 RTS store and point to what you need. If possible,
| try to test it there on a configuration similar
+--> 5 CTS to yours before paying for it.
Back to modem cables. If your modem requires certain modem signals, and
this requirement cannot be disabled, you should be able to cajole the modem
into operation by using a null modem cable like the one above, but with:
5 TD- ------> 2 TD
9 RD- <------ 3 RD
That is, the modem signals RTS, CTS, DTR, DSR, and CD are all faked in
the connectors, but receive and transmit are not cross-connected as in a
real null-modem cable.
------------------------------
Date: Thu, 23 Oct 86 19:10:17 n
From: Roy Omond <OMOND%EMBL.BITNET@WISCVM.WISC.EDU>
Subject: Problem with MS Word ...
Here's hoping someone can help me ...
We just installed ca. 70 Mac+ in our lab with MS Word (v 1.05) for each
of them. One of the things driving us crazy is that when you launch MS Word,
the default Page Setup is set at US Letter. For us Europeans it's a pain in
parts of the anatomy to have to change this every time, so the question is :
Does anyone know if it's possible to alter the default to e.g. A4 ?
If not possible cleanly, anyone have a dirty way ? e.g. MacZap ?
If that's impossible, any chance of the USA changing standard paper
to, say, A4 :-) ?
Thanks for any replies, Roy.
------------------------------
Date: Fri, 24 Oct 86 01:02 EDT
From: <JCLARK%UTKVX1.BITNET@WISCVM.WISC.EDU>
Subject: Jasmine Hard Drive
I had seen the Dataframe 20 and Mirror Technologies drives earlier this year,
and had pretty much decided on purchasing the Dataframe when I
called Jasmine after first seeing their ad. At that time, the best price
I had been able to get on the the Dataframe was $895.00 (although if the
price in the latest MacWorld is correct, it is now advertised at $735.00).
I purchased a Jasmine drive, after talking with a representing in the attempt
to learn as much as possible before taking a leap of faith. Not being an
expert, I asked what widely marketed drive it was closest to in performance
(MDIdeas?), and inquired about speed etc. ("all perform roughly the same.")
What convinced me to take the gamble, however, was learning of the 30 day
money back guarantee--which was not advertised at that time. I was told
that they were making the drives only to fill existing orders, and that my
shipping date was October 7. When Oct. 17 rolled around, I called to see what
the difficulty was (my VISA reflected the charges); I was told that they
had had some difficulties and that mine had gone out that day. This was a
Friday, and it arrived by Purolator on Monday.
The drive is about two inches high and is roughly the same size
as the Apple HD20. The "manual" is several photocopied pages, but Jasmine
promises that a complete manual is forthcoming. Software included is a
formatter, a head-parking DA, a DA to mount SCSI volumes, and
a PD domain backup program. You receive some documents indicating some
tests run on your drive and power supply, the Seagate serial number, and a
short cable (just long enough so that it is possible to set the drive to
the side of your computer).
The setup is trivial, although I had a sinking feeling when I plugged
the thing in and absolutely nothing happened! After removing the fuse (how
could it be blown?) and adjusting it a little (by pulling it out a little from
it holder), everything worked fine. There are two outlets, one for your
ImageWriter (NOT LaserWriter) and one for your Mac. Approximately 15 MB of
PD and shareware software is included. I copied it all to an Apple HD20 and
reformatted the disk, installed MacServe, and everything worked like a charm.
Performance: mine is louder than an Apple HD20, by how much I can't really
answer. Set two Macs near each other, one with the Apple drive, and the
other with the Jasmine, and you can clearly hear the Jasmine above the Apple
drive (maybe by half?). It has a fan, but the only vents are on the
underside, and in front. Consequently it feels warm to the touch, but
not nearly so warm as the top of a Mac.
Disktimer benchmarks:
Apple HD20 Jasmine Direct Drive 20
Reads: 117.9 24.6
Writes: 131.6 120.5
Seeks: 6.0 3.4
I don't know how these times compare with other drives, but would certainly
be interested to find out during these next thirty days!
All in all, the unit seems to be well-made,and the company seems to be
responsible. I hope I feel the same way near the end of my 30 days.
Jim Clark
UT Martin
jclark@utkvx1
------------------------------
Date: Mon, 27 Oct 86 15:11:47 est
From: jonathan@mitre-gateway.arpa (Jonathan Leblang)
Subject: TK!Solver
Does anyone know if TK! Solver is still being sold by Software Arts, or if
there is any plan to update the program in the future?
Jonathan Leblang
jonathan@bert.mitre.org
,
------------------------------
Date: Fri 24 Oct 86 22:47:13-CDT
From: Werner Uhrig <CMP.WERNER@R20.UTEXAS.EDU>
Subject: Re: Megamax in trouble...
%
% follow-up to imac-4.133 RE: MegaMax and FastEddie
% [ this is a follow-up to several articles in INFO-MAC 4.133 on the topic of MegaMax-C compiler and the (now-bundled) editor FastEddie ]
% John Bruner <jdb@s1-c.arpa> writes:
I intend to dump Megamax and buy Lightspeed C for now, and MPW C when
I get a Mac with more than 512K of memory. I suspect that if and
when they finally release their upgrade, they'll discover that their
Mac market (they're also advertising a development system for the ST)
has dried up.
I think they have discovered that already and are investing most of their
efforts into the ST and other markets. Too bad, I liked them a lot when they
first came out, but as I had reported earlier this year, I had great doubts
about the pace of progress to be expected from them after a presentation to the
local developers group. Some people called this a "self-fulfilling prophecy"
and were angry that I had made public my impressions, but that's not an
approach that strikes me as fair to potential new users. I don't know if they
cashed any checks from new orders that were kept waiting, but if they are
healthy than I would not expect that to have taken place. But companies in
trouble are known to do that when the going gets rough, and we all agree, I
hope, that part of the benefit of this net is to keep informed well enough
to make decisions that prevent you from getting burnt. (I just got taken for
$100 deposit in a video-club)
% woody@Juliet.Caltech.Edu (William E. Woody) writes:
I received the beta version of Megamax C version 3.0. Even though
only a beta version, the C compiler is very solid, and does Di Di anal.al.ate seing ting ti and sven ememeD77777Imaryother modem
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