goodin2@pro-charlotte.UUCP.UUCP (09/22/87)
TECH TIDBITS
SPECIAL ON-LINE SERVICES EDITION P
March through August, 1987 Apple II - Volume II
APPLE II FAMILY
DOS 3.3 & UniDisk??
===================
Q: I have a customer that positively needs to use DOS 3.3 on his 800K UniDisk,
do you have any solutions?
A: There are a couple of Vendors who supply patches for using DOS 3.3 on large
capacity drives. Contact the sources below for additional information.
MicroSparc, Inc. Nordic Software, Inc.
53 Dominion Drive 3939 N. 48th
Concord, MA 01742 Lincoln, NE 68504
(617) 371-1660 (402) 466-6502
IIgs & Boot Information
=======================
The IIgs is compatible with Disk ][ drives, however the SCAN feature will not
find a 3.5 Drive attached to the Smart Port. If your Control Panel is set to
SCAN the Boot process will terminate with the Disk ]['s in Slot 6. The Disk ][
controller card lacks the intelligence necessary to pass the Boot request to
the 3.5 drives. You can work around this by pressing Control-Reset to stop the
Boot process and then type PR#5 or set the Control Panel to boot from Slot 5.
IIgs to ImageWriter using AppleWriter
=====================================
Q: We are having problems printing from a IIgs to an ImageWriter printer using
Apple Writer //, version 2.1. The compatibility guide indicates that there
should be no problems.
A: The compatibility guide is incorrect concerning the GS and AppleWriter //.
You cannot print from the Printer Port. The work-around is to use a Super
Serial Card. Product Development is aware of this "feature."
IIgs Sound - Mono or Stereo?
============================
The IIgs only has mono sound capability. In the Apple IIgs Owner's Guide, Page
158, a diagram of the back of the IIgs identifies a "stereo" headphone jack.
This does NOT mean that the GS has stereo output, but that you can connect
stereo headphones to this port. MDIdeas, Inc. markets "SuperSonic" which adds
stereo capability to the GS. You can reach MDIdeas at (415) 573-0580.
AppleWorks Tips
===============
Thanks and a "Tip-of-the-Hat" to Jim Leatham (R398) from Computer Emporium in
Vails Gate, NY for the following AppleWorks Tip: If your printer uses the
slashed zero, and you don't want it in word processor documents, use the "FIND
AND REPLACE ALL" to substitute upper case O for 0. If you don't like it, don't
try to undo by substituting 0 for O 0r y0u'll have zer0es all 0ver the place.
AppleWorks 2.0 & Control-@ Fix
==============================
Technical Support now has a patch disk that allows AppleWorks 2.0 to support
Control-@. This control code is necessary to support many third-party
printers, specifically Epson. If your club does not have this patch and would
like to obtain it, please send a 3.5" or 5.25" disk, your mailing address and
a request for the AppleWorks "@" patch to:
Apple Computer, Inc.
P.O. Box 241028
Charlotte, NC 28224
ATTN: Sue Goodin, East Coast Technical Support
Please note: Only one request from each club will be accepted. When you
receive your copy, please make it available to other members through your
internal distribution system.
II+ & Joystick Adapter
======================
Q: Where can I obtain an adapter to allow the use of Apple's Joystick with a
II+?
A: Southern California Research Group has an interesting array of peripherals
that will assist you.
Southern California Research Group
P.O. Box 593-L
Moorpark, CA 93020
(805) 529-2082
DISK DRIVES
Hard Drive Optimization
=======================
Q: Is there any way to optimize an Apple SCSI hard disk? By optimize I
mean to clean up empty spaces on the hard disk that are presently not
being used.
A: Fragmentation occurs on any hard drive, it's the result of adding and
deleting files. One effective way to "optimize" is to backup the drive,
reformat, and then restore your data. The quickest method of accomplishing
this is to use a Tape Backup or another hard drive.
PRINTERS
LaserWriter Abroad
==================
Q: I understand that the LaserWriter is not a frequency independent device.
However, there is a need for a power supply for the LaserWriter that will
allow
it to be operated at both 220V/50Hz and 110V/60 Hz. Can you recommend a
solution?
A: Because several components (fan, main drive motor, power supply, etc.) need
to be changed to allow conversion from 50 Hz to 60 Hz operation, this cannot
be
done with a single product. There is no way to have a universal LaserWriter at
the present time.
LaserWriter Page Counter Setting
================================
A brand new, "out of the box" LaserWriter can have readings ranging from 28
pages up to as high as 200 pages, depending on the number of hours of testing
time and the number of pages per hour during testing.
Toner Shelf Life
================
Q: Is there a maximum shelf life for the toner cartridges for the
LaserWriter? Our customer would like to have an extra on hand, but may not
use it for 6 months to a year.
A: The shelf life of the toner cartridge is 2.5 years from production date.
The production date is stamped on the toner cartridge in the form of 3 or 4
letters and numbers. To decode the production date, please refer to the file
on AppleLink "LaserWriter: Shelf Life of Toner Cartridge" under the Technical
Info Icon using the search words "Toner and Shelf Life."
LaserWriter & Color
===================
We have received several requests for LaserWriter Cartridges in alternate
colors. Listed below are several vendors who advertise various solutions.
Michlin Computer Consultants (313) 663-9800
Laser Express(tm) Inc. (800) 553-8111
Toner Technologies (801) 544-3090
ImageWriter I DIP Swtich Settings
=================================
Q: I have a customer who has an ImageWriter I. At one time she set the DIP
switches to print in condensed mode. Recently she changed the switches to
print in PICA mode and does not remember how to change back to condensed.
Using software, the printer will print in condensed mode. Please advise.
A: Below are the possible character pitches available through DIP Switch
settings on the ImageWriter I, as found on Page 41 of the Owner's guide.
Switch 1-6 Switch 1-7 Character Pitch
---------- ---------- ---------------
Open Open Pica (10 characters per inch)
CLOSED OPEN Elite (12 characters per inch)
Open Closed UltraCondensed (17 characters per inch)
Closed Closed Elite Proportional
If after setting the DIP switches properly, you still cannot print in
condensed mode, you may have a defective DIP switch and should take your
printer in for repair.
APPLETALK
AppleTalk Distances
===================
Q: What is the maximum distance possible between a Macintosh and LaserWriter
hooked up via AppleTalk?
A: The determining factor in this is not distance between Mac and
LaserWriter, but rather the maximum network cable length under AppleTalk. Page
15 of the AppleTalk Personal Network manual states that the maximum network
cable length is 300 meters, or about 1000 feet. This, is the maximum distance
between a Macintosh and a LaserWriter.
PROGRAMMING AND DEVELOPMENT
PostScript Programming Questions
================================
Q: Where can I obtain information on PostScript Programming?
A: Check in your local bookstore for these two books: "PostScript Language
Reference Manual" and "PostScript Language: Tutorial and Cookbook" published
by Addison-Wesley Publishing.
FEATURE ARTICLE
APPLEWORKS - Won't Load, Won't Save - Won't Upload
What do I do?
By Sue Goodin, East Coast Technical Support
Three of the most commonly asked questions about AppleWorks deal with files
not
loading, saving, or uploading properly to an electronic mail/message base. In
many instances, the solution is a relatively simple one. Before panicking,
try the following solutions:
File Won't Load - File Not Found
--------------------------------
If the file name appears on the directory, but AppleWorks is unable to
access it, the file or the subdirectory may be damaged. To logically isolate
the problem, use a copy utility (System Utilities 2.1.1 or the GS System
Utilities 1.1) and move the suspect file to another directory and attempt to
load it from there. If it will not load from the new directory, then the file
itself is corrupted and the data is lost, unless it has been backed up.
If the file is moved to a subdirectory, and it loads correctly, the original
subdirectory is damaged. Copy all files in the subdirectory to another area,
then delete the subdirectory.
If you are using a floppy drive, check the disk and make sure it is not
damaged: It is far more cost effective to toss a disk and use a new one, than
to continue losing data! If you are using a hard disk, and you discover a
problem, you will want to backup the drive and then reformat it.
You may be trying to open more files than AppleWorks will allow. AppleWorks
allows 12 files on the desktop at any one time.
File Won't Save - Disk is Full
------------------------------
The most common reason for a file not saving is the tendency to overfill
subdirectories. While ProDOS allows 51 files on the Root Directory, and an
unlimited number in subdirectories, AppleWorks permits only 130 files in a
directory. Veteran AppleWorks experts limit subdirectory entries to 30 or
less. While this is not a major problem for 5.25" drive users, it can become
a problem with large capacity drives.
Make sure that you are not saving all your files in one area. Subdirectories
can be used effectively to organize and catalog your files.
My AppleWorks Text File Won't Upload - What Am I Doing Wrong?
-------------------------------------------------------------
Some systems, such as CompuServe(tm) require both a Carriage Return AND a
Linefeed at the end of each line to in order to upload files correctly.
In AppleWorks, Version 1.3 or earlier, writing an AppleWorks document out as
text (ASCII) file, or using the AppleWorks option of "Printing to a Text
(ASCII) File" will result in:
- A carriage return in the text file wherever there is a Carriage Return in a
word processor document.
- A carriage return following each entry in a data base report.
- A carriage return following each cell when working with a spreadsheet
document.
To obtain that elusive Line Feed, the work-around is to configure a Custom
Printer using the "Add a Printer" option in AppleWorks. Name it "Upload" or
some other appropriate name that will remind you of its purpose. Choose the
Silent Type printer. Change the specifications to add a Line Feed after each
RETURN, [1. Needs line feed after each RETURN], and save this printer
configuration to disk.
To convert an AppleWorks file to an ASCII file with the required Carriage
Return/Line Feed line termination, simply print your document to "Upload." The
resulting file will then upload properly.
AppleWorks 2.0 AUTOMATICALLY adds Carriage Returns at the end of each line,
but you will still have to add Line Feeds with the above prodedure.
Remember the three rules that will keep you out of trouble: Backup your files
frequently, Backup your files FREQUENTLY, and most important: BACKUP YOUR
FILES FREQUENTLY.
RESOURCES
Sun Data
--------
Sun Data, that venerable supplier of unique, antique, and/or "orphaned"
product support, has a new phone number: (800) 821-3221.
Does Such a Product Exist?
--------------------------
Several excellent resources that are often overlooked when searching for a
product that performs a specific task (whether it be software that will let
you print a spreadsheet sideways, a utility program that will let you
integrate a spreadsheet into a desktop publishing application, or a special
interface card) are the various On-Line Information Systems such as
CompuServe, Delphi, GEnie, The Source, etc.
Most of these services have Apple forums and data libraries where this type of
information is plentiful, as well as many eager users who are happy to share
information about the products that they have seen, heard about, or use.
Other excellent sources for this type of information are the Apple specific
computer magazines such as A+, The Macintosh Buyer's Guide, Nibble, NibbleMac,
MacWorld, MacUser, etc. These magazines all contain useful information in the
form of advertisements, product announcements and product reviews that are
very informative. Don't overlook them!
Copyright, August 14,1987 Apple Computer, Inc., East Coast Technical Support.
Permission is hereby granted for the use of Tech Tidbits, in part or in whole,
in any non-commercial publication, or for use by any non-commercial group or
organization or Apple User Group with the following credit: Reprinted from
"Tech Tidbits" with the permission of Apple Computer, Inc., East Coast
Technical Support." Permission to use "Tech Tidbits", in part or in whole,
for
commercial use must first be obtained in writing.
Sue Goodin, Editor-In-Chief.
AppleLink Address: Goodin2
Distributed via ProLine by Goodin2.
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