Info-Mac-Request@SUMEX-AIM.STANFORD.EDU (The Moderators) (01/17/90)
Info-Mac Digest Tue, 16 Jan 90 Volume 8 : Issue 9
Today's Topics:
About MultiFinder Hack
Appletalk Serial Port Sharing
DA to read TEXT, MacWrite, MSWord?
Desktop files?
Disk Cataloging Software
Editing Boot Blocks
Genealogy stacks
gestalt.sit.hqx
Info-Mac Digest V7 #230
Info-Mac Digest V8 #6
Jasmine service
Kermit Scripting & Grateful Med
Labels
Mac II boot problems.
midi conversion programs
Need info on hard-cartridge disk drives
Novell networks?
Programming INITs and Macintalk
riginal Mac upgrade?
Screen shot
Stuffit problems...
SUMMARY: Intro Material for Mac Resources & Programming
THINK C Malloc() limits
Various, TORX, JCREMOTE, SYSENVIRONS calls
Your Info-Mac Moderators are Bill Lipa, Lance Nakata, and Jon Pugh.
The Info-Mac archives are available (by using FTP, account anonymous,
any password) in the info-mac directory on sumex-aim.stanford.edu
[36.44.0.6]. Help files are in /info-mac/help. Indicies are in
/info-mac/help/recent-files.txt and /info-mac/help/all-files.txt.
Please send articles and binaries to info-mac@sumex-aim.stanford.edu.
Send administrative mail to info-mac-request@sumex-aim.stanford.edu.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Date: Fri, 12 Jan 90 19:32:01 PST
From: Ed Tecot <tecot@apple.com>
Subject: About MultiFinder Hack
PUGH@ccc.nmfecc.gov writes:
>Here is a hack to change the About box of the MultiFinder that comes with
>MPW's SADE into something a bit more amusing. Merely bring up the about box
>and then press the tab & spacebar while the box is showing. Chortle mildly.
Hey! That's wimping out! I challenge everyone to figure out how to bring up
the alternate about box *without* modifying the code, like Phil intended.
Yours in ROM,
_emt
------------------------------
Date: Mon, 15 Jan 90 10:43:13 GMT
From: Andrew <AJM19%phoenix.cambridge.ac.uk@nsfnet-relay.ac.uk>
Subject: Appletalk Serial Port Sharing
G'day Netters,
My college is running a number of Macintoshes on an Appletalk network, with two
of the Macs also being connected to our mainframe as terminals. Does anyone
know of software that will let the other unconnected Macs use the serial ports
of the connected Macs so that all the computers could access the mainframe if
the two lines were not being used by anyone else (phew, what a sentence). At
the moment people tend to swap plugs if they need to access the mainframe,
resulting in a lot of bent pins.
There would be a lot of applications for software like this, such as sharing a
modem or plotter, or even an Imagewriter without an Appletalk card. A useful
product for someone to write?
Please reply to me directly at
AJM19 <AJM19%uk.ac.cambridge.phoenix@uk.ac.ucl.cs.nss>
Thanks.
Andrew Mason
Darwin College
Cambridge
UK
<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<< Macintoshes for MacZimum Computing >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
------------------------------
Date: Sun, 14 Jan 90 18:43:51 EST
From: wang@pennmess.physics.upenn.edu ( Huangxin Wang)
Subject: DA to read TEXT, MacWrite, MSWord?
Does anyone know of a DA which can read text, MacWrite as well as MSWord
format files (Somewhat like an MSWord level DA). miniWriter can only read
text. There another DA which can read MacWrite. I am writing a DA which
displays the text part of ALL files, including MSWord file. But MSWord
format and some MacWrite format characters are displayed as some junk
characters.
Thanks in advance.
Huangxin Wang of University of Pennsylvania
------------------------------
Date: Mon, 15 Jan 90 10:08:47 GMT
From: Chris Colbourn +44 703 592589 <PYI011%ibm.southampton.ac.uk@nsfnet-relay.ac.uk>
Subject: Desktop files?
A while ago there was a 'hint' about speeding up Finder operations on
HDs published in MacUser UK and sent in by someone at Apple UK.
Essentially the method involves putting the 'Desktop Manager' INIT
>From AppleShare into your System folder, restarting your Mac, deleting
the 'Desktop' file (using ResEdit or some such utility -- don't use
DiskTop or MacTools since we found returning to the Finder from these
caused the original desktop file to be rebuilt automatically), then
finally re-booting using the option + command keys to force rebuilding
the desktop. This works extremely well and all Finder operations such
as file copying, returning from applications, are speeded up
considerably and this does't seem to deteriorate with use as with the
usual desktop (i.e. necessitating regular compression to maintain
speed).
The published hint gave no indication of how this method works but it
appears that instead of the usual desktop file there are two files
called 'Desktop DB' and 'Desktop DF' which together occupy about the
same disk space as the original 'compressed' desktop, although the
'DF' file is generally about twice the size of the 'DB' one.
Does anyone know how this method of desktop managment works compared
to the usual one, and why it is so much faster?
I should add that while this method works well, if you happen to start
up your Mac from a floppy with a conventional system on it (i.e.
without the Desktop Manager INIT, etc.) then the usual desktop file is
automatically built on your HD (which can take several minutes on a
well-laden disk!), and you have to go through the rigmorole again!
Also we found that HD defragmenters like 'Disk Express' (version 1.5)
depend on the ordinary single Desktop file being present and won't work
until you rebuild one, although backup utilities like 'DiskFit' seem
quite happy!
--
Chris Colbourn, Psychology Dept, Southampton University, SO9 5NH, UK
JANET: pyi011@uk.ac.soton.ibm or cjc@uk.ac.soton.ecs
Bitnet/EARN: pyi011@soton.ac.uk or cjc@ecs.soton.ac.uk
INTERNET: pyi011%soton.ac.uk%nsfnet-relay.ac.uk
TEL: +44 703 592589 (DDI) or +44 703 595000 x2589
TLX: 47661 SOTONU G FAX: +44 703 593939
------------------------------
Date: Fri 12 Jan 90 10:44:47-PST
From: Richard Bram <P.PDDOC@macbeth.stanford.edu>
Subject: Disk Cataloging Software
There is a disk labeller Hypercard Stack in the archives on sumex.
(I can't remember off hand the exact name, but it must be something
like "DiskLabeller Stack.") It has several XCMDs useful for cataloging
floppy disks.
I made a derivative stack with a few more XCMDs to automate the whole
process of inserting floppies, scanning them, and recording the contents.
Unfortunately, mine only works under unifinder at the moment.
If you like, I could send it to you.
Rick
-------
------------------------------
Date: Fri, 12 Jan 90 22:14:10 PST
From: Les_Ferch@mtsg.ubc.ca
Subject: Editing Boot Blocks
I need a PD or Freeware program to edit the Max # of Open files setting
in the boot blocks of a hard disk. A friend of mine has written a Foxbase
database that requires 12 open files and wishes to be able to direct
clients to a free program to change the default bootblock value of 10.
A fancy program like the commercial Fedit+ or Symantec Tools is not needed.
All that is required is a simple program that changes one value and then
quits. I have a program from Apple called BootBlock Writer 1.0 created
on Jun 4, 1988. I wonder if this program can be modified to do what I
want. I looked through it with ResEdit and could not find any place to
selectively change the contents of what it writes.
------------------------------
Date: Fri, 12 Jan 1990 20:06:00 PST
From: Adam Galper <galper@sumex-aim.stanford.edu>
Subject: Genealogy stacks
I could've sworn I saw a genealogy stack several years ago that
displayed family trees (graphically) and stored all sorts of
information about each family member. The genealogy stack in the
info-mac archives (by N. Spies, 1988) is not the one.
Does anyone know of any other genealogy stacks (PD, shareware, or
commercial)? I'm not sure where to look.
Thanks in advance.
--Adam
------------------------------
Date: Tue, 2 Jan 90 23:32:42 +0100
From: Roland Mansson <roland@dna.lth.se>
Subject: gestalt.sit.hqx
This application uses the Gestalt trap ($A0AD) available in
System 6.0.4 and later to show various info about your
Macintosh.
Each piece of information is identified by a four character
code. Unfortunately, you have to figure out for yourself what
the codes and their associated values meanI
System 6.0.4 or later is required to use Gestalt!
Unpack with StuffIt and BinHex.
Public Domain by Roland Mansson, SiC! Development HB, Lund, Sweden
[Archived as /info-mac/app/gestalt.hqx; 17K]
------------------------------
Date: Fri, 12 Jan 90 12:31:50 PST
From: Richard_DeArmond@cc.sfu.ca
Subject: Info-Mac Digest V7 #230
If you buy extra RAM from a 3rd party, you will get an extra megabyte of memory
(5), 4 if ordered directly with the machine. I use the datadesk international k
ey board, and like it better than the extended one issued by Apple. And I highl
y recommend the A+ Mouse ADB, if you're into mice. It beats the standard mouse
supplied by Apple. Sorry I can't help you on the other questions.
------------------------------
Date: Sun, 14 Jan 90 13:21:14 AST
From: K2JJ000 <K2JJ%UNB.CA@forsythe.stanford.edu>
Subject: Info-Mac Digest V8 #6
HELP wanted:
I want to do some simple image analysis on my SE/30. I only interest
to measure the dark area of a picture, do not need to differentiate the
degree of gray. Does anyone know which application can do this job on
SE. K2jj@unb.ca (Rey Meng)
------------------------------
Date: Sun, 14 Jan 1990 22:14:46 EST
From: RICH@suhep.phy.syr.edu (Richard S. Holmes)
Subject: Jasmine service
There have been some horror stories lately about Jasmine service. I don't
doubt they're true. But about a year ago my DirectDrive 45 went for a walk and
didn't come back, and I had to call Jasmine.
I had trouble getting through the first time I called, but otherwise they were
friendly and helpful. I sent the drive to them and got a note back a week or
so later saying they had to wait for parts -- namely, the drive mechanism
itself, which in the 1988 DD45's was from, I think, Rodime.
A couple weeks later they called me to say they were still waiting for the
drive, and they offered me the choice of waiting to get the same model drive,
or of immediately getting the Quantum drive they'd switched to in late '88,
which was only 40 Mb but was available immediately, and they would warrant the
entire Jasmine assembly for two more years starting from the time of repair.
By then I'd learned the drives used in 1987-88 Jasmines (Rodime, or whatever)
had turned out to be the 1973 Pinto of hard drives (hence the switch to
Quantum, and a little-publicized lawsuit by Jasmine against Rodime, or
whatever) so I opted for the latter and had my drive back a few days later.
Assuming the delay in getting the drive mechanism was unavoidable, they were
about as fast, friendly, and informative as you could expect them to be. What
I hear these days seems to imply either (1) their entire customer-service
attitude has changed completely or (2) they're having trouble keeping up with
their own success. I'd believe (2) more readily.
Rich Holmes
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Richard S. Holmes Phone: (315)443-3891 or
Physics Department -2701
Syracuse University Bitnet: rich@suhep
Syracuse, NY 13244 Internet: rich@suhep.phy.syr.edu
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
DISCLAIMER: I have no opinions.
------------------------------
Date: Fri, 12 Jan 90 16:23:32 CST
From: kjeld@crdecf.csc.ti.com
Subject: Kermit Scripting & Grateful Med
Good luck. My experience states that Grateful Med will not find the
comm port at all set up. Instead, it will (if Grateful Med follows the
guidelines) find that the comm port is locked by another process. I
would recommend finding another way.
Besides, if you want scripting, there are other tools (White Knight
[used to be Red Ryder], & etc.).
Kurt Christensen
KJELD@CRDECF.csc.ti.com
------------------------------
Date: Mon, 15 Jan 90 07:46:56 MST
From: Bruce Long <ICBAL%ASUACAD.BITNET@forsythe.stanford.edu>
Subject: Labels
A while ago somebody asked about label software on the Mac.
Here in the ASU Math Dept., the only Mac mailing label program we
use is
Lighting Labels, a $25 HyperCard stack from MaxStax+ (1-800-277-4702).
It is designed solely for printing labels on a laser printer.
It's prime advantage is its ability to print standard 33-to-a-sheet
labels on a laser printer, using data imported from Word or Works. (In
Word or Works, you have to set the top and bottom margins at 1" when
printing 33-to-a-sheet labels, thus wasting over 18% of the labels.)
Lightning Labels will print on the full sheet, wasting no labels.
Although initially set up for 33-to-a-sheet labels, the layout can be
changed to suit any letter-sized label sheet.
It can handle tab-delimited text import, or manual data entry. When
importing data into Lightning Labels you can rearrange the order of the
fields (or skip fields), so if you are importing from a database that
has the last name as the first field, it's no problem to shift it.
One nice feature is the ability to "clone 32", which will give a full
sheet of 33 identical labels (for return addresses, etc.). It also can
sort by any item in the label field (such as ZIP, last name, etc.).
We use Lightning Labels frequently, and it is particularly handy for
creating the 1000+ labels needed during faculty recruitment. We use
Microsoft Works to keep a database on the applicants, and to print the
reply letters (as Works' mail merge is much more user-friendly than
Word's). Then we export the data and import it into Lightning Labels for
printing the address labels.
Bruce Long
Department of Mathematics
Arizona State University BITNET: ICBAL@ASUACAD
------------------------------
Date: 14 Jan 90 16:04:59 PST (Sun)
From: bob@ivucsb.sba.ca.us (Bob Bishop)
Subject: Mac II boot problems.
In comp.sys.mac.digest you write:
~Help!
~We are having problems with Mac II's (not Pluses, not IIcx's, not IIx's)
~which will occasionally not find the internal hard disk on booting.
~The problem is intermittent, on ten or so different machines, bought
~at different times, with different hard drives. Apple dealers have
~blamed the problems on:
I have been having an occational problem with mine also, MacII w/80Quantum.
I have solved it the same way.
I wish I could help, but I don't know the solution.
The only thought I have is that the SCSI id chip or what ever controls
the SCSI has intermittant failure?!
Let me know if you find the solution!
--
---> Bob Bishop ---> bob@ivucsb.sba.ca.us <---
---> (805) 967-4014 <---
---> <---
---> When all else fails...Close your eyes and run as fast as you can! <---
---
---> Bob Bishop ---> bob@ivucsb.sba.ca.us <---
---> (805) 967-4014 <---
---> <---
---> When all else fails...Close your eyes and run as fast as you can! <---
------------------------------
Date: Mon, 15 Jan 90 10:07:18 EDT
From: ANDY PTAK <"STSCIC::PTAK"@kepler.stsci.edu>
Subject: midi conversion programs
Does anybody out there know of a utility to convert between
either MIDI file format or MIDIPAINT/One Step format and
either DMCS format or SMUS format? I have One Step and
Deluxe Music Construction Set and would like to go between
the two. Thanks.
Andy Ptak
The Johns Hopkins University
------------------------------
Date: Fri, 12 Jan 90 13:32:20 EST
From: gateh%conncoll.bitnet@forsythe.stanford.edu
Subject: Need info on hard-cartridge disk drives
I've just started researching the 42 meg hard-cartridge drives made by
Syquest and resold by a bunch of different companies. Any recommendations
for or against any units would be much appreciated. The unit that looks
interesting at the moment is the Info 42R drive from Info Technologies.
Thanks much in advance - Gregg
Gregg TeHennepe | Minicomputer Specialist
gateh@conncoll | Connecticut College, New London, CT
------------------------------
Date: Mon, 15 Jan 90 10:10:07 GMT
From: Chris Colbourn +44 703 592589 <PYI011%ibm.southampton.ac.uk@nsfnet-relay.ac.uk>
Subject: Novell networks?
My department is considering installing a Novell network for a
mixed environment of Macs (Plus, SEs, SE/30, and IIxs), and PCs
(compatibles and PS/2s). We've read about and received the
manufacturer's blurbs on Novell Netware 2.15 and Elonex hardware
(i.e. EtherNet boards and fileservers - high spec., low price);
we've seen an established Novell LAN on our campus based on
Netware 2.12 and PC compatibles only (still a bit bug infested);
but we haven't come across the type of configuration that we're
interested in. I know that PCs can be hooked onto LocalTalk
networks but we need EtherNet specs to gateway onto a 'campus
spine' that's being installed.
I'd be interested to hear from anyone who's got/seen a Novell
network working effectively and reliably with both Macs and PCs
using the same fileserver?
Finally has anyone got/seen any decent BBS/Conferencing software
running on a Mac or PC over a Novell network?
--
Chris Colbourn, Psychology Dept, Southampton University, SO9 5NH, UK
JANET: pyi011@uk.ac.soton.ibm or cjc@uk.ac.soton.ecs
Bitnet/EARN: pyi011@soton.ac.uk or cjc@ecs.soton.ac.uk
INTERNET: pyi011%soton.ac.uk%nsfnet-relay.ac.uk
TEL: +44 703 592589 (DDI) or +44 703 595000 x2589
TLX: 47661 SOTONU G FAX: +44 703 593939
------------------------------
Date: Sun, 14 Jan 90 19:53:42 PST
From: David_Blasby@cc.sfu.ca
Subject: Programming INITs and Macintalk
I need help on two Pascal programing problems:
1. Inits
How can i make a small piece of code execute at startup?
2. Macintalk
How can i make Macintalk say something? I know that
a special interface is required, but i do not know where
to get it from.
Ps. -I'm using Lightspeed Pascal.
-I'll summarize responses...
PPs. Who here knows how to play the board game "Diplomacy"?
David_Blasby -->userxc8a@cc.sfu.ca
------------------------------
Date: Sun, 14 Jan 90 18:46 EDT
From: GORDON DOHLE <DOHLE%Vax2.Concordia.CA@forsythe.stanford.edu>
Subject: riginal Mac upgrade?
Is there any hope for upgrading an original 128k Mac? What would it take to
bring it up to a Plus or SE level (hardware and money) Any experience in this
area would be appreciated.
Gordon Dohle
Dohle@Vax2.Concordia.ca
------------------------------
Date: Fri, 12 Jan 90 17:10:36 EST
From: Jean Brunet <R31631%UQAM.BITNET@forsythe.stanford.edu>
Subject: Screen shot
Hi! is there an application that can take a scrren shot at the desktop with:
a MENU OPEN... I need this to prepare documentation. Thanks for the assistance.
Jean.
****************************************** **
* JEAN BRUNET * QQQ QQQ QQQ --------
* DEPT. DES COMMUNICATIONS * QQQ QQQ QQQ NETNORTH
* UNIVERSITE DU QUEBEC A MONTREAL (UQAM) * QQQ QQQ QQQ BITNET
* C.P. 8888, SUCC. 'A', MONTREAL, QC. * QQQ --------------
* CANADA, H3C 3P8 * QQQ R31631@UQAM.BITNET
* TEL: 514-987-4897/ res: 514-659-5864 * QQQ ------------------
****************************************** ******************
------------------------------
Date: Mon, 15 Jan 90 01:05:27 EST
From: Andrew Tabar <ARTABAR%MTUS5.BITNET@forsythe.stanford.edu>
Subject: Stuffit problems...
I am having all the exact same problems with SIT 1.51...CRC check,
unexpected EOF, etc. with any file I get through a long-haul network
(Internet and BITNET). It doesnt matter if I download it directly to
a Mac (FTP directly to a Mac), FTP to my site and then down, or whatever.
To the Frenchman that asked about this...you are not alone!
Andy
------------------------------
Date: Thu, 04 Jan 90 08:56:05 EST
From: KESLER%OUACCVMA.BITNET@cornellc.cit.cornell.edu
Subject: SUMMARY: Intro Material for Mac Resources & Programming
The following article is an edited collection of information that I
received in answer to my request for details regarding some beginning level
info on Macintosh Resources and Programming. At the end of the summary
is a *reading list*, of sorts, for those who want to delve deeper.
I received a number of requests for this summary so I believe there may be
many more out there who could use the info. I suggest, because of its
length, that you put it in the archives somewhere instead of inserting it
into an issue of the digest. The article is just in standard ASCII.
[Archived as /info-mac/tips/beginning-mac-programming.txt; 17K]
------------------------------
Date: Sun, 14 Jan 90 22:52:29 EST
From: siegel@harvard.harvard.edu (Rich Siegel)
Subject: THINK C Malloc() limits
[gentleman inquires about a 32K limit in malloc()]
If you're passing computed value to malloc(), then one of the operands
must be of type size_t (a long), so that the multiplication is done in
long format; otherwise, the multiplication will overflow at 32K, with
disastrous results. For example:
char *malloc(size_t size); /* ANSI prototype */
int rows, columns;
char *p;
p = malloc(rows * columns);
will fail if (rows * columns) is greater than 32K. However,
long rows, columns;
char *p;
p = malloc(rows * columns);
will succeed for all values of (rows * columns), as long as there is enough
memory.
R.
--
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Rich Siegel
Staff Software Developer
Symantec Corporation, Language Products Group
Internet: siegel@endor.harvard.edu
UUCP: ..harvard!endor!siegel
"When someone who makes four hundred and fifty dollars an hour wants to
tell you something for free, it's a good idea to listen."
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
------------------------------
Date: Sat, 13 Jan 1990 13:08:28 CST
From: HOWIE@neptun.tamu.edu (B===========>)
Subject: Various, TORX, JCREMOTE, SYSENVIRONS calls
RE: Torx screwdrivers, Go to "any" discount auto parts store and
look on the racks for these screw drivers. They are used in the
automotive world to adjust headlights. I found a two-pack for
$3.00 at HI/LO. Make sure you get a #15 and yes, you will have to
use a hacksaw to remove some of the handle but its worth it.
RE: JCREMOTE This is a little buggy, and was advertised as such.
You should treat it accordingly. If you can, take a look in the
the mac archives at RASCAL.ICS.UTEXAS.EDU and you may find a
testimonial similar to yours, i.e. system freeze, and screen sputtering
crashes. The author said he had to reformat his hard disk. I am
looking forward to trying this product when it is a little more
stable. I can't risk using it on the office network for obvious reasons
and my home "network" only has one node, _not_ very interesting.
QUESTION: There is a toolbox call that returns the type of cpu
environment. Some programs check this and exit gracefully if the
cpu isn't of the proper type. Others just crash. But what happens
when you have an accelerator installed in a Plus or SE. Do the
accelerators trap these calls and report that they are a SE/030 or
greater? How about 68881/82 calls? Would it be hard for someone
who knows how to write INITS to make one that traps the sysenvirons call?
And finally, are the /030 accelerators likely to break under system 7?
*************************************************************************
Matt Howard BITnet HOWIE@TAMVXOCN SESQUInet: HOWIE@NEPTUN.TAMU.EDU
*************************************************************************
------------------------------
End of Info-Mac Digest
******************************