SHULMAN@sdr.slb.COM (Jeffrey Shulman) (08/09/87)
Date: Sun 9 Aug 87 08:39:02-GMT From: Jeff Shulman <SHULMAN@SDR> Subject: Delphi Mac Digest V3 #37 To: Delphi-List: ; Message-ID: <555493142.0.SHULMAN@SDR> Mail-System-Version: <VAX-MM(218)+TOPSLIB(129)@SDR> Delphi Mac Digest Sunday, August 9, 1987 Volume 3 : Issue 37 Today's Topics: Mac II monitors RE: Mac II Color Monitors It's Greek to me... (2 messages) 800K drive problems (4 messages) Object-oriented C (3 messages) Segment Loader problem (3 messages) Mac II Color Monitors (2 messages) HardDrive Woes and Wins. RAM upgrades and accelerators Word 3.01 bug Used ImageWriters (2 messages) User Group Connection party at Expo 1MB SIMMs printer driver example Netter's Dinner ---------------------------------------------------------------------- From: ASMCOR Subject: Mac II monitors Date: 1-AUG-14:32: Hardware & Peripherals I bought a Sony CPD-1302 monitor a month or so ago, for my Mac II, and ever since I've been wondering if I should have had a bit more patience and waited for the Apple monitor. I just got ahold of a real, live Apple RGB and put it side-by-side with my 1302. Here's what I saw: 1. The Sony has a non-glare screen, the Apple doesn't. In fact, the Apple has a very glossy screen that reflects everything in the room. As they say in the dishwashing commercials "I can see myself." 2. The hues and color saturation are virtually identical (it IS the same picture tube, although you have to adjust the pincushion control on the Sony to get the edges straight), but the non-glare screen on the Sony makes things look slightly darker. This can be compensated for with the brightness control. Also, in a darkened room, if you move your head back and forth you can see the non-glare grating if you look for it. 3. Text appears sharper on the Sony. Again, I think it's because of the non-glare screen, but it's definitely a bit sharper. 4. The Apple has a built-in degausser. You might need it once a year, you might never need it. You can have any TV technician degauss your screen if it needs it, anyway. 5. The Apple has two convergence controls (H and V) and the Sony has one. They both have width, height and centering controls. Selecting the convergence test in the Control panel showed that they both have a slight offset in the blue at 256 colors. The test looked identical to me on both monitors. 6. The Apple matches the Mac II. The Sony is a darker gray, but still looks good. 7. The Apple works only with the Mac II as far as I know, but the Sony will work with quite a few other computers as well (it has both digital and analog inputs). 8. The Apple has a 90-day warranty, and lists for $999. The Sony has a 1-year warranty on parts and labor, and two years on the picture tube. It lists for $975, I bought mine in Boston for $775 and I've heard of folks getting them in New York for $600. My conclusion? They're both fine monitors. The Sony is more flexible, has a non-glare screen and a better warranty, and you can undoubtedly get it cheaper. I'm happy with my choice. Jan ------------------------------ From: BMUG Subject: RE: Mac II Color Monitors (Re: Msg 21749) Date: 8-AUG-01:00: Hardware & Peripherals New Trade-In Program for Macintosh II Color Monitors Cupertino, California. August 3, 1987. Apple Computer, Inc. today announced a program that allows customers to exchange an Apple Macintosh II monochrome monitor purchased by October 31, 1987 for a color monitor purchased during the first quarter of 1988. The new policy is a response to the greater than anticipated demand and the slower than expected availability of the new AppleColor High-Resolution RGB monitors. Under the policy, Apple will offer customers the opportunity to exchange an Apple High-Resolution Monochrome Monitor purchased before October 31, 1987 for full credit towards the purchase of an AppleColor High Resolution RGB Monitor. The monochrome monitor can be returned to an Apple-authorized dealer between January 1, 1988 and March 31, 1988 to receive full credit towards the purchase of the color monitor. "Customer satisfaction is one of Apple's top priorities," said Charles Berger, vice president market development for Apple. "Because the demand for the Macintosh II color system is exceeding supply we've taken these steps to give people the opportunity to use their Macintosh II systems right now and have full color when the monitors become available at no cost. In the meantime we are manufacturing the RGB monitor as quickly as we can and expect to have full supply this fall." [from AppleLink] ------------------------------ From: HECKENDORN Subject: It's Greek to me... Date: 3-AUG-02:59: Creative Pursuits Does anybody know of a laser font which has a complete set of Greek letters, but which does not screw up leading (i.e., spaces between lines) in Word, PageMaker, etc. (except MacWrite in 6 lines/in. mode), as do Symbol and Princeton Laser font? I've seen a few Greek fonts mentioned in various software compilation catalogs, but it's important that I can use a 9 pt. character which does not behave like a 12 pt. Any suggestions will be gratefully acknowledged (and word about them spread far and wide to others who I know are interested). Thanks, all. ------------------------------ From: JEFFS Subject: RE: It's Greek to me... (Re: Msg 21634) Date: 3-AUG-18:43: Creative Pursuits The fix for Symbol is to get the latest screen version from Adobe ($50 for the full LaserWriter Plus set.) Jeff ------------------------------ From: RICFORD Subject: 800K drive problems Date: 3-AUG-21:24: Hardware & Peripherals Here's a story and some advice... I put one of those yellow disk "protectors" in my SE internal floppy drive, and went for a drive with the Mac. It was well cushioned as usual. At the destination, I booted and the yellow thing jammed. I couldn't get it out no matter what I tried (short of destroying the whole works). It also wouldn't go back in. It was in right side up, by the way... Back home a couple of days later, I've disassembled the SE and the drive. I don't see any way the "protector" could help tkeep the heads from hitting each other. They're a good half inch apart, with no way to contact each other. The protector seems more likely to cause trouble than to prevent it! My advice is to avoid the blasted things - I threw mine in the trash - and if you feel the need to do something, put a real (blank) floppy disk in the drive for travelling. (It doesn't seem at all necessary). Ric Ford ------------------------------ From: MACWEEKBOS Subject: RE: 800K drive problems (Re: Msg 21646) Date: 4-AUG-09:06: Hardware & Peripherals Peabo reminded me that I was wrong about the carrying bag static in a previous "warning" message, so I thought it best to clarify this floppy- protector warning a bit... I eventually fixed the drive, after completely disassembling it and tweaking this and that a lot. After re-assembly, it worked, but sluggishly. I took it apart again and found that a pin was jamming a little still. It was a pin I'd bent a bit, and it seems to be a crucial part of the mechanism. It's the thing that engages the semi-circular cutout in the bottom of the floppy underneath the arrow on the other side. If the disk feels tight and sluggish going in or out, this pin may be pushing too hard on the side of the disk before it engages the cutout. Anyway, the problem may have been caused originally by my inserting the protector upside down, partway in, before I realized and removed it. It didn't seem I'd done it forcefully at all, but maybe enough. I think this is the main danger of the yellow protectors, and it might be good to write "This side Up" on the top of it and "X" on the bottom. Any Sony/floppy disk experts out there who think this thing really helps prevent some problem in normal transportation? Ric Ford ------------------------------ From: DEDHED Subject: RE: 800K drive problems (Re: Msg 21660) Date: 8-AUG-11:18: Hardware & Peripherals Ric, The yellow plastic "disk" which is shipped in the Sony drives is meant to protect the drive heads from contacting each other during shipping. If you look through your drive slot (possibly with a penlight), you'll notice that the heads in an empty drive are seperated by quite some distance. It's reasonable to assume that unless a good shock causes the drive mechanism to close (as if a disk were inserted), the heads are in no trouble. If you notice your Mac running the disk eject motors when you power on (sepecially after travelling with the Mac) you may want to use the protector, if not, it would probably cause more harm than good, since the heads are always in contact with the plastic when it is inserted. Mike ------------------------------ From: MACWEEKBOS Subject: RE: 800K drive problems (Re: Msg 21773) Date: 8-AUG-11:31: Hardware & Peripherals Mike, Thanks for the observations. I guess it's still safest to put the protector in, to prevent exactly what you describe, where the mechanism sort of "closes" letting the heads crash together. I'm upset at having the protector jam suddenly, but I've heard of the same thing happening to other people with floppy disks themselves. I've had 2 other 800K floppy drives fail completely and without warning, but both times the floppy disk was released after first getting stuck. I'm convinced that these drives are overly delicate, and I never slam disks in or out. Sure hope the 1.6MB floppies aren't even worse! Ever since losing my only 800K drive in a Mac Plus the week after the warranty ran out, I've kept a spare external drive on hand. Now, with a two-floppy SE, I'm not sure what to do. Put a protector in one drive and not the other?? :-( Ric ------------------------------ From: DDUNHAM Subject: Object-oriented C Date: 3-AUG-21:13: Tools for Developers At SIGGraph, I spoke with PPI, which was showing an object-oriented environment for Unix. I asked them about their Macintosh C, and they said something about they'd look at it when A/UX comes out. I tried to convey my disappointment, and just wrote a letter to Jeff Burnett, VP of Marketing at PPI, expressing my interest in a _Macintosh_ C compiler. If you're interested, I suggest you do the same. (Apple is rumoured to be doing something, but I was disappointed in MPW C.) Productivity Products International, Inc. Rocky Glen Mill 75 Glen Rd Sandy Hook, CT 06482 (203) 426-1875 ------------------------------ From: RANDOM Subject: RE: Object-oriented C (Re: Msg 1950) Date: 4-AUG-03:54: Tools for Developers Yes, PPI seems pretty down on producing anything that runs directly on a Mac. If it is any consolation, Apple seems to be commited now to producing a C++ for MPW (not a subset, complete C++), beta version being available by the end of this year. They announced this in the MacApp Developer's Newsletter, so it appears to be definite. - Dennis D. ------------------------------ From: PEABO Subject: RE: Object-oriented C (Re: Msg 1953) Date: 4-AUG-11:57: Tools for Developers Any idea how they are going to resolve the difference between C++ using pointers and the Mac using Handles? I count that as the number one stumbling block ... peter ------------------------------ From: JEFFS Subject: Segment Loader problem Date: 3-AUG-21:55: Programming Techniques I have a program that can open other programs. The problem is that when the Segment Loader calls LoadSeg it may very well load the CODE segment of the other program and not mine (makes for interesting bugs.) Now, I can do one of three things: 1. Patch LoadSeg to set/reset the current resource file to be *my* \program. 2. Put protective code around every inter-segment call in my program to do the above. 3. Figure out some way to make the CODE segments of the other program "invisible" to LoadSeg and the Resource Manager. The problem with (1) is that LoadSeg itself may be patched in the funny manner described in "How to Write Macintosh Software." This patch would seem pretty System file specific to me (besides, I haven't figured out the "proper" way to do it with MPW C anyway.) With (2) I have to change LOTS of source code and it seems like there would be a lot of unnecessary resource file changing. That leaves me with (3). Any ideas? I tried RmveResource on all the CODE resources with SetResFileAttrs as mapReadOnly. This didn't work *and* it still munged the other program (just try running a program with no CODE resources ;->) Jeff ------------------------------ From: PEABO Subject: RE: Segment Loader problem (Re: Msg 1951) Date: 3-AUG-23:15: Programming Techniques You haven't said what it is you want to have the other application open for. Could you get away with changing the current resource file back to your own file right after opening the other one and then change it back and forth when you need access to the other file's resources? True, it's still a lot of messing around with the current resource file, but at least you wouldn't have to do it around intersegment calls where it's no easy to forget to be careful (or so difficult to know you're about to get surprised). peter ------------------------------ From: JEFFS Subject: RE: Segment Loader problem (Re: Msg 1952) Date: 4-AUG-08:33: Programming Techniques Yes and no. It's a bit trickier than that. The situation could be as follows: The System RF (Resource File/Fork) is file #1, my RF is #2. I open the printer which becomes #3. So now the topmost resource file is #3. I open the APPL and that becomes #4. Still so far so good. Now the user goes ahead and switches printers on me with the Chooser. This closes #3 and opens #5. So, if I set my top RF to be the printer I still get the APPL. If I set it to me then printing doesn't work! (BTW, unless I checked which printer was active constantly the user could switch printers out from under me and I would never know it! Nothing *forces* the user to choose Page Setup where I "see" that the printer changed on me.) To bad I can't "order" the RF's in the order I want searched :-(. I guess what I may wind up doing is just opening and closing the APPL RF as I need it and be careful of not using intersegment calls while it is open. Jeff [ I eventually opted for the "protective UseResFile" approach. - Jeff ] ------------------------------ From: LOGICHACK Subject: Mac II Color Monitors Date: 3-AUG-23:36: Hardware & Peripherals My Mac II color monitor just arrived from Apple today!! Its much much nicer than the prototype I had been using the past few months; the colors are brighter and the display is more crisp. Also much better than the NEC MultiSync. Only complaint I have is that there appears to be a pixel that is permanently on in the screen. Does anyone know if this can be fixed? I've tried the obvious, such as degausing and wiping the screen. Its kinda sad that after waiting so long and paying so much money that the monitor would have such a defect. I personally know of 2 other monitors with a similar problem. Funny, the prototype didn't have this problem... Paul :( ------------------------------ From: NATURAL Subject: RE: Mac II Color Monitors (Re: Msg 21657) Date: 4-AUG-00:47: Hardware & Peripherals Hey! I got that too! Mine's next to the Apple menu and I have the Sony.... How uterly odd, eh? I do have a one year warranty though... Heh heh... ------------------------------ From: NATURAL Subject: HardDrive Woes and Wins. Date: 4-AUG-00:57: Hardware & Peripherals So here I am hacking around with my Mac/DF 20 when all of a sudden, I notice my Games folder is missing! Major panic we're talking... I am in the middle of about 4 different adventure games and don't think I want to start them all again... So I calls up Ric, and he says to me... He says Josh... DiskFirst Aid and I say, oh, ok... So I runs it on my DF20 and it goes through its: checking this and checking that (after hitting command-s) and finally comes to 'Checking Catalog File' where the next line reads 'Scavenging Terminator'. I had repair auto on but it would just stop and come back with a 'Unable to verify status of disk ' blurb. Ah, the strange thing was that DAs could find some of these files but would hang upon touching em. The finder drew a blank. So what's a guy like me to do? MacZapRecover. What a super little utility! I managed to recover all the files I could find with no problem. Very slick with many ooptions for the novice and expert. I know I sound like an ad but to think that these were only game files! Now a question... anyone know what would cause this? The files were def. some- where on the disk because I didn't regain any space when the folder disapeared. Now I am almost out of room because of the recovery so tomorrow am it's time for the oh so fun backup. Then re-init and I should find about 5 megs... I am using tops but find it hard to believe this would cause such a dis-] associated problem.... Anyone experience this type of problem and what did you do? Josh ------------------------------ From: MACWEEKBOS Subject: RAM upgrades and accelerators Date: 4-AUG-10:37: Hardware & Peripherals More hardware hacking... I had two 1MB SIMMs from MacMemory in a Mac Plus and wanted to put them into the SE, along with a Radius Accelerator. These are non-surface mount chips, but not excessively large. Anyway, it's *just barely* possible. They're in and working, but the tolerances were so tight I had to put a piece of tape on the SIMMs as electrical insulation between the accelerator and the capacitor leads on the SIMMs. Also, screwing down the Accelerator tightly would have put a nasty strain on the SIMMs and/or the Accelerator board. So, be sure you get the tiniest possible 1MB SIMMs for compatibility with the Radius - surface-mount is probably the way to go (and probably more expensive). (I also noticed that the speed of the 1MB SIMMs was "12" or 120nanosec., compatible with the Mac II. All 256KB SIMMs in two Mac SEs and one Mac Plus were 150ns rated.) Ric ------------------------------ From: DSACHS Subject: Word 3.01 bug Date: 6-AUG-22:14: Bugs & Features Word 3.01 apparently thinks that page 1 is the first page of the document - even when it isn't. When printing on a LaserWriter with the back to front option selected, printing stops after the first pages of the last section with the restart page numbering option selected. ------------------------------ From: MACWEEKBOS Subject: Used ImageWriters Date: 7-AUG-10:55: Business Mac With prices coming down on Macs and people selling used ones to upgrade to Mac IIs and SEs, it's finally reached the point where some less affluent people can afford one. But one of the toughest parts of putting together a system at a low cost is the expense of the printer. The Boston Computer Exchangehas only one used ImageWriter I for $300. Is that the going rate? Has anyone used the cheap "clone" advertised in Icon Review? Any other suggestions? Thanks, Ric Ford ------------------------------ From: BMUG Subject: RE: Used ImageWriters (Re: Msg 21741) Date: 8-AUG-00:59: Business Mac Ric - One of my consulting clients tried out the cheap Panasonic IW clone. It is small, very slow, and pretty clunky. I wouldn't recommend it. The ImageWriter II has been made more reliable in the last year, and might now be recommendable - the paper feed mechanism in particular has been improved. -- Raines / Team BMUG ------------------------------ From: BMUG Subject: User Group Connection party at Expo Date: 8-AUG-01:02: MUGS Online MUG REPS: You're Invited... .. to the USER GROUP CONNECTION PARTY at MacWorld Expo/Boston! What: Drinks, desserts, and plenty of inter-MUG communication! When: 9:30 PM - 12:30 AM, Tuesday, August 11th. Where: Marriott Long Wharf ballroom, Boston, MA [conveniently near to most other parties that night] Sponsored by: Apple Computer's User Group connection program Berkeley Macintosh Users Group Boston Computer Society ICONtact Mac Users Group on Delphi GEnie MacWorld magazine With assistance from: Yale MUG Madison MUG and others... (Can you help us cover our costs? please let us know!) To pick up an invitation: Stop by the BMUG or BCS booths at the show! See you there! -- Raines Cohen Team BMUG AppleLink: UG0001 CompuServe: 70007,2271 Delphi,BIX,the Well,MCI Mail,GEnie: BMUG ------------------------------ From: MACWEEKBOS Subject: 1MB SIMMs Date: 8-AUG-11:25: Hardware & Peripherals I got a look at some Dove 1MB SIMMs last night, the first chance I'd had. Although they didn't seem to be the surface-mount type, they were low-profile, mounted lower than the MacMemory non-surface mount ones. Also, they didn't have the extra "lip" of circuit board with capacitors that the MacMemory ones do, and so the Dove's would fit better with add-on boards. I didn't understand the markings well enough to tell who manufactured the chips, all I could see was a "T" preceding some other designations. Ric ------------------------------ From: METASOFTWARE Subject: printer driver example Date: 8-AUG-22:55: Programming Techniques has anyone got a short sample of printer driver code they've written, preferably in 'C' lying around? i've got a work dog of a printer (TRS Daisy Wheel II) which won't quit, but no one has any interfaces. a little printer driver code will get me going (who's got time for this....). thanks. ------------------------------ From: RICFORD Subject: Netter's Dinner (Re: Msg 21743) Date: 7-AUG-15:45: SIG Business Joel West, Peabo, I and others have been working to come up with the best compromise time and place for the semi-annual "netter's dinner." Here it is: 5:30 pm on Wednesday 8/12 at the Royal East restaurant, 790 Main St. in Cambridge. (617-661-1660). The reservation is in my name, "FORD." The location is midway between Central Square and Kendall Square (M.I.T.), both stops on the red line subway route. The red line also stops at the Bayside expo center (fare is $.60, you need to buy tokens). You can walk from either Central or Kendall to the restaurant and also to M.I.T. The timing is such that people who attend the dinner will be able to go afterwards to the B.C.S. MacTechGrp meeting at M.I.T.'s Sloan School of management near Kendall Sq. The Royal East, by the way, is a Chinese restaurant with reasonable prices and (if today is an indication) good food. Ric Ford ------------------------------ End of Delphi Mac Digest ************************ -------