wnn@ornl.gov (Wolfgang N. Naegeli) (11/04/90)
In article <308@cti1.UUCP> greg@cti1.UUCP (Greg Fabian) writes: > I remember the Lisa I used about five years ago - I could have multiple > windows open with multiple applications. Instead of closing an application > to open another one, I could shrink the window, click a new application, > and go right into it and leave the first window open. I could move > between these open windows and click the mouse and resume the application. > Kind of like an early X-windows. > > I believe the machine had only 1 MB RAM and it had a 10 MB hard disk > with Lisa Calc, Lisa Draw, Lisa Write, etc. But the effect was better > than multi-finder. I have to agree with Dave in that sometimes Apple > seems to spend as much time going backwards as it does forwards. Yes, in many ways, Lisa 7/7 worked better than MultiFinder. It also had some functionality that is still missing as part of the Macintossh System software. For example, * there was built-in security. You could assign passwords to files you wanted to keep confidential, * there was a fairly decent back-up mechanism built into the operating system, * there was stationery, i.e. you could save a document template as stationery, which appeared with a special icon and allowed you to tear off a copy without any danger of accidentally saving over the template itself, and * you could simultaneously print to more than one printer. For example, I used to generate transparencies on the color ink-jet printer from Lisa Draw, while at the same time printing my thesis on the ImageWriter from Lisa Write, downloading a file from the mainframe with Lisa Terminal, and constructing a spreadsheet in Lisa Calc. Admittedly, it wasn't a very fast number cruncher, but with some thoughtful organization of concurrent tasks, such as communication and output, that didn't require a lot of processor time, it often was possible to get productivity as good or better than with a Mac IIfx. Apple originally announced that there would be a new Print Manager in System 7.0 allowing simultaneous output to multiple printers. Later they said it wouldn't be in the original release of 7.0. So it is quite certain that it will take them more than six years to get back to where they were in 1985. Hardwarewise, the Lisa had some striking similarity with the modular design of the Mac LC and Mac IIsi. You didn't need a screwdriver to swap out most of the modules, such as the power supply or the motherboard. Actually, you didn't even have to deal with cable connectors when removing the motherboard or the power supply! And the Lisa even had a built-in hardware screen dimmer. Finally, there was a free 800-number technical-support hot line for users. Of course, their marketing was lousy and they were real jerks in dealing with third-party developers. Just imagine where the technology could be today if it weren't for those failures! Wolfgang N. Naegeli Internet: wnn@ornl.gov Bitnet: wnn@ornlstc Phone: 615-574-6143 Fax: 615-574-6141 (MacFax) QuickMail (QM-QM): Wolfgang Naegeli @ 615-574-4510 Snail: Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Oak Ridge, TN 37831-6206 My opinions are freeware and not endorsed by my employer.