[comp.sys.mac.system] Another gripe about 7.0

gaines@mars.njit.edu (Starman) (02/24/91)

Hi,
	Here's something else that bugs me about System 7. THAT DAMN
BALLOON!! After two weeks of using a Mac, you don't need the balloon any
more. What could it POSSIBLY tell you that experienced user doesn't
already know. Hell, Why not just make an extra space in the 'Get Info'
box. Well, at least make it optional. It should be able to be removed
'cause it's an eyesore now.

===========================================================================
"They can fly rings around the moon,	      |		 Mike
but we're years ahead of them on the highway" |	  gaines@mars.njit.edu
===========================================================================
			System 7 on an 800K floppy? HA!
===========================================================================

P.S. Everything else about it I absolutely love! Looks good, guys.

gaines@mars.njit.edu (Starman) (02/25/91)

In article <6601@idunno.Princeton.EDU> bskendig@phoenix.Princeton.EDU (Brian Kendig) writes:
>>Either I answered  your question or I didn't understood your question at all.
>
>I think it's the latter.  ;)
>
>
>| Brian S. Kendig      \ Macintosh |   Engineering,   | bskendig             |
Brian,
	Yes, you're right. I got SEVERAL letters telling me how to turn
the balloons OFF. THAT'S NOT WHAT I ASKED! In any case, I don't see HOW
a help balloon can make THAT much of a differenceto people that have
been using Macs for several years. The reason why it bugs me the most is
because SuperClock has no room in any of my applications anymore. Why?
Cause of the damn help balloon. I got SuperClock so I could know what
time it is. I use Versaterm Pro a lot and I'm constantly looking to see
what time it is. Can't do that anymore. Why? (see above). OK..I'm
complaining...but it's really BUGging me!!! Get rid of it!

===========================================================================
"They can fly rings around the moon,	      |		 Mike
but we're years ahead of them on the highway" |	  gaines@mars.njit.edu
===========================================================================
			System 7 on an 800K floppy? HA!
===========================================================================
...waiting for b4

anders@verity.com (Anders Wallgren) (02/25/91)

There's a version of Superclock that knows about 7.0 - I think it's 3.9

rsholmes@rodan.acs.syr.edu (Rich Holmes) (02/25/91)

In article <2442@njitgw.njit.edu> gaines@mars.njit.edu (Starman) writes:
>The reason why it bugs me the most is
>because SuperClock has no room in any of my applications anymore. 

Have you considered buying a little LCD clock and sticking it on your Mac?

No smileys.  I'm serious.  I used to use SuperClock.  Now I keep a pocket 
travel alarm sitting on top of my Mac.  Same functionality as SuperClock, or
more, and it's portable, doesn't clutter my menu bar, and is fully compatible
with all past, present, and future versions of all software.  The only
down side is it's not precisely in sync with the Mac's clock.



-- 
 - Rich Holmes                  rich@suhep.bitnet or rich@suhep.phy.syr.edu
   Syracuse U. Physics Dept.     or if you must: rsholmes@rodan.acs.syr.edu
   "I don't lie.  I'm cultivating a reputation for honesty so I can blow it
    when something big comes along.  This ain't it." -- Steven Brust, Phoenix

lsr@Apple.COM (Larry Rosenstein) (02/27/91)

In article <2424@njitgw.njit.edu> gaines@mars.njit.edu (Starman) writes:

>	Here's something else that bugs me about System 7. THAT DAMN
>BALLOON!! After two weeks of using a Mac, you don't need the balloon any
>more. What could it POSSIBLY tell you that experienced user doesn't

Balloon help can be useful if you are using a new program for the first
time (assuming it supports ballon help).

Also, applications are encouraged to put their own help commands in the help
menu, rather than in the Apple menu.  (For example, the Finder adds a
"Finder Shortcuts" item, which lists shortcuts in the Finder.)

-- 
		 Larry Rosenstein,  Object Specialist
 Apple Computer, Inc.  20525 Mariani Ave, MS 3-PK  Cupertino, CA 95014
	    AppleLink:Rosenstein1    domain:lsr@Apple.COM
		UUCP:{sun,voder,nsc,decwrl}!apple!lsr

gaines@mars.njit.edu (Starman) (02/27/91)

>>	Here's something else that bugs me about System 7. THAT DAMN
>>BALLOON!! After two weeks of using a Mac, you don't need the balloon any
>>more. What could it POSSIBLY tell you that experienced user doesn't
>
>Balloon help can be useful if you are using a new program for the first
>time (assuming it supports ballon help).
>
>Also, applications are encouraged to put their own help commands in the help
>menu, rather than in the Apple menu.  (For example, the Finder adds a
>"Finder Shortcuts" item, which lists shortcuts in the Finder.)
>		 Larry Rosenstein,  Object Specialist
> Apple Computer, Inc.  20525 Mariani Ave, MS 3-PK  Cupertino, CA 95014

Hmmm...am I to understand that applications can use that? No flames, but
from using several System 7 apps, it seemes as if the Finder was the
only app using it! I guess I could see a help menu for applications,
it's just that it didn't look that way....from where I was sitting :)

===========================================================================
"They can fly rings around the moon,	      |		 Mike
but we're years ahead of them on the highway" |	  gaines@mars.njit.edu
===========================================================================
			System 7 on an 800K floppy? HA!
===========================================================================

nerm@Apple.COM (Dean Yu) (02/28/91)

In article <2454@njitgw.njit.edu> gaines@mars.njit.edu (Starman) writes:
>>Also, applications are encouraged to put their own help commands in the help
>>menu, rather than in the Apple menu.  (For example, the Finder adds a
>>"Finder Shortcuts" item, which lists shortcuts in the Finder.)
>
>Hmmm...am I to understand that applications can use that? No flames, but
>from using several System 7 apps, it seemes as if the Finder was the
>only app using it! I guess I could see a help menu for applications,
>it's just that it didn't look that way....from where I was sitting :)
>

  As Larry said, 7.0-friendly/studly/compliant/whatever-term-it-is-we're-using-
these-days applications are allowed to put their own help items under the
balloon menu.  There are even calls in the Help Manager that will tell the
application how many items are in the menu already, so it doesn't need to
rely on it's items being in a fixed place.  This is incredibly handy in case
we ever decide to put more items in there.
  Of course, marketing dictates that you don't want to have two different
versions of the same product for two different versions of the operating system.
I'm guessing that most companies will try to have one version of their product
that can run under both 6.0 and 7.0, and since there's no help menu under 6.0,
apps will probably put their help items somewhere else.

  -- Dean Yu
     Negative Ethnic Role Model, Blue Meanie, etc.
     Apple Computer, Inc.
     My opinions and so on and so forth...

jcav@ellis.uchicago.edu (john cavallino) (02/28/91)

In article <49688@apple.Apple.COM> nerm@Apple.COM (Dean Yu) writes:
>  As Larry said, 7.0-friendly/studly/compliant/whatever-term-it-is-we're-using-
>these-days applications are allowed to put their own help items under the
>balloon menu.  There are even calls in the Help Manager that will tell the
>application how many items are in the menu already, so it doesn't need to
>rely on it's items being in a fixed place.  This is incredibly handy in case
>we ever decide to put more items in there.
>  Of course, marketing dictates that you don't want to have two different
>versions of the same product for two different versions of the operating system
>I'm guessing that most companies will try to have one version of their product
>that can run under both 6.0 and 7.0, and since there's no help menu under 6.0,
>apps will probably put their help items somewhere else.

Gaaakkk!!! Bletch!!!
I must respectfully disagree with Dean's assessment :-)  Apple has
provided a simple and elegant way for programmers to determine what system
services are available at runtime (_Gestalt).  I maintain that there is no
reason to forgo use of the Help Manager (IMHO one of the VERY BEST new
features of System 7) in order to remain System 6-compatible.
Let's say the application has a "Help" item in the Apple menu under System 6,
which activates help code when chosen.  The programmer could easily check
for the Help Manager and then add an item to the Help menu also (or instead),
which activates the very same code, thus solving the problem.
Of course, Microsoft may not agree :-)


--
John Cavallino                      |     EMail: jcav@midway.uchicago.edu
University of Chicago Hospitals     |    USMail: 5841 S. Maryland Ave, Box 145
Office of Facilities Management     |            Chicago, IL  60637
"Opinions, my boy. Just opinions"   | Telephone: 312-702-6900

lsr@Apple.com (Larry Rosenstein) (02/28/91)

In article <2454@njitgw.njit.edu>, gaines@mars.njit.edu (Starman) writes:
> 
> Hmmm...am I to understand that applications can use that? No flames, but
> from using several System 7 apps, it seemes as if the Finder was the

Yes.  The Help Manager chapter of Inside Mac volume 6 tell you how to add
items to the help menu.

Larry