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Overview
This is the first of what may become a weekly publication. It's designed to provide information with an attitude about Apple's Macintosh computers. If you like this issue of The Underground Mac Report, drop me a line. Your input will be the deciding factor in how often it's published. E-mail me with your likes, and dislikes. Tell me how often you'd like to see a new issue. Tell me what you think about having a classified ad section. If I hear nothing, I'll assume that the online universe is already flush with information and UMR will cease to exist like so many E-publications before.
In addition to a publishing schedule, I'd like to hear opinions on format. Should it be in straight ASCII text, a formatted document in a popular file format (such as Word) or perhaps a electronic presentation made with something like DocMaker. New document formats such as Common Ground and Adobe Acrobat will also be considered. Let me know what you think.
As you'll see, UMR will concentrate on reviews and the latest news and rumors. I've been professionally involved with the Mac for several years. Doing so has allowed me to establish a substantial network of Mac developers, programmers, and others intimately involved with the Mac. I am in the process of forming my own publishing company which will publish books on such topics as telecommunications to palmtop computing. Our first title is Surfing Cyberspace: The Ultimate Macintosh Telecommunications Guide which should be out before the first of the year.
While there are other E-publications, UMR is news with an edge. The reviews are honest and will tell you what, and what not, to spend your hard earned dollars on. The lack of advertising will allow us to be totally honest--if a program is trash, you'll hear it from us first.
You'll also find tutorials, a question and answer forum, reviews of the best shareware, as well as the latest gossip and news items. Enjoy!
Reviews
Book Review:
The Underground Laser Printer Guide
by The Editors of Flash! magazine
Published by PeachPit Press (800) 283-9444
$12 plus shipping
If you're unfamiliar with Flash!, it's a publication which originally started as a laser cartridge recycling company newsletter. The newsletter turned out to be more popular than the cartridge recycling business, and now Flash! is a mainstream magazine dealing with laser printers and desktop publishing.
The book itself is a thin collection of articles from Flash! magazine. Dealing mainly with printers utilizing the Canon print engine (Apple and HP printers), the book has little to offer those who have printers from TI, Sharp, NEC or Qume.
Although there is some decent info, such as the repair and maintenance chapters, much of the info seems dated and kludged together. You'll also get the feeling that you're reading a rather lengthy advertisement for recycled laser cartridges.
At $12 it's rather pricey considering it consists of only 162 pages, 18 pages of which is devoted to a chart describing what printers use what cartridge, the index, and an advertisement for other PeachPit Press titles.
Recommended only if you have a Canon-engined laser.
Software Review:
ClickChange 2.0
Dubl-Click Software
22521 Styles St.
Woodland Hills, CA 91367
(800) 266-9525
Requires: Mac Plus or newer, System 6.07 or later, and a sense of humor
ClickChange, from Dubl-Click Software, is a control panel which allows the user to customize almost every aspect of how the Mac looks and sounds.
The user can customize nine attributes of the Mac interface: cursors, menubar, clock, buttons, scroll bars, windows, colors, patterns, and sounds. ClickChange can even display desktop patterns in the popular WallPaper format.
ClickChange worked flawlessly during the evaluation period, and surprisingly no extension incompatibilities were found. I had heard a few horror stories, and was sure there would be a few problems. None occurred. ClickChange does offer an option to turn itself off when selected programs are opened. So incompatibilities that are found shouldn't cause to big a problem.
I should note a few things that did crop up during testing. First, if you decide to remove ClickChange for some reason, set the desktop pattern back to the standard grey before removing ClickChange. Failing to do this will result in the desktop pattern being locked. Second, Linda Kaplan of Thought I Could Software, mentioned that ClickChange, unlike her product WallPaper, modifies an open System file. Apparently this increases the change of corrupting that file and requiring a clean install. I never had this happen, but I did see a few notes in the Dubl-Click forum on AOL regarding this. Something to be aware of....
Before ClickChange I was using WallPaper, Soundmaster, and Cursor Animator to accomplish much the same kind of interface customizing. An advantage of ClickChange is a definite RAM savings--it uses about half of the combined amount of the shareware programs.
ClickChange is a great program. It does what it says and does so without problems or headaches. ClickChange is highly recommended.
Misc. Thoughts:
Apple released a number of new products on 10/21, including three desktop computers, a couple of new Duo’s and two new printers, here’s a summary:
Macintosh Quadra 605 -(Apparently also being sold as the Performa 475) Its new, slimline design saves desk space, has a 680LC40 processor, comes with 4 MB of RAM expandable to 36 MB. Like other Macintosh Quadra computers the Quadra 605 includes stereo sound, built-in networking capability, the Apple SuperDrive, and an 80- or 160-MB internal hard disk. Built-in video support for all Apple displays at 256 colors comes as a standard feature. Additional RAM enables users to display more than 32,000 colors on the 14- and 16-inch displays. As an added advantage, the Macintosh Quadra 605 is one of the most energy-efficient systems Apple has ever built and is fully EPA Energy Star compliant. Available and shipping on October 21.
This is basically a Centris 610 in a new slimline case.
Macintosh Quadra 610 - Based on the fast, 25-megahertz Motorola 68040 processor, the Macintosh Quadra 610 provides affordable high performance, comes with 8 MB of RAM and an integral math coprocessor. The Quadra 610 provides on-board high-speed Ethernet support. For convenience, the Macintosh Quadra 610 supports all Apple displays and almost any commonly available third-party display, including monochrome or color, portrait, landscape, RGB , VGA, and any screen size. Users can display up to 256 colors on all Apple color monitors and, with additional video RAM, more than 32,000 colors on most Apple monitors without having to purchase an additional video card. It comes with internal hard drive, eight built-in ports, an expansion slot and its high-speed SCSI interface lets you add high-volume storage devices, such as the AppleCD 300i internal CD-ROM drive.
This is the old 610/660 case with the guts of the old Centris 650.
Macintosh Quadra 650 - Based on the fast, 33-megahertz Motorola 68040 processor, the Macintosh Quadra 650 comes with 8 MB of RAM, an integral math coprocessor, and memory expansion capability up to 136 MB. For performance and convenience, the Macintosh Quadra 650 works with all Apple displays. The standard Macintosh Quadra 650 can display 256 crisp colors on the Macintosh 16-inch Color Display. When users work with photographic-quality images, a simple video upgrade lets them show 32,768 colors, and provides high-speed Ethernet support on-board. The Macintosh
Quadra 650 system can also be customized by adding NuBus expansion cards in the three expansion slots provided. The Macintosh Quadra 650 comes standard with an internal hard drive and its high-speed SCSI interface lets users add high-volume storage devices, like the AppleCD 300i internal CD-ROM drive.
This is identical to the Centris 650, except that the clock speed has now been increased to 33 mhz.
PowerBook Duo 250 - Weighing 4.2 lbs. the PowerBook Duo 250 features a 68030 microprocessor that runs at 33 megahertz and supports up to 24 MB of RAM. Its 9-inch (229-millimeter) backlit, active-matrix display has 16 levels of gray and provides the best screen image, performance, and contrast available in a gray-scale notebook computer--without adding bulk or weight.
PowerBook Duo 270c - The PowerBook Duo 270c is Apple's top-of-the-line color PowerBook Duo computer and is the industry's first 16-bit color notebook. It offers high-speed processors, active matrix screens, large RAM expansion, and desktop expansion--features normally found only on much larger, heavier systems--in a package that weighs 4.8 pounds. Its 8.4-inch, backlit, active- matrix display lets users work with files in thousands of colors, providing the best screen image, performance, and color available in a notebook computer. The PowerBook Duo 270c combines the power of a 33-megahertz 68030 microprocessor with an additional math coprocessor, and supports up to 32 MB of RAM. AppleTalk networking is built in, so users can connect to all AppleTalk network resources--electronic mail, printers, and file servers. Add a modem and AppleTalk Remote Access software to gain full access to AppleTalk networks practically anywhere in the world. The PowerBook Duo 270c includes a standard-size keyboard, full-page-width display, and built-in trackball.
You’ll probably also hear about the new Quadra 660av. This is identical to the Centris 660av, except for the name plate. In case you haven't noticed, the Centris nameplate is gone. No word on whether the new name plates will be available for Centris 660 owners.
I think the Duo’s are a great idea, but suffering from poor execution. They should be cheaper and faster. By going with a Duo, you essentially limit your desktop computing speed to that of the IIvx. Today, the inexpensive Quadra 605 and Quadra 610 can soundly outperform any Duo currently being sold.
Here's some information on Apple's newly introduced printers: The Select 360 and the Pro 810.
Apple LaserWriter Select 360 - As a lower priced replacement for the LaserWriter Pro 600, the Apple LaserWriter Select 360 printer delivers exceptional output with extraordinary speed. If offers 600-dot-per-inch (dpi) resolution and produces consistently superior output with crisp text, rich graphics, perfect curves, and no jaggies. The LaserWriter Select 360 also uses a RISC processor so it can churn out documents at up to 10 pages per minute while the user continues to use his/her computer for other tasks. All ports stay active simultaneously so the printer can accept jobs from all types of computers without requiring setting changes. In addition, the LaserWriter Select 360 automatically switches between Postscript Level 2 and PCL 5 languages. A Postscript fax card is also an option. With two versatile paper trays built-in, plus an optional third tray, the LaserWriter Select 360 supports a total paper capacity of 800 sheets.
LaserWriter Pro 810 - Designed for extensive connectivity, the Apple LaserWriter Pro 810 delivers high-quality output, expanded paper handling, and flexibility in mixed environments. It uses 400-dpi engine technology that--combined with controller technology that supports up to 800-dpi print resolution--provides the highest quality available from a LaserWriter. Printing up to 20 pages per minute, the LaserWriter Pro 810 prints on a wide selection of media, including envelopes, labels, transparencies, plain paper, and letterhead. It provides 750 sheets of paper input standard using three universal cassettes. Optional cassettes and an automated feeder are available for additional sizes and paper thicknesses. With built-in serial, LocalTalk, and Ethernet ports, the LaserWriter Pro 810 can print documents generated by many different types of computers, including those running Macintosh, MS-DOS, Windows, or UNIX operating systems. With its build-in network card it can communicate on Ethernet networks using its multiple concurrent protocols--TCP/IP, AppleTalk, NetWare IPX, and Digital LAT--further increasing your connectivity options.
Much of the above was taken directly from Apple’s press releases. I’ll post more info on these new machines as they are released. I wanted to compile a list of all currently available Mac computers, but the list is simply too long. Maybe next issue.
Although I haven’t seen a picture of the new printers yet, it would seem that they don’t use the Canon printer engine. The 360 has a ten page per minute engine--definitely not the specs of any Canon engine. The 810 uses a 400 dpi engine, again not the specs of any current Canon engine. Perhaps these printers are following in the footsteps of the Personal LaserWriter Select series and are using new Fuji engines. It will be interesting to see how these printers stack up against the king-of-the-hill HP IVm.
In a related story, the pricing on Apple's now-discontinued LaserWriter 600 has dropped significantly. I've seen brand new units with 8MB of RAM going for $1375. Could be quite a bargain depending on the price of the new 360.
Looking to buy more RAM for your Mac? If you've been thinking of upgrading your RAM, and your Mac uses the new 72-pin SIMM's, check the PC classified ad sections on AOL, the Internet, and other classified areas. While a 4 MB 70ns SIMM is running about $130 or higher in the Mac areas, I was able to find several for $90 in the DOS-PC areas. These are the same chips, though the IBM style have an extra parity chip that isn't used by the Mac.
Recently I was flipping through a copy of EC&I (Electronic Composition and Imaging) magazine from 1991. A detailed article entitled "The Perfect Rivet", was a tutorial on making a perfect metal rivet using Illustrator. The tutorial was a long winded affair using multiple masks and other tedious techniques to draw the rivet. The author stated that it took over an hour to create the small drawing.
It's interesting to note how far we've come in the last two years. A drawing that then took an hour to create, can know be done with Illustrator 5.0 in less than two minutes!
Look for a complete review of Illustrator 5.0 in a future issue of UMR. Until then, here's how to make the "Perfect Rivet", which you'll find to come in very handy for creating robots, bridges, airplanes--almost anything consisting of a metal skin.
Step 1: Create a radial gradient fill
Select "Gradient..." from the object menu. Click the "New Gradient" button, click the "Radial" button and name the new gradient "Radial Steel".
Step 2: Draw the first circle
Select the center-oval tool by double clicking the oval tool to produce a "+" sign in the center. Click once on the page. Enter ".5" for height and width in the displayed dialog box
Step 3: Applying the gradient
Will the circle selected, choose the "Paint Style..." menu choice from the object menu. Click on the fill icon, then the gradient icon, then the Radial Steel fill name in the scrolling list. Close the palette.
Step 4: Cloning the circle
Hold down the option key and drag away a copy of the circle. You should now have two circles filled with a grey scale radial fill. Double click the scale tool and enter "75" in the dialog box. One circle is now reduced in size.
Step 5: Change the hot spot
Click on the gradient tool. Make sure the small circle is still selected and drag a 45 degree line from the left bottom to the right top. Select the large circle, then the gradient tool and drag a 45 degree line from the right top to the left bottom.
Step 6: Assembly
Select the small circle. Place the selection arrow on the center point and drag on top of the large circle until the arrow becomes hollow. Select "Group" from the Arrange menu. Save the file.
The Rumor Mill:
Rumor has it that Apple's upper-management received a substantial number of complaints about what is now being termed "the vx debacle". That being where Apple released the IIvx, and then slashed the price by 50% less the twelve weeks later. Could this have had anything to do with Sculley stepping down? Some say he was pushed.
Interestingly, it didn't take Mr. Sculley long to obtain a new job. He's now CEO of Spectrum, a company developing cellular connections for data transmission.
Expect at least one additional Newton PDA to be released by Christmas. Also, the current Newton is basically getting trashed by the non-Mac press. Too expensive, too few applications, and a less than reliable handwriting recognition system are all common complaints. Most Newton owners seem to be quite happy, though.
Quickdraw GX should be released soon after the first of the year. Quickdraw GX is Apple's answer to Adobe Postscript. That is, it's a page description language. It should allow for complex graphic capabilities to be part of the Mac OS. Sort of like having display Postscript built-in, ala NeXT. It will also allow for various type effects, such as rotating type. It may be bundled with a utility to transfer Postscript documents to GX format for printing on virtually any printer.
Apple has upgraded the LaserWriter LS printer driver. You can buy the upgrade at your local Apple dealer. It now does greyscales and offers a few additional options in the print dialog box. Rumor has it that the upgrade is simply a cosmetically disguised version of the LaserWriter Select 300 driver, which works just fine with the LS.
Expect at least two 68040 Duo’s to be released next spring.
Questions and Answers:
Many early buyers of the new av Mac's, and the Geoport phone pod have expressed difficulty in connecting to America Online. Though I did spring for a new 660av, I haven't bought the Geoport as I recently purchased a AT&T Dataport modem. After several conversations with others who do have the Geoport, the following procedure seems to work.
1. Set the Express modem control panel to "Use Express Modem"
2. Go to the "Setup" dialog box in AOL and enter the following modem initialization string (the first blank field):AT&FE0V1&K0&Q0
3. Add &Q0%C0\G0\X0 to the end of the "Standard Configuration String" (the second blank field)
Make sure you use zeros and not O's!
Hot Files:
Sound Extractor
Shareware $5
Alberto Ricci
Corso De Gaspari 45
10129 Torino Italy
Sound Extractor is a fantastic piece of software that I use all the time. Essentially, it sucks sounds out of any application or document and turns them into a System 7 sound file you can double click or add to your System folder. Drag any file on top of the Sound Extractor, such as a FirstClass settings file, and you’ll end up with a folder full of sounds. You can even pull sounds out of AOL, such as the IM Chime and the “You have Mail” sound.
Sound Extractor is a great utility that everyone should have.
Coming Soon
Reviews of:
QuicKeys 3.0
Ready, Set, Go! 6.0
Infini-D 2.6
Quicken 4.0
HomeWorks Templates
Now Fun
Virtus VR
Nisus 3.4L
Virtus Walkthrough Pro
Hi! Finance
Word Processor Shoot-out: MacWrite Pro vs. Word vs. WordPerfect vs. Nisus
And more...
Coming Next Issue:
A new approach to treating repetitive stress injury (RSI)
Reviews:
The Internet Starter Kit (Book/Disk combo)
Illustrator 5.0
WordPerfect 3.0
And the usual columns: Rumor Mill, Questions and Answers, Misc. Thoughts, Hot Files and more...
