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TidBITS#167/08-Mar-93
=====================
The 32-bit Enabler seems to have trouble enabling various
systems - read on for details. Also, MBS Technologies offers
free file synchronization programs to World Trade Center
companies, Apple changes a PowerBook 165c configuration,
Pythaeus relates problems with internal CD-ROM drives, Eric
Anderson passes on Duo 210 observations (along with a note
about free Duo keyboard replacements!), and finally, comments
from our modem issue.
Copyright 1990-1993 Adam & Tonya Engst. Non-profit, non-commercial
publications may reprint articles if full credit is given. Other
publications please contact us. We do not guarantee the accuracy
of articles. Caveat lector. Publication, product, and company
names may be registered trademarks of their companies. Disk
subscriptions and back issues are available - email for details.
For information send email to info@tidbits.com or ace@tidbits.com
CIS: 72511,306 -- AppleLink: ace@tidbits.com@internet#
AOL: Adam Engst -- Delphi: Adam_Engst -- BIX: TidBITS
TidBITS -- 9301 Avondale Rd. NE Q1096 -- Redmond, WA 98052 USA
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Topics:
MailBITS/08-Mar-93
World Trade Center Offer
165c Configuration Change
32-bit Enabler Problems
Internal CD-ROM Quirks
Duo 210 Observations
Modem Issue Comments
Reviews/08-Mar-93
[Archived as /info-mac/digest/tb/tidbits-167.etx; 28K]
MailBITS/08-Mar-93
------------------
Povl Pedersen writes, "There is something more about the 72-pin
SIMMs that you should note. They are all 32-bit, as opposed to the
old 8-bit SIMMs. This means that you can upgrade one slot at a
time. On older 32-bit data bus-equipped machines (all Mac II
series and the SE/30) you need to fill four SIMM slots at a time."
Information from:
Povl H. Pedersen -- pope@imv.aau.dk
Gopher Site
Internet users looking for TidBITS back issues can use a new
Gopher server at <gopher.sfasu.edu> [144.96.128.118]. They have
all TidBITS issues in text form (though not searchable as an
archive so it won't put the WAIS out of business any time soon)
along with back issues of Info-Mac Digest and Murph Sewall's
long-running but soon-ending Vaporware. You need a Gopher client
such as TurboGopher to access this Gopher server, and the details
are site specific after that, so I won't delve any further.
World Trade Center Offer
------------------------
Here's a neat offer. MBS Technologies, makers of FileRunner file
synchronization software for MacOS and DOS, is offering free
copies of FileRunner to companies whose operations were disrupted
by the World Trade Center bombing. The offer lasts for 60 days, so
if you know of any bombed-out businesses that could use file
synchronization software, have them call MBS.
I haven't seen FileRunner, but I gather it targets using removable
media for file synchronization. This facilitates synchronizing
machines when you use SneakerNet, and it makes it possible to
easily synchronize more than two machines. These features would
make FileRunner especially helpful to companies setting up
temporary offices or for people who have to work at home
temporarily.
MBS Technologies -- 800/860-8700 -- 412/941-9076
412/941-7076 (fax)
Information from:
MBS propaganda
165c Configuration Change
-------------------------
by TidBITS staff
In an attempt to avoid availability problems, Apple is changing
the 160 MB hard drive configuration of the PowerBook 165c. Because
Apple doesn't expect to be able to obtain 2.5" 160 MB drives in
large enough quantities soon enough to meet demand, it is
replacing the 160 MB drives with a 120 MB drives. Apple hopes this
will make 165c available in quantities sufficient to meet the
expected high demand.
We're pleased to see Apple nimbly changing direction and modifying
a shipping product. This flexibility means more 165c machines for
people who want them, and less bad press for Apple. This change
comes at a time when the 180 is almost impossible to find because
of low yields on the active-matrix screen, and availability on the
145 is low due to low demand, making 160 and 165c the most
available options. 120 MB is still a generous size for a portable
computer's hard drive, so we hope few people will be seriously
disappointed by the decrease in megabytes.
In addition, the Spring issue of "Apple Report," Apple Ireland's
quarterly magazine, claims Apple will release a PowerBook 185c in
the summer. Given that the 165c has 180 performance with a
passive-matrix color LCD screen, that might imply that the 185c
will have better-than-180 performance with an active-matrix color
LCD screen. We expect the 185c to actually be a 180 with an
active-matrix color LCD, although there's no telling with Apple.
Apparently Sharp was showing off a new active-matrix color LCD
screen at the Tokyo Macworld Expo, and that screen should ship by
summer. It's lighter than the 165c's passive-matrix screen, but we
haven't heard if it consumes less power or will have a higher
yield than the active-matrix gray-scale screen.
Information from:
Jacob Ahlqvist -- jacob.ahlqvist@online.iol.ie
Pythaeus
Apple propaganda
32-bit Enabler Problems
-----------------------
Those of us on 32-bit dirty ROM machines like the Mac II, SE/30,
IIx, and IIcx were pleased when Apple finally released the 32-bit
Enabler for System 7.1. Unfortunately, this enabler appears to
suffer from numerous bugs and quirks, but only for some people. I
isolated a weird problem in which the 32-bit Enabler prevents
MacsBug 6.2.2 from rebooting my SE/30 - the programmer's switch
works fine, as does MacsBug when I revert back to MODE32. Other
people have related tales of woe that range from the Mac failing
to boot to major speed hits and frequent crashes.
We haven't identified any common factor other than the 32-bit
Enabler. Some blame accelerators, but we know of one DayStar-
accelerated Mac II that doesn't work, and another DayStar-
accelerated SE/30 that does. Rumors have floated about an
incompatibility with third-party drive formatters, most notably
Drive7 from Casa Blanca Works. John Catalano of Casa Blanca Works
said they had only one call about this problem, and the call only
relayed the Internet rumor. John said the Drive7 programmers are
checking for problems, and users of Drive7 and the 32-bit Enabler
who notice anything should contact Casa Blanca Works.
Ed Rotberg of Apple clarified one quirk. Apparently the 32-bit
Enabler requires version 1.2 of the Mac II ROMs, which are only
available as part of the $400 FDHD upgrade. Of course, Mac IIs
also require a separate PMMU, but the ROM version problem confused
many people who had been successfully using MODE32, which does not
require the newer ROMs. Ed cautioned users to install the 32-bit
Enabler loose in the System folder, since it won't work in the
Control Panel folder, for instance.
Roy McDonald of Connectix confirmed that Connectix has received
complaints about the 32-bit Enabler (Connectix programmed MODE32,
but had nothing to do with the 32-bit Enabler). Connectix
recommends users follow this procedure:
* First try the 32-bit Enabler. It works for many people just
fine.
* If your Mac won't boot or won't use 32-bit addressing, try
MODE32. Connectix was unable to reproduce any conflicts between
System 7.1 and MODE32 (they initially thought virtual memory might
cause crashes with System 7.1 and MODE32), so MODE32 should work,
and if you do experience problems with MODE32, let Connectix know.
* If your Mac boots and goes into 32-bit addressing using the
32-bit Enabler, but you experience notable flakiness, add the
Connectix Enabler Patch, which should be available from your
favorite FTP site or commercial service. See TidBITS#162 for
information on the patch, which is for use with all Enablers,
including the 32-bit Enabler.
Why use the 32-bit Enabler? It can't be turned off by extension
managers. MODE32 can be turned off, and when you do this, MODE32
disables itself, turning off 32-bit addressing as well. When you
turn MODE32 back on in the extension manager, MODE32 is still
disabled, as is 32-bit addressing, and you have to re-enable
MODE32 and 32-bit addressing manually before you can see all your
memory again.
The items I launch at startup consume more memory than 24-bit
addressing makes available, so if I forget to re-enable both
MODE32 and 32-bit addressing, the Mac gets confused when it uses
absolutely all of the available memory with ten more applications
left to launch. If you boot with the Shift key down to avoid
extensions, you get 24-bit addressing with either the 32-bit
Enabler or MODE32, and MODE32's settings and the Memory Control
Panel's settings aren't changed for the next boot, which is nice.
We have version 1.0.3 of the 32-bit Enabler, which is the latest
as far as we know, although we hope a 1.0.4 comes out relatively
quickly to solve some of these problems.
Casa Blanca Works -- 415/461-2227 -- 415/461-2249 (fax)
Connectix -- 800/950-5880 -- 415/571-5100
Information from:
Ed Rotberg -- gonzo@ntb.apple.com
Paul Duckenfield -- duckenfi@ac.grin.edu
John Catalano, Casa Blanca Works -- 73750.1317@compuserve.com
Roy McDonald, Connectix -- connectix@applelink.apple.com
Internal CD-ROM Quirks
----------------------
For a decent multimedia machine, the Mac has some strange
problems. The latest to surface concerns the internal CD drives in
the Performa 600CD, IIvx, Centris 650, and Quadras. The drive
works fine but does not allow access to the volume control dial
and headphone jack on the AppleCD 300 (the identical mechanism)
because Apple thinks people would be confused because Macintosh
beeps don't come from that jack. There's only so far you should go
in crippling hardware to make it easy to understand.
Pythaeus adds:
There are some real issues with the "Buick Case" bezel used on the
Performa 600, IIvx, and Centris 650.
* Why did Apple make the CD-ROM hit light invisible? When copying
large images from PhotoCD, which can take several minutes, you
have no indication that the computer is functioning. It looks as
though it's frozen. (There is a similar problem with AppleTalk
Remote Access, the Finder's watch cursor, and the "AppleTalk
doubleaxe" arrows.)
* Only the Sony CD-ROM drive fits behind the current removable
slotted bezel.
The bezel is easy to remove, but if you install a different CD-ROM
drive (the Toshiba or the Texel with the pull down doors) you need
to make an auxiliary handle for the drive doors because the bay is
so deeply recessed even with the bezel cover completely removed.
So where are the generic 5.25" and 3.5" bezel covers from Apple?
MicroNet says they had to tool their own - whether they are
available separately or not I don't know.
With the Texel drive, you can cut and fit a small piece of Radio
Shack heavy duty hook & loop velcro (it's clear plastic knobby
velcro, adhesive-backed) under the door tab, providing enough of
something to grip with a fingernail to open the spring-loaded dust
door.
The Toshiba mechanisms are tougher, since they have a smooth
curved tab on the door.
In either case it would be possible to epoxy a second tab onto the
dust door or even, using a small bit, drill a hole and tie a piece
of knotted yarn through the hole as a door pull.
I know this is absurd, but I bring it up to illustrate how
shortsighted Apple's "designers" can be at times. [Gee, I wonder
if the marketing department that hosed the Apple Adjustable
Keyboard might be implicated in this as well? -Adam]
Henry Ford: "Any color as long as it's black."
Apple: "Any CD-ROM drive as long as it's ours."
Information from:
Pythaeus
Duo 210 Observations
--------------------
by Eric Anderson -- ewa@cs.ucsd.edu
Now that I've traveled to Japan and back with my Duo 210, I have
comments which might be helpful to potential buyers. Please send
me suggestions or comments if you have similar experiences.
Snoring
It snores! When my 210 sleeps with the power plug removed, it
snores. A light buzzing comes from the rear, near the power jack.
In any but the quietest places, you have to put it within a few
inches of the ear to hear it. Battery life is good when asleep, so
there is no evidence that this is a fault. I'd like to know if
anyone else hears this! (When shut down, or the battery is
removed, it is completely silent.) At least one other person has
confirmed this.
Battery life
I took four batteries with me for the flights across the Pacific.
I never ran out of power - the flight from Los Angeles is eleven
and a half hours, but between meals and movies I only used up two
batteries. With the screen set to minimum (quite bright in a dark
plane) and the conservation set to maximum (not too annoying) and
processor cycling on, but full CPU speed, I got well over two
hours of use per battery. These batteries discharge when not in
use, and after 24 hours they've lost maybe 20 minutes of charge.
So plan ahead and keep them topped off. I suspect I could get
close to three hours booting from a big RAM disk.
While we're talking about the battery, I have had zero problems
with loose connections. Just make sure that it is tightly latched
as intended and you should be fine.
The battery slip-case has sharp innards that dig grooves into the
battery. This is silly. Discard the case, or sand down the ridges
in the case (not so easy). You can also slice off the pin way
inside the case that latches the battery in there and it's much
easier to use the case. The primary latch, in front, is good
enough without that darn plastic pin.
Screen
The screen is excellent in black and white mode, but I never use
that mode, because the 16 grays look much nicer. Black, single-
pixel-high horizontal lines cause slight shadows to extend down
the screen. Window title bars, with six parallel lines, are the
worst offenders. Try setting the background to alternating
horizontal lines of white and black - the screen quality plummets.
I use a 50% gray background with a grid highlight, similar to one
provided in the "General" control panel. The grid lines help to
hide shadows. Cranking "up" the contrast (the top button) can also
reduce shadows. [If you're familiar with ResEdit, consider
modifying the procedure Conrad Halling passed along in
TidBITS#160. -Adam]
When the screen is off, it takes a minute to warm up. It comes on
fairly bright, but gradually increases to full. This is subtle
enough that I thought it was my eyes for a while. Does anyone know
what kind of lights are used to light the screen? Do they ever
burn out? Should I keep them off when I'm plugged in and don't
need backlighting?
Keyboard
This keyboard just isn't a desktop keyboard. It is adequate, but
the spacebar takes some getting used to, and it will always be a
little less comfortable than a full-sized keyboard. For extended
use at home you'll be happier with a real mouse and keyboard. The
floppy adapter has one ADB port, so it is the least expensive way
to add the real keyboard and mouse.
[Important! The 08-Mar-93 issue of MacWEEK reported that Apple
will replace Duo keyboards that have a problem wherein the Shift
keys or the spacebar don't respond when the user types too
rapidly. Either call your dealer or the Apple technical assistance
hotline at 800/767-2775 if you experience this. -Adam]
Network Connections
A simple ImageWriter II cable works fine to connect any two
LocalTalk ports such as between the Duo 210 and a LaserWriter or
the 210 and a IIci, etc. It's a lot more compact than a pair of
PhoneNet connectors.
Summary
I love it. Sun Computers wants $1,999 for them; developers can do
better but may have to wait a while - perhaps as long as three to
four months. They are abundant in San Diego stores. I see no need
for the faster 230, though the dealer said most people opt for the
230. My most desired option now (in addition to four batteries,
two power supplies and one charger) would be 4 MB or 8 MB more
RAM. It's a well-balanced machine, but 4 MB is a little tight.
Negatives
[On the negative side, common complaints about the Duos include
the paucity of the Apple Express Modem and the docks, most notably
the MiniDock, the lack of an internal floppy drive, the lack of an
ADB port, the difficulty in taking it apart for anything but
adding RAM, the smaller trackball size (although it does use a
jeweled bearing that improves the feel significantly), the cost of
an overall Duo Dock system, and the loss of the internal screen
when docked in the Duo Dock. Of these, I'm only really concerned
about the last - all the other problems will either go away or
force you to suffer with a traditional PowerBook. -Adam]
Information from:
Eric Anderson -- ewa@cs.ucsd.edu
Modem Issue Comments
--------------------
We stirred up hornet's nest with our review of the PPI and Supra
modems in TidBITS#163. People made many comments, which you'll see
a sampling of below, but first I want to explain that TidBITS is
not MacSolarSystem, so it is impossible for us to review every
modem or test every situation. Instead, we used these modems
heavily in our daily work, which occasionally produces results you
couldn't find any other way.
Supra Problems
The comments that concerned us the most had to do with the Supra
modem, which evidently has not worked out well for some.
Tony Huang <tonyh@msc.cornell.edu> writes:
As anyone who occasionally browses the relevant newsgroups on the
net would know, there are two groups of Supra users: those that
are very happy with the product and those that are extremely
dissatisfied. The majority seem to be in the latter category. I
own a Supra modem. I use it primarily to access the Cornell SLIP
server and a few commercial services. For these applications, the
Supra is a fine product. However, Supras are known to have
problems connecting (and maintaining the connection) to many
modems, especially to one another! So, Supras are not good choice
for BBSing, if that's your primary application. The commercial
services typically use more-expensive modems (such as the
Motorolas, Hayes or USR Couriers) that will connect to any modem.
Joe Clark <joeclark@scilink.org> writes:
I own one of those kooky Supra modems you talked about and have
had a few problems. I ordered the free ROM upgrade and couldn't
install it because one of the screws on the case simply wouldn't
budge. Then the speaker died. Also, Microphone 1.7 is primitive,
and FaxSTF's interface and performance are much less fabulous than
you think. (If it "can't confirm the last page," whatever that
means, it keeps redialing and sending the whole document over
again, possibly racking up major phone charges.) In addition, I
have a hard time logging onto my local Internet source (up to
fifty tries are necessary). If I can get enough money together to
buy a completely new modem, I will. You'll find lots of flames
like mine on comp.dcom.modems, where opinion is split about the
Supra models.
Other good modems
A number of people wrote to tell us about how much they like
various other modems, including modems from ZyXEL, US Robotics,
and Global Village.
Pythaeus writes:
I'd suggest that while the Supra may be fine for the casual
communications user, it may well prove problematic for those with
intensive data communication needs, noisy phony lines, etc. I know
that in response to Usenet discussion threads I bought two ZyXEL
PLUS's. I'm glad I spent the extra money because these modems have
been exceptionally reliable (not a single lost connection) in many
intensive tasks.
Thomas B. Cowin <tcowin@ai.uwf.edu> writes:
We have been using Global Village TelePort/Gold modems, which have
performed well - high marks to Global Village for fax software and
capability. Also, in researching v.32bis fax modems for PCs, I ran
across a religious conversion occurring on comp.dcom.modems -
almost everyone seems to be absolutely crazy about the ZyXEL
modems' features and reliability. I have one on order. In a rating
of popular modems on a scale that runs from -10 to +10, the ZyXEL
comes in at +8.2, and Supra a +5.8 (over 40 survey responses.)
There's a summary put together by <mpye@netcom.com>, and even a
ZyXEL FAQ by <mckeeveb@monashee.sfu.ca>.
Eric Hoffmann <ehfm@midway.uchicago.edu> writes:
US Robotics (USR) has a number of modems that support v.32bis,
such as the Mac & Fax Sportster, and I feel it is a better modem
than either of the two you reviewed for a similar price.
Proprietary protocols are nothing new, or even unique to USR. By
my reckoning, USR, Hayes, ZyXEL, and Telebit have all introduced
modems with proprietary protocols that achieve top speed only when
connected to another modem of the same model.
Fax Software
A number of comments concerned fax software, both recommendations
for other programs and fixes for FaxSTF (which does have some
problems - just the other day I tried to fax something and FaxSTF
sent it all fine except the PICT of my signature).
Doug Smith <dougs@sga.uucp> comments:
I have the Global Village PowerPort/Gold modem. If the fax
software for Global Village's desktop modems is anything like what
comes with the PowerPort, it is fantastic. I've had total success
in both sending and receiving faxes; even the first time I tried
it.
Eric Hoffmann writes:
FaxSTF does have a nifty little application that goes into your
Apple Menu items folder: FaxState. Using FaxState, you can
completely bypass the seven steps it takes to activate or
deactivate the software. You bring up the application and if the
software is active, it turns it off. If the software is off, it
turns it on. Look for it inside the "Unsupported Software" folder
on the FaxSTF software disks. You might also mention a utility
called CommCloser that forces a serial port to close. Sometimes
ports get left open and you can't get communication programs to
work without restarting. CommCloser closes the port and lets you
avoid a restart.
Edward Reid <ed@titipu.resun.com> writes:
I just got an upgrade from STF. (You can do this for $9 by sending
in your original disk, even if it came bundled with a modem and
has some other vendor's name on the disk.) They claim the OCR
package is available for $109. It's a special-purpose version of
the Calera software (WordScan), so it should be good. I can't
compare directly; I have TypeReader, which I find nothing short of
amazing. However, even a clean high-resolution fax requires
editing after recognizing, and graphical objects like logos,
letterheads, mastheads, etc., are likely to be handled poorly.
A review of OCR programs in the Jan-93 MacUser included fax tests.
Unfortunately, although they tested lo-res and hi-res paper faxes
from a fax machine, they only tested a fax modem with hi-res faxes.
In my experience, most people use lo-res unless you insist on
hi-res. MacUser's review placed WordScan at the top of the heap
at recognizing faxes, though TypeReader was too new to make that
review. Accuracy on hi-res to the fax modem was good (about 99%),
possibly good enough to auto-delete faxes after recognizing if you
are willing to accept some errors, or to review the text version
and delete the image without looking at it if the text looks OK.
Recognition of lo-res paper faxes, scanned, was down at 90%, which
is unusable. Even though that will improve with eliminating the
paper step, I doubt it will reach the 97% level that is needed to
make the effort worthwhile.
On the other hand, it might be useful just to display the
recognized text side-by-side with the image. That way one could
choose to read whichever turns out better. That could be
especially useful, since viewing faxes on screen is such a
disaster that I usually print important faxes anyway.
Another feature which would make fax OCR much more useful would be
for the recognition engine to save as graphics any images
(obviously not text) and any sections of text that are not
recognized with high reliability. Perhaps future versions of these
programs will offer something like that. The MacUser review says
little about saving graphics.
Technical Support
Comments about technical support from various companies and
interested users included these two bits.
Eric Hoffmann writes:
For support issues, you should mention that people should hang out
on the Usenet newsgroup comp.dcom.modems. You will find terrific
support for Telebit, Hayes, US Robotics, and ZyXEL modems there.
Over the past several months there has been a high level of
dissatisfaction with Supra modems with various ROM revisions.
Geoff Duncan <gaduncan@halcyon.com> writes:
I had a Supra technician talk me through a very confusing set of
undocumented command settings to get the thing to connect to - get
this - a bookstore POS (Point Of Sale) system. Not only was that
out of the realm of "normal use," but he spent a good hour with me
getting it to work correctly - all on Supra's phone bill. As a
result, I have a high opinion of their support staff. However,
I've yet to receive my promised ROM upgrade, and I found several
important technical errors in their documentation. Still, good
support is hard to find.
Bits and Pieces
And finally, we received a bunch of random pieces of information
that should be useful to those who need to know.
Eric Hoffmann writes:
While you're mentioning sources for genuine "hardware-handshaking"
cables, don't forget about Paul Celestin's company. He has been
making the correctly wired cable for years now. He worked (and may
still) for Software Ventures, makers of MicroPhone. He's a nice
guy to boot, and I swear by his cables.
Celestin Company
P.O. Box 10949
Oakland, CA 94610
510/835-0702
800/835-5514
510/465-4991 (fax)
Norm Steffen <nsteffen@tecnet1.jcte.jcs.mil> writes:
Patrick Chen has compiled a good document on the nuts and bolts of
modem communication. It is titled "What You Need To Know About
Modems" and is part one of three in a work titled "The Joys of
Telecomputing". Part one is free. I plunked down the $18 bucks for
parts two and three and think it was a good deal. It took him a
little longer to respond than I had hoped, but he came through.
My edition is out of date as far as prices go, but much of the
rest of the information is still good. [Patrick Chen didn't answer
email at any of his electronic addresses. -Adam] You can find this
file via anonymous FTP on sumex-aim.stanford.edu as:
/info-mac/report/modem-guide-10.txt
Edward Reid writes:
Users might want to compare prices of these modems in Computer
Shopper; some distributors sell them without software or cable,
both of which you can purchase elsewhere.
Reviews/08-Mar-93
-----------------
* MacWEEK -- 01-Mar-93, Vol. 7, #9
Alias Sketch! 1.5 -- pg. 41
PBTools 1.0.1 -- pg. 41
PowerPrint/LT 1.0 -- pg. 44
UserLand Frontier 2.0 -- pg. 45
..
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