home
***
CD-ROM
|
disk
|
FTP
|
other
***
search
/
Info-Mac 3
/
Info_Mac_1994-01.iso
/
Periodical
/
TidBITs
/
TidBITS#192
< prev
next >
Wrap
Text File
|
1993-12-31
|
31KB
|
629 lines
8-Sep-93 6:22:12-GMT,30788;000000000001
Return-Path: <tidbits!ace@tidbits.com>
Received: from terminator.rs.itd.umich.edu by CAMIS.Stanford.EDU (4.1/inc-1.0)
id AA20669; Tue, 7 Sep 93 23:22:12 PDT
Received: from nwnexus.wa.com by terminator.rs.itd.umich.edu (5.67/2.2)
with SMTP id AA02623; Wed, 8 Sep 93 02:21:47 -0400
Received: by nwnexus.wa.com id AA11848
(5.65c/IDA-1.4.4 for macgifts@mac.archive.umich.edu); Tue, 7 Sep 1993 23:21:39 -0700
Received: by tidbits.com (uA-1.6v2); Tue, 7 Sep 93 21:53:50 PDT
From: ace@tidbits.com (Adam C. Engst)
To: TIDBITS@RICEVM1.RICE.EDU
Subject: TidBITS#192/06-Sep-93
Date: Tue, 7 Sep 93 21:53:50 PDT
Organization: TidBITS
Reply-To: ace@tidbits.com (Adam C. Engst)
Message-Id: <D2150083.b5crcc@tidbits.com>
X-Mailer: uAccess - Macintosh Release: 1.6v2
TidBITS#192/06-Sep-93
=====================
News from Apple this week includes a request for feedback from
ex-32-bit Enabler users, updated free utilities that all
Macintosh users should have, and a fix for some LaserWriter
NTR bugs. Digging through the Macworld information pile, I
glance at some of the small products that make the Mac fun.
Finally, if you're confused and irritated about the
scatterbrained Macintosh product line, check out my editorial
entitled Proliferation Polemic.
This issue of TidBITS sponsored in part by:
* APS Technologies -- 800/443-4199 -- 71520.72@compuserve.com
Makers of hard drives, tape drives, memory, and accessories.
For APS price lists, email: aps-prices@tidbits.com
Copyright 1990-1993 Adam & Tonya Engst. Details at end of issue.
Automated info: <info@tidbits.com> Comments: <ace@tidbits.com>
--------------------------------------------------------------
Topics:
MailBITS/06-Sep-93
CopyDoubler Bug
32-bit Enabler Feedback Requested
Apple Updates Several Utilities
Upgrade Your NTR
I Screen, You Screen
Proliferation Polemic
[Archived as /info-mac/per/tb/tidbits-192.etx; 30K]
MailBITS/06-Sep-93
------------------
Sorry this issue is a day late - for those of you not in the U.S.,
Monday was Labor Day, a national holiday celebrated in true
oxymoronic style by not working. I wonder if there are any
holidays that people celebrate by working especially hard?
Probably not.
**IN CONTROL Offer** -- I guess Attain liked Matt Neuburg's review
of IN CONTROL in the last issue since they have made it easier for
TidBITS readers to check out the program and expand their
wardrobes at the same time. If you order via email to
<tidbits@attain.com> you will receive IN CONTROL 2.0 and an IN
CONTROL t-shirt for $75, which includes shipping within the U.S.
That's about $10 cheaper than mail order, and you get the t-shirt.
I didn't receive further details in time, but I assume you would
have to include your shipping address, telephone number, and
credit card type, number, and expiration date.
**AV Monitor Correction Again** -- Daniel V. Blystone
<dblyston@weird.biol.trinity.edu> writes: "In regards to the
comment by Michael Shannon last week, you do _not_ need a TV to
see what you are recording QuickTime movies. You do need software
that will let you see what you are recording, such as Adobe
Premiere, which lets you view the input while you record. Many of
the Apple utilities do not let you preview while recording. There
are several advantages to having a TV monitor hanging around. You
can run your captured movies on the TV using NTSC standard, and
you can watch your favorite cartoon while you work.
Michael Shannon <datamike@aol.com> clarifies: "Perhaps the way I
worded the statement was misleading. Recording QuickTime movies
from an external video source is no problem. It's recording the
video OUTPUT (either composite or S-VHS) that disables the Mac
display."
CopyDoubler Bug
---------------
An unfortunate bug has reared its ugly head in CopyDoubler 2.0,
the utility from Fifth Generation Systems that significantly
speeds copying. It seems that if you drag a blank floppy disk onto
another floppy disk while CopyDoubler is installed, files on your
hard disk can be deleted. Needless to say, this is a major
problem, and Fifth Generation has released a patcher that brings
CopyDoubler to version 2.0.1 and fixes the bug. If you use
CopyDoubler or CopyDoubler Lite, make sure to download the
updater. It's available on America Online (keyword: Salient),
CompuServe (GO FIFTH, library #14), and on <sumex-
aim.stanford.edu> as:
info-mac/cmp/copy-doubler-20-201-updt.hqx
A patcher for CopyDoubler Lite exists in the same places with a
slightly different name. Obscure bugs happen, and it's a shame
that this one had to happen to a program as good as CopyDoubler,
but I'm pleased to see an updater available on the nets.
Information from:
Terry Morse, Fifth Generation Systems -- salient@aol.com
32-bit Enabler Feedback Requested
---------------------------------
Mitch Bayersdorfer <mdb@apple.com>, the project manager in charge
of the 32-bit Enabler at Apple, is looking for feedback from users
of the 32-bit Enabler who went back to MODE32. Please send Mitch
email about specific problems you've had with the 32-bit Enabler
(concentrating on programs that work with MODE32 but crash with
the 32-bit Enabler), as well as comments about why you like one
better than the other. The level of response will directly
determine Apple's inclination to update the 32-bit Enabler, so
please do write to Mitch. Thanks to Jack Howarth
<howarth@proto.med.uth.tmc.edu> for forwarding this message.
Just to set the proper mood, I'll start. I like using the 32-bit
Enabler more than MODE32 because it's less obtrusive and doesn't
turn off if you move it with an extensions manager. However, when
I use the 32-bit Enabler on my SE/30, the rs command in MacsBug
doesn't restart the machine, and if I open the Define Colors
dialog in PageMaker 4.2, the Mac crashes instantly. Neither of
these problems occurs with MODE32.
Apple Updates Several Utilities
-------------------------------
by Mark H. Anbinder, News Editor -- mha@baka.ithaca.ny.us
Technical Support Coordinator, BAKA Computers
Back in August, Apple announced a collection of software utility
updates intended to replace versions already in users' hands. The
Macintosh Software Utilities Update, version 1.0, includes Apple
HD SC Setup 7.2, Disk First Aid 7.2, and MacCheck 1.0.4. The
utilities are intended for users of System 7.1.
MacCheck has shipped with the Performas for a while; it provides a
diagnostic tool that users can refer to while speaking to a
technical support consultant on the phone. It gives a profile of
the hard drive, a logic board test, and a file system verification
test (to find corrupted directories and system files).
The new Apple HD SC Setup utility offers better flexibility in
formatting hard disks larger than 1 GB. Apple also released it
with the recent Hardware System Update 2.0.
Disk First Aid 7.2 adds new repair capabilities and a completely
new user interface. Version 7.1 did not always agree with
MacCheck's diagnoses, and often could neither find nor repair
problems that MacCheck pointed out to a confused user.
The free update disk is available immediately from AppleLink, via
anonymous FTP from <ftp.apple.com> (using the path
/ftp/dts/mac/sys.soft/utils), and from other online services, user
groups, and dealers. Questions may be addressed to Apple's help
line, 800/SOS-APPL, to MACCHECK on AppleLink, or
maccheck@guest.apple.com on the Internet.
Apple notes that the recent new Macintoshes and the ones
introduced this fall, will probably include Disk First Aid 7.1.1,
rather than 7.2. Apparently the fall machines' disk-completion
deadline was in July, and Disk First Aid 7.2 was not ready.
Upgrade Your NTR
----------------
by Mark H. Anbinder, News Editor -- mha@baka.ithaca.ny.us
Apple has announced that replacement ROM chips will be available
from service providers to fix two problems in the Personal
LaserWriter NTR printer. Users who have experienced either problem
are eligible for the upgrade; users who haven't seen either
problem probably don't need it.
The first problem would be immediately apparent. If the Personal
LaserWriter NTR is used in a network with routers that have
checksum capability, the printer will not appear in the Chooser,
and therefore can't be selected. The second problem, perhaps less
evident, is that the printer might occasionally print a blank
sheet of paper immediately prior to a print job or immediately
upon startup.
The upgrade kit consists of six ROM chips to replace chips in the
printer, and is available from Apple service providers (such as
most Apple dealers) free of charge through 15-Aug-94.
Information from:
Apple propaganda
I Screen, You Screen
--------------------
I'm finally processing my stack of information from Macworld
Boston, and I wanted to write about some of the products that I
liked the most when there, not because they improve your bottom
line or productivity, but because they improve your mood. The Mac
is fun, or at least it should be, and these products help keep it
that way. Anyone who doesn't think the Mac should be fun should go
futz with A/UX on an Apple Workstation Server 95. That should be a
load of laughs.
Screenies
I kept dragging friends over to see Screenies, since they are
small, simple, and use no RAM. They can't crash your Mac, and
depending on your configuration, might even be useful.
Screenies are cardboard screen frames that attach to the edge of a
monitor with velcro. That may be the worst part - I don't know if
you can easily remove the velcro if you don't want the Screenie
any more. They come in two sizes, one for 14" monitors (those fit
13" and 15" monitors as well) and one for 9" monitors (although in
fewer designs), and 51 different designs, many created by well-
known artists. I can't do the range of designs justice, but you
can probably find at least one you like. I especially liked the
Etch-a-Sketch and the Retro TV Screenies.
Two Screenies are more than decorative - a corkboard and a dry
erase whiteboard. Given the number of people who stick notes to
their monitors, I suspect the whiteboard in particular will be
popular.
Screenies cost about $12 for big ones and $10 for little ones
(prices may vary), and should be available from many stores,
including CompUSA, Egghead, and many non-computer vendors. You can
also call and ask for the location of a local reseller, and if
even order one over the phone (although short of the corkboard or
the whiteboard, you would want to pick one out in person).
Recommended.
Screenies -- 800/959-6190 -- 707/939-6060 -- 707/939-6065 (fax)
The Disney Collection
Berkeley Systems continues to fight off the advent of power-saving
monitors with collections of modules for their After Dark screen
saver, and the latest one is certainly worth a look if you're a
module collector.
The Star Trek collection didn't excite me because animating the
Star Trek characters resulted in stiff, odd-looking renditions of
real people and special effects. In contrast, The Disney
Collection works well since the characters are animated to begin
with, so converting them to onscreen animations fits perfectly.
The modules I saw at the show looked slick and well-done. There's
a Goofy module in which he messes around with items on your
desktop, a Fantasia module with Mickey Mouse and the animated
broom, a module in which Donald Duck paints the screen while being
lowered from a swing, and a cute one with 101 Dalmations reversing
out of a white screen and leaving black silhouettes and... you'll
have to see it. Also included among the 15 modules are modules
from The Little Mermaid and Beauty and the Beast, both of which
are too recent for my Disney cultural knowledge.
Like the Star Trek Collection, the Disney Collection comes with
After Dark, so you don't need to buy it separately, but if you
have After Dark already, the modules will work fine. The list
price (not that many people pay it) is $49.95, and the Disney
Collection is slated to ship at the end of September.
Berkeley Systems -- 510/540-5535
UnderWare
Continuing on to the latest take on screen savers, we hit
UnderWare, which, in its less-interesting modes, can act as a
screen saver (compatible with most After Dark modules) or as a
Wallpaper-like desktop pattern utility. Where UnderWare shines
though, is in the time between when you stop working and when the
screen saver kicks in. UnderWare provides over 30 modules that run
in "dynamic desktop" mode, interacting with the icons and windows
on your desktop.
Like the Goofy module I mentioned above, the UnderWare modules
interact in an often-hilarious manner with desktop objects. The
modules include icons that sprout legs and run off the screen, a
burglar who tunnels into your Mac and steals chips, butterflies
that fly around and land on icons, a fire-breathing dragon that
melts your trash can, a wizard that zaps icons, and a garbage
truck that drives onto the screen and empties your trash (although
I don't think it deletes anything).
The slightly confusing part of UnderWare is that the propaganda
says that it runs _while_ you work. That's not exactly true. It
kicks in quickly after the Mac goes idle (and I think you can set
that delay) so that you can enjoy its displays, but it's not
slowing things down as you type.
Like any good screen saver-type utility, UnderWare provides a
configurable system activity monitor that checks for network
access or modem usage. UnderWare is a Control Panel and requires
less than 100K of the system heap, although it does require at
least a 68020 Macintosh with Color QuickDraw and System 7.
UnderWare will ship in September at a list price of $59.95.
Definitely worth a look.
Bit Jugglers -- 415/968-3908 -- 415/968-5358 (fax)
Crazy Covers
If you work in a dusty environment, you've probably thought about
covering your Mac. If you have ever cracked the case of an elderly
SE and been assaulted by dust bunnies with the size and
personality of warthogs, you've definitely thought about covering
your Mac. Crazy Covers makes a variety of covers from Tyvek, a
strange, durable material that definitely never came from anything
living. Crazy Covers has a ton of designs, and although they
aren't as neat as the designs on the Screenies, they're better
than plain white. You can choose from one of their pre-existing
designs, such as a jungle, an ocean, a globe, a polar bear, a
Woody Jackson-ish cow motif, and various Apple logos, or you can
have them custom print any design you send them. A custom cover
could be a neat advertising gimmick, although they're a bit pricey
to be a Macworld giveaway, ranging in price from about $10 to
about $30. Crazy Covers donates a portion of the proceeds from the
jungle, ocean, and globe designs to environmental organizations.
Crazy Covers -- 800/624-1404 -- 802/463-1404
802/463-1405 (fax)
SimCity 2000
The game that has held my interest the longest (and which Tonya
plays on the PowerBook 100 when she's sick) is SimCity from Maxis.
For us at least, it has the elements necessary to hold attention
beyond even the other Sim games like SimEarth, SimAnt, and SimLife
(which I actually haven't seem). The next major release in the Sim
line should be SimCity 2000, which is an impressive upgrade to
SimCity Classic (as it will now be called).
SimCity 2000 takes the city simulation concepts in SimCity Classic
and expands on them in almost every way. Instead of a single
overhead view, you can display your city in three dimensions and
at three magnification levels. Moving up from the 16-color
graphics in SimCity Classic, SimCity 2000 supports 256-color
graphics, a noticeable difference. Instead of creating only roads
and railroads, you can create roads, highways, tunnels, on-ramps,
and bus depots, and of course the mass transit equivalents -
underground subways and rail depots. Energy simulation has
expanded as well, so instead being limited to coal or nuclear
power plants, SimCity 2000 lets you experiment with coal, nuclear,
solar, cold fusion, hydroelectric, wind, gas, oil, microwave beam,
and solar power plants. Outdoor recreation for the Sims should
prove more interesting in SimCity 2000 with its parks, zoos,
stadiums, and marinas. Other features include (reading from the
propaganda - the program was barely in stable alpha or beta at the
show) 64 levels of altitude (and you can raise or lower the ground
level), an underground level for waterworks and subways, variable
sized zones, more city services, built-in terrain editor, a local
newspaper for event updates and citizen feedback, angled roads,
musical soundtrack, and brand new disasters.
Put it this way. I want this program. Maxis claims they will ship
it with some real-life cities built-in, and I hope they do
Seattle, with its massive debates raging over mass transit issues.
If not, I may create a Seattle simulation, just to satisfy my own
curiosity about how some of the transit plans might work out.
SimCity 2000 will list for $69.95 when it ships late this year.
They had no firm date when I asked, but I'm sure it will be in the
stores for Christmas. Watch for SimCity 2000 - it will be a
winner. You might also look for SimFarm sometime soon, and having
grown up on a farm, I'll definitely have some opinions on that
one.
Maxis -- 800/336-2947 -- 510/254-9700 -- 510/253-3736 (fax)
maxis@aol.com
Proliferation Polemic
---------------------
Anyone who has tried to buy a Macintosh in recent years or who
supports them professionally or personally has no doubt cursed
Apple for the proliferation of Macintosh models. What processor
did the LC II have? How fast is the IIvx in comparison to the LC
III? Why does the Quadra 700 support 24-bit internal video whereas
its faster sequel, the Quadra 800 doesn't? These are among the
questions that I and many others continually ask, along with the
question at the root of these evils - what are they putting in the
drinking water in Cupertino?
This problem shows up frequently in what are now historical looks
at the Macs of yesteryear. In the BMUG Glossary (I used the
version in the massive Spring Newsletter), they list the Classic
II in the 68000 line, but they also list it, along with its
Performa 200 clone, in the 68020 line. Buzz! Buzz! The otherwise-
excellent second edition of Rich Wolfson's "The PowerBook
Companion" mentions that the Classic II uses a 68000 chip . Buzz!
In Robin Williams's wonderful new book "Jargon," she says that all
Mac II-class machines use the 68030 except for the Mac II, the LC,
and LC II. Buzz!
These excellent books come from respected authors, and they all
miss the fact that both the Classic II and the LC II use a 16 MHz
68030 with a 16-bit data bus. We don't blame these authors or even
their technical editors for the mistakes; we've made similar ones
in TidBITS. The blame lies with Apple for introducing many
variations on the theme and for eliminating all printed traces of
information for older models when a machine becomes obsolete. Try
finding a spec sheet on the SE/30 these days.
The Solution?
By now you're thinking that this is an old complaint, although
admittedly one which Apple has generally ignored. In a feeble move
in the right direction, Apple will reportedly drop the Centris
name in the future, calling all Centris machines Quadras, which
may reduce the number of Macs, but will leave the current
Centrises isolated in the history books. To balance that bit of
sanity, the new Quadra 605 rumored for this fall will sport yet
another case design, slimmer even than the LC case. How many cases
is that now?
Some time back, Guy Kawasaki wrote in his Macworld column that
Apple should drop all but three models of the Mac, the Color
Classic, the PowerBook 160, and the Centris 650 (see TidBITS #174_
for my initial comments on that suggestion). Such a suggestion
fails miserably in the marketplace for two reasons. First, there
isn't enough flexibility in those three Macs to satisfy a large
number of purchasers. Second, with only three Macs in the line,
Apple gets almost no shelf space in computer stores in comparison
to PC clones.
Over the past few months, Tonya and I have talked about this
problem at length (as a tech support person, Tonya is painfully
aware of the problems in keeping up - try helping a novice restart
a Mac when you have no idea where Apple put the restart or power
switch on a new model). Although perhaps not perfect, we think
we've come up with a solution that satisfies most everyone.
Apple should create four lines of Macs, each of which would have
different case designs for which you could choose individual
configurations specifications like processor speed, RAM size,
monitor, and hard drive. First comes the Home/Education/Individual
User line, which encompasses the Color Classic or LC 520 case and
the standard LC case. Second, we have the Business/Power User
line, which encompasses the Centris 610 case, the Centris 650 or
Quadra 700 case, and the Quadra 900 case. Third comes the
PowerBook line, with PowerBook and Duo cases. Fourth and most
interesting, comes the Collectible line, in which the case changes
with each new Mac, but only one new Mac appears every nine to
twelve months. The most important part of this is that within each
line, the motherboards are identical other than size or number of
slots. That eliminates the model-specific quirks as much as
possible. Let me explain.
The Explanation
You seldom hear complaints from the PC world about number of
models because it's relatively easy to compare machines, even from
different vendors, based on the chip speed and options. You don't
run into quirks like the IIci and the IIsi sharing RAM between
applications and internal video, but every other Mac with internal
video using VRAM. PC clones are generally stamped out on a
production line and the customer chooses options after picking a
base unit. That method works well, because it provides flexibility
to the user as well as standard configurations to track (for the
moment we'll ignore the much-touted myth of "PC compatible"). So
we recommend moving the main Macintosh line to the PC model, as
suggested above in the first three lines of Macs.
However, the PC model fails in terms of creating machines with
personality, machines that have characteristic quirks, machines
that you can name. One 25 MHz 486 is basically the same as any
other 25 MHz 486. Many people (although not many businesses) like
personality, and I think, for instance, that it says something
about me as a person that I work on a PowerBook 100 and on an
SE/30, (although admittedly an SE/30 with two screens, 20 MB of
RAM, and a 1.2 GB drive). I identify with my SE/30, and when I buy
a new machine, I'll hold on the SE/30 and use it as a file server
or something. Same goes for the PowerBook 100 - it's a sweet
machine that does what I need it to do, under-powered and obsolete
though it may be. That's why we suggest the fourth line, the
Collectible Mac, so those wishing to spend the money could have a
cool Mac that screams individuality.
Just to show that this suggestion isn't accompanied purely by a
lot of hand-waving, let me share some the specific details of how
this could work.
Home/Education/Individual User Details
Apple would aim these machines at the individual user or school
that didn't anticipate needing high-end software or specialized
hardware. At most these machines would have one PDS slot, and RAM
and VRAM expansion (16-bit video maximum) would remain at the
current limitations of the LC III. The Color Classic or LC 520
case (pick one, it doesn't matter) would satisfy people who wanted
it all in a single box, where as the current LC pizza box design
would satisfy users who wanted a different monitor (larger, third-
party, Pivot, etc.). For these machines, low cost (no math
coprocessors) and ease of use are paramount, and the only real
upgrades would be to faster processors, more memory, or larger
hard disks.
Business/Power User Details
These machines would more or less encompass the current Quadra and
Centris lines, although under one name. The three case designs
allow the price range to vary significantly from the one-slot
Centris 610 case (perfect as a general machine for a large company
to purchase in quantity) to the three-slot Centris 650 or Quadra
700 case (pick one, it doesn't matter), to the six-slot Quadra 900
case. Within each case you could choose the processor speed, RAM
size, VRAM size (although all would support up to 24-bit video),
hard drive, and monitor, although they all come with an FPU and
Ethernet on board. Again, upgrades to faster processors (even if
they require new motherboards) as they come out would be simple,
since the same case designs should stick around.
PowerBook Details
The PowerBooks are some of the most confusing Macs around, since
the numbers are so numerous. How does the 165 compare to the 145
to the 170 to the 180? No one can keep them straight, so there
should be just two cases, a normal PowerBook case and a Duo case.
Within each case you choose the processor speed, whether or not it
has an FPU, the RAM size, hard drive, and most importantly,
monitor type (monochrome, gray-scale, or color in either passive
or active matrix). Ports will be standardized on the current ones,
so all PowerBooks will have video out and the standard ports,
whereas the Duos will still only have a serial port and the
docking port. Speaking of the docking port, I see no reason to
change the line of docks since with only three possibilities
(floppy adapter, MiniDock, and Duo Dock) they are easy to track.
Collectible Mac Details
Here's where Apple's engineers can strut their stuff. One new
Collectible Mac should appear every nine to twelve months, and
there should be only two configurable options, RAM and hard drive
size (or perhaps a floppy-only version). Each case should be
designed by a different renowned designer, and they should feel
free to avoid the standard computer look. Maybe we'd see a round
Mac covered in teak, or a black Mac with mirrored insets (you can
tell I'm not a renowned designer). If you buy a Collectible Mac,
you are buying a Mac and making a statement about your life-style.
Sure, there might be more quirks and compatibility issues, but you
don't buy a Collectible Mac because you rely on utter stability
day in and day out. Apple's engineers can use the Collectible Macs
as test beds for features like those in the new AV Macs.
Innovative features might disappear with the next Collectible Mac,
or they might migrate to one or more of the other lines. There's a
risk associated with a Collectible Mac, but the people buying them
won't care - they're the same people who buy fancy cars and seldom
drive them. As far as expansion goes, there wouldn't be any short
of adding more RAM or a larger hard disk, since these Macs are
one-shot deals. That's fine, since the purchasers of Collectible
Macs will either hang on to them to keep the collection going or
will sell one to buy a newer model. Of course, Apple probably
can't say that a Collectible Mac is a dead end in the
documentation, but no one thought the IIfx was a dead end when it
came out either.
Naming Schemes
I haven't mentioned names yet, but simplicity rules here. There
should be one name for each line, and to reduce confusion, the
names should be different from the current ones. Let's use Turbo
as an example. Since all Turbos will differ only in details, when
you are talking about your machine, you'd say, "I've got a 25 MHz
68040 Turbo in a one-slot case." If you upgraded to a PowerPC
processor, you'd simply say "Now I have a 50 MHz PowerPC 601 Turbo
in a one-slot case." No more confusing name and number changes and
trying to figure out why the Quadra 800 is faster than the Quadra
900.
The Collectible Macs are another story. Each one must sport its
own name, much as each Mac has a code name during development. So
you would buy a Macintosh Flame, or a Macintosh Zodiac, or
whatever, but that name would uniquely identify that machine, so
there wouldn't be any problem with confusing numbers or letters
after the name.
Overall
I won't pretend that this scheme solves all of Apple's problems,
or that it would be easy to implement. Nonetheless, if Apple wants
to play the PC-clone game, they have to do it right. Although
machines with individual character are part of the Macintosh
philosophy, confusing the user with a myriad of differences is
not. There is a time and a place for individuality, and smack dab
in the middle of the product line is not it.
I welcome comments in discussion groups on this issue, since I
think it's a major problem. I somehow doubt Apple will listen, but
maybe if we all speak up...
$$
Non-profit, non-commercial publications may reprint articles if
full credit is given. Others please contact us. We don't guarantee
accuracy of articles. Caveat lector. Publication, product, and
company names may be registered trademarks of their companies.
This text is wrapped as a setext. For more information send email
with the single word "setext" (no quotes) in the Subject: line to
<fileserver@tidbits.com>. A file will be returned shortly.
For an APS price list, send email to: <aps-prices@tidbits.com>
For information on TidBITS: how to subscribe to our mailing list,
where to find back issues, how to search issues on the Internet's
WAIS, and other useful stuff, send email to: <info@tidbits.com>
Otherwise, contact us at: ace@tidbits.com * CIS: 72511,306
AppleLink & BIX: TidBITS * AOL: Adam Engst * Delphi: Adam_Engst
TidBITS * 1106 North 31st Street * Renton, WA 98056 USA
----------------------------------------------------------------
--
Adam C. Engst, TidBITS Editor -- ace@tidbits.com -- info@tidbits.com