BMUG PD-ROM B4/PD-ROM B4.iso/Utilities/TidBITs/TidBITS#192⁄06-Sep-93

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From: [e-mail] (Adam C. Engst)
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Subject: TidBITS#192/06-Sep-93
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Date: 8 Sep 93 04:53:11 GMT
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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 -- [e-mail]
   Makers of hard drives, tape drives, memory, and accessories.
   For APS price lists, email: [e-mail]

Copyright 1990-1993 Adam & Tonya Engst. Details at end of issue.
   Automated info: <[e-mail]> Comments: <[e-mail]>
   --------------------------------------------------------------

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
  <[e-mail]> 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
  <[e-mail]> 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 <[e-mail]> 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 -- [e-mail]


32-bit Enabler Feedback Requested
---------------------------------
  Mitch Bayersdorfer <[e-mail]>, 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
  <[e-mail]> 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 -- [e-mail]
     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
  [e-mail] 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 -- [e-mail]

  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)
      [e-mail]


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...


$$

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Adam C. Engst, TidBITS Editor -- [e-mail] -- [e-mail]