This version of the PD-ROM contains over 13,000 files, plus stuffed archives of approximately 5,000 icons and hundreds of Zipples. BMUG has done its best to screen the files on this PD-ROM to be System 7 compatible, 32 bit clean, free from viruses, and free from corruption. Almost all of the files on this PD-ROM were opened and played with on a Power Macintosh 6100/60, the exceptions being those files that are intended to run on specific types of Macintoshes, such as PowerBooks. Most of the software was run in 256 colors on a 14" color monitor. We checked the entire contents of the PD-ROM with Disinfectant 3.6 to ensure that it is free of viruses. Finally, we ran Norton Disk Doctor 3.1 to confirm that the PD-ROM and its contents are healthy.
We've also done our best to ensure that all the files on this PD-ROM are either Shareware or Freeware. If we have made a mistake, please tell us. Most of the files on this PD-ROM originated from various on-line services and user groups. If we do have a few files by mistake, so do many other groups as well.
We've also done our best to ensure that all the files on this PD-ROM are either Shareware or Freeware. If we have made a mistake, please tell us. Most of the files on this PD-ROM originated from various on-line services and user groups. If we do have a few files by mistake, so do many other groups as well. We apologize in advance for any mistakes we have made, and pledge to correct those mistakes in future revisions of the PD-ROM.
Shareware Fees
If you use any of the Shareware, please send in the Shareware fee. There are a great many programs and fonts on this ROM that are better than what you might find at your local computer store. So please pay for the ones that you use. Paying for Shareware is very important.
We have tried to standardize all the ``Read Me'' text files in the following formats:
TeachText (for System 6)
SimpleText (for System 7)
Both of these text editors are available from your Apple System Disks, and are included on this PD-ROM for your convenience. Neither TeachText nor SimpleText may open files larger than 32K in size--you will need to open those ``Read Me'' text files with your favorite word processor or a different text editor, such as SaintEdit, also included on this PD-ROM. Should you attempt to open a text file larger than 32K in size with either TeachText or SimpleText, you will simply be informed that the program cannot open files that size--no harm will come to the file, the program, your Macintosh, or you.
Finally, some of the ``Read Me'' files are in Claris MacWrite, Microsoft Word (v.4 or 5), or other formats. Usually, those ``Read Me'' files contain formatting and/or graphics that allow the files to convey information more easily to you. However, you will need a word processor or set of translators that can open those files. Most current word processors will open MacWrite documents, and many now include converters for Microsoft Word as well.
For your convenience, we have included in the ``BMUG Essentials'' folder a set of other readers that you may find useful. In addition to TeachText 1.2 and SimpleText 1.2, you will find the following free readers:
Adobe's Acrobat Reader 2.0.1 Installer (install on your hard disk)
Farallon's Replica Viewer 1.0
No Hands Software's Common Ground Mini-Viewer 1.1.3
SuperViewer Classic 2.02
Undoubtedly, these readers will play a larger role in the distribution of digital documents in the future (in addition to what Apple does with QuickDraw GX).
Adobe Acrobat Reader and ATM 3.8.2
If you install Acrobat Reader 2.0.1 it automatically installs or updates your current ATM to version 3.8.2. This is a complete version of ATM and runs native on Power Macs as well as being compatible with Apple QuickDraw GX. It is not the ATM 3.7LE (Limited Edition) version that was included with earlier versions of Acrobat.
ATM (Adobe Type Manager) renders PostScript fonts for your screen and QuickDraw printing devices like StyleWriter and DeskJet printers. For more information read the documentation for Acrobat Reader inside its installer.
Other Essentials
We also included some of the most sought after software on this Font ROM, including Disinfectant 3.6, Compact Pro 1.51, StuffIt Lite 3.5, and FirstClass Client 2.6 (needed to log onto Planet BMUG, BMUG Boston, BMUG South [San Jose], and our growing number of bulletin board systems). Also in the ``BMUG Essentials'' folder, you will find copies of the following:
DiskDup+ 2.6.1
Mt.Image 1.0.2
ShrinkWrap[tm] 1.3.2
ZTerm 0.9
CDIconKiller 1.3.3
Each of these utilities contains documentation explaining what they do and how they work. These utilities will help you to check your files for viruses, load disk images, make your CD-ROM operate more quickly, log onto BMUG's online services, and use compressed files.
Why Don't the Programs Work?
Some users have voiced concerns that no matter what they do, they cannot get the programs on a ROM to run. The following three steps will usually resolve a problem you may be having in this regard:
1) copy the file or program to your hard disk and run it from there. Some programs are not written as well as they could be, and try to write temporary files to the hard disk on which the program resides. The problem, of course, is that the ROM is a read-only drive, and therefore the program crashes.
2) start your Macintosh without any extensions running, except those necessary to run your CD-ROM drive. Very often, programs conflict with extensions. Eliminating wonderful but unnecessary extensions often solves your problems.
3) set your monitor depth to a lower number. Some programs that display color graphics eat up massive amounts of RAM if you have your monitor set to 24 or 32-bit color (millions of colors). Try resetting your monitor to 8-bits (256 colors) and see if the problem goes away.
If these steps do not fix your problem, then click on the file and select ``Get Info'' from the ``File'' menu. If the program has a very old creation date, then it may not work on a PowerPC. Contrariwise, a very new program may not work on an older Macintosh, such as a Mac Plus. If you cannot get your program to work, then simply ignore it and move on.
Thank you very much, and we hope that you enjoy this version of the PD-ROM as much as we enjoyed putting it together for you!
