Earl Williams recently informed me about a catch to the great deal that International Business Software offered with DataClub, WriteNow, Panorama, and MacCalc. Apparently, the version of DataClub does not include the DataClub Admin application. This sounds serious, but in reality it's not that bad, since you don't need DataClub Admin unless you want to create users and groups and passwords. DataClub works fine without it. In addition, a coupon in the box allows you to buy DataClub Admin for $50. IBS said that the offer should have mentioned the lack of DataClub Admin, but it was somehow lost. So the deal isn't quite as good as it seemed previously, but even with the extra $50 it's still attractive. It's too bad IBS comes off looking flaky, but I don't believe it was malicious or intentionally misleading.

Roger Hart writes,

The SuperDrive on our SE has dramatically improved the quality of the air in our home here in Los Angeles. Just as Apple helps keep your desk clean by collecting filth into little chunks around the rollers inside your mouse, the SuperDrive removes dust from the air. The air is filtered in a circuitous route through the machine where dust is trapped by the magnetic/electrical properties of the drive head and other electronic components.

Unfortunately, apparently due to faulty design of the SE, some Mac users may become unnecessarily alarmed by the persistent "disk unreadable" dialog boxes which result. This is only a healthy sign of how effective your Mac is at conditioning the air.

Warning: Before you are tempted to use so-called floppy disk cleaners, mini-vacuums or compressed air to get rid of these "unwanted" dialogue boxes, remember that doing so will only return the dust so painstakingly collected by your Mac back into the environment.

Information from:
Earl Williams -- earl@cognet.ucla.edu
Roger Hart -- IZZYCY5@UCLAMVS.BITNET