AboutThatMac is an easy-to-use system management utility which allows remote monitoring of processes and memory use on networked Macintosh systems. The data is similar to the About This Macintosh dialog box in Apple's Finder.
The AboutThatMac package is shareware. This concept allows you to try this software for 30 days. If you continue to use AboutThatMac after that time, you must register this software as described below.
«Hardware & Software Requirements»
AboutThatMac has no special hardware requirements. It has been tested on many Macintosh models including the Mac Plus, LC, Quadras, Powerbooks and Power Macintosh (in emulation mode).
AboutThatMac requires System 7.0 or greater. It uses Apple Events as the communication mechanism between client and server and the System 7.0 Process Manager to get the information about processes.
«Installation»
The AboutThatMac package contains three files:
Read Me * AboutThatMac (this file)
CS PerfMonitor (the performance data server)
AboutThatMac (the display application)
To use AboutThatMac, place the performance data server (CS PerfMonitor) in the Extensions folder on all systems that you wish to monitor. The Extensions folder is found in the System Folder. You may drag the CS PerfMonitor icon onto the System Folder icon and the system will automatically place it into the Extensions folder. The performance data server will start the next time the system is rebooted. Place the display application (AboutThatMac) on every node from where you wish to monitor the network.
Note: In earlier versions, the performance monitor (ST PerfMonitor) was an application rather than a system extension. If you are upgrading from version 1.x of AboutThatMac, you should remove ST PerfMonitor from the Startup Folder in the System Folder and throw it in the Trash. You will not be able to empty the trash to actually delete the file until the system is restarted.
A user with Program Linking enabled is required on the nodes being monitored. You may wish to use the Users & Groups Control Panel to set up a special user/password combination with Program Linking enabled that is the same on all systems for use with AboutThatMac. You may also use the <Guest> user if you allow Program Linking for that user.
«Using AboutThatMac»
Upon opening an unregistered copy of the AboutThatMac application, the user is presented with the following registration dialog box.
This dialog will not appear after the application is properly registered. To register,
enter the fields exactly as shown on the registration certificate and click the "OK" button. To order the registration certificate, along with a printed manual and telephone support, click on the "Print Order Form" button. To dismiss the dialog without registering the application, click on the "Not Yet" button.
NOTE: Printing the order form on HP Deskwriter printers requires a larger memory allocation. To increase the memory allocation, choose the AboutThatMac icon in Finder and select Get Info… from the File menu. Enter 620 as the Preferred size and close the Info window. After printing the order form, you may set the preferred size back to 320.
After dismissing the dialog, or when New is selected from the File menu, the user is presented with a dialog box to select a Macintosh system to monitor.
The Macintoshes list may include systems that do not have CS PerfMonitor installed. Nothing will be shown in the Data Servers list when those systems are selected. Only performance monitors will be shown in the Data Servers list. Depending on your network configuration, a Zones list may appear under the list of Macintoshes on the left side.
Select the system & zone (if shown) to monitor and either double-click on the CS PerfMonitor or click on the OK button.
You will then be presented with the following Link dialog box (unless the local system was selected) :
Enter a user name and password and click OK. Any user which has Program Linking allowed can be used. If Program Linking is allowed for the Guest user on the target machine, the Guest radio button will be enabled and may be used to link to the performance data server. Monitoring will be begin and the following window, similar to the Finder About box, will be seen:
Alternately, a display which more closely matches the Finder's About box may be chosen by selecting Heaps from the Display menu. This changes the display by grouping the Finder and system extensions such as CS PerfMonitor together into a single bar titled "System Software".
CPU Usage can also be viewed by selecting CPU from the Display menu.
The ordering of the bars may be changed in the Sort menu. Bars may be sorted by process name, age, size, average or current CPU utilization. The default display and sorting can be set in the Preferences dialog, which is displayed by selecting Preferences… from the Edit menu. The display update interval can also be changed.
AboutThatMac is distributed as shareware. Permission is hereby granted for non-profit distribution provided that the package is distributed in its entirety. This permission is extended to individuals, user's groups (e.g. BCS, BMUG), BBS and on-line services (e.g., CompuServe, America Online and Genie). For-profit distributors, including Commercial PD/Shareware software distributors and PD/Shareware CD producers are encouraged to contact Celera Software for permission to include AboutThatMac in their collections.
The cost of the AboutThatMac package is $25 per copy of the AboutThatMac application and $10 per copy of CS PerfMonitor. Site licenses, educational and volume discounts for networks larger than 10 nodes are available, contact Celera Software for details.
After trying AboutThatMac for 30 days, you must either pay the shareware registration fee to Celera Software or destroy all copies of the components of the AboutThatMac package.
Registered users will receive a printed manual and a disk with the latest version of the AboutThatMac package, as well as a demo versions of other Celera Software products. Registered users also get telephone support.
By paying the shareware fee, you will encourage further development of AboutThatMac and other system management applications from Celera Software. You will also get advance notice and discount pricing on future utilities from Celera Software.
«Coming Soon from Celera Software»
Remote Performance Monitor™ for Macintosh. A full featured performance monitor which features:
* Remote reporting of:
> per-process data on CPU and memory use, both instantaneous and long-term averages
> system configuration
> summary display of system CPU and memory use
* Data reduction and storage in addition to live displays
RPM for Macintosh uses the same performance data server as AboutThatMac.
«Warranty»
Celera Software distributes this software "as is" and makes no warantees, expressed or implied, about this software including but not limited to suitability for a particular purpose. In no case shall Celera Software be liable for any damages in excess of the price paid for this software.
«Release History»
V1.0.0 First limited release
V1.0.1 Added color icon support
V1.0.2 Enhanced error handling for AE timeouts and other common errors
Improved About box
V1.0.3 Fixed bug that hung application if remote connection lost
V1.0.4 Added registration dialog box - general release
V1.0.5 Cosmetic changes only - fixed logo and order form
V2.0b1 Changed window creation to be staggered rather than centered.
Improved bar creation and deletion. Added sorting options.
Added heap and CPU usage display. Added Preferences dialog box.
Added ShowInit Icon display for CS PerfMonitor. Changed CS PerfMonitor from
application to system extension. Fixed bug (improperly initialized fields in
PBDTGetIcon) which caused interaction with other system extensions. Changed
all references to company name from Software Toolsmiths to Celera Software.
window title to reflect display in use. Broke up update process to make
program more responsive.
V2.0b3 Improved error handling during program initialization and for errors returned
by server. Fixed bug in server in reporting virtual memory volume name.
V2.0b4 Improved update performance, further improvements in error handling.
V2.0b6 Added server license checks and registration, fixed memory leak.
V2.0 Fixed bug in error handling. Improved handling of processes deletion and
process sorting. Fixed call to GetPixPat on B&W machines.
Macintosh and AppleTalk are trademarks of Apple Computer, Inc. Deskwriter is a trademark of Hewlett-Packard. Celera, the Celera logo, AboutThatMac and Remote Performance Monitor are trademarks of Celera Software. Other trademarks are the property of their respective owners.
