MacDraw to WriteNow: If you cut and paste text by clicking on the text block with the arrow you will end up with a block of text in WriteNow that you can't modify. It is better to do it by clicking of the T icon, then dragging across the text you want so it is black, then cut and paste. The text is then just like text you create in WriteNow. The same is probably true going to any word processor. (Thaks, Dick Thies)
MacDrawII: Dick Thies’ first response to MacDrawII was it has some great new features such as full rotation, but they took away some features he considers essential. It turns out most are there, but in a changed mode. In old MacDraw you held down the command key to do a repeat of the same operation such as drawing several successive lines. In MacDrawII, you double click on the line icon. Drawing successive connecting lines and then smooth is a nice way to generate any curve you want (save the smooth for last though as it will slow down operation). In old MacDraw, you could see the full outline of an object being moved by holding down option while moving (crucial for lining things up). In MacDrawII, you do it by holding down command-shift. He doesn’t know why they changed this, but they now use command shift for lots of things (often to get the reverse of some operation). A brief list is shown below (F and J have to do with layers, K does align as you last specified which is very handy).
Command Command-shift
E smooth un-smooth
F forward full forward
G group un-group
J backward full back
K align align menu
M small normal
S save save as
W close other window
If you have a Mac II you must set your colors to black and white, two shades if you want to see your visual effects in HyperCard. Use the Switch-’r-Roo FKEY to make the switch without going into the Control Panel every time.
Didja know that Option/9 highlights all the files in a folder or window which is active? (Thanks Macintosh News Service.)
As promised in the Poop column, here is a Sound Wave tip. If you have moved up to the newest system, and/or to a newer Mac, and have trouble getting a recording session going, get your finger OFF the mouse IMMEDIATELY after making the Record selection. I thought that was silly, but it sure did work for me.
Here’s what to tell Virus Detective DA to look for:
• nVIR (any)
• Hpat (any)
• Code JStart 7026
• Data Dval -4001 7026
• Code JStart 712
• INIT Dval 29 712
• INIT Name RR
The presence of Vaccine INIT may prevent PageMaker 3.0.1 from installing correctly. Remove it from your System, install PageMaker, then put Vaccine back in.
Also, if PageMaker 2.0 is also going to remain on your hard disk, be sure to place it in a folder labeled PageMaker 2.0.
Before installing 3.01, if it is to replace 3.0, put 3.0, its Aldus Prep file, and its APD files in a folder named PageMaker 3.0, so the installer can find and update it properly.
Want to be really stay safe? Install a new System on the day the next one is released. Not really. Just listen around a bit, play with the new system from a floppy, then install it after the first month of Mac magazines have talked about it. Newer systems ARE improved, and you want them as soon as you feel safe using them.
Since you don’t read manuals, did you know that the letter ‘r’ produces a rest when playing sounds? And a period (.) or a ‘3’ give you. respectively, a dotted note or a triplet. Try them out.
For HyperCard users who would like a large scrolling message box with Trace capability, read the Mar/Apr HyperLink magazine, which has the scripts to construct one. If you like the message box, you will love this.
Here we go again—the topic is the ImageWriter II’s predisposition to roll paper back and forth and jam. Of course you can start on the second sheet—with no jams. Or you can use a cut sheet feeder—no jams. Or select the manual feed option—no jams.
None of these is satisfactory for most people. The best solution is to lift the ribbon cover, creating an error. Now put the cover back down. Push the Select button. This centers the print head, insuring that the plastic paper guides are centered, where they will properly guide the paper. Sorry there isn’t a better answer, but at least this one works. (Thanks, MacWorld.)
Also in MacWorld, people complain about a squashed line of type near the top on ImageWriter II output. MacWorld said essentially that there is nothing sensible to fix this. Hanging a weight on the top of the sheet, or starting on the second sheet have been suggested. Switching to sheet-fed paper was the best solution.
Anyone out there got a better idea? Help!
What? Another disk labeling tip? Yeah. Bob Dodsworth, of the Eugene, Oregon MUG says use those yellow 3" PostIts from 3M. No, Byte-Breath, you do not put them on your disk, since they jam up the drive if you do. What you do is cut some 3-1/2" squares of Bristol board (something like 90 lb. index stock might do). Label them clearly with a disk number (but not the contents) in the upper right corner.
Now append a PostIt to each one, and use it to list the contents. When the contents change, tear it off and put a new one on. Place a mailing label near the top front of the disk iteself and number the disk, too.
Keep the square of Bristol board and the disk together. Lay the Bristol board beside the computer when the disk is in the Mac. That lets you make notes on the PostIt as you change contents of the disk.
If you own Smart Alarms, the parent company does not have your name and address. They have an upgrade which works with the latest System software. Their U.S. rep ran off with the registration list, so if you want the upgrade, contact JAM Technology, 685 Market St., #860, San Francisco, CA 94105, 415-443-0795.
If you are using System 6.0.2, the Text Smoothing option in Page Setup does wonders for bit-mapped fonts printed out on the LaserWriter. Leave the Smoothing option unchecked unless you are using bitmapped graphics or ImageWriter fonts. Smoothing and Font Substitution slow down printing when they are checked. (Thanks, Club Mac of Monterey.)
The skinniest stable System/Finder set for the 512kE Mac is 3.2/5.3. You can go up to 4.2/6.0 if you have room—like on a hard disk.
If various Help files are stealing valuable space on your hard disk, or on your floppies (HyperCard Help is 770k+), make a set of floppies just for various Help files for all applications which have such beasts. Now, when you need help, the program will ask where its Help file is. Since you know where, slap in the appropriate floppy and get Help. Eject it when you are through.
Do you know about the cute trick in HyperCard where you can paste a miniature of a card anywhere in HyperCard? Copy the card. When you get ready to Paste, hold down the Shift key while you Paste. You may want to go into FatBits and clean the mini-image up a bit.
Don’t forget that Option/Tab in HyperCard reveals the Tool palette and double clicking the paint bucket brings out the Patterns palette.
The Fourth of July is still three months away, but let’s get ready! If you have Pyro, highlight the icon for it and Copy. Now Copy again. You now have Pyro, Copy of Pyro and Copy of Copy of Pyro. Put all three in the System Folder and you are now ready for the Fourth of July! Lots of fireworks! (Thanks, C.J. Weigand.)
Another way to save a bitmapped graphic as a PICT image is with Capture.
If you buy sheets of removable adhesive backed audio cassette labels, you probably throw away the little spare piece that is in the center of each label. Don’t. Use that part as a floppy label. It goes on easily, stays on, and peels off with ease. Be sure the labels are the removable, not the permanent. (Thanks, Pat Kaufmann.)
Member Doc Nelson down in Redding, CA, uses Curity First Aid Tape (the paper variety) for great easily removable labels. Cheap, too. Or should I say inexpensive? Wonder how he knows about first aid tape, since he is a DD, not an MD. Maybe he tapes their mouths shut.
If you use Locate, type SOMETHING, ANYTHING, into the tabbaed box, or Locate goes on searching FOREVER.
