Tech Notes and File Type Notes have been overhauled and the latest versions of all of them are now on the CD. Both the WORD and the ASCII text versions have been updated.
Interfaces for both APW and MPW IIGS have been updated, GSBug's been updated, seom of the "APW.ORCA.CMDS" have been updated, and Gary Little's "My Word" application is also a newer version than before.
May '92:
The latest batch of Apple II Tech Notes is hot off the press. There are over fifty new or revised notes this time around! Because there are so many, and because we want to get them out as quickly as possible, the ASCII text versions are not on the CD (the new notes have not yet been converted to text). So, only the WORD version of the new notes is available for now. When the notes have been converted, they'll be on the next available CD.
Also new this time around, the "developer" version of the System 6.0 Installer. If you've licensed System 6.0 for distribution and your product includes Installer scripts, you'll find this Installer is better suited for your needs. This Installer does NOT have the "Easy Update" code (making it smaller and allowing your users to launch right into the "Custom Installation" screen). For more details, see the Installer ERS on the System 6 Golden Master CD.
I'm making a subtle change to this file as well - rather than rewriting it each time, I'll leave the last one or two sets of changes in it. That should make it easier to find out what's been recently released as well as what's new this time around.
Pre-May '92 changes:
Lots of new stuff this time around! The System Software folder now contains Apple IIGS System Software v.6.0 instead of v.5.0.4! The HyperCard IIGS folder now contains HyperCard IIGS v.1.1 instead of v.1.0! New sample source for XCMD's and XFCN's can be found in the HyperCard IIGS folder. A newer version of GSBug is in the GSBug folder (check for newer versions of the related debugging desk accessories also). Version 2.1 of the Apple IIe Card Software is in the Apple II folder (v.2.1 is the System 7 compatible version).
Because of the rather long path names involved, the icons used on this CD to connect Apple IIGS documents to their applications have very generic (or none at all) application path names built into them. The Finder.Data file is limited to 64 characters for a path name, but all of the applications on this CD are more than 64 characters deep — ex: “:Dev.CD Vol.XI:Development Platforms (Moof):Apple II:Essentials:QuickMountGS:QuickMount” is the full path name to the QuickMount application. Simply copy the applications you want to use, and their icon files, to your hard drive (or a floppy) and then edit the application path names within the icon files so they point to your copy of the applications.
Since there's no longer a ProDOS parition, how do you get to the HFS partition from an Apple IIGS? It can be accessed over an AppleTalk network or you can use the HFS FST found in Apple IIGS System v.6.0.
Don't have Apple IIGS System v.6.0 yet? The System 6 Golden Master CD is due out in the April '92 developer mailing (only to registered Apple II Partners and Associates). If you weren't on the list of folks that were automatically sent one of the System 6.0 Golden Master CD's, then you can order your own copy by calling Resource Central at 913-469-6502.
Constructive comments, questions and suggestions for the Developer CD series are always welcome. You can write to us at:
TIM SWIHART is currently managing the Apple II Continuation Engineering Group at Apple. In his spare time, he writes articles/XCMDs/books/etc, tutors budding HyperCard IIGS scripters, and sometimes spends time doing non-nerdy stuff.
