Black & Bleu™ is an application that shows you the meaning of all of the documented and most of the undocumented Mac OS error codes. Many codes include information about what might be the cause of the error and what you can do about it.
The database contains over 4,300 error codes with Apple's short explanations of each. Our detailed explanations and remedies are included for the most common of these errors. The type of detailed information can be selected from 2 categories: a Non-technical User orientation and a Programmer orientation. The Non-technical User explanation is presented in a way that someone without a programming background can understand. The Programmer explanation is written in VERY technical terms that usually includes source code that demonstrates the error. To fully understand the Programmer explanation, you should be familiar with Macintosh programming (in C or C++).
The "PRO" form differs from the less expensive standard version in only one important way. The "PRO" version allows you to export the detailed explanations to a file. This feature allows Technical Professionals to pass the information on to others - something not permitted by the terms of the standard version. The software license reflects this ability as well.
This document describes Black & Bleu™ and Black & Bleu™/PRO v2.1.
System Requirements
• Mac OS 7.0 or later
• Any Mac or clone
• 6.9 MB of disk space
• 1.8 MB of RAM
• SimpleText - any version (supplied by Apple)
• A Screen resolution of 640 by 480 or larger set to at least 256 colors is recommended for reading the Instruction Manual.
Availability
Black & Bleu™ is available from our web site:
www.bleurose.com
as a free fully functioning demo. This demo can be launched for a total of 3 times before it expires. Otherwise it is an exact copy of the commercial version. In fact, if you purchase the license key and apply it to your demo copy, the demo is converted directly into the commercial version. No additional downloads are required.
Black & Bleu™/PRO is included with the files that come with Black & Bleu™. This is a fully functional demo except as follows. The demo only shows you how the "Export" of explanations works. It doesn't actually allow you to export the explanation text. Once you purchase the product, your license key will enable full export capabilities automatically.
Download size
1.6 MB (about 5 minutes at 56k)
Price
If you order via the Web using Kagi's Online Store (www.kagi.com/?QZX), the prices are as follows:
$29.00 USD (Standard electronic version)
$41.00 USD (Standard CDROM version)
If you don't use the online store the prices are:
$34.00 USD (Standard electronic version)
$46.00 USD (Standard CDROM version)
Pricing for the PRO version (regardless of the way you order) is:
$129.00 USD (PRO electronic version)
$141.00 USD (PRO CDROM version)
Free upgrades will be provided to customers who purchased Black & Bleu™ within 45 days of the official release date of a new version. The official release date is established by the date specified in the Press Release announcing the version (available on our web site). You will receive your new License Key automatically if you qualify. You don't need to contact us for it.
If you don't qualify for the free upgrade offer, the upgrade prices are as follows.
Via the Web using Kagi's Online Store (www.kagi.com/?QZX1):
$19.00 USD (Standard electronic version)
$31.00 USD (Standard CDROM version)
If you don't use the online store upgrade prices are:
$20.00 USD (Standard electronic version)
$32.00 USD (Standard CDROM version)
Since this is the first release of the PRO version, there is no upgrade pricing available for it.
Upgrades are made available to previous customers only. If you don't own a copy of Black & Bleu™ already, you are not eligible for upgrade pricing. Upgrade pricing applies regardless of the version of Black & Bleu™ that you originally purchased.
Free License offer
If you write a detailed explanation for an error that doesn't have a detailed explanation already you will be entitled to a free License.
You must do the following:
1) Write an explanation for an error that doesn't have an explanation in our current version (v2.0).
2) Format the explanation in the style we use in Black & Bleu™ currently:
Summary
Details
What to do
3) Focus on a non-technical user as you write your explanation. You may include a "Programmer's explanation" if you like but the Programmer's explanation is optional.
4) Send your explanation as an EMail to: explanation@bleurose.com
We will evaluate your submission for suitability. If it doesn't follow the "rules" (above) we will reject it.
If we accept it, we may modify it. We will then enter it into the database that will become part of the next release.
You will receive "Author Credit" for your explanation.
To determine if an error already has an explanation, launch the "Request an Error Analysis " application and enter the error number you are interested in explaining. When you click the "Save" button, the application will issue a warning to you if the error is already explained.
Restrictions
All explanations are in English. The PRO demo produces only a template file for any explanations that you might try to export. The actual explanations are not exported.
Installation
Black & Bleu™ is supplied as a self-extracting StuffIt archive file. The archive contains the following items:
Black & Bleu™ - the error analyzer application
Black & Bleu™/PRO - the error analyzer application (PRO version)
Read about Black & Bleu™ - a copy of the file you are now reading
B & B Instruction Manual - an application containing information
about using Black & Bleu™
Printable Instructions - a folder containing the chapters of
the instruction manual in SimpleText
format. These files are black & white
with spacing suitable for printed output.
Notes - a folder containing a file that describes
how to add notes to B&B's explanations
Request an Error Analysis - an application you can use to ask us
about error you've gotten.
(This is a FREE service offered by Bleu Rose Ltd.)
Read about Request... - a file similar to the one you are reading
describing Request an Error Analysis
Prepare your Order - an application that helps you pay for
Black & Bleu™ via FAX, EMail or
traditional Mail.
How To Order - instructions for ordering using
Prepare your Order . Prepare your Order
helps you order Black & Bleu™.
Your License Key - Information about the License Key
that you need to turn the demo into
the commercial version.
Disk Utility Shoot-out - A comparison of various disk repair
utilities by Misha Sakellaropoulo
of the Macintosh News Network
(www.macnn.com)
(Applications are indicated by italics)
Purchasing Instructions
Black & Bleu™ can be purchased:
- using a credit card
- using First Virtual
- with Cash, Check or Purchase Order
We use Kagi as our "Order Desk" for all transactions except Purchase Orders. See the file "How to Order" for details on ordering using any payment method.
If you want to order by credit card via the Web go directly to Kagi's Web Site (http://orders.kagi.com/?QZX) using your web browser. You can also go to the Bleu Rose Ltd. Web Site (www.bleurose.com) and link to Kagi from there.
Otherwise, use the Prepare your Order application (one of the files in the package you downloaded) to help you prepare your order. Full instructions for using Prepare your Order are located in the "How To Order" file.
Credit cards accepted:
- American Express
- Diners Club
- Discover
- Mastercard
- Optima
- VISA
and
- First Virtual
You can find detailed information about how to order in the file called "How To Order" (included in the collection of files you just installed).
Contact Information
Bleu Rose Ltd.
PO Box 5536
Hacienda Heights, CA 91745-0536
USA
Voice Mail: +1 626-913-7996
FAX: +1 626-965-6241
EMail: sales@bleurose.com
WWW: www.bleurose.com
Kagi
1442-A Walnut St. #392
Berkeley, CA 94709-1405
USA
FAX: +1 510-652-6589
EMail: kagi@kagi.com
WWW: www.kagi.com
Version Numbers
Our numbering scheme is important to you because you can tell if upgrading to the current version will be free or cost you more money.
NOTE: With this 2.0 release of Black & Bleu™ we have changed the way we use version numbers.
Here is how we use version numbers for Black & Bleu™. All of our version numbers are 2 digits separated by decimal points.
We use the last digit of the two digit version number to indicate a bug fix release. Bug fix releases are always free to anyone who purchased the version that has the same other digit.
As an example, say you bought v2.0 and we later released v2.1. The same access key you received for v2.0 would also unlock v2.1. That is because the first digit of the number is the same.
If we add new features to the product, we would then change the first version number. For example, let's say you originally bought V1.2. This 2.0 version would use a NEW access key that you would have to buy since the first digit of the version number would be 2 instead of 1. Note that if you purchased a version within 45 days of the formal release of the next version, you get the new version free. The formal release date is determined by a dated Press Release announcing the new version. A copy of the most recent Press Release will always be available on our web site www.bleurose.com.
We also append a letter to the end of the version number. This letter indicates where you obtained the product. For example, "w" means you got it from our web site. "c" means it came from our CDROM. "p" means it came from a press kit. And so forth. There are other letter designations that we use as well. If you take advantage of our free "Error Analysis" service, the version number (including the letter) is included in your query.
Pre-Release Software Policy
Under NO circumstances do we release "Developer", "Beta", "Alpha" or any other form of pre-release quality software to the general marketplace. Unless you are one of our official beta testers, you will NEVER receive such software from us or find it on our website.
If you would like to be considered for a position as Beta Tester, EMail us expressing your interest and provide your qualifications. Address your message to: beta@bleurose.com.
Our Guarantee
Unlike most other software vendors, we offer an unconditional guarantee on our products. If you are unhappy with any of our products for any reason within 45 days of your purchase, we will refund ALL your money - period.
Send EMail to refunds@bleurose.com if you wish to exercise this option.
Version History (PRO version)
v2.1 - Released in July 2000 (new version numbering applies - see above)
Bugs fixed:
• Under certain conditions, if you tried to "View" an error from the
Numeric List window, your Mac would crash.
• Error 29 (kSCBadSerialNumErr) would not display properly.
v2.0 - Released in June 2000 (new version numbering applies - see above)
• This is the first version of this product
Version History (Standard version)
v2.1 - Released in July 2000 (new version numbering applies - see above)
Bug fixed:
• Under certain conditions, if you tried to "View" an error from the
Numeric List window, your Mac would crash.
• Error 29 (kSCBadSerialNumErr) would not display properly.
v2.0 - Released in June 2000 (new version numbering applies - see above)
New Features
• Added 1,044 more error codes - for a total of 4,384 codes
• Added 22 more error categories (for a total of 154)
• Added more detailed explanations
• Added "Annotations" - the ability for you to add your own notes
to error code explanations
• Added a numeric listing of all error codes
• Added a way to enter error codes in hexadecimal
• Added a way to display our Terms & Conditions any time you like
Changes:
• The "Virtual Memory On" warning is no longer displayed if you are
using Mac OS 8.6 or above. Our testing indicates that Virtual Memory
no longer contributes significantly to the instability of the Mac OS in
these newer versions.
• Improved RAM utilization to speed up the process of switching
from one error list to another.
• Increased the memory footprint from 1.5 MB to 1.8 MB due
to increased list sizes
Minor bugs fixed:
• If you requested an error analysis for an error that wasn't
explained, sometimes you would get a warning that the error
WAS already explained.
• If you had an explanation visible and partially scrolled
down from the top and then selected another application
when you came back to B&B, the scroll bar would be set
to the same place but the text would be at the top again.
v1.2.1 - Released in March 2000
New Features
• None
Changes
• Added "Free License" offer
Minor bugs fixed
• None
v1.2 - Released in December 1999
New Features
• Added 358 more error codes - for a total of 3,340 codes
• Added many more detailed explanations
• Added Sad Mac error explanations
• Added a full database text search capability
• Added 26 more error categories (for a total of 132)
• Reduced the number of "unclassified" errors (from 93 to 14)
• All windows can now be collapsed via the Collapse Box
• The main window uses a colored background in the
explanation text area
• A bit of humor to lighten your day (see if you can find it)
Changes
• Support for Mac OS 9
• Instruction Manual format changed from PDF to
SimpleText and ManualMaker
Minor bugs fixed:
• If you changed error lists (via the "List" menu) sometimes
the multiple error codes popup menu would say there
were other errors when there weren't.
• The font that was used to display the NAME list would
change as the list was scrolled. This caused newly displayed
names to look slightly different than the other ones.
v1.1.1 - Released in July 1999
• Fixed a bug that would cause a Type 11 or Type 25 crash if
you tried to use the demo beyond its expiration count
• Fixed a problem caused by clicking the mouse in the
explanation text area of B & B's main window
• Relaxed the Virtual Memory warning
v1.1 - Released in June 1999
• Added 416 more error codes
• Added many more detailed explanations
• Enhanced all "User Oriented" detailed explanations
with additional information
• Added a way to distinguish between error codes
that use the same error number
• Added the name of the system component that
is associated with the error (such as QuickTime)
• Added a way of listing only those errors that are
