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 7,000 error codes with Apple's short explanations of each; over 500 Sad Mac error codes; and all 30 PostScript error codes. Our detailed explanations and remedies are included for over 1,100 of these errors. The type of detailed information can be selected from 2 categories: a User orientation and a Developer orientation. The User explanation is presented in a way that someone without a programming background can understand. The Developer explanation is written in VERY technical terms that usually includes source code that demonstrates the error. To fully understand the Developer explanation, you should be familiar with Macintosh programming (in C or C++).
The "Pro" form differs from the less expensive Std 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 license.
This document describes Black & Bleu™/Std and Black & Bleu™/Pro version 6.0.
Complete Feature List
Black & Bleu™ offers the following features:
* 7,100 Mac OS error codes with Apple's brief descriptions
* All 30 PostScript errors
* All Sad Mac error codes
* Errors listed by Phrase (when no error number is offered)
* Detailed explanations for well over 1,100 of these errors
* 237 error groups
* Error codes can be listed by group, number and name
* Add your own notes to the error explanations
* A full database search is available for words or phrases
* Error codes can be displayed sorted numerically and alphabetically
* Hexadecimal error codes
* Mac OS X error codes with interpretation
* Sad Mac sounds for all Macs ever made
* Reading Level and statistics for each explanation
* Error names can be copied to the clipboard
* Help is provided for finding missing shared libraries
* Black & Bleu™ will run when the startup disk is a CDROM
* Free analysis of errors that don't have a detailed explanation
* Simple to use interface
* Two types of explanations can be selected:
1) User orientation
2) Developer orientation
* Free demo available
System Requirements
• Mac OS 7.0 through Mac OS 9.2.2 (Mac OS X is NOT supported)
• Any Mac or clone
• 7.9 MB of disk space
• 2.0 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.
Download size
2 MB (about 5 minutes at 56k)
Price
If you order via the Web using Kagi's Online Store (www.order.kagi.com/?QZX), the prices are as follows:
$29.00 USD (Std electronic version)
$41.00 USD (Std CDROM version)
If you don't use the online store the prices are:
$34.00 USD (Std electronic version)
$46.00 USD (Std 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)
If you want a replacement CDROM for any of our products, the price is:
$12.00 USD
Upgrades
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.order.kagi.com/?QZX1):
$19.00 USD (Std electronic version)
$31.00 USD (Std CDROM version)
If you don't use the online store upgrade prices are:
$20.00 USD (Std electronic version)
$32.00 USD (Std CDROM version)
Pricing for the Pro upgrade (regardless of the way you order) is:
$75.00 USD (Pro electronic version)
$87.00 USD (Pro CDROM version)
If you have a license for Std Black & Bleu™ and want to convert it to a Pro license, the price (regardless of the way you order) is:
$100.00 USD
Upgrades are made available to previous customers only. If you don't own a copy of Black & Bleu™/Std or Black & Bleu™/Pro already, you are not eligible for upgrade pricing. You qualify for upgrade pricing regardless of the version that you originally purchased.
Since they are separate products, you can't order the Pro version at the upgrade price if you only purchased the Std version.
Free License offer
It is our belief that Black & Bleu™ now contains every Mac OS error code ever used by Apple. If you encounter a Mac OS error number that is not listed in Black & Bleu™ , we will give you a free license for the Std version of Black & Bleu™. To qualify for the free license:
1) Take a screen shot (using the <><shift><3> keystroke sequence) that shows the error. The screen capture feature is available in Mac OS 9 and lower or Mac OS X 10.1 and higher. If you have a commercial screen capture utility that you use in place of the one supplied as part of the Mac OS, you may use it but the screen shot MUST include the entire desktop. Only PICT format images will be accepted. Note that Mac OS X images are in TIFF format. You must convert the image or your submission will be rejected.
2) Describe in detail what you were doing when you got the error. Be sure to include system configuration information. Write 250 words or more IN ADDITION TO your configuration information. The word count will be measured by Casady & Green’s SpellCatcher 8 Statistics option.
3) Send your information and screen shot as an EMail to: license@bleurose.com
Exceptions
1) Only errors that are numbered qualify for this offer.
2) Errors issued by non-Apple software are excluded from this offer.
3) This offer can be withdrawn at any time without notification.
4) The official list is contained in the current version of Black & Bleu™. Older versions of the list do not qualify for this offer. The current version of Black & Bleu™ is available from our web site: www.bleurose.com
5) The Pro license is not available through this offer.
Restrictions
All explanations are in English.
The demo produces only a template file for any explanations that you might try to export. The actual explanations are not exported.
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 via the Web go directly to Kagi's Web Site (www.order.kagi.com/?QZX for first-time buyers or www.order.kagi.com/?QZX1 for previous customers) 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).
Purchase Orders will NOT be accepted by Kagi. If you wish to use a Purchase Order, contact Bleu Rose Ltd. directly (see below). Note Purchase Orders incur a $40.00 (USD) processing fee that is in addition to any products ordered.
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-QZX
Berkeley, CA 94709-1405
USA
Voice: +1 510-601-5244 (9 AM to 4 PM Pacific Time weekdays)
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.
Here is how we use version numbers for Black & Bleu™. All of our version numbers are 2 digits separated by a decimal point.
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 v5.1 and we later released v5.2. The same license key you received for v5.1 would also unlock v5.2. 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 V2.0. This 5.1 version would use a NEW access key that you would have to buy since the first digit of the version number would be 5 instead of 2. 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 may 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.
Bug Reporting
We take software quality very seriously. Our software is subjected to a battery of tests on a total of 18 separate machines in our test lab running a variety of Mac OS versions. These machines are:
1) Mac Plus
2) Mac SE
3) Mac Classic II
4) Mac IIcx
5) Mac LC
6) Mac Quadra 800
7) Mac Quadra 950
8) Mac Centris 610
9) PowerBook 170
10) PowerBook 1400
11) PowerBook Duo 230
12) PowerMac 6100
13) PowerMac 7200
14) PowerMac 7600
15) iBook (original)
16) G4 Mini-tower (2000)
17) G4 PowerBook (Pismo)
18) G4 Mini-tower (2001)
In addition, we have several high-quality beta testers that exercise most versions for several weeks prior to a feature release. We consider a release "Ready to Ship" only after our bug list has nothing on it. It is our policy to not ship until we can declare the release "Ready to Ship" (as defined in the previous sentence).
However, even with all that testing and attention-to-detail, bugs do sneak through. If you encounter a situation that you consider a bug, we'd like to know about it.
Send EMail to bugs@bleurose.com if you have a bug to report and are willing to assist in fixing it. You will receive a free license for the product if you do.
