This version of the BMUG PD-ROM contains over 9,000 files. BMUG has done its best to screen the files on this PD-ROM to be System 7 compatible, 32 bit clean, free from viruses, and free from corruption.
Almost all of the files on this PD-ROM were opened and played with on an Apple Power Macintosh 7200/90 and a Power Computing Corp. PowerWave 604/150, both running System 7.5.3 with 32 MB of RAM. The exceptions are those files that are intended to run on specific types of Macintoshes, such as PowerBooks. We checked the entire contents of the PD-ROM with Disinfectant 3.6 to ensure that it is free of viruses. Finally, we ran Norton Disk Doctor 3.2.1 to confirm that the PD-ROM and its contents are healthy.
We’ve also done our best to ensure that all the files on this PD-ROM are either Shareware or Freeware. If we have made a mistake, please tell us. Most of the files on this PD-ROM originated from various on-line services and user groups. If we do have a few files by mistake, so do many other groups as well. We apologize in advance for any mistakes we have made, and pledge to correct those mistakes in future revisions of the PD-ROM.
Shareware Fees
If you use any of the Shareware, please send in the Shareware fee. There are a great many programs on this ROM that are better than what you might find at your local computer store. So please pay for the ones that you use. Paying for Shareware is very important.
Note that the amount you paid for this ROM does not include the cost of registering your shareware payments. What you paid for was the cost of assembling and distributing this ROM. Once again, please honor your shareware obligations so that shareware authors will be encouraged to continue writing such awesome stuff!
File Listing
The "F96 File List" in the BMUG Folder on this ROM is a DiskTracker document that lists all the files on this ROM. DiskTracker is a shareware program located in the Utilities:Disk Utils folder. DiskTracker's interface is similar to that of the System 7 Finder. You may find that it is faster to browse and search for particular programs using the file listing rather than looking directly on the ROM, especially if you copy the file listing to your hard drive.
Read Me Files
We have tried to standardize all the “Read Me” text files in SimpleText (or TeachText for System 6 users) format. SimpleText (TeachText) is a simple text editor that Apple includes with its system software. You probably have a copy somewhere on your hard drive. If not, SimpleText 1.3.1 is on this ROM in the Text:Text Editors folder, and TeachText 1.2 is in the "For System 6 Only" folder.
SimpleText (TeachText) cannot open files larger than 32K in size—you will need to open those “Read Me” text files with your favorite word processor or a different text editor, such as Tex-Edit Plus, also included on this PD-ROM. Should you attempt to open a text file larger than 32K in size with SimpleText (TeachText), you will simply be informed that the program cannot open files that size—no harm will come to the file, the program, your Macintosh, or you.
Finally, some of the “Read Me” files are in Claris MacWrite, Microsoft Word (v.4, 5, or 6), or other formats. Usually, those “Read Me” files contain formatting and/or graphics that allow the files to convey information more easily to you. However, you will need a word processor or set of translators that can open those files. Most current word processors will open MacWrite documents, and many now include converters for Microsoft Word as well.
Adobe Acrobat Reader and ATM 3.8.3
If you install Acrobat Reader 2.1 it automatically installs or updates your current Adobe Type Manager (ATM) to version 3.8.3. This version of ATM is complete, runs native on Power Macs, and is compatible with Apple QuickDraw GX. It is not the ATM 3.7LE (Limited Edition) version that was included with earlier versions of Acrobat.
ATM renders PostScript fonts for your screen and QuickDraw printing devices, such as the StyleWriter and DeskJet printers. For more information, read the documentation for Acrobat Reader inside its installer.
Graphics Viewers
The graphics on this ROM are in several different formats, such as PICT, JPEG, GIF, and EPS. Most are stored as JPEGView documents. JPEGView is included on this ROM in the Graphics:Graphics Viewers folder. However, JPEGView cannot open EPS files. You can use EPS Browser (also in Graphics:Graphics Viewers) to view EPS files. Also, commercial graphics programs such as Adobe Photoshop and MacroMedia Freehand can open most of these files.
To view movies, you'll need to install QuickTime (version 2,1 is in the MultiMedia folder) and use a program such as MoviePlayer or Sparkle (both in MultiMedia:Video Tools).
Trouble Shooting
Some users have voiced concerns that no matter what they do, they cannot get the programs on a ROM to run. The following three steps will usually resolve a problem you may be having in this regard:
1) copy the file or program to your hard disk and run it from there. Some programs are not written as well as they could be, and try to write temporary files to the hard disk on which the program resides. The problem, of course, is that the ROM is a read-only drive, and therefore the program crashes.
2) start your Macintosh without any extensions running, except those necessary to run your CD-ROM drive. Very often, programs conflict with extensions. Eliminating wonderful but unnecessary extensions often solves your problems.
3) set your monitor depth to a lower number. Some programs that display color graphics eat up massive amounts of RAM if you have your monitor set to 24 or 32-bit color (millions of colors). Try resetting your monitor to 8-bits (256 colors) and see if the problem goes away. Some programs even require that you set your monitor at 4-bit (16 color) or 2-bit (black & white).
If these steps do not fix your problem, then click on the file and select “Get Info” from the “File” menu. If the program has a very old creation date, then it may not work on a PowerPC. Contrariwise, a very new program may not work on an older Macintosh, such as a Mac Plus. If you cannot get your program to work, then simply ignore it and move on.
Any or all of the following issues may impact whether a program will run on your particular Macintosh. Try adjusting your settings to see if they make a difference. The variables include: RAM, virtual memory, processor, floating point coprocessor, monitor size, monitor depth, QuickDraw version, System version, MacinTalk version, disk space, Sound Manager version, QuickTime version, incompatible extensions, and AppleShare turned off/on, among others.
Thank you very much, and we hope that you enjoy this version of the PD-ROM as much as we enjoyed putting it together for you!
