• Traps Check inspects all the documented toolbox and operating system traps and tells whether they are implemented as native PowerPC code or as 680x0 code. The results are saved in a text file with tabs (you may use your word processor to display or print the list better than with TextEdit).
• If you build a traps report on a Power Macintosh with all extensions disabled (shift key down at startup) and another one with all your extensions and control panels installed, you will most likely find some differences when comparing the two files. Native PowerPC traps that are patched with 680x0 code by an extension are listed as 680x0 traps. These patches cause mode switches (the Power Mac must go from native to emulated mode and back) and can slow down even the fastest processor. Many popular screen savers, for example, patch all the QuickDraw bottlenecks - which are written in fast PowerPC code on the Power Macs. The performance degradation, which was not noticeable on 680x0 Macs, can be annoying on a Power Macintosh. You may want to leave some extensions and control panels out of your System folder until a native PowerPC version comes out.
• Traps Check is compiled as 680x0 code and runs both on standard and power Macs. On a standard 680x0 Mac it only shows 680x0 traps, but you can still use it to see which traps are not implemented on your machine. For those who don’t have a Power Macintosh, a sample report generated by a 6100/60 running system 7.1.2 is included.
• Traps Check is freeware. All forms of distribution are allowed, as long as this documentation is included and the package is not modified in any way. If you really like Traps Check, take a look at all my shareware utilities and see if you’re interested in some of them… or just send me a postcard to say hello.
