[A note to editors: The items in brackets below are pull quotes from the different books.]
A Review Of Literature On System 7
by Jean Mickelson
Mastering the Mac is a lot like raising kids—you can jump right in, usually without much (if any) formal training, and learn as you go. This undoubtedly is because both activities are intuitive enough that you can accomplish a great deal just by following your nose. And, with both endeavors, you can always seek solace in guide books whenever intuition fails and you find yourself in a corner or faced with a temper tantrum (something characteristic of both tykes and software).
System 7 is no different. Its changes are glorious, but not enough to cause much discombobulation for users. You can pick it up, install it, and go forth without fear.
Nevertheless, many users will prefer the guidance of books in order to dispel any trepidation and to harvest the maximum benefits out of the New Order. Within three weeks of 7’s arrival, an assortment of publications were pushed onto bookshelves, ready to be purchased and packed home for the perusal. I have spent most of the past month trampling through these tomes to separate the wheat from the chaff. (Now you know why I don’t have a sun tan.) I’m delighted to report that these works are, in many cases, as marvelous as the Mac.
The System 7 Book
The first book “out to market” was Ventana Press’ The System 7 Book, by noted MacAuthor, Craig Danuloff. Not only was this the first, but it’s the porkiest and priciest, coming in at 388 pages and a retail of $22.95.
For all that girth you get a book that is indubitably good, though not without error. Through its 11 chapters (plus the one mandatory appendix—we must all have an appendix, you know), it covers practically (as Ed McMahon would retort) everything you ever wanted to know about System 7, from installation through file sharing, from colored labels to aliases.
[The Find Command will not spy into the System file
—The System 7 Book]
Mr. Danuloff’s writing is a friendly, “don’t assume too much” style. The tone is not stiff or condescending, and has occasional bouts of humor. For instance, when discussing file sharing, his groups of registered users are split between “Folks I Trust” and “Lying Traitors,” and his file servers are split into “Marketing (left brain),” “Marketing (right brain),” and “Executive (no brain).” Little chuckles to keep the book moving.
Otherwise, the book is lush with screen dumps (pictures of the screen) to ease the points in. This is true to the book’s more “elementary” nature. It caters to those most apprehensive or inexperienced with the Mac and System 7, and even opens with a chapter detailing System Software Basics, such as what the Finder is and why it’s essential. And, where other books may take a page to discuss one feature, this book will take several to guide you through new territory.
Though System 7-savvy users may find this depth tiresome, greenhorns and those who haven’t read much on System 7 will find it salubrious in order to fully appreciate each feature. Danuloff takes far more time than any other author in advancing potential uses of each feature, such as aliases. He also renders the best explanation of virtual memory and of general memory issues. Where others might resort to stating that virtual memory requires an ’030 processor or a PMMU, Danuloff takes the time to explain who can utilize it and why. Once again, advanced users will probably find more material to skim through, but beginners will treasure such knowledge.
[“You can create editions that contain text or graphics subscribed to from other editions. After appropriate updating options are set in all associated Publish To and Subscribe To dialog boxes, changes made to elements in original documents will be correctly updated everywhere they occur.”—The System 7 Book]
Commendations are also due for his sections explaining how to undo that which you did which you’ve shouldn’t have done in the first place. Danuloff takes pains to get you out of tight spots, such as when you’ve disconnected links with publish and subscribe or fouled up with aliases. Take note—the competitors often deal with general troubles, but Danuloff predicted my Norwegian mistakes.
But, perfection does not reign. Quite often, computer terms aren’t defined the first time they’re introduced, a factor which sorely serves to befuddle the MacNeophyte—this book’s prime audience. This failure is compounded by the terms’ omission in the glossary, which is gravely malnourished. Likewise, Danuloff falls a bit short when discussing the methods of upgrading to System 7. He offers three alternatives: “Quick and Dirty” (run Apple’s Installer), “Safe and Sure” (build System from scratch), and “Safe and Surer.” The latter method advocates reformatting your hard drive before installing to insure optimum performance and minimize troubles. While this may be sound advice, he doesn’t emphasize a vital step—updating your hard disk driver. This is crucial to insure “complete compliance” with the new System. (Before upgrading, contact your hard disk manufacturer for the latest driver. CMS, by the way, has created one that they claim to be nearly universal.)
Most glaringly, since this was rushed to press, it’s the only work with a full-blown, oh-my-gosh mistake. Danuloff extols the utility of Get Info comments and claims that they’re permanent. Typically, Apple tried, but didn’t do it—all Get Info comments are erased when you rebuild your desktop, contrary to Danuloff’s proclamations. Fortunately, such errors will be quickly corrected, since the purchase of this book includes two free updates.
The Macintosh Bible Guide to System 7
Undoubtedly the best book on the MacMarket is The Macintosh Bible. If you get a group of Macusers together, they’ll gush over it like most World War II GIs drooled over Betty Grable. It’s the epitome of a guide book, and every user should own it. It was only natural, then, for the publishers of The Macintosh Bible to jump into the System 7 fray. They undeniably have the MacExperience—and the wit—to put out books that sell.
Charles Rubin, the author, adopts a amicable tone, like Danuloff’s. Like the original MacBible, this work occasionally digresses refreshingly into waggery, such as establishing a “Mea Culpa Department” and breaking down the hardware compatibility into “Left at the Gate,” (for 128K, 512K and 512KE models), and “First Class” for the Mac IIci and above.
But, unfortunately, make no mistake about it—I know the MacBible’s irreverence, and this is no MacBible. It’s friendly and, at times, humorous, but it doesn’t share the MacBible’s badinage and repartee. Of course, that drollery is attributable to the MacBible’s multiple authors (with divergent opinions) and years of re-editing and honing. I must admit, I was disappointed when I discovered that it didn’t share the MacBible’s overall tone or addictive icons (denoting tips “Esp. for Beginners,” “Very Hot Tip,” etc.), but then a Bible should be singular in its superiority.
This book, then, is a well-written, authoritative and comprehensive treatise on System 7. It’s thorough without being overly exhaustive (or exhausting) and does not feign to be for absolute beginners. Nor is it just for the power mouser. Anyone who’s beyond querying why they must have a Finder, what RAM is, and who recognizes the difference between the Chooser and the trashcan may avail themselves of it. Mr. Rubin strikes the delicate balance between being comprehensive and hand-holding. And, like Danuloff, he cares enough to not only offer a “how to” but a “how not to.” While Danuloff excels in leading you out of muddles, Rubin forewarns users of such things as “Aliases that don’t make sense” and “Startup items that don’t belong here.”
[“The System File has to remain directly inside the System Folder (not in some other folder within the System Folder) so putting it inside the Apple Menu Items folder will cause big problems. If you want to be able to open it from the Apple menu (to add fonts, say), put an alias of the System file in the Apple Menu Items folder.”
— The Macintosh Bible Guide to System 7 ]
Just as Danuloff details publish and subscribe, Rubin takes more real estate expounding certain items. Printing, program linking and installation are among the topics that he beats his gums about, and I tend to favor his installation guidelines. He is one (as are Danuloff and Norstad) who believes that you shouldn’t simply use Apple’s Installer to upgrade to System 7, but you should trash your old System and rebuild it from scratch. This is a fundamental truth, for the Installer might retain old and damaged System resources when it updates and overwrites an existing System. Building one up from scratch (using Apple’s Installer without a pre-existing System Folder) takes a little more time, but it’s worth the effort.
Indeed, Danuloff and Norstad describe this “preferred” installation procedure, differing slightly in their methods, and earning their rightful merits and demerits. Rubin is no exception, and manages to earn two demerits (besides misnaming the disks themselves; a peril caused by an early print date, I presume): he fails to stress the importance of backing up your hard disk (a must before any surgical operation) and omits any reference to Apple’s Compatibility Checker (as does Kay Yarborough Nelson in another book). Running the Compatibility should be any user’s first step. In spite of that, I found myself relying on his opus rather than on the others when it came time for me to take the giant step, because Rubin specifically names files that must be removed. This roster of the “old and moldy files” put the kibosh on any apprehensions, for it simply made the whole job so very easy.
The Little System 7 Book
Peachpit Press’ The Little System 7 Book is the shortest of the commercial essays, sliding in at a slim 148 pages. (For comparison, Rubin’s book is 254 pages and Danuloff’s is 388.) Its size should not belie its quality, for the author, Kay Yarborough Nelson, surprised me in her ability to cover the issue in its short space. But, due to its brevity, I judge it to be for those “in the know” rather than the “unschooled.”
Ms. Yarborough explains all of System 7’s features in a jovial, quick-witted manner. In fact, this book is more like the venerable Macintosh Bible in tone than is the MacBible’s System 7 publication. Where others sidestep into periodic bouts of humor, Yarborough manages to maintain the tone throughout. Aping the MacBible, she places tips in the margins for easy spotting (although she doesn’t use the MacBible’s “Very Hot Tips” or “Esp. for Beginners” labels). This makes the book an easy read, perfect for those who’ve digested every MacWeek article on the subject and yearn for a quick dip.
All the vital System 7 issues are covered—publish and subscribe, the new trashcan, etc. Since the copy is rather concise, however, non-System 7 scholars might have to work a bit harder at ascertaining the depth of each feature. This brevity is exacerbated by the fact that, unlike the other works, this tract delves into old features. Such familiar old habits/friends as what an icon is, locking a floppy disk, and setting the double click speed are explained, further reducing the total copy on new System 7-only features. For example, roughly one page is spent on publish and subscribe, but about a half page is set aside for setting the alarm clock—old hat. Installation occupies 2.25 pages and relies solely on updating an existing System Folder—it never mentions the safer method of trashing the old before installing the new.
[“Want to make aliases of all your programs all at once? Use the Find command to search all at once for everything whose kind contains ‘application.’ Then choose Make Alias to make aliases for them all. The aliases will all be selected, so you can drag them to a folder, and you’ll have a folder full of aliases of all your programs. Neat, and fast!”—The Little System 7 Book]
Due to the book’s size and its discussion of all system features (old and new), The Little System 7 Book is more of an expressway through the System rather than a slow, guided tour of the changes. Don’t doubt its excellence; the tips alone are a great guide. I think that every new and intermediate user should keep it next to their Mac as a general reference guide to the System. It just isn’t for the callow fellows.
A Word From Our Hero
One of the supreme heroes in the Macworld is John Norstad of Northwestern University. For those of you who have been hiding in a cave for the past decade, Norstad is the author of Disinfectant, the Mac owner’s first line in the defense against viruses. He is without doubt one of the most knowledgable MacPersons in existence.
As a duty to his fellow user, Norstad has written a concise guide to the installation and use of System 7. The two documents (available from Mad Mac) are entitled (appropriately) “How to Install System 7” and “How to Use System 7.” Norstad admits that “we have tried to achieve a reasonable compromise between the conflicting goals of brevity, clarity and completeness.” In other words, this is no hefty “War and Peace” on the subject (“How to Install” runs 15 pages and “How to Use” 29.) Some topics are given skimpy coverage—in fact, for networking he relies on Apple’s disk-based “Networking Basics” tutorial. But, in other areas, Saint Norstad reigns supreme. He drums in the importance of updating your hard disk driver and building the System from anew. Being recently revised (my copy caries a June 10th date), he can alight upon some INIT troubles and other incompatibilities that are too recent for the commercial books.
[“Want to make aliases of all your programs all at once? Use the Find command to search all at once for everything whose kind contains ‘application.’ Then choose Make Alias to make aliases for them all. The aliases will all be selected, so you can drag them to a folder, and you’ll have a folder full of aliases of all your programs. Neat, and fast!”—The Little System 7 Book]
However, I wouldn’t recommend Norstad for the fuzzy minded. Some of the things he discusses are targeted at his co-workers at Northwestern; their inclusion may mystify the uninitiated. (Like Rubin, he individually names files to be trashed when updating, but throws in some Northwestern-specific files which may fluster uncertain souls.) There’s also no inkling of what can go wrong with aliases, which Danuloff covers, or any troubleshooting on file sharing. This report is exactly what Norstad intended it to be—an encapsulation to get you up on your feet, not educate you on its total possibilities. It’s valuable, written by a revered authority, and cheap (available from Mad Mac)—so GET IT!
Apple’s Manuals
The last—and most expensive—alternative is Apple’s own Personal Upgrade Kit. For $99, you get 12 disks, six books and 90 days of toll-free technical support. Yes, Apple finally came to its senses and offers telephone support. (Will wonders never cease?)
I tested this support, with some expectation of failure, but the tech won me over! She was congenial and even “bonded” a bit by blurting out, “Oh, Mad City!” She’s an ex-Illini who’s visited our whacky environs, so we chatted briefly on local issues. I then gave her my grueling exam, laced with a sundry of System 7 queries as well as general problems. She answered all correctly. To my surprise, she even advised me to install a fresh System Folder rather than overwriting an old one. Chalk one up for Apple!
Now, for the manuals. It is a common practice to slam Apple’s manuals—and I shan’t be any different. Well, actually, I am going to admit that they’re good. In fact, they’re excellent—if you can stay awake. I read every page of every manual and survived to write about it. But I’ll tell you one thing: while reading them, I never suffered from insomnia!
[“Want to make aliases of all your programs all at once? Use the Find command to search all at once for everything whose kind contains ‘application.’ Then choose Make Alias to make aliases for them all. The aliases will all be selected, so you can drag them to a folder, and you’ll have a folder full of aliases of all your programs. Neat, and fast!”—The Little System 7 Book]
These are superb educational manuals, though terribly bland. (I suppose that’s to appeal to the blue suit crowd?) But, if the truth be told (and, risking the wrath of my fellow MacLovers), I must concede that this “official tone” might be good for beginners, since you can’t be sidetracked by humor that doesn’t exist! At any rate, they are so “introductory” and laden with screen dumps that even a seal could learn how to use System 7.
The first “pamphlet,” System 7: Compatibility with Selected Hardware and Software complements the HyperCard-based Compatibility Checker which sniffs through your hard disk and warns of possible incompatibilities. This is a handy written reference, for we all like to peruse things while we are away from our Mac, and it also serves to aid those who haven’t installed HyperCard (which is provided in this package).
What’s New in System 7 is a 32-pager, stocked with cutesy graphics, which provides a very brief overview of the changes. Even though the graphics are cute and the subject intriguing, it fails to convey any excitement on the topic. (Typical Apple) How to Install System 7 explains one thing that the others lack—how to upgrade if you can’t run the Compatibility Checker first. Otherwise, it merely follows the company line and pushes you into the Installer without warning you that starting anew (with a fresh System) might just be the safest measure.
The other tracts are Macintosh Networking Reference, skinny HyperCard Basics and the sizable Macintosh Reference. Overall, they’re excellent volumes that educate both new and seasoned users, though the latter will get bogged down in the old ’n’ easy and all will add calluses to fingers flipping pages.
And now, for the good news, Apple can show some zest ’n’ passion. It does so in the two disk tutorials, Before You Install System 7 and Macintosh Networking Basics. Both are wonderful introductions that actually transmit some rah-rah! excitement.
The main drawback with Apple’s package (besides the lack of written panache and zeal) is that Apple doesn’t admit to the fact that certain goodies, like publish and subscribe, won’t be universal until applications are updated, nor do they ever warn you of troubles with INITs, nor incompatibilities with 32-bit addressing. (Afraid, Apple?) They should include a booklet, Surviving 7 While the World Adjusts, with such tips on where to stick old INITs (try the System Folder proper and not a subfolder). Furthermore, they don’t provide depth on the utility of their features. In short, Apple tells you how to begin, not how to thrive! They more or less give you your wings and let you flap and flounder on your own, without advanced hints on surviving the turbulent winds of life. For vivifying nourishment, you must look into one of the commercial books—and join your local user group.
The Scoreboard
Which method of System 7 assistance you choose should be based on your “Comfort Factor.” If you’re a new user, not yet fully comfortable with the Mac, you’re probably best off buying Apple’s PUK (Personal Upgrade Kit). It’ll get you on your feet with a little support from Apple, to boot! Choosing this route gives you one thing the user group can’t—the latest version of HyperCard. Apple/Claris will not allow us to distribute version 2.1.
If you’re deterred by Apple’s price and are still somewhat uncomfortable with the Mac, you might consider buying Danuloff’s book and the user group’s System 7 disks. Those more at peace with their Macs (but not necessarily wizards) should grab Rubin’s epistle. And, if you’re one of those who’s read everything, or if you want a reference work that’s handier than Apple’s bulwarks, buy Yarborough’s concise number. Lastly, since they’re so cheap, Norstad’s “pamphlets” are good aids for the intermediate user, or just may be all the advanced Mac-cer will require.
Now, stop your reading and go nab System 7. It’s truly a wonder.
