It's a simple beat keeper for musicians. I made it because I couldn't find a usable metronome for the Mac platform. It's drummer oriented but should be usable by anyone needing to keep time.
••• What kind of horsepower do I need?
Gnome will run on ANY computer with Mac OS, System 6.0.7 or later. It needs about 100K of RAM (or less) in order to run. Trust me, it'll run on your Mac.
••• What cool features does it have?
Keeps accurate time! (If it doesn't, let me know!)
Counts the beat in "1 2 3 4" style
Variable tempo from 10 to 360 beats per minute
5 different beat sounds (none, Metronome, Chick, StickClick and Clap)
Reincarnates your ancient 1980's era Mac as a cool, hip beat-keeper!
••• What is it missing?
Gnome can only accurately play certain beat frequencies due to limitations with the Mac clock cycle.
These frequencies are: 10 thru 68 beats per minute (bpm) inclusive as well as 70, 71, 73, 74, 76, 77, 79, 81, 82, 84, 86, 88, 91, 93, 95, 98, 101, 103, 106, 110, 113, 117, 121, 125, 129, 134, 139, 145, 151, 157, 164, 172, 181, 190, 200, 211, 225, 240, 257, 276, 300, 327, and 360 bpm.
Other tempos are theoretically possible but the programming would be a pain. If Gnome generates sufficient interest, I may look into coding a more complete list of available tempos.
••• Will it break?
I've tested it extensively on several different Macs including the Mac SE, Color Classic, Powerbook G3 (Wallstreet), and G4 450 Tower; and on several different systems including 6.0.7, 7.0.1, 9.1 and OS X under emulation.
Gnome sweat alert: If you are running one or more processor-intensive tasks (such as burning a CD, watching several Quicktime movies at once, or doing heavy file sharing), and you're asking Gnome to keep a fast beat, then the poor guy will have trouble keeping the beat. For best results, let the little gaffer run all by himself.
••• Why is it in black & white?
Gnome is a rarity in today's computing: a mostly color-free program. This is for compatibility with early steam driven Macs. And let's face it... does this program really NEED color?
••• What does it cost?
This program is "ReviveOldMacWare." It is free but if you use it, you have to run it on the OLDEST Mac possible! Dig that ancient Mac Plus out of the closet and set it up next to your equipment. Suddenly that sad, dusty machine is now a living, breathing member of your band! Or, buy a crusty old Mac SE from a junk dealer and put it to work tappin' out the beat. It's probably cheaper than the cost of a new metronome!
••• If I have issues and/or ideas, where can I get ahold of you?
I encourage all comments and bug reports as well as suggestions for future versions. If you want to distribute Gnome on your CD-ROM or web site, that's OK too; all I ask is that you check with me first.
E-mail: tom@spreen.net
Website: www.spreen.net
••• Why call it Gnome?
It's a teeny, tiny, metronome. Therefore Gnome. What would YOU call it?
