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Mac*Chat#097/21-Nov-95 ====================== Welcome to Mac*Chat, the weekly electronic newsletter for everyone interested in using a Macintosh computer professionally, no matter what their situation or profession. See the end of this file for further information, including how to get a free subscription and how to contribute donations to keep Mac*Chat thriving. Any [comments in brackets] are by Tony Lindsey. Topics: Highlights Of This Issue Editor's Notes Let Me Introduce Myself, Part One Terryific Tips - Easter In The Fall Review: Carpetbag/Laserpath Searching For Software CPU Doubler AOL Vs. Local Service Providers - Questions AOL Vs. Local Service Providers - Answers, Part One Goodie Alert! Technical Section Starts... Here Making The 9500 Work With TCP/IP, Part Two - Thumbs-Up On Open Transport Apple's Software Updates Mailing List A Question About Open Transport Modem Strings Legalisms Free Subscriptions To This Newsletter Highlights Of This Issue ------------------------ I finally get around to introducing myself to my readers, Terry Wilson gives us a pile of new Mac tips, we learn about shareware replacements for Suitcase II, I mention how I found the software mentioned earlier, CPU Doubler is discussed (in theory), we begin the discussion of shifting from America Online to a local Internet service, and we not only discuss Open Transport, we REALLY cover the topic of where to find out more about Apple's updates for every possible thing. This issue's a real keeper! Editor's Notes -------------- By Tony Lindsey <xxltony@cts.com> This has been a heck of a week for me, Internet-wise. My Internet Service Provider is experiencing terrible problems with THEIR providers, so any mail sent to me may have bounced back, and my Web page may be inaccessible as well. I get my incoming e-mail very rarely, and this issue may be delayed. Heaven only knows when all of this will iron itself out, so let's all be patient. ---- I've been approached by several folks who are interested in translating Mac*Chat to other languages. If you would like to receive Mac*Chat the instant I'm done with it and translate it to a non-English language, please let me know... ---- I'm starting to look around for a used Powerbook 100 as a portable editing device for my e-mail, articles and such. I've heard that the 100 (built by Sony) is pleasantly small, though slow, and that there is a small aftermarket industry that provides new accessories and batteries for that long-discontinued computer. Is this true? If so, where are they found? Let Me Introduce Myself, Part One --------------------------------- By Tony Lindsey <xxltony@cts.com> After looking through my back-issues, I realized that I've never actually introduced myself. I've always assumed that anybody with Web access could just cruise on over to my personal page and learn all about me. <http://www.cts.com/browse/xxltony/tony-lindsey.html> However, many of my readers only have Internet access through e-mail. For their sake, I'll describe myself: - I'm a six-foot-five (1.956 meters), 225-pound (102 kilogram) man of Scottish/German ancestry. This explains why I call myself "XXL (Extra Extra Large) Tony." I have dirty-blond hair, and VERY blue eyes. I'm built like a football linebacker - I lift weights three times a week, inline-skate, dance twice a week (disco and country-western), and have begun to learn racquetball and Kempo karate as a gift to myself for my 40th birthday (December 6th, 1995). I grew up in the San Fernando Valley in California, and made San Diego my permanent home back in 1975 when I joined the Navy. In the next few issues, I'll talk about my hobbies, my business and the folks who help me distribute Mac*Chat. If there's anything else you want to know about me, just ask... Terryific Tips - Easter In The Fall ----------------------------------- By TerryW6@aol.com Another random collection of tips, plus some fun stuff. **Windowshade** This also works on inactive windows. As you know, by holding down the Command key, you can move a window with your mouse without activating it. By double-clicking the title bar while holding down the Command key, you can also 'windowshade' it out of the way. Windowshade is also an effective 'boss key' for hiding that racy GIF you just picked off the internet, when someone walks into the room. **Open here, save there** When opening files from one folder, changing and resaving them with new names to put in a new folder, do this. First, be sure you have 'Last folder used in the application' selected in the General control panel (Sys 7.5). Open the original folder and leave its window open in a convenient place on the desktop. Double-click to open your first file. When you save, navigate to your new target folder, or create a new one. Now, always open your files (unless of course you want to open something in your new folder) by double-clicking the desktop icon-not by accessing your program's Open dialog box-and your newly created folder will be waiting for you at each Save. The idea here is that opening by double clicking from the Desktop doesn't mess up the path the Open and Save dialog boxes are using. This concept comes in handy more often than you might think. **Key shortcuts in Photoshop** Photoshop, not being a text entry program, provides a whole keyboard's worth of single-key shortcuts (that is, without the use of the command key) for picking tools. For instance, 'M' selects the marquee tool; 'Y' the text tool; 'S' the rubber stamp tool, 'R' the blur tool, and 'A' for the airbrush tool. Study the quick reference card that comes with the program for the full listing. Navigate through your layers with command-[ and command-]. These shortcuts are great to remember when you work without the palette clutter. (Use the Tab key to hide/show the floating palettes.) **Photoshop tool options** Double-click the tool icon to open its options palette, or to bring it to the front if it is buried. **Multiple identities in Eudora** Eudora doesn't provide a way to set up multiple [outgoing] addresses, like AOL does. If you have more than one Internet address, do what I did. Enter your settings to work with one address, locate the Eudora Folder in the System Folder, and move all the files to a new folder, located anywhere you wish, named appropriately. Now make another folder for your other address, and copy into it the Eudora Settings file from the first folder. Double-click the new folder's settings file to take you back into Eudora. Change your address and anything else, in the settings. Eudora will automatically put the rest of the necessary files in with it, giving each folder a full set of program files. Mailboxes, nicknames, and so forth are tied specifically to each settings file. Go back to the desktop and make an alias (command-M) of the Eudora Settings file in each folder, and rename the alias to your email address, or whatever. Keep the aliases in a handy spot, and double-click these to launch Eudora from now on. To switch identities, just double-click the appropriate alias-there's no menu option for opening a different settings file. (If you double click Eudora directly, it will think you're a new user.) **Easter Eggs** The following eggs come courtesy of Daniel Fanton (IXist@aol.com), whose web page is <http://users.aol.com/ixist/easter-eggs.html> I got them out of Apple Easter Eggs, latest version 1.3.5, a DOCMaker publication full of easter eggs. The file is available on AOL, BBS in a Box and other shareware sources. It is also excerpted in Mac Tips & Tricks periodically. Send him your own Easter egg discoveries, and he'll give you credit if he uses them. **Stickies surprise** Make a new note, type Antler! and press return. **Desktop Patterns elsewhere** With the Desktop Patterns control panel open and holding down the Option key, the button at the bottom changes to "Set Utilities Pattern" allowing you to change the window pattern of various utilities, like Find File. **eWorld at night** In eWorld's Town Square window, if you click in the extreme upper-left hand corner, it changes to a night scene. This works for version 1.1 and possibly other versions. **SimplePlayer 1.0** Press Option while you select "About SimplePlayer" to see some gray cats. **Secret Breakout game** If you type "secret about box" in Stickies or SimpleText (or any program that supports drag and drop), select it, and drag it to the desktop, you will find yourself playing a secret breakout game with colorful credits as the targets. (works in System 7.5 only, not 7.5.1; Clippings extension required.) c1995 Terry Wilson. Reprinted from PMUG Dialog, newsletter of the Princeton Macintosh Users Group. Review: Carpetbag/Laserpath --------------------------- By Brenda Daverin <BDaverin@aol.com> The note about the Letraset site reminded me of the two control panels a devoted font addict shouldn't be without, IMHO [In My Humble Opinion]. They are Carpetbag and LaserPath. Both are written by James W. Walker. Carpetbag is a cheaper, slightly less powerful version of Suitcase, as it handles bitmapped and TrueType fonts as well as other resource files, such as sounds and FKEYs. It can't protect you against conflicting ID numbers or play sounds like Suitcase, but for a slim $5 US, it does quite a bit. As for LaserPath, which comes with CarpetBag automatically, it's dedicated to handling PostScript Type 1 and 3 fonts. Both allow you access to your fonts and other files without having to install them in your System folder, which saves a lot of space on your startup disk. They also don't linger on after startup to cause system conflicts. The package can be found on America Online and your better Mac software FTP sites (and ought to be on eWorld if it isn't). Searching For Software ---------------------- By Tony Lindsey <xxltony@cts.com> I found CarpetBag (with LaserPath included) at </info-mac/cfg/carpetbag-143.hqx> I found it (by searching for "carpet") at these standard, high-quality locations: Search University of Michigan Software Archives: <http://www.tocnet.com/~baron/umich/> Search InfoMac Archives: <http://www.tocnet.com/~baron/infomac/> What are other good ways to search for Mac software on the Internet? Please explain how you found it, step-by-step if necessary. CPU Doubler ----------- By Dave Kramer <reeltime@voicenet.com> <http://www.voicenet.com/~reeltime/> Read in Mac*Chat today that someone was looking for info on CPU Doubler. Join the club. I wrote Orchard Software immediately after reading the MacWEEK article to request a review copy for The Resource Fork, my monthly user group column on cool Mac stuff that crosses my desk. The column is available online on my user group's Web site, at <http://www.voicenet.com/~reeltime/SJAUG.html> Anyway, Orchard sent me an overview of the product that basically had the same info MacWEEK used, with a note that once a reviewer's guide was complete they would ship copies to reviewers. This suggests to me that the product isn't shipping yet. ------- By Bob Clark <BobC@edmark.com> I haven't actually used CPU Doubler, but I wasn't too impressed by the description of it. (I saw the MacWeek article.) It looks like it basically ensures that background processes don't get "their share" of processor time, which leaves more time for the frontmost process. Personally, I *want* my background processes to get their allocated time. I typically run *lots* of background processes (I have 15 processes running as we "speak"), and I want each one to get as much time as it needs. The background processes that don't *need* a lot of time don't ask for it, while a background compile, say, asks for and receives more time. So basically CPU Doubler seems like it would *slow down* a background compile. I don't want this. I want to be able to leave Code Warrior compiling in the background while I use my email program (a very non-intensive application) in the foreground, and I don't wanna slow down the compile. If you find that CPU Doubler actually behaves differently, lemme know... By the way, Tony, you didn't make a big deal out of "Mac*Chat 95". :-) AOL Vs. Local Service Providers - Questions ------------------------------------------- By Charlie Schorner <charlies@brooktree.com> Hi! I was wondering if you could recommend a service provider in the San Diego area. I notice you're with CTS. How do I get in touch with them? Can I find their rates? Are there others to choose from? ------- By Randy Chevrier <paintmaster@genie.com> You do a lot of talking (writing) about AOL and yet I figure you also have an account with a direct internet provider, hence crash.cts.com. How much time do you spend on AOL and how much on your internet account? What do you get from AOL that motivates you to spend at least $10 per month in addition to $??.?? per month for the internet account? As you may figure, I'm at the point I want to get an account someplace that will allow Web access and allow me to set up a small home page, too. I hate to leave GEnie since I know just where to ask the right questions or look for just the right download, but it's falling behind the times. I'm just afraid I will use up my 5 hours on AOL rather quickly. (I've also used one trial membership on AOL and found the Web to be a bit slow compared to Compuserve's direct PPP acount.) We have a local company (Internet Oklahoma) that has 40 prime time hours + 2MB for home page for $18.95 or unlimited time and 5MB storage for $28.95. Decisions, decisions, decisions. AOL Vs. Local Service Providers - Answers, Part One --------------------------------------------------- By Tony Lindsey <xxltony@cts.com> I have an account on America Online. After I've used-up my 5 hours of pre-paid online time for each month, I have to pay around $3 per hour for access time. Personally, I use my AOL account VERY rarely - I keep it mostly as a service for my nephew, my husband and my sister, who all use it for e-mail and occasional browsing-around. I also use it to swap binary files and images (no, not spicy ones!) with clients and readers on AOL. I sure wish the folks at AOL would hurry-up and support MIME-encoded files on their e-mail service. It's pretty-much the standard for attaching files to messages on the rest of the Internet. I forget where I read it, but I now know the reason why AOL's Web browser is so slow... Evidently all JPEG and GIF graphics are translated into AOL's proprietary format BEFORE they are displayed. Weak, huh? They have to be translated twice! I also pay for a direct Internet connection through a local company (CTSnet) that acts as my "on-ramp" to the Information Superhighway. I pay them around $23 for 30 hours of pure, unfiltered Internet access per month. Lately, that seemed rather high to me, since I kept hearing rumors about a couple of competitive companies providing the same services. I thought I'd shop around, so on the advice of somebody at the San Diego Mac User Group, I checked-out THE LIST:<P> <http://thelist.com> This is a single, standard place for folks all over the world to shop for a local "Internet Service Provider." Instead of finding 3 or 4 different ISP's in my area as I expected, I found 28! In Part Two, I'll be discussing my findings. Goodie Alert! ------------- We're about to step into the "Technical" section. If you normally don't step into this section, please be aware that there are a LOT of really good tips for finding Apple's software upgrades listed below. You may need this information later on... Technical Section Starts... Here -------------------------------- Making The 9500 Work With TCP/IP, Part Two - Thumbs-Up On Open Transport ------------------------------------------------------------------------ [Back in issue #94, I asked how to make my client's PowerMac 9500 work on the Internet by dialing through a modem. In issue #95, I re-posted people's advice for circumventing Open Transport, which came with the 9500. In this issue, I'm posting the tips that allow folks to keep it and live with it. Truthfully, I find the advice a bit confusing. Apple's own literature on the topic appears to assert that the 1.08 software available for downloading listed below is ALL that anybody would need. Other sources seem to say otherwise.] ------- (From a reader whose name I lost:) Apple tried to fix some of the SLIP/PPP problems associated in OT 1.7 and by doing so added some bugs into OT 1.8. So, it's recommended that you use OT 1.7 for Macs on ethernet, and OT 1.8 with those accessing the net via PPP (or SLIP). Here's the official location for the latest info on Open Transport: <ftp://seeding.apple.com/opentransport/gen_info/text/OTQA.txt> ------- By Kyle Johnson, North Carolina <pkscout@acpub.duke.edu> <http://www.duke.edu/~pkscout/> First, make sure that you got the update CD from Apple for the 9500s. It's available from the fullfillment center. Here is an excerpt from the readme for the OT 1.06-->1.07 patch: "Question: I have a Power Mac 9500 with an earlier version of Open Transport software. How do I get a copy of Open Transport version 1.0.6 so that I can use this patch?" "Answer: Customers who previously bought a Power Macintosh 9500 can get an upgrade to the new software by calling Apple's Order Center 1-800-769-2775 ext. 5617. This update is strongly recommended for all Power Macintosh 9500 customers." [I've failed miserably at finding the equivalent phone number for folks outside the USA. Anybody else have any luck? The folks at (408) 996-1010 may be able to help.] ------- Second, get the 1.08 Open Transport Update from Apple via FTP at: <ftp://ftp.austin.apple.com/Apple.Support.Area/Apple.Software.Updates/US/Mac intosh/Networking_and_Communications/Open_Transport/> [This leads you to four separate disk-image files] or, for those of you who want to download one file [that does the same thing]: <ftp://ftp.austin.apple.com/Apple.Support.Area/Apple.Software.Updates/US/Mac intosh/Networking_and_Communications/Open_Transport/Open_Transport_Net_Insta ll.sea.hqx> (Boy I wish Apple would shorten up their FTP paths) -------- [The following information allows you to get the same version of OT, but using Gopher - It's how I got mine, since all of Apple's ftp sites were too busy to talk to ME.] ------- From Dave Fitch, University of Edinburgh, Scotland <dlf@geo.ed.ac.uk><http://www.ed.ac.uk/~dlf/home_page.html> I saw your question about Open Transport in MacChat and thought I'd drop you a note. OT versions 1.0-1.07 are all buggy and unstable at times. Specifically, Netscape does say that its browsers are not OT compatible (but they're obviously aware of problems.) What you should do is connect to the apple gopher site <gopher://info.hed.apple.com:70> (use Gopher: DON'T USE NETSCAPE -- gopher is much faster) (oh yeah, try first thing tomorrow morning :-)) and get the 1.08 upgrade. Unlike previous updates this one is a full install, with four disks plus a net install. You will need all four disks. In the docs for OT you will find a read-me file that will tell you what versions of PPP etc. are compatable with the latest OT release (I can't remember if it includes locations as well... sorry!). I've found 1.08 to be much more stable than previous versions (but I've got an ethernet connection so your mileage may vary). Overall, I haven't had any problems except when I've used Netscape prior to 1.08. The main advice I would give is to be "tuned" to the machine: when it starts acting up, restart! [Thanks to Dave's tip, I found all the best goodies from Apple, without all the wait, by using TurboGopher with the following URL: <GOPHER://info.apple.com:70/11/Apple.Support.Area%09%09+> I'm not sure if I represented the URL properly.] ------- By Patrick Henebry <patrickh@omni.voicenet.com> The following URL will take you to the new files section of Apple's Software Updates Archive <http://www.support.apple.com/pub/NEWFILES.html> If you scroll down to Files added you will find the disk images of Open Transport 1.0.8 and its installer. NOTE: according to something I read on Ric Ford's MacInTouch Web site <http://www.ultranet.com/~ricford/Welcome.html> these images are for PowerPC based Macs only despite the 68K label for one image. This leads me to believe that you must download all of the images. If you need software updates that are not listed in the New Files section for some reason use the following URL <http://www.support.apple.com/wwwdocs/apple_sw_updates.html> Finally Apple maintains a World Wide Support Web page at <http://www.support.apple.com> (I have found that using the text links at the bottom of this Web page to be faster and more reliable than using the large image map for some reason.) This site is different than, and gives faster access to some support resources, than <http://www.info.apple.com>. ------ From: Bill Kelley, Los Angeles Macintosh Group BBS <Bill_Kelley@lamg.com> Your timing on the 9500 question was good. The problems are now solved. You will need a CD ROM from Apple: system 7.5.2 v2.0, which will install Open Transport 1.0.6. Alternatively, because some of these CDs will not install on the 9500, you can get a friend to send you their Open Transport files and directly swap them out (this works just fine). Then you can use Apple's uploaded updaters to move to Open Transport 1.0.8. You will also want the (non-Apple) file MacPPP 2.1.2SD. Now all you have to do is set up the TCP/IP control panel for the appropriate server. Set the panel on 'manual' setup and put in the IP Address, Domain Name, Subnet mask, Router Address and address(es) of your server. MacPPP is accessible in the Control Panel as Config PPP. The settings for this panel should are consistent with the old MacTCP, so they should be obvious. Prior versions of Open Transport didn't work, but this one seems quite stable. ----- By Roger Levit <rlevit@sonic.net> I just glanced over the docs for FreePPP and they indicate that while OT 1.0.8 will fix the Eudora send problem, it does not say that it will fix the need to reboot each time you disconnect from the Internet. Before I take a drive off line and set it up to use FreePPP I will contact Ask Apple. If you still have to reboot after each session (as the docs indicate) then IMHO their fix is worthless. [Judging from their documentation, they wanted to get rid of the worst bugs first. OT 1.1 will allow re-connection without re-booting.] ------- From: John Davis <fac_davisj@spruce.hsu.edu> I just solved most of my OT problems by upgrading to v1.0.8. Previously I had not been able to use netscape, & freeppp to connect to compuserve from my Pmac7200. For some reason, v1.0.6 and v1.0.7 could not grab the IP location from the PPP connection. Upgrading and/or opening the TCP/IP control panel to the administrative level seems to have solved the problem. Other info on configuring the OT can be found in the freePPP technotes. </info-mac/comm/tcp/free-ppp-102.hqx> **RE TechTool 1.08:** On a slightly different note. TechTool 1.08 will give you a "Corrupt System" reading when you use it to analyze a system that has been updated to Open Transport v1.0.8. The update apparently modifies the system in such a manner that TechTool's limited checksum routine for analyzing your system can't recognize. Apple's Software Updates Mailing List ------------------------------------- By Patrick Henebry <patrickh@omni.voicenet.com> Apple also has a mailing list for notifying people of new updates: To subscribe: - Send an email message to: <swupdates@thing1.info.apple.com> - In the body of the message, type: subscribe yourrealname (example: Subscribe Patrick Henebry) You'll receive an automated reply letting you know you've been added to the list. To unsubscribe: - Send an email message to: <swupdates@thing1.info.apple.com> - In the body of the message, type: unsubscribe yourrealname (example: unsubscribe Patrick Henebry) You'll receive an automated reply letting you know you've been removed from the list. NOTE: be sure *not* to include any sort of signature at the end of the above email messages. With the above URLs, you and / or your clients should be able to get any software updates which Apple has posted on the Internet. A Question About Open Transport Modem Strings --------------------------------------------- By Stan The Man <stan@slicker.demon.co.uk> I wonder if you might at some point devote a few lines in Mac*Chat to Express Modem initialization strings which may enhance data transfer rates under Open Transport? Under OT 1.08 on my 7500 PowerMac, I have found that the right modem string entered in the ConfigPPP 'modem init' box makes all the difference--not only to transfer rates but also to actually getting various comm programs to work under OT. There is a shortage of such information at any of the PCI Web pages and I conclude that it constitutes a 'knowledge gap' for the majority of Geoport/Express Modem users (I'm assuming here that users of other modems get better documentation with their purchase than I did with Apple's Express Modem software). In any event, OT creates a whole new ballpark so even those who have acquired knowledge of this subject will want to revisit it in the light of OT. I will get the ball rolling by suggesting my current, very basic init string <ATS48=128>, which forces MNP connection (whatever that is) instead of V.42. It seems fast and stable and gives me easily the fastest Netscape browsing enjoyed to date. However, it does seem liable to cause dropped connections only when attempting ftp downloads in Anarchie. It would be *very* useful to find out other people's preferred strings since I'm sure mine could be improved upon with an additional 10 characters or so! I do know that the string I am using is not recommended for non-PowerMacs so maybe this needs to broken down into separate categories to be of interest to *all* your readers. Legalisms and Information ------------------------- Copyright 1989-1995 Tony Lindsey. Whole issues of Mac*Chat may be copied freely, provided that all copies are left intact and unedited. Small excerpts of Mac*Chat may be reproduced for personal use or by nonprofit groups (such as Mac User Groups) or for other non-commercial publications if full credit is given. Please contact the editor <xxltony@cts.com> for any other publication requests. This newsletter is intended purely as entertainment and free information. No profit has been made from any of these opinions. Time passes, so accuracy may diminish. Publication, product, and company names may be registered trademarks of their companies. ----- This file is formatted as setext, which can be read on any text reader. I'd enjoy hearing your feedback and suggestions. Unfortunately, due to the massive numbers of messages I get every day, I can't guarantee a personal reply. Send all such messages to: Tony Lindsey, <xxltony@cts.com>. <http://www.cts.com/browse/xxltony> 3401-A55 Adams Avenue San Diego, CA 92116-2429 Tips from readers are gratefully accepted. Please write them in a user-friendly way, and if you are mentioning an Internet site, please include a paragraph explaining why others should visit it. Financial donations are gratefully accepted, to help defray the costs of putting-out one of the fastest-growing newsletters on earth. For more information, send e-mail to <xxltony@cts.com>, with "Donations" in the Subject line. Mac*Chat back-issues may be found within any Info-Mac ftp archive at /info-mac/per/chat and read with any Web browser at <http://www.ese.ogi.edu/macchat/> Free Subscriptions To This Newsletter ------------------------------------- You may subscribe to Mac*Chat by sending e-mail to: <listserv@vm.temple.edu> The Subject line is ignored, so it can say anything. In the body of the message include the following line: SUBSCRIBE MACCHAT Your full name As an example: SUBSCRIBE MACCHAT Juliana Tarlton You will receive a nice long message explaining acceptance of your subscription, how to end it (if desired) and general listserv info. You will then automatically receive Mac*Chat in your e-mail box, for free, every week. ============== ____ ================================================== Tony Lindsey \ _/__ Free, weekly e-mailed Mac-oriented newsletter Mac*Chat Editor \X / <xxltony@cts.com> <http://www.cts.com/~xxltony/> ================= \/ =================================================