Subject: Info-Mac Digest V16 #75 MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: multipart/mixed; boundary="Info-Mac-Digest" --Info-Mac-Digest Info-Mac Digest Tue, 31 Mar 98 Volume 16 : Issue 75 Today's Topics: [*] TidBITS#422/30-Mar-98 (A) System 8.1 and CD-ROMs [A] Accounting sw, some thoughts [A] Jerky sound from Audio CD [Q] How to combine modem bandwidth [Q] Scanner and OS8.1 Accounting software for Mac Experience with MS Office 98 Freeware or Shareware? Importing Word 98 files to PM 6.5 Looking for "Stretch" MS Office 98 questions Online Review of Word 98 for Mac PowerComputing Problem responses re Kaleidoscope & SyJet/Silverliining 2.2 Windows-NT formatted Syquest The Info-Mac Network is a volunteer organization that publishes the Info-Mac Digest and operates the Info-Mac Archive, a large network of FTP sites containing gigabytes of freely distributable Macintosh software. For more information, visit the Info-Mac Web site at . Email Addresses and Instructions: * To submit articles to the digest, email . * To subscribe, send email to with subscribe in the Subject line. * To unsubscribe, send email to with unsubscribe in the Subject line. * To change your address, unsubscribe from the old address, then subscribe from the new address. If that fails, try using the list maintenance form at before contacting us. * Please send administrative queries to . * To submit files for the archive, email the binhexed file with a description to . Submissions must be made by the author or with permission of the author. It may take up to a week to process; check mirror sites for the status of new uploads. FTP and Web Addresses and Instructions: * To submit files larger than 800K, email a description to and then use an FTP client to upload the binhexed file to info-mac.org, using the userid "macgifts and the password "macgifts". Or, click . * A full list of Info-Mac mirror sites is available at the URL below: * Search the archive at . Info-Mac volunteers include Gordon Watts, Adam C. Engst, Demitri Muna, Mike O'Bryan, Michael Bean, and Liam Breck. The Info-Mac Digest is sponsored in part by StarNine Technologies, developers of Internet server software for the Macintosh, including Web and email publishing systems. We'd also like to thank AOL for the main Info-Mac machine. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- --Info-Mac-Digest Content-Type: multipart/digest; boundary="----------------------------" Content-Disposition: attachment; filename="Info-Mac Digest V16 #75" ------------------------------ Date: Mon, 30 Mar 1998 22:24:04 -0800 From: TidBITS Editors Subject: [*] TidBITS#422/30-Mar-98 TidBITS#422/30-Mar-98 Move to Seattle and sue a spammer! A new law sets fines of up to $1,000 for deceptive email sent to Washington state residents. Also in this issue, Adam passes on more multiple monitor tips from readers and Michael Jardeen reviews Claris Home Page 3.0. In other news, Apple says Steve Jobs can remain interim CEO indefinitely, and we note the releases of QuickTime 3.0, WebSTAR 3.0, QuarkXPress 4.02r1, the Remove Office 98 utility 1.1, and Myrmidon 2.1 Topics: MailBITS/30-Mar-98 More on Multiple Monitors To Home Page and Back Again [Archived as /info-mac/per/tb/tidbits-422.etx; 30K] ------------------------------ Date: Mon, 30 Mar 1998 22:09:47 -0500 From: C&F Zeller Subject: (A) System 8.1 and CD-ROMs >I just updated both my 7600 and my 7100 to System 8 using the CD-ROM and >followed that by running the 8.1 updater. Everything seems to be working >except my CD-ROM drives. I can no longer mount any CD-ROM on either >desktop. Neither SCSI Probe nor Silverlining Lite 2 can force them to mount >(though the latter can see them). I had the same experience. I retrieved the Apple CD-ROM Extension from OS 7.6 (v5.3.1) and discarded the one from OS 8,0 which is v5.4. It solved my problem (I have a NEC drive). Hope it works for you too. Florence Zeller -------------------------------------------------------------- Claude & Florence Zeller Home Claude Work Florence Work -------------------------------------------------------------- ------------------------------ Date: Tue, 31 Mar 1998 02:48:12 -0500 From: "Jim (James G) Hardwick CPA" Subject: [A] Accounting sw, some thoughts 98.03.31 0238est Not a good area for variety on the mac. The only things I know of beyond MYOB's level are Peachtree & Great Plains for the mac. And I am not even sure of the current status of the mac versions of these. GPls is a premium priced product, several hundred $$ per module, while PT is more along the lines of MYOB, but regarded as a bit more serious by the accounting purity arbiters. I cannot really help you much beyond recommending a major review of premium priced PC accounting sw in The Journal of Accountancy, March 98 issue. In that you & your friend will note that the academic types who wrote that article found each package lacking in major ways. I was especially disappointed in the security "features". For my small business, I use a check writing program from Aatrix which is clunky & buggy, but prints checks on plain paper, and of course, Excel. Hate to admit it, but I may soon shop for a pc accounting package to upgrade our reports & info tracking when we get a point of sale system for the restaurant, also pc, much to my chagrin. It just is not there on the mac. Good luck! jh ------------------------------ Date: Tue, 31 Mar 1998 13:54:09 +1200 From: Carl Schwarz Subject: [A] Jerky sound from Audio CD Thanks to James Atkinson and Louis Bergeron who made several suggestions after receiving my post on InfoMac. According to Apples the TIL 18126 on playing audio CDs, the 'sound' is piped directly from the CDplayer to the output speakers bypassing any software (on most machines). Consequently, the problem should not be due to any software conflicts. David Woods and Alli at http://discuss.info.apple.com/boards/MacOS.nsf/ccb088a1de6aac738525631c0067846b/ 653F22E54F573979862565CA00779116?OpenDocument suggested that the CDunit should be inspected. It turns out to be a defect in the CDunit that only appears after the machine has been on for about 30 minutes. The technician thinks it is related to a component 'failing' after becoming warm. They will replace the unit under my warranty. Thanks again to everyone. >When playing an audio CD on a Power PC 7220/200, the sound is often jerky. >This even occurs when no other applications are being used on the computer. >Not all CDs seem to be affected, but the same CD always seems to have >problems. When a problem CD is played on a 'normal' CD-player, the sound is >fine. > >Running System 7.6.1 with AudioPlayer 2.1. The computer is not on a network. > >I believe that my CD player in the computer is an 8x speed. > >What causes this problem and is there a fix for it? > >If you send me email directly, I will summarize and post on the digest. > ------------------------------ Date: Mon, 30 Mar 1998 22:55:08 -0500 From: "p.brown" Subject: [Q] How to combine modem bandwidth >I have created a small LAN in my apt building and we have 4 modems >connected to 4 powermacs. Has anyone ever heard of a method by which we >could share the bandwidth of these modems? > In the March 24th issue of PC Magazine, Jim Seymour described Ramp Networks' Web Ramp M3t. The M3t connects up to three modems and has four 10B-T ports, so it can also double as an ethernet hub. It costs about US$550, according to the article, and this is a Windows-centric magazine, so I don't know if it would work with Macs. The article also mentions that modem manufacturers will most likely begin offering the ability to "bond" modems as a standard option (ala Diamond/Supra's shotgun technology). * All opinions expressed are yours, you have only yourself to blame. * ------------------------------ Date: Mon, 30 Mar 1998 20:06:54 -0600 From: James Atkinson Subject: [Q] Scanner and OS8.1 Tim: I would check to see if whatever is making your ColorOne scanner TWAIN compliant (i.e., plugin for Photoshop or 3rd party solution) is compliant with OS 8.1. James Atkinson engja@showme.missouri.edu On 3/29/98 4:19 PM Tim Marples said: > >I have a Power Mac 6100/60 40MB running OS8.1 and a ColorOneScanner 600/27. >I use Photoshop 4.0 and the Apple ColourOne Plugin v1.0.2 to access the >scanner. I have upgraded the scanner extension to version 2.0 (although >the extension title is Scanner (3.0).sea, but it is not a self expanding >archive). Under OS7.5.5, unless Photoshop was the first program to load, >the scanner would hang after moving the light source a centimeter or so. >As long as Photoshop was first to load everthing worked fine and I could >scan as much as I wanted to. Since I loaded OS8.1 the light source moves >a centimeter or so and then hangs every time. Command/Option Escape does >not work although the mouse pointer is still live. >I have spend hours with the extensions manager trying to locate an >extension conflict, but with no success. >Does anyone have any suggestions of what to try next? Please email me >direct. > >Thanks > >Tim Marples > > >------------------------------ ------------------------------ Date: Tue, 31 Mar 1998 08:04:07 -0500 From: Zoltan Tyeklar Subject: Accounting software for Mac Philong Ton wrote: > My friend works for a company where they all use Macs. The accountants > currently use Flexware because it supports multiple users. They just > hired some new accountants. The new accountants (coming from PC world) > are disappointed with Flexware's speed and limited capabilities - maybe > due to the steep learning curve. They want to buy PCs so they can use > the software they are familiar with. > > My friend and I are afraid this is the beginning of the Wintel invasion. > > We need your help: > - What other accounting software are available for the Macs?? > > The requirements are: > 1. Multiple users. > 2. Security - don't export reports out to Excel where changes are easily > made (the accountants' complaints). > 3. Speedy (printing and calculations). > > Choices seem so limited for the Macs. MYOB does not seem to satisfy the > requirements. Well, I am not an accountant but did some research on accounting software for the Mac. The best site is http://www.maccounting.com/. It probably has some good ideas/links your friend can follow. Some other sites: http://www.bigbusiness.com/, http://www.a4softek.com/, http://www.aatrix.com/. Good luck. Zoltan ------------------------------ Date: Mon, 30 Mar 1998 20:00:54 -0600 From: James Atkinson Subject: Experience with MS Office 98 Mike: Office98 is a PowerPC-only product. Recommended system (from the Office ReadMe file--the bare-bones mimimum system requirements are somewhat less severe than this): PowerPC 120MHz or better Mac OS 7.5.5 or better 32 MB RAM Color Monitor with 256 colors or better, 640x480 resolution or better 48-148MB of available hard drive space for the full Office install. The ReadMe goes on to say that if you use any of the more advanced features in Office -- the web authoring tools or the grammar checker, for instance -- you may need to increase the application's RAM allocation by 1-3MB. Same advice if you use a Far East (8-bit) font. If you have a machine that can handle Office98, however, there is a built-in Macro protection option. All it does is warn the user when a document containing a macro is being launched, however; it doesn't tell the user anything about the macro, i.e., whether it's safe or sinister. Still best to invest in a robust anti-virus program (Virex 5.8 or later works well for our lab). James Atkinson engja@showme.missouri.edu James Atkinson engja@showme.missouri.edu On 3/28/98 1:38 PM Mike Pinkerton said: >First, what are the system requirements for Office 98? Will it run on the >old LC III (68020) running System 7.1 that my wife uses? > >Second, one of the great features of Word 5.1a was it lack of support for >Word macros, making it virtually oblivious to Word macro virii and giving >one great peace of mind. Can one disable macro support in Office 98 to >achieve the same result? > >Thanks. > >Mike > > >------------------------------ ------------------------------ Date: Mon, 30 Mar 1998 18:22:56 -0800 From: Sailen Black Subject: Freeware or Shareware? Peter Kay wrote: >Some of us (me, anyway :-)) who have to pay for our downloading costs would >very much appreciate being told by software uploaders whether the file is >freeware or shareware. I really have to second this emotion. It's galling when summaries do not identify shareware. Some uploaders even solicit payment in categories that are usually freeware, like desktop patterns. Tasteful patterns like ftp://mirrors.aol.com/pub/info-mac/gui/txtr/desktop-patterns-vol-one.hqx are available for only a kind word. Perhaps the Info-Mac volunteers could signal shareware with a little "$" in the subject header, like the Evangelist does, thereby preventing fruitless downloads. Finally, here's a tip: if the author's email is from "kagi.com," expect shareware requests. ------------------------------ Date: Mon, 30 Mar 1998 18:24:30 -0600 From: Gene Huebner Subject: Importing Word 98 files to PM 6.5 Does anyone know if an import filter for Word 98 files to Pagemaker 6.5 is available as of yet and if so, where? Thanks ------------------------------ Date: Mon, 30 Mar 1998 17:19:58 -0700 From: Dave Del Torto Subject: Looking for "Stretch" Once upon a time, I found a nifty little CDEV utility named "Stretch" which adds resize capability to any edge/corner of Mac windows. From its self-description: Stretch is an control panel/extension that enhances the standard window look and behavior by providing a mechanism to stretch a window from any corner and enabling window iconification. Stretch can be augmented with the "IconBox" application. "Stretch" has been spectacularly stable and non-conflicting (as in I've *never* had a single problem since I first installed it under a System 7 beta). IMHO, it should have been incorporated into the MacOS looooong ago, but meanwhile, I'd like to find the most recent version, and I haven't been able to do so in the usual places (like the HyperArchive, unless the name has changed). Searches on "IconBox" also turn up zilch. Unfortunately, the utility itself (and its readme) gives no electronic address for the author, one "Ross Tyler", except that he (lived?) at: 759 Santa Fe Court, San Dimas CA 91773. As of the one I have (creation date 1988, copyright says "1991-1993") the version number is 3.0.1. The BNDL ID is "ROSS". Does anyone know where I can find the current version of this wonderful shareware gem, if a more recent one exists? dave ------------------------------ Date: Tue, 31 Mar 1998 06:29:30 -0800 (PST) From: Daly Jessup Subject: MS Office 98 questions Mike Pinkerton asked about MS Office 98: >>I have two questions: >> >>First, what are the system requirements for Office 98? Will it run on the >>old LC III (68020) running System 7.1 that my wife uses? >> >>Second, one of the great features of Word 5.1a was it lack of support for >>Word macros, making it virtually oblivious to Word macro virii and giving >>one great peace of mind. Can one disable macro support in Office 98 to >>achieve the same result? Mike, I went to the Microsoft site and boy, what a runaround! Anyway, I'm trying to get some answers. Later this morning I guess I'll have to call them on the macro issue. I don't know the answer and I'm curious, too. Someone else asked me if there's a way to turn off the Assistant (he IS cute, but I admit you can get tired of him). I'll ask those questions. Meanwhile, about system requirements: No, your wife can't run Office 98 on the LC III. At the Microsoft site it said that Office 98 requires a Power PC, with minimum recommended speed as 120 MHz (though it can run happily on slower machines - we tried it on my husband's 8100/80 and it ran fine). It requires an absolute minimum of 16 MB of RAM, 49-220 MB of hard disk space, much more if you install any extras. It requires a monitor that runs 256 colors (or some level of grayscale, I forget what) at a resolution of at least 640x400. It requires a CD ROM drive or a network connection to install. It also requires that the computer be running at least system 7.5, 7.5.5 being recommended as a minimum. So this one is not for older machines. I'll write if I get answers to the other questions. Daly ------------------------------ Date: Mon, 30 Mar 1998 22:06:59 -0600 From: Will Porter Subject: Online Review of Word 98 for Mac An extensive illustrated review of Microsoft Word 98, Macintosh Edition, is now online for viewing at http://www.polytrope.com/word98 The review site also includes a large library of Word 98 tips. Note that this review -- to my knowledge by far the most comprehensive published anywhere -- deals only with the Word component of the Office 98 suite. Will Porter Polytrope Solutions Houston, Texas USA ------------------------------ Date: Mon, 30 Mar 1998 21:32:30 -0500 From: Jeff Breuer Subject: PowerComputing Problem Hello, all. I’m in one big jam and hope someone out there can help me. Three weeks ago I bought a Power Computing PowerCenter Pro 180 MT. When I opened the box, inside the packet with the bundled software was a note from Steve Kahng at Power Computing that said that "due to a temporary CD shortage," a Mac OS 8 CD was not included in the box, but that everything was pre installed on the hard drive.” “Power Computing will be sending you this CD within days,” the note said. Well, it’s been weeks and still there has been no startup CD. So I called Power Computing today. Nobody answered, so I tried keying-in random extensions. No luck. I went to their web site and got the number for the company handling tech support and called them. They said there WERE no more CDs containing the system software (and they claimed they only had 3 of them to work with in their shop). They recommended I go to the vendor I bought the machine from, Mac Warehouse. I did. They said they had no Power Computing system CDs. So I asked them to send me a Mac OS8 CD to boot from when the system got wiped out. They refused. They offered to give me an RMA number to return the entire mess, but I didn’t because I wanted to keep the machine. I called Apple. After several dozen calls to lots of people, the bottom-line answer was: No. We’ll sell you a brand-new copy of OS8 (and *that* may not even work properly, the guy insinuated, since you can’t trust those Mac wannabes) -- but other than that you’ll get no help from us. What a friendly bunch. I’m ready to go back to the tyranny and oppression of “the other guys.” Here’s my request: Does anyone out there have a Power Computing 604e machine that came with OS8 and an OS8 “Power CD” that they would be willing to lend me so that I can make a CD copy of it? I'll pay all the FedEx charges, and anything else. There’s nothing illegal or shady about this, since I do have a machine with OS8 already on it (and could show you the sales receipt); and I certainly won’t run off with your CD if you’d be good enough to lend it to me to copy. If you can help, or if you can offer any advice on this, I sure would appreciate it. If I can't find the proper CD with the system and proper drivers, I may have to return the purchase, and I don't want to do that. Please reply by email, as I’m not a subscriber to the list yet. Thanks in advance. Jeff Breuer Arlington, Virginia H: 703-845-3461 O: 703-299-9470 email: jbreuer@clark.net ------------------------------ Date: Mon, 30 Mar 1998 17:04:53 -0500 From: "Jim (James G) Hardwick CPA" Subject: responses re Kaleidoscope & SyJet/Silverliining 2.2 98.03.30 1644est Let me share my experiences on these: I had to give up Kaleidoscope for reason of constant conflicts. Never could trace the crashes to anything but K, so I took the advice I have always gotten--if it ain't needed, don't put it in your system. My machine (PM 9500, 132 mb, OS 7.5.5) is a business machine, so I try to avoid unnecessary problems. Hard to pin down, but with K running, I crashed and/or had problems much more often than usual. BTW, Netscp Nav 3 periodically has caused problems for which I never determined the cause. I finally have given up and installed v4, and have only crashed NN once in 3 days, much better. Only saving grace (literally) is that it usually brings things down (sorry dialog that actually restarts) without blowing things to total lockup, ie, requiring control-command-startup key (hard on any open files including the system file & related, at the time). On the SyJet, I love mine, it is fast & big. I did find that after installing the 2.2sq Silverlining sw, I could not reliably swap SQ disks without freezing. Syquest responded that they knew of no problems, but I found that by disabling SLite 2.2sq as a startup file & running it separately as an application has stopped the problem. Not sure I am really certain of all the details leading up to this conclusion, but I no longer have the problem. I have not lost data, however, to date on my SJ. Do not try to pry in out of my mac, though, I'll fight ya. I go all the way back to the 44 meg carts. Never a bernoodleee. One ? comes to mind from Jerry's notes on his problem--has he tried to use NUM 3.x on an HFS+ volume? TROUBLE if he did, it will cause any number of problems! I understand only the latest vers of Tech Tools will handle HFS+ vols. Those familiar with OS 8 can fill in the details, as I only know what I hear at this point, still using 7.5.5. HTHelps jh ------------------------------ Date: Tue, 31 Mar 1998 10:03:57 +0000 From: velthuis visuals Subject: Windows-NT formatted Syquest I've been reading Info-Mac Digest for a long time, but now I have a question of my own. I used to exchange data (tiffs and eps-files produced on my mac) with a customer of mine (working on a dos-machine) by means of Syquest cartridges; since he has installed Windows NT and has formatted his Syquests under that "operating system", I can mount them on my machine (G3 with MacOs 8.0), but I can't see any files. My mac says: 0 objects; 1.4 Mb available. Under Norton, I can see that it has 7 files on it and 40 mB used.My dealer told me I had to buy "Formatter 5" to read Windows NT files on a Mac; does someone know a shareware (or other) option for this ? Please mail me: velvis@pi.net Thanks Gerrit Velthuis velvis@pi.net -------------------------------- --Info-Mac-Digest-- End of Info-Mac Digest ******************************