| Issue #64/Aug. '00 |
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Navigate: | My Mac Online | The Archives | March 1997 | e-Mail Page | |
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 More on RAM Doubler 2.0Mr. Robertson, Thank you for your helpful review of RAM Doubler 2.0! Lured by the exciting claims of TRIPLE RAM, I've been contemplating upgrading from the prior version....I shall wait for a less buggy version. Also, any plans for a review of recordable CD-ROM hardware? I'm confused by all that's out there and was interested in a coherent review of the products. Keep up the good work
Himanshu Gupta, MD
For more on RAMDoubler, please read my reply to the letter below. As for a review of a recordable CD-Rom player/reader, none is forthcoming. Let me tell you why.
The entire CD-ROM industry is going through a major change. And thus far, nothing is a given. If you buy a CD-R today, chances are it will be woefully out of date next year. This is not like the CPU market where although there may be faster models available soon after you purchase your Mac, your slower model will remain completely usable. The CD-R market, however, is about to be changed forever. Now we have CD-RW. (Recordable/Rewritable) Discs for a CD-RW which will not work on any other drive. Then we have DVD. (Digital Versatile Disc) These new drives and discs will replace our current CD-ROM discs and drives in the near future, giving us storage capacity of 4+GB on one disc. (These will also hold movies and audio playable on your Mac.) And that is only just the beginning. Since the entire optical digital disc industry is going to be settling on some standards very soon (we hope), I've decided to wait and see what develops in the next year. So, unless someone has an immediate need for the current technology, I believe it would be unwise to buy a CD-R now when CD-RW DVD drives may be available next year costing about the same but with ten times the storage capacity.
Tim, Albert Wahrhaftig
Albert,
Can I recommend RAM Doubler? No. With memory prices dropping to all-time new lows, and RAM Doubler now costing as much as a 8MB Simm, there is no reason NOT to buy the real ram.
Praises From On HighI just heard lately about your e-zine, My Mac. I read it for the first time. Boy, what I've been missing. This is without a doubt one of the best Mac magazines around, maybe even the best. I'll be sure to let you know after I read a couple more issues. Most of the others spend too much space reviewing a lot of high tech equipment that I either don't want or can't afford. They do not spend enough time on what's really worthwhile: the Mac and what it is all about. Keep up the terrific job you and your staff are doing. You can bet I'm going to tell my friends about My Mac.
Thanks
Thanks for the very kind words, Ed! One of the things I decided to do when I started My Mac a few years ago was to keep it for everyday users. Sure, I make a living with my Mac, but that doesn't mean all I ever want to read it the (mostly) dry reviews or news found in Macworld, MacWeek, MacUser, Mac-fill-in-the-blank.
My Mac, (which was *supposed* be to a temporary name only!) is created by users just like you. No different. Pete Miner, for instance, started as a reader who happened to download the first issue from AOL. He wrote a few letters, and one was really good. So good, in fact, that I asked him if he would consider making it into a article, not just a letter. The rest, as they say, is history.
Again, thanks for taking the time to write. If My Mac seems to move away from what it is that you like about it, please let us know!
My Mac, AOL, And A ISPDear Tim I could not agree with your column more. I'm furious with AOL for making version 3.0 available as a Preview edition when it was still a beta. This version was so buggy that I had to call in Apple's Tech Support in order to locate what was causing my Performa 6400 to crash faster and more often than a Pentium 486 running Windoze 1895. First, response was that the logic board had gone sour. After two weeks of writing in long hand every action and result of that action, daily running Norton and backing up my hard drive with Dantz's DiskFit Direct (that is the backup program packaged with Iomega's Zip Tools and is a scaled down Retrospect), we had narrowed the culprit down to AOL. Until that was discovered, nearly every startup had to be ran through Casady & Greene's Conflict Catcher 3 conflicts tests until the problem temporarily disappeared. On January 11, 1997, I was elated to see that the AOL Tech staff had pronounced the AOL 3.0 clean and final. Boy were those guys wrong. I had to use Shay's instructions for installing the beta version, in order to get the software to run, then after two weeks of getting up very early in the a.m. because this was the only time I didn't get busy signals, the software would refuse to let me use my Netscape, CyperDog, or AOL's version of MS Internet Explorer. I then checked out Members helping members, since tech support could not or would not answer my phone calls and e-mails, only to find out other Mac users were suffering the same symptoms. Back to 2.7 again till I hear otherwise and start looking for an ISP. This is when the real nightmare began. After reading MacUser's article on choosing an ISP, I decided to contact a local ISP first. None were listed in the yellow pages, so I started inquiring my Windoze friends and came up with two local ISPs. The first ISP I called said "Yes, we support Macintosh. Just don't ask us any technical questions if you can't sign on." Then the salesperson proceeded to tell me that they needed a $300 deposit, two forms signed saying they could replace my local and long distance phone companies with companies of their choosing at any time, and they would furnish the version of Netscape I was to use. As for the upgrade I just had paid Netscape for, "Send it back and maybe you can get a refund." Ugh! The second ISP was hung up on when the salesperson replied "Macintosh? I can't seem to find that computer on our list. Is there another name it might be listed under?" OK, a local ISP is out of the question, what about a national ISP. To the internet I went. The first one I came across is MacConnect, sounded interesting, since they only allow Mac users on. Woe is me. The nearest connection point would result in long distance fees, something I could not afford. The next company, Earthlink, send me free connection software, but I do not have a credit card account and am still waiting after two weeks for the checking account debit forms to arrive. Last week, while checking MHM on AOL, I noticed a post from January 31, 1997 saying AOL 3.0 was now golden. Alright!!!! I downloaded, and installed it. During reboot I noticed that despite my having OT 1.1.2 loaded, AOL loaded OT 1.1 onto my computer. Anyone who has read Apple's technical notes concerning PCI PowerPC's knows this is a no-no. I threw away the extension, restarted and found I could not sign on. So I reinstalled the software, and let it load OT 1.1, so I can sign on. Guess what? Even though AOL says 3 is golden it still has the same problems it had when final, and some never encountered even with the beta. So bad are the problems now, that in order to use Netscape I have to reinstall the software everytime I sign on and decide to cruise the Internet. One other problem I have with AOL that does not deal directly with the software, is the fact that some of my mail (fortunately not My Mac's file) has disappeared into the ethernet to possibly not be seen again. Every once in a while, those lost messages do show up two or three days later. Sorry about the length of this letter, but feel free to edit and print any and all portions of it. Thanks for your time and your great publication, I have yet to find another Ezine or print publication as good as My Mac. Carl M. Lowery
Much AdoI enjoy My Mac Magazine very much. I particularly enjoy the publication statements round up. You asked for comments, so here they are. First, for the columnist who did the article on the reporter for the Annapolis newspaper, Annapolis is closer to Baltimore than it is to Washington, DC. Sorry, but I am a transplanted Baltimore native. Second, on your comments about AOL continuing to do TV & magazine ads. I suspect that they were ad placements that could not be canceled in the time frame involved, either canceled at all or canceled only at full cost or close to it. The people at AOL are not stupid by any means although they occasionally do stupid things. Why would you spend money for ads that make your problems worse, make people mad, and take away funds you need for more equipment, etc.? Third, the Apple folks may have a good rationale for continuing to advertise in Mac magazines. First, to help reinforce beliefs for people who may be considering going over to the other side, particularly given all of the negative columns, etc. Second, to enhance sales of new systems. (I have been involved in marketing research, marketing, and advertising for almost 30 yrs.) I agree with you about Apple's marketing, both advertising and in-store displays, etc. I know they have limited control over the latter but surely more could be done. There isn't enough advertising, what is there is poorly focused, and overall the message is lame. OTOH, I think the Microsoft advertising is really lame also. Guess I'm not the customer that MS is aiming for. Fourth, on your update on the Spell Catcher fix, I think the word you wanted to use was affected and not effected. Finally, for Grant Cassiday, I used to think that Jim Coates was good, fair, etc. However, his "the sky is falling" column in the Chicago Tribune was not good. I live in the Chicago area and have had more than one person say, "Oh, you are not going to be able to get software for your Macintosh" or, "My son just bought a new PowerBook and he is now up the creek." Where do you think they got that impression? I don't know what is going to happen with Apple. For a number of reasons, I hope they survive and prosper. I do know that if they don't, someone will be doing something for 26 million machines. Even if they don't, System 7.x can run my computer to do virtually all of what I want to do for many, many years. Would I like a more stable system including protected memory? Sure, it would save me some time but I can do just fine without it. Coates' response to the criticism was disingenuous (must be taking lessons from the Clinton White House, sorry). He said his facts were right. Assuming this is correct (I'm not sure), it was the interpretation that was the problem. He says he's writing from the SOHO user but that user generally isn't worried about multitasking, etc.- just so the basics work well and easily. More recently, Coates was gushing over Office 97. He loved that Excel in it has in-cell editing and drag & drop. Good grief, I have Lotus 123 for Mac that Lotus stopped supporting about 4 yrs ago that has those features. No, it won't do nearly what Excel can do but as a SOHO user, the old Lotus works fine for my spreadsheet needs. I can also convert its files into Excel ones to go to clients. I just hope that MS in its great wisdom doesn't wipe out backward compatibility within its own program. Sorry for the length of this but as you can see, I really did get involved in your latest issue. Keep up the good work.
Tom Keller
Russ responds-
Regarding Apple's advertising or lack there of. I have found Mac users to be thorough, resourceful, constantly seeking information on improving their Macs and always keeping current on what is happening with Apple and its products. The point I was trying to make was that Apple would be more effective in shifting its advertising more towards the non-Mac person then us Mac users. With the constant media attacks on Apple and Mac users, people are being brainwashed into believing this hype, with absolutely no return message from Apple disproving it.
As for affected/effected, I'm glad that we are having an affect/effect upon you, the reader.
More on Mac AdvertisingIt's nice to see the same opinion given in more than one place. I even went so far as to send e-mail to Gil Amelio with a couple of suggestions, which follow below. Keep up the good work!
Steve Fenton Recently I've had more than a few thoughts on the state of the Macintosh, and Apple in particular. I've been using Macs since 1988, from the lowly Plus, on up throught the Centris, Quadra and now Power Macintosh line. I currently own a 7600/132 and use a 7600/120 at work. What has been burning up the gray cells these past few weeks? Apple, and Macintosh in particular, advertising. Where is it? Mainly in Mac-oriented magazines and at Apple's web site, where you already have to like the Mac OS to take a look and see what's going on. It's kind of like the Rev. Billy Graham preaching to a monastery of Franciscan monks, they've already beheld the miracle. Granted that the freebies available are nice for Mac fanatics, but all the freebies in the world, short of free Macs, will not sway a potential customer away from the Wintel world. What can sway public opinion? A campaign directed at the consumer, where the consumer is. Example 1: I know Apple 'farms-out' reps in metro areas to ADIA. All I've got to say is the job they're doing as far as I can see, is not too good. In a recent trip to the local 'Best Buy' I saw one forlorn Performa 6400 with At Ease running, one Apple monitor with no CPU and another system with a keyboard and mouse, but no monitor. Hardly a display to instill confidence in the platform or to get the interest of the passing consumer. While all this was going on, PCs had numerous demos running, from full-blown apps to game. And the Macs had no 'Best Buy' sales reps within shouting distance. I won't even begin to get into the paucity of Mac software, thank goodness for mail-order and the web. Solution?: Why not run a Mac day at retail outlet (Circuit City, CompUSA, Computer City and Best Buy to mention a few)? Have an actual, honest-to-goodness Apple person there displaying what the Mac can do. Head to head with a Wintel machine if need be to prove the point. Install some software on both platforms, the same apps of course, run the same operations on each. Mention Mac's built-in sound and networking, hook up a printer.......all this to let people see how easy it is. To go one step further, do it from the starting point...out of the box setup. Example 2: This kind of goes up to the last sentence above except in a different kind of way. Why not run some television ads that run throughout a program at each break? The first could be the users (split-screen) setting up their computers, one a Mac, the other a Wintel machine. From box to up and running, add a peripheral or two, run some apps, print, scan, etc. Time could be compressed through the series of ads, but keep a clock running in the bottom of each frame. By the end of the program, the Mac user will be happily be using their computer while the Wintel person is still trying to run or even set up their computer. It could end with the caption, "To be continued" for the Wintel user. It would work. I know that in the booklet, "Why People Prefer the Mac" there is an example of networking the two platforms, but a graphic display up on TV in living color is bound to get people's attention. These are only a couple of the ideas I've had to get interest back into the Mac. It would be nice to see 'each and every' attack on Apple and the Mac OS refuted in print, where people can see them, instead of going looking for them, that shows and interest already. Apple has to get up on its soapbox and do a little preaching, some real evangelism; Guy can't do it all by himself. I plan on using my personal 7600/132 for the foreseeable future and hope that should I want to upgrade to a faster, better machine, that there will be one available, from Apple Computer, 10 years on down the line. I'm copying this letter to other sources in the hopes that it produces something other than a few bytes of data floating through the ether. Macs rule! Sincerely, Steve Fenton
Ed Toby in My Mac! Yeah!I just finished reading Eddie's first article in My Mac. I must tell you that I count it a privilege to have Eddie as a friend and as a first-rate Apple Service Technician. I have used every Mac model from the Mac Plus to my current Power Mac and I can call Eddie with just about any problem. I manage a Mac network that I'm afraid to say is dwindling by the day (MIS people insist on replacing with Windows ... yuk) and Eddie has been an invaluable asset to me and the users I assist on a daily basis. Thanks for including him in your publication - he's the greatest! KIMB1060@aol.com We are very pleased to have Ed Toby here in My Mac as well. He is a great writer, and brings many years of experience to our ever growing staff.
From ItalyHei folks, I've downloaded just now your pretty My Mac e-zine. I've taken a look to Dec. 96 number founded on a MacFormat CD ROM, Italian edition. The web site it's pretty too. I'm thinking to register me to your free e-zine in this days.... Many thanks for your work.
Greetings from Italy While I myself have never heard of the MacFormat CD-ROM, I am pleased to hear they included My Mac Magazine on it. If anyone spots one of our issues on CD-ROM, please drop us a note and let us know! I like to track that sort of thing, and find out just how far My Mac has traveled.
SuggestionsThe new logo is DYNAMITE!! Kudos to Jason Rainbow!
Just a Suggestion: (My own direction does not include EMail, but since I read EVERYTHING in My Mac, I also read Mike Wallinga's "Wall Writings" thoroughly, and it's a perfect example of what I mean.) I compiled a truly haphazard list of his recommendations. It could be so convenient to see (a version of) this at the end of the article:
*FarCast support@farcast.com
Sheri Maurer P.S. Being the pack-rat I am, I downloaded 'Claris Emailer 1.1' anyway, just in case....... Thanks, Sheri! I like this idea, so look for it to start in our next issue. All URLs on any page will also appear at the bottom of the page.
Want to complain about Apple? Want to bash Microsoft? Like a review or disagree? Write in! It only takes a few minutes. And remember, don't just send me your letters. Write to the writers as well. If you enjoy their writing, drop them a note. It's the least you can do :-) Remember, My Mac Magazine is a FREE magazine, so we "live" off the response we receive from you, the reader. |
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