Dear Readers,
Well, my husband has gone over to the Dark Side. Yes, he is going to school to learn Windoze networking. The good news is once he is done with that, I can probably convince him to get up to speed on Macs so I’ll finally have some tech support at home. The bad news is the amount of disinformation floating around the Windoze community. I am amazed, shocked, and disheartened at what his classmates are telling him!
Like, Apple was bought out by SoftPC, Apple is going out of business, Macs are outdated; those poor grade school kids will have no idea how to use Windoze when they get to college (yeah, right!)… Granted, nothing we haven’t heard before, but these are supposed to be open-minded college students and this is also after Apple has started its advertising campaign! This tells me that Apple still has a lot, and I mean a lot, of work still to do. Again, nothing new. From what I’ve heard, not only does Apple need to inform the entire PC community that it is as much of a viable business as Microsoft, but teach them the strengths of Macs. I’m not advocating trying to convert these folks, but let’s give them a little correct information.
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Dear Readers,
I was reading the front article in the March 98 issue of Digital Imaging. The article was about digital cameras. However, what I am writing about here is the part leading into the cameras.
The author touched on a variety of subjects and skillfully avoided support of either Microsoft or Apple. What caught my attention was his definition of de facto standards. (De facto is Latin for “from the fact.”)
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Dear Readers:
June is here! Finally, warm summer months! All the hard work in the fall, planting bulbs, fertilizing the lawn, and the never-ending weeding is paying off… give me a couple of years gardening and some time to grow the plants, and I will have a little showplace, if I do say so myself!
I just hope all of you are enjoying your late spring/early summer as much as me.
I have to thank the following folks for keeping me on the straight and narrow: Jose Coba, Jeff Kalmes, and Buzz Buzzell.
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Dear Readers:
I absolutely LOVE the new Mac commercial… you know, the one where the Pentium dancer is on fire! Too funny! I also like the fact that Mac commercials are not only popping up more frequently, but the campaign itself is evolving-it’s about time!
I found a very interesting story this past month. You see, one of the first things I read each month is the back column in Macworld. The March issue tells an interesting tale of higher education. The gist of the story is a new IS guy at Yale. He took it upon himself to not only set a “standard platform” of Windows PC, but he smudged some statistics to back up his decision. What makes it really interesting is that he has no support in this endeavor, yet seems to command enough power to do what he wants.
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Dear Readers:
I’ve just gotten back online after a month of no Internet access. Why, you ask? Well, after checking the phone lines, swapping out the modem, and various other checks, it turns out I had an extension conflict… duh! That should have been the first thing I checked out! I had forgotten some of the problems my system gave me the previous month and with all the crashing, swapping out components, etc., the extension conflict should have been obvious. But I don’t feel too bad. My tech didn’t check for it and it took four calls to AOL for their techs to suggest it.
By the way, special thanks to the last gentleman I spoke with at AOL. I thought I had his name! It was his suggestion to check for extension conflicts and try the clean install which got me back online. And thumbs down to the female who blew my tech off. She walked him through some checks and finally told him he’d have to reinstall the software and “that takes too long… goodbye!”
Now, I’ve had to reinstall software after speaking to someone on the help lines. Probably all of us have had to at one point. They always give you a reference number or tell you to call them back or something if it doesn’t work. This person did not. She hung up on a customer!
But then, customer service is never what it should be…
Helpful Hints
HH#42: Check for extension conflicts first!-Use the above for reference. If I had done that early in the game, I would have been back online in a couple of days rather than a month.
HH#43: The cold is not your friend-Teemu Masalin tmasalin@cc.helsinki.fi
, a reader in Finland told me this tale:
It’s winter in Finland right now. Teemu had a box of floppies, with files on them, in a suitcase. When they were brought out to be used, they were erased! But, when Teemu returned home, where it was warm, the floppies were back to normal. The only explanation Teemu can think of is the extreme cold is detrimental to floppies.
If anyone has insight to Teemu’s experience, please email us. We’d love to expand this topic. And Teemu, thanks for sharing your story with My Mac!
HH#44: Unreadable Disks-This actually ties in with HH #41, Tuning Up. Usually disks you’ve used before that come up as unreadable have a simple problem: their directories are a bit scrambled. Most of the time, ejecting and reinserting the floppy or Syquest or Zip, etc., etc. takes care of the issue. If it does not, try running Disk First Aid. If you still have a problem run a repair program like Symantec’s Norton Utilities.
Another option for you to consider is to rebuild the desktop on the floppy. Yes, I did say rebuild the desktop on the floppy. Just like your hard drive, your floppy has the same invisible folders and files. When you go to insert your floppy, hold down on the Option and Command keys and a dialog box will appear, asking if you wish to rebuild the desktop. Click yes, and your Mac will handle the rest.
HH#45: Unknown Application Files-Say you have a file you’ve worked on for months. You try to open and instead get a message saying the file was created with an unknown application. There’re easy ways of dealing with this situation to save your file.
The first is ensure the application the file was created in is on the computer you are using.
If you find several of your files on your computer have become unknowns, rebuild your desktop. This essentially resets your system and things should return to normal.
In desperate situations, and this is only for the very brave, you can use ResEdit. Make a copy of the unknown file. Then, launch ResEdit.
First, with ResEdit, open a file in the same application as the file that has become unknown. You will find a four character type code and a four character creator code. These are normally hidden, which is why you need ResEdit to see them. Write down these codes exactly as they are case sensitive. Close file.
Open the copy of the problem file, again with ResEdit. Enter the type and creator codes. Close file, quite ResEdit, and you should be okay. If not, at least your original problem file is still with you and you can try again.
Internet Site of the Month
ONTRACK Data International: http://www.ontrack.com I briefly visited this site to check its usefulness and was impressed. You can download Data Advisor 4.01 which will diagnose and prevent hard drive data loss. They also offer Ontrack Jumper Viewer, a Java applet and Disk Manager 2.0 for Windows
Last, and most important, they currently have free data recovery assistance for victims of the recent California floods. I love good corporate citizenship.
Jumping back a couple of months, to HH #36- Peripherals, David Minsk L.David.Minsk@valley.net
wrote to say he has never been plagued with the problems I wrote about.
I say, good for you, David! My guess is that the effect is cumulative, as I had been doing this for years before my system refused to cooperate. Also, David is running 7.5.3, which is probably more stable than my System 7.1. If any of our readers has insight, send email! This is yet another area worth exploring.
On that note, if you have a particular area that’s giving you trouble, or have a solution to a problem and you want to tell the world, email me. I’ll answer you both personally and post it in the column. I promise, I won’t use your name if you don’t want me to!
Adiós!
Barbara Bell (pr@mymac.com)
Websites mentioned:
http://www.ontrack.com
Dear Readers:
In magazine time, Valentine’s Day is just around the corner. Spring is anticipated, teasing us with an occasional warm day, telling us she’s on her way. In real time, New Year’s has just passed and I’m frantically preparing for a major annual meeting at work. And yet, I’ve started to catch up on reading my business reading… well, almost!
The reactions by the industry journals to the MS alliance has been very interesting. In the November/December 97 issue of The Journal of Desktop Publishers, columnists Bill Troop and Susan Marshall state “…(Apple) continues to show courage in the face of public and media scrutiny.” And, like the alliance or not, like what’s happened to clones or not, I have to agree with Bill and Susan. Every time Apple is knocked down, they get right back up swinging. Not always in the right direction, but with a lot of energy.
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Dear Readers,
As I sit here in my new office, I have to admit, I almost slimed out of writing this month’s column. It has been a long weekend moving to a different facility owned by the company I work for. Trying to find the time to do my job and Christmas shopping has been tough enough during this move. But then I thought of all the positive feedback I’ve gotten, from both readers and the editors of My Mac. I thought of how our subscription list has grown, how the Web site has gotten so big and busy… and if Tim and Russ and all the others who contribute so much time to My Mac can keep up with it, well so can I!
(Besides, I have a real Protestant work ethic and feel guilty whenever I don’t do something, no matter how mundane!)
Before I jump into Helpful Hints, I thought I’d share with you some of the little factoids I picked up from Apple at the last Boston Macworld Expo:
1. Macintosh is the #1 multimedia PC vendor in the world-for the second year in a row.
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Dear Readers:
Well, I’ve finally seen the “Think Different” ads. My first exposure was the back cover of an AdWeek magazine on October 13. Not flashy, but that’s okay. Flash doesn’t always equal substance. My problem is I don’t know who the supposedly famous guy in the ad is. Even so, it was refreshing to see a nice, large ad for Apple outside of Macintosh journals.
When I finally saw the television ad, I honestly didn’t know what it was at first. The angle of the ad, individuality, was what caught me. Hey, I’m a sucker for anything that promotes uniqueness!
I liked it. Okay, okay, it doesn’t have rush of a Pentium ad (and I grudgingly admit I like those commercials – disco was a wonderful time for me!). The Apple ad has something better: it captures Apple’s spirit. And since our wonderful country was founded on the concept of individuality, I suspect Apple’s campaign (IMHO) will begin to make a positive impact on Apple sales and perception. For all I know, it has already begun.
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Dear Readers:
The leaves are turning colors and New England is entering its most beautiful season: Fall. Fall is short-lived here, sometimes as short as a week, but while it’s around, it is breathtaking. People come from all over the world to view the foliage, and with good reason. The colors of the trees, backdropped against mountain and ocean, are worth the trip.
You see houses dressed for the season, with cornstalks, pumpkins, and gourds. Bulky, soft, and warm sweaters are brought out of storage and gloves suddenly become important. Multicolored leaves decorate yards, parks, roads. You see children playing in them on their way to school. The air is crisp and refreshing-exhilarating! Skiers and snowmobilers ready their equipment. Sun worshipers brace themselves for the oncoming darkness. The world moves on and we’re her captured audience, silenced by the wonder.
As much as I enjoy Fall, I hate to see Summer go. With it goes the sunshine and warmth-traded for heating ducts and lots of electric lights. And while I’m writing this, getting nostalgic for the upcoming holiday season, I wonder… What can I cover that will help you? What questions do you have that I haven’t answered?
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Frankenstein: Through The Eyes
Of The Monster
Company: MacPlay/Interplay
Estimated Price: $19.95
http://www.macplay.com
I found this to be a very, very entertaining CD. The graphics are good and Tim Currey, as Dr. Frankenstein, is excellent! He plays the off-kilter mad scientist perfectly. You just never know when he is going to pop up and threaten you, and if you’re not careful, kill you!
You, as the player, are the monster. You wake up in Frankenstein’s laboratory, to his smiling and slightly lunatic face. The good doctor explains that he, through his genius, brought you back to life! You are horrified! You’ve seen some of his handiwork on your body…and you’re not liking it.
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Dear Readers:
More interesting changes are taking place in the world of Apple. I read Apple bought out the Power Computing license. Is this the end of the clones? Maybe, maybe not. One thing I do know: It means one more Windoze maker (Power Computing responded by letting the world know they will become another Windoze manufacturer.) Depressing.
Now, I’ve heard both sides of the argument. One side says purchasing clones takes money and market share away from Apple. The other side states that, as a longer term strategy, clones equal more people using the Mac platform, and hey, Apple does receive royalty payments. Whichever argument you prefer, the bottom line is Apple never came across as particularly committed to their clone makers. Because they are perceived as uncommitted (or is it noncommitted?), the clones never had a chance of making money for Apple. And for users? We have fewer choices, at least for now. We’ll see what Apple has in store for us. Maybe I’m panicking…only time will tell.
On to other topics: One of the nice things about being located near a major metropolitan area are all the free seminars that come up. For instance, Apple, Adobe, and Xerox of New England are holding a “Color in Concert” seminar, showcasing the “latest Apple and Adobe updates” as well as the “newest additions to the Xerox color family.” (If you recall, the college student who color-copied $10,000 worth of $20.00 bills for his tuition used a Xerox color copier!) They always have nice giveaways at these things, too. This one is holding drawings for:
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Dear Readers:
Well, Macworld Expo has come and gone. Boy, did Steve Jobs have some interesting news for us this time! I’m almost glad I couldn’t go to his opening address. I probably would have started screaming! Well, I won’t belabor that whole issue here. I’m sure it’s being adequately covered elsewhere in our little ezine! ;)
For all you free speech fanatics (of which I am proud to say I’m one), I found a wonderful site called Peacefire (www.peacefire.org). What brought this site to my attention was something I read concerning blocking software programs. Now, don’t get me wrong! I think blocking software has its place. I would much rather using blocking software than have Congress tell me what I can and cannot browse on the Web. No, the problem is blocking software also practices its own brand of censorship. If your interest is free speech, I suggest you visit the site-it’s a real eye opener. When you are finished there, visit the Citizen’s Internet Empowerment Coalition at www.ciec.org. They were a big help in proving the Communications Decency Act was unconstitutional.
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It’s here! It’s here! It’s gone! Macworld Expo finally arrived! I love to attend just to get out of the stifling Windoze atmosphere. Macworld is overwhelming and exhilarating, all at the same time!
I tried to start off my day with the opening keynote addresses. I wanted to find out if Steve Jobs would be the next CEO! Unfortunately, you’re considered not worthy to attend if you pay only for exhibits. I monitored the news to hear the announcements. Here’s what I saw and what you already know: Microsoft will purchase $150,000,000 worth of non-voting (yeah, right) Apple stock. Steve Jobs is one of four new members on the Apple Board of Directors. Microsoft will also help develop Apple software. (I noted, during the newscast, that applause was very lackluster.)
I myself am disappointed. Microsoft copies everyone’s software, including the Macintosh Operating System, and now Apple is just turning over and letting Microsoft walk all over it. Very discouraging. Fortunately, Macworld itself was great, if a little subdued.
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Dear Readers:
I hope you all had a wonderful Fourth of July celebration! I’m looking forward to attending the MacWorld Expo this month. I’ll give you the lowdown on the expo in next month’s column! As usual, all the big hitters will be there: Apple, Adobe, Microsoft, etc., etc. Maybe…with good mug and T-shirt sales …we’ll have a booth there in ’98? Tim, Russ, what do you say!?
Before we start into the Helpful Hints, I just have to spend a few minutes venting about AOL. Now, don’t get me wrong. I sincerely like AOL. I like the services they offer, I love the new pricing, I love that I can send a file to a vendor or even a friend on DOS and not have a problem. I haven’t even run into those busy signals too much that has plagued almost everyone else! No, my problems tend to be other things.
Like, what happened to my bookmarks when I upgraded from 2.7 to 3.0? Maybe I am missing something simple here, but I haven’t been able to locate them! Yeah, there was probably something written in the instructions on how to save them, but really, who reads the documentation? And why should it be so hard in the first place? That’s not why we use Macs.
Dear Readers:
Good news! I recently purchased a used PowerMac 6100 and am up to System 7.5.5! Finally, I’m beginning to recover from the fish tank episode. Up until I read Pete Miner’s June article, I truly thought I was computer cursed. I now realize my problems are the result of Pete’s computer curse overflowing! 
With the summer months finally here (at least in the rest of the country-the Northeast is reverting back to November!), I thought I’d keep the column short and sweet. Most folks like to enjoy the great outdoors, even if it is just vegging on the back deck, so I’ll try not to tie you up for too long.
For those of you in the Northeast, don’t forget! The MacWorld Expo is next month, August 6-8 in Boston. Personally, I love going just to be surrounded by all the Macs. After working all year in a Windoze environment, it’s very refreshing. And, if you have extra cash floating around, the deals on software are unbelievable! I’ve seen them range from 20%-80% off suggested selling price.
I’ve also found the vendor sponsored educational events to be extremely informative. I prefer them over the MacWorld seminars. They tend to be smaller, and while you usually don’t have any hands on, the small class size makes it easier to ask questions and follow what is happening.
Okay, enough chit chat. Let’s dive right into it!
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Dear Readers:
Finally, the QMS Magicolor CX color printer seems to be working perfectly! Great quality (not that that was ever really a problem), nice and quiet when it prints, no jamming problems, no streaking. Not having to worry about it daily has really freed up my time! Not to sound naive, but I honestly believe that the problems I have experienced with this printer since the beginning of the year are abnormal. There’s no way QMS could make money on this equipment if they had to provide weekly service on each and every piece they sold.
And, here’s one more tidbit on why Macs are better than Windoze: Most, if not all of you have heard about the millennium bug. For those of you not familiar with this particular bug, well, it’s not really a bug but bad programming. It seems that when the programs were written for PCs, the calendars were based completely on this century. What this means is that when the year 2000 rolls around, these computers will revert to 1900! Bad enough for personal PCs, but bank computers, government computers, insurance computers, payroll computers, etc., etc., are facing this problem. It can be fixed by going back into the programs, but it is time consuming and costly. And, since most businesses are not really computer literate, they don’t realize the scope of the problem nor begun to address it.
Dear Readers:
As I write this article, it’s a lovely Saturday afternoon. The sun is shining through the windows, my 12 year old kitty is sleeping soundly, Metallica is blaring on the stereo, James is playing his drums with the tunes, and the 2 month old Siamese kittens have found their favorite hiding place when the noise, I mean music, starts!
Not too much has happened in the last month. I’m still having problems with the color laser printer at work. Now it’s the noise. In the meantime, the tech and I have become pretty good acquaintances. I know he’s getting married, going to Disney for the honeymoon… you get the picture. However, the print quality is still excellent. If I had the cash for one at home, I would get it (after the computer, of course!). Well, I won’t bore you with my ramblings this month (since I don’t really have any!) so we’ll just jump right into it.
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Dear Readers:
If you recall, last month’s article gave you a blow-by-blow account of my poor Performa getting too wet to function. Well, my horror story continues…
It turns out the logic board in the CPU was fried from the water. No surprise there. What is surprising is that the monitor is functioning perfectly! Yet, I know that the water hit it. When I look close enough, I can see the water spots (how did I miss them prior to bringing my system to ComputerTown, you ask? I can only say I must have purposely blinded myself. Do you blame me? 
) Now comes the big decision: Do I use my income tax return for a new system or for a down payment on a car? Decisions, decisions…
On a much better note, I now have in my possession (only at work, though!) a brand new QMS magicolor CX laser color printer. And, when working, it’s beautiful! I have lusted after a color laser printer for years and only recently has the technology become a bit more affordable and reliable. I have to say though, that it has been one problem after another in the month since I received it.
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Dear Readers:
Let me share a recent horror story with you…
I returned from my extremely restful vacation and decided to do a little work on my Performa 630CD. I turn it on. I hear beeps, but no image on the monitor. I fiddle with the brightness and contrast knobs, nothing. I try rebuilding my desktop, no image. I swap out the monitor and still no image on the monitor! By now, I am truly frantic. My Christmas mailing list is in there, my resume (which I love to update) is in there, my checkbook is in there! What happened?!
I did notice a puddle on the floor about four feet away. We discovered the filter on the fish tank had clogged and backed up while we were away, draining about a third of the tank onto the basement floor, but that was several feet away from the desk. No connection, or so I thought. So, immediately on my first day back at work I call my local ComputerTown technician. He said that it might be the port where the monitor plugs in to. If that were the case, it would be extremely expensive to replace as the port is connected to the logic board. Fabulous. Now I’m thinking my vacation money would have better spent repairing my system. Had I only known!
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MyMac Podcast #403
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