Mac OS 8.6 and Beyond

NOTE: This Miscellaneous Ramblings column originally appeared on MacOpinion on May 14, 1999, just three days after Apple announced the "Lombard" PowerBook G3. It is republished here by permission of the author and MacOpinion.

This has been a humdinger of a week in the Macintosh world, what with the introduction of the new professional "Lombard" PowerBook along with a slew of third-party peripherals, plus Mac OS 8.6, and a look ahead at two more Mac operating systems waiting in the wings.

I'm posting a separate special Road Warrior report on "Lombard," so let's get right to the other stuff.

Apple's OS Agenda

Over the next twelve months (probably less) Apple will roll out two major upgrades of the Mac OS 8.X (counting OS 8.6 which was released on Monday) plus a whole new OS to carry the Mac into the next century.

Mac OS 8.6

Mac OS 8.6 is basically an evolutionary update to OS 8.5, incorporating bug-fixes and improvements including enhanced stability, better memory management, a more powerful Sherlock search engine, and approximately one-third longer battery life and cooler running for PowerBooks.

The WallStreet/PDQ PowerBooks reportedly run about 7 degrees cooler under Mac OS 8.6. The editor of the PowerBook Source MacinThoughts column writes:

I have no clue how they've done it, but my PowerBook does run cooler with 8.6. A lot cooler. I can sit it in my lap without burns. It sat on my desk all day, and the bottom was still only warm, not hot.

Cool!

Mac OS 8.6's longer battery life is achieved through advanced power management technologies and may result in up to an extra hour's running time.

Sherlock now comes with more than 25 plug-ins that provide faster searches of major Web sites and Internet search engines. Its "find by content" feature can now search the content of PDF and HTML files stored on your hard drive.

Mac OS 8.6 also includes updated versions of AppleScript, ColorSync, and Mac OS Runtime for Java, and a new LaserWriter driver.

Other new wrinkles in Mac OS 8.6 include:

• Updated version of Sherlock with over 25 plug-ins that allow fast searches of popular web sites such as CNN Interactive, c|net, Amazon.com, Barnes and Noble, Music Boulevard and Rolling Stone, in addition to Internet search engines such as Alta Vista, Excite, HotBot, Infoseek and Lycos. Sherlock's "find by content" feature now includes the ability to search the content of PDF and HTML files stored on your hard drive.
• Advanced power management technologies that increase PowerBook battery life by more than one hour on PowerBook computers.
• Support for many Nokia or Ericsson IrDA-capable mobile phones, allowing PowerBook users to check email or access the Internet through their mobile phone (requires a compatible PowerBook, phone and service provider).
• Improved USB and FireWire integration, providing superior plug and play and support for the latest USB and FireWire peripherals.
• Support for DVD-RAM disks, allowing users to store and share information using this emerging high-capacity format.
• Enhanced game support through integration of Apple's Game Sprockets technology, the basis for many of the most popular Mac games.
• Mac OS Runtime for Java (MRJ) 2.1.1, the latest version of Apple Java Virtual Machine, running Java software up to five times faster and with support for JDK 1.1.7.
• AppleScript 1.3.7, supporting scriptable access to the Internet so Macintosh users can upload and download content and data within automated workflows, and adds the ability to schedule AppleScripts so they can run when the computer is unmanned.
• ColorSync 2.6.1, enhancing publishing automation through improved AppleScript integration, easy configuration of ColorSync profiles and CMM selections, and support for JPEG and GIF files.

If you already have Mac OS 8.5 or 8.5.1, the OS 8.6 upgrade is all you need to get, and it's a free download.

If you are upgrading from an earlier version of the Mac OS, you will need to first purchase Mac OS 8.5 and then install the OS 8.6 upgrade on top of it.

This is a highly recommended upgrade, and experience with the OS 8.6 beta builds indicates that it is a fast, stable system with few obvious bugs (although no doubt there will be some!). PowerBook users will appreciate the fact that OS 8.6 runs significantly cooler than earlier versions and that battery charge life is reportedly increased by about one-third running under this system.

Mac OS 8.5 customers can download the 8.6 update free of charge at http://www.apple.com/macos. It's available as an international release in 10 different languages. The OS update can also be ordered on CD-ROM for US $19.95; order forms are available at http://www.apple.com/macos.

There are two download versions:

• For a single file go here
• For a multiple part file go here

Mac OS 8.(7?) - "Sonata"

The next update of the Mac OS 8.X (probably OS 8.7), code named "Sonata," is scheduled for release this fall, will have at least 50 new features, including Sherlock 2, a major update and enhancement of the Sherlock search engine.

Sherlock 2 will have a "drawer" for storing frequently used plug-in sets, and will include plug-ins for accessing online retailers and "people-finder" directories.

"Sonata" will also support multiple users (various family members, for instance) on a single Mac, by way of a log-in panel and passwords to control file access and preferences. The system will automatically configure itself to a set of particular preferences for fonts, desktop appearance, and other elements. You can use the passwords to control access to e-mail, Web sites, and locally stored files or folders. And a "keychain" function for managing multiple passwords. Also included will be Apple encryption protocols for protecting file privacy, and a "Voiceprint" security system will allow users to log in with a spoken password or phrase

Mac OS X

Apple's new, NeXTstep-based operating system is scheduled to debut in early 2000. A tentative guess would be for Apple iCEO Steve Jobs to introduce it in his keynote address at Macworld Expo SF in January, but that is speculative at this point and probably too optimistic.

Like the currently shipping Mac OS X Server, the client version of OS X will be based in Apple's open source "Darwin" core (a new 3.0 version of the Mach microkernel and Berkeley Unix components), but with a completely new user interface imaging model called "Quartz," which is to be based on Adobe's Portable Document Format (PDF - Acrobat) technology, providing the windowing and graphic-display features currently handled by QuickDraw. Quartz will support sophisticated imaging features like alpha channels, allowing developers to write image compositing functions into their applications. In his WWDC address, Steven Jobs noted that "This stuff was actually developed by Pixar about 15 years ago."

The Mac OS X Server "blue box" environment that runs "heritage" Mac OS applications in native mode will be renamed "Classic" for Mac OS X. Mac OS X will not support advanced features like Programs running in "Classic" which provides compatibility for existing applications without offering any of the extra features of the new OS, such as Quartz' graphics, memory protection, and so forth. Mac OS X Server's "Yellow Box," used to develop new software for the OS, has been renamed "Cocoa" for the client version and will support full Java programming interfaces as well as Objective C interfaces.

Mac OS X will feature a completely new Finder developed using the Mac OS X "Carbon" programming interfaces. The new NeXTstep-based Finder will support viewing contents of local volumes or remote directories by clicking on icons above a results window. Frequently accessed folders, whether stored on a local volume or over a network, can be parked on a "shelf" for easy access; Steve Jobs used the analogy of car radio tuning buttons. Also supported in the new Finder will be picture previews and file information in the directory list.

A new, built-in email client written for the "Cocoa" will take advantage of Mac OS X's advanced capabilities, allowing you to place PDF files in the message body, and to search for message content - including the contents of PDF files - using a Sherlock-based engine.

Apple has released Developer Preview 1 CDs, which include Mac OS X Client, the open-source Darwin code, the Quartz programming interfaces, and application development tools. A Developer Preview 2 will be available in the fall, and the final version will ship "within a year," which doesn't sound promising for a January release

Some Mac OS X Client features include:

• Protected memory
• Preemptive multitasking
• Multithreading
• Open source core code
• Will run existing heritage Mac applications in the "Classic" environment (nee' "Blue Box").
• Apple's "Carbon" Environment makes it easy for developers to recompile and clean up existing Mac apps, and provides gives all "Carbonized" apps access to all of OS X's new features.
• Includes "Cocoa" (nee' "Yellow Box"), a new object oriented environment for writing Java apps.
• A new "Ports" windowing protocol built on top of Darwin, based on Adobe's PDF, with built-in anti-aliasing, transparency, drop shadows, all running in real-time and built into MacOS X's imaging system.
• Mac OS X's New Finder will be reminiscent of the NeXTstep interface with one scrolling window. Clicking on a file will bring up a preview or thumbnail image including "Get Info" data.
• A new built-in e-mail client

Hacking OS 8.6 to Run on an PowerBook 500

PowerBook 500 user Seth Mattinen has posted a Web page with detailed instructions for hacking Mac OS 8.6 to run on PowerPC upgraded PowerBook 500, which are unsupported in Apple's release. Seth figures that similar hacks can be used to run OS 8.6 on other PowerPC upgraded Macs.

As with Mac OS 8.5, Mac OS 8.6's installer refuses to run on PPC upgraded older Macs. However, the workaround procedure to make it work isn't that complex, according to Seth.

In order to perform the hack you need two pieces of software: Apple's ResEdit, and Wish I were. Seth has provided links to download both on his Web page. http://roller.reno.nv.us/mac/powerbook8.6.html

Wish I Were tricks the Mac OS 8.6 Update Installer into thinking it's running on a supported system, and ResEdit is an all purpose code editing tool.

You'll need a boot disk that supports the formatting on your hard drive. Seth explains how to trick the OS 8.6 Installer into thinking its on a supported machine.

Then you must boot your boot floppy and use ResEdit to hack the System file so it will also be tricked into thinking it's running on a supported machine.

Once this is done, Seth says that his PowerBook 500 boots up in Mac OS 8.6 just fine. He has also posted a table with information on how to hack the System file for other types of PPC upgraded Macs.

However, he says that he has received a few reports that this hack doesn't work for other computers, noting: "It's possible Mac OS 8.6 is different from 8.5 in that it relies on having only a PPC processor in the machine, since upgrade card machines still access the 68k processor at startup. With the 500 series PowerBook (and others that use the same sort of upgrade procedure), the processor is completely replaced. I only have a 500 series PowerBook though, so I can't say anything for sure. Try it yourself, and see what happens. If it doesn't work, just have an installer handy so you can go back to the previous version of system software you were using.

Seth says to feel free to email him with any comments or questions at <sethm@roller.reno.nv.us>.

iCab Browser Preview Version 1.5 Released

The latest preview version 1.5 of iCab's new Mac-only browser has been available for download from the iCab Website for the past week.

I've been using iCab 1.5 as my main browser since last Friday, and I find it seems a little faster and smoother, and it will finally load the Web page of my local newspaper - sometimes, which is something the five previous betas of iCab I've sampled would not do at all. I still run across the odd other Web page that iCab simply refuses to load, so there's room for improvement yet, and I keep Netscape 2.02 open as a backup while surfing.

Netscape 2.02 is still the fastest usable Mac browser, but it has problems rendering Java, and the fact that you can't use Command-click to open links in a new page negates some of its speed advantage. I am speaking here in the context of working with a slow Mac on an also slow dialup connection. The later versions of Communicator are frustratingly sluggish with this setup, and Explorer 4.5 is hopeless. iCab is slower than Netscape 2.02 in both loading pages and scrolling, but it is fast enough to be usable.

iCab still has no option to save Web page content as text only (HTML is supported in the Save as... dialog), a feature I find it difficult to get along without. Yes, I know you can drag the text onto the Desktop as a text clipping, but on a PowerBook 5300, where screen real estate is at a premium and the browser window fills the entire display, that makes clippings cumbersome. Netscape and Explorer both have a "save as text" option, and it doesn't seem too much to ask for. As a workaround, I copy and paste text that I want to download into Tex-Edit Plus documents.

Aside from that, since version 1.4, iCab has been stable enough for me to use as my main Web Browser, and being small, RAM-parsimonious, and reasonably fast makes it an ideal choice in a full-featured, modern browser for less powerful Macs like the PB 5300. Of course it flies on a G3.

iCab works happily in a 1,280 KB memory partition so long as Virtual Memory or RAM Doubler is enabled, and it occupies only a tiny 2 MB of hard drive space.

iCab preview Version 1.5 will work until mid-August, but there should be two or three later preview versions released before that date. The final version, which will sell for the shareware-esque price of $29, is expected to be ready around the turn of the year, and a free "lite" version will continue to be available as well.

It only takes a few minutes to download the iCab preview (about 800k), and each new version accesses preferences and the "Hotlist" (i.e.: Bookmarks) from the previous version, so there is no configuration hassle upgrading from version to version.

New Features in iCab Preview 1.5 since Preview 1.4 include:

• New option (preferences/windows, launch) which can be used to switch on the Offline Mode each time iCab is started.
• New option for the error dialog (preferences/Error report). iCab does now support the <!DOCTYPE> tag to get the reference for the error report.
• It is now possible to use BBEdit (full version) to check the HTML syntax and the links. This can be done using the contextual menus of the browser window (submenu "Frame" and "Page") or the contextual menu of the error report window. Choose the menu entry "Check Syntax with BBEdit" or "Check Links with BBEdit". It is possible to switch off these menu entries (useful if BBEdit (full version) is not available). This can be done in the preferences dialog (section "error report"),
• There's a new icon in the status bar (at the bottom of a browser window). If this icon is crossed iCab is in offline mode, otherwise iCab is in online mode. To change the online/offline mode just click on the icon.
• A new option in printing dialog: "ignore background images"
• It is now possible to change the schedule of the Hotlist checker for all selected entries (including folders) at the same time (in previous versions you could only change the schedule of a single entry at the same time). Just select all the entries/folders and open the contextual menu. Now choose "schedule".
• iCab will put a rotating disc to the mouse cursor while downloading some data. Bugfixes:
• When using multiple screens iCab now places the windows in the correct screen.
• Opening a server-side-image-map-link in a new window didn't work.
• The 68K version crashed when opening the printing dialog.
• "Divide by zero" error fixed that crashed the 68K version.
• The 68K version reported many network errors with large error codes. This is fixed now.
• GIF animations which are used as background images will now be displayed correct.
• The proxy authorization didn't work correct. Hopefully this will work now.
• Active-X controls were recognized as Java applets.
• Bugfix when using Arabic/Hebrew encodings/fonts.
• When downloading whole web sites iCab did also follow mailto links.
• If <COL> was used without <COLGROUP> iCab did report an error. But this is wrong. It is allowed that <COL> is used without <COLGROUP>.
• "Cut Cmd-X" is now also supported in the Hotlist, the History and the download manager.
• Bug in processing the AppleEvents fixed.
• Some problems of the HTML parser resolved.
• Some new workarounds for false HTML code implemented.
• When the <NOFRAMES> tag was missing in the frame definition but the "noframes" part did nevertheless exist and it also contained <META HTTP- EQUIV="Refresh"...> iCab did evaluate the META tag.
• iCab sets the HTTP header field "Accept-Language" if the user sets a preferred language. Unfortunately some servers didn't accept the form iCab had used (even if this was correct). Now iCab uses the form which is used by MSIE (but this is not really correct).
• The menu entry "Load missing images" (main menu) didn't work if "show images" was switched off.
• Some problems with false use of ROWSPAN or COLSPAN resolved.
• iCab now evaluates the "Refresh" header field of the HTTP response of a web server.
• Now, iCab does save the History regularly (about all 5 minutes) and not only once when quitting.
• Now, iCab is less strict in detecting a click. Even if the mouse is moved 1 or two pixels before releasing the mouse button, the click is treated as "click" and not as "drag" like before.

For questions concerning iCab, bug reports and suggestions: support@icab.de .

For general questions concerning the concept, marketing etc.: info@icab.de .

Power Macintosh G3 (Blue & White): PowerBook SCSI Disk Mode

Apple has posted a TIL article about using the blue & white Yosemite G3 Power Mac with PowerBooks in SCSI Disk Mode.

According to Apple, to use a PowerBook in SCSI Disk mode with Yosemite, the latter must be configured with one of Apple's SCSI card options (obviously, since Yosemite has no standard SCSI). Apple's recommended solution is to use the Apple Ultra PCI SCSI card, which is available as a Build To Order option from the Apple Store. This card ships with an HD50 to 25 pin adapter for use with a standard SCSI system cable.

Here are the steps necessary to connect a PowerBook in SCSI Disk Mode to a Power Macintosh Blue & White G3 Yosemite:

1. If necessary, disable the PowerBook password security option.
2. Set up the SCSI Disk Mode control panel to use a unique SCSI ID.
3. Shut down the PowerBook.
4. Shut down the Yosemite.
5. Connect the HD50 to 25 Pin adapter to the SCSI card's external connector.
6. Connect a standard SCSI system cable to the adapter.
7. Connect a PowerBook HDI-30 Disk Adapter cable to the SCSI System Cable.
8. Connect the small connector on the HDI-30 Disk Adapter cable to the SCSI port on the back of the PowerBook.
9. Turn on the PowerBook; this should display the SCSI symbol with the SCSI ID number in the middle of it on the screen.
10. Turn on the Yosemite.

The PowerBook's hard disk volume(s) should show up on the desktop of the Power Macintosh once the computer has started up.

Or not. Please refer to my recent article about PowerBooks and SCSI for more on possible issues you may encounter. See list of links at the end of the column.

Note that the Apple Single Channel Ultra2 SCSI PCI card may not function correctly with the PowerBook in SCSI disk mode, treating the SCSI bus as unterminated. In that case, multiple hard drive icons will appear on the Yosemite's desktop. This is an issue with the way that the card interacts with the PowerBook SCSI Disk mode software.

In this case, Apple unfortunately offers no further advice.

Newer Technology FireWire CardBus Card for PowerBook G3

Newer Technology, Inc. has announced the first FireWire CardBus PC Card for the new Lombard and G3 Series II notebooks. FireWire 2 Go enables users to easily connect to any self-powered FireWire device including external hard drives, digital video cameras and suchlike.

FireWire 2 Go consists of a Type II card, a PC Card to FireWire dongle and an eight-foot 4-pin to 6-pin FireWire adapter cable (for DV cameras and camcorders). Supplied software on CD-ROM includes Apple's FireWire 2.1 Installer and QuickTime Pro version 4. FireWire 2 Go supports Mac OS 8.6 or later.

The Newer adapter automatically adjusts to the fastest available speed supported by the connected FireWire device, which ensures maximum performance while supporting FireWire transfer rates of 100 Mb, 200 Mb and 400 megabits per second.

FireWire 2 Go is compatible with Apple's second generation PowerBook G3 Series I and II (WallStreet and PDQ), as well as future CardBus-enabled PowerBook G3 models running Mac OS 8.6 or later. A minimum CPU speed of 300 MHz is recommended, but as far as I can fathom, there should be no reason why it would not work with the 233, 250, 266, and 292 models as well, albeit with a speed penalty. Fond out for sure before buying, however.

For users of Series I and II PowerBook G3 notebooks running earlier versions of the Mac OS, the Mac OS 8.6 Update is available on the Apple web site at http://www.apple.com/macos/.

FireWire 2 Go will be available in June at an estimated street price of $249.

New Canon Multifunction Printer/Copier/Scanner/Fax Machine for Lombard, iMac, And Yosemite

This is cool.

Canon Computer Systems Inc. (CCSI) this week announced the MultiPASS C635, the industry's first Apple-compatible multifunction printer.

The Canon MultiPASS C635 is designed specifically for the Apple market, and combines photorealistic color printing, color scanning, color copying and plain-paper faxing in one unit. The MFP offers Canon's PhotoRealism and Color Bubble Jet printing at approximately 6.5 pages-per-minute in black, approximately 2.5 ppm in color, and features fast 600 dpi, an automatic document feeder, and color scanning.

Scheduled to ship in July, the MultiPASS C635 will carry an estimated street price of $379, and will be bundled with Canon Creative software for the Mac SOHO professional. Initially, the MultiPASS C635 will be available through Mac-specific catalogues and online via authorized resellers. Canon will also be pursuing full retail distribution through Apple authorized dealers in the Fall.

According to InfoBeads, a Ziff-Davis Company in La Jolla, Calif., Apple now accounts for 13% of U.S. retail and mail-order PC sales, more than double its share from a year earlier.

MultiPASS C635 features include:

• Color Printing: A bi-directional USB-to-parallel cable and offers photorealistic color output at 720 x 360 dpi on a variety of papers, as well as approximately 6.5 ppm monochrome print speed and approximately 2.5 ppm for speedy color printing and business graphics.
• Plain-paper faxing: The MultiPASS C635 plain-paper Bubble Jet fax function operates at fast transmission speeds of 6 seconds per page. With transmission speeds of 14.4 Kbps, the unit also functions as a standalone fax and can work without connection to an Apple computer.
• Color Copying: The MultiPASS C635 also offers standalone color copying, a feature that allows Mac users to produce brilliant, photorealistic color copies without support from their iMac, Power Macintosh G3, or other USB-enabled PowerPC. The unit produces monochrome copies at 360 x 360 dpi using Canon's exclusive UHQ (ultra high quality) digital image processing technology.
• Color Scanning: The MultiPASS C635 offers fast, high-quality ADF color scanning up to 600 dpi (enhanced) with the capability to scan up to 30 documents automatically using a unique batch scanning feature. Mac users may also increase their productivity with hands-off optical character recognition (OCR) scanning. The MultiPASS C635 gives Mac users the ability to scan photos and color graphics for professional-looking presentations and Web pages.

Canon also offers software applications on a software CD-ROM specifically designed for the Mac home office/small business customer and are a customized Mac version of Canon's award-winning Canon Creative software. The suite includes a simple, easy-to-use MultiPASS Desktop Manager (from Infowave Software Inc.) that allows users to quickly print, scan or copy; Adobe PhotoDeluxe 2.0 for photo image management and graphics editing; and ScanSoft's TextBridge Professional Optical Character Recognition (OCR) application software for scanning text. In addition, MultiPASS C635 users will receive free membership to an online SOHO community where users can host their own web pages.

VST Announces PowerBook G3 "Lombard" Accessories

VST Technologies, Inc. has announced a line of storage and power accessories for the new "Lombard" Macintosh PowerBook G3 Series portables.

The new VST storage products include:

• VST Zip100 for Macintosh PowerBook G3 Series - employing the popular Iomega Zip drive mechanism
• VST Hard Drive series - including 6, 8 and 10 Gigabyte capacities
• VST SuperDisk Drive - reads and writes both Imation 120 MB diskettes, as well as 1.4 MB floppy diskettes.

VST's new power products include a two-position VST Smart-Charger, AC Power Adapter and a DC Automobile Adapter. VST will also bundle an Apple Lithium Ion (Li-Ion) battery together with the VST Charger and Apple AC adapter.

The VST Expansion Bay Hard Drives in 6, 8 and 10 Gigabyte sizes, combine hot-plug/unplug support with fast transfer speeds, up to 10 MB/sec with DMA support. The VST Hard Drive series may also be used as the boot volume, offering users a means for full backup of the internal drive, including a bootable operating system. The VST Zip100 is also bootable, and fully supports hot-plug/unplug.

The VST SuperDisk Drive reads and writes standard 1.4 MB floppies as well as 120 MB Imation diskettes, and supports hot-plug/unplug. The PowerBook G3 notebook's hot-swappable expansion bay allows users to alternate from a CD-ROM to a VST Hard Drive, VST Zip Drive or VST SuperDisk without the need to shut down, sleep or restart the system.

The VST Smart-Charger includes slots for two Apple Li-Ion batteries, and will ship with an Apple AC Adapter. In addition, VST will ship the Ultimate Mobility Bundle, which includes the VST Smart-Charger, an Apple AC Adapter and an Apple Li-Ion Battery.

Pricing and Availability

Product:                   Model:           Pricing:  Availability:
VST Zip Drive 100          ZIPG32           $229.95    5/17/99
VST SuperDisk Drive        LSG32            $229.95    5/17/99
VST 4GB Hard Drive         EBHDG3240        $349.95    5/17/99
VST 6GB Hard Drive         EBHDG3260        $449.95    NOW
VST 8GB Hard Drive         EBHDG3280        $649.95    5/17/99
VST 10GB Hard Drive        EBHDG3210        $749.95    5/17/99
Charger and AC Adapter     SCHG32           $179.95    June
Ultimate Mobility Bundle   SCHG3203         $329.95    June
Auto Adapter               AAPB              $79.95    NOW
AC Adapter                 ACPB              $69.95    NOW

Ratoc Offers New PowerBook Connectivity Products

Ratoc Systems Inc. of Japan will offer a new FireWire CardBus PC Card adapter and other connectivity products for G3 Series PowerBooks scheduled for release late this month.

Currently, Ratoc products are sold through the company's online store, but a U.S. Distribution channel is being set up. Ratoc products include SCSI and network PC cards, FireWire cards and adapters.

Ratoc Systems will provide FireWire driver with the PC Card adapter. Additional drivers or plug-ins will be required in order to use FireWire peripherals like digital video component software and digital cameras.

Ratoc's Ultra-SCSI CardBus PC Card works with 233-MHz through 266-MHz G3 PowerBooks with 14-inch screens, and according to Ratoc is the only Ultra- SCSI CardBus product for G3 PowerBooks. It sell for about $160 U.S.

Ratoc's 100Base-TX/10Base-T Network CardBus PC Card will also be offered for G3 PowerBooks from 233-MHz models with 12-inch displays to 266-MHz models with 14-inch displays, and costs about $130.

Ratoc's SmartMedia Adapter PC Card works with 233 MHz to 300 MHz G3 Series PowerBooks as well as PowerBook 2400c and 3400c units, and sells for about $70.

MR Mailbag

From Scott Frey:

I have a question for you. I have emailed with ADS tech support regarding their USB CardBus adapter. An unlisted "feature" is that, while the card may be hot swappable, it draws power for the USB ports from *the ADB* port on the PowerBook. ADB is not hot pluggable, so to use the USB adapter, you will have to have the rear door open on the PB, and shutdown to remove the adapter (and pack up the book). ADS claims that all USB devices will require power from the adapter. This seems to be severely limiting. If I have to shut down anyway, I might as well get use ADB and SCSI devices and skip USB.

Have you heard if the MacAlly or HiVal adapters have this "feature"?

I read somewhere that the CardBus slot does provide power, but power levels (volts?) differ between 3400, G3 and G3 Series. I think that ADS's reason involved the fact that they were *porting* their Wintel card (it uses a PS2 connection for power). The others may just have different models for different books.

Scott later answered his own question by contacting MacAlly:

Scott:

Does your USB CardBus adapter (for Apple PowerBook G3 Series) require a connection to the ADB port to supply power for USB devices?

Cindy at Macally: techsupport@macally.com

No, the CardBus will supply the power needed.

It seems that all USB PC Card adapters are not created equal.

---

From: P.D. Tillman

Just came across your excellent columns - saw a reference in the comp.sys.mac.portables NG.

Disturbing news about the PowerBook warranty-service problems. This may be old hat, but apparently the problems began when Apple dropped Kodak as their warranty-service provider & switched to ??

I have a 5300, bought as a demo, & it's basically a pretty rotten machine (but cheap). I think it went back to Rochester 3 times for extended-warranty service - basically for the ridiculously fragile AC connector - but each time I had the machine back in a week or less. Granted, it's never worked quite right - I no longer use the AC adaptor unless the PB is on a *secure* desktop, and Rochester never fixed what I later discovered was a bad microswitch in the latch - but they were fast & courteous.

A more recent incident may indicate the "New" Apple customer service: I changed my StyleWriter inkjet cartridge, & found the new one wouldn't print. I wrote/emailed Apple THREE TIMES with no reply - finally I emailed them & said if they wouldn't answer, I'd post the episode to the Net. Got an apologetic phone call the next day, and a new cart the day after.

So I agree, Cupertino has some serious problems in their customer "service" department - but if you're persistent, they'll come thru, in my experience.

Thanks again for the excellent columns.

My pleasure. :-)

Apple is using the PCSS service facility in Dallas, Texas, now - the same one that Dell and Compaq use.

The experience seems to be erratic. Some people get good service, others end up tearing their hair out.

Sorry to hear of problems with your 5300. Mine has been rock-solid from day one. No problems in 2-1/2 years.

Here is the scoop on the Kodak/PCSS switch from an anonymous source deep inside Apple Tech support:

Apple's biggest problem was switching vendors. Kodak, which used to do ALL of our PB repair work, closed down it's 'services' bureau with very little warning. Apple wasn't exactly happy with the way Kodak was doing everything, but at least we were able to put our hands in the mire and directly effect each and every PB personally (talk to the techs, make priority cases, place parts, etc.). Well, Kodak yanked itself out and Apple had to find itself a new vendor. (and you can imagine how motivated those Kodak techs were to fix PBs when they knew they were losing their jobs.)

Well, Apple took some bids and liked PCSS. PCSS at first seemed to have a very well thought-out and complete repair process, but it wasn't personable. We couldn't contact techs, customer's couldn't talk to people only at PCSS (they had to talk to Apple's whipped-up out of nowhere-it was an impressive feat, one day nothing, another 30 dispatchers- dispatch team.) There were, to say the least, a lot of issues. So we go about 'Apple-izing' PCSS. We have Apple staff visiting there all the time, regular inspections/inquiries, contacts, etc. I could go on for quite some time how Apple has improved their business model for them, and their other customers, but it'd be pretty pointless. The moral of this story is that repair times and repeats are going to go up when you switch vendors in little to no time. How long should that situation last? Well, as little as possible. We're trying.

Ross Cottrell, who was in a quandary as to whether to buy a discounted WallStreet or to wait for Lombard made his move last week:

I decided to buy the 300/CD PowerBook. It was purchased online from CompuAmerica, nice folks by the way, for $2780. My decision to go for the 300/CD was made easier because in addition to the IRS refund, I was given good news at work last Monday: I'm no longer a contractor, I've been hired as a regular. With that came a big raise and stock options-yahoo! I work as a software test engineer at XXXXXXXX. Alas, we are an all Windows shop, in fact we are just a few minutes down the road from Redmond's "Software Inc." But I'm going to bring my PowerBook to work anyway, I can't bear to be apart from it.

My first impression is that I am absolutely stunned by the black beauty that FedEx left on my doorstep Wednesday. Mama mia! She's got the most gorgeous screen. And what a shapely case. I am completely smitten.

Now all I need to do is figure out what makes her tick, (yes I use the feminine tense, how could you not? Even my wife thinks the PowerBook is feminine and sexy.) And she's fast too. The PowerBook, not my wife. 8^o

I spent a year and a half as a Win95 tech support engineer and manager, so I know what hellish computing is. But I must admit that I am comfortable working in Windows. So, to all of a sudden lose my comfort zone is causing me some confusion. Still, I had my EarthLink account set up and connected after the first boot up very quickly, and I have been pleasantly surprised to see how much more feature rich is the Mac version of IE 4.5 compared to Win IE 4.

It was also nice to have Outlook Express and IE bundled on the machine with shortcuts, I mean aliases, on the desktop.

The first main jobs for my black beauty will be installing Photoshop, and then a USB scanner. I have been taking notice of your info regarding CardBus USB for WallStreet, and intend to go that route when MacAlly starts selling it. Charles I am one happy camper. But I notice that you predict $2100 entry prices for the Lombards, I hope I don't end up with buyer's regret. Oh well, I guess I can always surprise the wife with a Lombard for our anniversary in November. 8^)

Sincerely, Ross Cottrell

P.S. Here is some interoffice Windows humor. Note the gritty realism. Thank heavens I'm free at last.

Free indeed :-). Congratulations, Ross. Hey, if you're comfortable working with Windows, the Mac OS is going to be a sensual experience once you get used to it. By all means download OS 8.6. OS 8.5 is in my opinion not the greatest Mac OS version, and I've reverted to 8.1, but my son has been using 8.6 betas on his G3 PowerBook for a month now and says it is really fast and very stable.

I didn't predict a $2,100 price point for Lombard. That was Macinsider, and they hedged a bit. My price point prediction for the low-end Lombard was $2,500. I was off by one penny. ;-)

Whatever, you have a wonderful computer in the Series II 300, and people who bought them six months ago were paying nearly twice as much as you did. Enjoy. With a USB CardBus adapter ( and FireWire adapters are coming too) you will have a more versatile machine than Lombard, which only has one PC Card slot, no ADB and no Serial port. With the ADB and FireWire adapters, you will have the entire spectrum of port options covered with your G3 Series II.

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From: Daniel Farnan in Australia:

There are many options for a Mac user in a Wintel environment these days (thankfully!) - the best one is Dave (which I think is from Thursby systems, but I could be wrong here), which is recommended by Apple. Dave basically handles communication with a PC network and allows you to transfer files, etc. Never needed it myself, but I've heard glowing things about it (unrelated to incendiary 'Books, natch :).

I also have some 'inside' info on Apple Service. I work for an Apple Reseller in Australia and attended a Service Provider's conference yesterday and today. While there wasn't a great deal forthcoming (and I'm not about to share sensitive information), Apple seems to have taken on board the requirements for service improvements, as possibly evidenced by the one tale of joy that reached your latest article. A great deal of process-re-engineering has begun, and the estimated completion date is in a six- to nine-month period. While this is slower than many would like, I believe it is an honest time frame with some built-in slack for extended testing. We don't want another debacle like the current parts supply nightmare (Apple's new BTO system has more or less worked, but certain parts are rarer than hen's teeth and cannot be sourced within 3 months!).

Also, on the complaints regarding "Compleat", I recall a game released in the early 1980's for the Apple II that was described by its creators as 'A Compleat Apventure' (the reasoning for the latter word being an intimated closeness with the Apple way of doing things). This description is, unfortunately, the only detail I recall of the product - I thought you were referring to it in your SCSI article, but obviously not :(

Thanks again for your column(s), they are required reading IMNSHO!

Thank you Daniel!

The info about Apple working to clean up its act service-wise is especially good news.

I had not been aware of Apple's use of "Compleat" in their game. Great minds think alike!

Glad you like the columns.

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From Laura:

I recently read your column "5300 Revisited" while researching used PowerBooks. I found it most helpful, and I'm e-mailing you because I can't seem to find help anywhere else. I hope you don't think I'm imposing.

I bought a 5300c from United Computer Exchange, which I've used in the past with great success, but this time the PowerBook was from their own stock, and the disk was wiped clean, best I can tell, and reloaded only with System 7.5.2 and Enabler 1.2.1. This is my first PowerBook, so I'm really green at this. (I have owned/operated Performa 450, Power Computing PowerCenter 150 and PowerWave 120.)

I've downloaded the PowerBook 5300 manual from Apple, and the software mentioned in the manual, such as Control Strip and something that tells me the charge on the battery, are missing. I can't seem to locate such software on the Apple web page.

Do you have any suggestions? I've already read up on the importance of updating to System 7.5.3 Revision 2, and I plan to do that. But, I don't think it will supply me this other missing extensions/control panel info/or whatever else is missing.

Any information or advice you can supply would me most helpful.

Mac OS 7.5.2 was a horrible system, and in my view it was partly responsible for the 5300's spotty reputation. The only real trouble I have had with the 5300 I'm typing this on was with the copy of OS 7.5.2 that came loaded on it from the factory. It took me three weeks to get it working properly, finally by installing a copy of the skeleton system that my son hacked from the one on the 5300 Disk Tools floppy, and then installing the OS 7.5.3 Revision 2 on top of that. Since then I've had no major problems.

If you install a system upgrade, the "missing" components will be included.

By all means install System 7.5.3 Revision 2 as soon as possible. OS 7.5.3 is now freeware from Apple's ftp site. However, don't stop there. If you want to stay with OS 7.5, also download or otherwise obtain the OS 7.5.5 update (which was always free) and which contains a number of bug fixes and features that were specific to the 5300. OS 7.5.5 is a reasonably stable system.

However, I would strongly recommend obtaining OS 8 and the OS 8.1 upgrade, which are the best system for the 5300 I've tried so far (OS 8.6 may be even better).

Installing OS 8 would involve finding a CD-ROM drive to hook up to, as it is not available on floppy disk.

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From Anthony Holder:

Any idea if Server will work on Lombard 'Books? I have read about successful installs on the WallStreet 'Books, but don't know how different the Lombard will be.

I need to do some development in WebObjects, and want to do it on a PowerBook, for mobility, and of course, Lombard is the way to go, if Server will install.

Thanks for any info you have, or can get.

It should work similarly on Lombard. No power management support, but it runs well on WallStreets, I hear.

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From Mark Jay Mirsky:

Thank you for your last note about virtual memory and the PowerBook. I will be upgrading my memory soon in response to your suggestion. (Though I notice on Deal Mac that the controversy about using virtual memory or not still rages with Apple recommending it. Do you have a suggestion about minimal set of extensions to use on the road so as to keep battery usage low?

My real reason for writing however is to get a clarification about your remarks on SCSI and the PowerBook. I see that the Newer FireWire card requires a 300 MHz processor. I have the 266 G3 which seems to exclude me. On the other hand another firm is advertising a SCSI card for the PowerBook due to arrive in June that will let us use wide SCSI drives with the Wall Street G3. I use a Syquest Ez-flyer on the SCSI chain with my PowerBook in addition to the VST zip and the former is fast and dependable. (I find for instance that an MP3 file played from the Syquest on my 8500 for instance is smooth and fast, while the Zip is too slow and jerky in playback-haven't tried it yet on the PowerBook.) If FireWire isn't going to be possible on the WallStreet, wouldn't SCSI with the speeds available through this new SCSI card be a better choice. And how about the Orb drive which though referred to as "vapor ware" just got a very good review, I believe, in MacTimes and is due to come out in SCSI?

You may not have the answers to this until June, but I'm holding off on purchases until the future for the machines I have is a bit clearer.

Just use Extension Manager turn off everything that you don't absolutely need for what you do.

I recommend using VM or RAM Doubler unless you have humongous amounts of real RAM.

RAM Doubler has an option whereby you can just turn on Memory Mapping, which cuts the application sizes but does not access the HD for virtual memory.

I think that the FireWire adapter will probably work on the slower (!?) WallStreets, just not as fast. Ratoc is coming out with a FireWire PC Card, and there will be others. Newer is the only one I know of that has mentioned a 300 MHz limit.

As I said, I think FireWire will be possible with WallStreets (all of them), but SCSI is still faster. Depends on what you need. WallStreets are still more versatile than Lombard, since with USB and FireWire PC Card adapters they can support the full range of Mac connectivity options.