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01/18/99 - Monday's News:	Current News Page
MacCentral has an article that states the latest Motorola CPUs may be a bit better performers at integer operations (7% higher SPEC95 integer scores) than the IBM equivalent speed models. (Maybe this is why my IBM CPU Yosmite 400 [a 350 OC'd to 400] scores under 1300 on Macbench :-) In the past my experience has been that IBM G3's had more 'headroom' than the Motorola parts (based on my experiments and reader feedback). This may have changed since the copper designs were released. Several readers wrote saying that VersionTracker did not have the NavCom cache utility on their main page (it had scrolled off the main page but was available via the search engine ) mentioned in today's earlier reader tip. The author of the program also wrote and noted his web site URL: http://www.io.com/~jackb. ZIF Upgrades and Yosemite: Just a reminder - as noted previously here fixed speed ZIF upgrades for older macs will not work with the Yosemite due to the fixed bus speed to CPU speed ratio and the fact the yosemite bus speed is 100MHz vs 66MHz in the beige G3's that the ZIF upgrades were designed for. For instance a 400MHz fixed speed ZIF for the beige G3 would be set to run at 650MHz in the Yosemite since the fixed 6.5X ratio would be trying to run the CPU at 100Mhz x 6.5. Adjustable speed models should work if the adjustment knob does not contact the ATI card, which could happen on some early models I'm told. Some adjustable ZIFs use jumpers to set speeds (like the XLR8 ZIF) so that fit should not be an issue. Later model PowerForce ZIFs also clear the ATI card in the Yosemite I'm told. If in doubt contact your ZIF manufacturer or dealer for compatibility with the new G3s. Yosemite OEM Rage128: After looking closely at the Rage128 card in my Yosemite it does have dual notches (5V and 3V PCI). It is possible to design a card for both 3V and 5V PCI use but it remains to be seen if retail cards like the ATI Rage128 Orion, VR and Nexus will have this capability. = [5:00 PM Update] = PowerLogix Announces AutoCache Software Public Beta Program AUSTIN, TX -- January 18, 1999 -- PowerLogix, the leader in Power Macintosh processor products, today announced a public beta of AutoCache. AutoCache is a utility which will automatically determine the type and size of the backside cache on any PowerPC 750 processor. Moreover, it automatically detects the fastest processor-to-cache ratio that the cache SRAMs can support. Finally, it enables the cache at the optimum setting, without requiring the configuration of any control panels. This version is designed for PowerBook G3s, PowerMac G3s, iMacs, and any PowerMac upgraded with a G3 card. The software is available for download at http://www.powerlogix.com/support/betasoftware.html Quantum has a an interesting page on their new 7200 RPM Fireball KA Ultra66 IDE drive in capacities from 6 to 18GB. It also features their Shock Protection System (SPS) and Data Protection (DPS). If you want to know more about disk drive technology read their Storage Basics page. = [3:45 PM Update] = The Yosemite Compatibility page has another update with reader comments on the Formac SCSI Card and a Yamaha 4416S CDrom recorder. The Yosemite Speed Settings page has additional info on the bus speeds and the resulting PCI bus speeds (but more info is needed on the Bus/PCI ratio settings). Microconversions has posted a Game Wizard test utility to verify the card is working properly. More information on its use is at their Download page. Carmine's MiM News Feed (links may not work in the future) AppleTIL Updates (MONDAY.01.18.99)  NEW 24784 iMac: World Book Encyclopedia Serial Number  MOD 9416 QuickTime: Its Best Uses  MOD 9415 QuickTime: How Movies Work  MOD 9411 QuickTime: Description  NEW 70014 WebObjects 4.0 Install Documentation  MOD 24783 Network Assistant 3.5: Compatibility With Subsequently-Released Products TechTool Pro DNA file adds support for OS 8.5.1 & more (Micromat) TechTool 1.1.8 zap pram, rebuild desktop, check for system damage (Micromat) Memory For Apple's New Line Of Power Macintosh G3 Computers Now Available From Simple Technology (Yahoo) Lotus Launches Release 5 of Lotus Notes, Domino and Domino Designer at Lotusphere99 Amid Strong Support from Business Partners and Customers (Yahoo) Electrifier Presents at Showcase '99 (Yahoo) Boca Research Wins ''Readers' Choice Award'' by MacHome Journal (Yahoo) Imaging Technologies Introduces the First All-in-One ICC/ColorSync Compatible Color Matching Package for Under $1000 (Yahoo) = [1:30 PM Update] = Today's Unreal News page update includes a note that one of our readers (Dave, a converted PC user now using Macs) is very ill after a severe car accident. Frank has setup a Get Well Guestbook and I encourage you to take a minute to sign it and wish Dave a speedy recovery. [IE 4.x users will have to use option+refresh to see their entries aftering signing the guestbook] The Yosemite Compatibility page has another update with ATTO's comment on new firmware coming soon for their SCSI cards. Everymac.com has a new, exclusive Power Macintosh G3 Series FAQ that covers both the original and Blue and White Power Macintosh G3 computers in detail and answers dozens of common questions. Browser Performance Tip: Bob Friede wrote with a tip for Navigator users: " If you use Netscape, go to versiontracker [ or use the author's main url: http://www.io.com/~jackb -Mike] and download "NavCom Cache Control 1.01." I set it up so that Communicator's disk cache is zero and the memory cache is 30MB, and the results are absolutely astounding. Believe it. Works on v4.08 and 4.5. Bob Friede " Last year we posted a tip on increasing the browser memory size and setting the disk cache size to zero as many readers said that helped boost performance as well. Notes on MP850/750 Driver Update: " Dear Mike; 2D driver for MP850(version 1.5.8)is buggy. They say on their ftp site: The 1.5.8 was removed because it causes crashes with MP850 and MP750. The software reads too much data from RAM. They also announced the new driver will be released January 19. Curiously, they still keep version 1.5.8 on their web site. Sincerely, Satoshi Iizumi " The 1.5.8 driver is still linked in the MP850 FAQ and Driver Download page. Village Tronic just wrote me to say they have the Glide (3D) driver working in full screen mode now. Not sure when the final driver set will be released but the original estimate was February. = [12:00 PM Update] = The Yosemite Compatibility page has an update on compatibility with the Fuse capture card (new drivers are posted), Iomega Buz, Media 100, Advansys and Formac SCSI cards. More on 3Dfx Cooling Boxes: Nestor Aksiuk of Germany wrote in response to the innovative 3Dfx cooling box noted in Saturday's news: " Dear Mike, I saw the homemade cooling box for 3dfx cards of Your reader Bill Christopulos on Zappa's 3Dfx Cooling page. In Germany they sell readymade PCcoolers with the same gain as the prepared coolingbox of your reader. They cost about 15-20 US$ and can be ordered at most electronic & computer shops, perhaps You can get them in US. My model is called JustCooler FC-100. I sent you two pictures to look at it. (The fotos are of poor quality made with a connectix QuickCam.) If You need more infos let me know. Keep on with Your great site, I visit it daily. with regards Nestor Aksiuk " Adaptec Jam and Plextor 8/20 CDR: George Cole of Bottom Line wrote in response to a reader question if Jam had support for the Plextor 8X CDR. He said the Adaptec web site says no (http://www.adaptec.com/cgi-bin/cdr_drv_swy.cgi). Tomb Raider II Review: We have a review of Tomb Raider II by Ruffin Bailey just posted today. More V.90 Update Feedback: In response to Apple's V.90 Modem Update for beige G3 and 6500 owners (for 56k modems) one reader says he's seen lower performance: " Mike, below is my experience, and questions, regarding the long anticipated Apple/GV v90 modem upgrade. This is the long awaited upgrade to the Apple/GV modem for MT/DT/6500 computers. My experience is that it says I connect at 25% faster speeds, but in practical use, the downloads seem to be slower, dropping from 35K bps, to 28K bps. For 6500 users, based on what I have read at Apples Discussion Forum http://discuss.info.apple.com/, it doesn't work at all. [It was not for 33.6 modems that were in some 6500's according to the readme] Another question. The download comes with a V90, AND a flex upgrade. Can I install one, and then switch to the other, just to test the two formats? Can I remove the uprade all together? Later SCB " I've not tried to backwards flash a modem on a Mac but I have on a PC (years ago). I'd still ask Apple before attempting it. I think I read on the PowerBook G3 V.90 update there was no going back as there was no available firmware for the original code. If your ISP supports V.90 and you are using their correct phone number for it you may have just gotten a 'bad' modem in the bank, have phone line variations in noise, or just seeing the usual variations in Internet traffic. It's almost impossible to consistently test internet connections since server load varies all the time. The most reliable test would be to test downloads from your local ISP, since that involves the shortest path. Rave Quake Correction: Pascal, a reader from the Netherlands corrected me on a comment I made recently about the Rage128 being the only Mac card to run Quake in 3D at 1024x768 mode. I was wrong and was thinking primarily of the Voodoo1/Voodoo2 cards. I've added his scores at 640x480 - 1024x768 with a G3/300 rev C (RagePro) to the Yosemite Gaming Performance page. If you missed this weekend's update there are also scores there now from a Voodoo2 card installed in the Yosemite 400 tested with both Quake and Unreal. The Unreal Tips and Tricks page was updated late yesterday but I failed to mention it in the news. The plumbers are here tearing my house apart but I'll be trying to catch up on mail and updating news several times today. If you missed this weekend's news here's a summary: Sunday's News Summary Yosemite Speed Settings page updated with bus speed info Yosemite Compat. page updated Yosemite 3rd party faceplate info (for ZIPs/CDRs, etc.) Lotus still supporting Mac with Notes Media 100/Yosemite compat. info Fuse driver update for Yosemite due soon Summary of reader comments on V90 modem update Call for Iomega Buz/Yosemite feedback Unreal news page updated Saturday's News Summary Rage128 OEM card slot correction OEM SCSI card and Rage/RagePro Yosemite issues Camine's TIL Updates and Net Nets Feed Rage128 beta drivers/Unreal beat performance test results Mac Audio column Issue 31 posted with USB/Firewire info Unreal news page updated Reader comments on Euro built yosemite's heatsink clips reversed and success with adding a IDE slave drive on the primary IDE channel Yosemite Speed Settings page updated with diagram for clarity More on 125MHz G3 DIMMs and memory bandwidth tests Reports of problems with Game Wizard and new 3Dfx patch for Descent Other Net News Links For other recent site news/features links, see the Recent Site Features page. Note: Before sending tech support related questions please check the Freq. Asked Questions, Site Contents, CPU Card reviews/articles, SCSI reviews articles, Graphics card reviews, Tips/Misc, Message Boards and Help pages - in many cases the answers to your questions are there and they have far more detail than I can list in an email. For Apple G3 system info - see the G3-ZONE. For links on recent articles, see the Recent Features page. Please try the Men in Mac Help page as an alternative on requests for tech support to help me be able to spend more time on reviews. Thanks. Make a Difference: Be the Difference Randy Mita, Brad Lau and I came up with a new slogan and theme for Mac advocacy - "Make a Difference: Be the Difference". We're asking that all Mac owners take advantage of every opportunity to let others know the Mac advantage. It's a grass-roots approach that will surely help.