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Updated: 12:00 PM EST

 
iMac Feedback/Suggestions:

" An interesting question for those eagerly anticipating the iMac. What version of system software will be installed: System 8.1 or Allegro. My impression is that the iMac will be released before Allegro. If so does Apple create a potential problem of upsetting iMac owners with a major upgrade within a month of purchase. Frankly, I would be a little peeved if I had to update my system software esecially if Apple were to charge a small fee for the upgrade. If the iMac is targeted to first time computer purchasers, the proposition of forcing thousands of neophytes into dealing with the upgrade could be potentially bad for Apple. (Think of all the Windows people complaining about paying what should be a free upgrade to Windows 98).

Ideally, Apple would ship the two products together. A revolutionary computer coupled with a system software that widens the gap between the MacOS and Windows. The iMac must set itself apart not only in design and cost but also functionality. The features of Allegro can really set the iMac apart from the competition.

And bundle games galore, at least 10 (overwhelm the consumer-that is what the iMac is all about). I suggest: Myth, Unreal, Civilization, Myst and Riven, Titanic (ride the wave), Diablo, and more. (Maybe a new game that is introduced with the iMac.)

I would be interested to hear your insight. Best wishes to Kay.

Thanks for the best Mac resource anywhere,
Alex Lapeyre"

You hit the nail on the head Alex. I also think that a consumer-oriented bundle of top-quality software (including Mac Unreal!) would be a big plus. That greatly enhances the attraction and OOBE (out of box experience). As for system software, I too hope it will be bundled with OS 8.5. I'd love to have feedback from Apple on this.

One important note however. With the RagePro chip and G3 CPU there is horsepower to run games well but it must have at least 4MB of video ram for this to happen. Rave Quake for instance requires this to run. It would be nice if the base configuration had 4MB of vram. [12:00 PM Update]

Reviews Wanted: I've started sending a free site T-Shirt to anyone that writes a detailed review or tutorial that is posted. I'm especially looking for content for the new 3D Column (reviews or tutorials on Lightwave, Inspire, etc.) or reviews on products I have not covered yet. Please contact me before working on a review for the site but I welcome all ideas and submissions.

I've gotten about a dozen or so 3D Logo submissions for the column. On July 1st I'll post a page with the samples for reader voting on a winner. This weekend I'll be running video card tests with NewTek's Lightwave 3D 5.6 and Inspire. I'm looking at performance and compatibility and have several cards in-house to use (ATI RagePro VR/3D, IXMicro ProRez and Ultimate Rez, Phase 5 GREX 3D, MacPicasso 540/3D Overdrive).

My ISP yesterday incorporated a auto-routing of the old URL (pre-Nov. 97) to the current URL (xlr8yourmac.com). Site hits were up almost 40% (96,000+) yesterday. Seems a lot of my readers are long time ones that were still using the old domain name. That will automatically route now to www.xlr8yourmac.com. [12:00 PM Update]

IBM Disk Drives: A reader responds to a note in yesterday's news on IBMs new drives:

" Mike,
saw the note from Timothy A. Seufert on your page yesterday and feel IBM's drives deserve a little more info.

This relatively new family of drives ('DDRS') starts at 2gigs. Your can have it in narrow or wide ultra2 scsi. From what I've seen in tests (in the German mag "c't") so far, they're really relatively quiet and cool. And they have nice speed: compared to Seagate's latest Baracudas the sustained data rates - both read and write - are similar (the DDRS have faster minimums and slower max speeds). Best comes now - the price: each model of the DDRS-family costs MUCH LESS than even a Quntum Atlas (at least here in Germany). They're no. one on my mass storage upgrade list. Could make a nice, cheap raid..

Thought you should to know (if you didn't already) and might want to take a closer look.
regards,
Mike Felsmann "

I've tried in the past to contact IBM to get samples, but always get lost in the email/corporate jungle of the large corporation. If a reader has a direct contact for IBM regarding drives, please contact me.

Drive Setup 1.5 Boost: Eugene Shekthman says the new drivers boosted performance:

" Mike:
Writing to you from Russia--I am on a business trip. Just wanted to let you know that after updating my Maxtor IDE drive (installed in a 6500/300) with HD 1.5 drivers, MacBench 4.0 disk scores went up by over 10 points on the average. Used to get around 412 - 416, and now, 423 - 431. Tried this several times (every time after optimizing the drive with Norton), to make sure that the higher score was not a fluke.
Gene Shekhtman "

More Disk First Aid 8.2 Feedback: Here's the latest observations/issues from readers:

" Mike,
As the previous versions could verify but not fix the startup volume I was amazed at this new version of Disk First Aid. This version can repair the startup volume by quiting the finder (seemingly exciting, and risky). In cannot, so it seems in this version, completely verify the startup volume anymore. After Checking the Catalog Hierarchy it stops the verification because another disk is using the drive??
Jeremy Leland "

" Mike,
I also am having real problems after using Disk First Aid 8.2 Like Allen, my icons disappered. In addition I have been getting constant -127 errors and there are programs that wont run because it cant be found. My HD cant have stuff downloaded to it either as it has a problem with the file after it starts downloading. I am running a PowerTower Pro with 128 Megs of Ram, OS 8.1, MaxPowr G3 250.
Brad Ben-Hain"

" Mike
Reader David Disown noted that Disk Tools 8.2 first read a HFS volume on his drive and then a HFS+ volume, and he thought this was strange since he has only a single HFS+ volume on the drive.

Actually, an HFS+ volume is a large, invisible disk image file located on a standard HFS volume. This is to maintain backward compatiblity with older versions of Mac OS - if the drive is used with an older version, the Mac OS will read the HFS volume, which contains the invisble HFS+ image and a Read Me file explaining why you can't access it (you need Mac OS 8.1). If you use RedEdit, you will be able to see the invisible HFS+ disk image.
-- Aaron Batiuk"

Tips, solutions and feedback on DFA 8.2 are welcome.

Newer Tech Nubus G3 Tips:

" Mike,
Something that NewerTech sent me (this is not documented in the supplied manual and last time I looked, not even in their web page FAQs). Your readers might like to know about these commands :

'Try the following four different key commands after you startup your machine and hear the chime.

C and D keys-Disables Card
C and S keys-Slows card down
L and D keys-L2 cache disabled
L and S keys-L2 cache speed lowered'

I've now returned the second card (both units I received ended up being faulty), and have decided that the quality control on these cards is not what it should be. I'm considering a Sonnet card now. I'll let you know how I get on.
Regards,
David Nardini "

Applelinks has a review of VSE Animation Maker 3.1 , a shareware GIF animation tool.

MacOSdaily has a article on the closing of one of the longest running hotline servers around - Macline. If you've never heard of Hotline check it out at www.hotlinesw.com. I'm still considering a Hotline server, I have registered the client and server long ago. If I ever do this full time, I will. It would be nice to chat

IXMicro has reported tremendous response to the TurboTV $20 rebate. Street price for TurboTV is now only $79 with rebate. The rebate is good for purchases after June 1, 1998.

G3 IDE Slaves: I've updated the G3-ZONE for the latest feedback on running IDE Master/Slave drives.

More @home Email bounces: After one or two messages made it the other day, I'm getting "Your message was not delivered because the return address was refused by a remote mail server.". I'm asking all readers to use other email accounts until this problem is resolved. It's frustrating to write detailed replies only to have the mail returned. Until this problem is finally resolved, be aware I cannot reply to readers with @home email addresses. Thanks!

Question of the Day:

" Hello Mike,
Have enjoyed your column for many months now. It is my 'first check' every day and, in fact, I usually hit it several times a day due to your frequent updates.

Hope Kay continues on her road to recovery and I thank her also for so generously sharing her husband with us!

My question for you or your readers is whether or not a daughter card from my 8600/300 will work OK in my Power Center Pro 180 when I finally succumb to the urge to drop a G3 in the former. If the answer is yes, it would certainly allow me to get more than a few extra miles out of the old PCC unit.
Bill Latino "

Answer: The 8600/250 and 300mhz and 9600/300 and 350mhz models all use the Mach 5 CPU Card with 1MB inline cache. These cards cannot be used in any other Mac models but the 'Kansas' motherboard design of the 8600/250 and up, and 9600/300 and up (there was no 9600/250 model). I tested a 300mhz card in my 8500 just to verify this and the system would not boot. No damage to the card apparently but I do not recommend you attempt to use these cards in other Mac models.

GV V90 Disable Script: Some readers who were having problems previously are reporting the disable V90 script mentioned in yesterday's news helped connect rates:

" Well, after getting disconnected a couple more times I decided I fit the description of those who need that disable v.90 script you pointed me to.

After selecting that script, I just connected on the first try at 53333!

(according to PPP) That's a first! Previously, before the Flash ROM upgrade, 52000 was the fastest and I'd only hit that about 4 times. Speeds of 48 or 49 were more common. Go figure. We'll see if it solves the disconnect problem.

Thanks again. If anything else happens I'll let you know. You're such a big help! You truly are the 'Answer Man.'
Steve"

Forums: Today is the day I had to shut down the old forums. I'll leave the existing messages there for a week or so, but no capability to post replies will be enabled (I have no choice in the matter).

Please use the new messages boards from now on.

Peter Koplan sent word of a new ASUS (PC motherboard mfr) 34X IDE CDROM at: http://www.asus.com/PressRel/cdrom.asp. Not sure if it is supported by FWB's CDT 3.0 for use with a Mac however, but the specs are impressive (80ms access, over 5MB/sec max rates). According to their awards page, the drive is a stellar performer.

Get iMaced Program! Check out http://www.theimac.com/Get-iMaced for details on how to help promote iMac awareness and sales.

I'll be writing a regular column for theiMac.com covering its hardware design, USB, addons/upgrades and the comments/reactions of Windows computer users to the iMac. I'm confident the iMac can win the hearts and minds of even hard core PC addicts. It's the VW Beetle (with a Ferrari engine) of computers. In fact, I predict there will be a iMac Beetle model later this year.

Reader Request: Hoping my Japanese readers can help with this one. Ben Chi needs ordering information for a 240mhz 603E upgrade for the PB 2400 that was offered by a Japanese company:

" Hi Mike:
What i'm looking for is a 240mhz 603ev card like the 2400c/240 in Japan. I can't justify spending $850 on a G3 CPU upgrade. I'm hoping I can get a 240mhz 603ev card for much less.

Yes, I did upgrade the RAM from the stock 16 to 80 via a 64mb SO-DIMM. RAM install is very simple. No torx screws used, only philips screwdriver. Taking apart the whole machine however is a whole different story altogether. It looks deceivingly simple, but after you remove about 20 screws, the real trick is to be able to put them back. Good thing though the threads are of a different pitch so you can sort of figure out where they go.

This is a US model with a US keyboard, and right now for a CD-ROM drive, i'm using my Yamaha CDRW4260 CDR drive. I too have a 4x CDROM external Panasonic drive with PCMCIA interface and it didn't work on first try, but I haven't installed CDROM toolkit 3.0 yet. I'm hoping that will work. Right now, my main concern is the hard drive. regards,
ben chi "

If you know the name of the company or a source he can order the upgrade, please contact me.

Video conferencing with new G3s?: Still looking for verification that Video conferencing (CUseeMe, etc.) works in the Rev 2 G3 systems (RagePro models) with the 4MB or 6MB video upgrade. Martin Kaufman reports that his rev 1 G3 with 4MB Vram upgrade locks up after a minute or so (with Video input) unless he removes the Vram expansion.

If you have tested a Vram expanded Rev 2 G3 system with CUSeeME or iVisit, please contact me.

CPU Card Survey: If you're running a G3 CPU card upgrade (Nubus or CPU slot) I'd like to know the details. I've created a feedback form that will take you only a few seconds to complete and I'd be very grateful for the information.

Feedback is coming in daily for addition to the CPU Survey Results pages. Currently I need more input from MacTell G3 CPU card owners.

The Newer Tech page even has a PowerBook section for owners of the 1400 and 2400 G3 upgrades, so if you've just bought one of these upgrades I'd like you to take the survey.

3D Column Logo Contest: I'm still asking for all 3D artists out there to submit their creations for our new 3D Column Logo/Banner. The Logo should include the site URL (www.xlr8yourmac.com) but otherwise the design is up to you. Please keep file size down to 25K or so if you can, and use your name as the file name to help me keep track of who submitted the image (I get so many mails a day I need all the help I can). Thanks!

The winner (and any other interesting entries) are invited to write an article (complete w/screen captures ) showing how it was done. I'd like to have all entries by June 30. Resolution should be 200H x 500W (Maximum size - smaller is fine) file size 25k or less. GIF (animated OK, but try to keep file sizes small) or JPEG format for the final image.

If you'd like to submit a 3D Logo design (full credit given of course), please contact me.

Please check your bookmarks - make sure you are using www.xlr8yourmac.com.

We need your G3 info! Reader "Oz" has offered to help with collecting data on Apple G3 system compatibility issues (hardware and software) of all types. Please send him any Apple G3 system compatibility info/issues you have or are aware of at: oz@bbdoperu.com

Search Tip! For searches on product names with mixed capitalization, use keywords like PowerBoost Pro (not Powerboost Pro or powerboost pro) and MaxPowr (vs maxpowr or Maxpowr). It seems that capitalization within the word on the site pages is throwing off the engine. Keep that in mind when searching for some of the odd product names.

Need Help? Before you send email for tech support, please check the Troubleshooting page or try searching the site (use quotes for exact matches! i.e. "mach 5" vs mach 5 which will match machine, 5, etc.) and to check the FAQ, Performance Basics, Links, and Forums for solutions to your problems or answers to tech support questions. They have a lot of good info and are a great source of help.

If you're curious as to how a G3 CPU card would perform in your Mac, look at the results hundreds of readers have reported in the G3 CPU Card Survey Results page.

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