EvangeList Digest Friday, December 4 1998 Volume 01 : Number 1331
In this issue:
Tidbit - MADE App Dev Essentials 1.2 Release PR - Programming Group Announces GUNK Followup - iMac Carrying Case Tidbit - MARS Web Site Launched $$ - BBEdit Lite Enhancer PR - YP Projectiles 1.1 Released Tidbit - Free Holiday Mac Sounds Tidbit - Old Macs On the Internet Website $$ - New "Mac Secrets" Edition 30% Off Until Xmas Job - Opportunities at Adobe (San Jose, CA)
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Date: Thu, 3 Dec 1998 08:06:10 -0800 From: John Halbig <john@garage.com> Subject: Tidbit - MADE App Dev Essentials 1.2 Release
This tidbit is from:
<mailto: "Gideon Greenspan" gdg@sigsoftware.com>
Sig Software is proud to announce the release of Macintosh Application Development Essentials version 1.2.
MADE is a tiny package of C/C++ code which provides all the lowest-level needs for a Macintosh application. It is designed for people who are learning, or know how to program Macs, but don't have the time, energy or desire to write basic menu, event, memory and error handling routines.
Version 1.2.0 adds support for suspend and resume events and the Open Application AppleEvent, and extends user documentation. Users purchasing a MADE license will now receive extra code for dealing with memory and file buffers, dialog boxes, strings and opening URLs.
The MADE web page is at : <http://www.sigsoftware.com/made/>
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Date: Thu, 3 Dec 1998 08:06:14 -0800 From: John Halbig <john@garage.com> Subject: PR - Programming Group Announces GUNK
This announcement is from:
<mailto: "Pete Hopkins" phopkins@geocities.com>
Programming group announces GUNK
A group of Macintosh game developers, led by Joe Strout, are developing a graphical MUD system for the Macintosh, code-named GUNK (for GUI Network Kernel). Not a game in and of itself, GUNK will be used to create multi-player online role-playing games, similar to the popular Ultima Online from Origin, or the in-development Clan Lord from Delta Tao.
MUDs (Multi-User Dimensions) and their cousins, MUSHs and MOOs, have long been a mainstay of the Internet, although their general lack of graphics has caused them to lose some popularity in the world of color-and-sound online gaming. Although these new online role-playing games have worlds similar to the old MUDs' to explore, there are two unfortunate flaws. First of all, there are far fewer, and these are high-priced massive commercial ventures. An ordinary person can't create a world and make it an online multi-player game. Secondly, the most popular of these games are not available for the Macintosh. GUNK will address both of these issues; it's a game system that will allow people to setup servers and game worlds of their own, and it will come out only for the Macintosh.
No timetable or pricing system is currently set for GUNK. It will be a client/server system, possibly with a low-power server included in the client for small games. Besides a MacOS-based server, development is being considered for UNIX and MacOS X Server platforms.
GUNK uses Joe Strout's development-stage MAGDEF (MAcintosh Game DEvelopment Framework) as well as Apple Computer, Inc. technologies QuickDraw 3-D, InputSprocket, and NetSprocket. GUNK is currently in development, with a small group of dedicated developers. Programmers wishing to join the team may contact Joe Strout at <joe@strout.net>
For more information, please contact Pete Hopkins <mailto:(<phopkins@geocities.com>)>. The GUNK web page is now public at <http://members.xoom.com/GunkMUD/>
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Date: Thu, 3 Dec 1998 08:06:10 -0800 From: John Halbig <john@garage.com> Subject: Followup - iMac Carrying Case
<mailto: "Brian J. Geiger" bgeiger@pobox.com>
A few days ago I sent out the call for information on a carrying case for the iMac, especially for taking with me on the plane. True to form, the Evangelistas have sent me tons of useful info, and here is the summary.
A quick note: What I didn't mention is that, for my purposes, a less expensive case would be better (although, as one Evangelista pointed out, cost is relative; keeping the computer and data safe is worth a more expensive case).
1) The most popular suggestion, by far, was to get an Anvil case. These are custom or semi-custom cases made especially for music equipment, but are also used in the computer world as well. They are very tough and very safe for equipment. Estimated street price for an iMac case is between $300 and $500. <http://www.anvilcase.com/product.html>
2) Next suggestion was to get a powerbook. Unfortunately, a powerbook is more expensive that I wanted, plus I don't really like working on them at home. If I needed to work on the plane or while away from a desk, it would probably be fine, but for my purposes, an iMac was better.
3) A rather creative suggestion was from Bob Reinking, quoted below:
- ----
Think different!
Get some 1/4' plywood and a few lengths of 1x2 lumber. Make a reinforced box (plywood inside - "frame" outside) and build a shipping box that the original box will JUST fit into. You can nail and glue the frame to the plywood but use screws to attach the cover (and remember to take a screwdriver on your trips!). Use a hammer or a heavy chain to mark up the plywood (or drive your car over the wood before assembling - tire tracks are especially good :-). A good result would make it look like the box had been around the world a time or two. Make simple stencils "THIS SIDE UP" "Delicate Electronics" and an Arrow. Spray paint markings on the box, then hand letter it (use paint) with your home adddress in the "TO:" position. You could invent a boring company name (not a computer firm) to put the the "FROM:" spot.
The goal here is to make it look like a commercial shipping container, NOT an iMac case. BTW, the box will make a great table for your iMac when you get to your destination. If you want a delux setup, you could build a "tray" that would fit inside the box. The tray could be attached to the empty box to provide a table for the keyboard and mouse.
- ----
If anyone does this, please email me a picture or post the location of a picture to the 'list. Bob is interested in seeing the final product. Unfortunately, this project is more difficult that my construction skills will cover, so I will pass on this otherwise fine plan.
4) There is a company in British Columbia called Willow Design <http://www.willow-design.com> that makes an iMac case. There are no pictures yet on the site, but the prices are:
$ Canadian/$ US
NL-26 iMac Transportable Shipping Case 350.00/238.00 NL-27 iMac Luggable Carry Case 260.00/176.00
5) Have Mail Boxes Etc. box the iMac up, then try to remember what they did to be able to repeat the procedure for future trips.
6) <http://www.abcomcorp.com> makes a nice padded monitor case that can be used for the iMac. May or may not be suitable for shipping (if you do use it for airline baggage, be sure to backup, mark fragile, and get insurance). Prices are approximately $140, but I haven't measured to determine which size to get.
7) Several people suggested buying a custom case from various sources in the $500 range.
8) A couple of people suggested starting my own business or selling/giving the idea to a luggage company. If anyone is energetic enough to want to make an inexpensive, shippable iMac case, I won't be competing with you, as I don't have the free time at the moment.
9) A suggestion not to use the original packing material was wisely given, as enterprising theives might make off with the iMac at the airport baggage claim.
Thanks for all the help!
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Date: Fri, 4 Dec 1998 08:06:07 -0800 From: John Halbig <john@garage.com> Subject: Tidbit - MARS Web Site Launched
This tidbit is from:
<mailto: "Mac-arena" macrulez@softhome.net>
MARS, or Macintosh Appearances and ReferenceS, is now officially open at <>. It is divided into three sections:
- - Sightings: "Hey, that's an iMac in the background!"
- - References: "...it's about as dependable as my ol' Performa 475..."
- - Subtle hints: "Cool, this vacuum is Bondi blue!" (yes, there are two Bondi blue vacuums on the page)
I encourage you to email other Sightings/References/Subtle Hints to me at <mars@bigfoot.com>. Thanks!
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Date: Fri, 4 Dec 1998 08:06:08 -0800 From: John Halbig <john@garage.com> Subject: $$ - BBEdit Lite Enhancer
This special offer is from:
<mailto: "Stephen Becker" steve@macease.com>
I'm pleased to announce the release of BBEdit Lite Enhancer.
BBEdit Lite is a powerful, popular, and easy-to-use text editor. BBEdit Lite Enhancer adds both a substantial list of new features and a Tool Bar to BBEdit Lite while maintaining BBEdit Lite's ease of use. In fact, some of the features included with BBEdit Lite Enhancer aren't even available in most word processors and text editors.
BBEdit Lite Enhancer also includes a free File Converter utility.
IN ADDITION TO NOW HAVING QUICK, SINGLE-CLICK ACCESS TO MANY OF BBEDIT LITE'S FEATURES, SOME OF THE NEW FEATURES ADDED TO BBEDIT LITE INCLUDE:
1. With a single Mouse click you can both display all the characters -- including dozens of useful hidden characters -- included with each font on your system and insert them into your document.
2. You can now set all four margins when printing from BBEdit Lite.
3. You can quickly insert a time-stamp into any document.
4. You can now quickly and easily create a glossary for items you use repeatedly in documents as well as items stored for future access. These stored items can be just a few words, a quotation, or several paragraphs - -- you can customize the glossary to fit your needs.
5. You can select and insert any one of several pre-configured date formats into your documents with a single click of your Mouse.
6. Clicking the Sort button will apply an alphanumeric sort to the selected rows in your document.
7. The P-1 button prints one copy of your document, eliminating the need to navigate the Print Dialog box.
8. BBEdit Lite Enhancer includes a user-configurable Auto-Save feature which can be directly accessed from the Tool Bar's Auto-Save button.
9. You can perform Find and Find Again actions directly from the Tool Bar.
10. A File Converter Utility is included with BBEdit Lite Enhancer.
By simply dragging a ReadMe file onto the converter, you can convert a read-only file into an editable text file. This allows you to copy, print, or edit any part of a ReadMe document, as well as create a clippings file. This same button may also be used to create ReadMe files.
A second button on the converter quickly converts a SimpleText file into a BBEdit file or converts a BBEdit file into a SimpleText file.
11. BBEdit Lite Enhancer includes the ability to change a text selection to either upper or lower case without having to first navigate a dialog box.
12. BBEdit Lite Enhancer includes two Tool Bars and each one has a WindowShade feature and an Iconify feature (this reduces the Tool Bar to a small icon). Also, you may completely hide either Tool Bar.
13. Once you display the Tool Bar that is stored in the active window's Title Bar, you may drag it to any location you choose.
14. The Tool Bar that is displayed along the right side of a window automatically appears alongside the active BBEdit window (this Tool Bar may not be moved but may be either hidden or Windowshaded). If you need to move a window, the Tool Bar will automatically maintain its proper positon.
15. While the buttons in BBEdit Lite Enhancer were designed to be self-descriptive, each button also includes both InstantHelp tags and Balloon Help.
Additional information about BBEdit Lite Enhancer -- along with screen snapshots -- may be found at <http://www.kagi.com/MacEase>.
REQUIREMENTS
A Macintosh computer with System 7.0 or later and a 68020 or later processor. This version of BBEdit Lite Enhancer is not compatible with System 8.5, but a free updater that will provide compatibility with OS 8.5 is under development. Please note that BBEdit Lite Enhancer works with BBEdit Lite 4.1 but not with the commercial BBEdit program.
SPECIAL PRICE
While the regular registration fee is only $17., for the next 10 days I'm offering Evangelist readers an even lower, special price of $15.
BBEdit Lite Enhancer includes a 30-day money back satisfaction guarantee and is available at <http://order.kagi.com/?L8T2>.
A free, fully-functional 10-day demonstration version of BBEdit Lite Enhancer may be downloaded at <http://www.kagi.com/MacEase>.
Technical support may be obtained by emailing me at the following address: <steve_bbl@macease.com>.
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Date: Fri, 4 Dec 1998 08:06:10 -0800 From: John Halbig <john@garage.com> Subject: PR - YP Projectiles 1.1 Released
Yves Pelletier has released YP Projectiles 1.1, a new version of his projectile motion simulator used by physics teachers all around the world.
To simulate a trajectory, simply choose the initial velocity (magnitude and direction), the vertical displacement component and the gravitational acceleration. The software draws the parabolic trajectory and computes its main characteristics: range, maximum height reached, etc.
During the simulation, it is possible to display three vectors: acceleration, velocity and position, and four graphs: acceleration, velocity, position and energy versus time.
New in this version: YP Projectiles 1.1 features a new graph displaying mechanical energy, kinetic energy and gravitational potential energy versus time.
System Requirements: YP Projectiles runs on any Macintosh computer with Mac OS 7.0 or later. It needs about 250 Kb on your hard disk and 1 Mb of RAM.
Pricing / Availability: YP Projectiles 1.1 is available now, and an evaluation copy may be downloaded through our Web site at <http://www.kagi.com/pelletier/projectiles.html>. The price for a single user license is $20 US.
To find more about other educational shareware programs for the Mac OS produced by Yves Pelletier, visit his web page at <http://www.kagi.com/pelletier>.
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Date: Fri, 4 Dec 1998 08:06:12 -0800 From: John Halbig <john@garage.com> Subject: Tidbit - Free Holiday Mac Sounds
This tidbit is from:
<mailto: "Clixsounds" email@clixsounds.com>
Clixsounds is pleased to announce its Fourth Annual "Holiday Series" of freeware Holiday sounds. Each year, Clixsounds releases special sound files for download, which include musical startup and shutdown sounds based on classic carols, alert sounds of voices of popular Holiday characters, email sounds, collectibles, and more!
The 1998 Holiday Series boasts over 100 FREE Holiday Sound files for Macintosh, which will be made available starting today. Over thirty sounds are currently available for download, with 3 new ones made available each day.
The Holiday Series includes startup and shutdown sounds, such as "Deck The Halls," "Joy To the World," "Silent Night," "Oh Christmas Tree," and numerous other carols and original compositions ranging from fully-orchestrated instrumentals to heavy metal, jazz, and other styles. Other startups include vocal recordings of popular characters like Santa, Scrooge, Mrs. Claus, and others. There are even sounds for Hanukkah, and foreign-language sounds.
Numerous alert sounds are available, including musical blurbs, and hilar- ious phrases from Scrooge, Santa, Mrs. Claus, and others. Downloaders can also enjoy email sounds, collectibles, and system clock sounds as well!
These sounds will be available from now until the first week of January. All Mac users are invited to visit daily and download any of over 100 FREE Holiday sounds from Clixsounds!
Visit <http://www.clixsounds.com>
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Date: Fri, 4 Dec 1998 08:06:14 -0800 From: John Halbig <john@garage.com> Subject: Tidbit - Old Macs On the Internet Website
Yank that old Mac Plus out of the closet, and get it onto the 'net for crying out loud!
How many old 68000-class workhorse Macs are just lying around, waiting for the glue factory? Some folks already know this, but those old Macs make such wonderful Internet clients (or servers, for that matter)!
"But how?" you ask...
This new website tells all: <http://www.rtis.com/nat/user/toolbox/oldmacs/>
With over 25Mb of information and software, the Old Macs on the Internet website has everything you'll need to make an old Mac Plus, Classic, Portable, SE, or PowerBook 100 "Internet-ready" (you'll need to get your own modem, of course...we haven't figured out a way to download those yet)!
Enjoy!
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Date: Fri, 4 Dec 1998 08:06:18 -0800 From: John Halbig <john@garage.com> Subject: $$ - New "Mac Secrets" Edition 30% Off Until Xmas
This special offer is from:
<mailto: "David Pogue" david@pogueman.com>
The wait is over! Two years in the making, "Macworld Mac SECRETS," 5th Edition, is shipping at last!
Now at over 1,300 pages, this international bestseller by Macworld columnists David Pogue and Joseph Schorr is the ultimate authority on the tips, tricks, and power techniques of Mac OS 8.5.
Other new coverage includes the iMac, G3 Power Macs, and G3 PowerBooks; Mac OS 8 and 8.1; the HFS+ hard drive-formatting scheme; digital cameras; USB devices; Photoshop 5, America Online 4, and Microsoft Office 98; the AutoStart and Word macro viruses; Outlook Express and Claris Emailer; Netscape Navigator 4.x and Internet Explorer 4.x; Quark 4 and PageMaker 6.5; G3 upgrade cards; AppleScript and MacsBug; and much more.
The accompanying CD includes 600 MB of software, including commercial, non-demo, full working versions of OneClick, MacLinkPlus, Color It, Extensis PhotoBevel, CanOpener, and many more. The CD also includes both the 4th and 5th Editions of the book in searchable electronic form.
By special arrangement with Computer Literacy Bookshops, "Macworld Mac SECRETS" is offered to Evangelist members at 30% off--that's $35 instead of $50-- ONLY until December 25, 1998. To order, use this Web address:
There you'll also find out what else David Pogue has been writing, such as the new, 6th Edition of "Macs for Dummies" -- and the brand-new beginner's book for the iMac, "The iMac for Dummies." All are now available at 20% off via <http://www.davidpogue.com>.
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Date: Fri, 4 Dec 1998 08:06:26 -0800 From: John Halbig <john@garage.com> Subject: Job - Opportunities at Adobe (San Jose, CA)
<mailto: "Cheryl Erickson" cheryl@netgate.net>
OMPUTER SCIENTIST - MACINTOSH - POSTSCRIPT
Responsibilities: Design, develop, and debug Macintosh PS3i code. Must understand PostScript development environment (CPSI).
Qualifications: BSCS or equivalent; 3+ years experience. Must have Macintosh systems programming experience. Low-level de-bugging skills also required. Any Windows experience would be a plus for cross-platform issues.
- -----------
INSTALLER ENGINEER
Responsibilities: Customize installer scripts for core and international products according to each product team requirements using InstallShield and Macintosh VISE installers. This includes the design, development and support of Macintosh and Windows installer components such as application personalization code, upgrade certification and updater code. Provide advice and expertise to product groups regarding Macintosh and Windows installation issues. Work closely with the Release Engineering teams toprovide guidance on installer issues that arise during the release cycle.
Qualifications:
Requires a BSCS or equivalent and 5+ years of experience. Must have prior experience writing Xcods for VISE installers and C code for InstallShield scripts. Extensive experience using VISE and InstallShield installers. Ability to debug code and troubleshoot problems on Macintosh 7.x and OS 8.x, Windows 95 and NT systems is a must. Experience with scripting languages such as MPW, Applescripts, C-shell, and Perl is required. Requires teamwork skills, excellent troubleshooting skills, and good interpersonal communication skills.
Please send your resume to:
Adobe Systems Inc. Professional Staffing Attn: Cheryl Erickson, Dept PM 345 Park Avenue, MSET8 San Jose, CA 95110
em: <mailto:erickson@adobe.com> (ASCII Text or PDF files only) fax: 408 537-6313 <http://www.adobe.com>
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End of EvangeList Digest V1 #1331 *********************************
