EvangeList Digest Thursday, May 28 1998 Volume 01 : Number 1196
In this issue:
Tidbit - Macs Underground at Comdex Tidbit - Star Trek The Experience - Las Vegas Hilton Tidbit - Wintel to Mac Conversion Followup - Graphic Design Book Club Web Site Debuts (Correction) PR - QuickTimeTcl 2.0 Followup - Apollo 2.0 Server Problem (and Workaround) PR - VSE Animation Maker and Kids Animation Maker Job - Shift Team Lead ?? - Mac Equivalent of Donovan Data Systems Printpak PR - Pick MacDirectorys News Service Name Tidbit - Is Your Mac Server Too Fast Job - Mac Tech Support at NASA (Greenbelt, MD)
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Date: Wed, 27 May 1998 02:06:48 -0800 From: John Halbig <john@garage.com> Subject: Tidbit - Macs Underground at Comdex
Keyword: Advocacy, Why Macs Are Better
This tidbit is from:
Scott Mckim, <smckim@hollywoodreporter.com>
In a recent e-mail discussion, a Unix programmer friend of mine made an interesting observation about just how prevalent Macs really are:
"The Mac's benefits are an open secret in the industry. One of the dirtier little secrets at Comdex this year was just how many *Macs* were there. They weren't really visible... they were hidden behind the curtains. Vendors were using Macs running Office 98 to do their Powerpoint presentations, because they didn't trust PCs to be up and running and stable on such short notice. They had to hide it all behind the curtains, because they were pushing their PC software..."
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Date: Wed, 27 May 1998 02:06:44 -0800 From: John Halbig <john@garage.com> Subject: Tidbit - Star Trek The Experience - Las Vegas Hilton
Keyword: Advocacy, Why Macs Are Better
This tidbit is from:
Rich Barron, <rbarron@exo.com>
I recently came back from Las Vegas and a stop at the Las Vegas Hilton to see the Star Trek Experience. Although I'm not the biggest Trekkie, I enjoyed the whole experience (even at $15 a person - which suprised me because I'm so cheap).
After you turn in your ticket and start to wait in line, there is a Star Trek history timeline that mentions the invention of transparent aluminum in San Francisco "...on his Macintosh computer." A little later you see a Mac Plus in a display case along with other memorabilia from the movies and TV shows, as a reference to the same scene in the same movie. Neat!
The clincher was after my wife and I came out of the experience and I saw four touch screen kiosks where you could learn more about Star Trek stuff. I don't really know because three out of four of them were not working. Why not? Closer inspection revealed NT 4.0 had blue screened with some type of missing .INI thing. I'm not sure what that is - I use a Mac.
Rich Barron MacKnowledgest to the stars! <rbarron@exo.com>
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Date: Wed, 27 May 1998 02:06:50 -0800 From: John Halbig <john@garage.com> Subject: Tidbit - Wintel to Mac Conversion
Keyword: Advocacy, Macintosh in Action
This tidbit is from:
Mark Jenkins, <markj@inwave.com>
It's official!
My company signed on with a new client in December 1997. They are currently using the following computer systems to manage their business.
2 Windows 3.1 workstations 5 Windows 95 workstations 1 Novell Netware Server 1 Windows NT 4 Server.
After much discussion and planning I was able to convince them to migrate to a 100% Pure Macintosh network! The negotiations included a conference call with a fellow Macintosh enthusiast who was arguing for Windows! He provided the usual, tired arguments "Apple is dead", "there's no software", etc. That just goes to show that all the negative press is even affecting fellow Mac users!
I ultimately won all arguments by presenting a calm and factual report about the state of Apple, the speed advantages of the G3 vs PII, the consistency of results when printing (something the Wintel platform just "doesn't get") and the much lower support costs associated with using a 100% Pure Mac Network.
They are receiving equipment daily as the order gets filled. It includes:
2 AppleShare IP 5 G3/266 Workgroup Servers 4 PowerMac G3/233 Desktop Cpu's 2 PowerMac G3/266 Desktop Cpu's Various printers (Dot matrix and laser) 2 ISDN routers All workstations upgraded to 96 Megabytes of RAM. All CPU's upgraded to 100BaseT Ethernet
One small victory for Apple. One giant leap in productivity for the client!
It's a trend that we, as a company, will continue. There is pretty much nobody out there that we cannot convince to switch to the best computer platform in existence!
So far this year we have over 15 OS converts.
Our website, although in it's very early infant stage of life, is a "browser friendly" site, advocating the use of 100% Pure Mac Networks and other Apple technologies. We invite you to visit.
Long Live the Mac!
Mark Jenkins President Professional Computer Services, Inc. Beloit, WI <markj@inwave.com> <http://www.pcsincnet.com/>
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Date: Wed, 27 May 1998 02:06:34 -0800 From: John Halbig <john@garage.com> Subject: Followup - Graphic Design Book Club Web Site Debuts (Correction)
This follow-up message is from:
<Keith Johns, <keithj@fwpubs.com>
Thanks to all who have sent comments about the Graphic Design Book Club Web site. I accidentally included an "!" at the end of the first listing of the url in the original Evangelist posting. It should have read: <http://www.howdesign.com/gdbc>
Sorry for the inconvenience!
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Date: Wed, 27 May 1998 02:06:51 -0800 From: John Halbig <john@garage.com> Subject: PR - QuickTimeTcl 2.0
Keyword: Becoming an AppleDeveloper
This announcement is from:
Bruce O'Neel, <beoneel@acm.org>
I've uploaded QuickTimeTcl 2.0 to <http://homepage.iprolink.ch/~bioneel/beo/homepage.html>. QuickTimeTcl is an interface between Tcl/Tk, a scripting language, (see <http://www.scriptics.com> and QuickTime. Version 2 allows you to play, edit, and create QuickTime movies from within your Tcl/Tk scripts. Since Tcl/Tk also comes with a command line it also allows you to type commands to play, edit, etc movies as well so that you can experiment around with what you'd like to do.
Tcl/Tk is a cross platform scripting language that lets you easily create GUI programs which look like Mac native applications. It's fairly quick and comes with net access, GUI widgets, Apple Scripting, and, with QuickTimeTcl QuickTime access. Also, for those of you who can't live without a command line it gives you a command line on your Mac as well.
For more info go to the above web page or write to <beoneel@acm.org>.
Oh, yea, it's free and MacOS only... Tcl/Tk is freely downloadable as well.
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Date: Wed, 27 May 1998 02:06:53 -0800 From: John Halbig <john@garage.com> Subject: Followup - Apollo 2.0 Server Problem (and Workaround)
This follow-up message is from:
Jeremy Roussak, <JeremyR@dcs.qmw.ac.uk>
The URL which was included in the recent announcement about Apollo 2 was correct (URL: <http://www.dcs.qmw.ac.uk/~jeremyr/apollo.html>.
However, as luck generally has these things, the servers at QMW went down on the day the announcement appeared on this list. I hope the system will be up and running again very soon.
In the meantime, Apollo 2.0 can be obtained from ftp sites everywhere. It is available from info-mac mirror sites as /gui/apollo-20.hqx and from the Hyperarchive at MIT (URL: <http://hyperarchive.lcs.mit.edu/HyperArchive/Archive/_User_Interface/apoll o-20.hqx>)
My apologies for any inconvenience.
Jeremy
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Date: Wed, 27 May 1998 02:06:38 -0800 From: John Halbig <john@garage.com> Subject: PR - VSE Animation Maker and Kids Animation Maker
Keyword: Market by market, Multimedia
This announcement is from:
Johannes Selbach, <support@vse-online.com>
The popular Mac OS based GIF animation tool VSE Animation Maker and Kids Animation Maker, the creativity tool for children, are now available in English, French and German.
VSE Animation Maker is a GIF animation tool that has anything you need to create impressive animations for Internet sites. It allows absolute precise timing of any animation frame, direct support of Netscape Navigator and Microsoft Internet Explorer color palettes and offers many features for perfect image editing. VSE Animation Maker is now available in version 3.1.
Kids Animation is the only animation tool designed specifically for children. It has a unique symbol guided user interface that allows even very young children to play with Kids Animation Maker. Kids Animation Maker is now available in version 1.0.1.
PRICING
- - VSE Animation Maker:
US$ 20 (1-5 Single User Licenses) US$ 18 (6-20 Single User Licenses) US$ 15 (21- Single User Licenses)
A VSE Animation Maker school license is available at US$ 159.
- - Kids Animation Maker: US$ 18 (Single User License)
A Kids Animation Maker school license is available at US$ 99.
The prices for the French versions are US$ 25 (VSE Animation Maker) and US$ 22 (Kids Animation Maker).
For further information and free download of all VSE products, please check VSE's Internet site at <http://vse-online.com>.
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Date: Wed, 27 May 1998 02:06:46 -0800 From: John Halbig <john@garage.com> Subject: Job - Shift Team Lead
It's Terri Browder (from ASI at GEIS) again. I did so well by finding candidates through the EvangeList that I am back again.
This time the opening is for a Shift Team Lead. This is a permanent position at GE , hours from 4-12 pm The candidate will lead a custom support solution for GEIS client help desk supporting 3000 users, and deliver quality customer service by providing satisfactory problem resolution in an efficient and effective manner. The selected candidate will act as a liaison between client and GEIS manangement. He/she will analyze problem trends and recommend/implement application & process improvements. Revise and execute hlep edesk SOP's including: support training, disaster recovery, user implementation, and escalation plans. Will also train support personnel in application, implementation, and support processes. Selected candidate will also supervise shift to include scheduling, performance monitoring/feedback, coaching, etc.
Must have strong leadership skills in a cross functional team environment, demonstrated passion for customer service excellence. Strong project management and execution skills, proven trouble-shooting and problem diagnostic skills. Strong knowledge of MAC applications and ASYNCH protocols. Excellent verbal and written skills BS degree in Computer Science or equivalent Ability to apply quality planning, management, and improvement techniques and tools.
Desired qualifications
Familiarity with GEIS products and knowledge of GEIS services Knowledge of LAN and ISDN environments Superior telephone etiquette and the ability to deal effectively with customers, vendors, peers, and management.
Interested applicants can contact me:
Terri Browder Staffing and Account Manager, ASI 301-340-4338 phone 301-340-4680 fax <terri.browder@geis.ge.com>
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Date: Wed, 27 May 1998 02:06:47 -0800 From: John Halbig <john@garage.com> Subject: ?? - Mac Equivalent of Donovan Data Systems Printpak
This request is from:
Nathan Raymond, <nraymond@caratfreeman.com>
I need to find out if there are any products for the Mac (preferably cross-platform) that are as good or better than Donovan Data Systems' Printpak Windows product - otherwise yet another company will fall to the Windows dreadnought!
I'm the system adminstrator of a primarily Macintosh site, 45 computers total (5 Wintel machines). We recently became part of a larger company, which I've learned is either all Windows NT or getting there. The parent company is dictating standardization on things like LotusNotes (for which there is a Mac client) and Donovan Data Systems <http://www.dds.co.uk/>>, "Advertising's #1 Computer Service," which DOESN'T have a Mac version! The details haven't been worked out, but our parent company apparently is even going to pay for all new Wintel computers and will get rid of all our Macs! With all the Macs out there in advertising firms, I'm hoping there's another option!
Does anyone out there know of any products that might fill this role???
Below are the excerpts of the software's capabilities:
DDS advertising systems are used by media researchers, media buyers, planners and client accounting staff at ad agencies, buying organizations, and major advertisers. Major functions include demographics research reporting, media buying, media trafficking, billing and paying, and production and corporate accounting.
Printpak provides clients with an integrated system to retain and correlate print campaign information for media reporting, commercial trafficking and client accounting purposes.
The types of media campaigns managed through Printpak are: magazines, newspapers, trade periodicals, supplements, outdoor, and World Wide Web.
DDS clients use Printpak Media facilities to: * Prepare estimates for print campaigns * Enter and maintain contracts for negotiated rates * Produce space reservations * Analyze contract achievement * Perform Agency of Record (AOR) analysis
DDS clients use Printpak Client Accounting facilities to: * Generate client estimates and bills * Compare insertions to vendor invoices * Approve payments * Issue checks * Monitor cashflow
DDS clients use Printpak Traffic facilities to: * Set up ad copy information * Monitor closing/material date information * Generate insertion orders/changes/cancellations
Thanks in advance to any help anyone can provide!
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Date: Thu, 28 May 1998 02:06:19 -0800 From: John Halbig <john@garage.com> Subject: PR - Pick MacDirectorys News Service Name
This announcement is from:
Jay Arcos, <jay@macdirectory.com>
MacDirectory <http://www.macdirectory.com>, the industry leader in Mac product information, in association with MacCentral <http://www.maccentral.com>>, the leader in daily Mac news online, today announced the pre-release of a new news service to the Macintosh community.
The two companies are joining forces to provide late-breaking industry news and analysis, delivered fresh to your mailbox each day. The service will include new product announcements, headline news, new software updates, special deals, or anything Jobs or Gates may be cooking up. Users will be able to subscribe to this news service absolutely free of charge, so if you want to stay informed on all things Mac, this is for you.
How can you participate? A name for the new service has not been chosen, and your ideas are requested. Fire up those creative juices and send your name suggestion to <name@macdirectory.com>. Type your suggested name in the subject of the message, anything on the body will be ignored.
This service will be available in mid-June, 1998 and it's estimated to become the largest Macintosh News delivery system online. Act now! Send your name suggestion and be a part of it. The selected name creator will receive a free T-shirt from both MacCentral and MacDirectory.
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Date: Thu, 28 May 1998 02:06:20 -0800 From: John Halbig <john@garage.com> Subject: Tidbit - Is Your Mac Server Too Fast
This tidbit is from:
Dan Knight, <dknight@mail.iserv.net>
Can a file server ever be fast enough? On the other hand. can a file server be too fast?
That unusual question prompted a look into SCSI throughput and network throughput, concluding that most servers can dish out data faster than reliable old 10Mbps ethernet can handle it.
To see why older Macs can be adequate servers, read "SCSI and Network Throughput" on Macintosh Online Technical Journal.
Dan Knight, <dknight@mactimes.com> editor in chief, MacTimes <http://www.mactimes.com/> webmaster, Low End Mac <http://www.mactimes.com/lowend/>
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Date: Thu, 28 May 1998 02:06:20 -0800 From: John Halbig <john@garage.com> Subject: Job - Mac Tech Support at NASA (Greenbelt, MD)
This job announcement is from:
Chris O'Haver, <chris@helpdesk700.gsfc.nasa.gov>
Location: NASA Goddard Space Flight Center (GSFC), Greenbelt MD
Our Help Desk is currently seeking an experienced Mac tech for the following position.
Technical Support Representative
Requirements
- - 2+ years experience with technical support for networked Macintosh systems and applications.
- - Knowledgeable of standard Help Desk procedures and methodologies
- - AA or Equivalent
Duties - - Provides technical assistance in response to Help Desk service requests and problems.
- - Performs first echelon NOS, application and hardware support and resolves user problems or recommends external remedial action and follows through with the user and outside vendor until the problem is resolved.
- - Performs diagnostics of NOS, applications and hardware over the phone, via the network, via modem, or in person when necessary.
- - Routes service requests to the appropriate support organizations using a problem tracking and reporting system, phone system and e-mail, gaining client approval when necessary.
- - Maintains automated and manual logs to track the volume, status and disposition of all trouble calls reported to the Help Desk.
Casual campus-like setting. 20% Macintosh environment ranging from 030's to G3's. Come and help keep Macintosh alive at NASA.
Send Resumes to: <Patrick.Osborne@GSFC.NASA.GOV>
Contact Info: Patrick J. Osborne (301) 286-7987 <Patrick.Osborne@GSFC.NASA.GOV> ANSTEC, Inc.
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End of EvangeList Digest V1 #1196 *********************************
