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Favourite app, utility, control panel or extension.
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Favourite app, utility, control panel or extension.
Aaron for System 7.0. It made made some very nice modifcations to the desktop graphics and icons ... not so much as to change the essential Mac style, but enough to make everything more pleasent to the eye.
ALSO Write Now 3.0. This was a consumate application — extremely fast and brilliantly written and stored on merely two floppies. It had an excellent dictionary and features that even some full blown WP's didn't have. It held the record for the world's fastest start-up for a WP. There was a surprisingly good 'Help' facility. I have collected every version, the last of which was V.4.X. I liked this version even more for it's potential, but it proved to be buggy on my CPU's. It is a pity that WN was not developed for the new Macs. IMHO it established the high water mark for a practical, everyday WP for 'The Rest of Us' that nevertheless was elegant.
I've used WriteNow since (without regret) leaving behind the (very) rudimentary Sandy's Word Processor on Apple IIe. Versions 2, 3 and 4 of WN have served us both very well in System 6 & 7 and OS 8 & 9, and we still use v4.0.2 in Classic Mode under Tiger, Panther and Jaguar. My wife's recent PhD Thesis was written entirely in WriteNow 4 under Panther, footnotes and all. However, for its printing I had to pass the text through .rtf, .doc and .pdf, and of all those stages, Word was the greatest pain.
WriteNow's greatest disability was its variety of owners, the last of whom gave the impression that they bought it in order to bury it.
de
WriteNow's greatest disability was its variety of owners, the last of whom gave the impression that they bought it in order to bury it.
de
Hi equil: Thanks for the comment. Your post was very interesting. What do you think your wife found in Write Now that made it so useful — say over AppleWorks, or more aptly considering that she was writing a thesis — Nisus Writer? And a question: was there a footnote facility in V. 4.2? (I have an old app called End Note 2 Plus but I've never used it.)
I am thinking that when you dumped the whole bag into RTF and then into Word, you must have lost a lot of formatting. Just how bad was it? I took 'Classic' out of our eMac. My Intel MacBook would puuke WN out. This leaves only my PB-3400 which cannot access our USB printers. I retired our Stylewriters when they got very tired and a PITA. So, I am facing a similar situation.
I am thinking that when you dumped the whole bag into RTF and then into Word, you must have lost a lot of formatting. Just how bad was it? I took 'Classic' out of our eMac. My Intel MacBook would puuke WN out. This leaves only my PB-3400 which cannot access our USB printers. I retired our Stylewriters when they got very tired and a PITA. So, I am facing a similar situation.
My wife's machine is an eMac 1GHz, although the thesis was begun on an iMac CRT 500MHz. The progression .wn4-.rtf-.doc-.pdf was intended not to lose formatting, and it did not. Some minor fiddling in Word (Office 2004) was needed to re-settle page size, section breaks for chapter headings and some other trivia, but WriteNow's ability to export in .rtf made it safe enough for 2vv and 400+ pages. Even the footnotes made the transition without hiccup, as did such things as reduced-measure double-indent quotation paragraphs, glossarized terms and more.
As for why we continue with WN? There has been no incentive to use anything else domestically—and that has included formal minutes of organization meetings, extended tabulations, an in-house newsletter, all correspondence, ad inf.—because it just works on every one of the 35-odd working Macs in the house, and its documents readily pass through the LAN when that is needed. Its features are adequate, and don't impede as MS's feachers do. It transfers readily to Word when I need to do so for those of my clients (ca 103%) who are trapped in the toils of MS.
Because WN was written in machine language I can understand its antipathy towards (and from) Intel Macs. Fortunately, that isn't yet a problem for us. Our principal printer is a USB hp 930C (still), which has no difficulty with either OS X (10.2.8 to 10.4.10), Classic Mode or Beige boxes with PCI USB cards. So useful is it that I have no pressing need to set up the 'resting' StyleWriters (1200, 4500) or LaserWriters (PLW300, 16/600PS).
de
As for why we continue with WN? There has been no incentive to use anything else domestically—and that has included formal minutes of organization meetings, extended tabulations, an in-house newsletter, all correspondence, ad inf.—because it just works on every one of the 35-odd working Macs in the house, and its documents readily pass through the LAN when that is needed. Its features are adequate, and don't impede as MS's feachers do. It transfers readily to Word when I need to do so for those of my clients (ca 103%) who are trapped in the toils of MS.
Because WN was written in machine language I can understand its antipathy towards (and from) Intel Macs. Fortunately, that isn't yet a problem for us. Our principal printer is a USB hp 930C (still), which has no difficulty with either OS X (10.2.8 to 10.4.10), Classic Mode or Beige boxes with PCI USB cards. So useful is it that I have no pressing need to set up the 'resting' StyleWriters (1200, 4500) or LaserWriters (PLW300, 16/600PS).
de
I thought of another classic...
Cairo Shoot Out. Shareware, for $3, it's an unbeatable deal for an awesome game. Practice it on an LC in 256 color mode on the "Slow by 4" option. It's especially challenging on an SE/30.
The only thing I'm unsure of on this one is if the shareware fees are still around. Unlocked copies were put into the public domain after Duhane died but at the same time the shareware ones were still being passed around. I registered one in 1999 and got the key code, probably from Duhane's parents, plus it was passed around in that form on LaCie drives as late as 1993. Anyone who knows more about this should let me know...but I still would refrain from passing around unlocked shareware copies if I were you.
Cairo Shoot Out. Shareware, for $3, it's an unbeatable deal for an awesome game. Practice it on an LC in 256 color mode on the "Slow by 4" option. It's especially challenging on an SE/30.
The only thing I'm unsure of on this one is if the shareware fees are still around. Unlocked copies were put into the public domain after Duhane died but at the same time the shareware ones were still being passed around. I registered one in 1999 and got the key code, probably from Duhane's parents, plus it was passed around in that form on LaCie drives as late as 1993. Anyone who knows more about this should let me know...but I still would refrain from passing around unlocked shareware copies if I were you.
MYST!!!!!!!!!!
equill — you've fired me up! I'm strapping on the 3400, replacing the fried USB external FDD on the eMac and going back to WN as my main WP. AppleWorks 6 gets weird on my OS X. And Word just puts me off from writing. I was trying to find a modern WP and failing to see something I really want. So I'm going back!
I found this interesting, and I am sure equill and his spouse will at least find it tangentially interesting — if they have not already been to the site:
http://www.macease.com/writenow-latest_info.html
The site owner is a dedicated WN fan. He has elected Mariner Write as WN's sucessor. And he laments the fact that there is no translator for running WN docs into Mariner. Despte being a Mariner user, he still uses WN a lot and has developed an enhanement suit for the app that seems rather interesting and worthwhile. An auto-save feature caught my attention. His creation leaves a wide margin between his efforts and copyright law; he is NOT distributing any of the original application. His site includes upgrade downloads for taking WN V. 4 to 4.01 and 4.02. But of course, you have to own the app to do it.
In addition, there are some observations and possible solutions about instablity issues with OS versions after 8.1. YMMV. 8.1 seems a highwater mark, no problem zone.
I wrote the following letter to Mariner through their web site connection:
PLEASE make a translator for the Write Now word processor, and I will be your obedient slave and fanatical fan for life. By a considerable margin, your WP is the MOST suitable candidate for succeeding what is arguably the most economic and elegant WP ever produced — Write Now. There may be more of us old Macsters out there waiting than you realize. Old applications have come and gone, but even today — years after this application was abandoned by its owners and murdered in the backstreets of cyberspace — a new web site has emerged and stimulated interest. Not only that, but the site owner has developed an enhancement feature for the app that stays clear of copyright infringement. (Although abandoned, the current owners do NOT want the app put into the public domain — even in its obsolete form! Ahem ... I wonder why?)
Congratulations on your achievements. It is a brave thing to buck the giants, but I trust that your clients are happy and loyal. But, please consider the huge resevoir of WN archives that could be integrated into your invention. It may not seem like the best economics in a company meeting — unless you consider the cache deriving from the public acclamation that you ARE the successor by default to a Mac legend.
This letter may seem like hyperbole to you, the Mariners. But think of all the writers who have spent thousands and thousands of hours trying to make themselves fit to the machine that is a certain software — and failing. Imagine the same writers remembering moments of smooth sailing — of effortless and seamless connection with what they were writing and the sotware they were using — a lucid and clean interface lke a fresh sheet of clean white paper or a stretch of clear water. And then try to say that I am out of bounds.
We are legion. And we are hoping ... waiting. It is about our vocations and professions — writing! Best of luck to all of you at Mariner.
Yours truly,
XXXXX XXXX in Sendai Japan
BTW, this man tried to convince the owners of WN to release WN into the public domain. The owners decined.
Please, by reading this, do not cofuse the owners of WN with Mariner Inc. They are separate, corporate entities.
http://www.macease.com/writenow-latest_info.html
The site owner is a dedicated WN fan. He has elected Mariner Write as WN's sucessor. And he laments the fact that there is no translator for running WN docs into Mariner. Despte being a Mariner user, he still uses WN a lot and has developed an enhanement suit for the app that seems rather interesting and worthwhile. An auto-save feature caught my attention. His creation leaves a wide margin between his efforts and copyright law; he is NOT distributing any of the original application. His site includes upgrade downloads for taking WN V. 4 to 4.01 and 4.02. But of course, you have to own the app to do it.
In addition, there are some observations and possible solutions about instablity issues with OS versions after 8.1. YMMV. 8.1 seems a highwater mark, no problem zone.
I wrote the following letter to Mariner through their web site connection:
PLEASE make a translator for the Write Now word processor, and I will be your obedient slave and fanatical fan for life. By a considerable margin, your WP is the MOST suitable candidate for succeeding what is arguably the most economic and elegant WP ever produced — Write Now. There may be more of us old Macsters out there waiting than you realize. Old applications have come and gone, but even today — years after this application was abandoned by its owners and murdered in the backstreets of cyberspace — a new web site has emerged and stimulated interest. Not only that, but the site owner has developed an enhancement feature for the app that stays clear of copyright infringement. (Although abandoned, the current owners do NOT want the app put into the public domain — even in its obsolete form! Ahem ... I wonder why?)
Congratulations on your achievements. It is a brave thing to buck the giants, but I trust that your clients are happy and loyal. But, please consider the huge resevoir of WN archives that could be integrated into your invention. It may not seem like the best economics in a company meeting — unless you consider the cache deriving from the public acclamation that you ARE the successor by default to a Mac legend.
This letter may seem like hyperbole to you, the Mariners. But think of all the writers who have spent thousands and thousands of hours trying to make themselves fit to the machine that is a certain software — and failing. Imagine the same writers remembering moments of smooth sailing — of effortless and seamless connection with what they were writing and the sotware they were using — a lucid and clean interface lke a fresh sheet of clean white paper or a stretch of clear water. And then try to say that I am out of bounds.
We are legion. And we are hoping ... waiting. It is about our vocations and professions — writing! Best of luck to all of you at Mariner.
Yours truly,
XXXXX XXXX in Sendai Japan
BTW, this man tried to convince the owners of WN to release WN into the public domain. The owners decined.
Please, by reading this, do not cofuse the owners of WN with Mariner Inc. They are separate, corporate entities.
YMMV may vary, of course, but I found the WriteNow Enhancer to add little to WriteNow that I had not learnt to do from the keyboard in 15-odd (then) years. I rarely experienced software conflicts in my 68K and Old World Macs, through a combination of upkeep and sparing addition of 'foreign' software, so I was not happy to find WNE tripping WN over, frequently enough to get me to erase it from my system (OS 9.0.4 at the time).
There is a striking enough resemblance between the GUIs of WriteNow and Mariner Write to make one think that here is what WriteNow might have become, had it been permitted to live.
de
There is a striking enough resemblance between the GUIs of WriteNow and Mariner Write to make one think that here is what WriteNow might have become, had it been permitted to live.
de
Thanks for the insight. The same thing occured to me. But at least he is on the right side.
I won't have any issues because am going to make the 3400 a dedicated word processor with a bare system (possibley 8.1, if not I'll stay with 8.6) WN, Word and maybe Mariner which I have yet to purchase. I may use my PB-150 instead. I have the soldering pencil heating and the PB in pieces on the floor as I write.
I won't have any issues because am going to make the 3400 a dedicated word processor with a bare system (possibley 8.1, if not I'll stay with 8.6) WN, Word and maybe Mariner which I have yet to purchase. I may use my PB-150 instead. I have the soldering pencil heating and the PB in pieces on the floor as I write.
BasicBlack
BasicBlack! Intriguing ... or is it the same thing as I am guessing. I do not know this App or Extension. Please describe it. Cheers — Thol.
That would be SoftFPUI also used to use a utility that allowed an FPU to be emulated on Macs that didn't have an FPU /
That's my pick !SoundMaster!!! I'm surprised nobody's mentioned that one yet !
Which leads me to .... > "What's Your StartUp Sound ?"
:b&w:
ummm for me that would be Parallels 3, Growl and iCalViewer. and MenuMeters. and Synergy. and Adium.
BasicBlack is a nifty little screen saver.
BasicBlack! Intriguing ... or is it the same thing as I am guessing. I do not know this App or Extension. Please describe it. Cheers — Thol.
After Dark
InformINIT
Well I have to say...ok, I **want** to say---what is there to be gained by taking a single document through what appears to be a four-stage process, just to publish it? The effort seems wasted to me.
For professional documents---and a Thesis is certainly a Professional Document---there are powerful 68k applications like FrameMaker that permit the work to be done once, up-front, and then simply written. In fact, one might blame applications like FrameMaker, or the post-processing app PageMager, for the bloating up of apps like Word and Word Perfect into the monsters they became. FYI, Apple wrote it's technical manuals from 1985 using MS-Word on a Macintosh (with a brief intrusion of the Lisa in an attempt to make that White Elephant useful).
FrameMaker is certainly overkill for term papers, letters, &c, but it (or a program like it) is a logical choice for a document with footnotes, and index, a bibliography, figures, tables, and illustrations, &c. The amount of labour that went into using a simple WP for a task for which it was not designed and ill-suited is curious.
Moreover, I'm not exactly sure why all these steps were needed. Is the beloved WP not WYSIWYG? Were the other steps needed to add all the essential elements, like the footnotes, the index, &c?
The Mac ruled---some would say created---the desktop publishing world in the 1980s and 1990, until the advent of OS/X. It seems to me slightly absurd to go through such contortions to produce a desktop document on the best desktop document production machine ever built.
For professional documents---and a Thesis is certainly a Professional Document---there are powerful 68k applications like FrameMaker that permit the work to be done once, up-front, and then simply written. In fact, one might blame applications like FrameMaker, or the post-processing app PageMager, for the bloating up of apps like Word and Word Perfect into the monsters they became. FYI, Apple wrote it's technical manuals from 1985 using MS-Word on a Macintosh (with a brief intrusion of the Lisa in an attempt to make that White Elephant useful).
FrameMaker is certainly overkill for term papers, letters, &c, but it (or a program like it) is a logical choice for a document with footnotes, and index, a bibliography, figures, tables, and illustrations, &c. The amount of labour that went into using a simple WP for a task for which it was not designed and ill-suited is curious.
Moreover, I'm not exactly sure why all these steps were needed. Is the beloved WP not WYSIWYG? Were the other steps needed to add all the essential elements, like the footnotes, the index, &c?
The Mac ruled---some would say created---the desktop publishing world in the 1980s and 1990, until the advent of OS/X. It seems to me slightly absurd to go through such contortions to produce a desktop document on the best desktop document production machine ever built.
SpeedDoubler and RAM Doubler.
Deck II - realtime multichannel audio mixing with effects on 68k/PPC at a tiny fraction of the cost of ProTools, and without having to purchase Digidesign's overpriced (or indeed any) audio cards.
Deck II - realtime multichannel audio mixing with effects on 68k/PPC at a tiny fraction of the cost of ProTools, and without having to purchase Digidesign's overpriced (or indeed any) audio cards.
HyperCard above all.
Other favourites include: DOCMaker, TypeStyler, Claris Emailer, MacLinkPlus, WordPerfect, WriteNow, the ever useful ResEdit, TomeViewer, InformINIT and GURU (GUide to Ram Updates), FileBuddy, the FWB Utilities, and -- why not? -- TattleTech.
(I surely left out something, but oh well)
Cheers
Rick
Other favourites include: DOCMaker, TypeStyler, Claris Emailer, MacLinkPlus, WordPerfect, WriteNow, the ever useful ResEdit, TomeViewer, InformINIT and GURU (GUide to Ram Updates), FileBuddy, the FWB Utilities, and -- why not? -- TattleTech.
(I surely left out something, but oh well)
Cheers
Rick
Including ToolServer.
I wrote a "telnetd" that used MacTCP, did formal user authentication and exchanged stdin, stdout and stderr with ToolServer.
On a vintage mac I never want to miss this:
PopChar, great enhancement to the use of any keyboard (still available for OS X)
Copy-Paste, the way a clipboard should be organised (also still available, but the current approach is not as convincing as the original was - CopyPaste X is overkill, in my opinion)
-
Something pretty funny was the extension PowerOrgasm (sound stolen from "Harry and Sally"). On a running PowerBook, just plug in the power connector …
PopChar, great enhancement to the use of any keyboard (still available for OS X)
Copy-Paste, the way a clipboard should be organised (also still available, but the current approach is not as convincing as the original was - CopyPaste X is overkill, in my opinion)
-
Something pretty funny was the extension PowerOrgasm (sound stolen from "Harry and Sally"). On a running PowerBook, just plug in the power connector …
1. Word 5.1a.
2. Perl
4. MacScheme
5. The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy.
6. Anything else written by Infocom.
--David
2. Perl
4. MacScheme
5. The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy.
6. Anything else written by Infocom.
--David
Snitch, IPNetTuner, Joliet Volume Access, Solitaire Till Dawn (so much so, I actually paid for them all...at least once...).
DiskWarrior, in all incarnations from 2.1.1 to 3.0.3 (so far), for disk directory management and rescue.
Silverlining, 5.8.3, 6.2.1, 6.3.1, 6.4.5, 6.5.4, 6.5.8; good for Systems 6.0.8 to 10.4.11 (with Classic OS 9) for drive management.
SuperDuper! 2.5, for incremental backups and cloning system installations.
Parenting Macs is more about husbandry than favouritism.
de
Silverlining, 5.8.3, 6.2.1, 6.3.1, 6.4.5, 6.5.4, 6.5.8; good for Systems 6.0.8 to 10.4.11 (with Classic OS 9) for drive management.
SuperDuper! 2.5, for incremental backups and cloning system installations.
Parenting Macs is more about husbandry than favouritism.
de
Liteswitch http://main.system7today.com/software/liteswitch.html It is command tab for classic Macs. Really handy on a PowerBook.
I think the one thing I look at most besides Safari and the Finder is a widget called iStat Pro.
It's the first place I check when my machine starts acting strangely.
It's the first place I check when my machine starts acting strangely.