91.05 apple bug

PORT SOHNE GUIS May 1991 Edition Volume 10/Number 5 oe eS ee ee . a THE Bt i oe aa VSER GhOUF Apple-Q!I | This Meeting General meeting: Demonstration: Committee meeting: Sunday May 19th 11.00am - 4.30pm. 12.00am start. 3.00pm start. Demonstration A demonstration by Robert Allen of some AppleWorks business applications and a demonstration of InWords for the Apple //. ne. Diary Sunday June 16th General meeting: 11.00am - 4.30pm. Demonstratio! 12.00am start. Committee meeting: 3.90pm start. | Next Meeting June 16th A demonstration by Computer City of the Macintosh LC and the New Apple IIe card available for it. | Notes... I Things to come... The Committee tries to set up demonstrations and other events like the auction to cover the many and varied tastes of our members. We are always on the lookout for anyone who might like to help in this area to either run a demo or suggest ideas for future demonstrations or events. It really does not take great computer skills and knowledge to present a demonstration, just a basic knowledge of the topic being presented. It could be a demonstration of software, for example an art program or music program, or on hardware like a scanner or a video card. If you would like to present a Demonsiration or like to see one, let us know. Feedback from club Just A Friendly Reminder. Some months ago, Apple-Q Inc. wrote away to various dealers and groups who receive a free copy of our newsletter, requesting that they inform us should they still like to receive our newsletter, and what benefits, if any, they can provide to the club and it's members. For example some dealers like Computer City provide our club members with a 10% discount and some user groups provide us with a copy of their newsletter. If your group or dealership received such a letter would you please send us a reply by no later than July. Should we not receive any reply we will have to assume that you no longer require a copy of our newsletter each month. Thank you. members aids us in planning future meetings. Some Demonstrations / events Planned for 1991 Ultra Macros and Apple Works The Macintosh LC Music and the Apple Scanners and OCR for the Apple IT Auctions. Annual General Meeting. Apple-Q Birthday Party. Trading Table Apple-Q Inc. has for sale to members blank disks & other items that we buy in bulk in order to save youmoney & generate funds for the club. For example: Disks in boxes of 10 5.25 blank disks $8.00 3.5 blank disks $14.00 Note: Prices are subject to change without notice, but are correct at the time of printing. $3.00 per disk. Public Domain Software Apple-Q Inc. has a wide selection of Public Domain, Shareware and Demonstration software available to members. We charge a copying fee so the group can obtain more software to expand the library. The copying fee for 5.25 inch disks is 50 cents a side with a minimum charge of $2.00. For the 3.5 inch disks, the fee is Each month we also try to put out a "Disk of the Month" selection of Public Domain software. On the inside back page you will find a software order form. This form can be filled out if you wish to order by mail or you can order and pick it up at the meeting. For mail orders, remember to add $2.00 for postage and packaging. Executive Committee Meeting Format 11.00 am - 12.00 pm - Informal period Trading table open. Registration of members (new and renewals). Disk of the Month sales. Raffle Tickets sold. Public Domain Software available. 11.45 pm Informal question and answer time 12.00 pm - 1.00 pm - Demonstration Invited speaker to give a demonstration. followed by a question and answer session relating to the demonstration. 1.00 pm - 1.30 pm -Lunch,General Computer Lunch and Draw raffle prize and door prize. Start of general computer time once the Guest speaker has finished and continues through SIGs. 1.30 pm - 3.00 pm - Special Interest Groups AppleWorks, New Users (Beginners), Apple //GS Computers, Macintosh Computers Trading Table, Software Library open for business. 3.00 pm- Start Committee Meeting SIGS, Trading Table, Libraries etc. close. General computer time continues. Committee meeting starts. Members welcome. 4.30 pm - Open Day ends. End of the General and Committee meetings. Meeting Venu Ann White President (07) 371-4067 John Finch Vice-President (07) 260-5218 Bob Godbehere Secretary (07) 808-3892 Bob Godbehere Treasurer (07) 808-3892 Graham Black _ Registrar (07) 883-1525 Kelvin Saggers Editor Modem / Mail Jeff Sellers Software Librarian (07) 359-1339 Tan Millar Hardcopy Librarian (07) 343-4261 Assisting Vince Crosdale Immediate Past Pres (07) 351-3090 Dale Rodgie Misc / Disk of Month (075) 91-2819 Graham Wobcke Assisting Software Librarian Bulletin Board Apple-Q Inc. BBS (07) 851-1711 [24 hrs - Bulletin Board] (07) 351-3090 [7-9 pm - Voice} 300, 1200/75, 1200 & 2400 Name: Telephone: Baud Rates: (CCITT & Bell) Data Specs: 8 Data bits, 1 Stop bit, No Parity, Full Duplex Sysops: Vince Crosdale, Graham Black Production Information Hooper Education Centre Kuran Street, Wavell Heights. Vistors Welcome. Membership Fees The Apple-Bug was written with AppleWorks. AppleWorks GS was used for the Page Layout and the orginal copy was printed on a LaserWniter. Apple-Bug is printed by the Hooper Education Centre. Thanks to Computer City for the use of the LaserWriter. More Info Adults/Students: $25.00 Corporate Membership: $50.00 Associate Membership: $10.00 (BBS only) Joining Fee: $10.00 (first year only) At the discretion of the Executive Committee * The copying of Commercially produced software is not sanctioned by Apple-Q Inc. and members who do so risk expulsion from the group. « No one is allowed behind the Trading Table counter except the Committee members and anyone appointed to work at the Trading Table. Articles for Apple-Bug If you would like to contribute to Apple-Bug, please send in your article (on disk if possible) to Apple-Q or bring it along to the meeting. Your disk will be returned. ‘The deadline for Apple-Bug is the Open Day meeting. Advertising Classified advertising is Free to all Financial Members. For non-members, the charges are $18.00 for » Half Page and $30.00 for a Full Page. For more information, contact the Editor . 4 Help Line Apple II General Bob Godbehere (07) 808-3892 7-9 pm & W/E Apple IIgs Vince Crosdale (07) 351-3090 7-9 pm Dale Rodgie (075) 91-2819 7-9 pm Graham Black (07) 883-1525 1-6 pm Apple Macintosh John Finch (07) 260-5218 7-9 pm & W/E AppleWorks Sheryl Mann (071) 96-7401 7-9 pm & W/E AppleWorks (education) Ann White (07) 371-4067 7-9 pm & W/E. AppleWorks GS Dale Rodgie (075) 91-2819 7-9 pm Applesoft Graham Black (07) 883-1525 1-6 pm Vince Crosdale (07) 351-309 7-9 pm Beginners Ann White (07) 371-4067 7-9 pm & W/E Graham Black (07) 883-1525 1-6 pm Communications Vince Crosdale (07) 351-3090 7-9pm Kelvin Saggers [07] 800-4660 Modem - Anytime Disk of the Month Jeff Sellers (07) 359-1339 7-9 pm Educational Programs Ann White (07) 371-4067 7-9 pm & W/E John Aspland (07) 368-2420 7-9 pm Geoff Galt (07) 355-5161 School hours Machine Language (Ile, gs) Dale Rodgie (075) 91-2819 7-9 pm Modems Vince Crosdale (07) 351-3090 7-9 pm Kelvin Saggers (07) 800-4660 Modem - Anytime Software Library Jeff Sellers (07) 359-1339 7-9 pm & W/E Dale Rodgie (075) 91-2819 7-9 pm If you are free to aid other members and would like your name added to the list, let us know. Please only call between the times listed. WIE stands for weekend. Apple-Bug Editorial by Kelvin Saggers The April meeting went well, with an excellent demonstration of the new Appie StyleWriter printer by Computer City, many thanks to Peter and George for their time and effort. The printer was connected to a Macintosh for the demonstration, because Apple has, as yet, not released any Apple // drivers for the StyleWriter. It is to be hoped that they are not too far down the track, as a great deal of interest was shown by Apple // users in the StyleWriter. Well I might as well get the red faces department over with.... as those who showed up at the last meeting know, your truly left his Apple //GS at home after lugging in the hard drive, monitor, scanner etc. for the InWords, Quickie demo. Sorry but these things happen, the demo will now take place at the next meeting, as long as this piece of string stays on my finger that is. ‘The April committee meeting saw the reshuffling of a few Positions, namely: Dale Rodgie as the new Apple //GS software Librarian and Disk of the month organizer. Jeff will handle the Apple // side of the Library and Apple // Disks of the month, assisted as always by Graham Wobcke. In order to generate interest in new articles for the newsletter, a prize will handed out each month to the best article contributed to the newsletter by any non committee member of Apple-Q Inc. The winner will be choosen by the committee, each month, at the meeting. If you would like to win a voucher for any of the clubs PD software to the value of $10.00 for yourself, bring along a friend to the next meeting and if they join, the voucher is yours. New members will also receive a voucher for one free public domain software disk of their choice from our extensive library, just our way of saying welcome to Apple- QlInc. Over the next few issues we will publish lists of secondhand books and equipment the club has acquired, or books no longer required in the clubs library etc. You might find something in them of interest, and maybe save some money at the same time. Any funds raised will be used to buy new books, equipment, and software for the club. As in previous years, this issue contains a listing of all Apple-Q Inc. members who have not objected to having their name, phone number, and suburb printed in Apple-Bug. If other members in your area are agreeable you might like to get together and help each other out with any computer related problems you might have. Computer City Revamp... Computer City has undergone a revamp.... Drop ina see for yourself their complete range of Apple Computers and new Apple products like the StyleWriter printer, Computer City is located at 116 Ipswich Road Woolloongabba, Phone 891-6299, and are open Monday through to Friday, and Saturday mornings. May 1991 InWords... New software for the Apple // By Kelvin Saggers InWords, the new Apple // OCR program from WestCode Software, is a program I have been waiting for from some time now. InWords for the Apple //e and Apple //GS, when used in conjunction with the Quickie hand-held scanner (see the Quickie article also in this issue}, allows you to read text, from a page in a book for example, into your computer as normal text, as distinct from a graphic image of a page of text. Overview . . . All Apple // optical hand-held scanners have been able to scan in pages of text before InWords came along, but text stored as a graphic picture (screen) is really a clumsy method of handling text. Sure you could read it, and with most art packages, even type over or erase (as you can any graphic} some of the ‘text’, but you could not manipulate it as you could real text. Also a graphic file takes up a lot more storage/memory space than a normal text file, and for all intents, and purposes it's really not a viable way to read, store and manipulate the typed word. Optical Character Recognition . . . This is where Optical Character Recognition software like InWords comes into the picture. OCR software has been around for some time now, but InWords is the first | know of for the Apple //e, and Apple //GS. OCR software is software that will recognize characters in a graphic image and then convert them into words or text. The way InWords achieves this will be explained in a little more detail later in the article, but basically InWords uses the Vitesse Quickie scanner as it's eyes to scan in an image of the text to be converted, then it processes that image via ‘Font tables’ into characters and words to the best of it's ability. What you need... To use InWords you need an Apple //GS with at least one megabyte of free memory, or Apple //e with at least 512K of memory. To run InWords your Apple //e must also have the 65C02 processor, and MouseText ROMs installed, that is to say you require either a ‘new model’ Apple //e, or an older version with the Apple //e enhancement kit installed. You will also require a Vitesse Quickie or compatible hand-held scanner. Both Apple //e and Apple //GS users will find that an accelerator card will improve InWords operation out of sight, and is highly recommended especially if you own an Apple //e. What you get... InWords is supplied on both a 3.5 and 5.25 disk, and comes with a comprehensive manual that takes you step by step through the installation and usage of the software 5 supplied with the package. The software has no copy protection, which is a big plus as far as I am concerned, and can be installed on your hard drive, what more could you ask for. Using InWords . . . When you first boot InWords, you are prompted for your name, and your company name { | placed my address in the company box}, this information appears on the title screen each time you boot InWords from then onwards. WestCode recommend you make a working copy, and store the original in a secure place. I only wish more software came like this. Once you boot InWords you are presented with the title screen, and hitting the space bar brings up an AppleWorks look-a-like main menu. From here, depending on your choice you can either enter the scan menu, the editor, the font meny, the settings menu, save a file, or quit. My first little complaint is that the menu system does not recognize my GS mouse {maybe something to add to the next version}, so choices can only be made via the keyboard. Scanning Options .. . The Scan menu is the hub of the program, it allows you to choose the type of scan you wish to make, the precision you wish to use, and the fonts you wish try or train. The image of the page of text you wish to scan can be scanned in several ways: first as a standard scan - for reading text, the whole of which is narrower than the scanner head, or as a merge scan - for reading text that is wider than the scanner head and merging the resulting ‘reads’, or as a column scan - for reading text in columns, for example this article. The precision of the text conversion can be adjusted to suit your needs and the text. The higher the precision the closer the match must be before a character will be recognized. The lower the precision the more likelihood of substitution errors. Normally the precision indicator sits about halfway and you would adjust this higher when you wish to ‘train’ a font. Font ‘training’ is the processes of ‘teaching’ InWords to recognize unknown characters. InWords comes with various fonts already trained and these might be suitable for documents other than these they where intended for. For documents that have different fonts or type styles etc. you - will need to tain InWords to ‘read’ them correctly. You can either create a new font file or add to existing font files which are built up as you ‘train’ InWords. Training is a simple process where InWords will stop at characters it does not know and wait for you to ‘tell’ it what it has highlighted on your screen. If you don't have front training turned on, as would be normal, then any characters InWords cannot recognize are shown as a '~’, unless you have altered the default unknown character, in which case whatever character you have defined as the unknown character symbol will be displayed. Font Tables . . . Font tables are the heart of InWords. InWords works by 6 comparing the pixel groups it finds on the graphic image you have scanned into your computer against those in the current font table. So you should be very careful when training fonts to choose only the best formed characters or character groups for your font tables. Again if you have problems you can edit the font tables and delete characters you feel are giving problems and then retrain them. A nice touch here is that you can use the previously scanned image to recheck and or retrain the altered font table and do not need to scan it in again. I don't know if the program has a bug in relation to font tables, or not, or if it is a problem with my set up only, but when training large font tables I have found that they can crash and cannot be edited. I have a Woz edition //GS with 1,25meg of memory and a AE Transwarp accelerator card, and Apple High Speed SCSI card for my hard drive... if anyone else has this problem I would like to know of it as I am sure would WestCode. So at present I limit the size and save the font table at regular intervals. This ‘bug’ does not seem to effect the rest of the program or operation and is easy to work around. The Scan menu also has an option that enables InWords to display all the pixel groups it finds as it checks for characters. This option would slow the process down too much if it was always left on, but it is a good option to have on when you wish to check out a character or group that is being misread by InWords. Even with this option turned off, and the font training option turned on, InWords will still highlight unknown characters in taining mode. You can also append the next scan onto the text already in your editor, for example when you are scanning columns of text in from an article, you might wish to ‘tack’ the next scan onto the last one before you save, or overwrite the text in the editor. The last option but not least option on the Scan menu allows you to change the current font table for another one or anew one. If you have been training a new table you will be asked if you wish to save the current font table before you load in a new one. Nothing can be worse than loosing hours of work because you forgot to save a file before importing another, The Scan... Before you can scan in an image to be converted by InWords you should check that the scanner is set to around 400 dpi {fine print}, the photo switch is on Letter, and the contrast control is set around halfway. You should then choose a scan mode (e.g. column} and scan in the image of the text from the page {or any other source}. After your scan is complete InWords will allow you to preview what you have scanned in, and if you don't like what you see, you can rescan the image (after resetting the contrast for example because the letters where too light or dark}. You can also use the zoom command to give you a reduced or full sized view. See the Quickie article in this issue for more information on the hand-scanner's controls and options - Editor. Once your scan is as good as can be expected, hitting the Apple-Bug enter key will let InWords know that you wish it to start it's recognition mode and to start comparing the pixel groups it finds with those stored in the current font table. If the font training option is ‘off’ InWords will place a '~' at any pixel group position it cannot match. If the font training option is ‘on' InWords will stop and highlight the group of pixels {characters and or groups} it cannot match and prompt you to define it either as a single character or as a group of characters. You can also skip pixel groups that you feel are incomplete etc., if you wish too. Should you get too many unknowns, then you either need to lower the precision, rescan the image, or define a new font table. The Editor... After it has identified all the characters {pixel groups) in your scan, InWords will place you in the editor. From here you can view the text and see how good or bad the ‘read’ was, and edit it if you wish. The font table can also be viewed whilst you are in the editor and you can delete any characters you suspect are causing InWords to incorrectly read a character or group { note - you can also access the font table in training mode}. If you are happy with the result it is best to save it, or you will overwrite the finished text with the next scan or retry, unless you have append turned on. Again the use of a mouse would be a plus in this area, and an additional option {toggle on/off} in the setup menu to prompt that you are about to overwrite unsaved material in the editor would also have been a nice touch. The Editor is a only basic cut down AppleWorks type editor, but it does the job. After all, once you have the text saved as a file you can import it into what ever program you wish to use it with. The save option allows files to be saved as either ASCII standard text with returns after paragraphs only (standard WP}, or as ASCII standard text with a return at the end of each line {lists and the like}, or in AppleWorks word processor format. Only about 20 pages {38K} of text can be placed in the editor at any one time no matter how much memory you have, as any remaining memory is used by the hand-held scanner for it's image. 1 can see the sense in this but it would have been nice to be able to set your own ceiling for the editor via the settings menu, Maybe a thought for version two... Once you quit the editor or scan menu you are placed back into the main menu. Most of the other main menu options have already been covered aside that is from the settings menu. Settings menu... The Settings Menu options in InWords are, in the main, toggle type options that allow you to, define the unknown character symbol, save without prompts, turn off the sound {beeps}, provide default file names, and wait for space on Start up etc. The Settings Menu also allows you to set the maximum point size InWords will consider as a valid character {72 points being approx 25mm high}, this helps InWords to ignore graphics etc. May 1991 = The bottom line .. . I liked the InWords package, it was easy to use, comes with an excellent manual, and you can make back ups of the disks, Aside from the lack of mouse support and the quirk I have with large font files, I was able to use the package with no major problems, and would recommend it to anyone, In future versions I would like to see an option to control the buffer size of the editor, and a means of importing previously scanned images etc. _InWords comes on both 3,5 and 5.25 disks, and I would have liked to see the 3.5 version containing files supporting the //GS user interface more as is the case with the Quickie software, this allows users to gain the most from their machines. To sum up InWords is an excellent package that does the job it is designed for well, and is easy to use and learn to boot. InWords costs around $US80.00 from most US mail order sources. InWords should also be available from your local Apple dealer by the time this article is published, but I have so far been unable to obtain an Australian price for the package. For more information contact : WestCode Software 11835 Carmel Mountain Road, Suite 1304 San Diego, California. 92128 Of Mice and Men... The Demise of the Apple //. By Frank O'Connor This is article was typed in from the March 1991 edition of Ausom - The Apple Users Society of Melbourne Newsletter. -Ed. In the December issue of the newsletter Peter Szabo and Mike Levine bitterly lamented the passing of the Apple // Tange, and castigated Apple roundly for developing the Mac LC. They may have jumped the gun a bit (since the Apple // range is still viable as I write this), but they did have a few Cogent points to make. Most of those Points have been canvassed before. The stock-standard Apple // has been a dead duck for nearly three years, but nobody was game to say it. The Apple //GS on the other hand is an entirely different kettle of fish. In it the Apple // lives, and should continue to live, for many years Yet. Given that the Apple //GS is half the machine its' devotees say it is, I can't see Apple completely, and capriciously abandoning a hardware range which has proved so successful, has such a large established user base, and such a HUGE software platform. Apple would be nuts to drop the Apple //GS off their stocklists because: First, the Apple //GS provides an easy upgrade path for those millions of Apple // users who do not wish to go Mac, at a lot cheaper price than the LC. (With hard disk, colour, and an Apple // card an LC will cost approximately $5,800 - not exactly the most cost efficient upgrade of all time.) Second, the Apple //GS has capabilities still lacking in the Mac world, and suffers very few compatibility problems with the massive software base which is out there in the Apple // world. Third, not to continue with the Apple //GS would be the public relations debacle of all time. . . and encourage a large, and loyal user base to seek other cheaper alternatives (the DOS world etc.) which have traditionally offered compatibility across the whole range despite hardware developments. Fourth, by now Apple must have recouped the developmental costs of the Apple //GS . . . and be in a position whereby they can drop the price (as they did with the Mac Classic), and provide it to the Apple // market as a much more attractive upgrade option. Wither Now the Apple // ? What I expect is that the GS will continue in production, its entry price will drop, and it will be slotted into the Pricing of the Mac range. The low end Apple market will then be occupied by the Classic, and the GS, then the LC, then the SE 30. . . with the Mac // range flowing out from there. That makes marketing sense. If you want bare bones Mac. . . you go for the Classic. If you want Apple //. . . you go for the GS. If you want both. . . you go for the LC. And if you want high end Mac. . . you go SE 30 through the Mac // range. In this scenario the prophets of doom (Pete and Mike) start to look a little shaky. The price of their base unit (the GS) has dropped, it fits well into Apple's product line, and they can look forward to a much larger user base on which to build. Apple scores by increased sales and a public relations coup which ensures that everyone is kept happy. Resale Blues Or is everybody happy? If, as I suspect, Apple is developing a market strategy along these lines then what happens to the installed base of GS users? Overnight the value of their hardware has dropped in the order of a couple of thousand bucks! Relax guys. . . this has been the state of play in the Mac world for nearly seven years. As the user of a Mac SE I just saw the resale value of my machine drop to approximately $2000 when the Classic was introduced. I had the same experience when the Plus was introduced, and I was left holding a 512K ‘Fat Mac’. It's all part of the steady progression in technology. To rail against it is pointless and counterproductive. It's going to happen whether you like it or not. The only thing we can do is let Apple know that a policy of cushioning the shocks for its established clientele base is sorely needed. (And offering loyal clientele half-baked upgrades at exorbitant prices is not the way to do this.) 8 Requiescat in Pace Apple //... The stock-standard Apple // was obsolete the moment the Apple //GS was introduced to its admiring public. It died nearly three years ago, but nobody had the good grace to say the last rites. The reason there is still such a large installed base of users is that Apple's pricing policy (viz-a-viz the GS) encouraged very few to make the transition to its descendant. This was what killed the Apple //. . . not the Mac - which was never intended to, and could never compete in the same market. (And the Mac fraternity is getting very tired of being saddled with the blame!) In the US at the moment Apple are finding that demand for the Mac Classic is outstripping supply. A low cost, low entry machine always hits this Problem’. The same could occur with the Apple //GS. If its price dropped by the same order of magnitude (and Apple would be smart to do that real soon now’) the demand would be astronomical. How many of you Apple // users have only held onto your machines because of the large software libraries, and time, and effort you have invested in your machine? If an Apple // GS was a whole heap cheaper how many would instantly upgrade to it? I'd say that sales of the GS would go through the roof. . . in fact I'd bet a thousand bucks that they'd rapidly exceed Mac Classic sales. The LC: A Foul Canard! To my mind the LC is primarily a Mac upgrade alternative (for nerks like myself who own the now obsolete Plus's and SE's), and an educational option only if the school concerned has both a Mac, and Apple // installed base. If (as I suspect) the price of the Apple //GS drops, then it (and through it the Apple //) will predominate as the major education machine until at least the mid 90's (You can't preempt possible techno-advances too much), and as the machine of choice for those fanatically loyal Apple // users. Both Peter and Mike slated the LC as a bad option for an upgrade. True it uses the 68020 processor, true it has only a 16 bit data bus, and true it only has one direct connect slot (rather than the NuBus option). However, things which are important in the Apple // world are not so much a concern in the Mac environment. The 68020 option has only one real effect on the average Mac user. . . it locks him or her out of the virtual memory option which will be available in System 7. However unless you're doing huge amounts of relational data base work, or involved with super large graphics files, this is a non-issue. Otherwise with the 68020 chip you still get a factor of 2 or 3 increase in performance on the old Plus and SE, for approximately the same price. And a 16 MHz 68020. . . no matter how you look at it. . . is a vast improvement on the 8 MHz 68000. Restricting the system to the 16 bit data bus merely means that 32 bit fetches and puts aren't possible, But I still get close to the original Mac // performance for less than a third the Price. Who's going to complain? (The design decision was taken to reduce costs. LC, low cost. . . get it?). Apple-Bug The expandability question is also a relative non-issue. It comes with 2 Mb of RAM on board, with the ability to accept another 8 Mb as a standard option. That will suffice for me. Mono sound is a bit of a disappointment, but direct sound input makes up for that. The Apple video and colour options (32000 colours!) available seem to offer everything | always wanted on the SE. Market studies indicate that very few Mac users used the expansion slots in their machines anyway. The direct connect slot in the LC is a recognition of this, and to my mind a lot more desirable option than NuBus. It is faster and offers more possibility of 3rd party hardware options which don't have to conform to the esoteric NuBus standards.) Bottom line : I'll be buying one. . . because it's relatively cheap, a quantum leap in performance and I can port my Mac software across with relative ease. Of Mice and Men... A Reply By Michael Levine and Peter Szabo Frank O'Connor kindly allowed Peter and myself to view his copy prior to publication. A few points are required. 1, It may be presumed from Frank statement "Given the Apple //GS is half the machine its devotees say" that he like many (most?) Mac users have never seen a properly configured Apple //GS in use. I would not believe the same is true in reverse. I have the advantage of not only using an Apple //GS with full configuration, but also using an Apple Mac, and a Compaq PC everyday at work. 2. The cost of the unexpandable LC is in my opinion far too high, but the cost of the Apple //GS as Frank points out has always been, and continues to be outrageously high. However it STILL comes in under the LC with more options available. 3. The only reason for the lack of Apple //GS sales is Apple Corp. Had the Apple //GS been promoted half reasonably it would have dominated the market. As Frank points out it still can, should Apple ever decide '= substantially reduce its price. Now that HyperCard is available for the Apple //GS as a almost direct port from the Apple Mac, who knows? 4. Any suggestion that capital loss is a consideration in my complaints is totally misdirected. 1 regard this my 4th computer since my APF Imagination Colour 16K machine as all others-a total loss of capital after the box was opened. 5. Apple Mac users are different from Apple // users as Frank points out, Apple // users use their expansion slots and Apple Mac users do not. That is one of the main reasons why Apple // owners will become clone IBM owners rather than Mac owners (cost is another), 6. The Apple Macintosh LC will not replace the Apple // series for Apple // users. It may however attract new computer users. In many respects I agree with Frank's other comments. I would just quote from A2-Central V6 #12 “National Geographic's interactive (CD) . . . was Presented side by side (Mac and GS) as equals . . . showing comparative 9 May 1991 strengths and weaknesses . . . (however) a demonstration by the Apple Mac team actually used the superior sound of the Apple //GS to generate effects that the Apple Mac couldn't manage. Demonstrating synergy of two product lines can sell more of both types of computer . . . the Long Beach Apple Fest demonstrates that an Apple Mac presence does not have to be oppressive. It can even be enlightening . . . for both sides". The problem for most prospective Apple customers, dealers, and Apple Macintosh users is their lack of knowledge of the Apple //GS. I quote again from A2-Central round table conference on Apple Fest "the Mac people that have drifted over here. . . have been heard to comment how amazed they are to see what can be done with an Apple //GS! Comments have been heard from Macintosh users that Hypercard //GS looks even better than their version . . . people drifting over from the Macintosh side of the conference were amazed to see what this product could do. "This is on an Apple //?" someone remarked. They were almost sure there was a Mac inside the case. This is one of the big problems about the Apple //GS. Many people think of it as a machine that makes 8-bit software look real nice; not realizing it has some pretty powerful capabilities in its 16 bit native mode. It seems that a lot of Apple Mac users don't have their noses so high in the air any more after seeing some of the real capabilities of the Apple //GS. Lets face it, seeing a Apple //GS at the local Apple dealer that is turned off, or has a DOUBLE HIRES program running on it doesn't impress anybody. Here's to a better understanding by users of Mac's & GS's of the other's gear-and point of view. - Michael Levine Thave had the opportunity of reading the judgement of my learned friend Levine. I concur, and have nothing further to add. - Peter Szabo Disks of the Month by Dale Rodgie See Jeff or myself at the Software Library at the next meeting or order by mail. Order form appears on the inside back cover of this issue. The prices are as follows: Disk Type | _No disk With disk 5.25 inch $4.00 $5.00 3.5 inch $5.00 $8.00 ProDOS Utility Disk 4 Basic Text Editor - Originally written in Dos 3.3, this program has now been converted to ProDOS. It is a simple text editor with no word wrap but it's Freeware. DDDeluxe v5.0 - Here is the latest version of this great compacting program. ProDOS utilities are also included. Find Command - This external command for Basic.System. It will search the current directory or even the entire disk for a specified filename. Info Command - INFO is a Basic.System external command which allows the user to retrieve the filetype, auxtype, size in blocks, and access (lock) byte, and displaying it to screen. PhotoMatrix v1.01 - PhotoMatrix scans through a specified directory on a disk, printing all of the Apple II Hi Res (HGR) and Double Hi Res (DHR) pictures it finds to an Image Writer printer. It will work on any Apple II! ShrinkIt v3.2.2 - Shrinklt is the best file and disk compacting utility available and we now have the latest version. GS/OS Utility Disk 9 Custom GS/OS v2.2 - Custom GS/OS is a program that lets you customize the startup screen that appears when you boot GS/OS. As supplied by Apple, 5.0.2 (and higher) contains a file in the SYSTEM directory with the name START.GS.OS. In this file, among other things, are two small pictures or icons that are displayed when your IIgs is booted. One is a picture of a computer other contains the text string "Welcome to the IIgs". This program lets you replace those two pictures with icons of your own choosing. Finder Patcher v2.0 - With Finder Patcher you can change the Quit option to any one of the three choices that the Finder gives you - put folders on the desktop and leave them there just like you put any other file on the desktop and the "Close All" option from the Files menu can be changed so that it will have an Open Apple keypress equivalent. These are just some on the many patches you can use to improve the GS Finder. Icon Applicator - The Finder has the ability to launch an application and a document by double-clicking on the document. For this to work, the icon for that document must have the name and path of the application. Icon Applicator makes it easy to modify the application name and path. MenuTime v3.31 - MenuTime is a NDA that automatically puts a clock in the far right of the menu bar of any desktop based program that supports desk accessories. It can be set to work on both 640 and 320 modes. You can also select whether you want seconds and year displayed. ShrinkIt IIgs v1.0.4 - This is the latest version of this excellent program. ShrinkIt compacts files for transmission via modem or for storage. It can also unpack many of the popular compacted file formats for the Apple II, the Macintosh, and Ibm etc. Spy Edit v2.0 - Spy Edit is a disk block editor for the GS. Features include the ability to follow the file, Dump blocks to the Printer and Dump/EdiyInitialize the battery RAM. TransProg v1.0 - With TransProg you can make a link between applications (GS/OS or ProDOS 8) and keyboard keys. The simple press of one of those keys at boot time, during thermometer display, launches the linked application. Twilight v1.0 - Twilight is a screen saver contained in a control panel device for the graphic control panel new to System Disk 5.0.You will especially like the SCULLey screen blanker. 10 Apple-Bug Apple-Q Inc. Survey ao that meetings should be held in the: if Afternoons [ Evenings [ [ Personal Details As it stands now Start [ ] finish [ ] Age [......] Male[ ] Female} 1 we think the meeting format should: Stay as it is at present { ] T have been a Member of Apple-Q for [ ] years. Change to another format [] My membership is for : Please specify what changes, if any, you would One person { ] i '¢ _ K family of [-ssce] members. [ ] like to see in the format: Ld laepean .renreeonn. arene. aREFTEeree 1 [oo] bee leesgaeersssrmsgennimsngenreemnnareeccros ] My Occupation is [.. ] Is your Work [ ] Study [ J] Computer related and if so how: I / we feel that the Guest Speakers and Demonstrations should be: More frequent I J Less frequent { ] [eessee MEAN OTAN ST ST ERIN CCRC CRATE TE EITC RTT NTS J Longer in duration {J Shorter in duration { J Liveseensssnsvensassveevasaneeveressinererestaneenveesens ] Started at } and finish at [ ] [ ] I use my Apple computer for: Ouhee: [eseevesssssnssecersemsesseosseeerernies }¢ ) Business C1] ye we would like to see the following Games aan {] demonstrations / Guest Speakers: Communications [ ] Club / group records { [ vepenneoeens VIS ES ] Family records | CET Dees sia . Fatucatn CJ leessevssanvexsesssareeeyss ccansesarerrepernvees eee J Graphics [| Cettteetesettereeerees: cope : , Special Interest Groups Other [. Ci 1 / we feel that Special Interest Groups need to: Meeting Details Have more groups created { Have less groups created [ ] Be longer in duration { ] 1/ we attend meetings: Be shorter in duration [ J Be started at [ ] and finish at [ ] {1 Every meeting DL WOME fiseccsssciveveneessvonsssonseeessvsnvesenee lt) Most months { ] 7 to8 times a year { ] I would be interested in and attend the following 5to 6 times a year { ] SIGs on Open Days: 3 to 4 times a year [ ] 1 or 2 times a year { 1] Programming [ ] Never C1 Basicf ] Pascal{ J Other [....ssceseeseeee ] If you would like to attend more often, what AppleWorks [ } would need to change: ProDOS 8 Version [ ] Apple IGS Version {] Word processing [ ] Data Bases tJ Geer Tere eee rere 1] SpreadShees [ ] Page Layout { J [ , OINET [sressscccerresssseaessscseeeerssesnceneens Jt] Educational Programs [ ] May 1991 = VW Games {1 1 / we would like to supply articles / information Apple Ile/c/+ [ ] Apple IGS [ 1] on {please specify}: AppleMac = [J Adventure [J Arcade [ ] Other [.......006. 5 Ge CPPS SSE TIS SESSTOSESOSOSSSSOSOSSOSSSOSOOSSSOSOOS‘SN ] New Users [ ] [sveeeeressene eee eeeeeeereeereeeeteeere res } Apple lle/c/+ [J Apple IIGS | AppleMac [J Other [oreseeveees a) Club Services General { ] 3 r A Apple lle/c/+ [ ] Apple IGS t] 1/ we think the Apple-Q Inc. Software Library is : AppleMac [J Other [....seec0 }[ ] Excellent [J Good { ] Bad [ ] Never use it. [ Other SIGs {Please specify below} I would use the Software Library more often if {please specify}: 1 would be interested to convene / help organize the following SIGs: [ sexereeesnnaseieinerenaeireereir a enceneeeseenreasees ] [Goisimsesviverivenensewvenseonnssereceerreneerite ] Apple Bug I/we think the Apple Bug Newsletter FORMAT is : Excellent [J Good Ld OK { ] Bad [J Needs changing {please specify}: easier: ] [weutsvarvecpevernvaeriexiesersseonarsearereronieeresvey ] I would be prepared to be listed in Apple Bug Help Line to aid people with the following: I would like to see MORE Apple Bug articles on : The Apple II+ [ ] The Apple ITe [ ] The Apple Ile { ] The ApplelIGS [ ] The AppleMac [ ] Game Reviews [ ] Program Reviews [ ] News/updates [ ] Hardware Reviews [ ] Hints and Tips { ] Meetings/Info [ ] Programming { J PD Reviews [ ] Book Reviews [ ] 1/ we think Apple Bug needs articles on : I/we think the Apple-Q Inc. Hardcopy Library is : Excellent [ ] Good Bad ] Never use it. [ ] Needs changing {please specify}: fiesortivinernesercesnssenneersesnmaemnnNeerveertte ] [asosenssnanaeemencussensurnconnenaunennssiassene coseseune } I / we use the Apple-Q Inc. Bulletin Board : Often [] Once a month {] Less I callamonth [ ] Never { ] No Modem { ] and call other BBS's[ ] I would use the BBS more often if {please specify }: I / we think the Apple-Q Inc. Bulletin Board is : Excellent { ] Good [J OK [ ] Bad [ ] Needs changing {please specify}: Be a a Deke eee ee ] [ressiasimsnasanensniresssinseussnaniomnnsanenenssenices wee: ] I / we think the Apple-Q Inc. Trading Table is : Excellent [ ] Good [ Bad [ ] Never use it. { ] I would use the Trading Table more often if (please specify}: [yaererniiernnennmneevronsTs ] 12 I / we think the Apple-Q Inc. Trading Table needs {please tick any that apply} : Lower prices [ ] More hardware {[ ] More Books [ ] More software [ ] Two ranges of disks e.g. double and quad density. [ ] The following changes {please specify}: General My / Our main computer is an [...... and has : OnboardRAM [. Additional RAM [.. MonoMonitor [ ] RGB Monitor [ ] ++] base unit e.g. Apple Ie 128K oe] (Brand [scvewssscovcesceet ‘i CompositeColour [ ] Television as Monitor [ ] Monitor Brand Number of 5.25 Drives [ Number of 3.5 Drives [ ] Hard drive size [........ ] Intemal Hard Drive [J Hard drive Brand) (sessccsversvvesevwscevercesveveavenee ] Printer (No. of pins) [ Printer width fe | Printer Brand = [. Modem Baud rates[ . Internal modem Modem Brand = [ Accelerator Card Accelerator Brand [ Other Cards e.g. Apple Super Serial , Sound cards etc. [ Apple-Bug I / we also own other computer systems { If you wish to please list them below }: I / we feel we might change computers in the near future to an ] because : Uneseenesescvaveruescsesrerrerny reece dessueeenyerenss ] I / we would also like to add the following comments re Apple-Q Inc. : [iccececseseeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeseeeeesaeeeeeeeeeeeueneees ] Levene een ] (- >) Please Note The information contained on this form is to aid us in planning future meetings, demos, and newsletters. Please fill in all the items you can, but if some offend, please feel free to leave them blank rather than not send in no form at all. Thank You for your time and effort. The Apple-Q Inc. survey form has been reprinted in this issue in the hope that those who have lost the previous form might take time to fill in the survey and return it, - Ed. v Apple-Q Inc. Membership Listing for 1991. By Kelvin Saggers The following listing of Apple-Q Inc. members excludes dealers, User Groups,members without phone numbers listed in our records, and members who have asked not to be placed on this list. Please treat other members phone numbers and time as you would your own, for example phone at reasonable hours and respect the privacy of others. Should any member wish not to have their phone number listed next year, or if your name was not listed this year and you would like to be in next Mays Apple-Bug, please let the club's registrar (Graham Black} know. Name P.Code_Phone Number Name P.Code_Phone Number, DUNNETT David 2372 67-36-2229 GIDDENS Leonard 4011 07--262-4205 ROBERTS Lee & Claire 2477 ~—066--87-4162. SCANLAN Michael 4012 ——(07--266-4779 LEWIS Jerome 2480 © 066--24-3920 QUINN Margaret 4012 07--266-4913 HART Paul 2482 066~72-1973 TRUSCOTT Tony 4012 07--266-4795 MINASSIAN George 2485) 075-36-6977 FINCH John 4012 07--260-5218 McGRORY Kevin 2485 075-36-7993 LLOYD Philip 4014 07--267-7330 MORGAN Ralph 2486 075--36-9352 BROMHEAD John 4014 07--266-8497 TREADWELL — Robert 2486 = 75-54-1783 VILNIS John 4017 07--269-8414 LOADER Jenny 2486 = 075~-54-1325 McSWEENEY Shane 4019 07--284-1723 EVANS Russell 2487 = 66-74-2138 CAMILLER Bruce 4019 07--284-3007 ROSS Christopher 2608 —06--231-0453 BLACK Graham 4020 07--883-1525 WALDOCK Mathew 4010 = 07--350-1771 STRINGER Tim 4030 == 07--857-4424 May 1991 —= 13 Name P,Code_ Phone Number Name. P.Code_ Phone Number LOCKYER David 4032 07--359-1638 SMITH Helen 4121 07--892-5337 LOCKYER Michael 4032 07--359-1368 LOBODIN Nickolace 4121 07--349-3246 SELLERS Joofirey 4032 07--359-1339 MILLAR jan 4122 (07--343-4261 PIPER Mark 4034 07--285-5823 FITZPATRICK = Stan 4122 07--349-3881 SOLLY Paul 4034 07--263-6828 MacDONNELL = Brian 4122 07--349-5702 MacLEAN Roderick 4034 07--262-4205 GODBEHERE — Rotert 4127 01--808-3892 HOUSTON Andrew 4034 07--359-6458 WHITTAKER — Norma 4127 07--208-4025 COADE Peter 4034 07--265-6425 MILLAR Stanley 4129 07--801-1091 HUME. Michaci 4035 07--264-3729 JONES: Kevin 4151 07--397-9576. GORTA Peter 4035 07--264-2723 ARCHOS Keith 4152 07--395-1209 GALT Geoffery 4051 07--356-5226 CONSTANTIN — Louis 4152 07--395-2857 BAKER David 4053 07--857-4067 WOBCKE Graham 4152 07--398-3676 FORTESCUE Jeffrey 4053 07--355-4431 KEYNES Nathan 4152 07--395-5501 MacFARLANE = Shane 4053 07--359-5607 LEHMANN Dr.Raincr 4153 07--390-4323 DONALDSON Ryan 4053 07--353-2296 BURGESS. Robert 4157 07--390-2215 KIRCHER Gerd 4055 07--351-5113 STEPHAN Lyle 4157 07--390-2780 CROSDALE Vince 4055 07--351-3090 LYNDON Robert 4160 07--207-2706 LONGHURST — Andrew 4061 07--330-3320 DUGGAN Bruce 4161 07--824-4632 SEET Nicholas 4061 (07--300-3162 BRITTAIN Tony 4165 07--206-8232 Lows Stephen 4061 07--300-3079 KATEIFIDES Peter 4165 07--206-6247 EICHMANN: Brett 4061 07--300-1261 ALTOFF Joe 4170 07--395-6719 BASHFORD Peter 4064 ——07--369-8701 MATHER: Anthony 4178 =~ 07--368-2420 GALEAZZI Celso 4066 07--371-8054 DAY Steve 4207 07--807-2076 PHILLIPS Bill 4066 —07--870-9766 MacDONALD Peter 4210 075-53-3668 BRUCE Andrew 4068 —_07--870-0070 CRAIG Robin 4211 075~-96-4954 SCHOONENS = Cas 4068 07--870-4824 HAMILTON Tan 4211 075-33-2216 WHITE Ann 4068 = -07--371-4067 GRAY John 4214 075-946-555 ARCHIBALD Scott 4069 07--378-9167 MILLER Hn 4216 07---57-3094 COBHAM Geofirey 4069 = 07--378-8217 RODGIE Dale 4217 07591-2819 BLACKETT Len 4069 07--378-3963 JOSEPH Michacl 4218 01591-7797 RABAA Peter 4069 G7--378-2104 KEVI Michael 4221 075-34-5419 BROWN Gordon 4070 07--202-6773 GOELLNER —_John 4226 075~93-1539 RICH Roy 4070 = 07--202-6135 COWAN Barbara 4280 07--802-1910 PULMAN James 4074 07--376-1213 MENSFORTH — Kimble 4304 07--202-4221 SANDERS Philip 4074 (07--376-8900 WILSON Steven 4304 07--282-6868 ALLAN Robert 4074 07--376-4069 JEFFREY Graeme 4305 07--288-9735 JONES Tan 4074 (07--376-4729 BUCHANAN Phil 4306 07--294-6842 LOWE Bemie 4075 07--372-3400 LYONS Cheryl 4310 — 075-63-5891 DONNELLY Austen 4075 07--892-4848 SHARPE Greg 4343 07562-2058 YOUNG John 4077 07--372-1548 RIETHMULLER Kevin 4350 07632-3552 COBBING Kerry 4077 —07--372-6326 TURNER Hilary 4401 076--91-2746 O'SULLIVAN Dermott 4101 07--844-9360 HUNTER Lorine 4500 —07--264-3640 CONRICK Mrs.Moya 4101 O7--844-7912 JOHNSON Boman} 4500 007-881-0212 ROBINSON Robbic 4102 07--391-5774 SHAW James 4510 074--95-3457 LITTMANN Mervyn 4103 07--892-5756 LAVER David 4510 071-95-1052 LAW Kay 4103 07--359-9454 ASPLAND John 4510 07--368-2420 KING Shannon 4105 07--848-9713 MANN Sheryl 4510 — 074--96-7401 McCOTTER John 4109 07--349-1986 BUTLER Roger 4520 07--289-1966 MELLICK Oli 4109 07--349-0703 WEBSTER Cedric 4856 071--45-2147 SMITH Ken 4109 (07--345-1995 BONE Geoffrey 4567 074--47-3560 BENSON Bemie 4109 07--345-1545 SHEPHERD Peter 4570 —-07---84-6305 PETTIGREW David 4116 07--273-2140 KREBS Bradley 4670 = O71--52-4165 GRAY Marion 4118 07--800-7996 KIDD Trevor 4701 079--34-8274 SAGGERS Kelvin 4118 07--800-4660 *1 MANLEY Lisa 4740 079--57-6442 PEARCE David 4119 OT--803-5144 GILLARD Brian 4741 079--58-5270 BOWRING Anthony 4120 07--397-7785 BYRNES John 4810 = 077-73-1330 DUTTON Brett 4120 07--397-8087 ROWCLIFFE — Arthur 6056 —09--296-4568 BARNES Robin 4121 07--349-5968 Micro-Educational exists no more: the company now Phone —- (049) 26-4122 trades under the name of Direct Access, and can be Mail - PO Box 160 q contacted on: - The Junction. NSW. 2291. — 14 The Quickie... A Hand-Held Image Scanner for the Apple //... By Kelvin Saggers The Quickie hand-held image scanner from Vitesse, allows you to digitize flat graphic images into your Apple // computer, where you can then edit them, and save them in various standard Apple // graphic formats, The images can be anything from text (see the InWords Article in this issue) to photographs, diagrams, and line art etc. Quickie comes complete with a card that plugs into any expansion slot, the hand-held scanner, complete with cable, a good manual, and the Quickie software. The software come in two formats: ProDOS based software for the Apple //GS, He, I/+, Laser 128, and GS/OS based software for the Apple HGS. Apple //GS users also have the option of installing a Quickie New Desk Accessory {NDA} if you wish to. The disks are not copy protected (way to go}, and as Vitesse recommend you should back them up as soon as possible. Lack of copy protection also makes life easy for owners of hard drives, enabling you to install the software on your hard drives without any hassles, or the need to keep dragging out the original disk before you can access the software. Both sets of software come on bootable disks, 5.25 for the ProDOS version, and a 3.5 disk for the GS/OS version. System Requirements ProDOS Version: You can run the Quickie ProDOS software in as little as 64k with any RAM above this being used to increase the scan length available for any one pass over the image. The hand-held scanner head, contains a light- emitting diode (LED) array which can scan in an image that is about 4 inches {100mm} wide. The length of the image you can scan in depends on your memory and the resolution you have selected, If you use the ProDOS version of the Quickie software with an Apple //GS it should be remembered that you must set the slot as Your Card in the control panel. This could cause problems if you have a 3.5 drive in the Smart Port (slot 5} and then assign the Quickie card to the same slot, so with the ProDOS software you should take care in selecting the slot you use. This is not a problem if you use the GS/OS software; the card can be used in any slot without the loss of access to the device assigned to it (e.g. printer, modem or disk drives}, and you have no need to touch the control panel settings. GS/OS : The Quickie GS/OS software requires system 5.02 or later, and a minimum of one megabyte of RAM to run in, As noted above, the card can be placed into any vacant as = Apple-Bug expansion slot {slot 1-7} and no control panel setting need to be changed. If you are using slot 2 as a modem port for example you can still plug the Quickie card into that slot and retain access to the modem port. Aside from the normal GS/OS version, Vitesse have also provided a Quickie NDA that can be installed in the Desk Accessory folder within your Systems folder. Quickie Icons and help files {for both formats} are also supplied. General: As with the installation of most expansion cards you should have no problems as long as 4 little bit of care is taken. One little warning here: most vendors ask you to turn off your computer but leave the power lead in to supply an earth and then touch the power supply case to ground yourself. This is well and good if everything is OK, if things are not OK or something is wired wrong, the switch or supply is faulty etc. you might be in for a shock . . . so if you must touch a power supply case to ground yourself, do so with the back of your fingers. that way if you do receive a shock the natural action of the hand clenching will pull yoar fingers (hand) away from the metal work. Note - | found it easier to install the smal! DIN plug on the rear panel before I installed the Quickie card, maybe I've got big fingers - Ed. Additional cards (SUS 99.00 to registered users} are also available from Vitesse if you own more than one computer e.g. schools and work. Simply unplug the scan head from one computer and plug it into the other, killing the power first of course. Quickie - The ProDOS Version. The ProDOS version of the Quickie software does not have all the features of the Apple //GS GS/OS version but it is still a neat and powerful package. It is designed to work on any Apple // with expansion slots, from an Apple //+ to an enhanced Apple //e. After you boot the ProDOS Quickie software it should find the slot you have placed the Quickie card into, but if it does not it will prompt you for the slot number. if your Apple // contains 64k of aux memory then ProDOS wil! automatically create a volume called /RAM, but if you wish to, you can instruct the Quickie software to recover this RAM, and give you extra memory for longer scans. Scan an Image - ProDOS Style. Once you have chosen how you wish to use your available RAM, you are presented with two options - Quit to ProDOS, or Scan New Image. If you elect to scan an image you are placed in the Scan Menu, with the following options: Book Sale Apple-Q has some old magazines and books it would like to give away or sell cheaply... Contact Ian Millar, the Hard Copy Librarian, at the next meeting for more details... May 1991 oo Quickie (tm) for the Apple II Copyright 1990 by Vitesse Inc. Written by Robert Morgan Original Drivers by Christopher Warner Quickie Scan Menu Scan the Image Change Scan width Change Scan height Aspect Correction is ON Timeout is ON Don't Scan an Image. Mode of Scan : Width / DPI: Length of Scan : Normal Hi-Res 4 inches @ 300 DPI Available Memory System Speed : Normal (1 MHz) The bottom four lines list the current setup, the scan mode for example can be set to Double Hi-Res {560 x 192 pixels) on say an Apple //e with 128k of memory, or Hi-Res {280 x 192 pixels ) on a 64k Apple //e or //+. The scan width can be adjusted in one inch {25mm} increments up to four inches {100mm}. This allows you to scan longer images in one pass. The scan length is normally tied to your computers available memory, but you can set it lower if you wish, again in one inch {25mm} increments, up to a total of nine inches {225mm} (if you have the memory}. The system speed is of course linked to any accelerator chips, or cards you might have installed. The Aspect option toggles ON and OFF. When it is set to ON it adjusts the image so that the image on the screen retains the same height to width ratio as the original, but when it is set to OFF no adjustment is made and the screen image will look a lot taller. The Timeout option will automatically turn off the scan head if no data has been received within ten seconds, this helps prolong the life of the scan head, and so it is best left in the ON position. Before you begin to scan an image you should preset the DPI switch, light / dark thumbwheel, and the letter / photo switch. The DPI {Dots per Inch) switch is adjustable from 100 to 400 DPI in 100 DPI increments, with 100 DPI giving the smallest image, and 400 DPI the largest. The light / dark thumbwheel is infinitely variable across its range and should be adjusted to suit the image, with the position around the central position being normal. The Letter / Photo switch should always be set to the letter position under the ProDOS software as the software does not recognize the other positions in the current ProDOS version (the Apple //GS software does however}. The letter position does not recognize half tones etc. and is mainly used for drawings, diagrams and text etc. Once you have set the scan head controls, and the Quickie software set up, the actual scan is simplicity it's self. You 15 simply select Scan an Image and if all is well the green LEDs ‘on your hand-held scanner head should light up. Quickie is now ready to scan your image, so just position the head over it and press the hand-held scanner's start button. As you run the scan head over the image, Quickie will produce a tone via your Apple's speaker as a guide to the speed you are scanning in at {unless of course you have turned this function off}. You should also take note of the single green LED on the top of the scanner, because if it ‘blinks’ whilst you are scanning in your image, you have missed some part of the image, because you moved the scan head too fast over the image or part of it. After you have finished the scan {either you have run out of memory or hit Return) the image will appear on your screen. As the image in memory is likely to be larger than the one screen size allowed by ProDOS graphic file formats, you must first scroll the image around until the screen displays the part of the image that you wish to save, You should always do this before you attempt to save any image, in either Hi-Res, or Double Hi-Res format, or you might find that what you have saved is not the picture you wanted. Quickie - The GS/OS Software. The Apple //GS GS/OS Quickie software suffers none of the limitations of the current ProDOS version as it now stands, and has many more options available for you to access, all at the click of a mouse button. The scan head controls work in much the same way as they did under the ProDOS software, but you also have control over the three photo settings on the lefthand side of the head. These positions show images with different grey tones by electronic means when the head encounters shading ‘on the image that it is scanning, e.g. a photograph. The Photo switch settings are best used in conjunction with the Grey Smoothing Option which you will find under the Quickie menu option. The best way for you to use these options is by trial and error, as you will find that each combination produces better results with some types of images that with others. You should not however use the Grey Smoothing Option with the switch set to the Letter position as strange results will occur. The only thing unclear at this point in the manual is simply which switch is Photo one, which is Photo Two, and which is Photo Three... as the only example given, that I can find, talks about the middle Photo switch, and refers to it as Photo Two - ED Scan an Image - GS/OS Style. The Apple //GS software uses the standard GS/OS desktop. The first thing you should select is the mode you wish to work under - 320 graphic mode allows 16 independent grey tones, or the 640 graphic mode for more detail. If you wish to use one of the Photo switch settings then you should first select the Grey Smoothing Option we talked about earlier, which in turn allows you to access other 16 options, such as Pseudo Grey, Balanced Greys, Dithered Greys and True Grey and all their sub-options. The Sub- options provide you with choices to change the way the scan is treated by the software when producing the image on your screen by use of different grey smoothing algorithms, e.g. Generic, and Photo Three. Most of your scans should work fine with either the Generic or Express smoothing options, and they are also faster than the Photo algorithms, but you shouldn't allow this to stop you from experimenting with the other options in an endeavor to fine tune your scanned image. You also have software control over the size and sharpness of the screen image from this menu. Before you scan you can also choose to allow Quickie to Blend the individual lines of a scan to give a smoother image. You can also set the Aspect of the image you wish to scan, that is, you it can make it taller and shorter. This option is very useful when you wish to use your images with some programs / printers in order to retain the correct ratio when you import or print the image, as compared to what is correct on your screen. For example AppleWorks //GS Page Layout section, when printing in condensed mode, requires any graphics to be twice as high as normal so they print out as normal sized images alongside the text. The Quickie GS/OS software also allows you to define the way in which you wish to scan in your image. You can do so either in Portrait mode which is the normal top to bottom method, or in Landscape mode which allows you to scan left toright. Once you have set the software and scan head up to suit your needs, you simply select scan from the Quickie menu, and then OK to start. The scanner operates in much the same manner as it did under ProDOS with the exception that you can see the untreated image appear on your screen as you scan your image in. After your scan is completed a standard thermometer type display appears on the screen as the Quickie software treats the image as per your settings. Edit and Save the Image .. . You can now edit the image in memory from within Quickie it's self. The editor contains commands to Rotate, Flip, Invert, Cut, Paste, Copy and Resize all or part of your image. A part of an Image can be taken from one image in memory and pasted into another etc. There is also a Fat Bits option to blow up your image five times larger than normal for detailed editing. The more images you have in memory the less you have for scanning in new ones, so it is best to remove and or save an image as soon as possible to free up more memory and allow for longer scans. You can save your images in several different formats these include: Screen Format {640 x 200 pixels} (65 blocks long) Paint Format {640 x 396 pixels} {compressed} Apple Preferred Format {compressed] Print Shop GS Format Double Hi-Res Format (560 x 192 pixels) Hi-Res Format (280 x 192 pixels} Apple-Bug ‘The default being the Screen Format. Should you choose to save your image you will be presented with the standard Apple GS/OS file requester layout. If you choose a format that will not contain the whole of the image you have in memory, then the Quickie software will show you a reduced version of your image with a window overlaid over it showing the area that can be saved under the format you have chosen. Simply move the window around until it contains the section of the image you wish to save and then save it. The Apple //GS version as you can see is a lot more powerful that the current ProDOS version but each is tailored to use the power of the machines they where designed for as much as possible. It is to be hoped that Vitesse might build on the ProDOS version and allow use of the Photo switch options and maybe supply an editor. I myself have only used the Apple //GS version with a Transwarp and can verify that it is both fast and easy to use, and produces excellent results ‘on the screen. The NDA version would take up valuable memory that I don't have to spare at present so I do not it, and it would also lock out access to the slot the Quickie card was plugged into whilst the NDA was active, which could also prove a problem if you are not careful and place the card in the wrong slot. The manual refers to a list of features available from the NDA but in fact does not list them. The Bottom Line. . . The Quickie is an excellent hand-held scanner that when used with the software provided produces very good high quality images which can be saved and used with Art, Hypermedia, & Desktop Publishing etc. type programs. If used in conjunction with InWords (see the InWords article in this issue - Ed} then it can be a powerful tool if you also own an Apple //e or Apple //GS computer, that enables you to scan usable text into your computer for use with word processors or databases etc. The Vitesse Hand-held scanner costs around $US200.00 from most U.S. mail order sources {Please if any Australian dealers stock items in any of Apple-Bug's articles - let us know so we can let our readers know], and should also be available from local Apple dealers. For more information please contact : Vitesse Inc., 13909 Amar Road, Suite 2 La Puente, CA 91746-1669. U.S.A. Phone (U.S.A.} (818) 813-1270 Queenslands Electronics Trade Expo Date: Wednesday 8th May 10am-8pm Thursday 9th May 10am-6pm Venu: Exhibition Building RNA Showgrounds Brisbane. May 1991 ——— 17 Apple StyleWriter ... By Kelvin Saggers. The following is an extract from the Apple data sheet for the new Apple StyleWriter Thermal Ink- jet printer. - Ed. Overview The Apple StyleWriter printer makes laser-quality printing of text and graphics more affordable than ever for individual users of Apple Macintosh personal computers. It is ideal for people who want laser quality printed results for correspondence or general use. It also offers a convenient and very quiet personal printing alternative for people who share vin Apple LaserWriter printer on a network, or people for whom confidentiality is important. With its sleek design and small footprint, the StyleWriter printer fits easily in even the smallest spaces. It prints one- half page per minute on average, and up to one page per minute in draft mode. It comes with a detachable sheet feeder that automatically feeds up to 50 sheets of paper into the printer. Users can also print without the sheet feeder; front and rear manual-feed options simplify printing of single sheets of letterhead, envelopes, labels, or transparencies. The StyleWriter printer comes with four TrueType font families : Times, Helvetica, Courier, and Symbol. TrueType, Apple’s advanced font technology, allows Macintosh uscrs to print high-quality text in any size, and makes the text on the screen appear smoother and more legible. In addition to the TrueType fonts that come with the StyleWriter, the printer supports a wide variety of TrueType fonts that are available from other suppliers. These include text and headline fonts, symbol fonts for special purposes, and novelty fonts for decoration. It takes just a few minutes to set up the Apple StyleWriter printer and begin using it, because it comes complete with all necessary hardware, a variety of fonts, and support for all Macintosh applications. There’s no need to buy additional cables, interface cards, special printer drivers, memory, or font cartridges. System Requirements The StyleWsiter printer works with any member of the Macintosh family of personal computers that uses system software version 6.0.7 or later and a minimum of 1 megabyte of RAM. Features & Benefits Features Benefits + 360-dot-per-inch (dpi) resolution + Thermal ink-jet technology « User replaceable ink cartridge » TrueType font technology + Four TrueType font families: Times, Helvetica, Courier, and Symbol + Support for a wide range of printing materials + Produces laser-quality printed results, both text and graphics - for memos, reports, letters, presentations. * Offers an affordable alternative to laser printers. + Ensures quiet operation. + Ink cartridge prints up to 500 pages of text and graphics before it needs replacing. + Lets users print documents in virtually any type size and a wide range of styles. + Allows fonts of any size or style to be displayed sharply on the Macintosh screen, + Meets the needs of most users for producing reports and presentations. + Lets you print documents in virtually any type size and a wide range of styles. + Allows users to produce documents that contain equations and formulas. + Lets users print on a variety of materials - including photocopy bond, letterhead, colored stock, envelopes, labels, and overhead transparency film. 18 a wees §Appie-Bug Features Benefits > Detachable cut-shect paper Teeder * Two manual-feed slots + Image utility software + Provides automatic feeding of up to SU sheets OF paper. + Rear manual-feed slot simplifies printing on materials such as envelopes, labels, transparencies, and heavy paper. + Front manual-feed slot provides easy access when manually feeding standard paper or letterhead. + Lets users convert 300-dpi halftone images (PICT format) for printing at 360 dpi, the maximum tesolution of the StyleWriter Technical Specifications Marking engine + Canon BJ-10¢ Thermal ink jet (Apple Custom Designed) Printer RAM + 64K (8K used for buffer) Print quality + 360 dots per inch (dpi) for text and graphics * 180 dpi in draft mode Font families + Times, Helvetica, Courier, and Symbol in TrueType Type styles + Regular, bold, italic, and bold italic, with additional styles depending on the application Support for additional fonts * The StyleWriter printer can support additional TrueType fonts from Apple and other suppliers. Speed* + Normal mode: typically one-half page per minute + Draft mode: up to a page per minute * Actual speed depends on the images printed. Interfaces + Apple serial Cable (Cable included in Accessory Kit) Ink cartridge * User-replaceable + Capacity: up to 500 pages (Two cartridges included in Accessory Kit) Paper feed + Automatic with detachable cut-sheet feeder (Capable of holding 50 sheets) + Front and rear manual feed Print materials + Media - Apple recommends 20-Ib. cotton bond (75 g/m2), though the printer also accepts: 16-Ib (60 g/m2) to 28-Ib (105 g/m2 ) paper. - Most letterhead and colored stock - Labels - #10 business envelopes (9.5 - 4.125 in.) - 3M brand CG3480 transparency film Sizes - Paper: U.S. letter, U.S. legal, A4 - Envelopes: #10 business envelopes Paper capacities * Sheet feeder: up to 50 sheets of paper (To print envelopes, transparencies, and labels, use the rear manual feed slot.) Printable surface* + Maximum printable line: 8.0 in. (203.2 mm) + Minimum top and bottom margins: 0.25 in. (6.35 mm) « Minimum left and right margins: 0.25 in. (6.35 mm) *The actual printable area may vary depending on the application. Size and weight * Height: 12.5 in, (32 cm) * Width: 13.25 in. (33.6 cm) + Depth with output tray closed: 5.6 in. (14.2 cm) + Weight: 7.5 Ib. (3.4 kg) Operating environment + Temperature: 59° F to 86° F (10° C to 35°C ) + Humidity: 20% to 70%, non-condensing « Printer should be kept away from wind and fans Power requirements + Europe/Australia: 220 to 240 volts AC, 48 to 62 hertz Power consumption * 25 watts maximum at 220 volts For more information contact your local Apple Dealer or: Apple Computer Australia Pty. Ltd. 16 Rodborough Road, Frenchs Forest, NSW. 2086. Ph (02) 452-8000. Note - If you missed StyleWriter demonstration at the April Apple-Q Inc. meeting by Computer City, you can always drop into Computer City for a demonstration by their friendly staff. - Ed. Articles Wanted Articles for Apple-Bug are urgently needed. Starting from next months issue, a prize will be offered for the best article recieved each month. Committee members are excluded, and will select the winner each month. May 1991 19 Software Library Order Form j Membership/Renewal Form ] Post Code: .. Q Mail order or Q Pick-up order at meeting Payment By: Q Bankcard Q Mastercard Ti cheque OQ Money Order O Cash (pick-up) Credit Card Number: Expiry Date: ... Signature: Disk or Pack Name g & ooooo0ooooo:s oooo0ooo0o0s Sub Total $...... Post & Pack $ 2.00 Total Cost $......... Membership No: ..ssssseseee Hardcopy Library Order Form Name: Member No: Book or Magazine Names: ty) [2} (3) [4] Signature: .. Apple-Bug Magazine is a publication of Apple-@ Inc. {the Brisbane (Apple) Users Group} Postal Address: P.O. Box 721, South Brisbane, Qid 4101. Meetings Held at: Hooper Education Centre Kuran Street, Wavell Heights Picase fill in this form, tick the appropiate boxes and send the form to Apple-Q Inc., P.O. Box 721, South Brisbane, Queensland 4101. Pleasc enclose your remittance with this form, Q Membership Application Q Renewal of Membership Membership Number: Membership Fees Q $10.00 Joining Fee (first year only) Q $25.00 Adults, Family & Students Q > $10.60 Associate Membership (BBS only) Q $56.00 Corporate Membership (Schools/Busincss Houses) Member's Details Home Phone: Business Phone: (.... ‘A membership list is published every year in the Newsletter. Only your Name, Suburb and Phone number, are listed. Do you require exemption from this list? 1 YES a No System Information Qi Apple i Apple //+ Q Apple s/c QO Apple de Q Apple //gs Q> Apple /// Q Macintosh =O Other: «uu... ‘Members arc reminded that the copying of commercial software is not santioned by the Apple-Q Inc., and that members who do so, risk expulsion from the group. I hereby declare that the above deuails are true and correct, and agree to abide by the Rules and Regulations of the Group. Signed: [ For Official Use Only | Receipt Number: ... Status: ... Exp. Date: Apple-B ug SURFACE | | rostace The Newsletter of APPLE-Q Inc. (the Brisbane Users' Group) MAIL AUSTRALIA If not claimed within 7 days, please return to: P.O. Box 721, South Brisbane, Queensland 4101, Australia. Please deliver to = Changing Address? fso, fll inthis slip and send it in as soon as possible. Name .. ... Membership #. Address ... Suburb ........ seeeeee Stale .... Postcode .. . Please send this slip ve Apple-g Inc, Registered by Australia Post - Publication No. QBG 3485 P.O. Box 721, South Brisbane, Qld 4101