MacWorld9703March1997

The 20th a Mac « The Year's Best Mac Products — Year's Best Mac Products STEVE JOBS returns APPLE BUYS NEXT ano a wew MAC OS is orn $4.99 CANADA $5.99 WE FIGURED OUT HO AND WE RADICALLY We figured out a few months back that the best thing we could do to improve our products was to simply make more of them and get them out faster. Hey, it only makes sense. If you're in the market to buy the fastest computers on the planet, then ittt——, . ; ‘ : you're probably not a person who likes to wait. So we switched our manufacturing and shipping departments into high gear. Now when you order one of these systems, it's waren on its way quickly. Also, you can add a peripheral, ones aR memory upgrade, video card, or modem Tse, stow built-in because Power Computing (as always) f offers custom-configuration. It means you'll get exactly what you want and you'll get it fast. The best part of custom-configuration is that you don’t have to TO SHIP THEM FASTER EDUCED OUR PRICES. go searching around through multiple vendors or waste your precious vacation time installing something like a video card or an internal Jaz drive. You simply take your new Power Computing system out of the box, plug it in and turn it on. We do all the work for you. MW Not only has Power Computing made custom-configuration our trademark, but our machines represent the most upgradeable Mac OS™ systems on the market. Because of our superior upgrade path, we're confident your new Power Computing machine will last for years to come. If you've been waiting to 40004 MacWeek move up to a new PowerBase, PowerCenter” or Powerlower Pro’ now is the time to buy from Power Computing. The wait is over. om \ @® PowerComputing THROUGH NEW ADVANCED STATE-OF-THE-ART MANUFACTURING TECHNIQUES, WE'VE RECENTLY BEEN ABLE TO IMPROVE THE ENTIRE LINE OF POWER COMPUTING SYSTEMS. © PowerComputing )WERTOWER PRO: THE FASTEST, MOST EXPANDABLE MAC OS SYSTEM Powerlower Pro 225e 225MHz PowerPC 604e Processor PowerTower Pro 225e Core Config PowerTower Pro 200e Core Config 225MHz PowerPC 604e Processor ‘200MHz PowerPC 604e Processor 32. NB RAM (1 GB Max) +2 68 7200 RPM AY Capable Hard Drive “8X CO-ROM Drive 1B Level 2 Coche “INS Twin Turbo 128M graphic oceerctor wih MB VRAM 6 PC Expansion Slats “Interleaved Memory +9 Drive Boys =Duol (Fast 10 MB/Sec) SCSI “Connects Speed Doubler +Extended Keyboord ond Mouse “Add Sony 20° Tinitron 20sfi $1795 +16 MB RAM (1 GB Max) *2.GB 5400 RPM Nard Drive BX CO-ROM Drive “1 MB Level 2 Cache 64-bit graphics ocelerator w/ 2MB VRAM 6 PCI Expansion Slots sInterleaved Memory +9 Drive Bays Duo! (Fost 10 MB/Sec) SCSI sExtended Keyboard and Mouse ‘Add Power 17” Display (vis. 15.7) for °695 ‘Add MiroMotion JPEG Video 1/0 Card for 495 “16 MB RAN (1 GB Max) +2 GB 5400 RPM Hard Drive “8K CO-ROM Drive “1MB Level 2 Cache “64-bit graphics axceleroor w/ 2MB VRAM “6 PCI Expansion Slots Interleaved Memory “9 Deive Boys “Dol (Fos 10 MB/Sec) SCSI “Extended Koyboord ond Mouse “Add Power 17" Display (vs, 15.7) for 695 “Add MiroMotion JPEG Video 1/0 Card for 495 POWERCENTER: THE MOST AFFORDABLE 604s YOU CAN BUY PowerCenter 180 Starter PowerCenter 166 Starter PowerCenter 150 Starter 180 MHz PowerPC 604 Processor 166 MHz PowerPC 604 Processor 150 MHz PowerPC 604 Processor “To MB RAM (512 MB Max) “2.68 S400 Hord Drive “8x COROM Drive “SIRK Level 2 Cache “1/MB VRAN On Board (4 MB Max) “3 PCI Expansion Slots “Extended Keyboard and Mouse “Minitower Enclosure “Add lomego Zip 10OMB Drive for M5 Add Power 17” Display (vs. 15.7) for '695 ‘Add MiroMotion JPEG Video Card for 485 +16. MB RAM (512 MB Max) +268 5400 Hord Drive 8x CDROM Drive *512K Level 2 Coche 1 MB VRAM On Board (4 MB Max) +3 PCI Expansion Slots sExtended Keyboard ond Mouse *Minitower Enclosure “Add lomego Zip 10OMB Drive for "45 ‘Add Power 17” Display (vis. 15.7) for 695, ‘Add MiroMotion JPEG Video Cord for 495 “16 MB RAM (512 MB Mox) +1 GB Hord Drive 8x CD-ROM Drive +512K Level 2 Cache +1 MB VRAM On-Board (4 MB Max) +3 PCI Expansion Slots Extended Keyboard ond Mouse “Low Profile Enclosure For Minitower Enclosure Add *100 *hdd Labtec Speakers Storting At ‘29 ‘Add 28.8 Modem & Internet Kit ‘129 POWERBASE: THE ULTIMATE ENTRY LEVEL SYSTEM PowerBase 240 Starter 240 MHz PowerPC 603e Processor PowerBase 200 Starter PowerBase 180 Storter 200 MHz PowerPC 603e Processor 180 MHz PowerPC 603e Processor +16 MB RAM (160 MB Max) “1.2.68 EIDE Hord Drive “x CD-ROM Drive “256K Level 2 Cache +30 Graphics Acceleration +2. MB DRAM based video (4 MB Mox) +3 PCI Expansion Slots “Exondod Koyboord and Mouse “Low Profile Enclosure for minitower enclosure odd 100 “Add Power 17” (vis. 15.7) Display for 695 Ale, Moinoh ond Met ar registered redemers, end he MavOS lege sa rederark of Apple Computer, i Cerproion. Al eter Brand and/or pred aes are the yep othe respective lds. Pie end “16 MB RAM (160 MB Max) “1.2.6 EIDE Herd Drive “Bx CDROM Drive “256K Level 2 Cache 30 Graphics Acceleration “7 MB DRAM based video (4 MB Max) “3 PCI Expansion Slots “Extended Keyboord and Mouse slow Profile Endosure For minitower enclosure odd 00 ‘Add 28.8 Modem & Internet Kit ‘129 “16 MB RAM (160 MB Max) *1.2 GB EIDE Hord Drive *8x CD-ROM Drive Perris configure it any way you want “3D Graphics Acceleration “2.MB DRAM based video (4 MB Max) “3 PCI Expansion Slots Extended Keyboord and Mouse ‘Low Profile Enclosure “For minitower enclosure add "100 “Add Power 15" (vis 18.7) Disply for 379 Toner end PowerCenter are reired dames of Power Computing liens re vl the U.S. only ond ore subject change witht noice, CRITICS CALLED IT “VIRTUALLY FLAWLESS.” ~*..bright screen, superior on-screen i controls and low price.” Introducing the MultiSync’ XV+™ Series Monitors. Upgraded, refined, retooled and ready to give you more control, more features and more options than ever before. To begin with, both the MultiSync XVI5+™ and the XV17+™ offer one of the most advanced CRT technologies to date. CromsCuear.™ The result is unprecedented “4. reat picture quality, advanced features, and top-notch support... a superb monitor.” FamilyPC"* sharpness and greater image quality. And thanks to our unique OptiClear* screen surface, you'll also notice enhanced contrast and even less glare, Because front-mounted digital controls were so popular on the MultiSync XV17," we've added them to the MultiSync XV15+. So now both XV+ monitors allow for quick and easy image adjustments, “Copyright ©1995 by CMP Publications, from Windows Magazine with permission. “Quote reprinted with permission, Famil zine, (June "95) Copyright trademarks and KV15+, XVI7+, XVI7 ear and Feo! the Difference are trademarks of NEC Technologies, Inc.All other trademarks oF registered trademarks THAT SCATHING REVIEW LED US TO THESE IMPROVEMENTS. Front-mounted digital controls on the MultiSync. XVAbe: Now both the XV15+ and XVIZ+ allow for quick and easy image adjustments. Then, of course, there’s the issue of our famed reliability. Which really isn’t an issue at all considering that both monitors are backed by a 3-year limited warranty, which is one of the best in the industry. Perhaps of even more importance is the fact that each is backed by NEC's hard-earned reputation for building, 1995. tReprinted “MacUser,” July 1995. Copyright ©1995 2itt are the property of their respective holders. GSA# GS~35F-32160. ©1996 NEC vis Publishing Compan. MultiSync and OptiClear are registered OptiClear Screen Surface Enhances contrast while also eliminating glare. without question, the most precise monitors the world has ever seen. The MultiSync XV+ Series from NEC. Once “virtually” flawless now, just plain flawless. To learn more about the XV+ Series, call 1-800-NEC-INFO. For information via fax, call 1-800-366-0476 and request catalog #1. SEE, HEAR AND FEEL THE DIFFERENCE.” Visit our new web Circle 16 on reader service card 104 112 122 131 4 March 1997 Features The 20th Anniversary Macintosh ey pau KUNKEL Apple Com- puter marks its 20th year with a limited-edition Mac so radical even we were stunned. Digital Cameras: Picture It Now BY DEKE McCLELLAND Mac- world rates ten affordable, reliable digital cameras for the home enthusiast. Macworld's 10th Annual World Class Awards BY MACWORLD STAFF We cel- ebrate the very best Mac prod- ucts, from utilities to systems. Scanning for the Rest of Us BY JOSEPH SCHORR Macworld Lab tests 15 sub-$600 color scan- ners and disco that you can indeed get a great scanner for very little mone b Specialized PowerBook in News, page 35. MACWORLD 34 38 42 Will the Web replace fax machines? See News, page 38. The Next Mac Apple lays out its OS plans in the wake of Steve Jobs's return, What's Next for Mac OS 8? Apple Eyes Java for OS Role The Next Step: Evangelize Developers Mac OS 8's Tortuous Journey Mac OS's Interim Steps State of the Mac News One Less Peep for CHRP IBM and Motorola drop Windows NT for PowerPC. Microsoft FrontPage A look at the HTML editor's fea- tures and flaws. Best of Show The hottest new products from Macworld Expo. 19 14 Opinion Letters The Desktop Critic BY DAVID POGUE cal Screenwriting 101. ‘Techni- How to Contact Macworld Only the best products are World Class—this year’s winners, page 122. 135 137 143 Secrets, tricks, and forgotten gems for the Finder in Secrets, page 135. Secrets The Finder Revisited By JoserH scHorR ~Howmany of these tricks and shortcuts have ‘you forgotten? A very special Mac for a special occasion— Apple's 20th anniver- sary, page 104. Quick Tips BY LON POOLE and shortcuts. Tips, tricks, NetSmart BY CAMERON CRoTTY Some of this, a little of that—a guide to component software. BID ee em ELS ores .estr n tiated met by Maeno Com rancor eto anf tres oes: 40 Scand Sa ea (40, CA 9007, 41520-0505 Ssrion der ad nga send te ected $008 48 0/54, dren ate ae 390 er 12 ts, $0 or 24 ue et $90 es Ferg den mat te pra US hes wth anal postage Ald $18 pe you be tage fr Canaan Men ner, Ad Up yr pong toa eter cates Peeeah pone pa tan arena Catan lect atcnd maing ter Pema See air ang Ma ret 0, Sox 5829, our, C0 80122-4529 Prt the USA 100 147 150 152 Buyers’ Tools Star Ratings Macworld’s ratings for hundreds of hardware and software prod- ucts at a glance. ‘Mac Superguide Macworld’s guide to every Mac system and clone on the market, lab-tested and Star Rated. Media Thoroughly Modern MIDI sy sim HEID The sites and sounds of MIDI on the Web. Publishing Workshop BY DAVID BLATNER Power tips for QuarkXPress. Graphics Workshop BY CATHY ABeES Techniques for faceted 3-D type. 4700—how it stacks up, page 100. 48 Ey} 56 58 61 63 65 66 68 70 74 74 76 76 78 78 80 88 Reviews *KKK/7.6 FirstClass 3.5; ***/6.0 Quarterdeck Mail 4.0; ***/6.6 QuickMail Pro LAN-based e-mail programs ‘****/8.6 Fractal Design Expression Natural-media draw program kkk */7.1 Adobe Persuasion 4.0 Web-ready presentation program ek/6.9 PageSpinner 1.2.2; **x/6.8 World Wide Web Weaver 2.0.2 HTML editors compared 4%K/7.1 Kiplinger TaxCut; k%k/7.7 MacinTax Deluxe Tax software compared *#KK/7.8 CyberFinder 2.0; *kxK/7.0 DragNet 1.1 k**/8.0 Surfboard 1.0; kK 18.2 Web Quick 1.2.1; ***/6.7 Web Squirrel 1.06 URL managers **/4.0 Startup Manager 7.0 Extension-management utility ***/6.9 Mariner Write 1.3 Slim, speedy word processor kKKITB QX-Tools 2.0 QuarkxTensions k%K/7.8 Sagem Planet ISDN GeoPort adapter **/3.6 QuickSite 1.0 Web authoring program &%/6.4 WebRamp Inexpensive ISDN adapter ex */8.9 Analytica Tool for financial decision-making x#/5.4 Day-Timer Organizer 2.1 All-in-one information manager ***/6.4 Now Utilities 6.5 Upgrade of system enhancements 4/46 Turbo ToolKit 1 .0 Disk utility em K/B.1 Poser 2.0 Human models in 3-D ***/6.8 HTML Grinder 3.0 Web-site-management tools k*K/7.0 CyberPress 1.0 QuarkxPress-to-HTML converter HAKKITS. DynaTek CDM 4001 CD-R-multimedia hard drive *k#/89 ScanPrepPro 34 Plug-in preps images for printing 444/85. AlphaSmart Pro 2.1 Portable input device ****/8.9 Personal RecordKeeper 4.0 Database with forms *k#*/8.3 FullPixelSearch 2.0 Scientific and medical image analyzer *k*k/8.3 Interactive Physics 3.0 Surprisingly fun physics simulator **/3.0 Police Quest: SWAT Action-adventure game www.macworld.com March 1997 5 tarMax oona00 Be Fora Mac lover itsawish ome true. Introducing StarMax* Go ahead, pinch yourself. Motorola has launched an entire line of Mac*OS-based desktops and minitowers running on PowerPC™ technology. Everything from180 MHz to 240 MHz,1.2GB to 2.5GB hard drives and starting at about 51,59, So now, you have a Mac OS alternative with an industry-low price. And with the assurance of the Motorola brand, youre getting the quality youd expect from a global company. In fact, we're so sure of it, we gave all of our StarMax systems a five-year limited system warranty—the only one like it in the industry, And PowerPC” with our new board design, Motorola systems running on the PowerPC 603e"/200 MHz microprocessor outperformed other Mac OS compatibles running the same chip (even one running at 240 MHz)! Call us if you still think you're dreaming. You can consider it a wake-up call. @) MOTOROLA Computer Group Sree sland akan es cond Reels ocak papell pendent poy beget "ia a cai ah yi What you never thought possible." Circle 207 on reader service card AnthroCarts! AnthroCarts are so flexible. You have dozens of shapesg and sizes to choose, plus over 50 accessories to configure your cart exactly the way you want. And they have a Lifetime Warranty! Made of steel and high density particle board, these AnthroCarts are as tough as nails. See them all in our catalog, then call us direct to order. We'll ship to you the very next business day! Call for your free catalog: 800-325-3841 6:00 AM to 6:00 PM PST, M-F [| c—_ 4 Anthro Corporation” Technology Furniture” 10450 SW Manhasset Dr. Tualatin, OR 97062 Fax: 800-325-0045 ® ANTHRO http://www.anthro.com Since 1984. Prices from $299. For a lower cost line for the home, ask for our Compacta catalog. GSA contract. Available for OEM applications. Anthro, AnthroCart and Technology Furniture are registered trademarks of Anthro worid arsionnT ano to Colin Cawford ASSISTANT TO THE PRESIOLNT Sharon Sanderson Stephen Daniels ARUSINESS MANAGER Lisa Buckingham FIMANCIAL ANALYST Ens de Feminis DIRECTOR OF HUMAN RESOURCES Shelly Ginenthal EMPLOVEE RELATIONS MANAGER Marisa Chow NETWORK MANAGER Wally Clegg MANAGER OF TECHNICAL SeRVICES Theodore 4s recnmician Dave Jo PROGKAMMUR/AMALYST Frederic Des ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT Ginger Von Wening. ACCOUNTINGIOFEKATIONS Pat Murphy ACCOUNTING/FACIITIES MANAGER Michelle Reyes ‘Macworld 4 putcaton of Internation! Data Group, dhe wo’ Lest pub Inher of computer-related information and Ure dey, global prover of io imepower, BIGARL, Copterwork Bulga, Netwisk Work Bupa Pe MacWork! Bulgaria, EAMADA. CIO Canada, ChenU/Server Word ComputerWorld Canada, InfoWorld Canada, NetworkWorkd Candia ‘WebWorld, CHILL Computerworkd Chile, PC. World Chie: COLOMaA ‘Computerworld Colombia PC Word Coloma, COSTA RICA: RC Word Cent i. eWorld Middle Cast SALVADOR: FC World Cent Ari INLAND, Profesional Pew, RC World SoHo Peru, PAIURRINE: CA, Compulerwodk Pigpines, PC Word Pippin, Putkih in At POLAND: Computerworhh Poland. Conpulerword Special Repu Pond, Cyber, Macworkd Poland, Netword Poland, PC World Komputer; PORTUGAL: Cerebra/PC. Wusl Commperwerd/Conrec Infrmltan, Dealer Wasld ortugal, Mat" WFC Fort, Maria Word, PUIRTO NCO” PC Wd Puro Ra, ROMANIA Computerworhd Romania. PC Work Romara, Telecom Noms, USHA: Computerworis Riis, Me, Fubloh, Set SMGAPON, Computerwors Singapore, PC World Spapore, ble iy Ak: SLOVEMA: Martor, SOUTH LURUGUAT: InloWorld Uraguay, VENEZUELA: Computerworld Venenvela, PC ‘Wedd Vener and ViETMAM: PC Wr Veta scan Professional software for automatic high quality image processing esa OmeOOG. IT is perfect! We cannot tell you any more because this $1999 package is so unbelievable that no words are strong enough to describe it. Try it yourself: download a copy of the professional demo version today from: http://www.binuscan.com pinusga? a special version of binuscan is bundled with all the UMAX high-end scanners a special version of binuscan is freely available for every a Pro Master Photo CD binuscan - International Sales Division binuscan, Inc. - US Sales Office 4-6, Av. Prince Héréditaire Albert - MC-98000 MONACO 505 5th Avenue - New York, NY. 10017 +377 92 05 37 62 - Fax: +377 92 05 74 63 1 800 881-2352 / 1 212 681-0600 - Fax: 1 212 681-0603 Circle 6 on reader service card (408)761 10 6200 www 4 ‘Bvery file on the Internet has an outer “shell.” We’re the nutcracker. ‘There are bushels of files on the ‘net. But nearly all have a “shell” that must be removed before you can use them. Stufilt Deluxe"4.0 is the Mac standard for both Stuffing and unStuffing files, which also saves time and money. Stufllt handles most formats, even those for Windows and Unix, including sit, zip, hgx, and uu, So enjoy the riches : er, becaus A the online world has to offer, because WA tadidiin the Internet isn't a tough nut to crack if you have the right tool. Systems aladdinsys Circle 21 on reader service card Sophisticated Style & Innovation DESKS THAT MAKE TECHNOLOGY EASIER TO USE CATALOG 1.800.688.2446 QG1O DESIGN S™ FAX 503 As low as $299 | 0519 support@aglo-Aesigns.com March 1997 MACWORLD AosTOR IN Cute Adrian Mello EDITORIAL EXECUTIVE LOITORS Galen Gruman, Carol Person DIRECTOR OF EDITORIAL OPERATIONS Jane Lagas Stn108 LOITOR/FEATURKS Howard Baldwin st9108 A8804 ORNS Stephen Beale StWIOR ASSOCIATE FOITOR/AEVIEWS Anita Epler SewoR Associate tortons Cathy E, Abes, Elizabeth Dougherty, “Tova Fliegel ASSOCIATE HOITORS Linda Comer, Suzanne Courteau, Cameron Crotty, Katherine L. Ulrich OFFICE MANAGER Deborah Weinberger ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT Keith A. Mitchell ASSISTANT TO THE KOATOR IN CHIEF Patricia Carberry-Harris Mel Beckman, Robert C. Eckhardt, Erfert Fenton, Jim Heid, Steven Levy, Cary Lu, CONTRIBUTING COITORS Deke McClelland, Tom Negrino, David Pogue, Steve Roth, Joseph Schorr, INTERNATIONAL O.TORS arles Seiter, Franklin N, Tessler Matthew JC. Powell, Australia; Vinicius Sousa, Brazil Stig Boesgaard, Denmark; Andreas Borchert, Italy; Shohei Nishida, Japan; Oscar Kneppers, Netherlands; Jean-Philippe Dubrun, Franc jermany; Enrico Lov “Tom Helge Berglie, Norway; Alvaro Ibatie, S) Lennart Hakansson, Sweden; Bahattin Apak, Turke ‘ano Schneeberger, Suit jon Jary, United Kingdom Intcron Lauren L, Black ‘Matt Clark, Mark Hurlow, Jeff Saciloto Chris Uiterwijk stm108 {HNICAL ANALYSTS TECHNICAL ANALYST INVENTORY CONTROLER Paul Brown “COPY EDIT AND EDITORIAL PRODUCTION MaNAGING t0,TOR Ruth Henrich Paul-Michael King Lisa Brazieal SENIOR Cory f0:TOR S1NIOR PRODUCTION COITOR cory eoiTons Gail E, Nelson, Elissa Rabellino ASSISTANT PRODUCTION fO1TOR Jackie Goodman “ART AND DESIGN DrsiGW OIRECTOR Leslie Barton ART DIRECTOR Joanne Hoffman prsicntn “Tim Johnson ASSOCIATE ART DIRECTOR Sylvia Benvenuti Martha Katt Belinda Chlouber ASSOCIATE DESIGNER Suwon o&sicN ASSOCIATE a ONLINE ONLINE MANAGER Paul Devine ONLINE SALES MANAGER Jeff Julian ONLINE ACCOUNT MANAGER Ed Ramirer Désicw omtcroR oMunt Ame Hurry WE AOMINIETRATOR Chip Carman fontint propuctn tortor Karen Liberatore OnLine ADMINISTRATOR Steve Casta ‘onuine conrent pRoouctR Matt MeAlister ASSISTANT CONTENT eNCINEER Roxanne Gentile New OmniPage Pro 7.0 gives you the recognition you deserve. OmniPage Limited Edition or OmniPage Lite is the OCR that came with your scanner. They give you basic OCR. Higher Scanner Penetration: Scanners prices have drvpped drastiel (auch as the sn Increased OCR Accuracy: OCR developers have developed high of the time and money option of OCR. F 4.0 (Windows) upgrade packages a and Mac) and WordS. resellers for an estimated street price of $129, The Co c HI-footprint sheet-fed Incroased He For under $500. Also, all) acre C ners) and multifunction a Awareness: 1d Availabiticygriles ng OmniPage Limited Edition Upgrade now to faster, more accurate OCR. Sure, the OmniPage Limited Edition OCR that came with your scanner is good. In fact, that’s why scanner makers like HP, fa chose it above all others. Microtek and / But if you want greater accuracy, full- throttle speed and a con of new time-saving features, then it’s time you moved up to OmniPage Pro OmniPage Pro employs a new, more powerful OCR engine to recognize poor copies and degraded faxes. tothe Best OCR Ic integrates seamlessly with your favorite applications like Word, ClarisWorks and more. It even guides you through the OCR process using its AutoOCR ‘Toolbar. All with the simple push of a button What's more, you get the advantages of the world’s most popular OCR software without learning an entirely new ~4 h £ u i ke e "re Upgrade = program. So make sure you're getting all the OCR power and accuracy you deserve. Call now to upgrade, or visit a local reseller. caf www.caere.com Circle 69 on reader service card OmniPage Pro gives you almost twice the OCR accuracy with the ease-of-use as OmniPage Limited Edition. ne OmniPage Pro keeps text in its orig- inal format and layout, including graphics. ‘OCR Accuracy: OmniPage Pro even outputs to HTML The Company: “orporation, with US, headquarters ator, Cali and European theadquae uere Gmubil, in Munich Germany, sa leader in OCR technology and desktop nent management products, Caere has nly expanded its product line of OCR OmniPage Pro Key Feature OmniPage mirage Comparison Pro Edition Caore's fastest and most accurate OCR engine ‘AutoOCR Toolbar” for easy, ‘one-button OCR processing ‘Apple Guide gives you [on-screen interactive help Preserves graphics in output text OCR from within your favorite applications Retains original layout $129 suze gz MacOS ©1996 MicroMat Computer Systems, (freezing now optional) For info on TechTool Pro software, call 800-829-6227. For info by fax, call 707-838-4231 and order #2009, WEN aM Or, check out our site at http://micromat.com/mmes/. BY MICROMAT COMPUTER SYSTEMS Circle 77 on reader service card zs gles 15 proud to announce our ssories for the PowerBook? 230 MB ie all the mobile solu- _ Optical Br Drives Contact VST for the full line of products for the PowerBook 1400 Series Park * Acton, Massachusetts 01720 Circle 73 on reader service card 12 March 1997 MACWORLD Macworld DISPLAY ADVERTISING SALES ASSOCIATE PUBLISHER Matt Sweeney (415/978-3271) NATIONAL SALES DIRECTOR Steve Plevin (415/978-3138) SALES OcpaRTMENT ADMINISTRATOR F'va Bosch (415/974-7310) REGIONAL ACCOUNTS MANAGER Liz Pabon (415/97 ‘Account oucunve “Tony Andrade (415/975-2619) Karl Etken (415/9 [NATIONAL ACCOUNTS MANAGER 3155) ADHAISTRATIVE ASSISTANT Jessica Ross (415/267-1799) NATIONAL ACCOUNTS MANAGER Sara Culley (310/5 SAU ASSOCIATE Margaret Level Green (415/267~ ationat accounts manactn Cynthia Ramsey (201/243-1197) NATIONAL ACCOUNTS MANAGER Paul Honarrigo (508/370-0832) Account extcurve Lisa Weisherg (415/978-3168) Aommustative assistant Gilenn Munlawin (415/974-7350) NATIONAL ACCOUNTS MANAGER Lisa Ladle-Wallace (80/7 Kathy Poppenhagen (847/398-8141) 122) Account oxcurive CLASSIFIED ADVERTISING SALES acwonto sworren ano ointctony Niki Strane (415/978-1105), Carol Johnstone (415/978-3152), Shannon Smith (415/974-7414) ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT Toni May (415/975-2638) RESEARCH tstanen omtcron Linda Lawrence Sion AstaRcH ANALYST Phillip Hibbert raver REAR ANALYST Scott Petersen WORLDWIDE MARKETING MARKETING MANAGER ARCOM MANAGER Rhona Hail SCHON TRADE SHOW/EVENTS MANAGER Anna Noetzel {ADE SHOW/LVEHTS COORDINATOR Marjorie Maggenti MARKETING SPECIALIST Jarmila Johnson CIRCULATION Vick PRESIOENT/OIRECTOR OF CIRCULATION Angelina Beitia SINGLE-COPY SALES oIRECTOR StOR CIRCULATION MANAGER Lori Hiteheock CIRCULATION MANAGER. Elizabeth Jensen NEWSSTAND SALES MANAGER Martin Garchar DIRECT- MARKETING MANAGER Kelvin Gee NEWSSTAND COORDINATOR Dalia Schwartz ‘SUBSCRIPTION COORDINATOR Tom Porcella ‘PROMOTIONS COORDINATOR Peter Ho SUBSCRIPTION INQUIRIES 800/288-6848 PRODUCTION Vick PRESIDENT/DIRECTOR OF MANUFACTURING. Anne Foley PRODUCTION MANAGER Cynthia Neustadt ASSISTANT PRODUCTION MANAGER David W. MeAferty BILUNG INFORMATION MANAGER Play solo@or go on the Internetfandjkick the crap out of snott PC owners. ee - COMMAND sl con’ @QuER’ NOW AVAILABLE IN STORES EVERYWHERE. Wesiwood www.westwood.com Comnmand & Conquer is a existered trademark of Westwood Studios. Inc, Macintosh i a registered tademsnk and Poser Maines i a rade Circle 31 on reader service card HOW TO CONTACT MACWORLD Subscription Questions You read the magazine. Macworld Back Issues of Macworld Back re$7 pe Now join the club! ( Naewort Find out what it's all about. ss www.club.macworld.com on Sponsored by UMAX (EERE! PowerComputing ‘VBPA, IDG 14 March 1997 MACWORLD Shockwave’ ang Capitol Records Produce Another Smash Hit. 5° B helps us edt high-resolution = 19 pue ‘safew Buy now and get a free DMS Interactive Training CD and book — a $49.95 value! Ask your reseller for details. er 4 “Hear it now. To recogu yours own greatest hits, pick up th y Wi Director Multimedia Studio with to the limit” said Robin Bechtel. senior director of new media at Capitol,"With Shockwave free at our Web ste, where Tools to Power Your Ideas” Wide Web. Take this virtual jukebox Shockwave, we'e atthe forefront of a youl als finda link to Capito Records at Capitol Records, created with the new frontier in multimedia and Web Then give us a call today, And you'll Director’ Multimedia Studio" entirely for audio, As a medium to get music tothe become a multimedia sensation overnight Shockwave. “We use Macromedia because masses isthe best thing going” But = al 1.888.200.5696 theyre dedicated to pushing technology don't jut take her word for it First for a FREE Showcase’ CD" and the name of a reseller near you. Circle 36 on reader service card Sten Software is packed with pow il It! from Kaetron erful tools and images (called stencils) that work together to automate the c of flow- vork diagrams, web pnical pages, floor plans, t drawings, timelines and more Instantly jurn your creation into a hyperlinked web page brings you the ling schedule and contact manager for the Macintosh. It's perfect for indi viduals, workgroups and the web, Fast and easy: one-click access to your schedule and contacts, plus easy setup for group scheduling and sharing calendars and contacts. Qui Over 30 new shortcuts and icken DELUXE improvements make Quicken Deluxe for'97 the fastest, eas BS coos Organizes Finances Painlessly Quicken ever. Improved ers, reports, graphs, free mutual fund quotes and a new, streamlined interface designed for Mac users speed up daily tasks. Get Clickin’ with Quicken, From Intuit In the past, you prac to be a programmer to create pages for the World Wide Web. But now, whether you're a small business or home user, manager or webmaster. with Adobe’ PageMill” software for the Mac, you can create pro fessional, dynamic and color Adobe Pagedil MYOB is designed to help you do exactly that —Mind Your Own Business. 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It's 35 ‘0 faster than version 2.0 and offers Sound Blaster’ compatibility for Windows applications. ty and achieve greater personal and # nie Franklin Day Planner professional success with ASCEND’ 4.0 from Franklin Quest help you plan your er Wware Its unique features re day, week or month. Schedule repeating tasks and recurring appointments and print onto Franklin Day Planner pages. Spell Catcher” will become your constant writing compan: ion, It enhances your vocabu: lary, checks your spelling as you write, saves you time and keystrokes with a customizable shorthand glossary and saves your work automatically. Your masterpiece is in good hands now. From Casady & Greene. Youd swear that ruthless competitor is a 100,000 person operation blanketing the globe. Yet it could easily be someone just like you, a group of brave entre- preneurs making a go of it. Except, perhaps, for one very important fact. They have an edge. They're doing business on a Macintosh’ computer—where the know, that conglomerate you’re up against is a five person "s1PMYOS OPW [|e Buisn uoinei1sdo Introducing the world’s first .28mm, 21-inch (19.7" DVI*) aperture grille monitor. The new Diamond Pro 91TXM (21" CRT/19.7" diagonal viewable image) from Mitsubishi Electronics represents an unprecedented improvement in the way you'll look at monitors from this moment on. Mt T's us 1's H 1 Bright, vivid colors with superb contrast. Razor-sharp focus due to Mitsubishi's enhanced electron gun. DIANONDTRON High refresh rate for flicker-free imagery. On-Screen Display system with intuitive front-panel controls. All in an ergonomic, compact enclosure that fits easily into any workspace. Best of all, the Diamond Pro 91TXM is available at the estimated selling price of $1,699, including a compre- hensive 3-year warranty and support program to keep it working at peak efficiency. The new Diamond Pro 87TXM (17" CRT/16.0" diagonal viewable image) is also available, with an estimated selling price of $849. Get all the details today—both on-screen and off—by calling Mitsubishi Electronics at 1-800-843-2515 in the US. and Mexico. In Canada call 1-800-387-9630. For immediate product specifications call Mitsubishi Qwikfax at 1-800-937-2094. World Wide Web hetp://www.mitsubishi-display.com A © 8@ (i =f *.mMITSuBIsH Microtel a aoe DISPLAY PRODUCTS (©1997 Mitsubishi Electronics America, Inc. DIAMONDTRON is a trademark of Mitsubishi Electronics America, Inc. Microsoft, Windows and the Windows logo are registered trademarks of Microsoft corporation. Mac and the Mac OS logo are trademarks of Apple Computer, Inc. * DVE: Diagonal viewable image Circle 261 on reader service card ave neunnavie ia Leliers Strong Opinions on Corel S$ A GRAPHIC DESIGNER | CAN ONLY echo Deke McClelland’s horror at the CorelDraw 6 Suite (Reviews, December 1996). I'm firmly convinced that the real reason it’s the best-selling PC drawing package has everything to do with the 750 fonts and 10,000 pieces of (mostly awful) clip art. It sure has nothing to do with the painful drawing tools. If competing against Microsoft in the office-suite wars means user-interface arrogance, bloated code, and playing to the lowest common denominator, then 1 must admit that Corel is well on its way toward achieving its lofty goal Jim Donaro Orlando, Florida FJ OW COULD YOU GIVE ‘THE COREL- I 1 Draw 6 Suite only two stars? I'm the first to admit it isn’t the best set of pro- grams and it does have its share of bugs, but look at the value. The $595 list price can be misleading, but seven pages for- ward in your magazine the CorelDraw 6 advertised for $415.98. And the ve upgrade is only $158.98. If you purchase the CorelDraw 6 Suite, you may not get the best products, but you still have money in your pocket to replace the bad portions. CARL GRANT Sterling Heights, Michigan WONDERED WHAT YOU WERE THINK- I ing when you went from praising to pounding the CorelDraw 6 Suite. Mike Heck wrote a glowing report of Corel- Draw (“Can CorelDraw Challenge the Pros?” News, August 1996). I based my purchase on that “Sneak Peek,” as it was the most current information. A week later, the December issue came out. a resounding thud.” Great. I noticed, though, that the guy who reviewed it was Deke McClelland, Where was he months ago when the beta was out? ETHAN ROBERTS Watertown, Wisconsin Mike Heck, a contributing editor for Info World, stepped in and did our “Sneak Peek” on the CorelDraw 6 Suite while Deke was busy tak~ ing portraits of albino reptiles. A “Sneak Peck” is not a review. It gives a look at the features and interface of a beta product without rating or evaluating it, so Heck gave Corel the benefit of the doubt about fixing bugs. Our reviewers— like McClelland —cut companies no such slack for final products rated in reviews —Ed. Where's the Bunny When You Need It? Y ETERNAL THANKS FOR “THE BAT- tery Time Bomb” (News, December 1996). A couple of months ago my daugh- ter’s LC 475 died. | assumed she'd blown the logic board until I saw your article. A new battery cost me $8. Your magazine was $5.95. Better than spending $800 for a new board, or getting next to nothing for the machine as junk. The experience left me delighted with Macworld, but a bit puzzled about Macintosh service. Can it really be that trained technicians don’t know about this battery wrinkle? Don Braip Calgary, Mberta, Canada CCORDING TO “THE BATTERY TIME. Bomb,” the motherboard battery re- ements should range in price from 87 to $15. A local repair center I spoke with informed me that my wife's Power- Book 165c has a wafer-type battery on a card soldered to the motherboard. | was told that replacing the card alone would cost $145! Is this a mistake, or did you overlook some oddities hidden in Apple's product line? Jere NUGENT Bonner Springs, Kansas The cost of a PowerBook 165 battery should be no different than for other Macs—87 to $15, as Jong as you install the battery yourself, Mother- board batteries are harder to replace in Power- Books than in desktop Maes, bur even so, $145 seems a high price for technical service. You might want to call around and find a better deal—sometbing in the $80 range-—Cary Lu Off the Grid... and Loving It OGER SPENDLOVE’S LETTER WAS OF R great interest, as I have been living off the grid using photovoltaic power for about 20 years (Letters, December 1996), The problem with computer equipment is continues www.macworld.com March 1997 19 DRAW circles around those other _ CADs “Now I can design my way, —Bob Payne, Architect © You want drawings that look like the ones you've always done by hand—or better. Exquisitely detailed. Perfect arrows, Crisp lines, Or maybe a squiggly sketch. You don’t want it to look like it was done on a computer. PowerCADD lets you draw and it doesn’t get in your way. Draw floor plans. Machinery. Charts. Sketch a bush. Doodle a cloud. A flower. You can draw anything PowerCADD, And it’s easy. ike chat, with Turn your genius loose. Put some fun back into your life. Order PowerCADD Call 910-299-4843 In Canada: 204-453-8111 ENGINEERED SOFTWARE htto:// www.engsw.com Fax: 910-852-2067 Circle 12 on reader service card 20 March 1997 MACWORLD LETTERS that there is mo standard. | power my Power Mac, scanner, removable drives, and printers with a 12-volt battery sys- tem through a 120V AC inverter. On the DC side of my system, the PowerBook requires 24V—7.5V for the PowerBook 150—and a third printer uses 5V. Although Spendlove is willing to wire his home for DC power only, most of the people I know living off the grid find that using a good inverter and standard ener- gy-saving 120V AC appliances and light- ing saves a lot of money and headaches when providing different power for sev- eral systems. Aside from which, the cos of DC wiring is usually more than the cost ofa good modified sine-wave inverter. SAM TAYLOR The Unplugged nguarterly ‘Tres Piedras, New Mexico Want to live off the grid? You can reach The Unplugged Unquarterly, a journal about using, living, and working with renewable ener- 9, at staylor@taos.newmex.com, 505/986- 2952, or P.O. Box 40, ‘Tres Piedras, NM 87577, ed. Acronym Alert N “PILE FORMATS FOR PREPRESS” (PUB- lishing Workshop, December 1996), a clarification needs to be made regardi DCS and EPS image files. High tion CMYK images in EPS and DCS mat (the most common CMYK format in prepress) are about the same size as CMYK TIFFs—not 25 percent larger. DARREL PLaNt Portland, Oregon CMYK files are about the same size in 3, and DCS when saved from Adobe Photoshop, though embedded previews can make minor variations, But RGB image files created ly Photoshop are 25 percent larger in EPS for mat (even without previews). Photoshop's EPS files seem to include four channels of data, even though only three contain color information. Your mileage may vary, hiwever, if you're using something other than Photoshop. EPS files created by Equilibrinm’s DeBabelizer 1.5, for instance, are 270 percent the size of their TIFF equivalents—with cither RGB or CMYK images—even with no previews included. ‘Also nore the uncertain antecedent in the sentence referring to Photoshop's screening (“One difference [between TIFF and EPS]: when you include screening instructions in a Photoshop EPS file, Photoshop's screening procedure differs from standard PostScript screening, which can reduce banding in scanned images and gruduat- ed fills"). The which refers to Photasbop' ing, not standard Post sereen- Script screening. For an explanation af Photoshop's screening routine, see Quick Tips, December 1996.—Steve Roth Are We Mac Hypochondriacs? READ YOUR COMPARISON REVIEWS ON virus-protection software, and | had to laugh (Reviews, December 1996). Just which viruses, exactly, are these programs che king for? T have been downlo: software from the Internet for s years and I can only recall one mention of a virus during this period. I know they t, but they are very few and very far ¢ between. Word macro viruses? Yet anoth- er reason to keep Microsoft products off my computer. My advice: save your money. Macintosh users are too busy doing real work with their computers to bother writing viruses, For the PC user, however, virus protection is a way of life. We're still trying to get rid of the Monkey virus from all the PCs at my workplace. STEVE ROSEN Philadelphia, Pennsylvania Maybe I download more files than you do, but my machine ends up with infected files often enough so that I've made Disinfectant a permanent v ident on my bard drive —Ed. Unhappy with Quark "M A LOYAL QUARKXPRESS USER AND. have been for years. However, I have no interest in using Quarklmmedia as a Web design tool, for the very reasons your reviewer thinks T should be interested (Reviews, December 1996). Barbara Assadi writes as if other designers are the only audience for Web design. Perhaps this is often true; this is a rather incestuous business, even now. But as a Web designer, I know that accessibil- ity is everything—you've got to make your pages as simple and quick as possi- ble for the widest number of browsers, Immedia’s proprietary browsing architec- ture defeats this goal. Only a fraction of netizens will both- er to download yet another piece of pro- prietary software to view a minuscule s continues xs POWER TOOLS° KAI'S ROWER'G00™ (BRYGE®2 CONWOLVER® weov0R gFFECTS~ METAPHOTOS™ (STUDIO \EFFECTS™ FINAL EFFECTS” FINAL EFFECTS AP™ Find out more! 800-472-9025 Ask for Dept. MMO3 hitny//www,metatools.com sand Kai's Powe: G00, MetaPhotas, exture trom MatPhetos Collection, 4 Sorta Barbara Céuny, CA S003. Phone. 85-56-6720 Fax 05-586 6385 T'S NEW] Play MetaSquares on America One fkeyword: MetaSguares). Kai's Powe Tools, Bryce and ConvoWer are egatere 1857 Meteo, fe 308 Ca MetaSquares and Vector Efects are trademarks of MetaTools, In. Sts ects, Fal Efects and Final ects AP ae trademarks of Metals, Inc, nd ETAB AB. “MetaLabt mage create in Bea by AnEfect Design Stu, Los Angeles. Bachg Circle 5 on reader service card \ [a ouse Plans Farniture o 7a = r BS f 3 © >) 13) = i HY inn 7A al tad | Cie ae Le i (3) MaeéDraft 4.2 The powerful, low-cost $249 solution for all of your drawing and drafting needs. To order MacDraft or MacPlot: The pe a a MacPlot Family Print in color from any Mac software to large format printers from CalComp, ENCAD, HP and more! From $399 MICROSPOT [= Microspot USA, Ine. (408) 253-2000 Se habla espafio! Demo copies available - www.nicrospot.com Circle 3 on reader service card 22 March 1997 MACWORLD LETTERS number of pages, especially if the only benefit is really nice-looking type. (How many Adobe Acrobat pages have you sed lately) We designers often for- get that outside our world, the vast major- ity of the real world couldn’t care less about typography, as long as they can read what it says. On the Web in particular, they care about searchability and the abil- ity to cut and paste, both of which are impossible in Immedia, Consequently, these pages, like Acrobat pages, are in- visible to search engines—which is anoth- er death blow. Tam frankly upset that Quark decided to go proprietary rather than really help us out with a Quark-sharp HTML trans- lation module. Maybe this is a great multimedia tool, but to award four stars to this product as a Web design package seems grotesquely inappropriate. STEVE Faruey ‘Tueson, A izona Unlucky in Lotto Ke A PITY THAT YOUR TOP-RATED CD- ROM drive, the Plextor-equipped La Cie 8x External CD-ROM Drive for Macintosh, is no longer available from La Cie (“CD-ROM Drives Accelerate,” December 1996), It seems the drive is available only with a Panasonic mecha- nism. I suspect that La Cie feels like the poor fellow who has won the lottery but can’t produce a lotto ticket in order to claim the pri Frep BRUNT Murfreesboro, Tennessee It’s alsa a pity that my spiffy, new 8X CD-ROM drive, purchased the week before I wrote this response, will be replaced on retailers’ shelves with 16% CD-ROM drives by the time you read this. But that’s the nature of the business, accord- ing to La Cie. CD mechanisms are replaced by newer mechanisms at the rate of three or four per year—the Panasonic 8X that replaced the Plex- tor 8X tested in “CD-ROM Drives Accelerate” will only be around for a few months before it too is replaced with a faster drive, And then there's akways DVD, due out next year-—Ed. A Stitch in Time HAVE BEEN LOOKING FOR A DECENT Macintosh needlepoint and cross-stitch program for some time. I use several PC programs under Insignia Software's Soft- Windows 95, but navigating within the Windows environment is terribly awk- ward, and I’m not getting the results I need. Do you have any information on needlepoint or cross-stitch programs written for the Macintosh? BeRNaRDINE DODEK via Macworld Online Yes, indeed. Try Cochenille Design Studio's Stitch Painter, You can reach Cachenille at 619/259-1698 or via its Web page at hup:// www.cochenille.com.—Ed. Next, Macintosh Sea Chanteys Ne 1 SANG TH OLS IN “THE MAC- world 1996 Holiday Sing-along Song- book” (The Desktop Critic, December 1996) aloud to my wife, I realized that those seasonal hymns prove nobody else is even half as hooked on the Mac as David Pogue appears to be! Macworld should be proud to have such a dedicated lunatic on its staff. StTev COVILLE Encinitas, California T ENJOYED DAVID POGUE'S CHRISTMAS carols so much that I was inspired to try my hand at composing one. 12 Months of Macworld (to the tune of “White Christmas”) I’m resubscribing to Macworld For each software review they write. InfoWorld ignores me; Computerworld bores me; And I get nota bit of bang from Byte. I’ve paid the newsstand price too long. (Sometimes I just stand there and peek.) Where I work, I'm the reigning Macgeek... Ineed Macworld . . .. to supplement MacHeek, J. Micnaet Rowtaxn Thompson Station, Tennessee Letters should be sent to Letters, Macworld, 501 Seond St,, San Francisco, CA 94107; via fax, 415/442- 0766; or electronically to CompuServe (70370,702), MCI Mail (294-8078), America Online (keyword Macworld), AppleLink (Macworld1), or via the Inter- niet (letters@macworld com), Include return address and daytime phone number. Due to the high volume of mail received, we can’t respond personally to each letter, We reserve the right to edie all letters, All pub- lished letters become the property of Macworld, GRAPHICS (CANVAS 5 Complet ion, Photo Editing and Page Design 5s, fee If you already own a graphics application, trade up to Canvas § for just $149.95, See your favorite reseller, or visit us at www.deneba.com for complete product information and ‘secure online ordering. For a Canvas 5 dealer near you, or to order by phone, call 1-800-6 CANVAS or 305-596-5644. powerful... we should put asbestos gloves in every bor! ec top toying with feeble graphics programs that sap your creative Ne | energy. Canvas 5 puts everything you need to realize your artistic vision into one integrated program that's ready to rock the second inspiration hits. * Say goodbye to concentration-zapping “launch and quit” cycles. With Canvas 5, absolutely stunning illustration, photo editing, and page design tools are always right at your fingertips. + In addition, Canvas 5 works with any file (from Photoshop” to CorelDraw” to GIF, TIFF, and JPEG) and any Photoshop-compatible plug-in. You also get over 20,000 clip art images and 2,000 premium URW” fonts. + Simple, flexible, and relentlessly versatile, Canvas 5 is an industrial-strength graphics tool. So what are you waiting for? Put the awesome power of Canvas 5 under your creative control today. WI Computin TOA Circle 57 on reader service card Macintosh. Does Netscape come with an uninstall program? Let's look at the facts. Microsoft® Internet Explorer 3.0 was designed for the Mac by our Mac developers to be faster and easier to use. It requires no upgrade since it runs on — File Edit View 6o F existing Macs like 680x0 and Power F — — —— Macs, and it only needs a 4MB RAM partition. (Netscape eats an SMB partition.) Internet Explorer 3.0 supports Stylesheets, ActiveX” Java™ and native Mac technologies like QuickTime, QuickTime VR and AppleScript. It gives you lots of killer ways to customize your Web experience, as well as convenient access to e-mail and newsgroups. Microsoft Internet Explorer 3.0 is quicker and smarter and smaller and, incredibly enough, it's free’ You can do a quick download from the Microsoft Web site, or call AT&T for a WorldNet connection and a free disk at 1-800-967-5363 ext. IE3. You may even want to keep Netscape for nostalgic reasons. *Connect time charges may apply. ©1997 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved. Microsoft and Where do you want to go today? are registered trademarks and ActiveX and the Microsoft Internet Explorer logo are trademarks of Microsoft Corporation. Java is a trademark of Sun Microsystems, Inc. Other product and company ‘names mentioned herein may be trademarks of their respective owners. Image courtesy of AURA/STSc! and NASA. ites Window oft Internet Explorer 2 ee @ A. roh Mail News Favorites Larger — Sm Where do you want to go today?” www.microsoft.com/ie/ ‘our needs. Specialized tools for Tamy@esien industties: A/E/C iB, landscape, space ee food, See theater/lighting and more 3: HE GOMPLETE CAD) PACKAGE! ryou'r fe looking for: a hybrid 2D/3D drafting environment; a powe ibase to track costs and materials; a built-in macro language to auto- routine drafting tasks; full file-transfer capabilities to other ims, including QuickDraw™ 3D; even digital terrain 5K ie ee Ag Poa ed and easy touse, Youevenget (/./ features and QuickTime™ animation! a JAND DRAERING /HOOLKE on 0] libraries to buy! MiniCad a ik racked with tae apis” jos, tools, commands, templates, parametrics, formatted ink teceant sample files created for seca industries. These odules are powerful, complete and already in MiniCad 6, design flexibility and targeted industry solutions. ‘TIONALLY RECOGNIZED § 1th year, MiniCad is the best-selling CAD program on the 1. And now there’s a Windows™ version! Available in 13 languages, ir sed by. design professionals in more than 80 countries, FOR 30 Days! 6 from a participating dealer, you'll get our no- may mokep back guarantee. Plus 18 months of free technical ice neice and a CD-ROM with QuickTime demonstra- ol and eeptand as well as samples of MiniCad files from 5 (Dept. 0) or 410-290-5114 Pe Tee 520; Por \caden ses 300 State of the Mac by Adrian Mello Steve Jobs, Next, and the Mac 0S DRAMA, QUESTIONS, ou SAY APPLE isn’t an_ interesting company. Apple’s his- tory is more like a soap opera than a corporate biography. In the pre- vious episode viewers were anxiously await- ing the acquisition of Be so that Apple could lay claim to a new operating system to replace the recently failed Copland OS. Be is the brainchild of Jean-Louis Gassée, the onetime Apple bad boy who filled the personality vacu- um created by Steve Jobs when he left the company in 1985, But at the eleventh hour, none other than Steve Jobs himself returned to Apple, and with him came Next, which will provide the Mac’s new operating system and future hope. As remarkable as Steve Jobs's rejoin- ing Apple may be, the most important part of the story is the acquisition of Next and its technology (see “What's Next for the Mac OS?” in News). What does this mean to ordinary users? Well, it means nothing for a while, since the Next OS won't be available for at least a year. Nonetheless, the Next acquisition is important to everyone who cares about the Mac and Apple’s future. Apple has placed its bet, and the company’s future depends on how it plays its new hand. Ir’s pretty clear that Apple's plans are still in the formative stage, and I don’t expect to see a lot of details in the Janu- ary 7 announcement. I will tell you frankly that I don’t have answers to many pressing questions as I write this, shortly after the acquisition was announced in late December. However, I can suggest some of the key questions you will be asking in the coming months, and take a jab at possible answers. How important will Steve Jobs be to Apple? He will play a comparatively minor role as a part-time technology con- sultant. He won't be running the compa- ny as he did in the past. Ellen Hancock will remain firmly in charge of Apple’s technology direction. The fact that Ame- lio has taken advantage of Jobs's publicity value to create new excitement demon- strates the kind of media savvy that’s been lacking since Jobs left. Will the new user interface look like the Mac or the Next OS? No one knows. I hope that rather than arguing which of the two existing user interfaces it should keep, Apple creates an elegant interface that makes the new C sible and intuitive as possible. Thi face should also do a good job of inte- grating the Internet. will Mac technologies such as QuickTime, QuickDraw GX, and Open- Doc be incorporated into the new OS? A version of QuickTime already runs on Next for movie playback, and other pieces are likely to be integrated over time. The fate of GX, OpenDoe, and other tech- nologies isn’t clear. Will Next technologies such as Next- mail, NextTime, and Display PostScript be incorporated into the new OS? I don’t know. Apple rejected Display PostScript for QuickDraw GX several years ago, but AND TENTATIVE ANSWERS ON APPLE'S NEW OS it will probably reconsider such technol- ogy options at this point. Will the new OS be offered on Intel- based hardware? Next says this is a pos- sibility, and it’s tantalizing. The opportu- nity to expand the Mac’s marketshare into the huge base of Intel computers would be a boon and would also encourage developers. However, Apple won't want to cloud its commitment to PowerPC, so I don’t expect to see an Intel-compatible version of the new OS for at least a year or two after it is available on Power- PC hardware, although OpenStep is already available on Intel machines. Will the new OS run on my old Mac? Apple expects the new OS to run on existing Macs. It’s not clear whether it will run on older PowerPC systems that use the NuBus or on even older 680X0 Macs, Will current Mac applica- tions run on the new OS? | find it hard to imagine that Apple wouldn't offer some form of compatibility for ex- isting Mac applications. What degree, and what approach Apple will take, were unclear at press time. At least two products have been created that run some Ma Next systems: Daydri Quix and Executor from Aba- cus Research Development. Will existing Next applications run on the new OS? This isn’t clear either, but the stakes aren’tas high for Apple with cur- rent Next users as they are with the vast- ly larger installed base of Macintosh users. ‘These are just a few of the questions for the new year. If you have answers, and even other questions, I'd love to hear from you at mello@macworld.com. In the meantime, I’m encouraged to see Apple acting boldly, and the new year looks promising indeed, It will certain- ly be exciting. m www.macworld.com March 1997 27 TAL CAMERA GS You NEED iM SAG MAD, Be M (Psa Caper Oi 0S: ARO ls T WoL TCA MONE 640x480. Resolution, 24-Bit Color 1,8" Color LCD Screen ‘orkien pe ‘Stores 108 Images at 640 x 480 iH “Builtin Flash i 2 £ } ae u : Video Output a3 for TV 5 : ; When we say ViewSonic Shown above Model PT775 iY, BEST BUY ViewSonic PT775 © 17" CRT Size 16.0" Viewable © Aperture Grille Pitch 25mm © 96KHz Horizontal Scan Rate © 1600x1200 @ 77 Hz Maximum Resolution © TCO Compliance © Plug & Play + ViewSonic PT813 © 21" CRT Size 20.0" Viewable © Aperture Grille Pitch .28mm © 107KHz Horizontal Scan Rate © 1600x1200 @ 85Hz Maximum Resolution © TCO Compliance * Plug & Play + ici AY ooo ae me CHOICE Aperture grille technology that rewrites the spec charts. It's one thing to say our new PT775 17" (16.0" viewable) monitor sets a new performance standard. It’s quite another to back up that claim. But we've got the technology and the specs to prove it. Featuring an 0.25mm aperture grille pitch, this monitor outperforms all competition. Period, The PT775 achieves breakthrough quality in brightness, color saturation and screen clarity with a maximum resolution of 1600 x 1200 at a remarkable 77 Hz refresh rate. It works hard. It plays hard. The PT775 SonicTron’ draws on ViewSonic technology to exceed all high-performance demands—no matter what the application. From graphic design to business presenta- tions to CAD and the internet, it delivers the highest resolutions and clearest images yet seen in its size range. ClabMae 800-339-4239 bees Circle 59 on reader service card And, the PT775 comes with the full support of ViewSonic, one of the fastest- growing, most respected companies in the industry, It’s backed by a limited 3 year warranty on CRT, parts and labor (the best in the business), as well as an optional Express Exchange’ Service program that insures 48 hour replacements. A winning tradition. The PT775 is the latest in a long line of winners. ViewSonic’s monitors have earned over 120 major awards and have been given rave reviews in publication alter publication. To exceed your highest expectations, call (800) 888-8583 and ask for Agent 5887 for the dealer nearest you. ViewSonic’ @y iad s852Connection oa MaaWAREBOUSE 800-986-2271 800-248-0800 © 1996 VewSonc Corporation, a rants reservedt - Neus What's Next for the Mac 0S? APPLE'S OS STRATEGY BEGINS TO TAKE SHAPE AS NEXT GETS ABOARD by Tova Fliegel and Galen Gruman hen Apple CEO Gilbert Amelio revealed Apple’s $400 million Next acquisition in late December—along with the return of cofounder and for- mer Next owner Steve Jobs— he offered few details about how Apple would incorporate the Next OS (known as both NextStep and OpenStep) into its product line. Those details, he promised, would be pre- sented during his Macworld Expo keynote on January 7. In- stead, the keynote turned into a high-tech Hollywood specta- cle complete with movie stars and rock musicians, but with little of substance for users or developers looking for details on Apple’ latest OS strategy. In fact, Apple does have a real strategy for developing the next-generation Mac OS. Although Amelio didn’t de- scribe it, chief technology officer Ellen Hancock did in a 32 March 1997 MACWORLD separate press conference, and Macworld has learned further ils. ‘The plan has two com- short-term strategy issuing semiannual updates to System 7, anda long-range plan for incorporating the Next OS. In keeping with Apple’s musical metaphors, the Nex based Mac OS will be code- named Rhapsody. Apple plans to deliver an early version of Rhapsody to developers in the third quarter of this year. This version will not run current Mac applications; the idea is to give vendors a head start on developing applications for the new C Users will get their first taste of Rhapsody around Jan- uary 1998, in a_ version dubbed Rhapsody Premier. That release will run new Rhapsody applications, but will offer only limited com- patibility with System 7 appli- cations. The first fully Mac- compatible release, Rhapsody Unified, is slated to appear in mid-1998, or possibly later. Apple will continue to re- vise System 7. In July, it will hip the Tempo upgrade (see The Mac OS‘ Interim Steps,” elsewhere in this section). In January 1998, Apple plans to ship the Allegro update, and in July 1998, the Sonata upgrade. The two updates’ features are still being determined. Apple expects to support both System 7 and the new Mac OS for several years, even after Rhapsody ships to the public. With this new scheme, Apple is throwing away sever- al years of effort spent devel- oping an OS that can run Mac OS 8 and System 7 programs using shared OS components. But Apple says it will port current key Mae technologies like QuickTime, AppleScript, Apple events, V-Twin, Hot- Sauce, Open Transport, and OpenDoc. System 7 Compai ity Apple plans to develop a com- patibility box for the Next- based OS that will let it run most System 7 programs. The so-called Blue Box will not be a Mac emulator but the actual System 7 OS running on the new Mac OS kernel, the part of the OS that manages hard- ware and basic system opera- tions. Apple has not decided what kernel to use, and before being acquired by Apple, Next was thinking of using a new version of its h kernel. In the Blue Box window you will be able to run any System 7 program (680X0 and PowerPC) that doesn't communicate directly with the Mac hardware. The pro- grams that do run will include ystem extensions and control panels, but not drivers and some utilities that work directly with the hardware. ‘This level of compatibility is more than was planned for Apple's original Mac OS 8 effort, known as Copland. That OS would not have run extensions and control panel Technologies such as QuickDraw 3D, QuickTime, QuickDraw GX, OpenDoc, and the DayStar multipro- cessing API will also be sup- ported in the Blue Box. The Next-Based Mac OS The new Mac OS—the Next- based OS—will be known as the Yellow Box. Unlike Cop- land, the Yellow Box will be fully preemptive and multi- threaded, and will have full memory This means programs can work in parallel without causing each other to crash. It also means users should be able to run several tasks in parallel, such as faxing while printing, or doing a database sort while reading e-mail. Under the Copland plan that Apple killed in August, only some parts of Ma had these capabilities. Rhapsody’s Yellow Box will also support fully sym- metrical multiprocessing, in which any available CPU can run any program or program thread. System 7's multipro- cessing architecture reserves one CPU as the traffic cop, which divides the tasks of pro- grams specifically written for multiprocessing among the available CPUs. The primary CPU is less available for tas! ing because of its role as protection. Mac-Like Interface Apple plans to rework the Next OSS interface so it is Mac-like. While Apple will adopt some Next OS conventions, the yy is convinced that the ac OSS human interface is the best available and wants to ensure this approach is main- tained. Within the Next-based OS, Apple will hide the rem- nants of its Unix command- line interface. Like the abortive Cop- land effort, the Next-based Mac OS in the Yellow Box window will support multiple looks. Thus, you will be able to customize the interface’s visual appearance and how some of its features operate— for example, preventing net- work access for some users. continues on page 42 Steve Jobs got all the attention, but the real story is Next’s software technology. Apple Eyes Java for Key 0S Role THE MAC OS MAY GET AN ASSIST FROM SUN by Charles Seiter ava is emerging as the language of the Inter- net, and Apple has been forced to find a place for Java in its ongoing OS revision struggles. Apple’ chief technology officer Ellen Hancock, an admitted Java fan, s said that Apple is using J; for elements of Mac OS 8, and hopes the company can inte- grate some Java components developed by other companies into the operating system, sav- ing Apple the time of develop- ing these components. In fact, Apple is generating a wide range of responses to the rise of Java as a program- ming language. At the simplest level, Apple has announced that Mac OS Runtime for J; 1.0 will ship this spring and be included in the Harmony OS in July, allowing Java applets to run on a Mac without opening contacts at language vendors to. be contemplating a. stripped- down future operating system written in Java itself. PowerPC Goes Java Such an operating system would be an ideal match to the CPU quiet- ly announced in spring 1996 by Motorola. Hans Wildenberg, director of Motorola Semicon- ductors Europe's computer technology group, described plans for a chip Motorola intends to introduce in carly 1997, a custom PowerPC 604 processor optimized for Ja instructions, which would be PowerPC alte native to Sun Microsystems’ a chip set, which was essentially own J continues THE NEXT MAC What's Next for Mac OS 8? 32 Apple Eyes Java for OS Role 33 The Next Step: Excite Developers 35 Mac OS 8's Tortuous Journey 36 Mac OS's Interim Steps 37 State of the Mac 27 also announced in 1996. In between these two options, or perhaps waiting at the side, is a Pippin-like oper- ating system supporting Open- Doc and Java, which Apple is said to be positioning as a com- petitor to Sun Microsystems’ JavaStation, a “thin client” net- work computer introduced in late 1996. Thus, at the simplest level, a user wouldn't really have much more Java involve- ment than happens now when running Netscape Navigator 3.01 under System 7.5, while at the advanced level the Mac would be an all-Java system, running new, network-orient- ed, OpenDoc- and Java-based software—not Mae software. This would be a radical new generation of Macs. Sources close to Apple deny that there isa plan to replace the Mac OS with a Java-based OS, but acknowledge that Apple is exploring ways to use Java throughout its products. Will Java Be True? One rea- son for Apple’ cautious, mul level approach to Java is major uncertainty about aspects of Java's future. Java was designed atform lan- ge, and Sun's JavaSoft sub- y is trying to get the pro- gramming industry to accept the idea of Pure Java, a plat- form-independent version cre- dentialed by a large test suite. But Microsoft is putting considerable effort into derail- ing Java—first, by promoting its own ActiveX system as an alternative for Internet pro- gramming, and second, by insisting on Windows-specific additions to basic Java so that most programmers’ work wouldn’t run on Macintosh or Unix systems. Apple clearly doesn’t want to get caught with an all-Java hardware-and-OS base if Microsoft can succeed in undermining Java as a cross- platform programming system. ‘Therefore, Apple must keep its options open on Java involve- 34 March 1997 MACWORLD | News ment for at least another year. The Java Trial However, the situation may not be as dif ficult for Apple as it seems at first. Because Java-ready browsers for both 680X0 and PowerPC systems already exist, the whole Apple installed base has a chance in 1997 to investigate small, fast Open- Doc and Java applets as possi- ble replacements for the giant traditional applications that form the Microsoft-dominat- ed view of computing. Before committing them- selves to next-generation hard- ware and a new Mac OS, own- ers of older Macs would still have the opportunity to try— at considerably reduced per- formance in a browser wi dow—some of the new appli- cations and applets written in Java that Apple thinks may be a market force driving users to a new platform. IBM, Motorola Drop NT for PowerPC TOO LITTLE DEMAND, TOO FEW PROGRAMS by Tova Fliegel he PowerPC has lost another operating sys- tem, leaving the Mac OS and IBM's AIX version of Unix as the only major OSs on it. (BM dropped OS/2 a year ago.) IBM’s RS/6000 Group (800/ 426-2255, bttp://www.rs6000 -ibm.com) and Motorola’s Computer Group (800/759- 1107, bttp://www.mot.com/ Minolta’s Detachable Lens NEW CAMERA ALSO FEATURES LCD MONITOR Now that there's a glut of consumer-level digital cameras on the market, vendors are scrambling for new ways to differ- entiate their products. In the new Dimage V from Minolta (201/825-4000, http://www.minolta.com), the big selling point is the 2.7x zoom lens on a rotating mount, which lets you shoot from various angles without contorting yourself. You can even detach the lens and connect it to a 3.3-foot cable for shooting where no digital cam- era has gone before. The camera also fea- tures a color LCD monitor and built-in flash. Maximum reso- lution is 640 by 480 pixels, and removable cards can store 16 high-resolution or 40 low-resolution images. The camera is bundled with Adobe PhotoDeluxe 1.0 and includes Mac-compatible image-cap- ture software that can be used as a plug-in or stand-alone application.—STEPHEN BEALE computer/) ave halting further development of PowerPC- based Windows NT worksta- tions. The move came a mere month after Motorola was to begin manufacturing its Pow- erStack II line of PowerPC- based NT workstations, Motorola says it will con- tinue to sell PowerStack IT systems, although it plans to shift production to its new StarMax series of Maes, which are produced on the same assembly lines. Pentium Wins ‘The two companies say there is insuffi- cient demand for such sys- tems and insufficient support from software developers, who would have to recompile their NT applications to run on a PowerPC-based system. Instead, it’s clear that NT users have adopted Pentium Pro-based systems as the standard NT workstation. Both companies will continue to support systems ported to 4.0, the current version of NT, but neither has plans to support future versions. CHRP in the Lurch? The announcement does not bode well for the future of the Common Hardware Refe ence Platform (CHRP). Capable of running the Mac OS, NT, and AIX, CHRP systems were supposed to appeal to budget-conscious corporate IS managers who could buy one machine to run multiple operating systems and save money on peripher- als by connecting the same devices to machines running disparate OSs. Now, the only major operating system to run on the forthcoming CHRP sys- tem is the Mac OS, so the only broad advantage of CHRP seems to be the lower manufacturing costs (due to CHRP’s use of less-expensive PC components) for systems makers and lower costs for users who can buy PC periph- erals for their CHRP Macs. Representatives of the Apple, IBM, and Motorola alliance claim that the original multi-OS benefits of CHRP remain. They claim that other as-yet-unnamed companies are preparing to announce NT ports for CHRP systems, but it’s hard to imagine why any smaller companies would be willing to undertake a proposition considered too risky by the two major players. Apple spokeswoman Nathalie Welch says Apple’s plans for the CHRP-based systems will not be affected by the Motorola-IBM announce- ment, although she offers no timetable for their release. “After Windows NT 4.0, we'll see if there's enough cus- tomer demand or if it’s time to go back to the drawing board,” she says. One rumor is that Micro- soft demanded huge fees for further ports of NT on Pow- erPC. However, Macworld could not confirm that rumor. NEWS FLASH The Next Step: Evangelize Developers EARLY SIGNS ARE POSITIVE by Tova Fliegel evelopers and analysts seem to agree on one aspect of Apple Com- puter's surprise acquisi~ tion of Next: this time around Apple has shown some marketing smarts in spinning the tale of its returning prodi- gal son, Steve Jobs. But with that marketing triumph under its belt, Apple now must ensure that a Next- based Mac OS gathers critical mass in the market. And to be accepted by consumers, Apple’ new OS must first be embraced by software developers, who have limited resources to spend on porting applications, partic ularly in a market where a dual-platform strategy is now key to survival. As analyst Michael Gartenberg of the Garter Group puts it, “The toughest job here is for Guy (Kawasaki, Apple evangelist] and Heidi [Roizen, head of Apple developer relations]. They still have to convince developers to buy into this.” The Benefits of Age While praise is far from unani- mous, at this still-early stage in Apple’s new OS plans, a sam- pling of developers is applaud ing Apple’s bold acquisition. ‘The developers view the ten- year-old NextStep as a mature operating system with all essential services in place, dis- missing remarks that Ni is old and comparing it favor- ably to Apple’s other options (see “Time for a New OS?” February 1997). “Tt may be ten years old,” says Larry Zulch, president of Dantz Development, “but it’ newer than Windows NT or 95, or just about any other OS. And developers are inherently conservative. We want a stable foundation, but we have to have services that facilitate things we want to do.” Zulch and others view NextStep as just such an OS: proven as well as forward- looking. They welcome the addition of preemptive multi- tasking and protected memory to the Macintosh environ- ment, features they acknowl- edge as long overdue. More important, these developers say NextStep is more forward-looking than Windows 95, because of its object orientation. One devel- oper called Next’s develop- ment tools “second to none.” Steve Guttman, vice presi- dent of marketing for Fractal REVI CANDLAND A Mac for Disabled People The Macintosh has long been the favored platform for com- puter products aimed at people with disabilities. But until now, there has never been a Mac designed from the ground up for these special users. The Freestyle from Assistive Tech- nology (617/731-4900) incorporates a PowerBook mother- board with a touch-screen display, infrared controls, a 6x CD-ROM drive, 16MB of RAM, and a 750MB hard drive. It also features a sophisticated text-to-speech system. Styled by Frogdesign, it looks more like a tablet than a laptop: there's no cover and no built-in keyboard, although the lat- ter can be added as one of several input options. One advantage of this design is that the Freestyle can be easily attached to—and powered by—a wheelchair. The system includes Knowledge Navigator, an authoring tool that lets users create custom environments for disabled people. Free- style is available at an introductory price of $4995 until June 30, after which the price will rise to $5495.—STEPHEN BEALE Design, touts Next’s use of Adobe Systems’ Display Post- Script, which provides a more WYSIWYG display, as a boon to publishers. ‘These users would benefit from Display _PostScript’s wealth of services, Guttman says, while developers would no longer have to re-create code for output both to screen and to PostScript-based devices. Dumping GX? To adopt Display PostScript, Apple would have to dump its latest imaging engine, Quick- Draw GX. But few developers are writing to GX, and if Apple were to adopt Display Post- Script, the platform might even benefit from the promo- tion of an industry-standard imaging technology. Developers and analysts agree on at least one other point: the biggest issue for Apple at this juncture is the migration path it provides. If Apple can provide a smooth transition from System 7 to this new OS—duplicating the successful transition from 680X0 to PowerPC machines —it will carry both its develop- ers and users forward. www.macworld.com March 1997 35 NEWS FLASH Mac 0S 8's Tortuous Journey YEARS OF DEMOS AND PROMISES BUT NO OS by Galen Gruman or at least five years, Apple has been talking about its big new oper- ating system that would redefine person- al computing. In those years, there have been many demos and many code names, but no new OS—at least not from Apple. Microsoft has revised Windows and Windows NT twice each in that period, while IBM has revised OS/2 twice, as well. Apple did deliv- er System 7.5 and some good extensions like QuickDraw 3D and QuickTime VR, but no new OS. The following timeline charts Apple's troubled OS course to show what themes. have remained and what have turned out to be mere fads. It also reminds us all that the current plan may in the end be no more successful than the many that went before it. Pink In 1989, Apple first discussed the Pink project, which would become the next Mac OS (presumably Mac OS. 8, as System 7.0 was far along in its development). Then, in 1991, Apple announced that IBM had bought into Pink and the two companies had spun Pink out as a new com- pany named ‘Taligent that would create a new OS for use on Apple and IBM systems, as an alternative to Windows. Instead, ‘Taligent mutated from an OS into something that not even the Taligent staff could quite describe, and 36 March 1997 MACWORLD | Mews in 1995, Apple and IBM pulled the plug after wasting tens of millions of dollars. Copland 95 In 1993, Ap- ple started hinting about Copland, the new Mac OS that would outpower the new Windows, then known vari- ously as Chicago and Win- dows 4.0. But Apple would only hint—when pressed for details, Apple spokespeople said that they didn’t want to reveal anything because they feared ‘osoft would steal the ideas for Chicago. But in January 1995, after an unflattering story in Mac- world (“The New Windows Threat,” February 1995), Apple officials began releas- ing a few details, following up with high-profile demon- strations at the May World- wide Developers Conference “The New Mac OS Unveiled,” July 1995). The idea was to give the Mac community something to look forward to in the blitz leading up to and following the August 1995 release of Windows 95. The essential features were a customizable interface, agents that automated com- mon tasks, partially protected memory and multitasking, and a new kernel that would keep extensions from crashing the Mac (and that would make most current — extensions incompatible with Copland). Apple also described a post-Copland OS, called Gershwin, that would offer such features as preemptive multitasking and protected memory, which Copland would implement only partial- ly. Gershwin would bring the Mac OS up to par with Unix, Windows NT, and OS/2, at least at the core OS level. In the next year, Apple trotted out demos of Copland at various trade shows, but no one was allowed to try it themselves. Macworld ac- quired a summer 1995 proto- (s type version of Copland and found it almost nonfunction- al, despite Apple’s claims that Copland would ship in sum- mer 1996. Apple officials gave con- tradictory release dates for Copland as it became obvious that a summer 1996 release would not happen. After a few months of that, it was clear that early 1998 was a more likely release target. In August 1996, Apple was poised to announce the first developer release of Cop- land (called DR1), months after it was originally promised. A week before the Macworld Expo in early August, Apple officials were prepping the press and devel- opers for the DR1 release. By the Expo itself, DRI as Macworld exclu- sively reported. Apple’s new chief technology officer, Ellen the Copland effort was so out of control that it could not be salvaged, and rather than let it continue, she ended it (see “Mac OS 8's About-Face,” News, October 1996). The cost of this abortive effort: $300 million. Copland 96-A The new plan, issued just after the demise of Copland 95, de- scribed a phased-in Copland (see “Mac OS 8: Back to Square One,” November 1996). Instead of an all-new operating system, Copland features would appear over time in System 7; which fea- tures remained unstated, At some point, System 7 would become Mac OS 8— likely when the new kernel was added—but most of the planned Copland technolo- gies would be grafted onto System 7, so they would remain compatible with many Hancock, had realized that 68030-based and all 040- A Signature for CD-R FARGO'S LATEST PRINTER PRODUCES CD LABELS Recordable CD drives let ordinary Macintosh users produce their own CDs, just like the big record companies and multimedia pub- lishers. The only problem is that the CDs look unprofessional when you label them with a felt-tip marker. So Fargo Electronics (612/941- 9470, http:!/www.fargo.com) has stepped into the breach with the Signature CD Color Printer. Priced at $1295, the Signature uses thermal ink-jet tech- nology to produce color images on CD-R media covered with a special coating. The program can also print ‘on jewel-box enclo- sures and cardboard templates; the latter let you produce test prints before printing your artwork on a CD. You can print at 300 dpi or 300 by 600 dpi in color or in black and white. Signature CD-R discs, available in white or silver, cost $47.50 for a package of 5 or $475 for a package of 50. STEPHEN BEALE based Maes, as well as with all PowerPC-based Macs. By contrast, the use of a new ker- nel in Copland 95 meant that only PowerPC-based Macin- toshes would run Mac OS 8. The Copland 96-A strate- gy survives in the semi- annual OS updates—System 7.6, ‘Tempo, and so forth— which will continue until Mac OS 8 ships. The Interlude At the August 1996 Expo, Power Computing showed off a new OS running on its Mac clones: the Be OS developed by a group of former Apple OS engineers. Apple was indeed talking to Be about an ition or technology- rrangement. But Ap- clined to comment, let- ting the rumors on greater believability. By No- vember, strategic statements and leaks from Power Com- puting and Be to the business and trade press resulted in a flurry of stories predicting that Apple would use the Be OS as the new Mac OS— Forbes and MacUser were among the publications pro- claiming this. After a month of this, Apple began quietly spreading the word that there'd be no Be acquisition. Copland 96-8 ‘To debunk the Be OS rumors, sources close to Apple described a new variation on the Mac OS 8 strategy in late November. Under that strategy, Apple would have a fat OS, in which yystem 7 and Mac OS 8 com- ponents would coexist, much like fat-binary programs let 680X0 and PowerPC compo- nents coexist. System 7 pro- grams would use System 7 OS components, and Mac OS 8 programs would use Mac OS 8 components (see “Time for a New OS?” February 1997), But a month later, in late December, Apple announced the Next acquisition and yet another new OS. strategy. Let's hope this one sticks. The Mac 0S's Interim Steps PERFORMANCE BOOSTS AND WEB INTEGRATION by Galen Gruman and Adrian Mello ntil the Next-genera- tion OS is ready, Apple will continue to release interim updates to Sy tem 7. Following this month’s (known for months by its c name, Harmony) will b ¢ of the Tempo System X OS, incorporating fea- tures of the Mac OS 8 Finder, With this new scheme, Apple is throwing away al years of effort developing an OS th run both Mac OS: 8 and System 7 programs using shared OS components. In the Next Mac OS, develop- ers and users will probably have to say good-bye—at le: for s—to some of yer= more elegant tech- s, such as Quick’Time. But what Apple bought in exchange could be new life for the Mac OS, albeit in an entirely different form. Before the world knew of Apple’ acquisition of } Apple CEO. Gilbert Amelio personally demonstrated the mid-1997 Mac OS update, code-named ‘Tempo and likely to be called System 7.7, to the press in mid-December. fempo is the first major on to the Mac OS since he System 7.6 merely bun- dled bug-fixes; enhanced vir- tual-memory management; and previously released revi- sions to QuickDraw 3D, Cyberdog, and OpenDoe into System 7.5.5. Tt also added a continues Internet WATCH BY CAMERON CROTTY Microsoft and Netscape’s New Battle You'd better be ready for the Internet to invade your desktop, because it’s naw just a question of which com- pany will burst onto your screen first, Netscape Commu- nications (415/254-1900, http://www.netscape.com) or Microsoft (206/882-8080, http://www.microsoft.com). Netscape's recently announced Constellation, an add-on technology for the next version of Netscape Communica- tor, takes over your desktop and turns it into a Net infor- ‘mation center by using JavaScript and HTML on the client and server. Microsoft's Active Desktop follows a similar route but relies on ActiveX components to do the job. Netscape Constellation Called the Home Port, Net- scape's Constellation user environment divides your desk- top into three major sections. Messages, information broad cast from the Net, and commonly used desk- top resources such as applications and files appear in Project areas, which take up most of the desktop, At the bottom of the screen, the Info Stream is a strip of graphical Info Blocks, which serve as launching pads for services on the network. Suppose you've installed an info Block for your favorite Net search engine. Instead of surfing to the search page, type your search criteria into the block and click on the Search button. Finally, the Selector bar on the right side of the screen contains the system resources (hard drives and printers, for instance) available to whoever's logged in. Constellation will require the next version (4.0) of Netscape Communicator, which comprises the compa- ny’s group of Net applications (including Navigator). Net- scape expects to have a public beta of Communicator 4.0 for the Mac by May. Microsoft Active Desktop Microsoft's Active Desk- top is expected to be similar to Constellation, although details of the Macintosh implementation of Active Desk- top remain sketchy, partly because at the time this story was written the Mac version of ActiveX had only just entered public beta testing. Users will be able to access their file systems with Internet Explorer, using Microsoft's ActiveX component-software technology to deliver infor- mation directly to the desktop in much the same way that Netscape intends to do with Constellation. At any rate, neither company seems to be far enough along in imple~ menting its technology for anyone to determine which one is likely to win the battle for our desktops. wwwemacworld.com March 1997 37 FrontPage Displays Many Features, Flaws BY GEOFF DUNCAN Alook at an early prerelease version of Microsoft FrontPage for the Mac- intosh revealed a powerful HTML feature set saddled with an awkward inter- face. FrontPage’s two primary applications are FrontPage Explorer for managing Web sites, and FrontPage Editor for authoring HTML documents. FrontPage Explorer provides listings of hyperlinks and files, plus a graphical view of a site's link structure, You can also view and reorganize a site, recalculate hyperlinks, verify URLs, import and export entire sites, and assemble a to-do list of common tasks (such as spelling checks, link verification, and global search-and-replace operations). Not only does FrontPage Editor provide a modern WYSIWYG edit- ing environment for HTML pages that supports most HTML 3.2 tags and other extensions, but it also lets you create a variety of image maps. FrontPage Editor makes it easy to create and manage complex tables and frames, and sports a workable, if not elegant, HTML source editor. (Although FrontPage is supposed to support Netscape plug-ins, Java applets, ActiveX controls, and other tech- nologies, these features are not yet implemented.) Office Politics One potential advantage FrontPage has over com- petitors like Adobe PageMiill and Claris Home Page is in its use of client-serv- er technologies. FrontPage is designed to integrate directly with FrontPage- savvy Web servers (currently on Windows NT and Unix only), and ships with several working “WebBot Components” (CGls) that can access remote data- bases, manage page counters, and much more. But since these technologies work only with FrontPage-ready servers, their utility to Macintosh Web authors is questionable, even if Microsoft inte- grates Mac server technologies recently purchased from ResNova. Also, Front- Page's underlying technology and user interface is based on Microsoft's Office applications—great if you like Office or Windows 95, but the interface may seem deliberately obfuscating to Macintosh users, and FrontPage suffers from the same bottlenecks as Office applications, Although it promises pervasive drag-and-drop support, FrontPage’s use of Microsoft's OLE means you can't drag data into the program from the Finder or even from Microsoft internet Explorer. Performing a sitewide search- and-replace assembles a list of hits, but you must do actual replacements on a file-by-file basis; similarly, replacing incorrect external URLs is a file-by-file oper- ation. Other flaws include the lack of a macro function and scriptability. Front- Page requires a Power Mac with at least 16MB of RAM (24MB is recommended). If Microsoft is able to clean up FrontPage and improve its performance, it might be useful for people who must work within a Windows or FrontPage environment. Otherwise, Macintosh Web authors should look elsewhere for site-oriented Web tools. While you're editing a document in FrontPage, you can also see how the page links to other documents and sites. 38 March 1997 MACWORLD | Mews new version of the Extensions Manager. While the primary focus was on improving sys- tem stability, Amelio says, ini- tial resting within Apple indi- cates that System 7.6 also delivers a significant perfor- mance boost. (Apple was un- able to provide a copy of Sys- tem 7.6 to Macworld Lab to verify performance claims.) Amelio says Tempo will go a step further—improving per- formance but also integrating the Internet and multithread- ing within the Finder. And ‘Tempo will integrate the Mac OS 8 Finder, which was origi- nally to be part of System 7.6. As a demonstration of multithreading, which lets several tasks operate simulta- neously and independently, an Apple employee copied a large number of files in the back- ground concurrently with the opening and editing of a ClarisWorks word-processing document. This type of multi- threading, called cooperative multithr g, should not be confused with the preemptive multithreading that requires a new OS core microkernel. Tempo will also integrate the Internet into the Mac OS, so that the Net appears as a vol- ume on the desktop. Apple is doing this by _ including Maxum’s (630/830-1113, betp: wiw.maxum.com) personal Web server software in the Mac OS; it’s likely that this will be available for download before Tempo ships, from Maxum if not from Apple. While Amelio said this object-oriented integration of the Internet and the OS would take place before the expected fall arrival of Nashville, Microsoft's next version of Windows 95, Nashville will provide a much tighter inte- gration of the OS and browser in which the browser nearly becomes the operating sys- tem. Apple’s more modest approach makes the Internet appear as a standard resource. Faxing over the Internet NEW PRODUCTS ALLOW USE OF THE INTERNET AS A FAX NETWORK by Stephen Beale he Internet, which has changed so many as- pects of business com- munication, is poised to revolutionize one more: facsimile transmission. Just as you can use the Internet for cheap long-distance phone calls, you can also use it as an inexpensive conduit for con- ventional faxes or for printed documents sent in lieu of a fax. Many of these products are presently geared toward PC users, but thanks to the cross-platform nature of the Internet, Macintosh users can take advantage of such capa- bilities as well. ‘Two approaches to Inter- net faxing have emerged. One uses the Internet simply as a carrier of conventional fax transmissions, replacing the phone network in much the same manner as products that enable long-distance calls on the Internet. The — other approach—more promise than reality at this point—is to use the Web as a remote printing network, sending transmissions to printers or print servers that have embedded URLs. Both approaches are less costly than conventional faxing, and the latter offers the addi- tional benefit of higher-quality printed output. 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It’s a heads-up move. ‘¢ MindSpring’ Direct To The Internet. © 1997 MindSpring Enterprises, Inc. - in which you send e-mail to a designated address to have it converted into a fax. Newer technologies are integrating conventional fax technologies with the Intemet more tightly. For example, NetXchange (415/346-4131, Attp: nixc.com) offers a client-server system called Internet Xchange for Fax in which you send a fax to an Xchange server, designating its ultimate destination. The serv- er then uses a least-cost rout- ing function to send the trans- mission as cheaply as possible. The company offers cross- platform Java-based client soft- ware that can be used to send electronic faxes. You can also use conventional fax machines equipped with an autodialer. The product isn’t cheap, beginning at $2400 for a two- port system, but large organi- zations may find it cost-effec- tive due to money saved on long-distance phone charges, At the Comdex show in November, Panasonic (201/ 348-7000, bttp://vww.panaconic .com) offered a technology demonstration of an Internet fax machine. Documents scanned by the prototype are converted into TIFF files and sent over the Internet to a des ignated enclos address as an re. Files can then be th any application cap ¢ of viewing TIFF files, The TIFF files are in PC format, and the product at present is not configured for the Macin- tosh. However, adapting the Internet fax machine for Mac- intosh users does not appear to be a major hurdle. Intemet as Printing Network ‘urther away are technologies 40 March 1997 MACWORLD | News that let you use the Internet as a gigantic printing network, completely bypassing the need for fax technology. Several companies, including Adobe Systems (408/536-6000, etp:// www.adobe.com), — Tektroni: (503/685-3150, brtp:/Avww.tek .com), and Hewlett-Packard (800/752-0900, brp://www.hp .com), have announced prod- ucts that let you make printers directly a ble over the Internet, In essence, the print- er has its own Web page through which you print the document, Adobe has promised this capability in PostScript Level 3. Of perhaps greater signil cance is a recent announce- ment by Novell (801/22. 6000, bttp:/Avww.novell.com) of a new standard. for printing over the Internet. The proto- col specification, Lightweight Document Printing Applica~ tion, was submitted to the Internet. Engineering ‘Task Force in November 1996 for consideration. The idea is to provide standards that make it easier to select and control remote printers over the Inter- net or corporate intranets. Novell has signed up a whos who of printing vendors to ndard, including non, Hewlett- Packard, IBM, Intel, Lexmark, QMS, Ricoh, Sharp, Tektron- ix, Toshiba, and Xerox. Novell has also enlisted the Multi- Function Peripheral Associa- tion to propose extensions to the specification to support faxing, scanning, copying, and other operations common to multifunction peripherals. “There's a lot of uncertain- ty about whether you'd want to put your printer on the Inter- net,” says Charles LeCompte, publisher of the Hard Copy Observer newsletter, which cov. ers the printer industry. “There are a lot of issues around that, such as toner usage and security issues. But I ink it makes a lot of sense.” The Baiting Game athough Power Computing’s PowerBase line of Macintosh systems has received favor- able reviews, the company (512/388-6868, http://www ,powercc.com) is getting increasingly bad press from the people who actually buy computers. Nowhere is this more apparent than on PowerWatch (http;//ostworld.pair.com/powerwatch), a Web site where users post their experiences with Power Computing products. And while some people do praise the systems, they're drowned out by a cacophony of complaints, rang- ing from stories of waiting weeks or months for a system's arrival, to being shipped a system that died within a week or two due to a malfunctioning hard drive or motherboard. Customers are not alone: Macworld Lab has received several defective systems for testing that had to be replaced. Even more disturbing are reports that the company requires those who return defective systems to sign an agreement barring them from mentioning the problem. Newer Goes Multiprocessor paystaroig- ital (770/967-2077, http://www,daystar.com) has signed up Newer Technology (316/943-0222, hitp:// www.newertech.com) as the latest licensee for its nPow- er multiprocessing technology. Newer plans to ship dual 180MHz and 200MHz upgrades around the time you read this. The multiprocessing technology will also be incorporated into other Newer products. Speedier Doubler connectix (415/571-5100, Attp://www.connectix.com) has upgraded Speed Dou- bler, its software accelerator for the Macintosh. With a street price of $60, Speed Doubler 2.0 boosts access to removable and hard drives and improves 680X0 emula- tion for Power Macs running nonnative applications. New features include a control panel for easier configuration; an improved Secure Erase function, making it virtually impossible to recover deleted files; and the ability to copy files from three different locations simultaneously. A syn- chronization feature helps users keep information on their PowerBooks synchronized with their desktop system. Current users can upgrade for $25. Umax Hits Top Speed ast august, it was a technology demo, but in February, Umax Computer (510/226-6886, http://www.supermac.com) plans to make real a 240MHz version of its SuperMac $900 tower system. The $900/240 will cost $5795 and include 32MB of RAM, a 512K cache, a video card with 78MB of VRAM, a 2.1GB hard drive, 100BaseT Ethernet, six PCI slots, four open drive bays, and an 8x CD-ROM drive What the NEW XCLAIM VR LOOKS LIKE to the competition. 2D Graphies Acceleration QuickDraw 3D Acceleration Mac2 TV QuickTime % Video Capture QuickTime Acceleration ‘Turn your PC] Mae into an amazing graphies and multimedia monster with the ATI XCLAIM™ VR. The only graphics upgrade with five must-have functions built right in. You get QuickDraw 3D Acceleration for richly textured 3D rendered at blinding speed for amazing gaming action ae and incredible VRML Web browsing. Mac2TV Video Out that lets you plug your Mae right into big screen television for in-your-f3 ¢, arcade-style game playing and riveting business presentations. There's 2D Graphics Acceleration for up to 16.7 million brilliant colors. Sereen resolutions up to 1152x870, Plus QuickTime Capture that captures frames and QuickTime” movies from your VCR or camcorder for use in your MAC2 7 oa QuickTime playback. It’s just $2692 Call 905 882-2600 (press 2 for faxback). Or check out all the pi) ) P details at wwwatitech.ca, ATI XCLAIM™ VR is available at Computer City, MacWAREHOUSE and Mac Zone. other applications. And QuickTime Acceleration for the first truly usable full screen, full-motion aoe — —laim a0 Now You Sex In angested ketal pri Circle 256 on reader service card BEST PRODUCTS Macworld Expo San Francisco 1997 ONCE AGAIN, MACWORLD’S EDITORS have made their picks for the Best of Show Awards, recognizing the hottest new products to be introduced at Mac- world Expo. We examined dozens of new products and hand-tested the top contenders to make our final decisions, We rated them on innovation, useful- ness, and that hard-to-define quality known as The Wow Factor. To be con- sidered, a product had to be announced for the first time at, or shortly before, ‘Macworld Expo, VIRTUALMAC Sure, the Apple-Be deal never hap- pened, but the Be OS will stil be avail- able for many Mac systems. Users of these systems will find themselves thanking a company called Fredlabs (415/788-8512, http://www. tredlabs .com) for its VirtualMac software, which lets you run Macintosh applications from within the Be OS. You can even copy data from one OS to the other, VirtualMac POWERTOWER PRO 250MP__ From Power Computing (512/388- 6868, http://www.powerce.com) comes yet another Mac system that sets a new level of performance, The PowerTower Pro 250MP is the company’s first dual- processor Mac, and with a pair of 250MHz PowerPC 604e processors, itis the Mac market's fastest multiprocessor system. The $5995 system also includes an upgradable 1MB cache, 32MB of RAM, and a 2GB hard drive. For $4995, you get the PowerTower Pro 225MP, with dual PowerPC 225MHz CPUs. CODEWARRIOR 11 This latest version of the software-devel- opment tool from Metrowerks (512/ 873-4700, http://www.metrowerks.com) provides a single environment from which Macintosh programmers can cre- 42° March 1997 ate applications for the Mac OS, Win- dows 95, Windows NT, Magic Cap, and PowerTV. Whether you write in C, C++, Object Pascal, or Java, for Windows or for the Macintosh, you can now call ‘CodeWarrior your home. EYE CANDY New Adobe Photoshop plug-ins abounded at Expo, but this set of filters from Alien Skin Software (919/832- 4124, hitp://www.alienskin.com) stood out for its cool effects and elegant inter- face. Essentially an upgrade to Black Box, it includes revisions of Drop Shad- ow, Inner Bevel, and other old favorites, along with several new filters, including Fire, which makes it look as if your selec- tion is burning, and Fur,