We’re now running MacOS 8.1 on our web server. The networking architecture is suppossed to offer improved performance. A number of Mac software installers force you to restart your computer after installation, including that for MacOS 8.1. That’s often inconveniant to say the least. Some Mac users have learned that you can force the installer after installation is finished instead of immeadiately restarting. If you know the trick, don’t try it with the OS 8.1 installer. It seems to cause the computer to lock up and produces an unusable System Folder. And you thought we were just being mean having our server down for several hours. Speaking of servers (don’t you love those creative transitions>, we’re now running a full set of software, including servers for web pages, email, ftp and databases. We’ve even got a mailing group ListServ package running. Most of the packages are still in shakedown, but the machine is bearing the load admirably along with it’s other duties. Share with: TwitterRedditEmailLinkedInFacebook

The Texas Poetry ListServ is now active. If you’re interested, you can join by sending an email to macjordomo@datawranglers.com with nothing on the subject line and subscribe texaspoetry your name in the body. MacOS 8.1 has been running dependably on our server. The performance does seem to be slightly improved. Share with: TwitterRedditEmailLinkedInFacebook

MacOS 8.1, an update to Apple’s operating system, is now available on their web servers. You can find a list of servers at http://support.info.apple.com/. Their primary ftp site is at ftp://ftp.apple.com/. In the last day, we conducted an informal poll of about 20 poets around the state of Texas (our wonderful abode) about whether a Texas Poetry ListServ was a viable idea. Almost half the people we sent email to have already responded… all saying yes. So, next week we expect to make a formal announcement that the ListServ is operational. If you want warning the minute it happens, send email to tim_wood@datawranglers.com and we’ll include you in the mailing on the official announcement. Share with: TwitterRedditEmailLinkedInFacebook

We’ve now serving web pages, set up an ftp site (although it’s empty for now) and started testing several hosted databases. Once the hosted databases are ready for general use, we’ll add a link out here. Question Authority, the has just finished moving their entire site to our server. You can check out their site or their gallery. We’ve fixed a lot of broken links over the last day. It’s interesting to note that many of the broken link show up in the server’s log. Of course, reading through hundreds, thousands, tens of thousands of hits is not the best way to find those broken links. But, we’re going to (in our spare moments ) write a custom dataabase that handles statistics and reports when broken links are hit. Share with: TwitterRedditEmailLinkedInFacebook

We’ve been lax for some time in updating the site. We’re back now. Hopefully with a vengence. It should help that we’re now hosting the site here. With what you ask? The primary server is a Umax S900-233 MacOS compatible. Over time duties will be spread to two additional machines: a custom AMD box under Windows 95 and a older P133 running Red Hat Linux 5.0. For kicks and grins we’ll include a little bit of running commentary on the servers and the software making it happen. For those who’ve been following Negations, we’re told that the next issue will be in the mail in the next few days. The online version should be available in the next week or so. Share with: TwitterRedditEmailLinkedInFacebook

An article on Internet IT (www.mmp.co.uk/mmp/informer/) talks about the i-Pass Alliance (www.ipass.com) worldwide group of Internet Service Providers. Most people access the internet either through proprietary networks such as AOL --which often place restrictions on what people can view and the software that can be used-- or local service providers --who usually serve a limited geographic area. i-Pass has member service providers around the world, providing internet access via local phone calls across the globe. In today’s brave new America, with a universal network accessible from everywhere and computers sitting in every white-collar office and one third of all homes, the battle of man against machine seems almost quaint; perhaps a throwback to the cold war. At the same time, such battles still hold our fascination. From May 3 to 11 in New York City IBM’s 1.4 ton chess-playing monster computer, Deep Blue, will again try to unseat World Chess Champion Garry Kasparov. Although the $25 tickets are probably already sold out, IBM’s Deep Blue web site (http://www.chess.ibm.park.org/deep/blue/game.html) will cover the matches online. A caution, though. When we were trying to locate that portion of IBM’s web site, we found that the center of IBM’s web site at www.ibm.com is maddeningly slow. So, if you’re interested, please bookmark the Deep Blue site now. If you’re on the developer end of the spectrum and develop software for the MacOS, you might check out the Developer’s Coalition. They seem to be well-organized and have an interesting plan to in essence force more … Continue reading 1997-04-21 →

Following Apple’s report of their three-quarters of a billion dollars loss last quarter, the rumor and publicity mills that surround Apple –perhaps in a haze– should be earning their operators awards for the number of column inches of positive information they have garnered for Apple. Any number of articles ( InfoSeek reports that Intel will ship 300 MHz Pentium II processors in May. Intel’s pricing should be an interesting factor: the chip will carry an initial price of $1980, while processors for Mac OS computers at 433 MHz will be priced at around $1500 and at 300 MHz under $1000. With a 300 MHz Mac OS-based computer already announced at the $3000 price point, vendors of Windows-based computers the spread between the price that has now been set for the segment and the price on Intel’s processor too thin. Finally, another tip for our archive. In response to a call for help, we venture into slightly more rarified territory with a how-to lesson on creating AppleScripts that open password-protected FileMaker Pro databases.ff Of course, we assume you already know the password… Share with: TwitterRedditEmailLinkedInFacebook

Yesterday, our tip was on MacOS, today we offer a tip for windows. Yesterday, Yahoo (www.yahoo.com) wrote an article on Vital Signs Software’s (www.vitalsigns.com) Net.Medic. The program is supposed to provide a series of gauges “measuring” the performance of your internet software, modem and service provider. Although, we haven’t had a chance to try the program yet, it sounds important enough to let you know. Lynx, the popular text-only browser for UNIX and PC is being ported to the Mac. Text-only browsing may seem like a strange idea, but not waiting for graphics can really speed up the internet. And for those who create web pages, it’s important to know that those who come to your site can still make sense of the creature, even when they have graphic downloading turned off (something that both Netscape and Internet Explorer also offer). A feature list is available in a story on BrowserWatch (browserwatch.iworld.com). As always, links to stories on news sites like Yahoo and BrowserWatch may (or may not) expire after some amount time. Share with: TwitterRedditEmailLinkedInFacebook

Apple Computer’s story has always been melodramatic. Larry Ellison, according to an InfoWorld story (www.infoworld.com) is strongly leaning towards pursuing his take-over bid for Apple. The saga is beginning to beg for sale to George Lucas. See the Flamboyant Jobs return to save the empire. See the mysterious despiser of all-things-Gates-represents bring in the jedi bankers. And, if Ellison gets his way, watch Apple become a completely different company. Ellison is floating the idea of turning Apple into a network computer vendor. Network computers are low cost computers that envision everyone doing the same tasks with the same software on inexpensive machines hooked to a high-powered network server. Apple has strong followings in education, broadcasting, small business and those who despise everything Bill Gates stands for… err want an alternative. Ellison’s network computer may be workable in a few larger school districts and well-funded small businesses that have enough machines to justify a high-powered server. In the other cases, it seems likely that the cost/benefit analysis will fail or that the power of the machines will simply not be up to task. In fact power may be a key issue. 300 MHz consumer Macs and 400 MHz MacOS workstations will be a reality by the end of summer. And frighteningly overpowered as that may be, industry benchmarks show that the machines are significantly faster MHz for MHz than computers based on even the latest revisions of the pentium procesor. The saga of Apple has long since passed into the camp … Continue reading 1997-04-15 →

We’ve started a tips archive. Over time we’ll add random tips on MacOS, Windows, database programs, scripting and more. The first tip is for MacOS users who are tired of restarting their computer? everytime a tempermental program misbehaves. Apple’s MacsBug –normally just a developer’s tool– can handle most program crashes that force you to restart your machine, and loose all your work in other programs. This solution requires no nasty untested system extensions or control panels required! Share with: TwitterRedditEmailLinkedInFacebook