Tips from Mac Addict

Source:
http://www.macaddict.com/issues/9806/askus.html

Q I was digging through my Preferences folder today (sorted by file size so I could toss large unused files) when I came across an innocuous-looking folder called File Sharing. I was surprised to see it had more than 3MB inside, and even more surprised when I looked at the contents - dozens of files with a PDF suffix, each one exactly 78K in size, every one named for a CD-ROM I had inserted into the Mac in the past. I assume my Mac is keeping track of volumes for the purposes of file sharing. If I don't share CDs on my network, can I delete all these files?

A Yes, you can delete these, even if you do share CDs on the network; the Mac will rebuild them as needed. If you have ever activated file sharing under System 7 or later, there's likely to be tons of files inside the File Sharing folder in the Preferences folder in the System Folder. Normally, the Mac writes an invisible Parallel Data Structure file to each volume that is mounted while file sharing is on. However, in the case of write-protected or read-only volumes (such as CD-ROMs), the Mac writes visible PDF files to the start-up disk. These files are used to manage file sharing.

While you're inside the Preferences folder looking to get rid of space wasters, be sure to empty the Translated Documents folder. This contains scratch images that applications have opened using QuickTime translation.

Q I have an Iomega Zip cartridge with a System Folder. Is there any way to boot from it without first having to boot from my hard disk, open the Startup Disk control panel, change volumes, and restart?

A Sure thing. Holding down command-option-shift-delete at start-up tells the Mac to skip the first device in the SCSI chain (ID 0, typically the internal hard drive) and search for the next available volume with a valid System Folder, which should be your Zip cartridge if it's the only other storage device on the SCSI chain. If your default start-up disk is an external drive, there's no need to use the keyboard shortcut. Just make sure that drive is turned off at start-up. After the Mac has started from the Zip cartridge, you can turn the drive back on, although you may need to use Robert Polic's freeware SCSIProbe to get it to mount in the Finder's desktop.

Source:
http://www.macaddict.com/issues/9805/askus.html

Q On a recent visit to a local computer store when I was looking for ink cartridges for my Color StyleWriter 1500, I noticed that the store no longer carries any Apple-brand cartridges. The clerk assured me that Canon cartridges are an acceptable substitute, but he didn't know which cartridges were compatible. Can you shed some light on this situation?

A Apple doesn't like to promote the fact, but the guts of many of its peripherals are actually produced by other manufacturers and then wrapped in swell Cupertino packages (for a fascinating look inside Apple's Industrial Design Group, check out Paul Kunkel and Rick English's book AppleDesign: The Work of the Apple Industrial Design Group, Graphis, 1997). Most of Apple's ink-jet printers are Macintized versions of models from Canon and Hewlett-Packard and as such can use the same consumables as these other models. For instance, your Color StyleWriter 1500 accepts Canon's BC-05 (color) and BC-02 (black) replacement cartridges. Other options to consider include generic or remanufactured cartridges, or even an ink-jet refill kit so you can reuse the same cartridge multiple times. I don't use an ink-jet printer, so I can't recommend any particular vendor, but searching the Internet for ink-jet cartridge turns up dozens of companies specializing in this field.

Warning: Reader Peter Cook writes, "We have an Apple Color StyleWriter 2400. When we bought it, and many times after that, we were told that it is OK to use Canon cartridges. So sometimes we used Apple and sometimes we used Canon. Well, a few months ago our printer stopped printing. It acted like it was out of ink. So we tried replacing the cartridge and all, but it didn't work. So we took it in to be looked at, and hopefully fixed. They told us exactly what the problem is, and they said 9 out of 10 StyleWriters that come in have the same problem. First of all, the Apple printers and their Canon cousins have a different number of jets. The StyleWriters have a few more then the Canon printers do, and therefore they are smaller. But the main problem is that the insides of the Canon cartridges are of a different density then the Apple cartridges have. When the two inks mix, they form a jelly-like substance and clog up the printer. This can happen if one takes out an Apple cartridge and puts in a Canon cartridge. This will cause major problems, and mess up the printer. So, basically, don't use Apple and Canon ink cartridges in the same printer." I haven't been able to confirm this, but please consider yourself warned.

Source:
http://www.macaddict.com/issues/9804/askus.html

Q How does one change the default font in ClarisWorks 4.0 from the putrid Helvetica to, say, perhaps, Geneva?

A I don't share your disdain for Helvetica, but I certainly understand your frustration at not being able to figure out how to accomplish what at first seems like a simple task. You can change the default font and other style information, but it's considerably harder than it should be. Begin by opening a new ClarisWorks word processing document. Type a few sample characters, select them all, then choose whatever you want from the Font, Size, and Style menus. You should see the effects of your choices immediately in the open document. When you are happy with your new defaults, press Delete to get rid of your sample text, leaving you with a blank document. Choose Save As from the File menu. Select the dog-eared stationery icon on the right, name the file ClarisWorks WP Options, and save it in the ClarisWorks Stationery folder. (If you performed a custom install, this folder may not be present, in which case you must create it manually and place it inside the same folder as the ClarisWorks application.) Quit and relaunch ClarisWorks. Your new defaults should be in effect.

Q At work I'm forced to use Microsoft Windows 95. It's pretty much a dog compared with Mac OS 8, but I like the task bar it places at the bottom of the screen. Is there some way of adding something similar to the Mac?

A I realize it's heresy to admit as much in a publication named MacAddict, but as far as I'm concerned, the Windows task bar is a nice feature worth appropriating. It clearly displays the names of all open applications rather than hiding them away in the Mac's Application menu at the extreme right of the menu bar. The beautiful thing about the Mac is that it's child's play to add such features. Just drag a copy of Proteron's shareware control panel GoMac into your System Folder and restart. GoMac places a program bar at the bottom of the main screen showing all open applications, allowing you to switch easily with a simple mouse click or keyboard shortcut. You also can drag documents to the program bar to open them with the application of your choosing, or you can select any of the applications listed in the hierarchical Start menu. GoMac requires System 7 and is 100 percent compatible with Mac OS 8.

Q I know that this is probably a stupid question, but what are the differences between the various models of the PowerPC 603?

A The 603 is a low-power, low-cost version of the PowerPC microprocessor and is intended for notebook computers. With separate 8K instruction and data caches, its performance is roughly comparable to that of the PowerPC 601. The PowerPC 603e, originally called the 603+, is a higher-performance model with a faster clock and 16K caches. Finally, the PowerPC 603ev is a lower-voltage, faster-clock version of the 603e. For a complete rundown of the entire PowerPC line, search for the keywords "PowerPC FAQ" at the following Motorola site: http://www.mot.com/SPS/PowerPC/.