Jaques Law Bits 9609 (© Kevin Jaques 1996) ©(c)1996 Kevin Jaques. All rights reserved excepting that this file may be copied for non-commercial purposes, unchanged. No warranties apply. I am just a user volunteering my observations and collecting those of others. €AppleScript Web Page Late Night Software, a developer that markets a number of AppleScript development tools, is compiling a Web-based list of AppleScript utilities and scriptable applications. If your product is scriptable or AppleScript related, Late Night would like to include you on its site. Just send your company name, Web site address (URL), company contact information, a list of scriptable products, and a brief paragraph describing each product. Try to keep your product descriptions under ten lines and indicate whether each is a commercial, freeware, or shareware product. E-mail these listings to Mark Alldritt at alldritt@wimsey.com. Late Night's well-designed scripting resources Web site can be accessed at this address: http://www.latenightsw.com/scripting.html €Apple & Netscape Introduce 'Cool Talk' In the near term, CoolTalk, a Macintosh-based Internet conferencing application developed by Apple, will be bundled with Netscape Navigator 3.0. CoolTalk for Macintosh enables Macintosh users to audioconference with Mac OS, UNIX, and Windows users over the Internet using just a 28.8-Kbps modem and Netscape Navigator 3.0. CoolTalk for Macintosh also interoperates with Apple's line of QuickTime Conferencing videoconferencing and collaboration products (http://qtc.quicktime.apple.com/). According to Netscape, this future release will be the first fully cross-platform conferencing or "webphone" application on the market today. In the initial release, CoolTalk will be based on Netscape's LiveMedia protocols, which will be included in the emerging H.323 international standards. A future release is expected to deliver online whiteboard features and full, multiplatform conferencing. CoolTalk for Macintosh joins Netscape's line of Internet "webphone" products: CoolTalk for Windows and CoolTalk for UNIX. You can download any of these products free of charge from Netscape's Web site: http://home.netscape.com/comprod/products/navigator/cooltalk/download_coolt alk.html For details, you can review the complete Netscape press release: http://home.netscape.com/newsref/pr/newsrelease249.html €QuickTime for OS/2 Apple just announced that a prerelease version of QuickTime for OS/2 Warp will be included with IBM's Developer Connection release during the last quarter of 1996. A final release of this software is scheduled for the first quarter of calendar year 1997.ŠQuickTime for OS/2 supports the same API as QuickTime for Windows version 2.1.1. To read the complete press release, see the following Web page: http://product.info.apple.com/pr/press.releases/1996/q4/960925.pr.rel.qtos2 .html €Landi Outlines Apple's 1997 Product Plans Responding to an article published in the "San Jose Mercury News" on October 10, 1996, that reported on an interview with Chief Operating Officer Marco Landi, Apple Computer provided the following summary and clarification with respect to certain product plans: * While today's PowerPC microprocessors developed in collaboration by Motorola, Apple, and IBM run at clock speeds of up to 225 MHz, Apple is currently exploring the development of products based on future processors, using the PowerPC instruction set, that could potentially run at clock speeds of up to 500 MHz. * With respect to multiple-operating-system servers, Apple expects to offer servers capable of running AIX, Windows NT, and Mac OS by the end of fiscal year 1997 (calendar year Q3). * By the end of 1996, Apple expects to introduce a portable computing device designed for school children. * Apple expects to introduce a new PowerBook model on October 21, 1996. Another new PowerBook is expected to follow in the first quarter of 1997, with an enhanced version expected for release in the United States in the second half of the calendar year. Additionally, a model designed in collaboration with IBM, specifically for the Japanese market, is expected to follow in the second quarter of 1997. * Apple intends to aggressively pursue the home market with products at a range of price points. Although Apple has no plans today to introduce an Apple-labeled version of Pippin, Apple has received inquiries indicating interest in Pippin technology from a broad range of companies. * Apple expects to introduce a Performa system to meet the specific demands of the home and education market. Separately, Apple plans to offer specially designed software packages for elementary, middle school, and high school students, in addition to a games package. In the second half of next year, Apple is expecting to offer a high-end Performa system configured with a DOS-compatibility card running at 166 MHz. The products described above have not yet been announced and are not yet available. Accordingly, this information contains forward-looking statements that are subject to change based on various important factors. For contact information and a full legal disclaimer, see the Apple press release at this Web site: http://product.info.apple.com/pr/press.releases/1997/q1/961011.pr.rel.sj merc.html €Visual Cafe for Macintosh Beta Available Symantec has just released a free beta version of an upcoming commercial product called "Visual Cafe for Macintosh." This is a visual development tool (similar to Visual BASIC) for interactively creating Java applets and applications using a drag-and-click metaphor. You can download this beta software from the following site: http://cafe.symantec.com/vcmacpr1.html €PowerBook 1400 Series Offers Expansion Bay for CD Drive, and More The PowerPC processor-based PowerBook 1400 series of Macintosh notebook computers begins revitalization of the PowerBook line with new features that include an expansion bay; built-in infrared technology for easy, wireless file sharing with similarly equipped systems; removable, clear exterior panels (for customizing the PowerBook's appearance); and bundled software (including ClarisWorks and the Apple Internet Connection Kit). The expansion bay will accommodate various types of storage, including a floppy drive, CD-ROM drive, additional hard drive, magneto-optical drive, or Zip drive. The Apple PowerBook 1400 will be available in four different configurations. Three of the systems use a 117-MHz PowerPC 603e processor. One of the systems uses a higher-performance version of the chip running at 133 MHz with a Level 2 cache. Depending on the configuration, the PowerBook 1400 series features 11.3-inch dual-scan or active-matrix displays, two PC card slots, 12 or 16 MB of RAM (expandable to 64 MB), 750 MB or 1 GB hard drives, and a floppy and/or 6X-speed CD-ROM drive. U.S. estimated selling prices for the four configurations range from $2,500 to $4,000. The 117-MHz configurations of the PowerBook 1400 are expected to be available beginning in mid- November. Availability of the 133-MHz version is expected in January. In related news, in the first half of 1997, Apple plans to introduce another new series of PowerBook computers--a higher-performance line designed to appeal to mobile Macintosh users with advanced multimedia and communications needs in publishing, design, and enterprise settings. For more details on the PowerBook 1400 series, see the press release on the Web: http://product.info.apple.com/pr/press.releases/1997/q1/961021.pr.rel.pb 1400.html €Apple Adds Two New Members to Performa Family, Cuts Prices of Entire Line Šreducing the price of some models by as much as $600. The first new computer, the Macintosh Performa 6400 Video Editing Edition, contains built-in hardware and bundled software (Avid Cinema) that allow customers to digitally record and edit video "out of the box." (This is an improvement over PC clones, which force the user to choose and install both video hardware and software to get the same capabilities.) Š200-MHz Macintosh Performa 6400 with 32 MB of RAM and a 2.4 GB hard driveŠ, Apple's video system, 1 MB of video RAM, 256 KB of Level 2 cacheŠ, an 8X-speed CD-ROM drive, and a 28.8 KB data/fax/voice modem standard. The U.S. suggested Apple price for this computer is $2,699. Two other configurations of the Performa 6400 (without video-editing capabilities) are available at U.S. suggested Apple prices of $1,899 and $2,199. Brand/model Configuration* Price** =========== ============= ===== ENTRY-LEVEL COMPUTERS Packard-Bell C110 120 MHz/16 MB RAM/1 GB HD $1,243 Packard-Bell D130 133 MHz/16 MB/1 GB $1,432 Compaq Presario 4112 120 MHz/16 MB/1.6 GB $1,484 Compaq Presario 4704 133 MHz/16 MB/1.6 GB $1,699 HP Pavilion 7055 120 MHz/16 MB/1.6 GB $1,699 >Mac Performa 6360 160 MHz/16 MB/1.2 GB $1,499 MID-RANGE COMPUTERS Compaq Presario 4122 150 MHz/16 MB/2.5 GB $1,866 Packard-Bell F170 166 MHz/16 MB/2 GB $1,871 HP Pavilion 7270 166 MHz/16 MB/2.5 GB $2,199 Compaq Presario 4712 166 MHz/24 MB/2.5 GB $2,211 >Mac Performa 6400/180 180 MHz/16 MB/1.6 GB $1,899 HIGH-END COMPUTERS Packard-Bell Pl. 70 200 MHz/24 MB/2 GB $2,399 Compaq Presario 4716 200 MHz/32 MB/2.5 GB $2,787 HP Pavilion 7285 200 MHz/32 MB/3.1 GB $2,949 >Mac Performa 6400/200 200 MHz/16 MB/2.4 GB $2,199 >Mac Performa 6400/200 200 MHz/32 MB/2.4 GB $2,699 Video Editing Station *Pentium and PowerPC 603e processors. Computers selected for comparison are all mainstream models with 16 MB of RAM minimum. This chart does not attempt to equalize configurations, so the PCs do not have SCSI, ADB, and several other features built into the Performa line. **U.S. pricing. Competitive street prices according to IDC PC Pricing Report, 9/96. Apple prices are estimates and may vary from dealer to dealer. For more details on the Performa computers, see the press release: http://product.info.apple.com/pr/press.releases/1997/q1/961017.pr.rel.pe rforma.html You may also want to visit the new Performa Web site: http://performa.apple.com/ €Improved GeoPort Telecom Adapter Kit Offers 28.8-Kbps Modem Software Apple is shipping a new version of the GeoPort Telecom Adapter Kit, which now includes software that adds new phone and fax software and turns the GeoPort adapter into a 28.8-Kbps software-based modem. (The original GeoPort Telecom Adapter Kit worked at 14.4 Kbps). [Editor - Ensure you have a Level 2 Cache for satisfactory performance] For more information, see the press release: http://product.info.apple.com/pr/press.releases/1997/q1/961021.pr.rel.ge oport.html Current owners of the GeoPort Telecom Adapter Kit can get 28.8-Kbps modem capability by downloading the GeoPort & Express Modem Updater 3.0, which is available free of charge. You can find this software by starting your search at the following site: http://support.info.apple.com/ftp/mirrors.html €Applescript to move recently modified files from one folder to another tell application "Finder" set sourceRef to alias "Drive:Path:" set destRef to alias "Drive:Path2:" set modDate to ((current date) - 5 * 60 * 60) move (every file of sourceRef whose modification date is greater than modDate) to destRef end tell Dan Crevier €Claris Emailer 1.1v3 Updater Released Changes and Fixes in 1.1v3 - Made changes to run properly under Open Transport (OT) 1.1.1. - Fixed problem where encoded subjects in outgoing Internet mail could show up in an error log. A Claris Emailer Lite 1.1v3 Updater was also released and provides the above fixes as well as those in 1.1v1 and 1.1v2. The previous version of Claris Emailer Lite was 1.0v3. Claris Emailer Lite is included with the Apple Internet Connection Kit and is bundled on selected Macintosh computers. Download Claris Emailer 1.1v3 Updater (517K) Download Claris Emailer Lite 1.1v3 Updater (790K) €Special Notes On FileMaker Pro 2.1 and 3.0 and the year 2000: For existing data in existing databases: Any two-digit year ALREADY in an existing database (such as a FileMaker Pro 2.1 database) is always treated as 19xx (NOT the current century but actually "19" -- it will do this even after the year 2000 since this is old data). For newly entered data via Browse mode (FileMaker Pro 3.0): If the current year is among the LAST ten years of the century (as in 1990-1999 or 2090-2099), then any two-digit year in the range 00-09 will be treated as a year in the FOLLOWING century. (For example, if it's 1998, then 03 will be expanded to 2003 but 83 will be considered 1983.) If the current year is among the FIRST ten years of the century (as in 2000-2009), then any two-digit year in the range 90-99 will be treated as a year in the PREVIOUS century. (For example, if it's 2002, then 97 will be treated as 1997 but 83 will be considered 2083.) The behavior changes based on what the current year is. Examples: In the year 1996: 1/1/01 -> 1/1/2001 1/1/10 -> 1/1/1910 1/1/99 -> 1/1/1999 In the year 2001: 1/1/01 -> 1/1/2001 1/1/10 -> 1/1/2010 1/1/99 -> 1/1/1999 In the year 2011: 1/1/01 -> 1/1/2001 1/1/10 -> 1/1/2010 1/1/99 -> 1/1/2099 Lastly, this behavior is NOT adopted if the data is imported via Import Records, scripting or Apple Events or via drag-n-drop to a non-active field or for dates entered in the calculation dialog, etc. Any two digit dates entered into FileMaker this way will be treated as 19xx, NOT the current century but actually "19". €Deal on CD ROM full of source code Apprentice 5, the definitive CD-ROM collection of source code and utilities for Mac programmers is now available! With over 600 MB of C, C++, and Pascal source code, it is invaluable for both the skilled software engineer and the novice weekend hacker. You'll find hundreds of high-quality and up-to-date source code examples, including applications, games, control panels, extensions, utilities, and more. Also, you'll get more than two dozen complete programming environments, including Basic, Eiffel, Lisp, Logo, ML, Modula-2, Prolog, and Python. As a special offer to DealBITS readers, Apprentice 5 is only $25, a savings of $10 off our regular price of $35. It includes first class shipping within the U.S. and air mail to Canada. Add $5 for air mail to other countries. Place your order at our exclusive DealBITS Web page: http://www.celestin.com/dealbits.html Or, mention DealBITS when you call 800/835-5514 inside the U.S. and Canada or 360/297-8091 elsewhere. You may also fax your order to 360/297-8092, or mail it to Celestin Company, Inc., 5652 NE Meadow Road, Kingston, WA 98346-9505. We accept Visa, MasterCard, AMEX, and Discover. €Example of Cheap Ram nowadays SIMMs (all 70ns or better): * 4 MB 4x8: $36.50 * 4 MB 1x32: $29.99 * 8 MB 2x32: $48.50 * 16 MB 4x32: $88.50 * 32 MB 8x32: $174.99 DIMMs (all 60ns, period!): * 8 MB 1x64: $59.99 * 16 MB 2x64: $94.99 * 32 MB 4x64: $189.99 * 64 MB 8x64: $365 VRAM: 1 MB DIMM: $54.99 L2 CACHE (The must-have add-on): * 256K/L2: $79! * 512K/L2: $139! MacGurus 800/775-DRAM 302/369-9393 http://www.macgurus.com/ €AppleScript Tip [Editor - The discussion complained that performing actions on files sequentially involved an unexpectedly high time overhead] The fastest way to make multiple aliases involves a single AppleEvent: tell application "Finder" make new alias file to { file1, file2, file3 } at desktop end tell Where file1, file2, file3 are Finder file specifications (objects, alias, etc.). Mark Alldritt Voice: (604) 929-5578 Fax: (604) 929-4961 Late Night Software Ltd. Email: alldritt@wimsey.com Web: http://www.latenightsw.com/ €Hidden Random Number Generator in AppleScript examples some file of extensions folder some word of paragraph 5 some word whose style contains outline €Applescript Access to Menus Try "select menu item 6 of menu 5". Šthis is the standard way of supporting menu scripting. Dan Crevier €Applescript to open a list of URLs each in a separate Browser window tell application "Netscape Navigator=81 2.02" activate --set x to 0 set url_id_list to {} set url_list to {"www.nfl.com/stats/nfl/totoff1.html", =AC "www.nfl.com/stats/nfl/totdef1.html", =AC "www.nfl.com/stats/nfl/inside20.html", =AC "www.nfl.com/stats/nfl/takegive.html"} repeat with idx in url_list --copy x + 1 to x set x to (make new window) --copy (OpenURL idx to window x) to url_id copy (OpenURL idx to x) to url_id set url_id_list to url_id_list & url_id --beep x end repeat end tell sro@MIT.EDU (Shawn O'Donnell) €Finnish Anonymous Internet Remailer Closed (ONLINE) HELSINKI, FINLAND, 1996 SEP 3 (NB) -- By Martyn Williams. The Internet's original anonymous remailer, penet.fi, in Finland, has been closed down by its operator pending clarification of the legal status of the service. In a message posted to users, operator Johan Helsingius also denied allegations in a UK newspaper that his service helped transport large amounts of child pornography. Farcast(TM) € Netscape To Integrate Macromedia Technologies (ONLINE) SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1996 SEP 4 (NB) -- By Patrick McKenna. Netscape Communications Corp. [NASDAQ:NSCP] says its latest licensing agreement with Macromedia Inc. [NASDAQ:MACR] will provide Internet users a more animated, graphical electronic world. In what it calls a "comprehensive licensing deal," Netscape has agreed to integrate Macromedia's Shockwave plug-in and Fireworks technology into future versions of Navigator. Farcast(TM) €Apple General Counsel Resigns, More On Be OS (APPLE) CUPERTINO, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1996 SEP 5 (NB) -- By Patrick McKenna. Apple Computer Inc. {NASDAQ:AAPL] has announced the resignation of general counsel and eight-year veteran, Edward B. Stead. Last week's speculation about the acquisition of Be Inc. for its Be operating system (OS) are still unclear, but one analyst sees it as a brave move for the troubled company. Farcast(TM) €Novell Begins New Marketing Strategy (NETWORK) OREM, UTAH, U.S.A., 1996 SEP 11 (NB) -- By Ian Stokell. Caught in the midst of a fierce fight to ward off the increasing popularity of Microsoft's Windows NT network operating system (NOS), despite the huge market dominance by its own NetWare NOS, Novell Inc. [NASDAQ:NOVL] has unveiled a new marketing strategy with the launch of a worldwide advertising and corporate identity and brand campaign. Farcast(TM) €Motorola Bearish On 3Qtr Outlook (BUSINESS) SCHAUMBURG, ILLINOIS, U.S.A., 1996 SEP 11 (NB) -- By Bob Woods. Motorola Inc. [NYSE:MOT] shares are recovering in morning trading on Wall Street, after plunging in pre-open trading. The reason: company officials said its third quarter earnings may be "significantly below," not only of its second quarter figures, but of analysts' expectations as well. Farcast(TM) €56 Kbps Fever - Boca Research Has Caught It (TRENDS) BOCA RATON, FLORIDA, U.S.A., 1996 SEP 12 (NB) -- By Bob Woods. Boca Research Inc. [NASDAQ:BOCI] said it is not only joining the pack of modem manufacturers and technology companies developing 56 kilobits- per-second (Kbps) analog modem technology, but it intends to lead it as well. Other companies already announcing the speedy technology include Rockwell International [NYSE:ROK] and Hayes Microcomputer, while US Robotics [NASDAQ:USRX] still says it is not announcing anything on the subject, despite Wall Street rumors saying it is readying a launch. Farcast(TM) €Rockwell Gains More 56 Kbps Analog Modem Allies (TELECOM) NEWPORT BEACH, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1996 SEP 16 (NB) -- By Bob Woods. At least three modem companies are joining Rockwell International [NYSE:ROK] in its bid to raise the speed of analog modems to 56 kilobits per second (Kbps), the highest speed yet for a modem using normal copper wire phone lines. Amquest Corp., Diamond Multimedia [NASDAQ:DIMD], and Zoom Telephonics [NASDAQ:ZOOM] say they are planning to use the same Rockwell technology that Boca Research [NASDAQ:BOCI] and Hayes Microcomputer will utilize in their own 56 Kbps modems. Farcast(TM) €Motorola Intros Mac Clones, Windows NT & Unix Systems (APPLE) ATLANTA, GEORGIA, U.S.A., 1996 SEP 18 (NB) -- By Patrick McKenna. Motorola [NYSE:MOT] Computer Group's new family of PowerPC- based workstations and servers designed for the enterprise and small- to medium-sized businesses offers a Macintosh, Windows NT, or Unix operating system (OS). Observers say the company's broad debut into the computer marketplace is motivated by slow sales of Macintosh and Macintosh clone systems into the business environment. Farcast(TM) €Microsoft coming out with PDA? There are rumours that there will be some sort of hand­held computer running some sort of Windows system. €Sorry, thatąs all the time I have. This Jaques Law Bits was delivered by: Kevin Jaques, B.A. LL.B. of the Jaques Law Office #101 - 2515 Victoria Avenue Fax: 525­4173 Regina, Saskatchewan Home: 586­2234 email: jaques.law@dlcwest.com Tel: 359­3041 visit our web page at http://www.dlcwest.com/~jaques.law/