Path: utzoo!utgpu!jarvis.csri.toronto.edu!rutgers!cs.utexas.edu!usc!elroy.jpl.nasa.gov!grian!alex
From: alex@grian.cps.altadena.ca.us (Alex Pournelle)
Newsgroups: comp.sys.mac
Subject: Wanted: help for Lisa
Message-ID: <1990Jan24.100814.16499@grian.cps.altadena.ca.us>
Date: 24 Jan 90 10:08:14 GMT
Organization: Workman & Associates
Lines: 57

Yep, due to low funds, I have a second Mac.  My home Mac is now
an XL--a Lisa.  Best to hit "n" now if you aren't interested in my
observations & questions, for this is a long 'un.

Y'know, after examining this machine, I'm pretty impressed.  Why can't
the Mac have plug-in modules and "no screwdriver" assembly/disassembly,
and why did it take IBM six years to do the same with the PS/2?

Back to my requests.  Lisa (yes, and my old CP/M computer is named
Helen--what's yours named?) has MacWorks 3.0 and Finder 5.3 on her 10meg
hard disk, boots fine, and seems to run what apps are loaded already.
What I'd like is:

--What's the latest system/finder combo that works reliably?  MacWorks
version?  PD/user group improvements? INITS to use/not use?
--Who's got suggestions for how far I can take this sucker?  Can I run
PageMaker 3.0x once I get it over here?  Mac Draw II?  Modem programs?
--Who's got parts for her?  Yes, I have Sun Remarketing's number,
somewhere, and I'll try Pre-Owned Electronics in the morning, but who
else?
--Geee, with this remarkably modular construction (listening, Apple?
Nahh, this was Jobs's baby) it would be simple to speed up the clock
cycle...  Or replace the CPU board with something speedy.
--Can I attach a double-sided drive (and presumably modify the ROMs
concomitantly) here?  At least another 400K drive to what looks like the
appropriate connector on the backmost board?
--What, if any, I/O boards are/were available, or do those small slots
also take RAM?
--Can I use 'er on AppleTalk (as the control panel suggests) or
with a cable to cross-load software?
--Where the heck is the clock set, and is there a built-in real-time
clock?
--How about a larger hard disk?  How?  And dare I ask--SCSI?
--More RAM?  There's 908K free, says Finder, and two (2) memory
boards--does that mean 1Meg or 2 installed?  Maximum?
--What's likely to go on her, and what preventive measures to take?
--Does the "aspect ratio change kit" lower resolution, squeeze screen
size, or just mess with the electron gun?
--Why don't the front feet meet the ground?

Oh, and what kind of printer cable do I need for my (also included)
Imagewriter I?  Looks like 25-pin standard (***SHOCK***) RS-232 cable is
missing, since there are DB25s on both.  Whabbout DS25 to DB9 or DIN-8
for making it use Mac peripherals?  Connecting to a LaserWriter?  Fonts
for the IW--are they just "standard" IW fonts, or should I think about
ATM (in which case, *definitely* more RAM is in order!) instead?

It sure is fun watching the in-built screen saver work, and having "shut
down" turn off the power AND un-light the power button.  Just like a
Mac-][!

Now, back to the mystery of why the screen glows green after it's
black...

	Happy but puzzled,
		Alex