Path: utzoo!utgpu!news-server.csri.toronto.edu!rpi!zaphod.mps.ohio-state.edu!swrinde!elroy.jpl.nasa.gov!decwrl!claris!outpost.UUCP!peirce
From: peirce@outpost.UUCP (Michael Peirce)
Newsgroups: comp.sys.mac.system
Subject: Re: All about sys 7.0 <long>
Message-ID: <0B010004.4k8s8a@outpost.UUCP>
Date: 28 Mar 91 04:26:18 GMT
Reply-To: peirce@outpost.UUCP
Organization: Peirce Software
Lines: 51
X-Mailer: uAccess - Mac Release: 1.0.3

In article <91085.161852EHYOUNK@MTUS5.BITNET>, EHYOUNK@MTUS5.BITNET writes:
> 
> I completly agree with the statement that Mac OS should have prementive
> multitasking.. Multifinder is a joke, they is no way to download from a modem
> while running another app. Here are some other problems.

What comm program are you using?  All the ones I've used allow this
without any trouble at all.  Even those who don't like MultiFinder
say things like "besides downloading, what's it good for..."

If your comm program doesn't do this switch to one that does, there
are many to choose from.

> 2. What about all those nice coprossers the fx has. When will we see a system
> that truely supports them!

Those coprocessors are used.  The serial port coprocessor, and the ADB
bus coprocessor, even the graphics coprocessor if you have an 8-24 GC card.
They have't got the DMA going yet, though, that's true. (A/UX does
though!)

> 3. When will we see the new print architechure, line-layout manager, and apple
> scripting.

This falls into the category of promising too much early on.  Once
they were well into the system 7 development they noticed that it
might be 1993 before they finish the whole thing.  So they pruned
some of the features and focused on what they thought most important
(and most under control, software development-wise!).  I expect we'll
see these features in a follow on system 7 (7.0.X or 7.1?).

>      I used to think the apple was a little behind in hardware, and ahead of
> the game in system software.  Now I think the opposite might be true.  I sure
> hope that apple gets these into system 8, and I hope system 8 doesn't take
> 2 years to get here.  My next computer purchase may depend on apple coming out
> with system 8 on time.

Considering the size and complexity of system 7, they're actually
doing a pretty good job.  Any LARGE software effort is extremely hard
to manage effectively.  Personally, I'm pleased to see them focus on
key features and delivery it, then move on to the rest afterward.

They're doing a VERY nice job of involving developers with System 7 
early enough that there should be fix'em versions of almost everything
that breaks released concurrently with system 7 or close to it.

-- michael

--  Michael Peirce         --   outpost!peirce@claris.com
--  Peirce Software        --   Suite 301, 719 Hibiscus Place
--  Macintosh Programming  --   San Jose, California 95117
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