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From: jclee@sdcc13.ucsd.edu (Jimmy Lee)
Newsgroups: comp.sys.mac.system,comp.sys.mac.misc
Subject: System 7.0
Keywords: What's good and bad
Message-ID: <20016@sdcc6.ucsd.edu>
Date: 1 Jun 91 19:45:53 GMT
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Fist of all, System 7.0 requires a minimum of 2 megs and a hard disk
to operate, but you will not have enough ram to load one big program
or several programs at once.  VM is out for those of you who does
not have a PMMU chip--that's the Plus, SE, Classic, LC, and, I think
some of the Mac II's.  Tip--get at least 4 megs.  Even though some
of you can't use VM, don't feel sad because VM slows down the
computer to a snail--well, close to it.  

System 7.0 loves to access your hard disk a lot.  For those of you
in the market for a hard disk, get a Quantum because it will make
your life a whole lot better in terms of speed.  If you don't have
the money to buy another hard disk then set the ram cache to a value
of at least 128--the more the better provided you have the ram.  I
set mine at 256 and works great.  With this setting the accesses to
my hard disk is cut in half.  

For those with Mac +'s, try formatting you drive with Silverlining
5.27 or later.  While in the program, choose "Silverlining fast
blind" SCSI loop--if your hard disk will support it.  Next, still
hungry for speed, check to see if you need to increase the system
heap.  Look at the bar under the "About this Macintosh" to see if
there is a 20-25 % of free space.  If not, get the program call
"Bootman" or "Heapfixer" to increase the heap.  Tip--even though
System 7.0 will adjust the heap automatically, do use the program to
increase the heap--beyond that of the 20-25%.  For example, I set my
heap up to 1024K, even though at 750K the 20-25% is met.  The more
the better, provided you have the ram, but don't go crazy and
incease the heap to 4098K--don't abuse it. Restart and enjoy your
"new" Mac Plus.  Things I noticed after following these
recommendations. 1-loading and quiting applications is a lot faster.
                 2-duplicating files a lot faster
                 3-opening and closing folders a lot faster
                 4-speed could match or beat that of a SE.
                 5-speed could match or beat that of a SE/30-just
                   kidding!

New stuff with System 7.0.  When duplicating files, the computer now
will read and write at 100K chunks instead of the 200K chunk with
System 6.0X.  This seems to speed up things visually, but when time
is concern, it slows down.  Things are slow in the finder, but
blazes in the application.  Switching between applications is smooth
as silk.  Loading and working in Ms Word is faster, but the Print
Preview is slow it you are using TrueType fonts instead of the
Bit-Mapped.  Tip-if you are only using one size of a particular
font, then take out the TrueType in the system suitcase and put back
the Bit-Mapped.  Oh, how can you tell which one is which.  TrueType
icon will have three different sizes of "A" and Bit-Mapped will have
only a single "A" drawn in the icon.  Opening each folder is slow
or fast depending on your point of reference.  With Sys. 7, once you
double click on the folder, the pointer changes into a watch and
some processing is needed before it opens.  In Sys 6.0X, once you
double-click, it opens instantaneously.  In Sys 7.0, after the
"processing," the folder will shoot out at you.  In 6.0X, that
effect is much subtle.

Enjoy your new software.  If there are any questions, email or post
on the net.  I do not work for anyone and am not responsible for any
damages it may have caused with the tips I give.  Try only with your
valuable data back up.  

I have a Mac Plus, with 4 megs, 40 meg Ehman Hard Drive, running
system Seven since May 15th.  Not had any major problem YET--I
better keep my mouth shut!