Path: utzoo!utgpu!news-server.csri.toronto.edu!rpi!think.com!spool.mu.edu!uwm.edu!linac!pacific.mps.ohio-state.edu!cis.ohio-state.edu!magnus.acs.ohio-state.edu!zardoz.eng.ohio-state.edu!agvax2.ag.ohio-state.edu!GAYNOR From: gaynor@agvax2.ag.ohio-state.edu Newsgroups: comp.sys.mac.system Subject: Re: How to write to Apple Message-ID: <1991Jun13.142124.465@zardoz.eng.ohio-state.edu> Date: 13 Jun 91 14:21:24 GMT Article-I.D.: zardoz.1991Jun13.142124.465 References: <53924@apple.Apple.COM>,<3634@sirius.ucs.adelaide.edu.au> Sender: news@zardoz.eng.ohio-state.edu (Usenet news) Reply-To: gaynor@agvax2.ag.ohio-state.edu Organization: Ohio Cooperative Extension Service Lines: 52 Nntp-Posting-Host: agvax2.ag.ohio-state.edu In article <3634@sirius.ucs.adelaide.edu.au>, icapon@registry.adelaide.edu.au (Nick Capon) writes: >In article <53924@apple.Apple.COM> bc@apple.com (bill coderre) writes: >> Remember that a ROM upgrade >> ....... might cause compatibility or configuration hassles >> for people that manage networks of Macs. > >Comparable, say, to upgrading to System 7 in the absence of Apple >peripheral drivers :-) > >Seriously, how can more memory capability be a significant hassle?? More memory won't be a hassle. But 32-bit Cleanliness, when many major programs still aren't 32-bit Clean, can cause headaches. Think of the guy who manages a network of Macs in an office... If a ROM upgrade is available, he's got to worry about costs, the logistics of getting the upgrade, and then he has to make sure that all the apps/extensions/cdevs/etc. are 32-bit Clean. If they aren't, he has to go pester the manufacturer. Buy software upgrades. Install them. And if it's a shareware/freeware tool? Gotta find the author. Get an upgrade. What if there isn't an upgrade available? And what about all the folks who like to bring in things from home or off an online service? Any problems they have, they're going to come straight to their support guy - whether the software is "supported" by the organization or not. Reality. And, -right now-, the advantages of 32-Bit Cleanliness are a bit nebulous. Really, how many people in your office/environment use more than 8 MB? Would you want to try to convince the purchasing department to shell out a few thousand dollars to upgrade the ROMS of 20-30 Macs on the strength of "Well, it'll let everyone use more memory"? The advantages of 32-Bit Cleanliness are long-term. The people who control purchases and budgets very frequently see only the short-term - or, even when they see the long-term, they are forced to respond only to short-term needs. Now, if the potential ROM upgrade includes things like System 7 services and remote booting... In this current 24->32 transition stage, 32-Bit Cleanliness can be difficult to support in even the most tightly managed environment. But it will get easier as more software complies, and worth the trouble in the future. Hey, I'm all for 32-Bit Clean ROM upgrades, it's something that I believe Apple should do, but someone has to play Devil's Advocate. --- Jim Gaynor - AgVAX System Manager - Academic Computing - Ohio State University VMS: UNIX: Disclaimer : All opinions expressed here are mine and only mine. So there! Witty Quote: "Shoot him now! Shoot him now!" - Daffy Duck, "Rabbit Seasonings"