Relay-Version: version B 2.10 5/3/83; site utzoo.UUCP Path: utzoo!mnetor!uunet!husc6!uwvax!rutgers!labrea!decwrl!pyramid!voder!apple!goldman From: goldman@apple.UUCP (Phil Goldman) Newsgroups: comp.sys.mac Subject: Re: Flames about Multifinder Message-ID: <6144@apple.UUCP> Date: Fri, 4-Sep-87 03:05:46 EDT Article-I.D.: apple.6144 Posted: Fri Sep 4 03:05:46 1987 Date-Received: Sun, 6-Sep-87 06:21:29 EDT References: <7177@steinmetz.steinmetz.UUCP> Reply-To: goldman@apple.UUCP (Phil Goldman) Organization: Apple Computer Inc., Cupertino, USA Lines: 115 In article <7177@steinmetz.steinmetz.UUCP> hallett@macbeth.steinmetz () writes: > >I think I've just about had it with this Multifinder sham that Apple >is pulling on all of us. First off, it cost us $49 to get the thing. >Ok, they had distribution costs and all of that so that's ok. >However, now they say that it requires 2Meg! MultiFinder requires 1Meg, not 2. Although it will run on a 512kE, it is of limited use there -- but it is still very handy if you are using several small applications. >If that's not bad >enough, System 4.1 craps Switcher, leaving all of us without any >alternative except to get Multifinder. So really Mulitfinder costs >~$549 including the $500 to get a CMOS upgrade to 2Meg. > No! MultiFinder runs very comfortably in 1Meg. In fact, if you use a little common sense you can run more applications with MultiFinder than you can with Switcher. Right now on my (1Meg) MacPlus I am running MacDraw, MacProject, MacWrite, Word, WriteNow, and the Finder. Also, I have extra room left over to print or open desk accessories. >Personally, I think this sucks. I'm a heavy Mac user, but not a real >power user. For the vast, vast majority of things I do, 1Meg is >sufficient. Yeah, I want 2Meg someday, but can't do it now. However, >Apple is leaving me no choice if I want to keep my Switcher-like >environment (I like Switcher A LOT. As far as I am concerned, it is >the best piece of software Apple ever produced, and I use it quite >frequently.). As I see it, there are only a few alternatives: > Switcher was a great program, in its time. It was definitely better than the alternative (nothing). However, with the luxury of a year to work on a replacement, Apple has solved many of the problems that Switcher has: (1) User Interface. MultiFinder introduces the concept of layers, so that all the applications are onscreen at once. Switching between applications is much smoother and faster than rotating the screen. In fact, switching between windows in different layers is (seemingly) as fast as switching between those in the same layer. (2) Speed Launching an application is faster with MultiFinder than it was with either Switcher or with the old system. This is because resources shared by many applications, such as fonts, desk accessories, and packages (such as Standard File), are loaded into memory from the disk only once, not each time an application is launched. (3) Reliability Switcher has many bugs. Admittedly, much of this is due to the difficulty in trying to run "unfriendly" applications that just don't want to run in a shared environment. However, Switcher had its own problems too. For example, Switcher loads the Printing resources into the application's memory space when printing, which means that if the system print drivers get larger they will cause the application to run out of memory and crash. This has in fact already happened. Also, we've had time to fix humdreds of little bugs that were minor (or possibly major) annoyances with Switcher. (4) Added Features Multitasking MultiFinder will allow you to run applications in the background. We are including PrintMaster on the release disk, which lets you print in the background (a huge time savings). The latest VersaTerm will let you download files with a modem in the background. 4th dimension will do searching and sorting, as well as executing user task, all in the background. There are also many other products in the works that will have all kinds of background services: spreadsheets, databases, compilers, etc. Shutdown MultiFinder will automatically quit from all running applications when you shut down the machine, allowing you to save open document if necessary. Layers I know I mentioned this above, but I just wanted to add that using layers really makes the concept of cutting and pasting between applications really intuitive and covenient. >1. Don't use System 4.1/Finder 5.5. This is unpleasant since the new >Finder has some nice features in it and System 4.1 has some Toolbox >enhancements that new programs (will) require. > The newest Finder (6.0) has even more nice features in it (color icons, an interactive copy dialog, and greatly enhanced "Set Startup" option). >2. Don't use Switcher. This is more unpleasant than using the old >System and Finder. > >3. Buy a 2Meg upgrade. Great idea, except I think my wife would like >to eat more than watch me use Multifinder. This will eventually be >the solution. > Although MultiFinder will run in 1 Meg (or even 512k), it is twice as useful in 2Meg, just as Switcher would be. Therefore, it is really worth the $200 dollars (I'm sure a poor college student could find this kind of deal if he looked around a little) to double your memory. It's unfortunate that memory prices are so high, but talk to Ronnie about that one. >Now, that I've made myself out to be a complete jerk in front of a lot >of people, I will say that normally, I don't complain about much. >Apple can placate me by simply fixing Switcher so I can use it. I >will gladly get Multifinder when I get my 2Meg (probably over the >winter when the cost of the CMOS upgrades get as cheap as the DRAM >ones). Until then, I want a tool I can use. I think most of your confusion comes from unsubstantiated rumours (the 2 Meg stuff). When MultiFinder is actually released (in a couple more weeks) you'll get the chance to compare for yourself. I think you'll find that what has done is in fact to "fix the Switcher". - Phil Goldman, Apple Computer