Path: utzoo!mnetor!uunet!husc6!bbn!rochester!udel!gatech!purdue!i.cc.purdue.edu!j.cc.purdue.edu!pur-ee!pc.ecn.purdue.edu!wards
From: wards@pc.ecn.purdue.edu (Sherman Ward)
Newsgroups: comp.sys.mac
Subject: Info req on startup disks
Message-ID: <809@pc.ecn.purdue.edu>
Date: 28 Jan 88 12:46:09 GMT
Distribution: na
Organization: Purdue University Engineering Computer Network
Lines: 82
Keywords: finder system laser SE


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I am looking for information/opinions regarding "Startup disks".

I am in charge of organizing and updating the "startup disks" for 
a dozen "secretarial" (#1) users.  I want to use only "standard" 
and "pure" Apple finder/system on my 12 (1 MEG, 2 800K disk) 
Macintosh SE startup disks with Appleshare 1.0.

My experience has been with UNIX on VAX 11/780's.  I am ignorant and
naive as to the inner workings on a Mac . My concerns are in 3 areas:

  1) Size of the system .vs. functionallity

     A) Here is the system/finders which I have available:
	 < info about dates & sizes on finder, system, & laser drivers >
	 < deleted >

     B) Questions:
	 what does the increase in size 'buy me'??
 >From @apple.com:han@apple.apple.com Thu Jan 21 13:51:18 1988
 #2
 >The increased size results from system enhancements and bug fixes.

		   what is the optimal scrap area (temporary file space)??

     C) What I know at this point: 
         i) all stations MUST run the same Laserwriter version or
		the laser will re-initialize with each change.
	ii) some systems & finders will not live peaceably with out
		the appropriate mate(s).

  2) Stability
     A) What is the least trouble some 'collection' of system
	software??  Which ones have received the least trouble/bug
	reports during the first 6 months of release? (Apple you
	should be able to help)

     B) What system version are software developers using??

 >From @apple.com:han@apple.apple.com Thu Jan 21 13:51:18 1988
 >The *ABSOLUTE* bare minumum that I would even consider using would be
 >Finder 5.5/System 4.1.  Doing so may result in bad things.  Doing so is
 >at your own risk and you can't blame Apple or third party developers
 >for crashes.

  3) Downward/Upward compatibility
     A) What is the 'base line' system? Is there a guarentee that
	Apple will 'allways' support and never change the base??

 >From @apple.com:han@apple.apple.com Thu Jan 21 13:51:18 1988
 >Use the most recent Laserwriter Drivers available.

   *NOTE* I purchased 2 packages (MS Word 3.01 & RSG 3) which
	were distributed with Laser Driver 3.1. I install the
	"Latest & Greatest" Laser Driver & weird things
	begin to happen - especially with legal size pages

   Now (minor FLAME): Is it the developers fault that their product does
	     not work correctly when APPLE changes the BASE environment??

   What would you recommend - 1) Stay current or 2) Use what works?

      (I use what works and hope like h%%% that my next set of software
	 uses the same environment :-)

Any comments or suggestions are appreciated.  I will summarize if
there is enough interest.

#1 the label "Secretarial users" is not intended to be derogatory, but 
   their basic attitude is "give me just enough to perform my job and
   don't confuse me with the details".

#2 I take Byron Han's comments for His opinion & not Apple Policy

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