Path: utzoo!mnetor!uunet!seismo!sundc!pitstop!sun!plaid!chuq From: chuq@plaid.Sun.COM (Chuq Von Rospach) Newsgroups: comp.sys.mac Subject: Re: Software for the Mac -- recommendations wanted. Message-ID: <42627@sun.uucp> Date: 20 Feb 88 05:47:02 GMT References: <953@pbhyc.UUCP> <42125@sun.uucp> <2930@fluke.COM> Sender: news@sun.uucp Reply-To: chuq@sun.UUCP (Chuq Von Rospach) Organization: Fictional Reality, uLtd Lines: 87 >It sure looks good from here, though. Quick notes: I am >*extremely* skeptical about Word 4.0 (did your rumor mention a thesaurus?); No mention of a thesaurus. I'm skeptical, too, but look what they did with Write. No pre-warning at all, no rumors before hand, either. Unlike Apple, they've figured out how to keep a secret. So it's not unlikely. >Spelling DA that runs with Works); does anyone have comments on >Ashton-Tate's previous Macintosh documentation -- i.e. will they re-write >the AA docs (I liked the reference manual quite a bit). They'd have to go >quite a ways to screw the FullWrite manuals up as much as the Word >manuals... The manuals are printed. I sincerely doubt AT will reprint them --that's expensive and silly. And NOTHING could be worse than Microsoft's manuals -- anyone who's using word should track down the Cobb Group's book on Word. It's the only Word reference in my coomputer room anymore.... >OTHER SOFTWARE: We missed graphics packages. My vote: SuperPaint. Hmm. I use (and like) superpaint when I need a graphic package (not as often as I'd like....). It could be better, the draw/paint layer interaction is confusing as hell. Superpaint II, though, looks like it'll fix all my gripes and then some. Laurie hates SuperPaint, and uses fullpaint. She gives up the draw layer, but it's a lot more intuitive and easier to use without pushing through the (less than optimal) superpaint manual. >Utilities: I always recommend that people get used to the Mac before they >buy utilities. Get frustrated with a few of the slow points, and then >spring Font/DA Juggler (yes, just bought it, better than SuitCase (but for >how long? For HOW LONG?), and with several GREAT utilities), DiskTop 3.01, >SmartScrap and PictureBase on them. There are people who view me unto a god >when I showed them DiskTop 3.01. Utilities are great for guru status... Utilities. oh, yeah!. How could we live without our toys! First thing you want to buy is QuickKeys. you bought the Mac for the mouse, right? Well, buy quickeys to allow you to mouse from the keyboard. This sounds silly, but trust me. To make best use of QuickKeys, you should get an extended keybaord. I just bought the Datadesk 101. It is so much better than the standard Mac keyboard you won't believe it, and I've been told by numerous people it's even better than Apple's ADB extended keyboard. Here's a second for disktop, too. You won't know how much you need it until you're in word and need to go in and play with the signature bits. Great stuff. Jeff forgot Acta, the outliner as DA. It's not as powerful as MORE, but it's a lot more accessible. It's a lot better than Word's outline mode, and available anywhere. you don't think you need an outliner? Well, neither did I, but I now use it to store an outline that brings up lists of OtherRealms schedules, compuserve accounts, dates, deadlines, phone numbers, projects, etc, etc,etc, all as different topics in a default outline. If this sounds like a rolodex overkill, you're right, but the thing is so damn flexible and convenient you won't believe it. And you can use it for outlining, too. And MINIwriter. you think that since you have a word processor you don't need a text editor DA? Think again. >Hard Disk Software: We've beat backup software into the ground (I like >DiskFit, but frankly, I'm waiting for a videotape back-up); optimizers are a >must for me (on a 20 MB, you notice the clutter faster). DiskExpress isn't >as fast as PowerUp, nor as easy, but it seems to make things more optimal. >It's a toss-up on that. Two votes here, for diskfit and DiskExpress. I used to use HFS-Backup, but switched over to Diskfit when I started to seriousl hack Hypercard. Why? Because while using fresh floppies is a nice theory, when Hypercard eaths four or five floppies a night, you're better off simply copying over -- the backup set gets too large too quickly to be useful. >I could mention games, but it sounds like you're talking about serious >software... (some of the best stuff is PD and shareware -- nothing makes my >pulse pound like Air Traffic Controller). I'll mention games. Whatthehell. Crystal Quest and Risk. the only games on my disk, and they take up more time than I have to give. But who cares? All work and no play.... Chuq Von Rospach chuq@sun.COM Delphi: CHUQ What do you mean 'You don't really want to hurt her?' I'm a Super-Villain! That's my Schtick!