| 8/23/00
What's in a Name? Garret emailed to ask what were the file name limitations under MacOS 9. This Apple Tech article provides info. To summarize:
- For all Mac OS versions up to and including Mac OS 9.x:
- File and Folder names are limited to 31 characters.
- Volume names are limited to 27 characters.
- Names cannot include the colon (:) character. This character is reserved by Mac OS to denote catalog hierarchy. A colon typed in a character name will be replaced by a dash (-) automatically by Mac OS.
 I had thought the limitation on starting a file name with a period would be mentioned, but apparently Apple resolved that problem. Norton Disk Doctor will still flag that as an error.
If my aging memory serves me, the period limitation arose because under older versions of the MacOS, the disk driver was an invisible file named .Sony. Rumor has it that an unsuspecting user inadvertently named a document .Sony - rendering his Mac useless. Urban folk lore? You can still find .Sony if you know where to look...
One final tip on Matrix screensavers from Ty Silzer:
At the Matrix's official homepage, they have both Mac and PC screensavers of the Matrix code. The typeface is different, but I think more closely resembles the movie than the Matrix ScreenSaver. It is a control-panel based and appears to have been created with Director. I don't like the fact it's a control panel, but I do like the eye candyish 'code explosions' contained in the screensaver. The other downside to the 'official' screensaver is it only runs 640x480, no matter what screen resolution you're at. It doesn't change resolutions, but rather places a large black border around.
Oh ok, just one more screensaver tip. This one from Derek Gordon:
To promote the new release of MAYA for the Mac, they have released a screensaver based on the plugin effects for Painter. This is an incredible free application. It must be seen to be believed. I think your readers will love this, plus you can edit the transparent Maya logo at the bottom of the screen.
User Contributed Splash Screens:
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8/21/00
 Last week's poll was almost split 50/50 as to whether the G4 Cube is a good value. I received several emails from readers who felt strongly that the Cube was a great value. These same readers had just purchased a Cube, so I think their comments are suspect! :)
Lets look at a chart of the various computer systems:
|
G4 Cube
|
G4 Desktop
|
iMac G3
|
| Speed |
450
|
400
|
450
|
| USB |
2
|
2
|
2
|
| Firewire |
2
|
2
|
2
|
| Ethernet |
10/100
|
10/1000
|
10/100
|
| Speakers |
Yes
|
No
|
Yes
|
New mouse &
Keyboard |
Yes
|
Yes
|
Yes
|
| Memory |
64
|
64
|
64
|
| Video System |
ATI 128/16 |
ATI 128/16 |
ATI 128/16 |
| PCI Slots |
No
|
3
|
No
|
| DVD |
Yes
|
Yes
|
Yes
|
| Hard disk |
20
|
20
|
20
|
| Monitor |
No
|
No
|
Yes
|
| Price |
$1799
|
$1599
|
$1299
|
You may say to me, "Hey, that iMac is a G3, not G4!", but unless you are using applications that take advantage of the AltiVec coprocessor, there is almost no difference between the two. To me, it looks like the best deal for most people is the iMac. ;)
Under OSA menu, I have lots of little Applescripts tucked away. They take care fixing things for me that get out of whack. For example, Unreal resets my monitor resolution, and moved the Application Switcher to the upper-left corner. Boo on Unreal, but a little Applescript makes everything all better!
This week's Polling Place asks, "Do you use Applescripts?".
Chris says, "There's no way that Aurebesh is the right font for what you see in the Matrix. I recall seeing some Hiragana or Kanji while watching the movie which Aurek-besh does not include". And after watching the movie (again) this weekend, I believe he's correct, but still, Aurebesh is the font used in the Matrix ScreenSaver.
If you're looking for another option for a Matrix Screensaver, Pete Ware recommends Setting Sun. The $20 shareware comes with over 30 modules, one of which is a cool matrix screen.
Mac-on-Linux has been updated! This new version has improved performance, faster video, networking modifications, and support of 2.4 kernels.
Akio has updated with some new splash screens. There's a Giant MOSS, an ATM, and a PS Splash, all done in the style of Danger Girl.
MacInstruct has posted a new tutorial , "Hosting Quake on Game Ranger". Written by Steve Nyland, formerly from MacGamer, the hugh tutorial covers two pages!
User Contributed Splash Screens:
- In his teeniest-weeniest creation to date, this new Mini-MOSS by Peter McHugh will have you pulling out a magnifying glass!
- Vertigo Ltd submitted a Netscape splash featuring the artwork of Neil Gaiman's award-winning comic, the Sandman.
- Oh look! It's another Natilie Portman splash screen! This one is by Erik Fritz for Internet Explorer.
- Here's a friendly little splash for Outlook Express by Eijiro Kamishita.
- Rett put together this MOSS featuring Josie Maran.
Calendar & Appointment Scheduler for Mac OS X
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