[WinMac] Re: two questions (unrelated)

John W. McCarthy(jwmcmac[at]flash.net)
Thu, 18 Feb 1999 04:19:36 -0600

Stacey,

All problems have a simple answer. Finding that simple answer is often
the biggest problem.

As to question #1: some things to try --

1st, you might try upgrading to system 8.5.1. It seems Apple improved
something in the printing, but I can't think of what it may have been at
this time.

Perhaps you are running low on memory -- either System Ram or
Application Ram in either the application that is printing or in one of
the desktop printing utilities. Memory shortage is one of the biggest
causes of freeze-ups in a Mac.

Since the file prints, but takes considerable time to process, on your
friend's computer, it is probably a memory hungry print job (not
necessarily -- check out it's file size with the "Get Info" method
mentioned below.

Also, you can check out how the applications and OS are using the Ram by
going to the Apple Menu (while in the Finder Desktop) and selecting
AppleMenu:About This Computer. This will tell you how much built in Ram
you have and what the Virtual Ram is set to (called Logical Ram in this
utility) and how it is all being allocated at this moment.

Since your computer came with only 16 megs of Ram built in, you might be
running on marginal allotments of Ram for this OS. OS 8.5 & 8.5.1 run
on almost that much ram all by themselves.

For the system, if you can't add more "real" Ram at this time, you might
try turning on Virtual Memory (as much as 60 meg or so). Real ram is
almost always preferable but the Virtual Memory implementations are
improving with time.

To increase the memory allotment in the apps you need to select their
icon in the finder and go to the File menu File:Get Info and change the
"preferred size" to a larger amount of Ram (remembering that you may not
allow yourself to exceed the amount of ram you have on the computer in
the first place).

Give printing a try without (Turn off) the 2, or 3 Desktop related
printing extensions. -- I think these are: Desktop Printer Manager,
Desktop Printer Spooler, Desktop PrintMonitor.

Desktop printing has been known to have had problems in some
circumstances. Printing is very easy without it anyway (using the
chooser and the normal PrintMonitor utility).

Upgrade any third party printing utilities/drivers that you need for
your printer -- if it is not directly an Apple Mac Printer.

Never a bad idea to trash the Finder Preferences when having printing or
communication problems. You only have to reset your Mouse speed in the
Mouse control panel and your Appearance manager settings.

As to question #2:

Have you tried Nisus Writer? There is a free version. The free &
commercial versions have language packages (the extra packages cost
about $70 or more each, I think) that make it work with many different
languages, including Japanese. Many rave about it's abilities. I can't
say since I've never had a need to use it.

The free version of Nisus Writer can be downloaded at:

<http://www.nisus.com/nisusdl/download.asp>

> Subject:
> two questions (unrelated)
> Date:
> Tue, 16 Feb 1999 17:06:07 -0500
> From:
> "Harrison, Stacey" <harrisos@bsci.com>
>
>
>
> First question - just upgraded my PowerMac 7500/100 to OS 8.5 and am using a
> HP5M Color LaserJet for printing over a network. When printing a large (but
> not huge) file from Freehand 8.0, I keep getting the following error, "The
> application Desktop Printer/Spooler has crashed (unknown trap type exception
> (Debugger/DegugStr)). It may still appear ok, but problems may soon occur."
> When I take the file to a coworkers computer it prints fine (though takes
> some time to process). Any ideas on what may be wrong on my end????
>
> Second question - (using Macs) we create manuals in multiple languages, one
> of which is Japanese. Currently, our translation service sends Japanese as
> Adobe Illustrator files - artwork, not text. We would like to receive them
> as text files so that we have the option of formatting - but I've heard this
> isn't just buying a Japanese font - that it's more like you need a whole
> Japanese operating system. Does anyone out there have any knowledge on this
> subject? I know that with Chinese there are several programs that work with
> Japanese fonts from with a page layout program (Chinese Star with Pagemaker
> and Rich Win with Corel Draw) but am not aware of programs for Japanese.
>
> Any help with either question would be much appreciated.
>
> Thanks!
>
> Stacey

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