[WinMac] MacWorld Expo Report - Something for everyone!
Daniel L. Schwartz(expresso[at]snip.net)
Fri, 23 Jul 1999 18:12:03 -0400
Dear friends,
I just got back from MacWorld Expo in NYC last night, and this is a
general report with lots of details for several of the mailing lists I
subscribe to and moderate, as well as my customers and friends; and I
guarantee each and every one of you will find something of interest -
Graphics and DTP, Mac-NT connectivity, AlphaNT issues, Micros~1 Exchange
Admin issues... You name it, it was there!
If you want to comment or reply to a mailing list, please snip out the
unrelated text to keep it to a reasonable length...
I'm started to organize this by vendor and issues covered, but so many
things are intertwined that all hell broke loose; so they are now pretty
much scatter-shot all over the place... So here goes!
MICROSOFT:
1) Outlook client for Exchange: Currently, the MacOS version is at 8.2,
with improved stability. It is available for download from Microsoft's FTP
site, or on a separate CD. The Mac group is going to an independent release
schedule - If they happen to fall with the Exchange Server Service Pack CD
distribution, the CD's will be shipped together.
A new version of Outlook will be shipped in about six months, FINALLY
matching up with it's 95/NT counterpart with full support for scheduling
features.
-> OUTLOOK LANDMINE: If you select "encrypt" for your Mac client offline
files, you are now forever linked to the Exchange 5.5 Server Service
account - Typically called "ExchAdmn". If you delete the Exchange Service
Account on the server with User Manager for Domains, the mail stored on the
Mac and PC clients *in encrypted form* is forever lost! This is due to the
client encryption being tied to the SID of the Exchange Server Service
Account - And the SID is a 35 character long 36 character wide (A-Z, 0-9)
string. Recreating the Service Account name and password is not enough -
The SID for the account has to be the same as well, or mail on Mac & PC
clients stored in encrypted form is LOST!
This landmine is documented in Microsoft's site; but new Mac users of
Exchange may step on this landmine.
RECOMMENDATION: Unless you NEED to keep your eMail files
encrypted on your
local hard drive, DESELECT this default setting and leave your mail on your
hard drive in plain text form.
2) Exchange Server 5.5: Service Pack 3 is due to be released
in August -
Mostly bug fixes.
3) Windows 2000 Server series: Confirmed that RC1 is indeed shipping.
Win2K Server supports AFP over IP (Apple Filing Protocol over IP), for
faster transfers. According to Leonard Rosenthal, W2K's Services For Mac
(SFM) is supposed to emulate ASIP 5.x (AppleShare Server IP). This will
also require Chooser Extension version 3.7 or higher on the Mac client to
implement. No longer does the AppleTalk stack install together with SFM: It
is a separate installation item.
WHAT THIS MEANS: Now partially obsolete are Cyan's MacServer IP and
Miramar's PC MacLAN for NT, IF you use W2k Server's SFM. However, the above
two products can also run under W2k/Workstation, so that if you don't feel
like retuning W2k Server for maximum foreground performance to use as a
combo workstation/server, then you'll still need one of the two third-party
products above.
UNRESOLVED ISSUE: Win2k's SFM storing dual fork Mac files
sent to it via
AFP over IP in one or two NTFS streams. John S. or Paul B.: Do you have a
handle on this NTFS file stream issue yet?
ADOBE:
1) InDesign looks REALLY good!
2) Photoshop 5.5 is not a "must-have" upgrade unless you make a living
with it.
3) ATM: No AlphaNT port planned; but see below about Diamondsoft's Font
Reserve 2.0.
4) Acrobat Reader: I pleaded with one of the developers (from their San
Diego facility) to produce a native AlphaNT version; but I received the
boilerplate reply that there is not enough demand, yada yada yada...
ADAPTEC:
1) SCSI: According to the rep, one of the most asked-for items is a Mac
version of the AAA-13x series hardware RAID controller PCI card. They also
had a demo of the Mac version of their Ultra 160 SCSI controller.
2) Toast: Version 4 is due out shortly with "standard" and "deluxe"
editions; including USB support.They will have an inexpensive upgrade for
non-OEM version owners.
TYPEFACE MANAGEMENT ISSUES:
DIAMONDSOFT: FONT RESERVE 2.0
This a replacement for Adobe Type Manager Deluxe. They bought
the rights
to Font Navigator (included with CorelDraw), and they claimed that if there
is an AlphaNT port of Font Navigator there will be an AlphaNT port of Font
Reserve. There is also a network server version; although ATM Deluxe can
reference a typeface collection on an NT or AppleShare server - Provided
that the typefaces are read-only (to prevent the first client from locking
the font files for exclusive use). In any case, it appears to be a nice Mac
& NT product with the "Font Vault" and database features. **This product
looks like it's a winner for a whole bunch of reasons and platforms.**
For further info, punch up their website at;
<http://www.fontreserve.com> and <http://www.diamondsoft.com>.
LYCOS:
SEARCHGUARD: I stopped by their booth to take a break and ask
about their
IRL sports marketing plans; but I stumbled across their SearchGuard
feature. When I do a search, I'm fed up of getting a bunch of porno "hits"
wasting my time when I'm in a hurry. Unlike "kiddie" search engines that
have a small pool and are useless to most of us, SearchGuard simply filters
out porno sites from the search results. Just go to <http://www.lycos.com>
and click on the SearchGuard link to turn this feature on or off.
EMULATORS, INC.:
This is one product that blew me away: It's a MacOS 8
emulator that runs
on 95/98 and NT/x86. **This is the reverse of Connectix' VirtualPC.** I had
a long discussion with their president, Darek Mihocka, about porting this
to run on AlphaNT. Apparently, he hand-coded in assembly language for the
x86 P6 architecture to keep all 3 pipelines filled; but he was also blown
away by the chart-topping Spec95FP performance of the EV6 (21264) and
UP2000 combination. Although Darek was somewhat familiar with FX!32, he
didn't know about Compaq's porting labs so someone from Compaq &/or API
should get hold of him. This could be a killer app on AlphaNT! Their web
site is at:
<http://www.emulators.com>. NOTE TO COMPAQ: THEY ARE VERY INTERESTED IN
USING YOUR PORTING LAB!
ORANGE MICRO:
These people make a "PC on a card" (PCI card) that works in
PowerPC Macs.
up to 450 mHz K6-III. They've been around a long time, having made NuBus
cards all the way back in the early Quadra days a la the "Houdini" card
series. I spoke to their rep at length about an AlphaNT port of their card,
i.e. "NT on NT" as an alternative to FX!32. I had to educate them on the
benefits this would provide to AlphaNT workstation users who need to run
x86 apps that can't use FX!32. In the case of both the Apple Houdini series
and Orange Micro cards, they actually run a separate instance of the OS
(95/96 or NT), but share disk access. Some of their cards have separate
video out, and some share video out. The contact person is Julie Moeller
<mailto:julie_moeller@orangemicro.com>, and their Web site is at:
<http://www.orangemicro.com>. NOTE TO COMPAQ AND API: ARE YOU PAYING
ATTENTION?!
GEETHREE.COM:
STEALTH SERIAL PORT: It's for use in blue & white G3 Macs
that had their
serial port "Steveified," and fixes a MAJOR flaw in deploying ASIP 6 on
these machines: Graceful shutdown in the event of a power failure. This
small device plugs into the modem slot of the G3, so no PCI slots are
wasted. According to the representative it works quite well with APC's
PowerChute software for MacOS. I recommend this product for EVERYONE who is
running a B&W G3, along with an Uninterruptible Power Supply (UPS). In
addition, they have an iMac version coming soon; plus a $39.95 ADB adaptor
for PS/2 wheel mice (IntelliMouse). Their Web site is at:
<http://www.geethree.com>.
BIRMY:
PowerRIP 5.2 & 5.3: Whee! This was the most interesting meeting, since
owner Joe Birmy himself was there <mailto:joe@birmy.com>. I read him the
riot act over the license floppy issue, and especially with Diskeeper Lite
being included in W2k and its ability to wreck the license. He tried W2kß1
and it hosed his machine, so he stopped W2k development. I *pleaded* for a
dongle not only for W2k but also for NT4, to get around the license floppy
fiasco. Although they ship both Mac and x86 versions of their RIP software
in the box, about 90% of the installations are on Macs. They had to create
a USB dongle for iMacs and B&W G3's; and they *will* have a USB dongle
shortly for W2k (?95/98?), but NOT NT4 because USB isn't supported there.
We also spoke about an AlphaNT port, and I stressed the issue
of when you
write for AlphaNT *first* you'll get better quality source code that will
compile much more cleanly for NT/x86, discovering hidden errors. At this
moment, they have to VC4 because of the Adobe-supplied source code for the
CPSI (Configurable PostScript Interpreter). HOWEVER, Adobe this coming week
is releasing new CPSI source code which will work with VC6. [BTW, I also
stressed this point to Darek at Emulators, Inc.] We just may end up with an
AlphaNT port of Birmy's RIP software, if only by accident.
They are just now getting ready to release version 5.3 of
their software,
but for people that bought v5.2 within the last few weeks they'll give you
the update. Those that have just recently purchased 5.2 can contact them
for the update at <http://www.birmy.com>
PRINTER SUPPORT: They still have an older version of RIP software for
Fujix Pictrography printers, but they didn't know about the price drop to
$7995. They also have a wide format driver for the new Epson Stylus Pro
9000 - Please see below.
SONNET:
These are my favorite G3 and QuadDoubler 68040 upgrades - They actually
honor their warranty (Unlike Newer); and they have been proven stable. The
only real news is that they now have a G3 Upgrade guaranteed to work with
the 9150/120.
On the pricing front, they have MacWorld specials. Punch up
their site at:
<http://www.sonnettech.com>. Also, if you have a G3 be sure to pick up
their new Extension for MacOS 8.6.
CANTO:
Their Cumulus image asset management system, currently at version 5,
probably will not be ported to AlphaNT due to lack of "potential" demand,
despite my mentioning to Dave Strecker (their field engineer,
<mailto:dstrecker@canto.com> and regional sales manager Hector Medina
<mailto:hmedina@canto.com> about the chart-topping EV6/UP2000 Spec95 FP
performance - Especially since Cumulus is math intensive due to the
thumbnail and low-res image generation.
<http://www.canto.com>.
INFOWAVE (FORMERLY GDT):
POWERPRINT AND STYLESCRIPT: They make serial -> parallel and USB ->
parallel connectors, along with Mac drivers so that you can use all sorts
of PC printers on Macs... And their stuff works. They also have a low-end
RIP package, StyleScript, but it's only a Level 2 RIP - Not a Level 3 RIP
like Birmy's. They have a MacWorld special for 20% off both PowerPrint and
StyleScript: Call 1-800-330-6833 to order by August 30th.
<http://www.infowave.com>.
PICTORICO:
Really nice photo quality inkjet paper and canvas - Nicer than the OEM
papers. Contact them for a sample pack at:
<http://www.pictorico.com> - It's worth the time, especially if you have
an Epson Photo series or Stylus Pro 5000 printer.
EPSON:
1) COLORPAGE 8000: High capacity 13" x 19" (tabloid full bleed) color
laser printer with the same (similar) efi Fiery RIP box that's on the
Stylus Pro inkjet printer. OK for general proofing and certainly fine for
presentations; but I didn't test it for fleshtones or food shots.
2) STYLUS PRO 9000: This is a roll feed 44 inch wide format 6 color
version of the Stylus Pro 5000, i.e. it' prints CcMmYK at up to a 1440 x
720 resolution. Why I like this printer is that you can buy a complete
package with the efi Fiery RIP; or you can buy it and supply your own RIP -
Such as the upcoming Birmy. Keep in mind that if you are outputting raster
files directly from Photoshop - As opposed to PostScript page layout files
from Quack or PageMaker - then you don't need a RIP at all with System 7,
95/98, and NT4 drivers. See
<http://prographics.epson.com/products/stypro9000/features.html> for
further info on this sweet printer.
COBALT:
ISP's, take note: Their new RaQ line is ideally suited for you with
limited space with their 1U rack height. They got high marks just this
Wednesday from Ziff-Davis.
1) NASRaQ: Mac & PC File storage, with RAID 0 & 1 options.
2) RaQ 2: Internet appliance - Ideal for sites that need lots
of CGI and
perl script support, i.e. those that don't need bandwidth but lots of CPU
cycles - Ideal for separating off certain sites from the main server.
3) CacheRaq 2: Web page caching.
<http://www.cobaltnet.com>.
ASANTÉ:
10/100 ETHERNET PCI OPTION CARD: Their v3.1 driver for their 10/100 NIC
that was released for MacOS 8.5 is still current with MacOS 8.6. BUT, they
are replacing the DEC 21040 chipset due to cost, and the replacement may
NOT have AlphaNT support. But in any case, until they change, I still
recommend for consistency this card for everything from MacOS to anything
x86 to AlphaNT.
DANTZ:
RETROSPECT EXPRESS: Now they have, for free, both Retrospect
Express and
Retrospect Express Internet Edition... The latter only backs up only to an
FTP site. In addition, they have set up several "affiliates" for file
backup - But if you look at their requirements to be "certified" by Dantz,
they are't too stiff. Almost any ISP reading this can become "certified."
RETROSPECT: Now writes to DVD-RAM in addition to CD-R/RW.
RETROSPECT FOR NT: Dantz is currently at work on a full version (in
addition to their soon-to-be-released agent) for NT. However, when I asked
about backing up open files, Exchange, & SQL their reply was "In a future
release."
[Editorial comment for ALL NT users: Stick with UltraBac for your NT
backup needs - It's the best of the breed by far!]
BEI, INC./ULTRABAC: Not at MacWorld; but if they have a working MacOS
agent in the next few months, I'd LOVE to see them at MacWorld in January
in San Francisco, even if only in a kiosk! :)
CITRIX:
Their booth was staffed by a Citrix reseller, "fishing" for
customers. Not
very cool, especially since I wanted to speak to a "real" Citrix salesman
about becoming a dealer. Talk about arrogance! May Terminal Services in
Win2K kill these arrogant bastards off once and for all!
MacOS STUFF:
System 8.7 (Sonata) was renamed by Steve to "MacOS 9" That means we're
going to have to pay $99 for this set of bug fixes.
MacOS X: Lots of questions came up about this in the Pro
Conference - Much
more than we expected - And quite frankly prepared for! Fortunately, a
couple of audience members were using it pretty heavily, so they bailed up
out! :)
[For the uninitiated, MacOS X (MacOS 10) is Rhapsody renamed. They
released the server version first, and this winter they'll have a desktop
version. It runs on an old version of the Mach kernel, and (apparently)
along side the BSD kernel so that it can execute BSD source - On the Mach
kernel.]
In any case, several issues arose about OS X:
A) No graceful shutdown in the event of a power failure. There is no
software that can receive serial port or USB info from a UPS for OS-X (BUT,
see GeeThree.Com above for MacOS 8.x and PowerChute);
b) No real backup software (except tar and tar.z - Old, but
it just barely
works)... Is anyone with initials "P.B." paying attention?! :)
In short, OS X is not ready for prime time - No more than NT
3.12 was...
Yours truly,
Daniel L. Schwartz,
Electrical Engineer.
Dan's Macintosh Consulting
239 Great Road
Maple Shade, NJ 08052
609-642-7666
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