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Tech Tidbits



Author: from AppleLink
Date: December, 1987
Keywords: hints tips fonts mac ii keyboard hypercard printer filemaker plus laserwriter aldus pagemaker
Text: Editor's Note: Tech Tidbits has been downloaded from AppleLink by SMUG for your information. It is published weekly by East Coast Tech Support of Apple Computer. The following is a compilation of questions and answers from two recent issues. Comments, suggestions and contributions can be directed to AppleLink (just leave me a note) or you can write Apple direct: Apple Computer, Inc., 4130 Parkway Plaza Blvd., Charlotte, NC 28224. Attn: Sue Goodin, Tech Support. kb * * * FONTS * * * Q: I would like to change the default fonts in a number of programs. How can I do this? Do I have to change the default font in EACH application, or is there some utility that I can use? A: There is no provision provided for changing the default font. One workaround that you may wish to utilize to save you time in changing fonts all the time is to select the font that you want to use as the default, then save the otherwise blank worksheet/document, perhaps with margins, tabs, etc., preset to your particular need. Each time you now go to the application, instead of opening the application program, open the document with the font of your choice selected instead. When you save your document, use the Save As command and rename the document, and your set-up file will always remain intact. Q: When I open a document typed in Times* 9 or 10, then open it using a System file without Times 9 or 10 present and print it to the LaserWriter, the resulting print is vertically "squeezed." What's the explanation? A: If the font or font size with which a document was originally created is not available on the current System Disk, the Mac* will substitute another font so that it can display the text on the screen. This "recreated" font, of course, is extrapolated from the information the computer has available, and will not be an exact duplicate of the original font. The solution is to install the fonts you are working with in your System folder. Alternately, you can install fonts directly into your application program by holding down the Option key when using Font/DA Mover. This will permit you to install fonts and DA's, in fact, into applications. Since the font is attached now to the application, the System file has access to it, and you will not run into the problem you cite. * * * KEYBOARD OPTIONS * * * Q: I have two Macs. On one, when I use the Command-Shift-4 to print the active window to my printer, everything works fine. When I tried to do the same thing on the other unit, it prints the entire screen. Is it just being whimsical? A: Command-Shift-4 has two modes. If the Caps-Lock key is up when this combination is depressed, you will get a print of the current window. If the Caps-Lock key is down, then this combination will produce a print of the entire screen. This option will not work at all when the current printer is a LaserWriter. *Did you know that you can close ALL the windows on your Desktop by holding down the OPTION key when you close any one window? [This will not work on a 128K Macintosh.] *Did you know that you can move an inactive window without first clicking on it to select it by simply holding down the COMMAND key while moving it? *Did you know that you can align your files and folders along the invisible grid on the desktop by holding down the COMMAND key while dragging them? *Did you know that there is an alternate way to clean up windows than simply selecting the "Clean Up Window" option under Special? Hold down the OPTION key when you choose Clean Up, and your files and folders will align themselves in neat rows from left to right! * * * MAC II * * * Q: I'm trying to change the background color on the Mac II. I go to the Chooser, select the Monitor Icon, but I am unable to find the Color Bar that the manual talks about. While I am able to get color in applications, I can't change the background color. Am I doing something wrong? A: The information you refer to is on page 98 of the Mac II Owner's Guide. The Color background feature mentioned in the manual was not supported in the version of the System Software currently released by Apple for use with the Mac II. The new version of the Mac Operating System (MultiFinder*) recently announced, does provide this color background pattern support as described in the manual. Q: Using the Command-Shift-3 Screen Dump from MacPaint*, running under System 4.1/Finder* 5.5, I get a screen dump with the display rotated 90 degrees. I tried this on another Macintosh* II using their software, again System 4.1/Finder5.5, and I couldn't get a screen dump at all! A: When using the Mac II with latest System Software (4.1/5.5), the Command-Shift-3 Option will indeed create a MacPaint file with the Mac display rotated 90 degrees: This is due to the relationship between the Mac II Video display and the maximum width of the MacPaint document. In order not to lose any of the data displayed, the image must be rotated. In all likelihood, the second system you tried this on was either not running under a properly configured System and Finder, or it was set for color. If you replaced the System files with a new copy, or set the system for black and white, you will discover that you have the proper Screen Shot capabilities on it. The 'Monitors' portion of the Macintosh II Control Panel desk accessory has an undocumented, hidden feature that will brighten your day. Here's how to find it: open the Control Panel, click on the 'Monitors' icon on the left hand side, then click on (or to the right of) the version number of the 'Monitors' controls in the upper right hand corner of the window. Apple's programmers do have a sense of humor!
Mac II Demo Correction: In an earlier issue of Tech Tidbits we stated that to be able to run the Macintosh*II demo successfully, you should set the monitor to 2 or 4 bits/pixel. What we should have said, of course, was that you should set monitor to Black and White and then 2 or 4 shades of grey/pixel. Thanks to John Murata of Apple Technical Communications for correcting us. * * * HYPERCARD * * * Q: I have a Mac*Plus and HD20 and can't get HyperCard* to work. HyperCard will load up to the point that it displays the top menu bar and then quits to the Finder. The program will work if the HyperCard start-up disk is used to start the Mac. I'm using System 4.1 and Finder 5.5. A: The symptom you describe would indicate that there may be another System file on the hard disk that is of an older version than System 3.2 and Finder 5.3. You should have only one set of System files on your Hard Disk to avoid this type of problem.
HyperCard Important Note: Do NOT use the system files that come on your HyperCard disk. They are special versions of System and Finder and do not contain all the usual System/Finder files. If you are working from floppy disks, use your usual System 4.1/Finder 5.5 disk to boot. If you are working from a hard drive, make sure that you update your System files from some OTHER disk, preferably the Installer program. Q: Is it possible to input a database from FileMaker Plus into HyperCard's address book without losing fields? A: There is an Import feature to HyperCard. You would have to get the data out of FileMaker (export), then create your card in HyperCard. You will need "Scripsit", HyperCard's scripting language to perform this operation. An excellent resource you may wish to utilize is "The Complete HyperCard Handbook", by Danny Goodman (Bantam Computer Books). TOPS and HyperCard - Submitted by Jim Kateley, West Coast Tech Support: My sources at TOPS* (formerly Centram) advised me that there is no problem in using TOPS with HyperCard, although there is a problem with the older TOPS installers which replace INIT 31 and AppleTalk* resources: This appears to create a problem for HyperCard operation. The suggested workaround is not to use the TOPS installer, or to make a new TOPS installer disk using System 4.1/Finder 5.5. Q: When HyperCard is booted from a floppy everything works OK, including the loading of files from the hard disk. However, when an attempt is made to run HyperCard from the hard disk, a dialog box appears with an "Old File Format" message and a "OK" button. Clicking the button returns to the Finder. I have found it impossible to run HyperCard from the hard disk at any time, only floppies. Any suggestions on why this is happening, and how to correct it? A: The Home stack located on the hard disk was created for an earlier version of HyperCard using data structures that aren't supported in the released version. A stack created by early prerelease versions of HyperCard may return this error. Copy the released version Home stack to your Hard Disk, and your problems should be solved. You may need your old Home Stack, however, to run those HyperCard stacks that were developed prior to the release version. * * * PRINTING * * * Q: I'm having problems printing to an AppleTalk* ImageWriter. I enter the Chooser, select the ImageWriter, then exit. When I try to print, the print \box comes up, but then I'm told that no AppleTalk ImageWriter has been selected. Do I have to re-install the AppleTalk ImageWriter or am I experiencing an incompatibility with my FX40? A: There are two steps to choosing an AppleTalk device. When you enter the Chooser, you first have to select the type of device you want to communicate with by selecting the icon in the left hand window. When you do this, the device name(s) are displayed in the right side window. You must now tell it which of those displayed you want to use by clicking on one of them. You must do this even if there is only one device listed. It sounds like you did not complete step two of the process. Q: How can we stop a manual feed instruction sheet from printing out when doing a manual feed on the LaserWriter* Plus? A: The manual feed instruction is generated by the LaserWriter Driver being used in the environment. If you upgrade your LaserWriter to Version 4.0, this should eliminate the wasted pages. Q: I'm having trouble getting a .4" margin when using the legal cassette on the LaserWriter. On page 121 of the manual it states "Legal: The imageable area is 6.75 by 13.0 inches, centered on 8.5 by 14" page." Is this wrong? A: No, the manual is not incorrect, but it only reflects one aspect out of four that affects the printable area. The first is the technology - the physical limitations. This is what the manual is referring to. The next is the printer driver being used, which may impose further limitations. The third is the ROM available in the printer, and finally, the fourth factor is the application itself that you are using, which may impose even further restrictions. Q: We understand that there is a way to shim the print head on an ImageWriter II that will enable it to print ditto masters darker. We have been unable to locate any notes on AppleLink on this subject. Can you help? A: PLEASE don't shim the head of a printer or you'll be calling us in a few weeks to help you repair it. Dittos and stencils can be cut on the ImageWriter II by adjusting the print head all the way forward (same setting as for four part forms). You should also LEAVE THE RIBBON installed as it actually adds to the impact. If you are cutting stencils, you might try one designed especially for computer printers, such as the A.B. Dick #2060 stencil. * * * SAD MAC ERROR * * * Q: My drive is not recognized as initialized. Starting from the Hard Drive, I get a Happy Mac, then the "?" disk Icon screen. When starting from diskette or the chained HD20SC, I get the message "Disk Damaged...Initialize? dialog box. The data is still resident but the rebuild directory option is not available. A:The problem you are having is caused by a damaged/missing directory on the hard drive. The reason you get the Happy Face is that good boot blocks are present. The ? mark comes up when the Mac can't find the directory and drive information. There is no Apple solution to recover from this type of a problem. You will need to reformat your hard drive. * * * 3RD PARTY SOFTWARE * * * Aldus* recently introduced PageMaker Portfolio*, a series of pre-formatted page designs, and Designs for Business Communications*, their second offering in the Portfolio series introduced last fall with Designs for Newsletters*. Included in the new package are 18 templates for proposals, reports, handbooks, presentation overheads and transparencies into which you can import your own text and graphics - and there are two formats for each category: One traditional layout, and one contemporary. * * * TIPS * * * *Did you know that you could arrange your files/folders in alphabetical order without dragging them around manually and placing them in alphabetical order by 1. Selecting View By Name 2. Select All 3. Drag all selected files/folders to your desktop (do not deselect them) 4. Select View by Icon 5. Drag all files/folders back to your folder 6. Select Clean Up while holding down the OPTION key Reprinted from "Tech Tidbits" with the permission of Apple Computer, Inc., East Coast Technical Support. *Apple Computer Inc.

Copyright © december, 1987 by from AppleLink


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