Dialog Box

By Scott T Boyd, Editor

Problems with the Filing System

I have been a longtime subscriber of MacTutor/MacTech, and have finally reached the point where I have so many back issues that I have been forced (by She Who Must Be Obeyed) to organize them properly.

Imagine my surprise when, after putting the back issues in a standard magazine holder, the issue dates were not visible.

Any chance that you could redo the magazine's spine so that the issue date is near the top so that it'll be visible in a magazine holder?

Thanks & regards

Funny You Should Ask

Hi. In the July issue of MacTech in the editor’s page has a paragraph about holy wars and talks briefly about an OODL named Dylan. Sorry, I have seen it mentioned somewhere else but I don’t have a clue what it is and where it'’s available. I believe it would be time for MacTech to have a full in-depth article on the subject. I know most people are at C++ nowadays but it would be great if somebody would take care of showing the alternatives.

Keep up the good work folks,

- belisle@cae.ca

Apple Promised A Solution

A couple of months ago, we ran a letter entitled “Free the SDKs!” Apple responded, saying that they were working on the problem, and would have a solution shortly. They made a press release right at press time, announcing MPW Pro and reduced prices for core development tools. Here are the details on their new plan, taken from the press release. - Ed stb

MPW® Pro is a new package of tools aimed at a broad set of developers. Priced at US$495, MPW Pro is a CD-ROM product that comprises a complete development environment. It includes compilers and debuggers for 680x0 and Power Macintosh applications, MacApp®, testing tools, pre-release versions of key tools, electronic versions of all documentation, and three printed manuals. Apple says that the combination of tools would previously have cost US$1,000 if purchased separately.

Apple also announced a price reduction for E.T.O.:Essentials•Tools•Objects from US $1,295 to US $1,095. E.T.O. is a subscription-based CD-ROM product that includes all of the components of MPW Pro, as well as the Symantec C++ for Macintosh compiler, and a complete set of 21 printed manuals. After buying E.T.O., developers automatically receive two update releases over the course of one year. A renewal brings three updates per year, and costs $400.

Both products will include a new version of Apple’s C++ compiler for Power Macintosh, and this new version runs up to three times faster than the previous version.

Both products also will include a new version of the Power Macintosh Debugger for local or remote debugging.

Developers who have purchased Apple’s existing MPW product can upgrade to MPWPro for US $295. Developers who have purchased the Macintosh on RISCSDK can upgrade to MPWPro for US$195.

The products should be available to developers in the United States on August 15 through APDA. From the US, call (800) 282-2732; from Canada (800) 637-0029; from other international locations, developers should call (716) 871-6555.

Watch Out What You Say

Think of what writing for MacTech Magazine might do for YOUR career!

Last month we brought you a special look at the battle raging between OpenDoc and OLE. As a piece of that coverage, Jeff Alger took a hard look at the two technologies. While he took issue on several points with both technologies, he took an especially strong position on SOM, the underlying object technology chosen for OpenDoc. That drew plenty of criticism from various OpenDoc proponents on the subject, so we made plans for Jeff to dig into it and bring you more info, but events have taken an interesting turn.

It seems that Jeff’s article raised some eyebrows at Microsoft, too. After reading it, several people at Microsoft noted Jeff’s grasp of the subject matter and offered him a job. He accepted, and is now helping formulate OLE strategy as an OLE Senior Product Manager (aka Microsoft mouthpiece).

Jeff had wondered what kind of response his criticisms would bring, but hadn’t contemplated a job offer as a possible (albeit desirable) outcome. We’ll work on bringing you the additional coverage as we wish Jeff well in Redmond. It just goes to show that you never know what writing for MacTech Magazine can lead to.

- Ed stb