By Gary Kirchherr
Edited version published in The Holland (Mich.) Sentinel on Dec. 29, 1996
In the July 28 column I lauded the then-new System 7.5.3 and encouraged Macintosh users to upgrade. Since then, Apple Computer has released a handful of OS tweaks that deserve a mention and are worth acquiring.
System 7.5.5. OK, this is not a major release, it's an upgrade. But if you believe Apple's official documentation, it's worth installing. Among the benefits, Apple says, are a "significant" speed increase when using virtual memory; improved memory management of PowerPC computers; and improved reliability on certain computers in certain circumstances. The most noticeable part of the upgrade is the inclusion of the new QuickTime 2.5 extensions - a definite must for those who can't get enough of those mini-movies on our Macintoshes.
The upgrade comes on three high-density floppy disks. For those who can't tie up their computers and phone lines long enough to download it from the "Apple Software Updates" site, Apple is including the upgrade with its latest version of the Apple Internet Connection Kit, which you can buy separately or get bundled with System 7.5.3.
Surprisingly, System 7.5.5 will not work on several of the most-hyped Macs of the moment - Motorola's new clones, and the Apple PowerBook 1400.
Apple LaserWriter 8.4.1. The software in this package includes the latest version of desktop printing, which allows users to switch printers and even printer drivers without resorting to the labor-intensive Chooser. But Apple finally got it right. The printer icons that used to sit immobile on the desktop now can be moved. And after you tuck them away in a folder somewhere, you can forget about them entirely and stick to the new desktop printer menu. Now when you want to print, you select the printer (and its corresponding driver) from this pull-down menu.
Unfortunately, a caveat - a big one - has cropped up for those using 68K Macs. Apple announced late last month that software using the CFM-68K Runtime Enabler extension not be used, warning that "in certain circumstances," "application instability" (translation: crashes) will result. The new LaserWriter driver is affected by this belatedly discovered major bug.
Apple recommends that users of 68K computers trash the Runtime Enabler and replace the new LaserWriter driver with LaserWriter 8.3.4.
The good news is, Apple says nary a word about removing the new desktop-printing software.
Open Transport 1.1.2. The Mac's new networking standard has numerous significant improvements from version 1.1, which make the update well worth the four high-density floppies it takes to hold it. Most significantly, Open Transport finally - finally! - works on the 52xx, 53xx, 62xx, and 63xx Macs. The update also fixes several problems when using Open Transport with Apple Remote Access. As I said in the July 28 column, Open Transport is a must-have for those on the Internet; the newer software handles Net connections better.
PowerPC Interrupt Extension. This small (5K) software patch may improve reliability on PowerPC computers running System 7.5.5, according to Apple. Just put it in the extensions folder and forget it. Don't even bother reading Apple's "Technical Details" on how it works; I did, and my head was spinning for an hour.
Finder Heap Fix 1.0.1. This isn't an Apple product, but it could help improve reliability. MacWEEK columnist Ric Ford, in his Nov. 11 online column, noted the problems with memory in recent versions of the Mac OS, and suggests this control panel as a partial solution. Finder Heap Fix allows you to increase the 185K of RAM the Finder uses. I personally will attest to what a big help this 5K control panel is. A link to Finder Heap Fix is in Ford's excellent column (www.macweek.com/mw_1043/opinion_macintouch.html).
Now your system is primed. At least until System 7.6 rolls out.