🚀 go-pugleaf

In article <7177@steinmetz.steinmetz.UUCP> hallett@macbeth.steinmetz () writes:
>
>I think I've just  about had it with this  Multifinder sham that Apple
>is pulling on all of us.  First off, it cost us $49  to get the thing.
>Ok,  they had distribution  costs  and all   of    that so that's  ok.
>However, now  they  say that  it  requires  2Meg!

MultiFinder requires 1Meg, not 2.  Although it will run on a 512kE, it is
of limited use there -- but it is still very handy if you are using several
small applications.

>If that's not bad
>enough,  System  4.1 craps Switcher, leaving  all  of  us  without any
>alternative except to  get Multifinder.  So  really Mulitfinder  costs
>~$549 including the $500 to get a CMOS upgrade to 2Meg.
>

No!  MultiFinder runs very comfortably in 1Meg.  In fact, if you use a
little common sense you can run more applications with MultiFinder than
you can with Switcher.  Right now on my (1Meg) MacPlus I am running
MacDraw, MacProject, MacWrite, Word, WriteNow, and the Finder.  Also, I have
extra room left over to print or open desk accessories.

>Personally, I think this sucks.  I'm a heavy Mac  user, but not a real
>power user.  For the  vast, vast  majority  of  things I do,   1Meg is
>sufficient.  Yeah, I want 2Meg someday, but can't do it now.  However,
>Apple  is leaving me  no choice  if I  want  to keep  my Switcher-like
>environment (I like Switcher A LOT.  As far as  I am concerned,  it is
>the best piece  of software Apple ever produced,  and  I use it  quite
>frequently.).  As I see it, there are only a few alternatives:
>

Switcher was a great program, in its time.  It was definitely better than
the alternative (nothing).  However, with the luxury of a year to work on 
a replacement, Apple has solved many of the problems that Switcher has:

(1) User Interface.
   MultiFinder introduces the concept of layers, so that all the applications
are onscreen at once.  Switching between applications is much smoother and
faster than rotating the screen.  In fact, switching between windows in
different layers is (seemingly) as fast as switching between those in the
same layer.

(2) Speed
   Launching an application is faster with MultiFinder than it was with either
Switcher or with the old system.  This is because resources shared by many
applications, such as fonts, desk accessories, and packages (such as
Standard File), are loaded into memory from the disk only once, not each time
an application is launched.

(3) Reliability
   Switcher has many bugs.  Admittedly, much of this is due to the difficulty
in trying to run "unfriendly" applications that just don't want to run in
a shared environment.  However, Switcher had its own problems too.  For
example, Switcher loads the Printing resources into the application's memory
space when printing, which means that if the system print drivers get larger
they will cause the application to run out of memory and crash.  This has in
fact already happened.
   Also, we've had time to fix humdreds of little bugs that were minor (or
possibly major) annoyances with Switcher.

(4) Added Features
   Multitasking
	  MultiFinder will allow you to run applications in the background.  We
	  are including PrintMaster on the release disk, which lets you print
	  in the background (a huge time savings).  The latest VersaTerm will
	  let you download files with a modem in the background.  4th dimension
	  will do searching and sorting, as well as executing user task, all
	  in the background.  There are also many other products in the works
	  that will have all kinds of background services:  spreadsheets,
	  databases, compilers, etc.
   Shutdown
      MultiFinder will automatically quit from all running
      applications when you shut down the machine, allowing you to save open
	  document if necessary.
   Layers
	  I know I mentioned this above, but I just wanted to add that using
	  layers really makes the concept of cutting and pasting between
	  applications really intuitive and covenient.

>1.  Don't use System 4.1/Finder 5.5.  This is unpleasant since the new
>Finder has some nice  features in it and System  4.1 has  some Toolbox
>enhancements that new programs (will) require.
>

The newest Finder (6.0) has even more nice features in it (color icons, an
interactive copy dialog, and greatly enhanced "Set Startup" option).

>2.  Don't use Switcher.  This is more unpleasant than using the old
>System and Finder.  
>
>3.  Buy a 2Meg upgrade.  Great idea, except I think my wife would like
>to eat more than watch me  use  Multifinder.   This will eventually be
>the solution.
>

Although MultiFinder will run in 1 Meg (or even 512k), it is twice as useful
in 2Meg, just as Switcher would be.  Therefore, it is really worth the $200
dollars (I'm sure a poor college student could find this kind of deal if
he looked around a little) to double your memory.  It's unfortunate that
memory prices are so high, but talk to Ronnie about that one.

>Now, that I've made myself out to be a complete jerk in front of a lot
>of  people, I  will say  that normally, I  don't  complain about much.
>Apple can placate me  by simply fixing  Switcher so  I can use  it.  I
>will  gladly get Multifinder  when I  get my  2Meg (probably over  the
>winter when  the  cost of the  CMOS upgrades get as  cheap as the DRAM
>ones).  Until then, I want a tool I can use.

I think most of your confusion comes from unsubstantiated rumours (the
2 Meg stuff). When MultiFinder is actually released (in a couple more
weeks) you'll get the chance to compare for yourself.  I think you'll
find that what has done is in fact to "fix the Switcher".

- Phil Goldman, Apple Computer