TweetFollow Us on Twitter

April 90 - Letters

LETTERS

THE GOOD
Wow!
--Jim Russell

We just received the first issue of develop. It is just what we need. In fact, it couldn't come at a better time. Anyway, please continue to do it--we need it! Great idea, great layout, great topics, etc....
--Daniel Tapie

Thanks a lot for the complimentary first issue of develop. It makes me feel healthy with the funny introduction of the authors, wealthy with its luxury, and happy for your name is nicer than ever on the first page.
--Philippe

I believe you have a winner here! develop has helped me in just the first 10 minutes. I needed help with the Palette Manager and I found it here!

Might I suggest that the CD-ROM envelope be perforated? This would allow easy removal of the packet and alleviate the "now I have the CD-ROM out, but the packet is still in the way when I flip through the pages" syndrome.
--Bryan Carter

Fantastic idea!!! Keep up the good work. This first issue was FULL of good, timely, and useful advice (code). Thanks for your efforts to help developers.
--Ken Duncan

Excellent magazine! I really enjoyed the articles, source code examples, backgrounds on the authors, etc. I predict that develop will establish a new standard of excellence in technical support literature. But please find a better font for the source code listings; the font is so faint that I found myself suffering from eye strain after a short while.
--Ken Friedenbach

What a fantastic idea! The graphic design in develop is so good that it almost distracts from the content. Keep up the good work and please send the next issue (this one was stolen...).
--Jean-Michel Karr

THE BAD
develop has NOTHING to offer an Apple II owner/developer. Apple no longer has my respect as the founder of the home computing and friendly interfaces. I do not want a Mac and the way I feel at this moment I would not have a Mac if you gave it to me. Yes, I am angry!
--R. L. Woodworth

The outstanding quality of the premier issue of develop was overshadowed by its content. It would have been appropriate in a premier issue to devote approximately equal space to BOTH Apple lines of computers. Apple II support in develop would surely help Apple and encourage those who acknowledge the IIs as very respectable computers. May the Apple II and Macintosh lines BOTH enjoy continued and increasing success in their respective markets!
--Steven Gozdziewski

Like other commodities, developis influenced by the laws of supply and demand. I publish articles based on what I have and on what I believe the development community needs. There is a definite need for Apple II information, and developwill continue to be a forum in which to meet that need, but the mix of Apple II and Macintosh articles will continue to reflect the mix of developers and their needs (and available articles), rather than an absolute 50-50 balance.
--Louella

The situation on technical information has just gotten worse with develop. We now have Inside Macintosh , Technical Notes, the Q & A stack, develop, and many other documents available through APDA. All of these have information not found anywhere else. It is a total nightmare when I want to find all the information on a particular topic. I really, really, REALLY would like ALL Macintosh technical information in one regularly updated reference. Get rid of all the others.
--Tim Fredenburg

Would you settle for having all of the pivotal information in one place (like a CD-ROM disc, for example), and for working toward an indexing scheme that would let you find out all of the documents (and pieces of sample code) that related to your topic of interest? We believe that the documents deserve (and need) to have lives of their own to address the needs of the folks who don't want to know absolutely everything about everything, but we also believe that an intelligent indexer would simplify things immensely. This issue's CD- ROM disc contains much of the information you'd like to see combined, and the next issue will have our first crack at the intelligent indexer. All comments and suggestions welcome.
--Louella

I'm curious to find out WHY Apple decided to go with a CD-ROM disc. I understand that the disc holds gobs of data (which I would imagine goes mostly unused every issue); however, I wonder HOW MANY of the Mac and Apple II developers actually own a CD-ROM drive. Apple may be trying to encourage developers to utilize this technology, but at the moment it looks like they are just flapping their wings in the breeze. I've got a great idea! Everyone who can't use the CD-ROM disc should mail it back to Apple. A small, silent protest. :-)
--Lynda

The CD-ROM gives us room to archive all of the old issues of develop (which allows us to update and to correct mistakes every quarter), to publish code that would never fit in our hundred-some pages, and to explore what can be done when space is not a problem. This issue of develop, the disc includes not only develop and all of its associated code, but also SpInside Macintosh (a HyperCard stack-based version of Inside Macintosh volumes I-V), the Macintosh Technical Notes stack, and the Macintosh DTS Q & A stack, and of course, the ever-popular audio track.
--Louella

THE UNCLASSIFIABLE
Egad! I received my developer's package this noontime and found develop included in the package. While I haven't had quite the time I wanted to examine the material, I did notice two serious technical errors. To whit:

  1. Louella, you've got to be under forty! That pale gray print for the listings is--at least to my forty+ eyes, well nigh invisible. Please take pity on us old codgers and not blind us!
  2. Catching penguins is far easier than you suggest. When I was stationed at McMurdo Sound a few decades ago, we simply recorded the sound of the local pod of Orcas and set up large speakers on three sides of a square. When we turned the recordings on, the poor pennies thought their mortal enemies were coming ashore and accordingly raced out of danger--right into our nets!

This boiled the bejabbers out of the biologists, but made our day! Ever see a penguin race?
--Robert Smith

I'm afraid I'm guilty on both counts: I am under forty (although I hope the code in this issue is easier on your eyes), and I did not fully test all of the questions and answers. In the future, I'll try to convince management that testing penguin-catching techniques is worth the trip. I'm sure your letter will help.
--Louella

I noticed on page 2 that two "Spirit Guides" were listed. While trying to figure out what these might be, I thought of three possibilities: continuity editors (insure that each article adheres to a common theme); channelers or spiritists (as in New Age, religion, occult); or testers of wines or vineyards. So, now that I've had my guesses, could you tell me what the real answer is and what relation they have to your magazine? Or is it all just a joke to see who REALLY reads your journal?
--Rex Bontrager

Margery and Lou both contributed immensely to actually getting develop into print; without the two of them, it would probably still be a bunch of manuscript pages sitting in my office and I'd still be thinking that printing was the opposite of cursive. As for the heading, they both make me smile and so does calling them Spirit Guides. (And it is good to see who's actually reading the masthead.)
--Louella

QUESTIONS
I like develop. It's cool. But what's the deal with the code contained therein (on CD-ROM)? Can we use it? Can we distribute it? Both of those (at least the first) would seem to be the intent ofdevelop. But the lawyer's funfest at the back would seem to say otherwise. I wondered about this before I saw the article in MacWeek, but now I'm really confused. Is use of code contained on the CD-ROM as limited as seems to be implied by the CD-ROM container's text? Or what?
--Robert

You can freely use, copy, and distribute the code that's included in develop. Many thanks to Teri Drenker in Apple's software licensing group for this issue's revised licensing agreement.
--Louella

COMMENTS We welcome timely letters to the editor, especially from readers wishing to react to articles that we publish in develop. Letters should be addressed to Louella Pizzuti; 20525 Mariani Ave. M/S 75-3B; Cupertino, CA 95014 (AppleLink Pizzuti1). All letters should include name and company name as well as address and phone number. Letters may be excerpted or edited for clarity and space.

SUBSCRIPTION INFORMATION Please address all subscription (and subscription-related) enquiries to:

develop
Apple Computer, Inc.
P.O. Box 531
Mt. Morris, IL 61054 USA
AppleLink: DEV.SUBS

 

Community Search:
MacTech Search:

Software Updates via MacUpdate

Latest Forum Discussions

See All

Top Mobile Game Discounts
Every day, we pick out a curated list of the best mobile discounts on the App Store and post them here. This list won't be comprehensive, but it every game on it is recommended. Feel free to check out the coverage we did on them in the links... | Read more »
Price of Glory unleashes its 1.4 Alpha u...
As much as we all probably dislike Maths as a subject, we do have to hand it to geometry for giving us the good old Hexgrid, home of some of the best strategy games. One such example, Price of Glory, has dropped its 1.4 Alpha update, stocked full... | Read more »
The SLC 2025 kicks off this month to cro...
Ever since the Solo Leveling: Arise Championship 2025 was announced, I have been looking forward to it. The promotional clip they released a month or two back showed crowds going absolutely nuts for the previous competitions, so imagine the... | Read more »
Dive into some early Magicpunk fun as Cr...
Excellent news for fans of steampunk and magic; the Precursor Test for Magicpunk MMORPG Crystal of Atlan opens today. This rather fancy way of saying beta test will remain open until March 5th and is available for PC - boo - and Android devices -... | Read more »
Prepare to get your mind melted as Evang...
If you are a fan of sci-fi shooters and incredibly weird, mind-bending anime series, then you are in for a treat, as Goddess of Victory: Nikke is gearing up for its second collaboration with Evangelion. We were also treated to an upcoming... | Read more »
Square Enix gives with one hand and slap...
We have something of a mixed bag coming over from Square Enix HQ today. Two of their mobile games are revelling in life with new events keeping them alive, whilst another has been thrown onto the ever-growing discard pile Square is building. I... | Read more »
Let the world burn as you have some fest...
It is time to leave the world burning once again as you take a much-needed break from that whole “hero” lark and enjoy some celebrations in Genshin Impact. Version 5.4, Moonlight Amidst Dreams, will see you in Inazuma to attend the Mikawa Flower... | Read more »
Full Moon Over the Abyssal Sea lands on...
Aether Gazer has announced its latest major update, and it is one of the loveliest event names I have ever heard. Full Moon Over the Abyssal Sea is an amazing name, and it comes loaded with two side stories, a new S-grade Modifier, and some fancy... | Read more »
Open your own eatery for all the forest...
Very important question; when you read the title Zoo Restaurant, do you also immediately think of running a restaurant in which you cook Zoo animals as the course? I will just assume yes. Anyway, come June 23rd we will all be able to start up our... | Read more »
Crystal of Atlan opens registration for...
Nuverse was prominently featured in the last month for all the wrong reasons with the USA TikTok debacle, but now it is putting all that behind it and preparing for the Crystal of Atlan beta test. Taking place between February 18th and March 5th,... | Read more »

Price Scanner via MacPrices.net

AT&T is offering a 65% discount on the ne...
AT&T is offering the new iPhone 16e for up to 65% off their monthly finance fee with 36-months of service. No trade-in is required. Discount is applied via monthly bill credits over the 36 month... Read more
Use this code to get a free iPhone 13 at Visi...
For a limited time, use code SWEETDEAL to get a free 128GB iPhone 13 Visible, Verizon’s low-cost wireless cell service, Visible. Deal is valid when you purchase the Visible+ annual plan. Free... Read more
M4 Mac minis on sale for $50-$80 off MSRP at...
B&H Photo has M4 Mac minis in stock and on sale right now for $50 to $80 off Apple’s MSRP, each including free 1-2 day shipping to most US addresses: – M4 Mac mini (16GB/256GB): $549, $50 off... Read more
Buy an iPhone 16 at Boost Mobile and get one...
Boost Mobile, an MVNO using AT&T and T-Mobile’s networks, is offering one year of free Unlimited service with the purchase of any iPhone 16. Purchase the iPhone at standard MSRP, and then choose... Read more
Get an iPhone 15 for only $299 at Boost Mobil...
Boost Mobile, an MVNO using AT&T and T-Mobile’s networks, is offering the 128GB iPhone 15 for $299.99 including service with their Unlimited Premium plan (50GB of premium data, $60/month), or $20... Read more
Unreal Mobile is offering $100 off any new iP...
Unreal Mobile, an MVNO using AT&T and T-Mobile’s networks, is offering a $100 discount on any new iPhone with service. This includes new iPhone 16 models as well as iPhone 15, 14, 13, and SE... Read more
Apple drops prices on clearance iPhone 14 mod...
With today’s introduction of the new iPhone 16e, Apple has discontinued the iPhone 14, 14 Pro, and SE. In response, Apple has dropped prices on unlocked, Certified Refurbished, iPhone 14 models to a... Read more
B&H has 16-inch M4 Max MacBook Pros on sa...
B&H Photo is offering a $360-$410 discount on new 16-inch MacBook Pros with M4 Max CPUs right now. B&H offers free 1-2 day shipping to most US addresses: – 16″ M4 Max MacBook Pro (36GB/1TB/... Read more
Amazon is offering a $100 discount on the M4...
Amazon has the M4 Pro Mac mini discounted $100 off MSRP right now. Shipping is free. Their price is the lowest currently available for this popular mini: – Mac mini M4 Pro (24GB/512GB): $1299, $100... Read more
B&H continues to offer $150-$220 discount...
B&H Photo has 14-inch M4 MacBook Pros on sale for $150-$220 off MSRP. B&H offers free 1-2 day shipping to most US addresses: – 14″ M4 MacBook Pro (16GB/512GB): $1449, $150 off MSRP – 14″ M4... Read more

Jobs Board

All contents are Copyright 1984-2011 by Xplain Corporation. All rights reserved. Theme designed by Icreon.