04/01/98 - Wednesday's News:

NT a No-Go on Apple Macs: Feedback today indicates that the PowerPC version of NT cannot be installed a Apple Mac. Michael Brandonisio wrote:

"Mike, Here is a response from my posting in the Windows NT forum on CSi.

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Michael,
Yes, NT will indeed run native programs on a box using a PowerPC cpu *but* the system must conform to the specifications of the PREP standard and/or some other standard whose anacronym I cannot remember. Apple participated in the creation of both of those standards yet never marketed a single box that conformed to either spec. There are also very few native PPC applications for NT and since MS announced that NT 4.0 was the last version of NT they'd support that processor for it's highly unlikely you'll ever see any additional applications being developed for it.

Bottom line: It's not a good idea to look to NT from a PPC system and if it has the Apple logo on the system, NT is out of the question anyway.

Roy Sinclair MCP
Sysop/NT Online Community Forums (NTWORK, NTSERV, WINNT)"

The issue of how to run the exe installer was also mentioned. A boot floppy does not seem to work as per the normal NT install procedure. Apparently the PowerPC version was for IBM PowerPC workstations (as I originally suspected). NT installs under Virtual PC are the X86 version, not the PowerPC. [ 4:14 PM update]

My Own Design G3 CPU card: I've been waiting for approval to post at least a teaser on this, and now I have it. I'll be selling my own design CPU card which will have several distinct advantages over anything on the market. I can't reveal the company that has helped with this at the moment, but you would recognize their name.

The card will have unique features such as a self-regulating speed circuit - based on thermal data taken from the CPU surface thermocouple integrated into the card heatsink. This circuit and software combination will be unique and revolutionary (all speed adjustments beyond the default setting are done via a control panel - no switches to adjust on the card).

Tests of the prototype show impressive speed gains with my "Speed Pulse^tm" (patent filed for and pending!) design that allows the CPU to run at higher speeds than would be possible continuously.

This unique synergy of software and hardware allows the CPU to run for extended periods of time at higher than the normal maximum speed, throttling back when temperatures reach a certain threshold. During system idle time (no activity) the CPU speed is reduced to further cool the chip and extend reliability.

Peak MacBench CPU scores of 1500+ ( selected 300 Mhz base CPU bursted to over 400 Mhz) have been obtained during the "burst" periods. Once I have final approval, I will post more detailed information. This will initially be a limited run production, as the first cards will be high end models with CPU chips selected for their "headroom" (ability to run far beyond the rated speed).

For a picture of the card less heatsink (a prototype with some jumper wires at the moment) - click here. [ 9:45 AM update]

OS8.1 Update on Nexus GA I ran preliminary tests with OS 8.1 on the ATI Nexus GA last night and got similar results as I saw on tests with OS 8.1 on the Vision 3D Pro II - literally identical performance to running under OS 7.6.

Macbench tests at 1024x768 thousands colors was 2% faster in the Graphics test, and at 1152x870, millions colors it was 3 % faster in the Graphics test, and 4% slower in Hi-Res Pub tests. The MacTell Vision 3D Pro II showed even less difference, as noted in the Review Update.

A few percent difference is probably within the MacBench run to run variation. Ravebench scores were about the same, with most results identical to OS 7.6 tests but some specific functions were 2% or 3% faster, unlike the Vision 3D Pro II which showed identical results with both OS 8.1 and 7.6, using the latest driver. I'm still glad I updated the PTP to OS 8.1.

Several readers asked about Ravebench, it's from Village Tronic, but I don't see it on their web site. It comes on the 3D Overdrive installation CD. Email them to request that it be made public, as I can't distribute copies of the program without their permission.

Rhapsody on G3 CPU Cards? John Martellaro asked if Rhapsody DR1 would run on a G3 CPU card upgraded system. I wasn't sure. If you have tried this, please contact me.

I wonder if installing it on a supported system with the stock CPU card, then replacing the card with the G3 card would work. I'm not sure if the backside cache would be enabled and cards like the Newer Tech G3 that have an extension and a control panel may be more problematic, but I can't say for sure. I welcome any feedback from readers on this.

3D Overdrive Driver Update: I'm a little late posting this, but Edward J. Sabol sent word that Village Tronic has made new drivers for the 3D Overdrive available to the public. Get them at: ftp://ftp.villagetronic.com/pub/download/Mac/3DOV_Driver.sit.hqx.

These are the same versions I used for the MacPicasso Review (RAVE v1.1 and GlideLib v1.2.2).

PS/2 to ADB Adapter: Peet Dale sent me the url for Silicon Valley Bus Co., makers of a PS/2 to ADB adapter allowing PC mice and keyboards to be used with a Mac. They also make other products such as multi-port serial expanders and PCI cards. For more information visit their web site at: www.svbus.com.

PC World reported that 3COM has released the back-end V.90 (universal 56K modem) code to ISP's.

The article also mentions that Boca Research said it is acquiring the modem business of Global Village Communication.

MacRacing Petition: MacRacing has a petition that all Mac gamers should sign to help increase support for racing sims on the Mac (and controller hardware as well). Even if you're not a gamer, be aware a good supply of games helps promote Mac system sales. It's a big reason that the PC is so popular.

Windows NT on the Mac: There's been a lot of talk recently about this, and I feel a little embarrassed. I'd seen the "powerpc" directory on the NT install CDroms since v3.5, but always assumed it was for an IBM PowerPC platform. I've been told it runs fine on the Mac and am tempted to try it on the PTP with a new drive. I'd definitely be tempted with a dual or quad CPU card, as NT is SMP (Symmetric Multi-Processing) at the core. NT 4 Server also supports Raid at the OS level, no addon needed. This would be a good weekend project I think. NT 5 will not have a PowerPC version I'm told.

QT 3.0 Faster Downloads: A lot of readers suggested using Hotline to get Quicktime 3.0 at a much faster d/l rate. Steven Stroud wrote:

" Hello Mike,

If you want quicktime quickly get hotline from www.hotlinesw.com and connect to macline.net and you should get GREAT speed.

Thanks for the most informative site available for the mac"

QT 3.0 Feedback: I'm getting a mixed bag of reports on Quicktime 3.0 performance. Some rave about it, others complained it was slower than v2.5. Here's a few samples, including comments on QT3.0/SD 8.1:

"Upgraded to the QT 3.0 and all my Logomotion clips are playing back jerky, when they were fine under 2.5. I've tried different movieplayers, including apples older version of movie player. Nothing seems to work to remove the jerkyness. I'm trying rerendering the clips to see if the compression algorithm makes a difference.

All clips used to play at 30fps @640x480 without hardly any hint of jerkyness. Have yet to try other movies.

Regards
Paul Rae"

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"Another tip for QT 3.0: Make sure you save your Movieplayer 2.5.1 before you do the install, and it will bestow all the features of QT Pro 3.0's movie player, as far as I can tell. Since the 2.5.1 player is freely distributable, this method of getting around the licensing fee should be legal. The new video and audio codecs are absolutely AMAZING, though it does* take forever to convert movies from the older (cinepak) to the newer (Sorenson, Qualcomm) formats.

Dean Blackburn"

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"Regarding this issue [QT 3 and Speed Doubler 8.1] ... I have SD 8.1 installed and installed QT 3.0 without any problems. Did not disable it, did not remove it and reinstall it, nothing! It works great. I did this on three different machines including a G3 and a powerbook and it worked every time. Maybe it is a different conflict?

Paul Ting"

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" I have QT 3.0, Speed Doubler 8.1, System 8.1 on a PPC G3/266 and had no problems I could tell.

Thomas P. Andre "

Based on this feedback, I suspect there must be another extension conflict responsible for the two reported cases of problems with the combination.

Quicktime 4.0 Rumors: Here's an interesting quote from Tipworld on QT 4.0:

" QuickTime 4, which may be available before the end of 1998, is said to include everything in QuickTime 3 Pro, plus a slew of new interactive features. It will work with the usual suspects like video, audio, speech, and text, as well as a newly integrated data type that will support multimedia interactions via its own messaging system, among other features. In short, QuickTime 4 will be a media development system that incorporates different scripting and programming environments, while retaining the current QuickTime delivery system.

Originally scheduled for release this summer, QuickTime 4 is being pushed back, due to the delay in releasing QuickTime 3 (which had been expected since August of last year)."

I heard an interesting comment on Quicktime - that it was the only "Apple Spit left in Gate's eye".

Robert Levy reports that according to FWB, when you create a new volume with Hard Disk ToolKit 2.5.2. there are adjustments for HFS and HFS+.

A tip for those doing video capture or large file I/O - the smaller block sizes have more overhead and would not be the best choice for these applications.

Watch for an announcement today on new G3 CPU card models from a major company, including one for under $500.

On the topic of CPU cards, PowerLogix made the following comment on their new 220mhz G3 card:

" Our initial tests: 220 chip, 512K cache running at 315/126...scores 963 on MacBench!" [With a 1MB motherboard cache].

Hard to believe a 220 CPU does 315 reliably. With G3 upgrades very soon to be under $500 SRP, a lot of older Macs (with CPU card slots) can get a new lease on life affordably.

Mail of the Day: Kevin Price sent some interesting notes on his new PowerForce 275/275 card:

"Mike:
To add to the undoubtedly thousands of positive comments about your site, I view visiting your site as 'Christmas morning--every day'. Absolutely awesome job!

Interesting aside: Just installed a PowerLogix PowerForce G3 275/275/1MB in my PowerTower Pro this weekend. Checked the manual and, for fun, I thought I'd start it out at 300MHz, per the 'PowerLogix guarantee' I've heard on the web. Going to the switches, guess what--PowerLogix had set the switches for 300MHz right out of the box! How's that for confidence!!!! Works beautifully, getting 1159/970 on MacBench processor/floating point scores without touching a thing on the card itself!

One other aside: Steve at MacGurus was incredibly helpful re: solving a complex problem with my SCSI cards (Adaptec 2940UW and Hammer) and my 9G Barracuda working together. (The Adaptec, of course, is now out given my PowerForce installation.) MacGurus is now on my 'will buy exclusively from them from now on' list for my company. I mention this to you as an independent observation on the invaluable assistance he provided. Thought you'd be interested in hearing this independent point-of-view.

Keep up the great work! Your site has become a staple of my life!!!"

CPU Performance Page: Although it's a bit dry, the General Processor Page has a lot of information (including SPEC-92 and SPEC-95 floating point and integer performance) for a large number of processors, including the Alpha, Intel, PowerPC and Sparc models.

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