Snippets from Previous Meetings
Steve Morse described some ways that the computer's appearance and sound can be modified to suit the taste (or mood) of the operator. Some points explained included:
downloading alternative system sound folders from Tucows website, to give a variety of sounds to accompany different actions... eg Trek Sounds (if you like squeaks and squawks!!)
customising Talking Alerts to enable your computer to talk back at you (and anyone else in earshot.... "Hey, kids, it's time for bed!")
adding sounds to the computer's Startup Folder.
using Kaleidoscope to vary your desktop's system appearance (also download from Tucows).
INTRODUCING MacOS X
Barry Robinson explained some of the features of Macintosh Operating System 10, which has recently become the standard system loaded onto new Macs, after a trial period in its beta version. Some aspects of MacOs X covered were:
almost instant 'awakening' from Sleep Mode.
many hidden features which are not apparent during use, eg Protected Memory, which means that a program crash doesn't affect the system.
the Dock at the bottom of the screen, enabling quick access to applications and files.
various Finder features which are new in this system.
128mb of RAM are needed to run it, which precludes its use on some machines.
a disadvantage is that most earlier applications and peripherals are not yet 'native' to MacOS X and will not run on it, and the system therefore includes a Classic environment (ie MacOS 9)... this partly accounts for the large RAM requirement. At present, Barry has to revert to MacOS 9 to operate his printer!
unlike earlier operating systems (7, 8 & 9), this is not an upgrade of the previous system, but a completely new UNIX-based one, re-designed from 'ground level'.
Barry concluded by explaining that his interest MacOS X was to keep up to date with developments, but he suggested that for most users there is little practical advantage in switching to MacOS X at present.
The remainder of the meeting was used by members to share interests and troubleshoot problems.
Other items on the agenda will be carried over to future meetings.
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REMINDER
Next meeting is on Friday 27 July - ALL WELCOME - BRING A FRIEND
[Committee Meeting on Mactropolis: Tuesday 17 June at 9:00pm.]
If you have received this message, but no longer wish to be included on our membership list, please let me know.
Happy MacComputing..... Regards to all....
Tony Climo
Secretary, Aoraki MacIntosh Users Group
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