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This FAQ was translated from German by Hendrik Mylius,
neptune@galaxy.owl.de.
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MagiCMac: Frequently asked questions Date: 12. Dec 1994
======================================================================
You find an updated version of the FAQ list (MMACEFAQ.TXT) in the
public section of the ASH mailbox. (Phone 0049-6221-303671/German user
interface, sorry)
Further questions and other information can be posted to the ASH
CompuServe account 100067.3712@COMPUSERVE.COM
Contents
--------
General
Printing
File system and data exchange
Hardware
The Mac side
Application compatibility
List of tested Macs
General
-------
Q: What is MagiCMac?
A: MagiC is a preemptive multitasking operating system which was first
developed for computers of the Atari-ST- and TT-series. It there
became
very widespread. It is highly compatible with most of the Atari
software
packages. MagiCMac is MagiC for Apple Macintosh computers.
Q: Does MagiCMac include any hardware?
A: No. MagiCMac is a pure software package.
Q: Is it very difficult to install MagiCMac?
A: No, not at all. MagiCMac comes on only one disk. After you have
inserted
the disk just double click the setup icon and the program does the
rest.
Q: Which computers work with MagiCMac?
A: MagiCMac works with all Apple Macintosh computers with a 68030 or
68040
processor. For example, Quadra 700, PowerBook 150, Duo 270c,
Performa 475
or 630. You should have at least 4 MB RAM available. With this
configuration you will only have 1.5 MB under MagiCMac. For
convenient
working we recommend 8 MB RAM.
Q: Does MagiCMac work with Apple's PowerMacs?
A: No, not with the version currently distributed. MagiCMac also does
not run
under the 68K-emulation of the PowerMac. As the 68K-emulation only
emulates
a 68020 processor without a PMMU and the PMMU is absolutely
necessary to
run MagiCMac. But, we are planning a special version for the PPC.
Q: Which software packages can be used under MagiCMac?
A: Generally speaking, it is very likely that any application which ran
under
MagiC on the Atari (and does not have any specific hardware
accesses) will
run under MagiCMac. For example, Signum!3, Papillon and Phoenix. A
file
(MMAC_PRG.TXT) listing all the software packages that work with
MagiCMac
can be downloaded from the public section of the ASH box.
Q: How much RAM can be used under MagiCMac?
A: MagiCMac itself has no limitation. The problem is that the Atari's
I/O
section lies at end of the 16-MB-range and this RAM section must not
be
overlapped by any application. But, this does not mean MagiCMac
cannot be
used with computers that are equipped with more than 16 MB RAM. For
example, if your Macintosh has 48 MB RAM the upper 32 MB or the
lower 16 MB
can be used. This will be subject of changes in future versions of
MagiCMac. So that in the end the whole memory can be used. There
will be a
division as on the Atari TT into ST- and TT-RAM .
Q: Is the emulation fast enough for my software?
A: MagiCMac is not an emulation. MagiCMac runs on exactly the type of
processor it has been designed for. That is the reason why on the
Performa
630 software runs four times faster compared to TT-speed. If you
consider
that most of the TOS applications can be very well used with a
68000/ 8 MHz
processor, imagine what will happen if you run them with an 68040/
33 MHz.
Q: Which monitor settings work with MagiCMac?
A: All known Macintosh resolutions are supported. The standard version
supports 256 colours. With an additional driver 32.768 or even
million
colours can be displayed. In the 640x400 mode MagiCMac can be run in
a mode
which is different from the current Mac setting.
Q: Which desktop is used under MagiCMac?
A: The MagiCMac package includes Ease, a graphic user interface. The
final
version of MagiCMac (Version 1.0) will come with a modified version
of Ease
which will allow to eject disks with a newly built in function.
Q: What about the second mouse button?
A: Usually a Mac mouse has only one button. The second button can be
simulated
by simultaneously pressing the Cmd-key and the mouse-button. There
are two-
button-mice from third party suppliers which can be used with later
versions of MagiCMac.
Q: What about the function keys, the help key ...(e.g. PowerBooks)?
A: Several keys, e.g. Help, Undo and function keys are simulated by
pressing
the Cmd-Key plus the respective other key. E. g., function key F1 is
simulated by Cmd-1.
Q: How can I eject floppy disks?
A: In this version of MagiCMac you have to switch to the Apple menu
(Cmd-W) on
which you will find EJECT. You can also press Cmd-Shift-1 to eject a
floppy
disk.
Q: How much does MagiCMac cost?
A: 298,-- DM. Users who already have MagiC for the Atari pay only
250,-- DM.
Q: Where can I get MagiCMac?
A: Directly from Application Systems Heidelberg, PO box 102646,
D-69016 Heidelberg, Phone 49-6221-300002, Fax 49-6221-300389 or any
software dealer. In the UK the distribution is done by System
Solutions,
Brandt Fernandes Ltd., 17-19 Blackwater Street, London SE22 8RS, Fax
44-
1816936948.
Q: Is MagiCMac already available?
A: At the moment ASH is shipping a preliminary version which is already
very
robust. An update to version 1.0 is already included. It will be
shipped
free of charge as soon as it is ready.
Q: Is there a demo version of MagiCMac available?
A: Yes, there is a demo version. Slightly modified it does allow
printing or
accessing external SCSI harddisks. You can test compatibility of
your
applications. The demo can be found in the ASH box and is updated
from time
to time. Currently it is all German.
Printing
--------
Q: Can every application print from MagiCMac?
A: Every application that uses BIOS for printing can also print from
MagiCMac.
If an application directly uses the Atari hardware printing is not
possible.
Q: Can I use my Centronics printer with MagiCMac?
A: Yes. There are several options. The Macintosh is equipped with a
fast
serial interface which is able to send data at a speed of 56
kilobaud. You
can connect the printer and your Mac via serial port by a cable with
integrated serial/parallel converter. The cable transforms the
serial
signal to a parallel one which is compatible with Centronics and
therefore
data can be sent at full speed to the printer. This procedure is
faster
than the direct use of the printer's built-in serial port because
most of
the printers only reach a speed of 19.200 baud. A cable like that
costs
about 100,-- DM. Another option which we consider more reasonable,
is to
use the software package Powerprint. This package includes more than
1.000
drivers for DOS printers and of course the cable mentioned above. It
costs
250,-- DM and is available through Application Systems. The
advantage with
PowerPrint is that you are able to print also from Mac applications.
Q: Can I use an AppleTalk printer which only understands Quickdraw?
A: No, not with the current version of MagiCMac. The reason is simple.
As
nobody has been able to connect a special Apple printer with an
Atari
computer there is no application that includes a driver for this
purpose.
But we think it will be only a matter of time until drivers will be
available.
File system and data exchange
-----------------------------
Q: How are files stored under MagiCMac?
A: Files are stored as usual on your Mac harddisk. We recommend to
create
a subdirectory and assign it in the MagiCMac parameters for example
as
drive 'C:`. You can very easily exchange data with Mac applications.
For
example, scan a picture using a Mac application, store the file in
the
folder you chose as Drive C: and switch to MagiCMac. Now you can
open the
file in Papillon and edit it. Also there is the possibility to use
cut,
copy and paste from the MagiCMac clipboard to the Mac clipboard and
the
other way round. This does work for text only at the moment.
Q: How can I use my Atari data on the Mac?
A: Together with Apple's new system software comes the utility PC
Exchange.
Using it the Mac can read PC-formatted disks which can also be read
by the
Atari. If you are not sure whether the disk is PC-formatted or not
you
should format it on your Mac (Format: DOS 1.4 MB or Format: DOS 720
KB). If
you insert a DOS disk without having PC Exchange installed your Mac
will
ask you if you would like to have the disk formatted. If you insert
a disk
under an active MagiCMac you can can read it. Because PC Exchange
is not
necessary to read a DOS disk once MagiCMac has taken control over
the disk
drive. Problems with reading a disk may occur with 720 KB disks that
were
formatted under an older TOS and also with exotic formats (e.g. 10
sectors,
more than 80 tracks). In those cases the data has to be copied onto
a PC
formatted disk. Most of the software packages are distributed on PC
compatible disks. For example, Signum!Drei can be installed directly
from
the original disks.
Q: What about SCSI devices?
A: SCSI harddisks can be connected directly to the SCSI-interface of
the Mac.
If the harddisk is formatted in a AHDI-compatible mode it cannot be
addressed by the Mac. But MagiCMac detects the device and assigns it
to the
next free drive. You can instantly use the harddisk under MagiCMac
without
any further adjustment.
Q: Am I able to make a network access?
A: A computer that is connected via AppleTalk appears as a directory
under
MagiCMac and can easily be assigned to a partition. Another computer
can be
addressed as drive G: from MagiCMac or any application running under
MagiCMac.
Q: And what about filesharing?
A: At the moment filesharing is not possible because the system calls
are not
implemented. Filesharing may be implemented in future versions.
Q: Can I use a CD-ROM drive?
A: Yes, you can. Under MagiCMac the CD-ROM drive is a subdirectory. You
only
have to assign it to a drive and access it as usual.
Q: Can I use an external SCSI-CD-ROM drive in a chain with an Atari
harddisk?
A: Yes, devices like that can addressed from the Mac and MagiCMac
without any
special adjustment (of course, you need a CD-ROM driver for the
Mac).
Q: Do I have to install a special driver software for MagiCMac to use
CD-ROMs?
A: No. You can read CD-ROMs directly using the Mac operating system and
its
drivers.
Q: What about ARA?
A: ARA stands for Apple Remote Access and is used to contact another
Mac via
modem and access its harddisk. You can use ARA under MagiCMac. The
remote
Mac can be connected via ARA and appears as a directory. You just
have to
assign it to a drive and you have full access.
Hardware
--------
Q: What kinds of monitors work with a Mac?
A: You can connect any VGA monitor to the Mac. You just need a special
connector for about 50,-- DM.
Q: What about the DMA interface and the ROM port?
A: Macintosh computers are not equipped with a DMA interface or a ROM
port.
Therefore you cannot use an application which needs the DMA
interface or
ROM port for a protection key (dongle). The Atari laser printer
cannot be
used with the Mac. Several companies intend to develop a card for
the Mac
which will allow DMA and Midi.
Q: What about Midi?
A: The midi interface is optional. At the moment it is not supported
by MagiCMac.
Q: Is there a two-button mouse for the Mac available?
A: Yes, there is. MagiCMac will support at least one type of
two-button mouse.
The Mac side
------------
Q: Do I need any extensions or control panels?
A: No. MagiCMac is 100% clean. No additional files - neither system
files nor
control panels - are needed
Q: What does MacOS do when MagiCMac is active?
A: For MacOS MagiCMac is just another application. MagiCMac runs
parallel with
the Finder or any active application. You can switch from MagiCMac
to
another application and back at any time.
Q: Can I exchange data via clipboard?
A: With the current version you can cut pieces of text from MagiCMac
applications and paste them into Mac applications and vice versa.
Q: Which Version of MacOS do I need to run MagiCMac?
A: MagiCMac runs under System 7.x (also 7.5).
Q: Can I use the Mac's virtual memory?
A: Virtual memory can be active. But MagiCMac can only address the
built-in
memory. Anyway, when switching from MagiCMac to Mac or vice versa
parts of
the applications running may be moved into virtual memory.
Q: Can I use RAM Doubler?
A: RAM Doubler is a very efficient memory administration and can be
used on
the Mac side. But as mentioned before MagiCMac is only able to
address
physical (built-in) memory
Q: Is MagiCMac already able to use the FPU?
A: Yes, if the FPU is a real coprocessor 68881 or 68882. Soft-FPU does
not
work with MagiCMac. The integrated FPU of the 68040 cannot be used
with the
current version of MagiCMac.
Application compatibility
-------------------------
Q: Does NVDI run under MagiCMac?
A: NVDI has to be adjusted to MagiCMac then it will run under MagiCMac.
Q: Which fonts will be supported?
A: All the fonts that NVDI supported on the Atari, including TrueType
fonts.
Postscript is currently not supported. A special MagiCMac version of
NVDI
will allow to use those TrueType which are already installed under
MacOS.
Q: Does Gemini run with MagiCMac?
A: Simple Answer. Gemini runs under MagiCMac.
Q: Does Signum!2 run with MagiCMac?
A: This is the question we hear more frequently than any other. And
much to
everybody's surprise the answer is : Yes, it does run. Because under
MagiCMac there is a special 640x400 monochrome mode which allows to
run
even older applications. If you want to print from Signum!2 you have
to
redirect the output to a file (with the tool PREMUL) which you later
drag
onto the printer.
Q: Can I use Kobold under MagiCMac?
A: You can use Kobold in the fast Kobold-mode with an external
AHDI-formatted
harddisks (e.g. SCSI harddisks). You can also use it on the Mac's
drive but
just in the GEMDOS mode. You can also use applications like Semprini
(harddisk optimizer) or disk monitors.
Q: Does Calamus run under MagiCMac?
A: Yes, it does. And the speed is astonishing.
Q: Can MagiCMac handle long file names?
A: Yes, it can. To display it on the MagiCMac desktop they are cut to
12
letters. MagiCMac has a modified file system which allows extended
file
names.
The following Macintosh computers have been tested with MagiCMac:
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Apple Workgroup Server 95
Quadra 950, 700, 840
Performa 475, 460, 630
PowerBook 145B, 150, 210, 270C, 280C
Mac II fx
Compatibility under MagiCMac. As of: 15.
December 94
=============================
Fully working programmes (A-Z)
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ASH-Utilities
CAT, Calamus SL (Sommer 1994), Connect
Ease 3.5, Everest
Fred
Kobold
LHARC
McCoy, Megamax Modula 2, Morpher 1.0
Papyrus, Papillon 2.2, Phoenix 3.5, Postfix 1.1, Pure C (Debugger has
some
problems on 040-Macs, will be fixed with a patch)
QED
Script 2, Signum!3, ST Online 4.1 (Datex J), ST-ZIP
Tempus Word (angepa_te Version), Twist, Twilight (fixed version)
XControl (some CPX-modules work, others don't)
WinCom
Fully working, slight limitations
---------------------------------
Signum!2 (640x400 monochrome, printing with PREMUL and printerfile).
Tested (no problems)
---------------------------------
1st BASE (some problems in ACC-mode, will be fixed)
DA Layout (single-mode), DA Picture, DA Vektor (2.1)
Gemini
Harlekin
Karma, Kandinsky, Kodak-Photo-CD-Software
XEdit
Not yet working
---------------
Omikron Basic
GfA-Basic (and many programes compiled with it)
Pure Pascal (will be fixed)
Pure Profiler (doesn't work, requires MFP-Timer A)
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Brian
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| Hello Jeff,
> Cool. A little expensive, but it would be nice to have Pagestream
> back!
Expensive?
I don't think that you can call 200 DM, which is about 130 US$,
expensive, considering that what you buy is an operating system,
considering that Thomas spent several months of full-time working on
developing the software on his own risk and last considering that he
has to face the risk of not selling large numbers of this software. I
do not consider 300 DM, which is the correct price for MagicMac, a
large amount of money, especially if I look at the prices for ST
software running under MagicMac and the equivalent packages for the
native Mac system, taking into account that the ST software under
MagicMac runs significantly faster than the Mac software, and that
MagicMac provides real, pre-emptive multitasking, which System 7.5
cannot provide.
Regards,
Peter.
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