Path: utzoo!utgpu!watmath!clyde!bellcore!rutgers!apple!lsr
From: lsr@Apple.COM (Larry Rosenstein)
Newsgroups: comp.sys.mac
Subject: Re: Desktop Manager, what it is/isn't & suggestions
Keywords: Desktop Manager, Apple, uncertainty
Message-ID: <299@internal.Apple.COM>
Date: 8 Dec 88 20:41:08 GMT
References: <3167@cs.Buffalo.EDU> <1422@umbc3.UMD.EDU>
Organization: Advanced Technology Group, Apple Computer
Lines: 76

In article <1422@umbc3.UMD.EDU> chris@umbc3.UMD.EDU (Chris "Zorf" Schanzle) writes:
>In article <3167@cs.Buffalo.EDU> cohen@cs.Buffalo.EDU (Alexander Cohen) writes:
>>they inform me, is *only* intended for use on AppleShare Servers, they say
>>it has never been adequately tested on user machines and they say that there
>
>I'm surprised Apple is STILL saying this BS about the Desktop Manager
>INIT (henceforth referred to as DM) not being supported.  It has been
>around for quite some time (as long as AppleShare?) and it results in

We say this stuff because it is true.  The DM has only been tested on
AppleShare server volumes.  It has not been tested on user volumes.  That's
a fact.

As for anomalies, you mention quite a few of them in your message.  All of
these are things that would be unacceptable in a user version of the DM.

>of "B-Trees," which leads me to believe that the Mac OS is already using
>B-Trees, so the question still stands - how does DM do it's stuff?

The HFS uses B-Trees to maintain the volume directory.  The Finder normally
maintains its information in the Desktop resource file, and the Resource
Manager doesn't use B-Trees.  (Which causes the time delay when the Desktop
File grows.)  

>What is it about DM that Apple doesn't want us to be using it?!?  I

Apple can't encourage people to use DM in an untested configuration.  The
fact that you have to offer some hints of how to use the DM means it is not
suitable for general use.

>way around - what "risks" could our file server be in if it's running
>software that "works only for one specific condition" (Appleshare)?

The DM is part of the AppleShare server software, and has been tested in
that environment.  The fact that it hasn't been tested in other situations,
doesn't make it risky to use on the server.  

>As mentioned before, if you boot off a floppy that does NOT have DM in
>the system folder, you will have that opportunity to get that CCU
>(Carbonated Caffeine Unit) while a new and complete Desktop file is
>created.  This is bogus.

This is another anomaly.

>and have no need to recreate one.  Naturally, at this time w/o DM,
>most documents will not have their application's ICONs linked.  That's
>OK,

It might be OK for you, but I don't think this is acceptable behavior.

>Reflecting on 6.0.2: I can't tell you how incredible I think the
>Notification Manager is...and how about that Sound Manager, gang?
>
>Worthy of a major release?  I'm sorry, but I'm pretty disappointed
>with Apple's releases of system software since 5.0.  MultiFinder was

You may not appreciate the features of System 6.0, but I bet a lot of other
people do.  You also forgot the several pages of bugs that were fixed in
that release.  These might not be very noticeable, but they make a big
difference. 

You aren't required to upgrade to a new release if you don't want to.  Of
course, you won't be able to take advantage of the Sound Manager if you don't.

>Personal details:
>  Mac+, 1Meg, CMS SD60 external HD (still 3.2q drivers), System Release 6.0.2.
>  Inits:  Dimmer, hierDA, SoundMaster 1.2, Autoblak, CPSSaveDeletes,

That's interesting.  Why take up space on your system with Dimmer, which
only works on a Mac II?

-- 
		 Larry Rosenstein,  Object Specialist
 Apple Computer, Inc.  20525 Mariani Ave, MS 46-B  Cupertino, CA 95014
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