Mac OS 8.1 Update 3 --

Several pieces of Mac OS 8.1 Update that will be included on the CD version can be downloaded separately now.

They are:

• Disk Tools PPC;
• Location Manager 2.01; and
• MacOS Runtime Java 2.0.

Disk Tools PPC is necessary to produce a Disk Tools startup disk that can access HFS+ formatted hard drives -- those with a non-Apple CD ROM drive then need to swap their third-party CD driver for Apple CD ROM 5.4.2 on Disk Tools startup disk. Location Manager 2.01 replaces v1.0 on PowerBooks and is now usable on desktops as well. MRJ 2.0 has been out for a month or so.

Visit Macs Only!'s Hands-on Mac OS 8.1 Installation and Use Page. While it seems that most Mac web sites are maintaining some sort of Mac OS 8.1 information page as Macs Only! has done for each major Mac OS release starting with Mac OS 7.6, Macs Only!'s page provides a real hands-on experience installation guide for a PCI PowerMac, a PCI clone, a NuBus PowerMac and a PowerBook. It will eventually include a 680x0 Mac. The installations have been running completely trouble free for two days. However, I'd like to hear about special problems and fixes--please write me.

Reader Erik Kovach wrote that Mac OS 8.1 fixed his problem getting Virtual Memory to work on a PowerComputing Power 120 under Mac OS 8.0.

If you are having serious conflicts or problems with getting Mac OS 8.1 to work, I recommend Ted Landau's troubleshooting reports.

Apple posted the note: "For information on how to obtain "AppleShare IP 5.0.2" and "AppleShare IP 5.0.3 Mail and Print Servers", point your web browser to: http://AppleShareIP.apple.com/appleshareip/text/downloads.html"

On the CompUSA Watch! front, reports keep coming in about the second wave of Apple stores now under construction. These include Philadelphia (Michael Stango), Kendall--well ~Miami (Brad Ben-Hain), and El Paso--maybe (Anonymous). On the other hand, some seem started but stalled like Dallas (Mike Engleman). Please keep those reports coming!

From Pat Berry:

"Mactell Corporation today announced a price decrease on its G3 PowerJolt 250MHz 750 PowerPC processor card. Performance-minded users can utilize the cards to upgrade Mactell XB-PRO Series or other Tsunami-based MacOS* computers at an affordable price. The new pricing will take effect immediately and is available for purchase at Mactell's website. "This is the first time that the full power of the G3 processor has been coupled with a full megabyte of L2 cache at such an affordable price," said Pat Berry, vice president. "With the 1 to 1 cache ratio this card out performs competitors cards costing over $2000." The G3 PowerJolt 750 250MHz with 1mb. 1 to 1 cache ratio new price is $1595 and is in stock for immediately delivery."

In addition, "Mactell Corporation today announced it will honor UMAX and Newer Technologies rebate on G3 upgrades and will offer the G3 PowerJolt 750 250MHz with a 1 MB cache running at a 1 to 1 ratio to UMAX S900 and J700 owners for only $1195. Mactell Corporation can be reached by telephoning 1-(888)-Mactell 1-888-622-8355, (512) 323-6000, Fax: (512) 323-6394, or through its website"

"ZCurve Software has announced that it has extended its special offer of $29.95 for Visual MacStandardBasic through May 31st, 1998. Visual MacStandardBasic normally has a retail price of $ 99."