Keep up the good work, as I look forward to future issues. (I just renewed my
subscription.)
--David A. denBoer
Thanks for the good words about develop and especially about its CD. We've received a
number of letters from developers who are less than thrilled about our recent changes
(see below). It's wonderful to hear from a happy subscriber.
--Caroline Rose
NEW CD: BAD
I subscribed to develop after reading the MacWeek article that pointed out what a good
deal it was, especially with respect to the Developer CD Series. APDA told me on the
phone that my subscription would start in a few weeks, and promptly debited by VISA
account. After a few weeks had gone by, I phoned ADPA to ask why I hadn't received
anything. I was told that they had been swamped with orders as a result of the
MacWeek article.
Now I find out that there's been a "change" to develop's CD. What bothers me is the
apparent motivation behind all this. You knew that you were swamped with orders,
which were generated by a specific MacWeek article. What did this article say?
Simply that readers should subscribe to develop to get the system software. So what
did you do? Take away the software! Didn't it occur to anyone making this decision that
loyal customers might be angered?
I, for one, am not a happy camper.
--Ken Ribet
Regarding the CD change: We basically took only Inside Macintosh and system software
off the CD. We have since restored Inside Macintosh; that decision was made a bit
hastily. But I think the decision to discontinue essentially giving away the system
software was a sound one. We're making every effort to give developers the best
support possible, but compromises are sometimes necessary.
The decision not to supply the system software on the CD accompanying develop was
made independently of the MacWeek column and before it appeared. The timing was
unfortunate, but it's not easy, or particularly practical, to reverse company decisions
based on what MacWeek chooses to publish. (I hope you don't really think the column
motivated us to remove the software from the CD!) We informed the MacWeek
columnist immediately of what was about to happen, and he let his readers know. It did
occur to us that developers subscribing in response to that column might be angry. But
most of them turned out to be happy to receivedevelop and all it does have on its CD for
$30 a year. The majority of our subscribers have been understanding about the CD
change, saying it always did seem like too good a deal to be true.
I'm always sorry to hear from an unhappy camper. But thanks for writing.
--Caroline Rose
NEW CD PACKAGING: SO-SO
Your new packaging for the Bookmark CD sent with develop Issue 14 shows an
appreciated effort for environmentally conscious packaging.
Unfortunately, this packaging is not U.S. Postal Service-friendly. I was able to flatten
the CD enough so that it's working fine. Using a stiffer mailer and including the words
"DO NOT BEND" clearly visible for the mail carrier would help prevent the CD from
being damaged.
develop has been a great assistance to my business. I look forward to each and every
issue.
Thank you for your assistance.
--Edward Salm
Sorry about your delivery problem. We've had a couple of other complaints about this,
though not enough to justify the expense of implementing a solution like the one you
suggest. We'll keep your words (and the unsuspecting mail carrier) in mind as we
continue searching for packaging options that work without increasing the price of a
develop subscription.
--Diane Wilcox
WHITHER THE DOGCOW?
I can't fight it anymore; I have to ask. In the Letters column in develop Issue 10, you
say the story of the dogcow is hidden in Tech Note #31 on the CD. I found Tech Note
#31; it was funny, but contains no references to "dog" or "cow" or "Moof!" What
gives? I need to know the story of the dogcow!!!!
--Gary Robinson
The Tech Note you saw is actually #31A, "GestaltWaitNextEvent," which indeed is not
on the subject of dogcattle. The original Tech Note #31, "The Dogcow," is no longer
available, but I can give you some clues on where you might find a copy. It used to be
hidden in the Technical Notes Stack on the early versions of develop's CD (most notably
"Phil and Dave's Excellent CD"), although no one here seems to be exactly certain when
it stopped. It appeared on paper only once, as part of the monthly mailing to Apple
Associates and Partners back in April of 1989. Assuming you're not that far behind on
reading your mail, you may want to try trolling the net. Macintosh programmers are
an unusual breed, and I'm sure you'll find someone who has a copy.
Why the continued secrecy? The answer has a little bit to do with history and a lot to
do with tradition, and may or may not have to do with an exchange of spies during the
Cold War. But there's good news: your letter has inspired me to write up how the
dogcow furor and Tech Note originated -- Apple cultural minutiae that may be of
interest to other crazed Macintosh developers. The editor threatens to publish it in a
future issue, assuming it passes by our censors.
--Mark ("The Red") Harlan Author, Tech Note #31
DO THE WRITE THING
We welcome timely letters to the editors, especially from readers reacting to articles
that we publish in develop. Letters should be addressed to Caroline Rose (or, if
technical develop-related questions, to Dave Johnson) at Apple Computer, Inc.,
20525 Mariani Avenue, M/S 303-4DP, Cupertino, CA 95014 (AppleLink CROSE or
JOHNSON.DK). All letters should include your name and company name as well as your
address and phone number. Letters may be excerpted or edited for clarity (or to make
them say what we wish they did). *