Cool Mac Gear

I suppose Apple had a reason for making PDF the default and only screenshot format in OS X 10.2, but it sure is annoying to have to open each file in Preview and then export it as a usable graphics format. Just another way OS X slows down my workday.

Nevertheless, I'm using OS x a lot more since I installed Jaguar, mostly because I have discovered how to use the Wacom Graphire2 graphics pad driver to emulate support for simultaneous two-mouse input, the significance of which to me is difficult to overstate. That isn't really attributable to Jaguar -- it worked in 10.1.4 too. I just happened to discover it the day I installed 10.2.

Back to the screenshot issue. Happily, there is a little freeware utility called Kunvert 1.0.0 that transforms PDF image files into JPG or PICT files via simple drag & drop.

In addition, Kunvert can convert other formats like GIF, PICT, BMP, and PNG, to JPG or PICT. and optionally scale them during conversion.

To convert, just drop the files to convert onto the Kunvert application icon, or to the program window.

In the preferences window you can choose extra options, like Delete the original item after conversion or Quit the application when finished.

Kunvert supports both English and Spanish.

I found that Kunvert works well, and is a lot more convenient than the Preview export rigimarole.  
System requirements:
• Mac OS X 10.0 or higher
 
Kunvert is freeware  
   
For more information, visit:
http://www.kualosw.com/

DropJPEG 2.0

Another free OS X graphics conversion utility is Kevin Wojniak's DropJPEG, a simple program that converts images dropped on it's icon into JPEG. DropJPEG is has been tested with and is compatible with the image formats: TIFF, BMP, JP2, GIF, and PNG, but regrettably not PDF.

To use DropJPEG, drag an image or a folder of images onto it's icon. The images will be converted to a JPEG. If an image's name is "mypic.tiff" then it will be renamed to "mypic.jpg" in the same folder.

The latest version 2.0 of DropJPEG has been completely rewritten in Cocoa, which creates a much smaller application file (just 224k). DropJPEG works well, and is handy to have around. I hope PDF file conversion will be added with the next version upgrade.

DropJPEG is freeware  
   
For more information, visit:
http://www.kainjow.com/dropjpeg.html

Interested in installing OSX in Wallstreet

From Bill Rindfuss

Hi Charles!

I understand that it is possible to install OSX in some of the older Wallstreet computers.

I would like any info that you on this subject.

Wallstreet Portable Spec’s
Power PC G3
Machine speed 266MHz
Built-in Memory 192 MB
Hard Drive 4G 2.7 available
Now using OS 9.2.2

I sure enjoy your column.

Thanks of your time and effort.
Bill Rindfuss

Hi Bill;

The WallStreet is officially supported by OS X, so you should be able to install it with no problem.

A 4 GB HD is pretty tight quarters for Jaguar. You should be able to squeeze it on, but you're not going to have much free space left, and I'm told you should always have at least twice the amount of HD space left free as you have real RAM installed -- in your case about 400 MB.

I would suggest that you try installing OS 10.2. If all goes well, and you like using OS X, perhaps you might think about upgrading to a bigger hard drive. Note that if you do go to a higher capacity drive, on the WallStreet you must install OS X on a partition smaller than 8MB at the top level of the drive. IMHO it's better to have OS 9.2.2 installed on a separate partition from OS x anyway.

Hope this helps.

Charles

InkWell

From Roger Harris

Charles,

It only works with a tablet. Mine is tablet too old so I have not even tried Inkwell.

Roger

Hi Roger;

I have a brand new Wacom Graphire2 Graphics tablet hooked up.

Charles

InkWell

From George Creedle

Dear Charles,

I have had very few problems with lnkwell in 10.2. It runs wonderfully on my Dual I ghz and acceptably on a 500 mHz iBook. One thing I've noticed Is that the control panel doesn't show up If the tablet is dIsconnected.

Regards,
George

Hi George;

It's definitely connected.

Charles

Inkwell

From Eirik Paulsen

Hi, Mr. Moore.

I think I remember that you're using a Graphire2, right? What version of the driver do you have installed?

When I installed 10.2, I tried to get it to work (using a Graphire2), but, while the Ink pad would come up, it didn't recognize anything I wrote. As it was kind of a who-cares tech for me, I closed the control panel and forgot about it.

Wacom released a new beta driver (v. 4.75-a6) at the same time as Jaguar that, among other things, adds "Ink Toggle for Jaguar."

I don't know if "Ink Toggle" means "Inkwell support," but that could be your issue. Like I said, it's a big don't-care for me; so, I've never downloaded the driver to see what it does.

Eirik

Hi Eirik;

I downloaded the new driver (they actually emphasize that it's an alpha), which works fine in general, but no joy with the InkWell support. Still can't find hide nor hair of the InkPad window. Where does one look/how to toggle? Apple's Help is maddeningly vague. The Preference pane shows up and the controls respond, but no InkPad.

Charles

Screenshots in OS X

From George Slusher

Charles:

In your recent Shareware Beat column for October 22, you wrote:

"One of the things I really detest in OS X 10.2 Jaguar is that it saves >screenshots in the functionally useless (at least to me) PDF format, which >my favorite graphics application can't read, making it necessary to open the wretched PDF images in Preview and export tham as something usable -- just another way OS X slows down my workday"

Have you tried Ambrosia's SnapzProX? I've used Snapz Pro for years under OS 7.5.5 and now 9.2.1 & 9.2.2. I haven't tried their OS X version yet, but it might be something for you to try out and perhaps review. Their URL is:

http://www.AmbrosiaSW.com/utilities/snapzprox/

Keep up the good work.
George Slusher

Hi George;

Haven't tried it, but I've heard many good things about it.

Charles

The OS X Odyssey archives may be accessed here:
http://www.applelinks.com/news/odyssey/

CM

Charles W. Moore