G3 Ethernet

Apple meant well when they started producing Power Macintoshes with built-in Ethernet, but they didn't realize the havoc they would create with their original beige Desktop G3. The standard RJ-45 10BaseT Ethernet port is located on the back of the G3, very close to the the edge of the deep lipped chassis. An Ethernet patch cable can easily be inserted into the port, with its plastic anchor facing down. But just try disconnecting that patch cable, especially if it has a protective boot! That sucker takes forever to remove. The stubborn G3 owner who refuses to rotate the computer for a better rear view will have a hard time finding the Sweet Spot. And once the pressure point is located, good luck sticking your thumb between the chassis and the plastic anchor. A pencil sometimes helps, but you may have to summon nimble-fingered assistance.

Installation Unsuccessful

Not many people encounter an error when they upgrade their Macintosh System Software, since the installer ensures that certain criteria are met before the actual installation begins. Hard drive space, CPU support, disk driver version, and firmware are examined in the extensive check list. But occasionally problems do happen, which will automatically terminate the installation. (Did you know that if you created a folder called Drive Setup, and place the Drive Setup utility in that folder within the Utilities folder, a MacOS upgrade will fail!? ) You'll receive the warning, "The installation of the software was unsuccessful, leaving your hard disk untouched."* This cartoon features a young Mr. Jobs after his prom date, having experienced installus interuptus.

*I haven't encountered an installation error for quite some time, so if anyone has the exact text from the error message, please post it on the message board!

Desktop

When your computer is acting up, try rebuilding the desktop! Hold down the Command-Option keys at startup, until you receive the prompt, Are you sure you want to rebuild the desktop? Click OK, and watch in fascination as a status bar pops up on your screen to track the rebuilding progress. A series of hard drive clicks accompany the status bar for your amusement. And when the desktop is rebuilt, ALL OF YOUR MACINTOSH PROBLEMS WILL BE SOLVED!

Stickies

Did you ever wonder how the Apple software developer who invented the Stickies application came up with the idea for the System 7.5 Apple Menu Item in 1995?  This is my guess.

eWorld

If you've never heard of Apple's eWorld, I'm not surprised. eWorld, a short-lived, proprietary online service for Macintosh users, was launched in 1994 and terminated in 1996. Apparently a few thousand subscribers was not enough to keep the innovative service afloat.