Tom Phoenix <rootbeer@aol.com> writes:

My coworker and I tried to install the LaserWriter 8.0 software downloaded from CompuServe. Halfway through the install we got an ominous error alert reading, "Decompressor Atom has Expired."

The fine print on the alert box read, "c1992 Glen Canyon Software, Inc." That made us wonder: Have Apple's programmers forgotten to pay their shareware fees?

So we called Apple's help line at 800/SOS-APPL, and were told that we could install successfully by setting the system clock back to a date before 01-Oct-93, installing, and then setting the clock forward again. The tech support person wouldn't commit Apple to an actual bug fix but did say that the programmers are aware of it.

[Of course, now that LaserWriter 8.1.1 is available online, including from <ftp.apple.com> in:

/dts/mac/sys.soft/imaging/laserwriter.8.1

it's a bit less of a big deal. LaserWriter 8.1.1 supposedly fixes a number of problems that people had experienced with LaserWriter 8.0. However, early reports from the nets indicate that LaserWriter 8.1.1 hasn't fixed as much as it claims, and numerous problems still exist. Even the Read Me file includes a hefty list of known problems. I recommend that you keep older versions of the LaserWriter driver around - I had to switch back to 7.2 last week when I wanted to print an envelope from Panorama II 2.06. -Adam]