Click here to see the index of Craig's columns.

TEMPTED TO PUT COMPUTER TO SLEEP

QUESTION: I recently upgraded to Mac OS 9.2 and I just now have noticed a "Sleep" command located under the "Special" pull down menu. Evidently it's been there even on older versions of the Macintosh operating system but for some reason, it's only now become apparent to me. When selected, it seems to turn everything off but I'm not sure what it's supposed to do. Can you please elaborate?

ANSWER: Putting your computer to sleep isn't an act of mercy but rather a more efficient way of stopping and starting your computer. Normally when you turn on your system, the Mac OS goes through a startup procedure that involves loading the OS along with any control panels and extensions such as printer and USB drivers you may need to get your work done. And once you're up and running, you still have to open applications and load documents before starting your work. Turning off the computer with the Shut Down command closes any open applications, saves any open documents on which you may be currently working and performs various other sundry housekeeping chores before turning everything off. Bottom line is that both starting up and shutting down takes a lot of time and can really add up if you turn things on and off several times a day.

You are correct in that the Sleep command appeared in earlier versions of the Mac OS but it's been my experience that it works best in OS 9 or later. Simply put, Sleep is a form of suspension. This is a bit of an oversimplification but basically when the command is given, the OS literally takes a snapshot of everything in your computer's memory at that moment and writes it all to your hard drive and then turns everything off. When you "wake up" the computer, usually by touching any key or moving the mouse, the computer powers on, reads the hard drive and places every bit of the saved information back into memory just as it was before you powered off. In theory, if you put memory back just as it was before you powered off, everything should continue to work from the moment of suspension. And for the most part, it does.

Why bother to do a Sleep over a Shut down? You save lots of time. It takes only a fraction of the time to capture or restore a sleeping system compared to a total Shut Down or Startup. And the later generation of Macs from Apple let you know they're sleeping via their power light. They pulse with a gradual on and off glow that mimics a sleeper's deep and restful breathing pattern.

So if you have a Mac and OS version that supports the Sleep command, I urge you to give it a try. You may have to tweak things a bit since some applications and extensions may not like being suspended but it's worth the effort getting it all to work. You'll find that Sleeping lets you get back to work more quickly.

Microsoft builds a better mouse

Microsoft has just introduces their second generation optical mouse and the news is that it's cordless. In addition to an improved tracking resolution of 6000 frames per second with their proprietary chip set, the Microsoft Wireless IntelliMouse Explorer offers a few new twists. Most notable is how the Wireless conserves precious battery power (It uses two AA batteries). Most other wireless mice wait until an amount of inactivity has occurred before powering down. The Microsoft mouse uses Intelligent Touch that senses when a hand is present and when it's not. When its sensors recognize the presence of a hand, it immediately engages the optical technology. When a user's hand is removed the mouse reverts to a sleep mode to conserve power. Power is also conserved by illuminating brightly on a dark and dimly on a light surface. It can detect when lifted off the surface below it and drops into a low power state.

The mouse sport five programmable buttons including a wheel button. The small mouse transceiver unit connects to any PC or Macintosh via a USB connection and it all comes with supporting software for both platforms. The mouse's ergonomic design is comfortable but I found it to be a bit too large and humpy for my hand. I also found the buttons to be too easy to push making for unintended clicks when I rested my fingers on the buttons while moving the mouse. I also prefer a mouse to have a more solid and heavier feel. But keep in mind that you may find the larger size, lighter construction and extra sensitivity to be desirable. $74.95.

www.microsoft.com/hardware