UG Network _/_ UG Library _/_ Reviews
Review:
Speed Doubler 2
by Bob Horgos
In late 1995 Connectix Corporation amazed the Macintosh world with the release of
Speed Doubler, Version 1.0. that was a software accelerator that increased the operating
speed of Mac computers. Within a year of the original release, Connectix has released
a major upgrade to Speed Doubler as Version 2.0. Speed Doubler is a System Enhancing
Software Utility. Speed Doubler incorporates an intelligent disk "cache "
system that is designed to utilize the built-in physical RAM of any Macintosh computer
to improve and accelerate data access and data processing.
What in the world is "cache " (pronounced "cash")? A "cache"
is a temporary storage place that is located between the Central Processing Unit
(CPU) and any permanent data storage media. Computer data is permanently stored on
mechanical devices, such as a Hard Disks, CD-ROMs, removable media such as ZIP disks
or Optical Disks, or Floppy Disks. The processing speed of the computer is restricted
by the speed by which these mechanical devices can feed the data to the CPU. When
the computer is processing data it utilizes non-permanent RAM memory to recover the
data from permanent storage and send it to the CPU for processing. After the data
has been altered or changed the data is then returned back to permanent storage.
Data access time for RAM memory is hundreds of times faster than the access time
for permanent storage media. The purpose of " cache " (i.e., temporary
storage areas) is to accumulate ( to " cache " or temporarily store data)
and feed information to the CPU as fast as the CPU demands. The CPU routinely processes
data much faster than the mechanical storage media can access it and if the data
is not available to the CPU the overall process is slowed down.
By utilizing " caches " all newer models of Macs speed up and improve performance
for data processing. The Mac uses various modes and types of " cache ",
including " RAM cache " and " Disk cache ." Generally the built-in
" cache " in more recent models of Mac computers utilizes a small amount
of the built-in RAM to improve data access speed. (The amount of RAM that is utilized
can be adjusted by going to the Memory Control Panel.) The earlier models of Mac
computers such as the original Mac Classic, the SE-30, and the earliest Macintosh
II models, did not utilize a " cache " system and therefore cannot benefit
from Speed Doubler. Only those Macintosh computers that are designated as 68030,
68040, and PowerPC models can benefit from installation of Speed Doubler.
Connectix developed Speed Doubler, which is a software-only accelerator, to improve
on the " caching " ability of Mac computers by replacing the built-in Mac
" cache " system. Installation of Speed Doubler does not change or affect
the hardware that is installed in the computer. And Speed Doubler can be readily
turned on and off if so desired. How much improvement Speed Doubler actually makes
with any Mac computer depends on the specific type and model of Mac and also on which
applications are being run. Speed Doubler's intelligent " disk cache "
replaces the standard System 7 disk cache. Using sophisticated "read ahead and
write behind" techniques, Speed Doubler increases disk access performance by
30% or more.
Speed Doubler is most effective when used with Power Macs that are using non-native
software applications since it improves not only the data access performance but
also improves the operation of the software emulator that converts the 680x0 instructions
into PowerPC instructions. Almost all software programs that were developed prior
to the development of PowerPC computers operate in the non-native mode. The PowerPC
models gain benefit from both the improvement in disk data-access improvements as
well as the more efficient software emulation activities. But PowerPC Macs do not
gain any further benefit, compared to 680x30 or 680x40 Macs, from running programs
that are written in the "native" mode since the PowerPC Macs are already
operating at maximum efficiency when using "native" software.
Although older Mac models cannot gain any benefit from the software emulation capabilities,
they can still gain improvements in the data access operations such as recovering
data from storage media and increased file copying and duplicating speeds.
Speed Doubler provides much greater efficiency in performance, speed and convenience
than the Mac Desktop Finder. Emptying the Trash occurs much faster with Speed Doubler
than that of the Mac's routine Trash removal. Operating improvements of up to 30
or 40 percent are possible with Speed Doubler as compared to the normal Mac operating
systems.
Speed Doubler also provides some conveniences that are not normally available on
a Mac:
* Provides fast file delete to empty Trash faster that normal for the Mac.
* Speed Doubler provides capability to monitor the processing rate of copying or
duplicating files, transfer of data files, and removal of trash. It tells how much
of the operation has been accomplished and how much more time will be required to
complete the operation.
* Provides audible notification of completion of the operation.
* Provides a "security" erase of data so the files cannot be recovered.
* Provides for automatic deletion of locked files.
* Verifies copies made to floppies, removable drives, or hard disks.
New Control Panel
A major improvement for Version 2 is the addition of a Control Panel that was not
available in Version 1. The Control Panel provides three processing selection tabs
, Status Display; Copy Options; and Notification Options. Each function can be individually
selected and individually controlled.
* The Status Display Tab makes provisions to turn on or off Speed Doubler's three
main functions: Faster File Copying; Faster Disk Performance and Faster Emulation.
* Copy Options Tab controls how files are copied and deleted. This function provides
options for Faster Network copying over TCP/IP networks; Smart Replace that will
copy only those files that are different.; Synchronization of copying to source and
destination Folders so that the most recent version of a data file will be copied
to both Folders; activation of Speed Eraser which will automatically replace the
"Empty Trash" command to deliver faster file deletion, deletion of locked
items, Delete Locked Items, Selective Deletion of items in the Trash, and a Security
Erase to prevent file recovery.
* Notification Options Tab to provide Notification of Smart Replaced files, a report
of Copied Items, and provide an audible sound when copies are completed; and Verification
that verifies copies made to floppy drives, hard drives or removable drives.
Speed Doubler requires a minimum of 8 MB of installed RAM and System 7.0 or later.
For maximum benefit or performance, it is recommended that 12 MB of Ram and System
7.5.1 or later be installed. Speed Doubler recommends that the cache size control
should be set to 1/16th of the installed RAM.
Speed Doubler is offered by Connectix Corporation @ 2655 Campus Drive, San Mateo,
CA 94403 (phone 1-800-950-5880) and is available for a Suggested Retail Price of
$99.00. Registered owners of Version I can upgrade to Version 2 and obtain a rebate
of $25.00. Typical "street prices" of $54.98 are available from catalog
sales outlets, resulting in an upgrade price of $29.98 after rebate.
Attention Newsletter editors:
This article was reviewed & published in the Mid-Columbia Macintosh User Group
newsletter, The Finder. Anyone wishing to reprint it in their nonprofit publication
may do so as long as credit is given to the author and McMUG plus one copy of the
newsletter containing the review should be sent to:
Linda Cameron
1231 Geneva St.
Richland, WA 99352
USER GROUP EDITORS: Articles posted in this area have been cleared for publication in your newsletters. We do encourage you to contact the author for additional details and/or updates. Please ALWAYS credit the original author!
Articles posted here by UGNetwork News staff, or the UGN News Service may be reproduced ONLY after your group has become a registered Network affiliate. Contact the UGNet-News for authorization and the UGNet News Affiliate publicity package. Thank you. Copyright 1995, 1996, 1997, The User Group Network, and on behalf of the respective authors.
All of this content, and the associated services are donated through the generous efforts of members from the User Group community. This content area is provided by The User Group Network News Service, and is sponsored by The Design & Publishing Center as a public service.