RAM Doubler 8.0.1: reader feedback; floppy disk and master disk issues

Most reader feedback regarding the just released RAM Doubler 8.0.1 Updater has been positive. For example:

Doug Reith-Hart writes: "I have had no freezes at all, including in Communicator 4.05 and MS Word 98. In fact, the updater seems to be doing just what it advertises - faster launch times."

Another reader exclaims: "Since I updated RD to 8.01, my Mac has been 'flying! I don't know but, at least I feel 'bout 20%-30% faster launching, or any other thing I do I my G3."

However, we still get persisting reports of performance slow downs and crash problems, especially in Netscape browsers. For example, John Etnier had the same Type 10 error problem with Communicator that wedescribed last time. Actually, these crashes seem reminiscent of a problem noted even in RAM Doubler 8.0 (see previous item).

The possible resurfacing of the MS Word conflict (also mentioned last time) appears to be a false alarm. Several readers claimed not to have it and no one confirmed it. Connectix has also been unable to duplicate it.

RAM Doubler, CD-ROM vs. floppy disks, Update Master Disk, and the iMac Connectix has started shipping RAM Doubler on CD-ROM discs, even though the software still takes up less than 400K and would easily fit on a floppy disk. Much of the extra space on the CD is taken up with an MS Office 98 demo and Internet Explorer installers. My guess is that this shift is also motivated by the impending arrival of the floppy-less iMac.

Very little software ships on floppy disks any more. As of August 15, that number will likely drop to zero. It's the end of an era.

The 8.0.1 Updater includes an "Update Master Disk" option. Obviously, you cannot update a CD-ROM disc. The CD does not include an option to make a master floppy disk. So I tried to see whether simply copying the RAM Doubler 8 Installer to a floppy disk (and renaming the floppy disk to the same name as the CD) would create a master disk that the Updater would recognize. It did not work. But then I discovered that I could not get the Updater to recognize my original RAM Doubler 8 floppy disk either. I am investigating.