ST Report: 15-Dec-95 #1150
From: Bruce D. Nelson (aa789@cleveland.Freenet.Edu)
Date: 12/23/95-08:50:37 AM Z
From: aa789@cleveland.Freenet.Edu (Bruce D. Nelson)
Subject: ST Report: 15-Dec-95 #1150
Date: Sat Dec 23 08:50:37 1995
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>From the Editor's Desk...
Less than ten days to go. `til Christmas. All the reliable software
and hardware houses now have their Holiday offerings out there in full view
with the promise of a future and support for the coming year. The software
goodies are so abundant that no matter where one goes, the question is not
when but which one? Of course to those who have recently migrated from dead
or dying platforms this must seem like heaven. It is.
The hardware end of the marketplace has something for most everyone at
one level or another on the technological ladder. In this issue and
subsequent issues, we are going to try to point out a few of the more
outstanding products that are most needed in the marketplace today. Of
course with the sheer numbers of great goodies available, its a given that
we shall be busy with this long after Christmas has come and gone. That's
ok though. because by then we'll be looking at the powerful software that's
available for use with all the new hardware treasures that were found under
the Christmas trees and Chanukah bushes everywhere.
Be sure to take a look at our preliminary blurb about ARCsolo SCSI Tape
Backup Software. It exciting to see the real thing is now available.
ARCsolo is the best.
Ralph..
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STReport Headline News
LATE BREAKING INDUSTRY-WIDE NEWS
Weekly Happenings in the Computer World
Compiled by: Dana P. Jacobson
GE Info Services Forms I-Net Unit
GE Information Services, a major supplier of electronic commerce
services, has formed an Internet division. GEIS, based in Rockville,
Maryland, says the division will deliver Internet-based services to its
online trading community of more than 40,000 companies worldwide. The firm
notes that it will make the first in a series of Internet services available
next month.
"The Internet is changing the face of computing as we know it today,"
says Bruce Chovnick, the GEIS vice president in charge of the new division.
"Internet-based electronic commerce will give corporations a quantum leap in
productivity as they streamline key processes like supplier management and
logistic management."
Less than five percent of companies who could benefit from electronic
commerce take advantage of it, says GEIS, which wants to expand the number
of small and medium businesses using business-to-business electronic
commerce. "The Internet, with its standard protocols and incredible reach,
offers a key distribution channel to attract small and medium companies,"
says Chovnick.
Microsoft, NBC in News Talks
Reports continue to circulate that NBC and Microsoft Corp. are
negotiating on a deal to provide a 24-hour news channel linked to an
interactive online video service. United Press International reports from
Microsoft's Redmond, Washington, headquarters that the software giant has no
comment on an earlier Wall Street Journal report that cited unnamed industry
insiders saying GE and Microsoft have been discussing the project secretly
for two months. There's talk of startup investments of up to $100 million
over several years.
The wire service says the companies reportedly have overcome
distribution hurdles, "including NBC's tentative agreement to cancel its
year-old America's Talking cable network and using the slot on cable systems
for the new news service." UPI notes about 20 million U.S. homes receive
America's Talking, "making it likely to be a break-even proposition at
best."
Also, the venture is said to include a link between the cable network
and an online service that Microsoft would send to personal computers so
that each would carry messages for the other. "For example," says UPI, "a
news report on the channel could carry information on how to obtain more
details from the online service." It has yet to be decided whether to
deliver the channel to anyone over the Internet, though a published report
earlier this week said NBC would insist on editorial control over the
venture.
New Web Magazine Announced
Miller Freeman Inc., publisher of Dr. Dobb's journal and several other
high-tech magazines, has announced Web Techniques, a monthly technical
magazine for people who design, develop and maintain World Wide Web sites.
The magazine is set to debut in February at a paid circulation of 30,000.
According to a statement issued by Miller Freeman, Web Techniques will
feature columns on legal issues, Web site design, HTML coding and Web
administration, as well as a how-to section, technical features, case
studies and a new products section.
Miller Freeman will augment Web Techniques with a new conference and
trade show -- Web Development '96. The event will coincide with the
company's Software Development West conference and exhibition, slated for
March 26-28 at the Moscone Center in San Francisco.
Forrester Research predicts economic activity on the Internet at $45.8
billion by the year 2000 -- a twentyfold increase over the $2.2 billion
generated in 1995. "This level of activity will require a significant
technical infrastructure, and Web Techniques readers are the professionals
who will build it," says Peter Hutchinson, the magazine's publisher.
Oracle Building New England Site
Oracle Corp.has broken ground on a new database technology research and
development facility in Nashua, New Hampshire. Planned in two phases, the
120,000 square foot center is scheduled to be completed by March 1997. The
facility will initially house 200 employees in a 60,000 square foot
building. By the end of phase two, the building will have the capacity to
hold up to 500 employees.
"New England is one of the top three regions worldwide for software
talent, and Oracle is committed to playing a significant role here," says
Jerry Held, senior vice president of Oracle's server technologies division.
"At the New England Development Center we intend to give current and new
Oracle employees the opportunity to apply their creativity and technical
expertise to develop leadership products in some of the fastest growing
technology arenas, including the Internet, multimedia databases and data
warehousing."
Oracle first came to the New England in 1994, when it acquired Digital
Equipment Corp.'s relational database management system product family.
Since the acquisition, Oracle has leased space in Digital's Spit Brook
location in Nashua.
Diamond Boosts Offer for Hayes
Diamond Multimedia has increased its offer to acquire struggling modem
maker Hayes Microcomputer Products Inc. Reporting from San Jose,
California, the Reuter News Service says the new offers calls for creditors
to continue to get cash, but equity holders would receive $92 million in
stock and $8 million in cash.
As reported, Diamond previously offered to acquire Hayes, currently in
Chapter XI bankruptcy reorganization, by paying creditors $85 million in
cash, representing a full pay-out of pre-petition creditors' claims, plus
interest. Equity holders were to receive $73 million cash.
"Concurrent with the filing of the plan amendment," says Reuters,
"Melita Hayes, a 9.4 percent shareholder in Hayes, ex-wife of founder Dennis
Hayes and the second largest shareholder in the company, filed a ballot with
the U.S. Bankruptcy Court voting in favor of the Diamond plan and opposing
reorganization plans filed by Hayes and U.S. Robotics Corp."
Apple Said to be Eyeing Layoffs
Word around the industry is that Apple Computer Inc. is considering up
to 2,000 employee layoffs at the beginning of the year. Computergram
International reports this morning the cuts "are thought to be triggered by
the need to bring operating costs in line with continuing low margins."
The newsletter notes sources have told MacWeek magazine the furloughs
are expected to be scattered across the company, but, says CI, "Apple
Americas, the sales and marketing division for the U.S., Canada, Mexico and
Latin America, is expected to be hardest hit, taking up to half the cuts."
The newsletter says the unit may contract its phone support out to meet the
cuts.
IBM Licenses Sun's Java Language
IBM Corp. says it has licensed Sun Microsystems, Inc.'s Java
programming language and intends to use it to enhance the way customers view
and interact with content on the Internet's World Wide Web. IBM says it
plans to implement the Java technology in products that exploit the
Internet, such as Web browsers and Web servers, as well as in its Lotus
Notes integrated messaging and groupware software. IBM also notes that it
intends to port the Java technology to its OS/2 and AIX operating systems,
as well as to Windows 3.1, and will make those ports available over the
World Wide Web.
Java, developed by Sun, is an object-oriented programming language that
operates independently of any operating system or microprocessor. Java
programs, called applets, can offer the multimedia richness of a CD-ROM over
corporate networks and the Internet. Applets provide World Wide Web users
with ready access to additional Web page content that can be delivered in a
more visually compelling way, such as through the use of animation.
IBM expects to make its ports of Java to OS/2, AIX and Windows 3.1
available on the World Wide Web starting in the first quarter of next year.
"Java is a very innovative software technology that will help us expand the
functionality of our Internet access products and related offerings," says
Irving Wladawsky- Berger, general manager for IBM's Internet Division.
Netscape Drops 20% on Downgrade
The 1995 investment darling Netscape took a big hit yesterday, losing
nearly 20 percent of its value after an analyst downgraded the issue. The
stock of the Internet software specialist fell $28.75 to $132.50 in heavy
Nasdaq trading after an analyst at Smith Barney recommended selling the
stock, saying it is overpriced. More than 2.56 million shares changed hands.
Despite the decline, Netscape is now trading at nearly five times the
$28 price of its Aug. 9 initial public offering," United Press International
notes, adding, "Its market value is about $5 billion, even though its
financial performance is modest -- third-quarter earnings of $1.4 million,
or 4 cents a share, compared with a loss of $1.6 million in the year-ago
quarter, with sales up 75 percent to $20.8 million."
Netscape, which went public at $28 four months ago, hit $171 on Tuesday
in the wake of its announcement of an alliance with Sun Microsystems Inc. to
create an easy-to-use programming language for the Internet's World Wide
Web. The companies are distributing the language, called JavaScript, over
the Internet free of charge.
Feds Probe Robotics' Bid on Hayes
Word is modem maker U.S. Robotics Corp.'s proposed acquisition of rival
Hayes Microcomputer Products Inc. has drawn the attention of federal trade
officials. Reporter Mark Boslet of Dow Jones News Service quotes industry
sources as saying Federal Trade Commission officials have made a second
request for information from U.S. Robotics. At least one source told him the
request, filed Nov. 30, is extensive.
DJNS says, "Industry analysts said they weren't surprised by the
request for data under the antitrust authority of the Hart-Scott-Rodino
Act," adding that according to International Data Corp.'s market research,
U.S. Robotics now has about 35 percent of the modem market, while Hayes
retains about 18 percent of the market. When combined market shares climb
above 50 percent, regulators take an extra hard look," Boslet comments.
As reported, last October U.S. Robotics offered to buy Hayes for
creditors claims of about $85 million and $97.5 million in Robotics stock,
topping an offer for the company from Diamond Multimedia Systems Inc.
Hayes, which is seeking to emerge from bankruptcy court, has opted to try to
remain independent, but U.S. Robotics has remained steadfast in its
interest.
Bill to Target Net's 'Dirty' Words
If some federal lawmakers have their way, there will be seven "dirty"
words you can't say on the Internet. Working out differences between House
and Senate telecommunications proposals to negotiate a reform bill, the
legislators took steps to ban seven words and other "indecent" material from
the Net.
Reporting for United Press International, writer Rex Nutting says House
conferees approved a computer anti-pornography amendment sponsored by Rep.
Rick White, R-Washington, and that Sen. James Exon, D-Nebraska -author of a
much tougher provision included in the Senate bill -- said he will accept
the House provision, calling it "a reasonable position."
Sen. Larry Pressler, R-South Dakota, chairman of the conference
committee working out differences between the House and Senate
telecommunications bills, said the committee staff will draft the White
amendment into legislative language before the conference reconvened to
consider it. Pressler told the wire service his conference committee could
report a bill within a few days, noting the conferees resolved 33
differences between the bills before tackling pornography.
UPI says the White amendment protects access providers, such as
CompuServe and America Online, from legal liability for indecent material
they transmit. (The providers have argued that they could not possibly
screen the millions of connections made on their networks each day.)
"But under the reform bill," adds Nutting, "content providers, such as
companies that create World Wide Web pages or consumers posting e-mail to a
public bulletin board, would not be able to legally provide indecent
materials unless they made good faith efforts to screen the material away
from minors."
Said White, "It's exactly like a 7-Eleven. The material is available
behind the counters to adults." Unlike Exon's proposal -- which was widely
denounced in cyberspace -White's amendment does not give the Federal
Communications Commission authority to police the Internet for pornography.
As White told UPI, "Nobody wants the federal government to decide what
you can see. I'm happy to have that discussion with my wife, but I don't
want to have that discussion with the FCC." The House members of the
conference committee rejected on a 20-13 vote a stronger proposal from Rep.
Henry Hyde, R-Illinois, and backed by the Christian Coalition, then voted 17-
16 to toughen the language in the White proposal, substituting an
"indecency" standard for the "harmful to minors" standard.
Says Nutting, "The change, while seemingly minor, throws the bill into
murky constitutional waters, according to civil liberty activists." Jerry
Berman, executive director of the Center for Democracy and Technology, an
advocate for civil liberties on the Internet, said he was "extremely
disappointed" in Reps. Pat Schroeder, D-Colorado, and John Conyers, D-
Michigan, who voted for the "indecency" standard, adding his organization
will fight the bill in court if it is enacted.
Nutting notes the FCC has defined "indecency" as "language or material
that, in context, depicts or describes, in terms patently offensive as
measured by contemporary community standards ... sexual or excretory
activities or organs." He added the "indecency" standard was applied when
the FCC ruled that radio stations could not broadcast George Carlin's comedy
routine "Seven Dirty Words You Can't Say on TV."
UPI adds the "harmful to minors" standard appears mainly in state laws
restricting sales or displays of materials to minors and is analogous to the
"obscenity" standard for adults, in that it takes into account the literary,
artistic, political or scientific value of a work.
Net 'Smut' Bill Draws Opponents
A bill that would make it illegal to make "indecent" material available
to minors on the Internet is drawing opposition from some 60 civil rights
groups, privacy activists and others here and abroad through an online
campaign.
Reporting from Washington, the Reuter News Service notes electronic
mail messages went out to computer users across the Net yesterday saying the
groups are preparing a "National Internet Day of Protest" today that targets
lawmakers fashioning a big telecommunications bill.
The action comes after House lawmakers agreed last week to make it a
crime for anyone to knowingly display "indecent" material that could be
viewed by a minor over a computer online service or on the Internet computer
network. Those found guilty could face up to two years in prison and fines
of as much as $100,000.
As noted, the U.S. Senate has passed similar legislation. House and
Senate conferees finalizing the telecommunications bill must now resolve the
differences in language. Said the circulating e-mail, "Outrageous proposals
to censor the Internet demand that the Internet Community take swift and
immediate action. We must stand up and let Congress know that we will not
tolerate their attempts to destroy this medium."
Reuters says protesting groups include the American Civil Liberties
Union, the Centre for Democracy and Technology, the National Writers Union,
and the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force. The electronic message urges
people to contact House Speaker Newt Gingrich, Senate Majority Leader Robert
Dole, and various congressmen and Senators who sit on the conference panel.
Reuters comments, "The religious right has been behind efforts to push
for a tougher standard," and quotes Carl Raschke, a religion professor at
the University of Denver, saying the legislation represents an effort by the
religious right to "further their economic interests and silence a
communications medium that signifies to them the 'mark of the beast.'"
Web Inventor Fears Browser Role
Tim Berners-Lee, who created the Internet's World Wide Web five years
ago, is warning that the system's future development may be hurt if too much
information becomes dependent on the popular "browser" software people use
to navigate it. Saying software companies should take a different approach
to browsers than they did with operating systems and other PC programs,
Berners-Lee said, "The browser is becoming a large, monolithic thing. From a
software engineering point of view, that doesn't work. If you want to
evolve, you have to divide that into manageable pieces and make those pieces
independent."
Business writer Evan Ramstad of the Associated Press says Berners-Lee's
comments at the Fourth International World Wide Web Conference in Boston
"highlight the clash that sometimes occurs between engineering efficiency
and commercial goals." Notes Ramstad, "Critics say the performance of other
software has been compromised by the successive revisions to add more
features, many of which have marginal value to most users."
Executives with Netscape Communications Corp. and Microsoft Corp. -both
of which are staking out territory in the browser business -- told AP they
believe no company will be able to dominate technological changes that
affect the Web, as happened in mainframe and personal computers. Saying
Berners-Lee did not criticize them directly, AP observes that both companies
and more than 60 others are members of the W3 Consortium, a technical
standards body he now directs.
"They're all sitting around the table fixing it," Berners-Lee said. "At
the end of the day, it's important that it's a worldwide web. When you come
to the point that you're going through the Web and it says, `I'm sorry you
just cannot read this site unless you are using particular software,' then
the Web is no longer worldwide. Everybody loses."
AP says the Web now is used by an estimated 18 million people. And
there are more than 55,000 Web sites. More than 3,000 programmers are
attending this week's conference, which is the largest gathering of people
who are doing the technical work behind the Web. Information on the
conference and Berners-Lee's speech may be found at Web address
http://www.w3.org/WWW4/.
Yahoo, Ziff Strike a Deal
Internet search engine specialists at Yahoo Corp. have struck a deal
with magazine giant Ziff-Davis Publishing Co. to set up a site on the
Internet's World Wide Web and publish an electronic magazine together.
According to United Press International, the new publication will be called
Yahoo Internet Life and will be released first over the Internet. The firms
also will release print and CD-ROM versions.
"The new electronic magazine will allow users to read about Web sites
before clicking on to them," UPI says. "The web site, ZD/Yahoo Computing,
will be a guide to Web sites dealing with computer hardware, software and
related topics." Yahoo is the Mountain View, California, firm incorporated
last April by two Stanford University graduate students and has become one
of the Internet success stories as perhaps the best known searchable
directory of Web sites. UPI says Yahoo's site (reached at Web address
http://www.yahoo.com) has more than 800,000 visitors a day, has taken in $1
million in advertising since August and recently sold 12 percent of itself
to five investors, including Softbank Corp.
In the new deal, Ziff-Davis will have full responsibility for selling
ads for the print and electronic versions. Yahoo has appointed Ziff-Davis as
its exclusive ad representative for computer-related companies on the main
Yahoo guide. The print version of the publication is to debut on in
February with a paid circulation of 100,000.
CD-ROM Celebrates The Who's Tommy
The Who's Tommy, the rock opera that has experienced incarnations in
album, movie, concert and stage versions, is now headed to CD-ROM in the
form of a multimedia documentary. Interplay Productions Inc., an Irvine,
California-based multimedia software publisher, says it will release Pete
Townsend Presents Tommy: The Interactive Celebration in Windows and
Macintosh versions this spring. No price was announced. According to a
statement issued by the company, the CD-ROM will take users on a non-linear
journey through all of Tommy's various versions.
The CD-ROM will offer music, photo images and video clips. The disc
also will feature original handwritten notes by Townsend, a variety of
"surprise guest celebrity" performances and interviews with The Who's John
Entwistle and Roger Daltrey. "The release of this title combines all the
elements that have gone into making Tommy an ongoing success and allows the
user to access them at a touch of the finger," says Brian Christian, the
title's producer.
AT&T to Supply ISDN to NYNEX
AT&T Network Systems says it is completing negotiations with NYNEX to
provide ISDN (Integrated Services Digital Network) hardware and software for
NYNEX switching centers in New York and New England. Under the proposed
deal, extending over the next several years and valued at several hundred
million dollars, AT&T Network Systems will become a major supplier of ISDN
equipment and software to NYNEX. AT&T Network Systems will split off from
AT&T Corp. in 1996 to become a separate systems and technology company.
"We are pleased that NYNEX chose AT&T Network Systems to help meet the
explosive customer demand for ISDN services," says Rich Moscioni, a sales
vice president with AT&T Network Systems. "We believe we can supply NYNEX
with the most technologically advanced and reliable equipment that the
industry has to offer." AT&T Network Systems equipment serves about 80
percent of the ISDN lines now operating nationwide, and has deployed enough
equipment to support nearly two million ISDN lines.
SPA Taps Anti-Piracy Expert
The Software Publishers Association has appointed a former Levi Strauss
& Co.anti-counterfeiting expert to head its ongoing anti-piracy campaign in
the Asia/Pacific region. As director of the SPA's Asia/Pacific anti-piracy,
Elisha Lawrence, will set strategy and coordinate local counsel and public
relations firms to expand SPA's anti-piracy education and enforcement
efforts throughout the region, including Singapore, Korea, China, Taiwan,
Hong Kong, Japan, Australia, New Zealand, Thailand, India, Malaysia and
Indonesia.
Lawrence most recently headed the Asia/Pacific anti-counterfeiting
operations of Levi Strauss & Co. which is known as a leader in fighting
counterfeiters. Lawrence's previous experience also includes stints in both
private practice and government. She received her juris doctorate degree
from Hastings College of Law and undergraduate degree from Wesleyan
University. Lawrence will be based in San Francisco. The SPA is the
principal trade association of the desktop software industry. Its 1,200
members represent major publishers in the business, consumer and education
markets. The SPA has offices in Washington and Paris.
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AHA-1540CP: Bus master ISA-to-Fast SCSI host adapter
AHA-1542CP: Bus master ISA-to-Fast SCSI host adapter with floppy controller
SCSI Master(r) kit: AHA-1542CP, Adaptec(r) EZ-SCSI(tm) software, internal
SCSI cable, and complete documentation
OVERVIEW
For performance, ease of use and compatibility, the AHA-1540CP family of
SCSI host adapters is the ideal choice for PCs that run in today's
multitasking environments. The AHA-1540CP family combines a powerful
multithreaded SCSI I/O interface with a high-performance bus-mastering
Direct Memory Access (DMA) architecture. The result is faster data
throughput and higher overall system performance that enables you to run
multiple applications.
As the first bus master SCSI host adapter that is fully plug-and-play
capable, the AHA-1540CP family also advances the state of the art for ease
of use. Installation and configuration of the adapter and Plug-and-Play SCSI
peripherals is virtually automatic. Users can count on the compatibility of
the AHA-1540CP family of host adapters. Providing the same level of
compatibility as the industry-standard AHA-1540 family of host adapter, the
AHA-1540CP family has been enhanced to support major multitasking operating
systems, including Windows 95.
KEY BENEFITS
High performance for multitasking environments
Fully compatible with the major multitasking operating systems, including
Windows 95, OS/2, and NetWare, the AHA-1540CP host adapters make true
multitasking possible. The AHA-1540CP family provides a multithreaded, 10-
MByte/sec Fast SCSI interface to the ISA bus for the seamless concurrent I/O
operations that multitasking requires. In addition, these host adapters
feature bus master DMA, which takes over I/O processing and frees CPU power
for other tasks.
With this combination of high-performance features, the AHA-1540CP family
affords the overall system performance that 32-bit applications and
multitasking demand. Now you can run one or more of today's powerful
applications, such as those for desktop publishing, document imaging, or
multimedia authoring, and, at the same time, download a file, receive a fax,
or back up a drive to tape.
Easy to install and use
The AHA-1540CP family is the first bus master host adapter family to offer
the convenience of true plug-and-play functionality. The AHA-1540CP family
meets all the requirements of ISA bus and Plug-and-Play SCSI specifications,
making installation of the adapter and up to seven SCSI devices quick and
easy. When the board is installed, resources such as BIOS and port addresses
are automatically assigned to prevent conflicts. Used with Plug-and-Play
SCSI peripherals and cables, the AHA-1540CP adapter automatically locates
all connected SCSI devices and instantly resolves any SCSI resource
conflicts. It also automatically terminates the SCSI bus, eliminating the
need to handle jumpers and termination resistors.
In addition, with Adaptec EZ-SCSI software for DOS and Windows, you can
install SCSI devices in minutes by following simple menu-driven
instructions. And, when you want to add or remove external peripherals, the
Adaptec SCSISelect optimization utility lets you quickly modify AHA-1540CP
configuration settings from the keyboard.
Unparalleled compatibility
AHA-1540CP host adapters are fully compatible with the earlier AHA-1540
family, making it easy for you to add plug-and-play convenience while
preserving your investment in peripheral devices and third-party software.
The AHA-1540CP family is designed to be compatible with any peripheral
device that complies with the SCSI-2 standard and with any computer that
adheres to the ISA or EISA specifications. Compatible with major operating
systems, the family is now enhanced with embedded support for the Windows 95
multitasking operating system, in addition to OS/2, UNIX, and NetWare.
Support for DOS and Windows operating systems is provided by Adaptec EZ-SCSI
software.
To ensure the highest level of compatibility, Adaptec conducts thousands of
hours of tests in a broad range of environments and maintains strong
development relationships with operating system vendors, third-party
software developers, and system OEMs.
SCSI Master kit-Everything necessary to get started
The SCSI Master kit provides you with everything necessary to add high-
performance Plug-and-Play SCSI devices to PC systems. The kit features the
AHA-1542CP host adapter with a floppy drive controller, complete user
documentation and Adaptec EZ-SCSI software for simple installation. Adaptec
EZ-SCSI software applications let you play audio CDs, view photo CDs,
perform tape backups, benchmark SCSI peripheral devices, and more.
Quality and reliability
In addition to comprehensive compatibility testing, AHA-1540CP host adapters
undergo thousands of hours of functional and reliability inspections and
tests.
Adaptec's manufacturing facility has earned ISO-9002 international
certification, which ensures compliance to a high level of product quality
in product design, development, and production.
Trusted for quality and reliability, Adaptec IOware(r) products are
incorporated into the products of virtually all major computer and
peripheral manufacturers around the world.
IOware products by Adaptec
Adaptec's IOware products combine hardware and software technology into
solutions that are critical to ensuring the level of performance needed by
today's data- and graphics-intensive applications. Resident in both the
computer and peripherals, Adaptec's IOware products speed the flow of data
from one part of the system to another, significantly improving overall
performance.
ADAPTEC AHA-1540CP and AHA-1542CP COMPLETE KIT CONTENTS
* AHA-1542CP bus master host adapter with floppy controller
* Manager Set software for OS/2 and NetWare
* Adaptec EZ-SCSI software for DOS and Windows
* SCSI application software:
o Advanced Power Management
o SCSIBench
o SCSI Disk Partitioner
o SCSI Interrogator
o SCSI Scanner
o Photo CD Viewer (Magic Lantern(tm))
o CD Player
o SCSI Tape Backup (Backup Basics)
o SCSITutor
* Standard internal SCSI ribbon cable (external cable not included)
* Complete documentation
TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS
Computer Bus:
ISA
Interface Protocol:
Bus Master DMA
Device Protocol:
SCSI-2
Peripheral Device Support:
Up to seven (7) single-ended SCSI peripheral devices Simultaneous
synchronous and asynchronous peripheral support
Hard Disk Capacity:
Supports drive capacity up to eight (8) gigabytes (unless limited by
operating system)
Adaptec BIOS:
For standard fixed disk emulation; supports up to seven (7) disks under
DOS 5 and later
Floppy Drive Support:
AHA-1542CP only; supports two floppy drives (3.5" and 5.25")
Advanced SCSI Features:
Advanced SCSI Programming Interface (ASPI) compliant,
disconnect/reconnect, multitasking, multithreaded I/O (up to 255 tasks
simultaneously), parity checking, scatter-gather, Plug-and-Play SCSI,
synchronous and asynchronous data transfer, zero latency reads (ZLR) and
linked commands
Bus Width:
8 and 16-bit
Host Bus Data Transfer Rate:
From 3.3 to 10.0 MByte/sec burst rate
Maximum SCSI Data Rate:
10 MByte/sec Fast SCSI
Electrical Termination:
Single-ended, active, software-controlled
Operating System Support:
1. Microsoft DOS
2. Microsoft Windows
3. Microsoft Window 95
4. Microsoft Windows NT
5. Microsoft and IBM OS/2
6. IBM OS/2 Warp
7. UNIX (SCO, Sunsoft, USL, Univel)
8. Banyan Vines
9. Sunsoft Solaris
MTBF:
376,130 hours (AHA-1540CP)(per TR-NWT-000332, Method I, QL-I)
PHYSICAL AND ENVIRONMENTAL SPECIFICATIONS
Length:
6.3 inches (16.5 cm)
Height:
4.5 inches (11.4 cm)
Internal Connector:
50-pin, flat cable
External Connector:
50-pin, high density (alternative 2)
Operating Temperature:
0x C to 55x C
Storage Temperature:
-55x C to 85x C
Humidity (operating):
10% to 90%, non condensing
POWER REQUIREMENTS
+5.0 q 0.25 volts at 0.51 amps, excluding terminator power
AHA(r)-2940 PCI-to-Fast SCSI Family
The highest performance I/O technology available for demanding desktop and
server applications
PRODUCT FAMILY HIGHLIGHTS
z Delivers high-performance SCSI I/O for demanding, multitasking PCI
applications
z New 10 MIPS PhaseEngine(tm)
z RISC processor, Fast SCSI and bus master DMA support transfer rates of
up to 133 MB/second across the PCI local-bus
z Compatible with DOS/Windows, Windows NT, Windows for Workgroups,
OS/2(r), NetWare(r), and UNIX(r) operating system environments, as well as
third-party software and SCSI-2 devices
z Easy to install using the BIOS-resident SCSISelect(tm) configuration
utility
z Supports both 8-bit and 16-bit Wide SCSI devices (AHA-2940W)
OVERVIEW
The AHA-2940 host adapter family brings the highest performance SCSI I/O
technology to the fast PCI local-bus. Based on Adaptec-designed RISC
technology, the AHA-2940 maximizes system I/O performance and utilizes the
PCI local-bus to transfer data up to 133 MB/second. This series of high-
performance, intelligent host adapters supports advanced SCSI features and
bus master direct memory access (DMA) data transfers. Combined with the high
performance of SCSI and the fastest system bus available, the AHA-2940
family delivers maximum I/O throughput for demanding desktop and network
server applications.
The AHA-2940 PCI host adapter family brings compatibility, reliability and
ease-of-use to the desktop or server PC. The AHA-2940 is compatible with all
major operating systems, SCSI-2 and SCSI-3 peripherals, as well as industry-
standard application software. Adaptec's extensive testing program ensures
compatibility between the PCI system and the SCSI host adapter.
The AHA-2940 features the BIOS-resident SCSISelect configuration utility
which eliminates the need to handle jumpers or terminators while installing
the board or adding peripherals. All configuration and terminator settings
are controlled via the keyboard. This means that once the host adapter is
installed, the PC chassis need never be opened again.
KEY BENEFITS
RISC-based SCSI - the key to maximum performance
The AHA-2940 is the newest addition to the Adaptec line of RISC-based SCSI
host adapters. At the core of this new host adapter family is the Adaptec-
designed PhaseEngine RISC processor. The 10 MIPS PhaseEngine processor
minimizes the time it takes to process SCSI commands by automating SCSI
phase changes and advanced SCSI features. This allows the CPU to perform
other tasks and improves overall system efficiency and performance.
The programmable PhaseEngine RISC processor also executes self-contained
microcode, which is downloaded by the main CPU at system initialization.
This enables quick and easy microcode upgrades. Further, a 64-byte scratch
memory stores configuration information established by the BIOS-resident
SCSISelect configuration utility.
With the Adaptec-designed RISC processor, the AHA-2940 host adapter
maximizes system I/O performance by utilizing the PCI local-bus to process
data at transfer rates of up to 133 Mbytes/second. This new technology is
essential in meeting the demands of high-performance applications.
Wide SCSI support for increased performance
The AHA-2940W PCI-to-Wide SCSI host adapter provides connectivity to 16-bit
as well as standard 8-bit SCSI devices. This connectivity increases I/O
performance by doubling the maximum SCSI bus band-width from 10 Mbytes per
second for standard 8-bit SCSI to 20 Mbytes per second for Wide 16-bit SCSI.
Simple installation and easy, flexible configuration
The AHA-2940 family of host adapters is easily installed and configured.
Simply install the board in the PCI slot, then run the menu-driven
SCSISelect configuration utility resident on the host adapter. The
SCSISelect configuration utility eliminates the need to handle jumpers,
making host adapter installation quick and easy. In addition, the
programmable active termination featured in the AHA-2940 family and con-
trolled by the SCSISelect utility makes installation of external SCSI
peripherals fast and simple.
When upgrading the PCI system with external SCSI peripherals, there is no
need to open the PC chassis. Adaptec's SCSISelect utility provides key
information on-screen, including the host adapter version and current
configuration. Active termination and other host adapter settings may then
be reconfigured on-screen through menus rather than handling jumpers and
changing switch settings on the hardware.
Proven Adaptec quality and reliability
The hardware for the AHA-2940 family of host adapters is based on state-of-
the-art VLSI technology, providing maximum performance and reliability. To
ensure compatibility with PCI systems, the AHA-2940 family has undergone
exhaustive testing in Adaptec's compatibility test lab. In addition, each
board is subjected to extensive functional and mechanical inspections and
tests to ensure the highest quality and reliability.
As the PCI standard becomes established in the industry, Adaptec recognizes
the need to work with core technology providers to ensure long-term
compatibility. Adaptec has been proactive in building relationships with
leading BIOS, core chip-set and system providers to assure compliance and
compatibility with the PCI 2.0 specification. Our on-going testing and
reporting procedures allow us to provide users with the most current PCI
compatibility data.
In support of its commitment to quality, Adaptec's manufacturing facility
has earned ISO-9002 certification. This international quality standard,
established by the International Organization for Standardization (ISO),
ensures a high level of product quality, production, testing and service.
IOware(r) products by Adaptec
Adaptec's IOware products combine hardware and software technology into I/O
solutions which ensure the level of performance required for today's data-
and graphics-intensive applications. Resident in both the computer and the
peripherals, Adaptec IOware products speed the flow of data from one part of
the system to another, significantly improving overall performance.
ADAPTEC AHA-2940 TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS
Computer Bus:
PCI local-bus
Interface Protocol:
Bus master DMA
Host Bus Data Transfer Rate:
Up to 133 Mbytes/sec burst rate
SCSI Synchronous Data Rate:
10 Mbytes/sec (Fast SCSI, AHA-2940)
20 Mbytes/sec (Fast and Wide SCSI, AHA-2940W)
SCSI Asynchronous Data Rate:
3 Mbytes/sec (AHA-2940)
6 Mbytes/sec (AHA-2940W)
Device Protocol:
SCSI-2 (AHA-2940)
SCSI-3 (AHA-2940W)
Advanced SCSI Features:
Advanced SCSI Programming Interface (ASPI) compliant, multi-threaded
I/O, scatter/gather, tagged queuing, disconnect/reconnect, synchronous and
asynchronous Fast and Wide
Electrical Drivers:
Single-ended, active, programmable via SCSISelect configuration utility
Bus Width:
32-bit
Hard Disk Capacity:
Extended translation scheme supports up to eight (8) Gbytes per disk
Adaptec BIOS:
Supports up to seven (7) disks under DOS 5.0
Floppy Drive Support:
N/A
I/O Operating Environment:
Windows NT, Windows for Workgroups, OS/2, NetWare, UNIX (SCO(r),
UnixWare)
MTBF:
TBD (calculated per Mil Spec 217 E)
PHYSICAL AND ENVIRONMENTAL SPECIFICATIONS
Length:
5.8"
Height:
3.9"
Operating Temperature:
0xC to 55xC
32xF to 131xF
Storage Temperature:
-40xC to 75xC
-40xF to 167xF
Humidity (operating):
10% to 95% non-condensing
Power Requirements:
+5.0 q 0.25 Volts at 2.0 amps maximum
Adaptec, Inc.
691 South Milpitas Boulevard
Milpitas, California 95035
Adaptec Singapore
Block 1002
Jalan Merah Central
#07-18/20
Singapore 0315
Telephone: (65) 278-5213
FAX: (65) 273-0163
Adaptec Brussels
Dreve Richelle 161
Bldg. A, 2nd Floor
B1410 Waterloo
Belgium
Telephone: (32) 2-352-34-11
FAX: (32) 2-352-34-00
Literature: 1-800-934-2766 (USA and Canada) or 510-732-3829
Ordering Software: 1-800-442-7274 (USA and Canada) or 408-957-7274
Interactive FAX: (408) 957-7150
Internet ftp server: ftp.adaptec.com
World-Wide Web: http://www.adaptec.com
CompuServe: GO ADAPTEC
Adaptec USA Bulletin Board: 408-945-7727 (up to 28,800 baud, using 8 bits,
1 stop bit, no parity)
Copyright (c) 1995 Adaptec, Inc. All rights reserved. Adaptec, the Adaptec
logo, IOware, the IOware logo, AHA, SCSISelect, EZ-SCSI and SCSI Master are
trademarks of Adaptec, Inc., which may be registered in some jurisdictions.
The Photo CD logo is a registered trademark of Eastman Kodak Company used
under license. Magic Lantern is a trademark of In-Cat System srl. All other
trademarks used are owned by their respective owners. Information supplied
by Adaptec, Inc. is believed to be accurate and reliable at the time of
printing, but Adaptec, Inc. assumes no responsibility for any errors that
may appear in this document. Adaptec, Inc. reserves the right, without
notice, to make changes in product design or specifications. Information is
subject to change without notice.
ARCsolo TBU STR Focus The "Rolls Royce" of Tape Back-
up Software
SCSI Tape Back Up Software that WORKS!
ARCsolo for Windows 95
From; Cheyenne Software Inc.
by Ralph F. Mariano
Every once in a while, a "Masterwork" in software comes along. This
software package is a top notch "event" in the lines of software released in
support of Windows 95. After having gone through the "Death Valley"
gauntlet with the wanna be TBU software that has been impersonating Windows
95 support software, ARCsolo 95 is truly a breath of fresh air.
The actual review will be next week, but... if your sweetheart is
contemplating getting you a SCSI Tape Back-up software package. please let
this small note of advice be found "in time" to help in the decision of what
to buy.
I am enthusiastic because this puppy WORKS! Works as promised and
works as designed. For the very short time its been in our "hot little
hands", ARCsolo has "strutted its stuff" like a seasoned Win95 Trooper.
Backups and restores are fast. The backup of Drive "C" and Windows 95
went fast and without all the annoying stops, beeps and silly can't back
this up and can't back notices and bleeps the other TBU software packages
offer up because of what ever number of dimwitted reasons. ARCsolo backed
up ANYTHING I wanted it to backup. And. it did it fast.
Now, the best part.. It most certainly does have FULL DISASTER
RECOVERY! This program has it down pat. It doesn't simply say it does.. it
PROVES it does and does it well. It has the speed, the ease of use, the
Win95 style information boxes and indicators to keep you fully aware of
everything its doing. as its doing it. This program's wizards make running
it for the first time a pleasant experience.
If you're in the market for reliable SCSI Tape Backup Software written
by Computerists for Computer User from the beginner to the wizened power
user.. Don't hesitate this is what we've been waiting for.
ARCsolo is this Editor's Choice! Once you use it for the first time,
it will be your choice too.
Want more Info?? Call Cheyenne Software Inc., at 1-516-484-5110 ask
for Paul Clapman he's a great guy.
. Let `em know you "discovered" ARCsolo here.
Wildcat Annihilator STR Infofile Mustang ..Staying on TOP
Wildcat! 5 - Project Annihilator - Preview Information Sheet
October 1, 1995
This document is composed of two parts. The first provides an overview of
Project Annihilator, what it is and how it operates. The second section
contains specific installation instructions for installation and use of the
Preview CD. The second section is also duplicated in a help file on disk
that will be displayed for review and printing after the installation.
Part 1 - The Overview
Interactive Multimedia Reaches the On-line Application Market
Mustang Software is developing a system to empower the corporate, business,
small office and hobbyist community to offer full on-line multimedia to
customers, staff and prospects. The development name of the project is
Annihilator and it has entered beta testing at several hundred locations. It
will be released as Wildcat! 5 for Windows 95 and Windows NT.
Annihilator is a true Windows 95 or Windows NT client/server application
designed to provide a BBS-based solution for a broad range of customers. It
delivers an exciting interactive multimedia experience for callers by
allowing the system operator to make use of familiar multimedia tools,
including JPEG and GIF editors, for customization of the caller interface.
For backward compatibility all aspects of the system are accessible via
standard ANSI connectivity but when accessed using the free remote client,
the caller is greeted with an exciting multimedia experience. The support
engine for offering remote graphics to the caller is included at no
additional cost, and the remote graphical client suite is slated for free
distribution.
Annihilator takes full advantage of the new multitasking in Windows 95 and
the robust server operations in Windows NT to provide a solution for every
online need. The Windows 95 platform has been selected to support small to
medium load systems while the Windows NT platform was chosen to provide high
performance on-line solutions utilizing its single and multi-processor
support.
True Client/Server Technology
The Bulletin Board System arena is the latest market segment to be courted
by advertisements touting the benefits of "client/server" technology.
However, upon closer inspection, "client/server" is often used to refer to
the use of a proprietary remote program (the client) to dial into a BBS
application (the server). While the use of a remote graphic client is an
exciting aspect of many of the newer BBS technologies including
`Annihilator', it does not represent true client/server functionality at the
application program level, the location where its true power can be
unleashed.
So What is Client/Server?
Client/server, at its simplest level, is an architecture that involves
client processes requesting service from server processes. Client/server
computing recognizes that those client modules need not all be executed
within the same memory space, that is, the processes that distribute the
information need not all be a part of the same single program. Separation of
the client and server modules provides improved security and performance. By
implementing a BBS with a core information server, and routing that
information using a number of application clients at the sysop's location, a
system can be established that delivers more information at greater speed,
even on a single PC running Windows 95.
Isn't It Complicated?
Client/server can be as simple as running two or three familiar programs on
a single PC or as intricate as a multiple-PC network running several
applications on each PC. The beauty of client/server model is that once you
understand the relationship between the different executable programs (the
clients and the server) you can set it up in any of several ways that best
meet your needs.
he client/server model of Annihilator above is a simple setup with the
server and all clients running on a single PC (inside the dotted line). The
computer can operate under Windows 95 or Windows NT Workstation or Server.
This configuration offers the most compact system and allows for total
management from the single BBS computer.
An alternative to operating all client executables on a single PC is to
distribute the processing over a Microsoft Network. The server executable
runs on a Windows NT (workstation or server) PC while the client modules can
be run on either the server PC or networked PCs running either Windows 95 or
Windows NT. The advantage of separating some client operations from the
server is increased power through distributed processing. For example, in
an extremely active system the sysop may find it advantageous to establish
three PCs, one for the Server and TCP/IP connectivity, including WWW access,
and two others, each running a rack of 32 modems with its own copy of the
Modem Controller Client.
Use of the client/server model provides a number of advantages:
z 32-bit Windows multitasking means no additional multitasking software
is needed and 16-32 lines can be run easily without loading multiple copies
of the BBS.
z The entire BBS configuration in our client/server model can be modified
even while in full operation, but only by authorized personnel. The system
server accepts change requests and implements them as soon as usage permits.
z The number of inbound sessions on a single computer is significantly
increased. Thanks to the enhanced multitasking of both 32-bit Windows
platforms, a much larger number of connections is possible on any given PC.
As inbound access (via modem, telnet, HTTP, etc.) reaches the processor
limits for any given PC, additional client PCs can be added which
communicate automatically with the server. Clients for modems, HTTP, telnet
and other activities can be operated on a single PC or on a variety of
additional systems, depending on load.
z This new generation BBS can truly isolate the core of the host
activities, providing secure, private system access even to local users. The
server portion of the system is established in an area on disk with
restricted user access. The server controls all access to messages, files
and other system information. Requests are submitted to the server by all
support programs and third-party utilities through an easily adopted
application program interface (API). This methodology has the added
advantage of allowing the actual BBS program-flow code to be written in
wcCODE and to be fully customizable.
True Client/server technology provides total flexibility. It allows the
sysop to offer a BBS on a desktop platform and to expand the system
capabilities as desired.
Standard Annihilator Modules Included With Every BBS Create a Foundation
The following modules and clients come with the standard Annihilator
Wildcat! 5 package.
Server module
This module provides the base functionality for processing all database and
configuration requests through a published API structure.
Local or LAN Client
This module is included with every package and is used by anyone connecting
at the host PC. It can also be used by anyone on the network for local
login. It is an ANSI text connection. Note that the Graphical Client used
for remote connection also can be used locally for a graphical local
connection.
Online Client
This module is included with every package and answers the phone for all
dial-in lines. It can present the BBS information to a caller in ANSI, ASCII
or in full graphics when called with the free remote graphical client.
QWK Echo Client
This module is included with every package and handles QWK mail exchange
processing between the host and other BBSs.
TAPI Client
This module is included with every package and provides a link to the
Windows Telephony Application Program Interface. It talks to TAPI-aware add-
on cards or hardware that offer ISDN, X.25 or other connectivity.
Remote Graphical Client
This module is a set of freely-distributable Windows programs for callers to
experience full multimedia when connected. This program suite operates on
Windows 3.1, Windows 95, Windows NT and any OS/2 release with Windows
support. It can also be run locally, over a LAN or via a telnet connection.
The core language of the remote graphical client is HTML, the language of
the World Wide Web.
Optional Annihilator Modules Increase Client/Server Power
The following modules are optional add-on accessories and are purchased
separately.
Internet Connectivity Package
This optional accessory package handles Internet connectivity and includes
several individual clients
UUCP Module [wcUUCP]
This module handles dial-up Internet email and newsgroup support. It
includes a dial-out program and mail tosser, allowing callers to send
and receive Internet email and newsgroup messages. It also supports
feeding messages to downline nodes. It can be used to toss internet
mail regardless of whether it is obtained via dial-up or direct
connection. (WC4's wcGATE)
Telnet Module
This module enables the Online Module to also answer inbound telnet
callers. It connects callers to the BBS when they connect from a remote
internet site. In this mode it acts as a telnet server. With the telnet
module installed the BBS also supports outbound telnet sessions
requested by callers, connecting them to other locations on the
internet. In this mode the BBS acts as a telnet client for the caller.
Inbound telnet connections support ANSI, ASCII and the remote graphical
client interface.
FTP Module
This module enables the Online Module to also answer FTP connection
requests. It responds to inbound FTP file requests and functions as a
FTP server. Requests can be made anonymously for a restricted file set,
or using a name and password on the BBS for FTP access to files based
on the caller's access profile.
Internet Service Provider Package
This optional accessory package expands Internet connectivity and allows the
system operator to operate as an ISP. It provides features beyond those in
the Internet Connectivity Package and consists of several additional
clients.
PPP Module
This module allows callers to make a connection to the BBS with any
Winsock layer to establish a path for true TCP/IP connectivity. With a
PPP connection callers can run their choice of applications while
connected to the net, including browsers (Netscape), mail apps
(Eudora), telnet clients and much more.
WWW Module
This module provides BBS connectivity to callers connecting using a WWW
browser. It functions as an HTTP server that dynamically creates HTML
files for file and message data and is fed by a set of display files
in HTML format customized by the sysop.
IRC Module
This module provides a link to internet relay chat to expand the live
discussion capabilities of the BBS. It functions as an irc client for
callers. Note that standard inter-node chat is supported without this
module.
SMTP Module
This module provides support for simple mail transfer protocol. It
provides full management for sending and receiving internet email.
NNTP Module
This module provides support for network news transfer protocol
messaging and processes mail from an Internet NNTP server (many
providers offer nntp mail services). It provides the link to allow
callers to read and reply to usenet newsgroups.
MAPI Client
This optional module provides a link to the Windows Mail Application Program
Interface. It provides a mechanism to exchange messages between any
application that supports MAPI such as Microsoft Mail, cc:Mail, Lotus Notes,
etc. With MAPI support the sysop can easily establish a single repository
for all messages by routing e-mail to Microsoft Exchange or any favorite
mail package.
CODE Development Package [wcCODE]
This optional package is a new, enhanced high-speed 32-bit development
language so powerful that all standard BBS functions are written in it. The
CODE package allows the sysop to create custom BBS operations and programs
to be run by the caller.
Source Code
For total customization of all online activity the wcCODE source for all BBS
functions is available for purchase. (Requires wcCODE)
Database Client
This optional module provides remote connectivity to database processing
using the ODBC standard, accessible via wcCODE applications.
Reports Client [wcPRO]
This optional module provides extensive reporting on BBS usage and
activities.
Billing Client [wcBILLING]
This optional module provides a complete billing for pre-pay or post-pay
systems.
How Do I Set Up a Client/Server BBS?
The configuration of Annihilator is very similar to the DOS Wildcat! BBS
except that all configuration programs are 32-bit graphic Windows
applications. Once you have run the installation and configuration programs
you maintain the BBS using other Windows applications that provide
functionality similar to the DOS Wildcat! MAKEMENU, MAKEWILD, MAKEQUES,
wcFILE, and other support programs.
How Do Callers Connect?
There are several methods for callers to connect to your Annihilator
(Wildcat! 5 ) BBS and several types of presentation:
z Dial-in modem callers using a standard comm package receive standard
ANSI screens, just like WC4.
z Dial-in modem callers using the Graphical Remote Client package receive
a full graphical HTML presentation. The BBS main "page" and all other
informational pages such as bulletins, etc. are created by the sysop as HTML
(www) documents using any HTML editor. We expect to bundle an editor with
the package.
z Telnet inbound connections using a standard telnet or comm package
receive ANSI screens, just like WC4. (requires the Internet Connectivity
Package)
z Telnet inbound connections using the Graphical Remote Client package
receive a full graphical HTML presentation. (requires the Internet
Connectivity Package)
z FTP inbound connection requests can log in as "guest" or "anonymous"
for limited file access as set by the sysop, or can log in as a BBS user
with the correct password for full file lists based on BBS access profiles.
(requires the Internet Connectivity Package)
z HTTP inbound can be made using any browser (Netscape, Mosaic, etc.) and
will receive dynamically generated HTML pages for files and messages, with
other information and other "pages" prepared by the sysop as HTML documents.
(requires the Internet Service Provider Package)
What Internet Services Can I Offer?
If you add the Internet Connectivity Package your callers can make use of a
number of Internet services by dialing in using the Remote Graphical Client
or by using any ANSI terminal. By connecting to you over a standard phone
line they are able to establish an internet email address, telnet to any
other internet location, access files via ftp at any other location, and
they can participate in internet newsgroup discussions.
If you also add the Internet Service Provider Package your callers can
expand their Internet connectivity to allow them full use of any
applications they desire since you will be able to provide them with a PPP
connection.
What Hardware Will I Need?
Annihilator was designed to provide a platform for everything from a single
line BBS to a 1,000 line corporate connectivity server. The same set of
client/server modules are used in all installations.
For a simple one or two line BBS the easiest installation platform would be
a 486/66 PC with 8 MB of memory running Windows 95. The standard
communications ports in the PC can be used and the sysop just needs to run
the Server Module and the Online Client. Minimize these two programs on the
desktop and your BBS is operational. To login locally you run the Graphical
Client for a full graphical BBS session.
As the BBS expands the sysop might add a multiport card from Digi, Comtrol,
Stallion, Equinox or any other manufacturer that offers Windows 95 or NT
support. A 4 or 16 port card can be installed in the same 486 PC to increase
line count and the only additional hardware changes might be to add
additional memory to 16 MB. The same Modem Client will handle the additional
lines with the installation of a line count increase module.
Further expansion of the BBS can be accomplished in many ways. As line count
increases the power of the PC can be increased to handle the added load by
moving to a Pentium 90-120 MHz CPU. With the technology available today it
is entirely possible to operate a single-box PC that can address hundreds of
incoming lines and other connections by taking advantage of the multi-
processor capabilities of the Windows NT platform. Multiport cards from 16
to 128 ports are readily available for the NT platform.
For those that would rather make use of a LAN environment for BBS
connectivity the Annihilator project also has a solution. By using Windows
NT (Server or Workstation) the sysop can establish a server PC that handles
the core server duties and allows separate PCs to handle different aspects
of the remote connection. Each Client module can be operated on a networked
PC running Windows 95 or NT, and will communicate with the server PC
automatically. No messy drive mappings and no specific Networking components
are required, other than those that come with Windows NT (workstation or
server) and Windows 95. This type of distributed processing system really
make sense for large systems with several different types of access,
including local, TCP/IP, modem, X.25 and ISDN. Different client processes
can be run on less-powerful PCs depending on their load.
What about Novell and LANtastic Networks?
Annihilator is totally compatible with NetWare or LANtastic. A workstation
PC on a LAN can run Windows 95 or Windows NT and operate the complete BBS.
Other LAN PCs can access the BBS using the Local/LAN client.
Although the BBS PC can access files located on the NetWare or LANtastic
server drives, all BBS server and client files must be located on PCs
running NT or 95 with the exception of the downloadable files, which can be
located anywhere on the LAN. The same cabling for NetWare or LANtastic
connectivity (ethernet is assumed) is automatically used by the Windows
networking to share BBS client/server data using TCP/IP.
Can it Run Doors?
Annihilator supports DOS-based doors on all port connections, and includes a
program for DOS program redirection. However, operation of 16-bit DOS doors
does limit the number of lines that can be supported on any given PC.
Programs specifically written in the new 32-bit wcCODE are an exception, and
do not cause this system degradation. Testing is the only method to
determine the actual impact of a specific DOS door on your Annihilator
system. Each DOS door affects system performance differently depending on
the language it was developed in and what resources it uses.
Doors under Windows NT
Doors do not require any modification and operate in their own memory
session for each node. Door operation is virtualized, a process that
isolates the door itself from the port, and prevents it from knowing
whether it is talking to a standard com port, a DigiBoard or a telnet
connection. All doors all think they are talking to a standard COM 1.
For specifics on how to run doors, see Part 2 of this document.
Doors Under Windows 95
Doors must be able to talk to the actual port in use for each node via
DOS. Unless the door is written in wcCODE it will not be able to access
multiport boards that use a Windows 95 driver. For specifics on how to
run doors, see Part 2 of this document.
Release Information and Pricing
No specific release date has been set for project Annihilator, but the
target date is year end. The majority of the program modules are expected
to be available in fourth quarter `95 but some optional modules will not
become available until early 1996.
The remote Graphical Client will be posted for download and wide-area
testing in November. A patch upgrade to the wcSERVER component of the
Preview CD ROM will also be made available at that time to enable CD owners
to make use of the Remote Graphical Client for their callers.
Product MSRP* 75% 66.6% Availabi
off* off* lity
Wildcat! 5 M2 (two node $149 $37 $49 4th qtr.
+ local) `95
Wildcat! 5 M16 (16 node) $349 $87 $115 4th qtr.
`95
Wildcat! 5 M32 (32 node) $699 $174 $230 4th qtr.
`95
8 Pack Node Increase $199 $49 $65 4th qtr.
`95
32 Pack Node Increase $699 $174 $233 4th qtr.
`95
Internet Connectivity $249 $62 $83 4th qtr.
Package `95
Internet Service $599 $149 $199 early
Provider Package `96
MAPI Client $799 $199 $265 early
`96
CODE Development $149 $37 $49 4th qtr.
Language & IDE `95
BBS Source Code $799 $199 $265 4th qtr.
`95
ODBC Database Client $799 $199 $265 early
`96
Reports Client [wcPRO] $149 $37 $49 early
`96
Billing Client $149 $37 $49 early
[wcBILLING] `96
* MSRP - Manufacturers Suggested Retail Price; 75% off - to participants in
the special Pre-Release Annihilator CD program; 66.6% off - to any Wildcat!
sysop with a valid registration number
What are the Plans for the DOS Version of Wildcat!?
The current DOS version of Wildcat! will continue to be supported and
updated by its own separate team of engineers. We have no current plans for
a native OS/2 BBS system and do not anticipate such development in the
foreseeable future.
Part 2 - The CD Instructions
What is on the Preview CD?
The CD contains three main items:
z The Annihilator Slide-Show Presentation (don't miss it!)
z The Annihilator Preview Information Sheet and Instructions (this
document)
z The Annihilator Installation and Program Files
The CD is configured to auto-start when inserted into a drive in Windows 95,
however you will need to start it manually under Windows NT. The first
program to run is SETUP.EXE which is located in the root directory. It
presents the three items above as menu choices and performs the actual
installation of files after you have viewed the Slide-Show and Information &
Instructions.
Getting the Files From the CD To your Hard Disk
The Preview CD version of Wildcat! 5 (Annihilator) includes an installation
program that extracts the compressed files from the CD and copies them to
the correct location on your local drive. WC5 cannot be operated directly
from the CD. This task must be done from the main SETUP.EXE program. The
third button on screen performs the installation from CD to your hard disk.
Once the files have been installed to your hard drive you are ready to begin
setup of your Annihilator system. Please follow the instructions so that you
won't be lost later on - Wildcat! 5 is quite different from what you may be
used to!
Should I Convert My WC4 System or Start New?
We strongly suggest that you first set up and explore WC5 (Annihilator)
before you convert your current system, even as a test BBS. You can perform
the conversion of users, file and messages at any time later on using the
WCSETUP.EXE program in the WC5 directory.
About the programs
All Wildcat! 5 (Annihilator) programs are placed in a Program Group (if
running NT 3.51) or in a Folder (Windows 95). In this folder you will find
icons for running the various programs needed. If you are familiar with the
naming convention of Wildcat! 4 you will notice a lot of similarity, but
some changes are noteworthy.
z WCSETUP.EXE - This is an initial setup program that can be used to
either create a fresh new configuration, or upgrade an existing
configuration. Note that creating a new configuration or upgrading an
existing configuration will overwrite all data files that exists in the
directory where the creation or upgrade is being made (the new directory).
z WCCONFIG.EXE - This is a single program that is very much like the old
MAKEWILD, but it now includes all configuration activities. It is a full GUI
application which works much like a "control panel" for Wildcat!. It now
includes functionality that was previously in wcDRAW for ANSI file
maintenance,
z MAKEMENU for menu creation, MAKEGATE for QWK configuration, MAKEQUES
for creating questionnaires, and much more.
z WCSERVER.EXE - This is the program that is the 'heart' of Wildcat! 5.
The server controls access to all the databases and configuration files, but
does no direct communication with users or modems.
z WCONLINE.EXE - This is the program that handles incoming calls, either
via modem, telnet, or ftp. You can configure which kinds of calls are
accepted on which lines in the node configuration section of wcCONFIG.
z WCLOCAL.EXE - This is what you run when you want to log on to your BBS
locally. The other alternative is to use a telnet connection using QmodemPro
for Windows 95, or other telnet application (assuming you have a tcp/ip
network established)
z WCVIEW.EXE - This program allows you to view the caller's screen for a
node. The only command line parameter accepted is a node number. Exit this
program with Alt+X. The same view can be called up by double-clicking on a
node in the wcONLINE window. Note that use of either view method slows down
the processing for all nodes.
z WCFILE.EXE - This utility is used for file database maintenance. It is
a Wizard that can add files to your database from CDs and much more.
z WCUUCP.EXE - This provides the functionality of what used to be called
wcGATE, and is used to import/export UUCP mail. It is configured using
wcCONFIG in the same way you would set it up for Wildcat! 4, but the
operation is a little different. Just run wcUUCP and it will automatically
check for new incoming and outgoing messages. The idea is to just leave it
running. When new files appear in the spool directory or new messages appear
on the board, it will automatically toss them right away. It has some
logging that is written to wcUUCP.LOG (check this file often, as it can
quickly get large). One thing you need to do is make sure that your
newsgroup names are exactly what the newsgroup name is on the net, no
truncations or prefixes or anything like that. This way you don't need to
set up a conference-to- newsgroup mapping because wcGATE can just look it up
directly. You will want to turn on the newsgroups that you want sent back up
to your provider, which is done in wcCONFIG. If you change any of the
wcGATE configuration in wcCONFIG, you will need to shut down and restart
wcUUCP, which is safe to do at any time, even while it's tossing mail.
z WCIDE.EXE - Integrated editor/compiler for wcCODE.
z WCC.EXE - Command-line compiler for wcCODE
z WCQWK.EXE - This is a QWK/REP tosser for echomail. Type WCQWK by itself
to see its command line syntax (basically just Import, Export, or Reset
followed by the host name). You need to set up the hosts in wcCONFIG, under
QWK Networking. It does not handle translations or attachments at this time.
There is also no logging, we'll be adding this before release. It also only
supports ZIPped packets right now.
z QUIKGATE.EXE - This is a simple utility that will import a list of
newsgroups in a plain text file into Wildcat!. You tell it where to start
and it goes. For help run QUIKGATE with no parameters.
z UTI*.EXE - UTI programs for use with Postlink. You will find it
convenient to know that these programs do not need to be run from the
Wildcat! home directory, but you will have to have the WCSRV.DLL available
in the path or in the directory from which these programs are run. Not
needed unless you are a Postlink system.
z WCREPAIR.EXE - This program repairs damaged database indexes. You
cannot run this while the server is running.
z KICKUART.EXE - This is a small program that is automatically run before
doors under Windows 95 to forcibly raise DTR back up. This is needed for
some modems so they will accept input from the caller.
First Look & Some Comments
This program is based on a client-server architecture. This means that all
access to the Wildcat! data files is controlled through WCSERVER.EXE. This
even includes support programs like wcCONFIG. If you try to start one of
these programs without the server running, you'll get a message saying that
no Wildcat! server was found. If you shut down the server while something is
still using it, any programs using the server will terminate abnormally with
Windows exception errors. Start the wcSERVER program now:
Run WCSERVER (if you're running NT, type START WCSERVER).
Run WCCONFIG.
WCCONFIG is the equivalent to MAKEWILD in Wildcat! 4. Take a look around and
make use of the HELP system when you need more information. The security
system has changed a little bit and extends the Wildcat! 4 idea of secondary
security profiles. Security is divided into two sections, security profiles
and access profiles. Security profiles contain all the options like time
online, file ratios, and so on. Access profiles contain flags which control
whether or not the person gets access to any particular part of the system
(conference, file area, doors, etc.). They also contain information on what
kind of access people have (read-only, write, etc.). For each security
profile, there is always an access profile of the same name. This means
that a user with the security profile "Registered" will also have all the
access given by the access profile "Registered". You will be able to assign
only one security profile to a user, but up to 9 additional access profiles.
This gives you a very flexible security system.
To actually start answering the phone and telnet/ftp connections run
WCONLINE.
There are only two ways to upgrade your security level at this time (the
release will be different). If you log on with WCLOCAL you can use the
Security button to change your security level. Once you're sysop, you can
go to the sysop menu and edit the user database to change other users'
security levels.
You'll notice there are a large number of .WCC and .WCX files in your
directory. The whole BBS system is based on wcCODE, from the moment you log
on to the moment you log off. Only a few things like the protocols, full
screen editor, and the low level QWK routines are not in wcCODE. This means
that if you're so inclined, you can have an endless amount of fun tweaking
the system. We haven't prepared much documentation on the functions
available to wcCODE except for that available in the help files in wcIDE,
the Integrated Development Environment (Editor and Compiler). If you are a
competent Basic programmer you may be able to figure out how they operate
through context. In the final product, the source code will be provided as
an add-on option.
This should go without saying, but we'll mention it anyway - don't try to
run any Wildcat! 4 utilities or programs with this system! The file formats
have changed, and they will NOT work. Chances are that nothing bad will
happen if WCSERVER is running (since it doesn't let anybody else access its
files while it is running) but you could potentially cause all kinds of
problems if you were to shut the server down first.
Unlike previous versions of Wildcat!, one running copy of WCONLINE.EXE can
handle all your dial-up lines. If you set up a node in WCCONFIG with a
communications port, it will be initialized and used by WCONLINE.EXE when it
starts. If you only want to bring up a specific node, WCONLINE.EXE accepts
command line parameters to tell it which nodes to bring up.
If you are going to set up QWK you must install a 32-bit ZIP/UNZIP program
that avoids running under DOS. We have included UNZ512XN.EXE and
ZIP201XN.ZIP in your Wildcat! directory, but you must extract them and read
the distribution notices before use.
Supporting FTP
If you set up one or more nodes in WCCONFIG/Node settings as FTP nodes, then
you will be able to FTP into your BBS. To allow anonymous FTP, set up a user
account in your database (do this from the sysop menu) called ANONYMOUS FTP
with a password of just FTP (there is code to prevent this user from logging
on interactively). For this user, turn on the "Allow multiple logins" flag
so you can have more than one anonymous FTP user at one time. The access
that anonymous FTP users get is controlled by the access profile(s) of the
ANONYMOUS FTP user.
Supporting Telnet
The CD release includes the Internet Connectivity Package and therefore
supports inbound and outbound telnet. All you need to do is set up specific
nodes for telnet access and wcONLINE will dynamically assign connections as
they are needed. Note that FTP access can also be set for the same nodes as
telnet access if desired. Usually the dial-in nodes are separately
configured and reserved from internet connections.
Message Packing (removing deleted mail)
The server automatically packs message databases based on the configuration
set in wcCONFIG. This requires no effort from the sysop. Packed conferences
are logged in WILDCAT.LOG as they are processed.
wcCODE Programs & Running the BBS
Almost all the BBS operation is controled by wcCODE programs. The source for
the programs is contained in a large number of .WCC files in your home
directory. The .WCX files are packed up into a WILDCAT.WCL file (a library).
If a .WCX file is found on disk it is executed rather than the version in
the .WCL library, assuming that the sysop has modified the .WCC source code
and changed the .WCX version.
Door Setup & Operation - Windows 95 (only)
Most Doors are operational under Windows 95. Follow these steps:
z Make sure your batch file directory in wcCONFIG is pointing to the
correct location
z In wcCONFIG, set up the door batch file name, no path, just XXXXX.BAT
z Create a Door Menu and give access to the desired security profiles to
your door menu.
z Make sure your doors are configured to look in the node work directory
for their drop files and such. The only drop file created at this time is
DOOR.SYS so you need to configure your doors to look for that file. The path
would be the same kind of thing as Wildcat 4, for example
C:\WILDCAT\WCWORK\NODE1.
z Unlike the NT door setup, the doors must be set to access the actual
comm port for their node (DOOR.SYS will reflect this)
z You MUST configure your modem so that S-register S2=43 (ie. the modem
escape sequence is the default +++). This is because Wildcat must program
your modem to ignore DTR, so that Wildcat can close the port and run the
door without the modem hanging up. If you don't do this, Wildcat will hang
up as it tries to run the door. An alternative to this is in development
Under Windows 95 doors can only be operated on standard ports, not on 95-
specific port cards..
Door Setup & Operation - Windows NT (only)
Doors are easily run under NT. Here's what you need to do:
z Make sure your batch file directory in wcCONFIG is pointing tot he
correct location
z In wcCONFIG, set up the door batch file name, no path, just XXXXX.BAT
z Create a Door Menu and give access to the desired security profiles to
your door menu.
z Make sure your doors are configured to look in the node work directory
for their drop files and such. The only drop file created at this time is
DOOR.SYS so you need to configure your doors to look for that file. The path
would be the same kind of thing as Wildcat 4, for example
C:\WILDCAT\WCWORK\NODE1.
z If your doors need to set up the comm port stuff for each node, have
ALL the nodes look for COM1 at the standard address BASE=3F8, IRQ=4. This is
necessary because all door access is virtualized. Do this even if you're not
running any nodes on COM1. This is put in the DOOR.SYS too so your doors
will probably automatically read it.
On a NT system your doors should work from any node, locally, and even via
telnet!
Doors as Menu Items
You can also run doors directly off the menu tree without having to go
through the door menu. In the menu program (in wcCONFIG), just run the
wcCODE program "RUN A DOOR" with the parameters as either the name of the
door as configured in wcCONFIG, or the name of the batch file. Don't forget
to set the appropriate security for the "RUN A DOOR" program in wcCONFIG, as
well as setting the security in wcCONFIG for the door itself.
@ Codes for use in display files
@CLS@ @OTHERUSER.MSGSWRITTEN@
@CONF.NAME@ @OTHERUSER.NAME@
@CONF.NUMBER@ @OTHERUSER.NETMAILBALANCE@
@DATE@ @OTHERUSER.PACKETTYPE@
@DAYOFWEEK@ @OTHERUSER.PHONENUMBER@
@FILE.AREA@ @OTHERUSER.PROTOCOL@
@FILE.COPYBEFOREDOWNLOAD@ @OTHERUSER.QUOTEONREPLY@
@FILE.COST@ @OTHERUSER.SECURITY@
@FILE.DATE@ @OTHERUSER.SEX@
@FILE.DESCRIPTION@ @OTHERUSER.SORTEDLISTINGS@
@FILE.DLTIME@ @OTHERUSER.STATE@
@FILE.DOWNLOADS@ @OTHERUSER.SUBSCRIPTIONBALANCE@
@FILE.FAILEDSCAN@ @OTHERUSER.TERMINALTYPE@
@FILE.FILETIME@ @OTHERUSER.TIMELEFTTODAY@
@FILE.FREEFILE@ @OTHERUSER.TIMESON@
@FILE.LASTACCESSED@ @OTHERUSER.TITLE@
@FILE.NAME@ @OTHERUSER.TOTALDOWNLOADKBYTES@
@FILE.NEVERDELETE@ @OTHERUSER.TOTALUPLOADKBYTES@
@FILE.NEVEROVERWRITE@ @OTHERUSER.UPLOADS@
@FILE.OFFLINE@ @OTHERUSER.ZIP@
@FILE.PASSWORD@ @PAUSE@
@FILE.SIZE@ @SUB1@
@FILE.STOREDPATH@ @SUB2@
@FILE.TIME@ @SUB3@
@FILE.UPLOADER@ @SUB4@
@MSG.DATE@ @SUB5@
@MSG.FROM.NAME@ @SUB6@
@MSG.NUMBER@ @SUB7@
@MSG.PRIVATE@ @SUB8@
@MSG.REFERENCE@ @SUB9@
@MSG.SUBJECT@ @SYSTEM.BBSNAME@
@MSG.TO.NAME@ @SYSTEM.FIRSTCALL@
@OTHERUSER.ADDRESS1@ @SYSTEM.SYSOPNAME@
@OTHERUSER.ADDRESS2@ @TIME@
@OTHERUSER.ALIAS@ @USER.ADDRESS1@
@OTHERUSER.BIRTHDATE@ @USER.ADDRESS2@
@OTHERUSER.CHATAVAILABLE@ @USER.ALIAS@
@OTHERUSER.CITY@ @USER.BIRTHDATE@
@OTHERUSER.COMPANY@ @USER.CHATAVAILABLE@
@OTHERUSER.CONFERENCE@ @USER.CITY@
@OTHERUSER.COUNTRY@ @USER.COMPANY@
@OTHERUSER.DOWNLOADCOUNTTODAY@ @USER.CONFERENCE@
@OTHERUSER.DOWNLOADKBYTESTODAY@ @USER.COUNTRY@
@OTHERUSER.DOWNLOADS@ @USER.DOWNLOADCOUNTTODAY@
@OTHERUSER.EDITOR@ @USER.DOWNLOADKBYTESTODAY@
@OTHERUSER.ERASEMOREPROMPT@ @USER.DOWNLOADS@
@OTHERUSER.EXPIREDATE@ @USER.EDITOR@
@OTHERUSER.FILEDISPLAY@ @USER.ERASEMOREPROMPT@
@OTHERUSER.FIRSTCALL@ @USER.EXPIREDATE@
@OTHERUSER.FIRSTNAME@ @USER.FILEDISPLAY@
@OTHERUSER.FROM@ @USER.FIRSTCALL@
@OTHERUSER.HELPLEVEL@ @USER.FIRSTNAME@
@OTHERUSER.HOTKEYS@ @USER.FROM@
@OTHERUSER.ID@ @USER.HELPLEVEL@
@OTHERUSER.LANGUAGE@ @USER.HOTKEYS@
@OTHERUSER.LASTCALL@ @USER.ID@
@OTHERUSER.LASTCALLDATE@ @USER.LANGUAGE@
@OTHERUSER.LASTNEWFILES@ @USER.LASTCALL@
@OTHERUSER.LINESPERPAGE@ @USER.LASTCALLDATE@
@OTHERUSER.MENUCLEARSCREEN@ @USER.LASTNEWFILES@
@OTHERUSER.MINUTESLOGGED@ @USER.LINESPERPAGE@
@OTHERUSER.MSGDISPLAY@ @USER.MENUCLEARSCREEN@
@USER.MINUTESLOGGED@
@USER.MSGDISPLAY@
@USER.MSGSWRITTEN@
@USER.NAME@
@USER.NETMAILBALANCE@
@USER.PACKETTYPE@
@USER.PHONENUMBER@
@USER.PROTOCOL@
@USER.QUOTEONREPLY@
@USER.SECURITY@
@USER.SEX@
@USER.SORTEDLISTINGS@
@USER.STATE@
@USER.SUBSCRIPTIONBALANCE@
@USER.TERMINALTYPE@
@USER.TIMELEFTTODAY@
@USER.TIMESON@
@USER.TITLE@
@USER.TOTALDOWNLOADKBYTES@
@USER.TOTALUPLOADKBYTES@
@USER.UPLOADS@
@USER.ZIP@
Color codes
Note the use of Single-Digit color codes as defined in wcCONFIG. See the
explanation of the advantages of these types of codes in the ANSI DRAW
(wcDRAW) section of wcCONFIG
Code Description Default
@N@ Normal color Yellow @0E@
@H@ Highlight letter White @0F@
@T@ Title color Cyan @0B@
@A@ Alternate title Green @0A@
@F@ Field color White @0F@
@U@ User input color White @0F@
@L@ Lowlight color Gray @07@
@E@ Error color Red @0C@
@R@ Reverse color Reverse @70@
How to Make the Bulletin Menu Work
The bulletin menu doesn't automatically know how to display bulletins. What
you need to do is edit your BULLETIN.BBS file and place special "link" codes
in it that tell Wildcat! which files to load for which selections. Suppose
you want to make your bulletin menu look like this:
* This is a bulletin menu *
[1] BBS Phone Numbers
[2] Last ten callers
[3] Newsletter
This is how you might construct the BULLETIN.BBS file (leaving out color
codes so they don't confuse the issue):
* This is a bulletin menu *
[1] @LINK SEL=1 TITLE="BBS Phone Numbers" GOTO=BULL1@
[2] @LINK SEL=2 TITLE="Last ten callers" GOTO=LASTTEN@
[3] @LINK SEL=3 TITLE="Newsletter" GOTO=WC:\DISP\NEWSLTR@
The first selection will load BULL1.BBS from the bulletin directory.
Actually, it will be loaded from the same directory that BULLETIN.BBS is in,
which would be the bulletin directory.
The second selection will load LASTTEN.BBS from the bulletin directory. Note
that it's not necessary to name your bulletins BULLxx.BBS. However, Wildcat
will only scan for new bulletins if they have names of the form BULLxx.BBS
where xx is a number.
The third selection will load the NEWSLTR.BBS file out of the display
directory. Note that this is not necessarily a directory called "DISP", but
is whatever is actually defined in wcCONFIG as the display directory path.
The name "WC:\DISP\..." is a special path that translates to the current
display directory. If you get into poking around in the *.WCC code, you'll
see a lot more of that kind of path.
Wildcat! v4.12
Following is a list of new features and fixes in Wildcat! v4.12. This
release will be sent free to all subscribers to the Auto-Update Plan ($50/yr
US, $75/yr outside US). Individual updates from any v4.xx are $30 plus
shipping. Sysops with v3.xx or older may update for $50 plus shipping.
Call Mustang Software toll-free 1-800-999-9619 (805-873-2500) to order your
Wildcat! v4.12 update today.
Wildcat! v4.12 New Features
z Wildcat now supports message groups, you set these up in Makewild and
if you have groups created Wildcat will prompt the user to select a group
before it gives them a list of conferences to join or select for new mail
scans. The user can select a default group that works just like the one for
file areas, if they select it then they can choose all the conferences they
want. If you do not add any conference groups Wildcat! behaves as before and
the user never knows about the new option.
z Added the ability to search for conference names when displaying
conferences.
z Added the ability for Wildcat! to dial up another 4.12 system and
transfer mail packets and certain files automatically, we have added a new
program called wcDIAL which allows you to setup all the dialing information
that Wildcat! will use when calling other systems
z Added the code for charging for viewing a file or reading a file, this
corresponds to the new commands added in wcBILLING.
z Added the code to charge for a wcCODE app, Wildcat! will only charge
for the first code program if you are chaining or running other code apps
from your code app.
z Added three new @-codes:
@ COUNTRY @ - Displays the Users Country stored in the user record.
@ LFIRST @ - Displays the Users first name all in lower case.
@ LLAST @ - Displays the Users last name all in lower case.
z Added a new flag to the Nodeinfo settings for each node that allows you
to turn off the ability for wcNET nodes to dial in. The flag is off by
default and can be set with either the new wcNODE or the new wcrepair, if
you have nodes dialing in you MUST set this flag.
z When the sysop inits a local chat Wildcat! will now log the lines typed
by both sides with a "UserName>" so you can tell who is typing what!
z Added the ability to lock devices based on the file path. You set this
up from the new option in Makewild for extended CD-Rom paths, Wildcat!
checks for matching paths when copying files off of disk, if it finds a
match in the pathlock file it then locks that device until it has finished
copying the files. This is the same method that it uses for the locking CD-
Rom letters except it works with paths.
z Added a new page feature that will Uppercase the Page flag field at the
bottom of the screen and make it flash until you either enter chat with the
user or they logoff.
z Wildcat! now prompts you when forwarding a message as to whether you
want the message private or not.
z Wildcat! now logs all the invalid phone numbers that a user entered
when they fail the password verification.
z You can now have BYEXXX display files, where XXX is the current node
number, Wildcat! will look for this file first and if not found then display
the standard GOODBYE.BBS file.
z When a user fails to logon Wildcat! now records all the information it
can get so the sysop has more information to work with.
z Expanded the Your settings screen to have a new section called "User
Settings". This section will be used for all the new flags and options that
do not fit on the standard your settings screen.
z Wildcat! now allows you to jump within an area while listing files by
the first letter that you want to look at, this feature ONLY works when
listing file areas, it does not work in searching or if you are looking by
date.
z If Wildcat! runs across a conference that it cannot open and cannot get
a name for (say it is a blank conference) it will use the conference number
when reporting that the conference is unavailable.
z Wildcat! now logs the date the node was started as well as the time.
z Wildcat! now logs the time and date of illegal login attempts.
z Wildcat! will now word wrap a message that has been uploaded into the
message editor.
z Wildcat! will now add a line to the error.log when it does find a file
in the file area not on disk, it logs the name of the file and the area so
you can go track it down and either remove it, flag it off-line or whatever.
z Wildcat! now supports highlighting of searched text when searching
files, it will display it in all the file display modes including the TRU
and the full file info.
z Added a new At code feature called the "Pop Color Code" This color
code returns you back the "Last" color before the color code you just
entered, it works like this:
You have a line that goes
@ 0E @ blah! blah! blah! @ 0C @ BLAH! @ XX @ blah! blah!
The second set of blah!'s will go back to @ 0E @.
z Added a never delete flag to the message flags, from the Sysop menu you
can make a message non deletable.
z Added the ability for the Sysop to turn off the deletion of file
attachments on a message be message basis.
z Added the ability to send group mail to ANY file that ends with the
.LST extension, the file MUST exist in the display path for conference 0.
z Wildcat! now looks in the drive table and attempts to determine if a
device is a CD-ROM or not before looking up it's size from the ALT-T command
on the waiting for calls screen.
z Added the ability for Wildcat! to process Secondary profiles in the
IFSEC commands.
z Wildcat now logs the search string that the user enters when searching
for files.
z Added the ability to run WCX files from the waiting for calls ALT-D
screen, the program MUST end with the extension of WCX, you can also pass
parameters
z You can now run events from the command line by using the /E XXX
command, where XXX is the event number.
z Wildcat will now increment the user's file download and byte counters
for a request file that is downloaded as an attachment.
z You can now turn off the password prompt for uploads from the users
security profile (see makewild).
z Added the ability the limit the number of File requests a user can make
by their security profile.
z Added the ability for the user to get a detailed listing of their
currently marked files when downloading
z Added new fields to the caller id code, Wildcat will now pick up the
Name, Address and the Business name. In order to make this work you need to
add the extra fields in your CallerId field of the modem profile, seperate
each field with a vertical bar, so for instance a standard CID string would
look like:
NMBR = |NAME = |ADDRESS = |COMPANY =
z Wildcat will then grab all the input between the first and second
rings, if it does not get all the information before 17 seconds elapses or
the line rings again it will continue on with the call. Wildcat uses the
vertical bars to seperate the caller id strings, it then checks the modems
CID output against the CallerId String and fills in the fields one by one.
Wildcat! will then place all the information in the activity log behind the
standard caller id number.
z You can now display help files by a security profile menu level, so if
your main menu is MAIN9 you can have a help file of MAINHLP9 as well.
z Added the ability to pass in a Caller Id string on the command line,
the format is
/b BaudRate MNP(optional) EventTime(optional) CID:CallerIdString
Wildcat will look directly for the 'CID:' and then take the rest of the
string as the Caller Id information as if it picked it up from the modem.
z Added a new At code called @ DLLEFT @ that displays the number of
Downloads the user has left for today.
z Added the ability to match on files by their date in the sys/file area,
this allows you to look for new files.
Wildcat! v4.12 Fixes
z Wildcat! will now give a user access to the sys/file area from the full
info screen if they have the option enabled from their sec profile menu
settings.
z Changed the billing routines to start charging a user AFTER they have
entered their password, the problem with the old way was that if a user
tried to login to a different account, Wildcat! would charge them from the
time they entered the name to the time it logged them out (they could leave
a message to sysop in that time span).
z Wildcat! will now log the conference change when it is changed by a
menu with a conference parameter.
z Fixed a problem with matching on a user name in the sys/file screen
showing extra characters at the end.
z Fixed a problem with the list of file areas in the sys/file menu not
handling previous correctly.
z Fixed a problem with Wildcat! showing a user just the Press Enter to
Cont prompt when doing a full info on some files, It was not taking into
account that you can now mark from the full info screen.
z Fixed a problem in the Ansi lister that if you pressed END and then
paged back up to the top it would get confused and think that the top was
the bottom as well.
z Fixed a problem where if you hungup on a caller in a LOGON.WCX Wildcat!
would not process the POSTCALL.WCX file.
z Fixed a problem where if a user had the mail door turned off and logged
in with a ! (or fast login) Wildcat! would go ahead and let them in anyway.
z Fixed a problem with the upload area prompt sometimes accepting bad
characters as upload areas.
z Fixed a problem when entering negative numbers for paging a node that
would cause Wildcat! to error out with a #100 on the nodeinfo file.
z Fixed a problem with using the SendPage function from wcCODE and
specifying no header, Wildcat would display the page twice.
z Fixed a problem with the GetFirstTransaction and GetNextTransaction
commands in wcCODE, they would only return a blank record.
z Fixed a problem with searching for a users name when entering a
message, if you entered just the first name previous versions of Wildcat!
Would display all the users with that first name
z Fixed a problem with Wildcat! reporting that a message attachment was
successful even when you aborted the file transfer. (this is from remote
login)
z Fixed a problem with using node 0 and then trying to have other nodes
logging in using the AutoNode feature. Wildcat would check node 0's work
directory for a profile.dat BEFORE it set the autonode, since node 0 was
active it would fail and not let the user on.
z Fixed a problem with Wildcat requiring double the credits for
downloading a file that had the cost field set.
z Changed the Ansi lister so that when you hit return on a file area to
view it, the lister will return you to that area when you are finished
instead of the top of the area listings.
z Fixed a problem with the AT command @ BALLLEFT @ that would show
extremely large numbers.
z Fixed the sys/user password routines so that if you just hit enter it
does not blank out the users password when you are not allowed to see the
password.
z Fixed a problem with a user sending carbon copy's from an alias
conference and Wildcat! showing the users real name as the person who copied
the msg.
z Fixed a problem with importing display files from a prompt and Wildcat!
not honoring the users current language, this effects ALL the RIP prompts
and any prompt that pulls in a display file.
z Fixed a problem with NewUsers not getting their billing profiles
activated till they logged in a second time.
z Fixed a problem in the Ansi lister that if you had 17 files, the lister
would only show sixteen till you added one more file, then you can go to the
next page and see the two files.
z Fixed a problem with the set File Display type showing the wrong entry
prompt when called from a questionairre, it was showing 652 instead of 1671.
z Fixed a problem with the sys/user/mail, option 10 would change both 10
and option 11 and option 11 would not work at all.
z Wildcat now strips all non alphabetic characters off the end of an auto-
generated keyword when adding files.
z Adjusted the SendPage function for wcCODE so that it no longer adds an
extra #13 at the end of the string.
z Fixed a problem that if you logged in with a bad first name, then hit
return on the second name prompt and then attempted to enter the full name
(plus password) again on the first prompt Wildcat would not recognize the
full name.
z Fixed a cosmetic problem with scanning conferences that required a new
prompt.
z Fixed a problem in the sys/file menu that would cause Wildcat to not
find a file that started with two or more !'s as the first file, you could
still do a Find on the file.
z Fixed a problem with scanning messages requiring you to hit S twice to
stop the scan.
z Changed the logout routines so that Wildcat logs how the user logged
out BEFORE calling LOGOUT.WCX, this means that LOGOUT.WCX programs can now
process how the user logged out of the system.
z Fixed a problem with Wildcat constantly scanning the event file when a
soft event was due to go off within five minutes.
z Fixed a problem where if you had the Ansi lister selected as your file
display type and you typed in "L L" for your stack command Wildcat! Would
return an Invalid command instead of listing the file areas.
z Fixed a problem when you were listing files and deleted a file from the
list, the list display would jump numbers (say from 3 to 5), Wildcat! Now
handles the files correctly when listing the page.
z Fixed the Full Screen Editor so that when reformatting a block it will
attempt to make the lines a full 72 characters.
z Fixed a problem with Wildcat! not setting the default group correctly
when passed in as a parameter from makemenu.
z Fixed a problem when you used the sys/user [W]rite command and the user
did not have access to any conferences Wildcat! would create a TPROFILE.DAT
and not release it causing Wildcat! to report an unable to create file error
the next time someone tried the command.
z Fixed a problem with doors changing a users security profile and the
user not getting all the group access.
z Fixed a problem with the option to turn off new file scans for groups
only working on the first file area of a group.
z Fixed a problem with the Ansi File lister showing "Request sent to
Filename" instead of the sysops name.
wcCHAT v4.12 Fixes
z If you used the remove command on a user from another channel, wcCHAT
would report that the user was removed even though they were not.
z Fixed a problem with wcCHAT not reporting the correct times when a user
logged out, this is the same problem that Wildcat! had.
z wcCHAT would prompt you to enter a users number when responding to a
/TALK command even if it was just one user, Fixed.
z If a sysop did a /SYSJOIN wcchat would not let anyone know the sysop
was lurking in the conference until they joined another conference. If the
sysop uses /SYSJOIN to go to another conference then wcCHAT will not show
that they have left the channel.
z If a user dropped carrier or was forced off by time or the sysop,
wcCHAT would not notify the other users that the user left. Fixed.
z If you whispered to a user with a name that was similar to another
users (say "Unique Dude" and "Unique D00D" and you whispered to "Unique"),
wcCHAT would report bad command instead of saying that there are more than
one user with that name. Fixed.
Makewild v4.12 New Features
z The mailmenu will now grey out file areas that do not have a path set
or are part of a CD-ROM database.
z Added two new fields to the sec profile screen
1. The first is the ability to disable the password prompt when uploading
files to Wildcat!
2. The second allows you to set the number of Offline file requests that a
user can make in a single day.
z There is a new option from the conference menu to create conference
groups. Also on the General menu is a field for setting the default
conference group name, it works the same as the file groups do.
z Added the ability for you to define Extended paths for locking CD-Rom
devices in the General menu. There is help for this function as well.
z Added the command to change the starting paths for file areas, what you
do is select the F5 option, enter the path to search for and then the path
to change it with and Makewild will process and change all the paths.
Makewild v4.12 Fixes
z Fixed Makewild so that it no longer hangs when you use UNC paths for
files areas or conferences.
z Fixed the external protocols so that when you use the file dialog to
select a batch file it defaults to the batch directory.
z If you selected the F2 option for expired profiles in the sec/global
page and then hit escape it would put a NONE in the field, Fixed.
z The display path in the chat/channels was not working, fixed.
z The action words select option in chat/channels was not defaulting to
the language path, fixed.
z Fixed a problem with the idle programs menu not allowing you to add a
new idle program.
z Fixed a cosmetic problem with changing the prescan area in the mail
menu.
z Fixed a problem with the sec profile conference screen that would cause
it to report that no conferences had any access when in fact a number of
them did.
z Fixed a problem with Makewild not adjusting the menu bits when you
removed a secondary profile.
z Fixed a problem with the global profile routines not setting confs or
file areas correctly.
z Fixed a problem with Makewild not clearing one of it's temp files when
it was resizing conferences, it was causing an error with conf groups.
z Makewild now checks [DATABASE] paths IF they are set to a fixed device
it will then check to see if the path exists, otherwise it skips that path.
wcMAIL 4.12 New Features
z Add groups to wcMail, if you have created groups in Makewild wcMAIL
will prompt the user to select a group before setting their conferences.
z wcMAIL will now put the From and Subject in the first line of the
message if either is over 25 characters long, this allows you to reply to
the full address instead of one that is chopped to 25 characters.
wcMAIL v4.12 Fixes
z If wcMAIL scans a conference that's high msg pointer is higher than the
users last read pointer, it resets the user last read pointer for that
conference.
z Fixed a problem with the rip import prompts.
z Fixed a problem with dated display files getting sent even if they were
not actually new.
wcNODE v4.12 New Features
z Added a flag that allows you to set certain nodes to not accept
incoming wcNET nodes.
z Added a new command, 'N' that forces the node all the way down and
resets the autonode settings for that node.
wcPACK v4.12 New Features
z wcPACK now honors the never delete flag set by Wildcat. If a message is
encountered that has the flag set wcPACK will skip that message unless the
message has aleady been deleted then it will be removed.
z wcPACK now allows you to hit the ESC key to abort a pack that is in
process, the program will finish what it is doing and then stop, so if you
stop it while it is renumbering conferences it will finish the current
conference, adjust the USERCONF.DAT file and then exit.
wcPACK v4.12 Fixes
z Fixed a problem with wcPACK not processing the last MPF file it found.
z wcPACK now handles commas on the command line so you specify
conferences in the fashion of 1,2,3.
z Fixed a problem were if pack removed all the messages from a databse it
would not preserve the high message number.
Makemenu v4.12 Fixes
z Fixed a bug with MakeMenu losing 2 file handles each time it shelled to
wcDRAW. MakeMenu would eventually report an Error 4 and return to DOS.
z Fixed a bug with MakeMenu's test feature not handling 2character
stacked commands. For example J 12 B would Join conference 12 and then go
to the Bulletin menu. In MakeMenu it would get confused because it would
process 12 B as the conference number. MakeMenu would then stop and ask the
user for the conference number.
z Fixed the test mode to honor the Pause Prompt option for Display Text
File menu commands (4.00->4.11).
z Fixed the editing of wcCODE Program Menu Command Type so if the command
doesn't have parameters it doesn't append the old path to the new path.
z Fixed a bug added above with "Run wcCODE program menu command". This
version should fix that problem.
wcPROMPT v4.12 Fixes
z Fixed a problem with wcPROMPT skewing the characters and wrapping the
line if the text line was too long.
wcREPAIR v4.12 New Features
z When reporting an error while rebuilding of messages, wcRepair will now
give the conference number, so the sysop can review the data files wcRepair
crashed on. This change will also appear within wcPACKX.
z Added new node flag for wcDIAL.
z Added a command line option '/d' to provide the ability to 'fix' the
extended description in a file record. Prior to this version that
functionality was not available. The problem essentially was an invalid
total bytes value for the extended description.
z When reporting the error that it was unable to open a specific file
database during the 'calibration' operation, wcREPAIR will now report the
file database name and not the description.
z Added command line option of /S that will disable checking for disk
space prior to rebuilding the Files/Users/Message databases. This is only
useful if you have over 2 Gigs of drive storage available and wcRepair is
reporting an 'Insufficient disk space' warning.
wcPRO v4.12 New Features
z Added new user field 'File requests' to the user editor/change/list/
match screens and save files. Added new user flag 'Detailed List' to the
user editor/change/list/match screens and save files...
z Added a new Alt Command from within the Files browser. You can now use
Alt-O (Oh not Zero) to move files to another area.
z Added new option to preserve the date & time on file move operations
within the file editor. This option has been added to the Setup menu as
'Update date on file moves' and should default to 'Y' for yes, we want to
update the date of the physical file when it is moved within the database.
z Improved the performance of changing the sort in the message browser.
If the entire message database has been read into the cache and you press
the Alt-S to change the sort, wcPRO will immediately reverse the cache and
return you to the currently selected choice.
wcPRO v4.12 Fixes
z Fixed a bug with wcPRO's 'Full' file listings when there is not an
extended description and the short description is > than 45 characters.
wcPRO will now display the 'overflow' text as it should!
z Fixed a bug in the 'move' file change option where it would delete the
file in the destination directory when the file didn't exist in the original
directory.
z Fixed a bug with wcPRO's full file listings not always listing the last
line of the extended description.
z Fixed a bug with wcPRO handling improperly formatted messages while
listing marked messages. Although rare, this problem can occur, and is now
resolved.
z wcPRO will now complain if the confirmation on a users password does
not match. Of course changes are not saved.
z Fixed a bug with File Editor/Alt-U not finding the user to edit when
the users alias name is put in the Uploader field.
z Change operations with a marked list would lose memory, and multiple
attempts would make wcPRO crash!
z Batch operations with all message operations with matches based upon
text within the message body did not work, and would sometimes lock up the
system
z The baud rates graph in statistics would cram all baud rates together.
z Fixed some help file problems, as well as changing the text in the user
editor for flags 'No private mail' and 'No deleted mail' to 'Hide private'
and 'Hide deleted' respectively.
z Fixed a bug in the Files/Change process. wcPRO 4.00-4.11 would not
honor the change for 'Upload In Progress' as it should.
z Fixed a bug with the Alt-X option in the File Editor. wcPRO would
update the date & time for the file on disk, but it would not update the
date & time of the file in the database, as it should have.
z Fixed a bug with Message Lists not supporting Marked Items from the
browser. wcPRO would list all messages in the database, even when the sysop
marked X Number of messages.
wcGATE/wcECHO v4.12 New Features
z Added new network type 'WCN' to go along with the new wcNET feature in
Wildcat!
wcGATE/wcECHO v4.12 Fixes
Removed some duplicate code in the attachment processing routines within the
Rep Processor, Rep Processor for MHS packets, and the Qwk processor.
z Had to rearrange the /? Online help screen for wcGATE in order to keep
it from scrolling due to the number of items increasing. Please review this
and make sure I didn't misspell anything obvious.
z Fixed a bug with wcGATE/wcECHO on importing EMail messages and not
'always' properly terminating the messages. This revision fixes the problem
by simply deleting all CR and Spaces at the end of the message and tacking
on the proper bytes to terminate the message. This will also save a very
small amount of space in the message database.
z Fixed a bug with wcGATE/wcECHO's QWK/MHS and the new WCN format with
the destinations user ID in the message being set to random values. This
problem was only seen when the user the message was written to was not on
the system. This bug didn't cause any problems other than putting garbage in
the message itself.
z Fixed a bug with wcGATE 4.11 which would not set the errorlevel to 10
as it should when messages have been exported.
z Fixed a bug with wcGATE set up with two providers and wcGATE exporting
mail that should be forwarded when that mail is addressed to the secondary
domain name. (8/07) In other words, the system had two domain names. A
message comes in addressed to the secondary domain name and is correctly
inserted into the database, upon export of the other provider, the message
is extracted and sent up rather than being either forwarded or left alone.
Both cases were fixed.
z Fixed a bug in wcGate/wcECHO which would cause it to not handle some
messages in QWK packets that weren't correctly terminated within the QWK
packet.
wcCODE v4.12 New Features
z Added some new commands:
CallerIdName
CallerIdDate
CallerIdTime
ChangeDefaultGroup
GetDefaultGroup
GetDefFileGroupName
GetDefConfGroupName
PopCommand
ResetStats
ClearSysopPage
SysopPaged
ScrollBack
AddFax
wcBILLING v4.12 New Features
z Added new configuration item to allow charging for viewing of files.
You can find this new feature in the file billing rates editor.
z Added new profile type: You can now charge by the minute or for
entering a wcCODE program, just like entering a door.
z Added 10 new miscellaneous transaction types for 3rd Party authors to
add their own transactions to the transaction database. Make sure if you
use any one of these, you specify within the Comment field of the
transaction what the charge was for and who assesed the charge.
z Added the following @Codes to handle the new transaction types...
// Overall totals follow
@BTECODTOT@ @BTECODCST@ // Entering Code app total & cost
@BTRCODTOT@ @BTRCODCST@ // Time in Code app total & cost
@BT3RD1TOT@ @BT3RD1CST@ // 3rd Party Transaction type 1 Total & cost
@BT3RD2TOT@ @BT3RD2CST@ // 3rd Party Transaction type 2 Total & cost
@BT3RD3TOT@ @BT3RD3CST@ // 3rd Party Transaction type 3 Total & cost
@BT3RD4TOT@ @BT3RD4CST@ // 3rd Party Transaction type 4 Total & cost
@BT3RD5TOT@ @BT3RD5CST@ // 3rd Party Transaction type 5 Total & cost
@BT3RD6TOT@ @BT3RD6CST@ // 3rd Party Transaction type 6 Total & cost
@BT3RD7TOT@ @BT3RD7CST@ // 3rd Party Transaction type 7 Total & cost
@BT3RD8TOT@ @BT3RD8CST@ // 3rd Party Transaction type 8 Total & cost
@BT3RD9TOT@ @BT3RD9CST@ // 3rd Party Transaction type 9 Total & cost
@BT3RD10TOT@ @BT3RD10CST@ // 3rd Party Transaction type 10 Total & cost
@BTFVIEWTOT@ @BTFVIEWCST@ // Viewing a file total & cost
// User totals follow
@BUECODTOT@ @BUECODCST@ // Entering Code app total & cost
@BURCODTOT@ @BURCODCST@ // Time in Code app total & cost
@BU3RD1TOT@ @BU3RD1CST@ // 3rd Party Transaction type 1 Total & cost
@BU3RD2TOT@ @BU3RD2CST@ // 3rd Party Transaction type 2 Total & cost
@BU3RD3TOT@ @BU3RD3CST@ // 3rd Party Transaction type 3 Total & cost
@BU3RD4TOT@ @BU3RD4CST@ // 3rd Party Transaction type 4 Total & cost
@BU3RD5TOT@ @BU3RD5CST@ // 3rd Party Transaction type 5 Total & cost
@BU3RD6TOT@ @BU3RD6CST@ // 3rd Party Transaction type 6 Total & cost
@BU3RD7TOT@ @BU3RD7CST@ // 3rd Party Transaction type 7 Total & cost
@BU3RD8TOT@ @BU3RD8CST@ // 3rd Party Transaction type 8 Total & cost
@BU3RD9TOT@ @BU3RD9CST@ // 3rd Party Transaction type 9 Total & cost
@BU3RD10TOT@ @BU3RD10CST@ // 3rd Party Transaction type 10 Total & cost
@BUFVIEWTOT@ @BUFVIEWCST@ // Viewing a file total & cost
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I-modem is designed to connect to analog devices such as modems and fax
machines or ISDN devices through the ISDN at
the highest possible speed. By combining ISDN performance features with an
integral V.Everything/V.34 Courier modem, the I-modem provides connectivity
to analog applications such as online services, mobile traveler
correspondence, Bulletin Board Services (BBS), telephone banking, local
electronic records access and higher speed ISDN applications such as
graphical Internet access, high speed file transfers and remote access to a
corporate LAN.
Desktop (external) and ISA Card (internal) versions available
The Courier I-modem integrates an ISDN terminal adapter, NT-1 device, an
analog device port, and a Courier V.34 modem into a single unit that is
physically connected to the Basic Rate Interface (BRI) ISDN wall jack
provided by the telephone company. Courier I-modem is available in two
different form factors. The desktop versions feature a choice of S/T
interface, for use with an external NT-1, or U-interface with an integrated
NT-1 with convenient LED status light indicators that instantly provide
connection status, B-channel usage, connection rate, plus the full range of
modem status indicators found on the Courier modem. It is small enough for
placement on the desktop. The space saving ISA card version, installed
directly into a PC, supports Microsoft Plug 'n Play functionality to
autoconfigure the card in a PC running Windows r 95.
Applications
Expansions in the mobile and telecommuter workforce, and increases in
bandwidth intensive file transfers, Internet access, and LAN-to-LAN
connections have called for faster, more accurate and reliable
transmissions. I-modem allows users to take advantage of the high speed ISDN
networks while maintaining compatibility with an established base of analog
applications. ISDN achieves faster, more accurate and reliable
transmissions than the analog system. Intelligence built into the I-modem
allows the user to send or receive data without worrying about whether their
remote device is analog or ISDN. The transition to ISDN is transparent
because I-modem uses the standard AT command set and requires no special
communications software. This allows users to utilize their current
application software to connect to ISDN or analog-based devices,
particularly in these areas:
Telecommuting. Telecommuters can use the I-modem to establish high speed
connections to their corporate LAN.
Applications such as e-mail, database access, image and graphics transfer
all benefit from the high bandwidth provided by an ISDN connection. An
integrated analog device port and NT-1 telco connection provide a completely
integrated office solution which allows analog equipment such as fax
machines, telephones and answering machines to be connected to the ISDN
network.
Internet access. With the I-modem, Internet users can dramatically improve
throughput by utilizing ISDN capabilities for
faster file transfer, which is particularly important when downloading large
graphic files.
File/imaging transfers. Especially popular in the medical, insurance, and
real estate markets, the I-modem can send large files or images, such as X-
Rays in a matter of minutes.
Features
Software Downloadable Flash ROM preserves an investment in a Courier I-
modem. The newest performance and
capability features may be downloaded from U.S. Robotics.
Integrated V.34 Fax/Modem translates analog data or fax transmissions for
seamless connectivity between the ISDN and
PSTN. Fax support includes V.17 at 14,400 bps; V.29 at 9600 bps; Group III;
TIA/EIA 578 Class 1, and TIA/EIA 592
Class 2.0.
Award-WinningV.Everything incorporates the true ITU-T V.34 standard (33.6
and 28.8 Kbps), Rockwell's proprietary
V.FC (28.8 Kbps), and AT&T's proprietary V.32 terbo (19.2 Kbps), as well as
V.32 bis, V.32, and other ITU-T standards down to 300 bps. It is the only
feature set in the market today that includes all three high speed data
transmission protocols, providing the fastest possible connections to other
modem devices.
Universal Connect automatically connects incoming and outgoing calls at the
highest digital or analog rate possible.
Integrated NT-1 provides a "single box" solution for direct connection to an
ISDN wall jack without the requirement of a
stand alone network termination device. This saves space and the cost of an
external NT-1. (Not available with the S/T
model.)
Multi-Vendor Interoperability is achieved between other vendors' products by
supporting a wide variety of ISDN
standards. It supports both the V.120 (North American) and V.110 (European)
Rate Adaption standards for compatibility
with other ISDN devices. Rate adaption occurs when a connection is made at
less than 64 Kbps, either through the ISDN or at the terminal connected to
the ISDN device. Sync PPP is the protocol supported by most dial-up services
using ISDN.
Analog Device Port is an additional port for plug-in of analog telephone,
facsimile or answering machine devices. Full ringing support is available
for automatic answer of incoming calls with the desktop version only.
User Configurable Dial Security verifies passwords prior to passing a remote
originated call or initiates dialback based on
device configuration.
Asynchronous/Synchronous Communication is configured as an EIA RS-232 (V.24)
interface or optionally as a V.35
interface (external only). Capable of asynchronous operation configurable
via AT commands; also capable of syncrhonous
operation configurable via V.25 bis.
Plug and Play Support allows an IBM compatible PC running Windows r 95 to
automatically detect and configure the ISA
card during installation.
Notice
The I-modem communicates over ISDN Basic Rate Interface (BRI) line. You must
order a BRI line from your local
telephone company before you can use your I-modem. You may also call the I-
Team at 1-800-550-7800. The U.S.
Robotics I-Team is a service organization that supports U.S. Robotics ISDN
products. Services include:
z Determining ISDN line availability and tariffing information
z Determining installation costs
z Determining installation lead time
z Ensuring that CPE to central office configurations are matched for
optimal interoperability.
System Requirements
z An IBM-compatible computer (with an available ISA bus full-length
expansion slot for internal version only)
z SDN Basic Rate Interface (BRI) line
z NT-1 and power supply (required for I-modem S/T only)
z Any third party communications software (QuickLink II is provided with
the product)
z Microsoft Windows version 3.1 or later (for Windows interface to
configure Courier I-modem)
z Sync PPP stack (if using ISA card in NIC emulation mode)
Technical Information
D-Channel Signaling
z ISDN data link layer ITU-T Q.921
z ISDN call control signaling ITU-T Q.931/I.451
Central office switch types supported
z AT&T 5ESS Custom, Northern Telecom supported DMS-100, National ISDN-1
and 2
Digital data compatibility
z ITU-T V.120/I.463 and ITU-T V.110/I.462 for transmission over ISDN at
56 or 64Kbps
z Sync PPP for connection to ISDN-based services
Analog data compatibility
z ITU-T V.34 at 33.6 and 28.8 Kbps
z V.FC at 28.8 Kbps
z V.32 terbo at 19.2 bps
z ITU-T V.32 bis at 14.4 and 12 Kbps; 9600, 7200, and 4800 bps
(symmetrical and asymmetrical full duplex)
z ITU-T V.32 at 9600 and 4800 bps
z ITU-T V.22 bis at 2400 bps
z ITU-T V.22 at 1200 bps
z ITU-T V.23 at 1200/75 bps
z ITU-T V.21 at 300 bps
z Bell 208B at 4800 bps (synchronous)
z Bell 212A at 1200 bps
z Bell 103 at 300 bps
z Quick Connect technology
z Adaptive Speed Leveling (ASL)
Fax compatibility
z V.17 at 14,400 bps; V.29 at 9600 bps; Group III; TIA/EIA 578 Class 1,
and TIA/EIA 592 Class 2.0
z Error correction for ISDN originated/received calls
z ISDN(end-to-end) V.120/I.463
z Error correction for analog originated/received calls
z MNP 2, MNP 3, or MNP4 connection
z ITU-T V.42 (LAPM) or HST
Data compression for analog originated/received calls
z MNP Level 5
z ITU-T V.42 bis
ISA interface
z Asynchronous and synchronous operation supported
DTE interface
z Supports standard DTE rates up to 115.2 Kbps - Asynchronous Operation
z Synchronous Operation (DCE supplies Tx clock) - Electrical: EIA RS232
or V.35
z Port rates: 115.2 Kbps-300bps
Adaptive Speed Leveling (ASL) (analog)
z 21.6 Kbps-4800 bps
ISA Card Power (internal version only)
z 1.2A @ 5VDC
z .32A @ 12VDC
Desktop Power Supply
z 30 W @ 110VAC
Ringer Equivalence (desktop version only) REN: 3
[Note: Ringer equivalence is defined as the maximum sum of REN values for
attached analog devices. A typical telephone
would have an REN value of 0.6, therefore the Courier I-modem would support
up to five phones connected through the
analog device port.]
Physical Dimensions
z Approx 6.375" width by 10.30" length by 1.337" height
z Approx 4.092" height by 11.803" length (ISA card)
Physical Interfaces
z S/T RJ-45
z U RJ-45
z Analog Device Port RJ-11
z Serial Port DB-25 (Desktop only)
Regulatory/Agency Approvals
z FCC approved (Part 15)
z IC (formerly DOC) approved
z UL listed
z CSA approved
Courier I-modem Family Model Numbers/Part Numbers
z Model 1 includes an Analog Device Port, integrated NT-1, and U-
interface:
SKU# and Description
z 000698-0 Courier I-modem with ISDN/V.34 and Analog Device Port
(External)
z 000700-0 Courier I-modem with ISDN/V.34 and Analog Device Port
(Internal)
Model 2 includes an integrated NT-1 and U-interface, but do not have an
Analog Device Port:
SKU# and Description
z 000699-0 Courier I-modem with ISDN/V.34 (External)
z 000701-0 Courier I-modem with ISDN/V.34 (Internal)
Model 3 utilizes an S/T interface, but do not include an NT-1 or Analog
Device Port:
SKU# and Description
z 001102-0 Courier I-modem with ISDN/V.34 (S/T Only) External
z 001101-0 Courier I-modem with ISDN/V.34 (S/T Only) Internal
Optional Cable (external versions only):
SKU# and Description
z 001279 DB-25 to 34-pin conversion cable assembly
Warranty
z Two-year limited warranty; factory repair or replacement
Sportster ISDN 128K
High Speed Internet Access and Telecommuting
Experience blazing fast Internet access. Work from home, yet feel like
you're in the office with the Sportster ISDN 128K, a PC-based terminal
adapter that takes full advantage of ISDN's bandwidth. Designed specifically
for telecommuting and
Internet access, Sportster ISDN 128K provides connectivity to an ISDN Basic
Rate Interface (BRI) and allows simultaneous voice and data communications.
Equipped with an RJ-11 jack, the Sportster ISDN 128K can be used with a
standard telephone or fax machine to communicate over the digital network.
Two versions available
The Sportster ISDN 128K is an internal card for PC-compatible computers with
an ISA/EISA interface. The product offers a choice of an integrated NT-1
interface, for a complete ISDN connection with no other device required, or
an S/T interface, for use with an external NT-1.
Applications
Internet access. With the increase of bandwidth-intensive graphical content
on the Internet, users can dramatically improve
performance by utilizing ISDN for faster World Wide Web access and file
transfers. Less time is spent waiting for graphics and files to download;
plus ISDN provides shorter connect times.
Telecommuting. Telecommuters can use the Sportster ISDN 128K to establish
high speed connections to their corporate
LAN. Applications such as e-mail, database access, image and graphics
transfer all benefit from the high bandwidth provided by an ISDN connection.
An integrated analog device port and NT-1 telco connection (U-interface
only) provide a completely integrated office solution allowing analog
equipment such as fax machines, telephones and answering machines to be
connected to the ISDN.
File/imaging transfers. Especially popular in the medical, insurance, and
real estate markets, Sportster ISDN 128K can send large files or images,
such as X-Rays in a matter of minutes or seconds.
Features
TurboPPP is a unique set of high-performance ISDN standards-based features
developed by U.S. Robotics to give users
maximum ISDN performance on every call no matter what ISDN device they're
connecting to. With TurboPPP:
z Multilink PPP combines the two 64 Kbps B-channels of an ISDN BRI line
into a single 128 Kbps channel.
z Multiple Compression Types (Stac, Microsoft, and Ascend) supported in
software, allow Sportster ISDN 128K to adjust the compression type based on
what is supported by the equipment on the other end of the call. Other
devices, which execute compression in hardware, are limited to supporting a
single type.
z Windows 95 Enhancements open the potential of ISDN to Windows 95-based
applications that do not support Multilink PPP or multiple compression
types. In these applications, TurboPPP enhancements provide the performance
benefits of Multilink PPP and compression (up to 512 Kbps), even when the
application supports only PPP (64 Kbps).
z Integrated Analog Device Port is an additional port for a standard home
telephone. Ringing occurs on the Sportster ISDN 128K board and attached
devices function when computer is on.
z Full Ringing Support is available with the optional external ring
generator cable (purchased separately), allowing attached fax machines and
answering machines to answer incoming calls.
z Simultaneous Voice and Data allows users to talk on the telephone or
send/receive faxes while running data at 64 Kbps. A special ISDN phone is
not required.
z Dynamic Voice Override assigns bandwidth to a voice call only when the
call is being made or received. As soon as the voice call is completed, the
Sportster ISDN 128K automatically and transparently returns the bandwidth to
the data application.
z Integrated NT-1 provides a complete solution for direct connection to
the ISDN service provider's wall jack, without a stand alone network
termination device. This saves the space and cost of an external NT-1 (not
available with the S/T version).
z TAPI (Telephony Applications Programming Interface) provides "personal
telephony" to users of the Microsoft Windows environment. With the use of
third party off-the-shelf applications, such as phone managers, it provides
for the integration of computing and telephony functions, allowing users to
computerize their telephones and use their computers as complete
communication devices.
z Diagnostics and Logging Features including protocol monitoring,
diagnostics, and logging features, for quick resolution to service provider
problems. ISDN line diagnostics and self-tests will determine if the ISDN
line is configured correctly. The D-channel monitor translates network
signalling messages for easy interpretation of the interface to the public
network. A logging function enables troubleshooters to see activity
histories and trace potential problems.
z Multiple Interfaces including NDIS, ODI (for IPX), Packet Driver,
WinISDN (for Internet access), Windows95 and TAPI interfaces allow Sportster
ISDN 128K to be used with today's most popular, off-the-shelf Internet,
remote LAN access, and data communication software packages.
Notice
The Sportster ISDN 128K communicates over an ISDN Basic Rate Interface (BRI)
line. You must order a BRI line from
your local telephone company before you can use your adapter. You may also
call the I-Team at 1-800-550-7800. The
U.S. Robotics I-Team is a service organization that supports U.S. Robotics
ISDN products. Services include:
z Determining ISDN line availability and tariffing information
z Determining installation costs
z Determining installation lead time
z Ensuring that CPE to central office configurations are matched for
optimal interoperability.
System Requirements
z ISDN BRI phone line (available through local phone company)
z PC 386 CPU-based or higher
z ISA or EISA Slot
z One of the following operating systems: Windows3.x, DOS,Windows for
Workgroups, Windows95
z 4 MB RAM (8 MB for Windows95)
Note: Software drivers for Windows NT, Novell NetWare Connect, Novell
MultiProtocol Router, are available separately
from U.S. Robotics. UNIX drivers available from a third party vendor.
Technical Information
D-Channel Signaling
z ISDN data link layer ITU-T Q.921
z ISDN call control signaling ITU-T Q.931/I.451
Central office switch types supported
z AT&T 5ESS Custom, Northern Telecom supported DMS-100, National ISDN-1
and 2
ISA/EISA Interface
z Synchronous operation supported
ISA Card Power (internal version only)
z 1.2A @ 5VDC
z .32A @ 12VDC
z .1A @ -12 VDC
Ringer Equivalence
z Sportster ISDN 128K supports one analog device connected through the
analog device port.
Physical Dimensions
z Approx 4.092 inches height by 8 inches length (ISA card)
Physical Interfaces
z S/T version RJ-45
z U version RJ-45
Analog Device Port
z RJ-11
Regulatory/Agency Approvals U-interface
z FCC approved (Part 15)
z CL Listed
z CUL Listed
S/T
CE Mark
Sportster ISDN 128K Model Numbers/Part Numbers
SKU# and Description
z 000903-00 Sportster ISDN 128K with S/T interface
z 000904-00 Sportster ISDN 128K with integrated NT-1 and U-interface
z 000905-00 NT-1 backup kit
z 000906-00 External Ring Generator
Additional Software Drivers Available
SKU# and Description
z 001293-00 Windows NT driver for Sportster ISDN 128K-Internal
z 001296-00 Novell NetWare Connect and NetWare MultiProtocol Router
driver for Sportster ISDN 128K-Internal
Warranty
z Five-year limited warranty, factory repair or replacement.
Services
U.S. Robotics' customers are backed by a full-range of customized technical
support services including the I-Team. The
I-Team is a customer support group focused on providing pre-sales
information, installation services and post-sales support programs for ISDN
related products. For more information, call 1-800-550-7800.
U.S. Robotics and the U.S. Robotics logo are registered trademarks of U.S.
Robotics. All products and technologies
mentioned are trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective
manufacturers.
United States Contacts
For Corporate Accounts and Corporate Resellers
U.S. Robotics Corporate/Systems Division
8100 N. McCormick Blvd.
Skokie, IL 60076-2999
Phone: 1.800.USR.CORP
Fax: 708.933.5800
For Retail Distributors, Resellers, and Consumers
U.S. Robotics Personal Communications Division
7770 N. Frontage Road
Skokie, IL 60077-2690
Phone: 1.800.DIAL.USR
Fax: 708.676.7320
Fax on Demand
1.800.762-6163
708.676.8536
European Contacts
France
U.S. Robotics, s.a.
Cityparc, 3 Rue Lavoisier
F-59650 Villeneuve d'Ascq
Phone: 33-20-19-19-39
Fax: 33-20-91-99-59
United Kingdom
U.S. Robotics, Ltd.
650 Warfdale Road
Winnersh, Wokingham
Berkshire RG41 5TP
England
Phone: 44-1734-228200
Fax: 44-1734-695555
Technical Support: 44-1734-441000
BBS
44-1734-692200
R.09.95 75-DS-201
Kids Computing Corner
Frank Sereno, Editor
The Kids' Computing Corner
by Frank Sereno
First, I want to give proper credit to Angelo Marasco for the fine
review Read, Write & Type in last week's magazine. Somewhere in the editing
of the column his byline was lost. Sorry about that Angelo! His next
review will be on The Student Writing and Resource Center from The Learning
Company.
I don't have any reviews ready for this week. I am currently working
on several impressive titles. The foremost is Adi's Comprehensive Learning
System. It is indeed one of the most complete educational programs I have
experienced. Adi's is collection of six programs for children in second
through fifth grades. The system teaches math, English and science. Each
course costs about $50. The programs are so comprehensive and intensive
that each occupies two CD-ROMs. A friendly and intelligent tutor leads
children through lessons and fun games. This learning system is terrific
and I hope to complete a full review for next week's Christmas issue.
Speaking of Christmas, the season for gift shopping is nearly over. I
have reviewed dozens of programs over the last two years here at STR. Some
programs have been exceptional and would be fantastic gifts for the children
in your life. Edmark makes some of the finest programs in edutainment
today. They have excellent programs for children of all ages and cover many
learning topics and skills. But first, buy a gift from Edmark for yourself.
KidDesk Family Edition is available for Macintosh, Windows 3.1 and Windows
95. It provides a secure shell so that your child can launch his favorite
applications without needing to learn DOS or possibly do damage to your
files. KidDesk also includes many useful and entertaining accessories such
as voice mail, e-mail and personal calendars. Each member of the family can
have a personal desktop and shell that he can customize to his tastes. At
about $30, KidDesk is a great bargain.
Edmark's House series is a wonderfully inventive way to interest your
child in math, reading, science, geography and time. The series consists of
four titles. Millie's Math House is an introduction to mathematics;
Bailey's Book House will develop your child's reading skills; Sammy's
Science House is an innovative attempt to enhance your child's natural
scientific inquisitiveness; Trudy's Time & Place House allows young
children to learn the concepts of time and location. Each title sells for
about $40. Edmark currently offers a bundle of Millie, Bailey and Sammy for
$80. This is a fantastic bargain.
Edmark's Thinkin' Thing series is designed to help older children to
develop various thought processes. Intuitive and logical thinking are
developed. Creative thinking is also featured and rewarded. The three
"Collections" in this set really help the minds of children ages six and
older to expand. Portions of these programs will even entertain the most
jaded adult.
Another Edmark series that I can recommend is Imagination Express. The
four available "Destinations" help children to write interactive stories
and movies. Children can explore an urban neighborhood, a medieval castle,
a Central American rain forest and the California Pacific coast.
Imagination Express provides wonderful video and animation tools which
result in beautiful-looking books. The books can be augmented with sound
effects and music. Each destination includes a fact book which helps your
child learn about that location or time. Even pre-readers will have fun
making stories with this program. I've had some wonderful times helping my
son organize his pages and writing the text for his stories. Edmark backs
all programs with a moneyback guarantee.
The Learning Company is another producer of excellent software. The
programs are nested so your child can graduate from one Learning Company
product to another to build more skills and knowledge. Reader Rabbit's
Interactive Reading Journey receives my highest recommendation. This
entertaining program will teach children four and older how to read while
they have fun. This package also contains forty paperback books to
reinforce the lessons from the program. TLC's Reading Development Library
will allow your child to continue his journey to literacy as he reads these
interactive books. Read, Write & Type received a glowing review from
Angelo. This program features over 200 activities which teach reading,
phonics, language skills and typing. And if your child is too young for
these programs, you should consider Let's Start Learning! It is an
excellent primer for basic learning skills such as letter recognition,
identifying patterns, sorting and more. All TLC programs carry a thirty-day
money-back guarantee.
Another company which makes fantastic learning programs is Sierra On-
Line. Probably best known for their adventure games (King's Quest, Leisure
Suit Larry), Sierra has also produced excellent educational software.
Alphabet Blocks and Beginning Reading are two excellent choices for teaching
children the alphabet, phonics and reading skills. Early Math is an
entertaining way for children to learn numbers and mathematics. The Monker
and Hickory series of programs published by Golden Books and Western
Publishing were produced by Sierra as well. These four titles provide more
language and math fun for children ages five to eight. For older children
and adults, The Lost Mind of Dr. Brain is a puzzling good time which
develops seven distinct types of thought. And though I haven't completed my
evaluation of Adi's Comprehensive Learning System, I feel that it will be an
excellent addition to the software library for second through fifth graders.
All these programs feature amazing animation and digitized voices.
Character's mouths actually form the sounds as they are spoken. And best
yet, all are guaranteed to satisfy you and your child or your money back.
If you have younger children who have difficulty using a mouse, then
you should consider the purchase of a Microsoft EasyBall. This large
trackball can sit on your desktop or can be held comfortably in a child's
lap. The large ball allows the child to use gross motor skills to position
the pointer rather the fine motor skills and high level of coordination
needed when using a mouse. A single, large button acts as a left mouse
button to open programs, close windows, etc. EasyBall includes a
Pointerland game which enables children to build trackball skills and to
select from several humorous and fun pointers. EasyBall is currently being
bundled with Microsoft Explorapedia: The World of Nature.
If you are thinking about upgrading computers, I won't recommend any
particular brand, but a speed. Nothing less than a 100MHz Pentium or an
80MHz PowerPC. I'm not saying that a 486DX2-66 is not a good computer, but
it is nowhere near the powerhouse it used to be. The recommended speeds
above are not cutting edge. They are reasonably priced and should be more
than adequate for most multimedia software for two or more years. And I
hate to say it, but it looks like every two years or so we have to look at
upgrading our systems, AGAIN, if we want to be able to run the newest
software.
I believe that there will be some excellent sales on computer equipment
AFTER Christmas. And the worst thing about buying electronics of any kind
is that you know that a day or a week or a month after you make your
purchase, prices will go down again or some great feature will be added that
you wished you could have had. Do as much research as you can, make your
decision and then go with it, because at some point you have to make your
move. At some point you have to jump in with both feet and take your
chances. One hedge you can use is to shop at a store with a price guarantee
that they will match the lowest advertised price on your system over the
next thirty days. Or you can just sit on the sidelines. At some point you
have to figure that the added enjoyment of a new system and higher
productivity will outweigh the loss of cost savings. The replace/upgrade
cycle on computers is aggravating and frustrating. I can't think of another
consumer item that seems to have such a short cycle.
That's it for this week's feature. I hope you found it informative and
entertaining. You can send comments, questions or suggestions to
fsereno@matrix.uti.com. Until next week, I thank you for reading.
ClickART Handwritten Fonts
TrueType Fonts for Windows and Macintosh on CD-ROM
and
ClickART Incredible 25,000 Image Pak
Clip art images and fonts
separate versions available for Windows and Macintosh
from T/Maker
1390 Villa Street
Mountain View, CA 94041
1-800-9-TMAKER
reviewed by Frank Sereno
Most computer owners, whether they use computers for work or pleasure, do
some desktop publishing. One might need to design a company newsletter or
restaurant menu for business or one might design a birthday card for a loved
one. Many of us become clip art and font junkies, always looking for that
special touch that can make our works more eye-appealing and interesting.
T/Maker has recently released two outstanding products that would be a
welcome addition for any DTP enthusiast. T/Maker is the largest maker of
font and clip art packages in the United States.
First, let's look at Handwritten Fonts. It has a fantastic selection of 300
fonts which were made from the handwriting of 300 people. All fonts are
sharp and scalable. Each font is as distinctive as a set of fingerprints.
I am not a handwriting analyst, but these fonts seem to have characters of
their own. Some are serious, some happy. Some fonts would look beautiful
in a formal invitation while others express joy suitable for a child's
birthday party. T/Maker has included fonts that are ornate, simple,
expressive and personal.
The package includes a discount offer to have your own handwriting turned
into a TrueType font. At $45 plus shipping, it may seem a bit pricey for
most home users. With 300 fonts to choose from, you can probably find one
much like your own handwriting anyway.
The program includes an excellent manual which details the installation of
the fonts on Macs with system 6.0.x or system 7.0.x and for Windows 3.1 or
Windows 95. The manual also includes printed samples of each font which
makes choosing that special font much easier. Free technical support is
available for the cost of a phone call. T/Maker guarantees complete
satisfaction. At $30, Handwritten Fonts is an excellent value and must have
for DTP.
Incredible 25,000 Image Pak
T/Maker has been offering clip art bundles for several years. As time has
passed, the collections have grown larger and more features have been added.
The latest edition of the Image Pak includes a gargantuan 25,000 .WMF
images, 1000 TrueType Fonts and the Kudo image browser on three CD-ROMs.
All of this for an amazingly low $49.95! (Note: the Macintosh version's
images are in EPS format.)
The Image Pak comes with a small manual which describes the Kudo image
browser and how to install fonts on your system. Also included is a 574-
page book containing a visual index of every image and font plus it contains
a section filled with desktop publishing hints. These helpful hints are a
great addition and are a wonderful reference for inexperienced designers.
The clip art is arranged into many categories for easy retrieval. The
visual guidebook is indexed to help find the correct category quickly. The
only thing lacking from the book is that the graphics are shown in black and
white. The Kudo browser displays thumbnail images of the clip art in
catalogs also. Color images are displayed in color. Images can be
displayed in three different sizes. The number of images displayed on the
screen depends on your screen resolution and the size of the Kudo window.
You can even print a catalog from Kudo.
The images cover every imaginable event, holiday, occupation and more.
Hundreds of banners and borders are included for styling flair. Clip art
suitable for business use and for home use is abundant. Categories include
art, animals, business and office, cartoons, celebrations, clothes,
education, farming, fitness, holidays, people, religion, sports and more.
There are 125 total categories available. It would take years for most
people to use all the images in this collection. It features outstanding
variety and excellent quality.
Whether you are a novice or a pro desktop publisher, the Incredible 25,000
Image Pak offers outstanding value. If you have family or friends who do
design work, the Image Pak would make an excellent gift. T/Maker backs this
product with a satisfaction guarantee so you can't go wrong with this
product.
Portable Computers & Entertainment Section
Marty Mankins, Editor
Reptile X's Sony PSX Game Review
Review #: Nov/95_R001
All ratings are based on the opinions of Reptile X at 102332,1306.
Title: DOOM: Custom PlayStation Edition
Manufacturer: Williams Entertainment and Id Software
Distributor: Williams Entertainment
Type: 1st person-perspective shooter
Brief Description:
"The Obsession Continues!" This is a 2-in-One of ULTIMATE DOOM and DOOM II.
Featuring improved sound graphics and incredible lighting and "see-through"
effects that take full advantage of the Sony PSX's technology!
Ratings:(out of 100%)
Control - 99%
Graphics - 99%
Sound - 98%
Music - 100%
Challenge - 100%
Storyline - 100%
Comments by the X
This is one of the greatest PSX releases and member of the DOOM series to
date. You get 2 games that would cost double on the PC in total and upgraded
graphics, sound, and effects that take advantage of the greatest system
around all for the price of a single PSX game! The lighting effects are
very well done and the music can make you jump outta your seat! Try playing
this one in a small dark room! Turn the volume up and attack an Imp or fire
your BFG-9000 with the PSX connected to a surround-sound system!
AAAAAAAAAAAA!!!!!! ))))))))) One of the greatest PSX games to date, great
work, Williams!
"PlayStation - Best Hardware, easy to program for, and BEST GAMES!"
- Ed Boon
Sony Playstation, PSX, and it's designs, etc. are registered trademarks of
Sony Computer Entertainment.(C)1995 Sony Computer Entertainment of
America,inc. All other names and likenesses are trademarks of their
respective owners.
Writen and distributed by Reptile X (102332,1306@compuserve.com) Comments
and suggestions are welcome, e-mail the address in brackets.
SONY PLAYSTATION
Games Listing (43 Titles - Updated 12/14/95)
(c)1995 John Ricciardi
This is a complete listing of all Sony PlayStation games that have been
released to date. Updated frequently. Any comments, e-mail me at
<75162.2212@compuserve.com>.
NEW ADDITIONS SINCE 12/09/95
-Gex (Crystal Dynamics/Action)
-Loaded (Interplay/Action)
-NBA In the Zone (Konami/Sports)
-Title-(Publisher) #/Players Genre Rating-
-3D Lemmings (Psygnosis) 1 Puzzle K-
A
-Agile Warrior F-IIIX (Virgin) 1-2 Shooter
T
-Air Combat (Namco) 1-2 Shooter K-
A
-Battle Arena Toshinden (SCEA) 1-2 Fighting Action
T
-Criticom (Vic Tokai) 1-2 Fighting Action
T
-CyberSpeed (Mindscape) 1 Racing K-
A
-Cyber Sled (Namco) 1-2 Action K-
A
-Defcon 5 (Data East) 1 Action
K-A
-Destruction Derby (Psygnosis) 1-2 Racing
K-A
-Discworld (Psygnosis) 1 Adventure T
-DOOM (Williams) 1-2 Action M
-ESPN Extreme Games (SCEA) 1-2 Racing
K-A
-FIFA Soccer '96 (Electronic Arts) 1-8 Sports
K-A
-Gex (Crystal Dynamics) 1 Action K-
A
-Jumping Flash! (SCEA) 1 Action K-
A
-Jupiter Strike (Acclaim) 1 Shooter K-
A
-KILEAK: The DNA Imperative (SCEA) 1-2 Action T
-Loaded (Interplay) 1-2 Action M
-Mortal Kombat 3 (SCEA) 1-2 Fighting Action
M
-NBA In the Zone (Konami) 1-8 Sports
K-A
-NBA JAM T.E. (Acclaim) 1-4 Sports
K-A
-NFL GameDay (SCEA) 1-2 Sports K-A
-NHL Face Off (SCEA) 1-2 Sports K-
A
-Novastorm (Psygnosis) 1 Shooter
K-A
-Off-World Interceptor Extreme (Crystal Dynamics) 1-2
Action M
-PGA Tour '96 (Electronic Arts) 1-4 Sports
K-A
-Power Serve 3D Tennis (Ocean) 1-2 Sports
K-A
-Rayman (Ubi Soft) 1 Action K-
A
-Ridge Racer (Namco) 1 Racing
K-A
-Shockwave Assault (Electronic Arts Studios) 1 Shooter
K-A
-Space Griffon VF-9 (Atlus) 1 Action
K-A
-Street Fighter: The Movie (Acclaim) 1-2
Fighting Action T
-Tekken (Namco) 1-2 Fighting Action
T
-The Raiden Project (SCEA) 1-2 Shooter
K-A
-Theme Park (Bullfrog) 1 Simulation K-
A
-Total Eclipse Turbo (Crystal Dynamics) 1 Shooter
K-A
-Twisted Metal (SCEA) 1-2 Action
T
=Viewpoint (Electronic Arts) 1 Shooter
K-A
-Warhawk (SCEA) 1 Shooter K-
A
-WipEout (Psygnosis) 1-2 Racing
K-A
-WrestleMania: The Arcade Game (Acclaim) 1-2 Action
K-A
-X-COM: UFO Defense (MicroProse) 1 Strategy K-A
-Zoop (Viacom Newmedia) 1 Puzzle K-
A
ESRB Ratings are as follows:
EC Early Childhood (Ages 3+)
K-A Kids to Adult (Ages 6+)
T Teen (Ages 13+)
M Mature (Ages 17+)
AO Adults Only (Adults Only)
For more information on ratings, call the ESRB at 1-800-771-3772
Atari Jaguar/Computer Section
Dana Jacobson, Editor
>From the Atari Editor's Desk "Saying it like it is!"
I'm still trying to make it through the latest two CDs that I've
received, in the ever-growing numbers for the Atari computer. "All Things
Falcon" is an incredible collection of Falcon-specific software. Some of
what I've seen of it so far has been duplicated in other Atari CDs, but with
over 600 megabytes of software, who really cares! There's a LOT of stuff on
here that I haven't seen anywhere else; and I have a number of CDs in my
collection so far. Although I haven't looked it over enough to write a
small article with some descriptions, I'd recommend this one as a gift for
that favorite Falcon user, for Christmas.
The other CD that I've been looking over is the PD Clipart Collection
by Electronic Spinster Graphics. A lot of clipart! Desktop publisher users
would benefit by this one, from what I've seen so far. Both CDs are
distributed by It's All Relative; and I'm sure available from other well-
stocked dealers. The holidays are rapidly approaching and there will be a
few Atari computer items under my Hanukkah bush this year, I'm sure. I hope
that you manage to find something waiting for you, as well. Happy Holidays!
Until next time...
Delphi's Atari Advantage!
TOP TEN DOWNLOADS (12/13/95)
*(1) WWW BROWSER V.1.5 *(6) "OH NO!" RESET SOUND
*(2) DOCTOR BOB'S GUIDE *(7) LAUNCHER V.2 BY F10
SOFTWARE
(3) ESSCODE64 UUE DECODER/ENCODER (8) ROLLER COASTER
EXPERIENCE
*(4) NUMBER TEST BRAIN TEASER *(9) LPS, SOUND PLAYER
*(5) TCACHE64.ZIP *(10) 20 MILLION MILES TO
EARTH
* = New on list
HONORARY TOP 10
The following on-line magazines are always top downloads, frequently out-
performing every other file in the databases.
STREPORT (Current issue: STREPORT 1149
ATARI EXPLORER ONLINE (Current issue: AEO: VOLUME 4, ISSUE 7
Look for the above files in the RECENT ARRIVALS database.
Future of Online ASCII! STR NewsFile! CIS, One of Many to Switch!
>From the Atari Forums on CompuServe:
The following was released by CIS for "publication" this afternoon. This
forum is not on the near term list for changeover, so don't fret. We are
providing this info so you are not surprised when one of your other favorite
forums switches over...
WHAT ARE THE NEW FORUMS?
New software is on its way to a forum near you. The forums will be run from
a different kind of computer system than it used to be, and the forum
software has been completely rewritten to clean up the code and make it more
robust and flexible for the future. Even though the forum software is
completely rewritten, it's going to largely look just like the old forums
did, at least at the beginning.
The new forum software offers a wealth of benefits, from the immediate gains
like more space for members, libraries, and messages, to longer-term
advantages of more flexibility for new features, new presentations of the
forum software, and expandability for the future.
The new forum software will be a product that can only be used by HMI-
compatible applications. HMI stands for Host Micro Interface, which is a
special protocol communications programs can use to communicate with
CompuServe. Terminal Emulation programs - programs that support text only -
will not be able to use these new forums.
WHAT PROGRAMS SUPPORT THE NEW FORUMS?
The following programs are HMI-compatible:
n CompuServe Information Manager (CIM for Windows, Mac, DOS, or OS/2)
n CompuServe Navigator (CSNav for Windows or Macintosh)
n OzWIN
n CISComm
All of these programs will be able to use the new forum software without any
upgrade of their software; new forums will look pretty much the same as the
old forum software did.
The following programs offer immediate upgrades to HMI-compatible software:
z TAPCIS (upgrade to version 6.1; GO TAPCIS)
Other programs, such as Golden Commpass and NavCIS, are working on updates
to their software that will support the new forums.
WHAT WILL HAPPEN IF I TRY TO ACCESS THE NEW FORUMS WITH SOFTWARE THAT
DOESN'T SUPPORT IT?
If a member tries to enter a new forum with software that does not support
HMI, he or she will see a special bulletin that explains that their software
cannot use that product and a list of places to go to get upgrades to their
software.
WHAT WILL BE DIFFERENT IN THE NEW FORUMS?
To begin with, the forums will not look very different. The following things
will be changed in the new forums:
GENERAL
Searching for a membership directory entry will always bring up the
requested member's User ID and forum name, akin to the WHO command in ASCII.
(Date of access is planned to be added soon.) A new notice (announcement)
has been created called "User Log." It gives the same information as the
ULOG command in ASCII; the names and times
of everyone who has accessed the forum in the past 24 hours.
MESSAGES
Message boards will be immediately updated, so that members will be able
to see messages and replies they post during the same visit to the forum.
The High Message Number will not be updated, though, so they will also see
those messages on their next visit.
LIBRARIES
Filenames can be in upper or lower case. However, this only affects the
display of the filename; searches are not case-sensitive. (Searches for
TEST.TXT and test.txt will return the same file.) Files may have as many
keywords as needed, and no limit is in place for the length of each keyword.
Keywords will not need to be all in upper case (searches for keywords will
still not be case-sensitive).
CONFERENCING
Moderated conferences will be available (only supported in WinCIM 1.4 and
future versions of all compatible software). The ROLL command has been
removed.
HOW LONG WILL IT BE BEFORE FORUMS ARE CONVERTED?
The first few forums will begin converting in December. Most of the forum
conversions to the new software will start in January and continue through
the first half of 1996.
WILL ALL FORUMS USE THIS NEW SOFTWARE?
No. The old forum software will not be getting future upgrades and support
for it will lessen as time goes on. However, we will continue to offer the
old forum software for any forums that require it. Examples of these are
forums that cater to platforms that do not currently have HMI-compatible
software, such as Unix, Amigas, and Ataris. GO FEEDBACK for any questions
about the new forums. Also, contact your software author for any specific
questions about the communications program you use to call CompuServe.
Jaguar Section
Jaguar, 1996 - Ted Hoff!
More Games Coming! Missile Command 3D!
Ruiner Pinball Review!
$99.00 Jag!! And Much More!
>From the Editor's Controller - Playin' it like it is!
Nine more shopping days until Christmas.....
The games are picking up again as we get closer and closer to the
holidays. I-War, Fever Pitch Soccer, and Myst are on the way to dealers and
should be available any day now. If things go as planned, we'll see ten
more games come out from Atari in time for the holiday; I have no definitive
numbers for 3rd*party games coming out as it's up to them to make those
announcements. There are plenty of quality games out, and coming, to make
this a good holiday for the users. How many new users will there be this
Christmas.........?
Perhaps a little late, but a good move regardless, is the news that
Atari has reduced the price of the Jaguar to $99.00. Since I haven't heard
an official statement to this effect, I'm going to assume that this is for
the base unit only, with no pack-in games. This price reduction should
attract some new sales if the dealers push them. But, without some visible
marketing by Atari and the dealers, people may not realize it. Atari is
showing ads on cable television, so maybe the new price will help. There
may not be enough time left to generate any significant sales for the
holidays, though. Brisk holiday sales for the Jaguar would mean good after-
the-holiday sales for new games * a shot in the arm that Atari and the
developers really need. Will it happen? I guess we'll see.
The infomercial is being re-run with a few minor changes. Instead of
the $199 immediate price tag sale pitch, buyers will be able to make
payments in four installments ($49.75 ea). This may help those with credit
card crunches on their limits!
We've got a Ruiner Pinball review for you, as promised. We're still in
the process of completing others; most of our reviewers are either
frantically finishing up their holiday shopping or digging out from the
numerous snow storms to hit lately! Whichever, reviews have appeared to
have been delayed with a number of apologies to the readers. All of the
recent releases, along with those coming out in the next few weeks, will
appear in reviews in upcoming issues * stay tuned!
In the meantime, enjoy the games that you have, and expect to have more
shortly. I think it will be a great holiday for current Jaguar owners; and
I hope that there will be a number of new users coming into the fold during
the holiday season that's upon us .we can only hope that it will happen.
Happy Hanukkah to all of those who celebrate!
Until next time...
Industry News STR Game Console NewsFile - The Latest Gaming News!
ATARI EXPANDING DEVELOPMENT TO PC AND OTHER PLATFORMS
Amidst a flurry of rumors and speculation about the future of Atari Corp.'s
Jaguar game system, Atari, in an exclusive interview with MMWIRE, says it is
not abandoning the Jaguar. In a talk with Ted Hoff, pres. North American
ops., MMWIRE learned that the company is expanding its reach, developing for
PC, Mac, PlayStation and Saturn platforms. The move is meant to prevent the
company from being "locked-in" to the Jaguar platform and create additional
revenue streams. Atari has "got to fish where the fish are," says Hoff, in
reference to the installed base of PCs.
Atari says it will release approx. 20 titles for the PC (4 in 1Q96, 4-6 in
2Q96, with remaining titles to be negotiated) and 20 for the Jaguar in the
'96 calendar year. Atari PC titles will focus on action, RPG, and arcade
genres. None of the titles currently being developed for the PC are being
developed in-house, says Hoff. Outside development is also the norm for
Jaguar titles. While PC titles do make up 50% of 96 titles, Atari is still
putting the "preponderance" of the company's funds behind development for
the Jaguar, say Atari officials. Mac, PlayStation and Saturn titles -also
expected for 96 -- take priority in the order listed, says Hoff. Atari will
begin marketing its PC titles in Feb.
What about the rumored lay off of 15-25 members of Atari's development
staff? Hoff explained that the developers released (approx. 11) were 2
separate incidents. The first group of developers were let go due a 2 1/2
year project that never saw any results, and the other group was released
after completing the title it was assigned. All title producers, which
manage outside development projects, remain at Atari, says Hoff. Atari also
acknowledged that it has "shelved" its head-mounted VR set for the home. The
company said the last round of optics, the key element in the headset, sent
to the company were not commercially acceptable, making users "woozy."
Arcade Favorite Receives New Mission
Atari Corporation Launches
"Missile Command 3D" for Jaguar 64
SUNNYVALE, CA (December 12, 1995) -- Load your lasers, mark your missiles
and secure your smart bombs, your colony is under alien attack. Gamers are
gearing up after Atari Corporation's announcement that "Missile Command 3D"
is the latest artillery in the Atari Jaguar 64 software arsenal.
Based on the arcade classic, the Jaguar update of "Missile Command 3D"
features both fiercer firepower and nastier bad guys. It takes more than
missiles, lasers and smart bombs to defeat these aliens---gamers must employ
a quick and accurate fighting style to protect their neighborhoods from the
outer space invasion.
"Missile Command 3D" contains three different game options: Original Missile
Command, 3D Missile Command and Virtual Missile Command. The "Virtual" and
"3D" game options boast a number of 3-dimensional worlds found undersea, in
the clouds and in outer space. Stereo sound, texture mapped graphics and
multiple backgrounds compliment the power of the Jaguar 64 system.
"Atari Corporation continues to provide Jaguar owners with top-quality,
exciting games for their Jaguar 64 systems," said Ted Hoff, Atari's
President of North American Operations. "'Missile Command 3D' is another
outstanding title in our lineup of software releases for the Atari Jaguar 64
and CD peripheral this holiday season."
"Missile Command 3D" is available in stores nationwide, has a suggested
retail price of $59.99, and is rated K-A (appropriate for kids to adults).
CONTACT: Patricia Kerr or Jennifer Hansen
Shandwick USA
(800)444-6663 or (310)479-4997
For more than twenty years, Atari Corporation has provided consumers with
high quality, value-priced entertainment. Atari Corporation markets Jaguar,
the only American-made, advanced 64-bit entertainment system and is located
in Sunnyvale, California.
Joystick Maker Files Patent Suit
PC joystick maker ThrustMaster Inc. says it has filed a patent infringement
lawsuit against WICO Corp., the parent company of competitor Suncom
Technologies. In its suit, filed last month in the Portland, Oregon, U.S.
District Court, ThrustMaster charges that Suncom is infringing its patent
covering reconfigurable game and simulation controllers. ThrustMaster says
the technology was invented to help computer game enthusiasts change the
settings on their joysticks. ThrustMaster is seeking unspecified damages
and has requested that the court enjoin Suncom from making or selling any
joysticks using the disputed technology.
Microsoft Buys Flight Sim Firm
For undisclosed terms, Microsoft Corp. has acquired the organization that
produces its most successful games package, the famed Microsoft Flight
Simulator. Computergram International reports this morning most of the 30
or so employees of the Bruce Artwick Organization will make the trek to
Microsoft offices in Washington state from their present base in Champaign,
Ill.
"Bruce Artwick clearly reckons it is finally time for him to cash in," the
newsletter commented. "He will not become a Microsoft employee, but will
continue to consult for the company. Microsoft reckons that Flight Simulator
is the most successful entertainment title for personal computers with over
3 million copies sold." CI notes the software runs only under MS-DOS, but
that Microsoft now plans a Win95 version.
Internet Casino to Make Debut
Net surfers will soon be able to waste more than their time. Sports
International Ltd., in a deal with Daleen Technologies Inc., says it will
begin beta-testing a Global Casino in late June. Sports International, a
sports wagering firm based on the Caribbean island of Antigua, says the
casino will offer all of the games available in an actual casino, including
blackjack, roulette and slot machines.
Daleen is developing the site's software, which will allow players to place
wagers on the various games. Players will first have to establish a prepaid
account with Sports International before their wagers can be accepted.
Sports International's Web page address is http://www.gamblenet.com/bet. A
slot machine demo is scheduled to go online in January.
Jaguar Developers STR InfoFile - Current Developer Lists & Titles
Game Title Date Game Type MSRP
Publisher
Air Cars TBA Racing/Combat $59.99 MidNite
Ent.
Alien vs Pre+dator NOW Role Play/Adv $69.99 Atari
Assault 2Q/96
Action/Combat $59.99 MidNite Ent.
Atari Karts 12/95 Driving
$59.99 Atari
Att. Mutant Penguins 12/95 Arcade $59.99
Atari
Baldies (CD) 12/95 Action/Sim $59.99 Atari
Battlemorph (CD) 12/95 Flying/Action $59.99
Atari
Battlesphere 12/95 Space/Combat TBD
4-Play
Battlestar TBA Space/Combat
TBD ?
Battle Wheels 2Q/95 Racing/Combat
TBD Beyond Games
Blue Lightning (CD) NOW Flying/Action $59.99
Atari
Braindead 13 (CD) 12/95 Action/Adv TBD
ReadySoft
Breakout 2000 3/96 Puzzle $49.99 Atari
Brett Hull NHL Hockey 2/96 Sports $69.99 Atari
Brett Hull Hockey (CD) 3/96 Sports $69.99 Atari
Brutal Sports Football NOW Sports/Combat $69.99
Telegames
Bubsy NOW Action/Adv $19.99 Atari
Cannon Fodder NOW Action/Adv $49.99 Virgin
Chas Barkley Bball 1Q/96 Sports $59.99 Atari
Checkered Flag NOW Racing $19.99 Atari
Club Drive NOW Racing $29.99 Atari
Commander Blood(CD) 2/96 RPG $69.99 Atari
Cybermorph NOW Flying/Action $59.99 Atari
Dactyl Joust TBA Action TBD Atari
Dante (CD) 6/96 Action TBD Atari
Defender 2000 1/96 Arcade $59.99 Atari
Doom NOW Action/Combat $69.99 Atari
Double Dragon V NOW Action/Adv $59.99 Williams
Dragon:Bruce Lee Story NOW Combat $29.99 Atari
Dragon's Lair (CD) NOW Adventure $69.99 ReadySoft
Dragon's Lair 2(CD) 12/95 Adventure TBD
ReadySoft
Dungeon Depths 2Q/95 Action/Adv $59.99 MidNite
Ent.
Evolution: Dino Dudes NOW Puzzle/Adv $19.99 Atari
Fever Pitch Soccer NOW Sports $59.99 Atari
Flashback NOW Action/Adv $59.99 US Gold
Flip-Out NOW Puzzle $49.99 Atari
Formula 1 (CD) 1Q/96 Racing TBD Atari
Highlander I (CD) NOW Action/Adv $59.99 Atari
Highlander II (CD) 3/96 Action/Adv TBD Atari
Highlander III (CD) 5/96 Action/Adv TBD
Atari
Horrorscope 2Q/95 Combat TBD V Reel
Hover Strike NOW Action/Combat $39.99 Atari
Hover Strike CD NOW Action/Combat $59.99 Atari
Hyper Force TBA ? TBD Comp. West
Iron Soldier NOW Action/Strategy $29.99 Atari
Iron Soldier II (CD) 1Q/96 Action/Strategy $59.99
Atari
I-War (aka Netwar) NOW Action/Adv $49.99 Atari
Kasumi Ninja NOW Combat $29.99 Atari
Magic Carpet (CD) 3Q/96 Action/RPG TBD Atari
Max Force (CD) 12/95 Action $59.99 Atari
Missile Command 3D NOW Action/Arcade $59.99 Atari
Mortal Kombat 3 4/96 Fighting TBD Atari
Myst (CD) NOW Interactive Novel $59.99 Atari
NBA Jam T.E. 12/95 Sports $69.99 Atari
Phase Zero 2/96 Action/Arcade $59.99 Atari
Pinball Fantasies NOW Arcade $59.95 Comp. West
Pitfall/Mayan Adv. NOW Arcade $59.99 Activision
Power Drive Rally NOW Driving TBD TWI
Primal Rage (CD) 12/95 Fighting TBD TWI
Raiden NOW Action/Adv $29.99 Atari
Rayman NOW Action/Adv $69.99 Ubi Soft
Rise of the Robots(CD) 12/95 Action/Arcade TBD TWI
Robinson's Requiem 2/96 Adventure $59.99 Atari
Rocky Horror (CD) 4/96 Adventure TBD Atari
Ruiner Pinball NOW Arcade $59.99 Atari
Sensible Soccer NOW Sports
Telegames
Sky Hammer (CD) 3/96 Flying/Action TBD Atari
Soccer Kid 2Q/95 Sports TBD Ocean
Soul Star (CD) 1996 Action/Sci-Fi TBD Atari
Space Ace (CD) 12/95 Space/Combat TBD ReadySoft
Super Burnout NOW Racing $59.99 Atari
Supercross 3D 12/95 Sports $59.99 Atari
Syndicate NOW Simulation $69.99 Ocean
Tempest 2000 NOW Action/Adv $39.99 Atari
Theme Park NOW Simulation $69.99 Ocean
Trevor McFur NOW Action/Adv $19.99 Atari
Troy Aikman Football NOW Sports $69.99
Williams
Ultimate Brain Games TBD Puzzle TBD
Telegames
Ultra Vortek NOW Action/Adv $69.99 Beyond
Games
Val D'Isere Skiing NOW Sports $39.99 Atari
VidGrid (CD) NOW Puzzle/Music Atari
Wayne Gretzky (CD) 2/96 Sports TBD
TWI
White Men Can't Jump
(w/Team Tap) NOW Sports $49.99
Atari/TriMark
Wolfenstein 3D NOW Combat/Action $29.99 Atari
Zero 5 2/96 Space/Combat TBD Atari
Zool2 NOW Action/Adv $19.99 Atari
Zoop 1/96 Puzzle TBD Viacom
[Editor's Note: Titles, scheduled release dates, and prices are verified
from Atari - all subject to change]
Jaguar Game Title STR Review - "Ruiner Pinball"
Ruiner Pinball
Developed by: High Voltage
Published by: Atari Corp.
Price: $59.99
by Dana P. Jacobson
Ruiner Pinball is not your typical game of pinball. The game consists
of two different games, Ruiner and Tower, with multiple levels; Ruiner even
has dual tables within the same game. I'm a huge pinball game fan, but I
can't say how I really feel about this game; and I've played it for hours on
end! There are a lot of things I like about the game, and a number of
things that I dislike. Since I want to like it because it's pinball, I keep
going back to it to see if it improves over time. The final verdict is
still out, at the moment.
As mentioned above, Ruiner Pinball is actually two separate games:
Tower and Ruiner - I like Ruiner a little more than Tower...so far. Tower
reminds me a little of the "Stones and Bones" table in Pinball Fantasies in
that the theme is based on ghosts and goblins and the like. Other than
that, the games aren't much alike! Tower consists of "panels" of action;
the "higher" you are on the table, the more action occurs. Unless you have
incredible flipper control, once you're playing in the lower panel, consider
that ball soon down the tubes! The object of the table is to "cast three
spells and topple the tower." Easier said than done! Getting there is
challenging, but fun.
Ruiner has a military/nuclear Armageddon theme to it. The object to
the game, from what I can tell, is to get to DEFCON 1 (I've managed to get
to DEFCON 4 only, starting at 5!). In both tables, you need to hit
everything, blast everything, access all of the ramps/tubes, flip-outs, and
god-knows whatever else.
The graphics are excellent, especially in Tower. Tower has a lot of
moving sprites which depict such things as bats, bugs, eyes that follow your
ball's movements, and more. Special effects, such as the "teleport"
sequence as you travel from the middle panel to the top one, are really
nice. The stationary areas of the table is also nice, with a variety of
different graphics. On the other hand, I found the graphics in the Ruiner
table only mediocre. The circling array of planes that you need to destroy
are probably the best that this table has to offer. Other than the
"dropping parachutists", there are very few other moving targets/graphics to
speak of. I also found the stationary areas of the two levels to be boring
and lackluster with regard to graphics. The music and sound effects for
both games were very well done. You'll always know that you've done
something well or important because of the sound effects (you may not know
what, but you'll know you did something!).
I found the control to be average - it wasn't great. There are what I
consider to be a lot of "dead" areas in both games. You hit some targets or
bumpers and there's just little or no action. The games can be very fast
and then all of the sudden you hit a "dead" area and the game almost stops.
The action of the flippers is also weak, for the most part. As a longtime
pinball player, I know that a well-timed flip is going to get a good
reaction and the ball will travel where I hit it - not necessarily so in
these games. I've often had really well-hit flips just "float" halfway up
the table and then fall straight back. Very frustrating and untypical for
pinball. Like most pinball players, I use a lot of "body english" and an
occasional "nudge" of the table. Well, you can "push" this virtual pinball
game also, but it's difficult to control. Tilting the game is easy with too
strong a "nudge". Then again, that's pinball for you!
The manual, in my opinion, stunk. It tells you very little about the
game. The game tips and strategies are very vague. For the Ruiner table,
here's this little tip, in small print, to help your game: "There are tons
of ways to increase your score. Try different ramp and target combinations
and find mystery awards." How about this one, for Tower: "There are many
other targets and ramp combinations to find in the Tower so go rattle a few
bones." Hmmmmm...... There are other less vague tips, but not by much.
In a normal pinball table, you can look it over and check out the
various targets and figure out what needs to be done. Or, there's an
explanation of various combinations that will have specified results; and
you can look over the table to see what's been explained. In Ruiner
Pinball, this is usually not the case. You can't see the whole table and
see what needs to be done, overall. Most required moves are flashed on the
score bar, but who can look up while the ball is moving all over the place
or about to drop down the middle? I don't know about you, but I very rarely
look up to look at my score while playing; I wait until after the ball gets
sucked down the middle!
My preference would have been a manual that explains and shows more. I
don't expect the manual to tell me everything, but definitely more than it
did. I don't need a manual to tell me to hit anything that moves, hit all
drop-down targets, light all possible targets, go up all ramps, and the
like. But, I want to know what will happen when these things are done. I
still have no idea, in most cases.
Entertainment value is actually quite good, especially if you enjoy
pinball games. I want to keep playing this game and trying to better my
scores. I want to get to know more about the various plays in the games.
Having the ability to play "multi-ball" is also a lot of fun even though
it's difficult to see what's happening, as you really only get to "see" the
ball that's active and lowest on the table. I feel like I have to keep
flipping in the blind hopes that I can keep the active balls on the upper
panels in the game to stay there longer. It's a game that I know I'll
continue to play even though I feel that at this moment it's likely to be
frustrating because I don't know "all the moves" yet, if ever. Bottom line
is that it is fun.
Graphics: 8.0
Sound FX/Music: 8.0
Control: 6.0
Manual: 4.0
Entertainment: 7.0
Reviewer's Overall: 6.5
Overall, I'd have to say that Ruiner Pinball is a good game. It's not
a great game, at least yet. My expectations for this game were very high
and I feel a little letdown, but not overly disappointed. Ruiner is a game
that everyone can play and enjoy. My wife is a closet Jaguar player,
playing at times when I'm not home (so I don't pick on her playing!). She
hasn't come close to my Tower high score yet, but she has beat my Ruiner
high score recently! If you like pinball games, I would recommend this
game. I'm not sure if I'm going to like this game more after some more time
with it, but I'm certainly going to find out.
ONLINE WEEKLY STReport OnLine The wires are a hummin'!
PEOPLE... ARE TALKING
On CompuServe
compiled by
Joe Mirando
73637,2262
Hidi ho friends and neighbors. Another week has come and gone and our
numbers keep shrinking. But you've got to admit, it's not like it's
unexpected. Heck, Atari hasn't made a computer in years. That means that
there is no expanding userbase, therefore no flood of new, exciting
products, therefore folks are leaving for "bluer" pastures.
It's quite sad to see because, in its time, the ST was a cutting-edge
computer. Had it been supported by the manufacturer and followed by more
advanced, faster, more powerful versions as technology progressed, we might
be seeing people leaving the PC platform for GEM/TOS colored pastures right
now. But that was not to be.
Who do I blame? Would it make any difference right now? I think not.
So what's the use? I'm content, for the most part, to stick with my trusty
ST and use PCs only when I have to. They just don't have a personality. My
machine on the other hand, has personality in spades. I know that it's not
a good reason for picking a computer, but I didn't find out about the
personality part until after I went ST.
The other reason I stay with my Atari is the people I've met. Folks
like Albert Dayes, Myles Cohen, Sysops Ron Luks, Bob Retelle, and Jim Ness
are a great inducement to stay right here in this forum. I consider these
folks friends, and I've never even met four out of the five people I just
mentioned.
Well, let's get on with the reason for this column in the first place.
All the great news, hints, and tips available every week right here on
CompuServe.
>From the Atari Computing Forums
Jon Pruitt asks:
"Is it true, as I've heard, That CIS plans to stop supporting text
based interfaces in a few months??? What happens to us atari users? ?
Is this the end??"
The big Kahuna himself, Chief Sysop Ron Luks tells Jon:
"The Atari Computer Forum will contnue to run the old forum software
as long as they will let me. You wont have access to the newest forum
features, but at least you will have ASCII access."
Jon tells Ron:
"Thanks. <sniff> It looks like the writing is on the wall, though...."
Ron replies:
"Oh yeah. The writing is on the wall.... The fat lady has sung....
Whatever cliche you prefer, its time to use it."
Sysop Jim Ness adds:
"As Ron says, we'll still be here.
What's happened is that CIS has decided to switch to new host hardware
and a new operating system (Windows NT) for most of the service. The
new hosts will allow larger forums - more messages, more message
sections, more and larger libraries, larger and moderated conferences,
and we're told no loss of speed with the larger size.
Since they had to entirely rewrite the software, for the new hosts,
they had to decide what "legacy" stuff they were going to support. The
decision was made to no longer support ASCII, or terminal program,
access to CompuServe, on the new hosts. They'll be accessible only via
programs written for CIS' proprietary protocol (called HMI).
Examples of HMI programs are WinCIM, MacCIM, CIS Navigator for
Windows, etc. There is no HMI for anything but DOS/Windows, OS/2, and
Mac, which covers over 90% of the people who use CIS.
As a compromise, CIS will continue to offer some products on the old
host hardware. So, this forum, the Amiga forums, the UNIX forums, etc,
will continue to exist, and will continue to be accessible via both
terminal programs and HMI. But that means if you have no HMI programs,
you'll find a declining number of services you can access on CIS.
The changeover to new hosts is time consuming - message and library
files are copied to new hosts and converted to new database formats,
etc. CIS expects only a few forums will be done each week. It could
take 6 months to convert everything that's going to be converted.
CIS Mail is going the same route. In the next few weeks, you'll be
asked to decide whether you want to switch to the new HMI mail hosts or
stay where you are. The new hosts will be supporting a ton of new
features, the old hosts will continue to do what they already can do."
Jon tells Jim:
"Thanks for the update. I'm depressed. I guess I'll be looking for
that new computer sooner rather than later. curiously, it'll probably
be getting a new computer that will take me off of CIS. Internet
providers are becoming cheaper and cheaper, while CIS looks
comparitively more expensive."
Ron Luks tells Jon:
"CIS rates are down to $1.95/hour. At increasing baud rates, you can
get a LOT of CompuServe access in the 5 hours per monthly subscription.
Are you really finding Internet providers that are significantly
cheaper than this?"
Jon tells Ron:
"It's a question of how much you access. Net.com has a $20/month
packagwe that includes umpteen prime / and super umpteen non prime
hours. Digex has a $35/month package that includes up to 6 hrs/daily
access.
If I stay with CIS, it'll be because I am so comfortable here, and
maybe once I switch platforms I'll find a wealth of stuff for my new
'puter.
But really, CIS is slowly becoming cheaper in order to be more in line
with other services, yet CIS is not as cheap as they are, provided you
have the knowledge to get at what you want.
I used more than 20 hours last month (1st time ever) with the super
value plan, it is a good deal, but My bill was high anyway."
Ben Eby asks for assistance:
"I need your help. I recently bought a Samsung SP-2412 printer to go
with my Atari ST, and I have some problems. It seems that it only
allows me to print on the first 61 lines of the page, leaving the last
5 for the next page. I'm using WordWriter 2, and while my printer is
supposed to be emulating an Epson printer, the Epson (nor any of the
other) driver does not work right. It puts my bottom margin on the
second page!!! I should probably tell you that I'm using single
sheets, not feed paper. My manual mentions (veerryy briefly) two
settings that I am unfamiliar with. LQ Vtel and DT Vtel. Although
those settings probably arent relavent to my problem, it would be nice
to know what they mean, anyway. Specifically, the manual says that we
are emulating an Epson LQ850. The settings I referred to look like this
in the manual:
LQ Vtcl -2.5 -2 -1.5 -1 -0.5 0 +0.5 +1 +1.5 <+2> +2.5
Does this stand for something like Vertical Line Quantity or
something? The manual leaves me completely in the dark."
Sysop Bob Retelle tells Ben:
"Unfortunately I don't have any experience with Samsung printers, but
if it's truely emulating an Epson LQ850, you may be able to find
printer drivers for the Epson that will allow your system to print
properly to the new printer...
Do you have this problem just when you're printing from WordWriter, or
does it affect all printing from the Atari system..? Possibly some
experimenting with the "lines per page" settings in WordWriter might
help..."
Ben tells Bob:
"This problem with my printer seems to be effecting everything... I've
tried printing on my IBM clone with the same results. I talked to the
place where I bought it, and they are going to look at it. I have a
sneaking suspicion that it is the paper sensor. I'm going to
experiment with some tractor feed paper to see if the same problem
occurs. Luckily, I bought the printer (reconditioned) with a 45 day
warranty....
EUREKA!!!!!!!
I BOUGHT SOME tractor feed paper tonight (and risked life and limb
doing so) and fed it into my samsung and viola! no more problem.
It now puts my page breaks where they are supposed to be...at the page
breaks! What a relief. It's bad enough having a failed floppy drive
on my XE, without having a non- operative STe also. I may be weird,
but I love these little Atari machines!"
Stephen Wilson asks for help:
"Can anyone give me advice on addressing the centronics port on an STE.
I've written a routine that uses the printer port on the Atari to
transmit display data via a pic microcontroller chip to a remote lcd
screen BUT there's a teensy weensy little problem - the data is getting
through ok, but the pic is reading each byte more than once: 5 or 6
times to be precise!
It's probably something to do with the handshaking, but inspite of a
deal of experimentation with the pic code, I can't restrain its
enthusiasm.
We're talking about 2 handshaking signals here: * strobe - atari
output - goes low when data is valid at the atari end, and * busy -
atari input - indicates that the pic (or printer in the normal run of
things) is busy and cannot accept another byte.
Both deduction and induction have led me to the following code -
* pic puts 'busy' low to indicate readiness
* pic then polls 'strobe' until that goes low
* whereupon it recovers the byte from the bus
* pic immediately puts 'busy' high to disable further output from atari
* and then processes byte before outing to lcd
* repeats whole process ad infinitum
I've tried postponing putting busy low until after the polling loop,
but this simply doesn't work - the atari simply won't output a byte
under these conditions."
Sysop Bob Retelle replies:
"Hmm... not really having any idea what a pic chip is, or exactly how
it operates, this will be just a guess... but...
It almost sounds as if the pic is very much faster than the signal
transitions on the Atari parallel port... that is, it sees the strobe
from the Atari go low, grabs the byte, raises the busy line, processes
the byte then pulls the busy line low again... all much faster than the
Atari can respond.
After it pulls the busy line down, it finds the strobe line low (from
the previous byte) so it reads the byte again thinking it's a new byte
and repeats until the Atari finally gets around to putting a new byte
on the bus.
Does the pic actually watch for a high to low transition on the Atari
strobe line, or does it just poll for a low signal level..?
If the latter, that may be the problem...
Can the pic be interrupt driven..? That is, could the high to low on
the Atari strobe generate an interrupt to signal the pic that a new
byte is present..?
That would be far preferable to trying to tweak in a delay loop that
would let the Atari parallel port complete a full cycle of the
handshaking signals before the pic tried to pick up a new byte.
Most of all, remember I'm just guessing here..!"
Well folks, between the long, hectic week I've had and shoveling out from
this latest snow storm, I'm tired and sore. So, I'm going to stop here and
say good night. Tune in again next week, same time, same station, and be
ready to listen to what they are saying when...
PEOPLE ARE TALKING
EDITORIAL QUICKIES
YIKES!
$99.00!!! But I PAID $250.00!!
Oh NO!! Not AGAIN!!
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STR OnLine! YOUR INDEPENDENT NEWS SOURCE December 15, 1995
Since 1987 Copyrightc1995 All Rights Reserved Issue No. 1150
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