ST Report: 10-Jan-97 #1302
From: Bruce D. Nelson (aa789@cleveland.Freenet.Edu)
Date: 01/18/97-08:37:54 AM Z
From: aa789@cleveland.Freenet.Edu (Bruce D. Nelson)
Subject: ST Report: 10-Jan-97 #1302
Date: Sat Jan 18 08:37:54 1997
Silicon Times Report
The Original Independent OnLine Magazine"
(Since 1987)
January 10, 1997 No.1302
Silicon Times Report International OnLine Magazine
Post Office Box 6672
Jacksonville, Florida 32221-6155
R.F. Mariano, Editor
STR Publishing, Inc.
Voice: 1-904-292-9222 10am-5pm EST
STReport WebSite http://www.streport.com
STR Publishing Support Server
MULTI-NODE Operation 24hrs-7 days
THE BOUNTY INTERNATIONAL BBS
Featuring: * 5.0GB * of File Libraries
Mustang Software's
WILDCAT! Client/Server BBS
Version 5 95/NT
(Under Construction)
STReport published with MS Office 97 & Adobe Acrobat Pro v3
Featuring a Full Service Web Site
http://www.streport.com
Voted TOP TEN Ultimate WebSite
Join STReport's Subscriber List receive STR through Internet
FAX: 904-268-2237 24hrs
Toad Hall BBS 1-617-567-8642
01/10/97 STR 1302 The Original Independent OnLine Magazine!
- CPU Industry Report - MATROX MGA - Shareware Treasures
- MS ships MAC Explorer - Businesses MAC Shy - Pentium MMX
- Sharp Zaurus - Parolee Surfing Cut - Final Doom
- Tunnel B1 Review - People Talking - Classics & Gaming
36 Million Homes Online by 2000
Apple Expects $150 Million Loss
Net Stocks Sizzle, Fizzle in '96!!
STReport International OnLine Magazine
Featuring Weekly
"Accurate UP-TO-DATE News and Information"
Current Events, Original Articles, Tips, Rumors, and Information
Hardware - Software - Corporate - R & D - Imports
STReport's BBS - The Bounty International BBS, invites all BBS systems,
worldwide, to participate in the provision and distribution of STReport for
their members. You may call The STReport Home BBS, The Bounty @ 1-
904-268-4116. Or obtain the latest issue from our WebSite. Enjoy the
wonder and excitement of exchanging all types of useful information
relative to all computer types, worldwide, through the use of the Internet.
All computer enthusiasts, hobbyist or commercial, on all platforms and BBS
systems are invited to participate.
** WEB SITE: http//www.streport.com **
CIS ~ PRODIGY ~ DELPHI ~ GENIE ~ BIX ~ AOL
IMPORTANT NOTICE
STReport, with its policy of not accepting any input relative to content
from paid advertisers, has over the years developed the reputation of
"saying it like it really is". When it comes to our editorials, product
evaluations, reviews and over-views, we shall always keep our readers
interests first and foremost. With the user in mind, STReport further
pledges to maintain the reader confidence that has been developed over the
years and to continue "living up to such". All we ask is that our readers
make certain the manufacturers, publishers etc., know exactly where the
information about their products appeared. In closing, we shall arduously
endeavor to meet and further develop the high standards of straight
forwardness our readers have come to expect in each and every issue.
The Publisher, Staff & Editors
Florida Lotto - LottoMan v1.35
Results: 1/4/96: 2 of 6 numbers, no matches
>From the Editor's Desk...
Second issue of the New Year and already. I've got a squawk or two! I
have to agree with Lloyd E. Pulley in his assessment of the alarming number
of shareware program authors who simply do not pay full attention to their
install/uninstall routines. The trashing of systems has been going on for
some time now with many folks trying desperately to recover their system's
performance without having to format and re-install everything. I'd love
to see a "shabby program/programmer's listing" thus giving our readers the
opportunity to avoid problems by avoiding the poorly written stuff.
On another note. many folks saw the ads from a few years ago about the
64bit Atari Jaguar Game Console.. At the same time, many argued whether or
not the Jaguar was indeed a 64bit machine or that it was a play on
technological terms. Now a brand spanking new travesty is afoot swirling
around the Jaguar like a whirlpool in a swill tank. Seems a rather well
known liquidator (Tigersoft) has purchased all the remaining unsold Atari
Jaguars, games and peripherals. Which is fine. Also, its a great deal if
one wants to buy a "64" bit game console with a CDRom and games at a great
price. Now comes the rub!! These guys at Tigersoft have set the Jaguar up
as something that "has a future"! This is simply not true! It is DEAD.
The Atari Jaguar is as dead as Kelsey's whatevers and the echo of
yesterday's applause combined! Tigersoft has, in our opinion, stepped over
the line of good advertising and entered the world of doubletalk and fuzzy
grey information. As stated.. the price and package deal offered to the
purchasing public is a good one but the manner in which it's being offered
is horrid. Shame on you Tigersoft! Or, at least your Sales Manager. I
put them all in same class as those who had and continue to promise games
for the Jaguar. PT Barnum put it all in a very special way.. "There's one
born every minute!"
Meanwhile, it was roughly a few years or so ago that this reporter
made it very clear Apple appeared to have little or no future with its OS
and niche market. A great deal of water has passed by our Crystal Ball
including the PPC, the Performas and all sorts of lurid tales of umpteen
million mhz cpu's. Yet here we are, watching Apple's fortune continue to
dwindle and its stock become more emaciated with every passing day.
Apple's salvation is in but one direction, Microsoft and Windows. be it now
or down the road that's definitely the path of least resistance and
guaranteed continued corporate life for Apple. Don't be surprised if Apple
begins to ship a pure, ultra high performance, Windows machine. And. in
the not to distant future, you'll see Apple rejoicing in the revelry of
being the company that offered the very best in high performance Windows
Machines. Stranger things have already happened in this marvelous
computing world. Can you say Word Perfect. King Kahn? Osborne?
Speaking of Osborne, any of you know the Osborne Story? The one that
gave rise to the term: "Osborne Syndrome"? (Yes Sir, Leonard was right all
along.) Its all about the Osborne Computer Company's Marketing "Genius"
who foretold of a great new Osborne soon to hit the market while there were
thousands of current models waiting to be sold! Yep! Doomsday for
Osborne. This past Christmas sales season is another classic example of
the Osborne Syndrome. Everyone Yapping about the Pentium MMX and the big
bad 200, 250 and 500Mhz CPUs that are "right around the corner" That
folks.. is what happened to all the anticipated Holiday Hardware Sales that
failed to materialize. Its simply amazing how the marketing geniuses of
today failed to learn from their predecessor's mistakes and blunders. Must
history always repeat itself again and again? Must be true when you hear
the Marketing Courses in College are really Basket Weaving 101 in disguise.
Most of these "marketeers" really haven't a clue.
Ralph...
Of Special Note:
http//www.streport.com
STReport is now ready to offer much more in the way of serving the
Networks, Online Services and Internet's vast, fast growing site list and
userbase. We now have our very own WEB/NewsGroup/FTP Site and although it
is in its early stages of construction, do stop by and have a look see.
Since We've received numerous requests to receive STReport from a wide
variety of Internet addressees, we were compelled to put together an
Internet distribution/mailing list for those who wished to receive STReport
on a regular basis, the file is ZIPPED, then UUENCODED. Unfortunately,
we've also received a number of opinions that the UUENCODING was a real
pain to deal with. So, as of October 01, 1995, you'll be able to download
STReport directly from our very own SERVER & WEB Site. While there, be
sure to join our STR AutoMailer list.
STReport's managing editors DEDICATED TO SERVING YOU!
Ralph F. Mariano, Publisher - Editor
Dana P. Jacobson, Editor, Current Affairs
Section Editors
PC Section Mac Section Special Events Section
R.F. Mariano J. Deegan Lloyd E. Pulley
Gaming & Entertainment Kid's Computing Corner
Dana P. Jacobson Frank Sereno
STReport Staff Editors
Michael Arthur John Deegan Brad Martin
Michael R. Burkley Paul Guillot Joseph Mirando
Doyle Helms John Duckworth Jeff Coe
Victor Mariano Melanie Bell Jay Levy
Carl Prehn Paul Charchian Vincent P. O'Hara
Contributing Correspondents
Jason Sereno Norman Boucher Daniel Stidham
David H. Mann Angelo Marasco Donna Lines
Brian Boucher Glenwood Drake Vernon W.Smith
Bruno Puglia Paul Haris Kevin Miller
Craig Harris Allen Chang Tim Holt
Ron Satchwill Leonard Worzala Tom Sherwin
Please submit ALL letters, rebuttals, articles, reviews, etc., via E-Mail
to:
CompuServe 70007,4454
Prodigy CZGJ44A
Delphi RMARIANO
GEnie ST.REPORT
BIX RMARIANO
AOL STReport
Internet rmariano@streport.com
WebSite http://www.streport.com
STReport Headline News
LATE BREAKING INDUSTRY-WIDE NEWS
Weekly Happenings in the Computer World
Compiled by: Dana P. Jacobson
Net Stocks Sizzle, Fizzle in '96
A handful of Internet stocks ended 1996 with gains ranging from 27 percent
to 77 percent. But a majority lost value as the industry experienced an
expected shakeout, according to Mecklermedia Corp.'s Internet Stock Index.
As a whole, the ISDEX lost 38 percent of its value in 1996 as Wall Street
burst the bubble of sky-high values that endured for much of the past 18
months until a market correction hit last summer.
"Nineteen ninety-six was the year that the movers and shakers with staying
power separated themselves from the moved and shaken," says Steve Harmon,
Mecklermedia's vice president of business development and senior investment
analyst "It's those companies that Wall Street wants less hype and more
results from." The handful of winners for the year included content,
security and commerce companies. C/NET (CNWK) posted a spectacular year-end
rally, up more than 24 percent in the three final trading sessions of 1996.
C/NET led ISDEX gainers, rising a total 77 percent to $28.25 per share
since its July 2 initial public offering (IPO) price.
With security and hackers on the hot list, leading firewall software maker
CheckPoint Software (CHKPF) zoomed from its IPO on June 28 with a 58
percent run to $22.13 per share on Dec. 31. Rival firewall software maker
Raptor (RAPT) also posted strong upside with a 35 percent gain to $20.25
per share from its IPO price. Search engine Yahoo! (YHOO) made bold forays
into print and international sites rising 32 percent to $17.13 per share
from its IPO price.
National Semi Eyes Risky Steps
Observers say chipmaker National Semiconductor Corp. is considering its
riskiest step to-date in its bid to re-vitalize itself. Writing in The
Wall Street Journal this morning, reporter Dean Takahashi quotes insiders
as saying that within weeks the firm will announce plans to sell or spin
off its commodity chip operations into a new company to be called Fairchild
Semiconductor.
"Divesting a unit that accounted for 23.3 percent of total revenuelast
quarter should give National Semi the cash needed to create the
state-of-the-art factories and expertise to make custom chips," Takahashi
says. The Journal notes that by ordering National Semi's forced march
toward the top of the custom chip business, new CEO Brian Halla "is taking
a far different, and some say much riskier, course than his predecessor,
Gilbert Amelio," who now heads Apple Computer Inc.
While those moves gained Amelio praise -- and provided fodder for a book he
wrote on management -- some say they weren't enough. For instance, Peter
Sprague, former longtime chairman of National Semi, told the paper, "Gil's
turnaround made National into little more than an industry follower. At
least this new CEO is taking risks that could make the company a leader."
In fact, with National Semi's earnings trailing industry pacesetters like
Intel Corp., Sprague and others say it is time for some truly decisive
moves, writes Takahashi.
Apple Expects $150 Million Loss
An operating loss of up to $150 million in its fiscal first quarter is
expected by Apple Computer Inc., which is reporting weak demand for its
Performa consumer line hurt revenue. Business writer Catalina Ortiz of The
Associated Press says the computer maker predicts revenue will be 10
percent lower in the three-month period ended Dec. 27 than in the prior
quarter.
"Apple said expected shortages of new PowerBook portables will also cut
revenue, in addition to the domestic demand softness for its Performas,"
Ortiz adds, noting Apple cut the price of its Performas up to 30 percent
last fall in an attempt to boost sales and market share. Says AP,
"Consumers in general have been deferring personal computer purchases. They
also are apparently still cautious about buying from Apple because of the
company's recent financial troubles and big corporate changes last year."
As a result, Apple Chairman Gil Amelio said additional restructuring steps
now appear necessary, noting, "These results suggest that we need to reduce
Apple's cost infrastrucure so that we can achieve break-even results at a
revenue level of $8 billion." AP says Apple had revenue of $9.83 billion
for the fiscal year that ended in September. That figure, however, was 11
percent lower than the year before.
Apple Stock Takes Tumble
So far, Apple Computer Inc. is having a very bad new year. The computer
maker started this day with its stock tumbling 17 percent by noon as
investors lost confidence in the firm's prospects. Adding to the
difficulty, several analysts now are advising their followers to avoid the
stock. "Hope faded on Wall Street for a short-term turnaround in the
computer maker's fortunes and further darkened the company's long-term
outlook," writes reporter Eric Auchard of the Reuter News Service. Several
brokerages, he reports, have urged investors to dump the stock, "with Wall
Street analysts turning gloomy about the ability of Apple management to put
the company's business strategies in order."
As noted earlier, Apple has reported it expects as operating loss of up to
$150 million in its fiscal first quarter, news that made Apple the most
actively traded Nasdaq issue this morning with more than 10 million traded.
By noon, Apple had fallen four points to 17-3/4. "You can't dismiss this
as a one-time issue," Montgomery analyst Kurt King told Auchard. "It really
does say something about Apple's long-term position in the consumer
market." King has maintained his hold rating on the stock.
However, Bear Stearns analyst Andy Neff told the wire service he has cut
Apple to unattractive from hold and suspended his estimates on the company
"until we have better visibility on earnings." And Prudential analyst Don
Young said he cut his rating to hold from buy and slashed his estimate for
fiscal 1997.
Says Reuters, "Beyond the earnings disappointment, analysts expressed
concern over the impending onslaught of rival machines that will be based
on new multimedia chip technology from Intel Corp. and will run Microsoft
Corp. Windows software." Adds Auchard, "The latest financial
disappointment is likely to deepen Apple's image problems among PC buyers,
where widespread doubts have lingered about the company's ability to
compete with rival PCs that run Windows software."
Businesses Said to Be Mac Shy
Word is that as more doubts swirl around struggling Apple Computer Inc.,
technology purchasing managers are having a hard time getting their bosses
to approve big orders of Macintosh computers. Reporting from San Francisco
the Reuter News Service comments, "Industry experts and consultants say
some large corporate customers are questioning whether or not they should
invest in Apple computers, or purchase rival PC's powered by Intel Corp.
chips and Microsoft Corp. software."
Jeff Lauterette, technical support engineer at EPI Systems, a big Macintosh
dealership based in Rockville, Md., told the wire service lots of his
customers are shying away from Apple, even though the Mac offers better
performance in certain applications, Lauterette added. As noted earlier,
Apple has reported it expects an operating loss of up to $150 million in
its fiscal first quarter, news that caused Apple stock to plunge as much as
21 percent yesterday, investors' first chance to react to Apple's
disclosure.
Analysts told Reuters the bad news puts Apple in a spiral where each time
it reports disappointing earnings, more customers shy away, leading to more
losses in future quarters. "It's definitely a fight," said consultant
Donald Laird, who advises companies about technology purchases. "Very
seldom do I go into a shop where they're as objective (about technology) as
I'd like them to be." And, as reported yesterday, adding to the
difficulty, several analysts now are advising their followers to avoid the
stock.
Apple Launches New OS Effort
Apple Computer Inc. officials are assuring their users that Macintosh
computers bought today will be able to run a new generation of operating
system software the company is developing with the help of recently
acquired NeXT Software Inc. According to the Reuter News Service, while
Apple is working on the new software, it also will release improved
versions of the existing Macintosh operating system -- dubbed System 7 --
later this month and in early summer.
"Let me assure you," said Ellen Hancock, Apple's head of development, "that
System 7 is not going to be abandoned," and that this year "will be the
biggest year ever in releasing system software." Reuters reporter Kourosh
Karimkhany in San Francisco notesthat in recent months, Apple has been
criticized for not moving quickly enough to improve the Macintosh operating
system. While Microsoft Corp. has released two major revisions of its
Windows operating system in the past two years, Apple has not overhauled
the Macintosh System 7 software since 1991.
As reported, Apple, in order to get an overhaul effort going quickly,
agreed last month to buy NeXT Software for $400 million. Apple will use
NeXT's software technology to write a next-generation operating system for
the Mac. "Since the announcement of the acquisition," says Reuters, "Apple
customers have been worried that software they have bought for System 7
would not work with a NeXT-based operating system."
But Hancock said, "We do see System 7 enhanced and supported for the next
several years. We do have a dual operating system strategy." She said
Apple will release later this month an improved version of System 7,
code-named Harmony. Apple will release another System 7 revision -- dubbed
Tempo -- in early summer. Hancock did not say when the next-generation
operating system -- code named Rhapsody -- will be released. Other Apple
executives said it could be as early as late 1997.
Net Set for 'Unprecedented Growth'
International Data Corp. is predicting "unprecedented growth" in the use of
the Internet and the World Wide Web on a global scale. Research conducted
by the Framingham, Massachusetts, market researcher reveals this growth
will be accompanied by an increase in the number of users that buy and sell
goods and services available on the World Wide Web; this growth will drive
commerce on the Internet to $100 billion in 2000. According to IDC, the
amount of commerce being conducted over the Internet was around $3 billion
in 1996, with more than one-third of those purchases completed on the Web
itself. Additional key findings include:
z The number of devices accessing the Web will grow from 12.6 million
worldwide at year-end 1995 to 233.3 million at year-end 2000.
z The number of users accessing the Web will grow from 16.1 million at
year-end 1995 to 163.0 million at year-end 2000.
z The percentage of users buying goods and services on the Web will grow
modestly -- from 24 percent in December 1995 to 28 percent in December
2000. This modest growth, says IDC, is only the result of the influx of
international users; in the U.S., the percentage of users who are "buyers"
will grow from 29 percent to 45 percent.
z IDC's primary research indicates that already one-third of Web
transactions are completed over the Web (as opposed to fax or phone). By
2000, that fraction should be much greater than two-thirds, says IDC.
36 Million Homes Online by 2000
Thirty-six million U.S. households will be online by the year 2000,
forecasts Jupiter Communications. The New York market researcher says
widespread improvements in network infrastruture, increasing bandwidth,
improved usability of Internet browsers and the growth of consumer-oriented
content will together drive Internet and online service usage in the home.
Jupiter estimates that approximately 14.7 million U.S. households are now
online.
Jupiter says online development will also be driven by continuous growth in
the PC marketplace. The company predicts that PC penetration in the U.S.
will be 55 percent by the year 2000. It notes that Internet market growth
is also tied to information appliances, which will appeal to consumers who
don't need the features of a PC. By the year 2000, Jupiter projects that 16
percent of Internet access will be from non-PC devices, and television will
emerge as the premier non-PC access device.
"The three major facets of consumer Internet access -- browsers, devices,
and bandwidth -- are going to experience massive shifts before the end of
the century," says Ross Scott Rubin, Jupiter's Internet group director.
"Internet service providers and hardware developers are moving aggressively
to make it easier and cheaper to access the Internet. Meanwhile, a
revolution in active information delivery and easy access to the Internet
from new computers are opening the doors for millions of new customers."
Visit the Jupiter Web site at http://www.jup.com.
Survey: Home PCs Rob Leisure Time
More than 37 percent of home PC users say that any increased productivity
gained from having the ability to work at home has come at the expense of
leisure time, according to NFO Research. While 86 percent of the people
the Greenwich, Connecticut, company surveyed said the ability to work from
home has increased their productivity, survey respondents also provided the
following comments about the resulting impact on leisure time:
z "There's no escaping 24-hour requests."
z "More companies now expect employees to be available at all times."
z "Co-workers feel more free to call at home with questions at any
time."
z "It's harder to keep compartments of my life separate."
z "I end up taking things home that I should have left at work."
z "I can't get away from work!"
"Due to the immediacy of transmitted information, there is an implicit
expectation that your response will also be made sooner," said one of the
respondents. "This can be disruptive to organized work patterns, and it
subtly encourages employees to do a little extra work at home." Nearly 300
people on a panel assembled by NFO responded to questions concerning the
impact of in-home, remote access to work-related computer systems. "These
survey results indicate that new computer and communications technologies
are helping people be more flexible and more productive, but they also show
the need for employers to recognize the full effect the technology has on
people's lives outside of work," says Charlie Hamlin, NFO's executive vice
president of interactive business development.
Info Tech Spending Seen Rising
Spending on information technology products and services is expected to
continue to increase in 1997, but the growth rate will decline for a second
straight year. That is the estimate of International Data Corp. of
Framingham, Massachusetts, where researchers and consultants also told
United Press International the Internet will continue to replace the
personal computer as the engine of growth for the information technology
industry, but that the Net expansion will be plagued with major growing
pains. IDC chief technology forecaster Frank Gens predicts:
z Spending on IT products and services will grow to more than $700
billion in 1997 -- a 12.3 percent increase, but down from 1996's 14.1
percent growth.
z Worldwide PC spending will grow 15.5 percent to $182.5 billion, down
from 20 percent growth in 1996 and 32 percent growth in 1995.
z The business market becoming saturated, information technology leaders
will need to explore "the uncharted frontier -- the mass market."
z The Internet will once again drive the IT market in 1997, when Web
users will double to more than 68 million. He says 90 percent of the
largest companies will have a Web site, and transaction volume over the Web
will increase by 400 percent.
z Fifteen to 20 percent of users will this year "turn off" the Web, 25
to 30 percent of commercial Web sites will die or stagnate, and local loop
and Internet service provider congestion will continue to plague users.
Adds UPI, "He predicts the action in 1997 will be with Internet access
providers and online services, and to look for decreases in consumer
Internet access pricing."
Multimedia Chip PCs to Debut
Look for PC makers this week to simultaneously roll out new multimedia PCs
built around a much-touted new chip by Intel Corp. Reporter Therese
Poletti of the Reuter News Service says the move is likely to "give the
consumer sector of the industry a much-needed boost." Intel is set on
Wednesday to officially launch its P55C microprocessor, with its o-called
MMX (multimedia extension) technology and, says Poletti, "A slew of
companies will roll out consumer PCs, notebooks and desktops using the new
chip, which offers much faster performance than earlier designs."
Analyst David Wu of Chicago Corp. said the MMX impact will be significant
in the second half, adding, "I should hope it helps -- the corporate world
is strong and the retail world is very weak." Reuters says consumer
anticipation of the new PCs is cited as one reason retailers have lately
shown weaker-than-expected sales, as savvy computer buyers waited for next
"big thing" to hit the market. Compaq Computer Corp., Dell Computer Corp.,
Gateway 2000 Inc., Toshiba America Corp., Sony Corp, IBM and other
companies are expected to unveil new high-end PCs, priced at more than
$3,000.
Packard Bell Debuts Low-End PC
Targeting the roughly 65 percent of American homes without a personal
computer, Packard Bell NEC Inc. has introduced a $999 Pentium-based PC.
The Packard Bell C115 includes a 120MHz Pentium processor, 16MB of EDO RAM,
a 1.2GB hard drive, an 8X CD-ROM drive, a 33.6 K bps data/fax modem and a
14-inch color monitor. The C115 is also available without monitor
"Our vision is to make a personal computer affordable for every home," says
Beny Alagem, chairman, president and CEO of Packard Bell NEC Inc., based in
Sacramento, California. "By providing an entry-level PC from a top
manufacturer in the sub-$1,000 price range, Packard Bell will help
non-users take that first step to PC ownership." The model is available
now on retailers' shelves, according to Alagem.
Microsoft Releases Mac Explorer
Microsoft Corp. has released a Macintosh version of Internet Explorer 3.0.
The software giant says its Web browser offers Macintosh users "faster and
wider access to Internet content over competitive browsers while running in
as little as 4MB of memory." The software includes Java support, ActiveX
Controls, HTML enhancements, cross-platform multimedia support and a
customizable toolbar.
"TheMicrosoft Internet Explorer for Macintosh development team had a single
vision -- to make the best browser for the Macintosh," says Brad
Silverberg, senior vice president of Microsoft's applications and Internet
client group. "Microsoft Internet Explorer 3.0 delivers on that vision,
providing more features and supporting more native Macintosh technologies
than any other browser."
Intel Unveils Pentium MMX
Intel Corp. today unveiled its much-anticipated Pentium processors with
multimedia extension (MMX) technology. The chips are designed to offer
users PCs with improved graphics, video and audio features. According to
the chip maker, 166MHz and 200MHz MMX Pentium processors for desktop
computers will cost PC makers $407 and $550 per chip, respectively, in
1,000-unit quantities. For mobile computer applications, low-power 150MHz
and 166MHz Pentium MMX chips will sell for $443 and $550, respectively, in
1,000 unit quantities.
Among the PC makers immediately announcing Pentium MMX systems are Acer
America, Compaq Computer Corp., Dell Computer Corp., Gateway 2000 Inc.,
Hewlett-Packard Co., IBM Corp. and Toshiba America Information Systems Inc.
Most of the new models are shipping now or later this month.
Sharp Debuts New Zaurus
Sharp Electronics Corp. has taken the wraps off of its latest Zaurus
handheld computer-communicator, the ZR-3500X. The unit, which is scheduled
to ship in late February for $499, offers a built-in 14.4K bps data/fax
modem, Internet e-mail access, Windows 95 synchronization software and a PC
link cable. Other features include a backlit Illuminated display, 1MB of
RAM and 1MB of flash memory. Built-in word processing and spreadsheet
applications are compatible with Microsoft Word and Excel file formats.
"The ZR-3500X is ideal for business users because it is uniquely designed
to work both as a stand alone device, as well as a PC companion with
powerful communications and Windows 95 synchronization capabilities," says
Mary Repke, director of marketing for Sharp's consumer business products
group.
Canon Quitting PC Business
Canon Inc. is leaving the PC business and will stop making its Innova
notebook line. The company, based in Tokyo, says annual Innova sales were
only about $8.6 million to $17 million, a small part of its overall
business. The company will continue to sell Canon brand computers produced
under an agreement with a Taiwanese PC manufacturer. It will also coninue
to market PC printers. Canon also says it will sell its 20 percent stake
in NeXT Software Inc. The company, headed by Apple Computer co-founder
Steve Jobs, was purchased last month by Apple for $400 million.
Japan's Chipmakers Plan Boost
By the end of 1997, combined monthly production of higher capacity computer
chips will be increased by 10 times by five Japanese semiconductor
manufacturers. In Tokyo, Nihon Keizai Shimbun, Japan's leading business
daily, reported the five will expand monthly production of 64-megabit DRAM
chips to 7.5 million units by December from 700,000 at the end of last
year.
Citing unnamed company officials, the paper identified the producers as NEC
Corp., Toshiba Corp., Hitachi Ltd., Fujitsu Ltd. and Mitsubishi Electric
Corp., noting the companies currently account for more than 40 percent of
world DRAM production. The Associated Press observes that NEC alone
produced 500,000 of the DRAMs each month at the end of 1996. By the end of
1997, it said NEC plans to manufacture between 3 million and 5 million
units a month.
Firm Issues Hacker Challenge
RSA Data Security Inc. is challenging hackers and others to decipher
encrypted messages on the Internet. The Redwood City, California, company
says it wants to test the security offered by the government-endorsed DES
encryption standard and other secret-key ciphers at various key sizes.
Prizes of up to $10,000 will be awarded for the recovery of each of 12 keys
with lengths varying from 40 bits up to 128 bits. In contests it has
sponsored since 1991, RSA has paid out over $100,000 in prizes to
mathematicians, hackers and other computer experts worldwide. RSA says
full details of the competition will be posted on its home page
(http://www.rsa.com/) during the first weeks of January.
French vs. English on the Net
Can France's laws aimed at promoting the French language and culture reach
into cyberspace? In Paris, a court this week hears a legal challenge by two
private French groups against an Internet site set up by the French campus of an
American university, written entirely in English. Writing for the Reuter News
Service, reporter Irwin Arieff quotes officials of Georgia Tech Lorraine,
part of the Georgia Institute of Technology, as saying the Internet site is
in English because all its courses are taught in English and all its
students are required to be fluent English-speakers.
"But," says Arieff, "the campus in Metz, eastern France, happens to be in a
country which has for the past two years waged an uphill battle against the
Anglo-Saxon domination of cyberspace." Reuters says France's 3-year- old
Toubon law requires that all advertising in France be in French. While an
ad can feature other languages as well, it must be translated into French.
Says Arieff, "Experts in the largely uncharted field of cyberspace law are
looking to the Georgia Tech Lorraine case for clues to the future course of
cyberspace regulation around the world."
The complaint was filed by two private Paris-based associations, Defense of
the French Language and Future of the French Language, which say they fear
for the future of French culture in an English-dominated world and see the
Internet as simply the latest Anglo-Saxon menace to their national language
and traditions. The Georgia Tech Lorraine site
(http://www.georgiatech-metz.fr) offers course descriptions, a guide to the
campus and other information useful to current and potential students and
provides access to Internet pages put together by some of the 29 students
listed on the site.
Arabs Worry About the Internet
A United Arab Emirates police chief says he worries about Arabs being able
to chat with Israelis over the Internet. Speaking with the
English-language Khaleej Times on the sidelines of an information seminar
in the UAE capital Abu Dhabi, Dubai Police Chief Dhahi Khalfan Tamim said,
"Computer-users in the UAE and other Arab states can hat with Israelis on
the Internet and exchange important information."
The Reuter News Service comments, "The UAE, a conservative Gulf Arab state
in which newspapers, magazines, books and films are censored, is also
anxious about the spread of pornography over web sites." In response,
Tamim said the UAE telecommunications giant Etisalat, which provides
access to the Internet, had launched a new plan to combat pornography and
other "undesirable material" on the rapidly growing computer web.
Said Tamim, "As more computer users are linking up to Internet in the UAE,
the spread of undesirable material among the country's youths will become
more visible. This will require the intervention of the authorities." He
said Etisalat has said it would disconnect any customers who abused
Internet services and violated "order and clear laws" of the UAE.
America Online Halts Russia Access
America Online Inc. has closed its doors to users in Russia, reports
Russia's Itar-Tass news agency. According to Itar-Tass, the online service
barred access in response to "credit card machinations by Russian clients."
The news agency says Russian callers to America Online are receiving a
message stating, "Communication with the Russian Federation is not
Available at the Moment." An America Online spokeswoman told Itar-Tass
that an investigation is continuing. America Online has not stated how long
the ban will continue.
AOL Hacker Pleads Guilty
America Online Inc. is celebrating the conviction of Nicholas Ryan, a
computer hacker known as "Happy Hardcore." Ryan today pled guilty in U.S.
District Court in Alexandria, Virginia, to a felony offense under the
Computer Fraud and Abuse Act. A computer science student at Yale
University, Ryan illegally accessed AOL and engaged in fraudulent
activities. According to the online service, Ryan first became known in
the hacker community after writing a piece of illegal software called
"AOL4FREE," which allowed hundreds of people to use the service illegally.
AOL says it has upgrade its security measures to prevent AOL4FREE or any
similar software from working. After detecting the illegal activity and
assembling evidence against the hacker, AOL says it notified the Secret
Service, which commenced an investigation culminating in today's guilty
plea.
Bill Would Block Net Taxes
A Senate Democrat and a House Republican are promising they will introduce
legislation to keep the Internet free of new state and local taxes,
including new sales and usage taxes. Sen. Ron Wyden (D-Oregon) and Rep
Chris Cox (R-California) told the Reuters news service that their bill
would "stop new cyber-taxes in their tracks." The measure also will call
on the Clinton administration to develop a comprehensive plan to address
the issue of electronic commerce taxes.
"Allowing a helter-skelter approach to taxing electronic commerce could
harm hundreds of thousands of businesses and millions of consumers," said
Wyden. "The best approach will be one that is well-thought out, fair and
assures growth in electronic commerce." He added that the absence of
cyber-tax legislation "could risk the development of a hodge-podge of
overlapping, conflicting and burdensome taxes that will hurt American
businesses and consumers."
Shareware Focus STR Feature Presenting the Latest Goodies
Shareware Treasure Chest
By Lloyd E. Pulley
I've only been a PC/Windows95 owner for just a few months but in that
time, I've already become addicted to it's power and features. But I have
a major gripe with much of the PC software, whether it be shareware,
commercial, or freeware, and that's the developers not using Windows95
'Install/Uninstall' feature properly. With all of the shareware programs
that I d/l and try, my system is constantly being cluttered up with pieces
and bits of software that didn't get uninstalled properly. Not only that
but when I take a look at my Registry, I see references to programs that I
uninstalled but that didn't clean up the Registry properly when they
uninstalled themselves. I just spent three days re-formating my hard drive
and resetting my regular programs up from scratch just because of this
reason (why it took me three days is the subject of a complete column <g>).
I've tried some of the 'Uninstal' programs and haven't found any of them
to be that good. Some are better than others, some work pretty decent on
commercial/major name stuff, but none works as good as what I want.
Naturally, everyone tells me, "You bought the wrong ones. You should have
bought 'XXX' or 'XYZ' and it would have worked." How many more 100's of
dollars do I have to spend to try and find a program that does what the
software developers should have done in the first place - clean up properly
after themselves?
When I had my Atari ST, I used to d/l a lot of software and try it -
whether I thought it was something I might need or not. Most (95%+) got
tried once or twice and went into the trash. But many of the pieces of
software that I ended up using (and buying) were ones that I didn't think
I'd want/need at first, but after giving them a try, I found out that I
needed/wanted them - and bought them. Nowdays, I have to really be
interested in a piece of software to give it a try. I have to wonder how
many potential sales/customers the software developers are losing because
they don't impliment the uninstall part of their software properly.
Cudos to the developers of 'Wallaby for Windows 95' (which was in last
week's shareware column). After trying their software and then
uninstalling it, I found that it had left my system 'dirty'. I contacted
them and within 24 hours they got back to me with the fix for the problem,
plus had fixed their uninstaller program so that it worked properly.
------------
Name/Version Release Date Size Price
Stuffit Expander - 1.0 1/9/97 346k Freeware
StuffIt Expander for Windows expands files from the most popular
archiving and compression formats found online, including StuffIt (.sit)
and ZIP (.zip). StuffIt Expander will also expand files in uuencoded
(.uue), BinHex (.hqx), and MacBinary (.bin) formats, such as those commonly
found on the Internet. Other archive formats supported include ARC (.arc),
Arj (.arj), and gzip (.gz). StuffIt Expander will also expand self-
extracting archives created by StuffIt, ZIP, and Arj.
Download Site -http://www.aladdinsys.com/consumer/expander1.html
------------
Name/Version Release Date Size Price
After Dark Online 1.05 for Win95 1/9/97 2.01mb Freeware
After Dark Online is a collection of screen savers that bring news and
information from top sources on the Web directly to your desktop. Get news
from sources you know and trust: DBC Financial News, Sports Illustrated
Online, USA Today, The Wall Street Journal, Journal Interactive Edition,
and ZD Net Computing Central. After Dark Online also gives you stock
quotes and sport scores. Best of all you customize the news you want, and
you determine how often the news is updated
Download Site -http://www.afterdark.com/index.html
------------
Name/Version Release Date Size Price
Liquid Music Player 32-bit - 1.0 1/9/97 Free
Provides a media-rich musical experience which allows users to view art,
lyrics and credits as well as production, agency and copyright information
while listening to high-fidelity music on the Internet. In addition to the
media browsing features, the free Liquid MusicPlayer makes it simple to
download true CD-quality Dolby Digital encoded songs, or direct you to
ordering information to add the disc to your home collection.
Download Site -http://www.liquidaudio.com/
------------
Name/Version Release Date Size Price
Coupon Clipper's Accountant - 1.0 1/6/97 3900k Nagware $10.00
Coupon Clipper's Accountant can help you organize your coupon portfolio
by category. This application allows online entry and updates to the coupon
data base. Online lists of All Coupons, Coupons that have Expired, Coupons
that expire this Month, Coupons that expire this Week, Grocery Coupon List,
and Coupons History are available as online or printed reports. Coupon
Clipper's Accountant has online helps as well as full documentation
included as part of the extracting zip file.
Download Site - http://www.win.net/fluffware/welcome.html
------------
Name/Version Release Date Size Price
Microsoft Internet Mail and News 1.0 1/8/97 1002k Freeware
The latest release (1/3/97 release)! Now helps you find your friends on
the Internet with its access to 4 White Pages Directory Services. Some of
it's other features are: It's easy to set up and configure using Microsoft
Wizard technology, Binary attachments are automatically decoded, You can
use Microsoft Office 95 spell checking (if Office 95 is installed), and the
ability to personalize your mail with automatic signatures. Requires IE
3.01 Final Version.
Download Site - http://www.microsoft.com/ie/imn/
------------
Name/Version Release Date Size Price
Disk Space Usage Analyzer - 1.1 1/5/97 1600k Freeware
Reads local drives and displays how much space is being taken up under
each subdirectory off of the root. Even counts hidden and system
directories. Shows how much drive space is being lost to the file system
due to cluster sizes related to the size of the hard drive.
Download Site - http://wint.sdic.com/kfayal/dsua.htm
------------
Name/Version Release Date Size Price
Great Battles of Alexander for Win95 1/2/97 19.2mb Commercial
Demo
The armies of ancient Greece are amassed against you. On the rocky
battle plain at Charonaea, you and your father stand against seemingly
insurmountable odds. Defeat will doom you to obscurity. Victory will
herald the beginning of the most spectacular military campaign in history,
one that will carry you from Greece to Africa and Asia. The entire known
world can be yours to conquer! Take command of the legendary armies of
Macedonia. Conquer the rebellious Greeks. Crush the defiant Persians.
Capture the crowns of kings and pharaohs to earn the most exalted title of
all: Alexander the Great.
Download Site -
http://www.imagicgames.com/alexander.dir/alexander.html
------------
Name/Version Release Date Size Price
Ez-Unzipper - 1.5 1/6/97 2000k Shareware $15.00
Ez-Unzipper is the smartest, fastest and easiest way to zip and unzip
files in Windows. Just a few clicks of a button and your files are
unzipped. Now includes an Unzipping Wizard and it also creates self-
extractors.
Download Site - http://www.gma-soft-tech.pair.com/
------------
Name/Version Release Date Size Price
DocClear - 1.0 1/8/97 116k Freeware
A small, configurable program that sits in the system tray and a) clears
the Documents menu when you choose, or b) clears the Documents menu at a
specified interval.
Download Site - http://www.sitedev.com/
------------
Name/Version Release Date Size Price
365 Days of Windows 95 Tips & Tricks - 1.1.1 1/7/97 565k Freeware
Steve Jenkins, founder of the Windows95.com Web site provides a useful
tip or trick every day. From the newbie to the power-user, his calendar
will help you master the ins and outs of Miscrosoft's 32-bit operating
system.
Download Site - http://www.visionx.com/ddwin.htm
------------
Name/Version Release Date Size Price
QuickColor for NT 4.0 and Windows 95 - 2.0 01/2/97 200k Shareware
$20.00
QuickColor for Windows 95/NT - a display control utility, supporting
dynamic color depth, resolution, and refresh rate switching, with user-
defined presets, program/shortcut associations, an optional toolbar and
extensive monitor support.
Download Site - http://www.entech.com.tw/
------------
Name/Version Release Date Size Price
Ultragammon - 1.2 1/7/97 1.1 meg Commercial Demo
$35.00
Ultragammon is a interactive virtual skill game for the PC that rivals
the classics such as Backgammon. Ultragammon sports stunning pre-rendered
3D graphics, 3 Skill Levels, and various game play options. The game
builds on the foundation of the masters and offers immense variety in its
tactics.
Download Site - http://www.intermart.co.nz/ultra.htm
------------
Name/Version Release Date Size Price
Meg 97 - 2.0 1/8/97 400k Shareware
Meg is a complete system monitor and disk utility designed exclusively for
Windows 95. Features include: Intuitive interface. Starting with simple
disk and memory pie graphs you drill down by clicking for additional
information. Extensive help features for easy use, including pop up help.
Six separate memory graphs, including Real, Virtual, and total memory.
Memory task list which shows what Windows 95 is currently running. All
Disk screen showing pie graphs of all of your drives at once. Disk space
graphs. Display in space totals in Mb, Kb, or Bytes, and more.
Download Site - http://ourworld.compuserve.com/homepages/mrvegas/
------------
Name/Version Release Date Size Price
Pegasus Mail - 2.52 1/7/97 1.5 meg Freeware
UPGRADE - A really good E-mail program that's free. It has a lot of nice
features like a spelling checker, mailing list support, and much more.
Download Site - http://www.pegasus.usa.com/
------------
Name/Version Release Date Size Price
Sleep Corners - 1.0 1/6/97 10k Freeware
Sleep Corners is a small utility you keep in your system tray that lets
you activate or disable your screen saver by putting the cursor into one of
the corners of you desktop. There are other screen saver utilities out
there, but Sleep Corners has some useful features the others don't.
Download Site - http://www.et.byu.edu/~melanded/SleepCorners/
------------
Name/Version Release Date Size Price
Eudora Light - 3.0.1 Beta 1/5/97 4000k Free beta
This is the beta version of Eudora Light 3.01. Expires January 31, 1997.
New features like filters, Capability-Enhancing Plug-ins, Drag & Drop
Capabilities, and Floating Dockable Mailbox Window.
Download Site - http://www.eudora.com/winlight301b.html
------------
Name/Version Release Date Size Price
WinHacker 95 - 2.0 beta 3 1/8/97 900k Shareware
WinHacker 95 is THE best utility that you can use to configure the hidden
Windows 95 (and Windows NT 4.0) settings. Many of the settings that change
the way Windows 95 works and feels are hidden in the overwhelming registry,
or in configuration files. WinHacker 95 give you a easy way to configure
those settings through the GUI (graphical user interface).
Download Site - http://www.wedgesoftware.com/
------------
Name/Version Release Date Size Price
Modem Logger - .45 1/8/97 1500k Freeware
A program that automatically detects if you use the modem on the selected
comm port. It takes note of your calls on a log file and lets you see the
total call time and other information. Very simple configuration.
Download Site -
http://www.adbbs.shiny.it/sitiweb/abbonati/kirysweb/software/mlog/
------------
Name/Version Release Date Size Price
Super Ice Qube Hopper - 1.3 1/6/97 1969k Shareware $19.00
Classic Arcade Style game based upon Q*Bert in a 90's environment. Hop
from Qube to Qube cracking them while avoiding Snow Balls, Snow Men, and
Seals! Digital Voice, Digital Sound, High Resolution Graphics using
DirectX. Many screens, and construction set to make your own levels!
DIrectX Setup (4.3 MB) is needed.
Download Site - http://www.playport.com/
------------
Name/Version Release Date Size Price
WinPack 32 Deluxe - 1.30 1/7/97 1000k Shareware $20.00
WinPack32 Deluxe support ZIP, GZIP, TAR, Lharc, UUENCODE, BINHEX, ARJ, and
ZOO. Features include, ability to view any file type within an archive,
archive conversion, built-in self-extractor, drag-n-drop, recursive
subdirectories, and zip decryption.
Download Site - http://www.rdsretrospect.com/
------------
Name/Version Release Date Size Price
ListFonts - 1.2 1/7/97 160k Freeware
ListtFonts lists your fonts on CD or already installed in your system.
Print only selected fonts in your printer or on preview panel. Easy and
beautiful!
Download Site - http://www.cbpf.br/~marcoscm/listfonts
------------
Name/Version Release Date Size Price
Norton Antivirus Definitions Updates - January 1/6/97 775k Freeware
Monthly updates for your Norton Anti-Virus program.
Download Site - http://www.symantec.com/avcenter/index.html
------------
Name/Version Release Date Size Price
MSNBC News Alert - 1.0 1/5/97 250k Freeware
Stay informed of breaking news as it happens with MSNBC News Alert. For
users with a direct network connection to the Internet, MSNBC News Alert
quietly monitors their news site, watching for breaking news and stories on
topics that you preselect from today's headlines. MSNBC News Alert is
absolutely free and runs quietly in the background, alongside the clock
featured in the Windows 95 or Windows NT 4.0 Task Bar. It provides
notification of new alerts by either flashing the Alert icon or popping the
actual news headline in the preview window.
Download Site - http://www.msnbc.com/tools/newsalert/NewsAlertD.asp
------------
Name/Version Release Date Size Price
PhotoOp - 1.0 1/5/97 1932k Shareware $29.95
PhotoOp is a Windows 95 program that allows you to construct a screen
saver from your own photographs or image files (JPEG/GIF/BMP). A collage of
overlapping images is scrolled across your screen in different directions
at varying rates, presenting a constantly changing view of your pictures.
Also provides for the playback of midi and wave file play lists. A
"playing" keyboard may be displayed. Very fast screen painting. Easy, real
time configuration and control. Program+5 photo images (Yosemite)+4
rotating globes. Self-extracting installation (InstallShield).
Download Site - http://members.aol.com/JmPhotoOp/index.html
------------
Name/Version Release Date Size Price
SimGolf for Win95 1/8/97 19.2mb Commercial Demo
Introducing the game that turns blueprints into greens: SimGolf, with the
comprehensive Course Architect. Choose from over 100 course elements,
including bunkers, lakes and trees, to create-and play-your one-of-a-kind
courses. Get design tips from legendary course architect Robert Trent
Jones, Jr., and tee off on two Jones masterpieces, Rancho La Quinta and The
Prince Course. You can even round up a virtual foursome to play your custom
courses on the Internet.
Note: Win95 only. Also requires DirectX.
Download Site -
http://www.maxis.com/shopping/product.cgi?ProductName=simgolf
------------
Name/Version Release Date Size Price
Adr_Book 32-bit - 4.1 1/5/97 370k Shareware
Adr_Book for Microsoft Windows is an intuitive and graphically pleasing
address book database program and dialer. Although easy to use the program
is full featured, with printing of labels, envelopes, booklets, and
reports. You can select screen display for a visual look. Some of it's
features include: Auto Phone Dialing, Query capabilities for selecting
subsets of your database, and Prints multiple label styles, zip code
ordering, starting label position
Download Site - http://www.alaska.net/~mikeg/
------------
Name/Version Release Date Size Price
RemoveR - 1.66 1/9/97 1800k Shareware
By using this program you can see exactly what has been added to your
drive - anywhere - since the last scan and is perfect to keep your system
free from redundant DLLs and other junk that is often left behind by
program "uninstallers". The program also offers the facility to save log
files of what has changed on your system to allow you to uninstall programs
at a later time.
Download Site: http://homepages.enterprise.net/dodgy/
------------
Name/Version Release Date Size Price
MacAccess - 2.0 1/8/97 1162k Commercial Demo
MacAccess 2.0 is a software utility that allows your PC to read, write,
and format Macintosh floppy disks, removable hard disks, and other
Macintosh media. It also includes a host of other features such as a
resource inspector, as well as some file translation abilities. The demo
version works in Windows 95 and allows only 16k or smaller file transfers.
Download Site -http://www.syncronys.com/
------------
Name/Version Release Date Size Price
PhoneBook95 - 1.1 1/9/97 985k Shareware
Powerful yet easy to use 32-bit Windows95 Phone/Address Book Management
Application. Includes search and dialing capability. Installation wizard
for easy installation.
Download Site -http://members.aol.com/flowenol/index.html
------------
Name/Version Release Date Size Price
PolyView - 2.80 beta 12/30/96 1300k Shareware $20.00
Update - PolyView by Polybytes is a shareware graphics viewer,
conversion, and printing utility that has been optimized for use with
Windows 95 and Windows NT (Intel). PolyView's noteworthy features are:
Download Site - http://www.kagi.com/authors/polybytes/default.html
*******
A T T E N T I O N-A T T E N T I O N-A T T E N T I O N
LEXMARK OPTRA C
COLOR
LASER PRINTER
For a limited time only; If you wish to have a FREE sample printout sent to
you that demonstrates LEXMARK Optra C SUPERIOR QUALITY 600 dpi Laser Color
Output, please send a Self Addressed Stamped Envelope [SASE] (business
sized envelope please) to:
STReport's LEXMARK Printout Offer
P.O. Box 6672
Jacksonville, Florida 32205-6155
Folks, the LEXMARK Optra C has to be the very best yet in its price range.
It is far superior to anything we've seen or used as of yet. It is said
that ONE Picture is worth a thousand words. The out put from the Lexmark
Optra C is worth ten thousand words! Send for the free sample now. (For a
sample that's suitable for framing, see below) Guaranteed. you will be
amazed at the superb quality. (Please.. allow at least a two week turn-
around).
If you would like a sample printout that's suitable for framing. Yes
that's right! Suitable for Framing. Order this package. It'll be on
special stock and be of superb quality. We obtained a mint copy of a 1927
COLOR ENGRAVER'S YEAR BOOK. Our Scanner is doing "double duty"! The
results will absolutely blow you away. If you want this high quality
sample package please include a check or money order in the amount of $6.95
(Costs only) Please, make checks or money orders payable to; Ralph Mariano.
Be sure to include your full return address and telephone number . The
sample will be sent to you protected, not folded in a 9x12 envelope. Don't
hesitate.. you will not be disappointed. This "stuff" is gorgeous!
A T T E N T I O N-A T T E N T I O N-A T T E N T I O N
EDUPAGE STR Focus Keeping the users informed
Edupage
Contents
U.S. Asked To Hold Off On New Encryption Rules
En Technology Dishes Up Data At Cybercafe
MasterCard, IBM Team Up For Secure Transactions On The Net
Progress Notes On Apple's Recovery
Packard Bell PC Aims For The Masses
Creating A Real Web Page-Turner
Parolee Surfing Curtailed
"We've Been Beamed To MSN, Scottie!"
"Best 50 News Sites"
NCAR Considers Its Supercomputer Options
Apple's Core Waxes Rhapsodic
Internet Is No.1 Choice For Foreign Snoopers
DOD Urges "Information Czar" Appointment
Western Governors U. Puts Down Roots
PC Sales Growth Winds Down
Microsoft's Spending Spree
Teaching Via Computer
Windows In China
U.S. Targets Canadian Internet Bookmaking
Microsoft To Beef Up Mac Software
Production IBM Offers Free Patent Data Base On Web
Moving Toward The Big Chip
Keeping An Eye On Things Via The Net
3M Uses Microsoft Over Post-It Notes
Web Spoofing Is No Joke
AOL Blocks Russian Access
Intel Disputes Chipmakers' Plans To Use MMX Name
Now *This* Is Video-On-Demand
Incredible Shrinking Digital Disks
Zenith Joins NC Bandwagon
Plot Unravels For Web Soap Opera
But Plot Thickens For Internet Commerce
U.S. ASKED TO HOLD OFF ON NEW ENCRYPTION RULES
Lawyers for Illinois computer science professor Dan Bernstein have asked
the U.S. government to delay enforcing new export restrictions on
encryption software until a court can judge their constitutionality. If
the government ignores Bernstein's request, the attorneys will seek a
court order barring the new rules' enforcement. "The new encryption rules
are a pointless shell game," says the founder of the Electronic Frontier
Foundation, which is backing Bernstein's suit. The new rules allow
companies to export software with encryption codes of 56 bits or longer,
provided they agree to give the government computer "keys" to allow law
enforcement officials to decode protected transmissions. (Investor's
Business Daily 2 Jan 97 A33)
EN TECHNOLOGY DISHES UP DATA AT CYBERCAFE
New Hampshire-based En Technology has received FCC clearance to embed data
in video airing on more than 100 PBS stations featuring The Internet
Caf=E9 show. A trial of the process has been operational at six PBS
stations since October. The data transferred during the show is ported
directly to PCs equipped with an external antenna or special cable hookup,
and involves software related to a topic in this show. PC users who wish
to receive En's transmissions must install a $150 TV modem card in their
computers. "We don't bring TV to the PC," says En's technology director.
"We get much better throughput by blasting data through the video."
(Broadcasting & Cable 30 Dec 96 p50)
MASTERCARD, IBM TEAM UP FOR
SECURE TRANSACTIONS ON THE NET
MasterCard International and IBM have teamed up with a Danish bank to
demonstrate a system designed to protect credit card purchases on the
Internet, using the Secure Electronic Transaction industry standard
developed by Visa and MasterCard last February. A pilot program involving
three merchants, 500 to 1,000 customers and the Danish Payment Systems
bank is slated for the middle of this month. MasterCard anticipates that
member banks will initiate some 50 pilot programs in 20 countries during
the next three months, and the system should be available in 40 to 50
countries by the end of 1997. Visa International says its version of the
credit card system has been delayed, and won't be widely available until
early 1998. (Investor's Business Daily 2 Jan 97 A33)
PROGRESS NOTES ON APPLE'S RECOVERY
Apple says its revenue for the three-month period that ended Dec. 27th will
be 10% lower than the previous quarter, resulting in an operating loss of
up to $150 million, due mainly to weak demand for its Performa consumer
line of products. Chief executive Gil Amelio says the company, which he
has already lead through a major reorganization, may now have to take
additional restructuring steps. Amelio's plans call for Apple to return
to profitability in the second quarter of this year. (AP 3 Jan 97)
PACKARD BELL PC AIMS FOR THE MASSES
Packard Bell is now offering a Pentium-based personal computer, with color
monitor, for $999. "Our vision is to make a personal computer affordable
for every home,'' said Packard Bell chief executive Beny Alagem. (San
Jose Mercury News Center 4 Jan 97)
CREATING A REAL WEB PAGE-TURNER
Houston-based ForeFront Group is marketing software that makes it possible
to create and print double-sided booklets from Web page information.
WebPrinter works with a laser or inkjet printer, using a PC running
Windows 3.1 or Windows 95. (Investor's Business Daily 2 Jan 97 A8)
See=20 < http://www.ffg.com > for free version of the software.
PAROLEE SURFING CURTAILED
Without holding public hearings, the United States Parole Commission has
approved new restrictions on the use of cyberspace by federal parolees.
Under the restrictions, a parolee might be prohibited from owning a
computer or be required to install monitoring equipment so that their
surfing could be tracked. A commissioner said the concern is about
offenders who have "histories involving either pedophilia or hate crime
activity, the illegal use of explosives, those kinds of things... We
monitored the Internet to see just what type of information was out there.
In some of the newsgroups where you can find photographs of sexual conduct
involving children, there's also quite a bit of text. I recall seeing
things like individuals seeking advice in how to approach a child and get
them to pose for pictures." (New York Times 5 Jan 96)
"WE'VE BEEN BEAMED TO MSN, SCOTTIE!"
Viacom, which owns the copyright to "Star Trek" products, is ordering Web
sites to remove any Star Trek artistic renderings, sound files, video
clips, and book excerpts they are now presenting. There is an official
Stark Trek site available on the Microsoft Network, available only to MSN
subscribers. (Atlanta Journal-Constitution 3 Jan 97 F3)
BEST 50 NEWS SITES
Our little Edupage came in 19th in voting by 32,803 individuals who cast
ballots in an American Journalism Review contest for the year's Best 50
NewsSites. The top 50 vote-getters, in order, are: CNN Interactive,
Washington Post, USA Today, New York Times, NandO Times, Wall Street
Journal, Los Angeles Times, San Jose Mercury News, Jerusalem Post,
Washington Times, ESPNet Sports Zone, Reuters News Media & My Yahoo, The
Times of London, Detroit News, The Telegraph of London, Canadian Online
Explorer, Tidbits, Sacramento Bee, Edupage, Honolulu Star Bulletin,
Christian Science Monitor, Russia Today, Las Vegas Sun, Toronto Star,
MacInTouch, CiOnline, Tampa Tribune, MSNBC, Detroit Free Press, Pathfinder,
News Current, Ft. Worth Star-Telegram, Kansas City Star, ZDNet, Environment
News Network, MacWorld, Fox News, Chicago Tribune, New Jersey Online, Star
Tribune of Twin Cities, Financial Times, Philadelphia Online, News.Com,
PointCast, PoliticsNow, HotWired, Irish Times, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel,
ClariNet e.news, and Tamnet. (American Journalism Review)=20
< http://www.newslink.org/bestresults.html >
NCAR CONSIDERS ITS SUPERCOMPUTER OPTIONS
The National Center for Atmosphere Research (NCAR), criticized by U.S.
supercomputer-maker Cray Research for choosing to buy a supercomputer from
the Japanese company NEC at a price allegedly $65 million below market
value, is considering buying a Hewlett-Packard Convex Exemplar "massively
parallel" system that could be expanded until it has the processing
capability to achieve a trillion operations a second. Purchase of the HP
massively parallel computer would give NCAR a back-up option (other than a
Cray vector machine) if the U.S. International Trade Commission decides
that Cray's "anti-dumping" charges against NEC are correct. (New York
Times 7 Jan 97 C1)
APPLE'S CORE WAXES RHAPSODIC
Apple Computer says that for the next few years it will pursue a "dual
operating system" strategy, offering machines that run both its existing
Macintosh System 7 operating system and its new Next-based system, code-
named Rhapsody. Chief Technology Officer Ellen Hancock promised existing
Mac users that support for System 7 will continue for the next several
years. (Wall Street Journal 7 Jan 97 B6) The new line of machines is
necessary because the Next-based system won't run on any of the existing
Macs, including those using the popular Motorola 680x0 line of chips. It
will, however, run on Intel-based computers now using Windows 95 and
Windows NT. (Tampa Tribune 7 Jan 97 B&F8)
INTERNET IS NO.1 CHOICE FOR FOREIGN SNOOPERS
A report released by the National Counterintelligence Center (NACIC)
indicates that the Internet is the fastest growing method used by foreign
entities to gather intelligence about U.S. companies. "All requests for
information received via the Internet should be viewed with suspicion,"
says the report, which urges caution in replying to requests coming from
foreign countries or foreign governments, particularly with regard to
questions about defense-related technology. NACIC works in close
coordination with the CIA, but is an autonomous agency reporting the
National Security Council. (BNA Daily Report for Executives 6 Jan 97)
DOD URGES "INFORMATION CZAR" APPOINTMENT
The U.S. Department of Defense has recommended establishing a new
"information-warfare" czar in the Defense Department and an "information-
warfare" center within U.S. intelligence agencies. A report released by a
task force appointed by the Defense Science Board calls for spending $580
million in R&D over the coming years, mainly in the private sector, to
develop new software and hardware to provide security, such as a system
for automatically tracing cracker attacks back to their source. The task
force also recommends changing the laws so that the Pentagon can legally
pursue and repel those who attempt to hack into DoD computer systems,
injecting their computers with "a polymorphic virus that wipes out the
system, takes it down for weeks." A Defense Department spokesman notes
that the Advanced Research Projects Agency is working on an "electronic
immune system" that could detect invaders and mobilize against them.
(Wall Street Journal 6 Jan 97 B2)
WESTERN GOVERNORS U. PUTS DOWN ROOTS
The new Western Governors University has decided to establish its corporate
offices in Salt Lake City, and its academic operations in Denver - the
capitals of the states represented by its most visible backers, Gov. Mike
Leavitt of Utah and Gov. Roy Romer of Colorado. The university's legal
counsel says he expects WGU to complete incorporation early this year, and
plans to seek approval from all three of the regional accrediting bodies
with jurisdiction in the participating states. Officials hope to begin
offering classes next fall. (Chronicle of Higher Education 10 Jan 97 A27)
PC SALES GROWTH WINDS DOWN
After exceptionally strong performance the last couple of years, the growth
rate of home PC sales slowed to about 13% in 1996, and might dwindle to
only 6% in '97, according to Dataquest estimates. And while corporate
sales were a robust 19% in '96, they're projected to slow down, too, to
about 14% this year. "To date, the corporate market is ahead of
(projections) while the consumer market is behind," says a Dataquest
analyst. Dataquest estimates that worldwide PC sales will grow 17.7% in
'97, down from 19% in '96, driven primarily by sales in Latin America and
Asia. Meanwhile, Forrester Research predicts that the percentage of homes
with PCs will push past 50% by 2001, spurred by lower priced and easier-to-
use machines. "(There's) nothing that's going to blow the lid off and
bring in 60% penetration," says an analyst for International Data Corp.
"I think the market will continue to be an upgrade and replacement market."
(Investor's Business Daily 7 Jan 97 A8)
MICROSOFT'S SPENDING SPREE
Microsoft invested in or purchased outright 20 companies in 1996, spending
somewhere around $750 million, according to company executives. The
volume of the transactions has pushed Microsoft into the top tier of all
corporate investors: "I see no other company in this industry that is
moving as aggressively and with as single a purpose," says Broadview
Associates' chairman. Most of the company's acquisitions contribute to
Microsoft's strategy to be tops in Internet-related activities. (Business
Week 13 Jan 97 p34)
TEACHING VIA COMPUTER
McMaster University sociology professor Dr. Carl Cuneo is the head of a new
$4.5-million research project called the Network for the Evaluation of
Education and Training Technologies that aims to find out what works and
what doesn't in computer courseware. Researchers from the academic
community and industry will look at everything from teachers who resist
technology in the classroom to the effect that the electronic delivery of
courses has on addictive behaviors. (Toronto Globe & Mail 7 Jan 97 A1&A8)
WINDOWS IN CHINA
Microsoft has launched the Chinese version of its Windows NT Server 4.0 and
Workstation 4.0 operating systems for corporate users. The Chinese
computer market is expected to grow by more than 50% this year, and as
many as 3 million personal computers could be sold this year in China.
Microsoft is hoping that a domestic software industry will help eliminate
software piracy in that country. (Washington Post 7 Jan 97)
U.S. TARGETS CANADIAN INTERNET BOOKMAKING
Minnesota law enforcement officials have targeted an Internet-based
bookmaking operation being run from a Native reserve in New Brunswick.
Representatives of the Tobique Band say they are not violating any laws
because the toll-free number is not accessible by Canadians and Americans
must call a foreign country to place bets on sporting events because
telephone wagering is also illegal there. Minnesota investigators point
to a recent victory over a band in Idaho that thought it was immune from
laws in other states. (Toronto Globe & Mail 6 Jan 97 A8)
MICROSOFT TO BEEF UP MAC SOFTWARE PRODUCTION
Microsoft has announced its plans to set up a 100-person unit to write
applications software for Apple Macintosh computers. In exchange, Apple
has agreed to package Microsoft's Explorer browser software in addition to
Netscape Navigator with its machines. Some observers suggest Microsoft's
move is motivated at least in part by its desire to avoid more antitrust
scrutiny, but company officials deny the latest effort has anything to do
with its Justice Dept. worries. (Wall Street Journal 8 Jan 97 B8)
Clarification to Edupage, 7 Jan 97: Apple's new Next-based operating
system *will* work with the Macintosh machines currently being sold -- it
will not, however, be compatible with Macs based on the Motorola 680x0 line
of chips used up until 1994.
IBM OFFERS FREE PATENT DATA BASE ON WEB
IBM plans to make the content of 2 million U.S. patents (from 1971)
available free on the Web site < http://www.ibm.com/patents/ >. Various
companies provide patent access for a fee; one company, Questel-Orbit (a
division of France Telecom) charges $1,995 a year, and a company executive
says: "I still believe that we have the most robust search engine." (New
York Times 9 Jan 97 C3)
MOVING TOWARD THE BIG CHIP
Despite a 10% decline in chip revenue in 1996, companies still plan on
converting from the current 8-inch to 12-inch silicon wafers, beginning in
1998. "It's too important for them to put off," says the director of the
Semiconductor Equipment and Materials Institute's 300-millimeter (12-inch)
conversion committee. "It could be the biggest retooling of an industry
in history," with costs estimated at $14 billion. The larger wafers will
be capable of holding 2.4 times more chips, boosting productivity. As many
as 11 chipmakers will begin low-volume and test production next year, and
by 2000, about five factories are expected to begin high-volume
production. (Wall Street Journal 8 Jan 97 B8)
KEEPING AN EYE ON THINGS VIA THE NET
Irvine, Calif.-based Wonderware Corp. has developed a new product that
allows remote monitoring of work locations via the Internet or company
intranet. Wonderware Scout enables manufacturing plant supervisors to
view process graphics and industrial automation data from any location, and
provides for linking sites together, so that a supervisor can oversee
multiple locations. (Investor's Business Daily 8 Jan 97 A6) <
http://scout.wonderware.com/ >
3M SUES MICROSOFT OVER POST-IT NOTES
Minnesota Mining & Manufacturing (3M) has filed a lawsuit against
Microsoft, alleging that the electronic post-it notes feature in
Microsoft's Office 97 software suite infringes on 3M's patent for its
software version of the ubiquitous little squares of paper that can be
stuck on anything. Office 97 users access the post-it feature by entering
"Post-it" or "3M Post-it." 3M says it hasn't approved the Microsoft
product and isn't connected in any way with it. (Wall Street Journal 9
Jan 97 B2)
WEB SPOOFING IS NO JOKE
Researchers at Princeton University have released a paper documenting ways
that nefarious crackers could dupe unwitting Web browsers into divulging
personal information, such as bank personal identification numbers or
credit card numbers. One way to do this is to break into a legitimate Web
server and alter the links to other sites, so that when users click to
transfer, they're actually transported to the cracker's computer where the
virtual hijacker can watch every move they make (such as entering credit
card info when prompted). The researchers suggest that Web surfers take
the following precautions: disabling JavaScript in their Web browsing
software; keeping an eye on the software's location line, to ensure they
know where they are; and paying close attention to the addresses they
visit. (Chronicle of Higher Education 10 Jan 97 A25) <
http://www.cs.princeton.edu/sip/pub/spoofing.html >
AOL BLOCKS RUSSIAN ACCESS
America Online has shut down service in 40 cities in the former Soviet
Union, primarily in Russia, because of widespread incidents where
fraudulent credit-card numbers were used to access the service. Last
month, the company set up an Integrity Assurance division to fight online
fraud, and the company routinely denies access to those who log on using
fraudulent means. AOL is not sure when service to Russia will resume:
"Until we feel comfortable that we have an understanding of the problem,
we're not prepared to put it back up," says Integrity Assurance's VP.
(Wall Street Journal 8 Jan 97 B6)
INTEL DISPUTES CHIPMAKERS' PLANS TO USE MMX NAME
With the introduction of its MMX multimedia chips, Intel has announced its
intention to trademark the MMX name, preventing chipmakers Cyrix Corp. and
Advanced Micro Devices Inc. from issuing chips with the same name. "We
don't believe MMX is a valid trademark," says an AMD spokesman. "We think
it is a generic term, and we plan to use the term in our marketing. We're
trying to solve this amicably with Intel." Intel will be using MMX in a
redesigned logo in a multi-million dollar ad campaign, and says although
AMD licensed the chip technology from Intel, it didn't receive the rights
to use the name. (Wall Street Journal 9 Jan 97 B5)
NOW *THIS* IS VIDEO-ON-DEMAND
A Dutch company thinks it's cracked the video-on-demand nut with a new
approach called electronic digital delivery (EDD). EMC International
Holding B.V. is marketing a technology that allows consumers to download a
video to their VCRs using a compression process that takes about 10
minutes. Movies can be ordered via a toll-free number, an on-screen
display or the Internet. Consumers can buy or rent the films, but if the
film is rented it can be viewed only twice before special embedded
technology renders the movie unusable. The service will be available in
about a year, but will work only with VCRs with built-in EDD capabilities.
EMC says that capability will add only about $50 to the cost of a VCR.
(Investor's Business Daily 9 Jan 97 A6)
INCREDIBLE SHRINKING DIGITAL DISKS
Hollywood studios have begun releasing some videos in a high-resolution DVD
(Digital Video Disk) format that offers much sharper picture-quality and
packages seven times as much data as existing CDs. DVD player units will
be available this spring, at prices starting at about $500. Later
generations of DVDs will allow users to record movies and computer data,
but the first generation will be read-only; computer-makers will also be
using the disks (which are sometime called Digital Versatile Disks), and
Intel executives have said all major computer manufacturers would
introduce high-end DVD-based systems by the end of the year, and that DVD-
based systems for the general market will be available in 1998, on machines
using Intel's P6 processor and MMX multimedia technology. (New York Times
9 Jan 97 C2)
ZENITH JOINS NC BANDWAGON
Zenith Electronics is developing a network computer (NC) called Net Vision,
to be introduced later this year for $500 or less; the system will
connect to a TV set and phone line to deliver World Wide Web pages, handle
e-mail, and run Java application programs or "applets" from the Net at 33.6
kilobits per second. (San Jose Mercury News Center 9 Jan 97)
PLOT UNRAVELS FOR WEB SOAP OPERA
Unless new investors come to the rescue, it will soon be curtains for the
Web soap opera called "The Spot," which offered surfers an invitation to
"Immerse yourself in the sun, sand, and secret journals of five twenty
somethings living under one roof." Media analyst Gary Arlen says the
show's cancellation would be a signal that investors are becoming
increasingly dissatisfied with opportunities for making money from the Web.
(Atlanta Journal-Constitution 9 Jan 97 C7)
BUT PLOT THICKENS FOR INTERNET COMMERCE
IBM says it expects its Internet-related businesses to break even this year
and that they are "turning the corner." IBM's Net.Commerce software
allows merchants to handle electronic transactions, and its World Avenue
is an e-mail service. A company executive estimates that $900 million of
business was done on the Net in 1996 and predicts that $3- to 4-billion
will be done this year and $1 trillion in 2000. (New York Times 9 Jan 97
C3)
Edupage is written by John Gehl (gehl@educom.edu) & Suzanne Douglas
(douglas@educom.edu).
Voice: 404-371-1853, Fax: 404-371-8057.
Technical support is provided by the Office of Information Technology,
University of North Carolina.
EDUPAGE is what you've just finished reading. To subscribe to Edupage:
send a message to: listproc@educom.unc.edu and in the body of the message
type: subscribe edupage Marvin Minsky (assuming that your name is Marvin
Minsky; if it's not, substitute your own name). ... To cancel, send a
message to: listproc@educom.unc.edu and in the body of the message type:
unsubscribe edupage... Subscription problems: educom@educom.unc.edu.
EDUCOM REVIEW is our bimonthly print magazine on learning, communications,
and information technology. Subscriptions are $18 a year in the U.S.; send
mail to offer@educom.edu. When you do, we'll ring a little bell, because
we'll be so happy! Choice of bell is yours: a small dome with a button,
like the one on the counter at the dry cleaners with the sign "Ring bell
for service"; or a small hand bell; or a cathedral bell; or a door bell;
or a chime; or a glockenspiel. Your choice. But ring it!
EDUCOM UPDATE is our twice-a-month electronic summary of organizational
news and events. To subscribe to the Update: send a message to:
listproc@educom.unc.edu and in the body of the message type: subscribe
update John McCarthy (assuming that your name is John McCarthy; if it's
not, substitute your own name).
ARCHIVES & TRANSLATIONS. For archive copies of Edupage or Update, ftp or
gopher to educom.edu or see URL: < http://www.educom.edu/>. For the
French edition of Edupage, send mail to edupage-fr@ijs.com with the subject
"subscribe"; or see < http://www.ijs.com >. For the Hebrew edition,
send mail to listserv@kinetica.co.il containing : SUBSCRIBE Leketnet-Word6
<name> or see < http://www.kinetica.co.il/ newsletters/leketnet/ >. For
the Hungarian edition, send mail to: send mail to
subs.edupage@hungary.com. An Italian edition is available on Agora'
Telematica; connection and/or free subscription via BT-Tymnet and Sprint
(login: <agora) or via telnet <agora.stm.it; mail: <b.parrella@agora.stm.it
for info. For the Portuguese edition, contact edunews@nc-rj.rnp.br with the
message SUB EDUPAGE-P Seu Primeiro Nome Seu Sobrenome. For the Spanish
edition, send mail edunews@nc-rj.rnp.br with the message SUB EDUPAGE-E Su
Primer Nombre, Su Apellido.
Educom -- Transforming Education Through Information Technology
STReport's "Partners in Progress"
Advertising Program
The facts are in... STReport International Online Magazine reaches more
users per week than any other weekly resource available today. Take full
advantage of this spectacular reach. Explore the superb possibilities of
advertising in STReport! Its very economical and smart business. In
addition, STReport offers a strong window of opportunity to your company of
reaching potential users on major online services and networks, the
Internet, the WEB and more than 200,000 private BBS's worldwide. This is
truly an exceptional opportunity to maximize your company's recognition
factor globally.
(STReport is pronounced: "ES TEE Report")
STR Publishing's Economical "Partners in Progress" Plans!
"Partners in Progress" Program.. Call Today!
STR Publishing, Inc. (STR, STReport, CPU Report);
z maintains a commitment to utilizing the power of the Internet and Web
to keep computer users, worldwide, both private and commercial, informed of
new trends in equipment, upgrade reports and future planning.
z offers highly informative Hardware and Software Reviews, Press
Releases, hands-on stories, user experiences and show reports.
z presents the NEWS about new hardware, new software and how-to
publications within HOURS of its being made public.
z is dedicated to keeping the users informed of what your company has to
offer at incredibly, almost the moment its offered!
Take full advantage of STReport's Exciting "Partners in Progress" Programs!
MAXIMIZE your Company's Presence Worldwide. TODAY!
Your company's color ad, as described/submitted by you or designed by us,
will appear in STReport International Magazine. STReport is published and
released weekly on Fridays Evenings. All sizes based on a full color,
eight and a half by eleven inch page. Trade-outs and Special Arrangements
are available.
Email us at or, for quick action call us at:
VOICE: 904-292-9222 10am/5pm est FAX: 904-268-2237 24hrs Support BBS
DATA: 904-268-4116 or, write us at:
STR Publishing, Inc.
P.O. Box 6672
Jacksonville, Florida 32205
Apple/Mac Section
John Deegan, Editor
Microsoft Announces New Technologies to Make Personal Computers More
Interactive
Initial Limited Release SDK to Be Delivered in February To More Than 50
Companies From the PC, Consumer Electronics and Television Industries
REDMOND, Wash. - Jan. 9, 1997 - Microsoft Corp. today announced the early
delivery of new technologies to make personal computers more interactive by
integrating them with television. Building on the Simply Interactive PC
(SIPC) initiatives announced in April 1996, these technologies consist of
broadcast components that allow PCs to receive television programming, data
services and new forms of entertainment blending the two, plus user
interface elements appropriate for use on large-screen display devices,
such as a large VGA monitor or television.
"Both the PC and the consumer electronics industries are predicting the
evolution of home computers into home entertainment appliances," said Jim
Allchin, senior vice president, personal and business systems group at
Microsoft. "These technologies will help our business partners to deliver
on that vision by providing a common open platform for content creators,
data services and network integration."
These technologies will create new ways to experience television, such as
the following:
z By combining the PC, television and the Internet, content companies
can create compelling interactive television programming.
z By using broadcast technology to push multimedia-rich Internet content
to consumers, broadcast networks can deliver and store data locally on the
PC, reducing the Internet bandwidth bottleneck while improving the
consumer's overall experience.
z By delivering new business models, such as subscription services for
software, electronic periodicals, and news and entertainment delivery
through a set of secure, billable and scalable data services.
Microsoft also announced the introduction of new user interface elements
for the Windowsr operating system. These interfaces are designed for use
with remote control devices and for controlling audio, video and other
consumer electronics devices. Optimized for distance viewing and display on
large-screen devices such as a VGA monitor or television, these components
will improve the interactivity of the PC and appeal both to customers who
use computers and to those who may never have used them before.
The convergence of consumer electronics and personal computing offers new
revenue opportunities for participants and the chance to collaborate with
companies from different industries to produce new products and services.
Companies that have said they intend to develop technologies and services
using these Microsoftr components span every industry involved in
technology convergence. They include Adaptec Inc.; AST; ATI Technologies
Inc.; Big Ticket Television (Spelling Entertainment); Brooktree Division of
Rockwell Semiconductor Systems; Cirrus Logic Inc.; Compaq Computer Corp.;
Comspan Communications; ComStream Corp.; CyberSource Corp.; DIRECTV;
DIRECTV Japan; Fujitsu Ltd.; Galaxy Latin America; Gateway 2000; Glen
Larson Entertainment Network; Gould Resources & Internet Telecommunications
(GRIT); Guthy Renker; Hitachi Home Electronics (America) Inc.; Hitachi
Ltd.; Hughes Network Systems Inc.; IBM Corp.; Matsushita Electric
Industrial Company Ltd.; Micron Electronics; Ministry of Film; Mitsubishi
Electric Corp.; MSNT, The Microsoft Network; NBC; NEC; News Digital
Systems; Norpak Corp.; North Hall Productions; PerfecTV Corp.; Recovery
Network; RYSHER Entertainment; Samsung Information Systems America; Sanyo
Electric Co. Ltd.; Sci-Fi Channel; SGS-Thomson Microelectronics Inc.; Sharp
Corp.; Sony Electronics Inc.; StarSight Telecast Inc.; Telesaurus Rex;
Toshiba U.S.A.; Toshiba Corp.; Tseng Labs Inc.; TV Food Network; USA
Network; VLSI Technology Inc.; WavePhore Inc.; and The Zalman King Co.
Availability
Microsoft intends to deliver initial development kits to key companies this
February. For further information on these broadcast technologies and the
development kits, please visit the Web site at
http://www.microsoft.com/windows/broadsvs.htm/.(this site will go live this
week ) Products and services that support these technologies are expected
to be available to the public by the end of 1997.
Microsoft Announces New Macintosh
Product Unit
Company Reaffirms Commitment to Macintosh Platform
Microsoft Announces Enhanced Microsoft Office for Macintosh
New Tools Designed to Help Small Businesses
MacUser Editors Name Microsoft Internet Explorer for Macintosh as WINNER of
Industry's Most Significant Honor.
MacUser, the leading monthly magazine for buyers of Macintosh computers and
products, has selected Microsoft's Internet Explorer as the 1996 Editors'
Choice Award Winner for Best Internet Access Application. The Eddy Award
recognizes the best Macintosh hardware and software products released
throughout the year. Winner products were selected based on their
technological innovation, quality, performance, user friendliness, and
value to Macintosh users.
During a year of headline-grabbing news about the Internet, the Macintosh
met the challenge with a slew of new Web publishing products while
continuing to lead the way in graphics, imaging, and DTP, noted MacUser
editor-in-chief Pamela Pfiffner. On the hardware side, the Macintosh excels
in innovation. That's why many familiar names moved their products to the
Macintosh platform, proving what insiders have known all along--that the
Mac platform is strong and growing.
On January 6th, 1997, MacUser named the winners of the 1996 Editors' Choice
Awards at a live ceremony in San Francisco. For the first time in the
history of the Eddys, the exclusive awards ceremony were viewed live on the
Web. Online viewers can access the archived Webcast of the ceremony from
MacUser's Eddy Awards Web site at www.eddyawards.com.
The 1996 Eddy Awards ceremony announced winners in 36 product categories.
Special awards honored the Hardware and Software Products of the Year as
well as recognized the Breakthrough Technology of the Year. In addition,
two personal achievement awards were presented to individuals who have made
significant contributions to the Macintosh industry.
Kids Computing Corner
Frank Sereno, Editor
Matrox Millennium STR Focus Lookin' it Over!
High-performance professional graphics accelerator
z 64-bit PCI graphics board
z Powerful dual-ported WRAM memory
z Blazing fast Windows acceleration
z Ultra-high resolution and color displays
z Smooth video playback
z Professional 3D rendering
z 2 or 4 MB base board, upgradable to 4 or 8 MB
z Upgradable with full range of video add-ons
dvanced Graphics Technology With over 20 years of technical excellence
behind Matrox, the Millennium delivers unprecedented levels of performance
to your desktop PC. Whether you're a corporate power user looking to
accelerate your business applications and corporate training videos, or a
2D/3D designer looking for high resolution true color support, Matrox
Millennium offers the most powerful solution for all your professional
needs.
Featuring Matrox's award-winning MGA 64-bit graphics processor, superior
dual-ported Window RAM memory, and a powerful 220 MHz RAMDAC, Matrox
Millennium maintains high system performance as you increase to maximum
resolutions, color depths and refresh rates. Matrox Millennium is
upgradable to 8 MB of Window RAM, enabling you to work in true 24-bit color
at 1600 x 1200 resolution. And with the Media Series of video upgrades,
you'll gain high quality, professional desktop video enhancements.
And now Matrox raises the performance bar once again by further optimizing
its feature rich drivers for Windows 95 and Windows NT. You'll now get over
40 Million Winmarks of raw graphics speed and increased productivity with
Matrox's new Desk Navigator. This powerful "bird's eye view" lets you
scroll around a virtual desktop of 2048 x 1536. Also included is a
professional color calibration utility from Sonnetech and over 20
enhancements for your Windows 95 and Windows NT desktop.
z Award winning MGA-2064W 64-bit graphics chip
z Powerful dual-ported Window RAM memory
z Blazing fast Windows acceleration
z Optimized drivers for Windows NT, Win 95 and Win 3.11
z Over 20 productivity features
z 2 or 4 MB base board, upgradeable to 4 or 8 MB
Winbench 96 at 1024 x 768 @ 24-bit
Matrox Millennium's superior technology was designed to accelerate
graphically demanding applications under Windows and DOS. Its MGA-2064W
graphics processor integrates acceleration for true color, digital video,
and 2D/3D rendering into a single chip design. And now, with newly
optimized Windows drivers, Matrox Millennium is faster than ever.
Unlike many graphics accelerators which use less performance memory types
such as DRAM, Matrox Millennium uses faster, dual-ported Window RAM memory.
This new memory type processes information to the graphics chip and screen
simultaneously thus reducing the time needed to redraw the screen.
By combining these powerful features under one chip and board level
technology, you'll get all the speed you need and more for your high
resolution documents, corporate training videos, desktop publishing, and
CAD designs.
z Resolutions up to 1600x1200 in 256, 65K and 16.7 million colors
z Virtual desktop sizes of up to 2048 x 1536
z 220 MHz DAC for resolutions up to 1600 x 1200 at 85Hz
z Multiple monitor support under Windows NT
z New color calibration utility from Sonnetech with Kodak's Precision
Color Management System New support and optimization for over 175 monitors
Matrox Millennium enhances the readability and image quality of your
documents. By supporting resolutions up to 1600 x 1200 non-interlaced,
you'll get added screen real estate for displaying multiple applications at
once on your screen. This means you'll no longer have to tediously scroll
through your desktop to view your documents.
To eliminate headaches and eyestrain, Matrox Millennium uses a 220 MHz
RAMDAC for reducing the annoying flicker commonly found with most monitors.
Also available is the special PowerDoc Edition which comes with a powerful
250 MHz RAMDAC for 1800 x 1440 resolutions support at 70 Hz flicker-free
refresh and 1600 x 1200 at 88 Hz.
For improved image quality of color documents, Matrox Millennium
accelerates 256, 65K and 16.7M color at resolutions up to 1600 x 1200.
Matrox Millennium's superior image load speed ensures high system
performance in all color depths and resolutions making it the ideal
graphics accelerator for desktop publishing, photo retouching, and
illustration packages.
z Plays back MPEG and AVI video clips in full screen, full motion
Hardware accelerated color space conversion and video upscaling
z Full support for Microsoft's DCI, Direct Draw and Direct Video
z Bundled with Compcore's Softpeg MPEG player for Windows
z Frame capture, hardware MPEG and T.V. tuner upgrades available
Matrox Millennium provides full screen, full motion video playback
capabilities with exceptional image quality. Through Microsoft's DCI or
Direct Draw drivers, Matrox Millennium accelerates color space conversion
and video upscaling directly in hardware, so you'll be able to run full-
screen video clips at up to 30 frames per second without dropping frames.
Ideal for computer based training applications, video over the network,
education software, video kiosks and multimedia titles. It also comes with
Compcore's software MPEG player that enables you to decode MPEG titles
under Windows.
By combining Matrox Millennium with the Matrox Media series of video
upgrades (sold separately), you'll also be able to decode MPEG titles in
hardware for superior image quality and system performance with the Media
XL MPEG module. Watch T.V. right on your PC with the Media TV module!
(Note: Media XL MPEG cannot be used in combination with the memory
upgrades.)
z Hardware accelerated 3D Gouraud shading, double buffering and Z-
buffering
z Supports real-time Gouraud shading at up to 1280 x 1024 in 16-bit
color
z Full-featured display drivers for AutoCADT, MicrostationT 5.0 for DOS
z Support for standard 3D APIs including OpnGLr, Microsoftr Direct3D and
Criterion RenderWareTM Bundled 3D F/X from Asymetrix for adding 3Deffects
to business presentations
z Includes Netscape Navigator 2.0 with 3D Web browser plug in
Matrox Millennium' s powerful 3D rendering provides a high performance
solution for accelerating 2D and 3D CAD applications for your desktop PC.
You can instantaneously render 3D wireframe objects to Gouraud shading and
then rotate them in real-time. And with 8 MB of Window RAM memory, you can
work in 3D resolutions up to 1600 x 1200 in 8-bit color, or 1280 x 1024 in
16-bit double buffered modes.
Matrox Millennium also comes with DynaView 2D/3D . This powerful display
list driver for AutoCad under Windows and DOS, and dual-display driver for
Microstation comes with an entire host of features which will make your CAD
desktop more dynamic. Features include real-time Spy Glass and Bird's Eye
Views, dynamic Scroll and Zoom Bars, resizeable and positional Main
Windows, and programmable, pop-up Iconic Menus and Toolbars.
Matrox's industry renowned MGA drivers have been expertly engineered for
Microsoft WindowsT 95, WindowsT 3.11, WindowsT NT and OS/2T Warp. Each MGA
driver has gone through extensive testing in Matrox's internal quality
assurance facilities and is the reason why it has been adopted by leading
computer manufacturers as Compaq, Digital, Gateway 2000, IBM, Hewlett
Packard, and NEC. MGA drivers offer reliable performance and problem-free
support.
MGA Software Drivers
WindowsT 3.1
WindowsT 3.11
WindowsT '95
Windows NTT 3.5, 4.0
OS/2T 2.1; WarpT 3.0
AutoCADT release 12, 13 for DOS and Windows
MicrostationT 5.0
VESA 2.0 (Up to 1280 x 1024 resolution) Warranty and Technical Support
z 3 year warranty
z Technical Support Line, FTP and WWW sites, CompuServe, 24-hr BBS, DDC-
2B Compliant
New Virtual Desktop - sizes from 640 x 480 to 2048 x 1536 (Win 95)
z New Desk Navigator utility for bird's eye view (Win 95)
z New Monitor Selection - support and optimization for over 175 monitors
(Win 95 & NT)
z Instant ModeSWITCHT - for on-the-fly resolution and color depth
switching (Win 3.11)
z PixelTouchT - hardware accelerated pan and zoom (Win 95, NT & 3.11)
z QCDP - true color simulation in 8 and 16 - bit modes (Win 3.11)
z PanLock - locks virtual desktop working area in place (Win 95 & 3.11)
z Windows installation - easy installation (Win 95 & 3.11)
z Enhanced plug and play capabilities
z Center Pop-Up and Center Window automatic centering of pop-up menus
and windows (Win 95, NT & 3.11)
z MaxVIEW - maximizes the window within the boundaries of the visible
desktop area
z Quick Access - repositionable iconic menu for instant access of MGA's
hot-key features, (Win NT & 3.11) And more!
Special Notice!! STR Infofile File format for Articles
File Format for STReport
All articles submitted to STReport for publication must be sent in the
following format. Please use the format requested. Any files received
that do not conform will not be used. The article must be in an importable
word processor format for Word 7.0.. The margins are .05" left and 1.0"
Monospaced fonts are not to be used. Please use proportional fonting only
and at eleven points.
z No Indenting on any paragraphs!!
z No Indenting of any lines or "special gimmickery"
z No underlining!
z Columns shall be achieved through the use of tabs only. Or, columns
in Word format. Do NOT use the space bar.
z No ASCII "ART"!!
z There is no limits as to size, articles may be split into two if
lengthy
z Actual Artwork should be in GIF, PCX, JPG, TIF, BMP, WMF file formats
z Artwork (pictures, graphs, charts, etc.)should be sent along with the
article separately
z Please use a single font only in an article. TTF CG Times 12pt. is
preferred. (VERY Strong Hint)
If there are any questions please use either E-Mail or call. On
another note. the ASCII version of STReport is fast approaching the "end of
the line" As the major Online Services move away from ASCII.. So shall
STReport. All in the name of progress and improved readability. The
amount of reader mail expressing a preference for our Adobe PDF enhanced
issue is running approximately 15 to 1 over the ASCII edition. Besides,
STReport will not be caught in the old, worn out "downward compatibility
dodge" we must move forward. However, if the ASCII readership remains as
high, rest assured. ASCII will stay. Right now, since STReport is offered
on a number of closed major corporate networks as "required" Monday Morning
reading.. Our ascii readers have nothing to worry themselves about.
Many grateful thanks in advance for your enthusiastic co-operation and
input.
Ralph F. Mariano, Editor
STReport International Online Magazine
Gaming Hotwire STR Feature - The World of Contemporary Gaming
REVIEW:
FINAL DOOM
Publisher: WilliamsDeveloper: idGenre: ShooterWhen you start up a copy of
Doom, you pretty much know what to expect. You are going to run around
mazes blasting creatures from Hell with a variety of weapons. Regardless of
which system you own or which sequel you're playing, Doom is a first-
person game that pits you against the entire populace of Hades armed with
only your wits and a super shotgun (and maybe the BFG9000, oh yes!).
Therefore, it's the details that really determine the relative worth of
each Doom release. Does it look good? Does it handle well? Are the levels
intelligently designed? Do you occasionally jump out of your seat after
rounding a corner and ending up toe-to-claw with a Baron of Hell?
Final Doom looks pretty good on the PlayStation. Not great like on the PC,
but not horrible like that 32X release a few years back. One of the
biggest problems is the amount of red in the game -- red walls, red lava,
and plenty of red blood. Red tends to bleed on a TV screen, and it not only
looks bad, it hurts your eyes after a while. The PlayStation controller
was made for Doom; it has never been easier to run, strafe and blow demons
up at the same time. The PlayStation's shoulder buttons allow you to strafe
and change weapons convieniently, without having to become a touch typist
like on the PC.
The levels are top notch, and there are plenty of them -- Final Doom is
actually three games in one. First are the "Master Levels," a collection
of levels pulled from the Internet and given the official thumbs up from
id. The next two, "The Plutonia Experiment" and "TNT: Evilution," are id
originals, totalling about 40 levels. If you can refrain from using the
cheat codes, Final Doom has extremely high replay value -- once you defeat
the game in the hardest mode, try beating each level starting only with a
pistol.
As for the immersion factor, nothing beats Doom. Playing this game at two
in the morning with all the lights out is where it's at -- your heart is
pounding, your palms are sweaty, and you are primed for surprises. There
were times when I was so startled that I inadvertently pulled the
controller out of the PlayStation. Final Doom is a blast on the
PlayStation, even if nothing is really new. After all, where would the fun
be if our hero tried to connect spiritually with the Hellspawn and maybe
share his feeling over a cup of tea? To change the gameplay, the enemy, or
the setting is to mess with a formula that has served id, and us, so well.
Score: 8/10
Tunnel B1
Review By Larry Tipton
Tunnel B1 is a game published by Acclaim Entertainment. Here we go again.
Yet another villain builds a weapon with such destructive power that it
will absolutely annihilate the planet and, of course, its' inhabitants
(you and me) Sounds like fun times are ahead of us folks.
From the game manual...
In a future world, much remains the same: the need to protect, the need to
preserve. Upon twisted, groaning griders, in the sluice of a castoff
generation, society has built weapons beyond its capacity to control.
Everything is base and we scrabble for the scaps of redundant ideologies.
The die has been cast and the sides have been set. As always, there are
those who are determined to rule by force. It begins with one man - a
dictator by any measure - and the creation of a weapon too awesome to
contemplate, a weapon no sane being would consider using... Now, at last
we react. Finally, perhaps too late, we see that this weapon has to be
destroyed... or humanity will perish. ..end
What are you waiting for, we have work to do!
Tunnel B1 is a first person high speed corridor-style shooter with
incredible light sourced texture mapped graphics with plenty seat of the
pants action. You take the role of a hover craft pilot. You'll be taking
on the doomsday device head-on. But first, you must survive the gauntlet
of death known as "Tunnel B1." Enemy barricades, gun emplacements, mine
fields, mobile enemy vehicles of destruction, nuclear devices and more
await. It's not easy brother.
Game Mechanics...
The games control mechanism is quite impressive. Once you get used the
various options you'll be zooming at breakneck speeds blowing up every
baddie in sight! With the control pad you can do the following things:
- Weapon Lock/Unlock
- Rotate Left/Right
- Activate Boosters
- Brake/Go in Reverse
- Accelerate
- Straffe (yes!)
- Toggle Weapons
- Fire Primary Weapon
- Fire Secondary Weapon
Pressing Select reveals the MAP. Here you can:
- Review the mission objective(s)
- Zoom In/Out
Ah, but there's even more (defensive) control stuff to learn! You can
slide by pressing the brake and accelerate buttons while rotating left or
right. Pressing Straffe along with the above can also be helpful when
doing battle with certain enemies. The speed boost is important too. Some
levels have a time limit and every second counts!
Game Options...
There are a few. These include Save Configuration, Load Game, Controller
and Sound Configuration, View High Scores and Difficulty. Actually, there
is only one game difficulty. In this case game Difficulty is just the
number of lives allowed (6 is the max).
Game Details...
Tunnel B1 is mission based. Complete the objectives, find the exit point
and move on. After completing a mission you can save the game. There are
no mid mission save locations. At the start of each mission you receive
a mission brief. You must complete the Primary Objective. Secondary
objectives are optional but are usually easier to take on.
Note: The manual hints that your progress will be easier in the later
levels if you complete the secondary objectives.
It is important to take out the power generators. This will disable the
security circuits. However, generators will "heal" itself and comeback on-
line. However, if you take 'em out with a Rocket, Missle, Bomb or Mine
they stay down. Certain cansisters contain important powerups. Blow 'em
up to find 'em. However, don't get too close. Radiation is harmful to you
and your craft. Setting off Alarms will result in alerting the enemy of
your whereabouts. It is not recommended to set off alarms. Passing through
Light Barriers or sensors will trigger an event such as opening a door or
triggering an alarm somewhere with the level that you are currently
enjoying.
Weapons...
You start with the 3 barrel machine gun. It has unlimited ammo. However,
there are powerups throughout the game that will give you an incredible
array of firepower to fight your way to your ultimate destiny. These
include rockets, missiles and more. Some can be locked on to a target.
{WARNING! Here's a little cheat that you might find interesting if you are
having trouble:
Press and hold L1, R1, L2, R2, S, O, X, Triangle at the same time. This
code will fill your life meter and give you access to all of the weapons.
Use only in extreme situations. <g> }
Display...
The cockpit is unencumbered and offers a huge view of the playing area. It
is functional, yet it does not get in the way. The map is very doom-like.
However, you cannot continue to move while in map mode.
Bottom Line...
In summary, Tunnel B1 is a fine 32-bit shooter - a welcome edition to any
3D shooter fan's library. Reminiscent of the Descent series in some ways,
Tunnel B1 offers a lot of high performance challenge for the first person
shooter fan. Unlike some shooters, this one is NOT on rails. You can turn
and burn! The game is a sight to behold. I found myself scrunched down in
my chair after playing it for a while. It has a very cool claustrophobic
effect. This is a good thing as it adds intensity to the gameplay.
Recommended!
PREVIEW:
WILD ARMS
Publisher: Sony Developer: Media Vision IncGenre: RPGRelease Date: May 97
While the Western World waits with baited breath for Final Fantasy 7, Wild
Arms, a new RPG from Japan, could be good enough to tide gamers over until
Square's delayed game. Recently released in Japan, Wild Arms combines
Suikoden-like sprite-based exploration with full polygonal 3D fighting
sequences. Carrying on the rich RPG tradition of dense and complex story
lines, Wild Arms brings together three strangers to battle against an
ancient and powerful enemy. The game takes place on the mystical world of
Fargaia, a planet where different species of sentient beings live in
uneasy harmony. Long ago, humans coexisted with the strange ELW, a long-
living race of elf-like peoples. The Guardians, also known as the "Powerful
Existence," were a race of god-like beings who also lived on Fargaia. Then
the Metal Demons came.
Fleeing from their collapsing homeworld, the Planet Hiades, the Metal
Demons crossed time and space to claim Fargaia their own. Taking up arms
to defend their planet, the inhabitants of Fargaia barely defeated the
Demons, but at a huge cost. The Guardians, who developed powerful weapons
to fight the Demons, such as the fantastic Arms, who could only be wielded
by those with a natural, spiritual talent, and the Golems, who were built
with the help of ELW magic, lost their powers in the war and now only exist
in a helpless spiritual form. The ELW also fought bravely during the war,
but were alienated by the humans in the aftermath, and fled Fargaia.
It is now 1000 years later, and Fargaia has never fully recovered from the
war. Much of the planet is covered in ruins, the rest in desert. Much of
the technology once possessed by the planet has been lost. The 8 Golems,
feared for their destructive power, have been hidden by the humans, and the
amazing Arms have all but disappeared. And now the Metal Demons return. Wild
Arms differs from most RPGs, in that you start the game with not one main
character, but are required to bring three separate ones together. You
play as each character individually, until all three meet. They then become
"as one," as is common with most RPGs. The primary figure is Rudy
Roughnight, a powerful wandering mercenary, also known as a "Flying Bird."
Jack Van Burace is a treasure hunter who trawls ancient ruins in search of
lost Arms. He has a special companion named Hanpen, a spiritual speaking
rat who can cross caverns and pick up items that Jack can not normally
reach. Rounding out the trio is Cecilia Lynn Adelhyde, a princess of the
ruined kingdom who employs magic. She has also been blessed with the
ability to communicate with the now-hidden Guardians. In addition to the
normal basic actions like running and throwing, the characters have been
programmed to display a large degree of body language.
Wild Arms should please most RPG fans with its intricate storyline and
exciting fighting sequences. The spells, while not as flashy as, say,
Final Fantasy 7's Tsunami, make excellent use of the PlayStation's light
sourcing capabilities and other special effects. This is definitely one to
watch for.
Classics & Entertainment Section
Editor Dana P. Jacobson
>From the Atari Editor's Desk "Saying it like it is!"
There's little going on with regard to Atari news this week; however, I do
have some interesting tidbits to share.
First of all, if you've been wary of playing around with the WWW STiK/CAB
Web browser software, don't be. With a few tips from fellow Atarians
online, I got it to work within a few days after spending an hour or so
each night playing with it (sorry Joe!!). A few months ago I attempted to
get this package to work with no input and became frustrated and deleted
all of the files after about a week. But, after seeing messages from
friends in the Atari Advantage area on Delphi who managed to get it up and
running fairly quickly, I decided to try again. I'm glad that I did.
I haven't got all of the modules to work yet, but just getting STiK and CAB
to work is a major victory for me! And, it works well, albeit slow with
just a 14.4 baud modem. I visited a few web sites just to test (only one
crash, my fault) and was pleasantly surprised at what I saw. Notedly, the
graphics weren't as crisp as you might see using a PC with elaborate web
browser software, but pleasing nonetheless! So, I'd suggest another go at
it if you've put it aside. BTW, I'm using the software and connecting
through Delphi as I don't have an account through an Internet Provider; I
have Internet access via Delphi.
Now to work to get the various other modules to work...
As mentioned last week, Albert Dayes has recently joined our staff. We
were hoping to hear from Albert in this week's issue, but an ongoing bout
with the flu has prevented that from happening. We hope to see him in
these pages shortly.
If you've been keeping up with national news (no, not computer news),
you're likely aware of the weather/nature problems currently ongoing on the
west coast. For many of us, the news of flooding, mudslides, fires, etc.
is a tragic one but something we only read or see on the news; and it
really doesn't affect us personally. Hoever, when you know personally know
people who are being affected by these freak acts of nature, it takes on a
whole new meaning.
For most of us reading these pages, you're probably aware of the name Don
Thomas. You know him, the former Customer Service guru and all-around whiz
guy at Atari who is now working for Sony. Well, Don happens to live in an
area of California that is being threatened by flood waters. Part of the
town that he lives in has been evacuated already, and his home could be
lost if the situation worsens before it gets better. Fortunately, Don and
his family are not in imminent danger as there's a major 4-lane highway and
a short distance between him and the flood water. But, we all know that
Mother Nature is not always predictable.
I've talked with Don a few times the past few days and I can say that he
and his family are concerned enough that they've removed their really
valuable things from their home and moved "less" valuable things to the
attic just in case. I don't know how Don manages it, but it must be
awfully stressful not knowing whether or not he'll have a home to return
to.
I thought it important to mention this as we all take many things for
granted. And, even though we hear of such tragedies almost every day, it
really hits home when it's affecting someone you know. Let's all hope that
these conditions abate and that no more homes are lost; and more
importantly, that no more lives are lost due to these freak bouts with
nature. Don, our thoughts are with you and your family - we hope
everything turns out for the best.
Until next time...
Gaming Section
Telegames To Release More Games!
Tiger Software Jaguar Offer!
Breakout 2000 Tips/Cheats! PSX Stuff!
And More!!
>From the Editor's Controller - Playin' it like it is!
LOTS of interesting stuff this week, especially Jaguar-related. First off,
Telegames has announced that they'll be releasing four more games in 1997,
as well as two new games for the Lynx! The four games slated for the
Jaguar are: Iron Soldier 2 (CD), World Tour Racing (CD), Zero Five, and
Worms - one a month starting this month. The Lynx games are: Raiden and
Fat Bobby. Dates and prices are included in a blurb later in this section.
If you're fairly active online, especially this past week, you may have
seen a post re-printed from info found from Tiger Software. These posts
are promoting a special Jaguar package deal as well as a few software
bundles. It sounded like Tiger Software came across a BIG cache of Jaguars
and software! So....I did a little checking and according to a couple of
reliable sources, Tiger Software bought JTS'/Atari's remaining inventory of
Jaguars and software! Tiger Software, from what I have heard, is a large
liquidator of such items.
So, Tiger Software is pushing these package deals for like $60-$70 dollars
(I can't recall the exact price offhand) for the Jaguar bundle and $30 or
so for the software bundle (three games each). Not a bad deal if you're
looking for a second or third unit, or if you're looking to buy a cheap
second system to supplement another. What's surprising about this buyout
is that Tiger seems to be promoting the Jaguar as this terrific system with
some degree of future. Yes, Telegames has said that there'll be four more
games (and maybe more later?), but I don't see a "future" for the Jaguar.
If it's not finished, or in the process of being completed, it's doubtful
that we'll see any new games being produced beyond a title or two, if that.
So, why did they purchase the entire lot? How about an incredible price?
How about $20 per Jaguar and $1-$2 per game? Pretty good profit potential
if they can unload them! Just thought you'd be interested...
Moving on to Sony and the PlayStation... I'm continuing to hear promotions
for the Net Yaroze development system for the PSX. While I don't have any
new earth-shattering news about it at the moment, I do know that Sony is
actively promoting it and more news should be arriving. In fact, we're in
the process of setting up an interview in an effort to learn more of this
new development tools package. Stay tuned.
Also, you may remember a few weeks back when we reported the availability
of the collectible Alps GamePad, in red. Well, we understand that Alps has
expanded their promotion due to the high level of interest that has been
shown lately. There are a number of promotions going on online, either to
buy the gamepads, or win one. Electronics Boutique has decided to continue
its sale at $39.95. There are also giveaways and promotional contests
going on at the Next Generation web site (www.next.generation.com) in which
you can win a red gamepad or Wipeout XL. The EB contest is a trivia
contest (who is the owner of Imagine Publishing?). Try other sites for
giveaways also, such as: www.vgol.com, www.interactive.alps.com, and
www.ultragp.com. Good luck!
Plenty of Breakout 2000 tips this week. Also, GamePro's list of the top 10
R.I.P. in the video game industry (guess who's #1??). And, how well did
retailers really do this past holiday season? How did we rate the best
games played on the Jaguar this past year? And we have more interesting
stuff for your reading pleasure this week - enjoy!
Until next time...
Industry News STR Game Console NewsFile - The Latest Gaming News!
Sony To Reorganize PlayStation Operations
TOKYO, JAPAN, 1997 JAN 6 (Newsbytes) -- By Martyn Williams. The various
companies around the world responsible for producing Sony's hit PlayStation
console and its games are to be brought together.
Shares in Sony Computer Entertainment America, Sony Interactive Studio
America, and Sony Computer Entertainment Europe that are currently owned by
Sony Corporation of America will be transferred to Sony Computer
Entertainment Inc. (SCE), a subsidiary of parent Sony Corporation
[TOKYO:6758] [NYSE:SNE] and the company responsible for Japanese
PlayStation operations.
At the same time, SCE said total sales are expected to come in at around
340 billion yen (US$ 2.92 billion) for the fiscal year 1996, which ends in
March. From the middle of this year, the company will also begin producing
machines for the North American market from a new production line in Mexico
at a Sony subsidiary. Exchange rate: $1 = 116.55 yen
Toys 'R' Us: Holiday sales up 4 percent
PARAMUS, N.J., Jan. 6 (UPI S) -- Toys "R" Us Inc. is reporting that its
worldwide holiday sales this year were up 4 percent to $4.1 billion. But
the toy giant says (Monday) that its U.S. sales fell flat despite the
release of such hot products as Nintendo 64 and Tickle Me Elmo.
Metrowerks Ships CodeWarrior for PlayStation
SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA, Macworld Expo--(Canadian Corp News, JANUARY 7,
1997)--Metrowerks Inc., one of the world's leading providers of software
development tools, today announced CodeWarrior(R) for PlayStation(TM)
DR/2, the newest version of its programming tools for developing games for
the PlayStation game console. CodeWarrior for PlayStation is hosted on
Windows(R)95/NT and Mac(TM)OS and is authorized by Sony Computer
Entertainment Inc.
CodeWarrior for PlayStation DR/2 features the full CodeWarrior IDE, a
plug-in CodeWarrior C/C++ compiler fr MIPS(R) and a selection of integrated
graphical format converters for managing game development with the
CodeWarrior IDE. Version DR/2 offers programmers much greater stability in
the IDE in addition to class browser support for C/C++ and a new diagnostic
communications tester program called "DebugCommTester".
"Metrowerks is very pleased to continue to advance its PlayStation tools
affording PlayStation developers the same easy-to-use CodeWarrior IDE that
has become an industry standard on the Macintosh," said Jean Belanger,
chairman and chief executive officer of Metrowerks. "We are committed to
furthering our cross-platform tools in the digital entertainment and
consumer electronics market."
Report - Games Will Explode In '97
SAN DIEGO, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1997 JAN 9 (Newsbytes) -- By Richard Bowers.
Strong growth in 1997 is forecast for the interactive entertainment
industry, according to the latest report from DFC Intelligence. DFC
Intelligence estimates that the combined annual increase in dollar sales
for the top two categories, PC games and software for 32 and 64-bit console
systems, could be as much as 60% in 1997. The report says the three
mega-hit console systems, Nintendo 64, Sony PlayStation and Sega Saturn,
are spurring most of growth, with PC games entering into their own new era
of mass marketing acceptance. Speaking to Newsbytes, David Cole, president
of DFC Intelligence, said, "Nintendo set the stage for 1997 with its
aggressive marketing and year end sales of Nintendo 64. With Nintendo 64 in
short supply the other platforms also benefited."
"The Nintendo 64 and Sony PlayStation are almost guaranteed to have
continued strong sales," says Cole. The fate of the Sega Saturn is less
certain, but the report concludes that 1997 could be the year Sega makes a
comeback. "The Saturn is a powerful system with a strong software lineup
and the incredible brand name." According to Cole, Sega is behind in the
race but "only one hit title and a solid marketing campaign away from
making a comeback." "After several years of disappointing software sales,
1997 should see healthy growth in all categories: video games, computer
games and educational software," says Cole. This solid growth is likely
to continue in 1998. Educational software is another high growth area. For
both 1997 and 1998, DFC Intelligence forecasts annual growth in educational
software of from 12% to 20%.
According to Cole, the interactive entertainment market is finally
stabilizing around three leading console systems and the personal computer.
"For the past two years there has been a great deal of confusion caused by
the sheer number of competing hardware platforms. Now the weaker systems
have been weeded out and consumers are ready to buy." "PC games can now
tap into a diverse mass market that cannot yet be found on console
systems," says Cole. The report points to the success of titles like
Civilization II, Command & Conquer: Red Alert and WarCraft 2. Cole says he
is even more encouraged by the success of Mattel's Barbie Fashon Designer,
which is a non-traditional hit.
On the downside, the DFC Intelligence report indicates that there are still
too many products in the channel, and this causes great pressure on
profitability for smaller companies. According to Cole, "just because the
industry is growing does not mean it will be any easier to make a profit.
There are way too many products being released. The Nintendo 64 is the only
system where software titles are almost guaranteed to have strong sales.
Unfortunately, the Nintendo 64 is a cartridge-based system, which makes it
harder for publishers to make a profit." DFC Intelligence releases the 580
page report, entitled The U.S. Market for Video Games and Interactive
Electronic Entertainment, twice a year.
SEGA: Sega Expands Net Link Feature
JAN 9, 1997, M2 Communications - Will it be snowing in New York when my
plane lands? Which channel airs "Monday Night Football" in Los Angeles?
Who is performing on "The Letterman Show" tonight? The answers are now one
click away on Sega Saturn Net Link. Sega of America Wednesday launched a
new premium on-line channel for Sega Saturn Net Link that combines
up-to-the minute, localized information on news, weather, sports, TV
programming, entertainment and many other consumer-interest topics all in
one location. Called On-TV from ViewCall America, this personal Internet
TV channel is optimized for television display, featuring smooth,
flicker-free graphics and content updated 24 hours a day covering nine
information and entertainment categories. The On-TV service will be
available starting Jan. 27 on Sega Saturn Net Link. Users will receive one
month of access free; the subsequent annual charge will be $39.95 for
unlimited use, with special discounts for initial subscribers.
"Sega Saturn Net Link is more than just a Web browser. It was designed to
be extensible so we could continually offer new on-line services and
experiences to many different categories of users," said Kerry Bradford,
Sega Online general manager, Sega of America."Our newest addition,
ViewCall's On-TV service, is like having access to multiple TV channels on
one station. It will be a tremendous value to Net Link users as an
all-in-one reference for the information most sought after on the
Internet." The Sega Saturn Net Link is a 28.8 Kbps modem that turns the
Sega Saturn video game console into a TV-based Internet access device. It
combines two consumer products in one -- an advanced 32-bit CD-based
videogame system with more than 200 games available, and a modem providing
full Internet functionality for e-mail and Web surfing for a suggested
retail price of $199.99.
ViewCall America's On-TV Internet service provides fast and easy access to
the information and activities consumers desire most on the Internet in
categories including news, sports, entertainment, health, weather,
business, kids, travel and columns. Content is customized for Net Link
users based on specific area codes, offering accurate local TV program
listings, weather reports and news information. ViewCall has a staff of
editors who receive, reformat and post information from news sources across
the country, such as Reuters New Media, Sports Ticker, USA Today, TVData
and American Express Travel Related Services, in the On-TV service 24 hours
a day. Users will find On-TV in the "What's New" area of the 3D Net Link
city home page. "We're focused on adding real value to the Internet
services our partners are providing," said Alan McKeon, president and CEO,
ViewCall America. "Any experienced Internet surfer would spend hours trying
to find all the information on the Web that we're offering in one location
with On-TV."
ViewCall America (www.viewcall.com) is committed to expanding and enhancing
the television experience by using the Internet to bring consumers a wide
variety of entertainment and services delivered through On-TV. On-TV comes
bundled with Internet-TVs, Internet set top boxes, Network Computers and
Internet appliances, and works with various Internet TV browsers, thus
reflecting the company's open platform philosophy which offers choice to
content partners, hardware partners and ultimately, to consumers. Sega of
America is the arm of Tokyo-based Sega Enterprises Ltd. responsible for the
development, marketing and distribution of Sega videogame systems and
videogames in the Americas. Sega Enterprises is a nearly $3.6 billion
company recognized as the industry leader in interactive digital
entertainment media, and is the only company that offers interactive
entertainment experiences both inside and outside the home. Sega of
America's World Wide Web site is located at http://www.sega.com.
Jaguar Cheats, & Hints STR InfoFile - Solving Those Riddles!
>From CompuServe's Atari Gaming Forums, courtesy of Randy Baer:
Well, since Mario Perdue (programmer of Breakout 2000) recently departed
Compuserve, he has given me the ok to list some codes for B2K. All codes
are entered during the game with NO BALLS ACTIVE! They work in one or two
player modes.
1+5+3 = Ball Count to 99
4+7+8+9 = Catch Power-Up
3+7+8+9 = Attract Power-Up
2+7+8+9 = Cannon Power-Up
1+7+8+9 = Super Ball Power-Up
There are just two more that I know of, and I'll release them at some point
in the near future...
Have fun!
Randy
And a confirmation, plus...
Hi,
I found these out as I played B2K last night...
7+8+9+1 = Breakthrough ball
7+8+9+2 = Lightning
7+8+9+3 = Attract
7+8+9+4 = Catch mode
1+3+5 = 99 balls
1+5+7 = skip a set of levels
1+6+7 = skip a single level
Don't cheat to death! Take it easy,
Wes Powell
Jagar Online STR InfoFile - Online Users Growl & Purr!
Here is the revised released date schedule for games being published by
Telegames for both the Atari Jaguar and the Atari Lynx. There is still life
after Atari Corporation after all folks! :)
Schedule as of January 07 1997
Atari Jaguar
Feb 97 - Iron Soldier II (CD Format)
Mar 97 - World Tour Racing (CD Format)
Apr 97 - Zero 5 (Cartridge Format)
May 97 - Worms (Cartridge Format)
Atari Lynx
Feb 97 - Raiden
Mar 97 - Fat Bobby
According to GamePro magazine:
The Top Ten R.I.P.s in the Video Game Industry
1. Atari Corp.
2. 8-bit SNES
3. Sega CD
4. Sega 32X/32X CD
5. 3DO Multiplayer
6. Turbo GrafX 16
7. NeoGeo/NeoGeo CD
8. CD-i/CD 32
9. Virtual Boy
10. SNES CD (never released)
From: IN%"mhz@earthlink.net" "MHz"
Subj: Atari Underground 1/5/97 UPDATE
Well its official. Telegames has committed to release 2 cd-rom games for
the Jaguar. Iron Soldier 2, and World Tour Racing. Only IS2 has an release
date, February.
Here is the game description from the Telegames web page.
IRON SOLDIER 2 is the knockout sequel available on CD for Jaguar. Pilot
your 42 foot tall mech robot thru 20 new missions against the evil Penta
Forces. Dramatically enhanced 3-D graphics create a virtual battlefield
with war waged in all 360 degrees. Outfit your mech with combinations of 10
weapons systems and begin your fight against the multitudes of enemy
weapons. With full motion video, driving soundtrack, and realistic sfx, all
available in stereo or surround sound, this product must be purchased by
any true gamer.
MSRP $59.95 AVAILABLE FEBRUARY
For more info on this game you can goto Telegames web site at
http://www.telegames.com
http://www.geocities.com/SiliconValley/Park/4876/main-page.html
http://mars.superlink.net/drkforce
http://www.noblecan.org/~maddmaxx/Jaguar
to /msg other Atari/Jaguar owners try:
http://www.ataricentral.com/wwwboard/jagtalk.html
http://www.magicalfox.com/ken/postit.cgi
or to talk live with other Atari/Jaguar owners try:
IRC Undernet at #Atari this is the official chat channel of the Jaguar.
Thats all for now. More info to you as i get it.
MHz
MHz@earthlink.net
Sb: Jaguar - Survey Results!
Fm: Larry T./Assoc. Sysop 76710,2174
The votes have been cast and the results are in! Votes cast for games
_played_ in 1996 (not necessarily released last year). The best game
overall in 1996 for the Atari Jaguar is Tempest 2000 with 28% of the total
vote. Defender 2000 was second best with 23% of the total vote.
Category Winners:
The best Sports Title is Brutal Sports Football with 50% of the total vote.
The best Platform/Action Title is Rayman with 57% of the total vote.
The best Adventure/RolePlaying Title is tied with Alien Vs Predator and
Towers II each receiving 38% of the total vote.
The best Fighting Title is Ultra Vortek with 60% of the total vote.
The best Simulation Title is Theme Park with 43% of the total vote.
The best Other Title is Breakout 2000 with 40% of the total vote.
Thanks to everyone who participated in this survey!
- Larry Tipton/Associate Sysop
Video Games Forum
ONLINE WEEKLY STReport OnLine The wires are a hummin'!
PEOPLE... ARE TALKING
On CompuServe
Compiled by Joe Mirando
CIS ID: 73637,2262
Hidi Ho friends and neighbors. Here we are, only two weeks into 1997, with
my New Year's Resolution not even out of my lips, and SOMEONE had the
nerve to beat me to it!
In case you don't remember, my resolution was to get one of the web
browsers for the Atari ST series of computers to work. To be honest, I
really haven't had time to get into it any since the first of the year. But
Dana Jacobson has. He, with the help of many of our online friends, got
CAB/STik to work. If you read his editorial in this issue, you probably
know how happy he is to have gotten it working. I'm a bit envious of
course, but there is a silver lining... now I can pester Dana when I have a
question. <grin>
On another front, I've still had no luck getting the Quantum FireBall to
work with an Atari, Supra, AdSCSI+, or LINK host adaptor. I know, I know,
it just won't work. It's arbitration. Yeah, like hard drives have a
union now or something. <grin> At any rate, it's on its way back to the
distributor I bought it from. I'll look for a nice, simple, Seagate or
something.
I've also been in contact with a friend from another forum, on a service
far, far, away. He uses a PC but wants a backup machine in case his PC
decides to stop working again, as it did a few weeks ago. A friend of a
friend offered an indefinite loan of an Atari 1040 STF. He asked me if I
could supply him with programs and accessories to make it useable. He was
bemoaning the fact that it didn't have a hard drive (not really... he just
happened to mention it), so I offered to loan him a 40 meg hard drive that
would also provide him with a clock (an OLD Seagate 42 meg drive in a
Supra shoebox case with HD Driver software). He was quite happy with this
and asked if I could "fill it up" with programs and stuff. That part is a
piece of cake! HD to HD transfers are easy, cheap, and allow you to see
some of the stuff on your hard drive that you've forgotten about. So he's
getting a bunch of PD/Shareware/Demo word processors, a slew of
PD/Shareware/Demo terminal programs, and a gaggle of games (all downloaded
during my long association with CompuServe). I'll just bet that, instead
of being a backup machine, it becomes his "second machine". You know...
the one that he WANTS to use, not HAS to use. Time will tell.
Well, let's find out what's going on here on CompuServe.
>From the Atari Computing Forums
Kevin Sheridan asks: "[Does] anyone know how to avoid a string overflow
when getting new messages with QUICKCIS? Also, does anyone know why the
program changes my internal clock to odd years ie. 12/17/47?
My pal Myles Cohen tells Kevin:
"That probably means that there is not enough space in the menory to
display all of the messages that came in...
To get more memory...Easy if you have a program like XBOOT...you must
bypass all the exrtraneous progs in the AUTO folder to free up more
menory...reset the computer...get back intio QCIS and voila...there are all
the messages you couldn't read before...
Alternate way: You might be able to view the message area directly with a
program like DCSHOWER...or by loading that particular message area into a
text reader like EDITPLUS or EDHAK... Probably the fault of the newer
Compuserve software...or maybe even something in QCIS that sends the
computer to the area of memory to check the current date in your
computer...if your clock battery is no longer working...it finds the date
that the software was written...(I'm just guessing)"
Kevin tells Myles:
"I'm running on a Mega/STE with 4 Meg memory so I wouldn't think memory
should be a problem. I'm just running the "normal call" to get E-mail
when it gives me the string overflow. It seems to have something to do
with the header info in the E-mail itself that the program doesn't know
what to do with.
The battery on my computer is still working however when I log in using
quickcis it "corrects" the time based on somthing it finds on Compuserve
and isn't doing it right. Oh well. Any hope for a new HMI graphic
package for the Atari?"
Myles tells Kevin:
"I have a MegaSTE with 4 megs and the string overflow happens when there
are too many messages to display...I told you how I solve it...but here is
another trick I just learned from oe Roborecky... Don't ever do a
"NORMAL" call if you have your QUICKCIS.CNF file set up to visit
MAIL...instead, use "MANUAL" ...then when the program stops...press the
ALT and N keys. The "nornal" call used to work with the old CIS
software...and still does if you don't have MAIL in your CNF file...It is
hard to change old habits...and my hand automatically reaches for the
normal N but your problem should go away if you choose M (for Manual)
instead...
HMI?? Sorry...I don't even know what that means...or what it's for...I know
that there have been some messages in this forum wishing for it...but they
never seem to explain what it's for or why they want it... And so...I'll
live in blissful ignorance...unless you'd like to clue me in..."
Jack Hughes jumps in and adds his experiences:
"I too have 4M of memory on my STf. Just checked and there are 2.4M free.
And I have experienced the overflow problem twice recently. But not in
mail but getting msgs froa Forum (Beer) and not on this or any other Forum.
It also screws up the msgs when I used Stalker to get them. This is the
problem that really bugs me. Sometimes it sets the date to that of my TOS
(Apr 6, 1989) and other times it's today's date but the year is 1947!!!
That surely can't be the date of the CIS operating system, but then maybe
it is. :-) The way things are now I try to "Touch" the bad date files
with ST Tools once a day."
David Schmudde asks for help (go get 'em, Dana <g>):
"Does anybody have translations for the pull down menus in CAB, some are
pretty easy to figure out and others I am having problems with. Can I
view 256 color pics in CAB, they all look grainy. I am using CAB030 for
my TT Also, is there anyway to steal text off of CAB? For example, in
multi-tasking OSes (System 7, Win), I highlight, cut and paste in a
notepad... is there any program I can cut/paste with CAB?"
Jack Hughes tells David:
"I'm just geting started into CAB but my copy has English titles. Assume
that's what you want. Also available are German and French. Got this in
Library 2, WWW130.ZIP. I may be in error, but think it's the latest.
Includes a bunch of goods. Can't help on your other problem."
David Schmudde asks about a terminal program:
"I have been using the STalker demo and am impressed... however, I am
wondering if Flash or another terminal program is better. Where is the
best place to buy these programs now?"
Dana Jacobson tells David:
"I'd suggest that you try the Flash II demo here and decide for yourself
which is "better". It's all subjective in this case; some people will
always prer one program over another. As to where to buy, Flash can be
purchased from Missionware, represented here by John Trautschold. Or, your
favorite mail order local dealer.<g>"
Joe Villarreal tells David:
"A terminal program is mainly a matter of preference; features you like
using. I have probably tried twenty or more different terminal programs
running on different operating systems like CP/M,DOS, TRSDOS, LSIDOS, OS-
9/OSK, TOS, and MS-DOS. Now, if I could take my favorite features and
place them in oterminal program, that would be the best terminal program
for me <g>.
I have used Stalker 3.06/Steno 2.12 for a couple of years now and has
worked great. I am using it with the Nova graphics card; most of the time
in a 640x480 256 color screen. With this resolution I can see a 54 line
screen with 9 point characters. Grifnif sells Stalker and Steno. I have
tried the Flash II demo and it seems to work well."
David Schmudde, now out for a killer system, asks:
"What is the best multi-tasking program on the market for my TT030? Where
can I order MiNT from.... what exactly is MiNT?"
Phil Walding tells David:
"MiNT should be available for d/l'ing from on-line services. It was
utilised as the core for MultiTOS , but the original author continued
development of the MiNT package. If you want a good multi-tasking OS , you
can look to Geneva / Neodesk or Magic / Ease. Magic ~~is faster and offers
pre-emptive multi tasking , while Geneva is believed to be more compatible
but only offers co-operative multi tasking. Personally , I prefer Geneva
/ Neodesk and I've run mu Mega4STe to about 200k of ram free with about 5
programs running with no problems and excellent co-operation. Personally ,
I don't like Ease as much as Neodesk and I don't think the program manager
in Magic is as easy to work with as Geneva's."
I jump in and tell Phil and David:
"Be aware that you can now run MiNT and use Geneva as its GEM interface.
This provides Geneva with the ability to multi-task in pre-emptive mode.
It does slow the system down a bit, but for those who believe that they
need pre-emptive multi-tasking, it is an option. Installation is as simple
as inserting MiNT into the AUTO folder and specifying GENEVA as its GEM
Shell. From there, I have GENEVA load NeoDesk and away I go."
David replies:
"Excuse me for being stupid, but what exactly is pre-emptive multitasking?
I do notice the difference between multitasking in Geneva and MS-DOS vs.
OS/2, Windows, Multi-TOS etc.."
Before I can reply, James Spielman tells David:
"In pre-emptive multi-tasking (as in OS/2 and others), the _OS_ determines
how much of the CPU time an application will receive. This allows a
"fair" distribution of time among all executing applications. In co-
operative multi-tasking, the OS leaves it up to each _application_ to
decide when to give up CPU time for any other applications. In other
words, if an application's programmer decides their application rates more
CPU time, the app will hog the CPU. All that's rather simplified, as
their is often other processes (such as "threads") that make up an
application's actual execution."
A short time after James fills David in, I add my own little missive:
"There are no stupid questions here... only unanswered ones. In its stand-
alone 'mode', Geneva uses co- operative multi-tasking... It waits until an
application makes an AES call and demands CPU time. Pre- emptive multi-
tasking is when the OS (MiNT in this case) doles out CPU time in rotaton.
This results in slower system preformance, but is required by some
programs for correct operation. Under 'stock' Geneva,
the CPU would dole out time something like this:
>Calligrapher requests CPU time to reformat a page<
!CPU gives Calligrapher CPU time!
>STeno sits in background taking no CPU time<
!CPU gives Calligrapher idle CPU time!
>User switches to STeno<
!CPU gives STeno idle CPU time!
>STeno requests CPU time to reformat a page<
!CPU gives STeno CPU time!
With MiNT, the CPU distributes CPU time like a Merry-Go-Round:
>CPU gives Calligrapher CPU time to reformat a page<
>CPU gives STeno CPU time to do... nothing<
>User switches to STeno<
>CPU gives Calligrapher CPU time to do... nothing<
>CPU gives STeno CPU time to reformat page<
>CPU gives Calligrapher CPU time to do... nothing<
As you can see, applications that spend most of their time in the
background waiting for something to happen can take cycles away from
active applications, but do allow processing to continue at a more steady
pace. You can also 'prioritize' tasks so they get more time per each
cycle, but that can result in even more system slowdown. The above
example is a gross simplification, to be sure, but it will give you an idea
of the differences. By the way, MiNTNP.PRG (v1.12) is provided with
Geneva."
Well folks, that's about it for this week. 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
"WHEN MONEY TALKS..
IT USUALLY SAYS..
"BEND OVER"!!
STReport International OnLine Magazine
[S]ilicon [T]imes [R]eport
http://WWW.STREPORT.COM
AVAILABLE through the Internet and OVER 250,000 BBS SYSTEMS WORLDWIDE
All Items quoted, in whole or in part, are done so under the provisions of
The Fair Use Law of The Copyright Laws of the U.S.A. Views, Opinions and
Editorial Articles presented herein are not necessarily those of the
editors/staff of STReport International OnLine Magazine. Permission to
reprint articles is hereby granted, unless otherwise noted. Reprints
must, without exception, include the name of the publication, date, issue
number and the author's name. STR, CPU, STReport and/or portions therein
may not be edited, used, duplicated or transmitted in any way without prior
written permission. STR, CPU, STReport, at the time of publication, is
believed reasonably accurate. STR, CPU, STReport, are trademarks of
STReport and STR Publishing Inc. STR, CPU, STReport, its staff and
contributors are not and cannot be held responsible in any way for the use
or misuse of information contained herein or the results obtained
therefrom.
STReport "YOUR INDEPENDENT NEWS SOURCE" January 10, 1997
Since 1987 Copyrightc1997 All Rights Reserved Issue No. 1302
-----------------------------------------
Return to message index
