ST Report: 3-Mar-95 #1109
From: Bruce D. Nelson (aa789@cleveland.Freenet.Edu)
Date: 03/19/95-11:36:14 AM Z
From: aa789@cleveland.Freenet.Edu (Bruce D. Nelson)
Subject: ST Report: 3-Mar-95 #1109
Date: Sun Mar 19 11:36:14 1995
SILICON TIMES REPORT
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INTERNATIONAL ONLINE MAGAZINE
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from
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A subsidiary of
STR Worldwide CompNews Inc.
March 03, 1995 No. 1109
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> 03/03/95 STR 1109 "The Original * Independent * OnLine Magazine!"
"""""""""""""""""
- STR INDUSTRY REPORT - COREL 5f FIX List - McAfee 215
- IBM Releases PCDos 7 - Digital & WIN'95 - Frankie's Corner
- Adaptec SCSI FAQ - Corel Ventura Fixes - CALAMUS SL NEWS
- CATBOX RSN? - People Talking - Jaguar News
-* GATES REPLIES TO SPINDLER! *-
-* SCSI ON PARADE *-
-* INTUIT ADMITS TO BUG IN TAX PROGRAM *-
==========================================================================
STReport International OnLine Magazine
The Original * Independent * OnLine Magazine
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LottoMan Results: 02/25/95: one 3# match and four 2# matches
----------------
> From the Editor's Desk "Saying it like it is!"
""""""""""""""""""""""
Everybody has a pet peeve and sooner or later, they'll tell you all
about it. Well, here's mine. I wonder how many of you will agree with
me. My major pet peeve in the computing world is when I realize I've been
beta testing a "finished product" or , so I thought it was finished. Yes,
yes, I realize that a really in-depth program is always a "work in
progress". But there has to be a point where, as we all have seen, that a
program is considered "fit for release". Why is it then.. that we have so
many of the "fit for release" type programs that seemingly have a "hit
parade" of updates and then... a "pay for" upgrade shortly thereafter that
merely amounts to a number of major bug fixes?
No.. There's no need to name specific programs. Doing that solves
nothing and tends to make for hard feelings. Those of you who are reading
this and do have the ability to make a "difference" take a moment or two
and ponder these thoughts. Wouldn't it be a far better thing if the user
knew in advance that he was in for some "undocumented features"? Sure
there are beta programs setup for software enhancement but it doesn't
always work out that way. Try to make sure the software or, hardware for
that matter, is really "ready to go". If its borderline, say so or better
yet, don't let it out the door until its really ready.
In the coming weeks.. we shall be doing a great of work with SCSI
packages, designs and software. Personally, I feel SCSI is the way to go.
We shall look at SCSI adapters, tape backups and their software, hard
drives, CDRoms, scanners and other peripherals too numerous to mention at
this time. The most important of which is the backup facilities offered
in the SCSI world. We will carry a number of qualifying articles that
should bring the reader up to speed with SCSI. Its going to get very
interesting. Both for the novice, the casual, and the power user. SCSI
never ceases to amaze me. You are in for a treat.
Ralph...
Of Special Note:
----------------
STReport will be branching out further to Internet's userbase in the
very near future. We've received numerous requests to receive STReport
from a wide variety of Internet addresses. As a result, we're putting
together an Internet distribution/mailing list for those who wish to
receive STReport on a regular basis, and we'll UUENCODE each issue and
mail it to you.
If you're interested in being added to our mailing list, please, send
your requests to either "dpj@delphi.com" or, RMARIANO@DELPHI.COM. Look
for mailings to begin by October first. We are also considering a number
of Internet ftp sites in which to post our issues for as well. Whatever
we can do to make STReport available to you. we'll try it!
""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""
STReport's Staff DEDICATED TO SERVING YOU!
""""""""""""""""
Publisher -Editor
""""""""""""""""""
Ralph F. Mariano
Lloyd E. Pulley, Editor, Current Affairs
Section Editors
"""""""""""""""
PC SECTION AMIGA SECTION MAC SECTION ATARI SECTION
---------- ------------- ----------- -------------
R.D. Stevens R. Niles J. Deegan D. P. Jacobson
STReport Staff Editors:
"""""""""""""""""""""""
Michael Arthur John Deegan Brad Martin
John Szczepanik Paul Guillot Joseph Mirando
Doyle Helms Frank Sereno John Duckworth
Jeff Coe Steve Keipe Guillaume Brasseur
Melanie Bell Jay Levy Jeff Kovach
Marty Mankins Carl Prehn Paul Charchian
Contributing Correspondents:
""""""""""""""""""""""""""""
Dominick J. Fontana Norman Boucher Clemens Chin
Eric Jerue Ron Deal Mike Barnwell
Ed Westhusing Glenwood Drake Vernon W.Smith
Bruno Puglia Paul Haris Kevin Miller
Craig Harris Allen Chang Tim Holt
Patrick Hudlow Tom Sherwin
Please, submit letters to the editor, articles, reviews, etc...
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IMPORTANT NOTICE
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STReport, with its policy of not accepting any paid advertising, 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,
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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 Staff & Editors
"""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""
> STR INDUSTRY REPORT LATE BREAKING INDUSTRY-WIDE NEWS
"""""""""""""""""""
IBM/POWER-PC/PC SECTION (I)
===========================
Computer Products Update - CPU Report
------------------------ ----------
Weekly Happenings in the Computer World
Issue #09
Compiled by: Lloyd E. Pulley, Sr.
******* General Computer News *******
>> Intuit Admits to Bug in Tax Program <<
Intuit Inc. says it has found a major bug in its income tax software
that can affect its TurboTax and MacInTax programs and says it will
replace the affected programs free of charge beginning Friday.
The firm said it also will pay any penalties imposed by the Internal
Revenue Service on its customers as a result of errors in the program.
Reports quote Intuit officials as saying the bug was discovered sev-
eral weeks ago and that it affects less than 1 percent of the million
customers using TurboTax and the 400,000 using MacInTax.
The specific instances in which the calculation errors will occur
include if the user:
-:- Has only disability income.
-:- Is taking a section 179 deductible for an automobile.
-:- Is working with the Estimated Tax Worksheet to estimate payments
for the 1995 tax year.
-:- Is depreciating an asset in the final year of its depreciable
life.
The San Francisco Chronicle reported the flaw and said one user found
his business income was $8,400 less on MacInTax than it was on Intuit's
Quicken program.
Asked why the company did not announce the flaw sooner despite
knowing about it for several weeks, Intuit executive William Harris said
it was important to be able to specify the problems and how users can
fix them.
The software publisher said it is contacting registered users of the
programs to notify them of the availability of the corrected versions.
But Harris added that the flawed program should still work for 99% of
customers.
Starting Thursday, Intuit is operating an exclusive phone line set up
to handle requests on a 24-hour basis. The line, 800-224-0948, will ask
users for their name, address and phone number and whether they are
requesting the new TurboTax or the new MacInTax version.
>> Justice to Query Online Firms <<
Word is that in its review of Microsoft Corp.'s planned $1.5 billion
acquisition of Intuit Corp., the Justice Department will interview the
three largest online services.
Reports say that investigators want to get input from CompuServe,
America Online and Prodigy on the potential anti-competitive effects of
the deal.
Meanwhile, other reports are saying that Apple Computer Inc., Sun
Microsystems Inc. and Sybase Inc. have paid for a Silicon Valley law
firm to object to the Microsoft-Intuit deal and the company's antitrust
settlement with the Justice Department.
Representatives of all four companies declined to comment.
>> McGraw-Hill Launches New Magazine <<
McGraw-Hill Inc., publisher of Byte magazine, is getting into the
hunt for the home computing market, joining forces with IDD Enterprises
LP., publisher of Nest Egg magazine, to bring out a new monthly to be
called Home Computer Advisor.
The new publication will use the editorial expertise of Byte magazine
and a new distribution channel developed by IDD for Nest Egg.
>> Compton's Challenges Microsoft <<
The makers of the electronic Compton's Encyclopedia allege Microsoft
Corp. won't allow them on the online service it is developing because
Microsoft makes a rival reference work, the software called Encarta.
Some say the charge "adds to the list of gripes about anti-competitive
practices at the largest developer of personal computer software. And it
raises questions how Microsoft can both develop products for its
electronic pipeline and encourage others to do so."
Microsoft denies it refused to work with the new media division of
Tribune Co., which created the computerized versions of Compton's
Encyclopedia.
>> TI Forecasts Strong Chip Market <<
Texas Instruments forecasts that the worldwide semiconductor market
will grow by about 21% in 1995 to $124 billion.
TI notes that the market's growth is primarily due to the continued
strength of Asia- Pacific region and the U.S., as well as an improved
economy in Europe.
TI's estimates;
The U.S. market will grow at 22% to $41 billion, compared to $34
billion in 1994.
The Japan market will see semiconductor market growth of about 17% to
a total of $34.5 billion. In 1994, Japan's market reached $29 billion.
The Europe markit is expected to grow by about 23% to $24 billion
compared to $20 billion in 1994.
The Asia- Pacific region will lead the world in growth at about 26%
for 1995. The Asia- Pacific region is expected to reach $24 billion in
1995, compared with $19 billion in 1994.
>> Phone Firms to Buy TV Boxes <<
Three phone companies -- Bell Atlantic Corp., Nynex Corp. and Pacific
Telesis Group -- say they will buy up to 4 million set-top boxes for
interactive TV and computing during the next five years.
It's felt that by jointly buying the equipment, the firms "aim to
speed up development and implementation of such advanced communication
services."
The set-top boxes generally range from $350 to several thousand
dollars apiece, depending on function, and the trio hopes to get a
better price by combining their request.
Bell Atlantic, Nynex and Pac Tel provides phone service to 30 million
households in the East and California and Nevada.
>> TI Offers TravelMate Notebook <<
The TravelMate 5000 notebook computer has been unveiled by Texas
Instruments, which says the unit includes a 75MHz Pentium processor with
peripheral component interconnect bus architecture.
The company said the TravelMate 5000 family, available next month,
includes two models based on the 75MHz 3.3-volt Pentium processor with
PCI bus and a choice of 10.4 inch active matrix color or 10.5 inch dual
scan color displays.
TI adds the TravelMate 5000 Active Matrix Color has an estimated U.S.
price of $5,899.
>> Digital Announces Win95 Support <<
Digital Equipment Corp. says it will preload Windows 95 on all of its
desktop and notebook computers when the operating system becomes
available.
The computer maker notes that all of its systems currently support
the industry standard for Plug & Play technology as well as the Micro-
soft Hardware Design Guide for Windows 95.
The company also reports that it has signed a Windows 95 market
development agreement with Microsoft Corp.
>> Zenith Cuts Prices Up to 30% <<
Prices on Zenith Data Systems' line of '486 desktop computers have
been cut by as much as 30%.
In a statement, offices, the firm says the pricing strategy results
from "lowered costs on components and a concerted effort to continue
offering customers more value per system dollars spent."
>> Most European Leaders Not Online <<
Only a few of Europe's leaders are plugged in.
According to The Washington Post:
-:- Poland's premier is active on the global Internet computer
network.
-:- President Martti Ahtisaari of Finland uses e-mail to keep in
touch with son Marko.
-:- The Kremlin's top science adviser and a bunch of Baltic
government ministers are online.
However, "just a handful of leaders in western Europe have Internet
electronic mail addresses and none of them resides in its power centers
London, Paris or Berlin."
In fact, says the paper, "Spain's prime minister, Felipe Gonzalez,
doesn't even have a personal computer. A series of calls trying to
determine whether Italy's premier, Lamberto Dini, is on the Internet was
fruitless. Many of the people in his office didn't know what Internet
was."
>> CD-ROM Men's Magazine to Make Debut <<
Marinex Multimedia says it is developing a CD-ROM-based men's
magazine.
The publication, titled Trouble & Attitude, the Multimedia Magazine
for Men, is scheduled for a spring launch. The $9.95 disc will be dis-
tributed on newsstands, in video stores and through direct response
advertising, direct mail and other channels both domestically and
internationally.
New York-based Marinex says Trouble & Attitude will be the first CD-
ROM to use the men's magazine format to target a young (18-34), upscale
male audience for whom the computer is emerging as both the information
and entertainment medium of choice.
The company notes that Trouble & Attitude will feature video-
intensive, multimedia profiles of women, as well as timely general and
special interest stories. An "on-camera cyberjockey" will anchor each
segment.
The premiere issue's cover story will be a multimedia exploration of
the television program Baywatch. Other features will include a preview
of the first interactive, CD- ROM-based Bikini Challenge; a visual tour
of Troma Films, the studio specializing in campy B- movies, including
the Toxic Avenger series; a tribute to the late Marshall McLuhan, the
"forgotten guru" of the electronic age; Erik Larsen's comic book art,
including exclusive previews of forthcoming titles; and a 10,000 word
text and speech guide to the world's spy agencies.
>> Apple Settles Part of RSI Suit <<
Apple Computer Inc. has settled its portion of a lawsuit from a
secretary who contends she wasn't adequately warned about the potential
for injury from keyboard use.
As reported earlier, Nancy Urbanski 30, a former Eagan High School
secretary who says she lost her job because of repetitive stress injuries,
had accused Apple and IBM of negligence. She had used both brands of
keyboards.
Meanwhile, IBM spokesman Tom Beermann said his employer does not plan
to settle, that "our intention is to see this through. We would not read
too much into the Apple settlement. The fact remains that there is no
scientific evidence linking computer keyboards to injury."
Urbanski, whose typing speed was once clocked at 95 words a minute,
first noticed pain in her left arm and hand in July 1991. It later
spread to her other arm.
She says the school district tried to find other work for her but had
to let her go in June 1993. In addition to losing her job, Urbanski says
she cannot perform housework and other everyday activities.
Attorney Steven Phillips said IBM and Apple easily could have provided
warnings about repetitive stress injuries, telling keyboard users about
the need to take breaks and the importance of proper posture.
But, he argued, because the computer companies did not, many people
worked through their pain, unaware they were on the road to permanent
disability. He said similar injuries did not occur with typewriters
because certain tasks -- such as changing paper and hitting the carriage
return -- broke up the repetitiveness of the work.
>> IBM Releases PC DOS 7 <<
PC DOS 7, which offers more memory and more disk space than any
previous versions of the operating system, has been released by IBM
Corp.
IBM officials are quoted as saying the new DOS includes integrated
data compression from Stac Electronics, an extensive built- in help
system, and "exclusive features designed for mobile users, such as file
synchronization, docking capabilities and the latest support from
Phoenix Technologies for PCMCIA cards."
This is IBM's 14th release of the DOS, which upgrades any version 3.3
and higher and is supported on all IBM and IBM-compatible personal
computers. Customers should be able to upgrade for less than $60, IBM
said.
>> Software Piracy Up 14%, SPA Says <<
A new study suggests U.S. and foreign companies lost $8.08 billion
last year to worldwide piracy of business software, which rose 14% over
1993 estimates.
Reports quote the SPA as saying lack of enforcement of intellectual
property rights laws is the leading factor behind the growing piracy
rate.
The report says pirated business software -- ranging from accounting
and desktop publishing programs to spreadsheets and e-mail -- grew to
125 million units in 1994 from 110 million in 1993.
The SPA says the biggest offenders are China, Russia and Thailand.
The U.S., the world's leading producer of business software, sus-
tained the second most losses after Japan. U.S. companies lost an esti-
mated $1.05 billion in 1994. A drop in the average price of U.S.-made
software, largely accounted for a nearly 50% drop in estimated revenue
lost between 1993 and 1994.
>> U.K. Computer Crime Uncovered <<
A British watchdog agency says it has unearthed a computer crime wave
at the heart of government.
The National Audit Office has reported that after new tighter controls
on British civil servants were issued to ministries and government
agencies on checking for misuse of computers, the number of incidents
detected rocketed in 1993 and 1994.
Reports say:
-:- Detected attempts to hack into computers rose 140% to 655.
-:- Computer viruses were up 86% to 562.
-:- Even simple theft of computer equipment was up 60% to 433
incidents costing $1.90 million.
The study says government departments had stepped up efforts to com-
bat information technology crimes, that fewer hacking attempts were suc-
ceeding and that anti-virus software was helping to detect an increasing
proportion of attempts to wreck programs.
However, it added, "Departments and agencies still have some way to
go on issues such as ... security training."
>> Man Admits to Online Child Porn <<
A New Hampshire man faces prison time after he admitted he shipped
child pornography over an online service.
Reports from Concord, New Hampshire say Donald Angus Harvey pleaded
guilty this week in U.S. District Court there.
Federal prosecutors are quoted as saying Harvey faces up to 15 years
in prison when sentenced for shipping child pornography and sexually
explicit messages via America Online to undercover agents in Orlando,
Florida, who he thought were 14-year-old boys.
_____________________________________________
> McAfee News STR InfoFile
""""""""""""""""""""""""
Errata for VirusScan Version 2.1.5 (216)
Copyright 1995 by McAfee, Inc.
All Rights Reserved.
I. INTRODUCTION
This Errata Sheet covers changes and late-breaking news not covered
in the VirusScan and VShield Version 2.1.5 (216) documentation.
II. VIRUSSCAN
A. DETECTION AND REMOVAL
VirusScan Version 2.1.5 (216) has been released to address a false
positive report of the Dark Avenger virus on DOS 3.3's EXE2BIN.EXE.
No other changes have been made since the 215 virus signature string
data files.
VirusScan Version 2.1.5 (215) adds detection of 280 new viruses and
removal of 95 viruses. Most of the removers are for boot viruses.
A complete list of viruses can be viewed by using VirusScan's /VIRLIST
switch (DOS and OS/2) or clicking on the "Virus Info" button (Windows).
Additionally, we have added the ability to generically remove boot
sector and master boot record viruses in the event that (1) the
original boot code cannot be found and (2) the data areas of the
boot code are intact. This is handled automatically by VirusScan
with no special command line options or settings.
B. NEW FEATURES
VirusScan v2.1.5 now scans inside of LZEXE-compressed files. Previous
versions of VirusScan only scanned inside of PKLite-compressed files.
This feature is handled automatically by VirusScan. To turn off scanning
inside of compressed files, run VirusScan with the /NOCOMP switch (DOS
and OS/2) or by removing the check-mark from the "Scan Compressed
Executables" setting under Controls (Windows).
C. FIXES
VirusScan for OS/2 no longer causes a SYS3175 when scanning a file named
TELEWAIT.SDW.
II. VSHIELD
VShield Version 2.1.5 fixes a memory fragmentation problem that may have
caused system hangs under some circumstances.
III. GENERAL
Version 2.1.5 features significant improvements in eliminating false
positive alarms:
o Reports of many different viruses appearing in memory
each time VirusScan was run on Tulip and Phillips PC's
has been fixes. This may also fix false alarm problems
with PC's using BIOS chips from Phoenix and AMI.
o Several false positive alarms on files were fixed as well.
The next release of VirusScan is scheduled for the third week
of March 1995. AG022895
___________________________________________
> Frankie's Corner STR Feature The Kids' Computing Corner
""""""""""""""""""""""""""""
Imagination Express
CD-ROM versions for Windows and Macintosh
for ages 5 and up
retail price approximately $40
by Edmark Corporation
P.O. Box 97021
Redmond, WA 98073-9721
(206) 556-8484
IBM Requirements Macintosh Requirements
CPU: 386DX-25 CPU: Color Mac
RAM: 8 megs RAM: 8 megs
VIDEO: 256 color SVGA monitor Video: 256 color, 13" or > monitor
HDISK: 2 megs HDISK: 2 megs
CD-ROM: Double-speed recommended CD-ROM: Double-speed recommended
OS: Windows 3.1 OS: System 7
Misc.: Sound card, mouse
"Imagination Express" is a powerful authoring system which allows children
to create electronic books. The program uses thematic learning to teach
children about the history, sociology and mythology of different
"Destination" modules. These modules can be added to the program to
expand your child's imagination and knowledge. Introductory copies of
"Imagination Express" include "Neighborhood," which is a contemporary
urban setting, and "Castle," which is based on Europe of the Middle Ages.
Each Destination includes an illustrated talking electronic reference book
containing information about the people, places and lifestyles of that
Destination. These lessons are more interesting than those found in most
history books. Each Destination also includes a completed story which
will show the power of the authoring tools. Also included is a video
segment in which several children suggest various story ideas in case your
child gets writer's block.
Each Destination gives you a number of backgrounds from which to choose.
Dozens of characters are included and some are animated. Furnishings,
animals, food and other props are also included. These items are called
"Stickers" and are clicked and dragged onto the background. Subtle
changes can be made to the stickers with the editor. Stickers can be
turned to different perspectives. Some are animated but can be used in
still form. Some stickers have prerecorded sound bites which can be used
at your child's discretion. Using a microphone, audio can be recorded for
all stickers.
The feature which I found most revolutionary and fascinating is the three-
dimensional appearance of the images. Stickers gain size as they are
dragged to the foreground of the image. As they are moved to the
background or horizon, they will become smaller. The stickers are
constantly resized during any movement on the screen. Objects are not
merely dragged and placed on top of the background. They can be placed
behind, on or in other objects on the screen. This definitely gives the
illusion of a three-dimensional image. I cannot adequately explain the
uniqueness and advanced nature of this technique and I recommend that
everyone view a demonstration of this product.
"Imagination Express" also includes a small music library. The music is
quite varied and can be used to introduce a scene and set the mood. Text
can be placed on the screen using a choice of fonts, sizes and colors.
Books can be viewed on the computer or printed. Multiple book pages can
be printed on a single page to save paper. The adult control panel allows
parents to set limitations on younger authors such as turning off the
printing or recording features of the program.
This program has mind-boggling graphics. The images are colorful and
interesting. The included animations are short and jerky due to the use
of few frames, but this does not detract from the magic of the program.
The sounds and music in this program are excellent. Digitized voices and
sounds are clear and realistic.
The interface is very intuitive. The addition of audible help would have
given it perfection. All commands are represented graphically in
pictograms in toolbars. The manual is comprehensive and includes
troubleshooting information. The program itself has an excellent on-line
parent's section which is filled with information about learning and the
best methods for using this product.
Play value is excellent. Children will use this program for hours on end.
My six-year-old son spent five hours working on a story one evening this
week. He can't wait to show his finished book to his teacher and friends.
Educational value is outstanding. "Imagination Express" has the power to
inform children and to expand their minds. By creating stories, children
will develop a greater interest in reading. The program includes
suggestions on how to use it as a tool to teach reading and writing
skills. The program also provides an excellent way for parents to spend
fun, quality time with their budding authors. Parents can have a great
time helping prereaders with the writing of their stories.
Bang for the buck is exceptional. "Imagination Express" has a moderate
retail price which is extremely small in relation to the hours of mind-
expanding fun that it provides. This is a fantastic program for
stimulating children's creativity.
Ratings
Graphics ........... 10.0
Sounds ............. 9.5
Interface .......... 9.5
Play Value ......... 10.0
Educational Value .. 10.0
Bang for the Buck .. 10.0
Average ............ 9.83
____________________________________________________
> CorelDRAW 5.0 Rev. F STR InfoFile
"""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""
CorelDRAW 5.0 Rev. F Enhancement List
=====================================
More than 100 enhancements have been incorporated into CorelDRAW 5
revision F. A list of key enhancements is provided below sorted by
module. Additional details on these and other key issues are provided in
the README file which accompanies the revision. Also listed is a point
form summary of all issues addressed in this release. For a list of
clipart updates, refer to the CLIPART.WRI file found in the \clipart sub-
directory on CD-ROM #1.
Corel VENTURA
-------------
More than 100 logged problems have been addressed. Ventura now
supports full drag-and-drop functionality of Corel Gallery files.
Footnotes in a paragraph no longer cause other special items such as index
entries, cross-references, and variable definitions to disappear. Ventura
is now compatible with Microsoft's OLE 2.02 re-distributable DLLs.
Addition of a new graphic file type (.VGF) which improves the speed at
which graphics load and refresh.
- All text and graphics filters have been updated.
- Microsoft Word files containing bitmaps load faster.
- Improved low resolution graphics display.
- Improved Windows GDI printing speed, plus the ability to print rotated
text and graphics.
- General optimization of the frequency of screen redraws, file loading,
etc.
- Addition of Database Publisher (with support for Ventura 5.0) to the
CD-ROM version.
- Fixed a number of problems with frame anchors.
- Fixed problems with loading complex tables in previous versions of
Ventura.
- Numerous enhancements have been made to the Index Entries Roll-up.
- Miscellaneous OLE 2.0 fixes and enhancements.
- Ventura no longer prints empty plates when generating color separations.
- Improved support for extended characters (in tag names, imported text
files, etc.).
- Fixed miscellaneous bugs with Corel Query, Base on Template, and Index
Entries.
- Comprehensive list of documentation errata have been added to the README
file.
- General cleanup of On-line Help.
CorelDRAW
---------
CorelDraw and Ventura now detect colors in imported placeable EPS
files when generating color separations. International settings and
conventions are now available from within all dialogs. Numerous artistic
and paragraph text display issues have been addressed. Problems editing
paragraph text objects created in CorelDRAW 3.0 have been rectified.
Improved performance when printing Type 1 Fonts to GDI printers. Type
Assist now capitalizes the first word of sentences beginning with accented
characters.
- Resolved issues of fitting text to the path of objects which have been
converted to curves and grouped.
- Fixed a problem associated with the application of several texture fills
with high DPI and pixel settings .
- Fixed a General Protection Fault that sometimes occurred when selecting
an arrowhead from within the Outline Pen Roll-up.
- Fixed an error that produced invalid values in the Outline dialog when
the "none" outline was selected via the pen flyout.
- Changing the font used in paragraph text via the Text Roll-up no longer
causes a reversion to the default paragraph font when a hard return is
entered.
- Title-case capitalization feature in Type Assist no longer causes a GPF
when extremely large words are keyed in.
- Fixed some miscellaneous problems associated with measurement controls
in CorelDRAW.
Corel PHOTO-PAINT
-----------------
- Fixed problems certain video drivers caused when working with 1-bit
(B&W) bitmaps.
- Fixed instability of using the Texture Editor in conjunction with the
text tool.
- Fixed incorrect conversion to 256 colors when using the Optimized Error
Diffusion feature.
- Fixed miscellaneous color correction problems.
- Fixed incorrect ruler behavior when changing the resolution of an image.
- Fixed problems using partially loaded 1-bit and saving partially loaded
grayscale files.
______________________________________________
> Adaptec SCSI STR InfoFile SCSI INFO CORNER
"""""""""""""""""""""""""
ADAPTEC SCSI INFORMATION
========================
The Authority on SCSI
AHA-154x Common Questions and Answers
-------------------------------------
Q. I disabled the BIOS via the switches and now I can no longer make
changes to the adapter.
A. Once the BIOS is disabled via the switches, the Ctrl-A SCSI Select will
no longer function. An alternative for disabling the BIOS and still
allowing for the <Ctrl>-A to function would be to use the Ctrl-A to
disable the BIOS. This is done in the Advanced Configuration Options
menu found under the Config/View Host Adapter Settings menu. Set the
option Host Adapter BIOS (Configuration Utility Reserves BIOS Space) to
DISABLE. This will disable the BIOS but still allow access to SCSI
Select using <Ctrl>-A.
Q. I have the AHA-1542B with the greater than a Gbyte BIOS and my system
doesn't see the hard drive or just hangs there when I run Novell's
SERVER program. What is the problem?
A. The greater than a gigabyte BIOS is a DOS solution and should not be
used with NetWare 386, since greater than a Gbyte support is built in.
Remove the jumper at J6, position 2.
Q. How do I correct the message "command port full" when installing an
AHA-154xC and Novell 2.x?
A. Ensure the hard disk drive is at SCSI ID 0 and the AHA-1540C Advanced
Features has extended BIOS translation disabled and Dynamic Scan
disabled.
Q. Under INSTALL.NLM with the AHA-1542C card there is a message "The Host
Adapter appears to be hung.." or "There are no accessible hard
drive..."
A. After you reboot your system press <Ctrl>-A, select Configure/View Host
Adapter Settings, then press F6 to re-load the defaults. (The greater
than a gigabyte option was enabled and this will not work under
NOVELL).
Q. When running NetWare with drives that are greater than 1 Gigabyte, do I
enable the Extended BIOS Option?
A: No, you do not enable that option when running under NetWare for any of
our cards. You also need to ensure that on the AHA-154xC and
AHA-154xCF the Dynamic Scan of the SCSI Bus is disabled. Press <F6>
for default settings in the SCSI Select utility. If greater than 1
gigabyte is enabled upon installation, download the latest NetWare
drivers from the NetWare directory on the BBS.
Q. While installing NetWare 3.11 with a AHA-1540 Host Adapter, I load the
driver AHA-1540.DSK. Then I load, install & select disk options. The
system "beeps" and console displays a message that says: "Host adapter
appears to be hung. Resetting Host Adapter."
A: Press <F6> in the SCSI Select utility to reset to defaults, or disable
the "Dynamically Scan SCSI Bus" option in the advanced configurations
setup.
Q. What do you do when you have an AHA-154xC, Novell 3.11 and Toshiba hard
disk drive, and Novell INSTALL reports "no accessible disk drives."
A: Remove "unit attention" jumper from the Toshiba hard drive, and check
the version of AHA-1540.DSK to ensure it's current. Ensure the
AHA-1540C Advanced Features has "Dynamic Scan" option disabled.
AHA-294X Common Questions and Answers
-------------------------------------
Q: Why wouldn't an AHA-2940 BIOS banner be displayed when installing the
AHA-2940?
A: Either the board is not in a bus mastering slot, or the PCI slot is not
enabled for bus mastering in the CMOS setup. Check your motherboard
manual to find out if the slot is bus mastering, or how to enable bus
mastering for that slot.
Q: On boot-up I get the error message "Host Adapter Configuration Error."
A: In CMOS setup, enable IRQ for the PCI slot. Alternatively, you can
mark one of the IRQs as free. Be aware that there may be an IRQ
conflict with a built-in controller on the motherboard. For CMOS
settings, refer to your PC user's manual.
Q: On boot-up I get a message "BIOS installed Successfully", but my system
hangs.
A: Verify that the CMOS interrupt structure is set to "INTA" and the CMOS
IRQ level matches the jumper setting on the motherboard. Refer to your
PC user's manual.
Q: When I invoke the <Ctrl>-A option, the message "Can not locate host
adapter" is displayed.
A: Update the AHA-2940 BIOS to version 1.11 (checksum 8200). If you have
an EPROM burner, download the file 2940.EXE from the BBS. Otherwise,
call Adaptec Technical Support at (408)-934-7274.
Q: My Intel P90 system hangs during boot-up, while displaying "Starting
MS-DOS...."
A: Contact the system vendor to obtain the latest system BIOS.
Q: When loading ASPI8DOS.SYS the system hangs, and then displays the error
message: "Read BIOS Parameter Failed."
A: Update ASPI8DOS.SYS manager (EZ-SCSI 3.11).
Q: The ATI (Mach 64) video card installed with my AHA-2940 shows no video
or causes intermittent hangs during boot under DOS or Windows.
A: There are known compatibility issues between the two PCI cards.
Contact ATI for possible resolution of these issues.
Q: The EZ-SCSI installation hangs on installing the AIC-7870.DLL driver.
A: Update to EZ-SCSI version 3.11.
Q: Upon boot-up, a 486 AMI BIOS system displays the "Device Name Not
Available" message during drive inquiry message.
A. Contact your system vendor to obtain the latest system BIOS.
Q. I heard that there is a new BIOS release for the AHA-2940. Do I need
to upgrade my adapter?
A. The BIOS v1.11, which replaces v1.10, corrects a problem for the OPTI
chipset only. The problem prevented userS from accessing SCSI Select
when selecting <Ctrl>-A. An error "No Host Adapter Found" will appear
after selecting <Ctrl>-A. BIOS v1.11 corrects this problem. Unless
you have an OPTI chipset, there is no need to upgrade the BIOS.
Q. How do I determine which AHA-2940 is the primary card if I am duplexing
under Novell?
A. During boot-up, check the LED on the AHA-2940 cards to see which one
illuminates first.
Q. I recently upgraded from a previous SCSI Host Adapter to an AHA-2940
PCI adapter and the 78xx.SYS driver. When I removed the old adapter
from the system, I connected the hard drive to the AHA-2940 and
re-booted. Now the system will not boot. What's wrong?
A. A possible solution is that when the new driver was added to the
NTBOOTDD.SYS, the old driver was also there, and was configured to be
activated at BOOTUP time. The new driver must be set to start at
BOOTUP. This can be done in the Device section of the Control Panel.
The old driver needs to be deleted from the NTBOOTDD.SYS if the card is
no longer in the system. If the old card is still in the system but is
not controlling the boot device, choose the Service section in the
Control Panel and select the original driver to be started at SYSTEM
time not BOOTUP.
Hardware Common Questions and Answers
-------------------------------------
Q. Which host adapter contains floppy controllers and which do not?
A. Any Adaptec host adapter which has a "2" as the last number in the
product name has an on board floppy controller. For example, the
AHA-1542CF has floppy support, but the AHA-1540CF does not.
Q. Is there a way to disable the floppy controller on the host adapter?
A. Yes. Check your user's guide or installation manual for details.
Installation manuals can be obtained by calling our Interactive Fax
System at (408)-957-7150.
Q. How many devices can I have on the host adapter?
A. You can have up to seven (7) SCSI devices per host adapter. Note: the
AHA-274xAT can support up to fourteen (14) SCSI devices, because it has
two SCSI channels. The AHA-274xW can support up to fifteen (15) SCSI
devices, because it uses Wide SCSI.
Q. What is the difference between ISA, EISA, and VESA systems?
A. ISA (Industry Standard Architecture) utilizes a 16-bit bus. EISA
(Enhanced Industry Standard Architecture) uses a 32-bit bus, and has
advanced data handling features. VESA (Video Enhanced Standard
Architecture) also known as VL-bus, or VESA local bus, uses a 32-bit
bus, and has advanced handling features.
Q. What if I already have a controller I am booting from?
A. All Adaptec host adapters will co-exist with another controller (IDE,
ESDI, RLL, etc.). Any hard drive not connected to the host adapter
must be the primary (or booting) drive controller (IDE, ESDI, RLL,
etc.).
Q. What are the names of the external cables for each controller?
A. For the AHA-1510, AHA-1510A, AHA-152x, AHA-152xA, AHA-154x, AHA-154xB,
AHA-154xC, and AHA-154xC host adapters, you will need a standard 50-pin
SCSI cable (Centronics-style). For the AHA-1640, AHA-1740, AHA-174xA,
AHA-274x series, the AHA-284xVL, and the AHA-2940 series host adapters,
you will need a high-density 50 pin SCSI Cable. The AHA-274xW and
AHA-2940W, use a 68 pin "P" style connector to hook up the wide
devices.
Adaptec now offers cable kits. For the Centronics style (also known as
low-density), the part number is ACK-L2L. For the high density style,
the part number is ACK-H2L. For the internal cable, with 5 connectors
on it, the part number is ACK-INT5. For the AVA-1505/15, use a DB-25
external connector (Apple compatible). The cables can be ordered by
calling (800)-442-7274.
Q. How many host adapters can you have in one system?
A. You can have two AHA-152x host adapters in your system at one time.
You can have up to 4 AHA-154x host adapters in your system at one time.
You can have up to four AHA-174x host adapters in Standard Mode; in
Enhanced mode, you are limited to the number of bus mastering slots in
your system. With the AHA-274x series, you are limited by the number
of available bus mastering slots. With AHA-284x, you are limited by
the number of available VL-Bus Master slots. Most systems have 2 or 3
VL-Bus slots, but they may not all be capable of bus mastering. Check
your motherboard documentation to determine this.
Q. What is bus mastering?
A. Bus mastering uses DMA (Direct Memory Access). A bus mastering
controller speeds up the system by bypassing the CPU when it addresses
memory. This frees the CPU to process other commands that are in the
cache.
Q. Is technical documentation available for Adaptec hardware and software
products? How do I get it?
A. You can call Adaptec's Literature Hotline at (800)-934-2766, and
request Technical Reference manuals or User's Guides for our hardware.
Software manuals are available with the purchase of Adaptec software.
Q. Is target mode supported by Adaptec host adapters?
A. Target mode has been implemented in Adaptec's bus-mastering host
adapter firmware for the AHA-154x, AHA-164x, and AHA-174x. However,
our ASPI software managers do not currently support target mode. To
get target mode to work you would need to write your own host adapter
software manager, which is not a trivial effort. Adaptec cannot
provide you with any assistance in this effort. You can request a
Technical Reference Manual by calling our Literature Hotline at
(800)-934-2766.
Q. Why does my computer or SCSI think that I have 7 hard drives (or
CD-ROMs, or...) when I only have one drive connected?
A. When installing an Adaptec SCSI host adapter, SCSI bus protocol must be
observed. The host adapter should be SCSI ID 7, always the highest ID
number, so that the host adapter will always win SCSI arbitration.
SCSI bus theory dictates that each device (the host adapter is a
device) must have a unique and separate SCSI ID number. If a hard
drive or other device is attached to the SCSI bus with the same ID as
the host adapter, then the host adapter will see a response for
"Phantom" devices at IDs where no device exists. To solve this
problem, simply set the device ID to something other than that of the
host adapters SCSI ID. If the device is a boot drive, then the SCSI ID
should be set at 0.
Q. How much ROM BIOS memory do the cards take up in the system?
A. 16K for all cards (except the AHA-284xVL, AHA-2940, and AHA-2940W,
which take up 32K).
Q. Why can't I use the entire size of my hard drive that is rated over 1
gigabyte in capacity, when I am using DOS?
A. DOS 4.x and up has a limit of 1024 cylinders per physical drive.
This limitation, on current disk controllers and SCSI host adapter that
utilize the standard of 1 Megabyte per cylinder, leads to a 1 gigabyte
limit. The AHA-1542B with greater than Gbyte support, and the AHA-174xA
(with special BIOS in Enhanced Mode using ASW-C174 v3.1) have the
ability to break this limit. If your AHA-154XB has a BIOS part # of
420418-00D or greater, or if your AHA-174xA has a BIOS part number of
450216-00-A or greater, then you already have support for more than 1
gigabyte. Refer to your User Manual's addendum for help on setting up
this feature.
Alternatively, users who need this support can download the latest
AHA-154xB or AHA-174x microcode and BIOS files from the BBS for use
with an EPROM burner. The EPROM'S needed are 27C128 at 200ns for the
AHA-154xB and 150ns for the AHA-174x. AHA-154xC, AHA-274x, AHA 284x,
and AHA-2940 boards come ready to support hard drives larger than that
1 gigabyte. Extended BIOS Translation for DOS Drives greater than a
Gbyte is set to enable. If you do not have an EPROM burner, call the
Adaptec Software Hotline at (800)-442-7274.
Q. Why can't I use my new CD-ROM/Tape/WORM drive with my Adaptec host
adapter?
A. Most Adaptec SCSI host adapters are designed to support 2 hard drives
and on some models, floppy drives with just a bare board. Additional
devices require the use of a device driver. For more information on
what your particular host adapter/kit should support, contact your
dealer or distributor, or look at KITS.TXT on this BBS for an overview.
Specification sheets are available on Adaptec's Interactive Fax System.
Q. Why when I boot do I see a message that says something like "SCSI BIOS
not installed," or I see a message saying "Drive C already installed"
or "Searching for Target 0"?
A. The BIOS on Adaptec host adapter is used primarily for installing and
booting from attached SCSI hard drives set to ID 0 (Target 0). SCSI ID
of the hard drive is set with jumpers or switches located on the hard
drive. If the host adapter you are using is not being used to control
a SCSI hard drive, and the host adapter has been working with the
attached devices and their associated drivers, then disable the BIOS on
the host adapter you are using. Consult your host adapter User's
Guide, or Installation Pamphlet for the jumper that enables the BIOS,
or the software switch that needs to be set to disable the BIOS.
AHA-152x and AHA-154x boards can have the BIOS disabled with jumpers.
The AHA-1640, AHA-174x, and AHA-274x boards BIOS' enabling is
controlled by software. The AHA-154xC and AHA-2840 boards BIOS address
is controlled by DIP switches, located at the top edge of the board, or
through <CTRL>-A for SCSI Select. AHA-2940 BIOS is controlled through
<CTRL>-A for SCSI Select only.
Q. Can you mix different SCSI host adapters in the same system, such as
the AHA-154x and the AHA-274x?
A. Yes, you can as long as they do not conflict with IRQ, BIOS and DMA
channels. The only exceptions are the AHA-174x and the AHA-274x, which
can share IRQ's if the system allows shared IRQ's.
Q. How can you prevent de-activation under Novell on extended hard drives?
A. Get a quality cable (SCSI-2 specification) for any kind of Adaptec
card. This can be purchased from the Adaptec Software Hotline at
(800)-442-7274.
Q. How should I place my hard drives on the cable?
A. Place a minimum of 1 foot of cable between each device.
Q. What should I do if I have spurios interrupt problems with the Adaptec
boards?
A. Try to enable the BIOS on the Adaptec card. Select different IRQ. Do
not share IRQ's.
Q. Can I put a tape drive and CD-ROM drives on the same host adapter as a
hard drive?
A. Yes. You can put up to 7 SCSI devices on 1 host adapter. It doesn't
matter what the devices are. With some NetWare backup software, they
require that the tape drives be on a different host adapter.
Q. When running NetWare with drives that are greater than 1 gigabyte, do I
enable the Extended BIOS Option for drives greater than 1 gigabyte?
A. No. You don't enable that option when running under NetWare for any of
our cards. You also need to ensure that on the AHA-154xC/CF that the
dynamic scan of the SCSI Bus is disabled. Press <F6> for default
settings in the SCSI Select utility.
Q. Do Adaptec host adapters support RAID Software?
A. Yes. The AHA-154x, AHA-164x, AHA-174x and the AHA-274x support RAID
Level 0, 1, and 5 with the help of third party software.
Q. I added an external CD-ROM drive and now my server won't boot from the
hard disk.
A. Terminate the drive and remove the termination on the host adapter.
Q. I was using a non-Adaptec host adapter. I replaced it with an Adaptec
host adapter, but it won't boot.
A. Boot from floppy. Back up your data. Low-level format the drive then
restore your data.
Q. How can I find out the parallel port types on my PC?
A. You'll need to either look in your manual, check your CMOS settings, or
call the manufacturer of your system. Most notebook computers have
Bi-directional ports. Most desktops have Uni-directional ports.
Q. Why does NetWare report volume sizes larger than the drive's capacity?
A. This is due to extraneous bytes in the FAT area of the disk drive.
This problem is easily resolved by performing a low-level format of the
drive. Use SCSIFRMT.EXE from the Adaptec BBS, The format utility is
also in the BIOS of all the adapters (except the AHA-1740).
Q. Why are there 7 identical hard drive's on my screen?
A. There is a SCSI ID conflict on the SCSI-bus. Make sure that the SCSI
ID is 7 for the Adaptec host adapter and the SCSI ID for the hard drive
is 0.
Q. When do I need to install the drivers?
A. The Adaptec adapters that are equipped with a BIOS are set to run with
two to seven SCSI hard disk drives. If the adapter is for operating
SCSI hard disks only, then no drivers are required. The drivers are
required for operating CD-ROMs, tape drives. Scanners, and removable
media drives such as Bernoulli, Syquest and Magneto-Optical drives.
Q. My system hangs on boot after I installed the SCSI Adapter.
A. Make sure there are no address conflicts between the SCSI adapter and
other cards in the system. Possible conflicts are the Port Address,
DMA channel, Interrupt and BIOS address. Disconnect all SCSI
peripherals from the adapter and try rebooting the system. If the
adapter no longer hangs, then check for proper termination cable
quality, or SCSI ID.
Q. My system works great with the adapter, but when I load the drivers the
system hangs.
A. Run with the minimum CONFIG.SYS to verify that there is no conflict
with another driver or TSR. Run the driver as the first device driver
in CONFIG.SYS. Make sure you are running the latest driver for the
adapter. Most drivers can be upgraded via the Adaptec Technical
Support BBS at (408)-945-7727.
Q. When I install the SCSI host adapter, my floppy no longer works. The
error message says "FDD controller failure".
A. Some adapters have a floppy interface included on the adapter. If you
are running the floppy from another controller or from the motherboard,
make sure that you disable the floppy controller on the SCSI adapter.
If you are running the floppy from the SCSI host adapter, then make
sure your have disabled any other floppy controller in the system.
Q. The adapter recognizes the drive on boot up but gives "Drive not
ready". Why?
A. Make sure that the drive is jumped for "spinup on power up". You may
also enable the Send Start Unit command on many different models of
Adaptec host adapters.
Q. What does the message "BIOS not intended to run with this card" mean?
A. This can happen when the BIOS or ASPIxDOS.SYS loads. This message
indicates a conflict between our host adapter I/O port address and
another card in the system. Change our Port Address to one of the
alternate settings or change the other card that conflicts.
Q. When should I disable the BIOS on the adapter?
A. The BIOS should be disabled when the adapter is not operating a SCSI
hard disk drive.
Q. Is it possible to run an IDE or ESDI controller in the same system with
a SCSI host adapter?
A. Yes. The IDE or ESDI disk drive will always be the boot device. SCSI
cannot take this function away from these controllers.
Q. Can I replace my non-Adaptec SCSI adapter with one from Adaptec and
read the data from the disk?
A. SCSI is standard, but how data is translated onto the drive is not.
Each manufacturer uses their own translation scheme. The drive will
have to be low-level formatted once it is connected to the Adaptec host
adapter.
Q. Which CD-ROMS are supported by OS/2 2.11
A. The following CD-ROMs are supported by OS/2 2.11:
Hitachi: CDR-1650S, 1750S, 3650, 3750
IBM: CD-ROM I, CD-ROM II
Chinon: 431, 435, 535
Mitsumi: CRMC-Lu005, FX001, FX001D
NEC: CDR-25, 36, 37, 38, 72, 73, 74, 82, 83, 84, 3Xe, 3Xi, 3xp
Panasonic: CR-501, LK-MC501S, 501B, 521, 522, 523, 562, 563
Pioneer: DRM-600, 604X
Sony: CDU-541, 561, 6111, 6211, 7211, 31A, 7305
Texel: DM-3021, 3024, 5021, 5024, 3028, 5028
Toshiba: XM-3201, 3301, 3401
If your CD-ROM is not on the above list, please contact the drive
manufacturer, or IBM.
Q. What is the command line in the OS/2 CONFIG.SYS file for Adaptec
controller?
A. BASEDEV=AHA154X.ADD (For AHA-1540/42B/C controller)
Q. Do I need to enable extended BIOS translation in AHA-1542, AHA-1742,
and AHA-2742 cards under OS/2?
A. There has been a slight change in the way OS/2 behaves since the
release of OS/2 2.1. If you format a partition using FAT, it must be
within the first 1024 cylinders of the drive. This is intended to
insure compatibility with DOS. OS/2 2.0 and the beta releases of 2.1
did not check the cylinder location before formatting a partition. If
you want to partition a drive that is greater than 1 gigabyte you
should enable extended BIOS translation to allow maximum flexibility.
Q. Does OS/2 1.3 support CD-ROMs?
A. Only the Denon DRD-253, Sony CDU-541 and Toshiba TXM3301al are
supported. For other CD-ROM information please consult IBM or
Microsoft.
Q. Does OS/2 1.3 support tape drives?
A. Any tape drive software that uses LADDR support will work. Sytos 1.35
is recommended.
Q. Does removable drives (MO, Bernoulli) work?
A. Removable drives that provided with VSD and TSD drivers will work.
Q. How do you add Adaptec controllers on a pre-existing installation of
OS/2?
A. Do not re-install the operating system. Download IBMOS213.HLP from our
BBS and follow the instructions described in the text.
Q. How does a removable drive (Bernoulli, Syquest, etc.) work under OS/2?
A. A removable drive works as a floppy, hard drive or removable drive
under OS/2 2.x. IBM only supports it as a floppy drive.
Floppy drive: It can be used as a floppy drive if installed under
OS/2 2.x. FDISKPM will not see the drive. The data cannot be
interchanged from a DOS machine to OS/2. Under the drive icon on
the OS/2 desktop, there will be a floppy icon for the removable
drive. The CONFIG.SYS file must have:
BASEDEV=AHA154X.ADD /V
Hard drive: It can be used as a hard drive if LOCKDRV.FLT is
installed in the CONFIG.SYS file. (LOCKDRV.EXE is on our BBS). The
drive acts as a hard drive. FDISKPM will see the drive, and also
can read/write data saved under DOS and vice versa. However, you
cannot remove the cartridge once the operating system is loaded.
The system must be reset to change the cartridge. The CONFIG.SYS
file must have:
BASEDEV=AHA154X.AD /V
BASEDEV=LOCKDRV.FLT /UNIT:0
Removable drive: It can be used as a removable hard drive if
OS/2ASPI.DMD (OS/2ASPI.EXE on BBS, and included with OS/2 2.x) with
Corel software is installed. FDISKPM will not see the drive. You
must use CFORMAT or Corel to format the cartridge. You can
read/write data in both the OS/2 and DOS. Retains the removability.
Suppose the drive is on SCSI ID 2, then the CONFIG.SYS file must
have:
BASEDEV=AHA154X.ADD /V /A:0 /!DM:2
BASEDEV=OS2ASPI.DMD
before you install Corel SCSI Software
In above examples an Adaptec AHA-1542 controller is used. In addition
to the above statements one must have OS2SCSI.CMD and OS2DASD.DMD must
be loaded in the CONFIG.SYS file.
Q. What other Adaptec host adapter drivers come with the IHV HBA diskette
that is shipping with the UnixWare 1.1? What is the set up for the
IRQ?
A. Following is the host adapter driver name and IRQ should be set on the
host adapter:
Host Adapter Model IRQ Driver Prefix
AHA-274X 15 adsa
AHA-284X 15 adsa
AHA-294X 10 adsl
AIC-7870 10 adsl
AIC-7770 15 adsa
AHA-174X 9 adse
AHA-154X 11 adsc
AHA-152X 10 adss
AIC-6360, AIC-6260 10 adss
AHA-1510 (not for primary) 10 adss
Q. Can I use a drive with more than 1 gigabyte of capacity with SCO UNIX
v3.2.2, v3.2.4 and ISC v3.0?
A. A special driver diskette is required from SCO to support greater than
one gigabyte drives with SCO UNIX v3.2.2. With SCO UNIX v3.2.4 and
SCO v3.0, no changes are required for Adaptec host adapters. If the
hard drive is the primary drive, then the root file system must lie
within a partition less than 1 gigabyte in size. The ROM BIOS cannot
access boot information if it lies beyond 1 gigabyte.
Q. I have UNIX installed on my ESDI (or IDE) drive. Can I add an Adaptec
host adapter to install a SCO tape drive and do backups under UNIX?
A. Yes. Disable the host adapter BIOS. Use the mkdev tape command to
configure the tape drive. The backup can be done using the cpio
command or other UNIX commands. Consult your UNIX documentation for
details.
Q. Is it possible to use a Magneto Optical (MO) device as a fixed disk
with OS/2 v2.0?
A. Adaptec has a file on the BBS, called LOCKDRV.EXE in the OS/2 file
library, that allows a removable media drive to be used as a fixed
disk. There is a text file with the driver that explains how to use
it.
Q. I want to add a WORM drive to my Adaptec SCSI host adapter under OS/2.
Is this possible?
A. You will need to get third party software in order to do this. A file
on the BBS, (3RDPARTY.DOC) has phone numbers of companies that have
device drivers available for Adaptec host adapters.
Q. I need to install more than one Adaptec SCSI host adapter under OS/2
v2.0. Is this possible?
A. Multiple host adapters are supported with IBM and MS OS/2 v1.3 and IBM
OS/2 v2.0. With IBM or Microsoft OS/2 v1.3, however, only multiple
adapters of the same type may be used.
Q. When I boot up, I get the message "hdd controller failure". Why?
A. If you are only using a SCSI hard disk drive in your system, you need
to enter the CMOS SETUP in your system and insure that "Hard disk" is
marked as "not installed" or "none".
Q. My CD-ROM is supposed to support synchronous negotiation, but when I
have synchronous negotiation enabled on the Adaptec card, it won't
work. Why not?
A. It is often necessary to turn this setting to "disable" on the Adaptec
board. This DOES NOT mean that the devices won't communicate
synchronously. This setting only determines who INITIATES the dialog.
Editor Note:
------------
Watch for our in-depth review of the new Adaptec 2940w PCI Host
Adaptor. The 2940w is among the latest and greatest from Adaptec.
""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""
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
FARGO PRIMERA PRO COLOR PRINTERS - 600DPI
For a limited time only; If you wish to have a FREE sample printout sent
to you that demonstrates FARGO Primera & Primera Pro SUPERIOR QUALITY
600dpi 24 bit Photo Realistic Color Output, please send a Self Addressed
Stamped Envelope [SASE] (business sized envelope please) to:
STReport's Fargo Printout Offer
P.O. Box 6672
Jacksonville, Florida 32205-6155
Folks, the FARGO Primera Pro has GOT to be the best yet. Its far superior
to the newest of Color Laser Printers selling for more than three times as
much. Its said that ONE Picture is worth a thousand words. Send for this
sample now. Guaranteed you will be amazed at the superb quality. (please,
allow at least a one week turn-around)
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
""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""
:HOW TO GET YOUR OWN GENIE ACCOUNT:
_________________________________
Set your communications software to Half Duplex (or Local Echo)
Call: (with modem) 800-638-8369.
Upon connection type HHH (RETURN after that).
Wait for the U#= prompt.
Type: XTX99587,CPUREPT then, hit RETURN.
GENIE Information Services copyright 1995 by General Electric
Information Services/GENIE, reprinted by permission
""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""
___ ___ _____ _______
/___| /___| /_____| /_______/ The Macintosh RoundTable
/____|/____| /__/|__| /__/ ________________________
/_____|_____|/__/_|__|/__/
/__/|____/|__|________|__/
/__/ |___/ |__|_/ |__|_/____ Managed by SyndiComm
/__/ |__/ |__|/ |__|______/
An Official Forum of the International Computer Users Group
*** STReport available in MAC RT ***
ASCII TEXT
for ALL GENIE users!
MAC/APPLE SECTION (II)
======================
John Deegan, Editor (Temp)
> Microsoft's Gates Replies to Apple's Spindler STR Spotlight
"""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""
BILL GATES' REPLY
=================
February 23, 1995
Via facsimile
Michael Spindler
Office of the President & CEO
Apple Computer, Inc.
10431 North De Anza Blvd., MS 38A
Cupertino, CA 95014
Dear Mike,
I am writing to make it clear how disappointed I am in the lack of candor
and honesty Apple has shown in dealing with Microsoft during the last
several months.
Before our meeting on January 13, I had been trying to meet with you for
over a year to discuss ways to strengthen our business relationship. I
had a meeting with your executive staff scheduled which you canceled with
less than a days notice. I was looking forward to the meeting. Microsoft
develops more software for the Macintosh than any other company. We came
out with more new Macintosh titles last year than any other year, or than
any other company. We have always made our commitment to the Macintosh
very clear. This commitment has continued despite the copyright lawsuit
which Apple brought against all Windows software and lost, and despite the
fact that Apple has treated Microsoft less favorably than other Mac
developers on dozens of occasions.
When we finally met you requested additional beta copies of Windows 95,
and you also asked about the Canyon matter. Apple had already received a
number of betas and wanted more. Microsoft had already treated Apple more
generously on beta copies than Apple treats Microsoft on Mac OS betas. I
did not think we needed to give you additional betas, but I was willing to
provide them to Apple as a courtesy. In return, I requested a simple
courtesy from you. I said if Apple would have business people meet with
us to discuss the Canyon issue and show us the basis for Apple s claims,
and if you would at least talk with me before you sued Microsoft, I would
have those betas sent. You committed to this, confirming it in your fax
to me of January 16.
I made it clear we took the Canyon matter very seriously and were
disappointed Apple had been unwilling to give us any proof that it owned
the Canyon code. Subsequent to this there was no follow up on the
business meeting. You sent me a fax on January 31, asking where the betas
were. I expected a business discussion regarding Canyon to take place
first, so I called you on Monday, February 6, and asked you about those
discussions. Based on your assurance to follow up on the discussions, and
your repeat of the promise to talk to me before suing Microsoft, I
committed to release additional beta copies. On Tuesday Carl Stork of
Microsoft did talk to your business people, but they still refused to
provide any basis for your claims. Nevertheless, on Wednesday we sent
additional beta copies to Apple. On Thursday without talking to me you
sued Microsoft. Based on the video press release and other orchestrated
press activity, the suit had been in planning for some time. Apple
included information in its news releases that was never made available to
Microsoft. I talked to you on Thursday night making it clear how
misleading Apple was being in its statements.
Apple, in its news conference and video releases, made claims about Video
For Windows version 1.1d speeding up on all machines. You knew from
discussions with Microsoft that this was simply wrong. Only the two
additional video cards which didn t have drivers before 1.1d show any
speed difference. Apple has attempted to use its allegations to force
ISVs to change their software to support QuickTime rather than Video for
Windows even if the ISVs feel that Video for Windows is a technically
superior product. Apple has come a long way from the original
evangelization days of the Macintosh to be using legal intimidation, in
the form of its amnesty program, to influence software developers.
I think it was inappropriate for you to promise to talk to me before
filing a lawsuit and then not follow through on that commitment. I think
it was improper for Ed Stead to tell news publications and state in his
February 13 letter to Judge Sporkin that the release of the betas were
requested by the Justice Department. It is simply not true to say that
the Department of Justice asked us to release betas or to suggest they
were the reason for that decision. I told you I would release the betas
based on your commitment to make sure there was a business discussion and
to talk to me before including Microsoft in a lawsuit.
Only yesterday did we see the February 13 letter from Mr. Stead to Judge
Sporkin. Mr. Stead failed to provide a copy of the letter to the DOJ or
Microsoft. In this letter Mr. Stead alleges that during our January 13
meeting we threatened to discontinue our Macintosh software if you
continued to develop OpenDoc. This is also not true. Our whole message
during the meeting was about our commitment to the Macintosh. We did not
suggest that Apple should drop OpenDoc or that we would discontinue our
Macintosh development. We did say that, as we presently understand
OpenDoc, it is not clear how we can support it in our applications. We
asked that Mr. Nagel meet with Mr. Heinen to see if OLE and OpenDoc can be
brought closer together so that all Macintosh ISVs who also develop for
the Windows platform will be able to support both OpenDoc and OLE. We
believe this would be in the best interest of the entire industry. We
feel that as presently defined OpenDoc and OLE will have very little
interoperability despite what users have been lead to expect.
I still feel that a constructive dialog between you and me would be
helpful to both of our companies and our mutual users. Microsoft is very
committed to its Macintosh customers. I think the Macintosh has a bright
future. I feel more straightforward communication from Apple to Microsoft
is called for.
Best regards,
Bill Gates
Chairman & CEO
**********************************************************************
IMPORTANT NOTICE!
=================
STReport International OnLine Magazine is available every week for your
reading pleasure on DELPHI. STReport's readers are invited to join DELPHI
and become a part of an extremely friendly community of enthusiastic
computer users there.
SIGNING UP WITH DELPHI
======================
Using a personal computer and modem, members worldwide access
DELPHI services via a local phone call
JOIN --DELPHI
--------------
Via modem, dial up DELPHI at 1-800-695-4002
then...
When connected, press RETURN once or twice
and...
At Password: type STREPORT and press RETURN.
DELPHI's 20/20 Advantage Plan
20 Hours for Only $20!
-----------------------------
Advantage Members have always enjoyed the lowest DELPHI access rates
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20/20 Advantage rates apply for access via SprintNet or Tymnet from within
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the clock. Home Time is from 6pm to 6am weekdays. Access during business
time carries a surcharge of $9 per hour. These rates apply for most
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are clearly marked with a "$" sign.
Who is eligible to take advantage of the plan? Any DELPHI member in good
standing. Applications are reviewed and subject to approval by Delphi
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It's easy to join. If you meet the eligibility requirements, you can apply
OnLine -- at any time -- for membership in the DELPHI 20/20 Advantage
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The $20 charge will be billed to you at the beginning of the month to
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TRY DELPHI FOR $1 AN HOUR!
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this special trial offer will expire soon! To take advantage of this
limited offer, use your modem to dial 1-800-365-4636. Press <RET> once or
twice. When you get the Password: prompt, type IP26 and press <RET> again.
Then, just answer the questions and within a day or two, you'll officially
be a member of DELPHI!
DELPHI-It's the BEST Value and getting BETTER all the time!
-* ANNOUNCING: DELPHI INTERNET JET v2.009 *-
--------------------------------------
Windows-based graphic interface for the otherwise text-only Delphi online
service. In addition to providing the user with a graphic interface,
Delphi Internet Jet can be configured to automatically gather Delphi
Internet e-mail and forum messages, and place them into a QWK packet for
the user's existing QWK mail reader! Complete instructions for setup,
operation, Delphi membership, and a FREE five hour trial included in the
INTJET.TXT file.
************************************************************
ATARI/JAG SECTION (III)
=======================
Dana Jacobson, Editor
> From the Atari Editor's Desk "Saying it like it is!"
""""""""""""""""""""""""""""
Every so often, I get some feedback from some of our readers
asking why there's still Atari coverage in STReport. Others, I have to
say, offer just the opposite. The ones who ask why, go on to state that
since Atari is out of the computer business, why do I do it.
Well, the answer is quite simple, at least for me. I give these
people the same comments that those readers who still enjoy reading
Atari news give me: it keeps people informed as to what's still
happening. Yes, the news and information may be sporadic, but that
doesn't matter to me or our satisfied readers.
As long as we can help, in whatever capacity, to keep our readers
informed as best we can, we'll continue to do so. It's that simple.
From the activity within the Internet, it appears that more and more
people are seeking sources of information. I'm still averaging ten or
more requests weekly from people who want to receive our magazine via
the Internet.
So, there you have it. We're here to stay for quite some time to
come! Keep those cards & letters coming, whatever your viewpoint!
Until next time...
_______________________________________________
Delphi's Atari Advantage!!
TOP TEN DOWNLOADS (3/1/95)
(1) CAIN 1/95 (6) FEB 95 ATARI-USABLE CD-ROM
(2) ST-GUIDE V.1.20 IN ENGLISH *(7) LYNX - WWW TEXT BROWSER
(3) MGIF VERSION 4.2B (8) ASTERODIA - ARCADE GAME DEMO
(4) AIR TRAFFIC CONTROLLER *(9) HSMODA06 SERIAL PORT ACCELER
*(5) DL VIEWER V.1.10 *(10) TERADESK 1.40
* = New on list
HONORARY TOP 10
The following on-line magazines are always top downloads, frequently
out-performing every other file in the databases.
STREPORT (Current issue: STREPORT 11.08)
ATARI EXPLORER ONLINE (Current issue: AEO: VOLUME 4, ISSUE 3)
Look for the above files in the RECENT ARRIVALS database.
__________________________________________________
~~ NEWS RELEASE ~~ NEWS RELEASE ~~ NEWS RELEASE ~~ NEWS RELEASE ~~
March 1, 1995 For further information, contact:
Toronto, Ontario, Canada Nathan Potechin - President
DMC Publishing
~~ Calamus SL now US $200.00! ~~ Tel: (905) 479-1880
Fax: (905) 479-1882
Calamus SL, the premier desktop Compuserve: 76004,2246
publishing program on the Atari Delphi/GEnie: DMCPUBLISH
computer now retails for US $200.00, Internet: DMCPUBLISH@GENIE.GEIS.COM
$280.00 Cdn. This includes a 600+
page manual and 4 disks containing approximately 1,000 features. For
those of you that have been considering a desktop publishing program for
your Atari computer, or that have been waiting for the opportunity to add
to your existing desktop publishing program, the time is now and the
price is right!
Calamus SL offers a new concept in design and functionality, providing
great creative control while allowing for the addition of modules for
specific tasks.
Some of the standard features in Calamus SL include:
- A wide range of manipulation and rastering facilities.
- Freely definable page layout.
- Open and edit up to 7 documents simultaneously.
- User definable and automatically generated registration and crop marks.
- Total typographical control to 5 decimal places.
- Work with color, greyscale or monochrome images.
- Tiling.
- 16.7 million colors.
- 4-color separation plus adornment colors.
- Mix and save color palettes.
- Load standardized color models.
- Extended raster control with freely definable raster angles and widths.
- An integral histogram allows you to optimise an image for your output
device.
- 14 professional typesetter fonts in Calamus' CFN font format.
Besides all the standard elements and menu's, Calamus SL comes standard
with the following modules:
Clipboard - put frames, text or text rulers on the clipboard for later
retrieval.
Page - allows you to define the fundamentals of your layout (page
format, page and chapter numbering), and process entire pages
or layouts.
Frame - contains commands for creating and editing frames and
guidelines. Each frame type contains its own special
functions.
Text - is used for entering, formatting and piping text over one or
more pages.
Text Style - allows control over font size, color, fill patterns,
attributes and effects.
Line - offers functions for the creation and manipulation of lines,
arrows, curves and corners.
Raster Area - allows you to work with circles, rectangles and other
shapes. You can also select the color and fill pattern for a
raster area.
Document Converter - is used to, transparently to you, convert Calamus
CDK document files created in earlier versions of Calamus.
System Parameters - modifies a number of internal features such as: font
directory, system paths, screen resolution, system memory and
more.
Focoltone - is a patented color system which was designed to allow
accurate color specifications for process color printing.
Printer Driver Generator - is actually an auxiliary program supplied with
Calamus SL designed to allow users to create and modify
printer drivers for their own specific printer. Note that
dozens of the more popular printer drivers come standard with
Calamus SL.
PKS Write - is a sophisticated text editor containing features such as:
search and replace text, block functions, search and replace
text style; insert and edit control codes, define macros for
text, style and rulers; footnote, index and reference entries;
user-definable kerning and more.
Vector Graphic - allows you to create and modify vector graphics. 15
pre-defined shapes are available, as are tools for creating
objects. Distort and rotate objects, resize proportionally,
cut and paste to an object clipboard and perform copy
functions. Tools for editing paths, setting and moving points,
changing path direction, closing and smoothing paths, and
filling polygons, cutting and pasting paths, exchanging lines
and Bezier curves, showing tangents and control color and fill
pattern settings.
Raster Generator - allows the manipulation of shape, angle and size of
raster points. This results in giving you great precision and
control over printed output.
Color Separation - eight control lines are built into this module to
define the relationship between the theoretical values in the
computer image and actual output. Use this module to output
color and adjust and correct information sent to the printer
including: black, CYM and UCR values using the respective
control lines.
Brush - is an editor that can be used to clean or touch up a raster
graphic. It contains two command groups, one for brush types,
the other for choice of color/fill patterns.
CYMK Swap - contains a single but powerful function to allow you to swap
or exchange the color planes in a 4-plane CYMK color graphic.
Rotate - is designed to provide the precise rotation of raster graphics
in any degree. Using this module, moire effects are minimized
when rotating raster graphics. It contains an option to reduce
aliasing caused by such rotations.
Color List Converter - checks all colors used in your document and
catalogs them in each Color List of the various command areas.
Compress - reduces the demands on memory and disk space by reducing the
size of your graphics, usually between 25% - 50%. When you
re-load your document saved with compression, the graphics are
automatically uncompressed.
Linearity - is used to optimize color output for your printer. It allows
you to set a control line for each color plane and save
specific setup files for optimal printing based on any given
color printer.
All modules may be loaded or unloaded from memory at any time. When you
remove a module not currently in use, the memory will be returned to you
automatically and immediately.
Join the thousands of Calamus SL owners and get this program today.
Place your order by fax or email, telephone or mail. We look forward to
hearing from you.
NAME: __________________________________________________________________
ADDRESS: _______________________________________________________________
CITY/STATE/PROVINCE ____________________________________________________
COUNTRY ________________________________ZIP/POSTAL CODE_________________
TEL: # WORK _______________________TEL: # HOME _________________________
VISA [ ] MASTERCARD [ ] __________________________EXP. DATE_____________
HARDWARE _______________________________________________________________
~~ NEWS RELEASE ~~ NEWS RELEASE ~~ NEWS RELEASE ~~ NEWS RELEASE ~~
March 1, 1995 For further information, contact:
Toronto, Ontario, Canada Nathan Potechin - President
DMC Publishing
~~ UPGRADE 1.09x to Calamus SL ~~ Tel: (905) 479-1880
~ for US $150.00, $210.00 Cdn. ~ Fax: (905) 479-1882
Compuserve: 76004,2246
Calamus SL, the premier desktop Delphi: DMCPUBLISH
publishing program on the Atari GEnie: DMCPUBLISH
computer now retails for US $200.00, Internet: DMCPUBLISH@GENIE.GEIS.COM
$280.00 Cdn. This includes a 600+
page manual and 4 disks containing approximately 1,000 features. For
those of you that have been waiting for the opportunity to upgrade
your existing Calamus 1.09x, save a further $50.00. The price is right
and the time is now. Place your UPGRADE order today. Your cost to
upgrade from your existing Calamus 1.09x to the latest version of
Calamus SL is US $150.00, $210.00 Cdn.
_________________________________________________
> STR NEWS TIDBITS
""""""""""""""""
-/- CERT Warns of New Internet Crack -/-
Federally funded network watchdogs at the Computer Emergency Response
Team have issued a public warning about a new weakness they've discovered
that could leave more than half of the host computers on the Internet
vulnerable to electronic break-ins.
CERT says the security lapse could let vandals commandeer Internet
computers that use the UNIX operating system, specifically a program that
manages electronic mail.
Writing in the Wall Street Journal this morning, reporter Jared
Sandberg says, "The new 'hole' ... could let hackers shut down
electronic-information sites that hundreds of companies have set up on
the World Wide Web, a multimedia portion of the Internet."
But, says senior CERT technical member Barbara Fraser, the newest
glitch "is much broader in scope," that "many more systems are going to
be affected."
Sandberg says the vulnerability allows an intruder "to penetrate a
hole in nearly 20 commonly used electronic-mail programs," then,
according to an advisory that went up on the network last night, "read
any file on the system, overwrite or destroy files."
JAGUAR SECTION
==============
MK III Announced! CATscan BBS To
Get a Facelift!? CatBox Ready!
And More!
> From the Editor's Controller - Playin' it like it is!
""""""""""""""""""""""""""""
There's a bit of news that's come my way this past week which, at
present, I cannot "officially" confirm. However, I will mention them
because they are newsworthy. Once we have official confirmation,
perhaps this week, we'll make sure to provide you with all of the
details!
First off, Williams' "Mortal Kombat III" will come out for the
Jaguar. While I'm not personally into the fighting games genre, this
has to be a major announcement for Atari. "Mortal Kombat" - past,
present, and future versions - is a major title in the gaming
community. Whether it be Atari or another company, these types of
major titles are necessary to acquire. And, as has been witnessed
online over and over again, Jaguar users are demanding these quality
titles. Look for the details real soon!
Another long-awaited item is the CatBox. While roaming around the
'Net the other night, I saw a message that stated that ICD was
officially taking orders for the CatBox and would begion shipping next
week. We're waiting to get confirmation on this announcement.
However, from various bits and pieces that we've heard over the past
few weeks, this news appears to be right on target. Again, look for
details shortly.
I've recently received some mail from a few people who had entered
our "Name the 1st 20 Jaguar Games" contest. Since we haven't had 20
titles come out yet, the entry deadline had been pushed back a couple
of times. Well, we've decided not to wait for 20 games, for the
benefit of those who have already entered their list of games and made
the original deadline on time. Although there are 18 games currently
available, our cut-off has been drawn at 17. And yes, we have a
winner. In fact, we have two!! We'll announce both winners in next
week's issue. Thanks to all of you who sent in entries.
Well, it's getting late, and I want to get in a few runs with Val
D'Isere Skiing and Snowboarding while I have a day off to enjoy myself!
Until next time...
___________________________________________
> Jaguar Catalog STR InfoFile - What's currently available, what's
""""""""""""""""""""""""""" coming out.
Current Available Titles ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
CAT # TITLE MSRP DEVELOPER/PUBLISHER
J9000 Cybermorph $59.99 Atari Corp.
J9006 Evolution:Dino Dudes $49.99 Atari Corp.
J9005 Raiden $49.99 FABTEK, Inc/Atari Corp.
J9001 Trevor McFur/
Crescent Galaxy $49.99 Atari Corp.
J9010 Tempest 2000 $59.95 Llamasoft/Atari Corp.
J9028 Wolfenstein 3D $69.95 id/Atari Corp.
JA100 Brutal Sports FtBall $69.95 Telegames
J9008 Alien vs. Predator $69.99 Rebellion/Atari Corp.
J9029 Doom $69.99 id/Atari Corp.
J9036 Dragon: Bruce Lee $59.99 Atari Corp.
J9003 Club Drive $59.99 Atari Corp.
J9007 Checkered Flag $69.99 Atari Corp.
J9012 Kasumi Ninja $69.99 Atari Corp.
J9042 Zool 2 $59.99 Atari Corp
J9020 Bubsy $49.99 Atari Corp
J9026 Iron Soldier $59.99 Atari Corp
J9060 Val D'Isere Skiing $59.99 Atari Corp.
Cannon Fodder Virgin
Available Soon ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
CAT # TITLE MSRP DEVELOPER/PUBLISHER
CatBox $69.95 ICD
Hover Strike $59.99 Atari
Hardware and Peripherals ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
CAT # TITLE MSRP MANUFACTURER
J8001 Jaguar (complete) $249.99 Atari Corp.
J8904 Composite Cable $19.95
J8901 Controller/Joypad $24.95 Atari Corp.
J8905 S-Video Cable $19.95
Jaguar CD-ROM $149.99 Atari Corp.
________________________________________________
> Jaguar Online STR InfoFile Online Users Growl & Purr!
""""""""""""""""""""""""""
CATnips... Jaguar tidbits from Don Thomas..
-------------------------------------------
CATscan is being enhanced...
CATscan is an Atari Jaguar-dedicated Bulletin Board Service right in
my home...a service which provides Jaguar enthusiasts with access to
all of Atari's press releases, downloads of screen images & online
publications, the latest promotions, game descriptions, dealer referrals
and more.
In the past few months, CATscan has signed over 250 faithful Jaguar
gamers...many of whom are online industry personalities such as Travis
Guy from Atari Explorer Online, Dana Jacobson of STReport Magazine, Len
Stys of Cleveland Freenet, Steve Kipker of Steve's Software, Eva Crouse
of Compuware and many others. Many members are from Canada and various
parts of Europe.
CATscan has become a popular way for gamers to obtain the latest issue of
STReport and AEO Magazine. Downloads such as this may not be available on
services like Prodigy and CATscan helps bring some newsworthy issues
directly into the offices of Atari Corporation. CATscan members have been
recruited for Focus Groups and to become writers. Others have simply been
content to have a burning question answered or a topic addressed. One
CATscan member has since been employed by Atari as a game tester.
Although CATscan activity is censored so that Jaguar fans cut through
anything other than pure support, it is not an official Atari Corporation
forum. Members have the opportunity to share their personal opinions and
upload their own files. Membership is open to anyone with a computer and
a modem and registered access is automatic provided a few basic questions
are answered when signing on.
To accommodate a growing need for more elbow room, CATscan is being
upgraded. First, two new large capacity hard drives are being added for
over 1,000% more upload and download space. This means users can depend
on CATscan as an archive of information.
Secondly, I am expecting to implement a major software upgrade that will
ultimately allow access up to 14.4 baud. Currently users are limited
to 2400 baud due to software restrictions. This latter enhancement will
be put into place in stages and I have hopes to be compatible with 9600
baud modems within a few days.
In the meantime, CATscan is your opportunity to spread news about your
business, local shows, comments, suggestions, etc. If you have material
appropriate for a Jaguar/Lynx support arena, send them to me and I will
be delighted to post them.
CATscan is accessible by dialing 209/239-1552 24 hours. Over the next
few days, you may experience some down time as upgrades are implemented.
You may also send things to me via the Internet...
75300.1267@compuserve.com OR atari@genie.geis.com.
I will look forward to hearing from you.
-- Don Thomas
________________________________________________
> ONLINE WEEKLY STReport OnLine The wires are a hummin'!
"""""""""""""""""""""""""""""
PEOPLE... ARE TALKING
=====================
On CompuServe
-------------
compiled by
Joe Mirando
CIS ID: 73637,2262
Well folks, it looks like I've gotten my modem back to where it was
before "the crash of late February". Take my advice and run off a copy
of your modem profiles right now. It could make you a happy camper one
day (or, at least less of an un-happy camper).
And while I was busy teaching my modem to hum again, the good folks that
frequent CompuServe were busy providing lots of stuff for me to
capture... let's take a look...
From the Atari Computing Forums
===============================
Marty Hall tells us:
"I've felt guilty about my new 486....... feel like I'm abandoning
something important. Some one told me that Atari abandoned me a LONG
time ago. Don't help much but it's true.......
Put all thier eggs in the Jaguar basket. Yeah! Sure! You see the ads
in the Sears Christmas Wish Book? Or what passes for one now a
day....... FULL left hand page of games for all the other machines.
Half a right hand page for more games. The lower right hand is the
games them selves. Up in top right hand corner of the right hand page
is a tiny tiny ad for the Jaguar and no games anywhere.
" When they start buying, I'll start advertising...... "
Alas, poor Atari, I knew him well........."
Marty then tells Lars-Hakan Sundman:
"I sure wish I could be angry with programers like you that will not
program for the Atari anymore........ that's the reason I'm going over
to the ' Other side ' but actually, I don't blame you........ Actually
I understand and if I were there, I think I would be also.
Damn! And it STILL is such a good machine!!!!!!!!"
Meanwhile, Christian Roth tells us:
"I'm a bit sad that QuickCIS does not work with MultiTOS on my Falcon.
I'd like to ask if there's a possibility to look through the sources to
decide if I or somebody of my friends could do some work on it?
Everything else works fine with my system, so I would be glad if there
would be a comfortable solution for CIS too ;-)!
BTW, does anybody have information about the announced Mosaic for Atari
computers? Will it make use of MiNT?
Furthermore, CompuServe is not planning to support ascii terminals
with their GO FTP feature. Hm- what am I gonna do now? Buy an IBM just
for that? Naahh... :)
Another question (sorry for that, guys): Is there a forum for
CIS-software programmers? Maybe there could be some code that waits to
be ported?"
Johan Decock posts:
"I want to transfer files between a PC AT and an Atari non PC (ST124
or the like) of a friend of mine.
Could anybody help me with suggestions, point me to communication
programs.
I was thinking to do this via null-modem and a communications package.
If this is not feasible, is there any chance to 'print' it to the
parallel port of the PC?"
Sysop bob Retelle tells Johan:
"It's possible to transfer files between PCs and Atari STs several
different ways...
Probably the easiest and most straight-forward is to use floppy disks.
The Atari and the PC share almost exactly the same floppy disk format,
so you can just copy files onto a disk from your PC and your friend can
read them directly in the Atari's disk drive.
The "trick" to making it work is to format the disk on the *PC* and
to be sure to format it as a Double Density (720K) disk. (The Atari
drives won't read High Density disks)
You can also use a "null modem cable" between the serial ports of the
two systems and use any regular telecommunications program on both
systems to transfer files. The highest normal serial port speed on the
Atari is 19.2 Kb, and if you plan to transfer from the Atari to the PC
at high speed the Atari will need a small "bug-fix" program to patch
the serial routines in the Operating System. The fix isn't normally
needed if the Atari is only receiving the files.
And of course you can always use modems to call between the two
systems and transfer files over the phone line."
Johan tells Bob:
"I didn't know the file format was the same, nor did my friend
apparently. He was going to have me scan and OCR them at 'high' cost. I
sure hope you're right about it. If not I'll have to use a null-modem,
but then I'll have to find a communications package for it."
Marty Hall asks for help with his GEMulator, the Atari ST emulator for
DOS machines:
"Having sent a msg to Darek Mihocka and not getting an answer thought
I'd come here for help with Gemulator. Seems to install O.K. and when I
copy programs and data from my ST, it seems to copy to the VHD O.K.
When I boot the program ( ie Phasar, STWriter, etc. ) all seems O.K.
But when I shut down the 486 and go back in, the Phasar program is
trash. When I try to boot it, I get a msg that says it is a
non-exacutable program. Then I take the same disk that I used to
transfer the program from the ST, trash the old program, retransfer,
boot again and all is well til I go to address the data. I get a msg
that say the Reg files is the wrong version for the version of Phasar I
have installed. O.K., trash the Reg file, re-transfer, reboot and all
is fine.
Anybody got any ideas?"
Bob Carpenter asks Marty:
"Are you exiting Gemulator cleanly (Ctrl-F11, then quit from Gemulator
screen)? If you're just shutting off your 486, all the files that
Gemulator has open may not close correctly and could get corrupted.
This is a problem particularly if you're using a write delay cache
(option in Smartdrive or hardware cache). By exiting Gemulator
cleanly, you give your system a chance to close all files. If you're
doing this, then I don't know what it might be."
Marty 'fesses up:
"Tell the truth, I'm not sure. I've done so many things and held my
mouth in so many positions while doing them, I'm not sure at this point
what I have or have not done. But, when I sign off from here, you can
bet I'll try your suggestion and let you know how it comes out.
Heck, hang one, I'll do it right now........
By George, I do believe you got it! Exited 3 times the way you said
and went back in 3 time AND IT WORKED!!!! Very good. Thanks.
That was the important one. Now I'll give you the PITA one. SOme thing
I can live with but would rather not. When I boot Gemulater and get to
the screen for the resolution selection if I don't hit ' zero ', when
Gemulater is up and working, the screen looks like only every other
video gun line is there and the picture is faded. I assume I have
something configured wrong but have been nusy with the other problem
and not worrying about this yet."
Karl Harwood tells us:
"I am an Atari enthusiast, there's no getting away from that, but
there is one thing that I do not agree with. And that is being left
out in the cold.
If you have a PC, CompuServe will supply you with a version of DOSCIM
or WINCIM to suit your machine's capability. I have a PC-owning friend
that has DOSCIM 1.36 which is not the latest version, but it works with
most PC computers whether they be 186 or above. (and with 5 1/4 floppy
drives)
What about ST Users like you and me? Our machines are more powerful
than any 186 or 286.
Well, there's nothing that can compare with DOSCIM for the ST. I have
a great deal of respect for Gribniff Software's STalker which I'm using
now, but don't you think it is about time we got something similar for
our machines? Even Apple Mac's have their own software.
Is there any way of converting DOSCIM to the ST? I'm aware that some
kind of programming Language would have to be known as well as
patience, which unfortunately I have little of, and I'm not a very good
programmer either, but if there is somebody out there who is fluent in
a computer language, then I'm sure that your efforts would be
appreciated.
I'm a consumer journalist, and I would say that CIS is fairly good
value for money (a little expensive maybe), but the software situation
is bad, not allowing us to take full advantage of the service, for
example, try looking up some European Railway Schedules. You Can't.
Until such times that somebody writes us software which is compatible
with CIM, we shall all have to do things manually and remain excluded
from some services, but it wouldn't hurt to let CompuServe know that if
they did release their software for the ST it would be well worth it.
You never know -Miracles have happened before!"
Sysop Jim Ness tells Karl:
"There simply aren't enough Atari ST users on CompuServe to justify
porting the CIM software to the ST.
CompuServe owns the software (it uses a proprietary protocol, which
they protect very carefully), and they are the ones who decide which
platforms merit the efforts of their programmers. To date, it's DOS,
Windows, Mac, OS/2, and a special GeoWorks version for handhelds.
For 3rd party programmers, CIS provides a series of pre-compiled
modules (ie, DLLs for Windows), which allow the programmer's routines
to interact using the proprietary protocol. Without those modules, you
can't do the things CIM does. And, there are no modules for the ST."
Mike Mortilla tells us about his Macintosh:
"...I bought a Mac IIsi used for my wife. I hate it, but she needs it
for her DTP work to exchange files with her clients.
But she'd be VERY happy with a PageStream prog in there! I might even
use it once in a while!
We got the whole system CHEAP and found "Power Print" that lets us use
our Panasonic Laser (HP Laser Jet II) on the MAC. I also went with the
color Stylewriter, but thats really a toy compared to the Panasonic
4420.
Big crash on the MAC this week! Reformatting didn't even fix it!
Don't ya know it was a shareware program in a MAC forum that did it! I
reported it to the SYSOPs over there, but I ain't doin ANYTHING on the
MAC if I can help it. Give me my Ataris (all 4 of 'em now!) anyday.
So how do I get this Atari emulator for the MAC???"
Dazzz Smith tells Mike:
"Don't mention crashes, I managed to trash the HD on my Mac yesterday,
but at least I'm back up and running now, even with minimal backups.
Mac Magic is out now apparently, you need EASE desktop to go with it
and also GSZRZ as well since XYZ doesnt like Magic. But it is faster
than an ST by a fairly wide margin, you can use the Mac's HD with no
changes as well, all GEM compliant programs work fine with it as well."
Mike asks Dazzz for more info:
"So how do I get it? Is it in the states yet?
Sorry 'bout the HD. Mine's STILL in the shop since Thursday."
Dan Parrish takes the opportunity to jump in and post:
"It appears that my wife is getting rather desperate for a MAC,
preferably a Powerbook with a color screen. She feels that is the only
way she will ever be able to use any of the weaving designing programs,
as they are either MAC, DOS, AMIGA, and even one APPLE IIe, but sadly
nothing for an ATARI. I hope the new Atari emulators come out in
quantity so we can read about them both pros and cons. There is an
Atari dealer just down the road 15 miles. He has been subscribing to
the UK magazines so I expect to read more in the near future. I would
have no problems getting a nice MAC and installing MagiC MAC, because
as far as I am concerned my reason for staying with this computer
platform is the software, not the hardware."
Mike tells Dan:
"My "theory" was that I was staying with Atari because of the
software. When *MY* wife insisted on a MAC (we got a IIsi - used
cheap!) I realized that the hardware (for my purposes, at least) was
far superior.
The Mac is SLOW and awkward campared to what I'm used to on the ST and
Stacy. Lots of pretty screens, but I need to WORK not please my eyes!"
Dan tells Mike:
"I have a Mega STe which I really like however, I have really been left
behind the times. A good friend suggested I would be happier going
for a TT at the time. BUT NOOOOOO!!!! I figured the Mega STe would be
a better bridge between my older software and the hardware
improvements, and then when all the bugs were figured out and Atari got
past the TT RAM compatability problems I would then upgrade. I really
am not thrilled with the Falcon, just because off the design, a
detachable key board is soo nice. My good friend left the Atari world a
few years back. I have watched him and his bottom-of-the-line Power
MAC, and does that puppy ever scream. Apple has apparently fixed the
slow down when running the older software. When I see his computer, I
can't help but think how much more limited this MEGA STe is than it
used to be. Then I go back to work and start working with Windows 3.1
and then I have to say how much better my MEGA STe is.
Most of my grumbling is due to my own decisions. I would really like
to go beyound four megs of RAM, I would like to add a video card and
now after talking to the TOADs, it seems Crazy Dots II isn't available
for the MEGA STe. Cyrel Sunrise card is not available for the MEGA STe
either. They made that decision last year.
So now I have to make some more decisions. Do I go over to Far North
Atari, in Fairbanks, and trade in my Mega STe for a Falcon? Do I
succumb to the home pressures and go the MAC route and hope for the
MagiC MAC to make it to the states? Can I get the best of all three
worlds? (Atari, Mac, and Dos?)"
Boris Molodyi tells Dan:
"Crazy Dots II most certainly should work with Mega STe, as it is a
VME card, and Mega STe has a VME slot. There should be no problems with
that. You may ask Gribnif, who imports the card..."
Dan replies:
"I was relaying the information as I understand it from when I talked
to the TOADS on Saturday. I had pretty much decided to get Crazy Dots
II a few months back. I liked your article in STI. I will be sending
Gribnif a message asking for clarification, but it will be a week or so
before I will be back home."
During a discussion of European shareware/freeware utility programs to
de-fragment hard drives, Frank Heller posts:
"You know...for the life of me...I can't figure out why anyone would
want to mess around with something as critical as a defragging utility
that is "freewre", "shareware" or in a foreign language. Are you all
mad? This is your hard drives we're talking about. SPEND the extra
bucks for a reliable program with product support, updates and a manual
in English. Edge would be a good bet. Think of it as cheap life
insurance."
Michel Vanhamme tells Frank:
"I see your point, but on the other hand... Anyone who uses this kind
of programs, even if they are commercial products, should make a
complete backup of their HD's before doing anything to them (I use
Edge, which has been reliable so far, but I still make backups each
time before I use it - with Diamond Back). So basically, with the
proper cautions being observed, the risk should be limited to having to
install all your files back again (which is a bore, true). Now, if I'm
wrong about this, feel free to correct me.
Now, about 'foreign languages': I wouldn't use these terms here...
this is an international community, after all. If my English may seem
awkward at times, it is because it is NOT my first language i.e. a
'foreign language' to me (but I love it ;-) )... The program could at
least be of use to those of us who know French. So I'll reformulate
your concern: DON'T use this if you don't understand it. No hard
feelings, of course."
Frank tells Michel:
"I think we are in agreement here. My comment on the language thing is
my way of saying what you said. Bottom line: If it's PD and it screws
your HD...you were warned."
On the subject of "No Joke, What's an Atari?" Benjamin Eby tells someone
(this message thread reaches back to antiquity):
"I couldn't help but reply to your message. In our economy the primary
thing that determines product success is marketing techniques, not
superiority. That is why you see so many people in this country buying
things that they do not really need. Atari computers were, and still
are either equal to or superior to any computer of the same GENERATION.
Of course a 4+ year old model Atari computer is not the equal of a
Pentium, but nor is a 4+ IBM, or Macintosh.
The Atari computer is nearly dead, this is true. But this is not due
to lack of quality technology. It is due to poor financial handling,
and poor marketing techniques.
People who still use Atari computers like them, for many reasons.
Sometimes they like them because they are not afraid to be original.
They hate having the same car, computer, style of house, or lifestyle
as everyone else. But unfortunately individualism is not found in our
country that often any more. I'd better stop now before I fall off my
soapbox with enthusiasm.
I own an AT&T IBM compatible as well as an Atari. I find each one
useful for different things. I wouldn't trade either one of them,
because I like variety..."
David Ewing posts:
"I've been following this interesting dialog... and I would like to
jump in and make a quick comment:
On the issue of product superiority / market success, I agreee with
you: Remember Beta video? Smaller, better quality, simpler mechanism
than VHS...the rest is history.
In general it seems that smaller companies are freer and can move
quicker to develop superior products but cannot bring them to market
like the big boys.
However, having a lot of small great companies freely competing and
producing great stuff is not necessarily the ideal situation in the
computer world - at some point compatabilty is the controlling factor.
If everyone had their private OS at home and nobody could trade
files...Arguably MIDI could have been designed better and faster given
a few more years, but I'm glad it happened sooner and that some
standard was arrived at, although imperfect."
On the subject of the Atari Portfolio, Patrick Hart asks:
"What do we need to put a DOS program on an Atari Portfolio? We have a
serial interface.
Any help will be appreciated."
Benjamin Russell tells Patrick:
"There's a bunch of files in the library with information on this. It
depends on what computer you're dumping from. With my setup, I could
dump the DOS program from my Mac via the serial interface, but you
would need to get XTERM2.COM (in the library), appropriate cabling (I
use a 9-pin to a normal Mac serial port connector cable that's wired
correctly - some files in the library describe how to set up to cable.
You might need a couple of cables, null modem and gender bender
adaptors).
The trick is to get the communications software onto your Portfolio.
Initially, I had to use the Parallel port to dump over FM.COM, then
used that to dump over XTERM2.COM. As you can see, it can get
complicated.
If you can tell me what computer you have, maybe I could help some
more...
What you have to do is download XTERM2.COM from the library here,
transfer that to your Port, then use it with the serial interface (at
the Port end) connected to a terminal program on the Mac (right now I'm
using FreeTerm for this). I use a cable with the 9pin IBM serial
connector plugged into my Port Serial interface, and with a round Mac
serial connector plugged into the Mac. This kind of cable must be
properly wired. I've also made it work with a cable with the 9pin IBM
serial connector on one end and a 25-pin parallel connector on the
other end, plugged into a nullmodem and gender bender connector
combination, plugged into a regular Mac modem cable coming out of that
into my Mac.
Transfers going from the Mac to Port generally go quickly and
smoothly. Coming from the Port to the Mac, usually it looks as though
nothing is happening for a fair while with the occaisional time-out
error flickering on the Mac screen. Then the Transfer kicks in and
goes quickly and smoothly.
I have also been successful printing from the Port to my Apple
LaserWriter IINT.
There are loads of files to sift through in the library here,
including tip sheets, games, and other programs.
I hope this is the information you need.
PS - I am new to using the Portfolio (got mine within the last month).
I love this machine! I now have absolutely no desire to replace my
powerbook which I sold recently to buy a scanner and laserprinter.
When I need a Mac, I can use my 660AV. When I'm on the run, the
Portfolio is WAY more portable and unobtrusive than the Powerbook
for taking notes, scheduling, keeping addresses handy, and doing
quick calcs. I wouldn't dream of using it for my only computer,
but the combination of it and a good desktop machine is unbeatable
IMHO!!!"
From the Graphics Support Forum
===============================
On the subject of the decision by Unisys to enforce their patent on the
LZW compression used in GIF image viewers, Charles Fischer asks:
"Just out of curiosity, what is the story on publishing a GIF which is
already converted to a free-standing EXE, as may be accomplished with
programs like GIFEXE.EXE and EXE.EXE? Does the self-displaying graphic
contain LZW code? If not, who is to say you started with a GIF file?
On a similar note, what about using a file conversion program to
convert a GIF to a PCX, and then publishing the PCX? I know of no way
to determine that the file started out as a GIF."
Don Bradner tells Charles:
"The examples you cite would appear, in my opinion, simple *uses* of
.GIF and LZW, not requiring license. All of the obligation to license
and pay royalties are with the *developer* of the software that enable
you to do the things you describe (and none if it is freeware)."
Charles tells Don:
"My thoughts precisely. You would not be publishing any graphics
which contain the LZW code, although you might have started with a GIF
to produce your final graphic."
Dan Richardson tells Charles:
"No, every single copy of a self displaying GIF contains Unisys'
patented LZW algorithm. If you were to sell such images, you can be
sure Unisys would want a cut."
Dan Farmer adds:
"So-called self-executing GIF's simply link a GIF viewer onto the GIF.
Any GIF viewer needs LZW decompression code. They would actually be
*more* in violation than a normal GIF which does not contain extraction
code.
A PCX (or any other conversion that does not use LZW) would *not* be
applicable to the Unisys claim."
Howard Thue tells Dan:
"Programs like Steve Rimmers create 'Self Viewing Images' and make no
mention of 'Self Viewing GIF' they create them from most all formats
like BMP, PCX, TGA, TIF etc. The real question is what compression
algorithm does he use? If Steve sees this I would be interested since
it would be informative and interesting."
Dan tells Howard:
"I'd imagine that the linked-in viewer code is totally dependant on
the type of image. If its a GIF, it's got LZW decompression code
linked in. Either that or Steve first converts all image types into a
format of his own, which would mean that the image was no longer a GIF,
PCX, etc."
Howard replies:
"Yes I saw a reply of steves he puts the raw data as RLE in his self
extracting .EXE of course to convert a GIF into .EXE he must use LZW to
get the raw data."
John Parker adds his thoughts:
"Seems to me like the way around all this is to find some other method
to decode the gif data stream (other than how it was intended)."
Howard tells John:
"Although it is a 'kluge' we can always use a pre 1995 converter to
convert a GIF 87a or 89a to BMP, PCX, TGA etc. Then we can use the
latest new generation to convert to PNG or GIF24 in any event there is
going to be mammoth data base conversions in our future. Fortunately
enough here licensed to create a GIF to NUT format <grin>...
The decoding and viewing of GIF files prior to 1995 is not in question.
Decoding and viewing or encoding if the program was sold or updated
after Jan 1, 1995 is. Self displaying .EXE files are not usually sold
but I guess the creator of same could fall under the gun if he was
selling them.
PCX even a conversion from a GIF file has no bearing here. Using a
program that manipulates files encoding and decoding GIF format also
does not apply. If you are selling an application which does this then
yes you, in Unisys view, are using their patented technology for profit
without a license."
Charles ruminates on all of this:
"So what you are saying, if I understand correctly, is that it would
be OK for a seller to sell self-displaying EXE graphics if the original
graphics were not GIF graphics. Is that essentially what you mean?
And on the other hand, if a seller sells self-displaying graphics which
originate as GIFs, that would technically be a 'no-no'?
Thirdly, what about PCX and other non-GIF formats. Are they in the
public domain (as we previously thought GIF graphics were)?"
Ooh, goood question! Ray McVay tells Charles:
"Keep in mind that GIF and most other formats are essentially public
domain. The item that would require licensing would be the software
used to view the GIF or TIFF/LZW images. If the self displaying EXE
used LZW to compress the embedded image then some kind of licensing
would be required. There is no comparable licensing needed (at this
time) for PCX and other RLE compressed format decoders."
Charles tells Ray:
"My understanding is that this entire flap is about the fact that GIF
is NOT in the public domain because it uses LZW compression and each
GIF file contains the LZW code which is patented by Unisys. It is not
the software used in viewing/displaying the image which needs a license
from Unisys ... it is the GIF file itself."
Don Bradner tells Charles:
"NO NO. It is definitely the software, not the file. The software
USES LZW, the file contains only the result of that compression.
Things are a little murkier in the circumstances you outlined about
self-extracting .GIF files, since there would have to be LZW-using code
contained in the .EXE file. My original thought was that the burden
for licensing would fall on the developer who provided the software
tools to produce the .EXE, who would be off the hook if those tools
were freeware.
Upon reflection, I think the self-extracting file would also be
subject to licensing. The question then would be whether it was being
sold or just given away. I am certain that in the latter case it would
fall under the same aegis as freeware, and be royalty-free. In the
former it would be potentially subject to royalty, although I suspect a
deal could be cut for extremely low fees on the grounds that the .EXE
could not be used to produce additional .GIF files.
Now, hypothetically, if the GIF to EXE converter also compressed and
decompressed the file by non-LZW means, then there would be no
licensing obligation beyond the developer of the converter. The big
problem here is that a user of such software probably does not know
what compression techniques are involved in the .EXE file. Definitely
a can of worms."
Charles tells Don:
"Well, I think it is the GIF file which requires licensing because it
contains LZW compression code, and that is what Unisys holds a patent
on. And I also think if you convert a GIF to another graphics format,
such as PCX, the resultant file no longer contains any LZW code, and
thus it would be OK to sell it regardless of its original source. I
have done a little experimenting, and if I make an EXE out of a GIF,
and also make an EXE out of a PCX, the resultant file, if looked at
with Norton's DE (disk editor), or even with LIST.COM, looks the same.
If you look at a GIF that way you always see the designation GIF at the
top of it. Not so with a PCX or an EXE."
Frank Slinkman tells Charles:
"I think you're a little confused about the meaning of "LZW
compression code."
We use that term to describe program code, not data that has been
encoded using LZW. A .GIF file contains no program code at all, just
compressed data, and is therefore exempt from royalties. However, the
program which created the file, and the one which "decodes" and
displays it, *does* have LZW program code, and therefore *is* subject
to royalty.
It's not the image *data* which is at issue here, but the patent on the
*method* of compressing and uncompressing it."
Well folks, I know that the column is getting a bit long, so I'll just
stop here and give everyone (including myself) time to digest this part
of "The Great LZW debate".
To just add my two cents worth, my understanding of the Unisys agreement
and of the techno-speak terms is that a GIF picture file is simply a
stream of binary digits that represent the image. The actual algorithm
is contained in the VIEWER PROGRAM. The program takes all of those
binary digits and "decodes" the sequence that they are in to yield the
values that the computer needs to put such-and-such a colored dot at
such-and-such a location on your monitor. Since that sequence of binary
digits can't really be called intellectual property, they can't be
patented (of course, the picture itself can, regardless of whether it is
on a canvas, a tee-shirt, or a CD-ROM). I guess that the easiest way to
explain it is that the picture FILE does not contain the algorithm, just
data that the algorithm generated.
I don't know if that cleared anything up for anybody, but I hope so.
Be sure to tune in again next week, same time, same station, and be
ready to listen to what they are saying when...
PEOPLE ARE TALKING
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STReport's "EDITORIAL CARTOON"
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> A "Quotable Quote" A true "Sign of the Times"
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