ST Report: 21-Jul-95 #1129
From: Bruce D. Nelson (aa789@cleveland.Freenet.Edu)
Date: 07/27/95-11:14:04 AM Z
From: aa789@cleveland.Freenet.Edu (Bruce D. Nelson)
Subject: ST Report: 21-Jul-95 #1129
Date: Thu Jul 27 11:14:04 1995
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> From the Editor's Desk "Saying it like it is!"
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Microsoft's gone GOLD on their fabulous new, Windows 95. Gold means
its now at the duplicator. All systems are go. Folks, the latest version
of Win95 is lean, sleek and very fast. From experience, I can tell you it
performs like a thoroughbred with only eight mbs of ram and like a rocket
with 16 or more. As for reliability, its rock solid. If you have any
inclination to "step-up", don't hesitate for a moment do it! You'll never
look back.
Steve ("the Case") Case of AOL has made it clear that he and the
other online services are crying about Microsoft's including the software
to log on to MSN as unfair. He further states that if MS were to promote
MSN outside of Win95 they'd have no squawk. In my opinion they have no
squawk anyway. Case and his "crying buddies" are merely using the DOJ as
weapon against MS because they fear the competition. Perhaps MS should be
saturating the market with disks and CDS with the MSN Software on it along
with a few PD goodies for goodwill. I'm certain that Steve and his
"buddies" will make a "Federal Case", "such a case", of that too. AOL and
friends are beginning to act like they are losers by carrying on about
MSN. If the government allows such to continue, it'll open the flood
gates for everyone to "doittoit" whenever they feel threatened by _their_
competition. AOL should first learn to pay its own employees a livable
wage before they try dragging other corporations down to the AOL level.
Most of the major software companies already have updates in the
works for Win 95. They plan to have the new releases ready for the August
24 debut date and for 'Fall COMDEX. The advent of Win95 will definitely
mark the beginning of a "New Era in Computing." Each of you will realize
this the moment you install Win95 on your system and begin to enjoy
computing once again. The only time I remember enjoying computing as much
as I am now was back in the late eighties while using GUI that was on the
doorstep to the future. But stumbled. Windows 95 is superb.
Ralph...
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Computer Products Update - CPU Report
------------------------ ----------
Weekly Happenings in the Computer World
Issue #27
Compiled by: Dana P. Jacobson
(Lloyd's on Vacation)
******* General Computer News *******
-/- Online Stats Up 17% in 3 Months -/-
In just the past three months, the number of subscribers to
commercial online services has jumped 17 percent, from 7,303,300 at the
end of March to 8,556,800 at the end of June. That is the word from the
Information & Interactive Services Report, which released the figures at
the Interactive Services Association's 10th annual conference, a Boston
gathering of more than 700 industry executives.
Reporting on the numbers this morning, Associated Press writer
Richard Lorant characterized the surge as resulting from "the scramble
to grab customers before Microsoft Corp. enters the business." The survey
finds more than 90 percent of the subscribers on the three major online
services, 3.2 million on CompuServe, 3 million on America Online and 1.6
million on Prodigy.
Rod Kuckro of the Information & Interactive Services Report says
the survey, based chiefly on figures provided by the companies, found
Delphi in fourth place with 140,000 subscribers, followed by Apple's
eWorld with 90,000 and GEnie with 75,000. "The top three services all
registered double-digit growth during the quarter, due in part to
marketing blitzes in advance of the new Microsoft Network is due to start
next month," Lorant wrote. "In addition, all three now provide access to
the World Wide Web" of the Internet.
Industry analyst Eric McKinney of Matrix Information and Directory
Services in Austin, Texas, told the wire service the numbers may be
somewhat inflated, adding, "They would certainly have a vested interest
in saying they have a large number of users. Our services have produced
consistently lower numbers than have been used." However, Kuckro said
inflating the numbers could result in major financial setbacks for the
companies if it were discovered.
"Still, he said it is unclear how many of the new customers will
stick with the services," AP reports. "In the past, 20 percent to
25 percent of new customers have dropped their subscriptions in the
early going."
Editor Note:
------------
Inflating of the subscriber lists is not something new, unusual or
different. A few of the services do this on a regular basis. For example
counting in those accounts that have lapsed or closed due to any number of
reasons. Each of the above figures should be reduced by at least 20% in
the name of true accuracy. RFM
-/- Microsoft Speeds Internet Links -/-
Microsoft Corp. now says its new Microsoft Network will offer full
Internet access to some users beginning with its launch next month.
Earlier the firm had said complete Internet links wouldn't come until
year's end.
"Analysts said Microsoft had to speed its effort," Martin Wolk of
the Reuter News Service commented this morning, "to catch up with rivals
when it launches the online network Aug. 24 along with its Windows 95
operating system."
Rod Kuckro, editor for multimedia publishing at Business Research
Publications, told the wire service, "It's something they almost had to
do, since almost all the services they plan to compete with are offering
it."
Reporting from a Microsoft conference in Long Beach, Calif., Wolk
says next month's Internet linkup will not be worldwide. While U.S. users
of the Microsoft Network will get full Internet access beginning Aug. 24,
full Internet access won't be available elsewhere until the second quarter
of next year.
"The officials also said that a tool for navigating the Internet
would not be available with the initial release of Windows 95 but could
be downloaded or purchased as part of a package of added features,"
Wolk writes.
As reported, CompuServe, America Online, Prodigy and other leading
commercial online services all have been moving rapidly to offer better
access to the Internet, particularly the increasingly popular World
Wide Web.
-/- Online Execs Urge Microsoft Probe -/-
The top executives at CompuServe, America Online and Prodigy are
calling on congressional leaders to support a government investigation
of Microsoft Network, Microsoft Corp.'s proposed online service.
New CompuServe President/CEO Robert Massey told reporters at a
briefing in Washington today that letters are being sent to Senate
Majority Leader Bob Dole, R-Kan., as well as other Republican and
Democratic leaders in Congress, "asking for their support for the
Department of Justice investigation of anticompetitive practices by
Microsoft."
As reported earlier this month, Dole has spoken out against the
Justice investigation, saying that news media reports indicated
Microsoft was being harassed by "overzealous" government investigators.
According to The Associated Press, Massey said the goal of
contacting congressional leaders is to make "them aware of the
potential ramifications of having any one company monopolize an
operating system and an applications marketplace."
AOL CEO Steve Case added at the briefing, "It's not just an online
service issue. We think it's a broader competitive issue." Massey, Case
and Prodigy President/CEO Edward Bennett told journalists they believe
Microsoft's decision to link its online service with its new Windows 95
software is unfair competition.
As noted, the Justice Department is investigating whether the
combination of the online service and the new Windows 95 software
violates federal antitrust laws. Microsoft contends its new service
will benefit consumers and increase competition in the online services
business.
But, pointing out Microsoft controls more than 85 percent of the
market for operating system software, the online executives argue the
software publisher is using its dominance to gain an unfair advantage
in applications programs as well.
Adds AP, "That could eventually lead to higher prices for
consumers and less innovation, the executives said."
-/- Gates Asked to Unbundle Network -/-
Executives of the three dominant online services are appealing
directly to Bill Gates to separate access to the new Microsoft Network
from the Windows 95 software to be released next month. "You more than
anyone should understand the power that comes with controlling the
operating system market," says the open letter to Gates from the CEOs of
CompuServe, America Online and Prodigy. "With dominant position comes
added responsibilities."
As reported yesterday, the three executives also are calling on
congressional leaders to support a Justice Department anti-trust
investigation of Microsoft Network. In The Wall Street Journal this
morning, reporter Viveca Novak quotes CompuServe CEO Robert Massey as
saying Microsoft, with its "anticompetitive" conduct, is trying "to put
its muscle around the windpipe of this nation's commerce" and would reduce
consumer choice. Massey added he believes the Justice Department could
make a decision on whether to file suit on the matter this week.
As noted earlier, the government would have to seek a preliminary
injunction to keep Microsoft from shipping Windows 95 in August with
access to the Microsoft Network included. Windows 95 was sent to
production plants last Friday.
Microsoft contends its plan will make the online industry more
competitive, not less. In a memorandum filed yesterday in preparation
for a federal court hearing on Monday in New York, the software giant
accused the Justice Department of a "striking lack of candor" and of
using an approach "that should have disappeared with the Berlin Wall."
The fiery memo asserted the Justice Department, in its own memo
filed last week, hadn't described any potential antitrust case against
the company that would justify the subpoena.
Microsoft General Counsel William Neukom told the paper, "We think
the investigation is based on a very weak legal theory with virtually
no facts to support it," adding the two sides haven't had any settlement
discussions over the subpoena.
The Journal notes Windows 95 is to carry a prominent icon for
Microsoft Network, and users will be able to sign up instantly. In other
developments, Luntz Research Cos. has released a survey predicting between
11 million and 19 million PC users would sign up for Microsoft Network in
its first year.
At a press briefing in Washington yesterday, Massey told reporters
other online services must pay "bounties" to PC makers to have their
software included in computers they ship, something Microsoft will not
have to do.
America Online CEO Steve Case added Microsoft could resolve the
problem "in five minutes" by agreeing to market its online service the
same way competitors do.
-/- Half of U.S. Homes Have Computers -/-
Nearly half of American households now own a computer, according
to a new national survey, and 17 percent of those who don't already
have one plan to buy a computer in the next year.
United Press International says the survey by Lansing, Mich.,
EPIC-MRA also found radio and TV news are losing more people to online
news than newspapers are.
Media analyst Gerald Lundy told the wire service, "This latest
survey indicates that the computer -- through the Internet -- is
becoming the medium of media. It is the only one of its type, capable
of delivering information in print, graphics and video format."
Sampling 1,000 consumers, the survey, which has a margin of error
was plus or minus 3 percent, also found:
-:- About 16 percent of those who own a computer subscribe to an
online service.
-:- Of those who plan to buy computers, 39 percent said they plan
to subscribe to an online service.
-:- The top reason the survey found for subscribing to the services
is getting help with a home business. Following the news and current
events ranks fourth, behind entertainment and self-improvement.
-:- Of online users, 56 percent say they use news magazines less as
information sources, compared with 41 percent saying they used newspapers
less. Forty-seven percent said they use radio and TV news less, while
46 percent said they use business periodicals less.
UPI says demographics from the study show college-educated people
with higher incomes and children are more likely to own computers. The
numbers also indicate Republicans and Independents own more computers
on average than Democrats.
"Other findings say Catholics and those without a stated religious
preference own more computers than Protestants," the wire service said.
"Computer ownership is also higher among those who are pro-choice on
abortion." Finally, residents of Western, Pacific and Northeastern states
are most likely to own a computer.
-/- Fax Still Major Business Tool -/-
A new study says fax remains as well used at businesses using
electronic mail as at those without email capabilities. According to
United Press International, the Gallup Organization conducted the study in
the first quarters of 1992-95 through random phone interview, sampling
daily U.S. fax users at Fortune 500 and Dun & Bradstreet mid-size
companies. In 1994 and 1995, Gallup also conducted a fax study of Fortune
500 and telecommunications managers.
Says UPI, "Gallup's survey showed that 47 percent of the respondents
preferred fax use, 30 percent chose overnight courier services, and 9
percent relied on E-mail. In 1995, a majority at both Fortune 500, 51
percent, and 64 percent of mid-size companies said fax usage had increased
in the past 12 months, the study said."
The survey found users perceive the fax as the second-easiest way
to communicate, after the phone. Only 33 percent at Fortune 500 companies
rated email as "extremely easy" to use, while 56 percent of respondents
called faxing "extremely easy."
Most users also preferred faxes for international documents. Fewer
chose to use an overnight courier for overseas messages. "International
faxing accounts for 11 percent of total fax volume at the Fortune 500 and
8 percent at Dun & Bradstreet mid-size companies," the wire service says.
"Most of the international Faxes are sent to Britain, Canada, Germany and
Japan."
Dennis Roney, president of Pitney Bowes Facsimile Systems Division,
told the wire service, "Compared with fax, other emerging technologies
are not as universal. Of the companies surveyed with daily fax users,
email was present in 84 percent of Fortune 500 and 39 percent of
mid-size companies."
-/- Time Retreats on Cyberporn Story -/-
Time Magazine now appears to being acknowledging flaws in an
academic study on which it based a controversial cover story earlier
this month about pornography in cyberspace. The July 3 cover, which said
online pornography is much more popular than surveys may indicate, was
based on a study conducted by an undergraduate at Carnegie Mellon
University.
However, in an article to be published in this week's edition,
Time now says, "Serious questions have been raised regarding the
study's methodology, the ethics by which its data were gathered and
even the true authorship." Reporting on the development in this morning's
Wall Street Journal, writer G. Bruce Knecht notes Time "recognizes the
point made by critics of the study on the Internet: that the study
exaggerated the extent of the problem by lumping together Internet
communications with 'bulletin board' traffic."
The magazine says in its article that other academics believe the
study "grossly exaggerated the extent of pornography on the Internet by
conflating findings from private adult-bulletin-board systems that
require credit cards for payments (and are off limits to minors) with
those from the public networks (which are not)."
Time spokesman Robert Pondiscio told Knecht this week's story
doesn't amount to a correction of the cover story. "Call it what you
will," he said, "but I would call it a follow-up story, not a
correction."
The Journal notes Time also reported study author Marty Rimm has
been involved in another controversial study. In 1981, while a student
at Atlantic City (New Jersey) High School, Rimm organized a study that
"purported to show that 64 percent of his school's students had
illicitly gambled at the city's casinos."
"That study," says the paper, "which was widely publicized and
sharply criticized by casinos, 'inspired the New Jersey Legislature to
raise the gambling age in casinos from 18 to 21,' according to Time."
Rimm, who graduated from Carnegie Mellon in May and now works as a
researcher at the university, stood by his study, telling the Journal,
"I'm astonished that the people who see the data are attacking me
rather than those who distribute child pornography. I'm just the
messenger."
Time reports Carnegie Mellon hasn't disavowed the study, but it
is "forming a committee to look into it." University spokesman Donald A.
Hale confirmed for the paper a review will take place. "There has been an
active debate on the Internet," he said, "and we are going to give this a
fair hearing."
-/- Lawmakers Hear of 'Smut Filters' -/-
"Smut filters" were the talk of Capitol Hill yesterday, as online
companies, software publishers and civil liberties groups came to make
their case that cyberspace can be made safe for children without
government involvement.
"With congressional attention focused on the easy availability of
pornography on computer networks," writer Kara Swisher of The Washington
Post reports this morning, "the groups converged to try to head off
passage of legislation that would ban obscene material outright." Swisher
reports the experts said smut filters (defined as software that can "let
parents control what children can get with computers") could be coupled
with a nationwide education campaign to help educate the public about the
technology.
"In a demonstration," says the Post, "a computer user tried to to
call up an Internet 'sex shop' where various sex toys and other
pornographic material are available. It had been blocked by technology
called WebTrack. If an address contains a word that parents have banned,
the connection will not be made."
Rep. Ron Wyden (D-Ore.) told the paper, "Clearly to guard the
portals of cyberspace, the private sector is in a far better position
than the federal government. If there is a Federal Internet Censorship
Army, it will make the Keystone Kops look like crackerjack
crimefighters."
As reported earlier, the Communications Decency Act, sponsored by
Sens. J. James Exon (D-Neb.) and Dan Coats (R-Ind.) and passed
overwhelmingly by the Senate last month, would ban "obscene" material
transmitted over online services and establish fines and prison terms
for people who "knowingly make, or make available" obscene
communications across electronic networks.
An alternative to the Exon measure is a House bill proposed by
Wyden and Rep. Christopher Cox (R-Calif.) that encourages private
industry to develop filtering technology that would give parents and
teachers tools to control what children encounter online.
Exon told the Post any kind of blocking device "is an important
step in the right direction ... though I had heard precious little
from the industry until I rang their bell." He added, "We may need
these tools but we also need more federal laws. ... I mean, if we gave
everyone a bulletproof vest, it does not mean we should repeal the
murder laws."
Organized by the D.C.-based Interactive Working Group, a coalition
of some 50 high-tech companies and civil liberties groups, yesterday's
event was intended to show some of the action already being taken. Also
the Silver Spring, Md.,-based Interactive Services Association trade group
says it will launch a national "Parental Education Program" to give
parents more information about Internet blocking technology.
-/- Cyberporn Proposals Challenged -/-
Online obscenity is only a tiny portion of computer communications,
say critics of congressional moves to outlaw "cyberporn," adding news
media, politicians and social conservatives who haven't used the
networks have prompted hysteria.
According to United Press International, Jerry Berman, executive
director of the Center for Democracy and Technology, said in a debate
held at the Cato Institute that many of the Internet's critics don't
understand its technology or its sprawling reach worldwide.
Advocates of censoring Internet communications fail to see that
taking pornography off the network is not as simple as pulling
something objectionable down from a bulletin board, Berman said.
Said Berman, "The only way to take it down is to take the whole
thing (the Internet) down." However, Cathy Cleaver, director of legal
studies at the Family Research Council, called computer pornography is
"the Internet's dirty little secret," and said she doesn't understand why
people considered well-intentioned legislation so threatening.
Cleaver declined, though, to answer questions about how much
first-hand experience she had on the global network. And Bill Burrington,
America Online Inc.'s assistant general counsel, said debate should center
on "what is going to work" to block children's access to obscene or
inappropriate "sites" on the network.
Burrington said a good start has been made with existing laws to
go after "bad actors" on the network, and he praised software products
that enable users to screen some material on the Internet.
-/- Hayes Settles Rockwell Suit -/-
For undisclosed terms, modem maker Hayes Microcomputer Products
Inc. says it has resolved all legal disputes with Rockwell
International Corp.
In a statement from Atlanta, Hayes says a "mutually satisfactory
out-of-court settlement" means:
-:- A supply of modem chips and chip sets to Hayes will continue
uninterrupted.
-:- Litigation no longer threatens to delay Hayes' emergence from
Chapter XI.
The statement adds Hayes expects the settlement to be approved by
the U.S. Bankruptcy Court soon. Last May, a federal judge ordered
emergency relief for Hayes by issuing a temporary injunction compelling
Rockwell to deliver all chips and chip sets required for Hayes' modem
production through July.
-/- Cray Computer to Sell Off Assets -/-
Cray Computer Corp., the Colorado firm founded by pioneering
supercomputer designer Seymour Cray, says it now has no hope of continuing
in business and will sell off its assets.
Commenting on the development, The Washington Post this morning says,
"Through decades of work, Seymour Cray made his name synonymous with
supercomputers. ... In 1989 he left his old company, Cray Research, and
founded Cray Computer to pursue a new generation of the behemoth machines.
But researchers became enamored of smaller, multiprocessor machines, the
Cold War ended and computer budgets fell. And Cray was late getting his
new creations to work."
While Cray Computer is collapsing, Cray Research remains very much
alive, the paper notes.
-/- Ohio Man Sues Because of Raid -/-
A Cincinnati, Ohio, area computer company owner has filed a federal
suit against the local sheriff's office and other agencies involved in
seizure of his computer equipment in a raid last month. Bob Emerson,
owner of Cincinnati Computer Connection in Batavia alleges in the civil
suit filed in U.S. District Court that authorities violated his First
Amendment rights.
The suit centers on a June 16 raid on homes and businesses during a
pornography investigation by the Regional Computer Crimes Task Force.
(Search warrants were executed at three locations in Hamilton County,
one in Clermont County, Ohio, and in neighboring Kenton County, Ky.)
United Press International reports the suit names as defendants
Hamilton County Sheriff Simon Leis Jr.; the sheriff's office; the
sheriff's office's Regional Computer Crimes Task Force and its commander,
Dale Menkhaus; the Union Township Police Department in Clermont County and
acting chief Michael Burns; and Cincinnati Police Chief Michael Snowden.
Since 1982, Emerson has operated a for-profit computer bulletin board
system that now has some 5,000 users. His suit accuses the defendants of
harassing him, threatening him with criminal prosecution and seizing his
equipment.
"The sheriff's department seized about $45,000 worth of computer
hardware and software from Emerson, who said he has lost about $28,000
in monthly subscriber revenues because of the raid," UPI says.
As reported, the sheriff's office says the raid was initiated after
receiving citizen complaints about obscene material being available from
the BBS. Emerson said access to adult-orientated material is restricted to
a limited number of adult subscribers who must first request access.
-/- SPA Targets Distributors -/-
The Software Publishers Association has started targeting
distributors in its war on software piracy. The Washington-based trade
group says preliminary injunctions have been served in three lawsuits
against five distributors that allegedly sold counterfeit copies of SPA
member software.
The lawsuits, filed on May 30 in California, are part of an
investigation undertaken by SPA on behalf of its members to stop the
unauthorized duplication and distribution of PC software. The injunctions
were served against E.V. International, M&S Associates, Stylin Multimedia
and MaxMedia Distributing Inc., which does business as Mr. CD ROM and
Softshoppe. The firms have been preliminarily enjoined from distributing
counterfeit versions of titles published by five SPA members. The suits
were initiated based on reports that the defendants, selling primarily
through organized trade shows in California, were distributing
unauthorized copies of software products.
The SPA retained private investigators who combed trade shows and,
in several cases, defendants' stores to identify and purchase suspect
products. The software involved include The Doctors Book of Home Remedies
from Compton's NewMedia Inc., Falcon Gold from Spectrum Holobyte Inc.,
Global Explorer from DeLorme Publishing Co., Wrath of the Gods from
Luminaria Inc. and DOOM II from id Software Inc.
The SPA is seeking damages and a permanent injunction against
further distribution of the plaintiffs' software. Each defendant faces
damages of up to $100,000 per work infringed, plus court costs and
attorneys fees. In addition, the SPA says it is seeking to identify the
defendants' suppliers of the counterfeit software.
-/- Intuit Signs Up Online Books -/-
Twenty companies -- including such large firms as Chase Manhattan
Corp., American Express Co. and Smith Barney Inc. -- are signing up to
use online banking services offered through Intuit Corp.'s Quicken
financial software.
"By striking partnerships with so many large corporations,"
reporter Timothy L. O'Brien writes in The Wall Street Journal this
morning, "Intuit will take a significant lead over such competitors as
Microsoft Corp. and a partnership of NationsBank Corp and BankAmerica
Corp. in the rapidly growing market for home-banking services delivered
on personal computers."
O'Brien notes that so far many consumers have been reluctant to use
home-banking services, allowing users to check their bank deposits and
credit-card balances by computer, transfer funds and pay bills
electronically, and manage their personal finances.
"But," he adds, "as more banks announce partnerships with software
companies and the software itself becomes easier to use, banks hope
that consumer usage will increase." Some analysts see home banking as a
way for financial institutions not only to cut costs but also to
increase their customer base nationwide.
"Right now," says the Journal, "a big question is which software
will become the industry standard. Microsoft, whose attempt to acquire
Intuit for $2 billion was recently scuttled because of antitrust
worries, has been making renewed efforts to interest banks in its own
personal-finance product, Money."
Earlier this month, Chemical Banking Corp., Bank of Boston Corp.,
and CoreStates Financial Corp. all announced partnerships with
Microsoft to provide home-banking services to their customers. But,
notes O'Brien, the three banks also have signed up with Intuit,
"indicating that the banks plan to offer various software packages to
see which is the most popular with home-banking customers."
The Journal notes the third major competitor in home banking is a
partnership of NationsBank and BankAmerica, recently purchased H&R
Block's Meca Software division, which publishes Managing Your Money.
__________________________________________
> Adaptec Support STR InfoFile
""""""""""""""""""""""""""""
System & Motherboard PCI Bridge Support
=======================================
Document #W21130
AHA-3940/ AHA-3985
Vendor System Processor AHA-3940W AHA-3980
*************************************************************************
A-trend ATC1563P Motherboard P54C-100 Yes
ACER AA700 Series System Yes
ACER AA7000 Series System Yes
ACER AA800 Series System Yes
ACER AA900 Series System Yes
ACER AEB8000 Series System Yes
ACER AP5C Motherboard P54C-100 Yes
ACER AP5CS Motherboard P54C-100 Yes
ACER DP5 Motherboard DUAL P54C-100 Yes
ACER LP5 Motherboard P54C-100 Yes
ACER M3 Motherboard P5-66 Yes
ACER M5 Plus Motherboard P5-66 Yes
ACER V12C Motherboard P54C-100 Yes
ACER V12P Motherboard P5-66 Yes
ACER V30 Motherboard P54C-100 Yes
AIR(UHC) 486PI Motherboard 486 Yes Yes
AIR(UHC) 54CDP Motherboard DUAL P54C-100 Yes Yes
AIR(UHC) 54CMI v1.1 Motherboard P54C-100 Yes
AIR(UHC) 54CPI Motherboard P54C-100 Yes Yes
AIR(UHC) 54CSH v1.0 Motherboard P54C-100 Yes
AIR(UHC) 54IDP Motherboard DUAL P54C-100 Yes
ASI 4DUPC Motherboard 486-50 Yes
ASI 4DUPM Motherboard 486-50 Yes
ASUS P/I-P55TP4XE Motherboard P54C-75/100 Yes Yes
ASUS PCI-486AP4 Motherboard 486-33 Yes
ASUS PCI/E-P54NP4 Motherboard DUAL P54C-75/100 Yes Yes
ASUS PCI/I-P54NP4D Motherboard DUAL P54C-75/100 Yes Yes
ASUS PCI/I-486SP3G Motherboard 486-33 Yes
ASUS PCI/I-54TP4 Motherboard P54C-100 Yes Yes
ASUS PCI/I-AP55T Motherboard P54C-75/120 Yes
ASUS PCI/I-P54NP4 Motherboard P54C-90 Yes Yes
ASUS PCI/I-P54SP5 Motherboard P54C-100 Yes
ASUS PCI/I-P5SP4 Motherboard P5-66 Yes
Chaintech 486 SPM Motherboard 486DX2-33 Yes
Chaintech 586IDM Motherboard P54C-100 Yes
Chaintech 586UBM Motherboard P54C-100 Yes
Compaq PCI Deskpro System Yes Yes
Compaq PCI Prolinea System Yes Yes
Compaq Proliant 1500 System P54C-100 Yes Yes
Compaq Prosignia 300 System P54C-90 Yes Yes
Compaq Prosignia 500 System P5-90 Yes Yes
DEC Prioris HX590 System P54C-90 Yes
DEC Prioris HX590DP System DUAL P54C-90 Yes
Dell Dimensions Power Edge 5100-2 P54C-100 Yes Yes
Dell Dimensions Power Edge 5120-2 P54C-120 Yes Yes
Dell Dimensions Power Edge 5133-2 P54C-133 Yes Yes
Dell Dimensions Power Edge 590-2 P54C-90 Yes Yes
DFI 586VPM Motherboard P54C-100 Yes
ECS SI54P-AIO Motherboard P54C-120 Yes
ECS TS54P-AIO Motherboard P54C-120 Yes
ECS TS54P-VIO Motherboard P54C-120 Yes
ECS UM8810P-AIO Motherboard 486-33 Yes
FIC PA2000 Motherboard P54C-100 Yes
FIC PIO2/486 Motherboard 486-33 Yes
FIC PN2000 Motherboard P54C-100 Yes
FIC PN3000 Motherboard P54C-90 Yes Yes
FIC PT2000 Motherboard P54C-100 Yes Yes
Gigabyte GA-486AM Motherboard 486DX4-75/100 Yes Yes
Gigabyte GA-586AL Motherboard P5-60/66 Yes Yes
Gigabyte GA-586AP Motherboard P54C-100 Yes Yes
Gigabyte GA-586AS Motherboard P54C-100 Yes
Gigabyte GA-586AT Motherboard P54C-75/150 Yes Yes
Intel Advanced/AL-100 Motherboard P54C-100 Yes Yes
Intel Advanced/AL-90 Motherboard P54C-90 Yes Yes
Intel Advanced/MN-100 Motherboard P54C-100 Yes Yes
Intel Advanced/MN-90 Motherboard P54C-90 Yes Yes
Intel Advanced/ZP-75 Motherboard P54C-75 Yes Yes
Intel Advanced/ZP-90 Motherboard P54C-90 Yes Yes
IWILL 486SP Motherboard 486DX-33 Yes
IWILL P54AS Motherboard P54C-100 Yes
IWILL P54SP Motherboard P54C-100 Yes
IWILL P54TS/TSW/TSW2 Motherboard P54C-75/133 Yes Yes
Micro-Star MS-5117 Motherboard P54C-75/133 Yes Yes
Micro-Star MS-5119 Motherboard P54C-75/133 Yes Yes
Micro-Star MS-5120 Motherboard P54C-75/133 Yes Yes
Micronics 09-00208-03A4 Motherboard P54C-100 Yes
Micronics M54Hi Motherboard P54C-75/120 Yes Yes
Micronics M54Pe Motherboard Dual P54C-90 Yes Yes
MITAC PB5400D Motherboard P54C-100 Yes
MITAC PH4500A Motherboard 486-33 Yes
MITAC PL4600C Motherboard 486-33 Yes
MITAC PL5400D Motherboard P54C-90 Yes
Mitsuba Mitsuba Pentium Base System P54C-90 Yes Yes
Muftek Mecer B885 Motherboard 486 Yes Yes
Muftek Mecer B920 Motherboard P5 Yes Yes
Olivetti SNX200 System P54C-100 Yes Yes
Olivetti SNX400 System P54C-100 Yes Yes
Siemens PCD-4H-PCI Motherboard 486DX2-66 Yes
SOYO 37A2 Motherboard 486-33 Yes
SOYO 5TA2 Motherboard P54C-100 Yes
SuperMicro P55CM Motherboard P54C-75/90/100/1 Yes Yes
SuperMicro P55CWA Motherboard P54C-75/90/100/1 Yes Yes
SuperMicro P55CWS Motherboard P54C-75/90/100/1 Yes Yes
TAKEN PCI580 Motherboard DUAL P54C-100 Yes
Tatung TCS-9570 Motherboard 486-33 Yes
If your system or motherboard is not on this list, IT MAY STILL WORK.
This list is the latest information available to us through first hand
testing.
If your motherboard or system is not listed, it is possible that it has
PCI Bridge support and will work. If not, the system supplier may have
a BIOS upgrade available which will add PCI Bridge support.
____________________________________
> LINUX Coverage Begins! STR Feature
""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""
WELCOME TO LINUX
================
by Scott Dowdle
Hi! I've been tasked with writing a column on Linux and I thought
that it would be a good idea to include my personal experience with it. I
have been using Linux for approximately three months, and I have virutally
no experience with any other flavor of Unix. Ah, but perhaps I'm getting
ahead of myself... most of you probably don't know what Linux is. I am
still a "newbie" with Linux so I think it a good idea, whenever possible,
to consult whatever authoritative Linux documents I can get my hands on.
Luckily there is a large amount of digital Linux reference material, as
well as printed books and magazines to help us on this journey. Over the
following few columns I hope to bring us all up to speed on what Linux is,
how to get it, and what it can do for you. Hang on tight because Linux is
very adventurous and reminescent of the earily days of computerdom when
"hacking" was a noble persuit.
Why learn about Unix when the vast majority of personal computer
users are plunking away at Microsoft DOS and Microsoft Windows? Well,
with the dawn of personal Internet Service Providers more and more people
are "getting online." The usage of the Internet has been growing at an
exponential rate for some time now... and given that the Internet was born
mostly from the gene-pool of Unix and Unix flavored Operating Systems, it
is becoming more important for the personal computer user to learn about
Unix so that some of the more complex issues of Internetworking may be
more easily comprehended. For those interested in starting up their own
Internet Service Provider systems, knowledge of Unix is a must. The Linux
Operating System can and is being used as the "brain" for many Internet
sites including such places as idsoftware.com (makers of the VERY POPULAR,
multiplatform game DOOM and DOOM II) and many others.
This first Linux column isn't going to be very ambitious; it's going to
start with the basics and build from there as time goes by. For those
that have any questions or comments, please feel free to send me Internet
email at dowdle@mcn.com. I'm also currently at dowdle@delphi.com but I'm
not sure how much longer I'm going to have that address. I can also be
reached via US Mail at the following address:
Scott Dowdle
STReport Magazine
P.O. Box 6672
Jacksonville, FL 32221-6155
A dictionary definition of Linux?
---------------------------------
The following is taken with permission from the pages of LINUX
JOURNAL MAGAZINE, a monthly printed magazine originating in Seattle
Washington that serves the Linux community world wide.
"Linux is a Unix-like operating system that can run
on the average personal computer. It is a free,
independent implementation of a superset of the
POSIX specification with which all true versions of
Unix comply. It is capable of running software
written for many different flavors of Unix. Linux
is available over the Internet from sunsite.unc.edu,
tsx-11.mit.edu, nic.funet.fi, ftp.cdrom.com, and
literally hundreds of other sites. It is also
available from various vendors, on floppies or
CD-ROM.
Linux is the kernel, the "core" operating system.
However, "Linux" is also used more loosely as the
term for all the software which goes together to
make a useable "Unix-like" system. There are many
people and organizations which put the kernel
together with other software to make complete
systems.
Many people around the world have worked together
to write Linux, under the direction of Linus
Torvalds, the original author, and each holds the
copyright to the code he or she has written. Linux
is NOT public domain software. It is protected by
the GNU Public Lincense, which (among other things)
specifies that the source code to Linux must always
remain freely available, but allows people to charge
money for Linux if they wish, as long as they do not
attempt to limit the redistribution of Linux.
Linux is being used today by hundreds of thousands
of people all over the world. It is used for
software development, networking (intra-office and
Internet), and as an end-user platform. People are
running bulletin board systems and companies on
Linux. Linux has become a cost-effective solution
to expensive Unix alternatives."
History of Linux?
-----------------
A lot has been written about the history of Linux so I'm going to
borrow yet again from someone who knows more than me about it. :) The
following quote comes from the book _LINUX INSTALLATION AND GETTTING
STARTED GUIDE_ by Matt Welsh. This book is part of the Linux
Documentation Project (more on that sometime in the future) and it is
available both digitally and in printed from... mainly because it is also
freely distributable as long as credit is given to the orignal author.
"Linux is a freely distributable version of UNIX
developed primarily by Linux Torvalds at the University
of Helsinki Finland. Linux was developed with the help
of many UNIX programmers and wizards across the Internet,
allowing anyone with enough know-how and gumption the
ability to develop and change the system. The Linux
kernel uses no code from AT&T or any other proprietary
source, and much of the software available for Linux is
developed by the GNU project at the Free Software
Foundation in Cambridge, Massachusetts. However,
programmers all over the world have contributed to the
growing pool of Linux software.
Linux was originally developed as a hobby project by Linus
Torvalds. It was inspired by Minix, a small UNIX system
developed by Andy Tanenbaum, and first discussions about
Linux were on the USENET newsgroup comp.os.minix. These
discussions were concerned mostly with the development of a
small, academic UNIX system for Minix users who wanted more.
The very early development of Linux was mostly dealing with
task-switching features of the 80386 protected-mode interface,
all written in assembly code. Linus writes,
'After that it was plain sailing: hairy coding still,
but I had some devices, and debugging was easier. I
started using C at this stage, and it certainly speeds
up developement. This is also when I start to get
serious about my megalomaniac ideas to make "A better
Minux than Minix". I was hoping I'd be able to
recompile gcc under Linux someday...
'Two months for basic setup, but then only slightly
longer until I had a disk driver (seriously buggy,
but it happened to work on my machine) and a small
filesystem. That was about when I made 0.01 available
[around late August of 1991]: it wsn't pretty, it
had no floppy driver, and it couldn't do much anything.
I don't think anybody every compiled that version. But
by then I was hooked, and didn't want to stop until I
could chuck out Minix.'
No announcement was ever made for Linux version 0.01. The 0.01
sources weren't even executable: they contained only the bare
rudiments of the kernel source, and assumed that you had access
to a Minix machine to compile and play with them.
On 5 October 1991, Linux announced the first 'official' version
of Linux, version 0.02. At this point, Linus was able to run
bash (the GNU Bourne Again Shell) and gcc (the GNU C compiler),
but not much else was working. Again, this was intended as a
hacker's system. The primary focus was kernel development ---
none of the issues of user support, documentation, distribution,
and so on had even been addressed. Today, the Linux community
still seems to treat these ergonomic issues as secondary to the
'real programming' --- kernel development.
Linus wrote in comp.os.minix,
'Do you pine for the nice days of Minix-1.1, when men
were men and wrote their own device drivers? Are you
without a nice project and just dying to cut your
teeth on an OS you can try to modify for your own
needs? Are you finding it frustrating when everything
works on Minix? No more all-nighters to get a nifty
program working? Then this post might be just for you.
'As I mentioned a month ago, I'm working on a free
version of a Minix-lookalike for the AT-386 computers.
It has finally reached the stage where it's even usable
(though may not be depending on what you want), and am
willing to put out the sources for wider distribution.
It is just version 0.02... but I've successfully run
bash, gcc, gnu-make, gnu-sed, compress, etc. under it.'
After version 0.03, Linus bumped the version number up to 0.10,
as more people started to work on the system. After several
further revisions, Linux increased the version number to 0.95,
to reflect his expectation that the system was ready for an
'official' release very soon. (Generally, software is not
assigned the version number 1.0 until it is theoretically
complete or bug-free.) This was March of 1992. Almost a year
and a half later, in late December of 1993, the Linux kernel was
still at version 0.99.pl14 --- asymptotically approaching 1.0.
As of the time of this writing, the current kernel is [1.2.11].
Today, Linux is a complete UNIX clone, capable of running X
Windows, TCP/IP, Emacs, UUCP, mail and news software, you name
it. Almost all of the major free software packages have been
ported to Linux, and commercial software is becoming available.
Much more hardware is supported than the original versions of
the kernel. Many people have executed benchmarkes on 80486
Linux systems and found them comparable with mid-range worksta-
tations from Sun Microsystems and Digital Equipment Corporation.
Who would have ever guessed that this 'little' UNIX clone would
have grown up to take on the entire world of personal computing?"
More to follow....
____________________________________________
> Frankie's Corner STR Feature
""""""""""""""""""""""""""""
HOW THINGS WORK IN BUSYTOWN
===========================
CD-ROM for IBM compatible computers
for ages 3 to 6
from Paramount Interactive
Program Requirements
--------------------
CPU: 386SX-20
OS: Dos 3.3
RAM: 2 megs
Video: VGA
CD-ROM: Double-speed recommended
Misc: Sound card, mouse
Climb aboard the Applecopter and enjoy a visit to the world of Busytown!
"How Things Work in Busytown" provides many hours of learning fun via a
series of entertaining exercises. The program uses the characters of
Richard Scarry to teach important lessons about problem solving, counting,
word recognition and vocabulary, cause and effect, pattern recognition and
teamwork.
Colorful graphics and charming music will grab the attention of your
child. The fun gameplay and enthusiastic vocal encouragement will keep
him in interested and learning. "How Things Work" (HTW) includes nine
learning areas covering many important learning concepts.
The program features an excellent point-and-click interface. It includes
audible help in all play areas at the phone booth The child can easily
get instructions for each exercise. The program has two levels of
difficulty. On "Easy," a flashing star indicates the child's next action.
On "Advanced," he gets no visible clues. The child will also have to make
"phone calls" to obtain supplies or tools for each exercise. These are
provided on the "Easy" level. HTW also has an excellent "Parent's Guide"
which explains all the learning concepts taught in the program and
includes a thorough troubleshooting guide.
HTW has nine learning areas. The Studio displays videos of seven songs
from the program. On the bottom of the screen, the lyrics are displayed
as captions and each word is highlighted as it is sung. The songs are
professionally done and quite entertaining. Children have the opportunity
to learn music appreciation and gain reading skills.
At the Recycle Plant, children will learn about recycling. Their task is
to sort the contents of a garbage truck into one of three recycling
machines. One is for paper, another for plastic and the final machine is
for metal. As the trash is sorted, a display shows the number of objects
in the machines. Once all the garbage has been sorted, the materials are
refined and sent to the Toy Factory. As each item is refined, the count
for that bin will be reduced by one. By watching the counters, children
can learn addition and subtraction.
The Toy Factory uses the refined recycled materials to build toys and
other useful items. An order for a product is shown in a window at the
top of the screen. The child must then choose the correct machine to
produce the correct material. Then he must manipulate the machine buttons
until the correct item is on the machine window and then press the green
button to make the product. For plastic items, the color can be
determined by properly throwing the levers controlling red, blue and
yellow pigments. Multiple levers can be used to mix colors.
Are you feeling hungry? Just visit the Bakery! Here children will learn
to follow recipes and proper sanitary procedures in the correct sequence
to bake many different items. Recipes are represented as pictograms and
ingredients are crossed off as they are added to the mixing bin. If the
child forgets to take a shower before kneading his dough, it becomes dirty
and must be thrown away. Children also learn about cooking safety as they
must use a long paddle to insert and remove goods from the stove. If he
has followed the recipe correctly, a happy customer will praise his
baking. If he made a mistake, the customer will criticize the product.
The Flour Mill gives children a puzzle challenge as they assemble the mill
by fitting mill parts into blank spaces on the screen. The name and
function of each part are described as the child places it in the correct
space. The child must then place his flour and bran sacks in the correct
places in the mill and then operate the correct levers to mill the wheat.
If the child does not follow the proper sequence, he will fail to make
flour or it may be wasted.
No trip to Busytown is complete without a trip to Turnip Goat's farm.
Children must follow sequential directions to plow, plant, water, and
harvest wheat. This portion of the program teaches scientific skills,
observation, attention to detail and problem-solving. Children learn to
use the correct farm implements for each portion of the farming process.
They must be careful to cover the entire field for each process.
Mr. Sweepy does more than just pick up garbage in the Garbage Truck game.
While he is picking up the trash, he is ever vigilant for people in need
of assistance. When a problem occurs, the child must drive the garbage
truck to a phone and then call the proper people to tow a car, clean a
chimney and more. Children will learn about being a good member of the
community.
Road Construction teaches how roads are built. Children will use a
bulldozer, a rock crusher, an asphalt spreader and several other pieces of
heavy equipment to construct a highway. Learning concepts in this
activity are following directions, sequencing, operating levers on
machinery and problem solving. Most children love construction equipment
so they will find this portion of HTW to be very interesting.
The final activity area is the Assembly Plant. All the machinery used in
Busytown is assembled here. Children follow a diagram to place each part
of the machine onto its pattern on the frame. Recognizing patterns,
following directions and learning vocabulary are the concepts emphasized
in this activity.
One of the more important concepts that HTW teaches is about community
relationships. Children will learn just how many people are involved in
making a loaf of bread or any other item. People have to assemble the
necessary machines, the farmer has to grow and harvest the wheat. The
wheat must be transported to the mill where it is ground into flour. Then
it must be sent to the bakery to be made into bread. Children will
observe that each person in the chain must do their job well or the
product will suffer.
"How Things Work in Busytown" is a very enchanting and educational
program. The highest recommendation I can give for a program is that my
children enjoy it. HTW is one of the few programs that can enthrall my
children for an hour or more at a sitting.
Ratings
Graphics ............ 9.0
Sound ............... 9.5
Interface ........... 9.0
Play Value .......... 9.5
Educational Value ... 9.0
Bang for the Buck ... 9.5
Average ............. 9.25
###
If you have any comments, suggestion or reviews, my new e-mail address is
fsereno@matrix.uti.com or you fax me at 815-942-4469. Snail mail can be
sent to:
Frank Sereno
STReport Magazine
P.O. Box 6672
Jacksonville, FL 32221-6155
Thanks for reading!
_______________________________________________
> COREL NewsLetter STR InfoFile
"""""""""""""""""""""""""""""
FROM COREL TO YOU
=================
July, 1995
----------
Dear Corel Software Enthusiast:
Greetings from Corel! This month our attention is focused on preparing for
the release of CorelDRAW 6 and the Corel $2,000,000 World Design Contest
in Ottawa, Canada on August 10th. We continue to release a barrage of new
products in our CD Home and Professional Photo CD product lines. New
products designed for Windows `95 are in development and scheduled for
release in the coming months.
On June 28th, Corel officially announced the pricing policy for CorelDRAW
6. CorelDRAW 6 is Corel's first 32-bit Windows `95 offering. It
represents the most comprehensive and complete graphics suite developed to
date by Corel Corporation. The product is on schedule to ship in late
August and it will contain four full-featured software modules and nine
utilities, plus extensive libraries of fonts, clipart images, symbols, 3D
models and photos.
CorelDRAW 6 includes the following software modules:
----------------------------------------------------
CorelDRAW: a comprehensive vector-based drawing application
Corel PHOTO-PAINT: a powerful paint and photo retouching application
CorelDREAM 3D: a 3D modeling and rendering application
Corel PRESENTS: a business and multimedia presentation application
In conjunction with the launch of CorelDRAW 6, we are mailing CorelDRAW
registered users in North America an invitation to attend a FREE seminar
in 28 cities from August 24-31. These events are open to the general
public and we invite you to come and see the exciting features in the new
version. The seminars focus on DRAW 6, Photo- Paint 6, Corel Presents and
CorelDREAM 3D. All seminars take place from 9 am to 12 noon with the
exception of Orange County, California. Corel is giving away free copies
of CorelDRAW 6, Stock Photo Library, CorelFLOW and CD Creator at each
seminar. Approved Service Bureaus and Training Centers will also be in
attendance. For more information on the CorelDRAW 6 Preview Tour call
Corel's Customer Service for the date and location nearest you or you
can request information via the Corel FaxBack System at 613-728-0826,
extension 3080 and request Document #1080. Space is limited so you must
call to reserve a seat for the city nearest you. To reserve your seat call
613- 728-0826 extension 85095.
Previews of CorelDRAW 6 for the general public are also scheduled for the
United Kingdom, Australia, New Zealand, Singapore, Hong Kong, Kuala
Lumpur, Jakarta, and Bangkok in the end of August.
CorelDRAW 6 will be available exclusively on CD-ROM with a suggested list
price of $695 US. CorelDRAW 3 and CorelDRAW 4 customers can upgrade to
CorelDRAW 6 at a suggested retail price of $425 US for the CD-ROM version.
CorelDRAW 5 customers can upgrade to CorelDRAW 6 for a special upgrade
price of $249 US. To order CorelDRAW 6 please contact your local reseller
or call Corel Customer Service. In North America call 1-800-772-6735.
Comprehensive documentation on CorelDRAW 6 product features will be
available after July 15th. A `white paper' covering the new features in
the product will be posted on our FaxBack System, in the Corel Forum on
CompuServe and through the Internet on CorelNET and on the Corel Home
Page.
In conjunction with the release of CorelDRAW 6, Corel is adjusting its
existing technical support policies. To meet the expected increase in
technical support issues related to Windows'95 and the CorelDRAW 6
product, Corel is expanding its in-house support team. In order to help
customers through the initial learning curve, Corel is offering 90 days of
free support on a toll line from the official release date of the product.
Thereafter, customers will be offered 30 days of free support on a toll
line from the date of their first technical support call. Free support
within the warranty period will be offered directly from Corel's in-house
support department. Extended support beyond the warranty period will be
offered to Corel customers by third party suppliers. Existing support
plans will remain in effect for all other products.
In Europe, Corel Ireland will handle all warranty support calls as per the
above plan. Corel Ireland will also handle post-warranty support along
with Corel Approved Support Partners. Corel is continuing to qualify and
add new `Approved' Support Partners in all markets world-wide.
Although Corel is not shipping a diskette version of CorelDRAW 6 to
retailers, diskettes will be available to our customers as a special
order. CorelDRAW 6 is the equivalent of 40 diskettes. Customer Service
Centers will handle requests for the diskettes from registered CorelDRAW 6
users who have purchased the CD-ROM version. Users will be required to pay
$149 US as a supplement to the purchase of the CD-ROM version of
CorelDRAW6.
Special corporate site license pricing is set for CorelDRAW 6. The site
licenses are available for both the full retail version and the upgrade.
Ideal for corporate customers, the license pricing model offers discounts
for customers with requirements for 20+, 50+, 100+, or 250+ users. For
more information on license certificates and pricing, please contact
Corel's Corporate Resellers or our Customer Service department.
Corel's CD HOME department is shipping more new exciting multimedia titles
for children this month. Scheduled for release before the end of July are
these 3 new titles - Wild Board Games, Nikolai's Trains, and Blue
Tortoise.
Wild Board Games contains 5 popular children's games for ages 4 to 10. It
also includes fun hot spot animations. Learning how to play chess,
checkers, reversi, snakes and ladders and unscrambling puzzles has never
been this much fun! Play any of these popular board games against a cast
of zany, fully-animated cartoon opponents in a variety of fun-filled
settings_the attic, the basement, the backyard and the kitchen. In
addition, each room contains exciting activities such as a paint editor,
cake decorator, arcade game, doll maker and a switch puzzle. Wild Board
Games has a suggested list price of $39.95 US and is both Windows 3.1 and
Mac compatible.
Nikolai's Trains is a story of two friends_Nikolai and his toy cat
Neow-Neow. Each colorful page in this fully-interactive CD-ROM has dozens
of enjoyable animations set to a background of music and art. Children
will learn about the solar system, trains, diesel engines, or discover the
ecosystem all within the context of this story designed for children
between the ages of 4 to 8. Nikolai's Trains is an English/Japanese CD-ROM
supporting both Windows 3.1 and Macintosh based systems. The title has a
suggested list price of $39.95 US.
Based on the popular children's book by Alan Rogers, Blue Tortoise is a
fun-filled interactive storybook on CD-ROM featuring colorful pages and
dozens of activities. Designed for children ages 3 to 6, this story
recounts the tale of the Tortoise's race to the picnic. You can have the
narrator read the story out loud to your child in either English or
Spanish. An electronic coloring book is also included which allows
children to color each storybook page. The pages they color can then be
saved and used to create a slide show. Blue Tortoise has a suggested list
price of $39.95 US and supports both Windows 3.1 and Mac compatible
systems.
We're very excited to bring you these new products and we look forward to
your questions and comments. With all of the new products scheduled for
this fall we are planning to visit your area with `Product Showcase'
events in order to meet with you and demonstrate these new technologies.
We encourage you to make arrangements to attend the scheduled events in
your area. Corel Technical Specialists and Support Partners will be on
hand to answer your questions. Watch for mailings and information
on-line regarding these upcoming events.
Thank you for expressing interest in Corel software, please call if you
have additional questions.
Arlen Bartsch
Director, Sales/Marketing
Corel Corporation
__________________________________________
> Designer 6.0 STR InfoFile
"""""""""""""""""""""""""
MICROGRAFX DESIGNER 6.0
Among the First to Support
MICROSOFT OFFICE FOR WINDOWS 95
Product Featured by Microsoft as an Example of Binder
Usage by an Office-Compatible Vendor
Micrografx, Inc. announced that Micrografx Designer (TM) 6.0, the upcoming
version of the company's flagship illustration software for the Microsoft
Windows (R) 95 operating system, will fully comply with the interface
and technical specifications of Microsoft(R) Office for Windows 95.
Micrografx Highlighted by Microsoft at PC Expo
----------------------------------------------
Micrografx was featured in a presentation at Microsoft's booth during the
recent PC Expo trade show held in New York City. Micrografx was featured
due to its Office Binder functionality in the upcoming Designer 6.0. In
addition, Designer was one of three Office-compatible applications
highlighted at the Office 95 launch held on June 20, 1995 in conjunction
with the New York PC User Group.
Using the metaphor of a traditional three-ring binder for compiling and
distributing documents, Office Binders allow users to easily collect,
print and distribute collections of varied document types in a coordinated
and comprehensive way. Each section of the Binder can contain a different
file type, and the Binder itself can easily be posted on a network so
colleagues can contribute and edit different sections of the Binder at the
same time.
"Micrografx Designer 6.0 is a great example of the integration
capabilities of Office-compatible products," said Chris Peters, vice
president, Office Product Unit of Microsoft. "Micrografx's support for
the Office Binder will enable users to easily integrate graphics with text
and other data types seamlessly into a single document."
Designer 6.0 is expected to be available within 30-45 days after the
release of Windows 95, which is currently scheduled for August 24. The
product will take full advantage of the Windows 95 operating system
benefits, such as multithreading and the interface attributes common
to all Windows 95 and Office 95-based applications. Micrografx Designer
6.0 will carry both the Windows 95 and Office 95 logos upon shipment.
"Micrografx Designer's strengths in technical documentation make the
Binder feature a perfect extension for current and future users of
Office," said Darryl Worsham, product manager at Micrografx. "By
combining full-document viewing, multiple page support and multiple layer
support, the Binder feature provides an intuitive way for users to combine
data from several applications into a single, easy-to-manage document."
Microsoft's highlighting of Designer 6.0 at PC Expo continues the close
relationship between Micrografx and Microsoft, which began at Spring
Comdex 1994 when Microsoft chairman Bill Gates showed a Windows NT version
of Micrografx Picture Publisher (R) on stage during his keynote address.
The relationship continued with Microsoft's use of Picture Publisher(R)
for Windows 95 during the recent Windows 95 World Tour, and will culminate
with shipping Micrografx applications expected to be available within
30-45 days after Windows 95.
Micrografx develops and markets graphics software to meet the creative
needs of everyone who uses a personal computer. Founded in 1982,
Micrografx has become a leading software publisher by responding quickly
to customer and worldwide market needs. The company's U.S. operations are
based in Richardson, Texas, with a development office in San Francisco.
International subsidiaries include Canada, the United Kingdom, France,
Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Australia, and Japan.
* * * *
Microsoft, Windows and Windows NT are either registered trademarks or
trademarks of Microsoft Corp. in the United States and/or other
countries.
_____________________________________
> Mustang News & Support STR InfoFile
"""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""
MUSTANG SOFTWARE INTRODUCES INDUSTRY'S FIRST ON-LINE
COMMUNICATIONS SOFTWARE FOR WINDOWS 95
New Generation Program Offers Users 32-Bit, Multi-threaded Performance
Price: $69 Upgrade
$129 New
Mustang Software, Inc. (Nasdaq: MSTG) plans to ship the industry's first
aftermarket on-line communications software for Windows 95 -- QmodemPro
for Windows 95 version 2.0, in conjunction with Microsoft's release of
Windows 95, scheduled for August 24, 1995. QmodemPro offers the consumer a
wide array of features including file transfers, terminal emulation, TAPI
and OLE 2.0 all utilizing full 32-bit multi-threaded technology.
With their newest release, Mustang hopes to define its position as an
industry leader with the ability to drive the communications market and
fill consumer needs in short order. "As communications specialists, we
immediately recognized that consumers weren't going to be satisfied with
the terminal software included with Windows 95," explains Mustang CEO Jim
Harrer.
QmodemPro allows computer users to take full advantage of their modems,
whether they are connecting to a computer Bulletin Board System (BBS),
corporate mainframe or another PC to transfer data and files. It has
numerous features beyond the Windows 95 standard terminal program,
including a phone book, a Telnet client, programmable toolbar, graphic
viewer, OLE 2.0 drag & drop handling, script language, macro keys, host
mode, 35 terminal emulations and 11 file transfer protocols.
Features Enhanced On-line Sessions
----------------------------------
QmodemPro boasts an impressive 35 terminal emulations so that on-line
sessions operate smoothly no matter what the remote connection expects.
Among the wide variety of emulations are ANSI, RIPscrip, VT100, VT220,
VT320, IBM 3270, and WYSE 30 through 185. In addition to terminal
emulations, users can take advantage of keyboard remapping and macro
definition to customize the terminal to their specific needs.
QmodemPro's Phone Book gives the user a place to store their most
frequently dialed systems such as a BBS or Mainframe. Once a system has
been added to the phone book, the user can reference the system with an
icon of their choice for easy point and click operation. Phone Books can
be sorted a variety of ways, and individual Phone Book Icons can be
dragged and dropped directly on the Windows 95 desktop to create a
shortcut to a specific entry. Other impressive features in QmodemPro
include a programmable toolbar and graphical file viewer. The toolbar can
be customized from nearly 50 different program function icons which can be
moved and arranged to create a truly personalized interface. The graphical
file viewer can be used to display files in GIF (graphics interchange
format), BMP (bit map) and JPEG (joint photographic experts group)
formats. As more and more BBSs include graphic files in their file
libraries, the viewer can be configured to fully automate the display of
graphics while downloading, and even offers a zoom feature for close-up
inspection.
Taking advantage of true 32-bit multithreading technology, QmodemPro's
file transfer protocols deliver exceptional CPS rates even when minimized
on the taskbar. Every major protocol is supported, including Zmodem,
CompuServe B+, Ymodem, Xmodem and ASCII, and they can even be used during
a telnet connection.
QmodemPro offers the user a powerful script language with QuickLearn
capabilities for automating on-line sessions and creating custom
interfaces. Modeled after the BASIC programming language, the script
language offers both a compiler and debugger, seldom found in
communication script languages. Coupled with the new syntax highlighting
editor that makes code much easier to read, it's easy for even a novice to
create and debug powerful applications with minimal effort.
Windows 95 allows Mustang to Add Features to QmodemPro
------------------------------------------------------
With the Windows 95 platform, Mustang has been able to add many new
features to QmodemPro. Some of these features include:
TAPI (telephony API) support, enabling the sharing of communication
devices between multiple applications like Microsoft Exchange Fax system,
QmodemPro's Host Mode, Dial-Up Networking and other applications which may
need to share the modem. Credit card dialing and international dialing is
handled seemlessly.
MAPI (mail API) support enabling users to transfer text, images and files
to many of the major electronic mail programs including Exchange,
Microsoft Mail and cc:Mail.
OLE 2.0 support enables the user to drag a phone book entry directly to
the Windows 95 Desktop and connect to that service right from the desktop
by clicking on the icon. Transferring files to another location (uploads)
can also be done using OLE by dragging files from other applications such
as Explorer to the QmodemPro upload box. Users can also drag text from the
terminal screen to another application or the desktop, giving them total
control of the information.
Long file names and path support enables the user to make full use of the
Windows 95 file structure, an especially handy feature when connecting to
other long file name systems through Dial-Up Networking and Telnet
connections.
Product Offers Enhanced Features for Telnet Sessions
----------------------------------------------------
QmodemPro incorporates access to the Internet by taking advantage of the
built-in support for it in Windows 95. Besides modem communication, users
can now establish Telnet connections to remote sites using QmodemPro's
phone book. The user simply replaces the normal phone number entry with
the desired Internet address. Instead of dialing, QmodemPro routes the
user to the remote computer. The advantage for the user is he/she has all
the benefits of QmodemPro's impressive list of emulations and file
transfer protocols during the telnet session, such as a Zmodem file
transfer from a BBS located on the Internet.
Mustang addresses Internet security issues by implementing automatic
password encryption in QmodemPro for Windows, utilizing the RSA Data
Security, Inc. MD5 Message-Digest Algorithm. In order for it to be
effective, the remote host system must also support the MD5 secure
password feature, such as Mustang's own Wildcat! BBS product. Whenever
QmodemPro is used to telnet into a Wildcat! BBS, the user's password is
first encrypted before it is sent over the Internet so it can't be
compromised.
Features that Set QmodemPro Apart
---------------------------------
Users will benefit from other features found in QmodemPro, including
support for sound files that lets users attach .WAV files of their choice
to specific events such as a completed "download" or "disconnect".
The scrollback buffer size is configurable, allowing each user to decide
how many lines of text should be stored in case they later want to see
something that scrolled off the screen.
Up to 40 Macro Keys can be defined and customized for each dialing entry.
One click of a button and a key can send predefined text, run a script or
call up one of QmodemPro's internal features like the editor or graphic
file viewer.
Font selection is automatically based on window size, allowing each user
to control the size of terminal screen characters by simply re-sizing the
program window. QmodemPro will find the largest terminal font that will
fit in the window, eliminating repeated guesswork.
A special File Clipboard allows users to grab file names from the terminal
window for recall later. For example, when prompted by a BBS or CompuServe
for a file to download, the user recalls the names from the special
clipboard instead of having to type in each file name.
QmodemPro fully supports Trimark's "Doorway mode", popular among BBSs for
allowing full keyboard control, including function keys with the remote
program.
QmodemPro Allows Users to Take Advantage of Windows 95 Advanced Features
------------------------------------------------------------------------
"To benefit from the 32-bit horsepower provided by Windows 95, computer
users need applications specifically designed to harness it. Using your
old 16-bit communications software in a 32-bit environment will work, but
it will adversely affect the performance of the entire system," notes
Mustang's CEO/President Jim Harrer. "The new QmodemPro delivers advanced
features and performance in a specifically-designed 32-bit package that
keep other Windows 95 applications humming."
"With this first telecommunications software for Windows 95 and our new
version of our Wildcat! Bulletin Board Systems software, which will be
launched in the fourth quarter, Mustang should significantly enhance its
market position," he added.
QmodemPro for Windows 95 will be available through national retail chains
such as Software Etc., Babbages, Comp USA, Computer City, Electronic
Boutique, Egghead, and other software outlets and will carry a suggested
retail price of $129.00. Mustang's products are also carried through
several national distributors including Ingram Micro, Merisel and
DistribuPro.
Existing Qmodem and QmodemPro customers will be able to upgrade to
QmodemPro for Windows 95 for $69. Mustang is offering these users an early
bird upgrade special of $49 if they order by September 30, 1995.
MUSTANG SOFTWARE UPGRADES WILDCAT! BBS PRODUCT LINE
WITH
BILLING AND SECURITY FEATURES
Mustang Software, Inc. (Nasdaq: MSTG) announces the introduction of
Wildcat! 4.11, an upgrade to its bulletin board system (BBS) software that
features new billing and security capabilities.
MSI Offers New Billing Add-On
-----------------------------
The most important feature of Wildcat! 4.11 is its support for wcBILLING,
a new add-on utility available from MSI. This new add-on allows system
operators (sysops) to track callers' use of their BBS resources and bill
for their use instantly.
Previously, Wildcat! BBSs were limited to charging callers a prepaid flat
rate that covered a monthly or annual time period. Now with wcBILLING,
sysops can design their BBSs to require prepay, postpay or a combination
of the two for itemized resources used, such as reading and writing
messages, uploading and downloading files, using doors or chat sessions,
and more. Sysops may also bill their callers for each minute connected to
their BBSs.
Sysops may also use the add-on utility as a management tool to track and
create reports on the popularity of particular BBS resources and the
frequent users of those resources. This data can be exported to DBF, fixed
length or comma-delimited ASCII format for use in accounting software
packages. Reports and invoices can be printed, saved as a file or sent as
an e-mail message over the BBS.
The market research gained through wcBILLING can assist sysops in planning
the future of their BBSs and projecting revenue for resources added to
their BBSs.
Secure Internet Logins Supported Now
------------------------------------
With this new version, Wildcat! BBSs that are connected to the Internet
can now offer their callers a more secure way to log in through a telnet
connection. The RSA Data Security, Inc. MD5 Message-Digest Algorithm has
been implemented which was developed as a result of the concern for the
lack of security of data sent across the Internet. Hackers can "sniff" out
another person's connection to the Internet and watch what they send to
the other end. If it happens to be their password, then their account can
be compromised. By using MD5 secure passwords, the telnet user never needs
to send an unprotected password across the Internet to log in to a
Wildcat! 4.11 BBS. With MD5 support also now available in QmodemPro for
Windows 1.11c, MSI offers a totally secure telecommunications environment
when connected to the Internet.
DIZ Style File Listing Mode Added, Message Editor Improved
----------------------------------------------------------
The new Wildcat! version incorporates the BBS-industry-standard DIZ
(Description In Zip) style file listing mode for BBS file descriptions.
"During beta testing of Wildcat! 4.11, the DIZ style file listings
received overwhelmingly positive response from customers," noted MSI
President and Chief Executive Officer Jim Harrer.
Improvements to the message editor were included in the new version as
well. The automatic quoting system now wraps, rather than truncates,
previously unquoted material during message replies. In addition, callers
may now set Wildcat! to automatically spell check their messages when they
are saved.
Wildcat! is offered in five separate versions, starting with the $129
single line package popular with the hobbyist sysop. The product line
extends to the Wildcat! BBS Suite for $999, the most complete BBS solution
in the industry.
Upgrades to Wildcat! 4.11 will be available on June 20 to registered users
of Wildcat! 4.0 and 4.1 for $30 direct from MSI. The wcBILLING add-on
requires Wildcat! 4.11 and is available at a manufacturer's suggested
retail price of $149. MSI is offering an introductory price of $79 for
wcBILLING orders placed directly before July 31.
Wildcat! products are available nationwide on the retail level through
such outlets as CompUSA, Software, Etc., Computer City and Electronic
Boutique, and through major distributors including Ingram Micro of Santa
Ana, California, Merisel of El Segundo, California, and DistribuPro of
Santa Clara, California.
QMODEMPRO FOR WINDOWS V1.11C
RELEASED AS FREE PATCH UPDATE
Adds password protection on the Net
-----------------------------------
QmodemPro for Windows v1.11c adds support for secure passwords by using
the RSA Data Security, Inc. MD5 Message-Digest Algorithm. This feature is
primarily designed for outbound telnet sessions using the COMt
communication driver for Windows. Your favorite communications package can
now be used for telnet with the added benefit of maintaining the
confidentiality of your password to remote systems.
Secure your connection! Protect your password from prying eyes!
---------------------------------------------------------------
The net is not a secure entity and we want your password on our BBS to
remain private. Wildcat has implemented MD5 secure password protection at
login and you can make use of it with QmodemPro for Windows! We want to
keep your account with us private and we know that you have the same goal.
You owe it to yourself to connect ONLY with a secure connection!
Get the free patch to QMWIN v1.11c and never again send your actual
password over the net. Download or ftp QWIN111C.EXE and COMT.ZIP and set
yourself up for MD5 encryption and get the ability to download your
favorite files using a program that has been fine-tuned for BBS
connections. If you don't already have QmodemPro for Windows you really
should consider make an investment, if only to protect your connections.
How it works
------------
MD5 secure passwords is an encryption specification that allows a host and
caller to exchange a password without actually sending the password. The
MD5 secure passwords option is automatically used any time you connect
with a host that is capable of exchanging MD5 encrypted information, if
dialed from the phonebook entry for this site, and your password is
entered in the PASSWORD field of the dialing directory entry. It will be
used any time the host sends the appropriate handshake immediately after
connection, regardless of whether the connection is dial-in or telnet. MD5
operates by having the host (BBS) send a handshake with a unique string of
text immediately after answering the call. The string of text is received
by the caller and is used as a seed to encrypt the password, which is sent
back to the host system. The host performs the same encryption with the
same seed and compares its result with the result received from the
caller. If they match the caller is not asked for a password.
____________________________________________
> Taking a Look! STR FOCUS!
"""""""""""""""""""""""""
Microsoft WINDOWS 95
=====================
IBM OS/2 Warp
The following charts provide a summary comparison of OS/20 Warp, Version 3
and Windows'95 features, including multitasking characteristics,
application environments, and bundled productivity tools.
Part 1
------
Feature Warp Windows 95
======= ==== ==========
32-bit Window Management Yes Yes
Folder Work Areas Yes Yes
32-bit Graphics Subsystem Yes Yes
32-bit Printing Subsystem Yes Yes
Launch Pad Yes Yes
32-bit Multimedia Subsystem Yes Yes
Drag & Drop Deletion Yes Yes
32-bit Kernel Yes Yes
Drag & Drop Faxing Yes Yes
Demand Paged Virtual Memory Yes Yes
Drag & Drop Access Paths Yes Yes
Non-locking Input Queue Yes Yes
Robust, Full featured File Explorer No Yes
Object Type Templates Yes Yes
Parent Folder Closing Options Yes Yes
MultiTasking TaskBar No Yes
Plug 'N' Play Implementation Yes Yes
Image Viewer Yes Yes
QuickView Included No Yes
Photo CD Support Yes Yes
16-bit Windows Applications No Yes
Fast, Efficient Disk Compression No Yes
Universal Compatibility Some Most
Screen Font Smoothing No Yes
32-bit Windows PM Applications No Yes
Simple Hassle Free Installation No Yes
Play any Audio File from Internet Yes Yes
Win32s Applications Yes Yes
Audio/Video Synch Manager Yes Yes
MPEG Support Yes Yes
Preemptive Multitasking4 Yes Yes
32-bit Audio/Video Playback Yes Yes
Win 16 Application Support Yes Yes
Win 16 Device Driver Support Yes Yes
Popular Needed Device Drivers Incl. Some Yes
Popular 32-bit Apps Available Few Yes
TCP/IP - PPP - SLIP Included Some Yes
Internet Access Tools Yes Yes
FTP Yes Yes
Telnet Yes Yes
Gopher Yes Yes
WEB Browser Yes Yes
Smart URL's No Yes
Preemptive of 32-bit Windows Apps No Yes
Preemptive of DOS Applications Yes Yes
Preemptive of Win 16 Applications Yes Yes
Preemptive of mixed 16/32 Apps Yes Yes
Word Processor Yes Yes
Multiple, Protected Win 16 VDMs Yes Yes
Electronic Mail Yes Yes
Crash Protection Yes Yes
Image Viewer Yes Yes
Preemptive Multithreading Yes Yes
FAX Cover Page Editor No Yes
FAX Yes Yes
Phonebook Yes Yes
System Info Yes Yes
Powerful Enhancements Available No Yes
All information obtain via reliable, non-confidential
sources that are readily verifiable.
Non-inclusive of Last Minute Changes.
""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""
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
""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""
___ ___ _____ _______
/___| /___| /_____| /_______/
/____|/____| /__/|__| /__/
/_____|_____|/__/_|__|/__/
/__/|____/|__|________|__/
/__/ |___/ |__|_/ |__|_/_____
/__/ |__/ |__|/ |__|______/
________________________________________
/_______________________________________/
MAC/APPLE SECTION (II)
======================
John Deegan, Editor (Temp)
> PageMaker 6.0 STR InfoFile
""""""""""""""""""""""""""
Adobe Systems Announces
ADOBE PAGEMAKER 6.0
===================
Major Upgrade Adds 50 New Features
----------------------------------
Seattle, Wash. (July 17, 1995) (Nasdaq:ADBE)!Commemorating the tenth
anniversary of the shipment of Aldus PageMaker 1.0, Adobe Systems
Incorporated today announced Adobe PageMaker 6.0 for the Apple
Macintosh/Power Macintosh and Windows 95 platforms, a major upgrade that
adds more than 50 new and enhanced features to the world's leading
professional page composition software.
The first major upgrade to the program since the merger between Aldus
Corporation and Adobe Systems Incorporated, Adobe PageMaker 6.0 offers a
range of powerful new features emphasizing versatile color publishing,
flexible page design, expert printing and prepress controls, extensibility
via plug-ins, and enhanced compatibility and integration with other Adobe
products as part of the Adobe publishing solution. In addition, PageMaker
6.0 features new technology for creating publications in Adobe's Portable
Document Format (PDF) and authoring Hypertext Markup Language documents
(HTML) for electronic publishing on the World Wide Web.
"Version 6.0's new professional features and electronic publishing tools
keep Adobe PageMaker at the forefront of publishing technology," said Mike
Peronto, vice president of Adobe Publishing Products. "And, with its
tighter integration with Adobe's other world-class graphics and publishing
products, PageMaker is uniquely positioned to be the product of choice for
creative professionals."
Versatile Color Publishing
--------------------------
Appealing to high-end publishing professionals, Adobe PageMaker 6.0 adds
nearly a dozen new color features. Among the most significant color
publishing enhancements in version 6.0 are: the Kodak Precision Color
Management System (CMS), complete Photo CD support with auto-sharpening
capabilities, RGB-to-CMYK TIFF conversion, and expanded PANTONE color
libraries!including the PANTONE Hexachrome libraries.
The Kodak Precision Color Management System helps PageMaker 6.0 users
ensure accurate and consistent color from scanning to on-screen
manipulation, proofing, and final output. Automatic sharpening and
color-management of imported Kodak Photo CD images in PageMaker streamline
the workflow of the production-focused user. Expanded PANTONE color
libraries allow the specification of inks such as metallics, fluorescents,
and pastels directly in PageMaker, while support for such advanced
printing technologies as the PANTONE Hexachrome libraries extends the
gamut of process color printing by permitting the use of more than the
four standard process colors.
"The fidelity of PMS colors on the screen is greatly improved," said Jim
Dornbos, beta tester and owner of service bureau Dornbos Press. "By
supporting high-fidelity color, PageMaker gives us the tools and
flexibility to print the expanded color gamuts customers want. Adobe keeps
providing more and more reasons to use PageMaker instead of the
competition."
Page Design Enhancements
------------------------
New page layout features, designed with substantial input from PageMaker
users, include: multiple master pages, grouping and ungrouping, a new
Table Editor, position locking and unlocking of elements, polygon drawing,
a zoom tool, the ability to mask text and graphics, automatic alignment
and distribution of objects, user-definable grids, improved automatic
kerning, and the ability to move selected elements forward or backward.
"PageMaker's multiple master pages are great, especially for creating
catalogs and magazines," said beta tester Doug Lidster, owner of catalog
publisher Woodsmith Corporation. "Adobe has added a lot of power without
making the product foreign to longtime users like us. All the new features
are intuitive."
Expert Printing and Prepress
----------------------------
New printing and prepress features of Adobe PageMaker 6.0 include
integrated automatic color trapping with sophisticated trapping controls,
such as the ability to specify trap width, trapping thresholds, black
attributes, and the ability to auto-overprint black text, lines and fills.
Print Fit view displays the relationship between the page and paper or
film to ensure a proper fit, while reader's spreads allow for printing of
two-page spreads. PageMaker 6.0 also offers the option to designate
objects as nonprinting, which can speed output and allows users to make
production notes directly on the page.
Enhanced Compatibility and Adobe Product Integration
----------------------------------------------------
Adobe PageMaker 6.0 has several new features that enhance compatibility
with other Adobe products. PageMaker users can apply Adobe Photoshop
special effects from Adobe Photoshop plug-ins, such as Kai's Power Tools
and Gallery Effects, to images directly in PageMaker. Additional
compatibility includes hot links to Adobe Photoshop, the ability to save
publications in PageMaker 5.0 format, and OLE 2.0 client support.
Electronic Publishing Features
------------------------------
Anticipating the transition of print-based publishing to on-line delivery,
Adobe PageMaker 6.0 provides new tools for the electronic distribution of
publications. The Create Adobe PDF plug-in enables PageMaker documents to
be saved seamlessly in Adobe's Portable Document Format, complete with
automatic hypertext links, bookmarks, and article threads. PDF files can
then be distributed electronically, including on CD-ROM or the World Wide
Web. PDF files can also be viewed and printed across Macintosh, Windows,
DOS, and UNIX platforms. PageMaker 6.0 includes new templates for
on-screen design, making it even easier to design interactive, on-line
documents. The HTML Author plug-in lets users convert PageMaker
publications into HTML format for distribution on the World Wide Web.
Windows 95 Compatibility
------------------------
Adobe Systems has worked closely with Microsoft Corporation to ensure that
PageMaker 6.0 will be one of the first major applications released for
Windows 95. A 32-bit program, PageMaker 6.0 will take full advantage of
the new user interface, performance enhancements, and memory management
promised by Windows 95. PageMaker 6.0 for Windows will be shipped with Win
32s dynamic linking libraries (DLLs) to enable users of the 16-bit Windows
3.1 to use the new features in version 6.0.
Extra Value CD-ROMs
-------------------
Adobe PageMaker 6.0 is shipped on floppy disks, as well as on a Deluxe
CD-ROM. The Deluxe CD contains technical information and thousands of
dollars' worth of software, including: the Adobe Acrobat Distiller and
Reader, Kodak Photo CD images, Straight Talk technical white papers, and a
multimedia presentation of new features. A second CD-ROM includes Adobe
Type Manager and Adobe Type On Call 2.0 with 220 free fonts that can be
unlocked upon registration of the Type On Call CD.
Pricing and Availability
------------------------
In the United States and Canada, Adobe PageMaker 6.0 for the Apple
Macintosh and Power Macintosh is scheduled to be released in the summer of
1995. The Microsoft Windows 95 version is expected to be released in the
fall of 1995. The suggested retail price for PageMaker 6.0 is $895 (U.S.)
for Macintosh/Power Macintosh or Windows. Registered users of any version
of PageMaker can upgrade to version 6.0 for $149 (U.S.). Customers who
purchase PageMaker 5.0 after June 17, 1995 in the United States or Canada
are eligible to receive a free upgrade to version 6.0. For more
information, customers can call Adobe at 1-800-42-ADOBE (23623). Localized
language versions and support and upgrade polices for other countries will
be announced later.
System Requirements
-------------------
Power Macintosh System Requirements: A Power Macintosh with 16 MB of RAM
(10 MB available to PageMaker*), Apple System Software 7.1.2 or later, 20
MB of free hard drive space for installation, and a 9" (PowerBook ) or 12"
or larger monitor (640 x 840 pixels).
Macintosh System Requirements: A 68030 or greater processor, Apple System
Software 7.1 or later, 16 MB of RAM (8 MB available to PageMaker*), 20 MB
of free hard drive space for installation, and a 9" (PowerBook) or 12" or
larger monitor (640 x 840 pixels).
Windows 95 System Requirements: An Intel486 processor, 12 MB of RAM (8 MB
available to PageMaker*), Microsoft Windows 95, 24 MB of free hard drive
space for installation, a VGA display card, high-density disk drive, and a
mouse or other pointing device.
Windows 3.1 System Requirements: An Intel486 processor, 16 MB of RAM (10
MB available to PageMaker*), DOS 5.0 or later, Microsoft Windows 3.1 or
later running in enhanced mode, 24 MB of free hard drive space for
installation, a VGA display card, high-density disk drive, and a mouse or
other pointing device.
*On the Power Macintosh/Macintosh, RAM requirements comprise 6 MB/8 MB for
the PageMaker application and a total of 2 MB for color management and OLE
libraries. Under Windows 95/Windows 3.1, RAM requirements comprise 6 MB/8
MB for the PageMaker application and 2 MB for color management.
Adobe Systems Incorporated was founded in 1982 and is headquartered in
Mountain View, California. Adobe develops, markets, and supports computer
software products and technologies that enable users to create, display,
print, and communicate all kinds of information. The company licenses its
technology to major computer, printing, and publishing suppliers, and
markets a line of applications software and type products for authoring
visually rich documents. Additionally, the company markets a line of
powerful, but easy-to-use, products for home and small-business users.
Adobe has subsidiaries in Europe and the Pacific Rim, serving a worldwide
n e t w o rk of dealers and distributors. Adobe's 1994 revenue was
approximately $598 million.
* * * *
Adobe, the Adobe logo, Acrobat, Adobe Photoshop, Adobe Type Manager,
Aldus, Gallery Effects, PageMaker, and Type On Call are trademarks of
Adobe Systems Incorporated or its subsidiaries and may be registered in
certain jurisdictions. Apple, Macintosh, PowerBook, and Power Macintosh
are registered trademarks of Apple Computer, Inc. Microsoft and Windows
a r e registered trademarks of Microsoft Corporation. PANTONE is a
registered trademark of Pantone, Inc. Pantone, Inc.'s check-standard
trademark for color reproduction and color-reproduction materials. All
other brand or product names may be trademarks or registered trademarks of
their respective holders.
___________________________________
> TWO JOYSTICKS! STR FOCUS!
"""""""""""""""""""""""""
USING TWO JOYSTICKS
===================
by Luca Nosotti (73747,153)
Pinouts to make a Y Cable to connect two joysticks to the game port of
SB16/Awe32 sound card
Requirements
------------
(1) 15 pin male D-connector
(2) 15 pin female D-connectors
(2) Two cables (1 meter for each) with eight wires (preferably with
different colors)
Make the following connections:
-------------------------------
Female D-connector A (Joystick A) Male D-connector
--------------------------------- ----------------
Pin #1..........(+5Vdc)..................Pin #1
#2..........(Button 1 Joy A).............#2
#3..........(X Value Joy A)..............#3
#4..........(Gnd)........................#4
#6..........(Y Value Joy A)..............#6
#7..........(Button 2 Joy A).............#7
#10.........(Button 3 Joy A).............#10
#14.........(Button 4 Joy A).............#14
Female D-connector B (Joystick B) Male D-connector
--------------------------------- ----------------
Pin #1..........(+5Vdc)..................Pin #8
#2 .........(Button 1 Joy B).............#10
#3 .........(X Value Joy B)..............#11
#4 .........(Gnd)........................#5
#6 .........(Y Value Joy B)..............#13
#7..........(Button 2 Joy B).............#14
#10.........(Button 3 Joy B).............#2 (Optional)
#14.........(Button 4 Joy B).............#7 (Optional)
I made this cable and I tried it with two Gravis Game Pad and a Sound
Blaster 16 sound card. Everything worked fine!
NOTE
----
If you have a joystick with throttle (like the Gravis Analog Pro) you must
also connect Pin #13 of female D-connector A (Joystick A) to Pin #13 of
male D-connector.
Enjoy. If you have any questions, feel free to ask.
**********************************************************************
ATARI/JAG SECTION (III)
=======================
Dana Jacobson, Editor
> From the Atari Editor's Desk "Saying it like it is!"
""""""""""""""""""""""""""""
It's been a weird week. I finally have my new Falcon and have it
up and running. It's a nice new experience, and a lot of fun. I've
got my former assortment of hard drives installed in a PC tower case;
and it feels very odd not to have a ton of electrical cords all over
the place! My wife can't believe it either! "What else are you going
to get rid of" has become a familiar question the last few days.
Atari computing news has been essentially non-existent during my
online travels this week. I know, it's summer and prime vacation time.
Things will improve. And, I go on vacation #2 next week (I'll still be
'here' though).
So, let's get to some interesting general news (Lloyd's back and
he's got the majority of the news in his column).
Until next time...
_____________________________________________
Delphi's Atari Advantage!
TOP TEN DOWNLOADS (7/19/95)
(1) SEAWOLF ARCADE GAME *(6) EASY MONEY 1.0
(2) PICTURE FILE BROWSER 1.0A *(7) MARIANT 1.0
*(3) MEMWATCH 4 *(8) IN-TOUCH 1.52
(4) MUNSIE VIDEO NEWSLETTER (9) RUFTRADE GERMAN TO ENGLISH
(5) SQUARE OFF *(10) HCOPY 1.6S
* = New on list
HONORARY TOP 10
The following on-line magazines are always top downloads, frequently
out-performing every other file in the databases.
ST REPORT (Current issue: STREPORT 11.28
ATARI EXPLORER ONLINE (Current issue: AEO: JAGUAR EDITION 3)
Look for the above files in the RECENT ARRIVALS database.
______________________________________________
JAGUAR SECTION
==============
"Fight For Life" Knocked Out!
CATnips! Activision Signs!
Hasbro VR Cancelled! FlipOut!
And much more...
> From the Editor's Controller - Playin' it like it is!
""""""""""""""""""""""""""""
The unofficial (as of this writing) word has it that Fight For
Life has died. It appears that Atari has learned from earlier fiascoes
such as Checkered Flag and Club Drive, and decided it best not to
release a game that is likely going to be panned. I applaud that
policy decision, but regret that FFL was the title not to see the light
of day, at least as we knew it from a variety of video clips and online
hype. I'm not a fighting-genre enthusiast, but even if I were, I
wasn't excited about what I saw on the various videos that I viewed it.
Atari cannot afford any adverse reaction to an over-hyped game that
just doesn't live up to the excitement generated. Stuff like this
happens all the time, and it's a wise decision. Hopefully, we'll see
some future game that incorporates some of the hard work that went into
this game, and a better effort in the long run.
We hope to have a Jaguar CD unit for review very shortly, along
with a variety of the CD games that are ready. August is rapidly
approaching and the CD unit is still on track for release next month.
Activision is now signed to do at least one game for the Jaguar,
and likely others including some of the old 2600 games. They're also
going to be putting some more of their old hits out on the PC platform.
Imagine my surprise when, while listening to a talk radio station one
very early morning before leaving for work and hearing Atari's Ted Hoff
making the announcement!
Well, I can tell that you're all dying to get to the news and
information this week - so let's get to it. We'll certainly keep you
posted on the latest Jaguar news, as it happens. Stay tuned!
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 $29.99 Atari Corp.
J9005 Raiden $29.99 FABTEK, Inc/Atari Corp.
J9001 Trevor McFur/
Crescent Galaxy $29.99 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 $39.99 Atari Corp.
J9003 Club Drive $59.99 Atari Corp.
J9007 Checkered Flag $39.99 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 $69.99 Virgin/C-West
Syndicate $69.99 Ocean
Troy Aikman Ftball $69.99 Williams
Theme Park $69.99 Ocean
Sensible Soccer Telegames
Double Dragon V $59.99 Williams
J9009E Hover Strike $59.99 Atari Corp.
J0144E Pinball Fantasies $59.99 C-West
J9052E Super Burnout $59.99 Atari
Available Soon ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
CAT # TITLE MSRP DEVELOPER/PUBLISHER
White Men Can't Jump TBD Atari
Air Cars TBD MidNite Entertainment
Flashback TBD U.S. Gold
Power Drive Rally TBD TWI
Rayman TBD UBI Soft
Ultra Vortek TBD Atari
Jaguar CD-ROM $149.99 Atari
Hardware and Peripherals ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
CAT # TITLE MSRP MANUFACTURER
J8001 Jaguar (complete) $189.99 Atari Corp.
J8001 Jaguar (no cart) $159.99 Atari Corp.
J8904 Composite Cable $19.95
J8901 Controller/Joypad $24.95 Atari Corp.
J8905 S-Video Cable $19.95
CatBox $69.95 ICD
___________________________________________
>Industry News STR Game Console NewsFile - The Latest Gaming News!
"""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""
SUNNYVALE, Calif. July 17 (Reuter) -
Atari Corp said it has finalized a deal with Activision Inc, under
which Activision will produce games based on classic Atari titles for
multiple new platforms.
Also, Atari said Activision's "Pitfall: The Mayan Adventure," will be
released for Atari's Jaguar 64 game player in mid-September.
"Our collaboration with Activision will offer exciting entertainment
for both Jaguar 64 consumers and PC users," said Ted Hoff, Atari's
president of North American operations.
-- Los Angeles Newsdesk, 800-330-6397
BRADENTON, Fla--Jul. 12--Palmetto college student Conrad Barski invents
aliens in his spare time - and his hobby is about to pay off.
Atari Corp. will pay Barski $25,000 plus royalties for a video game he
conceived called "Flip Out!"
Players of the puzzle game attempt to move colored tiles into
particular sequences as alien creatures attempt to foil their moves.
Barski said he came up with the idea for the game while working as a
part-time computer programmer at Gorilla Systems in Oldsmar.
He worked at the company for four years while attending the University of
South Florida as a full-time pre-med student, he said. Over the past
eight months, Barski joined four other programmers and two artists at
Gorilla Systems to build the game.
"The game took about eight months to develop until final production,"
he said.
The new game is designed to run on the Atari Jaguar home entertainment
system, but Atari is working with Gorilla Systems to develop a version for
personal computers, said Jeanne Winding, product marketing manager for
Atari.
Winding said Flip Out! will be sold in retail stores for $49.99
beginning in mid-August.
After graduating in August, Barski said he plans to go on to medical
school in Miami.
CPTV REPORTS SIGNIFICANT REVENUE GAINS FOR THIRD ...
Announces New Contracts For Alexandria Studios, Inc.
DENVER, JULY 18 /PRNewswire/ -- Creative Programming and Technology
Ventures, Inc. (Nasdaq:CPTV), a leading producer of innovative video game
development technology through its group of operating companies, today
reported a significant increase in consolidated revenues for the three
months and nine months ending May 31, 1995. Continued increases in
software development and marketing costs produced a net loss per share
for both periods. The company also completed the sale of its 80 percent
interest in Celluloid Studios, Inc., recording a gain upon the sale of
$76,020. This transaction is being treated as a disposal of a
discontinued business for reporting purposes. As a result, CPTV's
consolidated balance sheet, statements of operations, shareholders'
equity and cash flows for each of the three and nine months periods
ending May 31, 1995, have been restated. Management also announced the
recent award to Alexandria Studios, Inc. of two new software development
contracts with a combined value of approximately $600,000.
Revenues from continuing operations for the third quarter were
$172,259, an increase from $53,579 during the same period in 1994. CPTV
reported a loss from continuing operations for the three months of
$390,607, or 11 cents per share, compared with a loss of $224,525, or
7 cents per share, for the third quarter of 1994. Including discontinued
operations, the company reported a net loss of $292,347, or 8 cents per
share, compared with a net loss of $307,810, or 9 cents per share.
For the first nine months of fiscal 1995, revenues from continuing
operations were $537,505, compared with $53,579 for the same period in
1994. CPTV reported a loss from continuing operations for the nine month
period of $763,758, or 23 cents per share, compared with a loss of
$326,002, or 12 cents per share, for the same period in 1994. Including
discontinued operations, the company reported a net loss of $392,978, or
12 cents per share, compared with a net loss of $403,172, or 15 cents per
share.
Revenues from continuing operations in 1995 include funds paid to
Alexandria under agreement with Capcom, a leading producer of
coin-operated games, to license one of the company's proprietary PI(TM)
(Platform Independent) software developer tools. Alexandria has also
provided software development services for additional interactive video
games, including Izzy's Quest for the Olympic Rings for US Gold, and
Demolition Man, whose rights were recently acquired by Acclaim
Entertainment. US Gold and Acclaim are major publishers of interactive
game systems with extensive worldwide distribution. Alexandria has
retained royalty interest in both game titles.
CPTV's cost of revenues for the three and nine month periods
increased primarily from expenses incurred in the development of PI(TM)
software tools and the above-mentioned titles. Expenses were also
incurred in connection with a new product, SoulStorm(TM), CPTV's first
initiative under its new trade name and product label, Virtual
Hollywood(TM), a collaboration between Alexandria and ODDWORLD
Inhabitants, Inc. to develop and license interactive entertainment
software for advanced video game systems, including 3DO, Sega Saturn, Sony
Play Station and Nintendo Ultra-64, as well as PC CD-ROM platforms. For
the third quarter and nine months, CPTV experienced a significant increase
in selling, general and administrative expenses primarily due to legal and
other fees associated with the company's launch of its KG Squared-ODDWORLD
interactive entertainment publishing unit, and the divestiture of its
interest in Celluloid Studios.
Subsequent to the end of the third quarter, Alexandria signed a
contract with Atari Corporation to port an interactive entertainment
product, called "Return Fire," to Atari's new 64-bit game platform,
Jaguar and CD-ROM. The other recent contract awarded is with game
publisher Interplay Productions, Inc. to port an interactive video game
based upon the Frankenstein novel to several next generation 32-bit game
platforms including the Sony PSX, Sega Saturn, and 3DO game platforms.
Both contracts have a combined value of approximately $600,000.
Commenting on the first nine months of fiscal 1995, Gary R. Vickers,
chairman and president of CPTV said, "We have now completed the strategic
steps necessary in our transformation to a pure play among interactive
video game developers with the sale of our commercial subsidiary and the
addition last month to our board of Michael Katz, formerly president of
Sega of America. As we anticipated, the market for 16-bit systems is
giving way to the next generation of CD-ROM game platforms (32-bit and
64-bit). To meet this opportunity, Alexandria has been building
important tools and technology, including PI(TM) software, in an attempt
to position itself with a competitive advantage in porting interactive
software to the various new game platforms. Based on current game titles
under contract, and a number of proposed projects, we continue to build
upon our status as a leading producer of interactive entertainment. In
addition to financial resources, we have enhanced our management
capabilities and marketing skills." At May 31, 1995, CPTV had
approximately $5 million in cash, cash equivalents and treasury bills.
Creative Programming and Technology Ventures, Inc. (CPTV) went public
on November 12, 1993 with the purpose of producing and distributing
innovative, interactive games, cable programming and digital
entertainment. Its game development subsidiaries, based in Los Osos,
Calif., designs and develops interactive games for popular home video
game systems such as Sega Genesis, Sega CD, Super Nintendo Entertainment
Systems and 3DO. It also plans broad market release of two additional
titles, Demolition Man and Izzy's Quest for the Olympic Rings, with
Acclaim Entertainment, Inc. and U.S. Gold, Inc. in the fall of 1995.
Virtual Hollywood also plans to develop games for cable television
channels, and future home game systems, including Sega Saturn, Sony PS-X
and Nintendo's Project Reality. CPTV's primary shareholders and founders
include Gary R. Vickers, Gary Magness and Kim Magness, all from Denver.
CPTV is headquartered in Denver and its stock trades on the NASDAQ
Small-Cap market under the symbol CPTV.
7/18/95 /CONTACT: Gary Vickers, President and CEO or
Dr. Stephen Kirkpatrick, Vice President, both of CPTV, 303-694-5324;
George Zagoudis of The Financial Relations Board for CPTV, 312-640-6663/
(CPTV) CO: Creative Programming and Technology Ventures, Inc. ST:
Colorado IN: CPR SU: ERN
-/- Hasbro Scraps Virtual Reality Game -/-
Hasbro Inc. spent $59 million and three years to develop a virtual
reality game that it has now scrapped because the retail cost would
have been prohibitive.
Associated Press writer Frank Baker reports from Providence, Rhode
Island that the toymaker has abandoned plans to market the virtual
reality game because it would have cost consumers more than $300.
"We were not successful in achieving what we set out to do," said
John O'Neill, chief financial officer. "We've developed the technology,
we still believe in it. However, unless something else happens, we have
not at this point been able to bring it to a point where we can mass
market it."
The game would have been a head-mounted virtual reality system that
would allow the player to look into a viewer and be part of the game.
Analysts called the announcement the second big electronics blunder
Hasbro has made in recent years. The first was in the late 1980s when
the firm spent millions of dollars on research and development for a
video game system only to scrap the plans when it determined the
system would also be too expensive for consumers. Hasbro shares fell 50
cents to $30.25 on the American Stock Exchange.
______________________________________________
> Jaguar Online STR InfoFile Online Users Growl & Purr!
""""""""""""""""""""""""""
CATnips... Jaguar tidbits from Don Thomas (95.07.18)
"""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""
Here's a summary of some new image files I uploaded to GEnie,
CompuServe and CATscan BBS [209/239-1552]...
BLUE1.JPG JPEG file of "Blue Lightning" / 68,659
BLUE2.JPG JPEG file of "Blue Lightning" / 67,316
BLUE3.JPG JPEG file of "Blue Lightning" / 63,799
BLUE4.JPG JPEG file of "Blue Lightning" / 76,364
BLUE5.JPG JPEG file of "Blue Lightning" / 76,438
"""""""""
Approx 300x200 JPEG format image files of: "Blue
Lightning" for the Atari 64-bit game system. "Blue
Lightning" is one of the Jaguar's first CD-based games
for the CD-ROM peripheral. It features incredible
graphics for the flying combat experience of your
64-bit life. This image is (c)1995 Atari Corporation.
It may be republished in a complimentary fashion if
copyright notice is included.
FLIPOUT1.JPG JPEG file of "Flip Out" / 71,235
FLIPOUT2.JPG JPEG file of "Flip Out" / 89,600
FLIPOUT5.JPG JPEG file of "Flip Out" / 73,762
FLIPOUT6.JPG JPEG file of "Flip Out" / 78,270
FLIPOUTB.JPG JPEG file of "Flip Out" / 42,972
""""""""""""
Approx 300x200 JPEG format image files of: "Flip Out"
for the Atari 64-bit game system. "Flip Out", a
cartridge based 'fun factor' game, looks a whole easier
than it is. If you liked "Tetris" or "Klax", you'll
flip for "Flip Out"! This image is (c)1995 Atari
Corporation. It may be republished in a complimentary
fashion if copyright notice is included.
WMCJ_LL.JPG JPEG file of "White Men Can't Jump" / 79,191
WMCJ_LR.JPG JPEG file of "White Men Can't Jump" / 75,030
WMCJ_UL.JPG JPEG file of "White Men Can't Jump" / 72,114
WMCJ_UR.JPG JPEG file of "White Men Can't Jump" / 79,612
"""""""""""
Approx 300x200 JPEG format image files of: "White Men
Can't Jump" for the Atari 64-bit game system. "White
Men Can't Jump" features multi-player action and is the
first Jaguar game to use the new Team Tap adaptor which
is included. Each Team Tap allows up to four players on
one joystick port. This image is (c)1995 Atari
Corporation. It may be republished in a complimentary
fashion if copyright notice is included.
The images were captures from Atari's marketing Department in Macintosh
.PCT format. I used a translator to change them to .TGA format as I
found that to offer the best sustained resolution. I then CROPed the
image to eliminate unnecessary black borders and scaled the image down
by 50% using a paint and imaging application. Once scaled down, I
lightened contrast and brightness to better match the original Jaguar
look and feel. Finally, I touched up stray pixels that evolved over the
process. (I'm trying to straighten out problems with my PC. Aggh! <g>)
My final step involved "ZIPing" the image so I can include a .DIZ
description file.
The result is a thumbnail library of clear images that are easy to
download and view. Here's some initial reaction of what users found:
SERV: CompuServe
USER: Cody Maloney 75204,3532
DATE: 7/17/95
TOPC: Jaguar General: Excellent Screen Shots
MSG#: 85654
Don, I have to say is the screen shots are fabulous!
Flip Out took my breath away. It left me breathless.
Its one game that is on my list.
Blue Lighting look stunning.
White Men Can't Jump is also stunning as well.
Cody
-++- ============================================= -++-
SERV: CompuServe
USER: Edward J. Mazmania 102211,2662
DATE: 7/17/95
TOPC: Jaguar General: Excellent Screen Shots
MSG#: 85655
I have to agree. The screen shots look nothing like
what I saw at the E3 for Blue Lightning. The game I
have to say looked like garbage at the show. Every
other game was awesome from Rayman to Hover Hunter,
Highlander, Battlesphere, and the progressing D2K. I
tried to play BL and loved the music but found no
gameplay and poor graphics. Of course I only saw some
level in the clouds. After seeing these screen shots I
have second thoughts now.
-++- ================================================= -++-
The Jaguar Gamers' Books are shipping from Sandwich Islands
Publishing. Here's some initial reaction:
SERV: GEnie
USER: J.SCHRAM
DATE: 7/13/95
TOPC: Jaguar: 64-bit game console
MSG#: 153
I received my "Jaguar Official Gamer's Guide" Thursday.
It looks really well done, though I haven't read that
much yet. Nice cover, 244 pages, covers 18 games, and
loaded with pictures. The pictures are B/W but they are
very sharp and serve the purpose. It looks very up to
date with coverage of Hover Strike and even a preview
of Rayman. It's full of maps, cheats, hints, and tips.
A lot of the info can be found on GEnie, but it's nice
to have it all in one handy reference to keep by the
Jag.
Joe Schram
-++- ============================================= -++-
CATscan E-Mail
Msg Num: #1 of 6
Sent By: (#38) Brian Mccleary - Loyal Jaguarian
Sent To: (#1) Don Thomas - Atari Corporation
Sent On: July 13, 1995 at 4:38pm
Recv On: July 15, 1995 at 6:29pm
Subject: Gamers' Guide
The books are great Don! The maps for Aliens -vs-
Predator are excellent!
-++- ================================================= -++-
Super Burnout continues to attract the rave reviews from
serious gamers. Here's what Steve Kipker of Steve's
Software wrote to me recently....
"Well, Super Burnout has only been released for 2 weeks
now and has continued to be a big success with our
customers. What I keep hearing over and over are things
like:
'This game is better than the Arcade, and I am saving
.50 each time I play. That has more than paid for this
game in one day!!!'
'Two player action is as good as it gets'
'Riding Super Burnout is better than the real thing,
and cheaper on Insurance'
'Super Burnout is so real that I felt like I had to put
on my crash helmet'
'Super Burnout is truly the Fastest racing Simulator
for the Atari Jaguar - I feel the need, the need for
Speed'
"Don, Super Burnout has been a great success and will
continue to sell just on customer referrals alone...Atari
has delivered a true 64-bit racing simulator - What's
next?"
Yes, I know it sounds like hype, but Steve really does like
selling Super Burnout (He also likes Pinball Fantasies;
another recent hit.) Ask him yourself, you can write Steve
at: <s.kipker@genie.com> on the Internet.
-++- ================================================= -++-
CONTACT: Jessica Nagel or Patricia Kerr
Dorf & Stanton Communications, Inc.
(310) 479-4997 or (800) 444-6663
_For Immediate Release_
Atari Corporation Inks Licensing Agreement With Activision Inc. Deal
yields release of classic Atari titles for PCs.
Sunnyvale, CA -- (July 17, 1995) -- Atari Corporation announced today
the finalization of a contract with Activision Inc., a Los Angeles based
leader in software development. Atari Corporation's pact with the
prestigious developer will bring consumers classic Atari titles in
multiple formats. The agreement will also result in the release of the
all-time American favorite, "Pitfall: The Mayan Adventure" for Jaguar
64.
"Our collaboration with Activison will offer exciting entertainment for
both Jaguar 64 consumers and PC users," said Ted Hoff, Atari
Corporation's President of North American Operations. "'Pitfall' is a
fine example of our continued commitment to provide Jaguar gamers with
top-quality titles."
The release of "Pitfall: The Mayan Adventure" for the Jaguar 64 system
will be an ideal showcase for the extensive capabilities of this advanced
home entertainment system. "Pitfall" reflects the power of Jaguar's
superior 64-bit technology, resulting in brilliant color, intense speed,
and stereo sound. The jungle adventure game has a target ship date of
mid September.
Numerous Atari classic games will soon be available to PC users when
Activision releases "Atari Action Pak II" for single-user IBM and PC
compatible computers. The special "Pak" will also provide consumers
with PC versions of such memorable Atari titles as: "Air Sea Battle";
"Breakout", "Super Breakout"; "Space War"; "Surround"; "Millipede";
"Combat"; "Yar's Revenge"; "Canyon Bomber"; "Gravitar"; "Maze Craze";
and "Night Driver".
The "Pitfall" release under the Activision agreement is one of the many
exciting games for the Atari Jaguar 64 library, which will approach
100 titles by the end of the year. The expanded library will include CD
titles for the much anticipated Jaguar CD system, which will be
shipping in August.
For over 20 years, Atari Corporation has provided consumers with
high-quality, value- priced entertainment. Atari Corporation markets
Jaguar, the only American-made, advanced 64-bit entertainment system
and is located in Sunnyvale, California.
-++- ================================================= -++-
A final note to this episode of CATnips, Darryl Still of Atari UK tells
me that "Zero 5" and "Gotcha!" (working title) were shown at a EuroPress
Conference last week. He says both are contracted for early '96 release
and both are "worth watching for". Add those to your lists!
### END OF FILE ###
Fm: Atari Europe 75162,2024
To: Don Thomas 75300,1267 (X)
A quick note on the schedule. Attack of the Mutant Penguins is Cart
only (not Cart/CD). and you can add two further Eurodevelopments into
the December/January period which we showed at our press conference
last week. Namely Zero 5 and Gotcha! (working title). Both are
contracted for early '96 release, both have a small chance of sneaking
in early. Both are worth watching for.
Darryl
_______________________________________________
> ONLINE WEEKLY STReport OnLine The wires are a hummin'!
"""""""""""""""""""""""""""""
PEOPLE... ARE TALKING
=====================
On CompuServe
-------------
compiled by
Joe Mirando
73637,2262
Hidi ho friends and neighbors. Ahhh, vacation. Time to do what you want
to do (or, if you're like me, what you've been puting off for weeks if
not months).
I've been meaning to check out web sites and such on the Internet for
quite a while. Heck, I haven't even seen STReport's web page yet. But
first comes the furniture re-arranging that my wife insists needs to be
done. Then there's the work that my car needs. Then perhaps... just
perhaps, I'll be able to check out the Internet.
The Internet hasn't been a high priority with me since I can always find
whatever I'm looking for right here on CompuServe. Everything from
shareware programs to up-to-the-minute help with all of my old favorites.
And I'm not the only one who checks in for news and info... let's check
it out.
From the Atari Computing Forums
===============================
Jeffrey Horn asks...
"A question regarding customs here. It would seem that one of the two
parties involved in an online-arranged (not in person) transaction must
part with their "goods" first - da money, o' da equipment, right? If
so, what is the protocol? Who first? Any help will be greatly
appreciated."
Sysop Bob Retelle tells Jeffrey:
"Usually the two parties involved in a transaction will have to agree
as to how the deal will proceed...
I think from all the online deals I've seen and participated in, the
usual way is for the buyer to send the money first, then the seller
sends the articles.
There are variations of course, depending on what levels of trust are
involved... many times the buyer will insist on a money order, or the
seller will send the package COD.
The real problem of course is that with an online transaction you
never meet the other person face to face, so you have to end up going
on trust alone.
The good news is that it's extremely rare for a deal to go bad, or to
run into someone who's being purposefully dishonest."
Meanwhile Daniel Osborne posts:
"Well, I have been browsing the NET with the TAF (Chimera) program
today. I logged onto the TAF home page, which has changed thier
display and have a few more options. One was "Chimera Hints & Tips,"
and another was on "Using X-Windows," both gave me errors when I tried
access them. I guess they are still under construction.
I also logged onto the Toad Computers home page. Very interesting.
Although the TAF program crashed on me several times, I think the key
is to resize the window, so it does not scroll off your screen.
In the WWW Browser Help file, it says you can save your WWW HTML files,
but I am having trouble with this. When you first log onto a home
page, the HTML and picture files are downloaded to your Minit XF
partition and are temporaly saved under the TMP/ directory. This is a
slow process, about 2-3 mintues for the download of the files, before I
got to view the Toad home page. Each time I accessed another area from
the home page, more HTML files and pics had to be downloaded, before
being displayed.
If the system crashes, the TMP files are still in the TMP directory.
You can load them up and edit out the header and trash lines, then save
them. I used the capture buffer in Flash 1.6, and it worked just
file. The header of each file tells you the filename of the file, where
it came from, etc. Just write down the filename, and remove the header
trash up to:
<HTML> -- for HMTL files
GIF -- for GIF picture files
Look for the main Home Page HTML file, and check the file to see where
the other HMTL and picture files need to be loaded from. Create
directories for these other files. You can then copy them back to your
Minit XF partition, load up the TAF program, select the WWW browser,
and open up the HTML home page file.
Like I said, I wish I knew how to save these HTML and GIF files from
within the WWW browser, it would make it a lot easier to view these
home pages offline. Maybe an "Automatic Save Session" function on the
WWW browser.
If your system did not crash while online, ALL the TMP files are
deleted when exiting from the TAF (Chimera) program.
P.S. Next weekend, its off to configure Netscape for Internet access on
the MAC running under Spectre GCR 3.0!!!! Wish me luck!"
Denis Postle tells Daniel that it's...
"...Good to hear that you got onto the web via taf. not so good that
it is unstable to this degree. I find that with a mac and netscape, I
turn off the pictures most of the time. it's quicker and a lot of the
subsidiary images aren't of much interest.
Not so good too that you don't seem to be able to view the files as
they download, as would be the case with Macweb and Netscape. A pretty
vital function, since it's easy to log on so something in error, or
that's of no interest and the first half page can make that clear.
re your parting remark about netscape and Spectre. I have tried out
TCP and PPP with spectre in the last weeks and while i could get both
installed, I could never get ppp to communicate properly with the
modem. Like, I could type a script into the terminal window and it
would activate the modem but there was nothing to be seen, no feedback.
Tough to log on like that. i never pursued a full CIS script if you
want to try one, I can send you the one from ppp on this mac I'm using
now. Also I seem to remember that both Macweb and Netscape require
sys7. Sorry to be discouraging. If you have some new info I'd like to
hear it.
I will mail you some useful home pages tomorrow when I can get time
with Netscape."
Daniel tells Denis:
"Thanks, for kind advice. I will still attempt to try out various WWW
browsers using Spectre. I have several versions of MAC TCP and PPP,
some which work under system 6.0.8.
Yes, some working sample script files would be much appreciated.
I am waiting for the author of DuFTP program (an Atari WWW and FTP
browser) to return to London this week, so I can ask him more questions
about setting up his program. I am getting a few errors right now.
One of them is setting the SLIP.DIP file to correctly connect to the
modem. I have changed the port value to MODEM1, but it still tries and
use the Falcon's modem port 2. He wrote and tested his DuFTP program
on a Falcon. I am going to send him a sample dial up file from the NOS
program. Maybe then he can tell where I am going wrong. This is a
learning experince!"
Denis tells Daniel:
Configuring TCP. my version is 2.0.4 it works fine (on a Powerbook160).
select ppp in first dialog
click on more
in obtain address, check server.
across to the right set class C,
various other setting then change. nothing else there needs
to be touched. At the bottom in the domain area follow this exactly!
line one, box one: compuserve.com
line one, box two: 149.174.211.5
line two, box one: a full stop "." only
line one, box two: 149.174.211.5
click ok
configuring ppp
in the opening dialogue set:
port to modem port
time to none
echo interval to off
terminal window unchecked
hangup on close checked
quiet mode unchecked
select your server(modem) from the list
click new to name the configuration you are writing
then select config
on the first config page
there are obvious settings local to you set flow control to cts&rts
there is no need to even look at lcp options, authentication or IPCP
options select 'connect script' this gives a series of boxes the
following is my working script line by line:
timeout 40 secs
check out \d\d\d\d\d\d\r
check wait Host Name:
check out CIS\r
check wait User ID:
check out yourid/GO:PPPCONNECT\r
check wait Password:
check out yourpassword\r
check out \r
do not check the right hand [cr] column
notes on the script. This has to be case-exact and no stray spaces (I
hope i haven't introduced any typos) I know that the capital letters
are supposed to be left off Host, User id, and Password, it works fine
for me as is. Another thing i gleaned from the endless suffering on the
CIS PPP forum was that PPP is intolerant of unusual characters in your
password. Apparently forward slash "/" is ok, if you have any odd
characters change them. If you have any trouble with the script, like
it sticks somwehere, run it in the terminal window.
Final note, as I said in my earlier message, under 6.0.5 I couldn't
get PPP to drive the modem at all. If you get it to go I'd be delighted
to hear how. And also let me know what Macbrowser, if any, there is
that will run on sys6.x.x.?
Good luck.
I'm going to try taf later today I'll let you know what happens."
Daniel tells Denis:
"Thanks for the info. Although in several sets of docs for configuring
MacTCP for use on CIS, the IP Address is different than the sample you
provided.
Shouldn't it be "149.174.64.41" for the first line and
"149.174.64.42" for the second?
This was the IP Address I used to get the TAF disks to work."
Denis explains:
"The addresses I put up for you come for the current MacPPP help file
from Vidya Tolani that I mentioned a few messages back. recommendable.
It is in the Internet New UsersForum MacPPPsection, I think, and the
file is MACWWW.TXT update 6.5.95"
Okay, that's enough of the Mac stuff. Let's listen in on some talk
about the "TAF" disks. Daniel Osborne posts:
"Somewhere on the Mint XF partition, I think home/docs/mint-XF, are
some doc files about using the Mint XF system and a Mint command to
actually UNDO a Mint XF partition and return it back to a TOS
partition."
Lloyd Pulley tells Daniel:
"That's nice - if you get to the point of being able to get to that
doc and read it. But if you make a mistake like I did (go to the wrong
partition) and then want to correct it (before setting up the program),
there's no way to do it.
Also, you assume that someone knows how to use Mint. I've got it up
(at least the window) but have NO idea what to do from there. I can't
get to a command level where I can find out what's on the directory -
or access any of it.
I'm to the point of getting ready to format that drive and forgetting
about about PPP until I get a PC. I think this program is more than I
want to learn. It's not the program per se, it's learning Mint,
XWindows AND the program."
Daniel tells Lloyd:
"Yes, I know. That is why I have uploaded all of the docs from the TAF
disks, the file is called TAF_DOC2.ZIP, to help out others.
I assume nothing. The docs that came with the TAF disks are very hard
to understand for the layman. It took me two weeks to finaly set up
the disks and get it to work. I have very little knowledge about using
Mint, Mint-Net, and the Chimera program. I am here to help others get
this program running from my experices using the program. The basic
Atari user should not have to spend the time I did, just to get the
program up and working.
If you go back to the original TAF docs for setting up the program and
read from "Congrats:" through to "Using X-Windows" this should help
you. When you finaly get into X-Windows, press your left mouse button,
and select "Xvt[tsch]", a window will pop open and you will be in the
Unix command line (tsch shell). Here are a few Unix commands you can
use (which are not documented in the original TAF doc):
cd - change directory
cd .. - move back one directory
ls - list directory
cp - copy file
mv - move and rename file
rm - delete a file
mkdir - create a directory
rmdir - delete a directory
vi - edit a text file (reffer to Appendix A for vi commands)
mget - download a file from a FTP site
By the way, I did know these commands before using the TAF disks. The
friendly users here on CIS provided all of us here in this messagge
base with this info. Thanks guys!
You are right! This program may not be for everyone. If you do not
want to take the time and undulge yourself into other lines of what
your Atari can do, them you might just want to wait for a easy to use
GEM or TOS WWW browser, when and IF it becomes available.
Right now, this it the best WWW browser we have at the moment. I can
remember the early Atari ST days before Flash, Interlink, Storm, etc..
were available. There are many more Mint related programs out there.
Once you get your Mint and Mint-Net software configured, you will be
able to run other Unix ported software on your Minit XF partition, and
also multi-task at the same time!
Stick around, we all can help each out with these type of programs!"
Pierre Deschenes jumps in and posts:
"I have troubles installing the TAF internet prg. on my j drive..
Everything goes well until during the installation of disk #3,5 and 7;
I get the messages: ... usr/local/bin/X11/chimera
* gzip: stdin: trailing garbage ignored
* gzip: stdin: internal error, invalid method
* tar : child returned status 1
insert disc 4 in drive A: then press return
Could it be that my prg is corrupted or am I doing someting wrong?
Once installed I cant boot to Xwindow; I can access to the shell(tsch).
But I cannot access all the file and docs that I'v seen unzip during
the installation process. Also I cannot configure any setup for me to
connect to compuserve...?
When I call vi :I get the message Elvis out of memory... I have a STE
4megs with j partition at 30 megs.
Can anybody give me a hint on what is going wrong?"
Carl barron tells Pierre:
"I got lots of gzip errors regarding trailing garbage and one
unexpected eof. These are normal if as these files have, the files
were transferred via xmodem, some time during their lives. What is
wrong with VI [elvis] I have not heard of."
Denis Postle adds:
"I had a similar experience with repeated installations of the TAF
discs due to various other download/disk/fault problems. Eventually I
checked what the last file on each disc was. When all of the sequences
ending in these files had appeared on the screen during
decompression/installation, I assumed that the xfer was ok and since
TAF seems to have installed, this seemed to be so.
Here is a lsiting of the last file from each disk as it appears
onscreen before the messages about garbage, children and insert the
next disk.
disk2. usr/ucb/telnet
disk3. usr/local/bin/x11/chimera
disk4. usr/lib/x11/chimera
disk5. usr/bin/x11/startx
disk6. usr/bin/x11/xvt
disk7. sorry no details at hand.
I hope this helps.
Keep in touch."
Daniel posts:
"Well, I have been browsing the NET with the TAF (Chimera) program
today. I logged onto the TAF home page, which has changed thier
display and have a few more options. One was "Chimera Hints & Tips,"
and another was on "Using X-Windows," both gave me errors when I tried
access them. I guess they are still under construction.
I also logged onto the Toad Computers home page. Very interesting.
Although the TAF program crashed on me several times, I think the key
is to resize the window, so it does not scroll off your screen.
In the WWW Browser Help file, it says you can save your WWW HTML files,
but I am having trouble with this. When you first log onto a home
page, the HTML and picture files are downloaded to your Minit XF
partition and are temporaly saved under the TMP/ directory. This is a
slow process, about 2-3 mintues for the download of the files, before I
got to view the Toad home page. Each time I accessed another area from
the home page, more HTML files and pics had to be downloaded, before
being displayed. If the system crashes, the TMP files are still in the
TMP directory. You can load them up and edit out the header and trash
lines, then save them. I used the capture buffer in Flash 1.6, and it
worked just file. The header of each file tells you the filename of the
file, where it came from, etc. Just write down the filename, and
remove the header trash up to:
<HTML> -- for HMTL files
GIF -- for GIF picture files
Look for the main Home Page HTML file, and check the file to see where
the other HMTL and picture files need to be loaded from. Create
directories for these other files. You can then copy them back to your
Minit XF partition, load up the TAF program, select the WWW browser,
and open up the HTML home page file.
Like I said, I wish I knew how to save these HTML and GIF files from
within the WWW browser, it would make it a lot easier to view these
home pages offline. Maybe an "Automatic Save Session" function on the
WWW browser.
If your system did not crash while online, ALL the TMP files are
deleted when exiting from the TAF (Chimera) program.
P.S. Next weekend, its off to configure Netscape for Internet access
on the MAC running under Spectre GCR 3.0!!!! Wish me luck!"
Denis tells Daniel:
"Good to hear that you got onto the web via taf. not so good that it
is unstable to this degree. I find that with a mac and netscape, I turn
off the pictures most of the time. it's quicker and a lot of the
subsidiary images aren't of much interest.
Not so good too that you don't seem to be able to view the files as
they download, as would be the case with Macweb and Netscape. A pretty
vital function, since it's easy to log on so something in error, or
that's of no nterest and the first half page can make that clear.
re your parting remark about netscape and Spectre. I have tried out
TCP and PPP with spectre in the last weeks and while i could get both
installed, I could never get ppp to communicate properly with the
modem. Like, I could type a script into the terminal window and it
would activate the modem but there was nothing to be seen, no feedback.
Tough to log on like that. i never pursued a full CIS script if you
want to try one, I can send you the one from ppp on this mac I'm using
now. Also I seem to remember that both Macweb and Netscape require
sys7. Sorry to be discouraging. If you have some new info I'd like to
hear it.
I will mail you some useful home pages tomorrow when I can get time
with Netscape."
Daniel tells Denis:
"Thanks, for kind advice. I will still attempt to try out various WWW
browsers using Spectre. I have several versions of MAC TCP and PPP,
some which work under system 6.0.8.
Yes, some working sample script files would be much appreciated.
I am waiting for the author of DuFTP program (an Atari WWW and FTP
browser) to return to London this week, so I can ask him more questions
about setting up his program. I am getting a few errors right now.
One of them is setting the SLIP.DIP file to correctly connect to the
modem. I have changed the port value to MODEM1, but it still tries and
use the Falcon's modem port 2. He wrote and tested his DuFTP program
on a Falcon. I am going to send him a sample dial up file from the NOS
program. Maybe then he can tell where I am going wrong. This is a
learning experince!"
Denis tells him:
"So I finally got try logging on with Taf and after various
misadventures ( hadn't realised that *copying* the re-written files
onto the mint drive didn't work) I did get it to start up but only so
far as torturing the modem - high pitched screaming for 60secs or more.
It never got to the familiar dial up sounds.
I've checked and re check the log on script as being the same as your
nmessage and I've re-set the ip addresses etc the numbers in the modem
file seemed ok serial 1 and 19200 baud.
Any idea what could be adrift?"
Daniel takes a shot in the dark:
"Could it be your modem? I am using a Supra Fax Modem 14.4 V 32.bis
with the default configuration from the factory.
Even with the original "chatfile" script that came with the TAF disks,
at least the modem responded to dailing out. Of course the I got a
error message from BT saying invalid phone number, and I edited the
chatfile script with the VI editor to change the phone number to my
local CIS node.
Even when I got the chatfile script correct to call CIS and login via
the Internet, I got a few errors somtimes in the intial connection. I
just reset the modem and tried again. You might have to re-try it a
few times. And even when you are connected and all goes well, somtimes
CIS can not lock up sysnc and return a IP Address. I just call back
till it finaly connects all the way through.
I also assume when you call CIS with the TAF program, you are clicking
on the "Connect" selection to call.
By the way, when you were using Spectre, did you ever install MacCIM
and connect to CIS? The MacCIM ver 2.4 works fine on Spectre under
System 6.0.8, and of course I installed the Communications ToolBox disk
in the System folder."
Denis tells Daniel:
"I use the same modem, a mac version
This feels like living too dangerously but since you included more of
the commands and especially how to get into the *editor*, I might just
try changing something. It would be more direct, I suppose, than the
tedious business of coming in and out of mint to edit and then see what
haoppens or not.
Yes all of these messages are all from Maccim. I would never use CIS
if I had to use the text interface, except it's real quick for
downloading a file. And using thne serial 2 port I have been able to
get a 57000 connection that really fizzes.
This seems to have passed me by. Do I need it? with 6.0.5? I didn't
know there was a 6.0.8. I find 6.0.5 really stable with Spectre, few if
any crashes, and it runs word 5 very fast. Which, alongside CIS, is
mostly what I use it all for these days.
Anyhow I'll take another look at Taftomorrow eneving probably. wish me
luck."
Daniel replies:
"Yes, to make sure all of the text files are editied correctly on the
TAF disks, I use the VI editor.
I have used the capture buffer of Flash 1.6 to edit other texts, on the
Minit XF partition, but the chatfile, for expample, I wanted to make
sure it was editited correctly in the Unix format.
I hate to say this, but to edit the original chatfile, you might have
to re-install the whole program, if you have messed up the the original
on the Minit XF parition, unless you have a back-up copy handy.
I have used the capture buffer in Flash ver 1.6 to edit HTML texts and
GIF files on the Atari TOS paritions, and copied them over to the
Minit XF paritions with no problems yet. I have run the FSCK program
several times, and so far no errors yet!!!"
Carl Barron adds:
"For what it's worth:
There is a VI tutitorial in UNIXFORUM. sca des key:vi lib:all should
find it or them.
There is also an O'Reilly ,"nutshell book" on VI if it is really
needed. I think the vi tut. might be enough.
Now to figure out what to change in lynx.cfg X does not load at all
with h3 mhmint for me at all, so chimera is temp. out.
There is an exec [without docs of any kind] ttify or something like
that.
Does anyone know what it does?
All files used by the taf distribution need unix endlines! (ascii 10
only). Vi is a safe way to ensure this."
On the subject of using an accelerator in a machine with a blitter,
Simon Churchill posts:
"I have a T28 in my ST and was warned NOT to try to use a blitter with
it as it can't cope. I don't know how the chip will be installed but
as it's a MEGA ST then I would assume it is one of the sqaure 68pin
chip's, the STFM mother board's (TOS 1.2) had a space for the socket
to be installed and the chip pluged in. Next to the chip was two
solder connection's labeled W3 and W4 (The number's I think are
correct, they might be 4 and 5)
If the chip was removed then these to connector's needed as solder
bridge so the 68000 would now there was no blitter installed. Rather
than remove the chip it would be best to leave the system as is, you
never know, one day you might need the extra screen update speed of the
blitter for ST work.
Just a thought, did you remove the T-25 to replace it with the
AdSpeed or for another accel. board?? It should be possable to have
BOTH installed at the same time then you could ignore the blitter chip
completely as the T-25 would be faster on it's own compared to a normal
68000 AND Blitter."
Domingo Alvear tells Simon:
"I'll check out the BLiTTER socket in my Mega, but I solved my
troubles by just putting the T-25 back in. :-) I was testing the
AdSpeed to see if it worked (I bought it used). It worked fine, but
caused the BLiTTER conflicts that I mentioned.
Whatever, my machine is humming along just fine at 25Mhz. (Until I
can get a NOVA (regular) VME for my new TT!)"
Simon asks Dom:
"Sound's o.k. Does your T-25 work with your Blitter o.k. then? As
I said my T28 won't have any of it. 8-( (That's a 28Mhz + 64K Fast
cache memory)
You have a TT?? WOW! DOUBLE WOW!! Oh to have the money to get a
machine like that. Hmmm, it's nice to dream........"
Our Atari editor, Dana Jacobson posts:
"Well, I have the Falcon up and running - yeah!! In the end, I
decided to put all of my hard drives into a medium tower case instead
of trying to work around the four different HD boxes, taking out the
host adaptors, and cut/add a few more SCSI plugs. Works great now that
I found what AUTO program was crashing the system (Warp 9). Speaking
of Warp 9, what was the version that works on the Falcon? I thought it
was 3.80, unless I don;t have that version installed! <g>
I've got a lot of playing around to do, but so far, so good. Thanks
to all of you who had responded to my pleas for help getting the HDs
figured out. Without you, I'd be still pulling my hair out!! <<grin>>"
Frank Heller tells Dana:
"Congrats. BTW the WARP9 version is 3.80....but it is a specific
version for the Falcon. There are two different 3.80 versions. I think
the Falcon version was called WARP9_FA.PRG The ST version had a
different name. I got rid of it and replaced it with NVDI...which seems
to be (so far) superior to W9...especially with the Oregon Research
products. That stuff gets a noticable speed up with NVDI. Oh
yeah...call Cy Sperling."
Dana tells Frank:
"Hmmm, I have Warp 9 version 3.80, but when I use it, the desktop
comes out all distorted. Colors are off, I have vertical lines through
the desktop, and other "weird" stuff. I am using the Falcon version of
the program, but I'm wondering if I have a wrong version of the .ACC?!
I'd like to use Warp 9 as I don't think I can live without it! <g> Any
idea what the correct file size is for the ACC so I know which to use?
Thanks again, Frank!"
Dana tells Frank:
"I've heard a number of things about NVDI but don't know that much
about it. What does it do (or have) that makes you say it's better
than Warp 9?
BTW, Sy Spurling didn't wanna talk to me! <g>"
Frank replies:
"I keep my Falcon optimized for Cubase Audio Falcon...as I beta for
Steinberg. I do this by using Diamond Edge an awful lot (the audio
files get fragged a lot) It is with the Oregon products (Edge and DB3)
that you can see an NOTICABLE difference in speed between W9 and NVDI.
NVDI wins hands down. CAF shows no real difference in screen redraw
speed between the two. There, it's a toss-up."
Alvin Baligad sends up an S.O.S.:
"Help! After recently upgrading my memory from 1 to 4mb in my STe, a
lot of my older software isn't cooperating anymore. Is there anything
anyone can suggest that would let me use my old disks again? They are
mostly games, but with the drought on Ataris in games, even the old
ones are important."
Sysop Bob Retelle tells Alvin:
"Some games have problems running on computers with 4 megs of memory,
usually due to sloppiness in the programming.
Some of these can be fooled by running a little program from our
software library called MAKE1MEG.TOS which resets the internal
pointers of the computer to indicate there is only one Meg of RAM.
When you're done playing the games that are affected, you just reboot
the computer and it goes back to the full four Megs."
Well folks, there's lots more stuff that I could include, but the column
has gotten longer than I had anticipated. Tune in again next week, same
time, same station, and be ready to listen to what they are saying
when...
PEOPLE ARE TALKING
___________________________________________
> STReport CONFIDENTIAL "Rumors Tidbits Predictions Observations Tips"
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- Akron, Ohio COMPUSERVE PUSHES FOR NISA/HMI
----------- TRANSACTIONAL CHARGES
According to our super snoop, the pursuit of perfection by CompuServe
is virtually limitless... From sysop commands that operate seamlessly in
HMI to the newer NISA forums that are exclusively HMI oriented.
CompuServe is clearly pushing to be on the cutting edge of tomorrow's
Online Service today. So much so that highly qualified third party
navigator programmers are reportedly being brought in to smooth the "rough
waters".
The KEY WATCHWORD for the FUTURE is: "TRANSACTIONAL PRICING". YOU
PAY FOR WHAT YOU GET. PLUS A SERVICE CHARGE? Pay by the file D/L, and
per MB of messages read. (Ever vigilant for the Buck) We suggest that the
"By the File charge is sufficient and that "messages read" should be part
of the monthly service fee.
- Phoenix, AZ NEW NAVIGATOR FRAMEWORK TO DOMINATE
-----------
Ole Snoop has found a new flap that's gonna generate some real
excitement among the telcom junkies. It seems that a strong group of
programmers have come up with a design for making online service
navigators a "walk in the park". Seems the concept of a core program
(more like an active shell) (Watch for Mozart. You know, the Prodigy) and
a slew of complimentary modules have been generated as a construction
library. When an online service want a first rate navigator, all they
need do is ask.. And bingo! Instant Navigator. One I might add that
works. There are some really sad ones out there. One, in particular,
snoop adds, is actually CHASING subscribers away in droves its called FE
or Flea or some such non-sense. It has pretty graphics and is guaranteed
to freeze at least once in every session.
- San Francisco, CA McAFEE REPORTS TROJAN HORSE FOUND!
-----------------
We have received a report through our International sales department
that there has been an incident with a Trojan Horse disguised as VirusScan
2.22 (A Trojan Horse is a destructive program that has been disguised as
some other innocuous program. Trojan Horses are not viruses). When
executed, it deletes all the files and directories on the disk being
scanned. VirusScan has a program named Validate to verify that the
VirusScan program the user downloaded is the real one.
- Cupertino, CA APPLE LOSING GROUND??
-------------
As usual, Snoop is at it again... Seems to be some real unrest in
Macaroon land.... overheard in the ether....
First...
If I buy my next Mac OS machine from Gateway and they pay a royalty
to Apple, what's so bad? Apple had the chance to license to either
Gateway or Micron, but blotched the chance. Apple has continually botched
their opportunities, and this latest is the worst sign yet. You'll never
buy a Mac OS machine from a mass marketer such as Gateway. Why would
anyone license the Mac OS now? You and I both own the betamax of
computers. Apple stinks.
Then.. there's..
There's a front page story about Apple's new "strategy" for the
company's long term prosperity. It seems that they have abandoned their
push for increased market share, and will focus on selling more stuff to
their installed base. Is it me, or has Apple raised the white flag to
Microsoft and Windows?
As for the Internet...
My point was that, instead of demanding riduculous licensing fees for
individual or distribution copies of MacTCP, Apple should be breaking down
Netscape's door with offers for co-marketing. Marketing blunders like
this are not how one enlarges market share.
Snoop sez, that if Apple doesn''t "get the message", they'll be busy
making high priced PC Clone within five years and that the MAC OS etc.,
will be nothing but a fond memory.
""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""
STReport's "EDITORIAL CARTOON"
""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""
> A "Quotable Quote" A true "Sign of the Times"
"""""""""""""""""
WE ARE AFRAID OF WHAT MICROSOFT HAS!!! WAAAA!!
LET'S MAKE A FEDERAL CASE OF IT!
"Case & Buddies"
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STReport International OnLine Magazine
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""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""
STR OnLine! "YOUR INDEPENDENT NEWS SOURCE" July 21, 1995
Since 1987 copyright 1995 All Rights Reserved No. 1129
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All Items quoted, in whole or in part, are done so under the provisions of
The Fair Use Law of The Copyright Laws of the U.S.A. Views, Opinions and
Editorial Articles presented herein are not necessarily those of the
editors/staff of STReport International OnLine Magazine. Permission to
reprint articles is hereby granted, unless otherwise noted. Reprints
must, without exception, include the name of the publication, date, issue
number and the author's name. STR, CPU, STReport and/or portions therein
may not be edited, used, duplicated or transmitted in any way without
prior written permission. STR, CPU, STReport, at the time of publication,
is believed reasonably accurate. STR, CPU, STReport, are trademarks of
STReport and STR Publishing Inc. STR, CPU, STReport, its staff and
contributors are not and cannot be held responsible in any way for the use
or misuse of information contained herein or the results obtained
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