ST Report: 8-Sep-95 #1136
From: Bruce D. Nelson (aa789@cleveland.Freenet.Edu)
Date: 09/30/95-11:30:23 PM Z
From: aa789@cleveland.Freenet.Edu (Bruce D. Nelson)
Subject: ST Report: 8-Sep-95 #1136
Date: Sat Sep 30 23:30:23 1995
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From the Editor's Desk "Saying it like it is!"
Why is it that we never seem to find the happy medium when it comes to RAM
prices? I watched a number of weird scenarios unfold in the last two
weeks that appeared to be totally avoidable yet they forged ahead as if
they were unavoidable. One was the constant fluctuation of SIMM module
pricing. What... is causing the goofy gyrations in the pricing of these
cursed little things?? I decided to find out.
Amazingly, the harder I looked and the deeper I dug... The quicker the
dead ends began to appear. Folks by all indications the pricing on RAM,
Simm Ram modules to be exact appears to be sufferijg from the worst kind
of price fixing! Its happening at three different levels!! Its happening
at the point of sale (flat out ripoff pricing), the point of import entry
(US Customs Duty) and the the point of distribution (heavy profit taking).
One distributor remarked that "this stuff is worse than playing the stock
market, you can get burned twice in the same day with RAM prices". He was
serious. The sad part is they have to do it as every computer in the
world uses the darn things. I was also told that the "Glue and/or Silicon
factory story" is just that ..a "story".
Another point well made was that the US Government has an unusually high
tariff placed on the imported RAM. Why? Of course, to give U.S.
manufacturers of RAM, SIMM RAM in particular, an opportunity to be more
than slightly competitive. Are they taking advantage of this tariff??
You bet they are... every bit of gouge they can leverage in and get away
with. You see, instead of driving the price down, the tariff is allowing
the GREEDY US manufacturers to "match" the high price of the imported
goods thus "substantially fattening" their profits. Not exactly what the
tariff was intended to do.
Its time each and everyone of us to write their Congress and Senate
representatives and let them know how you feel about the excessively high
prices of RAM in this country. It the most expensive item in the computer
today! Yes, even more expensive than a 90Mhz Pentium Chip etc.. This is
not good. Its keeping computers totally out of the reach of lower middle
class America and beyond. Let's put a stop to the gouge in RAM prices.
Please, let your politicos hear from you.
Ralph....
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STR INDUSTRY REPORT LATE BREAKING INDUSTRY-WIDE NEWS
Computer Products Update - CPU Report
------------------------ ----------
Weekly Happenings in the Computer World
Issue #36
Compiled by: Dana P. Jacobson
-/- Clinton Eyes Online Copyright Laws -/-
The Clinton administration says existing copyright law protections
apply to materials carried on computer networks, but the president
wants changes in the law to clarify those protections for online
material.
Associated Press writer Jeannine Aversa says changes proposed in a
report would specify that electronic transmissions -- just like printed
books, records and home videos -- would "fall within the exclusive
distribution right of the copyright owner." The recommendations require
congressional approval, she adds.
Report author Bruce Lehman, commissioner of Patents and Trademarks,
told the wire service the recommendation, if implemented, wouldn't
affect how home computer users and others now legally make electronic
copies of data provided by computer services or the global computer
network Internet, as long as the copies are for their private use.
Agreeing, Ken Wasch, president of the Software Publishers
Association, says the recommendation would "make it easier to prosecute
people who take copyrighted works and distribute them broadly" using
computers.
However, adds Aversa, "the report doesn't address the critical
issue of enforcement of copyright laws and ways companies can best
protect their products, services and other information from electronic
eavesdroppers."
Commerce Secretary Ron Brown says the clarified protections,
seeking to adapt existing copyright laws to the challenge, should help
transform the information superhighway from a "intriguing communications
tool" into a "cyberspace marketplace."
Notes Aversa, "Under existing copyright laws, most of the time it
is up to be the copyright owners -- from newspaper and software
publishers to movie producers -- to sue the violators in court. In some
cases, federal law enforcement gets involved and prosecutes violators."
Also recommended in the report:
-:- Stronger criminal penalties against copyright violators and
making it a copyright violation to willfully distribute copies worth
more than $5,000. Careless distribution of a few copies with little
monetary value would not be subject to criminal charges.
-:- Provisions making it illegal to import, manufacture and
distribute devices designed to circumvent anti-copying technologies.
-:- Rules making it easier for libraries to make electronic copies
of protected materials without the creator's permission.
-:- Permission for non-profit organizations to make copies at cost
of copyrighted works for the visually impaired under certain conditions
without the creator's permission.
-/- More Cracking of 'Hackers' Page -/-
MGM/UA's World Wide Web site intended to promote the studio's new
movie "Hackers" continues to be a digital vandalism target itself.
Lately, intruders have added links to stolen credit card listings,
drug use and homemade bomb-making information.
Invaders have changed text and altered images at the Internet site
(at Web address http://mgmua.com/hackers) to ridicule the movie, MGM/UA
Vice President John Hegeman told CMP Publishing's Electronic
Engineering Times.
Initially, it was reported vandals merely had scribbled mustaches
on the electronic graphics, given them wild neon hair and replaced mug
shots of some actors with a snapshot of friends drinking beer.
However, the magazine says, intruders now also have added
information that directs users to other sites containing the illegal
information.
Larry Lange, associate editor of the magazine, writes in his
story, "A seemingly innocuous Worldwide Web site on the Internet has
thrown open the door to the arcane and shadowy world of computer
hackers."
United Press International quotes Hegeman as saying there is some
correlation between what the vandals have done and the actual material
in the upcoming movie "Hackers." As of yesterday afternoon, MGM/UA
officials had not yet wiped out the hacking material from its Web site,
Lange said.
MGM/UA officials say the site is only for entertainment purposes,
set up to provide information to the public about upcoming movies. UPI
notes the page began as a teaser with a disclaimer that read, "We're
not experts in hacking -- We're not saying we are. We asked people to
open some dialogue -- what are your favorite hacks or what are some
hacks you've done in the past, using this just as background
information to make our site a little more entertaining and
interesting."
Lange says federal authorities are aware of the problem, quoting
an FBI source as saying the site already has been submitted to the
Bureau's National Computer Crime Squad for possible investigation.
Meanwhile, Mike Godwin of the Electronic Frontier Foundation told
the magazine he doesn't see a problem with people stumbling upon
illicit materials linked from the site.
Said Godwin, "Most of the people who even look this stuff up, just
look it up because they think there's a thrill in knowing how to do it.
And an even smaller percentage of them do it."
-/- Screen Suits Prompt Add Changes -/-
Pressured by lawsuits in California, computer makers have begun
modifying how they advertise and package screens in order to give a
clearer picture of monitor size.
Look for the changes to occur with new models that go on sale next
month, according to business writer Evan Ramstad of The Associated
Press, who adds some revised newspaper advertising already has started.
"A 1966 Federal Trade Commission rule requires TV manufacturers to
advertise the size of a TV based on the diagonal measure of the
screen," Ramstad notes. "Many consumers have assumed that's the way
computer monitors were measured as well. But monitor makers have
typically advertised the diagonal size of the glass that covers the
screen. Since a portion of the glass is covered by a plastic frame, the
actual viewing area is always smaller."
This means that a 14-inch monitor typically has a viewing area of
13.1 inches, a 15-inch monitor has 13.5-inch viewing area, and a
17-inch monitor a 15.8-inch viewing area. (Measurements vary among
manufacturers and precision is difficult, since most monitors have
controls that can change the dimensions of the viewing area.)
California's attorney general last year ago began looking into
such discrepancies after hearing from consumers and in March, the
district attorney in Merced County in California sued several
manufacturers in federal court. Two consumer lawsuits followed in
Orange County, Calif.
"PC makers have been in talks with lawyers," AP reports, "some
seeking monetary damages, to resolve the issues. The state attorney
general may reach a settlement next week."
Steve Telliano, spokesman in the California attorney general's
office, told the wire service, "Essentially what we're doing is
creating an industry standard, and 14 inches to one manufacturer
measured one way is different from another. It's been difficult
working through that."
-/- The NFL Is on The Net -/-
As the National Football League kicks off its new season this
weekend, it also is launching its new "Team NFL" home page on the
Internet's World Wide Web, joining an estimated 3,500 other
sports-related site there, from air hockey to Zimbabwean cricket.
Writing in The Wall Street Journal this morning, reporter John
Helyar says the site (located at Web address http://nflhome.com) offers
fans "oodles" of online chatter, game-day updates and much more. "How
much?" he asks. "Well, this being world-wide, try the NFL rules in
Spanish, German and Dutch."
Gene DeRose, who heads the New York online research and consulting
firm Jupiter Communications, told the Journal the Net "is a medium
that's even more conducive to sports than television," adding, "In
terms of statistics, up-to-the-minute scores, and ability to focus in
on specific players and teams, it's just made for the very focused
attention of fans."
NFL Enterprises President Ron Bernard commented the Web site is
made only for a particular kind of fan, of course, one who's "younger,
more highly educated, technologically oriented." Bernard, chief of pro
football's new media ventures, says he knows that's the very sort of
demographic profile that sports leagues and their sponsors want to
increase.
-/- Live Baseball Comes to The Net -/-
Live audio play-by-play baseball reports come to the Internet as
some subscribers to ESPNET SportsZone on the World Wide Web will hear
experimental simulcasts when the Seattle Mariners meet the New York
Yankees in New York tomorrow and Wednesday.
However, because of technical limitations, no more than several
hundred people around the world will be able to access the broadcast
simultaneously, officials told the Reuter News Service.
To receive the experimental simulcasts, people need a computer
with sound capability, access to the ESPNET site on the Web (at Web
address http://espnet.sportszone.com/) and a subscription to ESPNET's
new premium service, which costs $4.95 a month.
Reuters says the broadcasts by Mariners announcers Dave Niehaus,
Rick Rizzs and Chip Caray, will be transmitted over the Internet using
RealAudio technology from Progressive Networks.
John Sage, vice president of marketing for Starwave Corp., which
operates ESPNET SportsZone, acknowledged the Internet simulcasts would
have little appeal to fans in the New York or Seattle areas, who can
simply listen to the game on the radio, "but for anyone who's a
relocated fan in Flagstaff (Arizona) or Antarctica, it's a great way
to catch the game. I'm very bullish on it."
Reuters notes several major colleges also are experimenting with
the Internet as a way to tap into a geographically dispersed base of
devoted fans. For instance, officials at the University of Oregon in
Eugene say they will become the first to report a live college sports
event via the Internet this Saturday when the Ducks take on the
University of Illinois in football.
-/- Policewoman to Marry Online Love -/-
A policewoman has given up her job in Fort Worth, Texas, and has
flown to Britain to marry a store manager she has been cyber-dating on
the Internet but had never seen in person until this weekend.
"I know it sounds crazy," Donna Qalawi told a Reuter News Service
reporter in London today, "but I knew from just talking to him on the
computer that I loved him -- and after meeting him I know I made the
right decision."
Qalawi, leaving Texas for the first time, added, "My family all
think it is wonderful. So I have given up my job to be with him. I know
we will make a great couple."
The groom-to-be, print shop manager Craig Bottomley, said he had
broken the news to his father only 30 minutes before his fiancee's
plane landed, acknowledging, "He was a bit shocked when I told him."
-/- Viruses Slow Win95 Installation -/-
Microsoft Corp. says some buyers of its new Windows 95 are finding
the version of the operating system that installs from floppy diskette
can be ruined by a virus on their machines. However, Win95 itself does
not carry a virus, the firm adds.
The Associated Press says some buyers of the program, which went
on sale last week, have reported they cannot get it on their computers
because the second of 13 diskettes halts the installation.
Microsoft says this happens because it has been corrupted by a
virus. During installation, a computer transfers information that the
customer has typed in and a custom ID number to the second diskette. A
virus can move to the diskette during that process.
Rogers Weed, group product manager for Windows 95, told the wire
service, "Unfortunately, there's not just one virus that spreads this
way." He added, that viruses do not affect the CD-ROM version of
Windows 95 because data can only be read from a compact disc, not
written to it.
Microsoft says it will replace the first two diskettes of
Windows 95 for people who encounter the problem.
Weed suggested people run a virus check of their computer before
installing the program. (That warning also is on the stickers of the
Windows 95 diskettes.)
-/- Gates Calls Win95 Rollout Smooth -/-
Traveling in Europe, Microsoft Corp. Chairman Bill Gates told
local reporters the launch of the new Windows 95 operating system has
gone more smoothly than expected, with sales well up on original
forecasts.
As reported earlier, Microsoft said sales topped the 1 million
mark in North America four days after hitting the shelves Aug. 24, but
from Cernobbio, Italy, Crispian Balmer of the Reuter News Service
reports Gates says the company won't be giving any further sales
figures immediately.
Said Gates, "We announced when we had sold 1 million copies so
people could understand we were off to a much better and faster start
than we expected."
Asked about reports of virus assaults, Gates said, "There are no
problems with anything in Windows 95. There are all sorts of things
which people can have with their present configurations that may cause
some hiccoughs with the installations, but this has involved a much
smaller number of people than we expected."
As reported earlier, a bit of rogue programming dubbed "Word
Concept," which Microsoft calls a "prank macro," has been discovered
infecting some Microsoft Word documents and templates but this problem
is not seen harming Windows 95.
Reuters says that after today's news conference, Gates was whisked
off in a police convoy to Venice where he was due to open an exhibition
of the Leicester Codex, a 72-page manuscript showing Leonardo Da
Vinci's theories on various natural phenomena. This is the first public
viewing of the codex, formerly known as the Codex Hammer, since Gates
bought it last November for $30.8 million, a world record for a
manuscript.
Says Reuters, "A Microsoft official said Gates had asked to be
left alone with the codex for two hours so he could look at the
illustrated documents in peace."
-/-Win95 Rollout Smooth Still Leads in Asia -/-
For the third consecutive quarter, Compaq Computer Corp. remains
the best-selling personal computer brand in Asia-Pacific on the
strength of its Presario product line.
That is the word from Dataquest Corp. researchers, who find Compaq
sold 128,000 units in the region in the three months to June, giving it
a 10.1 percent market share and an industry lead which it is likely to
retain for the rest of the year.
The French Agence France-Press International News Service quotes
Niall O'Reilly, Dataquest's Hong Kong-based PC industry analyst for the
region, as saying, "Their Presario series is one of the best-selling
products in the home market in Asia-Pacific."
Total PC sales in the region in the second quarter were 1.267
million units.
Dataquest says Taiwan's Acer placed second, selling 92,000 units
for a 7.2 percent market share, followed by South Korea's Samsung with
87,000 units and 6.9 percent and AST Research of the United States with
73,000 units and 5.8 percent.
O'Reilly told the wire service Acer's fast growth and good
management made it the biggest challenger to Compaq's lead, while
Samsung's market still remained focused on South Korea. He added, "AST
is strong in South Asia, but its key market in North Asia is beginning
to drop."
Dataquest says Compaq led the market in Australia, China, Hong
Kong, Singapore and Thailand, while Acer sold best in Indonesia,
Malaysia and Taiwan.
-/- Acer Rolls Out New Designer PCs -/-
Acer America Corp. is rolling out its new line of Aspire PCs in
U.S. stores that it says emphasizes form as well as function, forsaking
the traditional beige color of desktop computers for charcoal and dark
emerald.
"Dark colors integrate well into the home," Teresa Dodson-Henry,
product marketing manager for Acer America, the Taiwan company's U.S.
subsidiary, told The Associated Press.
AP comments that while most PC makers distinguish their products
on price, pre-installed software and service, "Acer's move marks a step
toward making PCs more like consumer electronics devices."
Acer hired a design firm to come up with ideas such as moving the
disk and CD-ROM drives to the center of the machine and incorporating a
microphone into the monitor.
Each Aspire unit also incorporates dozens of voice commands, such
as "Play messages" to play its phone answering machine from within any
other program.
The line features three models:
-:- A "value" unit based on a '486 100 MHz microprocessor that
starts at $1,299.
-:- One using a Pentium 75 MHz chip that starts at $1,599.
-:- A high-end unit using a Pentium 133 MHz chip and a five-speed
CD-ROM drive, starting at $2,999.
Monitors are extra.
-/- NEC to Boost DRAM Production -/-
Japan's NEC Corp. says it will increase production of 16-megabit
DRAM (dynamic random-access memory) chips to 10 million units a month
by mid-1996.
The Wall Street Journal this morning quotes a company spokesman as
saying an existing production line in Kyushu, in southern Japan, will
be expanded to meet the growing needs, and a new production line will
be built in Hiroshima. He declined to reveal the investment costs for
the two projects.
The Journal notes NEC currently manufactures five million units a
month, but the company will boost production capacity to meet increased
demand for use in personal computers and mobile phones.
-/- NEC Buys Packard Bell Stake -/-
For $170 million, Japan's NEC Corp. has bought a 19.99 percent
stake in U.S. computer maker Packard Bell Electronics Inc.
Reporting from Sacramento, California, the Dow Jones news service
says that as part of the deal France's Groupe Bull will pay $30 million
to maintain the 19.99 percent stake it bought for an undisclosed price
in July 1993.
Packard Bell said in a statement the companies will cooperate on
research and development, manufacturing and procurement and will also
work together to develop technical standards and products for the
worldwide multimedia market, a strategy likely to encompass joint
development of PCs, game systems, set-top boxes and mobile devices.
-/- U.S. Robotics Acquires Palm -/-
Modem and communications systems maker U.S. Robotics Corp. has
acquired Palm Computing Inc. for $44 million.
The transaction will be accounted for as a pooling-of- interests.
Headquartered in Los Altos, California, Palm develops operating
system and applications software for handheld computers and
communication devices. Palm's products also include personal
information management applications, desktop-to-handheld computer
connectivity software and the Graffiti power writing technology.
"We are extremely impressed with Palm's people and products," says
Casey Cowell president and CEO of U.S. Robotics, which is based in
Skokie, Illinois. "Palm will be a real asset as we push our
communications product strategy beyond the desktop computer and into
the pockets of individual users. We are committed to reaching all
communications markets."
-/- Circuit City Offers Digital PCs -/-
Circuit City and Digital Equipment Corp. have signed an agreement
that will let the consumer electronics chain carry Digital's Starion
line of home and small business PCs.
Circuit City is the fourth national retail chain to carry
Digital's PC line.
"Circuit City, a national consumer electronics giant in the U.S.,
is known for exceptional customer satisfaction," says Enrico Pesatori,
vice president and general manager of Digital's computer systems
division. "With more than 300 convenient locations nationwide and a
strong advertising campaign, they are an excellent match for us as we
selectively expand our product distribution in the important retail
segment."
The new Starion systems are the first consumer PCs to offer home
theater-quality JBL speakers.
-/- Apple Has Power Mac for Schools -/-
Apple Computer Inc. has unveiled the Power Macintosh 5300/100 LC,
a Power PC-based multimedia workstation for students and teachers.
The all-in-one unit features a 100MHz PowerPC RISC 603e
microprocessor with a 256KB Level 2 Cache, 16MB of RAM (expandable to
64MB) and a 1.2GB hard disk. It also includes an Apple SuperDrive
floppy disk drive, two expansion slots--including one that can be used
to add an Ethernet networking connection--and a quad-speed CD-ROM
drive. Built-in multimedia technologies include a video-out connector,
a video capture card, a TV tuner and 16-bit stereo sound in and out.
The system joins the Power Macintosh 5200/75 LC, which was
released last April and was the first Power Macintosh designed
specifically for the education market.
"The interactive nature of multimedia has proved to be one of the
most effective learning tools in education," says Dr. Terry Crane, vice
president and general manager of Apple's K-12 education division. "For
that reason, it is especially important to us to make a
high-performance multimedia system designed especially for schools."
The Power Macintosh 5300/100 LC is available immediately. The
system is priced at $2,399 for direct sales to education, and is also
available with set-up for $2,459.
-/- Gates Signs Italian Bank Deal -/-
In Rome this weekend, Microsoft Corp. Chairman Bill Gates signed
an agreement with Banca di Roma, one of Italy's biggest banks, to
provide software and consulting to help modernize the institution's
information network.
According to the Reuter News Service, the deal calls for Microsoft
to supply the bank's 12,000 PCs with the Windows NT software. Terms
were not disclosed.
"This is no simple engagement, my dear Bill, for we are now
married," Banca di Roma director-general Cesare Geronzi told Gates
after signing the agreement in Rome.
Saying the products will speed up communications and improve
customer relations and data management at his bank, Geronzi told a news
conference, "Connectivity among all the points in the network will
allow customers to be assisted over the telephone and also through
multimedia stations," adding investments in the deal will be "quite
heavy."
Gates said the pact involves a long-term partnership that will
bring a major restructuring of the bank's computer network.
-/- PC TCP/IP Market Takes Off -/-
TCP/IP (Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol) for PCs
is now the largest and most competitive market for TCP/IP products,
with sales of $439.6 million in 1994, according to a new study
conducted by Boston-based International Data Corp.
The study indicates that the worldwide percentage of PCs with
TCP/IP will grow from 5.5 percent in 1994 to 66.1 percent by 1999,
reaching sales of $1.7 billion. IDC attributes this extensive
deployment to the embedding of TCP/IP within the major desktop
operating systems as well as TCP/IP's demand in the migration to
network computing.
"As organizations seek to build tighter links between users and
applications through the use of client/server computing, TCP/IP is
emerging as the foundation for next-generation networking," says
Richard Villars, IDC's director of networking architectures and
management research. "Factors such as the increased role of TCP/IP in
application development, the expanded use of TCP/IP networks for remote
access and broader Internet usage, have been instrumental in fueling
the tremendous growth of TCP/IP and related applications."
-/- New Power Mac Clone Makes Debut -/-
Power Computing Corp. has begun shipping the Power 120, a
Macintosh-compatible computer based on the 120MHz PowerPC
microprocessor.
Pricing for the desktop Power 120 begins at $1,999, or $2,099 for
a mini-tower configuration. The system includes 8MB of RAM, a 365MB
hard disk, three NuBus slots, one PDS slot, built-in video, on-board
Ethernet support, an extended keyboard and a mouse. Bundled software
includes Quicken, ClarisWorks, Now Utilities, Now Up-to-Date and Now
Contact.
Users can customize the Power 120 by adding up to 200MB of RAM,
4GB of hard drive space, a quad-speed CD-ROM drive, an additional L2
cache and high performance audio-video capabilities.
"Compared to similarly-equipped Pentium-based CPUs, the Power 120
represents a substantial price breakthrough," says Stephen Kahng,
president of Power Computing.
Power Computing is based in Cupertino, California.
-/- Jerome York Leaves IBM -/-
Surprising colleagues, Jerome B. York, IBM's chief financial
officer, widely credited for Big Blue's recent revival, has resigned
to join Kirk Kerkorian's Tracinda Corp. as vice chairman.
Writing in The Wall Street Journal this morning, reporters Laurie
Hays and Gabriella Stern say York's sudden departure "rattled Wall
Street and instantly boosted the prospects that Mr. Kerkorian could try
to renew Tracinda's bid for Chrysler Corp. -- abandoned last April for
lack of financing -- or push for big changes at the auto maker."
IBM stock fell on the York news, trading down $1.625 a share, a
total decline of more than $890 million in a rising market.
"Hoping to allay anxiety on Wall Street," says the Journal, IBM
immediately named G. Richard Thoman, the executive overseeing its
struggling PC division and a longtime colleague of IBM Chairman Louis
V. Gerstner Jr., to succeed York. Robert Stephenson, who has been head
of IBM's North American sales operation, was named to run the PC unit.
York was Chrysler's chief financial officer before joining IBM
more than two years ago.
-/- 26 Million to Be Online by 1999 -/-
A new forecast predicts more than 26 million people will be
subscribing to online services by 1999, generating $24 billion in
revenues.
Reporting from Wilton, Connecticut, United Press International
quotes the SIMBA Information report "On-line Services: 1995 Review,
Trends & Forecast" as saying online and Internet services worldwide
grew 16.4 percent from 1993 to $13.8 billion in 1994.
The report estimates the industry will grow annually at 11.9
percent from 1995 to 1999.
-/- Microsoft Readies Speech Kit -/-
Microsoft Corp. says it has begun beta testing of its Microsoft
Speech Software Development Kit.
The kit is designed to help software developers provide native
speech-recognition and text-to-speech capabilities in Windows 95 and
Windows NT products.
The Microsoft Speech SDK includes Centigram's TruVoice
text-to-speech-engine, sample source code, the Microsoft Speech API and
documentation.
"The Microsoft Speech SDK will enable the PC industry to
incorporate speech technology into a wide array of Windows-based
applications," says John Ludwig, general manager of Microsoft's
personal systems division.
Microsoft notes that the Microsoft Speech SDK can make Windows
applications accessible to users worldwide with visual or mobility
impairments. Microsoft, in collaboration with the industry, government
and users, has created guidelines for improving Windows-based
applications for people with disabilities.
-/- Chess Tourney Goes Live on Net -/-
At a "live" site on the Internet, chess players around the world
will be following the Intel World Chess Championship that starts Monday
from the top of the World Trade Center in New York City.
Every move made by World Chess Champion Garry Kasparov and
challenger Vishy Anand will be run in real time on the Intel Chess Club
telnet, which can be accessed by logging on to the Intel Corp.'s World
Wide Web site (at Web address http://www.intel.com).
Live coverage begins with the first game at 3 p.m. Eastern Time on
Monday. Subsequent games will be played at 3 p.m. each Monday, Tuesday,
Thursday and Friday until the best-of-twenty winner is determined.
"A facility has even been provided so that viewers will be able to
comment as the action unfolds," Intel said in a statement today. "Chess
aficionados from around the world are expected to give their opinions
on who is winning, key turning points in the game and tips on what the
next great move should be."
The Web site also will provide background information on the
championship and other Intel-sponsored chess events, details on the
venue and the schedule of play, biographies of the players and the
latest Intel World Chess Ranking list.
-/- SAT Course Debuts on Internet -/-
Stanford Testing Systems Inc. of Spokane, Washington, has launched
the Internet's first SAT preparation course.
The interactive service, called WebWare for the SAT
(http://www.testprep.com), is available at no charge to any student who
has the ability to browse the World Wide Web graphically. Visitors can
browse STS's 47 skill lessons and 700 practice questions online.
"This WebWare for the SAT service is a terrific opportunity for
families who can't afford expensive SAT test-prep classes," says
Pardner Wynn, STS's president. "We anticipate thousands of students
taking advantage of our free Internet service each week as increasing
numbers of households, schools and public libraries around the nation
come online."
Microsoft Plus! STR FOCUS!
Microsoft Plus!
The Perfect Companion to Windows 95
Microsoft Plus! makes accessing the Internet as easy as using the Windows
95 operating system. With Microsoft Plus! your personal computer is self-
tuning and looks great!
Click your way on to the Internet!
----------------------------------
With Internet Explorer an equal if not superior to any Web Browser
avaialble today!
Microsoft Plus! is a fast, easy way to get on the Internet. An easy sign-
up wizard quickly configures your PC to surf the information highway.*
You also get Internet Explorer, a sophisticated World Wide Web browser
that enables you to drag and drop data between the World Wide Web, FTP
(file transfer protocol), gopher, and your desktop.
Microsoft Plus! tunes your PC.
------------------------------
At regularly scheduled times, or when you're not using your PC, the
Microsoft Plus! System Agent automatically tunes your system, performing
tasks such as disk optimization and error correction.
The Microsoft Plus! System Agent can run any application at prescheduled
times.
Microsoft Plus! includes an enhanced version of the DriveSpaceTM disk-
compression utility-optimized for 486 or Pentium processors-that gives
you extra space. So you can choose up to 50 percent more compression and
store up to 2 gigabytes of data on compressed volumes, depending on your
system configuration.
Working with the System Agent in Microsoft Plus!, the Compression Agent
can automatically recompress data during system idle time, delivering
higher compression ratios and more free disk space. Because the
Compression Agent runs during system idle time, it can also enhance your
system's overall speed.
Dial-Up Networking server-Turn your computer into a Dial-Up Networking
server that lets your small office or workgroup share data remotely.
Microsoft Plus! exploits the power of your PC to make Windows 95 look even
better.
Microsoft Plus! makes Windows 95 come alive with 12 colorful desktop
themes that dramatically enhance the look and sound of your PC. Each
desktop theme incorporates many interface components such as new sound
schemes, wallpaper, screen savers, 3-D icons, fonts, cursors, and color
schemes. The Microsoft Plus! Desktop Themes feature unifies all of these
components thematically.
Customize your system with your choice of themes: Science, The '60s USA,
Leonardo da Vinci, Dangerous Creatures, Sports, The Golden Era, Inside
Your Computer, Mystery, Nature, Travel, Windows 95, and More Windows.
The theme switcher lets you coordinate and switch all of these themes
quickly and easily.
Font Smoothing is an anti-aliasing and hinting feature that makes fonts
easier to read.
Full Window Drag means that the entire contents of a window are dragged as
solid blocks instead of outlines. Full Window Drag makes resizing windows
easier, because you can see the window content as it is being resized.
Play a mean pinball.
--------------------
The 3-D Pinball in Microsoft Plus! is one of a new generation of exciting,
full-motion games for Windows 95 that looks, sounds, and plays like the
real thing.
Specifications
--------------
To use Microsoft Plus!, you need:
Personal computer with a 486 or higher processor
Microsoft Windows 95 operating system
8 MB of memory
Typical hard-disk space required: 25 MB; Additional hard-disk space
required if you need to install Internet provider software*
3.5" high-density disk drive or CD-ROM drive
Monitor resolution needed: 640x480x256 (16 or 24 bit color recommended)
Microsoft Mouse or compatible pointing device
Modem/fax modem or Internet server (required to use Internet features)
Audio card (required for sound features in Pinball and Desktop Themes)
Customize your system with a selection of 12 colorful themes.
Working with the System Agent, the Compression Agent in Microsoft Plus!
can automatically recompress data during system idle time, delivering
higher compression ratios and more free disk space.
Microsoft Plus! includes all the software you need to connect to the
Internet and find information-quick as a click of the mouse.
Play a mean Pinball with this realistic, 3-D, fast-action game designed
for Windows 95.
*Access to the Internet requires a subscription to an Internet Service
Provider (ISP) such as The Microsoft Network.
For additional information on Microsoft Plus!, check our World Wide Web
site at http://www.windows.microsoft.com.
(C)1995 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved.
This data sheet is for informational purposes only. MICROSOFT MAKES NO
WARRANTIES, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, IN THIS SUMMARY. Data used in screens is
fictitious, unless otherwise noted. Microsoft, DriveSpace, Windows, and
the Windows logo are either registered trademarks or trademarks of
Microsoft Corporation in the United States and/or other countries. Pentium
is a registered trademark of Intel Corporation.
Microsoft Corporation One Microsoft Way Redmond, WA 98052-6399 USA
Frankie's Corner STR Feature
FLY FISHING: GREAT RIVERS OF THE WEST
available for Macintosh and Windows
for ages 10 and up
IVI Publishing
7500 Flying Cloud Drive
Minneapolis, MN 55344-3739
Program Requirements
---------------------
A Personal Computer using a 486SX 33 MHz processor or better
8 MB RAM
8 MB Virtual Memory (Swap File)
Hard Disk with a minimum of 10 MB free space
Double Speed CD-ROM drive
SVGA Resolution 640x480 displaying 256 colors
Microsoft Windows 3.1 or later
Microsoft Mouse or compatible pointing device
Stereo headphones or speakers
Video for Windows 1.1e (Included with disc)
VL bus or faster VGA video card
Minimum MPC-Level 1 compatible sound card
The Kids' Computing Corner
by Frank Sereno
"Fly Fishing: Great Rivers of the West" is advertised as "a virtual
adventure on six great rivers." It may inspire someone to take an
adventure, but this is really a reference guide to six rivers and to some
of the intricacies and art of fly fishing.
This title was made with great effort, research and devotion to the
subject matter. It is filled with great photography, nature sound clips
and video clips. "Fly Fishing" includes listings of guides, lodges and
eateries near each river. A video tour is included for each of the six
rivers and local guides provide expert commentary and tips for fishing
these waters.
Also included is a gallery of nature photography from which the user can
order prints in selected sizes with varying framing, matting and mounting
options. These prints are purchased directly from the award-winning
photographer who shot the images. Each photographer has his own pricing,
shipping and payment options.
This title will appeal mostly to fishermen, especially fly fishermen, but
it can be enjoyed by those who love nature also. The sounds of fast-
rushing rapids and the calling of birds are relaxing. The photography is
often inspiring. The program also includes information about the local
climate, ecosystem, local flora and fauna and more.
"Fly Fishing" has too narrow a topic matter to be of interest to most
people. But it is a well-designed program. If you are fly fisherman,
novice or experienced, "Fly Fishing: Great Rivers of the West" can be an
excellent resource for trip planning and for learning more about the
sport. Nature lovers can enjoy the breathtaking photography and the
beautiful nature sounds, but other titles may be a better value in that
regard.
Rating on a scale of 1 to 10
For Fly Fishermen: 8
Nature Lovers: 6
General public: 3
The Bizarre Adventures of Woodruff and the Schnibble
Windows CD-ROM
for ages 12+
from Sierra On-Line
Program Requirements
---------------------
CPU: 486/25
RAM: 4 megs
OS: Win 3.1 or greater
Video: 640 x 480 x 256 colors
CD-ROM: Double-speed recommended
HDISK: 5 megs
Misc.: Sound card, mouse
Bizarre is a very apt description for the adventures you will enjoy as
Woodruff in this game from Sierra On-Line. This game features excellent
graphics, challenging puzzles and tremendous play value along with an
easy-to-master interface.
Imagine if you will that you are a five-year-old boy living in a post-
apocalyptic world. A new race of creatures, the Boozooks, populated the
Earth after the war but these peace-loving peoples have now been
subjugated by the humans. Your uncle, Professor Azimuth, is a dissident
against the current regime and its treatment of the Boozooks. He is also
a brilliant scientist who has developed a machine to control the aging
process. The uncle wishes to find and unleash the Schnibble, a powerful
magic that will bring peace and understanding to the Boozooks and the
humans.
When the government tries to stop Professor Azimuth, he hides his aging
device on your head and sends you away to safety. But just as you are
leaving, you see the BigWig spray your teddy bear with gun fire. In an
instant, you are transformed into an adult. The process leaves you with
only one memory, the murder of your teddy bear.
The object of the game is to find Professor Azimuth and defeat the BigWig.
To do this, you must guide Woodruff through the city on a quest for clues.
You can collect different items which can be used on other objects to
solve puzzles. On your quest you will find syllables from Boozook magic
incantations. If you find the correct syllables, you can then cast the
spells.
"Woodruff" is a very humorous game. It is filled with jokes and funny
sight gags. Some facial expressions on the characters' faces are
hilarious. Woodruff engages in comic antics whenever the player takes too
long to make a move in the game.
The graphics are outstanding and are done in a zany comic book style. The
sounds used in the program are very good. The voice characterizations are
excellent. The music won't top the Billboard charts but it is pleasing
and suitable.
The interface is point-and-click. Simply move the cursor and click on a
location and Woodruff will go there. Click on an item and Woodruff will
pick it up if he has room in his inventory. The inventory items can be
accessed by clicking the right mouse button and then choosing the item.
The item can then be used on other objects on the screen by clicking on
them. A set of hidden pull-down menus can be accessed by moving the
cursor to the top of the screen.
This is fairly large game and the puzzles can be quite difficult.
Gameplay is not linear because puzzles do not have to be solved in a
specific order. The humorous touches in "Woodruff" make it even more
enjoyable to play.
Sierra On-Line offers a 30-day moneyback guarantee so trying this game is
virtually risk-free. Sierra is also currently offering a free strategy
guide if you purchase "Woodruff." The guide is a $14.95 value.
This makes "Woodruff" a very good buy for your gaming dollars, especially
if you enjoy puzzle games.
Ratings
Graphics ........... 9.0
Sounds ............. 9.5
Interface .......... 9.0
Play Value ......... 8.5
Bang for the Buck .. 9.0
Average ............ 9.0
Comments, suggestions and salutations are welcomed at my e-mail address,
fsereno@matrix.uti.com. Thank you for reading!
Visual dBase 5.5 STR FOCUS!
Visual dBASE 5.5
Relational Database for Windows
Visual dBASE combines leading edge visual tools with a flexible, yet
easy, programming language--to deliver the most productive database
solution for business professionals and application developers.
* Interactive data management
* Powerful visual application development
* Robust client/server capabilities
* Optional integrated compiler
* Supports Windows 3.1 and Windows 95
Visual dBASE addresses the needs of a wide range of users. Whether
you're a business professional or an application developer, Visual dBASE
provides the solution for your data processing needs.
Business professionals will appreciate the wealth of support they
receive in their everyday chores. New enhanced Experts make creation of
databases simple work. Sophisticated forms can be created with the help
of the FormExpert(TM)--it's just a matter of selecting options and
filling in the blanks. Other Experts help with tthe creation of tables,
reports, and labels. New Visual Property Builders let the user fine-tune
designs without programming. Interactive Tutors(TM) train users while
letting them do real work--not training exercises. And the Navigator
makes it easy to create, edit, and run all the database components.
Application developers have all the tools they need available in one,
highly integrated environment. They can create components visually and
see the results in object-oriented dBASE code. Changes made in code are
reflected in the Visual Designers. These Visual Two-Way-Tools(TM) give
developers the power to move quickly from prototype to production. New
Visual Inheritance allows developers to easily create reusable classes or
components, which improves consistency and reduces maintenance. New OLE
Automation lets developers create applications that integrate MS Office
applications and others. The separately available Visual dBASE(R)
Compiler makes it possibble to distribute any Visual dBASE application
free of royalties. Additional tools that raise developer productivity
are the integrated Debugger and Coverage Analyzer. Create tables, forms,
reports, and labels easily.
With Visual dBASE, you'll accomplish your data management tasks
quickly. Experts create your tables, forms, reports, and labels for you.
You just select the options and fill in the blanks. You can fine-tune
your designs without any programming using Visual Property Builders. The
Navigator lets you keep track of all your data, forms, queries, reports,
and labels with point-and-click simplicity.
Increase productivity with object-oriented tools. Visual dBASE
provides more than 25 built-in classes to help you design your
applications fast! You can now visually design and save your own custom
forms and controls. Tap into the wealth of industry-standard VBX controls
to enhance your applications further. Then reuse all these components to
eexpedite further development through Visual Inheritance.
You can drive MS Office applications from Visual dBASE through OLE
Automation.
Develop to your full potential with Two-Way-Tools. As you edit your
components visually, changes are reflected automatically in dBASE code.
Or edit your code and see the changes directly in the Visual Designers.
You can learn Object-Oriented Programming fast by inspecting the code
generated automatically in visual design. Use whichever method of design
matches your situation best. Now you can develop the applications you've
always wanted. "The object-oriented features in Visual dBASE are the most
complete and well-integrated that I've seen. This is by far the best
implementation of OOP on the market."
Move to client/server with ease. New Robust client/server
capabilities allow easy access to local and remote data, using the same
user interface and applications. You can use SQL commands interactively,
or emmbed them in your applications. You can access server-based stored
procedures, and connect to popular database servers via ODBC. Use Visual
dBASE to develop applications that support relational concepts such as
Primary Keys, Referential Integrity, NULL values, and transaction
isolation levels. With the Visual dBASE Client/Server version, you'll
connect to the most popular database servers via native SQL drivers.
Visual dBASE Compiler
Use the Visual dBASE Compiler for royalty-free application
deployment. Create your application once, and deploy it as often as you
want. When you hand over your application to users, they don't need
Visual dBASE to work with it. Save money and protect your investment with
the Visual dBASE Compiler. You don't have to charge for royalties or
runtime systems, and no one has access to your source code.
Build executables without complications. Pick the application to be
compiled visually, and Visual dBASE automaticallyy detects and compiles
all procedure files, libraries, and other source code, without a project
file. Get started fast by visually selecting the splash screens and icons
to be associated with your application. Then watch Visual dBASE link all
the components together into a Windows executable file. You can inspect
the log file that Visual dBASE generates to see any errors and warnings.
Deliver customized solutions. Choose from a selection of
professional sample splash screens and icons, or build your own bitmaps,
icons, fonts, and more with the included Resource Workshop.(R) You can
even edit resources out of DLLs! It's easy to provide context-sensitive
help to users. Just generate Windows help (HLP) files that connect your
applications to the Windows help system with the Help Compiler; then set
the HelpID property to connect a HLP file context to Visual dBASE forms
and controls.
Create professional install programs. The NEW! Application Deployer
letts you create a disk image of your application easily, whether on disks
or CD-ROM. It compresses your application files so fewer disks are
required, and then automatically creates sophisticated installation
programs for the users of your applications.
Support Windows 95 features NOW! With Visual dBASE, you can take
advantage of NEW! Windows 95 features. Use long file names under Windows
95 for easier file management. Support Windows 95 interface standards,
such as icon tips, document-centric user interface, right-click menus,
and more. Now you can create database applications that run on both
Windows 3.1 and Windows 95--Visual dBASE automatically senses the
environment and adjusts its look and feel accordingly.
Visual dBASE Specifications
Capacity
* Up to one billion records per file
* Up to 1,024 fields per table
* Up to 254 characters per field
* Up to 32,767 bytes per record
* Up to 47 indexes per master index file
* Up to 10 master index files open per database
* Up to 225 work areas open simultaneously
Data Types
* Character: Up to 32K characters per memory variable
* Numeric: Up to 20 digits
* Float: Up to 20 digits (19 significant)
* Date, Logical
* Memo, Binary, OLE fields limited only by memory and
storage capacity
* Read and write Paradox(R) data format
* Read and write SQL data
Database Management
* Tables
* Design dBASE, Paradox, or SQL tables
* Supports ODBC data sources
* Set indexes
* Display, add, change, or delete data in browse, form, or
columnar layout
* Data encryption and multilevel security protect data from
unauthorized access
* Supports Referential Integrity rules of Paradox and
database server tables
* Query Designer
* SpeedFilter(TM) technology for fastest results
* Query dBASE, Paradox, and SQL data at once
* Editable vviews
* Select and order fields with mouse
* Link tables visually
* Include complex conditions and calculated fields
User Interface Components
* SpeedBars(TM) and SpeedMenus(TM) for quick access to
common tasks
* Visual dBASE Navigator
* View and access tables, queries, forms, reports, labels,
programs, images, and sounds
* Launch designers from within Navigator
* Catalog Manager
* Organize related files by dragging and dropping into
separate catalogs
* See relations visually
* Supports Windows 95 features such as long file names and
SpeedTips
* Modify any object with Object Inspector(R)
* More than 12 tutors that work with "live" data
* Online Help Application Development Tools
* Two-Way-Tools for queries, forms, and menus generate
object-oriented source code
* Form Designer
* FormExpert creates form automatically
* Custom fform creation
* One-to-one or one-to-many forms
* "Live" data in design mode
* Control Palette with built-in objects, including text,
line, rectangle, entry field, push button, radio button,
check box, spin box, list box, combo box, browse, editor,
image, scroll bars, paintbox, tabbed pages, and OLE field
* Visually create custom controls and forms to use as
templates for form design
* Load VBX and custom controls in the Control Palette
* Change properties with Object Inspector
* Selectable fonts, patterns, variable colors
* Use prebuilt objects
* Launch one form from another
* Access all object properties, events, and methods using
the Object Inspector
* Procedure Editor with syntax checking
Crystal Reports for Visual dBASE
* Banded Report Designer
* Columnar lists and reports
* Crosstabs
* Form letters, custom and standard labels
* HHeaders and footers in pages and groups
* Uses dBASE expressions
Debugger
* Step and list breakpoints
* Trace execution or trace method and procedure calls
* View any code during debugging
* Step over and step into execution
* Watch and inspect variables and expressions
* Powerful Expression Builder
* Built-in, C-style preprocessor
* Test coverage analysis
Visual dBASE Language
* Industry-standard dBASE language
* Both dBASE and ANSI SQL data manipulation languages
supported for local and remote tables
* Design event-driven programs
* Sophisticated object model includes inheritance,
encapsulation, and polymorphism
* Predefined classes and new class creation
* Supports OLE, OLE Automation, and DDE
* Supports VBX level 1 controls
* Directly access DLLs, Windows API calls
* Access stored procedures on database servers
* Extensible with C, C++, Pascall, or Delphi(TM)
* Supports multimedia applications
* NULL support for server databases
* Codeblocks and function pointers
* Local and static variables
* Multidimensional arrays, sparse arrays, associative
arrays, arrays as objects, array functions, array builder
tool
* Constrain and Integrity Relations
* Cascading deletes
* Parameter passing
* Up to 255 parameters passed to single routine Data
Safeguards
* AUTO SAVE writes to disk automatically
* Data validation
* Transaction processing with rollback
Multiuser Features
* Automatic file and record locking
* Automatic retry when record/file is locked
* Indication of which users have locks
* Change detection and screen refresh
Optional Visual dBASE Compiler
* Compiler creates Windows executables from dBASE source
code
* Distribute applications royalty-free
* Application Deployeer creates distribution disks with
installation utility
System Requirements
* Intel 386-based PC or higher
* Microsoft Windows 3.1 in enhanced mode, or Windows 95
* DOS 3.1 or later, 100% compatibles (not required with
Windows 95)
* 6Mb minimum memory (8Mb or more recommended)
* Minimum 14Mb available hard disk space for application
only
* VGA/SVGA monitor and graphics adapter
Networks Supported
* Novell NetWare 3.11, 3.12, 4.01, and Personal NetWare
* Microsoft Windows for Workgroups 3.11; Microsoft Windows
NT Server 3.51
* Banyan VINES 5.0
* DecNET Pathworks 4.1
* IBM LAN Server 4.0
* Lantastic 6.0
Client/server Requirements
* Visual dBASE works with communications hardware and
software appropriate for the following SQL database
servers:
- InterBase,(R) Oracle, Sybase, and MS SQL Server.
* Requires Visual dBASE Client/Server or Borland SQL Links
(sold separately).
Visual dBASE FAST FACTS
* Up to two times faster than dBASE for Windows
* NEW! Table, Report, and Label Experts
* Enhanced, fully customizable FormExpert
* Over 20 NEW! and enhanced Visual Property Builders
* Visual Two-Way-Tools
* NEW! Visually design and inherit forms and controls
* NEW! TabBox control class makes multi-page forms a snap
* True event-driven, object-oriented development with
expanded capabilities
* NEW! and enhanced built-in classes
* Robust client/server support, including NEW! stored
procedures
* NEW! Complete table-level security and encryption
* Only Windows database that runs dBASE III(R) and dBASE
IV(R) applications unchanged
* Latest Windows technology, including OLE, OLE Automation,
DDE, VBXs, and ODBC
* NEW! Supports Windows 95 features NOW!
Compiler FAST FACTS
* Perfeect companion to Visual dBASE 5.5
* Royalty-free deployment of programs created in Visual
dBASE
* Visually compile source code to object code
* Includes sample splash screens, bitmaps, and icons
* Visually build EXEs from object code
* Icon, bitmap, and resource editor
* Compile applications that support OLE, OLE Automation,
DDE, VBXs, and ODBC
* Compile client/server-enabled applications
* Full support for object-oriented programs
* Application Deployer builds professional install disks
* Delivers fast database applications for Windows 3.1 and
Windows 95 users
QUOTES:
"The object-oriented features in Visual dBASE are the most complete and
well-integrated that I've seen. This is by far the best implementation of
OOP on the market."
"The new Visual dBASE Compiler is a dream come true--Borland has lived up
to my high hopes for this product."
The Visual dBASE family of products:
* Visual dBASE: Create standalone and networked applications
for your own use.
* Visual dBASE Compiler: Deploy your applications to other
users royalty-free.
* Visual dBASE Client/Server: Includes Visual dBASE, Visual
dBASE Compiler, Local InterBase(R) Server, native SQL
drivers to connect to popular databases, plus a Data Pump
Expert.
Copyright 1995 Borland International, Inc. All rights reserved. All
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LINUX LINE STR Feature
LINUX LINE
by Scott Dowdle - dowdle@mcn.net
login:
In this installment of Linux Line, I'm going to discuss the GNU Emacs text
editor, as well as provide some information about Linux resources both on
the Internet and off..
GNU Emacs is a freely distributable product (both in source code and
binary
executable form) of the Free Software Foundation and is copylefted under
the GNU Public License. A version of Emacs is available for most computer
operating system platforms including various flavors of Unix, the Atari,
the Amiga, DOS, and Microsoft Windows... just to name a few. GNU Emacs is
distributed many ways including floppy disks directly from the FSF, it's
included with operating system distributions (virtually all Linux
distributions for example) and it's available on the Internet through
anonymous FTP access and World Wide Web links. The authoritative FTP site
is prep.ai.mit.edu in the /pub/gnu directory.
A task that most computer users find themselves doing from time to time is
creating and editing text files. I use a text editor sometime during my
computing session virtually every time I turn my computer on.
Under Linux there are a large variety of text editors to choose from but
the
two main flavors are VI and EMACS. VI stands for VIsual editor, and it is
the most popular text editor among Unix users simply because it is
relatively small and fast to load. The only problem with VI is that it
has
a very rudimentary user interface, forcing the user to switch between its
INSERT and COMMAND modes to get the job done.
When compared to VI, GNU Emacs is much more user friendly, feature packed,
and it's even X-aware (run it under Xwindows and it adds features like
mouse support, fonts, and dropdown menus, etc)... but many people seem to
be intimidated by Emacs for some reason. Perhaps they are intimidated by
its size (often 20MB or so), or all of the features and the complexity of
some of its default hotkeys. Some people feel that Emacs violates the
very
design criteria and essence of Unix... where programs are supposed to be
small and fast, by being specialized and doing one thing and one thing
only, but doing it well. Emacs on the other hand, seems to be a "Jack of
All Trades"... sort of a mini operating system in its own right... and it
seems that users either hate Emacs or are totally devoted to the "Emacs
religion". :)
Being a relative newcomer to GNU Emacs, I thought I'd offer my opinions,
and hopefully sway those who have been avoiding it with a 10 foot pole to
take a closer look.
What is GNU Emacs?
Taking the definition right out of GNU Emacs' online help...
- - -
"Emacs is the extensible, customizable, self-documenting, real-time
display
editor."
- - -
Now what does that all mean? Again, borrowing from GNU Emacs online
help...
- - -
"'Self-documenting' means that at any time you can type a special
character, `Control-h', to find out what your options are. You can also
use it to find out what any command does, or to find all the commands that
pertain to a topic.
'Customizable' means that you can change the definitions of Emacs commands
in little ways. For example, if you use a programming language in which
comments start with `<**' and end with `**>', you can tell the Emacs
comment manipulation commands to use those. Another sort of customization
is rearrangement of the command set. For example, if you prefer the four
basic cursor motion commands (up, down, left and right) on keys in a
diamond pattern on the keyboard, you can have it.
'Extensible' means that you can go beyond simple customization and write
entirely new commands, programs in the Lisp language to be run by Emacs's
own Lisp interpreter. Emacs is an "on-line extensible" system, which
means
that it is divided into many functions that call each other, any of which
can be redefined in the middle of an editing session. Any part of Emacs
can be replaced without making a separate copy of all of Emacs. Most of
the editing commands of Emacs are written in Lisp already; the few
exceptions could have been written in Lisp but are written in C for
efficiency. Although only a programmer can write an extension, anybody
can
use it afterward.
When run under the X Window System, Emacs provides its own menus and
convenient bindings to mouse buttons. But Emacs can provide many of the
benefits of a window system on a text-only terminal. For instance, you
can
look at or edit several files at once, move text between them, and edit
files at the same time as you run shell commands."
- - -
If it is not obvious yet, Emacs is much more than just a text editor.
Being an extensible editor doesn't mean that you have to sit down and
become a programmer to use Emacs... as one can take advantage of all of
the
extensions that come with it. Such extensions include networking features
like Telnet, FTP, a Usenet Newsgroup Reader, an email reader and sender, a
World Wide Web browser... as well as dozens more.
Emacs also has many "major" and "minor" editing modes especially tailored
for various types of editing. For example, if one were working on a C
program, there is an editing mode specifically for editing C source code.
There are many programming specific editing modes that offer all kinds of
short cuts that are language syntax specific, but Emacs certainly isn't
limited to being an editor for programmers.
When it comes to text editing features, no text editor comes even close to
offering as much as GNU Emacs does... from automatic saving, cursor
movement options, centering, auto-wordwrap, cut/copy/paste, multi-document
editing, spell check (with optional Ispell package), search and replace,
etc. Many commands can operate on a single character, a word, a sentence,
a paragraph or a buffer; Emacs does it all. With so many features and so
many hotkeys to initiate them, it can be confusing for the beginner.
Thankfully there is a key binding feature whereby the user can define what
hotkeys do what functions.
Emacs comes with complete online documentation including a hypertext
manual
driven by its INFO extension. The documentation is so complete that Emacs
even offers context sensitive help. The built-in tutorial really is a
blessing as it initiates newcomers to the design philosophy of Emacs and
eliminates much of the initial confusion caused by the vast amount of
editing modes and features. If those who won't touch Emacs with a ten
foot
pole would just take the time to run through the tutorial, I'm sure that
most if not all of their intimidation would be eliminated.
Conclusion: This author sees Emacs for what it is - a robust text editor
screaming with features, functions and extensions to make computing life
easier in a variety of tasks including, but not limited to, editing text
files. For quick editing of a configuration file, perhaps VI is better.
On the other hand, VI doesn't seem well suited for handling multiple
documents, nor larger documents. The point is that life doesn't have to
be an "either or" situation; Users should become familiar with both Emacs
and VI and use the editor that is more appropriate for the job at hand.
For those ten foot pole holders out there, wise up and stop avoiding
Emacs! :)
- - - - -
Linux Resources
The following is borrowed with permission from John Fisk's Linux HomeBoy
Homepage and his Linux Gazette digital magazine, which can be found on the
Internet's World Wide Web at:
http://www.tenn.com/fiskhtml/linux.html
Want to jump right in and get some software? There are a number of
well maintained and supported distributions that can be obtained via
anonymous ftp. Keep in mind that the typical Linux distribution is
quite large... on the order of ten's of MB worth of files. If you have
a fast networked or PPP/SLIP connection, or want to download only a
portion of a distribution (most will let you set up only those
components that you really want which can mean a LOT of savings in
terms of harddrive space) then anonymous ftp may be a good choice.
Check out:
* Slackware ftp://ftp.cc.gatech.edu/pub/linux/distributions/slackware/
* MCC Interim ftp://ftp.cc.gatech.edu/pub/linux/distributions/MCC/
* Debian ftp://sunsite.unc.edu/pub/Linux/distributions/debian/
* Bogus ftp://ftp.cc.gatech.edu/pub/linux/distributions/bogus/
* SLS ftp://tsx-11.mit.edu/pub/linux/distributions/SLS/
* TAMU ftp://net.tamu.edu/pub/linux
If you've got a CDROM drive then getting one of the growing number of
Linux CD distributions may be the best way to go. Why you ask?
* Cost. Most are priced from a meager $9 for an unadorned Slackware
distribution (which is still a LOT of software) to about $50 for
GIGABYTES of stuff!
* Time. You not only save a huge amount of time downloading files,
but setting up a large Linux distribution from floppies can take 3
to 4 hours compared to about an hour for the usual CD installation.
* Value added stuff. Yup, there are a growing number of vendors who
are providing a good deal of value added software. Everything from
better installation scripts to administrative programs that make
configuration a lot easier. Don't underestimate how much easier
things can be with a bit of help :-)
* Space. Several of these CD distributions will let you run almost
the entire software package from your CDROM drive, which can save
you a lot of harddrive space! Some of these are admittedly still
in the Plug-and-Pray camp, but they're getting better :-)
If you're interested in getting Linux on CD there are several good
places to start looking (on the Internet WWW). These include:
* InfoMagic http://www.infomagic.com/
* Walnut Creek CDROM http://www.cdrom.com/
* Pacific HiTech http://www.pht.com/
* The Caldera Network Desktop http://www.caldera.com/
* Universal CD-ROM http://www.best.com/~ucr/
* S.u.S.E. Linux http://www.suse.de/
For e-mail or phone orders try:
* Trans-Ameritech Systems order@trans-am.com phone: (408) 727-3883
* Yggdrasil Plug-&-Play Linux info@yggdrasil.com phone: (800) 261-6630
* Linux from Nascent CDROM nascent@netcom.com phone: (408) 737-9500
* Red Hat Software Linux info@redhat.com phone: (919) 309-9560
* InfoMagic Orders@InfoMagic.com phone: (800) 800-6613
* Lasermoon Ltd. (UK) info@lasermoon.co.uk
* Morse Telecommunications Linux@morse.net phone: (800) 60-MORSE
* Linux Systems Labs info@lsl.com phone: (800) 432-0556
* Spheric Microsystems info@spheric.com phone: (800) 869-8649
* Spire Technologies info@spiretech.com phone: (503) 222-3086
There are, I'm sure, many other folks selling Linux on CD... but these
will at least give you an idea about where to start. If you need some
information about the various distributions, read Erik Troan's Linux
Distribution HOWTO which can be found amongst the other helpful
edu HOWTO's (see below) collected by Matt Welsh.
You've gotten Linux but are having problems with installation, your
sound card, or getting the CDROM configured? A great place to get some
answers are the numerous HOWTO documents collected and organized by
Matt Welsh. [On the WWW: http://sunsite.unc.edu/mdw/linux.html#howtos]
Finally, want to cruise LinuxSpace and see what's out there... Here's
a couple excellent places:
Linux Documentation Project (LDP) [http://sunsite.unc.edu/mdw/linux.html]
The definitive site, the Linux Documentation Project (LDP) Home
Page is maintained by Matt Walsh, Coordinator of the LDP. It is
a treasure trove of information on all aspects of Linux
including: HOWTO's, FAQ's, LDP documents, vendors and products,
ftp'ing Linux software, User-Groups, the Linux Journal, books
and publications, and a slew of links around the globe.
Linux Organization [http://www.linux.org/]
The Linux Organization Home Page. Another great site for the
support and maintenance of a Linux system. LOTS-o-linkz to a
variety of spots around the 'Web.
Harvest Broker [http://harvest.cs.colorado./brokers/lsm/query.html]
Looking for a certain program... can't find a certain type of
editor... use the Harvest broker to search the Linux Software
Map (LSM): a database of over 1,200 programs written for,
ported to, or supported by Linux. This search engine is a
powerful means of finding specific pieces of software or those
in a given category.
- - - - -
logout:
Included in my plans for the next Linux Line installment are a contrasting
of DOS and Linux including Microsoft Windows versus XFree86 (the freely
distributable flavor of Xwindows for Linux).
See you next time --- Scott Dowdle, Great Falls, Montana - dowdle@mcn.net
WARP OS/2 STR Feature
WARP OS/2
Summer has not left us yet, but companies are already gearing up for the
all-important holiday season. Recently, Microsoft has put Windows 95 on
virtually every store shelf, but they haven't stayed there for long. One
of the anticipated features, "Plug & Play," has made PC's more Mac-like,
and allow Windows 95 to be installed without a hitch on a majority of home
computers.
Knowing installation is one of the weaknesses in OS/2, IBM has released
the Online Compatibility Table. You may either choose to download the
Compatibility Table from IBM's Gopher or WWW site, or you may use the
online hyper-text version.
The index is enormous, and allows you to search to see if your PC system
or device is compatible with OS/2.
There are two broad categories: OS/2 Compatible Systems and OS/2
Compatible Hardware Devices. Under each, there are more narrow
categories.
OS/2 Compatible Systems: Systems, Motherboards/CPU Upgrades, and
Symmetrical Processing Systems
OS/2 Compatible Hardware Devices: Display Adapters, Disk and SCSI
adapters, CD-ROM Drives, OS/2 Miscellaneous Storage Support,
Keyboards, Digitizer Tablets, Mice and Trackballs, Scanners,
OS/2 Multimedia Adapter Support, OS/2 PCMCIA Support,
Data/Fax Modems, Printers and Plotters, LAN Adapter Support,
Tape Support, and more.
Much greater benefits of this service can be obtained from
actually using it, rather than trying to explain it. Basically,
every category brings you to a specific company or alphabetic
search, which then allows you to view a selected product's OS/2
compatibility or compatibility problems.
Just point WebExplorer or your favorite web browser to
http://www.austin.ibm.com/pspinfo/pcmtblann.html and you're on
your way to an excellent aid in solving any possible OS/2
compatibility issues.
Watch this space, for in the coming weeks we will explore a
lesser known side of OS/2: It's role as the operating system of a
game player's machine.
As always, direct any feedback to the editor, Ralph Mariano, at
rmariano@delphi.com, or directly to me at
mike.restivo@np.newpower.com
Happy Warping!
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 John Deegan, Editor (Temp)
McAfee Updates STR Infofile
Errata for VirusScan Version 2.2.5 (9508)
Copyright 1994, 1995 by McAfee, Inc.
All Rights Reserved.
These release notes cover what is new in VirusScan 2.2.5 and the
August DAT release (9508) of VirusScan for DOS, VirusScan for
Windows, VirusScan for OS/2 and VShield.
!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
! NOTE: OS/2 users. DO NOT RUN OS/2 SCAN FROM STARTUP.CMD. !
! DOING SO COULD RESULT IN LOST DESKTOP OR OTHER UNDESIRABLE !
! RESULTS! !
!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Note for NT users:
You must add the following line in your DEFAULT.CFG and PROFILE1.PRF
file (or any other profile you have chosen to use), residing in the
same directory as WSCAN.EXE.
/NODDA
If you are not familiar with profiles, please refer to VIRUSCAN.TXT
or your printed manual.
-----------------------------------------------------
New Functionality:
/NOBEEP
The NOBEEP switch was added and simply turns off system beeps.
/MOVE *.ext
The MOVE switch was modified to accept a different parameter
syntax for the purposes of renaming infected files. This is
added functionality. The old capability is still there. This
new syntax is in the form of "*.ext". The characters "*." are
required. The extension is the extension to be used for the
moved file. It may contain the wildcard character "?" which
maintains the original extension name at that position.
For example:
/MOVE *.x??
will rename infected files to the original extension with the
letter x as the first character of the extension.
PROBABLE UNKNOWN BOOT SECTOR virus
New technology has been added to this version of Scan to detect
as-yet unidentified boot sector viruses. The techniques employed
give VirusScan 2.2.5 the capability of detecting some previously
unknown boot sector viruses based on programmed activity without
having yet seen a replication.
If you encounter one of these, please send us a sample so we may
add exact identification in a future release.
------------------------------------------------------
Detectors added or updated in the 9508 DAT file (143):
ACID.670
ACID.670 (GENERATION-1)
APLITTLE.122.A
ARCV.571
ARGYLE_DR_VIRUS
BARNEY_TROJAN
BEECH
BERYLLIUM.1307
BEWAREBUG.1643
BLINK.504
BLINK.504 - GENERATION 1
BLUE_SHARK
BONES
BUBBLE.471.DR
BULLDOZE_TROJAN
BURGER.560.P
CARPE DIEM
CAZ.722
CONSUMED
CORDOBA
CORP LIFE
CRUCIFIX.2916.A
DAMAGED ONE HALF
DANISH_TINY.KENNEDY.A
DANISH_TINY.KENNEDY.B
DBF
DBF.1114
DELWIN.1759
DEPRESS
DESPERADO.A/B
DESPERADO.C
DESTRUCTOR.B:MTE
DOOM_II
DOOM_II.1240
DOOM_II.1249
DREAM.2060
DS-512
DSU.1414
DSU.1422
DUPOEM
EAF0.638
EAR.MEML.449
ECHO
FACE.2521
FAIRZ.2000
FAIRZ.2090
FICHV.FEXE
FIFTY BOOT
FIREFLY.1087
FIREWALK.2682
FRIDAY 13TH.416.B
GOLD BUG
GREETS.1864
GROG.BUB GENERATION 1
GYSIUM.3563
HIROSHIMA.830
HITEK
HLLC.4768.A
INCUBUS
JD.158
JESTER.1258
JVW
KACZOR.4444.A
KACZOR.4444.B
LITTLE_BROTHER
LITTLE_BROTHER.299
LITTLE_BROTHER.307
LITTLE_BROTHER.321
LITTLE_BROTHER.349
LITTLE_BROTHER.361
LITTLE_BROTHER.398
LORDZERO
LOULOU6.4745
LUTIL
MACGYVER.4112
MICHELANGELO.2
MIDDLE.491
MIDDLE.1041
MIDDLE.1169
MING.491
MIRAGE
MIREA.930
MIREA.1953
MMIR.DAS_BOOT
NARCOSIS
NARCOSIS.BOOT
NATAS.4774
NIGHT.2048
ONE HALF.3544
ONE HALF.3570
ONE HALF.3577
OOOPS
ORCHID
ORCHID.120
PARITY BOOT D
PEACE
PEPPER
PHOENIX.1226
PHOENIX.PHOENIX
PHOENIX.PROUD
PROBABLE UNKNOWN BOOT SECTOR
PS-MPC.432
PUPPET
RADYUM.509
RENE.1176
REPUBLIC
REPUBLIC - GENERATION 1
RIOT.309
RUSH_HOUR.A
SAROV.1000
SAROV.1200.B
SAROV.1400
SCREEN
SHIRA
SIRIUS.400
SIRIUS.720
SLOVAK2.B
STEALTH BOOT.B/D
STEALTH BOOT.F
STEALTH BOOT.G
STEALTH BOOT.H
STONED.DROPPER
STONED.HYSTERIA
STONED.MURGAS
STONED.TURBOMANIAC
TERAZ.2717
TIGRE
TINY.134
TRIVIAL.40
TRIVIAL.81
TUT
ULTRA_VIOLENT
V633
VIENNA.627.A
VIENNA.IWG
VIENNA.VIOLATOR.803
VIRTUAL ONKOGEN
WORMSIGN.1710
XTC.2153
XUXA.1656
YEKE.2425
ZMIA (COM)
ZMIA.1224 (EXE)
----------------------------------------------------
Removers added or updated in the 9508 DAT file (64):
ACID.670
ACID.670 (GENERATION-1)
BEWAREBUG.1643
BONES
CAVACO
CAZ.722
CORDOBA
DAMAGED_ACID.670
DANISH_TINY.KENNEDY.A
DANISH_TINY.KENNEDY.B
DELWIN.1759
DESPERADO.C
DOOM_II
DOOM_II.1240
DOOM_II.1249
DUPOEM
FACE.2521 (COM)
FACE.2521 (EXE)
FACE.2521 (SYS)
FAIRZ.2000
FAIRZ.2090
FICHV.FEXE
FILLER.A
HIROSHIMA.830
HLLC.4768.A
JERUSALEM.PIPI.1536
JERUSALEM.ZEROTIME.AUSTRALIAN.A
JERUSALEM.ZEROTIME.SCOTTS_VALEY
JUMPER.B
KACZOR.4444.A
KACZOR.4444.B
LITTLE_BROTHER.299
LITTLE_BROTHER.307
LITTLE_BROTHER.321
LITTLE_BROTHER.349
LITTLE_BROTHER.361
LITTLE_BROTHER.398
LORDZERO
MACGYVER.2803
MACGYVER.4112
MING.491
MIREA.1953
MIREA.930
MMIR.DAS_BOOT
NARCOSIS
NARCOSIS.BOOT
PARITY BOOT D
PC-OGRE
PHOENIX.1226
PHOENIX.EVIL
PHOENIX.PHOENIX
PHOENIX.PROUD
REPUBLIC
RUSH_HOUR.A
SHIRA
STONED.HYSTERIA
STONED.TURBOMANIAC
TERAZ.2717
ULTRA_VIOLENT
VIENNA.648.LISBON.A/E
VIENNA.648.LISBON.B
VIENNA.648.LISBON.C
VIENNA.648.LISBON.D
VIENNA.648.LISBON.G
-----------------------
False Alarms fixed:
BCV
NOVA
1014
Taipan (Whisper)
----------------------------------------------------
Top active viruses other than those presented above:
AntiCmos (alias: Lixi)
Byway (alias: Dir2.Byway) (*)
Da'Boys (**)
Junkie
MonkeyA
MonkeyB
Natas
NYB (alias: B1)
Ripper
Sampo
V-Sign (alias: Cansu)
WelcomB (alias: BuptBoot)
(*) Effective 9508, we adopted the CARO name of Byway. To remove
this virus, boot up with the virus in memory. Copy all executable
files to floppy, with a non-executable extension. Copy all the data
files off. Format harddisk. Replace files.
(**) To remove Da'Boys from a hard disk infection, one needs to
boot from a clean corresponding DOS version and execute the
command "SYS C:".
The SEGA CHANNEL EXPLORED! STR Feature
-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-
ON DEMAND GAMING VIA THE SEGA CHANNEL
-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-
by Steve Watkins
PLUG IN, GAME ON
Interactive gaming, shopping, communications and applications as yet
undreamed of have been rapturously talked about by leaders of giant
corporations and the public for years. Some people welcome a day when
they can work, shop for anything, read favorite newspapers from around
the world, and watch whatever movie they're in the mood to see, all from
the comfort of an easy chair set in front of a giant television that is
connected to an interactive television/communications service.
Some fear this as the coming of Great Big Brother, as all our daily
activities and actions will be recorded in but a few locations for anyone
with access and power to view, use and abuse. Whichever camp you belong
to, brace yourselves, because it's coming whether you like it or not.
During June of 1994, video game giant Sega took one of the first baby
steps in making at least part of the overall dream, on-demand gaming, a
reality for owners of their Genesis video game system. At that time they
unleashed the Sega Channel on certain test markets. After proving
successful, Sega offered the cable service to the rest of the country
in December of 1994. Now, for $12.95 per month, you can plug a small
rectangular device, called the Sega Channel Adapter, into your Genesis,
connect it to your cable tv outlet and play a variety of 16-bit Genesis
video games with the touch of a few joypad controller buttons.
Sega hopes their new adapter, which plugs into a Genesis exactly like
a regular cartridge, will breathe a little more life into the six-plus
year old system as it approaches it's final hurrah.
"NINTENDON'T AND NEITHER DOES SEGA CHANNEL"
It would be wise to take a few moments to describe what you won't get
or be able to do with Sega Channel. This way you won't read the rest of
the article and constantly wonder, "What about...will it work with...?"
Sega CD, 32X and Saturn games are not available. CD games are, Sega
says, not possible with the cable technology currently in use. 32X games
are possible, but a Sega spokesperson says the system is more than likely
on the way out and not worth the money or effort to mass produce a 32X
adapter. Future Saturn compatibility is being explored.
There's no word on whether the new portable Genesis gaming system can
utilize the current adapter. I don't see why it wouldn't work. After
all, it has a regular sized cart slot, but it would be cumbersome and
impractical.
The Game Genie(TM) and similar "cheat cartridges" will not work with
the adapter. At least that's what I was told by Sega. I don't have such
a device, so I cannot test this claim myself.
Those of you hoping to play head-to-head with a friend who's across
the city, state or country, are out of luck. However, Sega states they
are working on implementing such a feature, more than likely using the
X-Band peripheral. And this would require 'retooling' the channel, so
don't expect to see this feature until sometime in 1996.
All the games you are provided with each month are chosen solely by
Sega. You cannot tap into a master database containing every Genesis
little ever produced. What you see is what you get. What you get is
"around 50 games" per month.
The most asked question concerning the adapter is, "Can I save my
games like the cartridge versions allow?" Yes, but there is a severe
limitation. You may only save progress for _one_ game title at a time.
And each time you load a game the memory is overwritten, so loading a
different game than the one you have saved will destroy (write over) your
saved game(s). The Sega Channel warning concerning saving games states
you "may lose" your save information if you load another game. I will
tell you that you can count on losing it.
Another question you may have is, "Can I still play my own carts or
CDs whenever I wish?" You bet. Simply disconnect the adapter from your
Genesis and set it safely aside. Remember to leave the adapter power
on so you won't lose any game data you might want to keep.
SETTING UP
Okay, now it's time to dig into what you will get if you choose to
become a Sega Channel subscriber. Your cable company will provide you
with a Sega Channel kit when you cough up a one-time "activation fee."
In my area the fee is $10 for anyone who visits the cable office to pick
up the kit and $25 for those who want it delivered to their home and
installed by a cable technician. If you're lucky your cable operator
won't charge you this fee. Who's that lucky? *
The kit includes the channel adapter, an adapter power supply, an
introduction/installation booklet, a cable signal tap and an extra cable.
The tap and extra cable allow you to connect the adapter to your cable
box or cable ready VCR/TV without having to disconnect the adapter when
you want to watch television.
* - The Sega Channel _is not_ available to all cable subscribers.
Regional operators choose which services to carry, so call to find out
if yours carries Sega Channel.
NOW PLAYING
When you first flip on your Genesis to use the channel, the adapter
provides you with minor eye candy to keep your brain occupied while the
adapter connects with the channel and loads the main menu. This process
takes about 20-30 seconds. Now grab your joypad, load up on snacks and
prepare for gaming around the clock.
CHOICES, CHOICES, CHOICES
A bright, colorful and sometimes difficult to read "NOW PLAYING" menu
screen appears after the adapter has made the connection with the
channel. The menu is divided into two columns of five self descriptive
sections. They are:
NOW PLAYING
- Test Drives - Wings & Wheels
- The Arcade - The Think Tank
- The Locker Room - Family Room
- Fantasy Land - Express Games
- News Link - Game Guide
* - A note on making selections: You move a highlight box from
section to the section then hit start to enter one you'd like to
explore.
Once inside a section, you'll see a list of no less than five game
titles. Again, use the joypad to move a highlight box up or down through
the choices and hit start to make your selection. Another screen will
appear, displaying a brief description of the game and two option
bubbles, GAME and HELP. If you choose GAME, you'll see yet another
screen with a window that scrolls important information about the game as
well as miscellaneous information. Choosing HELP immediately begins the
process of loading the help file library, where you'll have access to
every game manual. The load time for the help file or any given game is
rarely more than a minute.
And now back to our regularly schedule article... The ten sections
listed above are available during September. The names may change month
to month, and in fact two of them have since August, but the types of
games you choose from each month remains the same. Also, Sega may hold
special promotions during certain months, which means you may find one
less game genre section and in its place one devoted entirely to a
specific game.
For example, in August Wings & Wheels section did not exist. A
section called Primal Rage was in its place. As you might guess, that
section contained a limited trial version of the arcade smash Primal Rage
as well as information about a special contest they held to hype the
August 25th retail release of the game. Subscribers were allowed to hone
their fighting skills with a limited version of the game in anticipation
of "Rage Day," which was the day Sega offered subscribers the chance to
play the full release version and compete for over a hundred and fifty
prizes.
The Grand Prize was a Primal Rage arcade machine.
Regardless of what the sections are named or whether there's a
promotion during a given month, Sega says you will receive "around 50"
games each month. In August there were fifty-one, but among them were
three Test Drives, a limited Primal Rage and three Express Games (the
sections are explained below). I consider that forty-four, though,
technically, Sega is correct. Also, several titles for children are
included, so adults and teens will find the number closer to
thirty-eight. In September the breakdown was nearly identical.
CHANNEL SURFING
The Test Drive section contains playable versions of upcoming retail
releases. The positive side of a Test Drive game is that you can play it
before it goes to retail outlets and decide whether you might want to
purchase it. The negative side is that you are limited
to only _20 or 30 minutes_ of play each time you load one. The time
limit depends on the genre of the game you want to try. RPGs will
usually allow 30 minutes, while easier to 'jump right into' games, like
Action and platform adventure games will allow only 20 minutes. You may
load and play Test Drive titles as often as you wish. And, yes, the
adapter cuts off at exactly 20 or 30 minutes.
The Arcade holds a variety of fighting, action, racing, and shoot-em-up
titles. You may find _old_ arcade classics, like Golden Axe and Super
Hang On, as well as a few (key word FEW) newer games, like a Sonic game
and Road Rash 3. This section has been by far the largest in the two
months I've had the channel. It contains about 40% of the monthly
titles. Most sections have only five games or six, whereas The Arcade
has around 18 each month (so far).
The Think Tank contains a hodge-podge of genres, but so far _zero_
simulation or strategy games. Titles have included Dinoland pinball,
KLAX, Space Invaders '91 and Shadow Run (a cyberpunk RPG). Dinoland is
one of _seven_ titles that were repeated from August. I expected to find
games like Monopoly, Herzog Zwei, a Koei simulation or a game show title,
like Jeopardy!, but that wasn't the case. Jeopardy! Championship Edition
is on Sega Channel this month, but they put that in the Family Room to
make the minimum five games (I guess).
Fantasy Land is home to RPGs, adventures and other fantasy games.
You should find five or six games in this section each month. In August,
there were 6, including the 3 in the 'Shining' series, Shining in the
Darkness and Shining Force I & II. September has games more to my
Americanized tastes, like The Immortal and Rings of Power, which were
both released by Electronic Arts. Most of the titles I enjoy on Sega
Channel are Electronic Arts games.
The Locker Room has a decent mix of sports titles that should please
sports cart lovers, but so far I haven't been impressed with the
offerings.
NHL All-Star Hockey '95, Charles Barkley: Shut up and Jam!, California
Games and World Championship Soccer II are some of the worst sports carts
I've ever played. I have seen one gem, FIFA International Soccer. It's
a spectacular soccer game. That's saying something, because I don't
normally enjoy soccer. There have been several titles that provided some
fun, like ATP Tour Championship Tennis and PGA Tour Golf III, but I
haven't seen any of the hit sports titles, like the Electronic Arts
basketball and football series. And there has not been a single baseball
title during August and September. So much for capitalizing on the real
life pennant races and Cal Ripken Jr. becoming a baseball legend.
Family Room choices include educational titles, games for young
children, and a couple that might appeal to older and younger gamers
alike. Parents will be pleased to know that Sega Channel has included
popular childrens titles, like Berenstain Bears and Richard Scarry's
Busy Town.
The final entertainment section, Express Games, includes only a few
choices and they're all pay-per-play. Express Games are nearing retail
release or have been recently released. This service is only available
in a few test markets and the market I live in is not one of them, so I
cannot comment on it. The price for each game is $2.95 for "two days" of
unlimited play. You need to call your cable company to order each game
or to ask for further details on this feature.
I feel the "two days" claim is somewhat misleading, because you actually
only have access to the game from the time you place your order until
midnight the next day. Previous months Test Drive games usually end up
as Express Games, so make sure you always check out the Test Drive
section each month.
One last note of interest involves what Sega calls "exclusive" Sega
Channel games. These games are not available anywhere else and are
meant, I assume, as an extra lure to attract potential subscribers. I
will only say that if I had a game channel and I included the two main
"exclusive" games that Sega has (remember, I've only had the service two
months), I _would not_ brag about it.
NON GAME SECTIONS
The two remaining sections, News Link and Game Guide, provide
extra information & help on a variety of subjects concerning
the channel.
News Link provides tips & cheats, Meet the Staff (cutesy) profiles,
Sega Channel news, answers to frequently asked questions and
miscellaneous information in a variety of areas. You'll also find high
score challenges and information concerning upcoming Sega product
releases.
Game Guide includes the Video Game Rating Council's ratings for each
of the available games, Gameplay help (phone numbers for game publishers,
including Sega's 900 # for help. Lame, Sega!), section descriptions, a
troubleshooting guide and Sega's address, which includes a non-900 help
number. I remind you to call 1-800-USA-SEGA with your question, before
paying Sega or your phone company for an answer. You purchased their
product and need help figuring it out, so let them pay for the call.
MANUALS
Most games don't require reading a manual. After all, there are only
a few button functions in most games. And most everyone knows what types
of rules define the different game genres, because there's an ocean of
games and only a few are truly original. However, some games do require
explanations and you will need to read the manual to figure out the game
play. The manuals for all the games are located in one large file that
you download as you would any game.
The files are _text only_. They do not include pictures or diagrams of
any kind. They are, more often than not, decent at explaining the game
and its features. The quality of the instructions are as much a function
of the quality of the original manuals, as how well the person typing the
instructions into the Sega Channel interprets them. Make sure you wear
protective glasses while reading the help files, because they will fry
your eyes in a matter of seconds. For some unknown reason, Sega decided
yellow text on a black background would be a wonderful viewing choice.
It's horrible.
PARENTAL RESPONSIBILITY
A feature that is mentioned only in the sign-up information booklet
is the Parental Lockout Code. Parent's can easily call up a special
screen that will allow them to block access to games that have Game
Rating Council ratings they find objectionable for their children. The
ratings include everything from EC (Early Childhood) to AO (Adults Only).
No, there aren't any Adults Only video games on the Sega Channel. I have
seen _one_ MA-17 offering (Rings of Power), but I'm not sure why it was
rated that strictly.
The Lockout default is set to allow access to everything on the channel.
It doesn't work by eliminating games from the sections, but instead acts
as a block for each individual game at the time it's selected. If the
selected game has a rating that is not allowed by the lockout code, a
warning screen will appear telling you this information. You are then
given the opportunity to enter the code to circumvent the lockout. Enter
the correct code and you are allowed to load the game. Enter an
incorrect code and the adapter resets.
This feature does work and it allows parents to play games not meant for
their children without having to change the lockout option every time
they wish to play games not intended for their children. I should
mention the lockout is only a simple four digit code. It should be
broken by most resourceful youngsters within a week.
CALL THE EXTERMINATOR
Sega Channel is not all fun and games. The worst non-gameplay problem
I've encountered involved not having a strong enough cable signal to
properly load the games. After having a cable technician check the signal
inside and outside of the house, it was recommended that I purchase a
signal booster. I picked up an amplifier for about $17 at Radio Shack and
installed it easily. Now everything works fine most the time. There are
still random occurrences of the game load failing, but, while annoying,
this problem is easily remedied by turning the Genesis power off and on
again. I wonder what will happen when this winter's solar flare activity
temporarily affects cable signals in our area? Granted, this problem was
_not_ Sega's fault.
The strangest, and worst game play problem I have run into involves
pausing a game for a couple of minutes or longer. While test driving a
game called The Ooze, I decided to pause the action and see if a paused
game counted toward the 20 minute play limit (it does). I got up, grabbed
a snack then returned to the game. It was gone. The adapter had somehow
reset itself. I was staring once again at the main menu screen.
Curious, I decided to test a regular (non-timed) game. I loaded Road
Rash 3. After completing a few races, I paused the game and got a drink.
This took a few minutes. When I returned the game was gone. A warning
screen had appeared telling me that the game I had "chosen _was not_
available for the adapter." Yeah, right. I reset the adapter, reloaded
Road Rash 3, finished a few races and paused the game. Next, I
disconnected the cable feed into the adapter. Viola! The game stayed
paused for half an hour (I was hungry) and didn't reset.
So, for whatever reason, the adapter must still receive enough signal
to crash games that are paused for a couple of minutes or longer. I _did
not_ try this with all the games. For all I know I'm the only one
experiencing this problem. It has happened twice and I learned my lesson.
It's possible that the problem is a faulty adapter.
There are a couple of technical glitches I should point out. First,
Shining Force II was made available with a saved game included, called
"Mike," which meant subscribers couldn't save their game. Sega fixed this
(I don't know how long it took) and they carried the game over to
September to make up for the mistake. The second problem is worrisome.
Apparently users of the "Justifier" light gun (Konami) shouldn't keep it
plugged into the second controller port while resetting the adapter,
because they could _damage_ the adapter. If you use the Justifier, please
keep that in mind.
SEGA CHANNEL: THE NEXT "GREAT STEP" IN GAMING?
Okay, it's summary time. Is Sega Channel worth the extra $12.95 you'll
find tacked on to your monthly cable bill? Yes, but if the quality of
sports, RPG and Think Tank games doesn't improve, I'm not sure how long I
will stay interested in the channel. I decided to rate the quality of the
games, to help you understand what I mean. I played all the available
games in August and September, including educational/childrens and Test
Drive games, but I did not include Test Drive games in the following
ratings:
August September
- Excellent/Good : 4/3 - Excellent/Good : 5/5
- Okay/Might play again : 7 - Okay/Might play again : 10
- Worth a look if you're bored: 7 - Worth a look if you're bored: 4
- Boring/Horrible/UGH! : 24 - Boring/Horrible/UGH! : 22
I gave each game _at least_ fifteen minutes before deciding if I was
interested in it or not. Games I own or have played are included in the
calculations. For example, I own KLAX. KLAX is on the channel. I love
KLAX, so I included it in the Excellent category, even though I haven't
played it on the channel. I leaned toward positive ratings for games that
are borderline between Good to Okay and Okay to Boring/Horrible.
My personal tastes in video games are varied. I enjoy almost any game,
except ridiculous blood baths, like Mortal Kombat. Yawn. I do, however,
still enjoy the original Street Fighter series from time to time. Sports,
RPG, Puzzle and any unique game, like Populous and Tetris, are my
favorites. I tell you this to help you understand where I'm coming from in
my evaluations.
I believe what I've seen on the Sega Channel is not, as you might be
led to believe, so much "games by popular demand" as they are mainly
"games with zero or little retail selling power remaining." They say that
Mega Man and Road Rash 3 were included due to popular demand. I believe
this to be true. However, I find it easier to believe that Elvis and
Buddy Holly are playing a gig at the Civic Center tonight, than to believe
someone in this universe actually requested the game Valis: The Fantasm
Soldier. I shudder just thinking about that game.
I checked out every Copyright date and found that two-thirds (August)
to three-fifths (September) are 1993 and earlier. Of the remaining lesser
percentages, most are from 1994, with only a _few_ 1995 carts. I think
most kids & adults would request newer games instead of titles that have
been around for 4, 5 and 6 years. Of course Sega doesn't want to shoot
their foot (or retailers) by including hot games from the last couple of
years, so remember that important fact when you consider whether you might
enjoy the games on the Sega Channel.
They do throw a few bones to subscribers, like Earthworm Jim I, Road
Rash 3, the Sonic games, and the Shining Force RPGs, but I don't find that
adequate. I'm bored with Sonic and I finish most games in a couple days.
Another point that figures into what games you might find is that Sega has
to sign a separate deal with their developers for the right to include
3rd party games on the Sega Channel. At least this is my understanding of
the situation. So, some games may not be available to Sega to include on
their service.
In the end, I saved at least a hundred dollars that would've gone
into the pockets of used or retail game sellers pockets. If I'd rented
them, I would have saved around $35. After weighing the money factor, the
hassles with the equipment, the pluses and minuses of 'online' information
and manuals, and the vast gap in game quality, I decided the Sega Channel
was worth the $13 for the first two months. Who knows what next month
will bring?
ATARI/JAG SECTION Dana Jacobson, Editor
From the Atari Editor's Desk "Saying it like it is!"
For two weeks in a row, I'm a little disappointed that there's
little out there with regard to new and interesting news and
information about our favorite computer. The submissions have died
out, and little else is happening. Even the Internet is fairly quiet
these days!
I'm hoping that this is due to the fact that the students are
returning to school after the long Labor Day weekend; and people have
their minds on more important things for the moment. I can certainly
sympathize with being busy over the long weekend and then going back to
work for a short week - lots to get done. Even my articles about CD
software took a back burner even after I promised myself that I'd
complete them. They're almost finished - I hope to have them soon.
Have you been following the government's ideas for the regulation
of the Internet? Check out President Clinton's idea in our CPU Report
at the beginning of this week's issue, regarding copyright laws for
online material! Some parts of these interpretations, I can
understand. But, where will this regulation end? What are your views?
Drop me a line and let us know.
I misplaced my Gribnif newsletter, so I'll try to have that
NeoDesk and Geneva upgrade information for you next week. I know that
I promised it for this week - sorry.
We'd love to know how people are doing with the various Atari
Web readers (DuFTP and the TAF software). What are your views of these
programs? Can they be used by the average user? Recommendations?
Good points, bad points? If you're a user of any of these programs,
let us know. I'm sure that our readers would like to learn more about
these programs. An article or more would be welcome. You can reach me
at "dpj@delphi.com".
Until next time...
Comics in Cyberspace! STR InfoFile! - KEVIN & KELL Debuts On CIS!
Announcing KEVIN & KELL, the first mainstream comic strip to be
syndicated in cyberspace!
KEVIN & KELL is a wonderfully funny strip done by an award winning
artist, and it's only available in CIS Forums. This is the first time
a syndicate is distributing a professional comic strip through a
computer network...and the network is part of the story.
Kevin, a middle-aged professional rabbit, runs the Herbivore Forum on
CompuServe. Kell, his wife, is a wolf; a professional predator for
Herd Thinners, Inc. They met and fell in love on CompuServe; only in
cyberspace could two individuals from such different backgrounds meet.
Both their families think they're nuts, but the marriage works
wonderfully... counterpointed by Kevin's daughter Lindesfarne (a
17-year old porcupine) and Kell's son Rudy (your basic 14-year old rock
and roll wolf).
Bill Holbrook is the creator of KEVIN & KELL. His "On the Fastrack" has
appeared in hundreds of papers for over 12 years. He also writes and
draws "Safe Havens," both for King Features Syndicate. When he
developed KEVIN & KELL, he decided to go a different route and create
his own syndicate, in cooperation with Doug Pratt, the Sysop of the
CompuServe Funnies Forum.
Every Forum that carries KEVIN & KELL will release each new strip on
the day that it's due, just like the funny pages in a newspaper. Unlike
a paper, you'll be able to pick up any strips you miss by viewing them
in your favorite Forum's Library. Special longer "Sunday editions" of
KEVIN & KELL will appear in computer magazines; the first will appear
next month in BOARDWATCH.
We hope KEVIN & KELL will bring you a daily laugh and make your
favorite Forums that much more enjoyable! If you wish, you're welcome
to come to the Funnies Forum (GO FUNFOR) and talk to creator Holbrook
in the KEVIN & KELL section. Enjoy!
>In This Week's Jaguar Section - "Coming October 6, Plug in the WIRE!"
""""""""""""""""""""""""""""" UbiSoft Conference! CATnips!
FlipOut! Supremacy! 3DO Faltering?
HotWires! - Battle of the Onlines?!
All this and more....!
>From the Editor's Controller - Playin' it like it is!
""""""""""""""""""""""""""""
I know, it doesn't seem like it, but there is a lot going on with
regard to the Jaguar. It's true, there aren't a whole lot of new games
out there for you to play and the JaguarCD still has a few more days
before you can buy one; but there is a lot happening behind the scenes
that you're just starting to see bits and pieces of lately. I know,
you hate the teasers (see above and below! <g>), but that's why they're
called teasers - to generate interest and discussion. I can say that
we're looking forward to October 6th with great anticipation. Stay
tuned!
A battle of the online mags? You'll learn more in Don Thomas'
latest CATnips included in this issue, but let me clue you in now a
little bit about it. First of all, your first impressions when you saw
the above comments are false! STReport and Atari Explorer Online are
not going to wage an all-out bloody battle! We're too adult for that
sort of thing! Forget the "old days" - we have!
How about debates, comparative short reviews, philosophical
differences, and other interesting topics in an online version of
something akin to "Siskel & Ebert"? Impartial moderators, in the form
of online personalities, pick the topics and the online editors make
their points. We're even going to let you, our readers, select topics
for discussion. We'll even let you judge the presentations and have an
opportunity to vote for your discussion "winner" and be eligible for
some terrific prizes! It's going to be fun, interesting, competitive,
and informative. We're looking forward to it, as is AEO - look for the
first 'event' to appear in these pages, as well as in AEO, on
October 6!! Hmmm, everything seems to be involving that date!
In this week's issue you'll find the transcript of the latest
Jaguar conference held in CompuServe's Atari Gaming Forum. The Jaguar
Journal's publisher, Jeff Norwood, held his third online conference for
a Jaguar-related topic. This time, the guest was Frank Slater and some
of his staff at UbiSoft, developers of the soon-to-be-released Rayman.
Held on Labor Day, the conference wasn't packed which was actually a
good thing for everyone who wanted to ask a question and have it
answered. The questions and answers were very interesting. Take a
look and learn about UbiSoft and Rayman - coming on September 16 (the
SAME day as the PSX version, not later as rumored!) Kudos to Jeff,
and a big thanks for Frank Slater and UbiSoft for being available to
talk with us!
Well, I've gone on long enough for this issue; we've got lots of
interesting articles for you this week. As an aside, I haven't been
able to take a look at our JaguarCD that we've had for a week. I know,
you're asking what I'm waiting for; why haven't I used it yet?!? Well,
there was a little confusion during the attempt to get a JaguarCD unit
out to us. The folks at Atari thought that we had a developers Jaguar
console, so they sent us a developers JaguarCD. Unknown to the people
who sent us the CD unit, I happen to own a production model of the
console - developer and production just don't mix. Anyway, that matter
has been cleared up - very quickly, I must add - and a developers
console is on its way to us. As soon as it arrives, I _will_ be
checking it out and getting back to you with some articles on VidGrid,
Blue Lightning, the Myst demo and a VLM-ized Tempest 2000 audio-CD.
I can't wait. And yes, you'll be able to enjoy yours in just a matter
of days - September 11th is just a few days away! Hey, and it's not
another reference to October!
Until next time...
"Coming October 6, Plug in the WIRE!"
> 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 $49.99 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
White Men Can't Jump $69.99 Atari
Flashback $59.99 U.S. Gold
VidGrid (CD) TBD Atari Corp
Blue Lightning (CD) $59.99 Atari Corp
Flip-Out $49.99 Atari Corp
Available Soon ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
CAT # TITLE MSRP DEVELOPER/PUBLISHER
Ultra Vortek $69.99 Atari
Pitfall TBD Atari
Rayman TBD UBI Soft
Power Drive Rally TBD TWI
Dragon's Lair TBD Readysoft
Hover Strike CD TBD Atari
Demolition Man TBD 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
Jaguar CD-ROM $149.99 Atari Corp.
>Industry News STR Game Console NewsFile - The Latest Gaming News!
"""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""
-/- 3DO Seeks to Diversify -/-
The 3DO Co., which offers video game consoles through Panasonic
and Goldstar, says it plans to diversify and expand its business
beyond the dedicated game systems market.
The Redwood City, California-based company says it will now focus
on 64-bit consumer game systems, software publishing -- including the
Internet -- and the PC market. 3DO notes that the new strategy is
designed to reduce risks, improve cash flow and increase its
independence from a single market or partner. Additionally, 3DO states
that it is continuing to negotiate new partnering arrangements for its
next-generation 64-bit M2 technology in the consumer game market.
"We see demand for the M2 technology in applications that
complement the dedicated game market, such as PCs, arcade systems and
digital videodisc players," says Trip Hawkins, 3DO's president and CEO.
"Due to the growing interest in our M2 technology and the potential
diversification of our business, it is not surprising that it is taking
us longer than we originally expected to complete our M2 business plan
and negotiate final partnering arrangements. We expect to complete our
M2 plans in the coming months and believe the net result will be a
stronger business for 3DO in the long term."
>Jaguar Developers STR InfoFile - Current Developer Lists & Titles
""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""
Game Title Date Game Type MSRP Publisher
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
Air Cars TBA Racing/Combat $59.99 MidNite Ent.
Alien vs Predator NOW Role Play/Adventure $69.99 Atari
Alien vs Predator CD 2/96 Role Play/Adventure TBD Atari
Arena Football 11/95 Sports TBD V Reel
Assault 2Q/95 Action/Combat $59.99 MidNite Ent.
Atari Kart 11/95 Driving TBD Atari
Att. of Mut. Penguins 12/95 Arcade TBD Atari
Baldies (CD) 11/95 Action/Simulation TBD Atari
Batman Forever (CD) 4/96 Action/Adventure TBD Atari
Battlemorph (CD) 11/95 Flying/Action $59.99 Atari
Battlesphere 12/95 Space/Combat TBD 4-Play
Battlestar 11/95 Space/Combat TBD ?
Battle Wheels 2Q/95 Racing/Combat TBD Beyond Games
Black ICE/White Noise 12/95 Action/Adventure TBD Atari
Blue Lightning (CD) NOW Flying/Action $59.99 Atari
Braindead 13 (CD) 10/95 Action/Adventure TBD ReadySoft
Breakout 2000 12/95 Puzzle TBD Atari
Brett Hull Hockey 11/95 Sports TBD Atari
Brett Hull Hockey (CD) 1Q/96 Sports TBD Atari
Brutal Sports Football NOW Sports/Combat $69.99 Telegames
Bubsy NOW Action/Adventure $49.99 Atari
Cannon Fodder NOW Action/Adventure $49.99 Virgin
Chas Barkley Basketball10/95 Sports TBD Atari
Checkered Flag NOW Racing $69.99 Atari
Club Drive NOW Racing $59.99 Atari
Commando (CD) 11/95 Action (3D) TBD Atari
Commander Blood (CD) 11/95 RPG TBD Atari
Creature Shock (CD) 10/95 Adventure/Sci-Fi TBD Atari/Virgin
Cybermorph NOW Flying/Action $59.99 Atari
Dactyl Joust 11/95 Action TBD Atari
Dante (CD) 6/96 Action TBD Atari
Deathwatch 11/95 Arcade TBD Atari
Defender 2000 11/95 Arcade TBD Atari
Demolition Man (CD) 10/95 Action/Combat $59.99 Atari
Doom NOW Action/Combat $69.99 Atari
Double Dragon V NOW Action/Adventure $59.99 Williams
Dragon:Bruce Lee Story NOW Combat $59.99 Atari
Dragon's Lair (CD) 9/95 Adventure TBD Ready Soft
Dragon's Lair 2 (CD) 10/95 Adventure TBD ReadySoft
Dreadnought (CD) 2Q/95 Adventure TBD Atari
Dune Racer (CD) 1/96 Racing TBD Atari
Dungeon Depths 2Q/95 Action/Adventure $59.99 MidNite Ent.
Evolution: Dino Dudes NOW Puzzle/Adventure $49.99 Atari
Fever Pitch 11/95 Sports TBD Atari
Fight For Life TBA Combat TBD Atari
Flashback NOW Action/Adventure $59.99 US Gold
Flip-Out NOW Puzzle $49.99 Atari
Formula 1 Racing (CD) 11/95 Racing TBD Atari
Frank Thomas Baseball 4/96 Sports TBD Atari
Gotcha! 1/95 ? TBD ---
Hardball Baseball 2Q/95 Sports TBD Atari
Highlander I (CD) 10/95 Action/Adventure $59.99 Atari
Highlander II (CD) 2/96 Action/Adventure TBD Atari
Highlander III (CD) 4/96 Action/Adventure TBD Atari
Horrorscope 2Q/95 Combat TBD V Reel
Hover Strike NOW Action/Combat $59.99 Atari
Hover Strike CD 9/95 Action/Combat TBD Atari
Hyper Force TBA ? TBD Comp. West
Ironman/XO-Manowar 4/96 Action TBD Atari
Iron Soldier NOW Action/Strategy $59.99 Atari
Iron Soldier II (CD) 11/95 Action/Strategy TBD Atari
Jack Nicklaus Golf(CD) 2Q/95 Sports TBD Atari
Kasumi Ninja NOW Combat $69.99 Atari
Magic Carpet (CD) 12/95 Action/RPG TBD Atari
Max Force (CD) 12/95 Action TBD Atari
Mindripper (CD) 2/96 Adventure TBD Atari
Missile Command 12/95 Action/Arcade TBD Atari
Mortal Kombat 3 4/96 Fighting TBD Atari
Myst (CD) 10/95 Interactive Novel TBD Atari
NBA Jam T.E. 12/95 Sports TBD Atari
Netwar (aka Redemption)11/95 Action/Adventure TBD Atari
Phase Zero 10/95 Action/Arcade TBD Atari
Pinball Fantasies NOW Arcade $59.95 Comp. West
Pitfall 10/95 Arcade TBD Activision
Power Drive Rally 9/95 Driving TBD TWI
Primal Rage (CD) 11/95 Fighting TBD TWI
Rage Rally 2Q/95 Racing TBD Atari
Raiden NOW Action/Adventure $49.99 Atari
Rayman 9/95 Action/Adventure TBD UBI Soft
Return Fire (CD) 1Q/96 Combat TBD Atari
Rise of the Robots (CD)11/95 Action/Arcade TBD TWI
Robinson's Requiem (CD)11/95 Adventure TBD Atari
Rocky Horror Inter.(CD) 4/96 Adventure TBD Atari
Ruiner Pinball 10/95 Arcade TBD Atari
Sensible Soccer NOW Sports Telegames
Sky Hammer (CD) 12/95 Flying/Action TBD Atari
Soccer Kid 2Q/95 Sports TBD Ocean
Soul Star (CD) 9/95 Action/Sci-Fi TBD Atari
Space Ace (CD) 9/95 Space/Combat TBD ReadySoft
Space War 9/95 Action/Adventure $59.99 Atari
Starlight BowlaRama CD 10/95 Simulation/Sports TBD Atari
Star Raiders 2Q/95 Space Simulation TBD Atari
Sudden Impact 12/95 Action TBD Atari
Super Burnout NOW Racing $59.99 Atari
Supercross 3D 11/95 Sports TBD Atari
Syndicate NOW Simulation $69.99 Ocean
Tempest 2000 NOW Action/Adventure $59.99 Atari
Thea Realm Fighters(CD)1Q/96 Action/Fighting TBD Atari
Theme Park NOW Simulation $69.99 Ocean
Tiny Toon Adventures 2Q/95 Action/Adventure $59.99 Atari
Trevor McFur NOW Action/Adventure $49.99 Atari
Troy Aikman NFL Ftball NOW Sports $69.99 Williams
Ultimate Brain Games 2Q/95 Puzzle TBD Telegames
Ultra Vortek 9/95 Action/Adventure $69.99 Beyond Games
Val D'Isere Skiing... NOW Sports $59.99 Atari
Varuna's Forces (CD) 12/95 Action/Adventure TBD Atari
VidGrid (CD) NOW Puzzle/Music Video TBD Atari
Wayne Gretzky NHL (CD) 12/95 Sports TBD TWI
White Men Can't Jump NOW Sports (w/Team Tap) $69.99 TriMark
Wolfenstein 3D NOW Combat/Action $59.99 Atari
Zero 5 1/96 Space/Combat TBD Atari
Zone Hunter 12/95 Action/Adventure TBD Atari
Zool2 NOW Action/Adventure $59.99 Atari
Zoop 12/95 Puzzle TBD Viacom
[Editor's note: Titles, scheduled release dates, and prices are
verified from Atari - all subject to change]
>Jaguar Online STR InfoFile Online Users Growl & Purr!
""""""""""""""""""""""""""
CATnips... Jaguar tidbits from Don Thomas (95.09.02)
"""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""
Coming October 6, Plug in the WIRE!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Bonjour gamers! Here's the latest Jaguar 64 software schedule hot off
the press. It IS subject to change without notice! <g>
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
1995 (Second Half) SOFTWARE RELEASE SCHEDULE
CARTRIDGES (As of September 1, 1995)
Title Ship Publisher Category
===========================================================
Power Drive Rally Sep Time Warner Driving
Rayman Sep UbiSoft Action/Adventure
Ultra Vortek Sep Atari Action/Adventure
Pitfall: Mayan Adv Oct Atari Action/Adventure
Ruiner Pinball Oct Atari Arcade
Arena Football Nov Atari Sports
Atari Kart
(working title) Nov Atari Driving
Brett Hull Hockey Nov Atari Sports
Chas Barkley Basketbl Nov Atari Sports
Defender 2000 Nov Atari Arcade
Netwar
(aka Redemption) Nov Atari Action/Adventure
Phase Zero
(aka Hover Hunter) Nov Atari Action/Arcade
SuperCross 3D Nov Atari Sports
Attack of the
Mutant Penguins Dec Atari Arcade
Battlesphere Dec 4-Play Space/Combat
Breakout 2000 Dec Atari Arcade
Fever Pitch Dec Atari Sports
Missile Command
(working title) Dec Atari Action/Arcade
NBA Jam TE Dec Atari Sports
Sudden Impact
(working title) Dec Atari Action
Zoop Dec Atari Puzzle
Zero Five Dec Atari Space/Combat
1995 (Second Half) SOFTWARE RELEASE SCHEDULE
CDs (As of September 1, 1995)
Title Ship Publisher Category
===========================================================
Blue Lightning Sep Atari Flying/Action
Dragon's Lair Sep ReadySoft Adventure
Hover Strike:
Unconquered Lands Sep Atari Action/Combat
Vid Grid Sep Atari Puzzle/Music Vid
Demolition Man Oct Atari Action/Combat
Highlander Oct Atari Action/Adventure
Myst Oct Atari Fantasy
Creature Shock Oct Atari Adventure/Sci-Fi
Baldies Nov Atari Action/Sim
Battlemorph Nov Atari Flying/Action
Commander Blood Nov Atari RPG
Formula 1 Racing Nov Atari Driving
Iron Soldier II Nov Atari Action/Strategy
Primal Rage Nov Time Warner Fighting
Robinson's Requiem Nov Atari Adventure
Black ICE\White Noise Dec Atari Action/Adventure
Magic Carpet Dec Atari Adventure/RPG
Max Force Dec Atari Action
Varuna's Forces Dec Atari Action/Adventure
Wayne Gretzky
NHL Hockey Dec Time Warner Sports
1996 SOFTWARE RELEASE SCHEDULE
(As of September 1, 1995)
Title Ship Publisher Category
===========================================================
Alien vs. Predator CD Q1 Atari RPG/Adventure
Brett Hull Hockey CD Q1 Atari Sports
Dune Racer Q1 Atari Driving
Frank Thomas Big Hurt
Baseball Q1 Atari Sports
Mindripper Q1 Atari Adventure
Return Fire Q1 Atari Combat
Rocky Horror Interctve Q1 Atari Adventure
Batman Forever In dev. Atari Action/Adventure
Dante In dev. Atari Action
Ironman/XO-Manowar In dev. Atari Action
Mortal Kombat III In dev. Atari Fighting
Thea Realm Fighters In dev. Atari Fighting
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Coming October 6, Plug in the WIRE!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
For those who like to keep up with the special event tours, here's the
1995 Super Tour(tm) schedule. The schedule is accurate as of August 30,
1995, but locations and dates are subject to change at any time without
notice. Visit Electronics Boutique on the dates and at the mall
locations listed below for hands-on gaming action on the best super
systems including Jaguar 64.
DATES CITY MALL
--------------- ------------ ----------------------
September 1- 3 Minneapolis Mall of America
September 9-10 Dallas Vista Ridge Mall
September 16-17 Miami Sawgrass Mills
September 23-24 Albany Crossgates Mall
Sep-Oct 30- 1 Philadelphia Oxford Valley Mall
October 7- 8 Buffalo Walden Galleria
October 14-15 Columbus Eastland Mall
October 21-22 San Jose Vallco Fashion Mall
October 28-29 San Bruno Tanforan Park
November 3- 5 Los Angeles Del Amo Fashion Center
November 11-12 Burbank Media City Center
Jaguar gamers are encouraged to visit these events and offer feedback
on the activity. We'd (Atari) would be delighted to hear back as to how
you think they went and we would love you to feel free to make certain
all games are running properly (Jaguar games usually have lots of
joypad switches and tour visitors sometimes like to play around and
turn sounds and options off, then walk away <g>)
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Coming October 6, Plug in the WIRE!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Mr. Ted Hoff and Mr. Ron Beltramo were excitedly getting materials
together Friday for their media interviews set up in New York City next
week. Ted says it's about time the mass media (not just the gaming
magazines) started hearing from Atari more often. I've seen Ted's and
Ron's schedules. Even all the "breaks" for meals are booked to see
someone that has editorial power in the Big Apple. I'll be routing
copies of the press releases they are taking with them as soon as
possible. (Don't read more into that than what I've said. The PRs are
about the shipping of the CD-ROM, the release of FlipOut!, etc....
things that are new to the outside world, but those of us "in the
know". <g>)
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
While waiting for "Mortal Kombat III" on the Jaguar, you may not want
to miss the New Line Cinema production of "Mortal Kombat" in theaters
now. I took my son to see it this afternoon and it was well done for a
movie of its kind... Great special effects, satisfactory acting, cool
soundtrack and certainly worth the early bird discount. It's rated
PG-13.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
You may have seen the phrase:
"Coming October 6, Plug in the WIRE!".
I can say is that it has to do with something cool for onliners
beginning October 6. I encourage you to stay alert. A little more will
be revealed each week up until October 6.
If you're a Jaguar supporter and would like to help spread the
enthusiasm of something really cool happening on October 6, please
consider adding:
"Coming October 6, Plug in the WIRE!"
...to your message posts, in prominent Internet newsgroup locations,
BBS systems, etc.
[Please note: the event referred to above will involve
commercial participation between Atari Corporation and
other trademarked services such as a commercial on-line
service. Please do not incorporate the above tag line
with your posts or on your service if you have concerns
as to whether such an entity may be in competition with
you, your occupation, products or services your company
may offer or distribute, etc. This message is a courtesy
with appreciation for your support of Jaguar 64 and
intended to prevent any one commercial service from
unknowingly helping to promote another. If this is a
concern, please feel free to delete referenced text in
this CATnips prior to posting.]
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Coming October 6, Plug in the WIRE!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Setting the Record Straight STR Spotlight
September 9, 1995
Mr. Chris Gore
Editor-In Chief
Video Games Magazine
9171 Wilshire Boulevard, #300
Beverly Hills, CA 90210
Dear Chris,
I wanted to take the time and share my appreciation that Video Games
magazine prioritizes professional editorial values with quality reporting.
It is clear that your unbiased focus on video gaming has been checked and
rechecked and you sustain that high level of dependable reporting in each
and every issue. You know that you build integrity with the public when
mistakes are minimized. Readers know that obviously wrong information
never gets past your proofreaders and the occasional buried error that
does get by is promptly followed up by a fair and equitable correction.
I cannot speak as a typical reader in my position within the industry, but
I can express my gratitude for your dedicated coverage to the Jaguar
gamer. Thank you for consistently fair reviews and the time that has to be
taken to assure they are accurate and of benefit to the purchasers of our
products.
By the way, on page 80 of your September 95 issue, Atari s Customer
Service phone number is *not* 1-800-USA-SEGA.
Regards,
Donald A. Thomas, Jr.
Director, Customer Service Marketing
cc: online community
CATnips... Jaguar tidbits from Don Thomas (95.09.07)
"""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""
Coming October 6, Plug in the WIRE.
~ "That's ZOOPer" ~
Jeanne Winding, Atari Corporation
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Those of us who faithfully follow each issue of Silicon
Times Report (STReport) and Atari Explorer Online (AEO) are
in for a BIG treat...
Very soon (as in "as soon as 10/06/95") and in conjunction
with a couple few other unannounced things going on that
day, AEO and STReport have agreed to go head-to-head,
toe-to-toe, but not often eye-to-eye in a series of
mind bending debates related to topical Jaguar 64 issues.
Yes, you read it right, but feel free to read it again...
The two most formidable Jaguar online news source
publications have agreed to don the gloves of arguable
contention. Sometimes they may "discuss" their opinions of
their favorite games. Other times they may "present" their
positions for or against Atari's latest advertising
campaign... in every case the confrontations promise to be
stimulating, insightful and chuck full of opinions.
If that's not enough, YOU get to submit the topics and one
particularly awesome topic will be chosen by CompuServe's
own Ron Luks and friends. Type GO JAGUAR on CompuServe for
more information or submit your topic ideas by 9/18/95 to:
ATARI@genie.com -or- 75300.1267@compuserve.com
I cannot endorse what they'll say. I cannot guarantee who
will win, but YOU will be able to vote and the winning
online publication for the 10/6/95 bout will win select
prizes to pass on to some of their readers. (Prizes to be
announced)
Don't miss it. Look for the sparks to fly on 10/06/95 in
that week's issues of STReport and Atari Explorer Online.
~ "That's ZOOPer" ~
Jeanne Winding, Atari Corporation
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
DON'T FORGET THE BIG EVENT ON WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 13, 1995
ON GENIE IN THE JAGUAR ROUNDTABLE (type JAGUAR at any
system prompt). ATARI's OWN TED HOFF WILL BE ON HAND TO
ANSWER QUESTIONS AND ABSORB IDEAS.
-This will be Ted's FIRST online conference since being
named as Atari's President of North American Operations.!-
The day is next Wednesday. The time is 6PM Pacific/9PM
Eastern. The place is GEnie in the Jaguar Roundtable. This
is your only excuse not to be on the Jaguar Wednesday
night!
~ "That's ZOOPer" ~
Jeanne Winding, Atari Corporation
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
CONTACT: Patricia Kerr or Leah Gross
Dorf & Stanton Communications, Inc.
(310) 479-4997 or (800) 444-6663
_For Immediate Release_
Atari Corporation and Ground Zero Take Off
With Sizzling Ad Campaign
SUNNYVALE, CA -- (September 5, 1995) -- Atari Corporation
has retained the creative services of the hot, Southern
California based agency Ground Zero to develop a new
in-your-face, cutting edge advertising campaign for their
Jaguar 64 home entertainment system.
The humorous, fast-paced :30 spots target males ages 12-34.
The campaign features a series of characters who deduce
that the Atari Jaguar 64 represents the most outstanding
value among advanced video game systems. The first
commercial employs an engaging "stimulus and response"
theme where the main character concludes it would be dumb
not to select the Atari Jaguar system for half the price of
competitive video game systems. Subsequent spots will
include other eclectic characters who arrive at the same
conclusion. The commercials also include a rapid fire
sequence of game footage and retailer tags.
"Our alliance with Ground Zero has resulted in a fantastic
attention-grabbing television and print campaign for the
Jaguar 64," said Ted Hoff, Atari's President of North
American Operations. "The ads are extremely creative and
continue to reinforce our corporate message -- that the
Jaguar 64 is the fun, high quality, value priced home
entertainment system of choice."
The aggressive advertising blitz will break on cable
networks and syndication nationally in early September with
heavy-up advertising in the top spot markets commencing in
early mid-October. The television and print advertising
schedule will run throughout December, the peak sales
period for video games.
"This is a tremendous opportunity for Ground Zero to work
with the company that invented the home video game market,"
said Jim Smith, one of Ground Zero's Co-Founders.
"Consumers are jaded by the sameness of video game hardware
and software advertising. The Atari Jaguar delivers not
only cutting edge technology and great games, it's also the
most affordable system available. The creative result is
advertising that drives home that message very clearly."
For more than twenty years, Atari Corporation has provided
consumers with high-quality, value-priced entertainment.
Atari Corporation markets Jaguar, the only American-made,
advanced 64- bit entertainment system, and is located in
Sunnyvale, California.
Ground Zero is based in Venice, California and was started
in late 1993 by Court Crandell, Kirk Souder, and Jim
Smith. Clients include Atari Corporation, The Walt Disney
Company, Yamaha WaveRunners, Diamondback Mountain Bikes,
and the Athletic Footwear Association.
-*-
Atari, Atari Logo and Jaguar are all trademarks of Atari
Corporation. All Rights Reserved.
# # #
~ "That's ZOOPer" ~
Jeanne Winding, Atari Corporation
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
There's a lot of great feedback on Atari's newest game:
"FlipOut! I intend to collect a lot of them and pass them
on to you, but here's one I found on GEnie in the
meantime...
SERVICE: GEnie
DATE: September 1, 1995 09:51 PM
FROM: John King Tarpinian
I got FlipOut! last night. I like it so much that I went
back and got two copies as gifts.
~ "That's ZOOPer" ~
Jeanne Winding, Atari Corporation
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Hmmm, what else? Oh yes, Mr. Ted Hoff has confirmed the
rumors while meeting with the press in New York the past
two days...
WAL*MART is on board!
It's almost like July 4 all over again isn't it? <g>
That's right. Wal*Mart will be featuring 64-bit Jaguar
technology and the most popular Jaguar games and
peripherals in special displays positioned in 389 of their
biggest stores for the holidays. As most of you know,
Wal*Mart is one of the nation's most popular mass merchants
who advertise the benefits of selling made-in-America
products and value-priced quality. Apparently, we agree
that the Jaguar 64 fits those categories!
If that ain't enough for you, the Jaguar 64 will be
featured in 6,500 Radio Shack store catalogs across the
country. There's even a rumor that it will be highlighted
in an upcoming mailer being planned for 18,000,000 million
homes. That's right... please don't make me count them
again. <g>
Stay tuned for formalized releases soon.
~ "That's ZOOPer" ~
Jeanne Winding, Atari Corporation
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
You may have seen the phrase:
"Coming October 6, Plug in the WIRE!".
If you're a Jaguar supporter and would like to help spread
the enthusiasm of something really cool happening on
October 6, please consider adding:
"Coming October 6, Plug in the WIRE!"
...to your message posts, in prominent Internet newsgroup
locations, BBS systems, etc.
[Please note: the event referred to above will involve
commercial participation between Atari Corporation and
other trademarked services such as a commercial on-line
service. Please do not incorporate the above tag line
with your posts or on your service if you have concerns
as to whether such an entity may be in competition with
you, your occupation, products or services your company
may offer or distribute, etc. This message is a courtesy
with appreciation for your support of Jaguar 64 and
intended to prevent any one commercial service from
unknowingly helping to promote another. If this is a
concern, please feel free to delete referenced text in
this CATnips prior to posting.]
~ "That's ZOOPer" ~
Jeanne Winding, Atari Corporation
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Oh, goodness. Yes, there's more goodies to spill on you
tonight. Mrs. Jeanne Winding, one of Atari's expert
Marketing Managers has hinted that Atari has signed a top
motorcycle celebrity to promote an upcoming Jaguar game
title. (I'd tell you who, but Jeanne said I can't yet.)
~ "That's ZOOPer" ~
Jeanne Winding, Atari Corporation
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Jeanne Winding also asked me if I could add the statement:
"That's ZOOPer" somewhere in this issue of CATnips. She
won't tell me what it's all about, so I told her I didn't
know how I would get it in... after all this IS a f-u-l-l
issue.
Now that I see I have a few lines I can squeeze in here at
the end...
~ "That's ZOOPer" ~
Jeanne Winding, Atari Corporation
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Coming October 6, Plug in the WIRE!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
# # # E N D O F F I L E # # #
CompuServe's Atari Gaming Forums, first impressions of FlipOut!
Sb: #Flip-Out
Fm: Craig Harris 73733,2316
To: All
I was actually surprised that, after a full two days of Flip Out's
release, I haven't seen one "first impression" from anyone...even Larry,
who's quicker on the draw than I am. <g> Has the 49.99-52.99 sticker
frightened people away from trying this game? Can a cheap(ish) game be
any good?
Though I had 3 games to play tonight (including SNES's Killer Instinct
and Doom (which is a FAR cry from the Jaguar version, regardless what
you've read in the newsgroups), I've actually spent the most time with
Flip Out...
..this game is addictive. Amazingly addictive. Time just flew by as I
flipped tiles, faces, jello-like substances, and aliens back and forth
over many different playfields.
After reading 4 different attempts at describing the game, I was VERY
nervous...I thought I would have to (gasp) READ THE INSTRUCTION BOOK!!!
Gaw...unheard of.
I plug in the game, ready to conquer my fear. The first level, the
training...gets you prepared for the horrors to come.
Hey, this isn't so bad...I have to arrange the colored tiles on their
color-coded resting place. 9 colored tiles, 9 colored spaces, and a
neutral tile. Pick a tile to flip in the air...the tile that's already
in the air will take the available resting place. O.k., the yellow tile
is falling, flip the red tile out of the yellow resting place...yellow
falls into place, red flies in the air. Kind of like Klax...piece of
cake. Round 2.
Wait a min...what's this? An alien spectator just walked across my
playfield. No harm done.
Hey! He just flipped another tile in the air...little bugger...juggle
the red to the yellow space, green to red...*squash* Neat! One of my
tiles flattened the annoying little creature. Hehe..take that...
After around 10 rounds of level one...flipping and squashing like a
maniac...you've conquered it. Cool, does it get any harder?
It does. Now, level two. Instead of flipping tiles onto squares, it's
flip aliens onto gushing geysers...and the alien spectators will plug
up geyser holes, rendering them useless.
Level 3, flip pieces of Mt. Rushmore into their original places while
dealing with aliens spraying graffiti on the facial parts...making the
space AND tile temporarily useless.
Next few levels, "serve" food to colored aliens...while trying to work
around an amoeba-like critter that covers up the tables.
---
This game is *fun.* Don't expect to be wow-ed by 64-bit special
effects... the best you're going to get is colorful, detailed
computer-rendered tiles and aliens, all with *tons* of animation
frames.
The music isn't that great, either...kind of staticky (is that a word?).
Aliens have a few vocal samples to give them character.
I was afraid the game was going to get repetitive after the first round,
but since each planet (read: level) has its own technique, puzzle, and
annoying alien races...it didn't.
After about an hour and a half of play, I got all the way up to the
Pigskin Planet...it may be easy early on, but it gets haaaaaaaard with
5 or 6 aliens screwing with your playfield. Tiles get eaten, sat on,
cemented, spray-painted, unwantingly flipped...
As for reading the instruction book: yes, I recommend doing so...only
if to learn the characteristics of the aliens. It's good to know their
abilities early on, so there's no surprises when one commandeers a
tile.
Great, original puzzle...certainly not a system seller, but an
excellent, inexpensive game that will fill the void of the summertime
game-limbo.
-Craig-
From CompuServe, news about Supremacy for the Jaguar:
Hey Edward and All,
After I read your message and you stated there was nothing new on
Supremacy so I sent Jeff Schlich a message to get the latest on the
game out of him and here it is, although the news is not good. I would
normally have kept this news until the next issue of my 'zine was ready
but I thought everyone would like to know about it.
ME: How are thing going with the development of Supremacy?
JS: Very slow!
ME: 1) Last time I heard from you it was June and you said the game was
about 20% how far along is it now would you say?
JS: 20% I started a Job as a Software Engineer around the middle of
June and I honestly haven't done a single thing since then. Well
actually I've been running Win95 since late June and I've worked a
little on getting the Jag development tools to work with it. I still
haven't got everything working with Win95 yet. :(
ME: 2) Have you been able to get your S3M player working 100% of the
time?
JS: I was getting some real good progress before I started this Job.
I knocked off a few big bugs and it would play all the songs but some
of the channels on some songs were screwed up and I hadn't found that
bug yet. So it's nearly working.
ME: 3) Also how's the 3D Studio going, are there any new characters to
add to the list of Stinger, Thelian, Malchus, Tidal, Zith, and the
"new" Rat character.
JS: I haven't talked to my 3d guy since early July. He went back to LA
for the summer. He should be heading back to Chico this week though.
ME: 4) What's the situation with the music now, has it gotten better
in your opinion?
JS: No change.
ME: How many tracks do you expect will be in the final version?
7-10
ME: 5) And most importantly have you begun the collision detection or
combat systems? What can we expect from the gameplay, anything that we
haven't seen in other games like VF, Tekken, KI, etc?
I've got the stuff on paper. I just have to do it. :) Once I get
things running under Win95 I'm going to start using the C compiler
so I can really knock out some code quickly. I'll worry about speed
after I get it running.
ME: Your Web page hasn't been updated in a while, I take it you're a
little busy working on the game? <g>
Busy at work is more like it. I work 8-6, and I'm tired and don't
usually want to be anywhere near a computer when I come home. :)
**last portion edited out**
Later,
Jeff"
>CompuServe Atari Gaming Forum Conference! - UbiSoft Online!
"""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""
Jeff Norwood: WELCOME EVERYONE!
Welcome to CompuServe and the Atari Gaming Forum
This is a very special conference with just ONE guest.
He is from Ubi Soft, the publisher of the highly
awaited "Rayman" on the Atari Jaguar.
So, on this great U.S. Holiday, LABOR DAY, please
welcome ....
F R A N K S L A T E R!
Hi Frank. GA
Frank Slater: Thank you for that great introduction, Jeff, and thank
you for setting up this conference....
Jeff Norwood: Frank, can I just ask you. Do you have any on hand
helpers with you ? GA
Frank Slater: I'm here with Philippe Malfroy, the head of the Jag
programming team...
and Agnes Haegel, the Project Manager for Rayman. GA
Loic Duval (Atari): Hi everybody
Jeff Norwood: Okay, let's begin the questions.
Dana, GA
Dana @ STReport: Thanks for being here Frank, Philippe, and Agnes....
For starters, perhaps the attendees here, and our
readers...
would like to know exactly what type of game Rayman
is, a brief description...
of sorts. What can we expect to see? GA
Frank Slater: A good question to start with, Dana...
Rayman is a "platform" game, although this is not
really a descriptive-enough term...
to describe what awaits you! ...
It is a side-scrolling action/adventure...
...with non-linear action, and powers that accumulate
as you go ...
... the gaming press in the US and Europe has been
calling it the greatest platform game, ever, period....
... and we obviously agree! <g> ...
GA
Jeff Norwood: ?
Jeff Norwood: Okay Dana, you can go before me! GA
Dana @ STReport: Sorry, Jeff! <g>
Thanks Frank. Now, the 64K question.....when can we
expect to see it? GA
Frank Slater: Rayman will be on sale in the US on September 16th ...
and in the UK and the rest of Europe on September 23. GA
Jeff Norwood: Okay, my turn.
Are there any differences between the Jaguar version of
Rayman and the CD versions (and the 32X version)? GA
Frank Slater: First off, the 32X version was a project and we have
decided not to see it through to completion. ...
There are some differences between the three other
versions (Jag, PlayStation and Saturn) ...
but one very important thing to emphasize is that all
three versions have the same great colors ...
the same outstanding graphics, and the same tremendous
gameplay... GA
Jeff Norwood: Craig, GA!
Craig Harris: Ok, one...what does the UBI in UBI Soft stand for? <g>
Two, have the programmers/developers learned enough
about the Jaguar (corporation-wise and hardware-wise)
to justify another Jaguar project? i.e. what's next for
UBI Soft. GA.
Frank Slater: Craig, great question ...
It's Ubi actually, not UBI ...
and so it doesn't stand for anything! ...
The company was founded ten years ago by three
brothers...
and the Latin root of "Ubi" means "all" or "everyone"
(I think) ...
so maybe that's where they got it. As for question two...
...right now, we are concentrating on all of the
release activities for Rayman ...
before deciding what projects come next. GA
Jeff Norwood: Okay, it's me again!
Is there a 3DO version in the works, as previously
reported. And 2 - you said that all the versions...
were almost the same, yet many magazines like GamePro
have rated the Jag version lower than the rest. Any
reason for this? GA
Frank Slater: There is no 3DO version in the works. ...
We aren't 100% sure why so many mags have rated the Jag
version lower ... no doubt as Jag fans you have...
some of the same explanations as we do: "anti-Jag
racism", preference for the "new" consoles,
bla bla bla ... GA
Jeff Norwood: Dana, GA
Dana @ STReport: Well, I want to make sure that all of the Ubi Soft
team gets some action, so...
Philippe, what do you feel was the hardest part of
programming on the Jaguar? ...
Was the "new" technology such a large new learning
curve to make doing a game...
on the Jaguar as difficult as we're to believe? GA
Frank Slater/Philippe: Integrating the sound was difficult, especially
because we had really high standards for the
sound quality ...
but learning the Jaguar isn't any more difficult
than learning any other new system. It's all in
assembler (we're not sure of the English term
for this, Philippe is French) ...
I just wanted to say that our team of testers,
who often worked testing all three versions ...
of Rayman, almost always, without exception,
preferred the Jaguar version for it's
"controlability". GA
Jeff Norwood: Craig, GA
Craig Harris: Is Rayman strictly a two-dimensional side-scroller, or
were there any 3D special effects (bitmap scaling,
rotation) thrown in for good measure? GA
Frank Slater: We chose to put our efforts on producing superb 2D
animation-quality graphics ...
than to "waste" memory space with 3D graphics that don't
necessarily add to the game and in fact ...
often take away from the game play. Which is why you all
buy the games you buy, right? GA
Jeff Norwood: Travis, GA
Travis @ AEO: Hello Frank!
Sorry if this has been asked before, but when is the
expected "in store" date for RayMan (Jaguar)? GA
Frank Slater: Hi Travis - 9/16 in the USA, 9/23 in Europe. GA
Travis @ AEO: :-)
AEO: Done for now....
Jeff Norwood: Dana, GA - D. Lee, you're after, so wait. GA
Dana @ STReport: Back to the "guts" of Rayman...
Who are the good guys, and "baddies" we can expect
to see...
And what is the object of the game (besides to win!
<g>)? GA
Frank Slater: I'll answer this briefly, Dana ...
Dana @ STReport: Don't give away too much! <g>
Frank Slater: but there is only one real way to meet all of Rayman's
40+ characters ...
and that is (you guessed it) to buy the game!! :)
You can also visit us on the Web at
http/::www.ubisoft.com, where there are GIFs of lots of
the game's crazier characters...
Basically, Rayman lives in a world that has been
destabilized by the evil Mister Dark...
who stole the Great Protoon and scattered its Electoons
all over the world ...
You have to help Rayman find all of the cages of
Electoons and free them, to restore the harmony ..
to the world. Friends and foes are all along the
trail... GA
Dana @ STReport: Thanks Frank!
Brian Carloni: I was wondering if you have set a definite release date
for shipping yet?
Jeff Norwood: Dana, done? GA
Dana @ STReport: For the moment! <g>
D. Lee: First, thanks to people at Ubisoft for taking the time to
answer questions. I'd like to know what Ubisoft Jag
programmers feel about its networking capabilities. Have
you tried any demo games that utilize Jag networking, either
locally or thru a modem? GA
Frank Slater/Philippe: We haven't tried networking ... yet! But it's
definitely one of the projects we are working
on. Stay tuned for Rayman II? GA
D. Lee: Follow-up...
Frank Slater: Ooops, typo in the Web address, it's
http://www.ubisoft.com GA
Jeff Norwood: Hold on D - after Travis is done. GA
Travis @ AEO: Hi again! What's UbiSoft's next title for Jaguar? GA
Frank Slater: Travis, as we said earlier, right now we are all
mobilized for the release activities for Rayman. Once
that's ...
finished (and frankly, once we see how it sells) we'll
start thinking about the "after-Rayman" era. GA
Travis @ AEO: So "Red Hot Soccer" is still uncertain to appear? GA
Frank Slater: Sorry for all of the typos!! GA
[Editor's note: We fixed 'em for you, Frank!]
Travis @ AEO: No prob! :)
Frank Slater: Travis, Red Hot Soccer is a definite for the PC CD-ROM
platform, it will be coming out in early October ...
but we have made our final decision for the Jag version
of this game. What do you all think? GA
Dana @ STReport: Have, or haven't?
Jeff Norwood: What do u all think? Tell him everyone! GA
Frank Slater: We haven't made our decision ... geez, too many typos. GA
I meant to type haven't, not have.
Dana @ STReport: Go For It!
Travis @ AEO: What do we think? Well, I'd like to see a great soccer
game for the Jag. GA
Done for now. GA
D. Lee: So Philippe or others haven't had the opp Please network
the Jag Soccer game!
Jeff Norwood: D Lee - GA; Craig, you are next.
But wait!
I have to ask Frank something privately ... back in a
sec... GA
(just talk)
[Editor's note: idle chatter ensues for a few minutes, steaks hit the
grill, a few bottles of beer are opened... you get the picture! <g>]
Kevin Palmer: Frank, anything the quality of Rayman would be greatly
appreciated for the Jag (re: Red Hot Soccer)
D. Lee: Why don't they network the Jag so that 8 or even 800 players
can compete at once?
Travis @ AEO: D.Lee, usually, they're in a hurry to get the game out.
Craig Harris: 800 players??? Can you imagine the beta-testing grid???
Travis @ AEO: If you're looking for an 8-player game, BattleSphere
will fill the bill!
Frank Slater: We're back!!
Jeff Norwood: Okay, we're back.
Travis @ AEO: Shhhh.....
Jeff Norwood: D. Lee, you have a question. GA
D. Lee: Travis: but I'd think programmers wouldn't have any problem
redirecting the I/O.
Thanks...
Frank and Ubisoft, you've now created a cart game...
what do you feel is the future of software delivery to
consoles? Is it the new cable modems that transfer data at
5-10 Mbits/sec?
Frank Slater: Have you finished D Lee?
I assume so..
D. Lee: GA
Frank Slater: I (personally) do think that the middle-range future is
in cable modems that combine your TV and your
computer...
maybe in the long-range future we'll all just download
the operating system with the game, no more set-top
boxes...
it's all a question of baud rates and memory
capabilities, and all of that stuff...
changes practically overnight these days! ...
Wish I had a crystal ball ... GA
Jeff Norwood: I wonder who's next ... guess no one! <g> Just kidding.
Craig, GA
Craig Harris: Question for Philippe: Were there any limitations that
you hit on the Jaguar while programming Rayman? Were
there any hardware restrictions on the Jag that were
more easily work-aroundable on the other systems (or so
say the other systems' programmers <g>)? Or, to put on
a more positive spin, was there anything easier to
implement on the Jaguar than the "other systems?" GA
Frank Slater: Philippe: It's hard for me to say, because I only
worked on the Jag version but...
It did seem to be harder to debug than my colleague's
versions ...
On the positive side, we didn't have to build in memory
a model of what we wanted to show on the screen ...
the Jag developers kit and the actual construction of
the Jag console ...
that does that all by themselves. That was very handy.
GA
Dana @ STReport: Let's get Agnes involved, shall we!...
What's the SRP for Rayman..., and...
how was it to keep the programming team motivated to
work on Rayman? GA
Frank Slater: Actually, she has been very involved, just "silent"!
(I got elected typer...) GA
Dana @ STReport: Hehe! Good for her!
Frank Slater: SRP in the US is $69.95 ...
Frank Slater: Agnes: The programmers were actually pretty
self-motivating ....
most of them love what they do so that helps...
what WAS difficult was having to clean up the 37 empty
pizza boxes every morning ...
during the rush to test it!! Ha ha, just kidding. GA
Travis @ AEO: Frank, what does UbiSoft say to the net.rumors that Sony
moved to have Jaguar RayMan delayed until after the
introduction of the PSX? GA
Frank Slater: Ha ha ha is what Ubi Soft says!!! ...
Where on earth DO these rumors come from? GA
Travis @ AEO: The net -is- known as "The Net of a Million Lies." GA
Craig Harris: Simple question <hehehe...>: What was the inspiration
for the character (and game for that matter) Rayman?
Frank Slater: Rayman's designer is named Michel Ancel ...
and rumor has it that Rayman looks a lot like him ...
when he first drew rayman, he had been working on
designing the road surface ...
images for a car racing game (boring gray colors over
and over again, all day, every day ...)
and he had a sudden urge for color and freakiness!
Rayman was born! GA
Jeff Norwood: Wow! What a guy!
There is time for about 2 or 3 more questions.
Steve, GA
Frank Slater: He is an amazing person. I wanted him to be here
tonight but he couldn't make it. GA
Steve Watkins: As a 3rd party developer, can you tell us how much you
pay the different companies (SONY,ATARI) in licensing
fees per cart/CD and which company, Atari or Sony
offers a more attractive incentive to program for their
system. GA
Thought I'd toss a softball... <L>
Frank Slater: Steve, I'm sorry, but that is not the kind of
information I'm at liberty to discuss. You know how
these things are. GA
Steve Watkins: Okay, can you tell us which company is more attractive
to develop for?
Dana @ STReport: Since we know how the net.rumors are, can you tell
us which versions of Rayman will appear first? GA
Jeff Norwood: Frank, answer Steve's question first, then Dana.
Sorry, I thought you were done Steve. GA
Steve Watkins: No problem.
Frank Slater: They each have their advantages and disadvantages.
Atari is a company filled with terrific people who are
always there for us. They also have a team in France,
which is handy for a French company such as ourselves.
We've really enjoyed creating Rayman for them, and
"with" them. Now on to Dana ...
Steve Watkins: Thanks.
Frank Slater: Both the Play Station and the Jag version will be
released on Sept 16th in the US. The Saturn version
will follow a few weeks later. GA
Dana @ STReport: That ends _that_ rumor!
Frank Slater: What rumor? GA
Dana @ STReport: That the PSX version was coming out before any other.
Steve Watkins: And all the forum squabbles. <G>
D. Lee: Thanks again to Ubisoft and Jeff Norwood...
I'd like to know what computers systems you've used
before...Amigas or STs? And if the Amiga, does Philippe
consider the Jag a cousin to it? GA
Frank Slater: We've developed for just about every system that has
existed, including Amiga, ST, Nintendo, Super Nintendo,
Genesis, PC floppy ...
and we are currently developing for the Jag, the PSX,
the Saturn, and the Mac and PC CD-ROM. GA
Jeff Norwood: I'm really getting confused. Travis is next, but who
else has a question? I have to get this down. I've
written them all down, but I am so messy. Who has a
question? GA
Say "i" GA
Travis @ AEO: When did development of the PSX version of RayMan begin?
GA
Frank Slater: Philippe: No real similarity, either between the Jag
and the Atari or the Jag and the ST, if you ask me.
They all started at about the same time. To be honest,
we DID think the Jaguar would be released first.
Believe me, many heads ...
have been banged against many walls over the delays ...
mostly due to the fact that we really really REALLY
wanted to make this game the very best game ...
that exists on the Jaguar, and so we went back to the
drawing board a few times ...
The early days of Rayman were mainly design - character
design, and background ...
the programming for all three consoles all began
seriously late last summer. GA
Travis @ AEO: PSX was started in early 94? I did not know that. GA
Jeff Norwood: Anymore questions? GA
Travis @ AEO: I know RayMan will be well received, no matter the
platform!
For Philippe: When you were finished, how much of Jag
RayMan runs on the 68000? GA
Frank Slater: I have to go soon, so I can only take one more question.
Frank Slater: Philippe: About 70%, I think. GA
Jeff Norwood: Okay, before you go,...
D. Lee: 70% and it runs at 60 frames per sec wow!
Travis @ AEO: That much? And your testers like it better than PSX?
Frank Slater: Philippe: (direct quote) "Eh oui, eh oui!"
Travis @ AEO: <grin> Thanks for appearing, UbiSoft!! GA
Jeff Norwood: I'd like to help Frank giveaway a couple of Rayman
T-Shirts!
So, the fairest way is to put all your names in a hat,
and pull 3 names!
Frank Slater: Thanks for having us.
Steve Watkins: Pull me! <L>
Jeff Norwood: All of you who want in, say "I" now! GA
Dana @ STReport: I now!
Travis @ AEO: I
Kevin Palmer: I
Steve Watkins: Sorry. <G,D,R>
D. Lee: I
Tony Talarico: i
Craig Harris: "I now!
D. Lee: Wow oui wow oui!
Travis @ AEO: D.Lee: <Grin>
Jeff Norwood: Okay, here's winner one:
Frank Slater: D Lee has us laughing over here, too!
Steve Watkins: Eye
Jeff Norwood: Tony Talarico!
Winner Two:
Tony Talarico: Thanks!
Jeff Norwood: Kevin Palmer!
Steve Watkins: Fixed! Rigged!!!
Jeff Norwood: And Winner Three:
Steve Watkins: :)
Kevin Palmer: Thanks! I'll wear it proudly!!!
Loic Duval (Atari): ME?$
Frank Slater: Hey, Loic is here! Bonjour Loic!!
Jeff Norwood: Travis @ AEO!
Steve Watkins: Hi, Loic, Atari.
Travis @ AEO: Gosh! I'm flattered.
Jeff Norwood: Okay, thank you Frank Slater for coming!
Dana @ STReport: Thanks for being here, UbiSoft!!
Jeff Norwood: Thanks Philippe and Agnes too.
Loic Duval (Atari): Hi Philippe, Agnes. Thank you very much for your
conference. It was great.
Jeff Norwood: We can't wait for Rayman...
Kevin Palmer: Frank, Philippe and Agnes, thanks for attending.
Jeff, thanks for organizing.
Frank Slater: Jeff, how do I get these guys snail mail
addresses - those t-shirts will be hard to e-mail! GA
Steve Watkins: Thanks, Frank & UBI. Good answers. :)
Loic Duval (Atari): Faut qu'on se fasse une petite bouffe pour feter
la sortie de Rayman...
Jeff Norwood: and I am very sure that the CEO of Ubi Soft will have
$$$ in his eyes when he sees the sales figures of this
title!
Drive home safely, and once again, The Jaguar Journal
thanks you for coming.
Frank Slater: Thanks to everyone who attended. We hope you'll love
Rayman as much as we do, and we'll be eagerly awaiting
your reactions on Sept 16th.
Steve Watkins: Yea, what Loic said! :) I should've taken French in
HS... <G>
D. Lee: Au revoir Ubi!
Jeff Norwood: To the winners of the t-shirts:
send me your addresses and T-shirt size and it will
be sent to you.
Frank Slater: Au revoir everybody! (From Agnes and Philippe) and
bye, happy Laborless Day from Frank.
Jeff Norwood: Bye Frank!
Kevin Palmer: So long everybody.
Tony Talarico: Bye Ubi, Great conference, Jeff
Jeff Norwood: Yeah - what sizes are the t-shirts in ?
Frank Slater: XL only. Hope that's okay...
Travis @ AEO: No Super Xtra Large? Darn! :)
Jeff Norwood: Okay - it's one size fits all!
Steve Watkins: Just wash them in really hot water if they're too
big. :)
Travis @ AEO: Great idea!
Jeff Norwood: Thanks Frank, and have a good Labor Day yourself
(just pretend it's Labor Day in France, only with the
labor!)
Tony Talarico: Steve: wave them in front of the Jag forum messages?
Frank Slater: We have to go, it's almost 8:30 pm and we're all
starving!! Bye everyone.
Jeff Norwood: Okay, see you.
Loic Duval (Atari): It is not Labor Day in France...
Craig Harris: Bye Frank et al...thanks for coming.
Travis @ AEO: No. Then they'll go on strike.... <g>
Steve Watkins: Tony, OUCH! <L>
Jeff Norwood: The conference is officially over. GA
Steve Watkins: Wait! Turn those machines back on! Turn those
machines back on!
Craig Harris: Rhubarb...rhubarb..
Jeff Norwood: Okay. I'm on!
Dana @ STReport: Thanks Jeff - nice job!
Loic Duval (Atari): Bye Jeff. This conference was a good idea and
have clarified many false rumours...
Jeff Norwood: Next time, a while away, I'll only have a few guests.
It works out better.
Craig Harris: Dana - make sure you leave in my mah-velous questions.
<g>
Dana @ STReport: Sure thing, Craig!
[Editor's note: and we did!]
ONLINE WEEKLY STReport OnLine The wires are a hummin'!
PEOPLE... ARE TALKING
=====================
On CompuServe
-------------
compiled by
Joe Mirando
CIS ID: 73637,2262
Hidi ho friends and neighbors. Well, another week has come and gone in
our little neighborhood and it's time to take a look at all the news,
hints, tips and info available on my favorite online service. But
first, a word or two about last week's column...
Last week I mentioned that a friend had his cellular phone "cloned" and,
as a result, now has to punch in his PIN number each time he wants to
make a call. That part isn't a big problem. Everyone with a cellular
phone will have to do the same shortly. The problem part is the fact
that the phone service knew exactly where the calls had originated from
and gone to. I also made mention of the government's plan to use the
"clipper" chip in everything from secure phones to televisions to
computers. The problem is that the government would hold a "master key"
to ALL encrypted materials. Sure, they promise that it'll only be used
when the courts tell them that they can, much as with phone-tapping. I
then made mention of the fact that there was an alternative. PGP
(Pretty Good Protection) allows you to encrypt or encode a file so that
it can be certified as having come from you and can be un-encrypted by
anyone who has your "public" key (public keys are now being distributed
freely on most online services). It also allows you to encrypt a file
so that no one but yourself (or someone who knows your "secret" key) can
un-encrypt it. Needless to say, this is a cool system. While there
isn't any encryption system that is unbreakable (except possibly for
"code-talking", right X-Files watchers??), Public/Private key
encoding comes very close.
My reason for mentioning this is that several people have e-mailed me to
ask for more information about PGP. I'll tell you what I told them:
Most online services have sections that offer the PGP version you need
(available versions include MSDOS/Windows, Mac, Atari ST, Commodore
Amiga, and Unix). But in most cases you must request access (and be a
U.S. citizen). You might also want to check out local bulletin boards
and users groups.
With the current trend toward that Information Super-Highway thing, the
features that PGP provides are sure to come in handy.
Okay, let's get on with the reason for this column... All the great
stuff available every week right here on CompuServe.
From the Atari Computing Forum
==============================
Steve Norman asks:
"Does anyone have this problem? Using Stalker version 3.04 on
compuserve with the supplied Strata compuserve B+ protocol. When I
start a download, it starts up very fast and gets up to about 1600 bps.
If I'm downloading a large file (>300K), it starts to slow down, and
ends up running at about 200 BPS by time its gets to the end of the
file. Y-modem maintains its speed on my setup, but it only runs at
about 1000 Bps. How do you get B+ to maintain its transfer speed??"
Jerry Coppess tells Steve that it...
"Sounds like you need to increase your buffer size. Use BUF_SIZE.BTK to
set AUXINT.PRG in your Auto folder. I quadroupled the default size. I
think I set it to 16K. My downlaods range from 1590-1640 @ 14.4bps.
Also you should be using something like SERFX20.PRG and its CPX to lock
in flow control."
Sysop Jim Ness asks Steve:
"Were you aware that CIS and STalker can also do ymodem-g, which is
faster even than CIS B+? If you tell CIS you want a ymodem download,
and tell STalker you want ymodem-g, you'll end up with the latter.
Downloads only, no uploads, though."
Steve replies:
"No I didn't know that I could use Ymodem-G. Where would a mortal
being learn this and other similarly useful facts other than bugging
people with such questions?"
Jim tells Steve:
"Ymodem-g is part and parcel of the complete ymodem spec. Most
implementations these days will support -g, when the receiving end
requests it.
However, there is no way to make CIS request it, which is why uploads
don't support ymodem-g. I don't think CIS wants a streaming upload
which does not include a mechanism to pause the data flow (CIS B+ does
have this mechanism)."
Richard Rowell asks:
"...Is there any way that I could get a program which is able to
convert ATARI ST TOS programs into MSDOS programs? Let's just say,
there is no such thing. How would that new GEMulator board affect my
PC? And finally, how could I get into contact with an ATARI dealer or
even better Branch Always Software? "
Andrew Wright, the Editor of Atari World Magazine, tells Richard:
"Branch Always are on CIS 73657,2714. Or see the next issue of Atari
World for a full review of Gemulator <grin>."
Sysop Bob Retelle adds:
"Unfortunately there isn't anything that will actually convert Atari
programs to run directly on a PC... the internals of the two types of
computers are just too different.
However, for many Atari programs, the GEMulator will work just fine.
Essentially you install the GEMulator board in your PC (which holds a
set of Atari TOS ROMs on it), and run the GEMulator software just like
it was any other PC program. From that point on, your PC acts just
like an Atari computer.
As Andrew mentioned, you can contact Branch Always directly here on
CompuServe... for an Atari dealer, try giving Toad Computers in
Maryland a call (800-448-8623)."
Steve posts:
"I understand that GEMulator runs Atari programs on the PC, but
doesn't support MIDI."
Sysop Bob Retelle tells Steve:
"Steve, the newest version of the GEMulator software (which I haven't
gotten yet) adds a lot of new features... I don't have the flyer handy
right here, but I think I remember that MIDI support was one of the
things added...
Of course, I could be wrong... (and probably am...)"
Rob Rasmussen asks about STWriter and its author, Dr. Bruce Noonan:
"Does Dr. Noonan even have an account on Compuserve? I would like to
ask him a few questions too, mainly about the Stylus printer that he
wrote an article about in ST Informer."
Sysop Keith Joins tells Rob:
"Bruce Noonan's User ID# is 72407,504. He hasn't visited this forum
in several years but you could try sending mail to him and see if the
account is still active."
Rob tells Keith:
"Thanks... I will give it a try and see if I can reach him through
e-mail. Well gee, since I'm here, I might as well throw this out: In
his article he said that the Stylus printer must be calibrated using a
PC or Mac, since most people use those platforms and the calibration
programs only run on those PC's. I did this, and it wrote something to
the PC hard drive, the calibration info that works with the driver
perhaps. He said you can then hook the Atari back up to the Stylus and
use it. But it seems to me whatever was done in the calibration would
be lost if not used with the PC that the info was written to. It
doesn't _seem_ that anything was changed in the printer itself
permanently but I could be wrong, and this is what I hope to find out."
Mike Myers asks:
"Is there a simple, cheap program that can work with the Superbase
Personal to turn data from it into a line graph? What I want to do is
to take a list that is a date, time, and glucose reading, convert it
into a quickly readable chart, save it, and use STfax to send it to a
Doctor. I've spent some time today in the library today with no luck."
Albert Dayes of Atari Explorer Online Magazine tells Mike:
"Not that I know of. The only thing I can think of that does graphs is
some of the Spreadsheets like LDW Power, etc."
Carl Barron tells Mike and Albert:
"Don't forget BSTAT. :) Needs 'sdf' or 'delimited' ascii not
superbase files. I think that personal can export with filtering to
these formats. Bstat is shareware.
Brian Gockley from ST Informer Magazine tells Mike:
"There is First Graph, from ABC Solutions. Toad could get it for you.
There are a few others, including BSTAT (here in the libraries), but
all need GDOS. (I think)."
Rob Rasmussen asks:
"In Atari Works, is there a way to merge one data base into another?
Like if I have a DB of all of my audio CD's and want to combine it with
the one I have for LP's, how can I do this?"
Albert Dayes of Atari Explorer Online Magazine tells Rob:
"One method would be to export the files (CD and LP) into ascii files
and then merge them. Merge them by copying them into the same text
editor or word processor and save as ascii.
If Atari Works allows you can open up both databases in Works and then
select all records (from database 1) and copy them to database #2. You
might have to use the clipboard.
I would use copies of the databases in question just to be on the safe
side.
I believe my database program (DBF_INFO.ZIP) has a merge feature if
you export the files in dBASE format and then merge them together. I
will have to do some testing and see how well that works."
Rob tells Albert:
"Thanks! I don't know why I didn't think of that - selecting all of
the database in one window and then copying or pasting it into the one
in the other window to merge them together. This should work.
You mentioned DBF_INFO.ZIP. I was curious and looked for it but
couldn't find it. What is it? (I used BRO DBF_INFO.ZIP LIB=ALL)"
Steve Proulx tells us that...
"I am just starting to use my Atari STe after a long absence and am
having considerable difficulty finding (and using) a compression
program. I have downloaded several, the most promising of which is
LHARC.TTP, but I can't get any of them to run. I'm obviously missing
something. The instructions say the only essential parameter is the
"archive" but I can't figure out what that is ... it doesn't appear to
be the drive name, or a folder... FYI, I have only a single floppy, and
am trying to unpack the game DROID (filename DROID.LZH) -- would really
appreciate your help."
Sysop Keith Joins gives Steve some good advice:
"I would suggest you get the file ARCLZH.PRG. It is a self extracting
archive that will give you the latest ARC and LZH utilities along with
a shell program to run them. Makes it much easier to use them."
J. Morgan Trotter asks:
"Can... anyone... tell me if I could use a 100MB IOMEGA ZIP Drive as a
hard drive for my ST?
If yes, how?"
Albert Dayes tells J. Morgan:
"ICD sells a driver with their ICD PRO software to the ZIP drive. I
know they were beta testing so it should be close to completion by now.
It requires parity (the ZIP drive does) so you need an ICD host adapter
that supports it. You might ask in the (GO ATARIVEN) forum in the ICD
section for specifics."
John Randone posts:
"I may be one of the last people to STILL be using a dot-matrix
printer for my 1040 ST. And, I hate it, because the printer jams the
paper nearly every time I use it!
Although the HP ink-jet printers work well (with my IBM at work), and
have reasonable pricing, does anyone know if they'll work with
"standard" Atari programs like LDW power, Word Perfect, Word Writer,
etc. What about Timeworks Desktop Publisher (2?) or things like CAD
3D?
Are drivers available here in the library?"
Atari World Editor Andrew Wright replies:
"Which ink-jet are you after? I've got a DJ600 in front of me that is
using Imagecopy to print full page A4 photographs in colour. I've also
printed out pages from Timeworks 2 and done several straight ASCII
dumps from the desktop. Obviously you need special drivers to get the
600dpi in graphics mode - TW and Imagecopy can only as yet drive it in
300 by 300 - but programs that use the printer's built-in fonts like
Wordwriter et al will use the 600 dpi fonts. Later... Specifically
tested Wordwriter and it is fine. The DJ600 is clearly fully backwards
compatible with earlier models."
Simon Churchill tells John:
"If a program (Like timeworks) uses GDOS or SPEEDOGDOS (Note: There
is a new Timeworks 2.04 which uses SpeedoGDOS V5) Then all that is
needed is an HP laserjet of deskjet driver and there sorted.
If, say Word Perfect, can send to an HP laser of some kind then it
might send to a deskjet without problems. The commonest compatable
drivers are HP Laserjet and HP Laserjet 2, then comes any newer Deskjet
drivers.
I myself have a HP520 Deskjet and print from a mutlitude of programs
and all have got some kind of a printer driver, includeing the rather
dated First Word +."
Well folks, that's about it for this week. Don't forget to look into
PGP... I'm not trying to be an alarmist or anything of the sort, but I
_do_ think that it is something good to have... who knows what the
future holds? What would Henry Ford have thought of today's car alarms
or The Club??
With that thought in mind, always listen to what they are saying when...
PEOPLE ARE TALKING
STReport's "EDITORIAL CARTOON"
A "Quotable Quote" A true, "Sign of the Times"
PACKWOOD RESIGNS!!
"Unfortunately, the people he s violated will never savor real Justice...
The last laugh is really on all those women...
As Packwood LAUGHS all the way to the bank...
Industriously stashing away that generous Government Pension!"
STReport International OnLine Magazine
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STR OnLine! "YOUR INDEPENDENT NEWS SOURCE" September 08, 1995
Since 1987 Copyright 1995 All Rights Reserved No. 1136
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