ST Report: 5-Jan-96 #1201
From: Bruce D. Nelson (aa789@cleveland.Freenet.Edu)
Date: 01/22/96-12:02:40 AM Z
From: aa789@cleveland.Freenet.Edu (Bruce D. Nelson)
Subject: ST Report: 5-Jan-96 #1201
Date: Mon Jan 22 00:02:40 1996
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>From the Editor's Desk...
Whew! The holidays are behind us. This year was a memorable one
that's for sure. I saw the last vestiges of my Atari computer stuff getting
ready to be packed and sent to a new home. At the same time, the
entertainment center in the family room received a new component. Seated
alongside the complete Sony Playstation console is a full house Atari
Jaguar. The main features of both are being enjoyed to the max. Highlander
looks great on the Jag, and most all the titles we have for the PSX are
absolutely outstanding. So.. Whenever there is inclement weather or,
whatever, there is always our own little arcade center waiting there ready
and eager to please.
CES is upon us and the KEY words are going to be Virtual Reality. In
every sense of the term, VR is here. It may not have fully arrived but its
presence is being sufficiently felt to ensure it has a very bright future.
Watch for many action packed titles in the entertainment arena that involve
VR in one way or another. Speaking of NEW things in the software world .
Atari Interactive has thrown its hat into the multi-platform gaming arena.
Don't be surprised of you see the familiar Atari logo on that new software
package for your PC, MAC or PSX, Saturn and of course the Jaguar. In a
quickie interview with Atari's Don Thomas ( a really nice guy).. I in my
usual diplomatic way pointedly asked if there is a future for the Jaguar.
Don emphatically stated "there is!" He then went on to state that if the
new price for the Jaguar Game Console, $99.00, had the intended effect, a
great deal could easily be on the horizon for the Jaguar. I then asked what
the overall view was of the future of Atari in general. Don really was
highly confident of a very positive future for Atari. This reporter feels
that with Ted Hoff seemingly in control, there is a very good possibility
that Atari will finally have an excellent shot at the ever elusive "Brass
Ring". Hoff has excellent credentials which include a strong background in
promotions, PR and leadership. Perhaps Hoff is the key. We shall see.
Ralph.
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STReport Headline News
LATE BREAKING INDUSTRY-WIDE NEWS
Weekly Happenings in the Computer World
Compiled by: Dana P. Jacobson
CompuServe Blocks Six Newsgroups
Responding to a direct mandate from the prosecutor's office in Germany,
CompuServe has suspended member access to some 200 of the Internet's 15,000
newsgroups. Targeted were those electronic bulletin boards considered by
some to be pornographic.
The Associated Press said Germany's request "marked the first time that
a government has taken such drastic action to limit public access to the
Internet," and that some in the interactive community fear it "may prompt
other governments to take similar steps to block access to material they
deem inappropriate."
AP notes German authorities notified CompuServe this week they were
investigating 200 distributors of sexually explicit material in connection
with a government probe of what's on the Internet. They told CompuServe to
block member access to them.
"Since CompuServe doesn't have the technical ability to block only
German users from such material, it had to ban every CompuServe user from
access," the wire service observed. "Each of the newsgroups that was
suspended was specifically identified to CompuServe by the German
authorities as illegal under German criminal law."
In a statement from its Columbus, Ohio, headquarters, the online
service said, "CompuServe cannot alter the content on the Internet in any
way and has only suspended access to the disputed newsgroups through CIS.
The issues being investigated in Germany, like those being addressed across
the industry, need to remain focused on the individuals and groups placing
content on the Internet. CompuServe, as an access provider, is not
responsible for the origination or nature of content on the Internet over
which it has no creative or editorial control."
The statement called the global market "vital" to CompuServe, noting
the system currently has 500,000 members in Western Europe and anticipates
doubling that number in the next year.
"CompuServe must comply with the laws of the many countries in which we
operate," said the statement added. "However, laws in different countries
are often in conflict, and this creates new challenges unique to the
emerging online industry. CompuServe is investigating ways in which we can
restrict user access to selected newsgroups by geographical location."
The statement said German authorities are investigating newsgroups and
other Internet content that may contain "child pornography, other
pornographic material illegal for adults, as well as content that although
not illegal for adults is of such an explicit nature that it is illegal for
minors."
Meanwhile, cyber-rights groups worried aloud today about the First
Amendment implications. Staff attorney Shari Steele of the Electronic
Frontier Foundation told reporter Jared Sandberg of the Wall Street Journal,
"Right now, Germany is dictating what Americans who access the Internet
through CompuServe are going to be able to see. If any service provider is
going to have to track all of the laws for all of the countries, we're not
going to have very many service providers."
CompuServe's statement said, "While access has been suspended,
CompuServe continues to work with German authorities to resolve this
matter."
Germans Re-state Net Ban Stand
German authorities now say they never mandated that CompuServe block
access to some 200 sexually explicit newsgroups on the Internet, and that
they didn't explicitly threatened the online service with criminal charges.
The comments, which seem to conflict with last week's statements from the
federal prosecutor's office in Germany, come in the wake of widespread
protests on the Internet and a new boycott of German beers.
CompuServe spokeswoman Daphne Kent told Associated Press writer Frank
Bajak the Columbus, Ohio, company stands by the original statement: that
German authorities themselves specified the newsgroups to which access
should be suspended. As reported earlier, CompuServe said last week it was
responding to a direct mandate from the prosecutor's office in Germany in
suspending member access to some 200 of the Internet's 15,000 newsgroups.
Targeted were those electronic bulletin boards considered by some to be
pornographic.
Since CompuServe doesn't have the technical ability to block only
German users from such material, it had to block every CompuServe user from
access. Each of the newsgroups that was suspended was specifically
identified to CompuServe by the German authorities as illegal under German
criminal law, the company says.
However, now Munich senior public prosecutor Manfred Wick is saying his
office did not provide any such list as part of its investigation of child
pornography on the Net. To this, CompuServe spokeswoman Kent told AP, "The
newsgroups were specifically identified by German officials. I don't know if
the German prosecutors are backpedaling a little." She adds that
CompuServe's legal department is in talks with prosecutors "and that is
something that is going to have to be hashed out."
Regarding a threat of criminal charges, Kent comments, "We got some
information from (German prosecutors) that there was a real possibility of
arrest if we didn't comply." Back in Germany, Wick says state police will
present a finding before mid-February of what material available on computer
networks can be considered criminal and what effect that can have on online
services.
Authorities there, he says, consider online services legally
responsible for information found on their networks, even if it comes from
outside the networks, as is the case with Internet newsgroups. Meanwhile,
in San Francisco, a gay rights group is calling for a boycott of two German-
brewed beers to protest the nation's stand, noting the banned information
includes discussion groups on homosexuality and AIDS.
Says the Reuter News Service, "Angered by the prosecutor's action,
Americans for Gay Rights, a small San Francisco gay rights group, said on
Tuesday it would launch a month-long boycott of two popular German beers
sold in America." AGR spokesman Michael Petrelis says, "We want to send the
German government a message that says we want them to keep their hands off
the Internet." He says his group plans to start the boycott tomorrow by
pouring bottles of Beck's and St Pauli Girl beer down the sewer in front of
the Goethe Institute, the German cultural center, in San Francisco.
CompuServe May Reopen Newsgroups
CompuServe says it hopes by the end of the month to reopen access to
200 sexually-oriented Internet newsgroups to all but its German customers.
Spokesman Jeff Shafer told the Associated Press that the company is working
on a way to prevent Germans from accessing the newsgroups, while allowing
access to customers in the rest of the world. As reported earlier,
CompuServe said last week it was responding to a direct mandate from
Germany's federal prosecutor's office in suspending member access to some
200 of the Internet's 15,000 newsgroups. Targeted were those electronic
bulletin boards considered by some to be pornographic. Suspending access to
the newsgroups has sparked Net-wide protests. Since CompuServe currently
doesn't have the technical ability to block only German users from such
material, it had to block all its 4 million users from access, but Shafer
says he hopes that technology will be developed by the end of January.
CompuServe says each of the newsgroups that was suspended was
specifically identified to CompuServe by the German authorities as illegal
under German criminal law. As reported yesterday, Munich's senior public
prosecutor, Manfred Wick, has said his office did not order a ban or provide
CompuServe with any list as part of its investigation of child pornography.
However, Wick later did acknowledge police asked CompuServe to
scrutinize a list last month. Wick maintains, "The decision on whether and
to what extent the groups on the list would be blocked was left to
CompuServe." CompuServe disputes this. Spokeswoman Daphne Kent told AP
yesterday the company stands by the original statement: that German
authorities themselves specified the newsgroups to which access should be
suspended.
Meanwhile, Shafer says the ability to block access by country "will be
an important tool to have," adding, "We're in more than 140 countries. It
would be silly to think we would not come up against this elsewhere."
Acma Ltd. Bids for Hayes Micro
From Singapore comes word that investment and electronics company Acma
Ltd.'s proposed purchase and reorganization of modem maker Hayes
Microcomputer Products Inc. still is being evaluated. The Dow Jones news
service quotes a statement to the Stock Exchange of Singapore in which Acma
says its joint bid with Canada's Northern Telecom Inc. for Hayes is being
studied by the Bankruptcy Court in Atlanta. As noted, Hayes has been under
bankruptcy protection and also is being wooed by Diamond Multimedia Inc. and
U.S. Robotics Corp.
"The planned reorganization of Hayes," says Dow Jones, "calls for 100
percent repayment of all valid creditors' claims, including accrued
interest. If the bid is successful, it will result in Acma and Northern
Telecom taking a 24.5 percent stake in Hayes. Acma said that the court will
make a final decision by early February."
AT&T Announces Massive Job Cuts
AT&T Corp. says it will cut up to 40,000 jobs as it splits itself into
three separate companies. The company also says it will take a post-tax
charge of approximately $4 billion against fourth-quarter earnings to cover
the costs of its restructuring.
The job cuts will take place over three years, with about 70 percent to
be completed by the end of 1996. Since more than 6,500 managers have already
taken a voluntary severance package and about 4,000 other employees could be
moving with units AT&T intends to divest, involuntary reductions are
expected to total about 30,000, says AT&T. The company adds that extension
of the voluntary separation offer to additional employees may further
decrease the number of involuntary cuts.
"The reduction in our workforce will be the most difficult and painful
step we've had to take in this restructuring process," says AT&T Chairman
Robert E. Allen. "Compassion will be an essential ingredient in the handling
of the job cuts that are part of today's announcement. But I believe the
reductions and other actions are absolutely essential if our businesses are
to be competitive."
The moves primarily affect the new AT&T company, which will provide
telecommunications services, as well as the systems and technology company,
which will provide network, business and consumer technology and equipment.
The third company, computer unit AT&T Global Information Solutions,
announced in September that it would eliminate 8,500 jobs in 1995 and 1996.
TI Sues Samsung Over Chip Patents
Texas Instruments Inc. has filed a patent infringement suit against
Korea's Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd. and its two U.S. subsidiaries. In
addition to unspecified monetary damages, TI is asking the court to issue a
permanent injunction barring Samsung from using TI's patents. The suit,
filed in U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of
Texas, alleges violation of several patents involved in the manufacture
of semiconductor devices, including dynamic random-access memories (DRAMs).
A five-year cross-licensing agreement between the firms expired on Dec. 31.
"TI has a strong patent portfolio that reflects billions of dollars in R&D
investment," says Richard J. Agnich, TI's general counsel. "Our resolve to
protect it and get a fair return for others' use of our technology has not
wavered.
Feds Arrest Three in Cell Fraud
Federal authorities have arrested a man who used cyberspace to openly
advertised illegal electronic surveillance equipment and cloned cellular
phones, charging him with conspiracy, fraud and money laundering. Bernhard
Bowitz, along with his estranged wife and another man, were arrested by the
Secret Service and the Drug Enforcement Administration after the agencies
received court approval to monitor online communications, Secret Service
spokesman Bill Whiteside told the Associated Press in New York.
The wire service reports search warrants executed in New York, Seattle,
Las Vegas and Hong Kong resulted in the seizure of illegal bugging devices
and cellular phone cloning equipment as well as laptop computers, scanners,
bugging transmitters and receivers and a satellite cellular telephone.
Whiteside told the wire service the investigation began after AT&T
notified federal authorities someone was selling illegal devices online.
He said the company was concerned that illegal activity was occurring over
its telephone lines. "The investigation revealed a World Wide Web site
where Bowitz advertised the illegal devices and cloned phones," AP added.
Whiteside said Bowitz "pretty much openly advertised" them as illegal and
allegedly bragged to undercover agents that drug dealers had purchased
equipment from him.
Bowitz, a native of Germany, was arrested Dec. 19. His estranged wife,
Rachel, was arrested in Las Vegas while Gregory Brooks of Seattle, who
Whiteside said was a salesman for Bowitz, was arrested in New York. They
were charged with conspiracy and access device violations. Meanwhile,
Brooklyn U.S. Attorney Zachary Carter told a Manhattan news conference,
"These arrests offer a glimpse into what crime and law enforcement will look
like in the 21st century. Criminals are adjusting to new means of
communications in the same way we are."
Reporter Tracey L. Miller of United Press International says the three
suspects allegedly "set up a lucrative business to sell a device that can
steal and store numbers from legal cellular phones and another device known
as a 'celltracker' that can be used to eavesdrop on nearby cellular phone
conversations." Miller says the investigation began last spring, when AT&T
Wireless Services' security team spotted Bowitz's ads spotting up on
CompuServe.
"After determining what was for sale, the company referred the case to
the Secret Service and the Drug Enforcement Administration," Miller writes.
"The Department of Justice and the U.S. district court gave investigators
authorization to monitor the trio's outgoing and incoming CompuServe e-mail
messages, the first time permission for such a wiretap over the Internet has
ever been granted."
Brian Gimlett, who heads the Secret Service's New York Field Office,
commented, "This authorization was critical, since Bernhard and Rachel
Bowitz, and Gregory Brooks, perhaps believing that Internet communications
were immune from interception, spoke relatively openly in their e-mail
communications." Undercover officers also allegedly caught Bowitz
laundering and attempting to launder $225,000 that he believed was used in
drug trafficking.
Said Gimlett, "The significance of this case should not be minimized.
This case has substantially impeded the spread of technology that would
undercut law enforcement's ability to conduct effective electronic
surveillance, endanger the telecommunications and international business
community and intrude upon the public's right to privacy."!
Computer Finds Shakespeare Poem
A computer program has confirmed that a 383-year-old poem unearthed in
a library appears to be the work of William Shakespeare. Scholar Donald
Foster found the 578-line poem -- "A Funerall Elegye In Memory of the Late
Vertuous Maister William Peeter," about the death of a young actor in 1612 -
- in the Oxford University library in 1981.
From Chicago, the Associated Press reports Foster ran the poem through
a program called SHAXICON, which he wrote to weed out poetry not really
written by Shakespeare. The software compares word usage and style with
that of Shakespeare and 50 other Elizabethan writers. He said the new elegy
fit Shakespeare's usage in all 17 tests made by the SHAXICON program. No
other author came close in more than five areas.
Still, Foster acknowledges that, even if it is accepted as one of
Shakespeare's works, the poem will never be counted as one of his
masterpieces. Said the scholar, "It's not a poem that will ever be widely
loved, but it will change how we read his other texts. It is, in a way, a
retirement poem, talking of theatricality as a fraud. He also talks of `a
sadder case of knowing shame,' possibly scandal of a sexual nature."
He said Thomas Thorpe, publisher of Shakespeare's Sonnets, entered the
1612 elegy in London Stationers Register, a copyright depository, along with
the initials "W.S." Shakespeare's last plays were written at about the same
time; he died in 1616.
The poem reads in part:
"But whether doth the stream of my mischance
"Drive me beyond myself, fast friend, soon lost,
"Long may thy worthiness thy name advance
"Amongst the virtuous and deserving most, who herein hast
"Forever happy proved;
"In life thou livest, in death, thou diedst beloved."
Retail Computer Sales Top $23 Billion
More than $23 billion in sales are being reported by the retail
computer industry for 1995, a year that apparently saw record gains. A
survey in the current issue of Computer Retail Week finds retailers this
year experienced a gain of 38.3 percent in sales, which translated into a
growth of $9 billion in retail sales of computers, peripherals, software and
other computer related-products in the last year.
Also, says the magazine, five stores finished the year with more than
$1 billion in sales of computer-related merchandise each. They were CompUSA,
Best Buy, Computer City, and two new entrants into the "billion-dollar
computer club," Office Depot and Circuit City. According to a statement from
the magazine's Manhasset, New York, headquarters, other key findings of the
survey were:
z CompUSA remained the dominant retailer overall, racking up more than $2
billion in retail sales, followed by Best Buy and Computer City.
z Computer superstores accounted for 36.1 percent of all retail computer
sales in 1995.
z Software Specialists, a staple of malls across America, saw their sales
fall flat in 1995, as general retailers such as toy and book stores and
supermarkets leapt into the software market. ("Computer superstores also
stole a portion of their sales," said the statement, "contributing to a 2.4
percent drop in sales by software specialists compared to last year.")
z Additions to the top 100 list of retailers include toy giant Toys 'R'
Us and media retailer Virgin Megastore.
z The number of stores selling computer-related products jumped by 13.3
percent in 1995.
'96 Internet 'Hangover' Foreseen
The International Data Corp. is predicting a shift in corporate
leadership online in the new year. It foresees activity on the Internet and
World Wide Web lurching from an "intoxication" to a "hangover" stage in
1996.
The Framingham, Mass., technology consultant also predicts many
corporations that invested in online services now will suffer "discouraging"
losses in 1996 and decide to pull out of the Internet. Nonetheless, IDC
gave online services a bullish 10-year outlook. Writing for United Press
International, Andrea McDaniels reports, "IDC said two of the leading online
service providers -- CompuServe, America Online, Microsoft Network and
Prodigy -- are expected to founder in 1996, leaving only two network giants
providing access to the Web."
IDC Vice President Frank Gens told the wire service, "The seeds will be
sown for the creation of new leadership and the downfall of some current
giants." He did not predict specifically which would fall.
Citing network "traffic jams" encountered by Net wanderers, Gens added,
"If they sign on during rush hour on the information superhighway, they
could wait five to 10 minutes for one screen to appear. Most will be
underwhelmed by the content on the Web once they get there and cancel their
online subscriptions."
Other IDC predictions reported by UPI:
z Networks will develop new technologies to cope with the exponential
growth of subscribers, whose numbers were expected to soar in the next five
years from 8 million to 10 million to more than 200 million, reaching 1
billion by 2010.
z Providers will streamline services through data compression, adding
high-speed telephone lines and hooking up larger computers.
z Some companies, retailers and publishers will bail out during the
"hangover" period, "crippling their business's ability to compete in the
virtual economy," says UPI, adding, "This will clear the way for leaders in
the electronic marketplace to hike their investment in services."
z Slow development of a wide consumer base will lead 20 percent of the
some 170 Fortune 500 companies with commercial Web sites to close or stop
maintaining them, resulting in "ghost sites."
z Microsoft Corp. will have to put out its new online products, including
its NBC-affiliated news service, under a different brand name tailored to
Internet users if it wants to stay ahead. (Said Gens, "There's a limit to
the power of the Microsoft brand.") He also thinks the growth of the Web
will buck Microsoft from its top spot in the next 10 years. ("It's
impossible for Microsoft to be as dominant as it has been in the past 10
years," he said.)
z Net access cost will drop in 1996 from $25 to $70 a month to as little
as $10 a month and Internet appliances will be given away free.
z Some "corporate visionaries" will seize the key home consumer market by
developing a cheaper multimedia PC that breaks below the magical $1,000
mark. Multimedia computers, which now cost about $1,500, will be pitched for
$800 by 1997.
Said Gens, "The ones who figure out how to penetrate the home market
will be the leaders five years from now."
"Cyberspace," "Online" Clichs?
A Michigan university has put "cyberspace" and "online" at the top of
its annual New Year's list of overused terms, saying they are cliches that
ought to be retired. The 20th annual list by the Lake Superior State
University's public relations department selected "online" as a
representative of offensive jargon worthy of being discarded.
Reporting from Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan, the Reuter News Service
quotes nominator Michelle Batterbee as asking, "Where is the 'line' that
everyone is on. It sounds like some place a fish should be." And
contributor Michelle Mooney in her nomination wrote, "Cyber-ANYTHING sets my
teeth on edge." Beyond the cybersphere ... oops ... the O.J. Simpson murder
trial spawned the disingenuous "the race card," and, Reuters notes, "several
contributors merely sought relief from those ubiquitous initials, 'O.J.'"
Also making the list were promotions of "alternative music" groups from
Nirvana to Kiss who rocked "unplugged." And, says the wire service,
"Overworked euphemisms such as actor Sylvester Stallone's exclamation
'Absolutely!,' instead of a simple 'yes,' irked other contributors."
House speaker Newt Gingrich was singled out for using the word
"frankly" 12 times in one speech, "nearly as often as he intoned 'liberal,'
which was on the university's list of banned words last year," Reuters says.
And news reports about the civil war in the former Yugoslavia produced
"ethnic cleansing" for genocide, and referred to foreign troops as a
"peacekeeping force. "The university also aimed jabs at "revisit," "touch
base," "done deal," "on the same page" and "closure."
1995 In Review!
Here are 1995's leading computer and information industry news stories,
as reported by CompuServe's Online Today's Monitor section
Microsoft to Introduce Bob (Jan. 3): Microsoft Corp. reported it was set to
introduced a new $100 program called Bob intended for new PC users among the
rapidly expanding home market. Bob, running on top of DOS and Windows, has a
set of eight programs for handling common household chores, including
options to balance checkbooks, mark calendars and handle electronic mail.
Kahn Steps Down as Borland CEO (Jan. 11): Borland International Inc.
announced that founder Philippe Kahn stepped down as president and CEO, but
will remain with the software publisher as chairman. Gary Wetsel, 49,
executive vice president of operations and chief financial officer, was
named president and appointed to Borland's board of directors.
AMD, Intel Settle Legal Fight (Jan. 12): After seven years in court, chip-
making rivals Intel Corp. and Advanced Micro Devices Inc. ended their court
fights, and some observers are declaring AMD the winner.
Bad Pentiums Cost Intel $450 Million (Jan. 18): A $450 million charge was
taken by Intel Corp. to account for the costs of replacing its flawed
Pentium microprocessor.
Man Arrested for Internet Messages (Feb. 10): A University of Michigan
student was arrested on charges he threatened another student by writing
about her in at least one rape-murder fantasy story he posted on the
Internet.
Borland Sells Rights to Kahn (Feb. 14): For undisclosed terms, Borland
International Inc. sold rights to its Sidekick for Windows and Dashboard for
Windows programs to Starfish Software, a new company headed by Borland
Chairman Philippe Kahn.
Borland Introduces Delphi (Feb. 14): Borland International Inc. formally
unveiled Delphi, its long-awaited visual application development software.
Judge Nixes Microsoft Settlement (Feb. 15): Stunning many in the computer
industry and in Washington, a federal judge rejected the U.S. Justice
Department's proposed antitrust settlement with software publisher Microsoft
Corp.
Feds Appeal Microsoft Ruling (Feb. 16): Saying delay would cost the
taxpayers money, the federal government asked an appeals court to move
quickly to overturn a federal judge's rejection of the Justice Department's
antitrust settlement with Microsoft.
Lotus Takeover Rumors 'Silly Talk' (Feb. 22): All those rumors about a
takeover of Lotus Development Corp. are nothing but "silly talk," insisted
Jim Manzi, chief executive officer of the software group.
Samsung Eyes Big Stake in AST (Feb. 28): For $377.5 million, South Korea's
Samsung Electronics Co. agreed to buy a 40.25 percent stake in AST Research
Inc.
Intuit Admits to Bug in Tax Program (March 2): Intuit Inc. said it found a
major bug in its income tax software that can affect its TurboTax and
MacInTax programs and said it would replace the affected programs free of
charge.
Jury Clears IBM in RSI Suit (March 9): Ending the first case of its kind
against IBM to go to trial, a jury in Hastings, Minnesota, ruled the company
is not liable for the disabling repetitive stress injuries a secretary said
she suffered from using IBM keyboards.
Borland Wins Lotus Case (March 10): A federal appeals court in Boston
overturned a lower-court ruling for Lotus Development Corp., siding with
Borland International in an action that limits copyright protection for
software. The ruling may help struggling Borland survive.
Intel Already Planning 'P7' Chip (March 13): P6 isn't out yet, but Intel
Corp. already is thinking of P7. The Washington Post reported that Intel is
at work with partner Hewlett-Packard Co. on the next-generation
microprocessor, code-named P7, which is to appear in 1997.
CompuServe to Buy Spry Inc. (March 14): Seattle-based Spry Inc., producer of
the Internet in a Box software, was acquired by CompuServe Inc. The Wall
Street Journal says the deal called for the exchange of about $100 million
in stock and cash, and is "believed to be the largest Internet-related
acquisition."
Microsoft, DreamWorks Team Up (March 22): Microsoft Corp. and DreamWorks SKG
signed a joint venture agreement to create a new software company designed
to produce interactive and multimedia entertainment properties.
Cray Computer Files Chapter 11 (March 24): Cray Computer Corp. filed for
protection under Chapter 11 of the U.S. Bankruptcy Code. The Colorado
Springs, Colorado-based company suspended work on its supercomputer systems
and laid off its engineering, manufacturing and marketing personnel.
Publishers Win Rental Law Test (April 4): Software publishers won the first
case to test the Computer Software Rental Amendments Act of 1990. The
Software Publishers Association reported that a federal court ruled in favor
of its members in a civil copyright infringement suit against Global
Software & Accessories Inc. The company offered software on a "Deferred
Billing Plan" that allowed customers to take software home for up to five
days for a "non-refundable deposit."
Poulsen Sentenced to Prison (April 11): Renegade computerist Kevin Lee
Poulsen was sentenced to 51 months in federal prison after admitting he
rigged radio call-in contests to win luxury cars, Hawaiian vacations and
thousands in cash.
Gates Settles Wedding Lawsuit (April 13): For undisclosed terms, a
television reporter arrested covering the Jan. 1, 1994, Hawaiian wedding of
Microsoft founder Bill Gates reached an out-of-court settlement with Gates
and Dole Food Co. Inc., which owns the island where the wedding was held.
Samsung Gets Major Hold on AST (April 15): South Korea's Samsung Electronics
disclosed it will gain significant management control over struggling PC
maker AST Research in return for its planned investment of $377 million.
Power Unveils Mac Clones (April 17): Power Computing Corp., the first
company to receive and announce a license for Apple Computer Inc.'s Mac OS,
introduced its first three Mac-compatible systems: the Power 80, Power 100
and Power 110. The systems, available in desktop and tower configurations,
are based on 80MHz, 100MHz and 110MHz versions of the PowerPC 601
microprocessor and are comparable to Apple Computer's Power Macintosh 7100
and 8100 class of computers. Intel Halting '486 Production (April 26): To
solidify the Pentium chip as its core product, Intel Corp. stopped
production of most versions of the 80486 microprocessor. Intel spokesman
Howard High said the company most likely would make '486 processors only for
low- end notebook computers.
Feds Challenge Microsoft Deal (April 28): An antitrust suit to block
Microsoft Corp.'s $2.1 billion acquisition of financial software publisher
Intuit Inc. was filed by the U.S. Justice Department in a San Francisco
federal court. Microsoft and Intuit immediately vowed to fight.
CompuServe Tops 3 Million Members (April 29): CompuServe Inc. reported it
has more than 3 million active accounts and is signing up as many as 60,000
new members each week. The firm attributed the growth to the rising interest
in online services, its improved Internet access and increased content.
CompuServe Sets Wireless Pacts (May 1): CompuServe Inc. announced alliances
with wireless industry leaders that will allow it to provide members with
broad mobile systems coverage. The services includes e-mail notification,
which will allow a member to select critical mail and forward it to a pager.
IBM OS/2 Warp Sales Soar (May 8): A study by Computer Intelligence InfoCorp
(CII) revealed that sales of IBM's OS/2 Warp operating system increased more
than 300 percent since the product first became available late last fall.
IBM to Preload Win95 on PCs (May 11): Despite its substantial investment in
OS/2 Warp, IBM Corp. announced that its PCs will also run Windows 95. IBM is
working with Microsoft to ensure system compatibility and support of Windows
95 for its customers. IBM also says it intends to preload Windows 95 on
selected desktop and mobile systems.
Mike Maples to Leave Microsoft (May 15): Microsoft Vice President Mike
Maples announced plans to retire in the near future and there were
unconfirmed reports the software giant planned to reorganize its top
management to fill the gap left by his departure.
NBC, Microsoft Join Forces (May 16): NBC and Microsoft Corp. announced the
formation of a multimedia alliance covering a broad range of areas,
including online, CD-ROM, interactive TV and other digital products, as well
as the integration of those efforts into traditional broadcast and cable
television.
Microsoft Drops Intuit Deal (May 21): Blaming a protracted legal fight
needed to overcome U.S. Justice Department antitrust objections, Microsoft
Corp. canceled plans to buy financial software publisher Intuit Inc. for $2
billion, an all-stock deal announced last October.
Robert Palmer Named DEC Chairman (May 23): President/CEO Robert B. Palmer of
Digital Equipment Corp. added the title of chairman. This was the first time
the Maynard, Massachusetts, computer firm had a chairman since it went
public in 1966.
Compaq Suing Packard Bell (May 26): In a patent violation lawsuit, Compaq
Computer Corp. sought $450 million from Packard Bell Electronics Inc.,
according to comments from a Packard Bell attorney during a hearing in
another dispute between the rivals.
Win95 Net Feature Scrutinized (June 1): A feature in Microsoft Corp.'s
upcoming Windows 95 software that allows users t register electronically
instead of mailed post card came under scrutiny because of its capability to
report what other programs also are on a customer's computer.
IBM Plans to Buy Lotus (June 5): In a blockbuster move, IBM Corp. said it
planned to acquire software publisher Ltuos Development Corp. The Armonk,
New York-based computer giant launched a $0 6per share tender offer for
Lotus' stock. IBM said it planned to pay for the deal with money from its
cash reserve.
Computer Pioneer Eckert Dies (June 6): Seventy-six-year-old J. Presper
Eckert, who co-invented the first electronic digital computer, died in
Pennsylvania after a long battle with cancer. A spokeswoman at Bryn Mawr
Hospital told the Associated Press the computer pioneer died from
complications caused by leukemia.
Lotus Agrees to Takeover by IBM (June 12): A week after the launch of IBM's
hostile takeover bid, Lotus Development Corp. agreed to be bought out by the
computer giant for $3.52 billion, or about $220 million more than was
originally offered.
Intel Announces New Pentium (June 12): Intel Corp. announced its fastest
production microprocessors to date -- a 133MHz Pentium model. The chip is
targeted for servers and high-performance desktop computers. It was the
second member of the Pentium processor family to be introduced in as many
weeks. There are now nine versions of the Pentium, each with different
prices and performance points for different market segments.
IBM's PowerPC Units Rolling Out (June 19): IBM's new PowerSeries PCs, based
on the PowerPC chip IBM designed with Apple Computer Inc. and Motorola Inc.,
were announced to hit the market in July. But IBM didn't expect to begin
selling the machines in substantive volume until next year.
Internet Fantasy Charges Dropped (June 21): Charges were dropped against
Jake Baker, a 21-year-old former University of Michigan student who
published on the Internet a violent fantasy about another Michigan student,
using her real name. Judge Aervn Cohn, in dismissing the case, ruled
publication of the rape-slaying story would have been better handled as a
disciplinary matter by the university.
Adobe Buys Frame Technology (June 23): Expanding its holdings in electronic-
publishing interests, Adobe Systems Inc. agreed to buy Frame Technology Inc.
in a stock swap valued at $500 million. Frame, based near San Jose,
California, specializes in software for creating long documents, including
books and technical manuals.
AST-Samsung Deal Approved (July 4): Stockholders and the Korean government
approved a plan for AST Research Inc. to sell 40 percent of itself to Korean
electronics giant Samsung for $377 million. The deal marks the first major
overseas investment in a leading U.S. PC producer.
Gates Is World's Wealthiest Person (July 5): Bill Gates headed Forbes' ninth
annual list of the world's wealthiest people, the first time an American has
occupied the top spot. The magazine estimated the Microsoft Corp. chief's
worth at $12.9 billion.
NEC to Buy Stake in Packard Bell (July 5): In Tokyo, officials with NEC
Corp. said the company would pay $170 million for a 19.99 percent stake in
leading U.S. PC maker Packard Bell Electronics Inc.
Radius Taps IBM for Mac Clones (July 5): Radius Inc. said it signed IBM
Corp. to manufacture its line of Macintosh-compatible computers. Radius said
it selected IBM following an exhaustive search that began after the company
completed a Mac OS licensing agreement with Apple Computer Inc. last
December.
Last Typewriter Maker Quits (July 5): The last American company to
manufacture typewriters filed for bankruptcy protection, saying personal
computers have eroded demand for its products. Smith Corona Corp. filed for
reorganization under Chapter 11 of the U.S. Bankruptcy Code, freeing it from
the threat of creditors' suits while its reworks its finances.
Dataquest Says Compaq Is Top Vendor (Aug. 7): Compaq Computer Corp. remained
in first place among PC vendors during the second quarter this year, where
it had been since the first quarter of 1994. That is the finding of
Dataquest Inc. analysts who also said IBM ranked second, followed
sequentially by Apple Computer Inc., NEC Corp., Packard Bell and Hewlett-
Packard Co.
Feds Won't Block Win95 Release (Aug. 9): Antitrust regulators with the U.S.
Justice Department said they would't take action on the Microsoft Network or
Microsoft Corp.'s new Windows 95 software before the new products' release.
Netscape Stock Bumps Records (Aug. 10): Netscape Communications Corp. took
New York by storm as one of the most successful new stock issues on record.
The day saw the new Internet web browser software publisher's shares double
in price.
'Dilbert' Creator Loses Day Job (Aug. 11): Scott Adams -- whose "Dilbert"
cartoon strip is a favorite among many Net surfers -- was laid off from his
post at Pacific Bell's San Ramon, California, office, causing some to
speculate on whether he drew himself out of a job.
Stones Tune to Launch Win95 (Aug. 18): Members of the Rolling Stones,
breaking their long standing refusal to sell song rights to advertisers,
reportedly accepted $12 million to let Microsoft Corp. use their hit "Start
Me Up" to launch the Windows 95 software campaign next week.
Judge OKS Microsoft Settlement (Aug. 21): A federal judge approved an
antitrust settlement reached more than a year earlier between Microsoft
Corp. and the U.S. Justice Department, changing the way the software giant
sells its key product.
IBM Announces Win95 Support (Aug. 24): At the last minute, on the day
Windows 95 became available, IBM Corp. became the last major PC maker to
announce support for the operating system. The company says it signed an
agreement with Microsoft Corp. to offer Windows 95 preloaded on its desktop
and portable systems.
Microsoft Sells 1M Win95 Copies (Aug. 29): Microsoft said it estimated that
more than 1 million copies of Windows 95 were obtained by customers at
retail during the product's first four days of availability in North
America.
'Prank Macro' Strikes MS Word (Aug. 30): Loath to call it a virus, Microsoft
Corp. said a "prank macro" that was annoying but mostly harmless had
infected its popular Word word-processing software. In a statement from
Microsoft's Redmond, Washington, headquarters, Michael Hebert, group product
manager for office applications, said the rogue macro (a group of computer
commands that can be performed by hitting only one or two keys): "seems to
be becoming relatively widespread" in documents produced with Word.
Web Sites Top 100,000 (Aug. 31): Internet's monstrously popular World Wide
Web passed the 100,000 mark in the number of Web sites, and observers
predicted it would reach nearly a half-million by year's end if the current
exponential growth rate continued.
Viruses Slow Win95 Installation (Sept. 1): Microsoft Corp. said some buyers
of its new Windows 95 were 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 added.
AST President, Others Step Down (Sept. 12): In a major management shakeup,
AST Research Inc.'s president and two other top executives quit as the
Irvine, California, computer maker forecast a quarterly loss and stagnant
sales. The move came less than a month after South Korea's Samsung
Electronics Co. invested $377.5 million for a 40 percent stake in the
company, but AST CEO and co-founder Safi Qureshey told business writer Evan
Ramstad that Samsung did not force the executive changes.
FBI Accuses 12 of Child Porn (Sept. 14): Wrapping up a two-year nationwide
investigation dubbed "Innocent Images," the FBI arrested a dozen people
accused of trading in child pornography by computer networks, and more
arrests were expected. Federal authorities said their probe monitored
America Online to catch suspects distributing child pornography, as well as
those alleged to be arranging sex with children.
Sides Agree on New CD Standard (Sept. 15): In Tokyo, two competing industry
alliances put aside their differences and agreed to standardize on a single
high-capacity CD standard.
Security Flaw Found in Netscape (Sept. 19): Two graduate students at the
University of California at Berkeley found a serious security flaw in
Netscape Communications Corp.'s Internet web browser, jeopardizing data such
as credit-card numbers that users pass over the Net. The company
acknowledged the flaw and said it was issuing a software fix.
AT&T Quits PC Business (Sept. 20): AT&T Corp. planned to divide itself into
three separate companies and was leaving the PC business. AT&T's computer
unit, AT&T Global Information Solutions (GIS), would eliminate approximately
8,500 jobs, including 1,000 positions from the its Dayton, Ohio,
headquarters, as well as 1,300 independent contractors who perform services
for the unit.
Novell Sets UNIX Course (Sept. 20): Novell Inc. gave up control of its UNIX
software, forming business relationships focusing on the popular operating
system with Hewlett-Packard Co. and the Santa Cruz Operation Inc. The Santa
Cruz Operation acquired Novell's UNIX software business, while Hewlett-
Packard was to collaborate on future technology developments.
Seagate to Buy Rival Conner (Sept. 21): Disk driver maker Seagate Technology
Inc. agreed to buy arch rival Conner Peripherals Inc. in a stock swap
observers say is valued at about $1.04 billion. Wall Street Journal writer
Charles McCoy said the proposed transaction would combine two of the four
largest makers of disk drives and other computer-memory components.
Ex-Intel Programmer Jailed (Sept. 25): Accused of stealing millions of
dollars worth of Intel Corp.'s Pentium chip production secrets and giving
them to a rival computer company, a software engineer was jailed in Arizona.
The FBI arrested 43-year-old William Gaede at his home in Mesa Saturday. An
FBI complaint alleges that Gaede sent videotapes with instructions for
making Intel's Pentium microprocessor to Advanced Micro Devices Inc., which,
said the bureau, immediately returned the material to Intel.
Apple Tries to Persuade IBM (Sept. 25): Word is Apple Computer Inc. is
trying to persuade IBM to abandon its own OS/2 operating system for the
Macintosh and, instead, market Apple's system. Also, the Wall Street Journal
reported IBM made a bid for Apple in September 1994, offering $4.5 billion,
according to people familiar with the talks.
IBM to Sell PC's Birthplace (Sept. 28): IBM Corp. is likely to sell its
historic Boca Raton, Florida, research facility, the birthplace of the IBM
PC in 1981, reported the Wall Street Journal. According to the newspaper,
the 550-acre property was to go on the market late this year. But an IBM
spokesman added that the decision wasn't yet final. IBM announced earlier in
the week that it was moving 800 OS/2 software developers and marketing
professionals from Boca Raton to Austin, Texas.
CompuServe Debuts Net Service (Oct. 4): CompuServe's Internet division
announced the first worldwide consumer Internet service. Priced at $4.95 per
month, the service -- code-named SPRYTE -- is designed to make the Internet
available to every household.
NexGen Unveils New Microprocessor (Oct. 10): NexGen Inc. released details
about its planned sixth generation x86 microprocessor line. The chip maker
said its Nx686 CPU offers up to twice the performance of Intel's Pentium Pro
on 16-bit applications and up to 33 percent higher performance on 32-bit
code.
CompuServe Makes Beeper Link (Oct. 10): Starting in November, CompuServe
subscribers will be able to get electronic mail delivered directly to their
beepers. The service will work on alphanumeric beepers that have digital
screens allowing for short written messages.
Jim Manzi Resigns as Lotus CEO (Oct. 11): Just four months after his firm
was acquired by IBM in the software industry's biggest merger, Jim P. Manzi
resigned as CEO of Lotus Development Corp., telling employees in a memo that
he feels he no longer fits with the company.
CD-ROM Sales Soon to Top Floppies (Oct. 12): Market researcher IDC/LINK
forecast that CD-ROM software sales would pass floppy disk revenue sometime
in 1996. The company, based in New York, reported that CD-ROM revenues were
$1 billion in 1994 and are expected to grow at a compounded annual growth
rate of 43 percent by the year 2000. By contrast, floppy disk revenues were
$.63 billion in 1994 and were expected to decline $2.7 billion within the
next five years.
Online Libel Case Resolved (Oct. 25): Prodigy Services Co. said it reached
an agreement in a closely watched libel case that could lead to a ruling
that online providers are not responsible for the content on their services.
The Reuter News Service reported that the anticipated ruling could have
enormous impact on the online field and on companies offering personal
computer users access to the Internet.
CompuServe Puts Info on the Phone (Oct. 26): CompuServe Inc. is putting some
of its online information on the telephone. Through an exclusive agreement
with Premiere Communications Inc., the company introduced a service that
lets people take advantage of a wide variety of online communications
services by dialing in from any Touch-Tone phone in the United States and
from more than 40 countries.
Novell to Sell WordPerfect (Oct. 31): Just 16 months after buying out the
word processing giant for $855 million, Novell Inc. said it will sell most
of WordPerfect Corp. along with other parts of its office applications
software business. Analysts said this is a major change in Novell's
marketing plan, turning away from what has been deemed its losing strategy
in the word processing and spreadsheet businesses.
Intel Offers Faster Pentium (Nov. 1): Intel Corp. unveiled its fastest chip
to date, the Pentium Pro, which will run at 150MHz, meaning it can execute
150 million instructions per second. Intel Chairman Andrew Grove told the
Reuter News Service the Pentium Pro initially will be targeted at users of
turbo-charged desktop computers and will make advanced PCs at least as
powerful as $40,000 workstations from Silicon Graphics Inc.
Softbank Acquires Ziff-Davis (Nov. 9): Japanese software distributor
Softbank Corp. and an affiliate agreed to acquire Ziff-Davis Publishing Co.,
the largest U.S. publisher of computer and high-tech magazines, for $2.1
billion. Ziff-Davis publishes several major computer magazines, including PC
Magazine, Computer Shopper, PC Week and MacUser.
IBM Plans 'Internet Station' (Nov. 14): IBM Corp. CEO Louis V. Gerstner Jr.
said his company is working on an "Internet station" that would give users
Internet access and computing capabilities for only a few hundred dollars.
In his COMDEX/Fall keynote speech, Gerstner remarked that the machine
wouldn't have as much storage capability as a regular PC, but would offer a
fast communications connection so that programs and information could be
downloaded as needed from the Internet and other online services.
Common IBM-Apple Platform Agreed On (Nov. 14): IBM and Apple Computer Inc.
said they have agreed on details to develop new machines able to run each
other's operating software. The announcement comes a year after the two
companies first proclaimed their intentions to develop a common platform.
Borland Chairman Kahn Steps Down (Nov. 22): Borland International Inc.
Chairman Philippe Kahn is stepping down to devote his attention to Starfish
Software Inc., the company he founded shortly after being ousted as
Borland's CEO. The move is set to take effect on Jan. 1. Kahn will remain a
director of Borland, which he founded 12 years ago.
Gartner Group to Buy Dataquest (Nov. 28): In a cash and stock transaction
valued at about $75 million, Gartner Group Inc. agreed to acquire the
Dataquest Inc. market research and consulting firm from the Dun & Bradstreet
Corp., which also owns a little more than 50 percent of Gartner Group.
IBM, Apple, HP End Taligent Work (Dec. 1): Taligent Inc. -- a software joint
venture by IBM, Apple Computer Inc. and Hewlett-Packard Co. -- is being
dissolved. More than half the staff is being laid off and Taligent's
technology is being moved to IBM.
Feds Launch Windows 95 Probe (Dec. 4): Word on the street was federal
investigators were asking whether Microsoft Corp. intentionally set up
digital roadblocks in its Windows 95 operating system to disable rival
companies' Internet access programs. According to the Wall Street Journal,
the Justice Department issued subpoenas to CompuServe, Netscape
Communications Corp. and Netcom On-line Comumnications Services Inc.
Intuit to Provide Net Banking (Dec. 5): The publisher of the popular Quicken
financial program is setting up to provide banking over the Internet,
developing a connection to enable customers to do routine transactions, such
as pay bills, check account balances and transfer funds. Officials with
Menlo Park, California-based Intuit Corp. told the Associated Press the
service will be available by the second half of next year.
Apple's 'Pippin' Comes Next Year (Dec. 5): Pippin -- Apple Computer Inc.'s
new multimedia device, a hybrid between a television-based computer game
player and a stripped-down but speedy computer -- is expected to be
introduced next year, first in Japan and later in the United States.
Sony's First PC Coming Next Fall (Dec. 6): Japanese electronics giant Sony
Corp. said it will introduce its first personal computer - one probably
based on Intel Corp microprocessors -- next fall.
IBM Licenses Sun's Java Language (Dec. 6): IBM Corp. said it has licensed
Sun Microsystems Inc.'s Java programming language and intends to use it to
enhance the way customers view and interact with content on the Internet's
World Wide Web. IBM said it plans to implement the Java technology in
products that exploit the Internet, such as Web browsers and Web servers, as
well as in its Lotus Notes integrated messaging and group ware software. IBM
also notes that it intends to port the Java technology to its OS/2 and AIX
operating systems, as well as to Windows 3.1, and will make those ports
available over the World Wide Web.
Microsoft Licenses Java Program (Dec. 7): Eager to illustrate it still is in
the hunt for the Internet market, Microsoft Corp. announced several new
products and said it will license the hot new Java programming language from
Sun Microsystems Inc. Business writer George Tibbits of the Associated Press
called the endorsement of Java for designing software that can be easily
distributed on electronic networks "a rare embrace by Microsoft of a product
it did not develop or buy."
Judge Rules Against Prodigy (Dec. 14): The judge in a much-watched libel
case refused to vacate his earlier decision holding Prodigy Services Co.
responsible for messages its subscribers post. As reported earlier, a $200
million libel suit against Prodigy by Stratton Oakmont Inc. of Lake Success,
New York, after one of the online service's subscribers posted a message
accusing the brokerage firm of fraud.
Microsoft, NBC in Joint Venture (Dec. 14): Microsoft Corp. agreed to pay
$220 million over the next five years for a 50 percent interest in MSNBC
Cable, a new 24-hour news service it is forming with NBC. The companies also
expect to invest approximately $200 million over five years to fund the
operation's cable and online services. Microsoft and NBC said MSNBC Cable
will be developed from the outset to integrate news delivery across
broadcast, cable, and Internet platforms.
Apple Forecasts Loss (Dec. 15): Despite recent price cuts that have resulted
in higher sales and shipments, Apple Computer Inc. said it expects to post a
loss for the final three months of 1995. Apple blames the shortfall on price
cuts that didn't generate as much revenue as expected and on tighter
margins. It would mark Apple's first quarterly loss in more than two years.
PC Shipments Exceed Estimates (Dec. 18): U.S. personal computer shipments
are to rise 22 percent this year, exceeding previous estimates. Look for
Compaq Computer Corp. to keep a slight lead over Packard Bell Electronics
Inc. and Apple Computer Inc. as the nation's largest manufacturer.
German Computer Legend Zuse Dies (Dec. 19): German computing pioneer Konrad
Zuse died at 85 in the central German town of Huenfeld. Zuse is credited
with building in 1941 the world's first fully functioning computer system,
the Z3. The machine, programmed with punched tape, featured a binary
calculation system with 600 relays.
CompuServe Hits 4 Million Mark (Dec. 23): CompuServe Inc. said the worldwide
membership of the CompuServe Information Service has surpassed 4 million
individuals. The company reported that more than 20,0000 new members are
joining the service each month, with local dial-up access now available in
more than 140 countries. CompuServe officials are optimistic about prospects
in the new year.
Intel Investing in Phoenix Tech (Dec. 27): Intel Corp. is investing $10.9
million in Phoenix Technologies Ltd., which specializes in software used in
PC design and manufacturing, giving the chip giant a 6 percent stake, with
an option to add another 7 percent over the following four years.
Navigating CompuServe: STR Focus NavCIS is the NAME of the GAME!
Dvorak hurtles into the 21st century with NavCIS
Dvorak Development & Publishing Corporation, the Louisville, Colorado,
company that produces second-generation navigators that help users get
around in cyberspace, is strengthening its play for the fast-growing
consumer market. NavCIS, the flagship product among an impressive family of
cyberspace navigation products, smartly positions Dvorak for the coming
explosive growth.
NavCIS is a next generation off-line navigation program, essentially an
intelligent "search engine" designed to work in concert with the well-known
CompuServe Information Service. With 3.8 million users and growing,
CompuServe dominates the commercial online market, turning an impressive
profit of $102 million (before taxes) on sales of $429 million in 1994.
CompuServe is acknowledged as the biggest of the Big Three (America Online
and Prodigy being second and third respectively). With the recent addition
of its newly acquired SPRY web browser (a first-generation online Internet
browser), access to the Internet's Usenet, and a fourth-quarter upgrade of
its online information manager, WinCIM, new subscriptions on CompuServe are
exploding, with well over 100,000 new subscribers signing up each month.
In addition to NavCIS' sophisticated auto-navigation features, NavCIS
includes amenities such as a built-in spell checker, a viewer for graphic
files such as Windows bitmaps, JPEG photos, and other graphic file types,
and is the only software which allows users to send and receive alternative
fonts including Arial, Times Roman, and WingDings, in e-mail and forum
messages.
Consumers by far out-distance traditional business and educational
users in terms of new subscriptions. According to one enthusiastic user, "It
has actually changed my life <grin>. I get a lot more out of CompuServe,
and I can do so without feeling guilty about tying up the phone line; thanks
for a GREAT product!".
Dvorak markets NavCIS directly through the CompuServe Information
Service through its forum, aptly named "DVORAK." To visit Dvorak's
CompuServe forum, GO DVORAK.
NavCIS for Windows is available in a 30-day trial version that can be
downloaded directly from CompuServe. This free trial version, called NavCIS
TE, works for 30 days from the first day a user logs onto CompuServe with
it. NavCIS TE requires a 386/33 or faster, 4mb of RAM, a VGA or higher
resolution monitor, Windows 3.1 or higher (works with Windows 95 as well),
and of course, an active CompuServe account. To download NavCIS TE: GO
DVORAK, library 1, and download the file, WPROTE.EXE.
NavCIS Pro for Windows and Windows 95 ($69) is Dvorak's flagship
product, adding sophisticated search features and cutting-edge technology.
Dvorak Development & Publishing Corporation develops second-generation
off-line navigators, software programs that supercharge cybersurfing. The
company is based in Louisville, Colorado, and was founded in 1992 by John C.
Dvorak, chairman, and Mike Ceranski, president and CEO. The company employs
15, including a full time German speaking specialist who handles Dvorak's
growing numbers of Europeans.
Dvorak Development has a unique two-pronged strategy: to specialize in
next-generation navigation tools for cyberspace, and to ensure their
products work on a wide range of information services including CompuServe,
the Internet, Prodigy, and soon, America Online and Microsoft Network.
An explanation is in order: imagine the Internet (or a similar cybernet like
CompuServe) as a skyscraper. Once inside, it's an awful mystery just to get
around. The rooms don't have signs, nobody's manning the information desk,
even the elevators are hard to find. A first-generation browser would search
floor-by-floor and room-by-room to see what's there. A second-generation
navigator, on the other hand, already possesses a blueprint of the
skyscraper's layout and is smart enough to know which floor, room, and file
cabinet to look into for information.
The proven success of NavCIS for CompuServe, the company's flagship
product among an impressive family of products, has already positioned
Dvorak to make a play for the fast-growing online market. Dvorak's newest
Windows and Windows 95 product, OUI (Off-line Usenet Interface), builds on
that success and is designed for navigating the complex Usenet, an Internet
subnetwork that is one of the fastest-growing networks in cyberworld (use is
expected to double over the next 18 months). A fourth-quarter Dvorak
product, called NavStar, is the Prodigy equivalent of NavCIS and OUI and is
designed to work on the Prodigy Information Service. All three programs are
marketed and distributed directly through cyberspace: NavCIS and OUI through
the DVORAK forum on CompuServe, OUI via the Web, and NavStar directly
through the NAVSTAR Bulletin Board on Prodigy.
Many consumers find the prospect of searching for and gathering
information on diffuse databases, newsgroups, forums, and bulletin boards to
be a daunting task. "Saving money, saving time, and ease-of-use. Those are
the three dominant issues among online consumers today," says Ceranski of
Dvorak Development. "Our Windows products, NavCIS, OUI, and NavStar solve
these problems by easing the demands on the clock and the pocketbook while
lowering the frustration factor."
In sum, intelligent navigators accelerate the process of finding useful
information, allow the user to review the gathered information while off-
line (thereby saving hourly charges), and finesse the need for super-
technical know-how since they already posses plenty of built-in "cyberspace
intelligence." With the addition of the Internet pathway, CompuServe and
Prodigy now provide easy gateways to the Internet subnetworks-- Usenet and
the World Wide Web. And with the number of first-time users growing
exponentially, Dvorak makes things easier and less expensive for them.
To visit Dvorak's CompuServe forum, GO DVORAK. If using the Web, the
URL is http://www.dvorak.com, and users can download timed trial versions
from ftp.dvorak.com. Prodigy users can JUMP DVORAK to find out more about
NavStar.
Contact Mike Ceranski, president of Dvorak Development, for more
information
What's HMI?
CompuServe's change to NISA forums
December 26, 1995
CompuServe, as many of you have read, is changing over to NISA. What
does that mean? "NISA" is an acronym and stands for "New Information Server
Architecture". Essentially, it means CompuServe is upgrading both its
computers (called "host-servers") and its host software. They are
replacing the old mini-computers that act as the current host- servers, and
replacing them with PCs running Windows NT. These new 32-bit host-servers
will be running new software as well. This software controls forums, e-
mail, and special interest areas such as ENS (Executive News Service).
Why is CompuServe doing this? It's the price of success. CompuServe
is adding thousands of new users each day. This is taxing their current
host-servers and software enormously and will soon be unable to keep up with
demands. Already, many of you have experienced problems related to too
much traffic.
Unfortunately, the conversion process to NISA will not be painless.
The fact is, CompuServe is moving into uncharted territory. Phenomenal
growth is forcing them to address expanding their network (the number and
location of modems available for us, the general public, to call),
implement a new server architecture, upgrade the host-side software, and do
all this while keeping up a good level of service. A humongous task.
The advantages to switching over to NISA:
z Able to "grow" the system to support increased traffic easily.
z Increased reliability of the forums.
z Faster data access.
The disadvantages:
z The changeover from old hosts to new hosts will not be seamless for a
while.
z While online, going from an old server to a new NISA server takes time.
Our experience indicates as much as 30 to 45 seconds. This should go away
as CompuServe learns how best to handle it.
z Unexpected hangs may cause forum or e-mail to be temporarily
unavailable during the switch-over.
Part of the NISA conversion is the switch-over to HMI protocol only. This
is why we are coming out with a new version of NavCIS. In NavCIS 1.75 we
have replaced our ASCII command communications engine with a new one based
on CompuServe's HMI communications toolbox (this is the same comm engine
that WinCIM uses). This represents a huge amount of work for us, and has
taken two engineers nearly three months to accomplish. NavCIS using HMI is
faster in some areas than previous versions of NavCIS (notably header and
message downloading) and somewhat slower in others (such as file
downloading). These changes are forced upon us by HMI, and there's not much
we can do about it except to encourage CompuServe to improve performance in
future versions of the HMI toolbox.
NavCIS v1.75 is free to customers who have bought previous versions of
NavCIS. As we've stated, "all upgrades are free within the version 1.x
series". Though it would make good economic sense for us to have called
this version 2.0 and charge an upgrade fee, we are unwilling to do that.
You've given us your support, and this is how we chose to show our
appreciation. When NavCIS 1.75 comes out, we hope you enjoy it and find it
as easy to use as previous versions.
The advantages of switching to HMI:
z CompuServe is quickly moving to HMI-only, so failing to do so means our
product would eventually not work at all.
z HMI is more robust than the ASCII command protocol. For instance, when
CompuServe makes a change to a forum's name, HMI can still find the forum
while ASCII-based navigators cannot.
z NavCIS v1.75 works with CompuServe's Internet Dialer and Winsock,
allowing you to be online and using NavCIS and CompuServe's Mosaic Web
Browser at the same time.
z NavCIS v1.75 supports popular corporate networking mechanisms such as
Int14 and X.25. If it works with inCIM, it will work with NavCIS v1.75.
z HMI is being constantly improved and added to. New functions and
features are being added by CompuServe. Combined with the advantages of
NISA, the new NISA-HMI system will bring a very strong yet flexible synergy
to CompuServe.
z Speed increases in messaging and related functions.
The disadvantages of switching to HMI:
z Slower file transfer speeds due to smaller packet sizes. CompuServe
intends to address this in the next version of the HMI toolbox.
We'll be uploading NavCIS v1.75 fairly soon, possibly before year's end. We
have a large and very active beta test group and they've been doing their
best to find problems and bugs. We are lucky to have such a dedicated and
hard working group of beta testers, and you will certainly benefit from
their labors. Version 1.75 is, in my opinion, the best version of NavCIS
we've ever built.
About different versions of NavCIS 1.75:
z NavCIS Pro will be the first version we release (LIB 15).
z NavCIS TE, our 30 day Timed Edition will follow within a few days.
z NavCIS SE, the Special Edition, will be phased out.
z NavCIS SO, the SysOp version, will follow. This version, designed for
CompuServe Sysops, will require the new HMI toolbox and will take a lot of
work and effort. Engineering estimates run from as little as 4 weeks to as
much as 12 weeks. We do not have an exact estimate... there are too many
unknowns at this point. However, we will be creating an SO version as
quickly as we can.
-Mike Ceranski, CEO
Dvorak Development
McAfee Version 2.2.8 STR InfoFile
What's New in VirusScan Version 2.2.8 (9512)
Copyright 1994, 1995 by McAfee, Inc.
All Rights Reserved.
These release notes cover what is new in VirusScan 2.2.8 and the December
DAT release (9512) of VirusScan for DOS, VirusScan for Windows, VirusScan
for OS/2, VirusScan for Windows 95, VirusScan for NT and VShield.
Vshield 2.2.8
You will need VShield 2.2.8 in order to use these DAT files with
VShield for DOS.
New features for VirusScan 2.2.8 and OS/2 Scan 2.2.8:
/CLEAN /FORCE
When confronted with a boot sector virus, /CLEAN /FORCE tells VirusScan to
forcibly remove the virus using its generic remover capabilities. For MBR
infecting viruses, this is similar to the use of FDISK /MBR.
/NODOC
In 2.2.7, we introduced .DOT and .DOC into the default list of files checked
when you run Scan. /NODOC forces DOT and DOC files not to be checked. Some
of our users requested this flexibility.
/CONTACTFILE
Display contents of <filename> when a virus is found. Previously it worked
only for viruses found during disk scan. Now, it also applies to viruses
found during memory scan.
OS2SCAN 2.2.8
Creating a Clean Boot Disk:
When creating a clean OS/2 boot disk, it is necessary to copy the file
NLS.DLL to the disk as well as OS2SCAN.EXE and *.DAT.
The file NLS.DLL is part of standard OS/2. The path where it can be found
is: \OS2\DLL\NLS.DLL
About Macro viruses...
Included in this ZIP file is a self-extracting archive, MVTOOL10.EXE, being
distributed by Microsoft. It is a way to protect yourself against the
Concept virus, as well as to warn you against document files that contain
macros without your knowledge.
To make use of it, execute the program:
MVTOOL10.EXE 40732 bytes
It will create these files:
README.DOC 36864 10-02-95 1:08p
SCANPROT.DOT 49152 10-02-95 3:44p
Enter Word and read the README.DOC to see if the package is suitable for
your environment.
Removal of macro viruses directly from within VirusScan will soon be made
available. If you wish to help us test the beta, please check our beta area
on our Web Site (www.mcafee.com) in the download area.
Detectors added or updated in the 9512 DAT file (106):
AC.1400 HLLO.7227
ACIDWARP HLLO.41714
AEP.2518 HOME SWEAP.658
AMZ.1100 HYDRA.1657
ANARCHIST.478 IMI.1536.G
ANARKEY.1179 ITTI.161
ANTI PASCAL.400.A IVP.939
ANTI PASCAL.400.B IVP.FLIPPER.872
ANTI PASCAL.407 KOHNTARK.KOMPANION.268
ANTI PASCAL.440.A/B LEPROSO.1221
ANTI PASCAL.480.A/B MAGIC DOLLAR
ANTITB MIREA_II.4157
AUSTRALIAN PARASITE.306.A MNEMONIX.NEUROPATH.928
AUSTRALIAN PARASITE.482.A MOSQUITO.768
BEDA.1530 MRTINY.155
BROTHER MZBOOT.B
CIVILWAR.RATBOY.303 PC FLU.763
COITO.644 PS-MPC.670
COP-COM.286 REKLAMA.2723
COP-COM.287 RTL
CREATIVE.877 SCRATCH.554
DAEMAEN.2041.B SEMTEX.686
DARK_AVENGER.OLIVER SEPULTURA.2136
DEI.1526 SHARK.1027
DSME.DEMO SHARK.B
EAF.656 SHIFTER.983
EMF SHZ
END-OF.788 SILLYRC.414
ERRORINC.465 SIRIUS.640
EVOLUTION.2770 SISTER
EVOLVE.2770 SMALL COMPANION.160
EXEHEADER.FUNKED.425.C SMALL.65
EXEHEADER.PURE.DE'BUGER.427 SMASH
FAIRZ.2340 SPM.A
FOGGY.91 STONED.IVT
FOGGY.129 STONED.PC-AT
FOGGY.149 TRIVIAL.123
FOGGY.188 VACSINA.VACSINA-LOADER.A
FOGGY.220 VCL.DIAL.600
FOGGY.228 VIENNA.BYTEWARRIOR
FOGGY.256.A VIENNA.M1.B
FOGGY.256.B VME_1.DEMO
FOGGY.292 VRD
FOGGY.300 WEREWOLF.658
FOGGY.382
FOGGY.420
FOGGY.444
GIRL.2273
HIPERION.249
HLL.4075
HLL.4629
HLL.6167
HLL.8902
HLL.12304
HLL.BIRTHDAY.5824
HLL.KASIENKA
HLL.MERCURY
HLL.SAURON
HLL.VOVA.8896
HLL.VOVA.9904
HLLC.4768.B
HLLO.4032.B
Removers added or updated in the 9512 DAT file (37):
ANTI PASCAL.400.A
ANTI PASCAL.400.B
ANTI PASCAL.407
ANTI PASCAL.440.A/B
ANTI PASCAL.480.A/B
DARK_AVENGER.OLIVER
DVD.455
FOGGY.91
FOGGY.129
FOGGY.149
FOGGY.188
FOGGY.220
FOGGY.228
FOGGY.256.A
FOGGY.256.B
FOGGY.292
FOGGY.300
FOGGY.382
FOGGY.420
FOGGY.444
FREDDY_2.1
HI.802
HOME SWEAP.658
HYDRA.1657
MRTINY.155
OVER1644
PS-MPC.670
QUICKSILVER.1376 (Needs 2.2.8
Executable)
SAYAWATP
SHEHAS
SMALL COMPANION.160
STONED.ZAPPA
SVC.2936.C
SVC.2936.D
TRIVIAL.123
VIENNA.648.LISBON
WEREWOLF.658
False Alarms fixed:
HLL.4984
KILROY
NOKERNEL (BOOT)
OVER1644
PS-MPC.ARCV.3
THIEF
Significant virus name change:
Breasts -> SheHas
Yale -> Alameda
Top active viruses other than those presented above:
AntiCmos (alias: Lixi)
Byway.A (*)
Byway.B (*)
Concept
Da'Boys (**)
Junkie
MonkeyA
MonkeyB
Natas
NYB (alias: B1)
Ripper
Sampo
(*) To remove Byway, 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:".
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
Apple/Mac Section
John Deegan, Editor
EDUPAGE STR Focus Keeping the users informed
A New Year
AT&T Search For Identity Results In
Massive Layoffs
E-Mail-Tap Nets Criminals
CD-ROM Software Sales Soar
Huge Corporate Upgrade In Store
Apple Gains In Market Share, Loses
Revenue
DVD Slated To Be Electronics Show
Star
Number Portability
Atari Plans PC Games -- 3-D PacMan?
What States Have The Information
Technology Jobs?
Smart Cards To Make American Debut
At Olympics
NetDay In California
Another New Year's Greeting ALSO
The Telecom Bill Controversy
Reactions To Compuserve's Action
Against Cyberporn
Europe Gearing Up For Home Stretch
On Info-Highway
Tech Stocks -- Sizzle, Not Fizzle
India's New Software Powerhouse
Spy Viruses
Global Information Infrastructure
A NEW YEAR
A new year, a new chance ...
All of us wish you a very happy, prosperous and peaceful new year! ...
Toute l'equipe d'Edupage vous souhaite que 1996 soit une tres bonne annee,
remplie de paix et de prosperite! ...
Wir alle wuenschen Ihnen ein sehr gluckliches, reiches und friedliches neues
Jahr! ...
Nagyon boldog, sikerekben gazdag, be'ke's u'j esztendo"t ki'va'nunk! ...
ANU MEACHLIM LACHEM SHNAT SIMCHA, SHNAT SIGSUG VE-SHALOM
Auguriamo a tutti un anno nuovo felicissimo, prosperoso e pieno di pace! ...
Me ko~ik soovime Teile o~nnelikku, edukat ja rahulikku uut aastat! ...
Todos nos desejamos a voces um ano novo muito feliz, prospero e cheio de
paz! ..
Todos nosotros les deseamos un muy feliz, prospero y pacifico Ano Nuevo!
TELECOM BILL CONTROVERSY
The proposed major telecommunications legislation put forward by a House-
Senate conference committee continues to be under attack as a "giveaway" to
broadcasting companies, which would be given a valuable portion of the radio
spectrum for TV stations to roll out high-definition television. The
licenses are estimated to be worth as much as $70 billion if they were
auctioned in the same manner as the new wireless phone service licenses.
(New York Times 30 Dec 95 p21)
REACTIONS TO CompuServe's ACTION AGAINST CYBERPORN
Complaints have poured in to CompuServe forums, following the decision of
the commercial online provider to prevent its 4 million subscribers from
accessing sex-oriented portions of the Internet, after the company was
pressured by criminal prosecutors in Germany. CompuServe had no way to
block German subscribers from such material without depriving subscribers
throughout the world. Civil liberties groups have been outraged by the
company's action, while a spokesman for the National Center for Missing and
Exploited Children said, "That's electronic citizenship." (Atlanta Journal-
Constitution 30 Dec 95 E2)
EUROPE GEARING UP FOR HOME STRETCH ON INFO-HIGHWAY
A recent report by Gemini Consulting shows 74% of telecommunications
professionals believe that Europe will have its high-speed communications
infrastructure in place within 10 years. Driving the transformation will be
future competition among telephone markets and common European standards for
technology. Obstacles include Europe's traditionally strong, local cultural
heritage. (Investor's Business Daily 2 Jan 95 A10)
TECH STOCKS -- SIZZLE, NOT FIZZLE
After driving much of the current stock market boom since mid-1994,
technology stocks are expected to remain hot through the next few years:
"We're only in the middle of a long, multiyear technology cycle," says a
Morgan Stanley analyst. While networking gear manufacturers seem assured of
continued prosperity, software gains are expected primarily for those
companies that focus on the corporate market rather than the home user.
(Business Week 25 Dec-1 Jan 96 p86)
INDIA'S NEW SOFTWARE POWERHOUSE
The number of Indian software export companies has exploded in the past five
years, from seven to more than 130, providing jobs for more than 100,000
programmers. Revenues reached about $500 million for the year ending March
31, 1995, about 50% higher than the previous year. "The industry is
changing," says the head of one Indian software firm. "American customers
now demand code that is rigorous, methodical and reengineerable. Indians
know how to do it that way." (Forbes ASAP 4 Dec 95 p74)
SPY VIRUSES
Syndicated columnist Gina Smith predicts a proliferation of computer "spy"
viruses similar to Microsoft Windows 95's registration wizard that can zip
around your CPU and determine whether you've legally registered all the
software you've got loaded on there: "It's already possible to do this sort
of scanning without alerting the user, so it doesn't take much of a futurist
to imagine the same sort of stealth technology being used on unknowing
bulletin board and Internet users. In fact, I think a trend away from
juvenile-prank computer viruses to information-seeking `spy' viruses isn't
merely likely, it's inevitable." (Popular Science Dec 95 p12)
GLOBAL INFORMATION INFRASTRUCTURE
Harvard's Kennedy School of Government is hosting a symposium 25-27 Jan 96
to consider national and international Information Infrastructure policy
issues.Info:eshan@ksgrsch.harvard.edu or <http://ksgwww.harvard.edu/iip >.
AT&T SEARCH FOR IDENTITY RESULTS IN MASSIVE LAYOFFS
AT&T is eliminating 40,000 of it 300,000 jobs in order to prepare for
competition in a swiftly changing telecommunications industry. The company
is splitting into three separate companies, with AT&T retaining the core
long-distance telephone business but spinning off the equipment
manufacturing and computer units. AT&T's head of financial relations
explains: "We decided to ask ourselves, what kind of company do you want to
be? What kind of customers would you focus on, what kinds of products would
you have? How big do you want to be, and how do you want to be organized?"
(New York Times 4 Jan 96 A1)
E-MAIL-TAP NETS CRIMINALS
The first-ever court-approved wiretap of an e-mail account has resulted in
the arrest of three people charged with running a sophisticated cellular-
fraud ring. The alleged mastermind, a German electrical engineer,
advertised his illicit wares on CompuServe, where they caught the attention
of an engineer at AT&T's wireless unit. The Secret Service and the Drug
Enforcement Agency then got into the act and obtained the Justice Dept.'s
permission to intercept e-mail messages between the alleged perpetrator and
his accomplices. "This case represents the challenges in the future if we
can't get ahead of the curve in technology," says a U.S. attorney, whose
office is prosecuting the case. (Wall Street Journal 2 Jan 96 p16)
CD-ROM SOFTWARE SALES SOAR
The Software Publishers Association reports that second quarter 1995 sales
of CD-ROM software totaled $291.7 million, up 225% from the same period last
year. Windows-compatible products accounted for 71% of total sales.
Entertainment unit sales remain the largest unit category, but their lower
price points generate lower overall revenues. Business products, though
lowest in terms of units, lead in sales revenue. Home education sales for
first half '95 were $59.3 million, up 136% from $21.6 million in first half
1994. (Heller Report Jan 96)
HUGE CORPORATE UPGRADE IN STORE
Computer industry analyst Seymour Merrin sees strong PC sales growth as
consumers and businesses struggle to keep up with software that demands ever-
more-powerful machines, complaining all the while about increasingly short
product lifecycles: "Yes, there's a limit (to product cycles) if you're a
consumer. On the corporate side, it's different. Senior executives are
suffering from speed deprivation. They have a faster computer at home than
they do in the office. And they're all over the information systems people
to get new technology. You're going to have a one-time increase in turnover
in the corporation over the next 24 months to 36 months." (Investor's
Business Daily 2 Jan 96 A10)
APPLE GAINS IN MARKET SHARE, LOSES REVENUE
Apple Computer's strategy of slashing prices and raising inventory has
netted it 9.3% of the worldwide PC market this past fall, up from 7.9% mid-
year, but at a significant cost -- the computer maker is expected to post a
$5 million loss for the Christmas quarter, down from a $178 million profit
on sales of $2.8 billion for the same quarter a year ago. CEO Spindler
isn't about to back away from his strategy now -- dealers are predicting
Apple will cut prices 10% in January on some PowerBook laptops and high-end
9500 Power Macs. Insiders worry that workforce reductions will be used to
balance the books until the computer maker can recover from its recent round
of red ink. (Business Week 8 Jan 95 p33)
DVD SLATED TO BE ELECTRONICS SHOW STAR
As electronics retailers flock to the 1996 Winter Consumer Electronics Show,
most are predicting that the new high-density digital video disks (DVDs)
will steal the show. DVDs are expected, over time, to replace
videocassettes, laser discs, audio CDs and CD-ROMs. The first DVD players
will be designed to play movies and will appear on the shelves by next fall
at a cost of $500 to $800. Other eye-catching products include the new
digital camcorders that allow users to output home movies to their PCs for
editing, and the Compaq-Fisher Price line of kid-oriented computer
peripherals. (Investor's Business Daily 4 Jan 95 A8)
NUMBER PORTABILITY
The CRTC has ordered Canada's phone companies to prepare for local service
competition by developing a system that allows consumers to take their phone
number with them if they change service providers. Phone companies have
opposed portability because it serves as an incentive to competition,
according to the Public Interest Advocacy Center. The group adds that
recent licensing of personal communications services may provide an impetus
to portability. (Toronto Globe & Mail, 2 Jan 96 B3)
ATARI PLANS PC GAMES -- 3-D PACMAN?
In a move to diversify beyond the video-game market, Atari Interactive will
produce games for PCs. Much of the new material will be recycled video from
the company's 1980s heyday, updated with 3-D graphics and stereo sound to
run on high-end PCs. "We have a library of video-game titles, and we want
to put some of those games on the PC," says the president of Atari's North
American operations. (Wall Street Journal 3 Jan 96 B4)
WHAT STATES HAVE THE INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY JOBS?
In terms of payrolls for computer industry employment, the leading states
are California ($17.7 billion), with Texas a distant second ($4 billion),
followed by Massachusetts ($3.3 billion) and New York ($3 billion). (New
York Times 1 Jan 96 p34)
SMART CARDS TO MAKE AMERICAN DEBUT AT OLYMPICS
The "smart cards" that are moving us to a cashless society will make their
mass-use debut in the United States at the 1996 Summer Olympics in Atlanta,
where Visa and a number of regional banks will market about a million of the
cards in denominations ranging from $10 to $100. The cards contain a
microchip that stores a monetary value that is reduced as purchases are made
with the card. (Atlanta Journal-Constitution 2 Jan 96 E1)
NETDAY IN CALIFORNIA
Organizers of NetDay96 (March 9) say tens of thousands of parents, students,
teachers, and volunteer engineers from California's high-tech companies will
participate in installing network wiring for at least five classrooms and a
library in many of California's ten thousand public and private schools.
<http://www.netday96.com >
ANOTHER NEW YEAR'S GREETING
Here is another New Year's greeting, in a language that will soon be used
for another translation of Edupage: Xin Yi Nian, Xin Qi Xiang. Zhong Xin
Zhu Fu Ge Xia You Yi Ge Mei Hao, Feng Sheng De Yi Nian. (The greeting was a
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Kids Computing Corner
Frank Sereno, Editor
The Kids' Computing Corner
edited by Frank D. Sereno
Microsoft EasyBall/Explorapedia Value Package
Windows CD-ROM and trackball input device
for ages 2 and up
price approximately $45
from Microsoft Corporation
One Microsoft Way
Redmond, WA 98502-6399
206-882-8080
Program Requirements
CPU: 486SX
RAM: 4 MB
OS: Windows 3.1
Video: 640 x 480, 256 colors
HDISK: 8 MB
CD-ROM: Double-speed
Misc.: Sound card, mouse; printer
optional
Reviewed by Frank Sereno
The Microsoft EasyBall is a wonderful input device for younger children. I
reviewed this mechanism several weeks ago but did not receive the software
that goes with it. I felt that the EasyBall was a great add-on for any
children's computer but I wanted to revisit the value package once I had the
software. Explorapedia is an excellent and entertaining program.
For quick review, the EasyBall is a large, yellow trackball with a single,
blue button. The base of the EasyBall is about five inches square with
large rubber feet. It can be placed on a desktop and it is very stable.
The base has two curved flanges or rings which can be used to hold the
EasyBall in a child's lap. The flexibility of using it on the desktop or
while being held is an important feature of the EasyBall.
A mouse can only be used in one way on a very small mousepad. A mouse
requires a great deal of fine motor skills. It is especially difficult to
pick up a mouse when it is at the end of the mousepad and move it to one
side or the other to continue moving the cursor. The EasyBall allows the
child to move the cursor by moving the stationary trackball. Using a
trackball does not require the fine coordination that a mouse does. This
allows your child to have a more enjoyable computing experience.
EasyBall includes driver software for both Windows 3.1 and Windows 95. The
included Pointerland activity allows your child to choose a customized
pointer by exploring a barnyard scene. Choices include a rocket, airplane,
rabbit and more. Pointerland also is an excellent tool for teaching
children how to use their EasyBall.
The EasyBall can be easily disassembled for cleaning with isopropyl alcohol.
The unit is built tough to stand up to years' of use. It connects easily to
a 9-pin serial port. Microsoft will supply a 25-pin adapter for the cost of
shipping. They also sell an adapter that allows the EasyBall and a serial
mouse to use the same port. The EasyBall driver software is designed so
that it will control the EasyBall, but allow the regular mouse driver to
work with the mouse. This dual control feature will be very handy in homes
with only one PC. If you want to use the EasyBall alone, right button
clicks can be emulated by pressing SHIFT + F10.
The EasyBall is well designed. Hundreds of man-hours went into the
designing and testing of this unit. The bright colors are very attractive
to children. The single blue button gives both tactile and audible feedback
when pressed so children will know when they have correctly pressed the
button. The rings give children convenient handles for controlling the
unit. It's tough, durable, fun and easy to use. One more note, the EasyBall
can make computing easier for adults who have arthritis or other diseases
which debilitate fine-motor skills in their hands. The EasyBall is a
winner.
Explorapedia is a combination of the words explore and encyclopedia. Give
this program to most children and they will spend many hours exploring the
many activities and combing for factual data. Explorapedia is a mix of
entertaining music and video combined with thousands of enlightening facts.
Filled with challenging games that increase the learning experience,
Explorapedia is an excellent addition to any software library.
The program has an intriguing interface. You are in a spaceship looking
down on Earth. Your pilot is a frogonaut, Tad Pole. You can go to
different types of ecological systems by clicking on its representation on
Earth. In each ecosystem you will learn about the animals, plants, features
and benefits of this habitat. Various buttons allow you to visit different
topics or to learn more about the current one. The interface encourages
children to explore through experimentation to learn the functions of each
button, but audible and text help is available in all screens by clicking on
Tad.
One game teaches children to use the program to find interesting facts, thus
increasing their efficiency when looking for specific topics. Explorapedia
also includes an excellent search engine which allows searching based on a
topic list or from user input. The real strength of this program is that it
encourages children to explore it, having fun and learning facts along the
way. It is such an entertaining journey that children will come back over
and over again.
The program features superb graphics. Watercolor paintings and still images
are beautiful while the movie clips are very entertaining and informative.
The sound portion of the program is excellent also. Three narrators read
the text for each page in the program in clear and distinct voices. The
children do a bang-up job pronouncing long and difficult scientific words.
Tad Pole's voice characterization is acted well. Many lively songs set a
festive mood.
Explorapedia has an exemplary interface. It is easy-to-use with excellent
audible and text help available throughout the program. One flaw is that
when exiting, it doesn't provide a universal animation for yes or no, but
requires the user to read the words.
Play value is well above average. The program includes many activities to
entertain your child. The music and video clips also help to make this a
very entertaining software program.
The information contained within Explorapedia is vast. Images and text can
be exported to the clipboard for use in word processor or paint programs.
Children can choose to learn the information linearly or to jump about the
information by following links from one section to another. It can be a
very esoteric experience, almost like the World Wide Web. Surfing about
this program is very educational, indeed.
By itself, Explorapedia is an excellent value, selling for about $30. I
would not hesitate to recommend it to parents of children ages five and up.
I think many adults will enjoy using this program also, especially with
their children. This program comes with Microsoft's 30-day moneyback
guarantee. The value package with the EasyBall is a fantastic offering for
families with younger children and is also backed by a 30-day guarantee.
Ratings
Graphics . . . . . . . . . 9.0
Sound . . . . . . . . . . . 9.0
Interface . . . . . . . . . 9.5
Play Value . . . . . . . . 9.0
Educational Value . . 9.5
Bang for the Buck . . 9.5
Average . . . . . . . . . . 9.25
# # #
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
ACTIVISION UNLEASHES HYPERBLADE; THE ACTION-
BATTLE SPORT OF THE FUTURE
Why Play By The Rules When You Can Play Without Them?
Los Angeles, CA - Launching a new generation of cybersports, Activision,
Inc.'s (Nasdaq: ATVI) fast-paced 3-D multi-player simulation game HyperBlade
is scheduled to be released in April 1996. Featuring real-time 3-D
graphics, outstanding gameplay and sensational sound design, HyperBlade
allows four players to compete over a local area network, or battle one-on-
one via modem delivering a high-impact sports experience.
Competing in a 3-D drome arena, players plunge into the ultimate 21st
Century battle sport without any rules. Choosing from one of the twelve
international teams, or custom tailoring their own three-person team from a
selection of over thirty different players, opponents battle in twelve
different arenas complete with a variety of obstacles including- ramps,
trenches, bumps, traps and jumps. Armed with a "jak" (throwing device), a
"rok" (projectile), high-speed blades and a custom armor suit, players
charge and penetrate the opposing team's zone while avoiding bone-jarring
body checks as they attempt to score goals. Additionally, players can score
bonus points or enhance their attributes by mastering challenging moves.
"HyperBlade launches a new breed of sports games," stated Bobby Kotick,
Chairman and CEO, Activision, Inc. "Combining the high-sticking action of
hockey with the thrill of in-line skating and extreme sports, the game
challenges players to battle in a `live' fully rendered 3-D environment.
HyperBlade's dynamic movements and realistic graphics push players into the
center of an intense non-stop explosive experience."
A realistic fast-action challenge, HyperBlade features "Smart Cam"
technology which enables the camera to revolve around the action while
keeping the ball in the center of the drome arena. At any time, players can
zoom in, view their opponents from afar, or experience a 360-degree look at
the action through either a first-person, over-the-shoulder or third-person
perspective. Incorporating thousands of frames of motion-captured
animation, stunning visual graphics and texture-mapped 3-D environments, the
game delivers immersive, realistic and explosive competition.
In addition to network and modem play, players can engage in three different
game modes - league play, tournament play or exhibition. In league play,
players compete in pre-selected leagues and must defeat each of their
league's opponents before entering the playoffs and pursuing the global
title. In tournament play, players choose their favorite team and must
battle against the remaining eleven international teams to win the coveted
global title. Exhibition mode allows players to choose their favorite team
and instantaneously face-off against any of the other teams.
Other game features include the HyperBlade Desktop Theme, which can be used
with Microsoft Plus and allows players to customize their Windows 95 desktop
with art and sound from the game and an online manual within Windows 95
which is accessible during gameplay.
Activision, Inc. is a publicly held developer and publisher of interactive
entertainment software for Microsoftr Windows and MS-DOSr-compatible,
Macintosh and other computers, as well as Nintendo, Sega, 3DO, and Sony
PlayStation game systems. Headquartered in Los Angeles with offices in
London, Tokyo and Sydney, the company sells and markets products under the
Activision and Infocom trade names.
# # #
Activision is a registered trademark of Activision, Inc. c 1995 Activision,
Inc. All rights reserved.
Microsoft, Windows and MS-DOS are either registered trademarks or trademarks
of Microsoft Corporation in the United States and other countries.
FREE SOFTWARE
I have two software packages, and I will give away one each to two lucky
readers. The packages are Muppet Reading & Phonics and Muppet Reading &
Phonics II. Both programs require on IBM compatibles: a minimum 386 CPU,
Windows 3.1 or greater, 4 MB RAM and a CD-ROM drive; for Macintosh: 256
colors, System 7, 4MB RAM and a CD-ROM drive. Each sells for around $25.
Here are the rules:
1. Send an e-mail to me at this address - fsereno@matrix.uti.com
2. In the body of the letter, simply write Muppet Contest Entry and
include your real name. I will send an e-mail to acknowledge all received
entries.
3. If you do not have access to Internet e-mail, entries can be mailed to
Frank Sereno, 528 West Ave., Morris, IL 60450 Entries via U.S. Mail will
NOT receive an acknowledgment due to Postal efficiency and my poor bank
account.
4. All entries must be dated by 11:59 p.m. on January 31, 1996
5. Only one entry per household, please
6. Employees or staff of STR Publishing, American Education Publishing and
Tebay Communications are not eligible
7. The first name chosen will receive his choice of the programs and
second name will get the remaining program
8. Taxes, if any, will be the responsibility of the winners. Shipping
will be paid by STR Publishing (ME!)
9. Winners will be notified by e-mail or regular mail and will also be
announced in this column
I would like to thank American Education Publishing, Brighter Child Software
and Tebay Communications for providing the software for this contest. Both
programs were reviewed in 1995 and received good marks. The software is
very easy for younger children to run and very entertaining. Children of
all ages love the Muppets!
Portable Computers & Entertainment Section
Marty Mankins, Editor
Atari Interactive Formally Announced
ATARI REVEALS MAJOR NEW DIVISION
WITH
FORMATION OF "ATARI INTERACTIVE"
New Division Dedicated to Offering "Multi-Platform" Entertainment
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA, (CES) -- Atari Corporation, founder of America's video
game industry, has broadened its business with the formation of Atari
Interactive, a new division dedicated to the development and distribution of
"multi-platform" interactive entertainment. Ted Hoff, President, Atari USA,
formally announced the company's new division this week.
"With the formation of Atari Interactive, we are creating a new division to
address the world-wide PC market," Hoff stated, adding, "Atari Interactive
will allow consumers to receive our entertainment products on a variety of
formats, from existing platforms and consoles such as our own Jaguar system,
to PC, Mac, the Internet and websites."
Over the past twenty-five years, Atari's creativity and vision have led to
the development of exciting and successful games such as Tempest, Missile
Command and Crystal Castles. Now, the company will continue its tradition of
innovation, combined with its concern for meeting consumer needs, by
developing entertaining, multi-platform software.
Atari Interactive software will feature Atari's classic arcade-style games
updated to play on a number of gaming environments. Interactive software
enthusiasts will be able to enjoy enhanced Atari classics such as Tempest
2000, Missile Command 3D and Return to Crystal Castles. In addition, they
can experience the robust, rich environments of Atari Interactive's new
games, like the Interactive Rocky Horror Show and Virtual War. Atari
Interactive's games will be available to preview through the Atari web site
on the Internet (address: http://www.atari.com).
Four CD-ROM titles under the Atari Interactive name will be available in the
First Quarter. These premier entertainment software titles are:
Tempest 2000: An American video game classic first developed by Atari in
1981 as an arcade game. The CD title features elaborate and enhanced 3-D
graphics and animation, as well as a CD-quality techno-rave soundtrack.
(Download a Demo of this title from the STReport D/L Page on our WebSite
http://www.streport.com)
Highlander: A new action-adventure CD-ROM title that allows players to
become Quentin MacLeod, the last immortal, known as "The Highlander." As
Quentin MacLeod, players encounter challenging and complex puzzles in their
quest to defeat the evil Kortan.
Baldies: As rulers of a fictitious world populated by builders, workers,
soldiers and scientists (who are bald, of course!), players must determine
how best to employ their resources to safeguard their world while at the
same time eliminate the enemy. Baldies has network capability, which allows
up to four players to enjoy the game at once, delivering four times the fun!
FlipOut!: Players maneuver their way through fourteen different areas of
The Cheese Planet while trying to solve increasingly difficult puzzles
(levels range from Normal to Psychotic!). Whether they are in Mt. Rushmore
or the Sphorkle Diner, players need to keep an eye out for mischievous
aliens who'll trip them up just for the fun of it. The introduction of
these games is only the beginning for Atari Interactive. Additional titles
currently under development will be available throughout 1996. In discussing
Atari Interactive's games, Hoff explained, "The introductory titles by Atari
Interactive are designed to appeal to long-time fans of classic arcade games
who want a different, or perhaps new medium in which to play those games, as
well as novice players eager to test-drive this entertainment form on their
PC. By offering game enthusiasts more access options to superior products,
we have enhanced their opportunity for convenient, exciting and challenging
entertainment."
>From the Desk of.
Theodore M. Hoff
President, Atari USA
As President, Atari USA, Ted Hoff oversees all marketing, sales,
development, and corporate strategy for Atari Corporation in the United
States, Canada and Mexico. Under his direction, Atari has broadened its
efforts and formed a new division called Atari Interactive, which develops
"multi-platform" interactive entertainment software for consumers.
Prior to joining Atari Corporation, Mr. Hoff was Senior Vice President and
General Manager of Fox Interactive, a division of Twentieth Century Fox.
During his tenure, Hoff launched Fox's interactive entertainment division,
establishing the company's mission, structure, five-year strategic and
financial plans, and led the launch of multiple titles based on their film
and television properties.
>From 1990 to 1994, Mr. Hoff held the key position of Senior Vice President
of Time Warner Interactive, Inc. (TWI), the home entertainment software
publishing subsidiary of Time Warner, Inc. At TWI Hoff directed sales and
marketing and established annual and long-range strategies and financial
objectives.
Hoff hired and directed senior staff, including directors of marketing,
sales, licensing and acquisition, and third party publisher affiliates.
Under Hoff's direction, Time Warner Interactive launched 15 to 20 new titles
per year including arcade, theatrical, and sports licenses.
Mr. Hoff's previous experience also includes senior management positions at
United Brands Co. and Phillip Morris, where Hoff launched new products and
directed retail sales, marketing, and operations at both corporations.
Atari has been in the video game business for over twenty years. Today,
Atari markets Jaguar, the only American made, advanced 64-Bit entertainment
system. Atari Corporation is located in Sunnyvale, CA.
ATARI INTERACTIVE'S PREMIERE LINE-UP
OF CD-ROM SOFTWARE TITLES FIRST QUARTER, 1996
ATARI INTERACTIVE:
Atari Interactive, the newly created entertainment software division of
Atari Corporation, will develop and market multi-platform interactive
software for consumers. Atari Interactive will create titles for a
variety of platforms and consoles such as Atari's Jaguar system, PC,
Mac, the Internet and websites. The new games will be available to
preview through the Atari web site on the Internet (address:
http://www.atari.com) & (http://streport.com).
Four CD-ROM titles under the Atari Interactive name will be available in
the First Quarter. These premiere software titles are:
TEMPEST 2000: Price point: $ 29.95
HIGHLANDER: Price point: $ 39.95
BALDIES: Price point: $ 34.95
FLIPOUT! Price point: $ 29.95
CONTACT:
Tom Tanno or Stacy Libby
Shandwick USA
(800) 444-6663 or (310) 479-4997
Atari Jaguar/Computer Section
Dana Jacobson, Editor
Jaguar NewsWire
Atari Interactive!
Jaguar's Edge!
Atari/Jaguar in 1996!
And more....
>From the Editor's Controller - Playin' it like it is!
It's hard to believe that the holidays have come and gone - welcome to
1996! We hope that you all had a great holiday season! It's been a pretty
rough start for 1996 here in the northeast. Snow storms for most of the
week have kept me pretty busy doing other things to stay busy rather than
doing what I'd prefer in my spare time. But, that's life in New England!
Fortunately, depending on your point of view, it's been a very slow
week for Jaguar news. Even slower for the computer portion of this section
of STReport this week, my apologies to those who will miss that portion this
week.
Although not Jaguar-related, Atari's Ted Hoff officially announced a
new division of Atari Corporation, Atari Interactive. As has been reported
some issues back, Atari is going to be devoting some of its efforts into the
PC gaming world, starting with PC ports of some of their classic games. The
first to appear will be Tempest 2000 (a demo should be appearing online by
the time you see this issue). I'm sure that we'll be hearing more about
this new endeavor in other sections of STReport, in the weeks to come.
The new year has been busy so far for new Jaguar games to arrive.
Baldies is out; and NBA Jam TE and Zoop should be appearing on dealers'
shelves next week. The big news is that Fight for Life and Defender 2000
are supposed to arrive next month, along with the cart version of Brett Hull
Hockey. Look for updates to the upcoming games, shortly.
Speaking of games, it looks to be an interesting 1996 for Atari. For
the first time that I can remember, Atari isn't over predicting games. I
feel that Atari's Ted Hoff has seen the damage that this "practice" has
caused in the past two years. Reality Lives! I believe that Atari, at
least Ted Hoff, realizes that the Jaguar isn't going to be the system-killer
that everyone had hoped, and hyped. Be realistic with a projection of 20
[Atari] games, come out with them, and hope that more make it. Add in any
3rd party games and work with that. Empty promises has hurt Atari time and
time again. I think an honest and realistic tact will get a much better
reaction from the users. There will always be the negativism attached to
this approach as well, but there's no getting around it. Here's hoping for
an enjoyable new year for our favorite cat!
In the meantime, enjoy this week's issue (albeit a shorter than usual
one) and enjoy the new games along with the rest of us. The Jaguar
reviewing staff will have its hands full shortly with all of the new (and
some older) games to test. It's been a busy last month for many of the
staff with non-STReport responsibilities, so reviews have been slower than
usual to get finished. Things are starting to settle down now, so we hope
the tempo will pick up!
Until next time...
Jaguar Catalog STR InfoFile What's currently available, what's coming out.
Current Available Titles
CAT # TITLE MSRP DEVELOPER/PUBLISHER
J9000 Cybermorph $59.99 Atari Corp.
J9006 Evolution:Dino Dudes $19.99 Atari Corp.
J9005 Raiden $29.99 FABTEK, Inc/Atari
Corp.
J9001 Trevor McFur/
Crescent Galaxy $19.99 Atari Corp.
J9010 Tempest 2000 $39.95 Llamasoft/Atari Corp.
J9028 Wolfenstein 3D $29.95 id/Atari Corp.
JA100 Brutal Sports FootBall $69.95 Telegames
J9008 Alien vs. Predator $69.99 Rebellion/Atari Corp.
J9029 Doom $69.99 id/Atari Corp.
J9036 Dragon: Bruce Lee $29.99 Atari Corp.
J9003 Club Drive $29.99 Atari Corp.
J9007 Checkered Flag $19.99 Atari Corp.
J9012 Kasumi Ninja $29.99 Atari Corp.
J9042 Zool 2 $19.99 Atari Corp
J9020 Bubsy $19.99 Atari Corp
J9026 Iron Soldier $29.99 Atari Corp
J9060 Val D'Isere Skiing $39.99 Atari Corp.
Cannon Fodder $49.99 Virgin/C-West
Syndicate $69.99 Ocean
Troy Aikman Football $69.99 Williams
Theme Park $69.99 Ocean
Sensible Soccer Telegames
Double Dragon V $59.99 Williams
J9009E Hover Strike $39.99 Atari Corp.
J0144E Pinball Fantasies $59.99 C-West
J9052E Super Burnout $59.99 Atari Corp.
J9070 White Men Can't Jump $49.99 Atari Corp.
Flashback $59.99 U.S. Gold
J9078E VidGrid (CD) Atari Corp
J9016E Blue Lightning (CD) $59.99 Atari Corp
J9040 Flip-Out $49.99 Atari Corp
J9082 Ultra Vortek $69.99 Atari Corp
C3669T Rayman $69.99 Ubi Soft
Power Drive Rally $69.99 TWI
J9101 Pitfall $59.99 Atari Corp.
J9086E Hover Strike CD $59.99 Atari Corp.
J9031E Highlander I (CD) $59.99 Atari Corp.
J9061E Ruiner Pinball $59.99 Atari Corp.
Dragon's Lair $69.99 Readysoft
J9097E Missile Command 3D $59.99 Atari Corp.
J9091E Atari Karts $59.99 Atari Corp.
J9044E Supercross 3D $59.99 Atari Corp.
J9106E Fever Pitch Soccer $59.99 Atari Corp.
J9043E I-War $59.99 Atari Corp.
J9069 Myst (CD) $59.99 Atari Corp.
Primal Rage $69.99 Time Warner
Battlemorph $59.99 Atari Corp.
J9055 Baldies $59.99 Atari Corp.
Space Ace Readysoft
Available Soon
CAT # TITLE MSRP DEVELOPER/PUBLISHER
...Mutant Penguins $59.99 Atari Corp.
Breakout 2000 $49.99 Atari Corp.
Max Force $59.99 Atari Corp.
J9089 NBA Jam TE $69.99 Atari Corp.
J9021 Brett Hull Hockey $69.99 Atari Corp.
Zoop TBA Atari Corp.
Defender 2000 TBA Atari Corp.
Fight for Life TBA Atari Corp.
World Tour Racing TBA Atari Corp.
Hardware and Peripherals
CAT # TITLE MSRP MANUFACTURER
J8001 Jaguar (no cart) $99.99 Atari Corp.
J8904 Composite Cable $19.95
J8901 Controller/Joypad $24.95 Atari Corp.
J8905 S-Video Cable $19.95
CatBox $69.95 ICD
J8800 Jaguar CD-ROM $149.99 Atari Corp.
J8908 JagLink Interface $29.95 Atari Corp.
J8910 Team Tap
4-Player Adapter) $29.95 Atari Corp.
J8907 Jaguar ProController $29.95 Atari Corp.
J8911 Memory Track $29.95 Atari Corp.
J8909 Tempest 2000:
The Soundtrack $12.99 Atari Corp.
Industry News STR Game Console NewsFile - The Latest Gaming News!
Atari to Market Software
Trying to diversify beyond its struggling Jaguar video-game system, Atari
Corp. has started a new business called Atari Interactive to make and
distribute games for personal computers. Writing in The Wall Street Journal
this morning, reporter Jim Carlton quotes Atari officials as saying the
Sunnyvale, California, company will draw heavily on its library of 1980s-
vintage video games, such as Asteroids and Pac Man.
Atari "will update those games with three-dimensional graphics and stereo
sound to run on the latest generation of high-powered PCs," Carlton adds.
The Journal notes the move comes as Atari's Jaguar player "struggles against
competing players by Nintendo, Sega, Sony Corp. and 3DO Co." The paper
comments that the system has been "hobbled by a dearth of support from
independent software developers," noting that only about 200,000 of the
Jaguars have been sold worldwide since the machine was launched in 1993.
(By contrast, analysts estimate that Sony sold 500,000 of its new
PlayStation machines since their launch in the U.S. last September.) Hoff
told the paper his company continues to stand by Jaguar, adding the player
should benefit from a recent price cut to $99 from $149, as well as an
expanded number of games to about 50 from four at the machine's launch.
The Journal says one of the first releases for PCs is a remake of the old
Atari game Tempest. The other three -- Highlander, Baldies and FlipOut! --
are new titles. A total of 17 PC games will be shipped this year, Hoff says.
Atari plans PC games soon based on other of its old games, including Missile
Command and Crystal Castles. Updated versions of Asteroids, Pac Man, and
Centipede are expected to be available next year, the paper reports.
ADVANCE/BART Technician Rings in New Year by ...
(ADVANCE) SACRAMENTO, CALIF. (Dec. 28) BUSINESS WIRE - Dec. 30, 1995 -
Donald Birkhimer, a Bay Area Regional Transit technician from El Sobrante,
celebrated the new year by spinning and winning $2 million on "The Big Spin"
show, making him the 296th person to win a prize of a million or more since
the show began in 1985. The electronics technician made an uncanny
prediction when he told show host Larry Anderson that his first spin would
be a "DOUBLE." Indeed, Birkhimer's first spin landed his ball in the
"DOUBLE" slot, automatically doubling the amount of his second spin.
When asked what his next spin would be, Birkhimer answered, "$1 million!"
Again his prediction came true as he spun and the second ball landed in the
$1 million slot, winning him a total of $2 million. Immediately, his wife
and two of his four children rushed onto the stage to celebrate with him.
"This really changes things. I plan to start an account for my children's
education and maybe even buy an Atari CD-ROM computer game," commented
Birkhimer, while his son stood next to him, grinning from ear to ear.
Birkhimer plans to pay off his house and invest some of the money for the
future.
When asked if he planned to quit his job, Birkhimer replied, "No I won't be
quitting. I love what I do. When I walk into a BART car that has broken
down and I fix it, I walk out to 1,000 people applauding me.How many jobs
give you that kind of appreciation and recognition?" Birkhimer will receive
$72,000 a year after taxes for the next 20 years. Since 1985, the Lottery
has raised more than $7.4 billion for public schools and has provided an
annual average of approximately 38 percent of total revenues to schools.
Jaguar Online STR InfoFile Online Users Growl & Purr!
>From the Internet comes this message regarding the Jaguar specific hard copy
magazine, Jaguar's Edge (this is not a confirmed report):
Jaguar's Edge: the "Official" Word
I live in Sacramento and posted to our local Atari BBS about what's going on
with John Marcotte and the Jaguar's Edge magazine. Someone who knows him
contacted him and posted a reply. It seems he's had computer problems, etc.
and that the magazine is in limbo.
Here's the reply I received from the BBS...hopefully it will clear up some
of the questions. Look for more info. as of January 1st on the Kitten
Litter website at http://www.dfw.net/~kitten
Official..word from John Marcotte as for:
"The Jaguar's Edge."
John has not been able to send any email responses because his computer
"broke." I.E. The hard drive crashed and there were some other problems.
He bought a new PC, but something else doesn't work on that one, so he
hasn't had time due to Christmas and everything else to return it for a
working one. As for "The Jaguar's Edge." It's probably not going to fly.
John can't get a definite word from Atari as for the future of the system
(he gets different opinions from different people), so he isn't too keen
into jumping into it, since most businesses usually lose money the first
year, but keep operational in hope of profits in coming years. Problem is,
who knows if the Jaguar is going to last one more Christmas, if that? (Or
the Sega Saturn, on the other hand) John has been looking into getting the
subscriptions turned over to ST Format and covering the Jaguar for them, but
he can't get hold of them.
There is an Atari user's group in Texas with 200 members that might be
interested in taking over the managing and publishing of "The Jaguar's Edge"
(w/John editing it), but the President of the club has a few days before he
makes his mind up if he wants to do that. So currently, the magazine's
future is not too bright. John says he keeps on getting more subscription
fees, but he hasn't cashed any of the new checks. So if the magazine folds,
those checks won't be cleared, and anybody that had cashed checks in the
past can send in a request to the current P.O. Box and John will refund the
fees (this is if the magazine doesn't fly)...In the event that the magazine
does not get published, the P.O. Box will be renewed for another six months
just so people can send in their claims... Feel free to pass this info onto
the other Jaguar web pages...
So there you have it...that's all I know or can find out. If anything else
comes up I'll be sure to share it.
Happy New Year!
ONLINE WEEKLY STReport OnLine The wires are a hummin'!
PEOPLE... ARE TALKING
On CompuServe
compiled by
Joe Mirando
73637,2262
Hidi ho friends and neighbors. I hope that the holiday season has
found you in good spirits and health, and that you remain so throughout the
year. Looking back, it was a fairly normal year for us Atarians... no new
hardware, a shrinking user-base, and a small but stupendously loyal and
talented bunch of developers. The users and developers that I've
encountered in my trip through Atariland have made me thankful that I bought
an ST and that I've stayed here for so long.
Of course there are those (and you know who you are) that point out
(and quite rightly so) that Atari is a fairly dead-end platform. Who could
debate the point? Atari no longer manufactures computers. No computers
equals no new users. No new users equals no hot new applications. That, in
turn, equals no future.
Well, the math is _almost_ right. The fact that the users and
developers are so loyal to each other allows us to enjoy, if not the full-
fledged, ever-expanding, cutting-edge of computing technology, at least the
ability to do what we need to do with the machine of our choice. These
folks are special. I thank them (and you) for the things I've learned about
my computer and about people. Let's see if we can make it last for a while
longer.
Okay, that's enough of that. Let's get on with the purpose for this
column... All the hot news, cool tips, and interesting info to be found
every week right here in CompuServe.
>From the Atari Computing Forum
Okay, at the risk of boring you, we're going to talk a little bit about the
possibility of being able to access CompuServe using their special protocol
known as HMI. I offhandedly posted that most Atari users want nothing more
than to use their computers until they die. Of course, I meant until the
computers die. Jon Sanford, being the stickler for precision that he is,
asks me:
"Till we die or the machines?"
Mark Kelling, a CompuServe employee, posts:
"Hmmm, hope you mean the machines. ;-) But the way most Atari
computers last maybe he meant the user! (My 1200XL 8 bit is still
going strong after more years than I can remember!)"
See that folks? It just goes to prove that you can never measure your
words carefully enough.
Richard Davey, another CIS employee, tells us a bit about the changes
that require an HMI-capable program:
"Okay, basically we are implementing a new mail system known as Nisa
mail. The problem with this is that it's 100% HMI based and therefore
will cut off 100% of our Terminal-accessing members (including a lot of
blind people who use special voice systems I might add). The overall
plan is to make Compuserve 100% HMI and do away with those times when
it jumps into "Terminal" mode (Wincim users will know what I mean). In
reality there is very little that can be done about this, you could try
the GO FEEDBACK service and leave some poignant mail messages or
something but in the overall shape of things I doubt it'll influence my
bosses that much.
Sorry. I'll try and find out exact dates for you if you like. Nisa
mail has been in beta testing for months now so my guess is that the
change over will happen soon. Despite teething troubles it is a vastly
superior mail system, there is no doubt about that."
Bob Ledbetter tells Richard:
"Probably "vastly superior" to CompuServe, but not to those of us who
are going to have to get a whole new system. Course nobody thinks
about that when they come up with their "vastly superior" systems."
Richard replies:
"Surely it can't be a surprise to you? CS has been talking about HMI
standards ever since they first launched Wincim and how they plan to
move from away from text-only. Other than CIX (in the UK) I can't
think of any other access provider that supplies a friendly text-based
front end (ie MSN, Prodigy, AOL, Delphi, etc). If you want to make a
fuss then GO FEEDBACK and let your opinions be known.
Rich "I only work here, don't blame me"
I tell Bob:
"Unfortunately, that's the way it is with progress... but it _would_ be
preferable to provide a way to access this supperiority without having
to go out and buy a new system."
Bob replies simply:
"Isn't that the TRUTH!!"
Patrick Bass asks Sysop Bob Retelle:
"Does Dave Groves still check in here? Where's Tom Hudson? Come to
think of it, I haven't tweaked Steve Ahlstroms' nose in quite a while.
Does Daddy Tramiel still run the company? What's going to happen now
that CIS is dropping text access? Blah blah blah. Pick one of the
above. Oooohhh, it feels strange in here. Does anyone want to buy the
publisher's copy of the first edition of ANTIC? Does anybody care?"
Bob tells Patrick:
"Gosh... let's see... yup... the Tramiel family is still running the
show, although there's a new "outsider" president holding the
day-to-day reins, reportedly...
Haven't seen Tom Hudson in quite a while, but Dave Groves runs the
Diabetic Forum here on CIS, so he's still around.. Steve Ahlstrom too,
although he's running the Amiga areas now. (Seems like everyone's just
scattering to the winds...)
There might be good news for Atari users if we can find a programmer
who'd like to create an HMI compliant telecom program for us..
CompuServe has decided finally to release the specs on the protocol..
now, where is Alan Page when we need him..?
Otherwise, we'll stick with the ASCII interface as long as we can, but
it'll mean we won't be able to use any of the newer areas on CIS that
require some kind of CIM program.
Heh.. I think I've got an ANTIC #1 up on the shelf here... right next
to my Byte #1... but not the publisher's personal copy..."
Patrick tells Bob:
"This is kinda embarrassing for someone who used to bang the Atari
Drum as loudly as I did, but I thought the Jaguar was a dedicated Video
Game. From some of the references in here I get the idea a person can
hook a keyboard, et al, to it and use it for other applications.
Am dis so?
If so, could you spec it quickly for me? Does Lenny and Sammy control
the software? Do they just build 'em in Sinapore and sell 'em in
Europe? Have I simply overlooked them in Toys R Us christmas shopping
this year? I found Playstation, Saturn, etc. It's funny to watch some
old fart like me knock the little kids down trying to hog the demo
machines in the aisles."
Mark Kelling tells Patrick:
"To answer (some of) your questions about the Jaguar.
First, the machines are built by IBM but I'm not sure exactly which
part of the world handles the assembly (guessing it is Mexico).
Second, the software can still be found at a retail outlet called
Babages (might not have spelled it right ;-). The did sell the machine
here (Houston) too, but dropped it due to slow sales. I did get to
play several games on the demo model they had set up and found things
to be very nicely done. The controler pad is a little bulky though.
The machine does have several ports on it which could possibly let you
hook up keyboards etc to make it a full fledged computing machine. The
basic system runs off a good ol' 68000 chip with some serious 64 bit
data paths and graphics chips. Very imaginative integration of old and
new. The _new_ CD package for Jag was put together after several
former Sega big shots came onboard at Atari. At least they have some
good people pushing the machine along! ;-)"
Well folks, since the holiday still sort of has me in its grip, and some
nasty little bug is just starting to take hold of my sinuses and throat, I'm
going to stop here and sign off till next time. Tune in again then, same
time, same station, and be ready to listen to what they are saying when...
PEOPLE ARE TALKING
EDITORIAL QUICKIES
A sign of THINGS to Come..
CES holds the key..
Virtual Reality Baseball...
Soccer, Golf `96
Can you say; "InterPlay"??
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