ST Report: 2-Feb-96 #1205
From: Bruce D. Nelson (aa789@cleveland.Freenet.Edu)
Date: 02/11/96-07:47:46 AM Z
From: aa789@cleveland.Freenet.Edu (Bruce D. Nelson)
Subject: ST Report: 2-Feb-96 #1205
Date: Sun Feb 11 07:47:46 1996
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>From the Editor's Desk...
The weather is wild! Today, while under a Tornado watch, I was cleaning
the pool.. Less than a couple hundred miles to the north it was freezing
outside. We are told this is the meanest winter in years. The real story
though, "ain't" the weather and its hundreds of times meaner!
It is what's in store for the online community over the next few years.
Yesterday amid a good deal of self praise and hoopla, the GREAT, "RESENT THE
PEOPLE instead of REPRESENT THE PEOPLE" politicians in Washington D.C. paved
the way for the Cable Companies and the various Phone Companies to play
interminable games with each other. Righteously stating the competitive
atmosphere introduced by the New Communications Bill would be a great benefit
to the online community. Could be. Only Time will tell.
What they DIDN'T tell the people in a very loud and clear manner was
that they RAMMED through their long sought after CENSORSHIP GARBAGE tacked
onto the passed Bill! Another FAST ONE pulled on the American Public. The
Taxpayers. THE SAPS who never seem to bother to ask questions mainly because
they don't have the time or the connections to make themselves heard.
Besides, they are working long hours trying to make ends meet. The hard
working taxpayers who are bearing the brunt of this current crop of "sleaze
on The Hill" really have no way to make themselves heard. When, in God's
Name, are the Politicians going to do exactly what the people who voted them
in want them to do??
While there may be some great provisions in the new Bill, the parts
supporting Censorship of the Internet fly directly in the face of the vast
majority of American Taxpayers and VOTERS. An overwhelming majority of
Internet Users and the public want the CHOICE. of what they read and view
they are not in favor of Local or Federal Government Censorship. On the
surface, it appears the "Control Freaks" have won another round at ushering
the USA into the real time of Big Brother is Watching You.
The bottom line is simple. this is an election year. The entire lot in
Washington D.C. need to be hit with the message of get out you have not
represented the people you have represented the DEALS and Compromises rather
than the wishes of those who voted you in and the majority of the American
Taxpayers. Dole got his message in New Hampshire. "Newt the Beaut" needs to
get his message to leave too. While the New Hampshire Primary is a decent
indicator, its not the final tally. Bob Dole is dangerous or, I should say
HIS WIFE Elizabeth is.. She's another control freak. You think Clinton's
wife is a trip?? Get Dole in there instead of Clinton and you'll soon
believe Clinton's wife was really "Sleeping Beauty". Oh, wait. wasn't that
story one of those the control freaks wanted out of grade school libraries
because she was sleeping with seven men at once?? Absurd garbage isn't it??
Each and every one of us must pay strict attention to this year's elections.
Its Critical!
Please.. I beg of each and every one of you.. Register and Vote. Vote
to keep the freedoms our founding fathers guaranteed to each and every
citizen of this great nation and all of our forefathers either fought for or
supported the war efforts to preserve.
By the way, next time you get the chance to be heard. why not ask your
local representative why the fact of this nation being in another "Eisenhower-
Like" Recession is being kept so tight a secret?? Why.. is Greenspan once
again playing with the interest rates?
On another front.
We have been reworking the WebSite. the Mailer is now working. You can
now enter your E-Mail address successfully. So, go to
http://www.streport.com and see all the new, lively pages including the
STReport Subscription Page that WORKS!
One last thought. Please, let's join together in voting OUT the control
freaks. Please Register and Vote this year. Don't leave it up to the next
guy. There simply isn't enough "next guys" out there to get the job done.
We all need your vote too!
Ralph.
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LATE BREAKING INDUSTRY-WIDE NEWS
Weekly Happenings in the Computer World
Compiled by: Dana P. Jacobson
Girl Scouts Sell Compu-Cookies
Finally. A Net application you can sink your teeth into. Girl Scout cookies
now are online. The Boston area Girl Scouts Council has kicked off the first
cookie sales campaign on the Internet's World Wide Web. The Cookie Store
(reached at Web address http://www.ptgirlscouts.org), describes the eight
types of cookies, including nutritional values, and pricing and ordering
instructions.
Customers click on the type of cookies desired, and enter the number of boxes
to be shipped and complete billing information. Credit cards are accepted.
Cookies are delivered via United Parcel Service. Girl Scout officials told
Eric Auchard of the Reuter News Service the program was designed to teach the
young entrepreneurs the techniques of merchandising and fund-raising. The
wire service says 75 girls aged 14 to 16 are involved in operating the store,
which is accepting cookie orders for mail-order delivery from now through
April 1.
Amiga May Live Again as Net Surfer
The late Commodore International Ltd.'s colorful Amiga computer may be reborn
on the Internet's WorldWide Web as a low-cost Net access system.
Computergram International reports this morning the Amiga Technologies GmbH
unit of Escom AG the Bersheim, Germany, computer maker that acquired all
Commodore and Amiga licenses, patents and trademarks last year is launching
the old Amiga 1200 as the Amiga Surfer this month or next.
The 68030-based system will come with 2MB memory, 260MB disk and 14,400bps
modem and is designed to use a television set as the display, the newsletter
says. Word is some 50,000 of the machines are being manufactured at the
Solectron Corp. contract manufacturing plant bought from IBM Corp in
Bordeaux, France. "It will sell for about $720 bundled with a new Internet
browser called MindWalker, designed for the Amiga," CI adds.
Meanwhile, The Philadelphia Inquirer is reporting Amiga Technologies also has
begun production of a high-end Amiga 4000T tower at a QuikPak Inc. plant in
Norristown, Pennsylvania. CI says, "The company says 1,500 have already been
made, a batch of 5,000 is going through, and 10,000 more are planned this
year."
Homeless Man Stays Online
A 22-year-old homeless man living along a highway near Novato, California,
has spent his meager earnings, not on rent, but on a portable computer and a
cellular phone with modem so he could stay online. Neal Berry slept in a
tent on a mattress taken from a trash bin, but used his laptop to connect to
a bulletin board system, voice mail and a pager service, "all paid for out of
his $8-an-hour salary as a shipping and inventory clerk," according to the
Associated Press.
Now, though, Berry has been arrested and accused of stealing heavy-duty
industrial batteries from the state transportation agency "to power his
equipment," the wire service says. "Highway workers said they found the
batteries when they stumbled onto his campsite." In a jailhouse interview,
Berry told The San Francisco Examiner, "I just found the batteries.
Apparently someone else put them there a few months ago. I found them and
started using them."
Berry told the paper he chose to camp by the highway after failing to find an
affordable apartment when he moved to the area in 1994. "In Novato," he said,
"you can't even find a single room that costs less than $500 a month. If I
were to have an apartment, I wouldn't have had any furniture, I'd just barely
be able to eat. It would have sucked up all my income."
So, instead, he spent $2,000 for a Toshiba laptop computer and $500 on a
modem. Each month he spent $35 for an account with an online service with e-
mail; $60 on his cellular phone bill; $50 for membership at a gym where he
took showers; $42 for a storage shed for clothes and other possessions he was
afraid to keep in the tent, and $12 for a mailbox. Online, he said, he
made more friends in a month than he had all year. "I've never been to jail
before, but there is a bright side: three hots and a cot at taxpayer
expense."
Christmas Sales Good, Not Great
For the PC marketers, it was a good -- not a great -- Christmas, but some
sellers stumbled badly during the holidays, notably high-flying Packard Bell
Electronics Inc. and struggling Apple Computer Inc. Writing in The Wall
Street Journal this morning, reporter Jim Carlton notes, "Packard Bell's
growth rate of more than 50 percent annually in computer shipments plunged to
5 percent during the Christmas period, allowing Compaq Computer Corp. to
retain a slim lead as the country's top vendor."
Quoting preliminary estimates by researchers at International Data Corp., the
Journal notes Sacramento, California-based Packard Bell dominates the market
for store-sold PCs "but misjudged demand on one product and was swamped by
competition." Meanwhile, Apple shipments increased 4 percent during the
quarter from the similar period a year ago, as it "overestimated demand for
its Macintosh Performas," Carlton says.
Big winners for the season were Hewlett-Packard Co., Taiwan's Acer Inc. and
Digital Equipment Corp., all of which outperformed the market, the IDC
figures suggest. The Journal comments the Packard Bell and Apple growth-
rate figures "offer further proof that PC shipments, while still healthy,
have decelerated more sharply than expected."
The paper adds, "The figures show the PC industry increased shipments by 'at
least' 20 percent during the quarter, on a pace that appears will fall
slightly below earlier estimates of a 25 percent surge in growth." IDC
analyst Eric Lewis told the paper slower growth had been reflected in
earnings disappointments from companies that overestimated demand, including
Intel Corp. and National Semiconductor Corp.
Journalists Heading to Cyberspace
A new study finds that journalists are dramatically increasing their use of
the Internet and commercial online services to get information on breaking
news and to do research. Almost a fourth (23 percent) of all the editors
surveyed said they or their staff use the Internet and commercial online
services daily, up from 16 percent last year. The study was conducted jointly
by Prof. Steven Ross of the Columbia University Graduate School of Journalism
and Don Middleberg, CEO of Middleberg and Associates, a New York public
relations firm. More than two-thirds of the surveyed editors (68 percent)
said they go online at least once a month, versus 50 percent in the 1994
study.
The sharpest increase was among daily newspaper reporters, with 71 percent
saying they use online services monthly, versus only 44 percent in the 1994
study. A majority of journalists (56 percent) said they will want all "media
relations" submissions online within five years, while only 18 percent will
want submissions on paper, and the balance by fax or disk. Preference for
paper dropped from 66 percent last year to 60 percent this year. However, 81
percent of the study's respondents now say they want manuscripts from their
own freelancers and correspondents in computer-readable form, as opposed to
paper or fax, up from 54 percent last year.
Apple-Sun Deal Not Imminent?
Slowing down the Apple buyout rumor mill a bit, insiders now say that while
merger talks between Apple Computer Inc. and Sun Microsystems Inc. are
continuing, the deal is not imminent. Writing from San Francisco, Therese
Poletti of the Reuter News Service quotes one source familiar with the
situation as saying, "Whenever you have discussions, everyone tries to paint
these things as black and white, when it's more of a continuum. There is not
a deal that is imminent."
Poletti says her sources described the situation as "fluid." As report
earlier, the "I" word first was used by Wall Street Journal reporter Jim
Carlton on Tuesday when he wrote that talks aimed at buying Apple had been
resumed by Sun and those familiar with the negotiations said a deal was
"imminent," that, in fact, a Sun acquisition of Apple could be announced
"within days." But Reuters says now other industry sources are saying the
two companies are haggling over price and Sun is not willing to pay a
premium.
"Sources said the discussions between the two have hit a snag because Sun's
chief executive Scott McNealy is not willing to pay the reported price of $33
a share, after Apple's recent quarterly losses," Poletti reports. "Sources
said that about two weeks ago McNealy offered $28 a share, and now he is not
willing to pay more than $25 in a stock swap deal. But the sources said the
talks have not broken off, as some rumor mills had been speculating."
While declining to elaborate what else was under consideration, one source
told Reuters, "It's not ruling out the possibility that something might
happen. They are exploring a number of things."
Paper Says Apple Has Suitors
A trade paper is reporting Apple Computer Inc. is not close to a buyout deal
with Sun Microsystems Inc. and that the company has other suitors, notably
Sony Corp. However, the computer maker wants to remain independent for now.
MacWEEK, citing unidentified sources close to the company, is reporting
Apple and Sun have not settled such basic issues as what parts of Apple's
business Sun would acquire, let alone on a price for its stock.
Speaking with business writer Catalina Ortiz of the Associated Press, MacWEEK
editor Mark Hall said he has learned Apple is talking with several companies
about an alliance or merger. "Sony is talking to a lot of companies in the
U.S. ... particularly in the computer industry," Hall said. "Apple's just one
of them." However, he added, a deal isn't likely with anyone soon, in part
because Apple still wants to remain on its own. Said Hall, "The likely
scenario is for Apple to remain independent and pull its own chestnuts out of
the fire."
This fits with yesterday's story that, while Apple-Sun talks are continuing,
the deal is not "imminent," despite The Wall Street Journal's report to the
contrary earlier in the week. Ortiz notes that the prospect that another
company might be interested in Apple pleased some, quoting Aaron Goldberg,
executive vice president of Computer Intelligence Infocorp, a technology
market research firm, as saying, "If Apple's not worth a bidding war, then it
truly is the end of Apple and that's a sad day for all of us."
Ortiz observes that Sony is one of several Japanese companies that previously
have been mentioned as a possible partner for Apple, noting Sony announced
two months ago that it would get into the PC business this fall with IBM-
compatible models. But don't hold your breath, says Hall. He told AP, "We
don't believe a deal is imminent. And we believe ... the prevailing thinking
inside Apple right now is to remain independent."
Spindler Encourages Apple Fans
In full page ads in a dozen U.S. newspapers this morning, Apple Computer Inc.
customers are being urged by CEO Michael Spindler to keep the faith, trying
to reassure 22 million users of Macintosh computers in what are, he says,
"challenging times for Apple." Spindler writes in an open letter to his
customers, "We would, therefore, like to communicate directly with you and
reassure you that the top priority of Apple's board and management team is to
take action to prepare Apple for its next chapter of growth and
profitability.
"Rest assured," he adds, "Apple's mission remains as vibrant today as it was
in 1976 (when the company was founded). It is one that cannot be realized in
a year, a decade or even a lifetime. I believe it is one of the most enduring
missions of any business in the world." It has been a rough time for the
Cupertino, California, computer maker. Earlier this month, it announced a
first quarter loss and a restructuring that includes initial layoffs of 1,300
staffers with possibly more to come. It also is the target of intense
takeover rumors and recently has been in merger talks with Sun Microsystems
Inc.
But Therese Poletti of the Reuter News Service, citing industry sources,
reports this morning those Apple-Sun talks "appear to be breaking down as the
two companies cannot agree on what price Sun would pay for Apple. ... There
still is a possibility of a deal between the two, but only if Apple is
willing to accept Sun's most recent offer, which is around $23 a share, they
said." Apple's stock ended Friday at $30.625.
Poletti says Apple is believed to be looking hard for another suitor, "while
Sun CEO Scott McNealy told The New York Times Friday that he was working on
his golf game this weekend."
Meanwhile, the San Jose Mercury News reported this weekend Motorola Inc. is
considering whether to make a bid for troubled Apple, though, of course, the
Schaumburg, Illinois, chipmaker isn't commenting.
Analyst Steve Harmon of Jupiter Communications comments, "Apple is hoping
they can get one more date for the prom. All the big shots should be coming
out of the woodwork. If you are Spindler, you are sitting by the phone." As
reported earlier, MacWEEK is saying Apple also is considering an alliance or
a merger with Sony Corp. "However," says Reuters, "many industry analysts
believe Sun is probably the most strategic fit that Apple could make that
would also cause the least havoc with its employees. At Sun's headquarters in
Mountain View, California, employees are referring to a potential merged
entity with their Cupertino neighbor as 'Snapple.'"
Apple Freezes R&D, Takes S&P Hit
Still seeking a strategy for returning to profitability, Apple Computer Inc.
reportedly has frozen temporarily all new spending on research and
development. Citing an internal Apple memo, PC Week's online edition says
the company, in addition to freezing R&D, also plans to present a
reorganization plan to the board of directors within the next couple of
weeks.
Meanwhile, in what the Reuter News Service characterizes as "an unusually
harsh move," Standard & Poor's has slashed Apple's senior debt to BB-minus
from BBB -- "junk-bond status," says Reuters -- citing poor management and
uncertainties regarding the strategic direction of the company. Reuters
reporter Mark Egan writes, "Shooting from the hip, S&P said Apple's
management is in 'turmoil,' suggesting an acquisition was the only short-term
fix."
The wire service quotes S&P's William Wetreich as saying, "The potential
upside is if they were acquired by a better credit. The downside is that it's
still not clear to us exactly what the company strategy is, both short-term
and long-term, for restoring profitability," adding much of Apple's troubles
are of its own making with management to blame. As reported yesterday,
Apple took out full page ads in a dozen U.S. newspapers this week in which
Michael Spindler urged Apple customers to keep the faith, trying to reassure
22 million users of Macintosh computers in what are, he says, "challenging
times for Apple."
On the R&D situation, PC Week says the memo, signed by Apple Senior Vice
President David Nagel and circulated Friday, said all new hiring or project
requisitions are being put on hold. "In addition," says Reuters, "all hiring
decisions in 'critical' areas ... must be approved by Nagel first. The freeze
extends to the use of all temporary personnel and outside contractors."
Nagel's memo says he hoped to present a clearer picture in a couple of weeks,
once the management team makes its presentation to the board, adding, "After
that, I will be in a much better position to talk more openly about where and
how this new strategy will affect the R&D organization."
Added the memo, "We do not wish to negatively impact critical
products/projects; however, we also recognize that this is not business as
usual. We ask that managers carefully review and limit business travel,
seminars, off-sites, business lunches, capital expenditures, equipment
purchases, and purchase requisitions."
Java Programmers Form Company
A new company to develop Java- based software is being launched by some
programmers and a marketing executive who played important roles in creating
the Java programming language at Sun Microsystems Inc. Sun recently put the
development team in a new subsidiary called JavaSoft. Now, says the
Associated Press, several members of that group, including programmer Arthur
van Hoff and marketer Kim Polese, are leaving to start their own firm.
However, Java author James Gosling is not leaving the company, Sun says.
Polese told the wire service, "We've got a couple of hot ideas. We're going
to go and flush them out." He said Sun is not investing in the venture,
which has not been named. AP notes that, while it was released officially
just this week, test versions of Java brought a lot of attention to Sun
during the past 10 months. (The language can be used to create programs that
automatically animate and update information through electronic networks such
as the Internet.) Meanwhile, Sun spokesman George Paolini told AP that while
the company is losing some key talent, it does not view their plans as "a
direct conflict."
Diamond Inc. Ups Bid for Hayes
Diamond Multimedia Systems Inc. has raised its offer for Hayes Microcomputer
Products Inc., boosting the amount equity holders in the modem maker would
receive in the proposed transaction. As reported earlier, Diamond is
proposing to pay $85 million cash to Hayes' creditors and a combination of
cash and stock to equity holders to bring Hayes out of Chapter XI bankruptcy.
Reporting from San Jose, California, the Dow Jones News Service says Diamond
Multimedia has confirmed it boosted the payout to equity holders to a
combination of $102.4 million in stock and $8.4 million in cash, or a total
of $111 million. (The old offer was $92 million in stock and $8 million cash,
or $100 million.)
Says DJ, "Hayes' unsecured creditors committee, which has approved Diamond's
offer, filed with Bankruptcy Court in Atlanta an amendment to the
reorganization plan reflecting the higher offer. Diamond reserved the right
to increase the total cash consideration and correspondingly decrease the
total stock consideration by any amount up to one-half of the total merger
consideration."
Micron Rehires Steve Appleton
Saying his ouster nine days earlier was a mistake, Boise, Idaho, chipmaker
Micron Technology Inc. has rehired Steve Appleton as its CEO and board
chairman. What the Associated Press characterizes as "an extraordinary about-
face" end a standoff between 35-year-old Appleton and a board dominated by 87-
year-old billionaire J.R. Simplot and his close associate, Allen Noble. The
move comes just three days before the firm's annual shareholders meeting.
Analyst Rick Whittington of SoundView Financial Group told the wire service,
"They returned to sanity. Appleton is the heart and soul of the company and
the board recognized not just Appleton would be departing the company. To be
quite blunt, the board recognized that much could dissolve or fall apart were
Appleton not there."
As reported earlier, Appleton officially "resigned" Jan. 18, citing
unspecified personal reasons. However, AP notes Simplot was later quoted as
saying Appleton "took it like a man," fueling speculation he was forced out.
Appleton -- who started with Micron as a production worker and rose through
the ranks to chairman/CEO in less than 12 years -- is admired for speeding
expansion of Micron's production capacity.
Simplot, who controls 22 percent of Micron stock, said yesterday, "Steve
Appleton has the unanimous support of the board of directors. We are
confident that all of us together will provide the leadership needed to
continue building the company."
Digital Leaves Home PC Business
Computer maker Digital Equipment Corp. is getting out of the home computer
market, discontinuing development of its Starion line of consumer-targeted
PCs and focusing instead on selling PCs to businesses. Reporting from
Digital's Maynard, Massachusetts, headquarters, the
Associated Press says the company is opting to expand and promote its
Venturis desktop and HiNote notebook computers for businesses, although some
Digital machines will remain in stores.
DEC Vice President Bruce Claflin told the wire service, "Digital will center
its retail efforts on customers who buy PCs for home-professional or small
business applications." Analyst Bill Zinsmeister of International Data Corp.
commented the move makes sense to him because of growing competition in home
computers. He said that, while the Starion computers were of good quality,
Digital does not have the brand recognition of its competitors.
Said Zinsmeister, "Their strong accounts lie with resellers. They lie within
the business market. They were competing for the same shelf space as Compaq,
HP, Acer and Packard Bell."
Gateway Names President-COO
PC maker Gateway 2000 Inc. has named Richard D. Snyder its president and
chief operating officer. Snyder, 37, has worked at Gateway 2000 since 1991
and has served as a member of the company's board of directors since that
time. Most recently, Snyder served as executive vice president and chief
operating officer.
Gateway 2000 founder and CEO Ted Waitt says Snyder's new title more
accurately reflects the role he has played in the company for the past few
years. "Rick Snyder has emerged as one of the industry's most talented
leaders," says Waitt. "His leadership has become one of our greatest assets
and as president he will be in a position to utilize his talents to direct
the continued growth and operational efficiencies of the organization."
Gateway 2000's new president is a native of Michigan. Before joining the
direct market PC specialist, Snyder was a partner in the international
accounting and consulting firm of Coopers & Lybrand, where he directed the
firm's Chicago office mergers and acquisitions practice. Snyder also worked
for Coopers & Lybrand in their Detroit office.
Microsoft, MCI Form Online Deal
A venture to create a new player in the market for online products and
services has been launched through a broad strategic alliance between
Microsoft Corp. and MCI Communications Corp. "The pair will seek to overcome
rivals in online services by marketing widely the new Microsoft Network,"
reporters Jared Sandberg and Bart Ziegler write in this morning's Wall Street
Journal. They also will "take on companies that deliver customized
telecommunications and data services to people who use personal computers,"
the Journal adds.
The deal has left in question the future of MCI's existing online venture
with Rupert Murdoch's News Corp., which was announced with fanfare five
months ago. That service, originally expected to be launched last September,
has been delayed repeatedly. MCI Chairman Bert Roberts told Sandberg and
Ziegler the broad relationship with News Corp. "remains intact" but that MCI
will reduce its stake in the venture to a minority position. "Software giant
Oracle Corp. is expected to join the venture, diluting by a significant
amount MCI's stake in the MCI/News Corp. operation," the Journal writes.
At a news conference yesterday, Roberts and Microsoft Chairman Bill Gates
denied an insider's assertion that MCI had reduced its stake in its News
Corp. venture at Gates's behest. Meanwhile, Murdoch met for 15 minutes
yesterday with the online venture's employees in New York to reassure them
that the partners remained committed to the service. According to one
attender, Murdoch said "a very different business plan" would soon emerge
with Oracle. Observes the Journal, "Constant strategic shifts making foes of
friends and friends of foes are occurring as companies converge on the fast-
growing market for interactive services."
Associated Press writer Tim Klass reports key results of the MCI-Microsoft
alliance include the incorporation of MCI's logo into Microsoft's main
Windows operating software and MCI's adoption of Microsoft's Internet
Explorer product as its preferred software for finding information on the
World Wide Web. "Under the arrangement," says AP, "Microsoft will place an
MCI logo and software in its Windows program. By clicking on the symbol, a
user will get the chance to purchase MCI services like conferencing and
advanced capacity ISDN lines." Klass says MCI will market a customized
version of the Microsoft Network, "MSN from MCI," and use Microsoft server
software.
IBM to Acquire Tivoli Systems
IBM Corp. and Tivoli Systems Inc. say they have entered into a definitive
merger agreement. The deal, valued at $743 million, calls for IBM to offer
$47.50 for each of Tivoli's outstanding shares. Tivoli, based in Austin,
Texas, is a provider of systems management software and services that are
designed to help users reduce the cost and complexity of managing distributed
client/server networks.
Systems management software helps companies control their increasingly
complex networks of PCs, workstations and host computers and the applications
that run on them. Key functions performed by the software include network
management, performance monitoring, problem determination, and administrative
tasks such as new user authorization and software distribution. IBM says the
merger will combine Tivoli's advanced technology with its host-based systems
management products and global sales, service and support.
"As more and more customers exploit powerful computer networks for
competitive advantage, the need for systems management products to operate
and maintain these networks becomes critical," says IBM Chairman and CEO
Louis V. Gerstner Jr. "By combining our strengths, IBM and Tivoli can provide
customers an unmatched line of systems management solutions and services that
are open, easy to customize and scalable from small departments to the
largest global enterprises. This transaction greatly strengthens our position
in the emerging network-centric computing opportunity."
Novell Sells Applications Line
Novell Inc. says it will sell its business applications line to Corel Corp.
for approximately $115 million. The definitive agreement includes the
PerfectOffice application suite, WordPerfect word processing applications,
QuattroPro spreadsheet and related software. Additionally, Corel will license
Novell's GroupWise client software, Envoy electronic publishing software, and
other technologies from Novell for a minimum royalty obligation of $70
million over the next five years. The common stock Novell will receive
represents approximately 20 percent of Corel's current outstanding shares.
Novell is also entitled to nominate a candidate for Corel's board of
directors. The companies expect the agreement to close within 30 days,
conditional on government approval. Shareholder approval is not required by
either company. Less than two years ago, Novell paid about $1 billion for
the WordPerfect and Quattro products. "We are very enthusiastic about the
fit of these products within Corel's business," says Michael Cowpland,
Corel's CEO. "We believe they will strategically extend the solution value
that Corel brings customers worldwide." Corel says it will lease facilities
from Novell and hire certain Novell employees engaged in the continued
development and support of application products.
Computer Viruses Still Expanding
More than 1,400 new viruses threatened computer users during 1995, reports
anti-virus software publisher S&S Software International Inc. The
Burlington, Massachusetts-based firm notes that the total number of viruses
tallied by its researchers topped 7,400 by the end of the year, a 23.3
percent increase over 1994. "The most important events of the year, however,
were the emergence of macro viruses and the first-ever jailing of a computer
virus writer," says Alan Solomon, S&S's chairman. Macro viruses are a new
type of virus that use Microsoft Word to leap different operating systems and
infect both Windows and Macintosh computers.
The first macro virus, called Concept, was reported last August. The rogue
code -- also known as WinWord.Concept, WW6Macro and Prank Macro -- spread
worldwide by early September. The mid-November jailing of Christopher Pile,
a 26-year-old Briton who dubbed himself the "Black Baron" is "a milestone
that should start other virus writers thinking about a new career," says
Solomon. "Pile got nothing out of the viruses he wrote except 18 months in
prison." Pile was convicted for creating SMEG, a mutation engine that
encrypts viruses, changing them each time they infect a computer, making the
viruses harder to find and combat. Using SMEG, he also created the viruses
Pathogen and Queeg.
Americans Want Unregulated Internet
A new poll by Chilton Research Services Inc. finds that the majority of
Americans do not favor government regulation of the Internet. Only 39
percent of the people surveyed by the Radnor, Pennsylvania-based company said
they think the government should be involved in regulation of the Internet,
while 44 percent opposed government regulation; 16 percent had no opinion.
Females are only slightly more likely to favor government regulation than
males (40 percent versus 38 percent) while they are twice as likely as males
to be undecided on the issue (20 percent versus 11 percent).
"Even though we hear a lot about Americans complaining about pornography and
other threats from the Internet, these results suggests that Americans don't
necessarily think that government regulation is a good solution," says Carla
Sarett, head of Chilton's media and entertainment research branch. "In fact,
most Americans are ambivalent or negative about government involvement." The
survey, conducted by telephone between Jan. 10 and 14, polled a random sample
of 1,001 adults ages 18 and older. The survey has a margin of error of plus
or minus three percent.
Borland Tech Notes STR Infofile
Visual dBASE Known Problems
The following is a list of unexpected product behaviors known to exist in
Visual dBASE Version 5.5a (0.687). This information is provided by Borland
to enable developers to minimize their application coding, testing and
debugging time.
While Borland strives to create perfect software, the complexity of our
products will inevitably prevent 100 percent elimination of problems. This
list should enable you to identify which problems can be attributed to Visual
dBASE as opposed to your developed application.
A short description and proposed workaround for most noted behaviors is
provided. This information combined with the list of recent changes in the
5.5a Maintenance Upgrade Readme.TXT should enhance your continued development
efforts.
New problems that you may encounter can be reported to Borland by one of
three means:
1) Receive a Customer Problem Report (CPR) form via fax by dialing our
TechFax service, 800-822-4269 and requesting document number 8810,
2) Submit problems to SYSOP on the CompuServe forum, GO VDBASE or
3) via Technical Support phone lines (800-285-1118 or 900-555-1009).
Reference Number: 1
Description: The Lotus NotesLink VBX control that comes with Borland's
Delphi is not supported.
Workaround: None
Reference Number: 2
Description:
Using COPY TO to copy an InterBase table with a BLOB field containing binary
data to a .DBF table creates a Memo field rather than a Binary field.
Workaround:
Since the data from the Interbase BLOB field is correctly transferred to the
Memo field of the target dBASE table, you can modify the structure of the
target table adding a Binary field and then step through the records
transferring data from the Memo field to the new Binary field, e.g.
SET SAFETY OFF
SCAN
COPY MEMO <Memo field> TO TEMP.XXX
REPLACE BINARY <Binary field> FROM TEMP.XXX
ENDSCAN
Another method would be to use the Data Pump utility that comes with the
Visual dBASE Client/Server edition which allows you to specify the field
types that will be created in the target table on a per field basis.
Reference Number: 3
Description:
Using an ORDER BY clause in a SQL statement referencing a local table results
in a read-only result table.
Workaround:
Perform the SELECT without the ORDER BY clause and then use the dBASE SET
ORDER command.
Reference Number: 4
Description:
A Menu Item fails to dim at runtime when Enabled is set to false and THEN
the Text is changed .
Workaround:
Change the Text first and then change the Enabled to false.
Reference Number: 5
Description:
Long code-blocks (over 500 characters) can trigger the "Runtime buffer
overflow" error.
Workaround:
Use a Procedure call and a function pointer rather than a code-block in these
circumstances.
Reference Number: 6
Description:
If you APPEND FROM a text file (either SDF or DELIMITED format) into a table
that has more than 300 fields more
than once in succession, Visual dBASE can become unstable.
Workaround:
Exit Visual dBASE between successive APPEND FROM commands. Program
workaround available from Tech Support, the Web Support page (Utilities) or
CompuServe (dBASE Addons).
Reference Number: 7
Description:
If the <field list> argument of the BROWSE command is over 560 bytes in
length you will get a "Stack overflow" error.
Workaround:
Reduce the length of the <fields list> argument.
Reference Number: 8
Description:
Compiled applications only: executables cannot act as DDE servers.
Workaround:
Use the base product rather than a compiled application for your DDE server.
Reference Number: 9
Description:
With .DB (Paradox format) tables SET EXACT is not supported for a RELATION
that links a parent to a child
table in a one-to-many relationship. Therefore more children may be linked
to a single parent than expected
based on an EXACT match.
Workaround:
1) Establish linking keys that do not rely on matches specified by EXACT.
2) Use .DBF tables.
Reference Number: 10
Description:
For some table structures APPEND FROM <text file> TYPE SDF can fail with a
Database Engine error when the text file is longer than 150,000 lines.
Workaround:
APPEND FROM <file.txt> SDF FOR .T.
Reference Number: 11
Description:
In the Form Designer, if a control has a procedure linked to an event and you
delete the control and then Undo the delete, the link to the procedure is
not restored.
Workaround:
Re-link the procedure to the control's event after undoing a delete.
Reference Number: 12
Description:
Moving focus twice to an EntryField or SpinBox whose SelectAll property is
set to .F. positions the caret to the right of the control's value if the
value is numeric or if it's character and the first character is a space.
Workaround:
None.
Reference Number: 13
Description:
The Form Designer does not stream the Datalink property for a subclass of an
Entryfield.
Workaround:
z Set the datalink property in the OnOpen Event.
z Manually edit datalink property in the .WFM.
Note: Entry will be lost each time the .WFM is modified and saved in Design
mode/2 way tools.
Reference Number: 14
Description:
A SpeedTip property will not take affect if it is set after the control's
form is opened.
Workaround:
Include the SpeedTip property in the DEFINE statement for controls within the
parent form class definition.
Reference Number: 15
Description:
FLUSH will fail to immediately write buffered data to disk if AUTOSAVE is set
off.
Workaround:
SET AUTOSAVE ON before using FLUSH.
Reference Number: 16
Description:
With CUAENTER set OFF in your DBASEWIN.INI file Cut and Copy are not
available from menu items in the Table
Records window.
Workaround:
Use the SpeedButtons or keystroke methods of invoking Cut and Copy, or if
possible leave CUAENTER ON (the default).
Reference Number: 17
Description:
If a second session is opened in an event, closing a form attached to that
session will not end the session until the event concludes.
Workaround:
If you need to create a session within an event either;
z do not try to access the original session within the event or,
z move the CREATE SESSION to a separate procedure that the first event
calls.
Reference Number: 18
Description:
Changing focus to or from an EntryField or SpinBox that's DataLinked to a
PRIVATE memory variable can cause Visual dBASE to become unstable.
Workaround:
In general most controls will be Datalinked directly to fields from tables.
When you must link to a memory variable use a user defined property of the
form whenever possible. If the variable used for the datalink must have scope
beyond the form, use a PUBLIC variable.
Reference Number: 19
Description:
In the Form Designer with the Field Palette active, if you move to the
Command Window and issue a CLEAR ALL (or other command that closes the
table(s) which are displayed in the Field Palette) and then return to the
Field Palette, Visual dBASE can become unstable. This is only true if the
Form Designer and the Command Window are sharing the same session.
Workaround:
Make sure that the Form Designer is using its own session if you have to
issue global commands that might close needed tables.
Reference Number: 20
Description:
The font which is used when printing directly from Browse does not support
Cyrillic characters.
Workaround:
Use one of the other methods of printed output: LIST TO PRINT, REPORT FORM
etc. when you need to display data containing these characters.
Reference Number: 21
Description:
On Windows NT long filename creation is not supported for files (it does work
for directories).
Workaround:
Under Windows NT only create files using the short name format.
Reference Number: 22
Description:
Shape and Line objects are always added to page 1 of a form regardless of the
current page number in the Form
Designer.
Workaround:
To add a Line or a Shape to a form page other than page 1, first add the
object to page 1 and then change the object's PageNo property in the
Inspector.
Reference Number: 23
Description:
When using the TAGNO() function, if the .mdx file is named (second
parameter), then the tag (first parameter) won't match unless expressed in
uppercase.
Workaround:
In these conditions be sure to use uppercase for the name of the tag passed
as the first parameter.
Reference Number: 24
Description:
If you disable the first control in a form's OnOpen event the form loses
focus.
Workaround:
Call the form's SetFocus() method at the end of the form's OnOpen event.
Reference Number: 25
Description:
The following commands fail to create the tags in the production index file
when the <filename> contains the following international characters s,?, or
:
COPY TO <filename> WITH PROD
COPY STRUCTURE TO <filename> WITH PROD
Workaround:
Recreate the tags with the INDEX command after creating the new file.
Reference Number: 26
Description:
Windows 95 only: if the default printer is set to Microsoft Fax (WPSUNI)
Visual dBASE gives a "Invalid driver name ..." fails to load.
Workaround:
Under Windows 95 set your default printer to something besides Microsoft Fax.
Reference Number: 27
Description:
Maintenance release only: In a type 2 ComboBox, if the Datalink is to a
memory variable, typing a letter will not select the closest matching item
from the DropDown list.
Workaround:
Use the value property instead of a memory variable and do not Datalink the
ComboBox.
Reference Number: 28
Description:
OnChange event of a Browse control fires twice when changes to a record are
committed via interactive cursor movement.
Workaround:
If possible use the OnChange property of the Form.
Reference Number: 29
Description:
Compiler only: when you run a form with SHELL(.F.) that has been compiled to
an executable, the form opens with focus on the last control on the form.
Workaround:
Set focus to the first control on the form in the OnOpen event for the form.
Form.<control name>.SetFocus()
Reference Number: 30
Description:
Visual dBASE 5.5a only: If you have a Combobox Datalinked to a table with
SET KEY RANGE enforced and the Datasource set, the entry area does not
display the correct record.
Workaround:
Issue a GO TOP command in the workarea that contains the Datalinked field.
Reference Number: 31
Description:
You cannot create a rule using the Referential Integrity dialog for tables
that have spaces in a field name.
Workaround:
Assure that the field names do not have embedded spaces.
Reference Number: 32
Description:
CALCULATE CNT() on empty table returns 1 record.
Workaround:
IF RECCOUNT() >0
CALCULATE CNT() TO MVAR
ELSE
MVAR = 0
ENDIF
Reference Number: 33
Description:
"File | Print" from the Table Designer only prints one page regardless of how
many fields are in the structure, i.e. only 62 fields can print.
Workaround:
Issue the command "LIST STRUCTURE TO PRINT" at the Command window.
Adaptec Tech Notes STR Infofile
Installation Problems with 2940x and BIOS v1.2x
If during the installation of Windows NT, the operating system reports no
Host Adapter found or gives Stop Error code 0x0000007b "Inaccessible Boot
Device," follow one of the below procedures.
Suggestion for CD-ROM Installation:
Inaccessible boot device errors........possible solution
Copy the following files to Disk 3 from either the 7800 Manager Set or from
7800wnt.exe:
- disk1
- txtsetup.oem
- oemsetup.inf
- aic78xx.sys
After the Third disk is copied, the system will prompt you to remove the
floppy from drive A: and reboot
Use a DOS bootable disk and boot to DOS, copy the aic78xx.sys driver from the
7800 Manager Set or 7800wnt.exe file (for the version of NT you are
installing-3.1 or 3.5x) into $win_nt$.~bt directory
Remove the floppy from drive a:, and reboot....
The system should now boot to the GUI portion of the Installation. After
making the choices of File system, Host Adapter and general system info, the
system will reboot. At this time, use the DOS bootable floppy and boot to
DOS again. Go into the winnt35\system32\drivers directory, and check the
file date for aic78xx.sys. It should be the old driver dated 5-24-95. Copy
the new driver dated 8-14-95 or later into that directory and reboot.
Suggestion for Floppy Disk Installation:
Inaccessible boot device errors........possible solution
Copy the following files to Disk 3 from either the 7800 Manager Set or from
7800wnt.exe:
- disk1
- txtsetup.oem
- oemsetup.inf
- aic78xx.sys
After the Ninth disk is copied, the system will prompt you to remove the
floppy from drive A: and reboot. Use a DOS bootable floppy and boot to DOS,
copy the aic78xx.sys driver from the 7800 Manager Set or 7800wnt.exe (for
the version of NT you are installing 3.1 or 3.5x) into $win_nt$.~bt
directory.
Remove the floppy from drive a: and reboot.
The system should now boot to the GUI portion of the Installation. After
making the choices of File system, Host Adapter and general system info the
system will reboot. At this time, use the DOS bootable floppy and boot to
DOS again. Go into the winnt35\system32\drivers directory, and check the
file date on the aic78xx.sys. It should be the old driver dated 5-24-95.
Copy the new driver dated 8-14-95 or later into that directory and reboot.
Alternative Solution:
Depending on the amount of hard drive space available, this method might also
work. Boot to DOS with access to the cd-rom, create a temp directory on the
hard drive called I386. Copy all files from the I386 directory on the CD-
ROM to the I386 directory on the hard drive. After all files are copied,
delete the aic78xx.sys driver from the I386 directory created on the hard
drive and replace it will the aic78xx.sys driver dated 8-14-95. Then start
the floppiless install by typing winnt /b within the I386 directory on the
hard drive. This procedure will eliminate needing a DOS boot disk, copying
driver into the various directories.
February 1, 1996
A Message from Michael Cowpland,
President and CEO of Corel Corporation
Corel is proud to announce the acquisition of the WordPerfect family of
software programs. This catapults us to world's Number 2 independent
personal application software vendor right behind Microsoft, with a combined
user base of over 25 million.
The products we are getting from Novell are PerfectOffice for Windows;
WordPerfect for Windows, DOS, Mac and UNIX; QuattroPro for Windows, DOS;
Presentations for Windows, DOS; and InfoCentral. These products have
received accolades from the press, winning almost every review against
Microsoft and Lotus products.
The new Windows 95 versions, now in beta, look to be world beaters, with
super new features and powerful connectivity to the Internet. For example,
in Corel WordPerfect 7 you can directly publish home pages via HTML output.
Also, in Corel Quattro 7 you can go from any cell directly to any URL site on
the Internet and you can directly link tables and numbers from any home page
into your spreadsheet, an ideal feature for stock portfolios, price
quotations, etc.
Using Corel Presentations 7, you can play your slide shows directly onto the
web. The inclusion of GroupWise also gives Notes-like groupware power
combined with Internet capability.
These unique new features combined with Corel graphics and multimedia
content should make Corel PerfectOffice 7 Number 1 in power, value and
features when it is launched in April and enable Corel to leap ahead of the
current industry leader, Microsoft Office.
Our new partner Novell is Number 1 in the world in networking, with a user
base of 50 million clients and 5 million GroupWise installations, greatly
exceeding Notes' 3 million users. We expect an excellent on-going
collaboration with our new partner and we are tremendously excited by these
new arrivals to Corel's line-up of quality software.
Regards,
Mike Cowpland
Flow Control and NavCIS 1.76 STR Focus
NavCIS 1.76 & Flow Control
In the NavCIS 1.76 README.WRI file, we recommended that you use Software flow
control (aka XON/XOFF) in NavCIS. Soon after public testing began, many of
our users noticed that they were getting better results using Hardware flow
control (aka RTS/CTS). Based on further research and testing, we have
concluded that RTS/CTS is the optimal flow control for use in NavCIS 1.76 in
the majority of modem configurations.
Due to the structure of the CompuServe communications engine (which NavCIS
1.76 is using), you will need to set up Hardware flow control in two places:
(1) the CIS.INI file, and (2) the Modem Control Settings dialog box in
NavCIS.
Changing the CIS.INI file
First, let's start with the CIS.INI file. To set up NavCIS 1.76 to use
Hardware flow control, close any communications applications (e.g. NavCIS,
WinCIM, Mosaic) that you may have open. Then, open the CIS.INI file that
NavCIS 1.76 is using. To find out which CIS.INI file NavCIS 1.76 is using,
open NavCIS 1.76, select Configuration | Options | Directories and Capture,
and make a note of what is displayed in the "CServe:" field. This field will
show the directory where the CIS.INI file is located. Make sure you close
down NavCIS before proceeding with the modifications below. Please use a
text editor such as Windows Notepad to open and edit this CIS.INI file; do
NOT use a word processor.
Now, under each section in the CIS.INI file that begins with "[Connector",
type in this line:
FlowControl=3
For example, you should have an entry that looks like this:
[Connector (CIS Connection)]
FlowControl=3
And, for example, if you have previously created a Session called "Work" in
the Setup Session Settings window of NavCIS, it would look like:
[Connector (Work)]
FlowControl=3
Make sure you do this for all sections that begin with "[Connector".
Making Changes in Modem Control Settings
Now that you have the modified settings in the CIS.INI file, save and close
the file. Then, start NavCIS 1.76 and select Configuration | Session
Settings from the main menu bar. When the Setup Session Settings dialog box
appears, click on the Modem button on the right-hand side. This will bring
up the Modem Control Settings dialog box.
First, make sure that you have selected your modem (or a very similar model)
from the "Modem:" drop-down list. Then, look for the command in the
"Initialize:" box that turns on either Software or Hardware flow control for
your modem. Please consult your modem's manual for the flow control commands
(look for "Hardware", "Software", "RTS/CTS", or "XON/XOFF").
If you see the command that enables Hardware flow control (quite often
"&K3"), you won't need to change anything.
If you see the command to enable Software flow control (quite often "&K4"),
or no command for either Software or Hardware, please insert (at the end of
the string of commands) the command to enable Hardware flow control for your
modem, and then remove the command that enables Software flow control, if it
is present. Remember, your modem manual is your friend <g>.
Making the above changes will allow for the default Software flow control in
the CompuServe communications engine to be over-ridden, thus using the more
efficient Hardware flow control instead.
Note: If your modem still doesn't work properly after following the steps
above, please post a question to Section 7 in the Dvorak forum on CompuServe;
we'll be happy to help.
Legal stuff
(C)Copyright 1996 by Dvorak Development. All rights reserved. NavCIS is a
registered trademark of Dvorak Development. CompuServe is a registered
trademark of CompuServe, Inc.
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
EDUPAGE STR Focus Keeping the users informed
Edupage
Contents
Edupage In Romanian
German Prosecutors Target Internet
Racial Hatred
Online Service Providers Want Change
In UK Libel Law
Canada Backs Off On Blackout Threat
Notes Does The Net
IBM Drops OS/2-PowerPC Plans
IT Hot Buttons Get Hotter
Japanese Internet Users Are Night-
Owls
Ellerbee On Encarta
Bell & IBM Close To Deal In Canada
AOL Records Used To Solve Murder
Case
U.S. Postal Service Plans Digital
Services
Writing Contest
Oops! Math Counts In Spectrum
Auction
Microsoft & MCI Form Internet
Alliance
Internet Device Prototype Unveiled
New England, California Propose High-
Tech Partnership
The Web Host Interview
Visa Info On The Net
Cable Modem Trial Deemed Successful
Digital Abandons Consumer PC Market
Apple Research Freezes During
Reorganization
Explorer For Macintosh
Name That Communications Company!
IBM Buys Tivoli Systems
Corel Buys WordPerfect
Visa, Mastercard Agree On Electronic
Payment System
States Look To Outsourcing IS
Functions
China Suspends New Internet
Memberships
Fourth Estate Likes Cyberspace
"All The News That Fits The Web"
Netscape Agrees To Buy Insoft
Computer Viruses Have A Very Good
Year
How Cold Is Apple's Research Freeze?
Gates Kibitzes On Apple
Explorer For Macintosh
Educational Computing Costs?
Telecom Tax To Support CBC
Intel Price Cuts Will Affect PC
Costs And Power
EDUPAGE IN ROMANIAN
We are pleased to announce a Romanian edition of Edupage, which will be
produced and distributed by the Educational Advisory Centre of the Soros
Foundation in Cluj. Welcome to our Romanian readers of Edupage! Bun venit
cititorilor romani ai Edupage! To receive the Romanian edition of Edupage,
send mail to: astamatian@cluj.soros.ro. (Besides English, Edupage is now
available in French, German, Hebrew, Hungarian, Italian, Portuguese, Romanian
and Spanish editions.)
GERMAN PROSECUTORS TARGET INTERNET RACIAL HATRED
The Mannheim, Germany, prosecutor's office has launched an investigation of
CompuServe and Deutsche Telekom's T- Online service for inciting racial
hatred, a crime in Germany. At issue is online access to a Web site run by a
neo-Nazi extremist in Canada who uses the Internet to distribute anti-
Semitic propaganda. The legal reasoning, according to a prosecutor's office
spokesman, is that "because it's available over the Internet, it also can be
called up in Germany. Then the scene of the crime is all Germany."
Although the investigation is now limited to CompuServe and T-Online, there
are also several hundred small companies that provide Internet access in
Germany. (Wall Street Journal 26 Jan 96 B2)
ONLINE SERVICE PROVIDERS WANT CHANGE IN UK LIBEL LAW
Online providers CompuServe, Europe Online, and Microsoft Network are urging
the United Kingdom to rewrite its libel laws to ensure that an online
service provider will not be held responsible for libelous statements made by
subscribers unless the provider has been posted to its system and has "the
ability and the authority to prevent its publication, but fails to do so
within a reasonable time." (Financial Times 26 Jan 96 p7)
CANADA BACKS OFF ON BLACKOUT THREAT
Following President Clinton's support for the use of V-chip technology,
Canadian regulators backed away from threats to black out American
programming that fails to meet standards on violence. The American and
Canadian associations of broadcasters oppose the use of V-chips, arguing
largely on constitutional grounds. An industry official pointed out,
however, that advertising revenues are what is at stake: broadcasters are
concerned that once a rating is put in place, audiences might start to
diminish and advertising dollars along with them. (Toronto Financial Post 26
Jan 96 p7)
NOTES DOES THE NET
Analysts who predicted the demise of Lotus Notes as a result of the work-
sharing advantages of the Internet may have been a bit premature in their
estimations. In fact, the number of PCs using Notes has doubled in the past
six months to 4.5 million, and is expected to hit 20 million in 1998 -- the
break-even point for IBM's investment. "All the hype over the past six
months has done us a tremendous service by espousing the benefits of
collaboration," says Notes creator Ray Ozzie. Accordingly, Lotus has lowered
its price for desktop software to $69 -- "in browser country" says CEO
Michael Zisman -- and the company is concentrating on making new products
that enhance connections between Notes and the Internet. The first step is
persuading current users of the highly successful cc:Mail program to try
Notes for their e-mail, and sort of ease into the new product line from
there. "It's marketing simplicity," says an analyst with International Data
Corp. (Business Week 29 Jan 96 p70)
IBM DROPS OS/2-POWERPC PLANS
IBM has decided to abandon its three-year effort to create a version of its
OS/2 operating software for the PowerPC chip. A spokeswoman says, "Demand
hasn't developed for it the way we thought it would." Instead, IBM will
concentrate on developing OS/2 products for PCs that run on Intel chips.
(Wall Street Journal 26 Jan 96 B3)
IT HOT BUTTONS GET HOTTER
An Information Week survey shows that nearly 60% of CIOs queried plan to
boost information technology spending in 1996. Only 13% reported a planned
decrease. But the money won't go for more hardware (at least not networking
hardware)-- more than half the respondents said at least 75% of their 1996
budgets will go toward items other than equipment. And hot technologies
will get hotter. Nearly 75% said they'll use the World Wide Web and online
services this year, and all reported they'll be using client-server
technology. The Internet will be used by half. One VP at a high-tech
consulting firm put it this way: "To out-customize your competitors, you
have to beat them on IT." (Information Week 8 Jan 96 p28)
JAPANESE INTERNET USERS ARE NIGHT-OWLS
Due to significantly cheaper night-time phone rates, Web surfers in Japan do
most of their cruising after dark. "Two years ago I was the first
commercial Internet provider in Japan. Today there are 45 Internet service
providers in Tokyo alone," says the president of Global OnLine Japan, who
says his heaviest usage time is midnight. A Cisco Systems marketing manager
estimates growth of Internet hosts in Japan at 300% a year, and the annual
growth rate of online services is pegged at 50%. (Scientific American Jan
96 p36)
ELLERBEE ON ENCARTA
Joining journalist Michael Kinsley in the leap to the Net, "NBC News
Overnight" host Linda Ellerbee will work with Microsoft to create a monthly
online interview show available on the Encarta Encyclopedia Website
<http://www.microsoft.com/encarta >. The first "Encarta on the Record" show
will debut Feb. 21 at 9:30 p.m. EST. (Investor's Business Daily 29 Jan 96
A6)
BELL & IBM CLOSE TO DEAL IN CANADA
IBM Canada is poised to take over the multi-million dollar computer operation
at Bell Sygma in a move that will have a serious ripple effect throughout
Canada's computer services industry. In exchange, Bell will provide network
services for IBM's Advantis subsidiary. International Data Corp. says the
agreement effectively would make it impossible for foreign competitors to
win outsourcing business and would put IBM well ahead of competitors inside
Canada. (Toronto Globe & Mail 27 Jan 96 B1)
AOL RECORDS USED TO SOLVE MURDER CASE
Fairfax County, Va. police recently obtained a search warrant for electronic
files relating to participants in an American Online chat room in an effort
to solve a murder in New Jersey. The victim had met his alleged assailant
through a "men for men" chat room, and investigators say several other chat
room participants helped in disposing of the body. One of them, a 24-year-
old woman, is now charged with tampering with the evidence. An AOL
spokeswoman said that it is the company's policy to comply with subpoenas,
and that although it does not keep records from chat rooms, it does keep
records of e-mail for five days before they are purged. "We certainly
respect and abide by our customers' right to privacy, but we are also going
to follow the law. We have 4.5 million customers -- that's the size of a
city. When we have some problems, we have to deal with it responsibly."
(St. Petersburg Times 28 Jan 96)
U.S. POSTAL SERVICE PLANS DIGITAL SERVICES
Between 1988 and 1994, the U.S. Postal Service's market share of mail
delivery dropped from 77% to 62%, while market share for express delivery
services dropped from 4% to 2%, and market share for electronic alternatives
increased from 19% to 36%. To survive and prosper in the information age,
the Postal Service now has aggressive new plans for providing digital
services, including a hybrid service (carrying both e-mail and paper mail),
electronic shopping kiosks, and certified electronic mail. Postal executive
Richard Rothwell says: "In the future, when you buy cc:Mail, the box will
say, 'Postal Electronic Commerce Services-ready.' When you click on an icon,
it will invoke options such as electronic postmark, certificate, return
receipt and so forth." Gene Del Polito of the Advertising Mail Marketing
Association objects to the Postal Service's plans, saying: "Anyone that
competes with the Postal Service is at an enormous disadvantage. They don't
pay taxes, they are not subject to antitrust laws, and so forth."
(Computerworld 22 Jan 96 p1)
WRITING CONTEST
O'Reilly & Associates will publish winners of a $5,000 writing contest called
"Spider or Fly?" dealing with the general question: "Are we masters of the
Web or trapped in it?" and the relationships between technology and human
consequences. Info: < http://www.ora.com/staff/stevet/netfuture/ >.
OOPS! MATH COUNTS IN SPECTRUM AUCTION
During the C-block auction of digital wireless spectrum last week, Puerto
Rico-based PCS 2000 L.P. bid more than $180 million for the Norfolk, Va.
license, which had a required minimum bid of $18 million. An FCC spokeswoman
said another company, bidding for a Rockford, Ill. license, made a similar
error, offering $22 million instead of the minimum $2.3 million. Map
Wireless L.L.C. withdrew the Rockford bid, but could end up being liable for
the difference between $22 million and whatever bid prevails; PCS 2000
didn't withdraw before the deadline. "As far as we're concerned, they
submitted that bid," the spokeswoman says. (Multichannel News 29 Jan 96)
MICROSOFT & MCI FORM INTERNET ALLIANCE
Microsoft and MCI have formed an alliance in which MCI will be Microsoft's
primary distributor of the Microsoft Network online service, and MCI will
promote Microsoft's Internet browser software. In a related move, MCI is
reducing its 50% equity stake in a co-venture with Rupert Murdoch's News
Corporation to develop an online service. (New York Times 30 Jan 96 C2)
Meanwhile, Wal-Mart Stores Inc. reports it's formed a joint venture with
Microsoft to market all its goods over the Internet. (Investor's Business
Daily 30 Jan 96 A11)
INTERNET DEVICE PROTOTYPE UNVEILED
Sun Microsystems has debuted a prototype of its inexpensive desktop computer
that uses Sun's Java software to surf the Internet and browse corporate
networks. The device would cost more than $500 -- the much-talked-about
price point suggested for such a machine -- but Sun hasn't said exactly how
much more. Its Internet device includes a 110-megahertz chip, minimal
memory and a monitor, and is packed in a box that measures approximately
5"x9"x2". If Sun decides to go into commercial production, it will be
marketed as a low-maintenance alternative to the traditional office PC.
(Wall Street Journal 29 Jan 96 B3)
NEW ENGLAND, CALIFORNIA PROPOSE HIGH-TECH PARTNERSHIP
Citing similarities in their economic profiles, Senate leaders from New
England and California agreed the two regions should collaborate "to
articulate to this country a vision for where we ought to be putting our
economic and entrepreneurial energy," said Sen. John Kerry (D-Mass). Kerry
deplored the current trend toward cutting science-related programs: "It
doesn't make sense to be reducing basic science research by 30 percent... It
doesn't make sense to be struggling as we are to try to find a tax structure
that will encourage the kinds of investing that we need and the research we
need. Instead, we're stuck in a tax code that excites the wrong kinds of
investors." Sen. Edward Kennedy (D-Mass) echoed Kerry's sentiments and
proposed a number of objectives for the two regions, including maximizing the
strength of the telecommunications industry; maintaining the U.S. global
market share in semiconductors; exploiting U.S. dominance in medical
research; creating new economies of scale in biotechnology; and developing
new markets for fiber optics. (BNA Daily Report for Executives 26 Jan 96
A19)
THE WEB HOST INTERVIEW
In tandem with the exploding number of World Wide Web sites, the number of
hosts is multiplying at an equally astonishing rate. Dallas consultant
James Gaskin suggests some questions you should ask your prospective Web host
before you sign on the dotted line: How much bandwidth is available, and by
what means are Web servers connected upstream to the Internet? (The closer
your provider is to the Internet backbone, the better response your clients
will receive.) What kind of fault tolerance is installed? (How long will
your host server be down in case of technical problems?) What kind of
reporting does the company provide, and in how much detail? (Some companies
provide numbers of hits at only three levels -- fewer than 1,000, up to
5,000, and above 5,000 hits a month.) How does it handle naming Web sites?
(Look for one that will let you call your site "www.yourcompanyname.com.")
And remember, "You can never be too rich, too thin, or have too much
bandwidth." (Information Week 22 Jan 96 p60)
VISA INFO ON THE NET
Visa customers who use the Block Financial Corp. card, called WebCard Visa,
now can look up information about their account on the Web. Cardholders can
track current account activity, review past balances and check to see whether
a payment has been received. The card is issued by Columbus Bank and Trust
Co. based in Columbus, Ga. (St. Petersburg Times 29 Jan 96 p8)
CABLE MODEM TRIAL DEEMED SUCCESSFUL
A marketing trial of high-speed cable modem service conducted by Time Warner
subsidiary Paragon Cable has shown virtually no churn among its 200 test
participants and the waiting list is still about 300 customers long.
"There's a real business here," concludes Paragon's general manager.
Elmira, NY cable customers paid a $30 installation charge and a $25 fee to
receive Zenith modem units that provided access to a local database and to
the Internet. Building on their success, Paragon plans to take the service
commercial in Elmira at the end of March, and Time Warner is scouting out
other likely locations for pilot programs. (Broadcasting & Cable 29 Jan 96
p48)
DIGITAL ABANDONS CONSUMER PC MARKET
Digital Equipment Corporation has decided to discontinue development of its
Starion line of consumer-oriented PCs, and focus instead on selling PCs to
businesses. (Atlanta Journal-Constitution 30 Jan 96 D3)
APPLE RESEARCH FREEZES DURING REORGANIZATION
While a reorganization plan is being prepared for presentation to Apple's
Board of Directors next week, the company has put a freeze on research
spending. There continues to be speculation that Apple will be acquired by
another company, and Apple is now said to be exploring the interest of IBM
and Motorola. (New York Times 30 Jan 96 C1)
EXPLORER FOR MACINTOSH
Microsoft has released a beta test version of Microsoft's Internet Explorer
for the Macintosh:
< ttp://microsoft.com/windows/ie/mac/macdl.htm >. (New York Times 30 Jan 96
B8)
NAME THAT COMMUNICATIONS COMPANY!
And now!!! -- from the same advertising industry that brought you "AirTouch
Communications Inc." !!! -- Sprint's new cellular unit will be called "360
Degrees Communications Co." (Investor's Business Daily 29 Jan 96 A6)
IBM BUYS TIVOLI SYSTEMS
IBM is buying Tivoli Systems, an Austin, Texas-based company that produces
software that helps automate the management and maintenance of
"client/server" computer networks comprising a large number of PCs "served"
by a central machine that holds and distributes information and programs.
In explaining the acquisition of Tivoli, an IBM executive says: "These
networks are powerful, but they can also become very complex and labor
intensive. All major corporations are trying to control the costs of their
client-server projects." (New York Times 1 Feb 96 C8)
COREL BUYS WordPerfect
Ottawa-based Corel predicts its bargain-basement purchase of WordPerfect from
Novell for $185-million will allow the company to triple its sales, boost
Corel to second place in the world among makers of "people-productive
software," and take on number one Microsoft. (Toronto Globe & Mail 1 Feb 96
B1)
VISA, MASTERCARD AGREE ON ELECTRONIC PAYMENT SYSTEM
Visa International and MasterCard International have reached a truce over
competing systems for processing Internet transactions, and will work
together on a new technology called Secure Electronic Transactions that will
allow software developers for World Wide Web sites to incorporate a standard
system for accepting credit-card payments. "There will be a specification
that's open for anyone to implement completely free of charge," says the
chief scientist at Netscape, which had been working with MasterCard on its
own system. "This is the right step for the industry to take, and we're
really happy we're finally solving this problem." (Wall Street Journal 1 Feb
96 B2)
STATES LOOK TO OUTSOURCING IS FUNCTIONS
State officials in Iowa will decide in the next few weeks whether to
outsource their information systems, and other states are watching their
deliberations carefully. As many as 17 states, and countless local
governments, are looking at outsourcing as a way to control costs while
providing better service. In addition, there's a strong desire to centralize
disparate systems that are run independently by dozens of agencies, often
with union employees. Michigan is currently addressing some of these
problems, consolidating its data centers and outsourcing its desktop computer
management to EDS. Meanwhile, its financial management and employment
security commission systems are run on a mainframe at IBM's Integrated
Systems Solutions Corp. (Information Week 22 Jan 96 p70)
CHINA SUSPENDS NEW INTERNET MEMBERSHIPS
Chinese authorities have decided to temporarily suspend new Internet
memberships, attributing the move to technical problems. But in a meeting
last month with Premier Li Peng, officials declared it was "imperative" to
develop new Internet controls. Industry insiders say China's future plans
include building a centrally administered Internet backbone that would allow
more oversight of e-mail and other activities. Meanwhile, Chinese businesses
can use China Internet -- a sort of "intranet" administered by former U.S.
businessman James Chu -- to access selected Web sites and databases, and to
set up their own home pages and trade information. (Wall Street Journal 31
Jan 96 A1)
FOURTH ESTATE LIKES CYBERSPACE
A survey by the Columbia University School of Journalism and Middleberg &
Associates found that more than two-thirds of journalists polled use the
Internet or commercial online services to track breaking news or do research,
and almost 25% go online every day. Daily journalists are the most likely
to be Net surfers. More than half of the respondents favored phasing out
paper press releases, preferring online versions. The publishing industry is
responding to the online revolution as well - more than three-fourths of the
newspapers and magazines represented in the study plan online editions, up
from 54% last year. (Investor's Business Daily 1 Feb 96 A10)
"ALL THE NEWS THAT FITS THE WEB"
The New York Times launched its long-awaited Web site recently, featuring
updated news, real estate and job classifieds, and the crossword puzzle.
There's also a CyberTimes section that focuses on technology topics.
<http://www.nytimes.com > (Broadcasting & Cable 29 Jan 96 p49)
NETSCAPE AGREES TO BUY INSOFT
Netscape, riding the wave of higher-than-expected fourth quarter profits, has
agreed to acquire InSoft Inc. in a $161- million stock swap. Netscape plans
to use InSoft's audio and video networking standards in its Netscape Web-
browsing and site-building products. (Wall Street Journal 1 Feb 96 B2)
COMPUTER VIRUSES HAVE A VERY GOOD YEAR
More than 1,400 new computer viruses were detected last year, boosting the
number of known viruses by 23%, to 7,400, according to S&S Software
International, a maker of anti-virus software. The company says its research
team confronts 150 to 200 new viruses each month. (Investor's Business
Daily 1 Feb 96 A10)
HOW COLD IS APPLE'S RESEARCH FREEZE?
In a story suggesting that reports of Apple's death may be exaggerated,
MacWeek says that the research freeze that was announced by Apple's senior
vice president of R&D was not as dire as reported by "a negative press."
MacWeek says that the vice president's memo "did not call for a freeze in
any spending category. The memo encouraged managers to examine their
outflows and to determine what are necessities." (MacWeek Online 30 Jan
1996)
GATES KIBITZES ON APPLE
Microsoft CEO Bill Gates says about Apple's current woes: ''I think that the
tendency when people look at Apple is to sort of put their business school
hat on and think, 'Well, there must be some business school approach here
that's missing. All business strategies depend on a certain rate of
execution, a certain rate, in this case, of engineering innovation." Gates
thinks Apple's strategies " could actually work if their pace of engineering
had been adequate. ... Let's say Copland [the next Apple operating system,
still in development] was shipping today, then Apple could devote more to
some of the Internet things that could be very useful to them. So, I think
it's too easy to talk about these things in pure business school-type
theory.'' (San Jose Mercury Center News 31 Jan 96)
EXPLORER FOR MACINTOSH
Microsoft has released a beta test version of Microsoft's Internet Explorer
for the Macintosh: <http://www.microsoft.com/windows/ie/mac/macdl.htm >.
(New York Times 30 Jan 96 B8) ... Corrected URL from Edupage 30 Jan 96
EDUCATIONAL COMPUTING COSTS?
Will networked computers reduce school computing costs? Some say no. The
president of Cambridge, Mass.-based Learningways, an online curriculum
delivery service, says: "The issue is that someone must provide storage. It
has to be there, one way or another -- either you'll pay for it as part of
the hardware costs up front or as a service fee down the road." (Electronic
Learning Jan/Feb 96 p8)
TELECOM TAX TO SUPPORT CBC
A task force examining the future of the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation
contends the TV network can maintain all current services and networks,
eliminate most commercials, dump all American programming, increase Canadian
content and still save the government $800-million annually, but it would
cost consumers an extra $4 to $9 monthly through a special tax on cable,
phone and satellite services. (Toronto Globe & Mail 1 Feb 96 A1 & A13)
INTEL PRICE CUTS WILL AFFECT PC COSTS AND POWER
Intel says it plans to cut prices drastically on its microprocessor chips, so
that a computer that costs $3,000 today can be bought for $1,200 by the end
of the year. Entry-level machines by that time may be powered by chips that
run as fast as 133 megahertz. (Atlanta Journal-Constitution 1 Feb 96 E3)
Edupage is written by John Gehl (gehl@educom.edu) & Suzanne Douglas
(douglas@educom.edu).
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Kids Computing Corner
Frank Sereno, Editor
The Kids' Computing Corner
edited by Frank Sereno
At the recent Consumer Electronics Show, The Learning Company announced four
new educational software titles scheduled for late winter or spring release.
These new programs cover a variety of subject matter and a wide age range of
users.
Reader Rabbit's Reading Development Library 3 will be the first title
available. Children ages five to eight will read and enjoy two classic
tales, The Princess and the Pea and The Goose That Laid the Golden Egg. Each
story will be told from three perspectives, that of a narrator (Reader
Rabbit) and those of two characters in the story. Children can read along
with the computer narration or read independently. Each page is beautifully
illustrated and animated. This program will be available for both Macintosh
and Windows computers at an estimated price of $50.
Next, The Learning Company is introducing Ultimate Writing & Creativity
Center. Designed for children ages six to ten, this program gives children a
full-featured word processor along with a paint program and a multimedia
presentation theater. The word processor includes a spell-checker, thesaurus
and numerous fonts. The package also includes 650 clip art pictures and 40
animations. To inspire children's creativity, a Prewriting section is filled
with more than 1000 writing projects and ideas. Retail price is estimated to
be $50 and the program will be available in Spring '96 for both Windows and
Macintosh computers.
Most people are familiar with the three R's, reading, `riting and `rithmatic.
So naturally, the next program is the Interactive Math Journey. Developed
for children ages six to nine, Interactive Math Journey is an open-ended
exploration of ten worlds and twenty-five activities. Tally the Math Cat and
Pop the Math Explorer will lead children through the sequenced activities
with progressive difficulty levels. The program was designed with the
participation of classroom teachers and follows guidelines from The National
Council of Teachers of Mathematics. This program will be available in Spring
'96 and will retail for $99. A school edition will follow in the summer.
Interactive Math Journey is the first in the new Math ExplorersT Series.
The Learning Company also announced Logic QuestT, a 3-D first-person game
which combines learning with medieval adventure. The program uses the award-
winning educational content of Think Quick!r and combines it with the latest
in 3-D graphics technology. Children develop numerous thinking skills
including logic, problem solving, strategic thinking, planning, mapping and
spatial awareness as they solve puzzles and navigate mazes. They can also
construct their own 3-D worlds using the included creativity tools. Logic
Quest is the first title in the 3-D Thinking Game Series. This program will
only be available for IBM compatible computers running Windows 3.1 or greater
and will be available this spring for $45.
Score Builder for the SAT
Separate CD-ROM versions for Windows and Macintosh
for ages 14 and up
estimated retail price $60
The Learning Company
6493 Kaiser Drive
Fremont, CA 94555
510-792-2101
http://www.learningco.com
Program Requirements
IBM Macintosh
CPU: 486/25 CPU: 68030
RAM: 4 megs RAM: 4 megs
OS: Windows 3.1 OS: System 7.0.1
Video: 640 by 480 with 256 colors Video: 256
colors
Hdisk: ? Hdisk:
?
CD-ROM: Double-speed recommended CD-ROM: Double-speed
recommended
Misc.: Sound card
Though its importance has been de-emphasized over the years, a student's SAT
scores can still have an impact on his entry into the college of his choice
and his first year curriculum. Score Builder for the SAT gives students the
opportunity to study materials and to learn techniques which will improve
their scores. While the program can't guarantee a double 800 score, students
can make significant strides if they are willing to do the work recommended.
Score Builder opens with a scratchy recording of Pomp and Circumstance, but
soon we hear the needle scratching the record and the music becomes high
energy rock with heavy metal guitars. Obviously, this program is catered
toward teens. This program should make them feel right at home.
Speaking of homes, the interface for the program features the electronic home
of Dr. Gary Gruber, a noted expert on SAT and PSAT tests. He serves as the
host and guide of the program. He is assisted by two friendly tutors, Maia
and Rance, who will use audio and visual presentations to teach math and
verbal skills along with techniques for solving test questions.
The program begins with a thorough introduction to the interface of the
program and the teaching concepts that will be used to increase your
knowledge and skills. If you need help within the program, you can click on
an "800" icon. The first step toward improving your SAT score is to fill out
the Goals questionnaire. Based on past performance, your future expectations
and the time before the next SAT test, the program will state how many hours
per week that you must study to meet your goals. To raise my test scores by
an average of 100 points in two months, the program estimated I needed to
spend twelve hours per week studying with Score Builder. The next step in
using Score Builder is to take the four untimed Gruber assessment tests.
These tests are used by the program to design a custom study plan to
strengthen your knowledge.
Once the study plan has been designed, you can access it by opening the
notebook. It has several tabs marking sections containing items finished,
items to do, a dictionary with prefix and root guides, and a math reference
guide. To start studying, click the TO DO tab, then double-click on a
lesson. Each lesson is presented with audio and visual aids along with
sample problems for practice. Maia and Rance are very friendly and they
provide plenty of encouragement. If you answer a practice problem
incorrectly, they will show you how to correctly solve the problem. Lessons
are also included on intelligent guessing, divining the meaning of words, the
process of elimination and more. The lessons are interesting, informative
and entertaining.
Three practice tests are given after each third of the study plan has been
completed. These tests are timed and can be used to gauge your progress
toward your stated goals. To make these tests as much like the real test as
possible, the tests are on booklets and include answer grids to fill in.
Each test takes 2-1/2 hours, just like the real SAT test. These timed
practice tests should help nervous students to be more relaxed at the SAT
test.
Score Builder for the SAT does exactly what it is designed to do. It gives
students the means to increase their SAT test scores in a structured, yet
entertaining way. The program also has value in that it teaches important
math concepts and increases vocabulary. The test-taking techniques should
prove useful for most multiple choice tests. Backed by an outstanding 30-day
moneyback guarantee, Score Builder for the SAT is an excellent value and it
is simply the best program of its genre.
Ratings
Graphics . . . . . . . . . 9.0
Sound . . . . . . . . . . . 9.0
Interface . . . . . . . . . 9.5
Play Value . . . . . . . . 8.5
Educational Value . . . 9.0
Bang for the Buck . . . 9.0
Average . . . . . . . . . . 9.0
MICROSOFT OCEANS
Windows CD-ROM
Suggested Retail Price - $59.95
Microsoft
One Microsoft Way
Richmond, WA 98052-6399
206-882-8080
Program Requirements
CPU: 486SX
RAM: 4 MB
OS: Windows 3.1 (Win 95 recommended)
Video: 640 x 480, 256 colors
HDISK: 8 MB
CD-ROM: Double-speed
Misc.: Sound card, mouse
Review by Donna Lines
Like many programs in the Microsoft Home series, Microsoft Oceans is
edutainment at it's best. This program will educate, entertain and fascinate
children of all ages (including adults).
Oceans packs 100 video clips, 1,000 photos, 1,000 audio clips, 100,000
definitions, plus 40 Screen Saver images (compatible with Microsoft Scenes -
available separately, $24.95 Suggested Retail) onto one CD-ROM.
Oceans provides one click access to its main features on the menu bar at the
bottom of the screen. Each screen provides many options for further
exploration for hours of entertainment. You'll also enjoy the guest
creatures that frolic across your screen at various intervals. (If you get
weary of their antics, just click on Options, Audio/Video and turn off the
animations.)
If you want a glimpse of the many species that live in and around the ocean,
just click on Marine Life. Choose from several categories of animals, such
as fish, mammals, reptiles or sponges, etc.
The World of Water icon gives you the opportunity to see how the environment
affects the oceans and marine life. In addition you can view information
specific to all six of the world's oceans (including the Mediterranean Sea).
Finally, click on Wonders Down Under to see special creatures and their
unique talents, such as producing their own light or the ability to shoot out
clouds of "smoke."
People and the Sea provides information on explorers of the past,
oceanography, shipwrecks, and the history of ships and submarines.
Choose Guides and select one of the six characters to give you a guided tour
of the ocean from their prospective. Choose from an Oceanographer, Rescue
Worker, Solo Sailor, 18th Century Seaman, Scuba Diver, or an Alien Visitor.
(That last character sure is a stretch, but maybe your kids will be amused.)
Oceans also includes 17 interactive activities including games and quizzes.
You'll bump into these activities while exploring the many topics, but a
quicker way to access them is by using the Index. Activities are indicated
by a beach ball. Check out the activity called "How Big Does It Get" if you
like scaring yourself just before bedtime.
Throughout the program a lesson is being subtly taught...things cannot
continue as they have. Overfishing, pollution, etc., are having a devastating
effect on our oceans and marine life and the damage is irreparable. A
portion of the purchase price of this product helps support the World
Wildlife Fund - a nonprofit organization of thirty years. You are even given
an opportunity to become a member of the WWF. Some folks may find this a bit
out of the realm of a software package's purpose and find it in terribly bad
taste. Others may welcome the opportunity to participate in the WWF and it's
worthwhile cause.
Overall, I recommend Oceans. The only drawback I found was the audio was a
little choppy on my system. There are lots of beautiful photographs and the
videos are very well done. It's an educational, yet fun program sure to
please every family member.
Muppet Software Contest
The deadline is past for the software giveaway and the two winning names have
been drawn. The first prize winner is Walt Johnson. He will receive his
choice of either Muppet Reading & Phonics or More Muppet Reading & Phonics.
The second prize winner is William Tiller and he will receive the title not
chosen by Mr. Johnson. I thank everyone who sent in entries and I wish you
better luck in the next contest, whenever that may be.
That's all for this week's installment. Thank you for reading this humble
prose.
Atari Interactive - software/Jaguar/Computer Section
Dana Jacobson, Editor
>From the Atari Editor's Desk "Saying it like it is!"
It's been a fairly quiet week, for a change. It appears that the news
of Atari's demise is still a bit premature. While things in Sunnyvale are
still hectic with all of the restructuring, life is apparently still going
on. I could add to the speculation, but I really don't see any point at the
present time. It must be old age setting in...
We're still getting responses from our request for articles, reviews,
etc. Most responses are coming from Europe, which is interesting. I've
"talked" with a couple of folks in the UK and we should start to see some
articles later on in the month. And yes, the CDROM articles are still "in
progress" I wish that there was more time in the day to sink into them.
Speaking of time, I've finally realized that it's time to again
reevaluate some of my needs with regard to "things Atari". In the recent
past, I've added a Falcon to my "collection" of Atari computers. Added a
CDROM setup and things have progressed nicely. I've been running a BBS since
late 1987 on one of my first 520 ST machines, using MichTron BBS as my
personal choice for software. I've been debating (mostly with myself!)
switching BBS software since I haven't seen more than an occasional note
regarding a software upgrade for MichTron. One of the compelling reasons
keeping me from switching software has been the work that will be involved in
converting all of my work to the new system, learning a new system, and a
number of other factors.
Well, the rationalizations have dissipated and I've [finally] accepted
the fact that it's time to move on. Toad Hall BBS will get a new look
shortly (RATSoft BBS); and even the hardware supporting it will be replaced.
If all goes as planned, we'll be running Toad Hall on a Falcon with at least
a gigabyte of storage as well as CDROM capabilities. At least one 14.4 line
and the hopes that the rumors for multiple phone line support becomes a
reality. We'll still be supporting multiple platforms, but our focus has
always been Atari support, including the local Atari user groups. We also
have a large Amiga community which should also flourish with the update and
expansion of the system. I'm actually finally getting excited about the
change something I didn't feel would happen. We'll also be looking to do
some networking something we've had in the past via some homegrown
programming (MNET), but has died out as other MichTron systems faded away.
So, once this all becomes a reality, we'll keep you tuned in. We'll still be
an online support spot for the online community; and STReport will continue
to flourish in this northeast corner of the country!
Well, that's my "good" news for this week. It's fun to get excited
about a new project. It'll be a lot of work, but I'm looking forward to the
new challenge. I hope that you'll drop by and say hello!
Until next time...
Toad Computers Announces New E-Mail Mailing Lists
Toad Computers is pleased to announce two new email mailing-lists aimed
specifically at Atari owners. They're called ST News and Jag News and
they're the best way to get timely information about the latest products for
the Atari ST/TT/Falcon computers and the Jaguar and Lynx Game Systems,
respectively.
To subscribe, simply send email to:
majordomo@lists.toad.net OR majordomo@lists.toad.net@INET#
(from Genie) and include the following line in the body text:
subscribe stnews OR subscribe jagnews
For more information about the list before you subscribe, use this line in
the body text:
info stnews OR info jagnews
ST News and Jag News are moderated lists and will only contain posts from
Toad Computers staff. You won't get a huge volume of email - probably one to
three messages per week on average. Posts will be sent directly to the email
address you use to subscribe to the list -- on any online service from Genie
to Compuserve to AOL. The beauty of an email mailing list is that it is
simple -- it does not matter what service you have or whether you have a
graphical web browser.
ST News and Jag News will also contain special prices and promotions that
will be available only to list members. Several hundred people have already
subscribed to both ST News and Jaguar News, and we hope you can join us too!
Please subscribe. It's free, of course, and you can always unsubscribe by
sending "unsubscribe stnews" OR unsubscribe jagnews" in the body text of a
message to majordomo@lists.toad.net. We think that whether you're a customer
of ours or not, you'll find our news service to be the best in the Atari
community. We firmly believe that the best way to make a sale is to tell the
truth, and ST News and Jag News will never contain anything other than what
we have verified to be true. We look forward to seeing you!!
Dave Troy
ST & Jag News List Administrator
David Troy --- ToadNet Information Services [dave@toad.net]
Toad Computers, Inc. (800) 448-8623 Orders America's Atari Source
(410) 544-6943 Info WEB: http://www.toad.net/ (410) 544-1329 FAX
FTP: ftp://ftp.toad.net/ (410) 544-0098 FAX-Back
Homa Systems STR Infofile
HOMA SYSTEMS HOUSE
For immediate release:
ATARI CD MASTER: INFOPEDIA V2.0 ENCYCLOPEDIA DRIVER
Homa Systems House is proud to announce the addition of an encyclopedia
driver to its range of Multimedia CDROM drivers, the ATARI CD MASTER.
INFOPEDIA V2.0 was released for the PC Platform in December of 1995; it is
barely one month old. INFOPEDIA V2.0 has been rated by popular PC magazines
as one the best encyclopedia & multimedia reference tools. It contains the
complete 29 volume FUNK & WAGNALLS NEW encyclopedia, with almost 27000
entries and 8000 photo and sound clips. It also contains Hammonds World Atlas
and the 1995 World Almanac & Book of Facts, and more!
ATARI CD MASTER:
INFOPEDIA v2.0, supports all of the above mentioned features, with its
unique, easy to use and modern interface.
z You have access to all of the encyclopedia entries almost
instantaneously (it is actually several times faster than the PC version in
accessing the entries)
z All the photos and sound clips are "LINKED" the their appropriate
article
z Articles are linked to over 10000 TIMELINE entries
z Powerful Search feature allows searching the entries for any keyword,
with "narrowing down" option
z Photos are viewable on any ATARI computer at 2, 16 & 256 colors
z Sound clips can be played on ATARI STE or better
z Save and Print
z Fully multitasking
Interface:
z One main window
z 6 TEXT windows with BOLD and Italicized text effects, where necessary
z One picture window
z One tools window which allows picture selection, sound selection,
reference selection, and ...
z Modern 3D interface on computers with at least 16 colors
z Flying dialog boxes
System Requirements:
z Any ATARI Computer with 4 Megabytes of RAM, Hard disk (3 MB free) and a
monitor capable of at least 640x400 in monochrome.
z Recommended system : TT030/FALCON 030 with 8/16 Megs of RAM and
resolution of 800x600 in 256 colors (and a hard disk of course).
Prices:
US$ CAN$
ATARI CD MASTER, INFOPEDIA V2.0 34.95 48.95
INFOPEDIA V2.0 CD-ROM 59.95 79.95
Driver and Encyclopedia combo 84.95 118.95
* shipping is included in the price. Taxes are extra, where applicable. *
Method of payment: VISA/MC (3.5% surcharge), cash, money order, certified
cheque.
We strongly recommend everyone to buy the DRIVER and CD-ROM combo (from your
nearest ATARI dealer, or directly from Homa Systems House) That way we can
assure exact CD-ROM match for the driver, since the CD-ROM is very new.
HOMA SYSTEMS HOUSE
P.O.BOX 52127
OTTAWA, ON K1N 5S0
CANADA
TEL: (613)722-0901
FAX: (613)722-9061
EMAIL:
GENIE: NIMA
INTERNET: aa414@freenet.carleton.ca
* INFOPEDIA v2.0 is trademark of Softkey Multimedia Inc.
The Funk & Wagnalls New encyclopedia, The World Almanac and Book of FACTS
1995 are copyrights of Funk & Wagnalls Corp. Hammonds Atlas is copyright of
Hammond Inc. All rights reserved.
Jaguar Section
All's Quiet...
NBA Jam Codes!
Mindscape!
>From the Editor's Controller - Playin' it like it is!
As I mentioned in my opening remarks, it's been really quiet this past
week. I don't know if that good news, or bad. I'll lean toward good news.
People are still working at Atari; I've been talking to a few the past couple
of weeks they are busy. Things are moving ahead. I'd say business as usual,
but I wouldn't say things are back to "normal".
I do know that Defender 2000 will be arriving in Sunnyvale on the 9th.
The folks at Atari do not anticipate anything that will keep this from
happening. The long awaited (and likely final) Minter translation for the
Jaguar is almost here. This new game should generate a LOT of excitement for
the Jaguar community; I'm looking forward to playing it myself!
We're still waiting for an update to the game release schedule from
Atari. We do know that there has been some shuffling around of release dates
and a lot of other changes. That was one reason why we didn't print the
schedule in last week's issue. We hope that the new schedule will be
finalized soon and we can include it next week.
The latest batch of reviews are almost finished; we hope to have a few
of them next week, as well. We also are waiting for the latest CD games to
arrive, as well as Space Ace and Defender 2000. So, stay tuned as it's going
to be exciting with regard to the number of reviews slated to appear in these
pages in upcoming issues. Other than that, there's very little to report
this week. It's one of those rare weeks, in the dead of winter, that the
news is slow. It's a good time to sit by the fire, turn on the Jaguar, and
play your favorite game or two. It's also going to be a typical winter
weekend for most of the country another good reason to stay in and relax!
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.
J9089 NBA Jam TE $69.99 Atari Corp.
Zoop $49.99 Atari Corp.
Space Ace $59.99 Readysoft
Available Soon
CAT # TITLE MSRP DEVELOPER/PUBLISHER
Defender 2000 TBA Atari Corp.
Fight For Life TBA Atari Corp.
...Mutant Penguins $59.99 Atari Corp.
World Tour Racing TBA Atari Corp
Breakout 2000 $49.99 Atari Corp.
Max Force $59.99 Atari Corp.
J9021 Brett Hull Hockey $69.99 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!
Mindscape Names New Chief
John Moore, former CEO of children's book publisher Western Publishing Co.
Inc., has been named the new CEO of software publisher Mindscape Inc. A
statement from Novato, California, notes Moore is familiar to Mindscape's
London-based owner Pearson Plc, because before Western Publishing, he was
president of Penguin USA, which also is part of the Pearson group. "It is
especially pleasing to have attracted John Moore back to the Pearson group,"
says Frank Barlow, Pearson's managing director. Before joining Penguin in
1991, Moore spent 10 years running toy and game company Parker Brothers. At
Mindscape, chairman Bob Lloyd, the former CEO, will continue as the company's
non-executive chairman.
Jaguar Cheats, & Hints STR InfoFile Solving Those Riddles!
>From CompuServe's Atari Gaming & Video Games Central Forums comes these NBA
Jam TE codes, courtesy of Larry Tipton:
Note: Remember to turn off tournament mode before entering codes.
Adisak / High Voltage Programmer
--------------------
Enter initials: "ALP" using Option+C, Option+B, Option+A.
Larry Bird
--------------------
Enter initials: "BRD" using Option+A, Option+C, Option+A.
Bill Clinton
--------------------
Enter initials: "CIC" using Option+B, A,B, or C,
Option+A.
DJ Jazzy Jeff
--------------------
Enter initials: "JAZ" using Option+A, Option+A, Option+C.
Hugo, the Hornets' Mascot
--------------------
Enter initials: "HGO" using Option+A, Option+C, A, B, or C.
Baby Body Code
---------------------
At "Tonight's Matchup" screen, enter the following:
B, A, B, Up, Down, Left, Right
Enjoy!
--Larry T./Ass't Sysop
Special Notice!! STR Infofile
File format Requirements for Articles
File Format for STReport
All articles submitted to STReport for publication must be sent in the
following format. Please use the format requested. Any files received that
do not conform will not be used. The article must be in an importable word
processor format for Word 7.0.. The margins are .05" left and 1.0" Monospaced
fonts are not to be used. Please use proportional fonting only and at eleven
points.
z No Indenting on any paragraphs!!
z No underlining!
z Column Format shall be achieved through the use of tabs only. Do NOT
use the space bar.
z No ASCII "ART"!!
z There is no limits as to size, articles may be split into two if lengthy
z Actual Artwork should be in GIF, PCX, JPG, TIF, BMP, WMF file formats
z Artwork (pictures, graphs, charts, etc.)should be sent along with the
article separately
z Please use a single font only in an article. TTF CG Times 11pt. is
preferred. (VERY Strong Hint)
If there are any questions please use either E-Mail or call.
On another note. the ASCII version of STReport is fast approaching the
"end of the line" As the major Online Services move away from ASCII.. So
shall STReport. All in the name of progress and improved readability. The
amount of reader mail expressing a preference for our Adobe PDF enhanced
issue is running approximately 15 to 1 over the ASCII edition. Besides,
STReport will not be caught in the old, worn out "downward compatibility
dodge" we must move forward.
Many grateful thanks in advance for your enthusiastic co-operation.
Ralph F. Mariano, Editor
STReport International Online Magazine
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. This has been one heck of a winter so
far... That damned flu that has come to visit me twice this season has again
returned to make my life interesting. Nothing too debilitating you
understand, just the chills, a queasy stomach, and a constant headache. And
to make things more interesting, it's supposed to snow again this weekend
here in the Northeast.
Well, I'll survive. At least I can sit back and cruise around
CompuServe to see what's new. You probably think that because this column
is taken from CompuServe that I'm just hyping it. But that's not true.
CompuServe was my first online stomping ground and remains my favorite.
It's a great place to find whatever information you're looking for, to meet
people, find programs and such, and probably dozens of other things that I've
never thought of.
Well, let's get on with the reason for this column... all the great
news, hints, tips, and info available every week right here on CompuServe.
>From the Atari Computing Forum
To start with, it looks like the "community" Atari HMI program has a name
now. Steven van Rossen, the project coordinator, asked participants to
submit their favorite names. Unfortunately my choice wasn't used. My
suggestion was "Don't-CIS-me-off". The front-runner in the name game takes
several things into account. First, it gives the feeling of striking out
over the ocean to find new frontiers. Second, it makes reference to the city
in which CompuServe is based.
Bob Ledbetter tells Steven:
"Columbus is a great name for our project!! Perhaps someone artistic could
come up with a logo which combines a sailing ship and a computer, and maybe
a stylized "ST" in the masts or hull or somewhere."
And, just as the original Columbus must have encountered a storm, Frank
Heller posts:
"When I first joined CompuServe a couple of years ago, the "Getting Started"
magazine they sent me, suggested a program called STORM and listed the forum
to to D/L it from.
Today, unfortunately, I don't have a clue where I got it from...but I have
used it for a couple of years before finally caving in by using a Mac
PowerBook for all my CServe stuff.
I hate to say it, but you can save literally hundreds of dollars yearly on
your CServe bills by switching over to a PC or Mac NAV front end."
Okay, okay, so it wasn't the smoothest segue of all time, but hey, I'm sick!
Meanwhile, Sysop Jim Ness tells Frank:
"Or by writing a script for Flash or Flash II or Storm or any other
scriptable terminal program."
Frank replies:
"If you happen to be one of those "Deer In Headlights" types (like myself)
when it comes to scripting a walk through CompuServe...the NAV stuff starts
looking mighty inviting."
Bruno Kozlowski tells us about his internet solution:
"I have recently found a solution to post articles to usenet thru
news.compuserve.com with OASIS/NOS. Change the NOS 0.42 version found in the
librarys here or in the OASIS 1.35 package by NOS_POP3, a 0.42 version
recompiled with pop support (compiled in april 1995). This version have not
only the post office protocol support (usefull for us CIS members only in
the future, when mail.compuserve.com will support it...) but a different nntp
posting method: old NOS uses the IHAVE command, not supported by the CIS
newsserver (it gives the <480 Transfer permission denied> error), but
NOS_POP3 uses the POST command (the RFC 977 says it's the best method, the
IHAVE command beeing more designed for server-to-server posting) fully
working with all newsservers I tried so far.
Where to find NOS_POP3? You can try ftp.toad.net in directory
pub/umich/Network/Ka9q/Nos/nos_pop3.zip or another aaue mirror. I'll try to
upload it in the librarys here soon. This archive contains only the NOS.TTP
and a FILE_ID.DIZ, absolutly no docs or nothing else, but you can simply
replace the NOS.TTP of your OASIS installation, without any change to
startup.nos... I tested all commands, it works, you have just a set of POP
client and server commands in addition.
Big thanks to Ancient Future and Guy Harrison who helped me in
demon.ip.support.atari to find this solution!"
Sysop Keith Joins tells us about his latest challenge in using his Spectre
Mac emulator:
"A couple of days ago I had a Mac program crash (it didn't crash Spectre,
just the running application with a bomb message.) I tried to restart and
couldn't so I pressed reset, re-ran Spectre, and have been having problems
since. When I try and boot from the hard drive that contains System 6.0.4 I
get the happy Mac face, my startup pic loads OK but after it loads the
screen clears and returns to the question mark Mac. The first couple of
times I tried this I also had a couple of other INITs load OK before things
died. Now just the pic loads.
I figured that the System files or hard drive partition got trashed so I
tried to boot from a Spectre format floppy (I have never been able to get the
GCR to read Mac disks on either the internal or external floppy) that
contains the System files. I get again the happy Mac and the first time got
part of the Welcome to Macintosh display before the screen cleared and the A
drive indicator started flashing. Now I just get the happy Mac followed
shortly by the flashing A. I then formatted an MFS floppy, copied the
System/Finder to an ST disk using Transverter, wrote boot blocks to the MFS
floppy, and copied the System files back to the Spectre disk from the ST
disk. Booting with this disk results in the same scenario. I can't use
Trasverter on the hard drive as both Mac partitions are HFS.
Thinking there might be a problem with the GCR I switched the Mac ROMs to a
Spectre cartridge. Same thing happens. I have also reloaded Spectre 3.0
from floppy, just in case :).
I have run out of ideas. Any other suggestions?"
Clay Moore tells Keith:
"I hope this does not sound to oversimplified,,but did you try rebuilding the
desktop?, it can be a good idea, 1st thing after a crash, as the system does
not have a chance to update it...Its been a while, but cant you hold down
ctrl and shift while booting to make it automatically rebuild the desktop
file. it sounds like its getting far enough to do that..it should rebuild
the desktop before it loads your pic file...."
Keith tells Clay:
"I did try that, just forgot to mention it. Thanks however for the
suggestion."
Eric Hall posts:
"When I bought Atariworks about a year ago, it included a coupon to get the
updated version at a reduced price when it became available. Has anyone
heard any news on a new version?"
Steve Norman tells Eric:
"I understand that it has been abandoned, and that the author has no
intention of doing the update because Atari abandoned the computer."
Richard Rives adds:
"Also, in reading some of the conversations about version 2.0 from beta
testers the improvements were not that major.
But I feel if they abandoned the computer they should at least make the
program available. (thats if no one else has rights to it) and from what was
posted on Delphi, Atari released the software utilities that were included
with the Falcon (talking clock, calculator, appointment/calander, SAM)"
Rob Rasmussen asks for help:
"I would like to print labels for disks and cassettes using either AtariWorks
or PageStream, but I don't know how to make my printer (Epson Stylus or
Panasonic dot matrix) print small enough text in just the right places on the
labels. At this point I'm more familiar with AW than PgS, but would like to
find some kind of template for either one that would print the labels from a
database file in AW. Does anyone have any suggestions?"
Brian Gockley of ST Informer fame tells Rob:
"I'll put a copy of a disk label template that I did in the Library. You can
have a look at that. It's called DISK_LBL.ZIP."
Rob tells Brian:
"Thanks again for uploading the AtariWorks disk label template. Now, only a
few questions, you knew this was coming right? <g>
It has a STD (database document, which could be whats on all the disks I want
labels for) and STW (word processor document). I have printed your sample
STW, which has entries from 2 fields from the STD, and they look good on the
page, 3 across and 3 down. Looks like they will line up fine on label sheets,
which I don't have yet. If not I could possibly adjust this in page layout.
All 9 of the printed labels are for the same record though, and of course I
would want one label per record, so how do I do that? Does the STD have to
be set up a certain way for the STW to get the info from each record?"
Louis Smith asks ICD:
"I have the LINK 1 and wonder whether it's worth getting the II. Is there
much difference in the job done and in the price? In other In other words
is it worth getting it?"
Albert Dayes of Atari Explorer Online Magazine tells Louis:
"Parity support is the main difference between ICD's LINK 1 (no parity
support) and LINK 2 (which supports parity)."
Will Dwinnell asks for information:
"I have some questions about the analog joystick ports on the STe. I was
wondering if anyone could tell me:
1. Were they ever used?
2. What the pinouts for the port are?
3. How to access them through software (meaning I want to write software
which would use them)?
4. If there is a good source for either plugs which fit these ports and
entire joysticks that will use these ports?"
Albert Dayes of Atari Explorer Online Magazine tells Will:
"It is the same ports as used on the Jaguar. One can use Jaguar controllers
with some games that work with them. I do know there are Falcon030 games
that use them but not sure of STe games (if any are available).
The Atari Compendium had some information on these analog (15-pin) ports
also. The Atari Compendium is available in both book and on-line form. The
online form is in HTML format on a CD-ROM disc. Pages B.29-B.30 has the
addresses of the ports (joysticks), page 5,8 talks in realtive detail on
reading these controllers as well under the game controllers topic. The book
is about $50 or at least it was when I purchased it and it has almost
everything you need for programming the Atari ST/STe/TT/Falcon030.
You should be able to find it at your local Atari dealer or try Toad
Computers since they seem to have almost everything Atari."
Well folks, I'm off to ease my symptoms with a cup of "magic tea".
Don't get excited. It is just good old Red Rose with honey and lemon. Many
years ago, while in the clutches of the demon flu, my mother made me a cup of
tea with just the right amount of honey and lemon. It tasted so good to my
dry palate that I automatically named it Magic Tea. The name stuck and now
even my wife uses the name.
So tune in again next week, same time, same station, and be ready to
listen to what they are saying when...
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EDITORIAL QUICKIES
A wife and her husband were having a dinner party for all the major status
figures in Rome, Italy. The wife was very excited about this and wanted
everything to be perfect. At the very last minute, she realized that she
didn't have any snails for this dinner party, so she asked her husband to
run down to the beach with the bucket she was handing him to gather some
snails.
Very grudgingly he agreed. He took the bucket, walked out the door, down the
steps, and out to the beach. As he was collecting the snails, he noticed a
beautiful woman strolling alongside the water just a little further down the
beach. He kept thinking to himself "Wouldn't it be great if she would even
just come down and _talk_ to me." He went back to gathering the snails. All
of a sudden he looked up, and the beautiful woman was standing right over
him. They got to talking, and she invited him back to her place.
They were at her apartment a ways down the beach, and they started messing
around. It got so hot and heavy, that he was exhausted afterwards and passed
out there. At seven o'clock the next morning he woke up and exclaimed, "Oh
no!!! My wife's dinner party!!!" He gathered all his clothes, put them on
real fast, grabbed his bucket, and ran out the door. He ran down the beach
all the way to his apartment.
He ran up the stairs of his apartment. He was in such a hurry that when he
got to the top of the stairs, he dropped the bucket of snails. There were
snails all down the stairs. The door opened just then, with a very angry wife
standing in the door way wondering where he's been all this time. He looked
at the snails all down the steps, then he looked at her, then back at the
snails and said:
"Come on guys, we're almost there!!"
.. P Hipson
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