ST Report: 23-Feb-96 #1208
From: Bruce D. Nelson (aa789@cleveland.Freenet.Edu)
Date: 02/28/96-07:47:59 AM Z
From: aa789@cleveland.Freenet.Edu (Bruce D. Nelson)
Subject: ST Report: 23-Feb-96 #1208
Date: Wed Feb 28 07:47:59 1996
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>From the Editor's Desk...
Its Friday again. (TGIF) All this week.. the weather has been simply
grand. Warm, sunny and balmy. It gets quite difficult to spend a full day
at the keyboard. Oh well, just a little rub for all the frostbitten
snowbirds out there. Chin up folks, Spring is right around the corner. Ask
anyone preparing for Spring Comdex '96. The big shtick this season is going
to be telecommunications. ISDN, ultra high speed connections T1s, WANs and
LANs all wanting to talk to each other at the speed of light. Then comes the
Video Conferencing. Imagine, the Video Phone shown a decade ago is not only
a reality, it can be done for a fraction of the cost often spoken about.
Your computer is capable of so much these days its mind boggling. Spring
Comdex is going herald the beginning of the Computer Communications
Revolution. Most all the rules you are familiar with relative to
telecommunications are, or have already changed.
This couldn't be a better time to make the migration from a stagnant
disappointing platform to the vibrant, very much alive, platform all this is
happening in. The PC. For anyone wanting advice, about the hardware,
software etc., drop us a line in email. We'll be glad to help in any way we
can. Don't miss this opportunity, the next decade of computing is going to
be, to say the least, thrilling. Stay tuned as we begin the presentation of
things to come. March will begin the highlights of what to expect at Spring
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LATE BREAKING INDUSTRY-WIDE NEWS
Weekly Happenings in the Computer World
Compiled by: Dana P. Jacobson
Ruling May Affect Cyberporn
A federal appeals court has ruled that every individual community can judge
for itself the obscenity of material downloaded from computer bulletin board
systems -- no matter where that board is based. "That opinion, unless
overturned by the U.S. Supreme Court, could have far-reaching effects on
computer bulletin boards with sexually explicit pictures and words," reports
Associated Press writer Woody Baird this morning.
"Suddenly, bulletin board material which might have been at the far edge of
acceptable in California or New York could be judged by the perhaps more
conservative standards if downloaded in Tennessee or Iowa," says Baird.
Officials with the Electronic Frontier Foundation, a public interest group
for computer users, are concerned. Says EFF spokesman Mike Godwin, "What
happens is, the most conservative jurisdictions in the country can now
dictate standards for the rest of the country."
The issue centers on the case of Robert and Carleen Thomas, who were
convicted in Memphis in 1994 because of explicit images of bestiality,
sadomasochism and other fetishes on their Amateur Action Bulletin Board
Service of Milpitas, California. In a ruling in Cincinnati, the 6th Circuit
judges upheld the convictions. Notes Baird, "The couple was tried in Memphis
because that's where an undercover postal inspector downloaded the explicit
material."
The 1973 Supreme Court ruling called Miller vs. California allowed for the
regulation of obscenity based on the notion of "community standards," but,
Baird observes, "until the Memphis trial, that rule had not been applied
specifically to material on a computer bulletin board in the city it was
received, rather than where it originated." The Thomases have argued
unsuccessfully that computer technology has wiped out traditional ideas of
"community," that a community of computer users should decide what is
acceptable in cyberspace.
Defense attorney Thomas Nolan told the wire service he will ask the U.S.
Supreme Court to review the Memphis case and reconsider its community
standards rule, adding that in a world where millions of people communicate
via computer networks, that rule gives local prosecutors too much power over
what everyone else can look at or read.
Says Nolan, "It may well be that they bring these cases because the community
wants them to or it could be they bring these cases because they have a
personal belief in the impropriety of these materials."
U.S. Judge Blocks Cyberporn Law
A temporary restraining order issued by a federal judge in Philadelphia
effectively has put on ice that controversial new law prohibiting
transmission of "indecent" material to minors over the Internet and other
computer networks. U.S. District Judge Ronald L. Buckwalter has restricted
the government from enforcing that portion of the nation's newest
telecommunications law until the court has heard arguments on a lawsuit filed
last week by the American Civil Liberties Union and 19 other groups to block
the new law.
Writing in The Wall Street Journal this morning, reporters John J. Keller and
Jared Sandberg said the government, empowered by the new Communications
Decency Act, "was poised to begin taking action against alleged violators"
when Buckwalter's order came down late yesterday. After President Clinton
signed the new telecommunications bill into law Feb. 8, the Justice
Department said it would wait a week before prosecuting violators of the new
decency act, "but," say Keller and Sandberg, "the agency seemed to be ready
to begin gathering evidence."
As reported, the Justice Department had just filed its written response to
the civil liberties suit, saying criminal prosecutions are needed to stop a
huge increase in the availability of pornography. The Journal notes the new
law defines indecency as "any comment, request, suggestion, proposal, image
or other communication that, in context, depicts or describes in terms
patently offensive as measured by contemporary community standards, sexual or
excretory activities or organs."
In his ruling yesterday, Buckwalter:
z Struck down one provision relating to minors that made it illegal to
make "indecent" material available to minors over computer networks.
(Conviction carried a fine of as much as $250,000 for individuals and
$500,000 for corporations and a prison term of as long as two years.)
z Let stand the second provision, which bars the transmission of "patently
offensive" material to minors. The judge wrote in his opinion, "The undefined
word `indecent' standing alone would leave reasonable people perplexed in
evaluating what is or is not prohibited by the statute."
On the significance of this, Associated Press writer Wayne Woolley commented
this morning, "The federal government must explain what material it considers
indecent before it can enforce (the) new law." He adds that Judge Buckwalter
ruled the definition of "indecency" is so vague that people wouldn't know
they were breaking the law until they were arrested.
However, says Woolley, "the judge left the government free to prosecute those
who make available to minors any online communication that 'in context,
depicts or describes in terms patently offensive as measured by contemporary
community standards, sexual or excretory activities or organs.'" AP quotes
the judge as saying, "While I do not believe the patently offensive provision
quoted above is unconstitutionally vague, I do not see how that applies to
the undefined use of the word `indecent.'"
Woolley says that lawyers for both sides seemed confused by the court's
action. David Sobel, a lawyer for Electronic Privacy Information Center, one
of the plaintiffs, told the wire service, "The decision is very difficult to
get a handle on. There is probably going to be a lot of disagreement about
what this means in practical terms." In the Journal, Keller and Sandberg say
that despite the court's unusual step of issuing a temporary restraining
order against a congressional statute, civil libertarians were cautious in
claiming victory.
Ann Beeson, a co-counsel for the ACLU, told the paper, "It's a partial
victory because the judge clearly respected and protected the First Amendment
rights of online users by declaring the indecency provisions
unconstitutional. However, he didn't go far enough." There are still
restrictions, for example, on the online dissemination of abortion
information, she said. Meanwhile, in Washington a group of lawmakers and
business leaders have denounced the Net smut law.
Sen. Patrick Leahy, D-Vermont, told United Press International, "Americans
should be taking the high ground to protect the future of our home-grown
Internet, and to fight these censorship efforts that are springing up around
the globe. We all want to protect our children from offensive or indecent
online materials, but we must be careful that the means we use to protect our
children does not do more harm than good."
As noted previously, Leahy and others are backing legislation that would
strip the indecency clauses from the telecommunications bill. And industry
leaders said already existing software is the best alternative to government
regulations. Marketing director Susan Getgood of Microsystems Software notes
her company's Cyber Patrol software has been licensed by CompuServe. The
software, similar to parental controls implemented by other services such as
America Online, allows parents to block out certain materials with preference
controls.
Says Getgood, "We developed Cyber Patrol on the belief that responsibility
for content lies with the individual user, and that parents need to be
actively involved in shaping the online experience for their children."
Parental control programs block access to certain Web sites, either by
descriptive content or by title. Parents have the option, for example, of
blocking access to a web site run by an adult magazine.
And Director Robert L. Smith of the Interactive Services Association in
Silver Spring, Maryland, told the wire service the online industry prefers
applying a standard of what is "harmful to children" when determining what
material should be prohibited, as opposed to a vague "indecent" definition.
Says Smith, "We certainly would support repealing the law, to substitute the
standard of indecency to a standard of harmful to minors," adding the
"indecency" standard is likely to be found unconstitutional. The government
should be able to go after individuals who break the law by posting items
such as child pornography, he said. "The laws need to punish those who are
directly responsible for the objectionable content."
Justice Dept. Answers ACLU Suit
In its written response to a civil liberties lawsuit seeking to block the new
computer "indecency" law, the U.S. Justice Department says criminal
prosecutions are needed to stop a huge increase in the availability of
pornography.
Justice Department officials urge U.S. District Judge Ronald Buckwalter not
to grant the request from the American Civil Liberties Union and 19 other
groups for a temporary restraining order against provisions that would make
it a crime to send "indecent" and sexually explicit material to minors over
the Internet and other computer networks.
The brief is quoted by the Associated Press as saying, "Individuals
undoubtedly have an important interest in being free of purposeful and direct
intrusions on First Amendment freedoms, but the governmental interests at
stake here in controlling access by minors in indecent sexually explicit
materials is compelling."
As reported earlier, the ACLU and others sought the temporary ban Feb. 8, the
same day President Clinton signed into law the Telecommunications Act of 1996
that contains the controversial Communications Decency Act of 1996. Judge
Buckwalter said then that he wanted to see a written response from
prosecutors before issuing a ruling.
Says AP, "A temporary restraining order should only be granted in
extraordinary circumstances and if there are no other legal remedies
available to plaintiffs. Meanwhile, the situation is dire, the government
said." The government brief comments, "In the end, plaintiffs cannot dispute
that a large and growing amount of pornography is presently available online
and easily accessible to children in the home, far exceeding anything
available prior to the advent of online computer services."
ACLU Reaches Tentative Porn Pact
Civil liberties attorneys have reached a tentative deal with government
lawyers that could give online computerists at least a temporary reprieve
from a new clampdown on racy Net transmissions mandated through the new
federal telecommunications law. Attorney Stefan Presser of the American
Civil Liberties Union told Associated Press writer Christopher McDougall that
if the deal is approved by top U.S. Justice Department officials, no one
would be prosecuted under terms of the new Communications Decency Act before
the ACLU's challenge of the law goes to trial.
As reported, the law signed by President Clinton Feb. 8 bans the transmission
of "indecent" and sexually explicit material to minors over computer
networks, such as the Internet. The ACLU and 19 other groups have challenged
the law, contending it violates privacy rights and strangles free speech.
The ACLU suit contends the cyberporn portions of the new telecommunications
law authorize the government to prosecute people even for the private
messages they send about AIDS, abortion, politics and science -- any subject
involving sex.
At issue is the act's defining indecency as "any comment, request,
suggestion, proposal, image or other communication that ... describes, in
terms patently offensive as measured by contemporary community standards,
sexual or excretory activities or organs." As reported, a last-minute
addition by Repinois Henry Hyde, R-Ill., also prohibits providing information
over the computer about how to obtain an abortion. Last week, U.S. District
Judge Ronald Buckwalter in Philadelphia temporarily blocked the law's
definition of "indecency," but left open the possibility of prosecution under
its "patently offensive" category.
Now, says AP, Justice Department lawyers have agreed to forgo prosecutions
until the suit is settled in exchange for the ACLU's agreement to postpone a
trial on the lawsuit until April. Says Presser, "As it stands now, if
someone decides what you wrote is patently offensive, you go to jail. This
agreement would halt those proceedings until the court has decided this
suit." Justice Department attorneys haven't commented, but department
spokesman Carl Stern noted the agency still is collecting indecency
complaints.
Most Newsgroup Access Reinstated
CompuServe Inc. today reinstated access to all but five Internet newsgroups
that were suspended six weeks ago under an investigation of online
pornography by German authorities. The company also said it will offer a
parental control program to all subscribers at home and abroad to restrict
access to questionable newsgroups.
As reported earlier, access was cut in December to 200 of the some 15,000 Net
newsgroups after state prosecutors in Bavaria, Germany, notified CompuServe
they were investigating distributors of sexually explicit material on the
Internet. CompuServe said that since it did not have the technology to block
access in a specific geographic location, access was suspended for all 4.7
million users worldwide.
Of the new developments today, CompuServe President/CEO Bob Massey said in a
statement, "Combining parental controls with lifting the newsgroup suspension
reaffirms our commitment to online safety for families and our position that
responsibility for Internet content lies with those who create it or put it
on the Internet, not with the access provider."
CompuServe spokesman Jeff Shafer told the Associated Press the five
newsgroups that will remain inaccessible contain explicit child pornography
material, adding he did not know how long the suspension would remain in
effect. Noting the German government has been notified of CompuServe's
decision, Shafer said, "We let them know what our position was going to be
and we believe it will be received favorably by the prosecutor's office. In
our discussions with them, they were very enthusiastic about the offer we
were making."
Meanwhile, Gerhard Zierl, spokesman for the Bavarian Justice Ministry in
Munich, told the wire service the investigation is still open and prosecutors
are waiting for a report from the state police before deciding whether to
file charges. Shafer said the new Parental Controls Center, to be available
without charge to all CompuServe members, is part of an alliance with
Microsystems Software Inc., a content review company that developed the Cyber
Patrol Internet filtering software.
The center will allow users to restrict access to Internet services
accessible through CompuServe, whose subscribers will have access to a
frequently updated list of questionable Internet sites identified by Cyber
Patrol, Shafer said.
Germans Seek More Net Regulations
Saying they are eager to rid the Internet of child pornography, German
legislators are seeking clear international rules on regulators' powers to
check what computer users do online. In Bonn, President Rita Suessmuth of
the lower house of parliament, the Bundestag, told the Express newspaper,
"The information superhighway must not be allowed to become a forum for those
who defile children. Freedom of expression reaches its limit when human
dignity is violated and violence is promoted."
According to the Reuter News Service, Suessmuth welcomed a catalog of
proposals put forward by a Bundestag commission on Monday calling for
international curbs on information now available on the global network that
was considered harmful to children. She added, "The main thing is the need
to develop international criminal norms. It seems just as important to me
that online providers commit themselves to voluntary controls."
Johannes Singhammer, head of the Bundestag's commission on children, said
free speech could not be taken to extremes, noting that users can call up
discussion groups and sites on the World Wide Web that has photographs such
as people having sex with animals and children.
Reuters comments, "Defenders of free speech in cyberspace note that other
discussion groups offer a place on the Internet for gays and lesbians to talk
privately for discussion of medical issues such as AIDS." And Andy Mueller-
Maghun of Germany's Chaos Computer Club told German TV it is a waste of time
to try to control the flow of information on the Internet, likening this to
trying to control telephone conversations.
Reuters says German parliamentarians are proposing "harmonizing national
laws" on fighting child pornography "so that pornography peddlers could not
operate from states with lenient legislation." "They also want online
providers to give regulators and law enforcement agencies free access to the
network to aid surveillance of activity considered illegal in Germany," the
wire service says.
Reuters says the panel proposed forming clear legal guidelines for what
authorities are allowed to do and spelling out whether companies that link
users with the Internet should be required to store records of how their
customers interact with the system.
This is the second time in a month that a European government has called for
international laws on Net data. Late last month, Francois Fillon, France's
minister for information technology, said his country is set to urge its
European partners to start drafting international rules for global computer
networks, saying that online data goes across borders in a legal vacuum.
The French initiative is prompted in part by last month's Net posting of "Le
Grand Secret" (The Big Secret), a banned book about Francois Mitterrand's
battle with cancer, written by Claude Gubler, the late president's personal
doctor.
Novell Sues 17, Alleging Piracy
Network software publisher Novell Inc. today filed federal suits against 17
California-based companies, alleging they were fraudulently obtaining Novell
upgrades and/or counterfeiting NetWare boxes to give the appearance of new
product.
A statement from the company's Orem, Utah, headquarters says the complaints
name Softcom Computers, Software Distribution Center, Patio Computer Sales,
Allnet Computers, Advanced Digital Corp., Advanced Interlink Corp., Grand
Software Corp., SAB Engineering, Digital Soft, Digital Soft Technologies
Inc., Digidrive, Digidrive Inc., Softsel, Vandy Micro Corp., Accord Systems
Inc., Jaco Electronics Inc., all of the Los Angeles/Orange County area, as
well as Micro Supply Inc. in the Silicon Valley.
Novell's statement says the suits followed the firm's "discovery that the
altered upgrade product was being sold worldwide," adding, "Novell
investigators have obtained the product from several different areas
including Indonesia, the United Kingdom, United Arab Emirates, as well as the
United States."
Manager Ed Morin of Novell's anti-piracy program said in the statement,
"Novell maintains a sophisticated product tracking system which has allowed
us to trace this product and prove that the defendants have defrauded Novell
intentionally."
Intruders Crack Los Alamos Lab
Los Alamos National Laboratory is upgrading its security today following news
that digital intruders, armed with free "robot" software downloaded from the
Internet, cracked the lab's computer system last week. In The Wall Street
Journal this morning, reporter Joan E. Rigdon writes the invaders didn't
steal or destroy any sensitive documents, which are kept on a stand-alone
network, but they "did breeze past the lab's 'firewall' software," designed
to keep online intruders out.
The Journal notes companies doing business on the Internet rely in similar
firewall software to protect information such as customer lists, billing and
payroll records. Lab physicist Brosl Hasslacher told the paper the invaders
"walked through our firewalls like they weren't there," adding Los Alamos
still is trying to figure out how they did it.
Once over the firewall, the invaders stole a password that gave them access
to several computers at the New Mexico lab, best known for helping develop
the atomic bomb. The Journal says that since the attack, the lab has changed
its system to use constantly changing passwords and encryption to stave off
similar attacks in the future.
But the invaders "were able to use the Los Alamos system as a launching pad
to attack the San Diego Supercomputer Center, where they destroyed some
electronic mail and other unessential files," the Journal says. "They also
tried unsuccessfully to break into the computer of security expert Tsutomu
Shimomura."
The intruders identified themselves as "The Kevin Mitnick Liberation Front,"
indicating they want to free the famed computerist convicted last year of
stealing 20,000 credit card numbers over the Internet. (Shimomura was a key
figure in tracking down Mitnick, and Hasslacher was quoted in Shimomura's
book on the case.)
In an Internet report on the break-in, Shimomura wrote off the invaders as
unskilled "ankle-biters," but that they were armed with a sophisticated
"robot" program that is available for free on the Net. Says Hasslacher, "The
sophistication of the stuff out there is truly awesome."
Rigdon writes that among other things, the intruders' robot exploited a known
security hole in a UNIX e-mail program. "Most people program their firewalls
to accept e-mail from the outside, which would allow such an attack. One way
to prevent that is to set up another firewall that screens mail sent from the
server computer to individuals' desktops."
She says companies also can use encryption, or scrambling of sensitive
information, to protect themselves, "but companies say that the government
has tied their hands in this area, because it restricts the use of super-
powerful encryption technologies, fearing that spies or others will use the
technology to plot crimes."
Sears Bailing Out of Prodigy
Confirming long-standing rumors of a coming split, retail giant Sears,
Roebuck and Co. says it will sell its 50 percent stake in Prodigy, the online
service it launched in the mid-1980s with IBM. During a New York meeting
yesterday with analysts, Sears Chairman Arthur Martinez confirmed the company
has decided to divest its stake in order to focus on retailing and expansion,
plowing proceeds of the sale into building market share through acquisitions
and store openings.
Reporter Melissa George of the Reuter News Service quotes Martinez as saying,
"We have concluded this investment does not represent an asset that should be
part of our portfolio long term." However, Martinez says the company will
keep Advantis, a networking technology company it also owns jointly with IBM.
George says industry sources believe Sears has offered its stake in Prodigy
to IBM, but the computer company apparently turned the offer down. Sears
declined to comment on potential bidders, saying only that IBM still could be
a buyer. Says Martinez, "A sale of our interest certainly is possible either
to our partner or third parties. And there are other ways to generate value."
Reuters says IBM officials "are mulling options for their half of Prodigy,"
adding, "Analysts have said IBM could be considering a sale, but company
spokeswoman Tara Sexton said IBM's ownership position has not changed."
Analyst Peter Krasilovsky of Arlen Communications told the wire service, "I
think (Sears) has approached everyone conceivable who might be interested in
a share of Prodigy" but failed to get a deal.
Meanwhile, business writer Evan Ramstad of the Associated Press notes this
morning that Prodigy adapted to the Internet faster than competitors. For
instance, a year ago this month, it became the first to provide subscribers
with Web "browsing" software. It later changed its main connection software
to work just like the Web does. Nonetheless, says Maureen Fleming, president
of Digital Information Group, "Despite the success with their browser and
innovations, they haven't gotten a bump in subscribers. Prodigy is stuck with
a non-glamorous reputation going into a tight market."
Product Merges Real, Virtual Worlds
Corel Corp. is joining forces with a new media company to launch a hybrid
World Wide Web/CD-ROM product that aims to blend reality and virtual reality.
Club Mode, which Corel is developing with Animatics Multimedia Corp., marries
a physical meeting place in the Ottawa-based Globe Bistro and Wine Bar with a
virtual meeting place in cyberspace.
The interactive social drama will feature a Web site offering users the
opportunity to participate in soap-opera-like adventures with up to ten
characters per week, download audio files, chat with stars, purchase Club
Mode paraphernalia and enter contests. Corel will deliver Club Mode from its
own server and Animatics will provide the interactive content.
"This dual product launch represents a totally new form of consumer
recreation," says Michael Cowpland, Corel's president and CEO. "Club Mode
will bring the interactive drama form on the Internet from infancy to
adolescence." "The impetus for Club Mode came from our realization that
Internet users were looking for new, interactive experiences on the Web,"
adds Alfredo Coppola, president of Animatics. Club Mode is set to make its
debut in May. Corel and Animatics are both based in Ottawa.
Compaq Readies 120MB Floppy Drive
Word from Texas is Compaq Computer Corp. is set next month to roll out the
new 120MB 3.5-inch floppy disk drive it commissioned last year. PC Week
reports Compaq will add 150MHz and 166MHz Pentium-based
ProLinea and Deskpro systems with the new floppy disk unit, and also a
keyboard with a built-in scanner and an erasable optical drive that also
reads CD-ROM disks.
Computergram International reports this morning the drive is expected to cost
$200. Compaq commissioned 3M Co. to do the disks and Quantum Corp.'s
manufacturing partner Matsushita-Kotobuki Electronics Industries Ltd. to do
drives, which read current 1.44MB disks. CI adds, "The erasable phase-dual
compact disk drive takes both standard CD-ROMs and 650MB erasable optical
platters for archiving, using the same heads to read both types of disk. It
is expected to go for $600 as an add-on."
IDG Launching Java 'Webzine'
Magazine publisher International Data Group says it will launch JavaWorld
Magazine on the World Wide Web on February 15. The "webzine" will be linked
from the Java home page (http://java.sun.com) and will also be accessible
directly at http://www.javaworld.com.
Java is an object-oriented programming language developed by Sun Microsystems
Inc., with features especially suitable for cross-platform, distributed
computing via the World Wide Web. Java is widely considered one of the
hottest new products in the exploding Web development market. Microsoft,
among others, have licensed Java as part of its emerging Internet strategy.
Boston-based IDG says JavaWorld will feature hands-on tutorials for both
novice and advanced Java programmers, profiles of businesses that use Java
for key applications, and coverage of Java-related news and events. JavaWorld
also will focus on the business-related information needs of the Java
community.
"Since we're a Web-based magazine, we'll be able to include in JavaWorld
plenty of code samples and demo applets to clearly illustrate programming
tips and techniques," says Editor Michael O'Connell. "For example, in our
first issue, noted Java guru Arthur van Hoff will demonstrate how to do
animation with Java, using live Java code that allows the reader to see, in
real time, how changes in code affect the movement of the animated
characters." This is IDG's second Web-only periodical: SunWorld Online was
launched last July.
GM Launches Huge New Web Site
General Motors Corp., the world's largest auto maker, is launching a huge new
site on the Internet's World Wide Web, with more than 16,000 pages and 98,000
links that take browsers from one place to another. The Wall Street Journal
reported this morning GM's goal "is to become the automotive leader in
reaching customers online, in part by challenging them technologically ... to
take advantage of the audio, video and 'virtual reality' features."
The home page (which can be reached at Web address http://www.gm.com) links
to pages of GM divisions that are developing different features that
eventually will be in place for all of them. "Buick's site allows customers
to configure and price a new car," says the Journal.
"Cadillac's links to the sites of local dealers. Chevrolet's Web site is the
pilot point for calculating loan and lease
payments with General Motors Acceptance Corp., GM's finance company. Saturn's
Internet site soon will allow shoppers to electronically browse the used-car
inventory at local dealerships."
Grolier Changing Names
Multimedia content developer Grolier Electronic Publishing Inc. says it is
changing its name to Grolier Interactive Inc. The Danbury, Connecticut,
company says the move is designed to reflect an increased global presence
through its merger with European sister company, Matra Hachette Multimedia.
"With this name change, Grolier formally acknowledges its expansion from
solely publishing reference material to publishing high-quality game and
entertainment titles on CD- ROM," says David Arganbright, president of
Grolier Interactive.
"Grolier has been a publisher of CD-ROM reference products for over ten years
and will continue to develop innovative and comprehensive reference titles
across a broad spectrum of topics." Arganbright notes that the name change,
and a corresponding new logo, also updates the company's image to reflect
Grolier Interactive's offerings online. Available online since 1982, The
Grolier Multimedia Encyclopedia offers a gateway with more than 12,000 direct
links between Grolier and CompuServe.
Sysop Makes 3,500-Mile Rescue
A minister from Scotland says sysop Dick Eastman and others in CompuServe's
Genealogy Forum may have saved his life this week, effecting a rescue from
3,500 miles away. It all started when the "Roots" forum regulars were
settling into their weekly real-time conference Tuesday night and Eastman
noticed one of the chatters, the Rev. Kenneth J. Walker of Arbroath,
Scotland, was having trouble typing. "He said he wasn't feeling well,"
Eastman later told Associated Press writer Jose Martinez, "and that he
thought he was having a stroke."
One member turned out to be a nurse from New York who asked the suddenly
incoherent Walker through the computer if he was losing feeling in his hands,
or if he could see out both eyes. Walker didn't type a response. Someone
else online mentioned that Walker -- known only as "Ken" to the group --
lived alone and had been sick lately. Eastman asked Walker for his telephone
number. "It took a while, but he typed it out," Eastman says. "I have two
phone lines so I called him. The phone was busy, which made sense since he
was online."
The sysop then contacted an overseas operator, who gave him Walker's address
in the seaside town of Arbroath, between Aberdeen and Dundee on the North
Sea. She also connected Eastman to the town's police. "The police and an
ambulance were in his house about two minutes later," Eastman says. The 38-
year-old Walker spent several hours in the hospital before being released.
Doctors weren't sure what happened, but the minister told Martinez he
occasionally has "episodes" that can be life threatening. "All I remember,"
says Walker, "is I thought my keyboard was melting. I thought I was going to
die." AP says Walker apparently did not have a stroke, but he may have had
an epileptic seizure. The minister, who is on leave from his Church of
Scotland parish, says he does not even remember going online, just how the
computer became his lifeline.
"I thought as long I just stayed on the system ... I was OK," he told the
wire service. He sent Eastman e-mail when he got home from the hospital,
thanking him and others in the forum. He called Eastman a hero. Says Walker,
"The communication highway gets a lot of bad press, but this is one case that
proves the people online are a community -- a cyber community."
The Genealogy Forum (GO ROOTS) hosts real-time conferences every Tuesday
night at 10 p.m. Eastern Time, hosted by Eastman, who manages the forum from
his Billerica, Massachusetts, home north of Boston.
Secure Credit Card Standard Offered
MasterCard International and Visa International have joined together to
announce a technical standard for safeguarding credit card purchases made
over the Internet. Previously, Visa and MasterCard were pursuing separate
specifications. The new specification, called Secure Electronic Transactions
(SET), is designed to allow consumers and merchants to conduct credit card
transactions in cyberspace as securely and easily as they do in retail stores
today.
MasterCard and Visa expect to publish SET on their World Wide Web sites in
mid-February. Following a comment period, the joint specification is
scheduled to be ready for testing this spring. Visa and MasterCard expect
that banks will be able to offer secure credit card services via the Internet
to their cardholders by the end of the year.
"This is the first step in making cyberspace an attractive venture for banks
and merchants. A single standard limits unnecessary costs and builds the
business case for doing business on the Internet," says Edmund Jensen,
president and CEO of Visa International.
"MasterCard has viewed one standard for secure card purchases on the Internet
as a critical catalyst for electronic commerce because it bolsters consumer
confidence in the security of the electronic marketplace," adds H. Eugene
Lockhart, MasterCard's CEO. "A single standard has always been our objective
because it is in the best interests of not only consumers, but also merchants
and financial institutions worldwide."
Online Newspapers Triple in 1995
The number of newspapers available online tripled last year, reports the
Newspaper Association of America, which predicts that the current number will
double by the end of 1996. According to the Reston, Virginia-based trade
group, approximately 175 daily newspapers in North America are currently
available on the World Wide Web, via commercial online services or through
local bulletin board services. Worldwide, the number of print publications
with online services is about 775.
"Newspapers' move into cyberspace eclipses that of other mainstream media and
is dramatic evidence that the industry recognizes the need to provide news,
information and advertising to readers in a new form," says John F. Sturm,
president and CEO of the Newspaper Association of America. "The result is
that newspapers have carved a unique electronic niche that allows them to
supplement their core, print product and better serve their readers and
advertisers."
Online newspapers include national journals such as The New York Times, USA
Today and The Wall Street Journal; and smaller market papers such the Winona
(Minnesota) Daily News and the Los Alamos (New Mexico) Monitor. Readers may
also access NAA's Web page at http://www.infi.net/naa to hyperlink to the
majority of all electronic U.S. newspapers on the Web, as well as
international newspapers and media organizations.
H&R Block to Spin Off CompuServe
H&R Block Inc.'s board of directors has unanimously approved a plan that will
spin off CompuServe Inc. into an independent, publicly-traded company. The
plan entails an initial public offering this April of less than 20 percent of
CompuServe. H&R Block intends to complete the separation of the companies
through a tax-free spin-off or split-off within approximately 12 months.
The distribution will be subject to receiving a favorable ruling from the
Internal Revenue Service or an opinion of counsel regarding the tax-free
nature of the transaction, certain other conditions and the absence of any
change in market conditions or circumstances that causes the board to
conclude that the distribution is not in the best interest of H&R Block
shareholders.
"This decision reflects our commitment to maximize shareholder value," says
Richard H. Brown, president and CEO of H&R Block. "The separation of
CompuServe will unlock the value we have created through both of these strong
franchises and will better position each entity to aggressively pursue the
significant growth opportunities in their respective markets." A
registration statement for the initial public offering has been filed with
the Securities and Exchange Commission. Goldman, Sachs & Co. has been
selected to lead the offering, with Merrill Lynch & Co. and George K. Baum &
Company acting as co-managers.
"This is a bold step for H&R Block and the result of extensive study by the
Board of Directors and the management team," notes Brown. "We are convinced
this move will foster better market appreciation of the value of each
business and will contribute to the continued long-term success of both
companies."
Brown adds, "CompuServe will benefit from enhanced access to equity capital
to support its rapid growth and increased opportunities for forging strategic
alliances, and will be better able to provide incentives to attract and
retain critical management talent. H&R Block will benefit from greater
management focus and additional resources to capitalize upon its
extraordinary tax franchise and growing financial services business unit."
Telecom Bill Could Spark Ad War
The recently passed telecommunications bill will not only open the floodgates
to new services, but to a deluge of advertising as well, claims an industry
newsletter. Companies such as AT&T, MCI, Sprint and the seven regional Bell
operating companies could increase their advertising budgets in response to
the new legislation, says Telecom Advertising Report.
"Heightened competition among local telephone service providers, long
distance carriers and cable TV companies could provoke advertising battles to
rival the national wars of established long distance giants AT&T, MCI and
Sprint," notes the publication. "The frenzy surrounding the passage of the
bill has already sparked full-page ads from AT&T and MCI in major daily
newspapers," says senior managing editor Linda Kopp.
"Every one of the seven Baby Bells has announced plans to enter the long
distance market, and those moves will be undoubtedly followed by massive
promotional campaigns." Advertising and promotion spending by telecom
companies is forecast to increase roughly 12 percent to $5.35 billion in
1996, notes the publication. "Ad spending grew more than 60 percent from
1991 to 1995, and the largest increases are yet to come," adds Telecom
Advertising Report Editor Peter Breen. "Creating a national brand awareness
will be among the top priorities of most large telecom companies now that the
market's been opened up to competition."
Micrografx Newsline STR Infofile
Micrografx and American Greetings Sign Agreement
to Deliver Interactive Greeting Card Products
Leading Graphics Technology Publisher and Innovative Greeting Card Company
Advance Social Expression In the Information Age
Richardson, Texas (February 13, 1996) - MicrografxO, Inc. (NASDAQ: MGXI), a
leading graphics software developer, today announced it has signed a long-
term agreement with American GreetingsO Corp. (NASDAQ: AGREA), the renowned
greeting-card company recognized for its technology innovation, to develop
social expression products and services utilizing PC and Internet
technologies.
Under the terms of the agreement, the companies will leverage their
distinctive strengths to develop and market a full range of social expression
products for the information age, including home print software and
electronic greetings. Aimed primarily for personal use, the products will
offer new ways to create and send sentiments electronically.
"We're extremely pleased to be working with American Greetings, the pioneer
of electronic greeting cards who recognized the importance of technology in
the greeting card industry," said J. Paul Grayson, Micrografx chairman and
CEO. "As partners, Micrografx and American Greetings are ideally suited.
American Greetings brings extensive creative content and enthusiasm for new
mediums, a perfect complement to Micrografx's innovative technology and keen
understanding of people who use home PCs and the Internet."
"The synergy we found with Micrografx is uncommon and exciting," said Morry
Weiss, American Greetings chairman and CEO. "We first recognized technology
as an exciting enabler for human expression with our CreataCard kiosks and
online products. We expect to grow and expand this new interactive
expression method working with Micrografx. The technical expertise Micrografx
brings to the table is only surpassed by their understanding and commitment
to empowering creative expression with desktop and online innovations."
The companies plan to unveil their first jointly developed products and
services in the second half of 1996. American Greetings, who operates
thousands of CreataCard kiosks that let customers create their own
personalized greeting cards, understands the dynamics of electronic
publishing. The company's wealth of original electronic content will be
leveraged during product development with Micrografx. Micrografx, which
began developing home creativity software in the early '90s, publishes the
No. 1 greeting card software with more than one million copies sold.
Both companies are retail distribution experts. American Greetings is the
greeting card leader in mass retail chain distribution, and Micrografx
recently announced a record-setting 6,000 outlets - from Media Play to
CompUSA - carry its software. The combined retail expertise of American
Greetings and Micrografx ensures wide distribution of its products.
Founded in 1906, American Greetings is the world's largest publicly owned
creator, manufacturer and distributor of greeting cards and social expression
products, with operations and subsidiaries in more than 75 countries.
Micrografx is the global leader in developing and marketing graphics software
which enhances visual communication and empowers creative expression.
Founded in 1982, Micrografx has become a leading software publisher by
responding quickly to customer and worldwide market needs. The company's
U.S. operations are based in Richardson, Texas with a development office
located in San Francisco. International subsidiaries are located in Canada,
the United Kingdom, France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Australia and
Japan.
UltraEdit/UltraEdit32 STR InfoFile "It Doesn't get any Better than this!"
STReport Editor's Choice!
UltraEdit-32 v3.10
The editor for all your editing needs.
(Designed for Windows NT and Windows 95. Do not use with Windows 3.1 /Win
32s - Use UltraEdit).
UltraEdit-32 is an excellent replacement for NOTEPAD and a lot more, with
support for unlimited file sizes, 100,000 word spelling checker, full HEX
editing capabilities, configurable syntax highlighting for programmers,
column editing. UltraEdit has all the features you will need. UltraEdit
handles multiple files at once, even if they are multi-megabyte files. It
is Disk based and only requires a small amount of memory, even for very large
files. UltraEdit also available for Windows .3x with no additional fee.
Standard Features:
z - Disk based text editing
z - No limit on file size, minimum RAM used even for multi-megabyte files
z - Multiple files open and displayed at the same time
z - Column mode editing!!!, Insert columns/ delete/ cut/ add sequential
numbers
z - 100,000 word spell checker
z - Syntax highlighting - configurable, pre configured for C/C++ and VB
z - Automatic word wrap at specified column with hard return
z - Insert file into an existing document at cursor position
z - Drag and Drop support from the file manager
z - Insert and overstrike modes for editing
z - Multi-level undo and redo
z - UltraEdit-32 is Windows 3.x CUA compliant
z - Find and Replace - Also allows selection of text between caret and
find target when shift key is pressed
z - Goto Line Number/Page Break
z - Font Selection for display and printer. (Supports all fonts installed
including TRUE-TYPE fonts)
z - Print support with headers, footers, margins and page breaks.
z - Automatic Line Indentation
z - Tab Settings
z - Word Wrap Support
z - Hexadecimal Editor - Allows editing of any binary file - HEX Cut, copy
and paste support
z - HEX Insert and Delete of characters
z - HEX Find, Replace and Replace All
z - Bookmarks - Unlimited number of Bookmarks
z - Multiple Windows of the same file
z - Comprehensive macro support, including saving and loading
z - Context Sensitive Help
z - Automatic backup file generated with (.BAK) extension in the directory
of the original file
z - UltraEdit-32 retains its screen position each time it is used
z - Line & column number display (line number display may be disabled)
z - Pop-up menus with right mouse button.
z - Text conversion to lower or upper case and capitalization.
z - Unix/Mac to DOS Conversion
z - DOS to Unix conversion
z - Auto detect UNIX/Mac files
z - Convert Word Wrap to CR/LF's allowing word wrap to be written to file
with hard returns
z - Convert CR/LF's to Word Wrap (removes CR/LF's from file)
z - Template Support
z - More ...
Also: - UltraEdit accepts a command line input and so can be used to replace
NOTEPAD or other editors that are called up from a file manager by clicking
on a file.
Registration
You are limited to 45 Days of use for an unregistered version.
UltraEdit-32 is a shareware program. If you find it useful and continue to
use it you are obligated to register it with the author by sending $30.00
(Ohio Residents add $1.65 Sales Tax) to:
Ian D. Mead
8209 Chestnut Hill Ct.
West Chester, OH 45069
USA
VISA/MASTERCARD Accepted
For VISA/MasterCard orders, include:
1) Name of card holder
2) Address of card holder
3) Name and address of user if different from card holder
4) Expiration date of card
5) Card #.
Credit card orders may be faxed or telephoned to (513) 779 8549, or sent to
my E-Mail address (see below).
Compuserve Registration
UltraEdit-32 may also be registered online on CompuServe by typing GO SWREG
and following instructions for registering using ID 4017.
This will entitle you to an authorization code, the latest registered
version, and technical support. For CompuServe registrations, a newer
version is not sent out if the latest version is available on CompuServe.
E-Mail Address
Internet: IDM@iglou.com
CompuServe: 71613,2654
Return Policy
No refunds are issued after an authorization code has been issued. Exchanges
are allowed if appropriate.
This program may be freely distributed provided it is unmodified, no charge
is made for the software, and all of the following files are included:
1) UEDIT32I.EXE or UEDIT32.ZIP - Self extracting file
Latest Version
The latest version of UltraEdit/UltraEdit-32 may be found in several places:
In the WINUSER Forum on CompuServe, an official distribution and support
online resource for future updates. Search for ULTRAEDIT.ZIP, and
UEDIT32.ZIP.
The Windows Users Group Network (WUGNET), operators of the oldest and largest
independent support resource forum (WINUSER) for Windows Users on CIS with
nearly 1,000,000 active members is recognized in the press, user groups,
developers, and Microsoft as the foremost resource for shareware publishers
on CompuServe and the Internet.
On the Internet on several sites, including CICA and other sites.
Additionally, on the WWW on the following page:
http://members.aol.com:/idmcompsrv/index.htm
(This WWW page may be replaced. If you do not find it, send E-Mail to
idm@iglou.com and you will be provided with a new WWW page address).
History
// History - Purged changes prior to v2.00
v2.00
z - Add Column editing!! Enhance selection features in HEX mode, add
"^s", "^c" syntax for macro find/replace of selected text and clipboard
contents. Switch to/from hex mode and cursor position is maintained. Macros
now support next/previous window. Other minor enhancements and fixes.
v2.01
z - Added column insert/delete/cut. Added sequentail number insertion for
each row. Added multi-level undo.
v2.01a
z - Fixed word wrap problem where a single space between words may appear
on the beginning of the line after the wrap.
v2.01b
z - Added "Tool Tips" for the toolbar.
v2.10
z - Added "Find In Files", Select Line, Select All, Configurable file
types, other configurable options, and bug fixes.
v2.11
z - Added Goto page break, DOS to UNIX conversion, (UNIX/MAC to DOS
already existed as "Fixup CR/LF" but is renamed). Fixes for right mouse
button menu. Added option to reload an already open file. Now,
authorization codes for 32-Bit and 16-Bit are compatible. Improved handling
of "wide" files.
v3.00
z - Added - Configurable Syntax Highlighting, pre-configured for C/C++ and
VB (see option menu)
z - 100,000 Word Spelling checker
z - Automatic word wrap at column number, with hard returns (see option
menu)
z - Window updates with vertical scroll bar
z - Other minor enhancements
v3.01
z - Added - Template support
z - Enhancements for column wrap
z - Reformat Paragraph
z - File Editing without temp file option
z - Macro load/execute command line support
z - Minor fixes
v3.10
z - Enhanced macro support for file loading, saving closing, HEX editing
and mode switching
z - see help for full set of features.
z - Allow multiple macros, with configurable HOT KEYs
z - Allow nested macros
z - Added support for upto 6 languages for syntax highlighting
z - Allow configurable block comments with syntax highlighting
z - Spawn a DOS command and capture output - run a compiler
z - Start a Windows Program
z - Auto detect UNIX or Binary/Hex files when loaded
z - Added regular expression support
z - Added literal character insertion to insert control codes - CTRL+I
z - Added find matching brace
z - Other minor changes and fixes
Windows is a registered Trademark of Microsoft Corporation.
Win95 Update STR Focus
WIN95 SERVICE PACK No. One
CHANGES
OLE32 Update
The Windows 95 OLE 32 update addresses file-management behavior in Microsoft
Word, Microsoft Excel, and Microsoft PowerPointr for Windows 95. Because of
the way these applications use OLE for file storage, files created by these
applications might contain extraneous data from previously deleted files.
This data is not visible while you use the applications. However, when such
a document file is viewed by using Windows Notepad (for example), it might be
possible to see pieces of information from the previously deleted files. This
could pose information security or privacy concerns if you distribute
electronic versions of files created using these applications.
The OLE 32 update addresses this problem. Although the problem is known to
occur only in Microsoft Excel, Word, and PowerPoint for Windows 95, the OLE
32 update is designed to prevent any application from potentially causing the
same problem.
Notes
1. If you use Microsoft Office with Windows NTT, this problem does not
affect you, because the operating system initializes (clears) any disk space
used by deleted files.
2. If you use Microsoft Word 6.0, Microsoft Excel 5.0, or Microsoft
PowerPoint 4.0 with Windows version 3.1 or on an Appler Macintoshr computer,
contact Microsoft Customer Services to obtain the "C" maintenance releases of
these products. Early releases of these versions are known to have a similar
extraneous-data problem, which is fixed in the "C" releases. If you use
Microsoft Word 6.0, Microsoft Excel 5.0, or Microsoft PowerPoint 4.0 with
Windows 95, you should also obtain the "C" releases of these products.
2.Microsoft Windows 95 Shell Update
This update to Shell32.dll makes it possible to browse NetWarer Directory
Service printers from the Add Printer wizard. The Add Printer Wizard is
found in the Printers folder. This change is applicable to you if you have
installed Service for NetWare Directory Services.
This update to the Windows 95 Shell32.dll file also fixes a problem in which
files copied onto themselves can be truncated to a zero-byte file size. This
occurs only in the following circumstances:
z When you copy a file onto itself using two different views of the same
network resource (these can be different mapped drive letters or UNC
connections to a network resource).
z When you copy a file onto itself using a drive that was created by the
SUBST command.
3.Windows 95 Common Dialog Update for Windows 3.1 Legacy Printer Drivers
In Windows 95, when 32-bit applications print using Windows 3.1 monolithic
drivers or the Windows 3.1 Pscript.drv / Unidrv.dll driver, the applications
sometimes fail. This update addresses that problem.
4.Vserver Update: File and Printer Sharing for Microsoft Networks
This update is for a problem with File and Printer Sharing for Microsoft
Networks and a certain UNIXr network client (Samba's SMBCLIENT). The update
corrects a problem with share-level security documented in the Microsoft
Knowledge Base on October 9, 1995. The update also includes a correction for
a similar problem with user-level security that Microsoft recently
discovered as part of its internal testing of the new driver.
Note
The phrase "Microsoft Networks" refers to Microsoft's networking software,
not MSNT (The Microsoft Network online service).
Windows 95 enables users of the Samba SMBCLIENT to gain unauthorized access
to the drive on which sharing is enabled by accepting certain specific
networking commands. The Samba client is the only known SMB client that sends
such networking commands. SMBCLIENT users do not automatically have access to
the Windows 95 drive, and must know the exact steps to send these commands.
The updated driver prevents Windows 95 from accepting these commands,
preventing SMBCLIENT users from accessing the drive on which sharing is
enabled. With the updated driver, an SMBCLIENT user will have access only to
those shared folders that a Windows 95 user has designated.
5.NWServer Update: File and Printer Sharing for NetWare Networks
This update is for a problem with File and Printer Sharing for NetWare
Networks which might affect data security for corporate users. If your
computer is configured for file and printer sharing and Remote Administration
is enabled, another user on the network might gain read-only access to your
computer after the administrator has logged off the computer and before you
have restarted your computer. To correct this problem, Microsoft has issued
an updated driver for File and Printer Sharing for NetWare Networks. The
updated driver ensures that only valid administrators have access to the
computer's drive.
6.Vredir Update
The Vredir Update fixes a problem that affects only Windows 95 users who use
Samba UNIX servers. The problem arises from the basic Windows 95 and UNIX
filename formats. UNIX allows filenames that include the backslash (\) and
asterisk (*) characters, but in Windows 95, these are wildcard characters.
Suppose that a Samba server contains a file named \\server\share\*.*, a
legal UNIX filename. If a Windows 95 user connects to that server and tries
to delete the *.* file by using Windows Explorer, all the files on
\\server\share are deleted instead. This updated version of Vredir prevents
this from happening by rejecting filenames that contain the \ or *
characters.
7.Windows 95 Password List Update
The Windows 95 Password List Update protects your password file against
potential security violations. When you connect to a password-protected
resource, such as a network drive, you can choose to save that password.
Windows then stores the password in an encrypted file on your hard disk. An
algorithm was posted on the Internet for decrypting this file. If someone
has access to your password file and knows the decryption algorithm, they may
be able to decrypt it and the passwords it contains-and then gain access to
the password-protected resources. The Password List Update provides vastly
improved encryption that is 2^96 (2 to the 96th power) harder to decrypt than
the previous encryption method.
8.Microsoft Plus! Update (System Agent Update)
The Microsoft Plus! Update provides an updated version of Sage.dll to fix a
minor problem with System Agent: When version 1.0 System Agent is running,
programs that perform floating-point calculations might be slightly off in
precision. This problem does not occur if System Agent is turned off.
Note
If you do not have Microsoft Plus! installed on your computer, this update
will have no effect on your system. If you install Microsoft Plus! at a
later date (after the Microsoft Plus! Update has been installed), Microsoft
Plus! Setup will leave the updated version of Sage.dll file on your system.
9.Printer Port (Lpt.vxd) Update
This Lpt.vxd Update adds support for ECP (Enhanced Communication Parallel)
port bi-directional communications used with certain printers (such as the
Hewlett-Packardr LaserJet Series 4 and 5 printers, some Lexmark
LaserPrinters, and possibly others). It may prevent timeout errors when
printing.
Note
The Lpt.vxd Update was also included in the Drivers\Printer\LPT folder on the
Windows 95 CD-ROM; however, it was not installed by default during setup.
ISDN Series STR Focus "Fully Understanding ISDN"
Article Two
Base Graphic by 102714,3461
ctsy CompuServe's Computer Graphics Forum
by R. F. Mariano
ISDN, is the coming thing.. This week we carry the second preliminary
article about ISDN. You can be certain that this magazine was uploaded to
the Internet at 128000 bps and CompuServe at 64000 bps V 1.20 via ISDN. It
is fast. In fact, the average around the world is 128000 bps. ISDN has been
"in the wings" so to speak, for quite some time.
AT&T, the Baby Bells and the FCC have been so busy having a good "go at
each other" that this mode of telecommunications was virtually lost in the
shuffle. Even at this time, the confusion and bad information coming from
the Baby Bells themselves is unbelievable. Hopefully, over the next few
months, we shall be able to clear things up a great deal and at the same
time, make your decision to move to ISDN in your Home/Business an easy
decision to make.
There are quite a few hardware configurations available to you. We will
look at them all. And.. explain them in everyday language. Most of the
"gurus" have a tendency to talk to you in the language of techno-noise and
acronyms. What with SPIDS, NT1s, 5ESS and on and on ad infinatum, one can
only stop them cold and have them talk in clear, concise language we all grew
up understanding. Unless of course, they don't want us to really
understand?? Nah. that would never be the case.
Keep the faith. by the time this series is done, you'll be quite able to
keep up with the best of them when "speaking acronyms" or, ISDN lingo. Last
week and this week, we presented an average picture of what to expect when
first wanting to know "about" ISDN. Please read last weeks article and this
week's then. if you have any questions. send them to me via Email to
rmariano@streport.com or, the US Snail. All our addresses are in every
issue.
Beginning next week, we shall begin "looking" at the various hardware
options available to the consumer from the casual home user all the way to
the corporate giant. Once we are done "looking" then the fun begins. By the
way, we will be happy to act a "go between" for you if you find yourself
between a rock and a hard place with your local ISDN Bell Group. Some are
called Special Services other are called .. Well, you get the picture.
Many old, familiar names are getting involved in the hardware end.
Don't be surprised if you recognize a number of brand names.
BELL ATLANTIC CONNECTS SMALL BUSINESSES
TO INFORMATION AGE
WITH NEW ISDN WORLD WIDE WEB PAGE
Arlington, VA -- Bell Atlantic has unveiled a new World Wide Web page to help
small businesses "connect to the information age" with ISDN -- Integrated
Services Digital Network. The Bell Atlantic Small Business ISDN Home Page
provides useful information about a service that will help small businesses
become more efficient. It can be accessed at
http://www.bell-atl.com/isdn/sbs.
ISDN is a high-speed, all digital network that combines voice, data and video
signals on a single standard phone line. The network supports applications,
such as high-speed Internet access, teleworking, desktop video conferencing,
collaborative computing and remote local area network (LAN) access and
interconnection.
"There's no more appropriate place to let small businesses know how ISDN can
help them than on the World Wide Web," said Mark Kutner, president of Bell
Atlantic Small Business Services. "ISDN brings the power of the Internet and
high-speed communications within the reach of any small or home-based
business. We want to help small businesses take advantage of this power to
become more productive and more competitive."
Bell Atlantic's Small Business ISDN Home Page is dedicated to small business
concerns, applications and case studies that explain how many small
businesses are using the technology today. It also provides a technological
overview and includes detailed pricing and deployment information so users
can determine whether or not ISDN is available to them and at what cost.
The main benefit of ISDN is speed. ISDN transmits voice, data and video
signals at speeds up to 128 kilobits per second (kbps) or as high as 500
kbps with compression techniques available in some ISDN-capable equipment
that allows computers to receive and transmit data at higher speeds than
with currently available analog modems.
"ISDN leaves today's analog modems in the dust," said Diane Brown, ISDN
product manager for Bell Atlantic Small Business Services. "When compared
to a standard modem at 14.4 kilobits per second, the increase in speed can be
almost ten fold with ISDN Basic Rate Interface (BRI)."
As a special feature, the ISDN Home Page gives small business customers the
opportunity to download an interactive multimedia presentation which
demonstrates how ISDN can increase productivity for small businesses.
The interactive presentation provides an example of ISDN's speed and ease of
use. With a standard 14.4 kilobits per second modem, downloading the
presentation would take approximately 13 minutes. With ISDN-BRI at 128
kilobits per second, the download takes 93 seconds -- almost 10 times faster.
"The speed and capacity of ISDN can help small businesses increase
productivity and reduce costs by cutting the time it takes to send or
receive information over the telephone line," added Brown. "It provides
small businesses with the same speed and ease of transmission that large
businesses have benefited from for years, and does so at affordable rates."
The Bell Atlantic ISDN Home Page provides links to other ISDN resources and
information where Bell Atlantic will be showcasing ISDN technology in the
coming months. Small businesses also may send a formal inquiry over the
Internet to get a price quote for the service.
Bell Atlantic is the largest supplier of local ISDN access lines in the US
with about 145,000 installed ISDN lines in its operating region, and it is
adding about 6,000 ISDN lines per month. The Bell Atlantic ISDN Sales and
Technology Center provides small businesses with one-stop shopping for ISDN
from the initial service order through installation.
Customers who order ISDN service will need ISDN-capable equipment that allows
their computers to receive data at higher speeds. Bell Atlantic
TeleProducts, a fully owned subsidiary of Bell Atlantic Corp., provides ISDN
equipment from today's leading manufacturers. ISDN terminal adapters,
bridges, routers, telephones and NT1's are examples of ISDN equipment that
can be purchased at competitive prices from Teleproducts. Customers can call
Bell Atlantic TeleProducts at 1-800-221-0845 Monday through Friday from 8:00
a.m. to 5:30 p.m. In addition, Bell Atlantic can install certain types of
ISDN equipment in parts of the Bell Atlantic service area.
To get more information about Bell Atlantic's business ISDN service or to
place an order, customers can call the Bell Atlantic ISDN Sales and
Technology Center at 1-800-570-ISDN (4736) Monday through Friday from 9 a.m.
to 6 p.m. Customers also can send an e-mail message to business.isdn@bell-
atl.com.
Bell Atlantic Corporation (NYSE: BEL) is at the forefront of the new
communications, entertainment and information industry. In the mid-Atlantic
region, the company is the premier provider of local telecommunications and
advanced services. Globally, it is one of the largest investors in the high-
growth wireless communication marketplace. Bell Atlantic also owns a
substantial interest in Telecom Corporation of New Zealand and is actively
developing high-growth national and international business opportunities in
all phases of the industry.
BELL ATLANTIC AND DSC COMMUNICATIONS
CHARGE AT&T WITH MONOPOLIZING
TELECOMMUNICATIONS EQUIPMENT MARKET
Nation's Largest Telecommunications Equipment Manufacturer
Defendant in Federal Antitrust Suit
Texarkana, TX -- Charging that AT&T designs its telecommunications switches
specifically to prevent the interconnection of other manufacturer's
equipment, Bell Atlantic and DSC Communications filed a lawsuit to recover
nearly $3.5 billion in damages from the telecommunications giant. AT&T has
monopolized the market for both equipment and software, as well as the market
for Caller ID services, according to an antitrust suit filed yesterday by the
two companies.
"AT&T has Bell Atlantic over a barrel. Though we own a lot of AT&T
equipment, we cannot use it in the way that lets us provide the best
services to our customers. We just don't have a true choice," said James R.
Young, Bell Atlantic vice president and general counsel.
"DSC Communications provides aftermarket equipment and software with superior
features and functionality. If our customers use AT&T central office
equipment, they are unable to take full advantage of our equipment's
capabilities because of AT&T's monopolistic practices," said George Brunt,
DSC Communications' vice president and general counsel.
According to papers filed in federal court in the Eastern District of Texas,
"AT&T is purposely delaying and preventing the utilization of
interconnecting plugs needed by vendors like DSC." This practice by AT&T is
the continuation of a "long history of resisting other vendors' attempts to
plug their equipment into AT&T's," the suit says.
The suit gives specific instances of AT&T keeping others out of the market in
this way. For example, in 1986, the telecommunications industry agreed on an
interface standard to connect other manufacturers' equipment to telephone
switches. Though the standard was adopted by other switch makers, AT&T
delayed and sabotaged the idea for years and still today has not fully
incorporated this standard.
The lack of this standard has delayed services like ISDN (Integrated Services
Digital Network) which could have been provided more cost-effectively had
AT&T embraced this standard in 1986.
The lawsuit also charges AT&T has crippled the "Caller ID" service that
shows subscribers the number -- or name -- of the person who is calling.
Because AT&T sells a competing service, the suit claims, AT&T intentionally
blocked Caller ID information on most long distance calls for years.
The Federal Communications Commission last year reviewed this issue and
ordered AT&T to stop blocking Caller ID information. The lawsuit seeks to
recover damages for the period when AT&T was engaged in this illegal
practice.
Under the provisions of the antitrust laws, AT&T is liable for damages and
injunctive relief to compensate Bell Atlantic and DSC Communications for
lost profits and increased operating costs.
DSC Communications Corporation is a leading designer, developer, manufacturer
and marketer of digital switching, transmission, access and private network
system products for the worldwide telecommunications marketplace.
Bell Atlantic Corporation (NYSE: BEL) is at the forefront of the new
communications, entertainment and information industry. In the mid-Atlantic
region, the company is the premier provider of local telecommunications and
advanced services. Globally, it is one of the largest investors in the high-
growth wireless communication marketplace. Bell Atlantic also owns a
substantial interest in Telecom Corporation of New Zealand and is actively
developing high-growth national and international business opportunities in
all phases of the industry.
ISDN Individual Line Residential Service Pricing
BellSouth Tariff Summary For ISDN Capability Packages
The following ISDN pricing information is illustrative and provided for
planning purposes only.
To order ISDN Individual Line Service please call one of the following phone
numbers:
1-(800)-858-9413
Introduction
The National ISDN Users Forum (NIUF), to simplify ISDN ordering and
provisioning, has established a set of capability packages for ISDN
individual line service. A brief outline of the NIUF packages and pricing for
each package is included below.
For each Capability Package the NIUF specified:
The number of Directory Numbers (DNs) assigned
The number of terminal-controlled DN appearances assigned
The number of switch-controlled Call Appearances (for CACH EKTS) assigned
The number of Terminal Endpoint Identifiers assigned
The feature identifier values assigned to the features in the Capability
Package
Capability Package
z Capability Package N (2B+D)-----includes alternate voice/circuit-
switched data on one B-channel, circuit-switched data on the other B-channel
and basic D-channel packet. This package provides non-EKTS voice features,
including Flexible Calling, Additional Call Offering and Calling Number
Identification. ISDN Rates for all states
z Capability Package O (2B+D)-----is equivalent to Capability Package N
with the change that CACH-EKTS service is used for the voice service. Please
note that Additional Call Offering functionality is incorporated in the EKTS
service. ISDN Rates for all states
z Capability Package P (2B+D)-----includes alternate voice/circuit-
switched data on two B-channels and basic D-channel packet. This package
provides non-EKTS voice features including Flexible Calling, Additional Call
Offering and Calling Number Identification. Data capabiliites include Calling
Number Identification. ISDN Rates for all states
z Capability Package Q (2B+D)-----is equivalent to Capability Package P
with the change that CACH-EKTS service is used for the voice service. Please
note that Additional Call Offering functionality is incorporated in the EKTS
service. ISDN Rates for all states
NOTES:
z In BellSouth, ALL ISDN Individual Line Residence Service is provided
fully configured as 2B + D, therefore only Capability Packages N, O, P and Q
are shown as packages. Other Capability Packages, features and options may
actually be ordered (turned on) even though service is based on a 2B + D
configuration.
z Charges shown are flat rate for B-channel Circuit Switched Voice (CSV)
and/or Circuit Switched Data (CSD) and also flat rate D-channel Packet
Switched Data (PSD).
z Charges shown below include ALL features, End User Common Line Charge
(EUCL), Subscriber Line Charge (SLC), and ALL service order, line connection
and other associated installation charges except where a special jack/wiring
installation is requested. Before firm rates for specific service can be
quoted, a loop qualification must be processed to ensure that service to a
specific site can be provided without additional charges.
ISDN Individual Line Rates for Capability Package N
STATE Installation Charge Recurring Monthly Charge
Alabama $ 221.75 $ 72.35
Florida $ 211.00 $ 60.65
Georgia $ 202.50 $ 66.90
Kentucky $ 254.10 $ 64.55
Louisiana $ 267.10 $ 75.00
Mississippi $ 238.75 $ 70.01
N Carolina $ 241.75 $ 79.51
S. Carolina $ 230.50 $ 66.90
Tennessee $ 24.40 $ 33.00
ISDN Individual Line Rates for Capability Package O
STATE Installation Charge Recurring Monthly Charge
Alabama $ 223.75 $ 74.10
Florida $ 213.00 $ 62.40
Georgia $ 204.50 $ 68.65
Kentucky $ 256.10 $ 66.30
Louisiana $ 269.11 $ 76.75
Mississippi $ 240.75 $ 71.76
N Carolina $ 243.75 $ 81.26
S. Carolina $ 232.50 $ 68.65
Tennessee $ 26.40 $ 34.75
ISDN Individual Line Rates for Capability Package P
STATE Installation Charge Recurring Monthly Charge
Alabama $ 224.75 $ 75.85
Florida $ 214.00 $ 64.15
Georgia $ 205.50 $ 70.40
Kentucky $ 257.10 $ 68.05
Louisiana $ 270.11 $ 78.50
Mississippi $ 241.75 $ 73.51
N Carolina $ 244.75 $ 83.01
S. Carolina $ 233.50 $ 70.40
Tennessee $ 27.40 $ 36.50
ISDN Individual Line Rates for Capability Package Q
STATE Installation Charge Recurring Monthly Charge
Alabama $ 228.75 $ 79.35
Florida $ 218.00 $ 67.65
Georgia $ 209.50 $ 73.90
Kentucky $ 261.10 $ 71.55
Louisiana $ 274.11 $ 82.00
Mississippi $ 245.75 $ 77.01
N Carolina $ 248.75 $ 86.51
S. Carolina $ 237.50 $ 73.90
Tennessee $ 31.40 $ 40.00
ISDN Individual Line Business Service Pricing
BellSouth Tariff Summary For ISDN Capability Packages
The following ISDN pricing information is illustrative and provided for
planning purposes only.
To order ISDN Individual Line Service please call one of the following phone
numbers:
1-(800)-858-9413
Introduction
The National ISDN Users Forum (NIUF), to simplify ISDN ordering and
provisioning, has established a set of capability packages for ISDN
individual line service. A brief outline of the NIUF packages and pricing for
each package is included below.
For each Capability Package the NIUF specified:
The number of Directory Numbers (DNs) assigned
The number of terminal-controlled DN appearances assigned
The number of switch-controlled Call Appearances (for CACH EKTS) assigned
The number of Terminal Endpoint Identifiers assigned
The feature identifier values assigned to the features in the Capability
Package
Capability Packages
z Capability Package A (0B+D)-----includes basic D-channel packet. No
voice capabilities are provided. ISDN Rates for all states
z Capability Package B (1B)-----includes circuit switched data on one B-
channel. Data capabilities include Calling Number Identification. No voice
capabilities are provided. ISDN Rates for all states
z Capability Package C (1B)-----includes alternate voice/circuit-swicthed
data on one B-channel. Data and voice capabilities include Calling Number
Identification. ISDN Rates for all states
z Capability Package D (1B+D)-----Includes voice on one B-channel and
basic D-channel packet. Only basic voice capabilities are provided, with no
features. ISDN Rates for all states
z Capability Package E (1B+D)-----Includes voice on one B-channel and
basic D-channel. This package provides non-electronic key telephone set
(EKTS) voice features, including Flexible Calling, Additional Call Offering,
and Calling Number identification. ISDN Rates for all states
z Capability Package F (1B+D)-----is equivalent to Capability Package E
with the change that Call Appearance Handling (CACH) EKTS is used for the
voice service. ISDN Rates for all states
z Capability Package G (2B)-----includes voice on one B-channel and
circuit-switched data on the other B-channel. This packgae provides non-EKTS
voice features including Flexible Calling, Additional Call Offering, and
Calling Number Identification. Data capabilities include Calling Number
Identification. ISDN Rates for all states
z Capability Package H (2B)----is equivalent to Capability Package G, with
the change that CACH EKTS is used for the voice services. Please note that
Additional Call Offering is included in EKTS service. ISDN Rates for all
states
z Capability Package I (2B)-----includes circuit-switched data on two B-
channels. Data capabilities include Calling Number Identification. No voice
capabilities are provided. ISDN Rates for all states
z Capability Package J (2B)----includes alternate voice/circuit-switched
data on one B-channel and circuit switched data on the other B-channel. Only
basic voice capabilities are provided, with no features except Calling Number
Identification. Data capabilities include Calling Number Identification. ISDN
Rates for all states
z Capability Package K (2B)-----includes alternate voice/circuit-switched
data on one B-channel and circuit switched data on the other B-channel. This
package also provides non-EKTS voice features including Flexible Calling,
Additional Call Offering, and Calling Number Identification. Data
capabilities include Calling Number Identification. ISDN Rates for all states
z Capability Package L (2B)-----is equivalent to Capability Package K,
with the change that CACH EKTS service is used for the voice service. Please
note that Additional Call Offering functionality is incorporated in the EKTS
service. ISDN Rates for all states
z Capability Package M (2B)-----includes alternate voice/circuit-switched
data on two B-channels. Data and voice capabilities include Calling Number
Identification. ISDN Rates for all states
z Capability Package N (2B+D)-----includes alternate voice/circuit-
switched data on one B-channel, circuit-switched data on the other B-channel
and basic D-channel packet. This package provides non-EKTS voice features,
including Flexible Calling, Additional Call Offering and Calling Number
Identification. ISDN Rates for all states
z Capability Package O (2B+D)-----is equivalent to Capability Package N
with the change that CACH-EKTS service is used for the voice service. Please
note that Additional Call Offering functionality is incorporated in the EKTS
service. ISDN Rates for all states
z Capability Package P (2B+D)-----includes alternate voice/circuit-
switched data on two B-channels and basic D-channel packet. This package
provides non-EKTS voice features including Flexible Calling, Additional Call
Offering and Calling Number Identification. Data capabilities include Calling
Number Identification. ISDN Rates for all states
z Capability Package Q (2B+D)-----is equivalent to Capability Package P
with the change that CACH-EKTS service is used for the voice service. Please
note that Additional Call Offering functionality is incorporated in the EKTS
service. ISDN Rates for all states
NOTES:
z Charges shown are flat rate for B-channel Circuit Switched Voice (CSV)
and/or Circuit Switched Data (CWD) and flat rate for D-channel Switched
Packet Data (PSD)
z Charges shown in the following sections include ALL feature, End User
Common Line Charges (EUCL), Subscriber Line Charges(SLC) and ALL service
order, line connection and other associated installation charges except where
special jack/wiring installation is requested. (This assumes only one
business line per premises.)
z Charges DO NOT INCLUDE the customer provided ISDN terminal equipment.
z Calling Line Identification (CLID) is provided at no additional charge
on ALL ISDN individual Line Business lines in BellSouth.
ISDN Individual Business Line Rates for Capability Package A
STATE Installation Charge Recurring Monthly Charge
Alabama $ 214.00 $ 73.50
Florida $ 201.00 $ 68.50
Georgia $ 203.25 $ 68.50
Kentucky $ 218.00 $ 68.50
Louisiana $ 230.00 $ 68.50
Mississippi $ 212.00 $ 68.50
N Carolina $ 207.50 $ 67.50
S. Carolina $ 227.50 $ 68.50
Tennessee $ 58.50 $ 68.50
ISDN Individual Business Line Rates for Capability Package B
STATE Installation Charge Recurring Monthly Charge
Alabama $ 209.00 $ 77.25
Florida $ 196.00 $ 74.75
Georgia $ 198.25 $ 74.75
Kentucky $ 213.00 $ 74.75
Louisiana $ 225.00 $ 75.75
Mississippi $ 207.00 $ 75.75
N Carolina $ 202.50 $ 74.75
S. Carolina $ 222.50 $ 74.75
Tennessee $ 58.50 $ 74.75
ISDN Individual Business Line Rates for Capability Package C
STATE Installation Charge Recurring Monthly Charge
Alabama $ 209.00 $ 77.25
Florida $ 196.00 $ 74.75
Georgia $ 198.25 $ 74.75
Kentucky $ 213.00 $ 74.75
Louisiana $ 225.00 $ 75.75
Mississippi $ 207.00 $ 75.75
N Carolina $ 202.50 $ 74.75
S. Carolina $ 222.50 $ 74.75
Tennessee $ 58.50 $ 74.75
ISDN Individual Business Line Rates for Capability Package D
STATE Installation Charge Recurring Monthly Charge
Alabama $ 224.00 $ 90.75
Florida $ 211.00 $ 88.25
Georgia $ 213.25 $ 88.25
Kentucky $ 228.00 $ 88.25
Louisiana $ 240.00 $ 89.25
Mississippi $ 222.00 $ 89.25
N Carolina $ 217.50 $ 86.75
S. Carolina $ 237.50 $ 88.25
Tennessee $ 58.50 $ 88.25
ISDN Individual Business Line Rates for Capability Package E
STATE Installation Charge Recurring Monthly Charge
Alabama $ 230.00 $ 97.75
Florida $ 217.00 $ 95.25
Georgia $ 219.25 $ 95.25
Kentucky $ 234.00 $ 95.25
Louisiana $ 246.00 $ 96.25
Mississippi $ 228.00 $ 96.25
N Carolina $ 223.50 $ 93.75
S. Carolina $ 243.50 $ 95.25
Tennessee $ 64.50 $ 95.25
ISDN Individual Business Line Rates for Capability Package F
STATE Installation Charge Recurring Monthly Charge
Alabama $ 234.00 $ 101.25
Florida $ 221.00 $ 98.75
Georgia $ 223.25 $ 98.75
Kentucky $ 238.00 $ 98.75
Louisiana $ 250.00 $ 99.75
Mississippi $ 232.00 $ 99.75
N Carolina $ 227.50 $ 97.25
S. Carolina $ 247.50 $ 98.75
Tennessee $ 68.50 $ 98.75
ISDN Individual Business Line Rates for Capability Package G
STATE Installation Charge Recurring Monthly Charge
Alabama $ 223.00 $ 95.00
Florida $ 210.00 $ 95.00
Georgia $ 212.25 $ 95.00
Kentucky $ 227.00 $ 95.00
Louisiana $ 239.00 $ 96.00
Mississippi $ 221.00 $ 96.00
N Carolina $ 216.50 $ 95.00
S. Carolina $ 236.50 $ 95.00
Tennessee $ 62.50 $ 95.00
ISDN Individual Business Line Rates for Capability Package H
STATE Installation Charge Recurring Monthly Charge
Alabama $ 227.00 $ 98.50
Florida $ 214.00 $ 98.50
Georgia $ 216.25 $ 98.50
Kentucky $ 231.00 $ 98.50
Louisiana $ 243.00 $ 99.50
Mississippi $ 225.00 $ 99.50
N Carolina $ 220.50 $ 98.50
S. Carolina $ 240.50 $ 98.50
Tennessee $ 66.50 $ 98.50
ISDN Individual Business Line Rates for Capability Package I
STATE Installation Charge Recurring Monthly Charge
Alabama $ 219.00 $ 91.00
Florida $ 206.00 $ 91.00
Georgia $ 208.25 $ 91.00
Kentucky $ 223.00 $ 91.00
Louisiana $ 235.00 $ 92.00
Mississippi $ 217.00 $ 92.00
N Carolina $ 212.50 $ 91.00
S. Carolina $ 232.50 $ 91.00
Tennessee $ 58.50 $ 91.00
ISDN Individual Business Line Rates for Capability Package J
STATE Installation Charge Recurring Monthly Charge
Alabama $ 219.00 $ 91.00
Florida $ 206.00 $ 91.00
Georgia $ 208.25 $ 91.00
Kentucky $ 223.00 $ 91.00
Louisiana $ 235.00 $ 92.00
Mississippi $ 217.00 $ 92.00
N Carolina $ 212.50 $ 91.00
S. Carolina $ 232.50 $ 91.00
Tennessee $ 58.50 ! $ 91.00
ISDN Individual Business Line Rates for Capability Package K
STATE Installation Charge Recurring Monthly Charge
Alabama $ 225.00 $ 98.00
Florida $ 212.00 $ 98.00
Georgia $ 214.25 $ 98.00
Kentucky $ 229.00 $ 98.00
Louisiana $ 241.00 $ 99.00
Mississippi $ 223.00 $ 99.00
N Carolina $ 218.50 $ 98.00
S. Carolina $ 238.50 $ 98.00
Tennessee $ 64.50 $ 98.00
ISDN Individual Business Line Rates for Capability Package L
STATE Installation Charge Recurring Monthly Charge
Alabama $ 231.00 $ 104.50
Florida $ 218.00 $ 104.50
Georgia $ 220.25 $ 104.50
Kentucky $ 235.00 $ 104.50
Louisiana $ 247.00 $ 105.50
Mississippi $ 229.00 $ 105.50
N Carolina $ 224.50 $ 104.50
S. Carolina $ 244.50 $ 104.50
Tennessee $ 70.50 $ 104.50
ISDN Individual Business Line Rates for Capability Package M
STATE Installation Charge Recurring Monthly Charge
Alabama $ 219.00 $ 91.00
Florida $ 206.00 $ 91.00
Georgia $ 208.25 $ 91.00
Kentucky $ 223.00 $ 91.00
Louisiana $ 235.00 $ 92.00
Mississippi $ 217.00 $ 92.00
N Carolina $ 212.50 $ 91.00
S. Carolina $ 232.50 $ 91.00
Tennessee $ 58.50 $ 91.00
ISDN Individual Business Line Rates for Capability Package N
STATE Installation Charge Recurring Monthly Charge
Alabama $ 240.00 $ 111.50
Florida $ 227.00 $ 111.50
Georgia $ 229.25 $ 111.50
Kentucky $ 244.00 $ 111.50
Louisiana $ 256.00 $ 112.50
Mississippi $ 238.00 $ 112.50
N Carolina $ 233.50 $ 110.00
S. Carolina $ 253.50 $ 111.50
Tennessee $ 64.50 $ 111.50
ISDN Individual Business Line Rates for Capability Package O
STATE Installation Charge Recurring Monthly Charge
Alabama $ 244.00 $ 115.00
Florida $ 231.00 $ 115.00
Georgia $ 233.25 $ 115.00
Kentucky $ 248.00 $ 115.00
Louisiana $ 260.00 $ 116.00
Mississippi $ 242.00 $ 116.00
N Carolina $ 237.50 $ 113.50
S. Carolina $ 257.50 $ 115.00
Tennessee $ 68.50 $ 115.00
ISDN Individual Business Line Rates for Capability Package P
STATE Installation Charge Recurring Monthly Charge
Alabama $ 246.00 $ 118.50
Florida $ 233.00 $ 118.50
Georgia $ 235.25 $ 118.50
Kentucky $ 250.00 $ 118.50
Louisiana $ 262.00 $ 119.50
Mississippi $ 244.00 $ 119.50
N Carolina $ 239.50 $ 117.00
S. Carolina $ 259.50 $ 118.50
Tennessee $ 70.50 $ 118.50
ISDN Individual Business Line Rates for Capability Package Q
STATE Installation Charge Recurring Monthly Charge
Alabama $ 254.00 $ 125.50
Florida $ 241.00 $ 125.50
Georgia $ 243.25 $ 125.50
Kentucky $ 258.00 $ 125.50
Louisiana $ 270.00 $ 126.50
Mississippi $ 252.00 $ 126.50
N Carolina $ 247.50 $ 124.00
S. Carolina $ 267.50 $ 125.50
Tennessee $ 78.50 $ 125.50
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
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For a limited time only; If you wish to have a FREE sample printout sent to
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Server Benchmarks STR InfoFile
H A Y N E S & C O M P A N Y
SHILOH CONSULTING
Performance Benchmark Tests of Microsoft and NetScape Web Servers
Responding to HTML, API, and CGI Requests and Running on Windows NT
February 1996
Version 1.0
This document summarizes tests conducted by Shiloh Consulting and Haynes &
Company to measure the throughput, connections per second, response time, and
error rate of two Web servers processing client requests for HTML,
proprietary APIs (Application Programming Interfaces) and standard CGI
(Common Gateway Interface). The tests were run at Shiloh Consulting between
January 24 and February 5, 1996
Executive Summary
This testing demonstrates that the Microsoft Internet Information Server
(IIS) overwhelmingly outperforms the Windows NT version of the NetScape
NetSite server when both are running straight HTML. The Internet Information
Server substantially outperforms the NetScape server when each server is
running its respective proprietary API. (See Figures 1 and 2 below for
comparisons of throughput and connections per second.) The Microsoft
performance advantage increases consistently as the number of clients making
requests increases.
As should be expected, server performance is virtually equal when 100% of
requests are for standard CGI. In the case of 100% CGI, both servers are
spending the majority of their time running the identical CGI code. The
Internet Information Server proprietary API (ISAPI) is roughly five times as
fast as CGI while the NetSite API (NSAPI) is roughly twice as fast as CGI.
Figure 1
Figure 2
Even when the Internet Information Server is handling many more requests than
NetSite, the Average Response Time for IIS to handle each request is
approximately one quarter that of NetSite for straight HTML and one third as
great for 100% API requests.
Figure 3
The error rates for both servers were zero in all straight HTML and
proprietary API tests. NetScape had errors in some CGI tests while Microsoft
had no errors.
The network did not constrain performance in any of the tests. The tests were
run over a 100 megabit network and the NT Performance Monitor reported that
network utilization never exceeded 16%.
Where Web site managers running Windows NT wish to minimize hardware costs,
allow a comfortable margin for peak loads, and provide the maximum room for
growth, they will find the Microsoft Internet Information Server superior to
the NetScape NetSite server in achieving these goals.
Test Philosophy and Methodology
The benchmark tests used the WebStone release version 1.1 server benchmark to
measure the differences in Web server software performance across workloads
that exercised HTML, CGI, and API scripts on the servers. The tests used
WebStone to measure throughput, connections per second, error rate, and
response time (also referred to as latency). CPU utilization and network
utilization were simultaneously measured for the same test runs using the
Windows NT Performance Monitor.
WebStone is widely recognized to be the current industry standard for
measuring Web server performance. It runs exclusively on clients, makes all
measurements from the point of view of the clients, and is independent of the
server software. Thus WebStone is suitable for testing the performance of any
and all Web servers, regardless of architecture, and for testing all
combinations of Web server, operating system, network operating system, and
hardware. It was developed by Silicon Graphics and is freely available to
anyone on the SGI Web server.
The WebStone software, controlled by a program called WebMASTER, runs on one
of the client workstations but uses no test network or server resources while
the test is running and places only a minimal burden on each client.
Each WebStone client is able to launch a number of children (called
"Webchildren"), depending on how the system load is configured. Each of the
Webchildren simulates a Web client and requests information from the server
based on a configured file load. The tests conducted for this report used
four workstations to run the client software. Each workstation simulated the
same number of clients with an identical set of requests coming from each
workstation.
The tests for straight HTML performance were all run using the same request
load (100% identical requests for a small HTML file) and using eight
different client loads (16, 32, 48, 64, 80, 96, 112, and 128 clients). The
requests were generated from the filelist.ss file which is incorporated
within WebStone.
The API and CGI tests were run at three request loads (light, medium, and
heavy) for each of the eight client configurations. The load points mixed the
proportion of client requests between dynamic HTML requests (requiring a call
to a CGI or API routine) and static requests for a HTML document as shown in
the table that is shown below:
Proportion of Client Requests
HTML CGI or NSAPI
Light 75% 25%
Medium 58% 42%
Heavy 0% 100%
The files which generate these proportions of static and dynamic requests are
incorporated into the WebStone release 1.1 software under the following
names:
filelist.dynamic-light
filelist dynamic-medium
filelist.dynamic-heavy
In some cases it was necessary to make minor modifications to the files to
accommodate the proprietary nature of the APIs but the contents of the files
(the requests themselves) were the same for all servers.
WebStone was set up to run all tests for a given server at a given load point
back-to-back, without human intervention. WebStone stepped the number of
clients through the eight pre-set levels, running the test at each level for
five minutes and reporting the results of each test to a file at the end of
the test run. Selected tests run with heavy request loads and 128 clients
were run three times to assure the reproducibility of the results. Results of
these repeated tests varied by no more than a few percent.
Log files were cleared and the Web server that was under test at that time
was restarted after each test as each request load level was completed.
Test Configuration
The Web servers tested were the Microsoft Internet Information Server Version
3.51 release candidate and the NetScape NetSite Communications Server 1.12.
All Web servers tested were run on the same identically configured:
Hewlett-Packard NetServer LS servers:
z Intel Pentium CPU running at 133 MHz
z 1 megabyte L2 Cache
z 32 megabytes of RAM
z Two 1 gigabyte Hard disk drives
z Digital Tulip 100 megabit Ethernet Card
z Windows NT Server, version 3.51, with Service Pack 3 installed
At Microsoft's direction, the Listen Backlog parameter in Windows NT was
changed to 150 from the default of 16 when run in conjunction with the
Internet Information Server. We understand that this parameter has no
relevance to NetSite. Based on earlier discussions with NetScape the minimum
number of processes in Windows NT was changed from 16 to 32 and the maximum
was changed from 32 to 64 to optimize performance.
Since all Web servers accessed the same test files and the files were cached
in memory, possible fragmentation of the files on the server disk was not a
factor in the results.
WebStone clients ran on four Silicon Graphics (SGI) Indy workstations with 32
megabytes of RAM running SGI IRIX Release 5.3. The workstations ran on a MIPS
R4600 processor at 100 MHz. Each workstation was connected to a WaveSwitch
100 Fast Ethernet switch using the workstation's internal 10Base-T adapter.
The server was connected to the switch using a DEC PCI Fast Ethernet adapter
running at 100 megabits per second. (See Figure 4.)
Figure 4 Test LAN
WebMASTER communicated over the same test network but carried no traffic
during the test runs. A Domain Name Service (DNS) was installed on Web client
#1 and was accessed once at the beginning of each test run.
Test Results
Each of the following tables presents the results of testing HTML, CGI, or
API requests at a specific load point (light, medium, or heavy) and shows how
the measurement varied with the number of clients.
Table 1A Average Throughput (Megabits/Sec) for HTML and CGI
Request 100% HTML Light CGI Medium Heavy
Load CGI CGI
Clients IIS NS IIS NS IIS NS IIS NS
16 11.6 1.90 4.0 2.07 2.3 1.83 1.0 1.0
8 8 3 7
32 13.0 3.35 3.9 2.08 2.2 1.70 0.9 1.0
1 3 0 6 6
48 13.2 3.26 3.9 2.10 2.2 1.72 0.9 1.0
9 7 0 8 7
64 13.4 3.25 3.8 2.17 2.3 1.78 0.9 1.1
8 1 0 9 0
80 13.3 3.11 4.0 2.13 2.3 1.63 0.9 1.0
8 7 0 8 8
96 13.6 3.22 3.9 2.19 2.3 1.65 1.0 1.0
5 7 1 1 2
112 13.5 3.09 3.9 2.16 2.3 1.64 0.9 1.0
2 8 6 7 4
128 13.6 3.28 3.9 2.16 2.4 1.77 1.0 1.0
0 0 6 1 6
Table 1B Average Throughput (Megabits/Sec) for Proprietary APIs
Request Light Medium Heavy API
Load API API
Clients IIS NS IIS NS IIS NS
16 10. 1.9 8.1 2.00 4.96 1.9
10 7 5 9
32 10. 3.1 8.5 2.26 4.95 2.1
80 1 3 6
48 10. 2.7 8.5 1.73 4.89 1.7
83 2 2 0
64 10. 2.5 8.5 1.50 4.95 1.5
80 0 2 4
80 10. 2.3 8.3 1.43 4.91 2.0
92 7 3 5
96 10. 2.1 8.2 1.46 4.93 1.7
85 8 8 8
112 10. 2.2 8.4 1.37 4.95 1.6
84 7 1 4
128 11. 2.1 8.3 1.40 5.04 1.5
00 1 9 8
(The content of the following tables will be added before the final draft of
the report.)
Table 2A & 2B Connections per Second
Table 2A Average Connections per Second for HTML and CGI
Request 100% HTML Light CGI Medium Heavy
Load CGI CGI
Clients IIS NS IIS NS IIS NS IIS NS
16 216 36 77 38 45 33 22 21
32 244 64 74 42 44 32 21 20
48 249 62 74 40 44 33 21 20
64 253 59 75 40 44 32 21 20
80 253 59 76 40 45 31 21 21
96 255 59 76 40 46 31 21 20
112 254 58 75 41 46 32 21 20
128 255 59 74 40 47 33 21 19
Table 2B Connections per Second for Proprietary APIs
Request Light Medium Heavy API
Load API API
Clients IIS NS IIS NS IIS NS
16 187 36 154 36 95 36
32 202 58 159 42 93 40
48 203 50 159 32 95 34
64 203 47 159 30 94 31
80 203 45 159 28 95 38
96 203 43 158 28 94 34
112 203 41 158 27 94 31
128 203 41 157 27 91 29
Table 3A & 3B Errors per Second
Table 3A Average Response Time for HTML and CGI (Seconds)
Request 100% HTML Light CGI Medium Heavy
Load CGI CGI
Clients IIS NS IIS NS IIS NS IIS NS
16 .07 .45 .21 .42 .35 .48 .73 .77
32 .13 .50 .43 .77 .72 1.01 1.5 1.5
1 8
48 .19 .77 .65 1.19 1.0 1.45 2.3 2.3
8 0 7
64 .25 1.08 .85 1.59 1.4 2.00 3.0 3.1
4 3 1
80 .31 1.36 1.0 1.98 1.7 2.56 3.7 3.8
6 8 5 6
96 .38 1.62 1.2 2.38 2.1 3.08 4.5 4.8
7 2 7 6
112 .44 1.90 1.5 2.75 2.4 3.50 5.2 5.5
0 3 0 5
128 .50 2.16 1.7 3.16 2.7 3.80 6.0 6.5
3 2 4 2
Table 3B Average Response Time for Proprietary APIs (Seconds)
Request Light Medium Heavy API
Load API API
Clients IIS NS IIS NS IIS NS
16 .09 .44 .10 .44 .17 .44
32 .16 .55 .20 .76 .34 .79
48 .24 .97 .30 1.50 .50 1.4
3
64 .31 1.3 .40 2.14 .68 2.0
6 9
80 .39 1.7 .50 2.83 .84 2.0
8 8
96 .47 2.2 .61 3.42 1.02 2.8
2 0
112 .55 2.7 .71 4.10 1.19 3.5
0 8
128 .63 3.1 .81 4.77 1.40 4.5
2 1
Table 4 Response Time
Table 4 Error Rate for CGI (Errors per Second)
Request Light CGI Medium Heavy
Load CGI CGI
Clients IIS NS IIS NS IIS NS
16 .00 .000 .00 .003 .00 .00
0 0 0 7
32 .00 .003 .00 .000 .00 .00
0 0 0 7
48 .00 .000 .00 .017 .00 .00
0 0 0 0
64 .00 .000 .00 .003 .00 .00
0 0 0 0
80 .00 .000 .00 .003 .00 .00
0 0 0 0
96 .00 .000 .00 .000 .00 .00
0 0 0 0
112 .00 .000 .00 .007 .00 .00
0 0 0 0
128 .00 .000 .00 .007 .00 .00
0 0 0 0
(No errors were reported for either server while running HTML or proprietary
APIs.)
Table 5A & 5B CPU Utilization
Table 5A CPU Utilization for HTML and CGI (Percent)
Request 100% HTML Light CGI Medium Heavy
Load CGI CGI
Clients IIS NS IIS NS IIS NS IIS NS
16 80 30 100 68 100 91 100 100
32 92 86 100 100 100 100 100 100
48 95 98 100 100 100 100 100 100
64 96 100 100 100 100 100 100 100
80 96 100 100 100 100 100 100 100
96 96 100 100 100 100 100 100 100
112 98 100 100 100 100 100 100 100
128 98 100 100 100 100 100 100 100
Table 5B CPU Utilization for Proprietary APIs (Percent)
Request Light Medium Heavy API
Load API API
Clients IIS NS IIS NS IIS NS
16 93 37 100 66 100 65
32 97 90 100 95 100 99
48 100 100 100 98 100 100
64 100 100 100 97 100 100
80 100 100 100 95 100 100
96 100 100 100 94 100 100
112 100 100 100 96 100 100
128 100 100 100 95 100 100
Table 6A & 6B Network Utilization
Table 6A Network Utilization for HTML and CGI (Percent)
Request 100% HTML Light CGI Medium Heavy
Load CGI CGI
Clients IIS NS IIS NS IIS NS IIS NS
16 14 2 5 2 2 2 1 1
32 15 4 5 3 2 2 1 1
48 15 4 5 3 2 2 1 1
64 16 4 5 3 3 2 1 1
80 16 4 5 3 3 2 1 1
96 16 4 5 3 3 2 1 1
112 16 4 5 3 3 2 1 1
128 16 4 5 3 3 2 1 1
Table 6B Network Utilization for Proprietary APIs (Percent)
Request Light Medium Heavy API
Load API API
Clients IIS NS IIS NS IIS NS
16 12 3 10 2 6 2
32 12 3 10 3 6 3
48 13 3 10 2 6 2
64 13 3 10 2 6 2
80 13 3 10 2 6 3
96 13 3 10 2 6 2
112 13 3 10 2 6 2
128 13 3 10 2 6 2
Testing and Report Certification
This report is written by Shiloh Consulting and Haynes & Company based upon
testing which they conducted between January 24 and February 6, 1996 at the
offices of Shiloh Consulting. The testers believe that the relative
performance of the tested Web servers is projectable to real world
environments-where the specific client requests made, the demand on the
server and the network, and the number of clients vary over time.
Shiloh Consulting is an independent network consulting company. Shiloh is led
by Robert Buchanan who has over twenty years experience in product
development and testing for ROLM Corporation and 3Com Corporation. From 1990
to 1994, Mr. Buchanan ran the testing and operations of LANQuest, a leading
network product testing laboratory. Recently he completed a new book, The Art-
of-Testing Network Systems, which will be published by John Wiley & Sons in
April, 1996.
Haynes & Company (http://www.haynes.com) provides business planning and
program management for high tech companies. Past clients include Oracle,
Qualcomm, 3Com, Interlink Computer Sciences, Artisoft, and NetScape. Ted
Haynes of Haynes & Company was a contemporary of Bob Buchanan at both ROLM
and 3Com. He is the author of The Electronic Commerce Dictionary and has
spoken on commerce over the Internet at the RSA Data Security Conference.
Every effort has been made to insure that the results described are fair and
accurate. This report may be reproduced and distributed, as long as no part
of this report is omitted or altered. All trademarks in this report are the
property of their respective companies.
EDUPAGE STR Focus Keeping the users informed
Edupage
DEEP BLUE FALLS TO KASPAROV
World chess champion Garry Kasparov has won the six-game match against the
IBM supercomputer called Deep Blue. Counting tie games as a half point
each, the final score was Kasparov 4, Deep Blue 2. Kasparov will receive
$400,000 for winning the match; the IBM team representing Deep Blue says it
will put its $100,000 loser's award into more research. (Atlanta Journal-
Constitution 18 Feb 96 A1)
CLINTON CHAMPIONS COMPUTERS IN THE CLASSROOM
President Clinton has proposed a $2 billion federal matching-grant program to
help local communities put computers in their classrooms. The "challenge
grants" would hinge on communities' ability to enlist the support of local
businesses in the venture. Meanwhile, Microsoft and MCI Communications have
said they would work together to help K-12 schools set up Web sites and
advertise them in conjunction with Microsoft's Global Schoolhouse. (Wall
Street Journal 16 Feb 96 B2)
INJUNCTION BLOCKING INTERNET "INDECENCY" LAW
Federal Judge Ronald L. Buckwalter has temporarily blocked enforcement of the
new Communications Decency Act, which makes it a felony to use computer
networks accessible by minors to transmit "indecent" material. His ruling
stated that the term "indecent" was unconstitutionally vague and would
"leave reasonable people perplexed in evaluating what is or what is not
prohibited in this statute." A three-judge federal panel will now review the
constitutionality of the Act, and any subsequent appeals will be placed on a
fast track to the U.S. Supreme Court. (New York Times 16 Feb 96 A1) For the
text of the decision see: www.epic.org/free_speech/censorship/lawsuit/
HIGHER ED GROUPS EYE ELECTRONIC COPYRIGHT BILL
Representatives from higher education associations testified last week before
a House subcommittee, urging lawmakers not to pass new electronic copyright
rules before their impact on colleges and universities can be assessed. At
issue is a revised definition of "fair use" of copyrighted digital materials
that threatens to eliminate or severely restrict online interlibrary loans,
and would also prevent professors from using such materials as part of their
courses. (Chronicle of Higher Education 16 Feb 96 A26)
SEGA WILL ADD BROWSER TO GAMING EQUIPMENT
Sega Enterprises plans to add equipment to its Saturn video game console that
will enable consumers to browse the Internet on their TV set. The entire
package would cost between $100 and $150 more than the current $299 Saturn
price tag. (Investor's Business Daily 16 Feb 96 A30)
INTERNATIONAL COPYRIGHT CONFERENCE
Under the auspices of the Geneva-based World Intellectual Property
Organization, a conference will be held next December to initial an
agreement that would extend copyright protection under the Berne convention
to material transmitted over the Internet and other computer networks. One
European negotiator in preliminary discussions on the issues says: "The
development of the global information superhighway depends on film companies,
directors, authors and performers being willing to put their work into the
system. They need sufficient protection and sufficient rights to get a
sufficient return, and some guarantees that there aren't great leaks in the
pipe." (Financial Times 14 Feb 96 p7)
DVD PROPONENTS MEET THE CD-ROM FACTOR
While video entertainment companies are hashing out the details of the
digital videodisc technology, computer makers are marshaling forces to make
their wishes known before it's too late. The two competing video camps
agreed in December on a "Digital Versatile Disc" format that incorporates
aspects of both the Sony-Philips and the Toshiba-Time Warner designs. A
"technical working group" that includes big names such as Apple, IBM, Compaq,
Hewlett-Packard and Microsoft now wants to ensure that any future DVD format
will also be compatible with a new generation of high- capacity CD-ROM discs
and drives. They're proposing a tentative DVD-ROM format that would
accommodate the content of multiple CD-ROM discs on one silver platter.
(Popular Science Feb 96 p58)
FUJITSU SINKS $50 MILLION IN U.S. PC OPERATION
Fujitsu Ltd., Japan's biggest computer maker and second in the world behind
IBM, has invested $50 million to create a U.S. operation for making and
marketing PCs. Based in Milpitas, Calif., Fujitsu PC Corp. will focus
initially on high- end laptops with communications features geared toward
traveling executives. (Investor's Business Daily 16 Feb 96 A30)
APPLE WON'T HAVE HUGE LAYOFFS
Reiterating that Apple is no longer in merger talks with other corporations,
new CEO Gil Amelio says his company will straighten its business strategy
quickly and without having to make the huge layoffs that industry analysts
had forecast. (New York Times 17 Feb 96 p23)
EDUCATION IS KEY TO HOME PC MARKET
An American Learning Household Survey says that over 80% of intended family
household PC buyers in its study cited children's education as the primary
reason for purchase, relegating work-at-home and home financial applications
to a distant 40% level. The survey also found that children's use of the PC
is shifting away from games and toward more complex uses of the computer as
an information access tool. Info: peter@grunwald.com. (The Red Herring Dec
95)
HOW WILL THE COOKIE CRUMBLE?
In our issue of 15 Feb 96 we cited a story from Wall Street Journal about a
Netscape feature called Cookies, which allows merchants to track what
customers do in their online storefronts and how much time they spend there.
Financial Times columnist Tim Jackson tells Edupage: "The Journal story is
wrong, according to Netscape. They maintain that they have made no firm
decision to insert a feature allowing users to disable cookies if they wish;
they will only do so, they say, if their customers demand it. But since
Netscape have taken no steps to correct the Journal story, and no steps to
publicize the issue, it seems that they're happy for the misunderstanding to
continue because that will then allow them to make no changes." (Personal
Correspondence 18 Feb 96)
APPLE SAYS IT HAS A COMPUTER FOR THE REST OF THE WORLD
New Apple CEO Gil Amelio says the company is now targeting parts of the world
that have not yet entered the computer age: "The battle has just begun. We
live in a world where only about half the people alive today have ever used a
telephone let alone used a computer. There is an enormous untapped market."
As part of the strategy Apple is licensing its Mac/OS operating system to
Motorola, which will be allowed to sublicense the system and to market a Mac-
based system in China, through a joint venture between a Motorola subsidiary
in China and the Panda Electronics Group in that
country. (New York Times 20 Feb 96 C2)
IBM SERVES UP AN INTERNET STRATEGY
IBM has developed new software that will transform its mainframe,
minicomputers and computer workstations into Web servers, allowing large
companies that have mountains of data stored on corporate mainframes the
option of making that information directly accessible to customers on the
Web. The move also eliminates the difficulties of bridging incompatible
systems, making the Web a common platform for information transfer. "It
breaks down all the complex barriers that existed in the computing world,"
says the president of a computer consulting company. (Wall Street Journal
20 Feb 96 A3)
MICROSOFT REORGANIZATION EMPHASIZES INTERACTIVITY
Microsoft is reorganizing to create an Interactive Media Division to
concentrate both on the Internet market and the market for interactive
multimedia products designed for the new digital video disk systems, which
will include interactive full-motion video. The division will include
Microsoft Network, games, children's products, and Microsoft's information
businesses. (New York Times 20 Feb 96 C1)
CREDIT CARD SCARE TACTICS
Sending your credit card information over the Internet is really no big deal,
says Simson Garfinkel, author of a book on Pretty Good Privacy encryption
software. "The whole thing about encryption over the Internet is that it's
not to protect the customer -- it's to protect the credit-card companies.
By law, if there is no signature, the customer is liable for nothing. If
there's a signature, they're liable for $50. The reason the credit-card
companies want cryptography is to limit their own liability. It has nothing
to do with protecting the consumer." And although Netscape Navigator sends a
stern message each time a user attempts to send information over the Web,
Garfinkel labels the warning just another scare tactic: "Netscape Navigator
is printing those messages because they're trying to sell encrypted servers.
It's an ad. It doesn't look like an ad, but it is." (Tampa Tribune 19 Feb
96 B&F3)
BANYAN SPONSORS E-MAIL SWITCHBOARD
Banyan Systems is offering a new service on the Web -- a directory of e-mail
addresses and other information for 93 million people and 11 million
businesses worldwide. Switchboard includes a feature similar to Caller ID,
that alerts a listed person whenever someone asks for that person's address,
and allows them to decide whether to allow that information to be given out.
The service also features public key certificates for secure communications
between users. < http://www.switchboard.com > (Information Week 12 Feb 96
p24)
INTERNET APPLIANCE DEBUTS IN U.K.
Philips Electronics NV already has a cheap Internet appliance on the shelves
in the U.K. Its CD-Online device consists of a disc, cable and modem that
work with Philips' CD player to link to the Internet via a Philips online
service. Philips plans to roll out the service in the U.S. this year, and
Europe sometime thereafter. (Investor's Business Daily 20 Feb 96 A12)
JUSTICE ASKED TO LOOK INTO MICROSOFT GIVEAWAY
Internet Factory Inc., a small California software company that markets an
Internet server program, has asked the U.S. Justice Department to
investigate Microsoft's plans to give away its new Internet Information
Server software as part of its Windows NT program. Sales apparently "went
dead" for Internet Factory after Microsoft announced its bundling strategy.
(Wall Street Journal 20 Feb 96 A4)
ONLINE SERVICES TO PEAK IN TWO YEARS?
A new study by Forrester Research predicts that the popularity of commercial
online services such as America Online and CompuServe will peak by 1998,
with a total of 16 million subscribers. That number will drop to about 15
million the following year, and will continue to fall as more businesses
migrate to the Internet. Companies that pursue the strategy of offering
Internet services directly, such as AT&T, MCI and Microsoft, will likely reap
the benefits. (Investor's Business Daily 20 Feb 96 A13)
EUROPE BACKS V-CHIP
The European Parliament has followed the lead of the United States in
supporting the use of Canadian-developed V-chip technology that allows
parents to screen violent or adult content from their televisions. (Montreal
Gazette 20 Feb 96 C7)
DEBIT-CARDS AND SMART CARDS
The number of debit card transactions in Canada more than doubled in 1995
from 1994, according to electronic banking network Interac. Last year,
there were 390-million purchases made with the cards, compared with 185-
million a year earlier. (Toronto Financial Post 16 Feb 96 p7) In Atlanta,
BellSouth says that prior to this year's Summer Olympics it will install 200
phones that accept "smart cards" that store monetary values from which the
cost of telephone calls can be automatically deducted. Someday soon,
consumers will be able to use the phones like an automated teller machine --
withdrawing money from a bank or credit card account and storing it on a
smart card. (Atlanta Journal-Constitution 20 Feb 96 E1)
PROGRAMMERS NEEDED
The Software Human Resources Council says Canada faces a disturbing shortage
of programmers and predicts an overall shortage of 20,000 workers by 1999.
(Ottawa Citizen 20 Feb 96 C1)
"ESCAPE VELOCITY" OF CYBERCULTURE
The New York Times says that Mark Dery's new book "Escape Velocity:
Cyberculture at the End of the Century" is written with considerable
knowledge and authority about such bizarre subcultures as the avant-garde
roboticists, cyberpunk novelists, virtual reality designers, "body art"
performance artists, "cyber hippies" and "technopagans." Although the book
uses the critical theories of Bataille, Foucault, Baudrillard and McLuhan,
the newspaper describes the author's writing style as "happily, sometimes
even exuberantly nonpedantic." Dery has appeared several times in the pages
of Educom Review. (New York Times 20 Feb 96 B2)
COMPAQ PLANS TO PARE DOWN APPLE'S SLICE OF ED MARKET
Compaq Computer is going after the education market, targeting an area
dominated for years by Apple Computer, and has hired a former Apple manager
to help it. Currently, about 7% of schools surveyed by Quality Education
Data say they plan to buy Compaqs, while 61% say they intend to buy
computers from Apple. Many schools are gearing up to replace older Apple
models, and Compaq thinks it has a good chance of garnering some of those
sales, building on its strong sales of servers to schools that are
networking their computers and buildings. (Wall Street Journal 21 Feb 96 B6)
MICROSOFT SHIFTS SOFTWARE FOCUS
The management structure of its software operations, which had previously
been organized by customer grouping (Business, Consumer, Personal Systems,
and Developers), is being reorganized into three industry-specific divisions:
Desktop & Business Systems Division; Internet Platform & Tools Division;
and Consumer Platforms Division. (New York Times 21 Feb 96 C3)
TCI ZEROES IN ON THE INTERNET
Tele-Communications Inc. has created TCI Internet Services to better
capitalize on online business opportunities. The company is currently
testing its @Home high-speed Internet access service using cable modems, and
the latest move underscores TCI's interest in online activities by boosting
the Internet division to an autonomous unit. "We expect high- speed Internet
services delivered over our cable systems to be a very significant new
business for TCI," says the company's president/CEO. (Broadcasting & Cable
19 Feb 96 p60)
H&R BLOCK AND SEARS END THEIR INTERNET LOVE AFFAIRS
H&R Block, the tax-preparation company, is spinning off its online
subsidiary, CompuServe as a new public company, saying: "The separation of
CompuServe will unlock the value we have created through both of these strong
franchises and will better position each entity to growth opportunities in
their respective markets." (New York Times 21 Feb 96) ...Meanwhile, Sears
Roebuck & Co. will sell its 50% stake in Prodigy, which it owns in
partnership with IBM. "We have concluded that this investment does not
represent an asset that should be part of our portfolio over the long term,"
says Sears' CEO. IBM is considering whether to buy Sears' 50% or divest its
own share of the venture. (Wall Street Journal 22 Feb 96 A3)
CUC ACQUIRING DAVIDSON AND SIERRA ON-LINE
CUC International Inc., a technology-based retail and membership services
company, is spending $1.7 billion to purchase consumer software makers
Davidson & Associates and Sierra On-Line Inc. "Our goal is to be the
nation's leader in content across all areas of consumer spending in the
electronic marketplace," says CUC's CEO. (Investor's Business Daily 21 Feb
96 A5)
ELECTRONIC WALLET FROM ORACLE AND VERIFONE
Oracle, which specializes in database software, and Verifone, which
specializes in credit card verification systems, have formed an alliance
that will allow customers using "electronic wallets" built into Internet
browser software to access a full range of financial transaction methods,
including credit and debit cards, smart cards and electronic cash. The
companies call it an "end-to-end" system for secure electronic commerce on
the Internet. (Financial Times 22 Feb 96 p16)
FCC PONDERS ENHANCED 911 SERVICE
The Cellular Telecommunications Industry Association and public safety groups
are asking the FCC to approve Enhanced 911 service for cell phones that
would allow operators to quickly pinpoint the origin of the call and send
help. In its initial stages, the system would identify only the caller's
cell site, but in five years specific locations would traceable. Two-thirds
of cellular users say safety is one of the reasons they bought their phones.
(Investor's Business Daily 21 Feb 96 A4)
TAX REVOLT ON THE INFO HIGHWAYWhen officials in Spokane, Wash. thought they
could wring some extra revenue
via a 6% tax on Internet providers, they were inundated with e-mail and phone
calls protesting the action. One firm even set up a Web site for users to
vent their opposition. The result was the city council decided to delay the
tax pending further study, but the Spokane experience is likely to be played
out in cities across the country as local governments look for new sources
of cash. (Information Week 12 Feb 96 p10)
HOT TECHNOLOGIES FOR '96
First Albany-Meta Technology has drawn up its own list of hot technologies
for the coming year: data warehousing and online analytical processing
software; business process reengineering software, client-server network
management software; object-oriented programming tools; frame relay,
asynchronous transfer mode, and integrated services digital network
technologies; and of course, anything to do with the Internet. (Investor's
Business Daily 22 Feb 96 A8)
ACORN/APPLE GRAFTING
Acorn and Apple are forming a 50-50 joint venture to supply the U.K.
education market, and will offer Risc OS and Apple's Mac OS on the same
machines, which will be designed to the Common Hardware Reference Platform
specification agreed on last year by Apple, IBM and Motorola. Risc OS is used
in education, he says, in TV set-top boxes, and in the forthcoming Internet-
oriented "network computers" that Acorn is designing for Oracle. (The
Guardian 22 Feb 1996)
Edupage is written by John Gehl (gehl@educom.edu) & Suzanne Douglas
(douglas@educom.edu).
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INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY CONFERENCE
The CAUSE organization's annual conference on information technology in
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Educom -- Transforming Education Through Information Technology
Kids Computing Corner
Frank Sereno, Editor
The Kids' Computing Corner
Imagination Express: Destination Ocean
Dual-format CD-ROM for Windows and Macintosh
for ages 6 to 12
price about $40
from Edmark Corporation
P.O. Box 97021
Redmond, WA 98073-9721
206-556-8484
Program Requirements
IBM Macintosh
OS: Windows 3.1, Windows 95 OS: System 7
CPU: 386/25 CPU: Color Macintosh
HD Space: 4 MB HD Space: 4 MB
Memory: 8 MB Memory: 8 MB
Graphics: 640 by 480 with 256 colors Graphics:
256 colors, 13" monitor
CD-ROM: Double-speed recommended CD-ROM: Double-speed
recommended
Audio: 8-bit Windows compatible sound card
Other: printer, microphone, mouse Other: printer,
microphone
review by Frank Sereno
Imagination Express is a wonderful program that encourages children to
express themselves through pictures, words and sounds. They will construct
fascinating electronic books using colorful backgrounds and then positioning
animated stickers on the page. Additionally, children can add their own
narration, include prerecorded sounds or make their own, and place text on
the page. Younger children can create beautiful picture books while older
children can use the advanced tools to make multimedia masterpieces.
Imagination Express has four different themed Destinations. The original
Destination was Neighborhood which allowed children to write about familiar
people and places. The next Destination was Castle. This theme encouraged
fantasy and imagination with tales of knights and dragons. The third
Destination was Rain Forest which enabled children to learn and write about
people from other cultures and to learn about a new ecosystem. The latest
addition is Ocean. Again children have the opportunity to learn about new
ecosystems and to discover a wide array of plants and animals. Each
Destination comes complete with the authoring and playback programs so each
can be used independently of the others.
Children can pick from many backgrounds for each page. Then they can choose
from a stunning variety of "stickers" for placement on the background. Some
stickers are animated and some even include audio. As an added feature to
Ocean, some stickers can be recorded in motion around the screen. Our young
film director simply clicks on the movie camera icon, clicks on the sticker
he wishes to film and then moves the icon about the scene until he is done.
Special editing tools allow him to correct mistakes or change the movie. In
addition, he can add prerecorded sounds or create his own for the movie.
Text can be added to pages also. In a new feature added to Imagination
Express, text can now be placed anywhere on the page. Previous versions of
the program limited text to certain locations on the page. When Oceans is
installed, this feature will be available for all Destinations.
Completed masterpieces can be saved as files, printed in color or grayscale
(depending on your printer's capabilities), or can be viewed on screen.
Naturally, if the multimedia features are used, the only way to get the full
effect is to view it within Imagination Express. Files can be copied to
floppy to share with friends, but they must have the same Destination that
was used to produce the story. The size of stories is limited only by the
storage space on your hard disk.
But the learning and fun doesn't stop there! Imagination Express includes a
Fact Book with each Destination. The Ocean Fact Book is a narrated
illustrated repository of fascinating information about the ocean
environment, marine life and the effects of pollution. It is really a small
encyclopedia.
The program also includes Story Ideas. Your child's peers will offer
suggestions for stories and different writing techniques. This will spark
his imagination on those days when he is dry for story ideas. An example E-
Book is also included for inspiration on how to use the program's many
features.
Also included is a Dear Parents section. This guide from Edmark executive
and developer Donna Stanger includes important information about the writing
process and suggestions on encouraging and teaching your children to write.
This will help parents get the most value from the software.
Imagination Express features attractive, colorful graphics. Backgrounds have
a 3-D appearance and in many instances stickers can be moved behind or
between images on the screen. Even more impressive, the stickers autosize.
They become smaller as they are moved to the rear of the scene and become
larger as they are dragged to the forefront. This adds to the illusion of
depth perception. The animations are not very smooth, but they are
acceptable. The sound portion of the program is first-rate. The sound
effects are very realistic. Children will often choose to create their own
sound effects as well.
The program has a straightforward interface which is very intuitive. Younger
children may need assistance until they learn the finer points of the editing
system because no audible help or text files are provided in the program. A
very thorough manual is included which is very helpful. A smaller, quick-
start manual is included with the CD-ROM's jewel case.
Imagination Express is a very entertaining program. It has a myriad of
features which will be discovered and exploited through hours of play. The
Fact Book is entertaining and informative. Educational value is outstanding.
This program will enhance your child's interest in writing and develop his
creativity. Just be prepared for the expense of replacing printer
perishables!
Edmark products are always exceptional values. Each program is backed by a
30-day moneyback guarantee. Edmark exploits the best teaching methods to
impart knowledge and enhance skills in each child. Additionally, Edmark is
offering a $5 rebate through March 31 on Imagination Express: Destination
Ocean. This title is also available as a free selection in the Strategy
Games of the World offer. Imagination Express: Destination Ocean is a
terrific program for inspiring the creative writer in your child!
Ratings
Graphics . . . . . . . . . 9.5
Sound . . . . . . . . . . . 9.5
Interface . . . . . . . . . 9.0
Play Value . . . . . . . . 9.0
Educational Value . . . 10.0
Bang for the Buck . . . 9.5
Average . . . . . . . . . . 9.42
# # #
World's Easiest Announcements &
World's Easiest Invitations
T/Maker Company
1390 Villa Street
Mountain View, CA, USA 94041
(800) 730 EASY (3279)
System Requirements:
386 or higher CPU
Windows 3.1 or Windows 95
3 MB RAM
5MB-7MB Free Hard Disk Space
VGA/SVGA Monitor & Graphics Card
Review by Donna Lines
These products are as easy to use as the name implies. With just a few mouse
clicks you can create attractive announcements and invitations appropriate
for every occasion. You can print your creations on your personal printer or
send the file via modem or diskette to T/Maker's World's Easiest Print Center
for professional printing. For a truly professional look right from your own
printer, you can print your creations on the included samples of preprinted
cards from Paper Direct.
World's Easiest Software was designed with the novice computer user in mind.
The installation directions for new computer users assume that the reader may
never have used a computer before. Step 3 reads "Insert the installation
disk or CD into a drive. (The disk should pop in easily, metal side first;
if it doesn't, try turning the disk around.)"
Five fonts are included on the CD-ROM: Alor Normal, Amaze Normal, Dolphin
Wide Normal, Luciano Wide Normal, and Vive Normal. The clipart (referred to
as logos) is very limited, however you can import your own graphics in
several file formats (tiff, bmp, wmf or eps). The images will display in low
resolution. However, they will print O.K. The World's Easiest Print Center
cannot print gray-scale, color or wmf images. If you will be sending your
design to the Print Center include only black and white graphics (preferably
outlined) in your designs.
During the ordering process you are given the printing costs based on the
print options that you select (prices valid through Dec. 31, 1996). You can
cancel the order anytime during the ordering process. I could not
successfully connect to The World's Easiest Print Center even after several
attempts.
Pros:
z The software is very straightforward and easy to use.
z You can create a card and then endlessly edit the size, the style of
text and the borders without reentering your data.
z You can import your own graphics in several file formats.
z Once you have created your design you can preview the design on plain
paper or on the Paper Direct preprinted design papers.
Cons:
z You can only have one "logo" per announcement or invitation and there
are few logos included
z The program is self-limiting and the average user will quickly outgrow
it.
z The Win `95 task bar is hidden from view while using World's Easiest.
It cannot be accessed without quitting the program (you cannot minimize the
program), even when ALT TAB is used to access another program the task bar is
hidden from view from that program as well.
If it's pure simplicity that you're looking for, then these software programs
were designed with you in mind. World's Easiest Announcements & World's
Easiest Invitations provide a quick, easy way to create all the invitations
or announcements that your family will ever need.
Portable Computers Section
Marty Mankins, Editor
EDITOR'S NOTES - February 23, 1995
The end of another year is now past. Way past for this person, who has
been out of commission for the last few weeks. Actually, make that the last
two months. Between being out of town, holidays and taking care of family
issues, not to mention getting pretty sick in between all of these events, I
am now back every week. For this weeks report, it is mostly a catch up of
what's been going on these past 8-10 weeks. Starting next week, we'll have
several new items like PlayStation game reviews, our plans to add coverage
for the Nintendo Ultra 64 and more on using portable computers.
KUDOS
I need to make this separate note to personally thank our fine editor-in-
chief Ralph Mariano for his efforts in making sure this section was covered
during my absence. His work has made it possible for you, the reader, to get
the information covered in the entertainment and portable computing arenas.
Now that I am back, I've got a lot to live up to, on top of all the catch up
information that I've collected.
UPDATE!!
After many phone calls and many nights of using a friend's PlayStation,
I was able to get a PlayStation on permanent loan from a local store who was
grateful to me and my expertise in computing and networking and getting his
system up and running (without too much trouble). As is the policy of
STReport, we do not do reviews on equipment and software that we must buy.
In all fairness, this is one reason why there were not as many PlayStation
reviews since September. Around the middle of December, most of my phone
calls paid off and I started getting PlayStation titles to review. It was
amazing! I was planning on waiting until after the first of the year to
start calling people again, but now that effort will be spent on getting more
games from the many new third-party developers that are coming into the
market.
My local Software Etc. (nestled nicely inside a huge Barnes & Noble
superstore) just recently took out all of their 3DO games and sent them back
to the distributor. It turns out they are simply not moving. They even
dropped the price of Crash 'n' Burn down to $6.99!! With four copies of it
in stock, they still couldn't move them. They also dropped the Goldstar 3DO
system down to $199 (as a side note, they may drop the system to $149 if it
still doesn't move - if it drops to $99, I may just pick it up - too good to
pass up). And their Sega Saturn titles have all been reduced to a single
shelf. As a comparison, all PlayStation titles have been moved to their own
wall and there is room for another 15-20 titles (there are currently more
than 50 in stock at all times, with maybe 1-2 duplicates). So it appears
PlayStation has won the video game battle. Now let's see if it can keep it
up when Nintendo comes out with Ultra 64 here in the next few months.
We are still looking at the 32-bit and 64-bit video game wars and what
to cover. While we mentioned back last year about the support of Sega
Saturn, it's future doesn't look so strong. And there is talk of the new M2
for the 3DO, but no ship dates are known. It's a 64-bit system and could
give the PlayStation a run for it's money, but I can tell you this that the
thing that matters most to consumers is games, more games and lots of games.
And Sony is laying their card right with this battle. Over the course of the
next 6 months, it's going to look pretty interesting with all of the new
systems and upgrade. My first guess is that the PlayStation will drop in
price to $149 when the Nintendo Ultra 64 is released (or soon after). After
that, there will be at least 120 games out for the PlayStation, if not more.
Just watch our list that we have here.
As always, if there are any questions or comments or suggestions, feel free
to e-mail me at 75300.1770@compuserve.com.
Until next week, I wish everyone good health (I know appreciate having that
benefit) and the best of fun.
-- Marty --
[Personal Info on Marty: owner of InfoStream, a company dedicated to
providing information to the mainstream.
Editor of Portability!, a magazine covering the portable consumer electronic
industry.
Visit our home page at: http://www.info-stream.com]
Atari Interactive - software/Jaguar/Computer Section
Dana Jacobson, Editor
>From the Atari Editor's Desk "Saying it like it is!"
If you're planning to attend this weekend's HACE show in Houston, be
sure to check the news of the last minute site change below! Our U.K.
correspondents are still working on a number of articles. I did have one
article regarding CAB/STiK, but it's being reworked to provide as much info
as possible. Look for it shortly, as well as other topics.
Still in the process of setting up a new RATSoft BBS, after almost nine
years of running MichTron software. The more I work with RATSoft, the more I
enjoy it! We went to pick up some donated hardware from the Boston Computer
Society's Atari group, but we picked the wrong office site! Since we were
running around in the most recent New England nor'easter, we decided not to
attempt driving to the other office. We hope to have the donated Falcon and
other peripherals any day, however. Then, we're waiting for a large hard
drive and CDcROM and we should be ready to switch over to the new software.
Then again, we may not wait for the new storage items and just use the
current drives. It should be a lot of fun, regardless.
If you're in the habit of ordering Atari computer equipment directly
from Atari because you don't have a local dealer, that will be almost
impossible now. With Atari's pending headquarters move, most if not all
remaining computer related stock has been sold. We've learned that longtime
"parts specialists" Best Electronics has obtained the majority of the
remaining stock; but we also learned that some of the dealers have also been
able to purchase some of the hardware. So, support your dealers even if you
have to do so via mail order c you'll have no choice these days.
If you happen to drop by the Houston Atari show this weekend, drop us a
line with your reports of the show. I wish that I could join you down there
in sunny and warm Texas, but it's just a tad too far for this Bostonian! We,
at STReport, wish the show sponsors and attendees the best of luck and fun!
Until next time...
Houston Atari Safari '96 Update! STR ShowNews Show Moved to New Site!
The Houston Atari Safari Computer Show will be held at the Four Points by
Sheraton, at 7611 Katy Freeway (I-10 at Silber Rd) on February 24th 1996, 10
am to 6 pm. This show includes software (and hardware) for all Atari
systems including Jaguar (even Door Prizes of Jaguar software).
The show has been advertised as being at the Ramada Hotel, but due to
remodeling Ramada has advised HACE they have had to make arrangements for the
show at the Four Points by Sheraton, just a block down the street. So
nothing has changed (time or date wise), just the address.
Dealers who will be at the show include:
z Computer Direct (Edmonton Alberta Canada)
z Systems for Tomorrow (Independence Missouri)
z Toad Computers (Saverna Park Maryland)
Developers (ST) at the show
z Binary Sounds (Houston)
z ChroMagic Software Innovations (Joplin, Missouri)
z Crawly Crypt Corporation (somewhere in Missouri)
z Gribnif (somewhere in Massachussetts)
z Branch Always Software (Redmond Washington)
z Trace Technologies (Houston)
There will be plenty of new software and upgrades from those folks. Also
used systems and software from local vendors at the show.
Safari '96 the biggest Atari show in Texas, Feb 24th, 1996
Mission Software Updates STR InfoFile
FLASH II
Now shipping version 3.01!
Missionware Software is pleased to announce the release of version 3.01 of
Flash II. This is our ninth update and is our all-new multitasking version!
Flash II originally went up for sale in April of 1992. Version 3.01 adds a
number of new features, as highlighted below.
Flash II is the update to the most popular Atari ST telecommunications
program ever! It's available exclusively from Missionware Software and at
an affordable price! Flash II is completely rewritten by Paul Nicholls of
Australia. It's easy and fast to use for the telecommunications beginner or
pro!
What's so new and good about Flash II version 3.01? The following list
highlights a few of the many changes that will make your on line time even
better:
z Flash II is now fully multitasking capable. The program easily
multitasks under such operating systems as MultiTOS? (trademark of Atari
Corporation) and Geneva? (trademark of Gribnif Software).
z All elements of the program are now contained within GEM windows
including both editors and the terminal. That means that Flash II can, by
itself, do all file transfers in the background.
z A new Auto Learn DO function is included that makes making logon and
other navigation scripts easy and automatic.
z A new menu structure is used in version 3.01 that confirms more rigidly
to the official Atari standard.
z Version 3.01 includes 2 editors! One editor is specifically designed to
be used as a capture buffer (just like the old editor) while the other is
designed to be used as a type ahead window or command window (or both).
While these editor functions are dedicated to a specific use while online,
you can use them as separate editors while off line for any text editing
purpose you desire.
z The Atari standard clipboard is now supported in 3.01 meaning that you
can easily cut and paste text between both windows or between Flash II and
other applications.
z A new Edit menu replaces the old Block menu and includes all standard
editing functions, such as Cut, Copy and Paste.
z A new Window menu permits easy control over access to the windows.
z Default transfer paths can now be saved!
z Automatic saving of capture after logoff is now included.
z A mini-BBS function is now included!
There are many more new features to Flash II version 3.01 too.
Other features of Flash II include:
z Fully Falcon030 compatible!
z Enhanced DEC VT Terminal emulations including the ability to swap the
functions of the Delete and Backspace keys for conformance to standard DEC
terminals.
z Enhanced ANSI terminal and graphics. Blinking characters are now
supported in version 3.01.
z Full support for all Atari serial ports on TT030 and MegaSTe as well as
baud rates up to 153600.
z Terminal mode now displays either the real time clock or a timer.
z DO script files compatible with older versions of Flash!
z All macros use the familiar Flash DO script format!
z Easily setup the parameters for each BBS you call...this includes
everything from ASCII upload/download options to baud rate!
z You can program up to 20 individual and separate macros for each BBS
plus an additional 10 global macros !
z Displays RLE & GIF pictures either on or off line! You can also save or
load these pictures for later review!
z Supports the following terminal types: TTY, VIDTEX, VT52, ANSI, VT100,
VT101, VT102, VT200, VT300 & PRESTEL.
z Includes full support for RTS/CTS. This mode can now be turned on and
off by the user.
z Includes Automatic Answer mode!
z Includes Auto Boards mode - Preselect the board(s) you wish to dial and
when Flash II is launched either manually from the desktop by you, or
automatically by some other program launcher, Flash II will wakeup and dial
the board(s) you've got selected. It will also wait for the proper time to
dial these boards.
z Supports the ST, IBM and DEC character sets, including IBM/ANSI graphics
characters!
z Supports the following upload/download protocols: ASCII, Xmodem, Ymodem,
Ymodem-G, Zmodem, Modem7, Xmodem, CIS B, Kermit and SEAlink! And all of
these protocols are built into the program...no external modules required!!!
z Zmodem supports the selection of AutoStart and Streaming options for
both upload and downloads. If you prefer to use in external Zmodem protocol
with Flash II, you can now force Flash II's Zmodem autostart mode to off.
For BBS' that don't support "streaming", this too can now be turned off.
z Logs all on line time and calculates your approximate costs for you!
z New version written in assembler! Fast!
z Runs on all ST, STe, TT030 and Falcon computers!
z Supports "Install Application". You can create a DO script that can be
used to launch Flash II from the desktop and force it to dial up and go
online for you, all automatically!
z Now includes "Edit Boards", a brand new program which lets you edit,
cut, copy, paste and sort your board slots outside of Flash II.
Missionware Software's upgrade policy remains the same for the new Version
3.01! We will continue to upgrade any old version of Flash! (copyright
Antic Software) for just $35 US, plus $4 shipping and handling (US and
Canada), $8 worldwide. Or, you can purchase Flash II, version 3.01 outright,
for only $59.95 US plus the shipping and handling charges applicable to your
area.
You can also upgrade any old version of Flash II to our new version 3.01.
We're offering an "Easy Budget" upgrade which includes a new program disk
and a short 40+ page manual. This manual describes the new features found in
3.01. (Your old Flash II manual suffices for all other program
information.) The cost of this upgrade is $15 plus $3 shipping and handling
($6 worldwide).
For those of you that want or need our all-new, fully updated, 3.01 manual,
you can purchase our "Full Upgrade" which includes the new 250 page manual
and program disk. The cost of this upgrade is $30 plus $4 shipping and
handling ($8 worldwide).
To order and/or for more information, please contact:
Missionware Software
354 N. Winston Drive
Palatine, IL 60067-4132
United States of America
phone 847-359-9565
Jaguar Section
Defender 2000! Don Thomas' CatNips!
Fever Pitch Soccer review!
More JTS News! New Atari Gaming 'Zine!
And more...!
>From the Editor's Controller - Playin' it like it is!
Last week we reported the latest bombshell from Atari, the merger
between Atari and JTS. In that issue, specifically my editorial, I
mentioned that I was going to do a more in depth editorial/story regarding
the merger, the future of Atari, its affect on the current userbase, etc.
In fact, a lot of that article was done last week. However, over the next
few days after last week's issue came out, I reviewed what I had written so
far and apathy just crept in and I zapped the article. A rare occurrence
for me to do something like that!
Thinking about it, I believe that the apathy resulted from going over
Atari's history and seeing a lot of terrific hardware come out and the
subsequent failures related to them, for whatever reason. It was getting to
the point, while reading this stuff, that I really couldn't understand the
point of re-hashing it all again. Adding the Jaguar to the list only
lengthened the list of failures; it didn't explain anything differently from
the past.
The single difference that's significant is the fact that Atari has
merged with JTS and focusing on a new endeavor. It's not Atari Corporation
anymore, it's JTS Corporation. The product is hard drives, not computers or
games. Atari as we knew it, is essentially dead. Many have predicted a
number of "final" demises of Atari over the years. Personally, I didn't
think that there would be a time in the foreseeable future that we would see
the Atari name only in retrospect. It seems very strange that this has
occurred.
People will continue to debate the issue of Atari's "death". Atari
states that the Jaguar division and the Atari Interactive division will
continue to be supported. I believe that. However, my definition of
"continued support" will likely differ from those who believe that Atari is
still in it for the long haul. It's just not going to happen. While I will
continue to believe that Atari will release more games for the Jaguar, I do
not see any new development. Perhaps some licenses of titles will generate a
few new games, they'll likely be few. It's also reported that Atari
Interactive will see some new games; it's quite possible. However, for both
Atari divisions, I don't see much happening after 1996, if not sooner. Atari
will release games currently finished, or near completion, in a staggered
fashion to drag out the inevitable. The only redeeming hope is that Atari
licenses out the Jaguar, or sells the rights to it outright.
But, we've been there in the past. It might be too little, too late.
Atari did license the Falcon technology to Europe's C-LAB. New Falcon clones
are out and selling. Licensing the Jaguar may prove to have better sales
potential than the Falcon clones. Who knows. The bottom line is that we've
been there, we've seen it before. Only this time, Atari is essentially a
thing of the past.
I've received a number of e-mails and private messages asking what will
happen to the Atari coverage in STReport for the future .. will it remain or
fold. The answer is that we will continue to support the Atari line of
products, computer and gaming, until there's no interest any longer. How
long that interest lasts, for you or myself, is anyone's guess at this point.
And of course, this is certainly dependent on the views of our publisher! In
the meantime, we have an issue to get back to.
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 $19.87 Atari Corp.
J9005 Raiden $19.87 FABTEK, Inc/Atari
Corp.
J9001 Trevor McFur/
Crescent Galaxy $19.87 Atari Corp.
J9010 Tempest 2000 $32.87 Llamasoft/Atari Corp.
J9028 Wolfenstein 3D $26.87 id/Atari Corp.
JA100 Brutal Sports FootBall $39.99 Telegames
J9008 Alien vs. Predator $42.87 Rebellion/Atari Corp.
J9029 Doom $42.87 id/Atari Corp.
J9036 Dragon: Bruce Lee $19.87 Atari Corp.
J9003 Club Drive $19.87 Atari Corp.
J9007 Checkered Flag $19.87 Atari Corp.
J9012 Kasumi Ninja $19.87 Atari Corp.
J9042 Zool 2 $19.87 Atari Corp
J9020 Bubsy $19.87 Atari Corp
J9026 Iron Soldier $19.87 Atari Corp
J9060 Val D'Isere Skiing $26.87 Atari Corp.
Cannon Fodder $29.95 Virgin/C-West
Syndicate $44.99 Ocean
Troy Aikman Football $64.99 Williams
Theme Park $44.99 Ocean
Sensible Soccer Telegames
Double Dragon V $54.99 Williams
J9009E Hover Strike $30.72 Atari Corp.
J0144E Pinball Fantasies $42.50 C-West
J9052E Super Burnout $42.87 Atari Corp.
J9070 White Men Can't Jump $32.87 Atari Corp.
Flashback $54.99 U.S. Gold
J9078E VidGrid (CD) Atari Corp
J9016E Blue Lightning (CD) $59.99 Atari Corp
J9040 Flip-Out $32.87 Atari Corp
J9082 Ultra Vortek $42.87 Atari Corp
C3669T Rayman $59.99 Ubi Soft
Power Drive Rally $59.99 TWI
J9101 Pitfall $42.87 Atari Corp.
J9086E Hover Strike CD $49.99 Atari Corp.
J9031E Highlander I (CD) $49.99 Atari Corp.
J9061E Ruiner Pinball $42.87 Atari Corp.
Dragon's Lair $49.99 Readysoft
J9097E Missile Command 3D $49.00 Atari Corp.
J9091E Atari Karts $49.99 Atari Corp.
J9044E Supercross 3D $49.99 Atari Corp.
J9106E Fever Pitch Soccer $49.99 Atari Corp.
J9043E I-War $49.99 Atari Corp.
J9069 Myst (CD) $49.99 Atari Corp.
Primal Rage $59.99 Time Warner
Battlemorph $49.99 Atari Corp.
J9055 Baldies $49.99 Atari Corp.
J9089 NBA Jam TE $57.99 Atari Corp.
Zoop $42.99 Atari Corp.
Space Ace $52.99 Readysoft
Defender 2000 $59.99 Atari Corp.
Available Soon
CAT # TITLE MSRP DEVELOPER/PUBLISHER
Braindead 13 TBA Readysoft
Fight For Life $59.99 Atari Corp.
...Mutant Penguins $49.99 Atari Corp.
World Tour Racing TBA Atari Corp
Breakout 2000 $42.50 Atari Corp.
Max Force $59.99 Atari Corp.
J9021 Brett Hull Hockey $59.99 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 $26.76 Atari Corp.
J8910 Team Tap
4-Player Adapter) $26.76 Atari Corp.
J8907 Jaguar ProController $27.87 Atari Corp.
J8911 Memory Track $26.76 Atari Corp.
J8909 Tempest 2000:
The Soundtrack $12.99 Atari Corp.
Jaguar Game Title STR Review - "Fever Pitch Soccer"
"Fever Pitch Soccer"
Available Now
by Frank Sereno
Developed by: Distinctive Developments Licensed from U.S. Gold
Published by: Atari Corp.
Price: $59.99
Number of Players: 1 or 2
Rating Code: KA (ages 6+)
Are you ready for some football? No, not American football. Not even
Canadian or Australian rules football. I'm talking about the world's most
popular sport, known in American parlance as soccer. Atari has released a
new, action-packed arcade soccer game which is sure to quicken the pulse of
many gamers.
Fever Pitch allows players to compete head-to-head or against the computer in
exhibition mode. An excellent feature of the game is that you can handicap
an experienced player by having him play a low-rated team. Against the
computer, the computer can be assigned a low-rated team too. Better teams
are signified by the number of star players. Brazil and Germany have eleven
star players each while Iran and Kuwait have none. The more experienced
gamer can chose a team with no or few stars while allowing his opponent to
play with a team full of stars. Star players tend to run quicker, kick
farther and have better artifical intelligence. In addition, each has a
special move which is activated by the C button. Some moves include flaming
power kicks, wickedly-curving kicks and hop passes.
Fever Pitch also has a tournament mode for single players. You must defeat
all the teams (more than fifty) to win the championship. After each victory
you will be given a password so you can quit at that point and then enter it
later to begin play at the same point. You can chose any team, but it will
have no star players. You can earn star players by winning games. If your
victories are more impressive, you will gain more points to purchase better
players. As you move through the schedule, the teams get better and
difficulty increases.
You look down on the field from an angled diagonal perspective. This makes
control a little tricky because to run straight at the goal you must run on
a diagonal. Joypads are better made for left/right and up/down movements.
You can see about one-eighth of the field. While on offense, the B button
is used to shoot the ball while the A button is used for passing. On shots,
the ball can be swerved with pushing left or right on the joypad and the ball
height can be increased by holding the joypad down. On defense you can
steal the ball with a slide tackle by pressing A and kick it with the B
button. If the ball is in the air, you can head it by pressing B. For star
players, C initiates their special move. By pressing A and B (X on the
ProController), he will do a back heel. The B and C combo (Z on the
ProController) causes a cross. Throw-ins are done by moving a target to the
desired location on the field and then pressing A.
The goalie is controlled by the computer for blocking shots. This helps to
equalize competition between players of different abilities. Another reason
that this is good is if you are running your defender toward a striker, you
don't always want the goalie moving in that direction too. Since player
control is automatically shifted to the player nearest the ball, you would
not have time to change the goalie to the proper direction to stop a shot.
Unfortunately, the goalies tend to play erractically. The best defense is
to keep the ball upfield on offense. The players do get control of the
goalies in two situations, a caught shot and a goal kick. After a catch,
the goalie can make a throw by pressing the A button or a kick by pressing
B. The direction is set by the joypad. This a very weak portion of the
game. You usually cannot see any other players, friend or foe. Many times
if you try a throw, it goes directly to an opponent in excellent scoring
position. If you kick it, you cannot set the length of the kick. If you
kick towards the sidelines, it most often goes over the sideline giving the
opponent a throw-in. Kicking the ball straight up the field is not exactly
great strategy either, but it is the lesser of two evils. Goal kicks use
the target system. Move the target downfield, then press A for a short kick
and B for a long kick.
Gameplay is fairly straightforward. A person can play this game without
reading the manual at all. However, the Fever Pitch Soccer manual is one of
the better Jaguar manuals to date. It completely explains all the game
elements, describes the options and includes hints on better play. The most
aggravating part of the game design is the poor officiating and rough play.
Fouls are rarely called and yellow cards are almost never issued against the
computer. These calls are made against human players with two to three
times the frequency. To give you an idea of how rough play is, one of the
tips is to knock down an opposing player when trying to receive a goal kick.
This type of play is not a good influence on youth soccer players.
Aside from the shortcomings, Fever Pitch has a lot of depth and is very
challenging. Winning in tournament mode is a monumental task. Enough
options are included to keep the game varied and interesting for a long time.
Players can also learn applicable soccer strategy from the game. The most
important part of the game is advancing the ball quickly by passing to
teammates.
Graphically, Fever Pitch breaks no new ground. It looks just the like the
Sega Genesis version of the game. The animations are not the smoothest nor
are the movements very lifelike. When the players are waiting for a kick-
off, they look they are hyperventilating because they are moving so much and
heaving their chests. The players are very small and difficult to discern.
A neat feature is the instant replays of all goals. You can wind the replay
back and forward, reverse the angle or view it in slow-motion. It's a
thrill watching a fireball hit the back of the net again and again. On the
whole though, this is another of those Jaguar games that can be best
described as "having graphics that aren't great but the gameplay is good."
Control is accurate but it takes practice to get it down pat. Running on
diagonals takes practice on a joypad. Maybe Mattel had it right all those
years ago with the Intellivison control disc (not to mention it worked in
sixteen directions instead of only eight on today's game consoles). The
controls for the goalie could have been better, but the way they were done
was probably exactly as the game was designed for other platforms. I doubt if
Atari had the liberty to improve upon a licensed design.
Crowd noise, player grunts and the announcer's calls were all expertly
digitized. The game sounds like a European football match. The program
didn't use much music except for the intro ditty.
Fever Pitch comes with one of the better Jaguar manuals. It is concise, but
it is also full of facts and tips along with some dry humor. If you like
soccer, Fever Pitch is a great game with lots replay value. The handicapping
options allow for games between players of all ages and experience levels.
That is a definite plus for a family with young children. If soccer isn't
your thing, I doubt if Fever Pitch would change your mind. It is a good
sports game and a welcome addition to the Jaguar library.
+ Excellent handicapping features allowing younger players equal chance at
victory
+ Plenty of options to prolong gaming fun and challenge
+ An excellent (for Atari) manual
+ Computer-controlled goalie makes blocking shots much easier
+ An almost endless array of players and special moves
+ Can teach good soccer fundamentals
+ Replays are fun to watch and a good learning tool
- Graphics are average at best
- Play is much too rough, almost like American Gladiators with a soccer ball
- The officiating is terrible and skews the game in favor of the computer -
Goalie controls are less than adequate
Graphics: 5.0
Sound FX/Music: 7.5
Control: 6.5
Manual: 8.0
Entertainment: 7.5 (If you like soccer)
Reviewer's Overall: 6.9
Jaguar Cheats, & Hints STR InfoFile - Solving Those Riddles!
>From CompuServe's Atari Gaming Forum comes this unconfirmed Easter Egg
forDefender 2000:
Sb: defender pong game
Fm: ANDREW RUTH 76511,455
To: all
You can play Pong on defender!!! While playing defender classic, at the game
over screen when you can enter your name, enter the name NOLAN and then the
sp for spaces so that just NOLAN is on the screen. when you go back to the
selection where you can choose the games you want to play just cycle through
the game and you will come to the pong game. this game will stay on the
selection even when you turn off the game and turn it on later. thanks for
the free game jeff!!!
andy
Jaguar Online STR InfoFile Online Users Growl & Purr!
For immediate release:
PROWLER
"The Atari Console Disk Magazine"
Worcs, UK, 3/02/96 --- Announcing Prowler, a new PD disk magazine featuring
all aspects of Atari games consoles including Jaguar, Lynx and 8 bits.
The magazine will be released bi-monthly via Internet, bulletin boards and PD
libraries and will be compiled in HTML format to allow for greater ease of
use, better presentation, screenshots and cross platform compatibility. An
HTML compatible reader will be supplied with the magazine to ensure that you
can access the magazine with the maximum of
ease.
The planned release date for issue one is March 1st, but it may be sooner
depending on the response to this press release.
Between each issue the internet will be dredged for all important information
relating to Atari consoles. This will include the latest news from the
gaming industry and press releases direct from Atari themselves, reviews and
previews from experts in the field, cheats and tips, and ideas for hardware
modifications to ensure that you use your Atari games console to its full
potential.
What we need is *YOUR* input! We would be greatful for any of the following:
- reviews of games, including ratings out of ten for each aspect of the game
such as sound, graphics, playability etc.
- cheats and tips.
- hardware modifications that you have experimented with and found to work.
- requests for help.
- views on the future of the Atari console scene.
- address's and telephone numbers of shops that stock Atari games consoles
and/or games for Atari consoles.
- items wanted and items for sale which relate to Atari games consoles.
- show reports.
- letters.
- anything else that you feel a like minded Atari console enthusiast would be
interested in.
It would be appreciated if any material sent is in ASCII format, but printed
documents will also be accepted.
Addresses for material to be sent follow:
Alastair Shortland
18 Penny Lane
Guarlford
Malvern
Worcs
United Kingdom
WR13 6PG
e-mail : prowler@stosser.airtime.co.uk
or : ashort@mettav.demon.co.uk
Fidonet : 2:254/108.22
NeST : 90:102/150
Turbonet: 100:1011/22
Atarinet: 51:502/100.22
Mercury : 240:102/4.22
We can also be contacted via netmail and e-mail at the following bulletin
board system:
The Tavern BBS
London
United Kingdom
+44-0181-445-6514
Many thanks for your interest,
Alastair Shortland - Editor.
ATB.../|\L ~:-)
The Tavern BBS 300-32600 MNP5 V42Bis 44-(0)181-445-6514 24 Hours
Ideals and wording in this message are not necessarily those of
the Sysop of the Tavern BBS
CATnips... Jaguar tidbits from Don Thomas (96.02.18)
Amidst all the rumors, there's a lot of REAL good news for Jaguar owners.
The biggest piece of great news I'm hearing from people is their excitement
over Atari's latest releases... like "Defender 2000"...
Frans Keylard of Atari Explorer Online has hardly been able to keep up with
praise for this product. He's been sending me a lot of the comments from the
Internet. "Defender 2000" seems to be another one of those titles that is so
good, people want to pay the low $99 price for a Jaguar system to play it.
Most of you know we insiders refer to that as a "system seller".
Here are some of the unsolicited messages off the Internet praising "Defender
2000"...
In rec.games.video.atari,feanor@iastate.edu (Jim Divine)
wrote:
First of all, this is s great game. It is hard to believe, but it's just
as intense as Tempest 2k. The music, too, is very good. Some of the tracks
are better than T2k's but a couple are a little worse.
Classic Defender is a very good conversion, but I don't seem to remember the
explosions being quite so dramatic in the original... Oh well. It's a
heckava lot of fun to play.
Defender Plus is way cool... The plasma effects alone make it worthwhile. I
thought it would have been nice to give it exactly the same gameplay as
Defender Classic and just improve the graphics and sound, but this way is
cool too.
Defender 2000 is great... everybody probably knows the good things about it
so I'm going to be a poop and say what I dislike about it. A couple of
things... I think the background art is great, but it isn't visible enough.
Most of the screen is usually taken up by a simple shaded sky. If the
background graphics occupied more of the screen this game would be mind-
blowing instead of simply stunning. Second, I think the top speed of the ship
is just a little too fast. If the ship moved more slowly I'd feel more in
control of it.
That's it... I only wish that maybe Yak would give us a Tempest 3000 or
Defender 3000 someday... but it doesn't seem that's going to happen. Life
goes on.
--Jim Divine
feanor@iastate.edu
In rec.games.video.atari, hysteria@gti.net
(Sal Manfredonia) wrote:
Listen up, humanoids: Defender 2000 for the Jaguar is in the house!
It's got nasty aliens--HUNDREDS OF THEM--gunning for YOUR keister. It's
got the firepower to take care of them all. It's got some of the hottest
graphics you've seen, with slick, workstation-rendered sprites and an obscene
amount of parallax scrolling. It's got the best musical soundtrack in any
game since Tempest 2000. It's got the fastest action of any shooter on the
market right now.
It's time for you to whip out your wallets. Don't even think twice, just slap
the dead Presidents on the counter and walk off with your own box. Bring it
home, unwrap it, slide the cartridge into your Big Black Cat's cartridge
slot, and party on!
--Sal Manfredonia
(hysteria@gti.net)
Date: Thu, 15 Feb 1996 20:34:01 -0500
From: Sean McKay <jsmckay@ix.netcom.com>
To: Multiple recipients <jaguar@bucknell.edu>
Subject: Defender 2000 review
Okay guys, here's a quick review of D2K. My opinions are based on about two
hours of playing time, so take this review with a grain of salt if need
be...
Classic:
People have complained that it is not an exact port of the arcade original,
citing control nuances and laser decay rate, but it's pretty d@$# close! Now
I may not have the best memory (ask my wife <g>), but differences cited are
not noticeable enough to readily discern Classic from the arcade version.
Sound FX and control-wise, it is virtually identical to the original. There
is a ProController option so you can get control exactly as it was in the
original (separate thrust and directional movement). Luckily, you don't have
to use this option, because it reminded me how frustrating this type of
control was for me as a kid when playing the original...
Plus:
A souped up version of Classic mode with nice touches such as Aurora FX in
the landscape. To me, this version is the closest equivalent to T2K's 2000
mode in style. You have the same enemies as usual, although they look
different than the original (as do the humanoids). Also, you have larger,
new enemies, like the floating space stations (?) in level 3. The ship and
droids are rendered. Unlike Classic mode, the laser can be fired continuously
by holding down the fire button. The Lightning Laser is kinda cool, although
it has only limited use (i.e., you can only use it a certain amount and then
its gone)... You can play the game with two droids or with none (I didn't
see the option to play with just one droid). There are warp boxes (ala
Stargate) that take you to other places where the action is, but be careful
in using them - you often get warped right into enemies, leading to a lot of
cheap hits.
2000:
Completely graphically different. No more line/ray based graphics (sorry,
cannot for the life of me think of the term for the type of graphics used in
the original - so sue me...). All graphics appear to be rendered graphics
including backgrounds, with include landscapes such as desert, city, and
industrial. Game play is similar to the original, although now you have
powerups a'la T2K (droids, shield, lightning laser, etc.). Also, if you catch
humanoids (who appear to be digitized people, although not sure) in air,
they hang underneath you ship and fire as well, creating a wall of attack. If
you are lucky enough to pick up a couple of powerups early, as well as a
couple of humanoids, it becomes very difficult to die (read, "it becomes
kinda easy."). Enemies tend to be destroyed as soon as they appear on
screen... I used this tactics early, and got to level 16 and scored 640,000
in only my second time playing 2000 mode... Graphically, with so much going
on, (your fire, enemies, background graphics, etc.) you tend up playing a lot
by simply watching the radar screen - otherwise it is occasionally hard to
see what to shoot and what not to shoot...
Sound FX:
These consist of a good mixture of original sound fx, with a few new twists
(my favorite is hearing humanoids scream as you shoot them <g>). Overall,
sound FX are _excellent_ providing both the throwback sounds taking me back
to the early 80's and these new (sadistic) new ones....
Music:
The music is good, but in my opinion not near as good as T2K's. I mean, with
T2K, I'd find myself jumping around to the music as I played, "becoming an
extension of the music" as I played, almost seeing through the screen as if
the name were playing itself - truly a transcendental experience... <g> But
with D2K I found myself saying, "man good music," and then pushing it to the
background of my consciousness the way you do with most video game music....
Also, and I know this is cart music, but it sounds even more staticy than
T2K's music. Let's hope Yak put in that CD hook code somewhere...)
Nitpicks:
Even though D2K was long in development, I feel a few things are missing:
(1) more options - you can only control the music volume, not the sound FX
volume
(2) customizeable button configurations
(3) apparently the music is only available in 2000 mode, not in Plus mode
(4) maybe I just haven't gotten far enough (although I've gotten to level
16 of 2000 mode), but where are the
"big bosses that fill the screen" that we heard about? are they in
Plus mode (I only got to level 4 there...)?
Overall:
Personally, I like the game very much, even with it's few shortcomings. I
think that the 3 modes offer something for everyone's tastes. If you're
strictly a retro gamer, then Classic is for you. If you like Classic but want
a souped up version similar to T2K, and can live with no in-game music, then
Plus mode is yours. And if you want the Defender concept with all-new
graphics and powerups, and can live with the sometimes overly cluttered
screen and occasional easiness (due to too many powerups) then 2000 mode is
yours for the taking...
Graphics: 8
Classic (virtually) spot on, Plus reminiscent of T2K, 2000 has great rendered
graphics, but cluttered tendency can be a problem and reduced the score.
Sound FX: 10
All the great originals, plus a few new twists.
Music: 7
Good, but not as rockin' and T2K's and quality (static) hurt the score.
Control: 8
Tight, although quirky at times (slow change of direction, must completely
stop in 2000 mode to change`direction, with option of arcade control in
Classic mode with ProController (although I personally don't like it).
Fun Factor: 9
Great fun! And different modes offer something for everyone!
Overall: 8
Only the inevitable comparisons to T2K are what hurt D2K's score.
If T2K didn't exist (perish the thought!) D2K would easily scare a 9,
possibly a 10.
--Sean McKay
<jsmckay@ix.netcom.com>
Date: Thu, 15 Feb 1996 12:53:51 -0500
From: "Mike St. Clair" <mstclair@iglou.com>
To: Multiple recipients <jaguar@bucknell.edu>
Subject: Defender Review
Reviewlet: Defender "Classic"
Defender "Classic" is, to date, the most accurate port of the original
Defender arcade game, excepting the emulated version for personal computers.
Experts will note several differences. I noted thicker mountain lines, slower
laser decay rate, more spectacular shattering, and at least a half dozen
other differences. Most significant is the adjusted difficulty level. Any
player who has mastered the fundamentals of the arcade game should find
themselves getting through two or three times as many levels as usual.
Purists may want a difficulty level more geared toward quarter-sucking, but I
welcomed the change (pun intended). I also welcomed the rest of the changes,
as they were simply subtle visual enhancements, and did not affect gameplay.
Sound is 100% accurate, being sampled from the original arcade board. Control
is smooth and responsive, and uses the same single pad (or stick) piloting
implementation used in dozens of home conversions and knock-offs over the
years. An alternate control mode, available if you use a six-button pad or
stick, decouples the thrust and reverse functions from the altitude control
- just like the original arcade machine. It adds challenge and authenticity,
but "hyperspace" users be warned - a control bug is present in this mode. If
you enter hyperspace, and re-enter facing the opposite direction, the thrust
button will now push you backwards, not forwards. Since true experts never
rely on hyperspace, this may not pose a problem for some players. The
ability to completely reconfigure controller buttons is missing; you may only
specify whether you have a three-button or six-button controller.
Graphics: 9
Almost identical to the original arcade, but with some aesthetic enhancement.
Sound: 10
100% faithful.
Control: 8
One control bug in "decoupled" mode; additional configuration flexibility
would be nice.
Gameplay: 10
Better tuned for home play than the original. Should be infinitely
replayable, like all good classics. The most accurate Jaguar classic
conversion yet.
All categories graded on a scale of 1 to 10.
From Prodigy comes this comment...
Board: VIDEO GAMES BB
Topic: ATARI JAGUAR
Subject: DEFENDER
To: DONALD THOMAS JR (EUKG11A)
From: JAMES VERNON (VFGV49A)
Time: 02/13 8:05 PM
I got Defender 2000 today from Game Express. I ordered last night and it was
sent overnight. This is by far the best the Jag has had. Atari has done a
great job on this game. The graphics are top notch and the game play couldn't
be better. It sure brings back alot of good memories. If you don't have a
Jag go buy one for this game alone however there are many great games for
this system like Battlemorph CD and several others. My hats off to Atari!
--JIM V.
Kim Trampus sent me some comments from the Internet also...
This article submitted by Craig () on 2/4/96.
My vote goes to.......... BATTLE MORPH!
What a great game this is! The graphics are Awesome. And the whole game is
innovative in my opinion. Like shooting a building and then a hole opens up
in the ground and you fly down to it and there is a little water area! I love
it. I am on the second cluster and the 2nd planet. Or the 2nd planet after
you beat the BEE GUY. I haven't really found any New weapons yet, I hope I
didn't miss any. :(
I really can't stop playing this game it's so fun and Deep that you can't
help but play it for hours! I think this is a MUST OWN Jag game. And maybe
reason enough to own a JAG! IF you don't have BattleMorph please try to get
it as soon as possible! :) Later.... By the way, Missile Command comes close
behind as my favorite Jag game.
This response submitted by davidp@nais.com on 2/4/96.
I agree Craig! Battlemorph is simply GRRRRREAT!!!!! I beat it and now I'm
playing it again on medium difficulty. What a great game!
So what do people think of Missile Command 3D?
Subject: MC3D
To: atari@genie.geis.com
Date: Thu, 1 Feb 1996 11:40:45 -0800 (PST)
From: "Michael S. Smith" <mikess@comtch.iea.com>
After pickup up Missile Command 3D yesterday and playing it for several
hours, I must say that this is one of the best Jaguar titles to date. The
game play is extremely addictive and the graphics and sound are great. This
is a worthy addition to my game library.
Congratulations on another excellent game.
--Michael S. Smith (mikess@comtch.iea.com)
Here's a comment from CATscan (209/239-1552) for Primal Rage from Time
Warner Interactive...
Message: = Open Discussion = #211 of 247 [9 Lines]
Sent On: January 11, 1996 at 8:48am
Sent By: Brian Mccleary - Loyal Jaguarian
Sent To: All
Subject: Primal Rage
After fully reviewing both the Playstation and the Jaguar version of this
game, it is unanimous, that the Jag version is better. Although, the Sony
version has bigger dinosaurs and a little better color, the advantages stop
there. On the Sony, your configurations and high scores cannot be saved
booo! So much for the memory card, also the fatality timing seems a bit off
and much harder to perform. The Sony version has a nice FMV intro that the
Jag Doesn't but the Jaguar has a better looking and working menu system.
Plus Stats! The Sony has none. My bet is on the Jag version!! Good job Atari!
Here's a comment from CATscan (209/239-1552) for Supercross 3D from Atari...
Message: = Open Discussion = #212 of 247 [15 Lines]
Sent On: January 12, 1996 at 11:55am
Sent By: Brian Mccleary - Loyal Jaguarian
Sent To: All
Subject: Supercross 3-D
Finally received my copy of Supercross, and I am very impressed with the "Fun
Factor" of this game. I can tell right now I will never get sick of this
one. As a big fan of real Moto-Cross and Dirt Track Racing, and I own a 32x
with two games Virtua Racing and Motocross Championship, which in all
honestly does not compare. I noticed the only thing the magazines could find
to knock on this one was the frame rate, because of their lack of knowledge
in that department I'm sure they assumed it was due to lack of processing
power, I honestly don't know why, but I will say if it was any faster It
would be too hard to drive your bike in this game. The frame rate keeps the
realism involved in centering your front tire to enter the jumps and
whoops, and enough time to gauge the gas around each corner, and you don't
noticed much difference between one bike, or eight on the track, the music
isn't that great, but you have to turn it off to hear your RPM's within the
game anyway. I would enjoy this game if it wasn't Atari, but I sure am glad
it is!! A+
Thank you, Theron, for this praise...
From: Theron Eduardo Ross,
INTERNET:ba186@freenet.Buffalo.EDU
TO: Don Thomas, 75300,1267
DATE: 1/22/96 7:39 AM
RE: NBA Jam T.E.... Excellent!
Dear Mr. Don Thomas,
I recently wrote you with praise for what was my two latest Jaguar game
purchases: Supercross 3D and Atari Karts. Now I have to praise you for the
latest Jaguar release: NBA Jam T.E. I just got it Friday and only put the
game down to do life's necessities (along with a few games of Supercross 3D
and Atari Karts).
As I'm playing NBA Jam T.E., I cannot believe I'm playing such a great
conversion at home in my room; that's how good this game is. I know there is
a lot of turmoil going on at Atari lately (at least as on-line would have
it), but I do hope Atari continues to support the Jaguar and efforts like
these from High Voltage Software. Even if it is just through the year, I
will be playing games like these for a long time to come. Now, I'm looking
forward to picking up Primal Rage, Baldies and BattleMorph sometime this
week (isn't post Christmas money a wonderful thing?? :)
Thanks,
Theron
>From CompuServe's Atari Gaming Forums, this mini-review of Defender 2000
Fm: Randy Baer 75442,3453
To: All
Title: Defender 2000
Publisher: Llamasoft
System: Jaguar (Cart)
Reviewer: Randy Baer
I remember the old days when loyal Jaguar owners would wait months for a new
game, then be "rewarded" with classics like Double Dragon V. Lately, this
has not been the case, as we have been bombarded by great titles like Missle
Command 3D, Atari Karts, and Battlemorph. And just as the fat lady may be
warming up for the Jag's demise, Jeff Minter (he's a genius!) and Atari
counter with perhaps the best game to yet hit the Jag, Defender 2000.
The Story: "Humanoid in Trouble!"
The manual, which by almost all accounts is abysmal (it fails to list, for
example, the ability to jump to hyperspace via the 3 key in Classic mode),
gives a page or two to an "Obligatory Story". I shan't waste your time with
such fluff. If you've played Defender in the arcade, you know what to expect
from the Classic. If you've played other Jeff Minter games, you know what to
expect from the Plus mode. And mere words can't prepare you for the
onslaught that is 2000.
Gameplay: "Cheers, Mate!"
Classic is the arcade game. The mutants move a little faster than in the
arcade, but this just adds a bit of challenge to the game. It may, however,
bother some purists.
Plus is a derivative of the Classic, and plays more like the arcade game than
2000 does. It also features the Stargate. Collect four humanoids, hit the
stargate, and you warp ahead a few levels. Overall, I didn't enjoy this mode
as much as the others. 2000 mode is where the game truly shines. Powerups a
plenty! Humanoids hang from the bottom of your ship and blast enemies, the
llightning laser zaps the aliens in a heartbeat, and you can warp! Oh my!
And did Imention that the playfield is now 2 screens high? The warp plays
almost exactly like the second warp of Tempest 2000; however, various shapes
and perfect music make up for any disappointment this may cause.
The first time I sat down to play 2000, I absolutely hated it. The thing
moved WAY WAY too fast. It made Tempest 2000 look like it was running in
slow motion. But then I played again about an hour after originally playing,
and I got "in the zone". I adjusted to the speed, and got used to playing
almost entirely by radar. While some would complain about this, I won't.
The game is so fast, so intense, that you'll not even notice the graphics.
If I want to look at the pretty graphics, I can slow down and take a view.
But to get anywhere in the game, get used to playing by radar.
Graphics: "It's a jungle, brother!"
The classic mode treats the player to a near exact replica of the arcade
machine. In fact, save for the volcano which was available only on Stargate
(Defender 2), I could spot no graphical differences. The Plus mode sports
psychadelic graphics, with lots of colors everywhere. The graphics are
bigger here, and this leads to a bit of slowdown. A floating, rotating block
is used for the stargate. Collect 4 or more humanoids, hit the stargate, and
voila, you warp ahead a few levels.
The 2000 mode sports various terrain, and some incredibly imaginative
graphics. For example, when your humanoids get abducted, they grab their
heads as though they are in great pain! When the abduction is complete and
the lander turns into a mutant, the bottom half of the ship remains the same,
while the top shows your trapped humanoid, waving his armswildly! In
addition, if your humanoid gets abducted, look out for the gigantic
headstones that fall from the sky. Amazingly, even with all this going on,
there is absolutely NO slowdown on screen. 64-bits, indeed!
Sound: "It's a Dream"
The sound effects are dead on to the arcade original. Every laser sounds
exactly the same as the arcade. My only disappointment was in the lack of
music in the PLUS mode. However, the sound effects in both Classic and Plus
are nothing short of perfect. The sound in 2000 mode is something else
entirely. The background techno music is seriously thumping, and the first
track (levels 1-5) is easily the best music I have ever heard off a cart. It
may be the best I've heard in ANY video game, home or arcade. It is fast,
intense and fits the game perfectly. The third (levels 11-15)and fourth
(levels 16-20) are almost equally impressive, especially the girl moaning "Oh
no" in track four. The second track, however, doesn't fit the mood. It is
far too slow. I found myself wanting to warp through these levels at my
earliest convenience. The warp music, a blatant ripoff of the old disco mix
of Beethoven's Fifth, is excellent.
There are also incredible samples. When you grab a humanoid, he'll respond,
"Cheers, Mate!" Let the humanoid be destroyed, however, and you'll hear a
blood curdling scream! I started to feel really bad when I couldn't save the
humanoids, hearing them scream like that. Sounds corny, but it really puts
you 'in the game'.
Overall: "Almighty!"
It seems sad that a game of this caliber would hit at what most industry
'experts' would call the Jag's deathbed. With a few more titles like this
(as well as the upcoming Breakout 2000 and Battlesphere) early in it's
lifespan, the Jag may well have been the number one console on the market
today.
Like Tempest 2000, this game takes a bit of getting used to. At first, you'll
detest the speed at which it moves. Hang in there for that hour or so it
takes to "zone in", and odds are you'll love it. I did. In fact, this game
is now taking up every minute of my spare time. Perhaps it's time to cancel
that Las Vegas vacation I've been planning...
Randy's "Real Deal" Ratings:
Graphics: ****1/2 - Moves at light speed! The humanoids look to be in REAL
pain as they are abducted!
Sound: ****1/2 - Best music I've heard from a cart, but second level
music doesn't fit the game.
Gameplay: ***** - Insanely intense! The world looks like it's in slow mo
after playing this.
Overall: ***** - Better than Tempest 2000!
Fm: Richard Turner 100771,2457
To: Dana P. Jacobson 71051,3327 (X)
Hi.
I may have some information of slight interest to you regarding JTS.
A friend of mine works for a company in the UK which is one of
Seagate/Conner's largest UK distributors, and they have recently started
dealing also with JTS. The drives, 3", are about the same performance as
competing drives, but are about 1/2 the height of the competing equipment,
making them superb for portables. Sales of their drives into the portable
market are apparently rocketing, but the company concerned are also selling
JTS drives very successfully due to their cost. (It seems being Indian made,
the drives are quite ridiculously cheap - they do not, however, have the same
range of drives as their competitors- 3 sizes only I think, the largest
being a 1.2Gb drive, one an 850Mb and I can't recall the other.)
I understand from my friend that he asked about the JTS/Atari merger and was
told that JTS said nothing would change at their end, but as they had
successful DYNAMIC management the Tramiels thought they'd get the JTS'ers to
fix Atari, plus of course they'd be getting a good investment, and JTS
needed investment. This is verifiable information I'm sure.
Richard.
ONLINE WEEKLY STReport OnLine The wires are a hummin'!
PEOPLE... ARE TALKING
On CompuServe
compiled by
Joe Mirando
73637,2262
Hidi ho folks. I'll tell you right off the bat that this is going to be a
short column. It seems that interest in our favorite computer is dwindling
down to only the "diehardest" of the diehards. When it was announced that
Atari was merging with JTS, I thought that maybe we could ride a surge of
interest from people who had forgotten about the Atari ST long ago.
Alas, it seems that they haven't forgotten, just moved on. When those folks
heard that Atari was merging with JTS they said "Gee, that's too bad. The
ST used to be a good computer." To which my stock reply is "Hey, the ST is
STILL a good computer!"
I mean, sure, it doesn't have gigabytes or reams of disk-loaded, redundant,
self-nullifying code, but it does what I need it to do and that is the
bottom line for anyone who isn't trying to keep up with the Jones's.
I'm sure that we all know that sooner or later we're going to have to pop for
new machines and that's... okay. Heck, I started out with a Timex/Sinclair
XZ81. When I outgrew that I picked up a Commodore 64. When I outgrew that I
got a 1040 ST and then moved up to my Mega STE. Once I've outgrown that,
I'll move on. I'm sure you will too. But until that time comes, let's
enjoy our machines. There are those who will tell you (and a great length)
that you should sell your ST while you can still get a few bucks for it.
But the sad truth is that you can't get much for an ST right now. Even a
four meg Mega STE with a hard drive and a monitor can be had for around
$450.00 in the "For Sale" categories on any of the online services that you
can access with an ST. If you had to take that money and buy a PC, what do
you think you'd get? Get my point? Now that we've been all through this,
let's take a look at the news from CompuServe.
>From the Atari Computing Forums
Terry Cano posts:
"I've been hearing....seeing...on the "net" that Atari was up forsale and
bought by JST? That the plan was to re-enter the computer market? Any
truth to this? BTW, the post comp.sys.atari.st news group."
Sysop Jim Ness tells Terry:
"Atari and JTS have merged. JTS is a mfg of small hard drives. Atari says
it will continue to sell Jaguar products for a while yet - there is still
quite a bit of inventory.
Aside from the temporary Jaguar situation, the reality is that the Tramiel
family is dumping Atari and investing in a new technology and a new future.
Atari stockholders get 60% of the new company (Tramiel family stake will be
26%), and JTS gets some much-needed cash ($25M) from Atari's hoard.
It's good for Atari stockholders, good for the owner(s) of JTS, not good for
anyone interested in Atari's past and present products."
Terry asks Jim:
"Could it be they (JTS) want an inexpensive computer to sell as a "net"
machine? I heard Sun has a Under $500 mach. intended for "net" use running
JAVA and or Unix?"
Jim replies:
"It IS good for Atari, the publicly held company. As you've seen the stock
is performing very well.
It's not good for Atari users because the company we know and love will soon
cease to exist, in favor of a company named JTS who make hard drives."
But Terry still isn't sure:
"What are JTS plans for Atari? Sell off inventory? Produce computers? help
me here....fill in the blanks."
Jim replies:
"They plan to sell off what they can, while actively looking to license the
Atari name, patents, trademarks, etc. In fact, at least one paper
publication has said they've been trying to do the above for several months
now.
If they can't license everything, they say they'll "make a decision" sometime
in the future about what to do.
Realistically, JTS has no interest whatsoever in Atari, except for the cash
part of the merger deal. Trying to read between the lines, I believe that
Jack Tramiel is ready to move on and put Atari behind him, too. He ends up
on the board of directors of JTS, with an interesting new market opportunity
in front of him.
Not that it's any of my business, but I wonder what Jack's sons will do for a
living, once Atari is completely put aside. I don't see a glowing resume in
the bunch."
Kris Gasteiger adds his own thoughts:
"Hmm, Much as I hate to admit it, I've figured that us Atari users were
written off over a year ago when Atari stopped making computers. But then,
there are the Atari clones, and while the T's are gone, maybe someone else
has the marketing skills they lacked. Not bloody likely I know, but one can
dream.
It looks like we're all going to be forced to use WINTEL computers if we want
to compute. Even Apple is a sinking ship.
I HATE this lowest common denominator stuff! and it all comes down to
marketing. Some have it, and some don't. Grumble, grumble , grumble..."
Terry Cano strikes up a conversation with Kris:
"You know, there was a little "blurb" in Keyboard magazine.... a few months
back. That quoted a Rand study that said, "by the year????? There will only
be one computer platform....IBM" I don't remember the year but it wasn't far
off..... somewhere in the next ten I believe. Now when you consider that
Bill Gates has control over that IBM market, it's a pretty scary thought.
Yes, we are moving to a "one world" society....with the one world money going
into his pocket!!! You know he's trying to purchase hardware companies
now........Atari was and still is a great computer....as is Mac and as is
Amiga or and was Amiga. I don't have anything against IBM/DOC/WINDOWS I just
don't like not having a choice."
Actually, the fear that the future of computing will be dominated by one
company or one man for ever and ever is a bit of a stretch. What will
probably happen (and you can quote me on this) is that someone will come
along with a ground- breaking new angle on hardware or software (my bet is on
_both_) and the current darlings, the "old guard" by the time this comes
about, will be too old and set in their ways to do anything other than play
catch-up.
Anyway, Mark Gardiner asks:
"A contact asked ifI new how to get apps working with TOS 2.x which earlier
worked on TOS 1.2-4 on his ST. Any ideas anyone?"
My pal Brian Gockley of The A-CT Atari Group tells Mark:
"There is a program called Backwards that is for sale, though it might just
be for the Falcon. You can often have good luck just turning off the cache,
the blitter and putting the machine at 8MHz. Use the control panel to do
these things."
John Woods asks for info on running his ST programs on a PC:
"Is there a emulator program I can run on my Ibm system which will allow me
to run old st programs -such as shareware. If there how do I find it here.
if not here where can I find it."
Albert Dayes of Atari Explorer Online Magazine tells John:
"There is a product called GEMulator which runs ST software on the PC. I have
not used it myself however."
Yves Debilloez tells John:
"But you will need at least a 486. Compare this to an ST emulating an IBM."
Franz Dampf asks:
"Has anyone a solution for integrating a TT into a Windows NT network?"
Albert Dayes of Atari Explorer Online Magazine tells Franz:
"There was a product from Germany that allowed one to use an Atari in a
Novell Netware environment. I believe the cost was around $1000 ... I have
never used or seen it. A few people who had used it posted in this forum
about it."
Well folks, that's about it for this week. Tune in again next week, same
time, same station, and be ready to listen to what they are saying when...
PEOPLE ARE TALKING
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