ST Report: 16-Dec-97 #1351
From: Bruce D. Nelson (aa789@cleveland.Freenet.Edu)
Date: 01/12/98-05:04:15 PM Z
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From: aa789@cleveland.Freenet.Edu (Bruce D. Nelson) Subject: ST Report: 16-Dec-97 #1351 Date: Mon Jan 12 17:04:15 1998 Silicon Times Report "The Original Independent Online Magazine" (Since 1987) December 26, 1997 No.1351 Silicon Times Report International Magazine Post Office Box 6672 Jacksonville, Florida 32236-6672 R.F. Mariano, Editor STR Publishing, Inc. Voice: 1-904-292-9222 10am-5pm EST FAX: 904-268-2237 24hrs STReport WebSite http://www.streport.com STR Publishing's FTP Support Server 10gb - Back Issues - Patches - Support Files (Continually Updated) ftp.streport.com Anonymous Login ok - Use your Email Address as a Password Check out STReport's NEWS SERVER NEWS.STREPORT.COM Have you tried Microsoft's Powerful and Easy to Use Internet Explorer 4.01? Internet Explorer 4.0 is STReport's Official Internet Web Browser. STReport is prepared and published Using MS Office 97, Corel Office Perfect 8 & Adobe Acrobat Pro 3 Featuring a Full Service Web Site http://www.streport.com Voted TOP TEN Ultimate WebSite Join STReport's Subscriber List receive STReport Via Email on The Internet Toad Hall BBS 1-978-670-5896 12/26/97 STR 1351 Celebrating Our Tenth Anniversary 1987-97! - CPU Industry Report - $550.00 per Hour? - MS FIGHTS Back! - I'Net PONZI Scheme - HP Online Store - Domain Suit Dismissed - Ames Music Online - W3C ok's HTML 4.0 - Zyklon B. IG Farben - NFL Game Day '98 #1 - People Talking - Classics & Gaming IBM Leaving Comdex Trade Show! Andy Grove Time's Man of Year! Dole vs MS?? Politics as Usual? STReport International Magazine Featured Weekly "Accurate UP-TO-DATE News and Information" Current Events, Original Articles, Tips, Rumors, and Information Hardware - Software - Corporate - R & D - Imports Adobe Acrobat Pro 3.0 Please obtain the latest issue from our Auto Subscription, Web Site or FTP Site. Enjoy the wonder and excitement of exchanging all types of useful information relative to all computer types, worldwide, through the use of the Internet. All computer enthusiasts, hobbyist or commercial, on all platforms and BBS systems are invited to participate. IMPORTANT NOTICE STReport, with its policy of not accepting any input relative to content from paid advertisers, has over the years developed the reputation of "saying it like it really is". When it comes to our editorials, product evaluations, reviews and over-views, we shall always keep our readers interests first and foremost. With the user in mind, STReport further pledges to maintain the reader confidence that has been developed over the years and to continue "living up to such". All we ask is that our readers make certain the manufacturers, publishers etc., know exactly where the information about their products appeared. In closing, we shall arduously endeavor to meet and further develop the high standards of straight forwardness our readers have come to expect in each and every issue. The Publisher, Staff & Editors Florida Lotto - LottoMan v1.35 Results: 12/20/97: three of six numbers with no matches >From the Editor's Desk... Happy New Year! With that salutation comes all the best wishes for a Healthy and Prosperous New Year to all our readers. It's difficult to believe we've been around for ten, going on eleven, years now. I might add, its still a bunch of fun doing STReport. With successful offshoots like Amiga Report which began humbly, as a section in STReport, so long ago it seems like an Eternity. Computing has come a long, long way since those days. In looking back, its easy to see the "good guys" and the "bad guys" well. not really bad just more "notable" than those who simply worked at doing a great job and making little or no waves. Some are still around. Unfortunately, some of the "notables" are too. But in these times they're so busily involved in their own survival that they become lost in their miniscule worlds. No more power struggles, "Napoleonic" Efforts at platform control and of course the most aggravating, the behind the scenes backstabbing. At about ten am Wednesday Christmas Eve. BellSouth lost two main T1 64kbit trunk lines as a direct result we, and two thirds of NE Florida lost all digital internet service. It was not restored until noon today, Saturday, December 27, 1997. Thus the late issue. It proves they're human too. Happy Holidays to all. Of Special Note: http://www.streport.com ftp.streport.com news.streport.com STReport is now ready to offer much more in the way of serving the Networks, Online Services and Internet's vast, fast growing site list and userbase. We now have our very own WEB, FTP and NewsGroup Sites, do stop by and have a look see. Since We've received numerous requests to receive STReport from a wide variety of Internet addressees, we were compelled to put together an Internet distribution/mailing list for those who wished to receive STReport on a regular basis, the file is ZIPPED, then UUENCODED. Unfortunately, we've also received a number of opinions that the UUENCODING was a real pain to deal with. You'll be pleased to know you are able to download STReport directly from our very own FTP SERVER or WEB Site. While there, be sure to join our STR AutoMailer list which allows a choice of either ASCII or Acrobat PDF. STReport's managing editors DEDICATED TO SERVING YOU! Ralph F. Mariano, Publisher - Publisher, Editor Dana P. Jacobson, Editor, Current Affairs Section Editors PC Section Mac Section Shareware Listings R.F. Mariano Randy Noak Lloyd E. Pulley Classics & Gaming Kid's Computing Corner Dana P. Jacobson Frank Sereno STReport Staff Editors Michael R. Burkley Joseph Mirando Victor Mariano Vincent P. O'Hara Glenwood Drake Contributing Correspondent Staff Jason Sereno Jeremy Sereno Daniel Stidham David H. Mann Angelo Marasco Donna Lines Brian Boucher Leonard Worzala Please submit ALL letters, rebuttals, articles, reviews, etc., via E-Mail w/attachment to: Internet rmariano@streport.com STR FTP ftp.streport.com WebSite http://www.streport.com STReport Headline News LATE BREAKING INDUSTRY-WIDE NEWS Weekly Happenings in the Computer World Compiled by: Dana P. Jacobson Top Gun Hired for Microsoft Case New York super-lawyer David Boies reportedly has been hired by the U.S. Justice Department to help the government in its antitrust case against Microsoft Corp. The Washington Post comments this morning that the government's decision to hire Boies signaled its determination to win its case, quoting Joel Klein, a top Justice Department antitrust official, as confirming Boies was on the government's payroll and would work on the Microsoft case, but declining further comment. Meanwhile, Boies told the paper he has been working for the Justice Department for about a week and a half and that it is too early to determine what his role will be, adding that he will charge the government about half his usual rate of $550 an hour. As reported earlier, the government has asked U.S. District Court Judge Thomas Penfield Jackson to hold Microsoft in civil contempt and fine the software publisher $1 million a day for allegedly violating an order the judge issued last week barring it from tying sales of its Windows 95 operating system to its Internet browser. Judge Disputes Microsoft Claim Federal Judge Thomas Penfield Jackson told his court yesterday he was able to quickly remove the Internet Explorer browser from his Windows 95 system, seeming to dispute Microsoft's contention that the system wouldn't perform properly without the program. The procedure took 90 seconds and, said Jackson, "Windows 95 functioned flawlessly as it was intended to operate." Associated Press writer John D. McClain quotes the judge as saying he had a courthouse technician showhim how to remove IE. Nevertheless, Jackson has scheduled Jan. 13 to hear "designated spokespeople" from both the Justice Department and Microsoft Corp. argue the question of whether the two programs can be separated without impairing their operation. As reported earlier, Jackson issued a preliminary injunction Dec. 11 ordering Microsoft to quit requiring manufacturers to distribute the Explorer browser program as a condition of installing its popular Windows operating system on personal computers. The Justice Department has asked Jackson to hold Microsoft in contempt of court in the case. Brad Smith, Microsoft's associate general counsel, told AP his employer welcomes the January hearing, noting, "This is an issue of high technology. It is important that the court have the opportunity" to hear from technical experts rather than lawyers. Said Smith, Windows has 14 million lines of computer code, more than the Federal Aviation Administration's air traffic control program, and "we simply can't slice and dice it with a legal meat cleaver." As reported earlier, the Justice Department has hired high-profile New York lawyer David Boies to help with the case. Microsoft Charges DOJ Turnaround Microsoft Corp. claims that new U.S. Department of Justice filings prove that the Internet Explorer browser is an integral part of the Windows 95 operating system. According to the Reuter News Service, Microsoft says the DOJ has reversed itself by "essentially admitting" that software code embedded in Internet Explorer 3.0 is essential to allow Windows 95 to function properly." Reuters notes that Microsoft has also replied to a Justice Department motion opposing its request for an expedited appeal of the judge's order. "We are disappointed by the government's attempts to delay resolution of these issues," commented William Neukom, Microsoft's senior vice president for law and corporate affairs, in a prepared statement. "We think it is important to resolve these matters as quickly as possible." Bob Dole Goes Anti-Microsoft The expanding campaign by Microsoft Corp.'s rivals to curb the software giant's entry into Internet businesses has a new ally. Former Senate Majority Leader Bob Dole has been sending letters and calling companies seeking support for the effort. The 1998 presidential hopeful is part of what The Wall Street Journal this morning characterizes as "a nascent but growing lobbying effort that goes far beyond issues raised by the Justice Department's antitrust case against Microsoft." Journal reporters Michael Schroeder and Bryan Gruley comment, "While competitors and groups fearful of Microsoft's growing Internet influence may be sympathetic to anti-Microsoft forces, many are reluctant to join a public campaign," adding that Dole represents several Microsoft rivals, including Netscape Communications Corp., Sun Microsystems Corp. and Sabre Group Holdings Inc., a Dallas-based airlines reservation system. The paper quotes Dole in a recent letter to one company as saying, "In the coming months, we will need to educate the public, the administration, and Congress about the dangers of a laissez-faire attitude toward Microsoft. I am personally convinced that if nothing is done now, it will become increasingly difficult to have fair competition in the years ahead. That is why we will need companies like yours to help finance and support our efforts." A person close to Dole told the paper the former senator has been involved in the effort for about six weeks, has contributed significantly to campaign strategy and has contacted more than a dozen companies that either compete with Microsoft or would be affected by the software maker's expansion into new businesses, such as securities firms. So far he has recruited at least six firms to join the campaign, said the unidentified source. Meanwhile, Washington public-relations firm Powell Tate has approached more than 20 trade groups representing the banking, newspaper, broadcasting, retail, real-estate, travel and securities industries, Schroeder and Gruley report, adding, "Powell Tate has been giving prospective supporters three-inch-thick binders outlining Microsoft's plans to expand into those industries." Dole's letter continues, "As you know, I have never been an advocate of overly aggressive antitrust enforcement. I am nonetheless convinced that, if we are to maintain a competitive electronic marketplace, we must enforce our existing antitrust laws to ensure that no one company dominates the Internet and access to it." As noted, sparking the high-profile battle is the Justice Department's contention that Microsoft violated a 1995 consent decree by requiring personal-computer makers to distribute its Internet browser -- software that helps people navigate the Internet -- as a condition of installing its popular Windows operating system. The government contends Microsoft is illegally extending its monopoly in Windows software to Internet software. Microsoft denies the charge. Publisher Note: Above, we See Bob Dole at his very best in politicking.. A scant year ago he had no clue as to what the INTERNET was all about let alone Microsoft. Dole is Dole... a coat-tail rider. This matter has, with the entrance of Dole, who by the way is busy soliciting corporate donations from those corporation who join the "campaign against Microsoft," become a "political football". Keep in mind the miserable failure of the government when it went up against AT&T. AT&T today is BIGGER than ever and is very busy buying back up all the Baby Bells. Microsoft Challenges Judges In what analysts say is a risky move, Microsoft Corp. is attacking Judge Thomas Penfield Jackson, arguing he engaged in "improper" extrajudicial fact finding in his hearing of the government's antitrust case against the software publisher. The company also says it is concerned that a Harvard law professor Jackson appointed to help decide the case may be biased. Reporting for the Reuter News Service, writer David Lawsky found lawyers differing on whether Microsoft's approach was a smart one, "but all agreed the company may alienate the judge who has long-term control over the interpretation of a 1995 consent decree governing the company's actions." As noted, the U.S. Justice Department has gone to court contending Microsoft is violating the consent decree -- designed to ensure competition in the computer industry -- by tying sales of its Windows 95 operating system to its Web browser. The case has quickly exploded into a series of filings and counterfilings. Now Microsoft has filed two motions telling Judge Jackson he should not hold the company in contempt of court, mostly repeating arguments it has made before. But, says Lawsky, "it saved some of its harshest words for the second filing, in large part concerning Jackson himself." For instance, Microsoft: Notified the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia it will ask it to overturn Jackson's decision to appoint a "special master." Jackson appointed Harvard law professor Lawrence Lessig, a specialist in computers, to advise him on facts and law in the case. Contended Jackson acted improperly when he watched a demonstration that appeared to easily remove Microsoft's Web browser from a computer in 90 seconds. "The district court's experiment was conducted without prior notice to counsel and without participation by the parties," the company said in its brief. "Such 'extrajudicial fact-finding by a judge is improper because it cannot be tested by the tools of the adversary process. This case shows why judges should not engage in such extrajudicial fact-finding." Antitrust lawyers told Reuters they found the attacks by the company unusual. Said Steve Newborn of Rogers & Wells in Washington, "Microsoft is just flailing out at everyone in sight, hoping to hit some pay dirt somewhere. I think that if you don't like the decision, you attack the judge. That's clearly Microsoft's philosophy." Steve Axinn of Axinn, Veltrop & Harkrider in New York, notes Microsoft succeeded in getting the case transferred to Jackson three years ago from U.S. District Court Judge Stanley Sporkin, under the orders of the appellate court. He said the firm now appears to be laying the groundwork in an attempt to remove Jackson as well. However, Axinn added, Microsoft officials "may wearing out their welcome with the D.C. Circuit Court of Appeals. This is not the way to influence people." On the Lessig matter, Microsoft has filed documents writing the professors writings and published statements as evidence of a possible bias that would render him unfit to serve as special master in the antitrust case. Reuters says Microsoft noted Lessig: Had predicted the government would become more deeply involved in regulating computer software. Recently wrote an article in a legal journal "implying that the company is a threat to political freedom" because of its tight control over software code. Said the filing, "These preconceived notions that Professor Lessig apparently has about Microsoft and the government's proper role in the development of software products present a compelling basis for objecting to Professor Lessig's appointment as a special master." Microsoft argued that the appointment of a special master is permitted only in "exceptional" conditions not found in the current case. The publisher also said it was typical for both sides to get a chance to nominate special master candidates or at least review their background and object before an appointment. Programmer Battles Microsoft It's David and Goliath in cyberspace. A North Dakota programmer is complaining to federal officials that Microsoft Corp. is forcing him to promote the software giant's Internet Explorer Web browser. Brian Glaeske of Fargo contends Microsoft effectively requires him to provide its Web browser in his accounting software, which has nothing to do with the World Wide Web or the Internet. Writing to Joel Klein, the Justice Department's top pursuer of antitrust allegations, Glaeske says, "Microsoft should not be permitted to force third party developers to redistribute Microsoft Internet Explorer in order to use (new) features." Covering the incident for the Reuter News Service, reporter David Lawsky characterizes Glaeske as "a small fish in the Web browser wars," but says his complaint, "one of many received by the Justice Department, demonstrates why Justice is doing battle against the world's biggest technology company, in a fight that could determine the future of the software industry." Like many programmers, Glaeske writes his software to run on the dominant Microsoft Windows 95 operating system. Microsoft regularly distributes improvements to its Windows 95 operating system over the World Wide Web. "Earlier this year," says Lawsky, "Glaeske learned of an updated version of a common control dynamic link library, COMCTL32.DLL, with nifty new features such as a 'time-date picker,' a small window that permits users to click on times or dates, instead of writing them out. But Glaeske became unhappy when he discovered the updated software for Windows 95 was no longer distributed independently, but was now in Microsoft's Web browser." Reuters says Glaeske easily removed the software from Internet Explorer, but found Microsoft prohibited him from redistributing that. (Microsoft's licensing conditions are outlined on a Web page often perused by independent software writers at http://www.microsoft.com/permission/copyrgt/cop-soft.htm freq . Meanwhile, Mike McCue, vice president of technology at Microsoft rival Netscape Communications Corp., told the wire service if Microsoft distributes its operating system updates through Internet Explorer "that's a big, big problem ... Microsoft is fundamentally changing the way they do business." Microsoft officials contend the latest COMCTL32.DLL had not been distributed by itself because it was unstable that way or would have damaging interactions with other programs. David Cole, vice president for the company's Internet client and collaboration division, said after considerable testing and development, Microsoft engineers broke out COMCTL32.DLL. Said Cole, "It took substantial test effort to strip it out" of Internet Explorer and make it stable. Glaeske told Reuters he had easily stripped out the code and found it stable. But another independent programmer who had made no tests himself said Microsoft could be right that the code was unstable. Nonetheless, the code was now available separately on the Web, as Glaeske had wanted. "We said it would be available before the end of the year," Cole said. "It's already posted on the Web." Glaeske said he was never notified and -- more importantly -- could not find the separate COMCTL32.DLL on the Web. One week after that a Microsoft spokesman said the code had been posted in an area where Glaeske and other programmers would not normally look, but that it was now available as a stand-alone product and could be shipped by itself. He said the site was http://www.microsoft.com/msdn/techsite/. Microsoft Stock at 7-Month Low Wall Street is not happy with the bad publicity generated by Microsoft Corp. and its current antitrust fight with the U.S. Justice Department. he company's stock has fallen to a seven-month low, down $4.375 yesterday to $118.94. "In my opinion the stock is trading in direct response to the legal activity," analyst David Readerman of NationsBanc Montgomery Securities told reporter Martin Wolk of the Reuter News Service. "As the legal action between the U.S. government and Microsoft is intensifying, investors are heading to the sidelines." As reported yesterday, analysts are terming "risky" Microsoft's latest tactic, to criticize U.S. District Judge Thomas Penfield Jackson and to call into question his appointment of Harvard law professor Lawrence Lessig as a special master in the case. Wolk notes Microsoft is up 44 percent from last year's close of $82.625 -- and some of the recent activity has been attributed to profit-taking ahead of what is expected to be a year of slow growth -- "but Microsoft has fallen 19 percent since Dec. 8, just before an order by Jackson triggered a flurry of legal activity in the conflict between the Redmond, Wash.-based company and the U.S. Justice Department." Net Subsidies Draw Ire Powerful House and Senate representatives are concerned that subsidies for schools, libraries and rural health care facilities to hook up to the Internet were not publicly debated before the were adopted by regulators last week. The Federal Communications Commission has been asked by Senate Commerce Committee Chairman John McCain (R-Arizona) and House Commerce Committee Thomas Bliley (R-Virginia) to provide detailed information involving communications leading up to the Dec. 16 decision in which the FCC agreed to slow the phase-in of its Internet program. Associated Press writer Jeannine Aversa notes the FCC agreed to provide $625 million in subsidies to schools and libraries and $50 million to rural health care providers for the first half of 1998. Later next year, the FCC will consider what to do for the second half of 1998. As reported earlier, the FCC said last May it would provide schools and libraries with a maximum of $2.25 billion a year in subsidies and rural health care providers with up to $400 million a year. McCain and Bliley's Dec. 19 letter notes, "The lack of public notice and participation calls into added question the reasonableness" of the FCC's decision. Aversa says FCC Commissioner Harold Furchtgott-Roth dissented from the decision last week on the grounds that it wasn't publicly debated. But FCC Chairman Bill Kennard at the time rejected that, saying the new subsidies were adequately discussed and that the FCC received more than 110,000 pages of public comments on the matter. Also last week, the FCC rejected Bliley's request that the FCC not begin collecting money from telecommunications companies to pay for the Internet program on Jan. 1. Bliley has raised concerns that it would raise residential phone bills. Kennard has said it won't. "By not addressing the matter in its order," says Aversa, "the FCC left it up to telecommunications companies to decide whether to detail on phone bills various subsidies, including those for schools, libraries and rural health care, that are built into phone rates. Historically, those subsidies have not been broken out, but some companies have said they will. McCain favored having companies break out the new subsidies." Domain Name Suit Dismissed A federal judge has dismissed a suit against Network Solutions Inc., saying its policy for distributing Internet domain names is sound, and strikes a "fair and balanced approach" recognizing rights of both domain name holders and trademark owners. Writing from Henron, Virgina, for the Newsbytes computer news service, reporter Bill Pietrucha says U.S. District Judge Laughlin E. Waters dismissed a case brought by the Los Angeles-based Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, following an order denying the Academy' motion for a preliminary injunction against Network Solutions in its suit involving the "Academy Awards" and "Oscar" trademarks. As reported earlier, the Academy had alleged Network Solutions, in allowing registration of Internet domain names, including academyaward.com and oscar.net, "was engaged in contributory trademark infringement and dilution." However, Waters cited a case last month filed by Lockheed Martin Corp. against Network Solutions, and ruled "the soundness of Network Solutions' domain name dispute policy and its fair and balanced approach in recognizing the rights of Internet domain name holders and trademark owners alike." Waters said the Academy "was unlikely to succeed in its attempt to show that Network Solutions' actions, as a registrar of Internet domain names, infringed in any way upon the Academy's trademarks, including 'Academy Awards' and 'Oscars.'" Said the judge, "The mere registration of a domain name does not constitute a commercial use," and ruled against the Academy's assertions that "irreparable injury" should be presumed. Internet Ponzi Scheme Alleged Assets of two Salt Lake City companies and their presidents have been frozen by a federal judge as part of an investigation into use of the Internet to defraud investors in what authorities contend was a $20 million Ponzi scheme. A temporary restraining order has been granted against Capital Acquisitions Inc. and its president, Wayne Notwell, and Somerset Group Inc. and its president, Clealon Mann. Officials with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission have told the Reuter News Service that U.S. District Judge David Sam's order stems from the commission's civil complaint that Capital allegedly raised about $20 million from at least 600 investors nationwide, beginning in 1996, through sales of three-year notes offering an annual "guaranteed" return of 20 percent. In its complaint, the SEC says investors were solcited through a network of sales agents directed by Mann and Somerset. At least one of those agents posted the offering on the Internet, which led to its detection by the SEC. The SEC alleges the defendants defrauded investors by conducting a Ponzi scheme, with the source of the promised interest payments being funds received from the ongoing sale of Capital's notes. (A Ponzi scheme is a fraudulent pyramid-type scheme in which investors seeking high interest-rate returns are lured and earlier investors are paid off with funds from newer investors.) The agency says that while Capital claims to be operating 225 oil wells in Kansas and California, it failed to disclose other important information. IBM Leaving Comdex Trade Show Saying the event has just gotten too big, IBM says it is pulling out of the Comdex computer trade show. "That, at least," says The Associated Press, "is the reason IBM gives for not attending Comdex next year for the first time in the show's 20-year history." AP quotes Comdex organizers as estimating about 220,000 people saw last month's show, which IBM attended. Next year's show is scheduled for Nov. 16-20. IBM spokesman John Bukovinsky told the wire service, "We don't think Comdex is the best way to reach our customers. Comdex is a good way to talk to customers about products, but not the best way to talk about solutions." He adds that in order to work directly with prospective customers about their personal computer needs, IBM needs "an environment that is not as hectic and crowded as Comdex has become." AP says IBM also doesn't plan to attend the smaller Comdex Spring show in April, held in Chicago. Softbank Comdex, the company that produces the computer shows worldwide, says that IBM would be missed, but that the company's absence won't hurt the premier show of the computer industry. Comdex spokeswoman Suzanne Lonergan added, "Companies have to make their own decisions with regard to their own marketing programs on their own basis." Study Finds Internet Growth Slowing A new study from Computer Intelligence shows that as of last August 36.9 million PCs were regularly accessing the Internet in the U.S., up a relatively modest 19 percent from the beginning of the year. According to the study, 31.1 million U.S. PCs were regularly connected to the Internet in January 1997, an increase of nearly 70 percent over January 1996. By August 1997, the number of PCs connecting to the Internet on a regular basis had grown to 36.9 million, a 19 percent increase. The study further notes that 37 percent of all U.S. PCs were regularly connecting to the Internet in August 1997. Growth in the number of Internet users was stronger in businesses (28 percent) than in the home (16 percent) or the self-employed markets (5 percent). "While the Internet remains the nexus of activity in the PC and telecommunications industries, the growth in the number of users of the Internet is clearly slowing," says Dave Tremblay, a senior analyst with the La Jolla, California, market research firm. E-mail and Web-surfing were the most common Internet applications, finds the study, used by over 80 percent of those who connect to the Internet. A minority of users purchased something over the Internet - including 17 percent who used financial services, 10 percent who purchased PC products and 6 percent who purchased other consumer electronics products. The study notes that while Netscape's Navigator remains the most popular Web browser, its share of users has declined, falling from 63 percent in January 1997 to 58 percent in August. Microsoft Internet Explorer's share grew from 12 percent to 21 percent in the same period. "Microsoft's relentless efforts in the browser market are bearing fruit," says Tremblay. "Microsoft has gained more than eight points of share and 4.1 million browser users since January. While Netscape has also gained users, its browser lost nearly five points of share over the same period. More serious for Netscape is where its share loss has been highest - in the business market. Netscape has lost relatively more share among business users, the fastest growing Internet segment and its relative stronghold, than it has among home users. Netscape's strategy is built on success in the business market - our latest research shows that Internet Explorer has hit Navigator hardest in this target market." Apple Cybercafe Plan Shelved Apple Computer Inc.'s plans to launch a string of cybercafes around the world, starting with one in Los Angeles next year, have been put on hold, company officials confirm. Apple spokeswoman Rhona Hamilton has told Johanna Bennett of the Dow Jones news service the decision to shelve the project actually was made about six months ago by one of the deal's partners, not Apple Computer. As reported earlier, the restaurants with Internet stations at the table were to be developed in global capitals such as Toyko, London and Paris by Landmark International of Los Angeles. Says the wire service, "A trademark-licensing agreement allowing Mega Bytes International BVI, a London real-estate investment company, use of the Apple trademark expired before the cafe project got started, Hamilton said. The agreement hasn't been renewed, she added." Jobs Keeps Apple Post for Now Despite previous indications, Apple Computer Inc. now says it won't be naming a new chief executive officer before the end of the year, meaning it will keep co-founder Steve Jobs as interim CEO for a while longer. But, says reporter Therese Poletti of the Reuter News Service, Jobs' presence "is seen by industry executives as complicating the search for a replacement for Gilbert Amelio, who was ousted by Apple's board in July." Analyst Lou Mazzucchelli at Gerard Klauer & Mattison says, "He cuts quite a figure," adding that while Jobs is on the job, he has authority but no real responsibility, and would loom over anyone who takes on the CEO job. "A CEO needs to have a balance of responsibility and authority. Therein lies the problem." As noted earlier, industry insiders were saying in late September that Apple had narrowed the CEO search to four candidates, but since then, two of the reported candidates have taken other jobs. And, as also noted, the San Francisco Chronicle reported last week Sun Microsystems Inc. executive Ed Zander was offered the job but reportedly turned it down because Jobs would not agree to leave the board. Apple spokeswoman Katie Cotton told the wire service, "There has been a lot of discussion about the candidates ... but we just haven't found the right match for Apple yet. Therefore, the search is going to continue in 1998." Grove Named Time Man of the Year Intel Corp. chief Andrew Grove has been named Time Magazine's 1997 Man of the Year. Time managing editor Walter Isaacson told United Press International that the 61-year-old Grove -- who came to the United States without a cent to his name, a refugee from the Nazis and then the communists -- now is at the forefront of a technological revolution that rivals in impact the industrial revolution of the late 1800s. Intel, co-founded with Gordon Moore, is now worth $115 billion, makes 90 percent of the world's computer chips, reports up $5.1 billion in annual profits, making it the world's seventh most profitable company, and for the past decade has made an annual return to investors of 44 percent. Its factories produce 4 quadrillion transistors every month, about 500,000 for every person in the world. Of Grove, Isaacson said, "His character traits are emblematic of this amazing century: a paranoia bred from his having been a refugee from the Nazis and then the Communists; an entrepreneurial optimism instilled as an immigrant to a land brimming with freedom and opportunity; and asharpness tinged with arrogance that comes from being a brilliant mind on the front line of a revolution." He says Grove predicted the continual flux of the digital age, which would ultimately require constant reinvention: "...More than any other person, Andy Grove has made real the defining law of the digital age: the prediction by his friend ... Gordon Moore that microchips would double in power and halve in price every 18 months or so. And to that law, Grove has added his own: we will continually find new things for microchips to do that were scarcely imaginable a year or two earlier." Apple Licenses Sound Technology Apple Computer Inc. says it has licensed Roland Corp.'s Sound Canvas sound set and GS Format extensions for inclusion in QuickTime 3.0, the latest version of its digital media platform for Mac OS and Windows. The computer maker notes that the new QuickTime 3.0 musical capabilities promise expanded creative control for music and multimedia content publishers and a better sounding musical experience for consumers. An updated developer preview release of QuickTime 3.0 and the new music instrument sound set are available for downloading from the Web at http://www.quicktime.apple.com. Apple notes that Roland's GS Format extends the General MIDI specification by defining additional music performance controls that provide greater accuracy, consistency, and expressiveness for MIDI-based interactive audio. QuickTime's support for this popular music format will enable high-fidelity playback of existing GS-format MIDI content and will provide music publishers enhanced creative control. The Roland sound set to be included with QuickTime 3.0 consists of 128 General MIDI-compatible instruments, plus more than 100 additional sounds from a variety of instrument categories including keyboards, woodwinds, strings, brass, percussion and sound effects. "For music and multimedia content publishers, the Roland technologies, combined with QuickTime 3.0's advanced music architecture, represent a significant milestone in the development of interactive audio," says Avie Tevanian, Apple's senior vice president of Software Engineering. "For the first time, it is now possible to create high-quality MIDI music that can be reliably and faithfully reproduced on the consumer's computer." HP Opens Online Store Hewlett-Packard Co. has introduced Software Depot http://www.software.hp.com , an online store that allows customers to purchase and download software products after surfing through an electronic catalog. HP says Software Depot provides shoppers with a quick and easy way to purchase the latest HP software products. The site also provides free trial software and enhancement releases for some of the products available in the electronic catalog. Software Depot's opening follows the introduction of HP's Commerce Center http://www.interactive.hp.com/hpcc , a Web site that allows small businesses to purchase products such as HP network servers and printers online. "We're seeing the continued rapid development of a global information infrastructure," says Tom Ashburn, general manager of HP's software services division. "The Internet presents tremendous opportunities -- we want to maximize those opportunities for our customers, our resellers and ourselves." Ames Stores Launches Music Site Ames Department Stores Inc. has launched Amesmusic.com, a new Internet music store. The discount retailer notes that the site features over 50,000 compact disc selections. Shoppers can preview clips from over 300,000 audio samples in 21 music genres. Shoppers who order CDs or tapes through Amesmusic.com will receive their orders by mail. Music samples can be heard through Real Audio, Cool Edit, Sound App and other media tools. Transactions are handled through CyberCash. "Ames is exploring the power of the Internet through Amesmusic.com," says Joseph R. Ettore, president and CEO of the Rocky Hill, Connecticut, company. "It is our practice to take advantage of retail opportunities as they arise, and we believe that Amesmusic.com is a perfect way to offer Ames customers the convenience of an expanded selection of music not commonly available in stores." Ames, which operates 298 stores in 14 Northeastern states and the District of Columbia, is the U.S.'s sixth-largest discount chain, with annual total sales of $2.2 billion. Printer Offers Separate Cartridges Okidata has introduced the Okijet 2020, a four-color, ink-jet printer with individually replaceable ink cartridges. The printer maker, based in Mount Laurel, New Jersey, says the separate cartridges will help users cut costs by eliminating the ink waste inherent in traditional all-in-one printer cartridge designs. The Okijet 2020 also permits the changing of ink cartridges after a page has begun to print, allowing users to avoid the possibility printing pages with missing colors. The printer offers a 600 dots per inch output resolution. The Okijet 2020 is scheduled for release in January at $249. More details are available on Okidata's Web site at http://www.okidata.com. Computer Associates Acquires AI WARE, Inc. Advanced Neural Net Technology To Complement Existing And Planned Strategic Efforts Computer Associates International, Inc. (CA) announced it has purchased privately-held AI WARE, Inc., a developer of intelligent decision support software utilizing artificial intelligence and other advanced computer technologies. Financial terms were not disclosed. As a pioneer in neural net and optimization technology, AI WARE has developed unique, sophisticated applications for addressing highly-complex technical process control issues. Two of the company's products, CAD/Chem, a formulation modeling-and-optimization system, and Process Advisor, an industry-leading process optimization and control tool, have been extremely well received in many industries worldwide. The acquisition of AI WARE expands CA's extensive portfolio to include sophisticated neural net technology for modeling, estimation, prediction, classification and optimization for improving the performance of systems and processes. "Neural net technology will be instrumental in addressing the next generation of business challenges," said Marc Sokol, CA senior vice president of advanced technology. "The incorporation of AI WARE technology into CA's product line will give our clients a competitive edge by enabling them to make accurate business forecasts based on historical data." Neural net technology will enhance and complement many of CA's strategic initiatives. It will enable CA to incorporate predictive management and enhanced troubleshooting support facilities into its industry-leading Unicenter TNG enterprise management systems. Neural network technology will also complement CA's application development offerings -- including its newly released Jasmine database -- by providing clients with the ability to effectively address the challenges of complex process logic in a wide range of vertical markets. "As part of CA, we will be even better able to continue advancing process control technology while gaining access to a broader marketplace," said Dr. Yoh-Han Pao, former president of AI WARE and a pioneer in the application of neural-net and optimization technology. "Our highly complementary technologies and the compatibility of our respective corporate cultures makes this acquisition very fortuitous for ourselves, our investors and our corporate customers." Neural net technology reproduces some functions of the human brain with mathematical models implemented in hardware or software. A neural network learns a particular task when given historical data relevant to the task. During training, the model is tuned so that the neural network can generalize the relationships underlying the specific patterns in the historical data. Once trained, a neural network can be used to recognize a situation, make an evaluation, reach a conclusion or take an action. Neural networks have been applied to a wide range of domains including business forecasting, manufacturing process monitoring and control, market research, and financial risk analysis. AI WARE has received many awards for leading the industry in delivering computational intelligence solutions, including the R&D Magazine "Elite 100 Award" in 1994, and the Edison Emerging Technology Company Award in 1995. The company holds several patents relating to computational intelligence technology. It has close ties with both the Center for Automation and Intelligent Systems Research (CAISR) at Case Western Reserve University and the Edison Industrial Systems Center, an organization supported by Ohio's Thomas Edison Program, promoting technology transfer between academic institutions and Ohio businesses. All AI WARE associates have been welcomed into the CA family, and the company's operations will remain in Ohio. Dr. Pao joins CA in a consulting capacity. Computer Associates International, Inc. (NYSE: CA), with headquarters in Islandia, N.Y., is the world leader in mission-critical business software. The company develops, licenses, and supports more than 500 integrated products that include enterprise computing and information management, application development, manufacturing and financial applications. CA has over 10,000 people in 160 offices in 40 countries and had revenue of more than $4 billion in fiscal year 1997. CA can be reached by visiting http://www.cai.com on the World Wide Web, emailing info@cai.com, or calling 1-516-342-5224. Since its founding in 1985, AI WARE's success has been rooted in its ability to solve real-world problems in design and manufacturing with proprietary advanced computer technologies. AI WARE's research has produced patented Functional Link neural net technology for modeling, estimation, prediction, and classification, and patent pending Guided Evolutionary Simulated Annealing optimization. AI WARE also offers a new visualization technology for helping decision makers understand relationships within complex multi-dimensional data. Combined use of these technologies has led to breakthroughs in feature-based design and manufacturing problem solving. AI WARE is based in Beachwood, OH. IBM and NASA Teams Win Feynman Prize Awards For Nanotechnology Research from Foresight Institute Foresight Institute has awarded the 1997 Feynman Prizes for research in nanotechnology to teams based at IBM Research Division Zurich Research Laboratory for experimental research and at NASA Ames Research Center for theoretical research. Each team received a $5,000 cash award to be divided among its members, as well as certificates of recognition. The awards were presented at the recently completed Fifth Foresight Conference on Molecular Nanotechnology, at which nearly 100 technical papers were presented on nanotechnology research being conducted at leading academic and corporate research centers on five continents. The Conference was keynoted by Nobel laureate Richard Smalley of Rice University. The prize is named in memory of California Institute of Technology professor Richard Feynman, who proposed the concept of manipulating matter at the molecular level and constructing materials with molecular precision in a famous 1959 talk, "There's Plenty of Room at the Bottom." As part of that talk, he offered cash prizes for advances in nanotechnology -- a practice continued with Foresight's awards. The IBM researchers awarded the 1997 Feynman Prize in Nanotechnology for Experimental Work were James Gimzewski, Reto Schlittler of IBM Zurich and Christian Joachim of the Centre Nationale de la Recherche Scientifique in France. Members of the NASA Ames team that was awarded the 1997 Feynman Prize in Nanotechnology for Theoretical Work are Charles Bauschlicher, Stephen Barnard, Creon Levit, Glenn Deardorff, Al Globus, Jie Han, Richard Jaffe, Alessandra Ricca, Marzio Rosi, Deepak Srivastava, and H. Thuemmel. All are employed by NASA Ames Research Center or by MRJ Technology Solutions, Inc. at NASA Ames. The IBM team was recognized for its pioneering work to extend the capabilities of scanning tunneling microscopy (STM) that has expanded possibilities to manipulate molecules on an individual basis. Their work included creation of a "molecular abacus" which used individual C-60 carbon molecules (also known as "buckyballs") as "beads" of the abacus. The beads were moved along atomic-scale grooves in a copper surface, at room temperature, using an STM probe. The IBM team developed the capability to image molecules at complexity levels of over 100 atoms such that molecular recognition of the orientation, integrity, and even conformation of their subcomponents is readily achievable. They also developed the capability to manipulate molecules nondestructively on an individual basis and to use the molecular recognition capabilities for verification of such operations. They demonstrated that molecules can be controllably repositioned at room temperature. The primary goal of their research is to understand and thereby increase the complexity and predictability of operations that can be performed in assembly and functionality at the single molecule level. The team at NASA Ames Research Center, has been using NASA's molecular modeling computational capabilities to explore nanotechnology designs based on machine phase functionalized fullerenes. They have developed theoretical means to construct molecular-scale gears, pumps and other mechanical components from fullerene tubes ("buckytubes") and fullerene balls ("buckyballs"). Although it is not yet possible to construct any such items, the NASA team's work suggests that fullerene-based designs may be relatively accessible and possess great potential for aerospace applications. This nanotechnology might use carbon nanotubes and related components as the building blocks of molecular machines. Judges for the 1997 Feynman Prize awards were Carl R. Feynman, computer scientist and son of Richard Feynman; William A. Goddard III, Chemistry and Applied Physics, Materials and Molecular Simulation Center, Caltech; Tracy Handel, Biochemistry & Molecular Biology, UC Berkeley, Jan Hoh, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine; Neil Jacobstein, Chairman, Institute for Molecular Manufacturing and President, Teknowledge Corporation; Arthur Kantrowitz, Dartmouth College, and Advisor, to Foresight Institute; Marvin Minsky, MIT Media Lab and MIT AI Lab, and Advisor, Foresight Institute; Charles Musgrave, Chemical Engineering, Stanford University; Nils Nilsson, Robotics Laboratory, Computer Science Dept., Stanford University; Nadrian C. Seeman, New York University; Richard Smalley, Center for Nanoscale Science and Technology at Rice University; and George Whitesides, Dept. of Chemistry, Harvard. Previous winners of the Feynman Prize are Musgrave, for his theoretical work on a hydrogen abstraction tool for nanotechnology, and Seeman for his pioneering experimental work on the synthesis of 3-dimensional objects from DNA. Nanotechnology is an emerging technology based on the ability to assemble individual molecules and atoms into precise structures. Its realization will allow the construction of supercomputers the size of a sugar cube, pollution-free manufacturing, super-strength materials, and molecular-scale robots capable of repairing damage in individual human cells. More than one billion such nanorobots could fit inside a single drop of blood. Foresight Institute is an educational foundation whose goal is to guide emerging technologies to improve the human condition. Foresight focuses its efforts upon nanotechnology and upon systems that will enhance knowledge exchange and critical discussion, thus improving public and private policy decisions. Foresight Institute can be found on the World Wide Web at http://www.foresight.org. Globalization Heads List of Eight Trends Driving Companies Into the New Millennium Globalization of business and the increasing use of enterprise resource planning systems are two of eight megatrends Price Waterhouse has identified that will impact Global 500 companies from 1998 into the new millennium. Scott Hartz, managing partner and global leader of Price Waterhouse's management consulting practice, said: "Globalization is the single biggest force driving corporate change. It affects organizational structure, technology, communications, product development, service delivery, people and training. Global 500 companies need to transform their organizations into global enterprises to compete successfully in the future." Price Waterhouse's List of Eight Megatrends 1. Globalization. Globalization is a response to intense market pressures brought about as trade barriers fall, as the emerging economies enter the global stage and as companies race to match the worldwide scope and appetite of their biggest customers. This response takes the form of integrated systems, processes and organizational structures that provide a global architecture for the sharing and use of information. The properties of the truly global corporation are evolving. 2. Enterprise resource planning management systems. To manage increasingly complex supply chains, streamline business processes and coordinate resources globally, a growing proportion of the world's biggest corporations are implementing enterprise-wide management systems, using packaged software. These systems reduce the operational and maintenance costs of running stand-alone systems and provide an opportunity, through the use of technology, to implement real global change. 3. Focus on revenue growth. Successful global companies have adopted "growth" as an underlying corporate value. They are looking for ways to open up new markets, and to better service and expand sales to existing customers. The focus has shifted from cost reduction to revenue growth. In support of their growth objectives, organizations are also starting to unleash the potential of the information they possess in their current systems. Data warehousing and data mining technologies make it possible to consolidate and analyze information from previously unconnected systems. 4. CFO focus on value. Many progressive companies are switching to a value-based management approach to running their businesses. Companies are demanding that all of their activities be tied to and held accountable to a bottom-line benefit. 5. Return on human capital. As large companies move toward becoming truly global, a strain is being placed on people resources. In order to meet customer demands and take advantage of global opportunities, businesses need qualified professionals to capitalize on these opportunities. Companies not only need to be able to attract and retain quality professionals, but also they need to be able to enhance performance and give their employees the tools they need to work in a global marketplace. 6. Electronic commerce/Internet. Companies are starting to realize benefits from the migration of commerce, communications and business processes to the Internet, extranets and intranets. Electronic commerce provides the ability to sell to and interface with vast numbers of geographically dispersed customers at a very low cost. 7. Outsourcing/shared services. Many organizations are focusing their efforts and management attentions solely on the key drivers of value in their business. Remaining activities are pooled across the organization into shared services or removed from the organization entirely through outsourcing. 8. Single-source solutions. Companies have shifted their buying patterns. They are exploring and, in some cases, realizing the benefits of buying from a single source. Single-source purchasing simplifies buying decisions and often cuts costs. Price Waterhouse management consultants help global clients maximize their business performance by integrating technology, organizational change and business process improvements. The U.S.$1.4 billion management consulting practice is part of the worldwide Price Waterhouse organization, which has 60,000 people. The web site address is www.pw.com/mcs. Researcher Makes '98 Predictions International Data Corp. predicts that the Web's population will reach near 100 million in 1998 and the Web's killer application, online commerce, will grow to over $20 billion. Other predictions for 1998 from the Framingham, Massachusetts, market research firm include: z Intel will release a non-Pentium line aimed at the Internet appliance space. z Microsoft will launch a non-Windows platform, also focused on appliances. z Microsoft Windows will struggle to maintain its position as the z de facto standard client platform. z DSL (digital subscriber line) will join cable to launch the era of megabit consumer Internet access z Netscape, Oracle, and Sun are ripe to lead a wave of mega-merger mania. "The basic shift in 1998 is to a consumer-centric PC business," says Frank Gens, IDC's senior vice president of Internet research. "IDC believes suppliers who do not succeed in the consumer PC segment will no longer be in the PC business three years from now." Student suspended for wine gift to teacher ATLANTA (Reuters) - A Georgia eighth-grader has been suspended for 10 days for bringing a gift-wrapped bottle of Bordeaux wine as a Christmas present for his French teacher. Cosmo Zinkow violated Georgia laws against possession of alcohol by a minor and bringing alcohol onto school property, Cobb County school officials said. Zinkow's father said he was stunned at the school board's action. He said his son is an A student and had offered his teacher the bottle of Mouton Cadet Bordeaux in a sealed box wrapped with Christmas paper Thursday. The Griffin Middle School teacher, whom officials said doesn't drink alcohol, informed the school's principal about the gift, as required by a school policy which mandated a 10-daysuspension. "When you take a Christmas gift to the teacher, wrapped and in a box with a bow and a card, that's not possessing alcohol," Bill Zinkow told the Atlanta Journal-Constitution newspaper. "I felt like this was an appropriate gift for her," Zinkow said. "He's a good kid and he didn't deserve to be treated thisway at all." IG Farben meeting opens to anti-NAZI protests By Tara FitzGerald FRANKFURT, Germany (Reuters) - Holocaust survivors disrupted the annual meeting in Germany Monday of a shell company that is the vestige of IG Farben, the firm that made the gas for Hitler's death camps. "IG Farben's money belongs to the victims of Auschwitz," read one banner carried by about 120 protesters blocking the entrance to the hall where the mostly elderly shareholders of IG Farben industrie in Liquidation had gathered. Several demonstrators who had bought a share in order to be able to attend were thrown out for disrupting the proceedings. Some survivors of the Auschwitz death camp wore their prison numbers. Others wore the yellow star that the Nazis forced Jews to wear. "This is a way in which we can try to make such companies face up to their responsibilities and I will keep coming back until those people who suffered are compensated in some way," said Eduard Bernhard, 72, owner of one share. IG Farben, which made Zyklon B gas, was split after the Second World War into three chemical companies -- Hoechst, Bayerand BASF. The shell company survives in the hope, albeit dwindling, of reclaiming IG Farben assets left abroad at the end of the war. Above all, this meant property in East Germany that was nationalized by Soviet occupiers and which IG Farben was not able to try to reclaim until after unification in 1990 -- and which it has been unsuccessful in trying to claim since. Many present stock holders bought their shares cheap after the Second World War. The company had difficulty finding a venue for the meeting because many hotels in Frankfurt feared demonstrations. Peter Gingold, a board member of the German "Auschwitz Committee" whose family died in the camp, said the company had chosen a date just before Christmas hoping that fewer protesters would turn up. "But more Auschwitz victims have come this year, even from as far away as France, and others are mounting a protest outside the German embassy in Paris. We want to make clear what kind of company we are dealing with," he said. The demonstrators blew whistles and forced the nearly 200 shareholders to walk past enlarged photographs of Nazi victims. They want the company -- which was the world's fourth-largest until 1945 and used slave labor during the war -- wound up immediately and the money paid to Holocaust survivors. "Of course everyone is welcome to have their say in the proper way, but this is not a political forum and anyone who treats it as such will not be allowed to speak further," board chairman Ernst Krienke said after protesters interrupted the meeting. Some shareholders were by no means ashamed. "I have no moral problem with holding the shares," said 74-year-old Georg Gerster, a shareholder for two years. "I bought them for purely speculative reasons in order to make money." STR Editor's Mail Call "...a place for the readers to be heard" Editor's MailBag Messages * NOT EDITED * for content From: Cleveland Thornton [thornton@legalbits.com] Sent: Saturday, December 20, 1997 11:20 AM To: rmariano@streport.com Subject: Tilting at windmills For the record, I believe Ruby Ridge occurred under the Bush Administration. I also think that WACO is a place where a true goof-ball decided to burn his own children and himself rather than comply with the law. Since your editorial is about motives, one has to ask about yours when you are an "official" site for MSEX. Would you care to state what financial arrangements, if any, you have with MS? Since the rest of the editorial is of the "hate radio" and simi-educated ilk, it is pointless to respond to it. _____________________________________________ Cleveland Thornton 202-543-9673 (Office) Attorney at Law 202-543-3482 (Fax) 15 Second Street, N.E. E-Mail: Washington, D.C. 20002-7301 thornton@legalbits.com HomePage http://www.clark.net/pub/cthornto/home.html ______________________________________________ Well now. Dear Readers. please brace yourselves <g> normally, I'd jump right through the door onto the "free parking sign our good barrister put up. But since he is from the DC area, and most of us know that area is overpopulated with so-so attorneys its best that we pity such a shabby attempt at picking an argument let alone begin a sensible, incisive debate. Every now and then, unfortunately, it appears someone must jump up in defense of the rabid control freaks of this nation. Most of whom, (at least those who can do real harm to this country's freedoms and Constitution), are in the Washington DC area. Lets see, first we're told we know not of what we speak, that we may be on the covert payroll of MS and then. in so many words we're compared to Rush Limbaugh and a few other truthfully outspoken but "right on the mark" controversial radio commentators. Three quick answers; a) We do our homework, b) We are not in the employ of Microsoft, c) We thank you for the compliment. We at STReport are especially fond of "The Dennis Miller approach." My Dear Counselor, perhaps you missed your calling. have you ever pondered becoming say. a Prison Warden? You'd do well to carefully review what you are saying about WACO with the mind of a real and caring human being. Next you're going to tell us the Feds actions at WACO were the acts of Officers. "only following orders". Have you any idea how many times that hairbag excuse for a factual, rational statement rang through the courtrooms of Nuremberg? David Koresh and The Branch Dividians were no more a direct threat to this Nation's Security or Sovereignty than any "ten dozen lawyer politicians." Do we attempt to surround the enclaved politicos, hammer them with monotonous loud noises, displays of awesome firepower, actual armed assaults by fanatical US Government Agents carrying automatic weapons and wearing body armor? No, of course not! We do not envision this sort of outrage occurring. But in the matter of Waco. the ATF (a pimple on the butt of the DOJ) saw fit to do so once their CI (confidential informant) was exposed. Amazingly, the assault's planned occurrence was KNOWN ahead of time by the Dividians the "rocket scientists running the ATF still went ahead with their planned assault. Why?? Got an answer for that one? Anyone? Waco was as tragic as it was dumb. Who cares what Koresh was up to. the government's agents acting under Reno's and Clinton's orders were equally as bad as any persons convicted for War Crimes against humanity. Our government with its infinite resources could've easily waited Koresh out and ended the Waco incident peacefully but no, we simply had to shoot teargas grenades into the complex (everyone knows teargas when discharged will ignite fires) but the powers that be felt it was right and proper to run the Bradley Armored vehicle in against women, children and a few men. Yes Sir, it was indeed Reno & Co.'s finest hour. The DOJ, Reno & Co., could learn a great deal by the recent performance of the Sheriff's Office in handling the Plano, Texas hostage situation. A great deal indeed. That Department deserves a humanely earned Well Done! 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 LEXMARK OPTRA C COLOR LASER PRINTER For a limited time only; If you wish to have a FREE sample printout sent to you that demonstrates LEXMARK Optra C SUPERIOR QUALITY 600 dpi Laser Color Output, please send a Self Addressed Stamped Envelope [SASE] (business sized envelope please) to: STReport's LEXMARK Printout Offer P.O. Box 6672 Jacksonville, Florida 32205-6155 Folks, the LEXMARK Optra C has to be the very best yet in its price range. It is far superior to anything we've seen or used as of yet. It is said that ONE Picture is worth a thousand words. The out put from the Lexmark Optra C is worth ten thousand words! Send for the free sample now. (For a sample that's suitable for framing, see below) Guaranteed. you will be amazed at the superb quality. (Please.. allow at least a two week turn- around). If you would like a sample printout that's suitable for framing. Yes that's right! Suitable for Framing. Order this package. It'll be on special stock and be of superb quality. We obtained a mint copy of a 1927 COLOR ENGRAVER'S YEAR BOOK. Our Scanner is doing "double duty"! The results will absolutely blow you away. If you want this high quality sample package please include a check or money order in the amount of $6.95 (Costs only) Please, make checks or money orders payable to; Ralph Mariano. Be sure to include your full return address and telephone number . The sample will be sent to you protected, not folded in a 9x12 envelope. Don't hesitate.. you will not be disappointed. This "stuff" is gorgeous! A T T E N T I O N-A T T E N T I O N-A T T E N T I O N EDUPAGE STR Focus Keeping the users informed Edupage Contents AT&T Abandons Push To Enter Local Phone Market AOL Wins Court Battle Against Junk E-Mailer Judge Challenges Microsoft Claims W3C Endorses HTML 4.0 Brits Claim Credit For Public-Key Encryption Methodology Beware Diploma Mills On The Net Projections For K-12 Info Tech Materials New Internet Law Attacks Non-Profit Pirating AlterNIC Founder Extradited To U.S. Edupage Until The Very Last Word Lawmakers Question Subsidies For Internet Access By Schools Cisco Buys Voice Signaling Company Domain System Transition Plan Still On Hold Sony, Thomson-CSF Vying For Digital TV Boxes Dole Lobbies Against Microsoft "The Web Is What We Make It" AT&T ABANDONS PUSH TO ENTER LOCAL PHONE MARKET After spending $4 billion trying with little success to break into the local phone market, AT&T is giving up on its strategy of trying to resell the services of local phone companies. Along with long-distance carriers MCI and Sprint, AT&T says that the Bell operating companies are obstructing their efforts by being reluctant to fulfill customer orders for competing local service or to resell their services at reasonable rates. In the future, AT&T may try again to enter the local market by leasing pieces of the Bells' local networks or building its own networks. (AP 20 Dec 97) AOL WINS COURT BATTLE AGAINST JUNK E-MAILER America Online has declared itself "victorious" over junk e-mailer Over the Air Equipment Inc. after a federal court ruled that Over the Air must pay undisclosed damages and stop sending unsolicited e-mail messages promoting adult-oriented Web sites to AOL members. "It's important to send a signal that monetary damages in these cases are going to be payable," says AOL's general counsel, who adds that "there are a number of suits in the wings." Lawsuits are still pending against e-mailers Squeaky Clean Marketing and Cyber Services, both of which have bombarded AOL members with junk messages. Many observers are skeptical, however, that taking junk e-mailers to court one-by-one will prove an effective deterrent, however. "There are so many spammers that trying to take them out one at a time in the courts is going to be hideously expensive," says the chairman of the Coalition Against Unsolicited Commercial E-Mail, an organization trying to amend existing laws prohibiting junk faxes. (Wall Street Journal 19 Dec 97) JUDGE CHALLENGES MICROSOFT CLAIMS Having been told by Microsoft that it cannot unbundle Internet Explorers from Windows 95 because Windows will not operate properly without several of the Explorer files, Judge Thomas Penfield Jackson says that, with the help of a technician, he successful uninstalled Explorer from a new PC in about 90 seconds. "If the process is that simple, I'd like to have it confirmed by the government. If it is not that simple, I'd like to have it refuted by any evidence Microsoft plans to introduce." Microsoft says that uninstalling Explorer removes only 3% of the browser files from a PC's hard disk. (Washington Post 20 Dec 97) W3C ENDORSES HTML 4.0 The World Wide Web Consortium (W3C) has declared its support for HTML 4.0, okaying the latest version of hypertext markup language for global use. Version 4.0 adds support for advanced forms, in-line frames, and enhanced tables, as well as objects, scripts and style sheets. The new version will be especially useful for multilingual documents, says the W3C, and can handle differences in language, text direction and character encoding schemes. (InfoWorld Electric 18 Dec 97) BRITS CLAIM CREDIT FOR PUBLIC-KEY ENCRYPTION METHODOLOGY A paper published this week by a retired officer of the British government's secret Communications-Electronics Security Group says that he invented public-key encryption in the late 1960s -- seven years before cryptographers Whitfield Diffie and Martin Hellman published their description of the technique in 1976. James Ellis, the British officer, died on Nov. 25, just days before his paper was published. In his paper, he says his algorithm closely resembles the RSA algorithm, a patented technology developed using the Diffie-Hellman technique. "This does not detract from the significant contributions of Diffie and Hellman or the RSA team, who independently discovered public-key cryptography and brought it into the public domain," says leading cryptographer Dorothy Denning. "This is a case of independent discovery." (TechWeb 18 Dec 97) BEWARE DIPLOMA MILLS ON THE NET A number of would-be students have fallen victim to the dark side of distance learning on the Internet -- fraudulent schemes that claim to offer accredited degrees in as little as 27 days. In many of these cases, a Web site is about all these "institutions" have to offer, says the co-author of "Bears' Guide to Earning College Degrees Nontraditionally." And while some people assume that a ".edu" suffix guarantees the authenticity of an educational institution, Network Solutions (the company that registers Internet domain names) says it gives a ".edu" name to anyone who requests it. So far, the Accrediting Commission of the Distance Education and Training Council is the only nationally recognized accrediting body for distance-learning programs, while the Global Alliance for Transnational Education focuses on evaluating and certifying international institutions. (Chronicle of Higher Education 19 Dec 97) PROJECTIONS FOR K-12 INFO TECH MATERIALS A newsletter from Cowles/Simba Information, a division of the Cowles Business Media market research company, says that U.S. K-12 educators will spend about $841.7 million this year on electronic instructional materials, including software, videocassettes and online subscription curriculum materials. And it expects the level of sales to rise to about $1.02 billion in 1999. (New York Times 20 Dec 97) NEW INTERNET LAW ATTACKS NON-PROFIT PIRATING President Bill Clinton signed into law a controversial bill imposing criminal penalties on copyright violators who do not profit from their actions. The No Electronic Theft Act, passed by Congress last month, was strongly backed by the software and entertainment industries, but opposed by science and academic groups. Under the new law, a person who "willfully" infringes on copyrighted material worth at least $1,000 could be subject to criminal prosecution even if he does not profit by it. Under the previous law, copyright violators could not be charged with criminal misconduct unless they profited from the violation. Software and entertainment groups, including the Business Software Alliance, the Motion Picture Association and the Association of American Publishers, said the change was essential to protect software, music recordings and other creative products easily pirated over the Internet. (Toronto Financial Post 18 Dec 97) ALTERNIC FOUNDER EXTRADITED TO U.S. The founder of a bogus Internet domain name registration site is being turned over by Canada to the U.S. to face a lawsuit filed by InterNIC, whose mail he rerouted to his AlterNIC site, which registers alternate top-level domains such as .ltd, .med and .sex. "Internet users who had expected to register or update domain names were denied ready access to the system to do so, causing confusion, frustration, and immeasurable economic harm," says an FBI affidavit. The FBI is also considering charging the cracker with criminal computer and wire fraud. A conviction on both charges could net the cracker up to 10 years in federal prison. (Net Insider 18 Dec 97) EDUPAGE UNTIL THE VERY LAST WORD We frequently receive mail from nice people who urge us to call more attention to our "Honorary Subscriber" feature at the bottom of Edupage, saying they always enjoy it but complaining that they'd been reading Edupage for a year or more before they happened to notice its existence. So we'll take this edition to suggest that you go all the way to the end with us today and read the words of our honorary subscriber -- whose thoughts we offer as our greeting card to you and your friends and families this holiday season. LAWMAKERS QUESTION SUBSIDIES FOR INTERNET ACCESS BY SCHOOLS Arguing that the issues have not been publicly debated, Senator John McCain and Representative Thomas J. Bliley Jr. have convinced the Federal Communications Commission to slow down the phasing-in of subsidies intended to help schools, libraries and rural health care facilities connect to the Internet. The FCC had planned to provide $675 million in subsidies in the first half of 1998, with an intention of eventually providing more than $2 billion a year. (AP 23 Dec 97) CISCO BUYS VOICE SIGNALING COMPANY Cisco Systems is acquiring LightSpeed International, a privately held voice signaling translation company, for $160 million. LightSpeed's technology will assist Cisco in making the transition from purely circuit switched networks to integrated circuit and packet/cell-switched networks in order to accommodate voice over Internet protocols. (TechInvestor 22 Dec 97) DOMAIN SYSTEM TRANSITION PLAN STILL ON HOLD The U.S. government's plan to transfer responsibility for assigning Internet domain names from Network solutions, which has been under contract to the National Science Foundation to perform the task, to a newly formed group of registration authorities, is still not complete, and industry observers say they doubt it will be out by Christmas, as promised by optimists in the Commerce Department. The plan originally was due at the end of last month. Presidential Internet advisor Ira Magaziner is currently interviewing stakeholders, including Internet service providers, computer software and hardware companies, telecommunications firms, and others. "This isn't about domain names," says one interviewee. "It's really about solving the problem of Internet governance, and it needs adult supervision." (InternetWeek 22 Dec 97) SONY, THOMSON-CSF VYING FOR DIGITAL TV BOXES Sony Corp. and Thomson Electronics are competing for the right to distribute NextLevel Systems' digital TV set-top boxes, a move that would assist either company in gaining a foothold in the huge potential market for cable-based high-definition television, telephone services, and other digital options. NextLevel is said to be favoring Sony's offer to affix the well-known Sony name on every box, a powerful marketing tool. Sony also offers access to its established videogame business, which could eventually be built into the NextLevel boxes. Last week, NextLevel announced that most of the top cable companies, including Tele-Communications, Inc. and Comcast, have agreed to buy as many as 15 million set-top boxes over the next three years. (Wall Street Journal 22 Dec 97) DOLE LOBBIES AGAINST MICROSOFT "On the Corporate Dole" Former Republican presidential candidate Bob Dole is representing several major companies, including Netscape, Sun Microsystems, and Sabre Group Holdings, in an attempt to obtain support for resistance to Microsoft's expansion in Internet-based activities. In a letter to one company, Dole wrote: "In the coming months, we will need to educate the public, the administration, and the Congress about the dangers of a laissez-faire attitude toward Microsoft. I am personally convinced that if nothing is done now, it will become increasingly difficult to have fair competition in the years ahead. That is why we will need companies like yours to help finance and support our efforts." (Wall Street Journal 23 Dec 97) "THE WEB IS WHAT WE MAKE IT" World Wide Web inventor Tim Berners-Lee says users are responsible for making the Web safe: "It is important to realize that the Web is what we make it. 'We' being the people who read, the people who teach children how to surf the Web, the people who put information up on the Web. Particularly the people who make links.... The Web doesn't force anything down your throat. If you are worried that your children are going to read low-quality information, teach them. Teach them what to read. Teach them how to judge information." (Scientific American Dec 97) STReport's "Partners in Progress" Advertising Program The facts are in... STReport International Magazine reaches more users per week than any other weekly resource available today. Take full advantage of this spectacular reach. Explore the superb possibilities of advertising in STReport! Its very economical and smart business. In addition, STReport offers a strong window of opportunity to your company of reaching potential users on major online services and networks, the Internet, the WEB and more than 200,000 private BBS's worldwide. 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MAXIMIZE your Company's Presence Worldwide. TODAY! Eighth Page - $50.00 Quarter Page - $100.00 per issue per issue Half Page - $200.00 per Full Page - $400.00 per issue issue Your company's color ad, as described/submitted by you or designed by us, will appear in STReport International Magazine. STReport is published and released weekly on Fridays Evenings. All sizes based on a full color, eight and a half by eleven inch page. Trade-outs and Special Arrangements are available. Email us at or, for quick action call us at: VOICE: 904-292-9222 10am/5pm est FAX: 904-268-2237 24hrs Or, write us at: STR Publishing, Inc. P.O. Box 6672 Jacksonville, Florida 32205 20% Discount for Advance 1Q 1998 Ads. Jason's Jive Jason Sereno, STR Staff jsereno@streport.com Hi everyone, The holiday season is coming to a close. Did you get everything you asked for? If you didn't, I am giving you two great games that you should consider when you return your presents. Or, if you are staying home for New Years, these two should bring you into 1998 with style. Shipwreckers Overboard (overseas) PC CD-ROM Street Price: $39.99 For all ages (that own a 3D accelerator) Psygnosis (Effective as of December 19th) 989 East Hillsdale Boulevard Foster City, CA 94404 (650) 287-6500 (tel) (650) 287-6601 (fax) www.psygnosis.com Pirating has never been so much fun. No, I haven't just broken any copyright laws, I have been playing Shipwreckers from Psygnosis. This new marine simulation uses humor, deep sea terror, and 3D graphics (see requirements below) to keep you entertained in dozens of treasure-seeking levels. And of course you can swashbuckle other would-be pirates in ten multiplayer levels. Large amounts of weapons and foes highlight this game alongside a free roaming third person perspective. Shipwreckers brings gamers many delights. The game is full of humor. The stereotypical pirates are found floating in a treasure chest if your ship happens to sink. Many crewmen jump overboard if your ship catches fire during play as well. You can hear them yell as they take their chances with the sea. Also included in the game are imaginative sea monsters and a large array of other pirate foes. Sea dragons, squids, and giant lobsters all inhabit these dangerous waters. Fighting against your opponents won't be too difficult with the proper usage of eight unique weapons. Flame throwers, lightning bolts, Rockets, mines, and of course cannon balls may be used at your disposal along with several other useful implements of destruction. However, the most important tool you must use is your brain. You must strategically maneuver your way through the levels and avoid being shot, flamed, stung, or eaten. After you have mastered your ships controls and firearms you should use them conjointly to succeed in this simulation. Your map will help you immensely, showing the next place you must travel to end the level and find the treasure. Graphically, Shipwreckers shows an abundance of colors. The waters vary in pigment and hue to show great depths and detail in every area. The surrounding towns, beaches, and forests all appear very three dimensional. The polygon effect is obviously used in the game, but it is done well. If gameplay alone doesn't draw you to Shipwreckers, the speedy and detailed illustrations should. To display all of these graphics, Shipwreckers uses a unique free floating third person perspective. Three camera angles in all are available. One camera is a top view of the ship, the second camera shows the view directly behind the ship, and the last displays a side view. Each camera can be toggled with the press of the "tab" button. You may want to use these cameras at different intervals to give you better looks at what lies ahead of you. When you play multiplayer games, the camera angle zoom in and out from a compromise of the side and top view. The closer the ships get to one another, the smaller the amount of ocean that is visible. However, when the ships separate from each other, the camera zooms out to show the required space. Up to five players can play on ten specifically designed Microsoft Sidewinder levels. Shipwreckers is very entertaining and addictive. The assortment of foes and firepower really makes this game entertaining. Multiplayer levels and the third person views also add entertainment value to this game. Although a 3D accelerator is required, it is a small price to pay if not already purchased, to enjoy Shipwreckers from Psygnosis. Program Requirements Pentium 133 MHZ, Windows 95, Double Speed CD-ROM, a Supported 3D card: Diamond Monster 3D, Obsidian 3Dfx, Orchid Righteous 3D, Apocalypse 3D or 3Dx, ATI All-IN-Wonder, ATI Xpert@play, ATI 3D Xpression+, Matrox Mystique, Matrox Millenium II, STB Nitro 3D, Creative Labs 3D Blaster, STB Velocity 3D 128, Diamond Viper 330, Guillemot MaxiGamer, Hercules Stingray 128-3D, Diamond Fire GL, Recommended Chipsets: 3DFX Voodoo, Voodoo Rush, Matrox Mystique, Power VR (PCX1, PCX2), Rendition v1000, v2200, Nvidia Riva 128, Permedia, Permedia 2 S3 VIRGE, VX, DX, GX Forced Alliance The Glarious Mandate PC CD-ROM Street Price: $49.95 For ages 13+ Ripcord Games 4701 Patrick Henry Drive Suite 101 Santa Clara, CA 95054 408.653.1897(tel) 408.653.4046(fax) www.ripcordgames.com Ripcord Games has recently released Forced Alliance: The Glarious Mandate for the PC. This Space fighter is a giant step in the sci-fi genre because of a very gripping story accompanied by progression of rank. This game is never the same twice and every action the gamer makes changes the outcome somehow. With this release, Ripcord Games proves again that they are a real competitor in the software industry. Forced Alliance is definitely out of this world when it comes to the story. This game takes place ten years into an intergalactic war between humans and a species called the Volaptroid. These aliens resemble lizards and have very advanced war ships and tactics. Also fighting against the humans are a group of pirates called the marauders. These expert pilots raid ships and steal cargo with high tech weaponry. You start as a cadet in training before you actually have a chance to "get a piece" of either of these parties. You must pass five simulations in cadet training to be assigned to a ship. When you graduate you are assigned to the Lafayette. It is the oldest and most sought after ship in the war. >From there on you run mission after mission and consequently move up in rank. You journey from wing man to squadron leader and eventually captain. You must first take orders, but as the game progresses, you will be giving them. Near the very end of the game you will control an entire fleet of ships. Many twists also occur during gameplay. There is word of the Volaptroid and marauders joining forces during one part of the game. Of course there will be casualties and the story will adapt to them. Each kill or decision you make, no matter how small, will also have an impact on the plot. The only disappointing thing in the game may be the graphics. The movement of the ships do tend to be choppy at some times during combat. However, when you converse in the Lafayette the graphics are done in SGI and are much better. Forced Alliance has a few cinematic sequences during the game. Two that are commonly used are the leaving and docking of your ships. I won't dwell on the graphics too much though. The real excitement comes in the gameplay. And that is why I am recommending this game to sci-fi enthusiasts and space sim fans. First time pilots should also take a look at this game. It is really fun during actual combat and it engulfs you into the story. Although the graphics are very average, the plot and characters add a lot of depth to this game. All of you that have been saying you want more of a story in your simulations can find it in Forced Alliance. Program Requirements 486DX-100 or better, 16 MB RAM, VGA & SVGA graphics supported, Sound Blaster or 100% compatible sound card, 20 MB free hard disk space, Windows 95 compatible mouse and keyboard. (Direct 3D compatible graphics accelerator recommended) Special Notice!! STR Infofile File format for Articles File Format for STReport All articles submitted to STReport for publication must be sent in the following format. Please use the format requested. Any files received that do not conform will not be used. The article must be in an importable word processor format for Word 6.0 and/or Word Perfect 7.. The margins are .05" left and 1.0" Monospaced fonts are not to be used. Please use proportional fonting only and at Twelve (12) points. z No Indenting on any paragraphs!! z No Indenting of any lines or "special gimmickery" z No underlining! z Columns shall be achieved through the use of tabs only. Or, columns in Word or Word Perfect format. Do NOT, under any circumstances, use the space bar. z Most of all.. PLEASE! No ASCII "ART"!! z There is no limits as to size, articles may be split into two if lengthy z Actual Artwork should be in GIF, PCX, JPG, TIF, BMP, WMF file formats z Artwork (pictures, graphs, charts, etc.)should be sent along with the article separately z Please use a single font only in an article. TTF New Times Roman 12pt. is preferred. (VERY Strong Hint) If there are any questions please use either E-Mail or call. On another note. the ASCII version of STReport is fast approaching the "end of the line" As the major Online Services move away from ASCII.. So shall STReport. All in the name of progress and improved readability. The amount of reader mail expressing a preference for our Adobe PDF enhanced issue is running approximately 15 to 1 over the ASCII edition. I might add however, the requests for our issues to be done in HTML far outnumber both PDF and ascii. HTML is now under consideration. We'll keep you posted. Besides, STReport will not be caught in the old, worn out "downward compatibility dodge" we must move forward. However, if the ASCII readership remains as high, rest assured. ASCII will stay. Right now, since STReport is offered on a number of closed major corporate Intranets as "required" Monday Morning reading.. Our ascii readers have nothing to worry themselves about. It looks like it is here to stay. Many grateful thanks in advance for your enthusiastic co-operation and input. Ralph F. Mariano, Editor rmariano@streport.com STReport International Online Magazine Holiday Cookie Recipe Contest!!! Win your very own copy of Recipe Box for Windows 95: All you have to do is send in your favorite Holiday Cookie Recipe to: recipes@recipe-box.com As an example: My favorite and very best Holiday Cookie Recipe. Ralph's Chocolate Chip Diet Spoilers They're Delicious! 2 cups Grade A, unsalted butter 1 tsp. salt 2 cups sugar 3 tsp. baking powder 2 cups brown sugar 3 tsp. baking soda 4 large grade A eggs 24 oz. chocolate chips or M&M candies 3 tsp. Flavor extract (Vanilla, Rum, Butterscotch, etc.) 1 chocolate bar (8 oz.), sweet or bittersweet, grated 4 cups sifted flour 3 cups chopped nuts (optional) 5 cups smooth blended oatmeal* assorted Holiday Colors in sprinkle toppings (optional)** Melt butter slowly under very low heat and fold in both sugars, stir to a creamy smooth texture. Thoroughly but gently stir eggs and flavor extract together using a wisk. In a large bowl, mix prepared ingredients together with flour, blended oatmeal, salt, baking powder and soda. Fold in chocolate chips and grated chocolate bar. Add chopped nuts (if desired). Roll mixed cookie dough into 3/4 inch balls and place about two inches apart on buttered cookie sheets. A few tips; for a light colored cookie; chill the chocolate chips and add them and the grated chocolate to the batter last. For a chewy cookie; add one more bar of butter. Bar=4oz. For larger, fancy cookies use an ice cream scoop or a cup shaped tablespoon portion measuring spoon.For effect, granulated sugar may be sprinkled on top of the cookies before baking instead of the colored sprinkles. If chocolate sprinkles are used, add immediately after removing cookies from oven. Also, instead of chocolate chips etc.. and grated chocolate, candied fruits may be used. However, they must be diced and used sparingly. Omitting all added goodies (chips, candied fruits, chocoates, sprinkles etc.) and using only the genuine flavor extract (no imitations) of your choice and topping with granulated sugar will yeild fantastic holiday sugar cookies. Bake for 10 minutes at 375 degrees. Makes approximately 100 cookies (recipe may be doubled or halved as desired). * Measure oatmeal (not instant) and blend in a blender until a fine, silky powder. ** Sprinkle colored candy toppings on cookies about 15 seconds before done. Classics & Gaming Section Editor Dana P. Jacobson dpj@streport.com >From the Atari Editor's Desk "Saying it like it is!" Well, at this time next week it will be the new year. Where did the time go? It's hard to believe that I'm sitting here putting the final touches on this week's issue on Christmas night. I don't have a lot to say this week - just getting over the festivities over the past few days: finishing up Christmas/Hanukkah shopping, wrapping gifts, and other holiday preparations. Had my sister-in-law and her husband over for dinner - our first real holiday event with company in the new house. It was a great week talking with longtime friends and receiving cards and letters from people we don't talk with as much as we'd like these days; everyone is busy and tends to be busy with their own personal lives. Yet the holidays seem to bring everyone together in some form or another. It's a great time of year for most of us. I hope your holiday was as enjoyable as ours - that Santa or "Hanukkah Harry" brought you your favorite gifts. I hope you spent some enjoyable time with family and friends; I wish it would happen more throughout the rest of the year. I hope 1998 continues where 1997 leaves off. Let me take this opportunity to wish you all a safe and prosperous new year. Remember, when you celebrate New Year's Eve, please do so in moderation. If not, be sure that someone gets behind the wheel. Until next year... JTS Reports Third Quarter Results SAN JOSE, Calif., Dec. 22 /PRNewswire/ -- JTS Corporation (AMEX: JTS), reported net loss of $60.6 million or $0.39 per share on revenues of $24.0 million for the fiscal third quarter ended November 2, 1997. The results include a one time charge of $38.0 million associated with the company's decision to suspend support for the 3-inch portable hard drive business. Tom Mitchell, President and Chief Executive Officer of JTS commented, "We are beginning to see positive results from our initiatives. By focusing on our desktop mid-range product offerings, and continuing our emphasis on growing our OEM/System Integrator business, combined with our efforts to restructure the company to reduce our cost and expense structure, we believe we have positioned ourselves for profitability. With the qualification of our Champion II product at 2 major OEMs and the growth in demand we are experiencing from our smaller system integrator customers, we expect to be profitable in our fiscal first quarter." Third quarter revenue and profits were impacted as the company transitioned its product line from Champion I to Champion II and converted from ATA-3 to an Ultra DMA interface. "We are encouraged by customer reaction to our Champion II Family of desktop drives featuring Ultra DMA capacity. Our recent results indicate that our strategy of focusing on mid-range capacity points in our desktop offerings, foregoing entry level product where excess supply and pricing pressures are most severe, has paid off with improved average sales prices and gross margins," commented Tom Mitchell. JTS indicated that OEM/System Integrator sales continue to account for a growing percentage of revenue, reaching 30% over the past two months versus less than 5% for the first 7 months of the fiscal year. Its Champion II line of drives has been qualified at 2 major OEMs, and is in process of being qualified at 2 additional major OEM accounts. The one time charge associated with suspending support for the 3-inch portable hard drive business included the following items: $15.8 of goodwill, $17.9 million of existing technology, $1.8 million of capital assets, and $2.5 million of inventory commitments. Tom Mitchell, President and Chief Executive Officer of JTS, stated, "The intense competitive pressures we continue to see in the industry necessitate these actions for us to become competitive and profitable. Though strategically we believe the 3-inch platform continues to offer opportunities, tactically we decided not to continue to support this program; we plan to focus our resources on our desktop product offerings." Gaming Section "Micro Machines V3!" Million Sellers! And more... Industry News STR Game Console NewsFile - The Latest Gaming News! Hot Off the Press -- Diddy Kong Racing is the Fastest-Selling Game REDMOND, WASH. (Dec. 19) BUSINESS WIRE - Dec. 19, 1997 - Nintendo of America today announced that, with sales of more than one million units in less than 21 days, holiday shoppers have crowned Diddy Kong Racing the fastest-selling title in U.S. video game history. As predicted, Diddy Kong Racing becomes the fifth million-unit-selling game in 1997 released by Nintendo for Nintendo 64 -- the most powerful home video game system ever created. This year's previous million-plus selling titles are Super Mario 64, Star Fox 64, Mario Kart 64 and GoldenEye 007. This is the first time in the history of the video game industry in which one company has sold five million-selling titles within a 12-month period. GoldenEye 007 Becomes Most Sought After Title of Season GoldenEye 007, Nintendo's phenomenal first-person shooting game based on the James Bond movie of the same name, has not only sold more than one million units in the last few months, but the game is selling out at retail outlets across the country. The demand for the title is so high, recent Internet video game news services have reported cases of $100 sales per unit. NFL GameDay '98 Becomes Best Selling PlayStation Football Game FOSTER CITY, CALIF. (Dec. 22) BUSINESS WIRE - Dec. 22, 1997 - Sony Computer Entertainment America Inc. today announced that NFL GameDay '98(TM) has sold more than 800,000 units, making it the top-selling PlayStation football videogame of all time. In addition, with consumer demand for the game title continuing to escalate leading into the NFL playoffs and the holiday selling season, NFL GameDay '98 is fast approaching the million unit mark. "The success of NFL GameDay '98 can be attributed to two main factors; the game's graphic superiority and intense realism. These key attributes have broadened the appeal of NFL GameDay '98 beyond traditional videogame enthusiasts to now include a wider user base," said Peter Dille, senior director, product marketing, Sony Computer Entertainment America. "Consumers, the media and numerous professional football players have praised us for our attention to detail, incredibly realistic graphics and flawless gameplay. We're very proud of our accomplishments." To achieve the realism of NFL GameDay '98, all-pro NFL players were brought in to be "motion captured." Motion capture means players were actually filmed in a full range of movements with light sensitive reflectors attached to numerous joints on their bodies. The result is the ability to create life-like computer player models. As the only PlayStation football game to utilize "polygonal" graphics - providing for 3D player mass - all of the players in NFL GameDay '98 look, move and respond realistically, all in real-time. NFL GameDay '98 also includes more than 500 real plays so that the game's playbook simulates those of real NFL teams. Jerome Bettis, Pittsburgh Steelers (RB); Chad Brown, Seattle Seahawks (LB); Lamont Warren, Indianapolis Colts (RB); Tim Brown, Oakland Raiders (WR); and, Christian Fauria, Seattle Seahawks (TE) are some of the players that were motion captured and consulted for NFL GameDay '98. These players say they are proud to actually be in the game, because it gives them bragging rights among the other NFL players. Carrying a MSRP of no more than $39.95, with many retailers advertising this title at $34.95, NFL GameDay '98 is a PlayStation "segment opener;" a game that is not only a breakthrough title, but has proven to broaden the demographic of the PlayStation user base. Midway Home Entertainment Acquires U.S. Rights to Micro Machines V3 CORSICANA, TEXAS (Dec. 24) BUSINESS WIRE - December 24, 1997 - Midway announces retail debut of the definitive multi-player racer, Micro Machines V3, for the PlayStation. Midway Home Entertainment Inc. announced today that the company has acquired the United States home video game publishing and distribution rights for Micro Machines V3 from U.K. based video game developer Codemasters Software Company Limited. Midway also announced the immediate retail availability of Micro Machines V3 for the PlayStation. The announcements were made today by Byron Cook, President of Midway Home Entertainment. Based on the popular classic Galoob toy line, Micro Machines was originally released for the 8-bit Nintendo Entertainment System and 16-bit Sega Genesis platforms. Both classic versions have enjoyed great critical acclaim and now, with the release of Micro Machines V3 for the PlayStation, gamers will experience the ultimate in 32-bit scale miniatures multi-player racing. Micro Machines V3, released to the European market exclusively on the PlayStation by Codemasters this past March, has already established itself as a phenomenal success. Micro Machines V3 incorporates all of the blinding speed and perfect control that established its predecessors as video game landmarks. With vivid zooming 3D graphics and environments, loaded with lethal weapons and power-ups, and paced at a storming velocity to entertain 1 to 8 players, Micro Machines V3 is maximum multi-player racing. Micro Machines V3 features a wild array of 48 all-new, real-time 3D modeled racing environments - including a breakfast table, school desk, science lab, beach, restaurant, and garden - and an outrageous collection of 32 3D modeled vehicles - no two with identical handling - including monster trucks, transmutable cars and futuristic cars. Micro Machines V3 boasts an array of all new features, updates, gameplay enhancements, and improvements over its predecessors including Challenge, Time Trial, Keepsies, Team, Knockout and Party Play modes, an intelligent zooming camera system, and breathtaking new circuits bristling with surprises and traps including mines and force-fields. Drive LARGE with Micro Machines V3....and DO IT in totally unique and surreal environments! Race through a world where giant frogs, dragonflies, dogs and cats morph into threatening obstacles! Encounter skyscraper-size skateboards! Race around RV-size snails! Do it on the kitchen table....and experience the world of Micro Machines V3! In making the announcement Mr. Cook stated, "Midway is extremely excited to partner with Codemasters to bring Micro Machines V3 to the United States. Codemasters has created a huge success with Micro Machines V3." According to Nick Wheelwright, Codemasters' Managing Director, "We are delighted that one of Codemasters' most successful titles will be handled by such an exciting and prestigious company as Midway Home Entertainment. Midway has excellent heritage in the industry and we look forward to a very rewarding partnership." New Video Game Owners Flood Nintendo With Calls for Tips REDMOND, WASH. (Dec. 25) BUSINESS WIRE - Dec. 25, 1997 - Santa's Relaxing; Nintendo In Overdrive Nintendo's Consumer Service is expecting a record-breaking year, with nearly 500,000 calls to flood phone lines during "Crunch Week" between Christmas and New Year's Day from brand new owners of Nintendo 64 systems and games. Due to the popularity of the Nintendo 64 and its 40 technologically-advanced games, calls are expected to focus on hardware hook-ups and game tips for kids of all ages, from six to 96. The largest number of calls will likely be about the two hottest-selling video games of the season, Diddy Kong Racing and GoldenEye 007. More than 200 Game Play Counselors will help families across the U.S. and Canada enjoy the holiday gifts once the wrapping is torn off and boxes opened. Nintendo anticipates that more than one million Nintendo 64s will be unwrapped for the first time on Christmas day. "This year's been tremendous for the video game industry, with Nintendo responsible for the top seven best-sellers on the market," says Peter Main, executive vice president, Nintendo of America. "There are a lot of happy kids this Christmas, and Nintendo 64, Diddy Kong Racing and GoldenEye 007 are three of the reasons!" The Annual Christmas Grinch Story/Award.... (JACKSON,MI) -- A two-year-old Jackson boy may be having a grim Christmas this year after an unscrupulous thief broke into his home and stole all his presents. Kristen Lee says her son Dustin was very upset when he came home Monday to find all the brightly colored packages were gone...along with a VCR and rented Sony Playstation. Lee says (in the Jackson-Citizen Patriot) Dustin asked where all his presents were. Someone forced their way through the back door of the house taking the presents under the tree...along with some hidden in the bedroom closet. Friends of the family say they're on a tight budget and can't afford to replace the presents along with the stolen video game. Some of Lee's co-workers have chipped in to help in the family's plight. ONLINE WEEKLY STReport OnLine The wires are a hummin'! PEOPLE... ARE TALKING Compiled by Joe Mirando jmirando@streport.com Hidi ho friends and neighbors. I don't know about you, but this has been a hectic holiday for me. Shopping has never been my strongpoint, and this is usually a busy time of the year at work. All in all, I think the concept of shopping was invented by some sick, twisted, sadistic person. It seems that we need to go out and buy presents at almost the exact time that the weather is the worst (well, okay, it's not really the worst weather of the year, but we haven't really had the time to get used to it in late November and early December), and just hope that everyone else buying gifts for the same people don't decide on the exact same gift that we risked life and limb to get. But now that it's all over and I'm sitting here trying to digest the feast that was laid out before me today (Christmas Day), I begin to think that it really was worth all the bustling crowds and charge card slips. Actually, this thought came to me on Christmas Eve as I said the little prayer that I've said on so many Christmas Eves. A simple, silent prayer for the coming year. I can't even remember when this little tradition of mine began. It seems like I've always done it. As I remember what this season is all about, the commercials, ads, and fancy lights fall away and I'm left with the season itself. This is a time of year regarded as holy by several religions and that gives me even more to think about. I hope you had a happy, healthy, and thoughtful holiday. Now let's take a look at what's happening over on Delphi... >From The Atari Advantage Forum on Delphi TurboNick asks Tony Greenwood: "What about ST+ #23? When I got #22, the ZIP header(?) said that #23 would be released in January (IIRC)... so, you're already looking forward to Feb.? By the way, since I finally sneakernetted ST+ downstairs to my user group's demo machine (I can't get it to run on my TT noway nohow <sigh> it really is TT-incompatible), I had a good time poking around it, reading articles, etc. (and I didn't get into 1/2 the stuff). It's pretty cool, and I'm going to give a disk to everyone (at least) who shows up at my group's Christmas party. (They better not all have it already - no-one told me about it!" Tony tells Nick: "ST+24 will be released in January and thats the 2nd birthday issue, but that's the LAST issue on disk, then we go to A5 paper..see pages in sig for details. Your comments on the zine are much appreciated.. unfortunatly too late.. had more people come forward with such comments and we knew the diskzine was worth while then it would have stayed in that format:)... but not enough, in fact hardly anyone did respond, We have a USA distributor sorted out and it will be released in he USA on exactly the same day as the UK or any other country, Firstw eek of EVERY month :) But we are still desperatly seeking distributers from other countries.." Nick tells Tony: "Well, I would certainly have commented on ST+ earlier if I had known about it earlier. Some of us just don't have time to read UseNet much anymore. But, I'm glad I got to see what I did. I also shared ST+#22 (the latest out as of the day I went to the FTP site) with the members of my users' group (gave each of 'em who came to our December meeting & Holiday party last night, a disk w/the ZIP file and a README.1ST I wrote). I still don't understand what the fate of issue 23 is - I saw a message somewhere (displayed by STZip when unpacking the ZIP file? in ST+ #22 itself? ?) that #23 was scheduled to come out in January. I'm looking forward to seeing what the new paper version of the magazine looks like. (Whether I will subscribe remains to be seen... after Current Notes disappeared with nary a word, I'm a bit gunshy about playing "Atari magazine roulette" again...)" Tony gives Nick and the rest of us an update: "Issue 23 of ST+ arrived on time as usual :) and is on my web page for downloading, Issue 24 will also be released on time, first week in january, As for subscribing to the next ST+..First its NON-subscribable, we dont want subscriptions, its pay as you want it, its a fanzine and its A5 in size, the only charge will be that of photocopying it and posting to you. If outside the UK then we have distributors in USA and Finland and looking for other countries. We make the Fanzine every month and send a master copy to our distributors, they then copy and send to you, nothing changes hands between countries bar the master copy. Its not a magazine.. its very very Hobbyist and for ATARI ST owners.. not aimed purely at power users. see http://www.users.zetnet.co.uk/paxton for the st+ fanzine web page with all info and for the STOSSER software web page where you can get the current diskzine." Nick replies: "Thanks for setting me straight. I'll go get ST+ #23 when I get a chance. The "new" (paper) ST+ sounds good. Fanzines are no problem (I'm an SF fan, and SF fanzines are common - admittedly, I don't read any though. I think it's great that you and your 'cohorts' are doing this. I wish there were more people with your level of enthusiasm in my users group. (Things did improve this year, though - we had a net gain of 2 members and now have a full complement of officers for 1998.) Have a merry Christmas and a happy New Year's and thanks again..." 'Myers' posts this little tidbit for all of us: "When I see people talking about boot managers, I wonder how many know about a neat little feature of the most recent versions of the ICD HD software. It has the ability to boot from ANY partition on demand at bootup. Each partition can have a complete boot configuration, including AUTO folder, ACC's, and INF file. All you have to do is wait for the display of available drives at bootup, then press the key with the drive letter of the partition you want to boot from. Of course this requires that you use the ICD software, and have enough partitions for the number of configurations you want to use. I've never needed the power of a real boot manager. I'm perfectly happy with my regular config (NeoDesk, MultiDesk, W9, UIS, ramdisk/spooler, and a bunch of ACC's), a "vanilla GEM" config (absolutely nothing, for when PageStream gets piggy and needs all my RAM), and a few more that I can experiment with, so I can try new things without mucking up my regular stuff." During a conversation about coprocessors, our own Dana Jacobson asks: "I know nothing about FPUs - what are the benefits of having one installed in my Falcon. And, is an easy "do-it-your-self"'er?" Greg Evans tells Dana: "Installing the FPU is a piece of cake -- removing it is actually harder. To install, just line up the chip (there's a cutout on one side) and push it in. Removing it means prying it up while avoiding bending the pins or separating them from the chip itself. Some programs will use the FPU if you have it -- Phoenix, Calamus SL and some, but not many others. Hey, I've got a great combo for you -- a used PowerUp2 and FPU! You want to upgrade that ol' Falcon of yours don't you???" Dana asks Greg: "Okay, so it's easy to install. <grin> But you didn't answer the other part of the question: what will it do for me (I don't use either Calamus or Phoenix)? And what's PowerUp? I'm sure I've heard of it, but can't place it at the moment." Greg tells Dana: "The FPU will only do anything if you run a program which will use it. That's not a Catch-22, a program has to be compiled to use floating point libraries rather than the software floating point routines. For example, Screen Artist requires an FPU because it executes command only found in the FPU and not in the CPU. It could have been compiled with software floating point routines, but I presume they would have been too slow. Whether you'll get anything out of the FPU depends on the software you run. PowerUp is a upgrade that increases your CPU speed from 16 to 32 mhz. The overall system increase is between 125-150% since not everything is done by the CPU. For programs using an FPU the increase in processing speed is about 3-4x when executing floating point routines, regardless of the PowerUp -- in other words, even though I mentioned both the FPU and PowerUp in this paragraph, they have nothing to do with each other." Dana tells Greg: "Thanks for the info. It doesn't sound like an FPU is of any use to me at the moment. I'm assuming PowerUp is a hardware upgrade, right? How involved is it?" Greg tells Dana: "PowerUp needs about 8 wires soldered to various points on the motherboard. After tha, it's driven by software to select the speed." Dana tells Greg what we've always suspected: "Soldering is not my forte! <g> In fact, I think I got rid of my soldering iron years ago. Oh well..." Greg replies with the same good humor as Dana: "You could always try taping the PowerUp wires down... I'm not much for soldering either. Toad did the PowerUp installation for me a couple of years ago and a local, former Atari dealer, did the Afterburner and Nemesis." Bob Trowbridge asks: "I am using Cab 2.5. I don't have a multi-tasking setup so I have not looked at I_Connect. Q: Is it supposed to work with MultiTOS? Does anyone still use MultiTOS for multitasking?" Having gotten CAB 2.5 up and running quickly, I tell Bob: "According to the manual I-Connect is supposed to work with MiNT/MultiTOS. I've never used MTOS, but I'm assuming that it requires MiNT. I've got the copy of MTOS that came with my TT, so maybe I'll try it out this coming week. My main complaint about anything to do with MiNT has always been that it is much slower than other options (MagiC, Geneva/NeoDesk). Even though I've got the TT now, I still try to keep in mind that there are still a lot of 1040s out there, and their users want to know if a particular program or setup will work with their machine. MultiTOS on a stock 1040 is a real bother (or so I've been told), so I never even had an interest in using it... when it first came out, I had a 1040 STf. I _am_ having some trouble getting I-Connect to get me to Delphi, but I think that the problem is that I'm using the wrong ASCII code for the "@" in the logon sequence. More experimentation! <grin>" Bob replies: "Manual ...... manual ...... read .. an what a concept! SMILE! I guess I felt kind of let down by the first CAB manual that I haven't taken the time to actually read the manual "enough" to find out all of the new goodies!" I tell Bob: "Same story here. The new manual is along the same lines as the first, but this time the program has enough new features to justify putting up with it. <half-grin> I still haven't looked at the manual except for the part about IConnect though." By the way folks, I've given up on using the PPP-Connect program that comes with CAB 2.5 and started using STinG, by Peter Rottengatter, for dialing and connecting to either a SLIP (Delphi) or PPP (Delphi or CompuServe) provider. I've found that it works quite a bit faster than Iconnect and allows you to use all the internet programs that you were able to use with STiK. It's a very nice package once you figure out which portions you need to set up and which you don't. I highly recommend STinG. If you have any questions about it, feel free to drop me some email. Greg Evans, having just upgraded his Falcon, now has the fever. He posts: "I am looking to get a Nova graphics card for my Falcon, but I need to replace the 14 mb board. I can either get a 4 mb board, or I can get something like the RAM-Gizmo and drop 10 mb on it, I think. Would someone be interested in buying the 14 mb board? Also, if Jim Collins is here, can I still get a RAM-Gizmo, at what price, and can it be populated with 10 mb?" Bob Matiska tells Greg: "I just received the latest Systems For Tomorrow catalog the other day and it lists the Ram Gizmo board at $59.99 without ram and $159.99 with 14 megs installed. I don't know where my Ram Gizmo instruction sheet is at the moment, but I do remember jumper settings for 1, 4 and 14 megs. I definitely don't recall any intermediate ram setting, like 8 or 10 megs. But $160 is a pretty good deal for the 14 meg board; I strongly suggest it. Let me know if you need ordering info for SFT... I just checked the usenet message groups here and saw that Systems For Tomorrow is selling the Ram Gizmo 14 meg Falcon upgrade for just $99 populated! And I just got their catalog the other day where the price was $60 higher. Will ram prices never stop dropping? Wow... I wish this upgrade fit the whole ST/STe line!" Well folks, that's about it for this week. Have a happy New Year's Eve. And please, please, please, don't drink and drive. If you won't consider this for yourself, consider it for your friends and family... The life you take could be THEIRS! I try to think of it this way... there are enough idiots on the road without my adding one more. Tune in again next week, same time, same channel, and be ready to listen to what they are saying when... PEOPLE ARE TALKING EDITORIAL QUICKIES the following words. were found in Old St. Paul's Church, Baltimore, MD (dated 1692): "Go placidly among the noise & haste, and remember what peace there may be in silence. As far as possible without surrender be on good terms with all persons. Speak your truth quietly & clearly, and listen to others, even the dull & ignorant; they too have their story. Avoid loud & aggressive persons, they are vexatious to the spirit. If you compare yourself with others, you may become vain and bitter; for always there will be greater & lesser persons than yourself. Enjoy your achievements as well as your plans. Keep interested in your own career, however humble; it is a real possession in the changing fortunes of time. Exercise caution in your business affairs; for the world is full of trickery. But let this not blind you to what virtue there is; many persons strive for high ideals; and everywhere life is full of heroism. Especially, do not feign affection. Neither be cynical about love; for in the face of all aridity & disenchantment it is perennial as the grass. Take kindly the counsel of the years, gracefully surrendering the things of youth. Nurture strength of spirit to shield you in sudden misfortune. But do not distress yourself with imaginings. Many fears are born of fatigue & loneliness. Beyond a wholesome discipline, be gentle with yourself. You are a child of the universe, no less than the trees & the stars; you have a right to be here. And whether or not it is clear to you, no doubt the universe is unfolding as it should. Therefore be at peace with God, whatever you conceive Him to be, and whatever your labors & aspirations, in the noisy confusion of life keep peace with your soul. With all its sham, drudgery & broken dreams, it is still a beautiful world. Be careful. Strive to be happy." STReport International Magazine [S]ilicon [T]imes [R]eport http://WWW.STREPORT.COM Every Week; OVER 250,000 Readers WORLDWIDE All Items quoted, in whole or in part, are done so under the provisions of The Fair Use Law of The Copyright Laws of the U.S.A. Views, Opinions and Editorial Articles presented herein are not necessarily those of the editors/staff of STReport International OnLine Magazine. Permission to reprint articles is hereby granted, unless otherwise noted. Reprints must, without exception, include the name of the publication, date, issue number and the author's name. STR, CPU, STReport and/or portions therein may not be edited, used, duplicated or transmitted in any way without prior written permission. STR, CPU, STReport, at the time of publication, is believed reasonably accurate. STR, CPU, STReport, are trademarks of STReport and STR Publishing Inc. STR, CPU, STReport, its staff and contributors are not and cannot be held responsible in any way for the use or misuse of information contained herein or the results obtained therefrom. STReport "YOUR INDEPENDENT NEWS SOURCE" December 26, 1997 Since 1987 Copyrightc1997 All Rights Reserved Issue No. 1351
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