ST Report: 10-Jan-98 #1401
From: Bruce D. Nelson (aa789@cleveland.Freenet.Edu)
Date: 01/21/98-03:40:05 PM Z
From: aa789@cleveland.Freenet.Edu (Bruce D. Nelson)
Subject: ST Report: 10-Jan-98 #1401
Date: Wed Jan 21 15:40:05 1998
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>From the Editor's Desk...
Where are the AControl Freaks@ when you NEED them?? I=ll wager I
know. They=re busy yapping on the Cellular Phone while on the road driving
on the highways, Freeways, and Expressways of our Nation. Here=s a chance
for all the CF=s to do the right thing. Its getting very scary driving
these days watching the fools with these Cell Phones crammed to their ears
with one hand while driving along at fifty to seventy miles per hour.
This past week, I had the "rude awakening." I was driving on I-95 in
Jacksonville, southbound just past Baymeadows Road when I spotted this slow
moving late model Explorer drubbing along in the left lane. As car after
car was forced to pass this SOB on the right, I slowly moved up to pass
this vehicle on the right myself. Once along side this vehicle, I peered
over to see just what we were dealing with. Friends, I was SHOCKED! I had
all to do to stop from pulling in front of this inconsiderate clown and
bringing the whole thing to a halt! This bonehead was actually talking on
his cellphone, holding it to his ear with his shoulder and reading
something cradled in the steering wheel, holding it and the wheel with both
hands... all while moving along in the left most lane at approximately
forty miles per hour in the high speed lane on Interstate 95!
While some may say talking on a cellphone while driving is an isolated
incident.. it is, by far, more the norm than most are willing to admit.
Anywhere you drive its almost a lock that within fifteen minutes you=ll
come upon one or more slow moving cellphone yappers driving along
apparently oblivious to the traffic problems and dangers they are causing.
While motor vehicles are not ordinarily considered to be weapons...
in this particular scary scenario they become a projectile of five thousand
pounds of steel and glass traveling at a high rate of speed with little or
no responsible guidance. I=ve actually seen cars swerving in and out of
their lane because one of these clowns dropped the cellphone they were
bleating on while driving. Better yet.... to watch an individual, while
driving along crowded San Jose Blvd.., for example, gesturing with one hand
while holding the cellphone with the other hand in the course of a rather
animated conversation is a real mind-blower. It only takes a split second
of distraction to cause a deadly vehicular accident. Knowing what I=ve
seen so far, I cringe at the thought of the high tech equipment
manufacturers are about to release. How about a combo cellphone,
newscaster, autoPC, weather caster, Emailer and GPS ( Ground Positioning
Satellite Receiver) in an Aall in one@ dashboard unit? This one is deadly!
It has something to distract every driver!! (On display at the Vegas CES
Show) We NEED legislation NOW!
Control Freaks, Congress Critters, State Senators, Reps and Council
Members... PLEASE enact emergency legislation making it a misdemeanor or
greater to drive while either talking on a Cellphone that=s not totally
hands free and/manipulating, operating, reading or viewing anything. This
should be an infraction that carries as stiff a penalty as DUI because the
results from doing so can be just as deadly. A rapid and conclusive STOP
must be put to the blathering on cellphones, reading and/or playing with
gadgets while operating a moving vehicle. Is it going to take multiple
tragic deaths on the road where its proven these acts, including the use of
a cellphone by the vehicle operator while underway is at fault?? I hope
and pray not. Nobody should have to die to get this legislation enacted.
Friends, please write your political reps and ask for help!
...Ralph
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STReport Headline News
LATE BREAKING INDUSTRY-WIDE NEWS
Weekly Happenings in the Computer World
Compiled by: Dana P. Jacobson
Lawmakers Fear Millennium Bug
A Republican congresswoman says the U.S. still is unprepared to deal with
the year 2000 computer bug that threatens to wreak havoc in everyday lives.
In the GOP's weekly radio address yesterday, Rep. Connie Morella of
Maryland said, "Is our nation ready for this millennium bug? Frankly no. At
their current pace, many federal agencies will simply not be ready for the
new millennium."
The Reuter News Service notes Morella called on Clinton to use the
"presidential bully pulpit" to spur the government and private sector to
give the highest priority to addressing the Year 2000 problem, adding
Clinton should issue an executive order to federal agencies, and appoint a
senior administration official to direct efforts to correct the looming
computer problem.
"Time is running out," she said. "We are facing an unforgiving deadline."
The lawmaker said that, unless corrected, computers will read the year 2000
as 1900 and could affect many areas such as the air traffic control
systems, veterans' benefits, home security systems and building elevators.
"The consequences could be catastrophic," she said, "rendering useless much
of the nation's date-sensitive computer data."
French Promise Bug Insurance
While others promise to prepare us to sidestep the "millennium bug" in
computer systems when we reach the year 2000, one French firm is offering
bug insurance. Reporting from Paris, the Reuter News Service says Axa
Global Risks, a unit of Axa-UAP, announced today it is offering large
companies coverage for their software exposure to "millennium bug" risks.
A new product called Dat+net.2001 will offer companies coverage "for the
possible loss of or damage to information or programming as well as the
financial consequences of doing business in a crisis period," the wire
service reports.
The insurer released a statement saying, "Companies which have made the
necessary adaptations to their systems for the passage to the year 2000 can
also benefit from the guarantees of the Dat+net.2001 insurance, including
cases of non-functioning programs or changed information." As reported,
concerns about widespread disruption at the turn of the century stem from
design of most computers and programs, which read only the last two digits
in a date and risk seeing Jan. 1, 2000, as Jan. 1, 1900.
Site Counts Down to Year 2000
A new site on the Internet's World Wide Web is going into the new year with
its attention focused two years hence and the arrival of year 2000.
Countdown2000.com (http://www.Countdown2000.com) will concentrate
exclusively on the millennium, providing a comprehensive resource on all
millennial topics, says United Press International. Adds the wire service,
"The website will offer information on the various festivities, exotic
cruises, and tours around the world and provide relevant links to
millennium tour operators, travel agents, hotels and more. The website also
will catalog plans to save the earth's environment, and create everlasting
world-peace."
Justice Department Dares Microsoft
The U.S. Justice Department is daring Microsoft Corp. to file a bias claim
against Harvard law professor Lawrence Lessig, appointed recently by
federal Judge Thomas Penfield Jackson to review charges against the
software publisher. In its latest court filing -- part of what reporter
David Lawsky of the Reuter News Service characterizes as "a nearly nonstop
salvo between the Redmond, Washington, software firm and the government" --
the Justice Department contends Microsoft has made "unfounded and
overblown" accusations against Lessig.
But Microsoft officials are quoted by business writer George Tibbits of The
Associated Press as saying Lessig has shown "extreme bias" in e-mail
messages to the company's archrival. Tibbits says Microsoft is demanding
Lessig immediately disqualify himself from the case. The Justice
Department's filing does acknowledge that last year Lessig e-mailed a
senior lawyer he knew at Netscape Communications Corp. to question whether
Microsoft's Web browser might have "screwed up" his Web page bookmarks.
Bookmarks are used to keep track of Web pages and are an important part of
Web browsers.
Says Reuters, "In a letter to Lessig, quoted in the court filing and then
posted on the Internet by Microsoft, the software giant said the e-mail
exchange shows Lessig has 'actual bias against Microsoft' and proves he is
or may reasonably be perceived to be 'a partisan of Netscape.'" Microsoft
contends Lessig failed to disclose his "relationship with a senior lawyer
at Netscape" and should step down. The Justice Department says if Microsoft
wants Lessig to be disqualified, it should file a formal motion and
supporting evidence with Judge Jackson.
Says the government filing, "If Microsoft believes that any basis exists to
disqualify Professor Lessig, it should move promptly to do so and present
whatever evidence it has to support the motion. Indeed, if Microsoft has
such evidence but fails to present it promptly, it will have waived any
claim based on the appearance of bias." As reported, Microsoft has
resisted Jackson's actions at every turn in the case in which the Justice
Department accuses the software giant of violating a 1995 consent decree
aimed at increasing competition in the software industry. The government
says Microsoft has competed unfairly against Netscape in the so-called
"browser war."
Meanwhile, AP says Richard J. Urowsky, Microsoft's outside legal counsel,
has written a letter to Lessig saying, "In light of the evidence that has
now come to light demonstrating your actual bias against Microsoft, it is
difficult to see how you can in good conscience preside over further
proceedings in this matter." Microsoft late yesterday (Monday) released
the Urowsky's letter and contends of Lessig's e-mail messages, which,
according to Urowsky's letter, were sent by Lessig and Netscape officials,
the last dated July 29, 1997. Here's a summary:
z The first message was to Peter F. Harter, global public policy counsel
for Netscape. In it, Lessig complains that when he installed Internet
Explorer on his Macintosh computer, it messed up the "bookmarks" --
addresses of favorite Internet sites -- on his existing copy of Netscape
Navigator.
z "OK, now this is making me really angry, and Charlie Nesson thinks we
should file a lawsuit," the e-mail says. In reference to the decision to
install Internet Explorer, the e-mail says: "sold my soul. And nothing
happened."
Nesson, Urowsky said, is Harvard Law School Professor Charles Nesson, a
coordinator of a February 1997 Harvard forum on the Internet that included
a session titled, "Should Microsoft Be Allowed to Swallow the Net?"
z The second e-mail, Urowsky said, was Harter to Lessig, in which Harter
said he had passed Lessig's complaint along to Netscape's general counsel,
Roberta Katz, and to Eric Bradley, Netscape's senior network systems
administrator. In the third message, Bradley wrote that he has never
installed Internet Explorer on his Macintosh, but had heard "horror stories
from other people" who did. The message accuses Microsoft of "blatant
anti-competition strategy" and adds, "I really do hate that company."
Microsoft said that message was sent to Harter, with copies to Lessig and
Katz.
Lessig Rejects Microsoft Request
Harvard law professor Lawrence Lessig has rejected Microsoft Corp.'s
request that he disqualify himself as a special adviser to the judge in the
anti-trust suit brought by the U.S. Justice Department. As reported
earlier, Microsoft contends Lessig has shown "extreme bias" in e-mail
messages to the company's archrival and has been demanding Lessig
immediately remove himself from the case.
Reporting from Washington, writer David Lawsky of the Reuter News Service
says Lessig spoke with Microsoft and the Justice Department in a conference
call yesterday and, according to Microsoft, decided to continue with the
judge's plan for him to review the matter. Microsoft spokesman Mark Murray
told the wire service, "We learned in the conference call today that
Professor Lessig does not plan to disqualify himself. We think that's very
unfortunate. We continue to have serious concerns about Professor Lessig's
lack of objectivity in this matter."
As noted, U.S. District Court Judge Thomas Penfield Jackson appointed
Lessig to conduct hearings, gather facts and make recommendations to him by
the end of May concerning government charges that Microsoft violated a 1995
consent decree. Murray told Reuters his employer believes Judge Jackson
should not have appointed anyone to conduct separate hearings and has filed
a motion asking Jackson to end the process with Lessig or anyone else and
has also filed an appeal. Lessig has left a message on his voice mail
saying he does not comment on Microsoft matters. Meanwhile, as noted, the
government earlier dared Microsoft to file a motion accusing Lessig of bias
if it believed he was guilty of it. Asked if Microsoft planned to make
such a motion, Murray said: "My sense is no."
AOL Files Junk E-Mail Suit
America Online Inc. has filed suit against three junk e-mail firms in its
continuing battle against unsolicited bulk e-mail, also known as "spam."
The suit was filed in U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of
Virginia and seeks an injunction to prevent the companies from continuing
their practice of sending large quantities of unsolicited junk e-mail to
AOL members. The suit also seeks damages from all three companies.
The companies named in the suit are: IMS of Knoxville, Tennessee; Gulf
Coast Marketing of Baton Rouge, Louisiana; and TSF Marketing and TSF
Industries of Riverside, California. The move follows a federal court
ruling in favor of AOL in its suit against Over the Air Equipment Inc. In
that case, AOL won a court order barring Over the Air Equipment from
sending unsolicited e-mail to AOL members. Later, Over the Air Equipment
dropped its challenge to the order barring it from spamming and agreed to
pay AOL an unspecified sum of money in damages.
AOL says its new suit builds on the precedent established in the Over the
Air Equipment case. According to court papers, the three companies have
sent America Online and its members tens of thousands of unsolicited and
unwanted e-mail messages. AOL charges that the companies not only refused
to stop their mailings but used a number of deceptive techniques designed
to evade AOL's junk e-mail detection and filtering mechanisms, including
forging "aol.com" within their e-mail messages so the messages falsely
appear to originate from an AOL member. AOL is also charging that TSF
Marketing and TSF Industries have violated the Computer Fraud and Abuse Act
in their harvesting of AOL screen names.
Another Mutiny by a Mr. Christian
Two hundred years after the famed mutiny on the Bounty, a descendant of
mutineer Fletcher Christian has sparked another controversy, this time over
plans to register the Pitcairn islands as a domain name on the Internet.
The Reuter News Service notes the islanders who set up home on the remote
Pacific outpost after their mutiny on the high seas "are now launching a
cyberspace rebellion." Sixty-two-year-old Tom Christian, the
great-great-great grandson of the mutinous first officer on the famed ship,
"has enraged his fellow islanders by registering Pitcairn as a domain on
the information superhighway," Reuters reports.
"They say the profits should be shared." The wire service says Christian
plans to sell the PN electronic address for 100 pounds a time to boost his
income after his salary as the island's communications officer was halved
by British administrators. Of the islanders' protests, Christian told the
wire service, "I am upset by their moves to stop me. Maybe the blood of the
mutineers still runs in my veins. My salary is about to be halved and I
will have to take a big salary cut in April so I am looking for an
alternative source to keep my income up." He says he will meet with
British government officials in a bid to resolve the dispute.
Washington Programmers Lose Overtime
In Washington state, a new rule that goes into effect Feb. 1 will mean some
highly skilled computer professionals will be exempt from overtime pay.
Reporting from Olympia, Washington, The Associated Press notes companies in
the state -- including Microsoft Corp., headquartered in Redmond,
Washington -- will no longer be required to pay the overtime rate of
time-and-a-half to computer analysts, programmers and developers earning
more than $27.63 an hour. Instead, those workers could be paid "straight
time" for extra hours.
AP says the rule was adopted earlier this week by the state Department of
Labor and Industries. The exemption was proposed by the Washington Software
and Digital Media Alliance, whose largest member is Microsoft, which is
estimated to have 3,500 to 5,000 such workers as part of its Puget
Sound-area work force of 16,000. "Some software programmers earn as much
as $40 or $50 per hour -- often out-earning their permanent, salaried
co-workers," says AP. "But some temporary employees in the software
industry, who are not organized or represented by labor unions, said
overtime pay is one of their incentives to work under contracts that allow
them to be dismissed at any time and do not provide benefits such as health
insurance, vacation and stock options."
The state agency said it received more than 750 comments during the
extended comment period, most of which raised questions or opposed the rule
change. However, the agency concluded that the adoption of the rule, which
brings Washington in line with federal law, was appropriate. Agency
Director Gary Moore said in a statement, "Premium pay for computer
professionals is a decision that should be made between the employer and
the professional -- not the state." Supporters say the rule change gives
employers and workers more flexibility in setting hours, and ensures that
companies employing temporary workers aren't at a disadvantage with
competitors in other states.
Handheld Car Navigator to Debut
Datus Inc. is preparing to introduce the first all-in-one portable car
navigation system at the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas later this
month. The Windows CE-based RouteFinder PNA (Portable Navigation
Assistant) will use GPS satellite positioning technology and text-to-speech
voice instructions to safely guide drivers to their destination. The
handheld device, which will sell for about $1,000, offers
address-to-address route generation on a 4.1-inch LCD screen and spoken
turn-by-turn driving directions.
"The RouteFinder PNA represents an important breakthrough for car
navigation systems," says Andy Khanna, president of the San Jose,
California, company. "Its lower price point will make car navigation
affordable and acceptable to a much wider market for both commercial and
consumer use. And, since the PNA is easily transportable between cars, it
enables owners to spread its cost over multiple vehicles." The
RouteFinder PNA production is set to begin in May. More details are
available on Datus' Web site at http://www.routefindergps.com.
Microsoft Shows Dashboard System
Software that will power a new class of dashboard-mounted, voice-activated
automobile computers is being unveiled by Microsoft Corp., in what
observers characterize as its latest bid to expand its market far beyond
the desktop. Reporting from Seattle, writer Martin Wolk of the Reuter News
Service says Microsoft also plans to ship a version of its Windows CE
operating system for hand-held devices that will compete directly with 3Com
Corp.'s popular PalmPilot. Both products will be made by a variety of
manufacturers and begin to show up in retail stores by midyear.
"While Microsoft labeled the dashboard-mounted system an Auto PC," says
Wolk, the first-generation devices will have more in common with car
stereos than personal computers," adding that Microsoft Vice President
Craig Mundie is quick to quash any notion that drivers would use them to
surf the Internet while commuting. Speaking with Reuters before a speech
at the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas, Mundie said the product will
feature an AM-FM stereo and CD player, but also will be able to accept
voice commands and translate text messages to a synthetic voice output.
That will allow users to listen to electronic mail messages, traffic
reports or navigational directions.
Mundie said future applications will allow the devices to be integrated
with cellular telephones, pagers and the diagnostic system of the car
itself, predicting taxi and bus fleet operators and traveling sales
representatives were among the potential customers. Wolk says the devices
will come from manufacturers including Clarion Corp. of America and could
start at less than $1,000, adding, "Microsoft is in discussion with auto
manufacturers, though because of long design cycles the devices will not be
available as factory options until the model year 2000 at the earliest."
Meanwhile, Microsoft labeled its second new platform the Palm PC, says
Wolk, "to the great irritation of executives at 3Com's Palm Computing unit,
who said their lawyers would be watching carefully to ensure its trademarks
and copyrights are protected." Mundie said 500,000 hand-held personal
computers had been shipped since the launch of Windows CE in October 1996,
including 170,000 in the past two or three months. The hand-held PCs
feature a "clamshell" opening, Windows-style screen and a tiny keyboard and
include versions of Microsoft applications such as Word and Excel.
Device Turns VCR Into Backup Unit
Danmere Ltd. has introduced Backer 32, a product that allows PC users to
store up to 4GB of information on a standard videocassette, using a VCR or
camcorder as the backup device. With a transfer rate of 9MB per minute,
Backer 32 is considerably faster than most storage devices for the home
market, notes the Los Gatos, California, company. "Almost every home has a
tape storage device, the VCR. Danmere just figured out how to connect it to
the computer," says Danmere spokeswoman Julie Austin. "Since most VCRs are
built to higher specifications than the average tape backup unit, they are
dependable storage devices."
"The home market for CD-ROM equipped computers, which has grown
approximately 177 percent per year since 1993, is extremely vulnerable to
data loss," says Gary Gabelhouse of Fairfield Research. "Home businesses
and PC users do not tend to follow the same regiment of backing-up data
that corporations do. Loss of data for a home office could lead to a severe
loss in business and countless hours of re-acquiring and re-entering data.
A product like this could be an attractive data backup solution for home
business as well as home computer users." Backer 32, for Windows 95 or
3.X, retails for $69 internal, or $89 external. More details are available
on Danmere's Web site at http://www.danmere.com.
HP Enters Low-End PC Market
Hewlett-Packard Co. today unveils its first line of personal computers to
use Intel Corp.'s latest MMX technology and cost under $800. Writing in
The Wall Street Journal this morning, reporter Jim Carlton notes,
"Previously, PCs costing less than $800 were only available from a major
vendor if they used older technology or were cloned versions of
less-powerful Intel chips. HP ... said its HP Pavilion 3260 being
introduced today will be its first at that price to be based on Intel's
powerful 200-megahertz Pentium chip." The chip uses Intel's MMX technology
for advanced display of graphics and other multimedia features. (Note,
though, that HP's $799 suggested U.S. price doesn't include a monitor,
which would cost an additional $200 or so.) The Journal says the machines
are expected to become available later this month worldwide as part of a
new product line-up that will include two other Pavilion models:
z One with a 233-megahertz Pentium chip with MMX technology for $1,099.
z The other with a 266-megahertz Pentium II for $1,699.
Analysts tell Carlton the move also signifies chip giant Intel "is mounting
an offensive against rivals whose cloned chips now proliferate at the very
low end of the PC market." Lately, PC makers such as Compaq Computer Corp.
and IBM have been turning to Intel rivals Cyrix Corp. and Advanced Micro
Devices Inc. for the chips to run their low-priced systems.
Editor: (ps; isn't the Intel 200mhz Pentium now discontinued??) rfm
Adobe Unveils Image Library
Adobe Systems Inc. has unveiled the Adobe Image Library, a series of
digital imagery for creative professionals. The product debuts with 39
titles: 30 for photography, three for illustration and six for video.
Additional titles are scheduled for release on a quarterly basis. The
Adobe Image Library represents Adobe's high-end entry into the
royalty-free, digital image market. The digital images are edited into
thematic collections and are offered in multiple industry-standard file
formats to ensure that they may be easily used in any medium, print or
electronic.
"The Adobe Image Library underscores Adobe's commitment to offer end-to-end
solutions for creative professionals," says Paul Anderson, Adobe Systems'
vice president of type and content. "Our customers are facing increasing
pressure to produce visually rich material on shorter deadlines for a wider
variety of media. The Adobe Image Library allows the creative professional
to realize his or her designs more quickly and easily by providing
high-quality imagery."
Compaq Uses Intel Rival's Chips
A processor from Intel Corp. rival Advanced Micro Devices Inc. is being
used in several models of Compaq Computer Corp.'s new family of Presario
computers, to be unveiled this week. Reporting from San Francisco, the
Reuter News Service notes the announcement about the use of AMD's K6 chip
"would confirm a rumor that has been around the PC industry for almost two
months." Also, one of the new PCs from Compaq, which is Intel's biggest
customer, will be an upgrade of its current $799 model, Reuters says.
Some analysts say they don't expect the Compaq deal to be a huge boon to
AMD and that Intel will strike back with even further price cuts on its
chips. As reported, Intel recently cut prices on entry level Pentium II
chips by 33 percent, an effort, says Reuters, "to rejuvenate PC sales at
the beginning of the year. More price cuts are expected to follow."
Integrated Surgical Systems Signs Software
Development Agreement
with Major Prostheses Manufacturer
Additional Line of DePuy Implants to Be Available for ROBODOC Surgeries
Integrated Surgical Systems, Inc. (ISS) (Nasdaq: RDOC), a leading designer,
developer and manufacturer of computer-controlled, image-directed robotic
products for surgical applications, today announced that it has signed a
software development contract with DePuy Orthopaedie, GmbH, a leading
provider of surgical implants. ISS will develop software enabling
orthopedic surgeons to plan and execute hip replacement surgeries using
DePuy's European line of implants in conjunction with ISS' ROBODOC(R)
Surgical Assistant System (ROBODOC).
"This contract significantly increases our capability to meet the growing
needs of our customers," said Dr. Ramesh C. Trivedi, president and chief
executive officer of ISS. "The new software will add DePuy's Vision 2000
line of hip prostheses to the ROBODOC implant software library and offer
users a choice between DePuy's AML line of straight stem prosthesis, more
commonly used in the United States, and the new line of prosthesis, which
is more widely used in Europe. ISS can now further offer the benefits of
the ROBODOC System to surgeons by enabling them to select the most
appropriate line of DePuy's prosthesis for the patient."
The ISS implant software library provides a database containing the size,
height, weight and shape of different hip prostheses. The ORTHODOC(R)
preoperative planning system allows the orthopedic surgeon to choose one
particular prosthesis from the library that is most suitable for the
patient, and then directly translate this information to the ROBODOC System
to mill the exact size of the cavity in the femur.
Dr. Trivedi continued, "Orthopedic companies are responding to the high
degree of interest from surgeons and hospitals for the ROBODOC System and
are planning to gain a competitive edge by including their implants in the
ISS implant library. The DePuy Orthopaedie, GmbH contract further
represents a strong and continued commitment by the orthopedic companies to
take advantage of their business relationships with ISS." Development of
the software for DePuy's Vision 2000 line is expected to be completed in
the second quarter of 1998. ISS announced similar software development
contracts with Johnson and Johnson Professional, Inc. in December 1996 and
Howmedica International in June 1997.
Automated System for Alerting Emergency Responders
Begins Beta Testing at Dow Chemical
"There has been a chemical release at unit 16..." the recorded message
announces. "Report as soon as possible to your emergency response station
with level B equipment." The phone call is from the TeleSafe(TM) Automated
Notification System from GeoSphere Emergency Response Systems, Inc. The
Windows NT version of the TeleSafe system will begin beta testing later
this month at the Dow Chemical Texas Operations plant in Freeport. DOS and
Windows 95 versions are already in operation.
GeoSphere Emergency Response Systems, Inc. is an expert system software
developer with offices in Doylestown, Pa. and Palo Alto, Calif. GeoSphere
also offers the PlantSafe(TM) Emergency Response System, a comprehensive
incident command and emergency response management system which is in use
at industrial facilities across the U.S. and in Europe.
The TeleSafe Automated Notification System can stand alone or be integrated
with the PlantSafe system, which uses highly sophisticated expert computer
technology to provide emergency response personnel with guidance and
instant access to data bases of information about their facility and the
materials involved in an incident. According to Daniel Hillman, president
of GeoSphere, "The TeleSafe system enables a dispatcher or emergency
response manager to quickly initiate activation of the response team, and
then be free to devote full attention to handling the emergency."
The TeleSafe system can place hundreds of individualized messages within
minutes of the onset of an emergency by telephone, fax or pager. With the
new NT version, alpha-numeric pagers can be provided with detailed
information and updates as an emergency unfolds. The TeleSafe system can
also provide updated information to responders who call without involving
personnel already on the scene.
The TeleSafe system can serve multiple clients on a plant's server network.
Each client develops lists of the responders required to handle possible
emergencies, and can activate the system if an incident occurs in their
area. The system will repeat notification calls as many times as necessary
to reach every responder, and records the receipt of the message when the
responder enters an authorization code. Emergency response managers can
tell at a glance how many of the responders are on their way to the plant.
"The TeleSafe system is designed for industrial plants, hospitals or even
municipalities which have to reach large numbers of individuals to get
ready to handle an emergency," Hillman points out. "It's the first
automated emergency communications system to use the powerful Windows NT
operating system."
Amazon.com Offline for 12 Hours
The mighty Amazon.com online bookstore, cited by many as the Internet's
brightest success story, was offline for nearly 12 hours yesterday because
of an unspecified technical problem. Starting about noon Pacific noon,
those attempting to access the site (http://www.amazon.com) were greeted
with the message, "We're sorry! Our store is closed temporarily. If you
enter your e-mail address, we'll notify you as soon as we reopen."
Speaking with Martyn Williams of the Newsbytes computer news service,
Amazon.com officials said the long outage was because staff wanted to make
sure everything was working perfectly before the site went back online.
And spokeswoman Kay Dangaard told the Reuter News Service the site was
closed after an unspecified technical problem was discovered during an
unscheduled maintenance check. "It is small problem but has nothing to do
with our security system or databases," she added. Dangaard said the
outage was the longest since a day-long shutdown in June, when a problem
was discovered during a routine maintenance check. Reuters notes
Amazon.com had sales of about $38 million in its latest quarter, or some
$420,000 a day.
WebTV Faces Connect Problems
Officials with WebTV Networks Inc. said that some users may face occasional
service outages of as much as an hour as it deals with an increase in users
following the holiday season. The Wall Street Journal's interactive
edition reports the company, which provides Internet access through
inexpensive set-top boxes, has upgraded its network servers to handle
anticipated increases in usage and that unscheduled local maintenance
outages are necessary to keep the quality of the service high.
A WebTV spokeswoman wasn't sure how many users are affected, the paper
notes online discussion groups "have been bursting with complaints from
users about spotty service over the past few weeks." The Journal says
WebTV anticipated solid sales during the holiday season, and early reports
suggested that WebTV boxes quickly moved off store shelves. "WebTV said it
is on track," says the paper, "to have 250,000 users by year-end 1997, up
from just under 60,000 users as of April, when the company was acquired by
Microsoft Corp. An enhanced version of the set-top device, WebTV Plus, was
introduced in early December, but most of the holiday sales were likely of
the older WebTV model."
Netscape Takes a DIVE
Netscape Communications Corp.'s stock fell to its lowest price ever Monday
after the Internet software maker announced that competition from Microsoft
Corp. will result in a fourth-quarter loss. Netscape, headquartered in
Mountain View, California, also stated that it plans to lay off some
workers -- a first in the 3-year-old company's history -- and hire outside
contractors to manage some of its operations.
Best known for its Navigator and Communicator Web browsers, Netscape says
it expects to report a loss from operations of $14 million to $18 million,
or 15 cents to 19 cents a share. With $52 million in acquisition charges
and $35 million in restructuring costs, Netscape will report a total loss
of $85 million to $89 million for the quarter. It would be the first time
Netscape has reported a loss from operations since going public in August
1995, notes the Reuters News Service.
Reuter, citing a recent survey by Zacks Investment Research, notes that
analysts had expected Netscape to report a profit of 14 cents a share.
Netscape stock plunged $4.75 to $18.625 in early afternoon Nasdaq trading
of 10.2 million shares, making it the second most active issue in U.S.
markets. Earlier, the stock traded at an all-time low of $17.75.
Apple Stock Jumps 20 Percent
Apple Computer Inc. has gotten a belated Christmas present. Buoyed by
optimism over next week's MacWorld trade show -- and the feeling that
prices have bottomed out -- Apple stock climbed 20 percent yesterday after
reaching a low of 12-3/4 last month. Noting Apple's stock was "beaten
pretty hard last year," analyst Lou Mazzucchelli of Gerard, Klauer &
Mattison told the Reuter News Service, "I think people are saying the
year-end tax-selling is over and there is a bit of a run-up to MacWorld,
which is historical."
Even though Apple jumped 2-1/4 to close at 15-3/8, most insiders told the
wire service they are not expecting any big news at MacWorld, such as an
announcement of a new chief executive. "But," adds Reuters, "analysts
point out that interim Apple CEO Steve Jobs likes to make surprise
announcements, so there may be some anticipation by investors of unexpected
news on Tuesday, when Jobs is scheduled to make his keynote address."
President Tim Bajarin of Creative Strategies Inc. says he expects Jobs to
discuss software upgrades, a new version of QuickTime video editing
software and an update on sales at its online store.
Apple Sees Renewed Profits
At last, Apple Computer Inc. estimates it has returned to profitability in
the just-completed quarter, telling those at the Macworld Expo trade show
in San Francisco strong new products and cost-cutting contributed to net
income exceeding $45 million. Writing in The Wall Street Journal this
morning, reporter Jim Carlton says, "The surprise profit projection for the
fiscal first quarter ended Dec. 26 came in a theatrical conclusion to a
keynote speech by Steve Jobs," Apple's cofounder and interim CEO, adding,
"About 4,000 Macintosh fans responded with a roar, and investors also
cheered."
Wall Street approved. Apple's stock rose a whopping 19 percent yesterday,
closing at $18.9375, up $3.0625, in heavy Nasdaq Stock Market trading. In
fact, the stock has risen 44 percent since Friday morning, when Apple's
shares began swelling on investors' anticipation that Jobs would make some
favorable announcement at the annual gathering of people tied to Apple's
Macintosh industry. "Precise financial results, including per-share
earnings estimates, are to be released by Apple next Wednesday," Carlton
notes, but a preliminary estimate has Apple's profit of more than $45
million coming on revenue of $1.58 billion.
Says the Journal, "While the expected revenue total represents a 26 percent
drop from the year-earlier quarter, it amounts to roughly the same level as
the prior quarter, in an indication that Apple's long slide in sales may be
ending. If sales do stabilize at a rate of about $1.6 billion a quarter,
that would make Apple a $6.4-billion-a-year company, nearly half the size
it was when it entered its long fall in 1995. Apple hasn't recorded a
profit since the quarter that ended in September 1996."
Jobs Walks Off CNBC Set
Steve Jobs walked out on a live TV interview with CNBC yesterday when asked
if he had ruled out taking the CEO post at Apple Computer Inc. for good.
The Associated Press reports Jobs, who has been running Apple as interim
CEO since a management shakeup in July, ended the interview saying CNBC had
agreed not to ask him that question. The cable channel denied that such an
agreement existed.
AP reports the question of who will lead Apple was much on the minds of
many Mac users and industry analysts attending the MacWorld Expo trade show
in San Francisco, "but it was a question Jobs and Apple left unanswered."
As noted, Apple ousted Chairman/CEO Gil Amelio in July. Jobs -- who left
Apple in 1985 but returned as an adviser in late 1996 -- became interim
chief as the company began to search for a new leader.
Rumors suggest Jobs will become permanent CEO, but he has said he doesn't
want the position, though he is working full time and says he will continue
to do so for the time being. Fred Anderson, Apple's chief financial
officer, is quoted by AP as saying, "Steve will stay as interim CEO until
we find the word-class executive to lead this company."
Only "Powder Puff" Questions Please.. Does Jobs suffer from an attitude
problem?? Ed.. rfm
IBM Services Head Takes Leave
The executive in charge of IBM Corp.'s fast-growing services business has
taken an open-ended medical leave of absence. The move has prompted several
management shifts at the world's largest computer maker. The Reuter News
Service reports that IBM didn't disclose the nature of the medical problem
afflicting the executive, Global Services General Manager Dennie Welsh, 55.
The development, and the resulting management changes, were outlined in a
memo from IBM Chairman Louis Gerstner.
"Succeeding Welsh, who ran the services business basically since its
inception, is Sam Palmisano, 46, whose rapid ascent to IBM's top tier of
management has led some IBM- watchers to consider him the heir-apparent to
Gerstner," notes Reuters. IBM says David Thomas, who once headed the
precursor to IBM's PC company and most lately ran its Global Industries
group, will succeed Palmisano in running the Personal Systems Group, which
includes personal computers, consumer products, network computers and
terminal displays.
Linda Sanford, formerly head of the System/390 Division responsible for
IBM's mainframe business, will become general manager of Global Industries,
and David Carlucci will step into Sanford's previous role. IBM says it
will name a successor to Carlucci as corporate chief information officer
and vice president of business transformation later this month.
Study Analyzes Home-Based Workers
More than 40 percent of American home-based workers -- self-employed or
working for an employer -- plan to purchase new office equipment for their
home offices this year, finds a new survey from Smith Corona Corp.
According to the study, the groups most likely to purchase SOHO office
equipment are males, self-employed and those between the ages of 18 and 34.
Men said they would spend an average of $3,100 and women an average of
$1,700.
Respondents named office products retailers (19 percent), discount mass
merchandisers (18 percent), consumer electronics stores (17 percent),
computer retailers (12 percent) and warehouse clubs (10 percent) as places
they'll most likely purchase electronics products for their home offices.
The study notes that while an increasing number of Americans work from home
to gain independence and relief from corporate pressures, 75 percent of
those surveyed indicated that they find juggling business demands and
personal or family life issues to be "very" or "somewhat challenging."
Respondents who are younger, female or living in the Northeast were the
most likely to say they feel pressured by such demands.
Justice dares Microsoft to file bias claim
The government dared Microsoft Corp. Monday to file a bias claim against
Harvard law professor Lawrence Lessig, appointed by a federal charge to
review charges against Microsoft. The Justice Department said in its latest
court filing Microsoft made unfounded and overblown accusations against
Lessig. The government also revealed that last year Lessig e-mailed a
senior lawyer he knew at Netscape to question whether or not Microsoft's
Web browser might have "screwed up" his Web page bookmarks. Microsoft says
the e-mail shows Lessig has bias against it and may be perceived to be "a
partisan of Netscape."
EDITOR NOTE: If Harvard Law Professor L. Lessig were all that upstanding,
he'd walk away simply to remove the controversy and diversion his presence
is generating. Besides, Mr. Honorable's Emails tell the whole tale. He
isn't BIASED. He's dead against Gates, Microsoft and anything that has or
will threaten his ever so precious Mac! STEP DOWN LARRY, DO THE RIGHT
THING!! The entire Computing Community is watching!! Maybe the DOJ is
wearing blinders but the rest of us are NOT. By the way, have you ever
heard of Conflict of Interest?? This whole thing with you, the DOJ and MS
is beginning to smell like it's all from Denmark. rfm
Microsoft says Lessig continues as adviser
Microsoft Corp. said Tuesday Harvard law professor Lawrence Lessig had
rejected its request he disqualify himself as a special adviser to the
judge in the Justice Department's case against the computer giant. U.S.
District Court Judge Thomas Penfield Jackson appointed Lessig to conduct
hearings, gather facts and make recommendations to him by the end of May
concerning government charges Microsoft violated a 1995 consent decree.
Microsoft asserts Lessig is biased against it. Lessig spoke with Microsoft
and the Justice Department in a conference call Tuesday, and will continue
to review the matter.
Netscape blames Microsoft for 4Q loss
Netscape Communications Corp shares fell about 22% Monday after the company
said pricing pressure from Microsoft Corp had cut into stand-alone retail
sales of its flagship Navigator and Communicator software and will result
in a loss for the fourth quarter. "While our products are doing extremely
well in the marketplece and we're fighting the market-share battle
effectively, the revenue is what is being diminished based on price
pressure from Microsoft's free bundled browser," Mike Homer, Netscape vice
president of sales and marketing, said. Netscape estimated its stand-alone
client revenues fell from about 18% of total revenues in its third quarter
to about 13% in the fourth quarter because of the increased pricing
competition.
Editor Note. Maybe Mr. Barksdale want to try his hand at Selling Bridges in
NYC???? Or, maybe, just maybe. the long anticipated Browser "Shakeout" has
begun?? rfm
'Virtual pet' faces rivalry from 'virtual lover'
After the "virtual pet" on a keyring, make way for the "virtual lover." The
Japanese electronic pet toys which took the world by storm in 1997 face
rivalry from "My Lover," which went on show at the Hong Kong Toys and Games
Fair this week. The new gadget requires owners to court "virtual partners"
with gifts such as flowers and chocolates, karaoke dates and love letters
to win affection and earn "affinity points." Players can win a "virtual
kiss" and a "virtual marriage" if they score enough points. But if they
shirk in their affections, their partner may snub them in favor of a third
party.
Editor: PT Barnum said; "There's one born every minute!" Do you Fit?? rfm
Online sales play small role in Apple profits
Apple Computer's online sales may be playing only a small role in the
company's attempted comeback, according to some analysts. Apple's
announcement late Tuesday that it expected strong first quarter profits
gave its stock a shot of adrenaline, and acting CEO Steve Jobs attributes
the growth to cost-cutting and new sales tools, including its much-hyped,
custom-built Web store. Analysts, however, say that while the online sales
service is an important part of Apple's Net presence, it is playing only a
small role in the company's possible comeback. Apple officials said Tuesday
that sales from the company's online store had reached about $20 million
since the site's launch on Nov. 10. The figure represents a slight slowdown
from the site's first month of operation, during which it garnered close to
$12 million in sales.
Microsoft plans debut of Palm Pilot rival
Microsoft Corp. is expected to announce Wednesday its own specifications
for a product to rival 3Com Inc.'s popular Palm Pilot personal-digital
assistant. The Redmond, Wash.-based software powerhouse has made a habit of
developing products that mirror the offerings of other software developers.
Most recently, Netscape Communications Corp. saw its quarterly earnings
negatively affected by Microsoft's aggressive entry into the Web browser
market. Working models for the PalmPC, Microsoft's ersatz electronic
organizer, will built by Casio Inc., LG Electronics USA Inc., and NEC
Computer Systems, and they are expected to be shown at a Las Vegas trade
show tomorrow. The PalmPC is expected to ship in April, with a price tag
between $299 to $499, according to a Tokyo-based marketing firm.
Cell phone driving risk needs more study - U.S. agency
Cellular phones and other wireless accessories distract drivers but much
more research was needed to determine the size of the problem, a U.S.
safety agency said Wednesday. The National Highway Traffic Safety
Administration (NHTSA) said concern about the problem had been heightened
by the rising popularity of cellular phones and other on-board equipment
like navigation systems and portable faxes. The agency noted that the
number of cell phones in the United States had exploded from 345,000 in
1985 to 50 million today.
Seagate to post 'substantial' operations loss
Seagate Technology Inc. said Wednesday it will report a substantial
operating loss in its second quarter because of severe pricing pressure and
weaker than expected disk drive demand. The world's largest disk drive
maker had already warned in November it expected a shortfall for the
quarter, and it said Wednesday it expects to report restructuring and other
charges of $250 million for the quarter ended Jan. 2. Total revenues, which
include software, service and support, are projected to be $1.65 billion,
it said. That compares with $2.4 billion a year ago.
Dell cuts PC prices, cites Asia
Dell Computer Corp said it would reduce prices on selected desktop personal
computers by up to 15% and linked the move to cost benefits it is reaping
from the Asian economic crisis. Several major personal computer makers have
announced price cuts this week, but Dell was the first to specifically cite
lower component costs due to the ongoing economic crisis in Asia as a
factor in its pricing move.
Flat TVs, and bicycle phones at Las Vegas show
While most consumers are still adding up the cost of their holiday gift-
giving, electronics manufacturers are trying to tempt them with the latest
in TVs, camcorders and computer gadgets. The Winter Consumer Electronics
Show, which boasts about 1,800 exhibitors, opened Thursday in Las Vegas
with everything from televisions and stereos to phones and pornography on
display. The show is expected to draw 100,000 people to see the latest in
electronic products. On Thursday, virtually every major TV manufacturer
unveiled digital televisions that they hope will spur industry growth in
the coming decades.
Teen Channel debuts on AOL
America Online's nearly 2 million connected teens will find an online place
of their own today with the debut of The Teen Channel - an interactive
gathering place jam-packed with features on cool movies, hot celebrities,
popular books, fashion, dating, parents and other topics that affect
today's teens. AOL members can access The Teen Channel beginning today at
keyword: Teen. AOL created The Teen Channel for the more than 50% of
connected teens that access the Internet through AOL. With special
programming from teen "authorities" including Seventeen, The Book Bag, Plug
In, and Youth Tech, as well as anagreement with Teen People which makes the
magazine available online exclusively on AOL, The AOL Teen Channel iswell-
positioned to become the most lively and popular teen hang-out in
Cyberspace.
A T T E N T I O N-A T T E N T I O N-A T T E N T I O N
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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
Texas Court Overturns Part Of
Telecom Act
Group Threatens To Post AOL
Subscriber Addresses
DOE Aims For 30-Teraflops Computer
Microsoft To Buy Hotmail
Intel, Exponential Business Devt.
Invest In ILINC
Will Advance Technology Program
Fund Online Education?
Reconciliation In Cyberspace
China's Definition Of Computer
Crimes
With Acquisition Of S.N.E.T., SBC
May Enter Long-Distance Market
Networking For The Home
Apple Status Report
Williams Cos. Signs Deal With U S
West
Computer Dependency
HP Unveils Low-Cost MMX PC
Internet Gaming League
Computerized Bingo Game Nabbed In
Oklahoma
Year 2000 Problem ... The Lawyers
Are Finding Door No. 1
AOL Goes To Court Over Spamming
China Imposes New Controls On
Internet Access
Opinions Differ Over Adviser In
Microsoft Antitrust Case
Good News From Apple
Microsoft Palmistry
Unisys Abandons PC Business
Internet Start-Ups May Get "Crushed
By Progress"
Answering Machine Does E-Mail, Too
TEXAS COURT OVERTURNS PART OF TELECOM ACT
A federal court in Texas has ruled that portions of the Telecommunications
Act of 1996 preventing local phone companies from offering long-distance
service to customers in their region were unconstitutional. "The special
provisions prevent the (Bell companies) from engaging in a lawful business
for what the court only can conclude were the sins of the parent, AT&T, or
for what offenses Congress believes the (Bell companies) may (without any
evidence) commit in the future," says the ruling, which was made in
response to a lawsuit filed by SBC Communications and U S West earlier this
year. The ruling is subject to appeal. (TechWeb 1 Jan 98)
GROUP THREATENS TO POST AOL SUBSCRIBER ADDRESSES
The National Organization of Internet Commerce has warned America Online
that if AOL doesn't allow it to send bulk e-mail to AOL subscribers, it
will post the addresses of 5 million AOL subscribers on a Web site. SF
Marketing, which was founded by the same person who heads up NOIC, is a
"prolific junk e-mailer" says AOL's general counsel. "We know that TSF
has generated thousands of complaints by AOL members." AOL has taken
steps in recent weeks to combat the growing problem of junk e-mail on its
network. (Wall Street Journal 2 Jan 98)
DOE AIMS FOR 30-TERAFLOPS COMPUTER
The U.S. Department of Energy is teaming up with Lawrence Livermore, Sandia
and Los Alamos National aboratories in a "Pathforward" project to develop
a high-speed system-level interconnect capable of hooking up clusters of
supercomputers to produce processing speeds ten times faster than is
possible today. "In 2001, we're aiming for a 30-teraflops system," says a
chief scientist at Lawrence Livermore. "Around the 2004 or 2005 time
frame, we want to achieve 100-teraflops systems." Pathforward will
coordinate its efforts with work currently in progress under DOE's
Accelerated Strategic Computing Initiative, which has already produced a
single-teraflops-class supercomputer, dubbed the ASCI "Red" machine. Two
"Blue" 3-teraflops computers are slated for 1998 and 1999. (EE Times 1 Jan
98)
MICROSOFT TO BUY HOTMAIL
Microsoft will acquire closely held Hotmail Corp., one of the leading
providers of free e-mail service. The reported deal calls for Microsoft
to hand over $300 million to $400 million in stock for the service, which
boasts 9.5 million subscribers, but has yet to post a profit. Microsoft
will offer Hotmail as part of a collection of free content services, which
includes Expedia, CarPoint and an online stock trading and tracking site.
(Wall Street Journal 2 Jan 98)
INTEL, EXPONENTIAL BUSINESS DEVT. INVEST IN ILINC
Intel Corp. and Exponential Business Development recently joined GeoCapital
Partners in financing ILINC, a creator of instructor-led online learning
software. ILINC, founded in 1994, has developed software for Office
Depot, FlightSafety, Lucent Technologies, Kent State University and
Chrysler Financial Services. (AlleyCat News Dec 97)
WILL ADVANCE TECHNOLOGY PROGRAM
FUND ONLINE EDUCATION?
The Commerce Department is expected to decide early this year whether to
provide funding to learning technology ventures through the Department's
Advanced Technology Program, which has funded such things as better
refrigeration technologies and improved health information systems.
Program manager Richard W. Morris says: "If we migrate to the Web, all
of a sudden the economies of scale change dramatically. If we do the
technology right, we can re-use and update and integrate the pieces of
instruction in almost an infinite number of ways so all the advantages of
the Internet make for a new economy of learning." (New York Times
Cybertimes 4 Jan 98)
RECONCILIATION IN CYBERSPACE
A Web site established by Bishop Desmond Tutu's Truth & Reconciliation
Commission < http://www.truth.org.za > is accepting confessions and
apologies from white South Africans. An example: "On behalf of my family
I wish to apologize to our servants for ill-treating them, especially to
the family of the woman known by me as 'Liesbet' who worked for us many
years when we were living in the Free State. She came from Lesotho and
lived in a little hut outside our own property. To this day my parents
cannot tell me what happened to her when my father was transferred. I know
that they would also wish to apologize for not treating her properly."
(Manchester Guardian, via Atlanta Journal-Constitution 4 Jan 98)
CHINA'S DEFINITION OF COMPUTER CRIMES
The Chinese government has issued a detailed list of computer crimes, which
include the use of the Internet to defame government agencies, "split the
country" (by encouraging supporters of the Dalai Lama or of independence
for Taiwan), divulge state secrets, transmit or receive pornography, or
break into networked computers. A government official justified the new
rules by saying that "the safe and effective management of computer
information networks is a prerequisite for the smooth implementation of the
country's modernization drive." (New York Times 31 Dec 97)
WITH ACQUISITION OF S.N.E.T., SBC MAY ENTER
LONG-DISTANCE MARKET
SBC Communications, parent of the Southwestern Bell and Pacific Bell local
telephone service companies, is acquiring Southern New England
Telecommunications Corporation (S.N.E.T.), for $4.4 billion in stock; the
acquisition could allow SBC to become the first regional Bell to enter the
long-distance company, because S.N.E.T.'s status as a non-Bell company
would allow it to sell long-distance service, an activity from which the
Bells are legally constrained until they have opened up their local markets
to real competition. (New York Times 6 Jan 98)
NETWORKING FOR THE HOME
Now that networking companies have successfully wired the corporate market,
they're targeting residential users in 1998. "The potential is huge...
Bay, Cisco, 3Com are rubbing their hands and dying to get into it," says a
sales director for Bay Networks' NetGear product line. Meanwhile, Cisco
Systems is a little more conservative in its forecast: "Residential
networking will be on the front page of all the papers next year, but it
won't be material (in terms of sales)," says the company's chief technology
officer. Key to the success of selling networking products for the home
will be simplicity, something the current products are not known for:
"You need a Ph.D. in networking for a Cisco router. Consumer networking
products have to be like running your toaster or your blender. It's that
simple," says a spokesman for Compaq, which also has expressed an interest
in the field. (Investor's Business Daily 5 Jan 98)
APPLE STATUS REPORT
At the Macworld Expo that starts today Apple is expected to show a new
version of Mac OS (version 8.1) that improves performance and supports new
DVD ROM devices for playing movies. The company says it will not be
unveiling a network computer at the Expo nor announcing a new CEO. (San
Jose Mercury News 4 Jan 98)
WILLIAMS COS. SIGNS DEAL WITH U S WEST
Williams Cos., a Tulsa, Okla., natural gas pipeline company, has signed a
five-year agreement with U S West Communications Group to provide
long-distance transmission and other services, laying "the groundwork for
them to be a major player" in communications, according to one investor.
Williams' announcement came one day before a noncompete agreement with
WorldCom expires -- an agreement signed three years ago when the company
sold most of its nationwide fiber optic network to WorldCom for $2.5
billion. Williams says it never intended to exit the communications field
entirely, and also has deals in the works with Intermedia Communications
Corp. of Tampa, Fla., and Concentric Network Corp. of Cupertino, Calif.
(Wall Street Journal 6 Jan 98)
COMPUTER DEPENDENCY
A Central Florida counseling group called LifeStream Behavior Center in
Eustis, Florida has begun to offer treatment for people whose compulsive
use of the Internet causes them to withdraw from reality and "create a
false cyberworld to inhabit." A LifeStream counselor says, "We're going to
be learning a lot about this as we go along because there really are very
few treatment programs for Internet addiction. The community and some
colleagues might be skeptical, but we feel like this is definitely a real
problem for some people." (AP 4 Jan 98)
HP UNVEILS LOW-COST MMX PC
Hewlett-Packard is selling a $799 computer based on Intel's popular 200 MHz
Pentium microprocessor, complete with MMX technology. The price doesn't
include a monitor, which must be purchased separately. HP's previous
lowest-cost PC sold for $999, excluding a monitor. "Our goal is to be No.
1 in this category," says an HP general manager. (Wall Street Journal 5
Jan 98)
INTERNET GAMING LEAGUE
The Professional Gamers' League began its first season this past fall, with
more than 1,000 PC game aficionados signed up to participate in the first
pro organization for online computer game players. The PGL boasts a
commissioner, referees, playoffs, big-name sponsors and player
endorsements. Separate tournaments will be held in two categories:
action, featuring the game Quake, and strategy, using Command & Conquer:
Red Alert. The single-elimination tournaments will last about two months,
and the games will be available for viewing in real-time on the Internet.
Cash prizes will be awarded the winners. Forrester Research estimates
there are 6.9-million online gamers, with that number expected to more than
double by 2001. (St. Petersburg Times 5 Jan 98)
COMPUTERIZED BINGO GAME NABBED IN OKLAHOMA
The FBI and the U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Oklahoma raided
the headquarters of Multimedia Games Inc., and seized its main computer.
The authorities contend that the company's MegaMania bingo game is really
a slot machine, and therefore illegal in Oklahoma. Regular bingo, on the
other hand, is legal. Multimedia has protested the seizure, saying,
"There was absolutely no criminal intent." (Wall Street Journal 5 Jan 98)
YEAR 2000 PROBLEM ... THE LAWYERS ARE FINDING DOOR NO. 1
A survey of 108 technology managers by the Cap Gemini consulting firm has
found that 7% have already experienced computer failures related to the
year 2000 problem. The chief economist of Deutsche Morgan Grenfell says
"You can read this two ways. Either there hasn't been enough recognition
of the problem, or it's not really such a big deal. I pick door No. 1."
And the lawyers are finding that door; technology lawyer Barry D. Weiss
says, "I didn't expect the extent to which lawyers who previously did not
specialize in information technology have looked on the year 2000 as an
opportunity." (New York Times 5 Jan 98)
AOL GOES TO COURT OVER SPAMMING
America Online has filed a federal lawsuit against three companies, which
it says have been sending large quantities of unsolicited and unwanted
commercial e-mail messages to AOL subscribers. The suit seeks an
injunction preventing the companies from sending any more junk mail as
well as unspecified damages for mail already sent. (Wall Street Journal 8
Jan 98)
CHINA IMPOSES NEW CONTROLS ON INTERNET ACCESS
New rules against "defaming government agencies," spreading pornography and
violence, and revealing state secrets have been imposed by the Chinese
government. The rules, which are said particularly to target Internet
users, call for criminal punishment and fines of up to $1,800 for Internet
providers and users who are found to have spread "harmful" information or
leak state secrets via the Internet. In announcing the rules, China's
assistant minister for public security noted that Internet links had
increased China's cultural and scientific exchanges around the world, but
that "the connection has also brought about some security problems,
including manufacturing and publicizing harmful information, as well as
leaking state secrets." (Chronicle of Higher Education 9 Jan 98)
OPINIONS DIFFER OVER ADVISER IN MICROSOFT ANTITRUST CASE
Legal experts are divided over whether Harvard law professor Lawrence
Lessig should be disqualified from serving as a court-appointed adviser in
the Justice Department's antitrust suit against Microsoft. At issue is
whether Lessig demonstrated that he is biased against Microsoft when he
sent e-mail to a Netscape lawyer in June suggesting that his copy of
Microsoft's Explorer software may have "screwed up" and destroyed some of
his files. He also indicated that he had downloaded Explorer only in order
to enter a contest, and that in doing so he said he sold his soul. (USA
Today 8 Jan 98)
GOOD NEWS FROM APPLE
Apple co-founder and interim CEO Steve Jobs surprised a gratified Wall
Street by announcing that the long-besieged company is posting a $45
million quarterly profit on revenue of $1.575 billion, leading Apple stock
to rise promptly by 20%. However, Jobs cautioned Apple enthusiasts that
there was much more work to be done before the company is turned around:
"Who knows what's going to happen next quarter? We're going to be burning
the midnight oil." (New York Times 7 Jan 98)
MICROSOFT PALMISTRY
Microsoft has developed specifications for a new product category it is
calling the Palm PC, which is designed to use a pared-down version of
Windows CE. Handheld computers based on the specifications will be
manufactured by Phillips, Casio, LG Electronics, and Uniden. The Palm PC
includes a 32-bit microprocessor chip, a connection for communication with
a PC, and a tiny modem; in contrast to previous Windows CE devices the
new product will use a pen-like stylus rather than a keyboard for
information entry. Executives of 3Com Corp.'s Palm Computing , which
sells the popular PalmPilot computer, are outraged at Microsoft's choice
for a product name, and Palm's president Donna Dubinsky says sarcastically:
"It's in the fine Microsoft tradition here to copy everyone else, [but]
it's one surprising step beyond that to even copy the name." (Wall Street
Journal 7 Jan 98)
UNISYS ABANDONS PC BUSINESS
Unisys has announced a decision to withdraw from the personal computer
business, in which it has occupied a niche market, selling mainly to
customers that also buy Unisys mainframes. The company will concentrate
now on selling server computers and offering systems and programming
services. (New York Times 7 Jan 98)
INTERNET START-UPS MAY GET "CRUSHED BY PROGRESS"
Netscape, Cybercash, and Spyglass are examples of "hot" Internet pioneers
whose stock prices have fallen dramatically from their all-time highs and
are now at levels below their initial public offering price. The reason?
Competition from Microsoft and other established companies. Industry
analyst Kevin Landers says: "As soon as innovation slows down, they are
playing a game the Goliaths have been playing for a long time. There are
going to be companies along the way that get crushed by progress." (USA
Today 7 Jan 98)
ANSWERING MACHINE DOES E-MAIL, TOO
Casio PhoneMate is coming out with a digital telephone answering machine
that enables users to also check and read e-mail. The IT-380 E-Mail Link
supports the POP-3 e-mail standard and will be available in the spring.
(Investor's Business Daily 7 Jan 98)
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Kids Computing Corner
Frank Sereno, Editor
fsereno@streport.com
The Kids' Computing Corner
Computer news and software reviews
from a parent's point of view
Featured Review
JumpStart 1st Grade Math
Windows/Macintosh CD-ROM
$30
Knowledge Adventure
1311 Grand Central Ave.
Glendale CA 91201
818-246-4400
http://www.adventure.com
Program Requirements
IBM Macintosh
OS: Windows 3.1, Windows 95 OS: System 7.0.1
CPU: 486DX2/66 CPU: 68040/40 or
PowerPC
HD Space: 15 MB HD Space: 15 MB
Memory: 8 MB, 16MB for Win95 Memory: 8 MB
Graphics: 640 by 480 with 256 colors Graphics:
256 colors, 13" monitor
CD-ROM: Double-speed CD-ROM: Double-speed
Audio: MPC-compatible sound card
Other: mouse, printer optional
review by Frank Sereno (fsereno@streport.com)
JumpStart 1st Grade Math is a great new product in the math educational
software field. It contains an age-appropriate curriculum that is enhanced
by engaging characters, snappy tunes and delightful exercises. Children
will find adventure and learning fun in a magical environment.
Frankie the Dachshund is in BIG trouble. Or should I say small trouble?
Because Frankie has been messing up the backyard by burying his bones, the
Queen Bee shrinks him down to insect size. To be returned to his normal
size, he must collect bones by making friends with the inhabitants. He'll
do this by completing various math-related tasks for the creatures who live
along the path in the backyard. Collect five bones and you can play the
Charm Game to get a magic dog tag. Once you have six tags, Frankie returns
to his normal size. Watch out for the Worm who will try to stop Frankie!
This might not sound like fun to a parent, but kids love these activities.
They don't even realize that they are building math skills while playing
the games. The arcade games feature fun gameplay that is enhanced by
gorgeous graphics and cool tunes.
Children can learn number progression and pattern recognition by seating
numbered spiders in the Spider Orchestra. Several spiders are placed in a
row of ten seats. Children must discern the pattern, then grab spiders
from above and then guide them to the correct seat. Subtraction is learned
in Dragonfly Tag. A problem is displayed below while the answer is on the
tail of one of three dragonflies. Tag the dragonfly with the correct
answer by clicking on it with the mouse. Addition skills are covered in
Set Sail, a fun game featuring floating fleas. The fleas float down a
stream on a numbered leaf. Move the leaf to avoid rapids and rocks, then
guide the fleas safely home by choosing the tunnel that features a math
equation equal to the number on the leaf.
Children will quickly learn geometry, symmetry and duplication in Beetle
Sand Castles. You place colored shapes on a sand castle. At higher levels
you must duplicate or mirror a given castle. If you need to hone up on
your measurement and estimating skills, try your hand at Caterpillars Crawl
Home. You have to quickly bridge gaps in a caterpillar's path with twigs
of various lengths. Learn sorting, classifying and pattern recognition
skills in the fast-paced Put the Ants to Bed. The player must direct the
various ants through tunnels and lockable gates to the proper chamber. You
can distinguish the ants by color, hat type and body pattern.
The Worm doesn't like Frankie and has three challenges that will slow down
bone collection. Children learn time with The Pocket Watch. Use the
arrows to set the clock's hands to match the digital time that the Worm
displays. Worm Toll asks the child select the correct change to pay a
toll displayed in cents by the Worm. Ladybug Banquet teaches place value.
Children must count the dots on the ladybugs, then use those dots to match
a number that the Worm displays.
Once children have won enough bones and returned Frankie to full size, they
can continue to play the game and earn additional dog tags. The program
contains enough math problems and activities for many weeks and months of
learning fun.
Knowledge Adventure's Adaptive Learning Technology gradually increases the
challenge of each game as a child progresses or it can decrease it when he
has problems mastering specific skills. The Kid's Tutor Technology
provides children with logical examples to increase their understanding of
math concepts. Frankie's Big Bug Book contains many sample problems that
are illustrated and explained orally. The Progress Report shows how well a
child is faring in each math category. As a supplement, the program
includes a printable workbook on the disc.
JumpStart 1st Grade Reading is a great way to teach math. It's more fun
than a flea circus! The multimedia title is incredibly entertaining and
has fantastic content. Knowledge Adventure backs this program with a
stupendous 90-day 100% satisfaction guarantee. The best endorsement that I
can give this program is that my son Timothy is enthralled with it. Few
computer programs get his attention, but he has played JumpStart 1st Grade
Reading for several hours daily for the last week. This program is an
outstanding value. If you have a child ready for first grade level math,
you need JumpStart 1st Grade Math.
In Educational Software News
What Clicks
Microsoft, Unilever HPC-USA and FamilyPC are teaming up for a promotion for
family computing. This Sunday, newspapers across the country will feature
a brochure featuring editorial content from FamilyPC and discount coupons
from Microsoft and Unilever HPC-USA. It will include tips on games, family
activities and information to get the most out of home computers. The
brochure will also be featured in the January issue of FamilyPC.
The insert contains coupons for the following Microsoft products:
Microsoft Money 98 Financial Suite, Microsoft Entertainment Pack: The
Puzzle Collection, Microsoft Greetings Workshop Deluxe, Microsoft Picture
It!T2.0 personal imaging software, Microsoft My Personal Tutor, Microsoft
Encartar Virtual Globe and Microsoft Encarta 98 Deluxe Encyclopedia. These
offers are good through Feb. 28, 1998.
Unilever HPC-USA will offer money-saving coupons on 11 of its popular
consumer brands, good through March 31, 1998, including Surfr laundry
detergent, Snuggler fabric softener and Lever 2000r deodorant soap and body
wash. FamilyPC will offer a one-year subscription for 50 percent off the
annual cover price.
lst Prize - $500 US Savings Bond - Eagle Kids Web Site Coloring Contest
Here's a chance for kids to win U.S. Savings Bonds or free t-shirts. Head
on over to http://www.eaglekids.com to find a coloring page of Tommy Talon,
the site's mascot. Print out the page, color it in, fill out the form and
mail it to Master Financial, Inc. by January 31. The winner winners will
chosen in a random drawing with first prize of a $500 U.S. Savings Bond,
second place of a $200 bond, four third place prizes of a $100 bond and six
fourth place prizes of $50 bonds. The first 100 entries get free Tommy
Talon t-shirts.
While you are there, check out all the neat eagle information for kids,
parents and teachers. Photographs, games, news and articles are all
available. The newest feature is "Eagle Cards," personalized e-mail
postcards that you can send via the Internet.
Humongous Entertainment Set to Release New Freddi Fish Adventure
On March 1st, be sure to look for Freddi Fish 3: The Case of the Stolen
Conch Shell. Children ages 3 to 8 can help Freddi, that spunky fish
detective, nab the culprit that made off with the Great Conch Shell.
Available on a hybrid CD-ROM for both Windows and Macintosh, this $29.95
title will help children develop their deductive reasoning skills by
exploring a colorful environment for clues. To give the game replay value,
the clues and culprit change each time the game is played.
The Learning Company Announces The ClueFinders' 3rd Grade Adventures
Available now at a retail price of $29.95, The ClueFinders' 3rd Grade
Adventures packs a year's worth of math, language arts, science, geography
and problem-solving curriculum into an exciting mystery-adventure.
Featuring Saturday morning cartoon-style animation and a gaggle of kid
detectives, ClueFinders' challenges children's minds with more than 20
educational activities that build 75 skills including solving math word
problems, identifying parts of speech, using logic and reading maps.
Players must explore a rain forest to save a kidnapped scientist. This
Indiana Jones-styled adventure is available for both Macintosh and Windows
computers.
Corel Print House Magic
Corel Corporation
for Windows 95 and Windows NT 4.0
Estimated Retail Price $39.95
$10 Mail-in Rebate through February 28, 1998
http://www.corel.com
Review by Donna Lines (dlines@uti.com)
Corel Print House Magic is a first rate, fun, and user-friendly program
that the whole family will enjoy. You can make banners, signs, cards,
certificates, envelopes, labels, business forms, and more. Use the
included ready-to-print samples or make your own creations.
Included in the package are 3 separate, but well-integrated programs:
Corel Print House 3, Corel Photo House 2, and a new program -- Corel Family
& Friends.
Print House 3 is the foundation of this suite of programs. Corel has
included 25,000 high quality clipart images, 1,000 ready-to-print samples,
1,000 greeting cards, 5,500 breathtaking photos, 150 borders, 200
backdrops, and 300 fonts. With the included 1,000 phrases you are sure to
find just the right sentiment for your greeting cards. The user's guide
provides full color thumbnails of all the included clipart and photos.
The property bar is now context sensitive, automatically displaying the
available commands for the object that you are editing. The menus are
straight forward and you will have little trouble using the program right
out of the box. Although there are several menus to work through,
depending on how much you are going to add to your project or customize a
sample project, the program is very easy to navigate.
There are lots of options to customize your project. I found the text
presets fun to use. Just highlight the text you would like to apply the
preset to and double click on the text preset. You can even create your
own text presets by dragging your customized text into the text preset
dialog box.
I liked the ability to fade an object. Fading a background allows you to
add some color and graphics in the background, without overwhelming the
main subject. You can add a shape to your object, skew, rotate, flip, just
to name a few. There are many other features included, many from Corel's
high end graphics program, Corel DRAWT.
Photo House 2 is an intuitive photo-editing program. It has many of the
same features found in it's "big brother," Corel Photo-Paint 7T. You can
easily repair or retouch your photos with the red eye remover, or even
remove dust and scratches with just a couple of clicks of the mouse. Add
amazing effects to your photo like page curl, change colors, add a lens
refraction, emboss, add texture, or make your photo look like a drawing.
You can even use the included Auto F/X program to create a unique frame for
your photo. The possibilities are endless.
Family & Friends helps you organize your busy life with the Calendar,
Address Book, List Book, and reminders. You can populate the Calendar with
special events such as birthdays and anniversaries, then set up the program
to remind you up to 365 days in advance of the special event. The Address
Book is a handy reference for all your contacts. You can list each
person's name, address, home, work, fax, and mobile phone number, and even
their email address. You can also list special events for that person -
birthday, anniversary, special notes, and tie the address record to a list
created in the List Book. The List Book allows you to create lists of
people or items. I created a list of all of my collectibles. The program
has some limitations (e.g., you cannot sort the data once entered). I
found the List Book a little difficult to use and the user's manual
contains very little instruction on this feature. Family & Friends is a
nice bonus program that complements the other two programs.
If you purchase Corel Print House Magic before Feb. 28, 1998, you will
receive a $10 mail-in rebate direct from Corel.
System Requirements:
486 DX or better
Windows 95 or Windows NT 4.0
8 MB System RAM (16 MB RAM for Windows NT)
55 MB Free Hard Drive Space
1 MB SGVA (800x600) 256 Color Monitor and Display Card
Mouse or Tablet
Double Speed or better CD ROM drive
Jason's Jive
Jason Sereno, STR Staff
jsereno@streport.com
Nightmare Creatures
Windows 95 CD-ROM
Street Price: $49.95
For Mature Audiences
(Animated Blood and Gore, Animated Violence)
Activision
3100 Ocean Park Boulevard
(310) 255-2000 (tel)
(310) 255-2100 (fax)
www.activision.com
Nightmare Creatures is a brilliant new gothic scare from Activision. This
wonderful action-adventure combines the maneuvers of great fighting games
against a backdrop of London in 1834. The atmosphere and 3D modeled
characters are brought to life with a unique camera management system.
Nightmare Creatures is really a great blend of action and adventure.
The story takes place in London, 1834. A brilliant scientist turned
madman, named Adam Crowley, secretly seeks to revive the Brotherhood of
Hectate. The Brotherhood was a secret society that threatened London with
horrific monsters in the 17th century. Crowley has created twenty-one new
monsters that are now ready to cause havoc on the streets of London once
again.
Activision's new release recreates those streets of London very nicely as
well. Kalisto entertainment, the developers of this game, actually used
historic maps of London when they created the battleground for the sixteen
levels. They were also able to create many splendid environmental factors
such as fog, rain, snow, and wind. This is a great feature that makes it
very easy to immerse yourself in the game.
Nightmare Creatures combines classic and very original monsters very well.
Everything from werewolves, zombies, fire-breathing demons, gigantic
spiders, and huge blue beasts attack you during gameplay. Another great
thing about the monsters is that they can still fight back once you chop
one of their limbs off. The creatures actually fight minus legs, arms, or
even their lower or upper torsos.
Activision's new release enables the player to choose from two 3D rendered
heroes in battling these monsters. The male hero, Ignatius, is a powerful
priest that is armed with a staff. The heroine, Nadia, is an agile
American student that is implemented with a sword. Each avenger has over
thirty combos to counteract Crowley's creations. These combinations are
fun to use and keeps the game entertaining throughout.
In each level, the player has the opportunity to upgrade their weapon, or
pick from a large assortment of power ups. Some of the power ups include
freeze and fire bombs, dynamite, and even spells. One spell turns the
monsters on each other so you can just sit back and watch them go at it.
Other spells cause the monster to go blind so you can attack them
unknowingly.
The best feature in Nightmare Creatures is probably the camera system. The
camera follows the character during most of their journey until an
unexpected monster arrives. When this happens the view cuts to show the
monster jump out of its hiding place. It then cuts back to the original
view so you can battle your foe. The scene also changes if the player hits
a switch to open a passage. The view will then switch to show the passage
open and then back again to the original scene.
This camera system is accompanied by a very spooky action-oriented
soundtrack. This along with the distant moans and groans really heightens
the creepy atmosphere. Smooth graphics do not hurt either. Nightmare
Creatures enables you to battle four adversaries at once without
compromising game speed at all. It does support 3D acceleration but it is
not required because of many different resolutions.
All in all, I would have to suggest Nightmare Creatures very highly. It is
a very fun and challenging game at times. The abundance of creatures and
ways to dismantle them is something to look forward to in all sixteen
levels. If you are looking for a good scare, fight, and adventure all in
one, I recommend Nightmare Creatures from Activision.
Program Requirements
Windows 95, 133 MHz Pentium, 16 MB RAM, double speed CD-ROM drive, 20 MB
hard drive space, 16 bit color SVGA, PCI or VLB video card with 1 MB RAM
hardware acceleration recommended for hi-resolution graphics, Windows 95-
compatible mouse and driver, DirectX-compatible.
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STReport International Online Magazine
Classics & Gaming Section
Editor Dana P. Jacobson
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>From the Atari Editor's Desk "Saying it like it is!"
Well, how has "El Nino" treated you so far this winter? Imagine every
type of weather "anomaly" being blamed on this "condition"?!? Up here in
the "lower" northeast, it's been wet and unseasonably warm at times.
Sounds like typical New England weather, to me. Sure, some areas of the
country are getting more snow than usual (even if "usual" is none!), but is
this an unique weather condition? Sure, blame it on something that's not
too tangible nor predictable! Sheesh! Why not blame it on the real
culprit - Bill Gates?? After all, isn't he being accused of wanting to
take over the world?
Speaking of Emperor Gates...the man has "scrotes". I can't say balls
because this isn't an adult-oriented magazine. I mean, who in their right
mind goes up against the Justice Department, indirectly insulting them as
they go along (my opinion only), and expect to succeed - while they're
being investigated? If you want to prove a point, at least try it when the
government isn't focused on you! Does the Justice Department ever lose
such fights? Bill, take a little advice from someone Downeast: If you've
got a terrific product, people will buy it - don't ram it down their
throats! What's the old saying about building a better mousetrap and
people will flock to your door to get it...?
Then again, Bill may have been given the same advice that I was
provided many years ago: If you believe in what you're doing, stick to your
guns no matter what the outcome might be... I guess I've been reading
too many of Ralph's recent editorials (he said, ducking quickly) lately.
Koresh at Waco... a Reverend Jim Jones at Guyana wannabe. They weren't
coming out of that compound alive - martyrdom was written all over them.
Ruby Ridge? A toss-up. These self-proclaimed "militias" worry me
sometimes, especially the zealots.
Me, I like Clinton - he's human. He's a real person. He even has a
real dog! <grin> I have to like him and 'Buddy' - I'm having similar
"growing pains" with my new Lab pup also! So, what does _any_ of this
have to do with computing with an Atari? Absolutely nothing. The news
this week speaks for itself; I felt like talking about something totally
off-topic for a change. Hey, it's a new year; I'm entitled. I could have
rambled on how Ralph "screwed-up" the numbering of this year's issues by
starting off with "1400" rather than "1352" or "1401" as usual, but that
would be nitpicking him too much! <g>
Until next time...
Hi!
Matthias Jaap has just released a demo of the new HomePage Penguin v2.08.
All about this web editor with links to supported webpages and a download
possibility at: http://www5.tripnet.se/~mille/penguin/
The swedish manual is available on-line and is formed in a A4 paper format,
which makes it printable direct from a web browser.
http://www5.tripnet.se/~mille/penguin/penguin/sida1.html
Another application from Matthias, Tabi is updated as a special 1.5 X-Mas
release.
New features include:
- OLGA support (server)
- Browser preview (CAB, WenSuite, Light of Adamas)
- several bug fixes
- enhanced manual
- long filenames
- 3D look for popup menus
- no "tabi.inf" file required
- first pieces of the Penguin protocol
- recognition of TOS language on all TOS machines
- RSC file stored outside the program
- sample files for the beginner
You will find Tabi 1.5 at the URL above. The release date of Tabi 2.0 will
be in February 1998.
channel Atari news pages is always available at:
http://www5.tripnet.se/~mille/channel/news/
Mille Babic
mille@tripnet.se
http://www5.tripnet.se/~mille
channel Atari: http://hem1.passagen.se/atari/
Hi!
First, this e-mail is sent by MyMail v0.51b using its mailing list feature.
I usually distribute channel Atari through the MS Outlook Express, but now
there4s several Atari apps that can cope with my demands, the latest
version of MyMail is one of them. I will also test the ASH Emailer very
soon to figure out how this app can fill out the rest of what I do with
Outlook today. Thanks to that Erik Hall implemented a possibility to load
e-mail addresses from a text file, I could export my mailing lists from
Outlook to use with MyMail. I hope that everyone gets this mail (why
shouldn't they?), if you just have nothing else to do after you read this
mail, then replay it back to me. I can study the log files MyMail can
produce and get a picture how things worked out.
* MyMail *
Yes, MyMail by Erik Hall is up to version 0.51b. This and v0.50b have a
several new features to offer. One of them is as mentioned, a possibility
to cope with large mailing lists. A very useful function is that you can
click on a e-mail address found in a mail content (its also colored blue)
and write a message to the recipient of that address. If a mail contain a
small HTML-message at the bottom of the content )in the body), then this
will be converted to a HTML-file named TEMP.HTM and viewable with your
default web browser. Object linking with OLGA is supported. If a
URL-address is stated in the mail body, you can click on it and your system
(if configured, multitasking, on-line, see MyMail HISTORY.TXT) will start
your browser and view that webpage directly.
Use of a signature file.
In a multitasking environment that use the AV_Server protocol, you can drag
attached files to a suitable app (and icon on desktop) or doubleclick on
them, such as MIME, Base64 or UUEncoded and MyMail can internally encode
them and the content will be sent to your default viewer.
There are more features also, read the supplied docs.
* MyMail at my webpage *
Now You can read about MyMail, some of its functions, view snapshots,
download the latest version and the author contact information at my
homepage. It's completely re-written yesterday. Found at:
http://www5.tripnet.se/~mille/english/mymail.html
Erik Hall's homepage is to be found at: http://www2.tripnet.se/~erikhall/
* New STinG version *
Yes, a new version of this Atari Times shareware of the year 1997 is to be
released this year also. Today or tomorrow, I have no info (yet) about the
modifications, what so ever, You have to stay tuned and watch out Peter
Rottengatter's website or mine.
I have also completely re-written my STiNG support webpage, that was
yesterday again. Nice looking with thumbnails and info about the app and a
possibility to download. For all of you that used STinG for a while and you
other Atarians too of course, sometimes wondered how this clever young man
Peter look like, then browse to my webpage, I have implemented a nice
looking picture of him there. You will find this supporting webpage at:
http://www5.tripnet.se/~mille/english/sting.html
* Movieplayers *
You can use AVI- and MOV players for your Atari ST/STE/TT/Falcon or clone
to view films attached on webpages as helper applications to CAB. TELLO
Guillaume and Didier Mequignon movie applications is frequently updated.
M_Player had a update Dec 28.
http://www5.tripnet.se/~mille/tello/tello.html
* ASH Internet products *
The swedish version of the CAB 2.6 upgrade is to be found at my website
with a manual in HTML-format included. Due the upgrade pack also contains
the FTP-client Fiffi by J'rgen Koneczny for ASH it is also translated into
the swedish language by me. This also includes the new Advertising filter
plug-in for CAB (CABCOM), both well documented in HTML. For you that have
bought the upgrade and downloaded the swedish version from my or Alexander
Clauss homepage, make a new download of the cab26swe.lzh file. I have done
some minor re-translations in the FIFFI.RSC. (I can not fully understand
the german language... yet). The archive now have a LZH extension, if you
downloaded the ZIP-file, you know that you have the previous version.
Fiffi v1.0 have some minor problems, to be fully operational. If you have
visited the ASH BBS or mailbox or if your supplier of the CAB 2.6 Upgrade
have posted you the new Fiffi v1.03, then I have a swedish version of this
version too at my website. The ASH EMailer is released now, before I get my
personal copy of it and can translate it and describe it better, you can
view two snaphots, sent to me by Thomas Raukamp at the channel
Atari News pages at: http://www5.tripnet.se/~mille/channel/news/
Info about CAB 2.6, Fiffi and CABCOM and a swedish on-line manual is to be
found at: http://www5.tripnet.se/~mille(english/cab.html
Think you already noticed my new handmade button for the ASH Internet
packages at my index page. We have wait and see for how long until someone
with legal rights starts to spank me. <grin>.
This for now...
Best Regards
Mille Babic
E-Mail: mille@tripnet.se
WWW: http://surf.to/atari/
channel Atari news: http://www5.tripnet.se/~mille/channel/news/
MGI Software - Calamus SL 97/98 Upgrade Announcement
Have a great New Year with the latest upgrade to Calamus SL.
We're pleased to be able to bring you this superb upgrade to Calamus SL.
Aside from the usual bug fixes and speed enhancements, you'll find new
features, improved functionality, and some worthwhile interface changes.
Pricing is as follows:
Upgrade from 1.09n = US$129
Upgrade from any S/SL = US$99
Taxes and Shipping are extra.
Orders should be sent to:
Howard Carson
Digital Publishing Products Manager
MGI Software Corp.
40 West Wilmot St.
Richmond Hill, ON
Canada
L4B 1H8
Tel: 905-707-3612 Fax: 905-764-7110
E-mail: howardc@mgisoft.com Web: www.mgisoft.com
Order by Visa or Mastercard via e-mail, regular mail or fax. Be sure to
include the full account number, the customer name on the card, and the
expiration date on the card. Of course you can order with a personal check,
bank money order or postal money order. Call us for exact shipping charges.
General
This upgrade is an SL97/98 version. It will carry a January '98 file date.
This version will be supplied on High Density floppy disks. Double Density
disks must be requested.
Please note that you may have to adjust your custom key bindings to reflect
the new positions of some icons and menu items. Parts of the interface
have been simplified and cleaned up. After selecting a 'Create Document'
menu option, the 'Page Setup' window is opened automatically. Similarly,
when opening a text frame without fonts loaded into the system, instead of
an error message you will find the necessary dialog box. These improvements
(and the rest below), will spare you lots of unnecessary mouse clicks.
The Drop Down Menus
The entries in the drop down menus have been altered slightly, reflecting
some of the new features and functions.
File Menu
The 'Format Disk' option has been removed from the File Menu.
Printing
The Print Dialog has been changed substantially. The emphasis is now on
easier handling and better accessibility to all functions related to
printing. Clicking on a field with a border around it launches the
function indicated in the title of the field. Note carefully that a
triangle in any field marks the location of a pop up menu, where further
options can be selected.
Percentage values for rasters can now be set. This value determines the
enlargement or reduction factor for the raster included in the document.
Naturally, it only makes sense to use this setting when the entire document
is reduced or enlarged during printing. Clicking on the icons associated
with this setting calls the Raster Generator module, the Color Separation
Module or the LIN Module (FrankLIN Lite, the new module supplied in the
upgrade), to set the necessary output linearity values.
The setting for the output of color planes is another interesting new
feature. Color separation is activated by selecting the 'Separation' button
in front of the field. Clicking on the 'Separation' field itself takes you
to the familiar dialog for selecting color plane output. You can get the
same results by turning the C Y M K and the + fields on or off. The '+'
field represents all other (spot) color planes, so you have all output
color planes within easy reach.
Clicking on 'Crop Marks' opens a dialog in which you can set the working
area in the frame module. The appropriate selection field activates the
actual output of these values. A click on the 'Montage' field takes you to
the Imposition (Mount) Module. Here as well, you can activate the settings
from the module by selecting the appropriate box in the printer dialog.
The 'Job List' field works the same way. Both fields are available when the
respective modules are loaded.
Key Bindings
There is a new button in the Key Bindings dialog: 'Save list as text file'.
You can now save a list of your own customized Key Bindings as an ASCII
file.
Window Menu
This is a new menu item that replaces the old 'CDK' item. With the 'Next
Window' and 'Previous Window' selections, you can cycle through all
windows. Please note that open editor windows are also included in the
process.
Please note that Calamus is now able to handle up to 24 windows. Naturally,
this number depends on your system configuration as well. Under regular
TOS versions for example, the extra windows are possible only with the
installation of WINX. MagiC and MagiCMac support up to 64 windows. The
list in the lower portion of the menu shows all documents in memory. They
can be selected directly simply by clicking on them.
The Top Module Row
The Top Module Row has been split up and placed in windows. The module bar
can be extended in order to increase the number of simultaneously displayed
modules. This is particularly useful for users with large monitors who
finally can utilize the full width of their screen. To change the length of
the module bar, simply click and hold the right edge of the bar. Drag the
bar to the right or to the left. The measurements of the bar will
automatically snap to the size of module icons. If you want to change the
size of the bar freely, however (for example, in order to fit half of an
icon in the bar), hold down the <Alternate> key while dragging the right
edge.
The modules can be selected as usual, with a mouse click. If you click on
an empty module field while holding the <Alternate> key, the 'External
Modules' dialog box will open and you can load, delete or replace modules.
The gray area on the left side of the bar is used to move the entire bar. A
double click makes the whole bar disappear; only the gray handle is
displayed. Another double click restores the bar. Please note that if you
want to record clicks on the top row using the
macro recorder, the module row has to topped.
Iconify Windows
If your operating system supports this feature (i.e.: MagiC, MagiCMac,
MultiTOS), you will find a button in the top right corner. With a click on
this button, you can iconify a window. This means that the window is
reduced to the size of an icon and placed on the lower left area of the
desktop. A double click on the iconified window will restore it to full
size.
Try looking at the contents of an iconified window with a magnifying glass;
you'll find a full, tiny rendering of the Window.
Flying Dialog Boxes
Another new feature is the 'Flight Corner' in all dialog boxes in Calamus.
Click and hold the dog-ear, and you can move any dialog box to a more
convenient spot.
File Selector Box
Both the drive letter and the file type are now selected from pop up menus.
The file selector now supports long file names if there is an appropriate
operating system. The file selection line is automatically extended when a
drive with long file names is selected. The file selector box also
supports multiple file selection. If you hold the <Shift> key when clicking
on a file name, it is added to the previous selection. If you hold the
<Alternate> key and click on a file name, all entries between this and the
previously selected entry are included. This is particularly useful if you
want to load an entire font family from its own folder. Simply select the
first entry in the list, hold down the <Alternate> key, and select the last
entry. All entries in the directory are selected.
System Module
The System Module has also received a face lift.
The new option is 'Help Message Position'. You can set the distance of the
Calamus help messages from the right screen edge. The setting is measured
in characters. For example, entering 10 makes the help messages appear 10
characters from the right edge. This feature is meant for users with menu
bar clocks or similar accessories, so that their displays are not
obstructed by Calamus help messages.
Thank you for using Calamus SL.
Ponder, if you will...
Tell a man that there are 400 billion stars, and he'll believe you. Tell
him a bench has wet paint, and he has to touch it.
How come SUPERMAN could stop bullets with his chest, but always ducked when
someone threw a gun at him?
If it was only a 3 hour cruise, why did MRS. HOWELL have so many clothes?
Why is it called a HAMBURGER, when it's made out of BEEF?
What would a chair look like, if your knees bent the other way?
IF "Con" is the Opposite of "Pro"....then what is the opposite of PROGRESS?
Why is LEMON JUICE mostly artificial ingredients.... but DISH WASHING
LIQUID contains real lemons?
How much deeper would the ocean be, if SPONGES didn't grow in it?
Why buy a product that it takes 2000 flushes to get rid of?
Why do we wait until a PIG is dead, to "CURE" it?
Why do we wash BATH TOWELS-aren't we clean when we use them?
Why do we put SUITS in a Garment Bag, and put garments in a Suitcase?
Why doesn't GLUE stick to the inside of the bottle?
Do Roman paramedics refer to IV's as "4's"?
Whose cruel idea was it for the word "Lisp" to have an "S" in it?
What do little birdies see, when they get knocked unconscious?
If a mute swears, does his mother wash his hands with soap?
When sign makers go on strike, is anything written on their signs?
When you open a bag of cotton balls, is the top one meant to be thrown
away?
Where do forest rangers go to "get away from it all"?
Why do they report power outages on TV?
If a man speaks in the forest and there is no woman to hear him, is he
still wrong?
If a turtle loses his shell, is it naked or homeless?
If vegetarians eat vegetables, what do humanitarians eat?
Gaming Section
N64's Top Sellers Sale!
Nintendo vs. Prima
Industry News STR Game Console NewsFile - The Latest Gaming News!
Biggest Nintendo 64 Hits Available at $39.95
REDMOND, WASH. (Jan. 5) BUSINESS WIRE - Jan. 5, 1998 - Concluding a record
year in which it decisively led the North American video game industry,
Nintendo of America today ushered in 1998 with a bang, announcing Nintendo
64 software price reductions for seven of America's favorite video games to
a suggested manufacturers retail price of $39.95.
The new pricing for the "Player's Choice" series of hit Nintendo 64 games
will go into effect on Jan. 26, and apply to million-selling titles Super
Mario 64, Mario Kart 64, Star Fox 64, Cruis'n USA, Wave Race 64, Star Wars:
Shadows of the Empire, and Turok: Dinosaur Hunter. Through November, each
of these games was among the best ten sellers in the country for all of
1997.
Independent nationwide sales tracking data indicates that Nintendo led the
video game industry in 1997 in virtually every meaningful measurement: each
of the top five selling video games for any console; total hardware system
sales; number one game publisher within all three industry categories
(32/64 bit 'next generation'; 16 bit; and handheld); and a total corporate
retail revenue share of market of 55% (up from 44% in 1996).
"As the only video game system with 64-bit technology, a built-in joystick
controller and four-player capability, Nintendo 64 has an unfair
advantage," says Peter Main, Nintendo executive vice president of sales and
marketing. "Our less sophisticated 32-bit competitors spent most of 1997
competing on the basis of lower software pricing. That option no longer
exists."
"Our industry leadership derives directly from our record of creating and
marketing the world's most popular video games," says Nintendo of America
chairman Howard Lincoln. "And a disproportionate number of those games
derive directly from Shigeru Miyamoto's team at Nintendo in Japan, and the
N64 development teams at Rare, Ltd., in England. To my way of thinking,
these two groups constitute the best game developers in the world, and they
are devoted exclusively to Nintendo products." Two Rare developed products,
Diddy Kong Racing and Goldeneye 007, joined Mr. Miyamoto's Super Mario 64
and Mario Kart 64 among the top selling games of the year for any platform.
"This more affordable pricing on America's favorite video games is just a
first step in what will be unquestionably Nintendo's strongest first half
in history," Main says. "Our first-party lineup features Nintendo 64
titles including Yoshi's Story, 1080 Snowboarding, NBA Courtside, Cruis'n
World, Ken Griffey Jr. Presents Major League Baseball and Banjo-Kazooie
developed by Rare. On Game Boy, we'll see everything from James Bond to
Warioland 2 to Bugs Bunny in addition to a limited edition Ice Blue colored
hardware unit in February. And behind all of it is our biggest first half
marketing budget ever."
Judge Rules For Prima, Nintendo Says Case Not Closed
Jan 7, 1998 (MULTIMEDIA WIRE, Vol. 5, No. 3) -- Maps of Nintendo's
Goldeneye 007 were found to be factual material not protected by copyright,
a US district judge ruled. As a result, Nintendo was denied its request for
a preliminary injunction against Prima Publishing's strategy guide,
"Goldeneye 007 Unauthorized Game Secrets." The court ruled on Christmas
Eve, the same day Nintendo submitted its documents to the judge. The judge
apparently made the ruling before receiving Nintendo's documents. "We can
only assume the court overlooked the fact" that Nintendo and Prima had
agreed upon an extension due to the holiday season, says Rick Flamm,
Nintendo's senior managing counsel. Nintendo has filed a motion for
reconsideration.
The console maker charged Prima with copyright infringement in November,
alleging that the strategy guide publisher copied maps from Nintendo
publications. Nintendo said Prima's maps contained the same mistakes that
were printed in "Nintendo Power Magazine." Prima's documents include an
admission that the person who created the Goldeneye maps for Prima's guide
had never played the game, Flamm adds. "None of the [allegations] that
Nintendo tried to prove were proven," says Prima President Ben Dominitz. As
a result, the judge ruled that "factual information, correct or erroneous,
is not protected. Only expression is [protected]." Nintendo is seeking
lost profits, Prima's gained profits from its guide, costs and attorney's
fees.
The Linux Advocate
by Scott Dowdle
email: dowdle@icstech.com
homepage: http://www.icstech.com/~dowdle
LOGIN:
Greetings on this fine new year - 1998. Ah, what a good year 1997 was,
especially for the Linux community. As I mentioned last column, my parents
from Memphis, Tennessee are visiting my family and I here in Great Falls,
Montana and boy are we enjoying the holidays. My wife and I went and saw
TITANIC with a close friend yesterday and what can I say about the movie
other than WOW! Oddly enough, a few hours after seeing the movie I
discovered that Linux was used to generate many of the special effects in
the movie and I'll get to that in the Linux News Section.
Linux News
News Item #1: id Software - released the source code to DOOM which will
only build on Linux for X11. For specifics just get on the Internet and
finger johnc@idsoftware.com Mr. Carmack keeps a rather extensive,
informative log about the progress of their products and this log is
accessible via his finger information. On an entry dated December 23rd,
John announced that he had freely released the source code to DOOM. Nice
Xmas present, eh? :) If you don't have a finger program and want the
complete lowdown for the release of the DOOM source code, just email me
and I'll reply with a transcript of said log.
News Item #2: Titanic - Ah, it appears as if Linux is making some headway
in the professional video production marketplace. The Titanic story is
the cover of the February issue of Linux Journal but they have put the
story online and it can be found at:
http://www.linuxjournal.com/current/2494.html
My local Barnes and Noble Booksellers happen to carry LINUX JOURNAL
magazine, how about yours? If not, might I recommend a subscription?
News Item #3: Red Hat's Online Software Directory - as of January 1st,
1998, Red Hat Software has put up an online directory of commercial
software that is designed to run with Red Hat Linux. While most software
isn't Linux distribution specific, the fact that much of the Linux
community has adopted Red Hat's RPM package manager makes providing
commercial software for Linux distributions that have RPM available (most
these days) a snap. Red Hat's Software Directory may be found at the
following URL:
http://www.redhat.com/redhat/softdir/index.phtml
Let it be noted that Red Hat's directory certainly isn't a comprehensive
listing of all commercial software for Linux but it's a start. For a more
complete directory, visit the Linux Applications Homepage:
http://www.xnet.com/~blatura/linapps.shtml
The Linux Applications Homepage is for all formats of application and
utility software, not just the commercial variety. This page is a great
resource although it seems a little dated.
Linux Myth Dispelling
As I continuously mention, I borrow heavily from the "Linux Myth Dispeller"
Homepage which can be found at the following URL:
http://www.KenAndTed.com/KensBookmark/linux/index.html
This installment's myth is: "After you install Linux, you still don't have
any everyday software."
[Quoting Linux Myth Dispeller Homepage on]
After you install Linux, you still don't have any everyday software
To some extent, this can be said about any operating system. Saying
however, that Linux has less install-time software than Mac System or
Windows however is laughable. Linux distributions comes with all the
development software, Internet software (besides Netscape), and
system-related software you'll need. While Linux does come with games, some
office-related software, however they do have something to be desired, but
no more than Mac System or Windows. Because Linux is really a full UNIX, it
comes with everything you'd seen in a standard UNIX build too.
[Quoting Linux Myth Dispeller Homepage off]
Linux Distribution Spotlight
Debian GNU/Linux, The Universal Operating System is yet another
distribution of Linux not unlike the distribution I've already covered in
a previous Linux Distribution Spotlight, Red Hat Linux. For comprehensive
information on Debian, please visit their homepage at the following URL:
http://www.debian.org
Notice that ".org" part in their URL? Well, that's because Debian comes
from a non-profit organization named Software In The Public Interest.
Cool, huh? I want to keep this brief and since their homepage is such a
valuable source of information about Debian, why should I botch things up
by attempting to summarize it? :)
Anyway, I have to note a few points to hopefully peek some interest so you
Linux Advocate reader types will want to visit Debian's homepage in the
first place... if you haven't already. The development of Debian
GNU/Linux is very similar, and perhaps modeled after the development model
of the Linux kernel... a bunch of independent developers all over the world
working together over the Internet... producing a quality product in
record time. Sounds odd, huh? I must admit I have much less experience
with Debian than Red Hat but from the folks I've talked to in the Linux
community, Debian is the cream of the crop when it comes to Linux
distributions, especially when it comes to experienced Linux users. This
isn't to say that Debian isn't friendly to the new Linux user but I don't
think that Debian is aimed as closely at the new user as Red Hat is.
Debian has built their distribution around an advanced package manager
named dpkg. Since, in a previous LA column, I've talked quite extensively
about Red Hat's RPM package manager I'll not waste space repeating exactly
what a package manager is. Comparing Debian's dpkg and Red Hat's rpm is
kind of like comparing apples and oranges as both of them are very good.
It might seem that having two package managers in the Linux community
would be a fracturing thing but on the contrary, it lends spirits of both
competitiveness and co-operation. The Debian GNU/Linux distribution
includes an optional rpm package that allows using Red Hat .rpm packages
with Debian. Cool, huh? dpkg seems slightly more advanced than rpm but
please don't ask me to qualify that remark because I'm not sure I can. It
is believed that in the not to distant future Red Hat and Debian will
merge their package formats. Although that would be great, I don't think
that is really much of an issue.
Debian also comes with a slew of software and lots of constant package
updating for those users who like to chase version numbers.
I've not done justice to Debian's wonderful Linux distribution but I have
provided information about the mother of information resources
(www.debian.org) as well as some very basic comments. Debian would be a
great choice for a new Linux user and their is even a company that produces
a commercial package of the Debian release along with a really nice online
or printed manual. For more information visit:
http://www.linuxpress.com
Linux Application Spotlight
In the News section there was an item about Titanic the movie which gives
rise to a discussion of Linux Network Clustering. Various computer science
departments of various colleges and universities around the world have done
research into networking technologies. Some of the research has actually
panned out into useful software and applications used in the Linux
community. One such project is the Beowulf Project. Beowulf is a project
to produce the software for off-the-shelf clustered workstations based on
commodity PC-class hardware, a igh-bandwidth internal network, and the
Linux operating system. The Beowulf Project homepage can be found at the
following URL:
http://cesdis.gsfc.nasa.gov/beowulf/
Notice the ".nasa.gov" on that URL? Well, oddly enough, some of our
government agencies have decided that the tax payers shouldn't be burdened
with the costs of super-computers when Linux is such an advanced and
powerful operating system. :)
Risking sounding like a broken record, I'll again rely on online references
instead of presenting inferior, filtered information in this column. Some
very basic information about Beowulf follows.
What is Network Clustering? In the case of the Beowulf Project, it is
taking a number of desktop machines and interfacing them with network cards
and providing the software support necessary for parallel computing. This
can be thought of as creating a hive mind out of many minds and it allows
for productivity increases that rival those of super-computers costing
millions of dollars. Just imagine the money that can be saved spending
approximately $25,000.00 on a cluster of 16 networked Pentium desktop
machines versus acquiring a super-computer.
Linux Journal recently did a cover story on the Beowulf project and since
it is one of the few print articles that they have put online, please have
a look at it if you are interested. It may be found at the following URL:
http://www.linuxjournal.com/issue45/2392.html
Linux History
One of the more interesting things about Linux is the fact that it is a
truly open system that has been ported to many, many hardware platforms.
Just how many you might ask? Well, it's hard for me to keep up with them
all. Did you know that Linux has been ported to the Nintendo 64 game
console? Well, it has. I can't vouch for the availability nor the quality
of the port... and there are some in the Linux community that think that it
is a hoax... but you can find some basic information about the N64 Linux
port at the following URL:
http://www.heise.de/ix/artikel/E/1997/04/036/
I can't seem to find any current information about the status of the
project and who knows, maybe Nintendo has abandoned the idea... but still,
it is a fascinating concept and worthy of mention in the digital pages of
Linux History. :)
LOGOUT:
I have a New Years resolution with regards to this Linux Advocate Column...
and it deals with making promises about future articles. Let's see, I've
already faltered on a review of ApplixWare in the short span of columns
I've produced thus far, as well as a few other topics I don't even want to
think about... so I've decided not to even attempt to provide "what'll be
in the next column," information. I will eventually get around to the
ApplixWare review but I'm waiting on getting a new printer (I have tax
return moneys earmarked) since the one I have doesn't work well with
anything Linux much less ApplixWare.
As always, please feel free to email me if you have any comments or
questions about this column or anything Linux... AND have a great New
Year!!!
Scott Dowdle - January, 1998
ONLINE WEEKLY STReport OnLine The wires are a hummin'!
PEOPLE... ARE TALKING
Compiled by Joe Mirando
jmirando@streport.com
Hidi ho friends and neighbors. Sorry yet again for the lack of a
column last week. I really did write one. I sent it in right on time, and
even CC'd it to Ralph's other email address (and one of mine, so I could
test the archive out. Well, I didn't find out until it was too late, but
for some reason my ISP never sent the email. My log file shows that it was
sent, accepted, and queued. But Ralph never got it at either address, and
neither did I. I've taken steps to ensure that this doesn't happen again,
but with technology the way it is today, I'm sure that those virtual
gremlins will find another way to bite me on the butt. Here's what you
should have been reading last week...
Another holiday... another huge meal. For the second time in two
weeks, I sit here trying to get comfortable again after gorging myself at
the dinner table. Yes, I know that I'd feel better after a meal if I'd just
learn to take a little less of everything than I do, but it's all so darned
good.
New Year's Day has always been one of those funny holidays for me. I
understand the reason for the holiday, but don't quite feel that it's
reason for as much celebration as others do. I'm content to take the day
off and take it easy, or maybe catch up on visiting with friends and
relatives that I haven't seen for a while. New Year's Eve parties are out
of the question for me, since I figure that there are enough fools on the
road without MY being there too. <grin>
As we start this new year, I'd just like to say to all of you out
there that you have my thanks for reading this column and supplying me with
material for it every week. I sincerely hope that the new year brings you
all that you need, deserve, and hope for. May we all enjoy peace and
prosperity.
Before we 'get down to it', I have a bit of info as an update to last
week's column. Remember the post by "Turbo" Nick about having been burned
with magazine subscriptions before? I've always wondered if there was
anything any of us could do to prevent that. I had never found a magazine
that could guarantee the safety of a subscription... up until now.
TurboNick had posted:
"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...)"
Mike Kerslake, the publisher of Atari Computing, sent this explanation
to us about how they deal with subscriptions:
"I just thought I would mention that Atari Computing magazine
published by the A|C|G has made it a condition of the way we run ourselves
that ALL subscribers money is held separately to our operating account
and that we can therefore guarantee that we WILL refund any subscriber in
full for the unexpired portion of their subscription should they cancel it.
Even if we had to cease publication at any time, there is always
sufficient money to refund EVERY subscriber who deals direct with us!
I can assure anyone that already subscribes to AC or is thinking of in
the near future that we will be around for a very long time. We've
virtually filled all the advertising pages for the next six issues, and our
circulation has held steady, indeed we've actually had a reasonable influx
of new subscriptions from outside the UK!
One thing I must add is that paper-based magazines such as AC and the new
ST+ do need your support to continue. If people don't take the magazines,
then it will be a severe blow to the worldwide Atari scene. Not every Atari
owner has cheap or easy access to the internet, and many users are simply
confused by comms as we at AC have discovered!
Paper magazines are still the preferred option for many people, no matter
what computer platform they operate on!
Best regards
Mike Kerslake
(Publisher - Atari Computing)
I usually don't do this in this column, but if you are interested in
finding out about Atari Computing Magazine, you can reach them at the
following addresses:
The Publishing House
Magazine Production - Typesetting Services - Audio Productions
publish@cix.co.uk - WWW: http://www.users.zetnet.co.uk/publish/
Atari Computing Magazine info: admin@ataricomputing.com
Now, let's get on with the reason for this column... all the great news,
hints, tips, and info available every week all over the world.
From the COMP.SYS.ATARI.ST NewsGroup
Many of us are aware that CAB is now up to version 2.5 for us english
speaking folks. But did you know that version 2.6 is just around the corner
and that version 2.7 is already in development? Alexander Clauss, the
author of CAB, posts:
"There is an English version of CAB available. But even if
there're many more people speaking English, only a small
number of the English version of CAB is sold compared to
the German version."
Peter Rottengatter, the author of STinG, the 'ST Internet Next
Generation' dialer/connection/TCP-IP program for all Atari 16
bit computers, posts:
[This is]"Probably mainly because System Solutions is so
slow. Or is it ASH being so slow shipping the english
versions to SS ?
I'd hesitate too buying the version 2.5 if you know from
the newsgroups that 2.6 is out for a while already in
germany and 2.7 is imminent."
The other problem I have with CAB versions 2.5 and higher is
that, if you want to use their PPPConnect program, you are
basically tied to using THEIR FTP, News, and Email programs.
That is why I am using STinG. STinG, along with one of the newer
CAB.OVL files (not the one that comes with CAB 2.5 or better),
allows you to use any internet program that worked with STiK or
STinG.... The choice is now yours again. Most of these types of
programs are written by people who genuinely like the
ST(e)/TT/Falcon, and want to see us have the ability to surf the
net. Most of them are either freeware or low-priced shareware.
All of them are worth at least as much as the same types of
programs offered for use with ASH's PPPConnect program. Take a
look!
While we're on the subject of CAB and the internet, 'Guitarra'
posts:
"... I was driving home and came up with this idea. I do
not know if you all know this already, but I wanted to
share this anyway.
I did not know that it could be possible to see all the
contents of a partition of my hard drive on a CAB page and
also start any program from there. I came up with this idea
and did not know if it would work.
It works! An I was able to run Ant Mail , IRC, Telnet by
clicking on its name on the www CAB Page!! :) I find this
very useful as I have now on my HOTLIST a page marker that
enhables me to call any of the NET related programs from
with CAB!!!
May be it could be useful to you too I hope. Would it be
possible to have the program on a www page and by double
clicking on it download it and run it? I will test this and
see."
Hmmm, my first thought is 'isn't that the idea behind
Microsoft's Explorer 4.x? While I'm not crazy about the added
overhead this type of application takes in both memory and
processor speed, I can see where it could be quite useful for
some people. I enjoy the heck out of being able to do the 'new
whiz-bang things' that Microsoft comes up with on my old
Atari.... don't you? <grin>
Jim Coile asks...
"About Cab OVL 12706, has anyone been able to download it?
Everytime I try , I get a "memory block destroyed by user
program" dialog via MagiC 5.12 and I'm summarily bounced
out of Cab(2.5)and and my poor Falcon locks up. I've tried
the lower case workaround with the same results."
Dennis Bishop asks for help in getting on the 'net with his
Atari:
"I have the following ...
Atari TT/030 4megs ST/4 megs TT ram, 540meg hard drive,
14.4kb infotel v42bis modem, monitor is mono in TT med
rez., Geneva for multi-tasking. What files do I need for
going on the web, all help is needed."
Terry Ross tells Dennis:
"This is from a STiK/STiNG perspective - others can give you
requirements for MiNT - or even using Lynx.
1. Most likely, you'll first need HSMODEM7 - even though
you only have a 14400 modem, I've found it to be a
necessity.
2. You'll need a TCP/IP layer - choices are STiK, which is
SLIP only, and STiNG, which supports SLIP/CSLIP/PPP.
Finally, you will need a browser - I would recommend CAB
(the Crystal Atari Browser) version 1.5, or 2.0 Demo, as
more people are familiar with it than they are with the
demos of the WENSuite or Adamas browser, and therefore more
likely to be able to answer any questions you might have.
And finally, you'll want to make sure you have a recent
version of the CAB.OVL - I use v1.2704. You didn't state
whether you currently have web access on another computer -
if you do, a good source (one of many - in addition to the
author's sites themselves) of the requisite software is at
Mille Babic's site: http://www5.tripnet/se/~mille
Since you're using NEWSie, I know you have ftp access, so
you can try: ftp://193.190.205.13
Directory: /archive/atari
Once you have a working setup, you might want to try this
link for details on optimizing it:
http://www.geocities.com/Hollywood/Academy/2034 - It's
John Dooley's 'STiNG HELP!' site.
Hope this helps a little."
Actually, that was a very good explanation and rundown of what
you need. Thanks Terry.
Neron Nesmith asks for help with CAB too:
"I recently purchased CAB v2.5 and it seems after I
successfully connect to my service provider via Iconnect
(PPP), I run CAB and under "OPEN URL" I type www.yahoo.com
and all I get is "resolving host..." and then the whole
system just hangs. The only way out is to reboot. Any
ideas as to what I should check?...
Here is additional info:
I am using MagiC v 5.03 on a TT with 4 meg ST and 4 meg TT
ram hooked to an external USRobotics Sporter 28.8 Modem via
Modem 2 port.
When I use the terminal mode on Iconnect to login in
manually to the system, I get the standard login screens
for user ID and password, then I get the following:
PPP session from (198.109.38.10) to 198.109.38.12
beginning....~}#!}!}!} }4} and every few seconds more
"strings of garbage characters" fill the screen until it
finally hangs up.
Has anyone know why this is happening?"
The first idea comes from the author of CAB, Alexander Clauss
himself:
"Make sure that preemtive multitasking is switched on(!)
(using the time slice CPX)."
Petter Toneff adds:
"As far as I know, PPPconnect needs premtive multitasking
to run. Check your MAGIC.INF file for a line that starts
with #_TSL This line must not be commented out (;#_TSL...)
and the first value must be larger than 0. With the wrong
setting here, Magic will run in cooperative mode.
A sensible setting is: #_TSL 2 32"
Terry May tells Petter:
"Not quite. In fact, most veteran MagiC users would tell
you to comment that line out and use the CPX to turn it on.
That eliminates problems with AUTO programs that don't like
running (or at least installing) in preemptive multitasking
mode."
Well folks, that's about it for this week. I know that this column has
been a bit heavy on info about CAB and other internet STuff, but that is
what I've been hearing people ask for. The few complaints I've heard offer
no information about what those complaining about it would like to see
instead, so I have decide to pay attention to what people tell me they _do_
want instead of what they _don't_ want. If you have opinions about what
you _do_ want to see, please email me and let me know. I'm always happy to
get email with suggestions.
Please, tune in again next week, same time, same station, and be ready
to listen to what they are saying when...
PEOPLE ARE TALKING
EDITORIAL QUICKIES
Teamwork
1. As each bird flaps its wings, it creates an 'uplift' for the bird
following. By flying in a V formation, the whole flock adds 71 percent
flying range than if each bird flew alone.
Lesson: People who share a common direction and sense of community can get
where they are going quicker and easier when they are traveling on the
thrust of one another.
2. Whenever a goose falls out of formation, it suddenly feels the drag and
resistance of trying to fly alone, and quickly gets back in formation to
take advantage of the 'lifting power' of the bird immediately in front.
Lesson: If we have as much sense as a goose, we will stay in formation
with those who are headed where we want to go.
3. When the lead goose gets tired, it rotates back into the formation and
another goose flies at the point position.
Lesson: It pays to take turns doing the hard tasks and sharing the
leadership -- interdependent with each other.
4. The geese in formation honk from behind to encourage those up front to
keep up their speed.
Lesson: We need to make sure our honking from behind is encouraging, not
something less helpful.
5. When a goose gets sick or wounded or shot down, two geese drop out of
formation and follow him down to help and protect him. They stay with him
until he is either able to fly or dies. Then they launch out on their own,
with another formation or to catch up with the flock.
Lesson: If we have as much sense and compassion as the geese, we'll stand
by one another in the same manner.
STReport International Magazine
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All Items quoted, in whole or in part, are done so under the provisions of
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Editorial Articles presented herein are not necessarily those of the
editors/staff of STReport International 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
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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" January 09, 1998
Since 1987 Copyrightc1997 All Rights Reserved Issue No. 1401
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