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Silicon Times Report Issue 0120
*---== CPU NEWSWIRE ONLINE MAGAZINE ==---*
""""""""""""""""""""""""""""
"The Original 16/32bit Online Magazine"
_____________________________________
featuring
STReport Online Magazine
""""""""""""""""""""""""
December 29, 1989 Vol III No.120
=======================================================================
CPU NewsWire Online Magazine½
__________________________
Post Office Box 6672
Jacksonville, Florida
32205 ~ 6672
R.F. Mariano
Publisher - Editor
_________________________________________
Voice: 904-783-3319 10 AM - 4 PM EDT
BBS: 904-786-4176 12-24-96 HST/14.4
FAX: 904-783-3319 12 AM - 6 AM EDT
_________________________________________
** F-NET NODE 350 ** 500mb Online **
Our support BBS carries ALL issues of CPU/STR Newswire
and
An International list of private BBS systems
carrying STReport for their users enjoyment
__________________________________________________________________
> Issue: #120 CPU Newswire¿ The Original 16/32 bit Online Magazine!
------------------------
- The Editor's Podium - CPU REPORT
- 9600 Baud Explained - Blitz or BLITZED?
- COPIERS, All Good? - DUAL STANDARD MODEMS
- UIS III - CPU/STR NewsWire
--==* FCC REPRESENTS THE PEOPLE? *==--
--==** ARCSHELL 2.1 FULLY SUPPORTS LHARC & ARC 6.02 **==--
--==* JIM TAGGART LEAVES ANTIC *==--
==========================================================================
CPU NEWSWIRE¿
"UP-TO-DATE News and Information"
-* FEATURING *-
Current Events, Up to Date News, Hot Tips, and Information
Hardware - Software - Corporate - R & D - Imports
==========================================================================
CPU/STR's support BBS, NODE # 350 invites systems using Forem ST BBS to
participate in Forem BBS's F-Net mail network. Or, Please call # 350
direct at 904-786-4176, and enjoy the excitement of exchanging ideas about
the Atari ST computers through an excellent International ST Mail Network.
==========================================================================
AVAILABLE ON: COMP-U-SERVE ~ DELPHI ~ GENIE ~ BIX
==========================================================================
> The Editor's Podium¿
Here we are at the end of another year.... still enjoying the Atari
computers we have and looking forward to a great beginning to the 1990s.
At CPU Newswire, we feel this issue is like a kick-off into the new
decade. I know, next week is actually the new year but if you look at it
this way, next week's issue will reflect work begun last week!
Perhaps we will all pull together a little more in this new decade, I
certainly hope and pray for this. After all, this is the decade during
which Atari Corp., as a formidable Computer design and manufacturing
facility, will mature and (by all present indications) prosper.
The STE is a blockbuster success in any language, abroad and to the
North. From the reports we are receiving, this baby is on its way to
breaking all Atari's previous sales records in the computer area. Then,
we have the highly anticipated Stacy which, when it hits the shelves will
not have time to be opened and demo'ed to anyone.. this portable has all
the earmarks of staying "sold out" for the first six months of its
general availability.
The LYNX .. well this "Animal" <grin> is, without a doubt, the neatest
goodie to varoom down the pike in a long, long time. Atari has a sure
fire winner in the LYNX. YUP! I was one of the doubting Thomas types but
after receiving mine and seeing the responses from 'spectators' (family,
friends, folks at the mall, etc.) all that can be said is; The Lynx will
simply DOMINATE the Game Machine market for quite some time to come.
Charles Johnson, has gone and done it again... >WHAT A GUY!< He has
just released Arcshell 2.1 which fully supports both LHarc and ARC 6.02.
As most of you know, the Arc 6.02 will do folders automatically instead of
us having to do them individually and adding them to an arcfile. Many
thanks to you Charles, your support of the ST marketplace is simply
mahvalous! Thanks again.
At this time, allow all of us at STR Publishing to wish each and every
one of you a wonderful and prosperous New Year. May all your goals be
reached and your successes be equally satisfying.
Thanks for your terrific support!!!
Ralph........
ps; Please.... don't drink and drive.
**********************************************************************
:HOW TO GET YOUR OWN GENIE ACCOUNT:
_________________________________
To sign up for GEnie service: Call: (with modem) 800-638-8369.
Upon connection type HHH (RETURN after that).
Wait for the U#= prompt.
Type XJM11877,GEnie and hit RETURN.
The system will prompt you for your information.
THE GENIE ATARI ST ROUNDTABLE - AN OVERVIEW
___________________________________________
The Roundtable is an area of GEnie specifically set aside for owners and
users of Atari ST computers, although all are welcome to participate.
There are three main sections to the Roundtable: the Bulletin Board, the
Software Library and the Real Time Conference area.
The Bulletin Board contains messages from Roundtable members on a variety
of Topics, organized under several Categories. These messages are all
Open and available for all to read (GEnie Mail should be used for private
messages).
If you have a question, comment, hot rumor or an answer to someone else's
question, the Bulletin Board is the place to share it.
The Software Library is where we keep the Public Domain software files
that are available to all Roundtable members. You can 'download' any of
these files to your own computer system by using a Terminal Program which
uses the 'XMODEM' file-transfer method. You can also share your favorite
Public Domain programs and files with other Roundtable members by
'uploading' them to the Software Library. Uploading on GEnie is FREE, so
you are encouraged to participate and help your Roundtable grow.
The Real Time Conference is an area where two or more Roundtable members
may get together and 'talk' in 'real-time'. You can participate in
organized conferences with special guests, drop in on our weekly Open
COnference, or simply join in on an impromptu chat session. Unlike
posting messages or Mail for other members to read at some later time,
everyone in the Conference area can see what you type immediately, and can
respond to you right away, in an 'electronic conversation'.
**********************************************************************
> CPU REPORT¿
==========
Issue # 47
----------
by Michael Arthur
Remember When....
In August 1988, Wordstar launched a big advertising campaign to
announce a version of Wordstar for the Macintosh, and when legal disputes
between Wordstar Inc. and the product's developer wiped out plans for such
a Mac word processor, or when Xerox shipped a prototype version of Ventura
Publisher for the Macintosh to Beta-testers, so as to judge its marketing
feasibility, and found that Pagemaker had already gained a tight
stranglehold on the Mac DTP market?
CPU INSIGHTS¿
=============
ATARI'S FUTURE: THE MYTH OF THE YEAR OF THE ATARI ST
=====================================================
Early on in 1989, after realizing that Atari's future was in danger
because of its actions of 1988, Sam Tramiel endeavored to undertake a
daring campaign of both recapturing the gains the Atari ST had made in
1985-1987, setting the stage for Atari's products to become standards
wherever they reached, and restoring much of the Atari Userbase's earlier
respect for Atari in the process. This campaign was known as "Atari's
Quest", and was supposed to make 1989 "The Year of the Atari ST."
However, as we all know, engineering the resurgence of the ST was to
be a FAR greater task than anyone had expected, as Sam's earlier goal of
setting this into motion by Early Summer was not to be met. But while the
flawed actions of a few in Atari R&D caused endless delays in the STacy
and Atari STE meeting FCC Specifications, Atari's development of the
Portfolio was a tremendous step in giving it a good reputation in the
"serious" computer industry. And as Atari began to deliver the Lynx to
the market, many began to wonder if Atari meant that 1989 would be the
"Year of Atari Corp.", instead of the "Year of the Atari ST's Resurgence".
But with the Atari STE, STacy Laptop, and 68030 TT all holding great
promise for 1990, it seems that 1990 may truly be the "Year of the Atari
ST." Since new products don't necessarily make for a computer standard,
we need to analyze what Atari has done in 1989 to set the stage for such a
thing to occur, and what Atari SHOULD do to finally bring about the "Year
of the Atari ST." So as 1989 draws to a close, let us take a look at some
of the many components that can bring good fortune to the long-suffering
US ST Userbase....
ST Upgrades and the Case for a Mega STE
---------------------------------------
As promises of the 68030 TT and STacy entered the minds of the US ST
Userbase, the question of Computer upgrades became an important issue
among the ST Online Community. Since Apple and IBM had maintained
upgrades in the past which were both profitable to them and their
userbase, many wondered why Atari would not also do this. However, Atari
maintained that it would not be profitable for them to do so. Given that
the 68030 TT and STacy's minimum price is $2500.00, it would be most
beneficial if current ST Users were able to trade in their computers for a
reduced price on these systems. Surprisingly, an Atari upgrade policy is
not only feasible, but potentially profitable if it applied to the 68030
TT and STacy, for these reasons:
o Atari could take the computers obtained through this upgrade
policy and sell them to the Educational Community. Since any
software made to use the STE's capabilities will also be made to
utilize the current ST's abilities, the need for the STE (as
opposed to the old ST) may not be as pertinent as believed by a
certain few at Atari. And contrary to the beliefs of a few, this
would not only get rid of Atari's worldwide inventory of old ST's
completely, but would provide ST's to schools at a price
inexpensive enough to make the Educational Community take notice
of the ST's capabilities. Meaning that they will buy STE's once
they see the benefit of the old ST's....
o Since Atari probably will sell STacy's to dealers for $1000 to
$1250.00, Atari could make a healthy profit even if it discounted
the price of the STacy and 68030 TT below the list price. But if
existing ST Users are willing to pay Atari more to upgrade their
current computers to the 68030 TT and STacy, then it would be in
the best interests of Atari to make such an upgrade policy
avilable, since the customer would be saving money and replacing
his/her "old" computer in the process.
o Atari would "convert" the ST Userbase to the Atari STE and TT
more quickly, meaning that good software would be developed for
them a LOT faster than otherwise possible....
Since this policy could hurt dealers, one way to reconcile Atari's
committment to ST dealers with a desire to implement an ST Upgrade policy
would be to have ST Dealers implement their own policies for trading in
old computers for STacys and 68030 TT's, and for Atari to buy back these
old STs from Dealers at a low cost. Atari could then either resell ST's
through Mail Order, donate them to a worthy charity to get tons of free
publicity, or some other useful purpose. In addition, a good upgrade
policy would help soothe the bitterness of the US ST Userbase, so Atari
has everything to gain by implementing an ST Upgrade Policy which would
help both Dealers, the ST Userbase, and Atari itself....
1989 saw Atari Research and Development become involved in two faux
pas situations for the Atari ST line. One, the Atari STE and TT's
graphics capabilities, which have been discussed previously. However, the
second may have pernicious consequences in store for the future. The
Atari STE was designed as a significant upgrade to the low/middle end of
the Atari ST line, with heightened expandability and a more open
architecture. In this form, it is doing quite well, as the STE has become
a major success in Germany, England, France, Scandinavia, Canada, and the
rest of the world. However, while Atari added SIMM Slots for easy RAM
Expansion, and a Surface Mount 68000 which will make hardware products
like Turbo 16 and PC Ditto II easier to install, Atari is sinking its
Flagship in the process....
When the Mega ST was introduced, Sam Tramiel called it the Flagship of
the Atari ST Line, having an Expansion Slot and added RAM. But Atari is
now making 2 Meg and 4 Meg versions of the STE which come in a 1040 ST
case. Meaning that the Mega ST's expansion slot (and also, logically, the
Mega ST) has now been abandoned by Atari. Given that the Mega ST itself
was designed for added expandability, having a case that would support
SIMM slots, an expansion slot, an internal hard drive, and hardware
products like Turbo 16 without having major problems being accepted by the
FCC, it seems that if Atari were to discontinue the 2080 and 4160 STE, and
to replace them with a Mega 2 STE and a Mega 4 STE, that not only would
the Atari STE line become a resounding success among the current US ST
userbase, but that the STE would replace the Atari ST completely. Which
is what it was designed to do....
Atari ST Support in the US....
------------------------------
One of the objectives of "Atari's Quest", as outlined by Sam Tramiel,
was to repair the enormous damage that Atari had done to User Groups,
Dealers, Developers, and the Atari ST Userbase in 1988. Thanks to both
the formation of the AAD (Association of Atari Developers), and the wise
actions of Atari's Charles Cherry, prospects for ST Developer support have
never been brighter. In the User Group Arena, Atari has allowed Bob
Brodie to revitalize the forlorn state of ST User Groups. Resulting in
that both Atari Developers and User Groups are getting more attention from
Atari....
However, the state of Atari ST Dealers has (amazingly) deteriorated
even worse than in 1988. As one ST Developer put it, ST Dealers faced the
"Brunt of the Year of Atari", as Atari continued its deleterious actions
towards its greatest asset. Resulting in that there are now no ST Dealers
in New York City, one of the largest cities on Earth, and that there are
few ST Dealers within reach of the US ST Userbase. Atari has stated that
it will solve this troubing dilemma, and all are hopeful in this regard.
One direction that Atari could take as a step towards ameliorating the
plight of ST Dealers is to provide each Dealer with a number of Incentives
which would not only bring more Dealerships to the ST Line, but a LOT more
revenue (and profit) to Atari US. Among these Incentives would be:
o Quick participation in Advertising efforts for Dealers who
purchase a certain amount of ST's. For example, if a Dealer were
to buy 15 - 20 ST's within a three-month period, then that dealer
could direct a number of advertising efforts (such as magazine
ads or a couple of TV ads for the ST) by Atari in his region.
Since Atari has already produced a series of TV ads for the ST,
and has gotten offers from prominent marketing firms like Chiat-Day (who
made ads which boosted the Macintosh in its "early days") to produce print
and magazine ads for the Atari ST, there is no problem in either having
the capability or the revenue for ST Advertisements. This suggestion
would give Atari a clear direction and purpose for all ST Advertisements,
and would not only help sell the computers that the Dealer bought from
Atari, but would generate enough interest in the Atari ST for the Dealer
to buy MANY more ST's from Atari. This would mean added revenue for both
Atari and the Atari Dealer, and would expand the ST Userbase quite
well....
Allowing Atari ST Dealers sell significant numbers of Atari STs to
businesses and Higher Education, in response to the successful efforts of
Atari Dealers to sell the Atari ST Line to large organizations, schools,
and universities. Apple Corp. got its first big start through the
educational market, and the Apple II line (which provides a billion
dollars a year for Apple) has sold well in the Educational community.
Since the Atari ST provides far greater benefits than the Apple II, why
couldn't Atari make the Atari ST line just as successful in the
Educational Community as the Apple II was for Apple? And why couldn't
Atari work with ST Dealers in both making the presentations necessary to
get the ST Line into schools, and in providing sales and service to these
schools? This would provide great profit for both ST Dealers and Atari
Corporation itself. And what greater incentive is there for business
besides profit?
In 1989, the Atari ST Userbase was also "left to its own devices", as
superb third party software like Pagestream, DynaCadd, Spectre GCR, and
the Turbo 16 Accelerator provided most of the progress and improvement in
the US ST situation. Much of the US ST Userbase ended up switching to IBM
machines, Macintoshes, or Amigas, and the ST Users who didn't choose this
route lost the "diehard" enthusiasm which used to be the hallmark of the
Atarian. Atari's Quest to make 1989 the "Year of Atari" did generate some
hope in the US ST Userbase, but they have yet to see the Atari ST
mentioned in computer columns like Jerry Pournelle's, and have yet to see
signs of an "Atari ST Advertising campaign" to generate any interest in
the Atari ST. And as promises of 1989 being "The Year of the Atari ST"
ring as hollow in their minds, the US ST Userbase is indicating that 1990
MUST become the time for Atari to make the ST Line popular in the US. And
the Clock is Ticking....
CPU Systems Roundup¿ XVIII
==========================
Trojan Horses, Mass Mailings, and an AIDS Virus Tutorial
--------------------------------------------------------
Recently, several thousand IBM Users received a disk labeled, "AIDS
Information - An Introductory Diskette," from a company calling itself the
PC Cyborg Corporation. Some businesses and corporations, including Chase
Manhattan Bank, and several IBM User Groups had also obtained this disk,
which said it was a Database on the AIDS disease. Interestingly enough,
not only did the disk give false information, saying that Intravenous Drug
users had a "low risk" rating (for catching AIDS) in one segment, but this
disk also contained a dangerous Trojan Horse program, designed to do its
damage on the 90th time the User rebooted his system after running the
AIDS Disk.
The AIDS disk contained an installation program which would place the
various data files on a hard drive. However, it also edited the
AUTOEXEC.BAT startup file, adding an incremental counter to keep track of
the number of times the victim system was rebooted. Once it reached
90,000 this message would be displayed:
"The software lease for this computer has expired. If you
wish to use this computer, you must renew the software
lease. For further information turn on the printer and
press return."
Afterwards, it would print this message:
----------------------------------------
"If you are reading this message, then your software lease
from PC Cyborg Corporation has expired. Renew the software
lease before using this computer again. Warning: Do not
attempt to use this computer until you have renewed your
software lease. Use the information below for renewal."
Dear Customer:
It is time to pay for your software lease from PC Cyborg
Corporation. Complete the INVOICE and attach payment for the
lease option of your choice. If you don't use the printed
INVOICE, then be sure to refer to the important reference numbers
below in all correspondence. In return you will receive:
- a renewal software package with easy-to-follow, complete
instructions
- an automatic, self-installing diskette that anyone can apply in
minutes. (The AIDS program was specifically designed to be so
bothersome that you HAD to use the Installation Program....)
After this surprising tidbit, this note would print:
----------------------------------------------------
The price of 365 user applications is US $189. The price of a
lease for the lifetime of your hard disk is US $378. You must
enclose a bankers draft, cashier's check or international money
order payable to PC CYBORG CORPORATION for the full amount of
$189 or $378 with your order. Include your name, company,
address, city, state, country, zip or postal code. Mail your
order to:
PC Cyborg Corporation
P.O. Box 871744
Panama 7, Panama.
Of course, not only is the address phony, but the "PC Cyborg Corporation"
does not exist. After this document is printed, the following warning
appears:
"Please wait thirty minutes during this operation. Do not
turn off the computer since this will damage your system.
You will be given instruction later. A flashing hard disk
access light means WAIT!!!!!"
After crunching away at the unsuspecting user's hard drive for 30 - 90
minutes, all data on a user's hard drive is scrambled, apparently
destroyed. But investigators have discovered that filenames in the hard
disk's FAT (or File Allocation Table) are actually encrypted, and the
actual files are given hidden attributes. In the meanwhile, the program
has also created a file called CYBORG.EXE, and several hidden
subdirectories, which seem to contain a database....
It turns out that CYBORG.EXE contains a list of the hard disk
directory structure before the FAT was encrypted. Meaning that if you
delete the hidden directories, and replace the encrypted FAT with the
listing in the CYBORG.EXE file, that a system can be recovered INTACT. Of
course, by then the PC User may have already reformatted his/her hard
drive. Hard drive backups probably wouldn't help in this case, since the
Trojan Horse program waits so long before activating....
Much of the code in the AIDS Diskette's .EXE files is encrypted, and
it seems that the Trojan Horse program does a number of things to keep it
from being detected or examined. The good news in this situation is that
PC Business World quickly developed an "antidote" program called AIDS out,
which automatically restores an infected hard drive....
The person who sent this AIDS Diskette used mailing lists from several
magazines, including PC Business World. Since PCBW's mailing list alone
costs $1200.00, and given that it is estimated that several thousand PC
Users worldwide were the targets of this mailing, it seems that the people
who perpretrated this deed literally spent tens of thousands of dollars to
make it a reality....
But ponder, if you will, these questions:
1) What are other ways in which someone could spread a virus to the
broadest possible number of users, and how can the computer industry
defend itself against those avenues of infection?
2) What would a forward-thinking business in Atari Corp.'s position do to
make 1990 "The Year of the Atari ST?"
CPU STATUS REPORT¿
==================
Menlo Park, CA Emerald City Software recently introduced TypeAlign, a
-------------- desk accessory which can manipulate fonts in many
ways, supporting effects like rotation, skewing,
kerning, or shadowing. It also allows one to draw a
line, arc, or any other type of curve, and then place
a block of text onto the line's path, so the text
follows the contours of the curve. However, TypeAlign
requires Adobe Type Manager to function.
Adobe Type Manager is a utility which intercepts calls
for Quickdraw fonts, and displays the requested type
and size from a Postscript outline font. ATM also can
allow these fonts to be printed using a non-Postscript
printer, resulting in printed text of a much higher
quality than before. It also has the potential to
print Postscript graphics. Cost: $100.00....
Adobe Type Manager functions transparently, is
compatible with all well-behaved Mac applications, and
(unlike System 7.0, which has outline fonts) runs in
1 Meg of RAM. Adobe Systems has sold over 100,000
copies of ATM since it was released in October....
Cambridge, MA The Open Systems Foundation, an organization funded by
------------- several Unix vendors to develop a new Unix standard,
has announced that they may use the Mach OS (currently
used in the NeXT System) as the foundation for OSF/1,
their new systems software platform, instead of using
A/IX, IBM's version of Unix.
Mach provides better data security measures, inherent
support for multiprocessing, and compatibility with
Berkeley Unix. But given that IBM's support of the
OSF was partly based on the OSF's use of A/IX, and
that much of the OSF's credibility depends on OSF/1
shipping by the announced date of July 1990....
Tokyo, Japan Japan's Agency of Industrial Science and Technology
------------ recently developed a computer which uses 26,000
Josephson Junctions, allowing it to perform 1 billion
computations per second, and to use a thousandth of
the power consumption rate of current supercomputers.
The Josephson Junction, developed at IBM in the Early
1970s, is a type of chip which relies on compressing
superconductive material in such a way that electrons
"tunnel" from one conducting surface to another using
quantum physics. Josephson junctions now function at
temperatures near absolute zero. Interestingly enough,
research done as part of IBM's failed efforts in the
1970s to develop Josephson chips was later used in
scientific discoveries which resulted in several new
IBM Nobel Laureates....
Fremont, CA NeXT Inc. has indicated that a color display for its
----------- computer may not be available until Late 1990. NeXT is
developing a 32-bit Color Board which uses a custom
chipset and graphics accelerator to display 16 million
colors at the same time. It is speculated that this
will use the NeXT's current 1120*832 resolution, and
that NeXT will be using the Renderman specification
for 3-D graphics, which was developed by Pixar Inc., a
company owned by Steve Jobs....
Aldus Pagemaker, Adobe Illustrator, and Lotus 1-2-3
are currently being developed for the NeXT Computer,
and Informix is planning to port their Wingz
spreadsheet (which, on the Mac II, provides color
presentation graphics) to NextStep. Also, 3 1/2 inch
and 5 1/4 inch versions of the DaynaFile disk drive
are being developed for the NeXT, which will allow it
to read/write to MS-DOS, Macintosh, and Unix disks....
_______________________________________________________________
> FCC RIPOFF CPU/STR NewsPlus¿ The FCC, represents the people?
===========================
MOBILIZE!
=========
Two years ago, the FCC tried and FAILED (with your help and letters of
protest) to institute regulations that would impose additional costs on
modem users for data communications.
Now, they are at it again. A new regulation that the FCC is quietly
working on will directly affect you as the user of a computer and modem.
The FCC proposes that users of modems should pay extra charges for use of
the public telephone network which carry their data. In addition,
computer network services such as GEnie, CompuServ, Tymnet, & Telenet
would be charged as much as $6.00 per hour per user for use of the public
telephone network. These charges would very likely be passed on to the
subscribers. THE MONEY IS TO BE COLLECTED AND GIVEN TO AT&T IN AN EFFORT
TO RAISE FUNDS LOST TO DEREGULATION.
Jim Eason of KGO newstalk radio (San Francisco, Ca) commented on the
proposal during his afternoon radio program during which, he said he
learned of the new regulation in an article in the New York Times. Jim
took the time to gather the addresses which are given below.
HERE'S WHAT YOU SHOULD DO (NOW!)
--------------------------------
1- Pass this information on. Find other BBS's that are not
carrying this information. Upload the ASCII text into a
public message on the BBS, and also upload the file itself so
others can easily get a copy to pass along.
2- Print out three copies of the letter which follows (or write
your own) and send a signed copy to each of the following:
Chairman of the FCC
1919 M Street N.W.
Washington, D.C. 20554
Chairman, Senate Communications Subcommittee
SH-227 Hart Building
Washington, D.C. 20510
Chairman, House Telecommunications Subcommittee
B-331 Rayburn Building
Washington, D.C. 20515
HERE, WE PRESENT THE SUGGESTED TEXT OF THE LETTER TO SEND
=========================================================
Dear Sir,
Please allow me to express my displeasure with the FCC proposal
which would authorize a surcharge for the use of modems on the
telephone network. This regulation is nothing less than an
attempt to restrict the free exchange of information among the
growing number of computer users. Calls placed using modems
require no special telephone company equipment, and users of
modems pay the phone company for use of the network in the form
of a monthly bill. In short, a modem call is the same as a voice
call and therefore should not be subject to any additional
regulation.
Sincerely,
[your name, address and signature]
It is important that you act now. The bureaucrats already have it in
their heads that modem users should subsidize the phone companies, (the
wealthiest corporations known to man)! And are now soliciting and
listening to public comment. Please stand up and make it clear that we
will not stand for any government restriction on the free exchange of
information.
Thanks for your help.
Editor Note:
Folks, this is a very sore issue with this reporter, having had a
amateur radio operator's license for almost 20 years and a 1st class radio
operator's license for almost the same length of time... I feel my
dealings with the FCC over the years give me some semblance of
'experience' with this Federal "BOONDOGGLE".
Example:
After three years of intense study and high tuition, (RCA Institute)
the examination for the First Class Radiotelephone Operator License
and its accompanying endorsements, Radar, Sonar etc.. was obtained.
Only now, we find that a scant few years later, the FCC discontinued
the license & exam because BIG BUSINESS found that too many people
were having difficulty passing the tests and the industry needed these
people as workers.
Solution? discontinue the test and license requirement....
Example:
CB Radio, ah yes, ..what a headache it was to the commission in its
early days. They established PURAC in DC, another govt committee
responsible to the FCC in the 60s. PURAC was supposed to recommend
various solutions to the problems of TVI, overpowered stations and
licensing of CB Radio operators. PURAC was as useful to the both the
CBers and the FCC as a good dose of the trots! The FCC placed little
or no value on the findings of PURAC and soon the lack of respect
coming from the lifers working at the FCC was as caustic as one could
possibly imagine. I know, I was on that committee. The bottom line
here was that the FCC proved to be useless in the curtailment of TVI
and/or getting the CBers licensed.
Solution? Stop 'in the field enforcement' and licensing....
For your info....
Research the past, if you will, through all the appointed FCC members
since WW II, and see if ANY of them were qualified to make judgment calls
and vote on the state of communications nationwide in the USA. They are
responsible for the delay in high performance, high density, TV and many
other progressive technological advancements. In the case of the TV scan
rates it was a combination of over protectionism and catering to the US TV
Manufacturers. These appointees have characteristically supported BIG
BUSINESS since the end of the war. They have, literally speaking,
forgotten the little people, the every day guys (you and I).
THIS FOLKS, IS THE REAL REVOLUTION and it effects ALL computer users
not just those in the Atari arena. A loud and clear message must be
sent to Washington D.C. We had all better sound the alarms and
react swiftly to this sneak attack on our wallets and future.
Remember carefully what the FCC said the last time they were
"embarrassed" by the large amount of mail received decrying this very
same issue that the FCC now resurrects. They said ...
SINCE THE NETWORK SERVICES PROVIDE THE INFORMATION SHARING FOR
EDUCATIONAL PURPOSES, WE THEREFORE DECLINE TO ADVISE POSITIVELY
FOR THE MOTIONS BEFORE THE COMMISSION.
In so many words two years ago, they managed to fill the air with
much bureaucratic gobbly-gook when they should have said "the general
public shot the motion down." Well, the new administration, Bush, Quayle
& Co. are now trying to push this very same action through again for AT&T.
No doubt, if this gets the full brunt of the negative reaction it
deserves from the public, the FCC members will have to pay attention and
drop this cause. If however, you the users and general public, allow this
to slip through due to complacency, a very large percentage of online
users will disappear. And the govt will have successfully pulled another
large flap of wool over the public's eyes in favor of big business.
Don't believe me? Check out the FDA (chicken & salmonella issues) and
a few other alleged 'WATCHDOG COMMITTEES' they have literally been
rendered almost completely impotent. Thus, serving big business' best
interests. If you think the US Govt hasn't been pro big business for the
last 15 years.... ask yourself this question; what ever became of the
Sherman Anti-Trust Laws??? Take a good look at the size of Beatrice,
ConAgra, Bechtold, Pennzoil to name just a few monoliths as food for
thought. Better yet what is Bush's relationship to Pennzoil?
BE ADVISED
----------
If this motion goes through, another avenue of "Free Speech and
Expression" will cost a small fortune to maintain. Thus, limiting it
to only those either capable of paying or those subsidized by special
interest groups and ...you guessed it! Big Business!!
Characteristically, the FCC is and has been, a "plum" for the
President since the end of WW II. Every administration has used the
offices of this agency to place those individuals who helped the new
president get elected in one way or another. A fine example of patronage
if ever there was one.
There has not been a need to limit or curtail the use of radio
equipment since that time (WW II). Sure there are those that will say the
FCC controls the morality of TV and radio shows... WE say baloney!
OF NOTE
-------
THE ONLY FUNCTION THEY (THE FCC) SEEM TO DO WELL IS CATER TO THE
GIANT CORPORATIONS (AT&T) THEY ARE SUPPOSED TO REGULATE!
Easily, we can all realize the financial gain AT&T will have if this
action by the FCC is FORCED through. Where, in any way, is the best
interests of the people of the United States of America being cared for
and served by the FCC's actions in this cause? If anyone can show how the
FCC is doing the right thing in promoting this action for a second time, I
say show me!
______________________________________________________________
> Copiers CPU/STR Review¿ Copying devices are they ok?
======================
The DISCOVERY CARTRIDGE from "HAPPY COMPUTERS"
The SYNCHRO EXPRESS from "COAST TO COAST TECHNOLOGIES"
The DUPLITWIX BLITZ from "1ST STOP COMPUTERS"
By Leon T. Jordan
Are they all that they claim to be???????
Well, I have all three and I can tell you this now, one stands heads
and shoulders above the rest. Lets take them in the order which they
appear above. The first one of the three to be released to the public was
the Discovery Cartridge, from "Happy Computers". I got in on the ground
floor with this one, I was one of the one's who ordered in advance of it's
release to the public. I did this because I also have my 8-bit 130XE and
1050 drive, which has the Happy drive modification on it. It was fast and
would back up all or most of the software I use.
Some would only run on a Happy drive, but I could live with that since
I only had one drive anyway. But enough of the old 8-bit happy, lets get
to the new Happy Discovery Cartridge. Well after a long wait I can't
remember if it was 1 or 2 years that is, it finally came in the mail with
a nice little letter of apologies for taking so long. No sweat all I
wanted to do was test this baby out. I mean this was to be the answer to
my back up prayers.
After reading the hook up documentation which was all on the disk that
came with the hardware for copying, I hooked it up to my 520ST (1meg) and
put the disk in the drive and booted the system. I then grabbed a disk I
wanted to back up and started to copy. Instantly I could see this Happy,
definitely did not have the same WARP speed the old Happy had. This sucker
is as slow as molasses in the winter time. But it did copy the disk and I
no longer had to use my master disk. Great! But be ready to sit down and
read a book or something. Well it's not really that slow but it is slow,
and by using the different copy parameters you can copy any disk except
those with physical damage as a means of protection. What more can I say.
CAUTION IF YOU GET AND USE THE DISCOVERY CARTRIDGE ,DO NOT TURN YOUR
COMPUTER OFF WITH THE DISK STILL IN IT. For some reason unknown to me
turning the computer off while the Discovery Cartridge is still hooked up
will cause the drive to write junk to your disk, and could keep the copy
from working. Happy Computers is well aware of this problem. The
Discovery Cartridge plugs into the computers cartridge slot and into the
drive connector. Your drive plugs into the Discovery Cartridge.
The Discovery Cartridge has a lot of other options also, but they deal
with other things that I don't feel have to do with it's ability to copy
disk. It will also copy disk from other computers, IBM, Amiga, and Apple,
and Mac. You can also create your own copy parameters to use with it, if
you have the skill. But it does work and it works well, I only wish it
was faster. The Discovery Cartridge with just the basic package will cost
you around $188.00. As you add other options the price goes up. You may
find it cheaper thru some mail order stores.
Next, we take a look at the SYNCHRO EXPRESS COPIER from Coast to Coast
Technologies. and the Duplitwix Blitz Copier from 1St Stop Computers. I'm
doing these two together because the are almost the same. The only real
difference I can see is that the Express has what they call a custom LSI
chip installed which is supposed to make it copy better. The basic hook up
is about the same in that the both work by plugging into the printer port,
and both require two drives. The Blitz copier comes with the hook up
cable and software needed to run it. You could at one time find the
software and a diagram of how to make your own cable on GEnie under Blitz
copier. The Synchro Express comes with a cartridge which plugs into your
printer port and a short cable (about 6 in.) you plug into the drive
connection in the rear of your computer. Both of these copiers say they
are fast, and will copy almost everything.
The Blitz copier even says it will copy things the Discovery Cartridge
can't. While the Express says don't be mislead by outrageous claims for "
Nibbler " programs. I've tested them both and one thing I have to say is,
as for speed they both leave the Discovery Cartridge in the dust at the
starting line. They are very fast, they both read and write at the same
time. In other words, when they are done reading the disk they are done
writing the copy. Express says it can copy a double sided disk in 44
seconds and by George I think it will. The Express also says they had
100% success in their recent test they were unable to find a single
program the Express couldn't backup.
I don't know what programs ether of these two companies did there test
on, but I found programs nether of them would copy and that ProCopy would.
I also found a few the Express would copy and Blitz would not. They both
copy a lot of programs, but they are not all they are billed to be as for
as I'm concerned. The Synchro Express sells for $69.99 from Coast to
Coast Technologies. You can get The DupliTwix Blitz for $44.00 from 1st
Stop Computers. One more thing the Express was made to work with an
internal drive, as drive A but will work with an external drive, as drive
A but it's really inconvenient. Coast to Coast Technologies is aware of
the problem and are working to correct it.
In summary; I must say "you pay for what you get", and the only copier
I found that did in fact copy all programs tested is the Discovery
Cartridge from Happy Computers. It cost more money but at least it will
do what they say it will and that's a lot more than I can say for the
others. Of course, this is my opinion, check it out for yourself, and I
think you'll find the same thing I did. "You pay for what you get."
If you have any questions on these three copiers leave me E-Mail on
GEnie under LTJ. You can write me at Leon T. Jordan 540 Ledora Circle
Anchorage, AK. 99515.
Thanks for taking the time to read this as you can see I'm not a pro
at this. As a matter of fact this is my first one. I hope it will give
you a little more information to go with before you buy. They all work
some just better than others.
______________________________________________________
> Blitz or Blitzed? CPU/STR OnLine¿ A rose, is a rose, is a rose..
=================================
Conf : Atari 16/32 Bit
Msg# : 4748 Lines: 11 Read: 1
Sent : Dec 25, 1989 at 12:27 PM
To : RALPH, STReport NODE # 350
From : JIM MITCHELL at Crash ST
Subj : Re: <4714> Copiers
In reply to:
> Is there any truth to the statement that the Blitz cable will, after
three or four backups of the original eventually munch the original?
There is some truth to the rumor. You just have it backwards. After 3
or 4 generations, you can no longer copy the copy. It reduces it use a as
a pirating tool therefore. To make it more clear, a copy of the original
will work, a copy of a copy will work, a copy of a copy of a copy probably
will not work, and a copy of a copy of a copy of a copy is garbage. It
does not matter if it is unprotected or not.
Editor:
Although at first glance, the degradation of a copy looks like a true
anti piracy tool and more than likely is. However, after a second and
more thorough look at the situation, this is (IMHO) not nice. To purchase
a product labeled as a copier of EVERYTHING and not see anywhere in the
advertisements that this bugger has a built in degrader is the pits. Once
again, folks ..its caveat emptor! I make this statement not to say that
the degrader should not be there, but the sellers should prominently
display this fact to the potential buyer. The advertising should tell all
that this "feature" exists.
__________________________________________________________
> LYNX ONLINE CPU/STR OnLine¿ FNET BUZZING ABOUT LYNX!
==========================
Below, we present a few of the high energy posts about the Lynx.
Silverthorn writes:
OOOOOOHH the LYNX! I'm very anxious to get my hands on that little
wonder. Two of my cousins went all the way to New York to pick up a pair.
To see it, is to want it. It's a simple as that.
Silverthorn
ROBERT DEN HARTIGH writes:
Well I went shopping on Boxing day (big mistake) and kept on tripping
over kids sitting outside computer and toy stores playing with Game Boys!
I doubt if we'll see the Lynx any time soon in Canada and by that time
Nintendo will have the market wrapped up. Atari will have to do a little
advertising and they might be able to be the machine for next Christmas,
as long as no one else comes along.
Rob //
Ralph, SysOp Node 350 writes:
You may think Nintendo will have the market wrapped up but let me
tell you this the LYNX is HOT! I have one and by golly it is the superior
game machine on the market worldwide.... bar none.
The moment the Lynx becomes available there, the other game machines
will be put down and the LYNX picked up and used exclusively. The Lynx,
at this time, is so much better than any of the other offerings in the
game machine market.
ESPECIALLY FOR THOSE WHO OWN THE GAMEBOY,
THEY WILL GO RIGHT OUT AND BUY A LYNX.
You can quote me on that one my friend.
Ralph....
Editor Note:
We decided to present this information about the Lynx because it is
literally taking the country by storm! In fact we predict it will surpass
any of Atari's expectations, sales wise, by the end of April 1990. The
Lynx is far ahead of the competition there is no comparison to anything
available to the user. Here and now, the LYNX offers more bang for the
buck than any other game machine offered.
__________________________________________________________
> Stock Market ~ CPU NewsWire¿
===========================
THE TICKERTAPE
==============
by Michael Arthur
Concept by Glenn Gorman
Atari Stock went down 3/4 of a point on Monday, and stayed even on
Tuesday. Stock information for Wednesday was not found. Atari Stock went
up 1/8 of a point on Friday. Finishing up the week at 8 7/8 points, Atari
stock is down 5/8 of a point from the last report.
Apple Stock is up 2 3/4 points from Friday, Dec. 15, 1989.
Commodore Stock is down 1/4 of a point from 12/15/89.
IBM Stock is up 3/8 of a point from 12/15/89.
Stock Report for Week of 12/18/89 to 12/21/89
_________________________________________________________________________
STock| Monday | Tuesday | Wednesday | Thursday | Last Friday |
Reprt|Last Chg. |Last Chg.|Last Chg.|Last Chg.|Last Chg. |
-----|-------------|-------------|------------|------------|-------------|
Atari|8 3/4 -3/4 |8 3/4 ... | ----- |8 3/4 |8 7/8 + 1/8|
| | | | | 47,200 Sls |
-----|-------------+-------------+------------+------------+-------------|
CBM |10 1/4 ... | 10 - 1/4 | ----- | 10 |10 1/8 + 1/8|
| | | | | 885,000 Sls |
-----|-------------+-------------+------------+------------+-------------|
Apple|34 3/4 + 1 | 35 + 1/4 |35 3/4 +3/4|36 1/4 +1/2|36 1/2 - 1/4|
| | | | |4,626,500 Sls|
-----|-------------+-------------+------------+------------+-------------|
IBM |93 3/8 -1 1/8|94 3/4 +1 1/8|94 5/8 -1/8|95 1/8 +1/2|95 3/8 + 1/4|
| | | | |1,005,100 Sls|
-----'-------------------------------------------------------------------'
'Sls' refers to the # of stock shares that were traded that day.
'CBM' refers to Commodore Corporation.
The '-----' indicates that information on those stocks was not found for
that day.
_________________________________________________________
> TOS 1.4 CPU/STR InfoFile¿ An overview....
=========================
TOS 1.4 -> "Somewhere Over the Rainbow"
======================================
by Chas. Medley
Status Disk Magazine
As most of you know by now, Atari has released a new version of
TOS, known as TOS 1.4 or Rainbow TOS. The basic look and feel of
GEM remains the same. However, several new features have been added
and, reportedly, many old bugs have been fixed. In addition,
several functions have been rewritten to be more efficient.
Performance
-----------
I will begin with a description of the major new features. At the
time of this writing I still have not received official 1.4 docs from
Atari so it is possible there are some additional features I don't know
about.
o Clicking on Desktop Info reveals a new dialog box with copywrite
dates of 1985 - 1989, as well as the Fuji symbol in animated
color (cycling,)in med and low rez.
o Show info will allow the renaming of a folder. This performs a true
rename, not merely a copy and delete. Universal Item Selector III,
supports this feature directly.
o Show info on a folder will display its size in bytes and count the
number of files and sub-directories it contains.
o Copying or deleting displays the file and folder names as it copies
or deletes. This is great for those times when something goes
wrong, as you will know exactly how far you got before the problem
occurred.
o Copying floppies now uses all available memory so disk swapping may
no longer be necessary for one drive systems.
o You can now move (copy & delete) files by holding down the control
key when dragging a file.
o You can install an application so that it auto-runs at boot-up time.
You have to have a new desktop after installing it for this feature
to work. A new line, beginning with the letter Z, is written to
the DESKTOP.INF specifying the path of the program to auto-run.
o The file selector now displays drive buttons for all active drives,
A-P. A couple of annoying bugs/features have been fixed. Hitting
carriage return at the path line will NOT cause an immediate exit,
and changing the wildcard will not result in TOS changing it to *.*.
o INSTALL is now the default for installing a drive icon.
o Applications can be removed (de-installed).
o Some screen redraws seem to be slower, particularly the dial
directory dialog box within FLASH. QINDEX still reports 100%
functions.
o TOS provides warm and cold boots from the keyboard.
Control-Alternate-Delete performs a warm boot.
Control-Alternate-(right)Shift-Delete performs a cold boot.
A cold boot takes an extra second or so while memory is cleared.
There are sill times when the machine has crashed badly enough to
require you to completely power down, but it is generally more
reliable than previous keyboard boot programs available on the ST,
including RESTART and HOTKEY.
o The 40 folder limit is fixed but there is still a limit, just very
far away. You should still use FOLDRXXX to increase the limit, so
presumably, the default limit is fewer than 999 folders.
o FATSPEED/DISKFREE/etc. are no longer needed as the FAT search speed
has been greatly increased.
Software Compatibility (partial list)
-------------------------------------
Tests were performed on a Mega ST, with a Multisync monitor and hard
drive. All the special application hardware put to use worked properly
including the Tweety Board, the JRI4096C color board and Stereo-Tek
glasses.
TITLE TYPE TITLE TYPE
AEGIS ANIMATOR 2.11 - Comm OK. AIRBALL - Comm OK.
ALL ABOARD - Comm OK. ANTI ALIASER (da) - Comm OK.
ANTIBOMB 1.2 - PD OK. ARC 6.02 - Share OK.
ARCSHELL 2.0 - Share OK. ART & FILM DIRECTOR - Comm OK.
ART GALLERY 2.0 (da) - Comm OK. ATHENA II 1.9 - Comm OK.
BACKUP 1.2 - Share OK. BAAL - Comm OK.
BALANCE OF POWER - Comm OK. BALLISTIX - Comm OK.
BIGSCREEN (tsr) - PD OK. BLOOD MONEY - Comm OK.
BLOODWYCH - Comm OK. BUREAUCRACY - Comm OK.
CAD 3D 2.03 - Comm OK. CAPTAIN BLOOD - Comm OK.
CHRONO QUEST - Comm OK. CHAOS STRIKES BACK - Comm OK.
CORNERMAN - Comm OK. CRIMSON CROWN - Comm OK.
CYBER CONTROL (da) - Comm OK. CYBER PAINT 2.0 - Comm OK.
CYBER SCUPLT - Comm OK. CYBER TEXTURE 1.0 - Comm OK.
DC EXTRACT (da) - Comm OK. DCFORMAT - Share OK.
DCRAMIT - Comm OK. DCSQUISH - Comm OK.
DEGAS ELITE - Comm OK. DEVPAC ST - Comm OK.
DISK DOCTOR - Comm OK. DUNGEON MASTER - Comm OK.
EASYDRAW 3.00 - Comm OK. EASY-TOOLS (da) - Comm OK.
EMACS 3.975 - PD OK. EXPERT OPINION - Comm OK.
FALCON 1.0 - Comm OK. FALCON 1.1 - Comm OK.
FALCON MISSION DISK - Comm OK. FINANCIAL CALCULATOR - Comm OK.
FIRST WORD 1.03 - Comm OK. FLASH 1.6 - Comm OK.
FLIGHT SIMULATOR - Comm OK. FONT TRICKS 2 (da) - Comm OK.
G+PLUS 1.3 (da & tsr) - Comm OK. GENESIS 1.0 - Comm OK.
GOLD RUSH - Comm OK. GRIDIRON - Comm OK.
HARDBALL - Comm OK. HISOFT BASIC 1.23 - Comm OK.
HITCHHIKER'S GUIDE etc. - Comm OK. HOTWIRE (tsr) - Comm OK.
HOTWIRE (prg) - Comm OK. ISS - Comm OK.
KULT - Comm OK. LEGEND OF DJEL - Comm OK.
MANUAL MAKER 2.20 - Share OK. MAPS & LEGENDS 3.05 - Comm OK.
MAXPAK (da) - Comm OK. MENACE - Comm OK.
MIDI MAZE - Comm OK. MIND SHADOOW - Comm OK.
MOONMIST - Comm OK. MULTI-DESK - Comm OK.
MUSIC STUDIO - Comm OK. NEWBELL (tsr) - PD OK.
OBLITERATOR - Comm OK. OOP TOPOS - Comm OK.
PACK2 - Share OK. PAGE FLIPPER (da) - Comm* OK.
PAGESTREAM 1.80 - Comm OK. THE PAWN - Comm OK.
PC-DITTO I 3.01 - Comm OK. PHANTASIE I - Comm OK.
PHANTASIE II - Comm OK. POPULOUS - Comm OK.
PRIME TIME - Comm OK. PROSEPRO FORTRAN - Comm OK.
QUICK ST 1.6d - Share OK. RATEHD - PD OK.
RED STORM RISING - Comm OK. REVOLVER - Comm OK.
REZRENDER - Comm* OK. SANTA PARAVIA etc. - Comm OK.
SCREEN OPERATOR (da) - Comm* OK. SHADOW - Comm OK.
SHADOWGATE - Comm OK. SILENT SERVICE - Comm OK.
SPECTRUM 512 1.01 - Comm OK. STALKER 2.03 - Comm OK.
STATUS DISK MAGAZINE - Comm OK. SUNDOG - Comm OK.
SUPERBOOT 5.5 - Share OK. SUPER CONDUCTOR - Comm OK.
TANGLEWOOD - Comm OK. TDI MODULA 2 - Comm OK.
TETRIS - Comm OK. THUNDER 1.2 (da & prg)- Comm OK.
TIMELINK 2.0 - Comm OK. TOUCH UP 1.56 - Comm OK.
TRANSYLVANIA - Comm OK. TRIVIAL PURSUIT - Comm OK.
TURBO ST 1.6 (da) - Comm OK. UIS III - Comm OK.
UNISPEC 1.1 (da) - Comm OK. VIDI ST 1.25 - Comm OK.
VKILLER 2.2 - PD OK. WORD PERFECT - Comm OK.
ZERODISK - Comm OK. ZORK TRILOGY - Comm OK.
Legend: da = desk accessory Comm = commercial
tsr = auto boot program Share = shareware
prg (or blank) = program PD = public domain
* indicates a commercial program published by an ST magazine
___________________________________________________________
> UIS III CPU/STR InfoFile¿ UIS III a brief overview....
========================
ctsy GEnie RT
UNIVERSAL ITEM SELECTOR III
=============
==============
by Ed Otey
I think it's time to make sure that everyone understands exactly what
we've been discussing. UIS III has several ways of displaying file
names in the medium and high rez mode (only one way in low-rez).
In medium-rez, you can display your text in LARGE (normal screen font)
or SMALL mode. Large mode allows for 12 filenames to be listed up and
down (vertically) and Small allows for 16 filenames. There are three
other sub-modes for each of these.....
1) The '12 Mode' - This just displays 12 filenames and extensions
vertically - i.e. ANGORA.IMG (in the SMALL mode, 16 file-
names/extensions are shown). In this mode, UIS III only uses
about 1/2 of the screen (in medium rez). This allows you to
move UIS around the screen (if you so choose) and keep it out
of your way. This is real nice with the Moniterm monitors.
(NOTE: You can move UIS around the screen in any of it's modes)
2) The '12W Mode' - This displays 12/16 filenames/extensions/date
/time vertically - i.e. ANGORA.IMG 20431 11-17-89 10:09 pm.
In this mode, UIS uses about 80% of the screen but shows you
more information. (NOTE: This is _my_ preferred way of having
it configured.)
3) The '36 Mode' - This displays 12/16 filenames/extensions in 3
columns across (4 columns in the Small mode). The names are
listed horizontally (see example) but still scroll vertically.
So you'd have either 12x3 or 16x4 files showing on the screen
at one time.
High-rez has all of the above modes but instead of having the 16 file-
names vertically in the Small mode, it has 32 filenames. So in the
'36 Mode', you'd have 36x3 or 36x4 filenames showing.
The following is two examples of the '36 Mode'. The first is how UIS
handles it's sort, the second is how some folks would rather see it.
EXAMPLE1:
angora.img animals1.img animals2.img animals3.img /\
arcaeop.img avocett.img baboon1.img baboon2.img
barn_owl.img bat1.img beagle_1.img beagle_2.img \/
EXAMPLE2:
angora.img animals3.img baboon1.img bat1.img /\
animals1.img arcaeop.img baboon2.img beagle_1.img
animals2.img avocett.img barn_owl.img beagle_2.img \/
One reason that Chris made the sort the way he did is to make it
easier to 'lasso' files. Let's say that you wanted to move all of the
files from ANGORA.IMG to BABOON2.IMG. As you can see, it would be very
simple with the sort going horizontally. But with the sort going
vertically (up and down), you'd have to lasso three different columns
separately.
Yes, I'm sure he could make the lasso go up/down and across columns,
but that would take more code. And Chris has tried to keep his code
as small as possible (less than 30k) so that UIS III wouldn't tie up
too much memory even on a 512k machine.
BTW, one nice feature that Chris added was to expand the lasso. Have
you ever had 15 files to move on the normal Item Selector? If so, you
know that you can only lasso 9 of them (I believe that's the number,
it's been a while since I used the normal Item Selector _grin_). So
you have to lasso 9, copy/move them to another area, come back and
lasso the next 6 and copy/move them to another area. With UIS III,
the lasso now scrolls up and down just like the scroll bar. So you
could start at the first file and just move the lasso down...when it
hits the bottom of the screen, it just keeps scrolling downward (just
as if you were moving the scroll bar down). So you can copy/move as
many files as you want very easily. (NOTE: the lasso will also scroll
upward.) You say "Well, that's nice but why don't I just use the *.*
in the SELECTION LINE?". What happens if you want to move some folders
along with the files, the "*.*" won't work with them. What happens if
you only want to move some of the files on a directory, the "*.*" will
move all of them. This is a feature that grows on you, at first you
don't think you'll use it much but after a while you won't know how to
do without it.
Well, that'll do it for today. If you have any further questions on
any of the new features of UIS III, Ron or I are on here almost every
day, so feel free to ask. Just remember, I'm kinda wordy.
To order your copy of Universal Item Selector III Call:
Universal Item Selector III
version 3.0 Copyright 1989
Application & Design Software
Grants Pass, OR 1-503-476-0071
_________________________________________________________
> 9600 BAUD CPU/STR InfoFile¿ The real info.....
==========================
Not long ago, many data communicators thought that dial-up modem
manufacturers had pushed transmission speeds to the limit with the
introduction of 2400 bit per second (bps) modems. Recently, however,
several manufacturers have creatively combined relatively mature
techniques of data transmission with newer technology and have introduced
9600 bps modems.
Unfortunately, a widely accepted standard for full duplex 9600 bps
transmission as defined by the International Consultative Committee for
Telegraphy and Telephony (CCITT) does not yet exist (the CCITT is
currently considering proposals for a new 9600 bps dial-up standard).
This means that today's 9600 bps modems do not offer cross-manufacturer
compatibility. The CCITT HAS endorsed a half duplex and a full duplex
9600 bps standard, but to date implementations of these relatively
flexible standards have been proprietary, i.e., even the "standardized"
modems from different manufacturers are not compatible.
All this means that modem users who want to enjoy the dream speed of
9600 bps must weigh the pros and cons of each 9600 bps technique before
committing to a particular 9600 bps design. This paper was written in an
effort to provide typical modem users with enough technical information
and insight that they will be able to consider the new 9600 bps modems
from the position of an educated consumer and not have to rely on
information gleaned from sales brochures and advertisements. It should be
noted that the author, Wes Cowell, is an employee of USRobotics.
THE ROAD TO 9600
================
High speed data communications via the dial-up phone network is
limited by the available phone line bandwidth and by random channel
impairments. Just as the diameter of a pipe limits its liquid flow
capacity, so does the telephone channel bandwidth limit its data flow
capacity.
The roughly 3000-Hz available in the telephone bandwidth poses few
problems for 300 bps modems, which only use about one fifth of the
bandwidth. A full duplex 1200 bps modem requires about half the available
bandwidth, transmitting simultaneously in both directions at 600 baud and
using phase modulation to signal two data bits per baud. "Baud rate" is
actually a measure of signals per second. Because each signal can
represent more than one bit, the baud rate and bps rate of a modem are not
necessarilly the same. In the case of 1200 bps modems, their baud rate is
actually 600 (signals per second) and each signal represents two data
bits. By multiplying signals per second with the number of bits
represented by each signal one determines the bps rate: 600 signals per
second X 2 bits per signal = 1200 bps.
In moving up to 2400 bps, modem designers decided not to use more
bandwidth, but to increase speed through a new signalling scheme known as
quadrature amplitude modulation (QAM).
In QAM, each signal represents four data bits. Both 1200 bps and 2400
bps modems use the same 600 baud rate, but each 1200 bps signal carries
two data bits, while each 2400 bps signal carries four data bits: 600
signals per second X 4 bits per signal = 2400 bps.
A technique known as adaptive equalization enables 2400 bps modems to
adapt to phone line impairments call-by-call. Essentially, if the modem is
experiencing problems with a noisy line, it looks for a "sweet spot" in
the bandwidth and attempts to avoid troublesome frequencies. This
technique makes 2400 bps modems more tolerant of line noise than their
1200 bps counterparts that use compromise equalization....
(a one-size-fits-all approach).
While these advanced modulation and equalization techniques in 2400
bps modems provide for double the data rate of 1200 bps modems, they also
result in a design at least four times more complex than 1200 bps modems.
Which brings us to the problem of designing a 9600 bps modem.
Jumping to 9600 from 2400 bps is several orders of magnitude more
complicated than going to 2400 from 1200 bps. Telephone network
characteristics make it highly unlikely that success will be had in
extending the "data signal alphabet" (number of bits represented by each
signal) beyond four bits per signal.
Instead, modem designers must increase the bandwidth that is to carry
the signal, and this presents a very big problem. In fact, at speeds of
4800 bps (1200 signals per second), the transmit and receive channels must
be expanded to the point where they actually begin to overlap. A 9600 bps
"band" requires roughly 90 percent of the available bandwidth, making it
impossible to have two-way communication without the bands interfering
with each other.
A helpful analogy to the problem might be to consider a two lane
highway: traffic must flow in both directions simultaneously, but to carry
more cars per unit of time, highway designers must either increase the
number of lanes in each direction or widen the two lanes to accommodate
driver error with a margin of safety. Unfortunately, these options are
not available to modem designers as the available bandwidth is of a fixed
size.
With these considerations and limitations in mind, let's examine three
basic ways to accomplish full duplex (two-way) 9600 bps communications:
echo cancellation, virtual full duplex (achieved by half duplex systems),
and asymmetrical frequency division.
ECHO-CANCELLATION
=================
This method solves the problem of overlapping transmit and receive
channels. Each modem's receiver must try to filter out the echo of its own
transmitter and concentrate on the other modem's transmit signal. This
presents a tremendous computational problem that significantly increases
the complexity -- and cost -- of the modem. But it offers what other
schemes don't: simultaneous two-way transmission of data at 9600 bps.
The CCITT "V.32" recommendation for 9600 bps modems includes echo-
cancellation. The transmit and receive bands overlap almost completely,
each occupying 90 percent of the available bandwidth. Measured by
computations per second and bits of resolution, a V.32 modem is roughly 64
times more complex than a 2400 bps modem. This translates directly into
added development and production costs which means that it will be some
time before V.32 modems can compete in the high- volume modem market.
Despite the fact that V.32 is a recognized standard, it is
uneconomical and unnecessarily complex for personal computer datacomm
applications that simply don't require simultaneous two-way 9600 bps
transmission.
HALF DUPLEX SYSTEMS
(Virtual Full Duplex)
===================
Half duplex solutions devote the entire bandwidth to 9600 bps in one
direction at a time, and "ping-pong" the data flow back and forth to
simulate full duplex. This is potentially the simplest scheme. Its
performance is acceptable in data transfer applications that don't involve
user interaction, i.e. file transfers. Even so, advanced error-control
protocols that require ACKnowledgments to be sent in response to received
data blocks generate a high number of "line reversals" which greatly
impair overall data throughput. In short, the benefit of higher speed is
so significantly compromised by line reversals in half duplex sessions
that the net gain in data throughput may be marginal at best.
If users want to operate in an interactive mode, their data must be
sent to the remote computer, the data channel must be reversed, and then
the data must be echoed back. This process results in significant
turn-around delays which can be very frustrating to users.
Half duplex modems of this kind are most often based on CCITT
recommendation V.29 for half duplex 9600 bps transmission on the dial-up
network. V.29 based data pumps used in facsimile systems are available as
LSI chip sets, providing a short-cut to modem manufacturers, particularly
to companies that don't develop their own modem technologies. But the
major problem is that the V.29 modulation scheme has been outdated by the
fact that it operates in a half duplex mode and doesn't provide good
signal to noise performance. The V.32 recommendation, which operates in a
full duplex mode and employs Trellis Coding Modulation offers greater
throughput and a greater immunity to channel impairments.
To the best of my knowledge, modems employing V.29-based modulation
include products from Racal-Vadic, Comspec, Develcon, Gamma Technology,
Microcomm, and Electronic Vaults, Inc. (EVI). These modems, however, are
NOT mutually signal compatible -- cross-manufacturer compatibility does
not exist.
Another modem in the half duplex category, but not based on V.29
modulation, is the Telebit Trailblazer (R), which uses a proprietary
modulation method.
Trailblazer is based on a multi-carrier technique. Conceptually, the
transmission channel is divided into many (512), independent, very narrow
channels (think of our two-lane highway and imagine it as having 512 very
narrow lanes (say, for bicycles) going in one direction and you've got a
fair idea of how Trailblazer divides the bandwidth). The main advantage
is that no receiver adaptive equalizer is needed because each channel is
very narrow compared to the overall channel bandwidth.
Further, in the Trailblazer modulation scheme, the modulation rate in
each narrow channel can be changed somewhat independently. Trailblazer is
different from many other modems in that the decision to fall back to
lower speeds is built into the modem protocol, rather than controlled by
the user's computer port. It is claimed that in the face of channel
impairments, throughput can be adapted gracefully to channel conditions.
Traditional modulation systems would have to fall back in larger steps.
But there are three inherent MAJOR problems:
1) The turn-around delay is very long compared to conventional modulation
techniques because data must be sent in large blocks. A typed
character may take several seconds to be echoed back to the system
that sent it. As a result, the system fails to achieve the illusion
of full duplex and is not really suited to interactive online
sessions.
2) The Trailblazer receiver cannot "track" carrier "phase jitter" (phase
jitter can be thought of in terms of "phase shift": think of how the
whine of a race car goes from higher to lower as it passes the viewer
the frequency of the sound is said to be "shifted" or "jittered").
Instead of cancelling out phase jitter (which is commonly encountered
on long distance calls) the Trailblazer can only respond by lowering
throughput to gain more immunity to phase jitter.
3) The ability to transmit at the maximum rate when subject to channel
impairment is considerably less than for conventional modems. There
is one notable exception: the multiple channel technique offers
extremely good immunity to impulse noise because the impulse energy is
distributed over narrow channels. While conventional modems can
achieve similar results through special coding or filtering techniques
they rarely implement such methods.
ASYMMETRICAL FREQUENCY DIVISION
===============================
When one considers the nature of most PC datacomm applications, it is
realized that most applications are interactive, involving manual (typed)
data entry from one end and data file transmission from the other end.
Few, if any, PC users can justify using an expensive 9600 bps channel
to carry their typed characters when they realize that 300 bps translates
to 360 words per minute. Assuming one could type 100 words per minute,
even a 100 bps transmission channel would be sufficient.
On the other hand, file transfer should take advantage of the
tremendous speed of the microprocessor. Serial ports are often set at
data rates in excess of 19,000 bps.
Considering these inherent characteristics, a communications scheme
that incorporated a high speed and a low speed channel would be best
suited for most PC datacomm applications.
Remembering the highway analogy (higher speeds mean wider lanes), one
can see how such a method would grant modem designers a large portion of
the available bandwidth for a 9600 bps channel and still leave enough room
to accommodate a narrow 300 bps channel without any channel overlap.
By utilizing two discreet channels, such a modem would avoid costly,
complex echo-cancellation schemes. And, because the channels carry data
in both directions simultaneously, the communications link is a true full
duplex connection. This means that data entered at one system would be
almost instantaneously echoed back -- eliminating the frustrating
turn-around delay experienced in half duplex sessions.
USRobotics has developed just such a modem. It passes data in one
direction using the V.32 modulation technique (a very robust method that
is very immune to phone line impairments) but employs only a 300 bps
channel in the opposite direction so that the channels do not overlap and
echo-cancellation is not necessary.
The use of the high-speed channel by the two modems is based on data
demand. In most applications, however, "channel swapping" will not be
required. For interface elegance, the modems employ a 4K buffer that
allow them to perform data rate conversion: sending and receiving speeds
remain constant between the modem and the computer -- it is only in
between the modems that transmitted and received data run at different
speeds.
For interactive sessions, users are assigned the low-speed channel
while the data sent to them (long mail messages, menus, files, etc.) in
the 9600 bps channel.
For file transfer sessions, the data blocks that make up a file are
sent in the 9600 bps channel while the corresponding ACKnowledgments are
returned in the 300 bps channel. An asymmetric frequency division scheme
is ideal for file transfer where large data blocks (usually several
hundred bytes in length) are transmitted in the high-speed channel and the
ACKs (usually only a few bytes in length) are carried in the low-speed
channel.
If a user switches from an interactive mode to file transfer and then
back to interactive mode, the high speed channel is dynamically and
automatically assigned to the system with the greatest data demand.
A BRIEF COMPARISON
==================
Three options exist for data communicators who desire to operate at 9600
bps:
1) V.32-type modems offer a full duplex connection but do so by virtue of
echo-cancellation. This technique is so complex, and has proven so
difficult to employ, that the cost for such modems will remain
prohibitively high and their implementation a delicate task for some
time to come.
2) Half duplex modems (either V.29 or multi-carrier) offer 9600 bps but
the turn-around delay inherent in half duplex links severely
compromise overall throughput. This degradation of throughput,
however, can be more than offset by data compression techniques
assuming the modems in question support identical compression
protocols and are operating on relatively "clean" phone lines. Both
half duplex methods suffer disproportionate degradation on "noisy"
lines: the V.29 modems must spend more and more time in line reversals
as detected data errors increase, and the multi-carrier modems must
sacrifice throughput to gain noise immunity.
3) Asymmetrical Frequency Division offers 9600 bps communications in a
true full duplex implementation. By efficiently utilizing the
available bandwidth, these modems provide users with high speed file
transfer capabilities and fast response in interactive sessions.
Because the transmit and receive data channels do not overlap,
expensive echo-cancelling techniques are unnecessary making these
modems economically efficient.
IN CONCLUSION
=============
Until a widely recognized standard is agreed upon by the standards
community, and implemented by several manufacturers, modem buyers must
weigh the benefits and detriments of each 9600 bps scheme.
V.32 would be best where symmetrical, full duplex, synchronous
communication is desired (for example, dial-up HDLC links between
multiplexers) and where the user can modify his software to accommodate
non-"AT" command-driven modems.
V.29 modems would be likely solutions where absolute lowest price is
required and conformance to an international standard (in a very limited
sense) is desired.
Multi-carrier transmission schemes are well-suited to applications
that require maximum one-way throughput and where circuit conditions are
known to be good. This transmission method is also ideally suited for
circuits where immunity to impulse noise is paramount.
Users who most often work with one-way file transfers (PC-to-PC) or
with real- time applications may opt for an Asymmetrical Frequency
Division scheme, which is suited equally well for either application. The
elegant approach to the frequency division (avoiding overlapping
bandwidths) also allows these modems to present a very economical ratio
between dollars and bps.
Potential high-speed-modem buyers should also consider the aspects of
ease-of- use, ease-of-implementation, and downward compatibility with
existing implemented standards (the CCITT's V.22bis for 2400 bps, Bell
212A for 1200 bps, and Bell 103 for 200 bps).
POST SCRIPT
===========
Many modem users have voiced confusion and consternation about the
lack of compatibility between modem manufacturers at speeds greater than
2400 bps.
Modem manufacturers have embraced the Bell 212A and 103 standards for
1200 and 300 bps. In these post-divestiture days, however, Bell no longer
sets modem standards in the U.S. and hence, U.S. modem manufacturers have
turned to the CCITT as a definitive source for standards. The
industry-wide acceptance of the CCITT's V.22bis standard for 2400 bps is
the best example of this shift.
The CCITT recommendations V.29 and V.32 for 9600 bps have not resulted
in compatible implementations. It is important to remember that V.29 was
originally developed as a four-wire full duplex leased-line modem and has
since been adapted by various manufacturers to encompass half duplex dial
up applications. Other problems with V.29 are that it compromises
transmission speed and is poor for interactive sessions. V.32 is proving
to be prohibitively complex and exceptionally difficult to implement
(driving development and production costs up).
Recognizing the need for an alternative to the V.32 recommendation,
the CCITT has requested proposals from modem manufacturers.
Presently, two proposals are being considered by the CCITT. One is
the multi- carrier scheme developed and sponsored by Telebit. The other
is an Asymmetrical Frequency Division scheme developed and sponsored by
USRobotics.
__________________________________________________________
> DUAL STANDARD MODEMS CPU/STR FOCUS¿ Taking a good look at 'em...
==================================
The Courier HST Dual Standard modem combines U.S. Robotics HST
asymmetrical full-duplex modulation and CCITT V.32 capability for high-
speed flexibility, performance and compatibility.
The Courier HST Dual Standard is perfect for data centers that
support both PC and mainframe applications, and where synchronous and
asynchronous capabilities are required.
The Dual Standard includes all major modulation techniques - HST,
V.32, V.22 bis, V.22, V.21, Bell 212A and Bell 103 - providing
compatibility with the vast installed base of synchronous and asynchronous
modems from 300 to 19,200 bps, including all current and previous models
of U.S. Robotics Courier HST modem.
For typical, asynchronous, PC-style applications such as one- way
file transfer, the Dual Standard modem s HST technology provides the
fastest error-free transmission available on dial-up circuits.
The Dual Standard modem V.32 capability is the versatile solution for
applications requiring true full-duplex and/or synchronous transmission,
such as host-to-host or micro-to-mainframe comunication, remote LAN
bridging, two-wire leased lines, leased line dial backup or high-speed
international standards compatibility.
In its asymmetrical HST operation, the Dual Standard modem transmits
asynchronous data at 9.6, 7.2 and 4.8 Kbps, automatically providing the
fastest data rate in response to phone line conditions. In V.32 mode, the
Dual Standard modem sends and receives asynchronous or synchronous data at
9.6, 7.2 and 4.8 Kbps.
The Dual Standard modem also provides CCITT V.42 compatibility by
including MNP Class 1 through 4 error-control protocols. The modem also
features MNP Class 5 data compression, effectively boosting its data rates
by up to 80 percent when connected to other MNP Class 5 modems.
In HST mode, the Dual Standard uses U.S. Robotics asymmetrical full-
duplex modulation technique, splitting the phone line bandwidth into non-
overlapping high-speed and low-speed channels. The modem automatically
assigns the high-speed channel direction based on dataflow demand. The
HST technique uses trellis-coded modulation for high-speed, error-free
performance.
In V.32 mode, the Dual Standard operates simultaneous send and
receive frequencies using trellis-coded modulation and echo- concelling.
Courier HST Dual Standard is available in external and rackmounted
models. The rackmounted version works in U.S. Robotics Rackmount 30
Modular Modem System, which includes a 19-inch-wide chassis for up to 15
modem and interface boards.
DESCRIPTION
-----------
7.2 and 4.8 Kbps in V.32 mode, and at 2400, 1200 and 300 bps in either
mode.
Data Compression - MNP Service Class 5 compression, available at all
transmission speeds above 300 bps, increases effective
throughput by up to 80 percent.
Error Checking - MNP Service Classes 1 through 4 at all speeds above 300
bps (asynchronous transmission only).
Hardware/software flow control allows fixed RS-232 rates up to 19.2 Kbps.
Asynchronous or synchronous transmission on dial-up or
leased lines. Synchronous available in V.32 mode only at
all speeds above 300 bps.
Auto-dial - asynchronous ("AT" command set), synchronous (nonvolatile
RAM).
Ease of Use Features:
---------------------
Automatic transmission-speed adjustment guarantees highest
possible speed under a wide range of conditions.
Automatically adapts to the highest data rate supported by the
remote modem.
Speaker with volume control for audio call-progress monitoring.
On-screen and bottom label help summaries.
RS232-C pins 2 and 3 (Send and Receive data) switch-reversible
for easy use with terminal, computer or printer.
Technical Specs:
----------------
Twelve LED front panel indicators.
Local analog and digital loopback, and remote digital loopback self-
testing. U.S./CCITT answer sequences.
Includes power adapter and RJ11C phone cord. Two phone jacks for
voice/data communications.
Size: 8.3" wide, 12.65" deep, 1.57" tall. Power adapter UL listed,
CSA approved. Supply voltage: 115 VAC, 60 Hz, 16 VAC output.
SPECIAL FEATURES
----------------
High-Speed Operation -
Courier HST Dual Standard offers the most productivity, flexibilty and
compatibility.
HST mode - High-speed compatibility with all Courier HST modems.
V.32 mode - Compatible with all CCITT V.32 standard modems.
Trellis-coded modulation in both high-speed modes ensures maximum
immunity to telephone network impairments.
Non-volatile Random Access Memory (NRAM) -
Easily programmable non-volatile memory stores user-defined default
configuration.
Phone Number Storage -
Creates auto dial directory of four frequently called phone numbers.
Automatic Dialing -
"AT" command dialing and automatic dialing of stored phone number at
power on, reset command or when terminal turns on DTR.
Synchronous Auto-Dialing -
Automatically dials stored phone number, then establishes synchronous
data link.
Diagnostics -
Local and remote loopback testing provides DTE, modem and phone line
diagnostic capabilities.
COMPATIBILITY
-------------
Courier HST-compatible at 9.6, 7.2 and 4.8 Kbps.
CCITT V.32 -compatible at 9.6, 7.2 and 4.8 Kbps.
CCITT V.22 -bis-compatible at 2400 bps.
CCITT V.22 -and Bell 212A-compatible at 1200 bps.
CCITT V.21 -and Bell 103-compatible at 300 bps. Uses "AT" auto-dial
command set in asynchronous mode.
CCITT V.42 -compatible (MNP Class 1-4 error control). MNP Class 5 data
compression. FCC, DOC certified.
_________________________________________________________
> CPU NEWSWIRE CONFIDENTIAL Sayin' it like it is....
=========================
- Toronto, Canada ***** ATARI IS ON TIME AND TRACK!! *****
----------------
Yes Bunky, the STE is out finally...actually right on time too! Atari
is DEFINITELY improving. A&B Sound also received the NEW PC 5. The 386
machine (20Mhz) with 4MB RAM, a 60 MB HD, and VGA graphics, also the new
PCC1424 color VGA monitor...right on Atari, keep it coming!!!
- Grass Valley, CA. ***** HAPPY COMPUTERS HAS NEW HOME! *****
----------------
Happy Computers' expressed the Best Wishes of the Holiday Season to
the ST computing community and advises all of its new address and
telephone numbers.
Happy Computers
12000 Mathis Way
Grass Valley, Ca. 95940
1-916-268-3595 voice line 1-916-268-3986 Fax line
1-916-268-9089 Support BBS line
- San Francisco, CA. ****** ANTIC LOOSES A PIONEER! ******
------------------
On a completly amicable basis, Mr. John Taggart, Assoc. Publisher for
Antic Magazine, (STart) has tendered his resignation. In seeing this
gentleman go on to greener pastures, we can only hope we, in the ST
Community, will be fortunate enough to have another, such as he, serving
us in the future. In the meantime, good luck, health and fortune to you
John, please ...don't forget us.
_____________________________________________________________
> Hard Drive Info CPU/STR InfoFile
Affordable Mass Storage
================================
NEW PRICES! & MORE MODELS!!
============================
ABCO COMPUTER ELECTRONICS INC.
P.O. Box 6672 Jacksonville, Florida 32236-6672
Est. 1985
_________________________________________
Voice: 904-783-3319 10 AM - 4 PM EDT
BBS: 904-786-4176 12-24-96 HST
FAX: 904-783-3319 12 PM - 6 AM EDT
_________________________________________
HARD DISK SYSTEMS TO FIT EVERY BUDGET
_____________________________________
All systems are complete and ready to use, included at NO EXTRA COST
are clock/calendar and cooling blower(s).
ALL ABCO HARD DISK SYSTEMS ARE FULLY EXPANDABLE
(you are NOT limited to two drives ONLY!)
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RUGGED SEAGATE HARD DISK MECHANISMS
* ICD HOST ADAPTERS USED EXCLUSIVELY * OMTI HIGH SPEED CONTROLLERS *
32mb #SG32238 549.00 42mb #SG44710 619.00
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170mb #SGT41776 1389.00 260mb #SG1244Q 2169.00
320mb #SGN7788Q 3295.00
Listed above are a sampling of the systems available.
Prices also reflect various cabinet/power supply configurations
(over sixty configurations are available, flexibility is unlimited)
***** After CHRISTMAS SPECIALS ARE IN EFFECT! *****
*** ALL Units: Average Access Time: 24ms - 34ms ***
ALL UNITS COMPATIBLE WITH --> MAGIC SAC - PC-DITTO/II - SPECTRE/GCR
LARGER units are available - (special order only)
* Removable Media Devices NOW Available (44mb) Syquest 555 *
* SPECIAL INTRODUCTORY PRICES *
EXTRA CARTRIDGES: 97.95 (anytime)
* SYQUEST 44MB (#555) REMOVABLE MEDIA DRIVE *
- SYQUEST 44 MB removable media drive - ICD ST Host Adapter
- ICD Mass Storage Utility Software - 3' DMA Cable
- Fan & Clock - Multi-Unit Power Supply
(1) 44 MB Syquest Cart.
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ONLY $869.00
We would offer floppy drives.. but Computer Shopper has 'em at the right
price. And.. you can plug 'em right into our cabinets and power supplies.
Low-Boy OR Standard Case (designed with room for another 3.5 OR 5.25"
drive) They're made for user expansion! TRUE UPGRADE-ABILITY!
* TWIN SYQUEST 44MB REMOVABLE MEDIA DRIVES ... PROGRAMMER'S DELIGHT *
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* SYQUEST 44MB REMOVABLE MEDIA DRIVE AND HARD DRIVE COMBINATIONS *
- Syquest 44 Model [555] and the following hard drives -
50mb SQG51 $1299.00 30mb SQG38 $1219.00
65mb SQG09 $1339.00 85mb SQG96 $1399.00
LOWBOY - STANDARD - DUAL BLOWER CABINETS
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_________________________________________
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Personal and Company Checks are accepted.
ORDER YOURS TODAY!
904-783-3319 9am - 8pm EDT
_______________________________________________________________
> A "Quotable Quote"¿
=================
"Often copied and mimicked.....NEVER DUPLICATED!"
FIRST, LAST AND ALWAYS ..CPU/STR NEWSWIRE!!
... The Bottom line
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
CPU/STR¿ "Your Independent News Source" December 29, 1989
16/32bit Magazine copyright ½ 1989 Vol. III ~ Issue #120
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
Views, Opinions and Articles Presented herein are not necessarily those of
the editors, staff, CPU NEWSWIRE¿, CPU/STR¿ or CPU Report¿. Reprint
permission is hereby granted, unless otherwise noted. All reprints must
include CPU NEWSWIRE, CPU/STR or CPU Report and the author's name. All
information presented herein is believed correct, the editors and staff
are not responsible for any use or misuse of information contained herein.
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