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Silicon Times Report Issue 0946
SILICON TIMES REPORT
====================
INTERNATIONAL ONLINE MAGAZINE
=============================
from
STR Electronic Publishing Inc.
November 12, 1993 No. 9.46
======================================================================
Silicon Times Report
International Online Magazine
Post Office Box 6672
Jacksonville, Florida 32221-6155
R.F. Mariano
Publisher-Editor
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______________________________________________________________________
> 11/12/93 STR 946 "The Original * Independent * Online Magazine!"
""""""""""""""""
- CPU INDUSTRY REPORT - OKIDATA 600 dpi - SoundBlaster sues Covox
- CYREX Releases 486 - JAGUAR LAUNCHED - 3D0 looses $7 Mil
- AZTEC NEW RELEASES! - MATH RABBIT - CONNOR TAPE B/U
- People are Talking! - ON-SCHEDULE! - STR Confidential!
-* COMDEX FALL'93 THIS WEEK! *-
-* IBM TO SHRINK COMPUTERS! *-
-* APPLE GOES MS-DOS COMBO w/ QUADRA 610! *-
======================================================================
STReport International Online Magazine
The Original * Independent * Online Magazine
-* FEATURING WEEKLY *-
"Accurate UP-TO-DATE News and Information"
Current Events, Original Articles, Tips, Rumors, and Information
Hardware -Software -Corporate -R & D -Imports
======================================================================
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participate in the Fido/PROWL/ITC/USENET/NEST/F-Net Mail Networks. You
may also call The Bounty BBS direct @ 904-786-4176. Enjoy the wonder and
excitement of exchanging all types of useful information relative to
computers, worldwide, through the use of excellent International
Networking Systems. SysOps, worldwide, are welcome to join the STReport
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COMPUSERVE WILL PRESENT $15.00 WORTH OF COMPLIMENTARY ONLINE TIME
to the Readers of;
STREPORT INTERNATIONAL ONLINE MAGAZINE
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"The Original 16/32bit Online Magazine"
NEW USERS; SIGN UP TODAY!
CALL: 1-800-848-8199 .. Ask for operator 198
You will receive your complimentary time
and
be online in no time at all!
"Enjoy CompuServe's forums; where information is at its very best!
""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""
> From the Editor's Desk "Saying it like it is!"
""""""""""""""""""""""
Comdex is this coming week. It promises to be the biggest and best
of the Comdex shows to date. The alluring promise of the "NEW" to be
seen from all the participants is very exciting. Included in this issue
are a number of the new exciting "teasers" pointing to the new goodies to
be shown at Comdex Fall'93 in Las Vegas. Next Week's issue will be
primarily devoted to Comdex and all its new goodies both in the hardware
and the software fields.
As an added bonus, there'll be the beginning of our monitor series
and a very special overview and in depth review of Diamond Computers new
Sound Card and Video Cards. We may even have a "sneak preview" of things
to come in 1994.
Comdex has always proven to be the kick-off for the following year's
marketing activities and this year's show promises to be the window to a
banner year in computing advancements.
I don't know where to begin to offer my thanks to all the readers
who've sent us email and hard copy letters offering suggestions about
what they'd like to see in STReport. Its wonderful. Thanks a bunch!
Ralph...
""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""
STReport's Staff DEDICATED TO SERVING YOU!
""""""""""""""""
Publisher -Editor
""""""""""""""""""
Ralph F. Mariano
Lloyd E. Pulley, Editor, Current Affairs
Section Editors
"""""""""""""""
PC SECTION AMIGA SECTION MAC SECTION ATARI SECTION
---------- ------------- ----------- -------------
R.D. Stevens R. Glover R. Noak D. P. Jacobson
STReport Staff Editors:
"""""""""""""""""""""""
Dana P. Jacobson Michael Arthur John Deegan
Lucien Oppler Brad Martin Judith Hamner
John Szczepanik Dan Stidham Joseph Mirando
Steve Spivey Doyle C. Helms Randy Noak
Jeff Coe
Contributing Correspondents:
""""""""""""""""""""""""""""
Tim Holt Norman Boucher Harry Steele
Clemens Chin Neil Bradley Eric Jerue
Ron Deal Robert Dean Ed Westhusing
James Nolan Vernon W. Smith Bruno Puglia
Frank Sereno
IMPORTANT NOTICE
""""""""""""""""
Please, submit letters to the editor, articles, reviews, etc...
via E-Mail to:
Compuserve................... 70007,4454
America Online..................STReport
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NEST........................ 90:21/350.0
GEnie......................... ST-REPORT
""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""
> CPU STATUS REPORT LATE BREAKING INDUSTRY-WIDE NEWS
"""""""""""""""""
IBM/POWER-PC/PC SECTION (I)
===========================
Computer Products Update - CPU Report
------------------------ ----------
Weekly Happenings in the Computer World
Issue #46
By: Lloyd E. Pulley, Sr.
******* General Computer News *******
** Atari Ships $250 Jaguar System **
Last week, Atari Corp. formally launched its $250 64-bit games mach-
ine, the Jaguar. Computergram International said the machines will go
on sale in New York and San Francisco in the next few weeks, in the rest
of the U.S. early next year, and in Europe later next year. Atari says
that next year it will offer a $200 CD-ROM drive add-on to play audio
compact disks and disk-based games. The Jaguar systems are being made
for Atari by IBM's Charlotte, N.C., operations.
Atari chief Sam Tramiel has told reporters he expects the company to
sell 40,000 to 50,000 Jaguars before Christmas and at least 500,000 in
1994. "The critical requirement," comments CI, "is for successful soft-
ware, and there will only be four games this year, and perhaps two dozen
next year; the games will cost $40 to $50." The Jaguar ships with one
game cartridge included.
In a related story, this week, Atari Corp. and Accolade Inc., a nota-
ble publisher and developer of Sega and Nintendo video games, jointly
announced a licensing agreement that will enable Atari to bring five
proven, hot titles from Accolade to consumers on the new 64-bit Jaguar
Interactive Multimedia System by Fall 1994.
Commenting on the company's decision to work with Atari, Accolade's
chairman, Alan R. Miller stated, "That Atari Jaguar is definitely cool,
new technology that is being introduced at a price point attractive to
consumers. We think Atari has a real shot at establishing Jaguar as a
successful system, and we want be part of that effort." The Accolade
titles for Jaguar include:
Al Michaels Announces HardBall III; Brett Hull Hockey, Bubsy in:
Claws Encounters of the Furred Kind; Charles Barkley Basketball; Jack
Nicklaus' Power Challenge Golf.
"Accolade's list of titles adds significantly to the Jaguar product
line," said Sam Tramiel, president and chief executive officer of Atari.
"Accolade's proven titles enhanced by the 64-bit power of Jaguar will
enrich the Jaguar player's library of video games with life-like sports
adventures and real-time 3D animated characters that speak. The Accolade
titles help us to attain our goal of delivering a high quality selection
of Jaguar titles that will entertain all age groups."
** 3DO Posts $7 Million Quarterly Loss **
3DO Co., reported a fourth- quarter loss of $7 million for its second
quarter ended Sept. 30. This compared to a loss of $2.1 million for the
prior-year quarter. 3DO posted quarterly revenues of $2.6 million from
development systems shipments to its software licensees. It had no reve-
nues in the year-ago quarter.
3DO has started selling its $700 Interactive Multiplayer, a device
that merges capabilities of the video-cassette recorder, the personal
computer and the video-game player.
3DO unveiled a prototype player, dubbed Opera, at the winter Consumer
Electronics Show last January in Las Vegas, Nev. The company's backers
include American Telephone & Telegraph Co., Time Warner Inc., Matsushita
Electric Industrial, venture capitalist Kleiner Perkins Caufied & Byers
and Electronic Arts, one of the key developers of video-game software.
Early reviews of the system, powered by a 32-bit computer chip and
playing compact disks, have been generally positive although some anal-
ysts think its price tag may be too high for many consumers. But backers
believe the machine will catch on with trend-setting buyers and will
take hold because it can be used with both adults and children.
3DO will face competition from Atari Corp.'s Jaguar video-game
player, due in some stores before the end of the year. Analysts have
been impressed with early reports about the $250 Jaguar, which runs on a
64-bit chip will sell for about twice the price of Nintendo's and Sega's
16-bit machines but considerably less than 3DO's $700 player.
** Which Systems do MultiMedia Developers Prefer? **
The answer - Apple Computer's Macintosh and Sun Microsystems' SPARC
platforms for developing software - at least, that's what the new Data-
quest survey tells us.
The market researcher surveyed 200 multimedia developers who work on
a wide range of products including video games, corporate presentations,
CD-ROM title development, advertising, kiosks, training and education.
Nearly 63% of the respondents said they prefer the Macintosh platform
when developing multimedia software on personal computers, and less than
36% said they prefer IBM and compatibles. Of the respondents who use
workstation platforms for multimedia development, 38% said they prefer
SPARC and 31% noted a preference for the Silicon Graphics platform.
"It's ironic that, while multimedia software developers prefer to use
the Macintosh platform by nearly two to one, the majority of their reve-
nue will come from producing DOS- and Windows-compatible products," said
Bruce Ryon, principal analyst of Dataquest's Multimedia service.
** Japan's Computer Shipments Down **
Japan's shipments of small business computers in the April-September
first half of the current fiscal year fell 20.7% from a year earlier to
68,541 units. In terms of value, shipments dropped 22.4%.
** Washington Post to Create Interactive Newspaper **
The Washington Post Co. announced this week it has created a new unit
that will produce news and information products for distribution through
computers, faxes and telephones. Called Digital Ink, the company's first
product will be an online, interactive version of The Washington Post.
It will be available in July 1994.
******* General PC News *******
** IBM to Shrink Computers **
IBM on Tuesday formally signaled a big change in the way it builds
large computers, saying it would gradually adopt a design that costs
less money and takes less energy and space.
The design is called parallel processing because the computer makes
decisions and crunches data with dozens or hundreds of the chips found
in personal computers. Big computers in the past have typically been
built around one or a few large processor chips. Parallel-based compu-
ters take up the space of a refrigerator compared to previous monoliths
that filled a room.
** New Version of Anti-Virus Software **
Trend Micro Devices, Inc. has announced PC Rx 4.0, a new version of
its anti-virus software for DOS- and Windows- based computers. The soft-
ware features rule- based activities monitoring and virus scanning and
removal. It also incorporates a new technology called MutieClean.
MutieClean is designed for the elimination of mutation engined
viruses, codes which previously could not be detected or removed if in
an advanced state of infection generation.
PC Rx 4.0's rule-based virus trap doesn't require virus pattern up-
dates and is able to filter virus infected programs from legitimate
applications.
** Okidata Introduces New 600 dpi-class Printer **
Okidata Monday introduced the newest member of its 4 page-per-minute
(ppm) family, the OL410e. It is a compact, 4 ppm, LED/laser-class page
printer designed for individual PC users who require 600 dpi-class out-
put for desktop publishing, graphics, word processing and spreadsheet
applications. An affordable choice in 600 dpi-class printers, the OL410e
carries a suggested list price of $899.
The new OL410e joins Okidata's recently introduced OL400e, a compact,
300 dpi LED/laser-class page printer designed with a suggested list of
$699.
Specifically, the OL410e, with its 600 dpi-class output, is targeted
at users of 386/486 PCs who have the need for higher quality output for
external selling and marketing documents, such as presentations, flyers,
newsletters and brochures.
** PC Price Cuts - Getting Ready for Comdex **
IBM cut prices up to 26% on its top-of-the-line personal computers
that run networks of desktop models.
Hewlett-Packard chopped the prices of several mid-range PC's up to
12%.
** Sound Blaster Owner Sues Covox Inc. **
Creative Technology Ltd., which owns the trademark of Sound Blaster
products, has received a preliminary injunction pending trial in U.S.
District Court to restrict Covox Inc. from selling products bearing the
word "Blaster." Covox produces speech recognition software bearing the
name "Voice Blaster."
Pending the hearing, Covox "is obliged to adhere to the court's order
that by Dec. 1 it must provide stickers to its customers disclaiming any
association between Voice Blaster and Sound Blaster."
** miro Introduces Two New miroVideo Cards **
miro Computer Inc. announces two new PC video cards, its first
entries in the U.S. multimedia market.
Both cards can do high-resolution, real-time single-frame or motion-
video captures, and are compatible with Microsoft Video For Windows, and
each offers significantly more. The economical miroVideo Model D-1 is
available for $279. The professional-grade miroVideo Model DC-1 is $899.
The Model D-1 will ship by the end of December, the Model DC-1 by the
end of February.
** Cyrix Releases '486 Upgrade Chips **
Cyrix Corp. has added the Cx486SRx2 to its Upgrade Microprocessor
family. The Cyrix 386 to 486 Upgrade Microprocessor models allow users
to upgrade their 16, 20 or 25MHz 386SX systems to 486 performance. The
chip maker says the upgrade extends the life of existing 386SX desktop
PCs by delivering up to a 70% improvement on application performance
while maintaining software compatibility.
The Cx486SRx2 is a single chip module. A clip-on device, co-developed
with Augat Inc., snaps the Cx486SRx2 on the existing 386SX micropro-
cessor, disabling the original chip and allowing the Cx486SRx2 to take
over all the microprocessor functions. The design works in all desktop
systems tested, but it's not suitable for notebook applications, since
it requires 1-inch spacing to accommodate the Upgrade and heat sink and
allow for proper airflow. Cyrix says it's evaluating plans for upgrade
products for the 386SX notebook market.
The Cx486SRx2 25/50, for upgrading 25MHz systems, has a suggested re-
tail price of $299. The Cx486SRx2 20/40, for upgrading either 16MHz or
20MHz systems, has a suggested retail price of $269.
** Epson Expands ActionNote Line **
Epson America has added new systems to its ActionNote line of '486
portable computers. In a statement, Epson says:
-:- The ActionNote 700, built around 486DX/33 processors, includes
monochrome, dual-scan passive matrix color or TFT active matrix color
versions. The monochrome sidelit LCD screen offers 64 shades of grey,
while the passive matrix and TFT active color screens feature 256
simultaneous colors.
-:- The ActionNote 500C offers an enhanced passive matrix color note-
book with a 486SLC/2-50 clock-doubled processor and local bus video.
Available also is a removable hard disk drive available in
configurations from 80MB to 213MB.
******* General Mac News *******
** Rumor - Apple to Launch MS-DOS-Based Mac at Next Week's Comdex **
Rumor has it that Apple Computer Inc. will be launching its combina-
tion Macintosh-Windows machine as the Quadra 610 DOS Compatible at
Comdex next week.
Sources say the machine, code-named Houdini, "includes the Apple Win-
dows co-processor board and enables users to switch among the System 7,
MSDOS and Windows environments with a hot key." Look for the system to
include an 80486 processor and a VGA graphics chip.
Insiders say that "It will use the screen, RAM, SCSI ports, serial
ports and hard disk of the Quadra," "Once the hot key is pressed, the
Microsoft Corp. environment takes over the screen; a second keystroke
returns the user to the Mac System 7."
Supposedly the machine will be offered in three configurations: a
basic unit with 8MB and 160MB disk and floating point unit, the same
setup with built-in Ethernet and another with a 230MB disk.
** Seagate Signs With Apple **
Seagate has signed a new contract to supply Apple Computers Inc. with
volume quantities of its 209MB ST9235N hard drive. Financial details
were not released. Reports say that the drives will be used with
Apple's portable computers.
** Two New Macintosh Viruses Discovered **
The Triangle Software Division of Datawatch Corp. this week announ-
ced the upgrade of its popular Macintosh anti-virus software, Virex, to
version 4.1 to detect and repair the newly discovered CODE 1 virus.
CODE 1, discovered at several sites in the United States, can infect
application programs and system files of any Apple Macintosh computer.
Once infected, CODE 1 will rename the hard disk to "Trent Saburo" when
the system is restarted on October 31 of any year. Although the virus
employs a trigger date mechanism tied to October 31, system crashes and
other damage can occur at any time of the year, as CODE 1 attempts to
alter system files.
"CODE 1 is the first Macintosh virus to utilize 'stealth' techniques,
indicating growing sophistication among virus writers," stated Andrew W.
Mathews, general manager of Datawatch's Triangle Software Division.
"With version 4.1 we have once again demonstrated our ability to combat
this increasing sophistication."
A separate virus, named MBDF B, was also recently reported to Data-
watch as a "new" virus strain. The MBDF B virus can cause unintentional
system damage, such as system crashes and malfunctions in application
programs. Because of its advanced detection capabilities, Virex versions
3.6 and greater already detect and repair MBDF B.
For more product information on Virex or any of the Datawatch
Triangle Software Division products, please call 919/549-0711.
___________________________________________________________
> AZTECH GOODIES! STR InfoFile
""""""""""""""""""""""""""""
** Aztech Unveils Three New Products **
=======================================
First - The Basic 16...
Aztech Labs Inc. introduced its low cost, entry-level Basic 16, a 16-
bit sound card with CD quality stereo audio. The card will be shipp-ing
this month.
According to Michael Mun, president of Aztech Labs, "Our goal is to
popularize multimedia by offering affordable high quality sound solu-
tions at a price virtually everyone can afford...for a street price of
less than $150, multimedia enthusiasts can now have full 16-bit stereo
CD quality sound for their PCs."
"There's a key reason to choose the Basic 16 -- compatibility. It
supports five major sound standards -- Sound Blaster Pro II, Microsoft
Windows Sound System, Adlib, Covok Speech Thing and Disney Sound Source
-- allowing users access to a huge library of software," added Bill
Crouch, Aztech Labs' vice president of U.S. sales. "In addition, the
Basic 16 gives users the freedom to select a variety of CD-ROM drives,"
said Crouch. The new card supports Panasonic, Mitsumi and Sony-brand AT-
Bus CD-ROM drives.
The board can be upgraded to support wave table synthesis for realis-
tic musical sounds using Aztech's own WavePower daughterboard. The Basic
16's MIDI (Musical Instrument Digital Interface) port also doubles as a
game port, providing compatibility with the standard PC joystick.
An excellent value, the Basic 16 is bundled with headphones, Windows
3.1 drivers, and a wide variety of multimedia and business audio soft-
ware.
The Basic 16 is available to distributors, resellers, system integ-
rators and OEMs nationwide. The new board has a manufacturer's suggested
retail price of $169 and comes with a one-year limited warranty. Dealer,
distributor and OEM inquiries are invited.
Second - Double Speed CD-ROM Drive
Aztech Labs Inc. also introduced its first storage device, the Aztech
MPC 2-compliant, double speed CD-ROM drive, for PC, DOS and Windows
systems.
This is a timely move by Aztech, reflecting the growing demand by
mainstream vendors to publish CD-ROM titles. This year, sales of CD-ROM
drives are estimated to exceed five million units, double the number
sold in 1992, said a leading publishing group.
"With this new CD-ROM drive, Aztech's appeal as a total multimedia
solutions provider to distributors, OEMs, and end users is increasing
significantly," said Michael Mun.
"The demand for CD-ROM drives by end users will follow. Riding on the
strength and expertise of our R&D resources, we are confident in making
this CD-ROM another flagship product for Aztech," Crouch added.
The 630-megabyte CD-ROM drive (300KB/sec data transfer rate and less
than 380 msec average access time), model No. CDA 268-01A features front
volume headphone output, rear panel audio output and a 64KB internal
buffer. Its digital audio output feature allows users to play back 74
minutes of full motion video from a single 12 cm disk using video in CD
format.
The new Aztech double-speed CD-ROM drives is available through dist-
ributors, resellers, and merchandisers. Also available in OEM configura-
tions, the CDA 268-01A will be shipping in January 1993 and has a sug-
gested manufacturer's retail price of $199.
Third - PC TV Interface Card
Aztech Labs Inc.'s third new product was a new desktop TV/video in-
terface card that allows users to capture, freeze, store, manipulate and
export fully scalable digital video images. The card, called Video
Galaxy, is compatible with all major video standards including NTSC and
will ship in December 1993 with a suggested retail price of less than
$300.
Video Galaxy, which fits into any 16-bit computer slot and can be
output to any VGA monitor, allows segments of video or a TV program to
be clipped from the following video sources: TV, videotape, camcorder or
laser disc player.
"The captured images can then be manipulated to enhance or create
desktop publishing and training communications programs, business
multimedia presentations and electronic photo albums," explained Bill
Crouch. "With the built-in TV tuner, users can also obtain the latest
news, weather and stock market updates or simply a TV program while
working on the desktop," he added.
Video Galaxy, which supports all major image file formats, can be up-
graded to read Teletext using an upgrade module. The card comes complete
with a video capture driver which provides the option to select and
capture single frames.
_____________________________________________________________
> MATH RABBIT STR Review
""""""""""""""""""""""
New ! Math Rabbit from The Learning Company
============================================
by Frank Sereno
The Learning Company has earned a great deal of respect in the
educational software field and its newest entry does nothing to tarnish
that reputation. This entertaining program teaches basic math and
problem solving skills for children ages four through seven.
Math Rabbit for IBM compatibles requires an EGA video adapter,
286-10mhz or better CPU, 2 free megs of hard disk space, 540kbytes of
free base memory and Dos 3.1 or greater. The program does offer
beautiful 256 vga colors if your machine supports them. Optional
features support using a mouse and digitized sound via Sound Blaster and
compatible sound cards. Math Rabbit is also available for the Macintosh
requiring a high density disk drive, 11 megs of hard disk space, two
megs of ram to run under System 6.0.7 or 3 megs under MultiFinder or
System 7.0, a 256-color monitor and an 8-bit color display card.
Math Rabbit encourages learning by having the child play four
different mini-games within a circus theme. These are a Calliope
Counting Game, the Tightrope Show, the Sea Lion Show and the Balloon
Matching Game. A fifth available activity is the Prize Center. Children
gain tickets in the games by giving correct answers. The tickets are
redeemed for animated graphic prizes which the child can play with on the
screen and provide motivation to play longer and learn more.
Installation on IBM compatibles is quite easy. Simply place the
Math Rabbit floppy in the proper drive, switch to that drive using the
DOS command A: or B: (depending on which drive you will be accessing),
and then type INSTALL and press ENTER. The program automatically
recognizes your video adapter and sound card. The installation program
also writes a batch file on the root directory of your C: drive so you
can begin the program by simply typing MR. Two small problems exist with
the installation program. It will not let you chose the directory to
which the game is written. You can only choose the drive itself. It
also appears not to recognize removable media drives as a legal drive to
install the program. At least this was the case with my Syquest
cartridge drive.
When the program is started, you are welcomed to the 'greatest math
show on earth' by a cheery digitized voice and an animated graphic of an
elephant parading past a circus tent. Next you will be asked to choose a
player, then the main screen will come up. It features a menu bar across
the top headed by FILE, OPTIONS and HELP. FILE will allow you to start a
new player or exit the program. OPTIONS allow you to customize the game
for each player and HELP provides text files with details on operating
the program. Below the menu bar is a circus graphic featuring a
calliope, a hippo, a sea lion, a game booth with balloons and a prize
center. Below that there is a graphic of a clown with tickets and
individual pictures of the main features of the main graphic. Finally,
in the lower right hand corner is a graphic of Math Rabbit waving goodbye
and by clicking on this you can exit the program. You can start any of
the five activities by clicking on the main graphic or clicking on the
smaller graphics below.
The Calliope Counting Game is first. Three levels are available to
the player. On the first level, the player will use the arrow buttons to
place puffs of smoke on the screen. The numbers 0 through 8 are
displayed vertically on the left side of the video screen. As the child
clicks on the arrow button, the computer will count the puffs in musical
scale. There are eight pipes and when the child has placed eight notes,
his musical composition will be played. The child cannot earn tickets in
this game. In the second level, the numbers will remained displayed on
the left side of the screen. On the right side of the screen a number
will be displayed that the player must match. If the child enters the
wrong number of puffs, an arrow will point up or down to indicate which
direction the height of the column should go. In level three, the
numbers are removed from the left side of the screen and no hints will be
given as the player tries to match the number displayed on the right side
of the screen. In levels two and three, after the player completes his
task, he earns a prize ticket and gets to hear the resulting recognizable
children's song. This game is intended to teach the child about counting
and creating music.
The Tightrope Show features Hanna Hippo as she flies on her trapeze
to deliver a target number to Math Rabbit. Barrels are then dropped to
Math Rabbit and the child must decide if the number or dots in the barrel
matches the target. If it doesn't match, the player clicks on a water
tank and the barrel will drop into it. If it matches the target, the
player clicks on Ellie the Elephant who will balance the barrels. Ellie
can hold four matches and when she has them, the player earns a prize
ticket. Four levels of play are available. Level One consists of
matching dots on the barrel to the target number. You can choose the
target number or allow it to be any random number between 1 and 10.
Level Two asks the players to identify numbers as being less than or
greater than the target with five available target ranges from 0 to 99.
Level Three asks the player to match addition or subtraction problems
with target numbers from 0 to 10. Level Four asks the player to again
match addition or subtraction problems with targets from 0 to 15. This
game is intended to teach the child matching, addition and subtraction,
and the concept of the equivalence
The Sea Lion Show features six sea lions balancing balls. The ball
balanced by the first sea lion will have a number. Math Rabbit will
display a card with a number below the ball asking the player to add or
subtract that number. Four numbered balls will be displayed below the
sea lions and the player must then click on the ball displaying the
correct number answer. Once the first problem is answered, the second
sea lion's ball will display a number to start a new problem. As each
problem is answered the player moves on to the next sea lion until he has
correctly answered six problems. Level One asks the player to add or
subtract 1 from a number range of 1 to 12. Level Two asks the player to
add or subtract 1 or 2 from a number range of 1 to 18. Level Three
allows the parent to choose from numbers 1,2,4,5,8 or 10 to add or
subtract from a number range of 1 to 70. Level Four allows the parent to
choose any number from 1 to 10 to add or subtract form a number range of
1 to 90. The intent is to teach addition and subtraction, to recognize
number patterns and to develop the basis for multiplication by repeatedly
adding a number, or division by repeatedly subtracting a number.
The Balloon Matching Game asks the player to match a set of objects
to the actual number or to solve a math problem and find its numerical
answer. Level One asks the player to match sets of objects and numbers.
Level Two asks the players to match numbers, math problems and spelled
numbers from a range of 1 to 18. Level Three asks the player to solve
addition and subtraction problems and match them to the answers from a
range of 1 to 18. Level Four asks the players to solve addition and
subtraction problems from a range of 1 to 99. This game teaches
concentration, the written names of numbers and the adding or subtraction
of two digit numbers.
The Prize Center is the location where the player redeems his
tickets. He can choose from prizes worth three, six or nine tickets.
Each of prizes become animated when clicked upon. These animations are
cute and funny and will definitely keep youngsters interested in this
program.
I feel that this is an excellent program and accomplishes its
intended goals. My oldest child has played this game for hours at a
time. This program has a suggested price of $49.95 but it is available
at many locations for around $30. The Learning Company is also running a
promotion with a scratch to win ticket which guarantees you at least a $5
rebate on your next TLC purchase. On top of that, TLC offers a 30-day
money-back guarantee if you do not like the program. You simply cannot
lose with this fine program.
_______________________________________________________________
> CONNOR TAPE BACK-UP STR InfoFile
""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""
*** New Product Announcement ***
** Conner unveils Windows solutions for parallel-port **
========================================================
Conner Tape Products Group, a division of Conner Peripherals Inc. an-
nounced the industry's first Windows solutions for parallel-port mini-
cartridge (DC2000) tape backup.
Conner Backup Basics and Conner Backup Exec software for Windows are
shipping with Conner Tape-Stor 250 Parallel Port Backup Systems. Conner
will demonstrate the new products at COMDEX/Fall '93, booth No. L1660.
The low-cost Tape-Stor 250 Parallel Port Backup System is a QIC-80
compatible, 250MB minicartridge (DC2000) tape drive bundled with DOS and
Windows software, a parallel port interface cable and a power adapter as
well as user and software manuals. Users install the product simply by
attaching the data cable to the external parallel port of a desktop,
laptop or notebook computer, connecting power and loading the software.
Conner offers a choice between two DOS/Windows software solutions
with its minicartridge parallel port system: Conner Backup Basics and
Conner Backup Exec.
Conner Backup Basics features a proprietary "two-button" backup pro-
gram and provides the fundamental functions of a backup system. Users
may choose between backing up all files, files changed since th last
backup or files chosen selectively.
Conner Backup Exec is designed for users who require a more compre-
hensive backup solution. In addition to an advanced backup scheduler,
the program offers features such as password-protected backup and five
backup options.
Conner Tape-Stor 250 Parallel Port Backup Systems for Windows and DOS
are available now. Offered at a suggested retail price of $359, the
Conner Backup Basics version bundled is the lowest-cost parallel-port
DC2000 system on the market. The full-featured Conner Backup Exec ver-
sion is offered at $379. Upgrades to Conner Backup Exec from Conner
Backup Basics are available for $29. Conner's Tape-Stor product line is
marketed worldwide through distributors, resellers, retailers and mass
merchandisers. OEM and systems integrator versions are also available.
For additional information, call Conner Peripherals at 800-4-CONNER.
_____________________________________________________
> THE GREAT COMPUTER ADVENTURE STR InfoFile
"""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""
*** New Product Announcement ***
** 'Great Computer Adventure' Now Shipping **
=============================================
ATI (American Training International Inc.) announced that it has be-
gun shipping THE GREAT COMPUTER ADVENTURE, an exciting new and colorful
software adventure game designed expressly to entertain and teach
children about personal computers.
The first program of its kind, THE GREAT COMPUTER ADVENTURE ($39.95),
is an imaginative, challenging software game for children ages 7 to 13.
The game is a mounting race against time and the growing possibility of
an erupting volcano.
THE GREAT COMPUTER ADVENTURE is won by finding information about
computers hidden within the game in the form of clues. Winning the game
requires more than one attempt, as children use both deductive reasoning
and specific information to uncover the clues and solve the riddles.
"Learning about computers has never been so much fun, or so
exciting," said Joel Rakow, ATI President. "We are the first company to
contribute this type of product to families and children. THE GREAT
COMPUTER ADVENTURE furthers our goal of providing computer skills to
people of all ages."
In THE GREAT COMPUTER ADVENTURE, a family of children have hidden the
parts of a mischievous gremlin's enchanted computer all around an
island. They have also left clues and riddles to help players find the
parts and use the computer. And it's a good thing they did. The gremlin
has changed the children into jewels and only the gremlin's computer can
change them back before the island's volcano erupts.
THE GREAT COMPUTER ADVENTURE also features seven unique challenge
games such as Crazy Cryptics, Binary Bonkers and Numeric Nightmare which
are solved by obtaining clues which are randomized, providing multiple
levels of play. There is also a built-in Encyclopedia of Computers and a
Hall of Fame for best winning times.
A 20-page illustrated user guide accompanies the game software, pro-
viding both abbreviated and full instructions on installation and
startup, as well as strategy suggestions and notes to parents and
teachers underscoring the educational value of the game.
THE GREAT COMPUTER ADVENTURE is available on either 3.5-inch or 5.25-
inch disks and requires an IBM-compatible PC with DOS 2.2 or higher, VGA
monitor, 640K RAM and a hard disk.
THE GREAT COMPUTER ADVENTURE is available in popular retail software
outlets including CompUSA, 47th Street Photo, Nobody Beats the Wiz,
MicroCenters, Computer City, Software Etc., Babbage's, PC Warehouse and
Multiple Zones catalogs.
___________________________________________________
> ON-SCHEDULE STR InfoFile
""""""""""""""""""""""""
** New Product Announcement **
** On-Schedule for Windows v1.0 **
==================================
Optimize your day and get yourself On-Schedule with the hottest new
information manager of the 90s! Odyssey Computing, Inc. announces On-
Schedule for Windows v1.0.
On-Schedule for Windows uses advanced windows 3.1 features including
multiple selection, animated icons toolbars, Multiple Document Interface
(MDI), drag and drop between folders, right mouse click technology,
bitmaps data fields, user definable fields in most modules, persistence,
on-line advance help, WYSIWYG report generator, and the Paradox for
Windows file format.
This will be the ultimate PIM. "While all the functionality of the
PIM will be there, users don't have to pay extra for it" said Ken Chap,
product manager at Odyssey Computing, Inc.. On-Schedule for Windows is a
powerful and complete Information Management System behind a pleasingly
simple interface. It provides you with a flexible environment which
allows you to customize and view your information the way you work. Drag
and Drop and many visual controls make using On-Schedule a breeze. If
you need to manage your information from a centralized location, On-
Schedule for Windows is the tool to keep you organized.
On-schedule provides 7 modules to enhance productivity. The software
provides powerful contact management with phonelog tracking, scheduling,
alerts, to-do list manager, file Management, auto-dialer, WYSIWYG word
processor, and a WYSIWYG report generator.
On-Schedule for Windows retails for $99.95 and is available now thro-
ugh all major retailers. A 32-Bit version of On-Schedule for Windows
will be available 1st quarter of 1994.
For more information, contact Odyssey Computing, Inc. at (619) 929-
7828.
Odyssey Computing, Inc. was founded in 1990 and is headquartered
in Carlsbad, California. Odyssey Computing, Inc. develops and markets
personal productivity software for the Microsoft Windows and the
Microsoft Windows NT environment.
""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""
:HOW TO GET YOUR OWN GENIE ACCOUNT:
_________________________________
Set your communications software to Half Duplex (or Local Echo)
Call: (with modem) 800-638-8369.
Upon connection type HHH (RETURN after that).
Wait for the U#= prompt.
Type: XTX99587,CPUREPT then, hit RETURN.
GEnie Information copyright (C) 1991 by General Electric
Information Services/GEnie, reprinted by permission
""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""
___ ___ _____ _______
/___| /___| /_____| /_______/ The Macintosh RoundTable
/____|/____| /__/|__| /__/ ________________________
/_____|_____|/__/_|__|/__/
/__/|____/|__|________|__/
/__/ |___/ |__|_/ |__|_/____ Managed by SyndiComm
/__/ |__/ |__|/ |__|______/
An Official Forum of the International Computer Users Group
*** STReport available in MAC RT ***
ASCII TEXT
for ALL GEnie users!
.____________________________________________________________________.
| Help Desk - Having a problem with your Mac? Stop by the HD for the |
| answers! In the RTC from 9pm to 12pm EDT in ROOM 1........ (605;2) |
!____________________________________________________________________!
.____________________________________________________________________.
| A SyndiComm Round Table |
| (Tom Weishaar & Kent Filmore) |
|____________________________________________________________________|
| |
| Hosted by: |
| Chief SysOp: (Unk) DAVE.REID |
| |
| -- SPECIAL INTEREST GROUPS -- | -- SOFTWARE LIBRARY -- |
| Education ....... (Rob) R.WHITELOCK | Chief Librarian: RANDY.SIMON |
| Mac Hardware ..... (Nick) N.PASSINO | Asst Librarians: |
| (J) W.GLENN1 | (Steve) S.MACK |
| Games ............ (Bart) MAC.GAMES | (Anne) ANNE-INDA |
| Telecommunity ........ (Kent) DRACO | (Phil) P.VALIQUETTE |
| PowerBooks...... (Doc) D.E.JOHNSTON | |
|_____________________________________!______________________________|
| --- Weekly RTC Schedule --- | -- Help Desk Schedule -- |
| (All Times Eastern) |
| Educational Mac Mon 9:45pm Rm 3 | Mon-Fri 9:00pm-12:00am Rm 1 |
| About PowerBooks Tue 9:45pm Rm 2 | Sunday 10:30pm-12:00am Rm 1 |
| Telecommunity Wed 9:45pm Rm 2 | ___________________________ |
| Macintosh Games Wed10:30pm Rm 3 | To enter GE-MUG RTC, type.. |
| Macintosh Hardware Thr 9:45pm Rm 2 | MOVE 605;2 and choose room # |
| Sunday Night Fight Sun 9:00pm Rm 3 |______________________________|
|_____________________________________!______________________________|
| **** IMPORTANT INFORMATION **** |
| For COMPLETE information and TIPS on downloading, be sure |
| to read item # 4 on page 605 -"About The RoundTable" |
!____________________________________________________________________!
MAC/APPLE SECTION (II)
======================
Randy Noak, Editor
/--------------------------------------------------------------------\
| * GEnie-MUG NEWS * for the week of 11/08/93 - issue 35 |
|--------------------------------------------------------------------|
| What's Hot and Happening This Week In GEnie's Macintosh User Group |
\--------------------------------------------------------------------/
GEnie-MUG News Editor: Eric Mueller (DLAND.ERIC)
entire contents copyright 1993 by Eric C. Mueller
WELCOME to the GEnie-MUG RoundTable newsletter! This quick bulletin gives
you an idea of what's cooking in the GEnie Macintosh User Group (GEnie-
MUG). I'm Eric Mueller, and I write this file every week so that you can
find the action in GEnie-MUG: the latest controversy in the bulletin
board, the hottest files in the library, and the hippest chats in the RTC
rooms. I'm always interested in your comments on this file, and would
love to hear them.
If you're new to GEnie or GEnie-MUG, you can read about GEnie-MUG
(including information on what GEnie-MUG has to offer and the layout of
the system) by typing "M 605;4". Additionally, the GEnie-MUG help desk (a
live hotline) is available in the GEnie-MUG RTC (type "M 605;2" then
choose room 1). For more information and a schedule of times, type "M
605;4".
TRYING TO GET FIT? INVOLVED in the burgeoning "health and wellness"
industry? Dig aerobics? GEnie-MUG is proud to feature a new HyperCard
stack designed to help you calculate VO2 maximum levels using a number of
tests (including the "Rockport 1-mile walk VO2 test" and the "Houston
non-exercise VO2 test (with body fat or body mass index)", whatever those
are). It's a handy little stack if you need to know your maximum VO2
levels (and you know how awful it can be, not knowing them). If this is
your cup of Gatorade, check out GEnie-MUG library file #30921, AEROBIC
TESTS.SIT!
THOSE FEISTY CLARISWORKS USER GROUP PEOPLE are at it again, stirring up
the waters of ClarisWorks far and wide through their busy-body
activities. This time, they're off sponsoring a contest for fine
ClarisWorks templates. As BusyBill, the GEnie-MUG CWUG contact,
explained, "The contest encourages the development of useful ClarisWorks
templates that enhances personal productivity and promotes creative uses
of the program. Templates submitted for the contest should demonstrate
innovative uses of ClarisWorks and must use ClarisWorks exclusively."
Does this speak to you? If so, now's the time to get involved---check out
category 2 ("SOFTWARE: Daily Business"), topic 32 ("ClarisWorks User
Group"), message one!
THREE-DIMENSIONAL GIMMICKS have always gotten the short end of the
stick... from tacky three-d movies (I liked 'em, myself) to hokey three-d
interfaces (this is the _real_ reason the NeXT never caught on, and don't
let anyone tell you differently), three-d is always sort of "out there."
Luckily, in GEnie- MUG, three-d is still "out there," in the form of a
snazzy three-dimensional Tetris game called 3Wiz!. 3Wiz! features nine
levels of difficulty and is available in both color and glorious black
and white. If you can stomach the whole three-d experience, check out
GEnie-MUG file #30919 (the color version of 3Wiz!) or file #30918 (the
black and white version).
ENJOYING YOUR NEW "AV" MACHINE? A number of GEnie-MUGgers have just
started using one of the sexy new Macintosh "AV" models, the machines
with the built-in audio and video digitizers. Many of them are reporting
back to GEnie-MUG the results of their trials and tribulations with the
AV capabilities, and one GEnie-MUGger reported a problem with his video
display size. (Luckily, someone else knew the solution, "fixing" the
display and giving the AV owner his full display back!) If you have an AV
machine, or you're interested in what these powerful puppies can do,
check out category 23 ("MACINTOSH: Quadras & Centris"), topic 7("Quadra
840AV and Centris 660AV"), messages 139 through the end of the topic!
VIRUSES ARE NEVER A GOOD TIME, but you can protect yourself from viral
infections (as mother always said you should) with a good virus
checker... like Disinfectant! Disinfectant version 3.3, the latest
version of this fabulous freeware utility, is available now in the GEnie-
MUG library. The program was just updated (in the last two weeks) to
search for the new "Code 1" virus and a modified MBDF virus. Other small
enhancements have been made; it's a good idea to download the update---
and you can find the update as file #30901 in the GEnie-MUG libraries.
(Want to know more? See file #30916.)
EXTENSION CONFLICTS RAINING ON your Macintosh parade? If so, watch out
for electrical problems---you don't want to have all that water around
high-voltage equipment! Seriously, extension conflicts (that is, two
extensions that don't work well together in the same system, producing
some odd result on your Mac) are a common Mac problem, but it's also a
problem being addressed frequently in Mac literature and utility
software. Speaking of utility software (what a segue!), GEnie-MUGger
Gordon [GALLEY] has posted a glowing mini-review of Conflict Catcher, a
commercial application designed to pinpoint problems and potential
problems with extension conflicts. Check out his kind words in category
28 ("MACINTOSH: General Questions"), topic 6 ("Help With Mac Problems
- General"), message 90.
"MOST PEOPLE do not need an expensive, feature packed database programs
to keep track of the people, places and things in their lives." With this
brilliant (and long overdue) philosophy comes the release of EZ DB
version 1.0, the simple and free database program now available in the
GEnie-MUG libraries! If you've had it with the intricacies of FileMaker
Pro or the cost of Fourth Dimension, you're ready for EZ DB. It's simple,
it's free, and it's available now as file #30859 in the GEnie-MUG
libraries.
THE DESIGN OF THE "NEXT" Newton is up for grabs in GEnie-MUG, as members
talk about what they want to see in the next generation of this pocket
pack-o'-fun. Looking for more memory? A backlight? Smoother character
recognition? Musical horn? Check out what others are looking for (all
those were mentioned---well, except the musical horn part; that's my
wish) in category 38 ("HARDWARE: Newton and Newton clones"), topic 11
("The Next Newton")!
BEFORE THE FINDER WAS ABLE to find things, I used to lose files all the
time...and lose valuable time, trying to find those files that I had
misplaced. With System 7, all that changed---well, part of that changed,
anyhow. I still misplace files, but now I can let the Finder find them
for me. The Finder is faster than I ever was at searching, but the
fastest way yet to find files has got to be Find Stuff, a titillating
utility from Dave Sugar. With this nice little piece of work, you can
specify the type, creator, creation and modification dates, and more, and
then quickly zip through your hard drive in search of that elusive file.
This is a great little program, and it's PostcardWare, so if you're
interested and can spare a 19-cent stamp, check out GEnie-MUG file #30861
today!
THAT'S ALL for this week. Until next week, continue to live a digital
life with Macintosh!
Mac Report
----------
by Randy Noak
Whew! There has been a lot action lately here at Mac Report HQ.
Software has been rolling in, I finally got my 14,400 baud modem, and a
new Mac Report staff member has been added. There's lots to tell, so
let s get started.
First of all, I'd like to welcome Jeff Coe to the Mac Report family.
Jeff is a talented writer and all around good guy who ll be helping out
with some of the software reviews. Jeff is one of those guys that
everyone turns to for answers when they run into computer problems. Look
for his byline on upcoming reviews.
I finally got my Supra FaxModem 144LC. I say, "finally" because
there were a few "glitches" along the way. I ordered the modem from Mac
Warehouse. I've always had good service from them, so, even though the
Supra modem wasn't listed in their catalog, I called them to place my
order. They took my order and told me that the modem was back-ordered and
might take a week or two. "No problem", I said. Imagine my surprise when,
a scant 6 days later, a package from Mac Warehouse arrived. I opened the
box, took out the package and found that it was a Supra FaxModem 144LC
all right, but it was a DOS/Windows bundle. ARGHHHH! I immediately called
Mac Warehouse customer service and explained my problem The very nice
representative gave me a RMA number, and Mac Warehouse's Airborne Express
account number so I could return the modem at their expense. The next day
Airborne Express picked the modem and a few days after that, I had my
Supra modem with the Mac bundle. It works great and the extra speed and
error correction makes downloading a breeze. Mac Warehouse did good.
Supra did good. I am happy.
Microphone LT came bundled with my Supra modem and it is a real nice
program. A product called GEnie Navigator 2 is available for use with
Microphone that automates GEnie access. This front end makes GEnie access
for Mac users a breeze. Even better news is that a new, enhanced version
will be available shortly. I'll keep you up to date about this exciting
development.
Also arriving this past week was the Click Art 2000 CD-ROM that I
ordered a coupla weeks ago. I haven't had too much time to look at it,
but so far, it seems to have a lot of useful clip art on it. I popped a
few into Illustrator and found that most can be ungrouped to provide even
more images. So far, a thumbs up for this product.
My 120 meg hard drive got filled up over last weekend. I decided to
move some things to Syquest cartridge, but discovered that all of the
ones I had were full. I tried ordering a new one, but neither of the two
places I called would tell me if the cartridges they sold were actual
Syquest carts or the clones from France, so I didn't order any. That
didn't solve my problem though, so I took a Syquest that I had formatted
on another platform, formatted and used it. I now have 30 megs free on my
internal drive and all is well. For now.
Apple's Performa line is starting to firm up with a clear place in
the market. Here, courtesy GEnie's GE-MUG RoundTable is Apple's latest
performa press release.
APPLE USA EXPANDS MACINTOSH PERFORMA LINE WITH THREE NEW SERIES OF CPUs
Expanded Solutions Offering Underscores Focus on First-Time Home
Buyers
CAMPBELL, California--October 18, 1993--Delivering new levels of
performance and end-user value, Apple Computer, Inc. today added
three new series of CPUs to the popular Macintosh Performa family of
computers, including the first Motorola 68040-based Performa and an
integrated multimedia solution for consumers. The Performa 460 and
470 series and the Performa 550 offer enhanced performance, great
values, new bundled software offerings and, with the 550, an all-in-one
design for multimedia usage.
The Macintosh Performa is designed for first-time home computer
buyers, offering a computing solution customized for family use. The
new Performa computers, in combination with the existing Performa
family of computers, give customers a broader choice of systems,
ranging from expected price points of $999 - $2049 for a complete
system. Apple will provide several different models of the 460 and
470 series, differentiated by software and hardware configurations,
to meet the needs of customers shopping in different retail
environments.
Emphasis on speed, value and extensive software offering
The Performa 550, based on the 68030 microprocessor running at 33
MHz, offers sophisticated multimedia features including a built-in,
double-speed CD-ROM, high-quality stereo sound, a built-in microphone
and a Sony Trinitron color display in an all-in-one design. This
unique design allows users to set up their computers simply by
plugging in a power cord and attaching a keyboard and mouse. Apple is
targeting the Performa 550 at the home market for entertainment and
educational uses where its unique design and multimedia capabilities
will have the most impact. The 550 is expected to be priced between
$1949 - $2049.
The Performa 460 models, including the 460, 466 and 467 are based on
Motorola's 33 MHz 68030 microprocessor and expected to range from
$1299 to $1499 depending on configuration.
The Performa 470 models, including the 475 and 476 are based on the
68040 microprocessor running at 25 MHz. This new logic board design
provides 68040 performance at an expected range of $1599 to $1799.
Apple will bundle one of the most comprehensive selections of
software packages in the industry with the new Performa line. In
addition to ClarisWorks 2.0, the industry leading integrated software
package, the new Performa models will include between 12 and 17
applications valued between $800 and $1500 suggested retail price.
These software offerings have been designed to meet the diverse and
demanding needs of the home user. The software solutions feature
such applications as Quicken 4, Apple Special Edition of America
Online, American Heritage Dictionary, Macintosh-PC Exchange, Mario
Teaches Typing or Mavis Beacon Teaches Typing, SuperMunchers or
Monopoly and Spectre Challenger.
The Performa 550 will also include a variety of CD-ROM titles
including Grolier's New Multimedia Encyclopedia, 1993 TIME Magazine
Almanac, The San Diego Zoo Presents The Animals! and The Tale of
Benjamin Bunny.
All new Performa systems include the CPU, monitor, keyboard, mouse,
system software version 7.1P, applications and fax/modem all in one
box.
In addition to the new models, Apple will offer the Performa 410,
based on the 68030 microprocessor running at 16 MHz, and expected to
be priced at approximately $999 - $1099. Existing Performa models
405, 430, 450 and 600CD will remain in the line.
Ease of set-up sets new standard
Beginning today, all Performa systems include enhanced system
software features designed to provide unparalleled ease of set-up and
use for the new user. Apple has created a new installation poster
called the Welcome Mat designed to quickly outline the set-up process
for first-time buyers. The Welcome Mat is the first item that a
customer sees when unpacking their new Performa and clearly illustrates
the box contents, cable connections, how to turn on the machine and
tutorial information.
All new Performa systems include a Global Village fax/modem
featuring 2400 bps data and 9600 bps fax-send capabilities. Performa
users can add optional fax-receive capability by ordering GlobalFax
Receive software from Global Village for $49.
Expanded distribution and availability
Apple has expanded distribution during 1993
to approximately 5,200
storefronts selling Performa. New retail partners announced today
include Costco, Price Club and Sam's Clubs. A recent retail
agreement was made with Wal-Mart.
The Performa 460 and 470 series are available immediately through
all retail channels. The Performa 550 will be available in mid-November
through consumer electronics and department stores including Sears,
Circuit City and Montgomery Wards.
----------------------------------------------------------------
One good thing about Performas having all those sales outlets is
that Mac software is also available at those outlets. Support your local
dealer!
Apple's PowerBook notebook computers have to be one of the '90's
great success stories. Here's Apple's spin. I've included some PowerBook
stories because I think that reading about other computer users is
interesting. You never know when you're going to read about some use for
that chunk of plastic and silicon that you never would have thought of.
MOVED OVER PR NEWSWIRE AT 8:17 AM, EDT, WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 10, 1993.
PowerBook Sales Top One Million Mark
CUPERTINO, California--November 10, 1993--Apple Computer, Inc. today
announced that it has sold more than one million of its award-winning
Apple PowerBook notebook computers.
With its wide acceptance, the PowerBook has been key to Apple's
success in gaining market share. The installed base of PowerBooks
provides Apple with the foundation for future PowerBook and mobile
developments. (To see how people are using the PowerBook to be more
productive, please see attachment "PowerBook Success Stories.")
The PowerBook family includes the popular "all-in-one" PowerBook,
and the PowerBook Duo, ideal for users seeking a light yet powerful
notebook computer, which also has docking capabilities. With Apple's
competitive pricing, PowerBooks start at just $1,599.
Unique Features
---------------
Beginning with its initial design, the PowerBook incorporated
several ergonomic features that make the product more comfortable to
use than other designs, including a trackball pointing device at the
center of the keyboard and a palm rest.
The communication capabilities of the PowerBook make it easy for
users to stay in touch with others no matter where they are located.
With built-in networking, file-sharing capabilities, and AppleTalk
Remote Access software, users can have full access to their office
network.
New Active-Matrix Notebooks Just Added
--------------------------------------
The PowerBook family was expanded this month as Apple Computer, Inc.
unveiled new active-matrix notebook computers. The PowerBook Duo
270c, capable of displaying thousands of colors, is the first 16-bit
color notebook on the market while the new greyscale PowerBook Duo
250 is the lightest active matrix model on the market. These two new
PowerBooks have advanced features--including 50 percent longer
battery life, outstanding display quality thanks to active-matrix
screens and easy expandability--in a lightweight, sub-5 lb. design
that fits easily in a briefcase.
PowerBook Success Stories
Houston Community College
-------------------------
Houston Community College (HCC) is the largest community college in
Texas and the fourth largest in the United States. With 46 different
locations among its six colleges, faculty and staff find themselves
conducting classes and lectures in a variety of locations. As a
result, they need to be able to travel between classes and locations
without worrying whether they have the right computer files for their
next lecture or class presentation. That's why members of HCC's
faculty and staff have begun using Apple Macintosh PowerBook and
PowerBook Duo notebook computers to meet these challenges and take
their course materials on the road.
"Faculty, staff and administrators have to travel between and be
prepared for classes in multiple locations all the time," says Willie
Pritchard, assistant vice chancellor of instructional computing.
"With the PowerBook and PowerBook Duo, they can have access to all of
their files, no matter where they are, in on easy-to-use notebook
system."
HCC has also established what they refer to as 'mini bunkers'. These
"teaching bunkers" are complete multimedia stations which are set up
in classrooms and lecture halls and are equipped with a laserdisk
player, CD-ROM drive, room lighting controls, network connections,
and an LCD or ceiling projection device. In addition to a suite of
multimedia equipment each bunker is equipped with a Duo MiniDock. So,
anyone using that classroom can slip their PowerBook Duo into the
MiniDock and have everything they need for their complete multimedia
presentation. "It's like having a walk-in presentation," says
Pritchard.
Contact:
Willie Pritchard, Assistant Vice Chancellor, Instructional Computing
Houston, TX
(713) 866-6602
KPMG Peat Marwick
-----------------
KPMG Peat Marwick is the U.S. member of KPMG International, the
giant business and professional services consulting firm. KPMG uses
Apple Macintosh computers throughout the organization, and professional
staff and management have begun using Macintosh PowerBook notebook
computers as their primary mobile computer. The company has
approximately 2,300 PowerBook computers in their offices and in the
field.
With their PowerBook computers, KPMG auditors can access their
office LAN locally, and by using the PowerBook computers with AppleTalk
Remote Access they can download the data, tools, and information that
they need when they are away from the office.
"We chose the PowerBooks because of their computing power, their
built-in modem technology, and their capability for remote access to
LANs," says Serafine. KPMG also reports that the PowerBook computers
have proved to be a cost effective solution for mobile computing.
Contact:
Art Serafine, Partner
Montvale, NJ
(201) 307-7829
Buckhead Brokers
----------------
Buckhead Brokers, located in Atlanta, Ga., has 550 agents in nine
offices throughout the Atlanta area. Until recently, all agents in
the Buckhead office conducted their business using the traditional
pen and paper method. Now, Rachel McConnell and her mother, Marianna,
in the business 6 years and 14 years respectively, are beginning to
make Apple Macintosh computers an integral part of their daily
routine.
Using a Macintosh PowerBook 140, Rachel considers it to be her
"portable office." Using Claris FileMaker Pro, she is able to handle
all client tracking, mass mailings, and track all activities
surrounding listings and purchases with one centralized program. In
addition, Rachel uses the Macintosh PowerBook to conduct financial
analysis to determine such things as cost of ownership for
perspective buyers. "Since most real estate agents shy away from
technology, the Macintosh computer is the best tool for them because
it's just so easy to use," says Rachel McConnell. " I've used other
computers in the past and they're just prehistoric monsters! And,
Windows doesn't even begin to touch the Macintosh."
Rachel has also begun using her Apple Newton MessagePad in
conjunction with her PowerBook while on the road with her clients.
Contact:
Rachel McConnell, Realtor, GRI
Atlanta, GA
(404) 237-5227
(404) 237-3974, x276 (24-hour voice mail)
Cadence Design Systems, Inc.
----------------------------
Cadence Design Systems, Inc., a worldwide leader in electronic
design automation (EDA) software, has implemented an automated sales
process solution for their sales representatives, whose work is done
mainly at customer locations worldwide. Using Gold Rush wares, developed
by Cadence, Apple Macintosh PowerBook computers with fax modems and
AppleTalk Remote Access are are used by sales representatives to
prepare instant price quotes for customers, usually right at their
site. When a customer signs on the quote, Gold Rush automatically
prepares a factory order, saving the rep any further work with forms.
Cadence now has about 100 Macintosh PowerBook notebook computers used
by their sales force. In the future, they envision a cellular network
and, within the next 18 months to two years, more than 350 PowerBook
notebook computers used primarily for sales automation.
According to senior MIS manager, Rick Chehab, "The Gold Rush system
is a major milestone in our drive to maximize sales rep productivity
and provide them with tools that allow them to focus on customer
needs analysis and solutions, rather than the quote preparation
process."
Contact:
Michael Busselen, PR Manager
San Jose, CA
(408) 944-7339
Steve Corwin, P.A.
------------------
Steve Corwin, Public Accountant, runs both his accounting and
computer consulting businesses on a network of Apple Macintosh
computers ranging from a Macintosh IIci to a Macintosh Centris 610
and PowerBook 170 system. With his PowerBook Corwin can take his
office on the road with him no matter where he goes. He can transfer
files to his PowerBook so he'll have everything he'll need while on
the road, or he can access his own or his client's networks remotely
using AppleTalk Remote Access. "I can dial into my office systems
from just about anywhere using my PowerBook and have access to all
the files I would if I were in my own office," says Corwin. "This
saves me an incredible amount of time and allows me to provide my
clients with the best possible service."
Corwin's business consists of over 350 individual and 50 corporate
clients spanning a 60-mile radius, making client visits a
time consuming and expensive task. Apple's PowerBook notebook
computers makes this an easier task by enabling Corwin to have access
to everything he needs right in his briefcase.
Contact:
Steve Corwin, P.A.
Syosset, NY
(516) 921-4313
McDonough, Holland & Allen
--------------------------
McDonough, Holland & Allen (MHA), headquartered in Sacramento,
California, has been using Apple Macintosh computers since 1986. With
approximately 83 attorneys and 115 members of the support staff,
Macintosh computers are used for everything from general office
correspondence and the creation of legal documents to trial
preparation. MHA also has offices in Oakland and Yuba City,
California which are connected to the main office via a wide-area
network.
The law firm uses a variety of Macintosh computers including the
Macintosh LC II for accounting clerks, the Macintosh Quadra 800 as
AppleShare file servers and has lately been replacing its existing
desktop systems with Macintosh PowerBook Duo notebook computers for
some of the attorneys in the firm's Corporate section. David Salem, a
shareholder of MHA who uses a PowerBook Duo, finds that by using the
same computer on the desk that he takes with him to meetings with
clients, he has greatly increased his efficiency. Salem is especially
pleased with the Duo's size and weight as it fits easily inside his
brief case leaving plenty of space for his paper files.
Like all of the firm's PowerBook systems, Salem's Macintosh has a
built-in, high-speed modem which allows for easy access to the firm's
file servers and QuickMail using AppleTalk Remote Access. PowerBook
computers are also used by litigation attorneys right in the
courtroom. According to Paul Hurley, director of computer services,
"We are a Macintosh shop at the desire of the attorneys. They want a
computer that enables them to do their work without the need for
dictation and other traditional methods. The Macintosh gives our
attorneys that power both in the office and on the road."
Neat, huh? Even though I already have a notebook computer, I gotta
admit, I lust after a PowerBook. On to the Mail Bag...
> STR Mail Call "...a place for the readers to be heard"
"""""""""""""
STReport's MailBag
""""""""""""""""""
Messages * NOT EDITED * for content
-----------------------------------
Besides the telephone bill, some interesting stuff arrived this week.
Keep your eyes peeled for this week's FREEBIE. I'll bury it in here
somewhere, thus forcing you, the reader, to wade through my prose hoping to
find the nugget somewhere within. Or something like that.
Educational Software Institute sent me one of their catalogs of
educational software. They have a large selection for all ages. Some of the
prices are about what is charged elsewhere, and others seem a bit more,
but, then again, I've never seen most of this software anywhere else. From
SAT preparation software to Geometry to Geography to Ecology to...well you
get the idea. Lotsa stuff. Call for a catalog. 1-800-955-5570.
The Mac Warehouse people's newest venture is the Paper Design
Warehouse. Pre-printed paper is the name of the game here. The pre-printed
papers are from Queblo. Papers from Hammermill and Finch are also
available. Prices are about the same as elsewhere, but the total cost will
be less since you get Mac Warehouse's famous $3.00 overnight shipping. Call
1-800-836-5400 for a catalog.
All you DTP'ers out there might be interested in this FREEBIE. Call 1-
800-835-6100 to request a FREE copy of Tektronix', "Simply Brilliant: A
Guide to Color Printers for Graphic Artists." The book, a $9.95 value,
explains the differences between dye sublimation and phase-change ink-jet
printers, how to use color management systems, mapping RGB colors to CYMK
and more.
Here's the deal: Your 8 1/2" X 11" document can be transformed into a
23" x 30" "monster" using Varitronics PosterPrinter Plus. Multi-color? Yes,
using a separate unit that is optional. Price? They don't say, but call
Varitronics at 1-800-637-5461, and they'll send you more info. Call to
schedule a demo and they'll give you a FREE presentation pointer.
That's it for this week. As always, please feel free to send your comments
or questions to me at:
Compuserve: 70323,1031
GEnie: R.NOAK
America OnLine: RandyNoak
**********************************************************************
IMPORTANT NOTICE!
=================
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Try DELPHI for $1 an hour!
For a limited time, you can become a trial member of DELPHI, and
receive 5 hours of evening and weekend access during this month for only
$5. If you're not satisfied, simply cancel your account before the end of
the calendar month with no further obligation. If you keep your account
active, you will automatically be enrolled in DELPHI's 10/4 Basic Plan,
where you can use up to 4 weekend and evening hours a month for a minimum
$10 monthly charge, with additional hours available at $3.96. But hurry,
this special trial offer will expire soon! To take advantage of this
limited offer, use your modem to dial 1-800-365-4636. Press <RET> once or
twice. When you get the Password: prompt, type IP26 and press <RET> again.
Then, just answer the questions and within a day or two, you'll officially
be a member of DELPHI!
TOP TEN DOWNLOADS (11/10/93)
(1) STREPORT #9.45
(2) STORM 1.00
(3) NEW AHDI FROM ATARI
(4) DOCS FOR XCONTROL 1.31
(5) 3D MAP OF THE EARTH
(6) PACMAN ON E'S
(7) THRONE11.LZH
(8) CLOCK11A.LZH
(9) LIQPIXEL.LZH
(10) JAGUAR GIF
DELPHI-It's getting better all the time!
**********************************************************************
ATARI/JAG SECTION (III)
=======================
> From the Atari Editor's Desk "Saying it like it is!"
""""""""""""""""""""""""""""
by Dana P. Jacobson
Well, New York City was bustling last week with the official launching
of Atari's newest addition to the family: the Jaguar. It appears that
Atari pulled out all the stops to make this debut a tremendous success.
The Jaguar is the talk of the gaming industry these days; and the potential
customers are eating all of the news up! Look for a major Jaguar
announcement elsewhere in this section. BTW, I'm still hoping to see one
of the Jaguar commercials that I've been reading so much about!
There's really not a whole lot going on with regard to the computing
side of Atari these days. Seems everyone is making the Jaguar top priority
and new computer software is slim, at best. The biggest news onslaught
lately is more or less a niche market push: graphics programs and hardware.
It appears that there's a highly public "competition" going on these days
between Lexicor's graphics offerings and Europe's Cybercube products.
Hmmm, where have I seen this type of "rivalry" before?! It appears that
Cybercube's North American representative is getting a little "edgy" these
days with a number of public online comments. As in most cases, the
consumer will make the difference by his/her choices. Personally, I don't
care as I'm not equipped nor have much interest in such products. My
concern is that I'd like to see the obnoxious comments stop. Sigh...
Under the heading of "latest scuttlebutt, rumors, and other
interesting tidbits," I offer the following bits of information. For the
TinyTurbo list of waiting customers, it's learned that Fast Technology's
Jim Allen is just waiting to get confirmation from ICD with regard to
compatibility reports before starting to finally ship the new boards.
According to my sources, this is just a formality as Jim as conducted his
own testing and found that all is well. Let's hope that the frustration
for Jim and his waiting customers finally comes to a positive conclusion
real soon. From what I've heard, the wait will have been worth it!
Remember Freeze Dried Terminal program, and all of the problems people
were having getting their keys after registering with their shareware
payments? Well, apparently the wait is almost over and a solution has been
arranged. Here's a message that was posted recently on CIS, with similar
messages appearing on Delphi:
#: XXXXX S2/Telecommunications
05-Nov-93 04:56:20
Sb: #FREEZE DRIED
Fm: XXXXX
To: All
To Whomever is interested...
Look what I found in my BBS wanderings:
>>You told Aaron Hopkins that there are a "FEW" disgruntled
>>customers????? > Are you smoking some funny stuff Glen?? This
>>guy has ripped off hundreds, maybe thousands of people for a
>>HUGE sum of money and delivered absolutely nothing..I find that
>>to be VERY generous indeed. How magnanimous of you to
I beg your pardon. I have delivered to the great majority of
people who have registered my software. I am not a "rip off
artist", and I still plan to deliver to everyone who has sent me
money. A company has taken over aspect of user support as of
version 2.30, and as soon as I can get that done, everyone WILL be
taken care of. My hands are tied at this point, the only thing I
can do is let you know that I am continuing support for FzDSTerm
and that we should have everything taken care of by the first of
the year.
Aaron Hopkins
It appears that this "company" that will be taking over the
user support once the latest version is released is none other
than the folks at Atari United!, the new national user group
support organization. The final formalization of this agreement
is still taking place, and STReport will include the details once
they're available. For the present, unsatisfied customers can now
feel some satisfaction. This situation has been going on for far
too long, but will finally be put to rest. Kudos to the AU! folks
who negotiated this, Gordie Meyer and Pattie Barbiero.
In what appears to be ironic news, I found a couple of
interesting bits in the latest issue of AEO. It appears that AEO
is no longer carrying the Z*Net Newswire material; and that AEO's
News and Features editor, Ron Kovacs, has been dismissed.
Apparently, AEO's editor Travis Guy came to this decision after "a
period of painful questioning and requestioning" (from AEO #02-
19). It's not clear whether or not Travis questioned Ron Kovacs,
or the reasons behind the decision. Based on what I've seen
online in the past couple of months, my guess would be that this
decision was based on some controversial remarks that Kovacs made
on CompuServe while wearing his AEO "hat", aimed at the staff of
Lexicor. It's a matter of record that Lexicor demanded a
retraction from AEO and Kovacs, neither came to fruition publicly.
According to the same issue of AEO, Kovacs was extremely
disappointed at being forced out of AEO.
In the same issue, it appears that Mr. Guy feels there needs
to be a public notice to the affect of a cold spell in the
vicinity of Hell! It is weird to see that Atari stock is on the
move again; _and_ there are ads on television with Atari
clearly visible once again! There's also agreement of some
opinions between what were once opposing viewpoints. Okay, so
we're talking about college football, but after all, it is one of
America's favorite pastimes!! Florida State U. is playing Notre
Dame Saturday. Bob Brodie agrees with STR's Mac Editor Randy Noak
that Notre Dame will win. Look for another cold warning in Hell,
I agree with Travis Guy that the FSU Seminoles will prevail (I'm
not sure about the winning point spread or the final season
ranking however!). Gawd, what can happen next?!?
ATTENTION! ATTENTION! ATTENTION! ATTENTION! ATTENTION! ATTENTION!
Dear STReport Subscriber,
We are uploading STReport to the GEnie MAC RT (Page 605) in ASCII
format... yes, that's right, in ASCII. Because the MAC RT contract holder
has been supportive of STR right from the start, we feel that it is only
right that we support him by asking you to download STR from the MAC area
instead of my e-mailing it to you each week.
Please don't misunderstand me, I have enjoyed our on-line subscription
set-up since day one (It was my "baby" right from the start), and I've
enjoyed conversing with those of you who have written to me with questions
or (gasp) complaints.
Should the file in the MAC area not be in a format that _all_ ST users
can read easily (we plan on going to RTF format at sometime in the future),
I will contact you and ask if you wish to begin receiving it via e-mail
again.
Once again, thank you for your continued support of STReport...
It has always been appreciated.
Sincerely,
Joe Mirando
STReport STaff Editor
ps: Remember, if you do not wish to download this issue, you can
either ingore it or delete it from your mail queue. jm
11/11 1051 Atari's Jaguar Grabs Five Hot Accolade Titles
[SUNNYVALE, CALIF. (NOV. 11) BUSINESS WIRE - Atari Corp. (AMEX:ATC)
together with Accolade Inc. of San Jose, Calif., a notable publisher
and developer of Sega and Nintendo video games, Thursday jointly
announced a licensing agreement that will enable Atari to bring
five proven, hot titles from Accolade to consumers on the new 64-bit
Jaguar Interactive Multimedia System by Fall 1994.
The new approach with the Jaguar by Atari brings faster, smoother
animation and enhanced sound and graphics to these hit titles.
Commenting on the company's decision to work with Atari,
Accolade's chairman, Alan R. Miller stated, "That Atari Jaguar is
definitely cool, new technology that is being introduced at a price
point attractive to consumers. We think Atari has a real shot at
establishing Jaguar as a successful system, and we want be part of
that effort." The Accolade titles for Jaguar include:
-- Al Michaels Announces HardBall III -- Built on the reputation
of the best selling HardBall series of computer and video games, Al
Michaels Announces HardBall III features a full 162 game season, 26
accurately rendered stadiums and the Emmy award winning commentary
of Al Michaels.
-- Brett Hull Hockey -- This action-packed simulation features
input from and the digitized skating of the NHL's most popular
All-Star player, Brett Hull. Several modes of play are offered
including exhibition game, 11 game short season, 42 game half
season and an 84 game full season offered by no other hockey
simulation game.
-- Bubsy in: Claws Encounters of the Furred Kind -- The world's
supply of yarnballs is seriously threatened in one of the year's
most popular video games, and it is up to Bubsy Bobcat, "a hero for
cryin' out loud!" to put a stop to the yarnball plundering Woolies.
-- Charles Barkley Basketball -- With a jump start, court-time
integrates Barkley's fast-breaking, intimidating, whatever-it-
takes-to-win playing style into an intense basketball game.
-- Jack Nicklaus' Power Challenge Golf -- The Golfer of the
Century is just one of four fully-digitized golfers in this award
winning game that features two Nicklaus designed golf courses,
English Turn Golf Club in New Orleans and Sherwood Country Club
in California.
"Accolade's list of titles adds significantly to the Jaguar
product line," said Sam Tramiel, president and chief executive
officer of Atari.
"Accolade's proven titles enhanced by the 64-bit power of Jaguar
will enrich the Jaguar player's library of video games with
life-like sports adventures and real-time 3D animated characters
that speak. The Accolade titles help us to attain our goal of
delivering a high quality selection of Jaguar titles that will
entertain all age groups."
Accolade is a leading worldwide publisher, developer and
distributor of entertainment software for PC compatible computers
and leading video game machines, including the Super Nintendo
Entertainment System, Nintendo, Gameboy and Sega Genesis.
Atari Corp. manufactures and markets video games and personal
computers for the home, office and educational marketplaces. The
Sunnyvale-based company manufactures Jaguar in the United States
under contract with IBM.
CONTACT: Atari Corp., Sunnyvale
Terry Valeski, 408/745-2000
or
Accolade Inc.
Charlotte Taylor Skeel or Megan Humpal, 408/985-1700
Well, that about wraps up another week from here! We're still looking
to add writers and reviewers to the Atari side of STReport. If you're an
online regular, like to explore new software, or just plain like to write
about Atari-related topics, please feel free to contact me about working
with us here at STReport. We're looking to make some positive changes, and
your input will always be appreciated.
Until next time...
> ONLINE WEEKLY STReport OnLine The wires are a hummin'!
"""""""""""""""""""""""""""""
PEOPLE... ARE TALKING
=====================
On CompuServe
-------------
compiled by
Joe Mirando
Hidi ho friends. Well, there are less than six weeks left 'till
Christmas. Why am I bringing this up, you may ask (as well you may). Well,
I'm bringing it up because, for the first time in more years than I care to
remember, Atari will actually have (drum roll, please) a new product out
for sale. Yes, friends and neighbors, the Jaguar will be available
(although only in two cities, New York and San Francisco) for Christmas.
Now, boys and girls, this happenstance can go one of two ways: the good
folks in Sunnyvale can say "Hey, this is great! Now we can use these
revenues to sell GREAT computers!" Or they could say "Hey, people love the
Jaguar! Why should we bother with computers at all?"
I guess that only time will tell about that. Meanwhile, those of us
who already know that Atari makes one of the most usable computers around
can browse through all of the hints and tips available here on CompuServe.
So let's get busy...
From the Atari Productivity Forum
=================================
David Barrett tells us:
"I recently gave my father my old Atari ST, as my business required me to
purchase an IBM Compatible. I'd like to be able to communicate with my
Father on Compuserve but the last I checked you needed a Hard drive to do
this. My Father's retired and takes care of my mother so they don't have
a lot of money. I'd like to buy my Dad a working hard drive but I also
don't have a lot of cash.
If one of you know of a drive that is reliable (doesn't have to be big)
and doesn't require a life savings to purchase, could you leave me a
message here? I normally sign on in the early mornings but mostly only
on weekends. Or if you know of a C-Serve program that he could use
without a hard drive, that would be great too.
Sysop Bob Retelle tells David:
"A hard drive really makes an ST a joy to use, but it isn't necessary just
to run a telecommunications program.
Any of the commercially available or shareware telecom programs will run
just fine from a floppy disk. Your father might be limited in what he
could download, if he gets into that, but for E-mail and messages a
floppy would be sufficient.
Something else you might want to look into setting up for him is the
program called QUICKCIS. It can automate online sessions with an Atari
computer and make it quick and easy (and much less expensive!).
QUICKCIS is available right here in Library #4. If necessary, you can
download it to an IBM formatted disk and uncompress it with your IBM,
since the ST uses virtually the same disk format. Just remember that the
ST can't use high density disks, and the disk must match the floppy drive
in the ST (either single-sided 360K or double-sided 720K).
Let us know if you have any questions about getting things set up..."
Myles Cohen, one of the more knowledgeable and outgoing ST users here on
CIS, gives David some good advice:
"The best answer...in my experience...is to purchase a floptical drive...
which...as I remember...can be purchased for well under $400...uses
disks that look much like 3.5" floppies (but aren't) that hold 21 megs
each ..and can also read floppies...
My hard drive failed some months ago and I still have not replaced it
but I hardly miss it at all since I had all my programs backed up on
floptical disks...
It is truly like having a limitless hard drive...limited only by the
amount of disks (21 megs each) that you purchase...
It is not as fast as a hard drive...but ever so much faster than a
floppy that you can be fooled into thinking that you have a hard drive...
I got mine from Purple Mountain and I cannot recommend it or them highly
enough...
You can call them for information at:
Purple Mountain Computers, Inc.
15600 NE 8th St.
Ste. A3-412
Bellevue, WA 98008
voice/fax: (206) 747-1519
CIS: 72567,302 "
Sysop Brad Hill tells David:
"Your father doesn't really _need_ a hard drive, although it definitely
makes life a little smoother <grin>. How much RAM is in the computer
you gave him? If it's more than 520k, your father can set up a RAMdisk
(there are ppublic domain RAMdisk programs) which acts like a hard drive.
He might be a bit cramped for space if he has just 1 meg, but more than
that would be more than enough for playing on CompuServe, and using
QuickCIS. And 1 meg might easily be enough, too."
Bob Ledbetter posts:
"I thought there was a demo for Notator hiere on CIS somewhere, but... I
tried the Atari File Finder using the keywords MIDI, SEQUENCER, & DEMO,
but it did not show up. Any ideas??"
James Port tells Bob:
"There is a Notator demo Bob. It is a slide show of Notator/Creator and
a few other C-LAB programs. You can find it in the Atari Library, LIB 4,
of the MIDI/Music Forum (GO MIDIFO). If you're looking for a working
demo this isn't what you're looking for, and I can tell you as of this
moment there is no sanctioned, working demo of Notator. I came across
what was supposed to be one once, but it turned out to be just a bad
pirate job. That asside the file names are CLABS1.ARC and CLABS2.ARC.
You need both files to make the demo work, and it only works in
monochrome. If you have color and still want to look at this one there
should be a monochrome emulator in the library too. Can't remember the
filename. MONOEM.ARC or something like that I imagine. Let me know if
you need it and I'll find out for you. There's also a file called
CLABSS.TXT which explains what you need to make the demo run and a
little more about what you can expect, so you don't end up downloading
two large files you don't really want. Let me know if you need any more
information regarding this."
Alan Page, the co-creator of FLASH and the creator of Storm tells us:
"Well, as might be expected, a bug or two were hiding in Storm waiting to
be discovered. The first one is that serial port output doesn't work with
versions of TOS before 1.4. However, the fix is very simple; use Bruce
Penner's SERFX20.PRG, which is the latest version of his line of
excellent serial fix programs. This program fixes the CTS/RTS bug and
various other serial port problems. It is a universal patch which works
on all versions of TOS and all models of Atari ST computers. It is freely
redistributable and I have uploaded it to Data Library 2.
The second bug is much more obscure. It seems that if you are uploading
with Zmodem and double-click on the filename in the file selector, for
some mysterious reason the program aborts the transfer. The solution
appears to be to single-click the filename.
How this can possibly occur is mysterious, but I am investigating.
I will have a patch for the serial port problem later this weekend. I
will also upload a new version, but previous downloaders need only
download the patch. My new patch program is GEM based and fairly
foolproof. It uses a 32-bit CRC to verify that the correct program is
being patched, and that the patch was sucessfully applied. Sorry for any
inconvenience."
Myles Cohen voices one of my own concerns:
"STORM has no SEARCH AND REPLACE...I can't believe it...this is one of the
features I use constantly in FLASH..."
Alan tells Myles:
"A not-yet-implemented feature. Guaranteed to be in the registered
shareware version, together with other advanced editing features."
Myles interjects a bit of humor:
"Please let me know when you do implement it...
My registration will occur almost immediately afterwards...
And then...of course...you can retire..."
Alan tells Myles:
"I'll keep you posted on developments..."
Peter Joseph asks about modems:
"I was wondering. What's the best 14.4 modem deal these days? I seem to
remember everyone talking about the Supra one. Well, which one? The one
with v32 right? FAX? Tell me, tell me. I think I'm ready for the
plunge. Also, what's the best place/price for such a beast?"
The big kahuna, Sysop Ron Luks, tells Peter:
"I use the SupraFAXmodem (14.4 data/fax) and can't recommend it highly
enough. The modem has performed flawlessly since the day I got it
without a hiccup. I can't help with best prices but you can be sure the
modem will do the job for you."
Russ Brown seems to be a very rare creature: a new ST user. He tells us:
"I am new to Atari systems and to this forum. I would like to know what
to use to unzip a file. Please let me know where to find this info."
Dazzz Smith (hmmm, they must have had a sale on "z"s the day he was
born) helps Russ out:
"The program you need is called ST ZIP and should be in Library 4 under
the filename STZP23.TOS, its a self extracing file. If you cant find it
under that name then just search with the keyword ZIP.
If your lucky one of our ever helpful sysops will give you the exact
filename if I got it wrong.
One other program which you will find helpful is an offline message reader
called QuickCIS which will really help to keep the bills down."
As if just waiting to be called on, Sysop Bill Aycock tells Russ:
"I see Dazzz has already said Hi, so I'll be second - Hi! :-)
The filename Dazzz wanted is actually ZIP23.TOS. It's a self-extracting
archive with the latest zip/unzip program, which should get you all set!"
Sysop Bob Retelle jumps in and adds:
"In addition to what everyone else said, while ZIP is used occasionally on
Atari systems, the most popular archiving method is LZH... you'll need
an uncompression utility for that too if you download very many ST files.
The one to look for is called ARCLZH.PRG here in our Library #4. Just
double click on that file after you've downloaded it, and it will
uncompress itself into several very useful files, including both an LZH
and ARC uncompression utiity and a really convenient Shareware shell
program that will make them easier to use.
Be sure to read the doc files that are also included...
And welcome to the CompuServe Atari Forums..!"
John Gibbons posts:
"I know I am risking getting flamed for this but I AM curious.. What's up
with Atari? Are they still making computers? Since I sold my ST maybe
five years ago I have been hearing and seeing less and less of Atari,
especially regarding the computer biz.. The only thing I have heard about
in the last year or so is some new video game with IBM and the LYNX.. I
did hear something about some new ST's too but I'm not sure what's up..
Anyway, as an old time Atari guy (I still have a couple of 8 bits in the
garage) I'm just curious about the state of things.."
Sysop Ron Luks tells John:
"Atari Corp seems to be putting all its corporate resources behind a soon
to be released video game console called the Jaguar. Its getting lots of
press coverage. There's not much talk about computers from Atari corp
lately but they havent officially dropped all computer support."
From the Atari ST Arts Forum
============================
John Cole asks about the Kodak PhotoCD Christmas Demo for the Falcon:
"I can't get the Kodak XMAS demo to work on my Falcon. I get two bombs,
and back to the desktop, but in 40 column mode. Does it require a
monitor other than the Atari SC1224?"
Greg Kopchak tells John:
"Try running the demo in 256 color mode. How much free memory do you have
and are you running MultiTOS?"
John answers:
"I have tried the 256 color mode. I have 4 megs, and have disabled all my
accessories and auto folder programs."
Pete Lukas posts:
"
This is really starting to bug me. Can someone please explain to me,
why I cannot view images from the Atari ST Arts + Forum when I downloaded
it?? I am in Windows, so what seems to be the problem? I am able to
view the images that I've downloaded from the Graphics Corner Forum.
Help!!!"
Jim Ness, being the helpful guy that he is, tells Pete:
"You have to make sure you are downloading pictures that are in a format
your Windows viewer can use. GIF is popular, for instance.
There are several Atari-specific pic formats you won't be able to view
with any Windows program."
Boris Molodyi tells Peter:
"Hmm, it all depends on what kind of images you download. There are
several file formats, namely, Degas and Degas Elite (*.PI1, *.PI2, *.PI3
and *.PC?) and Spectrum (*.SPC, *.SPU etc.) that I think do not have
veiewrs that run on PC compatibles.
On the other hand, any GIF, TIFF or JPEG file you download should be
viewable just fine..."
Shawn Laughlin asks for gaming help:
"Does anyone know of a simple shoot em up game in the libs here that will
work with an STe ? Please, none that require joysticks. All I want is a
few minutes of pleasure where I can become one with the universe by
blowing up things <g>. I've downloaded at least 10 games and have
managed to use none of them (well Nova worked, it just wasn't fun). At
this rate it would be cheaper to go buy a Nintendo system. I ain't
dowloading another until I am absolutely sure it runs on an STe and
doesn't require joy sticks."
Sysop Ron Luks asks Shawn:
"Just out of curiosity, why the aversion to joysticks???"
Shawn explains it to Ron:
"First they erode our basic right to bare arms. Then they begin shrinking
the public areas where we can smoke our cigarettes. The environmentalists
begin training owls to attack lumberjacks and tell me what type of
deodorant is politicaly correct. Top that off with Bill and Hillary's
health care plan and I'm sure you can see why I hate joysticks!
:-)
Actually, I don't hate joysticks - I just don't have one :-)"
Jon Sanford shows us all who to laugh on-line:
"Hee Ha Ha hoho HaaHaa HOO hoo snort!!"
Sysop Bob Retelle tells Shawn:
"Unfortunately, in response to your original question, most of the games
for the ST that are the "shoot'em up" style you mentioned, use a
joystick...
Keyboards are good for "platform" style games, and a mouse is great for
"missile command" or "centipede" style, but for "blastem" games, the
joystick is usually the preferred tool.
There ARE games that don't use them though... we have a great version
of the game "Centipede" in our library that uses the mouse...
However... I have a 520ST, so I can't say whether it runs on an STe
(yet!).."
Shawn reports the early results of his search:
"I found one game MOONLD.ARC by Clayton Walnum that works fine on the STe
and uses a mouse. Where as it is not really a shoot'em up game (more
strategy) , things do explode <grin>."
From the Atari Portfolio Section of the Palmtop Forum
=====================================================
Lou Trapani asks Don Thomas of Atari:
"I realize that Atari does not like to announce any new future products
too early. But are there any considerations at all for future
developement in the new blosseming "PDA" market? Or would they look into
that direction after the Jaguar is established?"
Don tells Lou:
"We have found that the handheld market, in many ways, is a piggyback
market. In other words, it is most successful in circumstances when the
line can "share" the resources of a full (and compatible) product line.
The same applies to handheld video games. Game Boy is much more
successful then by any rights it should simply because of that
"piggyback" effect. If that was all Nintendo had to offer in its
contemporary product line, it probably would have never taken off even as
well as it did.
In a piggyback situation, ad budgets, sales administration, marketing,
manufacturing costs, transportation costs, etc. are "thrown in" along
with a much more powerful "mainframe" plan. It's much like a grocery
store deciding to open a retail store just to sell Hostess Twinkies. Many
people agree that Twinkies taste good and like the opportunity to buy
them when they want them, but it's clear that they could not substantiate
a store that sells nothing else no matter how good they are. The public
simply would never pay the price of a Twinkie required to pay that sort
of overhead.
It's real easy to say that to solve the problem, the store should
advertise Twinkies more and do more marketing. Those things cost many
hundreds of thousands of dollars which must be born by the cost of each
Twinkie sold. To survive, the store would likely have to do two things...
nurture companion products to help absorb the overall costs of putting
Twinkies on the shelves AND cut back on marketing costs to a point where
the per unit profit margin is maximized with consideration of volume and
dozens of other market trend factors.
Now I'm hungry! <g>"
Lou continues the conversation:
"I realize that all efforts are on the Jaguar right now. Hey, I am in the
New York area, and I hope to get my hands on one myself. But I hope that
Atari does not turn its back on further computer related developement
_after_ the Jaguar is running on it's own (and hopefully pulling some
money into the company).
I hope that one day there will be a Falcon040 (or something similar), an
STBook (at a competitive price), and it would be nice if Atari could once
again get a foot in the palmtop/PDA market. All the local stores that
used to sell at least the Portfolio (ie CompUSA), no longer do.
So I wish all the success to the Jaguar, but I hope that after Atari has
finished most of the work of getting it off the ground that there will
still be an Atari computer market to return to.
I also own a Lynx as well, and hope that it too will begin to prosper
again thanks to the push of the Jaguar."
Don tells Lou:
"I have been assured that Atari has continued genuine interest in the
"computer market". I don't know what that will mean long term, except to
say we still value Falcon development, TT support, etc. In many ways, the
market helps makes those decisions for us. We can tell on small scales
how things will/might do large scales. Those projects and products that
are most promising will always receive maximum backing. As a business, we
have to remain focused on those things which provide the best return on
investment."
Dave Stewart posts:
"Geez ... I started out in Salem, Oregon with the Portfolio ... actually,
I had to trek 30 miles north to Portland to buy my first one, and then I
had to go 30 miles south to Eugene to buy accessories. It was in Salem
that I wrote 60Columns and the idea for Re:Port began to form.
And now that I've moved all the way to the other side of the country,
you tell me that they sell Ports for $159 there? And you find this out
all the way from Germany? <g>
Actually, there's a Pace store about two miles from me now here in
Atlanta. I'll check it out!"
Kent Peterson tells us:
" I just spent the past year of my life creating a new programming
language.
It's called TIPI and it's small, structured and ideal for palmtops. The
language interpretter including it's debugger takes up less than 10K! The
language itself is something of a cross between BASIC and Forth. If you
program, you'll probably want to take a look at TIPIV1.EXE in the library
section."
Dave Stewart tells Kent:
"That's WONDERFUL news! I can't wait to check it out myself. I program
the Port professionally and for fun, and this sounds great."
From the NEWTON Forum
=====================
Now, I know that this is a departure from my usual "Atari only" format,
but since Personal Digital Assistants are the wave of the future I've
decided to add other palmtops and PDAs like the Newton and Sharp Expert
Pad to the column. Anyone who wants to donate a Newton Message Pad to
me so that I'll know what I'm talking about is more than welcome to do
so. <grin>
I find it amazing that the Newton has only been available for a short
while and there are already people gearing up to program
shareware/Public Domain/Freeware for it. William Kelly posts:
"If these questions should be asked higher up in Compuserve, please
direct them accordingly or tell me where I should send them.
If I upload a freeware Newton package demo, is it legal/ethical to later
upload a shareware full version of the same package?? What if I first
upload a shareware version, can I legally sell(not shareware) a newer
version??
I have some packages that I might want to try to sell, but I would first
like to get responses and comments, etc. from other Newton programmers
and users. I'm not sure how to proceed.
Hope you can answer these questions and give any other advice."
Chief Sysop Neil Shapiro tells William:
"As it is your software then you can legally do whatever you would like.
Now when it comes to ethics -- I do not see anything wrong with either of
your plans. In fact, many programs have done such!"
Kevin Klop tells William:
"There are at least two examples of software that followed the exact path
that you're talking about, William. Both of them happen to be terminal
programs. On the Macintosh side, there was Red Ryder/White Knight and on
the IBMs there was Procomm.
Do what you wish with your software - it does belong to you, after all."
Ron Luks adds his thoughts:
"Legally, you can do anything you want, in any order you want as long as
you retain your copyright to the work (which you can with freeware,
shareware, and commercial software).
I've seen this scenerio in other forums I manage and as long as the
'higher priced' versions also add significant functionality, the members
dont seem to object.
In my opinion, it only becomes a problem when you take a freeware
program or shareware program, add a new icon or clean up a bug or two,
and raise the price significantly."
Well folks, I think I'll end the column here (and it's a good thing too. I
mean... otherwise it'd print right over the following feature. Gee, I
guess I need some sleep.
Let me know what you think of adding Newton coverage. And remember to
always listen to what they are saying when...
PEOPLE ARE TALKING
__________________________________________________________
> STReport CONFIDENTIAL "Rumors Tidbits Predictions Observations Tips"
"""""""""""""""""""""
- Middlesex, NJ FOUNDER OF AEO DISMISSED!
-------------
Excerpt from AEO (Atari Explorer Online) 219...
"... AEO will no longer run Z*Net Newswire material, and will no longer
retain Ron Kovacs as News and Features Editor. This decision has been
reached after a period of painful questioning and requestioning, and is one
that I take with the utmost regret. When I informed Ron of my decision, his
response was, "After founding AEO, I am truly disappointed in being forced
out of its operations."
Your Editor
Travis Guy"
---- look for more in-depth coverage in the Atari area of this issue.
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STReport's "EDITORIAL CARTOON"
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Since 1987 copyright (c) 1987-93 All Rights Reserved No.9.46
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