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Silicon Times Report Issue 0949
SILICON TIMES REPORT
====================
INTERNATIONAL ONLINE MAGAZINE
=============================
from
STR Electronic Publishing Inc.
December 03, 1993 No. 9.49
======================================================================
Silicon Times Report
International Online Magazine
Post Office Box 6672
Jacksonville, Florida 32221-6155
R.F. Mariano
Publisher-Editor
-----------------------------------------
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______________________________________________________________________
> 12/03/93 STR 949 "The Original * Independent * Online Magazine!"
""""""""""""""""
- CPU INDUSTRY REPORT - CANON & 3D - Jaguars Everywhere?!
- NO RESIN SHORTAGE - AMD -> SCSI - ASTOUND FOR WINDOWS
- BUYING A COMPUTER - HOLIDAY TIPS - ZEOS OFFERS PENTIUM
- PEOPLE TALKING - PAX IMPERIA - THE OLD FISHIN' HOLE
-* PC HOLIDAY SALES ROCKET! *-
-* MEDUSA TT CLONE READY! *-
-* CABLE TO CARRY PC NETWORKS! *-
======================================================================
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
======================================================================
STReport's BBS - The Bounty BBS, invites all BBS systems, worldwide, to
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
International Conferences. The Fido Node is 1:112/35, ITC Node is
85:881/253 Crossnet Code is #34813, and the "Lead Node" is #620. All
computer platforms BBS systems are welcome and invited to participate.
======================================================================
CIS ~ AOL ~ DELPHI ~ BIX ~ FIDO ~ PROWL ~ ITC ~ NEST ~ EURONET
USENET ~ CIX ~ CLEVELAND FREE-NET ~ INTERNET ~ FNET ~ GENIE
======================================================================
COMPUSERVE WILL PRESENT $15.00 WORTH OF COMPLIMENTARY ONLINE TIME
to the Readers of;
STREPORT INTERNATIONAL ONLINE MAGAZINE
""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""
"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!"
""""""""""""""""""""""
And.... they said it wouldn't or couldn't be done. They were wrong
I do know how to congratulate Atari's people for a job well done. The
Jaguar is surfacing in many place around the USA. In fact, its even
surfacing in some very strange places. Heck, even Jacksonville Florida
has a real reason to boast about Jaguars. Not only the kinds found at
Regency or OP Mall. The Jacksonville Jaguars! Being an avid sports fan
and especially of Football and Baseball... I'm overjoyed with the
establishing of an NFL team here in my backyard! Now with Atari's Jaguar
becoming the darling of the game machine set, I can't wait to see the
double barreled headlines when the Jax Jaguars hit the gridiron. It'll
be "Jaguar" heaven. I can see it now.. the half time ads showing the
Jaguar's powerful NFL Football Game Cart while the real Jaguars are on
their way to the Super Bowl. Amazing... all simply amazing.
As Christmas rushes upon us.. it is, once again, "that time of the
year". My most fervent wish is to find everyone in fine spirits and good
health. That is the finest holiday gift of cheer one can ask for.
Ralph....
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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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BIX............................ RMARIANO
FIDONET........................ 1:112/35
FNET........................... NODE 350
ITC NET...................... 85:881/253
NEST........................ 90:21/350.0
GEnie......................... ST-REPORT
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> CPU STATUS REPORT LATE BREAKING INDUSTRY-WIDE NEWS
"""""""""""""""""
IBM/POWER-PC/PC SECTION (I)
===========================
> CPU STATUS REPORT LATE BREAKING INDUSTRY-WIDE NEWS
"""""""""""""""""
Computer Products Update - CPU Report
------------------------ ----------
Weekly Happenings in the Computer World
Issue #49
By: Lloyd E. Pulley, Sr.
******* General Computer News *******
** 15 More Companies to Write Software for the Jaguar **
Atari Corp. has announced that 15 additional leading software compa-
nies have signed agreements with Atari for Jaguar -- the world's first
64-bit system. This brings the total number of Jaguar licensees to 35.
The following new companies have signed with Atari:
Accolade, 21st Century Software, Activision, UBI Soft, International
Software, UBI Soft Inc., Microprose Ltd., Interplay Microprose Ltd.
(U.S.), Millenium Interactive Ltd., Phalanx Software, Brainstorm Gremlin
Graphics Ltd., Virgin Interactive Entertainment Ltd., 3D Games
"We're pleased to add more of the top software companies to the
Jaguar family, " said Sam Tramiel, president of Atari. "With jaguar,
developers enjoy unsurpassed ease in creating real-time, 3D virtual
worlds. They are not bound by the technological limitations of
antiquated systems or stringent programming requirements. Jaguar gives
developers the freedom to spend more time on the creative process,
producing games for Jaguar players that are rich in color, animation,
texture and sound."
Jaguar is the only video game system manufactured in the United
States. Atari has contracted with IBM Corp. to manufacture the Jaguar in
its Charlotte, N.C., facility.
** High Speed PC-Cable TV Modem Demo'd **
Intel Corp. and General Instrument Corp. have demonstrated high-speed
modem technologies that will enable home PC users to access a new range
of services via the cable TV at speeds that are 1,000 times faster than
present modems.
The Intel-GI development effort is aimed at providing the increasing-
ly powerful home PC with richer, faster data transmission through what
is known as "broadband" communications used in the cable network. Both
companies are contributing technologies and expertise from their respec-
tive fields to enhance the home PC using the cable network as the data
pipeline to the home.
The home PC market is the fastest growing segment in the PC arena,
with approximately 31% of U.S. households owning at least one PC,
according to market researcher Link Resources Corp. of New York. Cable
TV is present in more than 60 million homes.
The companies say the combination of PC and cable TV technologies
will offer consumers virtually instant response from familiar online
services as well as a range of new services as program developers take
advantage of the fastest communications pipeline to the home.
** Five Companies to Jointly Develop New Telecommunications Services **
Five U.S. companies have agreed in principle to form a joint venture
to develop new telecommunications services using digital video, fiber
optic and wireless technologies.
Comcast Corp, Continental Cablevision Inc., Cox Cable Communications,
Tele-Communications, Inc. and Time Warner Entertainment plan to create
new telecommunications business lines that are enhanced and differenti-
ated from those currently offered by existing wired or wireless commun-
ications providers.
The potential new business lines include Personal Communications Ser-
vices (PCS), video telephony, energy utility communications and data
communications services. The joint venture will also include local
business and competitive access services provided through Teleport
Communications Group.
In addition, national service organizations and local service pro-
viders will be established through the joint venture. The five companies
are seeking additional participation and investment by cable operators
in various local regions.
** Online Service Make Cable Moves **
Three major players in the online computing have announced plans to
test data delivery through cable television.
CompuServe Inc. announced it has allied with Continental Cablevision
and the Teleport Communications Group for a test of delivery of online
information via cable lines beginning this week. The pilot program links
Continental Cablevision subscriber households in Exeter, N.H., to
CompuServe.
In a prepared statement, David Eastburn, CompuServe vice president of
product marketing, said, "As the market leader, we're pleased to involve
our members in determining the future direction of online services. Cab-
le access is one of several alternative delivery methods we are explor-
ing as we move toward multimedia delivery of a wide variety of informa-
tion via CompuServe."
Prodigy and America Online Inc. also announced plans to deliver con-
sumer online services through cable in a project with Intel Corp. and
General Instrument. America Online's experimental services will be
delivered as part of Viacom International Inc.'s trial in Castro Valley,
Calif. and a Comcast cable market trial, both planned for early 1994.
** SIA Says Resin Shortage Averted **
The Semiconductor Industry Association says a potential shortage of
high-grade epoxy resin used to package computer chips has been averted.
The SIA said this week's resumption of operations at Sumitomo
Chemical Corp.'s plant in Niihama, Japan -- rocked by an explosion last
July 4 that shut down the facility -- will boost production of the resin
to meet worldwide semiconductor industry needs for the foreseeable
future. One person was killed in that blast.
As noted earlier, prior to the explosion, the Japanese facility prov-
ided the chip industry with 50% to 60% of the world's supply of epoxy
cresol resin.
******* General PC News *******
** Astound Multimedia Presentation Prgm For Windows **
Move over Mac, Gold Disk has unveiled a Windows-based counterpart to
Astound for Macintosh 1.0, a presentation program initially introduced
last December. Like the existing package for the Mac, the new Astound
for Windows 1.5 allows for the creation of multimedia as well as static
presentations, company officials said.
Astound for Windows 1.5 will read Astound for Macintosh 1.0 files in
fully editable form. In addition, an Astound for Windows file can be
saved as an Astound for Macintosh file.
The new release for Windows is also bundled with a CD-ROM containing
more than 1,200 animations, graphics, sound effects, and musical and
video clips that can be added to presentations.
Astound for Windows 1.5 is available for a special introductory price
of $129 through January 31, 1994. After that, the software will be
priced at $395.
** Canon To Show Interactive 3D Software For Windows **
Canon says it is getting into the software development business to
offer workstation performance without a big price-tag. The company is
holding a conference on Friday to demonstrate software from its new
subsidiary formed to develop interactive, three dimensional (3D)
software for the Microsoft Windows graphical environment.
Historically, workstation computers have been known for their power-
ful performance in manipulating 3D graphics, but at a cost that makes
these computers unrealistic for the mass market. Canon is claiming, how-
ever, that its new software will provide interactive 3D graphics at one
tenth the cost of current workstation-based products.
Canon has said the new software it will announce on Friday will not
only work with Microsoft Windows, but with the Motorola microprocessor-
based Macintosh and with Sun's workstation hardware as well.
** Radio Shack announces new Tandy Sensation! MPC for '94 **
Tandy Corporation continues to lead the way in personal computing for
the '90's with the 1994 Tandy(R) Sensation!(R) Multimedia Personal Com-
puter. Available at Radio Shack(R), the '94 Sensation has new state-of-
the-art features that make it even better than its award-winning
predecessor.
The system includes a fast 486-based processor, advanced audio and
video technology, send and receive fax capability, Photo CD compatibi-
lity and an incredible array of bundled software in a fully integrated,
energy-efficient, cost-saving package. It is ideal for use in a home,
home-office, small business or educational setting.
With a one-year warranty, the suggested retail price for the 1994
Tandy Sensation MPC is $1,799 ($1,999 with a SVGA color monitor).
** AMD Intros Local Bus SCSI Controller, Single-Chip PCI SCSI **
The PCI (Peripheral Component Interconnect) local bus specification
continues to gain in popularity, as does SCSI (Small Computer Systems
Interface) technology. Now Advanced Micro Devices has announced, what
the company claims is, a "complete, low-cost hardware and software
package facilitating the design of SCSI onto PCI local bus personal
computer motherboards."
AMD says that its PCSCSI is a single-chip Fast SCSI-2 controller
paired with software in order to support a wide range of operating
systems and SCSI peripherals. It is reportedly optimized for use on PCI
local bus motherboards and provides a "glueless interface to the PCI
bus."
AMD claims that the cost to implement SCSI on the motherboard with
PCSCSI (including all passive components and software) is less than $30.
** Microsoft Cuts Price Of Works For Windows 3.0 **
Microsoft has temporarily reduced the price of Works for Windows ver-
sion 3.0, and will bundle it with its personal financial management
software.
Until January 31, 1994 buyers who purchase Microsoft Works for
Windows 3.0 will get the integrated software suite for $89. If they buy
Works before January 1, 1994 the company says it will throw in a copy of
Microsoft Money 2.0. Once the introductory period is over the suggested
retail price for either version of Works for Windows will be $199.
Current users of Windows or DOS versions of Works can upgrade by buy-
ing the new product and sending in the $10 rebate coupon that is in the
product box.
System requirements include at least a 386 microprocessor, four mega-
bytes (MB) of memory, a hard disk with at least four MB, and preferably
15MB, of available space, MS-DOS 3.1 or higher, a VGA or better display,
Windows 3.1 or higher, and a high-density (1.44MB) floppy drive. To use
the multimedia edition a CD-ROM drive is required, along with a sound
board and headphones or speakers.
** Dell In Black Again **
Dell Computer Corp., has returned to profitability in the third quar-
ter of this fiscal year. Dell says earnings for the third quarter are
60% below what they were a year ago, and Chairman Michael Dell said
sales will not meet the company's $3 billion sales target for the year.
The company reported earnings of $12 million, or $0.26 per share, for
the third quarter, which ended October 31. For the same period last year
earning were reported at $29.6 million, or $0.72 per share. Revenue for
the third quarter was $757.3 million, up 33 percent from the $570
million reported for the same period last year.
** C Learning Center Opens **
ITC, a developer of interactive multimedia training products, has
announced the opening of its first ComSkill Learning Center franchise.
The new learning center is located in Wilmington, Del. Over the next
several years, ITC plans to establish a nationwide network of ComSkill
Learning Centers.
ITC describes its ComSkill Learning Centers as innovative, state-of-
the-art personal computer educational facilities. It notes that students
will gain hands-on experience and master a broad range of PC skills,
applications and operating environments. The centers will also sell and
rent courseware and provide individual student training.
ComSkill's courseware combines full-motion video, audio and graphics
on a PC. Instruction is both self-paced and interactive.
** Hitachi Rolls Out Parallel Units **
Massive parallel computers are to be introduced on the Japanese
market next year by Hitachi Ltd., which says it is aiming to sell them
mainly to government agencies. Hitachi will sell a machine with 128 pro-
cessors and a processing speed of 20 giga flops (or 20 billion instruc-
tions per second).
Sources say that massively parallel systems, which use more proces-
sors than ordinary computers, "have won kudos from the supercomputing
community for their high speed."
** Compaq Offers Software Distribution CD with Presario **
Compaq Computer Corp. and InfoNow Corp. announced that they are
offering users of Compaq's multimedia Presario personal computers the
ability to purchase software directly from a compact disc.
The Compaq QuickChoice CD, developed and supported by InfoNow, is
shipping with each Presario CDS model and enables users to read elect-
ronic literature, test drive and instantly purchase industry leading
applications including Microsoft Excel, Word and Office.
The disc allows Compaq users to purchase nearly 100 business and
entertainment software titles that are loaded on the QuickChoice CD in
an encrypted or locked form.
** New Line of Pentium PC's **
A new line of PCs based on Intel Corp.'s new Pentium microprocessor
has been introduced by Zeos International Ltd. Officials of the company
said the new line, called "Pantera," includes the PC interface technology,
Peripheral Component Interconnect, as well as business audio
capability in every system.
The prices for Zeos Pantera start at $3,495.
""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""
: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!
MAC/APPLE SECTION (II)
======================
Randy Noak, Editor
by Randy Noak
If you're a regular reader of Mac Report, you know I've been doing a
lot of ranting and raving lately about the wonders of CD-ROM. A couple of
things happened this week that reinforced my convictions. First, the CD-
ROM from Club Kidsoft arrived. If you recall, Club Kidsoft is a mail-
order software company just for kids. Subscribers receive 4 issues of
Club Kidsoft's catalog/magazine each year along with a CD-ROM version of
the catalog. The neat thing about this is that the CD-ROM allows you, the
parent, to search for software appropriate for your child's age. Just
click the proper age and you are presented with all the software that
Club Kidsoft carries that is suitable for children in the selected age
group. Click on the picture of the software box, and a complete
description of the selected software is presented. But wait! Look on the
bottom of the screen. For many of the software packages there is a button
labeled, "Demo". Call your child and have him/her click that button and
you are saved from spending money on a piece of software that your child
just, "had to have" only to find out that, once at home, "It's not fun
Dad". Your child can spend some time with the software before they start
bugging you to shell out your hard-earned dough. Most of the packages
featured on the CD-ROM have a demo, and, it is promised that the next
issue will have quadruple that number. One other thing. If your child
really, really, really just has to have a particular piece of software,
call Club Kidsoft and they'll give you the unlocking key and your child
can start playing/learning immediately. Club Kidsoft is only $9.95 for 4
issues and you can order it by calling 1-800-354-6150.
The other thing that happened is that my wife found the free
Nautilus CD that I got a couple of weeks ago. Normally a typical, "I only
spend time with a computer 'cause I have to" type of person, she spent 2
hours exploring the issue. After she was done, she said, "We ought to get
this." Unbelievable, but that's the reaction you'll get from people that
have a chance to use a CD-ROM. From games like Iron Helix to Adobe
Illustrator's CD-ROM upgrade to catalogs on disk to fully interactive
magazines on CD-ROM, CD-ROM is the future. Get one, you won't regret it.
I've been spending some time cruising the on-line services
lately in preparation of an article I plan to write for a future issue.
This last week I've been spending a lot of time on America On Line and
have been very pleased by what I've seen. The navigation software is easy
to use (and free), the system is pretty responsive even at 2400 baud
(full 9600 baud is due soon), and STReport is now available there. That's
right, in addition to Compuserve and GEnie, I'll be uploading STReport to
AOL each week. I usually upload to all the services on Saturday mornings
and the sysop's usually release the file as soon as possible, so you can
start looking on Sunday. On Compuserve we are in the Mac Community Club
Forum, on GEnie we are in the GE-Mac User Group RoundTable, and on
America On Line we are in the Mac Games and Entertainment area. Check us
out!
__________________________________________________
> PAX IMPERIA STR Review
""""""""""""""""""""""
Pax Imperia
===========
by Randy Noak
Did you ever say to yourself, "Gee, if I were king, things would
sure be different"? Me too. That's why I've been spending a lot of time
with the game Pax Imperia. We're talking "staying up until 3 AM" lot of
time here. In Pax Imperia you're the Emperor. You get to name your
Empire, build various types of space ships, send colonists out into the
ether, select planets for your colonists to settle on, build factories,
cities, ports, and bases, design weapons systems, collect taxes, name
advisors, engage your human or computer opponents in interstellar
warfare, and do all sorts of interesting emperor type things. Whew!
The game starts with you, the Emperor, in charge of one measly
region on one tiny planet, in one insignificant solar system, in a small
corner of the galaxy. Your job is to build your empire. You build your
empire by building infrastructure and conquering other solar systems.
You'll start out building factories, cities, shipyards and bases on your
home planet but soon you'll run out of room and resources. Check your
solar system. There might be some other planets or moons that you can
exploit by building factories to mine whatever resources are available.
Since your default species are oxygen breathers (but you can make them
hydrogen, nitrogen, or carbon breathers if you like), you'll want to
check out planets with oxygen atmospheres first. You can set up a colony
on a planet (or moon) with non-oxygen atmospheres, but it will cost you
more to support that colony. Once you have checked out your solar system
and done all the exploiting you can do, it's time to send your scout
ships out in to the void.
Send out your scout ships to explore alien star systems while your
shipyards construct ships of your design. Everything from giant
dreadnought battleships to transports to tenders are available for
construction. Each ship requires differing amounts of capital, population
and resources, but if you don't have enough, you'll receive a message
showing you which component is lacking. At the beginning of the game,
you'll only be able to build slow, lightly armored ships, so you'll have
to make sure you devote some of your empire's income into R & D. The more
you invest the quicker your scientists will develop faster star drives,
nastier weapons, and better shields.
Sooner or later, in the midst of all your space ship building,
factory and city building, planet exploring, tax collecting, naming
advisors, and designing awesome weapons of war, you'll come across
another emperor bent on making his empire the only empire in the galaxy.
What are you gonna do? Declare war? Send a peace initiative? Attempt to
trade with your opponent?
Declare war and you'd better have a fleet of fast, heavily armed
warships standing by because you'll have to slug it out with your
opponent ship -to-ship, fleet-to-fleet, and planet-to-planet. You'll also
have to increase your Espionage budget or else you'll find your advisors
suddenly turning up dead as your opponent assassinates them one by one.
Choose peace and you may have to fight anyway if your opponent decides he
doesn't like the way you comb your carapace. Attempting to trade may
work, but let's face it, it's much more satisfying to initiate
interstellar warfare.
When the sensors on one of your ships pick up the enemy, you are
automatically switched to Tactical Control. In the Tactical Control
window you target your enemy and decide on your ship's movement. Click
"Done", and the battle begins. If your ships are more technically
advanced than those of your opponent, you'll have an easy win. If not,
well, be prepared to loose a ship and crew. Don't be too upset though.
After all, your subjects should be happy to give their lives for you,
their Emperor. More problematic is the loss of a good, expensive warship.
Time to raise taxes again. If your subjects don't like it, too bad.
You're the Emperor.
Assemble a fleet of warships and assault the enemy's planets and
wipe his populations off the face of the galaxy. While this is great fun
when you are on the giving end, it's not too much fun to be on the
receiving end of an assault by starships, so you'll want to make sure
that each of your planets is supplied with an adequate defensive system.
All of this costs money, so you'll have raise more taxes, explore more
planets, set up more colonies, and, hey, this could go on forever. Slowly
but surely, if you manage to balance the needs of your populace with the
needs of the Empire, you'll wrest control of the entire galaxy!
All in all, if you liked Sim City, you'll love Pax Imperia.
Pax Imperia
Changeling Software
1-203-623-1963
List price: $69.95
Street price: $39.95
_____________________________________________________________
> HOLIDAY TIPS STR InfoFile
"""""""""""""""""""""""""
Just in time for the Holiday Season comes a few tips on purchasing a
computer. Clip this out and give it to your friends and relatives when
they ask you which computer should they buy.
THIS RELEASE WAS DISTRIBUTED TO CONSUMER AND GENERAL BUSINESS EDITORS
VIA THE MAIL ON NOVEMBER 23, 1993. IT WILL NOT MOVE OVER THE PR
NEWSWIRE.
A Holiday Gift Guide To Buying A Home Computer
Ten Tips to Putting Technology Under the Tree this Year
CUPERTINO, California December 1993 Once upon a time, purchasing a
family computer was more complicated than finding four calling birds,
three French hens, two turtle doves and a partridge in a pear tree.
But with recent price drops for personal computers and a
proliferation of easy-to-use software, there's never been a more
affordable or better time to bring your home into the 21st century.
Children's holiday wish lists can be daunting enough without adding
bits and bytes, RAM and ROM, to the equation. In her new book,
Parents, Kids & Computers, Robin Raskin, executive editor of PC
Magazine and a parent with three computer-literate children, shows
how buying a home computer can be a springboard to years of family
fun and learning. That's good news for every parent who's felt
distressed when expensive holiday toys fail to keep children
interested beyond New Year's Eve.
The options you get on a computer far exceed those on other home
entertainment systems, notes Raskin. And a computer offers much
more than entertainment. Every new software program presents you and
your child with a whole new range of options for using the computer.
And there are new easy-to-use computers that come already loaded with
all the software you'll need for a home computer. They can even be
purchased in department and consumer electronics stores.
Raskin co-authored her book with children's technology expert Carol
Ellison after noticing how few activities are available to parents
to help them connect the computer experience their kids get in school
with the activities they perform on the computer at home.
Parents, Kids & Computers is a road map for the first-time computer
buyer. It was intended to help parents navigate through the maze of
computer brands, technical jargon, hardware and software to make the
best choice for the family.
Since many first-timers purchase computers as holiday presents, here
are Raskin's Top 10 Tips for buying a computer the whole family will use
for seasons to come:
1. Assess your family's computing needs.
You'll want a computer that serves the entire family. Begin by
asking yourself some pertinent questions: What type of computers do
our kids use at school? Most schools use Apple computers. Do I
need to bring work home? If so, does my office use a Macintosh or
DOS-based system? Will we be using the computer for personal
management like family finances and record-keeping? Do we want a
computer that comes with built-in sound and multimedia? Will we want
to make additional equipment purchases later on? If so, how easy and
economical is this? These questions will lead you to the next step:
choosing a brand.
2. Go with a recognizable brand name.
There are two major personal computer families. This means you'll be
choosing an Apple computer most likely from the Macintosh Performa
line or one of the DOS-based systems. Both provide a vast range of
software options and service and support for your hardware.
3. Look for pre-installed software.
Many of the best buys today are computers that come already
"bundled" with hundreds of dollars worth of software. But consider
both quality and quantity when making your decision.
4. Buy enough memory so your system can grow with your family.
The hard disk is your computer's storage space. These days, the hard
disk is a necessity if you expect software programs to run smoothly
and efficiently. Hard disks are measured in megabytes (MB). Consider
buying a hard disk with 80 MB or larger. You also will want to think
about RAM, which stands for random access memory. Make sure to have
at least 4 MB of RAM, especially if you plan to use the computer for
spreadsheets and graphics.
5. A printer is essential.
The three types of printers are dot-matrix, inkjet and laser. The
dot-matrix printer is the most basic, while laser printers are more
sophisticated and necessary for high quality printing and graphics.
Recent price drops have made laser printers more affordable and worth
the extra expense.
6. Kids love color.
If your computer will be used almost exclusively by children, color
is an option you should explore. The best children's games fill the
screen with vivid hues and wondrous graphics that captivate children
and encourage them to explore further.
7. Make sure your system is easy to expand.
The latest wave in computers is multimedia, the ability to show video
footage and play digital-quality sound using a CD-ROM (read only
memory). Buying a system with a CD-ROM can be expensive, but the
benefits will pay off. For example, you can purchase an
encyclopedia on CD-ROM that would cost hundreds of dollars less than
if bought in a book store. If you're not planning to buy a computer
already equipped with multimedia now, but want to add it in the
future, make sure your system makes it easy and affordable to add
these options when you're ready.
8. Get the kids involved.
Don't worry about spoiling the surprise. You'll make a better choice
for the whole family if the kids are included in the decision-making
process. Kids are remarkably sensitive to differences between
keyboards and screens, and you'll probably appreciate their input.
Also, many retailers allow families to test demonstration computers
before making a purchase.
9. Protect your investment..
Always find out about the manufacturer's warranty and the store's
return policy before you buy. Also, think about purchasing your
computer with a credit card that provides an extended warranty at no
additional cost.
10. Choose your software carefully.
A good computer game does more than entertain, it challenges kids to
explore the world around them and helps them develop problem-solving
and creative thinking skills. I encourage parents to build a
software library with their children as soon as they bring home a
computer. And, software is the perfect stocking stuffer!
_____________________________________________________________
> STR Mail Call "...a place for the readers to be heard"
"""""""""""""
STReport's MailBag
""""""""""""""""""
Messages * NOT EDITED * for content
-----------------------------------
Let's see if I've gotten anything interesting in the mail this week.
You remember the routine. If a piece of mail doesn't say, "THIRD AND
FINAL NOTICE" it goes into a pile on my desk until my wife starts griping
at me to get rid of the mess, at which time I sit down and write this
part of the column, thus reducing the pile by a minuscule amount and
satisfying my wife's cleaning urge.
Well, it's about time! Aldus finally sent me an upgrade notice for
Freehand 4.0. Lots of new features such as multiple pages in multiple
sizes, new type handling controls, new floating palettes, new drag-and-
drop features, and much more. Disappointingly, the upgrade is not
available on CD-ROM. The upgrade price is $150 to registered users. They
are also touting their Service programs and offering special deals on the
upgrade if you sign up for the programs. Call 1-800-685-3542 and have
your serial number and credit card ready.
Ahh, this is more like it! A new catalog from CD-ROM Warehouse.
Lotsa CD-ROM stuff here and you get a free CD storage case with every
order. Bundles abound and the prices are good too. Since these are the
Mac Warehouse people, shipping is only $3.00 for overnight shipping. Call
1-800-237-6623 and ask for a free catalog.
Sierra Software sent me a copy of "InterAction" a "blatantly biased
look at games from the Sierra Family". Biased it is, but it's also
pretty interesting. This issue has an article all about CD-ROM along with
previews of some new games. I hope some of this new stuff makes it over
to the Mac. Call Sierra at 1-800-757-7707 or visit them on CompuServe.
From Silver Graphics comes a "Competitive Upgrade" offer. They ask
for no proof whatsoever. Oh well... That and $69.00 will get you Acme
Fonts, a neat looking package of either Type 1 or True Type display
fonts. Call them at 1-800-888-1550 for more info.
Ray Dream is selling addDepth for $99. addDepth adds a 3D effect to
2D graphics. This looks tempting. Call Ray Dream at 1-800-846-0111
That's it for this week. Next week, I hope to have a review of Carriers
at War and lots more stuff. As always, please feel free to send your
comments or questions to me at:
America OnLine: STReportRN
Compuserve: 70323,1031
GEnie: R.NOAK
**********************************************************************
IMPORTANT NOTICE!
=================
STReport International Online Magazine is available every week for
your reading pleasure on DELPHI. STReport's readers are invited to join
DELPHI and become a part of a friendly community of enthusiastic computer
users there.
SIGNING UP WITH DELPHI
======================
Using a personal computer and modem, members worldwide access
DELPHI services via a local phone call
JOIN --DELPHI
--------------
Via modem, dial up DELPHI at 1-800-695-4002
then...
When connected, press RETURN once or twice
and...
At Password: type STREPORT and press RETURN.
DELPHI's Basic Plan offers access for only $6.00 per hour, for any
baud rate. The $5.95 monthly fee includes your first hour online. For
more information, call: DELPHI Member Services at 1-800-544-4005 DELPHI
is a service of General Videotex Corporation of Cambridge, MA.
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!
DELPHI-It's getting better all the time!
**********************************************************************
ATARI/JAG SECTION (III)
=======================
Dana Jacobson, Atari Editor
> From the Atari Editor's Desk "Saying it like it is!"
""""""""""""""""""""""""""""
Brrrrr!! Unbelievable that it's December already!! It's
been colder and colder outside; fortunately, the snow hasn't
arrived yet. But, being in New England, all we have to do is wait
a minute and the weather can change from bad to worse.
So, what's been happening lately on the Atari front? Well,
if you're into gaming or football, the name that's being [still]
heard nationally is Jaguars!! Jacksonville, Florida is the home
for the latest NFL expansion team and Atari's latest expansion to
their family has been on the market for a week or more. The
Jaguar (Atari's) seems to be all that's on people's minds these
days. Nothing really new has been said about the machine, but the
enthusiasm that it's generated has been phenomenal. It's truly
enjoyable to see the name "Atari" and enthusiasm displayed
prominently side by side these days. I hope that once the initial
push for the holiday season creates a huge demand for these
machines, that the new year will generate into a banner year for
Atari. Let's face it, for the computer side to have any chance to
succeed, Atari has to be successful enough to be able to parlay
some of those profits into future R&D for the current/future
Falcons. Once that happens, it stands to reason that Atari will
have created for itself some respectability again and use that to its
advantage for the computer line. And, at the same time, we can
enjoy the positive atmosphere while playing the latest in Jaguar
games! In the meantime, we hope to have some Jaguar reviews,
including game reviews, once the Jaguar starts to make its way
into the claws of some of our correspondents. You can be sure
that I'll have one as soon as I can, but unlikely until after the
first of the year.
The latest in major announcements about 3rd-party support for
the Jaguar has been promising:
SUNNYVALE, Calif, Nov 29 (Reuter) - Atari Corp said it signed 15 more
software companies as licensees for its new 64-bit home game system,
Jaguar. The announcement brings the total number of companies that have
pledged to write games for the Jaguar system to 35, the company said.
Atari said among the new titles that will be written for Jaguar are
Activision's "Return to Zork," and id Software's "Wolfenstein 3D." Also,
Accolade sport titles such as "Charles Barkley Basketball," and "Jack
Nicklaus Power Challenge Golf" will now be written for the new
entertainment system.
With the tremendous enthusiasm being generated by the Jaguar these
days, it is giving the online services reason to make some changes along
with it. It was recently announced on CompuServe that the Atari Forums
will undergo some changes to accommodate the increase in Jaguar online
activity:
*** NOV. 30 ***
CONSTRUCTION AHEAD!
Please pardon our dust while we reorganize the Atari 8-Bit Forum to
accommodate the changing Atari marketplace. In the coming days, this
Forum will be renamed to the "Atari Gaming Forum" and will contain
new sections which will expand our support for current and future
Atari Gaming products.
Stay tuned!
And......
Note to all:
The reconstruction work continues.
You can now reach this forum [ATARI8] by typing any of the
following:
GO ATARI8
GO LYNX
GO JAGUAR
GO ATARIGAMING (or 'G ATARIG' for short)
Again, thanks for your understanding and patience during our
reorganization. Look for more updates daily.
Ron Luks
And, from what I've been seeing daily in this Forum, the
message activity certainly warrants these supportive changes. Ron
Luks has stated that Atari 8-bit support should not suffer because
the databases will have little in the way of Jaguar material
except the possibility of screen shots and game reviews, still
leaving plenty of room for 8-bit files. Also, since current 8-bit
message activity is not overwhelming, there's room to support the
Jaguar activity. So, in the long run, it should be a good way to
continue to support the 8-bit as much as possible while adding
capabilities to support the Jaguar activity better.
On the computer side of things, there's been rumors floating
around, especially on CompuServe, of the pending release of a TT
clone. Well, Yat Siu, of Lexicor Europe, finally let out some
pertinent information about this new machine, called the Medusa.
Here's what Yat had to say about this new machine:
LEXICOR SOFTWARE is proud to announce that it can make available to
the Atari Community an Atari'040 Clone.
The MEDUSA T40 is now available via LEXICOR SOFTWARE CORPORATION
The Medusa specs are as follows:
-68040 Clocked at 64Mhz
internal FPU and PMMU
Mips are around 26 Mips, 4.5 MFLOPS
-FastRAM can have either 8-128 Mbyte on board
-Atari I/O such as
-DMA
-MIDI
-SERIAL
-PRINTER
-KEYBOARD
-FLOPPY (DD, HD, ED)
-2 SERIAL TT MODEM
-IDE BUS
-ISA BUS For Graphics Board (custom design)
-VME Bus
Vme Bus 16bit
ROM-Port
Mega Bus
Laserprinter (not sure why, all on the VME Bus Board)
Additionally you can get:
-SCSI Card with
TT SCSI
TT-LAN
SCSI II
and a DSP Board for a DSP96002
Planned for the summer of 94 is a MC68060 Board
TOS is a slightly modified version of 3.06
The price for this setup is roughly 3,000 U$D without IDE Drive and
without RAM.
The System was originally constructed and designed in Switzerland
by MEDUSA Systems.
Yat
ps: Its screaming fast *grin*
Wow! With the lack of TTs out there presently, and further
developments/production of Falcons, the Medusa should be able to
fill the current hardware void in the market. I also hope to be
able to see one in the near future, if it can be arranged! Yat
happens to live "in the neighborhood," so a user group demo or two
may provide a great opportunity to get a hands-on look at this new
machine! Look for more information in a future issue!
--------
The IAAD has held their annual election for new officers and board
members. Congratulations to the new board members and the re-elected
ones. Also, a special thanks to those former board members, Nevin
Shalit and Jim Allen, who have served well these past years but have
stepped aside to allow some "new blood" in the ranks.
11/23/93
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE!
The Independent Association of Atari Developers (IAAD) is pleased to
announce the results of the annual election of our Board of Directors.
Newly-elected Board members include Greg Kopchak of It's All Relative,
David "Dr. Bob" Parks of Dr. Bobware, and Charles Smeton of NewSTar
Technology Management. Nathan Potechin of DMC was reelected to a fifth
term, and Dorothy Brumleve of D.A. Brumleve was reelected to the Board
and to the Presidency by a unanimous vote.
The Board wishes to thank outgoing Board members Jim Allen of FAST
Technology and Nevin Shalit of Step Ahead Software for their years of
service.
The IAAD is an organization of third-party commercial hardware and
software developers supporting the Atari ST family of computers,
including the ST/STe, TT030, and Falcon030 series. The current
membership includes most active developers in North America as well as
some from abroad. Unique in the industry, the organization works to
provide its membership with help in marketing, packaging, technical
matters, and other issues of interest to third-party developers. Working
in concert with Atari, the IAAD strives to raise Atari product awareness
and to ease the introduction of new products into the marketplace. Such
support takes place through member-to-member exchanges and group
projects. Past projects have included anti-piracy advertising, a "Meet
the IAAD" online conference, a dealer mailing, and a brochure containing
descriptions of participating members' products. Last year's major focus
was a study of software piracy in North America, the results of which
were published and uploaded to BBSs and information services all over the
world. An IAAD Membership Directory including product listings is
updated regularly and made available on major online services.
Commercial developers are encouraged to apply for membership by sending
GEMail to the PERMIT$ address on GEnie. Developers who are not currently
GEnie members may contact D.A. Brumleve at 217 337 1937 for more
information. User groups, magazine publishers, and others wishing to
reach a large number of developers may send ASCII mailings to DABRUMLEVE
on GEnie or Delphi, to dabrumleve@genie.geis.com on the Internet, or to
76004,3655 on CompuServe.
----------
John Duckworth's debut column last week garnered a few comments from
readers over the past weekend. Unfortunately (I think), the issue was
released a day late due to technical problems and over the holiday
weekend it may have been overlooked. Anyway, all of the messages that I
saw were positive and readers were pleasantly surprised. If you missed
last week's column, in issue #9.48, please check it out. And, John is
really interested in receiving feedback and suggestions for future
columns, so please drop him a line if you can. Anyway, let's go
fishin'!!
________________________________________________
> ONLINE WEEKLY STReport OnLine The wires are a hummin'!
"""""""""""""""""""""""""""""
PEOPLE... ARE TALKING
=====================
On CompuServe
-------------
compiled by Joe Mirando
Hidi ho friends and neighbors. I don't know about you but I'm still
working off that Thanksgiving meal (I gained four and a half pounds by
"doing" dinner four times on Thanksgiving Day).
As I sat at my computer that evening, I took a moment to think of all
the things that I have to be thankful for. I guess that we all have
lots of things to be thankful for... and I'm glad that we have a day
set aside for the purpose remembering them. I also saw my first
"JAGUAR" commercial over the weekend... not the most impressive piece of
advertising I've ever seen, but it was a good showing of a good product
from a company that we've come not to expect advertising from. The last
time I saw an Atari product advertised on television was the "Big
Lynx/Batman Promotion" of a few seasons ago (and we all know how far
that one went, don't we?).
One of my reasons for being thankful is all my friends on
CompuServe... Ron Luks, Bob Retelle, BJ Gleason (as well as all the
other Sysops), users like Myles Cohen and Dazzz Smith (to name only
two), developers like John Trautschold, Charles F. Johnson, and Stefan
Daystrom. Thanks for your help and information.
Now let's get to the good stuff...
From the Atari Productivity Forum
=================================
James Port talks about the ability of QuickCis to set the clock of an ST:
"It is a neat feature, but since I've added a hard drive, the clock is
always running. The problem is, it is typically running slow, but not
slow enough to trip the auto reset from the network. Can't figure
that out though. The watch I wear maybe gains a minute every couple
of months or so. My computers tend to lose a minute or more every
week. It would seem to me they should be able to keep better time
than that."
Sysop Dan Rhea tells James:
"There are a couple of causes to drift in clocks in computers, the
worst, is a faulty crystal (this usually leaves the clock totally
non-functional, so we can pretty much rule that one out). The most
common is that your local power company is letting the line frequency
slip a bit (it's normally 60 cycles a second in the States, and 50
cycles in the UK, and most everywhere else). A more subtle item is
that the trimmer in the clock circuit needs to be tweaked a bit
(Trying to adjust it is usually more trouble than it's worth).
Personally, I reset my system clock once a month. It doesn't drift
more than a minute a month. I don't need anything more exact than
that."
Sysop Bob Retelle adds:
"Another thing that can affect computer clocks, although I don't know
of any specific instances on the Atari platform, is programs that muck
about with the system timers that are used to maintain the "time of
day" clock.
Some games on the IBM platform are notorious for changing the timers
and not restoring them, thus leaving your clock running at double
speed... even the programs (mostly games) that do reset the timers
properly may affect the clock during the time they're running.
Actually, electronic clocks that run from the 60hz line frequency
reference of the power lines may be more accurate, over time, than
crystal controlled clocks..
The power companies typically compensate for low frequency occurances
by tweaking the AC up slightly above 60hz for an equivalent time, and
vice versa. Thus, over a relatively longer period of time, the errors
tend to cancel out.
Crystal controlled oscillators are _potentially_ more accurate, but
only if they're adjusted right on. A crystal oscillator that's
slightly slow will ALWAYS be slightly slow, and thus will accumulate
an increasingly greater error over time.. same for one that's slightly
fast.
Unfortunately, unless the trimmer capacitor in the crystal circuit is
easily accessible, as Dan's was, it might be difficult to adjust an
internal clock. (The one in my ST is "potted" in epoxy in the middle
of an IC socket adapter)
I imagine the reason wristwatches are generally more accurate is that
they're adjusted more carefully when they're manufactured."
Stefan Daystrom at Barefoot Software adds:
"In some cases on the Atari, depending on where the clock is in the
system and what software has update access to it, the clock can drift
slow (lose time) if you reset/reboot too much. One of the reasons is
that some versions of the Control Panel (or possibly other
time-setters) read the current time and then write it back, dropping a
little bit of precision (anywhere from dropping fractions of seconds
to fractions of minutes!); if your system is plagued by this, it'll
keep perfect time as long as you keep it on 24 hours and never reset
it, but the time may get less perfect the number of times you cycle
power and/or the number of times the clock setter runs (typically on
every reset)."
James tell Dan, Bob and Stefan:
"Well, it isn't as though I'm doing anything that is that time
sensitive, I have to have the accurate setting all the time. I think
I'll just not worry about it and reset them every now and then. I'm
not using any software that should muck about with the clock, don't
have time to play games anymore. Okay once in a while I manage to get
in a game or two of Solitaire in Windows, but otherwise all my game
software is just collecting dust. I'm not exactly into trying to get
at the trimmers. I've had enough of opening up my ST with its
thousand screws and bending, triming or who knows what with the RF
shield. From the looks of things, I'd have to pull out nearly every
card in the 386 to get at the mother board, so that's out too. Thanks
for the information, but I think I'll just live with it."
Dan Dixon asks:
"Does anyone know how to move Standard MIDI files created in CUBASE to
a Mac? I can get them to the Mac via a floppy mounting utility, but
my Performer software will not recognize the files when I go to open
them. Do they need further conversion?"
Mike Mortilla, one of the MIDI gurus here on CompuServe, tells Dan:
"The best way to accomplish this is to save the MFF to an IBM (ST)
disk and have the MAC read it from a utility that reads IBM on a MAC.
Doing it the other way (writing a MAC file from the ST or IBM) is more
trouble than it's worth. The prolblem is that the MAC disk drive is
variable speed and ST/IBM drive if fixed speed.
A Syquest and the proper utilities could accomplish that, but I think
the prog to have the MAC read the IBM disk is a PD and the simpliest
way I know of to do that. Also, make sure that Cubase or whatever you
use, saves the file as an MFF."
Dan tells Mike:
"I could get the file to the Mac; I just couldn't get the app to
recognize it. But I finally solved the problem--the file's type code
must be changed to read "Midi". Once that's done, the program "sees"
the file and will import it."
Bob Dolson tells Alan Page, the author of STORM:
"That's the spirit Alan! You're doing a very fine job with STorm and I
realize that you are very busy with Ditek... And the multiple buffers
on STorm are even MORE wonderful than the single one in Flash! It's
lightyears ahead of anything else!"
Ian Braby tells Alan:
"I've been playing with STORM but have had one little problem -
auto-logons wont!
I've set everything up for CIS - ran CIS.BAS to enter my details, set
the Terminal settings and auto-logon file etc. and tried to log on.
That worked because CIS.BAS was resident.
Trying to log-on to CIS directly, without pre-loading the CIS.BAS
file, doesn't load CIS.BAS as it should - I have to manually load and
run the file!"
Alan tells Ian:
"In the Dial
er Edit dialog there is a button at the bottom labelled
Auto-Logon Path. Click on this button and use the file selector to
tell Storm where your auto-logon files are located. I suggest creating
a Basic folder and putting all your auto-logon and Basic files there."
Beverly Chisolm tells us:
"I would like a modem for an Atari but don't know how to find one.
There are no Atari dealers in my town (St. Augustine, FL) Is it
possible to order through CompuServe?"
Boris Molodyi tells Beverly:
"Any modem works with Atari (assuming that you have an ST or TT or
Falcon; if you have an 8-bit, you need a special cable). Personally, I
would recommend Supra's modems, but really it all depends on your
needs and budget."
Boris is one hundred percent correct! Supra modems offer the best mix
of functionality and affordability that I've seen in a long time. (I
use a Supra v.32bis) And with CompuServe offering 14,400 access
(in addition to the more common 300, 1200, 2400 and 9600 access),
downloads scream! It also allows you to send FAXes right from your
computer (assuming you have a FAX program like STraight Fax).
Tom Mynar asks:
"Does anyone know if the Insite Floptical will connect to the ICD Host
Adapter with it's regular software - or do I need the PRO version to
use this puppy.
Of course, I should have my answer later tonight after I get the
drive in from UPS and try and use it...
But, if anyone else has any experience... (I have the Advantage card)."
Myles Cohen tells Tom:
"You need the LINK version...or the PRO version...but as far as I
know...the regular version of the software won't handle it..."
That's right Myles, but you forgot to tell him that he also needs a LINK
in addition to the LINK software. Although most peole would figure that
out, some (not Tom) may not realize that the LINK adaptor (hardware) is
needed to access the drive itself.
Bill Turczynski tells us:
"I just got a SupraFax v.32bis modem to use on my STacy with
Interlink. I have my old 8-bit on a Supra 2400 and it's been a while
since I had the STacy on the Supra 2400.
If I'm just capturing msgs. for off line reading with the STacy, I
get a herky-jerky response. A stop/go action that I don't get on my
8-bit.
Do I just have the SupraFax setup wrong or is it Interlink? I don't
remember if it acted that way on the Supra 2400."
Albert Dayes of Atari Explorer Online Magazine asks Bill:
"What version of the roms does your SUPRA v.32bis modem have? Type
ATI3 to determine what version. The most current version is 1.8 of
the roms. Also you might download serial fix 2.x if you haven't
already. The program fixes errors in the hardware flow control
portion of the roms. This is in addition to other minor problems aas
well.
Also it might just be the way your hardware flow control is working."
Bill tells Albert:
"I have the most current ROMs, v1.80-03. I found the problem(me)<g>. I
thought that I read that when you turn on the flow
control(RTS/CTS),XON/ XOFF gets turned off automatically in the term.,
when it didn't, I did it. Now I get non-stop flow and I had this
problem on GEnie too.
I have SERFX2.PRG now but it says that it's used with XCONTROL.ACC.
Looking in the libs, there are sereral. Should I get the current,
Falcon version or the older ST version? I have a nonX version on a
disk that came with my STacy."
Master Sysop Ron Luks adds:
"Sometimes that herky-jerky motion is caused by network load. Try
running your program again during off peak hours and let us know if
its any smoother."
From the Atari ST Arts Forum
============================
Hal Dougherty posts:
"I just got a new Mac Performa and I've found a shareware program that
displays Spectrum pictures on it. It's the only Spectrum 512 display
program I've ever found for a computer, other than an ST!"
Boris Molodyi thinks aloud:
"Hmm. It displays Spectrum pictures on Mac? Some Atari renegade done
it, no doubt :-)"
Mike Mortilla posts:
"When Barefoot starts including "audio tracks" in the SmpteTrack prog,
I'm gonna *HAVE* to buy a Falcon! I still say SmpteTrack (EditTrack)
is the best sequencer made on any platform. I've tried a lot of 'em
and none are as useful for me."
Eric Mercer talks about his brother's ST problem:
"My brother told me that during a session, after the computer crashes
the first time, it will crash immediately each time the computer is
rebooted (until it has time to rest). To me, this screams hardware
problem. However, the computer is supposed to be ok."
Stefan Daystrom at barefoot Software tells Eric:
"Not necessarily. First of all, there are three kinds of "reboot":
software warm boot (Control Alt Delete), software cold boot (Control
Alt RightShift Delete), and power cycling (turning it off and back
on).
Each in order reboots the machine with different thoroughness.
However, with some Atari models (I don't remember which one you have),
the power supply can keep supplying _some_ power to the memory for a
while after you turn it off, and if the _right_ memory location was
corrupted as part of the crash, you may need to turn the computer off
for a minute or more to _completely_ clear it out.
So see if a rest of a minute or so does it, or much longer is needed.
If less than a minute, it _could_ be that a critical part of memory is
being corrupted, but that the "magic" word which says that memory is
ok isn't being cleared. Also, try the software cold boot (Control Alt
RightShift Delete) and see if that helps; sometimes that can clear the
memory, I think, _more_ thoroughly than a very quick power cycle
(because I think it _forces_ one of the "magic" words to be bad, which
too short a power cycle might not). (However, it doesn't reset some
of the support chips the way a power cycling does, so _both_ a power
cycling and an immediate software cold boot are needed for the most
through cycling with the least delay.)"
When Micky White posted that "Interlink VIOLATES MEMORY under
MultiTOS", Stefan Daystrom asks:
"Can you please explain what that means? That it does something with
memory it has not officially gotten? Is it low system memory? There
are, unfortunately, some things that are needed by programs, like
having to do with key repeat as I recall for example, that have never
been brought out to a documented call or memory location and so those
of us that need to use those need to go down there. But conceptually
I consider it quite different to "violate memory" by clearing the key
repeat flag in the system memory (to avoid the key chatter bug in
certain situations) than to violate memory by stomping on some memory
you _assume_ was free but didn't actually allocate or receive; the
former will not harm another program (if it doesn't harm the OS, of
course <grin!>), but the latter will..."
Jim Ness, who is no stranger to terminal programs, tells Stefan:
"The most common way to "violate memory" in MultiTOS is to share
something with another program. For instance, both QuickCIS and QCMsg
can share a buffer with EdHak to speed up message replies, etc.
To make this work with MultiTOS, each program has to have the memory
checking flag turned off.
In Interlink's case, Interlink is probably sharing a buffer with one
of its emulation modules."
Kevin Champagne gives us some info on Comdex:
"I just came back from Vegas yetserday. I spent all week in town, but
only went to the show Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday (one has to have
SOME time for fun!). I have t ell you that I saw absolutely no
evidence that Atarfi was anywhere in evidence. I did see the 3D0 in
operation, among other fun items...
I saw both the Motorola and IBM 'booths', and saw no evidence of
either the Jaguar or Falcon, but both companies had areas so large
that I suppose I could have missed them..."
From the Atari Vendors Forum
============================
Dom Alvear asks about ICD utilities:
"Will Bootfix work with a TT SCSI port? I was under the impression that
it had to be connected to an Advantage or AdSCSI host."
Tony Barker tells Dom:
"It will work with the TT SCSI port, I had occaision to use it myself
just the other day."
Todd Thedell asks about using Flash 2:
"It seems I have to slect Terminate Call when I first load FLASH II.
Then I got a new error today; when I tried to Dial Board as I usually
do to get to cis, then Terminate Call, I got a ! dialog saying
"Intelligent Modem requires non-zero Connect Time." I thought it had
something to do with Silent Line because I also got an error Silent
Line is connected to Compuserve Ok" I have tried warm & cold boots but
still getting the same.
Also, when I load FLASH II something is switching my baud rate to
9600 so I have to change that before I do anything."
John at Missionware Software tells Todd:
"When FLASH II first boots, it looks at the status of the DCD line
coming from the modem (DCD = Data Carrier Detect). If that line is
active, it thinks it is already online and therefore, doesn't fool
around with the serial port. Assuming your modem is not online, the
reason you are getting this is because your modem is set to keep DCD
(or CD) active all the time. Almost *all* modems are shipped this way
from the factory. Don't ask me why.
If you have a Hayes compatible mode, you *should* be able to change
this by sending the modem a AT&C1 command. It's probably set to &C0
right now. After doing this, make sure to save the new configuration
in your modem's internal memory with either a AT&W0 or AT&W1 command,
depending on which internal profile you wish to store this in. for
more information, see your modem operations manual.
The reason you got an "Intelligent Modem" warning is because you've
got your "Connect Time" set to '0' in Modem Options. Version 2.2 now
pops up a slightly better message. You should set Connect Time to 30
seconds or greater. '0' should only be used in special circumstances
(meaning connecting to devices other than a modem).
Finally, the reason FLASH II is switching to 9600 at boot up, even
though you've got something else stored in modem options, is because
of the DCD problem noted above. Flash II is *not* resetting the port
at bootup because of DCD being active. You've probably got 9600 set
in your Atari Control Panel (or XControl Panel if you are using
CPX's)."
Todd tells John:
"The Connect Time was set to 0 but I have no idea how it was set since
it worked fine before. I am not sure how to deal with the DCD; I use
a dip switch to change from line signal to forced on. I will sort it
out though."
John replies:
"Oh, ok, if you need to set a dip switch, then that's ok too. Just
makes sure it's set to follow the line signal and DCD should then work
just fine.
The only other reason DCD might not work after that is if your modem
cable doesn't have the full compliment of wires and pins. You may end
up having to get a new cable too. But try the dip switch first.
What type of modem do you have? It must be an older version since
most newer ones use software "switches" these days."
Rob Rasmussen asks the CodeHeads about importing graphics into
Calligrapher:
"When I save a scan as an IMG, then insert it as a graphic into a
Calligrapher page, it looks squashed and out of proportion. The scans
are usually 8 or 9 inches long, and I use a SC1224 monitor. What can I
do to make these pictures look right on my screen?"
Charles F. Johnson, CodeHead extrordinaire, tells Rob:
"We tried to duplicate this problem and couldn't; when we loaded a
very tall IMG into Calligrapher in medium resolution, the aspect ratio
looked about as correct as medium resolution can ever look. It's
possible you're encountering some kind of limit in Calligrapher, or
maybe TouchUp is doing something unusual with its IMG files; I'm not
sure what to suggest, except to maybe scale the image smaller with
TouchUp before importing into Calligrapher.
It is true that when you start getting into stuff like full-page
scans and such, you might be better off with a full-fledged page
layout program; but that depends on how complex your layout is. I
find Calligrapher to be much quicker than a DTP program for
uncomplicated layout work."
From the Palmtop Forum
======================
Martin Leighton posts:
"I've got a portfolio, with both the serial and parallel ports. How
can I use this to access Compuserve? (I'd like to use it on the road
for getting mail & talking to forums,etc). I've got access to a large
desktop modem, but I'm thinking of getting a small portable one. So,
questions are: What software would I need to run on the portfolio?
How do I use it? Which peripheral (ie serial or parallel) do I use,
and how do I wire it to the modem? Any advice on modems?
Does anyone have any hints on how best to use the combination?
All thoughts would be gratefully received, especially since I don't
have much technical skill in this department."
Sysop BJ Gleason tells Martin:
"A number of users use the Portfolio to Access Compuserve. You might
want to look at the file PORT.FAQ in lib 9, which conatins answers to
questions like these.
The short answer is that you need the serial port, modem, cable to
hook them up, and a terminal package, such as ACOM or XTERM [both in
LIB 9], and away you go...
The modem that most people seem happy with is the PPI modem..."
Barry Childress posts:
"I just wanted to let the members here know that I'm working on a
project with a small religious school that my kids go to. The goal is
to get some computers in the classroom. Do to a real tight budget I
think that the Port would be an excellent choice. So part one of the
project is to solicit used (or new) Ports for donation to the school.
We are also interested in some RAM cards (any size) and AC adapters.
Any (tax deductible) donations would be gratefully received. We are
looking to get at least 3 Ports and some extra RAM cards to hold
different subjects.
I will be doing the programming for Port but if you are aware of any
educational software for the Port (pre-school thru 1st grade) let me
know."
Dave Stewart, being the nice guy that he is, tells Barry:
"I'll mention this project in Re:Port and see if any of my readers can
help!"
For anyone who doesn't know, Re:Port is a newsletter devoted to the
Portfolio. If you have a Portfolio and don't get Re:Port, you're
missing out on some great stuff!
Well folks, that's it for this week. Perhaps I'll get rid of this
bloated feeling before next week, but with the turkey sandwiches, turkey
soup, turkey croquettes, and turkey jerky (yep, we smoke it just like
beef), it's not likely.
Be sure to tune in again next week (same time, same channel), sit back
in a comfortable chair, kick off those shoes, relax and listen to what
they are saying when...
PEOPLE ARE TALKING
_____________________________________________
> The Old Fishin' Hole STR Feature
""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""
The Old Fishin' Hole
====================
-A Guide to the Online PD/Shareware Waters.
by John R. Duckworth
Greetings and welcome to the second edition of "The Old Fishin'
Hole". This week brings us another bucket full of programs for our
beloved Atari computers. I'd like to thank all of the public
domain/shareware programmers who continue to program (usually getting
nothing but a thanks in return..if that) for our systems and hope
that they will continue to throw their often innovative creations
into the online world. Now, without further delay...let's see what we
have to choose from...
A program designed to help make a teachers life easier is what
we'll take a look at first. "Class 4.6" by Gary Wren is a shareware
application which allows a class and their grades to be tracked and
manipulated via the ST. The program is very versatile and teachers
have several ways to track grades and class members. A class roster
can be sorted by name or grade (any test or assignment grade can be
the sort criteria as well as the students' GPA). Assignment scores
may be weighted according to how important the teacher wants them to
count toward the students' final grade. While the usefulness of this
program is hard to beat (for educators...which is the target
audience), I do have a few problems with the program's interface.
While "Class" uses GEM menus, the rest of the program seems to follow
no particular GEM convention. The program's main display does not run
in it's own window, which will cause problems for those wanting to
run it under MultiTOS. "Class 4.6" only works in ST modes (med/high)
but should work fine on any TOS computer capable of such modes. A $20
registration fee entitles the user to a 31 page users guide, plus
several other programs done by the author. If you are a teacher, I
recommend taking a look at "Class", and by supporting the author,
perhaps the package will continue to be updated.
Next is an educational game title "Magic Spell" (version 2.1) by
T. Savino. This game is reminiscent of the online chat game
"Scramble". If you've never played, the mechanics are simple; A group
of random letters are drawn at the start of a round. The player must
try to make words out of the letters, with more points being made for
longer words, before a certain amount of time elapses. "Magic Spell"
uses this same concept, but adds a few twists. First, letters MAY be
used more than once (making it easier to come up with words), and
second, the player is allowed to make only ten words (so they better
be the best possible). After playing a few rounds, I came to the
conclusion that the provided dictionary was a bit small. Usually half
of my words weren't recognized by the game, so I had to manually
accept them. Children will probably use shorter words, so this might
not be a problem. The program does allow words to be added to the
dictionary, so after playing a while it should become quite complete.
The game will run ONLY in ST medium or high modes, and one complaint
I had while playing in color was the lack of it. While some color
borders were provided in medium resolution, it is obvious that
allowing it to run in that resolution was an afterthought. The game
will be most appreciated by children, although difficulty can be
increased to make it more interesting for adults. I hope the author
continues to refine the game perhaps by adding Falcon resolution
support, and more colorful displays and sound.
"KittyLock 2" is a small but potentially helpful shareware
utility by Erin Monaco. The program (which can be run as an accessory
as well) allows the user to lock his/her system to prevent children
or pets from destroying their work while away from the keyboard. A
password must be typed in to allow the system to return to normal
operation. The password is completely configurable, as well as the
amount of time before the program kicks in when loaded as an
accessory. The only fault the utility has is that the program
displays a dialog box when frozen, so tasks being run concurrently
in MultiTOS will cease to operate. Maybe a future update will place
the password entry into a window and lock out mouse movements (so
that other windows can't be topped) so that tasks running in the
background can continue (I'm actually not even sure it's possible...
but something to look into). As the program stands now however, I
recommend it highly. The days of wandering fingers from little hands
are over.
Again, I welcome comments from readers or authors...my email
address is: JDUCKWORTH@delphi.com . Until next week, happy
fishin'.
+----------------------------------------------------------------+
| Old Fishin Hole Tackle Box * |
+----------------------------------------------------------------+
| Class v. 4.6 |
| GEnie (Atari RT - #30833 |
| CompuServe (Ataripro - CLASST.ARC, CLASS6.ARC) |
| Magic Spell v. 2.1 |
| GEnie (Atari RT - #30889, #30890) |
| Kitty Lock v. 2 |
| GEnie (Atari RT - #30893) |
+----------------------------------------------------------------+
* The Tackle Box is meant to provide assistance in finding files
mentioned in the column. It should not be considered a COMPLETE
listing and is provided for convenience only. Delphi Atari Advantage
files should be found in the Recent Arrivals section of the database
until moved to their appropriate sections.
Well, that's about it for this week. With the Christmas season upon
us, we hope to be able to provide you all with a few X-mas "goodies" in
the next few weeks. Also, I hope to be able to provide a "Year in
Review" column for either the last issue for 1993, or at the first of the
year. That should be interesting column! We also hope to have a review
of Gribnif Software's Geneva before the end of the year, as well as some
other recent releases or updates. And, we're still working to provide
additional support staff to help round out various coverage of "things"
Atari in order to provide our readers a well-rounded issue each week. As
usual, suggestions, ideas, complaints, or just plain feedback is always
appreciated!!
Until next time...
-Dana
"""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""
STReport's "EDITORIAL CARTOON"
""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""
> A "Quotable Quote" "What a great Gift Idea!"
"""""""""""""""""
"A pair of Season Tickets to
THE JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS
and an
Atari Jaguar for half time fun!"
..."Slipstream" McRudder
""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""
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==================
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HOLIDAY SEASON SPECIALS IN EFFECT!
----------------------------------
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(HAS SOCKET) PLUG-IN UPGRADABLE (easy)
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256K CACHE - 1.44/1.2 FLOPPY
200MB IDE hd - 2 SERIAL, 1 PARALLEL, 1 GAME PORTS
250W POWER SUPPLY TOWER SYSTEM
will meet or beat _any_ legit, advertised price
other high power packages available
or, design your own! Call for pricing!
Call: 904-783-3319 Anytime, Voice Mail
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===============
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======================
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=================
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================
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""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""
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Since 1987 copyright (c) 1987-93 All Rights Reserved No.9.49
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